RAI Reynolds American (delisted)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE:RAI) and its subsidiaries today announced several executive assignments and retirements. Gavin D. Little, 38, currently European marketing director for British American Tobacco Plc (BAT) and a member of BAT's European board of directors, has been named executive vice president of consumer and trade marketing for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (R.J. Reynolds). Little plans to join the company in February 2006. "Today's competitive cigarette marketplace requires seamless integration of brand marketing and sales efforts," said Susan M. Ivey, chairman and chief executive officer of both Reynolds American and its largest subsidiary, R.J. Reynolds. "To maximize effectiveness in communicating with adult smokers through all channels, R.J. Reynolds has blended those functions into a new structure called Consumer and Trade Marketing, headed by Gavin Little. We believe this singular focus will strengthen and ensure continuity of message to our customers, as well as continued productivity gains within the organization," Ivey said. James V. Maguire, 54, currently executive vice president of sales for R.J. Reynolds, will retire in May 2006. Fran Creighton, 54, currently executive vice president of marketing for R.J. Reynolds, has accepted a position within BAT's International Brand Group, and will relocate to London in March 2006. Charles A. Blixt, 54, currently executive vice president and general counsel of Reynolds American, also plans to retire, following the completion of a transitional period once his successor has been named. "This company, its shareholders, and I personally owe Jim, Fran and Chuck a tremendous debt of gratitude for their leadership and commitment to the organization and its success," Ivey said. "We all wish them nothing but the best in their future plans." In addition, Donald I. Lamonds, 49, was promoted to executive vice president of information technology and chief information officer of R.J. Reynolds. He had been senior vice president of information technology and chief information officer. Within the new consumer and trade marketing function of R.J. Reynolds, there were a number of other executive promotions and appointments, including: - Brice O'Brien, 37, formerly vice president of marketing for the Camel business unit, has been promoted to senior vice president of brands for the company. - Bryan K. Stockdale, 47, formerly vice president of sales strategy and operations, has been promoted to senior vice president of marketing operations. - Robert Stowe, 48, formerly area vice president of field sales, has been promoted to senior vice president of trade marketing. - Walton T. Carpenter, 53, formerly vice president of strategy and planning, has been promoted to senior vice president of strategy and planning. - Victoria M. Person-Goral, 49, formerly director of region sales, has been promoted to area vice president of trade marketing. - Colin M. Uffindell, 43, formerly area vice president of field sales, was named vice president of field marketing. - Cressida Lozano, 32, formerly vice president of marketing for Reynolds American's Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. subsidiary, will relocate to Winston-Salem and has been named vice president of R.J. Reynolds' Camel business unit. - Melanie Barbee, 42, formerly vice president of R.J. Reynolds' full price brands and strategic initiatives, will replace Lozano as vice president of marketing at Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. and will relocate to Santa Fe, N.M. "We are indeed fortunate to have such a broad and deep talent pool upon which to draw for our future success," said Ivey. "We are delighted that our strategic partnership with Reynolds American's largest shareholder, BAT, and our ability to offer positions within other RAI operating units, affords us the opportunity to broaden the business experience of our employees. Each company's business will benefit from the leadership strengths and broad perspective that these individuals bring." Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE:RAI) is the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc., Lane Limited and R.J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the second- largest U.S. tobacco company, manufactures about one of every three cigarettes sold in the country. The company's brands include five of the 10 best-selling U.S. brands: Camel, Kool, Winston, Salem and Doral. Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc. manufactures Natural American Spirit cigarettes and other tobacco products for U.S. and international markets. Lane Limited manufactures several roll-your-own, pipe tobacco and little cigar brands, and distributes Dunhill tobacco products. R.J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc. manufactures, sells and distributes American-blend cigarettes and other tobacco products to a variety of customers worldwide. Copies of RAI's news releases, annual reports, SEC filings and other financial materials are available at http://www.reynoldsamerican.com/. DATASOURCE: Reynolds American Inc. CONTACT: Investor Relations, Ken Whitehurst, +1-336-741-0951, or Media, Maura Payne, +1-336-741-6996, both of Reynolds American Inc. Web site: http://www.reynoldsamerican.com/

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