2025-11-17T18:25:41-07:00 2024-12-31 990 2024-01-01 135568722 CIGAR ASSOC OF AMERICA INC CIGA 2022238204 525 9th NW Suite 680 Washington DC 20004 Scott Pearce President 2022238204 2025-11-17 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Scott Pearce 525 9th Street NW Suite 375 Washington DC 20004 5300093 0 X cigarsusa.org X 1937 NY On behalf of our members, we ensure a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry by championing member-driven advocacy, raising awareness of the positive impact of our members and the industry, and driving value and growth for our members 16 16 5 0 0 0 376000 399000 4591451 4867625 32875 33468 0 0 5000326 5300093 0 0 0 0 1128354 1115681 0 0 0 4040143 4252802 5168497 5368483 -168171 -68390 2256871 2083663 235386 128437 2021485 1955226 Our vision is to ensure a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry. We achieve this vision through our threefold mission: (1) Championing member-driven advocacy to defend and protect the industry from harmful regulations and legislation. (2) Raising awareness of the positive economic impact and charitable contributions of our members and the industry. (3) Promoting policies that foster growth and deliver value for our members and the industry. 0 0 2189755 0 0 State Affairs Program Activities: CAA actively monitors and responds to tax and regulatory developments affecting the cigar industry at state and local levels. As the industry's advocate, CAA represents its members' views on legislation, taxation, regulation, and other government issues. Member companies are promptly informed of any proposed legislation that could negatively impact the cigar industry. When necessary, CAA takes action to prevent harmful regulations or pursues litigation in specific states to protect its members' best interests. 250000 0 0 Federal Affairs Program Activities: CAA monitors and responds to federal tax and regulatory developments affecting the cigar industry. As a dedicated advocate, CAA represents its members' interests by conveying the industry's perspectives on regulation, taxation, and legislative matters to lawmakers and relevant government agencies. Members are promptly informed of any proposed federal legislation that may negatively impact the cigar industry. When necessary, CAA takes action to halt unfavorable regulations or pursue litigation to protect the industry's interests. 678838 0 0 FDA Litigation, State Litigation, Other Litigation, and Industry Regulation Monitoring and Response: Most of these expenses relate to ongoing litigation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2023, the association continued its legal and regulatory efforts with the FDA on behalf of its members. These legal services included engaging in discussions, educating, and informing the FDA about the cigar industry, explaining how our products are processed and manufactured, highlighting the unique challenges of regulating the industry, and emphasizing the impact that FDA regulations could have on our members and the industry as a whole. Other expenses in this category address litigation with local and state governments, focusing on tax issues, legislation, and sales bans that affect the cigar industry. Economic Insights and Reporting: This program activity encompasses various member surveys for reporting on purchases and sales, along with statistical reporting of industry data. It includes analysis of key industry metrics, such as import and export data, as well as domestic manufacturing information provided by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Public Relations and Communications: This program activity involves public communication, industry promotion, and targeted PR efforts through social media, our website, press releases, and other media outlets. Expenses include fees for public affairs and communications consulting, graphic design for social media, website, and promotional materials, as well as website development and maintenance. Additional costs cover meetings and events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Cigar Association of America. Annual Meeting Expenses: The annual board and member meeting is a pivotal event for the Cigar Association of America, uniting industry leaders to discuss key issues, regulatory updates, and advocacy priorities. It includes strategic sessions on legislative challenges, and market insights, along with networking opportunities and collaborative team sessions. This meeting strengthens industry alignment, member engagement, provides valuable data and insights, and reinforces CAA's mission to support and advance the cigar industry. 87263 0 0 Public relations and communications expenses for promotion of CAA. 205426 0 0 Annual Meeting Conference Expenses 37382 Statistical Reporting and Economic Insights Program 330071 0 0 3448664 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 71 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X 16 16 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X Daniel Cotter 2022238204 525 9th Street NW Suite 375 Washington DC 20004 Daniel Cotter Vice President of Finance & Operations 40 0 X 220318 0 59543 Scott Pearce President 40 0 X 224558 0 30632 Brian Fojtik Senior Vice President, Govt. Relations (former) 40 0 X 201587 0 27214 Mudiaga Kpohraror Director of State Government Relations 40 0 X 160621 0 15204 David Ozgo President (former) 40 0 X 33333 0 0 Chris Howard Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Tanisha Sanders Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Regis Broersma Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Ralph Brown Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Christopher Casey Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Terry Gallagher Jr Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Michael Gold Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Diane Kalambokas Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Arthur Kemper Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Neil Kiely Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Millie Lukose Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Owen McKeon Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Drew Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Eric Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Robert Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Nicholas Perdomo Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Emily Rodriguez Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Rhondetta Walton Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Arthur Zaretsky Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Enri Zarka Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Kellie Newton Secretary of the Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Javier Estades Chairman of the Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Rob Wilkey Vice Chair, Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Henry Roemer Treasurer of the Board of Directors 1 0 X 0 0 0 Patrick Anderson Senior Vice President of Govt. Relations 40 0 X 0 0 0 840417 0 132593 5 1 1 0 Fox Rothschild LLP 2000 Market Street 20th Floor Philadephia PA 191033222 Litigation and regulatory matters 505565 West Front Strategies 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 530 Washington DC 20005 Government relations 120000 Jake Perry & Partners 1838 Randolph St NW Washington DC 20011 Government relations 130000 3 0 0 0 0 0 399000 0 399000 Annual Meeting Registraton Revenue 813219 181475 181475 0 0 4686150 4686150 0 0 4867625 33468 33468 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5300093 4901093 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 578151 0 578151 0 380938 0 380938 0 14610 0 14610 0 13840 0 13840 0 60907 0 60907 0 67235 0 67235 0 0 0 0 0 151402 0 151402 0 15597 0 15597 0 1014247 1014247 0 0 0 0 0 0 1873 0 1873 0 87263 87263 0 0 21910 21910 0 53212 0 53212 0 0 0 0 0 91703 0 91703 0 56502 0 56502 0 0 0 0 0 205426 205426 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6269 0 6269 0 14856 0 14856 0 State and Federal Affairs 1425508 1425508 0 0 FDA & Other Litigation, Industry Monitoring 678838 678838 0 0 Misc Expenses-Admin & Statistical Surveys 72230 37382 34848 0 Severance Expense 355966 0 355966 0 5368483 3448664 1919819 0 X 1181169 1073001 0 0 0 0 11377 15568 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26669 12080 70540 53587 13658 16953 0 902535 937177 0 0 13924 13925 107539 14959 2256871 2083663 120124 128437 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 115262 235386 128437 X 2021485 1955226 0 0 2021485 1955226 2256871 2083663 -68390 2131 0 0 0 0 X 1 1 1 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 4785150 1014247 0 1014247 1196288 0 -182041 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2958 0 2464 494 67582 0 51123 16459 0 0 0 0 16953 937177 F 0 937177 X 1 0 0 Scott Pearce President 224520 0 0 0 38 0 5625 0 25007 0 255190 0 0 0 David Ozgo President (former) 33333 0 0 0 0 0 1333 0 8532 0 43198 0 0 0 Brian Fojtik Senior Vice President, Government Affairs 201587 0 0 0 0 0 14847 0 20214 0 236648 0 0 0 Patrick Anderson Senior Vice President of Govt. Relations 50000 0 1000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 51000 0 0 0 Daniel Cotter Vice President of Finance & Operations 200000 0 20000 0 318 0 8000 0 59543 0 287861 0 0 0 Mudiaga Kpohraror Director of State Government Relations 146003 0 14600 0 18 0 15204 0 0 0 175825 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 4 David Ozgo, the former President, received a severance payment of $355,966. Henry Roemer Officer - Treasurer 700 Trademark services 0 Kellie L Newton Officer - Secretary 151402 Legal services for as the counsel for the Association 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 2 Board of Directors Eric Newman, Drew Newman, and Robert Newman share both family and business relationships. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 The Cigar Association of America has thirty-seven (37) member companies. Each member belongs to one of the following membership categories: Manufacturer, Distributor, lmporter, Mail Order (Online Retail Sales), Tobacco Suppliers, Other Suppliers, and Supporting Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a At the annual Board of Directors meeting, the membership elects directors to serve a one-year term. These directors represent the following membership categories: Manufacturer, Distributor, Importer, and Online Retailer. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A draft of Form 990 and its supporting schedules are reviewed by management before being submitted to our CPA firm for further review, as needed. Once finalized, the Form 990 and supporting schedules are distributed to each board member. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Statements are distributed annually to all directors and employees. Completed disclosure statements are reviewed by the President and the Secretary. The policy also requires directors and employees to promptly notify the President of any changes to the information provided in their disclosure statement. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 Upon request, any member of the public may view and copy the governing documents, Conflict of Interest Policy, and financial statements by scheduling an in-person appointment at the Cigar Association of America's main office. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Upon request, any member of the public may schedule an appointment to visit the Cigar Association of America's main office to view and copy certain documents. Form 990, Part IX, Line 25 The total functional expenses match the amounts listed in the CAA 2024 audited financial statements. Form 990, Part X, Line 33 The total liabilities and net assets balance match the amounts listed for these line items in the CAA 2024 audited financial statements. Schedule B, Part I In 2024, four companies and organizations contributed more than $5,000 to support our vision of ensuring a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry.