When the Tobacconists’ Association of America (TAA) convenes next month, it will mark the end of George “Shorty” Koebel’s tenure as the organization’s president. Succeeding Koebel, who owns Havana Connections in Richmond, Va., will be Tiffany Rumbo. Rumbo, who is the co-owner of the Club Humidor chain of stores in San Antonio, currently serves as the organization’s first vice-president and has been on the TAA’s executive committee since 2011. “One of my biggest focuses is to follow the strength of leadership that has been before me,” said Rumbo when asked about her plans for taking over the organization. “Shorty has been such a great leader, and I’ve really learned a lot from him.” Rumbo repeated some advice Koebel was given: leave the association in a better place than when you found it. The TAA is comprised of around 80 of the country’s top retailers. Each year they meet to discuss issues facing the cigar industry, to further relationships with select manufacturers and each other and for a trade show. In recent years, the TAA’s Exclusive Series Product (ESP) has become noted for releases from company’s like Crowned Heads, La Flor Dominicana, My Father, Quesada and Tatuaje. But perhaps more importantly for members, it’s ...
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