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Murray S. Kessler has served as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Company since January 2007. Mr. Kessler was elected president and chief operating officer (COO) in 2005, at which time he was also elected as a member of the Board of Directors and appointed Chairman of the Strategic Review Committee. Prior to his election as president and COO of UST Inc., he served as president of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) from April 2000 to November 2005. Mr. Kessler served as senior vice president of USSTC from January 2000 to April 2000. He has been employed by the Company since January 2000.
Mr. Kessler joined USSTC with more than 18 years of consumer packaged goods experience at companies including Campbell Soup and Clorox. He has had management responsibility for such major brands as Swanson Frozen Foods, Pace picante sauces, Prego pasta sauces, Franco-American pastas and gravies, and Clorox bleaches.
Mr. Kessler received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Villanova University and his Master of Business Administration in marketing and finance from New York University’s Stern School. | 