Universal Corporation Executive and Leadership Team

Preston Wigner, the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer at Universal Corporation, directs the overarching corporate strategy and operational execution across both tobacco and ingredient segments. Wigner guides the company's global expansion and market positioning, ensuring alignment with long-term financial objectives and stakeholder value. This leadership role involves setting the strategic vision for sourcing, processing, and supplying leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients worldwide. By overseeing all major business decisions, Preston Wigner drives innovation in product development and operational efficiency, particularly in the procurement and processing of flue-cured, burley, and oriental leaf tobacco for consumer product manufacturers. Furthermore, Wigner champions the growth of the Ingredients Operations segment, focusing on specialty plant-based ingredients for consumer-packaged goods companies and retailers. The Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer ensures robust governance and ethical practices across the organization, solidifying Universal Corporation's market leadership.

Steven Diel, the Chief Financial Officer, Universal Ingredients at Universal Corporation, spearheads the financial strategy and fiscal management specifically for the plant-based ingredients division. Diel directs all financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities, ensuring robust economic health and profitability for this key growth sector. This critical role involves managing budgets, forecasting revenue, and optimizing resource allocation to support the production of specialty ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and botanical extracts. By overseeing investment strategies and capital expenditures, Steven Diel drives the expansion of Universal Ingredients' market reach with consumer-packaged goods manufacturers and retailers. The Chief Financial Officer, Universal Ingredients also ensures stringent financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements, safeguarding the company's assets. Diel's financial acumen is instrumental in identifying new market opportunities and enhancing the value proposition of Universal Corporation's diverse ingredient portfolio.

Airton Hentschke, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Universal Corporation, directs the day-to-day operational execution and efficiency across both the Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations segments. Hentschke oversees the complex global supply chain, from sourcing and processing to packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. This leadership position involves optimizing production workflows, ensuring quality control, and driving operational improvements to meet global demand. By managing logistics and resource deployment, Airton Hentschke ensures seamless delivery of products to manufacturers worldwide. The Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer plays a crucial role in implementing strategic initiatives that enhance operational scalability and cost-effectiveness. Hentschke's focus on operational excellence supports Universal Corporation's commitment to providing reliable and high-quality products to its diverse customer base across various industries.

Clayton Frazier, the President at Universal Corporation, drives strategic initiatives and business development across key operational areas, contributing significantly to the company's global market presence. Frazier focuses on expanding market share and enhancing customer relationships within the tobacco and plant-based ingredients sectors. This executive role involves identifying new growth opportunities and fostering innovation in product offerings and service delivery. By collaborating with other senior leaders, Clayton Frazier ensures that strategic objectives are translated into actionable plans that support revenue growth and operational efficiency. The President oversees critical business functions, ensuring alignment with Universal Corporation's mission to provide high-quality leaf tobacco and specialty ingredients worldwide. Frazier's leadership is vital in navigating market dynamics and strengthening the company's competitive position in the global marketplace.

Tatiana Godoi, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Universal Corporation, architects the global human capital strategy, ensuring a skilled and engaged workforce across diverse international operations. Godoi oversees talent acquisition, development, and retention initiatives, critical for supporting the company's extensive sourcing and processing of leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. This executive function involves fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, essential for navigating the complexities of global supply chains. By managing employee relations and compensation structures, Tatiana Godoi ensures compliance with labor laws and promotes equitable practices worldwide. The Chief Human Resources Officer plays a pivotal part in aligning workforce capabilities with Universal Corporation's strategic goals, particularly in expanding the Ingredients Operations segment and maintaining leadership in the Tobacco Operations. Godoi's leadership ensures that the company's most valuable asset—its people—are empowered to drive innovation and operational excellence.

Aymen Tayechi, the Directeur Des Ressources Humaines at Universal Corporation, leads the human resources function, ensuring strategic alignment of talent management with the company's global operational objectives. Tayechi oversees the development and implementation of HR policies and programs that support employee engagement and organizational effectiveness across international teams. This role is critical for managing workforce planning, talent development, and fostering a positive work environment, particularly within the diverse operational landscape of sourcing and processing leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. By championing employee well-being and professional growth, Aymen Tayechi contributes to building a high-performing workforce. The Directeur Des Ressources Humaines ensures that Universal Corporation attracts and retains top talent, essential for sustaining its leadership in supplying global manufacturers and retailers with essential ingredients and tobacco products.