Is Guided by Five Core Values: Integrity, Trust and Respect; Driving Creativity; Executing with Quality; Passion to Succeed;
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is guided by five core values: Integrity, Trust and Respect; Driving Creativity; Altria Group’s Executing with Quality; Passion to Succeed; and Sharing with Others. We pursue Management Team our mission by focusing our efforts on four core strategies: Invest in Leadership; Front (left to right): Align with Society; Satisfy Adult Consumers; and Create Substantial Value for Martin J. Barrington Shareholders. On the following pages of this report, we highlight some of the Executive Vice President many steps taken by the Altria family of companies in pursuit of our mission. and Chief Compliance and While litigation continues to be a challenge, we believe that the legal environ- Administrative Officer ment continues to remain manageable. In 2008, for the first time in 16 years, no Linda M. Warren tobacco case was tried to verdict against any cigarette manufacturer, and, with the Vice President exception of the Engle progeny cases, we continued to see declines in the number and Controller of personal injury individual and class action suits filed against PM USA. PM USA David R. Beran retains strong defenses against pending claims and has a superior legal team that Executive Vice President will continue to vigorously defend it. and Chief Financial Officer 2009 will be a challenging year for most companies, but I believe that our Denise F. Keane businesses are uniquely positioned for success. The economic environment and Executive Vice President the significant increases in tobacco excise tax rates present challenges, but Altria and General Counsel began preparing for these issues last year. I believe that careful management of John R. Nelson the value equation on Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild, balanced with Executive Vice President appropriate cost reductions, position Altria and its companies for continued lead- and Chief Technology Officer ership and growth in 2009 and beyond. Sean X. McKessy Altria today is a different company than it was a year ago, having completed Corporate Secretary the spin-off of PMI, the integration of John Middleton and the acquisition of UST. However, we have not deviated from the fundamental commitment of responsibly Back (left to right): delivering shareholder return. Altria and its companies have dedicated employees, Howard A. Willard III an increasingly diverse tobacco product portfolio with four leading brands, a grow- Executive Vice President ing wine business, a comprehensive and aggressive cost management program, for Strategy and and a structure designed to accommodate revenue growth. I expect that these Business Development strengths, combined with a strong balance sheet and robust cash flow, will enable John S. Coccagna Altria to continue delivering strong returns to reward you, our shareholders. Vice President I believe our employees are the company’s most important asset. As our Corporate Taxes cigarette volumes have decreased, we have downsized our workforce to allow us to William F. Gifford, Jr. remain competitive. As part of this process, many long-term employees have left Vice President and Treasurer the company. I thank them for their valuable service. I would also like to remind Craig A. Johnson shareholders that it is the hard work and dedication of our employees which pro- Executive Vice President; duces the results our company achieves. They are extraordinary people. President, PM USA Left Page: Michael E. Szymanczyk Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Szymanczyk Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer March 31, 2009 3 297055_TEXT.indd 3 3/4/09 2:25:45 PM.