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  • Aalsmeer, Netherlands Patricia Rietveld Sr. VP - International Finance & Administration

    Born in the Netherlands, Patricia completed her postgraduate education and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant at NIVRA-Nyenrode Business School in 2006. She was an Audit Manager at Ernst & Young in the Netherlands, working with national and international clients in a variety of industries. Since 2009, Patricia has served as the Group Financial Controller of CdF International. She worked at the corporate head office in Springfield, TN from 2011 to 2013 and is now based in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. Patricia has been promoted over the years and is currently our Sr. VP of International Finance & Administration.
  • Springfield, Tennessee Eric van der Linden President, Dark Air Cured Operations

    Eric began his career in the tobacco industry in 1986, serving in various countries before being named Indonesian Dark Air Cured tobacco sales manager for Leafco/Standard Commercial. In 1997, he joined CdF as Country Manager for the Dominican Republic. In 2004 he moved to North Brazil and in 2007 was appointed Country Manager CdF Brazilian operations. He returned to Indonesia in 2010 as Country Manager and since 2013 has been based in Springfield, TN. In 2014, Eric was appointed President of DAC Operations.
  • Springfield, Tennessee Chris Cooksey President, North America Operations

    Chris began his career with Hail & Cotton in 1992 after graduating from Austin Peay State University. He started in factory operations working in a variety of different areas. In 1996 Chris began working with the leaf and sales department and in 2006 was appointed Vice President. In 2013 he was appointed Senior Vice-President of Sales responsible for managing all sales for North America. In November 2016, he was appointed President, North America Operations, based in Springfield, TN.
  • Springfield, Tennessee Rod Roe Chief Financial Officer

    Rod has served as Hail & Cotton’s CFO since joining the company in 2006. Before that he was Corporate Controller and Operations Manager for a commercial wood door manufacturing and distribution company. Rod was a Certified Public Accountant and an Audit Manager with a large regional public accounting firm in Wisconsin. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and an MBA degree from Tennessee State University.
  • Aalsmeer, Netherlands Andy Spies President, International Operations

    Andy started his career in the tobacco industry in 1991 with Mashonaland Tobacco Company in Zimbabwe. In 2002 he was transferred to DIMON’s Malaysia office where he eventually served as Vice President Sales – Asia. In 2005 Andy transferred to Alliance One International’s Singapore office as Global Sales Manager – Asia. He joined Hail & Cotton in 2013 as Executive Vice President – Sales & Business Development, and in 2014 was named President, International Operations, based in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. Andy has an MBA degree from Rutgers University.

What We Believe

Hail & Cotton remains a family-owned company with deep roots, in communities around the world. For 100 years now, we have produced the highest quality tobacco while cultivating personal relationships that pass down through generations. Our boardrooms are the tobacco fields in Wilson and Springfield, in Harare, Rio Grande do Sul, and Jember.

It all starts at the top.

Our three presidents understand the hard work and commitment necessary for success. It means that we treat people and the product with respect. That the value of a relationship means more than the price of a bale.

Change is a constant in this industry. Our culture is to hold firm in our business ethics, values and core principles or practices with what has always worked, whilst remaining innovative and being responsible stewards. Honoring our world. Protecting our environment. Nurturing our next generation. And standing by every employee, partner grower and customer of Hail & Cotton.

It’s what families do.