NATO's Goals and Purposes

The National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) is an association organized to enhance the common business interests of tobacco outlets, to support the legislative interests of association members and to encourage the expansion of the tobacco outlet marketplace segment of the tobacco industry in a responsible and law abiding manner. To accomplish these objectives, NATO will:

1. Take a pro-active position that informs and educates elected officials on the local, state and/or national levels about the impact that proposed legislation would have on the tobacco outlet market segment and the individual rights and the freedom of choice of the adult customers served by tobacco outlets.
   
   
2. Provide a forum for educating NATO members about the issues affecting the tobacco outlet industry.
   
   
3. Provide a forum for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers to discuss issues and opportunities.
   
   
4. Take other actions as the Board of Directors may determine that are consistent with the association's objectives.

The association recognizes the need for and strongly encourages all of its members to uphold and abide by the highest professional standards when serving the adult public and each other and to act, in a manner compliant with all local, state and national laws and regulations.

NATO Staff

The NATO staff consists of the following consultants that perform various services for the organization:

NATO's Board of Directors and Officers

• Andy Kerstein, Smoker's Haven, Sea Bright, NJ (NATO President)
• Mary Szarmach, Cigarette Store Corp., Boulder, CO (NATO Vice-President)
• David Kepler, Smoker's Choice, Brownsburg, IN (NATO Secretary/Treasurer)
• Velma Hartley, The Tobacco Place, Columbus, GA (NATO Immediate Past President)
• Bob Thorud, Tobacco Outlet Plus, LaCrosse, WI
• Steve Norman, Smoker Friendly, Parkersburg, WV
• Frank Armstrong, Blue Ridge Tobacco, Winston-Salem, NC
• Fred Hoyt, Cheap O Depot, Abbeville, LA
• John Dan Gielen, Tobacco Plus Discount Outlet, Crowley, LA
• Bob Murdock, Discount Tobacco Outlet, Athens, AL
• Joel Sherman, Nat Sherman, Incorporated
• Mike Cusano, Cusano Cigars
• Jim Colucci, Altadis, U.S.A.
• Harry Preston, J.C. Newman Cigar Company
• David Riser, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
  

NATO Committees

The standing committees are:

• Government Affairs Committee: This committee reviews and acts upon legislative issues that impact NATO members.
• Retail Survey Committee: This committee compiles surveys that are then distributed to the NATO membership to obtain ideas from and concerns of NATO members.
• Membership Committee: This committee focuses on different means to encourage tobacco stores, manufacturers and distributors to join NATO.
• Membership Benefits Committee: This committee reviews proposals for services or products to be offered to NATO's membership.
• By-Laws Committee: This committee reviews and recommends changes to the NATO by-laws and governing documents.