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)
• Bob Roberts, Smok 'em, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ (NATO Treasurer)
• Steve Norman, Smoker Friendly, Parkersburg , WV
• Frank Armstrong, Blue Ridge Tobacco, Winston-Salem , NC
• Fred Hoyt, Smoke-N-Go, Abbeville , LA
• Ray Calderon, Tobacco Plus Discount Outlet, Crowley , LA
• Jon Rand, Discount Smoke Shop, Woodson Terrace , MO
• Jeff Steinbock, Uhles Tobacco Co., Milwaukee , WI
• Joel Sherman, Nat Sherman, Incorporated
• Mike Cusano, Cusano Cigars
• Jim Colucci, Altadis , U.S.A.
• David Riser, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
• Bill Dunn, Swisher International
• Gary Poehlmann, Swedish Match
• Steve Sandman, Republic Tobacco Company
• Doug Hynek, American Snuff Company
• Ron Tully, National Tobacco Company
• Mike Gold, Arango Cigar
• Clem O’Donnell, Amcon Distributing
• David Kepler, Smoker's Choice, Brownsburg, IN (NATO Honorary Director)
• Velma Hartley, The Tobacco Place, Columbus, GA (NATO Honorary Director)

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.