Since joining the International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA) in 2010, Spanish-born Mercedes Vázquez, accumulated a rather prominent profile in the tobacco sector thanks to her work travels to all corners of the world closely liaising with local growers and their institutions. This has made it possible for her to get close to the specific concerns and challenges growers are facing, as well as the common ones. In this process, Mercedes has reunited a vast knowledge of the sector as she has been part of the many and different activities developed by ITGA. Besides, Mercedes has also participated in International events all through these ten years. Before joining ITGA, Mercedes was a teacher and worked also in the leisure and tourism business. She is graduated in translation and interpretation, but her focus in the last ten years have been in the area of communication.
Mr. Benicio A. Werner
(ITGA Treasurer)
Born in Brazil, BENÍCIO ALBANO WERNER is the son of farmers, producers of tobacco. His father, Harry Antonio Werner, was the founder of the Tobacco Growers' Association of Brazil (AFUBRA), which is today chaired by Benício. At the International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA), he has always acted as Brazil's delegate since its foundation. In May of 2006, he assumed the presidency of ITGA, serving for six months the period of interim presidency, after which he was elected president of the international entity for management of 2006/08. He took over the ITGA vice-presidency in 2012/14.
Av. 1º de Maio, 99, 1D, Apartado 5
6000-086 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Tel.: + 351 272 092 583
Email: itga@tobaccoleaf.org
Mr. José J. Aranda
(ITGA President)
International Tobacco Growers' Association
José Javier Aranda belongs to a family of farmers with roots and tradition in the Lerma Valley. His ancestors were among the first Virginia tobacco producers in the Province of Salta. He currently serves as 1st member of the Cámara del Tabaco de Salta, founding organization of the ITGA (International Tobacco Growers' Association) and secretary of the Cooperativa de Productores Tabacaleros de Salta Ltda. which today is the main collector of the Republic Argentina.
His experience as a leader is based on sixteen years of action in the representative entities of the Salta producers. He is married to Cecilia Abeleira with whom he has four children: José Víctor, 19 years old; Sun, 17; Malena 15 and Lucas, 12.
Av. 1º de Maio, 99, 1D, Apartado 5
6000-086 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Tel.: + 351 272 092 583
Email: itga@tobaccoleaf.org
In the first instance, all enquiries regarding the ITGA should be directed to:
Mr. Antonio Abrunhosa
(SENIOR ADVISOR)
António Abrunhosa took over the family farming business 1981. His professional experience includes working for the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture. António is the founder and first President of a Regional Association of Sheep and Goat farmers and of the Portuguese Federation of Sheep and Goat farmers. A tobacco farmer himself, António was elected President of the Portuguese Tobacco Growers Association (APT) in 1993. Over a fouryear period he occupied the office of Treasurer of the European Union Tobacco Growers’ Association (UNITAB) and worked as Rapporteur to the European Parliament of the ‘Report on the Situation of the European Union Tobacco Sector’. António is Chief Executive of the ITGA, a position he has held since 1999.
António is a graduate in Economics and holds a post-graduate degree in European Union Economics.
International Tobacco Growers' Association
Av. 1º de Maio, 99, 1D, Apartado 5
6000-086 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Tel.: + 351 272 092 583
Email: itga@tobaccoleaf.org
TAZ - Tobacco Association of Zambia
(Vice Presidency)
International Tobacco Growers' Association
Av. 1º de Maio, 99, 1D, Apartado 5
6000-086 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Tel.: + 351 272 092 583
Email: itga@tobaccoleaf.org