JU Board of Trustees elects Swisher CEO Peter Ghiloni

The Jacksonville University Board of Trustees has elected Swisher International Inc. President and CEO Peter Ghiloni to the board, effective Oct. 25.

“We are honored that Peter has chosen to join our push here to excellence,” said JU President Tim Cost. “To have a multi-dimensional executive of his caliber adds even more depth to our already strong board. His leadership of Swisher provides synergy as well, as the Jacksonville company is a longtime friend and benefactor of the University.”

Ghiloni took on his new role at Swisher on Jan. 1 of this year, succeeding Tom Ryan. Prior to that, he was the company’s senior vice president of marketing.

An industry veteran, Ghiloni began his career in the tobacco business with the United States Tobacco Co. in 1972. In 1983, he moved to The Helme Tobacco Co. as vice president of marketing, and in 1991 he was promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing. Following the merger of Swisher and Helme, Ghiloni assumed the role of senior vice president of marketing for the combined company.

Jacksonville-based Swisher International is a leading tobacco manufacturer whose cigars, filtered cigars and smokeless tobacco brands include some of the largest-selling cigar brands in the world: Swisher Sweets, as well as King Edward, BlackStone and BLK large cigars. Swisher products are exported to more than 80 countries. Swisher International employs more than 1,300 people worldwide, including 900 in Jacksonville.

Upon completion of his first term on the JU board, Ghiloni will be eligible for reelection for two additional consecutive terms.