Howard A Willard

Howard Willard is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Altria Group. Howard has served in numerous leadership positions during his more than 25-year career at Altria –​ including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. Most recently, Howard served as the Chief Operating Officer of Altria Group, overseeing Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, John Middleton, Nat Sherman, Nu Mark, Altria Group Distribution Company, Consumer Insights and Engagement and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Since joining Philip Morris USA in 1992, Howard has held senior roles, including Finance, Sales, Information Services, Quality and Compliance, Corporate Responsibility and Strategy & Business Development. Howard has also served as a director of SAB Miller. Before joining the Altria family of companies, Howard worked at Bain & Company and Salomon Brothers Inc. A passionate believer in the power of diversity and inclusion, Howard is a signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge and most recently sponsored Altria's young professional Employee Resource Group, Spring.​ Howard has a B.A. from Colgate University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. Howard serves on the Management Roundtable and Kennedy Center Corporate Fund Board of Vice Chairs, and is a member of the Catalyst CEOs Champions for Change and its Board of Directors​​.​