Howard A. Willard III was the CEO of Altria Group, Inc. from 2018 until his retirement in 2020. He has had a long career with Altria, working there for 28 years and climbing the ladder to become Chief Executive Officer....
Howard A. Willard III was the CEO of Altria Group, Inc. from 2018 until his retirement in 2020. He has had a long career with Altria, working there for 28 years and climbing the ladder to become Chief Executive Officer. His journey included roles as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, Willard faced significant challenges, especially in 2019 when Altria's investment in JUUL Labs did not go as planned, leading to a tough year where he earned no bonuses. Before retiring, he received a total compensation of around $10.5 million in 2020, which included a bonus and cash payouts after he forfeited some stock awards upon leaving. Interestingly, while Willard's base salary was $1.25 million, his experience and decisions were influenced by the rapid changes in the tobacco industry. He has a Bachelor's and an MBA from the University of Florida, showcasing a solid foundation in business administration. His retirement marked the end of an era for Altria as the company adjusted strategies during the global pandemic.