William F. Gifford, Jr. is the CEO of Altria Group, Inc., a position he took on in April 2020 after serving as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. He has been with Altria since 1994, which gives him over two...
William F. Gifford, Jr. is the CEO of Altria Group, Inc., a position he took on in April 2020 after serving as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. He has been with Altria since 1994, which gives him over two decades of experience in the tobacco industry. Gifford's journey to the top is interesting; he became CEO when the previous one took a medical leave, showing that he is trusted to handle critical situations. His leadership focuses on reducing harm for adult smokers, pushing for less dangerous alternatives in a challenging market. In 2023, his total compensation was over $18.5 million, including a $1.35 million salary and bonuses that are tied to how well Altria performs. He also has stock units that will boost his earnings even more in the future if the company continues doing well. Gifford holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and an MBA, both from the University of Florida. His financial expertise and experience will be crucial as Altria navigates its future in a changing world.