Learn more about the Stars of Cigars joining us at this year's Sturgis Rally

Deadwood Tobacco -  John and Vaughn Boyd: proprietors

After a running a successful tobacco store in California for over a decade John and Vaughn visited, an subsequently fell in love with, the little town of Deadwood, South Dakota. After passing the torch of their first effort to their children, Ryan and Sarah, they packed up everything they owned and made the trek to the Black Hills. After discovering a dusty, vacant storefront in a basement on Main Street, they poured their hearts and souls into the little shop that would grow to be Deadwood Tobacco Company. John's knowledge of period construction is shown in the remodeled space which is just like a walk back in time to the old west. Beautiful hardwoods and details not seen in modern construction abound throughout the quaint space. Vaughn brings her prestigious background of over 25 years in retail into the equation stocking the store with treats and treasures found nowhere else in the region. While being relatively new to the nightclub business they are certainly not novices when it comes to entertaining with many years of parties, special events and fundraising functions under their belt. No one rolls out the red carpet quite like the Boyds and they are especially proud of the lounge and are happy to be one of the founders and hosts of The Legends Ride. Join John and Vaughn as they welcome some stars of the cigar industry to the Sturgis Rally with exclusive tastings, meet and greet events as well as the opportunity to simply shake hands and share a cigar with some of the biggest names in the cigar business.  www.DeadwoodTobacco.com
 

Fabian Ziegler – Drew Estate Cigar Company: regional manager and national events coordinator Aug 3rd-6th.

It’s been a long learning process for Fabien Ziegler since entering the cigar industry in 2001. Starting with only the basic knowledge that one end of the cigar is cut and the other is lit, Fabien has now made his way up in the ranks taking on the positions of Regional Manager and National Events Coordinator at Drew Estate Cigars. Before working at Drew Estate, Fabien was a manufacturing rep for many other cigar companies for all of California such as Beach Cigar Group, Cojimar and Xikar. Fabien had this to say about working in the cigar industry, “I have learned a lot on the job and my favorite part of this job is to meet new people and to enjoy a good cigar with good people.” The Drew Estate Cigar Company has their operations based in Esteli, Nicaragua because it is home to the most highly acclaimed tobacco in the world. The company prides themselves on offering a diverse range of some of the most exotic cigar blends. Of these, Fabien’s favorite cigar is the Natural Dirt. www.drewestate.com
Jim Norman - Norman Vineyards, August 7th - 14th

A man of many talents, Jim has put his chef career on hold to take over for his father to promote Norman Wines around the country. While his sales style is totally different from Art's, his passion for the vineyards and wines are just as great. With his love of the open road. Either on his Harley or at the wheel of the NORMAN VINEYARDS tour bus .This ROCK STAR of the PASO ROBLES WINE SCENE. The stage is set for THE MONSTER ZIN TOUR 2009.
www.normanvineyards.com

Kevin Spaan - Villiger Stokkebye Sales Director for the West July 30th - 31st

Kevin started his career in the tobacco business early in life – stamping cigarettes for a local distributor while in high school. He must have liked something about the business, because after graduating from San Francisco State University in 1979, Kevin began a serious career in tobacco with French Tobaccos, Inc. In the more than 25 years since, Kevin has made many business contacts throughout the country and around the world. His experience with Douwe Egberts and Nat Sherman made him a great addition to the Villiger Stokkebye team when the company was started in 2000. And Kevin’s goals to live and work by are both an inspiration and example to his co-workers: “Persistance determination and hard work are the key means to success; be honest, forthright, and see the good in others; Treat people as you would want them to treat you; Value yourself and others, and laugh often.”

Kevin continues to live in the Bay area (where he was born and raised) with his wife, Julie, and three children: Melanie, Drew and Nick. A big fan of the 49ers and Giants, Kevin enjoys skiing, coaching and projects around the house to fill his spare time.
www.peterstokkebye.com
 

Susie Clark (CAO)  Aug. 9th-11th
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting CAO Headquarters for a walking tour, or have phoned in only to be greeted by arguably the most upbeat voice this side of Tony Robbins, then you’ve probably already met Susie Clark.
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee—home to CAO International, Inc.—Susie joined the CAO family in June of 2005. Originally hired on as the front desk receptionist, Susie’s positive and cheerful attitude combined with her exceptional people skills, quickly elevated her to the position of ‘Brand Ambassador.’ Susie’s typical day at CAO will find her multi-tasking between answering phone calls, providing insightful and informative walking tours of CAO headquarters, coordinating and managing after-hours events at company headquarters, and spreading the ‘gospel’ according to CAO.
Susie is fond of saying that she doesn’t have a favorite cigar, per se—but rather, she cherishes the fond memories that each particular cigar creates.
www.caocigars.com
Andreas Madsen -  Villiger Stokkebye International - Aug. 7th - 14th

Andreas Madsen was born in Denmark and migrated to the United States when he was three years old. Andreas grew up in a bilingual household in beautiful Carmel, California, as the youngest of three kids. Andreas has many passions, such as traveling, snowboarding, and, most of all, baseball. Since graduating from Sonoma State University, Andreas has worked in Napa Valley, and Tahoe, California, honing his skills in the field of hospitality. Growing up, Andreas’ family has always been immersed in the field of hospitality, and he is part of multiple generations striving to create an innovative and successful business. Since his great-grandfather, his family has been engrossed in the world of tobacco, which has not only created a tight family unit, but has also opened up an opportunity for him to do what he loves. Following the foot steps of his grandfather, Peter Stokkebye, Andreas has the rare opportunity to represent what so many family members before him have worked for their whole lives, and it is an honor that he does not take lightly. Skål!
www.peterstokkebye.com

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