The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) has hired David Jessup as a new regional lobbyist for the organization.

Jessup most recently served as the chief of staff for Michigan state senator Jim Marleau, R-12. Previously, he has worked for other Michigan legislators, as well as serving as the director of government affairs for the Small Business Association of Michigan.

For IPCPR, he will work in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee.

“David’s wealth of government affairs experience makes him a key addition to the IPCPR state team,” said Greg Zimmerman, IPCPR’s chair of state government affairs, in a press release. “We view his appointment as a sign of IPCPR’s commitment to protecting members from government overreach. I am confident that David will be instrumental in advancing the interests of the premium tobacco industry.”

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Charlie Minato

I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.