PCA Promotes Joshua Habursky, Announces Glynn Loope as Advisor

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has announced its new leadership structure to government lobbying.

Joshua Habursky has been promoted from director of federal affairs to head of government affairs, meaning he will also oversee the state lobbying efforts.

In addition, Glynn Loope—the longtime director of Cigar Rights of America—has been brought on as an “advisor for state government affairs.”

“Glynn brings a wealth of industry experience and has been working closely with Josh and me developing state and regional training models,” said Scott Pearce, executive director for PCA, in a press release. “It will be a huge help to have his advice and insights as we work through some unprecedented challenges in the states.”

Patrick Anderson, who has long worked with PCA on lobbying efforts, is once again assisting the organization with both federal and state issues as a “general consultant.”

Finally, the organization has added Ryan Parada as a graduate intern. Parada is currently a student at Johns Hopkins University.

The announcement brings some clarity to the organization’s strategy after it furloughed most of its staff and ended all of its lobbying contracts earlier this year due to budget issues.

While there are formal changes, they aren’t unexpected. Habursky has been listed as the point person for federal and state issues since the summer. Sources told halfwheel that Loope—who has been regularly quoted in PCA communications over the last year—was a top candidate for the PCA’s vacant state lobbying head since Rachel Hyde left the organization earlier this year.