Kenya Blake

Kenya Blake is Managing Director and General Manager of John Middleton Co., a leading manufacturer of cigars and pipe tobacco.

Before assuming her current role, Kenya spent three years in the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC), serving as Sr. Director of Regulatory and Product Innovation Strategy. Prior to that, Kenya held various Brand Management leadership positions in USSTC, PM USA and NuMark, including Sr. Director of Skoal, Director of Marlboro Retail, Ranch and Marlboro Red and Director of Marketing in Altria International Sales.

Since joining the company in 2001, Kenya has held a variety of roles in Brand Management, Strategy and Business Development, Corporate Responsibility and Consumer Engagement Services.

Kenya's passion for helping to create a vibrant arts and culture community in Richmond has led to her serving on the Board of Directors for CultureWorks as Board Chair. Kenya received her MBA from The University of Connecticut and BA from The University of Virginia.