Chris Howard

Chris Howard has been with Swisher since July 2016, and is currently the EVP of External Affairs & New Product Compliance. Prior to this, they were with E-Alternative Solutions from July 2016 to November 2022, where they served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, they were responsible for establishing and supervising the Legal and Compliance Department for a sister company of the world’s largest cigar company, Swisher International. This included recruiting and managing a team of compliance professionals.

Chris also developed the strategy for completing Premarket Tobacco Product Applications for e-vapor products, including Leap Vapor System and Leap Go disposable e-cigarette. This required identifying and retaining experts in chemistry, toxicology, behavioral science and numerous other disciplines to achieve objectives set forth in the plan. Chris was also accountable for the multi-million dollar compliance budget.

Chris proactively led the business in establishing guidelines for compliance with laws, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Final Deeming Rule. The goal was to position the company as a leader in the industry and steward of best practices. Chris also represented the company and trade association before members of Congress and U.S. regulatory agencies on multiple issues facing the e-vapor industry such as harm reduction, reducing youth access, compliance with laws and regulatory processes.

In addition, they served as Company Secretary for the Board of Directors with responsibility for arranging Board

Chris Howard has a Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing from James Madison University.