GREENWICH, Conn., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of U.S. Cigar Sales, Inc. has announced the appointment of Lawrence Palombo as president. U.S. Cigar Sales, a unit of UST, Inc., markets premium cigars with the Don Tomas, Don Tomas Dominican Selection and Astral labels.

Prior to being named president, Palombo held the position of vice president, manufacturing. Among his accomplishments were the establishment of a factory in the Dominican Republic and the development of two new successful product line extensions -- Don Tomas Cameroon Collection and Don Tomas Dominican Selection.

Palombo joined U.S. Cigar Sales in 1995 after 20 years of management experience with General Cigar Company.

U.S. Cigar Sales also announced that Dan Elrod has been promoted to the position of vice president, sales and marketing, cigar operations, reporting to Palombo.

Elrod moves over from UST's U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company subsidiary, where he has been national account manager. He has held various positions within the sales organization since joining the company in 1985. Reporting to Elrod will be Dickson Farrington, vice president of sales, and Tom Baker, director of marketing.

Palombo and Elrod will relocate to U.S. Cigar Sales headquarters in Tampa.

UST Inc. is a holding company for its principal subsidiaries: U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company and International Wine & Spirits Ltd. U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is the leading producer and marketer of moist smokeless tobacco products including Copenhagen, Skoal, Rooster, and Red Seal. International Wine & Spirits Ltd. produces and markets premium wines sold nationally through the Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, and Villa Mt. Eden wineries, as well as sparkling wine produced under the Domaine Ste. Michelle label. UST's U.S. Cigar Sales unit markets premium cigars with the Don Tomas, Don Tomas Dominican Selection and Astral labels.