President Elect, Dave Dominick, standing in for President, Todd Nicholson, convened the hybrid meeting with a welcome to all. One visiting Rotarian, Dave Keyport, Chaska Rotary, introduced himself as did several other guests: Greg Cash, Steve Rudolf and Jim Nichols. Dave thanked the tech team (Paul Meekin, Jodi Erickson and Dave Wolfgram) and Scribe (Linda Boss) and then led the group in the Four-Way-Test.
Ken Schafer introduced Marco Keiser, founder and CEO of “Marco V Cigars”, who, with his father, John Keiser, National Sales Manager, told the story behind and described the process involved in producing Marco V cigars.
Marco formulated his business plan for ”Marco V” while enrolled in the entrepreneurship program at St. Thomas University. He admits that the timing for launching his company in 2008 wasn’t exactly the best given the state of the economy, the introduction of stronger federal smoking guidelines, the increase in federal excise tax on tobacco and the doubling of the Minnesota tax on tobacco. He was able, however, to take advantage of companies downsizing or closing to acquire equipment, facilities and skilled technicians for his business early on. From an inventory of 1,000 cigars to start, the company now averages from 20,000 to 50,000 cigars a month.
Marco credits his focus on supply chain oversight by agricultural experts and hands on experience of artisans for the fine flavor and high quality of Marco V cigars. Tobacco for the cigars is primarily grown in the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua where every stage of the process, from planting, harvesting, curing, fermenting and rolling, is guided by tobacco experts. Each blend of tobacco is aged for 5 years before cigars are rolled by hand (never put through a machine) by rollers with at least 15 years of experience. Marco V cigars are rated by “Cigar Aficionado” and receive high ratings. Recently, as a compliment to its cigars, Marco V has expanded its product line to include specially blended coffee, red wine and port.
Marco and John brought a display of Marco V cigars and other products for viewing before and after the program. You can find Marco V cigars in a number of fine tobacco shops as well as on line at marcovcigars.com.
Following the presentation, the meeting was adjourned and everyone was invited to gather at the Summit Overlook Park (across the street from the University Club) to enjoy a cigar.
Respectfully submitted by Linda Boss