Edgar M. Cullman, Sr. has had a long and distinguished career as the chief executive of General Cigar and Culbro Corporation, the parent company of General Cigar during the 1970s-1990s.

Personal:
Married to Louise Cullman
They have have three children: Lucy (Mrs. Frederick M. Danziger), Edgar Cullman Jr. (married to the former Elissa Forman); and Susan B. Cullman (married to John Kirby).

Background:
During the nearly 45 years he ran the company, he grew it into the largest premium cigar manufacturer and marketer in the United States. Over the years, the company introduced popular brands like the Tiparillo and its famous ad campaign "Should a gentleman offer a lady a Tiparillo?", White Owl, William Penn, Robert Burns, Garcia y Vega, and later Macanudo, which became the number one premium cigar in the United States. Mr. Cullman was personally responsible for the decision to launch the Macanudo brand and was very involved in developing its unique blend.

Over the years, Mr. Cullman grew the company organically and through acquisition. He also acquired Cuban brands such as Partagas, Punch, and, before he left General Cigar, the Cohiba brand. During the difficult years of the mid-70s, he diversified into snack food, publishing, packaging and labeling systems, wholesale distribution, laxatives, real estate and financial services.

While running a substantial business, Mr. Cullman always found time to be involved in civic and public affairs. He has been a trustee of the Mount Sinai Medical Center for nearly fifty years and is currently honorary vice chairman of the board. He has been a trustee of The Hotchkiss School, from which he graduated in 1936, for over thirty-three years and served as president of the board from 1987-1993. A graduate of Yale ('40), he has also served on the Yale Development Board and was awarded the Yale Medal in 1992 and the George Herbert Walker Bush Lifetime of Leadership Award in 2005.

An avid sportsman, Mr. Cullman has taken a particular interest in Yale football (he attends nearly every game). In addition, he is a tennis player, rider and salmon fisherman. He was president of the Restigouche Riparian Association for over 25 years and is also on the Atlantic Salmon Federation Board. In 2006 he was awarded The Lee Wulff Salmon Conservation Award.

Mr. Cullman currently serves on the boards of Bloomingdale Properties, Inc. and Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. He has also served as a director of the Mutual of Omaha and on the boards of Companion Life Insurance Company of New York, M. Lowenstein Corporation, US Rubber Reclaiming, Inc., Studebaker-Worthington, Inc., and Centaur Communications.