José María López is an Agronomic Engineer and Executive MBA with 20 years of experience in the premium cigar industry. Specialized in Cuban Habanos cigars, he has worked in different areas such as agriculture, hand-made production, finance, pricing, brand strategy, distribution and market development, providing him with a global vision and expertise within the Habanos world.

After joining Tabacalera in Spain in 1998, he took part in the creation of Corporación Habanos as a Cuban Joint Venture between Tabacalera and Tabacuba (Cuban holding for tobacco industry). As an Agronomic Engineer involved in the famed Cuban tobacco production for 3 years, he acquired vast knowledge of manufacture processes for Habanos.

José María moved to Italy in 2003 and in turn managed distribution for Habanos in Italy, Southern Europe and North Africa. In 2011 he became Strategic Marketing Manager in Corp Habanos and since 2017 he has served as Development Vice President, overseeing business strategy, market development, brands strategy and diversification programs.

José María is, above all, a Habanos enthusiast and connoisseur of the most renowned cigar brands, such as Cohiba, Montecristo or Romeo y Julieta.