Hostos Fernandez Quesada Leaves The Family Business
Another “young one” has left Quesada Cigars. Today, Hostos Fernandez Quesada is saying his final goodbyes to the staff at the Quesada factory in the Dominican Republic, as he’s decided to part ways with the family business.
The 33-year-old has worked for his uncle (and company owner) Manuel “Manolo” Quesada since he was a young teenager.
“I decided to take a different route,” Quesada told Cigar Aficionado. “I’ve learned a lot from Manolo. I grew up in the factory, but it’s time to move on.”
Affectionately referred to as one of the “young ones” by patriarch Manolo Quesada, Hostos was part of the younger generation of family members tasked with everyday operations as well as bringing new blends and concepts to the more traditional Quesada brand portfolio. They represented the fifth generation of Quesadas to work in the tobacco business and represented the future of the company.
But the young ones have dropped off. The first to go was nephew José Manuel Bermudez, also known as Blondie, who left the company years ago. Then, late last October, Terence Reilly, another family member, announced his resignation. Now that Hostos has gone, the only “young ones” remaining are Manuel Quesada’s daughters, Raquel (brand manager) and Patricia (global sales director), and his niece Esther Quesada (vice president of the board of directors).
As part of company restructuring, Quesada has put some new employees into place: Fruela Roces now serves as general manager of Quesada; Carlos Martinez is vice president of operations; and Enrique Tavarez is vice president of sales.
“Hostos Fernandez has decided to search new ventures outside Quesada Cigars,” the company said in a statement. “His contributions during the years with the company are appreciated by all and he will be sorely missed.”
Hostos had many responsibilities in the almost 20 years he spent working at the factory, including blending, project development and packaging design. He hopes to stay in the cigar business in some capacity, but has no immediate plans or prospects at the moment.
“I love the industry,” he said. “It’s all I’ve done since I was a kid, and it’s all I know.”
