Altria’s tobacco operating companies increase their profitability primarily with investments behind four strong premium brands: Marlboro, Copenhagen, Skoal and Black & Mild. These brands all have sizeable share of their respective categories, strong adult demographics and high brand loyalty. They also have opportunities to continue growing their share and income by offering adult tobacco consumers new and innovative products.

Ste. Michelle is one of the fastest-growing top 10 premium wine producers in the United States, with a strong portfolio of well-regarded wines. Ste. Michelle is focused on its “String of Pearls” growth strategy, where the company develops or acquires unique wine assets or distribution rights with legacies of leadership and growth in key wine segments. Ste. Michelle has performed very well over the past few years, growing its operating companies income and return on assets, and plans to remain focused on these objectives, while bringing some diversity to Altria’s operating company portfolio.

Strategies for Long-Term Growth

Altria is focused on four strategies to achieve its long-term growth target.

First, grow income by investing in the four strong brands of its tobacco operating companies, while continuing to optimize cost structures.

Second, remain focused on returning a large amount of cash to shareholders with an aggressive dividend policy.

Third, preserve a strong balance sheet.

Fourth, reduce the cost of debt.

Our success as a family of companies starts with attracting diverse and talented employees with different abilities, backgrounds and lifestyles.

• ComputerWorld magazine’s 2010 "100 Best Places to Work in Information Technology” list.

Rewarding the Whole Person

Compensation and Benefits: Altria and its companies offer their employees compensation and benefits packages that are among the strongest in the Fortune 500.
These benefits may include:

Employee Community Involvement: This involvement leverages employees’ skills, knowledge, and expertise, and provides opportunities for personal and professional development. Read more about the Altria family of companies portfolio of employee involvement activities called Contributing Together.

Supporting Military Service: We support our employees who serve in any branch of the United States armed forces. Military leave is granted to protect salaried and hourly employees’ company service. Several of Altria’s companies offer supplemental pay differential and benefits continuation during active duty military service for up to six years, far exceeding what other companies offer.

Wellness Programs: Altria’s companies provide access to high-quality health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage for all employees and eligible dependents including their spouse or domestic partner, child or dependent adult child. Our wellness services range from free annual preventive check-ups, to state-of-the-art fitness centers in some work locations to assistance with resolving medical problems and questions through Health Advocate, a service to help employees navigate the health care system.

The employees of Altria and its companies bring a diverse set of characteristics and experiences to their work. Our companies provide an inclusive work environment where different perspectives are encouraged and valued.

We believe this focus on diversity and inclusion fosters greater employee productivity and creativity while giving Altria’s diverse businesses a competitive edge.

A Long History of Supporting Diversity & Inclusion

Altria and its companies have a long history of supporting organizations that share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Recent recognition and examples of our support include:

• Altria also was a founding member of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility’s Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers Program that nationally recognizes young Hispanics who have demonstrated leadership qualities within their respective organizations.

Supporting Scholarships and Workforce Development

Altria supports the educational development of future leaders. We have established strong partnerships and provide scholarship support to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.