Mr. Monteiro de Castro retired on December 31, 2007, as Chief Operating Officer of BAT, the world's second largest publicly traded tobacco group. He had held that position since January 2004, having served as a director of BAT since March 2002. He joined BAT in 1996 as the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Previously, Mr. Monteiro de Castro served as Vice President of Souza Cruz SA, the Brazilian subsidiary of BAT, beginning in 1989. He became President and CEO of Souza Cruz SA in 1991, and served in such capacity until 1995. Mr. Monteiro de Castro commenced serving on the Board of RAI as of July 30, 2004. He also is President of the Administrative Council, Souza Cruz SA and a member of the boards of directors of the Getulio Vargas Foundation, Clean Energy Brazil Plc and Merrill Lynch Latin American Trust Plc.