Altria’s objective is to have a compliance system and culture that prevents issues of non-compliance from arising and also identifies issues early and addresses them promptly and effectively when they occur.
Our approach starts with our Mission & Values as the foundation for how employees conduct themselves. Additionally, we have structured our programs around 11 Standards for Compliance & Integrity Programs that set compliance expectations for each of Altria's companies. Altria’s Board of Directors has reviewed these standards and receives periodic updates on the company's compliance program developed under these standards.
Management Structure
Altria and each of its companies has established a compliance management structure where senior executives are accountable for their company’s compliance efforts in line with the expectations of Altria’s Standards for Compliance & Integrity Programs.
Mike Szymanczyk, Chairman and CEO of Altria Group, the Board of Directors and senior officers of Altria, as well as senior management of Altria's companies, lead the compliance and integrity mandate at Altria Group and its companies.
The Chief Compliance Officer for Altria Group leads Altria's compliance program and works with compliance officers for each of Altria's companies to drive enterprise-wide compliance and integrity efforts.
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring each company's compliance program for effectiveness and adherence to Altria's Standards for Compliance & Integrity Programs.
- Providing periodic compliance information and updates to Altria's Board of Directors to support its oversight responsibilities.
The Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Compliance, leads the Altria Client Services Compliance & Integrity department which provides centralized compliance services that help Altria, its companies and their employees meet their compliance obligations.
Altria's principle operating and service companies each have their own compliance officers to support company-specific compliance related activities. This responsibility is in addition to their management duties. Compliance committees composed of senior management support the company compliance officers.
Board of Directors & Executive Officer Oversight
The Board of Directors has oversight responsibility for Altria's compliance program. Altria's Chief Compliance Officer meets with the Board's Audit Committee at each of its meetings to provide detailed updates on the program, and both Altria's Chief Compliance Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Compliance provide the full Board with an annual comprehensive compliance program overview and update.
Altria's Compliance Management Committee provides management oversight of the compliance program. This includes assessing the effectiveness of the program. Members include Altria’s Chief Compliance Officer and the Company's most senior level officers representing Business Operations, Finance, and Law.
"It's important that we remain clear about our Mission and Values and stay the course on our commitment to compliance. Cutting corners or taking shortcuts to meet our challenges or to deliver a business result is shortsighted and jeopardizes the business. Success is achieving results the right way."