Working in Washington, Joshua Habursky takes pride in earning a reputation as the “cigar guy.” Recently named the Executive Director of PCA, Habursky has been living the cigar life and advocating for the cigar industry for over a decade. He spoke to Cigar Life Guy about his start in Washington as a lobbyist, building bridges between the cigar world and government, and why you shouldn’t believe what you see on TV regarding politics and Washington D.C.
Joshua Habursky’s First Premium Cigar Experience
Cigar Life Guy: Tell me about your first premium cigar experience.
Joshua Habursky: I had my first premium cigar as an undergraduate student at Washington & Jefferson College. Dr. Joseph DiSarro, the head of the Political Science Department, always had an assortment of cigars in his suit coat. Dr. DiSarro was a strong influence on my career in both politics and cigars. We would smoke cigars every Friday and become known as the “Churchill Club.” I started to gain an appreciation for cigars and became a frequent patron of places like Leaf & Bean and Jernigan’s in the Pittsburgh area.
Life in Government Affairs
Cigar Life Guy: You have worked in government affairs for a long time. Tell us about your experiences with associations outside the cigar world, such as the American Motorcyclist Association and the American Diabetes Association.
Joshua Habursky: I have spent over a decade working for trade and membership organizations, ranging in issues from transportation to healthcare to financial services policy. All these experiences were with fantastic organizations where I worked with phenomenal people. Each organization was a stepping stone in my career to get to the cigar industry, where I have found a home.
When I moved to IPCPR-PCA, I hit my stride in an industry I enjoy. I have developed a reputation in Washington, DC, as “the cigar guy,” and I take great pride in that connection.
Last year, I celebrated ten years as a lobbyist. I celebrated appropriately by releasing a cigar from Liberty Cigar Co. and an Apple Brandy from Luminary Distilling Co. out of Erie, Pennsylvania, my hometown. When Ulysses S. Grant was President, he would sit in the “lobby” of the Willard Hotel, and people would come in to meet with him to ask for political favors while he smoked cigars and drank brandy. That is where the term “lobbyist” was popularized. It was a fun project where I used my background to tell a historical story through premium cigars and celebrate a special occasion over brandy and cigars.
Joshua Habursky: The Truth About Politics
Cigar Life Guy: What would you like the average citizen to know about working in Washington and politicians in general?
Joshua Habursky: Don’t believe what you see on TV and in the movies. Washington has some bad apples here and there, but most people are trying to fight for causes they believe in and enact change. People approach this from different viewpoints, and sometimes issues are contentious, but unfortunately, compromise doesn’t get the limelight. Most politicians and elected officials like the same things you and I do, like sports, travel, and even premium cigars. If you watch political shows on TV, the reality is that real Washington is somewhere between The West Wing and House of Cards.
Lobbying: More Than Meets the Eye
Cigar Life Guy: Outside of D.C., when most Americans hear the term “lobbyist,” they roll their eyes. Talk about your career choice, getting into lobbying & what most people don’t understand about lobbyists in general?”
Joshua Habursky: Lobbying is the dirty word for advocating. The media hasn’t been kind to lobbyists, especially after significant scandals involving high-profile lobbyists like Jack Abramoff. Most people see only one side of lobbying and equate it all with steak dinners and cigars. There is certainly part of the equation most lobbying is educating Members of Congress and staff about an industry, issue, or cause. Suppose you believe in your organization and advocate to the best of your abilities. In that case, lobbying is an essential part of our system of government and a noble profession.
I got into lobbying as a career because I wanted to gain real-world experience to be a political science professor. Currently, I have the best of both worlds. In addition to being the Executive Director and chief lobbyist for PCA, I am an adjunct professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, where I get to teach federal, state, and grassroots lobbying courses.
Joining the PCA with Joshua Habursky
Cigar Life Guy: What drew you to the cigar industry and the Premium Cigar Association (PCA)? And what makes it different from other associations you have worked with?
Joshua Habursky: I joined IPCPR (editors note: former name of the Premium Cigar Association) over five years ago and worked as a grassroots consultant for a year before joining full-time. I have been a cigar enthusiast for 15 years and a proponent of small businesses in the hospitality space. I have owned cigar lounges and several restaurants, so I understand the challenges and opportunities our members face and, more importantly, the barriers that the government can place upon them.
PCA differs because of my experience, interest, and unique perspective. Over the last five years, I have developed relationships with the leading cigar makers, visited hundreds of shops on my own time, and toured fields and factories in cigar-producing countries. Even though I work in the cigar industry, I spend much of my free time learning about cigars and enjoying them. I have my dream job because of the type of industry and my interest level in that industry at PCA.
Challenges Facing the Cigar Industry
Cigar Life Guy: What is the biggest challenge facing the cigar industry?
Joshua Habursky: Factionalism. Patrick Henry said it best: “United we stand, divided we fall.” There are many differing opinions, and we need to listen to them, work through them, and build bridges. This is a challenge that any association faces with a diverse membership and something that you see as a challenge facing the country. We are taking the steps to communicate more effectively so that we can work through everything in times of disagreement. The cigar industry is small relative to other sectors, and we must work together for the longevity of our organization, industry, and cigar community.
How Joshua Habursky Stays Busy
Cigar Life Guy: You also work as an adjunct professor. What is the most important lesson you try to impart to your students?
Joshua Habursky: It’s unbelievable to think that I have almost been teaching for ten years. I started at West Virginia University in their media college, taught an elections course at Heidelberg College, and have been with George Washington University for five years. The most important lesson in every class is: Never stop learning. I have been fortunate to go to a lot of different places, meet a lot of different people, and study a lot of subjects at a variety of universities and colleges. Nothing beats real-world experience and mentorship.
Cigar Life Guy: What’s one non-cigar hobby or leisure activity you enjoy that most people wouldn’t know about?
Joshua Habursky: I am a big electronic music and combat sports fan. I go to one or two UFC fights live as a spectator and have taken up boxing for exercise. And I enjoy going to live sporting events or shows in general. I have been at the F1 Miami Grand Prix for three years. That is one of my favorite experiences. Padron has a cigar lounge right on the track, where I enjoy a fine cigar while watching the race.
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Photo credit: Joshua Habursky