CTP Leadership
Dr. Brian King
Director, Center for Tobacco Products
Dr. Brian King was appointed director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) in July 2022. In this position, Dr. King is responsible for assuring that CTP accomplishes its public health goals and for operationalizing the center’s vision and mission as it implements the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Michele Mital
Deputy Director, Center for Tobacco Products
Michele Mital currently serves as the deputy director of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this position, Ms. Mital is responsible for assuring that CTP accomplishes its public health goals and for operationalizing the center’s vision and mission as it implements the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. Ms. Mital works closely with CTP senior leadership and with key FDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership and external stakeholders on matters that affect center goals, policies, programs, and strategic initiatives.
Erin Brandt, M.P.P.
Director, Office of Management
Erin Brandt was appointed as director of the Office of Management at FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2024. She had been the deputy director of this office since August 2014. As director of the Office of Management, Ms. Brandt is responsible for overseeing administrative services to the center.
Anne Rancourt, M.P.S.
Director, Office of Health Communication and Education
Anne Rancourt was appointed as director of the Office of Health Communication and Education at the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2024. As director of the Office of Health Communication and Education, Ms. Rancourt is responsible for conducting public education, stakeholder outreach, and regulatory communication programs designed to ensure FDA's success in implementing the Tobacco Control Act.
Matthew Farrelly, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Science
Dr. Matthew Farrelly was appointed as director of the Office of Science at the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2023. In this position, Dr. Farrelly oversees all aspects of the science related to tobacco products, their use, and the resulting morbidity and mortality that we use in making regulatory decisions to ensure they will have the greatest impact on improving public health.
May Nelson, J.D., M.P.A.
Director, Office of Regulations
May Nelson is the director of the Office of Regulations (OR) at the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP). She was appointed to that position in January 2021. Prior to becoming director of OR, Ms. Nelson served as the office’s deputy director since 2011.
John Verbeten, B.S.
Director, Office of Compliance and Enforcement
John Verbeten was appointed as director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement at the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2024. As director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement, Mr. Verbeten is responsible for a wide range of compliance and enforcement efforts required for tobacco product regulation, including compliance education, surveillance, inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities to ensure compliance of the law by regulated industry.