Title: Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Company: De Gracia & Estevez Cigar Trading, LLC
Location: Lakeway, TX
Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Information Technology, Universidad Domínico Americano (1998); Diploma, Data Management
Career History: Founder, Chief Executive Officer, De Gracia & Estevez Cigars, LLC (2024-Present); Head of Customer Experience, MOD (Present); Senior Vice President of Client Services, VML; With, Wunderman Thompson (Now VML), Miami, FL
Miguel De Gracia is an accomplished executive, entrepreneur and technology strategist whose career spans more than 20 years of leadership in marketing technology, customer experience, digital transformation and business innovation. As the founder and chief executive officer of De Gracia & Estevez Cigars, LLC, he has successfully combined his family’s rich tobacco heritage with modern technology to create an innovative premium cigar manufacturer and distributor that honors tradition while embracing the future.
Founded in 2024, De Gracia & Estevez Cigars produces handcrafted, 100% organic cigars in Tamboril, Santiago, Dominican Republic, a region internationally recognized for producing some of the world’s finest cigars. Inspired by his grandfather, who cultivated tobacco in the area, Mr. De Gracia revived a family legacy by building a company that blends generations of craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Leveraging his extensive background in information technology and marketing, he has introduced artificial intelligence into the cigar-buying experience through a personalized recommendation platform that helps consumers discover cigars tailored to their individual preferences. He also developed Cloud Cigars, a comprehensive platform that enables aspiring cigar entrepreneurs to establish private-label brands while streamlining manufacturing, fulfillment, tracking and direct shipping from the Dominican Republic to customers throughout the United States.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. De Gracia serves as the head of customer experience at MOD, where he helps organizations develop customer-centric strategies by designing multichannel experiences, mapping customer journeys and implementing technology-driven solutions that strengthen engagement and long-term growth. Prior to joining MOD, he held senior leadership positions with VML and Wunderman Thompson, where he led client service organizations supporting global brands across industries, including travel, retail and pharmaceuticals. Throughout his corporate career, Mr. De Gracia has become recognized for helping organizations maximize their digital marketing investments, establish effective governance for artificial intelligence initiatives and build high-performing teams that consistently deliver measurable results.
Mr. De Gracia earned a Bachelor of Science in information technology from Universidad Domínico Americano and has continued to expand his expertise through executive leadership, negotiation, Salesforce, Adobe and WPP leadership certifications. His diverse technical and business background enables him to bridge the gap between innovation, technology and strategic business growth.
Mr. De Gracia attributes his success to an unwavering commitment to excellence, a competitive spirit and the strong values instilled by his parents, particularly the importance of integrity, responsibility and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Rather than defining success solely by financial achievement, Mr. De Gracia views it as the continuous pursuit of meaningful goals and personal growth. His leadership has earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike, many of whom credit him with fostering career development, building trusted relationships and delivering transformative business outcomes.
Looking toward the future, Mr. De Gracia plans to transition his full attention to De Gracia & Estevez Cigars while expanding its presence in the global premium cigar market. Equally passionate about giving back, he hopes to make a lasting impact in the Tamboril community by supporting educational initiatives and creating opportunities for future generations. Inspired by his mother’s impact on people as a schoolteacher, he is committed to preserving the cultural traditions of tobacco cultivation while investing in the individuals and communities that sustain them.