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Bereman, Robert
US Fact Witness
Mr. Bereman was originally hired by Vector Tobacco in January 2001, but was transferred in the spring of 2002 to work for Vector Research Ltd. and, at the time of his deposition in this case, was the Vice President for Chemical Research. Both Vector Tobacco and Vector Research Ltd. are affiliated with the Liggett Group Inc. Mr. Bereman received a B.S. in chemistry from Butler, a Ph.D. in physical and organic chemistry from Michigan State, and was a post doctoral fellow at the University of Illinois.
Mr. Bereman was hired by Vector Tobacco to help renew its research into the XA cigarette. Mr. Bereman conducted tests on the smoke from these XA cigarettes and initial results showed a reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ("PHAs"). Mr. Bereman also reviewed several of Liggett's XA patents that dated back to the 1970s and confirmed that Liggett had discovered a way to reduce PHAs in cigarettes a decade earlier. Mr. Bereman concluded that Liggett could have marketed the XA cigarette in those earlier years. Mr. Bereman also developed the Omni cigarette, which was based on the same XA technology, in only a few years.
- 1980-2002: Professor of Chemistry, North Caroline State University
- 2001-2002: Research Chemist, Vector Tobacco
- 2002 Vice President of Chemical Research, Vector Research Ltd.
Source: United States' Factual Memorandum Pursuant to Order #470, Section V (tab 1)