Upon graduation, Howard began his career with Lorillard Tobacco Company in Greensboro, North Carolina as a chemist in the quality control laboratories. He was later brought into the product development department to work on blend maintenance and development. His duties involved evaluating tobacco grades for possible use in current blends or for possible use in formulating new product blends. In addition, he was responsible for evaluating and testing new and existing flavor and casing submissions by various flavor companies for final use on current and new formulations.
Howard traveled the world evaluating flue-cured, Burley and Oriental tobaccos for possible purchase and use for the company. He retired in 1993 after working thirty-two years with Lorillard. Since that time, he has been a consultant for various companies in the US and around the world. His work includes blend formulations as well as flavor formulations for potential new products.
Howard is a graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. degree in chemistry.