Category: Private Citizen — Corporate Director Role: Independent Director, Altria Group Inc. Board Tenure: 2017 – present Committee Memberships: Compensation & Talent Development Committee; Executive Committee; Finance Committee (Chair); Innovation Committee Profile Type: Board Member Accountability — Anchor B (Documented Organizational Leadership)

Basis for Inclusion: Virginia E. Shanks holds a documented governance role at Altria Group Inc. Altria Group Inc. is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, the maker of Marlboro cigarettes, and has made significant documented political donations to Trump-aligned entities. Altria’s business is substantially affected by FDA tobacco regulation, federal excise tax policy, and the regulatory framework governing menthol cigarettes, oral nicotine, and e-cigarettes. This profile documents the factual governance relationship, not the subject’s personal political views.

Subject Classification: Private Citizen / Corporate Director. Board membership is a matter of public record.

What is NOT the basis for inclusion: Personal political opinions, party affiliation, or protected speech are NOT the basis for inclusion.

Biographical Overview

Virginia E. Shanks is a consumer marketing and corporate administration executive whose career was centered in the gaming and casino hospitality industry. She served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, a publicly traded regional casino operator, where she oversaw marketing, human resources, information technology, and corporate communications for a multi-property gaming enterprise operating in a federally and state-regulated environment. Her background in marketing strategy and corporate administration for a consumer-facing, licensed industry aligns with Altria’s needs in consumer products strategy and regulatory engagement. Shanks joined the Altria board in 2017 and chairs the Finance Committee, which oversees the company’s capital allocation, debt management, share repurchase programs, and dividend policy.

Board Role and Governance Authority

• Company: Altria Group Inc. (NYSE: MO)
• Board tenure: 2017 – present
• Committee assignments: Compensation & Talent Development Committee; Executive Committee; Finance Committee (Chair); Innovation Committee
• Note: As Finance Committee Chair, Shanks oversees Altria’s capital structure, investment decisions, and financial strategy.

Other Current Board Memberships (if applicable)

Not separately disclosed in the 2025 DEF 14A proxy beyond Altria service.

Parent Corporate Donor Profile

This profile is a governance-accountability companion to the Altria Group corporate donor profile.

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Investigative trail pointers (public records)

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Sources

• Altria Group Inc. DEF 14A Proxy Statement, filed April 3, 2025; SEC EDGAR (CIK 764180)
• SEC EDGAR filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/764180/000155837025004359/tmb-20250515xdef14a.htm