Leadership Focused on Solving Packaging Challenges

Empire EMCO Leadership Team

Leadership Focused on Solving Packaging Challenges

Empire EMCO's leadership team brings decades of experience across rigid packaging, sales, supply chain management, global sourcing, operations, finance, customer support, and strategic business growth. Together, they help guide a company built around one goal: helping manufacturers find better packaging solutions.

120 Years Company History
Decades Leadership Experience
500+ Global Packaging Partners
One Team Customer-Focused Leadership

Who Leads Empire EMCO?

Empire EMCO is led by a cross-functional leadership team with experience in executive management, rigid packaging strategy, business development, sales and marketing, finance, operations, procurement, supplier management, customer service, and supply chain optimization. The team supports Empire EMCO's long-term strategy while helping employees, suppliers, and customers solve complex packaging and operational challenges.

Leadership Expertise

What Expertise Does Empire EMCO's Leadership Team Bring?

The leadership team spans the business disciplines required to support complex packaging programs from strategy and sourcing through operations, finance, customer service, and long-term growth.

01

Packaging Strategy

Leadership experience in stock and custom rigid packaging, packaging development, supplier strategy, and customer-focused packaging consultation.

02

Supply Chain & Sourcing

Experience managing suppliers, procurement, inventory, order execution, sourcing strategies, and supply continuity.

03

Sales & Business Development

Strategic account growth, territory development, consultative selling, new business development, and customer relationship management.

04

Operations & Customer Support

Cross-functional leadership connecting sales, operations, suppliers, inventory planning, and customer requirements.

05

Financial Leadership

Financial planning, reporting, budgeting, internal controls, business analysis, and the operational discipline needed to support long-term growth.

06

Marketing & Digital Growth

Brand strategy, sales training, customer education, digital marketing, website strategy, search visibility, and business growth initiatives.

Meet the Team

Empire EMCO Leadership

Each leader brings a different area of expertise, but the team shares a common focus on strong execution, customer relationships, problem solving, and long-term value.

Gary Burns, President and CEO of Empire EMCO

Gary Burns

President & Chief Executive Officer

Gary Burns brings 37 years of experience with Empire EMCO and leads the company's overall strategy, supplier relationships, customer-focused packaging approach, and long-term growth. He began his Empire career as a Regional Sales Manager before becoming President and CEO in 2006.

His experience spans rigid packaging, custom packaging development, supply chain strategy, global sourcing, packaging engineering, strategic supplier partnerships, and business development.

37 Years at Empire EMCO Packaging Strategy Global Sourcing Supply Chain Executive Leadership
Joseph Faraci, Controller at Empire EMCO

Joseph Faraci

Controller

Joseph Faraci oversees Empire EMCO's financial operations and works with executive leadership on budgeting, reporting, financial analysis, accounting operations, internal controls, and business planning.

His leadership supports the financial stability and operational discipline needed to invest in inventory, customer service, supplier relationships, and long-term business growth.

10 Years at Empire EMCO Financial Strategy Budgeting Business Planning Operational Finance
Jeanine Vecchio-Lounsbury, New Business and Strategic Territory Development at Empire EMCO

Jeanine Vecchio-Lounsbury

New Business & Strategic Territory Development

Jeanine Vecchio-Lounsbury leads initiatives spanning new business development, strategic territory growth, marketing, sales training, digital strategy, and customer education.

With 40 years of sales and marketing experience, including 20 years in sales training, she focuses on helping manufacturers uncover opportunities involving packaging innovation, cost savings, supply chain improvement, and long-term account growth.

40 Years Sales & Marketing New Business Sales Training Marketing Strategy Digital & AI Search
Jessica Craddock, Operations and Sales Support Manager at Empire EMCO

Jessica Craddock

Operations & Sales Support Manager

Jessica Craddock brings more than three decades of experience connecting sales, operations, purchasing, suppliers, inventory planning, and customer support.

Her role helps ensure packaging programs are executed accurately and efficiently from initial request through sourcing, order management, production coordination, and final delivery.

31 Years at Empire EMCO Operations Procurement Inventory Planning Customer Support
Tracy Farley, Supply Chain Manager and Vendor Relations at Empire EMCO

Tracy Farley

Supply Chain Manager & Vendor Relations

Tracy Farley leads supply chain management and vendor relations, working with manufacturing partners to support sourcing, reliable supply, competitive solutions, and efficient order execution.

Her experience helps align supplier capabilities with customer requirements while balancing quality, availability, communication, and long-term value.

20 Years at Empire EMCO Supply Chain Vendor Relations Sourcing Supplier Management
Our Leadership Philosophy

Leadership Begins With Understanding the Customer

Empire EMCO's leadership philosophy starts with listening. Before recommending a packaging solution, we want to understand the customer's product, manufacturing process, business objectives, constraints, and supply chain challenges.

Leadership's role is to build the people, supplier relationships, technical capabilities, systems, and processes that give our team more ways to solve those challenges.

Customer First Understand the business problem before recommending the package.
Collaborative Problem Solving Bring sales, operations, suppliers, engineering, sourcing, and support teams together around the customer requirement.
Long-Term Thinking Build relationships and packaging programs designed to create value beyond a single order.
Continuous Improvement Keep improving products, processes, sourcing strategies, technology, and customer support.
Leadership in Action

How Does Empire EMCO's Leadership Support Customers?

Leadership matters when it creates better resources, stronger relationships, and better outcomes for customers.

01

Build Supplier Relationships

Develop and strengthen manufacturing partnerships that expand sourcing options and packaging capabilities.

02

Invest in Expertise

Support packaging design, engineering, sourcing, operations, technology, and customer service capabilities.

03

Strengthen Supply Chains

Develop supplier diversification, inventory, warehousing, and sourcing strategies that support continuity.

04

Create Long-Term Value

Focus teams on solutions that improve cost, service, responsiveness, efficiency, and customer growth.

Meet the People Behind Empire EMCO

Find the Right Empire EMCO Expert

Leadership is only one part of the team supporting your packaging program. Connect with the regional sales and account support professionals who work directly with customers every day.

Regional Packaging Experts

Meet the sales professionals who help manufacturers identify, source, develop, and manage rigid packaging solutions.

Meet Our Packaging Experts →

Regional Account Support

Meet the team helping coordinate quotes, orders, samples, suppliers, shipments, and ongoing customer requirements.

Meet Our Account Support Team →
Leadership FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Empire EMCO's Leadership

Who is the CEO of Empire EMCO?
Gary Burns is President and Chief Executive Officer of Empire EMCO. He has 37 years of experience with the company and began his career at Empire EMCO as a Regional Sales Manager before becoming President and CEO in 2006.
Who is on the Empire EMCO leadership team?
Empire EMCO's leadership team includes Gary Burns, President and CEO; Joseph Faraci, Controller; Jeanine Vecchio-Lounsbury, New Business and Strategic Territory Development; Jessica Craddock, Operations and Sales Support Manager; and Tracy Farley, Supply Chain Manager and Vendor Relations.
What experience does Empire EMCO's leadership team have?
The leadership team brings decades of experience across rigid packaging, executive management, sales, business development, marketing, finance, operations, procurement, supplier management, inventory planning, customer service, and supply chain management.
How does Empire EMCO's leadership support customers?
Empire EMCO's leadership team supports customers by strengthening supplier relationships, investing in packaging and technical capabilities, improving operations, expanding sourcing options, supporting inventory and supply chain strategies, and developing teams focused on responsive customer service.
Does Empire EMCO's leadership have packaging industry experience?
Yes. Members of the leadership team have extensive experience in rigid packaging, sourcing, procurement, customer service, sales, supplier management, packaging strategy, and supply chain operations.
Is Empire EMCO a family-owned company?
Yes. Empire EMCO remains a family-owned company and traces its history to 1906.
How long has Empire EMCO been in business?
Empire EMCO traces its history to 1906 and marks 120 years in the packaging industry in 2026.
What is Empire EMCO's leadership philosophy?
Empire EMCO's leadership philosophy emphasizes listening to the customer, collaborative problem solving, long-term relationships, accountability, continuous improvement, and investing in the people, suppliers, technology, and capabilities needed to solve packaging challenges.
Does Empire EMCO manufacture packaging?
Empire EMCO is an independent rigid packaging distributor and solutions partner that works with a global network of packaging manufacturers and suppliers. This gives customers access to multiple materials, technologies, manufacturing processes, and sourcing options.
How can I contact Empire EMCO's team?
Visit the Find Your Contact page to locate the appropriate Empire EMCO team member, or use the Speak With a Packaging Expert button on this page to begin a packaging project conversation.

Experienced Leadership. Better Packaging Solutions.

Whether you're developing a new package, looking for another sourcing option, reducing costs, or strengthening your supply chain, Empire EMCO brings experienced people and a broad supplier network to the challenge.

Speak With a Packaging Expert →