BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pamela Forbes Lieberman*
Director – Standard Motor Products, Inc.
Pamela Forbes Lieberman
Ms. Forbes Lieberman has served as a director of Standard Motor Products, Inc. since August 2007 where she chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Compensation and Management Development Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Ms. Forbes Lieberman also serves on the Rush University System for Health Board of Directors where she chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Nominating and Governance Committee. Ms. Forbes Lieberman served, until late 2017, as a director of VWR Corporation and as a director, Board Chair, and Audit Committee Chair of A. M. Castle & Co. In 2006, Ms. Forbes Lieberman served as the interim Chief Operating Officer of Entertainment Resource, Inc. Prior to such time, Ms. Forbes Lieberman served as President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of TruServ Corporation (now known as True Value Company) and prior to that as TruServ’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining TruServ, Ms. Forbes Lieberman held Chief Financial Officer positions at ShopTalk Inc., The Martin-Brower Company, LLC, and Fel-Pro, Inc. and served as an automotive industry consultant. Ms. Forbes Lieberman, a Certified Public Accountant, began her career at Price Waterhouse (now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP). Ms. Forbes Lieberman holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, and a BS in Accountancy from the University of Illinois.
Ms. Forbes Lieberman joined our Board of Directors in October 2020 and is a member of our Compensation and Human Resources Committee and Governance Committee, and is the Chairperson of our Audit Committee.
Mercedes Romero*
Former Chief Procurement Officer at Primo Water Corporation
Mercedes Romero
Ms. Romero successfully led global operations, supply chain and procurement functions at large organizations across multiple industries, including retail, consumer goods, spirits, pharmaceuticals, transportation and food/beverage. Ms. Romero has broad experience in supply chain and procurement transformations, developing and executing business strategy, and implementing transformational programs in complex and diverse environments across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Australia and China. In January 2025, Ms. Romero retired as the Chief Procurement Officer at Primo Water Corporation, a $1.8 billion water solutions company, where she led the Global Strategic Procurement function, reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors.
She has previously led global procurement organizations with multibillion dollar budgets across enterprise expenses and highly complex supply chains.
Ms. Romero joined our Board of Directors in October 2021 and is a member of our Compensation and Human Resources Committee, and Audit Committee. Ms. Romero is the Chairperson of our Governance Committee since October 2024. Ms. Romero became National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Directorship Certified in 2024. She is also a NACD director certification ambassador.
James J. Sanfilippo
Chief Executive Officer of TruStar Holdings, LLC and VIST Labs, LLC
James J. Sanfilippo
Mr. Sanfilippo is the Chief Executive Officer of TruStar Holdings, LLC, and VIST Labs, LLC, developers and suppliers of advanced packaging systems. Mr. Sanfilippo is also a Manager of Sanfilippo Tech, LLC, Sanfilippo Equity Partners, LLC, 140 State Parkway, LLC and TruStar Holdings, LLC. Through August 2020, Mr. Sanfilippo served as President of the Sonoco Elk Grove, Inc. Division of Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco”), a publicly traded, diversified global manufacturer of packaging materials. Prior to Sonoco, he served in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. (“Clear Lam”) from 1999 to July 2017, when Clear Lam was sold to Sonoco. Mr. Sanfilippo became a director of our company in October 2013. Before Clear Lam, Mr. Sanfilippo served as the founder of MAP Systems LLC, a thermoforming packaging business. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Sanfilippo served as a Vice President and Treasurer of our company where he was responsible for our Illinois operations and contract manufacturing. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Sanfilippo served as Director of Contract Manufacturing for our company and from 1985 to 1991 served as a Product Manager for our company. Mr. Sanfilippo has been responsible for a number of patents in the packaging industry.
Jasper B. Sanfilippo, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
Jasper B. Sanfilippo, Jr.
Mr. Sanfilippo has been employed by us since 1991. On October 1, 2026, Mr. Sanfilippo was named our Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sanfilippo served as our Chief Operating Officer and President since November 2006 and, in May 2007, Mr. Sanfilippo was named our Treasurer and held that position until January 2009. Mr. Sanfilippo was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors in December 2003. Mr. Sanfilippo served as Executive Vice President Operations from 2001 to November 2006, retaining his position as Assistant Secretary, which he assumed in December 1995 until being named Secretary in August 2025. Mr. Sanfilippo served as our Senior Vice President Operations in August 1999 and served as Vice President Operations between December 1995 and August 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Sanfilippo was the General Manager of our Gustine, California facility beginning in October 1995, and from June 1992 to October 1995 he served as Assistant Treasurer and worked in our Financial Relations department. Mr. Sanfilippo has previously served on the Board of Directors of the National Pecan Shellers Association, an industry association of which our company is a member.
Jeffrey T. Sanfilippo
Executive Chairman
Jeffrey T. Sanfilippo
Mr. Sanfilippo has been employed by us since 1991 and on October 1, 2026 Mr. Sanfilippo was named our Executive Chairman. Mr. Sanfilippo served as our Chief Executive Officer since November 2006. Mr. Sanfilippo became a director of our company in August 1999 and was elected as our Chairman of the Board of Directors on October 30, 2008. Mr. Sanfilippo served as our Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing from January 2001 to November 2006. He served as Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing from August 1999 to January 2001 and as Vice President Sales and Marketing from October 1995 to August 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Sanfilippo served as Vice President West Coast Operations and Sales from October 1993 to September 1995 and as General Manager West Coast Operations from September 1991 to September 1993. Mr. Sanfilippo earned his Masters of Business Administration and is an active member of the Chicago chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
John E. Sanfilippo
President of Engineering, VIST Labs, LLC
John E. Sanfilippo
Mr. Sanfilippo is the President of Engineering at VIST Labs, LLC, a developer and supplier of advanced packaging systems. He became a director of our company in October 2020. Mr. Sanfilippo is also a Manager of Sanfilippo Tech, LLC, Sanfilippo Equity Partners, LLC, 140 State Parkway, LLC and TruStar Holdings, LLC. Through August 2020, Mr. Sanfilippo served as Vice President of Engineering of the Sonoco Elk Grove, Inc. Division of Sonoco Products Company (“Sonoco”), a publicly traded, diversified global manufacturer of packaging materials. Prior to Sonoco, Mr. Sanfilippo served as Group President of Corporate Engineering at Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. (“Clear Lam”) from 2005 to July 2017, when Clear Lam was sold to Sonoco. Before Clear Lam, Mr. Sanfilippo served as an executive with MAP Systems and Jescorp, both packaging companies. From 1975 to 1999, Mr. Sanfilippo served in varying engineering roles and manager of engineering projects for our company, including as a plant engineer.
Lisa A. Sanfilippo
Former Co-Director The Global Society for Female Entrepreneurs
Lisa A. Sanfilippo
Ms. Sanfilippo is a former Co-Director of The Global Society for Female Entrepreneurs in Beverly Hills, California and former founder and Co-Owner of Acceptance Recovery Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. She became a director for our company in April 2021. Previously, Ms. Sanfilippo served as Director of Business Development & Innovation Trends at the company from 2011 to 2017. Before that, Ms. Sanfilippo served in several other roles at the company, including Senior Business Manager in charge of Alternative Channels from 2009 to 2011, Director of Customer Service from 2007 to 2009, and Senior Business Manager for Industrial Sales from 1991 to 2007.
Ellen C. Taaffe*
Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
Ellen C. Taaffe
Ms. Taaffe is a senior brand management and strategy executive who has held leadership roles across several industries, including over two decades in consumer-packaged goods. In addition to serving on three boards, she is a clinical professor of Management and Organizations at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she teaches leadership courses and coaches MBA Executive Education students. In addition to her governance and academic work, she is a keynote and TEDx speaker, executive advisor and coach, and award-winning author.
Previously, Ms. Taaffe was President of Ravel, formerly Smith-Dahmer Associates LLC, a research and brand strategy consulting firm, where she served from 2010 to 2015. Prior to that, Ms. Taaffe was Vice President of Brand Marketing and a Corporate Officer of the Whirlpool Corporation from 2007 to 2009. Prior to the Whirlpool Corporation, Ms. Taaffe served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. from 2005 to 2007. Previously, Ms. Taaffe served as Vice President of Health and Wellness Strategy and Programming at PepsiCo from 2003 to 2005. She was Vice President of Marketing for Frito-Lay’s Convenience Foods Division of PepsiCo, following PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company in 2001, where she served as Vice President of Marketing for Snacks and Side Dishes. At Quaker, Ms. Taaffe held numerous positions in Brand Management and Sales Management from 1984 to 2001.
In 2015, Ms. Taaffe was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of the Hooker Furnishings Corporation, where she serves on their Compensation and Human Resources Committee, Audit Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which she chaired from 2016 to 2023. From 2018-2026, Ms. Taaffe served on the Board of Directors of AARP Services Inc., where she was Board Chair from 2024-2026. In addition, she served on their Compensation and Talent Management Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, which she chaired from 2020 to 2024. Ms. Taaffe joined our Board of Directors in January 2011 and is Lead Independent Director of the Board, the Chairperson of our Compensation and Human Resources Committee, a member of our Audit Committee, and a member of our Governance Committee, which she previously chaired. She was named a Board Leadership Fellow by the NACD in 2016 and was recognized as NACD Directorship Certified in 2022 to present.
James A. Valentine
Former Senior Technical Advisor
James A. Valentine
Mr. Valentine was employed by the Company from 1986 until he retired in December 2025. He served as the Company’s Senior Technical Advisor from January 2018 until December 2025 and Chief Information Officer from November 2006 to January 2018. He served as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Information Technology, from August 2001 to November 2006. Mr. Valentine served as Senior Vice President, Information Technology, from January 2000 to August 2001, and as Vice President of Management Information Systems from January 1995 to January 2000. Mr. Valentine is responsible for providing guidance to management regarding the strategic direction of the company’s information technology functions that support our corporate strategy.
Michael J. Valentine
Former Group President of the Company
Michael J. Valentine
Mr. Valentine was employed by us from 1987 until his retirement in January 2023. Mr. Valentine served as Chief Financial Officer from January 2001 to August 2021 and served as Group President from November 2006 to January 2023. In January 2001, Mr. Valentine was named Executive Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary. He served as Secretary until August 2022. Mr. Valentine was elected as a director of our company in April 1997. Mr. Valentine served as our Senior Vice President and Secretary from August 1999 to January 2001. He served as Vice President and Secretary from December 1995 to August 1999. He served as our Assistant Secretary and General Manager of External Operations from June 1987 and 1990, respectively, to December 1995. Mr. Valentine has served on the Board of Directors of the Peanut and Tree Nut Processors Association and the Board of Directors of the American Peanut Council, respectively, both of which are nut industry associations of which our company is a member.
Notice statement:
*Member of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, Audit Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee