Russ Freebury - President/CEO

Starting in 1974, Russ began working in a plastic bag manufacturing factory. He then went on to open Neway Packaging in 1977 which became a leading player in the packaging industry known for innovation and excellence. With a career spanning over 51 years, he has been at the forefront of shaping the company's growth and success. 

Russ's commitment to managing growth effectively, being detail-oriented, and focusing on quality and customer satisfaction is evident in his ability to forge strong client relationships and deliver packaging solutions that exceed expectations. Beyond his role as President, Russ actively participates in industry associations and initiatives, contributing expertise to shape the future of packaging practices and standards.

Chris Freebury - Vice President

Chris serves as the Vice President of Neway Packaging, a renowned leader in the packaging industry. From the time Chris was in diapers, he was surrounded with immense knowledge about the packaging industry from his father who started Neway Packaging. Never shying from a challenge, Chris went on to open Neway’s Las Vegas branch from the ground up by driving trucks, driving forklifts, taking and placing customer orders, and managing an entire staff.

With over 25 years of experience, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Neway's executive leadership team. As Vice President, Chris plays a pivotal role in driving the company's strategic vision and operational excellence. He is a forward-thinking leader who excels in optimizing processes, fostering innovation, and ensuring the highest standards of quality in all packaging solutions offered by Neway.

Erica Freebury - CFO

Erica Freebury started full-time at Neway in January of 2010 after years of working in the accounting department on her summer breaks from college and high school. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in finance from George Washington University in Washington DC, Erica officially became a full-time employee of the family business. Initially, Erica moved from department to department, learning the ins and outs of Neway. This gave her the experience and knowledge needed to pick the right computer system, which she was an integral part of implementing and maintaining. With her home now in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Erica is Neway’s Controller, which in layman’s terms means she handles the money. Outside of work, Erica enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and children, and many activities such as tennis, volleyball, and walking with friends.

Kim Guerrero - Corporate General Manager

Kim is a seasoned Corporate General Manager with a wealth of experience in leading and directing organizations to achieve their strategic objectives. With an impressive career spanning over 40 years, she has a proven track record of driving operational efficiency and delivering exceptional results. Kim plays a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of the organization's operations, including finance, human resources, and logistics. With a strategic mindset and unwavering commitment to organizational success, Kim continues to be a driving force behind Neway's growth and prosperity in the corporate landscape.

Carole Schmittauer - Assistant General Manager

My position at Neway Packaging as Assistant General Manager is probably the most interesting and rewarding that I’ve ever encountered in my career. My many years of corporate experience have effectively prepared me for a fast-paced deadline-oriented position here at Neway. There are so many facets of my job such as hiring, payroll, contracts, benefits, facilities, auto, buildings, and workers comp. insurance, etc.

Neway is a wonderful company to work at, with terrific benefits and amazing people. I’ve always been a people person that’s available 24/7. On a personal note, I am blessed to have my mother, a phenomenal daughter, daughter-in-law, and 3 grandsons whom I enjoy and love to travel with.

Susan McCarthy - Corporate Ops. Manager

Susan is a highly accomplished Corporate Operations Manager with a proven track record of optimizing efficiency and driving operational excellence. With 40 years of experience in the field, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic prowess in managing complex corporate operations. Susan plays a pivotal role in streamlining processes, improving workflows, and enhancing overall productivity. She is known for her ability to create and execute strategies that align with the organization's goals, delivering tangible results.

Brady Facer - Business Development Manager

Brady is a dynamic and results-oriented Business Development Manager with a track record of driving growth and profitability for organizations. With 17 years of experience in the field, he excels in identifying opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and executing plans to achieve business objectives. Known for his strong communication and negotiation skills, Brady excels in building mutually beneficial alliances and understands the importance of aligning business goals with customer needs.

Kerry Balfour - National Sales Manager

Kerry is a highly accomplished National Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of driving revenue growth and leading successful sales teams. With an extensive career in sales and management, he has consistently delivered outstanding results and exceeded targets.  Kerry is responsible for developing and executing sales strategies that cover a diverse national market. He is known for their exceptional leadership skills, motivating sales teams to achieve and surpass sales goals.  His ability to identify market trends and customer needs has been instrumental in Neway's success.

THE START OF NEWAY...

Russ Freebury, the President and CEO of Neway Packaging, started the company with his wife in 1977 out of their garage in a small house in Torrance, CA.

From the very beginning, Russ has done whatever it takes to keep his customers happy. He has always strived to exceed his customer's expectations and as you can see in the photo, Russ makes the impossible - possible! Russ made sure to get a delivery to the customer on time by utilizing what he had at the time...his 1975 Toyota Corolla.

Since then, Neway has expanded into seven locations in seven different states. Neway's customer service and quality control have been the backbone of our customer's loyalty as we continue to expand.