Freeman Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Freeman has 10 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, operational logistics, strategic initiatives, human resources, and corporate governance.

Focused on delivering transformative live experiences, Freeman designs and executes global trade shows and conferences that connect brands with audiences through integrated audiovisual production and creative exhibit services.

Leadership Roles at Freeman

  • Chief Financial Officer - John Herrold
  • Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer - Taylor Thornton
  • Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services - Christopher Schimek
  • President - Donald Freeman
  • President - Justin Freeman
  • President - Nora Freeman
  • President - Victor Seaton
  • Operations Director, Human Resources & Executive & Chief of Staff - Chelsea Burch
  • Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer - Amy Wynn-Steffek
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer - Cara Milligan
  • John Herrold - Chief Financial Officer

    John Herrold, the Chief Financial Officer at Freeman, directs all fiscal planning and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing the financial health of global event operations, the Chief Financial Officer ensures alignment with long-term growth objectives. This leadership role involves managing complex budgetary requirements for large-scale trade shows and audiovisual productions. By optimizing resource distribution across international markets, John Herrold directly impacts the company's ability to scale exhibit services and event technology. Ultimately, Herrold secures the financial stability necessary to support the diverse needs of clients across various industries. Through rigorous analysis of market trends, the Chief Financial Officer maintains a competitive edge in the hospitality and events sector, ensuring that every investment contributes to the overarching mission of delivering high-impact brand experiences for organizations worldwide.
    John Herrold

    Taylor Thornton - Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer

    Taylor Thornton, the Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer at Freeman, architects high-level planning frameworks and cross-departmental alignment. Overseeing the execution of key corporate projects, the Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer ensures that internal processes support the broader financial and operational goals. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between executive leadership and functional teams to accelerate decision-making. By monitoring the progress of strategic initiatives, Taylor Thornton directly impacts the agility of the organization in responding to market shifts. Ultimately, Thornton optimizes the internal infrastructure required to deliver world-class event strategy and creative design. Through the coordination of complex workflows, the Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer maintains organizational focus on delivering superior value to clients.
    Taylor Thornton

    Christopher Schimek - Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services

    Christopher Schimek, the Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services at Freeman, manages the end-to-end execution of live experiences and trade show logistics. Overseeing the operational delivery of complex exhibit designs, the Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services ensures seamless integration of technology and production services. This leadership role involves coordinating cross-functional teams to meet the rigorous demands of corporate conferences and brand activations. By streamlining supply chain processes and installation workflows, Christopher Schimek directly impacts the efficiency of global event management. Ultimately, Schimek drives operational excellence across North American and international markets. Through the implementation of standardized service protocols, the Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services guarantees consistent quality in every audiovisual production, reinforcing the reputation of the company as a leader in the global events industry.

    Donald Freeman - President

    Donald Freeman, the President at Freeman, directs the overarching vision and long-term market strategy for the organization. Overseeing the expansion of global event capabilities, the President ensures that the company maintains a dominant position in the trade show and conference industry. This leadership role involves guiding the executive team toward innovative solutions in audiovisual production and exhibit design. By championing a culture of creativity and client-centric service, Donald Freeman directly impacts the success of major corporate events and brand experiences. Ultimately, Freeman drives the strategic growth of the business across diverse international markets. Through the cultivation of key industry partnerships, the President secures the future of the company as a premier provider of live experiences, ensuring that every project aligns with the core mission of connecting businesses with their target audiences.

    Justin Freeman - President

    Justin Freeman, the President at Freeman, leads the development of advanced technology integration and digital event solutions. Overseeing the modernization of exhibit services, the President ensures that the company leverages cutting-edge tools to enhance attendee engagement. This leadership role involves identifying emerging trends in the events industry and adapting service offerings to meet evolving client needs. By fostering innovation in event marketing and strategic insights, Justin Freeman directly impacts the effectiveness of corporate conferences and trade shows. Ultimately, Freeman drives the digital transformation of the organization to support complex client objectives. Through the implementation of scalable technology platforms, the President maintains the competitive advantage of the company in a rapidly changing market, ensuring that every live experience delivers measurable value and lasting impact for global organizations.

    Nora Freeman - President

    Nora Freeman, the President at Freeman, manages the strategic development of creative design and brand experience services. Overseeing the creative direction of large-scale exhibits and corporate events, the President ensures that every project reflects the unique identity and objectives of the client. This leadership role involves mentoring design teams and pushing the boundaries of traditional event production. By integrating artistic vision with functional logistics, Nora Freeman directly impacts the quality and impact of brand experiences delivered to audiences worldwide. Ultimately, Freeman drives the creative evolution of the company to stay ahead of industry trends. Through the promotion of innovative design methodologies, the President maintains the reputation of the company as a premier creative partner, ensuring that every conference and trade show serves as a powerful tool for business connection and growth.

    Victor Seaton - President

    Victor Seaton, the President at Freeman, leads the operational expansion and market penetration strategies for the organization. Overseeing the development of regional presence and client acquisition, the President ensures that the company effectively serves diverse industries across global markets. This leadership role involves coordinating with sales and marketing teams to drive revenue growth through integrated event solutions. By identifying new opportunities for trade show and conference services, Victor Seaton directly impacts the market reach of the company. Ultimately, Seaton drives the execution of business objectives that support the long-term success of the organization. Through the strategic management of client relationships, the President maintains the position of the company as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to connect with their audiences, ensuring that every event contributes to the overall growth and impact of the brand.

    Chelsea Burch - Operations Director, Human Resources & Executive & Chief of Staff

    Chelsea Burch, the Operations Director, Human Resources & Executive & Chief of Staff at Freeman, manages the intersection of talent management and executive operational support. Overseeing the alignment of human capital with corporate objectives, the Operations Director, Human Resources & Executive & Chief of Staff ensures that the workforce possesses the skills necessary for high-stakes event production. This leadership role involves refining internal communication channels and supporting the executive team in daily operations. By fostering a culture of excellence, Chelsea Burch directly impacts the retention and development of top-tier talent within the events sector. Ultimately, Burch strengthens the organizational foundation required to deliver integrated event services. Through the implementation of strategic HR initiatives, the Operations Director, Human Resources & Executive & Chief of Staff drives productivity and ensures that the company remains a premier partner for organizations seeking impactful brand experiences.

    Amy Wynn-Steffek - Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer

    Amy Wynn-Steffek, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer at Freeman, directs all talent acquisition, organizational development, and culture-building initiatives. Overseeing the professional growth of the global workforce, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains the best talent in the events and hospitality industry. This leadership role involves designing comprehensive training programs that support the delivery of high-quality exhibit services and audiovisual production. By cultivating an inclusive and high-performance environment, Amy Wynn-Steffek directly impacts the overall operational success of the organization. Ultimately, Wynn-Steffek aligns human resources strategy with the broader business mission of creating meaningful brand experiences. Through the implementation of progressive people policies, the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer drives employee engagement and ensures that the company remains a leader in the global events market.
    Amy Wynn-Steffek
    Cara Milligan, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at Freeman, directs all corporate governance, risk management, and legal compliance strategies. Overseeing the protection of intellectual property and contractual integrity, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer ensures that global operations adhere to international regulatory standards. This leadership role involves navigating complex legal landscapes associated with large-scale audiovisual productions and international trade shows. By mitigating operational risks, Cara Milligan directly impacts the stability and reliability of the company's service delivery. Ultimately, Milligan provides the legal framework necessary to support the expansion of event services into new markets. Through the proactive management of legal affairs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer safeguards the interests of the company and its clients, ensuring that every event experience is executed with the highest level of professional integrity and compliance.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Freeman Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Freeman?
    Freeman is led by John Herrold (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Taylor Thornton (Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer) and Christopher Schimek (Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services).
    Who is part of Freeman’s executive team?
    The executive team of Freeman includes leaders such as John Herrold (Chief Financial Officer), Taylor Thornton (Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer), Christopher Schimek (Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Freeman have?
    Freeman has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Freeman’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Freeman includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives & To The Chief of Staff & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Event & Exhibit Services, President, President.