Leadership

Sarah Burgin is the Chief Operating Officer at Cap America. Since joining in 2015, she has held positions including Director of Human Resources and Vice President of Finance. With a background in retail business management, a bachelor’s degree in business management from Central Methodist University (where she also served as an adjunct business instructor), and an MBA from Southeast Missouri State University, Burgin now oversees all operational strategies and implements the visionary direction set forth by the CEO. She is the first woman in company history to hold a chief officer role.

Cory Cissell was hired as Cap America’s business development manager in 2012 and is currently serving as the vice president of customer experience where he oversees the marketing and customer service teams. Cory holds a degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University, where he minored in marketing. He also has an MAS certification from PPAI and served on the board of directors for PPAMidwest.

Jon Page was hired as a knit operator in 2014 and was promoted to supervisor the following year. Jon led the knit department for six years before being promoted to vice president of production in 2021. Jon is a combat veteran, having served in the Army from 2001-2007. He spearheaded Cap America's Camp Hope Give Back Program, which supports a local retreat for war-wounded military veterans by donating a portion of the proceeds of certain USA made knits.

Craig Wallace joined the Cap America team in August 2023 and brought with him over two decades of industry experience, developing impactful sales strategies and fostering key client relationships. He leads the Cap America sales team and a network of over fifty multi-line representatives, crafting and executing innovative sales strategies to broaden the company’s customer base. Leveraging market analysis and business intelligence, he identifies new growth avenues and pioneers fresh sales initiatives, collaborating across departments to align sales goals with overall business objectives.

Curt Carr joined the company in September of 2019 in the role of vice president of finance after almost 20 years of experience as a financial executive with a CPA certification. He was quickly promoted to CFO in February 2020. Curt holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from University of Missouri – St. Louis.

John Cooper started at Cap America in 1993 on the production floor as a part of the domestic cut and sew department. John transitioned to the IT department in 2004, owing to his interest and prior knowledge of computers and online sales. He was promoted to CIO in 2018 after leading the company’s IT department for 11 years.

Tom Gillespie has been with Cap America since he was hired as director of production in 2006. At that time, he oversaw a production team of about 40 operators. He was promoted to vice president of production in 2011 and to senior vice president of production in 2021. Tom leads several departments and, over the course of his tenure, has transformed Cap America into one of the most impressive and dominant decoration suppliers in the U.S.

Sarah Page started at Cap America in 2005 as an overseas specialist after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business the previous year. Over the years, Sarah has worked in and managed, at different times, both the overseas and customer service departments. She was promoted to vice president of overseas operations in 2017, where she leads a team of overseas specialists, oversees Cap America’s logistics department, and helps coordinate product safety and compliance for the company.

Joyce Li joined the Cap America team as general manager of the Shanghai office in 2004. She had over two decades of experience in the headwear industry when she was promoted to vice president of global sourcing in 2020. Joyce also holds a master's degree of business administration from Tongji University in Shanghai, China.

Peter Kim was hired in 2019 as vice president of global sourcing. Peter graduated from State University of New York with a Bachelor of Science degree. He had twenty years of experience in headwear manufacturing, sales, and marketing when he joined the Cap America team to help diversity the company supply chain.

Patty Henderson started her career at Cap America in 1987 as an office clerk. After 35 years of dedicated service, during which she was promoted to purchasing manger and then senior purchasing manager, Patty was promoted to Vice President of procurement in 2021.

Liz Capone started with Cap America in 2001 in the customer service department. She was promoted to customer service manager in 2010 and again to the director of customer relations in 2018. She transitioned to the human resource department as the director of human resources in 2022.

Lauren Allen joined the company in 2021 as national sales manager with over a decade of sales experience in the promotional products industry and two degrees – a Bachelor of Science and an MFA. She now oversees a sales rep force of over 25 multi-line reps with the rest of the Cap America sales team.

Since joining Cap America in 2024, Newman has demonstrated his expertise in product development and sales management, and now leads the strategic vision for Cap America's headwear line. With a background in sporting goods and a degree from Augusta State University, he oversees the entire product lifecycle, driving innovation and profitability through market insights and collaboration with the product development team.

Tim Nixon is the National Sales Manager for Cap America, Inc.'s sporting goods division. He is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and growing sales within this newest division, managing sales territories with thirty independent representatives. Reporting to the Vice President of Sales, Nixon brings over 25 years of industry experience in sales and customer service. He focuses on exponential growth within the sporting goods division, leveraging his expertise to solidify Cap America as the leading cap provider in the team market.