E. Lloyd Sobel started his career in the wine and spirits industry in 1978 as a market research analyst for Joseph E. Seagram and Sons. Lloyd earned 12 promotions during his 16-year career at Seagram. His responsibilities included positions in sales, marketing, and administration. Lloyd’s last position at Seagram was the Vice President, Eastern Division Manager located in Lake Success, NY. In 1994, Lloyd left Seagram and joined Charmer Industries as the Executive Vice President. Since 1994 he has been responsible for creating, reengineering and leading numerous divisions at Charmer, participated in various external and internal initiatives, and helped shape Charmer Industries into the industry powerhouse that it was. In February 2005, Lloyd was named President of Charmer Industries – Metro NY. The principles of Charmer Industries and Peerless Importers announced a joint venture of their two companies in July 2006. Lloyd Sobel was named CEO/President of the new organization named Empire Merchants. Under his leadership, Empire Merchants has exceeded all financial and sales projections and is a world class organization.

Anthony (Tony) Magliocco serves as Empire Merchants' COO (chief operating officer). Tony was the Executive Vice President of Peerless Importers from 1999 to 2006; he led Peerless Importers’ sales and operational organizations. Under his leadership Peerless Importers implemented a state-of-the-art carton sortation system and a JD Edwards ERP system. The Peerless carton sortation system was recognized as the premier material handling system in the beverage distribution industry. This same carton sortation system is currently used by Empire Merchants in their Brooklyn warehouse. Additionally, Tony was instrumental in the consolidation of several global wine & spirit suppliers at Peerless Importers. Prior to his role as Executive Vice President of Peerless Importers, Tony was an investment banker at Furman Selz LLC and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. specializing in middle market mergers and acquisitions, and debt and equity financings. Tony received a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and a M.B.A in accounting and finance from New York University.

Terrence A. Arlotta is the CFO (chief financial officer) at Empire Merchants. His strong educational background includes a B.S and M.B.A in accounting from St. John's University in New York. He joined Peerless Importers in 1974 as an assistant controller for the company, and in 1980 became the controller for the company. In 1984, he was promoted again to chief financial officer of Peerless Importers. With the exciting combination of Peerless Importers and Charmer Industries, Terrence Arlotta, with his thirty-plus years of experience in both accounting and the industry, became Empire Merchants' CFO.

Stephen E. Meresman is the secretary for Empire Merchants' executive committee. Steve was the chief financial officer of Charmer Industries from 1988 to 2006. In addition to his Charmer experiences, he has served other companies in various financial positions. Steve was a certified public accountant in New York, and he has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business from New York University.