# Joe Bartolacci

> Joe Bartolacci is a Pittsburgh business executive who joined Matthews International as general counsel in 1997, led its Italian and European operations, and served as CEO from 2006 until August 2026. His tenure combined acquisitions and industrial investment with a contested debate over shareholder returns. He remains a director of Federated Hermes and is supporting the Matthews leadership transition.

- **Role:** Director at Federated Hermes; former President and CEO of Matthews International, supporting its leadership transition
- **Organizations:** Matthews International, Federated Hermes, Saint Vincent College, Caggiati, Matthews Europe, Touche Ross
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Saint Vincent College, Juris Doctor, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
- **Known for:** Led Matthews as CEO from 2006 to August 2026 after earlier legal, divisional and international operating roles., Matthews credits his tenure with more than 60 acquisitions and expansion of its international footprint., Saint Vincent College Alumnus of Distinction, 2007.

## Career timeline

- **1982** — Graduated from Saint Vincent College with an accounting degree; subsequently worked at Touche Ross and qualified as a CPA.
- **1987** — Received a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh; later worked in private legal practice and as general counsel of a Pittsburgh-area retail pharmacy business.
- **1997** — Joined Matthews International as general counsel.
- **Before 2002** — Served as president of Caggiati in Italy; Matthews records six years of work abroad.
- **2002** — Became president of Matthews Europe in April.
- **2004** — Became executive vice president in January and president of the casket division in February; returned to the United States.
- **2005** — Became president and COO in September and joined the board in November.
- **2006** — Became chief executive officer.
- **2007** — Recognized as an Alumnus of Distinction by Saint Vincent College.
- **2014** — Led Matthews when it announced the Schawk acquisition, with an enterprise value of approximately $577 million.
- **2016** — Joined the Federated Hermes board in October.
- **2025** — Matthews won its February proxy contest and contributed SGK to Propelis in May, retaining 40% common equity.
- **2026** — Retirement announced August 4; Michael J. Whitehead succeeded him as CEO effective August 31. Transition support was announced at least through January 1, 2027.

## Achievements

- Led Matthews as CEO from 2006 to August 2026 after earlier legal, divisional and international operating roles.
- Matthews credits his tenure with more than 60 acquisitions and expansion of its international footprint.
- Saint Vincent College Alumnus of Distinction, 2007.
- Federated Hermes director since October 2016.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Matthews announced his retirement on August 4 and appointed Michael J. Whitehead on August 11, effective August 31.
- **2026-08** — The retirement announcement said he would support the leadership transition at least through January 1, 2027.
- **2026-10** — Matthews confirmed Whitehead’s August 31 succession in its October 1 board-size announcement.

## Links

- Website: https://www.matw.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bartolacci-683805227

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/joe-bartolacci
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24