Fifth-generation leader of century-old precision manufacturer shares leadership insights in cover story for “The 10 Most Influential Business Leaders of 2026”
FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Brielle Freda Seminerio, President of Brewster Washers, has been featured in Excellence CEO Magazine as part of their “The 10 Most Influential Business Leaders of 2026” cover edition. The in-depth profile, titled “The Long View: Brielle Freda Seminerio and a Century-Old Commitment to Craft,” highlights her journey leading the 106-year-old precision manufacturing company and her vision for American manufacturing’s future.
Feature explores leadership amid industry challenges
The Excellence CEO profile examines how Brewster Washers has thrived across more than a century of economic shifts, technological evolution, and supply chain pressures. Seminerio shared her philosophy on authentic leadership, noting that “you don’t have to be perfect to be an excellent leader. You just have to be yourself and keep moving forward.”
The feature explores Seminerio’s unique path to manufacturing leadership—from competitive Team USA synchronized figure skating to assuming the presidency of a precision parts manufacturer whose components have traveled to space aboard the Hubble Telescope, Mars Rover, and every Apollo and Space Shuttle mission.
“The future of manufacturing is limitless, and women are at the heart of its transformation,” Seminerio stated in the interview. “Our resilience, creativity, and determination are the tools that will shape a stronger, more innovative industry.”
A legacy of precision spanning generations
Founded in 1919 by William H. Brewster Jr., Brewster Washers specializes in custom precision flat washers, shims, spacers, and discs for aerospace, defense, medical, robotics, and high-tech industries. The company holds AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, maintaining aerospace-grade quality standards that have made it a trusted supplier to Boeing, Tesla, and NASA programs.
Seminerio represents the fifth generation of company leadership and the third generation of the Freda family to guide Brewster Washers. She assumed the presidency in September 2023 following her father Salvatore Freda Jr.’s passing after a battle with cancer. In the Excellence CEO interview, she reflected on this transition: “Everyone that comes in says how great a man my father was. He’d give you the shirt off his back. That’s how I try to help our new and current customers—I try to help them out, no matter what.”
Building on a foundation of recognition
The Excellence CEO feature adds to Seminerio’s growing list of leadership acknowledgments. In 2024, she was honored with Metalforming Magazine’s 9th Annual Women of Excellence recognition, presented with the Precision Metalforming Association and Women in Manufacturing. That same year, Brewster Washers received the NJMEP “Manufacturer of the Year” Award in the small business category, and Seminerio was named to ROI-NJ’s “Influencers: Women in Business 2024” list.
Her leadership journey began with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey’s “One to Watch” Award in August 2023—a nomination submitted by her father in recognition of her dedication during his illness.
Vision for continued American manufacturing excellence
Looking ahead, Seminerio outlined strategic priorities including increased operational efficiency, investment in automation and new machinery, and workforce development through ongoing training in emerging technologies. She expressed her commitment to Brewster Washers’ legacy: “We’ve been in business for 105 years, with outstanding quality and performance for customers throughout that. We’d love to uphold a family tradition and continue for another 105.”
The Excellence CEO feature is available online at excellenceceo.com.
About Brewster Washers
Brewster Washers (Wm. H. Brewster Jr., Inc.) is a woman-owned, family-owned precision manufacturing company headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey. Founded in 1919, the company specializes in custom precision flat washers, shims, discs, spacers, and insulators manufactured from metals including stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, titanium, and specialty alloys, as well as various plastics. Brewster Washers maintains AS9100:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications and serves aerospace, defense, medical, robotics, automotive, and high-tech industries. The company’s precision parts have been featured on the Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Rover, all Apollo missions, all Space Shuttle missions, and Boeing aircraft. For more information, visit brewster-washers.com.
About Brielle Freda Seminerio
Brielle Freda Seminerio is the President of Brewster Washers, representing the fifth generation of company leadership. A graduate of Miami University, Seminerio is a former Team USA synchronized figure skater who transitioned to manufacturing leadership, joining the family business after graduation and advancing through roles in inspection and shipping operations before assuming the presidency in 2023. She is an active member of the Precision Metalforming Association, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, and Women in Manufacturing, and is committed to championing diversity and developing future women leaders in the manufacturing industry.