Welcome to the 2019 Power 50 list, which ranks the most influential people in the industry.

#44: Eddie Blau, Innovation Line (asi/62660)

2018 Rank: 49 
Title: CEO
Industry Experience: 26 years

Last year was a good one for Blau and Innovation Line, with each of them making their debut on the Counselor Power 50 and Top 40 lists, respectively. A previous Counselor Supplier Entrepreneur of the Year, Blau has led the company to a nearly 10% increase in sales last year, to $56 million, and a 185% increase since 2013, contributing to a jump in this year’s ranking.

“Leadership is the ability to fundamentally understand the personalities and motivations of your co-workers and craft your messages in a manner that will resonate with them on that level. Good leadership requires a high degree of emotional intelligence.” Eddie Blau, Innovation Line