#23 Nancy Schmidt

AIA Corp. (asi/109480) – CEO

2022 Rank: #22

Industry Experience: 5 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 3

Nancy Schmidt, the results-oriented leader of Top 40 distributor AIA, was pleased with her firm’s 24% sales jump last year. The Appleton WI-based company, which has made Counselor’s Best Places to Work list multiple times, saw 80% of its owners enjoy year-over-year growth. The company’s CEO since 2020, Schmidt (a CPA who previously served as AIA’s chief financial officer), shares there’s some noteworthy changes soon to be announced. “At the heart of the AIA brand is an understanding that every conversation matters – whether it’s to solve a problem, discover an opportunity or develop an authentic connection,” says Schmidt, a Wisconsin native who attributes her strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit to her upbringing on a farm. “Captivating changes are on the horizon that articulate how we connect with and empower success for our owners, suppliers and AIA staff.”