#2 CJ Schmidt

Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125) – CEO

2022 Rank: #6

Industry Experience: 19 Years

Previous Appearances on Power 50: 13

With his Counselor Top 40 company’s sales up 41% in 2022 from $434 million to $611 million, CJ Schmidt has proven himself over the last few years to be one of the industry’s most astute and strategic operators, successfully guiding his company through challenges like facility-damaging hurricanes, the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and market volatility. With a recently-announced partnership with fellow Top 40 apparel supplier Stormtech, a host of respected industry hires like Tiffany Tarr, Kim Brockschmidt and – just a few weeks ago – Jon Norris, and one of the best overseas sourcing and networking channels in the business, it’s not surprising that Schmidt predicts Hit’s sales will increase by 10%-12% in 2023.