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

#10 CJ Schmidt, Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125)

2018 Rank: 7 
Title: President/COO 
Industry Experience: 15 years

Few companies experience the type of growth Hit has, let alone continuing to build upon it year after year. With an 8.4% sales increase in 2018, the company crossed the $400 million threshold to $430 million in revenue and shows no signs of slowing. CJ Schmidt, who noted on this year’s Top 40 list that his company services 35,000 clients, has garnered respect among the Power 50 for expanding the business into apparel, increasing market share and working to rectify customer service growing pains. With effective strategies in place to mitigate snafus and streamline production, the company continues to boast one of the broadest product offerings and deepest inventory in the business, as well as one of the most loyal client bases who continue to throw their support – and business – behind Hit and the Schmidt family.