Recognizing 100 CEOs & C-level Executives

As a member of the founding family of First Supply, Kathryn (Katie) Poehling Seymour has proudly succeeded her father, as president and chief executive officer of First Companies, after working in the kitchen, bath, and lighting showrooms and serving as the chief operating officer of the kitchen and bath division.

“Katie has continued to lead with a strong people-first mindset that allows her to make decisions that will create the best possible working environment for everyone involved at First Supply,” said her staff. “She has innovated our structure to allow our various divisions to work seamlessly together, integrated policies that aim to improve conditions for all employees and made changes in our processes that have allowed our revenue to continue to grow annually since she has taken over.”

Established in La Crosse, WI, First Supply is the largest Wisconsin-based wholesaler, with 52 upper Midwest locations, including 28 First Supply distribution branches, five First Waterworks branches, one Central Distribution Center, 14 Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath and Lighting Stores, and four Kohler Signature Stores by First Supply. Founded in 1897, First Supply is a 5th-generation, family-owned, single-source provider employing over 650 people and offering HVAC, builder PVF, plumbing, lighting, waterworks, industrial PVF, pump, well and septic supplies.

“Over the past three years the business has embraced our new vision – to distribute innovation and partnership in our communities for generations,” said Poehling Seymour. “This is important to us because it elevates our key values – innovation and partnership – and our commitments to our communities and to remaining family-owned for generations to come.”

Under Poehling Seymour’s leadership, retention and profitability have dramatically increased. She was instrumental in expanding the Waterworks division and recently launched the company’s largest product to date for a new Central Distribution Center. This year, Poehling Seymour was a finalist for the Midwest Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the Year award for her leadership.

“Katie is most proud of the impact that her dedication has made on the people that it impacts,” said her staff. “Each role she takes on is with the intention of improving the lives of someone else, and her decisions are always made with the people it impacts at the forefront.”

Poehling Seymour continues her family’s tradition of making an impact in the community by serving as the American Supply Association’s president and chairing the American Heart Association of Southeastern Wisconsin’s Go Red for Women campaign.

“I love being engaged in my industry – it keeps me close to the heartbeat of the industry,” said Poehling Seymour. “I’ve held leadership roles in various industry organizations that build my network and give me early access to important trends and opportunities, and I find it incredibly energizing to be in the action.”

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