Growing up in Milwaukee, Rick Schmidt was immersed in the family business, observing firsthand as his father built the CG Schmidt construction firm’s reputation and expanded its reach. This exposure fueled Schmidt’s own professional ambitions.
He pursued a career in engineering and spent 25 years working independently at a road-building firm, gaining valuable industry experience. When his father, Richard Sr., began succession planning for CG Schmidt, he approached Rick with an offer to join the family business. Schmidt accepted the offer with enthusiasm, and in 2006, he assumed the roles of president and chief executive officer.
CG Schmidt, a fifth-generation, family-owned company since 1920, is a leader in quality construction management, general construction, and design-build services with offices in Madison, Milwaukee and Arizona. The company serves the markets of education, healthcare, senior living, multi-family, corporate, industrial, community and religious facilities.
Under Schmidt’s leadership, CG Schmidt successfully completed numerous high-profile construction projects in the Milwaukee and Madison areas, including the Milwaukee Art Museum Calatrava addition, Milwaukee Public Market, Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, UW-Madison South Campus Union, Medical College of Wisconsin Hub for Collaborative Medicine, and Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons.
“Rick’s leadership style has fostered a culture of creativity, ambition and innovation at CG Schmidt,” said his staff. “His dedication to continuous improvement has set new standards in the industry, ensuring that the company not only upholds its esteemed reputation but also looks toward a future of growth and excellence.”
With Schmidt at the helm, CG Schmidt has earned the top workplaces award every year since its inception in 2010, as well as the best places to work award for 10 of the 12 years it has existed. Schmidt has received personal awards for his leadership and commitment to the community. Accolades include the AGC of Milwaukee Harvey Peterson safety award, the AGC’s skill, integrity, and responsibility award, the Messmer Catholic Schools portraits in leadership award, the Marquette University College of Engineering distinguished alumnus award, the YMCA leadership award of excellence, the Daily Reporter icons of construction award, the BizTimes corporate citizen of the year award, and is a BizStarts entrepreneur hall of fame inductee.
“Sharing this passion with others, whether it’s through community outreach or internal meetings, helps inspire our team to remain motivated and focused on both business and community objectives,” said Schmidt. “Ultimately, by fostering connections—both within and outside the company—I am able to maintain my enthusiasm for the business while inspiring others to do the same,” he said.