CEO and president
First Supply | Madison
Katie Poehling Seymour represents the fifth generation of Poehling family leadership at First Supply. Headquartered in La Crosse and Madison, First Supply operates 53 facilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Michigan. The company broke ground earlier this year for a new distribution facility in West Salem, which is expected to add 100 employees in the La Crosse area. Poehling Seymour has served as an industry leader, including as the 2023 president of the American Supply Association and as its current chairwoman.
Favorite destination in Wisconsin: “Kohler will always stand out to me. Kohler is not only a giant engine of our state’s economy, but it is also a beautiful representation of what Wisconsin’s natural beauty has to offer.”
Thing to learn this year: “As my family continues to evolve our most responsible shareholder practices, I would like to take this opportunity to learn from others and gain perspective from those who have shown success in family governance.”
Advice for first-time leaders: “When entering a leadership position for the first time, my biggest piece of advice is to never stop learning.”
What would you like to change about Wisconsin: “Bigger ski hills near Milwaukee. I grew up skiing with my parents and siblings, learning in the bluffs of La Crosse. I am excited to teach my own girls and wish there were hills that compared to those.”
