Jo-an Lantz, MAS, has been promoted to CEO of Geiger, effective April 1. Her new role at the Lewiston, Maine, distributor, was first announced on Wednesday in a PPB Newslink Breaking News alert.
Currently the company’s president, a position she will retain, Lantz has been with Geiger for 40 years and has held a variety of roles during that time. When she was promoted to president in January, she became the first nonfamily member to serve in that role at the 141-year-old company, and is also the first person outside the family to serve as CEO. She fills a position previously held by Gene Geiger, MAS+, who will continue with the company as chairman of the board.
Lantz has a long history of leadership within the promotional products industry. She served on PPAI’s board of directors and was chair in 1998, and was inducted into PPAI’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
“Jo-an is a rare talent, someone with a relentless focus on personal growth and accomplishing company goals,” says Geiger. “She understands and embraces a culture that is unique in our industry, and I know that she will lead Geiger Nation to unprecedented success in the years ahead. I’ll still have a ringside seat, and I can’t wait to see what she and her superb team will achieve.”
Lantz adds, “I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve this exceptional company as president and CEO. The strong culture of family, growth and investment for the long term is unique to Geiger and I’m looking forward to working with the people here and our industry in my new capacity.”
Looking ahead, Lantz doesn’t expect her day-to-day role at the company to change too much. Speaking to PPB Newslink, she says, “Fortunately, I work with a terrific executive team of leaders, including Senior Vice President of Sales Chris McKee, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Bob Blaisdell and Senior Vice President Dale Denham. I focus on the strategic ‘where and what,’ while the team focuses on the ‘how.’”
One of her first priorities will be the company’s long-term, aggressive growth targets. She says, “Everyone at Geiger is focused on a growth mindset, all the while recognizing our most valuable assets are our associates and sales partners.”