Top 40 distributor Geiger (asi/202900) has announced that effective on January 2, 2019, Jo-an Lantz will become the first non-family president of the Maine-based firm. In her new role, Lantz will oversee Geiger and all of its companies. She will continue to report to Gene Geiger, who will remain CEO.

“Jo-an has met every challenge we have given her over the years and has the Geiger culture in her veins,” said Gene Geiger. “She has earned her new role, and I’m confident that she and her team will lead our firm in new directions and to new heights.”

Jo-an Lantz

A graduate of Purdue University, Lantz has served in several sales and operations positions at Geiger during her career, and is currently the firm’s COO/EVP. She has been a perennial member of the Counselor Power 50 and ASI honored her as the International Person of the Year in 2004 and a Distributor Woman of Distinction in 1998. Lantz was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Gene and Peter Geiger have built a fantastic company with a strong culture,” Lantz said. “It’s an honor to be Geiger’s first non-family president. We have so many opportunities and great talent. I look forward to working with the management team, employee associates, and sales partners to continue to grow the business.”

In a statement, the distributor noted that “this change is a step toward moving the 140-year-old family business from Geiger generation four to generation five,” as Gene Geiger’s sons Jeff and David are both active in the firm. Counselor ranks Geiger as the 10th largest distributor in the industry, after the company reported 2017 North American promo products sales of $185.5 million.