Educational Background:
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State University, cum laude
M.B.A., Millsaps College, magna cum laude

Executive Education:
Harvard Business School, Aligning Strategy & Sales
Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, Creating Value thru Strategic Acquisitions
University of Wisconsin, Collective Bargaining, Tactics & Techniques 
The Ritz Carlton Leadership Center, Service Excellence
The University of Tennessee, Lean Enterprise Systems
University of Maryland, Heat Transfer & Predictive Modeling

Time at PHC: 2017 to present

Howard Schmidt is the Executive Vice President of Patrick Henry College (PHC) and also serves a dual role as the Director of the Economics & Business Analytics (EBA) Program. Howard has over 40 years of experience distributed over 6 industries with over 27 years of experience in Executive Positions.

Howard serves as the chief strategy advisor to the President. He is responsible for the overall branding and growth strategies for the college. He speaks publicly and privately on behalf of the college. He is heavily engaged and accountable to drive results, projects, programs and initiatives throughout all levels of the organization and across all departments within the College. Since the position was created, PHC has seen enhanced relations with the Board of Trustees, 80% growth in incoming class size of mission-fit students, a growing culture of cross-department collaboration, industry-leading new technology, and expanded brand awareness within the College’s targeted market segments.

Howard also provides strategic direction and oversight to the Economics & Business Analytics Program and serves as an active professor within the program, teaching advanced classes such as Business Methods, Financial Analysis, and Competitive Strategy. The EBA Program is currently the fastest-growing major at PHC.

He has worked for a variety of major companies throughout his career such as Federal Mogul, Frito Lay, Magnetek, Heatcraft Refrigeration Products and Advanced Distributor Products. He has overseen both domestic and international businesses and brings a unique depth and breadth of knowledge in all aspects of business. He has broad areas of expertise including Strategy Formulation, Engineering, Finance, Brand Management, Program Management, Operations, Information Technology, and Talent Development.

Howard is known as a thought leader and specializes in organizational behavior, change management, and technology integration. Prior to PHC, he ran Advanced Distributor Products LLC, an applied HVAC design, manufacturing, and distribution company. He led the company from breakeven financials to becoming the top financial-performing company within Lennox International. In his last year as the chief executive, the company exceeded +$250M in annual sales and employed over 1,100 employees.

While serving in industry, Howard was also heavily involved in the support and growth of Patrick Henry College.  Since the inception of the College, Howard has served as a major donor, a member of the Foundation Board, a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, and also a member of the Board of Trustees.