James J. Schmitt (1958 - )
Jim Schmitt was elected the 41st Mayor of Green Bay in April 2003, and was re-elected in April 2007 with 70% of the vote. Jim was born and grew up in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, attended Roncalli High School and graduated from St. Norbert College. Schmitt and his wife Dona live in the City’s Astor Neighborhood with their daughters Anna (currently attending Drake University), Greta, and Laura.
Under the leadership of Mayor Jim Schmitt, the City of Green Bay has been undergoing significant redevelopment of its downtown, including The CityDeck, Bellin Building, Nicolet Bank Building, and the upcoming Green Bay Children’s Museum. He has brought substantial new development and investment to Green Bay and increased value to neighborhoods and industrial parks, achieving the 6 Billion dollar mark in assessed value for the City.
While living in tough economic times, Mayor Schmitt’s budgets have been below tight state-imposed levy limits as he finds efficiencies and creative policies to consolidate government functions while promoting incentives, improving public safety, and leading through example to bring about a healthier workforce.
Prior to becoming Mayor, Schmitt founded Famis Manufacturing Inc., and received the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1997. While in the private sector, Jim Schmitt served two consecutive terms on the Brown County Board of Supervisors, and has been involved with a wide variety of community and government and numerous charitable efforts, both prior to and during his tenure as Mayor. Mayor Schmitt also serves on the Advisory Board of both the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.