The board of directors of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) has named Mike Semmann as the organization’s new president and CEO, effective today, taking over the role from the recently retired Brandon Scholz.
Semmann has more than 25 years of trade association experience and spent the last 18 months serving as the VP of government affairs for WGA. In that role, he has been instrumental in shaping the association’s advocacy efforts, specializing in lobbying, policy analysis and trade association management.
“As the board chair, I have worked closely with Mike … his commitment to advancing the interests of our members, coupled with his strategic vision, places him in a great position to guide the WGA into the future,” said Bob Jaskolski, WGA chairman.
Semmann expressed appreciation for his new role, saying he was “honored and humbled to be given the opportunity” to lead the WGA and advocate on behalf of its members.
“Wisconsin’s grocers are focused on serving their communities and I look forward to working collaboratively to address the challenges and opportunities facing the grocery industry,” he said.
Prior to joining WGA, Semmann held key positions in the private and nonprofit sectors. He most recently served as the senior account executive at SAS, a leading data analytics firm, as well as the EVP and COO for the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA), where he oversaw advocacy, legal and communications initiatives.
Semmann co-founded Advancing AI Wisconsin, a grassroots organization focused on increasing awareness of machine learning’s impact on the state’s economy.
“As we move forward, I invite each of you to join me in welcoming Mike Semmann as our president and CEO,” Jaskolski said.
“Together, we will build upon a solid foundation to chart a course toward even greater success. With Mike at the helm, I am confident that our association will thrive and continue to serve as a vital resource for all our members.”
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