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Janell Schmidt is the chief human resources Officer at Lexicon, Inc., a leading provider of steel construction, fabrication, erection, mechanical installation, plant management and golf course construction services. Headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., Lexicon is one of the state’s largest private companies, with almost 3,000 employees nationwide and more than $1 billion in annual revenue. As CHRO, Janell leads the company’s human resources strategy, overseeing talent recruitment, workforce development and employee engagement across its multi-site operations. With nearly 25 years of industrial HR experience — including 15 years in Fortune 500 companies — she has a proven track record of building strong cultures, reducing turnover and developing high-performing teams in complex, industrial environments.

Since joining Lexicon in 2024, Janell has led transformative initiatives to enhance employee well-being, including revamping the company’s benefits program, strengthening the Employee Assistance Program and launching a company-wide mental health campaign: “Strong as Steel: Building Mental Might.” A member of the executive leadership team, she plays a critical role in advancing Lexicon’s core values of People, Quality, Safety and Innovation.

Janell is also a champion for women in construction and manufacturing, as well as helping people of all backgrounds recognize how a position in the trades can evolve into a successful career. Her leadership is rooted in discipline and service and shaped by her time in the U.S. Army Reserves and Kansas Army National Guard. As Lexicon’s first female C-suite executive, she is not only breaking barriers; she’s building pathways for others to follow.