Born and raised in Chicago, Joan Andersen Schmidt started her lifelong career in the concrete industry working with her family company. She soon recognized the need for a woman-owned business in the concrete world and founded Andersen Concrete Pumping, following her family’s line of entrepreneurs.

Since its inception, Andersen has led her company to set the midwestern standard for concrete pumping and conveying. Her first superstructure, River East, was a 60-story high-rise building standing tall with 86,000 yards of concrete in Chicago. Since then, Andersen Concrete Pumping has renovated city landmarks including Wrigley Field, Soldier Field, McCormick Place, and O’Hare International Airport.

Andersen’s business philosophy prioritizes safety, reliability, and customer service. Her industry expertise enables her company to finish projects of any size with an engineered efficiency, and her dedicated Operating Engineers work closely with clients around the clock. Andersen was the first in the industry to utilize the Schwing zero-elevation cross frame, allowing her well-maintained fleet of concrete pumps and conveyors to access mid-rise and high-rise buildings with ease.

Joan Andersen is proud to have led as the President of the Federation of Women Contractors (FWC), being awarded the FWC Trailblazers Award in 2009. She also served on the board and is a member of the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA), as well as being a member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).