Joe Poehling was born on February 24^th, 1957. He is one of eight children born to Anne and Gary Poehling. Joe attended Emerson Elementary and Lincoln Middle School before graduating from Aquinas High School in 1975. A special event occurred in 1971 as Joe took part in the Boy Scout World Jamboree in Japan.

After graduation, Joe attended UW-Milwaukee for two years before transferring to UW-Madison where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1979.

On September 18^th, 1979, he married Kate Anderson at Blessed Sacrament Church.

In 1971, Joe began working at La Crosse Plumbing Supply as warehouse employee. He moved on over the years to a truck driver, Credit Manager, Sales Associate, and Company Treasurer. In 1997, he became President of First Supply (formerly La Crosse Plumbing Supply).

Joe has been active in many civic and business organizations throughout the years. He is currently serving as Network Chairman for Affiliated Distributors of America, a board member of North Central Trust and President of the Aquinas High School Foundation. He is also a board member with Midwest Distributors Association, Boy Scouts of America Gateway Council, Fields Committee member of the La Crosse Soccer Club, and Fields for Kids Soccer Program.

Joe’s father, Gary, was one of the original founders of the Boys Club when it first opened in the Auto Lite Building in 1966.

Not only have Joe’s children been involved in the Club activities, but his company, First Supply Group, has been the major corporate sponsor of the Wall of Fame for a number of years. In 1996, the First Supply Group received the Corporate Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse.



Joe and Kate have four children, Katie, Anne, Kristen, and Bob.