Ashley Thompson, 50 Strong

Ashley Thompson, co-founder and CEO of 50 Strong, a blow molding manufacturer in Lima, Ohio, that produces water bottles and bicycle accessories; these products are distributed to Walmart stores nationwide. 50 Strong was formed in 2012 when Ashley and her husband Brendan launched the business. The company is a division of Precision Thermoplastic Components, a custom injection molder and extruder founded by Ashley’s father. The firm made nearly 3 million bottles. Ashley started her career in corporate law. She took a few years off to start a family, then returned to head PTC’s human resources department before launching 50 Strong. Her husband, Brendan, was a mechanical engineer at PTK and served as vice president of sales before filling the same position at the new company.