 The fourth of 11 children born to James and Mary (née Gleichner) Schmitt in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, he attended Roncalli High School and St. Norbert College He is still an active Catholic, and his brother went into the religious life.In 2011 he was recognized by the "Green Bay Press-Gazette" editorial board as Person of the Year.In the private sector, Schmitt was president of Famis Manufacturing Inc. and in 1997 received the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award.