Edward A. Heidt, Jr., (“Buzz”) has 50 years of experience in international trade, manufacturing, and distribution. He joined The Penrod Company in 1969 and managed various positions before becoming president in 1983. He was elected Chairman and CEO in 1999, the position he holds today. Over the course of his career, Heidt has overseen the company’s expansion into international markets as well as the development of innovative products, helping establish Penrod as a global competitor in the forest, metal, and PVC products industry. Penrod has company locations in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Professionally, Heidt has served as Chairman or Vice Chairman of various national organizations and holds membership in several professional associations. He also served on the US Department of Commerce Advisory Committee. In addition to sitting on select boards, he also served as Chairman of the Board for ReAlta Life Sciences from 2020 to 2024.
As a volunteer interested in global health, Heidt recently completed a four-year term as Chairman of the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. He also recently served on the Board of the Mariners’ Museum. He currently serves on the UNC Health Foundation as Chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee. Other past assignments include National Vice Chairman of the American Red Cross, Chairman of Physicians for Peace, Chairman of the Children’s Health Foundation, member of the Governing Board of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Geneva, Switzerland), member of the University of North Carolina Board of Visitors and various National Red Cross volunteer positions leading groups with oversight on biomedical and disaster operations. In 2016 Heidt was presented the Harriman Award for distinguished volunteer service, the highest recognition for volunteer service in the American Red Cross. More recently, he was honored to receive the Donald W. Lewis Award from The King’s Daughters for his service to children’s health.
Heidt's professional and personal endeavors have taken him all over the world. He holds a BA degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and has three children and four grandchildren.
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