Norma Jean Knollenberg's introduction to the incentive industry came three decades ago as a part-time secretary at Omaha Steaks' special markets division. The current owner and CEO of Oshkosh, Wis.–based merchandise fulfillment house Top Brands Inc., got her big break in 1979, when Omaha Steaks gave her a shot as national sales manager for special markets. Three years later she jumped to Top Brands.

"There were a lot fewer women in sales jobs at that time," Knollenberg says. "One thing I always felt about our industry is that there has never been a lot of differentiation between men and women. If I knew the product and services, I was never treated differently."

After leaving briefly to start her own company, she returned to Top Brands in 1990 as president, and bought the company three years later. "I don't think it is as hard to break through the glass ceiling in this industry" as it is in others, she says.

Which doesn't mean that being the boss is easy. With a limited staff of 25 employees, Knollenberg has to make sure Top Brands stays ahead of the curve on everything from using technology to servicing customers. Recent projects have included putting together an online incentive program and creating a gift card program that debuted at the Motivation Show in Chicago last year.

That isn't the only way she chooses to serve. Knollenberg is heavily involved in industry organizations—she's a board member of the Incentive Marketing Association and a past president of the Incentive Manufacturers & Representatives Alliance. She also is president-elect of the Tempo International Foundation, a mentoring organization for women in leadership positions.

Fast Fact: An avid gardener, Knollenberg says she finds growing flowers-particularly daisies-"a great release. I marvel at the beauty of flowers, at the creation of something so beautiful."
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