Jill and John Gaynor, owners of Louisville, Kentucky based Premier Packaging, announced they have completed a major prerequisite that will qualify the company to seek official Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification.
Effective March 1, Jill Gaynor, Chief Marketing Officer, will take on the roles of CEO and majority shareholder of the manufacturing and distribution company.
As she assumes her new duties, current Premier Owner and CEO John Gaynor will transition to President of the company.
“As a female-owned and -managed business, Premier will now have minority-owned status that will open new business opportunities for us,” Jill Gaynor said. “We are excited about partnering with other companies including state and local governments to do what we do well — all things packaging.”
“Jill has been involved in our business since day one, collaborating with me on every risk and decision,” said John Gaynor. “We will still collaborate together, but now Jill will take on the controlling leadership role within Premier.”
Premier Packaging will celebrate 30 years in business this March. Based on 2023 data, Premier will rank as the 17th largest woman-owned/managed business in the country.
WBE certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council validates that a business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Since its founding in 1997, the nonprofit organization has grown to become the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States and a leading advocate for women-owned businesses in corporate and government supply chains.
Started in Louisville in 1994, Premier Packaging has grown to locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico by offering custom-made packaging and shipping solutions to its customers.