Deb Taylor is stepping down as CEO of Taylor Corporation, the parent company of North Mankato, MN-based Taylor Communications (asi/333647/121500), which is the seventh largest distributor by revenue in the promotional products industry. Taylor Corp. also owns ADG Promotional Products (asi/97270), the 22^nd largest promo supplier.

Glen Taylor is succeeding his niece Deb Taylor, who ranked 33^rd on Counselor’s latest Power 50, a definitive ranking of the most influential people in promo. Glen Taylor, 78, is a self-made billionaire who founded Taylor Corp. in 1975. Currently corporate chairman, Glen Taylor has previously served as CEO of the company.

Deb Taylor

Deb Taylor started at the family firm in 2011. Press reports indicate that she worked without a title for four years, serving in roles in finance, human resources, legal and information technology. In 2015, she ascended to CEO. While she didn’t provide a reason for her departure, Deb Taylor spoke fondly of her experience at Taylor Corp.

“It has been the time of my life having led this great organization,” she said in a statement. “I am eternally grateful to Glen, who has lived up to the mission of opportunity and security by providing me these last eight years. I will miss his counsel and the entire Taylor team, and I know that successful days are ahead for them.”

During her time as CEO, Deb Taylor “spearheaded a refreshed brand strategy, expanded technology offerings and deepened Taylor’s presence in the marketplace,” the Taylor Corp. website says. Her work included leading two large acquisitions that expanded Taylor Corp. by double. In 2015, Taylor Corp. bought former Top 40 distributor Standard Register Co. for $307 million. A year later, Taylor Corp. purchased Staples Print Solutions, along with 10 printing facilities from Staples Inc.

In a statement, Glen Taylor (pictured on left) praised his niece’s work. “I am very proud to have had the opportunity to work with her over these last eight years and am grateful for her leadership as CEO of the organization,” Glen Taylor said. “In that time, she has not only led the organization through two significant acquisitions, but provided sound counsel to me on a number of other matters. I wish her only the best in the next chapter of her life.”

Glen Taylor was not commenting publicly about the changes beyond his statements. With 2017 revenue of $2.2 billion, Taylor Corp. is one of the U.S.’s largest privately held firms. It consists of more than 80 subsidiaries and 12,000 employees. Operations span 25 states and Puerto Rico, and extend abroad to Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France, Bulgaria, India, China and the Philippines.

With reported 2018 North American promo revenue of $62.5 million, ADG Promotional Products ranked 22^nd on Counselor’s 2019 Top 40 supplier list. The revenue tally was down about 13% year-on-year. Executives predict that ADG sales will tick up in 2019 to about $63 million.

Taylor Corp.’s promo-related subsidiaries include supplier Label Works (asi/66040) and Amsterdam Printing (asi/121500).