Gil C. Lewis, III – Managing Member
Gil was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Gil attended Presbyterian Day School, Woodland Presbyterian Jr High, and Briarcrest Baptist High School graduating in 1980. Gil’s first part-time job was a dishwasher for the neighborhood Italian restaurant. This was a humble beginning of what would eventually be a life-long learning experience. Since 1977 until today, Gil has been employed in the food and beverage industry.
1978 – 1980 Gil accepted an offer to work in the retail grocery business with a local chain of stores. Beginning as a sacker, Gil was promoted to a stocker over the pet food aisle, and then became the evening manager of the produce department.
1980 – 1985 Gil was accepted to The University of Memphis (UofM) in August of 1980 providing a good opportunity for a move into the retail liquor and wine business. This position was full-time allowing for Gil to study after assisting the late evening customers. The owner promoted Gil to co-manager of two separate store locations. Gil passed The Series 52 Exam Financial Professional License and the State of Tennessee Real Estate Affiliate Broker Exam License, both on the first attempt. Gil worked full-time financing his educational expenses until graduating from UofM with the Class of 1985. Gil earned a BBA degree majoring in Finance minoring in Real Estate. Gil has a favorite joke about it taking him 5 Years and a Summer to finally finish college.
1985 – 1987 Gil purchased a small liquor and wine store. Gil expanded the business by sub-dividing the original building in accordance with local laws permitting the sale of beer, mixers, and snack sales. Gil also accepted a job offer from one of his suppliers as the Western Tennessee Territory Manager. This opportunity provided a transition from the retail to the wholesale side of the industry. Having worked for over 7 years in both the retail and the wholesale beverage industry it was time to make a change.
1988 – 1990 Gil accepted a position as Territory Sales Manager (TSM) with the largest industrial food ingredient and foodservice product distributor in the USA. Gil was promoted to a newly formed position of District Sales Manager (DSM) responsible for a larger territory. This employment opened the door to a whole new opportunity which has never closed. Entering The Military Retail Marketplace.
1990 – 2016 At the ripe “old” age of 29, Gil accepted an offer from a customer of his most recent employer. The position was Director of International Sales for a small family-owned Military Distribution Agent. Gil had total responsibility for all aspects of the business including sales, marketing, plan-o-gram, promotional planning, distribution, inventory, contracting, cost negotiation, pricing, invoicing, payables, receivables, broker network, and new business development. In this position, Gil traveled frequently to China, France, Germany, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Okinawa, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saipan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and many Continental USA locations.
Gil appreciated both the experience and opportunity. After 25+ years of loyal dedicated service and reaching the ripe “young” age of 54 years…well, you probably know the rest of this story.
2016 – 2020 Gil took the next 3 months determining what would be next? Carefully considering the options, Gil decided to continue what he knew best and enjoyed the most. Gil accepted an offer to join a large family-owned Military Distribution Agent as Director of Business Development. Gil spent the next 4+ years building new Defense Commissary Agency and Exchange business focused primarily on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.
February 2021 Platinum International Marketing & Sales, LLC (PIMS) was officially opened for business. Longtime friends and business associates Don and Gil decided it was time to establish their own Military Distribution Agency.