Jacqueline “Jackie” Lopez started her career as an Officer in the U.S. Air Force during the early 1980s as a Ballistic Military Warning System Programmer with the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Jackie went on to be responsible for the management of the Command Center Processing and Display System Replacement (CCPDS-R) followed by a tour in the Pentagon as Branch Chief for the Air Force Combat Operations network operations center.

After her military career, Jackie served as the Director of Defense Department programs at the Federal Systems and Integration Center (FEDSIM), with the U.S. General Services Administration. Upon leaving the Government for the private sector, she served as Director of Business Development and, later, President, of a small business.

In 2012, Jackie co-founded Premier Enterprise Solutions, LLC, alongside her partner and husband, Michael R. Lopez. Premier has a stellar reputation for its innovative Information Technology Solutions and Program Management support services. Premier’s proficiency in the IT industry enables their clients to build and deploy best value assets as well as optimize workforce productivity in various Federal sectors in cyber security, cloud migration, software development, enterprise operations and program management. Clients include Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jackie attributes her success to mentors, amazing employees, and programs such as the IVMF’s V-WISE program. “I was fortunate to attend V-WISE one year into starting my business,” said Jackie. “V-WISE not only provided excellent business information and tools for me, but it also provided much needed encouragement through the accomplished and very authentic keynote speakers. I left V-WISE armed with information and inspired to move in the direction of my dreams.”

Premier has experienced significant growth. From 2016 to 2020, company revenues grew significantly earning Premier a ranking on the 2020 and 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the nation. Additionally, Premier was selected for the 2020 Washington Technology Fast 50 as one of the fastest growing tech companies and was named a 2021 Vet100 honoree. In 2021, Jackie was named one of the “Top 100 Women in Maryland” by the Maryland Daily Record.

After almost 30 years in the public and private sectors, Jackie fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting a business when she opened Premier. “It was not until after I experienced both the best and the worst of public and private sector business transactional relationships that I realized there must be a better way to collaborate, deliver value and be a premier employer and business partner,” said Jackie. “I envisioned launching a business that would change this paradigm in which collaboration and delivering value with every engagement would be the new business model.”

Jackie has a strong commitment to give back to other women and women veterans.  She mentors, participates in educational and training events and teaches workshops which provide resources for women and veterans to grow and succeed professionally and as entrepreneurs. She is particularly passionate about spreading awareness about STEM education and representation in Information Technology. As such, Jackie participated on STEM panels for local colleges, universities, and organizations such as Prince George’s Community College, Stevenson University, and the Women’s Veteran Interactive. Additionally, she is a frequent featured panelist and guest speaker for initiatives and events for women and veteran entrepreneurs, as well as for business leaders.

“Ghandi said to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world,’ and I can honestly say that I have endeavored to build a company that reflects the changes that I want to see and the values that are most important to me,” said Jackie. “Each day brings the satisfaction of grooming young professional talent, paying top salaries to well-qualified individuals, and accomplishing amazing things for our clients.”