Billy D. Prim

Executive Council

Founder of Primo Water Corporation
Founder and former CEO of Blue Rhino Corp.

capitalism@wfu.edu | |

Billy D. Prim is the founder of Primo Water Corporation. Primo is a leading provider of water direct to consumers. It also sells water dispensers and purified water thru an exchange and refill service. Primo operates in 20+ countries including the US, Canada, and most of Europe. Primo trades on the NYSE under the symbol PRMW. Mr. Prim serves on the board of directors of the company.

Prior to Primo, Mr. Prim was founder and chief executive officer of Blue Rhino Corp., the nation’s leading provider of branded propane cylinder exchange and complementary propane-fueled appliances. Mr. Prim sold Blue Rhino to Ferrellgas, New York Stock Exchange FGP.

Prior to founding Blue Rhino, Mr. Prim was chairman and chief executive officer of American Oil & Gas Company, a regional petroleum marketer.

Mr. Prim is chairman of the Dean Prim Foundation. This foundation provides scholarships for students to attend four-year colleges and universities, as well as the opportunity to participate in a China travel and study program. The Foundation was created in memory of Mr. Prim’s father, who was an active member of the Yadkin County Board of Education.

Mr. Prim is President and Managing Member of the Winston-Salem Dash, a Minor League baseball team and Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

Mr. Prim was named a recipient of The Carolinas’ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This program honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures.

Mr. Prim is a member of the World Presidents’ Organization and serves on the board of directors of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, Wake Forest School of Business, and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Mr. Prim and his wife Deborah reside in Winston-Salem, NC and Palm Beach Gardens, FL.