Prior to joining Gilpin, Paul served as international market manager for easy-open ends for Sonoco, a global packaging company and among the largest producers of easy-open ends. While at Sonoco, he led major projects that included opening a new easy-open end manufacturing plant in Brazil. He attributes his success to his deep, hands-on understanding of all facets of the packaging industry; Paul has served as plant manager, production manager, and plant engineer in multiple can and easy-open end manufacturing facilities. Paul also has worked as consultant to assist companies with entering Asian, European and South American markets. Paul earned a Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University. Paul is a member of the NFI Crab Council, an organization committed to sustainable practices in the crab industry. In 2011, Gilpin was honored as the SBA Alabama Small Business Exporter of the Year.
