during willie johnson's two-decade tenure as c.e.o. prwt grew to employ more than 1,500 workers in eight states and the district of columbia. in 2001, prwt acquired u.s. facilities. that acquisition marked one of the first purchases of a publicly traded company by a minority-run business. in 2008, a prwt subsidiary became the first minority-owned manufacturer of pharmaceutical ingredients in the united states of america. in 2008, after experiencing a 120% increase -- i'll say that again, a 120% increase in revenues -- prwt made the decision to become a publicly traded and owned company. mindful of their significant role as a successful minority-owned business, willie and his partners made their first public offering while maintaining majority shares to ensure that the company remained minority owned and run. willie remains chairman of prwt's board of directors which has maintained its leadership role in minority-owned status throughout the process of diversifying. as prwt has expanded willie and his partners have maintained a focus on