We’re proud to announce that Primera Engineers has ranked among the 60 biggest women-owned Chicagoland businesses for 2023 according to Crain’s Chicago Business, for the second year in a row. Primera came in at number 20 out of 60 on the list, which ranks firms based on revenue gains from the prior year.

Primera, owned by President & CEO, Erin Inman, remained steady from last year’s ranking after earning a record $47.6M in revenue last year. Erin joined Primera in 2005, established its presence in the utilities market, and later took over ownership from retiring co-founders Michael DeSantiago and Pedro Cevallos-Candau in early 2016. After laying out her inspiring vision for the company, our Chicago-based engineering and business consulting firm has continued down a path of exceptional growth over the past several years. Primera has enjoyed more than 50% growth in our employee base in that time, with employees now working in over 20 states across the Country.

“I’m proud to lead the largest woman-owned engineering firm in our area and thankful for the team of over 320 people that I am fortunate to work with each day. We continue to break records year-over-year and experience exciting expansion across the United States,” notes Inman. “Receiving this recognition among this remarkable list of Chicago-based, women-owned firms is truly an honor.”

The ranking showcases organizations that are at least 51% owned by a woman or women. The top 25 businesses on the list saw revenue grow by nearly 20% from 2021 to 2022.

Crain’s Chicago Business is a regional business publication from Crain, one of the largest privately owned business media companies with 21 leading business, trade and consumer brands in North America, Europe and Asia. It is a top source of news, analysis, and information on business in metropolitan Chicago for decision-makers in the private and public sectors.