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Headquarters

The Lead Steeds

Work with smart, friendly and motivated professionals when you move to the Bluegrass Region. Greater LEX is home to over 70 headquarter operations and offers hundreds of career pathways across a variety of sectors. Looking to start a career with a globally-recognized brand? Several well known, high-tech employers choose to headquarter here, including Lexmark and Alltech. This dynamic nine county region delivers a myriad of job and professional growth opportunities — so whatever your expertise, you will find your place in Greater LEX.

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An aerial view of company buildings and fields of grass in Madison County.
70+

Employers Headquartered in Central Kentucky

Lane Report, 2021
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#3

Friendliest City in the U.S. (Lexington)

Condé Nast
The exterior of the University of Kentucky's Gatton College in the daytime.
Top 75

Best MBA Programs in the U.S. (UK Gatton College of Business)

U.S. News & World Report, 2024
~1,600

Employed at Lexmark Headquarters in Lexington

Lane Report

Great Strides for Professional Careers

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A diverse array of companies headquartered in Greater LEX offer unique opportunities for career advancement and professional growth. Among them is Lexmark, a leader in the realm of global imaging solutions. The company employs nearly 1,600 individuals at its 300-acre headquarters campus in Lexington, which offers a wellness center and a state-of-the-art daycare center with a curriculum focused in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).

Galls, also headquartered in Lexington, employs over 500 individuals. As the nation’s premier supplier of equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety and military personnel, Galls Inc plays a vital role in supporting those who serve and protect. The company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond its products, too, with recent recognition as one of Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces in America for 2023.

Companies put down deep roots in Greater LEX with strong commitment to driving progress. Interested in driving positive change in the environment? Alltech, a pioneer in science-based solutions for nourishing the world’s plants, animals and people, was founded in Nicholasville over four decades ago. Meanwhile, Big Ass Fans, a recipient of the Manufacturing Leadership Award for Operational Excellence, has significantly expanded its workforce, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to growth and development. And the Valvoline headquarters in Lexington has been an area staple for over 30 years.

With a diverse range of industries and companies, from technology and sustainability to manufacturing and agriculture, Greater LEX offers dynamic and fertile ground for individuals seeking fulfilling career opportunities and the chance to contribute to meaningful change on both a local and global scale.

Undeniably Qualified for the Job

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Notable businesses headquartered throughout Greater LEX depend on talented individuals from the region’s many universities and colleges. Ready to excel at nationally recognized companies like Valvoline and Toyota? The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business & Economics provides robust programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s dynamic business landscape.

From its bachelor’s degree program to its prestigious MBA offering, Gatton College emphasizes the development of essential competencies such as change management, employee motivation, project coordination and organizational leadership. Students also have the opportunity to specialize their studies through minors in strategic communication and international business, further enhancing their marketability and versatility in the job market. And with U.S. News & World Report ranking Gatton College as the No. 63 best MBA program  in the nation, students can be confident in the quality of education they receive, positioning them for success in their careers.

Close to ten higher education institutions play vital roles in boosting employable business skills in Greater LEX, making the region one of the smartest in the U.S. Those include:

Welcoming and Growth-Minded Professionals

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Looking to connect with fellow professionals, expand your network and pave the way for exciting career prospects? Look no further than the Lexington Young Professionals association, your gateway to a dynamic community offering a plethora of networking opportunities. Through diverse monthly social activities and chances to serve on prominent leadership committees, you’ll not only forge meaningful connections but also position yourself for recognition and growth within the local professional landscape.

Women Leading Kentucky is another networking option that is dedicated to supporting and empowering female professionals in the Greater LEX region. Through monthly luncheons and an annual business leadership conference, this vibrant community of leaders offers invaluable opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Learn more  about opportunities for networking and professional growth in Greater LEX.

Commerce Lexington, a corporation focused on the growth of the regional economy, also offers several professional groups focused on helping you develop your leadership skills. Facilitate your professional growth and level up your career in the Bluegrass region, whether it’s Emerging Leaders of Bluegrass, a membership group that meets monthly and provides mentorship opportunities, Leadership Lexington, a program that broadens perspectives on community and public issues, or Leadership Central Kentucky, a regional program for diverse groups of participants to build a deeper understanding of each unique Greater LEX county.

One of the region’s biggest events for driven professionals is EMERGE, an annual networking conference that has been going strong for more than a decade. Hosted by Commerce Lexington, the event brings together Greater LEX’s emerging leaders for a full day of networking, engaging keynote speakers and informative breakout sessions.

Discover More of Greater LEX

Find a Job

Global brands and innovative enterprises boast more than 16,000 open jobs in Greater LEX.

Explore Careers

Higher Education & Upskilling

With more than 10 colleges and universities, lifelong learners have access to unending growth opportunities in Greater LEX.

Explore Education

Key Industries

Where will you make your mark? Greater LEX is home to several industries with notable job growth.

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