# Jeff Key

> Jeff Key is the founder and former president and CEO of PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, and the president and co-founder of Trade Show Savvy. A former computer science instructor at LSU Shreveport, he recruited former students and colleagues to help develop PioneerRx, which entered its first beta location in 2008. His later work includes co-hosting the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast and writing The Surprise Gap: Building a Business That Sells Itself, published in July 2026.

- **Role:** President and Co-founder at Trade Show Savvy
- **Organizations:** PioneerRx Pharmacy Software, Trade Show Savvy, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, NCPA Innovation Center, Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast
- **Education:** Master’s degree (field not confirmed by a primary source), Louisiana State University in Shreveport
- **Known for:** Founded and led PioneerRx Pharmacy Software., PioneerRx reached an early goal of 1,500 locations in five years and two months., PioneerRx reported almost 6,000 active locations in August 2022.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2006** — Taught computer science at LSU Shreveport; former students later joined the PioneerRx development team.
- **2006** — Mark Dickson approached Key about developing a new pharmacy management system.
- **2008** — PioneerRx entered its first beta location at Country Drug in Vivian, Louisiana, on July 28.
- **2011-2012** — PioneerRx expanded from nine states to 45 between January 2011 and October 2012.
- **2016** — Appointed to the board of the newly created NCPA Innovation Center.
- **2018** — PioneerRx welcomed its 3,000th location in March.
- **2020** — Became a Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast co-host; RedSail acquired PioneerRx in December and retained Key as its leader.
- **2024** — Identified as President Emeritus in the Catalyst Connect conference recap.
- **2025** — LinkedIn lists issuance of his Certified Meeting Professional credential in February.
- **2026** — Leads Trade Show Savvy; published The Surprise Gap on July 14.

## Achievements

- Founded and led PioneerRx Pharmacy Software.
- PioneerRx reached an early goal of 1,500 locations in five years and two months.
- PioneerRx reported almost 6,000 active locations in August 2022.
- Selected for the NCPA Innovation Center board in 2016.
- Co-hosted the Catalyst Pharmacy Podcast.
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), credential listed as issued February 2025.
- Published The Surprise Gap: Building a Business That Sells Itself in July 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Published The Surprise Gap: Building a Business That Sells Itself, available in paperback and Kindle editions according to his launch announcement.
- **2025-02** — LinkedIn lists issuance of Certified Meeting Professional certification.
- **2024-05** — Spoke at Catalyst Connect as PioneerRx President Emeritus.

## Links

- Website: https://www.tradeshowsavvy.com/about-us
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-key-tss

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jeff-key
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27