LeaseQuery LLC, an Atlanta-based firm headed by Terry College alumnus George Azih (BBA ’03) and Chris Ramsey, who earned a psychology degree from UGA in 2005, took the top spot in the 2020 Bulldog 100 ranking of fastest-growing companies owned or operated by UGA alumni.
“I’m so proud to be recognized by the UGA Alumni Association. The reason LeaseQuery exists is because of UGA and the professors I had here,” said Azih, who is LeaseQuery’s CEO and earned his degree in accounting.
LeaseQuery helps more than 10,000 accountants and finance professionals eliminate lease accounting errors through its lease accounting software — the first of its kind built by accountants for accountants. The company also provides specialized consulting services and facilitates compliance with regulatory reform for companies across all sectors.
This year, 51 businesses on the Bulldog 100 list included graduates from Terry College, including seven in the top 10.
Following LeaseQuery at No. 1, the top 10 featured:
- Roadie, Marc Gorlin (ABJ ’95)
- Margaret Long Designs, Margaret Long (BSFCS ’03)
- Castlegate Property Group LLC, Frederic Dawson (BBA ’97) and George Connell (BBA ’96)
- RCS Garage Doors, Amber Signore (BBA ’06)
- Tape King, Chad McWhorter (MBA ’09)
- ADD’s Personal Care Pharmacy, Christa Bailey (BSPH ’91, PharmD ’08), Kevin Florence (PharmD ’09) and Rachel Florence (BSEd ’05)
- Terminus, Eric Spett (BBA ’10)
- Tier4 Group, Betsy Robinson (BBA ’04)
- BOS Security, Nathan Carmack (AB ’67, MEd ’72) and Nat Carmack (BBA ’93)
“The Bulldog 100 recognizes outstanding alumni achievements, broadens those business leaders’ networks and celebrates a spirit of innovation at UGA,” said Meredith Gurley Johnson, executive director of the UGA Alumni Association. “These alumni are leading the way in business, building better communities, and are committed to their ideas, their innovations, and their employees. They reflect the value of a degree from the birthplace of public higher education, and we are proud to celebrate their successes.”
During the event, the UGA Alumni Association also presented the third annual Michael J. Bryan Award to Terry alumnus Bonneau Ansley (BBA ’99), CEO and founder of Ansley Atlanta Real Estate.
Bryan (BBA ’89), co-founder and managing partner of Vino Venue and Atlanta Wine School in Dunwoody, passed away in 2017 after a long battle with cancer. The award recognizes a returning Bulldog 100 honoree whose business has not only sustained growth but also demonstrates entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA, which was a hallmark of Bryan.
Ansley’s company has appeared on the Bulldog 100 every year since 2014.
The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors partners with the UGA Alumni Association each year to review nominated businesses’ financial records to determine the ranked list. Approximately 533 nominations were received this year. Each organization must have been in business since 2015, experienced revenues over $100,000 for the calendar year 2016, and be owned or operated by a former UGA student who owns at least 50 percent of the company or is the CEO, president or managing partner.
The Bulldog 100 recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year compounded annual growth rate. The average compounded annual growth rate for this year’s Bulldog 100 businesses was 59 percent.
For more information about the Michael J. Bryan Scholarship or to view the complete list of 2020 Bulldog 100 businesses, visit www.alumni.uga.edu/b100.
Nominations for the 2021 Bulldog 100 opened Feb. 10.