For the second straight year LeaseQuery LLC, an Atlanta-based firm headed by Terry College alumnus George Azih (BBA ’03) and Chris Ramsey, topped the Bulldog 100 ranking of the fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni.
“For us to now be the first company to [be No. 1] two years in a row is deeply humbling and exciting,” said Azih, LeaseQuery’s CEO. “I hope it inspires other students out there that they can do it as well.”
The company helps accountants and finance professionals eliminate errors through its lease accounting software — the first of its kind built by accountants for accountants. Azih and Ramsey, LeaseQuery’s chief revenue officer who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005, were roommates while at UGA.
“To do this two years in a row means so much,” Ramsey said. “We can’t wait to share this with the rest of our company because they helped us get here as well.”
This year, 51 businesses on the Bulldog 100 list included graduates from the Terry College, including six in the top 10.
Following LeaseQuery at No. 1, the top 10 featured:
- inBrain, Jason Schubert (BBA ’17) and William Schubert (BBA ’19)
- Golden Isles Pharmacy, Matt Donato (PharmD ’14)
- Roadie, Marc Gorlin (ABJ ’95)
- Surcheros Fresh Mex, Luke Christian (AB ’01) and Jake Philpotts (AB ’13)
- PDI, Jimmy Frangis (BBA ’90, MBA ’94)
- Marketwake, Brooke Beach (ABJ ’11)
- Calendly, Tope Awotona (BBA ’02)
- Womack Custom Homes, Matthew Womack (BBA ’01) and Stephen Womack (BSFCS ’05)
- PeopleSuite, Matthew Womack (BBA ’01) and Stephen Womack (BSFCS ’05)
“The Bulldog 100 is our chance to celebrate the innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence of our incredible alumni who are leading the way in business and nonprofits,” said Meredith Gurley Johnson, executive director of the UGA Alumni Association. “I am proud of each business on this year’s list and extend a special congratulations to LeaseQuery for making Bulldog 100 history.”
During the Feb. 11 virtual event to honor the Bulldog 100, the UGA Alumni Association presented the fourth annual Michael J. Bryan Award to 1999 UGA graduate Airee Edwards, CEO of Agora Vintage. Bryan (BBA ’89), the 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 demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA that was Bryan’s hallmark.
Bulldog 100 companies were ranked, regardless of size, by evaluating their three-year compounded annual growth rates. The Atlanta office of Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors verifies the information submitted by each company and determines the ranked list. On average, companies in the 2021 Bulldog 100 grew by 49 percent each year from 2017-19.
UGA received 429 nominations for the 2021 Bulldog 100. Each organization must have been in business since 2016, experienced revenues over $100,000 for the calendar year 2017, and be owned or operated by a former UGA student who owns at least half of the company or is the CEO, president, or managing partner.
For more information about the Michael J. Bryan Scholarship or to view the complete list of 2021 Bulldog 100 businesses, visit alumni.uga.edu/b100.
Nominations for the 2022 Bulldog 100 are open until July 31.