by Calvin Burrows, Jim Moran Institute, and COSSPP communications staff
The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, in Florida State University’s College of Business, has released its 2020 Seminole 100 list. This annual list recognizes the fastest-growing businesses owned or managed by Florida State alumni who are responsible for some of the most innovative and profitable companies in America.
The 2020 Seminole 100 includes businesses of all sizes and industries located throughout the United States. Seventy-two of the 100 businesses are located in Florida. Nineteen of the businesses are owned by women, 10 are minority-owned and seven are veteran-owned. Fifty of this year’s companies have been previously recognized as Seminole 100 honorees.
EY, a multinational financial services firm, verified the information submitted by each company and ranked the businesses based on compounded annual growth rate during a three-year period.
Twenty-one of the 100 businesses recognized this year are owned by alumni of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.
“Once again, as with many of the national awards and scholarships presented to FSU students every year, the college is represented beyond our size within the university,” noted COSSPP Dean Tim Chapin. “The college accounts for about 12-13 percent of all students at FSU but 21 percent of these outstanding successful businesses. This shows the entrepreneurial spirit and skill of our graduates and the broad professional opportunities available to those who study the social sciences and public policy.”
The 2020 Seminole 100 list of fastest-growing businesses includes the following owned and/or operated by COSSPP alumni (companies named to Seminole 100 in past years indicated with *):
Glenn Foote (B.S. ’11 Social Science) – 30A Beach Service (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)
Robert Miralles (B.S. ’11 Economics, International Affairs) – 30A Beach Service (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)
Autumn Beck Blackledge (B.S. ’98 Political Science/Religion) – Autumn Beck Blackledge PLLC (Pensacola, FL)*
Judith Michaud (B.A. ’70 Economics) – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty (Highlands, NC)
Jonathan Novak (B.A. ’10 Political Science/International Affairs) – Boomerang Transportation, LLC (Tampa, FL)*
Steven Clein (B.S. ’91 Economics) – C & C Insurance, Inc. (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Craig Dewhurst (B.S. ’91 Political Science) – Craig Dewhurst Agency, Inc. (St. Augustine, FL)
Jeffery Collins (B.S. ’86 Political Science) – Global Sales (Gibsonton, FL)*
Stuart Norman (B.A. ’97 Political Science) – GMF Steel Group (Lakeland, FL)*
Todd Jefferies (B.S. ’02 Economics) – Imperial Fence Supply, LLC (Atlanta, GA)
Jeff Kottkamp (B.S. ’84 Political Science) – Jeff Kottkamp, P.A. (Tallahassee, FL)
Bruce McNeilage (B.S. ’88 Economics) – Kinloch Partners (Kennesaw, GA)
Bobby Pittman (B.S. ’97 Economics) – Kupanda Capital, LLC (Washington, DC)*
Frank Coto (B.S. ’01 Sociology) – Lincoln Lending Group (Tampa, FL)
Robert Holloway (B.S. ’99 Economics) – MGT of America Consulting, LLC (Tallahassee, FL)
Joy Christopher Owenby (B.S. ’93 Political Science) – Owenby Law, P.A. (Jacksonville, FL)*
Bennett Napier (M.S. ’02 Applied American Politics and Policy) – Partners in Association Management (Tallahassee, FL)*
Patrick Cueva (B.S. ’12 Economics) – ProFi Facilities Maintenance (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Neil Rambana (B.A. ’92 English/Political Science; M.A. ’96 International Affairs) – Rambana & Ricci, PLLC (Tallahassee, FL)*
Anthony Prieto (B.A. ’96 Political Science) – Synergy Settlement Services (Orlando, FL)*
John McFarlain (B.S. ’97 Political Science) – Tal Search Group, Inc. (Tallahassee, FL)*
Seminole 100 honorees and invited guests will celebrate their accomplishment at the University Center Club on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The Seminole 100 Celebration will include a reception and awards dinner featuring the release of the final rankings and countdown of the Seminole 100.
To learn more about Seminole 100, including sponsorship opportunities, visit this link.