Florida State University unveiled the 2019 Seminole 100 during a ceremony hosted by the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, the FSU Alumni Association, and professional services firm EY on Saturday, March 2.
The 2nd Annual Seminole 100 Celebration at University Center Club in Doak Campbell Stadium recognized the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or managed by FSU alumni.
FSU President John Thrasher presented the top award to James “Chef” Barlow of Blue Air Training of Las Vegas. The 2019 Seminole 100 included a wide range of businesses across the country. More than 75 are located in Florida.
EY verified information from each company and ranked the businesses based on a compound annual growth rate.
To qualify for the Seminole 100, a company must have operated for at least three years and generated revenue by Jan. 1, 2015. In addition, the business must have been owned or majority-managed by an FSU graduate for three consecutive years prior to its nomination.
THE 2019 COSSPP SEMINOLE 100 LIST:
Autumn Blackledge (B.S. ’98 Political Science), Autumn Beck Blackledge PLLC (Pensacola, FL)
Jeffery Collins (B.S. ’86 Political Science), Global Sales (Gibsonton, FL)
Mark Cross (B.S. ’79 Political Science), Tasty Pastry Bakery (Tallahassee, FL)
Bugra Demirel (B.A. ’10 International Affairs/Political Science), Demirel International (Marianna, FL)
Juan Diaz (B.A. ’98 Economics/International Affairs), Providence Technology Solutions, LLC (Jacksonville, FL)
Jennifer Green (B.S. ’94 Political Science), Liberty Partners (Tallahassee, FL)
John D. McFarlain (B.S. ’97 Political Science), Tal Research Group (Tallahassee, FL)
Patrick McKee (B.S. ’00 Economics), McKee Insurance Agency (Tallahassee, FL)
Christopher Mueller (B.A. ’01 International Affairs) Taylor, Day, Grimm & Boyd (Jacksonville, FL)
Bennet Napier (M.S. ’02, Applied American Politics), Partners in Association Management (Tallahassee, FL)
Stuart Norman (B.S. ’97 Political Science), G.M.F. Industries, Inc. (Lakeland, FL)
Jonathan Novak (B.S. ’10 Political Science/International Affairs), Boomerang Transportation (Tampa, FL)
Joy Owenby (B.S. ’93 Political Science), Owenby Law (Jacksonville, FL)
Bobby Pittman (B.S. ’97 Economics; M.A. ’06 Economics), Kupanda Capital (Washington, DC)
Neil Rambana (B.A. ’92 English/Political Science; M.A. ’96 International Affairs), Rambana & Ricci PLLC (Tallahassee, FL)
Chris Smith (B.S. ’07 Economics), Curaytor (Orlando, FL)
