TAMPA – Some of the world’s fastest-growing University of South Florida alumni-led businesses were recognized in the annual 2022 USF Fast 56 Awards and business bulls were among the top honorees.
The USF Fast 56 Awards program celebrates 56 companies that are on a high-growth trajectory. To be eligible for the award, companies must be nominated, be in operation for at least 36 months, have $250,000 in revenues for the most recent 12-month period, and be owned or operated by a USF alumnus.
In this year’s class of awardees, 12 businesses led by Muma College of Business alumni earned a spot among the top 25.
The 27 Muma College of Business alumni-led USF Fast 56 Award honorees include:
Baldwin Risk Partners - Baldwin Risk Partners is a collection of entrepreneurs and insurance professionals who deliver indispensable insurance and risk management solutions. NASDAQ-listed since 2019, it is recognized as one of the top 20 largest insurance agencies in the country.
Bull Leader: Elizabeth Krystyn, Founding Partner, Finance ’87.
ClearTrust, LLC - ClearTrust is a full-service stock transfer agent. ClearTrust is an award-winning, SOC-1 audited, and female-owned business headquartered in the U.S.
Bull Leader: Kara Kennedy, Executive Director, Finance ’10.
Control Logics - Control Logics is a CPA firm that provides SOX compliance, SOC examination, privacy and ISO 27001 implementation services.
Bull Leader: Homan Lajevardi, Co-Founder and Director, MBA ’03.
David J. Reali, CPA - David J. Reali, CPA offers advising, consulting and client accounting services as well as tax planning and preparation for small businesses and taxpayers.
Bull Leader: David J. Reali, Owner, Accounting ’09.
DCE Live, Inc. - DCE is a partner in event production. Its goal is to understand clients’ company culture and business objectives, and translate them into a well-executed live, virtual or hybrid event.
Bull Leader: Andy Hafer, Corporate Director, MBA ’90 and DBA ’21.
Diamond View - Diamond View is a full-service, Emmy Award-winning, creative video agency focused on using video as a force for good.
Bull Leader: Tim Moore, CEO, Marketing ’10.
Everett Financial Group, LLC - Everett Financial Group, LLC is a full-service, independent insurance agency providing solutions to businesses and personal clients.
Bull Leader: Jim Everett, Vice President, Business Management ’80.
Excite Medical - Excite Medical is a medical device company that holds four FDA 510(k)s, including one for the DRX9000, which has been cleared to treat patients suffering with incapacitating lower back pain and sciatica caused by herniated discs, degenerative discs, and posterior facet syndrome.
Bull Leader: Saleem Musallam, Founder and CEO, Marketing ’04.
Ice of Central Florida - Ice of Central Florida produces and delivers bagged ice and bottled water to retailers, festivals and events, such as the St. Pete Grand Prix, airlines, construction sites and landscaping crews, and emergency ice to restaurants.
Bull Leaders: Stephen Wolfson, Sales Manager, Finance ’15; William Wolfson, Secretary, Accounting ’80.
Idea Nest - Idea Nest is an e-commerce company that owns and operates several in-house consumer brands specializing in graphic apparel and other print-on-demand products.
Bull Leader: Mike Pasley, Founder, Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’16.
IDEAL AGENT - IDEAL AGENT is a full-service real estate services company. It makes the home-buying and selling process easy and profitable by providing a seamless online experience and connecting clients with the top 1% of local and national agents from top brokerages.
Bull Leader: Gavin Scott, Co-Founder and Vice President of IT, Management Information Systems ’00.
Investors Title & Settlement Services, Inc. - Investors Title & Settlement Services, Inc. is a full-service real estate title insurance agency.
Bull Leaders: Jeffrey D. Fishman, President, Finance ’92; Brandy Fishman, Vice President, General Business Administration ’96.
Lebel Landscaping - Lebel Landscaping provides landscaping, hardscaping, irrigation, tree work and commercial maintenance.
Bull Leader: Marshall James, CFO, Marketing ’08.
Lukos - Lukos provides a range of training and analytical support to the federal government. It proudly serves the military special operations community across the country and overseas.
Bull Leader: Garth Arevalo, CEO and Co-Founder, MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’13.
MADE Brands, LLC - The experts at MADE believe good businesses can become great brands with the right mix of relatable messaging, vibrant design and savvy marketing.
Bull Leader: Michelle Ledford, President and Principal, Marketing ’95.
Metrc - Metrc provides cannabis regulatory systems, combining advance software, radio-frequency identification technology, a dedicated customer-support team and a secure database to track and trace cannabis from growth, harvest and processing to testing, transport and sale.
Bull Leaders: Michael Johnson, CEO, Accounting ’07; Justin Green, Senior Vice President of Finance, Accounting ’07; Matt Greene, Senior Vice President of Growth, Business Administration ’05.
Moxie Digital - Moxie Digital has a unique approach to getting to know its clients. It strives to implement campaigns that will uniquely work for each business and its audiences.
Bull Leader: Jenni Mullins, Owner, Marketing ’07.
PainTEQ LLC - PainTEQ brings interventional procedures to market. A medical device innovator, its LinQ therapy aims to immediately provide clinical benefits to individuals living with incapacitating lower back pain.
Bull Leader: Charles Girsch, Executive Vice President and Founder, Marketing ’12.
Pipas Law Group - Pipas Law is a personal injury and civil litigation law firm with offices in St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Bull Leader: Chris Waters, Manager, Marketing ’12.
ReedTMS Logistics - ReedTMS Logistics is a family-owned, asset-based third-party logistics provider with offices and terminals across the U.S.
Bull Leaders: Mark Reed, President, Accounting ’93 and MAcc ’95; Bryan McDonald, CFO, Accounting ’91 and MAcc ’93; Jordan Strawn, COO, Finance ’09.
So Good So You - So Good So You is the No. 1 premium brand in the emerging functional shot category and is ranked in the top 20% of the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing brands.
Bull Leader: Rita Katona, Founder, Executive Chair, and Chief Brand and Innovation Officer, International Business/Marketing ’02.
Strategic Tax Consulting, Inc. - Strategic Tax Consulting offers full-service accounting and financial planning for select individuals.
Bull Leader: David Vileno, President, Accounting ’08.
Superior Optical Labs, Inc. - Superior Optical is a full-service lab that manufacturers prescription eyeglasses.
Bull Leaders: Derek Bodart, President and CEO, MBA ’10; Tony Jones, Vice President and COO, MBA ’10.
Tarmak USA, Inc. - Tarmak USA, Inc. is a Tampa-based direct importer of natural stone tiles, mosaics, tumbled stones, moldings, windowsills and thresholds, serving the U.S. market since 2002.
Bull Leader: Kamil Koc, President, MBA ’98.
The Candle Pour - The Candle Pour is a custom candle-making experience that allows customers to create their own candles from a choice of more than 100 different fragrance oils.
Bull Leaders: Dennis Akers, Founder, Marketing ’10; Misty Spencer Akers, Founder, Management Information Systems ’01.
TitleTap - TitleTap is a done-for-you digital marketing platform offering secure websites with industry integrations, social media management, SEO, PPC and solutions for online reviews specifically tuned for law firms and real estate title agents.
Bull Leaders: Dean Collura, CEO, Finance ’03 and MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’11; Eliot Dill, COO, MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ‘11.
Zukku Sushi - Zukku Sushi owns and operates locations in downtown Tampa, Lakeland, Lutz and Wesley Chapel, Florida, and Charlotte, North Carolina. It also owns Astro Craft Ice Cream and a new Korean BBQ concept, KH BBQ.
Bull Leader: Ferdian Jap, Managing Partner, MS Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies ’08.
To view the complete list of 2022 Fast 56 Award winners, click here.