Fastest-growing UGA Business is honored

The University of Georgia Alumni Association recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or operated by UGA alumni during the 11th annual Bulldog 100 Celebration on Feb. 8 in the West End Zone of Sanford Stadium.

The 2020 fastest-growing business, LeaseQuery LLC, is led by CEO George Azih and Chief Revenue Officer Chris Ramsey. Azih earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in 2003 and Ramsey earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2005.

Atlanta-based LeaseQuery helps over 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.

“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. Ramsey added, “UGA is fantastic because if I hadn’t come here I wouldn’t have met George or the many other UGA grads that form the basis of our company.”

Rounding out the Bulldog 100 top 10 are:

1. Roadie, Atlanta
2. Margaret Long Designs, Atlanta
3. Castlegate Property Group LLC, Atlanta
4. RCS Garage Doors, Charlotte, North Carolina
5. Tape King, Las Vegas
6. ADD's Personal Care Pharmacy, Bogart, Georgia
7. Terminus, Atlanta
8. Tier4 Group, Alpharetta, Georgia
9. BOS Security, Athens, Georgia

“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.”

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. Nominations were accepted between February and May 2020. Approximately 533 nominations were received for the 2020 Bulldog 100. Each organization must have been in business since 2015, experienced revenues in excess of $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.

During the Feb. 8 event, the UGA Alumni Association presented the third annual Michael J. Bryan Award to 1999 UGA graduate Bonneau Ansley, CEO and founder of Ansley Atlanta Real Estate.

Bryan, the co-founder and managing partner of Vino Venue and Atlanta Wine School in Dunwoody, Georgia, 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 the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to UGA that was Bryan’s hallmark.