Gator100: Celebrating 10 years of stellar success
The Gator100, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, honors the fastest-growing businesses led by University of Florida alumni. Presented by the UF Alumni Association, the Gator100 recognizes our elite entrepreneurs and fuels fellow Gators to embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys and strive to join this distinguished group.
In this milestone year, 20 businesses led by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences alumni were honored, making up one-fifth of the entire list. To be considered, a company must have operated continuously for at least five years, be owned, or led by a UF graduate or former student and uphold goals and values that align with the university’s mission.
Earning a spot on this prestigious list is more than just an accolade; it symbolizes the countless hours of hard work and dedication invested by alumni in building successful enterprises. The liberal arts and entrepreneurial mindsets complement each other well, teaching students to engage critically, challenge norms, and communicate effectively. Interim Dean Mary Watt remarked, “The Gator100 is where our CLAS alumni’s relentless drive and entrepreneurial spirit shine brightly.”
Honoring the world’s fastest-growing CLAS gator businesses of 2024
Gator100 spotlights the most rapidly growing businesses owned or led by UF alumni. Nearly a quarter of the 2024 ranked businesses are owned or led by CLAS alumni, underscoring their substantial influence on the global business stage.
- #2 TRANSFR – Ashley Bittner (History and Political Science ’07)
- #4 Otter PR – Jay Feldman (Biology ’14)
- #6 ThinkSpark – Richard Davis (English ’93)
- #14 TotalBrokerage – Ben Schachter (Political Science ’00)
- #16 Stretch Zone – Tony Zaccario (Psychology ’14)
- #22 Semper Plugins – Syed Balkhi (Anthropology and Religion ’11)
- #35 Elite Jets – Stephen Myers (Interdisciplinary Studies ’87)
- #36 Origin Construction – John Wood (Economics ’98)
- #39 Lewis Oil Co., Inc. – Wenda Lewis (Psychology ’84)
- #41 Novi AMS – Pete Zimek (Political Science ’01, MS Management ’02)
- #42 Atlantic Logistics – Robert Hooper Jr. (Economics and History ’91)
- #51 Heitner Legal – Darren Heitner (Political Science ’07, JD ’10)
- #62 Absolute Numbers Inc. – Carolyn Jones (Anthropology ’94)
- #66 Palm Beach Autographs – Jim Dodson (Economics ’00) and Steve Dodson (Economics and Sociology ’03)
- #67 Riverside Recovery of Tampa – Kirk Kirkpatrick (Comm Processes & Disorders ’90)
- #68 WPForms – Syed Balkhi (Anthropology and Religion ’11)
- #69 ANAC Global Realty – Sarkis Anac (Interdisciplinary Studies ’08)
- #72 Feathr – Aleksander Levental (Physics and Mathematics ’13)
- #73 Regency Square Dental – Martha Gonzalez (Microbiology and Cell Science ’83, DMD ’87)
- #97 Thompson Pump and Manufacturing – Bobby Zitzka (Psychology and Business Administration ’00)
