Ingenuity, grit and Gator spirit define alumni businessowners and entrepreneurs celebrated at annual Gator100 awards competition

Six years is the charm … at least for one Gator and his homegrown company it is.

A bridesmaid in 2018, ’19, ’20, ’21 and 2022, construction dealership Action Equipment took its own walk to the Gator100 altar this spring as the fastest-growing alumni owned or operated business. That distinction puts Bruno-Elias Ramos’ Miami-based company in an exclusive club.

The 100 companies that make the annual Gator100 list is itself a nod to some of the best businessowners, entrepreneurs and executives to ever have worn the orange and blue. But just nine companies — one a year in the award’s nine seasons so far — have come out on top, going business plan to business plan and spread sheet to spread sheet against 881 other nominees.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a Gator and among the ranks of these other amazing Gator businesses here tonight,” Ramos (BS ’82, MA ’85) said when he won. “I’m reminded of the great privilege it is to be here as the son of an immigrant and first in my family to ever attend college. The University of Florida gave me a diverse foundation of knowledge and values and guided me throughout my career.”

Action Equipment is one of the largest dealerships of its kind in the Southeast, with a dozen shops in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. That kind of success and enterprising spirit is a common thread in Gator100 nominees, Alumni Association president James Gadsby (BS ’91) said.

“The people in this room know the challenges of starting, maintaining and growing a business. They know the sleepless nights of thinking through solutions to issues that are often out of their control: supply chain snags, inflation, a pandemic,” he told the audience. “At events like the Gator100, you see on display all of those traits we prize in the Gator Nation: ingenuity, creativity, grit, determination, innovation and perseverance.”

And it’s more than business graduates in the Gator100, he pointed out. Alumni from 13 of the university’s 16 colleges are in this year’s class. In fact, the College of Design, Construction and Planning and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, along with the Warrington College of Business, are the three colleges with the most graduates on the 2023 list.

This year’s Gator100 also represent an array of industries, ranging from construction and real estate to health care and marketing. Those 100 companies are in 17 states — 77 of them in Florida — and two (Atlanta business management firm Invisors and Gainesville sales support company The Selling Factory) employee more than 60 Gators apiece. A whopping 54 companies in 2023 are also past honorees; seven having made the Gator100 list five times or more.

“Gator100 shines a bright light on the contributions of UF alumni-owned and led companies,” Brian Danforth, executive director of the UF Alumni Association, said at this spring’s celebration. “The Gators in this room are a testament to the culture of innovation UF has always fostered.”

In addition to Action Equipment, the Top 10 fastest-growing Gator100 companies this year are:

• Pulse Clinical Alliance: the medical staffing company out of Jacksonville works with health care facilities across the nation. Richard Caplin (BS ’05, MA ’05) is the owner.
• Bearbottom Clothing: the Clearwater-based and three-time Gator100 honoree is an online apparel company, founded by Robert Felder (BS ’16). Josh Firestone (BS ’18) is CMO.
• AceApplications: an information technology provider for businesses, education and government, the Orlando-based company is certified in 11 states. Courtney Powell (BS ’96) is president, and Laine Powell (BA ’97) is vice president.
• Slice Engineering: the Gainesville company creates high-performance components for 3D printers for partners in 40 countries. Daniel Barousse (BS ’13) is CEO and co-founder.
• Pacifica Engineering Services: the consulting firm from Delray Beach offers a large portfolio of engineering services. Wesley Foster (BS ’12, ME ’13) is president.
• Bintelli: a four-time Gator100 honoree, the manufacturer and provider of powersports products is based in Charleston, South Carolina. Its president is Justin Jackrel (BA ’05).
• Authentique Agency: the Atlanta-based integrated marketing agency designs campaigns and brand interactions for world-recognized organizations. Roy Broderick Jr. (BS ’12) is CEO and president.
• Biggs Construction Company: the Pensacola-based general construction and project management firm serves Northwest Florida and the Gulf Coast. George Biggs (BA ’85) is president.
• Spark: a twice-nominated Gator100 honoree, the Jacksonville-based marketing agency develops strategies for both startups and major brands. Its president is Richard Davis (BA ’93).

Gator100 rankings are calculated by independent accounting firm Ernst & Young using compound annual growth to determine year-over-year growth over the past three years. To be considered, companies must have been in business at least five years and have annual revenue of at least $250,000.