Fast 56 Award recipients

THE 2021 USF FAST 56 includes businesses from restaurants to restorations; wellness to wines; pharmaceuticals to farms – well, one farm. They’re the 56 fastest growing Bull-led businesses, and their leaders were recognized at a sometimes raucous awards event in September. The enthusiasm was understandable; the popular event was back in person this year after going virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event’s highlight is a dramatic countdown to the No. 1 fastest growing business. This year, that honor went to PainTEQ LLC and its executive director, Charles Girsch, ’12. PainTEQ was founded on the concept of innovating health-care procedures and bringing those innovations to market. It currently offers LinQ, a minimally invasive procedure that reduces back and leg pain by stabilizing the sacroiliac joint.

While all award recipients meet eligibility criteria related to revenue growth over a three-year period, large companies typically don’t have the rapid growth that pushes them high in the rankings. So two special awards recognize these businesses.

The Accelerator Award goes to the company with more than $25 million in annual revenue and the largest percentage of cumulative growth. This year’s recipient – for the second consecutive year – was Virtex and its CEO, Brad Heath, ’85, Life Member. Virtex provides strategic electronic manufacturing services for an array of cutting-edge industries.

The Apex Award recognizes the Fast 56 company with the highest annual revenue. Taking the prize: ReedTMS Logistics and its Bull leaders, president Mark Reed, ’93 and MAcc ’94, Life Member; CFO Bryan McDonald, ’91 and MAcc ’93; and COO Jordan Strawn, ’09.

ReedTMS provides freight management and brokerage services, and asset-based dry van, refrigerated and private fleet services.

While he didn’t receive a special trophy, Shannon Gonzalez, ’98 and MS ’04, Life Member, got a special shout-out. He’s president of Flatwoods Consulting Group Inc., the only company that’s received a Fast 56 trophy since the award’s inception in 2013.

The Alumni Association’s annual Fast 56 awards recognize 56 business — a nod to USF’s creation in 1956 — based on revenue growth over three years. It celebrates exceptionally successful Bull-led businesses, and has become a valuable vehicle for professional networking. The USF Fast 56 scholarship, funded by recipients, provides awards to students based on their innovative business ideas.

The deadline to nominate a business for the 2022 Fast 56 is May 28. Visit usfalumni.org/fast56 for more information.

Tampa

PainTEQ is a medical device innovator. It works with pain management specialists to assist patients suffering from sacroiliac joint dysfunction through a minimally invasive procedure.

Tampa

Ideal Agent uses modern technology to save home sellers and buyers thousands of dollars in commissions via a referral network of top real estate agents.

Tampa

The Matrix Hormones clinic tailors treatments for symptoms such as low libido, fatigue and muscle loss to meet individuals’ needs, bloodwork and body type.

Kingston, Jamaica

Keller Williams Jamaica specializes in the sale and lease of commercial and residential properties to local and international clients.

Patron Sponsors: Applied Sciences; Marketing Direction; ReedTMS Logistics; PureAir Control Services Inc.

Event Sponsors: Cherry Bekaert CPAs and Advisors; WUSF Public Media

Media Sponsor: Tampa Bay Times

Tampa

BFrank Studio is a small, certified minority and woman-owned design firm engaged in a range of commercial and institutional projects at many scales.

Tampa

ComplianceQuest is an Enterprise Quality, Safety and Environment Management (QHSE) solutions platform natively built and run on Salesforce technologies.

Tampa

Strategic Tax Consulting provides full-service accounting and financial planning services for select individuals.

Minneapolis

So Good So You is a category-leading manufacturer and marketer of delicious functional juice shots that are sold in over 6,000 stores nationwide.

Ruskin, Florida Seaandshoreline.com

Sea & Shoreline is an aquatic restoration firm that restores fresh and saltwater habitats to healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems.

St. Petersburg

From strategy to planning to program development and execution, Marketing Direction provides companies with an experienced, dedicated marketer on a fractional basis.

Focused on closing education equity gaps, Helios Education Foundation invests in the potential of all Florida students, with particular emphasis on Black/African American and lowincome students in Tampa Bay, Central Florida, and South Florida.

Through partnership and collaboration, we strive to increase student attainment, ensuring minority and underrepresented students have access to and are prepared for postsecondary success.