GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Nine companies owned or led by the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) alumni were named to UF’s 2018 Gator100 during a ceremony on Feb. 2. Five of the nine companies have been named to the Gator100 previously, with two of them earning this honor for the fourth straight year.
Sponsored by the UF Alumni Association, in partnership with the UF Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, the Gator100 identifies and celebrates the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or run by UF alumni. Ernst & Young calculated each company’s compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past three years to generate the ranking.
“The Gator100 honors UF alumni from across the university who are founding and growing amazing companies around the country,” said Kent Fuchs, president of UF. “It’s an incredible affirmation of the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the Gator Nation.”
The following companies owned or led by CALS alumni were recognized as Gator100 honorees:
- Encore Mechanical, LLC, president John Reynal
- Hyatt Survey Services, Inc., president Pam Hyatt and vice president Russell Hyatt
- Jaguar Power Sports, owner Shaun Jackrel
- Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, CEO and president Dani McVety and co-founder and vice president Mary Gardner
- Max Health Chiropractic, owner and CEO Matt Frahm
- Processing Point, CEO Chad Buckmaster
- RAPiD Genomics, co-founders Leandro Neves and Marcio Resende
- Southeast Veterinary Neurology, veterinary neurologist and owner Michael Wong
- Vein911, investor Doug Pace
First-time Gator100 recipient Matt Frahm was inspired to pursue a career in chiropractic health after experiencing a severe motorcycle accident in college. A family friend referred him to a chiropractor who helped him understand the cause of his injuries and restored in him the hope that he could be healthy again and reach his goals.
Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in food science and human nutrition in 2004 and attending chiropractic school, Frahm moved to Milwaukee, Wisconson. There, he opened his company Max Health Chiropractic in 2008 with his wife Jen (a UF alumna from the Warrington College of Business and the College of Health and Human Performance). Together, they aim to bring hope, health and healing to others like Frahm’s chiropractor did for him.
“We have continually strived to inspire our patients to reach their full health potential,” Frahm said. “Because of the results our patients have seen, we had the opportunity to acquire two other clinic locations and serve the community to an even greater capacity. In the past year, we have focused on surrounding ourselves with a great team that is rooted in our mission and core values, training them well and empowering them to care for both patients and the organization to a high level.”
Frahm attributes his time in CALS to providing him the necessary educational foundation to advance to chiropractic school and handle his course load there. CALS sparked his interest in nutrition and continual research to stay up-to-date on the latest healthcare information.
To qualify for the Gator100, companies must have been in business for five or more years as of Oct. 1, 2017, and have had verifiable annual revenues of $250,000 or more in 2014. Additionally, a UF alumnus or alumna must have met one of the following three leadership criteria:
- Owned 50 percent or more of the company from Jan. 1, 2014, through Oct. 1, 2017; or
- Served as company’s chief executive from Jan. 1, 2014,through Oct. 1, 2017; or
- Founded the company and been active as a member of the most senior management team from Jan. 1, 2014, through Oct. 1, 2017.
View the full list of Gator100 honorees at gator100.ufl.edu.
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The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.
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