Bulldog 100 for 2012

Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors Named to the

Bulldog 100: Fastest Growing Bulldog Businesses

Class of 2012

                                                                   

Writer: Stan Jackson, 706-542-8157, ugastan@uga.edu

Contact: Meredith Carr, 404-814-8820, mcarr@uga.edu
January 24, 2012


Athens, Ga. – Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors, with locations in Alpharetta, Buford and Marietta, was honored on January 21, when the UGA Alumni Association announced the rankings of the 2012 Bulldog 100: Fastest Growing Bulldog Businesses at a celebration in Atlanta. 

Queen of Hearts, helmed by 1980 UGA graduate Stacey Smith Anderson, ranks as this year’s 65th fastest growing Bulldog business.  The firm is home to over 500 dealer-merchants specializing in antiques and interiors furnishings and accessories.

“Receiving this award for the second year in a row means so much as a company by affirming the fact that we have great staff, wonderful dealer-merchants and awesome customers that believe in the Queen year after year,” said Stacey Smith Anderson. 

The Atlanta CPA firm, Gifford Hillegass and Ingwersen, LLP has annually partnered with the UGA Alumni Association since the inception of the program three years ago to verify the information that was submitted by each nominated company.  GH&I then ranked the companies based on compounded annual growth rate.

Nominations were collected between January and June 2011.  To be considered for the program, an organization must have been in business for at least five years, had revenues of $100,000 or more for the calendar year 2008, and be owned or operated by a former UGA student who owns at least 50% of company or be the CEO, President or Managing Partner. The program recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year growth rate average.

Nearly 800 nominations were submitted for this year’s program.  The class of 2012 includes companies ranging in all sizes and services, from athletics equipment producers to web design and internet marketing firms. Several different areas of the country are represented, including companies from Connecticut, Nebraska, and New Mexico.    

UGA alumni and friends celebrated the 2012 Bulldog 100 honorees at a special event held  at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on January 21, 2012. The evening began with a reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony.  Keynote speaker, Deborah Norville, anchor of “Inside Edition” and 1979 UGA graduate, led attendees to the highlight of the evening—the release of the final rankings and countdown of the 2012 Bulldog 100. 

 “The UGA Alumni Association is thrilled to honor our graduates who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence that bring honor to their alma mater,” said Deborah Dietzler, executive director of the UGA Alumni Association.  “We are proud of the accomplishments of these alumni, whose achievements during the Great Recession are noteworthy indeed.” 

Nominations for the 2013 Bulldog program will open January 30.  The full listing and rankings of the 2012 honorees and photos of the celebration can be found at www.alumni.uga.edu/b100.