2008 CRN Fast Growth 100 Awards

Industry executives gathered at the 2008 CRN Fast Growth 100 Awards event in Chicago on October 15 to honor the solution providers that have seen the most revenue growth.

This year's crop of Fast Growth partners turned in average revenue of $106.4 million, 64 percent higher than the 2007 Fast Growth 100. Awards were given to fastest growing partners across 12 revenue, technology and vertical market categories.

Jane Linder, principal at Waltham, Mass.-based solution provider NWN Corp., chats with CRN News Editor Steve Burke (right) and Industry Editor Craig Zarley.

Everything Channel Publisher Dan Dignam welcomes solution provider executives to the 2008 CRN Fast Growth Awards, congratulating them for their innovation. "This year's Fast Growth 100 come in all shapes and sizes, but what they share is a passion for growing their businesses at warp speed," Dignam said.

Everything Channel Senior Vice President and Editorial Director Robert DeMarzo shares some key statistics with the crowd, noting that the 2008 Fast Growth 100 collectively is worth $10.6 billion. The 2008 elite also clocked a two-year revenue increase of $59.4 million, up 59 percent over the 2007 Fast Growth 100.

Tampa, Fla.-based Acuity Solutions took home the award for Top Revenue Generator -- Under $50 Million. Acuity's sales hit $26.69 million in 2007, and the company achieved a two-year growth rate of over 368 percent, earning it the No. 5 spot on the 2008 Fast Growth 100. Dave Gilden (left), partner and COO of Acuity, accepts the award from CRN Industry Editor Craig Zarley.

Chris Kurpeikis, co-founder of Addison, Ill.-based B2B Computer Products, accepts the award for Top Revenue Generator -- $50 Million to $150 Million from CRN Senior Editor Jennifer Bosavage. B2B Computer Products brought in $59.93 million in sales for 2007, with a two-year growth rate of over 353 percent. It was No. 7 on the 2008 Fast Growth 100.

Waltham, Mass.-based NWN took home the trophy for Top Revenue Generator -- $150 Million to $250 Million. NWN recorded 2007 sales of $160 million and a stellar two-year growth rate over 1875 percent, earning it the No. 1 spot on the 2008 Fast Growth 100. CEO Mont Phelps (left) accepts the award from CRN's Craig Zarley.

For the second year in a row, Presidio nabbed the award for Top Revenue Generator -- $250 Million +. The Greenbelt, Md.-based solution provider recorded 2007 sales of $880.1 million and a two-year growth rate of over 286 percent, landing it in the No. 12 spot on the Fast Growth 100. President Rudy Casasola accepts the award from CRN's Jennifer Bosavage.

Chris Damvakaris (left), vice president of sales and business development at Apptix, accepts the award for Excellence in Communications Solutions from CRN's Craig Zarley. Herndon, Va.-based Apptix recorded $35.97 million in sales for 2007 and a two-year growth rate of nearly 321 percent. It ranked No. 9 on the 2008 Fast Growth 100.

Neudesic, Irvine, Calif., took home the trophy for Excellence in Management Strategy. Bryce Calhoun, director of the mid-west region for Neudesic, accepts the award from CRN's Jennifer Bosavage. The company's 2007 sales hit 27.8 million with a two-year growth rate of over 270 percent, earning Neudesic the No. 14 spot on the Fast Growth 100.

Troy, Ohio-based Agil IT won the award for Excellence in Customer Implementation Strategy. The company ranked No. 58 on the 2008 CRN Fast Growth 100 with 2007 sales of $3.07 million and a two-year growth rate of nearly 91 percent. President Jon Dankworth (left) accepts the award from CRN's Craig Zarley.

Ashby Lincoln, CEO and president of VeriStor Systems, accepts the award for CRN Fast Growth Storage Specialist from CRN's Jennifer Bosavage. Duluth, Ga.-based VeriStor ranked No. 52 on the Fast Growth 100 with $19.64 million in revenue and a two-year growth rate of over 96 percent.

Chicago-based Nexum nabbed the award for CRN Fast Growth Security Specialist. The company ranked No. 45 on the Fast Growth 100 with revenue of $26.65 million and a two-year growth rate of nearly 104 percent. Executive Vice President of Sales Todd Gabel (left) accepts the award from CRN's Craig Zarley.

Nancy Hedrick (right), CEO of CSI Technology Outfitters, accepts the award for CRN Fast Growth Education Specialist from CRN's Jennifer Bosavage. The Easley, S.C.-based solution provider turned in sales of $44.72 million in 2007 and a two-year growth rate of over 122 percent, landing it in the No. 38 spot on the 2008 CRN Fast Growth 100.

Chicago-based Burwood Group won the award for CRN Fast Growth Networking Infrastructure Specialist. The company's 2007 sales hit $37.02 million with a two-year growth rate of over 110 percent, earning it the No. 44 spot on the Fast Growth 100. President Mark Theoharous (left) accepts the trophy from CRN's Craig Zarley.

Mont Phelps, CEO of NWN, accepts the award for Top CRN Fast Growth Company from CRN's Jennifer Bosavage. Phelps has masterminded several acquisitions and built strategic relationships with vendors such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, EMC and Microsoft to help NWN reach its two-year growth rate of over 1,875 percent.

The winners of the 2008 CRN Fast Growth 100 Awards rub elbows.