Indiana's growth 100 winners: recognizing high-growth, high-potential companies.

• Position: Indiana Growth 100

IN 1994, SEVERAL forward-thinking corporate sponsors came together to form a vehicle that would maximize the potential of fast-growing Indiana businesses. The result was the Growth 100 program, dedicated to identifying and recognizing Indiana's rapid-growth, high-potential companies.

The centerpiece of the program is the Growth 100 Award. Nominees must be privately held Indiana businesses, have at least $1 million in annual sales or the prospect of major funding and demonstrate high growth and high potential. To be selected, companies must complete a questionnaire and interview process. The questionnaire is based upon research on high-potential businesses conducted by The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. The selection process may include a site visit and interviews with the company's CEO and key management team.

Recognized Growth 100 companies are invited to participate in other student and outreach events. The Johnson Center serves as a resource and link between high-growth business leaders and the IU Kelley School of Business. The Johnson Center is self-supporting and relies on dues, service fees and sponsorships, as well as donations from private individuals and companies.

Established in 1989, the Johnson Center's mission is to develop and conduct educational programs of excellence and to support knowledge creation and transfer that will advance its fundamental understanding of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial management. The center is named for the Dick Johnson family of Columbus, following a $1 million commitment to the Kelley School of Business in 1998.

Growth 100 corporate partners and sponsors include the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, the Indiana Venture Center, Ernst & Young, Innovative Financial Solutions Inc. and Spring Mill Venture Partners.

For more information, contact:

The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Kelley School of Business at Indiana University

Graduate and Executive Education Center

1275 E. Tenth St. Suite 2050 Bloomington, IN 47405-1703 812/855-4248 www.kelley.indiana.edu/jcei

ACE MORTGAGE FUNDING

Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Richard M. Hall, Robert L. Gregory Jr. Founded: 1998 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: Provides residential and commercial mortgage services Reason for success: Retention of incredible employees Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Donald Trump, for his resilience against adversity Favorite management principle: Lead by example Company goals: Hit $100 million in revenues in 2004 Long-term goals: Continue to double in size every year

AE TECHRON Elkhart

Lead entrepreneur: Larry J. Shank Founded: 1992 Growth 100 winner: First year Product/service: Linear power supplies, custom power conversion products for customers in military, aerospace, industry, research and medicine Entrepreneurial traits: Seeing potential where others don't Favorite management principle: Each person comes with hands and brains; they are expected to use both Company goals: Continue 20 percent growth while maintaining small company feel

AIT LABORATORIES Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneur: Michael A. Evans Founded: 1990 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: Provides laboratory and consulting services in pharmacology and toxicology to the health care, forensic and pharmaceutical industries You know you're growing too fast when:You no longer understand your cash flow Favorite management principle: Respect and empowerment of management staff Long-term goals: Succession of current management staff to the top leadership of the company Proudest moment: Recent relocation of the company to new facility

ALL SEASONS AUTOMATIC POOL COVERS Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: John St. Clair Jr., Michelle St. Clair Stuck, Karen St. Clair Founded: 1990 Growth 100 winner: Fourth year Product/service: Distribute, install and service automatic swimming pool covers in 16 states Reasons for success: Attention to detail, commitment to customer satisfaction Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Walt Disney, for attention to detail and ability to generate enthusiasm among employees and every visitor Favorite management principle: Empowering the employees Company goals: Maintain profitable business while increasing employee benefits and profit sharing Greatest challenge: Continuing to generate double-digit growth in a down economy while maintaining good customer service and profitability

AMERICAN PLAYGROUND CORP. Anderson

Lead entrepreneur: Phillip Abookire Founded: 1911 Growth 100 winner: Fourth year Product/service: Commercial playground and park equipment, soccer goals Entrepreneurial traits: Clarity of vision for where the company is going Favorite management principle: Success comes when preparation meets opportunity

ANGIE'S LIST Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Bill Oesterle, Angie Hicks, Scott Brentin Founded: 1995 Growth 100 winner: First year Product/service: Collects consumer ratings on local service providers in home and car repair, pet care and lawn care industries Entrepreneurial traits: Perseverance and taking calculated risks Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Oprah Winfrey You know you're growing too fast when: Scott, our COO, yells Favorite management principle: Lead by example

APOLLO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Fort Wayne

Lead entrepreneurs: Joel Nichols, Keersten Nichols Founded: 1992 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: Products for the entertainment lighting industries Reason for success: High-quality products that are custom-made within 3-5 days Entrepreneurial traits: Growth-oriented and a never-say-never attitude Role-model entrepreneur, and why: Jack Stack, for helping me understand quantifying/profitability at the employee level Favorite management principle: If a goal cannot be quantified and put on a wall, it will not be accomplished Long-term goals: Have a lot of retirement fun Greatest challenge: Keeping good balance in my life

AVER'S PIZZA Bloomington

Lead entrepreneur: Kristian A. Kaiser Founded: 1995 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: Carry-out/delivery pizza restaurant Favorite management principle: Hire good people, train them well and give them the autonomy to do their jobs Proudest moment: Recognized as one of the top 100 independent pizza restaurants in the country by Pizza Today

BENEFIT ASSOCIATES Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneur: Bryan K. Brenner Founded: 1998 Growth 100 winner: First year Product/service: Employee and executive benefit consulting, brokerage and services Entrepreneurial traits: Goal setter by nature Last book you read: Built to Last by Jim Collins Favorite management principle: High trust equals low-maintenance relationships Long-term goals: To be viewed as highest-quality firm in Indianapolis

BIG INCH FABRICATORS & CONSTRUCTION Montezuma

Lead entrepreneurs: Blake B. Hartman, George Brinkley, Doug McCord, Jim Hurst Founded: 1998 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: High-pressure natural gas and oil piping fabrication and installation throughout the Midwest Reason for success: Service was needed in this area because of a high demand for new pipelines and stations

BITWISE SOLUTIONS Carmel

Lead entrepreneurs: Ronald W. Brumbarger, Scott Workman Founded: 1991 Growth 100 winner: Third year Product/service: Internet design, custom application development and online strategic planning Reasons for success: God's willingness and tremendously smart people Entrepreneurial traits: Energy, drive, integrity, honesty, innovation Last book you read: Ephesians Favorite management principle: Leaders without humility are surrounded by too many mirrors

CJ BOOTS CASKET CO. Anderson

Lead entrepreneur: Chris Boots Founded: 1999 Growth 100 winner: Second year Product/service: Manufacturer of high-end hardwood caskets Reason for success: Incredible passion for our products Entrepreneurial traits: Finding a niche, serving customers well

ELMER BUCHTA TRUCKING Otwell

Lead entrepreneur: Elmer Buchta Founded: 1937 Growth 100 winner: Second year Product/service: Transportation services for the coal industry in southern Indiana Reason for success: Customer service above all else Favorite management principle: You can teach people to work but you cannot teach them to be nice people

BURKHART CAIN ASSOCIATES Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Paul Burkhart, Stacey Cain Founded: 1998 Growth 100 winner: Fourth year Product/service: Print, broadcast, outdoor advertising, creative and media buying, PR, promotions, Web design, marketing and sales lead generation and direct response Reason for success: "Whatever it takes" philosophy Entrepreneurial traits: A gambler who knows when to hold 'em and bet the farm Role-model entrepreneur, and why: George Mikelsons, founder of ATA, because he taught that "flying under the radar" of the competition is a key element in business Favorite management principle: Giving credit where credit is due Company goals: Double national client base in two years

CATALYST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GROUP Indianapolis

Lead entrepreneurs: Jack Lawson, Earl Dunlap, Dennis Turner Founded: 1999 Growth 100 winner: Second year Product/service: Full-service product design and development Reason for success: Ability to react quickly to clients' needs Entrepreneurial traits: Creative problem solving Last book you read: If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss You know you're growing too fast when: When you see employees more often than your own family Favorite management principle: A company that is not growing is dying

COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES Brownsburg

Lead entrepreneurs: Lisa Freestone, Bruce Freestone Founded: 1997 Growth 100 winner: Second year Product/service: Consulting services targeted to making businesses more successful in increasingly competitive business environments Reasons for success: Vision to provide services clients need Long-term goals: Diversify client base through additional consulting engagements Greatest challenge: President and vice...