Shown are Kelly Peele, Charles Sumner, Jake Dungan and Bennie Branch. 

Kelley Manufacturing Company, based in Tifton, was recognized as the No. 26 fastest-growing business operated by University of Georgia graduates during the 2014 Bulldog 100 Celebration Jan. 25 at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.

KMC, founded in 1966, currently has four UGA graduates in leadership positions:  President Bennie Branch, BSAE 1988, MS 1990; VP Engineering Charles Sumner, BSAE 1973; Advertising Manager Kelly Peele BSA 2011; and engineer Jake Dungan BSAE 2012.  KMC manufactures a wide variety of agricultural equipment for peanut harvesting, poultry house cleaning, deep tillage, shallow tillage and cultivation.

“Being recognized with a Bulldog 100 award is an honor for all of our company employees.  We work as a family.  Supporting each other is how we achieve success.”  Branch said.

The Bulldog 100, coordinated by the University of Georgia Alumni Association, recognizes the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni.  The award and ranking is based on a three-year compounded annual growth rate.  

More than 800 nominations were received for the 2014 Bulldog 100. The class includes companies of all sizes, providing services and products in a variety of industries, including advertising, staffing, real estate, pest control and mixed martial arts. Companies as far west as Texas and Kansas, and as far northeast as New Jersey, made the list this year.

The celebration recognized the 100 businesses and 139 alumni who lead those companies. The evening began with a reception, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. Smallbizclub.com founder, 1961 UGA graduate and Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton served as the keynote speaker.

“The UGA Alumni Association is pleased to have hosted another successful Bulldog 100 Celebration as the program celebrates its fifth year recognizing top alumni business leaders,” UGA Executive Director of Alumni Relations Deborah Dietzler said. “This is always a well-attended event and the competition to make the Bulldog 100 list each year continues to grow.”

To view the complete list of the 2014 Bulldog 100, photos from the event and 2015 sponsorship information, visit www.alumni.uga.edu/b100.  Nominations for the 2015 Bulldog 100 will be accepted until May 31 at that website.