Axial Celebrates 2nd Annual Middle Market Monday, Announces Inaugural Growth 100

Seven Vistage members are named to the Growth 100 list

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2015 — Axial, the online network connecting private companies to capital, today celebrates its second annual Middle Market Monday, recognizing the accomplishments of CEOs and owners of U.S. middle market businesses. This year, Axial has named 100 of these leaders to its inaugural Growth 100, a list of the best and brightest mid-market CEOs.

Axial received nominations from its 22,000+ member base, particularly from the capital providers and advisors who partner with CEOs looking to grow or sell their businesses. External organizations that also focus on the middle market including local Chambers of Commerce and Vistage Worldwide contributed to the nomination process.

CEOs were nominated across several categories including Innovation, Brand-building, Leadership Style, Customer Experience, Thought Leadership, Company Culture, and Growth Strategy.

The following seven Vistage members were named to the Growth100 list:

  • Ami Kassar, CEO and founder of MultiFunding
  • Damon Decrescenzo, CEO and owner of The Credit Pros
  • Gary Morrison, President of AR-EN Party Printers, Inc.
  • Perry Brooks, President of Advantage Signs, LTD
  • Brad Smith, CEO and co-founder of Rescue One Financial
  • Brad van Dam, President and CEO of Marich Confectionary
  • Charbel Zreik, CEO of DCI Design

Find the full Growth 100 list at madeinthemiddle.axial.net.

“Once a year, we take time to acknowledge and celebrate the leaders who are responsible for driving the growth and innovation in the American middle market,” said Peter Lehrman, founder and CEO of Axial. “This group of CEOs should be recognized for their many important accomplishments; we are honored that they have chosen Axial’s platform to help them find the resources and capital they need to set their courses for 2016 and beyond.”

Axial partners The National Center for the Middle Market and Vistage, a global organization that assembles and facilitates private advisory boards for CEOs, senior executives and business owners, join Axial in celebrating Middle Market Monday and congratulates the Growth 100.

“It’s terrific to celebrate these leaders, because the middle market itself is a leader. Every month, every quarter, every year, the middle market leads the U.S. economy in growth and employment–adding jobs more than 50% faster than the economy as a whole last year,” said Tom Stewart, Executive Director, National Center for the Middle Market.

The companies run by this year’s Growth 100 together represent a combined $1 billion in revenue and more than 3,100 employees.

“The challenges that middle market leaders face are similar to those of small and large market leaders, such as promoting business growth and maximizing efficiencies, but with far less resources,” said Sam Reese, chief executive officer of Vistage. “We are excited that Axial is recognizing this hard working group of individuals. We are also proud to work shoulder to shoulder with these leaders every day to help empower them to be the best leaders possible as they continue to drive the economy forward.”

About Axial
Axial (www.axial.net) is the online network for professionals who run, advise, finance, and acquire private companies. Every week, over 200 private companies use Axial to confidentially initiate a financial transaction process. CEOs and transaction professionals join Axial to access advice and capital, build strategic relationships, and exchange opportunities. Headquartered in New York, NY, Axial is backed by First Round, Redpoint Ventures and Comcast Ventures.

About Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize businesses. For more than 65 years, we’ve been helping CEOs, business owners and key executives solve their greatest challenges through confidential peer groups and one-to-one executive coaching sessions. Today, more than 45,000 members in 35 countries rely on Vistage to help make better decisions for their companies, families and communities. The results prove it: Vistage CEO members grew their annual revenue on average by 4.6% in 2020, while nonmembers with comparable small and midsize businesses saw revenue decrease by 4.7%, according to a study of Dun & Bradstreet data. Learn more at vistage.com.

Media Contact
Katie McWeeney
| Vistage
858.523.6875 | katie.mcweeney@vistage.com