Press Releases

Guidant Named a Fastest-Growing Private Company by Puget Sound Business Journal. 2008 Companies Honored and Rankings Announced.

SEATTLE, WA – Oct. 24, 2008 - Guidant Financial Group, Inc. was named a Fastest-Growing Private Company by the Puget Sound Business Journal at an invitation-only event which drew more than 500 people to Qwest Field on Oct. 23. At the awards event, all 100 companies that made the list were honored and the rankings were announced. The 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies are listed, with select companies profiled, in a special publication of the Business Journal on Oct. 24.

The Fastest-Growing Private Companies program was launched 14 years ago by the Puget Sound Business Journal to identify and recognize companies speeding to the top of their industries. To be eligible, companies must: be privately held and headquartered in Washington; have at least $500,000 in net revenue in 2005; show an overall growth from 2005 to 2007 fiscal years; and agree to have their CPA confirm their net operating revenues with Puget Sound Business Journal and accounting partner Grant Thornton. Guidant Financial ranked # 18, after being ranked # 6 in last year’s results. “We have experienced tremendous growth” says Guidant’s CEO David Nilssen. “The longer you are in business the harder it becomes to sustain such a high growth rate. We are excited to be ranked in the top 20 for the second straight year. We feel truly honored to be among the companies included on this list.”

In addition to the Inc. 500 list, Guidant’s substantial growth and respected industry leadership have been recognized through other top awards, such as the Inc Fast 500 (#384), the 2008 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business award; 2008 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist; 2007 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Northwest Regional Small Business of the Year; and 2007 Small Business Administration National Young Entrepreneurs of the Year (to Guidant’s cofounders).The 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies program is presented by the Puget Sound Business Journal; co-presented by Grant Thornton; and sponsored by KeyBank, Lane Powell, Microsoft, Mortenson Construction and Robert Half International.

Puget Sound Business Journal is the region's premier source of business information, serving an unparalleled audience of business and community leaders. In addition to the weekly newspaper, the Business Journal provides daily updates via its web site and email alerts. The company also plays a vital role in bringing the area's leadership community together by hosting a wide variety of events throughout the year, from the Washington’s Best Workplaces event at Safeco Field to the Women of Influence awards event. Puget Sound Business Journal is a unit of American City Business Journals, which operates 41 local business newspapers throughout the United States. Visit Puget Sound Business Journal on the web at www.pugetsoundbusinessjournal.com