These 20 Knoxville-area companies named 'fastest-growing' on national list

Twenty Knoxville-area companies are among the fastest-growing companies in America, according to the annual Inc. 5000 list released.

Business coaching firm Karen Coffey Coaching is the top-ranked Knoxville-area company on the list at No. 200. The Sevierville-based company grew 2,181% over the last three years, according to self-reported data.

It was founded in 2015 and moved up from No. 369 in 2020. The company provides training for women in real estate.

The 2020 list features 15 companies from the area, up from 11 in 2019 and 10 in 2018.

Kodak-based company KaTom Restaurant Supply has made the list for the 13th consecutive year. Despite a challenging year for the hospitality industry, the company grew 98% and landed at No. 3,506 on the list. The wholesale online distributor has ranked as high as No. 1,654 in the past.

"For us to be sitting in this seat on the 13th consecutive year really hit me hard and shockingly," KaTom owner and CEO Patricia Bible told Knox News. "We worked hard to overcome a lot of issues in our industry and we did do well. But still, I would not have expected this. So yes, this one's different."

KaTom expanded its footprint in 2020 by selling hand sanitizer and providing equipment to doctors' offices and care facilities.

"It's real easy to develop silos," Bible said. "But when you are really standing in a situation where your back is against the wall, you want everybody to surround you with their thoughts and their ideas. ... And we found that gathering together to really collaborate as a true team throughout this company is what elevated us."

Knoxville-area businesses in the top 1,000

Hydroviv, a builder of custom water filters for residential properties, is ranked No. 275 on this year's list. Founded in 2015 and led by Eric Roy, the company reported 1,682% growth over three years. This is its first appearance on the list.

Also in the top 1,000 are Fidem Interop, ranked No. 398, and Avero, ranked No. 721. This is the first appearance on the list for both Maryville companies.

Fidem Interop provides system integration for health care businesses and was founded in 2017 and led by Brian Goad. Avero is an IT advisory firm that works with governments and public sector clients to implement new technologies. It was founded in 2016 by Abhijit Verekar.

Other Knoxville businesses on the Inc. 5000 list

Growth-fueled logistics company Axle Logistics again makes the list, this year at No. 1,486. The company, founded in 2012 by Jonathan Clay, has made the list six times.

RDI Technologies, which creates cameras and lenses that detect microscopic motion, appears the list for the third time at No. 2,036. The company was founded in 2013 and is led by Jeff Hay.

Cloud-based accounting firm Two Roads ranks No. 2,366. Founded in 2011 and led by Adam Slack, this is its first appearance on the list.

5G and LTE network solutions company RCN Technologies appears for the second time, this year at No. 2,600. It is led by Jennifer Yearack and was founded in 2013.

K & P Enterprises, a remodeling company specializing in closet and cabinets, ranks No. 3,240, its fifth appearance on the list. The company was founded in 2012 and is led by Kenneth Baer.

Keystone Mortgage Group, a residential mortgage lender founded in 2006 and led by Matt Padgett, made the list at No. 3,491. This is its first year on the list.

5G and LTE network solutions company RCN Technologies appears for the second time, this year at No. 2,600. It is led by Jennifer Yearack and was founded in 2013.

K & P Enterprises, a remodeling company specializing in closet and cabinets, ranks No. 3,240, its fifth appearance on the list. The company was founded in 2012 and is led by Kenneth Baer.

Keystone Mortgage Group, a residential mortgage lender founded in 2006 and led by Matt Padgett, made the list at No. 3,491. This is its first year on the list.

HVAC company Four Seasons, which designs and maintains systems for commercial and industrial facilities, ranked No. 3,697. Founded in 1927 and led by Milton Guignard, this the second year it made the list.

Health care software company PerfectServe ranked No. 3,754 this year, its first appearance on the list. It was founded in 2000 and is led by Guillaume Castel.

Making the list for the fourth time, Priority Ambulance ranked No. 4,033. The company was founded in 2013 and is led by Bryan Gibson.

Pharmacy provider Mac's Pharmacy #2 appeared at No. 4,391 on the list. The company was founded in 2011 and is led by Michael Wilhoit. This is its fifth consecutive year on the list.

Companies outside Knoxville

Based in Seymour, Call Center Sales Pro appeared at No. 1,514 on the list. The company, founded in 2014 and helmed by Janet Livingston, made the Inc. 5000 last year.

National security firm Boston Government Services ranked No. 1,359 on this year's list. The Oak Ridge-based company, founded in 2007 by Harry Boston, made the two previous lists.

Crown Laboratories, based in Johnson City, ranked No. 2,035, on this year's list. The skin care product company was founded in 2000 and is led by Jeff Bedard. It has made the list eight times.

Oak Ridge-based IB3 Global Solutions made the list for the first time. Ranked at No. 2,386, the company was founded in 2012 and is led by Sharon Gleason.

Gatlinburg-based Ole Smoky Distillery made the list for the second year, and moved up the list to No. 3,112. The craft distiller was founded in 2010 and is led by Robert Hall.

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, by Brenna McDermott

The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency markets and recruits business for the 15 counties in the greater Knoxville-Oak Ridge region of East Tennessee. Visit www.eteda.org

Published August 19, 2021