Drake Joins Inc. Magazine's 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Drake, Incorporated, a construction and real estate services firm headquartered in the Washington Metropolitan area, was named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for 2010. The list is a compendium of the most entrepreneurial and fastest growing companies in America. For more than 30 years, the Inc. 5000 list has spotlighted the significant accomplishments of enterprises nationwide. Joining the list for the first time, Drake earned the position of #1096, ranking #38 in the construction category.

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Founded in 2001 by Stephanie Y. Drake, Drake, Inc. has grown a remarkable 274% over the past three years. Recently winning contracts like the U.S. Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor will keep the company on the fast track. The 2010 Inc. 5000 list stands as a testament to the creativity, resilience and tenacity of America's top entrepreneurs, like Stephanie Y. Drake, who have harnessed growth in a difficult economy.

Despite the fact that most of this year's measuring period of 2006-2009 took place during the latest recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $321.6 billion, up more than 50 percent from last year. This year's Inc. 5000 employ a record 1.4 million people, up from one million on last year's list. "The leaders of the companies on this year's Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow their businesses during the longest recession since the Great Depression," said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. "The 2010 Inc. 5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs."

"We are humbled to be amongst companies that Inc. Magazine is recognizing for their rapid growth; companies with many of whom we share the belief that success in business is founded on the principles of: pursuing one's passion, developing a strong company culture, putting clients first, and ultimately giving back to the community." – Stephanie Y. Drake, President & CEO of Drake Inc.

About Stephanie Y. Drake and Drake, Incorporated:

Stephanie Y. Drake is the Founder and President of Drake Incorporated, which delivers fully-integrated services to federal, state and local public agencies and the private sector. Ms. Drake is a member and past President of the DC chapter of African American Real Estate Professionals, Inc. (AAREP), and a member of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA).

Drake, Incorporated (www.drake-inc.com) is a minority, woman-owned construction and real estate services firm located in a HUBZone, and is currently participating in its seventh year of the SBA 8(a) Program. Drake has performed on a number of multi-million dollar contracts and secured long term relationships with prominent organizations, such as the Smithsonian Institution, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the Pentagon, Baltimore City Community College and the Washington Navy Yard. A small business, Drake is also MDOT MBE and DBE, WMATA DBE, and MWAA LDBE certified.

SOURCE Drake, Incorporated