Athens Research and Technology, Inc. recognized as Exporter of the Year

The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced the winners of their annual Globe Awards on May 23rd, 2022. Among the awards were three top designations for Exporter of the Year. Athens Research and Technology, Inc. (ART) was the recipient of the Exporter of the Year award for a business with less than 20 employees. The award was presented at the lab to ART's CEO, John Mitchell, on May 25th by Mary Waters, the Deputy Commissioner of International Trade for the State of Georgia.

"The award is really a recognition of the excellent work ART has done over the past 30 years in the international marketplace," said Mitchell. "We appreciate the support and resources that Georgia's International Trade Group and Athens-Clarke County Government provides to small businesses."

Waters and her colleague, Alex Hinton, traveled from Atlanta to present the Crystal Globe Award to a crowd of local business leaders and ART's first employee (now retired), Jinx Patel, Ph.D.

In attendance at Wednesday's awards ceremony were Athens' Mayor, Kelly Girtz, Athens-Clarke County Chamber of Commerce President, David Bradley, and Ilka McConnell, the Director of Economic Development for Athens-Clarke County. All expressed appreciation and excitement for the crucial strides ART has made to not only make Athens, GA, known worldwide but also for its innovation and dedication to life sciences and the betterment of the industry.

“We are so proud of ART’s accomplishments and growing global reach. It was an honor to be part of the celebration,” said McConnell.

The team at ART is especially grateful to McConnell’s team at Invest Athens, and their continued assistance.

Athens Mayor, Kelly Girtz was also present at the presentation of the Globe Award and had this to say, “ART has been a cornerstone of the Athens community of bio-tech businesses for decades and has attracted others to our community. I am confident that their growth will continue as they pioneer new efforts and expand to additional markets.”

ART CEO, John Mitchell offered guests a tour of the facility and a high-level overview of the important work ART does in the life-sciences industry. Guests were able to see scientists in action and glean a better understanding of ART’s place in life-sciences research and development.

“Throughout our 35-year history, the success of Athens Research and Technology, to no small degree, depended on and resulted from the extraordinary business eco-system that exists in Athens-Clarke County. ACC, as well as UGA, and the State of Georgia, provide critical support and resources allowing ART to expand our international business,” explained Mitchell.

Athens-Clarke County Chamber of Commerce President, David Bradley attended the event with Marissa Chastain, the Chamber’s Director of Sales. The ACCCC, has been a long-time ally for ART.

“Athens Research and Technology has been, for the last 35 years, an important part of the economic climate in Athens. They are now in a high growth mode recognized by this extraordinary recognition. Their commitment to their product line, staff and the community are key, and unique, factors in continued success,” said Bradley.

Athens Research and Technology was founded in 1986 by University of Georgia researchers and local physicians. As an early start-up out of the University of Georgia, the success of ART and the recent Globe Award is an enormous point of pride for UGA's Innovation Gateway program.
"As one of the very first companies founded on University of Georgia research (circa 1986), ART has been a trailblazer for UGA innovators and entrepreneurs for more than 30 years. The company's success and engagement in the local life science community have contributed to our region's rapidly growing innovation ecosystem," said Derek Eberhart, the Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director, Innovation Gateway at the University of Georgia.

Athens Research & Technology is well known throughout the life science industry as a leader in producing purified proteins for further manufacturing and research. The company has been included in more than 1500 scientific publications in just the past decade, and exports its products to 28 countries, enjoying strong relationships with universities and pharmaceutical research labs around the globe.


Pictured: L to R: Chris Landers (ART), Mary Waters (Georgia.gov), Mayor Kelly Girtz, John Mitchell (ART), Jinx Patel, PhD (ART).

 Scientist and Production Leader, Chris Landers led a tour of ART’s wet lab for those who attended the presentation of the Globe Award. Here, CEO John Mitchell explains lab equipment functions.


Pictured: L to R: Holly Thaxton (ART), Mary Waters (Georgia.gov), John Mitchell (ART), Jinx Patel, PhD (ART).

Potential Caption: As ART’s first employee, Dr. Jinx Patel (retired) stands with CEO, John Mitchell, Director of Sales Operations, Holly Thaxton, and Mary Waters, Deputy Commissioner of International Trade for the state of Georgia during the presentation of ART’s Globe Award for Exporter of the Year!

Pictured: L to R: Ryan Thornton (Athens-Clarke Co.) Ilka McConnell (Athens-Clarke Co.), David Bradley (Athens-Clarke Co Chamber of Commerce), Derek Eberhart (UGA), Mary Waters (Georgia.gov), Holly Thaxton (ART), Jinx Patel, PhD (ART), John Mitchell (ART), Brandon Ward (UGA), Mayor Kelly Girtz, James Fennell (FEDEX), Gustavo Rodriguez-Zaccaro (Athens-Clarke Co.), Alex Hinton (Georgia.gov).

A number of Athens business leaders gathered May 25th for the presentation of the Annual Globe Award for Exporter of the Year to principals at Athens Research & Technology.