Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Presents Excellence in Innovation Award to Jittery Joes

ATHENS- Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today presented the Excellence in Innovation Award to Jittery Joe’s Coffee at their Athens Roast House.  The award was created by the Lt. Governor to recognize outstanding achievements in innovation by Georgia’s entrepreneurs.
 
“As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the courage, tenacity, and bold leadership it takes to be willing to risk it all for an idea you believe in,” said Lt. Governor Cagle.  “Bob Googe and his team here at Jittery Joe’s have done just that and thanks to their dedication to quality and hard work, they are thriving, even in these difficult times.”
 
The first Jittery Joe’s opened its doors in 1994. Today the company has 13 locations in Georgia, Texas, and New York.  It has been recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the top 24-hour coffee houses in America.  In addition to their retail stores, Jittery Joes sells its beans wholesale, runs an on-line store, and offers an office coffee service.  They are also dedicated to giving back to their community, marketing special blends that benefit causes from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to FoothillsChristianHigh School.
 
“Here at Jittery Joe’s, the entire team works hard to offer a high-quality product with impeccable customer service,” said Jittery Joe’s CEO Bob Googe.  “Thanks to our loyal customers and the entire team here, we’ve been able to grow our company from one store next to the 40 Watt into a company with stores in three states and wholesale customers in 48 states. I appreciate the Lt. Governor recognizing our achievements today and look forward to continuing to build on our success.”
 
“Throughout Georgia’s history, innovative entrepreneurs and small business owners have adapted to technological and economic changes, creating the ideas that drive us forward and the jobs that feed and house our families,” continued Lt. Governor Cagle. “Because of small businesses like Jittery Joe’s, I am confident that Georgia can emerge out of this recession faster than the rest of the nation and stronger than ever before.  I am honored to be here to recognize their success today.”

About the Lieutenant Governor’s Excellence in Innovation Award
The Lieutenant Governor’s Excellence in Innovation Award recognizes the deserving individuals, companies, nonprofits and organizations that are continually pioneering products, services and ways of doing things so as to create a better tomorrow for Georgia.  Recipients must show their ability to create jobs in their community as well as their product’s potential to move Georgia forward in the 21st Century. Additionally, recipients are asked about their community involvement, capital investments (if applicable), the challenges they faced when launching their product or service, and what need their innovation addresses in Georgia.