Bulldog 100 Profile: Josh Cagliani (ABJ ’09)

Bulldog 100 Profile: Josh Cagliani (ABJ ’09)

February 12, 2025

This is one of a series of interviews honoring Grady College alumni who have been recognized as Bulldog 100 recipients in 2025. The Bulldog 100 is sponsored by the UGA Alumni Association and celebrates the 100 fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni.

Josh Cagliani (ABJ ’09), a magazine major from Grady College, is the co-CEO and CFO of Big Apple Services, Inc. The following question and answer session was conducted. 

Can you tell us about your current role and the journey that led you to where you are today?

Big Apple Services is a road and parking lot installation and maintenance company.  Those services include paving, striping, sealing, sign installation and repair and much more. In my current role, I oversee all business functions related to the company which includes business development, accounts receivable and payable, finance and budgeting, marketing and other non-operation related functions.  

Cagliani pictured at his University of Georgia graduation in 2009 (Photo/Josh Cagliani).

After leaving the University of Georgia, I immediately went to work for Camp Twin Lakes, a camp for children with serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges less than an hour from Athens.  After 12 years of service to an incredible organization with an unmatched mission, I was asked to come on board at Big Apple Services to run the financial side of the business.  This transition was the hardest decision of my life, but it was an opportunity I could not pass up. Within a year I was running the company with my business partner and helped make it what it is today with hopes of much more growth in the coming years.

What advice would you give to graduating seniors? 

It is vital to identify your personal and professional values early on in your career and ensure the decisions you make and how you spend your time are aligned with those values. 

 My core values have guided me in my career thus far and continue to help me determine my future goals.  My values have evolved over the years, but family has always been a constant. I made a decision that my family would always come first, and I have lived by that my entire career.  No matter what is going on in my life professionally, I always make sure my family is included and is enjoying the ride with me.

What skills or experiences during your time at UGA have been most beneficial to your career?

As I look back on my time at UGA, I have incredibly fond memories of my experiences.  I don’t think it is one experience at UGA that was most beneficial but a collection of experiences.  My time at UGA was a turning point in my personal life in terms of my confidence.  As a senior in high school, I was awarded a senior superlative for quietest.  However, that shyness quickly evolved into a confidence that allows me to feel comfortable speaking in front of a room full of people, to randomly walk up to a stranger and start a conversation, or to just be comfortable with who I am.  UGA put me into a place that required me to step outside of my comfort zone.  I was forced to meet new people and try new things.  I learned that my comfort zone is always a safe place, but it doesn’t allow me to grow personally or professionally.  The confidence I gained while at UGA provided a spark that has led me all the way to this honor, a proud member of the Bulldog 100.

Cagliani is now the co-CEO and CFO of Big Apple, Inc., a road and parking lot installation and maintenance company (Photo/Josh Cagliani).

Can you share a specific project or accomplishment in your career that you’re particularly proud of?

The biggest accomplishment of my life is not an award or promotion but rather overcoming the adversity and life challenges that come with living with a chronic illness.  

When I was two years old I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. T1D means an unimaginable number of shots, medical costs, secondary illnesses, never letting your guard down and so much more. It is impossible to articulate how living with a chronic illness like T1D impacts your life, but for me T1D shaped so much of who I am today. Because of T1D, I became a camp counselor at Camp Twin Lakes in college. This volunteer opportunity led me down a path toward leadership and advocacy. Soon after completing my degree at Grady, I pursued graduate studies in recreation and seisure studies at the Mary Frances Early College of Education, worked for 12 years at Camp Twin Lakes and met my wife of 11 years.  When I look back on my life thus far, I am proud to say that this life challenge did not hold me back but instead was a catalyst in helping me achieve my goals.  

What habits or routines do you believe have contributed to your success?

I think sometimes we can get lost in the mundane daily tasks that we have to do in order to get to the next day.  Although these tasks need to get done, they can be draining on our morale.  In moments where I have caught myself just going through the motions, I try to take some time and think about what is next.  I don’t mean next as in what happens the rest of the day, but what are my goals for the next year, three years, five years, or whatever time frame I need is.  Within those goals setting milestones to accomplish along the way is important.  Otherwise, you can lose sight over time about what the goal is and lose the excitement you had for that goal. I have found that goal setting keeps me motivated and provides something for me to look forward to.  This mindset has helped grow my business, make it more efficient, and improve overall safety while not getting bored with what I am doing. Personally, I also find it helpful to prioritize my health and well-being by exercising daily, reading, connecting with family and friends regularly, and taking as many opportunities to travel and experience new cultures as possible. 

Cagliani is one of eight Grady alumni named to this year’s Bulldog 100 list, named by the UGA Alumni Association. They will be celebrated on Feb. 21. The list of Grady College alumni and their businesses include:

Author: Madden Callahan; emc50486@uga.edu