may 24, 2013
Show BuSineSS Larger incentives for fiLm and tv productions mean miLLions more for the paLmetto state
UBJ Table of contents
16
A crew prepares to shoot a scene from the 2006 film "walker Payne" at a Gaffney location. The wires and material at the top are used to control the sunlight on the set.
PRESIDENT/PublIShER Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com SENIoR VIcE PRESIDENT Alan P. Martin amartin@communityjournals.com ubJ ASSocIATE PublIShER Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com EXEcuTIVE EDIToR Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com MANAGING EDIToR Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com STAff wRITERS Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris, Charles Sowell SENIoR buSINESS wRITER Jennifer Oladipo coNTRIbuTING wRITERS Dick Hughes, Jenny Munro, Jeanne Putnam, Leigh Savage EDIToRIAl INTERNS Shelby Livingston, Casey Dargan
Photo provided by the S.C. Film Commission
ART & PRoDucTIoN ART DIREcToR Richie Swann PhoToGRAPhER Greg Beckner
F e at u r e s
colu m ns
de pa rt m e n t s
cover Story 16 Film and Fortune by Jenny Munro
Digital Maven 8 The Cutting-Edge Balancing Act by Laura Haight
3 4 4 22 24 25 26 28 29 30
Entrepreneur 20 Cinema Vérité by April A. Morris
Statehouse Report 9 Time to Focus on Southern Crescent of Shame by Andy Brack Guest column 10 Bring Us Your Interns by John Boyanoski
Verbatim Worth Repeating TBA Square Feet The Fine Print Quarterlies On the Move Planner New to the Street Snapshot
coNTRIbuTING PhoTo EDIToR Gerry Pate PRoDucTIoN Holly Hardin MARkETING & ADVERTISING MARkETING REPRESENTATIVES Lori Burney, Mary Beth Culbertson, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Pam Putman MARkETING Katherine Elrod MARkETING & EVENTS Kate Banner bRAND STRATEGIST Austin Hafer bIllING Shannon Rochester clIENT SERVIcES MANAGERS Anita Harley, Jane Rogers ADVERTISING DESIGN Kristy Adair, Michael Allen, Whitney Fincannon, Caroline Reinhardt IDEAS, fEEDbAck, oPINIoNS opinions@upstatebusinessjournal.com how To REAch uS 148 River Street., Suite 120 Greenville, SC 29601 864-679-1200
Copyright @2013 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal (Vol. 2, No. 16) is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. 148 River Street, Suite 120, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $65. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, 148 River St., Ste 120, Greenville, SC 29601. Printed in the USA.
2 upstate business journal May 24, 2013
UBJ Verbatim
On the “Top Secret” Charm of Greenville… “This charming Southern town is one of cycling’s best kept secrets. … Climb the grueling Caesar’s Head or crank out the miles in the rolling hill country. Greenville is waiting for you, what are you waiting for?” Trek Travel, which offers the “cycling adventures of a lifetime” in exotic locales such as the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, the Moab Desert, the Rocky Mountains and Greenville. trektravel.com
Sage Acquires Poland’s Apo-Tessile sage automotive interiors has acquired the automotive fabric manufacturing assets of Poland-based Apo-Tessile with the goal of providing new automotive interior products to the European market. “As a global company, establishing a manufacturing footprint in Europe is a primary goal for Sage,” said Dirk Pieper, CEO of Sage Automotive Interiors, in a statement. “It reinforces our commitment to provide global products on a local basis to our OEM [original equipment manufacturing] customers.” Sage’s offices and manufactur-
ing locations include the U.S., Japan, China, Brazil, Korea, India and Europe. The location of the Polish company is ideally suited to supply an automotive cut and sew facility in Central and Eastern Europe, Sage reported in the statement. Sage’s operations in Poland will be called Sage Automotive Interiors Poland. Apo-Tessile will continue serving non-automotive markets independently under the Apo-Tessile name.
Wilson Named MillionDollar Lawyer attorney david a. wilson was recently named a certified member of Million Dollar Advocates. Members are trial lawyers who have won million- and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. They must have acted as principal counsel in at least one such case. There are about 4,000 members in the United States, fewer than
one percent of lawyers, according to Million Dollar Advocates. Wilson specializes in personal injury, worker’s compensation, civil litigation and other areas. About 30 Upstate lawyers in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Simpsonville are Forum members. Million Dollar Advocates is based in California and was founded in 1993.
Custom trunk show 20% DisCount
may 24-25
VenDor representatiVe on site During show
765 Haywood Road, Greenville • 864.297.6458
~ sinCe 1979 ~
530 Haywood Road GReenville, SC • 864.297.5610
May 24, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 3
Tailored
by the Purveyors of Classic American Style
UBJ Worth Repeating | TBA
For Love of Country
Have you ever thought…how does heritage influence the way that we dress today? The Scottish Games are being held this weekend at Furman University. Such an occasion inspires thought about the origin of clothing items like Brogue shoes and Tartan fabrics. So let’s think Scottish, eh? Men have worn wingtip shoes with their business suits for years. The wingtip or Brogue has become extremely popular worldwide as the shoe of choice to be worn to dress up a pair of denim jeans. Old school meets fashion! The Brogue wingtip shoe originated in Scotland and got its name from the multi-pieced leather and perforated design on the toe of the shoe that looks like a “W” or bird in flight. Back in the 1800’s, Scottish farmers wore shoes with double thickness to withstand the rigors of fieldwork and punched holes clear through the leather to let water drain from the shoes when walking through the bog. Eventually, the farmers started punching holes in a decorative design and began wearing these shoes with their dressier clothing. Probably the most famous gift of apparel from our brethren in Scotland is the Tartan. The Tartan dates back to the third century AD. As early as the late 17th century, Scottish tartans could be used to distinguish the inhabitants of different regions. Eventually, tartans became associated with families or clans. Around 1770, William Wilson & Sons of Bannockburn became the foremost weaver of tartans and supplier of tartan to the military. In 1822, Wilson reproduced and recorded over 200 tartans and named them the Cockburn Collection. Today, many famous fashion designers like Ralph Lauren, Geoffrey Beene and Alexander McQueen have used tartan plaids in their designs for men and women. To this day, the Tartan represents the attributes of loyalty, strength and courage—attributes that are shared by all that wear it. So what’s our heritage? For Rush Wilson Limited, it is quality, service, honor, community, values, experience and above all a desire to enrich the lives of all of our customers.
“they’re eating our shorts. those states are just gobbling up the money.” Upstate actor Garry Moore, on South Carolina’s competition with North Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana for film and TV productions
“Creating something from nothing is the fun part. there’s just a script and we create something valuable from that.” Dark Corner Films co-founder and producer Bryan Tankersley
“i’d hate to not try it and then find out it was the best thing ever.” Cocobella Botique owner Claire Cox, on the store’s leap into e-commerce
“i play a lot less golf than people expect that i do.” Mike Smith, who became a golf rules official and volunteer after 30 years as an executive with Orders Distributing Co.
TBA
Word is one popular downtown restaurant may be soon losing its tables…
Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm Wed. 9:30am - 1:00pm
4 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal May 24, 2013
J23
23 West North Street, Greenville, SC 29601 864.232.2761 | www.rushwilson.com
Simpsonville pancake lovers may be getting a new IHOP in the old Movie
Gallery building on Fairview Road… Look for a major announcement regarding the South Carolina College All Star Bowl in August…
Establishing Value
UBJ This Week
One of the most loaded questions you could ask or answer is what do you value?
International Investor Visa Offers Opportunities among several employmentrelated visas, the EB-5 stands out as one that aims to attract substantial foreign investment. The White House opened a program office to administer the program this month, and it could be an important resource for businesses looking to collaborate with foreign investors. EB-5 offers foreign nationals green cards in exchange for at least half a million dollars of investment in high unemployment and rural areas. Although the program is 20 years old, it is being revisited as Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has tried to make it permanent in recent weeks by attaching it to the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The program now requires frequent reauthorization. Leahy’s amendment would also remove the need for documentation that those jobs were created. The program requires that
persons invest in a commercial enterprise that was established after 1990, or contribute to a significant restructuring or expansion of an older one. It also requires that at least 10 full-time jobs be created for qualifying U.S. workers within two years. In the case of a troubled business, the investment can preserve 10 jobs. Investors get priority for projects initiated through designated regional centers. In the Upstate, the Carolina Center for Foreign Investment is the best place to start. The center offers an overview as well as a comprehensive application process chart.
More inforMaTion: US Citizenship and immigration Services uscis.gov/eb-5-investor Carolina Center for foreign investment carolinaregionalcenter.com 864-242-5151
New Home for Cheves Mussman Ouzts the cheves mussman ouzts Group recently moved from Keller Williams to Coldwell Banker Caine’s Greenville office. The team has been in place for about a year and features thomas Cheves, steve Mussman and jamie ouzts. Cheves is a graduate of Clemson University who comes to Coldwell Banker Caine with six years of real estate experience in the Upstate. He has been named the Top Producing Agent three years in a row. Mussman is a graduate of
Clemson University who comes to Coldwell Banker Caine with five years of real estate experience in the Upstate. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2009. He serves on the board of the Williamsburg Homeowners Association. Ouzts is a University of South Carolina graduate and has been in real estate since 2005. He is a board member and fundraising chair for Buncombe Street United Methodist Church Child Day Care Center.
Many people equate values to a lot of big ideas like freedom, country, integrity, faith, or other broad, large, indefinable intangibles. This is good for an idealistic soliloquy, but it may not relate to real life. In financial planning we have conversations about values. An example of an economic value may relate to creating positive cash flow to generate savings ability. A deeper thought related to financial prudence may stem from a desire for freedom. Another example may be the desire to financially care for those around us. You may want to provide for college educations or leave your spouse well off should you pass away first. These desires stem from connection, and more deeply, a sense of love. We may want to leave something for our community to make the world better after we go off on the next adventure. We may have some sense of altruism and truly wanting to help mankind. We may just be looking to take care of our kids, keep the lights on, and just try to take care of ourselves for the duration. So here’s the hard part of the conversation. What we do is what we value. There is no inconsistency ever. We do what we care about. So if you’re saving money, you’re being true to your values. If you’re spending everything you’ve got, you’re being true to your values. If you reflect, and don’t like what you see, it’s time to consider what’s important, where you’re going, and why. Walking around means you have choices, and people change things all the time. A good financial plan begins by determining who you want to take care of and what you want to do. Most of us have some inconsistencies in what we say we care about and what we actually do in real life. And rather than saying that’s a bad thing, we could just say that humans sometimes do strange and beautiful things. Life is complicated and a little consideration into what’s most important for us may bring a sense of direction and an understanding of purpose. So give a thought to what you value, and what you want, because you do get to choose. Christopher A. Brown, CPA, PFS has been helping people plan and manage their money since 1995. Give us a call at 864-233-0808 or visit us online at www.falegacy.com.
May 24, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 5
UBJ This Week
New Directors Appointed to GADC Board
Tom Quantrille
Mary Ann Pires
Hunter Howard
Marshall Franklin
marshall franklin and tom Quantrille have been appointed to the board of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, and will begin their inaugural three-year terms June 1, the GADC announced this week. Greenville County Council also reappointed board members Mary Ann Pires and S. Hunter Howard Jr. to serve additional three-year terms, according to a GADC statement. “Each of these individuals brings tremendous experience, insight and achievement in business and related activities to this board,” said Bob Taylor, chairman of the Greenville County Council, in the statement. GADC was created by County Council in 2001 to promote and
enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County. GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 16,000 new jobs and more than $2.8 billion in capital investments in the county, according to the organization. The executive vice president for operations and chief operations officer for Bob Jones University since 2011, Franklin previously worked for international accounting and consulting firm Ernst & Young for 24 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in professional accounting from BJU. Quantrille, president and CEO of Advanced Composite Materials in Greer, previously worked in re-
search and development, sales management, marketing and business development for BBA Group in Simpsonville. He has B.S. and Ph.D. degrees, both in chemical engineering, from Virginia Tech. In 2009, Quantrille was appointed to an interim term at GADC to replace a departing board member; this will be his first full term. The new directors succeed outgoing directors Chris Riley and Bruce White, both of whom will have completed their terms on the board. Riley and White “have played significant roles in advancing Greenville’s economic development mission, and for that we are immensely grateful,” said Taylor.
Returning board member Pires is president and CEO of the Pires Group, a Greenville-based public relations firm. She has served on the GADC board since 2010. Howard, who was president and CEO of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce from 1992-2008, also served in the S.C. House of Representatives from 1974-1982. He has been on the GADC board since 2008, when he was appointed to serve out a departing board member’s term. Last week, founding president and CEO Jerry Howard announced his retirement from GADC, effective immediately. Kevin Landmesser, formerly GADC’s vice president, stepped in as interim president.
Decades of Trust. Confidence in the Future. 1993
1995
1997 2013
864.467.0085 WWW .M ARCHANT C O . COM
Marchant Company is named the exclusive marketing company for Montebello luxury subdivision and will continue to serve the Montebello community for 13 years.
UBJ Downtown
Contact Jennifer Oladipo at joladipo@communityjournals.com.
Greenville Chamber Names Diversity Award Winners By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer
those who help foster diversity in the Upstate were honored Thursday, April 23, at the Greenville Chamber’s ninth annual Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards Dinner. “The Greenville Chamber is proud to partner with the Riley Institute at Furman and local chambers to honor those in the Upstate who are making great strides to cultivate an inclusive community,” said Nika White, vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Greenville Chamber. “This event joins together organizations and individuals who have a common desire to promote and celebrate diversity, and we hope it will continue to inspire others in the community to foster diversity efforts in their capacity.” The event was presented by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and hosted by the Greenville Chamber and the Riley Institute at Furman, in partnership with the Anderson, Greer, Simpsonville and Spartanburg Chambers. The winners and some of their accomplishments include: K-12 School: William “Bill” T. Wylie Valued Lives Award for
School Excellence in Diversity: Merrywood Elementary School, for programs encouraging high academic achievement and focusing on at-risk youth Outstanding High School Student Award: Bremond “Bre” Byrd, a junior at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, for active community involvement including the Battered Women’s Shelter, Artisphere, Warehouse Theater and other organizations. Outstanding College Student Award: Alyssa Gillis, a 2013 graduate of Furman University who actively promoted diversity both on and off campus during her tenure. Outstanding Nonprofit Organization Award: Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, for promoting social justice and advocating education and awareness through programs such as Senior Services, Black History Month Dialogue and Celebration Series and a partnership with the Hispanic Alliance to increase awareness and access to healthcare services for the Hispanic Community.
David Esch
Marie Majarais Smith
Outstanding Business Award: TD Bank, named one of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc magazine this year, for launching the Metro Carolinas Regional Diversity Council, a focused diversity initiative concentrated on the Carolinas.
ment with the International Center of the Upstate and a lasting impact on the international movement in the Upstate.
Outstanding Contribution to International Diversity Award: David Esch, formerly with the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development; recognized for his involve-
Calder D. Ehrmann Outstanding Individual Award: Marie Majarais Smith, program manager and bilingual victim advocate for the South Carolina Immigrant Victim Network and provider of cultural competency training to other service providers and law enforcement around the state.
UBJ Digital Maven
By LAURA HAIGHT
The Cutting-Edge Balancing Act it’s shocking how often we use the term “cutting-edge.” Whether it’s cutting-edge, bleeding-edge or leading-edge, there’s a lot of pressure to push the limits of our capacity and endurance. The pressure to be first can be relentless, but the spot at the front of the line is not meant for everyone. When it comes to business technology, whether or not your business should be on the cutting edge can come down to a few basic considerations. 1. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) OK, cost is always a factor, whether the decision is big or small. But businesses often overlook the total cost of ownership. That needs to include both direct and indirect costs. For example, you don’t only pay to train one or two people, but you lose those people for the length of time of the training. That means others have to pick up some addi-
tional responsibilities, and that means overtime. There are also indirect costs related to adaptation, to the cost of the inevitable dropped balls, missed deadlines or errors. Another big factor to consider in new technology is the cost of integrating other legacy programs. Businesses often overlook the synergy between software programs. Your office suite talks to your CRM system and maybe even your phone system. So before you update the one, make sure all the other software that you connect to can handle the change. It is possible that you will need to upgrade those as well. And that can add more cost. 2. The Risk-Reward Equation. The first iPhone came out on June 29, 2007, sparking a revolution that just six years later has put a smartphone in the hands of more than 50 percent of cellphone users. If you jumped on the smartphone
bandwagon back in the summer of ’07, you spent a ton of money – the first iteration cost $599 for 8 GB. If you waited just a few months, you could have saved one-third of the cost. And if you held on until fall of 2008, you would have gotten a faster, slimmer, more robust version for under $200. Price isn’t the only downside of being first. There’s also bugs. Not the crawly kind, but the hairpulling-out, this-stupid-thing-atemy-spreadsheet kind. A lot of us believe – incorrectly – that companies wouldn’t release software that isn’t ready. But sometimes, companies release software that is “pretty much” ready in hopes of finding what’s wrong in the real world. Yes, there are beta testers for that kind of thing, but often they are techies, not regular businesspeople doing regular business things or integrating with other systems. Go first, and you become the post-
HAS YOUR COMPANY GOT A PLAN FOR BWTD POLICY? It’s the next evolution of BYOD. We’d love to hear from you if you’ve formalized a mobile policy at your workplace. Got a question or comment about this or any other tech topic? Go to facebook.com/thedigitalmaven and post it for discussion.
beta tester. That’s an acceptable risk if your business has the IT acumen to effectively troubleshoot and a staff that is able to adapt, improvise and overcome (with apologies to the Marine Corps!). What you also get from going first is a big jump-start in understanding how new tech works. If your business is developing or integrating technology or working with businesses to implement new technologies, then taking the risk may be a big plus. 3. Nothing Is as Constant as Change If you jump first, you will find you have to jump often. As bugs are worked out and new iterations of products come out, you are setting yourself and your employees up for a cycle of continuous upgrades. Among executives or high-end technical staff, this may be exciting and challenging, but you most likely have a lot of line employees to whom constant change is more unsettling. If walking that cutting edge is critical to your business, then your employees need to adapt. But if it’s more of the bright shiny object syndrome that drives you, you may find the risks don’t outweigh the coolness factors.
Laura Haight is the president of Portfolio (portfoliosc.com), a communications company based in Greenville that leverages the power of technology and digital media to communicate effectively with clients, customers and your staff. She is a former IT executive, journalist and newspaper editor.
8 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
UBJ Statehouse Report
By ANDY BRACK
INCOME LESS THAN $10,000 A YEAR, 2010 The darker green and orange counties have a comparatively higher level of families making $10,000 or less in a year. SOURCE: U.S. Census with image by Center for a Better South via SocialExplorer.com
Time to Focus on Southern Crescent of Shame a few years back, columbia public relations guru Bud Ferillo made a film about several economically distressed counties that he dubbed the “Corridor of Shame.” This area, which stretched along Interstate 95 from Dillon County to Jasper County, got a lot of attention when then-presidential candidate Barack Obama toured an old Dillon middle school in the run-up to the 2008 election. But did you ever wonder whether South Carolina’s Corridor of Shame was an anomaly – or whether something similar was happening on the other sides of our state borders? Unfortunately, similar conditions continue, extending north to Tidewater Virginia and curving south and west across middle Georgia and Alabama before swinging north to the Mississippi Delta. Our Corridor of Shame is just a piece of a Southern Crescent of
Shame of economically distressed areas inhabited by more than 4 million people. They live in a rural South shaped by long-term poverty and lack of economic opportunities outside of agriculture. This Southern Crescent is home to as many people as live in the whole state of South Carolina. But unlike cities with the dynamism of Charleston, Columbia and Greenville or the increasing manufacturing prowess of Sumter, Anderson and Florence, the 100+ counties in the Crescent seem to be places where hope may go to die. That’s not to say there aren’t success stories. Downtowns in places like Hampton, S.C., and Blakely, Ga., are getting new lives. Some forward-looking communities have taken extra steps to plan and innovate. Over recent years, for
example, Vidalia, Ga., has branded itself as the go-to place for sweet, delicious onions. Prosperity shows throughout the town, but 25 percent of the people in Toombs County live in poverty. Or look at Hartsville,
“It’s time that the Southern Crescent starts receiving the same attention that Appalachia did in the 1960s War on Poverty.” S.C., where Sonoco is making big investments in local education efforts to help create a more skilled workforce for the future.
It’s not hard to see the Crescent stand out on maps that display how its counties have higher rates of poverty, unemployment, single family households, chlamydia, obesity and diabetes. With the blink of an eye, it’s easy to see that these areas easily correlate with another map: that of where enslaved people lived in 1860. Folks, the Southern Crescent is a remnant of plantation life – a region that has been the soft underbelly of the Deep South for generations. One hundred and fifty years after the Civil War, it’s time that this area starts receiving the same attention that Appalachia did in the 1960s War on Poverty. The Center for a Better South is starting a three-pronged effort to focus attention on the Southern Crescent. First, it has a new website – SouthernCrescent.org – that highlights a different image of life in the region every other day. Second, it seeks to work with nonprofits and foundations to fund research and studies on how to coordinate better and smarter delivery of existing services to infuse more dynamism in the region. And the Center encourages the creation of a special national study commission to recommend federal and state policies to raise living standards. This effort may not cost a lot of money. The Center presumes that if various state and federal government bureaucracies get out of their comfort zones and work with engaged rural communities, they can figure out ways to coordinate services better and create more economic opportunities. After a week of riding roads in South Carolina and Georgia through Crescent communities, it’s clear that millions of rural Southerners want more opportunities for their counties. Now is the time to get moving so they don’t get left behind even more.
Andy Brack, publisher of Statehouse Report and chairman of the Center for a Better South, provides weekly commentary. He can be reached directly at brack@statehousereport.com.
May 24, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 9
UBJ Guest Column
By JOHN BOYANOSKI
Bring Us Your Interns
DOWNTOWN ANDERSON Redevelopment Opportunities
Jack Snedigar
Broker-in-Charge
Serving Greenville business owners and investors for over 30 years
DOWNTOWN SENECA Retail and OďŹƒce
OFFICE INDUSTRIAL RETAIL INVESTMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Contact us to discuss your commercial real estate needs Visit our properties at:
www.SpectrumCarolinas.com
Spectrum Commercial Properties INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY 12 Fully Leased Units
864.335.3030
135 S. Main St., Suite 800 Greenville, SC 29601
10 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
college interns soon will be flooding Upstate businesses for the summer. They bring (hopefully) unlimited potential, a desire to work hard, the ability to turn on a coffeepot and the goal of wanting to come back to Greenville after graduation and work in the community. The ranking of the importance of those four categories likely will depend on what kind of business you are in and what you expect of an intern. But for me, as the chairman of The Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s PULSE initiative, that fourth part is imperative. Greenville needs to be fostering and growing our next level of leaders. While PULSE is doing that for young professionals already here, we want to be part of the equation when it comes to attracting more young leaders to the area. That is why we created PULSE Talent. Going into its second year, this program is aimed at showing college interns everything that Greenville and the rest of the Upstate has to offer. We want interns coming to Greenville to know the area is about more than just a summer job, but about taking part in a vibrant, growing community. The idea for Talent was born out of a survey we did of college-age interns two summers ago during one of our events. The responses about them coming back to Greenville to seek work were not good. Actually, they were somewhat alarming, as at least one responder referred to Greenville as essentially a backwater. The need for this program was solidified by a survey of Upstate college students conducted by Greenville Forward over the past few years. Results showed only 27 percent of
area students planned to stay after graduation, with 33 percent noting they were likely to move out of state. And according to the results, the Upstate is 73 percent more likely than like-sized metro areas to lose AfricanAmericans, with one in five saying they would like to leave the state because of a perception of a lack of progressiveness. In addition, talent retention has been identified as a critical need by the Chamber via the annual Regional Economic Scorecard. We realized that in order for Greenville to continue attracting new people and businesses, our group needed to step up to the plate. PULSE Talent aims at introducing students from a wide range of business backgrounds to what Greenville has to offer. PULSE Talent members will take part in a variety of programs this summer, including an opening retreat, a PULSE leadership luncheon, a walking tour of downtown Greenville, attending a Greenville Drive baseball game, a CEO roundtable at the Commerce Club, a volunteering event and a special kitchen tour with Table 301. Who can be a PULSE Talent intern? Any college student interning for a Greenville Chamber of Commerce member business this summer. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up yourself or an intern quickly. Companies interested in sending their interns into the program, which costs $35, can apply at greenvillepulse.com. Send us your interns; you will thank us later.
UBJ Dream Job
The Next Round Smith reinvents his career as golf official, volunteer
2014 E350 Sedan
teering at professional tournaments and championships, serving as an area captain for marshals at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and again on the back nine at the PGA Championship at Kiawah in 2012. Despite working long hours for weeks at a time, he never gets paid for his efforts and even pays for his own uniform, airfare, lodging and meals. “All the volunteers do it for free, because they love it,” he said. “I have the time and the ability to do it, so it’s a wonderful opportunity.” This year, he’ll work at the U.S. Open at Merion in Ardmore, Penn., and he joined the United States Golf Association’s regional affairs committee for the Southeast. He’s used
BMW Charity Pro-Am Course Director Mike Smith
his networking skills to make connections at the local, regional and national levels, serving on the Carolinas Golf Association Board, the South Carolina golf course rating panel and the S.C. Golf Association slope rating committee. While he remains active in the business community as an investor and as chair of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network, Smith said his growing involvement with golf has been a great outlet as he moved away from the daily work of
The Look of a Leader Redesigned for 2014
running a company. “What better way to reinvent yourself?” he said. “What better way than to use golf as an outlet for your passion? I’ve started down this path, and more opportunities keep opening up.” His success as a golf official and volunteer has sparked new dreams. “My ultimate goal in life is to be a rules official at the U.S. Open and the Masters,” he said. “I’m on my way toward that end result. I’ve only been doing this for seven years, so I’m on the right path.” The only drawback to his ever-expanding role in the golf community? “I play a lot less golf than people expect that I do,” he said.
CARLTON MOTORCARS
www.CarltonMotorcars.com 864-213-8000 | 800-801-3131 2446 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607
M43A
after 30 years with orders distributing Co., most recently as president, Mike Smith wasn’t sure how to spend his time or focus his energy after selling the distributor of floorcovering products in 2006. He managed real estate investments and other projects, but soon his passion for golf led him to get more involved with the sport – not as a player, but as a rules official and volunteer. “I wanted to experience golf at its best, and the best way to do it was to become a rules official and then get involved in golf tournaments,” said Smith, who served as Chanticleer course chair for volunteers at last week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am and also filled in for Chanticleer tournament director Tom Puchinksi, who had to cancel due to a family illness. Smith became a rules official for amateur golf in 2007, relishing the opportunity to see premier amateur players on top courses. He then began volun-
Photo by Greg Beckner
By Leigh Savage | contributor
UBJ Downtown
Shopping 24/7 Local boutiques are hitting the Web, but not all are embracing e-sales By Leigh Savage | contributor
cocobella boutique celebrated five years in business by launching an e-commerce website where customers from around the globe can shop any day, any time. “That’s the way the world is going now,” said owner Claire Cox. “People are working and busy, and they might not have time to stop in, but they might have time at 11 p.m. when the kids are in bed.” The site, available at shopcocobella.com, went live in March, and though Cox has not yet compiled online sales statistics, she is encouraged. Site traffic has been up and down, with hundreds of people
clicking through the week before Mother’s Day. “Being in the West End, a large percentage of our clients are in town for a wedding or a festival, and they come in and love the store or a brand they have never seen,” she said. “They always ask if we have a site so they can shop when they get back to Kansas or wherever they live.” According to eMarketer, a research company that focuses on digital marketing and commerce, U.S. e-commerce sales reached $343 billion in 2012, up from $301 billion in 2011. There were 149 million digital shoppers in the U.S.
TheThe Upstate’s Body Shop Alternative The Upstate’s Upstate’s Body Body Shop Shop Alternative Alternative The Alternative The Upstate’s Upstate’s Body Shop Alternative
1 Day Service • Bumper Repair 1 Day Service • Bumper Repair 11Day 1 Day Service Service • Bumper • Bumper Repair Repair Day& Service • Bumper Scratch Chip Repair • FreeRepair Estimates Scratch & Chip Repair • Free Estimates Scratch Scratch &&Chip & Chip Repair Repair Free •ExtremeColorsGreenville.com Free Estimates Estimates Scratch Chip Repair ••Free Estimates 700 Woodruff Road, Greenville
(Near Beck Academy) 0 Woodruff Road, Greenville 700 Woodruff 700 Woodruff Road, Road, Greenville Greenville ear Beck (NearAcademy) (Near Beck Academy) Beck Academy)
in 2012, and that number is projected to reach 175 million by 2016. Plaza Suite began offering online sales in 2011, and sales manager Anna English has seen steady traffic from around the U.S. and the world. “Having that option has made sales easier,” she said. “There are customers from here in Greenville that moved, or people out of the country who see something on Facebook. I think it’s a disadvantage if you don’t have it.” Online sales make up about 10 to 15 percent of total sales at Plaza Suite, but she said another benefit is the marketing value and name recogni-
864-283-0633 ExtremeColorsGreenville.com ExtremeColorsGreenville.com ExtremeColorsGreenville.com 864-283-0633 864-283-0633 864-283-0633
tion that comes from online searches, leading new people to the site. Locals also use the site to browse items, which they may then come into the store to try on. A GSI Commerce study found that 64 percent of shoppers go online to do research before buying in a brick-and-mortar store. Jeni Kleckley, manager and buyer at Monkee’s of the Westend, said her store has focused on increasing its Web presence but does not include e-commerce capabilities. “Successfully running a full ecommerce site requires more manpower and a large inventory stock, both of which result in higher over-
Contact Leigh Savage at lsavage@communityjournals.com.
Photos by Greg Beckner
From LeFt: Courtney Cox, Claire Cox and Samantha Cox of Cocobella.
head, and being a small store, we try to keep our costs down to a minimum,” she said. The current focus at Monkee’s is on engaging customers through social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. “If they find a product they like, they are more than welcome to call or e-mail and purchase it that way,” she said. Cox at Cocabella said the shift to online sales has required some effort, such as setting up a photography area, taking a photography class to improve the look of the site
and setting up a shipping station. But she expects the efforts will be worth it. “I’d hate to not try it and then find out it was the best thing ever,” she said. She is thankful she can turn to her daughters Samantha, 25, and Courtney, 22, to assist with e-commerce, social media and marketing. “Technology is a whole new ballgame,” she said. “I like to write things down and send letters through the postal service, but they are online 24/7, so they love getting online and figuring this stuff out.”
Courtney Cox makes a photograph of a dress to post online as part of Cocobella’s new venture in e-commerce.
Go FIGURE
$343 billion
149 million
175 million
64%
in e-commerce sales in 2012, up from $301 billion in 2011
digital shoppers in the U.S. in 2012
digital shoppers projected by 2016
of shoppers research online before buying in a brick-and-mortar store
SourceS: eMarketer, GSI commerce
John Boyanoski is the 2032 PULSE Advisory Council chair and president/owner of Complete Public Relations.
EXPERIENCE THE FREEDOM THIS SUMMER!
Touring Sport
1431 Laurens Road, Greenville, SC 29607 | 864-232-2269 | touringsport.com
M53A
Where excitement, speed, and adventure are a way of life. Choose from new and pre-owned.
UBJ This Week
SC Sees Lowest Unemployment in 5 Years SC UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 10.0
UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE UPSTATE
9.5
Greenville County
5.8
6.2
6.8
8.5
Apr 2013
Mar 2013
Apr 2012
8.0
Spartanburg County
7.5
7.3
7.7
8.5
7.0
Apr 2013
Mar 2013
Apr 2012
Ap r1 2 M ay 12 Ju n 12 Ju l1 2 Au g 12 Se pt 12 Oc t1 2 No v 12 De c 12 Ja n 13 Fe b 13 M ar 13 Ap r1 3
9.0
april’s 8 percent seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is the lowest in five years, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) announced last Friday. It is lower than the 8.4 percent estimated in March, and brings South Carolina closer to the national unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. An increase of 2,930 more people employed from March to April brought the number to 1,995,078 total. That is up 1.4 percent from this time last year. This follows a slight
unemployment increase in February, followed by a dip in March. The Greenville metro area saw a 0.45 percent increase in the number of jobs from March to April and a 1.04 percent increase over the same time last year. Spartanburg metro lost 0.16 percent of its jobs from March to April but saw an overall increase of 2.21 percent over the same time last
year, according to the agency. Other numbers not seasonally adjusted showed the leisure and hospitality sector leading statewide non-farm employment. The DEW release said seasonal hiring in Columbia and on the coast accounted for 8,700 of the 15,100 jobs added from March to April. Professional and business services added 2,700 jobs; trade, transportation, and utilities added 2,300; construction added 1,300; education and health services added 1,300; and financial activities added 700 jobs. Manufacturing, however, lost 900 jobs. Leisure and hospitality have led growth since April 2012 with 10,400 jobs, and govern-
Work efficiently, close
deals and conduct meetings in the sophisticated, iPad-ready e-lounge and private offices
Connect in the upscale bar with great city
and mountain views; network with Greenville’s top business professionals
State
8.0
8.4
8.8
Apr 2013
Mar 2013
Apr 2012
Source: S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce
ment was also a significant contributor with 5,900 jobs. Professional and business services have seen the biggest decline with a loss of 4,800 jobs. “Our outstanding companies, our loyal and dedicated workforce, and our competitive business environment have our economy turning again,” said Gov. Nikki Haley in a statement released by DEW.
Host productive
meetings in our dynamic boardroom with hightech business amenities and signature service
UBJ This Week
Contact Jennifer Oladipo at joladipo@communityjournals.com.
Commercial Real Estate Outlook Mixed By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer
the end of the first quarter showed that companies looking for large industrial spaces will have a hard time finding them in the Upstate. Retail space, on the other hand, is booming, while companies play musical chairs with office space.
INDUSTRIAL According to recent reports from CBRE/Furman Co., Thalheimer, Colliers, NAI/Earle Furman and other experts, the first quarter of this year closed without a single available Class A industrial space of 100,000 square feet or more, even as demand for such space is rising nationwide. Those numbers have been low since late 2010. The result is a concern that companies may look to Charlotte or Atlanta, which has one of the highest availability rates in the country. On the other hand, experts expect the construction of the inland port in Spartanburg County to spur built-to-suit and possibly some speculative construction. Overall industrial vacancies decreased for the fourth consecutive quarter to the current rate of 8.3
percent, which NAI/Earle Furman called “the lowest it has been in recent memory.” Reports vary, but generally show decreased vacancies in Greenville County, an increase in Anderson County, and a mostly neutral situation in Spartanburg County. Stabilized rents and low interest rates have encouraged some investment, said the CBRE/Furman report. Thalheimer said some speculative construction can be expected in the second quarter of 2013, and the lack of space will drive up rents, attracting developers. Major increases in industrial square feet came from expansions. Michelin, BMW and JTEKT added a total of 2,821,000 square feet to the industrial footprint. The completion of the Amazon distribution center in Spartanburg County added more than one million square feet in the third quarter of 2012, but no other projects of that scale were on the horizon at the end of the first quarter.
OFFICE A great deal of shifting occurred in the market for office space. Consolidations of companies, including
Play
as hard as you work with Club events, parties, and mixers designed to help you kick back and relax
movements from previous quarters, put nearly 30,000 square feet back on the market. These include MetLife’s vacating Brookfield Business Park in Greenville as the company consolidated to Charlotte, and Windstream’s vacating its Main Street Greenville location as it, too, consolidated. Another 140,000 square feet will become vacant by the end of this year as a result of movement into the ONE Project, which brought 335,000 square feet of office space. Observers expect many of these slots to be filled by current Class B users, with suburban Class A users filling downtown vacancies. Thalheimer also suggests that the growth in manufacturing may lead to growth in office absorption near suburban manufacturing operations. NAI/Earle Furman reported that most of the activity has centered on Class A office space and companies upgrading to higher quality facilities, which makes up 18 percent of available inventory. Just over half of the existing inventory is class B. Thirtytwo percent is single-user occupied. Colliers reported that the office vacancy rate in the Greenville’s central business district was 14.48 percent, down 3.28 percentage points from the same time a year ago. Class B office space experienced the greatest activity in Greenville’s suburban and central business district areas.
RETAIL Throughout Greenville County, all major arteries but downtown lost tenants in the first quarter. Growth of retail space slowed in Pickens County, fell in Greenville and Spartanburg counties, and rose in Anderson County, according to CBRE/Furman. NAI/Earle Furman reported 6.8 percent overall vacancies. CBRE/ Furman includes Pickens County, and reports a 7.2 percent vacancy. Large retailers Anthropologie in the ONE building and Kilwins Chocolates and Ice Cream in NOMA square are being seen as a test for downtown Greenville as other national retailers will watch how they perform, say experts. JHM hotels, owner of the downtown Hyatt, announced in March that it will add to the downtown footprint with a new hotel just two blocks from the ONE building. Meanwhile, Spartanburg is working to revive its own downtown with its Main Street Challenge, where three winners will receive subsidized rent and some services. New K-Mart and Wal-Mart developments and the Magnolia Park project on Woodruff Road will be big contributors to almost 500,000 square feet of new retail construction. Most of this is expected to be completed this year, the CBRE/ Furman report said.
Celebrate exciting accomplishments with family, friends or co-workers in your choice of private dining rooms
55 Beattie Place | commerce-club.com | 864.232.5600
the crew of “Dear John” sets up a shot at one of the film’s charleston locations.
cover story
Film and Fortune With SC battling with neighbors for productions, government incentives may provide a happy ending for the state’s growing entertainment industry By Jenny Munro | contributor 16 • May 24, 2013
McKinney lUMber garnered $150,000 in extra bUsiness
over three to four months when “Leatherheads” filmed in the Upstate. Anderson florists provided $12,000 in floral arrangements to the set of the same movie. ¶ And Appalachian Springs Bottled Water did more than $30,000 in business last year with “Army Wives,” a series on Lifetime Television. The show’s production crew spends about $19,000 an episode on wardrobe items in Charleston-area stores. And South Carolina has plenty of actors and crew members available for productions, although some crews have migrated to the Wilmington, N.C., area.
thousands. The money stays here.” For example, caterers must provide meals for 150 to 200 people every day. They have 30 minutes to feed all those people with all their varying food demands, Clarke said. And sometimes local restaurants take on the task of washing dishes since the catering crew doesn’t have the facilities. “That extra money can keep you going,” said Smith, who also has been an extra in productions. Clarke agreed, saying businesses have told him “it can mean we didn’t have to lay off somebody.”
Fierce regional competition “I would love to be called a local actor, but our incentive program has been so terrible that the industry can’t count on it,” said Gary Moore, an Upstate actor who travels a great deal for his roles. While movie and television production in the state is sporadic, over the years South Carolina has been a locale for many moves – “Deliverance,” “Forrest Gump,” “The Prince of Tides,” “The Patriot,” “The Abyss,” “The Great Santini,” “The Notebook” and “Radio,” among others. Also, commercials and catalog shoots sometimes come to the state, providing the same economic benefits. When the state provided competitive incentives early in the incentives game, more productions ended up in South Carolina, said Tom Clarke, head of the SC Film Commission. But when higher incentives became funded by proviso on a year-to-year basis rather than guaranteed by law, the state lost its competitiveness, said John DeWorken and Sunnie Harmon, lobbyists for the Carolina Film Alliance.
photo provided by the s.c. Film commission
“the money stays here” South Carolina’s big year was 2006, when nine productions filmed in various parts of the state. “The bulk of film industry production has been in the lower part of the state, but we had ‘Leatherheads.’ We could have more,” said state Rep. Phyllis Henderson, R-Greenville, who introduced legislation to normalize incentives into the state House of Representatives. Attracting movie and television production would be a boon to small businesses, said Angie Smith, who works with McKinney Lumber and was a liaison with the “Leatherheads” crew. “It’s really a no-brainer,” she said of pulling production work into the state. “They spend
Do the Math For every $100 the state spent on Film industry incentives between 2007 to 2011:
$31
in state tax revenue
$370
in sales by private businesses
$230
in wages to state residents overall, Film production in the state generated:
$87 Million
in sales to local businesses
1,600
full-time jobs (equivalent)
$48.5 Million in wages
$6.5 Million
in tax revenues to state and local government Source: SC Film Commission study
“it’s really a no-brainer. they spend thousands. the money stays here.” ANGIe SMITH, film crew liaison and occasional extra
“The Upstate film community is trying to grow,” Smith said. However, before the recent change in the incentive packages, South Carolina was unable to compete with higher subsidies provided by neighbors North Carolina and Georgia. Consequently, “we’re not the first place they look at any more,” Clarke said. “South Carolina is in the middle and isn’t getting a dime,” agreed Smith. “If we can compete with North Carolina and Georgia, the productions will come. We should have been able to get some of ‘The Hunger Games,’” filmed in Western North Carolina and a major tourist attraction to DuPont State Forest. South Carolina must do better to compete with Georgia, North Carolina and Louisiana, said Moore, who moved to the Upstate from California 16 years ago. “They’re eating our shorts,” he said. “Those states are just gobbling up the money.” To deal with the competition, South Carolina legislators recently passed a bill that boosts the rebates available to production companies that hire South Carolina workers and use local suppliers, yet leaves the total pot available for rebates the same, DeWorken said. Gov. Nikki Haley signed the legislation two weeks ago. “It’s all about jobs,” Henderson said. Of about 200 jobs on a set, at least 60 are local hires, Clark said. But even out-of-town workers have to live somewhere and eat somewhere during the production. South Carolina tends to focus on manufacturing or other similarly traditional types of economic development, Henderson said. “That has to change.” Non-traditional forms of economic development include the film industry and the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which has generated a number of small businesses alongside, she said. The film industry will be “another economic engine” for the state, she said. Clarke agreed, saying the economic impact of (continued on page 18)
May 24, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 17
During the filming of TV’s “Army Wives,” the crew prepares a Charleston location for shooting.
ToM Clarke, head of the SC film commission
film and TV production is like “a big thunderstorm. It’s really remarkable how a community is impacted. a movie company is like a circus. You have every conceivable job you would have in a city – plumbers, carpenters, dry cleaning, cooks, hairdressers.”
big returns from rebates With those kinds of costs, production companies are serious about choosing strong locations. But they give back to the community for what they gain, experts said. a 2011 study published by the SC Film Commission showed that for every $100 spent on rebates between 2007 and 2011, the state received $31 in taxes, private businesses generated $370 in sales and state residents earned $230 in wages. That study indicated that the film production industry in the state generated $87 million in sales to local businesses, supported the equivalent of 1,600 full-time jobs and paid $48.5 million in wages. State and local government received $6.5 million in revenues from corporate income, personal income, property taxes and sales taxes. During the same period, the state paid $21 million in wage and supplier rebates, according to the study. To apply for rebates, film producers must spend $1 million in the state. If they meet the threshold, the subsidy change increases the rebate for supplies to 30 percent from the previous 15 percent and for wages to 20 percent for non-state workers and 25 percent for any South Carolinians hired. The total pot available, however, remains about $6 million for wage rebates – which are taken from the general fund – and $10.5 million for vendors, which comes
18 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal May 24, 2013
from a set-aside portion of admission taxes. recently, the state hasn’t had enough productions to spend down the pot. “We’d be thrilled to do six a year,” Clarke said. He said the state has an average of 250 crew members available as well as actors and extras.
seeking star-struck tourists The importance of the increased incentives is the money more productions will bring into the state, the additional jobs provided and the financial impact on small businesses, supporters say. “It only helps everyone,” Moore said – and that includes the state’s all-important tourism industry. “People want to see where ‘Forrest Gump’ was filmed,” he said. North Carolina has raked in tourism dollars from moviegoers who want to see where “The Hunger Games” was filmed. a recent study on the impact of film production on tourism in South Carolina indicated the productions filmed or set in South Carolina increase travel to the state – by 1.6 million household visits and $1.7 billion in travel spending in the past 10 years. Productions that emphasize a destination’s name, coastal and natural scenery, historical sites and iconic locations or landmarks are most likely to draw travel to the state. TV shows about travel or food, romantic or comic movies, and TV sitcoms all influence destination travel, according to the study by the SC Film Commission and Strategic Marketing & research Inc. a third of leisure travelers surveyed reported that they have visited a location or site they saw in a movie, television program or other production. “The beauty of movies coming to South Carolina is that people love movies and movie stars,” Clarke said. That helps not only with tourism after the fact, but it continues to attract production because crews enjoy the friendliness and ambience of the state and its residents.
Contact Jenny Munro at jmunro@communityjournals.com.
Photos provided by the S.C. Film Commission
“it’s like a big thunderstorm. it’s really remarkable how a community is impacted.”
(continued from page 17)
on location Many places around the Palmetto State have turned up on TV and movie screens in recent years The Charleston area has been the site of the majority of the state’s movie and television production in the last few years, but other areas have benefited as well. South Carolina offers mountains and beaches, Southern cities and farmland, rural areas and small towns. The only type of location not found in the state is a large city.
2012
2009
2007
“banshee”
“angel Camouflaged”
“Gospel Hill”
HBO/Cinemax greenville, columbia
Cinema Island Productions LLC charleston
Gospel Hill Production fort mill
“Midnight Cabaret”
“the afflicted”
Label Me Productions columbia, greenville
Afflicted Picturehouse charleston
“reinventing the Wheelers” (Pilot)
“army Wives” (Season 6)
“army Wives” (Season 3)
Touchstone Television/Lifetime Network charleston
Touchstone/Lifetime charleston
2011
2008
“eastbound & Down”
“Dear john”
HBO myrtle beach
Relativity Media/Screen Gems charleston, edisto island, sullivan’s island
“scammed” Boutique TV/Think Factory charleston
“army Wives” (Season 5) Touchstone/Lifetime charleston
2010 “the bay”
Touchstone/Lifetime charleston
Touchstone/Lifetime charleston
2006 “the strangers” Rogue Pictures/Universal Studios florence
“asylum”
Touchstone/Lifetime charleston
Hyde Park Entertainment york county
“nailed”
“Who’s Your Caddy”
Red Wagon/Persistent Entertainment columbia
Our Stories Films/Dimension Films aiken
“the new Daughter”
“Death sentence”
Gold Circle Films charleston
Hyde Park Entertainment/Twentieth Century Fox columbia
“army Wives” (Pilot)
“little red Wagon”
“army Wives” (Season 4)
“army Wives” (Season1)
“army Wives” (Season 2)
Lionsgate/Roadside Attraction georgetown Philanthropy Project Awendaw, McCllelanville, John’s Island, charleston
Warner Bros. Television charleston
Touchstone/Lifetime charleston key
production Producer s.c. location
“Me & You, Us, Forever” Five & Two Pictures greenville
“leatherheads” Smokehouse Pictures/Universal Studios greenville, anderson, ware shoals, tigerville, boiling springs, travelers rest
May 24, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 19
Fast Fact Bryan Tankersley watches “Perry Mason” every night and falls asleep to it. And if he wants to go to bed early, there are always episodes queued up on TiVo. Bryan Tankersley, founder of Dark Corner Films.
Cinéma Vérité
Dark Corner Films is making a name for itself by april
a. Morris | staff
20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal May 24, 2013
Photo by Greg Beckner
over the last decade, the soUth has become a hotbed of activity within the film and television industry. Founded in 2006, Dark Corner Films has been steadily building up an Upstate business. Surrounded by movie posters, a vintage South Carolina map and a host of editing equipment, one of Dark Corner Films’ founders and producers, Bryan Tankersley, sat down to talk about the growth of the company and film in the Southeast.
“We’ve always tried to do the things we could do. In some ways, that’s why we still exist.”
How did Dark Corner Films start?
I was in the telecom business, and in 2006, my business partner, Cam Walters, and I agreed to help his son, Campbell Walters, with a documentary about a house in Union County. That documentary didn’t pan out, but we then very quickly started doing commercial work. We also have Tony Callander and Jeter Rhodes on the team.
Where did the name come from?
We named it well before “The Dark Corner” documentary and because my family was from Travelers Rest and I had heard the nickname. After making “The Dark Corner,” I think we’ve helped make the name more recognizable.
How has the company evolved?
“The Dark Corner” film did well, but business suffered in 2009. However, we were approached by a guy who wanted to do a documentary about Santee Cooper and striped bass, and that reignited us somewhat. [This film became “Landlocked.”] We were then on Antrim Drive and had to move. We were offered a space with Williamson Evans Productions. It was supposed to be temporary, but we’ve been here a year and a half. We’ve also been able to do projects with them.
What’s coming up?
We’ve been making “sizzle reels,” a three-minute, mini version of a reality show to pitch. We’re also working on a documentary with former CBS announcer Ben Wright on his life and career. There’s another documentary project in Georgia where the state department of transportation is trying to make amends for a highway that it put through Little Richard’s historic neighborhood in Macon. In the last six to eight months, we’ve been as busy as we’ve ever been. Right now we have about six projects at different stages.
Is there any move to expand?
We’re actually going to soon be a distributor for online products. Meaning that if you had a film and you wanted to be on Amazon Prime, Hulu, Roku, Netflix or OnDemand, we will be a distributor for television shows, films and documentaries. We can guarantee that these different platforms will review your project and if accepted, you would be set up with a potential monthly revenue stream. For someone who’s made something and it’s just sitting, how do you get it out there? This is a way for them to do that. We’re hoping that this is something that will also develop into revenue and consistency for us.
BRYAN TANKERSLEY OF DARK CORNER FILMS.
What is a valuable lesson you take away from your years in this business?
FILMOGRAPHY “The Dark Corner,” 2008 “Landlocked,” 2012 Tempus Jets’ global flight relief Fashion on the Town
Is there some advice that you took to heart?
St. Francis TV spot
IN THE WORKS Documentary on former CBS announcer Ben Wright Online distribution for television shows, documentaries and films
“Pleasant Hill”: documentary on the highway built through Little Richard’s neighborhood in Macon, Ga. Reality show pitches
THE CREW BRYAN TANKERSLEY producer and owner ANTHONY CALLANDER executive producer and owner CAMPBELL WALTERS director, technical advisor and owner CAM WALTERS executive producer and owner RYAN HAMMAKER camera, editor and actor JEFF SUMEREL director and story supervisor JETER RHODES editor and technical advisor KRIS & KATHY HARRISON camera, grip and editor
Contact April A. Morris at amorris@communityjournals.com.
VALDAS KOTOVAS camera
I’ve learned the point in filming where I can say “that’s enough,” so we can manage to process in editing and not lose money. I’ve also learned that documentary is an inexpensive way of telling a story – making a movie is like building a skyscraper. We’ve always tried to do the things we could do. In some ways, that’s why we still exist.
Once a client once told me I was quoting too low and she would never take the quote because of that. I’ve learned that if you give something away, there’s no value attached to it. We stopped doing all free work and started getting all kinds of business.
What is on the horizon for film in the region?
Atlanta has a lot of activity – Screen Gems is building a studio and Pinewood is building a studio there. The only Pinewood Studio in the United States is going to be in Atlanta. Now, productions can be made anywhere; many are shot in North Carolina and Georgia and it doesn’t hurt South Carolina. They don’t make movies in California anymore, they make them in Louisiana, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina because it makes sense.
What’s your favorite part of the business?
Creating something from nothing is the fun part. There’s just a script and we create something valuable from that.
What’s your favorite thing to watch?
I love period shows like “Game of Thrones” or “Vikings” along with any conspiracy shows. Also any sort of historical epic [Tankersley studied history at Wofford] and British spy thrillers. I really enjoy Coen Brothers films; they are written to a T and I love the black humor. If we ever made anything that big, they would be the ones I would want to emulate.
May 24, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 21
UBJ Square Feet
The Heath at Converse College
Coldwell Banker Caine proudly welcomes Jamie Ouzts, Steve Mussman and Thomas Cheves to its growing team of real estate professionals. Visit cbcaine.com to learn more about this incredible group.
the azalea hills suites at verdae and the leased land beneath the 160unit apartment property were recently purchased by Graycliff Capital, a local capital investment partnership with a history of acquisition and renovation of multifamily projects. The property will operate under the ownership name of Azalea Hill Apartments LP. Ballard Companies, operating under the name of Verdae Partners LTD of Montgomery, Ala., sold the apartments to Azalea Hill Apartments LP, including the land transaction from Verdae Properties LLC. “The Azalea Hill Suites are in an excellent location and have served thousands of residents over the years,” said Paul Aiesi, managing member of Graycliff Capital.
Hendersonville Property Changes Hands nai earle furman recently announced the sale of Residences at Chadwick Square in Hendersonville, N.C., a 67-unit residential community. Tony Bonitati, Kay Hill and Gwinna Cahal represented the buyer, Oak Island LP, in the transaction. The Residences at Chadwick Square, which was built in 2003, features seven buildings and a pool house surrounded by a natural land-
22 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
scape including an active creek on three sides of its perimeter. Many of the studio, one-, two- and threebedroom units have wood-burning fireplaces and garages as well as individual washer/dryers. Vista Capital Management Group of Greenville was retained for future management of the property and will be exploring the latest techniques for using social media and online services for tenant support.
Converse Apartments Win AIA Award converse college’s the heath apartment housing recently received the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-SC)’s President’s Award and a Merit Design Award. The Heath is a $12.3 million project, which opened in January 2011 as part of a 10-year master housing plan that will impact every residence hall at Converse College. The college’s goal is to create progressively independent living environments that balance community and connectedness with the development of autonomy and independence. The Health features three different floor plans, which feature a kitchen, living room, and options for single or double rooms. “The planning process was marked by a distinctive and thoughtful approach that supports Converse’s strategic goals of advancing
Photo provided by Fred Martin Photography
Welcoming the Cheves Mussman Ouzts Group to Coldwell Banker Caine.
Azalea Hills Suites at Verdae Sold
community and creativity,” said Converse President Betsy Fleming. Student input was prioritized throughout the project through focus groups, surveys, and their participation on project committees. “The significant level of their involvement strengthened the finished product,” Fleming said. Students also left their mark on the new construction by signing a beam that was installed in the facility. The Heath is Converse’s second LEED-certified building project, following the renovation of Kuhn Hall in 2009.
DEALMAKERS Coldwell Banker CommerCial Caine announCed: Tim Satterfield represented the tenant in leasing a +25,000 SF building at 1095 Southport Road, Spartanburg. Pete Brett represented the tenant in leasing a +2,800 SF office at 142 Milestone Way, Greenville. Pete Brett represented the seller of a +2,426 SF office building at 110 Laurens Road, Greenville. Sammy duBose represented the seller of a +7,850 SF medical office building at 10 Halton Green Way, Greenville. Pete Brett represented SCBT as the seller of a +9,200 SF retail building at 110 E. Broad St., Iva. SPenCer/HineS ProPerTieS, inC. announCed: Guy Harris closed a +22,734 SF movie theatre at 1640 John B. White Sr. Blvd., Spartanburg, for the sellers, FBSA I LLC. The
deal totaled $1,250,000. andy Hayes sold 315 N. Main St., Woodruff, to O’Reilly Automotive Stores Inc. for a new location. andy Hayes represented the buyer, Leroy Anderson, in purchasing 907 E. Main St., Duncan, from Charter Communications Inc. Guy Harris represented the buyer, Atlas Development LLC, in purchasing 2.3 acres at Winchester Place, Spartanburg. andy Hayes represented the seller, Sparta Land Holdings LLC. david Strickland represented both the seller, KSH Land Company, and the buyer, Naval Yards LLC, for 1320 Howell Road, Spartanburg. The transaction totaled $939,000. Craig Jacobs represented Sadlon Properties, LLC in the sale of their quadraplex at 113 Mt. Zion Avenue, Greenville, to Sell Land LLC. Craig Jacobs served as a dual agent in leasing a 5,000 SF warehouse at
255 Inglesby Parkway, Duncan, to Tyger River Crossfit. Criag Jacobs represented PAPE LLC in leasing a 2,500 SF space at 115 E. Blackstock Road Unit B, Spartanburg, from Srj Investments LLC. Guy Harris served as the listing agent. david Strickland represented The Palmetto Bank a 10-year lease renewal of the 7,236 SF space at 101 W. St. John St., Spartanburg (Spartan Centre). andy Hayes represented Compadre’s Mex Mex Grill in a five-year lease of the 4,857 SF space at 8161 Warren H. Abernathy, Spartanburg. david Strickland represented U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy in a two-year lease renewal for the office at 101 W. St. John St., Spartanburg. andy Hayes represented Petsmart in a 10-year lease renewal of their location at 150 Blackstock Road, Spartanburg. SPeCTrum CommerCial ProPerTieS announCed: rob Brissie recently represented the landlord, O and C Properties LLC, in the lease of their office and retail suites at Park Center in Easley to Complete Communications and to The United States of America for a Marine and Army recruiting location. rob Brissie recently represented the seller, Larry Rochester, in the disposition of 625
Poinsett Hwy., Greenville, for a mixed-use development to Greenville County Redevelopment Authority. rob Brissie recently represented the landlord, COL Properties LLC, in the lease of their retail suites at 1624 Woodruff Rd., Suite 1, Greenville, to North American Flag and Flag Poles. nai earle Furman announCed: Stuart wyeth represented the landlord of Greenville Business Center in leasing a 3,436 SF flex space to CourierNet, Inc. at 181 Johns Road, Suite A, Greer, and a 3,902 SF space to GSA-ICE at 142 W. Phillips Rd., Suites C & D, Greer. dan dunn represented the landlord of Pointe West at 775 Spartan Blvd., Spartanburg, in leasing a 2,810 SF office space to Avionex, LLC. keith Jones represented the landlord of 1615 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, in leasing a 2,100 SF office space in Suite D to Express Employment Professionals. Ted lyerly and Jimmy wright represented the landlord of 102 Batesville Road, Simpsonville, in leasing a 3,600 SF retail space to Upstate Strut in Suites D and E. Glenn Batson represented Snack Works LLC in subleasing a 1,600 SF retail space at 612 S. Main Street, Greenville. Towers rice and mike Greer represented the landlord of 716 E.
Fairfield Road, Greenville, in leasing a 33,000 SF industrial space to Carolina Blue Centerless Grinding, Inc. keith Jones represented the landlord of Green Gate Office Park at 25 Woods Lake Road, Greenville, in leasing office space to Greenville Process Service LLC; Turner King Inc.; WEB ND LLC; and LeBlancWelch Inc. Jake Van Gieson, rob Schmidt, and Bill Sims represented the landlord of East Butler Plaza at 103 E. Butler Road, Mauldin, in leasing a 1,500 SF retail space to Survey Matters LLC. Stuart wyeth and alexi Papapieris represented the landlord of Park Central in leasing a 6,283 SF office space at 535 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 114, Greenville, to Aeronix, Inc. rob Schmidt, Jake Van Gieson, and Bill Sims represented the landlord of 109-129 NE Main St., Simpsonville, in leasing a 1,050 SF retail space to Emily Elizabeth Paper Boutique in Suite 109-A and a 1,050 SF retail space to Jeanie’s Magic Gathering in Suite 125. alexi Papapieris represented the landlord of Union County Business Center, Matthews, N.C., in leasing a 6,000 SF industrial/flex space in Suites B, C and D to Trane US Inc.
Stuart wyeth represented the landlord of Garlington Pointe at 490 Garlington Road, Greenville, in leasing a 3,000 SF office space to Spectrum Engineering Services of Greenville Inc. renee dunlap represented the landlord of 676 Fairview Road, Simpsonville, in a lease renewal of a 2,200 SF retail space to Master’s Mark Dry Cleaners. Scott Jones represented the landlord of 101-B Regency Commons Drive, Greer, in leasing a 1,500 SF office space in Suite A to Hearing Healthcare Center. Glenn Batson represented the landlord of 4215 Calhoun Memorial Hwy., Easley, in leasing a 4,400 SF space to Greenpond Plants Inc. Grice Hunt, Ford Borders and ken anderson represented the seller of 2230 W. Blue Ridge Drive, Greenville, in selling the 13,500 SF industrial property. John Staunton and Hunter Garrett represented the buyer in the transaction. John Gray represented the seller of 1284 Pendleton St., Greenville, in selling the 1,612 SF office property. John Powell represented IDEX Corporation in selling a 26,140 SF industrial property at 2363 Sandifer Blvd., Westminster.
DEAL of the WEEK John Powell brokered the sale of Brogan Apartments, a 32-unit multifamily property in Anderson.
UBJ The Fine Print The Hyatt Regency Greenville’s new lobby features Max’s Library, a reading room and technology station.
Photo Provided
Tandem Named Small Business of the Month
Hyatt Wins AAA Award The Hyatt Regency Greenville was awarded the AAA Four Diamond award this week. It is the second hotel owned by JHM Hotels to win the esteemed award. Only four Greenville county facilities have won the designation. They include the Greenville Marriot, also owned by JHM, the Westin Poinsett in downtown Greenville, and Landrum’s Red Horse Inn. “We have very rigorous standards. Only 3.4 percent of the 59,000 properties inspected by AAA achieve the prestigious distinction of Four Diamond,” Angela Daley of
AAA Carolinas said in a release by Hyatt. According to AAA, the distinction is given to establishments that are “upscale in all areas,” including features such as refined style in accommodations, extensive amenities and high degree of customer service. Hyatt’s recent renovations contributed significantly to its winning the award. Among the features that helped the Hyatt win the award were its redesigned lobby, the addition of Roost restaurant, its Studio 220 meeting space and the Think Tank business meeting room.
The Greenville Chamber recognized Tandem Innovative Payment Solutions as its Small Business of the Month last week. Tandem is an electronic transaction processing company founded in 1999. Its core business is traditional, mobile and e-commerce credit card processing and custom gift cards, along with check guarantee programs, Automatic Clearing House (ACH) transactions and cash advances. Founder and president Larry Feniger previously worked as director of regional banking for South Financial Group. A release from the Chamber said he became familiar with the diffi-
Mountains on its north side. Developed by Cheraw, S.C.-based Malloy & Company, The Ridges at Paris Mountain has been selected as the site of the 2014 Southern Living Showcase Home by Dillard-Jones Builders, which will open next spring. The team includes Diana T. Bolding as broker in charge, Thomas Dillard and Kathy Vass as managing partners, and sales agent Lauren Guthrie. According to the company
24 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
Larry Feniger
Sunland Takes New Name
New Real Estate Agency Forms blu-sky group llc, a new real est-ate agency in Greenville, specializes in marketing and sales for residential and commercial properties. The company announced in a release that Blu-Sky Group has been chosen to represent The Ridges at Paris Mountain, a new 18-residence master-planned community on Altamont Road that features views of the city of Greenville on the development’s south side and the Blue Ridge
culties small businesses have in dealing with various issues of finance and customer service while in that position. Tandem has 10 employees and 1,000 active clients. In 2010, Evan Black, a Clemson graduate, joined Tandem as a partner. That same year, Tandem expanded with an office in Fernandina Beach, Fla., and last year opened an office in Greensboro, N.C.
website, Dillard founded DillardJones Builders, a luxury custom homes builder. Vass is founder of Vass Markets Inc., a public relations firm, and has managed numerous Southern Living Showcase Homes tours. Bolding has 22 years of commercial and residential real estate experience, and Guthrie brings interior design experience, including work with Design Consultant with Bogari European Contemporary Design in Greenville.
Sunland Distribution Inc. in Simpsonville has changed its name to Sunland Logistics Solutions. The 30-year-old company specializes in warehousing, transportation and staffing. Its warehousing operations are located in and around in the Greenville and Spartanburg areas, and near the Port of Charleston. In a statement, the company said including “logistics” in the name represents an evolution from trucking and basic warehousing to inventory management, and better reflects Sunland’s progression to a strategic rather than tactical provider.
UBJ Quarterlies
Layoffs, Decreased Sales and Personnel Changes at Kemet kemet announced last week it will reduce the size of its board from nine to eight directors as Joseph Swann plans to step down after the company’s annual meeting in July. Earlier in the month, the company announced a workforce reduction that would affect 202 employees, saving the company $3.8 million. Spokesperson Dean Dimke confirmed that cuts will affect 37 employees and 27 contracted workers at the company’s Simpsonville facility. Kemet’s fiscal year ended March 31. For the quarter, it reported
revenue of $203.50 million for the quarter, down 3.4 percent from the same quarter in the previous year. Revenue for the quarter was down 3.4 percent on a year-over-year basis. Net sales were $843.0 million, which is a 14.4 percent decrease over the same period last fiscal year. CEO Per-Olof Loof also announced changes to senior management in a conference call after earnings were released May 9. Among them, Marc Kotelon will step down as the head of global sales and will be replaced by John Drabik, previously VP of sales in the Amer-
Denny’s Income Rises
Per-Olof Loof
icas. Drabik’s replacement has yet to be announced. Also, Andreas Meier was appointed the head of Kemet’s European business. Bob Willoughby will be the new head of the film and electrolytic business group. The company’s tantalum and ceramics businesses will be consolidated under one executive, Chuck Meeks.
Income Upsurge and Mergers at SCBT columbia-based scbt reported $10.6 million in earnings, an increase of 51.4 percent over the same quarter last year. Net income for the first quarter last year was $7 million. Total assets were $5.1 billion, up from $4 billion the previous year. This 27 percent growth is largely attributed to the acquisitions of Peoples Bancorporation of Easley in April 2012, and Savannah Bancorp Inc. of Savannah, Ga., in the previous quarter. Deposits totaled $4.2 billion, up from $3.3 billion the previous year. Assets included $3.5 billion in
net loans, up from $2.7 billion. All loan areas increased except for construction and land development loans, which decreased 7.3 percent. In its report, SCBT said, “We have continued to reduce the level of these loans in our portfolio given the current economic environment and the risk involved with this type of loan.” Among notables, mortgage banking income increased to $3.4 million from $1.8 million last year. In February, SCBT entered into a merger agreement with First Financial Holdings Inc. of Charleston for $302.4 million in
stock. Its subsidiary, First Federal Bank, has of 66 branches throughout coastal South Carolina, Florence and Greenville, S.C., and Wilmington, N.C. SCBT is expected to absorb First Financial in the third quarter of 2013 after regulatory approval, and approval by both companies’ shareholders.
denny’s reported net income of $7.1 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, on $33.5 million in revenue in the first quarter. That is a 20.7 percent increase over the same quarter a year ago. Revenues were $114.4 million, down from $126.7 million a year ago. Sales from company restaurants were $81 million, down 11.6 percent from $94.1 million a year ago, but franchise and license revenue rose slightly. The company said the decreases were reflect the continuing impact of selling company restaurants to franchisees as part of the company’s refranchising strategy that was completed at the end of 2012. Denny’s sold six of its units to franchises and closed three others. Seven new franchised restaurants opened and six closed, bringing the total restaurant count to 1,689. Denny’s also announced during the quarter that it authorized an additional 10 million shares for an ongoing share repurchase program, bringing the total number of shares remaining in the outstanding programs to 12.4 million. The company said its 2013 outlook includes system-wide same-store sales growth between 0 and 1.5 percent, adjusted earnings between $76 million and $80 million, and cash expenditures between $19 million and $21 million for remodels and real estate purchases.
May 24, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 25
UBJ On the Move HIRED
HIRED
HONORED
PROMOTED
PROMOTED
Steve Sinicropi
Tim Lovin
Lucy Cieply
Catriona Carlisle
Michael J. Hayes
Named vice president/market manager for Entercom Communications’ Greenville location. Sinicropi, previously vice president/general manager of the Cox Media Group Greenville, was also an executive at CBS’s 97.1FM Talk/WKRK-FM in Detroit, as well as the All Pro Broadcasting Group and Cybertoons Digital in Milwaukee.
Joined O’Neal Inc., a Greenville-based integrated design and construction firm, as senior project manager. With more than 30 years of experience in project management, preconstruction and operations, Lovin previously worked for the former Suitt Construction and BE&K Building Group. He is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Awarded Sunland Logistic Solution’s ICARE award for April. The ICARE Program is an associate incentive based program, encouraging training and safety, rewarding and recognizing performance excellence, and developing leadership skills. Cieply, who works in Sunland’s finance department, has assumed the role of general accountant.
Named Meals on Wheels of Greenville’s new executive director. Carlisle served as development director for the organization for the last four years and has more than 12 years of development and nonprofit experience. Her new role comes as the organization prepares to celebrate its 45th anniversary.
Named senior vice president and group head of Hearst Television effective June 1. Hayes, who was general manager of WYFF-TV for eight years, moves from WTAE, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he has been president and general manager since 2011. While in Greenville, he served as chairman of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.
CONSTRUCTION/ ENGINEERING: KTM Solutions recently welcomed James Theodore as a mechanical engineer supporting all engineering product lines. Theodore worked with KTM almost six years ago as a high school student. He is currently a participant in their formal Mechanical Design apprenticeship program and he is expected become the first to complete their four-year program.
INSURANCE: Herlong Bates Burnett Insurance recently announced the addition of Stephanie Reeves as a commercial customer service representative and Tyler Neely as a commercial producer. Reeves graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. She received her Property and Casualty License in April. Neely has previous experience in the property and casualty insurance industry.
LEGAL: The law firm of Gallivan, White & Boyd PA recently announced that attorneys H. Mills Gallivan, Daniel B. White and John T. Lay have received the 2013 Leadership in the Law Award in recognition of their outstanding professional accomplishments, leadership and community involvement. Gallivan, White and Lay were three of only 25 South Carolina attorneys to receive the Leadership in Law Award this year. Winning attorneys were nominated by peers and colleagues and selected by the publisher and staff of South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Gallivan has 37 years of experience as a civil defense trial attorney, mediator and arbitrator. Lay is a shareholder at GWB with over 20 years of experience managing complex, high-stakes litigation for clients trying more than 100 cases to verdict. White is former president of the South Carolina Bar and former chairman of the SC Bar House of Delegates.
26 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
He currently represents the SC Bar as a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, the ABA’s policymaking body. Jackson Lewis LLP, a national workplace law firm, announced that Ashley B. Abel and Andreas N. Satterfield Jr. were named to the 2013 South Carolina Super Lawyers list. Abel, a partner in the Greenville office, has nearly 20 years of experience in benefits litigation, class action employment litigation and employment law counseling, and heads the firm’s ERISA Litigation Practice Group. Satterfield, also a partner in the Greenville office, practices in areas of management labor and employment law. In addition, Stephanie E. Lewis, Sandi R. Wilson, Wendy L. Furhang and T. Chase Samples from Jackson Lewis were named to the 2013 South Carolina Rising Stars list. Nominated by their peers, Rising Stars are the best attorneys who are 40 or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
MEDICAL: Greenville EyeCare Associates, a provider of comprehensive eye health care services, recently announced the merging of optometry services performed by Dr. Ben McNeely and Dr. Johndra McNeely with those performed by the team of doctors at Greenville EyeCare Associates. A graduate of Clemson University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Ben McNeely has been practicing in the Upstate since 2007 and served as president of the Piedmont Optometric Society in 2012. Johndra McNeely, who has degrees from the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, served as the 2011 president of the Piedmont Optometric Society, and is currently serving as chair of the Public Relations Committee of the SC Optometric Physician’s Association (SCOPA).
PUBLIC RELATIONS/ MARKETING: Erwin Penland recently announced
Helping you create custom solutions with people.
HIRED LIZ SEMAN Joined Furman University as executive director of corporate engagement. Seman, who had been executive director of Meals on Wheels Greenville for the past six years, began her nonprofit career with the American Red Cross, serving first as director of volunteer and community relations and then as director of development. She also served as the executive director for Hands On Greenville before joining Meals On Wheels in 2007. She is a member of Greenville County Council, serving her second term representing District 24. She is also a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina Technology and
the following new hires: Christina Zoha as assistant account executive; Daniel Lyles as account executive; Kate Selfridge as associate project manager; Jennifer Aughtry as account supervisor; Kimberly Knighting as client relations specialist; Kristin Klauder as assistant account executive; Jennifer Knoll as digital asset coordinator; Adam Baird as junior billing coordinator; Christen Blom as accounts payable supervisor; and Caroline Callison as assistant account executive.
REAL ESTATE: Allen Tate Realtors recently announced the top agents for April. In the Greenville office, Teresa Brady was top listing agent and Cynthia Serra was top producer. In the Easley office, Missy Rick was top listing agent and top producer, and the Murphys (Celia and Gary) were the top listing and producing
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Aviation Center (SC-TAC) and the Meals on Wheels Association of America. Seman has served on the board of directors of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Greenville Forward, the Junior League of Greenville, the Leadership Greenville Alumni Association, the Palmetto Bank Community Board, Greenville County Redevelopment Authority Board, Community Works Carolina and the Advisory Board of the American Red Cross
team. In the Greer office, Kathy Sheehan was top listing agent and top producer. In the Spartanburg office, the Herseys (Paul and Marcia) were the top listing and producing team.
TECHNOLOGY: EDTS, a technology consulting firm, announced that Danielle Chaney has joined as controller and Jay Stanley has joined as a sales associate. Chaney previously served as manager of financial accounting at Crane Merchandising in Williston, S.C. She also worked as an auditor for a regional CPA firm and as an accountant for the county of Siskiyou, both in California. Stanley is a sales professional with nearly four years in managed IT services in Gwinnett County, Ga. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Georgia Institute of Technology.
New hires, promotions and award winners can be featured in On the Move. Send information and a photo to
105 N. Spring Street - Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29601 / 864.527.3360
www.htijobs.com We specialize in
PROFESSIONAL RECRUITING, COMPLEX PROJECTS, INDUSTRIAL STAFFING, and delivering expert
HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES. At HTI Employment Solutions we make it our priority to be informed about current employment trends and opportunities in the upstate and across the Southeast.
ONTHEMOVE@UPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL.COM.
May 24, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 27
UBJ Planner FRIDAY MAY 24 PROFESSIONAL NETWORK CONNECTIONS/ SPARTANBURG METRO 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Hal Westmoreland at hal@pnconnections. org for information and an invitation
TUESDAY MAY 28 GREENVILLE (DOWNTOWN) ROTARY MEETING Westin Poinsett Hotel, 120 S. Main St., Greenville; noon Speaker: Tom Skains, Piedmont Natural Gas For information: visit greenvillerotary.org
YOUNG EXECUTIVE NETWORKING (40 & UNDER PROFESSIONALS) Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6-7:15 p.m. Cost: $5 for member, $10 for guest Contact: Dylan Petrick at 864-232-5600 or dylan.petrick@outclub.com
WEDNESDAY MAY 29 BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS Belk, 665 Fairview Road, Simpsonville; 7:30-9 a.m. Open to: Simpsonville Chamber members. Breakfast and an extra 20 percent discount available to attendees. Contact: Allison McGarity at amcgarity@simpsonville chamber.com.
SC WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER
Hwy 101 South, Greer, 3-6:30 p.m.
Marriott, 1 Parkway E, Greenville; 3-5:15 p.m.
RSVP to: Kathy Ham at kham@mcnair.net or 864-271-4940, or innovisionawards.org
Topic: “The Product Is Me” Cost: $25 per person Register at: scwbc.net/ events/upstate Contact: Janet W. Christy at 864-244-4117 or janet@scwbc.net
THURSDAY MAY 30 ARE YOU READY? 2ND ANNUAL DISASTER SYMPOSIUM Mary Black Hospital, Medical Office Building III, Lower Level, 1700 Skylyn Drive, Spartanburg; 8 a.m. Cost: Free to attend RSVP to: 864-5762430 or r.hause@ servpro-spartanburg.com
BUSINESS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL (BNI) 8:30-9:30 a.m. Contact: Shanda Jeffries for invitation at sjeffries@ flynnwealth.com
MONDAY JUNE 3 PUBLIC POLICY LUNCH SERIES Poinsett Club, 807 E. Washington St., Greenville; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Speaker: Mick Zais, South Carolina Superintendent of Education Topic: State of Education in South Carolina Cost: $25, includes lunch. Open to Greenville Chamber members only. Contact: Elizabeth Edwards at eedwards@ greenvillechamber.com.
BI-LINGUAL TOASTMASTERS University Center Auditorium, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville; noon
TRI-CHAMBER EVENT: LUNCH WITH U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TREY GOWDY
Contact: jeff@ alfonsointerpreting.com
Horizon Church, 1070 East Butler Road, Greenville; 11:30 a.m.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 5201 W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Greer; 4-6 p.m.
Open to: Mauldin, Fountain Inn and Simpsonville Chambers of Commerce members. Cost: $15 per person to the Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce Payment deadline: May 27
INNOVISION: BMW ASSOCIATE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
HARD HAT TEA PARTY
No cost, but attendees are asked to donate a gift card from any store that sells home construction supplies or appliances or make a cash donating to Habitat for Humanity. Contact: Janet W. Christy at 864-244-4117 or janet@scwbc.net
BMW Zentrum, 1400
28 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL May 24, 2013
TUESDAY JUNE 4 COFFEE CLUB Edward Jones, 117 South Main St., Fountain Inn; 10 a.m. Speaker: Paul M. Valentine, Financial Advisor Coffee and pastries provided RSVP to: 862-9023 by June 3
UPSTATE BUSINESS EXCHANGE Java Jolt, 1099 East Butler Road, Mauldin; 8:30-9:30 a.m. Contact: Deb Abshire, The Investment Center at 864-297-1190 or 864-275-0496 or deb.abshire@ticsc.com
SPARTANBURG HEALTHCARE NETWORK Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 105 North Pine St., Spartanburg; 10:30 a.m.-noon Topic: Veterans Benefits Guest Speaker: Greg Walker and Lynn O’Dell of the Spartanburg County Veterans Affairs office Cost: Free Register at: spartanburgchamber.com Contact: Meric Gambel at 864-594-5030 or mgambel@spartanburg chamber.com
HUMAN RESOURCES ROUNDTABLE Carolina Springs Country Club, Palmetto Room, 1680 Scuffletown Road, Fountain Inn; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Yancey Epps at 864-770-5407 or yepps@fountaininn chamber.org by May 31
NONPROFIT ALLIANCE Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; noon1:30 p.m. Open to all Chamber member executive directors of area nonprofits or their designates. Cost: Free for Greenville Chamber members, $20 for non-members. Lunch will be provided at no charge. Contact: Claudia Wise at 864-239-3728
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 AM THINK TANK Simpsonville Chamber Office, 211 N Main St., Simpsonville; 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Event Description: The purpose of this group is to discuss business ideas and challenges with other members that might have faced the same circumstances. Bring a beverage and a snack. Cost: Free to attend for Chamber members. Contact: Becky at 864-963-3781 to RSVP.
BREWMASTERS The Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6:30 p.m. Host: Christiana Miller, Lazy Magnolia Brewery Cost: $20 for
Commerce Club members, $24 for non-members Contact: lynn@nature walkphotos.com or visit ccbrewmasters.com
THURSDAY JUNE 6 MICROSOFT OFFICE EXCEL 2010/2007: LEVEL 1 Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 105 North Pine St., Spartanburg; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: $195 for Spartanburg Chamber members, $294 for non-members, $169 per student in groups of 3 or more Register at: spartanburg chamber.com Attendees will need to bring their own laptops for class (2010 or 2007 Excel installed) Contact: Meric Gambel at 594-5030 or mgambel@spartanburg chamber.com
TEN AT THE TOP UPSTATE VISION FORUM: DESTINATION 2030 THINKING BIG AND BOLD ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE UPSTATE CU-ICAR, AT&T Auditorium, 5 Research Drive, Greenville; 3-5 p.m. Theme: Natural Resources and the Upstate Economy Contact: Meredyth Boaz at 864-283-2317
CA L E N DA R
GOT A HOT DATE? Contribute to our Planner by submitting event information for consideration to EVENTS@UPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL.COM
UBJ New to the Street
Ve rda e
SC hur ch
Ben St
Wo o I- 8
5
2
dru f
fR d
I-385 Miller Rd
ve Pearl A
McDa niel A ve
1
Ridge
Cleveland St
University
2. The Aventine apartment complex located at 97 Market Point Drive in Greenville recently held their ribbon-cutting. The complex features 346 individual units with the option of a one-, two- or three-bedroom floor plan. Residents also have access to a Wi-Fi cafe and resort-style pool. For more information, visit theaventinegreenville.com, email aventinegreenville@ flournoyproperties.com, or call 877-216-4297.
Blv d
St
1. Rose Photography & Design has opened a studio at 111 Cleveland St., directly across the street from historic Sirrine Stadium in Greenville. The space features a portrait studio and consultation area, where photos can be shot on site and results from off-site sessions can be reviewed with clients. Rose Photography & Design specializes in portraits, commercial and wedding photography. For more information, visit rosepd.com.
Banking on the go? With us, it’s as easy as... 1. Paying bills online tranfers between 2. Making Pinnacle accounts Viewing balances and www.PinnacleBankSC.com 3. recent transactions 864.233.6915
UBJ Snapshot
Got an event you’d like to share? Submit your photos to: events@communityjournals.com
The Junior Leadership Spartanburg program recently held its graduation ceremony. JLS is a 10-month program designed to give high school students the opportunity to have a learning experience outside of the classroom.
Photos Provided
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted Business After Hours last week at Webster University.
Costco was the site of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours event last week.
30 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal May 24, 2013
Historic photo available from the Greenville County Historical Society.
PRESENTS
Congratulations To Our Charter Business
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Photo Provided
p In 1912, the first downtown YMCA building was completed on the northeast corner of East Coffee and Brown streets. The new building was on the site of the former home of Dr. Clinton C. Jones, mayor of Greenville from 1901 to 1903. A double staircase led from the street to the main floor on the second level. The gymnasium was on this level. On the bottom floor was the swimming pool. The top two floors had residence rooms where young men could find secure accommodations. In addition to the downtown facility, the YMCA had several other branches in mill villages and other sections of the city. From “Remembering Greenville: Photographs From The Coxe Collection,” by Jeffrey R. Willis q After the Cleveland Street YMCA opened, the Coffee Street building was vacated and demolished in 1958. The block then became home to a modern office building. The new sign for Brown Street is on the left.
Award Presentation, from left to right: Chamber CEO Ben Haskew, 2013 Chair Luanne Runge, Charter Business/Award Sponsor Ken Pelanda, Small Business Selection Committee/Flat Fee Recruiting Ava Smith, Tandem President Larry Feniger, and Tandem Team Members Evan Black, Greg Ericson, Amanda Turner and Denise Espada.
“The day we opened our doors is the same day we opened our Greenville Chamber membership. As a strategic partner for the business community, the Chamber has proven to be a valuable asset for our business.” -Larry Feniger, Tandem President
Tandem is the first merchant card processing company to employ Certified Payment Professionals (CPP) in Upstate, SC. A new designation from the Electronic Transactions Association, the CPP credential is the standard for professional performance in the payment industry and a symbol of excellence. It signifies that an individual has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to perform competently in today’s complex electronic payments environment. Learn more at www.tandempayment.com.
Impressed by a local small business lately? Nominate them for the Greenville Chamber’s Small Business of the Month Award at www.GreenvilleChamber.org. Photo by Greg Beckner
24 CLEVELAND ST. GREENVILLE, SC 29601
864-242-1050
WWW.GREENVILLECHAMBER.ORG
May 17, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 31
Start Small. Dream Big. Your business is growing. We’re ready with the financing solutions you need to increase inventory, purchase property, start construction, or buy equipment. Let’s turn dreams for your business into reality. Visit your local branch to learn more.
CertusBank.com/DreamBiggerBusiness CertusBank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Equal Housing Lender © 2013 CertusHoldings, Inc. All rights reserved. CertusBank is a trademark of CertusHoldings, Inc.