May 30, 2014 UBJ by Community Journals

MAY 30, 2014

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Ten at the Top focuses on uniting the Upstate in collaborations to improve economic vitality and quality of life throughout the region

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UBJ RETAIL & HOSPITALITY

3 New Winners for Spartanburg Main Street Challenge SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com A juice bar, Puerto Rican restaurant and pet boutique are the newest winners in Spartanburg’s second annual Main Street Challenge. The three business concepts were announced as the winners of the challenge last week after a selection committee heard final presentations from five finalists who presented their plans and ideas at a live final event on May 22. Each winner will receive $12,000 in subsidized rent and another $8,000 in in-kind support. Owners Robin and Michael Snelgrove’s concept, Paisley Paw, will sell healthy treats and upscale accessories for dogs, as well as provide doit-yourself bathing stations. The Snelgroves have expressed interest in the competition’s 155 E. Broad St. location, on the ground floor of the Library Commons development.

Tirado’s Empanadas and More, a former winner of the Food Network’s “Food Court Wars,” currently operates at Spartanburg’s WestGate Mall. Owner Patricia Tirado plans to keep that location open in addition to her new location downtown. Tirado has already obtained preliminary architectural plans for the space located at 119 N. Church St., next to The Growler Haus. Emily Wood’s concept, the Health in Hand Juice Bar, will provide juices, smoothies and other healthy foods and snacks. Wood has not yet identified a location. Nearly 40 initial applicants entered the 2014 Main Street Challenge in January. That initial pool was whittled down to 15 semifinalists, who had to submit formal business plans to the selection committee who then narrowed the selection to five finalists. Looking for a creative way to fill empty storefronts downtown, the city announced the first challenge in

December 2012 and attracted 58 proposals for retail businesses. The three 2013 winners – Haute Mama, Local Hiker and Motte & Son – also each received $12,000 in subsidized rent and another $8,000 in in-kind support and services such as legal advice, printing and accounting services. The Local Hiker and Haute Mama opened in the fall of 2013 on East Main Street, and Motte & Sons expects to open soon on Daniel Morgan Avenue. Patty Bock, Spartanburg’s economic director, said the turnout for the first challenge last year exceeded all expectations and hopes for the same with this new challenge. “It created new stores. It created new jobs and it created growth,” said Bock. This year, 12 downtown retail locations were identified and the challenge was expanded to more locations off of Main Street including Broad, Church and Dunbar streets. Lease spaces ranged from

865 square feet to almost 10,000 square feet. The three winners will be required to open their businesses in one of those locations no later than Nov. 1, 2014, and must sign a three-year lease.

2014 MAIN STREET CHALLENGE WINNERS: Paisley Paw, pet boutique 155 E. Broad St. Tirado’s Empanadas and More, Puerto Rican restaurant 119 N. Church St. Health in Hand Juice Bar No location determined yet. Businesses to open by Nov. 1, 2014 Winners receive: $12,000 in subsidized rent $8,000 in in-kind support

Photos Provided

The 2014 Main Street Challenge winners (from left): Tirado’s Empanadas and More, Paisley Paw, Health in Hand Juice Bar.

May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Volume 3, Issue 22

May 30, 2014

MONEY SHOT: The winners of the second annual Spartanburg Main Street Challenge are announced during the final event last week at The Showroom. For more, see page 3.

WORTH REPEATING “The Upstate is stronger together as one region than as individual cities and counties.” Dean Hybl, executive director, Ten at the Top

“Without an engaged and accepted organization that can bind the many entities both large and small, we will all flounder and remain in the quagmire.” Burriss Nelson, director of economic development, Anderson County

“Only through working together can we hope to adequately addressthe issues. If we do, our region will be marketable; if we don’t, we won’t.” Kevin Landmesser, interim president and CEO, Greenville Area Development Corporation

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

VERBATIM

On Progress… “Tears came to my eyes as I thought of how magnificently the South has risen to meet and defeat the challenges of racism… This country is far too busy to hate, and Greenville is setting the pace.” Actor, commentator, writer and lawyer Ben Stein, writing in American Spectator about his most recent visit to Greenville. Read more at bit.ly/UBJ-benstein.

May 30, 2014

TBA Word is the former Jack in the Box on Congaree Road near Haywood Mall is set to become a Clock Diner…

Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers will open its first South Carolina location soon at 4855 Calhoun Memorial Hwy. in Easley…

A new Moe’s Southwest Grill is also debuting in Easley on Rolling Hills Road. Expect it later this summer…

UBJ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Irish Firm Plans $17M Investment, 250 Jobs in Anderson County

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JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com A European supplier of switchgear and power distribution solutions is planning a $17 million investment in Anderson County that is expected to create 250 jobs over the next five years. E&I Engineering Ltd. will establish its first U.S. operation with the acquisition of a 50,000-square-foot facility on Harris Bridge Road. The company plans to expand the complex to 150,000 square feet to accommodate manufacturing of switchgear and bus ducts. The E&I Group was highly impressed by the support and assistance offered by many South Carolina government departments, including the Department of Commerce, Anderson County Economic Development, the Department of Health & Environmental Control, and Anderson County Council, said Damian McCauley, group production director for E&I Engineering Ltd. “These departments signified to the E&I Group that South Carolina is a business-friendly, proactive place to do business and were key in our decision to select Anderson, South Carolina, as our ‘home county’ for our production facility,” he said. Headquartered in Donegal, Ireland, E&I has more than 650 employees across its European headquarters and its plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The company posts annual sales in excess of $150 million with an extensive list of blue-chip company clients across all sectors. Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Gunn said attracting quality companies such as E&I will ensure economic sustainability for future generations.

“We are fortunate to have a motivated, top-quality team made up of our local and state officials, economic development agencies and our own economic development staff,” he said. “This announcement is evidence of their success in working together to bring industry to our community.” E&I’s switchgear is custom-built, assembled from type-tested building blocks, manufactured and assembled in-house. The switchgear division produces a complete range of equipment for large-scale industrial and commercial projects in multiple sectors including financial services, data centers, hospitals, commercial offices, petrochemical, marine, utilities and manufacturing. “With our wealth of experience in the manufacturing sector and our business-friendly climate, it’s no wonder that a leading company such as E&I Engineering would choose South Carolina to base its first U.S. operations,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

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May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ MANUFACTURING

Solving Manufacturing’s Branding Problem The industry attempts to distance itself from its ‘dark, dingy and dangerous’ image JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com There is a branding problem in manufacturing, and creating awareness at the earliest stages of education is essential to changing the negative perceptions associated with manufacturing jobs and building a future workforce. Based on conversations with educators, manufacturing consistently ranks as one of the lowest career clusters for K-12 students, said Kris Frady, director of operations at the Clemson University Center for Workforce Development. The industry routinely has openings up to eight months for entry-level positions because applicants do not have the proper skill set to perform the duties assigned with the job, she said. “Because there is a perception issue, educators are not encouraging students into manufacturing, and the existing industry cannot entice people to attain the proper skillset.”

Frady said the public perception of careers in manufacturing will not be improved until educators and parents become informed on advanced manufacturing in the 21st century. “The industry remains tied to an old cliché involving the three D’s: the dark, the dingy, and the dangerous,” she said. During the recession, manufacturing throughout South Carolina suffered, discouraging potential employees from entering the field and creating a perception throughout the state that careers in manufacturing were not sustainable. Post-recession gains in statewide economic development and job announcements have signaled a new day for manufacturing, Frady said. The industry today involves advanced technology and requires skilled hands, she said. “The work is no longer just heavy lifting and manual labor; it is automated and computer-enabled.” To create a sustainable and viable

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

workforce, the manufacturing industry must shed its traditional image by modifying the school system’s curriculum to suit the modern demand. Frady said impacting the public perception must be done through effective education. Essential information on contemporary manufacturing is not getting through to the students, she said. “They are not aware that the average salary in this state can be close to $45,000 per year with a two-year degree.” Information collected last year by the Michelin Career Center shows the average starting salary for a student with a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University’s College of Engineering and Science is $57,582.25. Of the programs offered at the college, a chemical engineering degree yields the highest starting salary at $65,062.38, while students with a degree in bioengineering can expect a starting salary of $44,000.00. Rebecca Hartley, director of path-

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ways at the Clemson University Center for Workforce Development, said high school diplomas are no longer sufficient in the manufacturing workforce. Students are required to at least complete a certificate program or earn a two-year degree to find gainful employment in the industry, she said. “Public awareness begins in the schools.” Frady said the change in perception is crucial to economic development in South Carolina. The industry must educate the state’s citizens about potential opportunities, she said. By promoting advanced manufacturing and combatting the industry’s outdated perception, the production of employment prospects for South Carolinians will be increased. Manufacturing has a rich history in South Carolina and is experiencing a statewide resurgence, said Brian Gallagher, spokesperson for O’Neal Engineering. >>

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UBJ MANUFACTURING >>

Local manufacturing drives the regional economy, he said. Recent capital investment announcements by companies such as BMW, ZF and Colgate Palmolive are creating new career opportunities in the Upstate. Gallagher said these jobs are significantly different from the manufacturing jobs of a few generations ago. Parents and high school students should explore what a career in manufacturing looks like today, he said. Many of today’s manufacturing jobs require specific skills and training, offer competitive wages, benefits and advancement opportunities. The Upstate manufacturing industry has an opportunity to tell a new story, Gallagher said.

“The industry remains tied to an old cliché involving the three D’s: the dark, the dingy, and the dangerous.”

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The current manufacturing environment involves robotics and automation while placing an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the earliest stages of education, he said. “Many plant environments today involve high-technology jobs.” The production of sophisticated technologies in the automotive, aerospace and textile industries is common among modern manufacturing careers. Advanced chemistry and nano-technologies are being used throughout manufacturing and require educated employees and skilled hands, said Lewis Gossett,

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ BIOTECH

Medicare Payout Cuts Threaten Diagnostic Companies JENNIFER OLADIPO SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER

joladipo@communityjournals.com Some of the state’s diagnostic testing companies say reduced Medicare payouts will harm their bottom lines. Palmetto GBA, the contractor that administers the federal health insurance program in the Carolinas, Virginia and West Virginia, determined that some of the tests did not have sufficient scientific backing to warrant continued payout levels. Bioscience trade organization SCBIO sees Palmetto GBA’s determination as a cause for alarm and a threat to the state’s budding person-

alized medicine industry. The group says some companies are now wondering if they can continue to do business in South Carolina. Greenville-based PinPoint Molecular was denied coverage for one of its diagnostic tests and saw payments limited for three others. “These reimbursement cuts unfairly limit care for beneficiaries located in the Palmetto jurisdiction,” said COO Jennifer Ross in a statement. Selah Genomics parent company EKF Diagnostics confirmed in media reports that payouts would be slashed

to $495 from $941 per sample for Selah’s drug metabolism genetic biomarkers panel (DME). Michael Bolick, CEO of Selah Genomics, said the overall effect on the

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company would not be as harmful because the DME is one of several different offerings within the company. He said the company will adapt, and wants to partner with Palmetto GBA and understand the contractor’s expectations. Asked whether the changes might drive Selah Genomics to relocate, Bolick, who founded the company, said no. “We’re committed to the Upstate of South Carolina. This is my home. This is where many of our important collaborative assets are. So no, >>

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ MANUFACTURING

PPC to Invest $3.2M in Seneca Facility JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com With seven existing sites around the Midwest and Southern United States, Plastics Products Inc. (PPC) has selected Oconee County as its first location in South Carolina. A manufacturer of plastics and injection molding, PPC will invest $3.2 million and create 68 jobs in its new Seneca facility. A recent statement issued by the company highlighted South Carolina’s current product shipping and Seneca’s friendly business environment as focal points in the decision to bring operations to the

Palmetto State. The new facility is expected to begin operations as early as next month with a small team of existing employees before hiring permanent positions. Gov. Nikki Haley said she was excited about the plastics company bringing a portion of its operations to South Carolina. “Their presence will bring great things to Seneca, creating 68 new jobs and putting our citizens to work,” she said. The state’s manufacturing prowess likely played a role in the company’s decision to build in Oconee County. “We welcome PPC as they open their first location in South Caroli-

na,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. The plastics manufacturer’s decision to locate in Oconee County demonstrates the strength of South Carolina’s manufacturing sector, he said. PPC was established in 1962 and is a 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in Lindstrom, Minn. The new Seneca facility will be the company’s eighth location. “We are excited that Plastic Products Company has chosen to locate to our community,” said Oconee County Council Chairman Joel Thrift. “Every one of these new jobs will have a positive impact on Oconee County,” he said.

• Plastic Products Company Inc. (PPC) is opening a new location in Seneca. • The $3.2 million investment is expected to create 68 new jobs. • PPC will begin operations with a small team of existing employees and plans to hire new employees for permanent positions beginning in June. • The new Seneca facility will be the company’s eighth location and its first in South Carolina. • Applicants interested in employment with PPC may send their resumes to kimd@plasticproductsco.com.

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UBJ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GADC Names New Board Officers JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com The Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) has named four area leaders as officers of its 2014-2015 board of directors. Succeeding Greenville Tech Foundation President Bob Howard, Richard Wilkerson was named as chairman. S. Hunter Howard Jr. was named vice chairman, Marshall E. Franklin as treasurer, and Dr. Tom E. Quantrille as secretary. “Greenville County has benefited significantly from the insights and efforts of these four community leaders, and we are excited to have

them lead our board in the coming year,” said Kevin Landmesser, interim GADC president and CEO. “They have been active contributors to economic development initiatives for years and are well-versed in the needs of and challenges facing the community,” he said. “Their acceptance of these important roles provides critical experience, stability and insight to the GADC’s and Greenville County’s efforts.” Wilkerson served as chairman and president of Michelin North America from 2008 to 2011 and is active in the Greenville community. Howard offers a distinguished record of business and economic development accomplishments,

having served from 1992-2008 as president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Franklin is the chief operations officer for Bob Jones University following a distinguished 24-year career with Ernst & Young where he served both domestic and international clients from offices in France, England and the Southeastern United States. Quantrille is president and CEO of Advanced Composite Materials LLC. Previously, Quantrille was with BBA Group, where he held numerous positions in research and development, sales management, marketing and business development.

From top to bottom left: Richard Wilkerson named Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) chairman; Dr. Tom Quantrille named GADC secretary; Marshall Franklin named GADC treasurer; S. Hunter Howard Jr. named GADC vice chairman

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ MANUFACTURING

Milliken’s Performance Solutions Team Strikes Gold With Japanese Model JOE TOPPE | STAFF

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1990s, the American textile industry began experiencing a competitive threat as its customer base started following low-cost labor offshore. As the majority of companies began to “follow the needle” and move their operations overseas, Milliken & Company decided it could remain in the United States and become cost-competitive by modeling the efficiency of a successful contemporary. “We had to become more efficient in our own operations,” said Craig Long, executive director of Performance Solutions by Milliken. Milliken began benchmarking a world-class Japanese manufacturing company, he said. Representatives visited over 40 Japanese plants in a two-year period and witnessed breakthrough improvements of a level needed at Milliken. The industry did not require implemental improvements, Long said. Recommendations were made to Milliken’s leadership to mirror the Japanese model but shape the procedures to suit the American industry and the company’s culture, he said. “We modified and designed the Milliken performance system.” Milliken subsequently hired

Japanese consultants to implement the new policy. The consultants worked on one piece of equipment called “a model machine” until it met world-class standards. The process spread to every machine company-wide and enabled Milliken to make its manufacturing technologies more cost-effective. By improving the efficiency of the existing equipment, Milliken identified another cost advantage to the system. “The machines did not have to be continuously replaced,” Long said. The system is also designed to extend beyond the equipment and into the culture of the workforce, influencing how the employees are trained and how they are managed to become more productive. “We have created problem-solvers out of everyone in the organization, and applying these principles has made the equipment more durable and productive,” Long said. Milliken is able to offset costs such as energy, labor and benefits with productivity gains, he said. Implementing the Japanese system allowed operations to remain in the U.S., fundamentally changed the company’s cost structure and

UBJ MANUFACTURING >> outlined a methodology to eradicate defects. “They taught us how to look at our operations in terms of perfection,” Long said. Looking at operations in terms of perfection allows a tremendous amount of opportunity, he said. Identifying losses and resolving them will increase the value of the product. Since 2006, Milliken has experienced 5 percent gains annually in improved manufacturing productivity, 88 percent improvement in breakdowns, 80 percent improvement in defects, 30 percent improvement in process reliability, and 36 percent improvement in safety. Long said the improvements have resulted in Milliken saving money in a variety of ways. Company-wide operations are run more efficiently, he said. “If our equipment is not breaking down, if we can make changeovers quicker, if we can improve the quality of our product, the cost implications are significant.” Long said by teaching the new system to every employee of Milliken, the company no longer needed the amount of managerial supervision used previously. The company’s manufacturing operations today are run by groups of production associates, he said. “Most of our plant last night ran with no management because they have been repurposed for other valued activities.” Long said the system has become the backbone of the company and how operations are managed today. Once the system was put into place, Milliken’s Performance Solutions Team was born, he said. The team now works with Fortune 500 companies to improve the efficiency of their production and is in over 350 client operations in 23 countries around the world. The Performance Solutions Team has become the fastest-growing business in Milliken & Company. Long said industries worldwide are experiencing the same type of com-

petitive threat that affected textiles decades ago, “We have found that we are able to achieve the high-efficiency results whether it is in tire manufacturing, steel

manufacturing or packaging,” he said. “Our clients have improved pieces of equipment beyond what they thought was possible.”

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ INNOVATE

By JOHN WARNER

Time to Launch a Startup Factory Let’s create a startup factory to consistently and systematically launch successful, high-growth companies. Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen says the creation of new businesses that grow entirely new markets is the only source of long-term growth and wealth creation. The work of InnoVenture and many others in developing South Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade is bearing fruit. Recently we’ve had big exits: Selah Genomics, Customer Effective and Benefitfocus. Several companies have each raised tens of millions of dollars in capital: Zipit, GreenCloud, Proterra, Serrus Capital Partners and PeopleMatter. Selah, Zipit and Green Cloud each benefited directly from important connections made through InnoVenture. Let’s go do more of that.

A Catalytic Project

I went to Israel a couple of years ago with several SmartState endowed chairs. The SmartState program has attracted 47 pre-eminent scholars to South Carolina’s research universities, like the four who anchor CU-ICAR. In Israel, I was blown away by a

Startups are not small versions of large corporations. Existing businesses execute a business model. Startups discover one. At the beginning the entrepreneur doesn’t have a business plan, but a business hypothesis. startup factory called the Trendlines Group. Where Michelin manufacturers tires, the Trendlines Group works with Israeli university faculty to manufacture companies. In the four years prior to my visit, Trendlines had started 31 companies, which collectively raised $140 million of capital and had two initial public offerings. I came back inspired that we need a startup factory as a catalytic project to help grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem to the next level. Tom Vogt, the director of the NanoCenter at the University of South Carolina, observes that universities don’t create companies, they create proto-companies. These startups have developed technology that has been de-risked in a university or similar setting and have limited customer validation with the potential to grow into highly scalable businesses. I spent the last several months at

Clemson focused on making industry and investor connections to enhance faculty research and create more university-related entrepreneurial companies. Many faculty I visited with have lots of ideas about proto-companies and are self-aware that they don’t have the experience or the desire themselves to convert their proto-companies into successful, highgrowth businesses. I asked faculty if they are interested in partnering with a startup factory to cofound companies, and several have enthusiastically said “yes!” I recently moderated a panel discussion at the SmartState Council of Chairs Annual Forum about how to develop more economic activity, including high-growth startup companies, around the chairs’ global reputation and relationships. A number of the SmartState chairs were also intrigued about learning more about partnering with a startup factory.

The Next Level

The leading evangelist of the lean startup movement, Stanford entrepreneurship professor Steve Blank, observes startups are not small versions of large corporations. Existing businesses execute a business model. Startups discover one. At the beginning the entrepreneur doesn’t have a business plan, but a business hypothesis. “Business plans rarely survive first contact with customers,” notes Blank.

It is impossible to accurately predict how a startup will evolve. Success is not proving that the initial business model assumptions are all right, because likely they are not. Success is systematically testing and validating those assumptions and iterating to a business model that is right. The lean startup is the scientific method applied to business models to identify as quickly as possible who customers are and how to generate sales for solving their painful problems, and then to focus on those bright spots to find ways of doing more of that. Kleiner Perkins, one of Silicon Valley’s blue-chip venture capital firms, invests in a portfolio of companies, including Proterra. If Kleiner Perkins knew up front who the losers in their portfolio would be, they wouldn’t have invested in them. I founded and ran Capital Insights from 1992 to 2006, which ultimately had one of the best returns of a venture firm in the Southeast at that time. Our big winner was a grocery store chain, Earth Fare, which surprised many of my partners. Our biggest flop was a startup led by a previously successful serial entrepreneur backed by a large venture firm, which I and almost all of my partners thought was a slam-dunk. The startup factory will launch a stream of startups to ensure that big winners emerge from the portfolio. When a startup makes it through the discovery phase with a validated business model being executed by a strong leadership team, the startup factory lets go to launch the next startup. It’s time to create a startup factory as a catalytic project to help take South Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to the next level. If you’re intrigued, let’s talk.

John Warner is CEO of InnoVenture.com, a global Web platform creating an ecosystem of major companies, universities, investors and service providers that allow startups to thrive. 14

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

May 30, 2014

UBJ DIGITAL MAVEN

By LAURA HAIGHT

Google Glass, Net Neutrality and Self-Driving Cars Reading the tech news, so you don’t have to I know you’ve got a busy life— what with your business, family, volunteer activities and all. So it is possible you’ve missed some of the recent tech news. No worries. I’m staying on top of it so you don’t have to. As if we needed any encouragement to think less, now we have it in the form of contextual apps. We’re just really getting our feet wet in the area of predictive intelligence, but it’s certainly generating buzz. At the early stages, contextual apps like Everything Me for Android mobile devices will anticipate your needs and provide apps when you might need them. For example, in the morning, you want to read the news, so your favorite newspaper app will be on your home screen, along with your calendar and perhaps your Starbucks card. At lunchtime, Yelp might pop up. These apps work better on Android phones because they are essentially managers of your other apps. Called Launchers, they take over your home screen (that’s a no-no for Apple) to provide a different launch screen for each of your needs. Beyond launchers, predictive intelligence apps will data-mine YOU to decide how to give you better information. Some engineers say they can ascertain the phone owner’s sex, age and ethnicity and then better serve up options for shopping, entertain-

The pay-to-play environment will create a hierarchy of Internet haves and have-nots. Net Neutrality could affect every business in a digital future. ment, restaurants and destinations based on those group preferences (goo.gl/k7tDOA). Although it is still technically in an “Explorer” phase, Google Glass went on sale to the general public last week. Well, at least, the general public who don’t mind walking around with a metal band around their head that they paid $1,500 for. The public offering will continue until Google runs out of Glass or starts making more. If you’ve got the cash and want the Glass, go here: goo.gl/BsqKBZ. Anticipating a bigger market, Google announced three partnerships with eye-care providers to sell Glass in a more mainstream approach as a ride-along with your prescription glasses. (goo.gl/WCR1Wv). In more Google news, a detailed piece in The Atlantic last week (goo. gl/STVxMB) explained the genius behind the self-driving car. You’ve

probably read about the car and seen the amazing video of the blind driver getting around Mountain View, Calif., with the car “auto driving.” Apparently, Google has created a virtual track of their home court with detailed mapping of every inch of every road. By telling the car’s operating system what the road should look like with nothing on it, it is an easier problem for the car to identify differences and adjust to them (like other vehicles, parked cars, roadblocks, traffic cones, people in crosswalks, etc.). So far Google says it has mapped 2,000 miles of roadway at the level of detail required. For perspective, there are 4 million miles of road in the U.S. If you’re holding out for the first self-driving vehicles, it may be a longer wait than you thought. But those steps are necessary: Remember the first electric cars were produced in the late 1960s! You might have missed one of the bigger stories this week—although admittedly a seemingly boring and bureaucratic one—if you weren’t paying attention to the FCC hearings and rulings on Net Neutrality. Wait, come back, don’t turn the page yet: This will matter to you. And it will be one of those things that we scratch our heads about and say: “How did that happen?” The FCC paved the way last week for an Internet “fast lane” available

to companies that pay more or negotiate better deals with bandwidth providers. Until now the Internet has been pretty much a public road. We’re all on it, whether we drive an old clunker or a Porsche. But imagine that the bigger, better cars—driven by the richer 1 percenters—got a bigger piece of the road while the rest of us sat around in traffic jams. Everything involving the FCC is hard to understand (take a look at your phone bill), but the pay-to-play environment being contemplated now will create a hierarchy of Internet haves and have-nots. Netflix, which is hoarding up to 50 percent of the video streaming bandwidth at any given moment, could certainly be a big winner, but at the expense of smaller streaming services like Crackle, Blip or MGo. And that is just looking at today’s landscape – a payto-play approach to bandwidth availability could affect every business in a digital future. This story is like broccoli—eat it, it’s good for you (goo.gl/NloN2m).

Laura Haight is the president of Portfolio (portfoliosc.com), which works with small businesses to incorporate emerging media and technology into its business communications, operations and training.

ANTICIPATORY SYSTEMS GUESS YOUR NEXT MOVE: Smartphone apps that mine personal data in order to anticipate a person’s needs NAME

CUE

GOOGLENOW

OSITO

RAISED

$4.7 million

N/a

$1.1 million

FOUNDED BY

Y Combinator graduates Daniel Gross and Robby Walker

An internal Google team

Bill Ferrell, a former Google developer

PREDICTIONS

Summarizes a person’s day based on information scavenged from calendar, e-mail and documents

Directions, traffic and weather based on a person’s location and calendar

Handles transactions like checking in for a flight or calling a cab after you land at the airport

TEMPO AI Incubated at SRI International Raj Singh, Corey Hulen and Thierry DonneauGolencer

DARK SKY $39,376 Jack Turner and Adam Grossman

Directions to Provides minute-byappointments. Also sends minute weather forecasts messages if youre running for user’s exact location. late.

Source: technologyreview.com

May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ PROFESSIONAL

By CHARLES JOHNSON

Protect Yourself from IT Threats Find the right partner to keep hacking, phishing and malware from crippling your organization EBay urges 145 million customers to change their passwords following a cyberattack that compromised personal information. Facebook discloses 6 million users had e-mail addresses or telephone numbers shared with others accidentally. Target admits that 110 million customer payment cards were compromised in a data breach. In South Carolina, a massive data breach at the Department of Revenue exposed the Social Security numbers, credit card information and bank account data of 3.8 million taxpayers. The rate of malware, or ransomware, attacks on small businesses continues to climb at an alarming rate. Mostly from abroad, ransomware blocks your access to data unless you pay an extortion fee. It’s organized, automated, stealthy – and can crush an unprepared organization. Data breaches at major banks, retailers, corporate vendors and governmental offices keep coming... enough to make returning to a barter economy seem like a bright idea. And more challenges are certain to follow. Among them:

Windows XP: The popular operating system retains significant market share in the desktop OS category, and powers a wide spectrum of kiosks and embedded devices. No longer supported with patches and security updates by Microsoft, attackers have already declared open season on remaining Windows XP systems.

Mobile malware: Mobile malware is adapting and evolving faster than security tools can learn to detect and evade threats. Expect this to become a new frontier for bad guys. Interconnectivity: Connected devices make life easy – for you and for bad guys. If you can access your home security system or baby monitor camera from your smartphone, an 16

24x7 Monitoring – bad guys attack at all hours, so require 24x7x365 monitoring and availability, along with dedicated priority support lines; many industries require ongoing monitoring and security. Quality Control – ask how your partner monitors critical support and management systems to ensure that services, alerts and response are being provided promptly; demand to see performance metrics for all systems. Event Correlation – able to evaluate and respond to threats around the clock.

Leading Edge Technology attacker may be able to do so as well. And it’s not just big business getting targeted. Organizations small and large have been targeted. The window of opportunity to protect yourself is closing rapidly. As cybercriminal attacks on corporate networks increase, businesses need to embrace next-generation security solutions. If your proprietary data – customer records, operational performance data, intellectual property, healthcare information – is important to your organization, protecting it with a part-time IT person who claims to know how to keep everything safe and running is a very dangerous gamble. The degree of continuous training, investment in leading-edge technology, depth of resources and 24/7 vigilance required to truly protect your organization is staggering. In today’s world of specialization and regulation, identifying a technology partner that can efficiently combine the right people, expertise, processes and technology with your infrastructure to provide security, accountability and transparency is a

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

May 30, 2014

must. Here are characteristics to look for in an IT partner:

A Skilled and Deep Team Depth of Expertise – demand a credentialed team of security and network engineers, not one or two, including certified CISSPs, GIACs, CCNPs and other accreditations proving experience and capability.

Compliance Savvy – to address industry mandates, top IT partners have expertise in GLBA, HIPAA/ HITECH, PCI DSS and SOX compliance, to name a few areas. U.S.-based – certified security operations and monitoring with redundant U.S.-based facilities.

Proven Processes Responsive – should offer emergency response (immediate) or normal response (under 2 hours), with monitored alerts handled within minutes of notification.

State of the Art – today, expect a hybrid cloud security architecture for the optimal managed security platform and cutting-edge security monitoring to ensure compliance and audit support. Comprehensive – your partner should provide a full range of security technologies blended to complement your existing capabilities, regardless of size or industry. The key to protecting your organization from today’s numerous IT threats is asking the right – and tough – questions of your IT provider or in-house staff. If you’re not certain of the questions to ask or of your own ability to discern whether or not the replies are accurate, consider a third-party IT security audit to get a common-sense explanation of your strengths and vulnerabilities. In today’s brave new world of hackers, phishing and Eastern European ransomware threats that can literally put you out of business, you’ll be glad you did.

Charles Johnson, CISSP, is CEO of EDTS, a full-service technology consulting firm specializing in network security, managed IT services and advanced infrastructure for business. Visit them at EDTSolutions.com.

UBJ YOUR MONEY

By MIKE JOHNSON

Crucial First Steps for Intrastate Capital Raising New SEC guidance coupled with pending legislation could open the door to new offerings by S.C. businesses to the state’s citizens If you were to ask executives of early-stage South Carolina businesses what would make it easier for them to raise capital, the answer would likely be: Access to investors. What they mean is that they need access to individuals interested in supporting South Carolina businesses but who also have the capital to make that investment. Enter South Carolina House Bill 4799, an exciting new development that could make it easier for South Carolina businesses to raise capital while at the same time opening up investing to the South Carolina general public. Until September 2013, it was against federal securities law for businesses to advertise that they were raising capital unless they had filed a registration statement with the SEC. But when the SEC lifted this prohibition, it also imposed a requirement that businesses could only sell their securities to “accredited investors” (persons meeting certain annual income or net worth thresholds). While opening the door to advertised offerings may increase investing by accredited investors, it does little for businesses that may not be attractive to accredited investors or that prefer to raise capital only from particular segments of the general public. For example, some accredited investors will only be interested in a business if it offers the potential for Face-

INTRASTATE OFFERING: an offering by a business incorporated and headquartered in the state, and the securities are only offered and sold to residents of that state. The SEC has said that advertising capital raises was not prohibited in intrastate offerings.

book-type returns. On the opposite end of the spectrum, many businesses want to offer stock to potential customers or individuals who are supportive of their business philosophy.

States Can Adopt Own Rules The desire to raise capital from the public was supposed to be addressed by the SEC’s proposed crowdfunding rules. However, these rules have been widely criticized as cumbersome and cost prohibitive. As proposed, the SEC’s crowdfunding rules would limit investments to $1 million in any 12-month period and impose onerous reporting requirements resulting in significant compliance costs. Further, it could be some time before the SEC actually adopts its crowdfunding rules. However, states can adopt their own rules that permit the advertising of capital raises. In April 2014, the SEC issued guidance clarifying that advertising capital raises was not prohibited in “intrastate offerings.” Generally speaking, an intrastate offering is an offering by a business incorporated and headquartered in the state, and the securities are only offered and sold to residents of that state. What’s more, the federal intrastate offering exemption does not place restrictions on the income or net worth thresholds for investors; they leave this decision to the states. Recognizing this opportunity to open up investing to the public, many states are adopting laws consistent with the federal intrastate offering exemption, mostly in the form of crowdfunding laws. However, federal law does not require states to limit these intrastate offerings to crowdfunding.

Not Just Crowdfunding Rep. Dwight Loftis of Greenville

H. 4799 would permit advertising of direct sales of debt and equity securities by businesses to investors, and sales could be made to non-accredited investors. Potentially, everyone in South Carolina, regardless of their income or net worth, would be able to invest in South Carolina businesses. introduced H. 4799 in February, which would create an intrastate offering exemption for South Carolina. What is special about H. 4799 is that it is not just about crowdfunding. Certainly, if the bill passes as it currently stands, businesses would be able to engage in crowdfunding. However, H. 4799 goes a step further and would permit advertising of direct sales of debt and equity securities by businesses to investors, and sales could be made to non-accredited investors. This could potentially mean that everyone in South Carolina, regardless of their income or net worth, would be able to invest in South Carolina businesses. Because of the risks inherent in opening up investments in early-stage companies to the general public, most states have placed restrictions on the amount of money any one person may invest. H. 4799 proposes similar restrictions. As currently proposed, non-accredited investors would be limited to investing no more than $15,000 in a calendar year, and no more than $5,000 in a single business in a calendar year.

Currently, H. 4799 is pending in the House Ways and Means Committee. With the 2014 legislative session due to end in June, it is very unlikely the bill will pass during this session. Because this is the second year of a two-year session, and all bills that do not pass will die when the session ends, the bill will need to be reintroduced in January. With so many states in the U.S. opening the channels to early-stage investing, South Carolina could send a message by also supporting increased investment opportunities. Make no mistake, there is risk in loosening investment restrictions, and these risks will have to be actively managed by South Carolina’s securities regulators. Because private offerings are not registered with the SEC, there is an increased risk of fraud. However, careful planning and thorough rulemaking could create a new environment in which South Carolina businesses have greater access to the capital they need to deploy their businesses, while providing South Carolinians with a new way to invest in their state and fellow citizens.

Mike Johnson is a Washington, D.C.-based partner with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and previously served as an attorney for the US Securities and Exchange Commission at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. He advises clients in connection with public and private securities offerings, public company SEC reporting and corporate matters. He can be reached at mike.johnson@nelsonmullins.com.

May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

ThoroughCare Advances Healthcare Q&A LAUNCH THE COMPANY: ThoroughCare, a health care software company developed in the Iron Yard’s health technology accelerator. WHAT THEY DO: “The best way we describe it is like TurboTax but for health care. Our software always puts the right questions in front of the patient and gets smarter as they answer questions,” said Dan Godla, founder and CEO (at right).

By Jennifer Oladipo senior business writer | joladipo@communityjournals.com Since participating in the accelerator program during the summer of 2013, ThoroughCare has developed an assessment strategy, built a prototype, and is looking to develop pilot programs, Dan Godla said. Its original technology guides nurses through their initial patient interviews, generating questions that that help provide accurate diagnoses and assess risks. Custom questionnaires for specific issues such as

asthma can be created on the fly. “The health care industry has a lot of innovations, but we’re still doing things in an inefficient way,” Godla said. The product is designed to be an add-on to whatever software is currently being used at a health care facility, rather than a complete replacement. The company partnered with Clemson University nursing students to test the software. The first prototype is now complete and demos are underway. In recent months ThoroughCare began modifying its current product so that >>

WHO THEY ARE: Godla previously spent eight years working in the medical software industry. Additionally, the team consists of two programmers who designed the software and a certified nurse practitioner who assess the clinical content. WHAT THEY WANT: Currently seeking partners for pilot programs and $400,000 to hire employees full-time, develop software. CONTACT: dan@thoroughcare.net

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“It’s always encouraging for me to hear people talk abbot the problems with their current software. So often people are settling for software that doesn’t do what they need it to do.” Dan Godla

“A few of the ones we talked to thought we were a little early for them. We haven’t heard ‘no’ – we’ve heard ‘not yet,’ which is a good thing.” He said the most exciting part of the work has been meeting with end users. “It’s always encouraging for me to hear people talk abbot the problems with their current software,” he said. “So often people are settling for software that doesn’t do what they need it to do.” Photos Provided

>> it can be used in the patient discharge process as well, reducing the need for tedious forms. That includes identifying patients who are likely to be readmitted. The ability to assess possible readmissions has become important as insurance providers transition to penalizing hospitals for patient readmissions rather than paying for them. In that change, ThoroughCare saw a new market opportunity. “As an entrepreneur, that’s rather

exciting when you look at the industry and see wow, there’s an area where people aren’t being served,” Godla said. The company is still in the information-gathering phase about what will be needed for the discharge

version of the software, but Godla said it is scheduled to be built this summer and tested with physicians. The company has sought partnerships with area hospitals, which Godla said seem very interested in working with startups. Spartanburg Regional Hospital has provided important feedback, and there have also been talks with Greenville Health System. Godla said he believes the company is close to getting its first customers and necessary funding. Meetings with a few investor groups in South Carolina have left him optimistic.

E N G A G E JUNE

9-10

MISSION HEALTH’S H2T HEALTHCARE QUALITY CONFERENCE

See ThoroughCare live at Mission Health’s H2T Healthcare Quality Conference in Asheville. The event gathers decision-makers, front-line clinicians, technology leaders and entrepreneurs on technology that can improve the patient experience.

Information:

mission-health.org/H2TConference

ment funds transforming for our investors.

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UBJ MADE HERE

THE HEAT IS OFF

Milliken flame-resistant workwear puts safety first for industrial and utilities workers

By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer joladipo@communityjournals.com

Fires, gas explosions and electrical burns are some of the biggest concerns for Milliken & Company’s flame resistant (FR) fabrics division. The acquisition of Chicago-based Westex Inc. this month grows the division, making it the largest single business inside the company, and possibly the largest supplier in the world. Milliken manufactures protective apparel locally at its Pendleton plant, and some in Georgia. The major finishing facility is located in Blacksburg, S.C. Westex’s manufacturing also occurs mainly at a plant three hours away in Statesboro, Ga.

FR FOOTHOLD

A few dozen people at Milliken from researchers to technicians work directly on protective fabrics. The technology is all about making people’s lives better and safer, said Travis Greer, development manager for workwear and protective fabrics. “That’s a strong message in this FR market because we’re making protection equipment. It’s not just something you wear; it’s safely equipment. That makes it a trust issue. When people put that

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

equipment on they have to trust you.” Oil and gas, industrial electrical and other utilities workers are the products’ major consumers. The company has developed flame-resistant fabrics for the hospitality industry (think hotel curtains) for more than 30 years. The business began to extend to apparel in the early 1990s with the development of NOMEX flight suits for the U.S. military, which led to commercial products at the beginning of the next decade. Greer said the segment has seen “tremendous growth in the last five to six years. Now with Westex we’re one of the largest if not the largest” producers of FR fabrics worldwide.

MORE THAN RESISTANCE The fabrics aren’t just resistant to fire, but they also need to extinguish the flame, a complex >>

May 30, 2014

UBJ MADE HERE

Photos Provided

task and one of the biggest challenges in FR production, Greer said. Chemists come up with various ways to do so, such as building a high amount of nitrogen into the fabric to reduce the amount of oxygen, which fuels fire. Or the char of burned material can become an insulator to block additional fuel from the flames. Innovation in the field is also focused on the people who wear the materials. Greer said even if major fires happen at a company just once a year, workers are frequently susceptible to heat stress that can cause them to pass out. “Comfort is a huge issue,” Greer said. “A lot of these regions where you do have the growth are very hot and very humid. In the past they either made material heavy enough to protect from the heat or used synthetic fibers.” Those solutions can become heavy as workers sweat or cause problems such as chafing, which sometimes discourages them from wearing the equipment properly. So Milliken’s innovation focused on breathability and reducing the weight, Greer said.

BOOMING BUSINESS Growth in the energy industry worldwide will

“It’s not going to be for the guys in the roughest, toughest jobs, but the guys that are maybe a little more customerforward but still exposed to those same hazards.” Travis Greer

continue to fuel the demand for FR workwear. North America remains at the forefront with high estimates of the oil and natural gas reserves in places like the Dakotas, Texas and Pennsylvania. Recent high-profile catastrophes such as the 2010 explosion on BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico made the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) double down on the enforcement of safety standards. As U.S.based companies comply with the stringent standards, the need for FR workwear reaches their operations all over the world. China also has a new safety standard related to “arc flash,” a type of electrical explosion. It is even more stringent than those in North America, so Milliken also launched a U.S.-manufactured product for that market segment. “Now that we’ve grown and become a significant player in this market, we’re looking at partnership with mainstream customer brands and acquisitions,” Greer said.

WORKING WITH STYLE Next on the horizon is a focus on protective materials that look good. The company announced a partnership with FR apparel company Bulwark earlier this year to create a clothing line exclusively for Milliken fabrics. It will include knits and items that wear like performance clothing. “It’s a little more of an image thing,” said Greer. “It’s not going to be for the guys in the roughest, toughest jobs, but the guys that are maybe a little more customer-forward but still exposed to those same hazards.” The growing demand for women’s FR apparel will also be a focus. Stylish FR workwear presents another aspect of one of the industry’s most difficult tasks, balancing demands for extreme protection, comfort and durability. Greer said it takes constant innovations to meet one need without sacrificing others. It’s an ongoing challenge being met by one Upstate company for workers all over the world.

May 30, 2014

Quick Facts Milliken & Company has a portfolio dating back to 1972 of 15 patents and patents pending relevant to the FR protective apparel fabrics. With the acquisition of Westex Inc. and King America Finishing, Milliken has about 800 associates in the states of South Carolina and Georgia who are working in the area of research, development, sales and manufacturing of FR protective apparel fabrics.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ COVER

Ten at the Top Crosses Boundaries

TATT

TEN at the top

The 10 counties of the Upstate can get further together, say the organization’s leaders

By Joe Toppe | staff | jtoppe@communityjournals.com

There are certain issues that cross the boundaries of jurisdiction and can only be resolved by establishing partnerships and collaborative efforts to improve the economic vitality and quality of life throughout a region.

and kicked off its Upstate Vision Forum Series. Between 2010 and 2013, the organization conducted 322 regional activities with 19,000 participants across the Upstate.

Committed to uniting the Upstate, Ten at the Top (TATT) works with individual communities and business sectors to create an open dialogue so that a collaboration of efforts can be reached. The idea for Ten at the Top came out of a regional conference in 2005 where more than 300 leaders from across the region gathered and subsequently formed a committee made up of 40 area leaders, called Upstate Together. It was not until 2009 that the committee was incorporated as a nonprofit and renamed Ten at the Top. The following year, the organization began partnering with regional entities to start regular meetings with elected officials in the Upstate. Over the next few years, TATT hosted regional summits

Regionalism is the idea that there are issues such as transportation, infrastructure, workforce and education that cross jurisdictional boundaries, said Dean Hybl, executive director of Ten at the Top. “As we look toward impacting these issues, there are likely potential solutions that include creating partnerships across borders,” he said.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

Focus on Regionalism

“The Upstate is stronger together as one region than as individual cities and counties.” Dean Hybl, executive director, Ten at the Top

May 30, 2014

Individual entities can work alone, but some components of the issues can be addressed through regional solutions. Hybl said regionalism also recognizes that true competition is not local cities and counties opposing each other for business and economic wealth – the Upstate is competing against regions from across the globe. Recognizing collective assets and working together will address region-wide issues while maximizing resources. “The Upstate is stronger together as one region than as individual cities and counties,” Hybl said.

Commitment to Collaboration

Smaller municipalities rely on TATT’s commitment to collaboration for both regional notoriety and the provision of working examples. Gaffney City Administrator James Taylor said competing in the global marketplace requires >> native cooperation.

>> Ten at the Top’s commitment to regionalism enables Gaffney to learn from other Upstate cities, he said. Burriss Nelson, Anderson County’s director of economic development, agrees, saying he supports the organization’s efforts to bring about collaboration and a unified voice for the Upstate. “Without an engaged and accepted organization that can bind the many entities both large and small, we will all flounder and remain in the quagmire,” he said.

Improving the Product TATT’s role in the Upstate is to ensure the area addresses both the social and physical infrastructure needed to maintain and grow economic vitality and quality of life, Hybl said. “If you think of the Upstate as a product, Ten at the Top is an internal organization focused on product development,” he said. Larger than Charlotte’s metro region in 1990, the 10-county Upstate has roughly 1.4 million residents. By 2030, the Upstate is projected to have more than 1.62 million. “TATT wants to make sure we are working collectively to discuss and address issues that will only become more critical as we continue to grow in population,” Hybl said. Ten at the Top’s job is grass-roots oriented and focuses on in-house matters, said Clay Andrews, director of investor and public relations for the Upstate SC Alliance. As Upstate Alliance markets the region to the world, TATT influences what that product is, he said. “Everything TATT does to improve the product will only make it shine much brighter to others.” As issues extend beyond county and city borders, organizations throughout the Upstate recognize the vital need for regional unification. Issues today are rarely localized but rather regional in nature, said Kevin Landmesser, interim president and CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation. “Only through working together can we hope to adequately address the issues,” he said. “If we do, our region will be marketable; if we don’t, we won’t.” As local organizations such as Upstate Alliance and the GADC market the area to international business, TATT looks to address internal issues affecting the region. “We can work collaboratively to ensure the Upstate, as a product, has the appropriate infrastructure today to support the businesses and residents that are coming in the future,” Hybl said.

An Upstate Vision In 2010, TATT created a partnership with the Upstate Alliance, Upstate Chamber Coalition, Upstate Forever and the three Councils of Governments in the region (Appalachian, Catawba and Upper Savannah) to develop the first-ever regular Upstate Elected Officials Meetings. Hybl said the purpose of the regular gatherings (typically two or three per year) is to bring together elected officials and business leaders to discuss key issues of regional significance. Each meeting focuses on one topic and includes discussion on various local and regional strategies related to that issue, he said. “These meetings are not about creating regional policy, but instead about discussing how to best address the specific issues.” In 2011, TATT unveiled “Our Upstate Vision,” which included the identification of five “regional drivers” that serve as focus areas for the organization, its committees, and task forces. Hybl said each of the five task forces center on one of the five driver areas while including Upstate representatives to address local issues. These efforts have helped create and strengthen partnerships amongst organizations across the Upstate, he said. In 2012, TATT brought together seven United Ways in the Upstate to discuss the possibility of collaborating. The meetings resulted in a partnership and MOU to develop a regional Born Learning messaging program around early childhood learning. During that same year, TATT helped the primary transportation planning organizations in the Upstate (SPATS, GPATS and ACOG) create a memorandum to formally discuss and work collaboratively on transportation initiatives across local boundaries. Since 2012 and at the request of the Barbara Stone Foundation, Ten at the Top has served as the coordinator for the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee and hosted a meeting comprised of organizations that provide services to individuals with physical and psychological disabilities. Hybl said the Barbara Stone Foundation felt these organizations overlapped on many issues and wanted to better focus their funding support.

E N G A G E SEPT.

UPSTATE REGIONAL SUMMIT: RECHECKING OUR REALITY

TD Convention Center, Greenville 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Includes morning workshops and a luncheon Information: tenatthetop.org

The participating organizations subsequently created an alliance to learn more about their services and to ensure the best use of resources, he said. With the ultimate goal of providing the best possible care for individuals with disabilities, the organizations now work through a consulting process. Representatives of the Greenville County Planning Department approached TATT in late 2013 about a regional food system strategic planning initiative, said Kirbie Crowe, program manager of Ten at the Top. Greenville County had already completed an area food assessment but realized the Upstate’s food system naturally crosses county lines, she said. “It made more sense to look at food system planning from a regional perspective.” Crowe said TATT and representatives of the county’s planning department are now working together to convene meetings of food system stakeholders from across the Upstate’s ten counties. TATT’s goal is to form a food policy council, she said. The regional council would create a strategic plan for a food system to increase local production, local food in the market, access to local food, and many other economic and health-related benefits.

Eyes on the Future Ten at the Top’s task forces have also made significant contributions to the organization’s unification efforts in the last few years. The Community Vibrancy Task Force partnered with a political science and urban planning professor at USC Upstate to develop a list of community vibrancy initiatives, while the Economic and Entrepreneurial Vitality Task Force focused on building regional capacity and ensuring support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Current and future projects include organizing meetings on the needs of Upstate seniors and partnering with Clemson University to create a regional Comprehensive Plan Map. As part of its most recent Upstate Vision Forum, TATT held a panel discussion at Clemson University’s Center for Automotive Research on the need for building a knowledge-based culture in the region. The panel included representatives from the area’s community colleges and universities. The organization will host the Upstate Regional Summit on Sept.16. Hybl said the purpose of the summit is to look at what strides have been made over the last five years and to receive input from residents to ensure continued growth. The summit will include breakout sessions around key regional issues as well as a luncheon with a keynote address by Glenda Hood, former mayor of Orlando, Fla., and one-time Florida secretary of state, he said. Sponsorships for the summit are currently available and tickets will be available beginning July 1.

May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

UBJ THE FINE PRINT Clemson Cited as National Leader in Economic Development example” that continued ty, Georgia Institute of Clemson University is among 12 its progress even as the last Technology, Massachusetts universities nationwide that have recession hit South Caro- Institute of Technology, been cited for helping drive ecolina particularly hard. North Carolina State nomic growth at a time when more They cited Clemson’s University, Purdue Universtates are looking to their high2020 Roadmap, fundrais- sity, Stanford University, er-education institutions to create ing campaign, leadership, University of Florida and jobs and investment. partnerships with industry University of Utah. The university has expanded and willingness to collabThe book is serving as research and development, enthe foundation for a conorate across disciplines. hanced instructional programs Other case studies in the ference at Research Trianand adopted a “daring and novel” book involved Arizona gle Park in Durham, N.C. mission in a “relatively short” 15 State University, Brigham on June 24 and 25. For years, according to the new book Young University, Califor- more information and to “Innovation U 2.0: Reinventing nia Institute of Technology, read the book, go to innoUniversity Roles in a Knowledge Carnegie Mellon Universi- vation-u.com. Economy.” The authors, Louis Tornatzky Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker looks at the Deep Orange concept vehicle at the Clemson University International Center for and Elaine Rideout, called U.S. Automotive Research in Greenville. CU-ICAR is one of four innovation campuses spread across the state that are key to Clemson’s economic Clemson an “enlightening development strategy.

Fluor Names Johnson Head of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Fluor Corporation recently announced that Carol Johnson has joined Fluor and will be assigned to Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) LLC as president and chief executive officer. SRNS is a Fluor-led partnership that oversees the management and operating contract for the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site near Aiken. Johnson has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the op-

eration of high-hazard nuclear facilities, environmental management, decommissioning and infrastructure at several DOE locations and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in the United Kingdom. Prior to joining SRNS, she served as president and project manager of the Washington Closure Hanford LLC until her retirement in 2013. “Carol Johnson is a proven leader with extensive industry and global leadership experience making her

an ideal fit to oversee SRNS,” said Bruce Stanski, president of Fluor’s Government Group, in a release. Johnson previously served as the infrastructure executive director at the Sellafield project in the United Kingdom where she was responsible for critical nuclear safety-related infrastructure and site services in support of an annual $2 billion nuclear program. She also has held technical and managerial assignments at the Savannah River Site,

the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, and the Idaho National Laboratory.

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SCBT Announces New Director of Risk Management SCBT announced last week that L. Andrew Westbrook III, who has served as regional president for the bank’s Foothills Region since 2012, has been named director of risk management. Westbrook will be responsible for enterprise risk management, vendor management, business continuity/ disaster recovery, information security, compliance, bank insurance and regulatory relations for SCBT’s threestate banking network.

“Andy’s extensive knowledge of the banking industry and excellent management skills will prove invaluable in this important leadership role for our company,” said Joe E. Burns, SCBT chief risk officer, in a news release. With 29 years of experience in the banking industry, Westbrook has worked at large regional banks as well as smaller community banks starting as a management trainee and has worked in a variety of positions in-

McNair Helps Win $297M RICO Suit McNair Law Firm P.A. was recently involved with Hunton and Williams and other law firms around the country in reaching a $297 million settlement on behalf of plaintiffs in a multidistrict class action against U.S. Foodservice Inc. and its former parent company, Koninklijke Ahold N.V. The settlement agreement is pending approval by the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. “This is a significant legal victory for our client Thomas & King and other similarly situated restaurateurs in the class,” said Celeste T. Jones of McNair Law Firm, litigation counsel for Thomas & King, a South Carolina company, in a release. “The legal team led by Richard Wyatt of Hunton & Williams did a magnificent job in this

v e r y complex matter which involved the RICO class certification, an appeal affirming the RICO class by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, and a denial of defendant’s petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.” This agreement is believed to be one of the largest civil RICO class action settlements in recent history and was reached on behalf of customers, primarily hospitals and restaurants who claimed they were defrauded by U.S. Foodservice when it created six companies it controlled to inflate costs. U.S. Foodservice previously settled a similar claim made by the United States for approximately $30 million.

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cluding corporate banker and regional management. In 2005, Westbrook was named president and CEO of The Peoples National Bank and then later

moved into the role of president and CEO for Peoples Bancorporation, a three-bank holding company which merged with SCBT in 2012. Westbrook is a graduate of the College of Charleston and is an active member of the community, serving as the chairman of the board of the Humanities Council of South Carolina and as chairman of the finance and stewardship committee for Trinity Lutheran Church.

3 Signed To NFL After College All Star Bowl Three out of 68 players who participated in the second College All Star Bowl at Furman University in February were signed to the NFL. Although all the College All Star Bowl alums participated in the rookie training camps of 28 NFL teams, only Marquis Flowers of Arizona signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, Mitchell Van Dyke of Portland State signed with the St. Louis Rams, and Will Smith of Texas Tech signed with the Dallas Cowboys. “Our No. 1 goal has been to create opportunities for college football players in the NFL and beyond ever since we launched The College All Star Bowl: NFL Showcase and Leadership

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Conference in Greenville,” said David Wyatt, the game’s director, in a news release. “In just our second year, we have surpassed all our projections solidifying our national reputation.” The College All Star Bowl started as business venture for Wyatt when he merged football and entertainment, much like the NFL Super Bowl, to create the new bowl. Based on his observations of the retro-themed entertainment at Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Wyatt brought a bowl to South Carolina, which was broadcasted nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Plans for the 2015 College All Star Bowl are currently underway.

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Medical Practices Announce Move to Verdae Parkside Pediatrics, Palmetto Family Orthodontics and Upstate Pediatrics will locate in master-planned community SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com Construction is already underway at the corner of Rocky Slope Road and Verdae Boulevard for three medical practices that will be locating to the 1,100-acre master-planned community of Verdae. The practices – Parkside Pediatrics, Palmetto Family Orthodontics and Upstate Pediatric Dentistry – will be located in three separate buildings. “The new medical office facilities are at the epicenter of development and will be a great complement to the area,” stated Rick Sumerel, president and CEO of Verdae Development. “We are excited that Parkside Pediatrics, Palmetto Family Orthodontics and Upstate Pediatrics have chosen to locate their esteemed practices to Verdae.” Upstate Pediatric Dentistry, which provides dental services to patients ranging in age from newborn to late teens, will be relocating from its current office at 105 Halton Road in Greenville. The practice has been at the Halton Road location for six years. Dr. Brian Jones says that also, beginning in July, Dr. Caroline Branchal will join the staff of 12 as a second, full-time provider. Parkside Pediatrics, which will have the middle and largest of the three new buildings, will be keeping its current location at 211 Batesville Road in Simpsonville and expanding to Verdae with a new second location that will be a “larger facility with more services.” The eightyear-old practice currently has 12 providers with two more coming on board in the summer and a staff of more than 55. Parkside is privately owned by three pediatricians, Dr. Justin Moll, Dr. Stephen Jones and Dr. Scott Dobson, who were friends during

their residency in Greenville. Their dream of expanding their vision is being realized with the new Verdae location, they said. “Parkside will be able to serve families with more space and offering more services including X-rays, classes and specialized programs.” Palmetto Family Orthodontics has also been in practice for seven years and will be moving from Halton Village Circle in Greenville to its new Verdae building. The practice’s Cherrydale and Spartanburg locations will remain. Dr. Rush-Baker Caldwell and Dr. David “Trecy” Watson are brothersin-law who grew up in the Gower neighborhood. They started the practice from the ground up in June 2007 and have had a desire to practice in Verdae since they met with Rick Sumerel in May 2006. The Verdae location will be more convenient, a larger space and offer more services for their clients. Each building will have its own parking and will meet the Verdae development standards. Construction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

PROJECT PARTNERS

PALMETTO FAMILY ORTHODONTICS

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DEVELOPER: Medical Development Solutions GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Caldwell Constructors ARCHITECTS: Radium Architecture Inc., McMillian Pazdan Smith and Dwayne Wood and Associates FINANCED BY: Southern First Bank INTERIOR DESIGN: Kathy Lenser Interiors for Parkside Pediatrics and McMillian Pazdan Smith for Palmetto Family Orthodontics and Upstate Pediatrics

UPSTATE PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Renderings Provided.

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May 30, 2014

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Wall Street Project Underway SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com New developments are beginning to take shape in downtown Spartanburg. Construction began in February on the Wall Street project, a new mixed-use development downtown located on the corner of Broad and Wall streets. Now that framing is complete, area residents and nearby businesses can begin to visualize Spartanburg’s leap into the future. The building will feature four retail/commercial spaces ranging from 500-750 square feet on the ground floor. Developer Royce Camp hopes to attract “food and beverage and retail type tenants” to the space that complement each other. On the second and third floors will be nine one- and two-bedroom apart-

ments, ranging from 570 to 950 square feet. Apartments are expected to rent for about $800-$1,200 per month. Camp says the apartments will have hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and hardwood cabinets. Each apartment will have its own private balcony, “which in Spartanburg is a big deal,” said C. Glenn Brown with GPN Architecture, the architect of record for the project. Brown also said the “unique” and “first-of-its-kind design” not only meets all of the city of Spartanburg’s newest development requirements, but exceeds them by “introducing a

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PROJECT PARTNERS DEVELOPER: Mid Town Properties LLC GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Royce Camp Construction ARCHITECT: GPN Architecture FINANCED BY: Royce Camp

creative contemporary flair for the future by introducing a circular design.” “While this particular circular design is not new to architecture … being able to combine it with a traditional look surrounded by historical buildings, and making it feel as a

May 30, 2014

natural step towards future development for Spartanburg, is a first-of-its-kind design,” said Brown. Brown says the utilization of fieldstone, brick and stucco along with complementing color and a “flair for the contemporary” is a “stepping stone” into Spartanburg’s architectural future. “We’re excited to be helping Spartanburg move forward,” he said. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2015.

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Augusta Walk Refines Plans SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com After input from the surrounding community, plans are being revised for Augusta Walk, a new 24-home subdivision on Augusta Street, on the property where the YWCA is currently located. Executives from RealtyLink Development Properties, the commercial real estate company that is developing the property, met with representatives from the nearby Greater Sullivan Neighborhood Association, including City Councilwoman Lillian Brock Flemming, Judge Horace Butler and others. Based on their concerns, RealtyLink has revised and refined original site plans. “Throughout the Augusta Walk planning process, RealtyLink has worked to engage the local commu-

nity,” said RealtyLink Principal Phil Wilson. “Our goal as a company is to place emphasis on doing the right thing, for our city, and for all those invested in the outcome of the project.” Concerns from the initial plan included an obtrusive, tall brick wall erected around the Augusta Walk development. Neighbors say they were concerned the wall would result in a “segregating element” between the proposed home sites and the Sullivan Neighborhood. The amended site plans have now been changed to feature a shorter, decorative wrought-iron fence that matches existing community elements and promotes child- and pet-friendly fencing for buyers. An electric gate also initially planned for the new development has now been removed. The development

will not be gated. Another concern was that the Augusta Walk neighborhood would be comprised of massive brick homes which do not reflect the City of Greenville’s master plan for the Sullivan Neighborhood. RealtyLink will now incorporate a mixture of brick and Hardie Board homes, “helping soften the overall streetscape, support the master plan and service the necessary price point.” “Our desire is to protect the land on which Augusta Walk will be built, and to work hand-in-hand with our neighbors on building a better community,” said Wilson. “We intend to work with the City of Greenville to develop a plan for improving facilities of the neighborhood community center and beautifying park infrastructure.” Augusta Walk will be situated on

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3.7 acres. Homes will be 2,5003,000 square feet and two to three stories with alleyways and garages in the rear and porches in the front. The community will be “nicely landscaped, with sidewalks and gas lanterns.” Homes are expected to be in the $700,000 to $800,000 range and will be custom-built from “five or six plans” by the community’s exclusive builder, Rembrey Homes. All yard maintenance will be taken care of by the neighborhood. Site construction is expected to begin July 1 with home construction to begin in October. The existing YWCA building will be demolished. RealtyLink has retained Redhype, a branding and digital agency, to “properly represent the developer in relations with news media and the community.”

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Mauldin Chick-fil-A Breaks Ground than $20 million in free food. The restaurant is expected to open in late August or early September.

SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com The city of Mauldin’s first standalone Chick-fil-A restaurant broke ground last week. The new restaurant is expected to create 80 new jobs and is one of 88 new stand-alone, in-line, and drive-thru restaurants the chain plans to open across the country in 2014. Chick-fil-A will be located at 135 W. Butler Road, will be approximately 5,000 square feet and will seat 144 customers. It will also offer free Wi-Fi and an indoor play area with an interactive section for toddlers. Chick-fil-A will celebrate the grand opening of the new Mauldin restaurant by giving away a one-year supply of free Chick-fil-A meals (52 meals) to the first 100 adults in line on

1 of 88

new stand-alone, in-line, and drive-thru restaurants the chain plans to open in 2014

5,000

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opening day. The “First 100” celebration draws Chick-fil-A’s most loyal fans who arrive up to 24 hours in advance with tents, TVs, computers,

gaming systems and other gear to pass the time while camping out overnight. Since the event began in October 2003, Chick-fil-A has given away more

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New hires, promotions & award winners can be featured in On The Move.

UBJ ON THE MOVE HIRED

Send information & photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

HIRED

FINANCIAL SERVICES: Greer State Bank recently announced the promotion of Joy Kamees as commercial/consumer lender. Kamees has been with the bank as a loan processor/consumer lender for 17 years.

Janet Ha

Dr. Cole Smith

Meghan G. Riordan

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Joined Cargo as community manager and social media strategist. Prior to joining Cargo, Ha was a social content strategist for Grip Limited. She has a bachelor’s degree in creative advertising from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Stay in the know Toronto.

Will assume the role of department chair in industrial engineering at Clemson University on July 1. Smith is a Clemson graduate and was most recently professor and interim chair of the industrial and systems engineering department at the University of Florida.

Joined Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. as an associate in the firm’s Greenville office. Riordan previously worked in Greenville Health System’s corporate integrity department. While in law school, she interned in the New York office of Epstein Becker Green PC.

Joined Sunland Logistics Solutions Inc. as its new vice president of operations. Madden has experience leading the startups and management of large-scale distribution operations for companies such as Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble.

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O’Neal Inc. has hired Clarence Hutto as structural department head. Hutto has more than 30 years in the engineering industry, having worked with consulting firms in Charleston, Columbia and Greenville. He joins O’Neal from the US Army Corps of Engineers in Charleston.

The Shannon Harvey Allstate Agency recently announced that Shanda Jeffries has joined the team as a personal financial representative. Jeffries has worked in the financial services industry since moving to the Upstate in 2006 and brought with her 20 years of experience working with the public in various capacities.

LEGAL: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP recently announced that William H. Foster III, Neil E. Grayson, John M. Jennings, Samuel W. Outten, A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. and Bo Russell have been recognized in legal directory publisher Chambers and Partners. Rankings are based on interviews with law firms and clients and released in Chambers USA 2014, according to the organization.

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GOT A HOT DATE?

UBJ PLANNER FRIDAY MAY 30 GREENVILLE CHAMBER FRIDAY FORUM Embassy Suites, 670 Verdae Blvd., Greenville; 8-9:30 a.m. SPEAKER: Dick Wilkerson COST: $12 for Greenville Chamber members, $20 for non-members, includes breakfast REGISTER AT: greenvillechamber.org NORTH GREENVILLE ROTARY CLUB The Poinsett Club, 807 E. Washington St., Greenville; 12:30-1:30 p.m. COST: Free to attend but invitation required, lunch $16 CONTACT: Shanda Jeffries at 864-228-2122 or sjeffries1@allstate.com

SATURDAY MAY 31 COMPREHENSIVE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP Greenville County Library-Hughes Branch, 25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville; 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. COST: $59, includes program materials and lunch

Contribute to our Planner by submitting event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com

MONDAY JUNE 2

Buck Mickel Center, 216 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville; noon-1 p.m.

Thornblade Club, 1275 Thornblade Blvd., Greer; 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

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Education Center, 209 Hollyridge Drive, Greenville; 6:45-7:45 p.m.

The Office Center at the Point, 33 Market Point Drive, Greenville; 8:30-9:30 a.m. TOPIC: The Collective Genius Theory Call Golden Career Strategies at 864-527-0425 to request an invitation TOWN HALL MEETING AND LUNCH First Baptist Church of Mauldin, 150 S. Main St., Mauldin; 11:30 a.m. SPEAKER: U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy COST: $15 per person CONTACT: info2@ mauldinchamber.org or 864-297-1323 GSHRM COMMITTEE PLANNING MEETING Greenville Technical College,

FOR INFORMATION: greenvillewoodworkers. com

TUESDAY JUNE 3 SPARTANBURG HEALTHCARE NETWORK Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 105 N. Pine St., Spartanburg; 10:30 a.m.-noon SPEAKERS: Dr. Michael S. Trayford and Mike Ervin with APEX Brain Centers CONTACT: Matthew Fish at 864-594-5024 or mfish@ spartanburgchamber.com REGISTER AT: spartanburgchamber.com GSHRM MEMBERSHIP MEETING

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TOASTMASTERS Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 739 N. Main St., Mauldin; 7-8 p.m. COST: Free for guests

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FOR INFORMATION: goldenstriptoastmasters. toastmastersclubs.org

TOASTMASTERS BILINGUE

CONTACT: Prasad Patchipulusu at pprasa1@hotmail.com

University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Auditorium Room 204, Greenville; noon-1 p.m. FOR INFORMATION: tmbilingue. toastmastersclubs.org CONTACT: Jeff Alfonso at jeff@ alfonsointerpreting.com NON-PROFIT ALLIANCE Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; noon-1 p.m. TOPIC: Business Funding COST: Free for Greenville Chamber members, $20 for non-members. $10 for a box lunch. CONTACT: 864-242-1050 REGISTER AT: greenvillechamber.org GOLDEN STRIP

WEDNESDAY JUNE 4 BNI CHAPTER, GREATER GREENVILLE City Range, 615 Haywood Road, Greenville; noon-1:30 p.m. COST: $15 for lunch CONTACT: Hardy Auston at 864-313-9942 or hdaustonmoving@aol.com MANUFACTURERS ROUNDTABLE Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; 12:30-1:30 p.m. TOPIC: Leadership Issues: Performance Management, Coaching, etc. COST: Free for Greenville Chamber members, $15 for guests, but must be a manufacturer to attend.

CONTACT: Darlene Parker at 864-239-3706 BREWMASTERS Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6:45-7:45 p.m. COST: $20 for members, $24 for guests CONTACT: 864-232-5600

THURSDAY JUNE 5 GCS TOASTMASTER TD Convention Center, 1 Exposition Drive, Greenville; noon-1 p.m. CONTACT: Ann or Myles Golden at agolden@ goldencareerstrategies. com or myles@ goldencareerstrategies. com NETNIGHT Hyatt Regency Greenville, 220 N. Main St., Studio 220, Greenville, 6-8 p.m. COST: $15 per person at the door, $10 per person up to June 2 NON-PROFIT FEATURE: SHARE REGISTER AT: greenvillechamber.org CONTACT: 864-239-3727

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UBJ DEALMAKERS NAI EARLE FURMAN ANNOUNCED: Hunter Garrett and John Staunton represented CrossFit Infliction in leasing an 8,000 SF retail space in the BI-LO Shopping Center at 604 N. Woods Drive, Fountain Inn. Peter Couchell and Rob Schmidt represented the landlord of the Woodruff Point Shopping Center in leasing 2,065 SF to Roly Poly and 2,080 SF to AGW Leasing Company at 1616 Woodruff Road, Greenville. Tyson Smoak represented West End North LLC in leasing a 2,386 SF office space at 508 Rhett St., Greenville. Keith Jones represented the tenant. John Gray and Drew Stamm represented Swain Holdings LLC, the landlord of Crescentwood Village, in leasing a 2,044 SF retail space at 785 E. Butler Road, Mauldin, to Set Apart Health. Dan Dunn represented the landlord of Pointe West in leasing a 2,810 SF office space at 775 Spartan Blvd., Spartanburg, to Avionex LLC. Tyson Smoak represented ProCare Counseling Center in leasing a 2,163 SF office space in the North Grove Medical Park at 1330 N. Boiling Springs Road, Spartanburg. Ford Borders and Grice Hunt represented the landlord of Greenville Commerce Center in leasing a total of 159,317 SF of industrial space at 575 Mauldin Road, Greenville, to Confluence Real Estate Holdings. Ford Borders and Grice Hunt represented SAR Automation in leasing a 21,600 SF industrial space in Gateway International Business Center at 520 Brookshire Road, Greer. Keith Jones and Jake Van Gieson represented the landlord in leasing a 6,150 SF office space at 3441 Pelham Road, Greenville, in EastPark at Pelham, to JardenPlastics Solutions.

Ford Borders and Grice Hunt represented the landlord of Airport Industrial Park in leasing a 15,000 SF industrial space at 141 Runion Drive, Greer, to Courier Express. Earle Furman and Alexi Papapieris represented the landlord in leasing an 18,900 SF industrial space at 28 Oeland Drive, Greenville. Keith Jones represented the landlord in leasing a 2,000 SF office space at 201 Richard St., Easley, to Easley Clinical Research LLC. Scott Jones represented the landlord in leasing a 2,150 SF office space at 3535 Pelham Road, Greenville, in EastPark at Pelham, to New Hope Behavioral Health. Earle Furman and Alexi Papapieris represented Perry Street Partners LLC in purchasing an office building in the Village of West Greenville. Hunter Garrett and John Staunton represented Duncan Industrial LLC in purchasing a 5,000 SF warehouse and office building at 915 Berry Shoals Road, Duncan. John Baldwin represented QuikTrip Corporation in purchasing 3.06 acres at 1450 Woodruff Road, Greenville. Keith Jones represented the seller in selling a 16-acre land parcel at 1762 Dacusville Hwy, Easley. Glenn Batson represented the seller in selling a 28,000 SF flex building at 325 New Neely Ferry Road, Mauldin. Hunter Garrett and John Staunton represented the buyer, Kellett Howard Properties LLC. Kay Hill and Tony Bonitati represented the buyer, Woodfield Investments, in purchasing 19.33 acres on the Millennium Campus located at the intersection of Laurens Road and Innovation Drive for multifamily development. Tom Daniel represented the seller, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, in the transaction. Woodfield Investments plans to build approximately 336 Class A+ units on the site.

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

May 30, 2014

Tony Bonitati and Kay Hill represented the sellers, Three S Enterprises LLC and Lakewood Properties LLC, in the sale of a 104unit multifamily rental village known as Lakewood on the Saluda, located at 104 B Stanley Drive, Greenville. The purchaser was Victoria Apartments Inc. The community, which was built in 1986, sold for $3,750,000 and was 92 percent occupied at the time of sale. COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL GREENVILLE ANNOUNCED: Frank Hammond represented SC Telco Federal Credit Union in the purchase of 1.14 acres of land located at 601 Verdae Blvd., Greenville. Richard Barrett represented R&J Investments in the leasing of 21,600 SF of flex space located at 520 Brookshire Road, Greer. Will Nelson represented Big Cedar Properties in the leasing of 2,250 SF of retail space at 2038 Laurens Road, Suite B, and also the leasing of 1,246 SF of retail space at Suite D, Greenville. Will Nelson represented Pruitt Corporation in the leasing of 2,250 SF of retail space at 2909 N. Main St., Anderson and the leasing of 1,600 SF of retail space at 2931 N. Main St., Anderson. CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD | THALHIMER ANNOUNCED: Brian J. Young, Elliott Fayssoux and Kacie Jackson have been selected by Edgar Investments LLC as exclusive leasing representatives for the former TaylorMade building, a 200,000 SF property located at 100 Dunlop Drive, Westminster. COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL CAINE GREENVILLE AND SPARTANBURG ANNOUNCED: Sammy DuBose represented the landlord, Verdae Properties LLC,

in lease renewal negotiations for a +4,700 SF retail space at 2415 Laurens Road, Greenville, with the tenant CertusBank. Rick Cauthen represented the tenant, Skyline Exhibits & Design Inc., in the leasing of a +22,000 SF industrial space at 312 Industrial Drive, Greenville, from the landlord, ACC Properties LLC. Rick Cauthen represented the landlord, Wong Properties LP LLC, in the leasing of a +1,525 SF retail space at 420-A N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, to the tenant, Roma Media Productions LLC. Charles Humphreys and David Sigmon represented the landlord, Falls Place LLC, in the leasing of a +6,126 SF office space at Falls Place, 531 S. Main St., Suite 300, Greenville, to the tenant, Edwards, Church & Muse Inc. Beau Gunn represented the landlord, Premier Holdings LLC, in the leasing of a +9,200 SF retail space at 2053 Chesnee Hwy., Suite 1, Spartanburg, to the tenant, Ambustar Inc. Tim Satterfield and Pete Brett represented the seller, SCBT, in the sale of +7.1 acres at 645 Old Howard Gap Road, Spartanburg, to the purchaser, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Graham Howle represented the purchaser, Chapin Industries LLC, in the purchase of a +5,000 SF industrial building at 15 Ferguson St., Greenville, from the seller, BC & C of Greenville LLC. George Zimmerman represented the seller, Piedmont Development Company, in the sale of a +0.74 acre vacant lot on Michelin Blvd., Anderson, to the purchaser, Jack Holdings LLC. Rick Cauthen represented the tenant, Cason Companies Inc. in the leasing of a +7,715 SF industrial space at 2611 S. Hwy. 14, Greer, from the landlord, Trifon Associates Inc.

UBJ DEALMAKERS David Sigmon represented the tenant, Hayden Brewer LLC d/b/a Mainstream Boutique, in the leasing of a +1,877 SF retail space at 716A S. Main St., Greenville, from the landlord, Kirkland Investments LLC. David Sigmon represented the landlord, Mountain City Land & Improvement Company LLC, in lease renewal negotiations with the tenant, SynTerra Corporation, for a +12,671 SF office space at Innovate, 148 River St., Ste. 220, Greenville. Sammy DuBose represented the landlord, Thrift Group Inc., in the leasing of a +25,772 SF retail building at 421 Oak Road, Piedmont, to the tenant, General Shale Brick Inc. Sammy DuBose represented the landlord, 3 PE LLC, in lease renewal negotiations with the tenant, Benefits in a Card LLC, for a +6,400 SF office space at 725 Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville. David Sigmon and Graham Howle represented the tenant, Set Apart Health LLC, in the leasing of a +2,044 SF retail space at 785-D E. Butler Road, Mauldin, from the landlord, Swain Holdings LLC. David Sigmon and Robert Zimmerman brokered the sale of a +40,000 SF office/retail/apartment building at 233 N. Main St., Greenville, between the seller, JE Properties LLC, and the purchaser, 233 Greenville LLC. Sammy DuBose and Pete Brett represented the purchaser, Verdae Properties LLC, in the purchase of a +45,900 SF retail building on +6.9 acres at 2631 Laurens Road, Greenville, from the seller, 2631 Laurens Road LP. Tim Satterfield and Pete Brett represented the seller, SCBT, in the sale of a +17,250 SF industrial building on +2.25 acres at 350 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg, to the purchaser, Mark A Properties LLC. Tim Satterfield represented the

seller, Wells Fargo Bank NA, in the sale of a +15,000 SF industrial building at 5030 College Drive, Spartanburg, to the purchaser, CBG Resources LLC. Tim Satterfield represented the purchaser, South Phifer Properties LLC, in the purchase of +1.5 acres at W. Main St., Spartanburg, from the sellers, the Estate of Mai Wa Wong and Arthur Ray Lawter Jr. SPECTRUM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, LLC ANNOUNCED:

of industrial space located at 712 Worley Road, Greenville. Larry Webb represented the tenant, Wellspring Family Medicine, in the leasing of 2,500 SF of medical office space located at Stone Commons, Greenville. Mike Kiriakides represented the seller of 6141 White Horse Road, Greenville. The Tire Kingdom property sold as an income investment.

Jamie McCutchen represented the seller in the sale of 15.88 acres located at 875 Fairmont Ave., Duncan. Jamie McCutchen represented the seller in the sale of multiple lots located at The Reserve at Green Valley, Greenville. Bobby Miller represented the purchaser in the acquisition of 19.3 acres located on West Georgia Road, Simpsonville.

Brent L. Freeman represented the landlord, Franklin Vaughn, in leasing a flex unit located at 17 Laurel St., Greenville to the tenant, J&J Recovery. Jack Snedigar represented Designer Ensembles and K&K Development in the sale of their 100,000 SF warehouse and distribution facility on 23 +/- acres on Krieger Drive, Travelers Rest. The buyer, a local investor, plans to lease the facility. KDS COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, LLC ANNOUNCED: Brad Doyle represented the landlord in the leasing of 1,700 SF of office space located at 667 North Academy St., Greenville. Brad Doyle represented the landlord in the leasing of 3,840 SF of flex space located at 107-A Sunbelt Court, Greer. Larry Webb represented the landlord in the leasing of 3,000 SF of retail space located at 801 Buncombe Road, Greenville. This will be the new location for the Buttercream Bakery. Larry Webb represented the tenant, Bon Secours St. Francis Physician Services, and Brad Doyle represented the landlord in the leasing of 3,744 SF of medical office space located at 803 Roper Creek Drive, Greenville. Larry Webb represented the landlord in the leasing of 54,000 SF

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

ADVERTORIAL

SPRING INTO ACTION Spring into Action

UBJ NEW TO THE STREET

Prepare now for summer storm-related power outages Hurricanes, tornados and spring storms can be ferocious at this time of year and can cause power outages! Are you prepared?

Scott Kelly

President Carolina Heating Service Serving Greenville since 1981

As the weather warms up, and memories of recent winter storms melt away, it’s tempting to forget that most of the Upstate dodged a bullet while in regions all around us hundreds of thousands suffered without power for days due to ice and wind. But the potential for storm-related power outages is a year-round sleeping tiger. Tame the dark with the security of an emergency generator. This keeps the power on, allowing you to maintain a mostly normal routine during extended outages caused by the severe thunderstorms spring and summer often bring. While losing power may be a mere nuisance for some – what with spoiled food, messy candles and blank computers – it can be a critical safety issue for others, especially the very young, the very old, and those in fragile health.

1. Local Cue, a neighborhood sports bar serving barbecue, recently held a ribbon cutting at 30 Orchard Park Drive in Greenville. For more information, visit localcue.com or call 864-288-6873.

Now is the ideal time to install a standby generator, before the warm-weather storm season gets fully under way. Because while you can’t tame disruptive weather, you CAN prepare for it. Power your peace of mind by installing an emergency generator today. Contact Carolina Generators at 864.232.5684 or 866.488.4688 or visit www.carolinagenerators.com.

2. Burkes Outlet recently opened at 842 Woods Crossing Road in Greenville’s Cross Point Plaza. For more information, visit burkesoutlet.com.

Greenville: 864-232-5684 Seneca: 864-638-6635 Anderson: 864-281-1977 Toll Free: 800-261-0359 | www.carolinagenerators.com

carolinagenerators.com 34

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

May 30, 2014

UBJ SNAPSHOT

Historic photograph available from the Greenville Historical Society.From “Remembering Greenville: Photographs from the Coxe Collection,” by Jeffrey R. Willis

Photo Provided

Photo by Greg Beckner

Mills Manufacturing Company was organized in 1895 by Otis Prentiss Mills. About this time, low wages, long hours and the use of child labor began to attract criticism about the conditions in the mills. In response to this, and in hopes of creating a more stable work force, many mills undertook a program of company-sponsored activities. Mills built community centers, such as the one photographed by Bill Coxe at Mills Mill. Local branches of the YMCA and county libraries were accommodated in these centers. Recreational and educational activities were provided. Baseball teams and brass bands were organized, and nurseries were provided for mothers.

MARKETING & EVENTS Kate Banner

DIGITAL STRATEGIST PRESIDENT/CEO Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

UBJ PUBLISHER

Emily Price

ART & PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR Kristy M. Adair

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com

OPERATIONS Holly Hardin

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Michael Allen, Whitney Fincannon

Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com

MANAGING EDITOR Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER Jennifer Oladipo

STAFF WRITERS

Sherry Jackson, Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris, Joe Toppe

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jeanne Putnam

PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Beckner MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehman, Pam Putman

ADVERTISING DESIGN CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley, Jane Rogers

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS: ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com

EVENTS: events@upstatebusinessjournal.com

The Mills Mill Community Center building still stands not far from Mills Mill on Guess Street. The mill has been renovated and converted into private residences. The former community center is now also private residences.

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TWITTER: Follow us @UpstateBiz

FACEBOOK: TheUpstateBusinessJournal

LINKED IN: Upstate Business Journal Copyright @2014 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, South Carolina, 29602. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, SC 29602. Printed in the USA

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY? 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

UBJ milestone

UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport

1988

Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AWARDS:

Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years

onthemove@ upstatebusinessjournal.com

20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013

UBJ welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics related to their specialties. Guest columns run 700-800 words. Contact Executive Editor Susan Clary Simmons at ssimmons@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration.

1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993

1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.

By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com

Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.

Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during

Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he

learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders

with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s

2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space

1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court

also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept

2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003

2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running

him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”

2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people

2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award

pro-bono/non-proFit Clients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School

CoMMUnitY inVolVeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board

November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21

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May 30, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL