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READY FOR TAKEOFF Businesses in the region are looking for opportunities – and finding success – miles above sea level S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N AV I AT I O N

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UBJ DEVELOPMENT

Phase 2 of $14.5M arena renovations start Planned restaurant in Bon Secours Wellness Arena too costly for now

APRIL A. MORRIS | STAFF

amorris@communityjournals.com Work on the second phase of capital improvements at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena has started, with renovations on the arena’s concourse space, backstage areas and in the Road Warriors’ locker rooms.

However, plans for an on-site restaurant have been put on hold after evaluating the available funds, officials said. Approximately $6.6 million is set aside for this phase of improvements and about another $2 million would be needed to build the restaurant, which was to have a sports bar feel.

Greenville County Arena District chairman Jeff Gilstrap said he still holds out hope that the arena can be a destination for dining before its shows and events. He said funds may become available for the project after construction moves forward and more cost savings are realized. The arena’s staff has taken on some work in-house, like demolition work on the concourse and removal of equipment before the new sound system is in-

WORK IN THE SECOND PHASE OF IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDES: Roof replacement New sound system New lighting Exterior signage Mechanical system upgrades Renovated locker rooms Revamped backstage catering space Concourse, box office and administration renovations New team store Restroom upgrades

PRICE TAG: $6.6 million for this phase. Overall, a $14.5 million capital improvement project. $13 million of it was obtained after the Arena District restructured its debt in 2012.

Ken Betsch of Betsch Associates.

According to director of operations Dwight Rust, much of the work will be done before the next event happening in late August.

Naming sponsor Bon Secours St. Francis will be funding improvements in its hospitality area located on the concourse.

The arena turned a profit in May and is expected to have an estimated $700,000 profit at the end of the fiscal year, reported president and general manager Roger Newton. The arena has 99 confirmed future events and 107 projected for the next year.

Multiple corporate events are booked and the arena hopes to attract more in the next year, he said.

stalled, creating cost savings, he said.

Contractor crews are expected to begin work this week, said architect

July 4, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

3

Volume 3, Issue 27

July 4, 2014

WORTH REPEATING

MONEY SHOT: CEO Jason Premo inspects the work of his company, ADEX Machining Technologies. Read more on page 12.

“The whole state is an aerospace startup, and we are all creating it with a remarkable business climate.”

Page 12

Photo by Greg Beckner/Staff

“There is a long list of aerospace suppliers worldwide we can target for recruitment to create an aerospace ecosystem in South Carolina.”

Page 13

“We want to create new companies, new jobs, bring good to the community and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Page 19

4

TBA Doctors Express is converting 3,000 square feet of the former Blockbuster Video building on Simpsonville’s Grandview Drive into medical offices.

The urgent care clinic is set to open in late August or early September…

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

Word is a new Primrose School (a private preschool and afterschool care center), may be coming to Woodruff Road in Simpsonville. This would be the company’s second Upstate franchise. Primrose of Greenville is now under construction on Houston and Church streets…

VERBATIM

On freedom …

“At the end of the day the issue has been citizens have the right to vote and their voice needs to be heard, and that has not happened.”

Greenville County restaurateur and bar owner David McCraw, who is behind a petition drive to include a Sunday alcohol sales measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Read the full story at greenvillejournal.com/local/3334-booze-on-the-ballot.

UBJ ECONOMY

Report: Leading index up slightly, but real estate a ‘mixed bag’

SOUTH CAROLINA LEADING INDEX Reaching a seven-year high value of 101.51 during May, the South Carolina Leading Index (SCLI) rose for the fourth consecutive month.

According to the report, an SCLI value greater than 100 predicts economic growth in South Carolina over the next three to six months.

MANUFACTURING

101.5 101 100.5 100

MAY 14

JAN 14

MAR 14

NOV 13

JUL 13

SEP 13

MAY 13

JAN 13

MAR 13

NOV 12

JUL 12

SEP 12

MAY 12

JAN 12

MAR 12

NOV 11

JUL 11

SEP 11

MAY 11

JAN 11

99

MAR 11

99.5 NOV 10

Carolina Department of Commerce highlighted a gain of 0.06 points in the Palmetto State’s leading index, a 1.2 percent rise in the median home sales price, and a slight increase in the average manufacturing workweek.

SOUTH CAROLINA LEADING INDEX

The state’s real estate market displayed a mixed bag of results. Although the average price of home sales recorded a solid gain, residential building permits plummeted by 7.9 percent during May with 188 fewer than in the previous month.

JUL 10

A report issued by the South

REAL ESTATE

SEP 10

jtoppe@communityjournals.com

MAY 10

JOE TOPPE | STAFF

Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce

Gains in the average manufacturing workweek played a role in the continued rise of the SCLI as 0.04 more hours were reported. At an increase of 1.0 percent, the average work hours rose from April’s 40.7 to May’s 41.7.

South Carolina’s manufacturing sector gained 900 jobs during May while adding more than 6,500 over the year.

HOME SALES MSA

INDICATOR

MAY 2013

MAY 2014

Greenville

Sales Volume Median Price (000‘s)

969 $157

946 $158

Spartanburg

Sales Volume Median Price (000‘s)

337 $118

365 $129

South Carolina

Sales Volume Median Price (000‘s)

6,305 $159.0

6,164 $160.9

Source: S.C. Association of Realtors

MAY REAL ESTATE NUMBERS

For the full report, visit

PREVIOUS % CHANGE % CHANGE sccommerce.com.

CURRENT YEAR YEAR AGO 2014 YTD 2013 YTD YTD Closings Median Sales Price*

MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH – MAY 2013 TO MAY 2014

+4.5% GREENVILLE

6,164 6,305 -2.2% 24,646 24,576 0.3% $160.9

$159.0

1.2%

$157.5

$151.5

4.0%

Foreclosures

2,506 3,521 -28.8% 12,289 15,606 -21.3%

Residential Building Permits -Total

2,188

2,342

-6.6%

11,501

9,404

22.3%

$471,157

$429,170

9.8%

$2,130,724

$1,776,659

19.9%

Residential Building Permits -Valuation*

+2.2% COLUMBIA

+1.7%

+3.1%

Unchanged

CHARLESTON

SPARTANBURG

SUMTER

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, June 2014

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July 4, 2014

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

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UBJ BANKING

CresCom Bank to expand to Greenville Former CertusBank exec Scott Frierson tapped as Upstate leader SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF

sjackson@communityjournals.com A coastal South Carolina bank announced plans this week to expand to the Upstate. CresCom Bank has hired banking veteran Scott Frierson as its executive vice president and

Upstate market leader and plans to open a location in Greenville.

Frierson has 22 years of financial experience within the Greenville market, including three years as president of Carolina First Bank, which was acquired in 2010 by TD Bank. Most recently, he served as S.C.

CRESCOM FAST FACTS: • Began operations in March 2012, from merger of Crescent Bank (Myrtle Beach) and Community FirstBank (Charleston).

• Operates 12 branch locations along the S.C. coast.

• Parent company, Carolina Financial Corporation, also owns and operates Atlanta’s Crescent Mortgage Company, which lends in 43 states.

• In 2013, CresCom Bank ranked No. 9 on ABA Banking Journal’s national list of top-performing non-S banks and thrifts with total assets $100 million-$1 billion.

state executive and director of business banking for CertusBank. Frierson will be responsible for developing relationships and providing overall direction, guidance and support in Upstate activities for CresCom. “We’re pleased to expand our footprint within South Carolina by entering into the Greenville marketplace,” said David L. Morrow, CEO of CresCom Bank. “It’s an important opportunity for us, and Scott’s background gives us great confidence as we move into the Upstate.”

CresCom’s website URL and slogan of “have a nice bank” is “more than just a slogan, but a commitment to service,” FRIERSON according to the company’s website.

CRESCOM BANK FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS, Q1 2014: • Net income (excluding Crescent Mortgage Company) was $1.7 million.

• Non-performing assets ended at 1.61 percent of total assets compared to 1.97 percent at Dec. 31, 2013.

• Core deposits (checking, savings and money market) increased $23.3 million.

• Checking accounts increased by an annualized 18.1 percent for the quarter.

• Core deposits comprised approximately 59 percent of total deposits.

• Loans receivable (before allowance for loan losses) grew to $579.8 million compared to $543.3 million at Dec. 31, 2013.

Source: CresCom financial report, Q1 2014

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7/1/14 3:13 PM

UBJ ENTREPRENEURS

Feeding Innovation offers help for healthy food businesses A new entrepreneurial training L to R: Michael Wilkins, Senior Commercial Banker, Ryan Tiwari, Commercial Banker, Ronnie Colson, Greenville Market President, Haywood Hardin, Commercial Banker, Neal Kyber, Regional Market President, Lauren Greene, Private Client Relationship Manager

Measure of success.

Having a financial partner ready for your next opportunity.

Discover how successful you can be when there’s a banker you can count on, day in and day out. Our superior products, banking expertise and local decision-making work together to build powerful solutions that work for you. Call us today.

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strongest plan of an innovative, course coming to the Upstate is market-based idea, which also insetting its sights on cultivating creases healthy food access, targets healthy food businesses. Feeding a community with limited access and Innovation, an eight-week course, incorporates community engagement offers support and instruction to receives $10,000 in seed capital for entrepreneurs founding or expanding the business. In addition, if approved, farmers markets, mobile markets, the entrepreneur could qualify for corner stores and community-sup- up to $500,000 in business financing ported agriculture (CSA) in under- and assistance with accounting, served areas. marketing and other services.

Participants will attend classes, Feeding Innovation is supported learn about business plan develop- by the SC Community Loan Fund ment and participate in NxLevel and partners include Clemson CoStay in the know with UBJ’s free weekly email. training. In addition, each partici- operative Extension, Greenville pant will connect with a business County and LiveWell Greenville. mentor who can offer one-on-one There’s no cost for the program, assistance outside the course. but registration is limited. Applicants The program culminates in a live can find more information at sccompitch of a business plan to a panel of munityloanfund.org. Deadline to judges. The presenter with the apply is Aug. 7.

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The FDIC coverage extended to deposit customers is that of one insured bank.

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By ROBERT “TY” HAWKINS, director of environmental due diligence, HRP Associates Inc.

UBJ YOUR MONEY

Environmental Due Diligence standard spells changes for CRE investors Here’s what you need to know about the new Environmental Site Assessment rules The financial market has changed drastically in the last five years. When it comes to commercial real estate transactions and getting loans to support these transactions, one new area of focus has been the environmental component of these deals.

Prior to nearly every new commercial real estate transaction, an environmental assessment is required by the lender, the buyer, or both. The standard that environmental professionals use to conduct these assessments changed as of Dec. 30, 2013, creating a learning curve for many lenders and buyers.

Environmental Due Diligence has its roots in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund regulations, or more specifically, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

CERCLA includes certain protections for those who conduct All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) prior to purchasing a property. Congress passed amendments to CERCLA in 2002 that further define what is meant to conduct AAI as a precondition for CERCLA liability defenses. In 2005, US EPA published its AAI Final Rule that includes a reference to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1527-05 standard for conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA).

Since that time, ASTM E1527-05 has been the predominant standard used to complete Phase I ESAs. ASTM also reviews and updates its standards on a routine basis. As such, ASTM’s review of the E1527-05 standard first began in 2010. The update to the Phase I standard was approved and released by ASTM on

Nov. 6, 2013.

How does this affect you, your clients or your organization?

The primary components of the Phase I ESA process itself have not changed. A Phase I ESA is still comprised of four basic components: 1) Records Review 2) Site Reconnaissance 3) Interviews 4) Report Preparation.

So what has changed with ASTM E1527-13?

• There is a revised definition of a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) – most notably, what was omitted in the original definition.

The previous REC definition referenced the evaluation of the presence of a release to the “ground, ground water, or surface water.” The new definition doesn’t name a specific media, such as soil or groundwater, but rather incorporates CERCLA’s definition of a “release” and the “environment.” By doing this, all forms of contamination, be it soil, ground water, surface water or vapor, are now clearly a part of the Phase I ESA. • The term “Historical Recognized Environmental Condition” (HREC) has been clarified for consistency. An HREC is a release that has since been cleaned up to the point that allows unrestricted use of the property and its resources.

• The new term, a “Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition” (CREC), has been added. CRECs refer to contamination that the regulatory authority has deemed suitable to remain in place, but with required

controls and/or limitations on the use of the property.

• Regulatory file reviews on the Subject Site have always been a part of Phase I ESAs. The new ASTM E1527-13 standard obligates the Environmental Professional (EP) to review pertinent files on any immediately adjoining property(s) identified in the regulatory database review; otherwise, the EP must state why the applicable regulatory files were not reviewed.

• The definition of “migrate/migration” has been revised to clearly include the evaluation of vapors as a potential contaminant migration pathway. Clarification was also added to note that indoor air quality not related to subsurface contamination was outside of the scope of ASTM E1527-13.

• ASTM E1527-13 also references ASTM E2600-10, the Standard Guide for Vapor Encroachment Screening on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions. Most EPs currently consider ASTM E2600-10 the most appropriate tool to use when evaluating the potential migration of vapors into the Subject Site.

• The new standard also clarifies that the user of the Phase I ESA is responsible for providing known Environmental Lien and Activity and Use Limitations information to the EP, but the EP is not precluded from searching for these documents as well.

The old adage that you get what you pay for has never been more true when it comes to ensuring a compliant Phase I ESA is completed.

On Dec. 30, 2013, the US EPA recognized the newly issued ASTM E1527-13 standard as being compliant with the AAI Rule. The US EPA noted that in its view, the new ASTM E152713 provides an improved process for parties who choose to undertake all appropriate inquiries. By endorsing ASTM E1527-13, this standard practice now serves as the preeminent option for conducting AAI for bona fide prospective purchasers, contiguous property owners or innocent landowners who are seeking certain landowner liability protections under CERCLA or Superfund.

The average consumer of a Phase I ESA will not necessarily need to be fully versed in the new ASTM E152713 standard. However, he will want to do his homework to ensure he is using the most knowledgeable, educated and versed EP to conduct a compliant ASTM E1527-13 Phase I ESA on his behalf. The old adage that you get what you pay for has never been more true when it comes to ensuring a compliant Phase I ESA is completed.

CONTRIBUTE: We welcome expert commentary from business leaders. To learn more about how you can contribute, see page 27.

July 4, 2014

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By MARK STEWART, consortium director, SC ACCELERATE

UBJ INNOVATE

SC tech colleges put the pedal to the metal $2 billion ACCELERATE initiative promotes skills development for veterans, TAA workers SC ACCELERATE, a federal grant-funded project, is a consortium of six technical and community member colleges working in collaboration with local businesses, state agencies, and Clemson University to give adult learners a chance to earn college credentials so they can be employed, or re-employed, as quickly as possible.

The name is an acronym that explains its purpose: South Carolina Adult College Completion through E-Learning Resources and Academic Tracks to Employment.

As the lead institution in this second installment of the Department of Labor initiative in South Carolina, Greenville Technical College is working with five other two-year colleges across the state, as well as Clemson University’s Center for Workforce Development.

The focus: to improve the potential for adult learners to earn a college credential that will lead to work in high-wage, high-skill occupations through innovative and effective curriculum and individualized support systems. The program is part of a $2 billion nationwide effort that began in October 2011. Educational institutions are using these funds to create affordable training programs

that meet industry needs, invest in staff and educational resources, and provide access to digital learning.

The strategies and activities of SC ACCELERATE have just one goal: to increase attainment of certifications, certificates, diplomas and other industry-recognized credentials to better prepare individuals for work in growth industry sectors.

While the focus is on the industrial, manufacturing, transportation and engineering sectors, services provided to participants extend well beyond these career paths. Eligible individuals (veterans, Trade Adjustment Assistance [TAA] workers, and adults age 25 and older) interested in earning credentials and exploring possible employment connections are provided assistance via the SC ACCELERATE staff at each college.

Specific strategies include: • An Adult Postsecondary Transition Center • Comprehensive outreach and recruitment

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• A coordinated prior learning assessment process focused on awarding nontraditional credits to accelerate time to completion • New and redesigned curricula that helps accelerate learning • A business and entrepreneurship training program (currently in development).

Participants enrolled in the redesigned courses and programs of study are starting to see, and use, newly purchased equipment such as updated CNC machines, robotic scanners, auto body measuring systems, welding simulators, and advanced avionics trainers. In all, nearly $3 million is being spent to obtain state-of-the-art, industry approved equipment across the consortium.

In addition to the equipment, redesigned curricula and credit for prior learning efforts, the aspect of this project making the strongest impact thus far is the Adult Postsecondary Transition Centers. Greenville Technical College’s APTC officially opened on April 25, and represents an innovative approach to student engagement with support services offered in a wrap-around format that ranges from intake to academic assistance to employment prep and career connections.

Although the bulk of college intake processes have historically been geared toward 18- to 24-year-olds, studies show that adult learners want and benefit the most from comprehensive support services targeted to their needs. Many of these individuals lack any postsecondary education or have only some previous college experience.

Additionally, some now face life

barriers that inhibit their ability to successfully navigate admissions and enrollment processes, let alone the associated academics. The APTC helps to improve these procedures, offering individualized assistance as well as business/community connections for personal support and eventual employment opportunities.

Many program participants thus far have been veterans. SC ACCELERATE services should prove useful to these men and women to help them successfully return to college and civilian life. As Brad Phillips, president of the Institute for Evidence-Based Change, outlined in a recent article, “higher education is in the opportunity-making business.” SC ACCELERATE is working with colleges and business partners to further that objective.

We see this as a program that facilitates new, effective education-business partnerships while helping to better prepare individuals for work and life by ensuring adult learners are educated and prepared to rebuild our workforce. As such, this could very well be the start of a new education-to-employment approach that is eventually offered to all age groups and employment/ career interests.

SC ACCELERATE STARTED: October 2011 NATIONWIDE FUNDING: $2 billion SC FUNDING: $14.1 million PARTNERS: Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, Technical College of the Lowcountry, Tri-County Technical College, Trident Technical College, York Technical College, Clemson University’s Center for Workforce Development

S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N

UBJ AEROSPACE

SCTAC aims to fill specific aviation needs Aviation Week in August will showcase local airports

JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com With National Aviation Week scheduled for late summer, the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC) is hoping to highlight the facility as a place for the state’s general aviators to consider when making flight plans.

During the week of Aug. 17-23, airports across the Palmetto State will participate in the event to promote awareness of general and commercial aviation.

In partnership with the Donaldson Jet Center, SCTAC will conduct a fly-in from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., said SCTAC

spokesman Zack Flathmann.

Pilots can fly into the airport throughout the day and receive a free lunch and discount on fuel, he said. “These pilots will have an opportunity to get together and discuss the industry.”

Flathmann said the event would also provide an opportunity for the region’s pilots to learn about Donaldson Field and SCTAC’s flight training capabilities.

The airport has a long runway and is ideal for training and general aviation, he said. The airport is not too busy and provides a controlled environment for pilots.

National Aviation Week is celebrated the same month as aviation pioneer Orville Wright’s birthday. The South Carolina

Ginny Beach Professional Recruiter 11 years experience

Aviation Association and the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission will use this year’s event to showcase how aviation positively impacts the general public.

Flathmann said SCTAC plays an important business role by affording easy access of goods and services into the Upstate.

Lockheed Martin, Michelin and IBM are all prominent tenants of the business and industrial airpark, he said. The National Guard recently opened its helicopter maintenance and training center at SCTAC as well.

SCTAC and Donaldson Field’s focus is on the aviation industry, said Danny Moyd, director of properties at SCTAC. The downtown facility is a general

aviation airport, and GSP is for commercial use, he said. The three airports have very distinctive roles in the Upstate; SCTAC’s focus is “maintenance, repair and overhaul of larger planes,” he said.

Business aviation is also a key aspect of the airport’s functions and is becoming a crucial aspect of the industry in Greenville.

In conjunction with the city’s downtown airport, a large amount of corporate airplanes fly in and out of the area, Flathmann said.

Having an airport like SCTAC for large noncommercial jets to use is a valuable asset for the city, he said. “In light of the area’s economic and business growth, there is a need for additional air services.”

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S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N

UBJ WHO’S WHO – ONES TO WATCH

Jason Premo

B

CEO, ADEX Machining Technologies

By JOE TOPPE | staff | jtoppe@communityjournals.com

Born into a military family in Warner Robbins, Ga., ADEX Machining Technologies CEO Jason Premo developed an interest in engineering watching his father rebuild cars.

The grandson of a World War II aviator and the son of a Vietnam War helicopter pilot, Premo credits his family’s mechanical inclination with playing a large role in his career path.

“I was always interested in mechanical things, and I have several uncles who attended Georgia Tech to become engineers,” he said.

While in high school, Premo began spending time with his uncles to discuss a possible future in the engineering field, and after graduation in 1990, the Georgia boy “interested in how things were built” followed his family’s footsteps to Georgia Tech to pursue a degree in industrial engineering.

After college, the new engineer landed a job with Avery Dennison.

Premo said the printing and packaging company created labels and built the equipment that made foreign currency and postage stamps.

“I was able to live and travel all over

JASON PREMO AGE: 42 EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering with minor in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Board member for Greenville Technical College Foundation and Greenville Museum of Art; enjoys reading, white-water kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, mixed-martial arts, pistol marksmanship, golf FAMILY: Wife, Kelly; daughters, Anna and Sophia

12

the world,” he said. “It was an eye-opening experience.”

During his time at Avery Dennison, Premo was pulled away to manage a manufacturing facility owned by a private equity group called American Business Products.

Over the next few years, Premo worked with a variety of companies including Collonade in 2000, Greenville-based Cernotec in 2002, and a software startup in 2004.

While in the Upstate, the Georgia native spotted an opportunity in the state’s existing aerospace industry and a need for large suppliers.

“I was looking for something more long term, and there was a real opportunity to do something in South Carolina,” he said.

Premo subsequently partnered with a former college roommate, Sean Witty, and founded ADEX Machining Technologies in 2007.

Where do you get your entrepreneurial spirit?

GREG BECKNER / STAFF

What is ADEX Machining’s role in the regional marketplace?

I have been smart enough to recognize talented people and have asked them to teach me what they know. I have been fortunate to have mentors in my life that had a number of entrepreneurial experiences and was able to learn indirectly, so when the opportunity arose, I was able to make the leap.

We are part of a growing aerospace manufacturing community, and we are at the very beginning of the industry’s wave in South Carolina. The whole state is an aerospace startup, and we are all creating it with a remarkable business climate.

What excites you about the aerospace and defense industry?

By sharing our company’s vision.

We want to be the best at what we do.

Building things is very fulfilling and is a form of art. We transform raw blocks of metal into elaborate parts that make airplanes fly and keep our soldiers safe. People’s lives depend on this technology and it is very exciting and revolutionary. Boeing airplanes would not be flying without a little company in South Carolina.

“We are at the very beginning of the aerospace industry’s wave in South Carolina. The whole state is an aerospace startup.”

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

How do you motivate?

By pushing the limit, eliminating shortcuts, and providing company transparency, we can create a level of trust and a shared vision.

If you were not at work, where would we find you?

I have two young daughters and a wife, so you would find me with them spending time outdoors.

What is your favorite app on your phone?

The Wall Street Journal.

If you could trade places with someone, who would it be and why?

I like who I am. Most people think the grass is greener, but no one’s life is perfect. I have a great family and I live in a great place.

S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N

UBJ AEROSPACE

Upstate SC: The next aerospace launchpad?

Absolutely, say companies like Carbures, ADEX and KTM Solutions JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com Citing the Upstate’s many corporations, infrastructure and manufacturing identity as proof of the region’s stability, business recruiters at the Upstate SC Alliance are aggressively pursuing companies in the aerospace and advanced materials industry.

Aerospace manufacturing is a sophisticated, high-precision and highwage industry the Upstate is well suited to recruit, and “nothing sells the area better than an endorsement from existing industry,” said Jacob Hickman, business recruitment officer for the Upstate SC Alliance.

Carbures, ADEX Machining Technologies and KTM Solutions provide valuable examples of the region’s aerospace growth, he said. With such a vast amount of components needed for aircraft, “there is a long list of aerospace suppliers worldwide we can target for recruitment to create an aerospace ecosystem in South Carolina.”

Aerospace technology is pervasive and ever growing in modern society, said Steve Townes, president of Louis Berger Services Inc. The jet fighter cockpit display of yesterday is the automobile dashboard of tomorrow, he said. Aerospace innovations have allowed space exploration, utilization of advanced mate-

“Nothing sells the area better than an endorsement from existing industry.”

Jacob Hickman

“We sit right in the middle of the region’s aerospace activity.”

Jacob Hickman

rials in many manufacturing settings, novel new designs for ships, trains and cars, and electronic developments affecting everyday life.

Hickman said the Southeastern United States is a network of aerospace production and the Upstate has become a hub for advanced materials.

Virginia has a Rolls-Royce manufacturing operation, North Carolina has HondaJet, Alabama has Airbus, Florida has Embraer, Boeing and Gulfstream sit along the coast, and the Upstate has ADEX, Lockheed Martin and now a $1 billion investment from Toray, he said. “We sit right in the middle of the region’s aerospace activity.”

The manufacturing prowess of Upstate South Carolina and its low cost environment offer potential companies additional incentives to relocate to the area, Hickman said.

The affordable energy rates, competitive wages and low unionization can be very attractive, he said. The Upstate SC Alliance utilizes proactive marketing and measures its achievements by what occurs throughout the region. “Recent headlines involving Toray and the growth of incumbent business have marked some of the past year’s successes,” Hickman notes.

Sean Witty, CFO at Adex Machining Technologies, said the Upstate is faced with an enormous opportunity.

EXISTING UPSTATE AEROSPACE COMPANIES COMPANY NAME LOCATION Accurate Brazing Corp.

Greenville A.I.D. Co., Subsidiary of RBC Bearings Westminister ADEX Machining Technologies LLC Greenville Avenger Aircraft & Services LLC Greenville AxonHentzen Aerospace Greenville B/E Aerospace Inc. Greenville Bluewater Thermal Solutions Fountain Inn BMI Corporation/BMI Motorsports Greenville Carbures LLC Greenville Champion Aerospace Inc. Liberty CIRCOR Spartanburg Contec Inc. Spartanburg Curtis-Wright Surface Technologies/ Duncan Metal Improvement Co. Cytec Carbon Fibers LLC Piedmont D3 Technologies Inc. Greenville Flex Tek Group Greenwood GE Aviation - Airfoils Factory Piedmont Honeywell International Inc. Greer Ionic Technologies Inc. Greenville J.I.T. Manufacturing, Inc. Cowpens JPS Composite Materials Corporation, Anderson a JPS Industries Inc., Company Just AirCraft LLC Walhalla KTM Solutions Inc Greenville Lockheed Martin Corporation Greenville Louis Berger Services Inc. Greenville (formerly Ranger International Services Group) Michelin Aircraft Tire Company Greenville Parker Hannifin Corp. - TechSeal Division Spartanburg Precision Lift Inc. Seneca SAATI Americas Corp.

Fountain Inn Saint Gobain Abrasives Inc. Greenville Stevens Aviation Inc. Greer Textron Inc. Gaffney Toray Moore Timken US Corp. / Timken Aerospace Union Trelleborg Coated Systems US, Inc. Spartanburg Woodward, Inc. Greenville Woven Electronics, A B/E Aerospace Company Simpsonville As a progressive state located in the Southeast, South Carolina has a chance to be one of the premier communities supplying Boeing, Gulfstream and other aerospace

July 4, 2014

companies, he said. Aerospace will have a massive factor in the growth of South Carolina’s economy “if we are willing to invest our time and effort into that future.”

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S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N 1A

TOPS IN THE AIR

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The specs on the top-of-the-line jets for business use

1B

TOP THREE MIDSIZE TO LARGE CORPORATE JETS: 1A. GULFSTREAM G650

2A. DASSAULT FALCON 900LX

3A. GULFSTREAM G550

MANUFACTURER: Gulfstream Aerospace.

MANUFACTURER: Dassault Aviation

MANUFACTURER: Gulfstream Aerospace

HEADQUARTERS: Savannah, Ga.

HEADQUARTERS: Paris, France

HEADQUARTERS: Savannah, Ga.

PRICE: $59.9 million-$ 65.5 million

PRICE: $39 million

PRICE: $55 million-$57 million

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 904 mph

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 590 mph

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 660 mph

SERVICE CEILING: 51,000 feet

SERVICE CEILING: 51,000 feet

SERVICE CEILING: 51,000 feet

SEATING: 18

SEATING: 19

SEATING: 18

TRAVEL RANGE: 7,000 nautical miles

TRAVEL RANGE: 4,800 nautical miles

TRAVEL RANGE: 6,750 nautical miles

FUEL CAPACITY: 6,600 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY: 3,129 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY: 6,164 gallons

FUEL ECONOMY: 1.06 nm/gallon

FUEL ECONOMY: 1.53 nm/gallon

FUEL ECONOMY: 1.10 nm/gallon

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

2A

3A

ONLINE: Want an inside look at one of the latest business jets?

Take an exclusive video tour at upstatebusinessjournal.com.

2B

3B

TOP THREE LIGHT TO VERY LIGHT BUSINESS JETS: 1B. HONDAJET

2B. EMBRAER PHENOM 300

3B. CESSNA CITATION MUSTANG

MANUFACTURER: Honda Aircraft Company

MANUFACTURER: Embraer

MANUFACTURER: Cessna Aircraft Company

HEADQUARTERS: Greensboro, N.C.

HEADQUARTERS: Sao Paolo, Brazil

HEADQUARTERS: Wichita, Kansas

PRICE: $3.7 million

PRICE: $6.65 million

CURRENT COST: $2.76 million

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 483 mph

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 518.25 mph

MAXIMUM CRUISING SPEED: 391.48 mph

SERVICE CEILING: 43,000 feet

SERVICE CEILING: 45,000 feet

SERVICE CEILING: 41,000 feet

SEATING: 5

SEATING: 6

SEATING: 5

TRAVEL RANGE: 1,400 nautical miles

TRAVEL RANGE: 1,800 nautical miles

TRAVEL RANGE: 1,150 nautical miles

FUEL CAPACITY: 184 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY: 1,600 gallons

FUEL CAPACITY: 100 gallons

FUEL ECONOMY: 7.6 nm/gallon

FUEL ECONOMY: 1.13 nm/gallon

FUEL ECONOMY: 11.5 nm/gallon Source: aircraftcompare.com

July 4, 2014

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S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N

COVER STORY

The 900-mph commute

Is a corporate plane a status symbol or logistical lifesaver? Both, say local experts JOE TOPPE | STAFF

jtoppe@communityjournals.com The use of private airplanes in business can offer a unique efficiency and productivity tool to companies looking for an advantage in speed and the ability to quickly move company personnel to specific locations.

And although a recent Wall Street Journal article reported that CEOs of nearly 150 companies enjoyed personal flights at their employers’ expense in 2013, for most companies, air travel provides company executives with the option to visit multiple destinations in a single day while serving as a cost-effective resource for high-travel corporations, said Steve Wiley, vice president of aviation accounts at Special Services Corporation.

Of the top 100 companies in the Upstate, at least half of them utilize business airplanes, he said. “Here in this neighborhood, the Citation Series

16

“Corporate jets have a very strong place in the business community when used appropriately, and I believe they are nothing more than a business tool to get the job done in the most efficient and effective manner.”

Dave Edwards, president and CEO, GSP International Airport

is a favorite because it has short-field capabilities to get in and out of the smaller runways.”

Wiley said companies interested in purchasing an airplane for corporate use could find a business jet with ample time left on the motors for approximately $2 million.

The executive business airplane at this range will fly the entire East Coast and seat eight, he said. A standard crew for a typical business plane is two pilots.

Upper-echelon companies with an extended budget can purchase a brandnew Gulfstream 650 between $40

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

million and $60 million, Wiley said.

Calculating the time put on the airplane and its expected utilization can equate to a reasonable bottom line for large corporations, he said.

“When you put all of the factors in order, it can start to make sense.”

Businesses without the resources or need for a company aircraft can charter a jet from operations throughout the region, although destination will greatly influence travel costs.

Wiley said a day trip from Greenville to New York could cost a company between $10,000 and $12,000.

A similar trip made to a city like

Charlotte may only cost $4,000, he said.

Moving key people to different locations in a shorter amount of time is also an advantage of business aviation.

By using less efficient means of travel such as commercial airlines or driving, Wiley said companies could lose several days of productivity from valued staff members.

The return on investment for companies that place their management teams in a six- to eight-seat airplane for an hour can be significant, he said. “If you’re going to meet on Tuesday, you have to leave on Monday to make it on time, and if your meeting runs long, you could miss your flight and extend your time out of the office.”

Although the perception exists that only those with elite status have access to corporate jets, they can be more cost effective than commercial aviation for companies with a need to move senior executives to various locations quickly, said Dave >>

S P E C I A L E D I T I O N : F O C U S O N A V I AT I O N

>>

WANT TO BUY A PLANE?

Edwards, president and CEO of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.

According to local aviation experts Special Services Corporation, For most, commercial aviation is a critical the Dyer Group and Dugger Aviation, here are the 5 steps you’ll component of transportation around the country, go through before you pick up the keys to your new corporate he said. “Corporate jets have a very strong place aircraft. in the business community when used appropriately, and I believe they are nothing more 1. Before purchasing an airplane, a company will enlist the help than a business tool to get the job done in the of local aviation experts to conduct an assessment of their most efficient and effective manner.” business aviation needs.

Well-managed aircraft fleets can add significant profitability to a company whose profile Common destinations with 2. The assessment will include an evaluation of whether or not business ties to the Upstate benefits from fast and efficient transportation, to hire pilots on staff or employ a company that keeps pilots on include: said Gerald Gaige, commercial pilot and certicontract. fied flight instructor based at the Greenville New York: 619 miles Downtown Airport.

Chicago: 577 miles 3. Once the assessment is complete and the appropriate airplane Not all companies have air needs, but the is identified, an offer is made.

Detroit: 514 miles effectiveness of private air travel can make business operations possible that would othOrlando: 445 miles 4. The aviation experts will represent the company to the aircraft erwise not be, he said. “Adding air travel effiFort Lauderdale: 622 miles brokers. ciencies to a company can improve the botMiami: 638 miles tom-line profit.”

5. If the offer is accepted, a pre-purchase inspection is done.

Gaige said private jets are used for groups of Tampa: 476 miles The planes can be new or used and financed the same way as employees to reduce the per-ticket cost.

Naples: 603 miles buying a car or house.

A company’s cost analysis must consider a New Orleans: 562 miles variety of value factors, including personnel time invested, increased business efficiency, conveAtlanta: 144 miles SPECIAL SERVICES CORPORATION: flightservicemanagement.com nience of scheduling and increased availability Charleston: 202 miles THE DYER GROUP: dyerjet.com of locations, he said. The cost benefits of business Source: Steve Wiley, VP of Aviation Accounts, DUGGER AVIATION: duggeraviation.com Special Services Corporation aviation are often hidden from a numbers point of view, but they are obvious to the individuals involved, he added.

Dan Hubbard, spokesperson for Another popular method of nature and amount of travel the National Business Aviation business aviation is done by the needed, it can be less expensive Association, said there are misperfractional ownership of an aircraft. for a company to charter on a ceptions about the use of business trip-by-trip basis or airplanes, which may lead corporate Much like acquire their own employees, boards of directors and companies that fit plane. shareholders to disapprove of them. the “charter” profile, When companies make it clear Steve Wiley, vice While the that an airplane is a business tool, president of aviation percentage of jet not an executive perk, there is a level accounts at Special ownership can of understanding that counters Services determine the Gulfstream 550. . . . . $8,640 these misperceptions, he said. A Corporation, said number of hours of company should articulate the need this form of air utilization per year, Global Express/XRS. . $8,045 for a business airplane, “to justify travel is ideal for the cost for a Falcon 7X. . . . . . . . . $7,865 its use and allow fewer people to do those without the fraction of an more things in less time.”

Falcon 900. . . . . . . . $6,075 resources to aircraft is usually

WHERE TO?

TIME FOR A TIME-SHARE?

AVERAGE JET CHARTER RATES PER HOUR

purchase an airplane outright or require its constant use.

an inflated retail value divided by the percent of ownership, Wiley said.

There is an interchange agreement between all of the aircraft’s owners to pay for their portion of the plane at a particular price, while paying a monthly management fee and covering the cost per occupied hour, he said. Depending on the

Management fees cover the plane’s operation and can be several thousand dollars per month, he said. The hourly rate is usually more than the direct operating cost per hour, while the occupied hours are re-billed directly.

Gulfstream IV. . . . . . $5,884 Challenger 604. . . . . $5,053 Citation X. . . . . . . . . $4,533 Hawker 800. . . . . . . $3,582 Citation Excel/XLS. . . $3,388 Learjet 60 . . . . . . . . $3,347 Citation Mustang. . . . $1,674 Source: Avinode Marketplace

July 4, 2014

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STIRRING UP LOCAL BUSINESS

Joe Fenten, cofounder of Venture Amp, stirs fine distilled spirits at another of his business ventures, Dark Corner Distillery.

GREG BECKNER/STAFF

Venture Amp creates diverse group to build on ideas

J

By Leigh Savage | contributor

Joe Fenten is an idea guy. An electrical engineer and founder and president of Dark Corner Distillery, Fenten often has ideas but no time to research and vet them. A recent experience with an idea for a Bluetooth application led him to yet another brainstorm: Venture Amp, a diverse group of entrepreneurs who share expertise – and equity – to vet and launch businesses.

Along with founding members Eric Hassman and Pete Byford, Fenten is looking to round out Venture Amp with entrepreneurs ready to transform the way businesses are launched.

“We hope that with Venture Amp, we’ll have the

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UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

“Venture Amp is a mechanism to connect and support new ventures by and between its entrepreneurs. The idea is to have entrepreneurs helping and investing in entrepreneurs.”

July 4, 2014

Eric Hassman

power, the means and the capital to vet, validate and grow the best ideas,” he said.

What is the purpose of Venture Amp? Hassman: There is a lot going on tech-wise in Greenville. You could call it the Silicon Valley of the South. But one thing I learned in my travels is the interaction between the entrepreneurs and the angel groups could be run better.

One thing we try to do is apply best practices to that interaction, to structure something very new. Venture Amp is a mechanism to connect and support new ventures by and between >>

>>

its entrepreneurs. The idea is to have entrepreneurs helping and investing in entrepreneurs. That angle is not done well even in the Valley. There is definitely a need for the entrepreneur to access colleagues for capital and expertise, which is most important in launching new ventures.

What prompted you to launch the business?

Fenten: We originally conceived the idea out of necessity. Like many entrepreneurs, I have the need to create. But if you have a venture on the verge of growth, you can’t take your eye off the ball and focus on something else. But there are these sparks of ideas, world-changing ideas.

[With Venture Amp] we can vet it out to fellow entrepreneurs. For example, I had an idea for a Bluetooth app, and Joe [Milam, a Venture Amp member] told me in five minutes that it had been done. So I moved that off my plate.

We realized the beauty of that collaboration between expert entrepreneurs in the community. The next day, we turned that idea into a business.

When did this come about and how far are you into the recruitment process?

Fenten: We decided to start the business three months ago. We want a wealth of expertise to handle a new startup in any industry. If this is going to be effective, the entrepreneurs need a vast network. We are now going into the community. We have probably 12 people committed to sign up. We want management, operations, sales, tech guys. All of the key components of any business model. Right now we’re looking for an entrepreneur who is a great web and graphic designer.

Hassman: We want to cap the number of members. We are very careful constructing the membership, because it’s a very select group.

When you get more than 30 folks, you get strange group dynamics. We think the sweet spot is going to be 25-30 people.

How will it work with regards to financing and profits?

Hassman: I don’t want to specify numbers right now, but a percentage of proceeds from any successful venture will be shared with the community as a whole, going back into local charities, and the rest is shared by the group.

Members will pool their resources, capital and time, and hopefully make a good bit of money while supporting the local economy.

Fenten: If you look at angel investors and private equity groups, investors make the de-

“We need to be openminded about industry type. A manufactured product can be just as awesome as a tech product if the plan is good and the idea is good.”

Pete Byford cisions. We don’t have those limitations. We’ll have people with high net worth in the group, along with brilliant idea guys. Seasoned veterans and those wet behind the ears. Everyone in the meeting will have a vote on every idea.

Any idea we agree to, every person will be invested in the venture. Everyone will have a bit of skin in the game.

Are there certain types of businesses you will focus on?

Fenten: People naturally think tech startups, and those are fun and hot. But I don’t think it’s industry specific. It comes down to who has the best idea for a viable business.

Byford: We are trying to provide an accessible place for all ideas to be vetted, and we need to be open-minded about industry type. A manufactured product can be just as awesome as a tech product if the plan is good and the idea is good. We can provide the business model or knowledge to entrepreneurs who need guidance to be successful.

What are your next steps? Do you have a timeframe in mind for your first venture?

Fenten: We’re finalizing documentation right now and we’ve got ideas that could fill that slot of being our first venture, V. Amp 1.0. We’ll have a signing party, where we meet with potential members and start that fun process.

We’ll do that and then have a kickoff meeting.

Hassman: We want to create new companies, new jobs, bring good to the community and have a lot of fun doing it.

What are your long-term plans for Venture Amp? Fenten: We structured it so it is easily scalable.

We’re already looking to our next city. Greenville can start this, and then we’ll go into other cities that need this sort of ecosystem and help start it there as well. I don’t see why it wouldn’t work nationwide or worldwide.

VENTURE AMP – FOUNDING MEMBERS JOE FENTEN: Founder and president of Dark Corner Distillery, a microdistillery in Greenville.

A licensed engineer, he spent six years working for a large engineering company before launching Dark Corner in 2011. Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Clemson University.

ERIC HASSMAN: Has 25 years of corporate operating and investment experience.

Launched several successful Silicon Valley companies in e-commerce, data and social medial.

MBA in finance and strategy from Yale University.

PETE BYFORD: President of Zike LLC, a humanpowered vehicle company in Greenville.

Served as general counsel and executive vice president of S.B. Phillips Co. Inc. Principal at Byford Law, a boutique law firm serving small and mid-cap businesses; and principal in Sandlapper Capital Investments LLC. JD degree from University of South Carolina School of Law.

July 4, 2014

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UBJ THE FINE PRINT UCB acquires Business Carolina Inc. United Community Bank recently acquired Columbia-based commercial lender Business Carolina Inc. (BCI).

The acquisition includes approximately $25 million of loans, $6 million of other assets and BCI’s employees.

“We are pleased to welcome the customers and employees of BCI to United Community Bank,” said Lynn Harton, president and chief operating officer of United Community Bank, in a news release. “The addition of BCI’s experienced team and its strong lending platform is a natural expansion of our SBA lending

business that ultimately benefits our customers.”

BCI will operate under the name BCI Lending as a division of United Community Bank in Columbia and throughout Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

BCI Lending offers commercial loans of $50,000 to $5 million to small businesses and specializes in Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans.

Lima One announces expansion to 11 states Lima One Capital, a hard-money lender for real estate investors and homebuilders throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, plans to expand into 11 additional states, including the District of Columbia, this year.

Founded in 2009 by Greenville native and Iraq War veteran John Warren, Lima One Capital was named for the call letters of his Marine combat company.

“We are already the largest hard-money lender on the East Coast,” Warren said, “but we don’t want to stop at being the largest.

We want to be the best.”

In a deal worth more than $100 million, the company recently participated in the sell-off of over 1400 rental properties in Georgia.

Initially based in Atlanta, Lima One’s headquarters was moved to Warren’s hometown of Greenville in 2011.

LIMA ONE CAPITAL 2014 EXPANSION Alabama Arizona Colorado District of Columbia Florida Maryland

Minnesota Nevada Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Virginia

Bosch pledges $500,000 for Clemson fellowships The Bosch Community Fund recently pledged a $500,000 grant to establish an endowment for automotive-engineering fellowships at Clemson University.

The fellowships are $20,000 and will go to students who seek a Master of Science in automotive engineering at Clemson University-International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville.

Additionally, the awards will target students who are from groups with low representation in engineering and science, including women and minorities, which is part of Clemson’s goal to increase this demographic’s graduation rate to 20 percent.

The fellowships will “have an immediate and significant impact on recruiting and retaining top-quality students,” said Dr. Imtiaz Haque, founding chair

844 -GSP-ESPN 20

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of the automotive engineering department and executive director of the Carroll A. Campbell Graduate Engineering Center at CU-ICAR, in a news release. “Down the road, the fellowships will help create a more diverse,

Mike & Mike 6 -10 A

robust and engaged automotive industry workforce.”

The Bosch fellows will also go to local elementary and middle schools, where they will participate in activities that support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The schools will include the Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School, which opens in August at CU-ICAR’s Millennium Campus.

The Her d 10A-1 P

P

UBJ THE FINE PRINT South Carolina Angel Network establishes Palmetto Angel Fund The South Carolina Angel Network (SCAN) recently established the Palmetto Angel Fund, which is the first early-stage capital fund of its kind in the state. The fund also made its first two investments, in Greenville-based zero-emission vehicle designer and manufacturer Proterra, and in OBMedical, a Gainesville, Fla.-based company that is creating

a new generation of fetal and maternal monitoring devices.

The Palmetto Angel Fund allows for individuals and institutions to participate in a committed capital fund, which co-invests in the startup companies funded by SCAN angel groups, including the Upstate Carolina Angel Network and the Tiger Angel Network.

The fund is open to anyone who meets the accreditation standards

McMillan Pazdan Smith receives awards for excellence McMillan Pazdan Smith recently received two Excellence in School Building & Design Awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the Council of Educational Facilities Planners (CEFPI).

The architecture, design and planning firm’s two projects among four honored in the competition were the Center for Advanced Technical Studies for School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties in Chapin and Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg.

The Center for Advanced Technical Studies is an 80,000-square-foot occupational training center which offers a multipurpose room accessible after hours by the community for special events or open exhibitions

Meeting Street Academy in Spartanburg

as well as space to provide “real world” training to students.

Meeting Street Academy is housed in a renovated building with a “bright and playful interior design” that “sparks the imagination of students and visitors,” according to a news release.

established by federal regulators, which is that the individual’s net worth is either $1 million excluding the primary residence or that he or she has had $200,000 in income over the last three years.

The fund will remain open to new investors until this fall.

For more information, visit scangelnetwork.com.

SEA honored by Greer Chamber Southern Eye Associates (SEA) was recently named the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Small Business of the Year.

SEA was established in 1998 and currently features six board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists and two locations. The Greer location opened in 2008 and is on the campus of Greer Memorial Hospital, while the Greenville location is in the Cross Creek Medical

complex.

Additionally, SEA physicians founded a nonprofit called Surgeons for Sight, which provides eye care for disadvantaged people locally and abroad.

Since its inception in 2009, the nonprofit has provided 1,075 exams, 2,710 pairs of eyeglasses and 222 cataract surgeries.

Greg McKinney 4-7 P Sturg 7-10 P July 4, 2014

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SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ

UBJ SQUARE FEET

Southern Living provides inspiration for Currahee Club home With gracious front porches overlooking the North Georgia Mountains, the 2014 Southern Living Inspired Home built by Kokopelli Builders at Currahee Club in Toccoa held its grand opening on June 26 and is now open to the public for tours.

Combing rustic charm and modern amenities, the 4,000-square-foot Currahee Cottage features four bedrooms and three and one-half baths. The home makes the most of its surroundings by “bringing the outside in,” with wide doors and large porches featuring bed swings. Wood and stone accents are included throughout the home with a dramatic flagstone fireplace in the living room and an octagonal wood beam ceiling in the master bedroom. The home also features a secret room, hidden behind a false wall, which holds all the

utilities for the home.

“Homes like this one exude the quality construction and craftsmanship we pride ourselves with, and it was a treat to work on a design so inspiring,” said Hugh Pitts, owner of Kokopelli Builders.

The location at Currahee Club, about an hour from downtown Greenville, offers panoramic views of Lake Hartwell and the North Georgia Mountains.

Amenities include a Jim Fazio-designed golf course, sports club, community garden, grand lawn and swimming pool.

The clubhouse also holds the community’s main dining room, as well as a pub in the men’s locker room.

The community is a Southern Living Inspired Community, part of a collection of residential developments featuring seven founding members across five southern states that exemplify the

Southern Living lifestyle. Currahee Club is owned by Arendale Holdings, which also owns the Cliff Communities.

After tours finish in August, the home will be sold for $819,000; furnishings are an additional $250,000.

The home will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday each week from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Aug. 31. Currahee Club is taking donations in lieu of entry for local charities Sunshine on a Ranney Day and Camp Toccoa.

For more information visit curraheeclub.com.

PROJECT PARTNERS BUILDER: Kokopelli Builders.

ARCHITECT: Simmons | Fouts | Fichtel Architecture and Design Inc. INTERIOR DESIGN: Traci Rhodes Interiors

Tryon Resort aims to corral equestrian enthusiasts $100M project scheduled to open in 2016 Touted as the “most significant new equestrian lifestyle destination in the world,” Tryon Resort, located seven miles north of the South Carolina border in Tryon, N.C., will feature the newly built, world-class Tryon International Equestrian Center, with five riding arenas and 500 stalls opening on July 2.

The adjoining 1,400-acre luxury resort is scheduled to open in 2016 and will include a 150-room hotel developed

by Salamander Hotels & Resorts and designed by AW Architects. It will be built into the natural gradient of the land, overlooking the mountains.

“Our goal is to create a special place that focuses on the passion and love for

22

both horses and horse sport,” said Mark Bellissimo, managing partner of Tryon Equestrian Partners.

A restaurant and bar are planned along with retail shops, a market, indoor and outdoor heated pools, fitness center, event space for weddings and meetings, stone terraces, and a 5,000-square-foot entertainment pavilion.

Also on site will be a nature-inspired destination spa (opening in 2017), an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, and hundreds of luxury homes available for both rental and purchase.

The $100 million project is considered to be a huge boon to Tryon, creating hundreds of jobs and adding tens of millions of dollars to the local economy and tax base. Tryon is considered to be the birthplace of modern

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July 4, 2014

show jumping, and is also popular for several other equestrian disciplines.

Tryon Resort is located on and adjacent to the former White Oak Community, a planned golf and equestrian community that went bankrupt during the recession.

The August 2013 launch of the equestrian-themed Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Va., led Tryon Equestrian Partners to select Salamander Hotels & Resorts to manage the hospitality components of the Tryon resort, Bellissimo said.

“There is tremendous synergy between our Middleburg resort and Tryon Resort, which provides Salamander another unique opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in the luxury resort market,” said Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts.

more online To view additional photos from the Tryon Resort project, go to upstatebusinessjournal.com Beginning on July 2, the Tryon International Equestrian Center will host the first of numerous multi-day, international-level equestrian competitions across several disciplines in collaboration with the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. These events will complement the Tryon Horse Show, which is the third oldest horse show in the country.

For more information, visit tryonresort.com.

CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

UBJ ON THE MOVE ELECTED

HIRED

HIRED

PROMOTED

HIRED

Mark Loukides

Misty Herrin

Teagan Hance

Marlene Arteta

Lisa Green

Elected to a two-year term on the board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.

Loukides is executive director of facilities development for Greenville Health System. He has been an active community volunteer.

Named director of development for Make-A-Wish South Carolina. Herrin has served as the director of special events for Presbyterian College and she gained fundraising experience with Children’s Hospital of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Hired as a media/production coordinator for VantagePoint Marketing. Hance earned a degree in mass communications from the University of South Carolina and has since worked in both agency and media environments.

Promoted to chief marketing officer at Sandlapper Securities LLC. Arteta was Sandlapper Securities’ first full-time employee. She has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has held various positions, including senior vice president of Sandlapper Securities LLC.

Joined the Cancer Society of Greenville County as its new executive director. Green previously served the March of Dimes for 15 years at the local, regional and state levels as an executive director and, most recently, as statewide director for the March for Babies.

PROMOTED Bill Slocum, promoted to vice president of adult ministries at Miracle Hill Ministries. Formerly the director of Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission, Slocum will also serve on Miracle Hill’s executive committee.

Slocum joined Miracle Hill Ministries 20 years ago and spent the first five years at Miracle Hill Children’s Home in Pickens County and the last 15 years at Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission.

AVIATION: The Greenville Airport Commission (GAC) has elected Jonathan P. Giles as chairman and Jim Wall as vice

24

chairman. The GAC is the owner and operator of the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU).

CONSTRUCTION/ ENGINEERING: O’Neal Inc. has hired Sean McClure as business development manager and Tony Johnson as project manager. McClure has more than 10 years of business-to-business sales experience. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications from North Greenville University. Johnson has more than 15 years of construction management experience, working with Lend Lease in Raleigh and J.A. Jones in Charlotte. Most recently he worked as project manager for Skanska.

Michelle Porter as an accounting specialist. Porter has more than 15 years of professional experience in finance and accounting roles in the insurance and risk management industry, including past roles with Liberty Life, RBC Insurance and Athene Annuity and Life Insurance.

MARKETING/ PUBLIC RELATIONS: Jeff Dezen Public Relations (JDPR) has promoted Jared Kelowitz to sports group manager. Kelowitz had been serving as an account supervisor prior to his promotion and has worked at JDPR since graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications and a minor in sports marketing.

FINANCIAL SERVICES:

NONPROFIT:

Sandlapper Securities LLC recently hired financial advisor Elizabeth “Liz” Stevens. Stevens is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio with more than 30 years of experience as a financial services professional.

The S.C. Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) has named Tammy Johnson, the owner of Liquid Catering and The Old Cigar Warehouse, to its advisory board. The SC SBDC advances South Carolina’s economic development by helping entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses.

INSURANCE: Rosenfeld Einstein recently added

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

Miracle Hill Ministries recently announced that Mark Alverson was promoted to director of Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission and Ryan Duerk was promoted to director of Miracle Hill Overcomer Center. Alverson was previously director of Miracle Hill Overcomer Center and has served the ministry for nearly 16 years. Duerk has served at Miracle Hill Ministries since 2008, most recently as the program manager/ counselor at Overcomers.

TECHNOLOGY: Engenius recently added Joey Burton as the firm’s newest account executive. Burton is a Clemson graduate in landscape architecture and recently completed Clemson’s SEED (Sustainable Entrepreneurs and Economic Development) program.

EDTS recently hired Colt Rosenberg as an account associate.

Rosenberg has more than a decade of professional experience encompassing sales management and customer support roles across multiple industries, including leadership roles with both Lowe’s and Target Corporation.

UBJ NEW TO THE STREET

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1. The Art Cellar, formerly The Henderson Art Gallery, is now open at 123-B S. Main St. in downtown Greenville. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The gallery will host a ribbon-cutting on July 9 at 4 p.m., and a Grand Opening reception on July 16 from 6-8 p.m. For more information, call 864-419-5032 or visit greenvilleartcellar.com.

2. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers recently opened

at 4855 U.S. Hwy 23 in Easley. For more information, visit freddysusa.com.

3. The Greenlink administrative staff recently relocated to

new offices at the Transit Center at 100 W. McBee Ave. in Greenville, joining the Greenlink operations staff. The Greenlink administrative staff previously was housed at 1021 S. Main St. with City of Greenville Parking Services. For more information, call 864-467-2700 or visit ridegreenlink.com.

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4. Upstate Specific Chiropractic recently held a ribbon cutting at 708 S. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville. For more information, call 864-973-7589, email dr.meganafshar@ gmail.com, or visit upstateuppercervical.com.

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CONTRIBUTE: Opening your doors? Submit photo and information for consideration to ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

July 4, 2014

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

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UBJ PLANNER FRIDAY JULY 4 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

MONDAY JULY 7 GCS ROUNDTABLE The Office Center at the Point, 33 Market Point Drive, Greenville; 8:30-9:30 a.m.

SPEAKER: Terry Weaver TOPIC: The Surprising

Truth About What Motivates Us Call Golden Career Strategies at 864-527-0425 to request an invitation GSHRM COMMITTEE PLANNING MEETING Greenville Technical College, Buck Mickel Center, 216 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville; noon-1 p.m.

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

greenvillechamber.org

FOR INFORMATION: greenvillewoodworkers. com

PIEDMONT EXECUTIVE CLUB (TOASTMASTERS)

DIVERSITY CONNECTIONS LUNCHEON

City Range, 615 Haywood Road, Greenville; noon-1 p.m.

CityRange Steakhouse Grill, 774 Spartan Blvd., Spartanburg; noon-1:30 p.m.

TUESDAY JULY 8 BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

TOPIC: HR Management Conference FOR INFORMATION: greenvillehr.shrm.org CONTACT: greenvillehr@gmail.com GREENVILLE WOODWORKERS GUILD

Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 7:30-9 a.m.

COST: $8.50 for pre-register or $12 at the door. Open only to Chamber members.

CONTACT: Lorraine Woodward at 864239-3742 or if you are a Commerce Club member, contact Dot Drennon at ddrennon@

REGISTER AT: greenvillechamber.org

Open to all and guests eat free.

WEDNESDAY JULY 9

CONTACT: 864-458-8277 or brianwoolf@gmail.com

SPEAKER: Vanessa Pressley, site manager for workability, The Charles Lea Center

GREENVILLE EVENING ROTARY MEETING

TOPIC: Turning Disabilities Into Possibilities

Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6 p.m.

COST: Dutch treat for lunch, open to all

FOR INFORMATION: greenvilleeveningrotary. org GSHRM BOARD MEETING Open Hearth, 2801 Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors; 6-8 p.m.

Stay in the know on Facebook.

FOR INFORMATION: greenvillehr.shrm.org

COST: Free to board members

CONTACT: 864-5945000 REGISTER AT: spartanburgchamber. com 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 YOUNG PROFESSIONAL TOASTMASTERS Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6 p.m.

COST TO VISIT: $5 to cover meeting space and one drink at the bar FOR MORE INFORMATION: visit yptm.toastmastersclubs. org

THURSDAY JULY 10 BNI Southern Fried Green Tomatoes, 1175 Woods Crossing Road, Greenville; 8:15-9:45 a.m.

CONTACT: Shanda Jeffries at 864-228-2122 or sjeffries1@allstate.com for invitation

Like us today:facebook.com/TheUpstateBusinessJournal CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.

Upstate Business Journal

JOIN THE 20 COMPANIES SHARING WORK AND EVENT SPACE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE www.JOINOPENWORKS.com 26

UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL

July 4, 2014

UBJ SNAPSHOT

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

NOTE: This feature originally ran in our June 27 issue, but with the wrong photographs. We regret the error.

Today Kash & Karry Pharmacy operates out of a new building on the old location of the grocery store. What was a 913 Buncombe St. address is now a 101 Pete Hollis Blvd. address.

Before there were the giant discount chains and buying clubs, there was Kash and Karry. This Greenville institution began in 1930 as a small grocery store on Mulberry Street operated by J.S. Myers. As the business prospered and expanded, it occupied part of the Ideal Laundry and then moved to the 50,000-square-foot store that Bill Coxe photographed at what was then 913 Buncombe St.

GREG BECKNER / STAFF

MARKETING & EVENTS Kate Madden

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

DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA TWITTER: Follow us @UpstateBiz

FACEBOOK: TheUpstateBusinessJournal

LINKEDIN: 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

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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

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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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WE’RE BUILDING A

BRIGHT FUTURE When it comes to banking, this isn’t my first rodeo.

I’ve seen my share of changes in this industry over the past four decades. But one thing hasn’t changed — my desire to make a difference (even for the Clemson fans). I’m proud to be part of the CertusBank team and look forward to going to work every day to find ways I can positively impact our customers and the communities we serve.

Let me know how I can support you.

CraigRobinson@CertusBank.com

Craig Robinson Community Development Executive Greenville, SC

CertusBank, N.A. Equal Housing Lender. ©2014 CertusHoldings, Inc. All rights reserved. CertusBank, N.A. is a trademark of CertusHoldings, Inc.

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