Sept. 23, 2016 UBJ by Community Journals

SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 | VOL. 5 ISSUE 39

211 THE

MILLION SHIPMENT Propelled by the inland port in Greer, SC Ports continues to expand its economic impact PAGE 12

09.23.2016

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TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

| THE RUNDOWN | 3

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 39 Featured this issue: Remembering The Captain, dean of Upstate textiles................................................12 UST Logistics plans a big move from the North.........................................................16 Dreaming big with James Jordon......................................................................................20

Built in the 1920s, Star Cleaners was one of the first commercial buildings on Stone Avenue in Greenville. The property is now planned to be the home of the future Westone development, which will include restaurant, retail and office space. Read more on page 19. Photo provided by the Coxe Collection of the Greenville Historical Society.

WORTH REPEATING “To maximize the potential of the tech industry, we must maximize the potential of a diverse tech workforce.” Page 4

“If we can get [job candidates] to Greenville, they are at their church just praying they get the job here. This place sells itself.” Page 8

“Sure, you can work at Moe’s near campus and earn a little bit of money. Or you can let us pay you to start a business and make even more money.” Page 10

VERBATIM

On the pipeline leak “When you have a pipeline of that magnitude go down, it just shows everybody unfortunately how fragile the system is and it doesn't take much to cause some hiccups.” QuikTrip spokesman Mike Thornbrugh, on last week’s Colonial Pipeline spill that is threatening to raise gas prices throughout the Southeast. This week, S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley signed an executive order to ensure gas supplies in the state.

4 | TECH |

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09.23.2016

The Iron Yard launches $40M fund to boost diversity ANDREW MOORE | STAFF

amoore@communityjournals.com Greenville-based coding school The Iron Yard announced Sept. 9 that it has partnered with Code Fellows and Operation HOPE to launch the Tech Opportunity Fund – an attempt to boost diversity in the technology industry, which employs a low number of African-American and Hispanic workers and suffers from a wide gender gap. Over the next five years, the Tech Opportunity Fund (TOF) aims to distribute $100 million in scholarships to women and minorities. Those scholarship recipients will also attend coding school, learn financial literacy and receive entrepreneurship training. The Iron Yard has committed $40 million in full-tuition scholarships to all its campuses, including its Greenville, Charleston and Columbia campuses. Also, the Seattle-based coding school Code Fellows has committed $5 million in full-tuition scholarships, while nonprofit Operation HOPE will provide financial literacy and entrepreneurship training.

To reach the $100 million goal, The Iron Yard, Code Fellows and Operation HOPE plan to partner with coding schools, employee education programs, civic organizations and others who can provide funding for scholarships and other educational resources. “To maximize the potential of the tech industry, we must maximize the potential of a diverse tech workforce,” said Peter Barth, CEO of The Iron Yard. “The Tech Opportunity Fund builds off of the momentum generated by innovative initiatives like TechHire to ensure Americans of all backgrounds have access to tech training programs.” The technology industry has long suffered from a lack of diversity in its workforce, which is predominantly white, Asian and male. On average, women comprise about one-third of the tech workforce, according to a 2015 Fortune survey, which was conducted at nine Silicon Valley tech companies. And women held only 29 percent of the leadership roles at the most diverse company – Airbnb. The technology industry also suffers from a lack of ethnic diversity.

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FORTUNE 2015 TECH DIVERSITY SURVEY: AIRBNB 52.5% M / F 47.5% F eBAY 58.1% M / F 41.9% F LINKEDIN 61.9% M / F 38.1% F HEWLETT PACKARD 66.9% M / F 33.1% F FACEBOOK 71.2% M / F 28.8% F

GOOGLE 72.2% M / F 27.8% F CISCO 74.4% M / F 26.6% F MICROSOFT 75.7% M / F 24.3% F INTEL 76.2% M / F 23.8% F

Google reported its workforce data last summer. That data revealed that 60 percent of its employees are white and 31 percent are Asian. Latinos comprised 3 percent and African-Americans only made up 2 percent. But Google isn’t the only company dealing with the issue. Between Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter, technical workers are on average 56 percent white, 37 percent Asian, 3 percent Hispanic and 1 percent African-American, according to the companies’ latest diversity reports. Some companies blame a lack of minority students graduating with the required degrees – computer science and engineering. “Appropriate representation in technology or any other industry will depend upon more people having the opportunity to gain necessary skills through the public education system,” Facebook’s head of diversity, Maxine Williams, said in a statement. Among graduates with a bachelor’s degree or advanced degrees in computer science and engineering, 57 percent are white, 26 percent are Asian, 8 percent are Hispanic and 6 percent are African-American, according to American Community Survey data. Technology companies are adopting a similar approach to combat the lack of diversity in the industry. Last year, Intel said it would put $60 million a year toward diversity efforts for the next five years, or about $300 million. And Apple pledged $50 million to nonprofits, including the National Center for

Women and Information Technology. In July, Facebook announced a $15 million donation to Code.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for minorities and women in the computer science industry. The Iron Yard is hoping to do more than just provide education. In addition to providing scholarships, The Iron Yard, Code Fellows and Operation HOPE plan to partner with city governments and civic organizations across the country to help scholarship recipients receive affordable housing, counseling and transportation. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution that will increase access to tech education and improve diversity in the workforce,” said Barth. “The Tech Opportunity Fund approaches these issues holistically and coordinates local and national resources to provide students with both academic opportunity and the support system they need to be successful.” TOF scholarship applications will open by January 2017. To receive a scholarship, applicants must first be accepted into a participating code school through that program’s standard admissions process, according to The Iron Yard. After being accepted into a school, students must apply for a TOF scholarship through the website, techopportunityfund.org. Scholarships will be awarded to qualified students on a first-come, first-served basis . For more information, visit theironyard.com.

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6 | ENERGY |

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09.23.2016

Laurens Electric opens ﬁrst community solar farm in S.C. • Avoiding driving for 5.6 million miles for the life of the solar program. • Planting 62,500 trees over the life of the solar program.

ANDREW MOORE | STAFF

amoore@communityjournals.com Laurens Electric Cooperative (LEC) celebrated an energy milestone last Tuesday and announced its community solar farm program, a first for South Carolina. The solar program allows customers to purchase renewable energy for a monthly fee. “This program gives our members the option to go solar without installing panels on their property,” said Jim Donahoo, marketing director for the co-op. “There is no liability for the member, no HOA rules to worry about, and the subscriptions are transferrable.” The solar farm, which is located behind the co-op’s Mauldin office on Butler Road, has six solar panels that can generate about 100 kilowatts. LEC announced its plans for the program in April. In June, LEC started construction on the farm and pre-sold units. The program “sold out” with 29 members subscribing to solar panel units, according to Donahoo. Selected members then chose the number of

However, participating members might not see that much of a difference on their bills as 1-kilowatt solar unit produces an amount of energy equivalent to about 12.5 percent of a customer’s home energy use. Members only receive 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. Despite that, participating members “can expect to see a payback on the initial investment in four to six years,” said Donahoo. LEC plans to add more solar panels to the installation in 2017 because of high demand, according to Donahoo. Interested members can apply for a maximum of five kilowatts for a minimum of two years. About 30 percent of the next phase is already reserved.

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kilowatt units they wanted for a 20-year period. LEC selected members on a first-come, first-served basis. The selected members had to pay an upfront charge of $50 per kilowatt unit and a one-time $20 administrative fee. The members must also pay a monthly charge of $14 per kilowatt unit. However, the decision to go solar could be beneficial. Donahoo said that the solar farm

would offset 200,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. In the U.S., carbon dioxide accounts for 82 percent of greenhouse-gas emissions, which can cause multiple health issues. Solar energy production reduces the use of power plants, which account for 31 percent of U.S. emissions, according to the EPA. The program also has the same positive impact to the environment as

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09.23.2016

TEN AT THE TOP

Fortune’s Colvin offers take on Upstate TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF

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descended on the TD Convention Center in Greenville last Tuesday for Ten at the Top’s second biannual Upstate Regional Summit. The event gave leaders an opportunity to expand their knowledge about individual and collaborative efforts that are ongoing in the Upstate to boost the region’s competitiveness. But the focus never strayed far from how to improve, encouraging leaders to think of ways to build on successes and figure out how to make the region a more attractive place to live, work and play. “We are all working on individual efforts, but at the end of the day it’s how we work together that determines our success as a region,” said Dean Hybl, executive director for Ten at the Top, a regional organization formed in 2009 with the mission to foster collaboration and partnerships that improve economic development and the quality of life across 10 counties in the Upstate. “Our goal [with the Upstate Regional Summit] is to create an opportunity for [leaders] to come together and think about their role in the Upstate, and that’s what we’re doing with this event.” Hybl set the tone early during the program’s introduction by offering up a few quotes about teamwork from famous figures, including Vince Lombardi, Phil Jackson and Benjamin Franklin. After the introduction, a leadership panel convened on stage. The group was comprised of Mike Baur, CEO of Greenville-based ScanSource; Clemson University President James Clements; Michael Riordan, president and CEO of Greenville Health System; and AT&T South Carolina President Pamela Lackey. The group fielded a series of questions from Converse College’s new president Krista Newkirk and WSPA anchor Amy Wood. Topics ranged from boosting education and economic development to building infrastructure and attracting new talent. “What we need to do is just figure out how we’re going to attract people in

Geoff Colvin addressing Upstate business leaders at Ten at the Top

general,” Riordan said. “If we can get [job candidates] to Greenville, they are at their church just praying they get the job here. This place sells itself.” Baur, whose company has 700 employees in Greenville and 2,000 overall, said he believes there’s not a shortage of local talent, but the region has to do a better job of retaining its best and brightest. “We have to give millennials a reason to stay,” he said. When the panel discussion concluded, participants broke off into smaller groups for three sessions that covered a variety of topics, including community vibrancy, natural beauty and resources, collaboration, economic and entrepreneurial vitality, human potential and sustainable growth. The topics honed in on initiatives, such as Culture Counts at Chapman Cultural Center in Spartanburg, the Glendale Shoals Complete Streets and Connectivity Project, Reedy River Quality Initiative, Spartanburg’s Northside Development Initiative and several others. Geoff Colvin, an author, broadcaster and senior editor-at-large for Fortune Magazine, was the event’s keynote speaker.

Colvin spoke with a group of reporters just before delivering his address, which was the final item on the event’s agenda. He said he visited the Upstate in the past and was pleased to see how attractive the area has become. Colvin said outside of the region, the Upstate is known for the businesses and industries, specifically automotive manufacturing, that have led to its success during the past few years. “I was familiar with the area, but not with Ten at the Top,” he said. “When I heard about it, I thought, ‘It sounds like they’re doing something right.’” Colvin said education, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM for short) will be vital to the region in the future. He said communities and companies that continue to innovate, integrate (or work as a team) and build high-value skills are the ones that are typically the most successful. “It’s a cycle that reinforces itself,” Colvin said. “The nice thing is once you get it started, it’s something that will continue to grow… There’s nothing to be pessimistic about [in the Upstate].” For more information, visit tenatthetop.org.

09.23.2016

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| RESTAURANTS | 9

The Blue Ridge Advantage Where Innovation Meets Commitment

Conceptual rendering provided by LS3P. Final design is subject to change.

White Duck Taco Shop migrates to Greenville ARIEL TURNER | CONTRIBUTOR

aturner@communityjournals.com Ben Mixson, co-owner of the Asheville-based White Duck Taco Shop, has been eyeing Greenville since 2011 when a customer named Richard King approached him about opening another location. “Greenville would be great,” Mixson remembers telling him. “I think it would do really well.” Although Mixson liked Greenville, he and his partner Laura Reuss had decided they weren’t ready for another location. Flash forward a few years and that interested customer finally convinced Mixson and Reuss that it was time to bring White Duck to the Upstate as a franchise-owned shop. King and business partner Daniel Singletary will open the Greenville location of White Duck Taco Shop in the Hampton Station Development at 1320 Hampton Ave. White Duck will join Birds Fly South brewery that recently opened in the old cotton mill development. The other four taco shop locations are in Asheville, Charleston, Columbia and Johnson City, Tenn. King said his wife and children were such big fans of the restaurant, he asked Mixson about franchising when White Duck was still just one location. King, who formerly owned a construction business, and Singletary, who recently left his job as a camp director, worked the restaurant scene in their college days, but haven’t since. That hasn’t been a deterrent. “White Duck has such a strong brand and product,” King said. “To me, it’s a

no-brainer. There’s already a system in place.” Commercial real estate broker Caldwell Johnston of Flagship Properties helped King and Singletary find the location near the Swamp Rabbit Trail. What sold them were the similarities between it and the original White Duck location in the Asheville Arts District, from the water tower to the barbed wire to the redevelopment occurring. “We’re excited about the kinds of growth Greenville’s having and that we can be involved,” King said. LS3P architects in Greenville designed the plans for the new space. Exterior construction has already begun, and construction on the rustic modern interior, which will include using as many reclaimed materials from the old cotton warehouse as possible, begins in two to three weeks. Mixon said the Greenville shop will keep the chain’s casual counter service, have ample parking and tons of outdoor seating and serve Birds Fly South brews. “We’re designed for frequent taco consumption,” Mixson said. “We’re focused firmly on food and value.” Mixson said even though King and Singletary are the franchise owners, he and Reuss will be heavily involved in brand management. “Greenville is one hour and 20 minutes from my front door,” he said. “It’s important for me to get it right.” The new location will keep the same menu, which includes a variety of tacos such as banh mi tofu, black bean, Bangkok shrimp, lump crab, Korean beef bulgogi, duck with mole, lamb gyro and Thai peanut chicken, among others, as well as fresh sides and desserts.

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10 | STARTUPS |

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09.23.2016

Clemson program helps on-campus startups ANDREW MOORE | STAFF

amoore@communityjournals.com Eighty percent of entrepreneurs will fail within the first 18 months of starting a business, according to Bloomberg. Clemson University recently opened its “venture accelerator” program to address that issue and encourage entrepreneurship. The Clemson University Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurship thought up the program to help undergraduate students and faculty members research, plan and launch their business ideas. Students must apply for the program, which is available each semester. This semester, the program received 172 applications but only accepted 16 students. The program accepts students based on their responses to a questionnaire. Some of those questions include • Why did you pick this idea to work on? • How do you know people need what you’re making?

Clemson officials open the “Venture Accelerator” in downtown Clemson.

• Please tell us about an interesting project, preferably outside of class or work, that you created or participated in. Selected students must participate in the program for 160 hours. The Spiro Institute pays about $10 an hour and offers internship credit through the university. “These spots are pretty coveted,” said Klein. “Sure, you can

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work at Moe’s near campus and earn a little bit of money. Or you can let us pay you to start a business and make even more money.” The program includes multiple phases of businesses development training: Phase One (Explore): Participants must generate ideas, conduct research, validate market opportunities and conduct a market analysis and feasibility study. Phase Two (Pursue): Participants are required to create a business plan, conduct market research, talk with customers and build prototypes as well as a leadership team. Phase Three (Launch and Grow): Participants must create a revenue stream, find investors and market their products and services. Clemson recruited regional business leaders to mentor students throughout the program. The mentors are Doug Kim, a McNair Law Firm associate specializing in the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights; Keith Hudgins, former owner of The Electric Controller and Manufacturing Company; Toby Stansell, president and COO of Acumen IT; and Paul Trinder, owner of Capital Properties Inc. “We wanted real-deal entrepreneurs helping our students,” said Klein. “It’s better to have experienced entrepreneurs rather than staff members, because they know what it takes to build a successful business. They’ve been there before and understand the hardships.” In addition to mentoring, the

program provides semiprivate workrooms that “allow for collisions of like-minded, innovative people working in a collaborative environment,” he said. “It will be a community of innovators who can conduct research to validate their market opportunities before moving their business idea forward.” The program also offers a convenient outlet and opportunity for faculty members on the Clemson main campus who want to commercialize their technologies. Engineering professor Kumar Venayagamoorthy is one of those faculty members. Venayagamoorthy, an expert in smart grid and power systems optimization, created the Intelligent Battery Management System, which monitors and manages the operation of rechargeable battery cells, making energy storage more affordable and reliable. Others see potential in his technologies. Earlier this year, Venayagamoorthy, a recent Clemson MBAe graduate, competed against 21 other MBAe students and presented his business concepts to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs who ranked the viability and potential impact of his ideas. Venayagamoorthy won the contest and about $15,000 to further his business plans. Now, the “venture accelerator” program could help him turn a profit on his technologies. “There are many professors on campus, like Kumar, wanting to take some great ideas to market. The venture accelerator’s resources and location will make it a very convenient and valuable resource for them [faculty] to do so,” Klein said. In addition to helping students and faculty launch their business concepts, the program has the potential to boost economic development, both locally and regionally. “Business happens downtown in the real world, so the Spiro Institute is creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem in downtown Clemson,” said Klein. “What better place to move a business forward than amongst other businesses?” The program is located at 107 Sloan St. in downtown Clemson. For more information, visit www.clemson.edu/business.

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

MANUFACTURING

Manufacturer investing $5.8 million and creating 50 jobs in Greenville County Alfmeier Friedrichs & Rath, a manufacturer of automotive components, is expanding its Greenville County operations, with approximately 50 new jobs and a capital investment of $5.8 million. Established in 1993, AFR is a developer and manufacturer of automotive components with a concentration on fuel management, vacuum support and seating comfort solutions. With in-house plastic injection molding and custom assembly and test systems, the company has more than 500 employees and uses 32 injection-molding machines across three locations. The announcement was made by the Greenville Area Development Corp., the county-chartered organization tasked with advancing the area's economic growth. “AFR is pleased to be expanding operations in Greenville to accommodate our increasing business,” said AFR President Markus Farrenkopf. “Our success is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of all of our associates, particularly those on the factory floor who strive to do things a little better each day. “We are proud to be part of a community and state that recognizes and supports the benefits of manufacturing and look forward to continued future growth." “It's always exciting when we are able to celebrate the success of a South Carolina company and its decision to expand here,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “The 50 new jobs that this $5.8 million investment means for Greenville County will really make a difference in the lives of South Carolinians, and that's a reason to celebrate throughout the entire state." Located at 120 Ellcon Drive in Greenville, the company will expand its factory floor by 20,000 square feet and its office facility by approximately 10,000 square feet. The expansion should be completed by the second quarter of 2017, and hiring for the new positions is ongoing with an increase scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2017, officials said. - David Dykes

VENTURE CAPITAL

VentureSouth forms new investment fund VentureSouth has formed its latest “sidecar” investment fund, VentureSouth Angel Fund II. VentureSouth, based in Greenville, is an early-stage investment firm that operates

angel groups and funds in the Carolinas. The network includes 10 active angel groups and more than 200 investors who meet regularly to support early-stage Southeastern companies with capital and expertise. VentureSouth recently launched its new VentureSouth Angel Fund II, which will begin investing this fall. In venture capital investing, “sidecar” refers to an extra fund that invests alongside its main fund (like a motorbike sidecar). In VentureSouth’s case, the Angel Fund II invests alongside the firm’s active angel group members who invest their own capital directly in angel investments. It's like an "index fund" or a mutual fund as it invests in all companies the firm funds, said Paul Clark, VentureSouth’s managing director. The new fund continues the investment strategy and methods of its predecessor, the Palmetto Angel Fund. The Palmetto Angel Fund was formed in 2014 as the first sidecar fund of committed capital designed to invest alongside the active angels in its groups in the Carolinas. It has invested its nearly $2 million of capital in 18 portfolio companies. The VentureSouth Angel Fund II will continue the same investing strategy and methods, co-investing when 10 or more VentureSouth members invest at least $100,000 in a candidate company. The fund is designed to invest in 15-20 Southeast-based companies over the next two to three years, VentureSouth officials said. VentureSouth groups and funds have invested more than $17 million in 52 companies, according to the firm’s website. It has co-invested with more than 25 venture capital funds, angel groups, family offices and corporate investors. Its portfolio companies have raised more than $250 million in funding. In addition to Clark, the fund’s general partners are Charlie Banks, Matt Dunbar and Mac Lackey, who together run VentureSouth. “Now that VentureSouth covers 10 cities across North and South Carolina, we look forward to expanding the Palmetto Angels Fund’s trailblazing path with this successor fund,” Banks said. VentureSouth, launched in 2016, includes the VentureSouth Angel Fund II and Palmetto Angel 2014 Fund; Asheville Angels and VentureSouth Charlotte in North Carolina; and the eight angel groups and more than 200 members in Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Hilton Head, Rock Hill and Spartanburg. To learn more, go to venturesouth.vc . - David Dykes

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| NEWS IN BRIEF | 11

CORRECTION:

A caption in last week's Upstate Business Journal article "Some Upstate doctor’s offices ditch sterile designs for more at-home appeal" incorrectly identified the Constantine Consult Room as part of the Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center. The room is located at Constantine Dental. Upstate Business Journal regrets this error. The patient-centered design of the Bon Secours St. Francis Cancer Center consists of large floor-to-ceiling windows, natural light and artwork that promotes hope and healing, one of which is the commissioned "Ascending Christ" sculpture. "Some of the design elements built into this center do have a positive impact on staff and productivity and what I'd call human sustainability" said Karen Schwartz, vice president of performance management and support services at Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.

Photos: Will Crooks/Provided

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tanderson@communityjournals.com

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

PORTS

| COVER | 13

BMW, Michelin and other Upstate freight customers are on track to push the SCPAʼs inland port to 100,000 LIFTS BY 2017. Now the Greer facility is the catalyst for a new port in Dillon.

colorful array of cargo contain-

ers sits neatly stacked on the asphalt pad of the South Carolina Ports Authority’s (SCPA) inland port in Spartanburg County. More than 200 miles separate the 100-acre site from the Port of Charleston, a hub of activity for massive ships carrying materials that feed Upstate industry and ferry cars, automotive parts, tires and other goods to worldwide markets. When the $50 million inland port was launched in 2013, officials said it had the potential to handle up to 100,000 containers annually by 2018. But usage by customers, including BMW, Michelin, Adidas, Tennessee-based Eastman Chemical Co. and others, has pushed the inland port to nearly reach that capacity in less than three years. And with companies like Rite Aid and Dollar Tree ready to join the list of the facility’s users, the ports authority anticipates it will exceed the 100,000-lift threshold during its 2017 fiscal year. “This is a volume-oriented business,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of SCPA. “I consider this a real success. We had two objectives with this facility. The first was to take an existing book of business and get it on an intermodal rail. The second was to be a catalyst for economic development. I think we have done that.” Newsome said there are still about 25 acres at the inland port site near Greer that can still be utilized for expansion. Growth in Upstate manufacturing and distribution, and recent developments in global shipping, could see that acreage be put to use in the near future. According to a report by the commercial real estate firm CBRE Inc., there is more than 5.7 million square feet of industrial space under construction in the Upstate. CBRE said the region is becoming increasingly attractive to outside investors because of its growth and its potential to benefit from the widening of the Panama Canal. Newsome said SCPA will spend the next year working on ways to maximize the inland port’s existing operations. If more capacity is needed, the ports authority could expand the facility in 2018, he said. “Our first step is to optimize our operation,” Newsome said. “When we run out of room, we will look at expanding.”

HARD WORK AHEAD Other developments within the ports authority’s system could also bring more jobs and investment to the Upstate. Newsome said the SCPA has aggressively pursued opportunities to strengthen the Port of Charleston as a leader, not just in the Southeast but also across the globe. “We have accomplished a lot,” Newsome said. “I think we correctly assessed the trends in the industry in terms of the deployment of bigger ships… I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there’s a lot more to accomplish. We have five years of really hard work ahead of us, and we don’t have any time to waste. I’m very optimistic about the future.” The ports authority and state plan to spend $2.2 billion to increase the port’s competitiveness as part of a 10-year capital plan. Improvements include a deepening of the Port of Charleston to 52 feet by 2019. On Thursday, Sept. 15, the U.S. Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. The legislation, which includes authorization for the 52-foot Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, will go to the U.S. House of Representatives for final approval. According to the SCPA, the project will increase the harbor’s depth from 45 feet to 52 feet in its main channel and from 47 feet to 54 feet at its entrance channel, making it the deepest port on the East Coast. Construction is expected to begin in 2017. The ports authority is also in the process of building the 280-acre Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal at the Port of Charleston, which is expected to boost the state’s port capacity by about 50 percent when it is completed. The first phase of the project, which will encompass 171 acres, is anticipated to open in 2019. SCPA is updating its Wando Welch Terminal, including the installation of four 155-foot cranes by 2017 to handle the larger ships that are expected to flow through the Panama Canal.

ON TO DILLON On Monday, Sept. 12, the ports authority announced its plan to build a second inland port in Dillon County by the end of 2017. The facility, which will utilize an existing CSX rail mainline, will be located at the Carolinas I-95 Megasite about 2.5 miles south of Dillon on Highway 501.

It is expected to initially handle 45,000 containers per year, according to the SCPA. The association has not yet released details about acreage or investment. However, on Sept. 7, the ports authority’s board approved a resolution authorizing the SCPA to spend up to $40 million on the project. The 280-acre Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal is under construction. SCPA expects the facility to boost its capacity by 50 percent. The anticipated opening of the terminal’s 171-acre first phase is 2019. Newsome said there are only a handful of highspeed intermodal rail lines in the state. When the SCPA was seeking a site for its second inland port, Dillon made the most sense because it could serve businesses along the Interstate 95 corridor in northern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. “We think Dillon is an ideal location,” Newsome said. “We think there is more than a sufficient cargo base to make that a success… I don’t think it will ever be as big as Greer, but it will be a significant size and have a lot of economic development potential. I’m feeling very confident about our projections.” Leaders in Dillon County are also excited about the project. “According to a recent economic impact study, port-related jobs pay 40 percent higher than the statewide average,” said Dillon County Council Chairman T.F. Finklea in a statement. “We are excited that Dillon is the site of the next Inland Port and look forward to building a strong partnership with the South Carolina Ports Authority.”

MORE VOLUME, MORE REVENUE The SCPA said its revenue increased 7.3 percent during its 2016 fiscal year to $211.2 million, compared with $196.8 million in 2015. But operating costs increased 8.1 percent to $179.9 million during the year, compared with $166.5 million during the previous year. SCPA said its earnings for 2016 were $31.3 million, a 3.2 percent increase compared with $30.3 million a year earlier. Port operations facilitate 187,000 jobs throughout the state, according to a 2015 economic impact study by the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. Container volume increased 1.4 percent to 1,943,170 units during the year, compared with 1,916,379 in 2015. Breakbulk cargo, or non-containerized items, PORTS continued on PAGE 14

14 | COVER |

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PORTS

PORTS continued from PAGE 13

increased 3.4 percent to 901,974 tons, up from 871,914 during the previous year. In June, SCPA said it anticipates a 6 percent increase in pier container growth during its 2017 fiscal year. The ports authority said it anticipates its operating earnings will increase 30 percent to $40.8 million, compared with $31.3 million in 2016. SCPA also said it anticipates strong growth at the inland port in Greer, with rail moves expected to increase 23 percent in 2017, compared with 2016. Charleston ranked No. 9 out of the Top 10 U.S. container ports in terms of volume in 2015. The port had a 10.1 percent growth in volume in 2015, according to the American Association of Port Authorities. The nearby Port of Savannah was the fourth-largest U.S. port on the list. Its tonnage increased 11.7 percent last year. But Newsome said he remains bullish about the Port of Charleston because of the infrastructure supporting it and its ability, as the deepest port on the eastern seaboard, to handle larger vessels. “The East Coast and Gulf ports are where the action

is today,” Newsome said during his State of the Port Address on Monday, Sept. 12. “It’s where growth is in this country in the port business. And I further believe that the Southeast is the best place to be in the U.S. port business today, because we have a combination of import growth driven by population and export growth given by the robust investment in manufacturing that we have had and that we think will come in the future … I think this story will play itself out over time as more cargo comes to the East Coast because of the expansion of the Panama Canal and the many opportunities that are here.” Other state and local leaders also believe that South Carolina’s maritime and logistics industry will continue to boom. They hope it will continue to fuel and be fueled by economic development in the state’s manufacturing and distribution sectors, which are largely based in the Upstate. “The Port of Charleston has changed South Carolina forever,” said Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt. “We’ve gone from a largely agricultural and textile state to a manufacturing mecca … BMW, Boeing, Volvo – a lot of these international and na-

SC PORTS BY THE NUMBERS $211.2 MILLION

SCPA revenue in 2016 fiscal year

$179.9 MILLION

SCPA operating costs in 2016 fiscal year

$31.3 MILLION

SCPA earnings in 2016 fiscal year

$40.8 MILLION

SCPA projected earnings for 2017 fiscal year

1,943,170

Units of container volume through SCPA during 2016 fiscal year

187,000

Jobs facilitated throughout the state by port operations

9TH

Rank of Charleston among Top 10 U.S. container ports in volume in 2015

100,000

Containers SCPA officials expect to move through the Greer inland port each year by 2018

09.23.2016

“I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there’s a lot more to accomplish. We have five years of really hard work ahead of us and we don’t have any time to waste.” South Carolina Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome

tional companies are here because of the port.” Britt, who grew up on a tobacco farm in Dillon County, said the Upstate’s inland port has been an asset to the region. He said he hopes the inland port in Dillon will have the same impact on that community, surrounding counties and the region. “Success breeds success,” he said. “Michelin is making a $350 million investment in Spartanburg County right now because of the inland port… The inland port in Dillon is necessary and needed. I think it’s going to have a big impact … It will draw attention and opportunities.”

SCPA 10-YEAR CAPITAL PLAN:

PROJECTS FUNDED BY SCPA

$700 million on Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. Terminal $50 million on inland port in Greer $600 million on Wando Welch Terminal and other infrastructure projects

PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE STATE

$300 million on harbor deepening to 52 feet $225 million on port access road $250 million on a new dual access intermodal railhead

SHIP CAPACITY BY TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS (TEUS)

Classic Panamax ships: 5,000 TEUS Largest ship currently supported by SCPA: 10,700 TEUS New Panamax ships: 13,700 TEUS

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

NAMES FROM YESTERDAY WHO GOT US WHERE WE ARE TODAY

| FOUNDATIONS | 15

The Pioneer Visionary and innovator Ellison Adger Smyth was the dean of Southern cotton manufacturers Leaving a Lowcountry hardware business for the Upstate, a minister’s son and Civil War veteran went on to become perhaps the central figure in Greenville’s rise to become “The Textile Center of the World.” Born in Charleston on Oct. 26, 1847, Ellison Adger Smyth witnessed the first shot fired on Fort Sumter in April 1861 and later enlisted in the Confederate States Army. His mother, Margaret, was a member of the Adger family of Charleston who were involved in shipping, warehousing and hardware. His father was Rev. Thomas Smyth, minister of Second Presbyterian Church of Charleston. After the war, young Smyth became a junior partner of the hardware business J. E. Adger & Co. He met Julia Gambrill and they were married in 1869. When the hardware business declined, “Capt. Smyth,” as he was known for the rest of his life, decided to go into the textile industry even though he had never been in a textile mill. With his lifelong friend Francis J. Pelzer, he built Pelzer Mill in Anderson County in 1880. Thus began a long career of his direct involvement in organizing approximately 20 textile mills in the Upstate, including Belton, Dunean and Brandon Mills, and one in North Carolina. Smyth served as president and treasurer of Pelzer Manufacturing Company for 43 years. William Plumer Jacobs titled his biography of Ellison Adger Smyth “The Pioneer,” because Smyth was a man of vision who had a profound influence on the textile industry in the Upstate. In his Pelzer mills he used incandescent lights, and installed electric drive motors and automatic Draper looms. After successfully experimenting with these progressive ideas, he organized Dunean Mill in Greenville. Called the “Million Dollar Mill,” Dunean would be totally electric and produce the finest-quality cotton

ENGAGE SEP

Greenville Textile Heritage Society Festival

Hughes Main Library, Heritage Green, Greenville 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ellison Adger Smyth

goods. The mill building, with its unique gray brick and black mortar, was also known as one of the most aesthetically pleasing textile mills. The success of Dunean made it the model for mill construction throughout the South. The Smyths eventually moved to Greenville where they lived for 40 years. Capt. Smyth was involved in many different business enterprises and was at one time or another director of more than 30 different banks and corporations. For years he was the majority shareholder in the Greenville News, which he sold to B. H. Peace in 1923. He served as president of the Cotton Manufacturers Association of South Carolina for 14 years and was also president of the American Cotton Manufacturers Association.

In addition to being an industrial leader, Capt. Smyth was also very civic-minded. He was instrumental in the enactment of compulsory education laws and the registration of births and marriages in South Carolina. He was a founding member of Pelzer Presbyterian Church and Second and Fourth Presbyterian Churches in Greenville. He served on the Greenville Board of Trade and on the first board of the Textile Hall Corporation. He was a board chairman of Chicora College in Columbia. Capt. Smyth also helped organize the Greenville Rotary Club, the Poinsett Club and the Sans Souci Country Club. After selling most of his interests in Greenville in 1925, Capt. Smyth retired to his mountain retreat, Connemara, near Flat Rock, N.C. (Poet Carl Sandburg would buy the property in 1945, and it is now open to the public as the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.) He referred to himself as a farmer. Turkeys were his specialty, but he also raised livestock. However, his retirement from textiles was short-lived, as he soon organized Balfour Mills located near Hendersonville. Declining health prevented him from working the last year of his life, and he died on Aug. 3, 1942. Provided by the South Carolina Room, Hughes Main Library, Greenville County Library System

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16 | PROFILE |

UBJ

UST LOGISTICS

09.23.2016

Photos: Jack Lukow

UST Logistics partner and Chief Administrative Officer

Scott Moore.

UST Logistics makes Greenville home to new headquarters LAURA HAIGHT | CONTRIBUTOR

lhaight@communityjournals.com There are a lot of logistics involved in moving UST Logistics from its current facilities in Hendersonville, N.C., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., into a 6,200-square-foot space in downtown Greenville. The former home of ProAxis Physical Therapy, the walls are peppered with workout photos that need to be replaced, the old cubes will evolve into new workspaces and larger rooms need to be turned into offices. Sounds pretty typical, but it must happen by Monday, Sept. 26, when the staff arrives.

No problem – it’s logistics. And that’s what UST does. The company is a national third-party delivery company whose clients are primarily big-box appliance and furniture stores. Their forte is “last mile deliveries” from the warehouse or loading dock to the customer’s home. Their client roster boasts major national retailers like hhgregg, Conn's and Ashley Home Stores. We caught up for a conversation recently with partner and chief administrative officer Scott Moore.

With offices, field staff and divisions all over the country, why did you choose Greenville? Greenville really offered what we needed to take our company to the next level, in terms of logistics, transportation, the airports and the size of the city. We love the city. And we think it will attract the talent that we want to our company, that the city will make for an environment that our current employees will enjoy working and living in. Field members are coming from all over the country. So when we were trying to decide what city could

we bring the most people into, Greenville was a pretty easy win for us.

Is your move a relocation or an expansion? Actually, both. In addition to moving our field support team, all our senior-level regional management will come here as well as our four partners/vice presidents. We’ll also be adding two new departments and that will create 10-12 new positions. We will have a total of 50-51 staff here and operate as the corporate headquarters. Accounting services will remain in Florida.

Your territory alignment is different than what most of us are familiar with. Can you explain?

Inside the future UST Logistics office at 103 N. Main St. in downtown Greenville

We have 90 locations in 20 states that are distribution points. We are client-aligned, not geographically aligned. Using Conn’s as an example, we have a Conn’s division with a dedicated VP and a regional [manager] under him. Other regional staff may be geographically broken up from that point, but they are still under the Conn’s division. A regional manager for Conn's and hhgregg could be in the same city at the same time. We’ve been client-aligned for a few years and really feel in our business it is the best way to provide service to our clients.

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

How many trucks do you have? All our trucks are owned and operated by independent contractors. There are roughly 250 contractors running 400-500 trucks.

With that type of structure, what do you look for as growth? Our year-over-year growth has been great. We really don’t see that slowing down. We have been very conscious about not growing beyond what we can handle. Because adding a new client for us means adding an entirely new division to the company, we want to make sure it’s a good partnership for both of us. So that doesn’t happen overnight. But I think we’ll take on a couple of new large clients and expand in states, clients, trucks, employees.

E3 is UST’s guiding principle. What does it mean and why is it so important to you? Execute Excellence Every Time is more than a slogan on our website. It has become the way we live every day. From everyone playing their part in keeping our immediate environment looking the way it should to having the contact team [delivery truck] show up at the house neat and professional. Those are just two ways we back up our battle cry of executing excellence every time. We are a brand extension of our clients. Customers don’t know who is delivering their refrigerator. They just know that I bought something from

UST LOGISTICS

hhgregg and the delivery guys did a great job. That’s where the E3 philosophy comes in. We don’t want it to be a typical delivery. We want them to feel like the red carpet is rolled out for that delivery. Your refrigerator is the most important thing we’re doing at that moment.

Community commitment seems very important to your company. We have a commitment to and passion for the community, and an important part of our company is a humanitarian focus year-round. We love working with children and families in need and have usually done that around the holidays. But we network throughout the year to find situations where we think we can help people each year. Last year, we sent a Columbia, S.C., family that had lost their home and belongings during the flooding to Disney. We sponsored a trip home to Malaysia for a woman who had not been able to get home to visit her aging mother for several years. It’s company-wide and we set up GoFundMe pages where clients, vendors, employees and their families can contribute. And then we match those contributions. We do have a budget, but our actual commitment is often more than that once we see what a family needs. We used to conduct the program anonymously but started talking about it because we wanted to attract like-minded people to come be a part of this.

| PROFILE | 17

The last word? Delivering sofas and refrigerators may not seem the most exciting profession. But we are very passionate about the company, about trying to provide a place that our team members are proud to be a part of.

UST LOGISTICS • Founded in 1998 by CEO Scott Ramsey with one truck. • 160 employees, spread across 20 states • 1 MILLION DELIVERIES A YEAR milestone reached in 2015. • FOUR PARTNERS: Ramsey, president and CEO; Jerry Volmer, managing partner; Jason Coman, divisional vice president; and, Scott Moore, chief administration officer. • CORE VALUES: Integrity, customer experience, team excellence, own it, inspired growth, committed to the safety and well-being of all those around us. • FIND THEM: www.uste3.com; 103 N. Main St., Ste. 300, Greenville

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18 | SQUARE FEET |

UBJ

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

ANDREW MOORE | STAFF

09.23.2016

amoore@communityjournals.com

Tupelo Honey Café brings all-day brunch to Furman Asheville-based Tupelo Honey Café has opened its first collegiate location at Furman University’s Trone Student Center. “This is a unique opportunity for Tupelo Honey Café to create new fans on college campuses. It is also an opportunity to partner with a significantly larger and accomplished company that specifically operates in this competitive space within food service,” said Stephen Frabitore, CEO of Tupelo Honey Cafe. “This is a test … it represents a great business opportunity for Tupelo.” The 2,700-square-foot restaurant is located in a space formerly known as The Paddock Restaurant, which opened in 2013 and offered hamburgers and sandwiches. Now, the space is a hub for Southern-fried fare. Tupelo Honey is offering “trimmed down” versions of its brunch, lunch and dinner menus at Furman, according to Frabitore. However, it’s reviving its all-day brunch menu. The restaurant stopped offering its non-signature brunch items all-day last year after a menu overhaul at all its locations. The Furman restaurant’s all-day brunch menu

FRONT ROW

TUPELO HONEY CAFÉ IS OPEN TO BOTH STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC Tuesday and Wednesday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Thursday and Friday (11 a.m. to midnight) Saturday (10 a.m. to midnight)

includes sweet potato pancakes, chicken and biscuits as well as the “Tupelo Genuine Country Breakfast,” which includes farm fresh eggs and a selection of bacon, ham, goat cheese grits and more. Supper specials such as shrimp and grits and mountain trout are served after 4 p.m. Tupelo Honey Café is also offering exclusive menu items such as hush puppies, fried pickles, a bacon and bleu cheese salad and a fried chicken sandwich served with jalapeño slaw and bacon jam. The sandwich is also offered in the “wicked” version, which trades the bacon jam for a hot spice. Also, the restaurant is of-

fering small plates that feature fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese nachos and shrimp tacos. “Furman is constantly focused on providing quality food options for its students, whether it is in the dining hall, Paladin food court and now at Tupelo Honey at the Paddock,” said Rebecca Vuksta, director of auxiliary services at Furman University. “It has been excellent so far, and everyone involved has been very pleased.” The new restaurant has indoor seating as well as outdoor seating on an adjacent patio, where Tupelo plans to offer an outdoor grilling option on weekend nights, according to Frabitore. “It is incredibly peaceful and a beautiful place to dine,” he said. For more information, visit tupelohoneycafe.com.

Planning Commission approves Twin Lakes Cottages

DAVID DYKES | STAFF

ddykes@communityjournals.com The City of Greenville Planning Commission approved a developer’s application for a cottage subdivision of 35 residential lots at White Oak and Twin Lake roads. The applicant, Renaissance Custom Homes, plans 23 single-family detached houses and 12 townhou-ses on about 6 acres of land owned by Bob Jones University, according to a planning staff report delivered to the commission Sept. 15. BJU has no intention of developing the property, TWIN LAKES ROAD

Nathan Kaser, the builder and developer, told commissioners. The cottage community will make a “nice little addition to the greater neighborhood area and park setting,” he said. There was no opposition at the commission meeting. Commissioner Jonathan Pait, manager of events and services for the BJU Alumni Association, removed himself from the discussion about the project. Access to the development will come from White Oak Road via a proposed private road that will loop around the detached house lots and open space. The detached house lots front a common open space with rear-loaded parking accessed from the private road. The townhouse lots front Twin Lake Road and will have rear-loaded parking access from the private road. Visitor parking will be provided at the rear of the development. The proposed development is on the . VD site of a former mobile BL ON home park that is PT M HA mostly open land. E E PL

A AS

TWIN LAKES COTTAGE SUBDIVISION

And while the application includes three parcels, the majority of two parcels that include a creek will remain undisturbed, according to a staff analysis. Planning staff recommended approval, subject to compliance with development standards for cottage subdivisions in the city’s land management ordinance. Those standards include requirements for the layout of the development, minimum common open space, access and design of the individual houses. Staff members will verify compliance with the cottage subdivision requirements during the permitting process. In approving the application, commissioners agreed with those conditions. In recommending approval, Parks & Recreation officials said a detailed tree survey and landscape plan will be required and heritage and historic trees should be protected as required by city ordinance.

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION

| SQUARE FEET | 19

Westone to feature restaurant, retail and office space SHERRY JACKSON | CONTRIBUTOR

Initial redevelopment plans are emerging for a former dry cleanersturned-lawn-mower-repair store along Stone Avenue in Greenville to be converted into retail, restaurant and office space, including a second location of Coffee Underground. Developers Pete Brett and Michael Fletcher are under contract to purchase the 1-acre property at 109 W. Stone Ave., home to Battery and Electric Company, a small engine parts store, along with other businesses since the 1960s. BECO plans to move to a new, soon-to-be-announced location. The property has historic significance, as it was also home to Star Cleaners, one of the first commercial buildings built on Stone Avenue in the 1920s, said Brett. There is approximately 18,000 square feet of existing buildings, which Brett and Fletcher will redevelop, not tear down, they said. “It fits more with the historic character and is much more authentic to Stone Avenue,” said Fletcher. The price of renovation? About $3 million. Others had looked at the property, but plans didn’t quite fit the neighborhood, said Brett. One developer wanted to put in apartments, another a self-storage facility. A façade covering some of the original buildings will be torn down. The buildings will be brought up to code and include new roofs, sprinklers, two-tone paint, lots of glass fronts and a new parking lot that can accommodate approximately 60 spaces. There will be space for outdoor seating along with golf cart and bicycle parking.

Westone will be at 109 W. Stone Ave where BECO is currently

The Bohemian / Horizon Records

N. Main St. Stone Ave.

There are seven “units” available for lease. The second Coffee Underground location will occupy two of those at approximately 4,000 square feet. Owner Dana Lowie says she plans to expand her offerings with more food and restaurant space than the downtown location that’s been in business for 21 years. Rent at Westone for 2,220 to 5,200 square feet will range from $23/PSF NNN to $25/PSF NNN. Letters of intent are being accepted for the other spaces. Brett and Fletcher hope to have a good mix of restaurant, general retail, office and maybe a fitness center or brewpub. Plans and timing are dependent on a couple of factors. The developers have submitted an application to the City of Greenville Planning Commission requesting the property to be rezoned from OD (office) to C-2 (commercial). That application will be heard at the Oct. 20 PC meeting, and a neighborhood meeting was held this week. If approved, the application

will go before City Council for two readings. Since the property was once home to a dry cleaner, the site is also under a DHEC voluntary cleanup. The developers hope to close on the property by the end of this year, with spaces delivered to tenants in early spring 2017 and opening summer 2017.

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20 | THE TAKEAWAY |

UBJ

NOTES FROM THE BEST TALKS YOU MISSED

09.23.2016

Dreaming the Life, Living the Dream James Jordon shares four steps to making dreams into reality By MEGAN SHERARD

You make the difference.

Communications Coordinator, Greenville Chamber

Get motivated. Figure out what motivates you to make a difference.

Visualize your dream.

James Jordon, award-winning small-business

THE GREENVILLE CHAMBER’S FRIDAY FORUM When: Aug. 26, 2016 Where: Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center Feature Presentation: James Jordon’s Dream Catchers Workshop Who was there: More than 100 members of Greenville’s business community

owner, shared his Dream Catchers Workshop at the Greenville Chamber’s Friday Forum. Jordon is the founder of Jordon Construction Company, which the Greenville Chamber named the Minority Business of the Year in 2014 and the Small Business of the Month in September 2015. You have probably heard of Jordon or his companies. He is an active Greenville Chamber investor and involved in the Minority Business Accelerator program. Jordon appears frequently at networking events and serves as an expert on panels. It’s this reputation as a mentor and business leader that makes his background so shocking and his story all the more compelling. The Kalamazoo, Mich., native graduated high school with a 1.7 grade point average. It wasn’t until he got to college and received encouragement from his parents and professors that he began to realize his potential. It was Jordon’s father who first asked him to consider his goals and dreams. By 28, Jordon had ventured into real estate and had built a respectable portfolio. He dabbled in other entrepreneurial ventures, but his passion lies in real estate and construction, “because it gives you a chance to take something people don’t see potential in and bring life to it,” he said. Jordon is also passionate about lifting others up to realize their potential with his Dream Catchers Workshops, which help participants design their own maps to success through planning, teamwork and accountability. He shared key tips that have helped him turn his dreams into reality at the Chamber’s Friday Forum:

Picture yourself bringing your dream home to your family. Friday Forum attendees even shared their big dreams with each other.

Write it down.

Things take on new life when you put them on paper.

Set at least three goals. Set at least three daily activities for accomplishing each goal. Jordon relentlessly pursued his dreams until the work paid off. He keeps a positive attitude and overcomes obstacles by keeping the big picture in mind. “Failure is a stepping stone, not a tombstone,” he said.

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09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

STAYING ON MESSAGE WITH YOUR CLIENTS AND YOUR COLLEAGUES

| COMMUNICATE | 21

Diversity and inclusion: The fuel that accelerates the nonproﬁt engine By DEBBIE NELSON President, DNA Creative Communications

What recharges your battery? A walk on the beach, reading a good book or chatting with an old friend? These are all true for me. But when it comes to work, brainstorming greases my wheels. In the simplest form I can do it by myself – my process is sitting in front of my computer screen and randomly typing my thoughts. Yes, this solitary activity can feel good in the moment. However, it is a much more powerful and satisfying experience when I brainstorm with a team of independent thinkers who have different viewpoints and experiences to share. It is impossible to even predict where our collective ideas might land. If you apply this same creative process within the walls of a nonprofit, imagine the possibilities. To do this you must be intentional and assemble a diverse staff and board and then support them with a culture of inclusiveness. When everyone associated with the organization feels included,

respected and supported, diverse perspectives and approaches will drive your mission forward and fuel operational efficiency. Leaders should never underestimate the importance of diversity and inclusion and how they are at the core of high-performing teams. I encourage you, my nonprofit friends, to establish diversity and inclusion policies and act upon them when recruiting new employees and strengthening your existing teams. This culture will empower your organizations to expand capacity and solve complex problems, your boards to interact at the generative level and your employees to be more engaged and satisfied with their work. First and foremost, leaders should lead by example. They must exemplify best practices and empower those around them to act accordingly. They are responsible for developing and executing strategic plans for recruiting and retaining a well-aligned diverse team. With the right team in place, strong leaders should then focus on understanding what motivates each employee. Practices should be put into place to enable individuals, and the

Shine the Light Nonproﬁt Forum: SEP Accelerating Organizational Effectiveness With an Increasingly Diverse Team

The Warehouse Theatre, 37 Augusta St., Greenville 8 a.m.-noon nonprofitforums.org organization as a whole, to succeed. While diversity and race are often considered synonymous, there are many other critical attributes to consider when building an effective team – ethnicity, age, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, socioeconomics, philosophy, geography and work style to name a few. Each organization must assess its internal and external diversity goals and then develop the right strategic mix. And while diversity is the mix of your team, inclusiveness is what brings the team together and propels it forward.

South Carolina

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start your own

franchise.

Check out these stores available for franchising in your neighborhood: • 5055 Old Buncombe Rd. Greenville, SC 29609 • Hwys. 290 & 296 Moore, SC 29369 • 1703 Easley Bridge Rd. Greenville, SC 29611 • 2617 Wade Hampton Blvd. Greenville, SC 29615

On your mark, get set, go Here are some recommendations to get started:

DON’T JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS Establish a vibrant culture that demonstrates diversity and inclusion. Enthusiastically support this important work by walking the walk. Ensure your team is engaged and understands how everyone’s actions impact the organization’s overall success.

START YOUR ENGINES

HARNESS YOUR HORSEPOWER

LOOK UNDER THE HOOD

AVOID THE TIRE-KICKERS

Evaluate diversity internally and externally to identify needs. Consider all of the players including the board, staff, volunteers, community partners and other key stakeholders. Adopt diversity policies, goals and a plan for implementation. Periodically assess your efforts and adjust your course when necessary.

Implement diversity and inclusion training programs for your board and staff. Teach your team behaviors that can both support and undermine the organization’s progress. Establish a culture where everyone listens, speaks and acts inclusively. Build awareness about how what individuals say can impact others.

Understand what motivates the individuals on your team. Talk to them about who they are, not just about the work they do. Commit to providing them with challenging and satisfying work along with the tools to succeed. Consider offering mentoring opportunities to support career goals. Ensure that all employees feel valued and supported.

Build a team of advocates who are aligned with your organization’s diversity and inclusion plan. Intentionally recruit new employees and board members who will add to the team, not detract from it. Be on the lookout for those who pay you lip service and are not committed to your culture.

To learn more, contact Brian Mulcahy at 864.300.4889 or

Brian.Mulcahy@7-11.com

© 2016 7-Eleven Inc. All rights reserved. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. An offer can only be made in applicable states with authorized documentation. 7-Eleven Inc., P.O. Box 711, Dallas, TX 75221-0711

22 | ON THE MOVE |

UBJ

PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS

HIRED

09.23.2016

HIRED

LARYN WEAVER

BRENDA BROOKS

CYNDI LOHRMANN

ERIN CHURCHILL

MARNE FRANKLIN

Named executive director of the Greenville Area Parkinson Society. Laryn has more than 20 years of experience in building businesses, consulting in leadership and team development and strategy creation and implementation.

Named a residential sales agent with Coldwell Banker Caine with experience as a former business manager and owner with Express Unlimited Inc. and Turbo Logistics Inc. in Spartanburg. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Akron in Ohio.

Named assistant professor of costume design in North Greenville University’s School of Theatre. Lohrmann holds a Bachelor of Science in clothing and textiles and a Master of Fine Arts in theater from West Illinois University with an emphasis in costume design.

Named account representative at Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events. She is responsible for day-to-day management and support of various client accounts.

Named digital project manager at Your Marketing Co., a full-service creative marketing agency for financial service firms. She is responsible for the planning, execution and measurement of all web and digital advertising campaigns.

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

Sam Patrick joins EDTS as chief revenue officer. Based out of the Greenville office, Patrick will provide leadership for the company’s Greenville and Asheville offices.

REAL ESTATE Coldwell Banker Caine recently recognized its top producing agents in property sales and listings from August through the Circle of Excellence program. Circle of Excellence agents achieving $1 million in listing/closing volume or four listed/closed units include Annette Starnes, Beth Beach, Charlene Panek, David Seaver, Donna Morrow, Helen Hagood, Hilary Hurst, Holly West, Jacob Mann, Jane McCutcheon, Jennifer Simms, Jennifer Wilson, Jake Dickens, Kiersten Bell, Kristi Moon, Linda Wood, Lori Thompson, Lynn West, Mike Dassel, Pat Loftis, Sarah Gilley, Shelbie Dunn, Susan Gallion, Susan Reid, Suzanne Freeman and Wanda Stewart. Circle of Excellence Teams (four-plus agents) achieving $2 million in listing/ closing volume or eight units listed/closed include Lewis and Company.

ACCOUNTING Elliott Davis Decosimo announces 10 new shareholders. They are Justin Boyd, Jessica Cain, Vicki Cherry, Brian D’Amico, Ken Doty, Elizabeth Finch, Shanna Morales, Chad Reingardt, Robert Stevens and Josh White.

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09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

Open for business

| NEW TO THE STREET | 23

Community Journals is hiring!

SALES EXECUTIVE 1. The Greenville Housing Authority celebrated the completion of Manor at West Greenville, an affordable senior housing community located at 11 Manning St. in Greenville.

FULL TIME

PRINT / DIGITAL / SOCIAL / EVENTS

Photo provided

Email MJOHNSTON@COMMUNITYJOURNALS.COM with cover letter and resumÃ©.

COMMUNITY JOURNALS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

2. Two Men and a Truck recently opened their new space at 107 Sandra Ave. in Greenville. For more information, visit twomenandatruckgreenville.com. Photo provided

LIG R=

3. Martin Printing Company celebrated the opening of their new space at 1765 Powdersville Road in Easley. For more information, visit martinprinting.com. Photo provided

CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon? Email information to aturner@communityjournals.com.

DA R=

CH R=

24 | SOCIAL SNAPSHOT |

INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE

UBJ

09.23.2016

GREENVILLE CHAMBER NETNIGHT Business owners and professionals headed to downtown Greenville’s Aloft hotel for the Greenville Chamber’s quarterly Netnight. Photos by Smit’n Photography

CONTRIBUTE: Got high-resolution photos of your networking or social events? Send photos and information for consideration to events@pstatebusinessjournal.com.

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS

New standardized EnviroPure Systems models simplify delivery and installation Travelers Rest-based EnviroPure Systems has simplified its self-contained food waste disposal systems to offer customers more convenient ordering and delivery and faster, easier installation. The move allows EnviroPure to better accommodate a variety of facilities with unique food waste disposal needs without the need for time-consuming custom design. Six new standard system sizes offer capacities ranging from 300 to 2,000 lbs. of food waste per day. The standard systems are optimized for kitchens serving approximately 950 to 6,000 meals per day. Higher capacity units can still be customized as needed. The grinder, the first step in EnviroPure’s food digestion process, can be placed in one of six locations to accommodate the facility’s existing workflow, reducing the labor needed to haul food waste to a centralized disposal location. EnviroPure breaks down food waste in 24 hours through a combination of mechanical processing and aerobic decomposition and produces a gray water byproduct that meets or exceeds municipal

wastewater requirements. A 100 percent natural micronutrient additive accelerates the digestive process with no intrusive odors, no invasive pests and no damaging carbon footprint. For more information on EnviroPure, including an inside look at how the system works, visit www. enviropuresystems.com.

Solar company recognized for job growth and clean energy Local solar installer Sunstore Solar was recently named to an annual list of North America’s top solar contractors. Sunstore Solar achieved a rank of 143 out of 500 North American solar companies. The Top 500 Solar Contractors List is developed by Solar Power World magazine to recognize the work completed by solar contractors across the U.S. and Canada. The companies on the list are recognized for growing the economy, providing jobs and offering electricity consumers a choice about how they get their power. The list was released July 26 and awarded Sept. 13. Sunstore Solar employs 28 workers, who installed 5.5 megawatts of solar in 2015.

| THE FINE PRINT | 25

GreenWood nationally certiﬁed as women-owned business GreenWood Inc., an integrated maintenance, construction and workforce solutions provider, announces their certification as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). “The WBENC certification further enables us to expand our project opportunity footprint to work with additional companies within our markets,” says Laura Lipscomb, CEO. “The future is bright and we look forward to increasing our family of clients both regionally and within the markets where we have demonstrated expertise.” WBENC’s national standard of certification is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business. The world-class certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. WBENC is also an approved Third Party Certifier for the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. This certification for GreenWood comes after a recently implemented succession plan named Lipscomb as CEO. She is the daughter of company founder, John Wood, and her brother Brad Wood serves as GreenWood’s president.

It’s not about finding a job.

IT’S ABOUT FINDING YOUR PURPOSE. OCTOBER 6-7

KROC CENTER Greenville, SC

E X C L U S I V E LY F O R V E T E R A N S I N C A R E E R T R A N S I T I O N

InsideBlackBox .com/ R E C O N

26 | #TRENDING |

UBJ

INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW

OVERHEARD @ THE WATERCOOLER

“Maybe a scholarship will be available?”

> Jenny Eikenberry via Facebook

SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

| VOL. 5 ISSUE 38

CUBICLE THE THE DEATH OF

down, while walls are coming going up In today’s office, collaboration are productivity and

RE: TABLE 301’S JIANNA TO OPEN AT FALLS PARK PLACE “First I find out that one of my fave restaurants, Stella’s Southern Bistro, is opening a new restaurant, but now a new Table 301 restaurant on the river?! I’m officially in foodie heaven.”

> Colleen Barber Deas “Enough already. Time to stop. How many restaurants are in downtown Greenville? you don’t think we have enough.

> Kaye Mann Martell “Was there more than 6 inches left in downtown Greenville to build something else?!”

> Mary Anna

DIGITAL FLIPBOOK ARCHIVE >> The layout of print meets the convenience of the Web. Flip through the digital editions of any of our print issues, and see them all in one place. >> upstatebusinessjournal. com/past-issues

>> WEIGH IN @ THE UBJ EXCHANGE Got something to offer? Get it off your chest. We’re looking for expert guest bloggers from all industries to contribute to the UBJ Exchange. Send posts or blog ideas to dcar@communityjournals.com.

“Holy moly!”

“That’s what that monstrosity of a building will look like?!?”

> Josh Tremper “Bless”

> Mark Duvall “Definitely one I want to try, as well as Dive 'n' Boar.”

> Debra W. Strange

> Jonathan Gillespie “McMillan Pazdan Smith collaborates with us seamlessly, and clearly understands what goes into creating the kind of dining experience our customers expect.”

> Lindsey Taylor Granville

> Kathy Kelleher

“Oh yummy...can’t wait to try this one!”

> Tracy Wahler, Realtor

>> CONNECT WITH US We’re great at networking. LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL FACEBOOK.COM/ THEUPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL @UPSTATEBIZ

The top 5 stories from the past week ranked by shareability score

>> 1,100 1. Table 301’s Jianna to open at Falls Park Place

>> 385 2. Development deal finalized for downtown Spartanburg’s Montgomery Building

>> 165 3. The Death of the Cubicle

>> 161 4. Tourism official: Spartanburg County eyeing NCAA events set to leave N.C.

>>109 5. The Iron Yard launches $45M program to boost diversity in tech industry

> Carl Sobocinski, Owner, Table 301 Restaurant Group

“Pretty stoked about the Oyster situation”

“Congratulations!!”

09.23.2016

BIZ BUZZ

Distilled commentary from UBJ readers

RE: THE IRON YARD LAUNCHES $45M PROGRAM TO BOOST DIVERSITY IN TECH INDUSTRY

“Looking forward to 2017! Congrats to Chef Michael Kramer of Table 301 on the announcement of his NEW restaurant “Jianna”. Chef Kramer’s on #euphoria2016’s Culinary Council as well as is a part of Michelin Coast to Coast Dinner and Sunday Supper! We’re sure you’ll see this restaurant in the lineup of euphoria 2017! #euphoria #breakingnews #restaurantalert #yeahTHATgreenville”

> Euphoria Greenville “I just LOVE that name”

> Ann Conroy Bruccoliere @CWHaire

@daviddykes

@AndersonTrev

@melindagyoung

RE: GREENVILLE DEVELOPMENT: FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, PANELISTS SAY

@andrewmooreGVL

@EPietras_CJ

“The infrastructure is ready?! Are you kidding me?”

@clandrum

@jerrymsalley

> Bruce Countryman “We are doing SO WELL!! Exciting to be in Greenville, SC!”

> Joyce Barber

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILS Follow up on the Upstate’s workweek in minutes. Subscribe to our emails & receive The Inbox – our weekly rundown of the top 10 local biz stories you need to know – as well as breaking news alerts. It’s the best way to stay informed on the go. >> upstatebusinessjournal.com/email

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UPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL.COM

09.23.2016

upstatebusinessjournal.com

EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR

| PLANNER | 27

DATE

EVENT INFO

WHERE DO I GO?

HOW DO I GO?

Friday

Greenville Chamber Friday Forum Remedios Gómez Arnau, the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh, N.C.

Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Conference Center 670 Verdae Blvd. 8–9:30 a.m.

Learn more and register: greenvillechamber.org

Piedmont SCORE Small Business Start-up Workshop

Spartanburg Community College – Tyger River Campus 1875 E. Main St., Duncan 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Cost: $69, includes materials and lunch ($25 for each additional participant from same company) Register: piedmontscore.org/workshops

Greenville Top Guns Event 2016

The Poinsett Club 807 E. Washington St. 5:30–6:30 p.m.

RSVP to Stephanie Lewis, jana.jones@jacksonlewis.com 232-7000

Aspiring Entreprenuers of Greenville Meet Up

Phil Levin & Co. 750 Executive Drive 7–8:30 p.m.

More info: meetup.com/ Aspiring-Entrepreneurs-Of-Greenville

Piedmont SCORE Business Planning for the Small-Business Owner

Spartanburg Community College – Tyger River Campus 1875 E. Main St., Duncan 6–8 p.m.

Cost: $19 Register: piedmontscore.org/workshops

9/23 Saturday

9/24 Wednesday

9/28 Sunday

10/1 Sunday

10/5

CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com. DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & ACCOUNT STRATEGY Kate Madden

PRESIDENT/CEO

ART & PRODUCTION VISUAL DIRECTOR

Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com

Will Crooks

UBJ PUBLISHER

Bo Leslie | Tammy Smith

Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com

EDITOR

Chris Haire chaire@communityjournals.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Emily Pietras epietras@communityjournals.com

STAFF WRITERS

Trevor Anderson, David Dykes, Caroline Hafer, Andrew Moore, Cindy Landrum

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Melinda Young, Ariel Turner, Sherry Jackson

DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Danielle Car

MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Nicole Greer, Jenny Hall, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehmen, Emily Yepes

IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?

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

1988

Holly Hardin

ADVERTISING DESIGN

1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993

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

LAYOUT OPERATIONS

OCTOBER 14 THE BE YOUR OWN BOSS ISSUE When your boss is the person in the mirror.

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

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

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

Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years 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

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-prof 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 lients 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 nitY inV nit inVolVeMent in olV olVe VeMent & boarD positions

OCTOBER 28 QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE The state of commercial real estate in the Upstate.

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

20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013

AS SEEN IN

NOVEMBER 1, 2013

Kristy Adair | Michael Allen

CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley | Jane Rogers

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS: ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com

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NOVEMBER 18 LEADERSHIP ISSUE How continuing education and local networking groups make us better leaders Got any thoughts? Care to contribute? Let us know at ideas@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.

Copyright ©2016 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. 581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Printed in the USA.

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