Sept. 27, 2013 UBJ

september 27, 2013

The BUSINESS OF

OBAMACARE

How the law is shifting the insurance landscape and bringing new players to the field

A STEP AHEAD

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UBJ up front Shanghai Shanghai Collection Collection

Falling

By Jerry Salley | managing editor jsalley@communityjournals.com

Every fall reminds me of fall 1989.

students with their career development. The Space, I was about to turn 21. which grew out of WofThe ’80s were about to ford’s career services debecome the ’90s. And I partment, “gives Wofford was beginning my senior students the chance to year at Furman, which combine their liberal arts meant that, with no plans education with hands-on for grad school, I was preparation for the busigazing straight into the ness world,” Shandi abyss of the Real World. writes.

SALLEY I was terrified.

It made me wonder: If I had vague notions of such a thing had existed wanting to write – I knew I was pretty in 1989, would I have taken advangood at it – but no firm ideas of how tage of it? I hardly ever darkened the to actually convince somebody to pay door of Furman’s career services me for it. I ended up doing what office back in the day. If I had, who many recent college graduates, before knows what my path might have and since, have done: work any job been? Who knows where I’d be available until something better today? comes along. My friend Josephine Anyway, for me, it all ended up OK. got me a job at the Open Book at I’ve been extraordinarily lucky. I kept McAlister Square (back when it was finding jobs where I could mess a shopping mall). around with words, focusing on imFrom there, I bounced around a proving my own – and other people’s while, getting jobs with increasing – writing. (I don’t think I’ve quite met responsibility and outlets for creativ- the “10,000-hour rule” threshold that ity. It wasn’t a straight path to where Malcolm Gladwell discusses in his I am today, but all the while I was book “Outliers,” which dictates that building up my resume and my port- you must spend 10,000 hours doing folio, honing my skills as a writer and something before you get really good editor. I was getting better at what I at it. But I’m working on it.) After enjoyed doing.

20-odd years in the wilderness, I As the managing editor of the Up- moved back to find the Upstate in state’s only weekly business publica- the midst of an economic and culturtion, I feel like I should have a better al renaissance. My friend Josephine, story to tell of my own career devel- the one who got me the bookselling opment. It should be a tale of laser job, married me about a year ago. focus, ruthless ambition, brilliant In many ways, the fall of 2013 is networking and entrepreneurial different from the fall of 1989, but it’s pluck. Instead, it’s more a story of a the same in many ways, too. It’s my sometimes-bewildered traveler in the favorite time of any year, and I’m happy wilderness, stumbling down paths to be here for it. How about you? that took surprising twists. I suspect many of your stories are similar.

Are you doing what you wanted to do I thought about this as I was when you grew up? Let’s talk about it reading Shandi Stevenson’s article at upstatebusinessjournal.com, facethis week about The Space, Wofford book.com/The UpstateBusinessJournal, College’s innovative program to help or on Twitter@UpstateBiz.

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Volume II, Issue XXXIX

September 27, 2013

18

Worth Repeating “The longer it’s an issue in people’s minds, the longer there are questions and confusion, the more in demand I will be.”

Todd Palmer, Affordable Care Act consultant

“The sooner an entrepreneur knows what doesn’t work, the faster he can move on and find what will work.”

Matthew Klein, director of business development for Clemson’s College of Business and Behavioral Science, Greenville

“We need to be more purposeful about our pipelines into health care. Students will need to be better prepared and need more diverse backgrounds.”

The wall of one of the work areas of TPM Colorlab is decorated with Hollywood photos.

Mike Riordan, CEO of Greenville Health System, on its partnership with Furman University

Photo by Greg Beckner/Staff

TBA The Iron Yard has returned to the NEXT Innovation Center from its space in the basement of the former Windstream building in downtown Greenville.

They will likely look to expand at NEXT …

Verbatim

On the meaning of Euphoria…

“Euphoria means ‘a feeling of vigor, well-being, and high spirits.’ And that’s exactly what you’ll feel at the annual Euphoria Food, Wine, and Music Festival in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.”

US Airways Magazine on Greenville’s Euphoria Festival, which kicks off this weekend. Find Euphoria for yourself at euphoriagreenville.com.

4 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Tailored

UBJ News

by the Purveyors of Classic American Style

Buy Local and Look Great!

Unemployment Still Holding Steady South Carolina’s seasonally adjusted unemployment remained unchanged at 8.1 percent for July and August. The number has changed little since August.

There were 175,602 unemployed South Carolinians in August and an estimated total labor force of 2,161,811. The number of employed fell 1,526 over the month to 1,986,209.

The state Department of Employment and Workforce said a small increase of 600 from July to August pushed seasonally adjusted, non-farm payroll employment in South Carolina to a year-high level of 1,890,200. This over-the-month change was the lowest employment increase since June 2013.

Again, the most job growth came in professional and business services with an additional 1,100 jobs.

Manufacturing, which has declined the pervious month, saw an increase of 900 jobs.

Financial activities; leisure and hospitality; education and health services; and construction all saw declines.

Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent from July’s estimate of 7.4 percent. The labor participation rate, which affects the unemployment rate, dropped to 63.2 percent nationally in August, its lowest point since August 1978. State labor participation figures were not available.

South Carolina Unemployment Numbers August 2013 (Seasonally Adjusted)

Figure Rate National Unemployment SC Unemployment SC No. Unemployed

7.3% 8.1% 175,602

Change from July 2013

Your support of local businesses in Greenville has a much larger impact than you might think. Spending your money in Greenville at independent businesses has a ripple effect on the local economy. The money you spend is reinvested in the community by the owners and employees of those businesses. Shopping locally means a lot at Rush Wilson Limited. Our collection of clothing lines includes a number that are headquartered right here in Greenville: Southern Tide, F A MacCluer, Kent Wool Socks; and in the Carolinas, Peter Millar and R Hanauer. Buying products from these companies at local businesses really insures that your money stays in the Carolinas!

Southern Tide, founded by Allen Stephenson, a native of Greenville, features sportswear that focuses on comfort and fit in styles that are fashionable, functional and distinctive.

F A MacCluer, founded in Brooklyn, NY in 1922, and moved to Belton, SC in 1992, started out making quality, “private label” shirts for the most prestigious stores in America. Operated by brothers, John and Bob Ruffalo, FA MacCluer produces beautifully tailored dress shirts and sport shirts with classic styling and traditional fit.

Kent Wool Socks, created by Mark Kent, CEO of Kent Wool, is perhaps the World’s Best Golf Sock. Made of a proprietary blend of Superfine Merino Wool, the socks promote wicking and comfort and reduce friction, abrasion and muscle fatigue. Available in a lot of fun colors and styles, it is the perfect sock for golf, tennis, jogging, hiking or whenever you are on your feet for hours at a time Peter Millar, headquartered in Raleigh, was started by Chris Knott of FuquaVarina, NC. Peter Millar is an international brand featuring clothing and sportswear for individuals who wish to go classic and stand out for who they are and not just what they wear.

R Hanauer, headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, manufactures beautifully styled neckwear, pocket squares, and formal accessories.

Reinvest in Greenville and the Carolinas, keep our dollars close to home.

down 0.1% no change up 1,165

Upstate Unemployment

Anderson County Greenville County Spartanburg County

7.80% 6.80% 8.20%

Change from July 2013 up 0.2% up 0.2% down 0.2%

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UBJ News

Greenlink, B-Cycle Declare Fare-Free October

PRESENTS

By Jeanne Putnam | contributor jputnam@communityjournals.com

Congratulations to our Charter Business

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

September 2013 Greenville Chamber Small Business of the Month Award Presentation for Fleet Feet Sports: Chamber President/CEO Ben Haskew, Chamber Board Chair Luanne Runge, Fleet Feet owner Sheila McCullough-Burgess, and Award Committee Representative Lori Coon/Greenville Business Magazine.

“A healthy community is a strong community. It’s our future!”

-Sheila McCullough-Burgess, Owner of Fleet Feet Greenville

Fleet Feet Sports owner Sheila McCullough-Burgess began running in 1977 in central Ohio for her high school track and cross country teams. She moved to Greenville in 1986 and the Greenville running community was instantly her home.

Fleet Feet helps sponsor, support and put on more than 25 events a year. They have training programs for everyone, from the very beginner to intermediate runner. Their goal is to teach people in the Upstate how to improve their quality of life, help them take control of their health and well-being, and to participate in local running/ walking events, which often support our community.

Learn more at www.fleetfeetgreenville.com.

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Nominate them for the Greenville Chamber’s Small Business of the Month Award at www.GreenvilleChamber.org.

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6 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Greenville B-Cycle and Greenlink recently announced that they are teaming up during the month of October to offer residents, students and downtown workers a way to tackle what is often referred to as the “last mile issue” in public transportation.

A bus stop may be as far as a mile away from someone’s final destination, so many bus riders must rely on active transportation to get there, said Greg Baney, Greenlink manager of administration.

Greenlink buses are equipped to carry personal bikes, but not everyone has one or wants to bring it to work each day. Since its March launch, Greenville B-cycle has offered a network of six bike stations and 28 publicly accessible bikes in and around downtown.

As a result of the partnership, the Fare-Free October initiative will allow any Greenville B-cycle annual member to show his Greenville B-cycle card to Greenlink bus drivers in exchange for free rides on Greenlink buses as an extra incentive for bus riders to give Greenville B-cycles a try.

“Our hope is that people will realize

just how easy it is to use public bus service in tandem with active transportation to meet their daily transportation needs,” says Lisa Hallo, Greenville B-cycle program director.

“For instance, a student traveling downtown from Clemson University or CU-ICAR may be hesitant to use public transportation if they don’t have good travel options once they reach downtown. Greenville B-cycle expands those options.”

Greenville B-cycle has stations at the Transit Center, County Square, City Hall, the Sterling Community Center and the corners of Rhett and River streets and College and North Main streets.

Rides shorter than 60 minutes are free for program members, and annual passes are available for $60.

City of Greenville and Greenville County staff members are eligible for $45 annual passes, and college students and faculty can obtain annual passes for just $30. Discount rates are also available for low-income members.

For more information, visit greenvillebcycle.com or contact Lisa Hallo at bcycle@upstateforever.org.

UBJ News

Cable Spat Threatens Local Channels

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

Contentious negotiations between Dish Network Corp. and broadcaster Media General may leave Dish subscribers without some local channels.

The current contract that allows the Dish satellite network to rebroadcast WSPA (CBS channel 7) and WYCW (CW channel 62) and channels in other markets will expire at midnight Sept. 30. If a new retransmission agreement is not reached by then, Dish will be prohibited by law from carrying stations owned, operated or serviced

by Media General. But negotiations are at an impasse, with Dish accusing Media General of requesting too-high fees, while Media General says Dish is being unreasonable.

Such disputes occur regularly

between broadcasters and rebroadcasters.

Media General did not respond to specific questions, but sent a statement saying, “Media General has successfully completed agreements with the vast majority of other cable and satellite operators. Dish is so far refusing to reach a similar agreement.

We continue to negotiate with Dish to reach a fair, market-based deal before our contract expires.”

But Media General is asking for five times the fair market value, according to Sruta Vootukuru, Dish director of programming.

“We know what the market trend is and what fair market value is,” Vootukuru said. She would not discuss amounts in detail but said

there is no justification for high costs.

“The only folks benefitting in the whole deal are the broadcasters, because they get free spectrum [from the government].”

She said Media General is trying to extract fees as high as possible before it is acquired later this year by Young Broadcasting, a broadcaster with which Dish has a long-term agreement in place. She said Media General refused the offer of a shortterm extension of the existing contract until then.

Vootukuru said the dispute is emblematic of an entire system that favors broadcasters. She said current rules under the Federal Communications Commission do not take into account the changing media landscape or have provisions to keep broadcasters from demanding overly high rebroadcast fees.

The issue remained unresolved at press time.

“In the event that our stations are no longer carried by Dish, our viewers may continue to watch their local news, lifestyle and sports programs, as well as top-rated prime time and syndicated programming, over-theair via antenna or by switching to an alternative pay-TV service provider,” Media General said.

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UBJ News

Furman, GHS Launch Partnership Students will learn about health careers firsthand

By April A. Morris| staff | amorris@communityjournals.com

opment at GHS. GHS and Furman have a long history of cooperation, and the agreement allows for strategic planning of what student experiences look like, said Thames. In 2011, more than 5,000 students received some sort of training within the health care system, she added.

“Right now, approximately 25 percent of Furman students have shown an interest in a health career, including 35 percent of this year’s freshman class,” said Carl Kohrt, the university’s interim president.

Rachel Donaldson, a first-year medical student at the USC Medical School Greenville, is one student who learned about the industry while she was as student at Furman. In addition to majoring in music and focusing on playing the saxophone (and nine

Go figure MORE THAN 5,000

students received some sort of training at greenville health system in 2011

25% OF FURMAN STUDENTS are interested in a health career (35% of current freshmen)

other instruments), Donaldson said she had always been interested in health care and completed pre-med courses at Furman in biology, physics and chemistry.

The Furman pre-med courses were a good start, Donaldson said, and as part of a medical ethics class, she spent time on the GHS campus. She was surprised that she gravitated to emergency medicine during the visits, and this led her to explore even

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further at a summer internship at Bellevue Hospital in New York City.

A partnership between the university and the health care system would definitely be of benefit to students like her, said Donaldson. Being a doctor is “idealized in the media,” she said, and “getting into a clinical setting is huge” in terms of students determining whether health care is a good fit for them.

Thames agreed that initial clinical and non-clinical experiences can give students direction: “We know that many students don’t have a clue of all the opportunities in health care.” Skills learned in a liberal arts education can also be applied in a clinical setting, like in speech or music therapy, wellness and prevention positions or information technology and ethics, she said. “Blending the academic and the real world will be tremendous in health care,” she added.

“We need to be more purposeful about our pipelines into health care,” said GHS CEO Michael Riordan.

“Students will need to be better prepared and need more diverse backgrounds.”

In addition to the three main academic partners, GHS will also work with other area colleges for clinical opportunities, said Thames.

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This summer, Greenville Health System (GHS) inked a research partnership with Clemson University, and this week the health care system announced a new formal partnership with Furman University.

The agreement will give Furman students access to GHS facilities and offer undergraduate students a chance to learn firsthand about health care and career opportunities through a medical experience academy, internships and a student observation program. Initiatives will include both clinical and non-clinical opportunities, according to Furman.

Furman University is the primary undergraduate partner along with Clemson University as primary research partner and University of South Carolina Medical School as primary graduate partner, said Brenda Thames, vice president for academic devel-

UBJ News

The Space at Wofford Bridges Gap Between College and Career

By Shandi Stevenson | contributor

The Space at Wofford, launched in February 2013, is a radically redesigned version of what was once the Career Services program. Director Jennifer Dillinger says the program seeks to replace traditional career services with something “innovative, outward-facing, and fun.”

The Space gives Wofford students the chance to combine their liberal arts education with hands-on preparation for the business world.

Scott Cochran, dean of The Space, says he drew on his 20 years’ business experience to ensure The Space emphasizes the skills and values employers across a wide range of fields

are looking for, including problem solving, public speaking, writing, creative thinking, professionalism and a strong work ethic.

The Space offers a scholarship to 20 students a year who commit to full participation in the program, including arriving on campus early

“I can’t imagine my time at Wofford without The Space.”

Anna Grace Hall, founder of the Let’s Read program

10 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

each fall for intensive training and attending weekly meetings. But director Courtney Shelton says any student can walk into The Space and find something to meet his or her needs. The Space offers a summer Institute, special speakers and events, contests at which students present business plans to a panel of judges, mentoring, internships with local companies, and training in budgeting, creating a business plan, analyzing a project, doing a presentation, making a pitch and other skills.

The Space is divided into The Space to Launch, which helps student entrepreneurs develop their own businesses; The Space to Impact, which emphasizes community outreach; The Space to Prepare, which provides more traditional career services; and other programs.

The Space encourages students not to wait for graduation before pursuing their goals. Freshman Mitchell Saum was 17 when he started his own company making bamboo sunglasses. Saum hopes that by working with mentors at The Space he can put his business on a solid foundation by the time he graduates. Joseph McMillan, a Wofford graduate who started Junk Matter Recycling in his sophomore year, says the skills he gained through the program prepared him to “really hit the ground running” as a business owner. Networking in the Wofford community has helped his business grow quickly, he said.

The Space “really gave us a launching pad,” agreed Grace Wallace, who started her stationery company at the start of her senior year. As a graduate, Wallace says she knows she can still call on her connections at The Space for advice and networking. “It’s so reassuring to have that kind of support.”

The Space also supports students

Photo provided

in community outreach projects.

“I can’t imagine my time at Wofford without The Space,” says Anna Grace Hall, who started Let’s Read, an afterschool literacy and ESL program, through The Space. Hall says the program taught her how to plan and implement her project, and has “been with us every step of the way.”

Martha Albergotti, director of franchising at PureBarre, says The Space is a valuable resource for area employers as well as students. PureBarre recently hired the Wofford graduate who interned with them during her time at The Space. Space students are “prepared to quickly learn and adapt” in a variety of workplace environments, she said.

Katie Wilson, program manager for client education and development at Milliken, worked with five Space interns on a project this past >>

UBJ News

World-Class Lawyers.

Deep Local Roots.

Photo provided

GE workers in Greenville will manufacture 26 massive heavy-duty 9F-3 gas turbines bound for Algeria. The turbines are similar to the machine shown above in half shell.

GE Wins $2.7B Deal for Greenville Turbines General Electric announced Monday that it won three contracts totaling $2.7 billion, most of which is for gas turbines produced in Greenville.

The 9F-3 gas turbines will be manufactured at GE’s Greenville facility, while steam turbines and generators that are also part of the deal will be built in Schenectady, N.Y. The gas and steam turbines and generators are valued at $1.9 billion and will go to six new combined-cycle power plants that aim to boost Algeria’s generating capacity by 70 percent and add eight gigawatts of power by 2017, GE said in a news release.

The turbines will be purchased by an affiliate of Algeria’s national electricity and gas company. That country’s energy needs are expected to double by the end of the decade.

GE said the contracts were among the largest in its history. Despite its overall significance, however, the project will not bring any changes at the Greenville plant.

“We expect that the turbines will be manufactured with the current workforce and current facilities,” said Susan Waldron, a GE spokeswoman.

Production has already begun, and the first turbine is expected to ship to Algeria by the end of the year.

Production will continue into next year and all 26 turbines should be completed and shipped from Greenville by the end of 2014.

Waldron said other significant projects that have come through the GE plant include the production of 22 9E gas turbines for Iraq in 2008, and 30 7EA gas turbines for Saudi Arabia in 2009.

summer. She gives the program “18 thumbs up,” and hopes to work with Space students on future projects.

“We were just very impressed,” says Wilson. “It was a great experience.”

Scott Clark, chief operating officer of Michelin North America, agrees the program’s internships are “truly

a win-win” for companies and students, because interns can “throw a lot of time and energy at a problem” in a short amount of time.

“I really like what they’re doing,” he said. The Space is “doing a great job of preparing their kids for the future.”

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September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 11

UBJ Innovate

Thinking Lean

In today’s marketplace, lean startup has advantages over the traditional business launch formula

WHO TOPS THE CHARTS IN GREENVILLE’S FINANCIAL MARKET? The UBJ’ upcoming event, Who’s Who recognizes the people in our community who are committed to advancing their fields.

Whether new on the scene or veterans in the trenches, they’re the professional to look out for and look up to. Many have gone uncelebrated. Until now. Also including, but not limited to Accounting, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Political/Government, Design, Finance, Hospitality Legal, Marketing/PR, Non-Profit, Real Estate, Tech/IT.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY! Nominations will be accepted from

SEPTEMBER 20-NOVEMBER 8

A third party panel of Community Leaders will select 8 “Who’s Who” recipients, from the nominations submitted, that will be announced in February 2014. Self Nominations are also encouraged.

FORMS CAN BE FILLED OUT HERE: upstatebusinessjournal.com/whos-who

Launching a new venture has always been an inherently risky activity, which is in some part due to the prevailing formula most startups follow: Come up with an idea, write a business plan, pitch it to investors, assemble a team, produce a product, and hope it sells like gangbusters once it is presented to the marketplace. The formula has certainly produced some successful businesses through the years, but the harsh reality is that 75 percent of new business ventures fail.

Over the last few years, a new model for launching a business has emerged, one which relies on experimentation instead of elaborate planning and favors customer feedback over intuition. The key concepts of lean startup are being embraced by the entrepreneurial community and are taught at forward-thinking business schools. The philosophy behind lean startup turns conventional wisdom about starting a business on its head in many ways. New ventures and established companies alike can improve their chances of success by following this methodology.

Under the old model, anyone founding a company would first create a business plan, which typically includes five-year forecasts for income, profits and cash flow. This plan is a theoretical exercise created at a desk before an entrepreneur has even begun to build or test a product,

and was often cloaked in secrecy until the final product was produced and released to market. It relies on the assumption that it’s possible to determine the unknowns in advance to see if the company can be successful before you raise money or invest in development. But after decades of watching the majority of startups fail, a few things are now readily apparent: • Business plans rarely survive once they are presented to customers.

• Since no one can accurately predict the future, these plans are largely fiction, and dreaming them up is often a waste of time that could be better spent gathering hard data.

• The key to startup success is being able to adapt and improve as you learn from your customer base.

Lean startup has three key principles that address the failings of the old process. First, instead of spending months planning and guessing at outcomes, entrepreneurs begin under the assumption that all they have to work with is a series of untested hypotheses – essentially, good guesses. Instead of writing a business plan, they summarize their >>

The paradoxical key to success is to “fail early” and “fail often.” The sooner an entrepreneur knows what doesn’t work, the faster he or she can move on and find what will work.

12 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

By MATTHEW KLEIN

ideas in a framework called a business model canvas. This diagram illustrates how a company creates value for itself and its customers.

Next, founders must test their ideas in the real world.

They do this by actually asking potential users, purchasers and partners for feedback on all elements of the business model, including product features, pricing, distribution channels and any other factors that are relevant to their plan.

The emphasis is on speed and adaptability – founders quickly create a version of their product or service and release it in the marketplace so they can elicit customer feedback, which is then used to improve or even change the product and increase its chances for success. Ideas that are generally well received but require small adjustments go through a series of iterations, with each new version going through the cycle of feedback. Ideas that aren’t working at all will cause the founder to pivot – completely change the product, target market or business concept and start again. The paradoxical key to success is to “fail early” and “fail often” in the real-world tests. The sooner an entrepreneur knows what doesn’t work, the faster he or she can move on and find what will work.

Finally, lean startups embrace something called agile development, a term coined in the software industry. In contrast to traditional product development, in which each stage occurs in linear order and lasts for months, agile development builds products in short, repeated cycles.

A startup creates a minimum viable product – one that contains only critical features – gathers feedback from customers, and then begins

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again with a revised minimum viable product. Instead of assuming what customers want, agile development allows entrepreneurs to develop their product iteratively and incrementally using actual customer feedback.

Lean startup helps draw a distinction between management execution and searching for a business model, and business schools are increasingly abandoning the business plan as the template for entrepreneurial education. Business plan competitions are being supplanted by business model competitions, showing a true embrace of the lean startup model in higher education.

In our world of rapid change, the lean startup approach will help entrepreneurs and existing companies meet challenges head-on, allowing them to innovate rapidly and remain competitive.

Matthew Klein is the director of business development for Clemson’s College of Business and Behavioral Science, Greenville. He teaches lean startup methodologies in the Clemson MBA in Entrepreneurship program. He is co-founder of Redrock Capital, a member of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network and a member of the Michelin Development Steering Committee.

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 13

UBJ guest column

By W. SCOTT JONES

Is a Tax Appeal Right for Your Property?

In the next few weeks, 2013 tax assessments and tax bills for commercial real estate will be making their way to property owners around the Upstate. The impact of an elevated tax assessment has become an issue of importance, and during the recent economic slowdown, numer-

ous property owners became almost as interested in saving money as making money on commercial assets.

Preserving hard-earned working capital became a critical component of not only maintaining profitability but, in some cases, reducing a loss on a commercial property. Although the

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economy has greatly improved, reducing tax liabilities on commercial assets is still a relevant means of minimizing expenses.

It is doubtful that anyone would consider paying property taxes an enjoyable activity, but it can be made even less enjoyable when property owners are not assessed fairly. Fortunately, many local governments allow a reasonable dialogue between the tax assessor and the property owner to adjust a tax assessment, should it be too high.

Local market experience does show that many assessments are within reason, but on certain occasions, a tax liability assessment may reflect an opportunity for appeal. Frequently, the subject of the tax liability has not been considered or addressed by the owner for a long period of time, which can result in inaccurate data on the commercial asset.

During an appeal process, a tax assessor has to employ recent sale comparables, recent market data and current economic trends, while the property owner, in turn, must also provide up-to-date information.

Time and again, a well-thoughtout appeal on a case that is worth considering will prevail over an appeal absent of current market data.

But keep in mind that market data is not always the only contribut-

ing factor to success. An appeal letter that is honest, clear and polished can make a positive difference and often moves along through the process more quickly.

If an appeal is found successful, it can yield positive results for the property owner by reducing the tax liability and carry cost for the commercial asset.

Typically taxes are the most costly expenditure an owner will have to contend with year after year. Those with commercial assets in a competitive lease market are at a tremendous disadvantage when taxes are too high.

The property will experience less ability to accumulate rental revenue due to a greater amount of expense incurred. Remaining competitive is critical to securing tenants and maintaining a higher level of net income is an important way to augment property value.

The assistance of a professional in the tax appeal process may be an option to consider as you receive your 2013 tax assessments. Years of experience coupled with positive established working relationships can increase a property owner’s chance of success in the reassessment process.

Up-to-date business news in the Upstate, delivered to you in print and on the web.

W. Scott Jones is head of the tax appeal division and principal at NAI Earle Furman LLC Commercial Real Estate.

14 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 15

By Sam Patrick, Patrick Marketing & Communications

UBJ The Takeaway

Advancing the State of the Art CU-ICAR’s executive director talks about the center’s progress to date and challenges ahead new ideas and new advances in automotive engineering.

Here is some of what CU-ICAR’s top executive had to say.

WITH OVERALL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY for Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), Fred Cartwright is a busy guy.

EVENT: GADC Fall Investor Executive Briefing Breakfast WHO WAS THERE: Nearly 100 business, education, economic development and governmental leaders who are investors in the Greenville Area Development Corporation SPEAKER: Fred Cartwright, executive director of CU-ICAR TOPIC: “CU-ICAR: Today and Tomorrow” Photo Provided

Fred Cartwright

Named executive director of CU-ICAR in April after 30 years with General Motors, Fred brings extensive experience to the 250-acre campus after leading design and development of advanced powertrains for commercial and military vehicles, management of GM’s hybrid bus program and numerous new business development initiatives for GM. Still, he made time away from the dynamic campus to update GADC investors attending a Sept. 17 breakfast on progress to date, challenges ahead – and how CU-ICAR intends to be at the epicenter of developing new leaders,

THE UPSTATE IS AT THE CENTER OF THE AUTOMOTIVE UNIVERSE “With more than 1,000 automotive suppliers and assemblers within a 500-mile radius of the Upstate, and with upward of 125 of them calling the 10-county Upstate region home, the Upstate is well positioned for strategic and continuing growth. And automotive and transportation technology is a central component of Clemson University’s road map for the future.”

our graduate student base to over 210 this year … the expansion of our research and sponsored program awards, which exceed $4.4 million year to date … and the expansion of our partner base from 49 in 2011 to more than 100 in 2013.”

“CU-ICAR is a critical brand for economic development in the state, the region and for the automotive industry.”

WHAT EXACTLY IS CU-ICAR? “CU-ICAR is an idea that is working to develop new leaders and new ideas in automotive engineering. It is advancing the state of the art in automotive technology, built on a foundation of people and the necessity of relationships to foster new ideas. The result is that CU-ICAR is a critical brand for economic development in the state, the region and for the automotive industry.”

VISION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE “CU-ICAR is the result of visionary leadership. While still in its infancy, still a startup organization of sorts that is taking its next step in maturity, it’s the people here – the students, the faculty, the industry leadership and the Clemson leadership – that, combined with a rejuvenated automotive industry, make CU-ICAR’s future very bright.”

HOW HAS CU-ICAR BEEN ACCEPTED BY INDUSTRY? “From the outset, South Carolina and the global automotive industry have embraced CU-ICAR with open arms. This has been reflected in the rapid increase in

WHAT INDUSTRY TRENDS IS CU-ICAR FOLLOWING CLOSELY? “What’s next for CU-ICAR? Our primary goal will continue to be to conduct research that is leading edge and relevant to the global

Work efficiently, close

deals and conduct meetings in the sophisticated, iPad-ready e-lounge and private offices

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and mountain views; network with Greenville’s top business professionals

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meetings in our dynamic boardroom with hightech business amenities and signature service

UBJ News

GHS to Hire 500, Approves $1.8B Budget

By April A. Morris| staff | amorris@communityjournals.com

The largest employer in Greenville County is poised to grow again after Greenville Health System’s board of trustees’ approval Tuesday of a $1.8 billion budget for 2014 and the addition of 500 jobs.

According to GHS, there will be no price increase due in part to $40 million in ongoing savings from efficiency and cost reduction initiatives, including clinical documentation improvements, revenue cycle improvements, supply chain savings and human resource initiatives.

Financial discipline is responsible for the steady prices, said GHS CEO Michael Riordan in a state-

automotive industry. Still, national automotive trends that we are focused on include autonomous (or self-driving) vehicles, light-weighting of materials to improve efficiency without compromising strength, advanced manufacturing techniques, and timelines for industry capacity expansion.”

WHAT IS NEXT UP FOR CU-ICAR? “Going further, we will continue

Play

as hard as you work with Club events, parties, and mixers designed to help you kick back and relax

ment. “This is great news – both for us and our community – but we still have some challenges ahead,” he said. “We must proceed conservatively and continue to monitor spending as we have in the past.”

GHS employs nearly 12,000 people and will be adding 500 jobs throughout the fiscal year, including doctors, nurses, clinical support staff, primary care staff and those in surgical and behavioral health practices. The new budget is a 2.9 percent increase over the $1.6

to develop our own research capabilities, focusing on product and manufacturing innovation. We intend to develop each of the CU-ICAR neighborhoods around a technology theme, such as advanced manufacturing or connected vehicles for mass transportation. We will strategically expand by targeting partner companies with an interest in establishing an engineering presence here, since that accelerates quality, high-paying job growth and

billion FY2013 budget and has a three-percent operating margin.

Over the next four years, GHS anticipates spending more than $224 million on capital projects, including a pediatric medical office building in Spartanburg, intensive care renovation, updates at Marshall I. Pickens Hospital and linear accelerator replacement at the Cancer Institute.

And $97.2 million over five years will go toward an electronic medical record and revenue cycle (billing/ payment) system. According to GHS, it now has more than 50 clinical and billing systems in use in the organization and will move to an integrated system.

The healthcare system reports that it anticipates a reduction of $10.5 million in Medicaid Disproportionate Share payments in 2014 due to cuts and has budgeted $458 million for charity care and bad debt.

innovation. And we will continue to partner with industry, local and state governments to make it all happen.”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? “Among our accomplishments is the continued emphasis on, and exemplary recognition of, our collaboration with industry. CUICAR’s distinct commitment to working with a wide range of industrial partners is one way in which we set ourselves apart. This year alone, we have won recognition for ‘improving the competitiveness of the automotive industry’ from the State Science and Technology Institute, and have been praised

by the U.S. Department of Commerce for our industry-academia collaboration business model.”

The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County.

Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 16,500 new jobs and more than $2.8 billion in capital investment in Greenville County. For more information on becoming a GADC investor and enjoying programs such as this, visit GoGADC. com or call 864.235.2008.

Celebrate exciting accomplishments with family, friends or co-workers in your choice of private dining rooms

55 Beattie Place | commerce-club.com | 864.232.5600

UBJ Milestone

Contact Leigh Savage at lsavage@communityjournals.com.

PhotoS by Greg Beckner

‘Embrace the Change and Never Stop Learning’ From blueprints to 3-D design, TPM celebrates 40 years

By Leigh Savage | contributor lsavage@communityjournals.com From left: Jerry Cooper, Brenda Cooper, Kasey Fay and Chris Fay with TPM.

Jerry Cooper was making $2 an hour as a draftsman at Fluor Daniel and had $700 to his name when he launched The Print Machine, now TPM, in 1973. Forty years later the company has four locations, four divisions and a growing clientele, and Cooper sees a bright future thanks to a willingness to transform while holding onto core values.

“We embrace change on a weekly and daily basis,” said Cooper as he walked through his office filled with high-tech equipment. “I learned that early on. You listen, you adapt and you are always looking to change.”

The early days

The Print Machine began as a blueprinting business, and thanks to Cooper’s connections at Fluor Daniel, he found steady work early on, offering blueprints and drafting supplies for architects and engineers.

“Anything we made, we invested in the company,” Cooper said. His wife

Brenda kept the books and is still in the office most days as TPM’s accounting manager.

In the 1980s, the company moved to its current location on Laurens Road.

“We didn’t have enough money to put sheetrock like I thought I would, so I tore down an old barn and used barn wood instead of sheetrock,” he said, proudly pulling out a photo of the building’s earlier incarnation.

A turning point came in the mid’80s, when technology became a key factor for many industries, including drafting and blueprinting.

“We had to go into the software business or go out of business,” Cooper said. “We had to reinvent ourselves.”

The shift to computer-aided design paid off, and while other blueprinting companies struggled, Cooper opened a Columbia office in 1985 and also began selling and leasing printers, accessories and software. In 1989,

TPM became an Autodesk Authorized Reseller for architects, engineers and contractors.

“Clients need service and support, and that’s what we sell,” Cooper said.

“We sell service.”

Broadening the scope

In 1997, TPM added The Color Lab, which creates vehicle graphics, signage and trade show displays.

Their capabilities were recently tested when they were asked to create a 150foot Gamecock that wrapped one side of Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia. With clients such as NASCAR, Verizon and Fox Sports, the large-format printing division now makes up about a quarter of TPM’s business.

The year 2000 brought another expansion with the launch of Solidworks, 3-D design software that targets the manufacturing industry.

“We knew that was a $4 billion industry and we needed to be in manufacturing,” Cooper said. “We knew The original building of what would be known as TPM on Laurens Road.

18 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

who had the best software, so we went with Solidworks and it’s been a great decision.”

Through this division, TPM also helps companies use 3-D printing to improve efficiency and product quality. Clients such as Proterra and Michelin can animate and test their assembly lines, or stress test a product before it is manufactured.

The family business gained a new generation in 2004 when Kasey Fay, the Coopers’ daughter, joined the company after graduating from Clemson with a degree in management and entrepreneurship.

“I still have my first time card from when I was four,” Fay said. “This is what I always wanted to do.” She now manages marketing and business development.

Her husband, Chris Fay, joined the company in 2011 as general manager after working in business development for the Harper Corporation.

The fourth division and what’s next

TPM continued its geographic expansion by opening a Charlotte office in 2007, and despite a looming recession, launched a new division, Document and Print Solutions, in 2008.

The company sells Canon copiers, but Chris Fay said growth in this division is on the digital scanning and document management side.

“Most competitors are trying to sell copiers, but we’re going with a full

TIMEL INE 1973 The Print Machine opens, offering blueprints, blueprint machines and drafting supplies to architects, engineers and graphic artists 1985 Begins selling and leasing wide-format printers, accessories, software and supplies 1985 Opens sales and support offices in Columbia 1989 Introduces Autodesk design software and training 1993 Expands into 2-D mechanical design solutions; changes name to TPM 1997 Introduces The Color Lab (largeformat reproduction, presentation graphics, vehicle wraps, trade show displays, digital wallpaper 2000 Introduces Solidworks software, training and support (3-D design) 2001 Begins offering ABS rapid prototyping for product modeling; 3D Systems brand now offered 2006 Reorganizes sales and support along industry-specific lines: architects, engineers and contractors; manufacturing; The Color Lab) 2007 Opens Charlotte location 2008 Launches Document and Print Solutions, offering Canon copiers, Docuware document management and HP, Canon and OCE Plotters 2012 Opens Raleigh location SEPTEMBER 2013 Celebrates 40 years in business

solution,” he said. “We want to help streamline the process, helping people print less and manage their documents using software and technology.”

A Raleigh office opened in 2012, focusing on software, and plans include growing there along with

TPM on Laurens Road

“I wish I didn’t love it so much.”

Jerry Cooper, founder of TPM

further expansion along the coast.

TPM now has 91 employees, with about 50 in the Greenville office.

Chris Fay said operating four divisions benefits clients. “No one does everything we do. When we collaborate and cross-sell between our divisions, no one can touch us in the marketplace.”

He said some customers, such as Michelin North America, work with all four divisions, while a growing number use two or three. “Someone may use us for design software, and then we’ll handle their document management and copiers, and then we’ll handle their trade show displays and graphic needs.”

As TPM’s 40th anniversary arrives this month, the staff has been too busy with trade shows and product launches to plan a party, though a celebration will happen. Cooper is proud of his company’s culture and expects to stay involved as long as possible.

“I wish I didn’t love it so much,” he said. The younger generation of employees “comes up with great ideas, and I just love being part of it.”

The company philosophy will continue just as Cooper wrote in the TPM mission statement a quarter-century ago.

“We must embrace the change and never stop learning,” Cooper read from a large sign posted in the conference room. “Change is constant, and nothing happens unless you make it happen.”

your sba lending experts We recognize that running a business is no small task, and growing your company has the potential to put a strain on your finances. Pinnacle Bank can help alleviate these growing pains with our Small Business Administration Loans. Having a trusted financial advisor during times of change can make a huge difference to your bottom line, and we provide our customers knowledge and experience when discussing their financial solutions. Pinnacle Banks offers 504 and 7(a) SBA programs so you have options when trying to find the right loan fit for you and your business.

Whether you’re expanding your current real estate footprint, purchasing a new owner-occupied building or renovating your current owner-occupied building, our loan officers are eager to talk to you and find a way to finance these developments in the most efficient and economical way possible. Pinnacle also offers these SBA loans for refinancing current bank debt or investing in new equipment.

In addition to SBA loans, we offer traditional business loans that are tailored to fit the needs of your business. As your trusted advisor, Pinnacle Bank wants you to know that we take the growth of Upstate businesses seriously and our team of Business Loan Officers is ready to create the financial plan your business needs to remain successful.

Executive Team David Barnett, President & CEO Jim Stewart, Senior Market Executive Tommy Warren, Chief Financial Officer David Weaver, Chief Credit Officer

864.233.6915 | www.PinnacleBankSC.com September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 19

Upstate Businesses Find Opportunity in

Obamacare

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

Co-ops, insurers and entrepreneurs are helping employers navigate Affordable Care Act confusion

I

It’s no secret that a hefty piece of legislation can make, break or upend an industry, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is one of the heftiest the country has seen in decades. Parts of it have opened the door to opportunities in a health insurance industry that will see a flood of new customers.

First, the individual mandate that requires everyone to have health insurance or pay a fine beginning in 2014 paved the way for new models of getting millions of people insured. In May the Congressional Budget Office estimated that number will total about 14 million people over the next 10 years, some 420,000 in South Carolina.

Second, general confusion over the complex and continually changing law has fostered a cadre of experts who aim to help individuals and employers understand their rights and responsibilities. Private insurance exchanges, insurance co-ops and consulting opportunities have been areas where people have seen a chance to expand or enter the market.

Insuring the Masses

The most basic business opportunity is in providing a product millions more people suddenly need, but a nonprofit may serve some of those in our state, which is home to

ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE CO-OPS The ACA calls for the establishment of the Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) Program to create nonprofit health insurance issuers that can offer competitive health plans in the individual and small group markets.

As far as service goes, co-ops operate like any other group insurance plan, said Adrian Grimes of Consumer Choice Health Partnership.

Differences lie in the organization’s structure because co-ops: • Are governed by health plan members, health care providers and industry agents and brokers.

• Are non-profit. Savings must be re-invested into the plan to retain cost efficiency, quality and plan effectiveness.

• Are funded with government startup loans.

• Engage members and providers to achieve optimal health outcomes with incentives to members and providers.

the first health insurance co-op in the South.

Health insurance co-ops are much like credit unions and electrical co-ops in their financial structure, said Adrian Grimes, director of communications at Consumer’s

20 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Choice Health Plan. The organization was founded last year.

“There aren’t new insurers all over the place, but new ways of offering it, and new systems to help people get insured,” Grimes said. She acknowledged that the model could spur for-profit copycats: “If we’re successful, who’s to say if another company might pop up with the same model?”

Only 24 states have co-ops, most of them out west. South Carolina’s is funded by federal startup loans that were made available as part of the ACA. The original idea for the model was developed by a bipartisan “gang of six” in the Senate as an alternative to the single-payer system President Obama had proposed in 2009. Members of the South Carolina Business Coalition on Health spearheaded the effort to bring one here.

Consumer’s Choice is licensed by the state Department of Insurance, and will be available through brokers, agents and the federal exchange. Grimes could not yet say whether consumers would pay less for co-op insurance than they would through traditional insurers, but said that was the expectation because profits would go back into improving the service.

She was also at a loss as to how many members to expect.

“It’s a little frustrating for us because one side was saying ‘beware of the navigators,’ the other saying ‘beware of the fraudsters.’”

John Adair, CEO of HealthAviator

he said, “and we can explain that to people much more than navigators will be able or allowed to do.”

The response to the for-profit venture has been mixed among communities.

“We’ve had some warm reception in some areas and in other areas they’d like to go about it themselves,” Adair said. Politically motivated warnings about how to sign up for insurance have added to the challenge.

“It’s a little frustrating for us because one side was saying ‘beware of the navigators,’ the other saying ‘beware of fraudsters,’” he said.

Still, the company presses on, and HealthAviator is coordinating with the Upstate SC alliance to bring the mobile unit to the Upstate.

Clearing Up Confusion

There is even space for the lone entrepreneur to find a niche in the business of Obamacare. In May, Todd Palmer decided he could create a business helping employers implement changes needed in

PART 2

Next week we’ll see the opening of the state- and federal-run exchanges nationwide, but private platforms will be right there with them.

Enter the online platform HealthAviator, which CEO John Adair described as having the advantage of licensed and certified insurance professionals to give specific guidance to consumers, not to mention the ability to collect commissions when plans are purchased.

HealthAviator will tap into some of the money insurers will inevitably spend on marketing. It is a new venture from Greerbased Endeavor Insurance Services, and a direct response to “Obamacare.” What’s more, Endeavor has invested in a mobile unit that will tour the state to reach people who might otherwise have difficulty finding or accessing HealthAviator on their own. Adair got the idea from watching door-to-door voter registration activities during the last presidential election campaign.

“We saw pretty quickly what we thought were going to be significant changes for small business in particular, and also for the uninsured and underinsured,” Adair said. HealthAviator began by talking to small businesses and trade groups, as well as companies that are not yet insuring.

Adair emphasizes the platform’s educational services, and said he has talked with federally funded “navigators” who are charged with informing the public about their options and helping them sign up.

“We as the insurance professionals are going to have pretty intimate knowledge of the products that are available to buy,”

Photo provided

in our occasional series on the ACA

Connecting with Consumers

order to comply with the ACA affordably. He had previously worked as an employee benefits consultant with Wells Fargo Insurance, where he helped companies assess their situations using the firm’s sophisticated analytical tool.

The light bulb to go into business for himself went off “when I decided that I knew enough to educate people on it. It made sense to me,” Palmer said. His other area of expertise was self-funded businesses, a perfect match for serving small business. He signed on his first client after two weeks, a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise owner who Palmer said is “hugely affected” by the ACA. “I’ve been able to help them develop appropriate plans, shop the market for what’s available,” he said. He courts clients by offering free assessments and possible plans. Then Palmer charges to help implement the plans.

“I tell people [things like] how many full-time employees they have. A lot of times they don’t know.” He expects to have four more large employers before the close of the year. His targets are companies with high turnover rates, such as staffing agencies, retailers and those in the hospitality industry.

The Obama administration announced in August that large employers would not have to comply until 2015, but Palmer saw that as a boon.

“The delay has opened up even more opportunities,” he said. “The longer it’s an issue in people’s minds, the longer there are questions and confusion, the more in demand I will be.”

The same could likely be said of all the options spurred by the ACA. Until the dust settles, employers and consumers will be looking almost desperately for answers, which savvy individuals and organizations are lining up to supply.

COVER STORY

“I know how long it takes to get numbers in the preACA world, but come Oct. 1 we’ll be in the post-ACA world,” she said. “It’s driving people to enroll like never before.”

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 21

UBJ Square Feet

Renovations Planned for Markley Street Buildings

By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com

New office space, an event venue and a restaurant with rooftop dining may be coming to North Markley Street in downtown Greenville.

According to plans submitted by Keller Williams Realty, Gantam Holdings LLC plans to purchase existing buildings located at 116, 118, 120 and 122 N. Markley St. – some of which are vacant – that would be

transformed into four structures with a courtyard between two of them.

Keller Williams would occupy the two stories and 8,761 square feet of 116 N. Markley St., the former site of Smith Business Record Storage, as its new office. According to employees, Keller Williams has outgrown its current location on Airport Road and

Rendering by Childs Architecture

Map data: Google

has been planning on moving downtown for months.

The proposed plans show the building next door, 118 N. Markley St., will also be two stories with a total of 9,430 square feet available for office and retail space.

A grass courtyard would provide picnic tables, benches and shade trees

adjacent to the proposed restaurant space that would have an outdoor garden and dining on the roof.

An event venue space of 4,094 square feet is also proposed for the site along with bicycle parking.

The plans will be reviewed at the Oct. 3 City of Greenville Design Review Board meeting.

Colliers Names Feild Greenville Market President

By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com

Colliers International, an Upstate commercial brokerage firm, announced last week that David M. Feild has been hired as Greenville market president. Feild will replace

Frank Hammond Jr., who has served as president since 2006, as Hammond steps aside to focus on specific clients and special projects.

Feild joins Colliers after spending

the past 12 years at NAI Earle Furman. In Feild’s new role, he will be responsible for the management of the Greenville brokerage staff and the growth of the company’s sales,

leasing, property management and project management business, said Colliers in a statement. He will also serve on Colliers International’s South Carolina statewide >>

NAI Earle Furman Commercial Real Estate

Helping Build Business in Spartanburg

Commercial Real Estate Services, Worldwide.

22 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

314 S. Pine Street, Building 100 Spartanburg, SC 29302 864 398 4444 naiearlefurman.com

Brokers Andrew Babb Daniel F. Dunn Kevin Pogue

Southern Living Showcase Home Opens at Currahee

By Sherry Jackson | staff sjackson@communityjournals.com

Photo BY FRED ROLLISON PHOTOGRAPHY

Offering the latest peek into Ridge. The location at Currahee Club dining/kitchen/great room combina- 142-square-foot breezeway connects new design trends and building technology, the 2013 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home by Dillard-Jones Builders will open Friday, Sept. 27, at Currahee Club on Lake Hartwell.

“This home, our sixth Southern Living show house, is the culmination of the best ingredients of previous tour homes, including the floor plan and flow of the home, outdoor living space, materials and finishes, and energy efficiency,” said Dillard-Jones President Tom Dillard.

The home is a 3,989-square-foot, four-bedroom plan called Quarry

management group.

“My role is to take Colliers’ statewide platform and put it into place to maximize our team’s success with their projects,” said Feild. “I’m ready to jump in and am excited about the Greenville market and what it has to offer.”

Feild is a 1995 graduate of Furman University and has

offers panoramic views of Lake Hartwell and the North Georgia Mountains and is about an hour from downtown Greenville. It also overlooks the 17th hole, called the Quarry Hole, on the Jim Fazio-designed Currahee Club’s golf course.

Over 30 building suppliers, local artists and both local and Southern Living national program sponsors provided the products and services featured in the home. The home is listed at $899,000 and has “over $100,000 in upgrades and additional items from sponsors,” said Dillard.

The home’s main level features a

“My role is to take Colliers’ statewide platform and put it into place to maximize our team’s success with their projects.”

tion with a 24-foot vaulted ceiling and a see-through fireplace. The master suite is on the main level and has a coffered ceiling, a built-in coffee bar, a master bath with Moen rainfall showerhead and freestanding volcanic limestone tub. The upper level includes two bedrooms, a hobby room and a destination media room with French doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the Quarry Hole which really was an old quarry that has been converted to a waterfall.

The home also features a lower-level sleeping porch, outdoor patio with cooking station, and fire pit. A

the home’s two-car garage, and there’s a detached carriage house for golf cart storage and a putting green.

“The Southern Living brand is associated with Southern culture and lifestyle,” said Dillard. “We just want everyone to be blown away with the results.”

The house will be open for public tours Fridays through Sundays, Sept.

27 until Dec. 22. Tour hours are Fridays and Sundays 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Admission to tour the home is $10. Advance tickets can be purchased online by visiting dillardjones.com or curraheeclub.com.

been one of the leading brokers in the Upstate commercial real estate market for over eleven years, focusing primarily on the sales and leasing of office properties, said Colliers.

Feild served as the 2010 president of the Greater Greenville Association of

Realtors Commercial Steering Committee and was the 2010 Commercial Realtor of the Year. He has been recognized as a CoStar Power Broker. He is currently serving a three-year term on the board of the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors and is a past board member of Communities in Schools and the Mental Health Association Housing Board.

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 23

UBJ The Fine Print Southeast Aviation Expo

Lt. Commander Scott “Yogi” Beare The 2013 Southeast Aviation Expo will be held on Sept. 27-28 at the Greenville Downtown Airport. The trade show, which is in its third year, is aimed specifically at pilots and will feature an aviation display, educational sessions and the latest aviation products.

In addition, Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association, and Lt. Commander Scott “Yogi” Beare, author, U.S. Navy veteran and former pilot for the Blue Angels, will be speaking.

There will be an open house 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for the Special Services Cirrus Training Center, where visitors will be able to see the Vision Jet SF50 Mockup and The Vision Inspired SR22T Aircraft on display. For more information, visit scaaonline.com/ southeast-aviation-expo.

McMillan Pazdan Smith Among Winners in Patient-Centered Design McMillan Pazdan Smith’s Greenville office is among the top three winning submissions in the Institute for Patient-Centered Design Inc.’s (IPCD) 2013 Patient & Family Centered NICU Design Competition. The firm was recognized for its design for St. Francis Eastside’s Neonatal Care Unit. The nonprofit IPCD works to improve healthcare environments by using design to address patients’ needs.

“Innovative thinking can and should be successfully applied to any health care project, regardless of constraints,” said Tracey

McGee, health care planner and project manager at Mc-

Millan Pazdan Smith. “Continuous improvement for

health care delivery requires good partnership and out-of-thebox thinking. This project had both in spades.”

The other two finalists are located in Baltimore and Toronto.

The first-, second- and third-place titles will be awarded during the Patient-Centered Design Reception at the national 2013 Healthcare Conference Nov. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla. In addition, a fullscale model of the Patient & Family-Centered NICU patient room inspired by the top submissions will be unveiled the opening night of the conference.

Parker Poe Wins Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award from S.C. Chamber The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce named law firm Parker Poe as the small business recipient of the annual South Carolina Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award.

The law firm was one of 15 nominees from across the state when the award was presented to them at the Chamber’s ninth annual awards luncheon on Sept. 10.

“We’re extremely honored to be recognized by the

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce for our work in building an increasingly diverse and inclusive workforce, as well as providing an environment where everyone has an opportunity to succeed,” said Sidney Evering, Parker Poe’s director of diversity and special counsel in the firm’s Columbia office. “We are also proud that our commitment to diversity and inclusion is continuing to result in our

24 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

ability to more effectively represent our clients and meet their needs.”

Parker Poe employs 71 people in its South Carolina offices. The law firm implemented its Diversity Committee in 2006, which is

made up of attorneys and staff throughout the firm. It was one of the first law firms in the Carolinas to commit to central oversight of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Parker Poe previously won the Chamber award in 2009, and was the first recipient of the Charlotte Chamber’s Belk Innovation in Diversity Award in 2008 for retaining, mentoring and developing careers for minorities and women at the firm.

Clothes Make The Man Welcomes Jack Simpson Couture Retailer Clothes Make The Man will partner with custom apparel designer Jack Simpson to offer new products and consulting sessions on men’s style.

Simpson’s work has garnered international accolades, including the Robb Report’s 13th annual “Best Of The Best” issue. The American Express Platinum Cardholders Magazine named him an “Arbiter Of Taste.”

Clothes Make The Man was founded in 2012, specializing in highend men’s apparel.

“I believe that a man’s personal style is the ultimate expression of how he feels about himself,” said Arthur Smith, founder of Clothes Make The Man. “I also believe that it should be as carefully crafted as any other part

of his professional life.”

Simpson will be available in the Greenville store at 743 Congaree Road on select days throughout the fall season. He will also stage showings with Clothes Make The Man in Charleston, Charlotte and Atlanta to provide custom services to customers. The Greenville store will also carry Simpson’s neckwear collection.

Each of the designs will be a Clothes Make The Man exclusive.

WE’RE HIRING EXCEPTIONAL READERS.

Fleet Feet Named Small Business of the Month The Greenville Chamber recognized Fleet Feet as the September 2013 Small Business of the Month.

Fleet Feet owner Sheila McCullough-Burgess was presented with the award at the Chamber’s monthly board of directors meeting on Sept. 19.

Fleet Feet Sports opened in January 1999 and was the first running/walking store in Greenville. The store is now a national franchise with 110 stores nationwide, each locally owned and operated. The Greenville location is at 1708 Augusta St. in Greenville.

EXCEPTIONAL SALES PROFESSONALS. Full Time / Part Time If you meet this standard as a Sales Professional, we look forward to meeting you.

EMAIL RJOHNSTON@COMMUNITYJOURNALS.COM WITH COVER LETTER AND RESUME. COMMUNITY JOURNALS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 25

UBJ On the Move ELECTED

RETIRING

HIRED

Larry Jackson

John H. Dargan

Lisa Ireland

Elected as chairman of the board of trustees of Bob Jones University.

Jackson is chairman of Jackson Marketing Group and Jackson Motorsports Group. A member of the BJU board of trustees since 1982, he has served on the board’s executive committee for nearly 10 years.

Will retire as president and CEO of the Spartanburg County Foundation effective Dec. 31. Dargan has served as president and CEO of the Foundation since March 1997. He will serve the foundation as president emeritus throughout the transition.

Named chief talent officer at The Palmetto Bank. Ireland has over 17 years of human resources experience.

She earned a B.A. from Wofford College and an M.A. from Miami University (Ohio). She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

PROMOTED

PROMOTED

ELECTED

Karen Taylor

Allison McGarity

Promoted to director of corporate services and relocation at C. Dan Joyner, Realtors. She previously served as an agent with C. Dan Joyner Co. in the Simpsonville office.

In her new role, Taylor will manage accounts, handle client services and serve as marketing assistance manager.

Promoted to president and CEO of the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce. McGarity had been director of development for the Chamber for over 18 months. She earned her B.A. from the College of Charleston in 2009, and her MBA from Clemson University in 2011.

26 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Julie Godshall Brown Elected to chair the Greenville Chamber board of directors in 2015. Brown will serve as ChairElect throughout the next year as Tim Reed chairs the Chamber’s 2014 board of directors. She is the president and owner of Godshall and Godshall Personnel Consultants Inc. and Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing. She has been an active member of the Chamber’s board of directors since 2010 and currently serves as the Chamber’s vice-chair of organizational excellence.

ARTS: Chapman Cultural Center recently welcomed Dr. Wellesley Alexander, G. Ashley Allen, William Barnet III, Tom Nederostek, Sharon D. Porter, Jan Scalisi, Dr. Charles White, Michael S. Wilson and Vicki Yeatman to its board of trustees for three-year terms.

CONSTRUCTION/ENGINEERING: O’Neal Inc. has hired Neal Denny as business systems analyst. Denny has more than six years of professional experience in information technology. He previously held the role of team leader and, most recently, client chief technology officer at Acumen IT. EDUCATION: Furman University announced that Erik Ching, professor of history, has won the Alfred B. Thomas Book Award for his book “Modernizing Minds in El Salvador: Education Reform and the Cold War 19601980.” The award, presented by the Southeastern Council of Latin American Studies (SECOLAS), is given annually for the best book on a Latin American subject published in the previous year.

FINANCE: Thomas Russell has joined BB&T Scott & Stringfellow as a financial advisor. Russell comes to the firm from BB&T Capital Markets in San Francisco. He previously worked for Legg Mason in Baltimore and Stifel Nicolaus and BB&T in San Francisco.

INSURANCE: Curtis Taylor has been promoted to shareholder and vice president of sales at Herlong Bates Burnett Insurance (HBB). Taylor has been at HBB since 2010. Prior to joining HBB, he was operations officer at Duke Sandwich Inc. LEGAL: Kenison, Dudley & Crawford LLC announced that Townes B. Johnson III was recently made partner.

NONPROFIT: Upstate Forever recently announced the addition of Merril Flanary to its staff as land protection specialist. Flanary served for three years as forest steward for Kentucky Natural Lands Trust. She holds a B.S. in forestry from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in sustainable urban management from Malmö University in Sweden.

PUBLIC RELATIONS/MARKETING: Jeff Dezen Public Relations recently announced the addition of Amanda Brock and Drew Dezen as the company’s newest account executives.

Brock previously served as public relations and communications manager at Sealevel Systems. She also worked as the marketing director for the College of Business and Behavioral Science at Clemson University. Dezen most recently served as marketing and communications coordinator at Baseball Australia in Queensland, Australia.

Before that, he served as marketing and communications assistant for the Australian Baseball League in Sydney.

Launch Something recently announced that Meredith Hardwicke has joined the company as a copywriter. Hardwicke has worked as a freelance writer for various newspapers, magazines and businesses.

REAL ESTATE: Coldwell Banker Caine recently welcomed Rachel Williams as marketing coordinator and Jill Shepard as marketing assistant. Williams came to Coldwell Banker Caine with 10 years of marketing experience. She previously worked in marketing and digital media for a Greenville manufacturing business and has been a marketing consultant for the past year. Shepard recently graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations. Her marketing experience spans from nonprofit to agency settings.

TECHNOLOGY: M33 Integrated Solutions recently

hired Todd Fain as chief commercial officer in its Greenville office. Fain has over 15 years of experience in transportation and logistics.

Green Cloud Technologies recently appointed Randy Friedberg to vice president of strategic relations. Friedberg has been with Green Cloud since June 2012 and has served as regional vice president of dealer sales. Prior to

that, he served as senior channel manager at Windstream (formerly NuVox) from 1999 to 2012.

Engenius recently announced that Susan Lesser has joined the team as the new support specialist and executive assistant. Lesser has previously served as the director of customer service for Moxie Equestrian and the director of arts and crafts at Camp Crestridge for

Girls in North Carolina.

MOVERS & SHAKERS New hires, promotions and award winners can be featured in On the Move.

Send information and a photo to onthemove@upstatebusiness journal.com.

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 27

UBJ Snapshot There was a sizable turnout for UBJ’s Who’s Who Panel Reveal and Brand Launch Reception last Thursday at High Cotton, held in association with title sponsor The Palmetto Bank, and presenting sponsors Lexus of Greenville, Baptist Easley Hospital, Clemson University MBA Programs, Elliott Davis LLC, Design Strategies, Arthur Gallagher and HTI Staffing. UBJ is now accepting nominations for the first Who’s Who class; see upstatebusinessjournal.com/whoswho for more information.

Got an event you’d like to share?

Submit your photos to: events@communityjournals.com

UBJ Publisher Mark Johnston

Palmetto Bank CEO Sam Erwin

UBJ Associate Publisher Ryan Johnston

Susan Nichols, Ruth Ellis, & Debbie Burroughs

On Sept. 19, Dr. Yong Zhao, internationally known scholar, author and speaker whose works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education, visited the Upstate for an evening of “Synergy.” This event was held at the Hyatt downtown and brought the business, education and art communities of the Upstate together to examine how we need to educate this generation of children to get them ready for the 21st-century workforce and global economy.

Barbara & Andy Schmitt

Panelist Penny Fisher

Mike & Laurie Griffin

Jeff & Tracy McKinney

Angela & Sean Barker

28 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Kathleen Trewhella-Grant, Yong Zhao, & Jessica Greer

Jessica Greer, Tara Ann Garrett, & Andrea Jacoby

UBJ New to the Street

Halton Green Way

1

Salters Rd.

Rd druff Woo

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2. Southern Moon Crossfit recently held their ribbon cutting at 1200 Woodruff Road, Suite F, in Greenville inside the Merovan Center. They are open Monday-Friday from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday from 8-10 a.m..

Rocky Slope Rd.

For more information, call 864-627-0200, visit breakoutbras. com, or email service@breakoutbras.com.

Rd. nnector Mall Co

1. Breakout Bras recently relocated to 565 Woodruff Road in Greenville. The store is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Hi ne sR d.

ff Rd

Photos provided

Merovan Center

Woo dru

Sm ith

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2

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Miller Rd.

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For more information, visit southernmooncf.com, call 864-508-4089 or email info@southernmooncf.com.

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 29

UBJ Planner Friday SEPtEMBER 27 Google “Get Your Business Online” workshop Certus Loft, 101 West Broad St., Greenville; 9 a.m.-noon., 1-4p.m.

Cost: Free Register: gybo.com/ south-carolina Southeast Aviation Expo Greenville Downtown Airport, 100 Tower Dr., Greenville; Sat. 1-6 p.m. & Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday Speakers: Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO; and Cliff Jenkins, SC Safety Council Sunday Speaker: Jason Miller, ForeFlight co-founder Cost: Free for SCAA members, $5 for non-members Information: scaaonline. com/southeast-aviationexpo

MONday SEPtEMBER 30 GCS Roundtable The Office Center at the Point,

33 Market Point Dr., Greenville; 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Speaker: Myles Golden Topic: The Art of Listening Information: Call Golden Career Strategies at 864-527-0425 to request an invitation.

Toastmasters Bilingüe University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville; noon Contact: jeff@ alfonsointerpreting.com Information: tmbilingue. toastmastersclubs.org Opportunity Greenville – Fall 2013 Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; 3-7 p.m..

Topic: Orientation and Greenville’s History Cost: $325 for registrant and spouse or three or more from same organization; $350 for Greenville Chamber members; and $750 for non-Greenville chamber members. Includes dinner Register: greenvillechamber.org or call 864-239-3743

TUEsday OCTOBER 1 Social Media Workshop Spartanburg Community College Tyger River Campus, 1875 E. Main St., Duncan; 9-11 a.m Speaker: Amy Wood, WSPA-TV Topic: Taming the Social Media Monster Cost: $29 per person Contact: Beth Smith at es2@clemson.edu or 864-592-6418.

Spartanburg Healthcare Network Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, 105 N. Pine St., Spartanburg, 10:30 a.m.-noon Topic: Assisting those dealing with opiate addiction Register: spartanburgchamber. com or 864-594-5000 Nonprofit Alliance Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; noon-1:30 p.m.

Topic: Innovative Funding Strategies Cost: Free to Greenville

SENIOR BUSINESS writer Jennifer Oladipo staff writers Sherry Jackson, Cindy Landrum, April A. Morris PRESIDENT/Publisher Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com UBJ Associate Publisher Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com eXECUTIVE Editor Susan Clary Simmons ssimmons@communityjournals.com MANAGING editor Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com

contributing writerS Dick Hughes, Jenny Munro, Jeanne Putnam, Leigh Savage

Chamber members, $20 for non-members.

Lunch will be provided.

Register: greenvillechamber.org or 864-242-1050 Successful Entrepreneur Lecture Series University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville; 6-8 p.m.

Speaker: Dave Wyman, College of Charleston Cost: Free, but participants must be registered Information: successfulentrepreneurship.com

WEDNESday OCTOBER 2 Manufacturers Roundtable Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Speakers: Ashley Cuttino, Ogletree Deakins; and Ava Smith, Flat Fee Recruiting Topic: HR Challenges in Manufacturing Cost: Free for Greenville Chamber members, $11 for guests. Must be a manufacturer to attend.

Register: 864239-3714 or greenvillechamber.org

Contact: Hank Hyatt at 864-239-3714 or Darlene Parker at 864-239-3706.

Brewmasters The Commerce Club, 55 Beattie Place, Greenville; 6:30 p.m.

Featured Brewery: Lazy Magnolia Brewery Cost: $24 for non-members Contact: lynn@ naturewalkphotos.com or ccbrewmasters.com

THURSday OCTOBER 3 2013 BBQ Bash / Manufacturers Celebration Hartness Estate, Smith Road entrance, Greenville; 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Cost: $40 for Greenville Chamber members and $100 for non-members Register: greenvillechamber.org or 864-239-3706

THURSday OCTOBER 3 CONNECT 2013 Brookland Baptist Church Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

marketing & advertising Sales representatives Lori Burney, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Pam Putman Marketing & EVENTS Kate Banner DIGITAL STRATEGIST Emily Price

art & production art director Kristy M. Adair photographer Greg Beckner PrODUCTION MANAGER Holly Hardin ADVERTISING DESIGN Michael Allen, Whitney Fincannon

30 Upstate business journal September 27, 2013

Copyright @2013 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. 148 River Street, Suite 120, Greenville, South Carolina, 29601. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $65. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, 148 River St., Ste 120, Greenville, SC 29601. Printed in the USA.

Speaker: Craig Melvin, MSNBC anchor and NBC news correspondent; Jeremy Kingsley, president of OneLife Leadership; and Dr. Joe Trahan, III, APR, fellow, PRSA Cost: $150 for IABC/SC and SCPRSA members, $175 for non-members, and $50 for students.

Includes morning refreshments and a buffet lunch.

Register: http://bit. ly/2013Connect First Friday Leadership Series Clemson at the Falls, 55 E. Camperdown Way, Greenville; 5-7 p.m.

Cost: Free to attend Speaker: Edna Johnson, VP of communication and brands, Michelin North America Register: firstfridayjohnson. eventbrite.com Contact: Amy Burka at 864-656-8090 or burka2@clemson.edu

Got a hot date?

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

how to contribute Story ideas: ideas@ upstatebusinessjournal.com

Events: events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com

New hires, promotions, awards: onthemove@ upstatebusinessjournal.com

UBJ Snapshot Employees of the Southern Public Utilities Company at the Broad Street power station, 1927.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DP3 ARCHITECTS

(RIGHT) The building as it appears today.

In 1888, the City of Greenville acquired five brush-arc electric generators and a coal-fired steam engine for driving direct-current generators to power 11 arc streetlights. A power plant was constructed circa 1890 to house the equipment on Broad Street.

This is believed to be the one of the earliest electric power generating plants in Greenville. It is one of the few remaining Victorian structures in downtown Greenville.

In 1890, the City of Greenville

sold the electric properties to R. R. Asbury and his son, A. D. Asbury, who had already obtained the city’s gas company in 1875. On Dec. 22, 1891, Asbury and son converted the Greenville assets into a stock company, the Greenville Gas, Electric Light & Power Company.

In 1898, the 25-year-old horsedrawn railway system gave way to the electric railway. George M. Bunting of Philadelphia, Pa., purchased the power company from the Asburys and secured a franchise for the city’s new transportation system. The Greenville Traction Company, organized in 1899,

In 1985 the structure was donated to the Warehouse Theatre.

converted the generators at the Broad Street facility to supply direct current electric power to the trolley system. Thus the facility became known as the trolley barn. Greenville’s first electric streetcar ran on Jan. 12, 1901, under the direction of the Greenville Traction Company.

After diesel buses replaced the electric trolley system in 1956, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. In 1985, Duke Power, who then owned the building, donated it to the Warehouse Theatre. In the 1990s, it was purchased first

by Spaghetti Warehouse and then by Big River Grill.

In 2000, DP Properties purchased the building and converted it to office and retail use.

FIRST FRIDAY

LEADERSHIP SERIES

A dog-friendly festival featuring live bands and craft brew sampling.

Saturday, October 5th 12 Noon — 6 pm Watson-Aviation Road, Greenville, SC 29607

PRESENTS

EDNA JOHNSON Vice President, Communication and Brands Michelin North America

OCTOBER 4

5:00 Presentation · 6:00 Networking Reception

Clemson at the Falls

55 East Camperdown Way, Greenville

Tickets start at $25 at GreenvilleWoofstock.com.

Attending First Friday is free, but space is limited! register at FirstFridayJohnson.eventbrite.com

Tickets include unlimited brew sampling and live music.

“This is a rain or shine event. We’ve got you covered, man!”

September 27, 2013 Upstate business journal 31

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