DECEMBER 13, 2013
ALMIGHTY DOLLARS
With millions in revenue and hundreds of employees, today’s megachurches eye the bottom line while reaching for higher ground
UBJ COMMUNITY SERVICE
SHERRY JACKSON/ STAFF
FROM LEFT: Leah Duke, GGAR; Kendyl Urgo, First American Home Warranty; Ginger Griffin, The Gajda and Gutbrod RE Corner; Lynn Skidmore, ReWiGo Ministries; Connie Winslow, GGAR; Chris Manley, ReWiGo Ministries; Jennifer Hocker, Prudential C. Dan Joyner; Matthew McCord, McCord Law Firm; Tim Lee, Bankline Mortgage; Becky Coley, CertusBank; Carol Simpson, Carol Simpson Law Offices.
GGAR Donates $15,000 to Local Charities By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
The Greater Greenville Association of Realtors presented two local charities with $7,500 checks each last week as part of its Community Service Committee outreach. The recipients of the donation were ReWiGo Ministries and The Frazee Dream Center. ReWiGo creates safe, healthy, sustainable home environments for elderly, disabled and impoverished people. The organization also provides wheelchair ramps and railings and performs emergency home repairs for low-income homeowners in the Upstate. The Frazee Dream Center is a free preschool, after-school and summer program for under-resourced children in the downtown Greenville area. The program offers assistance and guidance to children ages 3-16 in the areas of academics, character development, sportsmanship and emotional wellness. Funds were raised through the committee hosting Lobs, Links and Lanes and Mix and Mingle events. The Lobs, Links and Lanes event, which is now in its 16th year, consists
of a golf tournament, tennis round robin, bowling tournament and a barbecue dinner party. “The success of this event is due to the generosity of sponsors, event participants, and the dedication of the Community Service Committee,” says Connie Winslow, director of finance for GGAR. Mix and Mingle events are sponsored by affiliate GGAR members and held at local restaurants. Association members and guests bring monetary donations or items from the wish list for the two charities supported and enjoy appetizers provided by the sponsors. “Everyone on the committee dedicated a lot of time to help make this year’s event so successful,” said Tim Lee, a mortgage loan officer with BankLine Mortgage Corporation and the 2013 committee chairman. “The sponsors were very generous with their donations and help. The real estate industry should be very proud of what they have done for these two fantastic community organizations. This is what it is all about: giving back.”
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December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 3
Volume II, Issue L
December 13, 2013
12
WORTH REPEATING “We’ve changed the mindset at City Hall. It took awhile.” Knox White, on his accomplishments during his 18 years as mayor of Greenville.
“The vast majority of Hindu folks we have spoken with have no issue with it.” Mike Rangel, owner of Asheville Brewing, on complaints about the use of a Hindu deity on the label of its Shiva India Pale Ale.
Photo by Greg Beckner
“I’ll follow you anywhere.”
Guests at the opening of CertusBank’s flagship location in downtown Greenville sign in on the bank’s 13-by-36-foot interactive multitouch media wall.
TBA Look for Carolina Olive Oil to move from Main Street in Fountain Inn to Main Street in Simpsonville in the new year… Word is Kudzu is closing Dec. 27 when its lease is up next door to Smoke on the Water, which is considering the space for a possible private dining area. Kudzu reportedly will continue with its booth at Antiques on Augusta and open another booth at The Screen Door in Asheville soon… There’s buzz starting that Copper Penny, a high-end Charleston boutique, is coming to Augusta Road in Greenville…
A loyal customer at Luthi’s Outfitters, which is looking for a new location after announcing it will close its Washington Street store on Christmas Eve.
VERBATIM
On Life in the (Not-So) Fast Lane…
“Most times when I’m coming down to Columbia, I’m on the right-hand side of the road because I drive a Ford Focus and it’s a good thing when I get anywhere close to 60.” State Rep. Joshua Putnam of Anderson, speaking to the South Carolina Radio Network. Putnam has pre-filed legislation to keep slower drivers out of the passing lanes on the state’s highways.
Michael Bolick, Selah Genomics, Biotechnology
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UBJ RETAIL “A lot of people are trying to find their way through today’s economy. They mostly know where they want to go, but they need a little help navigating. That’s where I can make the greatest contribution. A personal financial plan puts the odds in your favor here to help the obstacles along the way – byI'midentifying you navigate and the ways to get around them.”
Luthi’s to Close This Month By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer joladipo@communityjournals.com
After
some 67 years in business the future of Luthi’s Outfitters is uncertain, but the outdoors outfitter and jewelry pawnshop will close its Washington Street location on Christmas Eve. this complex “We weren’t up for sale — Charlton Armstrong III, Financial Consultant financial world. but a realtor came by and wanted to know if we’d be Whether your investment goals include increasing your net worth, interested,” said Harry With for so many optionsor creating a comprehensive financial saving retirement Luthi, who previously available, it's difficult to planning strategy that includes insurance and estate planning owned the store and passed decide which way to go. techniques, Charlton Armstrong can assist you in your journey. You it on to his son, Stan. The That's where I can help. can count onadvice him to to your financial goals and objectives and Call me for to listen set Luthis are currently in nethen themplan intoonactionable strategies. yourturn financial the gotiation with a local finanright course. cial institution that wants “Arm”, as he is known to his friends and colleagues, completed to use the well-placed his undergraduate work at Duke University and received his MD With With With so Carolina. many so options many so option op downtown propertymany to degree from the Medical University of South He also Charlton Armstrong III, expand. available, available, it'surology difficult it's difficult it's diffi Financial Consultant completed specialty work inavailable, general surgery and at theto Luthi’s is known for 630 East Washington Street | Suiteresulting A University of Cincinnati, in Urology board certification. decide decide decide which way which to go. which way wa to Greenville SC, 29601 hunting equipment, fireUnder the supervision GREG BECKNER / STAFF 864-467-0007 | 877-467-0007 of his father, Arm began his parallel interest arms,where apparel and fly-fish- I That's where can help. can I ca CArmstrong@ hilliard.com The three generations of Luthi’s, Harry (center),he his in finance and investing byThat's tradingThat's stocks and bondsI where while still www.hilliard.com ing supplies. Customers son Stan (right) and grandson Pierce (left), will be in high school. He took courses atCall Duke with for the thought Call Call me me adviceofto setme for advice for advic to come from throughout leaving their location at West Washington Street and Securities offered through J.J.B.school, Hilliard, and while in medical school completed Butler Avenue at the end of December. attending business W.L. Lyons, LLC Member NYSE, your your yourfinancial financial plan on thefinancial planpla on South Carolina and other & SIPC 2007 course with Dun and Bradstreet. After completing anFINRA investment states in the Southeast. right right right course. course. his training, Arm then served in the US Aircourse. Force as Major, Chief Stan Luthi said the business might existing inventory. Last week customof Urology, S.W. March AFB in Riverside, California. Arm returned consider reopening in another loca- ers came in expressing their condohome to Greenville, South Carolina where he became a partner tion, but only if they can find the right lences and hopes that the store would with Greenville Urology. He also had staff appointments with and one. That will be difficult to find when re-open in the future. “I’ll follow you C ha C r lt ha Charlton Armstrong on r lt III, A on r mA st r r m ong st r I o served as Chairman of the Department of Urology at Greenville hunting customers tend to come from anywhere,” one man told Harry on his Financial Financial Financial Consultant Consultant Consultant Hospital System and Saint Francis Community Hospital. He retired one end of town but fishing customers way out. 630 East 630 630 of East Washington East W |ashington Suite A W ashington Street tend to come from another, he said. The Luthis said they were sad about S in August 2008 after three decades service. While it Street is evident Greenville Greenville Greenville SC, 29601 SC, SC, 29601 29601 Plans were still up in the air, he said. the store closing. Olin Luthi started that Arm put much thought, dedication and care into his medical Rob Mikol 877-467-00 had come to Luthi’s| the third-generation family company, 864-467-0007 864-467-0007 864-467-0007 | 877-467-0007 | 877-46 practice, he also became a student of the financial markets. And lookinghilliard.com for fly-fishing supplies earlier hilliard. and its current location is its third C CArmstrong@ hilliard.com so, inArmstrong@ September of C 2008, ArmArmstrong@ joined Hilliard Lyons to fulfill his this year and said he liked the place so downtown. Harry, a former mayor of www .hilliard.com furloughed career aswww a.hilliard.com financial www.hilliard.com professional. much he asked about working part-time Greenville, said the customer response Call Charlton Armstrong today and see what he can do for you. in the fly-fishing shop, which he does has been a surprise. “I didn’t know it Securities Securities Securities offered offered through J.J.B. Hilliard, offered through through J.J.B. now. He said he hoped to see another was that strong. It just makes you feel SECURITIES OFFERED THROUGH J. J. B. HILLIARD, W. L. LYONS, LLC MEMBER NYSE, FINRA & SIPC 2007 W .L. W Lyons, .L. W.L. Lyons, LLC Member Lyons, NYSE, LLC L Member LC Membe NYS downtown location because he noticed so good to know people think that FINRA FINRA FINRA & & SIPC 2007SIPC & SIPC 2007 2007 that many of the customers were pro- much of you.” 201 West McBee Avenue | Suite 401 | Greenville SC, 29601 fessionals who worked downtown. Luthi’s has traditionally gotten a Phone: 864-467-0007 | Fax: 864-467-9113 In the meantime, they hope holiday good crowd of customers on ChristCArmstrong@hilliard.com | www.hilliard.com shoppers will clear out much of the mas Eve.
I'm I'm her her e to e help to h I'm here to help you y navigate navigate youou navigate this this complex complex this complex financial financial world. wo financial world.
6 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
I y t f
W a d T
UBJ TECHNOLOGY
Iron Yard Code School Reaches Beyond By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer joladipo@communityjournals.com
The Iron Yard is now recruiting for
people from outside Greenville.” Moving forward, the academy will its second Iron Yard Academy class and has an eye on expanding focus on front-end and back-end beyond Greenville. engineering and mobile development and is The Academy open to students offers a threemonth intensive with any level of course in Web experience, coding and Dodds said. Aptidesign and inditude for learning vidual classes. is more important There is not yet a than experience, timeline or dehe said. Back-end tailed expansion and mobile develplan, but the opment were added because program will start in this region, orpotential students ganizers said. have expressed “We have a lot interest and emof cities in mind,” ployers are also looking to hire said Eric Dodds, those skills as managing director. “We for sure well. have Atlanta and The Iron Yard’s Charleston on the cost-free youth Eric Dodds radar. We’re acprogram, Codertively looking for people to hire in Dojo, will follow the adult developer class to new communities. those two cities.” Dodds said the code schools as a “Our belief is that the gap between business model are proliferating the need for people who know code quickly and marketing can be a chal- and know how to develop and the lenge because a certain level of tech- people who actually know how to do nical knowledge is needed to under- that is getting wider and wider as we stand differences between schools. speak,” Dodds said. “It’s good to train adults who can Although the Iron Yard believes its product can go toe-to-toe with schools go directly into the job market, but in New York and San Francisco, being we need to interact with kids at a nearby offers an important advantage. younger age and give them the tools “They’re definitely not a commod- to learn this stuff at a younger age so ity yet, but as they become commod- that they have a massive head start, itized, people will make choices based especially if you’re involving kids for on convenience,” Dodds said. “Over whom college might not be an option time it will become harder to draw for financial reasons.”
“We for sure have Atlanta and Charleston on the radar. We’re actively looking for people to hire in those two cities.”
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UBJ FOOD & DRINK
Hindu Activist Protests Asheville Beer Calls for removal of deity from Shiva India Pale Ale By April A. Morris | staff | amorris@communityjournals.com
Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, recently called for an apology and the removal of the Hindu god Lord Shiva from the packaging of Asheville Brewing Company’s Shiva India Pale Ale. “Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agendas was not okay as it hurt the devotees,” said Zed, who is based in Nevada. “Lord Shiva was highly revered in Hinduism and he was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed.” Mike Rangel, owner of Asheville Brewing, said this week that his company did not intend to offend and was not contacted by Zed to open communication. Asheville Brewing has been brewing Shiva IPA since 1998 and received its first complaint last year, he said. As a result, the brewer had talked with local Hindu temple representatives about the image that was on their bottles and cans.
“Lord Shiva was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed.” Rajan Zed
The leaders advised Asheville Brewing not to use the full phrase “Lord Shiva,” saying that would be much more controversial, said Rangel. However, “they were very understanding as to why we couldn’t change the name after 15 years of our company putting 75 percent of all its marketing and branding efforts into the name Shiva IPA,” he said. Shiva IPA “has always been far and away our most popular-selling beer, and when our brewer
Rendering and photo provided.
8 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
Doug was looking for a strong name for his strong India pale, he went with Shiva because it signified power, strength, etc.,” Rangel said. Rangel noted that multiple other products sold throughout the world, including water pipes and liquor, have used the Shiva name. “We feel like this is a one-man attack and the vast majority of Hindu folks we have spoken with have no issue with it.” Rangel said the company has no plans to stop using the image on its flagship brew. Shortly after the initial call to change the beer’s name, Zed distributed a list of other religious leaders, including Greek Orthodox, Church of Christ, Buddhist and Jewish representatives, who supported his position. According to Zed, Lord Shiva is one of the great triad of Hindu deities, along with Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. Asheville Brewing Company was founded in 1995 and has three locations in Asheville, including a dine-in movie theatre. The brewer was recently named one of 15 on Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “America’s Coolest Breweries” list.
UBJ DIVERSITY
Hispanic Chamber Honors Upstate Entrepreneurs By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer | joladipo@communityjournals.com
Last week the SC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce honored Hispanic entrepreneurs at its first annual Impacto awards ceremony at the Hyatt in downtown Greenville. The dinner replaced an annual corporate gala the chamber previously held at the end of each year. The ceremony recognizes businesses throughout the state, but this year’s winners were from the Upstate. Leovick Martinez, owner/operator of multiple McDonalds restaurants,
won the business of the year award. Beatriz Hernandez was named entrepreneur of the year. Her company, Nail Artistry and Esthetics, is the first bilingual nail technology school in South Carolina. Chamber President Evelyn Lugo said more than 200 Hispanic and non-Hispanic-owned businesses had participated in its Entrepreneur Empowerment Series. Keynote speaker Ignacio Veloz, chairman-elect of the U.S. Hispanic
President Evelyn Lugo talks with guests at the S.C. Hispanic Chamber’s business awards dinner.
Chamber of Commerce, flew from Puerto Rico to present. He said Hispanic businesses are first and foremost American businesses and they just happened to be Hispanic. He said Hispanic-owned businesses contribute more than $3 trillion annually to the national economy and are growing at a rate three times faster
than that of overall business growth. “We always can get the big cheese because we speak two languages,” he said, discussing the advantages of multicultural businesses. He said access to capital, healthcare reform and immigration policy remain among the most pressing issues for Hispanic-owned businesses.
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UBJ FINANCE
Regional Management Launches Secondary Stock Offering By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer | joladipo@communityjournals.com
Greenville-based consumer finance
Paying bills, checking balances and making deposits has become convenient and easy to do on-the-go, but many worry about the risk of handling such sensitive transactions on their mobile devices. Mobile banking, traditional on-line banking or even simple paper statements all pose the risk of fraud, but we believe that mobile banking can actually be a major deterrent to fraud. With mobile banking, you can check balances and transactions anywhere, allowing you to spot fraudulent activity virtually in real time. With 56% of adults owning a smartphone and 91% of smartphone users keeping their phones within an arm’s reach 24 hours a day, keeping track of your accounts electronically could stop fraudulent behavior quickly, before it spirals out of control. The Pinnacle Bank Mobile Banking App allows our customers to set up text alerts, notifying you anytime activity occurs in your account. We believe on-the go access can be convenient AND give you peace of mind.
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10 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
firm Regional Management Corp. (RMC) announced a secondary stock offering this month, pricing 2,040,065 shares of its common stock at $31 per share. Such offerings are common after a company goes public, as RMC did last year. It allows founders and major funders who control a significant number of shares to begin loosening their control. The move does not open up any stocks to the public, nor does it dilute the shares people already have. Regional Management will not sell any shares or receive any proceeds from the offering. The company offers loan products primarily to customers with limited access to consumer credit from other lenders. Its most recent federal filings for revenue from the third quarter of 2013 was $44.5 million, a 25.3 percent increase from the prior-year period. Net income for the third quarter of 2013 was $7.6 million, a 9.1 percent increase from net income of $7.0 million in the prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share were $0.59 based on a diluted share count of 12.9 million.
Stephens Inc. and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. are serving as joint book-running managers for the secondary offering, and FBR Capital Markets & Co. is serving as the co-manager. The selling stockholders have granted the underwriters an option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 306,009 shares of common stock. The following parties are offering the shares: Palladium Equity Partners III LP, an existing stockholder of the company and an affiliate of Palladium Equity Partners; Parallel 2005 Equity Fund LP, an existing stockholder of the company and an affiliate of Parallel Investment Partners; entities affiliated with Richard A. Godley, a director, existing stockholder and founder of the company; and C. Glynn Quattlebaum, president and chief operating officer of the company and an existing stockholder and founder of the company.
In 2013, RMC entered their eighth state – Georgia – and announced plans to expand with 35 to 45 de novo branches across the year.
UBJ RETAIL
Unplugged Local music stores are surviving in the digital age By Jeanne Putnam | contributor | jputnam@communityjournals.com
In
the digital age and with the success of the iPod, tablets and smartphones, brick-and-mortar music retailers have been struggling to keep their doors open. Chain retailers are cutting down the supply of available CDs to make room to stock tablets and other digital media players. However, two Greenville record stores have managed to stay afloat while others have had to shut down. “The digital age has impacted us,” said Gene Berger, owner of Horizon Records. “Business has taken a dip in the past decade or more because of the Internet, downloading, ripping and online radio.” Berger’s comments were echoed by Earshot’s owner Jack Dennis. “We were lucky, because we are a thirdtier market and it took longer to hit Earshot,” he said. Both owners said that the economic implosion of 2008 and the growing popularity of digital media made 2009 a bad year for them. However, both stores have managed to survive for similar reasons. They both have loyal customers and they both use niche marketing, meaning that they customize what their store carries based on what those customers like. For example, Earshot carries
more rock, R&B and hip-hop, whereas Horizon carries classical, jazz, blues and regional music, in addition to classic rock. Both stores also sell vinyl records, but Horizon currently has more vinyl in stock. Horizon sells some books while Earshot carries DVDs and pop-culture accessories. Since both stores sell vinyl, they have noticed that vinyl is in a “renaissance,” which has helped their business models. According to Berger, Horizon has been offering vinyl for a number of years because vinyl never went away. In his shop, vinyl dominates the floor and CDs are fewer. On the flipside, Earshot has a smaller vinyl selection with more CDs to browse through. Dennis said he is seeking to expand his vinyl collection not only through new
“The digital age has impacted us. Business has taken a dip in the past decade or more because of the Internet, downloading, ripping and online radio.” Gene Berger, owner of Horizon Records
Horizon Records has a large selection of new and used vinyl.
vendors, but also looking through storage units, and reaching out to estate and divorce attorneys so that those who have vinyl and want to sell it know about his store. Another key difference in the stores is in their locations. Dennis bought out Manifest Discs and Tapes in January 2004 and the store became Earshot. He sought to keep the same all-inclusive inventory that Manifest had, but found that it was very costly. He recently moved the store to a smaller location directly across the street and it allowed him to refocus his inventory to fit his customers. Horizon built its building in 2003 to allow for the Bohemian Café to be right next door. Berger credits the success of Horizon in 2008 to the partnership with the café because they share not only space, but “open energy
GREG BECKNER / STAFF
Horizon Records
2 W. Stone Ave., Greenville 864-235-7922 blog.horizonrecords.net
Earshot
1418 Laurens Rd., Greenville 864-232-1623 earshot.com
and music.” Customers at the Bohemian can hear what Horizon is playing and check the store out. In turn, Horizon customers can smell what the café is serving and go eat there. In addition, both stores credit the use of live, in-store events with bands and word-of-mouth marketing for keeping them afloat. “The customer is the best advertisement,” said Berger.
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December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 11
UBJ BANKING
New CertusBank Branch Makes Statement By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer | joladipo@communityjournals.com
CertusBank
its new flagship location last Friday with a party at its glass-walled branch office on the ground floor of developer Bob Hughes’s KET SQ Project ONE building at the corner AofR M Main and Washington streets in downtown Greenville. The most impressive technological feature is a 13-by-36-foot interactive EASLEY multitouch media wall visible from Main Street. The tallest in the country, the wall can be used by up to eight people simultaneously. Tablet computers at a C-shaped counter space in the main room make the space resemble an electronics store. PHOTOS BY GREG BECKNER / STAFF Branch manager Blair Miller said (Women’s) From left, CertusBank co-CEO Walter Davis, Greenville Mayor Knox White and CertusBank the company wants “to make banking president Angela Webb use the virtual wall to “cut the ribbon” opening CertusBank’s downtown Greenville headquarters in the ONE building during the bank’s grand opening. more human, open and transparent.” unveiled
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In fact, banks have been striving to meet demands for experiences that consumers have come to expect from other industries such as retail and entertainment, according to banking design and customer service experts. “They’re trying to integrate the look and feel of their online programs into their branch locations,” said K.J. Jacobs, principal at the McMillan Pazdan Smith architecture firm. Design may change from branch to branch depending on the target audience, however. The new location brings trends such as open community meeting spaces, email kiosks and interactive touchscreens to Greenville that have been percolating in banks in other cities for several years. “We want this location to be a destination place in Greenville,” said Angela Webb, CertusBank president.
The bank aims to make a statement about its originality through the architecture. A video playing after hours on the large screen with audio audible from the street underscores the point, telling a story of how CertusBank aims to be different. Chicago-based 4240 Architecture designed the branch. The firm also designed the ONE Building itself, as well as CertusBank’s Augusta Road branch, and will be involved in future projects. The downtown branch is the bank’s eighth in the Upstate and will be followed by locations on Pelham Road in Greenville and in Columbia, Charleston and Ponte Vedra, Fla. The bank currently operates in 12 states. Those that follow will display similar design principles, the company said. Next year, more employees – called “team members” – are expected to move into what will be the bank’s headquarters in another 160,000-square-foot space in the building.
Brandon Reynolds, right, and John Brown, both with West End Coffee, use iPads in the lobby of CertusBank during the bank’s grand opening celebration.
The Upstate Business Journal welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics that relate to their specialties, especially little-known but significant issues they feel are pertinent to business readers. Our guest columns run 700-800 words and we welcome supporting art that will help explain your points graphically. Please contact Executive Editor Susan Clary Simmons at ssimmons@communityjournals.com if you are interested in submitting an article for consideration.
SOUTHERN TIDE
UBJ YOUR MONEY
By CHARLES JOHNSON
Consumers Embrace, but Remain Leery of, Mobile Banking As American consumers increasingly turn to digital banking to manage their personal finances, banks and credit unions are significantly increasing the resources directed towards the development of these electronic channels – and the security required to protect customers. Even though some financial institutions are closing or consolidating brickand-mortar locations around the country to reflect diminishing demand for faceto-face customer transactions, leaders of financial institutions are carefully balancing when to embrace digital banking, and how much of their precious resources they can dedicate to the channels. “We recently launched mobile banking after several successful years of our online banking service and after conducting an extensive review of best-ofbreed capabilities in the market,” said Brian McKay, chief operating officer for SC Telco Federal Credit Union. “Security, convenience and an intuitive design were what our members told us they wanted in the product, and clearly what we were able to deliver based on the rapidity of sign-ups to date. Still, we believe that one-to-one personal service at a high level will always be a critical part of a positive member experience.” With over 90 percent of American Internet households having signed up for online banking services, it is no surprise that financial institution websites are the top method for managing personal finances today. Cutting across all age groups and demographic profiles, Americans have bought into the idea that the immediacy and accessibility of online banking is a benefit to be embraced. As individuals have embraced online banking, so have businesses. Today, virtually every financial institution has a suite of digital banking products and services designed to fit the needs of business customers, whatever their size or needs. Yet mobile banking adoption lags well behind banking via financial institution
websites – largely driven by concerns over security and fraud. A June 2013 study by research and consulting firm Celent and published by eMarketer.com demonstrated that younger users between the ages of 18-29 were significantly more likely to sign up for mobile banking than their older counterparts by a 79 percent to 59 percent margin. What’s driving the hesitancy to use mobile banking? Security concerns are stated as the primary reason by 47 percent of the survey respondents. With an additional 41 percent stating a preference for online banking and 18 percent disliking the keyboard entry requirements of their smartphones compared to a PC, laptop or tablet, financial institutions have a ways to go before mobile banking becomes universally embraced.
“One-to-one personal service at a high level will always be a critical part of a positive member experience.” Brian McKay, COO, SC Telco Credit Union
Yet even as sophisticated hackers target financial institutions, with the Internet Crime Complaint Center reporting that hacking crimes were up by double digits in 2012 over the year prior, credit unions and banks are embracing increasingly sophisticated defenses. Despite a number of well-publicized attacks against financial institutions, “virtually all credit unions and banks which offer online and mobile banking follow extremely stringent security protocols, deploy continuous monitoring and high-end encryption technologies, and have rigorous defense-in-depth methodologies that rebuff virtually any attacker,” notes Will McGee, chief information officer of
Southeastern IT consulting firm EDTS, which works extensively with financial institutions and businesses. Still, he offers several security best practices for consumers who wish to fully embrace the convenience of mobile and online banking: • Set a passcode on your device. • Configure your device to auto-lock after a few moments of inactivity. • Only download mobile banking applications from the official “store” for your device platform, such as iTunes for an iPhone. • Use complex passwords that are difficult to guess. • Never store your password in the application/browser, or allow mobile apps to store it. • Do not store sensitive data on any mobile device. • Read descriptions about applications that you install on mobile devices before allowing access. • Embrace mobile banking features such as text alerts to quickly be notified for transactions such as transfers or purchases over a threshold. • If you lose your device, immediately enact the remote wipe feature. And besides convenience and access, mobile banking can actually enhance security, notes David Barnett, president and CEO of Pinnacle Bank of South Carolina. “While there are different risks associated with mobile devices, we believe that mobile banking can be a major deterrent to fraud,” said Barnett. “Considering that more than 56 percent of the adult population now owns a smartphone and that 91 percent of all smartphone users keep their phones with
Reasons that US Internet Users* Do Not Use Mobile Banking, June 2013 % of respondents
47%
Don’t trust the security of a mobile phone for banking transactions.
41%
Prefer to use internet banking.
37%
Prefer to call or visit bank.
18%
The keyboard entry it oo difficult on mobile phone.
14%
Don’t know if current bank offers mobile banking.
8%
Was never asked to sign up for it. Note: n=583 ages 18+; * who have not enrolled in mobile banking Source: Celent, “Myths, Misconceptions and Enduring Truths: A Survey of Digitally Directed Consumers,” Sep. 12, 2013
arm’s reach 24 hours a day, mobile banking lets you check balances and transactions in real time to spot fraudulent activity. We believe this ability to be in touch with your money can be a valuable resource.”
Charles Johnson is CEO of EDTS, founded in 1999 and named to the 2013 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America four consecutive years. EDTS has grown to a staff of over 50 professionals serving clients from offices in Augusta, Ga. and Columbia and Greenville, S.C. A full-service technology consulting firm, EDTS specializes in network security, managed IT services and advanced infrastructure for business. Visit them at edtsolutions.com.
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 13
UBJ INNOVATE
By GARY GUNDERSON
Start Planning Early for a Smooth Exit business owners will exit their businesses someday, one way or another. Some will be passed on to the next generation, some will be sold (to employees, investors or another company) and others will simply shut down. Regardless of which path you choose, planning can’t start too early. You really should outline your exit strategy at the time you start your business. There are many different alternatives to consider. Is the objective of the business primarily to provide a job and a good lifestyle to the owner and maybe other family members? Do your kids really want to take it over when you retire? Do you exit by selling the business to a third party when you reach retirement age? Or are you focused on building high value quickly and exiting early at a high multiple as soon as you prove the business model? Alternatively, is your dream to operate the business for a
Final Call for 2013 Angel Tax Credit Entrepreneurs and investors have some very important tax deadlines before the year comes to an end. If you raised early-stage capital this year – or hope to before the year ends – be sure to apply for approval as a Qualified Business with the Secretary of State as soon as possible. Once approved, accredited angel investors can claim a 35 percent income tax credit for their investment in your company. You can find the application at bit.ly/angel-investor. If you are an investor who invested in a South Carolina startup this year (or will before year end), make sure the company applies to be a Qualified Business with the Secretary of State as soon as possible (see above). Once the business is qualified, you can apply for a 35 percent state income tax credit for eligible investments. The deadline to apply for a credit is Dec. 31, so complete the credit application form from the Department of Revenue as soon as possible. The form is available at bit.ly/SC-AIC.
INVESTMENT RETURN (TIMES)
All
6 5
Don’t “Ride It Over the Top” Optimum time to start the exit
More typical time to start the exit
4 3
Optimum exit time IRR= 124%
2 1
Fastest Growth Phase
More typical exit time IRR= 15%
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
YEARS FROM INVESTMENT Source: Basil Peters: Exits Blog
more extended period, grow aggressively internally and through acquisition, and then exit by going public someday? Your exit strategy will certainly be driven by the nature of your business opportunity. It will also be enabled or constrained by the availability of capital. What capital is needed to start your business? Can you self-finance with personal or family money? How much cash is needed to fund your growth expectations? Can you attract an equity partner? Is some amount of bank financing available? It is critical that you formulate and implement a capital structure that matches your desired business strategy. If your business will require outside investors, your exit strategy should address three key issues: the time frame for exit, the desired sales price range, and the target buyers. As you consider business strategies, let me plead for a commitment to value creation. We desperately need existing business owners and startup entrepreneurs to focus on building business value as opposed to just funding a comfortable lifestyle. Only then will they create more jobs and significantly grow the GDP to bring our country back to economic prosperity. Growing business value usually means being laser-focused on growing the business; that is, spend that cash on supporting a new product, not on a vacation.
14 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
Another important principle to consider is: “Don’t ride it over the top!” Many businesses experience a business cycle – startup, growth, plateau, decline. Many business owners wait too long to exit. Stuff happens. Optimize your value by selling at the top of the high-growth period. Consider this example: Biotechnology Company A starts up and grows fast and sells to a big strategic buyer in three years for a large multiple on whatever revenue has been realized. Founders and equity investors enjoy a big payday with extraordinary internal rate of return. All parties are very happy. Biotechnology Company B starts up and grows fast but defers an early exit, raises more money, continues growth at slower but significant rate and sells on a multiple of EBITDA a number of years later. Although the transaction value may be higher, the rate of return on invested capital to founders and original equity investors may be significantly reduced – while being exposed to more risk. What if the business is surprised by a regulatory ruling or a
competitor enters with a new product alternative? An early exit generally reduces risk and enhances returns. There are a number of specific steps necessary to successfully complete the transition of a business. Preparing an exit plan will definitely help. An exit plan is an ongoing process resulting in the development of an evolving road map for a successful exit. It examines and addresses the personal, operational, financial, legal, tax, timing and process questions involved in transitioning a business. You should put together an advisory team that will help you plan and execute the business transition. An exit planning professional such as your business broker or M&A advisor can start the process. Planning team participants include: the company CPA, financial advisor, estate planner, business attorney, insurance professional, transaction attorney and other specialists or operational advisors as appropriate. If the business is being sold to a third party, the business broker or M&A advisor should transition to handle the sale process not later than 18 months prior to the desired sale date. So, when should you exit a business? Do it on your planned terms and on your timetable; and be sure that your co-founders and investors are on the same page as you are, from the very first day to the very last day. If you have done a good planning job as outlined above, you should enjoy a business transition that not only meets your personal needs, but will also maximize your peace of mind.
Gary Gunderson is a certified business intermediary and president of Empire Business Advisors-Southeast. He is also a member of the International Business Brokers Association; a member of M&A Source; and is also on the board of directors and past president of the Carolinas Virginia Business Brokers Association. He is a member of the Upstate Carolina Angel Network. He has been a Fortune 100 corporate executive; a mid-market CEO; and a small business owner. He has an M.S. from Stanford University.
have YoU?
Look Who’s aLready been nominated*...
knoW someone not on this List? there are just a feW days Left to get them on here!
hurry! go To UpstatebUsinessjoUrnal.com/whos-wh0 To nominaTe By Dec. 16 James akers
kyle felker
marie maJarais smiTh
alan smiTh
DaviD anna
Jason fleTcher
chris manley
garry smiTh
Tom BaTes
monroe free
marion mann
Dana souZa
Dr. John BeckforD
J. earle furman, Jr.
Dr. sara mansBach
Zach sprunger
Brook BrisTow
meric gamBel
chaD mcgaha
aflreD squire
Jeff Bullock
paula ganTT
meghan meier
russell sTall
Jim Burns
Trevor gorDon
neD miller
ToBy sTansell
roBin Bylenga
neil grayson
Tami miller
Jennifer sTilwell
sTephanie calloway
Zeno hawkins
Tammy moore
chris sTone
valerie chapman
william haynes
carlTon owen
Dr. spence Taylor
DeBra clemenTs
Ty houck
freD payne
Jim Terry
howell clyBorne, Jr.
BoB howarD
mike penningTon
anne Tromsness
mark coThran
BoB hughes
scoTT powell
larry weBB
linDa craig
phil hughes
Jason premo
knox whiTe
Tom crofT
larry Jackson
angela priDe
nika whiTe
leighTon cuBBage
curTis Johnson
Dr. larry puls
DaviD wilkins
rick Davis
Tammy Johnson
Tim reeD
DaviD wyaTT
walTer Davis
michael kerski
maTT reeves
gillian ZeTTler
J. russ Davis, Jr.
charlie kilBy
BarBara repik
DoroThy Dowe
Doug kim
DeB richarDson-moore
roseanne Dufala
mike kiriakiDes
anne shafer
marie Dunn-Blough
Jenna kochenauer
chuck simmons
sam erwin
reiD lehman
heaTher simmons Jones
*nominee list current as of December 8, 2013
UBJ DIGITAL MAVEN
Why Grandma Needs a Tablet What’s on your list for your grandmother this year? A new Christmas sweater, framed photos of the grandkids, a new pair of readers? Forget that. Grandma needs a tablet. I’ve thought this for some time, but this year I purchased one for my mom’s 85th birthday. She lives in Las Vegas and was coming to visit, so I knew I would have a couple of weeks to nudge her toward it and train her on it. Here are a few reasons why a hightech tablet is the perfect gift for your low-tech seniors.
1. They aren’t computers. Computers are confusing. Most seniors won’t understand the ins and outs of basic computing. The Windows error messages are baffling, and just try
walking your mom through some troubleshooting on the phone! But tablets are easy so long as you put it into “set it and forget it” mode. I had two weeks with the Kindle HDX 8.9inch tablet I bought my mother. I added in a keyboard case so she wouldn’t even briefly face the challenge of typing on the virtual keyboard. I set up the applications she would use – a bridge game, some bookmarks (including one to yours truly’s Digital Maven page on the UBJ website!), a borrowed mystery from the Kindle Lending Library, a reading application (Flipboard), Skype and her email. I connected the Bluetooth keyboard for her and established all her settings and defaults. Now it is truly press and play. The
You can argue about whether tablets are work tools, but there’s no better way to read. gratification is instant and the self-contained applications she would be most likely to use are right in front of her.
2. Designed for reading. At a certain age, it is most likely that your parents or grandparents grew up reading newspapers and magazines. They still want to do that, but their vision may be failing, the newspaper is
cumbersome, magazines are expensive, and books are heavy, hard to manage and costly. Sure, they could read all these things on their computers, but click on a photo and it’s really a video that demands a new driver or application to run. Or “your version of Java-Flash-Silverlight is out of date.” You can argue about whether tablets are work tools, but there’s no better way to read. The touch interface is intuitive, like turning the pages of a book or magazine. The hyperlinked articles are easy to get to and the rich content is more accessible on a tablet where the applications are integrated than on a computer. Amazon Prime members can borrow books for free from the Kindle Owners Lending Library (you only need a >>
SERRUS FUND II Closing Dec. 31, 2013 DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! To learn more, call
864 .642 .1647
*The offering is limited to accredited investors. Please review the PPM for additional information.
16 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
By LAURA HAIGHT
>> Kindle app), and most public libraries now offer digital books as well. This appeals to the frugal side. Most newspapers and magazines require digital subscriptions, but check
out apps like Next Issue as a fairly cost-effective way to get a variety of magazines on your tablet.
Kindle HDX (provided)
3. Keeping in touch. You may have
struggled with this same issue: You email photos or video links to your parent(s) only to hear “I can’t open these.” I would try to understand why just double-clicking didn’t work, but without being right there to show her, we just couldn’t get over what were probably small technical issues. Still, once she perceived something to be difficult, she stopped trying. Tablets with integrated applications in the operating system take the muss and fuss of sharing photos and videos out of the mix. Link-click-open-watchdelete. Instant gratification. Ahhhhh. Video calling on Skype, OoVoo or Facetime, depending on the device, is easier than dialing the phone, and the instant gratification of seeing each other will buy you extra points for a long time. I don’t know about you but being
a few thousand miles away from my mom is hard, so I like to see her when we talk. Every tablet is going to pretty much have the same basic operational functionality. Personal preference or affiliation might be a differentiator, but I choose the Kindle HDX primarily because of the “mayday” button – live customer service at the press of a button. Two minutes ago, I walked into the kitchen to see how she was doing and found her doing the crossword on the tablet – an application I installed for her but hadn’t even shown her how to use yet. I do believe we have a winner! Laura Haight is the president of Portfolio (portfoliosc.com), which works with small businesses to incorporate emerging media and technology into its business communications, operations and training.
FUND II
% 15
TARGET IRR
% 7
PREFERRED RETURN
2 YEARS IN A ROW
SERRUS.COM/INVEST December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 17
COVER STORY
MEGACHURCHES =
While not profit-driven, Upstate megachurches face many of the same challenges – and reap some of the same rewards – as large corporations
S
Serving as the CEOs of their industry, today’s megachurch pastors are not only spiritual leaders, but are business leaders in their communities as they move their churches forward in an increasingly competitive landscape. Debate continues about the true definition of “megachurch,” but according to the Hartford Institute for Religious Research, the term refers to any “Protestant congregation with a sustained average weekly attendance of 2,000 persons or more in its worship services.” According to the Institute, although very large congregations have existed throughout Christian history, there has been a rapid proliferation of churches with massive attendance since the 1970s. Some researchers suggest this church form is a unique collective response to distinctive cultural shifts and changes in societal patterns throughout the industrialized, urban and suburban areas of the world. There are more than 1,600 megachurches across the United States, and more than 70 percent of those are located in the southern Sun Belt of the
By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com United States – with California, Texas, Florida and Georgia having the highest concentrations. The average megachurch has a weekly attendance of 3,943 people, with the largest averaging 45,000 in attendance each week.
Getting the Message to the Masses
The Upstate is home to 14 megachurches, according to the Institute’s database. The largest congregation is NewSpring Church, with an average attendance of 23,000. NewSpring’s model is “one church meeting in different locations,” with its Sunday sermon broadcast from the main Anderson location to all of its statewide campuses.
18 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
Photos Provided
“We have fiscal responsibility, but I don’t have to be concerned about the bottom line like CEOs.” Brookwood Church Senior Pastor Duggar The next largest congregation is Redemption World Outreach Center in Greenville, with an average attendance of 10,550 people each week. Just like businesses, these large churches have multimillion-dollar budgets, hundreds of employees and are tasked with communicating a uniform message (think “brand”) to thousands of people. Some megachurches across the country operate subsidiaries such as music studios and publishing houses, with multimillion-dollar record and book deals. It’s all about getting the message to the masses, and each megachurch has
its own marketing strategy via social media, targeted ministries, televised sermons, books and videos. Donations can be made through websites, PayPal and automatic payroll withdrawals, all in an effort to make it easy for church members to give. David Dennis, church administrator for First Baptist Church (FBC) of Spartanburg –average attendance: 7,400 members – came to the church seven years ago after serving in executive-level roles in the insurance industry. Dennis says while there are many similarities to the non-secular business world, he sees the church as “more of an organism that an organization.” Brookwood Church in Simpsonville has an average attendance of 4,0005,000 people per week, says senior pastor Perry Duggar. Duggar had served as a defense lawyer before beginning Brookwood with 75 people at the first Sunday service 20 years ago. One of the main differences he sees with the business world is that churches “are not profit-driven” and “don’t operate just from the bottom line.” >>
= MEGABUSINESS >>
Big Money, Big Projects
But it’s big money they are dealing with. Brookwood’s budget is $7.6 million for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, with tithing and donations as the only income source. In 2012, NewSpring banked $36 million in revenue, of which $25 million was used towards operating expenses and the remaining $10 million went towards new campuses. Both Brookwood and FBC say they disperse all the money they take in. After operating expenses, ministries are the next biggest expense. Duggar says that 30 percent of Brookwood’s budget goes to benevolence and missions, with $2 million set aside in this fiscal year for a mission project in India. Dennis likens his role now to a chief operating officer in a large organization. When he first started with the church, he was determined to have job descriptions and merit raises, he says, but quickly learned that in the church, people really “operate more as a function than a position,” noting that people are called upon to use their strengths and abilities regardless of their title.
“Not a Vow of Poverty”
Some national megachurches in recent years have received negative press for pastors receiving elaborate salaries – notably, Joel Osteen, pastor of the largest congregation in the U.S., Lakewood Church in Houston, who according to records, has a net worth of $40 million and lives in a 17,000-square-foot mansion. Like other businesses, FBC provides a competitive wage. “Going into ministry is not a vow of poverty,” says Dennis, who is quick to add that the compensation is not exorbitant. FBC also offers a full benefit package, including a 403(b) plan (similar to a 401(k)) and health insurance. The differences lie in the benefits tailored to the church. MEGACHURCHES continued on PAGE 21
RECOGNIZED MEGACHURCHES IN SOUTH CAROLINA
ATTENDANCE*
CHURCH NAME
CITY
DENOM.
NewSpring Church Seacoast Church Redemption World Outreach Center Brookland Baptist Church Bible Way Church of Atlas Road Brookwood Church Grace Church First Baptist Church Riverbend Baptist Church First Baptist Church Cedar Creek Church Cathedral of Praise First Baptist North Spartanburg Marathon Church Morningstar Fellowship Church Rock Springs Baptist Church Shandon Baptist Church Faith Assembly of God Taylors First Baptist Church Freedom Temple Ministries Word of God Church and Ministries East Cooper Baptist Church First Baptist Church Simpsonville Barefoot Church Brushy Creek Baptist Church Community Bible Church Cornerstone Community Church Grace Cathedral Ministries Northside Baptist Church Praise Cathedral Church of God Southside Fellowship West End Baptist Church
Anderson Mount Pleasant Greenville West Columbia Columbia Simpsonville Greenville Columbia North Charleston Spartanburg Aiken Charleston Spartanburg Greenville Fort Mill Easley Columbia Summerville Taylors Rockhill Columbia Mount Pleasant Simpsonville North Myrtle Beach Taylors Beaufort Orangeburg Greenville West Columbia Greer Greenville Rock Hill
Baptist (unspecified) Nondenominational Nondenominational Baptist (unspecified) Nondenominational Southern Baptist Conv. Nondenominational Southern Baptist Conv. Southern Baptist Conv. Southern Baptist Conv. Nondenominational Nondenominational Southern Baptist Conv. Baptist (unspecified) Nondenominational Southern Baptist Conv. Southern Baptist Conv. Assemblies of God Southern Baptist Conv. Nondenominational Nondenominational Southern Baptist Conv. Southern Baptist Conv. Unknown (unspecified) Southern Baptist Conv. Nondenominational Unknown (unspecified) Unknown (unspecified) Southern Baptist Conv. Church of God, Cleveland Nondenominational Baptist (unspecified)
23,055 12,000 10,550 8,075 7,000 6,103 4,000 3,500 3,500 3,200 3,000 2,700 2,600 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,305 2,300 2,200 2,200 2,166 2,081 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 19
45 UBJ MILESTONE YEARS
Human Resources With a Human Touch In 45 years, Phillips Staffing has left its mark locally and statewide By Jennifer Oladipo | senior business writer joladipo@communityjournals.com GREG BECKNER / STAFF
When Blanton Phillips sits at the desk his father, Sam Phillips, once used, he can pull open a drawer and see where his father scribbled notes and figures. It’s a reminder of the work that went into building Phillips Staffing from a one-man shop to one with 10 offices 45 years later. In that time the company has expanded its services to ensure its survival, and also broadened its scope to include greater influence in South Carolina’s workforce development.
Ed Parris, president of Phillips Staffing, left, and Blanton Phillips, CEO of Phillips Staffing, at the company’s downtown location in the former Bowater Building next to Falls Park.
DICEY MOMENTS: Every day. You’ve always got kind of a gnawing anxiety with so many people depending on you.
bedroom-turned-office where he hung his jacket on the back of a chair and declared Phillips Textile Careers open for business. His previous employer, Louis P. Batson Company, had added hiring a sales staff to his job description, he thought it fairer for his company to pay recruiter fee rather than unemployed folks. The idea was unorthodox, but the recruiter agreed, the Batson Company benefitted from a larger applicant pool, and Sam saw a business opportunity. Friends and competitors told him his idea wouldn’t work. But back then, as now, a large gap between available textile industry jobs and available workers meant employers were willing to pay the unorthodox fee if it would help them get the people they needed. Sam also needed the idea to work for personal reasons, knowing Blanton was due to be born in six months and his wife, Mary, would be leaving work to care for their new baby.
FAMILY BUSINESS: It’s been fun. Blanton and I have been close since he was a little tyke.
THROUGH THE YEARS
OLD NEED, NEW TRICK The company started with a simple idea that is common today but was considered innovative in 1968. As the story goes, Sam Phillips woke up one morning, dressed and walked down the hall to a spare
THE FOUNDER:
SAM PHILLIPS BIGGEST IMPACTS: Nuclear plant repair was big for us, and technology changed everything about the business for the better.
RETIREMENT: I tell people I retired in 1968. I just like what I do. It’s a shame that just as people really get proficient at what they’re doing, they quit.
Today Phillips has 10 offices throughout South Carolina and one in Georgia, serving clients in both states and North Carolina, and about 2,500 staff at those locations on any given day. The business has
20 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
expanded well beyond filling job slots. The company’s services now include logistics, chemicals and various manufacturing. An evolved textile industry remains part of the mix, though Ed Parris, president of the staffing division, said the company learned from the textile decline not to rely on one industry. “If one industry got a cold we might get the flu, but it’s not that bad anymore,” said Parris. Diversification was also a necessity as the company responded to the recession. “We tried to be creative,” Parris said. “We went part-time with some folks so we wouldn’t have to lay anybody off or shut down another office.” The firm also put more emphasis on services such as payroll and HR development for clients.
STICKING WITH FAMILY Blanton Phillips grew up to run the company his father built, now known as Phillips Staffing. At 72 years old, founder Sam is still heavily involved in the business. “I can remember many years when I was a little kid when we’d have dinner, then I’d go off to do something and he’d be on the phone every night,” Blanton said. >>
UBJ MILESTONE >> Later, after Blanton rejected the corporate careers options he saw as a college grad, he was the one spending hours on the phone for the family business. He joined the company in the midst of a major shortage of workers to repair nuclear power plants. Even though he ran errands at the company since childhood and worked there during college summers, Blanton said he didn’t have a clear notion of the business. He described his early “official” days as a hectic and exasperating “trial by fire.” “It was crazy work,” Blanton said.
Phillips Staffing began in this Broughton Drive home 45 years ago.
“They’d call me and say, ‘We need 20 people in Phoenix on Monday morning,’ and it was Friday at 4:55.” After a few years he returned to school to earn an MBA. The family business seemed like the best option, so he put his new education to work there.
TODAY’S WORRIES Parris said that the market realities that helped the company grow in the beginning are still driving business today. He joined the company in 2006 with an HR background across multiple industries. “We’re back again to that supply-and-demand issue where there’s such a skills gap that we need to find talent but also grow that talent, too.” So Phillips Staffing found it needed to take a Photo Provided leadership role in creating
the pool of ready applicants from which it can draw. It is the state’s only private entity certified in the national WorkKeys workforce development program in which South Carolina is a pilot site. The company has also been lobbying to change a state unemployment tax increase approved in 2010, which Blanton says amounts to a tax on hiring. Those issues play out against the backdrop of increased workers’ compensation litigation that forced the company to add risk-management staff, Parris said, and a national economy that remains disconcerting. Historic Provided by Greenville Library
REWARDING WORK Still, Parris said the core of their work is enjoyable. “One thing I get a buzz out of is we get the opportunity every day to impact people’s lives,” Parris said, “and we try to make that part of our work culture.” He said several employees have been with the company more than 30 years, as have a couple dozen clients. And the
The onetime home of Phillips Staffing, the Woodside Building in downtown Greenville.
Phillipses are not the only two-generation family on staff. Parris said helping people figure out what they do best and then turn that knowledge into a career is rewarding work, even when changing times make it more challenging.
Phillips Staffing’s 45 Years 1968 Sam Phillips starts Phillips Textile Careers from a home office. By end of year, company moves to the Woodside Building. 1968
1978 Phillips starts Philchem textile chemical business, later sold
1978
MEGACHURCHES continued from PAGE 19
For example, at FBC health coverage does not provide for abortion services that are required under the Affordable Care Act (churches can opt out) and “sin stocks” – stocks of companies directly involved in or associated with activities that some consider unethical or immoral, such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling, weapons and sex-related industries – are not included in the 403(b) retirement options. Both Brookwood Church and FBC have roughly 140 full- and part-time employees on the payroll, and Dennis and Duggar oversee departments such as IT, accounting, mainte-
1980s Offices open in several states serving textiles
2008 Recession forces cutbacks and business diversification
1988
1998
1999 Blanton Phillips joins the family business
nance and government affairs, much like a corporate executive would. One other difference is that churches are exempt from taxes (except for payroll, sales and property taxes) and some business owners argue that services provided by some megachurches such as child care, fitness and even meals should follow the same rules as for-profit businesses. “We have fiscal responsibility, but I don’t have to be concerned about the bottom line like CEOs,” said Duggar. Senior Pastor Perry Noble from NewSpring Church and Senior Pastor Ron Carpenter from Redemption World Outreach Center declined to be interviewed for this article.
2012 Company moves headquarters to Bowater Building at Falls Park
2008 2010 Phillips Staffing becomes WorkKeys-certified
2013 Celebrates 45 years
Inforgraphic courtesy of www.onlinechristiancolleges.com
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 21
UBJ PROFILE
‘We Can’t Stand Still’
O
After 18 years in office, Greenville Mayor Knox White still has his eyes on the future By SHERRY JACKSON | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
On any given day, Greenville Mayor Knox White can be found walking down Main Street, stopping to talk to visitors and keeping an eye on the many projects the city has underway. Why did you decide to run for mayor back in 1995? I’m a Greenville native but I’ve also lived in Washington, D.C. I was on council for many years and saw a continuing theme there on growth and quality of growth. Greenville’s going to grow, and how do we control that growth? It’s still very much what I’m about and I want us to learn from larger communities – areas like Atlanta and Charlotte – and to learn from their mistakes and do something different. It truly stuck a chord in 1995 that Greenville could be different. It’s about quality of life here and finding balance.
Did you accomplish what you set out to do then? Yes, I think so. We’ve changed the mindset at City Hall. It took awhile. We should not have an attitude that ‘everything goes.’ We have high standards and make no apology for it, whether it’s downtown or in neighborhoods. I’ve been successful in Greenville because the
“We’ve changed the mindset at City Hall. It took awhile.” KNOX WHITE (RIGHT)
22 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
There’s an election in 2015. What happens if you’re not mayor of Greenville after that? I treat every term as if it were my last anyhow, and I maintain a sense of urgency as I watch projects go through the process. I do practice law and that’s very differ-
ent from my city duties, so I would probably focus even more on immigration law. I would still be involved, though, in the community. Long before I was mayor or served on City Council, I was involved in political campaigns, youth organizations and chamber projects. Housing is something I care a lot about. So I would also probably involve myself in Homes for Hope or other organizations that offer affordable housing options.
What’s your daily routine like? I usually spend my mornings at the law firm, and then beginning around noon I usually have a meeting and start my day at City Hall. It’s good in that it sort of clears my head and lets me focus on something completely different from working with work visas and business immigration law. It’s not always that neat, of course, as there are sometimes city activities such as ribboncuttings and meetings that happen in the morning that I attend, and some days I’m mayor for a full day.
What does your job as mayor entail? In the afternoons it’s generally meetings. Bringing people together and promoting, sometimes cajoling, but always >>
PHOTOS BY GREG BECKNER / STAFF
And if you happen to strike up a conversation with White about anything, the topic will soon turn to downtown Greenville. It’s an obvious passion – White calls it his “only hobby” – and permeates his obvious enthusiasm about the crown jewel that has been his decades-long personal focus. White has spearheaded such projects as the removal of the Camperdown Bridge and creation of Falls Park, the restoration of the Poinsett Hotel and Court Street and the wooing of new retail such as Mast General Store and a baseball stadium to downtown. White, a Greenville native, says his goal is for Greenville to be known as “the most beautiful and livable city in America.” His interest in government dates back to his tenure as student body president at Greenville High School. He served as a campaign manager for former S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell before winning election to the Greenville City Council in 1983. In addition to serving as the city’s mayor (a part-time position) since 1995, White is also a partner at the law firm Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, where he heads the firm’s immigration and customs practices. UBJ recently sat down with White for a conversation.
residents support it and that’s not always true in other areas.
>> encouraging. It’s about connecting people together and helping with opportunities they might not know about. I can also be a good sounding board. I check on projects constantly to make sure we’re meeting deadlines. It’s the people who have started the businesses and have made the investments that have made downtown Greenville a success. Who was your mentor or role model? I’ve always been interested in government and politics and working through the political world early on. In ninth grade, I worked as campaign manager for Carroll Campbell. He lost that year, but I was his sole campaign worker and ended up forming an ongoing relationship with him and ended up serving in Washington,
“The mayor role can be creative. You can see what you produce and offer vision and encouragement towards that vision. That’s exciting stuff.” KNOX WHITE
D.C., with him while he was in Congress. A lot of the way I manage my political world, I attribute to him.
Any future political ambitions? No, not really. I was the GOP nominee for Congress in 1988. I came back from D.C., and as interested as I am in politics, the mayor role changed me pretty profoundly. Now, I tolerate the politics, but I’m far more interested in the gover-
nance and the role of the city and mayor. Urban design and architecture are truly my passion, with pedestrian friendly streets and green spaces. As mayor, being part-time, I need to be careful how I spend my time, and I decided early on that I wasn’t going to travel to meetings in Washington and national conferences. Instead, I spend my additional time when I leave the city on areas of urban planning and architecture to learn the best practices of urban development. I think it’s important to spend time on the things that you can apply to your city to make it more successful.
What’s the best aspect of your role as mayor? The mayor role can be creative. You can see what you produce and offer vision and encouragement towards that vision. That’s exciting stuff. By educating myself – reading books, attending seminars and talking to people in the urban planning field – I gained confidence over time that I can do this. I keep a copy of Jane Jacobs’ book on urban planning [“The Death and Life of Great American Cities”] on my desk all the time. Most great cities have mayors who take an active role and act as a spokesperson for good urban design. If we don’t speak up, then who will? You’ve got to take that role.
Looking forward 10, 15, 20 years, where do you see the city headed?
Mayor Knox White checks out one of the bikes that will be available for use through the Greenville B-Cycle bike-sharing program during a press conference late last year.
We have to keep moving the ball forward and keep focusing on quality. We can’t stand still. I think our biggest quality is the [Reedy] river. It’s what distinguishes us; it’s our Greenville brand to the world. It’s safe and clean and has a good mixed use of development. We need to keep moving upriver around the Kroc Center and build a new park area as part of the new Westside planning. The west side has always sort of been Greenville’s backyard, but that’s really the next area we need to focus on. We also need to focus on corridors such as Pete Hollis Boulevard, Augusta Road and Stone Avenue and take some of the same philosophies that we did with downtown and apply them to those areas. Even with sign ordinances and design standards, we still have a ways to go with that.
THE BASICS:
KNOX WHITE ALMA MATER: Wake Forest University and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
FAMILY: Married to Marsha Pittman White. Son Knox Jr. is studying film and literature at NYU. Daughter Marian is a columnist for BostInno, an online newspaper in Boston. FAVORITE MEETING PLACE: “There are some hidden areas, secret nooks in the Poinsett Hotel that are great places for private meetings away from City Hall.” HOBBIES: “It really is the city of Greenville. I ride through the neighborhoods and walk around the city with my notebook. I also keep a bike at City Hall and ride on the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail.” ON THE NIGHT STAND: “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: “Former mayor [Harry] Luthi told me ‘to resist the temptation to make up your mind too fast.’ Another piece of advice that I got was ‘you never know where your next best idea will come from.’” WORST ADVICE: “Sometimes elected officials – others; not me or the current City Council – can have a circle-the-wagon mentality and get a detached, us-against-them attitude. That’s a bad habit that some people can get into and I make sure that we don’t fall into that.” GREATEST SOURCE OF PRIDE: Falls Park – “it’s just stunning.” FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: “I’ve been to China 12-15 times over the past 15 years and really enjoy the people and have made some great friendships there.” WHAT WOULD YOU BE IN ANOTHER LIFE? “Probably a landscape architect or developer.”
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 23
UBJ THE FINE PRINT RJ Rockers to Land at GSP RJ Rockers, a Spartanburg-based microbrewery, will bring local beverages and food to passengers inside a newly renovated Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), the airport announced this week. The addition of RJ Rockers will be part of a four-year, $115 million renovation effort dubbed WINGSPAN, which kicked off in June 2012. WINGSPAN is the second-largest renovation and expansion effort since the airport opened in 1961. The airport has already announced plans to put a Thomas Creek Grill in each concourse. “By including Thomas Creek Grill and RJ Rockers, both hometown brewers, in the lineup of new vendors, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport proves it is truly a product of local talent,” said a post on the WINGSPAN blog at elevatingtheupstate.com.
The Blood Connection Names New CEO The board of trustees for The Blood Connection Inc. recently named Delisa K. English as the new president and CEO. English formerly served as the CEO of the Carolinas Blood Region with the American Red Cross (ARC). She will replace CEO Greg Hart after he retires on Jan. 5, 2014. “TBC’s heritage of visionary leadership, ushered in by Gene Erickson and continued by Greg Hart, brought more than three decades of outstanding mission fulfillment, growth and success to the organization,” said Scott Pietras, board chair-
Hub City Co-op Receives $15,000 From IRDC Hub City Cooperative announced that the Innovative Rural Development Corporation has invested $15,000 in preferred shares in the co-op. “An investment in the Hub City Cooperative represents the IRDC’s commitment to its mission of creating a stronger, healthier region by supporting initiatives surrounding agriculture,” said Erin Ouzts of the IRDC in a release. “There are many ways to support a community and the IRDC has chosen the Hub City Cooperative for the pilot project because of its reach into so many areas: an additional place to buy local
products, increased access to healthy foods every day for everyone, a grocery store to anchor downtown Spartanburg and the jobs and local investment that will grow from there. Plus, this will be the first retail food co-op grocery in South Carolina – another great way for Spartanburg to lead the way.” The cooperative announced a startup campaign in April 2013, and has secured over a half million dollars. It seeks to raise an additional $275,000 in preferred shares and owner loans to close the campaign. The cooperative has more than 1,070 owners.
man for The Blood Connection, in a release. “We chose Delisa English to succeed Greg because of her extensive experience in the blood banking industry, and because we recognized her leadership style would continue that exceptional heritage.” English began her career in blood banking with ARC Biomedical Services. From 1997 through 2004, she directed plasma services, and then moved to an operations role for ARC’s Southwest Blood Services Region in Tulsa, Okla.
PTG Sales Up Nearly 1000% Palmetto Technology Group (PTG) announced nearly 1,000 percent growth in the first six months of the year over the previous fiscal year. The company also added Microsoft Dynamics CRM to its service portfolio. “We’ve seen tremendous growth at PTG and attribute a good percentage to cloud services. This surge in the cloud from area businesses has allowed PTG to add 10 new employees
and contributed to our recognition from Microsoft as Cloud Partner of the Year,” said Reed Wilson, PTG president, in a release. “And to continue this momentum and drive growth into the next fiscal year, we’ve also further diversified our service offerings to include Microsoft Dynamics CRM.”
Elliott Davis Expands Richmond Office Elliott Davis LLC recently announced that Valderas & Fishel PC and VanHuss & Associates PLLC have combined their firms and will join the Richmond office of Elliott Davis. Both Valderas & Fishel and VanHuss & Associates have served the Richmond community for many years, and the combined firms will add eight people to the Elliott Davis
service team in Richmond. VanHuss & Associates specializes in tax planning and personal and business consulting developed through a history of guiding individuals, companies and organizations to achieve valuable goals. Employees of Valderas & Fishel
have worked in national firms, the Internal Revenue Service, major corporate environments and closely held businesses and they focus on providing CFO services, business valuations and tax consulting. Elliott Davis also plans to continue expansion of its Richmond office by hiring experienced professionals and entry-level candidates.
Proterra Sells 10 Electric Buses to TARC Proterra Inc., the leading provider of zero-emission battery electric transit solutions, recently announced the sales of 10 buses and two charging stations to The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) in Louisville, Ky. Proterra’s Greenville manufacturing facility will produce the buses in early 2014 with the expected delivery later that year.
24 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
The Proterra-produced buses will replace the agency’s Toonerville II Trolleys, which operate free in downtown Louisville’s business
district. TARC currently serves 15 million customers annually with its current fleet of more than 220 buses and trolleys, which runs 41 routes in five counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana. In addition, Proterra recently announced several new sales, with the company’s last three orders to transit systems coming from repeat customers.
G
UBJ THE TAKEAWAY
By Claire Rozeman, Smoak Public Relations
‘We’re in the Customer Service Business’
G
Gov. Haley shows her support for S.C. small businesses
GOV. NIKKI HALEY’S PRESENTATION CONCLUDED the first-ever Successful Entrepreneurship Series. Leighton Cubbage, chairman of Serrus Capital Partners, introduced her, saying “Gov. Haley embodies servant leadership and believes in growing business in South Carolina. She sees that Serrus Capital Partners is creating jobs, and she wants to keep that momentum going. As busy as she is, it’s astonishing that she traveled to Greenville to speak to a room of 75 local entrepreneurs.” EVENT: Successful Entrepreneurship Series Presentation
WHO WAS THERE: 75 members of the inaugural Successful Entrepreneurship Series SPEAKER: The Honorable Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina TOPIC: Small Businesses Driving Growth in S.C. During her presentation, the governor recounted the story of her exposure to entrepreneurialism at an early age and how she aims to support small businesses operating in South Carolina.
“MY PARENTS DIDN’T WANT ME TO KNOW LIMITATIONS OF AGE OR GENDER.” After leaving India and immigrating to the United States, Haley’s family began running a small business out of their home. Thirty years later, that small business had morphed into a multimillion-dollar company. Her parents always stressed the importance of customer service and never limited her involvement in the company, allowing her to take care of
the company’s books at age 13.
“IN SOUTH CAROLINA, WE’RE IN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE BUSINESS.” Haley still believes in the power of great customer service. In 2011, she implemented a policy requiring government employees to answer the phone saying, “It’s a great day in South Carolina.” But she said the important part of that greeting was what came next: “How may I help you?” She encourages leaders to learn more by going where they’re uncomfortable – and if they don’t know something, the best way to learn is to listen.
“WHAT I LOVE ABOUT ENTREPRENEURS IS THAT THEY’RE SURVIVORS. WE SURVIVE, AND WE WIN. AND WE WIN BECAUSE WE’RE CREATIVE.” Haley says her that while building her team, she surrounded herself with smart people who aren’t afraid to try things. She encourages them to experiment, and be creative when developing solutions. That creativity has led to 18,500 people coming off of welfare in the past several months and being placed into jobs with a 94 percent retention rate.
“NEW JOBS MAKE A TOWN. YOU SEE MAGIC HAPPEN WHEN YOU
GOV. HALEY MEETING ATTENDEES.
PUT JOBS IN PLACE.” Haley keeps a state map on a bulletin board in her office with pins indicating where jobs have been created. And while bringing big businesses to the state is essential, she also recognizes that 95 percent of South Carolina’s economy is made up of small businesses. Her goal is for the supply chains of those large businesses to be made up of local companies that can provide necessary products and services.
“MY CUSTOMERS ARE MY CONSTITUENTS AND MY BUSINESSES.” Haley says the way in which she sets goals and implements initiatives in South Carolina is no different from how owners run their businesses every day. When large businesses relocate or build facilities in our state, Haley gives the CEO her personal cellphone number. She is a firm proponent of following up without being pushy, and tells CEOs that after a
Photo Provided
year, they’ll say relocating to South Carolina was the best decision they’ve ever made. She says every single CEO has agreed. At the conclusion of the governor’s presentation, Cubbage announced a future Successful Entrepreneurship Series for 2014. Anyone interested can visit Successful-Entrepreneurship.com for more information. An evolution of Ecoplosion, the Successful Entrepreneurship series is a program developed by industry influencers and experts. The series’ curriculum aims to inspire innovation and encourage individuals to develop ventures that benefit the community. Thought leaders representing a continuum of markets share their experiences, testimony and insight, and offer proven advice on how to successfully foster business ventures. Topics include marketing, social media, financial and accounting basics, human resources, leadership and international business. For more information, visit Successful-Entrepreneurship.com.
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 25
UBJ SQUARE FEET
Collins Place Plans Move Ahead After Changes By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
A new home subdivision between South Pleasantburg Drive and Parkins Mill Road is moving forward after some major changes. Original plans submitted to the city Planning Commission called for 12 homes to be built on 6.39 acres at 1140 Parkins Mill Road. After input from the planning commission and nearby homeowners, the property will now have only five homesites with 1-acre lots. “Most unique is the effort being made to save as many trees as possible,” says Bob Morgan from C. Dan Joyner, who will be representing
Hollison Homes on the marketing and resale of the development. “We want this to be a positive development for the neighbors and the city.” Morgan says that having lot sizes near 1 acre in the city allows the builder to “preserve some of the beautiful trees and landscaping on the actual build sites.” Pines and underbrush being removed for the road will be replaced with large and lush landscaping buffers to “protect privacy and add appeal to Collins Place.”
PARKINS MILL ROAD
G ASANTBUR
SOUTH PLE
Site Plan Provided by FRF. Map courtesy of Google.
DRIVE
Hollison Homes is the exclusive builder for the new subdivision and is expecting the first custom-built home to begin construction in the summer of 2014. There is an existing home on the property that will be demolished as well.
FedEx Center Underway in Spartanburg By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
A
new multimillion, 254,000 SF FedEx Ground Packaging System distribution center is underway in Spartanburg County that is expected to bring several hundred jobs to the area. The 59-acre development off I-85 on Falling Creek Road is currently under construction and expected to be completed in December 2014.
SunCap Property Group, a Charlotte-based company who is developing the site, has already completed several dozen of these distribution centers across the U.S. for FedEx. Flint McNaughton, principal at SunCap, says that “Spartanburg is a dynamic market and we are thrilled to be doing our first development [for FedEx] in the area.”
26 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
Jesse Bull, a spokesperson for FedEx, says that the company is currently in its quiet period before its earnings release. “Our quiet period
began on Nov. 15 and runs until Dec. 18 when we report our second quarter earnings,” said Bull. “Due to this fact, unfortunately, we are unable to give forward-looking statements, which include comments on real estate matters.” Bull says a statement will be issued after Dec. 18 on the project.
UBJ SQUARE FEET
Trinity Partners Expands Into Greenville By Sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Trinity Partners, a North Caroli-
Trinity Partners. “We’ve watched it grow for years, and we’re excited to be a part of its growth and everything it has to offer.” Trinity Partners leases and manages over 10 million SF of office, industrial and retail space across the Carolinas. The firm plans to continue its strategic growth across the region, and recently hired industry veteran Adam Colvin to serve as managing partner to guide the expansion. The firm’s sister company, investment firm Trinity Capital Advisors, previously owned a 746,000 SF industrial facility in Mauldin from 2007 through early 2013 before selling it to the building’s largest tenant.
PATEWOOD & BROOKFIELD OFFICE PARK
My daughters have an Elf on the Shelf named Peppermint Stick. Every night in December, Peppermint Stick flies to the North Pole and reports to Santa about the girls’ behavior. Each morning, he is back at our house in a new location to gather more important information. Many families have Elves on the Shelf and they are critical to the success of Santa as he compiles his naughty and nice list.
LEE YARBOROUGH
Businesses also have a need for elves to gather knowledge about employees. What is your company doing to gather this data?
As businesses grow, the need to gather and document information on employee behavior and performance is critical. Technology is a huge tool in this endeavor. There are many Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) which can organize employee demographics, evaluations, skills, accomplishments and salaries. The data that these systems can manage are vital for companies in growth mode. A good HRIS is a worthwhile investment and an easy solution for storing pertinent data in one secure location. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms are also another tool to monitor employee performance. While a CRM is meant to manage the interactions with customers, managers can also monitor the CRM to evaluate employees. Is everyone using the system consistently? Are client issues resolved timely? Is client communication stored in the system? CRMs offer great dashboards and reporting features which should be used in employee performance appraisals. Of course, don’t forget traditional technology. While emails and texts are used casually, we must be careful because any electronically stored information can be used in litigation or investigations. Review with your staff the company guidelines for what is acceptable in company correspondence. Your business may be liable for emails or other data that your employees may post. How are you monitoring these conversations? Do you know your true exposure? As the population has increased, Santa has outsourced his naughty and nice list to his elves. Like Santa, it is time that you also consider outsourcing some of your employee management tools.
669 N. Academy Street, Greenville, SC 864.679.6055 | 800.446.6567 | www.propelhr.com Map courtesy of Google.
M43A
na-based commercial real estate firm, will be opening its first South Carolina location later this month at 30 Patewood Drive in Greenville. The Greenville office is expected to manage a 700,000 SF office portfolio recently purchased by Garrison Investment Group in Greenville’s Patewood and Brookfield Office Parks. Heather Thompson, director of property management, and her team will open the Greenville office Dec. 16 with plans to hire additional staff to support the new assignment. Plans also include hiring a managing partner for the Greenville office and growing the Greenville service platform to offer investment sales, land sales, leasing services and tenant representation. “We love the Greenville area,” said Gary Chesson, founding partner of
Even Santa Outsources
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 27
New hires, promotions & award winners can be featured in On The Move. Send information & photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
UBJ ON THE MOVE HIRED
HIRED
HIRED
HONORED
previously a staff writer for The Greenville News and is a 1998 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he majored in print journalism.
HOSPITALITY:
Joseph Kramer
Mark Masachi
Brook Guinn
Dr. Dev Vaz
Joined VisitGreenvilleSC as vice president of sales. Kramer comes to Greenville from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he had served as the director of sales and marketing for the Bonaventure Resort & Spa since 2010.
Joined Colliers International as brokerage associate in the Greenville office. Masaschi is a graduate of Brevard College and Clemson University. Prior to joining Colliers International, he served as managing partner for D&M Holdings LLC.
Hired as staff accountant at Greyrock Accounting. Guinn has over 20 years of accounting experience and spent the last six years between two food distribution companies as the staff accountant and senior accountant. She earned her degree in accounting from Auburn University.
Named 2013 Physician of the Year by the South Carolina Home Care & Hospice Association. The award honors dedication in promoting healing, extending life and alleviating suffering. Vaz is a cardiologist with Greenville Health System’s Carolina Cardiology Consultants.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT:
Encore! Some things are just so good, you want to experience them again. Join us in December for two of our most popular talks from our big conference this past March. Tues., Dec. 17, 6:00-7:30pm Followed by reception with cash bar Zen Greenville, 924 S. Main Street Thank you to our sponsors!
Admission is free, but registration is required. Visit www.tedxgreenville.com/salons to register or for more information. 28 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Lindsey Smith as administrative assistant. Smith is a graduate of Lee University. She most recently worked in a supervisory/administrative role with the Early Autism Project.
CONSTRUCTION/ENGINEERING: Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of the Upstate recently hired Erica M. Rhodes as the company’s senior accountant. Rhodes has more than seven years of experience as a tax manager and senior accountant in manufacturing, retail and tax services. She has an MBA from Johnson and Wales University.
EDUCATION: Clemson University’s College of Engineering and Science recently welcomed Paul Alongi as a technical and features writer. Alongi was
The Rick Erwin Dining Group recently hired Alexandra S. Hackett as beverage director and sommelier at Rick’s Deli and Market. Hackett previously worked for High Cotton, most recently as manager of its Greenville restaurant. She was accredited as a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers and serves on the board of directors for the S.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association. Sarah Locke was hired as special events coordinator. Locke previously owned a wedding planning business and worked in corporate event planning for both the Westin Poinsett and Cliffs Communities.
INSURANCE: Rosenfeld Einstein recently welcomed Kenneth Cole as an employee benefits consultant. Cole brings over 15 years of experience in consultative sales and customer support to the Rosenfeld Einstein team, much of it in the healthcare arena.
TECHNOLOGY: Engenius recently welcomed David Dannelly as client engagement specialist. Dannelly earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in 2012 and his MBA from Clemson University in 2013.
When you are done reading this paper, please recycle it.
UBJ NEW TO THE STREET 1
1. Cardinal Commercial Properties recently opened with broker-in-charge Robert L. Brissie Jr. The company works with office, retail, industrial, land, income-producing real estate, multifamily, tax-deferred exchange, and sale leaseback. For more information, visit cardinalcommercialproperties.net or call 864-414-2426. 2. Internet marketing company Full Media recently opened their third office at 32 S. Main St. in Greenville. For more information, visit fullmedia.com or call 864-241-2007.
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3. Lockhart Power Company and its parent company, Pacolet Milliken Enterprises Inc., recently announced the opening of the power company’s new corporate office building located at 416 River St. in Lockhart, adjacent to the company’s former office facility. The 6,600-square-foot office building provides three distinct functions: new administrative offices, a new customer-service center and a company meeting room. For more information, visit pacoletmilliken.com.
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4. Harvest Hope Food Bank’s Emergency Food Pantry recently held a ribbon-cutting at 2818 White Horse Road in Greenville. The EFP opening took nearly six years and $1.2 million to become a reality. The pantry will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, visit harvesthope.org or call 864-281-3995.
December 13, 2013 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL 29
UBJ PLANNER MONDAY DECEMBER 16 GCS ROUNDTABLE The Office Center at the Point, 33 Market Point Drive, Greenville; 8:30-9:30 a.m. SPEAKER: John Perkins, attorney TOPIC: The Power of Networking Call Golden Career Strategies at 864-5270425 to request an invitation
TUESDAY DECEMBER 17 GREENVILLE CHAMBER’S HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS NETWORK’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY EVENT Greenville Chamber of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville;
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Greer; 4-6 p.m.
CONTACT: Julie Alexander at 864-2393754 or jalexander@ greenvillechamber.org
Light refreshments, beer, and wine will be served.
GREENVILLE (DOWNTOWN) ROTARY MEETING Westin Poinsett Hotel, 120 S. Main St., Greenville; noon INFORMATION: greenvillerotary.org TOASTMASTERS BILINGUE University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Auditorium Room 204, Greenville; noon-1 p.m. CONTACT: Jeff Alfonso at jeff@ alfonsointerpreting.com SC WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PAJAMA PARTY BMW Zentrum, 1400 Hwy. 101,
ADMISSION: Bring sleepwear for Upstate Domestic Violence victims and their dependents. RSVP: janet@scwbc.net INFORMATION: Call 864-244-4117 BUILDU PM Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce, 211 N. Main St., Simpsonville; 5-6 p.m. SPEAKER: John Furnell, KeyPoint Training TOPIC: Developing Leadership Skills COST: Free to Simpsonville Chamber members, $5 for non-members CONTACT: Allison McGarity at amcgarity@ simpsonvillechamber.com HOLIDAY MEET AND GREET The Springs at Simpsonville, 214 E. Curtis St., Simpsonville; 5-7 p.m. COST: Free CONTACT: Jennifer Richardson at jrichardson@
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 PHOTOGRAPHER Greg Beckner ART & PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR / LAYOUT & DESIGN Kristy M. Adair PRODUCTION MANAGER Holly Hardin ADVERTISING DESIGN Michael Allen, Whitney Fincannon
30 UPSTATE BUSINESS JOURNAL December 13, 2013
simpsonvillechamber.com
TEDXGREENVILLE SALON
of Commerce, 24 Cleveland St., Greenville; 2-3:30 p.m. CONTACT: Tripp James at tjames@ greenvillechamber.org or 864-239-3728
COST: $15 for Simpsonville Chamber members, $25 for non-members CONTACT: Allison McGarity at amcgarity@ simpsonvillechamber.com
Zen, 924 S. Main St., Greenville; 6-7:30 p.m.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
SPEAKERS: Knox White, Mayor of Greenville; Thomas Riddle, educator
Hampton Inn, 3934 Grandview Drive, Simpsonville; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
TOPICS: Discovering Your City’s Personality; Imagineering Education COST: Free CONTACT: salons@ tedxgreenville.com UPSTATE PC USERS GROUP Five Forks Baptist Church, 112 Batesville Road, Simpsonville; 7:30-9:30 p.m. INFORMATION: A small informal PC users’ group to help cut through the confusion of today’s computers and software with real-world information and answers.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18 SALES ROUNDTABLE Greenville Chamber
TECH AFTER FIVE – GREENVILLE Carolina Ale House, 113 S. Main St., Greenville; 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free to GSA Technology Council members. REGISTER: techafterfive.com.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 19 BUILDU Events at Sapphire Creek, 401 N. Main St., Simpsonville; 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. SPEAKER: Greg Blake, Pepworks International TOPIC: Positively Encourage Professionals in the Workplace
MARKETING & ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES Lori Burney, Kristin Hill, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Pam Putman MARKETING & EVENTS Kate Banner DIGITAL STRATEGIST Emily Price
Copyright @2013 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published weekly by Community Journals LLC. P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, South Carolina 29602. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (52 issues) can be purchased for $65. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P.O. Box 2266, Greenville, South Carolina 29602. All content is written, designed and produced locally. Printed in the USA.
COST: Free to attend Open to members of Simpsonville, Fountain Inn and Mauldin Chambers of Commerce. CONTACT: Jennifer Richardson at jrichardson@ simpsonvillechamber.com
GOT A HOT DATE? Contribute to our Planner by submitting event information for consideration to events@upstate business journal.com
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS: ideas@ upstatebusinessjournal.com
EVENTS: events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com
NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AWARDS: onthemove@ upstatebusinessjournal.com
UBJ SNAPSHOT
HISTORIC PHOTOS PROVIDE D
Before the advent of home washers and dryers, commercial laundries eased the burden of home wash days. The Ideal Laundry and Cleaner’s main plant was located on Buncombe Street at the corner of Echols Street. At small pickup and delivery branches throughout the city, curb service was available to the customer. Home pickup and delivery was also available. Shortly after the conclusion of the Main Street Christmas parade on Nov. 19, 1946, an explosion rocked downtown Greenville that many thought was an earthquake. A propane gas explosion completely destroyed the Ideal Laundry building and 10 surrounding houses. Several nearby business were also damaged in the explosion. Some laundry employees were still in the building. Six were killed and 120 injured by the blast.
Today the site of the Ideal Laundry plant is vacant.
Historic photo available from the Greenville Historical Society. CURRENT PHOTO BY GREG BECKNER / STAFF
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765 Haywood Road, Greenville, SC 29607 864-297-6458