INSIDE // RADIO RAMIFICATIONS | NEW BREWS ON HAYWOOD | A BOWL OF GUMBO RAMEN?
DECEMBER 8, 2017 | VOL. 6 ISSUE 49
TOMMY PIKE IS BREAKING INTO THE BUSINESS OF REBUILDING CARS Tommy Pike of Tommy Pike Customs. Photo by Will Crooks
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TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
| THE RUNDOWN
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 49 Featured this issue: Bosch Group’s $152M expansion..................................................................................8 Asian-Cajun restaurant opens in former Green Room.......................................14 The cybersecurity dilemma of driverless cars.......................................................15
For over two decades, Roper Mountain Holiday Lights has been a beloved Christmastime tradition for families across the Upstate. Made possible by the Roper Mountain Science Center and the Rotary Club of Greenville, the event requires more than 900 volunteers and 7,000 hours to put up the lights, staff the event, and take down the displays at the end of the season. Due to declining attendance over the past five years, the program is being shut down after this holiday season. Read more in this week’s Greenville Journal. Photo by Will Crooks
WORTH REPEATING “Our police and military haven’t been treated well lately. If there’s something we can do for them, we’re going to do it.” Page 10
“The Carolinas continue to be a hotbed of activity for the craft beer industry with Greenville as one of the more prominent cities within that fold.” Page 13
“One day, automobile-based malware could allow criminals, terrorists, or hostile governments to take active control of your car and use it for whatever they want.” Page 15
VERBATIM
On tax reform “Today, we are one step closer to starting the New Year off with a tax code that the American people both need and deserve. American families will get a better deal under #TaxReform. #SmallBiz owners will have an easier time expanding and creating jobs. This is much needed reform!” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., in a tweet, on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which the Senate passed Dec. 2.
12.8.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
Germany-based freight forwarder Senator International plans to increase its number of flights between Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.
AEROSPACE
Senator International’s transatlantic service brings growth to GSP during first year TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com The Upstate’s “Atlantic Bridge” to Germany will soon expand. Senator International plans to increase its number of direct round-trip cargo flights between Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) and Frankfurt-Hahn Airport from two per week to three in early 2018. “It has been a real success,” said Tim-Oliver Kirschbaum, co-chairman and CEO of Senator International, during a visit Wednesday, Nov. 29, to GSP in celebration of the one-year anniversary of his Hamburg, Germany-based freight forwarding company’s transatlantic cargo service. “This is mainly because of loyal customers that have joined the party,” Kirschbaum added, “and an extremely motivated team that we have here at the airport. … We’re very proud of what we have achieved.” Via the service, Senator International transports a range of industrial products, including whole vehicles, aboard its Boeing 747-400F aircraft. The operation at GSP is based in a 17,600-square-foot warehouse beside the airport’s south cargo ramp. 4
UBJ | 12.8.2017
Senator International has additional space for some related operations in about half of Spartanburg-based Johnson Development Associates’ more than 362,000-square-foot building at 769 Flatwood Industrial Drive in Spartanburg County. At GSP, the commercial division of the airport’s new self-run fixed-base operator Cerulean Aviation provides ground services for Senator International. Officials said during the service’s first year, it registered 109 international flights that exported about 8.5 million pounds and imported around 17.5 million pounds of cargo. Goods are loaded onto one of Senator International’s Boeing 747-400f aircraft at GSP. “We’re here to really celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Senator Atlantic Bridge,” said Dave Edwards, president and CEO of GSP. “It has been a great first year. I won’t say it has been easy. Along the way, I think we all have learned together how to deal with this operation.” GSP and Senator International officials said the service could have an annual economic impact of $50 million on the Upstate. Edwards said the airport is already moving forward with plans to increase its ability to accommodate more cargo volume.
GSP is currently in design for a new cargo apron and taxiway that would be located on 10 acres to the south of the FedEx center at the northern end of the airport’s runway. The $15 million project is anticipated to go out to bid in spring 2018, Edwards said. Construction should begin by the summer of next year, with completion expected by summer 2019. The new apron will be able to simultaneously accommodate two 747s (maybe three) and several smaller aircraft. Edwards said GSP also plans to issue a proposal request during the next 30 days for a new 100,000-square-foot cargo facility that will have access to Gateway Drive, Highway 101, and Brockman McClimon Road. Both projects should be under construction during the same time period, he said. The target completion for the warehouse facility is in 2019. “It’s very important for the future growth of cargo [at GSP] and the future growth of businesses here in the Upstate,” Edwards said. “In the end, all of that equates to economic impact for our community – good jobs, high-paying jobs that we all want to have going forward, and growing existing business and bringing new business to the community.”
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COMMUNICATIONS
C L E M S O N
M B A
P R O G R A M
CBS Radio-Entercom merger will lead to little change in the Upstate M.A. CLARK
The biggest change, Kramer said,
Special to the Upstate Business Journal will be in the addition of potential After announcing a merger creating one of the largest radio station groups in the country, CBS Radio and Entercom Corp. have become one. Entercom is the owner and operator of 106.3 FM WORD, B 93.7 FM, Classic Rock 101.1 FM, Magic 98.9 FM, 93.3 The Planet, ESPN Upstate, and The Block in the Upstate. The merger with CBS Radio makes Entercom the owner of 235 radio stations in 48 markets across the country, including 23 of the top 25 markets. While the merger creates a wider footprint for Pennsylvania-based Entercom, company COO Weezie Kramer said listeners will only continue to get the content and programming they have been accustomed to. Kramer said the merger will open up the company’s sports platform as Entercom now owns the rights to 45 professional teams like the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the New England Patriots, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Golden State Warriors. Entercom Upstate has the broadcasting rights to the Clemson Tigers and the Carolina Panthers. “We own the CBS Sports Radio Network with syndicated content that airs over 300-plus stations,” Kramer said.
advertising opportunities as the Entercom reach stretches from Anchorage, Alaska, to Gainesville, Fla. Kramer said the company now has “that local connection with national scale.” “Our new scale with our hyperlocal approach allows for a major national retailer to customize their nationwide offering to fit the needs and lifestyle of the consumers in Upstate,” Kramer said. “This is a very interesting proposition for national clients, especially if it’s one-stop shopping with multiplatform opportunities, like digital, events, and other on-theground activations in local markets.” Entercom did divest itself of 16 radio stations in Boston, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Seattle to meet regulatory approval. The transaction was completed after the exchange offer for CBS shareholders to swap shares of CBS Class B common stock for shares of CBS Radio expired. CBS Radio shares automatically converted to Entercom shares. “We look forward to capitalizing on our unique positions in sports, news, music, podcasting, live events, digital, and more to provide outstanding experiences for our listeners and compelling integrated marketing opportunities for our advertisers,” said David Field, president and CEO of Entercom Corp., in a news release.
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TECHNOLOGY
Former Iron Yard leaders to launch new coding school in Greenville ANDREW MOORE | STAFF
amoore@communityjournals.com Four months after The Iron Yard announced its decision to close, two of the company’s former executives, including founder and CEO Peter Barth, plan to open a new coding school in downtown Greenville. The school, also known as Carolina Code School, will offer a 12-week, full-time web development immersive course to prepare college students and working professionals for a career in software development – no coding experience required.
The course, which costs $13,999, will be offered six times a year and accommodate up to 20 students per cohort. Those accepted into the course will study the basics of front-end and back-end web development for eight weeks and then focus on a programming language (Java, JavaScript, Ruby, etc.) of their choice. “Our goal is to prepare students with the skills they need for careers in software development,” said Barth. “We’re not only going to teach them the basics of coding. We’re going to make sure they can actually apply what they’ve learned outside of the classroom.”
He added that students who complete the course will have the opportunity to enter a career support program, which provides four additional weeks of curriculum along with support throughout the career search process. Financing will be available. Carolina Code School plans to open its doors and start training students in early 2018, according to Barth. The course will be held at the NEXT Innovation Center at 411 University Ridge. An online application will be available at carolinacodeschool.org once the school receives licensing from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
The school is the first of several economic development programs organized by Build Carolina, a Greenville-based nonprofit “dedicated to building talent initiatives to support innovative companies across the Carolinas.” Barth launched the nonprofit earlier this year and currently serves on the board of directors alongside Eric Dodd, former chief marketing officer at The Iron Yard, and John Moore, CEO of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s NEXT program. Leila King, former director of communications at The Iron Yard, has been hired to serve as executive director.
From left to right: Peter Barth, Leila King, and John Moore. Photo by Will Crooks. 6
UBJ | 12.8.2017
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
“ Our goal is to prepare students with the skills they need for careers in software development. We’re not only going to teach them the basics of coding. We’re going to make sure they can actually apply what they’ve learned outside of the classroom.” Peter Barth
“We’re going to launch several things over the next year or so. But our current focus is the coding school,” said Barth. “When we announced the closing of The Iron Yard, there wasn’t a single coding school in the area that could provide the same caliber of education. I knew we had to do something to fill that gap.” Barth launched The Iron Yard, a Greenville-based technology education company, as a startup accelerator out of the NEXT Innovation Center in 2012. But it quickly became one of the nation’s largest coding schools, once boasting between 20 and 25 campuses. In July, the company announced it would cease operations and permanently close by the end of the year. The Iron Yard offered little explanation in a blog post but said the board decided to shut down after “considering the current environment.” While Barth couldn’t speak about the board’s decision to close The Iron Yard, he suggested the company was strained by the cost of operating numerous campuses across the country while promoting a new model of education. Apollo Education Group, the parent company behind the University of Phoenix, acquired a 62 percent interest of The Iron Yard in 2015 for $15.9 million. In recent years, the company has faced financial issues due to declining enrollment and lawsuits. In the first quarter of 2017, for instance, Apollo reported a net revenue of $484.5 million, compared with $586 million in the first quarter of 2016. Vistria Group, a Chicago-based private-equity firm, purchased Apollo in February for more than $1.1 billion. It wasn’t long after the acquisition that The Iron Yard announced the closure of its operations in Columbia, S.C.; Salt Lake City; Cincinnati; Minneapolis; and San Antonio. The consolidation left the company with only 15 campuses across the country. But, where The Iron Yard failed, Carolina Code School will excel, said King. “The Iron Yard educated thousands of students over the years. But it also expanded into other markets,” she said. “We have no intention of using an outside investor for Carolina Code School. And we don’t plan to expand beyond the Upstate. Our sole focus is closing the local talent gap before anything else.” King said operating under a nonprofit allows the school to partner with local colleges and universities to ensure that students who graduate from the 12-week course can earn academic credit toward degree or professional certification programs. The Iron Yard, however, argued that software developers didn’t need a college degree to land a job. But when the company closed up shop earlier this year, Barth realized that colleges and universities across the country are teaming up with coding schools or launching their own accelerated coding workshops.
| NEWS
For instance, Bellevue College in Washington partnered with Coding Dojo earlier this year to offer a part-time coding course for students. And Lynn University in South Florida offers nine academic credits to graduate students who successfully complete and graduate from Wyncode Academy’s web development immersive course. Carolina Code School is currently partnering with Greenville Technical College to offer academic credits to students who graduate from the 12-week coding course. It’s also currently working to partner with Furman University. “It takes the commitment of the entire community and innovative opportunities like this partnership to build a talented workforce and to position the Upstate for success,” said Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. “We are pleased to partner with Carolina Code School, which will offer a much-needed pathway to employment in software development and engineering and serve as a key part of the economic growth of our region.” In addition to a coding program, Build Carolina has partnered with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s NEXT program to launch several other economic development initiatives, including an apprenticeship program and innovation fellowship. “We have great momentum when it comes to strengthening our entrepreneurial ecosystem, but our work is far from over. We still have a huge gap when it comes to developing talent, particularly technical talent.” said John Moore, CEO of NEXT. “That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with Build Carolina. These talent initiatives will fill that critical gap and support our early stage ventures as well as existing entrepreneurs, industry partners, and our major companies.”
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Bosch Group announces $152M expansion, 130 new jobs in Anderson County On Friday, Dec. 1, Germany-based Bosch Group announced it will invest $152 million to expand its Anderson County operations and create 130 jobs. The company said the project will provide for the growth of several product lines related to automotive electronic components at its facility at 4421 Highway 81. Hiring for the new positions has already begun and will continue during the next 18 to 24 months, Bosch said. Applicants are asked to visit the company’s careers page online. South Carolina’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to the project. “Having spent eight years of my Bosch career working as the technical plant manager at our Anderson location, I have a special bond with the people at this plant as well as with our local and state governments,” said Mike Mansuetti, president of Bosch North America, in a statement. “I’m very proud that our Anderson location has continued to flourish over the years and is bringing additional jobs to the community,” Mansuetti added. “We appreciate our long relationship with the Anderson County government as well as the S.C. Department of Commerce and look forward to continued cooperation.” Bosch Group said it employs 390,000 people worldwide and is a leading “internet of things” company, offering innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected industry. The group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and about 440 subsidiaries and regional companies in 60 countries.
www.CarltonMB.com (864) UBJ213-8000 | 12.8.2017
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Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales networks cover nearly every country in the world, the company said. “Great things are happening in Anderson County,” said Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen in a statement. “Bosch’s announcement today of an increased investment and expansion reaffirms Anderson County’s unique mix of a skilled, willing workforce and our area’s quality of life. We congratulate Bosch on their continued success and growth as one of Anderson’s great corporate citizens.” –Trevor Anderson
Britt named VP of Spartanburgbased Tindall’s SC division Spartanburg-based Tindall Corp. announced Monday, Nov. 27, the promotion of David Britt to vice president and general manager of its South Carolina division. Britt previously served as vice president of sales for the S.C. division. “We are very pleased to be able to move David into this role,” said Greg Force, president and chief operating officer for Tindall, a leading maker of precast, prestressed concrete products and building systems. “He has a proven track record of success at Tindall, which we are certain will continue with these additional responsibilities.” Britt graduated from Wofford College in 1977. In 1988, he joined Tindall, where he has served in a variety of roles, including vice president of marketing and vice president of sales for the company’s corrections division. Britt has served as a Spartanburg County councilman since 1991. He also serves on the board of Spartanburg’s Economic Futures Group. –Trevor Anderson
2446 Laurens Road Greenville, SC 29607
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Spartanburg’s Downtown Development Partnership hires Bush as analyst Spartanburg’s new Downtown Development Partnership (DDP) on Friday, Dec. 1, announced it has hired Kimberly Bush as an analyst. Bush will be responsible for providing technical assistance and analysis of real estate information, assisting with real estate project due diligence for internal and external parties, and building and maintaining a database of downtown property information. Kimberly Bush She will also help guide digital lead generation strategies for downtown development opportunities, according to the partnership. “Kimberly brings an expertise and consistency to our data processes that is vital to the continued efforts in downtown Spartanburg,” said Jansen Tidmore, executive vice president of DDP, in a statement. “By creating a clean baseline of data, we are able to measure our efforts at a quantitative level in order to maximize our efforts,” Tidmore added. “This type of approach is instrumental for strategic and sustainable growth. We are excited to add another great team member with such a strong skillset and understanding of downtown development.” DDP, which was launched in May, is one of the central recommendations of the community’s economic and cultural development strategy, OneSpartanburg, which kicked off in January. The partnership is an affiliate program of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. –Trevor Anderson
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Founded in 1984, AFL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based Fujikura Ltd.
Spartanburg-based AFL expands global footprint via partnership in India Spartanburg-based fiber optic solutions manufacturer AFL is expanding into India. AFL has partnered with the Bangalore-based startup Citadel Intelligent Systems in the development of a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the city’s Doddanekundi Industrial Area. The companies said under the AFL-CIS partnership, CIS will provide the “manufacturing excellence,” sales, and marketing support. AFL will provide CIS with knowledge engineering, product, application, and engineering support. Jody Gallagher, president and CEO of AFL, said government-led programs in India, including the “Make in India,” “Smart Cities,” and “Digital India” initiatives, have accelerated the demand for high-speed broadband, increased investment in information technology, and telecommunications. “India has evolved as a digitally advanced market,” Gallagher said in a statement. “We believe that our partnership with CIS will open new avenues for us, help in tapping new customer segments and remain competitive in the business.” “AFL’s optical assembly capabilities are recognized for innovation and high performance,” Gallagher added. “Above all, India has the right talent pool, and by manufacturing in India we will be able to provide customization and ‘quick-turn manufacturing’ to support the specific requirements of our customers.” The companies said the partnership will bring many robust fiber distribution and cable management solutions to India, such as the latest fiber cable designs that “address the growing innovation required to manage significant high-fiber count applications within data centers.” The partnership is primarily expected to provide customized fiber optic solutions for hyperscale and data center markets, and harsh environments. “We are delighted to partner with AFL who is among the top three suppliers of hyperscale and data center solutions globally,” said KK Shetty, CEO and managing director of CIS, in a statement. “With our collective industry experience and technical expertise, we are confident of fostering the global optical fiber market with our unparalleled products and solutions.” The companies said the AFL-CIS partnership plans to double its workforce by March 2018. Founded in 1984, AFL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan with operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. –Trevor Anderson 12.8.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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TOMMY PIKE CUSTOMS
CUSTOM BUILT For Tommy Pike, a car is a blank canvas WORDS BY ANDREW MOORE | PHOTOS BY WILL CROOKS
Inside a large machine shop off Rutherford Road, Tommy Pike stood next to a 1937 Dodge pickup truck, now completely restored and customized with a fresh coat of electric blue paint and enough horsepower to win a street race. “There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into this truck,” he explained. “The frame was completely rusted over when I found it.” Last year, Pike was commissioned by Pennzoil Shell to find and restore the classic pickup truck to help celebrate the 80th anniversary of Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Mopar parts and service brand. Now it features a full custom chassis for the body and bed, a fresh set of tires, a 5.7-liter HEMI engine, leather seats, stickers, and more. Pike considers the truck a “career highlight,” but it’s just one of many vehicles that he’s worked on during his time as owner of Tommy Pike Customs. “The industry is full of companies that only work on expensive vehicles. But we’ve never been picky,” he said. “We’ve worked on everything from Ferraris to Jeeps.” Pike’s passion for automobiles can be traced back to his childhood, when he would spend afternoons watching his father tinker with cars. “My dad was an aircraft mechanic, so it was second nature for me to take things apart and put them back together. I actually spent more time breaking my bicycle down than riding it.” Over the years, Pike graduated to cars and even started a small shop in his parent’s garage, offering oil changes and window tinting. After high school, Pike got a full-time job at Automotive Accents, where he performed introductory accessory work. 10
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He purchased the company in 2005 but struggled to turn a profit when customers began buying their accessories from online retailers. That’s when Pike started to shift his company’s focus to restoration and customization services instead. “I knew that we had to take things in a different direction to survive. But I couldn’t bring myself to commit,” Pike said. “My mom was the one who actually convinced me to get into customs. She knew it was going to be an industry, because she watched car shows on television. Luckily, I listened to her and things worked out.” In 2007, Pike decided to relocate the business from North Pleasantburg Drive to a 30,000-square-foot building on Rutherford Road to accommodate growth. Now it houses hundreds of cars on a yearly basis, according to Pike. But Pike doesn’t run the company alone. His wife, Stephanie, helps out and handles the finances. The two met while working on a project to customize and give away a truck for charity when she was with Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Stephanie was in the motor sports industry for years and knows everybody, which helps us in the corporate world,” Pike said. “She’s definitely the brains of the operation.” The duo’s ability to leverage their skills and grow the company has led to numerous corporate partnerships over the years. In 2014, for instance, they partnered with Shell Oil to promote Quaker State, Pennzoil, and Rotella. As a brand ambassador, Tommy Pike Customs not only receives free products on a monthly basis but also gets to participate in special projects. Last year, for instance, Pike
and his team partnered with Quaker State to customize a Dodge RAM 1500 for Jimmy Houston, who was celebrating his 50th anniversary as a professional angler. “Most of these big companies think we don’t have running water or working roads here in South Carolina,” Pike said. “But we’re relevant to their business and really good at getting their product and message out there in front of people.” Pike and his team attend 12 major events a year to showcase their work and demo Shell products. That includes the Motor Trend South Carolina International Auto Show, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals, Pennzoil AutoFair, Coca Cola 600, Quaker State 400, and more. “We don’t go to compete against other shops. We go to build relationships with our customers. That’s probably why we’ve been so successful over the years,” Pike said. “We listen to our customers and know what they want.” But the job hasn’t come without challenges, including a shortage of mechanics and technicians. The New York Times reported earlier this year that there will be over 25,000 unfilled positions in the next five years. Now Pike is working to connect with students at local high schools and community colleges. “I don’t want to see the industry crash and burn, but it’s going to happen if we don’t plan ahead and take action,” Pike said. “I’m talking with Greenville Tech and several other schools to figure out ways to get students out of the classroom. Flipping through a book is helpful, but it’s not going to keep students interested.” Since 2015, Pike has also partnered with Quaker State to serve as a mentor and judge for the Best in Class Challenge. The six-week
INFORMATION TOMMY YOU PIKE WANTCUSTOMS TO KNOW
|| COVER NEWS
“ My dad was an aircraft mechanic, so it was second nature for me to take things apart and put them back together. I actually spent more time breaking my bicycle down than riding it.” ommy Pike, owner of T Tommy Pike Customs
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automotive training competition requires students from five high schools across the country to restore and customize a fourth-generation Ford Mustang. The winning school is given the opportunity to sell their vehicle at the Barrett-Jackson auction in West Palm Beach, Fla. Pike said auction proceeds are donated to the winning school’s automotive training program. Last year, students from Atlanta’s Jordan Vocational High School sold their car for $50,000 before it was donated to a second auction in Connecticut. It was then sold for $65,000 and donated back to another auction. Now Pike and the students will travel to Arizona in January to auction the car off for a third time.
He purchased the company in 2005 but struggled to turn a profit when customers began buying their accessories from online retailers. That’s when Pike started to shift his company’s focus to restoration and customization services instead.
Since 2005, Tommy Pike Customs has restored thousands of vehicles, including a 1937 Dodge pickup truck (top left) and 1966 Chevy Impala Super Sport (bottom). 12
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“Their eagerness to get under the hood and get their hands dirty reminds me a lot of myself at their age,” Pike said. “I have to give so much credit to the instructors of these programs. The guidance, encouragement, and training they provide often go unnoticed or unrecognized. The next generation of enthusiasts are dependent on these programs, and it has been a privilege to partner with them and mentor these students.” As for the future, Pike plans to focus on his company’s newest initiative to provide custom vehicles for law enforcement agencies and veterans. The initiative began last month when Pike and his team unveiled a new recruitment vehicle for the Greenville Police Department at the TD Center. The vehicle, a Ford-F150, will be used to recruit officers and promote the department at community events, parades, and other happenings around the city, according to Chief Ken Miller. “It doesn’t matter what your political views are,” Pike said. “Our police and military haven’t been treated well lately. If there’s something we can do for them, we’re going to do it. They need all the support they can get right now.”
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
ARIEL TURNER | STAFF
aturner@communityjournals.com | Rendering by Bray Architecture
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant to open in former Don Pablo’s near Haywood Mall The cheesesteak egg rolls, hand-cut sweet potato fries, soft pretzel sticks, and Vienna Red Lager residents of the Delaware Valley have enjoyed for 20 years are headed to Greenville this spring. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has announced its first Southern location for 741 Haywood Road in Greenville, in the former Don Pablo’s location next to Barnes & Noble and across from Haywood Mall. Founded by brewers Kevin Finn, Mark Edelson, and restaurateur Kevin Davies in Newark, De., in 1996, the company has signed a lease for the building that has sat vacant since Don Pablo’s closed in February 2016. Iron Hill Greenville will be the first location in the Carolinas region. “The Carolinas continue to be a hotbed of activity for the craft beer industry with Greenville as one of the more prominent cities within that fold,” Finn says. “Our team is thrilled to become part of this vibrant community and assist with its growth through new jobs and a
new place to enjoy great food, great beer, and each other. Our simple philosophy of pairing our craft menu items with our made-from-scratch beer has made us a compelling force in the hospitality industry for over two decades. We look forward to bringing our trademark hospitality to Greenville and to raising a pint with our newly expanded family.” The more than 7,500-square-foot space was designed by Boulder, Co.-based Bray Architecture and will include an on-site brewing facility with a seating capacity of 250 including a bar area and outdoor space. Named after the historic Revolutionary War landmark in Delaware, where General George Washington battled the British, Iron Hill grew from one restaurant and brewery to 13 locations up and down the East Coast, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and now South Carolina. Each brewery/ restaurant has its own craft kitchen and scratch brewery and works to change overall perceptions about brewpubs by being a friendly atmosphere for all age groups.
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NAI Earle Furman’s Multifamily Division closes $60M Carolinas portfolio Greenville-based NAI Earle Furman’s Multifamily Division recently arranged the $60 million sale of Piedmont Plantation and Plantation at Jacksonville, a 612-unit portfolio located respectively in Sumter, S.C., and Jacksonville, N.C. Tony Bonitati, Kay Hill, and Bern DuPree represented the seller, Berkley Hall Construction based out of Greensboro, N.C. Triangle Real Estate of Gastonia acquired both assets in subsequent transactions in November and was not represented in the sale. Piedmont Plantation, constructed in 2007, is a three-story community and consists of 252 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The Plantation at Jacksonville is a three-story community constructed in 2014 and consists of 360 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Both properties feature community amenities such as a pool, fitness center, dog park, playground, and car care center. The properties were fully occupied at the time of sale.
LISTED: Pendleton @ Academy A property on the corner of South Academy and Pendleton streets at the entrance to the Village of West Greenville has been listed by Collett. Included in the listing is a rendering of the proposed redevelopment of an on-site 9,800-square-foot, freestanding building with “historic architecture.” The property also includes 63 onsite parking spaces. Contact Brayden Wynn at 864-752-0304 or Bill Runge at 864-752-0301 for more information.
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SQUARE FEET |
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
ARIEL TURNER | STAFF
aturner@communityjournals.com |
@arielhturner
Wu’s Cajun Sea Food opens in former Green Room space Wu’s Cajun Sea Food, the latest concept from Bottle Cap Group, opened its doors this week in the former Green Room Restaurant and Bar at 116 N. Main St., Greenville. The opening comes just after the Charlotte, N.C.-based restaurant group, which also owns SIP Whisky and Wine Bar and Ink N Ivy in downtown Greenville, closed Diner 24 (Nov. 13) and Brazwells Premium Pub (Oct. 16). Wu’s Cajun Sea Food is an Asian-Cajun concept the group says has been successful in Charlotte, under the helm of executive chef Troy Gagliardo. Many of the new menu items being added to other Bottle Cap Group restaurants are inspired by the 2,000-plus recipes Gagliardo developed over the course of the chef’s 10 years on “Troy’s Everyday Eats,” a Charlotte TV show that airs every Tuesday morning. The Greenville Wu’s has an occupancy of 95 and will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, with Sunday brunch service being added eventually.
Wu’s Cajun Sea Food menu combines Cajun and Asian flavors in dishes such as Cajun Fried Crab Rolls and Gumbo Ramen.
The menu, which will be rolled out in Charlotte as well, includes a seafood boil customizable with various Asian or Cajun seasonings and appetizer “Nibbles” with Kung Pao Cauliflower (fried, tossed with scallions, sesame, Fresno chili), Boudin Gator Balls (dirty rice, braised gator, tasso ham gravy), BBQ Shrimp (skillet-seared, lemon butter, beer, Worcestershire, scallion, grilled bread), and Wu’s Street Corn (miso mayo, togarashi, Parmesan, cilantro, lime). “Noodles” offerings range from chicken curry to Gumbo Ramen; “Bowls & Rolls” include poke, hot rice, and a Cajun Fried Crab Roll (Cajun seasoning, money sauce, spicy mayo, green onion, goat cheese, cilantro, Fresno chili); and “Hands,” or sandwiches, showcase pork belly, catfish, and a Jerk Calamari Po’Boy. The restaurant also offers an assortment of salads. The cocktails showcase a variety of fusion flavors as well, mixing sake, lemongrass, and coconut flavors with more traditional New Orleans beverages.
BECAUSE ANYBODY CAN SAVE A LIFE. We can’t all be doctors or emergency professionals but we can still save lives. By donating blood, you too can be a life saver. At The Blood Connection, we need approximately 500 units of blood per day to meet the needs of the hospitals we serve. However, less than 10% of the population eligible to donate blood does so annually. In less than an hour, you can donate 1 pint of blood and save 3 lives. #idonateblood #isavelives #givelife
Sharing Life, Saving Lives 14
UBJ | 12.8.2017
864.255.5000
TheBloodConnection.org
WHAT ’S NEXT FOR THE UPSTATE, AND HOW WE’LL GET THERE
| FORWARD
A Looming Pothole Cybersecurity concerns surround the promise of driverless cars By BELTON ZEIGLER partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
INTRODUCING MALWARE INTO AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS How would malware get into digital vehicles? THROUGH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
Driverless cars and driver-assist systems are poised to change transportation as profoundly and as quickly as the internet has changed shopping and communications. Examples of the first wave of this technology that are on the road now include adaptive cruise control, front crash avoidance, and lane assist systems. When fully implemented, the Automated Vehicle (AV) technology promises to do the following: • Slash highway deaths and injuries • Eliminate most fender benders • Allow interconnected vehicles to flow at top speeds on congested highways • Expand transportation options for the disabled and elderly • Eventually replace car ownership with fleets of self-driving cars that come when we call and take us wherever we like. All indications are that this future is coming at us much more quickly than seemed possible before now. But there is a looming pothole – cybersecurity. THE CYBER PERILS OF DRIVERLESS CARS In many ways, the digital vehicle is here already. The more advanced cars on the road today employ about 100 million lines of computer code. That code directs more than 100 electronic control devices that run the car. Today’s automobiles are in a sense computers with seats and an engine. The computer code that runs our cars can hide the sort of malware that lets criminal seize cars and hold them hostage, just as ransomware now does to an innocent victim’s computer controls and data. Imagine malware turning your car into an unresponsive brick on a hot August afternoon in a parking lot far from home. What would you pay to get it back running? And how quickly? One day, automobile-based malware could allow criminals, terrorists, or hostile governments – known in the cyber world as “threat actors” – to take active control of your car and use it for whatever they want. AV technology creates chilling opportunities for new forms of crime, terrorism, and cyberwarfare.
The computer code that will drive the AV revolution will come from tech companies, parts suppliers, and mapping and sensor companies from around the world, many from China and Europe. Malware of a mysterious origin has on occasion been found factory loaded in the operating code of consumer goods like thumb drives and cellphones. Malware in an insignificant place – in the controls of the seat warmers, for example – can be configured to commandeer the car’s internet or Bluetooth connection and download a full control kit from a distant server. THROUGH INTERFACES
There are now multiple ways cars connect with the outside world digitally. Each is a potential pathway for malware, including the following: • The internet connection that enables the navigation system to function • The Bluetooth interface that connects your phone to the car’s infotainment system • The diagnostic ports through which your mechanic can access the car’s on-board computer • The USB ports that allow you to plug in thumb drives with song lists THROUGH V2V NETWORKS
Eventually, cars will be connected to each other through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) networks. Cars within about 1,000 feet of each other will create an ad hoc wireless network to signal each other about their speed and direction, stops and turns, road conditions, and unseen dangers. In March 2017, Cadillac put the first such cars on the road. For now, they can only communicate with their sister Cadillacs. But in the future, most cars on the road will wirelessly connect to nearby cars. If security flaws allow it, threat actors can exploit V2V networks to push out malware or to spread havoc on the road directly. MEETING THE CHALLENGES But there is good news. The automobile industry is well-financed and technologically sophisticated. It has operated for decades under intense safety regulation and has firsthand knowledge of what it costs to ignore safety flaws. A major cyber
incident could damage public acceptance of the new AV technology the industry is investing in heavily. The auto industry has every reason to get vehicle cybersecurity right. Congress is in the early stages of writing the rules of the road for auto cybersecurity. This September, the House of Representatives passed the Self Drive Act. It enables rollout of the next phase of AV technology and handles cybersecurity with a light touch, requiring only that manufacturers develop cybersecurity plans to mitigate threats and establish best practices. And there are success stories. A number of highly interconnected systems in the United States – the telecommunications system, the banking system, and the electric grid – have so far avoided major cybersecurity catastrophes. In one particularly attractive potential model, industry councils set standards that federal regulators adopt and enforce. This approach could ensure consistency of cyber protection while maximizing the industry’s flexibility and responsiveness. In the meantime, the auto industry has formed an Internet Security Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) to share research, best practices, and real-time threat information. For obvious reasons, much of what the industry is doing behind the scenes is not being discussed publicly, but it appears that a good deal of work is being done. The automobile industry has the opportunity to reinvent personal transportation in this country and change our lives profoundly for the better. The effort faces many challenges, and none may be more important than the cybersecurity challenge. Charles de Gaulle once said, “Only peril can bring the French together. One can’t impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese.” I suspect the same might be said of the auto industry; it has recognized a common peril, and we will all get to see how the various players in the industry come together to face it. Belton Zeigler, a partner with Womble Bond Dickinson, has a South Carolina-based practice in cybersecurity, utility, environmental, and energy law. He is a senior member of the firm’s data management and cybersecurity team. Connect with Belton at linkedin.com/in/beltonzeigler.
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NEW TO THE STREET |
NEW FACES OF BUSINESS
Open for business
Kuka Juice opened its new location at 580 Perry Ave. in the Village of West Greenville on Dec. 4 after closing down its original store at 101 Falls Park Drive in August. Visit kukajuice.com for more information.
CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon? Email information to aturner@ communityjournals.com.
| Just a Step Off Stone Creating a new vibrant pedestrian neighborhood off Stone Avenue
864.235.6317 | crhrealestate.com The intersection at Stone Avenue, North Church Street and Wade Hampton is undergoing a transformation into Downtown Greenville’s next highly coveted walking neighborhood community. NorthPointe will feature both residential and retail opportunities – shops, cafes, and an anchor grocer – to serve the entire North Main District.
MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT 1 GROCERY STORE 284 APARTMENT UNITS 22,000 COMMERCIAL SQ. FT. 100 STEPS OFF STONE AVE. STRUCTURED ON SITE PARKING PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY AMENITIES To learn more about NorthPointe, visit
northpointesc.com
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UBJ | 12.8.2017
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
HIRED
HIRED
HIRED
HIRED
| ON THE MOVE
JOINED
ALLISON MERTENS
KARA FRANSEEN
STEPHEN LAYNE
BOBBY BARRETO
ERIN FORD
Has joined Crawford Strategy as senior vice president of corporate growth. Mertens has 25 years of marketing and branding expertise, as well as agency management. She previously worked at Infinity Marketing as director of business services. Mertens is an active member of the Greenville community and serves on several boards.
Has joined DP3 Architects Ltd. as a member of the interiors studio. Franseen earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from Bob Jones University.
Has joined Wyche as an associate and will practice with emphasis on corporate law. He previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Mary Geiger Lewis, United States district judge, in Columbia. Layne is a graduate of Clemson University and attended law school at Michigan State University College of Law, where he was editor of the Michigan State Law Review.
Has joined Windsor Aughtry Company as a broker/ developer focusing on brokerage, investment, and development of multifamily, commercial, and hotel properties. He is a graduate of Clemson University.
Has been named the chair of the board of directors of the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization. She is currently the director of sales at Poly-Med Inc. in Anderson.
VIP
CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions, & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
MANUFACTURING
SCOTT E. PORTER Scott E. Porter, MD, MBA, FACS, an orthopaedic oncologist at Greenville Health System, has been elected as director-elect of the nation’s leading standard-setter for orthopaedicsurgeons, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). Porter earned his medical degree at Yale University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Carolinas Medical Center and a fellowship in musculoskeletal oncology at the University of Chicago. Porter specializes in tumors of the bone and soft tissues. He was recently named vice president of GHS Organizational Equity and is also a clinical professor at the University of South Carolina and an adjunct assistant professor at Clemson University.
T&S Brass Worldwide, a leading manufacturer of innovative foodservice and commercial plumbing products, has increased its accounting team by 50 percent over the last five years to support their globally growing operations. This increase includes the addition of Robin Scruggs, Jennifer Holmes, and Chesney Maltby, as well as the promotions of Sherry Holmes and Karolyn Morgan.
HOUSING The Greenville County Redevelopment Authority has announced its board of directors and officers for 2018, appointed by the Greenville County Council. The executive committee was elected and includes David Doser as chair, Charlotte Osmer as vice-chair, and Jane Kizner as treasurer. Barry Coleman and David Doser were reappointed by the Greenville County Council to serve three-year terms, and Grant Cothran was appointed to the board by County Council.
DECEMBER 1, 2017 | VOL. 6 ISSUE 48
Two Two
RY OF GOOD EATING
IN THIS ISSUE
WAREHOUSE THEATRE SERVES
‘CAKE’
CLAUS • THE CHEMIST • HERE COMES A NEW SANTA
GREENVILLEJOURNAL GREENVILLEJ OURNAL.COM
• Friday, December 1,
FOR HOME DELIVERY CALL 864.679.1200
A Magazine for Upstate Living
Winter 2017
by
READ ONLINE AT GREENVILLE JOURNAL.COM
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Julie Godshall Brown and Drew Brown celebrate Godshall Professional Recruiting and Staffing’s 50 years as a family-run business
2017 • Vol.19, No.48
Our Neighborhood
South gathers New Media New voices of the the stories and Greenville Village of West
ALSO INSIDE // • WILL THE PANTHERS LEAVE SPARTANBURG? • HUGHES AGENCY EXPANDS • THE FIGHT FOR HISTORIC TAX CUTS IMMATURE. DELIGHTFULLY IMMATURE. DELIGHTFULLY TOTALLY PROFESSIONAL. TOTALLY PROFESSIONAL.
Sarah Ware, a West
Greenville community
member. Photo by
INDOOR CITRUS | HISTORIC RENOS | N.C. GLASSWARE | LUXE LOG CABIN | HOLIDAY COCKTAIL
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#TRENDING |
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
THE WATERCOOLER
1. Welcome to Husk Greenville: A look inside the highly anticipated restaurant
Social Chatter
RE: WELCOME TO HUSK GREENVILLE: A LOOK INSIDE THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RESTAURANT
“Always something new & delish coming to Greenville! #BestMoveEver”
“Another great restaurant has arrived!”
RE: IRON HILL BREWERY & RESTAURANT TO OPEN IN FORMER DON PABLO’S NEAR HAYWOOD MALL
Chris Goldie
“One of my favorite restaurants in Charleston.”
Jonathan Washburn
C. Dan Joyner Realtors
“A gold medal at GABF [Great American Beer Festival] for 21 consecutive years is no joke. This brewery makes fantastic beer. Welcome to Upstate South Carolina!”
“Man, so excited for this.”
Brent Honshell
2. Lima One Capital CEO announces gubernatorial bid
3. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant to open in former Don Pablo’s near Haywood Road
Brad Thomas
“Love the vibe.”
4. Room to Grow: Hughes Agency ready to expand in new, bigger office
@colleenrdeas
E 48
ER 1, 2017
DECEMB
ISSU | VOL. 6
Two o Tw by
own and dshall Br e Julie GoBrown celebrat iting Drew fessional Recru a as Pro Godshall ffing’s 50 years s and Sta ily-run busines fam
DIGITAL FLIPBOOK ARCHIVE The layout of print meets the convenience of the Web. Flip through the digital editions of any of our print issues, and see them all in one place. upstatebusinessjournal.com/past-issues
5. Creating a blueprint for future success in the Upstate
*The Top 5 stories from last week ranked by Facebook reach
GET THE INBOX E // ALSO INSID NTHERS E PA • WILL TH ARTANBURG? SP E LEAV PANDS AGENCY EX X CUTS • HUGHES STORIC TA HT FOR HI • THE FIG
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CONNECT We’re great at networking. LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL FACEBOOK.COM/ THEUPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL @UPSTATEBIZ
EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR
DATE
EVENT INFO
WHERE DO I GO?
HOW DO I GO?
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Minority Business Accelerator 2017 Cohort Graduation & Entrepreneurship Excellence Celebration
The Old Cigar Warehouse 912 S. Main St. 5–7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free For more info: bit.ly/2zGjXqu
Tuesday
01/09
Piedmont SCORE’s Basic Small-Business Startup
Greenville County Library Augusta Road Branch 100 Lydia St. 6–8 p.m.
For more info: bit.ly/2hVT7zl, 864-271-3638, info@piedmontscore.org
Tuesday
01/09
Clemson University’s Clemson MBA Info Session
Clemson MBA at Greenville ONE 1 N. Main St., fifth floor 5:30–7 p.m.
Cost: Free For more info: bit.ly/2zqUYDa, nikawhiteconsulting@greenvillechamber.org
Tuesday
01/23
Piedmont SCORE’s Business Planning Seminar
Greenville County Library Augusta Road Branch 100 Lydia St. 6–8 p.m.
For more info: bit.ly/2zFFZcP, 864-271-3638, info@piedmontscore.org
Thursday
Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting
TD Convention Center 1 Exposition Drive 5–8 p.m.
Cost: $95 for investors, $150 noninvestors. For more info: bit.ly/2A8oPjL; 864-271-0718
Monday PRESIDENT/CEO
Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
| PLANNER
12/11
UBJ PUBLISHER
Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Susan Schwartzkopf susans@communityjournals.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Emily Pietras epietras@communityjournals.com
STAFF WRITERS
Trevor Anderson, Cindy Landrum, Andrew Moore, Sara Pearce, Ariel Turner
MARKETING & ADVERTISING VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES David Rich drich@communityjournals.com
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
John Clark, Donna Johnston, Stephanie King, Rosie Peck, Caroline Spivey, Emily Yepes
ART & PRODUCTION VISUAL DIRECTOR Will Crooks
LAYOUT
Bo Leslie | Tammy Smith
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Holly Hardin
02/01
ADVERTISING DESIGN
Kristy Adair | Michael Allen
CLIENT SERVICES
UP NEXT
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
DECEMBER 15 MANUFACTURING ISSUE
Anita Harley | Jane Rogers Kristi Fortner
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
UBJ milestone
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE STORY IDEAS:
ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com
EVENTS:
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NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS, AND AWARDS:
onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com UBJ welcomes expert commentary from business leaders on timely news topics related to their specialties. Guest columns run 700-800 words. Contact associate editor Emily Pietras at epietras@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration.
1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
JANUARY 19 MARKETING ISSUE
1988
>>
Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
FEBRUARY 9 QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE Got any thoughts? Care to contribute? Let us know at ideas@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
>>
with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s
2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space
1998
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”
2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people
2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award
pro-bono/non-proFit Clients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School
CoMMUnitY inVolVeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board
November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21
20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013
AS SEEN IN
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
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23 West North St., Greenville, SC 29601 | 864.232.2761 | www.rushwilson.com | Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30am - 5:30pm; Closed on Sunday