INSIDE // AC HOTEL OPENS | GREENVILLE CHAMBER’S PLANS FOR 2018 | INSIDE THE NEW UCB HQ
DECEMBER 22, 2017 | VOL. 6 ISSUE 51
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TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
| THE RUNDOWN
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 51 Featured this issue: Samsung partners with Clemson, USC for home appliances..........................10 Notes from the Greenville Chamber’s legislative breakfast.............................14 Lessons from ‘Reimagining Greenville’....................................................................15
United Community Bank’s new location at 125 E. Broad St., Greenville, includes two conference rooms on each floor with Cisco video conferencing systems. The investment in the double-screen units is especially useful for the company’s two senior leadership meetings a year, which can include 85 people in 10 locations. Read more about UCB’s new home on Page 7. Photo by Will Crooks
WORTH REPEATING “We are at one of those fortunate times in our community where we have several projects that are paradigm shifters for our downtown.” Page 4
“Most farmers want to know the costs and returns of producing hemp. I don’t know the answer to that question yet.”
VERBATIM
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“A lot of the things that many folks take for granted as ‘having always been downtown’ weren’t there just a few years ago.” Page 15
Cecilia Kang, of the New York Times, on what happens next following the Federal Communications Commission’s vote to repeal “net neutrality” rules.
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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW Business leaders have credited AC Hotel Spartanburg as a major driver of the momentum that has attracted a spate of new dining and retail establishments, residential units, and other development projects to downtown during the past two years. Photo provided.
RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
Enjoy Your Stay South Carolina’s first AC Hotel opens in downtown Spartanburg TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com
South Carolina’s first hotel bearing Marriott’s modern, European-inspired AC brand opened Dec. 14 in downtown Spartanburg. Spartanburg’s Johnson family owns the $20 million, 10-story hotel at 225 W. Main St. The 100,000-square-foot structure, which boasts 114 guest rooms, was developed and will be operated by Spartanburg-based OTO Development, a Johnson Management company. “This AC Hotel reinvents the Spartanburg skyline,” said Geordy Johnson, CEO of Johnson Management. “It’s a dynamic addition to a rapidly revitalizing downtown and everything — from architecture to amenities to artwork — is designed to introduce South Carolina to the AC brand’s ‘New Way to Hotel.’” Johnson added that the AC Hotel Spartanburg is the first hotel to open in the city’s central business district since the Spartanburg Marriott was completed in 2004. The project was announced in June 2015. Construction began that October and was officially wrapped up on Dec. 12. OTO said the hotel’s exterior is composed of nearly 250,000 bricks. Built with sustainably in mind, the hotel is on track to attain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver Certification, OTO said. 4
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The architectural design was a collaboration of Washington, D.C.-based David M. Schwarz Architects and Spartanburg’s McMillan Pazdan Smith, with interior work by DLR Group of Minneapolis. Alabama-based Robins & Morton served as general contractor. “The level of detail is amazing,” said Corry Oakes, president and CEO of OTO, in a statement. “The hand of the craftsman is evident throughout.” Oakes noted that the exterior stonework on the hotel incorporates custom motifs such as the jessamine, South Carolina’s state flower. Interior common spaces incorporate crown moldings, raised paneling, and other traditional architectural detailing juxtaposed with modern fixtures, furnishings, and artwork, according to OTO. The hotel has five suites and 109 guestrooms with either two queen-sized beds or a king plus pullout sofa. The hotel’s lobby and second floor serve as a showplace for more than 40 pieces of art from The Johnson Collection’s portfolio of works from Black Mountain College, an experimental arts school that operated from 1933 to 1957 in Black Mountain, N.C. Three meeting rooms that offer a combined 2,662
square feet of meeting space are named for some of the college’s leaders, including Anni and Josef Albers, Ruth Asawa, and Kenneth Noland. Guests will be able to enjoy a range of other amenities, such as an outdoor pool with patio, a business center, and a 24/7 fitness room with 11 exercise machines and free weights. An AC Lounge in the lobby emphasizes the brand-signature Gin & Tonic, Spanish wines, and crafted cocktails created with liquor distilled by Spartanburg’s Mottes & Sons Bootlegging Co., and local micro-brews from RJ Rockers Brewing Co. It will also have a tapas menu of small plates with a Spanish flair. A train whistle will launch Happy Hour every evening in the AC Lounge, as the bartender offers samples of “The Crescent,” the hotel’s signature cocktail, along with the backstory of the drink’s namesake. OTO said the Crescent was one of the first trains designed for passengers, with elegant dining, specialty cars, and upscale services. The train made stops in Spartanburg along its crescent-shaped route from New Orleans to New York. The signature drink is a mix of Motte & Sons vodka, Palmetto Rum, gin, triple sec, sparkling peach juice, and a splash of lime juice, OTO said.
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It celebrates Spartanburg’s history as “Hub City” for the seven railroad lines that accommodated trains carrying passengers, textile products, and peaches across the country, according to OTO. Level 10, a restaurant operated by Greenville-based Rick Erwin Dining Group, will occupy the top floor of the hotel. The high-end dining concept, which will open in late January, will have an open-air terrace, as well as a menu of seasonally driven small plates, handcrafted cocktails, and an expansive selection of wines.
AC Hotel Spartanburg, said the hotel will employ about 50 people. Level 10 will also employ about 50. Williams said some positions for the hotel’s operation are still available. She said jobseekers for Level 10 should contact Rick Erwin Dining Group. Local business leaders have continued to tout the hotel’s anticipated economic impact on downtown Spartanburg. They have credited AC Hotel Spartanburg as a major driver of the momentum that has attracted a spate of new dining and retail establishments, residential units, and other develop-
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“The new AC Hotel is one of those paradigm shifters. It demonstrates that Spartanburg is no longer a sleepy mill town, but a business town.” Jansen Tidmore, executive vice president, Spartanburg’s Downtown Development Partnership Level 10’s dishes will feature tasting-style portions of pastas, seafood, lighter fare, and a few signature steaks. OTO said the restaurant’s emphasis on shared plates will enhance the hotel’s “community-driven Southern hospitality.” The restaurant’s interior will feature sleek, sophisticated design by the Greenville-based architectural firm Craig Gaulden Davis. The design incorporates tailored materials, handcrafted finishes, custom chandeliers, and coffered ceilings. “When it opens next month, Level 10 will reflect the same commitment to interior design, Southern hospitality, and quality service as AC Hotel Spartanburg,” said Rick Erwin, founder of Rick Erwin Dining Group. “This menu and the unique atmosphere we have created is designed to cater to the city’s visiting guests as well as locals, whether for special occasions or simply for weeknights when they don’t feel like cooking at home.” The lobby features a library with books from the Hub City Bookshop & Press, and a market that will sell a variety of locally sourced goodies, including Dottie’s Toffee and Crazy Good Jewelry. Karen Williams, director of sales for
ment projects to downtown during the past two years. “We are at one of those fortunate times in our community where we have several projects that are paradigm shifters for our downtown,” said Jansen Tidmore, executive vice president of Spartanburg’s Downtown Development Partnership. “The new AC Hotel is one of those paradigm shifters. It demonstrates that Spartanburg is no longer a sleepy mill town, but a business town.” Tidmore said the hotel is expected to attract about 30,000 visitors to Spartanburg annually. He said the increased foot traffic and image of success the hotel projects could entice more growth in the years to come. “We are very excited about the completion and opening of the AC [Hotel] Spartanburg,” Johnson said. “We look forward to welcoming guests and hope they will enjoy the experience in this hotel. The AC will bring a very unique set of lodging and entertainment offerings for overnight guests and local visitors. Additionally, we remain excited about the impact on downtown Spartanburg and the increased pedestrian foot traffic for our local retail merchants.” 12.22.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW Motivational quotes, either found or verbalized by a United Community Bank executive, decorate the lobby walls of the bank’s new office space in the former EP + Co. building.
FIRST LOOK
Double the Space United Community Bank moves into former Erwin Penland building with room to grow WORDS BY ARIEL TURNER | PHOTOS BY WILL CROOKS United Community Bank has nearly doubled its operations office space, moving over the past few weeks from 18,000 square feet in RiverPlace to the 30,000-square-foot former Erwin Penland (EP + Co.) building at 125 E. Broad St., mirroring the growth of the entire company. “We’re about 60 percent occupied because we wanted to have room for growth,” said Lynn Harton, CEO. “We’ve doubled in the last five years as a company, so having a place with a little expansion room is good.” That growth has followed a steady pattern in recent years, he said. “Our growth has been partially organic and part through merging and acquisitions,” Harton said. “We generally grow $300-500 million a year 6
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organically in assets. Over the last several years, we’ve done $1.5 billion a year in acquisitions, and we think the environment’s good to continue that over the next several years.” Currently, 85 employees, the majority of whom are in the mortgage and loan departments supporting the entire footprint of the company based in Blairsville, Ga., occupy the three-story office, which seats 165. “Most people would keep operations and those kinds of teams — probably put those out in the suburbs where it’s cheaper,” Harton said. “We felt like we wanted it downtown for several reasons. One is it’s closer to me and the rest of the team [in the ONE Building]. We think downtown’s a great amenity and helps us get
better employees, and frankly we’re very committed to Greenville, and I know getting more office employees downtown is a big objective, and rightfully so, for the city, and we wanted to support that.” The bank also had the opportunity to own the property, which was a benefit, Harton said. They closed on the building May 9 and began demolition in July. The interior of the completely renovated — down to the studs — three-story building bears almost no resemblance to the former ad and marketing agency occupant — most notably the red spiral staircase and basketball goal have been removed — but the exposed, bright red pipes remain.
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The new office has two conference rooms with Cisco video conferencing systems.
Harton said it worked with the corporate branding to keep that one aspect, while the rest of the building is clean white with navy or “United blue” accent walls. Motivational quotes, either found or verbalized by a UCB executive, decorate the lobby walls, and photo prints of iconic views from the areas in which the bank operates in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee are hung in each office. The center of each floor includes executive offices as well as some small flex-use rooms, with open groups of cubicles surrounding the permanent spaces. A sound-masking system keeps the decibel level and distractions in the open office space at bay. Two conference rooms on each floor with Cisco video conferencing systems are a tangible means of viewing the company’s growth. “Being distributed like we are, one of the ways we all keep together is through our video conferencing units,” Harton said. UCB has two senior leadership meetings a year, and with the video capability, was recently able to include 85 people in 10 locations. Harton said saving on travel expenses is a main benefit of investing in the double-screen units. “You can pay for one of those double screens with the savings from just one meeting,” Harton said.
Top left, clockwise: 1. Bright red exposed pipes are the lone sign of the building’s previous tenant, EP + Co. 2. Lynn Harton, CEO, United Community Bank 3. The center of each floor includes executive offices, small flex-use rooms, and open groups of cubicles. 4. The office’s video capability is beneficial for meetings that include dozens of people in variety of locations. 12.22.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW Magna’s fourth production plant in South Carolina will manufacture seats for X6, X5, and soon-to-be X7 models produced at Spartanburg County-based BMW Manufacturing Co. Photo provided.
MANUFACTURING
Automotive Assets Magna International celebrates launch of new Spartanburg County seating plant TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com Canadian automotive supplier Magna International on Thursday, Dec. 14, officially inaugurated its fourth production plant in South Carolina. The $29 million, 230,000-square-foot facility sits on about 20 acres off Highway 290 near Duncan within Greenville-based Pacolet Milliken’s Tyger River Industrial Park North. Magna officials said the plant, which is expected to create 480 jobs by 2021, will manufacture seats for X6, X5, and soon-to-be X7 models produced at Spartanburg County-based BMW Manufacturing Co. S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt joined with plant leaders to raise American, Canadian, and South Carolina flags at the facility during a ceremony celebrating the company’s commitment to Spartanburg County and the state. The company broke ground on the facility amidst the cold and rain on Dec. 6, 2016. Construction was completed in about seven months. “I would ride through here routinely going back and forth to the Upstate from the Columbia area and watch this whole [Highway 290 corridor] come up,” Hitt said. “Carter Smith [executive vice president of Spartanburg’s Economic Futures Group] and I for years kept thinking this was a great area — ‘Let’s get something going.’ Once we started, it’s filling up pretty nice. Magna is a great addition to it.” 8
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Steve Salvatore, the plant’s general manager, said the facility shipped its first seats on Sept. 29. He said Magna plans to hold the plant’s grand opening in spring 2018. In order to fine-tune its processes, the plant is currently producing its pre-series, or prototype, seats, which it will continue to do until its official start of production planned for late 2018. Salvatore said the company is still hiring for the facility. He said candidates can apply online via the company’s website and readysc.org, or they can stop by the plant during normal business hours and submit an application in person. “When Magna says, ‘Our people are our greatest asset,’ we don’t just say it; we mean it,” Salvatore said. “Human capital has to be a major focus. While we need product to build, if we don’t have trained, talented people to do it, we’re only as good as the empty pallet, or the full pallet, that we have.” Magna’s U.S. operations encompass 72 facilities and 25,000 employees, according to the company’s website. Its global operations include 427 facilities and more than 163,000 employees in 29 countries. In addition to seating, the company’s capabilities include vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing, closures, exteriors, electronics, vision systems, powertrain, roof systems, and body and chassis. In terms of sales, Magna is the world’s third-largest original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts
supplier behind Robert Bosch GmbH, which is the largest, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG, according to Automotive News. Hitt praised Magna’s impact on the Palmetto State’s manufacturing base, which he said has grown by 20 percent since 2010. South Carolina’s automotive sector alone provides jobs for about 35,000 people, Hitt said. “That’s remarkable,” he said. “No other state in the Southeast has done that. And that’s because of our commitment to manufacturing and a commitment to people in South Carolina who are very good at making things. We will demonstrate to Magna once again that we have the capacity to make them successful and our workforce successful.” While the presence of international manufacturers, including Boeing, BMW, Michelin, Volvo, and many others, has helped fuel the state’s economic expansion, Hitt said there’s still plenty of room for growth. He said the “onus” is on South Carolina to provide a skilled workforce, transportation infrastructure, and other incentives that will help attract more investment and innovation to the state. “Here we are, a state that 25 years ago never thought we’d build things like cars or jets,” Hitt said. “Now we are the largest exporter of finished passenger cars in the United States. We’re the largest exporter of tires in the United States and the largest manufacturer of tires in the United States. We have the workforce. We have the partners in the companies like Magna. And this is what we do together.”
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with the fast-paced development of industry and influx of jobs here,” said Michael McAlhany, the company’s founder and CEO, in a press release. “With Greenville now the fourth fastest-growing U.S. city, new businesses and residents need storage containers to handle their move. Plus, with all the new construction, building companies need to store all their materials, and we’re here to help, providing a convenient solution.” UNITS Moving and Portable Storage will bring containers to a specified location. When the unit is loaded, the customer may have the truck transport their portable storage unit to their new location or have UNITS store the container in its new climate-controlled storage facility. –Cindy Landrum
Portable storage company expanding in Upstate
Photo provided.
The Upstate is growing and so is UNITS Moving and Portable Storage Company. The Charleston-based national moving and portable storage franchise is relocating its local warehouse from Pelzer to Greer and more than doubling its space. In addition, the company has also invested in several dozen new storage containers, and it plans to hire additional employees. “We’re happy our company is helping facilitate Greenville’s growth
SVN BlackStream brokers 20.21-acre sale SVN BlackStream recently collaborated with The Lyons Group out of Spartanburg in the sale of approximately 20.21 acres of raw land at Interstate 85, Exit 78 (Hwy-221 junction), adjacent to a QuikTrip service station, in Spartanburg County. This exit is also home to Guy Roofing, official roofing sponsor of the Carolina Panthers. This
property was sold by Stephen Ahnrud, Lucas Ward, and Donald Mercer of SVN BlackStream. The sale was considered to be a fair-market-value land transaction, to be held by the new owner for investment purposes or future development. –Ariel Turner
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Shaw Industries’ Fountain Inn facility sold Shaw Industries Group will apparently cease operations at its Fountain Inn facility. Commercial real estate firm CBRE announced Monday, Dec. 18, it brokered the sale of a 183,000-square-foot industrial building, which sits on more than 63 acres at 110 Milacron Drive near Interstate 385. The building is occupied by Shaw, a flooring company based in Dalton, Ga. A CBRE spokeswoman said she could not disclose the identity of the building’s current tenant but confirmed the tenant plans to leave the facility in four months. The property’s new owner, 844 S.E. Main, plans to renovate the building and improve the parking lot and truck court surfaces in hopes of leasing it to a single user or selling it, CBRE said. CBRE said its agent Campbell Lewis represented 844 S.E. Main in the transaction. Marcus Cornelius and Nick Holstegge, also with CBRE, represented the seller. According to CBRE, the building was constructed in 1980 and features 28-foot-high ceilings, motion-activated warehouse lighting, eight docks, 130 parking spaces, and nearly 27,000 square feet of high-end office space. “110 Milacron Drive was an attractive investment, as it is strategically located less than a mile off I-385,” Lewis said. “The building features and design offer a lot of flexibility, as it can appeal to both manufacturing and distribution users alike. There are only a few competing properties available in the I-385 submarket with vacancy rates at a record low of 4.5 percent as of Q3 2017.” –Trevor Anderson
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Samsung announces R&D partnership with Clemson, USC to promote advanced manufacturing South Korean manufacturer Samsung Electronics announced on Friday, Dec. 8, a five-year research and development partnership with the state of South Carolina and its two largest universities, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. The new partnership includes the creation of the Palmetto Consortium for Home Appliance Innovation, a program that aims to develop better manufacturing techniques for home appliances, foster public-private collaboration, and encourage more students to pursue advanced manufacturing as a career. “Samsung’s ambition is for South Carolina to become our U.S. hub for every stage in the home appliance lifecycle — from concept and R&D to manufacturing, quality assurance, distribution, and customer care,” said Dochul Choi, senior vice president of R&D at Samsung Electronics America, in a press release. “Today’s announcement is a down payment on that vision. By investing in R&D and the future of our workforce, we can better position Samsung and South Carolina to meet the high demands and desires of customers across America, our fastest growing and most important home appliance market.”
The creation of the consortium comes about six months after Samsung announced it would open a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newberry, where production of washers is expected to begin in 2018. A statement issued by Samsung says there will be 1,000 local jobs created by 2020, and the company will invest $380 million into the Newberry site by 2022. In addition to its facility in Newberry, Samsung operates a call center in Greenville that supports 800 full-time and contracted jobs. As part of the program, researchers from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University will work at Samsung’s facility in Newberry to develop new consumer electronics, energy-efficient technology, advanced manufacturing technology, sensor technology, and more, according to a press release. Samsung said it selected Clemson University and the University of South Carolina for the new partnership because of their nationally renowned research programs in engineering, information technology, and computer science. “Clemson University has a strong history of collaborating on R&D opportunities with the best companies in South Carolina and from around the world,” said Clemson University President James P. Clements. “We are extremely excited about Samsung’s commitment to South Carolina and look forward to working with the company on efforts ranging from workforce development to utilization of our newly announced Center for Advanced Manufacturing. Clemson has significant assets and is prepared to make a strong commitment to helping ensure that Samsung is successful both in South Carolina and the world.” –Andrew Moore UBJ | 12.22.2017
INDUSTRIAL HEMP COMES TO SOUTH CAROLINA
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Planting the Seeds
South Carolina set to launch pilot program for industrial hemp farming
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outh Carolina farmers are one step closer to planting their first hemp seeds in the ground. The S.C. Department of Agriculture (SCDA) announced earlier this month that permits for industrial hemp cultivation are in the process of being issued. Gov. Henry McMaster legalized industrial hemp cultivation earlier this year, allowing up to 20 farms to grow the crop for research purposes. The farmers who receive permits will each be allowed to grow up to 20 acres of the crop, according to the SCDA. About 120 farmers submitted an application to participate in the program. 12.22.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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INDUSTRIAL HEMP COMES TO SOUTH CAROLINA
“It’s still too early to say whether or not this program is going to be successful,” said SCDA Assistant Commissioner Clint Leach. “But I can tell you that we received more applications than we were expecting, which is a good sign.” He added that permits are being issued based on several factors, including which farmers have the greatest chances of success. “We only have 20 permits to hand out, so we’re focusing on experienced growers who have solid business plans.” SCDA is also trying to disperse the permits across different parts of the state to see which regions have the best growing conditions. Leach declined to name the farms selected for permits, but he said several farms across the Upstate submitted an application. The permits will be effective from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018, according to Leach, but farmers must meet 12
UBJ | 12.22.2017
strict standards and pass background checks with the State Law Enforcement Division and FBI before planting their fields. Opponents of hemp cultivation argue that large fields could be used to hide the cultivation of marijuana. But hemp would neutralize the psychoactive compounds in marijuana, according to John Finamore, executive director of the National Hemp Association in Denver. Hemp and marijuana look alike, because they come from the same plant species. But hemp contains no more than 0.3 percent of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high. Marijuana, on the other hand, can contain up to 40 percent. Despite the difference, the Drug Enforcement Administration has listed hemp as a Schedule I drug. South Carolina defines “industrial hemp” as any part of the plant with a THC concentration that does not
exceed 0.3 percent on a dried weight basis. Anything above that is illegal. Leach said South Carolina’s hemp crops will be subject to random testing and that certified growers must provide state officials with GPS coordinates for each plot.
From cash crop to controversy
Hemp wasn’t always so controversial. In fact, it was once a cash crop. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was cultivated by farmers throughout the American colonies and exported to England for clothing, shoes, books, and more. It was also considered legal tender that could be used to pay taxes. The colonies also used hemp to produce clothing, canvas, sacks, and paper during the years leading up the Revolutionary War. As the relationship between Great Britain
and the American colonies deteriorated, it was used to produce wartime supplies. Hemp remained a staple crop across North America even after the colonies gained independence. Farmers in Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois produced most of America’s hemp up until the 1900s. But hemp’s dominance took a downturn in 1937 when the federal government passed the Marijuana Tax Act, which transferred the regulation of hemp production to the Department of Revenue and added a $100 transfer tax on sales, hindering domestic farmers. When Japan cut off hemp supplies from the Philippines during World War II, the United States launched a marketing campaign, “Hemp for Victory,” to encourage American farmers to grow as much hemp as possible for the war effort. But the demand for domestic hemp fell almost immediately once the war ended, leaving it vulnerable to drug enforcement. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 classified all forms of cannabis as Schedule I drugs, causing domestic hemp production to disappear. Now, after nearly a half-century of prohibition, hemp is once again taking root in American soil. With the passing of the 2014 Farm Bill, universities and state agriculture departments were allowed to begin cultivating industrial hemp for research. Thirty-one states, including North Carolina and Tennessee, have since passed legislation allowing farmers to cultivate hemp, according to the National Hemp Association. At least 16 have legalized hemp production for commercial purposes. In 2014, for instance, Kentucky launched a pilot program for hemp cultivation. It has since approved more than 200 applications for farmers to grow hemp on more than 14,000 acres. Colorado also launched its pilot program in 2014. It has since seen a 28 percent increase each year in the number of grower registrations and planted more than 9,000 acres with hemp.
INDUSTRIAL HEMP COMES TO SOUTH CAROLINA
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Plant with potential
South Carolina, like other states, could reap the benefits of legalizing industrial hemp. “The industrial hemp bill adds another opportunity for South Carolina farmers to increase crop diversity,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said in a news release. Americans spend more than $580 million annually on hemp products, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service. Companies use industrial hemp to make rope, clothing, textiles, paper, food, oils, home furnishings, and more. BMW Manufacturing Co., which operates a facility in Spartanburg County, has used hemp in various models for years, said company spokeswoman Rebecca Kiehne. The German automaker currently lines the door panels of its electric car, the BMW i3, with hemp. But transforming hemp into a cash crop won’t be easy, according to Chris Ray, director of the Clemson University Experiment Station. Ray said many hemp farmers across the country struggle to secure viable seeds, especially since the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 made it illegal to transport the plant or its seed across state lines without a permit from the Drug Enforcement Administration. In Colorado, where hemp cultivation has been legal since 2012, farmers have struggled with a shortage of seeds. The Denver Post reports that many of the state’s hemp farmers are finding ways to import seeds from other countries, including China and Canada. But there’s no guarantee that imported seeds will clear U.S. Customs, according to Ray. That’s why some hemp farmers are squirrelling away
“ Most farmers want to know the costs and returns of producing hemp. I don’t know the answer to that question yet. But I do know emerging crops usually fail because the market is poor, not because of their productivity.” Chris Ray, director of Clemson University Experiment Station
their seeds, using this year’s harvest as a source for next year’s supply in an attempt to increase acreage. “Most farmers want to know the costs and returns of producing hemp,” he said. “I don’t know the answer to that question yet. But I do know emerging crops usually fail because the market is poor, not because of their productivity.” Ray added that processing is one of the biggest hurdles that South Carolina farmers will have to overcome since unprocessed seeds can’t cross state lines. Luckily, Tucker Naturals has announced plans to build a hemp processing and extraction facility at the Godley Morris Commerce Center in Lake City, S.C. The facility is expected to open sometime next year, according to a news release. The Boston-based firm also plans to partner with Caropar Investments and Massachu-
South Carolina defines “industrial hemp” as any part of the plant with a THC concentration that does not exceed 0.3 percent on a dried weight basis. Anything above that is illegal.
setts-based ProVerde Laboratories to construct a testing facility in the commerce center to help farmers ensure their hemp meets state and federal guidelines. “We have been working with Tucker Naturals for about a year now, and we have jointly hosted several hemp symposiums to educate the farmers on the administrative and growing aspects of the initiative,” said William Morris, president of Caropar. “Tucker Naturals has been great to work with, and they bring vast expertise that will help our farmers.” As for the future, the SCDA plans to issue 40 permits and allow up to 40 acres per hemp grower for the second and third years of the program, according to Leach. For subsequent years, the state and four-year colleges and universities will determine the number of allowable permits and acreage. But for the program to expand year after year, Ray said farmers will need to study the growth, cultivation, and marketing of the crop. The state is requiring four-year colleges and universities to collaborate with agriculture officials to conduct research on the progress of the crops and develop products with certified growers. Clemson University’s Public Service and Agriculture division, for instance, plans to work with farmers across the state to see which regions have the best growing conditions. “Hemp is considered an easy crop, because it can handle a variety of soil types,” Ray said. “But we’re not making any assumptions. The plan is to collect any and all crop data we can during the growing season so that we can see how hemp performs under different conditions.” He said farmers would likely plant their crops this spring and harvest them in October. For more information, visit agriculture.sc.gov.
12.22.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
13
THE TAKEAWAY |
NOTES FROM THE BEST TALKS YOU MISSED
New Year’s Resolution Greenville Chamber’s 2018 policy agendas include workforce expansion, growing small business By JASON ZACHER senior vice president of business advocacy, Greenville Chamber
What: The Greenville Chamber’s Annual Legislative Breakfast When/Where: Dec. 8 at the Hyatt Regency Presenting Sponsor: GSP International Airport More than 200 business leaders met 30 local and state elected officials to press the case for progrowth public policy at the Greenville Chamber’s Annual Legislative Breakfast on Dec. 8. The chamber’s 2018 policy agendas, released in concert with the Upstate Chamber Coalition, focus on expanding our regional workforce, expanding existing small business, and ensuring all Greenville residents participate in a booming economy. “The Greenville business community is more united and engaged than ever before on the priorities that will move the economic needle for our region,” said Carlos Phillips, president and CEO of the Greenville Chamber. “In this time of political uncertainty and polarization, the business community is rallying to be the ‘sane middle’ that supports inclusive economic growth for the entire Upstate.” The chamber created its agenda by holding more than two dozen meetings across the Upstate with members of its business advocacy groups, issue committees, and our Upstate Chamber Coalition partners. In October, 783 Upstate business leaders took the chamber’s legislative survey – doubling the number who participated since 2015. Being the second year of the two-year state and federal legislative sessions, several of the items reflect unfinished business from 2017. Several new items made the list for 2018, including increased state and local funding for mass transit, support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and lawsuit abuse reforms to protect small business. The chamber’s top state priority for 2018 remains workforce expansion. Legislation to expand expungement for low-level, nonviolent offenders was approved 103-0 by the state House of Representatives in 2017 and will be on the state Senate calendar for action when the General Assembly reconvenes in January. “It is important that more people can get jobs and participate in the workforce so we may continue our economic expansion,” said Dr. Keith Miller, Greenville Technical College president and the chamber’s 2018 board chair. “A single, minor mistake made years ago 14
UBJ | 12.22.2017
A Q&A portion of the program included questions about health-care costs and the Santee Cooper controversy. should not be a lifelong barrier to employability. Our expungement legislation will help many of our neighbors get back on their feet and will help us close the workforce gap.” Other important unfinished items from 2017 include protections for manufacturers from nuisance lawsuits and a restructuring of the state’s tax incentives to help lure high-impact companies to our state. The chamber also asked state legislators for new ethics reforms to help rebuild trust in government after several years of corruption investigations in Columbia. The chamber’s top local agenda item for 2018 is the expansion of Greenlink, the local mass transit system. The business community is calling for an immediate increase in funding so the system can expand its service hours. This funding should be included in a longer-term expansion so that residents have reliable transportation to jobs, education, and health care. Rather than a social service, mass transit should be viewed and treated as critical infrastructure. Compared to our peer communities across the Southeast, Greenlink is drastically underfunded, and it is up to Greenville County, the city of Greenville, and other county municipalities to work together in the new year to begin the process of expanding our transit system. The leaders in the audience asked a number of questions during the Q&A portion of the program, including questions about health-care costs and the ongoing controversy surrounding Santee Cooper (the state-owned utility). This annual gathering is the Greenville Chamber’s flagship legislative event, designed to connect the business community with its elected officials to discuss
More than 200 business leaders met 30 local and state elected officials to advocate for pro-growth public policy in 2018. legislative priorities for the upcoming year. The chamber, now in its 129th year of operation, is the largest business organization in the Upstate with more than 2,100 investors supporting the vision of a globally competitive Upstate economy where businesses succeed and people prosper. To view the chamber’s 2018 Public Policy Guide, which outlines the local, state, and federal agendas, as well as providing contact information for all Greenville County public officials, visit greenvillechamber.org/ advocacy/public-policy-agenda. Jason Zacher is the Greenville Chamber’s senior vice president of business advocacy. For more information on the policy agendas, you may reach him at 864-2393718 or jzacher@greenvillechamber.org.
VOICES FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HEARD HERE
| OPINION
Wither Greenville? Are we going to repeat failure or success? By JOHN BOYANOSKI owner, Complete Public Relations
Greenville’s dramatic growth over the past decade is due to many factors, but if there is one main string that ties that growth together, it is the amazing downtown. Not only has it become the focus of countless national articles and lists as one of the best downtowns in America, it has served as a roadmap for other cities in the county to revitalize their own urban cores. The highlight of Greenville County is no longer just downtown Greenville, but a series of unique downtowns spread throughout. While many have learned from the success of downtown Greenville, few learn from its failures. That is part of the reason Mayor Knox White and I wrote a book, “Reimagining Greenville: Building the Best Downtown in America,” that focuses on not just the successes but also the setbacks and learning moments that helped revitalize Main Street and beyond. We recently released an updated version of the book to tell the further stories of Greenville’s rise. “Reimagining Greenville” came about because for all of the accolades and tributes given to downtown, few realize how hard it was to accomplish. There was no waving of a magic wand. There was no straightforward path. There was no magic pixie dust sprinkled over everything. A lot of the things that many folks take for granted as “having always been downtown” weren’t there just a few years ago. Newcomers can’t imagine there was a highway over the Reedy River falls. They can’t fathom that it was a multidecade struggle to remove the “perfectly good bridge.” They laugh when we tell them there was an actual recommendation to blow up the falls with dynamite and save the bridge. They don’t realize that the holiday tradition of Ice on Main is held on a site that was an underused city plaza sitting atop a half-filled parking garage. Mast General Store, which proved that regional retailers could excel on Main Street, was almost a two-story bar and nightclub. Fluor Field was slated to be built somewhere near the interchange of I-85 and I-385. The Poinsett Hotel was an eyesore for decades and almost became offices in the mid-1990s. And the reason the book is being redone is because once again Greenville is facing major
It would be wise to remember that all of the great things that happened downtown happened because of vision and sticking to that vision. To remember that little things lead to big things. That we can’t change just for the sake of changing, but that we have to be strategic and smart. changes and challenges in the coming year to downtown, such as the new City Park; connecting downtown to surrounding neighborhoods; and keeping the mix of retail, residential, and restaurants balanced. It would be wise to remember that all of the great things that happened downtown happened because of vision and sticking to that vision. To remember that little things lead to big things. That we can’t change just for the sake of changing, but that we have to be strategic and smart. This is not the time to take shortcuts. This is not the time to think small. This is not the time for egos. With that, we leave you with a quote from Mayor White that ends the book: “Greenville’s success is a product of good planning and great partnerships. We always have a plan and we stick to it. Our goal was to reimagine what a downtown can be. We wanted vibrant streets alive with people and activity long after
the sun went down. That means assuring a healthy mix of residential development going beyond the nine-to-five office environment. We could have stopped there, but we did not. We worked hard to create lively public spaces along Main Street. We filled downtown with public art. The beautiful canopy of trees bequeathed to us by the earlier effort at redevelopment were illuminated at night. Historic buildings were valued once again. All of this enhanced the unique ‘personality’ of our city. But certainly the determination to remove the highway bridge from atop the falls was the greatest achievement. It redefined the downtown and the city itself. The river and the falls always will be the signature attraction of Greenville. How simple is it that a city can be defined by trees (along Main Street) and water? As long as Greenville continues to value these natural assets, it can be the most beautiful and livable city in America.” 12.22.2017 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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OPINION |
VOICES FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, HEARD HERE
Safety First To avoid lost productivity and fines, industries should implement plan for silica exposure compliance ahead of deadline By DON SNIZASKI CEO, Life and Safety Consultants Inc.
Like a small sliver of glass or sand on the beach, it can enter the airways and lungs of exposed construction, general-industry, and maritime workers. Wherever there is sanding, blasting, or disturbing of stone and concrete, silica is in the air. Crystalline silica, a mineral found in a variety of materials, including sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar, can lead to lung cancer, silicosis, or kidney disease if inhaled. Because of this danger, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued safer workplace standards for silica exposure in summer 2016. However, companies in related industries were given extended schedules to conform. Construction companies have just begun to comply in September, while general-industry and maritime companies have until June 23, 2018. OSHA’s new silica standards require affected companies to ensure the harmful bits of material don’t exceed a permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air during an eight-hour shift. As outlined by OSHA, other key provisions require that employers use engineering controls (such as water or ventilation), provide respirators, limit worker access to high-exposure areas, develop a written exposure control plan, and offer medical exams and relevant training materials to their employees. With 300,000 affected workers nationwide, general-industry and maritime operations in brick manufacturing, foundries, hydraulic fracturing, and shipyards are preparing to apply OSHA’s new standard next year. General-industry employees are often exposed to silica while using abrasive blasting to clean or shape a variety of surfaces. Shipyard employees are subjected to the carcinogen when working on abrasive blasting operations to remove paint from the steel hulls and bulkheads of ships. In the meantime, the clock is ticking for the construction industry’s 2 million strong. Brian Gallagher, vice president of marketing with Greenville construction company O’Neal Inc., expects that companies could face high costs 16
UBJ | 12.22.2017
Should any construction outfit struggle with compliance, it risks fines and a stop in production. Hammers and cranes will not “clank” again until current silica levels are painstakingly determined and a variety of other standards are subsequently met.
as they struggle to fulfill OSHA’s new standard and mitigate risk for employees working around silica. If not immediately addressed through proper training, equipment, and planning, simple activities like cutting slabs of concrete could negatively affect not only the construction and maintenance groups performing the work, but surrounding employees as well, he said. The new standard’s impact will leave its mark on many industries, including upstream manufacturers planning construction, expansion, or retrofit projects. Although construction companies around the country are adapting to the new standard, Gallagher said manufacturing firms will be expected to shoulder some of the responsibility. These companies will need to address the presence of silica in all stages of project planning, he said. They will need to take appropriate precautions and engage qualified contractors that have been proactive in dealing with the silica mandates. Here in South Carolina, it would be hard to imagine a ride along a major roadway or a stroll through a big city, without the familiar sights and sounds of development. From $100 million transportation projects and commercial expansion to spacious city parks and hotel construction, development, hard hats, and crane-dotted skylines have become commonplace. Should any construction outfit struggle with compliance, it risks fines and a stop in production. Hammers and cranes will not “clank” again
until current silica levels are painstakingly determined and a variety of other standards are subsequently met. The silica levels are ascertained through an air-monitoring test, which is done by placing meters on exposed employees. Once completed, the tests are sent to a lab for analysis. Meanwhile, work is still shut down. The tests will determine whether employees should wear respirators. However, respirator programs are very involved and can be a lengthy process to implement. Employees must first be medically qualified to wear the device. If they are not qualified, further medical evaluations may be required. In addition, there is mask fitting, maintenance, training, and employee monitoring. Essentially, without compliance, the project is halted, money is lost, government fines are levied, and people could become sick. Although compliance-related issues should be expected, the new standard has provided somewhat of a fail-safe. OSHA requires that each company in the affected industries have a competent person on site, whether an employee or third-party, to assess and maintain the new silica regulations. As the construction industry continues to to implement the rules, and as the regulation reshapes protocol and safety measures up and down the industry and its many subsidiaries, the standard’s next targets, general industry and maritime, should take notes in preparation for their own deadline next summer.
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
HIRED
HIRED
HIRED
HIRED
| ON THE MOVE
APPOINTED
WILLIAM COXE JR.
WILL LYONS
KEN KRUITHOF
KIRK BEVAN
STANLEY G. MAYS
Has joined Greenwood Capital as a private client advisor in the firm’s wealth management division. He will be responsible for creating and cultivating high-networth financial planning and investment advisory relationships. Coxe is a graduate of the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.
Has joined EnviroSouth Inc. as a project hydrologist. Lyons earned a Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of South Carolina and is a licensed professional geologist. Lyons will be responsible for management and coordination of environmental assessment and remediation projects.
Has joined Miracle Hill Ministries as the nonprofit’s chief operating officer. A retired Michelin executive, Kruithof will oversee infrastructure and earned income, along with programming through Miracle Hill’s homeless shelters, recovery centers, children’s homes, and foster care.
Has joined HomeTrust Bank as a branch manager. Bevan will manage the retail operations and sales and service staff of the bank’s Woodruff Road office. Bevan has 17 years of experience in banking, finance, lending, risk management, and sales. He is a graduate of Vanguard University.
Has been appointed to the Greenville Airport Commission by Greenville County Council to serve a three-year term. The Greenville Airport Commission is the owner and operator of the Greenville Downtown Airport, which is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina.
MARKETING
Because Tax Season is Year-Long!
Crawford Strategy has received 10 MarCom Awards for its creative work in marketing and communications. The international MarCom Awards honor excellence and creativity in the industry. They recieved Platinum Awards for their work for North Myrtle Beach and Thrive Upstate; Gold Awards for Haywood County, Maggie Valley, O’Neal Inc., and North Myrtle Beach; and Honorable Mention for United Community Bank, Southern Wesleyan University, and the Innovate Fund. CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The Greenville Chamber has hired Adrea Turner as director of talent and workforce solutions and Tavares Durrah as investor development manager. They also promoted Julie Alexander (senior development manager), Ebony Austin (events and special programs director), Megan Campbell (marketing and communications director), Kelle Corvin (investor development manager), Hank Hyatt (senior vice president of economic competitiveness), and Jason Zacher (senior vice president of business advocacy). The Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce has hired Ashley Swift as a membership sales and retention specialist, Mary Pat Smith as an events and special projects coordinator, and Britton Rodgers as a marketing and communications specialist.
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#TRENDING / NEW TO THE STREET |
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW / NEW FACES OF BUSINESS
THE WATERCOOLER 1. How one Greenville entrepreneur is quietly disrupting the luxury watch industry
2. Plans released for retail and multifamily development between Hampton Avenue and Buncombe Street
3. December DRB
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URITY CIAL SEC CYBER SO E DRB | FROM TH N | NOTES ITIO GN CO AND RE BURG’S BR SPARTAN INSIDE //
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t
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E 50
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ISSU | VOL. 6
luxur y iss-made retto’s Sw high-quality e Bob Ba combin design watches and classical s ial ter ma
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4. GHS partners with KIYATEC to boost effectiveness of cancer treatments
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UBJ | 12.22.2017
EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR
PRESIDENT/CEO
Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
| PLANNER
DATE
EVENT INFO
WHERE DO I GO?
HOW DO I GO?
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
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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. Circulation Audit by
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
UBJ milestone
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
1988
FEBRUARY 9 CRE ISSUE
>>
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.
MARCH 2 INTERNATIONAL 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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