AUGUST 2, 2019| VOL. 8 ISSUE 16
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amerisbank.com/395rate All loans are subject to credit approval. The opening of an Ameris Bank business deposit account, to be used as the primary operating account, is required for this offer. The deposit account balance shall be reflective of the annual average balances reasonably expected for the business. This balance will be identified prior to loan closure and shared with the borrower. If deposit balances are not maintained, a fee of 0.25% of the outstanding loan balance will be assessed. The new loan payment will be automatically drafted from this account, or an Ameris Bank deposit account. Prepayment penalties are subject to refinances only and will not be assessed on the sale of the property to an unrelated third party.
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AUGUST 2, 2019 | VOLUME 8, ISSUE 16
FINANCE
FEATURE | PROFILE
EVENTS
6
8
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ECONOMICS CLUB “A Rotary Club for nerds, with a happy hour,” as Camp Wynn, principal at Colonial Trust Co., refers to the Piedmont Economics Club.
UST | 98 VENTURES The large 98 Ventures graphic just went up, representing the nascent management services company that will now run and support UST.
BUSINESS PLANNER A current listing of networking + business events in and around the Upstate region of South Carolina. Make plans today.
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TECHNOLOGY
Opening ‘tiny doors’ in manufacturing NEW CLEMSON RESEARCH METHOD n story by JOE TOPPE | photos PROVIDED
In a world one thousand times smaller than a broken piece of human hair, Clemson researchers say some of the crystals in metal can “grow and shrink like bath bubbles, and understanding how materials form and evolve at When you fabricate nanometals and the crystals this small scale will have treare just a few nanometers in size, the strength of mendous implications on the manufacturing and processing the metal increases by at least a factor of 10. If industries.” you gain that much in strength, you can design The Clemson study explores lighter structures.” how metal crystals behave un– Fadi Abdeljawad, Clemson University Material Scientist der high temperatures and mechanical forces. Traditionally, the research
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has been “trial and error” but “we are now witnessing a paradigm shift in our approach where physics-based models could provide tools to revolutionize and optimize the manufacturing of materials,” Clemson University Material Scientist, Fadi Abdeljawad said. “When you fabricate nanometals and the crystals are just a few nanometers in size, the strength of the metal increases by at least a factor of 10,” he continued. “If you gain that much in strength, you can design lighter structures.” Fadi predicts the automotive and aerospace
sectors could benefit tremendously from the research. Knowing how to make ultra-lightweight materials with enhanced properties “will lead to safer and more economical cars,” A rendering of an atomistic structure of nano-crystalline nickel. Each set of atoms with same color represents a crystal, which is a nanometer in size.
he said. In addition, “lighter airplanes will mean less fuel consumption and cheaper tickets.” By 2025, the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards will mandate manufacturers produce passenger vehicles averaging 54.5 miles per gallon. In their most recent sustainability report, Harald Krüger, CEO of BMW Group, said the luxury automaker’s been continuously increas-
| NEWS
ing the efficiency of their combustion engines for many years. “Our goal is emission-free mobility,” he said. In 2018, “we delivered more than 140,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids worldwide.” To lower fuel demands in aircraft operation, companies like Boeing are using plastic composites as the chief material to build the airframes for their new Dreamliner. As a bonus, the use of lighter materials can have a significant impact on aerospace defense as well. Investing in future technologies and transformative materials will generate long-term benefits for stakeholders, customers and the broader industry at large, Atherton Carty said, director at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. And yet, “metals in automotive and aircraft construction will never be fully replaced due to the high temperatures or extreme environments involved in operation,” Fadi said. “Fundamental insights from our work will aid in the design and development of materials with optimized properties,” he continued. “While the future will involve developing systems that combine the enticing properties of all classes of materials, metals will remain central to many structural, electronic, energy and functional applications.”
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FINANCE
Economics Club banks on 50 years of fellowship n story by JOHN JETER | photos PROVIDED
PICTURED ABOVE: Arthur Magill, left, fellow club co-founder Herb Kittredge and current chair Dan Foster sit together in a September 1984 photo from an old newspaper clipping in the club’s archives. Photo courtesy of Piedmont Economics Club 6
UBJ | 8.02.2019
A strong dollar suppresses gold prices. A weak one can’t buy as much stuff. Inflation makes things cost more — and raise your hand if, you, too, struggled through Econ 101. Well, join the party or, better yet, the club that makes the “dismal science” a monthly soiree. “A Rotary Club for nerds, with a happy hour,” as Camp Wynn, principal at Colonial Trust Co., refers to the Piedmont Economics Club, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. Billed as “South Carolina’s oldest civic organization dedicated to the promotion and discussion of economic ideas and thought,” the club kicks off its new season in September. The series of six dinner meetings at the Poinsett Club features a marquee economist, analyst, policymaker, or journalist. The organization started in 1969, just before one of its founders, Arthur Magill, donated $750,000 to open the Greenville County Museum of Art. “They were interested in what’s going on, what’s driving the price of gold, inflation, that sort of thing,” recalls Bruce Yandle, dean emeritus of Clemson’s business school who joined the club in 1970. “The thinking was, ‘Let’s find out more about it, and let’s see if we can make some good investments.’” But the club’s no investment group. Rather, its 40 to 50 members — businesspeople, financiers, academicians, retirees, and undergraduate and grad students from throughout the Upstate — harbor a passion for a discipline the 19th-century essayist Thomas Carlyle called the “dismal science.” “It’s not a group of people who agree on everything, which is one of the things that makes the club fun and interesting,” says Wynn, who’s listed as program director, though Yandle has been booking guests for the last 15 years. The season’s first speaker generally addresses macroeconomic trends, while subsequent talks focus on micro-issues such as the Santee-Cooper nuclear power plant’s demise or environmental economics. And Wynn, whose family’s company has been in business more than a century, opens the meetings with a roundup of capital markets. A forecasting contest nets the winner a framed $2 bill. Wynn says Yandle’s clout attracts big names, including the likes of economist Walter Heller, an influential adviser to President John F. Kennedy; Alice Rivlin, who founded the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in the 1970s; Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council; and, more recently, John Tamny, senior political economy editor at Forbes.
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F r i + S at N ig h t s
Lobster night
tuesday Nig
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Bake
UPCOMING EVENTS/SPEAKERS “His Rolodex is extensive,” Wynn says of Yandle. “When he calls people, they answer.” That’s also how Katie Holba remembers the meeting she attended as a graduate student at Clemson, where she earned her master’s in economics in 2015. “Dr. Yandle invited me to go to the event, and when Dr. Yandle gives advice to go to an event, you go to an event,” says Holba, calling the experience influential. Now 27, she works in Volvo’s Commercial Sales Division in Charleston. “It kind of puts you back in your shoes, to step back and hear how smart and intelligent people are,” she says of the white-tablecloth dinner, speech, and networking get-together. Hui Zhou, another Clemson economics grad and now a commercial banker in Dallas, also recalls his invitation from Yandle. “It’s a great way to connect what we learn from school to the real stuff in society right now — trade wars, capital markets, stocks,” says Zhou, 32. Yandle credits the club’s longevity to: “Colleagues, friends, associates, and a region on the rise, a reputation for good fellowship and warm hospitality, and a rather interesting venue at the Poinsett Club — all of these things fold in to help us attract speakers,” he says. “Now we have to think about the next 50 years.”
SEPTEMBER 11 John Tamny: Key economic issues for this decade
all-day sunday
$14 Fried Chicken
95
OCTOBER 9 Jody Lipford: The SCE&G/Santee-Cooper nuclear power plant demise: What happened? NOVEMBER 7 Jim Otteson: What’s so bad about capitalism? FEBRUARY 13 Rajesh Gupta: The year ahead: What can we say about U.S. and global markets? MARCH 5 Charles Dougherty: What’s in store for the Carolinas and the region?
The
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLUB: piedmonteconomics.com | (864) 657-1867 piedmont.economics.club@gmail.com A range of memberships is available, up to $500 for all six meetings, including dinner.
saltwatergvl.com 8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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FEATURE | FROM THE COVER
UST | 98 VENTURES Making the last mile count Festive banners fill the UST satellite space in the NEXT building, as co-workers bounce from office to office. A wireless speaker playing Ed Sheeran sits on the floor against a wall labeled 98 Ventures. The large graphic just went up, representing the nascent management services company that will now run and support UST, and two, newly formed sister companies: UST Select and Equip Fulfillment. “It’s pretty amazing,” shares former UST President, now 98 Ventures President Scott Moore. “Our year-to-date growth is 48% over last year. So, it required us to take a step back and look at infrastructure and figure out how we’re going to support all of these different operating models and entities.” The answer was restructuring and birthing three new companies. UST Select will mimic UST’s logistical solutions business, but serve clients who require a different framework for home deliveries. Equip Fulfillment will provide supplies to 450 trucking teams for UST and UST Select, as well as competitors. Meanwhile, UST’s C-suite has transitioned to 98 Ventures, where staff will provide executive oversight to all with legal, accounting, risk management and human resource support. Ambitious. Efficient. Booming. Not bad for a 21-year-old company that’s outgrown its initial, single-city beginning in Asheville, to work with clients across the United States. “We’ve expand8
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ed to more than 22 states and 70 locations,” reveals Moore. “This year, we’ve hired 54 new employees coast to coast. We have a heavy presence in the Southeast but locations as far west as California, and lots of locations in Texas.”
Backroom to the Boardroom Moore’s childhood buddy, Scott Ramsey, founded UST to deliver big and bulky goods from furniture stores, to customer’s homes. Back in Madison High days, the two started out together at Pearlman’s Furniture in Asheville, where they cleaned toilets and replaced light bulbs. After college, Moore, a fifth-generation lawmen, was working as a sheriff ’s deputy in southern Greenville County. He loved law enforcement, but Ramsey needed “someone he could trust,” and convinced Moore’s wife, to convince the deputy, to come on board with UST. “The company was expanding to a second location, and he needed a regional manager. So, we relocated to Charlotte,” the 42-year-old recalls. “We had about 12 employees then. Now we’ve got more than 1000 employees and contract teams during peak parts of the year. It’s quite emotional, because a lot of the team members who are here have been with me for years.” As the company grew, so did Moore’s many roles. He eventually served UST as a Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and President, before the creation of 98 Ventures at the
n story by STEPHANIE TROTTER photo WILL CROOKS AND PROVIDED
end of July. At every step, he’s relied upon relationship skills he honed early on, carrying boxes and then a badge. “My focus is on people,” the president reveals. “The team I lead, I don’t specialize in any of
BY THE
NUMBERS
15 + 22 54 70 100
Local job openings
States with locations Employees newly hired Physical locations Job openings listed nationally
THREE NEW COMPANIES: UST SELECT : Will mimic UST’s logistical solutions business, but serve clients who require a different framework for home deliveries. EQUIP FULFILLMENT: Providing supplies to 450 trucking teams for UST and UST Select, as well as competitors. 98 VENTURES: UST’s C-Suite transitioned over where staff will provide executive oversight to all with legal, accounting, risk management and human resource support. those things. I don’t have a law degree, or accounting degree, or IT. But I’ve spent my career learning how to build a team. I’m intentional with that. I study it and try to read everything I can to understand how to do it better.”
Logistics Meets Innovation Thousands of companies operate in the last mile logistics industry, delivering appliances, furniture and large electronics. UST is middle market player, servicing approximately 250 stores daily, with more than one million annual deliveries. Several years ago, managers cast a plan to grow beyond their long-time clients that include Ashley Furniture, American Signature Furniture and Value City Furniture. “The industry is constantly changing,” explains Moore. “For us to stay ahead of the curve, we knew we had to make some radical changes and radical initiatives.” Initiatives included investing in technology. UST hired a team of developers, and pumped $4.1 million into creating UST’s own logistics software platform. “Efficiency is key in every industry, but in ours, it’s critical,” says Moore. “We engineered all the integrations of mapping, dispatch and more. Our software allows us to take all those data points in other areas of the business that typically went into a black hole, and do
UST VISION STATEMENT: Transform the industry by offering unmatched return for our client partners and team members
some predictive analytics and make better business decisions.” The technology boost enabled UST to scale with big box retailers, and even engage e-commerce companies. Moore provides insight on this summer’s, recent growth. “A lot of things we’d been working on for a number of years came in at the same time. We had major growth with an existing client, signed two, new, very large clients, and it all happened within 60 days of each other.” While the new clients wish to remain anonymous, it’s no secret 98 Ventures and its companies will need more office space. UST Select is currently listing more than 100 job openings, with 15-20 of those based in Greenville. Staff is already split between NEXT and SCOTT MOORE 103 N. Main Street. 98 Ventures No matter where they President move, Moore insists the company’s headquarters and heart remain in Greenville, where they are trending toward $100 million in revenue for 2019. Moore predicts even more growth utilizing the new operating structure.
“We want to grow,” he states. “But we want to do it at the right pace, and the right way to sustain the business. This year’s 48% is breakneck speed, but Greenville is a great pool of talent, and we’ve on-boarded the type of talent we need. I feel pretty optimistic.”
Our year-todate growth is 48% over last year. So, it required us to take a step back and look at infrastructure and figure out how we’re going to support all of these different operating models and entities.” 8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
green fetish NEW RESTAURANT OPENS
n story by ARIEL TURNER | photo WILL CROOKS AND ARIEL TURNER
The unique-to-Greenville health-focused concept green fetish opened July 30 in the former American Roadside Burger location at 301 E. McBee Ave. The new fast-casual restaurant, operated by Chris Yun, offers dozens of mostly organic options that are gluten-free, allergen-friendly, vegan-friendly, and refined sugar-free. The menu features 12 grain and greens-based bowls, açai and pitaya bowls, smoothies, toasts, superfood lattes, and vegan frozen yogurt. Backed by Yun’s family, which operates Lieu’s Chinese Bistro and both locations of Otto Izakaya, this departure from the Asian-inspired menu is a complete about face from those gluten and fried-food heavy menus and is a direct result of Yun’s own weight-loss and health journey. The location for green fetish, steps from CycleBar and a block from Main Street, has seating indoors and out for about 100 guests. The barn wood from the former burger concept has been removed, and the décor is minimalistic with white and natural wood fixtures, and green accents. Certain menu items are still in the works, such as the plant-based frozen yogurt in matcha (bright green), lemon zest, and charcoal (black) flavors, Yun says. From 8-11 a.m. Monday-Saturday, the bar to the right of the entrance will serve smoothies and bowls, toasts, lattes, and other beverages. The full menu will be available at a salad-bar type line 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sundays. Yun says he’s working on mimosas and the like for Sunday brunch. 10
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SAMPLING OF THE MENU: grain bowls iron man: spinach, quinoa, sustainable grilled trout, chickpeas, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh lime squeeze, ranch dressing get the guac: brown rice, grilled organic chicken, pico de gallo, grilled corn, black beans, guacamole, pepper jack cheese, fresh lime squeeze, chipolte lime dressing green bowls high steaks: lemony rocket, romaine, grass fed steak, heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion, bacon, goat cheese, chia seeds, balsamic vinaigrette veganism: kale, quinoa, sweet gochujang tofu, pomegranate seeds, spicy roasted chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, sweet cashew dressing
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PROFILE
Meyer Tool’s Laura Gordon is on the rise GORDON’S INNATE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES ARE STEERING THE COMPANY INTO THE FUTURE n story by JOE TOPPE | photo WILL CROOKS
Laura Gordon, one of Greenville’s newest general managers, is using her willingness to lead and her interest in STEM to make headway in the state’s rising manufacturing space. The North Wales native took over the head position at Meyer Tool Greenville late last year after following her father’s industry lead and her own abilities to take charge. Gordon’s father’s job with British Aerospace brought the family to Wichita, Kansas, in 1995 when she was 12. Gordon’s time on her high school debate team helped sharpen her leadership skills. She was named the 1999 Kansas State Debate champion. “It was probably still on my resume when I applied for the position at Meyer Tool,” Gordon said. After college, Gordon returned to Wichita and worked at Learjet as a material logistics agent until a work colleague began telling her about his home in Greenville. “I visited once and just knew I wanted to move here,” she said. In 2007, Gordon got a job with Trust Technologies and moved to Greenville. Four years later, Gordon was hired as the HR/EHS manager at Watson Engineering. Gordon worked with Watson Engineering until her mentor, Marsha Madore, the former director of HR at GSP International Airport, suggested an open position at Meyer Tool’s Greenville facility in 2016. Gordon joined the Meyer Tool team as operations manager until her promotion to general manager last November.
We cannot bring in people fast enough. Meyer Tool Greenville is partnered with Greenville Tech, ECPI, and SC Works. – Laura Gordon, General Manager, Meyer Tool Greenville
Q&A with Laura Gordon UBJ: What is the bulk of your business? Is there a mix of energy/gas turbine and aerospace? GORDON: Meyer Tool operates in two sectors: aerospace and land-based industrial gas turbines. About three years ago IGT was about 25 percent of our total business, but after the industry took a downturn due to the strength of renewables (solar, wind, with improved battery technology), along with such growth in aviation, it’s been reduced to approximately 10 percent now. Meyer Tool Greenville is currently predominantly IGT but is exploring other areas of interest. UBJ: Which product areas do you see growing the most? GORDON: Everything Meyer Tool works on is part of the hot section in an engine, land and air. In the interest of curbing fuel costs and improving fuel conservation, airlines are looking to newer technology by upgrading their existing fleet with new engine technology as well as adding new aircraft. UBJ: What areas of workforce development need improvement in this market? Does Meyer Tool work with local organizations and tech programs to create a pipeline of skilled hands? GORDON: Simply keeping up with the growth we’re experiencing. We cannot bring in people fast enough. Meyer Tool Greenville is partnered with Greenville Tech, ECPI, and SC Works. I recently joined the Machine Tool Technology Advisory Boards for Greenville Tech and ECPI. In October Meyer Tool will be participating in Manufacturing Day as a host for high school students to take tours and ask questions – an event put together by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. 8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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FINANCE
Buy-Sell agreements:
What every business owner should know by ROB DEHOLLANDER
DeHollander & Janse Financial Group
As a business owner, I know how easy it is to get stuck working ‘in your business’ rather than working ‘on your business.’ However, I recently saw the cost of this in a tragic light and it’s a cautionary tale. I worked with the family of a business owner who ran a very successful business in the Upstate for more than 20 years. Unfortunately, he had done no business planning and a critical oversight was the absence of an exit strategy. When he died unexpectedly, it cost the family roughly 30% of the fair market value of their business. Imagine if you invested years of hard work and then your family had to sell your business at deep discount. Every business owner should have a plan in place to ensure the continuity of the business should anything happen to them. For many business owners, this plan involves setting up a buy-sell agreement.
What Is a Buy-Sell Agreement?
A buy-sell agreement ensures business continuity if the owner becomes disabled, decides to retire, or passes away unexpectedly. It outlines the parties involved in the agreement, describes the events that trigger a transfer, and lays out an agreed-upon value of the business. Having this kind of agreement in place can help avoid rushed decisions during what can be a stressful time.
Structuring the Agreement
There are several ways to construct a buy-sell agreement. The 12
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best choice for you will depend on your company’s structure and ownership: • Cross purchase: Another business partner agrees to purchase the business from the owner or the owner’s family. • Entity purchase: The business entity agrees to purchase the business from the owner or the owner’s family. • Wait-and-see: The buyer of the business is allowed to remain unspecified, and a plan is put in place to decide on a buyer at the time of a triggering event (e.g., retirement, disability, death).
Funding Methods
It’s important to include funding details in a buy-sell agreement to ensure a successful transfer and to keep the business running smoothly. Common funding methods include cash or assets of the business, a loan, and installment payments, as well as employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and insurance.
ESOPs
When selling a business to employees, an ESOP can be established to help provide a source of funds. An ESOP requires specialized administration to navigate the complexity of the agreement and to comply with the applicable rules and regulations. Candidates for an ESOP generally fit within the following guidelines: • Privately held, profitable C or S corporation • More than 30 employees • Value of at least $3 million • Established management team and strong cash flow history
Life and Disability Insurance
Insurance provides liquidity to help the business during a challenging situation or to purchase the business from a grieving family. Depending on the structure of the company and the type of buysell agreement, the business may be able to pay the premium, or bonuses may be given to those policy owners who pay the premiums. • In a cross-purchase agree-
ment, all business owners will purchase, own, and be the beneficiary of an insurance policy insuring each of the other business owners. • With an entity purchase agreement, the insurance policy is usually owned by the business. Even with multiple owners, only one policy per owner is needed. • In wait-and-see agreements, the policy ownership and beneficiary structures vary, depending on the type of the agreement that is ultimately put in place.
Next Steps
When determining if a buy-sell agreement would work for your business, keep these considerations in mind to help you make the best choices for your company, your partners, and your employees. If you do move forward with a buy-sell agreement, be sure to consult with an attorney and a tax advisor to develop a plan that best serves the needs of your business.
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BUSINESS
New to the Street
RECENTLY OPENED BUSINESSES IN THE UPSTATE State Farm Insurance – Tim Gajda Agency State Farm agent Tim Gajda recently opened a Simpsonville location. State Farm offers insurance and financial services across the country. Where: 100 Batesville Road, Simpsonville Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – noon on Saturday Find out more: www.fiveforksinsurance.com or (864)-520-5160 INTERESTING NOTE: Locally raised in Greenville, SC and 2008 graduate of Clemson University
Pretty Credit Pretty Credit, a board certified, licensed and bonded credit restoration company, recently opened. Where: 2007 Woodruff Road, Greenville Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday Find out more: www.prettywashington.com/, email info@prettywashington.com or support@ prettywashington.com, or call (864)-580-6399. INTERESTING NOTE: Grow your business without using your personal funds or credit
Office Interiors Office Interiors, a full service furniture dealer serving markets nationwide based in Atlanta, GA, recently opened a satellite location in Greenville. Where: 146 W Phillips Road, Suite F in Greenville Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday Find out more: www.oiatlanta.com, call (864)-295-1600, or email info@oigreenville.com INTERESTING NOTE: We are not just selling furniture, we are creating experiences
Carolinas Total Staffing Solutions Carolinas Total Staffing Solutions, a strategic workforce staffing and business consulting agency, recently opened. Where: 2515 River Road, Suite 101, Piedmont Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday Find out more: www.carolinastss.com, call (877)-731-1345 or email support@carolinastss.com INTERESTING NOTE: Together we have over 40 years of technical and management experience
Burns McDonnell Burns McDonnell, a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm, recently opened a Greenville location. Where: 124 Verdae Boulevard, Suite 301, Greenville Our Brands: AZCO Inc., Industrial contractors and Ref-Chem, heavy industrial services contractor Find out more: www.burnsmcd.com/locations/greenville-spartanburg or (864)-263-5300 INTERESTING NOTE: We plan, design, permit, construct and manage facilities all over the world 8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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ROUND UP | BRIEFS, TIDBITS & MORE
THE 2019
READER’S
LENS PHOTO CONTEST The Greenville Journal invites you to share your best photos of what the Upstate has to offer. Each month one lucky winner will win a $250 gift card to be used at any Rick Erwin’s Dining Group restaurant. Three honorable mention photos will also receive a $25 gift card to an Upstate business. Winning entries will be published in the Greenville Journal.
AUGUST THEME: NIGHT TIME
UPSTATE BUSINESS NEWS AND NOTES Southern Wesleyan and Tri-County Tech sign Connect agreement Southern Wesleyan University and Tri-County Technical College have formed a partnership designed to enhance the transfer of students from TCTC to SWU. Students who complete any associate degree at TCTC will be guaranteed admission to SWU upon successfully completing all steps for enrollment.
Interns join Chiropractic Health Center at Sherman College Twenty interns are now ready to serve the community and see patients at the Sherman College Chiropractic Health Center, a teaching clinic for senior students in their final stage of internship prior to graduation from the Doctor of Chiropractic program. Interns celebrated the entrance of this final phase of their chiropractic education recently during a pinning ceremony.
Local workforce expert led a discussion on profitability and renewable energy The Climate Reality Project: Upstate South Carolina Chapter recently had Dr. Jermaine Whirl, Vice President of Learning and Workforce Development at Greenville Technical College lead a discussion on the economic benefits of businesses moving to 100% renewable energy at the July 18th chapter meeting at Brewery 85.
Throughout the ages poets, artists and writers have romanticized the night time. Being photography lovers, we are jumping on the bandwagon. We want to delve into the inspiration that the nocturnal time offers. Night owls, it’s your time to shine.
For details on each month’s contest and to submit your photo, visit
GreenvilleJournal.com/ReadersLens
Lee & Associates Greenville opens satellite office in Spartanburg Lee & Associates Greenville is opening a satellite office in Spartanburg at 320 E. Main Street, Suite 430. Adam D. Padgett, SIOR will be the Executive Vice President / Principal and will manage the Spartanburg office. Jordan Skellie will be the Senior Associate / Principal and focus on industrial and warehouse properties and projects.
READ MORE ONLINE UPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL.com
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BRIEFS, TIDBITS & MORE
| ROUND UP
Networking + Business Events Planner AUG
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NETWORKING
Business After Hours 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Tile & Marble Gallery
An evening of networking at the Tile & Marble Gallery, 1616 Laurens Road, Greenville. Kim Guthrie at 864-297-1323 or info@mauldinchamber.org
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1 Million Cups Every month, entrepreneurs present their startup companies to their communities and learn how their community can help support their business to flourish. Free to attend; Contact Betsy Neely Sikma at bsikma@spartanburgchamber.org
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Woman in Charge Wednesdays
Leads Group
6:00 - 8:00 pm | Aloft WXYZ Bar Series featuring a prominent woman in the community. August’s speaker: Kendra Lindsay
NETWORKING
11:45am - 1:00pm| Green Valley Country Club
8:30 - 9:00 am | Simpsonville First Baptist Church
Contact Aaron Rupe at Aaron.Rupe@dexyp.com Free to Simpsonville Chamber members
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Upstate Political Leadership Institute — Advocacy 101
Links Group No. 3
12:00 - 1:00 pm | Mauldin Cultural Center For anyone looking for business leads.
8:30am - 1:00pm | Greenville Chamber
The Mauldin Chamber at (864) 297-1323 or info@mauldinchamber.org
Increase your knowledge of how policy issues affect you.
This noncompete leads group offers business networking and referral marketing.
$85 chamber members / $150 nonmembers. Contact Jason Zacher at 864-239-3718 or jzacher@greenvillechamber.org
$13/person. Register at bit.ly/WomanInChargeWednesday
August Business Luncheon
Chamber Connects
Members are encouraged to bring qualified, quality referrals to other members. Each group is industry-specific with one seat reserved for each profession.
8:30 - 9:30 am | Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery | 197 E. John St., Spartanburg
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A monthly luncheon of networking and learning opportunities. August’s speaker is Dr. Mike Geran.
8:30 - 9:45 am | Greenville Chamber
Contact Ebony Austin at 864-239-3730 or eaustin@greenvillechamber.org
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$13/person. Register at www.GreaterTRChamber.com/events-calendar
LEARNING
Small Business Tax Workshop
9:00am - 3:00pm | University Center of Greenville The Greenville Area Small Business Development Center is hosting a tax workshop for prospective and new small business owners. $15/person. Contact Leslea Gass at lgass@clemson.edu
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Policy Breakfast
7:30 - 8:00 am | Crowne Plaza | 851 Congaree Road, Greenville South Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, Pamela Evette, will provide a recap of what the governor’s office accomplished during the 2019 legislative session, preview the priorities they hope to accomplish in 2020, and detail what these priorities mean for the Upstate’s business community. $25/chamber member; $40/non-member. Contact Madison Hall at (864) 239-3748 or mhall@greenvillechamber.org 8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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AUGUST TOWN HAS ARRIVED
ROUND UP | BRIEFS, TIDBITS & MORE
On the Move APPOINTED Scott Turner recently joined Greenville County Schools as deputy superintendent. Turner was the longtime superintendent of Spartanburg School District Five. Turner began his teaching career as a science instructor at Boiling Springs High School in 1987.
HIRED Amy Whitney has joined Countybank as retail banking sales manager. Whitney comes to Countybank with more than 16 years in the financial services industry. She previously served in retail services, business development, and commercial loan positions at BB&T.
HIRED Kellie Corlee recently joined GreenWood, Inc. as an Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) representative. Corlee brings over 25 years of experience to this position with a background in general construction safety training, general industry safety & health, as well as DOT and workers’ compensation management.
HIRED James Hudson
TOWN is the authority on living well in the Upstate and beyond delivering the exceptional stories, culture, and style of the progressive South through compelling writing, design, and photography.
By subscribing, you will receive TOWN directly- 12 times per year.
Subscribe today for the low price of: $65 annually
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UBJ | 8.02.2019
recently joined Mashburn Construction as business development director for the company’s Greenville office. Hudson brings over 10 years of business development experience, primarily in the Greenville market where he worked with clients within the construction field.
PROMOTED Jeff Helvey has been promoted to director of solid waste services at Bunnell Lammons Engineering. Helvey began his career with BLE more than 20 years ago.
PROMOTED Chris Moore promoted to president of CarolinaPower. Moore has been with the company since its inception 20 years ago. Most recently, Moore served as vice president and general manager. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
| ROUND UP
BRIEFS, TIDBITS & MORE
Some of the Upstate’s most recent hires, promotions, awards, and appointments PROMOTED Chad Stepp has been promoted to Senior Associate / Shareholder at Lee & Associates Greenville. Stepp joined Lee & Associates Greenville in 2016 as an Associate where he partnered with the veteran industrial team of Randall Bentley, CCIM, SIOR and Kevin Bentley, SIOR.
HIRED Rob Jansen has been hired as the new executive chef for Cascades Verdae, a luxury retirement community, owned and operated by Senior Living Communities, LLC (Senior-Living-Communities.com). Jansen, who has 16 years of industry experience.
UP NEXT GOT ANY THOUGHTS? PUBLISHER Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
CARE TO CONTRIBUTE? LET US KNOW AT
upstatebusinessjournal. com/submit.
Susan Schwartzkopf
EDITOR Claire Billingsley
COPY EDITOR Rebecca Strelow
STAFF WRITERS Melody Cuenca, Ariel Gilreath, Ariel Turner
EVENTS: Submit event information for consideration to events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com
MARKETING & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OF SALES Emily Yepes
MANAGER OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Donna Johnston
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES
SELECTED Michael T. Pry senior associate and community studio leader with DP3 Architects, Ltd., will be part of The Greenville Chamber’s Leadership Greenville Class 46. He has led significant award-winning projects in the Upstate.
Kaylee Harrison has been hired as the Collective Capacity Coordinator for Ten at the Top (TATT). Harrison will build the capacity of Ten at the Top’s task forces and working groups that focus on regional issues. She graduated from Clemson University in 2014 with a degree in economics.
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
1988
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
RELATIONSHIP MANAGER Meredith Rice
ACCOUNT MANAGER
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Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
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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 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-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
Callie Michalak
AS SEEN IN
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley | Rosie Peck
DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER John Olson
HIRED
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
Heather Propp | Liz Tew
Order a reprint today, PDFs available for $25. For more information, contact Anita Harley 864.679.1205 or aharley@ communityjournals.com
ART & PRODUCTION VISUAL DIRECTOR Will Crooks
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kimberly Collier
ADVERTISING DESIGN Michael Allen
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Holly Hardin
NAMED Rob Flack IndySoft Corporation announced that Rob Flack has been named CEO of IndySoft Corporation. Prior to joining IndySoft, Flack was with Transcat, the leading supplier of calibration, validation, and analytical services to premier manufacturing firms throughout North America.
SELECTED Lisa Dwight director of marketing for DP3 Architects, Ltd. has been selected as a 2019 Woman of Influence in the Marketing/Communications Professional category. The Real Estate Forum and GlobeSt.com editorial team sought the best of the best across the commercial real estate spectrum.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE EVENTS: events@upstatebusinessjournal.com
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 500 words. Contact the editor at editor@communityjournals.com to submit an article for consideration. Circulation Audit by
publishers of GREENVILLE JOURNAL 581 Perry Avenue, Greenville, SC 29611 864-679-1200 | communityjournals.com For subscriptions, call 864-679-1240 or visit UpstateBusinessJournal.com Copyright ©2019 BY COMMUNITY JOURNALS LLC. All rights reserved. Upstate Business Journal is published biweekly by Community Journals LLC. 581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Upstate Business Journal is a free publication. Annual subscriptions (26 issues) can be purchased for $50. Postmaster: Send address changes to Upstate Business, P581 Perry Ave., Greenville, South Carolina, 29611. Printed in the USA.
8.02.2019 | upstatebusinessjournal.com
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