2012 Profiles in Business

2012

IN Business

Sponsored by

President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 849.3103

A Note From the Publisher

Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields sfields@scbiznews.com • 849.3110

Those of you who have been Business Journal readers all of these years most likely know this story, but for you newer readers, the origin of Profiles in Business bears repeating. Not long after we launched the Business Journal in 1995, businesspeople began asking us to include stories about their companies in our publication.

As journalists, we always had to reply, “We can’t do that until you do something we can report as news.”

Accounting Department - Vickie Deadmon vdeadmon@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677 Managing Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 849.3142 Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 849.3115 Special Projects Editor - Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com • 803.401.1094, ext. 206 Staff Photographer - Leslie Burden lburden@scbiznews.com • 849.3123 Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox production1@scbiznews.com • 849.3117 Senior Graphic Designer - Jane Mattingly production2@scbiznews.com • 849.3118 Graphic Designer - Jean Piot production3@scbiznews.com • 849.3135 Senior Account Executive - Sue Gordon sgordon@scbiznews.com • 849.3111 Account Executive - Sara Cox scox@scbiznews.com • 849.3109 Account Executive - Bennett Parks bparks@scbiznews.com • 849.3126 Account Executive - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 849.3107 Circulation and Event Manager - Kathy Allen kallen@scbiznews.com • 849.3113 Circulation, Event and Business Coordinator Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 849.3116 Contributing Writers - Holly Fisher, Lydia Dishman, Nike Kern, Sarah Robbins, Licia Jackson

SC Business Publications LLC A portfolio company of Virginia Capital Partners LLC Frederick L. Russell Jr., Chairman

Grady Johnson

At the same time, many of those same people were asking if they could hire our advertising copywriters to produce pieces they could use in brochures and marketing materials — but we were always too busy putting out the newspaper. Finally it dawned on us: Why not combine the two? And looking at the success of this year’s version of Profiles in Business, it seems the marriage has been a happy one.

I hope these profiles give you some insight into the working lives of the people who make up the Charleston-area business community, because each and every one has a unique story to tell. Please accept my enthusiastic invitation to read the 2012 Profiles in Business, and I hope you will enjoy reading about this sample of Charleston business life as much as I do.

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

The entire contents of this publication are copyright by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved.

Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Grady Johnson Publisher

THE ALLIANCE O F

A R E A

B U S I N E S S

P U B L I C A T I O N S

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Featured Profiles AAP................................................................................... 6

Innovink.......................................................................... 19

Adventure TeamWorks.................................................... 18

JacksonBuilt LLC............................................................ 38

Auxano Solutions.............................................................. 4

Keen Eye Marketing........................................................ 37

Biz Inc............................................................................. 16

Liquid Box......................................................................... 3

Blue Oak Group, LLC....................................................... 30

Local Foods.................................................................... 17

Buck Lumber.................................................................. 11

Lowcountry Women’s Specialists..................................... 7

Charleston Cotton Exchange........................................... 32

Multiplastics................................................................... 25

Charleston Defense Contractors Association.................. 13

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians................................. 29

Costanzo Team Carolina One Real Estate......................... 5

PDA................................................................................. 26

CR Hipp Construction...................................................... 12

PLaCE Studios................................................................. 20

CTS International Staffing............................................... 10

PST - Productivity Solutions & Training.......................... 31

Curd Buoys..................................................................... 24

Raymond James - Harbour Wealth Mgmt....................... 33

Fisher Recycling Inc........................................................ 36

Seasons OB/GYN............................................................... 8

Franklin Companies.......................................................... 9

Sentry Management, Inc................................................. 34

Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union................................ 28

Spherion......................................................................... 15

HITT Contracting Inc....................................................... 39

Tidal Design.................................................................... 21

Hospice Care of South Carolina...................................... 22

Wells Fargo..................................................................... 40

Image Branding Group.................................................... 27

Ziff Properties, Inc.......................................................... 14

Front Cover Photo by Lauren Ratcliffe Table of Contents Photo by Leslie Burden

Liquid Box brings new, money-saving solutions to transportation customers

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on’t let the name fool you. Liquid Box does much more than transport liquids from point A to point B. Liquid Box can handle overweight and legal loads in 20-foot and 40-foot containers, transloading of all types of tankers, plus full-service flexi-tank operations and ISO tank and flatbed.

Owners Michele and Scott Adams have combined their experience in the trucking industry to create a top-notch customer service experience.

Important to that process is helping customers save money on their transportation bills.

One of their cost-savings solutions is to put nonhazardous liquids in a flex tank. This method saves up to 40% on shipping charges, making Liquid Box one of the most trusted resources in the flexi-tank industry.

Liquid Box was the first in the flex tank industry to establish quality controls by certifying the fitters and educating the truckers along with the customers on how it works.

“We have helped some of the top flexi manufactures in the industry just by handling all aspects of the industry: fitting, trucking, pumping and assisting the customer on the most economical way of moving their product,” Scott Adams said.

Even more new technology is being developed at the Liquid Box Charleston office, including steamer units and pads to heat up liquid inside the flexi tank. The company is also collaborating on a project with the military. Plus, this summer it will

reveal a new idea for domestic tanker trucking.

Adams is continually creating new ideas and ways to making the transportation industry more efficient – and pretty unique.

The trucks themselves are rolling billboards that promote South Carolina companies and organizations, such as Christian radio station WAY100.9 or the South Carolina Stingrays. Even partners like Bryant Signs that does the truck wraps and Deer Run Unlimited that welds the chassis get a shout out in motion. “It’s our way of saying ‘Thank you’ for a job well done by giving these companies some exposure,” Adams said.

A former dispatcher turned creator and part owner of Liquid Box, Michele Adams puts her focus on the big picture of moving containers and saving customers money, even if that means spending hours on the phone fighting the steamship lines for better rates. “There is nothing Michele can’t do and won’t do at Liquid Box.” Adams said. “She is the force that pushes everybody to do a great job and the reason customers keep coming back.”

In the community Liquid Box sponsors the Charleston RiverDogs and the South Carolina Stingrays. They give free rides at hockey games in a flashy 1957 Zamboni. Known as the FanZam, it makes appearances at two or three charity events each month. The company also sponsors several youth sports teams in the area. “There are a lot of little Liquid Box teams playing year-round, which keeps us busy,” Adams said.

Mission: Owners Michele and Scott Adams have combined their experience in the trucking industry to create a topnotch customer service experience. Important to that process is helping customers save money on their transportation bills.

3100 Pacific St. North Charleston, SC 29418 843-745-0023 www.liquidbox.us

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Auxano Solutions provides the best in health care IT Pictured Above: From left: Jordan Moyer, Rick Chitwood, Kevin Kramer, Mary Jo Chitwood, Kenny Sanders

Mission: Auxano Solutions is a locally owned and operated firm specializing in needs assessment, design, implementation, support and project management of secure computer networks of all sizes.

940 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Suite 205 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-654-1808 www.AuxanoSolutions.com

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hen Charleston companies need the best in IT business solutions consulting, they have a resource right here in town. Auxano Solutions is a locally owned and operated firm specializing in needs assessment, design, implementation, support and project management of secure computer networks of all sizes.

“Our focus is on secure solutions that increase our clients’ efficiency and effectiveness,” said Rick Chitwood, Auxano Solutions’ CEO and founder. “At Auxano Solutions, our clients are family. We offer them only the best products, to include managed services, email encryption, backup and cloud solutions.”

One of Auxano Solutions’ strengths lies in its many partnerships, including alliances with firstrank vendors Apple, RIM Blackberry, Cisco, Citrix, Dell, Fujitsu, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Symantec. These partnerships — a who’s who of major hardware and software suppliers — give the Auxano Solutions team of IT consultants an unprecedented range of skills.

Another strength is Auxano Solutions’ emphasis on timely implementation, security and diligence.

Recently, Auxano Solutions moved an entire cancer center IT infrastructure to a new office building over a weekend, with no downtime, coordinating the move for the network along with workstations and other equipment for 150 employees. “We took down the data center on Friday, and it was up on Monday, with everyone connected to email and the Internet

2012 Profiles in Business | Special Advertising Supplement

as if they’d never left the office,” Chitwood said.

That emphasis on security is why thus far about 90% of Auxano Solutions’ clients are in the medical field. “HIPAA compliance is about security,” Chitwood pointed out. “And we stay abreast of HIPAA changes that a practice might not yet be aware of.” Auxano Solutions has completed numerous electronic medical records implementations and is a leader in the market. Because of this experience, Auxano Solutions offers services such as project management, end to end solutions, new construction and more.

Now, Auxano Solutions’ goal is to become a trusted brand for all IT business solutions in Charleston and the surrounding area. The firm recently relocated to larger quarters in Mount Pleasant.

“Today’s IT projects bring about more than just functional challenges,” Chitwood said. “Issues such as security, scalability, redundancy, information architecture, and speed of performance are just a few of the criteria that must be evaluated in the early stages of planning an information technology project.” Auxano Solutions offers new clients a complimentary onsite assessment of their business network.

Auxano Solutions can take over for a business’ current IT company and can even be a virtual IT department. To find out how Auxano Solutions can help you grow, contact Jordan Moyer at Jordan@ auxanosolutions.com or 843-654-1808.

The Costanzo Team: working together to meet all your real estate needs

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hen you choose the Costanzo Team of Carolina One Real Estate, you’ll find someone is always available to help with your real estate needs.

“This is a family-oriented business, and it is relationship-based,” said Michele Costanzo. “We work with clients on building their dreams from the ground up.”

The Team members are mother and daughter Lina Costanzo and Michele Costanzo, and Sally Maitland. Working out of Downtown Charleston, all are real estate professionals licensed in South Carolina and members of the National Association of Realtors. And beyond their professional certifications, the Costanzo Team has a depth of experience, with 15 years in Charleston area real estate and a wealth of business knowledge.

Lina Costanzo, a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey before moving to Charleston in 1998, is a Graduate of the Realtor® Institute, an Accredited Buyer Representative, a Luxury Home Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist and has been awarded Realtor® of Distinction.

Michele Costanzo, an Accredited Buyer Representative, a Luxury Home Specialist and REO Specialist, has a background in interior design that helps clients make a house a home. She has also been named a Realtor® of Distinction.

Sally Maitland is a Realtor® and Accredited Buyer Representative. Before moving to Charleston in 1995, Sally and her husband owned and operated

a publishing business in Hawaii. Sally is the Team’s full-time office manager, making sure each closing happens smoothly and on time.

The Costanzo Team serves the tri-county area, from the beaches to Summerville. They work with everyone from the first-time home buyer to investors. The Team can help buy or sell luxury homes and second homes. Michele Costanzo has her Loss Mitigation Certification and when needed can assist with short sales and foreclosures.

The Team does a tremendous amount of relocation work, helping members of the military moving into the Charleston area as well as new residents coming in to work for corporations such as Boeing and Bosch. On hand are the extensive resources of Carolina One, the largest real estate company in Charleston, which has affiliations with companies all over the United States and more than 30 other countries through its membership in Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

As a result, the Costanzo Team may get a request for help from a home buyer in England or California, and they can help a local resident search for a villa in France.

It’s an excellent time to buy, the Costanzo Team says. Mortgage interest rates are low and property prices are good. If you are a first-time buyer or are looking for a vacation or retirement home, they are ready to assist. The Costanzo Team is committed to a high level of service so that you’ll come back to them for all your real estate needs.

Pictured Above: Costanzo Team members Michele Costanzo, Lina Costanzo and Sally Maitland.

About the Team: The Costanzo Team has a depth of experience, with 15 years in Charleston area real estate and a wealth of business knowledge.

49 Broad Street Charleston, SC 29401 843-412-1973 www.costanzoteam.com

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AAP: A rebrand, more locations and added services keep company at the top Pictured Above: AAP staff.

Mission: At AAP, each client is different and those unique business needs are taken into consideration when crafting just the right payroll and human resources program.

703 N. Main St., Suite C Summerville, SC 29483 843-851-2289 www.aapayroll.com

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AP helps businesses of all sizes manage their finances and payroll. They work with more than 1,000 companies in 44 states, providing high-tech solutions and personalized customer care.

The company has grown over the last year, opening a service bureau in Raleigh, N.C., and an office in Atlanta. The added service areas allow AAP to even better serve its mix of clients, ranging from manufacturing firms to fast food restaurants, and fulfill its core mission of serving people.

At AAP, each client is different and those unique business needs are taken into consideration when crafting just the right payroll and human resources program.

“Our common theme is making it easier to do business, making people’s lives easier,” said President William Streyffeler.

Part of supporting their clients involved a rebranding to adopt the company’s nickname “AAP” as its formal name. The company previously was American Automated Payroll, but as company executives pointed out, the business does much more than payroll.

AAP also offers human resources, workers’ compensation, time and labor management and 401(k) retirement solutions.

Vice President Andrew Osborne said, “These additional services allow us to offer a complete payroll and human resource package to our clients.

The pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation has

2012 Profiles in Business | Special Advertising Supplement

“Our common theme is making it easier to do business, making people’s lives easier.”

William Streyffeler President, AAP

been extremely successful in helping our clients get lower rates and to settle liabilities at the end of the month so clients do not receive large amounts due after their audits.”

AAP also offers a Virtual Mailroom program that provides for fast and easy viewing and storage of quarterly reports, check stubs and archived payroll information.

“It’s ‘paperless payroll and customization,’” Osborne said. “We can rewrite part of the software program to tailor it exactly to a client’s needs, including job costing, special departmentalization and other specific attributes.”

Streyffeler added, “Some clients get stacks and stacks of paper, all of which must be filed and stored.

With this program, the entire year’s payroll and all records can be archived with Virtual Mailrom and easily accessed at any time.”

Despite added locations, expanded services and up-to-date technology, AAP maintains a keen focus on customer service and personalized attention.

“Technology is wonderful but sometimes you just want to speak to a live person and at AAP you can do just that,” Streyffeler said. “Automated answering systems are for the other guys.”

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Lowcountry Women’s Specialists Practice stays on top of medical advancements in women’s health

owCountry Women’s Specialists has proudly been serving women in the Charleston community for more than 20 years. The foundation of this OB GYN practice is building relationships and offering women options to suit their needs as they change over time. From the first exam as teenagers through first babies and first signs of menopause, LowCountry Women’s Specialists partners with women to acheive optimal health.

The relationship a woman forges with her physician is one of the most important she will ever have. It is built on communication and trust.

LowCountry Women’s Specialists physicians strive to understand their patients’ life, values and attitudes. With this foundation, they are able to personalize the latest medical recommendations to the patients’ needs and concerns.

When a woman decides to start a family, LowCountry Women’s Specialists works with her to evaluate fertility needs and counsel her in decisions to have the healthiest possible pregnancy.

Whether a patient is a first-time mother-to-be or experienced in pregnancy, the team of providers guides them through what to expect.

When women are done having children, LowCountry Women’s Specialists physicians offer Essure®, the most effective permanent birth control available. Besides being surgery-free and hormone-free, Essure is performed in about 10 minutes with minimal recovery time so women can

get back to their families right away. LowCountry Women’s Specialists was among the first in the area to perform this office-based procedure and have successfully done hundreds over the last five years.

During the two decades LowCountry Women’s Specialists has been in practice, there have been revolutionary advancements in women’s health care. The practice’s team of seven board-certified physicians has stayed at the forefront of these innovations.

A generation ago, women tolerated menstrual conditions that interfered with family, work and social activities. Treatment options often required extended hospitalization and long recovery times.

Now, women who suffer with abnormal uterine bleeding have the option of an ablation, an officebased procedure that destroys the uterine lining and results in minimal or no periods.

If a patient is facing a hysterectomy, LowCountry Women’s Specialists physicians are experts in minimally-invasive surgical techniques, including daVinci robotic surgery. This technique is done through tiny incisions and is designed to provide surgeons with magnified, high-definition 3D views. This means the patient has significantly less pain and blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to normal activities. The team understands the demands on a woman’s time and wants to get them back to their lives faster.

At LowCountry Women’s Specialists, a woman’s health and choices are the priority.

Pictured Above: Back Row - from left: Michael W. Prystowsky, MD; William “Bo” Reeves, MD Middle Row - from left: Christopher R. Accetta, MD; Jennifer J. Heinemann, MD; Ron M. Givens, MD Front Row - from left: Heather S. Schwartzberg, MD; Christine L. Hunter, MD

Mission: LowCountry Women’s Specialists physicians strive to understand their patients’ life, values and attitudes.

9291 Medical Plaza Drive North Charleston, SC 29406 77 Springview Lane, Summerville, SC 29845 843-797-3664 www.lowcountryrobot.com www.lcwomensspecialists.com

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Seasons OB/GYN is dedicated to superior care Pictured Above: Seasons OB/GYN staff.

Mission: From routine gynecological care to pregnancy and menopause, Seasons OB/GYN provides compassionate women’s health care to women in North Charleston.

9279-A Medical Plaza Drive North Charleston, SC 29406 843-569-2900 www.seasonsobgyn-sc.com

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hroughout the seasons of a woman’s life, the physicians and staff at Seasons OB/ GYN are available to provide warm, caring and professional service in a state-of-the-art medical environment conveniently located at Trident Medical Center in North Charleston.

“We want women to understand that our practice is dedicated to superior care throughout the changes that occur in a lifetime, from adolescence through the golden years,” explains Richard P. Day, M.D., managing physician of Seasons OB/GYN. “We believe it’s important for any patient to have a doctor that knows them and their medical history and builds upon that care.”

Seasons’ practice comprises four board-certified physicians, one certified nurse midwife, one nurse practitioner and a team of nurses and staff that have the patient’s interest at heart. Together, they offer patients more than 28 years of combined experience.

“By working together as a team, we can provide our patients with expert, comprehensive care in a safe and nurturing environment,” Day explains. “We have found that our patients are pleased with our team approach and like the way we function with open communication and professional standards.”

From routine gynecological care to pregnancy and menopause, Seasons physicians work together with the practice’s highly trained staff to ensure that each and every woman who visits feels completely comfortable and secure.

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“By working together as a team, we can provide our patients with expert, comprehensive care in a safe and nurturing environment.”

Richard P. Day, M.D.

Managing Physician, Seasons OB/GYN

Seasons OB/GYN provides obstetrical and maternal care as well as overall gynecological care.

This includes obstetrics patients who are highrisk and those who are interested in a vaginal birth after having had a cesarean section, which is known by the acronym VBAC. Seasons also works with Lowcountry Pregnancy Center to offer free pregnancy tests and prenatal care to those in need.

By striving to understand each patient’s issues, Seasons also offers a number of services including in-office surgical procedures. It offers new birth control alternatives, such as Mirena, Paragard and Essure. Each of these options offers the patient an individualized course of action. Seasons physicians want to make sure their patients are educated and comfortable with their selected course of action and will do their part in making that decision a knowledgeable one.

Affiliated with Trident Hospital, Seasons also offers classes at Trident Medical Center, including childbirth preparation, breastfeeding support, baby care basics, infant CPR and more.

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The Franklin Companies provide peace of mind for an aging population

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elping clients navigate the maze of finances, services, resources and decisions as they age is exactly what the professionals at Franklin & Associates and Franklin Funding Reverse Mortgages do every day. With decades of combined experience, the Franklin team gives their clients peace of mind as they reach retirement age and beyond.

Some of the most common questions clients have are: • How can I plan for long-term care?

• How can I be sure I won’t outlive my money?

• What role could home equity play?

• How can I navigate the Medicare maze?

• How can I be sure I receive all the public and private benefits I’m entitled to?

Because they choose to focus on solutions rather than products, the Franklin team gives sound advice and expertise when addressing these questions. That’s particularly important when clients are faced with decisions involving Medicare, long-term care financing and reverse mortgages.

In business since the 1990s, both Franklin & Associates and Franklin Funding have experience in the marketplace and focus on building relationships. They strive to meet with clients face to face and encourage other family members or trusted advisors to join in.

Barbara Franklin and Kirk Matenaer assist clients with long-term care planning and

financing. Aging in place can be expensive whether one chooses to stay in his or her own home or move to a retirement community. By planning ahead with various forms of insurance, an individual can have more options and can make decisions before a crisis arises.

Vasco Pickett works closely with clients who have questions about Medicare, particularly those who choose to work past age 65 and wonder if they still need to apply for Medicare.

Paul Franklin, along with David Heilman and Matt Barber, take an educational and consultative approach with clients when discussing the use of home equity. Reverse mortgages aren’t right for everyone and the team isn’t shy about giving honest advice to clients.

That level of honesty, coupled with trust and experience, makes the Franklin companies standouts in serving the aging population.

Franklin team members keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry with participation in professional organizations including Mortgage Lenders Association of Greater Charleston and the Lowcountry Association of Health Underwriters. In addition, team members are active in community service organizations, including the Lowcountry Senior Network, South Carolina Aging in Place Coalition, ITNCharlestonTrident (Independent Transportation Network) and the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic.

Pictured Above: From left: David Heilman, Matt Barber, Paul Franklin, Kirk Matenaer, Barbara Franklin and Vasco Pickett

Mission: Helping clients navigate the maze of finances, services, resources and decisions as they age with expertise in long term care planning and financing and reverse mortgages

Franklin & Associates 843-762-4260 www.franklinassociatesinc.com

Franklin Funding Reverse Mortgages 843-762-2218 www.franklin-funding.com

147 Wappoo Creek Drive, Suite 105 Charleston, SC 29412

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CTS International Staffing is putting South Carolinians back to work Pictured Above: CTS International Charleston staff.

Mission: CTS International works with Fortune 500 companies around the United States staffing aerospace and defense and information technology jobs.

Future Vision: The company continues to evolve as the staffing industry is transformed by emerging technology and the rapid adoption of new media by jobseekers.

162 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 230 Charleston, SC 29492 843-300-4037 www.ctsinternational.com

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any of the employees at The Boeing Co.’s Charleston location have CTS International to thank for their jobs. The nationwide recruiting firm is a preferred staffing provider for the largest airplane manufacturer in the world, helping bring some of the best aerospace talent to Boeing’s Charleston facility.

CTS International works with Fortune 500 companies around the country staffing aerospace and defense and information technology jobs, but in the last two years, it’s been keenly focused on Charleston. This year the company opened an office on Daniel Island led by Sarah Gilden, a Charleston native and CTS Southeast regional manager.

The company has embraced the opportunities to bring highly skilled jobs to South Carolina at a time when the state was experiencing the nation’s second highest unemployment rate.

“In two short years, we have worked hard to help revitalize the spirit of Charleston’s business community, putting people back to work and bringing some of the best and brightest aerospace talent to South Carolina from across the nation,” said Paul Sogge, chief operating officer. “The Charleston team is partnering with businesses in the Lowcountry and across the Southeast to support job growth in engineering, manufacturing and information technology.”

And while most people in Charleston only know CTS for its association with Boeing, the company has a rich history on both sides of the Atlantic.

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For more than 25 years, CTS International has connected businesses around the world with hard-to-find personnel, focusing on engineering and manufacturing experts. Originally founded in Europe in 1984 to support major commercial and military aerospace companies, the company established headquarters in Seattle in 1991 and by 1996 had placed thousands of engineers in strategic programs including the Boeing 777, for which CTS received an Outstanding Recruiting Performance award. In addition to supporting major commercial aerospace programs across the United States, CTS is a preferred supplier for executive jet manufacturers and is involved in a wide range of military projects and programs to combat narco-terrorism.

Today, with Fortune 500 clients across the country, CTS International has earned a reputation, especially in the contract staffing community, as the best company to work for through its commitment to helping job-seekers develop and its generous benefits. Under the leadership of founder and President Steve Dworkin, the company continues to evolve as the staffing industry is transformed by emerging technology and the rapid adoption of new media by job-seekers around the world.

“I believe that we are really marking the beginning of a series of exciting milestones that will go beyond just the aerospace industry and see South Carolina emerge as one of the most dynamic business climates anywhere in the country,” Sogge said. “We’re betting on it.”

Buck Lumber’s value-based philosophy makes it a success

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uck Lumber was established in 1975 when Edgar and Margaret Buck purchased existing Rhodes Lumber Co. Buck started with six employees then, and now employs 35. Buck Lumber is “Partnership Focused,” and has been forging solid relationships by providing expertise in the industry since day one.

In 2006, Edgar Buck erected a 6,000-square-foot dedicated Design Center, the only one of its kind in the Charleston market, as an added resource to architects, builders and homeowners. Here customers can touch and see the products to be used in their homes, all of which are under one roof.

“Buck’s success over the last three decades can be attributed to thinking beyond selling lumber,” said General Manager Rob Crawford. “Being a partner to the building community means addressing the needs of the clients. When our clients bring us a need, we explore options to serve that need, whether it is inventory related or service related.”

Crawford added, “By consistently choosing higher-grade inventory, I believe that this brings value to every purchase by way of product performance, and ultimately a happier customer.”

The “Buck Value” philosophy that has been rooted in its success is based on five themes: Competitive Prices “Plus”: The lowest price doesn’t mean the best. So, Buck offers estimating and quote comparisons plus technical assistance and personal service to bring overall cost savings to each job.

Service Focus: Buck Lumber has an in-house credit and billing department, the latest technology and product specialists on staff to support Buck’s sales professionals as well as their clients.

Technical Competence: The team of sales professionals has years of experience covering all aspects of the home building and supply industry.

The team stays up to date on new products, building practices and local building codes to help guide the clients through the building process.

Product Quality: Buck Lumber offers top-of-theline products in each scope of work it supplies. The company has name brand products in stock and can special order custom products from the top names in the industry.

Local Ownership: By being locally owned and operated, every dollar spent at Buck helps the local economy. If there is a problem, the resolution comes quickly and from within. Buck Lumber and the Buck family also support community service leadership.

Pictured Above: From left: Terri Zetrouer, VP Administration, Dale Fort, VP Operations, Tom Wood, VP Sales, Rob Crawford, General Manager.

Pictured Below: Buck Lumber’s Design Center

Mission: “Buck’s success over the last three decades can be attributed to thinking beyond selling lumber.

Being a partner to the building community means addressing the needs of the clients. When our clients bring us a need, we explore options to serve the need, whether it is inventory related or service related.”

-- Rob Crawford, General Manager 1911 Maybank Highway Charleston, SC 29412 843-795-0150 www.bucklumber.com

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CR Hipp Construction celebrates 50 years of meeting customers’ needs Pictured Above: From left: Al Hitchcock, David Gregg and Pete Bailey

Mission: After 50 years of serving the Lowcountry, CR Hipp Construction knows how to perform quality work in budget and on time.

The company’s vision: “The pride our employees put in their work sets us apart. We won’t leave until it is correct.” -- Al Hitchcock, President

4981 Dorchester Rd. North Charleston, SC 29418 843-744-4477 www.crhippconstruction.com

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s CR Hipp Construction celebrates their 50th year in business, they build upon a legacy of quality work and customer satisfaction while continuing to advance with the latest technologies the construction industry has to offer.

CR Hipp Construction specializes in HVAC and Plumbing jobs for Commercial, Industrial, Utility, Federal and Institutional markets. Hipp Service, the commercial HVAC Division of the Construction company, performs all of the HVAC service and repair needs, maintains a 24-hour service call line, provides Annual Maintenance contracts and performs specific projects for a large variety of clients as well. For their contracting work, CR Hipp Construction takes care of every step of the process, from in-house pre-construction to the buying of all of the necessary materials to hiring subcontractors and installation.

“The pride our employees put in their work sets us apart,” said Al Hitchcock, President of the company. “We won’t leave until it is correct.”

Their ability to do much of the custom work inhouse saves both time and money.

“The duct work is made in-house, we supply all of the necessary parts and we also do pipe fabrication in our shop – we customarily fabricate over 100,000 lbs. of completed ductwork a year in our sheet metal shop,” said Hitchcock.

Since CR Hipp Construction can fabricate and install complicated piping systems, they can excel at jobs that many other construction companies

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may not be able to perform. Hipp has installed complicated jet fuel piping systems for the Navy and Air Force bases as well as the highly technical medical gas piping systems. Hipp recently was the Mechanical Contractor for the complete renovation and updating of Operating Suites at the downtown Roper Hospital and the VA Hospital.

With about 100 local employees, having skilled and certified technicians as part of their staff is also an important part of their success. Many of the company’s key supervisors have been with CR Hipp Construction for over 20 years.

“Our field Supervisors have been the key to our success for the past 50 years and hold the key to our continued success,” said Hitchcock. “They pride themselves on finishing a project on time and in budget and strive to provide the very best whether we are acting as a Prime contractor or working with a General Contractor or Owner.”

This is why so much of the work CR Hipp Construction does is repeat business. Clients have learned that they can count on CR Hipp Construction to perform the necessary job.

Traditionally, much of the work is hard bid, but their goal is to negotiate work with the client to make sure that they are getting exactly what they need from the project and have a full understanding of the work to be done.

After 50 years of serving the Lowcountry, CR Hipp Construction knows how to perform quality work in budget and on time.

Charleston Defense Contractors Association

advocates, protects and preserves Charleston defense community

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harleston Defense Contractors Association addresses issues and opportunities facing the Charleston defense community.

As the industry advocacy group, the CDCA is a liaison among local, state and federal government agencies, elected officials, legislatures and special groups. The CDCA also works to develop or improve the local defense community’s ability to develop, attract, retain and more effectively execute business opportunities, and to foster the increased and improved interaction between defense contractors for the accomplishment of better services to defense customers.

This year, the association has ramped up its political relations efforts, working closely with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.

“We work from a team Charleston perspective not only to preserve or to bring work to SPAWAR but to bring new installations to Charleston, such as major command centers,” said Mark Gadomski, CDCA president. “By leveraging everything greater Charleston has to offer creates a whole greater than the sum of the individual parts.”

Another way to do that is to attract innovation by leveling the playing field for defense contractors who want to invest in Charleston. Each quarter, the CDCA hosts a Small Business and Industry Outreach Initiative symposium to assist those businesses. Navigating the world of government contract work – or simply getting a foot in the door – can be difficult, so the CDCA helps facilitate the

process, Gadomski said.

The CDCA has 180 corporate members, representing more than 90% of the area’s defense contractors. Individuals can join at the affiliate level, and the CDCA has 140 affiliate members.

About 5% of the membership works in ancillary industries, such as hotels and financial companies, that want to offer products and services to defense contractors. The organization has a 15-member board and a full-time executive assistant dedicated to its mission.

“Defense contractors who want to do business in Charleston understand the benefits of joining,” Gadomski said. Gadomski said in the last 15 years, the defense contracting business has grown from having a local economic impact of $800 million to more than $4 billion a year.

He cites the innovative work at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Atlantic (SPAWAR) and its ability to react quickly to new opportunities, such as rapid integration of technology responsible for facilitating the movement of 35,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles through Charleston and then to our Warfighters overseas.

“As cuts come to the defense budgets, there are a lot of opportunities for Charleston because of SPAWAR’s ability to be innovative and responsive,” Gadomski said. “It takes an organization that can turn on a dime to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Pictured Above: Mark Gadomski

Mission: The Charleston Defense Contractors Association acts as a liaison among local, state and federal government agencies, elected officials, legislatures and special groups. The association also helps develop business opportunities and improve services to defense customers.

P.O. Box 61089 Charleston, SC 29419 843-452-1587 www.charlestondca.org

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Ziff Properties is ready for next phase of commercial real estate growth Pictured Above: Tim Walter and Steve Ziff

Mission: Ziff Properties challenges all staff members to “think and act like an owner.”

About the company: With “Process, Patience, Performance” as its motto, Ziff Properties has grown dramatically and has purchased more than 3.8 million square feet of commercial real estate.

200 Wingo Way, Suite 100 Mount Pleasant 843-724-3500 www.zpi.net

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aving a successful business partnership that spans three decades is a rarity in the business world. But that’s the story behind Ziff Properties Inc., an influential real estate firm specializing in development, acquisition and management of commercial properties in the Southeastern United States.

Steve Ziff, founder and chairman, and Tim Walter, CEO, met more than 30 years ago when Walter was still in college and Ziff was working in New York. Shortly thereafter they joined forces to own and manage Lower East Redevelopment in New York City, and then in 1992, when Ziff Properties was formed, they partnered again.

With “Process, Patience, Performance” as its motto, Ziff Properties has grown dramatically and has purchased more than 3.8 million square feet of commercial real estate. The 26-property portfolio is comprised of retail centers, office buildings and flex space. Spread from Norfolk, Va., to Jacksonville, Fla., with the bulk of the properties in the Carolinas, and two recently acquired Class “A” centers in Georgia, Ziff Properties has become a force in the commercial real estate arena.

Loyalty, commitment and a family atmosphere are cornerstones of Ziff Properties. The company challenges all staff members to “think and act like an owner.”

The 26 employees at Ziff Properties enjoy a variety of benefits such as flexible schedules and a family friendly atmosphere. It’s not unusual for

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several dogs to be sitting at their owners’ desks on any given day, and newborns are welcome too with a separate, private baby feeding and nap room.

“Our goal is for our employees to wake up every morning and want to go to work,” Walter said.

The corporate office is in Mount Pleasant with additional offices in Wilmington and Charlotte, N.C., and Savannah, Ga. Other executives include Tim Norton, director of leasing and property management; Christian Chamblee, director of acquisitions; and Dee Herman, CFO. Having weathered the real estate turbulence of the last few years, Ziff Properties is coming out on the other side poised for growth.

“We are entering a phase where real estate is going to be a great investment again,” Walter said.

If an underperforming property is in a good location and has potential, Ziff Properties will purchase it and give it a facelift to make it desirable for potential tenants. This “diamond in the rough” philosophy helps make Ziff Properties a profitable and distinct company. Consisting of close to 400 tenants, its portfolio contains national tenants like Food Lion, Staples, Starbucks and Hibbett Sports, as well as mom-and-pop businesses.

The company also handles all facets of its properties beyond the initial purchase, including leasing, property management and accounting.

“We found third-party providers have different objectives and we could do all aspects more effectively,” Ziff said.

Spherion Recruiting and Staffing helps companies find top-quality staff

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pherion Recruiting and Staffing has been connecting top talent with top jobs in Charleston for 18 years. The full-service staffing agency provides temporary, contract and professional staffing for businesses across the Lowcountry. “We are a family-oriented organization that has built its foundation upon strong values of dedicated service, loyal relationships and tailored business solutions,” says Mary Barrineau, co-owner.

The Woman-Owned Small Business started in 1994. Pam Thompson Ueberroth, co-owner, began working for Norrell Services in the mid-1970s in Atlanta. After many years of experience in the staffing industry, she knew the closing of the Naval Base would mean a major change for Charleston – and that it would be an ideal time to join the Charleston community with a staffing agency.

Over the course of the next five years, Mary Barrineau, her daughter, moved from Atlanta and began working with the business. In 2000, Norrell was acquired and became Spherion Staffing.

Barrineau became co-owner with her mother and the all-women team has continued to make strides.

Clients turn to Spherion when they need topquality staff without searching endlessly or filtering out candidates who aren’t a good match.

“Our services give our business partners the competitive advantage that they need to grow,” Barrineau says.

Spherion provides executive searches, direct

hire, contract staffing and workforce management.

Pictured Above: Spherion Staffing Staff They also help clients with staffing needs in administrative and clerical positions, call centers, medical coding, insurance processing and billing, engineering, finances, manufacturing, light industrial, and distribution and logistics.

Additionally, Spherion Recruiting and Staffing provides On-Premise Management and Mission: Spherion provides Recruitment Process Outsourcing to make finding executive searches, direct the right people as simple as possible. hire, contract staffing and Employees placed with Spherion qualify workforce management. for full health, dental, vision and prescription They also help clients insurance as well as a 401K plan after 30 days of with staffing needs in employment. administrative and clerical One of the benefits of using Spherion as the positions, call centers, medical coding, insurance staffing agency of choice is the combination of processing and billing, a locally owned business and an international engineering, finances, company. The women at Spherion know the manufacturing, light staffing needs and expectations of businesses in industrial, and distribution the Lowcountry. They also have the resources of and logistics. the backing of an international staffing company.

Since 2001, Spherion Charleston has been in the top 10 percent for growth of all Spherion offices. Additionally the team has been in the top three Executive Placement Awards since 2001.

They have received a Multi-Million Dollar Growth Award and an On-Premise Management Award 4995 LaCross Road, since 2005.

Suite 1050 Spherion Recruiting Charleston works hard to North Charleston, SC 29406 help the customers find the employees who will 843-554-4933 work hard for them – just like Spherion. www.spherion.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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BIZ INC gives new businesses a place to grow Pictured Above: Ashley Richardson

About the company: The new businesses in the BIZ INC incubator include: Adventure Team Works Innovink Local Foods PLaCE Studios Tidal Design

Business Incubator 100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (843) 884-8517

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hen you’re starting a business, you can use all the help you can get. The town of Mount Pleasant realizes this, and last September it opened BIZ INC, a business incubator on the town hall campus.

“We wanted to attract new businesses in the creative cluster,” said Ashley Richardson, Community Development and Tourism officer.

These businesses include digital media and design, architecture, urban design, film and video arts and cultural heritage.

For startup businesses, BIZ INC provides low-cost office space, equipment such as copier and fax, networking events, educational seminars and marketing assistance. Advisers and programs provide help with the financial end of running a business and with goal-setting and keeping on track with a business plan. Business consultants meet with the business owners once a month to see how they are doing.

BIZ INC also helps the new entrepreneurs connect to the business network in the area.

“We want them to transition into their own space in Mount Pleasant,” Richardson said.

BIZ INC has space for six businesses and is now at capacity. Among the current tenants are a web development and graphic design firm, a leadership and team development firm, and a design service company for work environments.

The decision to focus on the creative cluster fits with the dynamic of Mount Pleasant,

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Richardson explained. The town is building the Coleman Boulevard area into a creative corridor, targeting people who will want to live and work in the same area.

The creative cluster attracts young people and brings in higher-paying jobs. It is also less susceptible to the economic cycles that characterize other sectors of the economy, Richardson said.

BIZ INC is located in Building A on Mount Pleasant’s town hall campus. It is in the business district on an urban corridor, with neighborhoods with mixed-use space.

The incubator tenants benefit from being in an active business district. They can also bounce ideas off each other and discuss common needs and challenges.

BIZ INC opened in September 2011 and has been at full capacity ever since. The town is keeping a close eye on how the first group of new businesses performs and the program will be evaluated as the end of the first year of operation approaches.

“We have had a lot of interest,” Richardson said. “The general model of offering low-cost office space is of interest to everyone. Restricting it to the creative industry has been a challenge.”

BIZ INC fits in with the overall direction the town of Mount Pleasant is taking. The goal is to help the town’s business community diversify and grow.

www.GetLocalFoods.com New website offers resources for eating right, living well

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hen Dr. Phillip Davis was in medical school a decade ago, he recognized physicians were well trained in treating illness, but received very little instruction in nutrition and disease prevention. Then, about four years ago Davis noticed he had borderline high blood pressure. With a family history of cardiovascular disease, that health scare sounded an alarm and Davis began changing his diet to incorporate more fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks.

Davis took his healthy eating one step further after reading the research on the benefits of choosing sustainable, locally grown food.

Those series of realizations spawned the idea for www.GetLocalFoods.com, a free online tool for consumers, growers, restaurants and markets to find and share information on nutritious, sustainable food that helps people live healthier lives. The site promotes local food producers, provides educational information on nutrition, and helps keep food dollars in the local economy.

“The focus is to reconnect people with the origins of their food,” Davis said. “We hope they’ll begin to substitute grocery store trips with visits to local farms and markets where real food can be found.”

As he and his wife, Angel French, began to develop the idea, Davis turned to a friend from medical school, Dr. Edward O’Bryan and his wife, Claire O’Bryan, a nurse practitioner at Hollings Cancer Center. Both have a passion for healthy eating, and often host farm to table dinners with

friends and family. Dr. O’Bryan then recruited registered dietitian Shani Friedman from East Cooper Hospital to the project, rounding out a team of health and medical professionals who truly understand the impact diet and food choices have on our overall health and wellness.

A native of Israel, Friedman grew up eating what was grown in her back yard and community so she didn’t need much convincing to come on board this project. “It’s what I believe,” she said. “It’s the whole spirit of nutrition.”

Local chef Iverson Brownell and farmers Dale Snyder (Sweetgrass Garden) and Pete Ambrose (Ambrose Family Farm) are also helping develop the concept. The idea is to create much more than just a basic directory; this site will be a visually appealing tool that connects and engages users. Rich imagery and videos will help the public gain a better understanding of the practices and methods of local food producers. There will be information on nutrition, recipes, new research findings, and videos on how to prepare food at home.

The site is still in beta (preview) and they will be launching a campaign on www.Kickstarter.com in June to raise additional funds to enhance the site. Eventually it will expand across SC and to other cities so people can find local resources in their community. Additional plans include nutrition consults and the development of a Local Foods line of products, such as healthy snacks and nutrition bars that can be purchased on the site.

Pictured Above: From left: Angel French, Dr. Phillip Davis, Farmer Pete Ambrose, Drs. Edward & Claire O’Bryan, Kneeling: Chef Iverson Brownell, Farmer Dale Snyder Mission: To develop healthy sustainable food systems, promote proper nutrition and improve wellness in our communities.

Future Vision: A healthier South Carolina where finding nutritious food is easy, fun and affordable.

www.GetLocalFoods.com www.Facebook.com/ GetLocalFoods www.Twitter.com/ GetLocalFoods P. Davis: 843-367-4652

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Adventure TeamWorks is developing leaders and teams at all ages Pictured Above: Adventure TeamWorks working with a client during their leadership retreat.

Mission: Through handson leadership and team development, Adventure TeamWorks is helping people work together better.

100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-810-6927 www.adventureteamworks.com

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rian Wilson hands you a piece of paper with two circles. In one circle, draw the head of a penny. In the other circle, draw the tail side of a penny. Don’t worry, most people pause and scratch their heads. The exercise gets people thinking about the “penny” in their business – what is that object or situation you see every day but overlook?

That kind of illustration is part of Wilson’s efforts to “help people work together better” through Adventure TeamWorks. He conducts training on leadership and team development for small and mid-sized businesses as well as schools.

For businesses, Wilson creates a customized training package to address their needs. He often sits in on a company meeting to observe employee interactions and company culture. He also works with the company on a realistic set of metrics by which to measure the training’s success. If those metrics aren’t met, the company doesn’t pay. In nine years, Wilson’s never given a refund.

His training is very hands on and demonstrationbased. Just like driving a car, he said, everybody learns by experience.

In our world of e-mailing and texting, people struggle with the interpersonal communication skills and working together, Wilson said. While businesses may put people on “teams,” it’s become a diluted term, Wilson said. Businesses might label a “sales team,” but the people on that team aren’t truly working together.

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Leadership and teamwork aren’t just something business people struggle to achieve. It’s a challenge for today’s children and teenagers too.

Wilson kept hearing from businesses that young people entering today’s job market just didn’t have the 21st-century leadership skills they need. They weren’t able to make those human connections necessary in the workplace.

So Wilson developed a curriculum of three eight-week modules – community, character and leadership. He’s taking that training into schools for students anywhere from third grade to high school seniors. To reach even more schools, Wilson has developed a sponsorship program in which businesses can sponsor a school and help students get the training they want to see in future employees.

“Seniors who start the course will say, ‘Why do we need to communicate face to face when we can text or email?’ ” Wilson said.

That’s where Wilson uses hands-on learning to demonstrate to students – and business people – the importance of communication and how to do it effectively.

If you’re struggling to recall the details on the head of a penny, use the collective knowledge of your team members and together you can recreate the design. That’s a simple, but effective, illustration Wilson uses in his training.

“Everybody needs to work together better,” he said.

Innovink’s goal: functional and fabulous workplaces

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eople spend more time in their offices than their living rooms, so Katherine Fishburne believes that space should be attractive, functional and efficient. As the principal designer and owner of Innovink LLC, she specializes in interior design for commercial spaces.

Innovink services include space planning, material selection, furniture selection, color consultation, accessory/artwork selection and LEED project requirement consultation.

Fishburne can tackle a variety of projects from hotels, hospital and retail shops to restaurants, government facilities and office complexes. Her most recent clients and projects are the Town of Mount Pleasant, Tides Folly Beach hotel, the Medical University of South Carolina, Stubbs Muldrow Herin architects, Grubb & Ellis | WRS, The Barkley Co. LLC, and Lincoln Harris.

“I enjoy making people’s work spaces more enjoyable and efficient,” she said. “You spend just as much time in the office as you do at home, so I want to create a nice space where people can work and spend time.”

A LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council, Fishburne goes a step beyond creating a visually appealing space. She also works with businesses to ensure the design is sustainable and takes advantage of environmentally friendly products and practices.

With so many green products to select from, it’s not tough to make sustainable choices, Fishburne said.

She also encourages businesses to make use of natural light. Not only does it help them achieve a LEED certification but it saves energy and employees prefer it over glaring fluorescent lights.

Sometimes the simplest of changes can make the most difference – moving a desk or reworking a space to take advantage of natural light.

“People get so used to working uncomfortably because that’s all they know,” she said.

When she first begins working with a client, Fishburne takes the time to learn the business and see how the staff works on a day-to-day basis. She also takes into account future plans, such as staff growth or expansion plans.

Certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Fishburne is adept in design and project management. She can work closely with architects on new building construction or renovation projects to assist in space planning all the way to selecting furniture and accessories.

“I spend time learning my clients and how they work so I can make the space work efficiently for them,” she said. “I also look not just at how the business is going to run tomorrow but also for the future.”

Pictured Above: Katherine Fishburne

Mission: Certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, Katherine Fishburne works with businesses to ensure the design of their space is best suited for their every day tasks; designing efficient, creative, stylish interiors.

100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-830-0853 katherine@innovink.com www.innovink.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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PLaCE Studios a landscape architecture firm creating places Pictured Above: David Lycke, FASLA, PLA and Pamela Blough, FASLA, PLA

Mission: For PLaCE Studios, the goal is creating places people can enjoy and experience. The end user might not be able to put their finger on it, but it’s a place where they are infused with positive feelings. For each project, that sense of place is different.

100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-480-1343 davidl@placestudios.com

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or business owners David Lycke and Pamela Blough, the concept of exceptional landscape architectural design stretches beyond pretty flowers and benches. It’s about creating a sense of place – somewhere people feel connected, inspired and energized.

“The core of what we seek to do is place making and place making for people,” Lycke said. Hence the name of their new firm, PLaCE Studios.

The two long-time colleagues had served together on the board of trustees of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) and over the years found they had similar philosophies and ideas about creating spaces and places.

Lycke was a principal with a Charleston firm, and Blough had her own firm in Michigan when the two went from talking about how to collaborate on a few projects to creating a company of their own. They joined to expand the 15-year-old PMB Inc. to Charleston by opening PLaCE Studios in September 2011. Each location operates as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE).

Though the firm is not yet a year old, Lycke and Blough are already in growth mode. They have already added staff, while seeking to maintain a very personal and accessible relationship with their clients.

Because of their many professional contacts around the country, they can bring in experts and resources for any project. “For a client, we have the experience of strong project management and a

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design team, yet can bring in additional expertise,” Lycke said. “We can be as large or small as a client wants us to be with a few phone calls.”

Plus, the two have more than 50 years of combined experience in the landscape architecture industry, yet the enthusiasm and energy that comes with launching a new business.

“Some people can take their career on a set path and follow the same direction,” Blough said, “but we’re not content with that. We draw energy and creativity from change.”

Both Lycke and Blough, licensed landscape architects, certified arborists and botanists, understand the value of green space and walkable communities. Their project experience includes private developments, mixed-use commercial, parks, urban spaces, institutional buildings, greenway systems and vegetative assessment.

Again, it’s about creating places people can enjoy and experience. The end user might not be able to put their finger on it, but it’s a place where they are infused with positive feelings. For each project, that sense of place is a bit different, Blough noted.

For a neighborhood, it’s about front porches and green spaces, and for a downtown plaza, it’s about creating a quiet space to enjoy a cup of coffee and escape the bustle of the urban environment.

Even for their own business, Lycke and Blough are creating a place. “We want to be a place of energy,” Lycke said.

Tidal Design brings client-centered approach to the market

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idal Design is a software development firm specializing in mobile and web applications. Started last fall by brothers Mike and Jeff Quarles, the company is focused on helping small businesses in the Charleston region build their web presence.

Small business owners themselves, they understand the needs and budgets of the small business market. They also work closely with clients, guiding them in what works – and what doesn’t – when it comes to an online presence.

While there are many competitors that offer similar services, they fail to deliver in bringing the vision of the client to fruition. Client satisfaction is guaranteed when the client is part of the process.

“We believe that clients and potential clients have a pretty good understanding of their respective businesses, and thus have already begun cultivating an idea,” Mike said. “We would be remiss in not doing all we can to work with our clients, help them take their idea through the formative stages, and then produce a final product that makes everyone proud.”

Recognizing the trend toward more personal web experiences and the proliferation of mobile devices, Tidal Design looks to grow in the applications market. The company has developed a tablet app for use in a major grocery chain. Its security team will use the app checklist to automate its security and quality control processes.

Tidal Design is the realization of a dream for the Quarles brothers. When the Town of Mount Pleasant needed one more tenant for its new business incubator program, they jumped at the chance to start their business.

Now, Jeff and Mike are focused on growing their client base and fulfilling their mission of “finding new ways for businesses to stand out from the crowd, while helping them take advantage of new standards and mediums to deliver content.”

The core focus of the business is product design, but Jeff and Mike were quick to realize they could expand on that to help their business stand out from competitors.

“It did not take us long to realize that where we could be unique was by offering traditionally formulaic and clinical services, like programming, from a designer’s perspective,” Jeff said.

As a technology business, Tidal Design will constantly be learning and adapting to the changing landscape of the tech industry. There will be new methods and efficiencies that can be learned, and completely new products that will change the way businesses operate.

What won’t change, they said, is their commitment to their clients. “We are perfectionists at heart, and we bring that into everything we do,” Jeff said. “Our satisfaction is predicated on the satisfaction of our clients.”

Pictured Above: Mike and Jeff Quarles

Mission: Finding new ways for businesses to stand out from the crowd, while helping them take advantage of new standards and mediums to deliver content.

100 Ann Edwards Lane Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-367-0568 www.tidaldesign.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Hospice Care of South Carolina offers hope, compassionate care in critical times

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Dawn-Michele Teachey, CEO

t’s not something easy to talk about, but hospice care can make all the difference in the world to a loved one living with an advanced illness. And it’s Hospice Care of South Carolina’s mission to make that difference, says CEO Dawn-Michele Teachey. “We want to empower you or your loved one to live more fully, more completely and more in control,” Teachey says, by allowing patients with a life-limiting illness and their families to remain together and receive comprehensive care in the comfort and dignity of their homes.

Hospice Care of South Carolina was founded in 1997 to meet local community needs in

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underserved areas and in nursing homes where it used to be difficult to receive care. Now, the organization serves all 46 counties in the state, with 35 offices and a staff of 400 qualified caregivers. Hospice Care of South Carolina employs over a third of the state’s nationally board certified hospice and palliative nurses.

Teachey says this allows the organization to go beyond the four levels of service hospices provide including routine, general, respite and continuous home care to ensure families receive more than the minimum standard. “We are the leading continuous home care provider in the state,” says Teachey, and the only one with

faculty trained to teach a nationally accredited course from the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) in all areas (CORE, Critical Care, Geriatric, Veterans and Pediatrics) and the only one with a board certified pediatric nurse. Such localized service also ensures that patients’ unique regional and cultural differences are recognized and treated with respect and understanding, says Teachey.

Not only is Hospice Care of South Carolina’s staff specially trained in pain control and symptom management to stabilize the patient and give them comfort, but their resource teams are always on call to help. For family members caring for a loved one with a life-limiting illness, says Teachey, this can provide an added sense of relief. “We understand that they are not calling just to check in,” she says, and as such the organization works hard to provide a quick response time. “In most cases we can get to a patient’s home in less than 30 minutes,” she says, “because we know you can’t wait an hour or two for someone to come help.”

Responsiveness and quality care from certified providers goes a long way towards offering hope during an emotional time. But Hospice Care of South Carolina also focuses on giving patients and their families control over their care by providing choices and supporting their decisions. Additionally, Hospice Care of South Carolina also offers respite options that

allow family members to take a break from constant care as well as counsel to facilitate understanding of the effects of their loved one’s illness. It’s a holistic approach that makes quality of life top priority for the patient, as well as for family members and caregivers.

Teachey points out the Hospice Care of South Carolina’s membership in the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) raises the bar on service and regulatory compliance. It also gives the organization a voice at the state and federal level. “Our leadership is involved in national committees that help increase quality across the industry,” she says. “Our focus forward is to support palliative care on an out-patient basis and making palliative care available to all adults and children across the state of South Carolina.”

The continued focus on service has earned Hospice Care of South Carolina a number of awards including the MLK Humanitarian Award, Employer Of The Year from the National Certification Board for Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NCBHPN), and recognition for staff member Diane Parker as the ELNEC Trainer of the Year for 2012.

“For more than a decade we’ve been changing the way people think about hospice care by focusing on what the end of life can be,” says Teachey, “Hospice is about bringing families together and giving them hope.”

Mission: Hospice Care of South Carolina was founded in 1997 to meet the local community needs in underserved areas. Now, the organization serves all 46 counties in the state, with 35 offices and a staff of 400 qualified caregivers.

110 Dillon Drive Spartanburg, SC 29307 864-542-2100 www.hospicecare.net

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Curd Buoys offers solutions for Lowcountry boaters, marinas Pictured Above: Curd Buoys warehouse.

New Product: Carole’s DockAbsorber® is a 36-inch plastic bumper designed to attach permanently to floating docks for shock absorption for both the boat and the dock.

476 Long Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-881-0323 www.curdbuoys.com

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rive along any Lowcountry waterway and you’ll see docks covered with tires and other makeshift solutions for protecting boats and docks. Always the problem solver, the team at Curd Buoys in Mount Pleasant created Carole’s DockAbsorber®, a 36-inch plastic bumper that eliminates the need for short-term solutions like tires.

The bumper is designed to attach permanently to floating docks for shock absorption for both the boat and the dock. Made of UV-resistant rubber blended with polyethylene, the bumpers won’t fade or mildew and come with a three-year warranty.

Carole’s DockAbsorber was brainstormed, designed and manufactured in-house and is being marketed to dock builders and boat dealers. It’s also ideal for marinas and government agencies, said Jan Gambardella, who handles business development for the company.

The product was released in late summer 2011, so the company anticipates plenty of orders as summertime boating season kicks off.

The DockAbsorber is dedicated in memory of Carole Curd Keenan, a member of the Curd Buoys family, who died of leukemia in 2011.

Curd Buoys is donating a portion of the sales of the DockAbsorber to Hospice of Charleston in Keenan’s memory.

Curd Buoys, a division of Curd Enterprises Inc., has been outfitting the marine world with plastic buoys and navigational accessories since 1970.

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The company’s rapid growth was the result of its artificial reef marker. The marker was developed when artificial reefs became common as a revenue builder for state fish and wildlife agencies. With anglers fishing closer to shore, the wrecks and reefs needed a standard marker.

Today, Curd Buoys’ markers can be found anywhere on the East Coast, expanding into the Gulf Coast toward Texas and even along the Pacific Coast, as well as Japan, France and Canada.

Key customers include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources, the Navy, Coast Guard and other governmental agencies with a marine presence. The company specializes in floats and channel markers designed to protect boaters from dams and strong currents.

In addition, Curd Buoys offers solar lanterns, ropes, cables and a build-your-own anchor kit.

Curd Buoys is continually innovating and looking for ways to solve customers’ problems. In addition to the DockAbsorber, Curd Buoys has created The Wrap, a plastic piece that fits snugly on a piling. Wrap messages include “No Ski,” “Slow – No Wake,” “Swim Area” and “Danger.”

This gives those living on the water a way to put signage by their docks because only government agencies are allowed to put markers and buoys in the water. It’s another way Curd Buoys is creating solutions and solving problems.

“We think of things before the customer does,” Gambardella said.

Multiplastics: More than a manufacturer, its team is innovating, creating

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t first glance you might describe Multiplastics as a South Carolina-based manufacturer. You might note the company works with heavy-gauge thermoform plastics. It’s also a womanowned family business with a 60-year history. All that’s true, but Multiplastics can really be described in two words: problem solvers.

The Multiplastics engineering team works closely with customers to create plastic packaging, skins, containers and much more. Using a thick, durable plastic they manufacture packaging or containers that meet the client’s needs while saving them money because the containers are durable and reusable.

“We provide solutions to problems our clients face, whether it is noise issues, durability issues or usability,” said Jan Gambardella, who handles business development. “We provide the tools needed to take an idea from art to part.”

Multiplastics makes everything from laptop charging carts for offices and schools to golf cart dashboards and air ducts for government defense vehicles. They recently worked with The Ice Box Co. to create a new product for its ice machine line.

Multiplastics had been manufacturing a funnel for metal ice machines for more than 20 years and has now revamped the ice machine, creating an entirely new product out of plastic.

Oftentimes Multiplastics helps its customers save money when converting parts into plastic.

Converting products to plastics helps customers achieve color matching for precise and marketable

color choices. No paint is necessary for plastic products and products can withstand scratches and dents. Custom finish looks are available and plastic is lightweight and heat resistant.

Product diversification is key to Multiplastics’ growth and ability to overcome challenges.

“We supply parts to all industry segments,” Gambardella said. “Our effort to look at industries that may not use plastics and show them the advantages and capabilities plastics offer is key.”

Multiplastics is also proud of the fact all its products are designed and manufactured locally, making them truly “Made in South Carolina.”

Robert F. Curd and Dorothy K. Dailey started the company 60 years ago in Chicago as Curd Enterprises Inc. with the primary focus on fabrication of fiberglass billboards and product displays. A warmer climate drew Curd and his company to Charleston in 1965. Curd’s daughter, Deborah Herbert, joined the company in 1979 and has been president since 1986.

Multiplastics, a division of Curd Enterprises, is responsible for the first water runoff containment system for bridges in the United States. The system protects fragile marshlands from the effects of gasoline and oil residue. As Multiplastics continues to respond to the needs of their customers, the company has recently added new equipment, replaced all overheading lighting in the plant and reorganized the facility. After 60 years in business, Multiplastics is going strong and still growing.

Pictured Above: Mulplastics works with Ice Box Company to convert metal ice box into plastic.

Mission: The problemsolving team of staff and engineers at Multiplastics works closely with customers to create plastic packaging, skins, containers and much more.

476 Long Point Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-881-0323 www.multiplastics.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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PDA: One Company. Many Solutions.

Pictured Above: Jeff Nickles

Mission: One Company.

Many Solutions.

We’ve been providing audio, lighting, staging, design, and video services for over 20 years to an important roster of clientele – from the President of the United States, to the mother of the bride. We know you only have one shot at getting it right in the event world – find out why clients trust us to handle their technical details. Creativity, professionalism, and a warehouse full of gear.

We’re PDA.

2799 Three Lakes Road North Charleston, SC 29418 info@pdastage.com

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n 1991, Jeff Nickles loaded a small lighting kit into a delivery van and drove to his first gig working for a cover band in Charleston. The band broke up, despite their epic version of “Don’t Stop Believing,” but PDA is still going strong!

Nickles, president of PDA, has spent the past 20 years adding to his inventory and building his staff. The company, with 20 employees, has become a recognized leader in the entertainment and production industry.

The key to PDA’s success: “We love what we do,” says Nickles. “Talk to our techs, shooters or project managers, and you will see them light up – literally – when talking about apertures, lumens and watts.

We eat and breathe this stuff and we love nothing more than when we share one of our stages, lighting designs, or videos with an audience.”

The company’s biggest claim to fame was being awarded the honor of providing production services at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., in 2009. PDA has continued working with the White House on many events all over the country.

But when it comes to helping clients, PDA gives the mother of the bride the same attention as the CEO of a company.

“We know you have only one shot at getting it right in the event world,” Nickles says. “We strive to develop strong relationships with each client and meet their expectations year after year. We’re invested in making each of their events a success.”

A unique commitment to their clients – as well

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“We eat and breathe this stuff and we love nothing more than when we share one of our stages, lighting designs, or videos with an audience.”

Jeff Nickles President, PDA

as creativity, professionalism and a warehouse full of the latest gear – make PDA a standout in event and video production services. The company has worked with many of its clients for more than 15 years.

As PDA has grown, it has worked to stay connected to the community. From Darkness to Light, the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, and Charleston Fashion Week are just a few of the area events on its list. PDA is THE go-to company in South Carolina.

But the company’s footprint goes far beyond the Charleston peninsula. Whether traveling to Utah to film the national Outdoor Retailer Market or hitting the campaign trail with CNN, one of PDA’s crews can be found taking a road trip anywhere in the United States.

The landscape of event and video production is constantly evolving, and PDA is committed to building its services to meet the ever-changing needs of its clients.

Image Branding Group knows what it takes to build a company’s brand

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he Image Branding Group knows that in today’s economy building your company’s brand is essential for setting yourself apart from the competition. Image Branding Group can help your company establish that by providing a strong, consistent visual in the marketplace.

The Image Branding Group excels in market experience and brand enhancement. From screen printing to embroidery to graphic design, they will do what it takes to get your logo out there.

Additionally, they can assist with new product design and development as well as the creation of brand specific web stores for both customer and employee use. The Image Branding Group sees the process from initial concept through the sourcing and warehouse support phase to delivery to make sure you get your products on time.

“We have been, and continue to be, retail aware.

We have four experienced designers and a factory capable of handling orders of all sizes in stride,” says Jeffrey Cohen, president and CEO. “Image Branding has the ability to offer our clients true expertise in the market.”

The company is currently going through a rebranding process themselves – from Odle Group to Image Branding Group. The company is actually an amalgam of many businesses that have been acquired over the last fifteen years, the most recent being Passport International. With each new business that became part of the family, the skill set and capabilities of the Image Branding Group

increased.

Pictured Above: From left: Dave Holtz, “Whether it was logo apparel for employees or Rose Bolden and promotional items for direct mail or trade shows, Jeffrey Cohen. we became known for our creativity and in helping companies building their brand identity in ways that complemented their action in the conventional marketing world,” says Dave Holtz, COO. Mission: At Image Image Branding Group also offers a growing Branding Group, our number of regional and national firms uniform and mission is to support our promotional merchandise fulfillment services that customers by providing enable the clients to keep their staff projecting the superior products and desired brand image. services of exceptional After acquiring other companies and continuing value that further their brand to expand their services, the company decided it identity and allow them was time to rebrand themselves as Image Branding to establish a competitive Group to better reflect their business purpose. advantage in their individual “Our focus on building our clients’ image markets. We strive to be and brand through products, whether uniforms, the industry standard in promotional items or other brand-emblazoned service to our customers items, at an economical price has remained and provide a pleasant the same,” says Rose Bolden, CFO. “Providing and supportive work significant business value to our customers remains environment where our a key to our success.” employees can thrive and Cohen says they are still a family business. meet their potential.

“Our team is customer service focused and is always going the extra mile,” he says. “Our team members are the key to our success.”

As Image Branding Group solidifies its new 5809 N. Rhett Ave. brand identity, they will remain in the forefront of the Hanahan, SC 29410 industry by offering businesses both large and small 843-554-3840 effective ways to support their brand personality. www.imagebrandinggroup.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union:

Trust and technology give competitive edge Pictured Above: Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union representatives are joined by Mt. Pleasant officials for the grand opening and ribbon cutting event of Heritage Trust’s newest branch on Coleman Blvd.

Mission: Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union (HTFCU) has been a part of the greater Charleston area since 1955 but prides itself on being quick to embrace new technologies that help better serve its 50,000 members and over 300 Select Employer Groups throughout Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Berkeley Counties.

200 Marymeade Drive Summerville, SC 29483 843-832-2600 www.HeritageTrust.org

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s it possible to be almost sixty years old and still be cutting edge? Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union (HTFCU) proves that you can.

The $453 million institution has been a part of the greater Charleston area since 1955 but prides itself on being quick to embrace new technologies that help better serve its 50,000 members and over 300 Select Employer Groups throughout Charleston, Dorchester, Colleton and Berkeley Counties.

Now grown to 12 branch locations, HTFCU was the first financial institution in South Carolina to install an ATM, according to its Chief Development Officer Emily Reynolds. She says that in addition to such state-of-the-art security technology as biometric hand-scanning capability at two locations, HTFCU members can also bank through their smartphones or pay bills online. On average members perform over 20,000 bill pay transactions a month.

“A lot of people choose to bank with a larger organization because they think they won’t have access to funds,” she says, “But that’s not true because we also have a network of shared branching institutions across the country.”

Additionally, HTFCU plans to roll out online account opening this year, says Reynolds, which will allow anyone to apply for membership via the Web and get savings, checking, or credit card accounts without ever walking into a branch office.

Not that you wouldn’t want to. Reynolds says members are encouraged to come into any

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branch during business hours to learn more about managing their money more effectively. “We are member-owned,” explains Reynolds, which differs from traditional banks with private stockholders.

“Our members even elect our board,” she says.

Reynolds says that HTFCU goes above and beyond banking to meet the individual needs of its members by providing free financial counseling.

This is especially helpful to those who have low credit scores and can’t get loans. Reynolds says, “Education is a big piece of being financially healthy and that’s the way we want our members to be.”

HTFCU also takes pride in providing personalized service by offering a variety of loans for cars and real estate at low rates as well as an array of savings choices for members to maximize their money. “We still have a no monthly fee checking account as well as a local call center for customer service,” adds Reynolds, which is not available at many other institutions in this market.

A Select Employee Group or SEG chartered institution, Reynolds says HTFCU is dedicated to working with companies in its field of membership as well as giving back to the local area. This includes offering members free space via a community room within its newest branch locations to hold meetings.

Employees of the credit union also volunteer and support nonprofit organizations. “Our core strength is to be flexible and innovative while supporting the needs of our members,” Reynolds says. “Trust is everything.”

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians puts focus on quality patient care

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almetto Primary Care Physicians makes patient quality of care their top priority. They provide primary and specialty care for patients of all ages and their services are ever expanding. The physician-owned group has 28 sites and over 70 medical providers that reach seven counties around the Charleston area.

“Since we are a self-standing physicians group, we have the autonomy and flexibility to change the system and make our main focus patient care,” says Vivian Barajas, director of marketing.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians offers specialists in vein treatment, sleep medicine, neurology, gastroenterology and sports medicine in addition to primary care. Patients also have access to an urgent care facility, open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in North Charleston.

With so many different health care services available, their electronic medical records system is important in making the practice run smoothly.

While many medical care facilities are beginning to implement electronic records, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians has been using electronic medical records for 12 years.

“We’ve mastered that part of it,” says Barajas.

Since all of a patient’s information is stored electronically, it makes it easy for one person to see several doctors or specialists within the practice and have each doctor see the patient’s full record.

This communication is useful if a patient visits the urgent care facility. His or her primary care

physician receives a notice that the patient has been to urgent care and then the doctor follows up regarding any future treatment or tests.

“The electronic medical records system is important in opening up the communication lines between specialists, primary care doctors and urgent care doctors,” says Barajas, “And our patients receive the consistent and continuous medical care they deserve.”

Additionally, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians is an organization that continues to be innovative.

After success with their Patient-Centered Medical Homes and other projects, they have proven that they bring new ideas not only to the Lowcountry, but they also are nationally recognized in the medical profession.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians is also quality driven. They have received certifications from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for Heart/Stroke, Diabetes and Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

Palmetto Primary Care Physicians also strives to give patients test results in a timely manner, through the use of in-house laboratories. Patients also have access to in-house MRI, CT scan, nuclear medicine and other diagnostic testing.

The combination of the best doctors and nurses, an innovative approach to health care and the use of new technologies means patients at Palmetto Primary Care Physicians receive the highest quality of care in the Lowcountry.

About the company: Palmetto Primary Care Physicians (PPCP) is a group practice comprised of over 70 clinical providers with a wide range of expertise in primary and specialty care. The company employs over 600 clinical and non-clinical staff throughout seven counties in South Carolina and provides exceptional medical care for patients through 28 physicians offices.

PPCP provides patientcentered services such as a state-of-the-art urgent care clinic and diagnostic center that is open 365 days a year and a Nurses Triage Line that is available to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2500 Elms Center Road North Charleston, SC 29406 843-572-7727 www.palmettoprimarycare.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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The Blue Oak Group: Local investment advisory firm uses non-traditional approach to help minimize clients’ investment risk Pictured Above: Andrew Topka, Founder and President

Mission: Founded in 2006, The Blue Oak Group is a Charleston-based independent boutique investment advisory firm specializing in the use of non-traditional investments as a complement to an otherwise entirely traditional stock and bond-based portfolio.

192 East Bay St., Suite 200 Charleston, SC 29401 843-576-6800 www.theblueoakgroup.com

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nvestors who have grown tiresome of the volatility in the markets and are interested in pursuing alternative investment strategies may find The Blue Oak Group’s approach to money management just the right fit for their portfolio.

Founded in 2006, The Blue Oak Group is a Charleston-based independent boutique investment advisory firm specializing in the use of non-traditional investments as a complement to an otherwise entirely traditional stock and bond-based portfolio. Blue Oak targets to reduce volatility and further diversify their clients’ portfolios by incorporating the use of hard asset, non-correlated asset classes like real estate, equipment leasing, oil and natural gas and other non-traditional investments. A typical Blue Oak client is in their 50s or 60s and interested in investing the money they have accumulated as a way to maintain their existing lifestyle as they enter retirement. Additionally, many of Blue Oak’s clients tend to be investors who benefit from tax-advantaged investments given their level of income, tax bracket or a one-time event in which they are looking to off-set the resulting tax liability.

“For the most part, our clients have already made their money, they’re just looking to Blue Oak to help them preserve it,” said Andrew Topka, president and founder.

“Our belief is that in order to manage risk and truly diversify their portfolio, an investor must go beyond the limitations of the traditional

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stock and bond markets,” Topka said. “That’s why we endeavor to invest for our clients the way that the large endowments, pensions and institutions are investing for themselves; in hard assets that tend not to be tied to the ups and downs of the traditional markets.”

Blue Oak also works closely with taxsensitive investors, helping them find alternative investments that are tax advantaged. While the quality of the investment is always paramount, these investments often generate tax efficient streams of monthly income and in some cases provide tax deductions that help reduce a onetime taxable event like the sale of a business or real estate.

Also because Blue Oak is an independent firm its advisers are able to create customized unbiased portfolios not filled with proprietary funds that many of the larger investment advisory firms benefit from pushing. “Each account is customized based on the suitability and needs of its owner,” Topka explained. “One size fits all financial advising has become an unfortunate common practice. We think our clients deserve more.”

Different types of investments involve varying degree of risk including market fluctuation and possible loss of principal value. There can be no assurance that any specific investment strategy will be profitable. Securities offered through Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, Inc. (BFCFS) Member FINRA/SIPC. Blue Oak Group is independent of BFCFS.

PST – Productivity Solutions & Training

Leader in business training partners with advisory group

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roductivity Solutions & Training (PST) continues to be the TriCounty’s leader in application, technical and business skills training by adapting to the ever-changing business climate and technological advancements that are rapidly occurring.

“We are the go-to people for delivering application and technical training along with extensive business skills to the workforce,” explains Ingrid Tugwell, CEO of PST. “We can custom design training for a client’s specific need whether they have a small group of 10 or as large as 300 plus.” Since 1994, PST has traveled the globe training clients on Microsoft Office, Windows Server, CompTIA, SharePoint and SQL, along with general business skills such as leadership, team building and more, to an array of business types. In addition, PST offers 500+ courses via instructor-led, on-line or web based training modules.

PST is pleased to announce the exciting new collaboration with SCS Advisory Group of WinstonSalem, NC. “This new business model is founded primarily on PST’s ongoing desire to serve the small business needs in Charleston and beyond,” says Tugwell. “Working together, PST and SCS Advisory Group now offer a wider range of small business support than does either independently.”

PST and SCS believe there is a fundamental need in all companies to address strategy, business skills, technology, people and community service in a coordinated manner. The strategic collaboration touches on all of these points for the benefit of small businesses. “Our two organizations combined will

provide a wider reach and more comprehensive service offering to the Southeast’s small business community,” says Steven Schultz, owner of SCS Advisory Group. “In doing so, small to mid-sized businesses will now have a one-stop shopping mechanism not only to train the employee from etiquette, technology, management and beyond, but also to serve as an executive advisor for business owners to improve employee commitment, customer service, and efficiency.”

PST boasts hundreds of certified trainers that can fill any training need throughout the world with seven days’ notice. The organization has three fully equipped state-of-the-art classrooms in Charleston and can travel with a 14-station fully equipped classroom. PST offers the strongest instructor-led application and technical training offerings in the Southeast, and all the courses use a combination of instructor lecture, demonstration and hands-on activities and labs.

Tugwell believes that training is a process and changing corporate culture takes commitment and time – not just a day in a classroom.

The combined services of the partnership between PST and SCS Advisory Group can help a company achieve more revenues, more profits, and a distinctive reputation as the place to work and the place to buy.

Additionally, these services can help both employees and business owners improve their work-life balance and also help focus new attention on personal and professional growth.

Pictured Above: Ingrid Tugwell assists a training class participant.

Pictured Below: Steven Schultz, owner of SCS Advisory Group.

5300 International Blvd., B209 North Charleston, SC 29418 843-529-0098 www.trainwithpst.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Charleston Cotton Exchange helps entrepreneurs market their businesses Pictured Above: Stephanie Mathias True, with Emily.

Mission: The Charleston Cotton Exchange works with companies, organizations and individuals to create marketing and incentive ideas, and it can put a logo on virtually anything.

1758 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29407 843-763-0740 www.charlestoncottonexchange.com

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or more than 17 years, the Charleston Cotton Exchange has been outfitting the Lowcountry with customized apparel, koozies, coffee mugs, key chains, notepads and more. But the recent years have brought additional success in an unexpected fashion.

The troubled economy resulted in massive layoffs, which led many of those who had lost their jobs to start their own businesses. Those entrepreneurs then turned to the Charleston Cotton Exchange.

“People lost their jobs and they started their own businesses and needed to come to us for logo’d apparel and promotional products for their own business,” said Stephanie Mathias True, company president.

True can easily relate to the entrepreneurs who come through her doors. She too knows what it’s like to start a business from scratch, having started Charleston Cotton Exchange in July 1995. “I was a new graduate and didn’t know what I wanted to do,” she said.

Having finished college in Pennsylvania, she relocated to Charleston, where her parents had retired. Her family bought a press, then three presses and just kept growing. True credits her parents and her dedicated staff for their success. Dr. David and Helena Mathias serve as financial advisers and some of the Charleston Cotton Exchange’s staff has been with the company for more than 10 years.

Years later, True continues to look for ways to improve her offerings and keep up with the

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“Our sales reps are trained to help businesses develop ideas to make their enterprises successful.”

Stephanie Mathias True

President, Charleston Cotton Exchange

latest technology and trends, including more environmentally friendly product offerings and a switch to environmentally friendly inks.

True recently incorporated an on-site embroidery department so she could have more control over the quality of the work and the turnaround time.

She also added a direct-to-garment printer that, similar to an inkjet printer, can print color on both light and dark apparel. It also means the Charleston Cotton Exchange can do smaller print runs, such as specialized T-shirts for an individual or small group.

The Charleston Cotton Exchange works with companies, organizations and individuals to create marketing and incentive ideas, and it can put a logo on virtually anything.

“We’re a full-service company, meaning people come to us with anything from a sketch to a fullydeveloped idea and our graphic designers help them turn their ideas into a fully conceived design or product,” True said. “Our sales reps are trained to help businesses like restaurants and retailers develop ideas for apparel and promotional products in order to make their enterprises successful.”

Harbor Wealth Management Group helps business owners create business legacy

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usiness owners are focused on running their business, making day-to-day decisions and dealing with the crisis of the moment. But Harbour Wealth Management Group wants those business owners to think ahead to the type of legacy they would like for themselves and their business.

Although Harbour Wealth Management Group assists clients with a variety of wealth management needs, it has unique expertise in helping business owners realize the value of their businesses and executive retirement benefits.

“We consult with business owners to think strategically about the end game of their business and the legacy they hope to leave,” explained Matthew Pardieck, Vice President of Investments.

The Harbour Wealth Management team works with business owners’ legal and accounting team to proactively review buy/sell agreements, ownership plans and taxes with the objective of avoiding potential pitfalls and taking advantage of opportunities. Succession planning is an aspect of financial management Pardieck said is important for business owners to think about well in advance of their impending retirement or desire to sell.

“When the moment of transition occurs, which is sometimes sooner than planned, if you’re too tied into the business and it’s hard to identify that income stream your business creates, value may be lost,” he said.

A part of planning for the future is assessing how a business attracts and retains key talent,

so executive benefits are an important aspect of succession planning, Pardieck said. “You want to have good people there who can run things when you’re gone. So how will you keep them there?”

These executive benefits, business agreements, employee stock ownership plans, personal objectives and retirement plans are all interrelated and it’s important to select an advisor who has the appropriate experience.

In the coming months, succession planning will be even more critical. While tax rates have remained low the last few years, they are scheduled to increase significantly next year. Whereas in the recent past, business owners might have been able to transition with minimal taxes, that’s all about to change. “There is a window of opportunity in 2012 that we haven’t seen in many years,” Pardieck said.

Harbour Wealth Management’s expertise in succession planning coupled with the history and resources of its parent group, Raymond James, makes it a solid choice for Charleston area business owners. Founded in 1962 and a public company since 1962, Raymond James is a diversified financial services holding company with subsidiaries engaged primarily in investment and financial planning, in addition to investment banking and asset management. It has enjoyed 96 consecutive quarters of profitability.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss. As federal and state tax rules are subject to frequent changes, you should consult with a qualified tax advisor prior to making any investment decision.

Pictured Above: From left: Chris Corley, Lindsey Robinson, Matt Pardieck and Honey Johnson.

About the Team: With over 30 years collective experience, team members have over 4 professional designations and an MBA. Matt was also recognized as a ‘40 Under 40’ recipient in 2004 and is a Leadership Charleston graduate.

28 Bridgeside Blvd., Suite 203 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 843-416-1033 www.harbourwealthmanagement.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2012 Profiles in Business

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Sentry Management is taking care of business for homeowners

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ne of people’s strongest connections is with their home, their private retreat from the world. It symbolizes safety and well-being.

It also represents a significant financial investment.

The emotional ties are strong. Homeowners are exacting in their view of their home and community.

In homeowner associations, the responsibility for maintaining the community rests with the board.

Sentry Management’s strength is helping boards fulfill this awesome responsibility, with professionalism and integrity.

Sentry Management has been managing and maintaining communities since 1975. A fullservice community management company, Sentry’s managers lead an association-focused team that handles the varying needs of a community – whether it’s single-family homes, condominiums or

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dockominiums. In the Lowcountry, Sentry manages communities of all shapes and sizes in Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester and Beaufort counties.

From attending board and annual meetings, collecting dues and overseeing pool maintenance to hiring the landscaper and enforcing community covenants, Sentry is about providing personal attention for each community and its owners while establishing a long-term relationship that builds better communities. Providing that level of customized service and consistency is the key to successful community management.

“We make sure the customers – who are all the homeowners – are treated fairly and with respect,” said Collin Bruner, vice president of Sentry’s Charleston Division.

Sentry uses a proprietary software program,

CommunityPro™ that gives both its community managers and the association boards easy access to real-time data and financial records for their community.

“National studies show the reason communities change management firms directly relates to the responsiveness of the companies servicing the account,” said James W. Hart, president of Sentry Management. “It comes down to community managers that have know-how, understand the rules and can navigate through this technical field.

At the same time they must communicate with the board so they know we have their community under control. It’s a very important thing when you’re dealing with people and their homes. If they have a problem, you have to respond quickly.”

Sentry’s community managers are active in the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Locally, four have earned a Certified Manager of Community Associations designation and two an Association Management Specialist designation.

Bruner added, “In a state where community management is not licensed by a state agency it is very important to have community managers who are certified by a national association such as CAI. You do not want just anyone managing your financial assets and providing guidance on how to effectively manage your community.”

Sentry’s Charleston personnel each complete more than 300 hours per year in professional development and education to stay current on all issues relating to homeowner association operations in South Carolina. Managers average more than seven years in association management experience – far above the three-year national average.

Sentry goes to great lengths to hire skilled staff

members and then give them extensive training.

“Some communities we’ve taken over recently tell us they have had five managers in two years,” Bruner said. “That is difficult for a community.

Boards have constantly changing membership so it’s important to have a consistent community manager who maintains that knowledge base about the community.”

A management company needs to be the unbiased expert on cost competitiveness and quality of work done on behalf of communities they manage. Sentry Management has no ownership or financial affiliation with any HOA or condominium supplier. Yet because of the large number of associations managed throughout the greater Charleston region, Sentry has an enviable track record for securing the best priced contracts.

Important to note is that even though Sentry might be handling the day-to-day management operations, all final decisions and accountability belong to the community association and its governing board. An experienced management firm like Sentry can provide a great deal of practical insight and suggest practices that make the role of a board member a lot easier.

“As a Charleston-based operation, we have the best of both worlds,” Bruner said. “We are part of a larger organization with 20 offices in nine states.

That gives us stability, a vast knowledge base and experience. Our powerful proprietary technology lets us spend less time on routine administration in the office and more time in the communities.

Locally we have built a sizable customer base and have truly capable managers. Together that has translated into superior service and customer satisfaction.”

Pictured Above: Collin Bruner, vice president, Sentry’s Charleston Division Pictured Left: Sentry Management Staff Pictured Bottom Left: Sentry Management Headquarters

About the company: Sentry is an Accredited Management Organization®. This certification is a powerful assurance of Sentry’s experience, financial stability and integrity. Only a handful of association management firms earns this prestigious designation.

4925 Lacross Road, Suite 112 North Charleston, SC 29406 843-795-0190 charleston.sentrymgt.com

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Fisher Recycling marks 20 years of helping businesses reduce waste Pictured Above: Left: Example of recycled counter tops.

Right: Chris Fisher

Mission: By offering recycling services for paper, plastic and glass products, as well as electronic equipment, Fisher Recycling covers a broad scope of business recycling needs. With a dedication to community and industry involvement at the core of its business, Fisher Recycling promotes local entrepreneurship, local philanthropy, and, most importantly, the sustainability of the environment.

2750 Avenue B North Charleston, SC 29405 843-554-6099 www.fisherrecyling.com

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elebrating 20 years of award-winning commercial and residential recycling service, Fisher Recycling remains South Carolina’s premier example of bridging the gap between environmentally sound and sustainable recycling practices and businesses.

“Initially, through an extensive education process, we partner with our customers to assist them in becoming more environmentally conscious by reducing their waste and offsetting their carbon footprint,” explains Chris Fisher, founder. “Then we perform a waste audit to determine what program best fits that customer.” While working with large and small businesses, Fisher Recycling tailors every client program to the individual business with no two programs alike.

By offering recycling services for paper, plastic and glass products, as well as electronic equipment, Fisher Recycling covers a broad scope of business recycling needs. With a dedication to community and industry involvement at the core of its business, Fisher Recycling promotes local entrepreneurship, local philanthropy, and, most importantly, the sustainability of the environment. “Tailoring each business to meet its optimal recycling program is our specialty and goal,” explains Fisher. “There are other choices for recycling, but our company is the only one that offers six-day service.”

For several years, Fisher Recycling collected glass bottles and then began turning them into decorative kitchen counter tops in addition to

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crushing the glass to a variety of sizes for landscape cullet for driveways and architectural impression.

Fishers’ GlassECO product line emerged and includes a wide variety of elegant, sustainable and ecological hard surfaces and landscaping aggregate. The products are manufactured at the company’s warehouse in the old Navy Base, where the facility is day-lit and heavily ventilated by outside air, conserving electricity and ultimately is “recycled” itself by being saved from demolition.

The glass derivative products satisfy the desire for a natural stone appearance, while eliminating the negative environmental impact of natural stone.

These hard surfaces are heat and scratch resistant, transforming both contemporary and traditional homes and offices.

In addition, Fisher Recycling is now hosting franchise opportunities in the Southeast. Currently, there are two franchises celebrating their 2nd year in Hilton Head/ Savannah and the Grand Strand areas. By offering flexible growth structure and indepth experience in the recycling industry, Fisher Recycling provides unlimited potential in this dynamic and fast-growing field. A key difference between Fisher Recycling and the average recycling collector lies in its value-added services, particularly customer education.

For more information on Fisher Recycling and its long list of industry advanced opportunities and services call (843) 554-6099 or go to www.fisherrecycling.com.

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Keen Eye Marketing creates HD videos and social media campaigns for real estate professionals and property owners

een Eye Marketing is pioneering a new standard for real estate marketing. By coupling high-definition property videos with intelligent social media campaigns, this entrepreneurial firm is helping real estate professionals and property owners take action in a down market.

Yates Dew, a real estate professional and MBA, incorporated the company locally in 2010 when he saw a need for improvement with the way most properties were being marketed online.

“Professional videos create an emotional connection to properties that cannot be generated by photographs, slideshows and virtual tours. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a hundred thousand,” says Dew. According to the National Association of Realtors, 90% of all home searches start online and 70% of home sellers are more likely to list with a real estate agent offering video as a marketing tool. The Charleston Trident Association of Realtors recently stated 73% of clients want their agents to use video, yet only 12% actually do.

“These statistics should ring a loud bell in the ears of anyone with a property for sale or lease,” Dew states.

Keen Eye Marketing helps real estate agents sell more real estate. Their philosophy embraces modern marketing techniques that they believe are taking a front seat to traditional real estate marketing methods such as mailers and open

“You cannot afford to miss out on the marketing benefits of video.”

Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS

Pictured Above: From left: Nate Mellor Director of Marketing, Andrew Hollowell Director of Sales, Yates Dew - President

Mission: To help property houses, which have a short shelf life. owners and real estate “As a selling agent, your top three priorities professionals sell more real are to create an effective marketing strategy, estate by coupling high maximize the exposure of the listing, and close quality video with intelligent the deal. If you aren’t using professional-grade social media campaigns. video and leveraging it across popular social media platforms in addition to The Multiple Key quote: “No other Listing Service (MLS), then you simply are not company offers the maximizing the exposure of your client’s listing,” combination and quality of real estate marketing Dew says. services that we do.”

“Video is effective and inexpensive,” Dew Yates Dew states. Keen Eye Marketing has filmed over $200 President, Keen Eye million dollars in real estate for most of the Marketing top-producing agencies in Charleston. Their local success already has them headed to other regional markets.

Dew says, “No other company offers the combination and quality of real estate marketing 154 B Cannon Street services that we do. Our cutting-edge approach Charleston, SC 29403 helps our clients close more deals and also gain 843-410-2275 more listings. We succeed when they succeed.” www.keeneyemarketing.com

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JacksonBuilt Custom Homes is all about personal attention, service Pictured Above: From left: Kimberly Jackson, Richard Jackson, Allison Casper, Design Coordinator, and Jesse Arnette, Builder Assistant

About the Company: JacksonBuilt subscribes to the motto “Design Smart, Build Beautiful” so the company is keenly focused on working with clients to create a home that meets their needs while being distinct and original.

901 Island Park Drive, Suite 202 Daniel Island, SC 29492 843-297-1424 www.jacksonbuilthomes.com

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ynda Sullivan and Ray Galindo talked with several builders about their plans for a custom home on Daniel Island, but they just hadn’t found a company they felt comfortable with – until they met Richard Jackson.

“It was love at first sight,” Sullivan said. “He had the perfect demeanor. He was kind, laid back and he listened intently.”

The couple hired Jackson’s building firm, JacksonBuilt Custom Homes, to build their contemporary home, and Sullivan can’t say enough about the ease of the process. “It’s so comforting to have a builder we can trust and who will be there through all stages of the process,” she said.

Shannon Shogren and his wife, Lisa, share the same sentiment. Shogren said he knew the Jacksons and their team were willing to do whatever it took to make sure their home was just as they wanted.

“You’re getting ownership level support from the company on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

That level of commitment and personal attention is a key element to the JacksonBuilt business philosophy. “We treat homebuilding like it was 20 or 30 years ago,” Jackson said.

The quality of JacksonBuilt’s work has not gone unnoticed. The Charleston Trident Home Builders Association presented the company with its first Prism Award in 2011.

Jackson spent a dozen years working for a large builder and kept mental notes about what he would do differently. While many were leaving

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the construction industry during the economic downturn, he viewed it as an opportunity to create the kind of building company he always thought should be available.

Jackson and his wife, Kimberly, run the business with two employees. The team is hands-on and committed to making the homebuilding process as smooth as possible for clients. In keeping with their company motto “Design Smart, Build Beautiful” they work with the architect from the beginning to create a home that reflects the homeowners’ needs while making the best use of the space and allotted budget. This collaboration ensures the vision is fulfilled and that the design is efficient and effective.

Kimberly Jackson said they realize a home is typically a person’s biggest investment and they take that seriously. “From the initial plans to movein day, we can spend up to a year with clients so we are invested. We want this to be the best experience it can be,” she said.

Getting to that point could mean meeting a client at the homesite on a Sunday afternoon, returning a phone call in the evening or visiting every showroom in Charleston for just the right kitchen faucet. For Richard and Kimberly, those sacrifices are worth having a business they love and developing relationships with people who become their neighbors and friends.

“At the end of the day, we love it,” Richard said.

“Once we build a home for you, you’re part of the family.”

HITT Contracting Celebrating 75 Years of Quality Construction

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elebrating 75 years in business nationwide and 15 years in Charleston, HITT Contracting continues to develop longstanding relationships through its resources and experience that are truly unmatchable. With solid roots here in South Carolina, HITT plays an important role in the community as engaged citizens, in addition to being respected business partners with customer satisfaction and a job well done as its core mission.

“We pride ourselves in being an award-winning ‘turn-key’ construction company that’s local but with a national portfolio offering the industry’s best resources,” says Carson Knizevski, senior vice president. “We can perform a wide range of services from small jobs, service and emergency work to full base building renovation and shell construction with the promise that our relationship with our client is open and honest.”

HITT has the ability to do a variety of construction work from finish upgrades, historic renovations and infrastructure refits to new structures from start to finish. Visible by their success in projects including health care, transportation/logistics, industrial/ maintenance, hospitality, government, corporate interiors, law firms, technological and institutional work, HITT remains a leader not only in South Carolina and the Southeast but across the nation.

“Our latest local accomplishment is teaming with Austin Commercial to land the Charleston Airport Terminal Rehabilitation and Improvement Program,” explains Knizevski. “The $150 million

expansion and remodel project and our ongoing Pictured Above: Hitt Contracting Staff relationship with Boeing prove we are committed to Charleston’s growth and prosperity.” HITT is an approved contractor for improvements at the recently completed manufacturing facility for Boeing’s newest jet, the state-of-the art 787. In turn, the Charleston community continues to approve of the quality workmanship and work ethic that HITT provides one successful project after another.

HITT’s Charleston office, established in 1997, Mission: The HITT has the honor of being the first satellite office, with Mission is service above additional offices now in Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver expectations for our and south Florida. Established in South Carolina clients, which we achieve to handle Navy projects under a term contract at by earning their trust the Naval Weapons Station, HITT began focusing through our core values on federal projects at the Marine Corps Recruit of commitment, quality, Depot and Marine Corps Air Station in the Beaufort integrity, and “whatever it area, and at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter and the takes” attitude.

Charleston Air Force Base. Today, the Charleston office has federal projects in Houston, Little Rock, Colorado Springs and Tucson.

Alongside its government projects, HITT’s expert workmanship can be seen on the private side. “We have recently completed renovations and upfits for multiple law firms in Charleston and Columbia,” says Knizevski. “We have found that by following the ‘HITT Way’ for quality our new 2457 West Aviation Avenue, construction and interiors work continues to thrive.”

Suite 100 HITT Contracting not only continues to thrive, but North Charleston, SC 29406 is an industry leader and respected member of the 843-308-9400 Charleston business community. www.hitt-gc.com

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Wells Fargo

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is America’s Community Bank

ells Fargo works hard to be the best community bank in the Palmetto state, while offering all the benefits, conveniences and strengths of a nationwide financial services company.

Wells Fargo is headquartered in San Francisco, but we’re decentralized so every local Wells Fargo store is a headquarters for satisfying all our customers’ financial needs and helping them succeed financially.

In South Carolina, Wells Fargo has 148 banking stores, 287 ATMs, and more than 5,800 team members. As the fourth largest bank in America, Wells Fargo offers one of the most extensive and convenient distribution systems in the industry. With more than 9,000 stores and 12,000 ATMs nationwide, phone banks, and top-notch online services (21 million active U.S. internet customers), the company is positioned to satisfy all of its customers’ financial needs.

Wells Fargo provides customers access to the capital they need to manage their businesses. Wells Fargo approved more than $548 million in SBA 7(a) loans nationwide in the first-half of federal fiscal year 2012 (Oct. 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012), and continues to provide more SBA loan dollars to America’s small businesses than any other lender.

“We are doing everything we can to say yes to creditworthy borrowers,” says Mickey Renner, Wells Fargo’s business banking executive for South Carolina. “As part of our commitment to helping business customers in South Carolina, we give loan requests a second and third look in order to make every effort to say yes while we continue to apply our disciplined credit and underwriting principles.

When the economy shows sustained improvement, we believe business loan demand will also increase, and we’ll be there for our customers.”

The company has maintained its commitment to providing worldclass customer service. In December 2011, Wells Fargo once again

ranked No. 1 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index, a survey of consumer satisfaction conducted by the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. This marked the third year that Wells Fargo and Wachovia received the award as a combined company. Before the merger with Wells Fargo, Wachovia received the honor eight years in a row.

“By putting the customer at the center of everything we do and providing outstanding advice and service, it’s a title we plan to keep,” explains Rick Redden, regional president for Wells Fargo in South Carolina. “We want to wow our customers. We want every customer to say That was great and I can’t wait to tell someone or I didn’t know I could get service like this. She made a difference or he solved a problem and helped me understand. We know what that feels like because we’re customers, too.”

Wells Fargo is known as one of America’s most generous companies.

It contributes almost a quarter of a billion dollars to nonprofits each year—much more than companies two or three times its size.

Len Hutchison, market president for Wells Fargo in Charleston, is proud of Wells Fargo’s impact in the community. “I’m grateful to be in an industry where I get to make a difference in people’s lives,” he says.

“We have a strong commitment to the community, partnering with organizations that benefit others through community development, education, human services, and the arts. In South Carolina alone we contributed $3.1 million in grants to more than 379 nonprofits and schools in 2011, and our team members recorded more than 10,800 volunteer hours.”

The lingering effects of the recession are still taking a toll on many individuals and families throughout the state. Wells Fargo continues to work hard to give back and look for ways to address

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local social, economic and civic issues facing communities.

“One need we are hoping to help address is the food shortage among our state’s food banks,” said Hutchison. “Many of our residents lack sufficient nourishment and are having a difficult time feeding their families. Looking for help, these residents turn to South Carolina’s four food banks - Harvest Hope Food, Golden Harvest Food Bank, Lowcountry Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.”

Wells Fargo partnered with the South Carolina Food Bank Association to sponsor the Border to Border Hunger Challenge, which ran from May 14 until June 15. The company matched donations made to the state’s four food banks once they collectively raised $150,000.

The Community Partners program is another Wells Fargo initiative that is well-received. “This program is special,” adds Hutchison, “because it allows store managers to select one nonprofit in their community to be the recipient of a $1,000 grant. It’s also a critical part of our Vision and Values and business strategy. We want to be known as an active community leader, promoting economic development and self-sufficiency.”

In South Carolina, Community Partners totals more than $150,000 annually. “Our team members—who we encourage to be leaders in their communities—play an important role in helping Wells Fargo decide how to respond to the unique needs of each community,” explains Hutchison.

“Store managers love being able to recognize a local organization that makes a daily difference in the lives of their neighbors, and the nonprofits are so appreciative because many times that grant will determine whether or not they can provide a service.”

Wells Fargo also has a Community Development Officer in South Carolina dedicated to assessing community needs and supporting efforts that build strong neighborhoods. “We provide capital to support affordable housing, economic development, financial literacy, and small business enterprises throughout the regions we serve,” adds Hutchison.

“We remain committed to investing resources to meet the credit needs of our communities. We consistently receive an Outstanding CRA rating, and we’re very proud of that.”

“Our people are our competitive advantage,” says Redden. “They’re exceptionally talented and quite diverse, and they put the customer at the center of everything they do. As great as our products are, I’ve never had a customer say to me,

I love this product. But what they do tell me is the amazing thing a teller did or how a store manager helped them. The care and attention we give our customers sets us apart.”

Wells Fargo is national in scope with community banking, mortgage, commercial banking, investment services, and consumer finance from California to the Carolinas.

With 70 million customers, one in every three households in America does business with the bank. Wells Fargo also brings scale and expertise in a number of areas, such as investment banking and capital markets.

It’s the company’s strength, security, conservative financial discipline, and commitment to doing what’s right for the customer, that enables them to help customers satisfy their financial needs and succeed financially.

“We’re not focused on being bigger,” explains Redden. “We want to be better, and that means bringing all of our products and services to our customers in a highly personal, flawless way.

Understanding all of our customers’ needs helps us find the best solutions for them at any stage of their lives—and we pride ourselves on being with our customers in South Carolina at every step of their financial journey.

“Our strategy is to out-local the nationals and out-national the locals. This means that we bring the advantage of our size – the products, resources, and expertise – together with the power and nimbleness of local leadership and authority to serve our customers. We are a bank that thinks proactively about ways it can help provide solutions to customers.”

Wells Fargo understands that people want to do business with companies they connect with emotionally, that speak their language, are sensitive to their culture, value what they value, and help them succeed. To make that emotional connection, Wells Fargo asks its team members to put themselves in the customers’ shoes. How did the experience feel? Was the transaction simple and easy? Did my problem get resolved quickly? Did I get what I needed?

“Wells Fargo has hundreds of products and more than 80 businesses, and while customers don’t expect employees to know everything about all of them, they do expect our systems to work smoothly,” adds Redden. “It should be easy for customers to find the right team member or channel quickly. They should see us as One Wells Fargo and America’s Community Bank, here for them now and in the future – that’s our ultimate goal.”

Pictured Above: Rick Redden, SC Regional President Pictured Left: Len Hutchison, Charleston Market President Pictured Below: Mickey Renner, SC Business Banking Executive

www.wellsfargo.com

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