Southern hospitality isn’t a new thing, and South Carolina is known for having some of the nicest people in the country. You can go down any city street in Greenville, Columbia, Charleston and everywhere in between and find local folks helping tourists and visitors find their way to the best restaurants, hotels, golf courses or shopping.
However, South Carolina isn’t alone in being a nice place to visit or even live according to The Travel, a hospitality and tourism website that features reviews of well-traveled destinations and hidden gems for those seeking to get away.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and sources such as US News & World Report and
1. Minnesota
Land of 10,000 lakes and just as many smiles, this state has outdoor activities for all seasons and a “homey feel” that residents take pride in.
2. Tennessee
The Travel named Tennessee one of the kindest states in the nation, pointing out that some people from other areas aren’t sure what to think of their niceness.
3. South Carolina
You know who you are and why you live here!
4. Texas
Yes, everything is bigger in Texas, except for cost of living and unemployment. But genuine hospitality seems to overflow in the Lone Star State.
5. Wyoming
With just over half a million people in total, Wyoming is a great place to be left alone if you want the solitary life.
6. Indiana
While known for being Mid-Western nice, Hoosiers also enjoy a lower cost of living than many places in the U.S.
7. Colorado
Known for outdoor activities and the community nature of those engaging with nature.
8. Kansas
Kansas folks are known to say hello to strangers, meaning they’d get along well in South Carolina, except for our higher cost of living.
9. Oklahoma
Low cost of living and high quality of life results in increased tourism and in-migrations.
10. Hawaii
Most expensive place to live in the U.S. with a contagious work-live balance.
Source: The Travel
demographic portal Data USA, The Travel used a survey of 2.5 million users from The World Population Review to come up with a ranking of the nicest states in the U.S.
Of course, this raises the question of which states are the least friendly? The analysis found that designation belongs to New York, Arkansas, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, New Hampshire, Nevada, Florida and Rhode Island, respectively.
We would only have been surprised if South Carolina had not made the nice list, but the comparative analysis between the other states and South Carolina provides an interesting glimpse into just how nice we are in the Palmetto State.
Using data to compare a list of the most friendly states identified by a survey of 2.5 million tourists and travelers across the U.S. shows how each friendly state provides quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors.
“When I moved from Michigan to this area in 2015, Upper King didn’t look like it does now. It’s just exploding with foot traffic and new businesses and the downtown growth has been moving north on King.”
— Félix Landrum, owner of La Cave
BridgeTower Media, the authoritative source for business insights, data-driven marketing solutions and events across more than 40 media and research brands, has acquired ColoradoBiz, the voice of business statewide for more than 50 years, the companies announced earlier this month.
BrigeTower Media is SC Biz News’ parent company.
Founded in 1973, ColoradoBiz is the largest business publication dedicated to serving the state of Colorado. The media brand spans online and offline properties that keep readers informed of the latest developments in the state. Audience research shows that 87% of ColoradoBiz readers take action after seeing its advertising.
“Business is booming in Colorado, and we see an opportunity to accelerate growth in ColoradoBiz through this acquisition by leveraging the power of BridgeTower Media’s audience platform and best-in-class capabilities,” said BridgeTower Media President and CEO Hal Cohen. “For decades, ColoradoBiz has been an indispensable part of the business community in the Centennial State. We look forward to delivering even more value to readers and advertisers in the years ahead.”
Fresh off the heels of a significant digital transformation, BridgeTower Media has been increasing its appeal to business executives and marketers by strategically expanding its media footprint to encompass more growth markets and industries across the U.S. The acquisition of ColoradoBiz, with its long track record of engaging a statewide audience of discerning decision-makers and business owners, increases the company’s reach and presence in the Rocky Mountain West. BridgeTower Media is a portfolio company of Transom Capital Group, a leading operationally-focused private equity firm in the lower middle market.
BridgeTower Media is a leading business intelligence, marketing and event platform providing authoritative content and expert analysis through its 40+ B2B media and research brands. More than 4.4 million business decision-makers rely on BridgeTower Media for timely information and expert insights to grow their businesses. These deep and trusted first-party customer relationships power tailored insights for business executives and precision audience targeting for omnichannel marketing solutions. BridgeTower Media also celebrates professional and organizational success through 200+ events and its Best Companies Group. BridgeTower Media is a Transom Capital portfolio company. For more information, please visit www.bridgetowermedia.com.
With publications in Charleston, Columbia and the Upstate, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications.
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By Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.comWhat do your tires have in common with your toothpaste?
Both contain precipitated silica, according to Evonik, a manufacturer of the ingredient which announced plans today to expand production of precipitate silica at its Goose Creek plant by 50%.
The Germany-based company did not say how much it would spend on the expansion, but called it a “mid-double-digit million Euro amount,” in a news release. At the Jan. 31 exchange rate, 10 million euros would be $10.8 million. Evonik did not say whether the expansion would create more permanent jobs and had not replied to an email at publication time.
Evonik said tire production, more than toothpaste or other end products, is driving an increased demand for precipitate silica.
“The new line in South Carolina is satisfying the high demand in particular from the tire industry in North America and makes the supply chains of Evonik partners in the region resilient by enabling local silica sourcing,” the company stated in the release.
Silica is a key ingredient for fuel-efficient tires and other products like coatings, the release said. Construction of the new production line is scheduled to begin in mid-2024. Operations will start in early 2026.
"North America is an important strategic growth region for us," Maike Schuh, chief financial officer of Evonik, said in the release. Schuh is responsible for the company’s Americas region. “With the investment in Charleston, we are strengthening our strategic customer-centric approach and improving our cost and sustainability position. Evonik is investing in innovative and green solutions and technologies that offer our customers superior sustainability benefits.”
South Carolina has 12 tire manufacturing plants, six of which are owned by Michelin, producing 144,000 tires per
day, according to Modern Tire Dealer’s 2023 Book of Facts. The Palmetto State is the nation’s leading exporter of tires, with sales exceeding $1.7 billion in 2021, according to the South Carolina Office of the Governor.
“With this expansion, our state-ofthe-art Charleston site becomes a major hub for precipitated and sustainable silica products in North America," said Lauren Kjeldsen, head of Evonik’s Smart Materials Division, which includes the silica business.
Evonik has defined a roadmap toward carbon neutrality for its Charleston site, and the expansion is part of that plan, the release stated.
“The commercial and technical teams have worked intensely in the past years to develop a robust expansion concept, which we will now implement," Emmanuel Auer, head of the silica business line, said in the release. "The expansion will contribute to meet our sustainability targets by combining the positive handprint of Evonik’s silica technologies with a low carbon footprint. It is underlining Evonik’s commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative."
The expansion in Charleston fulfi lls the need for local-to-local supply chains for tires. Moreover, the company plans to introduce circular raw materials to manufacture a brand called Ultrasil Silica to satisfy the sustainability targets of the tire industry.
Tires made with silica reduce fuel consumption by up to 8% compared to conventional passenger car tires, the company said. In North America, the demand for tires with reduced rolling resistance and improved fuel efficiency is experiencing above-average growth. Over the past years, Evonik has continuously invested in modern silica production updates and strategic acquisitions around the globe to further enhance the business. The Charleston facilities are part of a network of 18 precipitated silica production sites globally.
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of 18.5 billion euros and an operating profit 2.49 billion euros in 2022, the company said. CRBJ
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Three area hospitals have been sold in a $2.4 billion deal to North Carolina-based Novant Health by the previous owner, Tenet Healthcare of Dallas, Texas.
The sale of East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Hilton Head Hospital in Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville includes the associated physician clinics and other operations, according to a news release from Novant Health.
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome our new team members and grow our presence in South Carolina,” said Carl S. Armato, president and CEO, Novant Health, which is headquartered in Winston-Salem. “Novant Health’s long-term vision is to transform the health and wellness of these communities through expanded specialty services and clinical expertise. We are energized and united behind our cause to create a healthier future together by building connections with patients and clinicians in coastal South Carolina.”
The East Cooper Medical Center includes 15 physician clinics. Hilton Head Hospital includes the Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center and 12 physician clinics. Coastal Carolina Hos-
pital in Jasper County includes the Tidewatch Free-Standing Emergency Department in Bluffton, according to the news release.
Novant Health said continuity of care is a priority and appointments and procedures will continue as scheduled during the transition period.
“We are working closely with our new Novant Health team members to ensure a seamless transition for patients and team members,” Joel
Taylor, market CEO of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, said in the release. “We are eager to move forward together in support of our teams and know decisions will be made with our community’s needs at the forefront.”
“There’s a lot to be excited about when planning for our future,” Tyler Sherrill, CEO of East Cooper Medical Center, said in the release. “Novant Health is known for elevating clinician leadership to provide patients
with a trusted health care experience through world-class technology, personal connections and convenient access to care.”
Tenet Health also owns a cluster of imaging centers and urgent care clinics in York, Rock Hill and Fort Mill, but those South Carolina properties were not part of the deal for the coastal hospitals.
“We understand that taking care of our patients starts with taking care of our people, so I’m delighted to join a leadership team that strives to not only be a healthc are provider of choice but also an employer of choice,” Ryan Lee, CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital, said in the release. “I look forward to expanding the resources available to our team.”
Novant Health supports health and wellness programs in the community, including health education/ screenings, community health workers and mobile cruisers. Each year, Novant Health provides hundreds of programs that serve patients, neighbors and some of their communities' most vulnerable citizens, the company said in the release.
The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,900 physicians and more than 38,000 team members who provide care at more than 800 locations, the release said. CRBJ
Jacksonville, Fla.-based homebuilder has acquired the homebuilding assets of a Charleston construction company.
Publicly traded Dream Finders Homes Inc. has bought the core homebuilding assets of privately held homebuilder Crescent Ventures LLC, according to a news release.
The acquisition will enhance Dream Finders’ geographic footprint and allow the company to expand into the markets of Charleston and Greenville, and Nashville, the release stated. Assets acquired include 457 homesites in varying stages of construction, a sales order backlog of approximately 460 homes with a value in excess of $265 million, and approximately 6,200 lots under control, the release stated.
“We are excited about this acquisition and our partnership with Crescent’s founder and CEO, Ted Terry, and the Crescent Homes team. We are impressed by Ted’s vision and his ability to deliver high-quality homes with exemplary craftsmanship over the past 15 years, growing from their headquarters in Charleston to the equally desirable housing markets of Greenville and Nashville,” Patrick Zalupski, Dream Finders’ chairman and CEO, said in the release. “Our access to capital and efficient operations will enable Crescent to grow faster and achieve significant scale in each market. This transaction enhances our geographic reach and strategically diversifies our operations into three new metropolitan areas.”
Crescent Homes was founded in 2009 by Ted Terry and builds single-family
homes in the South Carolina markets of Charleston and Greenville, and in Nashville, Tennessee. Since inception, Crescent has closed approximately 5,000 homes. Crescent serves entry-level, as well as first and second-time move-up homebuyers with price points starting in the low-$300,000s, and has over 25 active selling communities.
“Our partnership with Dream Finders Homes will allow the Crescent Homes Team to build upon an already successful track record and provide us with a tremendous platform for
growth,” Ted Terry, Crescent Homes' founder and CEO, said in the release.
“I am truly excited to join forces with a team who is so closely aligned with our core values, operating philosophy and commitment to professional growth and development. With Dream Finders’ access to the public capital markets, diverse operational expertise, and history of successful homebuilder integration, we are confident that we will be able to achieve superior operational performance and take the company to new heights.”
DFH funded the transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility, the release stated. Simultaneously with the acquisition closing, DFH paid off Crescent’s vertical lines of credit associated with the assets acquired.
Dream Finders Homes builds single-family homes throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Colorado and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. CRBJ
The town of Summerville has rebranded its economic development messaging.
The new Office of Economic Development for the town of Summerville is led by Frank Neal, who serves as the town’s director of community and economic development, according to a LinkedIn post.
The office also launched a new LinkedIn page, which will be a one-stop shop for information related to economic development in Summerville, according to the post, which also teased that a new website is “coming soon.”
In his role, Neal is the primary contact for businesses seeking to establish or expand in the town, according to the post. His responsibilities include collaborating with property owners on annexation
issues. He also assists businesses in navigating town codes and development processes and offers guidance on economic development assistance and incentive programs.
Neal’s career includes leadership roles such as CEO of The Neal Group Construction LLC, a company he founded and managed for 13 years, and account executive at ABM Industries-Building Solutions, where he led the development of self-funded, eco-friendly facilities in the education and government sectors, the post stated.
Neal's public sector experience spans various municipalities in Georgia, according to the post. He served as town administrator for the town of Thunderbolt, bringing significant improvements to all areas of the municipality. Additionally, Neal has held positions at the city of Statesboro, where he contributed to creating the city's inaugural strategic plan and solicited public input on comprehensive planning initiatives. CRBJ
Félix Landrum is adding yet another business to his portfolio with a high-end sipping lounge.
Named La Cave, the lounge will be located on King Street, right next door to Félix Cocktails et Cuisine, which opened in 2017.
The new space, according to Landrum, replaces OddFellows Ice Cream. “They lasted there somewhere around a year. When they left, I was approached by the building owner who asked if I’d be interested,” he said.
Landrum, who was seeking a sister location at the time, agreed to the deal and plans were afoot to set yet another standard for sophisticated leisure in the heart of the city.
Landrum said that the public can expect a smaller establishment. “Felix is 2,500 square feet and the new place will be about 1,700 square feet.”
His reported reason for opening the sister location was out of ‘community necessity.’
“We have 13 tables, two farm tables and a bar at Felix and were turning so many people away that we thought that if we had additional space for snacks, drinks and socialization, it could be either a waiting place, or an enjoyable evening for small bites and a couple of rounds,” he
said. As for menu items, Landrum names a few: olives, pates, devilled eggs, beef tartare, haricots vert salad and charcuterie.
“We’ll have a smaller menu at La Cave,” Landrum said.
The two eateries will be connected by
a hallway and the new place will have a relaxed and cozy vibe where customers can enjoy high-end French wines, cordials and cocktails. Landrum reports that they’ll also offer rare and traditional whiskies and will be implementing a
cocktail program that will be similar to what they’ve done at Felix. “Our focus will be on in-house creations. No canned juices,” Landrum said.
In creating La Cave, Landrum also fulfills another community demand.
“We’ve had an unbelievable number of requests for private events like weddings and receptions, so it’s going to be dual-faceted — a place for sipping and snacking and also a place where people can hold an event,” he said.
Landrum said that he’s been pleased with the growth of King Street and is delighted to be opening another business in the bustling area.
“When I moved from Michigan to this area in 2015, Upper King didn’t look like it does now. It’s just exploding with foot traffic and new businesses and the downtown growth has been moving north on King. For us, it was great to get in before the boom started and we have ridden that wave,” he said, adding that it doesn’t hurt to have parking behind the restaurant. “That’s been advantageous, as has been the Hyatt Hotel which is also there and drives a lot of traffic,” said Landrum.
Landrum estimates that La Cave will seat around 55 customers and states that an opening date has been a moving target but is closer than ever now that permits are in place.
“We’re planning on opening sometime in April,” he said. CRBJ
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the 2024 South Carolina Business Hall of Fame section. In partnership with Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina, SC Biz News has published features of the winners of this prestigious award since 2016.
is year’s group, the 39th class since JA created the Hall of Fame in 1985, includes Bob Faith, founder and CEO of Greystar, a global rental real estate management company based in Charleston; Lynn Harton, President and CEO of United Community Bank based in Greenville; and David Pankau, chairman of the board and former CEO and president of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina based in Columbia.
ese business leaders will be featured at a gala on March 14 at the Pastides Alumni Center in Columbia, and all have made signi cant, lasting contributions to the Palmetto State’s economic growth and well-being. eir names will join a list that includes South Carolinians from as far back as the mid-18th century to the present: Pinckney, Milliken, Koger, Detyens, Seibels, Sweringen and Kahn, to name just a few.
Junior Achievement honors the best in business so that they can teach students across the Palmetto State the skills and mindsets to thrive in a
global economy. JA continues into its second century of proudly helping young people learn the foundations of entrepreneurship and business success. Every day, volunteers go into classrooms all across South Carolina teaching programs about nancial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. rough this work, Junior Achievement is inspiring the next generation of business men and women in South Carolina.
SCBIZ magazine is honored to be a part of the celebration of the great entrepreneurs and leaders who helped build what is a thriving, diverse and progressive state economy. Please join us in learning about and celebrating their contributions.
Each year, the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame honors leaders chosen for their unique contributions to South Carolina’s business landscape, for being agents of positive change, for their leadership, and for being a source of inspiration to the leaders of tomorrow. e Business Hall of Fame is presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina. e Laureates for 2024 are Bob Faith, Lynn Harton and David Pankau.
Bob Faith is founder, chairman and CEO of Greystar, a global company that invests in, develops and manages high-quality rental housing properties.
Under his leadership, Greystar has grown from a manager of 9,000 units in the United States through the acquisition of the company’s predecessor Greystone to managing and operating real estate with a value of over $290 billion in 247 markets globally throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Today, Greystar is headquartered in Charleston and is the largest operator of apartments in the United States, managing more than 857,400 units/beds globally, with over $34 billion of assets under development. In 2020, Greystar was ranked as the 47th largest real estate investment manager in the world.
As CEO, Faith leads the Greystar Investment Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Directors. For three decades, he has maintained oversight over all aspects of Greystar, including organizational structure, strategic planning and company growth. He believes that the company’s commitment to its pillars of excellence, core values, evergreen business strategy and entrepreneurial spirit allows Greystar to mitigate market volatility while attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry and providing attractive career growth potential to all team members.
Following Harvard Business School, Faith began his real estate career with the Trammell Crow Company in 1986, ultimately becoming a partner in the Charlotte office. In 1991, he co-founded Starwood Capital Partners, a private investment company. In 1993, he founded Greystar Real Estate Partners in Houston. In
addition, he founded and served as CEO of Homegate Hospitality from 1996 to 1997. From 2002 through 2006, Bob served as the South Carolina Secretary of Commerce.
In 2023, Faith was recognized by Commercial Observer as one of the Most Powerful Players in Real Estate, ranking 10th on the Power 100 list, moving up from 28th in 2022. Since 2016, he has been consecutively listed as a Glassdoor Top CEO. He is a member of the National Multifamily Housing Council, the Pension Real Estate Association and the Young Presidents’ Association.
Faith received a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard.
Focus on what matters most. We’ll help with the rest. That’s the Benefit of Blue®.
David Pankau is chairman of the board and former president and CEO of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. He took over his current role upon retirement after 12 years as president and CEO in 2022.
Pankau has more than 35 years of leadership experience. In 1993, after serving as a Medicaid program manager within the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, he joined BlueCross’ Government Programs division as a manager and director of Medicare operations. During his tenure, he served in a number of leadership roles, including vice president of operations and chief operating officer for the company’s HMO subsidiary. He also served as senior vice president over national accounts and the Major Group division, president of the Commercial Business division, and chief operating officer for BlueCross. In 2010, he was named president and CEO, where he served for 12 years.
During his time with BlueCross, Pankau helped to grow the organization to be the state’s largest health plan, serving 40 million beneficiaries/customers across the United States and employing more than 16,000 individuals. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina. Pankau served on the board of directors of Midlands Business Leadership Group, Palmetto Business Forum and the National Institute for Health Care Management. He has also served on BlueCross BlueShield’s board of directors since 2010.
Pankau is married to another USC alum – the former Jennifer Lynn Du-
Lynn Harton serves as president, Chief Executive Officer and chairman of the Board of United Community Banks Inc. and serves as president and Chief Executive Officer of the company’s $17.8 billion subsidiary bank, United Community Bank.
He has more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry, with expertise in commercial banking, risk management, and turnarounds and change management. Prior to joining United Community Banks in 2012, Harton was executive vice president and Head of Commercial Banking-South for TD Bank. Prior to joining TD Bank, Harton was president and CEO at The South Financial Group, which was sold to TD Bank. He also has held various executive positions at Regions Financial Corp., Union Planters Corp. and BB&T.
Harton earned his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and has participated in various executive programs at Duke University, Wharton, Columbia, Northwestern, University of North Carolina and University of South Carolina.
He has previously served as a member of the RMA National Community Bank Council and the RMA Board of Directors. He also has served on a number of additional financial boards and committees throughout his career, including the Palmetto Business Forum, RMA National Credit Risk Council, CBA National Small Business Banking Committee, and the Equifax Small Business Financial Exchange.
Harton and United Community Bank focus on “staying small” in the way they approach banking. Known as “The Bank that Service Built,” United has been rated Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Retail Banking in the Southeast by JD Power
Mont, who earned a master’s degree from the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. She has worked for the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, which supports health care-related research, education, and service in the Palmetto State.
In addition to spending time with his wife and two sons, Pankau also likes to restore old cars. He has a 1969 Camaro and a 1974 Dodge Challenger that occupy some of his free time.
Pankau is active with many regional charitable organizations, including Junior Achievement, Transitions Homeless Center, St. Lawrence Place, Healthy Learners and United Way of the Midlands.
for eight of the past nine years and currently holds the second highest Net Promoter Score out of the top 100 publicly traded banks in the nation, according to JD Power.
Harton lives in Greenville with his wife, Flavia, and has served on a number of community boards, including the Greenville County Museum of Art, Artisphere and The Peace Center for the Performing Arts, of which he is currently serving as the chairman of the Board.
Harton was recently awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Gov. Henry McMaster. The award is the state’s highest civilian honor for outstanding service to the state and outstanding achievements.
Years in the logistics industry: 15
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest supply chain challenge we have in South Carolina is ensuring we have enough people interested in and trained to work in supply chain jobs all over the state. We need to make sure that students in K-12 and beyond know about the rewarding career opportunities in the supply chain and are motivated to join the profession.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Many logistics companies have prioritized improvements in data availability, processing, and visibility which is a major enabling factor that will help justify or maximize many other innovative solutions. AMRs (automated mobile robotics) have become more affordable and widely used, they are especially helpful for their flexibility. Looking forward, I am very optimistic about the applications for AI in clerical and administrative tasks in the logistics industry.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? Many stakeholders across companies that were not aware of the importance of logistics in their business have had their eyes opened, and hopefully will stay collaborative to support interdepartmental alignment.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? We need to work together across public and private to support the scaling of solutions that have the best results, while continuing to encourage testing technologies that have a lower readiness level.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… be a prosperous example of what is possible when you have strong collaboration between private companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and government.
Years in the logistics industry: 9
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it (in general)? The biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina is data silos between supply chain partners. While not unique to South Carolina, this issue is particularly important to South Carolina as we are experiencing significant growth. Being able to sustain this growth is going to rely on scaling systems, processes, and standards to meet customers’ growing demand for real-time information and transparency.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Data Science. It’s helping organizations in the logistics industry unlock problems and opportunities that were previously hidden and/or buried in tremendous amounts of confusing data. Applied Data Science is ultimately about pattern recognition – which allows logistics teams and companies to make more informed decisions quickly, to double down and reward specific inputs/best practices and helps them invest time and resource more intelligently while mitigating risk.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?
It catalyzed positive change within the logistics industry by highlighting long-overlooked areas for investment and improvement. The crisis underscored the critical role of logistics workers—unsung heroes who kept the global supply chain operational despite outdated tools and systems. These new investments and attention to these problems have expedited supply chain modernization significantly.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…continue to grow and modernize with further investment. South Carolina is a great place to live and do business, and it’s full of good hardworking people. Companies worldwide are continuing to recognize this. My hope is that in five years South Carolina can be a model for the rest of the nation of how all the stakeholders involved in the logistics industry can work together to drive our economy forward.
Years in the logistics industry: 6
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? If I had to single out a key aspect, it would be workforce shortages. A shortage of employees at each level can create congestion and delays which in turn drive up costs. There are many ways to tackle this, such as government and policy support, but we can start with Investing in training and apprenticeship programs and promoting career pathways.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why?
I believe that logistics providers investing in software, either a transportation or warehouse management system, has been the most beneficial. Utilizing a system allows the industry to limit the number of errors which amounts to an increase in dollars and cents.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better?
The pandemic provided an opportunity for the logistics industry to embrace technology, not just from a communication aspect, but also a visibility aspect. We saw more customers requesting and requiring visibility to their commodity, whether that was facilitated via software or by tracking via GPS. Having confidence and trust in your supplier to provide insight to your product with the limited ability for person to person activity was key.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable?
One option would be the implementation of more technology, whether this entails data analytics and tracking systems or software to implement routing optimization. Utilizing the data from the industry can drive a more efficient future.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…cement its position as a major East Coast hub. This will be possible due to our outstanding ports and strategic locations.
Years in the logistics industry: 20+
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) has helped improve productivity and is becoming more affordable, which has been particularly beneficial as companies are facing challenges from workforce shortages. Computer Vision Technology is also helping to improve quality in the logistics industry. In Supply Chain Management, 80% of energy goes into addressing 20% of exceptions. In the next decade, Artificial Intelligence properly harnessed will lead to predictive supply chains and increase in proactive decision-making, leading to higher levels of efficiency and resilience.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The COVID-19 pandemic forced companies, countries, and the logistics industry to take strategic and tactical steps to become more resilient by minimizing VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) in their supply chains. It motivated improvement initiatives from supplier diversification, offshoring vs nearshoring, automation, disaster recovery plans, remote working, omni channel sales, to safety. But, most importantly it helped people outside of the industry to understand what supply chains are and to recognize how valuable truck drivers, warehouse workers, and all the people who work in logistics are to our society.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? Focusing on reducing the amount of single use plastics and expanding our options for reusable containers are important ways to help make our supply chains more sustainable. Extending inland port network through rail to the heartland states will significantly reduce carbon emissions for inbound and outbound supply chains. With the state’s strong research universities, manufacturing community, and ability to form collaborative partnerships to achieve a common goal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see South Carolina emerge as a leader in sustainability.
Benore Logistic Systems, Inc.
Years in the logistics industry: 3
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina is in my opinion the current and future labor shortage. The demand for skilled and reliable truck drivers or warehouse workers often outpaces the available workforce. Especially as the industry within the state is growing rapidly with all the recent announcements of companies investing in the great State of South Carolina.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why?
Some of the key technologies include: blockchain; Internet of Things (IoT); AI; autonomous vehicles; robotics and automation; augmented reality; predictive analysis; and cloud computing. The integration of these technologies has collectively contributed to a more agile, responsive, and efficient logistics industry. Companies that embrace these innovations often experience improved customer satisfaction, reduced costs, and increased competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global market. It’s important to note that the landscape of emerging technologies is dynamic, and ongoing developments may introduce new advancements to further enhance logistics capabilities.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… … likely undergo a transformative evolution marked by increased sustainability initiatives, heightened technological integration, and a continued focus on enhancing supply chain resilience. The industry is expected to embrace innovative practices to address emerging challenges, such as workforce shortages and the imperative to reduce environmental impact. With advancements in automation, digitalization, and green logistics, South Carolina’s logistics sector may emerge as a model for efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability, contributing to the state’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
Years in the logistics industry: 20+
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome? A competitive labor landscape is one of the biggest challenges the transportation industry faces. Many companies face challenges hiring and retaining qualified drivers. The entry barrier is getting tougher for CDL drivers, therefore pushing these candidates to other professions. Insurance requirements and premiums, along with the government regulatory policies, is making it tough for businesses to hire drivers. The labor issue doesn’t stop with drivers: there is a need for customer service reps, dispatchers, clerks, operations managers, etc. To help solve this issue, it takes all companies working together to promote our industry. It’s a grassroots effort that will create the most change, in addition to getting in front of high school kids and young adults, educating them on the many positions in the industries, and highlighting lucrative salaries that can quickly be achieved.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Real-time visibility is a game changer. GPS tracking/geo-fencing, driver-facing apps, customer-facing portals, the list goes on. Real-time visibility allows transportation companies and their customers to make well-informed decisions with accurate information. This leads to efficiencies and cost savings, along with many other benefits, such as route planning, customer service, proactive problem solving, inventory management, and security.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? COVID highlighted the critical role that transportation and logistics plays in our life. It also helped promote and encourage careers in an industry that normally was looked down upon. While there were many challenges in the industry, I believe many companies learned how to better protect their supply chains and prepare them for unprecedented events in the future.
Years in the logistics industry: 25
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? When challenges arise around the world — geopolitical factors, weather events, and cybersecurity threats, to name a few — it can all affect the local supply chain. For example, vessels are currently waiting to transit the Panama Canal due to a drought, and shipping lines are re-routing vessels away from the Suez Canal to avoid potential attacks. Both examples result in cargo delays to ports, so when it does arrive, it needs to move quickly. From SC Ports’ perspective, we must offer the capacity and efficient operations to ensure velocity of cargo through our terminals to customers and consumers. To keep our supply chain fluid, we need to continue investing in infrastructure, technology, and qualified workforces to facilitate the flow of goods and services.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? API integration is starting to take hold in the industry. Unlike traditional messaging, APIs allow for more efficient, near real-time exchange of key data and cargo events. Customers are seeking real-time updates on their cargo to include estimated arrival and unloading events to changes in availability status. Data sharing is essential for further efficiency in the supply chain.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable?
I think it starts by identifying challenges and opportunities and being prepared to adapt. We all need to have discussions on potential challenges, feasibility, and realistic approaches, for big and small businesses alike. Ultimately, it should be a collective effort to solve how we efficiently deliver goods and services, while being environmentally responsible, creating diverse work forces, and making a positive impact on our communities.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…be resilient and expanding.
Years in the logistics industry: 23
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? I think the biggest issue in South Carolina’s supply chain is the challenge for the ports to stay both relative, cost effective, and efficient. They’re competing against all kinds of different ports up and down the eastern seaboard for that type of revenue flowing from Europe and other countries as an import. To be relevant, efficient and cost effective, you have to be competing against a bunch of other ports in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. And without that revenue coming in, it’s harder to attract that warehousing business to South Carolina.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? The biggest thing that we have seen is the emergence of AI and how it has made our jobs easier – not just on the operational side, but for our sales, marketing, and other support teams. The ability to generate content to market to manufacturers has gotten significantly more convenient and cost-effective. AI has also been useful in generating things such as contracts for our customers, BOLs and other documents for operational level tasks, and assisting in notetaking for meetings companywide.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? When the supply chain got disrupted, we saw a ton of growth in inventory and more products being pushed back to the U.S. The cost of containers went through the roof and they had to start thinking of different solutions on their supply chain solutions. We had a customer at one of our facilities who had to source all their raw materials from overseas because they couldn’t source in America during COVID, which required a new warehouse close to a port to store all the goods. The decision was either: do all of that at a much higher cost or lose the business to a competitor who was storing more goods. That time has switched the way manufacturers utilize their supply chain where they actually have more inventory on hand.
Years in the logistics industry: 32
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? The most beneficial tech is ERP software platforms that allow businesses to run their entire company from one platform and have visibility to all aspects of their business.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The pandemic changed logistics by making companies more aware of risk mitigation and having a flexible supply chain. The pandemic also forced companies to invest more time and resources in implementing more effective procurement practices and choosing the best logistics partners.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? The first step in becoming more sustainable is being able to measure your impact on the environment (upstream and downstream). The next step is to implement a plan to reduce the overall carbon footprint.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will…need to become more innovative to match the needs of the high tech, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and life science industries. The leaders in SC logistics will also have to work very closely with the state, county, and municipalities to ensure that critical infrastructure investments are always being initiated at least five years ahead of the need.
Years in the logistics industry: 12
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest challenge facing the industry is overcapacity. During the pandemic-fueled mania of goods buying and supply chain congestion, the industry saw over-investment in capacity (trucks, ships, warehouses, etc).
The industry is now right-sizing since demand has normalized. The remaining problem is that the pendulum is swinging too far, and capacity is tightening beyond what is needed. To overcome it, companies that depend on transportation providers should consider the effect that a race to the bottom on rates will have on capacity and service levels.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Although it’s certainly no longer an emerging technology – the telephone – seriously. The logistics industry, despite being a global industry that touches every consumer, is actually quite small, relationship driven and complex. For a product to move from point A to point B, two things must work – the physical movement of that product must be unencumbered and the data needed to move that product must similarly move smoothly. However, due to the complexity of both the physical movement and the data flow of a shipment, things often go wrong. Amazingly, a simple phone call is still the best, albeit not often enough used, solution which surprisingly still beats some of the most advanced tech offerings.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The pandemic and ensuing goods buying spree that the U.S. consumer embarked on drove a surge in cargo volumes and thus congestion throughout the supply chain. This forced companies to consider what risks they could affect versus what was out of their control. This intentional assessment of supply chains has dramatically improved resiliency to the point where small issues no longer become big ones as often as in the past.
Chief Executive Officer
Rhino Medical Supply Inc.
Years in the logistics industry: 4
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The biggest issue for South Carolina’s supply chain is its vulnerability to unexpected global events. Just like the rest of the world, South Carolina has felt the impact of major disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite learning a lot in the past four years, these lessons aren’t being used enough. Building resilient supply chains by diversifying suppliers and logistic partners and developing contingency plans can help mitigate the impact of disruptions. Utilizing local sourcing where possible can help rely less on global supply chains.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already making big changes in how different businesses work, and it’s doing the same in logistics. Looking ahead, It’s going to make things like planning and managing inventory much smarter and more accurate. In short, AI is not just improving how logistics works now; it’s shaping a whole new, more efficient future for the industry.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses started getting more involved in their own logistics to make sure they got what they needed on time. This change led them to work with new, often local, logistics companies and helped them understand how logistics really works.
Having more options for logistics partners created a competitive environment, which made the whole process more open and honest.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… become more tech-driven and eco-friendly, with a strong focus on prioritizing local supply chains for greater efficiency and community support.
Company: Carver Maritime/Carver Cos.
Years in the logistics industry: 45
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in South Carolina, and how can we overcome it? The main hurdle facing South Carolina’s supply chain is a shortage of drivers, traffic congestion, and a lack of interest from younger generations in joining the logistics industry. To overcome this, we need to focus on recruiting younger talent, improving infrastructure to reduce traffic, and offering training programs to attract and retain talent in logistics.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry, and why? GPS and tracking technology because it allows real-time monitoring of assets and shipments for both companies and customers.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? It taught companies how to work leaner and more efficient due to personnel shortages.
How can South Carolina’s logistics industry become more sustainable? South Carolina’s logistics industry can enhance sustainability by dedicating increased effort and resources towards attracting the younger generation to careers in logistics, including roles such as truck drivers and warehouse workers.
Finish this sentence: In the next five years, South Carolina’s logistics industry will… experience positive growth through technological advancements that help efficiency and service quality, benefiting the ports and local communities.
President and CEO
Maritime Association of South Carolina Years in the logistics industry: 10
What is the biggest challenge facing the supply chain in SC and how can we overcome it? Logistics is over a $48 billion in current economic impact in South Carolina and continues to grow –almost 7.5% increase in total employment according to the latest research by Dr. Joey Von Nessen and SC Logistics. This increase in employment is both a challenge and a blessing. We must continue to focus on recruiting and retaining skilled workers within the supply chain. MASC currently works with the schools on apprenticeship programs, internships, and industry field trips to prepare the next generation of workforce.
What emerging technology has been most beneficial to the logistics industry and why? Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence will be the next big change for the industry. Transparency and resilience will continue to be customers’ priorities and the industry itself will demand it. There are several companies leading the logistics industry with technology and truly succeeding at it.
For example, Gnosis Freight in Charleston has been able to provide ocean freight customers cost avoidance by providing end-to-end supply chain visibility and automation solutions with expert execution. Technology and logistics will need to move hand in hand towards the future. Customers no longer want to just see their data; they want to be able to actually utilize it.
How did COVID-19 pandemic change the logistics industry for the better? The pandemic forced businesses to take a hard look at their processes and costs. It forced companies to be more flexible and diversified in their supply chain planning. Coming out on the other side of the pandemic, I believe that the supply chain and maritime industry is in a much better place of knowing how to adapt quickly to what they need and what their customers require.
Two Charleston companies played a vital role in the formation of a new super tier-1 manufacturer.
Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington, D.C.-area private investment firm, has formed Keel Holdings LLC, a manufacturer of complex structures for the highest priority programs within the Navy, Army and Air Force, according to a news release.
The company was formed through the merger of Arlington portfolio company and Charleston-based Pegasus Steel with the newly completed acquisitions of Metal Trades LLC, which is based in Hollywood, S.C., and Merrill Technologies Group.
With more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing floor space and approximately 700 employees, Keel will offer its customers a vertically integrated suite of design, engineering, fabrication, machining, integration, assembly, finishing and surface treatment capabilities across its nine facilities in Michigan and South Carolina, the release stated.
“Keel will play a pivotal role in delivering significant capability growth to the U.S. defense industrial base,” CEO Brian Carter said in the release. “Our efficient and effective approach positions us to increase the speed of delivery and production for the country’s highest priority defense programs.
Metal Trades is a critical provider of large-scale metal fabrication and ship repair services to the Navy, Army, and commercial customers. Founded in 1962 by J.E. Corbin near Charleston, and most recently owned and operated by Rusty Corbin and his family, the company has a longstanding working relationship with Pegasus and just completed the construction of more than 80,000 square feet of manufacturing space along the South Carolina waterfront, the release stated.
“This family business has been built over generations and we are pleased that it will continue to provide employment while serving an important role strengthening our national security,” Corbin said.
Founded in 2007 in Charleston by Tony Deering and acquired by Arlington in June 2023, Pegasus is a provider of complex fabricated steel structures used in submarine, aircraft carrier and other naval and industrial systems.
I look forward to working alongside the talented teams from Pegasus, Metal Trades and Merrill, whose hard work and expertise have laid the foundation for Keel’s emergence as a formidable and positive force in the defense industry.”
The company’s locations include a facility strategically located with direct frontage to deep water that allows for large module delivery by barge to submarine and aircraft carrier customers, the release stated. Led by Carter,
Keel delivers a robust set of capabilities to meet the growing demands of the nuclear Navy and critical programs within the broader Department of Defense, industrial and commercial end markets, the release stated.
Merrill Technologies Group is a leading manufacturer of large metal parts and structures, providing design, engineering, machining, fabrication and integration solutions for the defense, aerospace and industrial markets.
DLA Piper and Morrison Foerster served as legal counsel and Houlihan Lokey served as financial adviser to Keel and Arlington. Charter Capital Partners served as financial adviser and Butzel Long served as legal counsel to Merrill Technologies Group. Mensura Capital LLC and Mensura Securities LLC (member FINRA and SPIC) served as financial advisers and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP served as legal counsel to Metal Trades. CRBJ
The Credit One Charleston Open plans to expand the fan experience, food and beverage offerings and offcourt activities for attendees in 2024.
The WTA 500 tournament, the largest women-only tennis tournament in North America, returns March 30 - April 7 in the Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston. The player field already includes several top-ranked players with commitments from Jessica Pegula, Maria Sakkari, 2023 champion Ons Jabeur and Charleston locals World No. 23 Emma Navarro and Shelby Rogers, according to a news release.
In addition to tennis under the Women’s Tennis Association flag, the event will offer tournament-goers off-court experiences throughout the nine-day event including a new pickleball and padel experience, elevated dining options from Sorelle, 167 Raw and The Charleston Grill, live music, talk shows and more. The Credit One Charleston Open’s Fan Hub is the official resource for all of the happenings to see and do on-site.
The event, formerly known as the Volvo Car Open, moved to Charleston in 2001 from Hilton Head Island and celebrated its 50th year in 2022. It is one of the oldest all-female tournaments in the country, sponsored for most of its history by Family Circle magazine and known then as the Family Circle Cup. The annual economic impact is estimated in the $30 million to $40 million range, according to Discover South Carolina.
“The Credit One Charleston Open isn't just a tennis tournament, it's a unique experience in Charleston and a connection point for fans of all ages,” Bob Moran, president of Beemok Sports & Entertainment, said in the release. “We believe that investing in fan engagement on-site is absolutely essential. Our aim is to elevate our attendee’s experience, grow the game of tennis, and introduce it to new audiences. We're committed to bringing an interactive and exciting atmosphere to life because at the end of the day, it's all about creating memories, having fun and developing a passion for tennis at our tournament.”
Moran said the tournament has made its on-site experience more fan-friendly with featured practice courts, more options to view and experience tennis and paddle sports around the grounds and a “Credit One Stadium” app. Three new tournament ambassadors will join former Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin in the role. Olympic Gold Medalist Monica Puig, three-time WTA champion Alison Riske and 2021 Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady have been named Credit One Charleston Open ambassadors and will host special events, interactive programming and daily talk shows with fellow WTA players.
Fan experience features
MUSC Health Family Weekend, March 30-31. Family Weekend features two days of family-friendly activities during the tournament’s qualifying rounds, including jump castles, live music, games, fairy hair, balloon art and more. With the sponsorship of MUSC Health, Family Weekend admission is free for kids 16 and under, and adult tickets are $10.
Doubles, Bubbles & Bites presented by Domaine Chandon, March 30-31. This event will feature a four-course small bite and sparkling wine pairing from Chandon alongside a conversation with a WTA top doubles team. Tickets are $100 per person and sold in tables of two and four.
USTA Play Tennis! Provision Fan Zone, March 30-April 7. Adults and kids are welcome to put their tennis skills to the test in the Fan Zone, in partnership with USTA South Carolina, with games like Speed of Serve, Ball Kid and Knock ‘em Down Challenges.
Kids Zone, March 30-April 5. Not only are kids 16 and under free all week, the tournament is expanding programming for juniors to capitalize on local spring breaks including four different jump castle sites in the new Kids Zone.
The Draw, March 30, 3 p.m. Fans who attend this event will be the first to know the first-round matchups and path to the 2024 Credit One Charleston Open finals. Two WTA players will be in attendance and avail-
able for a photo opportunity at the conclusion of the draw.
Live Music, March 30-April 7. Expanded live music programming includes multiple acoustic performances happening on-site at First Serve Plaza and The Oaks. Local favorites Lauren Hall, Matt MacKelcan, Dylan Swinson and more will take the stage daily.
Autograph Sessions, March 30-April 5. Autograph sessions with stars of the WTA will take place throughout the tournament. The complete schedule is on the Credit One Stadium app.
Talking Tennis, March 30-April 7. Join in daily for live, on-site interviews at The Oaks with the tournament’s top players and coaches. Fans will get an inside look into the journeys, successes and struggles that have shaped their tennis careers.
Gospel Brunch, April 7. Kick-off finals Sunday with a choir performance by Voices of Deliverance and a Southern brunch buffet with deluxe bloody mary and mimosa bars. Tickets are $125 per person.
Food and beverage
The Credit One Charleston Open will be home to several new dining destinations on-site. At COCO Row, attendees will experience a variety of flavors including Daniel Island favorite Mpishi, seafood offerings from 167 Raw, healthy bites from Verde and Playa Bowls, authentic slices from Orlando’s Pizza and refreshments from Lowcountry Lemonade.
The Beemok Hospitality Collection
(BHC) Bistro will showcase a sampling from Charleston establishments Sorelle, Charleston Grill, Meeting at Market and The Palmetto Cafe, bringing the downtown dining experience to the tournament. In addition, the New Realm Bar will feature sips from Charleston with local craft seasonal beers on tap.
Rally and Refresh is a place to grab a “Paddle Paloma” featuring Patron tequila, select a pickle-themed snack and learn your hand at pickleball, padel or tennis.
The Oaks Deck will feature a full-service cocktail bar, on a newly constructed entertainment deck, as well as sparkling wines from Domaine Chandon. Kim Crawford Bar will serve rosé and sauvignon blanc wines and frosé. In addition, destinations serving
Möet, Grey Goose, Michelob Ultra, Cutwater, Nütrl, Patron and the tournament’s signature cocktail “The First Serve'' will be found around the grounds.
The First Serve Plaza, located behind the front gate, will be the first stop for top-shelf bloody marys and mimosas, as well as coffee and breakfast bites from Daddy’s Breakfast & Espresso food truck.
Club Court Café, located next to Althea Gibson Club Court and powered by Volvo, will be home to Chick-fil-A, Village Juice & Kitchen Co. and Urban Alchemy.
A food truck village on-site will feature local fare from Life Raft Treats, Mr. Poppers Popcorn, Motley Chew, Bangin’ Vegan Eats, Kona Ice, Mama Dot’s and King of Pops. And classic sporting fare will be served inside the
Credit One Stadium with a few new twists like the Charleston Dog, an all-beef frank served with bacon jam, sliced tomato, okra, bread-and-butter pickles, onions and spicy mustard.
Partner programming features
The DXC Technology series seeks to blend sportsmanship, food and inspirational stories of women in leadership. Hosted daily, players will take center stage learning hands-on from the tournament’s gastronomic talents — from learning how to roll sushi to perfecting an acai bowl.
“Play On After Dark” will return on Thursday, April 6. This free high-energy special event features glow-in-the-dark tennis games. Space is limited and registration is required.
Tournament partners Volvo, Motorola, Dunlop, Southern Tide and Har-Tru will feature on-site experiences for fans to play games, pose for photos, experience new products, shop and meet players. Credit One Bank will also bring back its “Selfie with the Stars” virtual photo booth experience where attendees can pose for photos with players from the Charleston field.
Tickets for the 2024 tournament can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen. com or by calling 843-856-7900.
The Credit One Charleston Open traditionally welcomes more than 90,000 spectators each year. The tournament showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. CRBJ
AMount Pleasant Southern-style restaurant has opened a second location in the Nexton community in Summerville.
Page’s Okra Grill, a family-owned Lowcountry restaurant known for serving authentic, Southern-style food, has opened at 142 Brighton Park Blvd.
The restaurant combines traditional dishes with the casual elements of coastal seafood, using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients in made-from-scratch dishes, according to a news release.
“Page’s Okra Grill is exactly the kind of institution we’ve been looking to add to Nex-
ton’s diverse array of culinary offerings,” said Cassie Cataline, marketing director at Nexton, in the release. “The restaurant brings cherished Charleston region flavors and captures the essence of Southern hospitality in a unique and welcoming atmosphere.”
The restaurant’s original location is at 302 Coleman Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.
Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, Page’s kitchen partners with local farms and seafood suppliers, while the restaurant’s bar program features local spirits and craft breweries, the release stated.
Currently in year 11 of its 20-year master plan, Nexton has delivered hundreds of thousands of square feet of commercial space and sold over 2,800 homes, the release stated. CRBJ
Louisville, Ky.-based breakfast chain with an emphasis on biscuits will open its first South Carolina location in Summerville this year, with plans to also open a Fort Mill location.
Biscuit Belly, a Kentucky based “craft casual” brunch restaurant serving up warm hospitality and chef-driven gourmet biscuit breakfast sandwiches, will open a store this fall at 118 West Richardson Ave., Summerville, according to a news release. The chain will also open stores in Norfolk, Va., and Raleigh, N.C., this year.
Biscuit Belly’s current franchise group, DGB Tenn LLC, will be spear-heading the brand's new locations. Additionally, it expects further expansion into the northern Virginia market as early as fall 2024, the release stated.
“Growing with Biscuit Belly has been an incredible experience so far,” said Clint Umphrey, operating partner for DGB, said in the release. “The brand has created a delicious and craveable menu based on some damn good biscuits and in return, has cultivated a
(Photo/Biscuit Belly)
strong following from its customers. We are thrilled to be close to the opening of our two next locations in Norfolk and Raleigh and can’t wait to integrate into the communities.”
The brand has also announced that cur-
rent franchise partners, Todd Gallinek and Deepen Patel, have signed leases for their first two locations coming to the greater Charlotte market, including Fort Mill in South Carolina, at 2147 W. Highway 160 Suite 101.
“We’re thrilled to finally be able to announce the addresses for our first two locations coming to the Charlotte area,” said Deepen Patel, Biscuit Belly franchisee, in the release. “We know that Biscuit Belly will be a perfect fit for Charlotte’s vibrant food scene and the community will appreciate the better brunch experience the brand provides.”
Founded by Lauren and Chad Coulter in 2019, and franchising since 2020, Biscuit Belly has become a staple in their home state of Kentucky, the release stated. Known for their chef-inspired offerings revolving around a scratch-made biscuit, boozy beverages, and a bright, modern environment, it has seen rapid success locally and is eager to continue expansion across expanded markets.
“We’re thrilled to finally have nailed down the addresses for our newest locations in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina,” said Chad Coulter, founder and CEO of Biscuit Belly, in the release. “We’re confident in our partners abilities to uphold the standards we set ourselves to of bringing a better brunch experience and damn good biscuits to communities throughout the country.” CRBJ
Anational convenience store company with roots in the South has opened its newest Lowcountry location.
Parker’s Kitchen recently hosted a ribbon cutting on Jan. 29 for the company’s newest store at 8251 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy. in North Charleston, according to a news release.
Positioned near Interstate 26 in Ladson, the company’s newest retail store offers Southern-style, made-from-scratch Parker’s
Kitchen food for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as a wide range of convenience items, the release stated. Parker’s Kitchen currently operates 80 retail stores in Georgia and South Carolina, including 13 locations in metro Charleston.
The new North Charleston location is open 24/7 and serves Southern-inspired food prepared from scratch on-site from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, the release stated. The entire menu is handcrafted on-site by Parker’s Kitchen chefs. The new store also offers fueling positions with unleaded, premium unleaded and ethanol-free marine fuel as
well as three high-flow diesel fueling positions for trucks.
“We’re thrilled to open our latest store in North Charleston and appreciate the support of our loyal customers,” said Parker’s founder and CEO Greg Parker in the release. “We think Charleston is an exciting market and have received a positive response about our newest location from customers across the region.”
The store design features signature Parker’s Kitchen Lowcountry-inspired architecture with a modern, contemporary glassfront façade, lime-washed brick, handsome
bracketry and designer lighting, the release stated.
Parker’s Kitchen has been honored by SC Biz News as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina and by the Charleston Regional Business Journal as the Most Philanthropic Business.
Since its founding in 1976, Parker’s has grown to become a nationally acclaimed company that employs more than 1,360 professionals throughout Georgia and South Carolina and completes more than 125,000 transactions daily, according to the release. CRBJ
The Association for Corporate Growth celebrated its newest business chapter at the association’s Charleston Chapter Launch Event at the Charleston Visitor Center.
During the event, a business panel formally introduced the Association for Corporate Growth Charleston to
CarolinaPower reaches construction safety milestone
CarolinaPower achieved a major construction safety milestone in August: two years without a recordable incident. Over the previous 24 months, CarolinaPower crews from the company’s offices in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and North Augusta have safely performed more than 650,000 labor hours. The company, which celebrated 75 years in business last year, provides electrical contracting services to general contractors and facility owners for various sizes of new construction, renovation, and expansion projects in the industrial, commercial, health hcare and federal market sectors.
CarolinaPower has been recognized for its safety performance by well-respected industry organizations such as the Associated Builders and Contractors. In August 2023, CarolinaPower again received the association’s Safety Training and Evaluation Process Award, earning platinum level. In addition, CarolinaPower has consistently earned Accredited Quality Contractor status in recent years and appears on the association’s 2023 list of Top Performing U.S. Construction Companies.
the deal community and talk about the association and its member benefits.
The Association for Corporate Growth Charleston chapter is designed to help local business professionals in the middle-market network with each other to gain insight into the local business community, to foster growth with-
Firm promotes 5 environmentally friendly practices for urban design
SeamonWhiteside marked Environmental Awareness Month by highlighting five key practices for sustainable urban design. In sites in Charleston, Greenville and Charlotte, the firm uses civil engineering and landscape architecture to push innovation, employ best practices, and contribute to a sustainable environment.
By incorporating these key practices, the firm aims to reduce carbon footprints and foster sustainability and a cleaner future. Examples include biofiltration, pollinator gardens, cisterns, silva cells and bicycle-only apartments.
Biofiltration uses plants to treat and manage urban stormwater runoff by removing pollutants, regulating temperature and reducing urban heat island effects. This is a common practice by SeamonWhiteside and can be found at recent projects including the rain gardens at Morrison Yard Apartments and Offices in Charleston as well as bioswales at Wando Mount Pleasant Library in Mount Pleasant.
Pollinator gardens promote biodiversity and pollination as well as help counteract the effects of climate change.
The silva cell is a modular suspended pavement system that uses soil volumes to support large tree growth and provide powerful onsite stormwater management. It provides a new method of managing trees in urban spaces, allowing the roots to grow deeper, and encouraging the growth of a robust and healthy tree canopy. An example of silva cell usage can be found at Jackson Way, a Greenville entertainment district that the firm designed.
Found in major cities and urbanized towns, bicycle-only apartments help minimize urban traffic and reduce CO2 emissions. Residents who live in bicycle-only apartments often enjoy greater mobility, improved health, and save on transportation costs. This creative practice can be found at Cykel Apartments. SeamonWhiteside is executing civil engineering and landscape architecture services on the apartment community in Charlotte.
Cisterns have become an increasingly popular sustainable component of urban design due to their ability to collect, store and reuse rainwater.
in companies, and to establish regional and national contacts in the middle market.
The Association for Corporate Growth Charleston grew out of the Charleston Deal Alliance, formed in 2020 through the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.
Golf tournament and race raise $34,000 for Alzheimer’s and related dementia
The ARK of South Carolina raised more than $34,000 for families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia at its two fall 2023 events.
These events support individuals and families impacted by ADRD across various counties. Currently, more than 95,000 South Carolinians live with Alzheimer’s disease, and 11.5% of individuals aged 45 and older report subjective cognitive decline.
The annual Swing for The ARK Golf Tournament, which drew nearly 100 golfers to Lake Marion Golf Course, raised $11,000. Presented by Argos Cement, the tournament helped to increase awareness and funding for programs assisting families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in upper Dorchester and lower Orangeburg counties.
More than 70% of individuals diagnosed in both counties are cared for at home by family caregivers.
The 24th annual Race for The ARK, held in downtown Summerville, generated $23,000, with a turnout of more than 400 participants, the event’s proceeds benefited families living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia throughout the Lowcountry.
McElveen GMC returned as the title sponsor, and Trident Medical Center as the towel sponsor. The male overall winner was Jason McCormack, with a time of 17:22, and the female overall winner was Kerry Robinson, with a time of 21:21. The corporate challenge winners were reigning champions AllCare Living Services. The youth challenge winners were Ridge Christian Academy. The independent team winners were Racers for Pacers.
The ARK’s 25th Annual Race for The ARK this is scheduled for Aug. 24. This milestone event will be celebrated with an anniversary block party after the race.
Robert H. Crews
III, president of Crews Subaru and Crews Chevrolet in North Charleston, was nominated for the 2024 Time Dealer of the Year award.
Crews is one of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who were honored at the 107th annual National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 3.
Crews represented the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition.
Crews attended Randolph-Macon College and Virginia Commonwealth University. He began his auto career in 1980 working with his cousin Rick Hendrick at Rick Hendrick Honda in Columbia, Charleston and McKinney, Texas.
Locally, Crews Subaru has been named Charleston’s Choice Best Place to Buy an Import for four of the last five years. Crews Chevrolet has been named Charleston’s Choice Best Domestic Dealer for eight consecutive years.
Crews has served the board of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association as an at-large member since 2019 and as a vice president since 2022.
Landmark Construction Co. has named Anthony M. Garcia as its new chief operating officer. Garcia brings more than a decade of leadership, including extensive experience in site work, asphalt paving, aggregates and business development.
For the past decade, Garcia was part of Rogers Group in Nashville, where he held various roles, culminating in vice president of Alabama and Mississippi operations. His responsibilities encompassed overseeing a workforce of nearly 650 employees, managing five limestone quarries, two river loadout/sales terminals, eight asphalt plants, seven paving crews, a civil earthwork and underground utilities team, trucking resources, equipment shop operations, and leadership for the entire division.
Reporting directly to Landmark’s owners and shareholders, Rick and Cindy Mixson, Garcia has assumed responsibiliSee PEOPLE, Page 21
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ty for overseeing all operational functions of Landmark Construction. His purview extends to daily business functions across all lines of business. The strategic objective behind Garcia’s appointment is to optimize the utilization of resources.
Landmark Construction Co. has appointed Jeff Kerr as its new chief financial officer. He brings more than a decade of financial leadership. In his new role, Kerr is responsible for overseeing the company’s overall financial function, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, risk management and banking relationships. He plays a role in identifying and implementing strategic initiatives and maintaining long-term cash flow projections to facilitate financial planning.
As director of accounting at Landmark Construction, Kerr oversaw the accounting and finance functions for related construction and concrete companies. His experience at Landmark extends to risk management, audit and tax work. He contributed to the negotiation of expanded multiyear credit lines with the bank, further streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency.
His experience also extends to Kiawah Development Partners, where he served as corporate controller. There, he was responsible for managing accounting functions for U.S., Irish and Caribbean operations. Kerr played a key role in managing the initial acquisition accounting for a $350 million purchase of existing U.S. and international operations by new investors.
engineering design and permitting for similar projects. In addition, DuPriest has seven years of international experience as a professional engineer in all the states and surrounding territories of Australia.
While in Australia, he worked for one of the largest utilities, where he managed some of the most complex water and wastewater renewal projects and programs; he also was educated and trained as an asset management planning professional. He brought this experience home to Charleston, where he led the development and deployment of asset management programs at a South Carolina utility.
Mashburn Construction has promoted five team members in its Columbia and Charleston locations. Logan Parker is now project manager; he graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in engineering and is based in Charleston. Lucas Rodenberg is now assistant superintendent, also in Charleston. He has a degree from Clemson University in construction science management. Tim Schultz has been promoted to Charleston yard and equipment manager; he has also served in a superintendent role. Chris Sinclair is a Columbia project manager; he has a degree in business administration from USC. Nick Wilson has been promoted to assistant superintendent.
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Throughout his career, Kerr has seen to the delivery of financial reporting packages to senior management, partners and investors. He has updated long-range business plans, delivered consolidated quarterly financial reporting packages to investors and banks and ensured compliance with quarterly and annual bank loan covenants.
Goodwyn Mills
Cawood has added Earl DuPriest as project manager. DuPriest has more than 25 years of experience in the water and wastewater industry and has been involved in the construction of hundreds of miles of water and wastewater pipelines and numerous wastewater pump stations. He has worked for one of the largest utilities in South Carolina and has extensive experience in asset management.
DuPriest has 20 years of project management experience delivering complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects and programs, in addition to civil
Davis & Floyd has brought in Marion Bull as director of business development. Bull will promote the firm’s strategic plan of focusing on client service and growing its brand across the Southeast.
Bull joins Davis & Floyd with 30-plus years of business development and marketing experience recruiting port-dependent clients to South Carolina. He recruited Fortune 100 and household brand name firms to South Carolina with an emphasis on automotive manufacturing, consumer goods distribution and cold chain facilities. He was involved in recruiting industrial capital to the state for the development of industrial parks and speculative buildings.
While working for the South Carolina Ports Authority, Bull coordinated S.C. Ports’ economic development efforts with the state’s Department of Commerce, regional and county allies, and private stakeholders. Bull served on the SC Economic Developers’ Association board of directors. He has decades of involvement with and is past chair of the S.C. International Trade Conference. He has a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations from the University of South Carolina and is a graduate of Leadership South Carolina.
At first blush the employment report for January appears to be an upside blowout. Payroll employment surged by 353,000 when a gain of 175,000 had been expected. Average hourly earnings jumped 0.6% in January versus an increase of 0.3% that had been anticipated.
The economy appeared to be on a roll in January. As a result, first quarter GDP growth could continue at the same steamy pace as in the fourth quarter, and Fed easing is off the table for the foreseeable future. But hang on. Hours worked fell 0.2 hour in January.
Keep in mind that to boost output in any given month employers can hire more workers or work their existing employees longer hours. In January firms clearly boosted employment, but they slashed the hours that those employees worked.
As a result, output declined in January. That is not the conclusion that many economists and market participants reached following the release of the January employment report. Consider the following:
Employment in January jumped by 353,000 workers after having climbed by 333,000 in December. After having slowed steadily throughout most of last year, the pace of hiring picked up sharply in December and January. That is not what anybody expected.
But in any given month employers have a choice of how they want to boost output. They can hire additional workers, or they can work their existing employees longer hours. While hiring surged in January the average workweek fell 0.2 hour to 34.1 hours after having dropped 0.1 hour in December. The combination of a sharp gain in employment and a dramatic drop in the workweek is highly unusual — and puzzling. On the surface it appears that employers are reluctant to lay off workers for fear that they may not be able to get them back once demand accelerates. Instead, they are adjusting the workweek as needed to satisfy the current demand for their product.
Once economists know how many people are working and how long they worked they can estimate how many goods and services they likely produced in any given month. The BLS publishes something called the index of aggregate hours worked which is essentially the product of employment and hours worked. That index declined 0.3% in January after falling 0.1% in December. Looking at the two increases in employment in December and January one could easily conclude that the economy was extremely robust in those two months. But looking at this index of total hours worked one reaches a totally different conclusion.
So what are we supposed to believe? It is not entirely clear. It is important to remember that these data were for December and January, which encompass both the sharp gains in employment during the holiday season and the subsequent drop in employment in January as these temporary workers were let go.
A slight difference in the timing of these changes in employment can produce surprisingly strong —or weak — data in each of those months. Given that job openings remain robust and that the weekly data on layoffs have been largely unchanged, our sense is that the labor market is continuing to chug along at a moderate pace. But in the absence of additional data it is hard to know if the labor market is perhaps shifting gears. We continue to estimate first quarter GDP growth at 1.8%.
Then there is the matter of the big jump in average hourly earnings in January. According to the BLS hourly earnings jumped 0.6% in January to $34.55. That would be the biggest monthly increase in almost two years and it would certainly be consistent with a very robust labor market where firms are bidding aggressively to attract an adequate number of workers.
The 12-month growth rate in hourly earnings had been steadily slowing for almost two years but it now appears to have hooked upwards. Economists believe that earnings growth should continue to diminish as the year progresses. But the January run-up forces them to readdress that conclusion.
From the Fed’s viewpoint a resurgence of hiring and a re-acceleration of hourly earnings are inconsistent with slower GDP growth and a gradual reduction in inflation. We are not convinced that the labor market and the economy have changed all that much in the past couple of months. As a result, we continue to anticipate GDP growth of roughly 1.8% in the first couple of quarters of this year,
and a gradual slowing in the core CPI from 3.9% currently to 3.2% by midyear. If that forecast is relatively accurate we should get the first rate cut in July.
But if the labor market is as strong as it appeared in January, first quarter GDP growth could be much more rapid than 1.8%. Indeed, the widely followed Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast currently calls for 4.2% growth in the first quarter. The January employment report is the first hint of how the economy is doing early in the year, but there will be many more pieces of information to be received as the quarter progresses which will eventually cause the widely divergent GDP estimates to converge. For right now sit tight for now and await further information.
From 1980 until 2003, when he retired, Stephen Slifer served as chief U.S. economist for Lehman Brothers in New York City, directing the firm’s U.S. economics group along with being responsible for forecasts and analysis of the U.S. economy. He has written two books on using economic indicators to forecast financial moves and previously served as a senior economist at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. Slifer can be reached at www.numbernomics.com.
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