Charleston Regional Business Journal - June 28, 2021 by SC Biz News

VOLUME 27 NUMBER 13 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM

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About the cover

Manning the Rails Where: Pacific Ocean Date: May 2020 Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher Naranjo mans the rail of the USS Charleston, an Independence-variant littoral combat ship on patrol in the Pacific Ocean when this photo was taken. Manning the rails is a centuries-old Navy tradition to honor other vessels, presidents or foreign dignitaries whereby the ship’s crew lines up at regular intervals along the deck in a show of respect. (Photo/Navy Specialist 3rd Class Adam Butler)

June 28 - July 11, 2021

THANK YOU! The Charleston Regional Business Journal wishes to thank our sponsors for their support of this special front page honoring veterans.

About this special project

Veterans should be honored every day of the year for their contributions to our community and to our country. Once again, the Charleston Regional Business Journal selected a special edition to say “Thank You” to members of the armed forces and their families. Please join in honoring all veterans and their families as our sponsors collaborate with us to provide advertising support for two organizations working for the well-being of veterans and their families: Tri-County Veterans Support Network and the Palmetto Military Support Group. Read about these organizations below and visit their websites to get involved in their missions of service.

Veterans Support Network gives veterans helping hand with resources, housing, more

ri-County Veterans Support Network, a Charleston area 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has become a recognized leader in serving local veterans and families in crisis by helping them navigate their way to stability and connecting them to a network of local and national partners and resources. Veterans and their families are the very best of us, and while many successfully transition home and thrive after their time in service, still there are others who struggle with the hidden wounds of war and face major challenges reintegrating into society and need help finding the right resources at the right time. In 2020, in the midst of the COVID19 Pandemic, 761 veterans and families in crisis were identified and served. As many struggled with the effects of the pandemic, TCVSN was able to help 285 veterans and family members. At Thanksgiving, with the help of some great community partners, the organization was able to distribute full turkey dinners to 204 veteran families struggling with food instability. At Christmas with the help of many donors in the community, 43 families were provided giftcards to help them and their children living in shelters or facing other dire situations. There are many more the organization would like to serve but as a small, nonprofit,

resources are limited. The Business Journal and its partners invite you to get involved and support them and the veterans and families they serve. Another area that is often challenging in our community is veteran housing. Last year, in coordination with local partners, TCVSN helped provide 455 night stays in hotels for homeless veterans. The organization helped place those veterans in permanent housing and even purchased eight housing units which are providing homes for veterans and their families after renovations are complete. Help is needed to complete the final unit with volunteer workers, donations of construction materials or financial support toward these renovations. For more info please contact tim@tcvsn.org or donate on through the organization’s website: tcvsn. org/donate-now.html “After all they have sacrificed, our veterans deserve our gratitude and respect and no less,” CEO and Co-Founder Tim Taylor said. “We invite you to join us in this community effort by volunteering, sponsoring or becoming a Monthly Network Partner and together, partnering with local businesses and other patriots, we can ensure that in the greater Charleston Area, no veterans fall through the cracks.” Contact Taylor at tim@tcvsn.org to help or for more information.

Tri-County Veterans Support Network 843-410-3616 • www.tcvsn.org

Volunteer organization keeps service members, community connected with respect, engagement

fter a year of challenges for our community, Palmetto Military Support Group is not wavering from the organization’s mission: to bridge the gap between our community and our military service members through volunteering, fundraising and engagement. Founded in 2015, Palmetto Military Support Group is comprised of members that include individuals, veterans and local organizations who recognize the economic impact of our local military. These are people who want to say thank you, for the service of military members and veterans, and show their gratitude in tangible ways. This support is open and available to all branches of our military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard — as well as all members including active duty, reserves, veterans, civilian employees and family members. PMSG’s efforts include sponsoring monthly and quarterly events hosted at both Charleston’s local military installations and businesses throughout the tri-county area. These events help bring civilians and passionate advocates to military installations and facilitates meetings with military personnel. This allows civilians and veterans to spend time with active-duty military members, thanking them for their service while offering connections and mentorship that may even lead to employment. Most importantly, these events allow PMSG to raise a significant amount of funding to benefit our Charleston area Military Family. An offering from PMSG is the Annual Lowcountry Salutes, an event to recognize and honor

the Lowcountry high school graduates who commit to enlist in the military or attend a service academy or college ROTC program. Family and friends also are included to experience first-hand the support offered by our Charleston community to include legislative, local and military leaders, during this time of transition to national service. We let these graduates know from day one they have a whole community behind them. Members of PMSG have the ability to impact: • Increase military community service contribution and economic impact (estimated at $8 billion annually) awareness and understanding. • Attract a robust civilian volunteer force for Joint Base Charleston events. • Bring together more often and in greater numbers our civilian and military communities. • Allow more civilians to visit military bases, see installations, aircrafts, ships and operations. • Foster closer ties with military personnel and allow military members to interact with civilians and learn more about the Charleston community. • Increase safety from future BRAC’s and positioning Charleston as an ideal location for existing command realignment. A heart-felt thank you to all of our sponsors with a highlight on our Annual Corporate Sponsors: Comcast, Google, Budweiser and Crews Chevrolet/Crews Subaru. Contact the Palmetto Miitary Support Group to learn more and get involved.

Palmetto Military Support Group

843-452-9920 • www.palmettomilitarysupportgroup.org

AT WORK Craig Conover Founder of Sewing Down South

PAGE 6

TAKING OFF

VOLUME 27 NUMBER 13 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM

It’s electric

Volvo Cars selects the Ridgeville plant to build the fully electric Polestar 3. Page 13

Part of the

Interest in aviation-focused curriculum surges at Charleston Southern University as first student takes flight. Page 10

PGA exposure boosts interest for Kiawah Is. By Teri Errico Griffis

Power up

Century Aluminum’s expansion preserves hundreds of jobs. Page 13

The nominee is...

Harry Lightsey set to succeed Bobby Hitt as S.C. Secretary of Commerce. Page 8

Out of sync

S.C.’s supply chain is scrambling to catch up with pandemic demand. Page 14

INSIDE

Upfront................................. 4 Best Advice........................... 6 In Focus: Transportation and Infrastructure............... 15 List: Largest Employers....... 16 Bonus List: Business Communication Companies.......................... 18 At Work............................... 21 Viewpoint............................23

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CSU aeronautics student Harrison Hunt practices for a solo flight in a Diamond DA-20 at Summerville Airport. (Photo/Teri Errico Griffis)

It’s a match

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

an Whalen, president of Kiawah Island Real Estate, knows the merry go round stops at some point, he just doesn’t know when. KIRE experienced the strongest year on record last year, and that momentum is still going strong into 2021. From June 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021, the real estate company closed $767 million in sales. Whalen anticipated the spree continuing into January and February, but he expected things to taper off after. He never imagined KIRE would have another record first quarter. “The rest of the year looks like it’s going to continue to be very busy,” he said. “Maybe that slowed down will come, but I don’t think it will happen until next year at the earliest.” Island wide, Kiawah generated $205M in sales across 177 total transactions during the first 2021 quarter. Of those sales, Kiawah Island Real Estate generated $152 million across 118 total transactions. This represents a 237% increase in the number of sales during 2021’s first quarter versus the same time last year, and a 337% increase over the same time in 2019. House inventory is currently hovering around 2.7%, one of the lowest rates Kiawah has ever seen. Buyers are still out there, whether relocating within the island or moving across the country, and houses are snatched up within days, Whalen said. While the KIRE president isn’t encouraging people to sell their island homes, he believes that if anyone is considering selling, now is the time to do so. “It could not be a better time,” Whalen said. “We’re slowly, continuing to get some listings,

The S.C. Automotive B2B Matchmaking Event connects S.C. suppliers with Tier 1 companies. Page 12

See PGA, Page 7

Upfront

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | BEST ADVICE

Highways and byways

ommuters hit the brakes on South Carolina’s roads during the peak of the pandemic, but things are now getting back to a new kind of normal. Data from TRIP, a national nonprofit research group, shows how S.C.’s roads helped drive the economy pre-coronavirus.

Charleston area roads

Costs to commute

Congestion

Extra annual cost estimates from deficient roadways in S.C.

Metro area

Hours in traffic

Charleston

41 hours

Metro area

Extra costs

Columbia

38 hours

Charleston

$1,850

Myrtle Beach

30 hours

Myrtle Beach

$1,789

Greenville

20 hours

Columbia

$1,716

Florence

11 hours

Greenville

$1,379

Florence

$1,283

Columbia area roads

Greenville area roads

Condition

Percentage

Condition

Percentage

Condition

Percentage

Good

25%

Good

20%

Good

22%

Fair

33%

Fair

27%

Fair

21%

Mediocre

26%

Mediocre

40%

Mediocre

40%

Poor

17%

Poor

13%

Poor

17%

Source: TRIP

ON THE

RECORD

“In addition to bringing new businesses into our state, I believe that we have a role to play in helping established businesses thrive and transform as necessary.” — Harry Lightsey, Gov. Henry McMaster’s nominee for S.C. Department of Commerce secretary

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LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142

June 28 - July 11, 2021

Best Advice

CRAIG CONOVER

FOUNDER, SEWING DOWN SOUTH

THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED

Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Staff Writer - Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3144

“I’ve been given a lot of advice in my life, but

Research Specialist - Paige Wills pwills@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125

the most useful was the smart soul who told

News Editor - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3124

Believe in yourself and follow your heart.’”

me to ‘Never do what everyone else does, ever.

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BRAVO!

MIDLANDS NEWSROOM

When Craig Conover was in high school, he

Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542

took a home economics class. Instead of just

UPSTATE NEWSROOM

and cooking. “After graduating from the

Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222

College of Charleston and Charleston School

Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269

through a tough breakup.” Conover converted

breezing by, he says he really took to sewing

of Law, I needed a creative outlet to get his dining room into a sewing room, and little by little, his anxieties went away, and

Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223

beautiful pillows were created. He says his two business partners stepped in to help

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scale the business, and now he’s building the

Account Executive Thomas J. Giovanniello, Jr. tomg@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3104

home decor business, Sewing Down South, in addition to being a reality TV star on Bravo’s Southern Charm. He says at the time when

Account Executive Amanda Alford aalford@bridgetowermedia.com • 843.849.3109

he was learning to sew in high school, he didn’t realize those hobbies and skills would take me where they have. “Turning your side hustle and passion into a business is certainly not what I anticipated doing when I was surfing out on Folly in between CofC

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

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classes,” Conover said.

INTERESTING FACT

Craig Conover won the National Championship in Small Business Management from the Business Professionals of America, an international trade group that supports business and technology educators, during his senior year of high school with three best friends at Disney World.

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Interest in residential real estate on Kiawah Island has remained strong throughout 2021. The president of Kiawah Island Real Estate said homes sell quickly after hitting the market on the island. (Photo/Kiawah Island Real Estate)

PGA, from Page 3

but as soon as we get it, we seem to sell it fairly quickly thereafter.” The recent PGA Championship served to publicize the island further, not only as a vacation spot as the state anticipated, but also as an idyllic place to buy real estate. Whalen saw leads jump significantly the week of the May tournament just from a few days of exposure. The Kiawah Island Real Estate website was busy with curious visitors to the site from all over. Attraction to the island is the same it’s always been: natural beauty, open spaces, proximity to Charleston and community, Whalen said. Last year was an eye-opener for everyone, and those who considered relocating down the line have moved up their timeline, he said. “Now it’s on more and more people’s radars, thinking wouldn’t it be nice to maybe get somewhere where we can get outdoors and open space, just relax, and enjoy ourselves,” Whalen said. Sales are strong year round on the island, but typically spring and fall tend to be the busiest seasons, especially for single-family homes and summer vacationers. “We tend to see a few more villa sales in the summer than we do in the spring and fall, but even this past year it has become a 12-market season for us,” Whalen said. “Our numbers are crazy through the roof.” Reflecting on 2020 numbers, KIRE kicked off the year strong, but like most businesses saw a March-April slowdown. But come May and June, sales soared.

“We tend to see a few more villa sales in the summer than we do in the spring and fall, but even this past year it has become a 12-market season for us. Our numbers are crazy through the roof.” Dan Whalen President, Kiawah Island Real Estate

Sometime in the future, Whalen knows he’ll sit on a bi-weekly sales call and have to report negative stats. He can’t imagine the numbers aren’t sustainable forever at a 300% increase. “But they are sustainable as far as having very strong sales, which I think is what’s going to happen… You do the best that you can,” he said. “You make the most of the situation and ride the wave for as long as you can. It has to stop at some point and you can’t compare yourself to where you were at that crazy up time.” “You gotta look for consistent performance and trying to close a certain percentage of the people you get in front of. We’re just getting in front of a lot more people now because people have a greater interest than they have ever had.” CRBJ

Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

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June 28 - July 11, 2021

SC Commerce secretary nominee brings business-focused background By Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

arry Lightsey, Gov. Henry McMaster’s nominee as the next secretary of the S.C. Department of Commerce, brings a background in two industries — telecommunications and automotive — that both men believe will be key to continuing the state’s business recruitment and manufacturing momentum. “I’ve spent my entire career being part of businesses that have shaped our modern lifestyle,” said Lightsey, introduced today as McMaster’s nominee to succeed Bobby Hitt, retiring this fall. “My career in telecommunications spanned the dawn of wireless communications and the internet. My time in automobile manufacturing has seen the beginning of a technological shift that leaders like Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, have described as unparalleled since the days of Henry Ford.” Lightsey served as president of BellSouth Telecommunications before that company’s 2006 merger with AT&T and then as president for AT&T’s Southeast region. He joined General Motors Corp. in 2012, directing the automotive giant’s federal government affairs operation and its emerging technology policy. Currently a principal with Hawksbill Advisors, a subsidiary of consulting and public policy firm Hawksbill Group, Lightsey pledged transparency in industry recruitment. “The competition for jobs and investment is fierce, and South Carolina can compete with any state in the nation and any country on the globe,” he said. “We must maintain the public’s trust in how their tax dollars and our state assets are used to incentivize economic development, and we must do so without losing our state’s competitive position.”

Harry Lightsey (right), Gov. Henry McMaster’s nominee for S.C. Secretary of Commerce, takes the podium as McMaster and outgoing commerce secretary Bobby Hitt (left) look on during a news conference at the S.C. Statehouse on June 17. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)

Pressed on whether details of incentive deals to lure corporations should be made public, Lightsey said: “At this point, brandnew to the job, I can say that I understand the governor’s commitment to transparency, but there is a balance. We need to protect the state’s competitive position. We need to protect the competitive positions of the businesses in the state.” Hitt, appointed state commerce secretary in January 2011, has overseen 16.7% growth in manufacturing employment and more than $35.8 billion in capital

1 2 8 Y E A RS STR ON G

investment, according to a news release from the governor’s office. The 129,373 jobs created during Hitt’s tenure have included those at three automotive manufacturers — Volvo Cars, Mercedes-Benz and Arrival — which located operations in the state. “I honestly did not think I would have a tenure that lasted this long,” said Hitt, who joked that he wasn’t sure he would be in the job for the five years required to become invested in the state’s retirement system. A colleague of Lightsey’s for “sev-

eral decades,” Hitt said, ”I have pledged to him that I will stay around and help him in any way that I can at no expense to the state as long as he would like me to help. ... We are steady and we’re growing. It will not stop, and I will do anything I can to keep it going.” Hitt and Lightsey addressed the devastating effect of the pandemic on South Carolina’s hospitality and tourism industry. Simon Hudson, a professor of tourism in the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport

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Management, told a university publication for an online article in March that economists estimated the industry was down 15% from pre-pandemic levels, with tourism revenue halved from $24 billion in 2019 to $12 billion in 2020. Lightsey said he intends to talk to industry workers and leaders to determine the best course of action going forward, and said the pandemic also exposed vulnerabilities in other industries that need to be bolstered. “The pandemic has demonstrated the need to bring pharmaceutical, medical and biotech manufacturing back to the United States and to South Carolina,” he said. “The pandemic also demonstrated how quickly and easily disruptions can occur to our food supply chain. … In addition to bringing new businesses into our state, I believe that we have a role to play in helping established businesses thrive and transform as necessary.” Area business leaders including Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the S.C. Manufacturers Alliance, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. owner and CEO Lou Kennedy and Duane Parrish, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, ringed the podium on the second floor of the S.C. Statehouse as Lightsey spoke. “The guy’s got the resume. He said the right things,” Kennedy, whose company’s $215.8 million expansion was

part of the $4 billion in capital investment South Carolina attracted in 2020, told the Columbia Regional Business Report. “I see nothing but upwardly mobile trajectory. … The whole thing was music to my ears, especially talking about innovation. We’ve been smack in the middle of Bobby’s 10 years, and I feel like, let’s help bring the next 10 along. With any luck, we’ll have another big announcement that we can deliver for the new guy.” Hazzard said in a statement: “Manufacturing plays a critical role in South Carolina’s economy, and Mr. Lightsey’s background in emerging technologies and innovation and experience with globally recognized companies positions him to build on the legacy of manufacturing strength in our state.” The Seante must approve Lightsey’s appointment. McMaster said he sought input from legislators and business leaders throughout the state on his choice and is confident Lightsey will be confirmed. “I have every confidence he will keep South Carolina competitive,” McMaster said. “South Carolina has the people, the workforce, the infrastructure, the intellectual capital, the environmental assets, and the quality of life necessary to compete both nationally and globally for jobs and investment.” CRBJ

Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

Cummins invests $10.7 million to expand North Charleston operations By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

ummins Turbo Technologies is expanding its turbocharger manufacturing operations in North Charleston. A more than $10.7 million investment is expected to create 252 jobs, the company said in a news release. Cummins Turbo Technologies, which designs and manufactures turbochargers for diesel engines, is a business segment of Cummins Inc. The company established operations in the Charleston region in 1989, operating under the name Holset Engineering until 2006. Cummins Turbo Technologies now operates out of two locations on Palmetto Commerce Parkway. “Our workforce at our Charleston Turbo Plant is critical to making Cummins Turbo Technologies the world-leader in air handling for commercial vehicles by exhibiting the teamwork and excellence necessary to deliver innovative, reliable turbocharger solutions,” said Cummins Turbo Technologies Vice President Shon Wright in a statement. “Our investment in the Charleston area will help us optimize our footprint and continue to be the top choice of our global customers.”

The expansion will allow Cummins the opportunity to improve its network between remanufactured and new turbocharger products; leverage manufacturing capabilities and capital in one geographic location; and improve cost competitiveness of both remanufactured and new turbos. “The expansion of Cummins Turbo Technologies’ local workforce is a testament to the thriving automotive industry in North Charleston and speaks volumes of the positive business climate in South Carolina,” North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said in a statement. “As an international market leader focused on customers and communities, Cummins continues to be a distinguished business in our region.” Cummins Inc., which was founded in 1919, specializes in designing, manufacturing and distributing a portfolio of power solutions. Cummins products include diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components. “South Carolina is known for making things and making things well — and the growth of Cummins Turbo Technologies over the years is further proof that the Palmetto State has the network in place to support manufacturing companies of all types,” Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said in a statement.

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June 28 - July 11, 2021

CSU aeronautics program flight plan takes shape By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

year ago, Harrison Hunt had his career mapped out as precisely as a flight pattern. He would study engineering at Charleston Southern University on his track to becoming a pilot. After graduation, he’d pay for flight school and join the Air Force before potentially flying commercial. The training would take years. Just as Hunt began his freshman year at CSU, the school launched the state’s first collegiate aviation program. The future pilot immediately transferred majors to the professional pilot program, bringing him much closer to his future in only four years. This summer, he made history as CSU’s first aeronautics student to perform a solo flight. “I was like, this is what I want to do. I want to be a pilot. So I might as well do it now in college,” Hunt said. He described the first flight in May in a Diamond DA-20 aircraft as liberating. Hunt’s fast track to a job is not only significant for him, but for the aviation industry. Boeing predicts a global drop in demand of 41,000 pilots and 30,000 technicians in its 2020-2039 Pilot and Technician Outlook.

CSU knows its aeronautics program is still young. The university had hoped it could attract interest from at least a dozen students for fall 2021, but already, 31 have made deposits to enroll, with another four student transferring into the program. Col. CJ Will, founding chair of CSU’s Aeronautics Department, said 15 more are on the waiting list. “They’re all transferring into our programs because they want to come to Charleston,” Will said. “Several of them grew up here and went elsewhere to start their aviation training.” CSU taught a private pilot course in the fall and spring and flight safety in the spring. Students then began flying this summer, with Hunt as the first solo student. Students are required to take two exams, per Federal Aviation Authority standards: a written exam and a practical, or what’s referred to as a check ride. CSU provides the ground training, preparing students for the FAA written exams through accredited college classes. The college has partnered with Craft, a local flight training and simulation school, to manage flight training. Craft has locations at Charleston International Airport and Summerville Airport, and provides the certified flight instructors and aircrafts.

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Co-owner Amanda Aldea said Craft prioritizes training for CSU students, working directly with them to schedule flight times. The staff then has formal reporting procedures back to Will and CSU. Flight training includes ground instruction from a certified flight instructor, flight and simulation instruction. “It’s an administrative exercise in making sure the student meets what the FAA prescribes as their requirements, including a certain number of hours, flown solo, at night, cross country,” Will said. That’s in addition to a student’s regular college courses. But Hunt couldn’t love the rigors of the program more, calling himself a hopeless flying addict. Will said the inaugural year has gone well from an administrative end. The first two semesters have allowed CSU to work out the kinks financially and logistically. Will said the relationship with Craft also has been a blessing to the program. “We’ve basically tested the process and the system that need to be in place, because in the fall we’re going to have 30 students show up,” Will said. “We want to make sure the curriculum was solid… and parts were in place to make sure that the students had the resources they need to succeed. And we’ve been able to do that.”

Time in the sky

Of the 31 students coming to CSU in the fall, some will arrive with their private pilot license in hand, which Will said will be to their advantage both for college credit and flight hours. Overall, graduates will earn their private pilot, instrument, commercial, multi-engine and certified flight instructor certificates and ratings, and more than 250 hours of flight time. To be hired by airlines, the FAA requires that a pilot have 1,500 total flight hours. Through CSU’s program, students can be hired at 1,000 hours of total flight time, reducing the time between graduation and being hired by up to two years. “Some may even finish (their hours) by the time we hand them their diploma and go directly to the airlines and start accruing seniority more quickly, get upgrades more quickly and get hired by the major airlines more quickly,” Will said. Aldea is seeing swift movement in the industry already as travel is picking back up and airlines work to fill pilot shortages. Four of her certified flight instructors were called up to major airlines in the last month alone. “This is a good thing,” she said. “We train our CFIs up. They get their hours with us, and we know that’s the ultimate goal for them, to go on.”

HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED We would like to thank all men and women who have served—and continue to serve—with bravery, sacrifice and courage to protect our country and our freedom. MT PLEASANT | 875 Lowcountry Boulevard | 843-388-8433

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June 28 - July 11, 2021

www.charlestonbusiness.com 11

Col. CJ Will (right), founding chair of Charleston Southern University’s Aeronautics Department, led incoming sophomore Harrison Hunt to become the first CSU student to fly solo under the program. (Photo/Teri Errico Griffis)

Almost immediately, she was able to hire four replacements, with more on the way to accommodate CSU students. When the CSU program launched a year ago, Will was uncertain what the pilot shortage and pandemic-related travel disruptions would mean for airlines. Most in the industry thought there would

be a two- to three-year lapse in aviation demand and that pilots wouldn’t be retiring immediately, Will said. “But we’ve seen the opposite. We’re already snapping back with the demand,” he said. “That V recovery from the airline industry is a very real thing.”

CONFERENCE 2021

Program space

If CSU continues to see numbers even similar to the interest in the fall semester, the program is going to need a lot more space. Currently, aviation students are studying at both the CSU campus and Craft facilities. Will’s three-year goal is to find

an all-inclusive facility, possibly 10,000 square feet, to expand the program. The site would include a CSU hangar to store planes, classroom and briefing space, storage and a maintenance area. Will’s actively looking with the county, state and FAA, particularly in Summerville and Moncks Corner, but space is limited, he said. “This is going to be one of the principles of the program as we grow,” he said. “The last thing I want is to have 30 students this year and 12 the next because we can’t accept them with facility limitations and space.” With more room to grow, CSU will not only train pilots, but future maintainers, engineers and leaders. Combined with Trident Technical College’s aviation maintenance program, graduates could ideally feed into Boeing, Lockheed Martin and more regional businesses. Will has even met with someone interested in starting a charter aviation high school nearby. “Connect the dots,” he said. Will doesn’t see CSU becoming the next Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University because his focus is still on individualized attention for students. But growth is imminent and the college’s success is only breeding more and more interest. “We will become a center of gravity in aviation, not just educationally, but from a business and a government standpoint, too,” Will said. CRBJ

Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144

Happening in person this year, this is a great opportunity to listen, learn and take action. The day will feature thought-provoking speakers that will equip you and your organization with the resources needed for your DE&I journey.

From INTENTION to ACTION

presented by

Chamber members: $99 Non-members: $149

JULY 28, 2021 | 8:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.

Lunch & light fare provided Business attire requested

CHARLESTON MARRIOTT 170 Lockwood Drive Charleston, SC 29403

charlestonchamber.org/diversityconference

www.charlestonbusiness.com

June 28 - July 11, 2021

Matchmaking program connects S.C. suppliers with Tier 1 companies By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

mall and medium-sized suppliers dream of getting in front of Tier 1 companies and original equipment manufacturers like Boeing, BMW and Volvo. But how does a small business stand a chance for face time when up against the big dogs? Six years ago, the S.C. Department of Commerce and the S.C. Automotive Council joined forces to create a solution. A sort of speed dating experience, the S.C. Automotive B2B Matchmaking Event connects OEM and Tier 1 suppliers with Tier 2, Tier 3 and smaller suppliers with 10-15 minutes of rotating face time. Sit down, share your ideas, then rotate when your time is up. “Having this level of procurement professionals come together to meet with prospective suppliers is really an unmatched opportunity,” said Amy Tinsley, executive director of the S.C. Automotive Council. Since 2015, the program has grown to include 10-20 OEMs and Tier 1 companies, many from out of state, that are interested in meeting and learning more about the South Carolina suppliers. “This event helps to further our state’s automotive industry by creating a unique venue for companies to learn more about each other and make new connections all

in one convenient location,” Tinsley said. Annually, the B2B matching event is held on the first day of the S.C. Automotive Summit, where the auto council comes to play. “Oftentimes it’s very exploratory for our South Carolina companies to get in front of larger organizations that they won’t have access to,” said Tammie Greene, business outreach manager at S.C. Department of Commerce. More than 250 suppliers signed up for the B2B matchmaking event in February 2020 — the most recent event held in person, as 2021 was hosted virtually because of the pandemic. In their minds, suppliers came to meet companies like Volvo or Continental Tire, Greene said. “But when they arrived, they realized that there are so many other small and medium suppliers that they were not aware of,” she said. “They’re thinking, I really want to get in front of BMW and Michelin, but not realizing some of the other small and medium players in their backyard as well.” Though the virtual transition was not by choice, Tinsley and Greene said there were positive aspects that came with re-evaluating the program and going online. In the past, companies were randomly selected for matchmaking, but 2021 forced the organizers to be more strategic in who gets set up. Even more impactful, OEM and Tier

1 companies who had been unable to attend in the past because of travel or scheduling conflicts were able to attend online in May. Companies like Kia Motors and Arrival, a bus company setting up a plant in South Carolina, also participated for the first time this year, showing the event’s prominent growth. The B2B matchmaking event has been so successful, even NASA requested to get in on the game. Given South Carolina’s reputable suppliers, Greene said she wasn’t surprised at the organization’s interest. In early March, Commerce in conjunction with Charleston County, who has a partnership with NASA, held the NASA Supplier Matchmaking Summit. For their part, Commerce was approached for its expertise in facilitating an event that could connect NASA officials and NASA prime contractors, such as Linc Research Inc., Northrup Grumman and Sierra Nevada Corp., with South Carolina suppliers. Even companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which work closely with NASA, were present, Greene said. All the suppliers who signed up had the opportunity to meet with a member of the NASA Office of Procurement, and Greene noted that connections were made. “It’s no surprise that folks like NASA are seeking opportunities in South Caro-

lina,” Greene said. “We are home to some top-notch, well-recognized companies throughout the world.” To continue growing the B2B event, organizers created a Procurement Panel, which consists of representatives from S.C.-based OEM and Tier 1 companies. Panelists share best practices, as well as strategies that potential suppliers can consider to make the most out of their matchmaking meetings. Going into every event, Tinsley said the organizers carefully manage attendance to allow “adequate time for impactful meetings.” Though it’s hard to quantify how many connections have been made across all the B2B sessions, she said many have resulted in contracts, new business and additional opportunities. Looking ahead, Tinsley sees further growth for the program and for the state’s automotive industry — an industry that maintained its No. 1 national ranking for the export sales of both tires and completed passenger vehicles, making up more than $11 billion of South Carolina’s $30.3 billion in 2020 export sales. “Our state’s automotive industry is resilient,” she said. “There have certainly been challenges — COVID-19, supply chain issues related to the Texas winter storm, continued semiconductor shortage, etcetera, but our automotive companies have remained flexible and focused.”

D E V E LO P YO U R WO R K F O R C E W I T H ON-DEMAND TRAINING

CRBJ

Helping South Carolina Companies Grow

SCMEP now offers SCMEP Online, a new online training portal specifically for manufacturers. We realize time is valuable and flexible online learning provides critical training in a wide array of operational disciplines.

Learn how SCMEP Online can streamline your training program by visiting SCMEP-ONLINE.org COLUMBIA 250 Berryhill Road, Suite 512 Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 252-6976

GREENVILLE 250 Executive Center Drive, Suite 200 Greenville, SC 29615 (864) 288-5687

SCMEP is a not-for-proﬁt 501(c)3 organization afﬁliated with The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a network of more than 60 MEP centers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

2021

Profiles

in Business

CONNECTING LOWCOUNTRY BUSINESSES Charleston’s leading companies reveal the keys to success

Sponsored by:

CELEBRATING 20 YE ARS OF

A purposeful approach to financial planning.

B R AT IN LE E

N T Y

A Y E

This information should not be considered as tax or legal advice. You should consult your tax and/or legal advisor regarding your own situation. Separate from the financial plan and an advisors’ role as financial planner, an advisor may recommend the purchase of specific investment or insurance products or accounts. These product recommendations are not part of the financial plan and clients are under no obligation to follow them. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Commonwealth Financial Group is independently owned and operated. 225 Seven Farms Dr, Suite 106 Charleston, SC, 29492. DOFU 5-2021 3597181

COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL GROUP

Commonwealth Financial Group: Where values and education come first Financial services firm’s focus is on understanding and meeting each client’s needs and goals

The Commonwealth Financial Group team is celebrating 20 years of providing clients with values-based financial planning.

sk anyone at Commonwealth what makes the financial services firm special and it’s a safe bet they’ll start by telling you about the culture. For the last 20 years, the Daniel Island firm has established itself as a leader in education, client services and advisor development — all with a values-based approach. “I started Commonwealth to help our clients achieve their goals — whatever that looks like for them,” said President Britt Gilbert. “We are passionate about developing a relationship with our clients, understanding what’s important to them and then creating a financial plan to make that happen.” Gilbert’s vision continues to grow thanks to the firm’s dedicated partners and team. “We committed to growth a long time ago and remain focused on putting in the hard work,” said

Jon Carroll, field director. Attracting top talent and then developing and mentoring that talent has made Commonwealth a sought-after resource for families and business owners as well as medical professionals — a keen focus area for the firm. “We hang our hat on our medical school, resident, and fellow education,” said Nicholas Pavia, director of the medical division. “We have a four-part lecture series aimed at educating young medical professionals about the business side of medicine and financial planning.” Eight advisors travel the region, speaking at every medical school in South Carolina and some in North Carolina and Georgia. Commonwealth also expanded its geographic footprint with offices in Orangeburg and, most recently, Myrtle Beach.

225 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 106 Charleston, SC 29492 843-884-4545 www.commonwealthfg.com

Brian Brown manages the Myrtle Beach office, where retirees and others moving to the area are eager to find a trusted financial professional who can help them into retirement and beyond. “We are seeing a big influx of retirees in both Charleston and Myrtle Beach,” he said. “And we are leading the way with education. People are seeking a trusted advisor. We are dedicated to reinvesting in growth and in resources that impact the client.” Carroll said Commonwealth is looking ahead to additional offices, new markets and more ways to reinvest in its advisors. “Our growth has been consistent in the last few years,” he said. “A lot of that is due to retention. We’ve been in Charleston for over two decades and people know who we are — and that is a credit to everyone on our team working together.” DOFU 5-2021 3597181 Britt, Jon, Brian and Nicholas are registered representatives and investment advisor representatives of Securian Financial Services, Inc. Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/ SIPC. Commonwealth Financial Group is independently owned and operated.

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Profiles in Business Editor - Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3123 Graphic Designer - Sloan Marion smarion@bridgetowermedia.com UPSTATE NEWSROOM Associate Editor, Special Projects - Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864-720-2269 LOWCOUNTRY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Account Executive - Tom Giovonniello tomg@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3104 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jenny Peterson, Barry Waldman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

elcome to the 2021 issue of the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Profiles in Business. The concept of this magazine originated not long after launching the Business Journal in 1995, when we began hearing from businesspeople in the community asking to include stories about their company. As journalists, our reply was always, “We can’t do that until you do something we can report as news.” 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 another successful version of Profiles in Business, it seems the marriage continues to be a happy one. We bring this publication to market as the region continues to recover from the dire effects of the coronavirus pandemic. We have all had to make adjustments, both major and minor, in our businesses and our personal lives, and there are hopeful signs on many fronts that we are slowly returning to pre-pandemic norms. The profiles inside will give you a glimpse into what makes these companies such a vital and successful part of the Lowcountry economy. Please accept my enthusiastic invitation to read the 2021 Profiles in Business, and I hope you will enjoy reading this sample of Charleston business life as much as I do.

Raymond C. Murray rcmurrayphotography@gmail.com www.rcmurrayphotography.com

Group Publisher - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864-720-1224

Steve McDaniel Editor, SC Biz News Custom Publishing Division

Advertising Director - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3107 Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox rwilcox@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3117 Event Director, Audience Development

SC Biz News A portfolio company of BridgeTower Opco LLC

& IT Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3116 CUSTOM MEDIA DIVISION Director of Business Development - Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843-849-3143

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by BridgeTower Opco 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.

FEATURED PROFILES | LISTED BY PAGE NUMBER

Commonwealth Financial Group

Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning

REI Engineers

HRP Associates

10 Parker Land Surveying 11 Trident Academy 12 Claycor Contractors 6

14 Community Assoc. Management Services 15 K&L Gates 16 NetZero-USA of Mount Pleasant 17 Charleston Co. Economic Development

18 Production Design Associates 20 Viking Mergers & Acquisitions 21 Palmetto Digital Marketing Group 22 S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

MORELLI HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Morelli Heating & Air celebrates 40 years of serving the Lowcountry Family-owned company focused on customer service, expertise, new technology

orelli Heating & Air Conditioning celebrates its 40th anniversary, but the company’s expertise in heating and air conditioning go back much farther, to 1954, the year Jim Morelli first started working for Charleston Oil Company. He helped begin the heating and air conditioning division. “My father became one of the first experts in air conditioning in the Charleston area, Tony Morelli,president, said. “When it comes to heating and air conditioning solutions, the Morelli name goes back a long, long way.” Tony came to work for his father at Charleston Oil in 1975. When the company’s heating and air conditioning division became available for purchase, father and son seized the opportunity to own their own business. After Jim retired in 1992, Tony and his brother

Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning President Tony Morelli (left) and his brother and company Vice President Andy Morelli.

Andrew (and their sister Angela Prince, retired in 2005) took the company from a small residential service provider to a company of over 60 employees, 35 trucks, and nearly 10,000 satisfied residential and commercial customers. Forty years later, Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning continues to be the Lowcountry’s go-to for heating and air conditioning solutions. The secret to the company’s lasting success comes down to the basic tenants of business: experience and customer service. “ We follow the Golden Rule: treat others as you want to be treated,” Morelli said. Now working with third-generation customers throughout the tri-county, the idea of treating others as you want to be treated has

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

gone a long way toward customer loyalty and referrals. One of Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning’s specialty areas is historic buildings and homes. They understand the importance of keeping humidity under control in older buildings and how to install duct work in a home needing central air with the least amount of disruption to the structure. The company has worked on such historic properties as the Miles Brewton house, Nathaniel Russell house, Sword Gate house, Aiken Rhett house and South Carolina Society Hall. In addition to historic properties and residential work, Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning has developed a specialty in medical offices, schools and churches. Each

MORELLI HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

has unique needs when it comes to a heating and cooling system and the company treats each project individually. While the concept of heating and cooling homes and businesses over the last 40 years is the same, the biggest change has come in the method. “Technology has grown leaps and bounds in the last five years, especially with wireless technology,” Morelli said. One of the newest innovations are variable refrigerant flow systems, a type of system that allows for multi-zone spaces while using just one outdoor unit but with multiple indoor units. This technology, Morelli said, has been used for some time in Asia and Europe and is gaining a

foothold in the United States. It’s efficient and quiet and all controlled by software. Morelli used this system in two school projects and at Northwoods Baptist Church. “I feel as though that technology is going to take over residential and commercial HVAC in the United States,” he said. So staying current and trying new products and techniques is an important part of what

goes on at Morelli Heating & Air Conditioning. “We’re staying on top of all the new technology that is coming into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning field,” Morelli said. “We are very technologically savvy here. Anything cutting edge we will try it first before we use it with our customers. If it’s good enough for me, it’s good enough for my customers.”

2470 Faber Road North Charleston, SC 29405 843-554-8600 www.morelliair.com Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

REI ENGINEERS

REI Engineers can make your building do its job better Firm has vast experience, expertise in building enclosure systems that ensure, enhance longevity, efficiency of structures

The staff at REI Engineers can solve all of your building enclosure issues.

chemical company hired architects and engineers to design a manufacturing plant when a fatal flaw came to light: leakage that prevented maintenance of temperatures and humidity levels in the narrow range needed to keep the chemicals stable. They were forced to halt production for weeks. REI Engineers, the building enclosure experts, were called in to provide air infiltration testing and hydrothermal analysis. They determined the structure required additional insulation and air barriers, and designed modifications to existing walls that included those components. Renovation shut the plant down another few weeks. The cost to remediate the problem was 10 times the cost of preventing it — which would have involved REI at the design phase. Building owners, architects, engineers,

property managers and others bring in REI Engineers at the design phase for their expertise in creating a continuous outer enclosure system. Many building issues occur at the intersection of dissimilar materials, like the exterior walls and the roof, and at openings in the enclosure, like the perimeters of windows. Advances in materials have created an almost infinite matrix of combinations between walls and roofs, and other transition points. Even the best general construction engineers are challenged to remain current on all the possible

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

solutions. That is where REI comes in. REI Engineers has the specialized skills and knowledge to provide design or design review services for roofing, exterior walls and below-grade waterproofing of new and existing projects. When included at the design stage, their collaborations with architects reduce average energy use on existing buildings by 16%, and on new projects by 13%. REI also helps buildings fulfill their expected life cycle. When structures designed to last decades suffer unwanted air and water infiltration after five or 10 years, it can dramatically reduce their life span. Most architects, engineers, hospitals and schools are well aware of REI’s unique value early in the process. Municipalities have been slow to recognize it, perhaps because their new construction projects are generally more standard and include fewer architectural flourishes. Moreover, decision makers may be more focused on short-term, bottom-line savings, rather than on long-term sustainability issues. But municipal buildings require the same level of upfront attention to the structural enclosure to perform properly and last for decades. The City of Charleston learned this lesson in its development of the new International African American Museum, slated for opening in 2022. REI was hired to test the installation of building materials and detected issues with the enclosure. By providing new designs that will avert any potential long-term problems before the construction phase, REI helped avert compromising the integrity of Charleston’s newest historic cultural landmark.

2090 Executive Hall Road Charleston, S.C. 29407 843-225-6272 www.reiengineers.com

HRP ASSOCIATES

HRP Associates can solve your state and federal regulation headaches National company with local focus adept at navigating complex requirements involving health, environmental and safety regulations

ndustrial and manufacturing operations are constantly navigating the everchanging, Byzantine landscape of environmental, health and safety regulations at both the state and federal levels. This involves understanding and complying with laws enforced by an alphabet soup of agencies, including the EPA, OSHA and DHEC. The consulting engineers at HRP Associates have opened a Charleston office to help Lowcountry businesses minimize the environmental risks and reach their business goals. A national firm that melds the science of environmental, health and safety permitting with the art of relationships, HRP focuses on understanding its clients’ unique needs and working with regulating agencies to ascertain where there might be flexibility in the law. Many industrial and manufacturing companies have some environmental, health and safety expertise in-house but require the additional expertise of a multidisciplinary consulting firm with 10 offices throughout the U.S. The scientists and engineers at HRP work as part of the team to minimize pain points in business operations. Proactive businesses hire HRP before they run afoul of the law to audit their facilities for environmental, health and safety practices. With its comprehensive understanding of regulations, HRP can assist with implementation of plans and programs to bring facilities into compliance prior to inspections, minimizing findings and financial penalties, or significant capital expenditures to come into compliance after the fact. HRP can also serve in a reactive role, as it did for an international tier 1 automotive

HRP’s Kate Hendrickson and Shaun Malin are ready to serve the Lowcountry’s environmental, health and safety compliance needs.

supplier that had established its first U.S. location in South Carolina. It brought millions of dollars of equipment into the Port of Charleston and was told by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control that it lacked the permits to begin operating. HRP raced into action, pulling company resources from across the nation and working its relationships at the agency to minimize paperwork and expedite approval. Their action prevented equipment and staff from sitting idle and saved the company

1630 Meeting St., Unit 205 Charleston, SC 29405 800-752-3922 hrpassociates.com

hundreds of thousands of dollars. That illustrates the unique value of HRP Associates: it combines the broad scientific expertise of a nationwide company with the relationships it has built on both sides of the regulatory landscape. This combination has begun to increase in importance as a new national administration and Congress begin promulgating rules governing the use and disposal of chemicals and boosting the enforcement of already existing laws. HRP is large enough to offer expertise across the spectrum of environmental, health and safety issues, with more than 120 scientific and technical employees, but small enough to be nimble, act quickly and offer a client-first approach. Says Shaun Malin, a principal of the firm and regional manager, “we work with our clients to produce creative solutions.”

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

PARKER LAND SURVEYING

Parker Land Surveying grows business, sows community spirit Company adds drone surveying to expand list of services offered

The staff of Parker Land Surveying.

arker Land Surveying, which husband and wife team Steve and Pam Parker launched in August 2008, continues to move onward and upward. Working in all facets of construction, fast growing PLS handles a wide array of projects and services, from boundary, tree, topographical and wetland surveys to easements, subdivision platting, construction layout, record drawings and lot-fit studies, to name a few. The most recent addition to Parker’s portfolio of services is drone surveying. Drones have increasingly become indispensable tools in all aspects of construction, surveying and land development applications. Parker has partnered with Microdrones, a global drone development, service and training firm, to implement this service. Microdrones provides drone hardware, proprietary software and training to support Parker’s entry into this technologically advanced surveying method of LIDAR data collection. The advantage of a bird’s-eye view of a project or raw land is quickly apparent compared to hours of ground-based measurements and observations. A drone’s capabilities in surveying, measuring and assessing site development data means significant cost savings, improved accuracy and more efficient use of available resources. The journey to success has not been a straight line for Parker. Started with the help of a $255,000 loan from the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments Revolving Loan Fund in

2008, PLS had largely run out of money by the end of 2009. In fact, in early 2009, the firm had to reduce staff and cut salaries. Pam Parker even took a night job at a hospital to help make ends meet. Holding fast to their stated company mission to honor God through excellence, exceeding client expectations, things began to look up, PLS President Steve Parker said. By 2018, the company had grown from nine to more than 40 employees, with three offices, one in Georgetown and two in the Charleston area. PLS’s Georgetown office, which opened in 2014, continues to grow, serving the area below Georgetown up to Myrtle Beach. The company’s Summerville-Jedburg office also stays busy while still using its original Hanahan office as a central hub. The firm recently purchased a piece of land to build a new office in the Nexton Jedburg area. “Pam and I feel we can only be as successful as the quality of the people we surround ourselves with,” Parker says. “Fortunately, we have been able to have people around us that are better than we are, and we feel they are important to our story as well.” One of the most important of Parker Land Surveying’s activities — indeed, a cornerstone business philosophy — is giving back to the

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

PLS now has drone surveying capabilities.

community. It’s all part of the company vision: to be a firm that sets itself apart through excellence and integrity that has a culture of love and humility. The company continues to support local schools and robotics teams, recreation departments and churches. Steve is a member of the Rotary Club of North Charleston and Pam runs a clothes closet for folks in need. “PLS believes in treating others how you want to be treated and in loving our neighbors,” Parker says. For more information about PLS, call 843-554-7777 or go online to www.plssc.com.

5910 Griffin St. Hanahan, SC 29410 843-554-7777 www.plssc.com

TRIDENT ACADEMY

Trident Academy can help children reach their full potential Trident’s educational program one of only 18 nationwide to offer Orton-Gillingham instructional method that works with each student’s specific needs

hildren who struggle with learning disabilities like dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia need an educational program designed for them. They learn differently; they must be taught differently. Cognitively capable children with languagebased learning differences can prosper through individualized, multi-sensory, and researchbased teaching methods that prepare them academically and socially to transition and thrive in a conventional learning environment. Mount Pleasant-based Trident Academy is one of only 18 programs nationwide accredited in the proven Orton-Gillingham instructional method, a structured, diagnostic and prescriptive approach to identifying and working with each student’s individual needs. Students are taught traditional subjects via the incorporation of assistive technology and using various multi-sensory techniques, and experiences outside of the classroom. In traditional educational settings, children with language-based learning differences are sometimes labeled lazy or unintelligent. But individuals with these traits can accomplish great things when instructional methods are designed around reaching their full potential. Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Pablo Picasso and Steven Spielberg all had dyslexia. The Orton-Gillingham approach is derived from a scientific understanding of typical brain development and the differing neurology of children with dyslexia. It employs empirically proven practices, validated over 80 years of instruction, to overcome those learning barriers.

Trident Academy students show off their inventions in the MakerSpace.

Without special instruction, adults with learning differences often fail to prosper. Individuals with dyslexia failed by traditional school instruction disproportionally drop out of school and experience alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration and suicide. At Trident Academy, the results have been just the opposite over its five decades in business. Students double their vocabulary, reading comprehension and math skills, on average. No wonder families have moved to Charleston specifically so that their children can attend Trident Academy, the only certified Orton-Gillingham program in the Charleston

1455 Wakendaw Road Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-7046 www.tridentacademy.com

region. Roughly one child in 10 can benefit from this approach to instruction. Trident Academy offers students many opportunities for tactile learning, including a recently added maker space. Students can learn woodworking, sewing and other modalities in this area to spark their fertile imaginations and build their creative-thinking strengths. Middle school students working in the maker space invented prototypes of products they presented to a Shark Tank-type panel at the end of the semester. A new hydroponic garden for middle and high school students provides a multisensory science curriculum. Elementary school students have grown vegetables and herbs in simpler raised garden beds for years. If your child struggles to learn, they might benefit from Trident Academy’s individualized, multi-sensory, research-based approach to instruction. Thousands of Lowcountry children have over nearly 50 years.

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

CLAYCOR CONTRACTORS

Claycor Contractors’ Fuller Pile System a better way to build secure foundations Unique process makes foundation work more stable, efficient and effective in loose Lowcountry soil

Fuller Pile installation at Volvo Car Stadium in Charleston.

: What is a billion dollars supported by? A: The Fuller Pile Foundation System. A revolutionary micro-pile variation invented by Andrew Fuller of Ridgeville, S.C., and owner of Claycor Contractors. This system offers engineers, builders and developers a better way to support structures, particularly on coastal soil. The patented five-year-old Fuller Pile System is stronger and faster than traditional timber, micro piles and many pre-stress pile designs. Benefits include less noise and vibration and spoil-free excavation. Fuller Piles can be drilled within five inches of existing structures without damage to the

structure, and have been tested and approved up to 130 tons of load, enough for one pile to support a Boeing 757 airplane. This very process was used during a redesign of the Volvo Car Stadium on Daniel Island, which was working on short deadlines. Claycor drilled through existing concrete pile caps within inches of steel holding up the stadium, without damaging the existing structure. Fuller Piles are like screws, twisted into the soil up to 100 feet in depth and held in place with grout or concrete poured around them. The absence of hammering alleviates many of the problems with

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

ordinary pilings. Traditional pilings create banging, clanging and pounding. Hammers shake the ground and disturb nearby buildings. Employing the quieter Fuller Pile Foundation System could avert major structural litigation from a neighbor whose building could be damaged by the vibration of another pile process. The Fuller Pile Foundation System has been used on single-family residences, multifamily residences, hotels, steel mills, electric substations, industrial buildings, hospitals and recently an Air Force hangar. The Federal government was desperate for a solution until

CLAYCOR CONTRACTORS

Fuller Pile Analysis and Design A finite element-based study to develop recommendations regarding 2018 International Building Code compliant use in areas of low, moderate, and high seismicity. Authors: John C. Ryan, Ph.D., P.E., Assistant Professor, The Citadel Timothy W. Mays, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, The Citadel

Published by: The Citadel, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 171 Moultrie Street Charleston, SC 29409

Fuller Pile installation in a fully operational steel mill.

Claycor demonstrated how the Fuller Pile Foundation System was a superior product that could save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fuller’s newest invention is the Fuller Ground Improvement System. It has been used in industrial, hospital, car dealership and military applications. This system is particularly useful in marginal soils not weak enough for The Fuller Pile Foundation System. The Fuller Pile manufacturing facility is strategically located in Walterboro, S.C., which is halfway between Miami and New York City. For design engineers unfamiliar with the system, the Citadel Engineering Department, with the assistance of Citadel Professors Dr. Timothy W. Mays

Fuller Pile Analysis and Design developed by The Citadel professors.

and Dr. John C. Ryan, have developed the Fuller Pile Analysis and Design guidebook. This removes the biggest barrier to using Fuller’s superior foundation support system. “With environmental factors, the hardest part of a construction project is getting above grade,” says Fuller. “We make it simple, fast and clean.” Claycor will hold an invitation-only Fuller Pile Conference on July 16. Email Andrew at claycor@lowcountry.com for an invitation.

Claycor Contractors owner Andrew Fuller.

1253 Camp Buddy Road Ridgeville, SC 29472 843-538-2336 fullerpile.com Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES

CAMS has grown to include comprehensive list of services for all types of properties CAMS celebrates 30 years of locally focused community association management services

n a previous century, before community associations were common and asked to handle complex business issues, Mike Stonestreet formed Community Association Management Services (CAMS) to help condominium communities with monthly financial reports, maintenance and repairs, and board meetings. In the 30 years since, Stonestreet and Dave Sweyer joined forces and the company has grown dramatically and tackled increasingly complex issues like financial management, infrastructure, disaster recovery, and stormwater management. Its 300 employees today bring skills and expertise to the table that the founders could not have imagined back in 1991. In the intervening three decades, the company has become a pioneer in community management, working with master communities,

Co-owners Dave Sweyer, CEO, and Mike Stonestreet, Founder.

large-scale and lifestyle communities, marinas, high rises, age-restricted communities and even a campground. Its incomparable experience with every manner of community management issues is at the service of 658 communities and more than 100,000 households in the Carolinas today. One thing that has not changed is the founding principle of serving people, not property. In the past decade, CAMS has focused its efforts on building out its technology solutions and a tech-savvy team of forward-thinking professionals who share the founders’ drive and dedication to communities and their

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

residents. CAMS employs technology to speed communications with residents, board members and others, and to create processes that build relationships and solve problems. One particular area of expertise that CAMS offers communities in this region is its long history of handling the fallout from the plethora of hurricanes that have walloped the coast since the arrival of Hugo. “We gained a lot of experience with these storms. We learned how to handle claims, deal with insurance companies, communicate with owners, and how to prepare for the storms,” said Mike Stonestreet. With the COVID pandemic, the company has now seen just about everything. Adapting quickly with remote meetings, CAMS’ community associations hardly missed a beat. CAMS has more experience than almost any community management company out there, but they have remained true to who they are and who they serve. Unlike the corporate association management companies whose work is transactional and profits come from volume, CAMS remains family-owned and built on relationships. Co-owners Dave and Mike have met all their employees and are accessible to clients, something that is unthinkable at national “big box” outfits. Another contrast that recommends CAMS over the large conglomerates is that it is solely focused on its core area of expertise, and not a series of other business lines. “A lot of other companies do real estate sales, or rentals, or own maintenance companies,” said Stonestreet. “But this is all we do. We’re 100% dedicated to community management.”

7301 Rivers Ave., Suite 160 North Charleston, SC 29406 843-971-5096 www.camsmgt.com

K&L GATES LLP

K&L Gates’ Charleston team helps expand state’s economic development Local office of global law firm provides legal expertise in many areas of business operations

harleston’s business-friendly climate and the interest of many companies to operate or expand into the region are among the reasons K&L Gates LLP opened its first South Carolina office in Charleston almost 10 years ago. Since then, the office has grown to more than 30 Charleston-based lawyers from a variety of practices to accommodate the increasing demand of the business community and firm clients. The firm provides experienced legal counsel at the intersection of globalization, regulation, and innovation throughout all industries. “Our rapid and continued growth has been fueled by our unique ability to handle every conceivable legal need or issue faced by South Carolina-based companies with multinational operations and foreign companies with operations in South Carolina, whether those legal needs or issues arise domestically or abroad,” said Walker Coleman, Charleston office managing partner. The Charleston office focuses on practices including economic development, corporate, energy, health care, environmental, labor and employment, immigration, real estate, transportation, insurance coverage, and international trade — all of which tie to the Lowcountry’s strong economic sectors and reflect the state’s growth in areas like life sciences, automotive and aerospace. “Having contacts and offices on the ground in the countries in which economic development efforts are focused has been immensely helpful to the state’s recruiting effort,” Coleman said.

The Charleston office of K&L Gates located on historic Meeting Street.

With approximately 1,800 lawyers in more than 40 offices across the globe, K&L Gates is uniquely poised to play a role in the state’s success, particularly for South Carolina-based businesses

134 Meeting St., Suite 500 Charleston, SC 29401 843-579-5600 www.klgates.com

that operate globally and foreign businesses that operate — or hope to operate — in the state. The firm can handle virtually any legal need these businesses have or could have and its governmental and business contacts throughout the world make K&L Gates an ideal economic partner. Walker Coleman, Managing Partner, can be reached at walker.coleman@klgates.com

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

NETZERO-USA LED

Improve your lighting environment with NetZero-USA LEDs LEDs produce more uniform light, lower utility costs, tax savings

Gary Keisler with the new 500 watt LED Tennis Court light.

etZero-USA LED is a nationwide end-to-end provider of commercial LED products. “We design, manufacture, install, fund, warranty and service all our products,” said Gary Keisler, president of NetZero-USA of Mount Pleasant. “We have installed LED lighting in hospitals, offices, schools, churches, municipal buildings, warehouses, industrial plants, tennis courts and parking lots.” “We have a new line of UV-C germicidal lighting that kills COVID-19 and other viruses that is manufactured in South Carolina and Georgia,” Keisler said. NetZero-USA will file all the paperwork to

power utilities on behalf of their customers for energy-saving rebates. The energy-saving costs by switching to LED lighting can be significant. “It is common to see a 50 percent to 70 percent reduction in the kilowatts used for your lighting,” Keisler said. Our LEDs qualify for the 179 expensing election on state and federal taxes. Proper lighting in any commercial application is transformational for a business and its employees. “When our lighting is installed, you will get an immediate benefit from it,” Keisler said. “Our LEDs will add value to your building. They will decrease energy costs used for lighting and will

Proud Member of

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decrease maintenance costs by eliminating the need to change bulbs and ballasts. They will eliminate ballast hum, bulb flicker and color mismatch.” NetZero-USA has customers ranging from offices with 15 light fixtures to a school with 2,000 fixtures. No matter the size of the business, “A properly lit environment will be safer and help increase productivity,” Keisler said. All NetZero-USA products have a sevenyear, non-prorated warranty and are tested and approved to the highest lighting standards set by UL (Universal Labs) and DLC (DesignLights Consortium.) “When we replace lighting, we include grinding up old bulbs and recycling all the ballasts in accordance with approved recycling methods,” Keisler said. “Everything we install meets or exceeds the U.S. government standard. Our LEDs are manufactured to last; the industry average for LED failure is 10 percent. NetZeroUSA’s LED failure rate is less than 1%.” “NetZero-USA of Mount Pleasant will provide you a proposal that will give you an estimate of your energy savings and the return on investment to upgrade your lights to LEDs at no cost,” Keisler said. “We are a member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and appreciate the opportunity to give you a proposal to upgrade your lighting to LEDs.” He adds, “Our mission is to be a trusted partner, delivering the right amount of light with the most amount of life at a competitive price.”

3013 Monhegan Way Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 843-696-6274 www.netzero-usa.com

CHARLESTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Charleston County Economic Development offers full-service business support Mission is to provide assistance for business success, lead advancement of economic growth

harleston County Economic Development is a valuable business partner to local industries. The staff at the department compares their service to a business concierge, available to help business leaders with hiring, resources, relocation support or anything else they need to succeed. That has included specialized workforce training, connecting businesses with financial assistance programs and championing for local businesses at the government level. Since its inception in 1993, Charleston County Economic Development has helped facilitate and announce over 36,000 jobs and a $6.7 billion investment by businesses into the community. “Our mission is to lead the advancement of economic growth and shared prosperity for all of Charleston County,” said Ashley Richardson, director of strategy and communications for Charleston County Economic Development. “We approach this through recruitment of new companies, caring for our existing industry as well as improving the business climate. The most impactful part is forming relationships with business owners for the life of their business.” Major industries the economic development department supports are aerospace, automotive, international trade and logistics, life sciences, information technology, defense, manufacturing, distribution and corporate headquarters. “Workforce has become more of a prominent discussion among all of the companies we help, and we have ingrained ourselves in connecting

L to R: Janel Spencer, Kedyky Sherrill, Ashley Richardson, Heather Ford, Steve Dykes, Reggie Fuller, Jennifer Brown, Jay Kramer

companies with resources in the area to train workers and promote job opportunities,” said Richardson. “Our relationship with a business doesn’t end with a ribbon cutting. We are an added value for the entire life of their business.” A major success was training workers for the Mercedes-Benz Vans plant that opened its $500 million campus in 2018 in North Charleston. “When Mercedes-Benz Vans announced their plant was opening here, they needed to hire 1,300 people in a short period of time. We rolled up our sleeves and found a way to host

4000 Faber Place Drive, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29405 843-958-4511

www.charlestoncountydevelopment.org

many job fairs and not only work with the S.C. Department of Commerce, but with Trident Technical College to offer a program (ManuFirst SC) to train workers, which expedited their hiring process and provided a wonderful skillset to future employees looking to start a career in manufacturing,” Richardson said. Charleston County Economic Development promotes job openings across its social media platforms, resulting in recruiting top talent, and publishes positive news about business happenings to the media. “The work that we do makes our community better,” Richardson said. “It’s rewarding seeing our citizens get jobs at one of our existing industries and create a meaningful career and better life. That’s what public service is, and we are proud to create a thriving business community in Charleston.”

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

PRODUCTION DESIGN ASSOCIATES

PDA has experience, expertise to deliver live events Local event production firm prepared for all contingencies in staging anything from presidential addresses to weddings

The Citadel fundraising celebration.

hen-President George W. Bush was set to take the stage in 15 minutes at an event in Charlotte when a generator failed and all the lights went out. The audience stood in the dark, flummoxed. Jeff Nickles, founder and owner of North Charleston-based Production Design Associates (PDA), one of the Southeast’s premier event production and staging companies, knew his company would soon make national news — for all the wrong reasons — if he didn’t get the lights back on immediately. Nickles raced backstage to identify and fix the problem. Running toward the President’s holding area in the dark was perhaps not the best decision, considering the phalanx of suddenly testy Secret Service agents around him. Once

he explained his role in providing the power for the event, they stepped aside while he and his crew switched the power feed to the audio generator and rekindled the lights in time for the president’s arrival. That was a moment of immense stress, but also just a day in the life for PDA, now celebrating 30 years of providing technical support for live events. While there are always unexpected problems with live events, PDA has survived and grown because it always finds a solution, taking the burden off the event planner, wedding planner or company liaison. There are no do-overs when going live. Everything must get done right the first time, and for that, there is no substitute for a professional event production company — whether it is for

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

a presidential debate, a corporate event or your daughter’s wedding. PDA is a turnkey, one-stop-shop providing audio, lighting, staging, video, design and special effects for unique and memorable events large and small. PDA lit the 575-foot-tall towers of the Ravenel Bridge at its spectacular opening gala, and Fort Sumter on the sesquicentennial celebration of the end of the Civil War, when, in the dark, an overzealous re-enactor pointing a bayonet at his face demanded Nickles identify himself before passing. It has provided AV and power for the Food and Wine Festival since its inception, which is tantamount to building an electrical grid in Marion Square for a week. Most memorably, says Nickles, PDA provided lighting for the TD Center when

PRODUCTION DESIGN ASSOCIATES

S.C. Ports Hugh Leatherman Terminal grand opening.

President Barak Obama sang Amazing Grace at the gut-wrenching Emanuel 9 memorial service. “Some things you just don’t forget,” he said. PDA’s bread and butter is corporate events of every size. With a warehouse full of gear, the professional event production crew can turn any event into an unforgettable experience that brands the company and delivers its message powerfully. Besides the meat-and-potato technical support, PDA can deliver special effects like lasers, streamers, fog machines, fiber optic backdrops and its newest toy — cold spark machines, which safely shoots sparks over ten feet high. PDA’s humble beginnings belie its 30 years of leadership in the industry. After working for a National AV company, Nickles convinced his best friend, the late Jerry Seay, to help start a lighting business. They rented a 200-square-foot warehouse and began with a rickety van and no business plan. Their first job entailed providing lighting for a church band. “I got to listen to music, while running some lights, and girls would come up and talk to me. I thought, ‘I like this,’” Nickles admitted. It didn’t take long for people to recognize that Nickles and Seay could be trusted to deliver what they promised and to produce high-quality shows. Jerry quit his job at Read Brothers Stereo on King Street and they moved to a bigger building. They added sound and brought on

their first employee. Investing nearly everything they earned back into the company, jobs kept coming and they brought on more employees with a variety of skills, offering more services and eventually growing into the full-service operation of today. Many PDA clients have been with them since the early days. Carolina One Real Estate has employed PDA for events for 27 years. The Charleston Wine and Food Festival has used PDA for every year of the festival, and the Spoleto Festival has used PDA for support for over 25 years. All the while, the company has given back, donating and discounting more than $1 million to charities like the Lowcountry Food Bank, Darkness to Light, Feed the Need, MUSC Children’s Hospital, Charleston Animal Society, the Ryan White Foundation, American Heart Association, Susan Komen Foundation and more. The coronavirus pandemic pulled the rug out from under the event industry, but PDA responded by offering streaming video services for organizations that wanted to switch to the

virtual space. That new service will still be available to customers long after the virus is done wreaking havoc. “Little did I know that when Jerry and I started this small business … we could make a difference in so many peoples’ lives,” Nickles reminisced. “We helped presidents of Fortune 500 companies get their message out. We helped charities raise millions of dollars; we got to work with four U.S. presidents; countless musicians, artists, actors and dancers; and we had fun doing it.”

2799 Three Lakes Road North Charleston, SC 29418 843-554-3466 www.pdastage.com Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

VIKING MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Viking Mergers & Acquisitions goal: maximize value in sale of your business Charleston office has expertise and experience to ensure a profitable deal

John Elwood (from left), Bruce Thackston and Ben Knight of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions.

s managing partner of Viking Mergers & Acquisitions’ Charleston office, Ben Knight directs the selling of businesses across many industry sectors. Viking’s team ensures the best outcome for business owners by developing business valuations, confidentially marketing to potential buyers, and coordinating efforts of legal and financial professionals to close the deal. Knight, a former executive and seasoned businessman, bought and sold three different companies in his career. He knows firsthand how much work goes into a successful sale and is passionate about making sure business owners get the best possible deal for the hard-earned value of their business.

“Selling a business can be very stressful, and we take that emotion out of it,” Knight said. “We negotiate on your behalf. In addition, we reach a lot more buyers than an owner could alone. For example, we average close to 100 people inquiring about most listings.” “There are a lot of details throughout the process of selling a business along with managing the individuals involved. We work

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

closely with the attorneys, CPAs, lenders and other trusted advisors and then screen potential buyers to ensure they are both financially and professionally qualified.” Knight said. “We confidentially maximize the visibility of each of our clients to ensure we maximize the price by creating a competitive bid process.” Knight personally knows the success Viking Mergers & Acquisitions can deliver; he’s a former client who used the firm’s expertise to buy two of his businesses. He was recruited to run the firm’s Mount Pleasant office by Jay Offerdahl, president of the company, who became a good friend. There are currently seven Viking locations throughout the Carolinas and Florida. Joining Knight in the Charleston office are senior advisors Bruce Thackston and John Elwood. “Over half of the advisors at Viking offices are former business owners and we provide lots of empathy in this process,” Knight said. “We’ve experienced what owners are going through, and we help them understand when it’s the right time to sell their business for the maximum price.” Viking doesn’t charge any fees until the business sells. Knight said the firm represents many repeat clients and serial entrepreneurs. Celebrating their 25th anniversary this June, their formula for business valuation has resulted in an incredible 96 percent average of asking price for the 650-plus businesses they’ve sold. “We bring a very professional ethic to help owners successfully sell their business,” Knight said. “I like that we can help folks achieve the American dream to own a business, and then help them profitably sell that business when the time is right.”

2040 eWall St., Suite E Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-405-8575 www.vikingmergers.com

PALMETTO DIGITAL MARKETING GROUP

Palmetto Digital Marketing Group handles every aspect of the Amazon sales platform Company provides guidance, support and expertise in complex online sales on Amazon

n idea that started five years ago in a spare bedroom of a 1,250-squarefoot condominium has now become a thriving tech agency that helps businesses seamlessly dominate the Amazon Marketplace. Palmetto Digital Marketing Group (PDMG) offers turnkey solutions for businesses and manufacturers to sell products faster and easier on the Amazon Marketplace Platform. “We run your entire Amazon business — every single aspect of it,” said founder and CEO of PDMG Phillip D’Orazio, who has 25 years of experience in e-commerce. “The learning curve of the Amazon platform is extreme. You don’t just list something on Amazon and sell. An Amazon business needs constant attention and nurturing. You need a conduit, and we are that bridge between the manufacturer and customers on Amazon.” The PDMG team of experts handle everything, including setting up a seller account and navigating the FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program, advertising, analytics and inventory management, customer service solutions, case managers for Amazon reimbursements, writing product descriptions and optimizing listings to bring products to the top of the Amazon page. Success stories include increasing sales 10-fold. In five years, the company has worked with over 200 clients, including nearly a dozen businesses and manufacturers in Charleston. PDMG currently manages Amazon sales for close to 50 businesses. The PDMG team consists of eight staff members based in Charleston at the Charleston Tech Center along with an international

Charleston Team at the Tech Center downtown

team. The agency cultivates talent and is very team oriented. Team members have multiple responsibilities and are reminded to lean in and work as a unit. “Selling on Amazon is like a business within a business; our staff includes subject matter experts that implement core business functions such as marketing, creative, technology and overall sales acceleration. We are much different than a traditional digital agency whose focus is solely based on SEO/PPC marketing,” D’Orazio said. “We are that right size where I can still be involved with all the accounts.” Compensation is on commission, based on client sales and growth, which keeps PDMG incentivized. “I’ve always had a lot of hustle in me, so I love the fact that the harder we work, the more successful our clients become,” D’Orazio said.

997 Morrison Drive, Suite 307 Charleston, SC, 29403 919-414-1776

www.palmettodigitalmarketinggroup.com

information@palmettodigitalmarketinggroup.com

Phillip D’Orazio, founder and President of PDMG

Clients who are a good fit for PDMG include businesses and manufacturers that make unique products with short lead times, or that can stock products in a warehouse for quick shipments to Amazon. Platinum accounts are clients that generate more than $500,000 in sales on Amazon each month. PDMG stands apart in its ability to put its clients’ needs first and remaining clientcentric in all scenarios. The company’s mission is to be transparent, realistic and accountable.   “This company is the opportunity of a lifetime for me as an entrepreneur, and I’m proud to be part of the Charleston community,” D’Orazio said.

Special Advertising Supplement | 2021 Profiles in Business

SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP

SCMEP helps companies across the state compete globally Nonprofit organization is a valuable resource for small, medium manufacturers in S.C.

Andy Carr, Senior VP of Operations, and Chuck Spangler, President, meet to discuss workforce development initiatives.

he South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nonprofit organization that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness, is a valuable resource for South Carolina manufacturers, particularly smaller companies, striving to stay competitive in a global market. Because SCMEP has many partners across channels, it can provide many services, from operations, logistics and IT to human resources, that until recently, often only the largest OEMs could afford. Indeed, with a $3 billion impact to the state’s economy, SCMEP’s efforts have returned great dividends, executive director Chuck Spangler said. “We want to ensure that we’re making a positive impact for each company we work with,” Spangler said. “The goal is for them to be

globally competitive.” While SCMEP works with companies of all sizes, most of SCMEP’s projects have been with small and mid-sized organizations. Of some 6,300 manufacturers throughout the state, 90 percent of those companies employ less than 100 people and of those, 4,700 are companies that employ less than 20 people, Spangler said. One example is helping smaller companies increase value chain transparency. Until recently, smaller companies generally could not afford solutions to allow them to effectively

2021 Profiles in B usiness | Special Advertising Supplement

communicate, with the result being that many of the smaller members of a given value chain simply did not know what each other had or were doing. Now that technology is much more accessible, SCMEP, through collaboration with many partners, can educate these companies to help them determine and implement the appropriate solutions for their situations. “The pandemic really illustrated how critical that visibility is,” Spangler said. “If you are a big OEM with a number of members in your value chain, it’s vital to know exactly what everyone has and what they’re doing, The goal is to manufacture to real demand, rather than mass producing products based on past projections. With real time information, they can efficiently produce what is needed and reduce inventories of items that are not as critical or are not moving.” Workforce development is another area of focus. SCMEP provides a wide variety of training and education opportunities, many of which are available through their online portal, SCMEP Online. SCMEP is also helping companies utilize high-tech, “Industry 4.0” tools to perform simple, repetitive tasks. This ultimately helps increase wages, as people move from traditionally lower paying, mundane jobs to more lucrative and satisfying roles. “You’re not replacing people with machines; you’re using machines to do jobs people don’t like to do while providing them with more upward mobility,” Spangler said. “It’s a win-win.” For more information on how SCMEP can help you, call 864-288-5687 or visit www. scmep.org.

250 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 200 Greenville, SC 29615 864-288-5687 www. scmep.org

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WWW.SCMEP-ONLINE.ORG On-Demand Courses High-quality course content that is accessible when it suits your schedule.

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Customized Training Packages Interested in customized training packages for your company? Contact us today!

CHARLESTON COUNTY IS AN ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS DESTINATION NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF OUR GROWING WORKFORCE AND OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT DIVERSE TALENT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE BENEFIT THAT WE OFFER COMPANIES WHO ARE LOCATED HERE IN CHARLESTON COUNTY –

OUR BUSINESS CONCIERGE PR OGRAM. Reaching more than 250 companies annually, the Business Concierge team specializes in problem-solving, making key connections, and helping business grow. Our approach is hands-on through the life of the company. Contact us to learn more about offerings in

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Commercial Real Estate

LISTS: Largest Employers, Page 16 | Bonus List: Business Communication Companies, Page 18

Volvo to build electric vehicles at Ridgeville plant By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

olvo Cars plans to spend $118 million to expand the capability of the Swedish company’s Ridgeville manufacturing plant to build the fully electric Polestar 3. The electric-powered vehicle will be built on Volvo Car Group’s next generation electric architecture, a company news release said. The vehicle is the third scheduled to be built at the South Carolina plant and will be built under Volvo Cars’ affiliate, Polestar Cars. Currently, the Ridgeville plant produces the Volvo S60 luxury sedan for U.S. and export markets. “Our South Carolina team has done a remarkable job producing the award-winning S60 and readying the plant for the next generation of electrified Volvo cars,” said Volvo Car Group Senior Vice President Javier Varela. “Now, with the contract to produce the fully electric Polestar 3, we continue to expand our manufacturing operations for electrified vehicles.” The investment brings the car manufacturer’s total in South Carolina to more than $1.2 billion, the news release said. In addition to manufacturing, Volvo Cars continues to operate technology and design segments at its Americas region sales operation, including employee training and development. “We are proud to bring these new growth opportunities to Ridgeville and

Volvo Cars builds the S60 sedan at the company’s manufacturing facility in Ridgeville. The company is expanding the capability of the site to include building an electric vehicle, the Polestar 3. (Photo/Provided)

continue to grow our presence in the United States,” said Anders Gustafsson, senior vice president of Volvo Car Americas and president and CEO of Volvo Car USA. CRBJ

Reach Teri Errico Griffis at 843-849-3144.

“Our South Carolina team has done a remarkable job producing the award-winning S60 and readying the plant for the next generation of electrified Volvo cars.” Javier Varela Senior Vice President, Volvo Car Group

Century Aluminum expands with $60M investment By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

ix months ago, Century Aluminum employees questioned whether they would have jobs in 2021. On June 3, those same employees gathered with CEO Mike Bless, COO Jesse Gary along with state and local business leaders to commemorate that the company will not only remain open, but will expand with a $60 million investment in Mount Holly that’s expected to create 100 more jobs. The company’s growth, following a major power struggle with Santee Cooper, runs deep for employees, some of

whom have dedicated decades to their jobs — jobs that only months earlier Century Aluminum threatened to curtail if Santee Cooper couldn’t offer a better electricity rate. Keeping Century Aluminum open means protecting what’s left of the country’s aluminum industry that’s been mostly dismantled over the last 10-plus years. Locally, staying open also means protecting some of the highest paying jobs for hundreds of area residents. Employees include people like Vernon Edwards, a casting assistant who was hired 18 months ago when his previous employer took its manufacturing business overseas. Or Leslie Lawrence, a veteran and divorced single mother

who has worked for the company for 21 years. “This job allowed me to take care of my home, raise my kids. I’m a single mother, a divorced mother, and it allowed me to live the life I dreamed and to give my kids what they need and what they want,” Lawrence told Gov. Henry McMaster, Bless and Gary prior to the ceremony. Having a company like Century Aluminum that employs hundreds of people, and that will now employ 100 more, is important to Goose Creek’s tax base, said Goose Creek councilwoman Hannah Cox. The impact funds schools, police and EMTs. “Not only does it employ those peo-

ple who live, work and play in this city, and our surrounding areas, you know, they break for lunch, they eat in our local economy, they might get an oil change on their way home from work or stop for groceries,” Cox said. “So it’s just hard to even imagine what size of impact Century Aluminum has on us.” The struggle for Century Aluminum stemmed from the aluminum market’s near-collapse more than a decade ago. The nation’s more than 20 smelters dwindled to six, including Century Aluminum’s South Carolina and Kentucky plants. With the cost of aluminum decreasSee CENTURY, Page 15

IN FOCUS: TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

www.charlestonbusiness.com

June 28 - July 11, 2021

SC logistics leaders reflect on industry’s post-pandemic future By Alexandria Ng

ang@scbiznews.com

ran Watson has seen a lot as a truck driver since the late 1970s. But he’s never had to sit at a dead stop in traffic for 4 1/2 hours like he had to one day recently. As e-commerce surged during the height of the pandemic, the logistics industry was deliverance, bringing goods and products to those who were shut away at home without access to the outside world. But Watson noticed that things were changing, especially as he sat in traffic, and wondered if South Carolina was prepared to sustain a growing logistics scene as the world emerged from the pandemic. “It used to be once in a while, but now it’s every day you’re sitting in a backup,” Watson said. “So we can’t get to our customers on time, and that’s in the last 10 years that I’ve seen a lot of change in that the traffic is just tremendous.” According to Rick Todd, president and CEO of the S.C. Trucking Association, these delays are a major contributor to drivers leaving the industry and not being replaced fast enough, resulting in an industry-wide driver shortage.

“None of these facilities were designed for the kind of volumes we’re seeing right now, and it’s created a great strain. We hope that when we get back to a sense of normalcy, supply catches up with the demand because right now, the supply chain is really out of whack.” Rick Todd President and CEO, S.C. Trucking Association

“What we’ve learned from the truckers’ perspective is just inefficiencies in the intermodal transportation system, whether that’s at the rail yards or at the ports,” Todd said. “Just getting into and out of those facilities considering highway congestion and port terminal delays has caused a lot of drivers to be frustrated because they can’t make enough turns to make a profit.” Though some drivers are paid by the hour or by load, others are based on mileage. With traffic congestion, drivers are unable to move, unable to deliver, and unable to get paid.

However, Todd said he has seen more companies switch to hourly pay or a minimum-pay guarantee in recent trends. With 82% of total manufactured tonnage being transported by trucks in the state, the need for drivers is acute. But the age gap in the workforce cannot keep up, Todd said, as half of drivers with a commercial driver’s license are 50 years old and up and nearing retirement, and the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines is 21, as dictated by federal law. To address this shortage, companies

have increased salaries, and as a result, service rates. These changes are likely to remain in the long term, Todd said, but the need for drivers is still severe. “None of these facilities were designed for the kind of volumes we’re seeing right now, and it’s created a great strain,” Todd said. “We hope that when we get back to a sense of normalcy, supply catches up with the demand because right now, the supply chain is really out of whack.” Jamie Taylor, director of sales and marketing with Premier Logistics Solutions, also noted the disruption in supply chain on the warehousing side. When the pandemic started, importers found that many of their warehouses and facilities were full, closed or over capacity. There was an overall sense of urgency in finding homes for containers as shippers were changing the models in which their supply chains were handled, Taylor said. Fortunately, that opened opportunities for Premier Logistics. “We’ve seen a lot of shippers that desperately need to get containers off the port because they’ve got limited free time or limited truck capacity, so we’ve seen a lot of transloading cross dock opportunities, whereas before the pandemic, a lot of containers would come in and would

CALLING ALL HIGH-GROWTH COMPANIES!

2021

We are currently accepting nominations for the top 20 small and 20 large high-growth companies in South Carolina. Company size is determined by gross revenue. • Large – Over $10 million • Small – $10 million and under ELIGIBILITY: Companies must have a physical presence in South Carolina and be a for-profit entity or a nonprofit organization (EXCEPT FOR: government entities and charitable organizations, including 501(c)3 organizations. These types of nonprofits are not eligible.)

Nominate today: bit.ly/21roar20noms Self-nominations are encouraged! Nominations close on July 9, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Presented by: