Columbia Regional Business Report - September 27, 2021 by SC Biz News

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VOLUME 14 NUMBER 13 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

FROM THE GROUND

That’s nuts

Premium Peanut coming to Orangeburg County. Page 2

Milliken duo turns dirt into momentous projects

Your table awaits

McCutchen House serving lunch to public once more. Page 4

Vaccine mandates City of Columbia passes measure requiring shots. Page 6

Power List

SC Biz News ranks state’s most influential bankers. Page 17

INSIDE

Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 In Focus: Commercial Real Estate......................... 12 List: Commercial Real Estate Firms.................................. 14 At Work...............................29 Viewpoint............................ 31

Tombo Milliken (left) and Tom Milliken scout a piece of property in Fairfield County for NAI Columbia. The father-son duo has been behind many of the Midlands’ biggest commercial real estate deals. (Photo/Ashley Wright for NAI Columbia)

By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

wenty years ago, Tom Milliken sat on a Blythewood porch and rocked. He had a vision for land surrounding the house where he was occupying a rocking chair. He would have to get it under contract three times and keep an assemblage of nine landowners on the same page for almost two decades, but eventually, that vision would come to fruition in the form of the $26.2 million, 1,348-acre Blythewood Industrial Park. “Holding all these people together for all these years … Contracts would expire, but I would always go out and rock on the porch

with all those people, take them a little something at Christmas, and stay in touch with all of them,” he said. “It took exactly 20 years to close from the time I ever set foot at somebody’s door. Any one person could have pulled the plug in the middle.” The park, along Interstate 77 in northeast Richland County and completed in 2019 in a deal involving the county, is just one of the latest examples of the major moves Tom Milliken has been orchestrating for the better part of a half-century in the Midlands and beyond. Now senior broker and principal at NAI Columbia, specializing in commercial and recreational properties, industrial and investment land, and timberland, he has

Interstate widening

State allocates $360 million to widen Interstate 26 between Columbia and Charleston. Page 9

been a part of a firm that has gone through five mergers since it was founded in the mid1960s by real estate pioneer Joe Edens. Ten years ago, Tom Milliken was joined at the firm by his son, Tombo, and the duo has been the driving force behind some of the Midlands’ biggest — and most complicated — commercial real estate deals ever since. “I always wanted to be in the real estate business. I never thought that I could afford to be in the real estate business,” said Tombo Milliken, who worked in employee benefits for 19 years before insurance changes in the wake of the Affordable Care Act in the smallSee BROKERS, Page 16

Upfront S

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS

Sellers market continues across the Southeast

Equity in the South

Photo/File

outh Carolina’s housing market is on fire, and that means if you’re selling real estate, you’re getting at or above asking price in record time on most locations. The pandemic has had a number of economic ripple effects that economists likely will spend the better part of this century trying to figure out, but numbers don’t lie. Real estate professionals and their buyers understand the allure of places like South Carolina during a health care crisis like coronavirus: You have relatively cheap land, low taxes and a low population density. Then add some of the garden-spot amenities, such as Charleston’s reputation, Columbia’s access to state government and higher education, and the Upstate’s location as a gateway to the mountains, and you have a recipe for high demand. However, if you’re already here, that means equity. CoreLogic, a California-based property and financial data analytics company, analyzed the first-quarter equity data for all 50 states to compare how each state is ebbing and flowing with the national housing market.

$1,900,000,000,000

The value of homeowner equity rose 19.6% between Q1 2020 and Q1 this year, increasing nearly $1.9 trillion in 12 months.

While the national housing market has lured people away from many states as they realized they could work remotely, the South has become a hot market for those looking to get away.

$33,400

Average home equity gained by the average U.S. homeowner over the past year.

State

Yearly change in equity

Virginia

$36,000

North Carolina

$28,000

Tennessee

$27,000

Florida

$26,000

Georgia

$24,000

California gained the most during that time.

South Carolina

$22,000

Alabama

$18,000

Kentucky

$17,000

Louisiana

$17,000

$8,400

$70,900

North Dakota had the lowest equity nationally.

Source: CoreLogic Homeowner Equity Insights

HEARD IN THE

REPORT

A LA CARTE

“I’ll work till I can’t crawl, because I love it. I don’t

have any interest in retiring. I’m not a golf or tennis guy. ... I wake up every morning trying to not let the old man get in.” — Tom Milliken, NAI Columbia senior broker and principal

WEBSITE: www.ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

@CRBR

Premium Peanut is investing $64.3 million to establish operations in Orangeburg County in a move expected to create 130 jobs. The grower-owned peanut shelling company, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Georgia, has a plant shelling capacity of 300,000 tons, or 10% of the U.S. peanut crop, according to a news release from Central SC Alliance. The company, which serves major snack, candy and peanut butter manufacturers in more than 30 countries, added an oil mill in 2018. “Premium Peanut is proud of the value we have been able to create for over 400 grower-owners, in addition to providing quality products to customers around the world,” CEO Karl Zimmer said in the release. “We are thrilled to expand our operations and establish our footprint in South Carolina.” The new facility will increase capacity, with portions of the facility expected to be operational by spring 2022. Growers interested in learning about the company’s cooperative model can contact the company’s buying point representatives, while those interested in employment opportunities can visit the company’s careers webpage. The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. “In addition to creating jobs, Premium Peanut’s new processing facility represents a dynamic value-added opportunity for South Carolina farmers,” S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said. “We’re thrilled at the chance to expand peanut production in the state and welcome Premium Peanut’s investment in our future.”

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SC Biz News Briefs

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Danny McBride and Cassidy Freeman film a scene for HBO’s No. 1 comedy, Righteous Gemstones. The Legislature gave the S.C. Film Commission a $15 million allocation to attract new projects. (Photo/HBO)

CHARLESTON

Charleston Regional Business Journal

SC receives $15M to attract film projects

outh Carolina is doubling down on its investments in the state’s film industry — at least for this year. Thanks to an overflow of admissions tax revenue, the S.C. Legislature has given the S.C. Film Commission an extra $15 million, one-time allocation to help attract new projects. The funds come on top of the commission’s previously allocated $10 million from the state’s general fund, plus 26% of the state’s admission tax revenue, which amounts to roughly $15 million total annually. Production companies are now clamoring to film in the Palmetto State. “I’m dealing with at least four or five projects that are knocking on the door and trying to make it work,” said Dan Rogers, project manager for the film commission. With the extra funding to attract more projects to South Carolina, timing will next determine what series or films can potentially move forward. “Things are timed out for the crew,” Rogers said. “We want to get as many of our locals as possible hired, but if they’re working on a show already, obviously they’re not available.” The commission may never be able to time every project perfectly, but Rogers is trying to work it out so that when one project finishes, another is ready to go immediately after, creating continual, year-round home base work for the state’s crew to transition into. Currently, South Carolina’s film crew has to leave the state between jobs in order to piecemeal together a year’s-worth of work. That’s because as of now, South Carolina is only able to film two major series here due to lack of incentive money. OuterBanks, a Netflix drama about a group of teens searching for buried treasure, just wrapped up season two. HBO’s comedy, The Righteous Gemstones, featuring Danny McBride and John Goodman as televangelists, expects to wrap up filming season two by the end of September. Between the two shows, the majority of South Carolina’s $15 million in rebates is spent, offering a 25% rebate on in-state wages, 30% on in-state suppliers, 20% on all out-of-state wages and 25% on out-of-state suppliers.

With publications in the Upstate, Columbia and Charleston, as well as a statewide magazine, SC Biz News covers the pulse of business across South Carolina. Above are excerpts from our other publications.

Robinson Gray’s Business Team is prepared to represent you anywhere in South Carolina in matters involving commercial real estate, title insurance, corporate and tax law, bankruptcy, banking, and financial services. For more information, contact us at 803.929.1400. Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC

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PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Greg Tedder joins Hussey Gay Bell.

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CURTAINS UP!

VOLUME 27 NUMBER 19 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM

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After nearly 18 months of lost revenue and stalled shows, Charleston’s theaters are ready to return to the stage with health and safety protocols in place. Page 6

South Carolina invests $360 million to widen congested sections of I-26. Page 8

Leadership changes Robert Engelhorn replaces Knudt Flor as BMW CEO and president in South Carolina. Page 10

Tech savvy

Small businesses embrace digital tools to help them survive the pandemic. Page 13

Musicians Christian Zamora, Justin Parrish, John Holenko and Thomas Norris warm up at rehearsals for Charleston Stage’s production of “Bright Star.” (Photo/Teri Errico Griffis)

In the kitchen

Soft skills a key indicator for employee retention

INSIDE

Culinary expert Jenni Ridall helps revive local kitchens. Small Business Spotlight, Page 4

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 Small Business Spotlight ....... 4 In Focus: Information Technology ......11 List: IT Services and Networking Companies ...... 14 At Work ..............................29 Viewpoint ........................... 31

By Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com

So what if he didn’t know the technology? Lesniewski knew he had the skillset to learn it, and that is what set him above the rest of the candidate pool — even those with relevant occupational skills. “People try to make a big deal that I didn’t study software, that I can’t code a website or build an API, but I don’t need to know everything,” Lesniewski said. “I just need to know what brings me to the table and recognize my own strengths, like interpersonal skills, patience and empathy. Those are what earned my seat there.” More and more, workforce experts are finding that soft skills have become critical indicators of individuals who can not only attain employment, but retain it.

Technology companies like BoomTown and Blackbaud on Daniel Island know occupational skills can be taught, but flexibility, problem solving and whether an employee brings kindness and passion to their daily role cannot, said Stephanie Walker, Blackbaud’s vice president of talent acquisition “Organizations have grown to recognize that soft skills and higher emotional intelligence lead to greater success,” Walker said. “It’s not just about completing the task.” Blackbaud Senior Director, Leadership and Culture Monica Mutter said the focus starts in the interview and whether the candidate can tell a story.

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See SKILLS, Page 5

Power List: Banking pros Professional in banking and finance across South Carolina. Special Section begins Page 17

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MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - Melinda Waldrop

September 27 - October 10, 2021

McCutchen House opens to public By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542 MIDLANDS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Senior Account Executive - Lucia Smith lsmith@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7547 MultiMedia Advertising Executive - Amanda Alford aalford@bridgetowermedia.com • 803.726.7540 LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 News Editor - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3124 Research Specialist - Paige Wills pwills@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 Staff Writer - Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3144 Web Editor - Rob Lyle rlyle@scbiznews.com.com • 843.849.3119 UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222 Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269 Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223

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hose searching for another lunch option in downtown Columbia once again have a distinctive choice open to them for the first time in more than two years. The McCutchen House on the University of South Carolina’s Horseshoe opened to the public Sept. 2 for dine-in lunch service for the first time since March 2019. Participants in the university’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management program that serves three-course meals underneath chandeliers and brocade curtains were limited to greeting fellow students, staff, faculty and guests last year. “We’re utilizing all of our tables for the first time in a while,” said Chris Knezevich, instructor of the HRTM 370 course, as he straightened a linen napkin. While the pared-down 2020 and spring 2021 semesters allowed more detailed focus on the students, both Knezevich and his charges were pleased and relieved to be serving the larger community again. Charity Walters, a junior hospitality and management major from Hartsville, greeted guests at the front of the house. Inspired to go into event planning after a childhood spent traveling with her father on business trips, Walters admitted to concern as the COVID-19 pandemic canceled conferences and meetings galore. She started to wonder, “Am I going to be able to get a job in conference and meeting planning like I want to do in the future?” she said. “But just looking at all the positives in the industry and the current trends that are looking like we will start having more (events) — at least there’s something, whether that’s virtual or traditional in-person events.” Ashlyn Ooi, a graduate student from Gilbert, has worked in various McCutchen House positions since the spring of 2019. While she also watched with concern as restaurants closed their doors and transitioned to a business model heavily focused on to-go orders, she’s also confident in the

The McCutchen House on the University of South Carolina’s Horseshoe began serving lunch to the public for the first time since March 2019 on Sept. 2. The program is part of the university’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)

industry’s ability to recover — and in her job prospects as it does. “People love to travel. People love to go out and eat. It might take some time, but it will build back up,” Ooi said. “Now, if you just walk down the street, you can see pretty much everyone is hiring. I think it’ll be a little bit easier for not just myself but anyone who’s graduating in the industry to be able to find a job with a little bit more ease than maybe in the past.” And those jobs may include an increased emphasis on employee safety and well-being than in the past, judging by what Knezevich has heard from recent graduates, including some he’s helped negotiate starting salaries. “We tell our students right now that there’s actually never been a better time to go into the industry,” he said. “We took that little hit for a while, (but now) there’s that labor shortage. It’s really an interesting time for them because they can go out into the industry and ask for higher salaries than they probably were able to before (or) negotiate extra time off. A lot of these places are willing to say yes because they really need our students.” While those concerns loomed on the horizon, the students focused on present-day details, taking orders, filling glasses

of sweet tea and hunting the ketchup pump not seen since last semester. McCutchen House is open from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. A typical day begins with class from 8 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Along with the basics of restaurant operation, Knezevich and his students discuss industry trends, including those fueled by the pandemic. “We talk a lot about strategic leadership in our class,” he said. “We talk a lot about why there’s a labor shortage now and what may have led to that labor shortage, kind of a boiling point that they (the industry) finally hit. How do we handle that going into the industry? We talk about ways to make employees happy, different ways to motivate and retain them.” Students serve rotating roles week to week, from cook to server to the back-ofhouse manager. Once the final guest leaves, they get to eat. Especially busy days can result in doughnuts or an ice cream sundae bar to reward their efforts. “I love making people happy and giving them an experience that they will remember and enjoy,” Walters said before excusing herself to answer the phone ringing in her hand. “It’s just a great way to use my creativity to impact their lives positively.”

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City of Columbia requiring employees to be vaccinated By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

he city of Columbia has unanimously voted to require city employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 1, with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin saying there is a need to protect vulnerable citizens from the coronavirus. With 20,767 COVID-19 cases reported in South Carolina during the seven days prior to the Sept. 7 vote, Benjamin said action must be taken to battle a surge in infections of the contagious delta variant, especially for children under age 12 who are too young to receive a vaccine. Benjamin cited S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control data showing that more than 17,000 children under age 10 have been diagnosed with COVID since S.C. schools reopened in late July, with children under 10 making up 12% of all new COVID cases in the previous six weeks. Those numbers have led to four dozen schools temporarily transitioning to full virtual learning, Benjamin said, citing S.C. Department of Education statistics. “The data’s been daunting,” Benjamin said before Columbia City Council unanimously passed the measure. “The surge in infections among young children is forcing schools to suspend in-person classes and taxing children’s hospitals across the state.

Benjamin

… A public health crisis creates an education crisis, and an education crisis creates an economic crisis. Mom and Dad have to go home to take care of the most important things and the most important

people in their lives.” As of Sept. 1, 4,076 cases have been reported in S.C. public and charter schools, according to DHEC. On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden ordered sweeping federal vaccine requirements. Employers with more than 100 workers would have to require them to be vaccinated or tested for the virus weekly, while employers of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government, along with workers at health facilities receiving federal Medicare or Medicaid, would have to be fully vaccinated. Columbia joined the city of North Charleston, which adopted a mandatory vaccination policy for employees the previous week. Columbia will also give any city employee who is or becomes fully vaccinated a $500 incentive, and will begin requir-

ing COVID testing by or before Nov. 1. In addition, Columbia and West Columbia passed emergency face covering mandates Sept. 8, a day after the city of Cayce adopted a face covering ordinance in response to a request from Lexington Medical Center. Before the Sept. 7 vote, Dr. Roger Caughman Taylor told a Columbia City Council meeting that a wave of pediatric COVID cases has been unlike anything he’s seen in his 35-year pediatric career. Taylor, chair of the Palmetto Health-USC Medical Group Department of Pediatrics and senior medical director at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands, said Prisma pediatric intensive care units in Columbia and Greenville were 100% full on Sept. 7, with pediatric emergency rooms seeing waits of up to five hours. Taylor said the delta variant is highly contagious, putting children too young to be vaccinated at greater risk. Health conditions afflicting S.C. children, including obesity and asthma, exacerbate that risk as adherence to mask-wearing and social distancing lessens, he said. The 2018-19 National Survey of Children’s Health found that South Carolina’s childhood obesity rate was third-worst in the nation, with 22.1% of Palmetto State children ages 10-17 considered obese. The national average was 15.5%.

“More kids are being admitted, and more kids are having it,” Taylor said of the delta variant. “We as human beings have a hard time processing numbers and data, but I can tell you, we are living it. … This is a true emergency.” A DHEC analysis of state hospital data from July 16-Aug. 15 found that of 21,990 reported COVID cases where vaccine status was determined, 85.5% occurred in individuals who were not fully vaccinated. Among the 1,088 of those cases that resulted in hospitalization, 71.6% of people were not fully vaccinated, and 78.4% of the 384 reported deaths occurred among people not fully vaccinated. On Aug. 23, the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, while the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines remain in emergency use authorization status. Moderna has applied for FDA approval, which experts think will be given in the next month or two. City council also approved a one-time COVID hazard pay bonus of as much as $2,500 for eligible employees regardless of vaccination status. “No approach is perfect, (but) this is a strong move in the right direction,” Benjamin said. “This is the carrot. We are encouraging people.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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Soft skills can be key to helping employees find and keep jobs By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

illon Lesniewski majored in history at Clemson University. He never expected his education to transfer to a successful career at a tech company, but after nearly five years of promotions, he is now a product owner at BoomTown, a software company in Charleston. Lesniewski said people often judged his course of study, assuming he’d work at a museum or something else artistic. But history is an underrated major, he said. During his four undergraduate years, he researched, wrote, debated and questioned in ways that translated well to the professional world. So what if he didn’t know the technology? Lesniewski knew he had the skillset to learn it, and that is what set him above the rest of the candidate pool — even those with relevant occupational skills. “People try to make a big deal that I didn’t study software, that I can’t code a website or build an API, but I don’t need to know everything,” Lesniewski said. “I just need to know what brings me to the table and recognize my own strengths, like interpersonal skills, patience and empathy. Those are what earned my seat there.”

More and more, workforce experts are finding that soft skills have become critical indicators of individuals who can not only attain employment, but retain it. Technology companies like BoomTown and Blackbaud on Daniel Island know occupational skills can be taught, but flexibility, problem solving and whether an employee brings kindness and passion to their daily role cannot, said Stephanie Walker, Blackbaud’s vice president of talent acquisition. “Organizations have grown to recognize that soft skills and higher emotional intelligence lead to greater success,” Walker said. “It’s not just about completing the task.” Monica Mutter, Blackbaud senior director of leadership and culture, said the focus starts with the interview. “We ask candidates to describe how they’ve handled different situations in the past and to share more about themselves and their interest,” said. “We look at how they articulate that. It’s our chance to get to know the candidate beyond the resume.” Walker listens to determine if potential employees are passionate about helping customers, creative and able to work well with teammates, and goal-oriented. “These types of soft skills are paramount to ensuring that the candidate is a good match for Blackbaud, and vice versa,” she said.

Prior to his product owner role, Lesniewski worked in BoomTown’s customer service department and eventually became a team lead, hiring often for the constantly rotating team. He ascribed to the same process of candidate evaluation. “If conversation flowed easily, whether a person was talking about their life or their skills, I knew that would translate to someone who could hold a conversation well with clients,” he said. Of a pair of candidates Lesniewski hired, one came from a strong customer support background, but lacked interpersonal skills, while the other transitioned from food and beverage but was extremely congenial. The team expected the candidate with hard skills to flourish, but instead, she quit within a year. The food and beverage worker has thrived and is still with BoomTown three years later. Never underestimate the power of a conversation, Lesniewski said. Even when he’s talking to someone in the hallway about a pet or weekend plans, he’s building personal connections with coworkers. Those relationships not only make his work life more meaningful, but they create a support system when he needs help. Now he’s no longer a random name in an email, but someone trustworthy. The same goes for conversations with clients. “The things that I bring to the table,

others don’t, and it’s important to recognize what you’re there for, versus what others are there for,” Lesniewski said. “I can put myself in the shoes of a 65-yearold real estate agent way better than our developers can. I know how to make a decision and how clients will react.” After years of pushing occupational training, and with 97,000 vacant positions statewide, South Carolina, too, is shifting its focus more equally toward soft skills. This summer, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce started a certification program to recognize six essential soft skills in the workforce: communication, digital literacy, problem solving, professionalism, teamwork and time management. Workers can self-lead or attend an instructional training to earn the S.C. Essential Soft Skills Certificate, said Michelle Paczynski, DEW assistant executive director. Attendees are assessed and must score at a specific level to earn the certificate, which companies throughout the state are starting to recognize. “In a place where many companies still don’t know a year from now where they will be and how they are going to operate, soft skills have become front and center for a candidate to be considered for employment opportunities,” Paczynski said.

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September 27 - October 10, 2021

Embracing digital tools key to small business success during pandemic By Steve McDaniel

smcdaniel@scbiznews.com

nnovation often rises from need, and nowhere was that better illustrated than in the way small businesses learned to navigate the coronavirus pandemic. As well-established business models became suddenly obsolete and customer behavior pivoted almost overnight, many small companies found themselves at a crossroads of crisis. COVID-19 case numbers surged, schools and offices closed, unemployment skyrocketed, and people hunkered down at home. Companies that rely on walk-in traffic and large crowds freely assembling suddenly had none. Traditional revenue streams dried up, and small business owners faced the dire prospect of permanently shutting their doors. While that reality did play out for many, others learned new ways to keep money coming in, employees working and bottom lines not bottoming out. Some of those lessons learned here in South Carolina were discussed in a recent webinar hosted by Charleston-based Connected Commerce Council, a nonprofit that specializes in connecting small businesses with digital tools and resources. The panel included small business owners, Gov. Henry McMaster, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and other economic stake-

holders from across the state. McMaster emphasized public-private collaboration as a key to keeping the economy on a forward trajectory. He pointed to the collaborative space at the University of South Carolina, where researchers and students work hand-inhand with staff of IBM’s data analytics team. Other large corporations such as Samsung, Yaskawa Electric Corp. and Siemens are co-located there. “We can take advantage of this network of collaboration and cooperation that we have in our state, primarily through our small businesses working to find better ways to do things, to be more efficient, more profitable, to help more people with their careers,” McMaster said. Staying aggressive while seeking the right path through the pandemic worked for Harold Hughes, founder of Bandwagon. The Greenville-based startup helps the entertainment industry connect with attendees through data analytics using blockchain technology. “We said, ‘If we’re going to go out of business, let’s go out swinging,’ ” Hughes said. “So we decided to be really aggressive.” Bandwagon acquired IdealSeat, a small-scale ticket platform, to create a sort of competition to EventBrite, a well-known, global ticket platform used by many large and small event creators. Launched during the pandemic when

events were still largely postponed, Bandwagon and IdealSeat have experienced a 212% growth in revenue as event venues have once again begun staging live performances, Hughes said. Mimi Striplin, founder and owner of The Tiny Tassel, a jewelry, clothing and accessory retailer in Charleston, saw traditional revenue streams abruptly stop and knew her team had to reevaluate marketing strategies. While online sales and marketing and reaching established and potential customers through social media isn’t a new strategy, it became a lifeline for small business during the pandemic, especially during the lockdowns of spring and summer 2020. “Being able to use all those digital tools like email marketing, finding different ways to reach our customers through social media, that really connected us with our core customers and allowed us to grow our customer base quite a bit,” Striplin said. Part of the equation for many small businesses during the pandemic was support in the form of federal emergency financial aid and state-level partnerships. Lt. Gov. Evette, a small business founder and owner prior to being elected, remarked about the importance of those partnerships. “We brought in private businesses, local government, state government, federal gov-

ernment, hospital associations, education, manufacturing. We wanted everybody at the table to tell us what we could do to help them,” she said. “We took all of those suggestions and came up with plans that got our state really moving again. It was public-private partnerships that did that.” Accelerate SC was the platform created in response to the needs expressed in meetings with small business owners and others. It was designed as an online access point to federal financial aid, COVID-19 news and policies, and other resources and data to help citizens, local officials and business owners make informed decisions during the pandemic. Carl Blackstone, president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the need to focus on communities outside of the high-growth areas of the state in terms of expanding digital access and infrastructure. “What we have to figure out over the next 10 years, if we’re going to see success, it can’t be just along the coast or Greenville or urban areas of Columbia. We’ve got to permeate those corridors outside the urban marketplace if we really want to develop South Carolina,” he said. “There are selling points to the rural parts of South Carolina, now that remote working is in. It’s an opportunity for us to think differently, but we’ve got to invest in infrastructure and education.”

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State allocates $360 million to widen I-26 By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

tatewide traffic has increased by nearly 30% in the last decade, with more than 22 million vehicles per year traveling Interstate 26 between Columbia and Charleston. To alleviate congestion, South Carolina is accelerating plans to widen key portions of the highway between the capital city and the Holy City, allocating $360 million from the state’s share of American Rescue Act funding, Gov. Henry McMaster said. “Interstate 26 was built more than 60 years ago,” S.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Christy Hall said in a statement. “Since that time, traffic has increased and this segment of South Carolina’s interstate network has become plagued with congestion, delays and accidents on a routine basis.” Original plans to widen the highway — previously determined by SCDOT to be high priority — projected widening 30 miles in various phases through 2029 and 2030, Hall said. Funding access has allowed the state to push the project up by six years. “This proposal utilizes a one-time

With funding secured, plans to widen key sections of the highway between Charleston and Columbia have been expedited by six years. (Photo/File)

funding boost of $360 million to pull the widening work forward, enabling the bulk of the widening to go to contract over the next three-four years, including some road work that is poised to start

next year,” Hall said. The money will help fast-track the state’s economic growth and improve quality of life for residents McMaster said. “Everywhere you look, South Carolina

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is growing — families and businesses are moving here and more people are visiting every day,” he said. “We must have the infrastructure necessary to support that growth, and this investment would be a major step in that direction.” April Allen, S.C. Manufacturers Alliance board chair, said Interstate 26 provides critical infrastructure necessary for the state’s import and export of goods and services. “To maintain and growing our business to meet the demand of our customers, we must have the ability to move our raw materials, our finished products both domestically and internationally,” Allen said. Shawn Godwin, S.C. Trucking Association board chair and CEO and owner of Kershaw-based paving contractor Palmetto Corp., said I-26 provides a vital transportation artery for businesses across the state. “I-26 is truly the most important South Carolina-centric interstate corridor within our state, having enabled the development of growth in international and domestic economy like no other route in the state,” he said.

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Study finds optimism, lingering concerns among small business By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

s the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit wound down earlier this month, a new report reflected growing optimism among S.C. small businesses, while another study pointed to a continued labor shortage in the state. Following up on a February survey, Facebook’s September Global State of Small Business Report found that 73% of S.C. small business owners are confident in their ability to stay open for at least 12 months, 9% higher than the national average and an 11% increase from February numbers. Higher sales were reported by 52% of state businesses, a 23% increase since February. The results, based on a survey conducted between July and August with responses from 35,189 business leaders across 30 countries and territories, also show that S.C. women-owned businesses are faring better than earlier this year, with 43% reporting higher sales. Worldwide, both men- and women-led small businesses reported a 28% increase in sales performance in the last 30 days. In addition to the February survey, Facebook collected data six times throughout 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic left many business owners searching for customers and revenue. “At every single point, the self-reported optimism for small businesses has actually been pretty high, but you are seeing some really strong numbers from South Carolina,” said Diana Doukas, manager for economic impact at Facebook. A study released Sept. 15 by CareerCloud, however, pointed to a continuing labor shortage in the state. The study, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and online job platforms Indeed, ZipRecruiter and CareerBuilder, found that South Carolina ranks 23rd in the country with 0.93 job openings per unemployed person. Nationwide, the study found that while the number of unemployed Americans fell to 8.3 million through Sept. 8, a record 10.9 million jobs remained unfilled. “It’s been difficult since March 2020 for small businesses,” said Frank Knapp, president and CEO of the S.C. Small Business Chamber of Commerce. “A lot of them got through it OK. A lot of them didn’t. A lot of them have gone out of business. That especially impacted minority business owners and women.” The Facebook study found that global closure rates among small business fell to 18% from 24% at the start

Small businesses in S.C., like the ones lining the alley in the 1600 block of Main Street in downtown Columbia, are expressing optimism in a new survey conducted by Facebook. Seventy-three percent are confident in their ability to stay open for at least 12 months, the survey found. (Pnoto/Melinda Waldrop)

of 2021, but remained higher than the 16% reported in October 2020. Worldwide, 52% of businesses continued to report a decrease in sales. In the U.S., closure rates dropped to 16%, with 34% of small businesses reporting lower sales than a year ago. But minority-led small businesses were more likely to report closures (20% to 13%), a drop in sales for the most recent 30-day year-over-year period (44% to 29%) and reduced employment (32% to 20%) than other businesses. Hispanic-led small businesses had the U.S.’s highest closure rate at 24%, while Black-led businesses reported a 22% closure rate. The biggest concerns facing small businesses worldwide are lack of demand and cash flow, with 35% and 33% of respondents in the Facebook study, respectively, highlighting those issues. “Access to capital — how many decades have we been talking about that?” Knapp said. “You look at the data and you figure out why. We have 68% fewer banks in this country than in 1980. With fewer banks, you have more demand at those banks. What for-profit bank or credit union for that matter wants to make a $10,000 startup loan?” Knapp said that while Community Development Financial Institutions, chartered to lend to underserved communities, can help expand access

to capital for small businesses, the U.S. Small Business Administration could play a bigger role. “Let them take the risk and then farm out the administration to a CDFI,” Knapp said. “Give the SBA a pot of money every year from Congress, say $3 billion, (and) say, ‘OK, SBA, your job is try to make some sort of responsible way of deciding who wants a startup loan, say under $20,000, and they would be in underserved communities.’ … We need another entity that is going to make these small, risky loans.” A resource small businesses are using in larger numbers to combat challenges is increasing their digital presence, according to the Facebook survey. The study found 88% of small businesses were using digital tools, comparted to 81% at the start of the year. In South Carolina, 45% of small businesses reported that at least a fourth of their sales came from their digital presence, a jump of 7% since February. Facebook has “doubled down” on efforts to boost that growth, Doukas said, providing $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to businesses in more than 30 countries through its Small Business Grants Program. On Oct. 1, the company will launch a receivables program called Invoice Fast Track, in which Facebook will commit $100 million to buying up

outstanding invoices from around 30,000 women- and minority-owned businesses to allow owners faster access to capital. “That turnaround time between receiving payment for an invoice for the work you’ve done can really be a struggle for small businesses,” Doukas said. For a fixed fee, “Facebook will turn that invoice around very quickly in a matter of days. You have access to that money. When third-party entity pays you back, we work with a partner to use that money to go back into the sustainable fund to continue to support small businesses.” Facebook will also soon launch the Good Idea Exchange, Doukas said, which will promote interaction and conversation between small businesses and industry leaders. The company also offers personalized advertising and tools such as its online shops, customizable ecommerce sites on Facebook and Instagram where businesses can highlight up to 30 products and transactions can be conducted onsite. “Before the pandemic, there was foot traffic. You could rely on the person walking into your store,” Doukas said. “Then to have to transition online, to create something very similar, you needed to find alternative ways to communicate to your customers.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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Pandemic effects on commercial markets vary By Jim Tatum

jtatum@scbiznews.com

he state’s commercial real estate sector seems to have not only weathered the COVID-19 pandemic but the pandemic has helped drive some positive change, say several commercial real estate leaders. The lease office space market has been of particular interest, as the onset of the pandemic saw most companies shutter offices and send employees home to work. Now, 18 months later, questions swirl as to whether the office market will grow, tank, or completely metamorphose. David Lockwood, executive vice president and COO of commercial real estate firm Colliers International’s Columbia office, noted that, while

the lease office space market did experience some turbulence, it was not as severe in Columbia, or in South Carolina, as in other areas of the country. There are several possible explanations for this, he said. For one, the office space markets in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville/ Spartanburg are generally considered third-tier markets largely driven by local businesses, he said. In Columbia, especially, much of the existing inventory is occupied by government agencies and the vendors who work with them. So, while national companies with local footprints or companies with niche functions have reduced or may reduce their footprint, many locals who represent significant parts of the market, at least in Columbia, have not.

Another important point, Lockwood said, is that the pandemic forced companies and industries to take a hard look at their operations and make proactive decisions and positive changes. As a result, most companies have not only learned to deal with the day-to-day uncertainty that COVID represents but are doing well. “They don’t want to be distracted with the logistics and cost associated with relocation,” he said. “They never gave up their space, they may not be at full capacity, but they have pretty much held onto their space.” One niche that did suffer was large call center/customer service-type facilities, spaces occupied by 500-700 workers. As those facilities are difficult to upfit for other functions, and given the current high cost of construction,

many facilities are sitting empty and may not come back online. Jeff Hein, senior broker and principal with NAI Columbia, said he believes the lease office space sector has held its own. “The office leasing side has definitely been interesting,” Hein noted. “One multi-tenant building we have in the St. Andrews area had an 85% occupancy this time last year; it’s now at 100%. On the other hand, we had a tech company that wound up reducing their office space by about half when they renewed.” In spite of the relative volatility, leasing prices, while taking a dip in 2020, have risen again and seem to be holding steady, Hein said. Currently, the Columbia area has more sublease space available than it did in 2020, he

September 27 - October 10, 2021

said. “Office obviously has been affected in a major way,” Tombo Milliken, senior broker and principal with NAI Columbia, said. “Columbia’s a little bit isolated and insulated with the government and the university. You don’t see the wild swings that you do, even in Greenville or Charleston, or certainly other places. Columbia’s a steady market. The office market has been shaken up pretty good, but I think it’s starting to return to some normalcy.” Between scarce inventory and skyrocketing construction costs, industrial space in Columbia is at a premium. Because of that, larger construction projects, such as a 60,000-square-foot spec building in the 113-acre Lightwood Industrial Park, are moving quickly. The latest industrial project by Columbia-based Magnus Development, a 181,440-square-foot building in the Lexington County Industrial Park, leased 68,040 square feet preconstruction in August. “Today’s industrial vacancy rate in central South Carolina is nearing historic lows, and it is becoming more difficult to find well-located, flexible industrial buildings such as the 321 Logistics building,” said Kevin Werner, partner with Magnus Development. The retail segment, meanwhile, seems to be recovering. According to a second-quarter market report by Colliers,

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www.columbiabusinessreport.com 13

“Columbia’s a little bit isolated and insulated with the government and the university. You don’t see the wild swings that you do, even in Greenville or Charleston, or certainly other places.” Tombo Milliken Senior broker and principal, NAI Columbia

the Columbia retail market struggled during the pandemic, showing few new deliveries and negative absorption, but posted positive overall absorption for the first half of 2021, with a mid-year vacancy rate of 5.72%. During the second quarter of 2021, most retail activity was in service-oriented businesses, according to the report.

Upstate market recovering

Mark Griffin, Principal and CEO of Sperry Global Commercial Affiliates/ Griffin Partners in Greenville, said vacant office space increased sharply in the last year. Net absorption in Greenville County went from around minus-50,000 square feet in the second quarter of 2020 to around minus228,000 square feet in the second quarter of 2021. With more than 34 million square feet of existing commercial space in Greenville and Spartanburg counties, this negative absorption trend is concerning, Griffin said.

“The overall commercial vacancy rate between second quarter 2020 and second quarter 2021 went from around 11% to around 16% to 17%,” Griffin said. “Office space definitely took the a major hit in the Upstate due to the pandemic.” One other major indicator of this is the increase in vacant office sublease space in Greenville County, which increased from around 130,000 square feet in Q2 2020 to 309,000 square feet in Q2 2021.” That said, the market seems to be recovering. Companies are watching bottom lines, and some have found that a telecommute operations model can save money; however, they have to balance that with the advantages of a central work space, collaboration and accountability, Griffin said. Smaller start-ups are moving into smaller 92,000-to 10,000-square foot-spaces, which are moving quickly. Existing companies that had initial-

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ly downsized are slowly transitioning back to central office spaces. “I don’t think the 100% telecommute model will be a permanent situation,” Griffin said. “I think a hybrid model — being referred to as ‘flex office space’ or a hybrid telecommute — will probably ultimately become the new normal at least for the foreseeable future.” On a positive note, investor and owner/occupant demand for office buildings has increased, driving capitalization rates to all-time lows and acquisition price per square foot of smaller existing freestanding office buildings to record highs. This trend is exacerbated by increases in construction materials. labor shortages and lower interest rates. Another factor is an influx people moving to the area and purchasing existing businesses, Griffin said. “Fifty percent of what we do is selling businesses,” Griffin said. “We’re seeing a lot of folks who are (moving) to the Southeast looking to purchase an established business with a building rather than starting from scratch. Meanwhile, there are a lot of people that have decided that now is time to sell their business due to the rise in materials and costs of goods sold as well as baby boomers simply looking to retire, which in turn is creating opportunity for growth.”

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20 | Volume 13, No.

IN FOCUS: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

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September 27 - October 10, 2021

Commercial Real Estate Firms Ranked by No. of Commercial Brokers in the Columbia Area

Comm. Brokers / Offices / Current Listings /

Company

Phone / Website / Email

Top Local Official(s) / Year Founded

Southern Visions Real Estate 955 Old Cherokee Road Lexington, SC 29072

803-359-9571 www.svrealty.com info@svrealty.com

Robert P. Wilkins 1986

25 1 97

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Colliers International 1301 Gervais St., Suite 600 Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-2300 www.colliers.com

David C. Lockwood 1906

20 1 268

Flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

NAI Columbia 807 Gervais St., Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29201

803-254-0100 www.naicolumbia.com abruning@naicolumbia.com

Jonathan A. Good 2019

20 1 222

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Wilson Kibler 1111 Laurel St. Columbia, SC 29201

803-255-8611 www.wilsonkibler.com frontdesk@wilsonkibler.com

Jeremy Wilson, Haskell Kibler, Alyse Howard 1987

20 1 325

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Trinity Partners - COLA LLC 1556 Main St. Columbia, SC 29201

803-567-5454 www.trinity-partners.com bharper@trinity-partners.com

Bruce Harper 2018

12 1 250

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

CBRE Inc. 1333 Main St., Suite 210 Columbia, SC 29201

803-779-7777 www.cbre.us/o/columbia

Stephen B. Smith 1998

7 1 55

Flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Cypress Commercial & Investment Real Estate 3101 Devine St. Columbia, SC 29205

803-834-7014 www.cypresscommercial.com jharrison@cypresscommercial.com

James C. Harrison, III 2009

5 1 26

Flex, health care, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

DeWees Real Estate Group 907 Elmwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29201

803-766-0900 www.deweesreg.com info@deweesreg.com

Sam DeWees 2018

4 1 -

Income-producing, industrial, land, office, retail

Dial Dunlap & Edwards LLC 115 Commercial Drive Columbia, SC 29212

803-799-6244 www.dderealestate.com kedwards@dderealestate.com

Michael C. Edwards, Kathy H. Edwards 1985

3 1 50

Income-producing, land, restaurant, retail

The McCallum Co. LLC 4875 Forest Drive, Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29206

803-787-2770 mackcallum@aol.com

Charles L. McCallum 1927

3 1 15

Income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office

ROI Commercial 1300 Sumter St., Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29201

801-900-8020 www.roicommercialsc.com info@roicommercialsc.com

Sherri Burriss, George Meetze, Billy Way 2017

3 1 -

Agricultural, flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Century 21 The Moore Group LLC 1480 Sims St. Orangeburg, SC 29115

803-531-2400 www.c21themooregroup.com jkees@c21themooregroup.com

Libby Bryant, Cal Bruner 1997

2 1 62

Flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, sports, entertainment, warehouse

Cushman & Wakefield Thalhimer 3201 Devine St., Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29205

803-306-5790 www.thalhimer.com info@thalhimer.com

Brian J. Young 1913

2 1 10

Flex, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Great Southern Corp. 1201 Hampton St., Suite 2B Columbia, SC 29201

803-252-4222 www.greatsoutherncorporation.com greatsouthcorp@fostersaad.com

Saundra J. Sloan 1999

2 2 8

Industrial, office, retail, warehouse

Arnold Companies 700 Gervais St., Suite 275 Columbia, SC 29201

803-731-4321 www.arnoldfamilycorp.com kklosterman@arnoldfamilycorp.com

Shelly W. Little 1994

1 1 14

Flex, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Fitzpatrick Properties LLC 1728 Main St. Columbia, SC 29201

803-931-0055 fitz_prop@sc.rr.com

T. Houston Fitzpatrick 1998

1 1 15

Flex, health care, hotel, motel, income-producing, industrial, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail, warehouse

Turner Properties 3790 Fernandina Road, Suite 105 Columbia, SC 29210

803-407-8522 www.turnerproperties.com info@turnerproperties.com

Chris Turner 2007

1 1 4

Office

W.S. Commercial Real Estate LLC 140 White Oak Lane Lexington, SC 29073

803-731-9494 www.wscrealestate.com

William F. Smith 1985

1 1 25

Agricultural, flex, health care, income-producing, land, multifamily, office, restaurant, retail

Holder Properties 1221 Main St., Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29201

803-451-4701 www.holderproperties.com

Friend Gray 1980

2 3

Multifamily, office

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com.

Types of Properties

Researched by Paige Wills

September 27 - October 10, 2021

IN FOCUS: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

www.columbiabusinessreport.com 15

Columbia mortgage lender relocating to Vista By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

esource Financial Services Inc. has acquired 708 Lady St., the former location of Carolina Ale House, to be redeveloped into its new headquarters. Bruce Harper, managing partner of Trinity Partners, represented the Colum-

bia-based mortgage lender in the $1.85 million transaction. The property’s front building was subdivided for the redevelopment, expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2022. “We are excited to play a role in the continued growth and success of Resource Financial Services and to have the opportunity to transform a former restaurant

into a first-class office space with a rooftop venue overlooking Columbia’s skyline,” Harper said in a news release from Trinity Partners. Resource Financial will retain its former Devine Street headquarters for future expansion, according to the release. “We serve borrowers in 12 states, but Columbia has always been our home

base,” Wade Douroux, president and CEO of Resource Financial Services, said. “We’ve loved our quiet building on Devine Street, but with the rapid growth we’ve seen over the past six years, we needed something much larger. Moving into Columbia’s historic Vista, right in the heart of things, is a perfect match for our fast-paced company.”

Takosushi returning to downtown with Arcade location By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

outhwest and Asian fusion restaurant Takosushi will open a Columbia location this fall in The Arcade building. The Georgia-based restaurant features an eclectic menu including sushi, potstickers, nachos, quesadillas, soups and salads. Takosushi has additional S.C. locations in Aiken and Greenville. Trinity Partners’ Rob Lapin, director of brokerage services, represented Takosushi in the lease of the 2,533-square-

foot space in the downtown building at 1332 Main St., home to tenants including Swanson’s Deli and Odd Bird Books. “People are hungry — for both interesting food and unique experiences,” Lapin said in a news release. “The city of Columbia has a thriving food scene, and it’s not slowing down. Takosushi is a welcome addition to the city and brings something new to the table, offering an adventurous, creative menu and atmosphere.” Takosushi closed an Assembly Street location in November 2019, citing unsafe building conditions.

A post on the restaurant’s website featured a “Breaking News” image with a comment reading “It’s happening!” and featuring hashtags including #wereback.

Northeast retail development reaches 100% occupancy

A new retail development at 2708 Clemson Road has reached 100% occupancy. The 8,225-square-foot, multi-tenant retail building includes East Bay Deli, Pacific Dental Services and Alpha Nail Spa. The property, originally 2.7 acres,

was divided into two retail parcels, with 1.1 acres sold in 2020 for the development of National Tire and Battery. NAI Columbia developed the multi-tenant building on the remaining 1.6 acres. “This was a great project that took several years to come to fruition,” Ben Kelly, senior broker and principal at NAI Columbia, said in a news release. “This development required collaboration with the adjoining apartment developer, which was critical to both projects being developed.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

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IN FOCUS: COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

BROKERS, from Page 1

to medium-sized market he specialized in made him rethink his career. Though the commercial real estate market was still depressed from the Great Recession of 2008, he decided to make the move — slowly. “It took us one year to come to an agreement,” said Tom Milliken, who didn’t want any potential business disagreements to trickle down into family life. “The first six months or so it was just once a month, and then we started having longer and more serious conversations. I will say in going on 11 years we’ve not had a disagreement over real estate in this entire time, because we really thought it through.” The Millikens’ professional partnership is a manifestation of a personal connection to the outdoors that began when Tom Milliken started working for his father, a consulting forester, in high school. That experience taught him how to calculate land and timber values and fostered a lifelong love for the land. “I grew up where table talk was the outdoors (and) with unbelievable opportunities to visit properties,” said Tom Milliken, whose license plate reads ACREAGE and who often takes his grandchildren hunting for deer or duck on his farm. That affection for acreage is an inherited trait in the Milliken family — no relation, by the way, to Upstate Millikens of textile fame and wealth. “If it’s on dirt, we’re probably dealing with it,” Tombo Milliken said. “I’ve always said that we may be on the Congaree River showing property, looking at an alligator and a cottonmouth that morning, and we may be working with economic and commerce (departments) in the afternoon.” Tom Milliken helped ensure that contacts in any sphere would remember his son’s name when he decided to call him after a good friend’s brother. “When he was very little, we threw Tombo at him, and it picked up,” Tom said. “When you have a name like that when you call somebody, it’s pretty unique. You don’t know another Tombo.”

Behind the big deals

The Millikens took a recent jaunt to scout what Tombo calls “a classic Milliken property,” nearly 400 acres in Fairfield County. The land is, as Tombo says, “in the path of progress” at an I-77 interchange across the road from the Fairfield County Industrial Park between Northeast Columbia and Charlotte. “It could be commercial, the prime corner,” Tombo Milliken said. “It could be residential one day. It’s one of those that could go any number of ways.” Like many of the properties that attract the Millikens’ attention, Tom Milliken has a history with it and its owner. “When I started with this company almost 46 years ago, that was one of the very first showings I ever went on,” Tom

Tombo Milliken (above, driving vehicle) and father Tom Millken scout each property they list. Their research includes a detailed Milliken Map Study (right). (Photos/Ashley Wright for NAI Columbia)

said. “It was a cattle farm, an old pasture. The gentleman who owned it lived across the street from me here in Columbia.” Managed for timber for many years, the property is being sold by a new owner is looking to attract investment, and the Millikens are on the hunt to find it. The father-son team goes about such tasks in several ways. Some assemblages, like the Blythewood Industrial Park and the 800-acre Pineview Industrial Park now home to Mark Anthony Brewing’s $400 million production facility in addition to China Jushi, are put together at the request of county or state economic development organizations. Another high-profile area project, the 500 acres now occupied by Nephron Pharmaceutical Corp. and an Amazon distribution center in West Columbia, was quietly assembled by Tom Milliken for Lexington County. The Millikens also work on behalf of private clients in search of commercial, industrial, residential, mixed-use, timberland and recreational properties. Another Fairfield County property has been sold to Luck Stone Corp., a natural stone exporter with a plant in Kershaw County, which has applied for a permit to mine granite on 500 acres. The pair has also become heavily involved in recent years with utility-scale solar projects. The team also works on land mitigation projects, some of which involve dozens of properties and stakeholders and require more than a working knowledge of legal, environmental and other issues. The Millikens assembled land and represented the seller of more than 2,500 acres at Goodwill Plantation in Eastover in a multimillion-dollar mitigation plan created to offset the future environmental impact of Haile Gold Mine. The mine acquired the land at Goodwill Plantation, once the largest inland

working rice plantation on the East Coast, for $20 million, in addition to Rainbow Ranch and Cook’s Mountain (1,131 acres, $3.8 million) in a multifaceted deal that took four years to complete. More than 400 representatives of state and federal agencies, environmental groups, and the general public took 41 day-long tours of the sprawling land that is now part of the public-use Wateree River Heritage Preserve. “(Haile Gold Mine) was in the middle of assembling land,” Tombo Milliken said. “They had 83 properties with 69 landowners (and) a plan on the table that was not very popular with anyone. We were Plan B. (The deal) kind of satisfied everyone to the extent that everyone could be satisfied, including the public.”

‘I’ll work till I can’t crawl’

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to the Millikens’ job of making as many folks as happy as possible, but also some benefits. There has been an uptick in people looking for rural recreational property, while residential interest in Lexington and Richland counties remains strong, the team said. The office market, “shaken up pretty good,” is “starting to return to some normalcy,” Tombo Milliken said, while the retail market, which came to a screeching halt, is recovering. Land demand has only increased, and the industrial market continues to see inventory shortages as the need for production and distribution space has continued unabated. The pandemic is the latest challenge the Millikens have met together, merging their different though complementary styles. While Tombo’s cell phone scarcely stops ringing, Tom describes himself as more old-fashioned, though his son says he’s equally competitive. “Tombo and I work a lot different. He works a lot of things at one time,” Tom Milliken said. “As my years go on, I work large properties. Tombo — he’s where I was 25 to 30 years ago with the phone

September 27 - October 10, 2021

ringing off the hook, just busy busy busy, from the time he wakes up in the morning, emails flying, texts. That’s not me anymore.” The pair decide from the outset who is spearheading each deal they tackle. “We have one lead dog on every project,” Tombo said. “It’s usually just whoever’s got the relationship with somebody. …. But if you get two lead dogs on one thing, they usually just end up kind of barking at each other, and you never get anything done.” Whoever is leading the charge, every Milliken project begins with the same detailed analysis, compiled by NAI Columbia’s research specialist. “We do what’s known up here as a Milliken Map Study,” Tom said. “Before Tombo and I even go look at a piece of property, (the research specialist) does a nine-page package for us. When we go to look at a piece of property, we’ve got a recent aerial, an older aerial, a topography map, a soil map, wetlands indicators, flood plain. Before we even get to a piece of property, we know what we’re looking for, because we’ve studied those maps. “We may know more about it than the landowner because they inherited it or they live out of state or they’re not outdoorsmen. … And if we list a piece of property, we go walk it. We find the corners. We find where the wetlands are, if there’s any issues.” At age 77, Tom Milliken intends to keep taking those walks for quite a while. “I’ll work till I can’t crawl, because I love it,” he said. “I don’t have any interest in retiring. I’m not a golf or tennis guy. ... I wake up every morning trying to not let the old man get in.” Both Millikens find the most satisfaction in knowing they’ve helped clients find something suited to their needs, even if it sometimes takes a few showings to pinpoint what those needs are. “There’s something about getting a phone call, or somebody comes in and sits down and tells us what they want, and two years later, you’re at a closing table, and they’re so excited that you’ve narrowed this whole wide world down to one piece of property or a group of properties,” Tombo said. For Tom Milliken, his half century of success has been a matter of balancing an equation. “What I’ve done all my life is gamble my time,” he said. “When you do these assemblages, you don’t know whether they’re going to close until the day they close. We work strictly on commission, and our work, on a daily basis, is all or none. “In my mind, I have a little expression: putting a want and a need together. It’s very satisfying to have somebody ask you to sell something for them or find something they have in mind, and you go out and find what they want.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

27 - October 10, 2021 September 20 3, 2021

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2021 BANKING

POWER LIST

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September September27 20--October October10, 3, 2021

PRESENTING THE 2021

BANKING POWER LIST By Andy Owens

aowens@scbiznews.com

ccess to capital. Those three words have always represented the lifeblood of small businesses in South Carolina and across the U.S. Nothing became more important during the first phase of the pandemic than cash flow. Our reporting on the Paycheck Protection Program rollout and the extraordinary role that bankers of all sizes played in ensuring that small- and medium-sized businesses in the Palmetto State stayed operational led the editorial team at SC Biz News to launch our Power List project with banking and financial sector professionals. In the following pages, you’re going to see the people we picked from across South Carolina as the key power players in the banking sector. These individuals represent small clients as well as billions in assets and investment capital.

One question we’re sure to get asked is how did we select these individuals? Our editorial team across the state consulted with businesses and trade associations and looked at data points to assemble this list. The key ingredient to picking the Top 5 for our Power List: Banking Professionals is a commitment to the business community and an understanding that access to capital, regardless of circumstance, drives the economy and culture of South Carolina. All of these bankers are extraordinary, and we felt the Top 5 distinguished themselves as economic ambassadors for our state and their sector. This is a list of eternal optimists who sit across from small business owners and entrepreneurs, showing them the options they have and a path to achieve their goals for their businesses, families and communities. Please join me in congratulating these individuals in print and online.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. MICHAEL C. “MIKE” CRAPPS

2. DAVID E. ANDERSON

3. SHARON W. BRYANT

4. ERIC WALL

5. K. WAYNE WICKER

HONOREES CONTINUED

MICHAEL C. “MIKE” CRAPPS

urrently CEO and director of First Community Bank, which he helped found in 1995, Mike Crapps has led the company through four banks and two lines of business acquisitions. First Community Bank is now the fourth-largest bank in South Carolina and the largest headquartered in Columbia, with 21 offices, more than $1.5 billion in assets and three major lines of business. The bank’s focus has always been on serving local businesses, organizations and professional practices. First Community Bank serves three primary markets in the Midlands and Upstate of South Carolina and the Augusta region, handling three lines of business, commercial and retail banking, residential mortgage loans and financial planning/investment advisory. Crapps has served in a variety of leadership roles, including on the boards of the S.C. Bankers Association, Business Develpment Corp. and Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Past community leadership roles include serving on the boards of the

Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Saluda Shoals Park Foundation, American Cancer Society, Second Century Society and Columbia Clemson Club. Crapps currently serves on the Clemson University Foundation board of directors, Clemson University IPTAY board of directors, Midlands Business Leadership Group and Business Development Corp. He has been recognized for his achievements throughout his career, from being named 1997’s Young Banker of the Year and one of the 50 Most Influential in the Midlands multiple years. He has also received the American Cancer Society’s St. George National Award in 2003. In addition, First Community Bank has been recognized multiple times as Best Bank, Best Mortgage Lender, a Best Place to Work in South Carolina and a best SBA lender. Crapps earned a bachelor’s in economics from Clemson University and an MBA from the University of South Carolina. He is a graduate of the Louisiana State University Banking School of the South.

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POWER LIST

DAVID E. ANDERSON

avid E. Anderson, president and CEO of Anderson Brothers Bank in Mullins since 1993, leads by example — in his bank, in the Pee Dee, and in the state’s banking industry. Having been in banking since 1981, his career illustrates the advantages of, and need for, the local hometown bank. This was especially exemplified by his innovative leadership with the federal Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic. By encouraging staff and loan officers to actively seek local area businesses that were unable to get answers or assistance in applying for these loans with their own financial institutions, Anderson’s approach resulted in many business being able to operate successfully during a time when many others were shutting down. “We originated more than $92 million in Phase I and more than $45 million in Phase II loans,” Anderson said. “This obviously kept local retailers from having to lay off any staff and helped sustain the economy until they could begin operating fully.” Midyear 2021 S.C. Bank Performance Report showed Anderson Brothers Bank as No. 1 for Return On Equity and No. 1 in Net Interest Income. Anderson says his philosophy is to hire the best in a field and then empower them to use their talents without interference. Or, to quote his grandfather, bank founder E.L. Anderson, “The secret to success is to hire proper management and keep them.” Anderson is a 1979 graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned his Bachelor of Finance and Economics. He attended the S.C. Bankers School in1983; Graduate School of Banking of the South in 1986 and College for Financial Planning in 1986. He served as vice president of Anderson Brothers Bank from 1981 to 1993 and has served as president and CEO from 1993 to present. He has been director of Anderson Brothers Bank since 1981 and served as director of Anderson State Bank from 1986 to 2000, when it merged with Anderson Brothers Bank.

RE ACHING YOUR BANKER SHOULDN’ T BE A RE ACH. We know what it’s like to put heart and soul into the success of your venture. That’s why we focus on partnering with local business owners and professionals. And being a true partner means unrivaled accessibility and sophisticated ﬁnancial solutions delivered with a customer-ﬁrst attitude.

ME MB E R F DIC FCB 210801 SC BIZ AD-final.indd 1

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POWER LIST

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SHARON W. BRYANT

ith more than 30 years of banking, fiduciary and investment services experience, Sharon W. Bryant is First Citizens Bank’s S.C. Regional Executive Vice President, responsible for retail, business and commercial banking in South Carolina, Northeast Georgia, Augusta and Savannah. Bryant first joined the company in 1999 as executive vice president and director of human resources. She served as executive vice president and division executive from 2001-2010. In 2010, she assumed the dual roles of regional executive vice president for Central South Carolina and director of the Bank’s Wealth Advisory Group — a division with more than $2.7 billion in assets under management — while continuing to serve as president of First Citizens Securities. In 2012, she was named South Carolina banking executive prior to being named South Carolina regional executive vice president in 2014. Bryant also has served in many leadership roles outside of banking. Currently, she chairs the Central Carolina Community Foundation, is vice chair of City Center Partnership and serves on the boards of the Palmetto Business Forum, Business Development Corp., Riverbanks Society, S.C. State Museum Commission and the Palmetto Club. Past service includes the boards of Home Works, Midlands Business Leadership Group, Greater Columbia and S.C. State Chambers of Commerce, S.C. Bankers Association, S.C. Arts Foundation, Midlands Technical College Foundation and S.C. Student Loan Corporation, to name a few. Bryant earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of the South at Sewanee and is a licensed securities representative and principal. She is a recipient of the Girl Scouts of America’s Women of Distinction award, the YWCA’s Tribute to Women in Industry award, a winner of the Chamber of Commerce’s Athena award, a 1995 graduate of Leadership Columbia, a founding member of Women in Philanthropy. Bryant is also a Junior League sustainer, a recipient of First Citizens Chairman’s Circle Award and the Junior League of the Midlands Lifetime Achievement Award and, most recently, a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto.

firstcitizens.com

Forever strong. Forever First. ®

Choose a bank you can count on to help you look after your money. And your future. There’s one essential rule about banking: Money needs to be protected, nurtured and grown. Because looking after your money is looking after your future. At First Citizens Bank, we believe in creating smart, steady and stable growth. For our company. And for the customers who count on us to stay by their side through the years – and generations – to come. First Citizens Bank. Forever First.

Member FDIC

September 27 - October 10, 2021

Congratulations to Senior Vice President and Marketing Director, Eric Wall for being named to SC Biz’s financial services Power List, recognizing the 30 most influential bankers throughout South Carolina. Eric’s commitment to the Bank of Travelers Rest family and his community is second to none. Congrats, Eric. Well deserved!

www.columbiabusinessreport.com 21

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POWER LIST

September September27 20--October October10, 3, 2021

ERIC WALL

ric Wall’s approach to marketing is a blend of creative thinking backed by strong analytical data. He keeps a finger on the pulse of the community and works to match the right ideas to help further connect the bank to the customer, the customer to the community and the community to the bank. Wall is a banker known for his ability to connect organizations within the community and for his focus on ensuring those in the financial services industry operate as good neighbors within their communities. Whether it’s connecting nonprofits with mutually beneficial relationships or helping fellow bankers invest their passion and skill in civic groups, Wall is constantly working to forge partnerships. Nowhere can his work be better seen than in his careerlong commitment to Mental Health America. Through meager years, he solicited financial support to ensure the agency could continue to meet the needs of its clients, many of whom have chronic mental health issues. He is a champion for the organization, specifically for its work to provide housing, financial assistance and representation for some of the community’s most vulnerable populations. Wall describes his efforts as, “Whether you find yourself needing situational mental support or living with a debilitating mental illness, you deserve an ear to listen and an agency that meets you where you need us.” Wall has earned a variety of certifications, including Certified Credit Union Executive, an intensive three-year program. He also has completed ABA’s Bank Marketing School and is preparing to test to become a Certified Financial Marketing

K. WAYNE WICKER

Professional. Wall strives to increase financial literacy within the community, including in schools, community groups and at local events. His efforts put a face on the Bank of Travelers Rest brand, and he has a can-do attitude that is summarized by one of his favorite sayings: “I may not have the answer, but I’ll stick with you until we both get what you need.”

. Wayne Wicker serves as chairman of the board and CEO of South Atlantic Bancshares Inc., and South Atlantic Bank. He is a veteran banker with more than 30 years of experience in Myrtle Beach and other South Carolina markets. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from The Citadel and has completed The Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University and the S.C. Bankers School at the University of South Carolina. Wicker serves on a variety of state and local boards, including his recent election as chairman of the S.C. Bankers Association. In 2018, he was appointed by the governor to serve as a board member of the S.C. Board of Financial Institutions. He currently serves on the membership committee of the American Bankers Association. In addition to his professional service, Wicker devotes his time and expertise to a number of state and local civic organizations. He serves on the boards of the S.C. Young Bankers Association, the Myrtle Beach Area and North Myrtle Beach Chambers of Commerce, and is a member of the City of Myrtle Beach Recreation Advisory Committee. Wicker is a Gulf War veteran and member of the S.C. Air National Guard.

September 27 2021 20 -- October October 10, 3, 2021

POWER LIST

MARY D. GARCIA

DAVID LOMINACK

Pinnacle Financial Partners banker with more than 35 years of experience in the Charleston market, Mary Garcia’s responsibility as regional president of Pinnacle Financial Partners is to strategically grow the firm and brand in the South Carolina Coastal market. Her career began in 1986 as a commercial bankerwith First Federal of S.C. In 1994, she went to work for SouthTrust Bank as a Commercial Banking Team Leader, followed by CresCom Bank, where she served as senior lender. Garcia joined Pinnacle (BNC Bancorp.) in 2012 as city executive for the Charleston Market and became S.C. Coastal Market regional president in May 2019.

TD Bank

urrently TD Bank South Carolina Market President David Lominack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Presbyterian College and is a graduate of the Stonier National Graduate School of Banking and the American Bankers Association’s Commercial Lending School. With more than 24 years of banking experience, he has served in a number of roles, including branch manager, commercial loan officer, private banking and regional retail banking executive. Lominack became market president for the Upstate and Midlands regions in 2011 with the acquisition of Carolina First by TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®.

SCOTT WOODS

S.C. Federal Credit Union

cott Woods is the president and CEO of S.C. Federal Credit Union and has been in this role since 2004. Previously, Woods was S.C. Federal’s CFO. Throughout his career, he has served as CFO of SRP Federal Credit Union, CFO of S.C. Telco Federal Credit Union and as a senior financial institution auditor with KPMG CPAs. Woods received a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Charleston and an MBA in finance from Auburn University. He is a graduate of the Southeast Regional Credit Union Management School and the Credit Union National Association Financial Management School. Woods holds certificates as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor and Chartered Global Management Accountant.

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ART SEAVER Southern First

1986 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in financial management, Art Seaver’s career started with C&S Bank in 1986 and also included an executive role with Greenville National Bank. Seaver started Southern First Bank in 2000 by raising $11.5 million in initial capital. Today, the $2.7 billion bank operates in eight Southeastern markets with a market capitalization of more than $400 million. The company ranks in the top 10 of all banks in the country in terms of valuation appreciation (increase) over the past 10 years. Seaver serves on the Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the Phillis Wheatley Community Center in Greenville. He is a past member of the board of the St. Francis Foundation, past board chair for the S.C. Bankers Association and the past chair of the United Way of Greenville County Board of Trustees. He also has worked with many community organizations.

CONGRATULATIONS,

SCOTT WOODS 2021 POWER LIST HONOREE

SC Biz News has confirmed what we’ve known since the early 2000s — Scott Woods tops the list of influential leaders in banking and finance. Under Scott’s leadership, South Carolina Federal Credit Union has grown to more than 165,000 members, exceeded $2.3 billion in assets, moved into three new markets, and so much more. He is passionate about helping people achieve financial wellness and bringing the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” to life.

scfederal.org

Insured by NCUA

Scott Woods President & CEO

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THOMAS BOUCHETTE The Citizens Bank

h o m a s Bouchette is president and COO for The Citizens Bank in Florence, a role he assumed in 2019 after serving as executive vice president and chief banking officer since 2015. During his 35-year career, he has risen from a lending officer with Pee Dee Farm Credit Bank, to various roles with SCN/Wachovia and The Citizens Bank. In 2000, Bouchette led the creation of SunBank and Sun Bancshares in Murrells Inlet, where he served as president and CEO, and director until 2005, when the bank was sold to SCBT. He then became regional president and executive vice president for SCBT from 2005 to 2010, and S.C. president and executive vice president for BNC Bank from 2010 to 2015.

September27 20--October October10, 3, 2021 September

POWER LIST LYNN HARTON

United Community Bank

ynn Harton earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and began his career at BB&T, serving in various roles as the company expanded across the Southeast. Following 20 years there, Harton held various C-level roles at Union Planters in Memphis, Tenn., Regions Bank in Birmingham, Ala., TSFG in Greenville, and TD Bank in Cherry Hill, N.J. He joined United Community Banks in 2012 and has helped the company expand from 105 locations and $6.8 billion in assets to 160 locations with $17.8 billion in assets at the end of 2020 (pro-forma $22.5 billion in assets with pending acquisitions). The company’s performance has improved significantly, and United has been named to Forbes list of America’s Best Performing 100 Banks for eight consecutive years.

LEONARD “LEN” HUTCHISON III JAMES R. FOWLER JR. FNB

Countybank

eonard “Len” Hutchison III joined FNB in 2019, bringing with him nearly 40 years of financial services experience serving consumers, businesses and communities in the Charleston area and South Carolina. Hutchison leads the development and execution of FNB’s Corporate Banking strategy throughout its markets in South Carolina. He also oversees the integration of FNB’s cross-functional business model in the region. A lifelong resident of South Carolina, Hutchison received a Bachelor of Science in industrial management from Clemson University and an MBA from The Citadel.

urrently executive vice p r e s i d e nt , director of commercial banking and strategic initiatives for Countybank, James Fowler Jr. has served in a variety of important roles in banking and in the community, serving as president, president-elect, treasurer and member of legislative committee of the Independent Bankers of South Carolina. A graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics, he attended the North Carolina School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill and the Campbell University Trust and Investment School. He holds a Wealth Management Specialist Certification and is a S.C. Licensed Insurance Agent. His leadership has resulted in increased and improved community development, stakeholder opportunities, and educational pathways that promote community and economic development.

Expand? Grow? Diversify? Business is Our Middle Name!

Business Loans www.thecitizensbank.cc mobile app: TCB 2 GO

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#1 in Customer Satisfaction

+ #1 in Trust =

#1 in Customer Satisfaction with Consumer Banking in the Southeast, 7 out of the last 8 years, and Most Trusted Consumer Bank Learn more at ucbi.com/why-united

Award-winning service starts at the top. Congratulations to our Chairman and CEO, Lynn Harton, for being recognized as one of the 30 most influential bankers in South Carolina.

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JUSTIN HAWKINS Wells Fargo Bank

ustin Hawkins is the region bank president leading Wells Fargo consumer banking operations across South Carolina. Through his role, he leads a team of 870 employees in 94 bank branches. Wells Fargo Bank holds the No. 1 market share position in South Carolina at $19.5 billion. An 18-year company veteran, Hawkins previously served as the area president of the Upstate market, and prior to that role, he held multiple leadership positions within Wells Fargo, including financial center manager, service leader, district manager and regional sales and marketing manager for South Carolina, supporting both consumer and business banking.

POWER LIST NICHOLAS WODOGAZA

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union

ith 40 years in the forefront of the South Carolina credit union movement, Nicholas Wodogaza now serves as president and CEO of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. He has helped develop the organization from a $100 million Columbia Teachers Credit Union to a $1.2 billion credit union serving more than 100,000 consumers in 14 offices throughout Columbia. He is the current vice chairman of the Carolinas Credit Union League Board of Directors. Wodogaza also serves on the Advisory Panel for Credit Union Brokerage Services of Cuna Mutual Group. A graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance, he is a Certified League Executive and a Credit Union National Association Credit Union Development Educator.

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September September27 20--October October10, 3, 2021

JAMES A. BENNETT First Citizens

ames Bennett is currently Firs Citizens Bank’s Mid-South Area Executive, which serves the Columbia, Camden, Aiken and Augusta markets. In his 37-year career, the last 27 of which have been with First Citizens, Bennett has served in a number of important roles in the banking industry and the greater community. Named Young Banker of the Year by the S.C. Banker’s Association in 1998, he has also served that organization as a board member and as chairman. He serves on the board of a variety of organizations, including Prisma Health, Claflin College, Dominion Energy, Midlands Business Leadership Group and Columbia Urban League, to name a few. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and a graduate of the S.C. Banking School.

KIM WILKERSON Bank of America

im Wilkerson is South Carolina president for Bank of America and South Carolina Market executive for Bank of America Private Bank, serving as the bank’s enterprise leader and providing business, civic and philanthropic leadership across the state. Her many community leadership roles include Palmetto Business Forum, Leadership SC Advisory Board and the Federal Legislative Committee of the S.C. Bankers Association. She is the first woman to serve as chair for Clemson University’s board of trustees and is the first woman to be named a lifetime trustee. She is the incoming chair of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, a past chair of the Columbia Chamber and is a member of Women in Philanthropy. A 1979 graduate of Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in financial management, she has a Six Sigma Greenbelt and is a NASD Registered Principal with Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 securities licenses.

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Congratulations A vibrant community depends on its members. Bank of America recognizes the 2021 Power Players in Banking, including South Carolina President Kim Wilkerson. Thank you SC Biz News for honoring Kim as one of the 30 most influential bankers in South Carolina. Visit us at bankofamerica.com/local.

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POWER LIST

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FRED L. GREEN

MIKE BRENAN

C.W. “CHUCK” GARNETT

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September September27 20--October October10, 3, 2021

red Green has served as president and CEO of the S.C. Bankers Association since 2012. Prior to joining SCBA, he enjoyed a 33-year career within the South Carolina banking industry, starting with a role at Citizens & Southern National Bank. In 1991, Green joined the National Bank of South Carolina as executive vice president, and while there, he later became president, CEO and chairman. In 2003, after NBSC was acquired by Synovus, he moved to Georgia to serve as president, COO and vice chairman for the fivestate bank holding company. Green, now a Columbia resident, previously held the role of director of the Federal Reserve Bank and served on its Federal Advisory Council for the 5th and 6th District Banks.

Truist Financial Corp. hen he f i r s t entered the banking industry in 1975, Mike Brenan started out as a management trainee. In 1988, he became president and CEO of Bank One, Portsmouth. Six years later, he was named chairman, president and CEO of MainStreet Financial Corp. In 1998, BB&T Corp. acquired MainStreet and Brenan has served as regional president in South Carolina since 1999. He was later named regional president for the S.C. region of Truist Financial Corp. in 2019. In almost five decades of banking, Brenan has led teams through several mergers, including the most recent BB&T and SunTrust merger, creating Truist, the sixth largest bank in the U.S.. He has served with many community organizations and is currently the Governor’s appointee to the S.C. State Board of Education.

Synovus

huck Garnett joined NBSC in 1993 as vice president, senior commercial lender. Following Synovus’ acquisition of NBSC in 1995, he was promoted to senior vice president and upstate regional executive. This role this was expanded to multi-region executive. In 2003, Garnett was promoted to president and CEO of NBSC until the bank rebranded to Synovus in 2018. He currently serves as S.C. Division CEO. Prior to joining NBSC/Synovus, Garnett held various management positions with C&S National Bank of South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of South Carolina and an MBA from the University of Puget Sound. He is a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking. Garnett has served with many organizations and is currently chairman of the USC Business Partnership Foundation. He is on the boards of the Midlands Business Leadership Group and SC Economics, and is a member of the Palmetto Business Forum.

Chuck Garnett Division CEO

Congratulations! We applaud Chuck Garnett for being named as one of the Power Players in the Banking Industry for 2021. Being recognized as one of the 30 most influential bankers in South Carolina is quite an honor, but it comes as little surprise to those who know him. His professional accomplishments are certainly worthy of recognition, and we’re proud to have Chuck as part of our Synovus team. 1-888-SYNOVUS | synovus.com Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.

At Work

PEOPLE, PLACES AND HAPPENINGS ACROSS THE MIDLANDS

People in the News BUSINESS SERVICES

The first full-time executive director for the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance is Jennifer Carinci, EdD, PMP, a STEM veteran. Carinci had been at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where she was program director for STEM education research, managing and advancing NSF-funded national initiatives.

principal and principal in Chester County School District. Melton holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina.

munications strategies, along with other tasks that meet clients’ needs.

Vincent Femia has been named president of Fortis College in Columbia. Femia, who held similar positions in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, and South Carolina, received his bachelor of science in finance from Seton Hall University.

Jamie Lovegrove, an award-winning journalist versed in Palmetto State politics and media, has joined NP Strategy as a project manager. Lovegrove will assist in leading the firm’s media team. Lovegrove Jamie joins NP Strategy from The Post and Courier, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper where he helped lead coverage of the South Carolina Statehouse.

CONSTRUCTION

FINANCIAL SERVICES

NONPROFIT

Hussey Gay Bell’s new senior project manage is Dana Reeder, PE. He brings 24 years of experience designing and managing water and sewer utilities, and water and wastewater systems projects.

At McGregor & Company, Amir Shokoohi is the new IT manager. Shokoohi graduated from Limestone College with a bachelor of arts in information techShokoohi nology and received his master of business administration in healthcare administration from Webster University.

Tifani Moore is the new development director at the LRADAC Foundation. Her most recent position was director of development for South Carolina with the American Diabetes Association.

Thomas & Hutton has five new company shareholders: John Garceau, PLA, a landscape architect; and civil project managers Chad Grass, PE; Ryan Page, PE; Brad Sanderson, PE; and James Thomas, PE. Landmark Construction Co. Inc. has hired Dannielle Minetti as marketing coordinator. Minetti will oversee prequalification, assist with business development efforts, coordinate marketing/ proposal content, and manage and produce social media content and website updates. M. B. Kahn Construction Co. Inc. welcomes Bret Estridge as executive vice president. Estridge has managed more than $1 billion in high-profile construction projects during his 17-year career.

Estridge

EDUCATION The South Carolina Department of Education’s new director of assessment is Christina Melton, EdD, a former teacher, principal, and district superintendent. Melton had been with School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties as a principal, director of elementary education, chief instructional officer, and, most recently, as district superintendent. Prior to her service in District Five, Melton was a teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant

Donna Smith, a vice president for consumer lending at the First Reliance Bank’s West Columbia branch, graduated from the South Carolina Bankers School at Lander University.

HEALTH CARE Douglas S. Schultz Jr., MD, is now practicing at Midlands Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery. After receiving degrees from Wofford College and the Medical University of South Carolina, Schultz Schulz completed his orthopaedic residency at the University of Florida COM and his adult reconstruction fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital.

MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Chernoff Newman has brought in Robert Dozier III as an account manager. He assists with development and implementation of cross-channel com-

Dozier

dation. Black, a 2018 graduate of Leadership Columbia, has served on the Friends and Foundation’s board of trustees since 2018, most recently as secretary/ treasurer.

REAL ESTATE

Barber

Moore

Multiplying Good’s 2021 Class of ChangeMakers in the Midlands consists of Aditi Srivastav, Children’s Trust of South Carolina; Jennifer Bowen, Columbia Skin Clinic; Bryant Davis, Richland County Government; Steven Diaz, Northwestern Mutual; Maggie Dittmar, M. B. Kahn Construction; Zakiya Esper, Sowing Seeds into the Midlands; Emily Fernald, Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity; Keonye Johnson, Bank of America; Jeff Lawler, Coldwell Banker Realty; Lindsey Miles, Nephron Pharmaceuticals; Callie Price, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness; Emmylou Todd, Lexington School District Two; Christine Williams, University of South Carolina; Julian Wilson, JJE Capital Holdings/Wilson Kibler; Jennifer Wise, Lexington School District Two; and Bailey Wolfe, community volunteer. Richland Library’s 2021–2022 board of trustees includes Katherine Swartz Hilton, chair; Lee Rambo, vice chair; Avni Gupta-Kagan, treasurer; Jennifer Ford, secretary; and new board member Brenda B. Branic (owner and operator, B. Branic Coaching and Consulting). Returning board members are Betty L. Gregory, Erin Johnson, Johnny Ray Noble, James Shadd III, and William Stork. Elizabeth Black, of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd is the 2021–22 vice chair of the Richland Library Friends and Foun-

Black

Morfit

Kristen Barber and Anya Morfit have joined The ART of Real Estate. Barber is executive coordinator, Morfit is an associate agent. At Wilson Kibler, Chase Gray is now a property manager in the Columbia office. A Columbia native and graduate of The Citadel, Gray previously worked with CGI development.

Gray

People are in motion at Colliers | South Carolina. Ron Anderson, vice president of research and information technology, has been elected to The River Alliance’s board of directors. Caroline Bond is now a marketing coordinator in the company’s Columbia office; she earned a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of South Carolina and holds a South Carolina real-estate broker’s license. Shannon Lyon and Jered Wooten have signed on as property managers. Lyon earned a bachelor of science in marketing from Bentley University and is pursuing an MBA from Jack Welch Management Institute; Wooten received a bachelor of science in business administration from Southern Wesleyan University. And the REALTORS Land Institute awarded Ryan McCue, a brokerage associate, the Accredited Land Consultant designation. A Columbia native, McCue is a graduate of Clemson University.

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September 27 - October 10, 2021

Brenan to be honored by Columbia chamber By Melinda Waldrop

Target your market in an upcoming issue of the Columbia Regional Business Report

OCTOBER 11 ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: Landscape Architecture Firms

Advertising Deadline: September 27 OCTOBER 25 THE INSURANCE CLUSTER

List: Employee Benefits Brokers

Advertising Deadline: October 12 NOVEMBER 8 HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

List: Hotels w/Mtg. Facilities Special Section: Women of Influence

Advertising Deadline: October 25 NOVEMBER 22 MANUFACTURING

List: Manufacturers Bonus List: Largest Employers

Advertising Deadline: November 8

For advertising information, call Lucia Smith at (803) 726-7547

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

ongtime Midlands banking executive and community leader Mike Brenan will be honored as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Year next month. Brenan, regional president for the South Carolina region of Truist Financial Corp., began his banking career in 1975. Named chairman, president and CEO of MainStreet Financial Corp. in 1994, he became regional president in South Carolina for BB&T Corp. in 1999 after that organization acquired MainStreet. He was named to his current position in 2019. Brenan serves on various boards, including SCBIO, Midlands Business Leadership Group, the SC Philharmonic, TransformSC and the South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation. He is the governor’s appointee to the state board of education and has received the S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leader of the Year award, the United Way of the Midlands’ Humanitarian of the Year award and the University of South Carolina’s Distinguished Service award. “The annual gala allows the Chamber to recognize individuals who make a positive impact in the business and local community,” Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber president and CEO, said in a news release. “There are very few that have had as

much influence in our area as Mike Brenan. A dedicated steward of the Midlands, Mike recognizes the importance of being a good public servant. Mike makes Brenan sure that he, personally and through his work with Truist, tirelessly puts the advancement of the Midlands first.” Brenan will be honored at the Columbia chamber’s 118th annual gala on Oct. 7. Past recipients of the Ambassador of the Year award, sponsored by Colonial Life, include Pamela Lackey, former president of AT&T South Carolina; University of South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley; Bill and Lou Kennedy, founder and owner, respectively, of Nephron Pharmaceutical Corp.; and Harris Pastides, former and interim president of the University of South Carolina. “Mike’s tireless advocacy for our community and focus on the betterment of the region is tremendous,” Tim Arnold, Colonial Life president and CEO, said. “His passion for our community is evident in his leadership and involvement in so many causes, including education, housing, healthcare and commerce. Colonial Life is honored to support Mike’s recognition as Ambassador of the Year.” Reach Melinda Waldrop at 803-726-7542.

S.C. unemployment rate drops for 8th consecutive month By Melinda Waldrop

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

outh Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.2% in August from 4.3% in July, the eighth consecutive month the rate has decreased. The S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce’s seasonally adjusted, monthly household survey estimated that more than 2.3 million state residents were working. The 2,302,743 South Carolinians estimated to be working was an increase of 3,394 people over the July estimate and an increase of 30,279 from August 2020. Unemployment estimates decreased to 101,527 people, down 1,927 from July and 29,022 from August 2020. The national unemployment rate dropped to 5.2% in August. South Carolina’s estimated labor force,

or people working plus unemployed people looking for work, increased to 2,404,270, up 1,467 from July and 1,707 from August 2020. S.C. industries reporting employment gains included government at 5,900 jobs and leisure and hospitality at 2,500. Education and health services lost 5,300 jobs. The state’s economy has added 68,500 seasonally adjusted, nonfarm jobs from August 2020 to August 2021. Unemployment dropped or remained unchanged from July to August in every S.C. county but four: Allendale, Fairfield, Lee and Saluda. In Richland County, unemployment fell from 4.5% in July to 4.4% in August, down from 5.6% in August 2020. In Lexington County, unemployment, which stood at 3.8% in August 2020, remained unchanged at 3.3%.

Viewpoint

VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

What I wish someone had told me about pitching investors

arly in my career, I was working with a young, talented faculty member at the University of Michigan on the commercialization of one of his innovations. We thought we had everything figured out. The technical path for developing his technology, the capital required to get it there, the expertise required MATT to translate the BELL technology, and the strategic partner who would be desperate for our idea. We set an agreed-upon date to present to the company, put our deck together, and pitched them an idea on which they couldn’t possibly pass. We failed spectacularly. Many years, and a few hundred pitches, later, I look back on that first attempt and recognize the mistakes and presumptions that I see many founding entrepreneurs make even today. Pitching your company is a skill, and it requires training, coaching, and practice. As I look back on that first pitch, here are few things that my more-experienced self would tell that researcher if I could do it all over again.

Know yourself and your idea

The deeper your understanding of the idea, the ways it can be commercialized, the impact it will have, and why your targeted customer set will care about what you are doing, the better you will be at explaining it to others. Too many founders focus upon their strengths, usually either technical- or business-focused, and only can explain part of the business concept. Understanding how the idea works, what it will take to validate that it works, how it is differentiated from competing solutions, how you will get the market to adopt to the idea, and what the value of that impact upon the market will be are all critical aspects of your plan that learned businesspeople will want to know. Understand what you do know, study what you don’t, and find people to help you where your knowledge and skills are lacking.

Keep it simple

Your new business idea may be complex, require a lot of technical know-how, and have a unique business model that takes time to explain. But keep in mind, at the beginning, no one really wants to

(Photo/File)

Know your audience

Most top entrepreneurs probably have between two to five different pitches for their business ideas. When you are pitching an idea to an audience, one size does not fit all. understand each element of your plan. Most early-stage investors are probably looking at dozens of such plans a week. So, keep it simple. Put it in terms to which they can quickly and easily relate. Define the problem you’re going to solve and how it will make the world better. Go through the description of the business model in simple terms, and let the listener guide you on where they want to have a deeper understanding. Whether you are developing your one-minute elevator pitch or 30-minute investor pitch, keep refining it, practice on others, and ask yourself, “Is this really needed for the first discussion?”

Most top entrepreneurs probably have between two to five different pitches for their business ideas. When you are pitching an idea to an audience, one size does not fit all. Research your audience, understand their backgrounds and their areas of interest. Know what to avoid and what to emphasize. Have a strategy before even walking into the room. Tailoring your message to your audience and being prepared for the type of questions that they will be asking will make a huge difference in refining your pitching skill set.

Listen to your audience

A key concept for all high-level founders is “I pitch to learn.” In the early days of your business, find the top people in your professional field and pitch to them. Prepare yourself to pitch to leading venture capitalists, scientific leaders and business leaders. Plan for it, and do it often. Not only will the style of your pitch get better, but it will become innate as your knowledge deepens. The most important part of the pitch is the discussion after the pitch. Make the next pitch better with the knowledge you have gained from the last one. Map out a strategy for who to pitch

to and in what order. Make the most important pitches the last ones.

Enjoy the ride

Finally, try to enjoy the experience. I know from experience that raising capital can be a difficult process, complete with a great deal of rejection. However, if you approach the rejection as a chance to learn and you attack the process with purpose, enthusiasm, and energy, you will find it to have been an exhilarating experience by the time it’s over. Especially when you get to that first “yes.” Matt Bell is director of SC Launch and executive director of SC Launch Inc. Bell also provides mentorship to early stage companies and facilitates grant funding for eligible companies. SC Launch Inc. is a nonprofit corporate affiliage of the S.C. Research Authority, which is a public, nonprofit corporation established by the General Assembly to fuel South Carolina’s knowledge economy.

We want to hear from you Write: Melinda Waldrop, Editor Columbia Regional Business Report, 1612 Marion St., Suite 301 Columbia, SC 29201 Email: mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

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September 27 - October 10, 2021

Unexpected P s r s o e blem n i s : Bu

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