Meet Your Professionals Fall 2015

professionals Meet your local Fall 2015

1 • Meet Your Local Professionals

Table of Contents M E E T

Y O U R

L O C A L

P R O F E S S I O N A L S

Discount Furniture Outlet..................................................................... 3 Epps Orthodontics................................................................................. 4 Brown’s Furniture.................................................................................. 5 Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics............................................................. 6 Nicole Norris Design Studio, Inc............................................................ 7 Silverpaper............................................................................................. 8 Barrineau Accounting............................................................................ 9 RS Bell Architects, LLC......................................................................... 10 G.E. Rabon, DMD, FAGD...................................................................... 11 Sumter Cut Rate Drugs........................................................................ 12 Ashley Furniture HomeStore............................................................... 13 NBSC, A Division of Synovus Bank...................................................... 14 Curtis & Croft, LLC............................................................................... 15 Gateway Mortgage Group.................................................................. 16

PUBLISHER Jack Osteen COPYWRITER Rick Carpenter DESIGN Cary Howard ADVERTISING Karen Cave Paige Macloskie Gail Mathis Mark Pekuri Waverly Williams PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick Carpenter Keith Gedamke

BB&T Scott & Stringfellow................................................................... 17 Boykin Air Conditioning Services........................................................ 18 J&J Towing, LLC................................................................................... 19 New Horizons Dental........................................................................... 20 Sumter Nephrology............................................................................. 21 Economic Development....................................................................... 22 Bank of Clarendon............................................................................... 23 Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone......................................... 24

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Brad Beasley feels at home as general manager of Discount Furniture Outlet in Sumter.

Discount Furniture Outlet

Beasley learns business skills, volume purchases from father

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rad Beasley, general manager of Discount Furniture Outlet, has worked in virtually every position in his father’s company, starting in the company’s huge warehouse and working his way to general manager.

From an early age he learned his father, Wayne, has a sharp business mind. And by working his way up, Brad has learned all aspects of the business from that warehousing position to delivery to inventory management to setting up floor displays to sales to customer service to overall management. He’s done it all, which gives him a unique perspective on how to manage employees who face problems he’s likely encountered.

But it all goes back to his dad, the founder and owner of the business.

“Dad is a very smart business person,” Brad Beasley said. “The way we buy in volume and with special buys allow us to get very good price breaks

At A Glance Discount Furniture Outlet

which means our customers can buy very high-end pieces at lower prices.”

And besides a 40,000-square-foot showroom, Discount Furniture Outlet has embraced social media while also focusing on traditional print and radio media ensuring it reaches a broad section of the community.

Brad said he looks forward to each day because he’s always presented with new challenges. He said he approaches the day with a smile and a positive attitude. He can trace that positive attitude to the roots that are grounded in his complete knowledge of all aspects of the company. And he projects that attitude on his sales staff which approaches customers with a helpful attitude to meet its clients’ needs.

As Brad takes the reins from his father, he knows how to guide the company through whatever challenges he faces. After all, he’s done it all.

Year founded 1990

Primary product or service Retail Home Furnishings and Mattress Store

Top local executive Brad Beasley

Physical address 2891 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 469-8733

Email dfosumter@yahoo.com

Website www.outletfurniture.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 3

Dr. Thomas Epps and his highly trained staff make for a happy work environment at Epps Orthodontics.

Epps Orthodontics

Epps became empathic with orthodontics patients as a child

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r.Thomas W. Epps first became interested in orthodontics as a child wearing braces.

He knows of the challenges that young people face when first appearing at school with braces aimed at straightening a child’s teeth. That correcting process may take a while, and Epps knows the laps of self confidence a wired mouth presents to youth going through a formative stage of his or her life.

Letting them know how much better they’ll look after the care can at least give them hope.

Epps Orthodontics exemplifies that kind of empathy by also extending its hours to accommodate school and work schedules that might make it difficult for customers to visit the office during a normal 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday.

His staff takes it a step further by making the

workplace a fun work environment as it goes the extra mile for patients.

Epps Orthodontics started in Rock Hill in 1987 and expanded to Sumter in 2010 when Epps purchased the business of his long-time friend Timothy Bridges. Now Epps works at the different offices during certain days of the week.

Epps said the rising costs of products he uses can create an economic hardship on a family so he does what he can to make his service as affordable as possible but it’s difficult to control the rising costs of the products he buys and uses on patients.

“We have a great payment plan to make it affordable for most families,” he said.

When it’s all said and done, he said he wants his patients to leave his office with a smile on their faces.

At A Glance Epps Orthodontics Year founded 1987

Primary product or service Orthodontic care for children and adults

Top local executive Dr. Thomas W. Epps

Physical address 685 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 775-5500

Email drepps@comporium.net

Website www.sumterorthodontics.com

4 • Meet Your Local Professionals

The father and son team of Stan and Jason Brown own and operate Brown’s Furniture where they offer more than 50 name brands of furniture and mattresses.

Brown’s Furniture

Customer loyalty key to Brown’s Furniture growth

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tan Brown at 15 learned from an early age the importance of customer service from an uncle who owned a downtown appliance and television store. He started as a delivery person and worked his way up to becoming a salesperson.

That uncle, James Brown, instilled in him the importance of honesty and providing excellent customer service.

Brown honed his sales and service skills for 23 years at Hill Furniture Company before launching out on his own in 2003 with Brown’s Furniture specializing in name-brand furniture and mattresses. The store carries more than 50 name brands.

A dozen years later, Stan and his son, Jason, separate themselves from their competition by emphasizing the importance of each customer and his or her needs.

“My son and I don’t work on commission, so we can spend as much time as needed with each

At A Glance Brown’s Furniture

customer,” Stan Brown said. “We pride ourselves with customer service. We don’t just sell and go away. We give them that little extra.”

And that “little extra” has paid big dividends, he said. Not only do they have loyal, repeat customers, their reputation has spread throughout the community providing a bustling referral business.

That kind of local branding enabled Brown’s Furniture to survive the economic downturn that started in 2008. “We were able to control our prices which helped us stay in the game,” Brown said.

Brown’s Furniture has won a top dealer award from Sealy, was named in Furniture Today as a Who’s Who winner based on volume sales and was voted by residents as the top furniture and mattress store in The Sumter Item’s annual Reader’s Choice five times.

Year founded 2003

Primary product or service Retail furniture and mattresses

Top local executives Stan Brown Jason Brown

Physical address 31 Wesmark, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 774-2100

Email Brownsfurniture@hotmail.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 5

Andrew Murrell, left, Verena Kurz and Edwin Riedel are the three employees at Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics.

Wesley Haygood (not pictured).

Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics

Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics offers personal experience, service

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imply put, the patients are the focus at Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics. Each patient is viewed as a new friend with a unique opportunity to restore hope and mobility. Losing a limb or requiring orthotic bracing can be a frightening experience.

The staff at Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics first goal is reassuring each patient that their future is bright with the assistance of a prosthetic or orthotic device. After the initial evaluation appointment, Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics seeks to maintain relationships with patients that are marked by encouragement to achieve each individual’s goals and celebration of each step along the way.

The practice manager and prosthetist, Andrew “Drew” Murrell, BOCP, is an above knee amputee who is able to relate to the needs and concerns of amputees and seeks to model what a life uninhibited by a prosthesis looks like.

“My passion for the field of prosthetics and

orthotics is fueled by the look on each patient’s face as they take their first steps on a prosthesis and have their hope for the future restored. It is a beautiful thing to see hope restored.” - Drew Murrell, BOCP Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics practitioners do all of their own fabrication in house and believe that this personal touch separates them from the competition.

“Fabricating our prosthetic sockets and custom orthotic braces ourselves allows us to intimately know each device we fit on patients and also gives us the freedom to remake devices if changes are required. Another big benefit of in house fabrication is quicker turnaround times which allows our patients to become mobile again quicker!” - Drew Murrell, BOCP Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics is here to assist the Sumter community, stop in or give them a call!

At A Glance Sumter Prosthetics & Orthotics

A Carolina O&P Company Year founded 2012

Primary product or service Prosthetic Limbs & Orthotics Bracing

Top local executives Wesley Haygood, CP, Owner Andrew Murrell, BOCP, Practice Manager

Physical address 259 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 883-4356

Email dmurrell@carolinaop.com

Website www.sumterprosthetics.com

6 • Meet Your Local Professionals

Nicole Norris of Nicole Norris Designs in the showroom of her studio.

Nicole Norris Design Studio, Inc.

Nicole Norris Design Studio combines artistic talent and analysis of structure

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icole Norris matched her unique combination of creative and artistic skills with a logic and analysis of structure that provides her with the skills to master the interior design industry.

Norris discovered that early while taking an introduction to interior design course at Florida State University. “I liked the creative part as well as the scientific as form follows function,” she said.

And she didn’t just learn about matching colors and content or the latest buzz words trends such as “feng shui,” she learned about applying space planning with furniture design, computer-aided design (CAD) and working with building codes.

She also learned how to start a design business by working with Susan Lovelace at Lovelace Interiors in Destin, Fla. “She taught me a lot about starting my own studio while I was working for her,” Norris said.

Norris eventually completed a rigorous national testing for interior designers that culminated with a

At A Glance Nicole Norris Design Studio, Inc.

two-day exam. It is comparable to the testing that architects go through to be licensed.

She also learned a great deal from Nancy Wolff of Las Vegas, NV who she said is always about improving the design profession. Wolff and Norris worked together to provide curricula for classes that became part of a bachelor’s degree program in interior design offered at the Las Vegas Art Institute.

Now, through her Nicole Norris Design Studio, Inc., she says she specializes in anything from oneroom to thousands of square feet of design with three designers. Her clients include some of the best known businesses in Sumter including Thompson Construction, the law firm of Curtis & Croft and Galloway and Moseley Jewelers.

That talent for combining artistic and logical skills earned her the Greater Sumter Area Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Person of the Year in 2011 and the American Society of Interior Designer Carolinas Dora Gray Award for 2014.

Year founded 1996

Primary product or service Full Service Residential and Commercial Interior Design

Top local executive Nicole Norris, President

Physical address 466 N. Guignard Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 773-8083

Email nndsinc@ftc-i.net

Website www.nicolenorrisdesign.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 7

Kristi Britton Bohnen, owner of Silverpaper, which features a wide array gifts, apparel, home accessories and jewelry.

Silverpaper At A Glance

Silverpaper offers unique, specialty items

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risti Britton Bohnen, owner of Silverpaper, entices shoppers to come into her store by constantly changing her inventory which encourages repeat business. Combining the latest styles and trends with the needs of her customers; it is truly a labor of love.

Those were lessons she learned in college, but not in the classroom.

Bohnen became passionate about and fascinated with retail sales while working at a Benetton store in Myrtle Beach when she attended college. She loved the camaraderie of the retail team that became like family to her.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development and elementary school education from Costal Carolina University in 1991, and taught for five years. A series of circumstances eventually led her back to retail sales, the other profession that she loved.

After having a child, she began searching for

home accessories and jewelry and discovered that traveling merchants would set up shops that were only here temporarily. She knew she could build a store that would meet the needs of area customers on a daily basis.

Bohnen first opened the Elephant Charm in 1997, specializing in pewter serving pieces and sterling silver jewelry.

By 2000, she combined her business with another business owner who specialized in stationery and invitations and opened a store under the name Silverpaper, incorporating two of its most common products.

About five years ago, she bought out the co-owner of the store that now offers gifts, women’s apparel, stationery, jewelry and home accessories.

Like many merchants, Silverpaper’s business peaks during the holidays, but also has higher sales volume at Mother’s Day and graduation and always has business surrounding local weddings.

8 • Meet Your Local Professionals

Silverpaper Year founded 2000

Primary product or service Gifts, Stationery, Apparel, Home Accessories

Top local executives Kristi Britton Bohnen Kristy Kirkland

Physical address 662 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 775-6757

Email silverpaper@ftc-i.net

Website None but active on Facebook and Instagram

Al Barrineau and Regina Connor offer friendly customer service at Barrineau Accounting in Sumter.

Barrineau Accounting

Barrineau Accounting offers large-firm service at small-firm prices

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on’t tell Al Barrineau’s customers, but he’s doing the same job today that he did when he was in college in the 1960s when he was getting paid $2 an hour for verifying tax returns before sending them to clients for final signatures.

In those college days, he worked for Raymond R. Finch who taught him that he needed to be kind and friendly to people to succeed in business. And while that recommendation for customer service still applies, Barrineau Accounting has moved from handwritten ledgers to electronic computing as the company services clients with services ranging from individual tax returns to payroll and financial statements to helping them with Internal Revenue Service tax resolutions.

Barrineau says his company fills a gap between small business owners trying to do the work themselves and the large national CPA and tax firms that charge higher fees. He highlight’s his company’s

At A Glance Barrineau Accounting Year founded

long list of long-time employees including E.Y. Young with 17 years experience in the company working on tax returns. Others include Regina Connor, 10 years of bookkeeping experience and his son, Brent Barrineau, with 10 years of tax preparation.

Congressional changes in tax returns and accounting regulations keeps his staff on a constant education roller coaster requiring them to learn about such things as verifying whether tax return clients have health care. But maintaining that knowledge base, along with that previously mentioned kind and friendly service keeps customers coming back and recommending Barrineau Accounting to new clients.

That kind of commitment to clients shined a light on the company in recent years when readers named it the Best Accountant and Best Tax Preparer in installments of the Item’s annual lists.

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Primary product or service Accounting, Tax Preparations, Payroll, Financial Statements, Tax Resolutions

Top local executive Al Barrineau

Physical address 259-C Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 775-7220

Email Barrineauacct@ftc-i.net

Meet Your Local Professionals • 9

Scott Bell owner of Bell Architects in his office on Law Range.

RS Bell Architects, LLC

Moving around the country draws interest of local architecture

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ou don’t know it, but when you drive through Sumter, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Scott Bell’s work. You just don’t know it.

Through his company, RS Bell Architects, LLC, Bell offers architectural design and master planning for mid-sized commercial office buildings, historically restored buildings, churches and most notably, the Sumter Civic Center. His company also built Sumter County fire stations throughout the area.

Bell attributes his success to his father’s military career. By moving every few years to new assignments, his father exposed him to a myriad of architecture that fascinated him. His first mechanical drafting class in high school piqued his interest that culminated with an architectural design degree from Clemson University. After college, he worked in Atlanta before moving to Sumter where he worked for a firm for 16 years before drawing from years of experience to outline his future by building his own

company.

He says that his small firm can focus on details of project management with owners from the beginning of the idea through the engineering and day-to-day construction.

“Our guiding principle is to follow every detail from beginning to end,” Bell said.

That kind of focus limits the number of projects his small firm can handle, but that’s fine with him.

“I enjoy working with local engineering consultants and contractors in the historic district,” he said.

Bell serves on the city’s historic design committee and on the board of the Main Street Society.

But he’s not only interested in commercial buildings. One of the homes he built in Spartanburg made the cover of South Carolina Homes and Gardens. But locally, you’ve most likely seen some of his most recent work, including Willie Sue’s Restaurant on Patriot’s Parkway.

10 • Meet Your Local Professionals

At A Glance RS Bell Architects, LLC Year founded 2006

Primary product or service Architectural Design and Master Planning

Top local executive Scott Bell

Physical address 3 Law Range Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 774-3025

Email rsbellarchitects@earthlink.net

Employees include, left to right, Vicki Elliott; Kayla Bays, DA; Sherri Porter-Watt, RDH; Dr. Gee Rabon, Jeannie Rogers, RDH; Debbie VanMetre, CDA; Jessica McCloud; and Louise Murray, DA.

G.E. Rabon, DMD, FAGD Rabon offers sedation services as well as general and implant restorative dentistry

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hile you might joke about needing anesthesia when you have your teeth worked on, local dentist G.E. Rabon actually has the credentials to do that. Intravenous moderate conscious sedation can be offered for a variety of dental cases from deep cleaning, extractions, to crowns and restorations. Many patients prefer IV Sedation over oral sedation in that it is more easily adjustable therefore more predictable.

Rabon even serves on the staff at the Clarendon Memorial Hospital Department of Surgery with operating room privileges that allow cases to be completed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting. Rabon’s practice receives annual inspections and he maintains training to provide intravenous sedation therapy and is an Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider.

While attending The Citadel, Rabon would spend summers working for Emergency Medical Services in Sumter County. Those summer jobs made him realize he had gifted hands that he would eventually apply to dentistry.

At A Glance

And while serving his residency at Palmetto Richland, Rabon realized the advantage to gaining his anesthesia certification. Once he graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1997, he took an additional 500 hours of classes and took a six-hour exam to gain a Fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD).

Rabon’s peers have recognized his talents by naming him chairman of a task force for sedation for the South Carolina Dental Association. He also served as president of the Pee Dee district of that organization.

And while Rabon adapts to technology that has gone from X-Ray film negatives to computergenerated images, he’s also witnessed the advent of having computers digitally create material bridges and crowns from three dimensional models.

But besides using those talented hands to work with patients, he remains one of a few dentists in the state to offer IV sedation services. For those who fear the dentist, that’s something to sink your teeth into.

G.E. Rabon, DMD, FAGD Year founded 1998

Primary product or service General and Restorative Dentistry

Top local executive G.E. Rabon

Physical address 669 W. Wesmark Blvd.

Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 905-3567

Email gerabondmd@ftc-i.net

Website www.sumterdentistry.net

Meet Your Local Professionals • 11

Pharmacist John Holladay interned more than 1,000 hours a summer at Sumter Cut Rate Drugs and became part owner of the business.

Sumter Cut Rate Drugs

80-year-old downtown store sticks by its homegrown customers

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ohn Holladay became interested in pharmacy when a pharmacist came to speak to one of his Sumter High School classes when he was a junior. By the time he was taking classes at the University of South Carolina in the mid ‘80s, Holladay needed to get 1,000 hours a year working as an intern in the profession.

That’s when he became closely acquainted with Roy Flynn, who owned Sumter Cut Rate Drugs.

Holladay said Flynn taught him about the intricacies of taking care of customers and how to deal with each one’s specific needs. “He has great business sense and instinct,” Holladay said.

That’s why after teaching in pharmacy schools at Howard University and the University of Arkansas, Holladay decided to come back to his hometown and partner with Flynn and Chad Gibbons, another part owner. Flynn, who had been named Pharmacist of the Year by the South Carolina Pharmacy

Association, was ready to back away and allow someone else he trusted to take the reins.

Despite an influx of national chains of corner drugstores, and mail-order prescriptions, Holladay said loyal customers drive past those stores to go downtown to Sumter Cut Rate Drugs. He attributes that to the store’s practice of really getting to know its customers by developing relationships with them.

He said by doing so, his employees can get a better feel for customers’ needs.

“They like our service and our atmosphere,” he said.

As far as mail order drugs, Holladay says watching an elderly person waiting by a mailbox to see if his or her prescription is going to arrive is one of the worst sites he can image. By getting to know his customers, he said he can make sure they remain compliant and help them live longer.

At A Glance Sumter Cut Rate Drugs Year founded 1935

Primary product or service Pharmacy, Medical Supplies, Soda Fountain

Top local executives Roy Flynn, Chad Gibbons John Holladay

Physical address 32 S. Main Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 773-8432

Email docholladay@ftc-i.net

Website www.sumtercutratedrugs.com

12 • Meet Your Local Professionals

Ashley Furniture HomeStore employees include, left to right, David Boyce, sales manager; Karen Westmoreland, general manager; Brett Eaves, operations manager; and Jimmy Eaves, owner.

Ashley Furniture HomeStore At A Glance

Visionary sees potential in higher quality furniture

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immy Eaves likes to “think outside the box.” But like any good business person, he saw a need and turned that into a financial opportunity.

Eaves was formerly involved in the manufactured housing industry with high school buddy Jeff Sanford, having four sales centers that contributed to Sumter being known as the “capital of the manufactured housing industry.” That business led Eaves into the furniture business when Karen Westmoreland, currently the general manager of Ashley Furniture HomeStore, convinced them to furnish the manufactured homes with better quality merchandise. “It worked! Manufactured Home Sales increased and it started a trend throughout the manufactured housing industry,” Eaves said.

They opened “Dec-A-Room Furniture” in Sumter in 1991 carrying multiple brands of furniture. Ashley Furniture was always their top selling brand so when they were offered the opportunity to become an

Ashley Furniture HomeStore

Ashley Furniture HomeStore in 2000 and carry the Ashley brand exclusively, it was an easy decision.

This is a company operated by local people that started as a small business and now realizes the success of national recognition. Ashley is the No. 1 name brand of furniture in the world and Ashley Furniture HomeStores have grown to be the No. 1 Furniture Retailer in America.

Eaves, along with his son, Brett, who is being groomed to take over the helm upon his retirement, their sales manager, David Boyce, as well as Westmoreland were all born and raised in Sumter.

“We feel our national recognition helps to drive customers to our store and our local roots allow us to provide good Southern hospitality to build great customer relations,” Jimmy Eaves said.

Eaves and his staff were presented with Ashley’s Four Star Excellence Award in May for sales growth and customer service.

Year founded 2000

Primary product or service Furniture, Bedding & Home Décor retail

Top local executive James M. Eaves

Physical address 2850 Broad Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 469-7283

Email customercare@ashleysumter.com

Website www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 13

Melissa White, Commercial Banking Manager

NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank

White says NBSC emphasis on building client relationships

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elissa H. White, commercial banking manager and Sumter executive for NBSC, a division of Synovus Bank, describes NBSC as a full service bank with a hometown feel. “We are a customer - focused organization dedicated to responding to our customers’ needs,” says White.

“Helping customers navigate through the financial complexities of running a business so they can spend time focused on their passion is what we do at NBSC,” White said. “Our customers are typically very knowledgeable about their company and industry, but they sometimes need guidance determining the best structure for their assets or managing working capital. All are looking for ways to be more efficient and stay ahead of changes in their industries and the overall economy.”

NBSC focuses on relationship banking and offers diverse lines of business and personal

financial services, including business banking, investment services and mortgage lending, and White says the bank specializes in getting loans approved and closed in a timely manner.

“Economies hinge on businesses providing goods and services,” she said. “As businesses grow and expand, they need capital. Banks are the primary source of that capital.”

“Responsiveness is a great asset at NBSC. Customers want quality services and quick decisions. Our professionals are committed to consistently providing both of these,” said White.

White credits her own development as a bank executive to working with professional bankers like George Lindsay and Bobby Boykin at NBSC. “They instilled in me a confidence and trust in my abilities. They gave me the independence to make decisions and challenged me to support those decisions,” she said.

14 • Meet Your Local Professionals

At A Glance NBSC Year founded 1905

Primary product or service Full-Service Bank

Top local executive Melissa H. White

Physical address 1 Broad Street, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone 803-778-8235

Email info@banknbsc.com

Website www.banknbsc.com

Warren Curtis, left, and William Croft combined their law practices to focus on real estate closings but has since diversitifed to include personal injuries, family court, wills and defending worker’s compensation employee claims.

Curtis & Croft, LLC

Curtis & Croft combine resources to focus on closing real estate deals

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fter graduating from law school in 1995, Warren Curtis served as a law clerk for the Honorable J. Ernest Kinard, Jr. From there he went to work with the Weinberg law firm in Sumter, eventually becoming a partner with M.M “Rusty” Weinberg and Robert Brown. He initially focused his practice in the family courts, handling divorce and custody matters but also began to develop a real estate practice, handling commercial and residential transactions.

When William Croft graduated from law school in 1997, he spent almost five years as a prosecutor for the Third Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s office, learning the ropes of how to try a case and manage the case outside of the courtroom. He credits former Solicitors Wade Kolb and Kelly Jackson with guiding him through that experience and providing him with the tools to transition to private practice.

After leaving the Solicitor’s office, he spent two years working for a firm in Charleston before

At A Glance Curtis & Croft, LLC

eventually moving back to his hometown of Sumter to branch out on his own.

The two joined forces in 2007 to create Curtis & Croft, LLC focusing on real estate transactions, workers compensation claims, personal injury and other civil matters. In 2010, Attorney William “Bill” Buxton joined the firm to assist with family court and probate matters.

Each attorney has his own particular areas of focus. However, all of the attorneys handle real estate transactions and pride themselves in the ability to work around the schedules of their clients, even if outside of normal business hours.

They also find time to stay involved in the community. Mr. Curtis serves on the Sumter City-County Board of zoning appeals. Mr. Croft is the current president of the Sumter Rotary Club and serves on the board of trustees for Wilson Hall. Mr. Buxton serves on the Historic Preservation Design Review Committee for downtown Sumter.

Year founded 2007

Primary product or service Legal Services

Top local executives Warren S. Curtis William H. Croft

Physical address 325 W. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 778-7404

Email william@curtisandcroft.com

Website www.curtisandcroft.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 15

After a bad experience with a mortgage broker, Mary Kolb decided to join the industry and now manages the Sumter branch of Gateway Mortgage Group.

Gateway Mortgage Group

Local mortgage loan provider learns personal lesson about communications

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he inability of a mortgage loan provider to effectively communicate a real estate transaction motivated Mary Kolb to get into the business. She thought she was getting a 30-year fixed-rate loan but she later discovered it was an adjustable rate.

“I didn’t get the kind of loan I was wanting, and it wasn’t explained to me,” Kolb said. “I said to myself, ‘I can do a better job than that guy.’”

Kolb immediately went to a community bank and said she wanted a job working on mortgage loans. She’s been doing that since 1999 with a boot-strap approach of self-education, taking classes and continuing her education with more than 20-hours of classes a year.

And she’s found her niche at Gateway Mortgage Group. “We are your ‘gateway’ to a smooth closing,” Kolb said. “We want to be the loan company you deserve.”

Through Gateway, Kolb can process,

underwrite, close and service a loan. She also keeps up with regulations created to provide consumers legal rights through the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, an agency created after the collapse of the home mortgage industry in 2008.

Gateway remains a community-focused lender that carefully selects local mortgage consultants who strive to provide quality mortgage lending solutions within their own community. Gateway provides a desirable alternative to the large, megalenders while still delivering the advantages of today’s best products and services.

Gateway offers complete access to a full suite of mortgage solutions to meet any financial need.

Those kinds of qualities drew Kolb to Gateway.

She said she strives to continue to provide clear communications to clients and Gateway provides her with an avenue to do that.

16 • Meet Your Local Professionals

At A Glance Gateway Mortgage Group Year founded 2000

Primary product or service Mortgage Lending

Top local executive Mary Kolb, Branch Manager

Physical address 665 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 626-0103

Email Mary.kolb@gatewayloan.com

Website www.gatewayloan.com

BB&T Scott & Stringfellow employees, left to right, Travis McIntosh, Charles Alessandro, Charlie Noyes and Kirk McLeod.

BB&T Scott & Stringfellow Make secure financial decisions for your long-term, family future

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n today’s ever-changing economic climate, no one has a bigger stake in planning for your financial success than you. In spite of — or maybe because of — all the economic news and analysis available, you may have wondered if you are making the right financial choices for you and your loved ones.

Charles Alessandro, L. Travis McIntosh, Charles V. Noyes II and R. Kirk McLeod III of the Sumter office of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow are four advisers who can help you structure a plan to maximize your potential for a sound financial future. By leveraging their extensive personal and professional experience, they can provide sound solutions to help you optimize your financial resources and meet your unique objectives.

Your adviser will begin with an in-depth discussion of your specific needs and investment goals. Based on your priorities, he will develop a comprehensive investment strategy that considers risk reduction and helps to enhance long-term

At A Glance

growth.

For clients who are seeking consistent revenue and earnings growth, a diversified portfolio of equities representing diverse market sectors may be recommended. Your plan may contain a mixture of stocks, mutual funds, managed portfolios and/or annuities. If income development is a consideration, your financial plan may include taxable bonds, tax-free municipal bonds, certificates of deposit, annuities, or preferred stocks to help provide tax efficient returns and credit quality.

The financial advisers at BB&T Scott & Stringfellow are dedicated to helping clients define and achieve their financial goals and dreams. In addition to serving your planning needs, they can help you benefit from the vast banking resources available from its parent company, BB&T. For more information, contact the Sumter office at (803) 774-2700.

Diversification does not ensure against market loss. Comments regarding tax implications are informational only. BB&T Scott & Stringfellow and its representatives do not provide tax advice. You should consult your individual tax professional before making any decision that may have tax consequence. BB&T Scott & Stringfellow is a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. BB&T Securities, LLC is a wholly‐owned nonbank subsidiary of BB&T Corporation. Securities and insurance products or annuities sold, offered or recommended by BB&T Scott & Stringfellow are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not guaranteed by a bank, not insured by any federal government agency and may lose value. Investment advisery Services are offered through BB&T Securities, LLC, a Registered Investment adviser.

BB&T Scott & Stringfellow Owner BB&T

Year founded 1983

Primary product or service Financial Services/Investments

Top local executives

Charles Alessandro, L. Travis McIntosh, Charles V. Noyes II, R. Kirk McLeod III

Physical address

690 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150-2549

Phone

(803) 774-2700 Toll free: (888) 901-6688

Email

TMcIntosh@BBTScottStringfellow.com CNoyes@BBTScottStringfellow.com KMcLeod@BBTScottStringfellow.com

Website

www.BBTScottStringfellow.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 17

Brian Boykin, Anna Jones and CW Boykin are available to help with Air conditioning needs.

Boykin Air Conditioning Services

Company provides excellent customer service, corrects mistakes made by other installers

B

oykin Air Conditioning Services was established in 1992

by CW Boykin. CW still operates the business as majority owner and general manager. He is joined by his son Brian, who is the Sales and Installation Manager and daughter Anna, who manages the office. They each have been with the business since the beginning and in the industry even before. With a great team of professionals, Anna and Brian carry on with most of the daily duties while CW slows down just a bit. However, at an age where most are retired CW is at the office daily due to his love of his employees and his passion to help.

While Boykin Air Conditioning Services is in the heating and air conditioning business they define it as “being in the people business.” “That’s what we are here for, to help people.” says Brian.

“It’s all about the people in any service business, we just happen to be working on their air conditioning systems.”

They all agree the biggest challenge within the industry is

competing with other companies that may or may not have the proper credentials, licensing and insurance to protect the homeowner. “Without ensuring that these things are in place, a homeowner can be taking all the risk and not realize it. Also, what may seem to be a great deal on a system, may not be so,” says CW. “We spend lots of time consulting with customers who have chosen the cheapest guy on how to resolve issues caused by an incorrect or incomplete job.”

Boykin Air Conditioning is also the area’s only Trane Comfort Specialist. It has received Trane’s distinguished dealer award 16 of the last 18 years. Being a part of the Comfort Specialist program helps ensure our personnel receive the latest training and that we are upholding a higher level of customer service. Anna says, “Part of the program is the customer satisfaction surveys go directly to Trane. Trane judges their Comfort Specialists on these surveys and our satisfaction rate is always over 98 percent.”

18 • Meet Your Local Professionals

Jackie Clemmons Jr., owner of JJ towing, and Kaitlan Shaffer, office manager, can take care of your towing needs 24 hours a day.

J&J Towing, LLC

Learning the art of towing by cleaning up speedway crashes

J

ackie Clemmons Jr. says he self-taught himself about the mechanical side of his business at J&J Towing, LLC. But working crashes at Florence and Sumter speedways taught him the skills to work quickly and how to apply different blocks, tackles and other hardware to extract a vehicle from everything from guardrails to trees while limiting the damage to the vehicles.

While that speedway experience taught him how to surgically remove cars from crash sites, he also learned how to take care of other people’s property. That pays dividends with locals who have high end cars who prefer him to take care of their pride and joy when they need a tow.

And, as the only AAA service provider in Sumter and on the rotation of tow truck providers for the Highway Patrol, the Sumter County Sheriff ’s Office and the Sumter Police Department, J&J Towing gets a lot of local business.

At A Glance J&J Towing, LLC

“I always liked trucks as a kid,” Clemmons said. By high school friends were asking him to service their vehicles or ask him what was wrong with their vehicles. So, the transition to getting paid for that advice and that work became a natural progression for him.

He has since received national towing certifications from AAA as well as honors for his work.

Since AAA provides free towing, he gets a lot of its business working with local garages to deliver vehicles needing repairs.

Recently, J&J Towing expanded its capabilities to move storage buildings as long as 46 feet by using a special trailer and mule that doesn’t damage the buildings.

Ironically, with all that experience as the AAA service provider, the majority of his calls are for roadside repair including tire changes, gas delivery and unlocking cars. But it’s all in a day’s work.

Year founded 2001

Primary product or service Towing, Automotive Repair

Top local executive Jackie Clemmons Jr.

Physical address 965 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154

Phone (803) 506-4858

Email jjtowing@ftc-i.net

Website www.jjtowingllc.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 19

Dr. Keith Rabon of New Horizons Dental.

New Horizons Dental

Dental office offers options to meet individual needs

A

lthough Dr. Keith Rabon has been a dentist in Sumter since 1995, he decided to start a private practice in May 2008, right as the Great Recession started to get a grip on the pocketbooks of American consumers.

The Great Recession started taking root in late 2007 but reached a peak in 2009 when unemployment went from 4.7 percent in 2007 to more than 10 percent in 2009.

But Rabon’s approach to patients’ needs focused on developing relationships with his patients. Rather than visiting with patients and trying to up sell them on additional services that would line his own pocketbook, Rabon focused on meeting each patient’s individual needs.

His approach begins with getting to know the patient, asking probing questions about his or her expectations from his care and presenting options that help fulfill those expectations.

“In the last 15 years, there has been a big push

for cosmetic dentistry,” Rabon said. Cosmetic dentistry includes such services as whitening teeth and closing gaps between teeth, services which are often optional.

Instead of pushing one service over another, Rabon said he likes to offer two or three options.

“If they want something different, we’ll explore every option,” he said. “I don’t want to push something that patients might not need. At the same time, I will verbalize what they need and differentiate between those needs and elective cosmetic options.”

New Horizons Dental’s reputation as building relationships in the community has paid off as word spread about Rabon’s commitment to quality service, understanding individual needs and providing options to meet those needs.

“Our commitment is to the individual,” Rabon said. “We customize our care for what those individual needs are.”

20 • Meet Your Local Professionals

At A Glance New Horizons Dental Year founded 2008

Primary product or service General Dentistry

Top local executive Dr. Keith Rabon

Physical address 227 Alice Drive, Suite 3 Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 774-5300

Email info@krabondental.com

Website www.krabondental.com

Dr. Jeffrey W. Smith of Sumter Nephrology.

Sumter Nephrology

Kidney doctor works on all aspects of a patient’s health

A

s an Osteopathic Physician, Dr. Jeffrey W. Smith established Sumter Nephrology keeping in mind that human health is built upon a patient’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The approach to optimizing conditions related to the kidney is no different.

“The kidneys are affected by all of one’s systems and I consider all of them when approaching a solution to a problem,” Smith said.

According the website of The American Osteopathic Association, osteopathic medicine focuses on the whole person, the relationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs, and the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Smith became interested in this medical specialty during his third year of medical school while working with nephrologists, those who study normal kidney function as well as the issues that result from kidney dysfunction. These range from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, as well as management of immunosuppression for kidney transplants. He holds a special interest in

At A Glance

hypertension and electrolyte disorders. He has been certified as a Hypertension Specialist by the American Society of Hypertension.

Smith has been serving in the Clarendon and Sumter counties area since 2007. In 2013, he began his own practice located next door to Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Smith also provides consultative services to Clarendon Memorial Hospital.

“I enjoy getting to know my patients,” Smith said. “I see them as frequently as needed and enjoy getting to know people beyond just their medical conditions.”

Having a friendly bedside manner allows Smith to get to know his patients on a more personal basis so that he knows what’s going on in their lives and how these issues may be contributing to a person’s overall health. This helps address their kidney problems. That hasn’t gone unnoticed by area physicians who have continued to refer patients to him after he decided to open his private practice.

It speaks volumes on how he treats his patients.

Sumter Nephrology Year founded 2013

Primary product or service Medical/Kidney Conditions

Top local executive Dr. Jeffrey W. Smith, DO

Physical address 115 N. Sumter Street, Suite 305 Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 938-5663

Email Sumter.nephrology.ma@gmail.com

Website www.sumternephrology.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 21

Mack Kolb, Chairman Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative, Jay Schwedler, President and CEO, Sumter Development Board and TheLINK, Greg Thompson, Chairman, Sumter Development Board, Chuck Fienning, Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative Board member.

Economic Development At A Glance

TheLINK

S

umter County and Lee County have formed a dynamic partnership - TheLINK - a new regional organization at work to bring jobs and investment to the area. It is comprised of three organizations, two counties and multiple “Team” members: The organization consists of the Sumter Development Board, The Sumter Smarter Growth Initiative and Lee County Economic Alliance along with the City of Sumter, City of Bishopville, and County Councils from Sumter and Lee. The mission is to be the galvanizing force of our regions’ economic development efforts by creating wealth for all citizens of Sumter and Lee Counties by increasing per capita income and supporting the creation of well-paying jobs.

Led by the President and CEO, the staff of experienced professionals, and boards of directors comprising a cross-section of business, industry, government and academia work diligently to position these organizations and the area with the

best opportunities to systemically and strategically create opportunities for positive community growth and economic expansion.

TheLINK - an Economic Development Alliance representing Lee and Sumter Counties – is recognized by the South Carolina Department of Commerce as a Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) and as such is eligible to secure and obtain resources to support economic development.

Economic Development is a team effort. We work closely with our public partners – The Legislative Delegation, County Council, City Council, Council of Governments, Chamber of Commerce, USC Sumter, Morris College, Central Carolina Technical College, and the Sumter School District – and we depend on our private partners – The SSGI and TheLINK for support of our economic development efforts.

To learn more about how you can invest in SSGI and TheLINK contact Eliza Buxton.

22 • Meet Your Local Professionals

TheLINK

An Economic Development Alliance Representing Lee and Sumter Counties, South Carolina Year founded 2014

Primary product or service

Creating wealth for all citizens of Sumter and Lee Counties by increasing per capita income and supporting the creation of well-paying jobs.

Top local executive

Jay Schwedler, President and CEO

Physical address

32 E. Calhoun Street, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone

803-774-2160

Email

ebuxton@sumter-sc.com or ebuxton@thelinksc.com

Website

www.thelinksc.com

The Bank of Clarendon Sumter team includes, left to right, Eric Miller, Diane McCord, Leon McDonald, Kellie Chapman, Josh McGregor, Brenda Prescott, Kimberly O. Johnson, Vickie Robinson and Chris Lee.

Bank of Clarendon

Success for local community bank: strength, stability and commitment to community

W

hen every bank in Clarendon County failed during the Great Depression, local businessmen created a new bank as a means to restore public confidence and trust. Rooted in this commitment of helping local citizens, Bank of Clarendon was founding in 1932 and continues its mission of providing strength and stability in Manning, Summerton, Santee and Sumter.

Kim Johnson, community development officer, said the bank embraces this 83-year history of building personal relationships while positively impacting the communities they serve.

“Participating in community events, volunteering in churches and schools, and providing leadership roles in civic organizations is important to the vitality of each of our communities,” Johnson said. “From director to teller and all in between, the entire Bank of Clarendon family believes in giving back to the community.”

“We have amazing bankers dedicated to providing a special banking experience,” said Marketing Officer Rose Newton. “Walk into our Sumter office. We are genuinely happy to see you and to help with your banking needs. You just really feel good when you walk through the door.

And in our other branches you will have a similar experience. We’re small enough to know you but big enough to serve your needs.”

Bank of Clarendon has been recognized as one of the top banks in the country, with a 5-star rating from Bankrate and Bauer Financial. Newton noted, “our strength and stability comes from our executive management team. These bankers, always focused on sound banking principles, have 159 years of combined experience. Additionally, 50 percent of our employees have worked here for 10 or more years. This means your banker knows you, understands your concerns and has the knowledge to fulfill your banking needs.

At A Glance Bank of Clarendon Year founded 1932

Primary product or service Banking, Financing, Investing

Top local executives William O. Buyck, Chairman Will Buyck, CEO J. Barry Ham, President

Physical address 235 W. Wesmark Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 469-0156

Email Customerservice@bankofclarendon.com

Website www.bankofclarendon.com

Meet Your Local Professionals • 23

Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone brokers left to right are Hugh Jackson; Jay Davis; Heather Boseman and Stephen DesChamps. Broker Leverett Owens is not pictured.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone

Downtown office represents leadership in commercial real estate market

T

here’s no irony in the fact that Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone has an office at the premier address in downtown Sumter at the corner of Main and Liberty streets. The name of the company illustrates its position as the city’s leader of commercial real estate.

Whether customers are looking for retail, industrial, land or office space, Coldwell Banker Commercial has, well, the cornerstone on the market. That’s because all five brokers for the company have extensive knowledge of commercial property available in the Sumter and surrounding market. They also have the capabilities of searching national databases to help clients locate the right property for their needs.

And while other real estate companies who deal with residential property may dabble in commercial real estate, Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone brokers have also conducted extensive research on property value, tax appeals, right-of-way values as well as investment services.

At least two of the brokers have completed training

for the distinction of Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM) brokers, one of the highest designations for commercial real estate brokers because of the training provided in the areas of financial, market and investment analysis as well as negotiations on behalf of clients.

Each of the company’s brokers -- Jay Davis, Hugh Jackson, Heather Boseman, Leverett Owens and Stephen DesChamps – possesses the expertise to work with clients to find commercial property that meets specific needs. Those five brokers have a combined 86 years of experience that has garnered the company international attention for having dollar volume sales among the top 2 percent of the 3,000 worldwide Coldwell Banker Commercial brokers.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone brings that kind of worldwide acknowledgement to the personal relationships brokers build with clients. It’s no accident its office represents the cornerstone of downtown and commercial development.

At A Glance Coldwell Banker Commercial Cornerstone Year founded 1997

Primary product or service Commercial Real Estate

Top local executives Jay Davis, President, Broker

Physical address 2 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC 29150

Phone (803) 778-1139

Email hboseman@cbccornerstone.com

Website www.cbccornerstone.com