DECEMBER 5, 2014 | VOL. 3 ISSUE 49
WORKING the
LINE
SPECIAL FOCUS ON ENERGY
One Duke Energy crew represents the industry’s present and future page 16
UP FRONT | 3
upstatebusinessjournal.com
We’re not The New York Times, and that’s a good thing By ASHLEY BONCIMINO,
Staff ashley@communityjournals.com
One of my favorite questions to ask experienced editors, journalists and successful businesspeople is, “How do you consume news?” To someone outside the industry, the question might seem trivial, but let me explain. We’ve heard again and again that successful people – regardless of industry – have consistent, intentional news diets from a variety of local, national and international sources. Warren Buffet reportedly reads six local and national newspapers daily, and Bill Gates sticks to the three biggies and a daily news digest. Younger business leaders are spearheading the move to online-first and online-only news sources, while news consumption on mobile devices and via daily news feeds are becoming more and more popular. But what’s interesting to me about the shifting news landscape is not how we’re consuming it. Clearly, business readers are expanding to online, if sites like Buzzfeed (which just surpassed its own projections by hitting $100 million in revenue before year’s end) and Quartz (the two-year-old news site shaking up business journalism) are any
indication. Rather, it’s what topics are in demand. The means for finding and consuming news have changed from decades ago, but what readers want to know about – international, national, local, trade, specialty interest news – is largely the same. The Wall Street Journal, for example, does an excellent job of covering national business news, while The Economist and The Financial Times excel at international business, economy and political coverage. Magazines such as Fortune and Bloomberg have carved national business niches, whereas Wired and Inc. skew towards national entrepreneurship and technology. But let’s face it: Big national and international sources can’t give smaller metropolitan areas such as Greenville the reporting attention they need – it’s not their focus, their strength. By the same token, UBJ can’t cover national and international business news like larger publications can – and that’s OK. We each have a role in helping our readers live their lives better via more informed decisions. UBJ’s role – our strength – is to be the community-level support business leaders need to move forward. UBJ’s strength is not covering national business news. We’re not going to spend time covering Charlotte’s business news, or California’s business
We’re powered by what’s most important. We care about strengthening the communities we serve. We’re partnering with local and state economic development groups to attract new businesses, creating jobs and opportunities that benefit our customers. Because, every day, we’re powered by what’s most important – you.
Learn more about how we’re powered by you at duke-energy.com/ForYou.
news, or India’s business news unless it affects our readers – at a local level – in some way. If we highlight our strengths, we can be the best at what we do. My strength is tapping into the knowledge, experience and wisdom of people who are, quite frankly, smarter than me. My goal is to bring you news and perspectives that help you understand the Upstate better, and more importantly, help you make more informed decisions within it. Furthermore, UBJ’s rapid-fire online content plays a different part in our readers’ news diets than our weekly print edition, which we reserve for longer, more in-depth, reporting-heavy pieces that go above and beyond the 24-hour news cycle. I’m busy. You’re busy. Your coworkers are busy. Dare to be intentional with your news diet by carefully choosing to read what will help you succeed: a blend of national and local news, of in-depth features and crucial daily spots, of business and entertainment. Our goal is to help you succeed by being a part of a balanced news diet. When you finish reading your national paper, after you scan through your news digests and flip through UBJ, we want you to head to UpstateBusinessJournal.com to catch up on your territory. See you there.
4 | THE RUNDOWN |
TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
UBJ
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12.05. 2014
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 49 Featured this issue: Health co-op failure leaves aftershocks in Upstate Local leaders bring home lessons from Music City 2 local retirement facilities part of $476M deal
6 8 25
MONEY SHOT: Duke Energy’s four-unit Jocassee Hydroelectric Station is a 710-megawatt pumped-storage generating facility in Pickens County. The facility works much like a conventional hydroelectric station, except that it can reverse turbines (one of which is seen here) and pump back previously used water from a lower lake to store potential energy for later. UBJ’s special section on Upstate energy issues starts on page 16. Photo Provided
WORTH REPEATING “If you want to be successful on Kickstarter, you have to already have a following.” Will Meadows, cofounder of board game company Tantrum House, which launched a Kickstarter campaign in August.
“Tragically, some of our brightest stars suffer silently and do not ask for help. That is not the right path. There is no glory in suffering silently. There is no victory in appearing to be happy, successful and perfect.” Licensed psychologist Dr. Martha Durham, on depression in the workplace.
VERBATIM
On fixing the system… “It’s no secret that the U.S. health care system is unsustainable, but what is most important is how we fix it and that we work together across county and state lines to ensure the people in our communities have access to the best care possible.” Dr. Angelo Sinopoli, chief medical officer of Greenville Health System, in a statement announcing the new physician-led partnership MyHealth First Network, which spans nine counties. Read more in this week’s Greenville Journal.
“It’s sort of like Jazzercising.”
TBA
Mike Lequire, construction and maintenance supervisor for Duke Energy in Anderson County, on the warm-ups that linemen perform, to musical accompaniment, before starting their days’ work.
A new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is planned for 203 Cedar Springs Road in Spartanburg. Word is construction will begin in late January…
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6 | INSURANCE |
UBJ
NEWS
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12.05. 2014
Insolvent co-op leaves 4,600 uninsured Insurers to bridge gap for 530 businesses left uncovered after S.C. Health Cooperative takeover ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF
aboncimino@communityjournals.com Four insurance carriers have agreed to offer coverage for the estimated 530 businesses insured under the Seneca-based S.C. Health Cooperative, which was taken over by the S.C. Insurance Department when audits showed it to be financially insolvent. The co-op has $10.6 million in liabilities and $250,000 in total assets, according to a court document petitioning for rehabilitation proceedings that would appoint S.C. Department of Insurance director Raymond G. Farmer as the receiver of the co-op “for the purposes of rehabilitation.” The 530 co-op members—each with between two and 50 employees—account for 4,549 employees across the state, according to S.C. Department of Insurance media representative Ann Roberson. The co-op is the only S.C. Department of Insurance-licensed multiple employer welfare arrangement, in which a group of employers pool their contributions in a self-funded health plan for their employees.
The department had been monitoring the continued operation “would be hazardous, finanfinancial condition of the co-op since its licensure cially, to its policyholders, its creditors and/or in June 2012, according to a news release, but the public.” “increased its monitoring” after As of Monday, the departan October examination. ment has not yet received an ENGAGE The department formally order from the court on the INSURANCE FAIR assumed control of the co-op on petition to rehabilitate, but it DEC NOON–2PM Nov. 10 after being notified is moving forward by organizthat two standby letters of ing a series of insurance fairs For small businesses that are credit—which totaled $8 million for co-op members across the members of the S.C. Health and served as the security state, according to a Dec. 1 news Cooperative for the co-op’s reserves— release. Greenville Chamber of Commerce, were fraudulent. Four insurers—BlueChoice 24 Cleveland St., Greenville South Carolina laws required HealthPlan, BlueCross Bluethe co-op to maintain a surplus Shield of South Carolina, of at least three times the average monthly preCoventry and United Healthcare—have commitmiums during the plan’s most recent fund year. ted to writing small-group coverage with a retroThe co-op’s surplus was $5.5 million short ($13.5 active Dec. 1 effective date for members of the million if the letters of credit are not included) of co-op who secure a quote by Dec. 12. its $3.1 million surplus requirement, according These carriers will hold three insurance fairs— to the Department of Insurance court petition one each in Columbia, Charleston and Greenfor rehabilitation. ville—this week in order for co-op members to According to the department’s petition, the S.C. talk with representatives. “They’ll have until Friday to make some deciHealth Cooperative is insolvent in that it cannot pay its obligations when due, or its assets don’t sions,” said Roberson. “Then they can try to make meet capital and surplus requirements, and its some fairly smart decisions going forward.”
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8 | LEADERSHIP & HEALTH CARE |
Learning from other cities What Greenville’s mayor and other leaders learned at the CEOs for Cities conference in Nashville BENJAMIN JEFFERS | STAFF
bjeffers@communityjournals.com Cities must take the lead—not depend on the state or federal government—to address problems in urban areas, a group of Greenville representatives learned at the CEOs for Cities conference in Nashville. Ten public and private community leaders joined Greenville Mayor Knox White at the two-day CEOs for Cities conference last month, hearing a cross section of community influencers from around the country discuss success stories and ideas to address concerns within cities. Topics ranged from sustainability and transportation to fitness and workforce development. UBJ recently spoke with some of the attendees from Greenville about what they learned. Brad Halter, chairman of Coldwell Banker Caine, said cities have been left with the responsibility to plan their own future rather than waiting for the state or federal government to do something. Part of that responsibility is developing a city brand, he said. Nashville has branded itself as all about “music, music, music,” said Marion Crawford, president and CEO of Crawford Strategy, an approach the Greenville group suggests Greenville could use for Falls Park. Ever since Nashville started using music themes as part of its branding strategy—including playing music from speakers on the sidewalks—officials have seen noticeable improvement, such as a marked decrease in crime rates, the group said. Another issue facing cities is education. “When you start doing city planning, a lot of times schools are left behind,” said Heather Meadors, director of community relations for JHM Hotels. The group said Kansas City was a good model of how to address that problem. Kansas City’s mayor made a conscious effort to persuade city leaders to go into the
UBJ
NEWS
poor sections of the city and partner with students to mentor and help them, to good result. Halter said one big thing he learned at the conference was “density is not necessarily a bad thing.” The group was impressed by a presentation by Vishaan Chakrabarti, author of “A Country of Cities,” about how well-designed city plans will reduce spending on urban sprawl and make density in the city an attractive solution to many economic problems. Crawford said an effort is underway to move people back into the cities—but Halter noted that gentrification can become a problem. “People are moving out of neighborhoods [in the city] as prosperity comes in.” The group said the trend now is wealthier people moving to downtown areas and poorer people moving to the suburbs. The biggest problem common in almost every metropolitan area around the country is transportation, said Patrick Franzen of Highland Homes, an observation Crawford, Meadors and Halter noted as well. Unfortunately, they said, nobody at the conference had an answer about how to address the problem. “I don’t think there’s a good plan for that at all,” Meadors said. After seeing presentations from other cities, the group said they thought Greenville was one of the best places in the country to live. All said they were frequently approached at the conference by people wanting to talk talk about how much they liked Greenville. “It’s great to see we are on the map,” Crawford said. Looking to the future, the group expressed a desire to get more people in the community involved in discussing plans for developing Greenville in a way that addresses problems before they materialize.
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12.05. 2014
GHS updates Memorial Campus plan Presentation expected in 2015 including the iMed concept, which is similar to ICAR with health care located along the I-85 corridor. Greenville Health System is “There’s a ton of community inbeginning the process of updating terest in this,” said Dr. Spence its master plan for the facilities at Taylor, president of GHS Clinical Greenville Memorial Medical University. Taylor predicts there will Campus, according to Paul Johnson, be a medical corridor along Highway president of Greenville Memorial 185, not just limited to the area on Hospital, who spoke to the board’s and near the Memorial Campus. planning and finance committee last Board members discussed week. whether facility growth should be The plan will “position the big pursued when health care providers blocks of campus,” said Johnson, are working toward more efficient including the patient care, research patient care through technology. and academic zones. It will also “We have enough land at this anticipate future growth and address point for our needs,” Johnson said traffic flow on campus, he said. following the meeting. GHS does Discussion of the plan began not have immediate plans to purabout nine months ago and it has chase land beyond the boundaries been 10 years since the previous plan of the current 110-acre campus and has been updated. With the growth has not assessed adjoining parcels, of research and academic facets of he said. There are still pockets health care, the plan needs to be “adjacent to buildings for developrevisited, Johnson said. ment,” he said. Johnson told the committee that Johnson said the steering comGHS has noted growing interest in mittee would be meeting with development surrounding the groups throughout the system and campus. The group working on the stakeholders in the coming months. plan will include architectural firm A presentation on the updated plan Design Strategies, facilities represhould be brought to the planning sentatives and a steering committee. committee in the spring, he said. Work groups will focus on patient Stakeholders include the GHS care delivery, academics and remanagement team, physicians, search and the campus periphery, board members and on-campus partners, including universities and research partners, he said. There could be public input sessions later in the process, he added. The Greenville Memorial Campus is one of the eight campuses in the GHS system, An illustration from the previous GHS Memorial Campus including the master plan shows potential building spots adjacent to recently added existing buildings. Multiple workgroups have begun work O c o n e e on an updated plan that is due to be presented in 2015. Medical Center. APRIL A. MORRIS | STAFF
amorris@communityjournals.com
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www.clemson.edu/mba 路 864-656-3975
10 | ENTERTAINMENT |
UBJ
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12.05. 2014
The name of the game BENJAMIN JEFFERS | STAFF
bjeffers@communityjournals.com At the beginning of summer, Will Meadows was critiquing the artwork of a board game he was playing with his now-business partner Ryan Pilz. Pilz asked him if he thought he could do a better job. Meadows, creative director for Bob Jones University’s marketing and communications team, well remembers his reply: “I said, ‘Dude, I know I could do better.’” Thus began Meadows’ venture to start Tantrum House, a board game company. Meadows regularly hosts game nights at his home and wants to eventually create and distribute his own board games. But first, he and
Pilz decided to build an audience by producing two-minute game reviews. Many board game reviews can be long and tedious, Meadows said, but he and Pilz follow a specific set of guidelines and try to inject humor. Pilz focuses on the mechanics and playability of the games, while Meadows focuses on design and how enjoyable the game is. Meadows also asked a couple of fellow Bob Jones graduates, Ben Fields and Joel Mangin, to help with videography and marketing. The duo has already posted several reviews on their website. The company launched a Kickstarter campaign in August to raise $1,000 to “flesh out our set” of video equipment for the reviews, Meadows said, adding that the value of Kick-
A board game review in production at Tantrum House.
starter is more in its search engine optimization (SEO) and building a base rather than raising funds. “If you want to be successful on Kickstarter, you have to already have a following,” he said. Meadows asked Chris Rawlings,
an accounting teacher at Bob Jones, to help with financial advice and raising capital. “We haven’t really found a business model that follows exactly what we’re doing,” he said. They wanted to tap into Rawlings’ knowledge and experience. >>
Rick Erwin’s Clemson
Photos Provided
Bob Jones grads launch funding campaign for game company Tantrum House
upstatebusinessjournal.com
>> “We needed a money guy,” Meadows said. Rawlings worked with Meadows on some projects at Bob Jones and thought being part of the company would be “something fun” to do. “Those guys are pretty serious board-gamers,” he said. Rawlings tapped his experience
NEWS
as a treasurer and director of corporate accounting for a communications company to help the duo craft a plan for raising capital. He is also currently a managing partner for Spara, a consulting firm. Rawlings uses the Tantrum House startup as an example in his business classes. He said the real-life model
| ENTERTAINMENT & HOSPITALITY | 11
helps students “have something tangible in their minds.” The students get to feel like they are part of the behind-the-scenes process, he said. Meadows said he is “trying to be realistic” about his expectations for the company. If Tantrum House ends up just being a way to supplement his and the other team members’
incomes, he said he would be happy. But “if we could pay for our kids’ college some day – fantastic.” The team is already working on a card game Meadows said they feel comfortable will be ready for production soon. He estimates they will need about $25,000 to produce it.
Charlie’s Steakhouse ‘helped bring back downtown’ Family business to close Dec. 27 after 93 years
TRANSFORMING COMMUNIT Y
Photo by Greg Beckner
SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
Tasteful design that enhances Patrick Square
sjackson@communityjournals.com Charlie’s Steakhouse, a downtown Greenville icon and family business since 1921, is closing its doors on Dec. 27. “It’s bittersweet,” said owner Kay Efstration. “I’m going to miss a lot of my great customers.” Efstration declined to reveal who will be leasing the building, other than to say the new tenants are local and “fantastic business people. I’m sure they’ll do great.” Her grandfather, Charlie, opened the restaurant in 1921 in downtown Greenville, relocating to its current home at 18 E. Coffee St. in 1933. The business has been in the family for four generations, but Efstration said no other family members are inter-
ested in running the restaurant that she’s been associated with for more than 25 years. Efstration said she has no definite plans for the future but is looking forward to “a new chapter in my life.” She said she plans to “get some projects done and get my house in order.” The restaurant was a second, part-time job for all her employees, she said, so she doesn’t believe its closing will impose too much of a hardship on them. She expects the restaurant to be closed for a while as the new owners complete renovations. “We were here when nothing else was open after 6 p.m.,” she said. “We’ve helped bring back downtown Greenville. I have no regrets.”
12 | TECH BYTES & MANUFACTURING |
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12.05. 2014
Iron Yard offers Ruby on Rails engineering class SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
sjackson@communityjournals.com The Iron Yard Academy, the largest code school in the country, is launching a new, three-month intensive Ruby on Rails engineering class in Greenville beginning Jan. 5. Ruby on Rails, an open-source Web application framework written in the Ruby programming language, is one of the most popular server-side frameworks in the world, the Iron Yard said. At the end of the class, participants “will know how to build fast, production-quality full-stack apps.” “Rails is an in-demand technology and a great framework for learning Web development, and we’ve had tremendous success with Rails in our other locations,” said Roy Schmidt, Greenville campus director. “Giving Greenville-area students another option lets us grow here without sacri-
ficing the teacher-student ratio.” The class will teach everything from foundational concepts to complex frameworks. Some topics like JSON AJAX requests will take weeks to cover, while others, such as the use of Active Helper, will be taught in just a few lectures, Schmidt said. Classes are designed so the curriculum can be adapted by each instructor as tools and languages evolve, but students from each class will graduate with the same core skill set, he said. The class schedule is set up like a typical five-day workweek, with a lecture in the morning and lab time in the afternoon. Friday is an open lab day where students can work with the instructor to catch up on projects or get a head start on the weekend’s homework. The Greenville course will be taught by James
Dabbs, a trained mathematician who, while working on his Ph.D., decided software development was a better choice. He most recently worked as a senior engineer at Emcien in Atlanta and has previously taught the Ruby on Rails classes in Atlanta for the Iron Yard. Cost for the class is $12,000 and includes 12 weeks of intensive code education, mentorship and career support. The Iron Yard was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Greenville. It currently has 10 campuses across the U.S., and beginning Jan. 2015, expects to have more than 400 students enrolled in courses ranging from mobile and front-end engineering, Web design, Python and now Rails engineering. For more information, visit theironyard.com/ academy/rails-engineering.
SC manufacturing outpaces US growth Job gains continue three-year momentum ASHLEY BONCIMINO | STAFF
aboncimino@communityjournals.com South Carolina gained manufacturing jobs for the third year in a row, according to the 2015 South Carolina Manufacturers Register, a database published by Evanston, Ill.-based Manufacturers’ News Inc. The state’s manufacturers added 5,848 industrial jobs for the year ended September 2014, increasing the state’s total jobs in the sector by 2.2 percent from the same period last year. This outpaces national growth of 1.4 percent for manufacturing jobs, as reported by the U.S. Labor Department. Manufacturing jobs in the Palmetto State have increased 5.1 percent since September 2011, compared with national growth of 3.3 percent during the same period. The state is now home to 4,735 manufacturers
employing 269,694 people, according to the report. Within the state, the transportation equipment sector saw 10.5 percent employment gains year over year to 36,264 people, pushing the sector ahead of the industrial machinery and textile/ apparel manufacturing as the largest state sector by employment. Plans for expansions at BMW’s Greer plant and ZF Transmissions’s planned facility are expected to further boost state transportation employment numbers. South Carolina saw 11.8 percent employment gains in rubber and plastics; 1.9 percent gains in printing and publishing; 1.3 percent gains in lumber and wood; and 1.1 percent gains in industrial machinery. Employment decreased by 4.6 percent in furniture and fixtures; 2.3 percent in stone, clay and glass; 1.7 percent in instruments and related products; and 1.2 percent in food products.
The state’s northwest region accounts for the largest share of industrial employment at 170,693 jobs, an increase of 1.7 percent year over year, but the Southeast region of the state saw the highest percentage increase of 4.7 percent to 33,986 jobs. Greenville County firms continued to employ the largest number of manufacturing jobs at 54,426, followed by Spartanburg (30,124), Charleston (23,009), Lexington (16,604) and Richland (14,947). In a ranking of cities, the city of Greenville took the top spot with 26,956 jobs, a 1.5 percent increase from last year, followed by Spartanburg with 16,604, Greer with 13,050, North Charleston with 12,733 and Anderson with 9,792. The state’s largest manufacturing employers include BMW with 8,000 employees, Boeing with 6,000, Michelin North America with 3,800, GE Power & Water with 3,400 and Kraft Foods Group with 2,500.
MANUFACTURING JOBS IN THE UPSTATE
2007–2008 2008–2009 2009–2010 2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014
SC Firms 5,465 5,169 5,111 4,938 4,870 4,794 4,735 SC Jobs
296,069 271,676 262,929 256,469 262,431 263,696 269,694
Change in SC Jobs, YOY
-2%
-10.2%
-3.2%
-1.5%
2.3%
1%
2.2%
Change in US Jobs, YOY
-3.7%
12.7%
-0.3%
1.8%
1.5%
0.4%
1.4%
Source: Manufacturers News Inc. 2008–2014 and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Manufacturing Employees 2007–2014.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
GOOD HEALTH IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS
| WORKING WELL | 13
’Tis the season to reach out to coworkers Depression in the workplace is “real, devastating and treatable” By LORI BURNEY,
LiveWell Greenville development director and certified support group facilitator, National Alliance on Mental Illness
The holidays are a lonely and stressful time for many people. In the midst of the joy and celebration, many individuals are grieving the loss of a loved one, spending more money than they make, or seeking happiness in our materialistic society. Sadly, there are many among us who are hurting, in danger, and need our help. Each day we enter the workplace and sit next to them. We join them for lunch meetings and coffee breaks. They are camouflaged in their suits and ties, skirts and high heels, hiding behind their iPads and laptops. “All around us, people suffer,” says Dr. Martha Durham, a licensed psychologist at North Main Counseling in Greenville. “No matter what you think you know about a person, you just can’t really know what they carry. You can know absolutely that suffering is universal. It is a part of the human experience.” Now that the holiday season is upon us, mental health in the workplace is an important issue to consider. In most cases, depression is caused by problems outside of the office, but personal issues often influence one’s attitude at work. Depression can negatively impact an individual’s job performance, as well as the mood and productivity of coworkers. “It is real, devastating and treatable,” says Durham. “If you get nothing else from this, understand that there is help.” While obvious signs of depression include crying, explosive outbursts and erratic behavior, less recognizable symptoms include withdrawal, indecisiveness, forgetfulness, fatigue or a general lack of interest and motivation. We all have days when we experience any one of these symptoms, which doesn’t necessarily mean we are depressed. But when several of these indicators continue for weeks, it’s important to address the problem to determine if depression is the issue.
“Tragically, some of our brightest stars suffer silently and do not ask for help,” says Durham. “That is not the right path. There is no glory in suffering silently. There is no victory in appearing to be happy, successful and perfect.” If you are an employer and notice signs of depression in an employee, it’s best to be supportive. While you are not qualified to determine if the employee is in fact suffering from depression, you do have a responsibility to address any problems that may interfere with job performance.
“There is no glory in suffering silently. There is no victory in appearing to be happy, successful and perfect.” Dr. Martha Durham, North Main Counseling
To ensure that employees stay healthy and happy, it’s good to offer proper working conditions within an environment that maintains a comfortable room temperature, adequate lighting and no unnecessary or distracting noises. In addition, employees are more likely to find happiness in the workplace if you: Are supportive and positive in your daily interactions Provide well-defined performance expectations and proper guidance Recognize individual achievements and overall success Give staff the opportunity to use and develop their best skills If you are personally experiencing signs of depression, ask for help. Check to see if your company offers an employee assistance program or other resources, and consider a visit to your family doctor or a counselor. “If you feel shame in your pain, know that people like me are trained to help you, to teach you, and to keep your confidence,” says Durham. “We are here to help you survive the pain, so you can feel joy and happiness again.” The foods you eat also will influence your mood. In order for your brain to function properly, your
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Upstate Business Journal
body needs proper nutrition. In addition, regular exercise has been proven to decrease depression and to provide a boost in energy. Most importantly, don’t stop working! Continue to accomplish what you can on the job, even if it’s only minor tasks. Although you may be tempted to call in sick and spend the day in bed, it will only increase your depressed state. The majority of people suffering from depression can receive successful treatment without taking any time off from work. When you consider that a full-time employee spends one-third of his or her workweek at the office, it makes sense that the work environment can have a tremendous impact on an individual’s mental health. Under the right circumstances, time spent at work can actually reduce depression by providing a daily routine, serving as an outlet for social interaction, offering an opportunity to be productive, to feel a sense of accomplishment, and to experience success. Ultimately, a positive work environment can contribute to an individual’s happiness.
6 SIGNS AN EMPLOYEE MAY BE SUFFERING FROM STRESS OR DEPRESSION Increasing frequency of sick days Loss of motivation Changes in social behavior in the workplace Incomplete duties or tasks Fatigue, tiredness, excessive yawning Increasing number of absent days for other reasons Source: Forbes.com
GET IN TOUCH The mission of LiveWell Greenville is to make the healthy choice the easy choice by creating and maintaining a community that supports healthy eating and active living. For more information, visit livewellgreenville.org or contact Lori Burney directly at lburney@ livewellgreenville.org.
@UpstateBiz
TheUpstateBusinessJournal
14 | INNOVATE |
MOVERS, SHAKERS AND DISRUP TORS SHAPING OUR FUTURE
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Hark, the local angels sing 2014 was another record year for early-stage capital investing in South Carolina By MATT DUNBAR, managing director, Upstate Carolina Angel Network With the holiday season upon us and the year drawing to a close, it’s a good time to take stock of the last few months and reflect on the year that has been. Last week as we celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and family, we counted our blessings on many fronts—including a record-setting year for the Upstate Carolina Angel Network and a year of new beginnings for the South Carolina Angel Network. Here are a few of the many things for which we are thankful from a very successful 2014. INVESTORS
Once again UCAN counted more than 50 local investors as members in 2014, putting us well above the median for organized angel groups around the country. Our members are the heart of UCAN and they provide countless hours of valuable feedback to entrepreneurs, service as board members in portfolio companies, and, of course, critical startup capital to promising early-stage ventures. This year UCAN members have invested more than $2.5 million in 13 companies—a record amount on both fronts. With the launch of the broader South Carolina Angel Network this year, our network of investors across the state is growing. The Capital Angels formed in Columbia this spring and now counts more than 30 Midlands investors among its members. In early 2015, plans are in place to launch a new angel group in Spartanburg, and more groups are in the exploration stage in other cities. Additionally, SCAN helped launch the Asheville Angels this fall, which already has more than 25 members and is actively syndicating investment opportunities with our South Carolina groups. In addition to the launch of new angel groups, SCAN also attracted new investors to the early-stage capital market through the launch of the Palmetto Angel Fund. The Fund is designed to automatically co-invest alongside the active angel groups in SCAN. To date the fund has raised over $1.3 million from more than 30 investors and has invested in five companies—and it will remain open to new investors through December. ENTREPRENEURS
Of course, the true lifeblood of any angel investing activity is the entrepreneurs who create promising new ventures. Without the creativity, smarts, pluck and resolve of talented and coura-
geous entrepreneurs who take the risk to launch up to $75 million. new companies, angels would have no place to Of course, exits are key to generating the returns invest—and since startups create all net job necessary to keep early-stage investors active and growth, our economy would be devastated without engaged—so we are grateful for the leadership them. In UCAN’s portfolio Brian and Michael demonalone, companies have strated in attracting lucraENTREPRENEURS UCAN created more than 300 tive offers. high-paying jobs—with HAS BACKED: PARTNERS many more to come. UCAN is proud to We have been truly fortupartner with several sponnate to work with many soring organizations across strong entrepreneurs at a number of different inUCAN and 2014 was no dustries and we are grateful exception. Of course we for their support of entredon’t have enough space preneurs and capital forhere to tell you about all of mation in the Upstate. We them, but we would like to would like to publicly thank thank a few local entrepreour partners, NEXT and neurs we’ve invested in—or the Clemson University re-invested in—this year. College of Business and We’re proud to have Behavioral Science; our backed Peter Barth at the Gold Sponsors, Elliott Iron Yard Academy; Matt Davis, RealOp Funds and Gevaert and his team at US Trust; and our Silver KIYATEC; Ryan Popple Sponsors, Nelson Mullins, the new CEO of ProOgletree Deakins, Palmetterra; and Frank Greer to Bank and Wyche. RECOGNITION
Without the entrepreneurs who take the risk to launch new companies, angels would have no place to invest—and since startups create all net job growth, our economy would be devastated without them.
Finally, it was a pleasant surprise when UCAN was named the No. 8 angel group in the United States by CB Insights this summer. We were proud to put Greenville and South Carolina on the map with investors from major markets in California, BY THE NUMBERS: Boston and Texas, and it’s a great tribute to the invesat Zipit Wireless. UCAN in 2014: tors, entrepreneurs and While those companies partners who have driven continue on their upward local investors our success and for whom trajectories, two other we are thankful. UCAN Portfolio Companies 2014 has been a great invested realized significant exit year for UCAN and SCAN, events this year, generating and we look forward to attractive returns for invescompanies even more progress and tors. success in the months Verdeeco, a smart-grid high-paying jobs created ahead. If you would like to analytics company from join us in that effort as a Atlanta led by Brian Crow, member, fund investor or was acquired by Sensus in partner, please contact us—we plan to keep the April. Locally, Michael Bolick of Selah Genomics local angels singing in 2015 and beyond. created a very significant early exit when Selah
50+ $2,500,000+ 13 300+
was acquired by EKF Diagnostics in a deal worth
upstatebusinessjournal.com
THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF BUSINESS
| DIGITAL MAVEN | 15
The magic bullet theory
Even the best technology is worthless if nobody is using it By LAURA HAIGHT, president, portfoliosc.com The greatest barrier to successful implementation of any new technology is grass-roots adaptation. Will your line staff use it? Will your constituents like it? It’s easy to say we expect compliance from our staff, but many a project gets derailed in just this way. Non-compliance and, worse, public criticism can turn an expensive project into a giant white elephant. There are many reasons why this happens. Staffers weren’t consulted or involved in the planning/design stages, so they are hypercritical and non-adaptive. They haven’t been trained well enough to understand how to use the system. They haven’t been offered a clear understanding of why change is necessary. They don’t want to learn something new because it is too difficult. All these reasons could be a discussion topic (and in fact, maybe will be future columns) but today I want to focus on the fourth one. It’s just too hard. There is a common misperception that technology is supposed to make your life easier. So when something new comes along and it seems
harder, a lot of people just dismiss it as bad technology, poor design, a waste of money because it didn’t make everything easier for me. Personally, I blame the marketing genius who first uttered the phrase “plug and play” for getting people started on the easy wagon. So here’s the most important thing everyone needs to know about technology: It is not easier to use. What it does do is give you capabilities that were unimaginable before. Often, though, the trade-off to get those capabilities is learning and understanding more. Here’s an example of pretty common consumer technology: What’s easier than buying a TV, plugging it into the wall and turning it on? That’s what we did for decades—very basic, plug and play. I just recently finally disposed of a TV that actually didn’t have a single port on the back, save for a coaxial cable connection. I should have checked with the Smithsonian first. But now, you’ve got HDMI, composite, component, DVI, S-video—and that’s just to connect to the set-top box from your cable provider. Layer in a DVR or another service like Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast, or maybe external speakers or sound bar, and you have more to learn. Once you get everything connected, you may have to troubleshoot issues with your Wi-Fi connection, occasionally restarting the gateway to clear up packet loss resulting in reduced bandwidth. Nowhere near as easy as “plug in, turn on and watch.” But you have hundreds of channels, the
ability to record multiple shows at the same time, searches, scheduling, email reminders and, on some systems, smart searching to auto-record your favorite actors when their movies are on. The trade-off? Even though you may have had to hire someone to set it all up for you, ultimately you had to learn how to use it. This is the technology compact. Technology is not a magic bullet—and it is important that both sides of the innovation equation play their parts. The coolest new system in the world is nothing if only a small percentage of your staff is using it, if there are no champions talking it up and if, God forbid, some are actively turning people against it—internally and externally. If you’re an IT person or one of the 13.5 percent of geeks, accept the fact that technology isn’t easy for everyone. Bring the naysayers into the planning process so they can learn early on how cool this is really going to be. And take the time to train them and work with them. Yes, some will never get it; but more will and so long as those percentages tip in your favor, the crowd of previous non-adapters will follow a new leader. If you’re a gumby, who just wants everything to be easy for you, wake up. The train has left the station. Try a little harder and stop wistfully waiting to wake up back in the ’70s. You are just going to be disappointed, angry and left behind. There is so much you can do now; open up and let yourself be amazed at how powerful you have become.
INNOVATION ADOPTION LIFECYCLE Early Majority
Late Majority
Early Adopters
Laggards Innovators
2.5% Source: Wikipedia
13.5%
34%
34%
16%
UBJ
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12.05. 2014
Jamie Bannister sets up a warning sign near the Duke Energy job site in Anderson County. Safety is a high priority on the job site; (left) Bruce Cathey maneuvers a utility pole into place.
MEN ON WIRE >>
It’s quiet. Men in khaki-colored shirts and jeans
They are the linemen for Anderson County, and they’re responsible for an infrastructure others rarely have to think about JENNIFER OLADIPO | SENIOR BUSINESS WRITER joladipo@communityjournals.com
move at an unhurried but efficient pace around a loading dock behind Duke Energy’s Anderson operations center. They don’t talk much, grabbing protective gear or supplies from huge bins full of wires and pipes, much like chefs gathering ingredients for a meal. Two of the men use a small forklift to pluck a shiny gray transformer from a pile of about a dozen and load it onto the back of a white service truck. If bad weather were expected, there would be several more in the pile. But it’s a warm November day with a clear blue sky, and this transformer will go up on a freshly placed pole to power a new home. The team that will install the pole just finished a brief 9:30 a.m. meeting where they discussed the day’s tasks. Before that, there’s usually 15 minutes of stretching to warm up their bodies. Lineman Reggie Simmons said they choose all sorts of tunes, from chart-toppers by pop singers Adele and Lorde to ’80s and ’90s hits. “It’s sort of like Jazzercising,” said Mike Lequire, construction and maintenance supervisor. It’s easier to plan for the day than for the future in an industry that faces a looming labor shortage. Lequire assembled today’s team. He’s spent 34 years with the company, but keeps the focus away from himself. He’d rather have another lineman answer, and especially likes to test Bryce Thomason, a 21-year-old who’s been on the job just a few months. That age gap between the two men is telling, and it’s a serious problem for the energy industry.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
SPECIAL FOCUS ON ENERGY
| COVER | 17
FROM TRAINEE TO JOURNEYMAN Looking for a career change? Not afraid of heights? A line technician apprenticeship may be in your future SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
sjackson@communityjournals.com While climbing poles may look easy to some, being a lineman for a utility company is anything but. It’s dangerous and requires a lot of travel—and to get to the position, you first must go through an extensive apprenticeship program. But it’s also rewarding and the salary is decent. So if you’re considering a career change or looking at prospects, here’s a look at lineman apprenticeships for two of the largest Upstate utility companies. DUKE ENERGY
Photos by Greg Beckner
WORKING CLASS
The A-, B- and C-class linemen on the crew are locals. They serve 68,000 customers in Anderson County, including small cities like Honea Path. They have a fairly straightforward job this morning. The crew will install a pole and energize a line for a new residence in Townville, about 20 minutes away. The team includes Jamie Bannister, a poster boy for Duke linemen if there is one. He finished eighth in the world overall out of 255 competitors and fourth in the investor-owned utility division at the International Lineman’s Rodeo competition in October. He loves the job. Back at home, he’s a C-class lineman, fairly green with much yet to learn. Bannister answers most questions with thoughtful pauses, but doesn’t hesitate to share what he likes about his job. Like his colleagues, he said being outdoors, troubleshooting and the fact that every call is different are favorite parts of the work. The kinds of everyday skills that are tested for fun at the rodeo, in events such as the 40-foot pole climb and simulated rescues, earn him bragging rights. Yet the conditions under which linemen apply those skills often are not what most people would consider fun. The bad weather and disasters that keep the rest of us hunkered down at home are the very events that call the linemen out to work. In his 30 years as a lineman, Bruce Cathey said he has missed birthdays and Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. He slept on the floor of a school LINEMEN continued on PAGE 18
To qualify for the Duke Energy Carolinas line technician program, candidates must meet specific basic qualifications, and pass a pre-employment interview. Candidates also have to pass a physical abilities test (PAT) and construction and skilled trade aptitude test (CAST). The four-year apprenA new transformer is loaded onto ticeship begins with an a Duke Energy truck. intensive eight-week training program. During the training, the line technician learns all aspects of the job and, most importantly, how to work safely. Line technicians begin as a line technician helper, and after one year, progress to a line technician C and then to a line technician B job classification during the four-year program. After completion of the program, the line technician typically advances to the journeyman classification—line technician A. LAURENS ELECTRIC
Laurens Electric Cooperative has partnered with The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina for its five-year apprentice program for all line technicians. The program is designed to lead the co-op’s apprentices into journeyman certification through curriculum study as well as on-the-job training. The curriculum component of the apprenticeship program is conducted through Northwest Lineman College, and exceeds 144 hours of academic training. Each technician must independently study 10 SALARY RANGE, PER HOUR, manuals on various line technician topics and must FOR A LINE TECHNICIAN successfully complete testing on each module every year before progressing to the next step in the program. WITH LAURENS ELECTRIC: The on-the-job training portion of the apprenticeship 1st year $15.80-$18.50 program is conducted primarily in-house, with annual training at The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina’s 2nd year $18.50-$19.95 training facility. Apprentice line technicians receive an On-the-Job Training (OJT) manual each year, which in3rd year $19.95-$22.00 cludes an extensive list of tasks in which the apprentice must demonstrate proficiency before being able to move 4th year $22.00-$24.00 on to the next step in the program. Apprentices must 5th year $23.70-$27.50 exhibit their abilities through performance and written (A-class lineman) knowledge, and as milestones are completed, they are rewarded through pay rate increases.
18 | COVER |
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12.05. 2014
LINEMAN continued from PAGE 17
library while helping make repairs after Hurricane Hugo hit South Carolina in 1989. He spent 19 days in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. “I had no idea if I’d be gone for a week or what,” Cathey said. “Sometimes when you volunteer to go out on a storm or something, you don’t know if you’re going to be back in two days or two weeks, and that can be tough on the family.” Bruce Cathey, left, talks with Jamie Bannister while Bannister uses a remote control to operate an auger to drill a hole for a new utility pole; (below) Tim Martin drills holes into a freshly installed utility pole. The holes are used to place hardware onto the pole.
ON THE JOB
CHANGING TIMES
Backup controls with archaic-looking levers are still located on the truck, but the remote control illustrates the kind of technological advances that have made the job easier over the years. Onboard computers allow crews to quickly pull up underground maps or locate fuse boxes, information that required a call back to the office once upon a time. Innovations like battery-operated wire cutters have had some of the biggest impact on the physicality of the work. Computers simplify tasks, but also change the required skill set. Cathey, 56, said he relies on younger colleagues to help him with computer issues the way he helps them understand the mechanics of building a line. The linemen staff is also smaller than it used to be, and threatens to shrink drastically because
LINEMEN LINGO Headache! Look out below, I just dropped something. Going hot! A line is about to be energized Signal 7 Okay Signal 6 Power outage Eel Temporary rubber insulators for power lines Line of fire The area directly beneath power lines
of that age gap, a problem throughout the utility industry. Cathey said the crew of about 17 is about half the size it was when he started 30 years ago. The younger ones are in their 20s. Cathey said he is nearing retirement, and right now his financial advisor is figuring out just when that should be. That morning exercise helps an aging workforce maintain its dexterity, Lequire said. “I hurt now because of doing repetitive stuff over and over, but these young guys are in a good situation. Because [of technology] they won’t have to go through that first 20 years,” said Cathey, who began his career with Duke just about the time Bannister was born. Every job needs at least one experienced A-class worker like Cathey, Lequire said. TEAM WORK
Even with today’s fairly simple job, there are numerous small steps in between each of the big ones. There’s measuring and more measuring. Once the hole is ready, another truck brings in the pole. Trucks are parked just so and leveled. Stakes are placed and removed, articles of protective gear are donned and removed as people move from one task to another. Engines rumble incessantly. “If we have a bigger job and things like that, we try to get everything lined up and each person
Photos by Greg Beckner
Three trucks, six men, one pole. At 11:06 all the necessary machinery and people have converged on the Townville site, a new home construction. Thomason has inspected the area and written out a safety briefing. He reads aloud the date, the address, radio address and frequencies, each team member’s duties and the hazards he’s identified, including pedestrians and bystanders. He has designated himself as 911 caller, and Bannister will call if it turns out Thomason is the one who needs help. Then, everyone signs off, physical proof of a shared understanding. Ten minutes later, the first truck to roll onto the modest front yard is the large material handler. It’s another 10 minutes before Tim Martin ascends in that truck’s bucket to place rubber insulators along parts of power lines that could get bumped as the pole is placed. The linemen call them “eels,” but they look more like giant macaroni and cheese noodles. Martin moves deftly covering part of one line, then the line above that, until the top line, which has 7,200 volts of electricity running through it. That’s voltage you can hear. While Martin lays the eels, other men prepare the digger derrick truck to drill the hole for the pole. By 11:36 a roughly 10-foot-long, 2-foot-wide drill bit, or auger, has been in the air for several minutes. Bannister watches the auger as he manipulates it with a remote control about the size of a shoebox strapped to his chest. He drills down, slowly lifts out dirt caked neatly around the center, then flings the dirt off with a quick twist.
knows what we’re going to do. You’re watching out for each other, but you also know what that man’s doing so you can do what you’ve got to do,” Cathey said. By 12:15, the transformer that was loaded onto the truck nearly three hours ago is finally hooked to the side of a bucket and hoisted up. Martin drills a few holes into the pole and within minutes has attached the transformer to it. Once the power lines are hooked up, it becomes just another pole, one of thousands that keep the power flowing. On the way back to the office from Townville, the crew passes miles and miles of power lines, lines they are held responsible for. Thomason, the new guy, said he looks at the world differently since starting the job. He notes differences in technique when he travels out of town, and checks out power lines at traffic lights. He’s keyed into a crucial part of infrastructure that hums quietly underground and above our heads. To most other drivers, the lines and poles are likely so ubiquitous they’re practically invisible. Even waiting for the light to change, there’s probably no thought about what it takes to make that happen.
upstatebusinessjournal.com
SPECIAL FOCUS ON ENERGY
| COVER | 19
The eGRID turns 1 year old Clemson’s advanced simulator mimics real-world conditions to test tech for market JENNIFER OLADIPO | SENIOR BUSINEESS WRITER
joladipo@communityjournals.com
Nikolaos Rigas, senior scientist and director of the SCE&G Energy Innovation Center in North Charleston.
Photo by Craig Mahaffey, Clemson University
Just 1 year old last month, Clemson University’s eGRID is helping generate knowledge that could shape the future of energy. The 15-megawatt eGRID is the world’s most advanced electrical grid simulator, mimicking real-world conditions in a controlled environment that tests technologies that could be brought to market. One important accomplishment of the past year is that the $10.1 million simulator has proved that it can actually do it what it was designed to do. Researchers had to stop work several times to review the sizes of various pieces of equipment, but everything runs as expected, said Nikolaos Rigas, senior scientist and director of the SCE&G Energy Innovation Center. Utilities including a large international company have performed tests on the simulator, but Rigas said he could not yet disclose details about who they are. However, Duke Energy has stated publicly that it would use the eGRID to address growing concerns about securing the nation’s electrical grid from attacks. Research at the facility initially focused on testing wind-turbine drivetrains, but the first year also saw a significant expansion into solar energy testing. Localized microgrids that use DC, or direct current, electricity are a more efficient and popular proposed alternative to the large, centralized power grids that run on AC, or alternating current, that are presently the norm. Expanded DC capacity, along with a custom-built system that mimics photovoltaic energy inputs from solar panels, allowed the eGRID to make an important step in testing the feasibility of solar-powered grids. Located at Clemson’s SCE&G Energy Innovation Center at the Restoration Institute in North Charleston, the eGRID draws researchers from around the world. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory held the second International Workshop on Grid Simulator Testing of Wind Turbine Drivetrains at the site in September, expanding its range to include solar energy and energy storage systems. Rigas said in 2015 the center will roll out a more in-depth summer program for Clemson students to participate in eGRID-based research. The eGRID represents an effort to get ahead of the game as the industry works toward meeting the federal government’s goal of generating 20 percent of the nation’s power by wind in the next 15 years. Its testing capacity is poised to make major impacts on future energy systems around the world. Project partners include Duke Energy, Santee Cooper, Westinghouse Motor Company and the US Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), among others.
20 | COVER |
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON ENERGY
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12.05. 2014
DHEC submits counter to EPA Clean Power Plan JENNIFER OLADIPO SENIOR BUSINEESS WRITER
joladipo@communityjournals.com On Monday, South Carolina filed its 13-page
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provide affordable and reliable electricity. DHEC also stated its concern that the proposed requirements did not take into consideration South Carolina’s specific circumstances. The EPA used the North Carolina Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to develop an RPS and to develop the emission rate goals for South Carolina and the other Southeastern states. North Carolina is the only state in the Southeast region that had already developed its own RPS. DHEC said it did not believe it currently has the authority to implement this rule as proposed. A spokesperson for DHEC said timing has been a concern throughout the process. The six-month comment period for the proposal was significantly longer than for most rules, but due to the proposal’s complexity, DHEC still believes there are many unanswered questions. Timing remains a concern for the amount of time the agency will be given to develop a state plan when the final rule is issued.
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response to the federal government’s Clean Power Plan, the far-reaching proposal that the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hopes will cut carbon pollution by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030. The reductions proposed for the state by the EPA are the third highest in the nation—51 percent. Business leaders are concerned that meeting that standard will threaten the low electricity costs that lower the price of doing business in South Carolina. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) state plan in response to the proposed rule was due Monday. DHEC also filed an additional letter that addressed a major point of contention: two nuclear power plants now under construction in Fairfield County. The plants are a joint project of Santee Cooper and South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G), which suggested to the state Public Services Commission that the plants replace aging coal plants. The EPA did not count the plants toward the state’s future emissions reduction
efforts, even though their energy production will replace that of carbon-producing coal plants set to close around the state. DHEC is asking for credit for steps already taken to reduce emissions, including early shutdown of older coal units and recent legislation that will spur solar energy investment in the state. In its response, DHEC pointed out “two major issues related to heat rate and natural gas re-dispatch. [DHEC] is uncertain if a 6 percent heat rate improvement (fleet-wide average) could even be achieved and maintained at a coal-fired unit in South Carolina. If this level of improvement was achievable, it likely would have already been done for economic reasons.” DHEC said the business community’s biggest concern was ensuring that South Carolina receives credit for early actions that have resulted in significant reductions of CO2 emissions in the state. Business leaders also want to see a final rule and state plan that allow the state to continue to
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SPECIAL FOCUS ON ENERGY
| COVER | 21
OVER 500 RECYCLING
Recycling isn’t just good for the environment—by decreasing energy costs, it’s goodRELATED for the bottom line, too BUSINESSES
PALMETTO STATE RECYCLING MARKETS SNAPSHOT
riously. A 2014 study by the SC Department of
a discounted price, and encourages biodiesel use.
By STINSON W. FERGUSON, Greenville-Spartanburg’s BMW saves an Commerce, DHEC, New Carolina and RecycloRecycling Fuels Manufacturing attorney, nomicsSC found that there are over 520 recyaverage of $7 million annually in energy costs With a strong Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd manufacturing cling-related companies in South Carolina. This through its Gas-to-Energy project. For more than presence, South Carolina has a high = 6 Businesses study also found that in theGENERATOR past eight years alone, a decade, BMW has piped methane gas from A JOB recycled Many of us learneddemand as earlyfor as first gradecontent that the recycling industry has “doubled its annual in the Palmetto Landfill in Wellford to create energy for Since 2011, capital investment recycling-related sector Manufacturers recycling is the right feedstock. thing to do. The more weuse recycled total economic impact: from $6.5 billion in 2006 its business activities. This enormous recycling has created nearly 2,400 jobs in South Carolina. content formeans their finished recycle, the less waste we create.materials Less waste to $14 billion in 2014.” project supplies the BMW plant with about 50 products. a healthier environment. “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” 2011 South Carolina entrepreneurs and businesses percent of the total energy it consumes and has SOUTH CAROLINA IS did What most ofPER us CONSUMED DAYnot cover in elementary are innovating and recycling waste into revenue. earned BMW the No. 4 spot on the EPA’s Top 30 2013 2012 school, however, are the positive impacts recycling
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Midlands Biofuels in Winnsboro is a family-owned On-site Generation list for green power productons Plastics (PET & HDPE) can1,100 have on business revenue and the economy. and operated business which converts used tion and use for the past several years, ranking Sure, recycling makes us feel better about ourcooking and agricultural oils from restaurants, below only Wal-Mart, Apple and the U.S. DepartOVER 500 RECYCLING selves. But tons recycling can also provide real, tangi- Paper RELATED BUSINESSES 2,800 businesses, schools and recycling facilities into ment of Energy. BMW’s aggressive approach to ble benefits in the form of lowered costs, increased biodiesel fuel, a renewable energy source which recycling has also earned it the title of the top PALMETTO STATE RECYCLING MARKETS SNAPSHOT revenue and better bottom lines for business can be used without modification for things like automobile manufacturer for sustainability and 16,000 tons Steel owners and investors. Through reuse, recycling Recycling Fuels Manufacturing corporate responsibility by the Dow Jones Sustransportation or heating. Recycling, therefore, With a strong manufacturing transforms would-be waste into energy for busiis their bottom line. The revenue-producing tainability World Index for the past seven conpresence, South Carolina has a high OVER 500 RECYCLING = 6 Businesses ness activities or product components. Reuse Amaterials JOB GENERATOR ANNUAL DEMAND recycled by Midlands Biofuels would secutive years. demand for recycled content Since 2011, capital investment in the recycling-related sector RELATED BUSINESSES reduces the amount of Manufacturers new energyuse and material feedstock. recycled traditionally be discarded as trash, which negaMany South Carolina businesses have integrathas created nearly 2,400 jobs in South Carolina. content materials for their finished Plastics (PET & HDPE) 375,000 837 JOBS 771 JOBSed recycling 765 JOBS needed, whichtons directly translates into cost savings. tively affects wildlife, plant life and landfills. practices into their pre-existing products. 2011 Reduce. Reuse. Revenue. Joe Renwick, or “BioJoe,” founder and process business activities. Greenville’s Bausch & Lomb CONSUMED PER DAY South Carolina businesses are already taking Paper 975,000 tons 2013is a business 2012 Biofuels, engineer of Midlands recycles over half of the waste generated at its the effects on their(PET bottom lines se1,100 tons of recyclingPlastics & HDPE) graduate from The Citadel and a Clemson Unifacility (cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, wood
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versity Certified Master Garden-
= 6 Businesses er. High fuel prices motivated
RECYCLING INVESTMENT BY YEAR
RECYCLING INVESTMENT BY YEAR
CAeconomic impact of $13 billion and supported 22,400 jobs. recycling MA industry had en
With a business-friendly environment, it is easy being green in South Carolina. Since 2006, South Carolina capital investment in the South recycling-related sector. In 2014, the Thebillion aboveineconomic data is from Carolina Department of Commerce’s internal records. The MSW data is from the A Green State of Mind has recruited more than $4.5 recycling industry had en economic impactDepartment of $13 billion and supported 22,400 jobs. South Carolina of Health and Environmental Control. Department of Commerce Just right for The business. above economic data is from the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s internal records. The MSW data is from the
Department of Commerce
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
RECYCLING IN SC Just right for business. South Carolina has 4 times more jobs in recycling per
22 | ON THE MOVE |
UBJ
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
ELECTED
HONORED
ELECTED
PROMOTED
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12.05. 2014
CERTIFIED
Scott Powell
Amos Workman
Mark Crocker
Shonna Peppers
David M. Snyder
Named president of the South Carolina Chapter of the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International. Scott is a principal and vice president with Craig Gaulden Davis. He has more than 25 years of architecture experience. He has served on the Board of Zoning Appeals for Greenville County and the City of Greenville.
Awarded the Tommy Thomason Award by the Greenville County Bar Association. The award recognizes the Greenville lawyer who best exemplifies compassion, integrity, strong personal values and dedication to the community. Workman is a Wyche attorney focusing primarily on mediating cases in the Family and Circuit courts.
Named chairman of the South Carolina Board of Accountancy. Board members are appointed by the governor to be the authority that issues licenses to certified public accountants in the state. Crocker was appointed by Gov. Nikki Haley to be a part of the nine-member board in 2011. He is a CPA and partner at Dixon Hughes Goodman.
Named human resources specialist at Phillips Staffing. Peppers has 12 years of experience in the areas of human resources, employee training, on-site supervision, event management and administrative support. Prior to moving into her new role, she served as an on-site supervisor for Phillips at a major customer facility in Easley.
Earned the nationally recognized Military Relocation Professional Certification. The certification provides National Association of Realtors members with resources to help current and former military service members best meet their needs and allow them to take full advantage of their military benefits. Snyder is with Allen Tate Realtors
Celebrate the Holidays at the Commerce Club! BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY LUNCHEON TODAY
Monday-Friday during the month of December Signature Holiday Lunch Buffet is only $19.95 per person Not a Member? You can still book a private event at the Commerce Club. Contact Crystal Moorhouse at crystal.moorhouse@clubcorp.com or call 864-232-5600 ext. 202
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS • WEDDING RECEPTIONS • CORPORATE EVENTS • REHEARSAL DINNERS
17th Floor One Liberty Square, 55 Beattie Place Overlooking Downtown Greenville 864-232-5600 • commerce-club.com
upstatebusinessjournal.com
PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
VIP Ted Lyerly Honored with the South Carolina CCIM Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Service. The award recognizes Lyerly for his commitment and service to the organization for the last 10 years, during which time he served as president of the board of directors. Lyerly, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), has been a commercial real estate broker with NAI Earle Furman since 2003.
COMMUNITY The Center for Developmental Services named Frank Bentley of Bank of America, Stephanie Tarbet of Michelin North America, Rhiannon Poore of Find Great People, Jack Altman of Pacolet Milliken Enterprises and Kelley Norris of Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC to its board of directors for 2015.
EDUCATION Tony McGuirt was named director of the Younts Conference Center at
Furman University. McGuirt joins Furman after spending the past 10 years at Unique Venues, where he was the director of member services and sales manager. He has also worked at The Conference Center and Inn at Clemson University.
| ON THE MOVE | 23
customer service. In her new role, she will assist the sales team with new business acquisitions, coordinating marketing activity, and providing new clients with customer service support. Moore’s new role was added to support the carrier relations team by assisting new carriers with set-up and IT support as they acclimate to UCW’s transportation management system. Moore will also provide rate information to shipping clients.
event planning, press release creation and distribution, and search engine optimization. She recently worked at Greenville Area Development Corporation, where she was in charge of public relations and social media marketing. Piescik assists the telecommunications team, where she is responsible for researching new markets for rates and availability. She previously worked as a social media specialist with Amy Adele LLC.
MARKETING/PR
REAL ESTATE
Infinity Marketing hired Kenny Figueroa as a media specialist, Jackie Antunes as a social media assistant and Brittney Piescik as a media assistant. Figueroa will assist in marketing Infinity’s endorsement program and manage social media integration for a variety of clients. He recently graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in sales and marketing. Antunes will work on all internal projects including social media management,
Broadstreet Partners hired John Parker. Parker comes to Broadstreet from CBRE where he worked in a number of capacities but most recently in the office and industrial marketplace. He has 19 years of experience in both the development and brokerage facets of the real estate industry. He will focus on transactional brokerage and business development in the Upstate region.
LOGISTICS UCW Logistics appointed Jessie Evans as solutions analyst and Woody Moore as carrier representative. Evans has experience in inside sales and
Zandr Tesolowski Technical Recruiter
CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
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24 | SOCIAL SNAPSHOT |
INSIDE THE UPSTATE’S NETWORKING AND SOCIAL SCENE
STATE OF THE ECONOMY Recently, Clemson University’s College of Business and Behavioral Science hosted a State of the Economy panel discussion with Clifford S. Asness, leading investment commentator for CNBC and The Wall Street Journal. Photos by Craig Mahaffey
CONTRIBUTE: Got high-resolution photos of your networking or social events? Send photos and information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com.
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UBJ
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upstatebusinessjournal.com
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
| SQUARE FEET | 25
Cascades Verdae, Summit Hills part of $476M purchase SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF sjackson@communityjournals.com @SJackson_CJ National Health Investors, a Murfreesboro, Tenn., senior housing and medical real estate investment company, announced this week it intends to acquire eight communities for $476 million, including the Cascades Verdae retirement community in Greenville and Summit Hills in Spartanburg. The eight communities are located across North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. A ninth property owned by Senior Living Communities is not part of the deal, as financing is with an Orlando, Fla., partner. NHI specializes in sale-leaseback, joint venture, mortgages and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments, according to a statement issued by the company. NHI’s portfolio consists of independent, assisted-living and memory-care communities, continuing-care retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities and specialty hospitals. NHI’s agreement for the eight communities is a definitive asset purchase agreement.
Following the closing of the acquisition, the eight communities will be leased back with a 15-year master lease and will continue to be managed by Senior Living Communities, headquartered in Charlotte, which currently owns all the communities. The lease equates to an initial gross cash yield of 6.5 percent of the purchase price and has annual escalators of 4 percent in years two through four and annual escalators thereafter of 3 percent. The eight communities’ total 1,671 units have an average age of 12 years and have an average occupancy rate of 85.4 percent for the three months ended Oct. 31, 2014. “NHI’s agreement to acquire a portfolio that includes high-end communities strengthens our
THE EIGHT COMMUNITIES NHI PLANS TO ACQUIRE: Property 1 Brightwater 2 Lakes at Litchfield 3 Cascades at Verdae 4 Summit Hills 5 Homestead Hills 6 RidgeCrest 7 Marsh’s Edge 8 Osprey Village
Units 229 208 315 225 248 84 192 170
Market Myrtle Beach, S.C. Pawleys Island, S.C. Greenville, S.C. Spartanburg, S.C. Winston-Salem, N.C. Mt. Airy, N.C. St. Simons Island, Ga Amelia Island, Fla
portfolio by further diversifying our sources of rental income by operator, geography, property type and payor source while significantly reducing our exposure to government reimbursement,” said Justin Hutchens, NHI’s president and CEO. NHI also expects to provide a $15 million working capital line of credit to Senior Living Communities that will be used to finance construction projects within the Senior Living Communities portfolio, including building additional units at several of the communities. A second phase of the Cascades Verdae is already underway with land being cleared to make room for 23 additional cottage lots. Deposits have already been received on all cottages and construction is expected to begin April 2015, said McSwain Bell, vice president of development and procurement for Senior Living Communities. A sixth apartment building with 40 additional apartments is also planned at Cascades Verdae and is currently in the pre-sales stage. Bell said that deposits have been received on 50 percent of those units and construction is expected to being summer 2015. The acquisition is expected to close by Dec. 31, 2014.
Photo Provided
Second spec industrial building planned for Greer
PROJECT PARTNERS GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Harper Corporation ARCHITECT: MCA Architecture CIVIL ENGINEERING: Arbor Engineering DEVELOPER: Liberty Property Trust
Development has begun on a second industrial spec building at the Caliber Ridge Industrial Park in Greer. The 156,000-square-foot warehouse at 130 Caliber Ridge Drive, across from the BMW Manufacturing plant, is expected to be ready for occupancy April 2015. “We obviously are very excited about Liberty Property Trust expanding its presence in the Caliber Ridge Industrial Park, which is attractive to tenants seeking a vibrant location and one that offers a prime Upstate location convenient to multiple transportation options,” said Rick Danner, mayor of Greer. This will be the fourth industrial building built by Liberty Property Trust at Caliber Ridge. Earlier
this year, Liberty confirmed three additional buildings would be developed. The first, 110 Caliber Ridge Drive, totals 156,000 square feet and was completed in February 2014. It is 100 percent leased to two tenants. Two more, 120 and 140 Caliber Ridge Drive, are scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with three tenants pre-leasing 249,600 square feet of the 312,000 total square feet. “We continue to invest in the Greenville-Spartanburg market through projects such as the development of 130 Caliber Ridge Drive. Our recent development and acquisition activity have brought our Carolinas portfolio to approximately 7.5 million square feet across North and South Carolina,” said Massie Flippin, vice president and city manager for Liberty’s Carolinas region. “Tenant demand in the market is solid and we look forward to accommodating our customers’ future growth.” With the completion of 130 Caliber Ridge Drive, Liberty’s industrial portfolio in the GreenvilleSpartanburg market will total 1.6 million square feet. Liberty declined to put a dollar figure on the projects. In addition to the development projects, Liberty acquired a 90,000-square-foot warehouse facility at 25 Brookfield Oaks Drive in Mauldin in January of 2014. That building is 100 percent leased to three tenants.
Magnolia Park sold for more than $80M The Magnolia Park shopping center on Woodruff Road has been sold for in excess of $80 million dollars. Palm Beach, Fla.-based Menin Development sold the 38-acre shopping center to Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based Midland National Life Insurance Company. The paperwork was recorded in Greenville County on Nov. 21. The shopping center purchase does not include Costco and Rooms to Go, which were already previously owned by other entities, said a source involved in the deal. Nor does it include the strip of buildings that include Old Navy, Sears, The Christmas Tree Shoppes and Bed, Bath and Beyond. Construction continues on additional retail and restaurants at the center. In November, Marc Yavinsky, executive vice president for Menin Development, said leasing at Magnolia Park was down to the last 5 percent or 20,000 square feet of space. Attempts to contact both Menin Development and Midland were unsuccessful as of press time.
26 | THE FINE PRINT |
UBJ
BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS
CBRE named 2014 Power Partner by Duke Energy CBRE was awarded the Duke Energy 2014 Power Partner Award, based on its commitment to responsible energy use and focus in creating lasting value in its organization and the community. Duke Energy established the Power Partner awards in 1992 to recognize businesses that achieve exemplary results in energy efficiency, sustainability and business growth. “When we approach property management for our clients, we aim to mitigate the impact of the built environment on climate change,” said Jim Roman, CBRE director of asset services, in a release. “We leverage our talent, energy and resources to improve the quality of our communities.”
USC will hold Economic Outlook Conference The Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina will hold its 34th annual Economic Outlook Conference on Dec. 16. The 2014 Economic Outlook Conference will be held for the first time at the new home of the Darla Moore School of Business in Columbia. Conference speakers from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Association of Homebuilders, CCM Investment Advisors and the Moore School will examine the business outlook for the manufacturing, financial and housing industries, and provide in-depth national, regional and local outlooks for the coming year. Register at bit.ly/34econ-outlook.
Trehel moves HQ to Greenville Trehel Corporation, a general contractor specializing in design-build construction, has moved its headquarters to Greenville. Trehel has maintained an office in Greenville for the past 14 years, but decided to relocate all corporate operations to its new headquarters in the Field House at the West End building.
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12.05. 2014
The 15,000-square-foot suite features multiple conference rooms, a rooftop terrace and panoramic views of Fluor Field. “I’m very excited about everyone in the company having an office in one facility, while continuing to maintain an office in Clemson,” said president and CEO Will Huss in a release. “This was a strategic move for Trehel in order to be more centrally located within our market region and due to the recent economic development activity in the Greenville and Spartanburg communities.” The new facility is larger than the previous Clemson and Greenville offices combined, allowing for strategic staff development and expansion. The Clemson office has moved to a new space within the same complex on Tiger Boulevard, where the former corporate office was headquartered for more 20 years.
Kiswire to expand, add jobs in Newberry County Kiswire Inc., a manufacturer of steel cord and bead wire, is starting the second phase of its Newberry County expansion. A $30 million investment by the company is expected to create 45 new jobs. The first phase of the Kiswire Inc. Steel Cord Division, announced in January 2013, represented a $15 million investment and 30 new jobs, which came to fruition when production began at its new manufacturing site in December of last year. Phase two of the steel cord operation is construction of the Plating Operation Building, which will add 170,000 square feet to the current facility and include additional machines. Kiswire Co. Ltd., headquartered in South Korea, is the parent company of Kiswire Inc. When the expansion is completed, Kiswire Inc. expects to have all tire companies in the U.S. on its client list. Hiring for the 45 new jobs is expected to begin in the spring. To apply, visit kiswire.com/english/recruit/recruit_0301.asp.
Sonoco honored as Plastics Supplier of the Year Hartsville-based Sonoco Plastics was named Supplier of the Year by Madico in the Supplies and Services category. “Given the demanding applications and performance requirements for Madico products, Sonoco
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BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS
| THE FINE PRINT | 27
is honored to have met those stringent standards, and we are pleased to receive this 2013-14 Supplier of the Year Award,” Steve Pierro, division vice president and general manager of Sonoco Global Injection Molding and Extrusion, said in a release. The Supplier of the Year Award criteria is based on performance in quality, service, delivery and innovation. This recent award was driven primarily by Sonoco’s approach to challenging packaging issues related to Madico’s tinted window films used in the automotive market. In addition to providing packaging, Sonoco also reduced shipping costs and waste that would have ended up in a landfill. “This sustainable, innovative solution, combined with a continuing commitment to service, responsiveness and quality, helped Sonoco win this recognition,” said Angie Leonetti, marketing manager for Madico.
for public relations writing for Greenville Dermatology’s “Don’t Fry Day” op-ed article. “It is an honor to be recognized by such a respected organization in our industry,” Marion Crawford, president and CEO of Crawford Strategy, said in a release. “We are proud of our team’s consistent ability to produce high-quality, creative and innovative work on behalf of our clients.” With close to 5,000 entries per year, the MarCom Awards competition is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The awards are administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
ReWiGo wins national award for marketing efforts
The South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced a new micro-loan program, Axeso, for Hispanic entrepreneurs. In partnership with CommunityWorks Carolina, the program will loan up to $1,000 at competitive interest rates. The program will include a built-in mentorship component for Hispanic entrepreneurs in South Carolina. Most of the loans will be made with a maximum of a one-year payback term. Axeso is the first program of its kind in South Carolina and will begin accepting applicants in the first quarter of 2015. Gustavo Nieves, SCHCC director of government affairs, said in a release, “We are excited to be able to offer this loan program directly to our Hispanic businesses who are in such great need of access to capital.”
ReWiGo (Ready, Willing, Going) Ministries, which serves the Upstate, has received the National Award for Electronic Marketing from the ReFrame Association, a national organization supporting the nonprofit home repair and rehab community. ReWiGo engages supporters through email marketing and social media. According to award presenters, content is key to success on both of those platforms. ReWiGo also received $150 in “ReFrame bucks,” which the nonprofit donated to ReFrame’s scholarship fund in order to allow more association members to attend future events.
Crawford Strategy wins 5 MarCom Awards Crawford Strategy recently received five MarCom Awards for its work over the previous year. The international MarCom Awards is a creative, marketing and communications competition that recognizes excellence in the concept, writing and design of audio, print, visual and Web materials. Crawford Strategy received the top honor, a Platinum MarCom Award,
Hispanic Chamber announces new micro-loan program
Orvis grand opening in Greenville Orvis will hold a grand opening celebration on Dec. 5-7 for its new store in the Greenville ONE building. The weekend will include giveaways and a drawing for a $1,000 gift card. Saturday will include free food and refreshments and live music from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Representatives from fly-fishing and ruffed grouse organizations will also be on hand to answer questions. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will benefit Friends of the Reedy River.
Clems n Every Game
28 | NEW TO THE STREET |
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THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
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1. AlignLife Chiropractic and Natural Health Center recently opened at 1300 E. Washington St., Suite B, Greenville. For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit alignlifedowntowngreenville.com or call 864-610-4140.
2. Olive and Then Some recently opened at 2701 Woodruff Road, Greenville. The store has more than 50 olive oils and balsamic vinegars on tap and available for tasting. Hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit oliveandthensome.com or call 864-608-5567.
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30 | PLANNER |
EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR
FRIDAY DECEMBER 5
FIRST FRIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES
SPEAKER: Joey Loman
SPARTANBURG LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK BREAKFAST
Greenville ONE, 1 N. Main St., 5th floor, Greenville; 5-7 p.m.
REGISTER: bit.ly/ holiday-makers
Spartanburg Marriott, 299 N. Church St., Spartanburg; 7:45-9:30 a.m.
SPEAKER: Toby Stansell, president and COO of Acumen IT
Panel discussion where members of the Spartanburg Legislative Delegation
REGISTER: bit.ly/ firstfriday-stansell
COST: Free
COST: $10
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 10
UBJ THURSDAY DECEMBER 11 UPSTATE WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY HOLIDAY LUNCHEON & GIFT EXCHANGE Grille 33, 535 Haywood Road, Greenville; noon-1 p.m.
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12.05. 2014
Delegation as they offer perspective on the upcoming legislative session
SUGGESTED DONATIONS: Sleepwear for women and children or monetary donations
COST: Chamber members $25, nonmembers $35
RSVP: janet@scwbc.net
REGISTER: bit.ly/legbreakfast
INFORMATION: 864-244-4117
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7
EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS & KNOCK OUT INTERVIEWS
GIFT THEME: Spices or Tea
DESIGN THINKERS DESIGN TALK
COST: $13
COST: Chamber members $25, nonmembers $35
O’Neal Inc., 10 Falcon Crest Drive, Greenville; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
REGISTER: uwitsc.com
OpenWorks, 2 N. Main St., Suite 400, Greenville; noon-1 p.m.
REGISTER: bit.ly/ spartanburg-breakfast
SESSIONS: Workshop session on authentic and effective presentations, 9-11 a.m.; luncheon session on knock-out interviews, noon-1 p.m.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 9
FIRST FRIDAY LUNCHEON Greer City Hall, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Economic update from S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt REGISTER: bit.ly/greerfirst-friday
BEER AND NAPKINS HOLIDAY MAKERS SPECIAL The Community Tap, 217 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville; 6-8 p.m. Key steps in making ideas and inventions come to life
SPEAKER: Susan Murphy COST: $25 for either workshop or luncheon; $45 for both REGISTER: bit.ly/smpsworkshop
FRIDAY DECEMBER 12 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST Westin Poinsett Hotel, 120 S. Main St., Greenville; 7:30-9:30 a.m. Interact with the Greenville Legislative
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16 SC WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PAJAMA PARTY AND NETWORKING EVENT BMW Zentrum, 1400 Hwy. 101 South, Greer; 4:30-6:30 p.m.
TOPIC: Make to Know: Solving “Wicked” Problems with Rapid Prototyping COST: $10, includes lunch REGISTER: bit.ly/ designthinkers-jan
CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@ upstatebusinessjournal.com.
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A QUICK LOOK INTO THE UPSTATE’S PAST
| SNAPSHOT | 31
Today the summit of Paris Mountain is crowded with communication towers and equipment. The mountain has seen some development in the form of residential homes and Paris Mountain State Park.
Photo Provided
The Altamont Hotel on the summit of Paris Mountain. Constructed about 1889 at a cost of $20,000, the three-story 23-room hotel went out of business in 1898. The two-hour trip from downtown Greenville and the lack of amenities including running water were reasons given for its demise. It was used as a Bible institute from 1898 until about 1915. The hotel passed through several other owners until it burned in 1920. Here people are gathered at the front of the hotel during a teachers’ convention in 1897. Photo by Greg Beckner
Historic photograph available from the Greenville Historical Society. From “Remembering Greenville: Photographs from the Coxe Collection,” by Jeffrey R. Willis
MARKETING & EVENTS
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
DEC. 19: LEADERSHIP Who’s building leaders in the community? What are questions leaders should never ask? What can we learn from the military, football coaches and university presidents?
Kate Madden
DIGITAL STRATEGIST PRESIDENT/CEO
ART & PRODUCTION
UBJ PUBLISHER
ART DIRECTOR Whitney Fincannon
Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com
OPERATIONS Holly Hardin
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Kristy Adair, Michael Allen
MANAGING EDITOR
CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley, Jane Rogers
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SALES REPRESENTATIVES Sarah Anders, Kristi Jennings, Donna Johnston, Annie Langston, Lindsay Oehman, Pam Putman, Maddy Varin, Emily Yepes
jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
1988
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
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with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s
Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
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2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space
1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”
2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people
2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award
pro-bono/non-proFit Clients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School
CoMMUnitY inVolVeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board, Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board
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