Charleston Regional Business Journal - November 15, 2021 by SC Biz News

CHERYL BENNETT Owner Audacy Preschool

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Capacity drives flow of furniture to Charleston By Teri Errico Griffis

Dangerous drones Company receives a $6.7million contract to train troops on drone threats. Page 13

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

ears ago, when Micah Mallace walked through a warehouse at holiday time, he watched as container after container arrived filled with hover boards — a popular self-balancing scooter that burst onto the scene that holiday. Retailers were preparing for an inundation

of orders. “What predicts the next explosive thing, I think, 100% is our buying habits. We’re a consumption-driven economy,” the senior vice president of marketing and sales for the S.C. Ports Authority said. For much of the pandemic, retail goods have been on the rise as consumers, hesitant of traveling and venturing out of the house, shopped online for a flow of tangible items Officer Thomas Wallace surveys the waters from the Harbor Patrol boat. (Photo/Alexandria Ng)

China to Chas.

Two 3.8-million-lb. cranes arrive at Wando Welch Terminal from Shanghai. Page 10

Triple sale

A real estate company swoops up three King Street properties for $5.1 million. Page 8

INSIDE

Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Small Business Spotlight........ 4 In Focus: Defense and Homeland Security.............. 13 List: Defense Contractors.... 16 At Work...............................27 Viewpoint............................29 Day in the Life...................... 31

See FURNITURE, Page 7

Paint supply drying up under pandemic push By Alexandria Ng

Home sweet home

A Clemson University alumnus returns to S.C. to become the new SCBIO CEO. Page 11

shipped to their doors in brown, carboard boxes. But it seems shopping habits also have accelerated the sector of furniture and home furnishings as the fastest-growing commodity in Charleston and the country. Year-over year, the U.S. has experienced a 50% increase in furniture imports, with

CRUISE CONTROL The North Charleston Police Department Harbor Patrol oversees a wide range of duties to ensure the safety of all things associated with Charleston’s waters. Page 31

Architecture Power List

The most influential architects and design professionals in South Carolina. Page 17

ang@scbiznews.com

hen the pandemic quarantine period kept millions of people looking at the interior of their homes, renovations around the house that would normally be placed on the back burner finally had their moment in the sun. More than a year later, renovations remain strong as lingering effects of the pandemic have popularized the work-from-home model, in addition to other reasons as to why Americans may find themselves with more time and funds to allocate to home-office upgrades. Across the country, paint suppliers are struggling to keep up with increased demand as products fly off the shelves with more customers taking on residential and commercial projects, and South Carolina is not the exception. Jimmy Brooks is the owner of the 360 Painting Columbia franchise, part of a national brand with 133 locations across 40 states and D.C. For Brooks, a customer placing an order could mean a slew of follow-up phone calls to other stores to see if they have the specific paint in inventory. See PAINT, Page 9

Upfront

BRIEFS | FACTS | STATEWIDE NEWS | BEST ADVICE

Where are the rudest drivers in SC?

hile Charleston gets all the accolades for being one of the nicest places on Earth, we know that the entire region contributes to that sentiment. Few tourists and visitors can differentiate whether they’re in Mount Pleasant, Charleston, North Charleston or parts in between when they come to visit our region of the South. They think it’s all Charleston. To maintain our top position of politeness, it’s important that we help tourists who stop in the middle of the street or pull in front of us on the corner of King and Calhoun to ask for directions or recommendations for “a good place to eat.” We understand those things are going to happen and are happy to do our part to fill our hospitality quota. That’s why we were quite surprised when a list of the rudest drivers in America showed that East Cooper was the worst in South Carolina. The data comes from insurance comparison portal Insurify.com, which used records of 4 million drivers to consider instances of tailgating, street racing, hit-and-runs and failing to yield, stop and back up properly. Not to quibble with data, perhaps it’s also noteworthy that South Carolina is not even close to having the rudest drivers in the U.S.

Cities with rudest drivers in the Southeast State

City

Cited for rudeness

Georgia

Hampton

62.35 per 1,000

Virginia

Petersburg

53.36 per 1,000

Florida

Winter Park

45.66 per 1,000

South Carolina

Mount Pleasant

31.55 per 1,000

Tennessee

Lebanon

29.41 per 1,000

Kentucky

Frankfort

27.64 per 1,000

North Carolina

Asheville

26.94 per 1,000

Alabama

Phenix City

24.48 per 1,000

Mississippi

Southaven

19.13 per 1,000

Louisiana

Metairie

17.94 per 1,000

States with the rudest drivers in America State

Cited for rudeness

Virginia

43.26 per 1,000

Delaware

41.25 per 1,000

Idaho

39.97 per 1,000

Georgia

39.53 per 1,000

Wyoming

38.53 per 1,000

Ohio

37.67 per 1,000

Wisconsin

35.29 per 1,000

Nebraska

35.14 per 1,000

Iowa

34.80 per 1,000

Alaska

33.53 per 1,000

Source: Insurify.com

ON THE

RECORD

“There has been a surge of interest from retailers, restaurateurs and investors who want to be part of Charleston’s vibrant downtown. It’s exciting to see this much activity on King Street. It’s a testament to Charleston’s reputation as a phenomenal place to do business.” — C. Kendrick, co-founder of Charleston Commercial

WEBSITE: www.CharlestonBusiness.com

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SC Biz News Briefs UPSTATE

GSA Business Report

Greenwood plant to build more than 100 homes for planned development Greenwood’s Impresa Modular has yet to begin operations but the company already landed a contract to build more than 100 homes a year for a McCormick County development. Savannah Lakes Village is a private lakefront community off Lake Thurmond developed by the SLV Windfall Group. “We are thankful to be partnering with Impresa in this development to bring much needed product to market,” Jim Walsh, CEO of SLV Windfall Group, said in a news release. The community features two championship golf courses, four restaurants, Savannah Lakes Village is a 5,000-lot planned a 23,000 square foot recreation center community with more than 3,000 developed lots in need of homes. (Photo/Provided) and more. The first model is expected in the first quarter of 2022 after the manufacturer’s January launch, the release said. Components built offsite in Impresa’s 240,000-square-foot production facility are expected to reduce construction delays due in part to the limited sub-contractor workforce in the local region and reduce the amount of construction time from site preparation to final certificate of occupancy, according to the release. CRBJ

MIDLANDS

Columbia Regional Business Report

State creates technical college scholarship program To address South Carolina’s labor shortages, the state is investing $17 million to provide technical college scholarships to 15,000 adults or high school graduates. The $17 million investment will create a Workforce Scholarships for the Future pilot program, and Gov. Henry McMaster is calling on the General Assembly to provide another $124 million in American Rescue Plan Act to keep the program running through June 30, 2024. “This funding will take on the crisis head-on by providing thousands of South Carolinians with the skills needed to thrive in a number of high-demand careers,” McMaster said. Scholarships will cover the cost of tuition and required fees. They may only be used for associate degrees or industry credentials in high-demand careers, including manufacturing, health care, computer science and information technology, transportation distribution and logistics, or construction, the release said. “The success of any manufacturer starts with its workforce, and in this tight labor market, having the right credentials and skills are necessary to fill high-demand occupations,” said Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. “South Carolina’s technical colleges have a strong track record of performance in providing educational and training programs that lead students to meaningful careers.” CRBJ

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

VOLUME 14 NUMBER 16 ■ COLUMBIABUSINESSREPORT.COM

Holiday spirit

Vista Lights celebration returns to full format. Page 2

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SERVICE IN THE

STORM Difference makers

Experts see reason for optimism in evolving hospitality industry

Business Report to honor 22 Women of Influence. Page 8

Full steam ahead

Infrastructure investments pay off for SC Ports. Page 10

Industry in focus S.C. trying to increase filmmaking appeal. Page 19

The McCutchen House, which provides fine dining and hands-on traning at the University of South Carolina, opened to the public in September for the first time since 2019. (Photo/Melinda Waldrop)

By Melinda Waldrop

INSIDE

Upfront ................................ 2 SC Biz News Briefs ................ 3 In Focus: Hospitality and Tourism ............................. 13 List: Hotels with Meeting Facilities ............................ 15 At Work .............................. 21 Viewpoint ...........................23

mwaldrop@scbiznews.com

hile the initial surge that lifted S.C.’s hospitality and tourism industry when businesses reopened after pandemic-related closures has abated somewhat, experts agree that reasons for optimism remain for the economic sector that brought a record-breaking $28.3 billion to the state in 2020. Scott Smith, associate professor and graduate program director at the University of South Carolina’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, said that a combination of pent-up demand and shored-up finances drove record business at hotels and resorts when stricter quarantine measures were first lifted. “The bottom dropped out at the very beginning, just really everyone

was suffering, and then we started coming back,” Smith said. “Every month, it got progressively better. … Resorts that had laid off staff weren’t prepared. They cut staff and they didn’t plan for the comeback. When things bounced back in March, April and May, a lot of problems were because of staffing, and still are. That just made the resorts and the hotels that were prepared even better off.” According to the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Hotel Revenue Per Available Room, or RevPAR, for the week ending Oct. 23 was $80.92, up 67.3% from the same week in 2020 and up 9.9% from the same time in 2019. As of Oct. 23, year-to-date RevPAR was 73.7% above the same period in 2020 and 2.7% above the same time in 2019. See HOSPITALITY, Page 14

Historic hire

Barbara Melvin to become first female CEO of SC Ports Authority. Page 9

ColumbiaBusinessReport.com

GSABusiness.com

SCBIZmag.com

Trident Technical College - Dorchester Campus

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Small Business Spotlight w

LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOM Executive Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Editor, Custom Publishing Division Steve McDaniel

CHERYL BENNETT, AUDACY CREATIVE ARTS PRESCHOOL MY BUSINESS MODEL:

smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Staff Writer - Teri Errico Griffis

Audacy provides services for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 4 years. We offer 12-month and 10-month attendance contracts with 5-day, 3-day or 2-day schedules. All schedules include school and care between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., lunch and an afternoon snack. Five-day schedules and a 3-day option include art classes with our master art teachers. Our curriculum is delivered through thematic units. To share student progress with parents, two parent conferences are scheduled during the school year.

tgriffis@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3144 Research Specialist - Paige Wills pwills@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3125 News Editor - Alexandria Ng ang@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3124 Digital Editor - Rob Lyle rlyle@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3119 MIDLANDS NEWSROOM Editor - Melinda Waldrop mwaldrop@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7542

MY CUSTOMER:

UPSTATE NEWSROOM Editor - Ross Norton rnorton@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1222 Associate Editor, Custom Publishing Division Jim Tatum jtatum@scbiznews.com • 864.720.2269 Staff Writer - Molly Hulsey mhulsey@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1223 LOWCOUNTRY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

MY COMPANY:

In 2006 my husband and I became emergency custodians of a young relative. It was difficult finding quality childcare for her. That experience, combined with my background in education and personal knowledge (my children attended creative arts schools), were seeds for Audacy. Audacy is a positive, learning environment that fosters creativity. In addition to planning learning activities in the basics — letters, numbers, shapes, colors — teachers deliver daily instruction in literacy, math concepts and science/social studies. Visual art, music and body movement lessons reinforce these concepts and build developmental skills. Master art teachers also visit our upper classrooms to extend learning.

Audacy has two sets of customers. Our primary customers are our children. We play a short, but important role in their futures. We see our primary function as helping them create a firm educational, developmental and social platform they can build on in elementary school and beyond. Our other customers are our parents. They entrust us with their most important people: their children. We strive to offer quality educational and childcare services that they are comfortable and happy with.

Account Executive Amanda Alford aalford@bridgetowermedia.com • 843.849.3109

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

Group Publisher - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1224 Director of Advertising - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3107

Location:

Charleston

Year established:

Number of employees:

2009

Events Account Executive - Melissa Tomberg

Mission: ACAP provides a quality early childhood education to preschool-aged children by integrating the curriculum with a creative arts program.

mtomberg@scbiznews.com • 864.720.1220 Events Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116

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Charleston Regional Business Journal (USPS 18822) is published biweekly, 27 times per year, including one special issue in February, by SC Biz News. 1802 Dayton St, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Periodicals postage paid at Charleston, SC. Mailing address: 1802 Dayton Street, Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Subscription Services PO Box 1051 Williamsport, PA 17703-9940

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College of Charleston plans $14 million improvements to athletic facilities By Rob Lyle

rlyle@scbiznews.com

he College of Charleston Department of Athletics is pursuing funding to complete a $14 million renovation project at the Patriots Point Athletic Complex, Director of Athletics Matt Roberts informed the CofC board of trustees on Oct. 21. The planned improvements, designed in coordination with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, include construction of a new field house for the CofC baseball team, renovations to the baseball stadium that would double seating capacity to more than 3,000, and upgrades to the tennis complex, the college said in a news release. “Since 2001, the Patriot’s Point Athletic Complex has served as the home for hundreds of CofC student-athletes competing in the sports of baseball, soccer, softball and tennis,” Roberts said in a statement. “We are thrilled to launch a capital campaign that will address our facilities needs and elevate the student-athlete experience for many years to come.” An overhaul of the complex has long been needed, Roberts said. “The current footprint is phenomenal, but the facilities were built over 20 years

The new tennis complex will include a remote training facility, lounge area and a back porch with an outdoor kitchen and fire pit. (Rendering/McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture)

ago,” he said. “Typically, in athletics, the lifespan of a facility before you go in and do some upgrades is around 10 years.” For the last two decades, CofC baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer have all shared one central facility. As the teams continue to grow in size and stature, the facilities and fan amenities need to catch up as well, Roberts said. The baseball team’s new, all-purpose field house will include a locker room for

45 players, training facility with a hydrotherapy area, team meeting and video room, coaches’ offices, updated batting cages and an outdoor patio and club room for donors and VIP guests. “This will be a game-changer for us, helping us attract recruits and ensure our current student-athletes have the ultimate experience competing at The College,” said Chad Holbrook, CofC head baseball coach, in a statement. “This will be a oneof-a-kind facility all of our supporters,

former players and current student-athletes will be extremely proud of.” At the tennis complex, the clubhouse plans include a total redesign with a remote training facility, lounge area with views of all courts, terrace with a retractable canopy, back porch with an outdoor kitchen and a fire pit and cabanas on the singles side of the complex. All nine courts will also be resurfaced. No exact timeline for construction has been set, as CofC continues to work with coaches and designers at McMillan Pazdan Smith to nail down specific plans for the expanded facilities. Once the baseball and softball teams move out of their current locker rooms, renovations will begin to convert the previously shared field house into locker rooms and training facilities for both men’s and women’s soccer. “We are excited about the opportunity to enhance our overall experience at the Patriots Point Athletics Complex for both our fans and our student-athletes and coaches,” college President Andrew T. Hsu said in a statement. “As a top mid-major program, the College of Charleston needs to have facilities that reflect the high quality and competitive talents of our teams.” CRBJ

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FURNITURE, from Page 1

Charleston rising 55%, according to Port Import/Export Reporting Service data. “What we’re seeing is amazing,” Mallace said. “Furniture volumes into Charleston and then into the U.S. were on a tear pre-pandemic. They were already going like crazy. And then the pandemic accelerated that beyond our wildest dreams.” The exploding market has forced companies to rethink where they set up production, with limited space available to relocate. By 2025, warehouse demands are projected to be upward of 330 million square feet to keep up with e-commerce growth. Historically, decisions have been based on the bottom dollar, centered on where should a company locate to make the most of its money, Mallace said. “Today, cost is secondary. This is probably the first time we’ve seen in 30 years when capacity is primary,” he said, adding that retailers are questioning: Where is port capacity? Where is labor capacity? Can distributors still have access to their goods if they relocate and ship them out with ease? Mallace said the SCPA checks all those boxes with added cargo capacity at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal, skilled labor, predictability and efficiency. Mallace said it’s no coincidence that two large furniture retailers just snatched

www.charlestonbusiness.com 7

up warehouse space in the same location in the Charleston region, at the same time — and before construction on the complex is completed. Twin Star Home, an omnichannel designer and manufacturer of indoor and outdoor living products, and Sagebrook Home, a California-based home décor company, are the final tenants for the Charleston Trade Center in Summerville. Construction is scheduled to wrap in December at Red Bay Road. Twin Star Home will occupy the largest space, taking up more than 1 million square feet, while Sagebrook Home will establish its first East Coast distribution center in a neighboring 430,000-squarefoot building. The Trade Center is a joint venture between Singerman Real Estate and The Keith Corp., the project developers. JLL Managing Director Lee Allen and Executive Vice President Kevin Coats are handling marketing and leasing efforts for the campus on behalf of the developer. “These furniture distribution centers build on Charleston’s centrality to the furniture and home goods segment,” SCPA President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “The Keith Corp. and Singerman Real Estate’s successful development of the Charleston Trade Center, combined with JLL swiftly filling the industrial park with tenants, is symbolic of the sustained growth in the Charleston market.” TKC and SRE broke ground on the

The Charleston Trade Center in Summerville has leased out its 1-million- and 430,000-square-foot buildings to furniture companies. (Photo/Provided)

Charleston Trade Center in 2016, and have since put $205 million into the project and created more than 1,000 jobs. “We had confidence in the macro trends we’d been hearing about for quite a while, from the Panama Canal expansion to the port deepening and all of the port’s various investments,” Allen said. “Obviously there’s a lot of growth in the Southeast and nationally. Industrial is as hot as it’s ever been. But it’s still a big investment, and we’re thrilled about the outcome.” The project, which totals 230 acres, is 73% larger than the second-biggest speculative building in the Charleston area, Allen said. He always intended the 1-million-square foot building to be leased to one tenant, but what kind of business that might be was a huge unknown. In the end, there were more interested parties

than space, offering JLL the ability to pick the right tenants. Twin Star and Sagebrook were both ready to move fast. “If anyone’s gone on the internet and tried to order furniture, they know how long the backlog is,” Allen said. “So you see an industry that has supply challenges during the pandemic and both tenants knew they needed the space, wanted to make a commitment and did what it took to get the deal done expeditiously.” The already strong Lowcountry market has only moved faster this year, Allen added. Large transactions that used to take six to 12 months to complete are now reduced to three to six months. Bigger is better, too, when it comes to space demands, Mallace said. He’s seeing a variety of industrial real estate developers looking at Charleston to build more 1 million-foot speculative buildings. He credits Keith Corp and JLL for taking a risk that others weren’t ready to take — and being successful. “Others would not have had the confidence to do that had somebody not blazed the trail before them…,” Mallace said. “The opportunity out there, the square-footage required have grown exponentially in just a few short years, and so our market, in order to remain healthy, needed somebody to prove that thesis.” CRBJ

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Company purchases 3 King Street properties for $5.1M By Teri Errico Griffis tgriffis@scbiznews.com

A privately owned real estate investment trust has purchased three Charleston properties — 348, 346 and 377 King St. — for $5.1 million. Myrtle Beach-based Burroughs & Chapin, which owns tourist destination Broadway at the Beach, is no stranger to the Charleston market. The company’s portfolio includes 359 King St. and Mount Pleasant’s Northcutt Plaza. The former currently houses Williams-Sonoma. The ground-floor retail properties included in the transaction are currently occupied by The Copper Closet at 348 King St., Mora Ice Creamery at 346 King

St. and Simply J Boutique at 377 King St. All tenants will remain in their locations. “These assets are a nice complement to our existing holdings on King Street, providing us additional scale on one of the best retail streets in the Southeast,” said Austin Burris, director of acquisitions at Burroughs & Chapin, in a statement. “We enjoyed working with the Charleston Commercial team on this transaction and look forward to expanding our footprint in the Charleston market.” The firm also owns commercial properties in Savannah, Raleigh, Wilmington and Columbia. Charleston Commercial represented Burroughs & Chapin in purchasing the three properties from SpringField Prop-

The tenants included in the $5.1-million transaction will remain in their locations. (Photo/Provided)

erties and King Street Acquisitions, the company said in a news release. “There has been a surge of interest from retailers, restaurateurs and investors who want to be part of Charleston’s

November 15 - 28, 2021

vibrant downtown,” co-founder C. Kendrick said in a statement “It’s exciting to see this much activity on King Street. It’s a testament to Charleston’s reputation as a phenomenal place to do business.” Charleston Commercial is a regular player in King Street real estate, recently brokering several other deals, including the sale of 438 King St. to Miami-based restaurant Le Chick for almost $6 million. Over the last few years, the commercial real estate group brokered or participated in 19 other property acquisitions in downtown Charleston, totaling more than $74 million. In 2020, the commercial real estate group also brokered the sale of the former R.B.’s Seafood Restaurant on Shem Creek for $7 million. CRBJ

Hudson Nissan purchases vacant furniture store for $3.5 million By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

s big box retailers downsize storefronts, Hudson Nissan capitalized on an opportunity to take over 31,167 square feet of vacant space: the former HHGregg on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. The company said it needed more space to accommodate a booming used car market.

Welles Worthen, broker at NAI Charleston, and Dexter Rumsey represented the buyer, Real Estate Holdco LLC. The property sold for $3.5 million. “We have seen big box retail buildings being converted into many different uses, such as office space, call centers, recreation, medical, like MUSC in Citadel Mall,” Worthen and Rumsey said in an email. The automotive industry is no different. “These open, conditioned big box buildings have great bones for many dif-

ferent users,” they said. “Replacement cost for this type of facility would be twice as expensive due to the cost of materials in today’s world. Fortunately, our client was able to capitalize off of this big box downward trend and acquire the building for a fraction of the cost. Worthen and Rumsey said creativity is essential when trying to find a site that fits a client’s needs. That’s why they considered big box retail from the start. The Realtors said the HHGregg build-

ing had the right layout and column spacing for Hudson Nissan’s needs. “Ultimately, proximity was the most important factor,” the agents said. The former furniture store at 2150 Morrison Baker Blvd. is down the street from Hudson Nissan’s original dealership site. “It could have been raw land or an existing building, but what they really needed was a site where they could get cars to and from their existing dealership with as little risk as possible,” they said. CRBJ

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PAINT, from Page 1

As customers find more time and resources for home renovations, the demand for paint has increased, sparking a shortage for materials nationwide. (Photo/Teri Errico Griffis)

1 2 8 Y E A RS STR ON G

“I can call my rep and say we need 30-40 gallons of paint, so she’ll get on the phone, and we’ll start looking around, but now I’ve got to drive from Columbia to Aiken or Rock Hill or Camden, or just go to four different stores just to round it up,” Brooks said. “Generally speaking, we can find the paint, it’s just a lot of time in order to get there.” Brooks said prices have increased too. Since Sherwin Williams, partner of 360 Painting, has been charging a 15-20% uptick for materials, that same price raise had to be passed on to the customer, Brooks said. Brooks said that hasn’t deterred patronage, though. “The products have been harder to get recently, but since the pandemic, we’ve seen good business during that period of time,” he said. Dave Rychley, president of 360 Painting, agrees that lead times in obtaining products have gone up. Whereas customers could’ve picked up product orders or had them delivered with a 24-hour turnaround in the past, it can now take up to two weeks as providers must more frequently contact other vendors to confirm stock when they themselves have run out, he said. “It’s never been more critical in my time in paint, and what I mean by that is there’s a lot of problem-solving that our local sales reps are doing all over the country, and certainly in South Carolina to help ensure that our franchisees and our customers have all the product that they need,” Rychley said. Rychley said the company is up 40% on client inquiry leads and paint estimates. This parallels national numbers as international industry market research company The Freedonia Group reports a 39% national spike in home renovation activity in 2020. Consumers surveyed credited these home improvement projects with

changes associated with the pandemic. Despite increased efforts to refill rapidly emptying store shelves, Rychley said 360 Painting is already fortunate to have a partnership and relationship with national brand Sherwin Williams. For smaller companies who don’t have this kind of support, it can be even more difficult to find the necessary products that customers are asking for or to even stock up for a little more than immediate demand. For Waylon Cain, owner of West Ashley True Value in Charleston, his crew of eight employees are working hard to meet orders, for paint and for other hardware requests that come into the store as well. “I spent four nights past midnight here (at the store),” Cain said, adding that as a small business “I can’t compete with the big buys with employees. I don’t have the night crew to do it for me.” Because West Ashley True Value functions as an independent store, Cain said he buys from multiple vendors. While costs have gone up, he’s tried his best to keep prices low for his customers. “We’re trying our best for finding smart ways to purchase,” Cain said. “Our goal is to keep the community. This is my neighborhood; I take care of it.” Cain said he is learning as he goes about maintaining that balance in keeping customers happy and mitigating rising costs. Cain said he spends about $300-$500 a week at Lowe’s or Home Depot, which he said generates him little profit at the price that he charges, but at least he has that inventory on hand when it’s needed. “Things are going up so much in cost that my previous retail price is below the actual cost of my product, and unfortunately, I’m finding out the hard way, but I’m trying my best,” Cain said. “Hopefully things will bounce back after people come back to work and we start putting value back in the dollar again.” Reach Alexandria Ng at 843-849-3124.

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Wando terminal receives last round of updated equipment By Teri Errico Griffis

tgriffis@scbiznews.com

he set is complete. After seven years, Wando Welch Terminal will now have 15 updated cranes after two more arrived yesterday from Shanghai. The cranes docked at Columbus Street Terminal, where S.C. Ports Authority crew will spend a few days dropping sea fasteners and other rigging that hold the booms upright before the gear can be transported under the Ravenel Bridge. Since redesigns began for the terminal in 2014, four of the former cranes have been renovated and raised. The others will all have been replaced with the arrival of these final two. “It’s our duty to be an economic engine for the state,” said Ed Stehmeyer, SCPA general manager and projects and design manager. “As a part of that, we’re building the infrastructure needed to make sure we can handle the cargo demands in the future.” The two new cranes cost nearly $11.5 million each. Coming in at 3.8 million pounds apiece, they have a lift height of 155 feet. The cranes are taller than the previous Wando set, but shorter than the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal cranes

“We’re projecting far out, and we’re trying to make sure we have timely infrastructure for what’s coming ahead.” Ed Stehmeyer General manager and projects and design manager, SCPA

Two cranes arrived at Columbus Street Terminal after a two-month voyage from Shanghai aboard the Zhen Hua 35. (Photo/Teri Errico Griffis)

because they were designed years ago when the projected ships were smaller than they are today, Stehmeyer said. HLT cranes clock in at 169 feet. “We’re obviously not done improving these facilities and whatnot, but like I said, we started this in 2014, and it takes time,” Stehmeyer said. “We’re projecting far out, and we’re trying to make sure we

have timely infrastructure for what’s coming ahead.” For Wando Welch Terminal, that’s getting the final two cranes up and running. Once they arrive at the terminal, one berth will be shut down for a couple days while the parts are offloaded. The SCPA will need another four to five months to fully reassemble the equipment and get

everything working. The SCPA is also looking into a wharf extension as part of a plan to use barges to transport cargo containers at Wando Welch Terminal to HLT. Wando currently has three parking spots for ships, but plans would extend the wharf 700 feet so that a barge can slip into a fourth spot. “Since you’re putting things on the barge and taking it to a facility, then putting it directly on a rail, we’re taking all that traffic off the road,” Stehmeyer said. The cranes arrived in Charleston after leaving Shanghai in mid-August. They were manufactured by ZPMC, who has made the previous cranes for Wando Welch Terminal and HLT. CRBJ

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Clemson alumnus returns home to head SCBIO By Molly Hulsey

mhulsey@scbiznews.com

n May, Sam Konduros stepped away from what he called a “four-year honeymoon” at the helm of SCBIO to lead the private cannabis treatment startup KOR Medical. Since then, the life science development group has scoured the country for his successor and vetted 200 candidates: concluding with James Chappell, an executive with Louisiana Economic Development. He assumed the role of CEO starting Nov. 8. “As a South Carolina native, I am thrilled to join SCBIO and return home,” Chappell said in a news release. “South Chappell Carolina has become an emerging leader in life sciences, and I am excited to continue SCBIO’s great work in helping to grow the life sciences industry.” Chappell, whose career also includes time with Chartic Management Consulting in Boston, joined Louisiana Economic Development in 2013 and held positions of increasing responsibility at the organization, including executive director of state economic competitiveness, before being named the organization’s executive director of competitiveness and entrepreneurship in 2021, according to the release. During his tenure at Louisiana Economic Development, Chappell designed and implemented the state’s $100 million venture capital and small business funds, developed strategies to recruit international companies to the state and joined the Louisiana MediFund board to develop strategies to foster the biosciences and health care industries in Louisiana. Chappell earned his B.S. and M.S. in plant environmental sciences from Clemson University, his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University and a postdoctoral fellowship in stem cell biology focusing on cancer and diabetes from Harvard Medical School. A three-year varsity football letterman while at Clemson, he is married with two children. He will begin his new role with SCBIO on Nov. 8. “Competition for the position was extremely strong but we unanimously felt that his credentials in both life sciences and economic development were the precise mix we sought as we continue to build, advance and grow the industry in South Carolina,” Lou Kennedy, board chair of SCBIO and CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, said in the release. Life sciences has a $12 billion economic impact in the Palmetto State, with more than 700 firms involved and more

than 43,000 professionals employed in the research, development and commercialization of new health care, medical device, industrial, environmental and agricultural biotechnology products. South Carolina life sciences has seen a near-doubling of firms and 40% increase in life sciences’ direct employment since 2017, which combine to make it the fastest growing industry sector in the state, according to data provided by Joseph Von Nessen, state research economist with the Moore School of Business at the Universi-

ty of South Carolina. In April, Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order to strengthen the Commerce Department’s efforts to recruit and support life science companies in the state in partnership with SCBIO, according to a previous report. Interim CEO Erin Ford will remain with SCBIO, where she has managed the organization on a day-to-day basis since 2017. “Erin continued to do a strong and stellar job in leading the organization,

charting the path, and maintaining the momentum without missing a beat during this national search, and our board and membership are grateful to her,” Kennedy said in the release. “The entire board and SCBIO membership are excited that she will remain a key part of the organization in her prior role of executive vice president and COO to add a steady and experienced hand to crafting an exciting new future.” CRBJ

Reach Molly Hulsey at 864-720-1223.

“Gulf Stream Construction Company, Inc. has enjoyed more than 58 years of continued success in the Lowcountry, heeled by strong financial stewardship and a sense of responsibility to our community. SouthState understands our vision as well as the challenges and opportunities of growing a civil construction business. They have the resources of a large bank along with the commitment to our local region. SouthState is more than just a bank, they are a business partner.” Gulf Stream Construction Company

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DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY LISTS: Defense Contractors, Page 16 Threat Management Group in North Charleston builds fixed-wing and multirotor drones in their warehouse. (Photos/Provided)

Solving cyber

Cybersecurity not only represents a threat to national security but costs companies across the U.S. and the globe billions each year, even while spending continues to put pressure on the bottom line of companies in many sectors.

Cyber spending

More than one-quarter of companies plan to increase their cybersecurity budgets by double-digits, researchers at PwC found in an international survey of companies and chief executives.

Watching from above

North Charleston security firm trains troops about drone threats By Jenny Peterson

Contributing Writer

orth Charleston-based Threat Management Group has been awarded a $7.6 million contract from the Air Force Education and Training Command to train troops on threats created by drones, and to build and provide drones for the Department of Defense. It marks the third contract Threat Management Group received this year from federal agencies. Another contract, for $250,000, is from the State Law Enforcement Division on port security training, with the same focus on counter terrorism in training on drone security and unmanned aircraft systems. “These are contracts for our products, but they also come with training pack-

ages,” said Brandon Cox, president and CEO of Threat Management Group and a Berkeley County councilman. “We build fixed-wing and multirotor drones for sale to the military in our warehouse along with training aids on how to help prepare troops on drone threats. We teach them how far drones can fly, altitudes they can reach, what payload they can carry, using relevant scenarios that have been used.” Cox formed Threat Management Group in 2004. The fourth-generation military member and former Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician found a niche in providing training courses, technical support, logistics and specialized equipment production for troops. The Threat Management Group office and warehouse is located in the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in North Charleston.

How much

Percent change

Increase 6-10%

25%

Increase 5% or less

18%

Decreasing spending

15%

Increase 11-14%

14%

Increase 15% or more

12%

No change in spending

12%

Undecided

Source: 2022 Global Digital Trust Insights, PwC

$170,400,000,000

Amount companies are expected to spend in 2022 on cybersecurity The company tr ains federal ag encies worldwide on counter terroris m.

An awareness of drone security came into focus in 2013 when Cox saw a drone land on a podium in front of German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a public event. “Her security agents weren’t familiar with what to do in that moment and that sparked our interest in the new threat,” Cox said. “Drones are so easy to fly and very cheap; you can buy them online or at retailers. The ‘bad guys’ don’t go get a license. They don’t register the drone. They just fly it where they want to, and it’s becoming more of a threat.” He adds, “Drones are great as a hobby for recreation and for taking videos, but they can also be dangerous.” He said the contracts and future bids will allow Threat Management Group See DRONE, Page 15

$124,000,000,000 Amount companies spent in 2018 on cybersecurity

$3,500,000,000 Amount lost globally to cybercrime in 2019

$8,000,000

Average cost of a breach to U.S. companies in in 2020 Sources: Gartner, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, IBM

NEXT ISSUE’S FOCUS: Aerospace

IN FOCUS: DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY

www.charlestonbusiness.com

November 15 - 28, 2021

Federal government, other agencies investing in cybersecurity at The Citadel By Jenny Peterson

Contributing Writer

illions of federal dollars are being invested into cybersecurity programs at The Citadel to strengthen the talent pipeline for a fast-growing industry in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 33% increase in information security analyst jobs over the next 10 years, compared to the national average of just 0.7% growth. “It’s eye-popping how many cybersecurity jobs every year go unfilled due to the lack of people with right knowledge, skills or abilities,” said Akhirah Padilla, media relations officer with the National Security Agency/Central Security Service Public Affairs. The NSA has been leaning on institutions of higher education to train more qualified workers by creating the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, a program designation that implements NSA-approved cybersecurity curriculum with rigorous standards. Since 2016, The Citadel has been designated an NSA Center of Academic Excellence for its rigorous cyber defense program. The Citadel’s Department of Defense Cyber Institute offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in cyber operations.

College of Charleston Cybersecurity Club members Patrick McCabe and Ross Clark prepare for the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. (Photo/Heather Moran)

“It’s a gold standard of cybersecurity programs,” Padilla said. “These students will be the next cyber defenders for the nation, and we are helping develop talent for people who will be protecting the nation.” In 2020, a new cybersecurity recruiting incentive was announced for Citadel students: A $2.8 million grant, funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security, that offers scholarships for students at the school in exchange for work-

ing for the government in a cybersecurity position upon graduation. The program is the first in South Carolina and the largest grant received by The Citadel for cybersecurity. It’s majorly funded by the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies. Scholarships are offered for up to three years for undergraduate students pursuing a major in computer science, cyber operations, intelligence and security studies or criminal justice with a minor

in cybersecurity. “It recruits the top talent in cybersecurity,” said Shankar Banik, a professor and graduate program director of computer science and co-director for the Center for Cyber, Intelligence and Security Studies at The Citadel. “In total, there have been 16 students that were fully funded their junior and senior year, and they will work for the federal government.” Cadets selected for the program’s first round, who will graduate in 2022 and 2023, are already working with cybersecurity professionals through internships and mentorships. Cybersecurity careers span beyond the familiar duties of blocking ransomware attacks and blocking hackers. In the private sector, there’s a need for cybersecurity and information systems experts in health care devices, in research, and in cybersecurity for emerging smart appliances like refrigerators and Nest thermostats. Cybersecurity competitions offer realworld training A powerful tool for students has been hands-on training through cybersecurity competitions that give them real-world experience. Students at The Citadel are invited to an annual NSA Cyber Exercise to compete with five other military colleges. “It’s a three-day ‘hack-a-thon’ with

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IN FOCUS: DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY

November 15 - 28, 2021

other military colleges whose students are attacking and defending against each other’s teams with six different challenges,” Padilla said. At College of Charleston, which doesn’t offer a specific cybersecurity undergraduate major, a small but mighty group of students make up the school’s Cybersecurity Club. The group meets weekly and regularly enters competitions. “The club has definitely been the ‘real world,’” said Ross Clarke, a senior and president of the Cybersecurity Club. One high-profile competition was the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, held this past spring. During the competition, industry professionals in both government and private sector joined forces to “break” into computer networks to exploit information from a mock organization. Teams of students had to prevent that information theft from occurring, while also conducting regular business functions. “The defense competitions we did every year at the College of Charleston are very similar to what I’m doing now at my job,” said Patrick McCabe, a recent CofC graduate and former president of the club. “It’s monitoring events, securing systems so they don’t get hacked or compromised and remediating incidents.” To encourage the future workforce, The Citadel holds a GenCyber weeklong summer camp for middle school and high school students, teaching them

about cybersecurity principles, coding, cryptography and cybercrime. The Women in Cybersecurity Citadel chapter, part of the national WiCyS organization, recently provided travel grants for cadets to travel to a national conference. A graduate certificate in cybersecurity is a joint program with The Citadel and College of Charleston for those interested in continuing education in the field. Padilla said the NSA is continuing to bring in colleges and universities to its network of Center for Academic Excellence in cybersecurity and adding more programs. “We want to have every cybersecurity program covered; we want to make sure we have the health sector secure, like securing heart monitor machines, pacemakers…We need people to work in every facet of the industry, even cybersecurity lawyers,” Padilla said. “It’s an exciting field, and there are many opportunities in many areas.” Clarke said he’s confident about his chances of getting a cybersecurity job once he graduates. “Two members of the Cybersecurity Club who graduated last year are working directly in cybersecurity, and both have already posted in our (group chat) that they’ve already gotten promoted, asking, ‘who wants to take my old job?’” Clarke said. “There’s a massive need in this industry.” CRBJ

www.charlestonbusiness.com 15

In 2013, the world began focusing on drone security when a drone landed in front of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the middle of a public event. (Photo/Provided)

DRONE, from Page 13

to expand to a larger space, which he is planning for Goose Creek. “Over the next five years, we will invest at least half a million dollars into property and personnel,” Cox said. “We intend to expand our offerings further beyond these contracts, and we have more contracts that we will need to support. We will be hiring more people; the company is growing, and we are going to add new products that are tied directly into these contracts.” Cox said expanding into Goose Creek makes sense with where growth is heading in the Charleston area. “We acknowledge that things are moving out into the area with Nexton and Carnes Crossroads, and we want to be positioned where growth is happening now,” Cox said.

Cox said supply chain issues are a challenge with building the drones, but that bulk ordering has kept them ahead of the curve. He has long partnered with federal agencies on training aides and counter terrorism training around the world. The third recent contact was to provide training for military divers in the Michigan area. “Compared to other security firms, we are small, but we have a very good niche, and we are very good at what we do,” Cox said. “We help people survive dangerous situations, and that’s what I love about the industry and my business. We can’t quantify how many people we’ve helped save with our training or products. We provide full-time support to our customers, and we help people and families survive dangerous situations.” CRBJ

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IN FOCUS: DEFENSE AND HOMELAND SECURITY

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Defense Contractors

November 15 - 28, 2021

Ranked by Value of Contracts Awarded in FY2020

•

Company

Phone / Website / Email

Top Official(s) / Year Founded

Technica LLC 1 Cool Blow St., Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29403

843-513-9444 www.technicanow.com info@technicanow.com

Detyens Shipyards Inc. 1670 Drydock Ave., Building 236, Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29405

$ Value of Contracts

No. of Contracts

2003

$123,399,382

Facilities support services

843-308-8000 www.detyens.com drydock@detyens.com

1962

$99,330,593

Shipbuilding and repairing

Life Cycle Engineering Inc. 4360 Corporate Road North Charleston, SC 29405

843-744-7110 www.lce.com info@lce.com

Bob Fei 1976

$76,181,726

Life cycle engineering services and consulting for commercial and government entities

Marinex Construction Inc. 1903 Pittsburgh Ave. Charleston, SC 29405

843-722-9083 www.marinexconstruction.com info@marinexconstruction.com

F. Hammond Johnson 1991

$73,372,384

Heavy and civil engineering construction

Atlas Technologies Inc. 5416 Rivers Ave., Suite A105 Charleston, SC 29406

843-554-6111 www.atlas-tech.com info@atlas-tech.com

Brian M. Miller 1997

$44,190,214

Engineering services

Nexgen Data Systems Inc. 205 St. James Ave., Suite L, PMB 310 Goose Creek, SC 29445

843-408-4363 www.ngds.com hr@ngds.com

Lindsey Rash 2005

$37,147,360

Engineering services

Orbis Sibro Inc. 238 Albemarle Road Charleston, SC 29407

843-971-9390 www.orbisinc.net -

John Bacak 2000

$34,419,777

Engineering, technical and construction services

Southern Dredging Co. Inc. 925 Wappoo Road, Suite C Charleston, SC 29407

843-559-7500 www.southerndredging.net info@southerndredging.net

Kimberly Richmond, David Dent 1982

$25,482,234

Heavy and civil engineering construction

Eos Inc. 170 Meeting St., Suite 110 Charleston, SC 29401

843-261-3420 www.eosinc.us info@eosinc.us

2018

$22,467,650

358

Engine equipment manufacturing

Atlas Executive Consulting LLC 4221 Rivers Ave., Suite 200 North Charleston, SC 29405

843-491-4950 www.atlasexecutive.com info@atlasexecutive.com

Jason Sawyer 2006

$21,002,881

Business support services

Cameron Bell Corp. dba Government Solutions Group 115 Central Island St., Suite 250 Daniel Island, SC 29492

843-849-1969 www.govsg.com info@govsg.com

Chris Currie 1994

$18,053,680

Engineering services

Critical Solutions International Inc. 2284 Clements Ferry Road Charleston, SC 29492

843-800-0033 www.c-s-i.com -

Patrick Callahan 1991

$15,947,495

302

Hardware manufacturing

Seres-Arcadis SB JV LLC 498 Wando Park Blvd., Suite 175 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-216-8531 -

2016

$15,832,602

Engineering services

Seres Engineering & Services LLC 669 Marina Drive, Suite B7 Charleston, SC 29492

843-216-8531 www.seres-es.com -

Alex Lo 2007

$14,949,235

Remediation services

Brantley Construction Services LLC 8300 Dorchester Road Charleston, SC 29418

843-552-0150 www.brantleyconstruction.com -

Gary D. Brantley 2005

$14,673,571

Commercial and institutional building construction

Hesco Bastion Inc. 3450 Buffalo Ave., Suite C North Charleston, SC 29418

985-345-7332 www.hesco.com -

Jeremy Gray 1989

$11,896,648

Prefabricated metal building and component manufacturing

Palmetto Goodwill Services 2150 Eagle Drive, Building 100 North Charleston, SC 29406

843-566-0072 www.palmettogoodwill.org marketing@palmettogoodwill.org

Brendan Ryan 1979

$11,392,642

Nonprofit supportive services and career services for people with disadvantages, welfare, barriers

Infotec Systems Corp. 701 Travelers Blvd., Suite 545 Summerville, SC 29485

843-821-1600 www.infotecsc.com -

Blane Cowart 1996

$7,878,420

Security systems services, information technology

C2G Ltd. Co. 110 Mallock Court Goose Creek, SC 29445

843-879-0942 www.c2gltd.com -

Thomas J. Copeland 2005

$7,425,876

178

Repair and maintenance of commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, except automotive and electronic

Liberty Business Associates LLC 3509 Iron Horse Road Ladson, SC 29456

843-329-1991 www.libertyba.com info@libertyba.com

Beth Robertson 2002

$6,945,372

Liberty provides business operations, IT and training services for the Army and Navy

CEMS Engineering Inc. 108 Bentons Lodge Road, Suite B Summerville, SC 29485

843-875-3637 www.cems-ae.com info@cems-ae.com

Stephen Mahaffey, Scott Perkins 1989

$5,807,164

Engineering services

Ishpi Information Technologies Inc. 401 Seacoast Parkway Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

843-329-4100 www.ishpi.net info@ishpi.net

Earl D. Bowers 2006

$5,032,329

Computer facilities management services

Webco SC LLC 216 Seven Farms Drive Charleston, SC 29492

703-501-3396 -

2018

$4,882,881

Commercial and institutional building construction

George Consulting Ltd. 225 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 300 Daniel Island, SC 29492

843-471-1320 www.georgeconsulting.com info@georgeconsulting.com

Richard George 2003

$4,258,989

Program management and technology services

Because of space constraints, sometimes only the top-ranked companies are published in the print edition. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errors sometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to research@scbiznews.com. 1 Source: www.governmentcontractswon.com

Industry

Researched by Paige Wills

November 15 - 28, 2021

2021 ARCHITECTS

POWER LIST

www.charlestonbusiness.com 17

www.charlestonbusiness.com

November 15 - 28, 2021

PRESENTING THE 2021

ARCHITECTS POWER LIST By Andy Owens

aowens@scbiznews.com

othing can be built without architects first envisioning, drawing and designing the spaces where we live and work. Architects are often thrown in with engineers and construction professionals when we talk about the sector, but while they do the initial critical work that engineers and builders follow, architects also do a lot more. They are the glue in the middle that holds all of those parts together. They preserve our communities with strong public places that bring sense to the places we live, even when we don’t realize it. Good architecture doesn’t get in your way, but you often don’t recognize it until it’s pointed out. Today, we are pointing out some of the most influential and important individuals in the architecture profession. These people and their supporting

firms provide the paths toward progress by mapping out not just one building but how structures fit into the landscape and context of our communities. When the ribbon is cut on the spaces that we do business in, don’t overlook the contribution of the architect. They’re not always standing in the front of the line with the giant scissors, but development doesn’t happen without them. We picked this Power List as a companion to Banking and Finance and Real Estate because architects provide the spark of inspiration that has helped our economy begin to emerge from one of the worst challenges since 2008. Our editorial team analyzed industry data and considered the individuals who demonstrated vision and action in serving their profession, as well as the professional excellence that commitment provides to our places of work and life. Please join me in congratulating these individuals in print and online.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. CINDY BENJAMIN

2. C. DINOS LIOLLIO

3. DOUG QUAKENBUSH

4. HEATHER MITCHELL

5. KEITH M. CLARKE

HONOREES CONTINUED

23 - 26

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POWER LIST

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CINDY BENJAMIN LS3P

indy Benjamin has been an architect and project manager at LS3P for the past 16 years. To each project, she brings focus to detail, team organization and technical knowledge. She has worked on a wide variety of project types, including health care, higher education and faith-based projects. In 2019, Benjamin shifted her focus to strengthening LS3P’s cooperate commercial sector in the Upstate. Focusing on workplace strategies, she helps her clients’ shape their work place into environments that support their best work. Energized by complex programs, existing conditions and fast paced schedules, she has a passion for renovating existing buildings and stitching together circulation patterns in built environments. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she is a registered architect, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Building Design and Construction accredited professional, WELL Building Institute accredited professional and Green Globes professional. Significant projects include the Clemson University Wilbur and Ann Powers College of Business, Tri-County Technical College, Student Success Center and Ruby Hicks Renovation, Greenville Tech, Center for Manufacturing Innovation, Clemson University,

MBA at Greenville One, Bob Jones University, Health Professions, and Converse College, Senior Student Housing. She is a graduate of Furman University Women’s Leadership Institute, a board member of the Urban Land Institute, Upstate, and president-elect of the Greenville Professional Women’s Forum. She was named to the Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40 for 2013, Leadership Greenville Class 33, and Greenville Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year in 2009.

C. DINOS LIOLLIO Liollio Architecture

n Auburn University graduate, Dinos Liollio, FAIA, received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a Bachelor of Science in environmental design. He served as president of the American Institute of Architects Student Chapter and was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal of Honor in recognition of his leadership, service and future impact to the architectural profession. Liollio has served on national, regional and state design award juries, led many community design charrettes, and has lectured on collaboration as the vehicle to realize remarkable buildings that inspire people to think of design as a collective body of work. His leadership has been recognized by the South Carolina Chapter and Charleston Section AIA, Urban Land Institute, Furman University Riley Leadership Institute, city of Charleston, Rotary International, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston National Aging in Place Council and others. Based upon his preservation background, he was awarded a 2005 Study Abroad Scholarship in Verona, Italy, with 30 other architects from around the world focusing on the conservation of stone and marble. Liollio has received more than 120 international, national, regional, state and local design awards and was chosen to be a part of the design team for Fire Station 11 that’s contiguous to the Charleston 9 Memorial site. He served on national, regional and state design award juries, lectured at national, state and local professional and trade conferences, and was keynote speaker at the National Architectural Precast Association Design Awards. He was elected to the AIA College of Fellows and was appointed to the City of Charleston Design Review Board in 2017. He received a National American Institute of Architects Design Award for Hampton County Health Clinic in 2020.

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November 15 - 28, 2021

“Entering our third generation of leadership, we remain a studio of civic-minded design professionals who value subtle & restrained design, rooted in context, culture & collaboration.” − C. Dinos Liollio, FAIA, Principal

liollio.com

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POWER LIST

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DOUG QUACKENBUSH

Quackenbush Architects & Planners

Clemson University graduate, Doug Quackenbush has been practicing architecture in South Carolina for more than 37 years. He formed Quackenbush Architects & Planners in 2004, with a focus on educational, workplace and community projects. The firm has completed nearly 300 projects since its founding. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors and Preservation Committee chair for Historic Columbia; member of the board of directors for the 701 Center for Contemporary Art; co-chair for the S.C. Architectural Foundation; and Regional Governor for the Southeast Region of the Association for Learning Environments. Quackenbush previously served on the Columbia Design League board, Community Design Center board and the Clemson Architectural Foundation. His work has received more than 40 design awards and has been the subject of regional and national publications. He’s also served on design awards juries for both chapters of the American Institute of Architects and Historic Columbia. A licensed architect, he is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional. He is a past president of the American Institute of Architects South Carolina Chapter

and recently served as chair for the S.C. Center for Architecture Steering Committee. Quackenbush received the AIA SC Presidential Citation Award in 2019. He also received the Cathedral Building Award from City Year Columbia in 2018.

Congratulations, Doug! And a big thank you to our clients - for the opportunity to create unique spaces and buildings that support teaching, learning, working, and resiliency.

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HEATHER MITCHELL Boudreaux

eather Mitchell, who has been with Boudreaux for 26 years and who has been president since 2006, has led design teams for notable and award-winning projects throughout the state, including USC’s School of Law and Campus Village, Clemson University’s Douthit Hills Student Community and Samuel J. Cadden Chapel, the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, North Augusta’s Municipal Center, and the renovation of Richland Main Library. Mitchell helped launch the Riley Mayors’ Design Fellowship, an annual program that helps mayors envision and implement projects that positively impact the built and natural environment, quality of life and economic development in their cities and towns. Boudreaux designed its own studio as part of an award-winning historic rehabilitation which includes the boutique Hotel Trundle. Mitchell has spoken on tax incentives as a tool for downtown revitalization at the Municipal Elected Officials Institute at the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the S.C. Chapter of the American Planning Association Conference, and in many South Carolina towns and cities. She serves on the executive committee and is chair elect of Columbia’s City Center Partnership. She was a founding and 11-year board member of One Columbia for Arts and Culture and is an executive committee member for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Midlands Business Leadership Group, for

which she helped create Capture Columbia, a Midlands talent retention program for summer interns. She was a 2020 S.C. Women in Business Honoree, 2019 Columbia Regional Business Report Phenom and a member of the Liberty Fellowship Class of 2017. In addition, she received the Leadership Columbia Alumni Award 2008, was a member of Leadership South Carolina Class of 2008, and was in Leadership Columbia Class of 2006.

KEITH M. CLARKE MCA Architecture Inc.

1987 graduate of Clemson University, Keith M. Clarke is now president and CEO of MCA Architecture. He joined MCA as an intern architect in 1987, was named a shareholder in 1994, and became president and CEO in 2000, responsible for executing the MCA business plan to achieve goals and objectives, as well as for overseeing the work of all company disciplines to ensure compliance with project scope, cost estimates and schedule requirements. He has served as project architect for Red Rock Development since its inception, with more than 20 million square feet of industrial space built over a 12-state area. He has served as project architect for Dominion Energy, formerly SCANA Corp., since 2004 with more than 50 projects completed, including the design and master plan of their 500,000-squarefoot headquarters campus, providing office and support facilities for more

than 1,400 employees. Some of his most recent projects include the ACL Airshop in Greenville, GE Advanced Manufacturing Works in Greenville, Absolute Haitian Manufacturing Facility in Mon-

cks Corner and Softbox Temperature Control Packaging in Greenville. A Registered Professional Architect since 1993, he also serves as a member of the board of trustees for Claflin University.

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POWER LIST

JUDY DIXON

Rush Dixon Architects

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fter graduating from Virginia Tech in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, Judy Dixon started her career a year later as an intern with Stubbs Muldrow Herin Architects, rising through the ranks to become a principal in the firm. She left SMHA to join forces with her husband, first with Rush3 Product Design Studio. In 2014, they then launched Rush Dixon Architects. Dixon has built a diverse portfolio, with projects that include the Daniel Island Recreation Center, Firefly Distillery and Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall Village. A registered architect in South Carolina, Dixon also is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited by the U.S. Green Building Council. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of leadership roles, including on the board of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and as chair of Leadership Charleston. She also supports organizations like ACE Mentors, Turning Leaf Project, Fresh Future Farm and the Paul R. Williams

Student Scholarship. The latter honors the first licensed African-American member of the American Institute of Architects by supporting young African-American architecture students

SCOTT JOHNSTON Johnston Design Group

cott Johnston is an established leader in restorative design with extensive experience in intergenerational town center mixed-use design, custom residential, office, retail, hospitality and health care design. He served as Architect of Record for the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Upstate Forever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum Home Office and several highrise mixed-use developments in Greenville and Richmond, Va. Johnston was the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional in private practice in South Carolina, and his firm was the initial signatory of the Architecture 2030 commitment to a carbon-neutral

supporting workforce development...

future. The studio delivered the first Southface Institute EarthCraft Home, EarthCraft Multifamily Development and the first LEED Platinum building in South Carolina. Johnston Design Group also has created several net-zero buildings throughout the state. Johnston serves as guest faculty at Clemson and Furman Universities, the American College of Building Arts, Anderson University and the S.C. Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. He has won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Energy Star Award, Upstate Forever Innovator of the Year, as well as numerous national and regional design awards.

MICHAEL W. SPIVEY Spivey Architects Inc.

Clemson University graduate, Michael W. Spivey interned with what is now LS3P Architects from 19731974 and 1976-1977 before becoming licensed in 1978. He co-founded George Cook Construction Inc. and for the first

five years, acted as contractor for every home he designed. In 1981, he founded Michael W. Spivey & Associates Inc., and then in 2000, Spivey and Grady Woods co-founded Spivey & Woods Architects Inc. Ten years later, Spivey bought out Woods and formed Spivey Architects Inc., taking on projects all over South Carolina, including high-end residential and master planning projects, country club and resort facilities, doctor and dental offices, financial institutions, office buildings, restaurants, leasehold improvements and commercial interior design projects. Spivey is a three-time winner of the Charleston Contractors’ Association for Architectural Excellence and a silver award recipient for Outstanding Project Worldwide by The Bomanite Co. He also was published in Pinnacle Publishing’s Luxury Homes of the Carolinas. Spivey is past president of Charleston Public Facilities Corp., past director of the Charleston Chapter of South Carolina American Institute of Architects, commodore of James Island Yacht Club and president of the Charleston Rotary Breakfast Club. He has been certified with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards since 1982. He also holds two U.S. product patents and became a licensed pilot at age 50.

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GABLE STUBBS

SGA | NarmourWright Design

prac t icing architect for more than 35 years, Gable Stubbs has extensive experience in planning, design and construction of institutional, education, corporate and commercial projects. He holds a Masters of Architecture, a Bachelor of Science in design from Clemson University and a bachelor’s in art history from the University of South Carolina. Throughout his career, Stubbs has been a principal, founder and partner in multiple architectural firms in the Upstate and has received a number of recognitions, including an American Institute of Architects merit award as class speaker for his Leadership Greenville class and being named to Greenville Business Magazine’s Best and Brightest 35 & Under list. Stubbs says his signature accomplishments are the impacts that his professional work and community engagement have made on clients, users and the community. As an architect, he

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POWER LIST is also proud to have been able to be a part of projects that have shaped and influenced individuals, organizations and communities across the state.

DOUGLAS E. FRASER JHS Architecture

1979 graduate of Louisiana Tech University, Douglas E. Fraser has built a 43-year career in architecture — 32 of which have been with JHS Architecture. In 2007, he was named president of the firm, which is organized into teams specializing in corporate, educational, health care and resort multi-family projects. The team director is responsible for each project and is involved from initial concept design and programming through construction. Since its founding, JHS Architecture has completed a diverse array of projects, including numerous medical/health care and educational facilities and complex projects like the Billy Graham Library and Hammock Beach. The latter, a 370-

unit mixed-use condominium resort located in Palm Coast, Fla., sits on the 18th green of a Jack Nicklaus golf course overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Fraser is married and has three children and four grandchildren.

LOUIS P. BATSON III Batson Associates Inc.

Clemson graduate, Louis P. Batson III founded Batson Associates Inc. in Greenville in 1981. The firm’s first project a year later was a masonry retaining wall at the offices of C. Douglas Wilson & Company in Greenville. Since then, the firm has completed many major projects, including St. Francis Women’s Hospital in Greenville and Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center’s seven-level, 170,500-square-foot surgery tower in Charlotte, the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville and the Clemson University School of Nursing. Batson Associates also led site selection and design for the

new Monastery of St. Clare in Travelers Rest, which earned a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, and was responsible for the master plan, historical renovation and expansion at Greenville High School. The firm further donated the design and construction of the Treetop Clinic for Roper Mountain Science Center’s Out on a Limb treehouse competition. Batson Associates celebrates its 40-year anniversary with the completion of Presbyterian Village Athens, a 72-acre life plan community in Athens, Ga. Within the Southeast, Batson is the first architect to receive the National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s President’s Service Award and has served on and chaired the S.C. State Board of Architectural Examiners and the Southern Conference National Council of NCARB Architect Registration Examination Committee.

2021

Architects Power List Louis P. Batson III Chairman

L E A D E R S H I P

M A T T E R S

CONGRATULATIONS to Louis P. Batson III for being named one of the 30 most influential architects in South Carolina. Louis is committed to serving his clients with integrity and creative design solutions. For over 40 years, Louis has cultivated this atmosphere at Batson Associates, Inc. Thank you, Louis, for your leadership!

MARC WARREN, AIA LEED AP BD+C Vice President, Architecture | Goodwyn Mills Cawood | Columbia, SC

Congratulations, Marc! We’re grateful for your leadership and passion for our company’s mission to build communities that thrive.

Architecture & Engineering ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING + INTERIORS

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MARC MARCHANT LS3P

a r c Marchant, a graduate of Clemson University and the Charles E. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies in Genoa, Italy, has been with LS3P since he first interned with them in 1996. Today, he serves as the CEO. Marchant has worked on award-winning projects that include Trident Technical College’s S.C. Aeronautical Training Center, Medical University of South Carolina’s Children’s Health R. Keith Summey Medical Pavilion, Trident Technical College Nursing and Science Building, Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Medical Office, Roper St. Francis Support Service Office, MUSC Children’s Research Institute, MUSC Heart and Vascular Center and Palmetto Health Cancer Center and Brain Research MRI Suite. A frequent guest lecturer within the industry, community and academia on leadership and design, Marchant is a registered architect in the Carolinas and Georgia and holds numerous professional certifications and affiliations, including being a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional with the U.S. Green Building Council and a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Board. He is the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce board chair and serves on the Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals, Trident CEO Council, Clemson Architectural Foundation and Trident United Way Campaign. He also served with Charleston County’s Historic Preservation Commission, Clemson University’s Humanities Advancement board, AIA Academy of Architecture for Health board, AIA South Atlantic Region Conference and as an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

EDWARD T. ZEIGLER JR. Craig Gaulden Davis Inc.

dward T. Zeigler Jr. is the principal, president and CEO of Craig Gaulden Davis Inc., with whom he has worked for 38 years. Throughout his tenure, he has led project efforts throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. In 2018, Zei-

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POWER LIST gler opened an office in Baltimore. In April 2018, Mayor Knox White awarded Zeigler the Mayor’s Commendation in recognition of and appreciation for his outstanding contribution to the improvement of the community. Zeigler is known for community and civic involvement, working with Art in Public Places, Artisphere and Greenville’s Design Guidelines Steering Committee, City Park Steering Committee, Traffic Calming Task Force and Construction and Maintenance Board of Appeals. Zeigler served as a director for the Clemson Architectural Foundation and served on the boards of Greenville Theater and the S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities. He has participated at his children’s schools, working with the Parent Teacher Association at Augusta Circle and in other roles at Greenville High School. Zeigler has served in many leadership roles with the American Institute of Architects since 1980, and in 2014 was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows. Zeigler was in Leadership Greenville’s 15th class, serving in various leadership roles. He has been an active participant with the Chamber of Commerce since 1983 and is a member of Accelerate Greenville, driving economic momentum. In 2019, Zeigler received the Distinguished Leadership Greenville Alumni Award.

TARA B. HILE

SHLTR Architects LLC

ara B. Hile knew she wanted a career in design and architecture and headed directly toward that goal at age 17 when she enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2002, she graduated with a degree in architecture. Since then, Hile has focused on mixed-use, family urban development centers, first working in Charlotte before relocating to Greenville in 2009 to work with McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. She remained there for several years before partnering with Chesley White to establish SHLTR Architects LLC in 2016, where she serves as principal today. Since its establishment, the firm has six full-time architects and is continuously growing. Hile is currently working on several adaptive reuse projects, bringing historic buildings in the area back to life. She is a member of American Institute of Architects and the Urban Land Institute, as well as a founding board member for the Upstate chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women.

MARGIE LONGSHORE SMHa Inc.

ince 2000, Margie Longshore has been practicing architecture in Charleston, following her graduation from Auburn University. In 2019, she became a partner and principal with SMHa, Inc., and was named president in 2021. During recent years, her work has more specifically focused on adaptive reuse, renovation and educational projects. Longshore has received awards for projects that she worked on, including recognition for design excellence from the City of Charleston, local and state American Institute of Architects chapters, A4LE, the Preservation Society of Charleston and the Historic Charleston Foundation. Longshore is a historic preservation commissioner for Charleston County and past president of AIA Charleston. She also has served on the AIA S.C. Board of Directors and as director of the Design Awards. Additionally, Longshore has held an ongoing role as a mentor for students in Clemson’s Architecture Center in Charleston.

MARC WARREN

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood

hough Marc Warren isn’t a South Carolina native, he has called Columbia his home for more than 26 years since beginning his career with a local firm. He became an associate of the firm in 2000 and a principal four years later. In 2017, Warren opened the Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood’s Columbia office, and today he is vice president of architecture, overseeing offices in Columbia and Greenville. He helps develop practice standards and growth strategies firmwide. Warren has successfully designed and managed more than 3 million square feet of new construction and renovation projects across the Southeast. He has designed several award-winning projects throughout his career, most recently the Graniteville Elementary School addition and renovation project, which received an American Institute of Architects S.C. Design Award in 2020 for adaptive reuse, and an honor award from the S.C. Chapter of the Association for Learning Environments in 2021. He has worked with several university clients throughout his career and designed notable commercial

and institutional facilities throughout the state. Warren has served in various leadership roles as AIA Greater Columbia past president, board member and design director; AIA South Carolina section director, board member and education committee chairman; Jeep Rogers YMCA board chairman and facility committee chairman and Columbia YMCA Metro board member. He currently serves on the City of Columbia Retention and Redevelopment Committee. He earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from State University of New York at Buffalo. He is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certified.

RON SMITH

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture

1983 Clemson University graduate, Ron Smith is an original founder of McMillan Smith & Partners — a predecessor of McMillan Pazdan Smith’s current firm — where he began building and maintaining client relationships. He has experience designing and delivering a wide variety of projects for various industries, and his work has been recognized with awards and featured publications. Smith is a member of the Spartanburg Council of Architects, the S.C. American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He has received the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year Award and the Wofford College Distinguished Citizen Award. Smith is an avid sports and recreation enthusiast, and has worked on more than 60 college campuses in the Southeast, in addition to his long list of civic, housing and K-12 projects. Two of his favorite projects include Spartanburg’s Barnet Park and Wofford College’s Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium. Smith has served on the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau board, Spartanburg Downtown’s Rotary Club, the Leadership Spartanburg Board of Regents and as chairman of the Group of 100 in Spartanburg. He is a past chairman of the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System’s Foundation Heart Center Board. Smith served as a past member of the Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy Council of Mentors advisory committee. He is a former president of the Spartanburg Country Club and a past member of the Spartanburg Regional Hospital Foundation Board of Directors.

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ROBBY AULL

SSOE | Stevens & Wilkinson

ith 31 years’ experience, Robby Aull has accomplished numerous projects across the country. Primarily focused on health care facilities, local projects include Prisma Health Heart Hospital and Prisma Health Bynoe Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit in Columbia, the Prisma Health Parkridge Ambulatory Building in Irmo and Medical University of South Carolina James E. Clyburn Research Center in Charleston, to name a few. Aull is principal and senior vice president of SSOE | Stevens & Wilkinson, a leading architectural and engineering firm with more than 1,000 employees and 18 offices worldwide. He earned his bachelor’s degree and Master of Architecture – Health Care Facilities Design, from Clemson University and studied at the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies in Genoa, Italy. He is a member of American Institute of Architects’ South Carolina chapter, the Academy of Architecture for Health and is a founding member of American College of Healthcare Archi-

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POWER LIST tects. A former board member of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, Aull is recognized as an expert in the design of health care facilities.

SCOTT GARVIN

Garvin Design Group

cott Garvin graduated from Clemson University in 1984 and two years later received his Masters in Architecture from the same college. He also spent a semester in Italy for overseas study. After working in Greenville for a few years, Garvin relocated to Columbia where he has practiced architecture in the region for three decades and established Garvin Design Group in 2003. He has been involved in more than $1 billion worth of projects since starting Garvin Design Group. The firm has won more than 49 state, regional and national awards, including American Institute of Architects South Carolina’s Firm Award in 2019. GDC’s most recent accolades include awards for adaptive reuse and historic preservation from the S.C. Office of the Governor and the AIA South Atlantic Region. Last year,

Congratulations to Joel M. Carter on being selected as a Power List Architect!

the firm was named the Columbia Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. During his career, Garvin has been responsible for the adaptive reuse of many of Columbia’s historic buildings. He has served as a Clemson Architectural Foundation Trustee from 2007 to 2019 and as the group’s president in 2013. He and his wife made the lead gift for the new Kate L. Schwennsen Scholarship Endowment for Architectural Excellence in Clemson University’s School of Architecture. Garvin is a member of AIA and NCARB. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional.

MYLES GLICK

Glick Boehm and Associates Inc.

yles Glick graduated in 1973 from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in architecture. Upon graduation, he worked as a design manager and became director of design and construction for the Kiawah Island Co. In March 1981, he opened Glick Boehm and Associates, Inc., serving as the firm’s president. In 1978, he won two of the honor awards for design excellence from the S.C. American Institute of Architects chapter for Beach Walker Park and the Sparrow Pond Cottages, both located on Kiawah Island. In 1999, he was named Architect of the Year by the Charleston Contractors Association. He won an honor award for design excellence for First Citizens Bank Building from SCAIA. In 2020, GBA was selected to design the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Since 1981, Glick has created an office environment to design award-winning architectural solutions and to achieve a 92% client repeat. In addition to the traditional practice of architecture, Glick has a reputation as a forensic architect throughout the Southeast region.

JOEL CARTER

Jumper Carter Sease Architects Joel M. Carter, AIA, Principal, Jumper Carter Sease Architects.

412 Meeting Street West Columbia, SC 29169 www.jhsarchitects.com

pon graduation from Clemson University’s College of Architecture, Joel Carter joined Drafts & Jumper Architects as an associate. In 1991, he then became a registered architect and partner in the firm when it was renamed to Jumper Carter Sease Architects. Since then, Carter and his partner, Todd Sease,

have strategically grown the firm from six to 23 employees. Jumper Carter Sease Architects has provided architectural services throughout the state and specializes in K-12 public school, medical, corporate and religious architectural design. The firm’s most notable recent projects include River Bluff High School, the Lexington Two Innovation Center, the St. Stephen Lutheran Church expansion, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and Lexington Medical Center’s newest facility, Lexington Medical Center Northeast’s Urgent Care and Acute Surgery Center. Carter serves on Newberry College’s board of trustees and was recently honored with the Noah and Pansy Derrick Outstanding Friend of the College Award. He also served as a trustee with the Clemson Architectural Foundation, co-chaired the Associated General Contractors of America and American Institute of Architects Joint Committee and served on various committees with AIA’s South Carolina chapter. Carter is a member of the Lexington County Board of Adjusters and the Lexington Chamber of Commerce.

J. MICHAEL TAYLOR DP3 Architects Ltd.

Clemson Un i v e r s i ty graduate and LEED-accredited professional, J. Michael Taylor founded DP3 Architects, Ltd., in 1984 with two Clemson classmates. He has worked with projects for colleges and universities, including Clemson University, Furman University, Winthrop University, Anderson University and the University of South Carolina Upstate. His work has included campus master planning, student centers, student housing facilities, administration buildings, auditoriums, distant learning centers, studies and renovations to existing historic buildings, athletic facilities, and campus visualization. Taylor also has worked with municipalities to build community centers, tennis centers, recreation and fitness centers, YMCAs, clubhouse facilities and historical monuments. With Taylor’s involvement, DP3 Architects has developed a significant project approach to restaurant concept design and implementation. Taylor’s community service includes the City of Greenville Beautification and Design and Preservation Commissions, Rotary International and Clemson Architectural Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of Tau Sigma Delta Honorary Fraternity for Architecture and the Allied Arts, American Institute of Architects’ South Carolina chapter, NCARB and the U.S. Green Building Council.

At Work

BUSINESS DIGEST | PEOPLE IN THE NEWS | HOT PROPERTIES

People in the News

Business Digest

ADVERTISING Push Digital’s director of business development, Austin Stukins, has been honored by the American Association of Political Consultants as part of Stukins the 2021 class of the 40 best and brightest campaign professionals under 40 years old. Twenty Republicans and 20 Democrats in the United States were named to the winners list. Stukins joined Push Digital in 2020 after working as deputy coalitions director for Donald J. Trump for President. He served in the Marine Corps from 2001-2009 and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2013.

CONSTRUCTION

Sustain SC honors Boeing, SC Ports, Volvo Cars with award Sustain S.C. recently honored Boeing, the S.C. Ports Authority and Volvo Cars with the inaugural excellence in mitigation award, recognizing their efforts to bring economic development to South Carolina while maintaining a positive conservation impact. increase productivity, improve sleep and ease hangover symptoms. The company expects to open a brick-and-mortar location at 564 King St. within the next few months and currently operates two Mobile Drip Lounges available for booking for parties, weddings, sporting events and more.

Keegan-Filion Farm has new fall packages available through its Pastured Pantry delivery service. Anyone in the greater Charleston area can sign up to have items like pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs, grass-fed dairy and natural jams and jellies dropped off bi-weekly at their home or business.

Pet Supermarket expands into Charleston market The Drip Lounge debuts in Charleston IV therapy provider The Drip Lounge is expanding its footprint to Charleston, offering services that can enhance training performance for athletes,

Keegan-Filion Farm offers new home delivery packages for fall

Family-owned and Walterboro-based

Pet Supermarket held a grand opening for its new store in Summerville on Oct. 23. Located at 620 Bacons Bridge Road in the Sawmill Village Shopping Center, the Summerville store is Pet Supermarket’s first in the tri-county area and sixth in the state of South Carolina.

SEPI has hired Todd Goodman as a roadway project manager. Goodman has more than 25 years of design experience encompassing interstate widenings, Goodman urban widenings, interstate interchanges, bridge replacements and resurfacing projects. He will oversee the expansion of SEPI’s transportation and roadway design services across South Carolina, focusing on relationships with clients, S.C. Department of Transportation and municipalities. Port City Concrete Inc. has hired Anthony Jordan as central dispatch coordinator. Jordan earned a bachelor’s in business administration from North Central College and a professional training certificate from ATSA. He started his more than 35-year career in the concrete supply industry as an equipment operator before moving into management. For 10 years, he trained countless other concrete plants on the use and operation of Integra, a software for ready-mix dispatch and logistics. At Port City Concrete Inc., he will be responsible for establishing delivery schedules, preparing invoices and interfacing with customers. See PEOPLE, Page 28

Submit items at our online submission portal: www.CRBJBizWire.com. Publication in print and online is subject to editorial discretion.

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People in the News PEOPLE, from Page 27

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List: Commercial Property Management Co Special Section: Health Care Heroes

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2022: YEAR AHEAD

List: Hospitals Bonus List: Urgent Care Centers

Advertising Deadline: January 3 FEBRUARY 7

Cullum Constructors Inc. has promoted Rob Smith to sheet metal foreman. After graduating from North Charleston High School, Smith entered the Smith construction industry building cabinets. He was introduced to mechanical construction by his brother and began his career at Cullum, working for Thomas Brown, building the S.C. Aquarium. Smith is knowledgeable in plumbing and sheet metal and has achieved CPR and OSHA certifications.

ENGINEERING Lia Contursi, marketing manager at SeamonWhiteside, is the newest board member of the local nonprofit Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina. Contursi has experience as a mentor with Be a Mentor and will teach courses in this new role that promote financial capability, career readiness and business ownership. Contursi joined SeamonWhiteside in 2013 and was fundamental in founding their most recent Women’s Initiative along with five other members.

EDUCATION Trident Academy has named Valerie Kowbeidu as the school’s new lower school director and Jonpaul Sticco as the upper school director. Caroline O’Neill has also been hired as a guidance counselor. Kowbeidu has has been with Trident since 2015. Prior to being hired as a classroom teacher at Trident, Kowbeidu worked as a Latin teacher with the Charleston County School District and tutored students in Latin, reading and math at Life Resources in Mount Pleasant. A graduate of the College of Charleston, Kowbeidu has achieved the associate level of the Academy of Orton-Gilling-

ham Practitioners and Educators and is currently working toward the certified level. Kowbeidu was a finalist for the 2017 Lower School Teacher of the Year Award from the S.C. Independent School Association. Sticco was most recently a middle and high school history teacher at Trident. He attended Union College in Upstate New York, majoring in history and religion. He went on to receive a Master of Education in special education, earning a New Jersey certification in regular and special education. During the past year, Sticco also received his Master of Education in administration from Grand Canyon University. O’Neill has an undergraduate degree from Auburn University in rehabilitation and disability studies, as well as a minor in psychology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical counseling at Charleston Southern University. O’Neill has experience in the mental health field, having worked as a caregiver for special needs, an administrative member of a psychiatric firm, and an intern with two private mental health practices.

NONPROFIT Life Resources has announced Heather Perry as its new director of philanthropy. Perry has served as a nonprofit professional for more than 20 years. In this Perry newly created position, she will oversee the fundraising efforts for the Seeds of Life Program, which provides scholarship assistance for counseling services as well as low-cost classes, groups and professional training opportunities for the community. Perry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in political science. Prior to her career in nonprofit fundraising, she was a lobbyist for TennCare, the State of Tennessee expanded Medicaid program.

ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION (AEC) List: Engineering Companies

Advertising Deadline: January24

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Get your message in front of thousands of business owners, managers and decision-makers who use www.CharlestonBusiness.com as their source for local business news.

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VIEWS, PERSPECTIVES AND READERS’ LETTERS

5 reasons cybersecurity is a great career for military veterans

merica is fighting a war on an invisible front, and we need skilled and motivated professionals to protect us. Experts predict that global cybercrime damages will reach $6 trillion in 2021, nearly double the amount from 2015. October was Cybersecurity Awareness Month and served BEN as a great time to COULTER educate employees about the dangers of cyberattacks and to spotlight the growing field of cybersecurity. Whether perpetrated by cybercriminals, activist groups or state-sponsored hackers, cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt private and public organizations, including banks, health care systems, local governments and vital infrastructure. As regional director of Western Governors University, I’ve observed that more than 30% of students pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in cybersecurity and information assurance with our College of Information Technology are affiliated with the military community.

Cybersecurity is a great career choice for military veterans. Following are five reasons why.

Cybersecurity is a growing field

The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics’ Information Security Analysts Outlook expects cybersecurity jobs will grow 31% through 2029. Meanwhile, according to the New York Times, military veterans are 37% more likely to be underemployed than non-veterans. According to CyberSeek, there are currently 5,145 cybersecurity job openings in South Carolina. ZipRecruiter reports that the national average entry-level salary in cybersecurity is $72,964.

Veterans train with technology

Veterans have experience working with state-of-the-art technology. The United States military employs some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. Servicemen and women are exposed to high-tech equipment, systems, and programs on a regular basis. Further, many participate in usability testing of experimental technologies.

Veterans understand service

It’s a mission-driven profession, and another way to serve our country. The purpose of cybersecurity is to secure data

and prevent unauthorized access from bad actors seeking to inflict damage or extort money to fund even more nefarious incursions. The objectives are very clear and precise, which may appeal to individuals with military experience.

Room for advancement

There is a clear career progression. Just like with military promotions, the cybersecurity industry typically has a defined career track, albeit with some flexibility. For instance, an entry-level cybersecurity specialist could be promoted to analyst, consultant, or penetration and vulnerability tester, and then on to a role as a cybersecurity manager, engineer, or architect.

Experience, training a good fit

Veterans have many of the qualities and skills that cybersecurity employers desire: integrity, work ethic, discipline, threat analysis, and attention to detail. Combined with the right educational degrees and certifications, they are well-suited for careers that directly apply and reward those qualities. For veterans with limited technology experience, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers the Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses program that matches them with

a leading training provider to help them develop high-tech skills. There are myriad scholarship and grant programs to help veterans pay for their education. As a veteran of the United States Army, I was a beneficiary of the G.I. Bill and used it to earn a master’s degree from Western Carolina University and a doctorate from N.C. State University. For those transitioning out of the military, or for veterans who are years removed from their service but considering a career change, the cybersecurity field offers a rewarding opportunity for purpose-driven job satisfaction and the ability to counter threats from both home and abroad. CRBJ

Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is Southeast Regional Director for online, nonprofit Western Governors University. Prior to his career in higher education, he was a U.S. Army Officer in the field of counterintelligence.

We want to hear from you Write: Andy Owens, Executive Editor Charleston Regional Business Journal 3265 North Carolina Avenue, Suite 101 North Charleston, SC 29405 Email: aowens@scbiznews.com

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November 15 - 28, 2021

IT’S TIME TO BINGE BUSINESS What’s new on SCBIZtv? With nearly 150 videos (and counting), our YouTube channel features a wide variety of businessrelated content. From recognition events to one-on-one interviews with high-level business executives to in-depth discussions with industry leaders, our playlists have something for everyone. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll ﬁnd on SCBIZtv. What’s New and What’s Hot!

Check out our new content as well as our trending videos on this ever-changing playlist.

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With events like Women of Inﬂuence in the Upstate, Icons and Phenoms in the Midlands and Health Care Heroes in the Lowcountry, SC Biz News honors the movers and shakers across the state.

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This ongoing video series features business executives sharing insight about their business, the industry in which they work and the community in which they live.

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DAY IN THE LIFE NORTH CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HARBOR PATROL By Alexandria Ng North Charleston Harbor Patrol officers Thomas Wallace and Richard Dean are a two-man crew protecting the waters surrounding the Charleston region. While maintaining boater safety is an important aspect of what they do as part of the North Charleston Police Department, the job encompasses so much more, Dean said. Other things the officers keep in mind on a daily basis include helping to maintain port efficiency, checking channel markers after adverse weather, and rescuing stranded mariners.

1 Officers Dean and Wallace usually head out around 8 a.m. every day to begin their general patrol of the waterways. They’ve got a 10-hour day ahead, but no two days look the same, Dean said.

2 From within the cabin, the officers steer past other recreational boats, taking mental notes that rules regarding boat safety are being followed. This includes having the proper equipment on board and general behavior while out on the water.

3 The dashboard displays GPS and thermal imaging, as well as a crosssection of the water directly beneath the boat’s current position. These tools are important in helping the officers navigate through the waters as they move about their day.

4 Calls will come in over the radio, directing the officers to scenes they must respond to. Officers prepare for all types of scenarios, whether it’s how to address terrorism threats or situations where someone is threatening to jump off the Ravenel Bridge.

5 While keeping a watchful eye over the landscape, officers also must be mindful of their other responsibilities depending on what the day calls for. That could mean escorting cruise ships, responding to vehicles in distress, executing search-and-rescues, or assisting the Coast Guard.

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November 15 - 28, 2021