ASCEND 2016 by South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

ASCEND

2016

a publication of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

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FEATURES 10

75 YEARS WITH THE SC CHAMBER

26 THE SIGNIFICANCE & HISTORY OF THE CONFEDERATE FLAG

2016 Issue South Carolina Chamber of Commerce 1301 Gervais St, Suite 1100 Columbia, SC 29201 800.799.4601 www. scchamber.net ASCEND is a publication of

29 THE SC CHAMBER AWARDS

30 Public Servant of the Year 32 Sgt. William Jasper Freedom Award 34 Business Leaders of the Year

39 SC TOP 100 48 LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE: Game Day in South Carolina

56 FLAVOR OF THE SOUTH:

Why South Carolina is a Top Pick for Travel

62 KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON 66 LINKED:

The Importance of Supply Chain Management

PEACHES, PINES & POULTRY: Exporting South Carolina’s Agriculture

WHEN INTERNATIONAL MANUFACTURING RELOCATES

President & CEO Ted Pitts

GREENING BUSINESS

Associate Vice President of Communications Genevieve McGroarty

BUILDING A BETTER WORKFORCE

Multimedia Manager Penny Delaney Cothran, APR

THE GAME CHANGERS: Leading the Nation in Talent Development

Art Director Reid Price • ASCEND Magazine Editor Penny Delaney Cothran, APR Published by Business Black Box Advertising Sales Diedre Macklen Copyright @2016 by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Business Black Box. All foreign and U.S. rights reserved. Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher. Published for South Carolina Chamber of Commerce by Business Black Box and ShowCase Publishing. 864/281-1323

DEPARTMENTS 5 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 7 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN 9 LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR 15 INDUSTRY UPDATES 20 THE YEAR IN REVIEW 24 EEDA: BRIDGING THE GAP 54 HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES: SONOCO 72 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS 78 SKILLS FOR SUCCESS 86 HOMEWORK CENTERS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS 87 AFTER THE EVENT 96 SCRUMPTIOUS!

S.C. Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MR. JOHN UPRICHARD – CHAIRMAN President Find Great People Greenville MR. M. JACK SANDERS – COMMERCE CHAIR President and CEO Sonoco MS. BARBARA MELVIN – CHAIR-ELECT Senior Vice President of Operations and Terminals South Carolina Ports Authority MR. MIKEE JOHNSON – PAST CHAIRMAN CEO Cox Industries MR. CHRIS BARRAS – TREASURER Executive Director Ernst & Young, LLP MR. CHARLES “TED” SPETH II – GENERAL COUNSEL Shareholder Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. MR. TED PITTS – CEO President & CEO SC Chamber of Commerce

OUR VISION The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is the unified voice of business and premier advocacy organization in the state. The South Carolina Chamber creates opportunity for businesses to excel by promoting pro-growth policies that attract new businesses to our borders and keep existing businesses here.

OUR MISSION The mission of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, as the unified voice of business, is to promote an economy in the state that enhances the quality of life for all South Carolinians by supporting business growth and job creation. The South Carolina Chamber leads the way in helping expand our economy by: • Creating and leading a shared, collaborative vision for South Carolina business. • Promoting policies and supporting initiatives that foster an educated, highly-skilled and capable workforce. • Advocating for a fair and predictable tax code and a balanced budget. • Promoting an environment of diversity and progress within our member companies and within the State Chamber. • Communicating the positive impact that a successful business community has on our citizens.

DAVID ALEXANDER Director of Taxes Mount Vernon Mills, Inc.

SAM KONDUROS Executive Director, Research Development Corporation Greenville Health System

CLIFF BOURKE Manager of Legal Claims Southeastern Freight Lines, Columbia

PATRICK MICHAELS CEO Goodwill Industries of Upstate and Midlands SC, Inc.

STEPHEN COX Attorney Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, PA

STEVE NAIL Vice President, Human Resources Hubbell Lighting

JAMES D’ALESSIO Vice President of Government Affairs BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

AL REID Operations Leader Boral Stone Products LLC

SIDNEY J EVERING II Special Counsel, Director of Diversity Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein, LLP

MELANIE STEINBACH Chief Human Resources Officer Milliken & Company

CLARK GILLESPY SC President Duke Energy

HAL STEVENSON Owner Grace Outdoor

KENNY JACKSON Senior Vice President, Service/Rates & Regulatory Affairs South Carolina Electric & Gas

ELIZABETH HENRY WAGNER (BABS) Vice President Legal Services and Corporate Secretary Santee Cooper

Letters

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT As my first year leading the Chamber and working on behalf of the business community has come to an end, I am excited about where we are and what is ahead for South Carolina. A lot has happened in the Palmetto State that we should be proud of and the Chamber continues to lead the way on issues that are critical to moving South Carolina forward. Before we look to the future, it is worth noting that those business leaders who came before us here at the Chamber have really set the stage for the success we see today. As the Chamber celebrates 75 years of serving as South Carolina’s voice of the business community, I would like to especially thank our founding members who set the vision and made the investment of time and dollars in improving the business climate for all. The South Carolina Chamber has historically been a leader—not only in business issues, but in moving the state forward as a whole—and we should all be proud to be part of this legacy. Over the last 75 years, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has helped lead on key initiatives that have helped make us the pro-business state we are today. In 1954, the Chamber spearheaded the movement to make South Carolina a right-to-work state. With threats from big labor unions continuing even today, this legislation set up South Carolina’s status as a rightto-work state. This right-to-work legislation has made South Carolina a place that is recognized globally as business friendly, where employees and employers work together. In 1989, the Chamber and its leadership stepped up to the plate and created the Chamber’s Education Foundation, with the mission to promote collaboration between the private sector and education establishments. In 1992, Chamber leadership created the SC Business Center for Excellence in Education, which evolved into the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Council. This council has provided direction and advocacy for major education and workforce development reform. Things like establishing education accountability measures, expanding charter schools, creating relevance in education (EEDA), growing apprenticeships, assuring needed skills training (WorkKeys), and expanding educational opportunities for at-risk students were all accomplished in part because of the business community’s involvement. Business has been and will continue to be a major player in the state’s education and workforce development efforts and the Chamber must continue to invest in improving South Carolina’s talent pipeline. In 1999, led by Chairwoman Paula Harper Bethea and the Chamber board, with economic expansion in mind, the S.C. Chamber took a stance on the Confederate flag that flew on the State House dome and in the House and Senate chambers, calling for the flag to come down. And just this past year, under the leadership of Chairman Mikee Johnson and the Chamber board, the South Carolina Chamber joined Governor Haley in calling for the flag to be completely removed from the State House grounds to expand investment and job creation, attract a diverse and talented workforce, and support our tourism industry. As they say, history repeats itself, and I could not be more proud of the history we have made and the history we continue to make at the South Carolina Chamber. As we look ahead to next year, our Legislative Agenda, as dictated by our members and the larger business community, keeps us focused on the two most critical issues facing business in our state today: workforce development and infrastructure improvements. With your help we will work together to advance these issues that are so critical to our state’s future. It is an honor to serve in this role and I look forward to working with each of you to carry on the legacy and tradition of the South Carolina Chamber.

Ted Pitts, President and CEO, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

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Letters

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Just as great people make great companies, great people make a great state. And I think we have seen over the years that this is the best descriptor for the people in South Carolina. As newly-elected chairman of the South Carolina Chamber, I am proud to say that the Chamber has taken on the role as a leader as the people of South Carolina march forward toward the new South Carolina. As I talk with our members, it is clear that South Carolina is no longer the textiles-reliant state it once was. The workforce needs of our businesses are dynamic and changing. Over the last decade we have attracted some of the biggest names in automotive, aerospace and advanced manufacturing; we’re leading the world in exports down at the Port of Charleston—and we are quickly seeing the Silicon Harbor in Charleston and the tech scene in Greenville boom. The transformation and momentum we are seeing in South Carolina is not happening by chance, it is happening because we have the right people. Most of my days are spent recruiting talent for organizations here in South Carolina and around the world to allow our member companies to reach their full potential. And all of us in the business community know that you can’t build a great business without great people. That is why the Chamber will continue its efforts this year to push for an increased focus on programs to develop a skilled workforce to support existing and new business in South Carolina. As the workforce needs change for business in South Carolina, so must our policies and our approach on how we develop our workforce. As such, the Chamber is taking the lead by supporting our Excellence in Education Council as it maintains its continued focus on our “2020 Education Goals.” This plan, combining the business community’s needs with the education community’s ability to prepare our students, is a blueprint for making South Carolina’s workforce ready for today and one of the future. More information can be found on our website at www.scchamber.net. I thank all of our members for their continued support of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the state’s unified voice of business. South Carolina’s future is bright because of the Chamber’s continued leadership on creating opportunities for South Carolina to grow.

Chairman John Uprichard, CEO, Find Great People

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Letters

A LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR I want to thank the Board of Directors and staff and, most importantly, the member businesses of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the progress Team South Carolina has made over the last five years. The story of our last five years is one we’re sharing with people across the country and across the world: more than 71,000 jobs announced for 45 of 46 counties, more than $17 billion in investment, more of our people working than ever before and historic lows in unemployment. We build planes with Boeing. We build cars with BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and now Volvo. We have five—yes, five—worldwide tire companies with Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Giti Tire and now Trelleborg. The first American-made flat screen televisions? You’ll find them in rural Winnsboro, South Carolina, with Element Electronics. People are taking notice of our state—South Carolina is on the move. One of my predecessors, Governor Carroll Campbell, used to say, when you find a person a job, you take care of a family. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that when we work together with business leaders like you, we can lead the way in job growth and innovation, and take care of a lot of families. That’s part of what makes us strong, proud, unified and resourceful as a state. And that South Carolina spirit is what brought us together when tragedy and hardship visited us. This year, we’ve seen challenges that could have divided us. We saw it happen in other parts of the country. But not in South Carolina. The strength and grace of the families who lost those they loved at Mother Emanuel, and the resilience of communities hit hardest by unprecedented flooding, has inspired us, and brought us together. We’re seeing neighbors helping neighbors, the South Carolina way.

As we lift each other up, we’re laying the foundation we need to move forward, together. I couldn’t be prouder of South Carolina’s story. I couldn’t be more optimistic about South Carolina’s future. If we continue working together—investing in our students, our workforce, our businesses—there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And we’ll have so much success more to celebrate with our people.

Nikki R. Haley, Governor of South Carolina

by Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

How many thousands of years does it take to create a diamond? Heat plus pressure plus time makes a jewel coveted by all. South Carolina herself is a jewel, one of the original thirteen. It took a mere 75 years for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce to help place that jewel in the crown of achievement and development, making our state the envy of all in the Southeast. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce has remained true to its mission of cultivating a healthy business environment in the state. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look back at the accomplishments of the State Chamber over the years.

1948

1940 The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is chartered on August 6 under the name “Organized Business, Inc.” D.A. Skinner is the first executive officer until he leaves the state chamber to head the Chamber of Commerce of the United States.

1954

Organized Business Inc. changes its name to South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce.

1950

SC Chamber spearheads legislation called the Right to Work Law.

John C. Floyd becomes general manager of the Chamber for 16 years.

SC Chamber creates an Industrial Relations Department to promote sound personnel practices in industrial plants and “to strengthen the labor/management relationship so as to eliminate the conditions that cause unrest.” A full time director is hired named Macon P. Miller. He goes on to head the Chamber 10 years later as its third chief executive.

1971 John G. Riddick was named executive vice president and built a new, two-story home for the SC Chamber at the corner of Calhoun and Park Streets in Columbia. The mortgage was paid in full by his retirement in 1979.

1978 The SC Chamber helps the South Carolina State Development Board pitch South Carolina as the goose that lays the golden egg in a long running advertising campaign.

1956

1972 “State” is dropped from the name, and it’s known simply as South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

1979 Lowell Reese becomes executive vice president, moving from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

1980 SC Chamber moves from Columbia’s “Association Row” to the fifth floor of the Bankers Trust Tower located opposite the SC Statehouse.

1980

1989

1998

The business community rallies around Charleston after Hurricane Hugo to keep the tourism industry afloat.

SC Chamber forms its Public Policy Committee with the tagline “Let’s Talk Politics for Free Enterprise.” This committee becomes today’s “LATF.”

1981

1992

Paula Harper Bethea becomes chairman (and serves for two terms) and takes on the contentious issue of eliminating video poker and the Confederate flag. She is the Chamber’s first female chairperson.

Former House member and Tax Commission Chairman Hunter Howard Jr. becomes the president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

1999 The Chamber partners with High Performance Partnerships program, which matches companies with the poorest performing schools in the state. Today, SCANA dedicates its resources to the Chamber’s Homework Centers in 16 schools throughout the SCE&G service area.

1999 The Chamber calls for the removal of the Confederate Flag from atop the State House dome.

South Carolina ranks number three in the nation in business climate. S.C. boasts a per capita income gain of 154 percent over the previous decade, from $2,767 to $7,027.

2005 Chamber plays an active role in pushing through the EEDA—also known as the Personal Pathways to Success— an education act that bridges the gap between academic and career readiness for all students, regardless of their college plans.

1988

Michelin selects Greenville for its North American Headquarters

2011 South Carolina Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) III grant awarded.

2015 Legislature passes a tort reform measure to protect land owners from frivolous lawsuits arising from situations where trespassers suffered injuries on their property. They enact statutory provisions already in place in 20 other states, including Georgia and North Carolina.

25 Years of Past Chamber Chairmen 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009 2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004 2002-2003 2001-2002 2000-2001 1998-2000 1997-1998 1996-1997 1995-1996 1994-1995 1993-1994 1992-1993 1991-1992 1991 1990 1989

Mikee Johnson, Orangeburg – Cox Industries Pamela Lackey, Columbia – AT&T Mike Brenan, Columbia – BB&T Jim Reynolds, Columbia – Total Comfort Solutions Dick Wilkerson, Greenville – Michelin Joe Salley, Spartanburg – Milliken & Company William Boyd, Columbia – Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd Jim Micali, Greenville – Michelin Harris DeLoach, Hartsville – Sonoco Emerson Gower, Florence – Progress Energy Mack Whittle, Greenville – Carolina First Bank Lee Bussell, Columbia – Chernoff Newman Don Herriott, Florence – Roche Carolina Hayne Hipp, Greenville – Liberty Fellowship M. Edward Sellers, Columbia – BlueCross BlueShield of SC Paula Harper Bethea, Hilton Head Island – Was McNair Law Firm, now SC Education Lottery Bill L. Amick, Batesburg – Amick Brothers Paul G. Campbell, Jr., Goose Creek – Alcoa Mount Holly (now SC Senate) Joe M. Anderson, Jr., Columbia – AT&T Hugh C. Lane, Jr., Charleston – Bank of SC John Beckler, Columbia – Carolina Eastman (deceased 2010) James C. Morton, Greenville – Morton Consulting Inc. Ronald C. Coward, Charleston – Coward Hund Construction Company William L. Mazilly, Irvine, California – Fluor Daniel Thomas L. Gregory, Columbia – Gregory Electric John M. Settle, Charleston – Community First Bank

2015

Governor Haley locks arms with policy leaders in removing the Confederate Flag from the Statehouse grounds to a new home in a S.C. museum

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Industry Updates

ATTRACTING WORLD CLASS AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES TO SC By Frederick M. Cartwright, Executive Director,Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR)

CU-ICAR (the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research) serves the state of South Carolina, the southeastern region of the U.S., and the rest of the world by providing talent, research and economic development through its award-winning partnerships with industry. When asked about why the state of South Carolina continues to have a knack for attracting “the best of the best” automotive companies, several reasons come to mind. First, there is outstanding state leadership. This goes all the way back to the days when BMW was recruited to the state. Smart, determined and courageous minds were involved and have carried the mantle since then. It’s this same leadership that worked with universities and industry to begin the process of developing more of a “knowledge economy” in the state of South Carolina. This is what gave birth to CU-ICAR, through initiatives like the Smart States Program. This does not go unnoticed by the global automotive industry, as they see the fruits of the state’s efforts materialize. Secondly, the basic fruit of CU-ICAR is engineering talent. This talent comes from a specialized education, driven by industry need, and focused on advanced degrees in automotive engineering. We hear from our

industry partners that the graduates they hire from our Department of Automotive Engineering are some of the best and brightest in their companies. We also hear from our growing alumni base that their experience at CU-ICAR has prepared them to make an immediate impact at their companies. The point is that word is spreading throughout the industry that CU-ICAR is a great place for engineering talent. And, while any organization can claim to be focused on “talent development,” very few can truly be leaders in “the development of the best talent.” Combining exceptional engineering education with an exceptionally strong technical college network, South Carolina is on the global radar screen. Industry notices. And, finally, let’s be honest, is there a more supportive business environment than South Carolina? I’ve witnessed robust support from the business community for companies new to the state. Perhaps part of this is a result of being such a small state – better yet, one big town. We’re well connected and care about each other’s success. It benefits all. World class companies see this, and experience this personalization during recruitment. Obviously, BMW is one great story for South Carolina, in so many ways. And, as they say, birds of a feather…

Industry Updates

The South Carolina Tire Manufacturers’ Council is comprised of members from Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, and Michelin North America, Inc.

SOUTH CAROLINA CELEBRATES TIRE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY By Julie Scott, Sonoco

Earlier this year, the South Carolina Tire Manufacturers Council (SCTMC)— established in 2013 by Bridgestone Americas, Inc., Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, and Michelin North America, Inc., in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce—joined legislators to celebrate the significant impact the tire manufacturing industry has on the Palmetto State. These three tire manufacturers employ more than 12,000 people in the state, making tire manufacturing one of the largest industrial sector employers in South Carolina. The mission of the South Carolina Tire Manufacturers Council is to serve as unified voice for the tire manufacturing industry

in the state. The industry has become one of the largest industries in South Carolina, representing enormous longterm investments in the Palmetto State. “South Carolina is the largest tire manufacturing state in the country and ranks first among states in tire exports,” said Christian Gullott, director of state & federal government affairs at Bridgestone Americas, Inc., who also serves as chairman of the Tire Manufacturers’ Council. “We join our elected officials in celebrating the positive impact tire manufacturers have on South Carolina’s competitiveness, economic development and job creation.”

Chris Gullott, Director of State & Federal Michelin North America representatives welcome From L-R, Chris Gullott, Bridgestone Americas; Government Affairs for Bridgestone Americas, Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Larry Roy Chamlee, Michelin North America; Ted Pitts, along with SC Chamber President Ted Pitts, discuss Grooms (R-Berkeley) to the luncheon. SC Chamber of Commerce; April Allen, Jay Spears, pending tire safety legislation with Senate Majority and Ian Musselman, of Continental Tire. Whip Shane Massey (R-Edgefield).

Industry Updates

“For South Carolina to have the ability to absorb the workforce requirements of suppliers as well as the aircraft manufacturers, we need added capacity to train workers,” said Thornley. “This new facility will position our state to meet the needs of this rapidly expanding aerospace cluster.”

TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE READIES SITE FOR NEW S.C. AERONAUTICAL TRAINING CENTER By David Hansen, Trident Technical College

Trident Technical College is taking the first steps toward construction of its 215,000-square-foot S.C. Aeronautical Training Center facility, which will support the growing aerospace cluster in the state. Site planning is underway, and the college is in the process of selecting an architect for the building design. Construction will occur on land owned by the college on its Main Campus in North Charleston, which is eight miles from the Boeing South Carolina plant. To date, Trident Tech has commitments for $63 million of the $79 million project, leaving a balance the college hopes to secure from the state. Funding sources include college, federal, state and local (Charleston County and City of North Charleston) funds, as well as private donations. The S.C. Aeronautical Training Center will house the college’s Aeronautical Studies academic programs, as well as training offered by the college’s Division of Continuing Education and Economic Development and readySC. Currently, the college’s aeronautic classrooms and labs are distributed across two campuses and five buildings; a new facility will not only add more training space but increase efficiency by consolidating all programs into one location. The training center will feature 165,000 square feet of classrooms, shops and labs (composite, engine, avionics,

paint and tool, welding and sheet metal) and 50,000 square feet of open bays to accommodate aircraft, large aircraft parts and training aids. An additional 100,000-square-foot aircraft ramp is also included in the plan. “We have a decade to do what Washington State had 100 years to do—create an aeronautical culture,” said Trident Technical College president Mary Thornley. “This facility will not only allow us to meet the demand for skilled workers but will help spark an interest in the next generation of South Carolinians to pursue a career in the aerospace field.” The college has offered aircraft maintenance programs for more than three decades. When the aeronautical industry took off in the Lowcountry, the college added aircraft assembly and avionics maintenance programs to the curriculum. The high demand for the college’s aeronautical programs has meant that more than 200 students are placed on a waiting list for fall enrollment each year. According to a study by the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina, more than 17,000 people are now employed at 466 private sector aerospace firms in South Carolina, and 33 of 46 counties in South Carolina have aerospace-related firms. Even more growth is predicted in the state.

Industry Updates

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS By Kelly Steinhilper, SC Technical College System

The SC Technical College System is dedicated to making a quality technical education both affordable and accessible to the citizens of South Carolina. Each year, we educate and train more than a quarter million South Carolinians. The majority of all South Carolinians enrolled as undergraduates at one of the state’s public higher education institutions attends one of our 16 colleges. The vast majority of our students are citizens of the state and choose to live and work in South Carolina after completing their education. In fact, 86 percent of our graduates are placed in a job related to their field of study or are continuing their education. In order to add to these impressive stats, the System recently conducted an impact study for its colleges and took into account three major stakeholder groups—the student, the community and the taxpayer.

The

Student.

In return for their time and money investment, the System’s students will receive a present value of $7.2 billion in increased earnings over their working lives. This translates to a return of $5.30 in higher future income for every dollar they invested in their technical education.

The Community. The community as a whole will receive a present value of $20.2 billion in added state income over the course of our students’ working lives. The community will also benefit from $422.9 million in present value social savings related to reduced crime, lower unemployment and increased health and well-being across the state. For every dollar that the community spent on technical colleges in FY2012-13, they will receive a cumulative value of $10.70 in benefits.

The Taxpayer. In FY 2012-13, state and local taxpayers paid $254.8 million to support the operations of our state’s technical colleges. For that investment,

taxpayers received $1.9 billion in added tax revenue stemming from the higher lifetime incomes and increased output of business from our students. In other words, for every taxpayer dollar invested in technical colleges, the return was $7.90 in benefits. A similar study is currently underway to measure the impact of the System’s two internationally-renowned programs—readySC and Apprenticeship Carolina. However, with just a cursory glance one can see the impact of these programs is staggering. ReadySC provides the initial recruiting and training services to companies creating new jobs in South Carolina through relocation or expansion. Just last year, the program trained nearly 4,700 individuals for jobs in South Carolina. The average capital investment made by readySC’s client organizations last year was $67.3 million. This number is poised to increase with the state’s unprecedented growth in economic development. Apprenticeship Carolina promotes the awareness and use of registered programs in the state. Since its inception in 2007, Apprenticeship Carolina has seen phenomenal growth and is held as a model nationally. The number of registered programs has grown from 90 to just over 760 and apprentices have grown from 777 to almost 13,700. A scalable wage is a necessary component of every registered apprenticeship program. Apprentices’ wages increase in correlation with their increased skills and job knowledge. On average, South Carolina’s apprentices see a 30 percent increase in wages over their apprenticeship. As you can see, the numbers tell a compelling story. SC Technical College System’s impact is significant and far reaching and its return on investment is clear.

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2015 The Year in Review

The Year In Review

Team South Carolina breaks ground on Volvo Cars’ new Berkeley County facility on September 25, 2015. The $500 million plant is expected to create 2,000 new jobs over the next decade and 4,000 new jobs by 2030. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor of South Carolina)

Building on South Carolina’s Momentum

By Bobby Hitt, S.C. Secretary of Commerce

here is a universally-applied principle in business: successful businesses don’t stand still. They’re constantly growing and changing, trying to proactively adapt to shifts in the market and reach that next great milestone. By the same token, Team South Carolina must not sit still, but continue to build on the momentum we’ve achieved, pushing our state forward and ensuring prosperity for generations to come.

The Year in Review Fighting Above our Weight Since 2011, we’ve been fighting above our weight in South Carolina. Our state is relatively small and is home to a relatively small population. However, because of that population, which features a loyal, highly-skilled workforce and our unparalleled pro-business environment, we’re outgaining our competition.

Manufacturing Job Growth January 2011 through August 2015

As a leader in the manufacturing renaissance, the Palmetto State has become an ideal destination for advanced manufacturing firms from all corners of the globe. In fact, South Carolina leads the nation in attracting jobs through foreign investment per capita. And, today, international firms operate more than 1,200 facilities within our borders.

North Carolina 7.8%

With all of this recruitment success—both foreign and domestic—our trade economy is stronger than ever. In 2014, our exporters posted a fifth consecutive record year–$29.7 billion in export sales, and South Carolina now leads the nation in the export of both tires and completed passenger vehicles.

Success In 2015 In 2015, Team South Carolina continued to build on this incredible momentum, as both Volvo Cars and MercedesBenz Vans announced $500 million manufacturing operations in the Lowcountry. Now, with BMW, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz operating within our borders, the Palmetto State boasts an automotive constellation that is truly second to none. South Carolina is also succeeding in other industry sectors. With recent announcements from firms such as Impresa Aerospace in Berkeley County and GKN Aerospace in Orangeburg County, we have one of the nation’s fastest growing aerospace clusters. Since 2010, annual employment in that cluster has averaged 11.4 percent, which is approximately eight times higher than the state’s overall rate.

Looking Back As we look to the future, it’s clear that South Carolina has elevated itself in the global marketplace, even earning the moniker “Beast of the Southeast” from several trade publications. Building on this remarkable energy, we will continue to implement a team-first approach as we seek to bring jobs and opportunities to the people of this state. After all, it’s only through a united effort, bringing together the various selling agencies of the state, local governments and regional economic alliances, as well as our thriving business community, that we can continue spreading the word that South Carolina is ‘Just right’ for business.

Virginia 3.6%

South Carolina 10.6% Georgia 8.3% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Since 2011...

More than $13 Billion in new foreign direct investment Creating more than 29,000 jobs 21

The Year in Review

Top 10 Recent Announcements by Capital Investment

Volvo Cars

4,000

Daimler - Mercedes-Benz Vans

jobs

1,300

$500,000,000 investment

Haile Gold Mines, Inc.

270

LPL Financial Holdings

jobs

$353,000,000 investment

$150,000,000 investment

Orchids Paper Products Company

134

Portucel, S.A.

jobs

3,000 70

$110,000,000 investment

Dollar Tree

400

Mitsubishi Polyester Film, Inc.

jobs

$104,400,000 investment

$100,000,000 investment

Rite Aid Corporation

600

Techtronic Industires

jobs

$90,000,000 investment

TBD 216

$85,000,000 investment

Includes projects announced October 1, 2014 - September 30, 2015

The Year in Review

Manufacturing Employment, in Thousands, Not Seasonally Adjusted

April-15 March-15 April-14 January-11 January-10 July-09

232.6 232.6 228.9 209.4 204.7 208.7

0 3,700 23,200 27,900 23,900

-500 12,800 27,700 28,200 17,400

400 1,500 19,600 17,800 9,300

0 5,500 25,200 26,200 15,700

-100 2,400 5,900 2,900 -4,200

-100 500 5,500 3,400 500

0.00% 1.62% 11.08% 13.63% 11.45%

-0.11% 2.88% 6.45% 6.57% 3.96%

-0.13% 2.00% 8.14% 8.67% 5.80%

-0.36% 2.30% 10.02% 11.40% 8.78%

0.16% 0.60% 8.40% 7.57% 3.82%

0.00% 1.67% 8.16% 8.51% 4.93%

Absolute Change

One Month Gain One Year Gain Gain Since Jan 2011 Gain Since Jan 2010 Gain Since July 2009

-500 -1,200 7,300 7,400 28,000 30,000 29,700 33,700 20,400 26,600

Percentage Change

One Month Gain One Year Gain Gain Since Jan 2011 Gain Since Jan 2010 Gain Since July 2009

-0.04% -0.07% 1.04% 0.36% 2.60% 4.10% 1.26% 2.49% -1.77% 0.36%

The Year in Review

EEDA: Bridging the Academic and Career-Readiness Gap By Sabrina Moore, S.C. Department of Education

In 2005, South Carolina enacted the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), more commonly referred to as Personal Pathways to Success. The hallmark of the legislation is the integration of academic and career information at all grade levels. The EEDA was developed to connect education and economic development by bridging the gap between academic and career readiness for all students. No longer are students solely prepared for either college or a career; Personal Pathways to Success prepares them for both. Since the passage of the EEDA ten years ago, South Carolina has continued to appropriate state funds annually to support the program. For 2015–16, the SC General Assembly appropriated an additional $2.5 million for the initiative, bringing the total appropriation to over $31 million. More than $29 million goes directly to school districts to assist them in maintaining the key principles:

• curricula organized around career clusters; • student-to-guidance personnel ratios of 300:1; • individual graduation plan (IGP) conferences—led by a certified school counselor—for all students in grades eight through 12; • evidence-based programs designed to meet the needs of students at risk of dropping out; and • opportunities for students to participate in experience-based, career-oriented learning activities.

Some highlights from the 2014–15 school year include the following: • Over 500 middle and high school counselors and/or career-specialist positions were either fully or partially funded to assist districts in meeting a student-to-guidance-personnel ratio of 300:1. • Ninety-six percent of the 980 guidance personnel (school counselors and career specialists) who participated in the annual IGP Guidance Personnel Survey indicated that their student caseload relative to IGP conferences was 350 or less. • IGPs were developed and/or revised for over 255,000 (98.5 percent) students in grades eight–12. During the conferences, counselors discussed the relationship between students’ academic plans/progress and their career aspirations. • Ninety-nine percent (16,214) of the 16,378 students identified in 2013–14 as being at risk of academic failure or dropping out were either enrolled in school during 2014–15 or graduated with a South Carolina high school diploma. • Over 180,000 middle school students took at least one career assessment to identify their areas of interest and participated in career development activities. • Over 9,000 new businesses collaborated with schools. • Eighty percent of the over 11,000 students who participated in the annual IGP Student Survey indicated that the IGP conferences were helpful or very helpful for career planning • Since 2007–08, the state’s total annual number of high school dropouts has declined from 8,032 to 5,640—an approximate 30 percent reduction.

Although there is still work to be done to ensure that the EEDA remains a vital part of our state’s education system, the results show that progress is being made in bridging the gap between academic and career readiness.

clemson.edu/next

WE HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE.

AND IT IS ORANGE. What will the future bring? Issues. Challenges we haven’t even imagined.

That’s why in classrooms, laboratories, workplaces and fields around the world, Clemson students and faculty are challenging, analyzing, studying and researching — ensuring that they are PREPARED FOR WHAT COMES NEXT.

WHILE NO ONE KNOWS THE FUTURE, WE CAN KNOW THIS. CLEMSON TIGERS ARE BOLD. THEY ARE CURIOUS. THEY ARE VISIONARY. AND THEY READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT.

By Jon N. Hale

26 steve estvanik / Shutterstock.com

Government Spotlight

fter June 17, 2015, the Confederate Flag became one of the most vehemently contested symbols in the United States. The tragic loss of Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Reverend Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, Reverend Daniel L. Simmons, Susie Jackson, Reverend DePayne Middleton-Doctor, and Tywanza Sanders at the hands of a white racist sparked a national debate and inquiry into a Southern symbol of“heritage” for some and hatred for others. The flag had not always defined the South or a Southern way of life as it had come to do so recently. Indeed, the Confederate Flag originated as the flag of Northern Virginia, popularized with the successes of Robert E. Lee in the first years of the Civil War. It was one of many battle flags and not even the official flag of the Confederacy. The flag of Northern Virginia gained popularity throughout the war, evidenced by the fact that the Confederate States of America adopted the “Stars and Bars” into the canton of its second national flag. The flag gained prominence as it was used to memorialize and commemorate those who perished during the war. In the decades that followed, the use of the flag intersected with advocates for the “Lost Cause” of Confederacy. These proponents mythologized noble origins of the war that ignored the centrality of slavery. As they propagated false history, they utilized the Confederate Flag with recurring frequency. The Confederate Flag cloaked meaning in the first years of the Civil Rights Movement. In 1948, Strom Thurmond’s “Dixiecrats” adopted the flag as a symbolic act of defiance in their stance against, primarily, northern Democrats’ stand on the civil rights of African Americans. As the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, Southern states began to adopt the flag formally or various iterations of it. In 1956, and in protest to the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) decision, Georgia adopted a flag that brandished the stars and bars. Governors Ernest Hollings in South Carolina and George Wallace in Alabama raised the Confederate Flag at their state houses in 1961. This marked a centennial commemoration of the start of the Civil War in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement and the Second Reconstruction of the nation. As white resistance to the progress of people of color gained national approval, so, too, did use of the Confederate Flag. The flag grew to larger cultural significance throughout the 1970s. The Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd fashioned the flag prominently in their stage presence. The daredevil Evel Knievel emblazoned the flag on his uniform as he soared in popularity. The flag was also firmly affixed the rooftop of the “General Lee,”the 1969 Dodge Charger in the nationally popular TV show “Dukes of Hazard.” This further affixed Confederate imagery in our cultural imagination. In 2000, the state of South Carolina was divided over the presence of the Confederate Flag atop the state house. In the Heritage Act of 2000, the state legislature reached a compromise to remove the flag from the dome but agreed

to still fly it over the Confederate memorial, pushing back the divisive yet still smoldering debate. The act still protected the “heritage”of Confederate Flag by sanctioning the flag and other public displays that honored the sacrifices of (white) life during the Civil War. This changed on June 17, 2015. The majority of people now saw the Confederate Flag, now the same flag that Dylann Roof once posed with, as racist and representative of a history of oppression and slavery. As Roof also stood with the South African flag during apartheid, the Rhodesian flag, and relics from the Nazi regime, it was easier for whites to make the connection that people of color had painfully made for over a century. People across the nation demanded a response. Organizations such as #BlackLivesMatter were particularly active after North Charleston police officer Michael Slager shot and killed Walter Scott as he ran away on April 4. After the massacre at the AME church, an event where hatred based on race was clearly evident, elected officials responded. Senator Marlon Kimpson, in the name of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, called for the flag to come down immediately following the shooting. Days later, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Senators Lindsay Graham and Tim Scott called for the flag to be removed and acknowledged that to many the flag was a “deeply offensive symbol of a brutally oppressive past”. As it was in the past, the business community exerted important influence on the debate. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce petitioned for the removal of the flag on economic grounds. As they noted in their press release on July 2, 2015, removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds is “good for business.” They cited that removing the flag supported investment and job creation opportunities, it expanded market opportunities for South Carolina goods and services, it helped attract a diverse and talented workforce, it enhanced tourism opportunities, and it moved all of South Carolina businesses forward. This, too, had a history in the Palmetto State. White moderates in the 1950s and 1960s sought to maintain traditional boundaries of segregation while still growing business and industry. In the rhetoric that followed, “extreme” acts of violence against people of color were scorned and prosecuted. Yet more subtle issues of race and racism were not. Business owners and governors kept things“good for business”and industry and military infrastructure grew as the “Silent Majority” regained a perceived political and economic loss suffered during the Civil Rights Movement. #BlackLivesMatter and all people of color directly impacted by the AME church agreed that the flag should be taken down. But the extent to which truly progressive and more substantive economic, social and political reform is enacted remains uncertain.

BY JON N. HALE, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Educational History, Department of Teacher Education, College of Charleston

Strengthening South Carolina businesses for 75 years We’re committed to making our communities better places to work and live. That’s why we’re proud to be founding members of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

ColonialLife.com ©2014 LifeInsurance & Accident Insurance Company, Columbia, SCLife| &Colonial Life insurance ©2015Colonial Colonial Life & Accident Company, Columbia, SC | Colonial Life insurance products are underwritten by Colonial Accident Insurance Company, for which Colonialproducts Life is the marketingare brand. NS-14835 underwritten by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, for which Colonial Life is the marketing brand.

PRESENTING the

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Awards

NIKKI R. HALEY Governor of South Carolina

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Public Servant OF THE YEAR By Mikee Johnson, CEO, Cox Industries

There are many ways to define and recognize public service. As it relates to the political arena, I would suggest true public service is more than just running for office and winning the election. True public service is putting yourself before others. True public service is doing so with joy in your heart. Nikki R. Haley, the 116th Governor of South Carolina, has demonstrated service before self during her entire tenure as Governor. We proudly recognize and honor Governor Haley as the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Public Servant of the Year. Governor Haley was elected in November 2010 at the age of the 38. She is currently the youngest Governor in the nation and the also the first woman and first minority Governor of South Carolina. Born in Bamberg, the daughter of Indian immigrants, Governor Haley was one of four children. She met her husband Michael on her way to graduating from Clemson University with a B.S. in accounting. Michael also has a servant heart as he is a Captain in the Army National Guard and a combat veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. The Governor and Michael have two children: Rena, 16, and Nalin, 13. Governor Haley has successfully produced the results a chief executive is expected to return. In short, she has done the job she was elected to do. Most of these accomplishments have culminated in South Carolina having one of the fastest growing economies on the East Coast. But she has done more for our state than a couple of economic statistics can demonstrate.

In 2011, Governor Haley, utilizing all of the profits from her book, Can’t Is Not an Option, founded The Original Six Foundation. During its formation, Governor Haley was often touted as the most generous Governor in our Nation. The Foundation assembled a group of passionate South Carolinians to assist the Governor in identifying the needs of our State’s most impoverished communities. Building on its theme of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” the Foundation impacted many lives. As the Foundation traveled through eight economically challenged counties providing health checks, public assistance information, expectant-mother care packages and back-to-school basics, you saw hope return to the spirits of many citizens that had rarely received such attention, especially from their state’s governor. The Governor was on the front lines finding empty berths in the Bloodmobile, comforting concerned parents, encouraging anxious mothers, playing sports with kids. She swept countless children up in her arms throughout the many visits and encouraged them to live their dreams. Now, as the Foundation continues to mature, she has redirected the efforts to the needs of underprivileged children in helping them succeed in school. All of this has been done with little fanfare from the media, the Governor does this because she believes in lifting people up. Clearly, nothing will mark Governor Haley’s tenure more than the events of June 17, 2015. This is a night all South Carolinians would like to erase from history. This night held all the potential to destroy and divide our great state. South Carolina was blessed to have a true public servant at the forefront during this tragedy. As we watched the amazing grace emanate from Charleston, Governor Haley again picked up the burden and challenged our State’s General Assembly to remove the confederate battle flag from the Statehouse grounds. Many outside of South Carolina will not understand the events, emotions and outcomes surrounding this period in South Carolina history. Many won’t know that the Governor attended all nine of the funerals of those killed in Mother Emanuel AME church. Few will read about her ongoing interactions with the families of the church. Most will forget a grieving Governor choking back the pain she felt for an entire State. South Carolina will not forget. These moments in South Carolina history will be forever edified by a true public servant leader.

Awards

There are difficulties in governing including bringing parties together to get things done. Governor Haley has done this in the area of education. At a time when our state needs a workforce to support our growing economy, Governor Haley has brought together leaders of both political parties, educators and the business community to pass landmark education reforms. These reforms focus attention where it is most needed: on making education funding more equitable for schools in our poorest communities, on reading instruction in the early grades, and on improving technology in classrooms. Similarly, Governor Haley brought together both sides of the aisle to make our government more transparent and more accountable. Under her leadership, the General Assembly passed a bill that, for the first time, required legislators to start showing their votes on the record, allowing citizens to see how their legislators are spending their tax dollars. The aforementioned milestones and achievements can be easily discovered online. What most people never know about true public servants is how they behave when no one else is watching. I have seen our Governor at work behind the scenes and out of camera sight. Having known her before her election to our State’s highest office, having known her before her family and career, I have seen the empathetic and loving heart of a person that cares about those around her and makes others’ concerns her own. There are three seminal events worth sharing where our Governor took the lead and demonstrated to the world what true public service looks like when service supersedes self.

Lastly, as this article was about to go to print, the rains came and the Flood of 2015 washed across our great State. Again, there was a call to serve, but this time, all of South Carolina seemed to rise up as the Governor called for the State to stand together. South Carolinians have now come to know service to others as second nature, an unconscious action. Neighbors helping neighbors. A state unified through the pain of a tragic summer came together in the face of another crisis. While there is much to do in the aftermath of the Flood of 2015, we will continue to be a unified State inspired by a true Public Servant. Governor Haley continues to lay the foundation and build and attitude of service to others throughout our State. We are blessed to have a true public servant in Governor Nikki Haley.

MURRAY PRICE

1st Lt. U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II former President, Southern Division, PYA/Monarch, Inc.

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Sgt. William Jasper FREEDOM AWARD By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

A Complete Miss Murray Price is a Lexington County, S.C. native who when he answered the call of duty in WWII had never been out of his hometown but twice, once to Asheville, N.C. and once to Charleston, S.C. “I saw Waikiki Beach before I ever saw Myrtle Beach,” says Price. 1st Lt. Price gave more than the average airman in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew 40 missions in a B-24 throughout the South Pacific and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters. “I was a 22-year-old kid in charge of ten men. What would you think if you went to go get onto one of these big aircrafts over here at the airport,” says Murray Price, gesturing over his shoulder, “And some young 22-year-old kid came stepping out and said ‘Hi, I’m your captain today.’ But it was a time when you did what you had to do.” Duty is the thing that makes you do what you need to do. Murray Price doesn’t believe he did anything special, but he does recognize its historical significance, especially as he ages out of his peer set. More importantly, he recognizes his undeniable luck. There is no bravado when he considers what he accomplished in the B-24 he and his crew named “A Complete Miss” because they hoped they wouldn’t completely miss the target, and that the enemy would completely miss them, and because the nose art featured, well, a complete miss (insert cat call here). His stories are charming (“You had to laugh to keep from crying.”), just like the man himself, but they are tinged also with pain. They were hit with enemy fire on 15 consecutive missions. When his assigned 40 missions were up, he never set foot in a cockpit again.

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy Price graduated Lexington High School in 1940 when only 10 to 20 percent went on to college. On December 7, 1941, he and his girlfriend, Frances Addy, who would later become his wife, were driving through downtown Columbia with friends when they saw a newsboy standing in the middle of the street shouting “Extra! Extra! Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.” “We knew all young men would probably be in service and we’d be at war before too long, which we were. I volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. I knew if I didn’t volunteer, I would have been drafted. I saw the writing on the wall. I thought I’d rather fly all over the country than walk all over the country. If I’d been drafted, I probably would have been in the infantry,” begins Price. Young Murray was working at the Columbia Post Office at the time and sometimes worked at the branch office at the Columbia Army Airbase. He admired the B-25s and “those pilots strutting around with those wings.” He sat for the aviation cadet exam at Fort Jackson and to his astonishment was one of only two applicants out of 16 to pass it, despite the fact that he’d never been to college. “It boosted my ego,” says Price. “Forty percent of aviation cadets who started flight training washed out.” Nine months of training later, Price received his coveted wings.

1944 Murray Price’s first assignment was as the co-pilot on a B-24. He and the pilot put together a crew and set off over the

water for 14 hours 20 minutes from California to Hawaii. After training over water, his 30 bombing missions in Saipan began in September, 1944, followed by ten missions from Guam for a total of 40. “I was very fortunate. Not a single member of my crew got physically injured,”remembers Price. He’s careful to distinguish between physical harm and mental harm, as he witnessed several nervous breakdowns as he calls them. “It’s PTSD now,” he explains. In fact, it was one of these breakdowns on their fifth mission to bomb Iwo Jima that promoted Price into the captain’s chair. For the first time, they encountered not only the anti-aircraft fire they had experienced before, but also something more sinister. This time, a series of dots on the horizon turned out to be 12 Japanese “Zeroes” headed right for the Americans. Fighter aircraft. Japanese fighter aircraft. The plane off Price’s right wing, flown by his friend Fred Schneider, was their first target, and they successfully shot him down. “They were fellas we’d been through training with. Very good friends of ours. We’d had chow with them the night before. Played cards with them. Talked about home together. And commiserated over why we didn’t get more mail. All kinda things, just a few hours before,” explains Price. He heard them scream they’d been hit over the radio until their plane exploded in a fireball in the water. But despite the tragedy, the mission went on. And when they returned, some were able to make their peace with it, and some were not. “[Even] a man of stone and iron can be broken under certain conditions,” he says. Because air combat crewmen were all volunteer, meaning they could put in for a transfer at any time, very few actually quit.

Faith in Oneself “I had a strong faith. And I felt like I was going to do my duty and I felt like the good Lord was going to save me. In fact, I was going to be one of the ones to come back,” says Price. At his tour’s end, he did not recommit to the Army. He had accumulated enough points to be eligible to leave the service. “I’m strictly a wartime soldier. I’m a civilian at heart.” Price, who at the age of 94 is now one of South Carolina’s oldest living war heroes, was also a businessman, having retired as the president of Pearce-Young-Angel Company, the Southern Division of PYA/Monarch, Inc. (currently known as US Foodservice). After the war, he remembered watching the wholesale salesmen at the grocery story he had worked at as a youngster. They drove nice cars and had smart looking suits. So he sought an opening at PYA as a salesman. He was successful, climbing through the management to president after 39 years. Price took up the mantle of community service serving on the boards of banks, colleges, hospitals, chambers of commerce, arts associations and churches. The Columbia YMCA was his main interest for much of his life (over 25 years), raising money and donating 20 acres of land to the camp. As a longtime ambassador for Lexington, Price has lived his life the way one would hope a young veteran who escaped the fate of many of his comrades would, utilizing the gift of a long life to conscientiously serve and honor others. “I appreciate being appreciated,” adds Price, when accepting his award.

LONNIE N. CARTER President and CEO, Santee Cooper

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Business Leader OF THE YEAR By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

Get to Know Lonnie Carter Favorite place in S.C.? Our farm in Ehrhardt Happiest day of his life? The day I got married (to Laurie Carter). I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize just how well I had chosen until I got into this job. And my three kids. Favorite book? Sea Island Yankee by Clyde Bresee Favorite App? Bloomberg Business Favorite show to binge watch? House of Cards on Netflix Favorite pastime? Hunting quail or pheasant or farming Thing he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without? Diet Mountain Dew

An Honest Day’s Work

In his office hangs a watercolor painting of a nondescript, old clapboard farmhouse. As office art goes, it wouldn’t raise an eyebrow until you realize it’s a picture of the farmhouse that this CEO grew up in. Coming from rural Ehrhardt, S.C., Lonnie Carter climbed his way up from a humble beginning to go to college and later climb through the ranks for 33 years at Santee Cooper to become its president. “Santee Cooper’s mission is to be state’s leading source to improve the quality of life for South Carolina’s citizens,” quotes Carter frequently. “We’re here to make a difference in this state. It fits my personality very well.” What struck me about this individual was not the way he used his farm boy demeanor to crack jokes about putting on his “funerals and board meetings” suit for his photo shoot, but his kind hearted way of demanding the very best of his employees. When asked what his proudest accomplishment was at Santee Cooper, it’s not that he helped land Volvo Cars of North America for Berkeley County. It’s the leadership training program he helped to develop called STEP (Shaping Tomorrow’s Energy Professionals). When he first stepped into his CEO roll, the board asked him to focus on succession planning and the dwindling leadership pipeline. Eighteen people are admitted to each year-long class, and it’s blossomed into a great opportunity for both Santee Cooper and the 1760 employees that work there. “Somebody will have to sit in my seat one day. It won’t always be me.”

Accounting & Accountability Carter graduated from Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School and became a “college boy” at The Citadel in Charleston. Because of his distance from the rural county high school, he didn’t play organized sports. He and his brothers worked. “My parents believed that when you were old enough to work, you worked,” he says. It wasn’t all work; his father intentionally gave them days off to go fishing in the summer. He worked during his summers off from college, and upon graduation from college, he went right to work at Santee Cooper. “I backed into this business. I thought I wanted to be an accountant. I studied accounting and finance. I was good at numbers. I joked if it had numbers, I took the class. If it had the word management in it, I avoided it. I knew I could do well with things that were analytical. What I knew I didn’t want to do was be a farmer; very hard work, long hours and too much risk. You could do everything right and still come up short.” His family’s eighth generation family farm started with a king’s grant, and there was a great deal of expectation that Lonnie, the eldest living son, would farm. It was his sweetheart’s father, Mr. Smith, who was the general manager at Edisto Electric Cooperative and gave Carter his first job after freshman year. “My first day on the job was in a bucket (on a truck).” He used his analytical brain to follow REA manuals that showed crews how to frame poles. “Linemen hate paperwork. College boys are supposed to do paperwork. So that’s how you end up reading meters and collecting bills and handling the inventory for jobs.” “I’m very numbers driven, to a fault.” After college, he looked at the eight big accounting firms at the time and knew he wouldn’t enjoy moving from client to client. He really wanted to understand one company and one industry from soup to nuts.

Santee Cooper was recruiting for a job for a “financial analyst” in which they’d write computer code for the accounting department. Best of all, he’d be local, and he wouldn’t have to move away. “The reason they offered me the job was because I’d worked for an electric co-op,” says Carter. “Luckily, every job I’ve had, I’ve loved it. I had some great bosses.” Lonnie Carter is well known amongst his employees for pulling long hours at his office (7:00 or 8:00 at night). After working in the comptroller’s office, Carter went to work in corporate planning, and fell in love with it. He relished tackling problems and finding solutions, negotiating contracts and working to the center of where the real decisions were made. Within eight short years, he garnered valuable face time with the board and quickly showed his value to the team. “I’m the only guy I know who gets to do his hobby for a living.”

Santee Cooper “Santee Cooper has a culture of figuring out how to do it better than most companies,” says Carter. “If I could bottle it or can it, I’d be rich.” “[When] people flip that [light] switch and it doesn’t come on, people think about us. If it comes on, we’re in the background, where we should be. The fact that [electricity’s] reliable and affordable is very, very important.” When asked what Santee Cooper’s responsible for, Carter points to three missions. “We provide potable water to counties and municipalities. You gotta have water to live. The biggest way we fulfill [our] mission is with electricity. We do it not only to keep it affordable for people at their homes, but we also do it to recruit industry and jobs, which is our third statutory job that Santee Cooper has; to promote economic development.” “Santee Cooper has always been environmentally conscious. When I came here we were putting on some of the first SO² scrubbers. And we’ve continued down that path and have been a leader. We decided early on to do renewables.” Santee Cooper’s history lies deep in hydropower. Then they were the first to harness landfill gas in the early 2000’s. Thinking strategically, Carter and his board knew that environmental regulations would only become more aggressive and restrictive. He needed to plan ahead. In fall of 2007, they announced that by 2020, they planned to source 40 percent of their power from non-greenhouse gas emitting resources—an ambitious 30 percent increase. “We adopted that policy when everyone else thought we were winning that battle.” Harkening back to his mission, “We have to balance the environment against cost and reliability.”

A Nuclear Future “Nuclear power’s got to be a part of the equation. Building these nuclear plants is a big deal for this state,” adds Carter. “The fact that Santee Cooper’s board and SCANA’s board would agree to those projects is a testament to the commitment of those two companies to this state and to the long term view of making sure that we provide that reliable, cost-effective, environmentally friendly electricity. It’s a big step for two utilities of our size. I may be receiving this award, but no offense to Kevin [Marsh], we happen just to be the faces for this. There were a bunch of people behind us supporting us. I’m committed to seeing that project through.”

KEVIN MARSH

President and CEO, SCANA

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Business Leader OF THE YEAR By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

Get to Know Kevin Marsh Favorite place in S.C.? The Blue Ridge Mountains Happiest day of his life? The last day I’m alive, and they say I made it to heaven! Proudest achievement? My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. Keeping that relationship and raising two great kids. I couldn’t do any better than that. Favorite App? CBS Sports Favorite pastime? Tinkering on a car in the garage. As I tell my wife, they do not make a perfect car, which is why I’ve had to try so many.

Learning from Success Much like the man with whom he shares this award, Kevin Marsh began his career in accounting and took the CFO and COO route to his present position as chairman and chief executive officer of SCANA. Born in Atlanta, he earned his bachelors of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Georgia (UGA). Upon graduation in 1977, he moved to Columbia, S.C. to work at Deloitte, Heskins & Sells (now Deloitte and Touche Certified Public Accountants). He had the SCE&G (South Carolina Electric & Gas Company) account as his principal client. “I spent seven years doing their audit. At some point they made me a job offer and I decided to take it,” says Marsh. “As I got closer to the industry, I really loved the energy industry. So I jumped the fence.” He’s lived in Columbia ever since. He joined SCE&G, the principal subsidiary of SCANA Corporation, in 1984 as group manager of technical accounting and was named vice president and controller in 1989. Since then, he has served in the capacity of vice president of corporate planning of SCE&G and vice president of finance, treasurer and controller of SCANA Corporation. “I’ve been in accounting, corporate planning, finance, gas operations, electric operations, and CFO at SCANA for ten years. Then I took my current role.” In 1996, Marsh was named vice president and chief financial officer of SCANA and became senior vice president in 1998. “I tell people there were three phases in my career. When I was an accountant, I had to keep track of where everybody spent the money. When I was a CFO, I had to go find the money for people to spend. And now that I’m CEO, I can spend the money. It’s a lot more fun to spend the money,” chuckles Marsh. In addition to his duties as SCANA’s CFO, from 2001 to 2003, he served as president and chief operating officer of PSNC Energy, the company’s natural gas distribution company headquartered in Gastonia, N.C. He became president of SCE&G in 2006 and became president and COO of SCANA Corporation in January 2011. By the end of that same year, he was named chairman and CEO.

Early Life Marsh was born Atlanta to an Episcopal priest. He lived in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and wound up in Athens, Ga., for his formative years, where his dad was the Episcopal chaplain at UGA until 1996. He was into the outdoors, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, but his true passion, fast cars, was bestowed upon him from his grandfather, a Lebanese immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1900 to become an automobile mechanic. “When I would go to visit during the summers I’d hang around with him. I was 15 and it was in the 1970s; the heyday of the muscle cars,” remembers Marsh. Marsh met his wife in the eighth grade. Her father was an instrument maker for the researchers at UGA. He could make unusual car parts for the import (English) cars Marsh would tinker with. “He could build anything. I was in heaven,” he says.

Community Leadership Widely known to possess a kind heart, Marsh serves on or has served on numerous boards, including Epworth Children’s Home, Citizens for Sound Conservation, the

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO), the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), First Citizens, Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter, Junior Achievement of South Carolina and Sharing God’s Love emergency support organization. With regard to the organizations he selects to serve, he says, “I’m not looking for public exposure. I feel obligated to give back. I’ve never been without a charity.”

Sacred Values SCANA has been in the energy business for 150 years. Marsh oversees 5,800 employees in three states; the majority of whom are with SCE&G, their largest company. “We’re driven by a very clear set of values [SCANA’s 12 SACRED Values],” says Marsh. “It’s required that employees get trained on those values every year. And you don’t sign onto your computer and go through a class on your computer. You’re taught by your officer and your group. I teach my officers, and they go out and teach all their officers. And its mandatory condition of employment. We talk all the time about what’s consistent with our values. The public expects us to live up to those. We provide a service that’s critical for people, whether it’s electricity or gas, and people expect us to be there 24 hours a day.”

Nuclear Partnerships Kevin Marsh of SCANA and Lonnie Carter of Santee Cooper were CFOs of their respective organization at the same time. “When I joined SCANA in 1977, we were building our first nuclear plant with Santee Cooper. We’ve been partners a long time. Our contracts between the two of us are relatively simple because we have faith in each other [and] we share the same culture. And we’ve had virtually no significant disagreements since 1977 on how to operate a nuclear plant.” In 2008 the nuclear plant plans were hatched, “following an exhaustive evaluation trying to figure out what was right for the state over the long term.” Marsh emphasized the long term perspective of the decision, citing the current price of natural gas (cheapest it’s been in 30 years) as a quick and easy fix . “It’s going to go up at some point. So we looked out sixty years, which is the life of a nuclear plant.” He says the first nuclear plant they built together in 1977 came online in 1984 and at that time, it was their most expensive form of power generation. “Today, we’re halfway through the useful life of that plant and we’ve still got 40 more years to go, and it’s the cheapest thing anywhere. You can’t find any form of energy less expensive than a nuclear plant. If you look at the nuclear plant, there’s a lot of capital cost to build it, but the fuel cost is like that much,” says Marsh, squeezing his fingers together to an inch in size. “Fuel cost is only about 20 percent of the cost of your bill.” “Investments in generation plants are long term investments. And, you need a mix,” adds Marsh. “We don’t want to be all nuclear. We don’t want to be all natural gas. Our goal is to be 30 percent nuclear, 30 percent natural gas, 30 percent clean coal, and 10 percent renewables and hydro. I think people believe we’re just building nuclear plants. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re building two new nuclear plants to go with the one we’ve already got, we’ve closed five coal-fired plants, and we’re starting to install solar on our system. We’re doing all of that.”

Reason says: applaud the achievement.

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Instinct says: admire the effort.

Behind every great achievement lies talent, dedication and an inspiring perseverance. For over 30 years, Grant Thornton has proudly saluted the Top 100 private companies in South Carolina through the Grant Thornton South Carolina 100TM Program. Visit grantthornton.com/sc100 to view the 2015 listing of Top 100 private companies who are leading in innovation, agility and business acumen.

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FOR OVER 30 YEARS, Grant Thornton has proudly saluted the Top 100 private companies in South Carolina through the Grant Thornton South Carolina 100™ (“The South Carolina 100™”), the only ranking of the state’s largest privately held companies. The South Carolina 100™ is compiled under the direction of Mark Ballew, partnerin-charge of the Columbia Office, in cooperation with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Participation in the South Carolina 100™ is voluntary and companies are ranked based upon their net revenues for their most recently completed fiscal year. To qualify, companies must be privately held, headquartered in South Carolina, and cannot be a subsidiary of another company. Financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate and other brokerages, health care organizations and companies primarily engaged in retail are not eligible for the South Carolina 100™ listing. Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. In the United States, Grant Thornton has revenue in excess of $1.4 billion and operates 57 offices with more than 500 partners and 6,000 employees. Grant Thornton works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions and civic and religious organizations.

The 2015 ranking of the Grant Thornton South Carolina private companies includes many dynamic companies in multiple industries. While each year the ranking experiences some changes, the changes in the listings for 2015 included an over 10 percent increase in total revenue and employees. This was the most significant increase in several years. The change is evident in comparable statistics between the 2015 and 2014 South Carolina 100â&#x201E;˘ ($ amounts in Billions), as follows:

2015

RANKINGS

2014

2015

CATEGORY

MANUFACTURERS DISTRIBUTORS ALL OTHER

25 19 56

# AMOUNTS IN BILLIONS

100

REVENUE $

EMPLOYEES

8.1 7.0 $ 7.7

37,307 5,329 46,687

22.8

89,323

REVENUE

EMPLOYEES

8.0 6.2 $ 6.0

33,600 4,900 42,000

20.2

80,500

22.8

BILLION

20.2

BILLION

The top 10 companies saw some new companies join the top 10 as indicated in the comparison below:

2015

2014

COMPANY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 2 3 4 6

Milliken & Company The Intertech Group, Inc. and Affiliates J.M. Smith Corporation Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc. Novolex Holdings, LLC Quality Business Solutions, Inc. Lincoln Oil Co., Inc. United Sporting Companies Carolina Eastern Inc. Mount Vernon Mills, Inc.

5 7 8

The most significant movement was with the addition of 9 companies joining the ranking for the first time or after an absence. That compares to 7 companies joining in the 2014 ranking:

2015

COMPANY

6 7 61 68 76 84 86 88 100

Quality Business Solutions, Inc. Lincoln Oil Co., Inc. Infinity Marketing Solutions, Inc. Roebuck Buildings Co., Inc. JEAR Logistics, LLC Electric Guard Dog, LLC International Plastics, Inc. McMillan Pazdan Smith, LLC Dennis Corporation

The companies with increases in rank of 10 or greater for 2015 are as follows:

INCREASE

COMPANY

12 10

Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC Ishpi Information Technologies, Inc.

MORE THAN $1 BILLION #

COMPANY

CITY

CEO

COMPANY

Milliken & Company

Spartanburg

Joe Salley

Chemicals, carpet and textile manufacturing

The Intertech Group, Inc. and Affiliates

North Charleston

Anita G. Zucker / Jonathan M. Zucker

Family-owned holding company

J M Smith Corporation

Spartanburg

William R. Cobb

Wholesale, pharmaceutical/computer hardware, software/data processing services

Southeastern Freight Lines, Inc.

Lexington

W.T. Cassels, Jr.

Less-than-truckload carrier company

Novolex Holdings, LLC

Hartsville

Stanley B. Bikulege

Manufacturer of plastic bag and film products

$100 MILLION TO $999 MILLION COMPANY

CITY

CEO

COMPANY

Quality Business Solutions, Inc.

Travelers Rest

Pamela Evette

Provides a wide and comprehensive range of benefits and services

Lincoln Oil Co., Inc.

Greenville

James E. Farish, Jr.

Wholesale petroleum, ethanol, biodiesel, trucking and terminal servicing

United Sporting Companies

Chapin

Bradley P. Johnson

Distributor of hunting and shooting products

Carolina Eastern Inc.

Charleston

Alton Phillips

Distributor of fertilizer, agricultural chemicals and seeds

Mount Vernon Mills, Inc.

Mauldin

W. David Hastings

Apparel fabrics, denim, plc workwear, paint rollers, napery, sheets, towels and chemicals

Dearybury Oil & Gas Inc.

Spartanburg

C.W. Dearybury

Wholesale distributor of petroleum products and distillates

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Greenville

Kim F. Ebert

Labor and employment law firm

Blanchard Machinery Company

West Columbia

Joe Blanchard

Heavy equipment dealer that specializes in CAT products

Comporium, Inc.

Rock Hill

Bryant Barnes

Communications company provider

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Columbia

James K. Lehman

Legal services Distribution of disposable paper, plastics and cleaning supplies

Southeastern Paper Group, Inc.

Spartanburg

E. Lewis Miller, Jr.

Edens Investment Trust

Columbia

Jodie McLean

Retail SC owner and developer - national

Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC

Charleston

Robert A. Faith

Investor, developer and operator of multifamily real estate assets

Spartanburg Forest Products, Inc.

Greer

Steve Michael

Sell, distribute, manufacture, pressure treated lumber and all related products

Mungo Homes, Inc.

Irmo

Steven Mungo

Residential development and homebuilding

Medical Services of America, Inc.

Lexington

Ronnie L. Young

Health care services, rental and sale of home medical equipment and supplies

Consolidated Systems, Inc.

Columbia

Brad Pemberton

Metal processor

Metromont Corporation

Greenville

Rick Pennell

Builder of precast buildings for schools, offices, stadiums and data centers

Cox Industries, Inc.

Orangeburg

R. Michael Johnson

Manufacturer and distributor of treated lumber products

Shealy Electrical Wholesalers, Inc.

West Columbia

Bill DeLoache

Wholesaler of electrical supplies

JHM Enterprises, Inc.

Greenville

H.P. Rama

Developer, owner and operator of upscale hotels

Kevin Bean

Engineering and construction company in the Business of Project Delivery

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, Inc.

Greenville

M.B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc.

Columbia

William H. Neely

General contractor

Thompson Construction Group, Inc.

Sumter

Greg A. Thompson

Industrial and commercial construction/maintenance services

WDS, Inc.

Lake Wylie

Jennifer Maier

Distributor of custom warehousing and inventory management

Prestage Farms of SC, LLC

Camden

Dr. Ron Prestage

Distributor of live turkeys sold to Oscar Meyer/Kraft Foods

G&P Trucking Co, Inc.

Gaston

G. Clifton Parker

Truckload transportation of freight

Mercom Corporation

Pawleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island

Stella Mercado

Technology Advisor

Spirit Communications

Columbia

Robert M. Keane

Provider of voice, data and internet services

Diamond Hill Plywood Company, Inc.

Darlington

John C. Ramsey

Wholesale distribution of building materials and manufacturer of hardwood/plywood

Cregger Company, Inc.

West Columbia

Morris Cregger

Distributor of plumbing , heating and cooling products and electrical

General Information Services, Inc.

Chapin

Raymond Conrad

Employment screening and HR onboarding solutions

Terminix Service, Inc.

Columbia

Marion Knox

Pest sales and service

Harper Corporation - General Contractors

Greenville

David Wise

General contractor

The Beach Company

Charleston

John C.L. Darby

Full service real estate-sales, leasing, development and management

Dilmar Oil Company, Inc.

Florence

Earle III Atkinson and Gray Atkinson

Petroleum Distributor, Commercial Real Estate

Defender Services, Inc.

Columbia

John N. McCarter, Jr.

Janitorial, security and staffing services on a contractual basis

Cafe Enterprises, Inc.

Taylors

Christopher R. Thomas

Owners of Fatz Cafe and Tavern 24 restaurants

$50 MILLION TO $99 MILLION #

COMPANY

CITY

CEO

COMPANY

Springs Creative Products Group LLC

Rock Hill

Derick Close

Provider of textile based products and logistics services

Life Cycle Engineering, Inc.

North Charleston

Robert Fei

Consulting, engineering, applied technology, and education solutions

Human Technologies, Inc.

Greenville

Herbert W. Dew, III

Human resource advisory firm

The Ritedose Corporation

Columbia

Umesh Dalvi

Contract pharmaceutical manufacturer

HG Reynolds Co, Inc.

Aiken

Jeffrey Reynolds

General contracting

Thompson Industrial Services, LLC

Sumter

Greg Thompson

Provider of integrated industrial cleaning and facilities support services

CoLinx, LLC

Greenville

Donavan A Louis

Logistics and e-commerce services

Industrial Packaging Supplies, Inc.

Fountain Inn

Jerry Murdock

Wholesale distribution of packaging materials

The Yahnis Company

Florence

Ken Emry

Wholesale distributor of beer and non-alcoholic beverages

Palmetto Corp. of Conway

Conway

Shawn Godwin

General contractor

Merritt Veterinary Supplies, Inc.

Columbia

Robet M. Mims, Jr.

Distributor of supplies, equipment, and drugs for the veterinary industry

Beverage & Food Group, Inc.

Bluffton

Kevin Meany

Creative communications agency

Eldeco, Inc.

Greenville

Allen McKinney

Electrical contractor

Gateway Supply Company, Inc.

Columbia

Sam Williams Jr.

Plumbing and HVAC Wholesaler

Whaley Foodservice Repairs, Inc.

Lexington

Wells Whaley

Commercial foodservice parts distributor

Palmetto Synthetics

Kingstree

Henry Poston

Producer of synthetic fibers

LESS THAN $50 MILLION #

COMPANY

CITY

CEO

COMPANY

Trehel Corporation

Greenville

William W. Huss

General contractor

Infinity Marketing Solutions, Inc.

Greenville

Tony Williams

Full-service advertising agency

Sumter Transport Company

Sumter

Robert Rumph

Provider of environmental solutions to refinery and chemical industries

Gregory Electric Company, Inc.

Columbia

Robert Livingston

Electrical and mechanical construction

Commercial FoodService Repair, Inc.

Greenville

Kurt Herwald

National service provider to hospitality, retail and restaurants

McNair Law Firm, P.A.

Columbia

David J. Tigges

Provider of legal services

Encore Technology Group, LLC

Greenville

Todd Newnam

Provider of comprehensive solutions for IT networks

Wolverine Brass, Inc.

Conway

Joe Kastelic

Manufacture/distribution of brass plumbing products

Roebuck Buildings Co., Inc.

Roebuck

W. Dean Anderson

General contractor - commercial and industrial

Yeargin Potter Smith Construction, Inc.

Greenville

R. Lynn Yeargin

General contractor

Interstate Management & Investment Corporation

Columbia

Bert Pooser

Hotel management

Greenville Meats, Inc.

Greenville

Dan Sloan

Meat and poultry processing and distribution

Dillon Provision Co, Inc.

Dillon

Dan Bozard

Wholesome meat distributor

Ishpi Information Technologies, Inc.

Mount Pleasant

Noah Leask

Provider of Information & Cyber Dominance, C5ISR Engineering & Technical Services

AME, Inc.

Fort Mill

Gregg S. Campbell

Industrial contracting - crane rental, equipment installation and fabrication

Southern Weaving Company

Greenville

Ron Mohling

Design, development, and manufacturing of industrial woven products

JEAR Logistics, LLC

Mount Pleasant

Mark Neumeyer

Third-party transportation of products

Augusta Fiberglass Coatings Inc.

Blackville

John W. Boyd

Fiberglass reinforced plastics

H.R. Allen, Inc.

Charleston

Rod Allen

Electrical and mechanical contractor

Waldrop, Inc.

Spartanburg

William Caldwell

Mechanical contractor

Dove Data Products, Inc.

Florence

Richard Coxe

Manufacturing and sales of computer printing supplies

New South Construction Supply, LLC

Greenville

Jim Sobeck

Construction products distributor

Sumter Packaging Corporation

Sumter

Benjamin DeSollar

Provider of full service transportation, warehousing and packaging

Eagle Construction Company

Newberry

Jeff D. Spotts

Provider of heavy highway construction

Electric Guard Dog, LLC

Columbia

Jack DeMao

Electric security partner for commercial and industrial locations across U.S.

LESS THAN $50 MILLION (CONTINUED) #

COMPANY

CITY

CEO

COMPANY

Parkplace Corp.

Greenville

Jason L. Kelley

Mattresses

International Plastics, Inc.

Greenville

Steve McClure

Manufacturer, importer and wholesale supplier of plastic bags and flexible packaging

Blue Ridge Log Cabins LLC

Campobello

Chip Smith

Modular home manufacturer

McMillan Pazdan Smith, LLC

Greenville

Brad Smith

Architecture, interior design and planning firm

A3 Communications, Inc.

Irmo

Joe Thomas

Systems integrator, provider of IT and security solutions

Find Great People, LLC

Greenville

John Uprichard

Temporary staffing for IT, accounting and administrative services

Colite International, Ltd.

Columbia

Martin C. Brown

Provider of technical development, manufacturing, and signage programs

GMK Associates, Inc.

Columbia

Thomas P. Monahan

Architecture, engineering, design-build, construction services and interior design

J.L. Anderson Co, Inc.

Wallace

Robert S. Rogers III

Manufacture of brick, wholesale and retail sale of brick and masonry products

Companion Professional Services, LLC

Columbia

Terry M. Floyd

Information Technology consulting and IT solutions group

VC3, Inc.

Columbia

David Dunn

IT service provider to the private and public sectors in SC, NC, & GA

Chicora Affiliates, LLC

Myrtle Beach

Don J. Smith

Residential and commercial sales

Carolina Ceramics, LLC

Columbia

Michael Borden

Brick manufacturing and distributor of brick, mortar and other masonry products

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Columbia

Deepal S. Eliatamby, P.E.

Civil engineering firm and provider of technical consulting services

Chernoff Newman, LLC

Columbia

W. Lee Bussell, Jr.

Integrated Marketing Communications

100

Dennis Corporation

Columbia

Daniel R. Dennis, III

Engineering, surveying, and construction management firm

To learn more about this year’s survey, please contact Mark Ballew, partner–in-charge of Grant Thornton’s Columbia office at (803) 231-3045 or e-mail at mark.ballew@us.gt.com. Grant Thornton’s web site address is www.GrantThornton.com. For more information on the Grant Thornton South Carolina 100™, including prior year rankings, go to www.gt.com/sc100.

Tyler Harvey ‘13 ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL – PETER BARTA

conducts pharmaceutical research St. Jude as an undergraduate research assistant, through a fellowship at Rhodes College.

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SC Farm Bureau is all about agriculture. All about representing SC farmers with an effective voice in government, award-winning educational programs and outstanding member benefits.

Join today! 866-FB-Member www.SCFB.org 46

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Our economic development lawyers can help you piece everything together.

Companies large and small meet their challenges at the job site, at the deal table, in court and in the halls of government with Nexsen Pruet.

190 lawyers in Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greensboro, Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Raleigh. nexsenpruet.com

BY JOSH OVERSTREET

photo by Dawson Powers/Clemson University

THE FALL IS THE FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR FOR MANY. COOLER WEATHER, BEAUTIFUL CHANGING FOLIAGE, PUMPKIN SPICE…EVERYTHING. BUT IN THE SOUTHEAST, AUTUMN KICKS OFF FOOTBALL SEASON AND IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN PARTICULAR AND YOU WILL BE LOOKED AT IN A STRANGE WAY IF YOU AREN’T WATCHING A GAME ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY OR SUNDAY. High schools without programs are the exception, several universities have excellent football programs and we even have a pro team that we can claim. More and more if you look at the news, you will see where South Carolina is becoming known for automotive manufacturing, technological innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Football can be added to that list. Not only is it a quality of life factor, but it’s also becoming an incredible economic boon for the state.

stadium photo by Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com

While South Carolina can claim a pro team in the Panthers, in this state, college football is treated in much the same way that many pro teams are in other parts of the country. “Basically you’ve got an almost NFL quality football program and that draws in people,” says Dr. Robert Carey, director of the Regional Dynamics & Economics Laboratory at Clemson University. From tailgating to the roaring crowds of Death Valley, to the players running down the hill and touching the famous—and well guarded—Howard’s Rock, Clemson football is so much more than what happens on the field. It is an experience that many want to partake of. For Clemson, that draw is 78,000 to 79,000 on any given game day and that has a significant economic impact on the area, such as creating 109 jobs in the immediate Tri-County area around Clemson and 198 jobs statewide. Also, based on fan expenditures on game day weekends, $10.9 million in economic output is made possible for the state as a whole with $4.5 million in the Tri-County area. According to Carey, the amenity value is almost incalculable, with hotels and condos springing up all over Clemson and Anderson, just because of football.“A couple of condos were built behind the Esso Club for game day weekends,” says Carey. And while not 100 percent sure, Carey believes 76 was widened back in the 1960’s because of increased game day traffic. “On gameday, Clemson becomes the largest city in South Carolina,” says Carey.

The game is about to start and the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey starts pumping through the speakers and the Gamecocks start running out and taking the field—their field. It’s all about created an experience, a shared narrative that isn’t capturable through a TV screen at home. You might be able to hear 2001 or Darude’s “Sandstorm”—which the Gamecocks started—on your TV, but when you are at Williams-Brice Stadium, you will feel it. And according to Charles Bloom, the senior associate athletics director/external operations for USC Athletics, that experience is everything. “The universities as a whole are fighting for the entertainment dollar against TV,” says Bloom. “It’s a cycle; fans build environments and help teams win, the TV broadcast looks good and it brings more fans.” The Rally Towels, “2001”, “Sandstorm,” and the Gamecock walk are all a part of that experience. “We are very fortunate in South Carolina that between us and Clemson, we have had the impact of having a pro team,” says Bloom, “We have created a certain lineage and we are the benefactors of it now.” According to an economic impact study by Dr. Tom H. Regan of the Department of Sports and Entertainment at USC, $198.9 million is generated in economic impact for the Columbia Metropolitan area by USC athletics and while this number comprises every sport, football definitely is the largest slice of the pie. In addition the study says 2,329 jobs are created across the state and $16.4 million in taxes taken in by local and state government. 51

photos courtesy of Spartanburg CVB

Based out of Charlotte, N.C., the Carolina Panthers are very much a South Carolina team—hence the more generic “Carolina” Panthers. Every summer for 21 years, Wofford College becomes the home to the Panthers as their training camp. The team’s ever growing fanbase from all over the state and region now flock to the campus to sit up on the hill and watch their team practice. Camp chairs, blankets, picnics and kids are all part of the scene as people flock to get their first taste of professional football since the Super Bowl. The Panthers’ ties to the Upstate and South Carolina aren’t accidental either. Jerry Richardson, the owner of the team, graduated from Wofford in 1959 and in early talks with current Panther’s President and then Wofford’s athletic director, Danny Morrison created the training camp partnership with Wofford and it has had a significant, measurable impact—especially on Spartanburg County directly. “The numbers speak for themselves—Training Camp has a BIG economic impact on Spartanburg County,” says Chris Jennings, the executive director of the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. Numbers reported the 64 percent of attendees—both local and nonlocal—made expenditures, with 174 jobs being created. When all was said and done, the total economic input and output for the County was well over $8 million.

Congratulations Lonnie Carter, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce 2015 Business Leader of the Year. Thank you for guiding Santee Cooper to be the leading resource for improving the lives of the people of South Carolina.

POWERING S.C. www.santeecooper.com

Homegrown Businesses

SONOCO BRINGS MORE TO PACKAGING THAN JUST THE PACKAGE By Julie Scott, Sonoco

ounded in 1899 as the Southern Novelty Company, Sonoco is South Carolina’s largest homegrown company, with headquarters in Hartsville. Today, the international manufacturing firm is looking forward and embracing a spirit of curiosity, collaboration and innovation. Sonoco has more than 20,000 employees working in 335 operations in 33 countries serving some of the world’s best known brands. With annualized net sales of approximately $5 billion, Sonoco’s diverse employees are connected through a shared culture, vision, mission and priorities that guide associates toward the same goal. From its inception, the company has adhered to its guiding principle: “Be a great company for our stakeholders through an unwavering belief that People Build Businesses by doing the right thing.” While Sonoco remains a North American-centric business, its presence has expanded to more than $1 billion in annual sales in Europe. Sonoco divides its businesses into four segments: consumer packaging, display and packaging, paper and industrial converted, and protective solutions. Consumer businesses make up 52 percent of the company’s portfolio, but Sonoco is also the world’s largest producer of tubes and cores, used to wind paper, textiles, plastic film, tape and other specialty products. The protective solutions division provides custom designed packaging for consumer durables along with molded foam components for the automotive industry and temperature assured packaging for pharmaceuticals. In addition, Sonoco is a recycling leader, with a recycling history dating back to the 1920’s. Annually, Sonoco Recycling collects more than 3 million tons of materials from residential and commercial operations. Today’s Sonoco is a solutions company that offers packaging, rather than a packaging company that happens to offer some solutions. The newly developed i6 Innovation Process – insights, ideation, invention, integration, interaction and iteration - is a disciplined, step-by-step approach enabling Sonoco to connect global market and consumer insights to the development of customized solutions that provide customers with a differentiated competitive advantage. Sonoco’s ability to provide this holistic, customized solution is driven by the fact that it offers the industry’s

Sonoco was homegrown in Hartsville, South Carolina

Sonoco’s iPS Studio Exterior

Sonoco’s iPS Studio Interior

broadest range of packaging formats and services. The i6 process is the engine for collaborative, purpose-driven innovation. Each step provides the opportunity to add value to package development, process development, instore merchandizing and everything in-between. Sonoco recently unveiled the iPS Studio, a new center for packaging innovation purposefully designed to encourage curiosity, collaboration and creativity. Located on the campus of the company’s Hartsville headquarters, Sonoco has constructed a physical space that matches its philosophical approach to problem solving and creating ‘what’s next’ in innovative packaging solutions for customers. From real-world retail and home environments for customer insights and product testing, to 3D printing, laboratory testing and manufacturing simulation, the iPS Studio has it all under one roof. At Sonoco, we bring more to packaging than just a package.

Here is where the old textile mill dropped “abandoned” from its name. When local developers wanted to turn a long-forgotten complex into Columbia’s newest bright spot, they turned to the same bank that helped finance it years and years ago. synovus.com/corporatebanking

SERVING YOU LOCALLY AS

banknbsc.com 1.800.708.5687

Banking products are provided by Synovus Bank, Member FDIC. Divisions of Synovus Bank operate under multiple trade names across the Southeast. Loans products subject to credit approval.

You see a storefront… We see a family-owned business with a proprietor who counts on city water, sewer, police and fire protection, and other services to keep providing that special hometown experience to his customers, each of whom he treats like family. www.CitiesMeanBusiness.org

By Dawn Dawson-House, South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

The view from Caesars Head State Park Greenville County 58

[

MILLIONSOFPEOPLEVISITSOUTHCAROLINAEVERYYEAR,CONTRIBUTING TO ITS $18.1 BILLION INDUSTRY. THEY SPEND TIME VISITING THEIR

FAMILY MORE THAN ANY OTHER ACTIVITY, BUT ALSO TAKE IN THE STATE’S NATURAL BEAUTY, CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS, SHOPPING AND DINING

OFFERINGS ACCORDING TO A DOMESTIC TRAVEL REPORT AT THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM.

The study shows that 36 percent of the people who travel to South Carolina say visiting friends and relatives is the purpose of their trip. About 28 percent visit the beach and 24 percent take in shopping while they’re here. Other activities travelers participate in while they’re in South Carolina are fine dining (16 percent,) visiting historic sites and churches (eight percent,) and enjoying the outdoors (five percent.) Going to the beach is likely a top preference because South Carolina has 187 miles of coastline offering a wide variety of coastal experiences. Some destinations offer cottage and condo retreats like North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, large affordable units that represent quiet escapes and opportunities to move at a hammock’s pace, but are close enough to the action of a busier city. The highrise hotel options along Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, however, are vacation centers for families who enjoy the faster paced, pedestrian friendly settings of a street lined with salt water taffy shops, a two-mile boardwalk on the other side of the hotel’s pool, and a Ferris wheel with air-conditioned gondolas. The more natural communities like the state parks along the coast (Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach, Edisto and Hunting Island) are renowned as wildlife corridors for their dunes, marshes and maritime forests, and offer trails, piers and observation decks for visitors to

enjoy the sunrise and natural beauty. The resort islands near Charleston like Wild Dunes, Kiawah and Seabrook, are exclusive and luxurious coastal destinations with private homes and resort villas surrounding golf courses. And Hilton Head Island, the largest barrier island in South Carolina, offers a high-end escape marked by gated resort communities with full service hotels that provide everything from spa treatments to dolphin cruises. While the state’s geographic diversity is a natural draw, many communities in South Carolina have strengthened their appeal by adding unique opportunities and preserving their cultural attractions.

The traveler’s desire to go shopping is met in bargain outlet malls found in top destinations like Myrtle Beach and Charleston, and off major travel corridors like Interstate 85 in the Upstate where Gaffney Premium Outlets is located. Greenville’s downtown area is quickly developing a reputation for great shopping and dining because stores like Poppington’s Gourmet Popcorn and the new Denim Salon have opened up among craft breweries, a moonshine distillery and a pet gift shop. Charleston’s King Street is also a popular shopping destination. Its middle section, called the Fashion District, features gift shops that offer children’s clothing, cosmetics, handbags and art galleries; and its lower section appropriately named the Antiques District is lined with antique shops and home décor

stores. Shoppers can also find unique gifts in small towns throughout the state’s heartland, mostly along historic main streets in places like Lake City and Lancaster. Destinations in South Carolina have discovered that dining can also be a significant draw for tourists and have leveraged the art of cuisine into a lucrative industry. The most storied destination for dining in South Carolina is Charleston, perhaps because of its James Beard award winning restaurants and chefs. No other restaurant in South Carolina has received as much publicity in recent years as Husk on Queen Street. Executive chef Sean Brock was named the 2010 Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. Only Southern ingredients are used at the restaurant and the menu changes daily, based on recent harvests and catches. Hominy Grill on Rutledge Avenue is owned and operated by Robert Stehling, the James Beard Foundation’s 2008 Best Chef of the Southeast. The restaurant is probably most renowned for a dish called the Big Nasty, a biscuit with fried chicken breast, cheddar cheese and sausage gravy served at breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. And FIG (which stands for Food Is Good) Executive Chef Jason Stanhope was named the 2015 Best Chef of the Southeast by the James Beard Foundation. FIG owner, Mike Lata, won the prestigious award in 2009. The restaurant, located on Meeting Street, brands itself as serving seasonally inspired cuisine with a commitment to using local and sustainable foods. In West Columbia just across the river from the capital city, a restaurant called Terra is owned and operated by Chef Mike Davis who worked under James Beard Award-winning chef Susan Spicer of Bayona in New Orleans and who studied at Johnson & Wales culinary school in Charleston. Chef Davis is known for his seasonal preparation of traditional Southern dishes and was invited in 2010 to prepare his Southern Roots dinner at the James Beard House in New York City to a sold-out crowd. Several chefs in undiscovered destinations in South Carolina are bringing fine dining, and the tourists who follow it, to off-the-beaten path places. Heidi Trull at Grits and Groceries in Belton was raised in the Carolinas but operated a restaurant in New Orleans, and brings Southern and Creole traditions to her upstate, rural restaurant. Dishes like the pecan-crusted

chicken served with Joe’s Peach barbecue sauce and a heaping serving of grits and greens are popular draws. Chef Brandon Viele of Juniper takes his cues from the abundance and variety of food in nearby farms for plates like his BBQ Manchester Farms Quail and Hoecakes, and is driving business to undiscovered downtown Ridge Spring in largely rural Saluda County. As one of the original 13 colonies in the United States and a state that embraces high standards of preservation, South Carolina is easily considered a prime destination for exploring history. In Charleston County, there are 184 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including 43 National Historic Landmarks, about half of which is found in the city and on the peninsula of Charleston. Throughout South Carolina, there are more than 1,400 buildings and districts listed on the registry that represent critical moments in our modern history. Sites ranging from an ancient Native American shell midden at Edisto Beach State Park to Revolutionary War sites, former rice plantations, mill villages, and old churches chronicle the intriguing history and heritage of the Palmetto State. And they all attract travelers who are interested in the South Carolina story. The state also preserves and protects key examples of its natural heritage in state parks and in national parks and forests. Mountain wilderness, scenic rivers, bottomland forests, marshes, tidal creeks and even a Carolina Bay, all hallmarks of the South Carolina landscape, are preserved as public land and available for visitors to explore. This bounty – the beach, shopping, dining, historic sites and the great outdoors – makes South Carolina a memorable place for millions of tourists and it fits their preferences for escape, relaxation, curiosity and travel. The best way to explore is to visit www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com and build a custom itinerary.

The famed Ocean Course of Kiawah Island 61

SCE&G: Building a Reliable Energy Future for South Carolina

By Eric Boomhower, director of public affairs, SCANA The company is building two nuclear-powered electric generating units near Jenkinsville, S.C.. The resulting, balanced energy portfolio — about 30 percent nuclear, 30 percent natural gas and 30 percent scrubbed coal, with the remainder in hydro and renewable energy — will give SCE&G flexibility to take advantage of whatever generation option makes economic sense for its customers at any point in time. The project also brings important economic benefits. More than 3,000 jobs already have been created, and roughly 60 percent of craft workers are from South Carolina. Upon completion, the project will create up to 800 permanent positions. Nuclear is the most reliable form of large-scale electric power available today. Nuclear is non-carbon-emitting, and will help significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in South Carolina. It’s simply the best solution for meeting our state’s long-term energy needs.

Ways We Are Reducing Energy Usage in S.C.

By Lorraine Wiseman, president and general manager, Spirax Sarco, Inc. Often hidden behind walls, above ceilings, and below ground, steam piping is everywhere. Steam is generated by boilers located in basements or behind buildings where we do not notice them. However, the energy consumed by these boilers is not hidden from engineers and maintenance professionals in South Carolina. In our state, there are approximately 40 large hospitals, 65 large colleges/universities and over 500 manufacturing facilities, most using steam for production and various other heating mediums like central heating and hot water. Energy managers in S.C. know that operating and maintaining a reliable steam system is vital and can have significant cost impact on an annual budget? Typical profit drainers include excessive fuel cost, inefficient steam generation, less-than-optimal steam utilization and poor condensate recovery. Not paying attention to unknown steam problems results in compromised efficiency levels and higher steam cost. Because steam system dependency is unavoidable, addressing these issues is crucial to decreasing energy usage and lowering costs. Providing quality healthcare is imperative in S.C., and the steam system is at the heart of our local hospitals. Shriners Hospital for children, located in Greenville, S.C., provides care to those with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare

Solar Since 2007, SCE&G also has worked to increase solar energy on its system. The company collaborated with electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and conservationists to develop comprehensive, consensus solar legislation for South Carolina. SCE&G has interconnected with more than 300 net metering customers, including residential, nonprofits, government entities, schools and churches. The company developed programs encouraging more customers to invest in solar for their homes or businesses. SCE&G also announced it will build solar installations in North Charleston and Cayce, with a goal of adding at least 30 megawatts of utility-scale solar to its system by the end of 2016. SCE&G is helping to position South Carolina as a leader in the nation’s energy industry, creating jobs for a highly skilled, homegrown workforce, fueling substantial economic development across the state, and creating a more reliable energy infrastructure for today’s customers and future generations.

needs within a compassionate, family centered and collaborative care environment from the U.S. and around the world. In order to provide the best health care for its patients, the hospital must ensure every system within its facility is operating at its peak performance. The electrical, mechanical, communications, and, of course, the steam system itself must perform efficiently and reliably. Dean Waters, the hospital’s director of engineering, has implemented many energy saving initiatives, but the one with a huge impact was removing the condensate from the system allowing the system to stay at the required temperature rather than fluctuating. Waters said, “Fluctuating temperatures require a lot of energy to heat the system back up.” A step beyond removing the condensate is returning it to the boiler. He said they now get tremendous condensate return, and estimates that the hospital’s steam usage has dropped by approximately 25 percent, which Waters equates to between a 15 percent and 20 percent reduction in energy costs. Waters says, “Sometimes troubleshooting steam systems can be like health care. It’s more effective to focus on the cause than merely treating the symptom.” Another area where steam is widely used is within manufacturing. Ingevity, formerly known as MeadWestvaco Specialty Chemicals in Charleston, S.C., is extremely conscious about their steam system. Their commitment to protecting human health and the environment while using resources in a responsible and sustainable manner, is a guiding principle to which

they subscribe. Delivering high-performance solutions to their customers in the automotive, energy, and infrastructure industries, Ingevity first ventured into chemical production over a century ago. Every year, Ingevity performs steam trap surveys and turnkey trap replacements to keep their process running smoothly. John Pocta, senior production engineer at Ingevity says, “Maintaining a good steam system is essential to conserving energy and improving equipment reliability which, in turn, improves our process. Many of our products must be stored and shipped within specific temperature ranges for quality and handling purposes.” For new facilities, the best way to ensure that future maintenance and operations will be most efficient is to design and build the facility right. Continental Tire’s Sumter, S.C. location built their state-of-the-art tire production facility with energy and sustainability in mind and is now underway with their Phase 2 expansion, bringing the total investment at the Sumter project to more than $500 million. Designing the steam system with best practices has been their goal. Continental has even hosted ‘Energy Day’ where suppliers are invited to share their knowledge in an effort to get ahead of the curve with focus on safety, energy and sustainability. Daniel Kuehne, facilities and utilities manager says, “In order to meet the annual production capacity of eight million tires when full production level is reached, we must design and build our facility to be as efficient as

possible in order to maximize throughput.” South Carolina hospitals and manufacturing plants can reduce energy usage and save millions of dollars in maintenance costs each year by improving the energy efficiency of their steam systems. Many companies already perform audits that focus on key business demands such as energy saving, environmental performance, safety and regulatory compliance. Sometimes companies must look outside of their organization for the right people and skillset to build a new steam plant, extend the existing system to meet changing needs, or even to keep the system at peak performance. You can look for steam partners right here in S.C. to help. Even if you think that your steam system is running efficiently, there is always room for improvement.

Continental Tire’s Sumter, S.C. location

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Watchdog Alerts Tips & Resources Free for Everyone

SOUTH CAROLINA

ENERGY

South Carolinians want reliable energy and SCE&G is delivering — growing a new energy economy in South Carolina. A balanced energy portfolio is an essential plan for meeting South Carolina's future energy needs. Nuclear power, natural gas, renewable energy (like solar), along with conservation can help provide a diversified group of resources for meeting South Carolina’s future energy needs.

SEE ENERGY AT WORK

SCEG.COM

ENERGY MIX*

ADDING UP TO

ABUNDANT & AFFORDABLE

10% 30% 30%

NATURAL GAS

30%

of solar energy, both utility and customer scale.

NONEMITTING* ENERGY

● NATURAL GAS ● RENEWABLES & HYDRO ● NUCLEAR ● COAL By reducing emissions and building renewable and non-emitting facilities, SCE&G will create a balanced energy generation portfolio that will serve our state for decades to come.

Upon completion of our two new nuclear units, we’ll have nearly tripled our use of non-emitting energy sources. * Air Emissions

*Upon completion of nuclear project

CREATING JOBS

% 60

100

MEGAWATTS

LOWER FUEL COSTS

INVESTING IN WIND RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

CENTS PER KWH NUCLEAR $.01

Increasing renewable energy in South Carolina opens the door for more businesses to utilize clean energy resources – bringing more jobs into the state.

NATURAL GAS

$.04

COAL

$.04

Nuclear fuel is still the cheapest option for running SCE&G’s power plants, costing about one-fourth the price of natural gas and coal.

24/7

Electricity - around the clock. Nuclear power is one of the most reliable ways to provide large numbers of customers with a continuous supply of electricity.

LINKED: THE IMPORTANCE OF S.C.’S SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Bill Ferrell Fluor Professor of International Supply Chain

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL Fluor Endowed Chair ENGINEERING of Supply Chain CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Optimization and

Scott Mason

Logistics

SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA’S ECONOMIC HEALTH IS TIED TO

SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURING, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION. THE SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURERS ALLIANCE REPORTS THAT ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF ALL SOUTH CAROLINIANS ARE EMPLOYEES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND THIS SECTOR ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 20 PERCENT OF THE STATE’S GDP. WHILE MANY KNOW COMPANIES LIKE BMW, BOEING, AND MICHELIN ARE LOCATED IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA, THE FACT IS THAT THE STATE IS HOME TO OVER 4,500 MANUFACTURING COMPANIES OF WHICH OVER 80 PERCENT ARE CLASSIFIED AS SMALL OR MEDIUM SIZED WITH FEWER THAN

500 EMPLOYEES. THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF LARGE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN THE STATE THAT ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR RETAILERS LIKE TARGET, WALGREENS, QVC AND WALMART.

So why are these companies attracted to South Carolina? There are obviously a number of reasons but one is certainly the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to support supply chain logistics operations. The efficiency and effectiveness with which materials flow to and from factories and distribution centers has bottom line impact on manufacturers and retailers. Companies know that their supply chains are complex -- and today they must accommodate international destinations with the same ease as domestic ones. Location is critical. With this in mind, it is easy to see why South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geographic location in the middle of the Eastern Seaboard makes it an ideal site for supply chain planners and distribution networks. A closer look at the state reveals excellent support for four major modes that transportation freight: truck/highway, rail, water and air. Interstate highways I-85, I-26, I-77, I-95, and I-20 connect in South Carolina with 41,000 miles of state-maintained highways. RITA, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, reported that 2007 saw over 144M tons of freight moved through the state valued at over $155 billion. Rail transport in South Carolina is provided by CSX, Norfolk Southern and 11 short-line operators. Together, they move nearly 45M tons of freight by rail annually throughout South Carolina. For many companies, especially ones that import and export large quantities of goods, the ports in South Carolina are a critical component to their supply chain network. The Port of Charleston is the best known and features the deepest water in the southeast region. The importance of Charleston is going to increase as it further solidifies its status as the preferred gateway to the world as it deepens its channels to accommodate increased Panama Canal traffic. Lesser known but also very important is the Port of Georgetown which is a dedicated break-bulk and bulk facility that handled over 456 thousand tons of cargo in 2011. Finally, there are six primary public airports in S.C. that service over 10,000 flights annually. Companies that are considering locating a factory or distribution center in South Carolina can also rely on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colleges, universities and technical colleges for support. For example, the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University houses the SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics as well as the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution. These research centers have flourished since their inception through strong industrial collaborations and partnerships with organizations such as Michelin, Glen Raven, Tri-Vantage and the United States Air Force. Faculty and student routinely partner with companies to improve supply chain performance that benefits company partners with rigorous solutions to important problems and students and faculty with real world experience.

LINKED COMPANIES KNOW THEIR SUPPLY CHAINS ARE COMPLEX. LOCATION IS CRITICAL. SOUTH CAROLINA IS THE ANSWER.

The Inland Port in Greer, South Carolina. Photo courtesy of the South Carolina Ports Authority.

By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

staff writer, South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Detergents, drywall, pharmaceuticals, shampoo, tires, paper, desks and baseball bats...it may sound like a random string of words, but there is a common thread. Each item is a product of crops harvested right here in South Carolina and exported to consumers worldwide.

International trade has become the norm for many of South Carolina’s agricultural operations, from mom and pop jelly makers, to peach farms, pine plantations and soybean producers. Local agribusiness is going global with internet retailing, improved packaging – and access to seven major interstates, three international airports, and public port facilities in Greer, Georgetown and the Port of Charleston. Agribusiness is what’s trending right now, and the Port of Charleston is right at the epicenter of growth for South Carolina’s ag industry. The Port of Charleston, the fastest growing port in the United States, is providing agribusiness an avenue for trade with more than 150 nations worldwide. Its channels were dredged to 45 feet in 2004 to allow larger ships to dock and carry heavy products like grain, poultry and timber from South Carolina to Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. “The opportunities the Port of Charleston provide are vital if South Carolina is going to continue to play a role as a world leader in the ag industry,” according to Clint Leach, SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) Assistant Commissioner of External Affairs and Economic Development. “The Ports Authority recognizes the importance of agriculture and understands that infrastructure needs to be in place to capitalize on strategic export markets.” As larger ships are now utilizing Charleston’s deeper channels, containers bringing imports from other continents are now being returned filled with soybean and other grains, providing farmers a conduit for large-scale exports in what would otherwise be empty containers. Two directional trade is a growing trend, resulting in a whopping 115 percent increase in South Carolina grain shipments from the Charleston Port during the last year alone. Engineers have recently given the green light to deepen the Charleston harbor once again to 52 feet. Upon completion, the port will be able to handle mega-ships with capacities of 14,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units during low or high tide. An intricate railway and interstate system, containerization and bulk transload operators, new grain handling facilities, and temperature controlled cargo areas are enticing international customers to South Carolina’s shores and increasing agricultural trade exponentially each year. “Moving products in South Carolina efficiently from field to ship to market is a huge competitive advantage,” SCDA Commissioner Hugh Weathers explains. “Our ports are vital to the state’s agricultural industries, and opening new markets to our products is great for the economy.” The ability to export and import fresh produce adds enormous value to the trade system. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) protocols and regulations are in place to safeguard domestic crops from pests and diseases from other regions of the world. Other countries have import regulations, too. Onsite at the Port of Charleston, SCDA has assigned 14 inspectors to certify the quality and cleanliness of grain produced or shipped out of South Carolina as this grain moves through

marketing channels. These certificates, recognized around the world, improve access for the Palmetto state’s ag products. The ag industry is also making tremendous headway in preserving fresh produce with the dawning of a cold treatment pilot project. The cargo system utilizes insect-proof nets to transport produce then transition the fruits or vegetables into near-freezing temperatures for 17 days. This process is called cold treatment and utilizes new refrigerated (reefer) cargo containers. This system avoids the use of pesticides to rid produce of insects and disease. Agribusiness is the number one industry in South Carolina, generating more than $41.7 billion per year, and supporting more than 212,500 jobs. Timber, poultry, cotton, wheat, soybeans and fruit are the highest ranking agricultural exports in South Carolina, and fast growing commodities like soybean meal are bringing international attention to the state’s farming industry. Annually, poultry exports are bringing in revenues of more than $206 million, and timber holds claim to the state’s number one spot in the ag export standings, generating about $759 million a year. Agricultural exports are escalating annually, and employment opportunities have congruently risen across the board. In addition, agribusiness development efforts, spearheaded by USDA, SCDA, Clemson University and other agencies, many farmers and landowners have further diversified their customer base, expanded agricultural land use options and attracted more international customers. With annual increases in agricultural trade and an expanding workforce, the state is on course to achieve or surpass its goal of reaching $50 billion agribusiness economic impact by 2020.

“Agribusiness is the number one industry in South Carolina, generating more than $41.7 billion per year, and supporting more than 212,500 jobs. Timber, poultry, cotton, wheat, soybeans and fruit are the highest ranking agricultural exports in South Carolina, and fast growing commodities like soybean meal are bringing international attention to the state’s farming industry.”

Member Spotlight

SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

n many ways, the success story that is Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS) is the success story of America. Born in the mid-century Cold War arms race and transformed into one of the leading research and development sites, the site in Aiken County was selected by the federal government after the end of World War II and began construction in the early 1950’s. By the mid 1950’s all of the operating facilities were up and running and equipping America with tritium, an isotope of hydrogen used in nuclear weapons, and the plutonium239 needed for nuclear weapons in the early years of the arms race. When they constructed the site it was the largest building site in American history, utilizing 38,000 construction workers who lived in South Carolina [and the surrounding areas] in massive tent cities. The construction was the largest in American history at the time, and was rivaled only by the construction of the Panama Canal in size and scope. Skipping ahead to today, “We’re still here!” says Carol Johnson, SRNS president and CEO. “We have some of the same missions that we did back then, and we have some new and different missions.” Today, just as they did 65 years ago, those same facilities produce Tritium for use by aircraft carriers and submarines for the National Nuclear Security Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) who supports the U.S. Department of Defense. Then came the additional duty of plutonium consolidation and storage for future disposition. “We are basically dispositioning defense materials and converting them to a commercially viable use,” says Johnson. “We also operate a very large scale chemical manufacturing facility that processes used nuclear fuel which comes from research reactors from around the United States and world. We take used nuclear fuel in and we separate out the components of that fuel and dissolve that fuel in the large scale chemical manufacturing facility. We take the enriched uranium from that fuel and blend it with lower enriched materials. And we send that off to be made into commercial fuel for commercial reactors. It’s a good, safe path for these materials.” ENVIRONMENT RESPONSIBILITY Not only is SRNS charged with cleaning up the icy image of its Cold War arms race legacy, it’s actually

charged with cleaning up the environment. “We’re still doing environmental clean-up from deactivated and decommissioned facilities. We had environmental remediation that needed to be done. A lot of that work has been accomplished, but a lot still remains to be done,” says Johnson. SRNS engages in ground water monitoring, soil remediation, coal fired ash basin remediation and various public health projects for some time to come. NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE DOWNSIZING OF THE NUCLEAR COMPLEX Her core mission continues to be nuclear materials management and disposition. “A lot of our material comes from overseas, so we play a key role in nuclear non-proliferation. Taking materials out of countries where there is a threat that they could be obtained by terrorists,” says Johnson. “We want to contribute to making the world safer.” RESEARCH Lastly, SRNS has the Savanah River National Laboratory. The DOE has 17 national laboratories across the country, and South Carolina has one of them. The Savannah River National Laboratory is a R&D organization doing technology development for the DOE in environmental management and more so in nuclear national security. “Several hundred PhD’s, scientists and engineers work in the National Lab in support of the Savannah River Site and other government agencies, such as the FBI,” says Johnson.

(Continued on page 95)

Welcome to SOUTH CAROLINA PORTS

MYRON RIVERS, CRANE OPERATOR, CHARLESTON, SC

Moving 40-50 containers per hour is a tough job, and no one does it better than the SC Ports. Day in and day out, skilled crane operators like Myron make our ports work. We handled nearly 1.1 million containers in the last fiscal year. And cargo velocity is higher than ever. Our box volume is growing, but our productivity wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t budge. Good thing we have the right people to keep freight moving.

SCSPA.com

By Jackie Baxley, PE, senior project manager, HRP Associates, Inc.

As an international manufacturer, you may have experience with robust environmental programs in your base of operations and other countries, but many new businesses to our area are finding different requirements in the United States and South Carolina, specifically. The end goal for all of these programs is the same: risk management and the protection of human health and the environment; however, the means to that end can be quite different when opening a new facility in our state.

Site Selection Your first introduction into the environmental and risk management arena starts before you have even purchased your site. “Due diligence” to identify recognized environmental conditions associated with property transactions before taking possession of that property is imperative.This due diligence occurs with an environmental professional conducting an environmental site assessment according to established ASTM standards, recognized by environmental agencies and lending institutions. Based on the results of the environmental site assessment, further investigation and review may be merited to ensure that you, as the new owner, are not responsible for site ground water and soil contamination and clean up resulting from previous site activities. “We have seen companies move to S.C. lacking awareness of the varying multimedia environmental guidelines and OSHA health and safety regulations set in place to protect our natural resources and its citizens,” said Tad Goetcheus, PE, vice president of HRP Associates, located in Greenville. “With the expertise of an environmental consultant, our newest corporate citizens can best assess, manage and reduce environmental risks, and obtain operational flexibility to manufacture efficiently and profitably in their new ventures here.”

Renovation, Demolition or Construction Associated with the Site Following site selection, the next environmental hurdle will be associated with the renovation, demolition or construction associated with the site. There are various environmental programs that are triggered depending on the nature and scope of these associated construction activities. For example, if you are going to remodel or demolish any part of the existing structure, an assessment for the presence of asbestos according to the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) is required. If asbestos is discovered, additional time and resources will be involved in addressing that asbestos prior to the renovation or demolition commencing. Other considerations include the assessment of mold, lead-based paint and polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs). Furthermore, special environmental stormwater or land use permits may apply should your construction involve activities such as disturbing more than one acre of land or impacting a wetland or waterway.

Equipment Construction Permits and Programs Environmental permits and considerations not only apply to the site and associated construction, but also to the proposed equipment you plan to utilize within your new manufacturing area. One of the most complex and laborious environmental regulations is the Clean Air Act (CAA). Under the CAA and the associated South Carolina Implementation Plan, you must file for and receive a construction permit for your proposed equipment prior to that equipment ever arriving on site. Because South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) can take as long as 90 days to review and approve your permit application, adding your necessary air permits to your operational timeline is critical. Further permitting considerations will apply relative to your proposed wastewater generated. The scope of this step will vary depending on the nature and required treatment of your discharges. Similar to the associated air permits, these wastewater permits may take months to acquire.

Operational Related Permits and Programs Once constructed, operating permits for your equipment to actually go into production are required. The associated equipment construction permits will detail the procedures to follow in order to secure your operating permits. It is imperative to realize that these operating permits will require specific operating, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the facility. Furthermore, if deviation or expansion occurs beyond those operations originally permitted, updates to your permits must be completed though subsequent construction permit applications before that change may occur. Another unique permit program in the United States is associated with storm water discharges from industrial activities. If you are engaged in certain industrial operations, you must receive a permit from SCDHEC before rain ever touches your property. Under this program, permit

conditions will require you to prepare and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan for the potential contaminants to rainwater that runs off of your property. As you start to operate your facility, you will generate various wastes. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), you must understand “cradle to grave” which means as a generator of waste, you will always be responsible for your waste, even beyond its ultimate disposal. If the waste you generate is considered “hazardous waste” under EPA and SCDHEC guidelines, you may be required to obtain an EPA Identification number relative to your waste activities. Additional programs that will apply throughout your operations may include Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rules relative to oil storage, Department of Transportation (DOT) rules relative to your movement of hazardous materials in commerce, Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know (EPCRA) reporting, as well as others.

Some Complimentary Advice With all of the state-specific regulations to consider, international companies must schedule environmental compliance into any relocation and start up plan. Many of the permits and programs introduced here take months, not days, to address. Additionally, all of these programs are enforceable programs, which means fines and penalties for noncompliance can be issued. HRP Associates has assisted clients based in several European Union (EU) countries with opening manufacturing facilities in the Upstate by managing their environmental permitting schedule and informing them of specific environmental concerns and processes that needed to be addressed. Had these clients not requested help to address some of the regulations of which they were unaware, they would have faced major fines or penalties from the EPA. Each program introduced in S.C. has many nuances, and the application to your particular manufacturing operation can vary greatly. Involving an environmental professional early in your relocation can facilitate the permitting program and avoid costly delays to your start-up.

By Randolph R. Lowell, attorney, Willougby & Hoefer

Business is in the business of being green—both money and the environment. The two are not just compatible, but necessary, and the entire concept of sustainability is founded on the continuing success of accomplishing both a healthy bottom line and a healthy environment. Businesses want to be green in both respects, and by focusing on one without regard to the other create disincentives that stymie the achievement of either. Maintaining a flexible regulatory environment that allows for innovative responses to current challenges is crucial to future successful business greening. The success experienced in the traditional approaches of “technology forcing” and “command-andcontrol” regulations has waned, as businesses are subject to even further reduction demands to the already successful decrease in pollution achieved in prior decades. But the old approach results in the dedication of more resources (in time, money, and hard assets) with less realized benefits and gains. In other words, the current regulatory environment is inefficient from a business and environmental protection perspective and is unsustainable. Complicating the situation is the current silo approach to regulating water, air, or land (through waste management) emissions and discharges. In the real world, development projects, manufacturing, and any other business operation will have emissions and discharges in all of these areas, and the current regime incentivizes transferring pollution from one to another, such as changing river emissions to emissions from a smokestack or to a landfill. In light of the reduction in emissions, in some cases to background or near-background levels (meaning natural levels), the existing command-andcontrol regulatory approach is no longer effective to achieve additional results. To make additional gains in environmental protection, businesses should be incentivized to adopt more innovative and creative solutions. These solutions will not originate with

regulatory agencies, but rather will come from the private sector in conjunction with regulatory agencies allowing additional flexibility in their oversight. If additional gains in emissions reductions are too occur, a new approach that recognizes the greatest needs of the environment in that locale and allows businesses to address those needs first is best for the environment and the business and is sustainable approach. Take, for example, the recent trend towards “landscape mitigation” for large development impacts. This concept allows a permittee to fund preservation efforts for swaths of property within an affected area. Typically the preserved properties more than adequately mitigate for the impacts of the project. The advantage to the permittee is that a single purchase at a single point in time satisfies the mitigation requirement. The effect of this is greater environmental protections, as preserved or restored properties can serve multiple important functions that improve the environment and minimize public health risks across multiple media. For the business, an initial outlay of capital may be greater, but when the additional time and resources of compliance monitoring and implementation are considered in a traditional model the business can ultimately save time and money. In other words, this landscape mitigation concept benefits the business and the environment. This landscape mitigation approach is slowly gaining traction as an alternative to traditional regulatory mitigation compliance in recognizing a more holistic and sustainable view of environmental benefits and business savings from a larger perspective of the environmental locale. While landscape mitigation improves the green results for both businesses and the environment, it demonstrates only the beginning of what is possible for environmental net gains when a regulatory agency allows a degree of flexibility. Translating this flexibility into the command-and-control setting is necessary for the long-term sustainability of environmental and economically net positive business practices.

Skills for Success

HOW TO GET ALONG WITH EVERYONE WHO IS NOT YOU By Denise Ryan, MBA, CSP, FireStar

Want to be a better leader? Need more clients? Want to take your career or business to the next level? Poor communication skills will make all these things nearly impossible. And great communication skills will elevate you to the heavens! Even if you are a rock star of communication, you can always improve. Communication skills do not come naturally. This is a false belief many people hold. So here are some tips to help you improve your skills in this vital area:

1. Realize you are always communicating. If another person can see you, you’re communicating. People are very perceptive and pick up on the smallest clues. The leader who glances at his cell phone during staff meetings just told everyone that whatever is on his phone is more important than they are. Actions speak louder than words. If you speak to a group and stare only at the Power Point slides and exude the energy of a mortician, don’t expect them to be compelled by your words. No leader ever fired up his or her people by reading Power Point slides to them. Good eye contact, gesture and facial expressions are vital for your success. Also consider training at your organization - are you teaching your youngest employees effective communication skills? Some of them may need a tune up on face-to-face interaction. A lifetime of texting and avoiding conflict may require a new skillset for dealing with customers and coworkers. You might also ask yourself if you reward good communication in your organization or inadvertently punish it. I work with many groups where people won’t say a word if their leader is in the room because they’ve learned it’s better to keep quiet. If you’re not getting feedback or participation from your people, there’s a reason.

2. Know thyself and others. There are many different tools available that can give you information on a person’s communication style. My favorite is a variant of the DISC profile which identifies four different styles – the director/controller, the thinker/ analyzer, the socializer/promoter and the supporter/relator. If you understand your style, you can alter your approach to be more effective with the other styles. This can help you be a more effective leader, salesperson, doctor, lawyer or Indian chief! You’ll be amazed at the insight gained by using a tool like this with your team. For example, a director/controller may have no idea that what she sees as her forthright approach is experienced as conflict or even anger by the supporter/relators on her team. Once she realizes this she can soften her interactions with them. The supporter/relators also realize that she isn’t angry (scary maybe, but not angry).

3. Pay attention. This is what matters most in communication. Pay attention to the other person. If you are looking at a spreadsheet, you will miss the confusion on the client’s face. If you’re watching television you will miss your child’s hurt look. I believe that most communication mistakes are made because we do not pay attention. Up to 93% of face-to-face communication is nonverbal. That means you really have to pay attention to tone and body language as well as words to get the whole message. Quit looking at your iPhone!

(Continued on page 95)

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South Carolina Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Council Partners with Governor Haley to Better Prepare Workforce

n 2012, Governor Nikki Haley agreed that South Carolina would become one of four states in the country to pilot the ACT’s Work Ready Communities Program. This program would allow business, education and economic development communities to share a common language about the needs of their workforce with regard to desired skills and competencies. Historically the conversation between business and education has been disjointed. Industry conveys a need for employees with strong skills and education has historically responded with a comprehensive learning system that may or may not provide exactly the required competencies needed. ACT Workkeys provides a common language that both educators and industry understand and can use a point of reference. The bottom line – this program changes the conversation between industry and education professionals. ACT Work

Ready Communities empowers states, regions and counties with data, process and tools that drive economic growth. Participants are leveraging the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC™) to measure and close the skills gap — building common frameworks that link, align and match their workforce development efforts. It also allows entire counties and states to profile their workforce and in a day and time when skilled workers are at a premium. South Carolina State SHRM Council members were quick to see the value of this pilot but they realized that becoming an ACT Work Ready Community would mean engaging many organizations which would take time and effort. Council members registered the organizations they represent on the ACT site at workreadycommunities.org. In 2014 and 2015 a team lead by Beverly Deal and Ed Parris made presentations on ACT Work Ready Communities in an effort to raise the level of awareness about this program.

The Proof is in Measurable Results. To date all 46 counties in South Carolina are participating in the Work Ready Communities Program, with 37 of the counties having become Certified Work Ready Communities. South Carolina has more profiled jobs than any other state in the program. On March 30, 2015, South Carolina Legislators declared an official “Human Resource Professional Day” in a show of appreciation for the commitment of the SHRM Council to the Work Read Program and to the Palmetto State. Not only did Governor Haley agree to pilot the ACT program but she later signed legislation that required all high school students to take the Career Readiness assessment upon graduation. This provides each student with tangible evidence of their skills in seven key areas. This information being so much more valuable than a high school diploma, it is helpful for gaining and internship or employment. The Career Readiness Certificate has also been shown to help

scag_008638.06_FOTM_9x5.875_00.indd 1

reduce high school dropout. Students understand there is value in having this card as they move out into the world of work. There are many heroes in the South Carolina Work Ready story but a driving force in behind the ACT Work Ready Communities adoption were Human Resource professionals from across the state of South Carolina starting with the State SHRM Council. Through strong leadership and determination, these professionals rallied behind this initiative knowing that this program also advances the HR profession ….giving them more tools to be strategic….providing quantifiable data about their specific workplace populations and informing the various training needs of their organizations. On March 31 the South Carolina State SHRM Council proclaimed Governor Nikki Haley as an honorary HR professional in appreciation for her insight and support in building the South Carolina Workforce.

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THE

GAME CHANGERS: Leading the Nation in Talent Development

BY CASEY WELCH, COO AND CO-FOUNDER OF STEM PREMIER

Leading economic development initiatives across the country are shifting their attention to talent. Some argue dollars would be better spent on traditional economic development efforts. Those views are faulty. Many communities across the country are competing in a race to the bottom, turning workers into commodities and desperately paying businesses to relocate to their regions. That hasn’t worked for the last two generations. There has long been a need for a different and sustained approach to economic development. Thriving communities poised for success in the 21st century economy are creating new alliances bound by a grounded vision of more prosperous regions. The best plans are clearly from those areas that have already turned their attention to attracting - and developing - talent. These initiatives address the top concern cited by CEO’s and business leaders across the country, which continues to be finding talent with the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary to operate in the 21st century global business environment. These crucial skills are highly-identified in candidates with an educational background focused in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

continue to face challenges in being discovered by universities and corporations seeking talent, especially in underserved and underrepresented areas. Programs such as STEM Premier, a solution that assists students in designing a career pathway, educators in recruiting top talent to their schools, and employers in connecting with the talent they need, serves to level the playing field. “Remaining competitive in today’s business environment requires utilizing unique and disruptive external sourcing strategies that include connecting with underserved and underrepresented segments of the population in the development of the talent pipeline,” said STEM Premier Co-Founder Casey Welch.

“Remaining competitive in today’s business environment requires utilizing unique and disruptive external sourcing strategies”

Students demonstrating interest in STEM education bring with them new ideas, perspectives and a passion for innovation; but barriers remain for these students to connect with in-demand careers in high-growth industry sectors. And yet, the demand/supply gap between projected need for talent with necessary STEM knowledge, skill and abilities continues to grow. Leading the way in transforming the way the talent pipeline is developed and connected, South Carolina based STEM Premier is a tech company that bridges these gaps while transforming the way the talent pipeline is developed and connected. Students who possess the necessary STEM knowledge, talent and skills to excel at the college and university levels, and throughout their careers,

Partnered with organizations like Project Lead the Way, ACT, and more, this technology solution serves as the great equalizer. Visionary leaders at companies across the country are utilizing the program to revolutionize the way recruiting gets done.

Companies like Boeing, SCRA and Comporium, are seeking uncommon strategies to attract and develop toptier, phenomenal talent. John Barnes executive vice president at Comporium, sought out unique solutions tied to STEM. Barnes stated, “As we continuously innovate our business model and product offerings to remain competitive, we recognized a need to develop long-term strategies to talent acquisition that are just as innovative. Utilizing an online platform such as STEM Premier gives us the advantage of creating a stable, continuous talent pipeline by developing relationships with existing and future talent with the skills needed to create a high-velocity organization designed to compete in today’s complex business environment.”

South Carolina is a step ahead, leading the nation in building game-changing talent technology solutions that allow companies to become a magnet for future innovators.

The start of a new school year offers the opportunity for new challenges, opportunities and achievements. This is especially true for students in the 16 South Carolina schools that are a part of SCE&G’s Homework Centers Program. Now in its 25th year, the Homework Centers have served 13,946 students in 78 schools. The program aims to provide a safe, structured and fun learning environment to sharpen students’ academic abilities and build up their confidence to perform better in school. Title One-qualified elementary schools are considered for the Homework Centers program because of the highpercentage of children from low-income families in those schools. The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce administers the program and SCE&G provides the funds for two certified teachers, snacks, supplies, educational activities and student incentives at no cost to participating students. “The business community is committed to strengthening education and workforce development efforts across the state and especially in areas that need us the most,” said Ted Pitts, president and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

continue to believe in the value of this investment for the future of the communities we serve.” Vivian Hernandez, who works in a homework-center in Columbia, was asked by her former principal to lead the program in Carver-Lyon Elementary School. She believes in the efficacy of the program and strives to develop well-rounded students by including cultural experiences, healthy habits and exposure to future career ideas. “We push, just keep pushing the envelope, just get them better and better prepared,” Hernandez said. “And we are very proud of them. With most of the students, I would say 99 percent score above grade level, and that is just amazing.” Students arrive at the homework center at 2:30 p.m. and break up into two groups. Some work on their homework and others work on the computerbased learning program. Hernandez helps students work through any problem they may have with their assignments. Students also go on fieldtrips and engage in hands-on learning.

HOMEW RK CENTERS

ADMINISTERED BY

Celebrates 25 YEARS

“I want them to be teachers and scientists and lawyers. I want them to have dreams and aspirations, and I want to be a part of that,” Hernandez said. “I want to encourage them to be college bound, because they have so much to give and so much to receive.”

The Homework Centers program has received several local, regional and national accolades, By Persida Montanez, SCANA including the National School and Business Partnership Award and the State Board of Education Business Partner Award. However, the true mark of the Parents also support the program and were surveyed, with program’s efficacy is the improved academic performance 99 percent agreeing their children had completed more of homework center children. work after school and were doing better academically since they had started attending the homework centers. Stephanie Jones, supervisor of corporate philanthropy for SCE&G, said the company has continued to support Tijwana Mclone, whose fourth-grade son participates in the the Homework Centers Program for a simple reason—the program, said her son has learned to challenge himself and measurable difference in student performance. practice good habits thanks to the home-work center. She said there was an 80 percent improvement in standardized test reading scores for homework center students and an 87 percent improvement in math scores for the 2015-16 school year. First-quarter report cards where compared with third-quarter report cards and 54 percent of those students showed increased English/ Language Arts grades, while 48 percent showed improved math grades. “Year after year, we see that this program helps students improve their grades and test scores,” Jones said. “We

“He strives to go higher and higher. He wants to beat his previous scores,” said Mclone. “Even if he doesn’t have the homework center that day, he’ll come home and do his homework. It’s like he can’t get out of the homework center atmosphere, he does everything that they usually do.” This past fall, as the participating elementary schools held their annual kickoff events, there was a special focus on the impact the program has had on local schools and communities for the past 25 years. Mclone and her son were there to celebrate.

After the Event

After THE Event The South Carolina Chamber is known for its exceptional events designed to unite the business community on issues and topics of concern, including federal issues, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, energy, the environment, education, workforce, workplace safety, diversity, human resources and loving where you work. More than half the events hosted for the Chamber’s members are designed to be listening forums and grassroots meetings, elevating regional concerns to the capital.

Mikee Johnson, chairman of the board of directors, and Ted Speth, general counsel of the board of directors, network prior to the Business Speaks town meeting.

Important legislative priorities debated at

BUSINESS SPEAKS

Business leaders gathered at the Columbia Marriott on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, for Business Speaks at the State House, presented by Zeus Industrial Products, Inc. This annual gathering featured a South Carolina General Assembly legislative panel discussing top business issues, including the business community’s Competitiveness Agenda which focuses on infrastructure, workforce development and a host of other issues. Hannah Horne of the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce moderates the legislative panel discussion.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce also presented 29 South Carolina legislators with the sixth annual Business Advocate Award. The awards are presented to members of the General Assembly who scored 100 percent on the Chamber’s 2014 Legislative Scorecard. Congratulations to these probusiness advocates.

Senators Peeler and Setzler and Representatives White and Rutherford participate in a lively question and answer session.

After the Event

Industry experts, manufacturers featured at

Kelly Moore of MEDcare Urgent Care and Ethan Ware of McNair Law Firm, PA, network during the reception.

5TH ANNUAL MANUFACTURERS CONFERENCE Manufacturers from across South Carolina gathered in Greenville for the first time at the 5th Annual Manufacturers Conference: Leading the Way, presented by McNair Law Firm, P.A. Conference topics were strategic in nature with statewide and nationally recognized speakers. Attendees learned about labor issues, workforce development, health care, export, finance and much more. Next year’s conference will be held again in Greenville at the TD Convention Center, April 20 through 22, 2016.

Approximately 15 companies display their goods and services during the conference.

Keynote speaker, Yasuo Ueda, general manager of Toray Industries, Inc., presents to attendees during lunch.

Janet Oakley, Secretary of Transportation with the SC Department of Transportation

Business community demands solution for funding

INFRASTRUCTURE AT FORUM

The legislative panel discusses infrastructure challenges and opportunities.

Senator Larry Grooms is outspoken on the topic.

With several approaches to funding the state’s infrastructure on the table, a clear message emanated from the Competitiveness Agenda Series forum held February 24, 2015, in Columbia: a demand for a comprehensive and sustainable solution for infrastructure funding, developed together with business and supported by the legislative and executive branches of government. The second annual Infrastructure Forum at the Doubletree by Hilton in Columbia drew 100 participants and was presented by the South Carolina Tire Council and hosted by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

After the Event

Representatives from various Bosch locations were presented with a 2014 Safety Award.

Over 450 companies in South Carolina recognized for

WORKPLACE SAFETY

The Safety Awards luncheon, presented by Fisher & Phillips LLP, was held March 19, 2015, in Columbia. The South Carolina Chamber’s Safety, Health and Security Committee honored South Carolina Chamber members who had a successful workplace safety records during 2014. This program was designed to recognize companies and their employees who have had a commendable Lost Workday Case Rate during the 2014 calendar year. Certificates were presented to many deserving companies who are committed to the health and safety of their employees. BorgWarner employees are presented with a 2014 Safety Award.

Richele Taylor, director of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, addressed the winners during the awards luncheon.

Judi Gatson of WIS, luncheon emcee greets attendees.

Ted Creech of AT&T, the presenting sponsor, delivers remarks to the audience of over 200.

S.C.’s Congressional Delegation Addresses Business Community at

WASHINGTON NIGHT

Congressman Joe Wilson talks business issues during the discussion.

South Carolina’s congressional delegation took questions from South Carolina’s business community at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center March 31, 2015, during at panel discussion at the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Washington Night in South Carolina, presented by AT&T. U.S. Representative Mark Sanford, U.S. Representative Joe Wilson, U.S. Representative Mick Mulvaney and U.S. Representative Tom Rice were all in attendance.

Congressman Mark Sanford takes questions from South Carolina’s business leaders.

After the Event

Attendees network during a break.

Emphasis on healthy businesses and workers at

HEALTH CARE FORUM

The second forum in the 2015 Competitiveness Agenda Series was held April 23, 2015, and focused on health care. The one-day forum featured various topics, including the health care market, certificate of need, wellness programs, ERISA, legislative issues, employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best health care practices and much more. The forum was aimed at educating South Carolina employers on prominent heath care topics. Health Care Forum attendees get their questions answered by the experts.

A panel discusses certificate of need issues.

The HR Conference, presented by Jackson Lewis, also showcases exhibitors each year.

25th Annual

HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE Jim Young of the SC Ports Authority speaks on leading with confidence and conviction.

Chase Samples of Jackson Lewis P.C. speaks on the risk of retaliation claims tied to harassment or discrimination.

Human resources professionals from around the state convened at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island on May 6 through 8, 2015 for the long running HR Conference to hear management speakers such as Denise Ryan (see page 78), OSHA expert Wilder Allen and at-will employment lawyer Ben Glass of Ogletree Deakins, to mention a few.

After the Event

Algenon Cash, national director, America’s Energy Forum, delivered the keynote address.

Businesses discuss energy and the environment at the

COMPETIVENESS AGENDA SERIES

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, along with presenting sponsor SCE&G, hosted the annual energy and environment forum at the Embassy Suites in Columbia on May 19, 2015. Topics ranged from water issues, recycling and solid waste rules, nuclear energy, offshore energy exploration, solar projects and greenhouse gas reduction plans. David Baize and Elizabeth Von Kolnitz, both of SC DHEC, were two of the panelists on a water issues panel discussion.

Karen Patterson, chair of the Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council, describes South Carolina’s unique nuclear resources.

Students are organized into company teams and compete using a real-to-life business simulation.

Record number of scholarships awarded at

BUSINESS WEEK

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce awarded its annual college scholarships during the prestigious South Carolina Business Week, July 26 through 31, 2015. Each year, Business Week offers bright, young adults the unique opportunity to interact with business leaders along with their peers on the historic Presbyterian College campus in Clinton to learn more about the ins and outs of a successful career. This year, 166 students successfully graduated from the program. Approximately half of the students apply for the college scholarships. A handful is then selected for interviews. Among the 2015 scholarship winners are a class valedictorian and a future U.S. Senator (or so she hopes). A new scholarship was added, bringing the count up to six scholarships.

Six high school students are recognized with scholarships at South Carolina Business Week.

Companies interested in learning more about student sponsorships or scholarships for Business Week students should visit www.scbusinessweek.com, or contact Rhonda Caldwell at 803-255-2622.

After the Event

Hire Dynamics in Simpsonville is the No. 1 Best Place to Work (Small/Medium Size Employer)

2015

BEST PLACES TO WORK On August 6, 2015, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with SC Biz News, and presented by Colonial Life, hosted the revamped tenth annual Best Places to Work at the Columbia Marriott. Recognizing that we spend most of our lives at work, the Chamber celebrated ten years of recognizing companies that treat you like family, no matter how large or small your workforce.

Total Quality Logistics in Daniel Island is the No. 1. Best Place to Work (Large Size Employer)

Employees from Select Health of South Carolina network with “Best Places to Work” honorees.

Education essential to South Carolina’s

South Carolina’s Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman discusses the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

MANUFACTURING RENAISSANCE Workforce development and education top the SC Chamber’s 2015 legislative agenda as well as its summer Competitiveness Agenda Series forum. Superintendent Molly Spearman began the morning with a portrait of the “Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.” Linda Stanley of presenting sponsor Bank of America delivered a fascinating look at the aging workforce as a global phenomenon. Educators enjoyed networking with business leaders at the Embassy Suites in Columbia on August 18, 2015.

Senator John Matthews, Representative Rita Allison, Chairman, SC House Education & Public Works Committee, Representative Kenny Bingham, Chairman, SC House Ethics Committee and Senator John Courson, Chairman, SC Senate Education Committee lead the debate.

After the Event

TD Bank is recognized with the 2015 Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award.

Palmetto Vision

AWARDS GALA The South Carolina Chamber’s signature black-tie gala designed to honor manufacturers, HR professionals and diversity leaders, was one for the history books this year. Accepting the award for the Excellence in Community Diversity Award on behalf of Emanuel AME Church was Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff. A touching video brought the room to its feet in a standing ovation for his congregation’s grace and courage. The SC Chamber’s Excellence in Education Foundation hosted a silent auction to raise money for its many high school programs.

Google South Carolina won the Excellence in Workplace Diversity Award in the Medium/Large Company category.

Lead SC Summit kicks off its second year with a keynote address from Governor Nikki Haley.

Keynote from Governor Haley at

2ND LEAD SC SUMMIT

The youngest governor in the nation spoke to a gathering of South Carolina’s young professionals on September 23, 2015 at LeadSC, held at the Columbia Marriott. Popular sessions included speed networking, rebuilding Main Street, getting involved in local government, building your own brand, and communicating with those above and below you.

(l to r) Ashlye Wilkerson of Wine & Design, Nicole Curtis of Bank of America and Jacob Cook of Sun Solutions sit on a panel discussing optimizing business relationships, moderated by Jeff Lawler.

Allie Boykin of SC Thrive and Murray Coleman of United Way of the Midlands enjoy the executive lunch and mingle.

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BB&T congratulates our friends at the SC Chamber on their 75th anniversary

B A N K I N G

I N S U R A N C E

I N V E S T M E N T S

The

SC FORESTRY ASSOCIATION is the Voice

of South Carolina’S WOOD & PAPER PRODUCTS INDUSTRY “The South Carolina Forestry Association (SCFA) works to maintain a positive business climate for the wood and paper products industry. We appreciate our close working relationship with the SC Chamber of Commerce in making South Carolina a better place to do business.”

Cam Crawford President & CEO SC Forestry Association Columbia, SC

“With an annual economic impact of $18.6 Billion, South Carolina’s forest industry is a significant economic engine that provides thousands of jobs. We appreciate the work of the SC Chamber of Commerce in helping improve our infrastructure.”

B. Frazier Baldwin Operations Procurement Manager Resolute Forest Products Catawba, SC Chairman, SC Forestry Association

SCFA represents: n $18.6

BILLION INDUSTRY n TIMBER: #1 Agribusiness crop n 90,000 JOBS scforestry.org

facebook.com/SCForestryAssociation

twitter.com/SCForestryAssoc

94 Ad for SC BUSINESS MAGAZINE 2015 NEW ONE CC.indd 1

10/20/2015 9:43:53 AM

Member Spotlight (Continued from page 72)

SAVANNAH RIVER NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

“Safety and security is paramount in everything we do. We’re clearly one of the best in the Department of Energy and one of the best in the nation at what we do. I’m quite proud of our performance there.” SRNS STORY IS SOUTH CAROLINA’S STORY SRNS won its federal contract in 2008 and partners with Fluor, Honeywell and Newport News Nuclear to complete its scope of work. Carol Johnson oversees 5000 employees, roughly half of all those who are employed at the Savannah River Site working on a variety of contracts. The company has an annual economic impact of close to $1 billion ($976,000) and supports corporate philanthropic missions in the areas of economic development, education and quality of life programs. For example, Johnson’s employees

typically raise over $1 million every year for their local United Way. WHAT WOULD AIKEN COUNTY LOOK LIKE WITHOUT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE? “I can’t even imagine that! The good paying jobs. The giving back to the community. The advancement in education. I think all of those things have their roots in the SRS. The talented workforce is multigenerational now. Third generation employees (of ours) have been raised under that culture.” Two-thirds of the SRS employees live on the South Carolina side of the river, primarily in Aiken County but also Edgefield, Barnwell and Allendale counties.” In 2014 alone, SRS put $2.6 billion back into the communities through taxes and philanthropic efforts.

(Continued from page 78)

Skills for Success

HOW TO GET ALONG WITH EVERYONE WHO IS NOT YOU By Denise Ryan, MBA, CSP, FireStar

Now, does this mean you need to be constantly accessible and drop everything every time anyone wants to talk with you? I say no! What I do believe is you need to stop saying crazy things like, “I have an open door policy” and when someone comes in to speak with you, you check your e-mail while they’re talking. Either control access to you and set boundaries (this could be by having hours when your door is closed and you’re not accessible or by simply saying, “I need 15 minutes to finish this, can I get back with you then?”) or drop what you’re doing. For communication to be effective, you must be present. Multitasking is a lie we tell ourselves. Study after study proves the human brain can do only one thing at a time. You are either listening to me or you’re checking e-mail. You can’t do both.

4. Also pay attention to your miscommunication. The great thing about practicing communication is you get instant feedback. (But you have to be paying attention to get it!) If the waitress gets your order wrong, there was a communication error somewhere. If you are in a fight with someone you love, there was a communication error somewhere. If you told a joke and no one laughed, ditto. Pay close attention to these errors and work to understand what

went wrong. Communicate more, pay attention to the results and adjust accordingly. Over time you can only improve.

5. Ask for feedback – warning - this is only for the non-thin skinned. Ask your family how well you listen. Ask your co-workers or supervisor how well you communicate in meetings or during presentations. Ask for specifics – “Was I interesting? Clear? Did I make good eye contact? Do I have any weird gestures? Do I have ANY gestures? Could you tell I was alive?” Tell them you are trying to improve your communication skills and need their input, but make it safe for them to respond. Don’t get angry or argue. Remember – this is only for the non-thin skinned. It’s hard to take constructive feedback. And the truth is, if you’re paying attention, you get constant feedback about your communication skills. Sadly, most of us aren’t paying attention. Communication is vital to your success. Improving your communication skills will improve your relationships and make you richer. Treat it like any other professional skill – learn about it, practice it, get better at it. Just realize you can’t run from it, you can’t hide from it, you can’t avoid it. Communication will get you.

SCrumptious!

SCrumptioUs! By Penny Delaney Cothran, APR, editor, ASCEND

From pulled pork to pimiento cheese, no matter where you go in South Carolina, you are bound to taste something extraordinary. So we asked our South Carolina Chamber of Commerce members, “What’s your favorite dish?”

Where do the CEOs of some of South Carolina’s most prestigious companies like to dine?

EO of SCANA

M a

,C h s r

Kevin

tion ora

A delicious steak

The sopa de pollo (chicken soup)

Halls Chophouse

Rey Azteca

Charleston, SC

Clover, SC The barbecue chicken at

Farm Boys BBQ Chapin, SC

Greenville, SC

he South Caro of t li

Jim Newsome,

Soby’s New South Cuisine

nifer Maier, C Jen E

The blackened pan-seared scallops

s Authority ort aP

S (Women ’s D i

tion Services) ibu str

WD of

al tion na

John Up ri

, CEO of FGP I d r a nt ch

WITH THE CARD THAT OPENS DOORS IN 50 STATES

SouthCarolinaBlues.com 67

KEEP YOUR BUSINESS TAXES LOW New Hire Checklist Post job opening

Interview candidates Make an offer Report new hire: newhire.sc.gov

By reporting new hires you help to keep unemployment taxes low for you and all South Carolina businesses.

NEWHIRE.SC.GOV SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE 68