In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits

Greenville Development Corp. Welcomes Officers, Board

The Greenville Area Development Corp. has elected the following officers to its Board of Directors: Marshall Franklin of EY as Chair, Jim Burns of Hartness Development as Vice Chair, Chad Tumblin of NVR as Secretary, and Justin Bagwell of Michelin North America as Treasurer.

Franklin has been involved with the GADC board since 2013.

"As we look ahead, I am committed to leading our efforts in fostering economic growth and innovation in Greenville County to the benefit of every citizen. Our partnerships with businesses, the community, investors, and economic development organizations will be integral to our mission of driving sustainable development and prosperity," he said.

Greenville County Council reappointed McNeil Epps of NAI Earle Furman and Councilman Pro-Tem Butch Kirven to the GADC board. The council also appointed new members: Dr. Larry Miller, Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development at Greenville Technical College; Michael Johnson, attorney at Law Firm Carolina; and Amanda O’Brien, Client Solutions Director at Robert Half International.

Max Stewart, CEO of GADC, praised the board members. "Their commitment to the community aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering business development and expanding existing companies, ensuring continuous positive economic progress in our county."

Additional board members for 2024-25 are Scott Case, Greenville County Auditor Office; William Moon, Moon & Associates Inc.; Charles Piczszor, retired, CME Group Inc.; Liz Seman, Council Vice Chair, Greenville County Council; Dan Tripp, Council Chair, Greenville County Council.

The Greenville Area Development Corp. is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2001 by Greenville County Council. GADC provides support and resources to businesses of all sizes and acts as a liaison between the business community and local government. For information about the GADC, go to www.greenvilleeconomicdevelopment.com .

Countybank Executive Retires

Countybank, a financial institution headquartered in the Upstate since 1933, has announced the retirement of James R. “Jimmy” Fowler Jr., Executive Vice President and Anderson Market Executive.

Fowler spent 41 years in banking; the last 26 years were at Countybank.

Throughout his career, Fowler served in numerous leadership roles with the Independent Banks of South Carolina and was President in 2021. He was also the 2019 recipient of the IBSC’s Leadership Award, given annually to an independent banker in South Carolina who demonstrates outstanding service to the independent banking industry and the community.

Fowler served in various roles at Countybank, including Executive Vice President, Director of Commercial Banking and Strategic Initiatives, and Anderson Market Executive. While working in Greenwood, Greenville and Anderson, Fowler led many of Countybank’s business development efforts and helped the organization expand throughout the Upstate.

“Jimmy has been a well-respected leader and banker during his entire career with Countybank,” said Kenneth M. Harper, Chief Banking Officer. “Over the years, he held critical leadership positions in each of our lines of business – from retail and commercial banking, to trust, investments, insurance and mortgage – and his leadership has been instrumental to our growth, and impactful to our culture.”

“Jimmy is known in the Upstate as a servant leader,” said Countybank’s President and CEO, R. Thornwell Dunlap III.  “He’s modeled a people-first leadership style for the numerous associates he’s mentored, not only in his business activities but also through the countless hours of volunteer service he gives in our communities.”

Fowler founded the regional chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the Lakelands; served as chaplain of the Emerald High School football team for seven years; and was a mentor to student-athletes at Wofford College.

He served on the Advancement Council for the Greenville Healthcare Systems, YMCA Boards in Greenville and Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College Foundation Board, Greenville County Chamber Advisory Board, and Cancer Survivor Park Board. He was a longtime elder and trustee at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood.

BMW Plant Spartanburg Tests Humanoid Robots

The BMW Group explored the use of humanoid robots in production for the first time during a trial that lasted several weeks at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg.

The latest humanoid robot from the California company, Figure, successfully inserted sheet metal parts into fixtures that were then assembled as part of a chassis. The robot must be dexterous to complete this production step, according to a statement.

A robot could keep employees from having to perform ergonomically awkward and tiring tasks. Figure and the BMW Group are evaluating how humanoid robots can be used safely in automobile production.

“We want to accompany this technology from development to industrialization,” said Milan Nedeljković, a member of the Board of Management for Production at BMW AG.

Experts at the BMW Group and Figure are collaborating to prepare Figure for future applications and to continue to develop robots based on the findings.

“We are excited to unveil Figure 02, our second-generation humanoid robot. Figure 02 has significant technical advancements, which enable the robot to perform a wide range of complex tasks, fully autonomously,” said Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure.

The robot is capable of human-like and two-handed tasks requiring varied and dynamic manipulation, complex grasping, and coordination of both hands in unison, Adcock said.

There is no timetable for bringing Figure robots to the plant.

Economist & ‘Futurist’ To Speak At 10 At Top Summit

The Ten at the Top biennial Upstate Summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Greenville Convention Center. The topic is: A Biennial Event to Reinforce the Value of Regional Thinking.

Author, economist and entrepreneur Rebecca Ryan will speak. The event also will include breakout sessions, a panel of Upstate leaders, and a chance to network with peers from across the region.

Ryan, a professional futurist, is the founder of NEXT Generation Consulting and partners with government leaders across the country.

Looking a generation ahead, Ryan outlines strategies in urban planning, economic development, and workforce development to ensure communities are equipped for trends and challenges.

Ryan has a certificate in Strategic Foresight from the University of Houston; she is the “resident futurist” at the Alliance for Innovation and on the executive committee of the global Association of Professional Futurists.

For information and registration, go to tenatthetop.org .

Local Realtor To Speak At Women’s Executive Luncheon

Racquel Collier, President of Caliber Real Estate, will speak at the Fourth Annual Women’s Executive Luncheon, hosted by Women Confidence Builders, on Aug. 27 at the Greenville Convention Center.

The event will include speakers, vendors, lunch, and networking opportunities with a focus on empowering women and building a strong community.

“It’s an honor to speak to such an amazing group of women, all dedicated to supporting and uplifting one another,” Collier said. “I’m thrilled to share my experiences and remind us of how vital it is to have a community of support, no matter what industry we’re in.”

Caliber Real Estate is a local development firm specializing in acquiring and developing multifamily communities and land. The company combines art, food, media, music and people to produce impactful projects.

Mauldin Police Department Launches Traffic Safety Team

The Mauldin Police Department has launched a four-person Traffic Safety Team that will focus on collisions and traffic violations. The team is led by Sgt. Stephen McLean and includes officers Bryan Mayfield, Ari Moser and Zach Neal.

The team will work a mix of days and nights with a focus on responding to and investigating collisions, as well as enforcing moving violations, such as speeding; DUIs; aggressive driving; the use of seat belts; equipment violations, such as defective turn signals; and improper street parking.

The team will operate throughout the city, concentrating on high-collision areas, school zones, and neighborhoods frequently used as cut-throughs. The team will also conduct frequent DUI checkpoints.

The primary function is to investigate collisions and enforce traffic violations to decrease the number of collisions, McLean said. “Our ultimate goal is to reduce collisions, reduce injuries and make this community safer,” he said.

Capt. Tab Clardy oversees uniform patrol and traffic safety. “We look forward to Mauldin becoming an even safer community through the enhanced enforcement of traffic-related laws,” he said. Clardy also said the traffic team will free up other officers to respond to emergencies, increase patrols in neighborhoods and improve response times.

The City Council approved the creation of four new positions for the police department in its most recent budget.

Anderson Automotive Sells Dealerships In Easley, Greer

Anderson Automotive Group has sold Chevrolet of Easley and Nissan of Greer to MCE Automotive Group for an undisclosed price. The two dealerships were among five acquired by Anderson Automotive from MCE a year ago.

Anderson Automotive President and CEO Michael Anderson said in a statement that the sale will allow the company to enhance customer service at locations in Greer, Greenville, Asheville, and a new dealership under construction in Cape Coral, Florida.

Anderson now owns eight dealerships in the Upstate, with a workforce of approximately 700. Anderson Automotive, a third-generation family-owned company, also purchased dealerships owned by Bradshaw Automotive in January 2023. Those dealerships are not part of this sale.

“Guided by customer feedback, we are committed to having a positive impact in our communities and optimizing resources to best serve our customers,” said James Farrell, Regional Vice President of Anderson Automotive.

Anderson Automotive owns 17 dealerships across the Carolinas and Florida with nearly 2,000 employees.

Greater Good Greenville Offers Seminars For Nonprofits

Greater Good Greenville will offer resource development seminars in August and September for nonprofit leaders who want to learn more about fundraising, forecasting and budgeting.

A session for funders will review upcoming elections across Greenville County and the state.

• Resource Development: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 28 at The Kroc Center in Greenville. Erik Daubert, Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive, will present the two sessions.

• Donor Relations: 9 to 11:30 a.m. For resource development staff, CEOs and board members. Topics – tools for creating programs that make donors want to give and how to measure success.

• Stewardship Best Practices: 12:30 to 3 p.m. For resource development staff. Topics – how to make donors feel appreciated and build a strong stewardship plan.

For tickets, go to resource-development .

• Financial Budgeting and Forecasting: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 25 at The Kroc Center. For nonprofit staff to plan the future of their organizations, make informed decisions, and achieve financial objectives. A budgeting and forecasting template will be provided to help with financial planning and response.

Dana McConnell of the Center for Developmental Services will present the seminar.

The event is free. To register, go to financial-forecasting-and-budgeting-tickets .

• Voting Matters - Primary Recap and What’s Ahead: For philanthropic funders, staff or board members of  foundations, or individual donors in Greenville County. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at University Center, Greenville.

Included: analysis of voter turnout, forecast of voting in November, and a presentation from the S.C. Election Commission.

The event is free, and lunch is included. To register, go to voting-matters-primary-recap .

Other events:

Oct. 23 - Making Meetings Matter

Nov. 20 - Managing High-Performing Teams

Greater Good Greenville helps organizations, and philanthropic and mission-minded people, solve problems, advocate, and invest jointly to address community challenges.

Seeking JL Mann Classmates

Pam McAbee Hoyt and other planners are seeking 201 high school students from the JL Mann Class of ’84 for a 40-year reunion on Aug. 24 at Willy Taco in Greenville.

Several class members decided to bring fellow graduates together. “Many of us are hitting our stride in our mid-50s,” said Hoyt, a former Mann cheerleader, a junior class president, and ’84 student body president.

Hoyt enlisted help from Dede Norungolo, former editor of the school newspaper. They joined forces with Suzanne Waldrop Sanders, Jeff Holder, Leigh Newman, Rex Carter and Lisa Tarrant to reach out through social media.

“We want to find our classmates and also recognize those who are no longer with us,” Norungolo said.

Some people are not online or have moved, said Hoyt, who still lives in the Upstate. “We have a website with all the details about the venue, the ‘80s music we will be playing, and how to register … It’s never too late to reconnect.”

For information, go to jlmann84.com .

Simpsonville Event Hosted By Vision Office Systems

The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours this month will be hosted by Vision Office Systems of S.C., 1200 Woodruff Road, Unit G-12. The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22.

The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce co-hosts Business After Hours with a different chamber member each month. The events allow members to highlight their offices, shops, products, and network with other business owners.

To register, go to business-after-hours .

Tickets, Sponsorships Available For Sippin’ In Simpsonville

Tickets are available for the Sippin' In Simpsonville wine tasting, presented By Weichert, Realtors - Shaun & Shari Group, from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 13 in downtown Simpsonville.

Regular and VIP ticket options are available. In addition to tastings, the event sponsored by the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce will highlight live music, art, and a walking tour of downtown shops and businesses. More than 25 businesses will pour one-ounce samples of local, regional and unique wines.

Limited sponsorships and opportunities to host tastings are available.

For tickets and information, go to sippin-in-simpsonville .

State Chamber To Visit Simpsonville Lunch Event

The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn will host the Legislative Grassroots Tour, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at the chamber’s Prisma Health Conference Room, 105A W. Curtis St.

The S.C. Chamber of Commerce’s annual tour is a component of the business community's competitiveness agenda. Last year, the state chamber visited 925 business leaders.

​Business owners and others can express their concerns and help develop the business community's 2025 legislative agenda.

The event includes lunch. For information and registration, go to lunch-learn-series .

Education Fair To Focus On Boarding Schools

The Upstate Education Preview will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Hyatt Regency Greenville. The free event is an education fair about schools with kindergarten through grade 12.

Previously called Boarding School Connect, the new format will host 50 schools and focus on inclusivity and public and private school options – including day schools, boarding schools and gap year opportunities.

The lead organizer is Bowdre Fortson Clayton, founder of Bowdre Educational Consulting. Clayton hopes to attract families from across the Upstate.

The event will feature information and opportunities for one-on-one discussions with representatives from participating institutions, including Spartanburg Day School; Christchurch in Topping, Virginia; Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee; and St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Anderson.

The event is partnering with the nonprofit, KIND of the Upstate. Registration is recommended. For information, go to upstateeducationpreview.com .

Flat Rock Playhouse Stages ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

The Flat Rock Playhouse’s next production Sept. 5 through 22 will be “Jesus Christ Superstar,” featuring a soundtrack and production performed by a company of rock vocalists.

The musical showcases lyrics and music by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The fictional portrayal explores the last weeks of the life of Jesus through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.

The cast features over a dozen professional vocalists, eight orchestra members, and the Flat Rock Playhouse apprentices. Aaron Lavigne and Jenna Rubaii join the company after leading the recent 50th Anniversary Tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Longtime playhouse favorite, Dustin Byley, will take the role of Judas. Other familiar faces are Nat Zegree, Alfred Jackson and Maddie Franke.

Tickets, show times, prices and information are available at flatrockplayhouse.org .

The nonprofit Flat Rock Playhouse Leiman Mainstage is located in the Village of Flat Rock at 2661 Greenville Hwy.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits