Countybank VP Named Outstanding Young Banker In SC
Countybank has announced that its Senior Operations Officer, Rufus Thornwell “Wells” Dunlap V, has been named South Carolina’s Outstanding Young Banker of the Year.
Dunlap’s father, R. Thornwell Dunlap III, currently serves as President and CEO of Countybank; he received the award in 1996.
The Outstanding Young Banker Award is the highest honor presented in South Carolina’s banking industry. Sponsored by the SCBA Past Chairmen’s Club, the award has been given to one banker every year since 1970.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers,” Dunlap said. “The first thing that comes to mind is that I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the people who have influenced me along the way.”
Dunlap credited his colleagues at Countybank, his peers across South Carolina, and his family and friends.
Dunlap has been with Countybank since 2013. He served as Chair of the Young Bankers Division for South Carolina in 2023. In Greenwood, he serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, the Greenwood Genetic Center Foundation, and the Greenwood Museum.
“In 1990 there were over 12,000 banks in the United States,” Dunlap said. “Today only 4,000 or so banks remain. That number is something I think about all the time. Countybank has been around for 91 years, and I’m committed to calling this bank home because I believe in the people and businesses we serve.”
Dunlap’s coworkers praised his contributions to the industry.
“Not only does Wells understand and advocate for community banking – the kind of banking that gives back to its neighbors – but he lives it daily,” said Geoffrey C. Crocker, EVP and Chief Credit Officer for Countybank.
“Our bank sponsors volunteer events throughout the year, and Wells consistently shows up to be a part of the team. That kind of servant leadership speaks volumes to our employees and customers.”
As Senior Operations Officer for Countybank, Dunlap leads nearly one-half of its employees, including those in retail banking, bank operations, digital banking, customer service, marketing, and communications.
Dunlap’s father reflected on his son’s leadership. “It’s nice to see a new generation of leadership rising to serve our customers,” he said.
Voting Deadline Nears For Simpsonville A-List
Nominations have been tallied and voting is underway for the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration and A-List Awards Presentation, presented by Prisma Health. The deadline for voting is Aug. 2.
The awards will be presented at a dinner on Aug. 15 at Holly Tree Country Club, 500 Golf Club Drive.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tables, sponsorships and guest registrations are available. To register, go to Register and scroll to the correct date.
The public may vote for one (of two) chamber members in the following categories: Animal & Pet Care, Banking & Financial Services, Beauty & Personal Wellness, Business Development Services, Entertainment & Attractions, Event Venues & Services, Health Care Providers, Housing & Real Estate Services, Insurance & Legal Services, Maintenance & Repair Services, Manufacturing & Distribution, Minority-Owned Business, Nonprofit Organization, Restaurants & Caterers, Senior Facilities & Services; and Shopping & Retail.
The community will choose the final winner. For a list of finalists and a ballot, go to Finalists and Voting .
Human Trafficking Symposium Open To Greenville On Aug. 23
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System will host its sixth annual Human Trafficking Symposium from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Grace Church Pelham Campus.
There is no cost to attend, and the event is open to the public. The symposium will feature presentations by internationally recognized experts on human trafficking who will help participants learn what they can do in the community in response to the humanitarian crisis.
Registration is encouraged, but not required. No one will be turned away. To register, go to Symposium .
Mauldin Police Host National Night Out
The Mauldin Police Department will host National Night Out 2024 from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Mauldin Cultural Center outdoor amphitheater, 101 E. Butler Road. The annual event will include free food and beverages, music, and family-friendly activities designed to enhance the relationship between police officers and the community.
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Greenville Triumph and The Blood Connection will be special guests.
“Our goal is to create a fun environment for neighbors to be able to interact with the police officers who protect this community,” said Lt. James Madden, who organized the event for the fourth year. “This is a great opportunity for community members to get to know and establish bonds with police department members of all ranks and divisions.”
Officers from the Patrol, Investigations, Special Response, K-9, Community, and School Resource divisions will be available to interact with the public.
A petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses, balloon art and a chalk zone will be featured, as will police vehicles, fire trucks, a K-9 demonstration, and DUI and fire education.
DJ Super Joe of The Edge Entertainment will provide music. Hot dogs, soda and other snacks will be available while the food lasts.
National Night Out is an annual campaign. In 2021 and 2022, the National Night Out Organization presented awards to the Mauldin Police Department.
Sponsors are Robert E. Ianuario, PC; Christina Ortiz – State Farm; Davis Services Inc.; Pepsi; Hollywood Feed; Dobson Towing Inc.; Carolina Auto; Petty Jessie’s Fun Ice; Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union; The Edge Entertainment; Senior American Services, Inc.; Butler Express Car Wash; Publix; and Barcel USA.
For information, go to Night Out .
Application Deadline Approaches For ConvergeSouth Innovators
Startup companies may apply for spaces at the entrepreneurial conference, ConvergeSouth 2024, which will take place Oct. 3 and 4 at Biotech Place in the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter in Winston-Salem.
Exhibitors may apply for a demo table and connect with as many as 100 investment firms. Benefits include 50% off two all-conference tickets; mainstage pitch and grant funding opportunities; one-on-one investor meetings; and networking with investors and founders. The deadline to apply is Aug. 2.
To apply for a table, go to ConvergeSouth .
Flywheel Ready For Tours, To Host 1st Conference
Greenville’s newest coworking space opened this month and is available for hard hat tours. The space is designed and managed by Flywheel Coworking. It is the largest space in Flywheel’s network.
The building once housed a Pepsi bottle plant. To arrange a visit, contact community manager Olivia Evans.
The space is located at 25 Goldsmith St. The easiest access to parking is via 701 Poinsett Hwy. To book a date, go to Flywheel tours .
In addition, Flywheel will host the Carolina Code Conference in Greenville on Aug. 23 and 24. Flywheel is not the organizer. Up to 250 people are expected to attend.
For information, go to Code Conference .
Information Available About Saluda Grade Trail
The Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy will host presentations in August about the findings from a year-long study of the Saluda Grade Trail, a proposed 31-mile trail that would connect Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.
A session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 6 at Polk County High School, 1681 NC-108, Columbus, North Carolina.
And a session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Gramling United Methodist Church, 14941 Asheville Hwy. in Inman.
TPD Inc., the firm that conducted the study, will discuss public input, including community goals and concerns; the rail-to-trail development process; the condition of the trail corridor and bridges; trail design and safety recommendations; and the projected economic impact.
The trail recently received a $450,000 grant from the federal Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE). The Saluda Grade Trail is one of four projects selected.
Mauldin Theatre Takes On New Season
The Mauldin Theatre Company at the Mauldin Cultural Center has announced a diverse selection of shows for its 2024-2025 season.
“A Chorus Line,” the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical, will open the season with 20 local performers and a 17-piece orchestra.
The musical will run from Aug. 15 to Sept. 1; show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays. The price is $20; or $15 for seniors, the military and students. The presenting sponsor is WOW Fiber Internet.
The rest of the season includes “Sweeney Todd,” “The Wild Party,” “Mean Girls Jr.,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “The Bodyguard - The Musical.”
"This season marks a bold new chapter for the Mauldin Theatre Company. We're not just raising the bar; we're redefining it," said Kristofer Parker, Theatre and Production Coordinator of the Mauldin Cultural Center.
For information and tickets, go to Mauldin Theatre .
Upstate Forever To Train Advocates For Conservation
Upstate Forever will host a free training event so that people can learn to advocate for the environment from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Cannon Center in Greer.
The organization’s Land Planning & Policy team will provide interactive tips to build bridges across the political spectrum by learning to find and communicate with local decision-makers and advocate effectively for conservation priorities related to land use.
For information, go to Training .
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: In The Know: News, updates from Greenville area businesses and nonprofits
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