Category: Press Release

FUEL – a Greenville, S.C.-based strategic marketing and branding agency – announced today that it has selected Aqua Angels as the FUEL for Good Grant recipient for the fourth quarter. Aqua Angels provides affordable and accessible swim lessons, water safety training, and lifesaving certifications for adult communities throughout the Upstate. Founded in 2021, the nonprofit has more than 500 adults registered through the program and partners with other organizations to provide instructors and pool facilities.

“We saw a great need for water safety and swim lessons among adults throughout our community, and there are many people expressing interest in the program since we launched just last year,” said Rebekah Craig, Aqua Angels founder and executive director. “We are so excited that FUEL selected us as their grant recipient and know they will deliver a logo to help us stand out and communicate our purpose.”

FUEL is committed to making a difference in the community and created the FUEL for Good Grant program in 2020 as a tangible way to give back and help local nonprofits. To date, FUEL has donated nearly 700 hours of service with work ranging from video production and logo development to social media campaigns and marketing collateral.

“Our FUEL for Good Grant program is an important community service initiative and an integral part of the FUEL culture,” said Warren Griffith, FUEL founder and CEO. “Our team is looking forward to working with Aqua Angels and bringing needed brand awareness to this nonprofit organization that is serving a great need in our community.”

For more information about Aqua Angels, please visit www.aquaangels.org. More information about the FUEL for Good Grant program is available at www.fuelforbrands.com/grant.

GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville Symphony Orchestra is pleased to bring music to the Upstate community this weekend in three free events for families. On Saturday, October 15, 2022, members of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra will perform three programs for families, at no charge.

The first two events are the Greenville Symphony Lollipops concerts. Lollipops concerts have been a Greenville staple for more than 40 years and combine a storybook narration with live classical music. On October 15, 2022, the Lollipops Concerts will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with the bilingual book “Tito Puente, Mambo King” featuring the Wind Quintet from the Greenville Symphony! SC Children’s Theatre Teaching Artist Traysie Amick will be joined by Leesa Brotherton, who will narrate in Spanish. There are two performance times for the Lollipops Concerts- 10 AM at the Hughes Main Library (25 Heritage Green Place, Greenville, SC 29601) and 11:30 AM at the Greer Library (505 Pennsylvania Avenue, Greer, SC 29650).

The third event is a Pop-Up Concert, Music in the Woods, which will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 2:00 PM in Paris Mountain State Park (2401 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609). The community is invited to listen to a piano in the woods at the amphitheater with Lisa Kiser, Principal Keyboardist of the Greenville Symphony, and David Kiser, Education and Community Engagement Manager. They will perform Beethoven’s complete Symphony No. 6 in F major, “Pastoral” arranged for Piano Four Hands. The concert is free; however, Paris Mountain charges a park admission fee.

THE GREENVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is celebrating its 75th Anniversary during the 2022-2023 season. Recognized as one of the finest professional orchestras in the southeastern U.S., it began as a small group of volunteer musicians performing in the Women’s Auditorium on the old Furman College campus. Since 1990 the GSO’s home has been The Peace Center in Greenville SC. The orchestra performs the classical repertoire in Masterworks and Chamber Series concerts and an Artists Up Close Series featuring smaller ensembles. In addition, they perform three Pops concerts annually. The GSO has been led by Music Director and Conductor Edvard Tchivzhel since 1999. The Russian-born Tchivzhel is the Symphony’s 5th Music Director. Through its Education and Community Outreach concerts and programs, the Greenville Symphony annually reaches more than 50,000 children and adults in the Upstate. greenvillesymphony.org

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GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sully’s Steamers, a favorite in downtown Greenville for over 9 years, has opened a new location in Mauldin. Located at Maverick Station at the intersection of Butler Road and Main Street, Sully’s serves up delicious and perfectly messy steamed bagel sandwiches. Founded by Robert Sullivan (aka “Sully”) out of his personal passion for perfecting the steamed sandwich, Sully’s also has restaurants in Clemson and Simpsonville, SC, and Brevard, NC, with a location opening in Spartanburg, SC later this Fall.

“From the start, we have been committed to delivering a great product in an inviting, neighborhood place where everyone feels welcome,” said Robert Sullivan. “As we begin to open franchise-operated restaurants, we are strategically choosing locations where we can really be a part of each community’s culture, and contribute to its growth.”

Bringing a lifetime of restaurant experience to Sully’s Steamers in Mauldin, Jim Canavos, Operator, said, “I grew up in a restaurant where we fed generations of families. It felt like a family reunion every day. It’s my plan to bring that same feeling to Mauldin.” Supporting Jim is a dynamic and energetic team, including General Manager, John Martinson, who has “a desire to make everyone’s day a bit brighter with the best sandwiches on the planet and a genuine care for every hungry stomach that comes through our doors.”

Sully’s menu boasts indulgent meat and cheese combinations alongside healthier options, like gluten-free and vegetarian, and includes kids’ favorites as well. Open 7 days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sully’s truly offers something for everyone. Catering will also be offered from the Mauldin location, as it is in all locations, so be sure to consider “not your basic ham on rye” for your next office luncheon or family gathering. This location will also have a pick-up window for online and DoorDash orders, so you can get your Sully’s sandwiches as quickly as possible!

DP3 Architects, Ltd. is pleased to announce the addition of Brittney Saitta, Austin Seay, and Daniel Kleban to the team.

Brittney Saitta, NCIDQ joins DP3 Architects as the Hospitality Studio interior designer. Saitta brings with her over 15 years of design experience. She has worked in a variety of commercial settings including hospitality, healthcare, higher education, and corporate interiors. Saitta holds a bachelor’s in interior design from the University of Kentucky and holds a National Council for Interior Design Qualification certification.

An Upstate native, Austin Seay joins the Higher Education studio as an architectural designer. Graduating in 2021, Seay received his bachelor’s degree in architecture and design from Clemson University.

Relocating from New Jersey, Daniel holds a master’s degree in architecture with minors in construction management and art history from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. His previous work experience includes design in hospitality-focused commercial spaces and high-end residential design. Dan will be bringing his skills and expertise to the Hospitality Studio.

DP3 Architects is excited to expand the team and we look forward to the contributions these team members will make toward our culture, projects, and mission.

DP3 Architects, established in 1984 and headquartered in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, is an architectural and interior design firm specializing in hospitality, higher education, and community projects. DP3 Architects designs projects that invite, inspire, and invigorate the people that work, live, and play in the spaces we create.

PEOPLE PLACES PURPOSE
www.dp3architects.com

YouthBASE, a nonprofit educational intervention program, recently welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Steve Hairston, Furman University; Daniel Mauldin, Elliott Davis; and Shannon Faulkner, Greenville County Schools.

Founded as a Greenville-based nonprofit in 2006, YouthBASE offers educational intervention for at-risk children through afterschool and summer programs. Its mission is to equip students in K-5 through 2nd grades with behavioral, academic, social and emotional competencies so they may succeed at school, home, and in the community.

YouthBASE targets critical learning gaps to help children reach grade-level readiness by the third grade, setting them up for long-term success and thereby disrupting the cycle of poverty. “As Greenville continues to grow, YouthBASE strives to bridge gaps in access and educational attainment for our youngest students who may otherwise be left behind,” says Executive Director Melissa Huff. “The outstanding individuals serving on our Board are rising to the challenges we face in Greenville by utilizing their skills and experience to ensure that children and families receive the holistic support they need to thrive in school, at home, and in the community.”

YouthBASE Board of Directors for 2022-2023:

Dee Henderson, Chair
Greenville County Schools, Blythe Academy

Ericka Reyes, Vice Chair
Hill + Knowlton Strategies

Alex Dupre, Treasurer
Canal Insurance

Thea Dirton, Secretary
Greenville County Schools, Tanglewood Middle School

Ellen Westkaemper
Greenville County Art Museum

Walt Herbert
Professional Tool Products

*Steve Hairston
Furman University

*Daniel Mauldin
Elliott Davis, LLC

*Shannon Faulkner
Greenville County Schools

*New board members

GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Edvard Tchivzhel, will open its 75th Anniversary Season with the Masterworks Series concert “the 75th Season Celebration Begins” on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, October 2, 2022, at 3 pm in Peace Concert Hall.

In honor of the 75th Anniversary, Knox H. White, Mayor of the City of Greenville, has proclaimed October 1, 2022, as “Greenville Symphony Day” and encourages all citizens to participate in the year-long celebration. Mayor White will present the Proclamation during the concert on October 1, 2022.

The opening Masterworks program will feature Where Water Flows, a world premiere by award-winning composer Bob Farnsworth. An alumnus of Furman University and long-time advertising executive, Farnsworth has created music for several IMAX Signature films. Farnsworth’s new piece was commissioned by the Peace Center in honor of the GSO’s 75th Anniversary. It celebrates Greenville’s industrial past, her natural beauty, and the rise of her award-winning downtown. Farnsworth’s company, Hummingbird Productions, also created a companion video to accompany the music during the premiere.

Following the debut of Where Water Flows, pianist Asiya Korepanova will join the Symphony to perform George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. Gershwin originally called this 1925 piece “New York Concerto,” and the work certainly seems to reflect the energy and restlessness of the metropolis. The brash optimism of Jazz Age America sparkles in the concerto’s spirited and suave melodies in this dazzling showpiece for a piano soloist.

During the second half of the concert, the Symphony will perform Beethoven’s immortal Symphony No. 5. Beethoven created one of the enduring monuments of Western music with his Fifth Symphony in 1808. The work’s opening four-note motif is one of the most familiar themes in music history and evokes a thrill of anticipation for the drama about to unfold.

“It is an honor and great pleasure for me to be part of such a historic celebration,” said Greenville Symphony Orchestra Music Director Edvard Tchivzhel, who has led the GSO for more than two decades. “I am very happy that a new piece was commissioned to mark the occasion.”

Tickets to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra’s “The 75th Season Celebration Begins” concert range from $20-$75, with special rates for students and teachers. To purchase tickets, visit the Peace Center box office at the corner of Broad and Main Streets in downtown Greenville, or call (864) 467-3000 between 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Monday through Friday.

THE GREENVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is celebrating its 75th Anniversary during the 2022-2023 season. Recognized as one of the finest professional orchestras in the southeastern U.S., it began as a small group of volunteer musicians performing in the Women’s Auditorium on the old Furman College campus. Since 1990 the GSO’s home has been The Peace Center in Greenville SC. The orchestra performs the classical repertoire in Masterworks and Chamber Series concerts and an Artists Up Close Series featuring smaller ensembles. In addition, they perform three Pops concerts annually. The GSO has been led by Music Director and Conductor Edvard Tchivzhel since 1999. The Russian-born Tchivzhel is the Symphony’s 5th Music Director. Through its Education and Community Outreach concerts and programs, the Greenville Symphony annually reaches more than 50,000 children and adults in the Upstate. greenvillesymphony.org

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The Cliffs is excited to announce its newest General Manager, Nicholas “Nick” Carlson, who will head operations for The Cliffs at Glassy. Nick brings with him an abundance of experience in both the management and tournament operations sectors, having managed clubs in California, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, and Arizona. A PGA member, Nick has an extensive background in all aspects of the golf industry including playing professionally, working bag drop, directing merchandise outlets for FedEx Cup Playoffs, running PGA Tour Champions tournaments, and creating full Member-Guest events. Most recently, Nick served as the General Manager at The Legend at Arrowhead, the championship golf club in Glendale, Arizona known for its striking 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed course.

“Nick’s wealth of experience within the golf world has rounded his skill set to a point that I know he will bring a hardworking, resourceful, and creative presence to an already outstanding club. His reputation for finding unique solutions for issues, and fostering a proactive, growth-centric culture, is perfectly aligned with our vision for The Cliffs,” said Rob Duckett, Vice President of South Street Partners, and President of The Cliffs.

A performance-driven manager, Nick’s primary passion is conceiving of – and implementing – new and fun golf and lifestyle events, particularly intimate dining experiences, which enhance Member interaction with the club and create lasting memories. Keenly aware that staff culture is something that informs the entire Member experience, Nick’s enthusiasm for team building has equipped him to grow the hospitality culture and surpass Member expectations at every job he has had. A self-motivated leader who uses consistent, firm pressure to inspire and drive change, he is committed to creating and maintaining a fantastic environment for his staff and Members.

An alumnus of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s in design studies, Nick achieved a PGA Class A Member ranking in 2016. He is excited to invest his energies into all aspects of the club, helping his team members grow, and ensuring the Member experience remains exceptional. Nick looks forward to meeting the membership and enhancing an already stellar operation.

A native Arizonan, Nick fell in love with South Carolina years ago and is excited to set family roots in the Palmetto State. Supported by his wonderful wife of five years, Kate, and almost 2-year-old son Bruin, the family arrives at The Cliffs with their three dogs named after their favorite teams: Colt (Indianapolis Colts), Hawk (Seattle Seahawks), and Ryder (Frisco Rough Riders). As huge sports fans, Nick and his family are looking forward to going to a bunch of Swamp Rabbits & Drive games.

The Mountain Region — home to The Cliffs at Glassy, The Cliffs at Mountain Park, and The Cliffs Valley — is one of spectacular natural beauty, with soaring mountain peaks, towering waterfalls, and leafy country roads that lead to a charming collection of neighboring towns: Hendersonville, Flat Rock, and Greenville. Because they’re minutes apart, they conveniently multiply sporting, dining, and socializing options for members, while also laying at the geographic heart of all seven clubs.

Lamar Gambrell, Director of Training and Development for Dodge Industrial, Inc., was accepted into the 49th class of Leadership Greenville. The flagship leadership program is described, by Greenville Chamber’s website, as developing a legacy of community– a “10-month intensive experience where participants work in teams on a volunteer project designed to make them more informed, committed, and equipped to be a leader for Greenville County.”

Gambrell joined Dodge over 19 years ago and has held several positions in Supply Chain, Production Management, Engineering, Quality, and Human Resources. He is globally responsible for quality at Dodge. However, he has recently been named Director of Training and Development. In this role, he will create a rotational and development program for engineers and optimize Dodge recruiting tools and processes.

Gambrell says, “My motivation to participate in Leadership Greenville is to give back to the community that has contributed to the success in my personal and work life. I will never forget that everyone has received help from their community along the way to become the person they are. I look forward to the opportunity of tackling complex and challenging problems within this community and working with like-minded leaders for creative and innovative solutions.”

Dodge supports Gambrell’s participation in the 49th class of Leadership Greenville 100 percent and is committed to serving the Greenville community. He joins the legacy of 16 other Dodge employees who have participated in the program.

Congratulations Lamar Gambrell!

In 2020, Blue Ridge Electric Co-op (BREC) and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of WCTEL, joined forces to create Upcountry Fiber, an internet service provider that bridges the digital divide by bringing broadband internet service to rural and other under and unserved communities. Today, both companies, under the Upcountry Fiber brand, officially launched a new foundation to give back to Upstate philanthropic organizations.

The newly formed Upcountry Fiber Foundation is a permanent endowment. Its focus will be on funding non-profits that serve the community in education, youth, culture, arts, and health and human services areas, as the foundation is committed to creating a stronger connection between the organizations that link people and businesses with areas of need.

On September 19, the organization will kick off its inaugural Upcountry Fiber Foundation Charity Classic golf tournament at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards to raise seed money for its endowment. The presenting sponsor is utility construction contractor ElectriCom. Other Upstate companies have also invested to sponsor this first-year event.

Upcountry Fiber Foundation is building on the 23-year legacy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s Blue Ridge Fest, an annual event that raised more than $3 million for area non-profits by bringing people together around their love of classic cars, music, and family. That event ceased to operate in 2020 due to the negative impact the pandemic had on holding large events.

“When COVID stopped Blue Ridge Fest, we had an opportunity to re-evaluate how we wanted to give back. With the timing of the launch of Upcountry Fiber and both WCFIBER’s and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative’s shared vision to improve the lives of our neighbors, it made sense to join forces with one philanthropic arm,” Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “The Upcountry Fiber Foundation and its future fundraising events and initiatives replace Blue Ridge Fest, but it also expands how far and wide of an impact we can collectively make.”

“Utility co-ops have a long-standing history of stepping up to help people in their communities. It is a part of our shared culture and beliefs to contribute to making them stronger,” said Jeff Wilson, president and CEO of WCFIBER. “Upcountry Fiber Foundation is an extension of this and we are excited to pour into the philanthropic organizations in our footprint that are making a difference right here where we live.”

In early 2023, Upcountry Fiber Foundation will open and announce the application process for grant funding in the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg Counties.

For more information about Upcountry Fiber Foundation, visit: https://www.upcountryfiber.com/foundation.

About Upcountry Fiber Foundation
The Upcountry Fiber Foundation (UFF) is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of Upcountry Fiber. Founded in Spring 2022 by Upcountry Fiber’s two governing organizations: Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER, UFF established a permanent endowment that will enrich the lives of residents in the Upcountry Fiber and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative service territories. UFF will proudly offer financial support to philanthropic organizations that serve the community in the interests of education, youth, culture, arts, health, and human services.

About Upcountry Fiber
Upcountry Fiber is a high-speed fiber internet provider to the five counties of Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Established in Fall 2020, Upcountry Fiber is the product of a partnership between Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and WCFIBER, a subsidiary of West Carolina Telephone Cooperative. Founded by organizations created to electrify and connect rural areas of South Carolina; decades later, Upcountry Fiber’s mission is to bridge the digital divide. Offering symmetrical internet speeds up to 1 Gbps over a fiber network, Upcountry Fiber has the fastest and most reliable high-speed internet in the area. To learn more about Upcountry Fiber, visit us at www.UpcountryFiber.com.

Now in its 28th year, the Greenville Business Magazine’s annual Best and Brightest 35 and Under issue honors individuals throughout the Upstate that are making strides in the business community. DP3 Architects is pleased to announce that Kunal Patel, AIA has been selected as an honoree for the 2022 list.
Patel has been with the firm for 7 years and currently serves the Higher Education Studio Leader and was named an associate in 2022. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Clemson University.
“Kunal’s leadership and talent are invaluable not only to DP3 Architects but also to our community,” said Brian Thomas, president and CEO of DP3 Architects. “We are proud to have him on our team and this recognition is well-deserved.”
Patel is actively involved in the community. He has been AIA Greenville member since 2017, serving as both event director and treasurer, as well as volunteering with The United Way. Through his professional practice, he has helped design several community projects including the City of Greenville Parking Services renovation, Clear Spring Fire-Rescue Headquarters, South Greenville Fire Station 74, and the City of Easley Fire Department Headquarters.
“I’m humbled to be acknowledged as one of the Best & Brightest in the Upstate along with the other talented professionals that were selected,” said Patel. “It’s an honor to represent DP3 Architects with this achievement and I look forward to continuing focusing on leadership development and community involvement.”
This year’s ceremony recognizing the Best & Brightest was held on September 14th and all winners will be featured in the September 2022 issue of Greenville Business Magazine.
DP3 Architects, established in 1984 and headquartered in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina, is an architectural and interior design firm specializing in hospitality, higher education, and community projects. DP3 Architects designs projects that invite, inspire, and invigorate the people that work, live, and play in the spaces we create.

PEOPLE PLACES PURPOSE
www.dp3architects.com