Category: Press Release

FUEL–a Greenville-based marketing agency offering a full suite of strategy, creative, branding, advertising, and PR services–recently announced that it has selected Project Host as its third quarter recipient for the FUEL for Good 2021 Grant program.

Through the grant program FUEL provides up to $10,000 of pro bono marketing services to a local nonprofit organization. FUEL has awarded the grant to seven organizations from nearly 100 applications received during the course of the program, which FUEL launched in 2020.

“We created the program as a way for our team to give back to the community and make a real impact by developing and executing strategic marketing and branding initiatives to support and further missions of local nonprofit organizations,” said Meredith Kinsey, FUEL president and COO.

Project Host, most widely known for its Soup Kitchen, serves Greenville-area residents living in poverty due to chronic unemployment or underemployment, lack of education or marketable job skills, or other barriers to sustained employment and financial stability. In addition to free food programs for both families and school-aged children, Project Host operates other programs designed to address the hunger issue in our community, including a culinary school, food truck, and a bakery.

By working with FUEL, Project Host seeks to grow the presence of its social enterprises, including the HostMobile food truck and bakery, which not only offer paid working opportunities for culinary school graduates but also increase awareness about Project Host’s mission and impact on the local community. On average, Project Host serves 48,000 free meals each year out of the Soup Kitchen and nearly 40,000 free meals to children through its Cooking for Kids program.

“We are so thankful that FUEL selected Project Host as the grant recipient this quarter, and we’re looking forward to their expertise and working alongside them to get the word out about our social enterprises,” said Tobin Simpson, Project Host CEO.

For more information about Project Host, please visit www.projecthost.org. More information and an application for the FUEL for Good Grant program are available at www.fuelforbrands.com/grant.

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Moirah Fair has joined the High Spirits Hospitality team as an Event Coordinator.

A graduate of Clemson University , Fair was named to the President’s List for five semesters and was a member of multiple Honor Societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Alpha Kappa Delta—the Sociology Honor Society, and Communications Honor Society Lambda Pi Eta.

Before joining High Spirits Hospitality, Fair worked as an assistant manager and event coordinator with South & West, an Upstate event venue, for almost four years.

“We are very excited to be bringing in Moirah,” said Tammy Johnson, President and CEO of High Spirits Hospitality. “Her experience as an Event Coordinator and understanding of the work that goes into this post will make her a valuable asset.”

About High Spirits Hospitality
High Spirits Hospitality is the parent company to five, independent brand companies – Liquid Catering, The Old Cigar Warehouse, Bravo1 Protection, and High Spirits Events – as well as the lead operation for Topside Pool Club in downtown Greenville. What started as a small bartending service has now grown into a sustainable business with 30 full-time employees, over 100 part-time employees, and a single vision of providing exceptional, hospitality-driven service to each and every guest.

Greenville, SC – We are pleased to announce Fredrik Makk has been named Global HR Business Partner for ABB, Dodge® Bearings and Power Transmission. In this role, Fredrik will be responsible for providing regular consultation and support in the implementation of the Dodge people strategy, while ensuring the business has the right leadership and employee capabilities for delivering present and future business goals. He will be a member of the senior leadership team and will report to Roger Costa, President for Dodge Bearings and Power Transmission.
Fredrik brings over 20 years of valuable human resources experience to our business including driving change and culture initiatives, implementing new systems, onboarding new providers, and managing through mergers and acquisitions. He comes to Dodge from Sandvik Materials Technology where he was Head of HR for the Tube Division for the last two years, and he has held various HR positions in Sandvik since 2005. Fredrik has a bachelor’s degree in international studies and business from Southwest Texas State University, and will be located in Greenville, South Carolina.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
A division of ABB, Dodge® Bearings and Power Transmission is considered a leading manufacturer of mounted bearings, enclosed gearing, and power transmission components in the nation. For more than 140 years, Dodge products have helped manufacturers in a broad range of industries increase the productivity and profitability of their operations. With in-depth knowledge of each industry and its specific needs and challenges, Dodge provides product solutions and develops ongoing innovations and advanced technologies to continuously help manufacturers improve output, decrease downtime, and enhance system value to their customers.

Media Contact
Lisa Dwight | Vice President, Marketing and Communications
678.640.0385 | lisa.dwight@us.abb.com

Greenville Federal Credit Union announced it will award $50,000 in grants to local non-profits as part of a charitable giving emphasis in the fall of 2021. The grants are a continuation of the Thanks and Giving Grants program launched during the credit union’s 50th Anniversary in 2018. The Thanks and Giving Grants program is designed to identify and provide funding support for community-based 501(c)(3) organizations that promote youth, education, community and economic assistance or relief in local areas across Greenville County. The 2021 Thanks and Giving Grants program will award five grants of $10,000 each to non-profit organizations committed to developing and implementing programs designed to improve prosperity in local communities within Greenville County.

“From the beginning, our credit union’s mission has been to give back to the Greenville community by providing affordable financial services to the people we serve and by investing back into the community in as many ways as we can.” said President Paul Hughes. “Continuing the Thanks and Giving Grants program this year will help us identify local organizations that share our community, youth and education focus, and allow us to directly support new projects that could have significant and positive impact for years to come.”

The 2021 Thanks and Giving Grants application is now open and the deadline to submit completed applications is September 17, 2021. Eligible organizations must hold a current tax-exempt status as a charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, be physically located in Greenville County, and directly benefit the local community. A panel representing Greenville Federal Credit Union will review applications and select the five recipients based on a set of criteria established by the Thanks and Giving Grants committee.

The 2021 Thanks and Giving Grants criteria and application can be found on the credit union’s website at: www.greenvillefcu.com/grants

On Thursday, November 18, 2021, the five Thanks and Giving Grants recipients will be announced during a special presentation and celebration lunch for members, special guests, lawmakers and local dignitaries at the credit union’s Wade Hampton Boulevard location.

About Greenville Federal Credit Union
Greenville Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial alternative to traditional banking with five branch locations in Greenville, Greer, and Mauldin serving more than 32,000 members. The more than $360 million credit union was founded by nine teachers from the School District of Greenville County as an educator’s credit union in 1968. In 2001, the credit union approved a conversion to a community-based charter to serve anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Greenville County. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), an agency of the federal government, insures all accounts up to $250,000. For more information, please visit the credit union’s website at www.greenvillefcu.com or call 800-336-6309.

FUEL, a Greenville-based marketing agency offering a full suite of strategy, creative, branding, advertising, and PR services, was recently named as one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. The annual program, created by SC Biz News in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group, was designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in the state, benefiting the state’s economy, workforce, and businesses.

“FUEL emphasizes a culture that not only inspires creativity and fuels our employees’ passion for professional growth and success but also puts the important things in life first: family, health, community, and fun,” said Warren Griffith, founder and CEO of FUEL. “We are delighted about this recognition, a testament to our unique culture and the family we’ve created at FUEL.”

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in South Carolina. The process included an in-depth evaluation of each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and processes, and demographics in addition to an employee survey to measure the employee experience at the workplace. The combined scores determined the 81 companies from throughout the state and the final rankings for the 2021 Best Places to Work in South Carolina. The ranked companies will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Columbia on August 5, and the rankings will be published in the August 2021 issue of SCBIZ magazine.

FUEL is an award-winning marketing agency that puts its team’s needs and happiness first, knowing that loyalty and productivity come naturally when employees are happy. Griffith says, “We believe fun stimulates the mind, spawns creativity, and creates a positive culture where employees want to learn, grow, and give their best effort.” In addition to traditional benefits, FUEL ends each work week at noon on Fridays, gives everyone their birthday off as well as the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, hosts regular social and professional development events, and has quarterly wellness competitions to promote healthy lifestyles.

FUEL has committees in place that touch every aspect of its business to give each team member a voice in the agency’s growth path. The agency is also heavily involved in supporting nonprofit organizations through its FUEL for Good Grant program. Each quarter, FUEL selects a local nonprofit and provides up to $10,000 of pro bono marketing services. These and other benefits and programs, along with a dedicated leadership team at FUEL, create a culture of engagement, communication, and collaboration.

Dodge® Bearings and Power Transmission, a division of global technology company ABB, announced that it is moving its headquarters from the current location in Greenville, S.C. to the new BridgeWay Station development in Mauldin, S.C. The relocation will allow Dodge, a leading manufacturer of bearings, gearing, and power transmission components, to create a more customer-focused innovation center.

The 143-year old company has spent more than 35 years in its current building on Pelham Road near I-85 and is making the move to a brand new office building in the much-anticipated new development in Mauldin. The move will affect more than 250 employees and is expected to take place by the end of 2021.

Following an extensive research and evaluation process on the cost to upfit its current building, the leadership team determined a relocation to a modern facility was the right decision for the company to meet its needs for current and future growth and development.

“As a leader in our industry, Dodge needs an office environment that aligns with our innovative, forward-thinking nature, and the new office building will allow for improved space utilization, better collaboration, lower maintenance costs, and improved operations all located in this exciting new development,” said Roger Costa, President of Dodge Bearings and Power Transmission. “We have a lot of great things happening at Dodge, and we are all looking forward to the many advantages our new innovation center will provide.”

The new location is a 75,000 square foot state-of-the-art building and will accommodate Dodge offices as well as an Innovation center for developing and testing of Dodge products.

The architecture, space design and layout, finishes, and furnishings for the new innovation center were selected to provide a flexible and collaborative work environment. “The new location is an investment in our business and employees, and our team has worked hard to create an ideal work environment with many amenities and resources for our team members, partners, and customers,” Costa added.

Referred to as the “Upstate’s first town center development,” BridgeWay Station, which officially broke ground in April, is a multi-phase, mixed-use development along I-385 near Bridges Road in Mauldin. On over 170 acres and a build out spanning many years, BridgeWay will feature offices, retail shops, restaurants, multi-family residences, hotels, outdoor event areas, and several parks. Dodge’s office building is part of phase one of the BridgeWay Station development.

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Architectural rendering courtesy of MCA Architecture

About ABB / Dodge® Bearings and Power Transmission:
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com

A division of ABB, Dodge® Bearings and Power Transmission is considered a leading manufacturer of mounted bearings, enclosed gearing, and power transmission components in the nation. For more than 140 years, Dodge products have helped manufacturers in a broad range of industries increase the productivity and profitability of their operations. With in-depth knowledge of each industry and its specific needs and challenges, Dodge provides product solutions and develops ongoing innovations and advanced technologies to continuously help manufacturers improve output, decrease downtime, and enhance system value to their customers.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty has announced its top agents for May.
Patrick Furman and Lisa Vogel were the top agents for listings sold in May, while Vogel and Alexis Furman were the top sales agents in May.
Furman was born and raised in Upstate New York. He chose to relocate to Greenville when he and his wife fell in love with the area after ONE visit. Furman has been in the title sector of real estate for 15 years, operating his own regional title search and property research company for the past 8 years. When he chose to move to Greenville, he felt becoming a Real Estate agent would be a perfect next step in his career.
Vogel specializes in Lake Keowee’s luxury market/private gated communities. She and her husband Bob have lived in The Reserve at Lake Keowee for years after moving there from Asheville, North Carolina. Before joining Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, Vogel had been in the top 5% of agents at Coldwell Banker and a member of that firm’s International President’s Circle Society. Before that, she had been the Broker-in-Charge for one of North Carolina’s largest real estate companies. She knows the business well, shall we say. Her experience, coupled with the reputation and sales power of Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, promises an “above and beyond” experience to those looking to buy or sell. Her clients can trust that she will only offer advice that she applies to herself. Her goal is to be her client’s best agent ever, earning friends for life. When not working, Vogel enjoys playing golf with Bob and their many friends in the Reserve year round.
Furman brings a personal touch to real estate. Perhaps it stems from her desire to form close connections with her clients, or from her in-depth understanding of Greenville. A Greenville native, she grew up attending Christ Church Episcopal School before obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Clemson (Class of 2014) and going on to get her master’s in Liberal Arts & History. Her master’s degree has helped her appreciate historical homes beyond their aesthetic appeal, one of the many reasons she fell in love with her 1930s Craftsman in the Augusta Road area. Speaking of neighborhoods, Furman has the inside perspective on multiple Greenville areas. She’s lived in Greer, Parkins Mill, Downtown Greenville, and now the Augusta Road area. When not killing it in real estate—she’s doubled her sales volume each year in the business—you can find Furman exploring Greenville with her loved ones, her husband, Robert, and goldendoodle, Blue. She loves to take Blue to all her favorite outdoor dining spots (ask Alexis for recommendations–you won’t be disappointed), and explore the local state parks and trails. In 2020, Furman was named to the Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty’s Chairman’s Circle for doing more than $10 million in sales volume.
About Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty:
Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty is one of the leading and most trusted names in real estate in Greenville. Joan Herlong founded the company in 2011 as AugustaRoad.com Realty. In 2017, Sotheby’s International Realty persuaded the company to affiliate and become Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. The company has more than doubled in both agent count and production volume since that time. Learn more at www.jha-sothebysrealty.com.
About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC
Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744.

GREENVILLE, S.C.— The sixth annual Reedy Reels Film Festival was held over the weekend of June 4th and showcased over forty films of all genres. Of those forty films, over a dozen were honored at the traditional post-festival award ceremony. The list of winners can be found below.

Best Ensemble Cast: Thumb War!
Best Actor: John McGinty, Silent Notes
Best Actress: Melissa Jackson, Hung Up
Best Director: Bradley Hawkins, Calf Rope
Best Student Film: Angora (Galen Cunningham, Hailey Roberts)
Best Animation: Girl and Robot (Joe Loftus)
Best Documentary: Invitation to the Dance (Sarah Shoemaker)
Best Adult: Advice (Pat Battistini)
Best Veteran: The Girl Who Wore Freedom (Christian Taylor)
Best Comedy: The Mountains We Climb (Jeremy Camp)
Best Women’s: Silent Notes (Kiki Tsakalakis)
Best South Carolina: ProDogTV (Randell Owens)
Best Short: Chasing Fletcher Allen (Jonathan London)
Best Feature: Bryn Gets a Life (Cameron Logan)
“Get Out of Greenville” (up-and-coming talent): Gunner Willis
Celebrity Appreciation: Hoyt Richards

Greenville has had a hand in many productions and raised just as many prominent actors and actresses, but has never been truly hailed as a destination for film buffs. Reedy Reels Film Festival aims to change that by showcasing films and filmmakers from the Southeast and beyond.

“We put in a lot of hard work to make this festival a special experience for audience members and filmmakers alike,” said Mike Giordano, Director of Operations for Reedy Reels Film Festival. “This year’s festival was our highest grossing yet, and it’s thrilling to see all of that work pay off.”

About The Reedy Reels Film Festival:
Reedy Reels is an independent Film Festival in Greenville, S.C. promoting the appreciation of the art of film-making while generating support for independent filmmakers in the Upstate. The Reedy Reels Film Festival is a non-profit organization that supports the education and appreciation of filmmaking. Learn more at www.reedyreels.com or follow the festival on www.facebook.com/reedyreels.

GREENVILLE, S.C. –The Chief Revenue Officer of Lima One Capital, Josh Craig, has been named one of HousingWire’s 50 Rising Stars of 2021

“Josh has led our sales teams from a full halt in March of last year to record production levels today,” said Jeff Tennyson, CEO of Lima One Capital. “I’m very excited, and certainly not surprised, that he is included on a list of mortgage industry executives under 40 who are making a meaningful difference in the future of our industry.”

Craig joined Lima One Capital in January 2020 as the Chief Revenue Officer. Navigating a global pandemic within 60 days of joining the company, Craig thrived and was able to quickly build a strategy to rebuild Lima One’s Sales and Marketing team and re-position the company as one of the top five originators in the Business Purpose Lending space.

In addition to revamping the company’s sales and marketing teams, Craig also led multiple initiatives over the past year, such as the creation of a Line of Credit program to greatly simplify and streamline the borrower underwriting process; creation of a ground-up New Construction product to provide more efficient and flexible capital to builders; and the creation of a Customer Experience team to focus on delivering industry-leading service to Lima One’s clients.

“I was fortunate to join a team of incredibly talented people when I Joined Lima One—a team that cares deeply about what we do and why we do it,” Craig said. “The amount of work we put in during the pandemic to reposition the company and rebuild our team has propelled us forward at breakneck speed and will only further cement our position as the Premier Lender for Real Estate Investors in the country. To see that work recognized, especially by a group as well-respected as HousingWire, is an incredible honor that I’m deeply grateful for.”

About Lima One Capital:
Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Lima One Capital, the nation’s premier lender for real estate investors, finances borrowers who are building, improving, and stabilizing neighborhoods across the nation. Lima One’s core loan products are Residential Transition Loans (FixNFlip), a 13-month bridge loan for investors who are buying, renovating, and selling properties; Rental property and portfolio loans for purchasing or refinancing residential rental properties using the best suite of rental loans in the industry; Multifamily bridge lending for the purchase, rehab, or refinance of 5+ unit multifamily properties; and New Construction loans for ground-up construction, in-fill, specs, and model homes. For more information, visit limaone.com.

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Krista McFarland has been hired by High Spirits Hospitality as an Executive Assistant to company President and CEO, Tammy Johnson.

McFarland earned her Certificate in Medical Administration from Compu College, and her Associate’s Degree of Arts in Business from Anderson College.

After college, she worked as a Private Chef in Atlanta, and then began her work as an Executive Assistant. In Acworth, Georgia, she worked as an executive assistant to a chiropractor who owned multiple other businesses in the medical field. She remained in this role until April of 2021, when she moved to Greenville.

“We’re so excited to have Krista at High Spirits Hospitality,” Johnson said. “Her commitment to business and service will make her a wonderful addition, and equally excellent executive assistant.”

About High Spirits Hospitality
High Spirits Hospitality is the parent company to five, independent brand companies – Liquid Catering, The Old Cigar Warehouse, Bravo1 Protection, and High Spirits Events – as well as the lead operation for Topside Pool Club in downtown Greenville. What started as a small bartending service has now grown into a sustainable business with 30 full-time employees, over 100 part-time employees, and a single vision of providing exceptional, hospitality-driven service to each and every guest.