Category: Press Release

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Affordable Upstate, a private equity firm focused on workforce and affordable housing, has evolved its leadership structure by naming co-founder Mario Brown its new Chief Executive Officer.

This transition marks a significant milestone for Affordable Upstate, emphasizing its continued commitment to sustainable, community-driven housing solutions and robust investor returns.

Since its founding in 2016, Affordable Upstate has raised more than $55 million in investor equity, generating strong returns and providing several successful exits for investors. Brown, who purchased his first multifamily complex in 2014, brings more than a decade of multifamily investment experience and a strategic vision for scalable, cost-saving measures that directly enhance portfolio value and resident impact.

“Affordable Upstate was founded on the principle that affordable housing and strong investor returns can go hand-in-hand,” Brown said.

Brown highlighted the company’s focus on innovative, scalable solutions such as Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Property Management, and non-profit partner, Southeast Affordable Housing Administration, as examples of ways it will continue to grow.

“These initiatives allow us to implement cost-saving measures tailored to maximize portfolio value, enhance resident impact, and ultimately position us toward consistent performance with institutional-grade reporting standards,” he said. “With a strengthened leadership team, we are better positioned than ever to meet the challenges of inflation.”

In addition to Brown’s new role, Affordable Upstate has also added Chris Rawlings and Sam Gooding, to support its growth. Rawlings brings more than 30 years of financial and strategic planning experience, having previously served as Treasurer and Director of Corporate Accounting for Landmark Communications, Inc., and will now serve as Affordable Upstate’s fractional Chief Financial Officer.

In the Upstate, Bank of America has named Triune Mercy Center in Greenville, as its local 2024 Neighborhood Champion for their work providing emergency relief to individuals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and providing access to critical resources such as medical and legal aid, mental health counseling, and other social services.
As a Neighborhood Champion, Triune Mercy Center is awarded a $50,000 grant over two years, leadership training resources for the organization’s executive director, access to technical coaching and a national network of nonprofit peers.
“Bank of America is pleased to name Triune Mercy Center as our 2024 Neighborhood Champion in the Upstate, providing flexible funding and leadership training to help tackle local challenges and support the most vulnerable in our community.” said Stacy Brandon, president, Bank of America Upstate South Carolina. “This year we celebrate five years of strengthening nonprofits who are creating meaningful lasting change in our community and promoting economic advancement for individuals, families, and neighborhoods.”
Triune Mercy Center offers dedicated supportive services to assist people experiencing poverty in connecting with the resources they need to thrive.
“Triune Mercy Center aims to address the physical and emotional needs of those experiencing poverty with love, compassion, and hope,” said Reverend Jennifer Fouse Sheorn, Pastor & Executive Director of Triune Mercy Center. “The Neighborhood Champion award from Bank of America will better equip us to assist those seeking housing, jobs, mental health support, addiction recovery programs and other supportive services. It also will help us to provide training and offset educational expenses for for our service providers, as we strive to provide the best practices for those we serve. We are most grateful that this generous grant will help us to fulfill our mission and thus enhance our service to our community.”

Cassidy Coates Price, P.A. proudly announces that Fred W. (Trey) Suggs III has been elected President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association (SCDTAA) for 2025. This esteemed role reflects his outstanding contributions to the defense bar.

Trey Suggs has built a distinguished career in medical malpractice defense and professional liability. His contributions to the legal community include serving as SCDTAA Secretary and completing two terms on the Board of Directors. His election to President reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing the civil defense practice and supporting professional development for attorneys across South Carolina.

The South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association serves civil defense attorneys through education, professional development, and advocacy. Since its founding, the SCDTAA has elevated the standards of civil defense practice in South Carolina.

As SCDTAA President, Trey plans to enhance the association’s role in promoting ethical standards and advocating for the fair administration of justice. “I am honored to lead this organization of dedicated defense attorneys,” said Trey. “I look forward to collaborating with our members to further SCDTAA’s mission.”

Cassidy Coates Price, P.A. congratulates Trey on this accomplishment and is proud to support his leadership initiatives in 2025.

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About Cassidy Coates Price
Cassidy Coates Price is a small firm engaged in large firm practice. Our attorneys practice in a wide variety of areas including general litigation, commercial and corporate banking, real estate, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, governmental investigations, and probate.

For more information about Cassidy Coates Price, please contact Maggie Waddoups at +1 864 349 2611 or mwaddoups@cassidycoates.com.

YMCA of Greenville Hires Noel Brooks as Director of Annual Giving

GREENVILLE, S.C. (December 10, 2024) – YMCA of Greenville announces that Noel Brooks has joined the organization as the director of annual giving. Brooks brings more than fifteen years of experience in nonprofit management and philanthropic initiatives.

As the new director of annual giving, Brooks is responsible for managing and implementing a comprehensive annual fund strategy and overseeing donor activities. She will lead annual appeal campaigns to ensure fundraising goals are met to help further the YMCA’s mission of following the example of Christ, to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Before joining the YMCA, Brooks held the role of director of development at Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County where she dedicated her time to building strong relationships and inspiring others to support affordable housing initiatives. Seeing the tangible difference a collective effort can make in transforming lives and neighborhoods motivated Brooks to cultivate community engagement to improve the opportunity for affordable housing during her tenure. Previously she spent eight years as a development director at Community Christian school in Stockbridge GA.

Brooks graduated from Clearwater Christian College where she received a B.S. in Business Administration. She is a Riley Fellow, having completed the Diversity Leaders Initiative through the Riley Institute at Furman University which shapes her approach to fostering inclusive spaces in her professional and volunteer roles.

“Growing up with a deep sense of community, I have always been drawn to roles where I can facilitate change and foster connections,” said Brooks. “The Y is an institution that builds community among people of all ages and backgrounds, and I am excited for the opportunity to make a difference by furthering its mission.”

An economic impact study conducted by South Carolina research economist Dr. Joseph Von Nessen and co-commissioned by SCTAC and the SC Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes) reveals that the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center (SCTAC) in Greenville, S.C. has a profound $6.1 billion annual economic impact on the state of South Carolina, $5.9 billion of which is concentrated in the Upstate.

Located near I-85 in Greenville, S.C., SCTAC is a global business park that proactively supports advanced manufacturing –– including the aerospace and automotive sectors –– by providing the technology, infrastructure, and amenities necessary to attract and retain marquee companies. More than 100 companies currently operate at SCTAC.

Advanced manufacturing is one of the fastest growing industry clusters in South Carolina. Since 2010, total employment in this cluster has more than doubled (+103.5%), which compares to a growth rate of +27.6 percent for South Carolina as a whole.

The study identifies SCTAC as a primary contributing factor to this high rate of growth and a key asset for the economies of both the Upstate and South Carolina. As evidence, the study found that SCTAC supports approximately 17,873 jobs in the Upstate along with more than $1.3 billion in labor income annually. This confirms that SCTAC supports, directly or indirectly, 1 out of every 9 manufacturing jobs in the Upstate.

Furthermore, jobs at SCTAC companies represent high-wage, high-skilled positions that raise income levels locally and statewide. The average job supported (directly or indirectly) by all ongoing business operations at SCTAC is estimated to pay an average annual wage of $91,456. This represents a 70 percent wage premium over the average annual wage in the Upstate region across all jobs.

SCTAC’s total annual economic impact has tripled since the last time an impact analysis was conducted in 2017.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Housing Fund announced two key projects Tuesday morning aimed at creating strong affordable housing opportunities in 2025.

The first was the official start of the Greenville Community Home Trust, which aims to mimic successful models seen nationwide of focusing on home acquisition, renovation, and home ownership. The second is seeking a $5 million HUD Pro Housing Grant that would allow The Greenville Housing Fund (GHF) to update datasets about affordable housing in the community as well as support new construction, homeownership and rehabilitation preservation.

“We are so far ahead of the curb, it’s outstanding,” said Mayor Knox White, who kicked off the GHF’s annual meeting where close to 100 community, political and business leaders attended. “But let’s keep looking for new angles.”

As part of the conference, GHF staff highlighted some of the agency’s 2024 accomplishments while forecasting 2025.
Highlights include:
● 283 homes representing 425 people were created in 2024 on a $2.26 million investment from the GHF and creating $93 million in projects.
● Since its inception, the GHF has deployed $1.54 million in its Land Bank, and helped to preserve 730 homes, produce 1,018 homes, and support 93 homes with tax incentives.
● There are 332 homes representing 498 potential residents in the 2025 pipeline.
● A goal to establish a Resident Support Services program in 2025.

“We understand that we have a lot of work to do,” said Tiffany Santagati, Vice President of Operations. “We look forward to partnering with you and the broader community.”

GREENVILLE, SC – One of the Southeast’s leading experts on third spaces has launched a new website highlighting her expertise in this key commercial real estate sector.

Www.racquelcollier.com focuses on third places — the social spaces beyond home (first place) and work (second place) where people gather, connect, and engage with their community. These welcoming environments—such as cafes, parks, coworking spaces, and libraries—serve as hubs for interaction, fostering relationships and a sense of belonging. The site was designed by Showoff Creative.

This new site was launched by Racquel Collier, the CEO and Founder of Greenville-based Caliber Real Estate, a development firm specializing in acquiring and developing multifamily communities and land. When it comes to real estate development, Caliber takes a comprehensive approach to include interests like food, art, media and people to yield meaningful projects.

“Third places are natural offshoots of what I do in commercial real estate, and have really become a passion of mine,” Collier said. “I help developers and businesses create third places: vibrant, engaging spaces where community, culture, and connection come to life.”

Collier has become an in-demand speaker on the topic in the last year on top of her volunteering in the community including serving as Chairwoman of The Greenville Housing Authority Board, being a graduate of Leadership Greenville, and being named one of Greenville’s Best and Brightest Under age 35.

About Racquel Collier:

Racquel Collier is a thought leader in third places—spaces where community, culture, and connection thrive. She partners with communities, businesses, and developers as a speaker, trainer, and consultant for vibrant communities. Learn more at www.racquelcollier.com.

About Caliber Real Estate:

Caliber Real Estate is a development firm specializing in developing multifamily communities and land. They take a comprehensive approach to real estate develo

Greenville, S.C. – The Barbara Stone Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on supporting visionary and creative programs and initiatives for individuals with disabilities, recently awarded five Community Innovations Grants to Upstate non-profits. The Barbara Stone Foundation prioritizes investing in innovative programs directly supporting individuals with disabilities through their bi-annual Community Innovations Grants program.

Adaptive Pickleball, David’s Table, The SC School for the Deaf & Blind, Upcountry History Museum and Upstate Carolina Adaptive Golf were presented with Fall grants totaling $30,000.

“We awarded grants to support several recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to have more access and opportunity to attend camps and participate in golf and pickleball,” said Lara Ceisel, Executive Director of the Barbara Stone Foundation. “Through our Fall Community Innovations Grants, we also helped support a new sensory room at The School for the Deaf and Blind and gave a grant to the Upcountry History Museum Connections Café, which all align with our mission to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and expand their opportunities.”

Since 2018, over $400,000 has been given to local non-profits through the Community Innovations Grant Program, working to improve opportunities and fulfill the foundation’s mission of serving as a champion for individuals with disabilities since 1991. The Barbara Stone Foundation board of directors includes Nick Skenteris, President, Michele Reeves, Vice President, Riku Oinonen, Treasurer, Brooke Schmidt, Secretary, Lee Sowell, Matthew Collins, Jane Hart, Elizabeth Piper, Amy Hallasy, Lisa Finch, Audra Vellucci, Dana Gantt Moore, Marion Elliott, Board Member Emeritus and the Honorable Nick Theodore, President Emeritus.

To learn more about the Barbara Stone Foundation‘s Community Innovations Grants, visit www.barbarastonefoundation.org/grants/application-process.

Gateway, an Upstate program that exists to enhance the lives of adults living with severe and persistent mental illness, welcomed an esteemed group of elected officials, community partners, and advocates to its annual Community Breakfast on Friday morning. Held at the Gateway Clubhouse on Croft Street, the event showcased Gateway’s innovative programs that have transformed the lives of more than 1,550 adults living with mental illness in the Upstate since 1984, helping them lead vocationally productive and socially satisfying lives.
Attendees included local and state elected officials, including:
Greenville Mayor Knox White
Travelers Rest Mayor Brandy Amidon
Greenville City Councilman John DeWorken
State Senator Jason Elliott
Greenville County Councilmen Alan Mitchell and Frank Farmer
State Representatives Bruce Bannister, Paul Wickensimer, and Wendell Jones
The morning featured impactful presentations from Gateway leadership, an employment partner from MetLife, a Gateway parent, and a Gateway member. Each shared firsthand accounts of how Gateway supports individuals navigating mental health challenges.
“We are honored by the support of our elected leaders and partners who play a vital role in creating a community that prioritizes mental health,” said Randy Redlinger, Executive Director of Gateway. “Friday’s event was a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of raising awareness about the needs of adults living with mental illness in our region.”
Guests were invited to tour Gateway’s 20,000-square-foot Clubhouse, which operates on a workday model to foster social connection, vocational skills, and personal growth. Gateway is one of 12 international training bases for The Clubhouse Model and has trained more than 2,530 colleagues worldwide.