Category: Press Release

Greenville, SC (October 29, 2024) – Cassidy Coates Price is proud to announce that Trey Suggs has been invited to become a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a prestigious national organization dedicated to preserving the jury trial system and promoting excellence in legal advocacy.

As a respected attorney with an established record in medical malpractice defense and commercial litigation, Trey Suggs has dedicated his career to upholding the highest standards of professionalism in trial advocacy. His invitation to join ABOTA recognizes his contributions both within and outside the courtroom as well as his commitment to providing skilled representation to his clients.

“I am truly honored to be invited to join ABOTA,” said Suggs. “Membership in this organization is a privilege, and I look forward to working alongside fellow trial advocates who share my commitment to protecting the integrity of our legal system and ensuring the right to a jury trial.”

With this new honor, Trey Suggs joins an elite group of trial lawyers and judges committed to preserving the civil jury trial as a vital component of justice in America.

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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.

Greenville, S.C. — Hotel Hartness is proud to announce the promotion of Gianna Smutzki to Executive Chef. Smutzki, who has been an integral part of the Patterson Kitchen + Bar’s culinary team since its 2023 opening, previously served as Chef de Cuisine and has more than 12 years of experience in fine dining, with expertise in French cuisine, seafood, and plant-based dishes.

“Chef Smutzki’s passion for culinary excellence and her innovative approach to cooking truly embody the spirit of Hotel Hartness,” said Albert Mertz, General Manager of Hotel Hartness. “We are thrilled to see her step into the role of Executive Chef, where she will continue to elevate the property’s guest experience and showcase the incredible local flavors that our patrons enjoy.”

In her new role as Executive Chef, Smutzki will oversee culinary programming across the hotel, including Patterson Kitchen + Bar, The Captain, and over 16,000 square feet of dedicated event space. She will continue to work closely with the on-site Hartness farm, sourcing fresh, local produce to craft seasonal menus that reflect her passion for sustainability and innovation. Smutzki will also collaborate with the culinary team, including Chef de Cuisine Veronica Rodriguez, to ensure that Patterson Kitchen + Bar remains a premier destination for fine dining in the Upstate, offering a variety of weekly specials, including a chef’s vegan special.

“Being part of the Hotel Hartness team and working with local farms has allowed me to connect more deeply with my cooking and with the guests we serve,” Smutzki says. “I’m excited to continue enhancing our culinary offerings with dishes that inspire and delight our guests.”

Formerly a family home located in the award-winning Hartness community and nestled next to a 180-acre nature preserve, Hotel Hartness offers a tranquil natural retreat near downtown Greenville. The property stands out in the Upstate as a destination for luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and resort-style amenities. For more information on Hotel Hartness, visit www.hotelhartness.com, or follow along on Instagram @hotelhartness.

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About Hotel Hartness
Hotel Hartness, a luxury boutique hotel situated within the award-winning Hartness community, offers 73 guest rooms, an executive conference center, waterside dining, and a luxury spa. It is located on South Highway 14 between Pelham and Woodruff roads – conveniently located on Greenville’s urban edge adjacent to the I-85 corridor, ten miles from downtown and five miles from GSP Airport. For more information on Hotel Hartness, visit www.hotelhartness.com.

About Hay Creek Hotels
Founded in 2005 and based in Exeter, New Hampshire, Hay Creek Hotels is a leader in upscale independent full-service lodging and dining. Guided by international hospitality industry veterans, the company prides itself on a unique combination of award-winning dining experiences, exceptional guest service, and contemporary accommodations. The company offers a full spectrum of technical and third-party management services to boutique hotel owners and developers. Hay Creek Hotels combines decades of industry expertise with fully integrated management systems specifically designed for full-service upscale and luxury-oriented hotels, inns, and resorts. For more information, please visit www.haycreekhotels.com.

About Hartness
Hartness is an award-winning 482-acre urban village offering residences and homesites, as well as opportunities for dining, shopping, entertainment, and office space, connected by lush pathways, green streets, and community gathering spaces. Adhering to the planning principles of New Urbanism and conceived as a Traditional Neighborhood Development, it also boasts unique amenities, including the Grand Lawn, the Sports Garden, The Hartness Farm, 15 miles of outdoor trails throughout the development’s 180 preserved acres, a fitness center, and many sparkling lakes and ponds. Additional amenities will include a Swim Club, a Racquet Sports Center, and Clubhouse. The Village Center at Hartness, open to residents and the public alike, is currently home to The One 5 at Hartness and will eventually house various specialty retail shops, casual and fine dining, and essential community. Located within the community is Hotel Hartness, which offers 73 guest rooms, an executive conference center, waterside dining, and a luxury spa. Hartness is located on South Highway 14 between Pelham and Woodruff roads – conveniently located on Greenville’s urban edge adjacent to the I-85 corridor, ten miles from downtown and five miles from GSP Airport. For more information on Hartness, visit www.hartnessliving.com.

McMillan Pazdan Smith has received the highest honor that AIA South Carolina can award an architecture firm. “The Firm Award” recognizes a firm that exemplifies the very best of the profession. Before bestowing this award, the AIA South Carolina Board of Directors considers a firm’s body of work, their contribution to the profession, and service in the community.

In acknowledgement of McMillan Pazdan Smith’s longstanding and continued influence on the practice of architecture in South Carolina, MPS leaders accepted The Firm Award at the 2024 AIA SC Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration on the evening of October 25th at Avenue in Greenville, South Carolina.

“AIA awards are carefully structured and highly competitive. We are thrilled to share this honor publicly in the hopes it will continue to inspire the next generation of architects to aim high and continue to elevate our profession in South Carolina and beyond,” says Brad Smith, Founding Principal of McMillan Pazdan Smith. “MPS has focused on serving amazing clients with integrity and bringing tangible, positive improvements to communities since 1955. While our talent, reach, and service offerings continue to grow, our purpose of creating lasting impact for the good of all has never been stronger.”

“We’re thankful to AIA SC for this prestigious recognition. This award justifies our firm’s unwavering commitment to design excellence as we strive daily to improve everything we touch and reimagine what’s possible in the built environment,” says Cary Perkins, Principal + Director of Design Engagement, McMillan Pazdan Smith.

The theme of this year’s awards ceremony was “Textiles & Tuxedos: Weaving History into Design.” McMillan Pazdan Smith’s Lisa Lanni opened the evening’s program with a presentation on the legacy and status of Greenville’s historic mill buildings.

About AIA South Carolina:
The South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is an association dedicated to providing its members with opportunities to gain knowledge through continuing education, advocate together with one voice for the public’s health, safety and welfare and become more involved in communities. AIASC has a long tradition of recognizing individuals, organizations, and projects for exemplifying the very best in architecture.

About McMillan Pazdan Smith:
McMillan Pazdan Smith, founded in 1955 with eight offices across the Southeast, offers a broad range of architecture and advisory services to a diverse group of public and private clients serving K-12, higher education, healthcare, civic, industrial, commercial and living markets. MPS’ mission is to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all in the communities they serve. Through a collaborative culture and innovative design solutions, the firm enjoys a premier clientele and diverse portfolio of complex projects that have received local, regional, and national recognition.
McMillan Pazdan Smith has studios in Atlanta and Augusta GA; Asheville and Charlotte, NC; and Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg, SC. For more information, please visit: mcmillanpazdansmith.com

SOUTH CAROLINA (October 29, 2024) – Sustain SC, a nonprofit organization connecting the sustainability goals of business in South Carolina with local solutions, is thrilled to announce Kristen Austin Gunter has joined as Senior Vice President of Conservation.

With a robust background in conservation and sustainability, Kristen will lead conservation efforts for Sustain SC as it continues to unite diverse groups and create solutions for natural resources and people alike. For more than 25 years, she worked with The Nature Conservancy, where she spearheaded conservation programs in South Carolina, the Midwest, and the Southern Appalachians.

“Sustain SC is in a unique position to proactively advance sustainability in a way that prioritizes conservation, and I am extremely grateful to be a part of such an important mission,” said Kristen Austin Gunter, Sustain SC Senior VP for Conservation. “I believe the key to success is trusted relationships, and I look forward to building collaborative partnerships that benefit South Carolina’s economy, environment, and people.”

Kristen will be instrumental in igniting change by delivering practical solutions, capitalizing on policy expertise, managing sustainable financing, and fostering partnerships to target the specific needs of each industry in the state. As a former conservation director, Kristen negotiated complex land transactions and managed natural resources in alliance with government agencies, non-profits, and public utilities.

“As Sustain SC grows, Kristen’s leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening the connection between conservation and commerce in South Carolina,” said Leslie Skardon, Sustain SC CEO. “We’re excited to welcome someone with Kristen’s expertise and believe her background will enhance our ability to execute The Roadmap to Sustain SC and expand our conservation efforts across the state.”

Kristen is a respected community leader in Greenville and was appointed by the Greenville City Council to serve on its Sustainability Committee where she plays an active role in shaping the city’s future. Her successful completion of Leadership Greenville and the Urban Land Institute’s Sustainable Leadership Program further reflects her dedication and commitment to driving meaningful change.

Leveraging her love for conservation with strong business and relationship skills, Kristen is poised to bring South Carolina businesses together to strengthen established industries, draw in emerging sectors, enhance the well-being of all residents, and preserve natural resources.

About Sustain SC
Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that connects the sustainability goals of businesses in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment, and people.

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GREENVILLE, S.C. – October 28, 2024 – Northwestern Mutual – Upstate SC and Furman Paladin senior linebacker #39, Evan DiMaggio, proudly announce their participation in the National Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Cancer Champion Competition. The fundraising competition was designed to support critical childhood cancer research for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a long-time partner of Northwestern Mutual.

“Evan and the other football players are making an incredible impact on and off the field. It has been inspiring to watch communities, businesses, and universities rally behind these athletes’ efforts and come together for such a meaningful cause,” said John Tripoli, Managing Director for Northwestern Mutual’s Upstate SC offices.

As part of the competition, student athletes from FCS schools and their local Northwestern Mutual offices have come together to help drive donations to accelerate the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. Each player is raising funds in a variety of ways including rallying friends and family, reaching out teammates and alumni networks, and leveraging social media to promote Northwestern Mutual’s #LemonTopChallenge. For every challenge completed, Northwestern Mutual will donate $10, up to $100,000, to ALSF.

Northwestern Mutual will donate $10 to the designated player’s fundraising page for anyone who takes the challenge and posts it to their social media feeds up to $100,000. To participate in the #LemonTopChallenge, participants are required to balance a Lemon on your head, snap a picture, post the photo on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram Feeds, and tag @alexslemonade, @northwesternmutual, #GoPaladins and #LemonTopChallenge. All tags must be included.

About Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation:
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. Her spirit and determination inspired others to support her cause, and when she passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement. Today, ALSF is one of the leading funders of pediatric cancer research in the U.S. and Canada raising more than $200 million so far, funding 1,000 research projects and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $490 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With over $627 billion of total assets1 being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, more than $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 110 on the 2024 FORTUNE 500 and was recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the “World’s Most Admired” life insurance companies in 2024.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

1 Includes investments and separate account assets of Northwestern Mutual as well as retail investment client assets held or managed by Northwestern Mutual.

Upstate businesses brought their best tailgate game to Fluor Field on Oct. 24 for a unique fundraising event. Broadstreet, Inc., a Greenville-based private equity firm, hosted its third annual flag football tournament that raised a total of $62,540 for Upstate Warrior Solution, a local nonprofit serving veterans, first responders and their families across Upstate South Carolina.

“Nothing brings people together like tailgating and football,” said Joseph Baldassarra, president of Broadstreet, Inc. “We wanted to capture that Southern spirit while making a tangible difference for those who have served our country. Seeing our business community come together to play some ball and raise funds to support our veterans and first responders is what our community is all about.”

The tournament transformed Fluor Field into a festive tailgate atmosphere, complete with live entertainment, ziplining across the field and friendly competition among Upstate businesses:
• Contender Development/Blackstream
• Durham Homes
• ScanSource/A3 Communications
• Broadstreet

“As a local nonprofit focused on serving the Upstate, our success is directly linked to support from the community,” said Charlie Hall, president of Upstate Warrior Solution. “We’re grateful to Broadstreet for selecting us as the benefitting charity for this event and we look forward to exploring other ways to collaborate in the future.”

In a scoring twist, Broadstreet pledged $1,000 for every touchdown scored against their team, adding extra excitement to each play. The tournament, which drew more than 300 participants and spectators, raised $61,000, with additional partner and participant donations bringing the total to $62,540.

ABOUT BROADSTREET
Broadstreet is a private equity firm that has an impressive track record of identifying promising growth sectors for capital investments. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, the firm’s investor profile includes high-net-worth individuals, family offices, registered investment advisors and institutional investors. The company has over $3 billion in transactions and there are more than 3,000 people employed/associated in the businesses with which we are associated. Broadstreet’s formula for private equity investing has been to focus its attention on dominating the Carolinas rather than holding investments across the entire United States. The synergies that arise by being a major player in a single regional market delivers efficiencies, enhanced opportunities and profits. For more information, visit broadstreetprivateequity.com.

ABOUT UPSTATE WARRIOR SOLUTION
Upstate Warrior Solution (UWS) is a community-based nonprofit that provides case management and connective services to military veterans, first responders, and their families living in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since 2013, UWS has connected with over 11,000 warriors, aiding with housing, employment, healthcare, education, mental health, family support services, and more. To connect, visit their website: www.uws.us.

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Broadstreet, Inc. acts as finance, management or oversight of the business projects mentioned in this release. Its executive officers are David Feingold whose position is CEO, Joseph Baldassarra, whose position is president and Steven Baldassarra, whose position is chief operating officer. Mr. Feingold as well as the Baldassarras’ professional backgrounds and experience can be found at the website https://www.broadstreetprivateequity.com.

Greenville, SC — The Meyer Center for Special Children hosted its 2nd Annual Polo Classic at Historic Hopkins Farm in Simpsonville, SC, raising $534,000 to support the center’s mission of empowering children with disabilities. A significant portion of the total was raised through the Fund A Need campaign, which grossed an impressive $187,000 during the event.
The event showcased a vibrant atmosphere, combining the elegance of polo with a festive spirit. Attendees enjoyed polo matches featuring sponsored teams from Clemson Eye/Dr. Roman Justice and Foster Victor Wealth Advisors, as well as opportunities to mingle with skilled players and meet Meyer Center students and their families.
The funds raised will provide essential education and therapy services to the Meyer Center’s 118 students throughout the 2024-25 school year. Donations raised through the Fund A Need campaign will contribute to day-to-day operational costs, including therapies, individualized education plans, and nursing services.
While the Polo Classic was a tremendous success, the need for support continues. Donations are still being accepted to help the Meyer Center provide high-quality education and therapies throughout the upcoming school year. Contributions to the Fun the Need campaign can be made by visiting the link here: https://meyercenterforspecialchildren-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1313057
The 3rd Annual Meyer Center Polo Classic is scheduled for October 19, 2025. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for next year’s event, please email polo@meyercenter.org for more information. To learn more about the Meyer Center’s mission, programs, and events visit www.meyercenter.org and follow @meyercenter.
About the Meyer Center for Special Children
Seventy years ago, Dr. Leslie Meyer founded the Meyer Center with a belief that every child, regardless of disabilities, could benefit from quality education and therapy services. Dr. Meyer’s vision carries through today, where students receive life-changing treatment through a curriculum focusing on social and emotional learning, daily living skills, music, dance, movement, group exercise and field trips – improving their quality of life, and their families’ quality of life. A South Carolina Public Charter School for students ages three and up, the Meyer Center is the only place in Upstate SC where young children with disabilities can receive all their special education and intensive therapies under one roof, allowing parents the flexibility to work or care for other family members. A place where children often make their first friends, learn to feed themselves and tie their own shoes, the Meyer Center celebrates the impact – both measurable and immeasurable – of 70 years of service to our state’s children with disabilities.

The Spartanburg Science Center inspires excitement for science through interactive exhibits, live animals and programs that excite, engage, and educate. Learn more at www.spartanburgsciencecenter.org.

Kirkland holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He has served as the Converse site manager since October 2019, and previously managed the BASF site in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Prior to BASF, he spent twenty years in the automotive industry. Kirkland is also a Leadership Spartanburg graduate, serves on the Upstate Workforce Investment Board, and was named to the SC Biz Manufacturing Power List in 2023.

“I’m honored to join the board of the Spartanburg Science Center, an organization that plays a vital role in strengthening our community,” said Kirkland. “At BASF ECMS, we believe in investing in the workforce of tomorrow by inspiring children’s interest in STEM careers. Partnering with the Science Center allows us to spark that curiosity and encourage young minds to explore the world of science.”

About BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions

Leveraging its deep expertise as a global leader in catalysis and precious metals, BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) serves customers in many industries including automotive, aerospace, indoor air quality, semiconductors, and hydrogen economy, and provides full loop services with its precious metals trading and recycling offering. With a focus on circular solutions and sustainability, ECMS is committed to helping our customers create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Protecting the elements of life is our purpose and this inspires us to ever-new solutions. ECMS operates globally in 15 countries with over 4,500 employees and 20 production sites.

For more information on BASF ECMS’ educational and community initiatives, visit www.basf.com/ecms.