Category: Press Release

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 | Greenville, South Carolina – Industrial Project Innovation (IPI), a leading innovator in industrial construction management, is thrilled to announce its inclusion in Inc. Magazine’s prestigious 2024 list of the Best Places to Work. This accolade celebrates the company’s commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive and dynamic workplace culture.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Inc. as one of the Best Places to Work in 2024,” said Kevin Ball, Owner/President of IPI. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team. At IPI, we strive to create an environment where our teammates can thrive, innovate and grow both personally and professionally.”

Inc.’s Best Places to Work list is based on a comprehensive evaluation of workplace culture, employee benefits and company policies. Companies are selected through a rigorous vetting process that includes employee surveys and analysis of company practices.

IPI attributes its success to its core values of Family & Community, Performance and Integrity, which are deeply embedded in the company’s operations and culture. IPI offers a range of benefits and initiatives designed to support teammates well-being and development, some of which include:

• IPI University:
IPI offers personal development training and educational reimbursement benefits to encourage self-development by providing financial assistance for certain education-related expenses.
• Community Outreach:
IPI has project sites across the United States where the goal is to give back to the local communities. IPI’s objective is to expand 1/3rd of their efforts toward the immediate needs of the local communities and 2/3rd toward helping them grow in a sustainable way.
• Health & Wellness:
IPI’s goal is to cultivate a vibrant and healthy workplace by offering comprehensive wellness programs that support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of its teammates. IPI is committed to promoting a balanced and active lifestyle through company-wide walking challenges, corporate gym memberships, and access to a professional nutritionist.

“Creating a positive and supportive workplace is at the heart of everything we do,” said Russ Braasch, Owner/People & Culture of IPI. “We believe that when our teammates are happy and engaged, they are more productive and better equipped to deliver outstanding results for our clients.”

This recognition from Inc. follows a year of significant growth and milestones for IPI. As the company continues to expand, it remains committed to maintaining a strong culture and providing an exceptional workplace for its teammates. IPI is actively hiring for a variety of positions and welcomes talented individuals to join the team.

For more information about IPI and career opportunities, please visit www.ipi.build/careers/.

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ABOUT IPI
IPI is an owner’s project management (OPM) firm that provides construction management expertise to clients throughout the program life cycle from concept through operations. Team members have extensive backgrounds in strategic and detailed planning, execution, startup, and maintenance of complex projects and facilities, both domestically and internationally. Firm officials focus on providing high-value support to clients through proactive leadership in all phases of a program or project. In 2022, IPI was named the #1 Fastest Growing Company in South Carolina, #71 CM/PM For-Fee Firm by ENR, #544 Fastest Growing Private Company by Inc. 5000 and has received many other notable accolades.

Iconic movies produce memorable characters and memorable characters often create lasting identities by the costumes they wear. There’s no mistaking who the characters are in “Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire,” the newest exhibition opening Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate.

“Finding the Force” brings together a unique presentation of the history, costuming, creatives, and characters that not only highlights the legends and legacies of the storied Star Wars franchise, but also offers insight into elements that have consistently connected us to a galaxy far, far away for more than 45 years.

On display in this exhibition are original costumes from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” which feature an ensemble of signature looks of the now legendary cast of characters that resonate with audiences. The similar characteristics in costuming from the earlier movies provide an appreciation for the costume designer’s creative process in maintaining identifiable consistency throughout the different films.

When “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” brought audiences back to the theater in 2015, it had been years since the Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire and destroyed the Death Star. However, fans discovered that the same “Force” which guided the now legendary cast of characters through the original storyline of a battle between good and evil had remained strong. It was now being channeled into a blend of similarities and differences between past and present, thus setting the stage for the introduction of new characters, deeper subplots, and even more intense intergalactic adventures.

“Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire” presents an overview of the distinct elements that have defined the Star Wars franchise, the space science fiction genre revived by its success, and the concept of licensed toys and memorabilia as collectibles.

The Upcountry History Museum is proud to partner with Walt Disney Archives in presenting “Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire.” This exhibition is on display from June 15 through November 3, 2024.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or

The Spark is a six-episode the anthology series with each new episode telling the story of a nationally renown business-owner, artist, or craftsman based in Greenville, SC. The entire series is now available to watch on the Very Local streaming platform.

“I am so proud of the hard work our crew put into this series,” said Taylor. “The stories we were able to tell, and what we accomplished with it. To win an Emmy is affirmation of the work that each person put into their craft and of our constant pursuit of continually elevating the film community in Greenville and the work that we put out.”

About Electric Soul:
Electric Soul is a people-first production company based in Greenville, SC. They have created content for numerous international brands including Coca-Cola, Lowe’s, FIFA, Marriott, and GE. They have also produced TV projects for Showtime, Magnolia, CNN, and MAX.

Greenville, S.C. – Iconic movies produce memorable characters and memorable characters often create lasting identities by the costumes they wear. There’s no mistaking who the characters are in “Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire,” the newest exhibition opening Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Upcountry History Museum – Greenville County, a Smithsonian Affiliate.

“Finding the Force” brings together a unique presentation of the history, costuming, creatives, and characters that not only highlights the legends and legacies of the storied Star Wars franchise, but also offers insight into elements that have consistently connected us to a galaxy far, far away for more than 45 years.

On display in this exhibition are original costumes from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” which feature an ensemble of signature looks of the now legendary cast of characters that resonate with audiences. The similar characteristics in costuming from the earlier movies provide an appreciation for the costume designer’s creative process in maintaining identifiable consistency throughout the different films.

When “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” brought audiences back to the theater in 2015, it had been years since the Rebel Alliance defeated the Empire and destroyed the Death Star. However, fans discovered that the same “Force” which guided the now legendary cast of characters through the original storyline of a battle between good and evil had remained strong. It was now being channeled into a blend of similarities and differences between past and present, thus setting the stage for the introduction of new characters, deeper subplots, and even more intense intergalactic adventures.

“Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire” presents an overview of the distinct elements that have defined the Star Wars franchise, the space science fiction genre revived by its success, and the concept of licensed toys and memorabilia as collectibles.

The Upcountry History Museum is proud to partner with Walt Disney Archives in presenting “Finding the Force…Awakening an Empire.” This exhibition is on display from June 15 through November 3, 2024.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.

(Greenville, SC) Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) proudly announces the appointment of Jeff Gates as their new Vice President of Retail Excellence. Gates brings an extensive background in leadership, employee development, and process enhancement to his new role, promising a bright future for GIUMSC’s retail operations.

Gates joins GIUMSC from Dollar General, where he excelled as Director of Retail Operations. His tenure at Dollar General was marked by exceptional leadership in fostering employee and personal growth and delivering industry-leading outcomes. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Gates served on the Regional Director Executive Council and was a dedicated board member and advocate for the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group.

“Jeff’s diverse retail leadership experience will allow us to continue to provide top-notch retail services throughout the communities we serve. His background in multiple areas of retail equips him to contribute immediately to the Goodwill mission of impacting lives through the power of work,” says Pat Michaels, President and CEO of GIUMSC. “We are extremely excited to have Jeff join our team. His proven track record and commitment to excellence make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

In his new role at GIUMSC, Gates will provide strategic leadership and guidance for the organization’s retail stores and e-commerce platforms. He will spearhead efforts to enhance Goodwill’s retail footprint, focusing on employee development and experience, process optimization, and improving the donor experience across Goodwill’s extensive network throughout the Upstate and Midlands of South Carolina.

Goodwill is confident that under Gates’ leadership, they will continue to elevate the donation and shopping experience, ensuring that donors and shoppers remain at the heart of the mission to provide life-changing services to the communities of Upstate and Midlands South Carolina.

Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) is a locally owned and operated non-profit within the Goodwill Industries International, Inc. network. Founded in May 1973, GIUMSC has served the people of South Carolina for 50 years to create generational success for job seekers, families and communities. Goodwill’s 41 retail stores across 16 counties turn donors’ generosity into new treasures for shoppers. More than 90 cents of every dollar spent is then invested back into providing life-changing education and career services at no cost.

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Furman University’s Greg Springsteen, professor of chemistry, received the 2024 South Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Research at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution in a June 11 ceremony at the Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina. Governor Henry McMaster presented the award.

Springsteen has worked with about 50 undergraduates over his 18 years at Furman to explore what he describes as one of the most fundamental chemical conundrums: how life emerged from a mixture of organic molecules in a lifeless environment. His work is based on the idea that a few core components of modern metabolism (the chemical reactions of life) existed on primordial Earth before they were incorporated and adapted in living systems.

“As this early metabolism evolved into a more robust chemical system, these central biosynthetic pathways remained frozen at the core of an expanding network to become modern life,” he explained. “In my lab, we search for those frozen-in-time remnants.”

Springsteen’s research has spawned new lines of inquiry, presentations, awards and a raft of publications in higher-tier journals including Nature Communications, Nature Chemistry, and Angewandte Chemie, the latter two featuring Furman undergraduates as lead authors.

Springsteen said research at Furman, a national liberal arts and science university, is less subject to the strict research cycles, higher costs and publishing pressures often seen at larger R1 universities. This allows him and his students the time to ask big questions that require years, if not decades, to solve, while still receiving competitive funding from the NASA Exobiology program, the National Science Foundation’s Centers for Chemical Innovation and Major Research Instrumentation programs, the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award and others.

In an all-undergraduate environment at Furman, novel ideas develop organically over time, and new questions emerge, Springsteen said. His work led to a method for synthesizing citric acid cycle intermediates, which can be used diagnostically, for example, to identify cancer cells.

Recognizing the commercial applications for the technology, Springsteen and former student Trent Stubbs ’20 created Aconabolics, LLC on campus in 2018, where the biological intermediates are produced, then distributed globally.

In 2020, the startup received South Carolina Research Authority’s first-ever academic assistance grant, and in 2022, a U.S. patent was awarded to Stubbs and Springsteen for their intellectual property.

The on-campus venture bolsters Furman’s presence in the Upstate’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and serves as a platform for teaching students about the nuances of starting a business – skills Stubbs and Springsteen honed with guidance from Furman’s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and other Upstate partners.

“Since opening my lab in 2006, I’ve focused on training undergraduates to excel in academic, societal and commercial pursuits, and our successes are indicative of the pride and effort these students have committed to their work,” Springsteen wrote in his case statement for the Governor’s Award.

Springsteen said he’s grateful to the nominating committee including Jeremy Cass, dean of faculty; Tim Hanks, the Charles Ezra Daniel Professor and Chair of Chemistry; Beth Pontari, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost; and John Wheeler, associate provost for Integrative Science and professor of chemistry.

The award is co-sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the South Carolina Academy of Sciences (SCAS). Springsteen joins six other Governor’s Award honorees from Furman: Gil Einstein, emeritus professor of psychology (2013); Wheeler (2015), Hanks (2017) and Paul Wagenknecht, professor of chemistry (2020).

In 2018, John Kaup, director of science education, was recognized with the Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness, and in 1989, Lon Knight, professor emeritus of chemistry, received the Award for Excellence in Scientific Research across all South Carolina higher education institutions before the undergraduate category was established.

Furman University’s Greg Springsteen, professor of chemistry, received the 2024 South Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Scientific Research at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution in a June 11 ceremony at the Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina. Governor Henry McMaster presented the award.

Springsteen has worked with about 50 undergraduates over his 18 years at Furman to explore what he describes as one of the most fundamental chemical conundrums: how life emerged from a mixture of organic molecules in a lifeless environment. His work is based on the idea that a few core components of modern metabolism (the chemical reactions of life) existed on primordial Earth before they were incorporated and adapted in living systems.

“As this early metabolism evolved into a more robust chemical system, these central biosynthetic pathways remained frozen at the core of an expanding network to become modern life,” he explained. “In my lab, we search for those frozen-in-time remnants.”

Springsteen’s research has spawned new lines of inquiry, presentations, awards and a raft of publications in higher-tier journals including Nature Communications, Nature Chemistry, and Angewandte Chemie, the latter two featuring Furman undergraduates as lead authors.

Springsteen said research at Furman, a national liberal arts and science university, is less subject to the strict research cycles, higher costs and publishing pressures often seen at larger R1 universities. This allows him and his students the time to ask big questions that require years, if not decades, to solve, while still receiving competitive funding from the NASA Exobiology program, the National Science Foundation’s Centers for Chemical Innovation and Major Research Instrumentation programs, the Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award and others.

In an all-undergraduate environment at Furman, novel ideas develop organically over time, and new questions emerge, Springsteen said. His work led to a method for synthesizing citric acid cycle intermediates, which can be used diagnostically, for example, to identify cancer cells.

Recognizing the commercial applications for the technology, Springsteen and former student Trent Stubbs ’20 created Aconabolics, LLC on campus in 2018, where the biological intermediates are produced, then distributed globally.

In 2020, the startup received South Carolina Research Authority’s first-ever academic assistance grant, and in 2022, a U.S. patent was awarded to Stubbs and Springsteen for their intellectual property.

The on-campus venture bolsters Furman’s presence in the Upstate’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and serves as a platform for teaching students about the nuances of starting a business – skills Stubbs and Springsteen honed with guidance from Furman’s Hill Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and other Upstate partners.

“Since opening my lab in 2006, I’ve focused on training undergraduates to excel in academic, societal and commercial pursuits, and our successes are indicative of the pride and effort these students have committed to their work,” Springsteen wrote in his case statement for the Governor’s Award.

Springsteen said he’s grateful to the nominating committee including Jeremy Cass, dean of faculty; Tim Hanks, the Charles Ezra Daniel Professor and Chair of Chemistry; Beth Pontari, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost; and John Wheeler, associate provost for Integrative Science and professor of chemistry.

The award is co-sponsored by the Governor’s Office and the South Carolina Academy of Sciences (SCAS). Springsteen joins six other Governor’s Award honorees from Furman: Gil Einstein, emeritus professor of psychology (2013); Wheeler (2015), Hanks (2017) and Paul Wagenknecht, professor of chemistry (2020).

In 2018, John Kaup, director of science education, was recognized with the Award for Excellence in Scientific Awareness, and in 1989, Lon Knight, professor emeritus of chemistry, received the Award for Excellence in Scientific Research across all South Carolina higher education institutions before the undergraduate category was established.

Neely joined Ballentine Capital Advisors as the Business Administrator for Ballentine Capital Advisors. In this role, she brings experience in recruiting, human resources, project management, financial analysis, and daily office operations. Neely has her SHRM-CP (Human Resource Certification). Neely is a Greenville native and is a graduate of Clemson University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing beach volleyball, and traveling.

To learn more about Ballentine Capital Advisors, visit ballentinecapital.com.

Crawford, a full-service marketing and creative agency based in Greenville, added significant strength to its creative team with the addition of Rusty Broome as group creative director. Broome brings 17 years of award-winning advertising experience, most recently serving as creative director with GSD&M in Austin, Texas for the last 15 years. During that time, Broome led GSD&M’s creative work for Southwest Airlines, Tyson, Goodyear and other national organizations. He has won numerous creative awards including an Effie, a Sports Clio, a Webby and multiple Addy Awards. He has also been included on the short list for the prestigious One Show on multiple occasions.

“Since our inception, Crawford has been focused on helping business leaders grow their organizations and achieve significant goals,” said Andy Windham, agency president and chief strategy officer. “One of the key components in our ability to deliver for our clients is attracting and retaining top talent. Rusty brings substantial big-brand experience coupled with out-of-the-box thinking that will serve our clients well.”

Broome’s arrival comes on the heels of several new business wins at the agency including adidas, Porch and Parlour, Nothing Bundt Cakes and the City of Columbia. These new client wins are a testament to Crawford’s focus on solving its clients’ business problems so that they can enjoy the growth they desire.

“In addition to our new business wins, we are fortunate to have many long-standing client relationships, some for more than a decade,” said Marion Crawford, agency founder and CEO. “But successful client relationships don’t just happen. We work to understand our clients’ business needs, remain agile and responsive, and consistently deliver value in the form of creative solutions. To do that, we need a strong team of experienced, performance-oriented people. Rusty’s addition allows us to continue to deliver value for our clients and expand the thinking behind our work.”

“It is great to join the dynamic team at Crawford here in Greenville, one of U.S. News and World Report’s top five cities in the country to live in,” said Broome. “I am ready to dig in and begin delivering value for our clients. Given Crawford’s size as a boutique full-service agency, I appreciate the opportunity to truly make an impact.”

In the past 18 months, Crawford has added several senior leaders to its roster: Bryant Lambert, SVP of client relations; Wendy McCarthy, director of client strategy; and Ted Rooke, director of planning and media. These key additions bring many years of experience with brands like Verizon, Josh Cellars, Delta Airlines and more.

Bryant Lambert, SVP of client relations added, “We are focused on attracting people with strong agency and brand experience who want to make a big impact. We believe we bring the best that any agency has to offer, while keeping our eye squarely on relationships and results.”

About Crawford
Crawford is a marketing and communications agency that creates holistic and compelling campaigns that connect brands to the heart of decision making. From sound strategic direction to excellence in execution, Crawford provides a full suite of branding, advertising, public relations, social and digital media services. Now in its 14th year of business, the woman-owned agency regularly receives recognition from its clients, community and peers, and was recently named a six-time Best Place to Work in S.C. To learn more visit the agency’s website, crawford.agency.

Jasmine Road Receives Donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
Feeding the Hungry grant increases access to nutritious food; provides nutrition education

Greenville, SC – Jasmine Road has received $1,600 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger. The Feeding the Hungry grant supports community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food and providing nutrition education to eliminate health risks for those experiencing food insecurity.

Jasmine Road CEO Lisa O’Connell-Hall shared, “Partners like Food Lion Feeds make the work we do at Jasmine Road possible. With Food Lion’s support, we will help provide survivors with food security. Feeding their bodies is one step to helping pave a path of healing that allows them to flourish.”

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $18.9 million in grants.

About The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $18.9 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Café’s, and other hunger-relief programs as well as funding for long-term programs to help shorten the lines at food banks. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.

About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its ‘Count on me’ culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades. Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 23 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 1.2 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.

About Jasmine Road
Jasmine Road is South Carolina’s first long-term residential program for adult female survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction. Jasmine Road serves to heal and employ survivors by providing a pathway of opportunity and a lifelong community of support, significantly reducing the likelihood of women returning to life on the streets.

Jasmine Kitchen exists to employ residents and graduates of Jasmine Road in a safe, nurturing environment. The lunch cafe along with other affiliated social enterprises provide a pathway to financial independence by training survivors to gain sustainable and transferable job skills.

Links:
jasmineroad.org
jasminekitchen.org
facebook.com/jasmineroadsc
instagram.com/jasmineroadsc
instagram.com/jasminekitchensc