Category: Press Release

Greenville, SC (March 2, 2026): The Center for Developmental Services is pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Gearhart as its new Executive Director, effective January 19, 2026. Melanie succeeds Dana McConnell, who retired in November after more than a decade of extraordinary service and dedication to the children and families supported by CDS.

Melanie joins CDS with more than 15 years of mission-driven leadership experience and a deep commitment to advancing services for individuals with developmental needs. During her tenure at Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC, she held multiple senior leadership roles where she oversaw business operations, sustainability initiatives, program development, and large-scale community impact efforts. Known for her collaborative approach, strategic mindset, and ability to mobilize resources, Melanie is passionate about supporting families and building stronger, more connected communities. Melanie is excited to build upon the strong foundation that CDS leaders have created to ensure continued sustainability and future success.

“Melanie brings both the heart and the leadership our growing community needs. Across our region, the number of children with disabilities continues to increase — mirroring statewide trends where thousands of families rely on critical support services. As demand rises, so does our responsibility to expand our reach and walk alongside the children and families who depend on CDS. With Melanie’s leadership, we are inspired by the possibilities — deeper partnerships, stronger support networks, and a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.” — Anthony Toklo, Chairman of the Board.

The CDS Board, staff, partners, and families are excited to welcome Melanie into this role and look forward to a new chapter of growth, innovation, and expanded community impact under her leadership.

Independent insurance brokerage The Insurance Source has been honored by BusinessRate as the Best of Greer Award Winner in the Health Insurance Agency category. 

Founded in 2005, the mission statement of The Insurance Source has always been simple: “We make health insurance easier.” The team specializes in under 65 health insurance, Medicare and Employee Benefits consulting. Securing insurance can be daunting, which is why The Insurance Source promises to offer comprehensive assistance with personal insurance, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.

This recognition is part of the BusinessRate Best of 2025 Awards, which identify local leaders in customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and service intelligence. The honor is based on verified data from Google Reviews, as analyzed and certified by BusinessRate, which means this achievement was earned not by application or nomination, but by the authentic feedback of Insurance Source customers.

“It means so much to our team to be recognized by the community we serve every day,” said Guy Furay, owner of The Insurance Source. “Starting off 2026 on this note gives us even more motivation to continue providing personalized service and trusted guidance to our clients throughout the year.”

About The Insurance Source:

The Insurance Source is an independent brokerage specializing in health, life, disability and dental insurance. The Insurance Source is located in Greer, South Carolina and has a simple and straightforward mission statement: “we make health insurance easier.®” Learn more at www.insure-u.com.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (March 2, 2026)— The Truliant Foundation announced today the significant impact its programs had in 2025 across the Carolinas and Virginia, in areas including workforce education, social mobility, and financial literacy.

The Truliant Foundation’s purpose is to lift up and transform Truliant member communities through charitable giving, partnerships, and meaningful partnerships. Last year, it awarded $566,500 to more than 125 organizations, 68 percent of which serve low-income communities and 70 percent of which are minority-led.

The impact of the Truliant Foundation’s giving is also highlighted in the 2025 Annual Report, now released and posted at www.Truliant.org/Foundation.

Notable initiatives include Truliant’s Employee Volunteer Program, which is administered by the Foundation. Truliant employees contributed 758 work hours supporting more than 85 nonprofit organizations and schools. Other standout contributions include Truliant’s Employee Relief Fund – supported by 100 percent of Truliant’s senior leadership. The fund provided $11,155 in hardship assistance in 2025 and has provided more than $100,000 to Truliant employees since its founding.

Additionally, the Foundation distributed $243,000 through its Community Grants program to support nonprofit organizations that are strengthening and improving Truliant member communities.

The year 2025 marked a significant commitment to community needs, including a matching donation campaign that provided more than $107,000 for hunger relief.

About The Truliant Foundation
Established in 2023, the Truliant Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity with a purpose to lift up and transform Truliant member communities through charitable giving, collaboration, and meaningful partnerships.

The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority (OJRSA) will join agencies and nonprofits across South Carolina on Monday, March 2, in honoring Water Professionals Day.
Water Professionals Day is an opportunity to highlight the essential but often unseen water services that support our communities: wastewater collection and treatment, safe drinking water, and stormwater management.
“This day aligns with our commitment to providing efficient and effective wastewater treatment to the people we serve,” said Chris Eleazer, the OJRSA’s executive director. “We have a commitment to maintaining high standards of service that ensure the safety and health of the community.”
In 2024, the South Carolina General Assembly designated the first Monday of March each year as Water Professionals Day, recognizing the essential contributions these professionals provide across the state.

About the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority:
The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority (OJRSA) is a governmental agency providing wastewater treatment service to the cities of Seneca, Walhalla, Westminster, the town of West Union and the southern portion of Oconee County. Learn more about the agency at www.ojrsa.org.

BASF’s Seneca site recently welcomed Congresswoman Sheri Biggs, who represents South Carolina’s third Congressional District and is currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Congresswoman and her staff to learn more about local manufacturing operations and the site’s role in supporting industry, jobs, and economic growth in Oconee County.

Congresswoman Biggs participated in a joint presentation with leaders from BASF Corporation and BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) teams before joining site leadership for a brief tour of key production areas. Her visit highlighted the site’s commitment to safety, innovation, and high-quality manufacturing.

“It was a pleasure to visit BASF’s Seneca facility and see firsthand the innovation and hard work happening right here in the 3rd District,” said Congresswoman Sheri Biggs. “Strong manufacturing partners like BASF support good-paying jobs and help drive economic growth across our region. I appreciate the team’s commitment to excellence and their investment in our local community.”

“Hosting Congresswoman Biggs was an honor for our team,” said David Sanders, Interim Site Director at BASF ECMS Seneca. “Her visit provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the strong performance and passion of our workforce. We appreciate her interest in our operations and the people who make our work possible every day.”

The Seneca site is an important part of BASF’s manufacturing footprint in South Carolina. Employees at the site are dedicated to producing safe, reliable, and sustainable materials used in everyday consumer products used around the world.

BASF’s presence in South Carolina supports hundreds of jobs across multiple locations and includes ongoing investments that strengthen both the company and the communities it serves.

FUEL, a Greenville-based brand-building agency, has selected Ballet Greenville as its 2H 2025 FUEL for Good Grant recipient. Formerly known as Carolina Ballet, the organization recently rebranded as Ballet Greenville, marking a new chapter in its mission to create inspiring dance experiences that educate, entertain and foster community. Through the FUEL for Good Grant, launched in 2020, FUEL provides strategic branding and marketing support to local nonprofits, donating more than 1,200 service hours to date. FUEL looks forward to helping Ballet Greenville build awareness and welcome new audiences following its rebrand.

Greenville, South Carolina — Good Printed Things is proud to announce the publication of “If Memory Serves: Stories from the Table”, a mixed-genre anthology featuring 42 writers reflecting on the lasting impact of their most unforgettable food memories.

Food is one of our most universal storytellers. It carries with it so much emotion — sometimes comforting, often complicated. “If Memory Serves” is a collected work of poetry, prose, and essays that explore the ways meals and moments at the table shape who we are. Spanning every emotion, the collection offers an intimate look at the stories we carry with us long after the plates are cleared.

Guest edited by James Beard Award–winning writer and historian Dr. Cynthia Greenlee, the anthology brings together emerging and established voices across a wide range of perspectives. Greenlee’s curatorial vision lends depth and cohesion to the collection, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read for fans of food writing, memoir, and contemporary storytelling.

The Jeffrey Group announced that its founder and managing partner, Jeff Herman, earned a 38th-place finish in the 2025 United States Investing Championship (Stock Division), an independent national investment competition that evaluates individual performance over a defined period.

The United States Investing Championship is an independent, performance-based investment competition that ranks participants based on the results of their personal trading accounts during a defined competition period. Herman’s ranking reflects the performance of his own account and did not involve client portfolios or firm-managed assets.

The competition is open to individual traders using personal accounts with a minimum starting balance of $20,000, with rankings determined by percentage return. In a field of more than 550 participants trading equities and ETFs, Herman achieved a 30.2% return, placing 38th overall.

Over the years, the Championship has included or recognized many of the most respected names in trading and investment management, including Paul Tudor Jones, Mark Minervini, David Ryan, Louis Bacon, Edward O. Thorpe, Marty Schwartz, Tom Basso, Gil Blake, Sheen Kassouf, and others. Past participants have gone on to manage significant assets and receive significant media attention.

“This recognition reflects discipline, risk awareness, and decision-making under clearly defined constraints,” said Herman. “While competition performance and long-term wealth management are very different pursuits, I value opportunities that reinforce process, accountability, and respect for risk.”

The competition operates under specific rules, investment constraints, and evaluation criteria that may differ materially from those used in managing client portfolios at The Jeffrey Group. No compensation was provided in connection with this ranking beyond any standard competition entry fees, if applicable.