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Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty Honors Its Top Associates

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty has honored its top Associates for 2024.

Lisa Vogel was the Company-wide Top Producer as well as the Top Producer in the Clemson/Lakes office, and Grace Herlong Loveless was the Top Producer for the downtown Greenville office. Jessica Kilcoyne was the Rookie of the Year, and the F. Reid Hipp Award was given to Michael McGreevey.

Vogel specializes in Lake Keowee’s luxury market and private gated communities, and this is the second year in a row she was the Clemson/Lakes office top producer. Before joining Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty, Vogel was broker-in-charge for one of North Carolina’s largest real estate companies.

This is the second year in a row that Loveless has been the Top Producer in the Greenville office. Loveless joined Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty in 2017, and in her first year, she sold more than $9 million and was named the company’s Rookie of the Year. She became a member of the President’s Circle, which is for Associates who did more than $5 million in sales, and the Chairman’s Circle in 2021 and 2022.

Kilcoyne is a third-generation Greenville real estate professional, and has been investing in and renovating properties in the region since 2016. After more than a decade working in healthcare, she decided to act on her passion for real estate and joined Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty in 2023.

McGreevey entered the real estate industry in Atlanta in 2006. He joined Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty in 2019 and his commitment to real estate is evident in his sales growth. He is tireless in his efforts to support his clients as well as his fellow Associates.

In addition, Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty announced its Chairman’s Circle Award winners, which go to Associates who achieve at least $10 million in annual volume: Patrick Furman, Loveless, Diane Bostrom, and Vogel.

This year’s members of the President’s Circle Award winners, which is for Associates who did more than $5 million in sales, were McGreevey, Matt Crider, Drew Torres, Matt Nocks, Jeff Inman, Morgan Coleman, Caroline Allison, Beth Nichols, Samantha Snyder, Kilcoyne, and Christy Henderson.

The Skyrocket Award goes to agents who grew their sales volume by 50% or more year-over-year. This year, Furman, Bostrom, Nichols, Henderson, Jacob Glodde, Kim Crain, and Brittney Bolt achieved that goal.

“What a fantastic year for us and all of our associates,” said Joan Herlong, owner and CEO of Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. “I’m proud of our whole team, and am excited to see what 2024 brings them.”

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 the Upstate of South Carolina. First founded by Owner/CEO Joan Herlong as AugustaRoad.com Realty in 2011, the firm has since handled thousands of properties in the Greenville and Upstate area. In 2017, the company affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, becoming Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty. The company has more than tripled in 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.

Spartanburg Community College Unveils Bold Initiative to Propel Degree Attainment in Spartanburg County

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) is taking innovative steps to boost enrollment in higher education and workforce training as part of Movement 2030, an unprecedented community-led initiative in Spartanburg County to promote economic mobility.

Through an initial strategic investment of $1.3 million, SCC will increase the capacity of its dual enrollment program, establish new pilot programs to encourage degree completion, and re-engage Spartanburg County’s large population of adults with unfinished degrees.

“We are excited to be one of the partners implementing the goals of Movement 2030 to expand access to affordable, high-quality education and workforce training for Spartanburg County students,” said Dr. Stacey Obi, Vice President of Strategic Innovation at SCC. “By ensuring that individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and situations have access to the support resources they need to succeed in college, we can help to build a brighter future for our community.”

Movement 2030 is a community-wide initiative, led by the Spartanburg Academic Movement, that unites philanthropic individuals and organizations, education and faith-based institutions, and businesses to advance economic mobility throughout Spartanburg County.

One of the initiative’s goals is that 70 percent of Spartanburg County’s high school graduates attain a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. As the county’s largest higher education institution, SCC is uniquely positioned to help achieve this goal.

Dual enrollment programs enable high school students to take college courses and earn credit towards a degree and are associated with an increased likelihood of college enrollment and completion, as well as decreased tuition costs. Through this investment, SCC will double the size of its dual enrollment program to serve 2,500 students by 2030.

The investment will also support dual enrollment-specific success coaches at the College, establish gap funding for dual-enrollment students at risk of stopping out, and ensure transportation is available for students from area high schools to SCC for their classes.

In Spartanburg County, fewer than half of the students who enroll in a higher education institution complete their degree. A recent nationwide survey found that half of community college students who stopped out of their classes in Fall 2023 cited issues balancing work schedules with class times, a seven percent increase over the previous year. 37 percent said they could no longer afford their programs while 27 percent stated they simply lost the motivation to persist.

To address the issue of degree completion, this investment will support new pilot programs at the College that will improve the quality and capacity of academic advising and tutoring, promote and ensure the availability of resources to students, and provide training to faculty and staff. These completion support initiatives will also closely track indicators of impact for opportunities to scale through further investment in the future.

Spartanburg County has approximately 47,000 county residents aged 25 and older who have unfinished degrees. In 2021-2022, SCC’s free tuition initiative drove a 66 percent increase in the number of students aged 25 and older, showcasing a desire among this population to be re-engaged in their pursuit of higher education and workforce training opportunities.

To do so, SCC will create and expand adult education programs specifically tailored to allow adults to complete their unfinished degree or certificate while navigating work schedules, issues with childcare, and other barriers to completion.

Finally, emergency aid funds will provide critical support for students in need, preventing financial hardship from turning into academic setbacks.

Cyberwoven Welcomes New Weavers and Promotes One

Changes made to Agency’s Client Services and Digital Marketing Teams

Columbia, S.C. – Cyberwoven, an award-winning brand, digital marketing, and website design and development firm, is thrilled to share the latest additions to our team.

Joseph Chiariello and Karen French join the agency’s Client Services Team as new Account Managers, while Justin Burke joins the agency’s Digital Marketing Team as the new Digital Marketing Manager. We are also delighted to announce the promotion of Jenny Skipper, valued ‘Weaver, to the position of Senior Account Manager.

Joseph Chiariello:
A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Chiariello has over 10 years of marketing strategy and management experience with success in implementing local and international campaigns. He brings a wealth of knowledge in design, digital marketing, eCommerce, and user interface (UI) design to the team. Additionally, Chiariello has a strong background in project management, cost saving analysis, and omni-channel management.

Karen French:
French has an extensive background in the e-commerce industry and in leading customer and consumer services teams. She has a proven track record of knowing how to implement systems and operations that have brought about game-changing results for her clients. Her passion for creating thoughtful customer experiences will be a huge asset for the firm’s growing Client Services Team.

“I am thrilled to witness the growth and evolution of the team,” states Alison Mann, director of accounts at Cyberwoven. “As we continue to enhance our client service capabilities, Joe and Karen’s experiences in retail and e-commerce will continue to add to the firm’s diverse offerings.”

Jenny Skipper:
Skipper has been a part of Cyberwoven for more than two and a half years on the Client Services Team. A valuable member of the organization, Skipper is a known problem-solver with a strong background in marketing and communications – one she relies on daily to help clients successfully meet their goals.

Mann additionally commended Skipper’s dedication and hard work, noting that her recent promotion to Senior Account Manager is a testament to her accomplishments over the years. Her contributions to the work developed for clients in the industrial, packaging, and supply chain sector has grown Cyberwoven’s portfolio exponentially.

Justin Burke:
Burke has an extensive background in brand, digital, and content marketing. He has two master’s degrees from Brandeis University and a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism from Suffolk University. Burke’s strong social and content strategy skills, coupled with his diverse background, will bring new attributes to one of the firm’s fastest growing markets.

“We are excited to have another seasoned marketer on our team,” states Jon Rivers, Cyberwoven’s director of digital marketing. “With Justin’s addition to our team, we can now offer our clients more in the way of organic social and content marketing support, ensuring those efforts align closely with their marketing and brand strategies. We look forward to what Justin will bring to the Digital Marketing Team, and how he will produce more impact for our clients.”

Each of these appointments mark an exciting chapter in Cyberwoven’s journey as the firm continues to expand and strengthen our capabilities in serving our clients.

About Cyberwoven
Cyberwoven is a brand, marketing, and web agency headquartered on Main Street in downtown Columbia, SC. Since opening our doors in 2001, we have launched award-winning websites, guided the creation and evolution of brands, and built audience engagement both online and in person. We work with organizations in various industries, including the arts, culture, government, retail, education, finance, healthcare, and insurance. Our goal is to create authentic and unmistakable brand experiences that are infused with imagination, build trust, and inspire love. Learn more at cyberwoven.com.

Mavin Construction Announces Expansion into Eastern Tennessee

Mavin Construction, a leading construction and maintenance services provider, proudly announces its expansion into Eastern Tennessee with the establishment of a new office in Kingsport. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the company as it extends its high-quality services to clients in the region.

The expansion into Eastern Tennessee is a testament to Mavin Construction’s commitment to meeting the growing demands for exceptional construction and maintenance solutions. With a proven track record of delivering top-notch services, Mavin Construction is eager to bring its expertise, innovation, and dedication to the businesses and communities of Eastern Tennessee.

The new office in Kingsport will serve as the hub for Mavin Construction’s operations in Eastern Tennessee, providing a central location to efficiently deliver commercial construction and maintenance services to clients in the surrounding tri-cities areas. Mavin Construction is poised to contribute to the economic development and infrastructure enhancement of Eastern Tennessee by bringing its extensive experience and skilled team to the region.

“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of Mavin Construction into Eastern Tennessee,” said DJ Doherty, Partner, at Mavin Construction. “This move aligns with our strategic growth plan and allows us to better serve current clients as well as new clients in this market. We are confident that our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction will make a positive impact in Eastern Tennessee and afford us the same differentiation and success we have experienced to date.”

Taking the lead in the tri-cities area is Nicholas Forsythe, a Project Manager at Mavin. Nicholas has led multiple flagship level projects with Mavin and has demonstrated his ability to lead a project successfully. A graduate of Clemson University, he has worked across a variety of industries including healthcare, commercial, corporate, industrial, and higher education.

Mavin Construction has built a reputation for its commitment to quality, safety, and client satisfaction. The company offers a wide range of services, including commercial construction, maintenance, and renovation, catering to the diverse needs of businesses in various industries.

About Mavin Construction:
Founded in 2012, Mavin Construction is a full-service construction company headquartered in Greenville, SC. Our Mavins deliver unparalleled experiences with a relationship-focused orientation, providing our clients with all of the preconstruction, construction, and maintenance services needed. We strive to consistently build and maintain an environment which values people, knowledge, and relationships. Mavin pursues projects across the Upstate, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee from a wide range of industries including healthcare, commercial, aviation, higher education, industrial, ecclesiastical, municipal, and retail.

Lee & Associates Greenville/Spartanburg’s Randall Bentley and Jordan Skellie Achieve CoStar Power Broker Status for Outstanding Q4 2023 Transaction

Greenville, SC – Lee & Associates Greenville/Spartanburg, a leader in commercial real estate services in South Carolina, proudly announces that two of its esteemed professionals, Randall Bentley, SIOR, CCIM, and Jordan Skellie, SIOR, have been honored with the CoStar Power Broker Award for the fourth quarter of 2023.

The CoStar Power Broker Award is a prestigious national accolade recognizing distinguished professionals in the commercial real estate industry for their exceptional transaction volume in their respective markets during the year. Randall Bentley and Jordan Skellie earned this distinguished award following their involvement in one of the top five industrial transactions in Q4 of 2023, with a significant sale in the Upper Spartanburg County Industrial market totaling $26,082,000.

The CoStar Power Broker Award underscores the importance of professional excellence in the competitive commercial real estate market. Bentley and Skellie’s recognition is a reflection of their commitment to the industry and their proficiency in negotiating significant deals that contribute to the economic growth and development of the Greenville-Spartanburg area.

For additional information on the CoStar Power Broker awards, please visit CoStar’s official website.

Broadway Star to Perform at Anderson University

A Grammy Award-nominated veteran of several Broadway productions next week will perform musical selections and offer career guidance with students at The South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University.

Quentin Earl Darrington was most recently seen on Broadway as Joe Jackson in MJ the Musical and as Agwe in the Tony-award winning revival of Once On This Island, for which he was received a Grammy nomination. Darrington will speak in Daniel Recital Hall, part of the Rainey Fine Arts Center on the Anderson University campus, on Thursday, February 22, beginning at 6 p.m.

Darrington made his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of Ragtime, starring as Coalhouse Walker Jr. He also played Old Deuteronomy in the Broadway revival of CATS and has performed in the national-tour production of Memphis, The Color Purple, The Lion King, and Ragtime.

In addition to his stage career, Darrington has guest starred on NCIS: NOLA, The Blacklist, The Good Fight, Second Wave and as a recurring character on the new CBS drama The Code. He holds an MFA from the University of Central Florida and a BFA from the University of South Florida.

Godshall Recruiting wins ClearlyRated’s 2024 Best of Staffing® Client 5 Year Diamond Award for service excellence

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Godshall Recruiting, a leading recruiting agency, announced today that they have won the Best of Staffing® Client 5 Year Diamond Award for providing superior service to their clients for at least five consecutive years.

Presented in partnership with gold sponsor ClearEdge Marketing, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. On average, clients of winning agencies are 1.6 times or 60 percent more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies.

Winners who earned the Diamond Award distinction have won the Best of Staffing Award for at least five years in a row, consistently earning industry-leading satisfaction scores from their clients. Godshall Recruiting received a Net Promotor® Score of 90.5 percent, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 36 percent in 2023.

“Our company is committed to providing the perfect fit for both our clients and candidates we serve,” said Julie Godshall Brown, president of Godshall Recruiting. “We are proud to call Upstate South Carolina home and honored to be recognized for our efforts in this way.”

“I’m so excited to introduce the 2024 Best of Staffing winners alongside their verified ratings and reviews on ClearlyRated.com,” said ClearlyRated’s CEO, Eric Gregg. “Faced with another challenging year in 2023, these firms proved their commitment to providing outstanding experiences and superior service. They’re raising the bar for excellence, and I couldn’t be more proud to celebrate their success – cheers to you all!”

About Godshall Recruiting
Founded in 1968 and locally owned, Godshall provides a complete range of direct hire, contract and temporary services through specialty teams that focus on specific areas of recruiting and placement. These areas include Professional, Finance, Information Technology, Healthcare and Technical/Engineering. The Greenville, S.C.-based company is a certified 100 percent woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and is a member of National Personnel Associates and TempNet, the International Network of Independent Staffing Services. For more information, visit www.godshall.com.

About ClearlyRated
Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter® Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build online reputation, and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at https://www.clearlyrated.com/solutions/.

About Best of Staffing®
ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients, placed talent, and internal employees. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.com—an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms with the help of validated client ratings and testimonials.

Anderson University’s Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina Announces Instel Power Products as a Founding Family

The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina (FEISC) is honored to welcome Instel Power Products as a Founding Family.

The FEISC at Anderson University provides education, networking, support resources and research to help family enterprises and those involved in or serving them maximize their overall health and sustainability. Founded in 2021, the FEISC fosters learning, sharing and creative solutions regarding the many critical issues and problems faced by family enterprises.

A Founding Family is an independent family enterprise owner with entrepreneurial spirit and a belief in free enterprise. They are family enterprises that have transitioned into and beyond the second generation of family ownership.

“Today the world of business has never been more difficult. The world of families has never been more complicated,” said Dr. Brad Bechtold, executive director of The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina. “When you put the two together, the complexity grows exponentially. At the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina, we want our community and state to be strong economically. Family enterprises are integral to that. We are so fortunate to have William and Matt Jackson of Instel Power Products become a Founding Family.”

Located in Simpsonville, South Carolina, Instel Power Products provides electrical solutions that are backed by deep product knowledge, a half-century of experience and a well-stocked inventory of new and legacy components from circuit breakers and transformers to fuses, and renewal parts across all major manufacturers. Every member of the Instel team is a highly trained electrical professional with a problem-solving approach when it comes to testing and repairing electrical equipment at your facility.

“We decided to make a commitment as a Founding Family to the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina because there is a significant need for such a resource in our state,” said William and Matt Jackson, owners of Instel Power Products. “The Institute has tremendous potential. The potential will be realized by bringing family enterprise stakeholders together to learn and share; thus, strengthening family and business sustainability well beyond the current generation. We look forward to the camaraderie, mutual support, personal and professional development that we will experience as a Founding Family.”

Instel also provides engineering services, medium voltage terminations, circuit breaker testing and on-site emergency response, as well as first-class manufacturing services including retrofits, equipment refurbishment, bus fabrication and project consultation.

YMCA Judson Community Center Reveals Facility Upgrades in Response to Community Childcare Needs at Annual SouperBowl Event

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The YMCA of Greenville today revealed the nearly $500,000 facility upgrades at the Judson Community Center while celebrating its 21st annual SouperBowl fundraising event for its Annual Campaign.

YMCA Judson Community Center serves the families of the Hollis Academy neighborhood with pre-school, afterschool, and summer day camp programs. A mainstay for childcare for more than two decades for families in Judson and the surrounding communities, Judson Community Center helps children thrive in the nurturing and safe environment, where they enhance their love of learning, participate in physical activity to develop life-long skills for healthy living, and create life-long friendships that build connection and community.

“To reach as many children as possible with the quality programming that the Y is known for, we knew we needed to reinvest in the Judson Community Center,” says Scot Baddley, president, and CEO of the YMCA of Greenville. “We are so thankful to all those who have helped raise these critical capital funds or awarded the Judson branch generous grants.”

Renovations were made possible by generous donors and awarded grants. The YMCA Judson Community Center was a recipient of one of Greenville Health Authority’s Healthy Greenville Grant Awards and was the beneficiary of Greenville High School’s 2021 Spirit Week. “This project would not have been possible without the tremendous support from Greenville High School’s student body and their parents,” says Baddley.

McMillian Pazdan Smith contributed their architectural designs, and The Boardman Group led the new construction of the Judson Community Center.

YMCA Judson Community Center upgrades include:

• The addition of 900 square feet indoors that enlarged two spaces to allow for more afterschool and summer camp programming, therefore, serving more children.
• The addition of a 530 square foot outdoor patio off the preschool classroom.
• The upcoming addition of an outdoor picnic area to provide a safe space to play and eat outside.
• New flooring throughout the facility.
• Upgraded restrooms.
• Updated furniture.
• Fresh paint throughout the facility.

As one of Greenville County’s leading nonprofit health and human services organizations, the Y nurtures the potential of children through youth development, improves Greenville County’s well-being by promoting healthy living, and fosters a sense of social responsibility by providing opportunities to give back and support our neighbors.

About the YMCA of Greenville, SC

The YMCA of Greenville is a cause-driven non-profit organization. Our mission is, following the example of Christ, to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth and teen, improves the health and well-being of our community and provides opportunities to give back and help support our neighbors. Founded in 1876, the Y serves more than 70,000 people annually through programs that include after-school care, resident and day camps, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness. Programs are offered through four family branches, as well as the Verdae YMCA, Y Camp Greenville, YMCA Judson Community Center, the YMCA Program Center, and Hollingsworth Outdoor Center. The Y is also home to Y Teen Services and the SC Youth in Government programs.

For more information about the YMCA of Greenville, visit ymcagreenville.org, or call (864) 412-0288.

NEXT Upstate Rebrands as NextGEN

For almost two decades, NEXT Upstate, the organization that began as an initiative housed inside the Greenville Chamber, has grown in reputation and scope of services. Hundreds of startup founders from across the region have benefited from its support in the form of mentoring programs, networking groups and regional events drawing national attention to Greenville. The companies they support go on to raise millions of dollars and employ thousands of local workers, improving the economy of the entire Upstate of South Carolina.

NextGEN references the Greenville Entrepreneur Network and represents a new generation of support for the founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who call Greenville home.

“Fostering entrepreneurship is not merely about building companies. It’s about building communities, encouraging change, and celebrating growth,” says Eric Weissmann, Executive Director of NextGEN. “As an organization evolves, we need to respect our heritage while driving forward with our eyes fixed on the future. There’s no better time to be an entrepreneur than now and no better place to follow your dreams than here in Greenville, SC.”

Over the last two years, NextGEN has launched new programs and services such as an accelerator program, workshops, and monthly events, widening the aperture of who it serves. NextGEN is also the driving force behind #StartupGVL – the rallying cry and unifying brand for the regional community of entrepreneurs and the dozens of groups who directly support them.

“The rebrand merges the legacy and history of the organization with its future,” says Carlos Phillips, President/CEO of the Greenville Chamber and NextGEN board member. “The new branding reflects the refined strategy and exciting direction as NextGEN supports Greenville’s high-growth entrepreneurs.”

It’s because of this firm foundation that NextGEN is one of the longest-running entrepreneur support organizations in the State of South Carolina and a draw for companies looking to launch or expand in a place they love to live. No one succeeds alone, so to have a built-in network of others to help you is encouraging.

“NextGEN is a critical component to our overall economic development strategy,” says Shannon Lavrin, Greenville City Manager and NextGEN board member. “Greenville is a vibrant, thriving community, but we know we’re in a competitive space when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. A robust innovation and entrepreneurship network is critical to attracting high-growth companies and keeping them in Greenville.”