UBJ will name its first group of Who’s Who award recipients in February 2014, and we want your help to find them.
We’re looking for the Upstate’s community leaders – those who have the vision of the area’s successes and potential, and are working hard every day to make it happen. Nominees can come from many fields or professional backgrounds, such as finance, government, real estate, nonprofits, healthcare, legal, technology or design.
Got a name in mind? Let us hear it. We’ll need to know:
-Nominee information (name, employer, title, address, etc.)
-Professional background
-Accomplishments in the field
-What makes you a Who’s Who?
-What’s the largest hurdle you’ve had to overcome professionally or personally?
-What qualities make you stand out from professional peers?
-How have you made a significant impact – within your organization, your general field of practice, and the Upstate community?
-What is your secret weapon for success?
-In 20 years, what will you have contributed to the Upstate’s business community?
Tell us why you think your nominee should be a member of the inaugural Who’s Who class. We’re waiting to hear from you.
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Meet the panel of judges who will help us recognize the community leaders of the Upstate
Does the Upstate really need another way to recognize community leaders?
We think so, and are pleased to introduce the panel of judges for the first annual Who’s Who Awards.
The various sectors and industries that make up our community already recognize the best among their ranks, as they should. Who’s Who hopes to add a broad look across the Upstate – and across professional silos – in order to point out the unsung heroes making significant contributions to our community’s dynamism.
Who’s Who recognizes those who are shaping the world around them as they commit to their work. They push their organizations, their professions and our community to the next level, often asking hard questions and finding solid solutions. Some are well known, but many do important work that is not always as visible.
Who’s Who panelists are some of those people. They’ve agreed to take on the difficult task of highlighting just a handful of what will likely be an overwhelming number of worthy nominees. The panelists each took a moment to sit down with UBJ and share a bit about themselves and their goals as they help UBJ celebrate Who’s Who in the Upstate.
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Jerry Dempsey is former CEO of BorgWarner Corp. and currently serves on the boards of the Clemson School of Engineering and Greenville Health System.
Who is one person or unsung hero who has contributed to your own success?
Bob Ingersoll. He was chairman and CEO of BorgWarner Corp., where I started my career. In my first personnel interview he asked me what I wanted to do with my career. When I said I’d like to run a company like BorgWarner, he said my engineering education just wasn’t broad enough. He suggested the executive program at the University of Chicago, then as a trustee he helped me get in, despite my relative youth and inexperience. It helped me get the broad education that you need to run an American company.
Why did you agree to serve on the Who’s Who panel?
I’m interested in learning more about the nominees and their backgrounds and so forth because I think that those are the people who are making significant contributions to the advancement of Greenville. I’m interested in learning what they are and what they’ve done. I’m sure I will be surprised, since I’ve only lived in Greenville 16 years.
How will you know who’s who when you see them?
I think the first criterion is vision. Someone has to have a vision of where they’re trying to take an organization or company. So I always look at someone that’s been visionary, and then has been able to accomplish the vision. And someone that’s made a contribution to the well being of the community. A lot of the nonprofits have done a great job. It’s not going to be easy to select the recipients. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of very qualified nominees. That’s been my experience in the past.
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Dr. Phinnize “Penny” Fisher is a former Greenville County Schools superintendent and chairwoman of the Spartanburg Methodist College board of trustees.
What are some parts of the Upstate outside Greenville where we should be looking to see what’s next?
With young entrepreneurs and those in the tech sector. The people in the background, the researchers, the people who are creating and designing. I don’t know how often we look at people who develop and design; it’s not always just the owner – it’s the people with the imagination and the creativity to make it happen. We have to say, “We value what you do and we value what you bring to the table.”
Who is one person or unsung hero who has contributed to your own success?
In Greenville, it was former school board chairman Roger Meek. When I interviewed 19 years ago, he and another board member asked questions that other people didn’t ask. They wanted to know about vision and moving forward; the questions scared me. But he offered me the opportunity and since then, he has offered advice and asked very, very difficult and creative questions. When you ask people critical questions, it causes them to work harder and dig deeper to make sure they have an answer.
Why are you serving on the Who’s Who panel?
I feel the way other people do about Greenville and supporting our community. I thought this was a way I could help and contribute. It’s a great idea and it always helps to honor people who that push us forward in our community. This looked like something I could do to help out in a different kind of way.
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Andy Cajka’s expertise is in the hospitality industry. He is the founder and president of Southern Hospitality Group and has been in Greenville since 1996.
What talents and attitudes push the Upstate forward?
We have very diversified talents with a willingness to accept best practices from various places. I reflect back on some of the Chamber visits that I have been able to go on, and I have noticed that there is a willingness to accept ideas and there is a very can-do attitude. I have also seen a very strong sense of philanthropy through people willing to share their time and resources.
What parts of the Upstate should we be looking at to see what’s next?
First, I really believe that the Upstate is gaining recognition of our beautiful natural resources. It’s a question of how we leverage those assets. We should watch Spartanburg’s downtown. There are over a half-dozen institutes of higher learning in the downtown area. Development of amenities to allow those attending schools to live closer to each college is something to look at going forward. Also, core areas where we have seen great residential growth, like Fountain Inn and Greer. They are really leveraging assets that make them desirable with expansion of arts and restaurants.
What unsung hero has contributed to your own success?
My unsung hero is my wife of 30 years. She has stood by our many moves and raised three beautiful children. My parents are unsung heroes in my life as well, so just family in general. My mother is a very strong, unwavering supporter. My father was a firefighter and paramedic, who passed at age 53. He had this incredibly strong work ethic, a desire to care for people, and never met a stranger. I have carried that with me. He cared for people in a different light than what we do in the service industry, but they are somewhat comparable.
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Lillian Brock Flemming is vice mayor pro tem and District 2 representative for Greenville City Council. She is also employment recruiter for Greenville County Schools.
What are the talents and attitudes you’ve seen that push the Upstate forward?
I have a love for Greenville. There’s a spirit of collaboration here, a desire to achieve greatness and a willingness to talk and study issues. There’s a community spirit of “Let’s get together and do something better than before.”
There’s a lot happening in Greenville these days, but what are some other parts of the Upstate where we should be looking to see what’s next?
Things are definitely happening within the city of Greenville, and it seems to change from week to week. More people are sprucing up their homes, and there’s planning going on right now for the Westside. I think we should focus on the rest of Greenville County in areas such as I-385 and I-85. I’d like to see more parks and green spaces as I think people are becoming more conscious of that.
Who is one person or unsung hero who has contributed to your own success?
My husband. He fills in the gaps. He takes care of me and does the cooking, shops for me, listens to me and reminds me of my responsibility. He tells me how important it is not to give up. We’ve been married for 33 years and he’s my biggest cheerleader.
What’s the best advice you wish you’d listened to the first time?
Do not be afraid to take risks. My mom gave me that advice. She also said it’s important to never think that you don’t have the quality or skills. And to give as much as is truly required.
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Will Ragland teaches theater at Woodmont High School in Piedmont and was named Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year for 2012–2013.
What parts of the Upstate should we be looking at to see what’s next?
There have been noticeable grassroots efforts in terms of cultural development in the smaller communities surrounding Greenville. Many of these organizations have taken advantage of existing historic structures and given them a second life while launching highly successful community programs. Prime examples include the Fountain Inn Civic Center (now the Younts Center for Performing Arts), the Greer Cultural Arts Council and the Greer Children’s Theatre, and the Mauldin Cultural Center. Other communities are also working toward creating their own cultural organizations and centers. Two exciting places to keep our eyes on are Simpsonville and the Williamston, Pelzer, West Pelzer area.
What’s the best advice you wish you’d listened to the first time?
Worrying gets you nowhere.
How will you know Who’s Who when you see them?
I always admire those who work the hardest, seek the least praise, and put their talents to use for the betterment of others.
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