Because the judges’ panel was able to choose only handful of winners from dozens of accomplished and talented professionals were nominated, the UBJ staff added its own input based our day-to-day work. Here are just a few of the people we thought were worthy of another look, and who we expect to continue making waves throughout the community.
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Mark Cothran
Political/government
Vice president of public policy, Greenville Chamber/Upstate Chamber Coalition
Cothran represents 12 Upstate Chambers at the State Capital, and keeps the business community in the know about how legislative issues affect them. His work has impacted significant legislation, including the coming of Southwest Airlines to the GSP Airport and the recent Angel Investor Bill.
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Tom Croft
Real estate
President, The Croft Company
Croft and his firm have put their fingerprints on the residential revitalization of downtown Greenville. The company developed Greenville’s first mid-rise residential building and will change the skyline again with another to be completed this year. Continue to look for Croft to play a key role in the transformation of infill development in downtown Greenville.
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Jason Fletcher
Hospitality
High Street Hospitality Group
With no previous experience in the industry, Fletcher opened four restaurants in four years. These include The Green Room, The Loft at Falls Park, Ford’s Oyster House and Sip. The restaurants in his group regularly make charitable donations. We are watching to see what, when and where Fletcher’s next concept will go.
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Trevor Gordon
Finance
CEO, Sandlapper Companies
Gordon’s company has won numerous recognitions for its fast growth, and he has been a significant player in the success of the national professional organization for alternative investments. He runs the largest broker-dealer in Greenville, and the largest retail branch office in the state.
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Neil Grayson
Legal
Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Grayson has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America every year since 2006. He’s handled more than 50 public offerings and hundreds of private placements of securities while with Nelson Mullins, and more than 30 new bank formations and more than 50 mergers and acquisitions. He has worked to promote entrepreneurship by founding organizations that work with successful companies, and he serves on multiple boards.
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Ty Houck
Nonprofit
Director of greenways, natural and historic resources, Greenville County Recreation District
Houck has helped to transform and promote the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail, pushed for increased trail use in Greenville, and helped bring the B-Cycle bike-sharing service to Greenville. He is a champion for a healthier Greenville and a familiar face at policy meetings.
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Scott Powell
Design
Vice president, Craig Gaulden Davis
An award-winning architect who has served as president of the Greenville chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Powell volunteers his professional expertise to help meet children’s educational needs and his personal time leading efforts to serve Greenville’s homeless residents.
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Jason Premo
Manufacturing
CEO, Adex Machining Technologies
Premo started his career as a manufacturing engineer for Fortune 500 printing and packing supplier Avery Denison, where he eventually moved into leadership positions. Adex has been growing rapidly and is working with the school system to teach them about the future of applied manufacturing.
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Matt Reeves
Nonprofit
Director, Frazee Dream Center
Reeves and his wife, Jenny, started the Frazee Center to provide mentorship, educational and other activities for underserved youth in the downtown area. He is also director of Mentor Greenville, which recruits mentors to work with youth throughout Greenville County. The program has taken off and we look forward to continuing to watch it grow.
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Deb Richardson-Moore
Nonprofit
Pastor/director, Triune Mercy Center
Under Richardson-Moore’s leadership, Triune Mercy Center has been transformed into a vibrant community where people worship together across socioeconomic boundaries. Her innovative work with the homeless has impacted the conversation about homeless people’s experiences and how to tackle the problem of homelessness.
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Jennifer Stilwell
Hospitality
Chief marketing officer, VisitGreenvilleSC
Stillwell has ramped up the marketing and visibility for Grenville’s tourism marketing group, finding a way to get people talking about what can be a staid organization in most communities. Her efforts to find a new way to tell Greenville’s story have won awards for her organization and recognition for the community.
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Dr. Spence Taylor
Healthcare
President and chief academic officer, GHS Clinical University
Taylor has helped to build a nationally renowned academic vascular surgery service. He was a significant force in the arrival of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine-Greenville, where he serves on the faculty. His known rapport with students is attracting some of the best young minds to Greenville.
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Nika White
Diversity
Vice president, diversity and inclusion, Greenville Chamber
Most recently making headway with several Chamber programs to strengthen minority participation and access in the Upstate’s business community, White is also a hands-on leader in community organizations that target social issues from youth mentorship to racism to community cohesion. We’re keeping an eye on the fruits of all those efforts.
