If you’ve spent the time we hope you have with this week’s special issue of UBJ, you’ve learned something new about the seven winners of our annual Who’s Who awards – and been reminded again of what an impact they have had on the Upstate community.
Be it a Marine turned investor who is bringing tactics from the battlefield into the business world, or a legendary community figure who is blending economic development with philanthropy, or a company balancing worldwide success and innovation with hometown values, the members of the Who’s Who Class of 2016 have had the ingenuity to redefine and revolutionize their professional roles.
When our panel, who you met on pages 8 and 9, sat down to select this year’s winners, they had a very specific set of criteria. Each Who’s Who winner had to have made an economic impact on the Upstate, and had to go beyond the strict confines of their job descriptions – traveling the extra mile to make a difference. Who’s Who winners would never be off the clock. When they’re not in the office, we look for them to be out in the community, making connections and doing whatever they can to make the Upstate a better place to live, work and play. They’re willing to invest in their city.
The Upstate is an entrepreneurial region, and its cities continue to win national attention and acclaim. We have gotten there with an unparalleled gift for pairing government and private enterprise in progressive ways.
Who’s Who winners are also not afraid to get out of their comfort zones, to walk out of the well-worn paths that others in their industry or life position have worn down before them. They know that to make positive change, we’ve got to get a conversation started between people who wouldn’t ordinarily be in the same room. How do we get the boomers to talk with Generations X, Y and Z? What can the Greatest Generation share with the Millennial Generation – and vice versa? Wherever that alchemy happens – typed on Prezi screens or scribbled on the back of a napkin, in a conference room or a coffee shop, first thing Monday morning or at midnight on Saturday – that’s where we learn. That’s where we grow. That’s where we succeed.
So who will be in the Who’s Who class of 2017? That’s up to you. Keep your eyes and ears open for those who are out in the community outside of office hours, putting their resources and time behind making their town greater – walking the walk, not just talking the talk. Better yet, get out and do it yourself. We’ll see you here next year.
