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J. Ronald Jones, Jr. Named Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by Charleston County Bar Association

J. Ronald Jones, Jr.

Smith Debnam Narron Drake Sainting & Myers, LLP proudly announces that J. Ronald Jones, Jr., a distinguished attorney, and partner based in our Charleston, South Carolina office, has been honored as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Charleston County Bar Association. This prestigious recognition highlights Jones’ exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the local community.

Jones was presented the award at Charleston County Bar Association’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 22.

Jones is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a specialist in Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor law. His legal focus revolves around commercial litigation and bankruptcy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts in Special Studies and Legislative Affairs from George Washington University, and a Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law.

Reflecting on his recognition, Jones stated, “I believe that providing service to those who cannot afford legal assistance is the duty of every lawyer. I am thankful to my firm for its commitment to pro bono legal service and allowing me the time and resources to assist people in need. I am also thankful and honored to be recognized by the Charleston County Bar, but I firmly believe that service is its own reward.”

Jones’ dedication to pro bono work was notably demonstrated through his leadership in a landmark case tried in Bankruptcy Court in October 2023. Jones and his team at Smith Debnam devoted approximately 540 hours to an Adversary Proceeding in the case of Huggins vs. Grant. The case involved a poignant dispute between a real estate investor and a senior citizen facing housing insecurity. Jones and his team diligently worked on behalf of the senior citizen to advocate for justice in this case.

Reflecting on Jones’ achievement, Managing Partner Jerry T. Myers remarked, “Ron’s dedication to serving those in need exemplifies the core values of our firm. We are immensely proud of his commitment to justice and the positive impact he continues to make within our communities.”

About Smith Debnam
For over five decades, Smith Debnam has been at the forefront of legal excellence, serving as a trusted advisor to institutions and individuals across a wide range of industries. Their team of accomplished legal professionals combines experience, compassion, and a commitment to responsible representation. With headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a regional office in Charleston, South Carolina, Smith Debnam is strategically positioned to provide comprehensive legal services throughout the region. Their extensive experience in state and federal courts allows the firm to navigate diverse practice areas, including Litigation, Creditors’ Rights, Transactional and Advisory Services, Divorce and Family Law, and Personal Representation.

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Coalition advocates for passage of the South Carolina Justice Act

The South Carolina Coalition for Lawsuit Reform (SCCLR) recently gathered on the State House steps to address longstanding issues with the state’s legal liability system and to rally for the passage of the South Carolina Justice Act.

The briefing focused on the adverse impacts of current South Carolina law, which can leave defendants fully responsible for damages in lawsuits regardless of their level of fault.

Under current South Carolina law, defendants can be held fully liable for damages in lawsuits even if they are only partially at fault. This system disproportionately affects businesses, including small businesses, which may struggle to withstand the financial burden of hefty lawsuits. Moreover, this legal framework results in increased insurance premiums, reduced availability of insurance coverage, and targets those perceived as having “deep pockets.”

The South Carolina Justice Act intends to address the inequities within the state’s statutory scheme. The bill aims to correct the language in the existing law to ensure that parties are held liable for damages proportional to their actual responsibility for the damage or injury.

At the briefing, Tom Mullikin, SCCLR President and General Counsel, emphasized the importance of civil justice to the state’s businesses and urged the Senate to pass the Justice Act. “Our efforts are in response to the call from the South Carolina Supreme Court to address the inequities within the state’s statutory scheme,” Mullikin said. “The South Carolina Justice Act bill would correct wording in the current law that presently allows for parties to be held totally liable for damages when they have only a small percentage of actual responsibility for the damage or injury.”

Industry sector leaders and representatives of small and large businesses, as well as veterans’ service organizations and non-profit and arts advocacy groups joined in support of the cause. Alongside Mullikin, the lineup of speakers included Rep. Mark Smith, District 99, Sen. Ross Turner, District 8, Sen. Shane Massey, District 25, Jake Scott, Collum’s Lumber Products LLC, Lowell Koppert, U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, Aiken County Veterans Council chairman, small business owner and Tim Aponte, Director of Health, Safety, & Security, McCall Farms.

The South Carolina Coalition for Lawsuit Reform serves as the united voice for the business community on tort and workers’ compensation issues; coordinating lobbying, legal, grassroots, and public relations activities. For more information about the SCCLR and the South Carolina Justice Act, visit sclawsuitreform.org.

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QUOTES

“As a manufacturer that depends on a timely and efficient supply chain to bring timber into our sawmill so that we can get our products to the marketplace, I understand the real-life negative impacts that our state’s civil justice system is having on our economy. In our industry alone, we have seen commercial liability insurance rates triple in many cases since 2017. Increased insurance premiums and liability costs only hurts our state’s broader economy by prohibiting businesses from reinvesting back into their operations or their employees.” – Jake Scott, Vice President of Operations, Collum’s Lumber Products, LLC, Allendale, S.C.

“Our business, like many others in the state, has been hit with rising liability costs and increasing insurance premiums because of the imbalanced civil justice system in South Carolina. This increases the cost of doing business. This in turn raises prices for consumers. Thankfully, the South Carolina Justice Act would remedy this issue and restore fairness to an unfair system by making clear that defendants less than 50 percent responsible for an incident or accident are only liable for damages equivalent to their portion of fault. This common-sense solution will go a long way to restoring a more fair and reasonable system of justice in our state that brings certainty to businesses that operate here.” – Tim Aponte, Health, Safety & Security Director, McCall Farms, Effingham, S.C.

“I am here today not to speak on behalf of veterans or for veterans. I am here today to speak alongside veterans. We as a group stand to lose something that is very near and dear to us. Something our predecessors created for us and something we earned the right to be a part of through our service to this great nation. I am talking about our Veteran Service Organizations; you may know them as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Purple Heart Chapter, the Special Forces Association, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps Leagues and the Military Officers Association of America, to name a few. These organizations are closing their doors, unfortunately, due to the rising cost of liquor liability insurance. These are organizations that were created around the simple principle of service. Service to the community in which they reside. As these organizations close their doors, it is not only the veterans that lose out, it is the community as a whole.” – Lowell Koppert, U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, Aiken County Veterans Council chairman, small business owner

“South Carolina prides itself on being a business-friendly state, but businesses are under tremendous pressure to continue to operate as their insurance rates steadily climb because of the impact of joint and several liability. Businesses are often told that they must take total financial responsibility for something where another party is at fault. That’s not fair, and that’s not right. S. 533 will help us return fairness to our liability laws. Fairness is what South Carolinians understand and expect from the Legislature.” – Leslie Clark, COO, SC Government Relations & Divisions Director, Carolinas AGC

Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa and Leylah Fernandez Join Talented Credit One Charleston Open Player Field

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Three new talented tennis players have committed to the 2024 Credit One Charleston Open, the largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament in North America, in competition March 30 – April 7, 2024 on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina. Elina Svitolina, Paula Badosa and Leylah Fernandez join a player field that includes World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, World No. 6 and defending champion Ons Jabeur and former Charleston champions Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens. The tournament, which was named the WTA 500 Tournament of the Year in 2022 and 2023, is the annual clay season kickoff event on the Hologic WTA Tour and is hosted annually in the state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium.

“The player field for our upcoming tournament is continuing to evolve, with Elina, Paula and Leylah now among the elite players set to grace our green clay courts,” said Bob Moran, Tournament Director of the Credit One Charleston Open and President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment. “Elina’s comeback journey, Paula’s consistent top-tier performances, and Leylah’s dynamic play on the singles and doubles courts will have Charleston fans excited. Our current list of competitors is a testament to our event’s growing reputation on the WTA Tour and we anticipate attendees will witness unforgettable matches on-site. We’re also experiencing unprecedented tournament ticket demand for 2024 with only general admission tickets for finals weekend now remaining.”

The 2024 Credit One Charleston Open field currently features two Grand Slam champions, six Grand Slam finalists, three Charleston champions and two Charleston locals.

Svitolina is currently ranked World No. 20 and has been ranked as high as No. 3 in her career. She was Ukraine’s first Olympic tennis medalist in Tokyo in 2021 when she took home the bronze medal. The 29-year-old holds 17 WTA titles and has competed in 10 quarterfinals or better rounds at a Grand Slam, reaching at least the quarterfinals of all four Slams.

After taking a year off to give birth to her first child, she made her return to tennis in Charleston in April 2023. She regained top form quickly, winning a title in Strasbourg and reaching the quarterfinals in Roland Garros and semifinals in Wimbledon shortly thereafter. This season she was already a finalist in Auckland and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open. The 2024 Credit One Charleston Open will be her third time in the field.

“Charleston was the perfect place for me to return to the sport I love,” said Svitolina. “I felt so welcomed by the attendees when I stepped back out onto the court for the first time. I’m excited to come back now a year later and compete again in front of such a wonderful and supportive crowd.”

Badosa, who has been ranked as high as World No. 2, is returning to tennis after an injury cut her 2023 season short last July. Her 2023 season featured a semifinal appearance in Adelaide and quarterfinal rounds in Charleston, Stuttgart and Rome. She was a 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinalist and holds three career titles, including the 2021 Indian Wells title. This will be the Spaniard’s fourth consecutive Credit One Charleston Open, where she was a semifinalist in 2021 and quarterfinalist in ‘22 and ‘23.

“I absolutely love competing in Charleston,” said Badosa. “I have played consistently well on the clay courts there and the fans at the tournament really love tennis. It’s a great atmosphere and city and I’m excited to be back next month.”

Canadian Fernandez is currently ranked World No. 33. The 21-year-old holds three WTA titles and was a finalist at the 2021 US Open. Her 2023 season included four quarterfinals in Auckland, Cleveland, Guadalajara and Doha, a semifinal finish in Nanchang and a championship title in Hong Kong. Additionally, she reached the doubles finals in Auckland, Miami and Roland Garros. She recently made the quarterfinals in Qatar and will compete in Charleston for the fourth time this spring.

“Charleston is one of my favorite stops on Tour,” said Fernandez. “The city is beautiful and everyone is so friendly. I’m really looking forward to being back again to play in this tournament.”

The nine-day Credit One Charleston Open showcases a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players, and a doubles draw of 16 players. The event traditionally hosts more than 90,000 attendees on Daniel Island. The tournament recently released its Fan Hub, which showcases special events, food and beverage options, partner activities and more happening throughout the nine-day tournament.

Charleston Tennis, LLC, which manages Credit One Stadium under a lease from the City of Charleston, renovated and modernized the 20-year-old facility in 2022. The city-owned venue underwent upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent to Daniel Island.

The Credit One Charleston Open has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports since 1973, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001 and is played on Daniel Island at the LTP Daniel Island tennis center, home to the Credit One Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900. For additional information, please email tickets@charlestontennisllc.com or visit creditonecharlestonopen.com.

About the Credit One Charleston Open:
The Credit One Charleston Open is North America’s largest women’s-only tennis tournament. The event, formerly known as the Volvo Car Open, moved to Charleston, S.C., in 2001 from Hilton Head Island, S.C., and celebrated its 50th year in 2022. In the same year, and for the first time in tournament history, the Credit One Charleston Open was also recognized as the WTA 500 event of the year. The Credit One Charleston Open traditionally welcomes more than 90,000 spectators each year. The tournament features a singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. In conjunction with Tennis Channel and WTA Media, the Credit One Charleston Open is showcased from the first ball struck in main draw competition to the last ball played in finals, throughout the U.S. and 174 international partners. The tournament receives more than 100 hours of tennis coverage, broadcast live from Charleston across the globe to millions of fans. The tournament is operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. For more information on the Credit One Charleston Open, visit creditonecharlestonopen.com, call (843) 856-7900, email info@charlestontennisllc.com, Facebook (Credit One Charleston Open), Twitter (@CharlestonOpen) or Instagram (@CreditOneCharlestonOpen).

About Credit One Bank:
Credit One Bank is one of the fastest-growing credit card issuers in the U.S. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Las Vegas, Credit One Bank offers a full spectrum of credit card products including cash back and points-based cards as well as jumbo CDs. Credit One Bank is also the Official Credit Card of the Las Vegas Raiders, NASCAR, WWE, the Vegas Golden Knights, and Best Friends Animal Society. Learn more at CreditOneBank.com, on our Newsroom, or on social media (@CreditOneBank) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Carolinas PGA Recognizes Local Volunteer Tom Rader with REACH Retired Professional of the Year Award

Charleston, SC–Longtime Wescott Golf Club volunteer and beloved First Tee Coach Tom Rader has been named REACH Retired Professional of the Year by the Carolinas PGA.

This distinguished honor recognizes retired professionals who have given back to the game in extraordinary ways by supporting the three pillars of the PGA REACH Foundation—youth, military, and diversity.

Rader, who helps administer First Tee – Greater Charleston’s On-Course Golf & Life Skills Program at Wescott, has introduced hundreds of children to the game of golf and core value curriculum. The benefits of that work extend well-beyond the course, and Rader was recognized for his efforts as First Tee’s Volunteer of the Year in 2015. His faithfulness to the mission of positively impacting the lives of young people is as strong as ever nearly 10 years later.

“Coach Tom was one of our very first volunteers and has been with us for 15+ years,” says First Tee Program Director Meghan Taylor. “We are so grateful for him!”

Rader is also a long-time volunteer for two adaptive golf therapy initiatives at Wescott, PGA HOPE events for veterans/active duty military and the HERO Program for first responders.

Most would consider Rader an installation at Wescott. You can find him several days a week with Ziggy, Wescott’s unofficial mascot, in tow. The pair bring a smile to everyone they meet. And when they aren’t on the golf course, they’re making friends through ATD (Alliance of Therapy Dogs). Favorite ATD volunteer appearances include dog therapy days at local colleges during exam weeks.

About First Tee – Greater Charleston
Established in 2008, First Tee – Greater Charleston serves young people, ages 5-18, from all walks of life. The 501(c)3 offers on-course, in-school, and community outreach programs that teach life-enhancing values and interpersonal skills through the game of golf. The organization reaches thousands of children each year in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties–19,869 young people in 2023 alone. Visit FirstTeeCHS.org to learn more.

PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation
The PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and philanthropic arm of the Carolinas PGA Section, the largest of the 41 sections in the United States of America. Carolinas members across North and South Carolina are committed to serving local communities and growing the game of golf through three pillars–Youth, Military, and Diversity/Inclusion.

Dr. Frank Thomas set to honor the 100th birthday of James Baldwin at IAAM

Charleston, S.C. – The International African American Museum (IAAM) invites guests to join Dr. Frank Thomas on February 29 for a conversation and salute to James Baldwin, an iconic American novelist, playwright, and essayist, who was a prominent and powerful voice in the civil rights movement. To commemorate and celebrate Baldwin’s 100th birthday, Thomas will lead a conversation about how Baldwin’s spiritual roots informed his career as a writer and how his life, legacy, and literature is testimony to his faith, which has inspired others internationally.

The event will be held on February 29 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at IAAM’s Center for Family History, located at 14 Wharfside Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401. Guests can register here.
Baldwin’s work is deeply rooted in the complexities of identity and social injustice and continues to resonate with readers and activists everywhere. Baldwin’s involvement in the civil rights movement and his contributions to the discourse on race and equality have cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in American history and Black culture.

Thomas is known as a creative, pioneering, and prominent thought leader of this generation. He holds a PhD in Communications (Rhetoric) from the University of Memphis and currently serves as the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The program, which is part of the TD Bank Series, honors the gifts of knowledge, culture, and tradition passed down by African American ancestors, while inspiring others to preserve and fulfill those dreams and aspirations.

The International African American Museum (IAAM) explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, the nation, and the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origin, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. Across eleven galleries and a memorial garden with art, objects, artifacts, and multi-media interaction, IAAM is a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history. As a result, the museum will stand as one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as it evolves today. The mission of IAAM is to honor the untold stories of the African American journey at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf and beyond. For more information, please visit iaamuseum.org or call 843-872-5352.

Glassdoor Names South Carolina Federal a Best Place to Work in 2024

N. Charleston, S.C. – South Carolina Federal Credit Union has been named one of the Best Places to Work by Glassdoor, ranking No.13 out of 50 among organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees.

The 2024 Best Places to Work were determined by reviews employees posted on Glassdoor over the past year, where they provided anonymous feedback about their job, work environment, and employer. Employees who choose to share a review are also asked to rate their employer on its compensation and benefits, leadership team, and diversity and inclusion practices, all of which Glassdoor analyzes to determine the top workplaces.

“Earning this recognition for the sixth year in a row reinforces our belief that a thriving workplace culture is one built on trust, respect, and opportunities for personal and professional advancement, and this is the cornerstone of our success,” said Leslie Norris, Chief Human Resources Officer at South Carolina Federal. “We’re elated that our employees love where they work and refer others who share the same passion and excitement!”

South Carolina Federal offers employees a range of best-in-class benefits, including a free health insurance option, rate discounts on mortgage and auto loans, and a generous 401(k) employer match. The credit union also makes it easy for employees to support the causes and organizations they’re passionate about by offering time off for volunteering and connecting them with opportunities to serve a variety of local nonprofits.

If you would like to work for a company that is continuously named a Best Place to Work, visit scfederal.org/culture-careers to browse current opportunities.

About South Carolina Federal
Connect with South Carolina Federal Credit Union for products, services, and financial literacy. With more than 175,000 members and $2.5 billion in assets, the member-owned financial institution operates 29 offices and serves seven major markets including Charleston, Columbia, Georgetown, Greenville, Florence, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg. Over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs are available worldwide through the Allpoint Network. More information about South Carolina Federal can be found at scfederal.org.

Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Invited to Learn How to Build a Company with Profit and Purpose

Lowcountry Local First is hosting the 11th annual Good Business Summit on February 22nd, 2024 at the Charleston Music Hall. This one-day event, presented by South Carolina Federal Credit Union, will include keynote speakers, panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions to spotlight creative ideas and workable solutions for building your company with profit and purpose. Attendees are invited to enjoy breakfast, lunch and happy hour networking events throughout the day. The Good Business Summit is open to the public and registration is currently open.

2024 featured keynote speakers:
– Clarenda “Cee” Stanley, CEO and President of Green Heffa Farms
– Danny Caine, Author and co-owner of the Raven Book Store

Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley is a pioneering figure and the respected CEO/President of Green Heffa Farms, an esteemed natural wellness brand and regenerative farm located in Liberty, North Carolina. Emerging from a rich lineage deeply entrenched in agrarian traditions within Alabama’s Black Belt, Farmer Cee‘s journey into organic farming began with the co-founding of Green Heffa Farms in 2018. Since then, the farm has notably achieved the distinction of becoming the nation’s premier Black-owned farm to earn the Certified B Corp credential, a significant recognition denoting its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

Danny Caine is a co-owner of the Raven Book Store, Publishers Weekly’s 2022 bookstore of the year. In 2019, he received the Midwest Independent Bookstore Association Midwest Bookseller of the Year award. He’s the author of the books How to Resist Amazon and Why and How to Protect Bookstores and Why, as well as the poetry collections Continental Breakfast, El Dorado Freddy’s, Flavortown, and Picture Window. His poetry has appeared in The Slowdown, DIAGRAM, HAD, and Barrelhouse, and his prose has appeared in Literary Hub and Publishers Weekly.

Breakout session topics include:
– Small Business, Global Impact: How to run an eco-conscious and profitable business without greenwashing
– The Great Equalizer: How small business owners can harness the power of AI to maximize impact
– Strike the Balance: The business case for radical self-care
– Glass Ceilings and Broken Rungs: Why we still haven’t reached gender parity and where we go from here
– Del Sueño a la Realidad: El camino del emprendimiento exitoso (offered in Spanish language)
– Expandiendo Su Mercado (offered in Spanish language)

Learn more about the Good Business Summit online or by emailing steve@lowcountrylocalfirst.org. Engage with Lowcountry Local First on Facebook and Instagram and join the conversation with #GoodBiz24.

The 2024 Good Business Summit’s presenting sponsor is South Carolina Federal Credit Union. Other event partners include College of Charleston Master of Business Administration, Verde, Uptown Hospitality Group, Addlestone International Corp, Giglio Communications and Marketing (GCM), BizVox Communications, Climb Fund, Charleston Magazine, The Local Palate, Karst Promo, and more.

Beach Commercial Employees Honored with Prestigious Marketing Awards

Eddie Hughes and Carmichael Harrison

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston’s oldest locally family owned full-service commercial real estate firm, Beach Commercial, a Division of The Beach Company, is pleased to announce that two of its brokers have received prestigious marketing awards within the company. Eddie Hughes has been honored with the title of 2023 Commercial Agent of the Year, while Carmichael Harrison has been recognized as the recipient of the 2023 Commercial Captain’s Cup.

“Eddie Hughes and Carmichael Harrison consistently deliver outstanding contributions to The Beach Company and these distinctions are incredibly well deserved,” says John Darby, CEO and president of The Beach Company. “These men continue to set the standard for excellence in our company and I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and dedication.”

This award marks Eddie Hughes’ fifth consecutive win as Agent of the Year, underscoring his exceptional contribution to the company’s success, with a total volume of $18.8 million. In 2023, Hughes’ expertise and dedication led to an astounding 42 successful sales and leasing transactions.

Carmichael Harrison has received the 2023 Commercial Captain’s Cup, an award reserved for the agent who has demonstrated exceptional success in gross income growth compared to the previous year. Harrison’s accomplishment includes orchestrating 78 sale and leasing transactions, resulting in an impressive total volume of $13.8 million.

Global Water Center and Water Mission Celebrate and Honor George Greene III’s 80th Birthday

George Greene III, PE, Ph.D. Co-founded the Global Water Center and Water Mission

N. Charleston SC —February 8, 2024 — The Global Water Center (GWC) and Water Mission honor George Greene III, PE, Ph.D., on his 80th birthday. Dr. Greene co-founded both nonprofits with his late wife Molly Greene. Both global humanitarian organizations are based in N. Charleston, and each has complementary objectives focused on ending the global water crisis that affects more than 2 billion people.

For more than 25 years, Dr. Greene has been dedicated to showing God’s love to people in need through lifesaving safe water solutions. In 2001, Dr. Greene and Molly co-founded Water Mission, a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds sustainable safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Over the next 23 years, Water Mission served more than 8 million men, women, and children in 60 countries. They then created the GWC to drive standards, provide training and monitoring, and to foster collaboration with other water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) organizations. The GWC is positioned as a go-to resource for safe water implementors in the rural water sector.

“George cares deeply for those around him. Remarkably, he cares just as deeply for people he will never meet, particularly for the 2 billion people who lack access to safe water,” said Thomas Johnston, Chief Operations Officer of GWC. “Dr. Greene is highly focused, incredibly intelligent, committed to excellence, and loves engineering standards. All of this comes wrapped up in a very humble and compassionate persona. He lives out his faith every day inspiring others to come alongside him in this shared purpose to bring safe water to everyone in need.”

Retirement looks different for Dr. Greene compared to most Americans. He remains an active servant leader as the CEO of GWC and is a long time Water Mission board member after previously holding the Water Mission CEO and Board Chair roles. Prior to founding Water Mission and GWC, Dr. Greene started his professional career in Germany with an international engineering company before returning to the United States and joining Exxon Research and Engineering. In 1981, he moved his family to Charleston to build General Engineering Laboratories, (now known as GEL Group.) Together with Molly, the business grew to become one of the largest single site privately owned environmental laboratories in the U.S. Dr. and Mrs. Greene sold the business in 2001 to the leadership team and used proceeds to start Water Mission.

In honor of his dedication to saving lives, Dr. Greene has received numerous awards, including Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian award, and Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award. Dr. Greene was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service from Charleston Southern University. In 2022, Dr. Greene was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a business leader and humanitarian.

“As we celebrate my father’s 80th birthday, we are celebrating a life of faithfulness that started with his parents planting seeds of faith, grounded in the values of love, excellence, and integrity,” said Water Mission CEO and President George Greene IV, PE. “The seed took root in his late twenties and from that point on, faith became the priority in his and my mother’s life. In their for-profit business, faith manifested itself in the way they ran the organization, treating others the way they wanted to be treated. As the business grew with amazing success, little did they know that it was all in preparation for something bigger, and in 2001 they felt a calling to leave the for-profit world and start Water Mission and eventually GWC. Outside of the focus on business and ministry, George III intentionally poured into his family, instilling the same values in me and my sister and encouraging the instilling of those values in the lives of his grandchildren today. With this very brief summary of a life well lived, please join us in celebrating today!”

About Global Water Center
Global Water Center, in collaboration with Water Mission, CAWST, and UNICEF, has trained water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) professionals in more than 67 countries. The purpose of GWC is to serve the global WASH community to rapidly scale the world’s effort to bring safe water to everyone in need. Through collective action, training, and technical support, GWC drives accountability and adherence to standards, ensuring access to safe water for millions of people around the world.

About Water Mission
Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds sustainable safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Water Mission’s global headquarters is in N. Charleston, S.C., and the organization has more than 400 staff members based in Africa; Asia; and North, South, and Central America. Charity Navigator has awarded Water Mission its top four-star rating 17 years in a row, a distinction shared by less than 1% of the charities rated by the organization.

Sessler Wrecking Embarks on Strategic Expansion with Launch of Southeast Division

Sessler Wrecking performing large scale industrial laboratory demolition making way for Amazon.

Waterloo, NY & Rock Hill, SC – Sessler Wrecking, a leader in demolition and environmental services proudly announces its latest milestone: the establishment of its Southeast Division in Charlotte, NC. This expansion marks a significant chapter in the company’s storied history, responding to the growing demand and calls from their valued clients and business partners.

Boasting over six decades of industry experience, Sessler Wrecking’s expansion into the Southeastern United States underscores its commitment to delivering superior services to a broader clientele. This strategic move not only extends the company’s geographical reach but also strengthens its core offerings and professional team, elevating capabilities across all markets served.

As a part of this momentous occasion, Sessler Wrecking is proud to welcome two distinguished industry veterans to its team: Mark Frank and Ed Vernier.

Mark and Ed have joined Sessler Wrecking to spearhead business and project management operations in our southeast marketplace. Together, Mark and Ed bring a combined wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success in executing large-scale commercial and industrial demolition and decommissioning projects nationwide. Their appointment underscores Sessler Wrecking’s unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and client satisfaction in this new marketplace.

Mark Frank joins as the Director of Southeast Demolition, leveraging over three decades of experience in the demolition and environmental services industries. His role will encompass chief estimator responsibilities and project oversight, ensuring excellence in every aspect of the division’s operations.

Ed Vernier will assume the role of Director of Southeast Operations, drawing upon over 35 years of executive management experience in the demolition, environmental, and rigging industries. In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, Ed’s extensive background allows him to lead and manage all facets of Sessler Wrecking’s Southeast Division effectively. Ed serves on the Board of Directors of the National Demolition Association and is the current Treasurer on the Executive Board.

“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey of expansion,” said Jeff Sessler, Principal at Sessler Wrecking. “Our team has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of safety and project efficiencies, setting industry benchmarks, and earning the trust of our clients and partners. Responding to calls and interest from clients and new business partners, we saw a strategic opportunity to strengthen our existing services with our new Southeast Division. Allowing us to continue ‘Making Good Things Happen!’.”

Sessler Wrecking, headquartered in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, is a generational, family owned and operated specialty contractor focused on bridge, building, and industrial demolition, marine services, environmental services, and site preparation. Founded in 1958, Sessler Wrecking has grown steadily into one of the nation’s premier specialty contractors, earning a place as a Top 20 Demolition & Wrecking Contractor, ranked by nationwide revenue in Engineering News-Record. Sessler Wrecking is a proud member and supporter of the National Demolition Association.

The Southeast Division is located at:

1034 Charlotte Avenue
Rock Hill, SC 29732
800.833.3210