Adrian Cathcart (center), with wife Candace and son Cameron, a true Spartanburg Methodist College family.

For Cathcarts, SMC is a family affair

Prepared by Spartanburg Methodist College News Services

Spartanburg Methodist College is often recognized for its close-knit, friendly atmosphere. Some would even call it a family-like atmosphere, which fits just right for recent graduate Adrian Cathcart. He celebrated with his family after receiving his associate degree in education at this year’s commencement.

The family atmosphere for Adrian is more than a feeling, it is reality as his wife, Candace, is also an SMC graduate, and this fall their son, Cameron, will attend SMC. It’s also one of the main reasons he chose to pursue his education there.

“I initially chose SMC because it was close to home, but I also really liked the atmosphere and personal attention,” Adrian said. “What sets it apart is the small class sizes because you get the one-on-one attention and the professors go the extra mile to help you succeed.”

That connection to the college also inspired him to return this spring to attend the commencement ceremony, even though he officially graduated in 2020. With the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s commencement was canceled; but the college invited all 2020 graduates to return this year to share in the commencement experience.

“I was excited that they invited us to walk at graduation this year and wasn’t going to miss it,” Adrian said.

His wife Candace also chose SMC initially because it was close to home and many of her friends were attending. After starting at SMC out of high school she had to postpone her studies. When she decided to return to college later in life, she went right back to SMC and graduated with her psychology degree in 2011.

“SMC was great and an all-around wonderful experience,” she said. “It was at SMC that I decided on psychology as a major. My advisors and Jill Johnson were major influences in my decision to further my education at Converse College and pursue a BA in psychology.”

Today, that inspiration and influence have led Candace to her calling as a counselor specializing in grief support, anxiety, depression, and negative self-image issues at her own practice, C&C Counseling Associates. She is also a therapist at Safe Homes Rape Crisis Coalition, working with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Like his wife, Adrian plans to continue his education, attending SMC’s online program to earn his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and history to become a history teacher. He’s excited that SMC has added the bachelor’s degree programs, something Candace wishes they had when she attended.

It’s also something that both parents are excited is available for their son, Cameron, who will be starting at SMC in the fall. He is excited to carry on the family legacy and get the SMC experience for himself.

“My parents often talk about how it laid the foundation in helping them achieve their goals, and I’m looking forward to meeting new people and being on my own,” he said. The Dorman High School grad will be pursuing his associate degree before deciding on his future education plans.

Adrian and Candace are proud to have Cameron follow them to SMC and think he is making an excellent choice for his future.

“I think he recognizes the impact SMC has had on us and where we are today,” Candace said. “Education is very important to us and it’s great to see your son making good decisions and modeling behaviors that you consider meaningful.”

Choosing SMC is something Adrian and Candace also encourage other students to consider.

“I want the students who are thinking about choosing SMC to understand what the college is about, which is you the student,” Adrian said. “They have your best interest at heart, and you won’t be just a number in somebody’s grade book.”

Candace echoed those thoughts, saying, “SMC is a great school, with great people and great support systems and opportunities to enhance your future.”

The Cathcarts have a special bond with SMC which they look forward to continuing through Adrian’s and Cameron’s continued studies this fall.

OneSpartanburg, Inc. partnering with the Employers Network to prepare local businesses for future success

OneSpartanburg, Inc. and the Employers Network have partnered to host a monthly series of events, each with a unique focus, designed to prepare local businesses for success in the future.

“These training sessions presented in partnership with The Employers Network will benefit our member businesses in an array of subjects that are key to business success in 2021,” stated John Kimbrell, Chief Business Affairs Officer at OneSpartanburg, Inc.

Aug. 25: Selling Without Being “Salesy”

Sept. 17: Emergency Preparedness

Oct. 7: From Buddy to Leader

Nov. 4: Develop an Inclusive Culture

Dec. 2: HR 101

Jan. 27: Conflict Resolution

Feb. 22: Customer Service 101

Events will be held at either the OneSpartanburg, Inc. office or the Employers Network office.

More information, including how to register for each event, can be found at https:// www.onespartanburginc.com/trainingseries/

Don Erickson

GADC names officers for 2021-2022, adds three directors to Economic Development Board

Greenville - The Green-ville Area Development Corporation (GADC), charged with promoting and enhancing quality of life in Greenville County by facilitating job growth and investment, has named Don Erickson as Chairman of its Board of Directors for 2021-2022. Joining him as officers are Beverly Haines as Vice Chair, Chad Tumblin as Secretary, and Barry Leasure as Treasurer.

Simultaneously, the GADC has announced that prominent business leaders Joy Hemphill, McNeil Epps and Councilman Stan Tzouvelekas have been appointed by Greenville County Council to three-year terms on the Board, beginning July 1, 2021.  In addition, Beverly Haines was reappointed to the Board by Council, which also voted to expand the Board by one seat to include the permanent addition of the County Auditor as a Board member.  Scott Case is Greenville County’s current  Auditor.

“Since 2001, GADC efforts have contributed more than $55 billion in economic impact to Greenville County and accounted for over 30,000 jobs, working closely with other economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, the private sector and state and local governments to realize these incredible results,” said Chairman of Green-ville County Council Willis Meadows.  “County Council appreciates these talented leaders who help to guide our County’s economic development efforts in attracting and growing industry and enterprise here, while increasing per capita income, capital investment, and opportunity for all members of the community.”

Mr. Erickson is a retired executive with more than 35 years of experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry, most recently serving as General Manager and Site Director of Lockheed Martin’s 500-person site in Greenville that provides aircraft sustainment, modification and production services. In addition, he was instrumental in bringing the new F-16 Production Line to Greenville.  He is an active and engaged member in the community supporting Greenville Tech, Habitat for Humanity, and the March of Dimes, and holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Ms. Haines is a healthcare consultant and the former President and Chief Nursing Officer of the Patewood Hospital and Medical Campus of the Greenville Health System (now Prisma Health).  A registered nurse, she previously served as Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System in Pittsburgh, PA.  Ms. Haines holds a master’s degree in Nursing Education with emphasis in Nursing Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Duquesne University.  Long active in civic and industry circles, she has actively served in leadership roles with such organizations as the Peace Center, Greenville Women Giving and the Greenville Chorale. She is a graduate of The Riley Institute at Furman University’s Diversity Leaders Initiative.

Mr. Tumblin is an experienced construction and land acquisition manager, serving as General Land Manager for NVR, Inc., the parent company of Ryan Homes. Active in the Upstate community, he has served on the Greenville County Planning Commission as both director and Chairman, as well as director and Chairman of the Northwood Little League Board.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies, Planning & Administration from the College of Charleston.

Mr. Leasure is Managing Partner of the GreerWalker CPAs Greenville office. He has more than 30 years of experience providing tax and business advisory services to clients of all sizes across a wide spectrum of industries, and has experience consulting international companies as well as domestic. He primarily focuses his practice on the construction, property management and real estate development industries including developers, owners, brokers, and investors. He is active in numerous professional organizations including the Urban Land Institute, CFMA South Carolina, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and its South Carolina chapter.  As a volunteer, he is active with the Peace Center, United Way of Greenville County, and a Board Member of Upstate Alliance.

Mr. Epps is a commercial real estate broker with NAI Earle Furman, a leading commercial real estate firm in the Upstate. He primarily focuses his practice on Office space in Greenville.  He serves as a member of the Greenville Legislative Delegation Transportation Committee (GLDTC).  He is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), an active member of the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, and a member of Leader-ship Greenville Class 46.  Mr. Epps holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Presbyterian College, and an MBA from Clemson University.

A medically retired U.S. Navy veteran, Mrs. Hemphill has spent over 10 years assisting and advocating for veterans in various capacities. She previously worked for the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce as a Veterans Workforce consultant before transitioning to her current role as a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor for the State of South Carolina.  Mrs. Hemphill is a board member for the Greenville Economic Development Board, and currently serves as Regional Director (SE Division) for Psi Zeta Phi Military Sorority.  A service officer for Disabled American Veterans, she holds dual master’s degrees in Human Services Coun-seling and Criminal Justice from Liberty University, along with B.S. degrees in Healthcare Management from St. Leo University and in Psychology from the University of Sedona.

Mr. Tzouvelekas currently serves the team at RealtyLink in the role of Land Acquisitions and Sales and has spent over three decades in the residential and commercial real estate industry. A University of South Carolina graduate, he is a past President of the America Hellenic Educa-tional Progressive Associa-tions (AHEPA) where he led efforts to obtain federal grants to provide affordable housing apartments for seniors.  A past board member of Team Greenville and a graduate of Leadership Greenville class XXVI, he is Board Chairman for Christian Learning Centers of Greenville County.  Elected to Greenville County Council representing District 22, he serves on the Public Safety and Human Relations committees, as well as the Public Works and Infrastructure committees.  He is an active community volunteer with Meals on Wheels and several other organizations.

Mr. Case is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of professional experience in the areas of tax and finance, having worked at an international accounting firm, as Tax Director for a major corporation, at a major national law firm, as CFO for multiple companies and in a variety of finance and tax roles as a consultant. Mr. Case previously served on Greenville County Council where he authored Greenville’s first biennium budget and led the County to a Triple A credit rating.  Currently, Mr. Case serves as the elected Auditor of Greenville County and is a member of the South Carolina Association of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Government Finance Officers Association. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Bob Jones University and a master’s in Accountancy from Clemson University.

Departing the GADC Board of Directors at the end of their respective terms with appreciation for their contributions and service were outgoing GADC Directors Roy Chamlee, County Councilman Ennis Fant, and Je’Varus Howard.

The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County. Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of over 30,000 new jobs, nearly $6 billion in capital investment, and a cumulative economic impact of over $55 billion in Greenville County, SC -- including an economic impact of more than $6 billion annually. To learn more, please visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008. To learn more about workforce opportunities, visit www. jobsingreenvillesc.com.