M.B. Kahn Launches New Website

One of the nation’s leading construction management firms launched its revamped website today to give its customers more access and information.

The new M. B. Kahn website can be found at www.mbkahn.com and includes client testimonials, an updated portfolio of projects, a list of services, breaking news and much more.

M. B. Kahn President William H. Neely said the new website reflects the strengths and abilities of the firm and its employees in the eight strategic offices it has throughout the Southeast: Columbia, S.C., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Greenville, S.C., Atlanta, Ga., Savannah, Ga., Charlotte, N.C., Roanoke, Va., and Richmond, Va.

“Since 1927, M. B. Kahn has grown, evolved and remained on the cutting edge of the construction industry,” Neely said. “This new site reflects that legacy of innovation.”

South Carolina will open the 5th Annual Southeastern U.S. Canadian Provinces (SEUS-CP) trade conference on Sunday in Myrtle Beach.

More than 300 Canadian and US business and government leaders will connect at the Marriott Resort at Grand Dunes to promote trade and investment opportunities during the three-day conference that will highlight areas for collaboration, encourage two-way trade, and promote technical partnerships.

Sen. Lindsey Graham will address conference attendees during the Sunday dinner.

A number of other speakers and panelists will address the conference, including: Gary Doer, ambassador for Canada to the United States; Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and General Manager Final Assembly and Delivery of Boeing South Carolina; Geoffrey S. Aucoin, general manager of Michelin North America Inc.; Derek Burleton, vice president and deputy chief economist of TD Bank Financial Group; Mark Vitner, managing director and senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities; Inta Zvagulis, president of BuildIT Software & Solutions; John Costanzo, president of Purolator International; Mike Fisher, general manager of Consolidated Cargo Carriers; and Dr. Robert Perkins, vice president of Brokerage Strategy for Livingston International Inc.

David Wilkins, former Speaker of the South Carolina House and US ambassador to Canada, is the co-chair of the conference’s business program and is happy to host Canadians in Myrtle Beach.

“We are so honored to host this important conference that strengthens the ties between our member states and provinces. In this time of global economic worries and uncertainty our bilateral relationship is even more important. It is incumbent on us to never take our world-class trade relationship for granted. This is all about safeguarding and growing economic development and opportunity for all of us,” Wilkins said.

SEUS-CP is a formal, strategic partnership between states in the southeastern United States and member provinces from Canada. Delegations convene annually for a business-to-business conference.

SEUS-CP member U.S. states include Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Member Canadian provinces include Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

Gov. Nikki Haley recently appointed acting chairman Johnny Evans of Orangeburg as the new chairman of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Board.

Evans represents the Sixth Congressional District. He is currently President/CEO of C.F. Evans Construction, a family-owned construction management firm specializing in multi-family construction throughout the Southeast. He also is an active member in the Boone and Crockett Club, which was founded by Teddy Roosevelt and is the oldest conservation organization in America. Evans grew up in Cameron and is a graduate of Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Building Science degree. Mr. Evans and his wife Kristen reside in the Lone Star community in Calhoun County.

“Johnny Evans has a steadfast commitment to the state’s natural resources and our agency’s mission,” said agency director Alvin Taylor. “He has consistently demonstrated his leadership qualities in a variety of capacities since his appointment as a board member in 2004.”

The Natural Resources Board meets monthly and sets policy for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The DNR is composed of five divisions: Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Land, Water and Conservation, Law Enforcement, Outreach and Support Services and the Marine Resources Division, based in Charleston.

Officials with the upcoming BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation golf tournament have released celebrity course rotations and updates to the celebrity list.

First-time participants include actor Richard Schiff of NBC’s The West Wing, actor Chris Rich of Reba and Carolina Panthers safety Reggie Smith. Returning to the tournament are actress Paula Trickey of USA Network’s Pacific Blue and actor Andy Buckley of The Office. It was also announced that Lucas Black, Javier Colon, Greg Kinnear and Bruce Greenwood have had to withdraw from the 2012 tournament due to schedule conflicts.

“We’re always disappointed to have to announce celebrity cancellations, but it’s something we go through almost every year,” said Tournament Director Darin MacDonald. “When dealing with actors and musicians, work commitments have to take precedence, which is understandable. We’re very excited, however, to announce the five celebrities joining the lineup. It’s great to have both new and returning names.”

Schiff, Rich, Smith, Trickey and Buckley bring the celebrity lineup to 25. They join the following celebrity participants: Anthony Anderson, Steve Azar, Mark Bryan, Jay DeMarcus, Jeffrey Donovan, David James Elliott, Dean Felber, Oliver Hudson, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Danny Masterson, Rob Morrow, Terry O’Quinn, Joe Don Rooney, Wyatt Russell, Grant Show, Holly Sonders, Kevin Sorbo, Gary Valentine and Patrick Warburton.

Actor Richard Schiff is best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he received an Emmy. Schiff can also be seen on other popular television shows including Criminal Minds, House of Lies and NCIS. This will be Schiff’s first time playing in the tournament.

Actor Chris Rich is best known for playing Brock Hart on the television series Reba. He has also had guest appearances on popular shows including Murphy Brown, ER, Boston Legal, Desperate Housewives and Melissa and Joey. This will be Rich’s first time playing in the tournament.

Reggie Smith is a safety for the Carolina Panthers, where he was signed earlier this year. He got his start in the NFL when he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. Smith played college football at Oklahoma. This will be Smith’s first time participating in the tournament.

Actress Paula Trickey earned the title of Miss Oklahoma in the 1985 Teen All-American Pageant. Following high school, Trickey moved to Dallas where she studied acting and honed her skills as an actress prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career. After arriving in L.A., Trickey landed a five-season run on Pacific Blue. and has also had recurring roles on shows such as The O.C., Beverly Hills, 90210 and Walker, Texas Ranger. This is Trickey’s third time participating in the tournament.

Actor Andy Buckley can be seen weekly in the ABC Family hit The Lying Game as Dr. Ted Mercer, a good-natured father of two who’s hiding a dark secret from his past. He is also continuing his role as David Wallace on the NBC hit comedy The Office. Buckley also plays Julia Louis Dreyfus’ boyfriend in the new HBO comedy hit VEEP. This will be Buckley’s second time playing in the tournament.

Celebrities will play the following course rotations:

Thursday:

Thornblade Club: Mark Bryan, Jeffrey Donovan, Dean Felber,Josh Kelley, Danny Masterson, Joe Don Rooney and Grant Show

The Greenville Country Club’s Chanticleer course: Oliver Hudson, Rob Morrow, Terry O’Quinn, Wyatt Russell, Richard Schiff, Holly Sanders, Gary Valentine and Patrick Warburton

The Carolina Country Club: Anthony Anderson, Steve Azar, Andy Buckley, David James Elliott, Cheech Marin,Chris Rick, Kevin Sorbo, Reggie Smith and Paula Trickey

Friday:

Thornblade Club: Anthony Anderson, Steve Azar, Andy Buckley, David James Elliott, Cheech Marin, Chris Rich, Kevin Sorbo, Reggie Smith and Paula Trickey

The Greenville Country Club’s Chanticleer course: Mark Bryan, Jay DeMarcus, Jeffrey Donovan, Dean Felber, Josh Kelley, Danny Masterson, Joe Don Rooney and Grant Show

The Carolina Country Club: Oliver Hudson, Rob Morrow, Terry O’Quinn, Wyatt Russell, Richard Schiff, Holly Sonders, Gary Valentine and Patrick Warburton

Saturday:

Thornblade Club: Oliver Hudson, Rob Morrow, Terry O’Quinn, Wyatt Russell, Richard Schiff, Holly Sonders, Gary Valentine and Patrick Warburton

The Greenville Country Club’s Chanticleer course: Anthony Anderson, Steve Azar, Andy Buckley, David James Elliott, Cheech Marin, Chris Rich, Kevin Sorbo, Reggie Smith and Paula Trickey

The Carolina Country Club: Mark Bryan, Jay DeMarcus, Jeffrey Donovan, Dean Felber, Josh Kelley, Danny Masterson, Joe Don Rooney and Grant Show

Sunday:

All golf is played at Thornblade Club (only the 14 lowest scoring pro-amateur/pro-celebrity teams advance to play Sunday’s final round).

The 2012 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation will take place May 17-20 at Thornblade Club, The Carolina Country Club and Greenville Country Club’s Chanticleer course.

The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation is the only tournament on the PGA TOUR’s Nationwide Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Nationwide Tour professionals in a four-day better-ball competition over three courses. Amateurs, celebrities and pros rotate between three courses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the 14 lowest scoring pro-amateur/pro-celebrity teams advancing to play Sunday’s final round at Thornblade Club. Celebrities play once at each course on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The professional winner of the overall 72-hole event takes home $108,000 from the total purse of $600,000. Amateurs and celebrities compete for individual prizes and cash donations to the charity of their choice out of the beneficiaries selected by South Carolina Charities, Inc.

A live broadcast of the tournament can be seen on Golf Channel Thursday, May 17−Friday, May 18 from 12:30-2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19 from 1-3 p.m. and Sunday, May 20 from 2-4 p.m.

To purchase tickets call or (864) 297-1660 or purchase tickets at the gate at any of the tournament courses Thursday, May 17−Saturday, May 19 or at Thornblade Club on Sunday, May 20.

To purchase tickets at the gate park at spectator parking, ride the shuttle to the course and purchase tickets at the TD Bank Convenience Center. The TD Bank Convenience Center is located near the shuttle drop off at each course. Spectator parking locations and directions can be found at www.bmwcharitygolf.com.

Complimentary daily grounds admission is granted for all active duty, retired, Reserve military and veterans, along with their dependents; a valid ID is required for entry. Complimentary daily grounds admission is also granted to all youth 14 and under who are accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Since 2001, the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation has raised more than $8.6 million for more than 150 charities.

The 27 charities that have the opportunity to earn funds from the tournament are: 100 Black Men of the Upstate, A Child’s Haven, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Upstate, Charles Lea Center Foundation, Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greenville, Child Evangelism Fellowship of Spartanburg, Children Shelter of the Upstate, Citizen Scholars of Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties, Clement’s Kindness, Defenders for Children, Dogs For Autism, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The First Tee of Greenville, Greenville Tech Foundation, Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Hidden Treasure Christian School, Loaves & Fishes, Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Carolina, Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, NCCAA, New Foundations Home for Children, Pendleton Place Children’s Shelter, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas, Scottish Rite Foundation, Spiritual 2-A-Days and The Walker Foundation for the S.C. School for the Deaf and Blind.

Frontier Communications, a provider of telephone, television and internet services, announced plans today to expand its Horry County operations. The expansion is expected to generate 110 new jobs.

“Frontier Communications places its customers first, and this new call center will give us more resources to provide great service,” said Ken Arndt, president-East Region for Frontier, who took part in a news conference at the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Grand Strand campus today.  “We are excited to continue to be a part of the Myrtle Beach community and to have a growing presence here.”

John Swallow, senior vice president and general manager for Frontier Communications in the Carolinas, said local and state officials and the entire Myrtle Beach community have welcomed Frontier since its arrival in July 2010, when it acquired Verizon properties in 14 states.

“South Carolina has provided us with an excellent business environment, and we appreciate the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” Swallow said. “Our company considered several locations to establish the call center, but Myrtle Beach truly stands out as a great place to do business. This was an easy decision for us to make.”

Frontier will invest in renovating its facility in Myrtle Beach to accommodate the call center. The company also will continue to spend millions of additional dollars for network infrastructure upgrades across South Carolina

“South Carolina continues to be a place where companies can establish business and prosper, and today’s announcement certainly speaks to that reputation. We celebrate Frontier Communications’ decision to invest and create 110 new jobs in Myrtle Beach,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

Frontier serves Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Sumter, Georgetown, Simpsonville and numerous other South Carolina communities.

“We appreciate Frontier Communications’ commitment to South Carolina with this decision to grow operations here. Every one of these jobs will have an impact in the Myrtle Beach area for years to come,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

“Today’s announcement signifies the quality of our local workforce and our attractiveness as a business destination. I am thankful for Frontier’s commitment to Horry County. I’m proud of our economic development efforts,” said Horry County Council Chairman Tom Rice.

“I am happy that Frontier Communications will be locating in Horry County in the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) Region.  The company’s decision to create 110 new jobs in the NESA Region proves once again that our region of South Carolina has what it takes for companies to be successful,” said Senator Yancey McGill.

Call center employees will provide customer support in all Frontier markets for billing, order fulfillment and other functions.

The Southern Connector is switching to a new “sticker tag” transponder in an effort to reduce the number of replacement transponders it issues and provide an environmentally responsible method for disposing of those transponders once they are taken out of service.

The new sticker tag Palmetto Pass replaces the long-used white hard case transponder box that allows users faster access at toll plazas along the Southern Connector, said Pete Femia, the road’s general manager.

One of the primary reasons the hard case transponder will be replaced is the limited battery life of the hard case transponder, Femia said. The old transponder battery wore down after seven to eight years. The new sticker tag Palmetto Pass has no internal battery and will last much, much longer.

In addition, the sticker tags are much smaller and take up only a small space on the windshield of the vehicle he said.  In the future, these sticker tags will make Palmetto Passes interoperable with toll roads in other states.

Femia said the vast majority of the hard-case Palmetto Passes have been replaced, but people who have not made the change yet can call 1-866-PALPASS (725-7277) or go to the Southern Connector’s main office located at the West Toll Plaza, 3050 Southern Connector, Piedmont, S.C.  All new account holders will be issued sticker tags unless they also use the Cross Island Parkway in Hilton Head, S.C.

Amy McAllister-Skinner, SC's 2012-13 Teacher of the Year, receives a BMW X3 to drive for 1 year.

State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Mick Zais, announced last week that Amy McAllister-Skinner was named the 2012/2013 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

As part of the celebration, BMW Manufacturing, the event’s premier sponsor, handed the Johnsonville High School English teacher the keys to a 2012 Alpine White BMW X3 xDrive35i equipped with the M Sport package. During her yearlong sabbatical from the classroom, McAllister-Skinner will drive the BMW throughout South Carolina as the state’s public education ambassador.

McAllister-Skinner noted that the honor was bittersweet saying, “I will miss all of my kids but am proud to spread the word across the state. Everybody needs to know all of the great things going on in public education in South Carolina.”

“Advancing education is paramount to BMW’s long-term success. We applaud all teachers throughout South Carolina who prepare the future workforce with the necessary skills to become viable candidates for various industries, including manufacturing,” said Sky Foster, Manager, Corporate Communications for BMW Manufacturing. “We hope Amy enjoys her new South Carolina-built BMW.”

The South Carolina Teacher of the Year will participate in a yearlong residency at the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA). Along with the use of the BMW X3 for one year, McAllister-Skinner also receives a $25,000 cash award, a set of Michelin tires and a celebratory ring from Jostens.

Amy McAllister-Skinner succeeds Patti Tate, an English teacher at Northwestern High School in York School District 3. McAllister-Skinner earned a bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University and will complete a master’s degree from Coastal Carolina University this month. She has been teaching for five years. Johnsonville High School is in Florence School District Five.

South Carolina Sweet Onions are now available at local retailers around the state.

The sweet onions were introduced to the public in 2010 with farmers growing just 60 acres statewide. However, due to increased consumer interest over the last two years, this year South Carolina farmers have planted more acres with the sweet onions.

“We’re seeing good repeat business with the sweet onions,” said Sonny Dickinson, assistant director of marketing with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. “Those who have bought and tried these sweet onions have liked it.”

Dickinson said as consumers are learning about, and loving, the South Carolina sweet onion they are incorporating them into recipes.

Sweet onions have a light golden-brown color and when cut open reveal a creamy white interior. They are perfect for cooking, baking or to garnish hamburgers and other dishes. Sweet onions are a winter crop, planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. Planting occurs from November 1 through December 31 and are harvested around mid-April to June. Currently the dried onions are now available to purchase at grocery stores throughout the state. Because of an interest from consumers buying these local onions, more grocery stores will offer both four and five pound bags of dried onions.

US Fibers, a recycler of PET Post Industrial and Post Consumer material, announced plans today to expand its current Edgefield County operation. The $5.5 million investment is expected to generate 48 new jobs.

“This investment and expansion represents another important step in our evolution as a major recycled PET fiber producer. We appreciate the excellent business environment that South Carolina offers and the continued support from our employees, customers and suppliers,” said Steve Zagorski, vice president of New Business Development at US Fibers.

“US Fibers is focused on growing and expanding our operations in the Palmetto State,” US Fibers president and founder Edward Oh said. “We are grateful to our customers and suppliers for their loyalty and the partnerships that we have developed.  Together, with the efforts of our employees, we will continue to add jobs and build the company we can all be proud of.”

US Fibers will expand its polyester recycling operation in Trenton, which will allow the company to increase the facility’s capacity. Work on the expansion is to start immediately and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

“It’s another great day in South Carolina when one of our existing businesses chooses to increase its footprint in our state. It’s also exciting to see this expansion take place in one of South Carolina’s rural areas. We truly celebrate US Fibers’ decision to invest $5.5 million and create 48 new jobs in Trenton,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.

Since the beginning of 2010, the State of South Carolina has recruited more than $430 million in capital investment and more than 1,000 new jobs in the recycling-related sector.

“Our state’s recycling sector continues to grow and create new jobs. We appreciate US Fibers’ commitment to South Carolina with this expansion and look forward to the company’s continued success in the Palmetto State,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

US Fibers has operated in South Carolina for nearly 20 years and in Edgefield County for 10 years. The company previously expanded its Trenton facility in 2010.

“We are pleased that US Fibers has decided to reinvest in Edgefield County,” said Edgefield County Council Chairman Dean Campbell. “Capital for expansions is a very competitive market in today’s global economy, and we are proud that their investment dollars are being made here. Edgefield County Council has been diligently working to prepare the county for economic development, and we will continue to do so. Edgefield County thanks US Fibers for the new jobs and investment we celebrate today.”

“Two years ago the last expansion announcement the county had was by US Fibers. Today we are appreciative that they continue to grow and provide job opportunities for the people of Edgefield County,” said Gary Stooksbury, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Partnership. “We also congratulate Chairman Campbell and the other members of Edgefield County Council for their hard work in creating a community that is open and ready for business.”

The company will begin hiring for the new positions sometime in the third quarter.

By: Taft Matney

I’ve had people come up to me and ask, “What are those James Beard Awards you keep talking about?”

To which I quickly reply, “Have a seat, and let me tell you. They are the World Series and the Super Bowl. They are the Stanley Cup. They are the Kentucky Derby. They are Wimbledon. They are the Oscars, the Emmys, and the Tonys. They are all of those things and more rolled up in one to celebrate the culinary world.”

I may have overstated it just a little, but the James Beard Foundation Awards celebrate the best of the best in culinary creativity, and it’s a celebration that almost always finds South Carolina in contention to win. For somebody who loves food and the possibilities that come with creativity in the kitchen, those are exciting awards to watch.

Chef Craig Deihl of Cypress in Charleston (who is being profiled this month in CRESCENT) was among the finalists for “Best Chef: Southeast.” He came close to winning, but in a year where the competition was tighter than most, he was edged out in a tie by Chef Hugh Acheson who owns Five and Ten in Athens, GA and Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta.

Our state has some amazingly creative chefs who are either from here, moved here, or who lived here at some point in their journey. South Carolina represents at the James Beard Awards.

Our friend Ted Lee and his brother Matt won Cookbook of the Year in 2007, and the past three winners for “Best Chef: Southeast” came South Carolina in the forms of Sean Brock at Husk, Mike Lata of FIG, and Robert Stehling from Hominy Grill.

Chef Deihl almost won, but since he didn’t, what does it mean for the state’s standings with the James Beard Awards?

It means nothing, and we can still congratulate our own.

You see, Chef Acheson spent part of his childhood living in Clemson. He’s one of us…by way of Canada and Georgia.

So, congratulations from CRESCENT, Chef Acheson. Not only did you tie for Best Chef: Southeast, your book A NEW TURN IN THE SOUTH: Southern Flavors Reinvented for Your Kitchen took home top prize in the “American Cooking” category (EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s a visually amazing book.)

Five and Ten may be just down the road from the South Carolina/Georgia state line, but we still claim you.

We also want to congratulate South Carolina’s other nominees including finalist Craig Deihl and semifinalists The Macintosh in Charleston for Best New Restaurant, Sean Brock of McCrady’s for Outstanding Chef, and for Best Chef: Southeast, Jeremiah Bacon of The Macintosh and Ken Vedrinski of Trattoria Lucca in Charleston. You and so many others are great reminders of why we have so much to brag about on South Carolina’s culinary scene.