Now that was an extended audition.

After leading the organization in an interim capacity for more than a year, Mark Warner has officially been named CEO of local economic development firm Partnership Alliance.

Warner, 54, a Ninety Six native and Lander University graduate, has been serving as the partnership’s interim executive in charge of operations since former CEO Jay West resigned in January 2009. Before taking on that interim role, Warner was the Partnership’s Workforce Champion.

Partnership Alliance board chairman R. Thornwell Dunlap III said selecting Warner as the firm’s CEO on a full-time basis required a thorough process.

“We engaged professional search firm that we had actually used in the past,” Dunlap said. “Their scope of work was to first review our strategic plan that was adopted a little over a year ago, then align the positions, starting with the CEO position, of the Partnership with the strategic plan and the objectives in the plan.”

Dunlap said the board has been pleased with Warner’s performance in the area of workforce development. He said the board has gotten “very positive feedback” from numerous entities who have worked with Warner as he has served as the Partnership’s interim leader for the last year.

Dunlap noted Warner has worked well in the areas of recruiting new business, dealing with expansion opportunities with existing industries and working with the appropriate constituents to bring such projects together.

Warner said he is committed to executing Partnership’s strategic plan for economic development. He said part of that is expanding the agency’s existing business program.

“A key piece of the strategic plan was, ‘How do we leverage what is going on at the Research Park and the Genetic Center to move Greenwood forward from an economic development standpoint?’” Warner said. “Another key piece is to leverage our resources with the Department of Commerce and the Upstate South Carolina Alliance on our business recruitment efforts and lead generation efforts.

“The strategic plan is a pretty intensive document. When we look at the elements that we think that we really need to hone in and focus on in the next three to five years, those are probably some of the biggest efforts.”

Warner said workforce development and talent development will also continue to be “key pieces.”

While he acknowledged 2009 was a tough year in economic development, Warner said there was some progress locally.

“We have had, thankfully, some local businesses that have done well enough to secure some expansions,” he said. “Some of those have been consolidation projects, which means someone else is losing that business somewhere else. But some of it has been new expansion. It has been a little bit of both.”

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Allen F. Creighton was honored yesterday as an Ambassador for Economic Development by the Department of Commerce and legislative leaders as part of South Carolina’s 19th Annual Industry Appreciation Week. The ceremony took place in Columbia on Tuesday, January 26 at the Statehouse and highlighted 48 individuals from 46 counties for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Carolina.

“While improving our South Carolina’s business climate and developing a skilled workforce have been priorities for our administration, these efforts alone are not enough. The help and efforts of community and business leaders in every corner of the state are critically important and today we say thank to these ambassadors for economic development for their efforts to create jobs and economic opportunity in South Carolina,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.

Allen Creighton is general counsel and director of public relations for FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. Mr. Creighton has performed significant work in the field of International Law throughout his career. Prior to his move to Fujifilm, he held positions at McNair Law Firm in Columbia and Gudeon & Ferrell in London, U.K. He currently assists Fujifilm with their operations in Greenwood handling legal, regulatory, compliance, government relations and community relations issues for the company. In the community, Mr. Creighton serves on the boards of various organizations including the Japan America Association of South Carolina, Chapin Rotary Sunrise, Upstate Forever, the Greenwood Partnership Alliance, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Salem United Methodist Church. Mr. Creighton is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones.

“Our state’s existing businesses are one of our most valuable economic development tools,” House Speaker Bobby Harrell said. “Job creation and industry promotion begins on the ground level and is handled mostly in the private sector by these business leaders. I’d like to thank all our Ambassadors for Economic Development for their effective leadership and for proving that our best resources lie not in the hands of government but reside in the private sector.”

“Businesses small and large have contributed greatly to South Carolina’s economy with investments, job creation and community involvement. This is a week to recognize the contributions of businesses and community leaders for their continued commitment to growing economic opportunity in South Carolina. These ambassadors have dedicated their energy and gone the extra mile to enhance our communities and make South Carolina a better place to live and work. We congratulate each ambassador and thank them for their efforts,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

Each year the Department of Commerce joins local communities to thank businesses for their vital contributions to South Carolina’s economy. The Department of Commerce kicks off Industry Appreciation Week each year by recognizing individuals throughout South Carolina as Ambassadors for Economic Development. These individuals include local leaders from the private sector representing a variety of businesses and economic development organizations committed to securing new jobs and investment in their communities.

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The South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Greenwood Partnership Alliance today announced that Capsugel, a global leader in capsule manufacturing and liquid drug delivery products and services, will expand its operations in Greenwood County. The $15 million investment is expected to create 50 new jobs.

Ron Millender, Vice President and General Manager of the Americas Region for Capsugel added, “the market demand for delivery of pharmaceutical and health food supplement solutions in a liquid capsule form has expanded significantly over the last five years. Capsugel’s proprietary development services have driven the need to add manufacturing capabilities in order to satisfy market demand. We are excited to be able to add the additional capability of pharmaceutical manufacturing to our Licaps Drug Delivery System line here in Greenwood.”

Capsugel currently employs over 700 colleagues at its Greenwood facility. The company is planning a 14,500 square foot expansion to its Emerald Road facility that will create additional office, lab, and production space. It is scheduled to be completed by January, 2011.

“Capsugel is a world-class company and an important part of South Carolina’s biotechnology sector. Their continued growth in South Carolina is a positive reflection of our state’s skilled workforce and an indication that we have established an environment in which businesses can be highly competitive and succeed. We congratulate Capsugel on their expansion and wish them continued success in their endeavors,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“We congratulate Capsugel on its success in Greenwood County and look forward to continued growth,” said Mark Warner, CEO of Greenwood Partnership Alliance. “I believe an expansion announcement in this kind of economy is a real testament that the quality of our workforce and our business-friendly climate is right for Capsugel.”

Robbie Templeton, Greenwood County Council Chairman added, “economic development is a team effort on a local and state level. This is a great example of what happens when the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Duke Energy, Greenwood County Council and the Greenwood Partnership Alliance work together. We especially want to thank Capsugel for their success and commitment to our community.”

Capsugel, a division of Pfizer Inc. with over 2,800 colleagues and ten manufacturing facilities around the world, is a global leader in innovative dosage forms and solutions for the healthcare industry. Offering a comprehensive array of products and services, from hard gelatin, softgel, and vegetarian capsules, to innovative R&D equipment and liquid formulations as part of its Licaps® Drug Delivery System, Capsugel is at the forefront of drug delivery innovation providing support to customers from formulation to final production. For more information about Capsugel, visit www.capsugel.com.
 

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SC Industry Appreciation Week: January 25-29, 2010

“South Carolina. Where Business Works.”

The week of January 25-29, 2010 will mark the State’s 19th annual observance of South Carolina Industry Appreciation Week. Industry Appreciation Week is an opportunity to say “thank you” to area companies for their many contributions to our communities, as well as a chance to build awareness among the citizens of South Carolina that existing business is a fundamental driver of both the local and State economy.

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Christmas came early for the Greenwood School District 50’s start-up Science, Technology, Engineering and Math School (STEMS) magnet program, who received a gift of $10,000 from diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation for the district’s curriculum enrichment efforts.

“We’re excited to support the STEMS program,” said John Thompson, plant manager of Eaton’s Greenwood, South Carolina hydraulics facility. “Our hope is that this contribution will enable the delivery of specialized, cutting edge math and science educational opportunities to our community’s students.”

“On behalf of Greenwood School District 50 and the students enrolled in the STEMS Magnet Program, I would like to thank Eaton Corporation and especially local management for stepping up and giving the first major donation to this new program,” said Cathy Chalmers, coordinator of the District 50 Magnet School Program. “Their gift will benefit the Greenwood community for years to come. Eaton’s leadership donation is encouraging as we build the foundation of this important magnet program.”

STEMS, in its inaugural year, is currently available to Greenwood School District 50 sixth graders. The magnet school offers students the opportunity to develop and refine their academic skills in an environment that enhances students’ scientific and mathematical abilities. In the future, STEMS will be offered to seventh and eighth graders as a phase up model.

Eaton’s hydraulics plant has 100 employees and manufactures hydraulic pumps and motors. Eaton’s electrical plants have more than 700 employees and manufacture medium voltage switchgear, switches, and low and medium-voltage bus duct and network protectors.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2008 sales of $15.4 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

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Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation recently made a generous $25,000 donation to the Piedmont Technical College Foundation. “We’re proud to support Piedmont Technical College’s engineering technology programs,” said John Thompson, plant manager of Eaton’s Greenwood hydraulics facility. “Our contribution will help our community’s students succeed academically today, and in the workplace later on.” Eaton’s Hydraulics plant has 100 employees and manufactures hydraulic pumps and motors. Eaton’s Electrical plants have over 700 employees and manufactures medium voltage switchgear and switches and low and medium voltage bus duct and network protectors.

As a major provider of training for future Eaton employees, PTC will use these funds to purchase equipment for the college’s engineering technology programs to ensure that students are receiving the most up-to-date training available. PTC’s Engineering Technology department offers degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines, including Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Engineering Graphics Technology.

PTC has also established engineering transfer agreements that allow engineering technology students at Piedmont Technical College to pursue bachelor’s degrees at USC Columbia, USC Upstate and SC State after completing their studies in Greenwood.

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Lander University faculty member Lisa Brodhacker is a scientist whose goal is to make the perfect plastic telescope mirror for visible light. She cannot define what makes a plastic mirror perfect because she has not seen one. In fact, the scientific community has yet to build one.

But she will try thanks to a contract she has been awarded by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., which has given Lander $150,000 worth of equipment. Once assembled, the equipment will be used to build three lightweight plastic parabolic mirrors that NASA will use at ground stations to communicate with spacecraft in orbit. Unlike those used for visible images, mirrors for communication do not have to be perfect.

Brodhacker said NASA is interested in lightweight optics because plastic mirrors are much lighter than their glass counterparts, durable, and less expensive to build.

The equipment from JPL includes an air bearing, a compressor system, parts for an oven that Brodhacker will build, and chemicals.

The biggest component is the air bearing, which is mounted on a triangular metal support atop three 24″ tall concrete columns. The air bearing spins a platter containing a polymer made of a specialized epoxy. The spinning process, which gives the mirror its parabolic shape, is vibration-free to protect the mirror surface. The oven surrounding the entire mechanism heats the spinning polymer until it hardens.

The three mirrors, measuring about two meters each, or about six and a half feet in diameter, will be built in a laboratory in the basement of Lander’s Science Facility.

Once the mirrors are finished, they will be optically tested by Dr. Terry Richardson, a physicist and astronomer at The College of Charleston, then shipped to NASA which will apply the reflective surface.

Brodhacker, an assistant professor of chemistry at Lander, is not a newcomer to mirror-making technology. She said chemistry is the key to the process, and her experience includes a mirror project at the University of South Carolina, where she received her doctorate in organic chemistry.

She is also working with Alt-Az Initiatives for Lightweight Optics based at Cal Polytechnic State University in California. This group of international academics, scientists and astronomers specializes in developing low-cost, lightweight research telescopes smaller than the mirrors she will produce at Lander.

David Slimmer, dean of Lander’s College of Science and Mathematics, said the mirror project is very prestigious for Lander and could lead to further contracts and more collaboration with NASA.

Brodhacker said the work is also important for students because they have a chance to witness a practical application of what they learn in the classroom.

Lander student Cody Brown of Calhoun Falls, a senior chemistry major and vice president of the university’s American Chemical Society chapter, is assisting Brodhacker with the project as part of his course work. He is helping her build the oven and conducting research on thermal expansion, which can cause distorted mirror images.

Brown, a graduate of Calhoun Falls High School, said, “This project is really important because it gives me hands-on experience.” Brown is scheduled to receive his bachelor’s degree in chemistry in May of next year and plans to continue his education for an advanced degree in pharmacy.

Former Lander student Ankoma Anderson of Greenwood, who graduated with a chemistry degree last May, was also involved in research on the development of plastic mirrors. When he was a senior, Anderson received a $5,000 NASA grant through the South Carolina Space Grant Consortium and Brodhacker said Anderson’s research

was a precursor to the new mirror project.

As for why she is so interested in lightweight optics, Brodhacker said, “I’ve always been fascinated with space. I was one of those who climbed up on a roof with binoculars.”

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“We are pleased to move forward with our expansion plans for our Hodges facility. Demand for our products continues to grow. Greenwood County has provided us with an excellent business environment and a skilled workforce, so growing our South Carolina operation was an easy choice. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Dave Berry, CEO of SPF North America Inc.

SPF North America opened its facility in Greenwood County in 2007. The expansion will allow the company to consolidate some manufacturing operations into its Greenwood County operations, as well as add research and development functionalities to its facility.

“In 2007, SPF North America made its initial investment in South Carolina and the fact that the company is already expanding its operations here is excellent news. SPF North America’s decision grow in Greenwood County is truly a positive reflection on our state’s business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and exceptional market access. We congratulate SPF on its success in our state, and look forward to its continued growth in the years to come,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“SPF North America located in Greenwood County because of the proximity to both customers and suppliers in the East and Southeast,” said Mark Warner, Executive Director of the Partnership Alliance. “We congratulate SPF on their success, and we think this again proves that Greenwood County is the right location for any company that desires to make their mark in the Southeast.”

The new jobs will be skilled, technical and management positions. Recruitment will begin in 2010 and SPF will work with local employment agencies and educational institutions to fill these positions.

SPF is the worldwide leader in the manufacture of pet food palatability enhancers. The company is a division of the international group Diana Ingredients, a global supplier of natural ingredients for a number of niche markets in the food, pharmaceutical and pet-food industries. For more information please visit www.spf-diana.com.

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The research done by 19 groups of researchers will explore the natural history, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of more than 95 rare diseases.

Rare diseases are defined as diseases or conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 persons in the United States. About 6,500 such disorders have been identified.

The Greenwood Genetic Center has participated in NIH-sponsored research on rare diseases since 2003. Dr. Steven Skinner has led the Genetic Center’s efforts.

Skinner’s team has focused on two projects. Study of the natural history of Rett syndrome, an autism disorder that affects girls, is the larger of the two projects. More than 800 girls are enrolled.

The second project is a treatment trial for Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder with features of autism and intellectual disability affecting both boys and girls. More than 150 children are participating in the Angelman treatment trial.

Beginning this year, Dr. Sara Cathey will lead the Center’s collaboration with a second group to conduct clinical research in a different group of genetic disorders known as lysosomal diseases. Cathey will focus on the natural history of a subset of lysosomal diseases called the glycoproteinoses.

The glycoproteinoses include nine different rare genetic disorders. Individuals affected by these progressive, disabling diseases have shortened lifespans. Natural history studies are crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

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“By transferring these functions to our Greenwood campus, we will have better control of our recycled parts stream as well as our recycled parts cost, and we will reduce transportation costs,” said Shin Kataoka, president, FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. “It also means that the entire production and recycling operations for global QuickSnap production will be located here in Greenwood.” The relocation of the QuikSnap recycling operation is expected to create approximately 30 new jobs in Greenwood.

Fujifilm estimates that approximately 60% of the QuickSnap cameras sold make it back to the recycling center; the recycling operations will be handling approximately 1.5 million cameras a month. The Greenwood facility already produces QuickSnap cameras for the global market and with the transfer of the recycling and assembly operations, the Greenwood facility will be the global hub for the entire QuickSnap camera product life-cycle.

“This is yet more great news for Fujifilm and more great news for Greenwood. Fujifilm’s decision to bring its camera recycling operations to Greenwood further expands the company’s presence in our state and this announcement is another sign that our business-friendly climate and market access are helping existing businesses continue to grow. We are pleased to see Fujifilm make another investment in South Carolina and we wish them much success in their endeavors,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.

“Fujifilm is an innovation-driven company that has a proven history of sustainable growth and success in Greenwood County,” said Robbie Templeton, Greenwood County Council Chairman. “Implementing a more efficient recycling process is not only a win for Fujifilm and its employees, but the Greenwood community and society at large.”

Fujifilm invented the one-time-use camera, which is often mistakenly thought of as “disposable,” when in fact, excluding the batteries; over 99% of these cameras (by weight) are reused or recycled. The Fujifilm QuickSnap brand has served as a model for inverse manufacturing technology and materials recycling since its introduction in 1986. Since then millions of one-time-use cameras have been reclaimed through Fujifilm’s QuickSnap recycling program, preventing thousands of tons of waste from entering landfills.

Fujifilm has implemented a range of measures around the world with the objective of contributing to sustainable development by designing products that take the environment into account, reducing packaging materials, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Fujifilm is the leading manufacturer of UV cured, VOC-free, and solvent-free ink jet inks. The company’s high-performance films used in flat panel displays are manufactured with plant-derived cellulose, rather than petroleum-based material; the films carry the Biomass Mark of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Fujifilm supports numerous eco-sustainability measures, including habitat and species preservation for the Giant Panda through its longstanding collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and support of public open space initiatives such as New York City’s Friends of the Highline.

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