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Bintelli, a Charleston-based manufacturer of electric vehicles and golf carts, expanding for the 3rd time in three years

February 23, 2023

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

A Charleston-based manufacturer of electric vehicles and golf carts has expanded for the third time in three years and expects to add 20 more employees.

Bintelli LLC more than doubled its space, going from 65,000 square feet to 174,000 square feet, making room for growing demand for its products and the employees needed to fill that demand.

A company spokesperson said Bintelli started 2021 with 24 employees and started 2022 with 52 before closing the year with 102. The company added eight more workers in the last month and expect to add at least 20 more by the end of the year, he said.

It’s no secret that every move we make is to continue to deliver on having the best program possible,” Jason Perske, vice president of Bintelli, said in a news release. “This expansion is another step in solidifying ourselves at the forefront of the industry. While faster order fulfillment and greater inventory availability is going to be an incredible asset for our dealer family, I’m far more excited about what this means for the additional levels of support we can offer. I’m excited for all of our dealerships to share in this huge announcement and incredibly thankful for all the support they show us every day. We wouldn’t be here without them.”

The company has tripled the size of its dealer network in the last year, accounting for some of the rise in demand. Its product also was ranked by Golf Cart Resource as 2022’s Best Low-Speed Vehicle and Best Street-Legal Golf Cart in a consumer poll.

“This new facility is a testament to the amazing work our dealer family has done over the last few years,” Bintelli founder and President Justin Jackrel said in the release. “As we are now operational in what I believe is the largest LSV manufacturing facility in America, we’re going to be able to even better support our dealer family with the additional vehicles, parts and support they need to continue their rapid growth nationwide,”

In addition to the recent facility expansions, Bintelli has also put a major focus on expanding its support and production staff to better assist its dealer network, the release stated. Over the last 12 months, its dealer support team has increased by 500% which has rapidly decreased average delivery time for parts shipments and decreased response and wait times for dealership needs. Focusing on more than just the sale of vehicles, Bintelli has tripled the size of its parts and after-sale service department.

“What an amazing feeling to finally move into our new home,” Kevin Marques, Bintelli’s facility manager, said in the release. “This facility is like no other — massive is an understatement. We couldn’t have done this without the hard work and dedication of our staff and all their efforts to make this a smooth transition. I’m thrilled to see the success and impact we will have on the EV community with our new home.”

“It is a great feeling being a Bintelli dealer knowing that we have the support, commitment and communication from the brand and employees at the corporate office,” Tom McMenanin, president of Toms River Auto Group, said in the release. “There is not a question that doesn’t get answered, a call that doesn’t get a returned call, or an email that doesn’t get a reply. If you are a new dealer coming in to the Bintelli family you will be able to hold your head up high representing the Bintelli brand.”

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Lowcountry

Largest gift in Roper St. Francis Foundation history will support patients and caregivers

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

$5 million gift from the Parker’s Community Fund will establish the Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund

CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A landmark $5 million gift from the Parker’s Community Fund will establish the Roper St. Francis Foundation Parker’s Community Impact Fund, which will support community health initiatives and the caregivers of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

The Parker’s Community Fund was created by Parker’s convenience store founder and CEO Greg Parker and Parker’s in 2020 and awards grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations demonstrating positive, measurable impact in one or more of the following focus areas: Healthcare, Education, Hunger and Heroes.

The Parker’s Community Fund investment – the largest gift in the history of the Roper St. Francis Foundation – was announced at the 17^th annual Roper Xavier Society Gala on Feb. 11 at the Charleston Gaillard Center as donors, leaders and caregivers celebrated the spirit of generosity and mission of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.

“At Parker’s, we think it’s extremely important to give back to the community and to be a force for positive change,” said Greg Parker, founder and CEO of Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen. “We are truly honored to support the patients and caregivers at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and are inspired by the healthcare system’s vision for the future. Parker’s and Roper St. Francis Healthcare share a commitment to the Lowcountry community and to improving lives.”

Greg Parker opened his first convenience store in Midway, Ga. in 1976. Today, he leads a nationally acclaimed company that was named the 2020 Convenience Store Chain of the Year and is widely known for high-quality food service, strategic growth, the cleanest stores in the industry and cutting-edge technology. An advocate of giving back to the community, Parker established the Parker’s Community Fund in 2020. Over the years, Parker’s has donated more than $30 million to support charitable causes across coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

“We are deeply grateful to Greg and the Parker’s Community Fund for helping to fuel programs that support our community and caregivers,” said Dr. Jeffrey DiLisi, president and chief executive officer of Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “Greg sees what a healthcare system can do to enrich care, not just within our hospital walls, but in all corners of our community. This transformational gift will help us expand upon the work we are already doing to increase access to care in the Lowcountry.”

In recognition of the gift, Roper St. Francis Healthcare will name its six existing emergency rooms in honor of the Parker’s Community Fund. This includes four acute care emergency rooms at Roper Hospital, Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital, and two freestanding emergency rooms at Roper Hospital Diagnostics and ER – Northwoods, and Roper Hospital Diagnostics and ER – Moncks Corner Medical Plaza.

The Parker’s Community Impact Fund will support programs at the core of Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s not-for-profit mission. This gift will enhance numerous existing priorities including:

Greer Transitions Clinic
assistance for uninsured and underinsured patients
debt-free degree programs and career development services for Roper St. Francis Healthcare teammates
youth apprenticeships
on-the-job training for historically marginalized communities
emerging initiatives to help Roper St. Francis Healthcare meet its 2030 vision.

“Ensuring teammate success and serving our patients and community are central to Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s mission of ‘healing all people with compassion, faith and excellence,'” said Stacy L. Waters, president of the Roper St. Francis Foundation. “We are extremely thankful for this incredibly generous gift from the Parker’s Community Fund. This historic and visionary gift will have an extraordinary impact for generations to come.”

In addition, this landmark gift will also establish the Parker’s Community Fund Healthcare Hero Award, which will be announced annually at the Foundation’s Roper Xavier Society Gala.

“The award will honor the Roper St. Francis Healthcare caregiver who demonstrates the core values of our mission and will be anchored by our Honor Your Caregiver program, a platform for patients to express their appreciation to their caregiver,” Waters said.

Parker’s previously endowed the Parker’s Emergency and Trauma Center at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Ga., made a record $5 million donation to create the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University and named Parker’s House, the first facility for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in coastal Georgia. The company’s Fueling the Community charitable giving program has donated more than $1.8 million to support area schools in South Carolina and Georgia.

About Roper St. Francis Healthcare

As the area’s only private not-for-profit healthcare system, Roper St. Francis Healthcare chooses purpose over profits by putting our extra money back into our system to help meet the health needs of our community. The healthcare system features four flagship hospitals: Roper Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital and Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. In an emergency, the healthcare system offers six strategically placed ERs. With roughly 6,000 teammates, RSFH is one of the Lowcountry’s largest private employers with nearly 1,000 doctors representing almost every medical specialty. RSFH’s 657-bed system consists of 117+ facilities and services across five counties. For three consecutive years, Roper St. Francis Healthcare has been voted a “Best Place to Work” by Modern Healthcare Magazine. Learn more: rsfh.com.

About Parker’s

Honored as the 2020 Convenience Store Decisions Chain of the Year, Parker’s is strategically redefining the nation’s convenience store industry, offering customers high-quality products, freshly prepared food and superior customer service at retail stores throughout southeast Georgia and South Carolina. Headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s has a commitment to exceeding customer expectations and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s leading convenience store and food service companies. The company has been included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in America six times and has been voted the #3 Gas Station Brand in America by USA TODAY readers. Parker’s Kitchen, the popular food-centric brand under the Parker’s umbrella, serves world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders as well as made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials. Learn more: parkerskitchen.com.

Media Contact:
Andy Lyons
843-513-3791
andy.lyons@rsfh.com

Lowcountry

IKO investing $363M and 180 jobs into Chester County establishing its first South Carolina operations

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

IKO ESTABLISHING SOUTH CAROLINA OPERATIONS IN CHESTER COUNTY

$363 million investment will create 180 new jobs

IKO, a leading, global manufacturer of roofing products, today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operations in Chester County. The company’s $363 million investment will create 180 new jobs.

Established in 1951, IKO is a worldwide leader in the roofing, waterproofing and insulation industry for residential and commercial markets. With over 35 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and Europe, IKO offers a broad range of products for commercial and residential roofing and waterproofing, in addition to rigid insulations for roofing and walls.

Located less than one mile apart along the S.C. Highway 9 industrial corridor in Chester, IKO’s South Carolina operations will consist of two facilities. The company will remodel an existing facility on Lancaster Highway to manufacture fiberglass while concurrently building a new 325,000-square-foot manufacturing plant on Cedarhurst Road to produce fiberglass mats that will be used for production at its United States’ shingle factories. The two facilities will be IKO’s first wholly-owned glass and glass mat facilities in South Carolina.

Operations are expected to be online by late 2025. Individuals interested in joining the IKO team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project.

QUOTES

“IKO is very pleased to be opening its first wholly-owned glass and glass mat facilities in South Carolina. This is just the latest of many significant investments IKO has made to support a growing U.S. market presence. We are tremendously gratified by the warm welcome we have received from the state and local governments, and as a family run business, we look forward to joining the Chester County business community family for many years to come.”
-IKO Chief Executive Officer David Koschitzky

“IKO’s announcement is a strong endorsement of the assets and potential of not just Chester County but all of rural South Carolina. This major $363 million investment and 180 new jobs will greatly strengthen the Chester County economy and set the stage for a brighter future. We look forward to growing our relationship with IKO for years to come.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Congratulations to IKO on establishing its first South Carolina operations in Chester County. South Carolina continues to be the state that provides businesses with the resources and support to establish and excel. We look forward to a strong partnership with IKO for years to come.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“PPG and then Nippon were part of our community since 1996, so I was saddened when the plant shut down in February 2020. We are delighted that IKO selected Chester County to not only reopen the fiberglass production plant, but to also build a new mat plant here. Welcome to Chester County!”
-Chester County Council Chairman Joe Branham

“We are thrilled to welcome IKO to the I-77 region! IKO is a leader in advanced materials, which is a great fit for the existing sectors in Chester County. One of the advantages is the strategic location along the I-77 corridor that allows companies to tap into both the Charlotte and Columbia metros, providing a labor shed of more than 1.3 million people.”
-I-77 Alliance Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Finn

FIVE FAST FACTS

IKO is establishing its first South Carolina operations in Chester County.
The company’s $363 million investment will create 180 new jobs.
IKO is a leading, global manufacturer of roofing products.
The company’s South Carolina operations will be located less than one mile apart along the S.C. Highway 9 industrial corridor in Chester, S.C.
Individuals interested in joining the IKO team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Lowcountry

Volvo looks to add 1,300 jobs for fully electric SUV to be built in Ridgeville, South Carolina

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

More details were revealed Wednesday about Volvo’s fully electric SUV that will be built in Ridgeville – and the massive effort it will take to roll them off the assembly line.

The Volvo EX90 made its debut in November as the Swedish car company’s new fully electric vehicle.

David Stenström, Volvo Cars USA VP manufacturing Americas, said at the 12^th annual South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance Automotive Summit on Wednesday that it will feature recycled plastics for the interior, which will be all animal/leather-free, among many other top-of-the-line and sustainable features.

He said it’s been a big challenge, but they are confident in overcoming those challenges.

The biggest of those challenges being:

Fifty percent more machines will need to be installed ahead of building the EX90s at Volvo’s Ridgeville plant — in addition to 1,300 new team members to be hired for its launch. The new employees will need to undergo eight weeks of training.

The fully electric Volvo EX90 will be built at its Ridgeville plant. (Photo/Volvo)

It takes seven years to design, build and then launch a new vehicle, said Stenström.

“The competition will be brutal for Volvo,” said Stenström. “If you’re not out there being the first, you probably will not survive (in this industry). But there is nothing hindering us from expanding what we have today and with the right people there is nothing we can’t do.”

Volvo CEO Jim Rowan said the EX90 ushers in a new era for safety for Volvo drivers and passengers.

“Born electric, born with lidar. The start of a new era of electrification, technology and safety,” Rowan said in a video presentation at the end of September. All Volvo EX90s will come with a combination of the latest technology powered by an understanding of the car’s outside environment and the person driving the vehicle, the company said.

Greenville and Spartanburg County Councils approved Volvo Cars USA’s fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements in October. The FILOT applies to specific sites occupied by parts makers in the Upstate to prepare the company’s Ridgeville plant for building the electric SUVs.

Stenström said by 2025, they plan for a zero-carbon neutral site, in addition to these other mid-decade business ambitions:

50% fully electric sales;
1.2 million units sold;
40% CO²reduction per car; and
50% online sales in the U.S.

Long-term Volvo ambitions include climate neutral company by 2040, pure electric car company by 2030, circular business by 2040, and recognized leader in responsible business. Currently, 90% of the EX90’s build is localized.

“South Carolina is blessed to have Volvo Cars here, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds as Volvo continues to innovate and grow here,” said Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

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Lowcountry

Luxury Charleston Hotel The Palmetto Prepares to Open its Doors March 2023

February 22, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Charleston, SC (February 20, 2023) – Luxury boutique hotel, The Palmetto, is rapidly approaching completion and is officially slated to open its doors at 194 East Bay downtown this March. The Palmetto, home to 45 premier rooms, is designed to provide a deeply authentic Charleston experience that is particular to the place in which it resides – mere steps from the city’s finest restaurants and bars – and reflective of the charming eccentricities artfully layered into southern hospitality. Situated in the heart of Charleston’s historic French Quarter, the property signifies the first foray into the thriving southern market for Dreamscape Companies, a New York-based real estate development and investment firm.

“The Palmetto is a truly special property in Charleston that we hope will be a local institution for many years to come.” said President of Dreamscape Hospitality Scott Broder. “We expect its effortless style, prime location, and impeccable service to resonate with Charleston locals and tourists alike.”

The Palmetto has been imbued with a warm and deeply empathetic design that speaks to an effortless level of luxury steeped in comfort and inherently found in residential-inspired spaces. The meticulously-curated decor further enhances this ambiance and references the city at every turn, through the use of historic black and white party pictures and classic antiques reinvented through custom upholstery depicting iconic Lowcountry destinations. The cumulative result is a singular guest experience that seamlessly embraces the warmth and sophistication inherently found in genuine southern hospitality to create a sensation akin to coming home when residing at the property.

Situated in the heart of the city’s beloved French Quarter historic district and visible from both East Bay and Cumberland Streets, the hotel places guests within arm’s reach of live music and Lowcountry fare with High Cotton, an award-winning restaurant, and Slightly North of Broad (SNOB), a celebrated eatery, located just next door. A major boon for guests, SNOB is slated to debut a special partnership with the property for guests upon opening. Due to its idyllic location, contextual design and warm ambience, The Palmetto is poised to become a touchpoint for the local community and vibrant tourism scene, and will introduce a robust calendar of imaginative activations and partnerships upon opening. Leading multinational hospitality firm Aimbridge Hospitality will be managing the anticipated property.

In addition to incredible restaurants, guests at The Palmetto are also steps from an abundance of desirable shopping, impressive galleries and stunning parks, all of which make the French Quarter the perfect destination for experiential tourism. The hotel’s proximity to bustling downtown, as well as the waterfront and Market and King Streets ensures the walkability of the location as well as a wealth of activities suitable for day and night. When venturing beyond The Palmetto’s prime location guests can enjoy other hallmarks of the Charleston peninsula, including its vibrant waterways and candy-colored facades dotting 90 miles of coastline.

Photo Credit: Jack Robert

Lowcountry

‘Outer Banks’ Star Madelyn Cline’s Hometown Guide To Charleston – New Video by Condé Nast Traveler

February 21, 2023

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

About the Video

Outer Banks star Madelyn Cline grew up about 30 minutes from Charleston, South Carolina and her family still calls the area home. “When we go shoot Outer Banks, which we shoot in Charleston, I get to see my family.

So there’s a lot of really special memories wrapped up in that city.” See her favorite hometown recommendations on where to eat, shop (and skinny dip!) to get the authentic Charleston local experience.

Lowcountry

WCBD News 2 Charleston raises over $1200 for the Special Olympics with a little Polar Plunge

February 21, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

A special thank you to the News 2 Plungers and the incredible support team at WCBD News 2 in Charleston, South Carolina.

After braving the “frigid” Southern weather during the recent Polar Plunge at Sullivan’s Island, the team was able to raise $1203 for the Special Olympics.

We are so thankful to not only have this incredible news team in our community, but their compassion and dedication to giving back.

Thank you WCBD!

Photo Credit: WCBD News 2 and Tim Ryan Renaud

Lowcountry

BMW Manufacturing is Largest Automotive Exporter by Value for Ninth Consecutive Year and South Carolina is leading the way

February 21, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

For the ninth consecutive year, BMW Manufacturing led the nation in automotive exports by value, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The South Carolina plant exported 227,029 BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes during 2022 with an export value of nearly $9.6 billion. The BMWs produced at Plant Spartanburg were exported through the Port of Charleston, SC, and through five other southeastern ports: Savannah, GA; Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; and Everglades, FL. More than 17,000 BMWs were exported via rail.

During 2022, Germany became the top export market from BMW Manufacturing (15.5% of export volume), followed by China (13.5%), South Korea (12.8%), Canada (7.5%), and Great Britain (5.6%).

Full Press Release

Export Value From South Carolina Plant Totals Nearly $9.6 Billion.
416,301 Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes Produced in the U.S. Last Year.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Total More Than 16% of Production.
Start of Production for 2024 BMW X5 and BMW X6 Begins in April.

Spartanburg, S.C. For the ninth consecutive year, BMW Manufacturing led the nation in automotive exports by value, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The South Carolina plant exported 227,029 BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes during 2022 with an export value of nearly $9.6 billion. The BMWs produced at Plant Spartanburg were exported through the Port of Charleston, SC (more than 182,000 units), and through five other southeastern ports: Savannah, GA; Brunswick, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; and Everglades, FL. More than 17,000 BMWs were exported via rail.

During 2022, Germany became the top export market from BMW Manufacturing (15.5% of export volume), followed by China (13.5%), South Korea (12.8%), Canada (7.5%), and Great Britain (5.6%).

“Free trade and open markets enable growth and prosperity. BMW and South Carolina are a good example of this,” said Milan Nedeljković, BMW AG Board Member for Production. “I am proud of the Spartanburg plant’s continued performance, which contributes to the success of the BMW Group.”

“Customers around the world continue to seek out premium quality BMWs made in South Carolina, and we are proud to be the largest automotive exporter by value for the past nine years” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “Our success is due to the highly-skilled and dedicated workforce at Plant Spartanburg. These achievements are significant and clearly reinforce BMW’s ongoing commitment to South Carolina and the United States.”

2022 Production Highlights

The team at Plant Spartanburg produced 416,301 Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes during 2022, the second-highest production total in the plant’s history. There were four highlights of production:

Launch of the new BMW X7 that included extensive exterior and interior design refinements and an expanded range of standard equipment.
Launch of the all-new BMW XM, the first ever high-performance car with an electrified drive system from BMW M.
Production of 69,200 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, making up 16.6% of the plant’s total volume (BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW X5 xDrive45e, and BMW XM).
Plant Spartanburg X models made up slightly more than 60 percent of all BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. last year.

The year’s most significant highlight was the BMW Group’s announcement of its electromobility plan in the United States. In October, BMW Group Chairman of the Board of Management, Oliver Zipse, announced a $1.7 billion investment, including $1 billion to prepare the plant for the production of fully-electric vehicles and $700 million to build a high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff, SC. By 2030, the BMW Group will build at least six fully-electric models in the United States.

Beginning in April, the plant will start production of the 2024 BMW X5 and BMW X6. These updated models include new design details, expanded standard equipment, and advancements in digital technology. The plug-in hybrid drive in the 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e has significantly more power and a greater purely electric range than its predecessor.

Government officials applauded BMW’s export success.

“For over three decades, BMW’s commitment to South Carolina continues to demonstrate the power of partnership,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “With record-setting exports and its latest electromobility investment at Plant Spartanburg, BMW not only shows the world that South Carolina paves the way to automotive success – but that our state is home to the industry’s future.”

“BMW’s continued success in South Carolina is a direct result of the collaboration, commitment, and incredible workforce necessary to build one of the world’s best modern vehicles,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “To consistently remain a global leader in the export sales of completed passenger vehicles and accelerate the future of vehicle electrification from our borders underscores the strength and dependability of South Carolina’s automotive industry. We value our partnership with BMW, and the mutual growth their continued investment has afforded both Plant Spartanburg and the state of South Carolina.”

“Congratulations to BMW Manufacturing on being named the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value for the ninth consecutive year,” said SC Ports President and CEO Barbara Melvin. “For nearly 30 years, SC Ports has had a strong partnership with BMW Manufacturing. BMW exports 60 percent of its South Carolina-made vehicles to more than 120 countries through the Port of Charleston. We are proud to support the shipping needs of this world-class automotive company, and we look forward to continued success for BMW.”

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12.4 billion in its South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The plant is an important part of BMW’s global production network and plays a critical role in meeting the high demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes in the U.S. and around the world. Nearly 60 percent of its vehicles are shipped to about 120 global markets, making BMW the largest automotive exporter by value in the United States for nine consecutive years. The model portfolio includes six top-selling BMW X models, five Motorsport X models, and three plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.

Lowcountry

Local Mount Pleasant, SC Doctor Makes Commitment to Combat Mental Health Crisis Across South Carolina

February 21, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Mount Pleasant physician pledges $50,000 to help SEL4SC promote crucial life skills for students and parents

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina (SEL4SC) is honored to announce that Michale J. (Mickey) Barber, M.D. has pledged $50,000 to help the organization promote and advance crucial life skills instruction in all schools, families, organizations, and communities in South Carolina.

Formerly a board-certified anesthesiologist, Dr. Barber graduated from the College of Charleston, completed medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina, did her residency at Tulane University, and finished her fellowship at Harvard. She also served as an assistant professor at Tulane University. During her training and career in academic medicine, she received several awards for her clinical performance and teaching skills.

In her mid-40’s, Dr. Barber began feeling ill. After months of suffering, she was eventually diagnosed with a neuropathy that was negatively affecting all of her systems. This event spurred Dr. Barber to leave her career in the operating room and shift toward a private practice focused on helping people live healthy, vigorous lives at any age. She would eventually receive physician training and certification in age management medicine from the Cenegenics Education and Research Foundation (CERF) and the Foundation for Care Management (FCM), and would be certified in peptide therapy by the Clinical Peptide Society. She launched the Cenegenics Carolinas LLC practice in downtown Charleston, and would later open Better Life Carolinas in Mount Pleasant.

SEL4SC is dedicated to promoting life skills that can help children and adults properly recognize and process their emotions, which can help them lead healthy, successful lives. That mission overlaps with the care Dr. Barber strives to provide for her patients.

“The mind has many, many different chemicals that affect everything from your heart to your gut and even to your muscles and how they work or don’t work,” she says. “Emotions, stress, anger, and resentment can affect those chemicals in the brain. That connection is very big, and if you just treat from the neck down, you’re missing a lot. We have to give people the tools they need to deal with the anxieties and emotions they’re having.”

Dr. Barber’s partnership with SEL4SC was inspired by the emotional struggles of some of her family members, as well as her friendship with one of her longtime patients, SEL4SC founder Al Estee.

“Al is one of the few men from his generation that has really jumped in with both feet from a personal level with social and emotional learning, and then has found a way to bring it to young people and teachers — everyone, really, across the board,” she says. “Al and I have always talked about the emotional component of health, and how to get better at managing that for ourselves and for patients, and so when the opportunity came along to be involved, that seemed like a good thing. We’re very fortunate to have Al out there pounding the pavement and speaking the word.”

Dr. Barber’s contribution to SEL4SC will help the organization further its initiatives, which include helping schools effectively teach life skills in the classroom and creating life skills programming and curriculum for parents.

“We are very thankful for Dr. Barber’s commitment to SEL4SC,” says Estee. “Not only has she made a tremendous impact in the lives of her patients, but her contribution will go a long way toward helping us fulfill our mission of impacting countless lives across the state.”

ABOUT SEL4SC: The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for South Carolina (SEL4SC) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing effective life skills learning in all schools, families, organizations, and communities in South Carolina. Visit their website to learn more: https://sel4sc.org.

Lowcountry

Clemson University to launch nation’s first Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering

February 20, 2023

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Clemson University is launching the nation’s first undergraduate Bachelor of Science program in automotive engineering to meet the rapidly changing needs of an industry that is starting to trade the internal combustion engine for batteries and human drivers for self-driving cars.

The new program solidifies Clemson’s position as the premier University for automotive engineering research and education in the Southeast and beyond and adds to the offerings at its award-winning Greenville campus, the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR).

Four men wearing coats and collared shirts stand in front of an orange, futuristic car located inside an indoor, carpeted space, the S.C. Automotive Summit. — (Left to right) Srikanth Pilla, ExxonMobil Employees Endowed Chair and Professor of Automotive Engineering; Clemson University President Jim Clements; Zoran Filipi, founding director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering; and Chris Paredis, BMW Chair in Systems Integration stand in front of the Deep Orange concept car after an announcement that Clemson University will be home to the nation’s first automotive engineering undergraduate degree program. The announcement was made at the 2023 South Carolina Automotive Summit in Greenville.

The degree program’s creators expect it will help meet massive demand for a new breed of automotive engineer to lead the design and manufacture of cars and trucks that are quickly becoming computers on wheels powered by electricity.

“Clemson University will continue to lead the way for automotive engineering,” said President Jim Clements. “We are at the heart of the Southeast’s auto industry, and as South Carolina’s leading provider of engineering talent, Clemson is uniquely positioned to launch the nation’s first Bachelor of Science degree in automotive engineering. Through working in tandem with industry, state and federal partners, we are able to shape the future of mobility and create a robust workforce.”

Students can expect an interdisciplinary curriculum with a strong experiential learning component that is aimed at preparing them for the future of automotive manufacturing with an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies ranging from electric vehicles, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and semiconductors to e-hailing, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicle software.

The program’s creators expect it to launch with as many as 30 students in fall 2023 and grow to over 200 by fall 2027.

Undergraduates majoring in automotive engineering will be based on the main campus for their first two years, providing them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the full Clemson Experience, including cheering on the Tigers football team in Memorial Stadium, swimming in Lake Hartwell and eating ice cream at the ’55 Exchange.

For their final two years, students will shift to CU-ICAR, a campus that is home to Clemson’s automotive engineering faculty and graduate program. On the campus, they will be able to take full advantage of the unique experimental facilities and the expertise located there.

A young, Black female uses a hand-held tool to work on the metal interior frame of a car. She is wearing an orange, short-sleeve CU-ICAR polo shirt. — Students can expect an interdisciplinary curriculum that is aimed at preparing them for the future of automotive manufacturing with an emphasis on cutting-edge technologies.

A bus service already in place connects CU-ICAR to the main campus 45 minutes away.

Clemson launched its graduate program in automotive engineering in 2006 and was the first university in the country to graduate a Ph.D. student in automotive engineering and the first to graduate a woman with a Ph.D. in automotive engineering.

Zoran Filipi, founding director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, said Clemson will build on talent and infrastructure already in place to create the undergraduate program.

“Some of the world’s leading thought leaders and most creative innovators in automotive engineering are on the faculty in the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering,” Filipi said. “We offer cutting-edge facilities, impactful learning experiences and opportunities to collaborate closely with industry partners. Clemson is uniquely positioned to lead in automotive engineering at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.”

Clemson also has a unique geographic advantage that helps position the University to offer the program. The auto industry in South Carolina employs 74,000 and has an economic impact of $27 billion, according to the state Department of Commerce.

The broader Southeast region is home to a growing number of Original Equipment Manufacturers. Within 500 miles of Clemson, the community includes BMW, Volvo, Proterrra, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Honda, Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan and Kia. Each brings a network of suppliers that also create jobs.

The switch to autonomous and electric cars could create as many as 115,000 additional U.S. automotive and mobility industry jobs in the coming decade, including 45,000 for mobility engineers alone, according to a 2019 report by Boston Consulting Group.

Men and women exit an orange, futuristic looking vehicle that is parked in front of a glass building on a brick concourse. Two people in the foreground are sitting on benches. — Automotive engineering students in their senior year will have an opportunity to work on Deep Orange prototypes, such as this one, which was featured at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Several recent investments that are helping create those jobs in South Carolina were mentioned in Gov. Henry McMaster’s Jan. 25 State of the State address.

To name a few examples:

* Redwood Materials will invest $3.5 billion for a new battery materials recycling facility, the single largest announcement in the history of South Carolina.

* BMW is investing $1 billion to prepare its Spartanburg plant to produce electric vehicles and $700 million to build a new, high-voltage battery assembly facility.

* Bosch plans to invest $200 million in Anderson County to create the company’s first production operation of fuel cell technology in the United States and another $260 million as Bosch launches production of electric motors in Dorchester County to support the U.S. market demand for electrified vehicles.

Those three investments alone are expected to create 2,500 jobs.

Laine Mears, chair of the Department of Automotive Engineering, said demand for automotive engineers is soaring.

“The entire global automotive industry is turning on a dime, and Clemson is stepping up to take the lead to meet industry’s changing needs for both technology and workforce,” he said. “The new undergraduate degree will be a truly integrative program that brings together talent from across a spectrum of disciplines, preparing students for the challenges of the future.”

Students will start with a General Engineeringcurriculum that includes calculus, physics and other foundational courses required of engineering majors at Clemson. After their first year, students will be eligible to begin taking automotive engineering classes.

By their senior year, students will be ready to work on Deep Orange prototype vehicles as capstone projects.

Those who complete the undergraduate program will receive a Bachelor of Science in automotive engineering. Students who decide to join the first cohort are currently in their first year in college and would be on track to graduate in 2026.

Srikanth Pilla, the ExxonMobil Employees Endowed Chair and Professor of Automotive Engineering, led the development of the curriculum for the new undergraduate program.

“While the new degree program was created in an automotive context, the curriculum has been designed broadly enough that impactful experiences will reach far beyond the car, and students will be well-qualified for a number of careers in the mobility and technology workforces,” said Pilla, who is also the founding director of AIM for Composites Energy Frontier Research Center and the Clemson Composites Center.

“Employers could range from car and aerospace companies to the U.S. Army and software companies such as Google, Apple and Meta. This is a robust curriculum filled with hands-on learning experiences aimed at preparing students to make a contribution on day one of their careers.”

A man wearing a dark blazer with a Clemson Tiger Paw lapel pin and an orange tie sits behind a desk with a computer in front of him. — Zoran Filipi, director of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, said Clemson University will build on talent and infrastructure already in place to create the new undergraduate automotive engineering program.

The undergraduate degree adds to a growing list of marquee programs at CU-ICAR that include:

* A graduate program that has graduated 791 master’s students and 100 Ph.D. students, with virtually all finding jobs in the automotive industry or academia

* Deep Orange, a program that gives students a chance to design and build a prototype vehicle, mirroring the experience of working at an original equipment manufacturer or supplier

* Virtual Prototyping of Autonomy-Enabled Ground Systems (VIPR-GS), an organization that is part of a research partnership aimed at developing innovative virtual prototyping tools to design the next generation of autonomy-enabled, on- and off-road vehicles, with the U.S. government committing up to $100 million

* AIM for Composites, an Energy Frontier Research Center that is advancing how composite materials are created through artificial intelligence and inverse engineering

Clemson’s new undergraduate program will differ from automotive specialties in traditional departments and automotive. While technology programs concentrate on manufacturing, routine design, construction and end operations, Clemson is going beyond the technical requirements by creating an automotive engineering degree that will focus on advanced design, development and technical management of the vehicle realization process.

Anand Gramopadhye, dean of the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences, said Clemson’s new undergraduate degree program will help meet workforce needs for the growing automotive industry.

“This multidisciplinary program brings together top talent, cutting-edge facilities and impactful experiences to create the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs of the future,” he said. “By creating the future workforce, the program will help strengthen the automotive industry in South Carolina and the broader Southeastern region. I thank the team that designed the new program and congratulate its members on a job well done.”

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