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News Briefs
Noted educator to join law school faculty
Former College of Charleston Provost Andrew L. Abrams has joined the full-time faculty of the Charleston School of Law, Dean Richard Gershon announced.
“Andy’s addition to our faculty is a tremendous opportunity for our students,” says Gershon. “Because of his wealth of experience and overwhelming respect among South Carolina college educators, the Charleston School of Law is indeed fortunate to have someone of his stature to join the faculty.”
Abrams, who most recently served as the College of Charleston’s senior vice president for strategic planning and administration, was also the college’s general counsel. In his career there, he served as provost and was a tenured professor of legal studies.
An expert in sports and education law, Abrams will teach both subjects this fall at the Charleston School of Law.
Abrams has a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a master’s degree in law from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining academia, he was a trial lawyer in Greenville.
Regions Bank updates its Web site for small businesses
Regions Bank, a part of Regions Financial Corp., has enhanced the small business portion of its Web site www.regions.com to provide a comprehensive small business resource center.
The center focuses on managing finances, offering practical guidance on preparing a balance sheet, managing cash flow, valuing a business and protecting a business through contracts.
It also comes complete with free access to online workshops, worksheets and planning guides.
Benefitfocus.com recognized as fastest growing technology company in state
The South Carolina Technology Alliance officially recognized Benefitfocus.com as the fastest growing technology company in the state.
Research of the alliance’s databases and technology records, as well as other state economic development databases available to SCTA, supports its top ranking of Benefitfocus.
“Benefitfocus’ record growth is very exciting for our state, other growing technology companies and the push we have all been making in the knowledge base economy for our state,” said Tom Persons, president and CEO of the South Carolina Technology Alliance.
The South Carolina Technology Alliance is a nonprofit, technology-orientated think tank that develops and advances economic development policies. It creates collaboration between a diverse cross-section of business, academic and legislative leaders and South Carolina’s economic and community development sectors. It has been recognized by the governor’s office, the Small Business Association and the United States Department of Commerce for its vision and efforts on behalf of the state’s innovation economy.
“We saw 236% growth in 2004 and are incredibly proud to be recognized as the fastest growing technology company in our state,” said Shawn Jenkins, president and CEO of Benefitfocus.com Inc. “The next 24 months promise to be very exciting and rewarding time for Benefitfocus, as our industry is about to see a fundamental shift of the $2 trillion of health care spent annually in the country into the hands of the consumer.”
The Mount Pleasant-based company makes Internet-based software that replaces the traditional paper forms employers use to administer their worker-benefit plans, such as health coverage. Its clients include more than 14 BlueCross BlueShield plans, covering more than 89,000 employer groups and 12.5 million members in all 50 states and countries as far away as Japan, Mexico, Chile and Poland.
Berchtold Corp. announces the launch of Surgical
Lighting systems
Berchtold Corp. introduced its new Chromophare D 540 and D 660 Surgical Lights incorporating the new Berchtold Reflective Illumination Technology, which provide 50% more total light while ensuring surgical site coolness.
The new halogen light technology utilizes a unique internal bulb coating, which reflects radiant energy back to the bulb filament and generates more useful light. Combined with Berchtold’s custom color-correction filters and proven polygon reflector, the natural color-rendering properties of the Chromophare series have been maintained. The new surgical lighting system delivers uniformly brilliant, penetrating and shadow-free lighting to surgeons performing both large-surface and deep-cavity procedures.
Founded in 1922 in Tuttlingen, Germany, Berchtold Corp.’s North American headquarters is located in Charleston. The company designs, manufactures and assembles products and technologies including Supersuite Custom Surgical Environments, Chromophare Surgical Lights, Teletom Equipment Management Systems and Operon Surgical Tables.
Local company changes name
The Charleston-based company Espresso South announced that it has changed its name to the Sixteen70 Group. The company, a local coffee roaster, provides coffee and tea service to local and regional restaurants. Sixteen70 Group’s growth during the past 11 years prompted the name change.
“Our new name is taken from the year Charleston was founded—1670,” said company owner Kurt Weinberger. “We are proud to be a Charleston company, and we chose our name to reflect that pride.”
Weinberger added that the name change offers new possibilities for his business. “We are no longer limited by our name in the products and services that we can offer,” he said.
James Doran Co. adds Class ‘A’ commercial space on Daniel Island
Williams Technologies, a Caterpillar Inc. company, will open a 200,000-square-foot parts warehouse at McQueen Park, an industrial park in Jedburg.
This is the second facility the company has leased at the location. A supplier of remanufactured automatic transmissions for Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Mazda and Allison, Williams Technologies will use the facility for warehousing of parts and finished goods. The company will completely occupy the building beginning Dec. 1.
No new employees will be hired. Instead, Caterpillar will transfer in workers from other facilities, the company said.
Malls get into holiday spirit
Citadel Mall and Northwoods Mall, owned and managed by CBL & Associates Properties Inc., are helping local nonprofit organizations get ready for the holidays this year by hosting the fourth annual Time of Giving event that will benefit charities and customers in the Charleston area.
The malls have enhanced this year’s fundraising program by holding a special shopping event Nov. 19th from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., as well as offering retailer discount coupons that can be used during the event.
Shoppers will be able to purchase a coupon booklet from participating charitable organizations prior to the event by checking the listing on the malls’ Web site to find a charity they would like to donate $5 to or at any entrance on the day of the event.
All proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to the respective organization. There will be strolling carolers, cookies and milk with Santa and a free gift to the first 500 customers making the $5 donation for the coupon booklet that morning.
Northwoods and Citadel Mall’s have secured participation from nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations including the American Red Cross, Berkeley County Kids Who Care, Greyhounds Pets of America-Charleston, The Good News Christian Church and People Against Rape, as well as various churches, and other civic groups and charities specific to the Charleston area.
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