SwampFox

Greenville Business Magazine Names Best and Brightest 2011

(Greenville, SC – September 12, 2011) – Greenville Business Magazine takes great pride in announcing the most recent class of Greenville First’s Best & Brightest 35 and Under. Now in its 18th year, the program was created to honor Greenville’s young leaders for their professional and community contributions, a mission it still upholds. At a celebratory event to be held on September 27 at the Greenville Little Theatre, the 35 honorees will be granted public recognition for their character, charitable efforts, and workplace successes.

Nominations for the award were accepted from throughout the Upstate, and submissions were evaluated by a panel composed of Tan Kirby Davis of Kirby Resource Group, Judith Prince of USC Upstate, and Mike Posey of the United Way. Selections were made based on professional achievements, community contributions, and educational background.

The 2011 Best & Brightest class consists of:

Michael Allen
Adam Anderson
Rita Bolt Barker
Phillip "Griffin" Bell
Jada Charley
Troy Corley
Jennifer Dewitt
Matt Dunbar
Linsey Ekebergh
April Evans
Cory Ezzell
Amy Allen Hinson
Josh Howard
Oscar F. Hoyt
Stephanie Jackson
Eric Jarinko
Rodney Johnson
Hannah Rogers Metcalfe
Jason Mitchell
Sean Muserallo
Krish Patel
Karen Potter
Tracy Ramseur
Curtis Rose
Ryan Rosenfeld
Anna Rowe
Missy Ryan
Caroline Schultz
Amy Shelley
Kevin Stiens
Breann L. Szmurlo
Matt Trent
Jeff Walker
Karri Westmoreland
Cindy Youssef

While honoring the winners pays tribute to their many good works, it’s also meant to be inspirational to the community in general. The hope is that as others see how dedicated and hardworking these 35 men and women are, they will be moved to act of their own accord to make Greenville and the Upstate a more vibrant and inclusive region, attentive to the needs and concerns of residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

In addition to receiving an award at the gala celebration, the Best & Brightest winners will be treated to a high-speed circuit on the driving course at the BMW Performance Center. Their hometown newspapers will also be alerted to their being honored as up-and-coming leaders in the Upstate of South Carolina.

Greenville Business Magazine publisher Lori J. Coon notes, “Spearheading the naming of the Best & Brightest is one of the absolute highlights of our calendar. We are delighted to be able to give these exceptional men and women the recognition they deserve. To meet them is to witness energy, talent, and drive in action, and we’re heartened to see that the next generation of Greenville is well-equipped to lead, strengthen, and promote not only the city itself but all people who call it home. They’re an amazing group.”

Art Seaver, CEO of Greenville First and a previous Best & Brightest award-winner, trusts that their individual and corporate efforts will only grow bolder. “Leadership is more than fulfilling work responsibilities. It’s also being involved in the life of your company and the welfare of your community. This class embodies that devotion, and their passions are evident in everything they do. We look forward to all that they’ll yet accomplish after being presented the mantle of Best & Brightest.”

Along with title sponsor Greenville First, the program is supported by platinum sponsors Southwest Airlines, Charter Business, and Clemson at the Falls; gold sponsors The Salvation Army, HTI, and KPMG; and silver sponsors GHS, USC, and Rosenfeld Einstein.

About Greenville Business Magazine
Greenville Business Magazine, a publication of Integrated Media Publishing, is the only Greenville monthly dedicated to delivering an insightful perspective on the business of our community. Our content introduces readers to local business leaders – people to watch and people making a difference – and takes them behind the scenes to learn about the businesses that sustain Greenville and move it forward. With the help of industry experts, we look at national trends and their local impact, revealing Greenville’s place in a changing business climate.

For more information on Greenville First’s Best & Brightest program, contact Lori Coon, GBM publisher, at 864-271-1105.

# # #