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New website, social media for SC's logistics industry cluster!
 The South Carolina Council on Competitiveness has launched a new website and LinkedIn page for the state's logistics industry cluster, SC Logistics.
The website provides the latest information on the logistics industry, in addition to a searchable map of logistics providers located inside the state. It was designed for logistics users and providers, economic developers, and companies considering a location in South Carolina.
“The mission of SC Logistics is to connect and grow the logistics industry in South Carolina,” said Ann Marie Stieritz, president & CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. “We believe that having these communication platforms are critical to maintaining the type of connectivity the industry needs to be competitive on the global stage.”
“The logistics industry is important to all business in South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “From ensuring that goods and services are transported efficiently to employees traveling safely to and from work, the state’s logistics network is important for economic growth and industry success in South Carolina.”
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Sellers to assume interim CEO role
 Effective March 1, 2017, Ed Sellers will become interim CEO of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Sellers is currently chairman of the Council’s Executive Committee and chairman of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
“The formation of the Council in 2004 marked the first time South Carolina’s business, government, and academic leadership came together to address long-term competitiveness factors,” said Sellers. “Never has there been a more important time to have an organization focusing on South Carolina’s economic future. I am very excited about the current opportunities we have to help our state, our industries and our citizens be more economically competitive.”
Current President & CEO Ann Marie Stieritz accepted a new position as Chief Impact Officer for Liberty Fellowship and will depart the Council at the end of February.
“It’s been a fantastic privilege to serve the Council these past three years.” said Stieritz. “I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the collaborative partnerships we’ve fostered that truly make a difference in expanding the economic prosperity of South Carolina.”
“Ann Marie has done a wonderful job of growing the Council’s work in recent years. We can’t think her enough for her faithful service to our organization, and we wish her well in her new endeavor,” Sellers said. “The Executive Committee is currently evaluating options for her replacement.”
Council Treasurer Joel Smith will provide operational support during the transition. Smith is Dean Emeritus of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and is the former President of Bank of America East (retired).
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Out and About:
Council staff members are on the move across South Carolina
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 Cameron named to Midlands "50 Most Influential"
Deborah Cameron, the Council’s director of aerospace initiatives, was recently named to Columbia Business Monthly’s list of 50 Most Influential People in the Midlands.
Cameron hosts students at Hamilton-Owens Airport
 Student members of AIAA South Carolina Chapter recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Hamilton-Owens Airport, where Cameron and her husband are currently working on an experimental RV-10 aircraft. Students were able to practice setting rivets, practice on a simulator and talked with other airplane builders and restorers. Read Cameron's blog>>
 Torrey participates in AYPF panel
TransformSC Director Peggy Torrey participated in panel discussion and study tour hosted by the American Youth Policy Forum Feb. 2 and 3 in Charleston. Torrey spoke on the importance of collaboration between schools and businesses to address the challenges of preparing rural students for college and career success.
The study tour visited Scott's Branch High School and Cougar Entrepreneurial Academy, two of 55 schools in TransformSC's statewide network.
 Dickerson to lead logistics panel at SC Auto Summit
Suzanne Dickerson, director of logistics industry initiatives, will moderate a panel discussion focused on the fast growing logistics models at the 2017 SC Auto Summit on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. in Greenville.
Panelists include: Tim Kirschbaum, General Manager at Senator International; Alfred Haas, Manager of Material Control & Supply Assurance for BMW Manufacturing; David Edwards, President & CEO of GSP International Airport. Learn more about SC Auto Week>>
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Updates:
from the Council's industry clusters and initiatives
2016: Highlights from SC Aerospace
 It was a busy year for South Carolina's aerospace industry cluster! SC Aerospace staff has completed over 80 company visits to date. We formally recommended a high school aerospace curriculum be piloted in several high schools across SC beginning in the fall of 2017. We co-hosted our third annual statewide conference, hosted quarterly events that rotated to different geographic regions of the state and convened an education work group to better understand what the industry needs from our education system. Click the button below to get monthly updates from the aerospace industry cluster!
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TransformSC conference in Greenville March 13th
 This year's TransformSC Conference will focus on transformational leadership at the school, district, higher education, business and community levels.
Keynote speakers include:
- Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr., the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center at the University of North Carolina. Johnson will discuss "Disruptive Demographics" and the changing face of our country, region and state while addressing what those changes mean for transformative educational leadership; and
- Roger D. Cook, superintendent of Taylor County School District in Kentucky, which reports a 100 percent graduation rate. Cook will speak about how to prevent dropouts by giving students choices about how they learn and how to implement anytime, anywhere learning in a school that never closes.
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 We are very excited about having our conference in Greenville for the first time! Attendees are invited to take advantage of discounted hotel rates to make a weekend out of exploring all that Greenville has to offer. We have a variety of options to choose from and an option for every budget level. Reservation deadlines range from Feb. 13 to Feb. 18, depending on the hotel, so book your stay today!
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It's not too late to become a sponsor or exhibitor! We expect over 300 guests, including business leaders, policymakers and teams of educators representing many of the state’s school districts. The conference also draws local and state media coverage.
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In the Media:
Columbia's TCube Solutions an example of insurance tech cluster's growth
President & CEO Ann Marie Stieritz was recently interviewed by Midlands Anchor in reference to the announcement of a $1.7 million expansion from TCube Solutions in Columbia.
The Midlands’ Insurance Technology cluster (iTs|SC) is an industry cluster supported by the Council, and Stieritz points to the TCube as an example of robust industry cluster activity leading to economic growth. Read more>>
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From the Blog:
"At Emerald High School, we’re in year four of our project-based learning implementation without a purchased program, meaning we’re doing it with no funding. Attending TransformSC’s Project-Based Learning Institute on Jan. 24 was the best PBL professional development we’ve had the opportunity to attend in the state."
Emerald High School Principal Brad Nickles discusses what he and his team learned at TransformSC's Project-Based Learning Institute. Emerald High School is a member of TransformSC's statewide innovation network. Read more>>
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In Other News:
SC Department of Commerce releases Innovation Plan
Workforce development and external and internal promotion have been identified as two major areas where South Carolina can help advance its innovation economy in the South Carolina Innovation Plan, recently released by the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Read more>>
Charleston region launches competitiveness strategy
The Charleston Regional Development Alliance and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce have announced the launch of One Region, an initiative aimed at making the Charleston region a globally competitive location. Read more>>
Midlands region releases competitiveness report, business leadership to create working groups
EngenuitySC recently released its third-annual Midlands Regional Competitiveness Report, ranking the Columbia metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in relation to nine other Southeastern metropolitan regions. Read more>>
SC Department of Education releases Personalized Learning framework
The South Carolina Department of Education has released its statewide framework for personalized learning. The document creates a plan for supporting students as they achieve the knowledge, skills and characteristics identified in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Read more>>
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SC Aerospace Winter Networking Event
Feb. 15, 2017
Florence, SC
SC Aerospace will host its first quarterly networking event of 2017 at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology. Email Deborah Cameron to be included. |
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SC Auto Week
Feb. 20 - 25, 2017
Greenville, SC
As proclaimed by Governor Nikki Haley, SC Auto Week is a public celebration of South Carolina’s innovative automotive industry. Held Feb. 20-25, 2017, SC Auto Week will clearly demonstrate South Carolina’s bright future in mobility. Learn more about SC Auto Week>>
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TransformSC's 2017 Spring Conference
March 13, 2017
Greenville, SC
TransformSC's fourth annual conference will focus on transformational leadership at all levels. The conference will also be held for the first time in Greenville. Learn more>> |
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