Countybank, Charter School Grant, Biltmore Walk, and Simpsonville Events - In The Know 7-27

Countybank Board Names President

Thornwell “Wells” Dunlap V has been appointed as the new President of the Countybank Board of Directors. He was also elected to the Board of Directors for both Countybank and TCB Corp., the bank’s holding company.

Wells’ father, R. Thornwell Dunlap III, had served as President of Countybank since 1995. He will continue in his roles as CEO and Board Chairman of Countybank, as well as President, CEO, and Board Chairman of TCB Corp.

As the new president, Wells Dunlap will be responsible for overseeing the bank’s senior leadership team, financial performance, overall operations, and business development. "Wells embodies Countybank’s mission of service and our core value of putting people first," said Dunlap III. "He is well-equipped to lead as we look to serve the next generation of customers throughout the Upstate."

Before joining Countybank in 2013 as a Credit Administration Officer, Wells worked in economic development in Anderson County. He graduated from the S.C. Bankers School in 2017 and the LSU Graduate School of Banking in 2022. Over the years, he has held various roles at the bank, including Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer, Senior Vice President, and Senior Operations Officer. Since joining the senior leadership team, he has overseen retail banking, digital banking, marketing, customer service, and deposit operations.

"I’ve always believed that people are at the heart of our business model, and even as we innovate our digital technology, it’s a people-first approach that will continue to set our business apart," Dunlap stated.

In 2024, Dunlap was honored as the Outstanding Young Banker by the South Carolina Bankers Association. In June, he was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the S.C. Bankers Association.

Countybank was founded in Greenwood in 1933. Under the leadership of Dunlap III, the bank expanded into Anderson, Greenville, Greer, and Simpsonville, and diversified its offerings to include mortgage, trust, insurance, and investment services alongside personal and business banking.

TD Bank Appoints Mid-South President

TD Bank has promoted Demetrius Johnson to the position of Retail Market President of the Mid-South Metro, which includes South Carolina, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Johnson will lead a team of six Retail Market Managers, oversee retail operations at more than 125 locations, promote customer relationships, team collaboration, and coordination, and enhance customer experiences.

Based in Greenville, Johnson joined TD Bank in 2003 as part of the team in Metro Pennsylvania/New Jersey. Since 2019, he has served as Regional Retail Operations Director of the Mid-South Metro. Outside of the bank, Johnson serves with the PGA of America REACH Foundation, Harvest Hope Food Bank in Greenville, United Way of Greenville County, Samaritan's Feet International in Charlotte, and Charlotte Pride.

TD Bank provides a full range of retail, small business, and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,100 locations in the United States.

FUEL Grant To Help Charter School

FUEL – a brand-building agency in Greenville – has selected Lead Academy Public Charter School to receive its FUEL for Good Grant. The grant aims to help the school engage more effectively with parents and donors. Lead Academy is a free, public charter school founded on the belief that every child can achieve at an exceptionally high level, regardless of background or circumstance.

Sarah Mitchell, Executive Administrator and Director of Development at Lead Academy, expressed gratitude for the grant. FUEL created the FUEL for Good Grant in 2020 to support the community and local nonprofits. The agency has donated 1,200 hours of service to help nonprofits create meaningful brand strategies and campaigns.

Mary Church Cornette, FUEL CEO and Head of Creative, said the agency is thrilled to partner with Lead Academy. "We’re proud to help bring that story to life in a way that captures the heart of their mission and the strength of their impact."

Founded in 2011, FUEL works with companies and organizations throughout the Southeast region, from real estate and hospitality to manufacturing, the arts, and nonprofits.

P+F Will Be GC For Biltmore Walk

P+F Construction will be the general contractor for Biltmore Walk, a new luxury townhome community in Greenville. The 44-residence project is being developed by Keene Development Group in collaboration with Marchant Bateman & Co., MHK Architecture, FORD Interior Design, Knight Strategies, and P+F Construction.

“Biltmore Walk is a project we’ve poured a lot of thought, care, and passion into. It represents a truly special opportunity to create something lasting in the heart of Greenville,” said Kyle Keene, founder and principal of Keene Development Group. “P+F’s integrity, precision, and craftsmanship will bring this vision to life.”

P+F Construction is headquartered in Fountain Inn. The company works in the residential, mixed-use, civic, and commercial sectors. The company led construction at The Mill at Fountain Inn, which recently won a state historic preservation award.

“Biltmore Walk is the kind of project that allows us to do what we do best – build with intention, precision, and pride,” said Steve Foushee, co-founder of P+F Construction. The level of detail and design at Biltmore Walk requires craftsmanship at every step, he said.

Biltmore Walk is inspired by the elegance of New York City’s Gramercy Park, according to a press release. The community will blend contemporary luxury with proximity to downtown Greenville, the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, and the County Square project. Each home will have spacious interiors, hardwood floors, top-end appliances, private elevators, two-car garages, rooftop terraces, natural light, and three- and four-bedroom floor plans. Exteriors will feature brick and limestone. Construction is set to begin this summer.

Simpsonville Women's Event Focuses On Sex Trafficking, Abuse

The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Impact Network will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on August 5 at the chamber office, 105A W. Curtis St. This month will include a presentation by the Pelham Medical Center SANE Team (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners). The nurses provide treatment and forensic information when individuals have been subjected to domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

The featured nonprofit is Switch, an organization with a mission to end sex trafficking in the Upstate. Guests may choose to bring donations for Switch, including new women’s underwear and Uber gift cards.

Women's Impact Network is a way to start the day with coffee, networking, and giving back to the community. Each event includes a presentation from a monthly sponsor and a nonprofit organization.

Simpsonville Chamber Men’s Event

The Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce Men's Engagement Network will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. on August 5. Details have not been announced. The Men's Engagement Network is intended as a relaxing way to end the day while networking with fellow businessmen and giving back to the community. Each event will include a presentation from the sponsor and a spotlight on a local nonprofit organization.

Laurens Electric Grants Support Vibrancy

Laurens Electric Cooperative Inc. will support Simpsonville with its Community Impact Initiative Grants. The competitive process will award grants of $1,000 to $2,000 to projects that support growth or vibrancy in the community and improve quality of life. Applications must be submitted online by August 8.

Funds are provided by Laurens Electric Cooperative and distributed through the Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Recipients will be announced at the Simpsonville Chamber’s A-List Awards Celebration on August 21. Proposed projects should include innovative, creative, practical, and tangible solutions that address a community need, present a new opportunity, and improve quality of life. Project areas could include community development, education, the environment, health, and arts or culture.

Sippin' Wine in Simpsonville

The Sippin’ in Simpsonville Wine Tasting will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on September 12 in downtown Simpsonville. The event will include local, unique, and regional wines, tours of local shops and businesses, vendors, art displays, live music, and other activities. More than 25 businesses will take part.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $45 on the day of the event. Regular tickets include tastings and a commemorative glass. VIP tickets are $50 in advance and $65 on the day of the event. VIP tickets include tastings, a commemorative glass, early check-in, a bottle of wine to take home, and a VIP gift. Designated drivers and non-drinking guests are not required to purchase a ticket. Volunteers are needed to help with check-in, setup, takedown, and other light duties. Many shifts are two hours; volunteers receive a T-shirt; those age 21 and older will receive a ticket to use before or after their shifts. A limited number of host and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Flywheel Presents Flywheel Cafe

Flywheel Coworking Greenville will present Flywheel Café from 5 to 7 p.m. on August 14 at the Crescent One Innovation District, 25 Goldsmith St. in Greenville. Flywheel Café is a gathering of founders, investors, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Guests are invited to enjoy a beer and snacks and hear local successful entrepreneurs discuss their journeys, share advice, and answer questions. The event is free.

Tech Slam

Tech Slam n’ Eggs, presented by Flywheel Coworking Greenville, is a peer-to-peer event for the developer community. The event will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on August 20 at the Crescent One Innovation District, 25 Goldsmith St. in Greenville. Lead developers will discuss discoveries, insights, and problems they overcame. This event is designed exclusively for the software developer community. It is not a pitch event. It is a collaborative atmosphere for developers to innovate and connect. The event is free.

Podcast Studio

Flywheel Coworking Greenville has opened an on-site podcasting studio in partnership with Flywheel member Michael Fishman, the owner of Day Moon Productions. A variety of options for audio and video production and post-production editing are available – from DIY to professional. Day Moon will manage the studio. Packages include a do-it-yourself podcast session for $250; more sophisticated services from $350 to $500; and monthly rates.

Fly Yoga?

Flywheel Coworking Greenville is offering a new opportunity, courtesy of Kamber Parker-Bowen, at the Crescent One Innovation District, 25 Goldsmith St. in Greenville. Parker-Bowen is the founder of Generational Performance Solutions, located at Flywheel. She has also become a certified yoga instructor and will offer weekly yoga classes in partnership with another Crescent One tenant, Fitness With A View.

The 55-minute classes will be at 7 a.m. every Friday. No registration is required. Classes will be outdoors when the weather is good and in the gym when it’s raining. Classes are open to anyone, with any level of experience. A drop-in fee of $20 can be paid at Fitness With A View. Participants should bring a yoga mat. Packages are available to those who want to continue the classes. For information, call Fitness With A View, (864) 420-3371.