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Greenville Business Magazine

The Business Narrative: Sustainable Energy Storage Systems

Jan 24, 2025 11:06AM ● By Donna Walker

Swiss-based PHENOGY Announces Plans for Columbia, SC Headquarters

(123rf.com Image)

 

PHENOGY AG has announced plans to open its U.S.  headquarters in Columbia, South Carolina.

 

Based in Switzerland, PHENOGY is a global leader in sustainable energy systems with a focus on future-proof and resilient technology battery storage systems.

 

Officials said the decision came following a six-month discovery period of cities in the  Southeast and ultimately led to choosing Columbia based on the state’s commitment to sustainability and partnership opportunities with local institutions of higher learning and industry leaders.

 

The company will begin with opening its headquarters in Columbia and focusing on building its U.S. business development and product teams, the officials said.

 

The city of Columbia was introduced to the company during an economic development mission to Switzerland led by a city partner, the Columbia World Affairs Council.

 

“The founding of PHENOGY INC. in Columbia, South Carolina, marks a significant milestone for  PHENOGY,” said co-founder and CEO Peter E. Braun. “Columbia is where the spirit of  innovation, a dynamic tech ecosystem and the relentless pursuit of technological excellence converge - values that also represent PHENOGY."

 

Braun added, “This underscores our mission to advance  future-proof energy storage systems globally, as well as our commitment to local partners in  communities, industry and research. My special thanks go to Mayor (Daniel) Rickenmann, his top-notch  team and the broader city of Columbia for their continued great support.” 

 

“Columbia, South Carolina is the place to be due to our high quality life, innovation pipeline with six institutions of higher learning, but most importantly, our people,” Rickenmann said.

 

Rickenmann added, “We were thrilled to share our community with PHENOGY during the discovery  period, and now we are honored to welcome them to the Columbia family as we continue to grow our alternative energy portfolio and be good stewards of our natural resources.” 

Governor Names Next Director of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services

Gov. Henry McMaster on Jan. 23, 2025, announced his appointment of Jake Gadsden, Jr. as the next director of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS).

 

Gadsden currently serves as the deputy director for Programs, Reentry, and Rehabilitative Services for the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) and has over 30 years of experience overseeing both state and county correctional facilities. 

 

"Jake Gadsden has a lifetime of experience in the criminal justice system and has proven himself to be a talented leader time and time again at the Department of Corrections," McMaster said in a statement. "His experience in rehabilitation and reentry, coupled with his deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities within the criminal justice system, make him an ideal leader for SCDPPPS." 

 

McMaster added, “The future of this department will be in good hands under his guidance, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of his leadership as we continue to work toward building a safer South Carolina."

 

As deputy director for Programs, Reentry, and Rehabilitative Services for SCDC, Gadsden oversees the agency's divisions responsible for reentry, education, inmate services, transitional services, and victim services.

 

He also manages divisions overseeing prison industries and support services, including canteen, commissary, horticulture, and recycling and solid waste.

 

Gadsden joined SCDC in 2019, previously serving as regional director of Operations and Warden at Tyger River Correctional Institution. 

 

His career also includes leadership roles with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections as a superintendent and warden, as well as the Rhode Island Department of Corrections as a warden, assistant director of institutions, and operations deputy director.

 

"I am so grateful for this opportunity," Gadsden said. "Like SCDC, the Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services is often overlooked, but the work is just as important. We are all trying to do the same thing by helping these individuals rebuild and letting their families have a better life."

 

Gadsden, 65, is a resident of Chapin, South Carolina.

 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina and completed the Harvard University School of Government Tier Management Training program.

 

The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation. 

The Fresh Market Announces New President, CEO To Head Specialty Grocery Chain

The Fresh Market, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors appointed Brian Johnson as president and chief executive officer (CEO) effective Feb. 3, 2025, replacing Jason Potter, who officials said has decided to pursue a new opportunity.

 

The Produce News, a trade publication, reported Potter has taken the same role at Grocery Outlet after five years with The Fresh Market.

 

Johnson has been chief operating officer (COO) at The Fresh Market since 2020 and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role.

 

In the last five years, Johnson has helped oversee the expansion of TFM stores into new markets across the East Coast and Midwestern United States.

 

Previously, Johnson was Division Vice President at Brookshire Grocery Company in Texas.

 

Said Johnson: “I want to thank the Board of Directors and our team at The Fresh Market for putting their confidence in me. As a company we have a lot of momentum going into 2025, and I look forward to working alongside the team at The Fresh Market as we continue to grow, innovate, and create meaningful customer experiences."

 

Johnson added, "I also look forward to working with the Board of Directors as we chart our course to becoming America’s premiere specialty fresh food retailer - or America’s most loved brand.”

 

Included in the senior leadership team reporting to Johnson are Revae Embs, Group Vice President of Human Resources; Emily Turner, Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; and Marcio Ribeiro, Group Vice President and Chief Information Officer, who have all joined the senior leadership team within the last year.

 

The Fresh Market operates 166 stores in 22 states across the U.S., including several in South Carolina.

IRS.gov Has Answers to Taxpayer Questions

As people prepare to file their 2024 tax return, the IRS reminds taxpayers they can find answers to their tax questions using IRS online tools and resources.

 

The IRS.gov tools are available 24 hours a day.

 

IRS Free File: Nearly everyone can file their tax return electronically for free. The software does all the work of finding deductions, credits and exemptions. It's free for those who earned $84,000 or less in 2024. Some of the Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation.

 

Choosing a preparer: The IRS has several options for finding a tax preparer. One resource is Choosing a Tax Professional, which offers a wealth of information for selecting a tax professional. This resource can help taxpayers find preparers in their area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS or who have an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.  

 

Interactive tax assistant: This tool answers even more tax questions and help find credits and deductions. It can also help a taxpayer determine if a type of income is taxable. Many people experienced changes to income and other life events in 2024.

 

Where's My Refund?Taxpayers who filed a return and are waiting for their refund can use “Where's My Refund?” to check the status of a refund payment. Updates are available within 24 hours after the IRS receives an e-filed return or four weeks after the agency receives a mailed paper return.

 

* View federal tax account information online: Individuals can go to IRS.gov to set up their account. If they already have a username and password, they can log in to view their federal tax account balance, payment history and key information from their most recent tax return as originally filed. Before accessing their account for the first time, taxpayers must authenticate their identity through the secure access process.  

 

* Paying a tax bill: The IRS offers several ways for taxpayers to pay their taxes including online or by phone. Direct Pay and IRS Online Account are free and safe ways to pay taxes or estimated tax directly from a checking or savings account. Pay by debit, credit card or digital wallet options are available. 

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