Greenville's 50 Most Influential and Hall of Fame

Greenville Business Magazine celebrates another year of honoring our region’s most influential people. The 50 men and women on this list were chosen through many hours of staff research along with nominations from the community. These individuals have made important contributions to transforming the Upstate into the vibrant, fast-growing community that it has become in recent years. The honorees on this list are celebrated for their work in the fields of law, finance, health care, nonprofits, and more. We're especially impressed with the contributions they've made over the past 12 months.

We’re also celebrating our 12th year of selecting entrants to our Hall of Fame. This year, we’re adding six new members, people whose names have graced the list many times, but whose tireless work to make the Upstate a better place continues.

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Hall of Fame

Stephen Edgerton

Stephen Edgerton CEO/Principal The Caine Companies Stephen Edgerton has been with the Caine Companies, which includes KDS Caine, Coldwell Banker Caine, and Caine Hayes Insurance, for more than 15 years, moving up from his initial role as chief...

Robert W. "Bob" Morris

Robert W. “Bob” Morris President Community Foundation of Greenville Bob Morris began his career in banking before making the transition to philanthropy. He has been president of the Community Foundation of Greenville since 1999, and during his...

Paul Clark

Paul Clark Managing Director VentureSouth As managing director of VentureSouth, Paul Clark has helped more than 120 companies across the Southeast grow their businesses. VentureSouth is a network of angel investors in the Carolinas, and its...

Mike Baur

Mike BaurChair and Chief Executive Officer ScanSource, Inc. Mike Baur co-founded ScanSource Inc. in 1992 in Greenville, and he now serves as chair and chief executive officer of the Greenville-headquartered company. Baur says he was led by an...

Meghan Barp

Meghan Barp President and CEO United Way of Greenville County Meghan Barp has worked with United Way of Greenville County since 2018. As president and CEO, she and her team work across many sectors to help struggling families in Greenville...

Liz Seman

Liz Seman Greenville County Council Chair Pro Tem Chief of Staff and Vice President for Community Relations, Furman University Liz Seman has enjoyed a varied career since moving to Greenville in 1999. At present, she is chief of staff and vice...

50 Most Influential People of 2025
Dr. Phyllis MacGilvray
Dr. Phyllis MacGilvrayDean University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville Dr. Phyllis MacGilvray, M.D., FAAFP serves as the Dean of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville (USCSOMG) since July 2024....
Gage Weekes
Gage Weekes President and CEO Hollingsworth Funds Gage Weekes is passionate about making the most of Greenville’s remarkable growth to benefit everyone by strengthening the pathways that propel people forward. As president and CEO, he is...
Debbie Varner
Debbie Varner CEO Recruiting Solutions Debbie Varner is the CEO and chairman of Recruiting Solutions, which was founded in 1992 as a local, independent, family-owned staffing and recruiting agency in Greenville and has since expanded...
Chad Cousins
Chad Cousins CEO McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture Chad Cousins is the CEO of McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture (MPS), a nationally recognized and award–winning architecture, planning, and advisory services firm founded in the Upstate. During...
Carey Ann Campbell
Carey Ann Campbell CEO Southern Tide Carey Ann Campbell is the chief executive officer of Southern Tide, the Greenville-based coastal lifestyle brand known for blending classic style with Southern charm. A passionate brand builder and...
Cal Hurst
Cal HurstPresident Southern First Bank With 20 years of banking experience throughout South Carolina, Cal Hurst has served as president of Southern First Bank since 2022. Hurst has served as chair of the Greenville Chamber Board, serves on the...
Bruce Benson
Bruce BensonSVP-Retail Market Manager- Western Carolinas Region TD Bank Bruce Benson has more than 24 years of experience in the retail banking industry, including 15 years with TD Bank. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for...
Ashley Cuttino
Ashley CuttinoGreenville Managing Shareholder Ogletree Deakins Ashley Cuttino is the Office Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Greenville office and a go-to trial lawyer for complex employment disputes. She has tried and won jury trials...
Tom Dillard
Tom Dillard Founder  Luxe Brands Collective   Tom Dillard is a lifelong businessman, who founded Luxe Brands Collective, a group of lifestyle brands, in 2004. Luxe Brands specializes in luxury residential construction, interior...
Wallace Cheves
Wallace Cheves Principal Cheves Capital   Wallace Cheves has a long history as a businessman and entrepreneur in the Upstate. A graduate of Wofford College, Cheves first discovered an interest in property development during a senior year...
Thomas R. "Tom" Britt Jr.
Thomas R. “Tom” Britt Jr. President Bank of Travelers Rest   Thomas R. “Tom” Britt Jr. has been president of the Bank of Travelers Rest since 2015, but he started his career with the bank in 1992. A Greenville native, Britt is a graduate...
Stacy Brandon
Stacy Brandon President Bank of America Upstate SC Market   Stacy Brandon is Bank of America’s Upstate South Carolina president. As market president, Brandon is responsible for connecting clients, teammates, and communities to the full...
Ryan Lee
Ryan Lee President, Greenville Market Novant Health   As Novant Health has expanded its footprint into Upstate South Carolina, Ryan Lee has helped to lead that growth, serving as the health system’s Greenville market president. Lee, who...
Robert Engelhorn 10/15/21 - File: 101421GR56
Robert Engelhorn, Ph.D.
Robert Engelhorn, Ph.D. President and Chief Executive Officer BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC   Robert Engelhorn, Ph.D., became the eighth president of BMW Manufacturing in 2021, and has been with the company since 2011. His previous positions...
Mike Coggin
Mike Coggin Division President, SC Upstate SouthState Bank   Mike Coggin has been with SouthState Bank for almost 24 years, joining the financial institution after several years as a relationship manager with Bank of America. Coggin holds...
Mark Cothran
Mark Cothran CEO Cothran Properties   Mark Cothran founded Cothran Properties in 1986 and in 2012, added Cothran Homes to the portfolio. Cothran Properties’ portfolio includes the development of Southern First Bank’s Greenville...
Krish Patel
Krish Patel Founder/CEO KVP Inc.   Krish Patel is a longtime entrepreneur who began his successful journey in business during college, developing a business plan while a student at USC Upstate and opening his first Verizon Wireless store...
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan President and Chief Executive Officer GE Appliances   Kevin Nolan has spent more than three decades with GE Appliances, including 10 years as the company’s chief technology officer. Nolan, a native of Stamford, Connecticut,...
Josh Woodward
Josh Woodward President and CEO  Lima One Capital   Josh Woodward has been with Lima One Capital, which provides lending for real estate investors, since 2013. He began his time there as treasurer and moved into the role of president...
John L. Otten
John L. Otten Chief Executive Officer Elliott Davis Advisory, LLC   John L. Otten became CEO of Elliott Davis in July 2025 after more than a quarter-century with the company. He has served as the firm’s tax practice leader and industry...
Jimmy Gulledge
Jimmy Gulledge South Carolina Area Executive First Citizens Bank   Jimmy Gulledge is the South Carolina area executive for First Citizens Bank. He is responsible for the Upstate region, which includes Greenville and Spartanburg as well as...
Halsey Cook
Halsey Cook President and CEO Milliken & Company   Halsey Cook has been president and CEO of Spartanburg-based Milliken & Company since 2018. Cook has spent more than three decades in manufacturing and distribution, including...
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Fernanda Sieverling
Fernanda Sieverling Executive Director European American Chamber of Commerce – Carolinas    Fernanda Sieverling has served as executive director of the European American Chamber of Commerce – Carolinas, a nonprofit organization...
Eric Weissmann
Eric Weissmann Executive Director  NextGEN   Eric Weissmann is executive director of NextGEN, the Greenville organization that connects innovative entrepreneurs to support, education, and growth opportunities. Weissmann,...
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Cedric Adderley
Cedric Adderley President South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Cedric Adderley became the fourth president of the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH), located in Greenville, in 2015....
C. William "Billy" McGee
C. William “Billy” McGee Chief Executive Officer Gallivan White Boyd C. William “Billy” McGee, CEO and partner in Gallivan White Boyd’s Greenville office, has more than three decades of experience in the legal profession. His practice areas...
Bruce Bannister
Bruce BannisterPartner, Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC Member, South Carolina House of Representatives Bruce Bannister is a partner at Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC, where he focuses on family law, real estate law, and eminent domain....
Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D.
Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D. Chancellor USC Upstate   Bennie L. Harris, Ph.D., became the fifth chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2021, after serving in administrative roles at Washington State University and University...
Allen Smith
Allen Smith President and CEO OneSpartanburg Inc. Allen Smith has worked with OneSpartanburg, the consolidated economic development, tourism, and business group, since 2014, a role he stepped into after spending four years as president and CEO...
Traci Newkirk
Traci Newkirk President/Founder Intellectual Capitol and Human Potential Advisors Traci Newkirk is a seasoned entrepreneur, culture architect, and leadership strategist with more than two decades of experience helping people and organizations...
Tony Kouskolekas
Tony Kouskolekas President Pelham Medical Center Tony Kouskolekas is president of Pelham Medical Center, part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, which he joined in 2012. He leads a 57-bed acute care hospital offering advanced...
Steve Spinks
Steve Spinks CEO The Spinx Company Steve Spinks serves as the CEO of The Spinx Company where his main responsibilities include overseeing all areas of Spinx, Ace Energy, and Spinx Transportation by directing the executive leadership team. Prior...
Shannon Lavrin
Shannon LavrinCity Manager City of Greenville Shannon Lavrin serves as the city manager for the City of Greenville, overseeing a $291 million budget and nearly 1,000 employees. With more than 20 years of municipal planning and administration...
Reyna Thompson
Reyna Thompson President, North America TD SYNNEX Reyna Thompson is the President of North America at TD SYNNEX, where she leads and manages the global company’s operations across North America. With 30 years of IT distribution experience,...
Peter Marsh
Peter MarshFounder Flywheel Coworking Peter Marsh is a founding partner of Flywheel, LLC, which designs and operates coworking innovation spaces in partnership with premier educational institutions and local community partners. Flywheel operates...
Patrick Michaels
Patrick Michaels President and CEO Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC In his 32 years with Goodwill, Patrick “Pat” Michaels has had the opportunity to see the “Power of Work” first-hand for thousands of people throughout the United...
Neetu Patel
Neetu PatelVice President of Operations Sycamore Investment Group As vice president of operations for Sycamore Investments Group, Neetu Patel oversees the South Carolina Hotels daily and long-term operations of five hotels and two that will open...
Michelle Seaver
Michelle SeaverPresident, Greenville, Spartanburg & Cherokee Counties United Community Michelle Seaver serves as president of United Community in Greenville, Spartanburg and Cherokee counties. In this position, she directs the bank’s...
Photo by Jack Robert
Max Stewart
Max StewartPresident and CEO Greenville Area Development Corporation Max Stewart is president and CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation, the lead economic development organization for Greenville County. Under Stewart’s leadership,...
Matthew Cabe
Matthew Cabe President and CEO Michelin North America, Inc. Matthew Cabe is responsible for coordinating all activities of Michelin in North America, Inc., which includes approximately 23,500 employees across Canada and the United States. This...
Mark Cooter
Mark Cooter Partner, Tax Services | Real Estate, Construction & Hospitality Industry Leader Cherry Bekaert Mark Cooter is a partner at Cherry Bekaert and leads the firm’s Real Estate, Construction & Hospitality Industry Group. Beyond...
Larry Miller
Larry MillerPresident Greenville Technical College Larry Miller, Ph.D., took office as the third president of Greenville Technical College on July 1, 2025. With over 25 years of experience in academia, Miller is known for innovative thinking,...
Kyle Keene
Kyle KeeneFounder and Principal Keene Development Group Kyle Keene and Keene Development Group work to provide elevated, tangible products that will be staples of Greenville. To do this, Keene says his job is to assemble the most talented team...
Kerry Murphy
Kerry Murphy President/CEO Artisphere Kerry Murphy has led Artisphere since 2007, overseeing Greenville’s nationally acclaimed three‑day arts festival that draws more than 80,000 attendees annually and generated a $16.1 million economic impact...
Keith Poole
Keith PoolePresident and Chief Operating Officer Trehel Keith Poole has served as Trehel’s president and chief operating officer since 2020, after previously holding the COO role for more than a decade. He helps guide the company’s operations,...
Jaxon Lang
Jaxon Lang President and CEO AFL Jaxon Lang joined AFL as chief operating officer in January 2023 and was appointed president and CEO in June 2023, leading AFL’s global operations across products, services and solutions. Guided by a...
James Stephens
James Stephens Airport Director Greenville Downtown Airport Since 2022, James Stephens has led the largest general aviation airport in South Carolina. GMU ranks as the third-busiest airport in the state overall, including commercial airports,...
Hesha Gamble
Hesha GambleAssistant County Administrator Greenville County A Charleston native, Hesha Gamble began her professional career in January 2002 as the Traffic Engineer for the County of Greenville, later serving as county engineer, responsible for...
Heath Dillard
Heath Dillard President and CEO VisitGreenvilleSC Under Heath Dillard’s leadership as president and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC, Greenville’s visitor economy has reached record levels, generating a $2.5 billion economic impact in 2024 and more...
Gail Awan, Ph.D.
Gail Awan, Ph.D. President and CEO Urban League of the Upstate Gail Wilson Awan, Ph.D., has served as president and CEO of the Urban League of the Upstate since 2021, advancing equity, opportunity, and quality of life across a 10-county region....