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Columbia Business Monthly

Best in Business 2022

Jan 10, 2023 03:02PM ● By Donna Isbell Walker

We’re celebrating our second annual South Carolina Best in Business 2022 Awards, which recognize the best companies and individuals from around the state that bring success and attention to South Carolina’s business community.

Readers nominated their favorite businesses and individuals in categories ranging from Best Woman-Owned Business of the Year to Best Jewelry Store to Best Chief Financial Officer of the Year. After narrowing the list to those that received the greatest number of nominations, we opened the voting to readers to determine the top choices in 146 categories as the “Best” in the state of South Carolina.

And we encourage you to support the Palmetto State’s homegrown businesses.

To add your name to the email list for next year, please contact Michael Evans at [email protected].

Best Automotive Manufacturer/Supplier Company

1st place, BMW Manufacturing

2nd place, Hansen International Inc.

3rd place, Dana Incorporated

Best Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly Company

1st place, BMW Manufacturing

2nd place, Michelin North America

3rd place, GE Gas Power

Best Advanced Materials and Plastics Company

1st place, Fitesa Simpsonville Inc.

2nd place, BASF Corporation

3rd place, American Plastics of SC

Best Aviation and Aerospace Company

1st place, Lockheed Martin Aircraft Center

2nd place, Boeing South Carolina

3rd place, Ranger Aerospace

Best Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year

1st place, Amend Market

2nd place, Ever Green Environmental

3rd place, Planet + Purpose Solutions, PBC

Best Family-Owned Business of the Year

1st place, Cool Care Heating and Air

2nd place, La-Z-Boy Southeast | Columbia, Charleston, Greenville

3rd place, American Floral

Best Food and Beverage Company

1st place, High Spirits Hospitality

2nd place, Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery

3rd place, Birds Fly South Ale Project

Best in Packaging Company

1st place, International Plastics

2nd place, Performance Packaging

3rd place, Atlantic Packaging

Best Information/Technology Company of the Year

1st place, DRIVE Law Firm Marketing

2nd place, Millcore Computing

3rd place, SYNC.MD

Best Innovative Company of the Year

1st place, Sealevel Systems Inc.

2nd place, Clear Touch

3rd place, BMW Manufacturing

Best Large Company of the Year (500+ Employees)

1st place, BMW Manufacturing

2nd place, Integrated Power Services (IPS) – Headquarters

3rd place, Michelin North America

Best Logistics and Transportation Company

1st place, ACL Airshop LLC

2nd place, WH Trucking LLC

3rd place, Akira Enterprise LLC

Best Manufacturer or Exporter

1st place, Michelin North America

2nd place, BASF Corporation

3rd place, DAA Draexlmaier Automotive of America LLC

Best Medium Size Company (100-500 Employees)

1st place, High Spirits Hospitality

2nd place, Find Great People

3rd place, Assurance Financial

Best Minority-Owned Business of the Year

1st place, Paveway Express Ltd. Co.

2nd place, Comal 864

3rd place, Fit Columbia

Best Nonprofit Organization of the Year

1st place, Goodwill Industries Upstate/Midlands SC

2nd place, The Period Project

3rd place, Serve and Connect

Best Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Company of the Year

1st place, Nephron Pharmaceuticals

2nd place, HS Pharmaceuticals

3rd place, Senex Biotechnology

Best Regional Airport

1st place, Greenville Spartanburg International Airport

2nd place, Columbia Metropolitan Airport

3rd place, Charleston International Airport

Best Research and Development Company of the Year

1st place, Nephron Pharmaceuticals

2nd place, Michelin North America

3rd place, BMW Manufacturing

Best Small Size Company (1-99 Employees)

1st place, DRIVE Law Firm Marketing

2nd place, Novus Advisors

3rd place, Ballentine Capital Advisors

Best Startup Company

1st place, Ascent Total Performance

2nd place, Comal 864

3rd place, PROOF Alcohol Ice Cream

Best Woman-Owned Business of the Year

1st place, Novus Advisors

2nd place, High Spirits Hospitality

3rd place, Fit Columbia

Best Chief Executive Officer of the Year

1st place, David Haskins, DRIVE Law Firm Marketing

2nd place, Tammy Johnson, High Spirits Hospitality

3rd place, Bryan Ballentine, Ballentine Capital Advisors

Best Chief Financial Officer of the Year

1st place, Michael Ivey, Rick Erwin Dining Group

2nd place, Dale Huggins, Avocet Hospitality Group

3rd place, Ian Bradley, T&S Brass and Bronze Works

Best Chief Innovation Officer of the Year

1st place, Michael Knight, EPIC IO

2nd place, Anthony Herrera, Furman University

3rd place, Jackson Herlong, Joan Herlong & Associates Sotheby’s International Realty

Best Chief Marketing Officer of the Year

1st place, Hayden Haskins, DRIVE Law Firm Marketing

2nd place, Dorothy Freeman Self, DFS Creative Concepts

3rd place, Jennifer Donovan, DOM 360

Best Diversity & Inclusion Officer of the Year

1st place, Krista McFarland, High Spirits Hospitality

2nd place, Melinda Gillispie, MSN, Ed, CDE, Prisma Health

3rd place, Helen Grant, Richland School District Two

Best Human Resource Officer of the Year

1st place, Amy Crump, High Spirits Hospitality

2nd place, Jada Willis, Willis HR

3rd place, Tim Baymiller, Westin Poinsett Hotel

Best Nonprofit Executive

1st place, Pat Michaels, Goodwill of Upstate and Midlands SC

2nd place, Kassy Alia Ray, Serve and Connect

3rd place, Monroe Free, Habitat for Humanity

Best Boat Dealership

1st place, Marine Max

2nd place, Mid-Carolina Marine

3rd place, Freedom Boat Club

Best Business Restaurant for Lunch Meeting Location

1st place, Kitchen Sync

2nd place, The Gourmet Shop

3rd place, Halls Chophouse

Best Day Spa

1st place, MG’s Grand Day Spa

2nd place, Sculpt Skin Solutions

3rd place, River Falls Spa

3rdplace, Urban Nirvana

Best Golf Course

1st place, The Cliffs at Mountain Park

2nd place, Holly Tree Country Club

Best Jewelry Store

1st place, Unforgettable Fine Jewelry

2nd place, Karisma by Kara

3rd place, Hale’s Jewelers

Best Luxury Automotive

1st place, Jim Hudson Lexus

2nd place, Jaguar/Land Rover/Porsche/Volvo of Greenville

3rd place, Baker Motor Company of Charleston

Best Luxury Residential Builder

1st place, Hazelwood Construction

2nd place, Milestone Custom Homes

3rd place, CarsonSpeer Builders

Best Medical Aesthetics Specialists  

1st place, Clemson Eye Aesthetics

2nd place, The Facial Aesthetics Center

3rd place, The Art of Aesthetics Med Spa

Best Men’s Clothing & Accessories Store

1st place, Rush Wilson Limited

2nd place, Granger Owings          

3rd place, M. Dumas & Sons

Best Private School

1st place, St. Joseph’s Catholic School

2nd place, Haynsworth Private School

3rd place, Palmetto Christian Academy

Best Restaurant for Power Breakfast Meetings

1st place, Capital City Club

2nd place, The Cook’s Station

3rd place, Eggs Up Grill

Best RV/Camping Dealership

1st place, Camping World of Spartanburg

2nd place, Porter’s RV Sales

3rd place, Bob Ledford’s Adventure Motorhomes

Best Sporting Event

1st place, Greenville Drive

2nd place, University of South Carolina Gamecock Football

3rd place, Greenville Triumph Soccer Club

Best Sporting Goods Store

1st place, Half Moon Outfitters

2nd place, Carolina Triathlon

3rd place, Mr. Knickerbocker

Best Tennis Club

1st place, Kroc Tennis Center

2nd place, Charleston Tennis Club

3rd place, Sportsclub Greenville

Best Upscale Restaurant

1st place, Di Vino Rosso

2nd place, Halls Chophouse         

3rd place, Juniper Greenville

Best Women’s Clothing & Accessories Store

1st place, Monkee’s of the West End

2nd place, Just the Thing

3rd place, 613 Boutique LLC

Best Cardiology Group 

1st place, Upstate Cardiology

2nd place, St. Francis Cardiovascular and Thoracic Associates (Greenville)

3rd place, Prisma Health Cardiology – Parkridge

Best Chiropractic Facility

1st place, Greater Carolina Clinic of Chiropractic

2nd place, Greenville Network Spinal Care

3rd place, Holistic Healing

Best Company for Employee Benefit Brokers

1st place, Aflac Insurance

2nd place, Strategic Benefits INC

3rd place, OneDigital

Best Cosmetic Surgery Center

1st place, Carolina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

2nd place, Carlin Plastic Surgery

3rd place, Upstate Plastic Surgery Center

Best Counseling/Therapist

1st place, Healing With Heather

2nd place, Riner Counseling LLC

3rd place, Evans Counseling and Consulting

Best Dentist Office

1st place, Gee Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

2nd place, Family Dental Health

3rd place, Wood Creek Dental

Best Dermatology Office

1st place, Carolinas Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

2nd place, Greenville Dermatology, Dr.  Matthew Miller, M.D.

3rd place, Columbia Dermatology & Aesthetics

Best Eye Care Clinic

1st place, Clemson Eye   

2nd place, Greenville Eyecare Association

3rd place, Holland Eye Center

Best Fertility Clinic

1st place, Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group (PREG)

2nd place, Await Surrogacy

3rd place, Coastal Fertility Specialists

Best Fitness Center/Gym

1st place, Fit Columbia

2nd place, Caine Halter YMCA

3rd place, Planet Fitness Centers

Best Health & Accident Insurance Provider

1st place, The Insurance Source

2nd place, Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company

3rd place, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

Best Hearing Aid Company

1st place, Davis Audiology

2nd place, Elite Hearing Centers of America

3rd place, Upstate Hearing Aid Center

Best Holistic Health Care Practice

1st place, Carolina Holistic Health, LLC

2nd place, SC Internal Medicine Associates

3rd place, Holistically Healthy

Best Home Health Care Agency

1st place, McLeod Home Care

2nd place, Upstate Home Care Solutions

3rd place, Bishop Gadsden at Home

Best Hospital

1st place, Bon Secours Health System Inc.

2nd place, Prisma Health

3rd place, Lexington Medical Center

Best Local Pharmacy

1st place, Shaws Pharmacy

2nd place, True Pharmacy

3rd place, Fowler’s Pharmacy

Best Neurology Group

1st place, Pain & Neurology Specialists of Columbia

2nd place, Prisma Health Southeastern Neurosurgical and Spine Institute

3rd place, George Timothy Baxley, M.D.

Best Obstetric/Gynecological Practice

1st place, Greenville OB/GYN

2nd place, Vida Gynecology Greenville

3rd place, Piedmont OB/GYN

Best Oncology Group

1st place, South Carolina Oncology Associates

2nd place, Bon Secours Hematology & Oncology

3rd place, Lexington Oncology

Best Optometry/Ophthalmology Practice

1st place, Clemson Eye

2nd place, Nigh Eye Group

3rd place, Southern Eye Associates

Best Orthodontic Practice

1st place, Hughes Orthodontics

2nd place, Carolina Family Orthodontics

3rd place, Summers Orthodontics

Best Orthopedic Group

1st place, Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates (Greenville)

2nd place, Piedmont Orthopaedic Associates

3rd place, Prisma Health Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas

Best Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Center

1st place, Ascent Total Performance

2nd place, Premier Physical Therapy of the Upstate

3rd place, CORA Physical Therapy

Best Primary Care Practice

1st place, Ember Modern Medicine

2nd place, Palmetto Proactive Healthcare – Greenville

3rd place, Prisma Health Cypress Internal Medicine

Best Retirement/Assisted Living Community

1st place, Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community

2nd place, Cascades Verdae Assisted Living

3rd place, Summit Place Retirement Homes

Best Urgent Care

1st place, Prisma Health Urgent Care

2nd place, AFC Urgent Care-Bon Secours

3rd place, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians Urgent Care

Best Accounting Firm

1st place, Stokes & Company, CPAs

2nd place, Chris McCraw CPA PA

3rd place, Elliott Davis

Best Ad Agency/PR/Marketing Firm

1st place, DRIVE Law Firm Marketing

2nd place, Ghost Marketing

3rd place, Complete PR

Best Auto/Body Shop   

1st place, Graydon Tire and Auto

2nd place, Ballentine Collision Repair Inc.

3rd place, Paragon Detailing LLC

Best Barber Shop

1st place, Barber Lab Greenville

2nd place, The Laboratory

3rd place, Terry’s Barber Shop

Best Business Insurance Broker Firm

1st place, Powers Insurance Experts

2nd place, Anderson Insurance Associates

3rd place, The Insurance Source

Best Business Insurance Company

1st place, Powers Insurance Experts

2nd place, Anderson Insurance Associates

3rd place, Furman Insurance

Best Catering Services Company

1st place, Liquid Catering

2nd place, Billy G’s Catering

3rd place, Woodside Bistro Catering

Best Cell Phone Provider

1st place, Verizon

2nd place, AT&T

3rd place, Spectrum | Greenville

Best Cell Phone/Computer Repair Company

1st place, Computer-Tech-Services

2nd place, uBreakiFix

3rd place, Adams Computer Repair and Network Services LLC

Best College/University

1st place, Clemson University

2nd place, University of South Carolina

3rd place, Furman University

Best Commercial Lender

1st place, First Citizens Bank

2nd place, Lima One Capital

3rd place, Synovus

Best Commercial Real Estate Law Firm

1st place, McDonnell & Associates

2nd place, Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth

3rd place, Shipley Law Firm

Best Community Bank

1st place, First Community Bank

2nd place, Countybank – Greenville, Greer, and Greenwood

3rd place, Southern First Bank | Greenville

Best Corporate Jet Service

1st place, Bankair Inc.

2nd place, NetJets

3rd place, Venture Aviation Group

Best Corporate Law Firm

1st place, McDonnell & Associates

2nd place, Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth

3rd place, Wyche, PA

Best Credit Union

1st place, Greenville Federal Credit Union

2nd place, South Carolina Federal Credit Union

3rd place, Founders Federal Credit Union

Best Defense Contractor Company

1st place, Lockheed Martin

2nd place, Fluor Corporation

3rd place, Boeing South Carolina | Greenville

Best Dry Cleaner

1st place, Brashier-Polk Cleaners

2nd place, Zebra Cleaners

3rd place, Charleston Prestige Cleaners

Best Employment Law Firm

1st place, Ogletree Deakins

2nd place, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A.

3rd place, Burr & Forman

Best Furniture Store

1st place, Brooks Office Equipment

2nd place, Strobler Home Furnishings

3rd place, La-Z-Boy Southeast | Columbia, Charleston Greenville

Best Hair Salon/Studio

1st place, Dara’s Hair Room

2nd place, Identity on Congaree

3rd place, Akira Lash Studio

Best Hospitality Business

1st place, Experience Columbia SC

2nd place, High Spirits Hospitality

3rd place, Table 301

Best Human Resources Benefits Company

1st place, Willis HR

2nd place, Innovate HR   

3rd place, Benefit Source

Best Industrial Staffing Company

1st place, Find Great People        

2nd place, HTI

3rd place, Carolina Industrial Staffing

Best Intellectual Property Law Firm

1st place, Nexsen Pruet LLC

2nd place, Dority & Manning, PA

3rd place, Vanderbloemen Law Firm, PA

Best Investment Bank

1st place, TD Bank            

2nd place, United Bank

3rd place, Home Trust Bank

Best Investment Banking Firm

1st place, TD Bank            

2nd place, Fifth Third Bank

Best Law Firm

1st place, McDonnell & Associates

2nd place, Brown Massey Evans McLeod & Haynsworth

3rd place, KD Trial Lawyers – Killoren, Kissinger, Dantin, Denton & Dunham, PC

Best Law School

1st place, University of South Carolina School of Law

2nd place, Charleston School of Law

Best Life Insurance Company

1st place, Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company

2nd place, The Insurance Source

3rd place, Powers Insurance Experts

Best Local Radio Station

1st place, NPR 90.1

2nd place, 94.3 The Dude

3rd place, 560 WVOC

Best Local TV Station

1st place, WYFF 4

2nd place, WCBD News 2

3rd place, ABC Columbia

Best Mattress Store

1st place, Carolina Mattress and Furniture

2nd place, Mattress By Appointment

3rd place, Charleston Bedding Mattress

Best MBA Program

1st place, Clemson University MBA – Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business

2nd place, University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business

3rd place, College of Charleston School of Business

Best Meeting Venue

1st place, 1881 Event Hall

2nd place, Endeavor Greenville WorkSpace

Best National Bank

1st place, TD Bank

2nd place, Wells Fargo

Best Office Supplies & Equipment

1st place, Greenville Office Supply

2nd place, Brooks Office Supply | Greenville

3rd place, Carolina Business Equipment

Best Payroll Services Company

1st place, Paysmart Payroll Services

2nd place, Chris McCraw CPA PA

3rd place, Heartland Payroll Services

Best Pet Boutique

1st place, Noble Dog Hotel

2nd place, Dog Culture

3rd place, Super Starr Pets

Best Printing Company

1st place, Sun Solutions

2nd place, Indexx

3rd place, TPM Print

Best Professional Coaching/Mentor

1st place, Horton Consulting LLC

2nd place, Jeremy Powers | Columbia, SC

3rd place, Smart Cookie, Shennice Cleckley

Best Professional Staffing Company

1st place, Roper Staffing

2nd place, Find Great People

3rd place, Open Door Personnel

Best Recycling Company

1st place, Ever Green Recycling

2nd place, Shred Monkeys Carolina

3rd place, Custom Recycling

Best Security Systems Company

1st place, Sonitrol Security Systems of SC

2nd place, Vivint Home Security

3rd place, Charleston Security Systems  

Best Sign Company

1st place, Sun Solutions

2nd place, Broome Signs | Greenville, SC

3rd place, Indexx

Best Tax Law Firm

1st place, Merline & Meacham, PA

2nd place, Burr & Forman

3rd place, The Brooker Law Firm

Best Technical College/Trade School

1st place, Greenville Technical College

2nd place, Trident Technical College

3rd place, Midlands Technical College

Best Telecommunications Provider

1st place, Spectrum | Greenville

2nd place, WC Fiber

3rd place, Segra

Best Tourism Business

1st place, VisitGreenville

2nd place, Experience Columbia SC

3rd place, Barefoot Acres Adventure Farm

Best Wealth Management Company

1st place, Novus Advisors

2nd place, Ballentine Capital Advisors

3rd place, The Templeton Group

Best Web Development Company

1st place, Giraffe Web Development & Design

2nd place, Genesis Studios           

3rd place, Ghost Marketing

Best Architectural Firm

1st place, DP3 Architects Ltd.

2nd place, Garvin Design Group

3rd place, LMG Architects

Best Commercial Construction Company

1st place, Bishop Mays Inc.

2nd place, Harper General Contractors

3rd place, M.B. Khan Construction Co. Inc.

Best Commercial Interior Designer

1st place, In Site Designs

2nd place, PMC Commercial Interiors

3rd place, ID Studio Interiors

Best Commercial Landscape Company

1st place, KB Landscaping

2nd place, SeamonWhiteside

3rd place, Oxner

Best Commercial Property Management

1st place, C. Dan Joyner Property Management

2nd place, SVN | BlackStream

3rd place, Resource Realty Group

Best Commercial Real Estate Firm           

1st place, SVN | BlackStream

2nd place, Resource Realty Group

3rd place, Matt O’Neill Real Estate

Best Construction Supply Company

1st place, Norris Supply Co.

2nd place, Four Corners Building Supply

3rd place, New South Construction Supply

Best Corporate Moving Service

1st place, The Moving Squad

2nd place, Good Greek Moving & Storage LLC

3rd place, Gentlemen Movers Inc.

Best Engineering Firm

1st place, Alliance Consulting Engineers Inc.

2nd place, Fluor Enterprises Inc.

3rd place, Thomas & Hutton

Best Flooring Company

1st place, DOOR TO DOOR FLOORS

2nd place, All About Flooring

3rd place, Lake Murray Floor Covering

Best Flooring/Carpet Cleaners

1st place, Palmetto Commercial Services

2nd place, Stanley Steemer

3rd place, Chem-Dry of Charleston

Best General Contractor

1st place, Hood Construction Company

2nd place, Hazelwood Construction

3rd place, Cely Construction Company Inc.

Best Heating & Air Company

1st place, Cool Care Heating and Air

2nd place, Carolina Conditions Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical

3rd place, Miller HVAC Service

Best Janitorial Service Provider

1st place, Palmetto Commercial Services

2nd place, Jani-King Janitorial Services

3rd place, JAN-PRO of the Western Carolinas

Best Lawn Care Company

1st place, Michael Wayne’s Landscaping and Tree Service

2nd place, Busy Bee Lawn Care and Sprinkler Repair

3rd place, TruGreen Lawn Care

Best Loan and Title Company

1st place, Assurance Financial

2nd place, Boomerang

3rd place, Sweetgrass Capital

Best Mechanical and Electrical Company

1st place, Creations Electrical Inc.

2nd place, Gregory Electric Company Inc.

3rd place, H&W Electrical Corp.

Best Mortgage Lender

1st place, Assurance Financial

2nd place, Tabor Mortgage Group

3rd place, First Community Bank

Best Office Furniture

1st place, Greenville Office Supply

2nd place, Alfred Williams & Company

3rd place, Total Office 360

Best Pest Control

1st place, Cramer Environmental

2nd place, Hired Killers Pest Control

3rd place, Econ-O-Bug Pest Control

Best Plumbing Company

1st place, AP Plumbing

2nd place, Dipple Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air

3rd place, Carolina Conditions Heating Cooling Plumbing Electrical

Best Residential Builder

1st place, Hazelwood Construction

2nd place, Daniel Builders

3rd place, Crescent Homes

Best Roofing Company

1st place, Burgin Roofing Services

2nd place, Premiere Roofing

3rd place, B&F Roofing & Siding Co.

Best Storage/Warehouse Facility

1st place, Carver Maritime

2nd place, Sunland Logistics Services

3rd place, Kontane Logistics