Boeing Names Independent Adviser to Lead Comprehensive Quality Review

Boeing [NYSE: BA] named Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, U.S. Navy (Ret.) as special adviser to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun. The appointment is effective immediately. 

Donald and a team of outside experts will conduct a thorough assessment of Boeing's quality management system for commercial airplanes, including quality programs and practices in Boeing manufacturing facilities and its oversight of commercial supplier quality.

His recommendations will be provided to Calhoun and to the Aerospace Safety Committee of Boeing's board of directors.  

"Admiral Donald is a recognized leader in ensuring the integrity of some of the most complex and consequential safety and quality systems in the world," said Calhoun. 

Calhoun added, "I've asked him to provide an independent and comprehensive assessment with actionable recommendations for strengthening our oversight of quality in our own factories and throughout our extended commercial airplane production system. He and his team will have any and all support he needs from me and from across The Boeing Company."

Donald served as a nuclear trained submarine officer for 37 years.

In his last Navy assignment, he served as director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program for eight years, ensuring the safe and effective operation of all nuclear-powered warships and supporting infrastructure. The program is recognized worldwide for excellence in reactor safety and reliability.

He currently serves as chairman of the board for the largest military shipbuilding company in the United States, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. He also chairs the board of the nonprofit Battelle.

His public board service also includes Entergy Corporation, where he is chairman of the Nuclear Committee.

Donald graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in ocean engineering.

OneSpartanburg, Inc., Spartanburg Academic Movement, Partner on Star Fellowship to Align Educational Opportunities With Current, Future Industry Needs

In collaboration with the Spartanburg Academic Movement, OneSpartanburg, Inc. has launched The STAR Fellowship to better align internship, apprenticeship, and mentorship opportunities with the current and future needs of industries across Spartanburg County.

Officials said the Spartanburg Talent and Retention (STAR) Fellowship is designed to help bridge the gap between Spartanburg County’s education and workforce by working closely with Career Development Counselors from the county’s high schools and career training centers (Swofford Career Center, the Daniel Morgan Technology Center, and the R.D. Anderson Applied Technology Center).

“Spartanburg County’s challenge is to meet the needs of its employers today, while preparing for the more diverse, knowledge-based economy the region desires for tomorrow,” said OneSpartanburg, Inc. Chief Talent Officer Ron Garner.

One of the chief goals of the fellowship is help more than 100 rising high school seniors countywide secure paid internships, which data shows are a proven way to retain talent in a community.

Additionally, the STAR Fellowship will explore how to break down barriers for students who lack social capital or the necessary financial resources so they can find and explore career opportunities outside of school.

“Connecting our STAR Fellowship participants with industry and community leaders will enhance ongoing communication, education, and training of Spartanburg’s future talent, and we hope to cast as a wide of a net as possible,” Garner said.

The fellowship’s 17 current participants meet monthly from September-May to better understand future talent needs and to prepare students to be Spartanburg County’s workforce of tomorrow.

Scheduled sessions include topics like health care, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, an internships-focused session, and more.

SCDOR Will Begin Accepting 2023 Individual Income Tax Returns On Jan. 29, 2024

The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) will begin accepting Individual Income Tax returns for tax year 2023 on Jan. 29, 2024, consistent with the date announced by the IRS.

The filing deadline for both state and federal 2023 Individual Income Tax returns is Monday, April 15, 2024. 

Last year, more than 93 percent of IIT returns were filed electronically. Approximately 89 percent of refunds were issued by direct deposit.

SCDOR officials recommend:

Make sure you have all W-2s, 1099s, and other necessary documents before you file – Year-end pay stubs may not match what your employer reports to us, which can slow down processing. If you need a copy of your 2021 or 2022 return, remember you can now access transcripts of past SC Individual Income Tax returns using MyDORWAY (MyDORWAY.dor.sc.gov), the SCDOR's free online tax portal. If you're looking for transcripts of past federal returns, log in to your IRS Online Account.

Check out our YouTube channel and Tax Tips articles for 24/7 assistance – Over 170,000 customers have visited dor.sc.gov/YouTube and watched one of our helpful explainer videos. We've created over a dozen videos just for tax season, most of them shorter than 3 minutes, designed to help you file your return. And don't forget about dor.sc.gov/tax-tips, where we publish helpful advice throughout the year.

Be sure the SCDOR and your employer have your current address – Customers with a MyDORWAY account can update their address with the SCDOR by logging in, clicking the More tab, and selecting Manage Names & Addresses. Those without a MyDORWAY account can use the SC8822I.

Choose the online filing method that's right for you – Filing online with a reputable provider is convenient, secure, and accurate. Many South Carolinians are eligible to file online for free with easy-to-use tax preparation software. Visit dor.sc.gov/iit-filing to view all of your filing options. 

Choose direct deposit – Direct deposit is the fastest and safest refund option, since your refund is deposited directly into your bank account. Learn more about why direct deposit is the SCDOR's preferred refund option at dor.sc.gov/refund.

Allow time for processing and fraud prevention
Officials will begin processing returns Feb. 5, 2024 to allow employers time to meet the Jan. 31 W-2 submission deadline.

Tax return and refund processing is expected to take up to eight weeks from Feb. 5 or the date you file, whichever is later, to allow the SCDOR to use all available tools to check for fraud and protect your refund. 

Track your refund
Check your refund status anytime using the Where's My Refund tool at dor.sc.gov/refund. Refund processing takes up to eight weeks. Keep in mind that if you choose a paper check refund, your processing time may be longer. 

New for the 2024 filing season:
Changes to the Two Wage Earner Credit – The maximum earned income for the credit is $50,000, while the maximum credit is $350. The credit can only be taken by couples whose filing status is Married Filing Jointly.

An increase in the dependent exemption – The exemption amount for tax year 2023 is $4,610. The exemption is allowed for each eligible dependent, including both qualifying children and qualifying relatives.

An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Full-year residents may claim the South Carolina EITC if they are eligible for and claim the federal credit. For tax year 2023, the EITC is equal to 125 percent of the federal credit allowed the taxpayer.

A reduction in Income Tax rates – The 2023 top marginal Individual Income Tax rate is 6.4 percent. Use the 2023 South Carolina Individual Income Tax Tables to determine your tax rate.

Find more tax season resources at dor.sc.gov/iit.

Follow the SCDOR on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and YouTube, and subscribe to ReveNews for the latest updates, resources, and reminders.

Richmond Fed Announces Director Appointments

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond announced the following director appointments:

Barbara Humpton, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Corporation, Washington, D.C., was elected a Class B director by state member banks of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Lori Hudson, vice president and chief financial officer of National Gypsum Company, Charlotte, North Carolina, was appointed to the Charlotte Board of Directors by the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

Barbara Melvin, president and chief executive officer of South Carolina Ports, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, was appointed to the Charlotte Board of Directors by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System also appointed the chair and deputy chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond for 2024.

Jodie McLean, chief executive officer of EDENS in Washington, D.C., was reappointed as chair.

Lisa Hamilton, president and chief executive officer of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland, was reappointed as deputy chair.

Further, the Richmond Fed acknowledged and thanked the following directors who completed their service:

Wayne A.I. Frederick, president emeritus and Charles R. Drew professor of surgery, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

Nazzic S. Keene, former chief executive officer of SAIC, Reston, Virginia.

Glenn Sherrill Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of SteelFab Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina.

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