Long-time Industry Executive to Lead Panera Brands

(Paul Carbone photo courtesy of Panera)

Panera Brands Inc., which includes the fast casual concept Panera Bread as well as the Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. brands, announced that Paul Carbone, the company’s chief financial officer, has been named interim chief executive officer of Panera, Jan. 7, 2025.

Carbone, who joined Panera in 2023, has decades of experience in the restaurant, consumer goods and retail industries, including as long-time CFO of Dunkin’ Brands.

Officials said Panera’s board of directors will conduct a comprehensive search process, considering both internal and external candidates for the role of CEO.

The officials said José Alberto Dueñas, Panera Brands’ current chief executive officer, has decided to step down from his role and will serve as special advisor to the CEO through the end of March.

“I want to thank José for all he has done for Panera, including transforming the menu, improving restaurant-level margins and enhancing organizational agility, all of which have positioned the company for long-term growth,” said Patrick Grismer, board chair for Panera Brands.

Grismer added, “Paul is a well-respected industry veteran with a tremendous track record of success, and I look forward to continue working with him as he assumes the role of interim CEO and advances our strategies to further strengthen Panera and ignite new-unit development. Our Board fully supports the current strategic direction of Panera and expects the company to stay the course on execution.”

“I am immensely proud of leading Panera during this transformative period for the company,” Dueñas said in a statement. “With the strategic foundation and a phenomenal leadership team in place, I'm totally confident the best is yet to come for Panera Brands.”

A long-time executive in the restaurant industry, Carbone joined Panera Brands as chief financial officer in 2023.

He spent nine years at Dunkin’ Brands where he was CFO from 2012 to 2017, during which time the company doubled its market capitalization after going public.

He also has been the CFO of YETI Holdings, Inc., and SharkNinja.

Carbone received his MBA in finance at Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; a BSBA in accounting and finance from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina; and a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Panera Brands is one of the world’s largest fast-casual restaurant platforms, with more than 3,700 company and franchised locations and approximately 120,000 system employees across 11 countries.

TD Charitable Foundation: $7.2 Million in Grants Available to Nonprofit Organizations Addressing Growing Challenge of Sustaining Homeownership

 TD Charitable Foundation, the giving arm of TD Bank, announced $7.2 million in available grants of $200,000 each through its 19th annual Housing for Everyone grant program.

The 2025 program focuses on nonprofit organizations that provide post-purchase resources and solutions to low- and moderate-income individuals and families facing challenges in maintaining homeownership. 

Since its inception in 2005, Housing for Everyone has provided more than $56 million to help more than 585 affordable housing initiatives in the U.S. communities TD serves from Maine to Florida and in the Detroit metro.

"The national affordable housing crisis impacts not only those struggling to find a home, but those trying to maintain ownership of a home," said Paige Carlson-Heim, head of Social Impact at TD Bank. "Our focus on this critical issue for this year's Housing for Everyone program is very intentional. With property taxes and utility expenses on the rise, we are committed to elevating the work of nonprofits who offer education and preventative support measures for families and individuals before they reach a point of crisis." 

This year, the Housing for Everyone program will award 36 grants totaling $7.2 million to eligible 501(c)3 organizations that support families and individuals across TD's footprint struggling to maintain a home amid economic pressures.

The most competitive proposals will best demonstrate a positive impact for people who face barriers to sustaining home ownership.

TD said it will fund select nonprofit programming with a focus on post-purchase and/or foreclosure counseling, agency-owned and/or managed financial assistance funds (when accompanied by post-purchase counseling), energy efficiency improvements, legal assistance and/or property tax relief programs, for example.

For additional details and to access the 2025 Housing for Everyone grant competition application, go to: http://www.td.com/housingforeveryone.

Applications are open until 4p.m. (EST) on Feb. 6, 2025. Winners will be announced in May 2025.

Spartanburg Community College Announces Visionary Facilities Master Plan 

Spartanburg Community College (SCC) announced the launch of its comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, which officials said is a forward-thinking blueprint that will guide significant investments in the college’s physical infrastructure over the coming years.

The officials said the initiative reflects Spartanburg Community College’s unwavering commitment to enhancing its learning environment, fostering community engagement, and providing state-of-the-art facilities to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

With a focus on strategic upgrades, new developments, and transformative renovations, the Facilities Master Plan ensures that SCC remains a leader in higher education and workforce development in South Carolina, the officials said.

Over the past year, SCC achieved a 17 percent year-over-year increase in new student enrollment, surpassing expectations with 3,317 new students joining its community.

Since 2020, the college’s total enrollment has increased by 62 percent, now exceeding 6,700 academic students across its five campuses.

“Growth matched with quality outcomes for our students and our community is a recipe for success, but we must match this growth with further investments. Over the next few years, we will be making significant investments to our physical infrastructure,” said Michael Mikota, Ph.D., president of Spartanburg Community College. 

Highlights of the plan include:

* Modernized Learning Spaces: Renovations to existing classrooms and labs to integrate advanced technology and foster dynamic learning experiences. The plan includes new buildings in both Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.

* Enhanced Student Amenities: Investments in spaces that promote student well-being, including updated recreational areas, study hubs, and dining options.

* Community-Focused Growth: Creation of multi-purpose spaces designed to strengthen partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

JW Aluminum Announces New CEO Appointment

Charleston, South Carolina-based JW Aluminum announced Stan Brant would retire as chief executive officer effective Jan. 8, 2025, after more than 13 years of transformative leadership. 

Ryan Roush, a veteran industry leader with over 25 years of experience, will succeed Brant as CEO.

Brant will transition to the role of vice chairman of the company's board through March 31, 2025.

Company officials said that during his tenure, Brant has been instrumental in driving the company's growth initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Roush brings to the CEO position more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience within JW Aluminum, where company officials said he has played a pivotal role in shaping market strategy and directing operations and commercial functions.

JW Aluminum specializes in producing infinitely recyclable flat-rolled aluminum for building products, HVAC components, and cargo and RV trailer end use applications.

JW Aluminum employs more than 400 teammates at its manufacturing facilities in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and Russellville, Arkansas. 

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