Northeastern University’s Global Resilience Institute has just launched a short online course that provides life-saving skills for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. Please share this information with your network.
Please click here to read the information.
Submitted by Colleen Brannan, BRANSTORM PR
The sold out March CREW Luncheon addressed the evolution of economic development in the Charlotte Region. Charlotte Business Journal Real Estate Editor, Ashley Fahey moderated a discussion between Tracy Dodson, Assistant City Manager/Director of Economic Development for the City of Charlotte and Janet LaBar, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
The trio covered a lot of ground in 30 minutes including what has changed since the mergers of The Charlotte Chamber and Charlotte Regional Partnership, the City’s role in project management and how collaboration between the two organizations is delivering big results—proving ED is truly a team sport. They wrapped up by highlighting a recent trip to Paris that started with a Hornets game abroad and became a highly successful business recruitment opportunity. Evidently selling Charlotte is easier with Michael Jordan in the mix!
One of just 12 companies on the list that pay for 100% of employee health care costs, this engineering and design consultancy leverages a tradition of rewarding new hires as much as 20-year veterans with profit sharing and new opportunities. Some examples include generous year-end bonuses (in 2018, 89% of staff received a minimum bonus of one month’s pay), an in-house MBA-like training program and Red Envelope Day (surprise bonuses or gift cards all around), and Teamwork Awards (on-the-spot $50 rewards for hard work). “There is a strong emphasis on making this your workplace for the remainder of your career,” says one employee.
To read more, please click here.
Charlotte, North Carolina – January 28, 2020 – The deals have been counted and New South Properties of the Carolinas is proud to announce Holly Alexander as the company’s Top Producer of 2019! This is a ground-breaking and well-earned achievement as Holly is the first female to ever hold the title of Top Producer in the twenty-five-year history of the company.
To read the full press release, please click here.
Submitted by Sara Whitten with Shiel Sexton
On January 14, 2020 Dr. Dawn E. Chanland, Professor of Management, Queens University of Charlotte, kicked off the 2020 CREW monthly luncheons with a presentation on “Personal Change Strategies to Maximize Your Impact in 2020.”
40-60% of people set resolutions at New Year, only 8% achieve them. Change is daunting and you need to diagnose your demons! How can we make change stick and gain maximum impact? You must care about the change you want to make. You must strongly value it and do it differently than you did before. Make small but meaningful behavioral changes:
Write down your goals and tell your people; they will hold you accountable. Pick someone who you can be vulnerable with; who is your “person”?! We change when we strongly care about the change and when we value ourselves. However, don’t have too many goals – achieve them one at a time and say “no” to more. Do Less, Then Obsess. Wield a Razor on Unnecessary Stuff. What will I look like if I’m at my very best?
How committed are you to this change in 2020?
Submitted by Diana Quarry, Womble Bond Dickinson
On December 10, 2019, CREW Charlotte members and guests gathered to celebrate the best and brightest of our chapter over the past year. In Sallie Jarosz’s final luncheon of her presidency, she thanked all members, especially the 2019 Board of Directors, Committee Co-Chairs, past chapter presidents and long-standing members, for their hard work and dedication to CREW Charlotte’s mission. Attendees also had the honor of hearing from the 2020 CREW Network President, Christine Gorham, about new initiatives and efforts in store for CREW Chapters during the upcoming year.
Keynote speaker Cindy Wolfe, Chief Banking Officer at Bank OZK and past CREW Charlotte president, spoke to members about the value of investing in oneself and not always asking one’s employer to carry the cost for any professional development programs. She believes that, while mentors and sponsors at work are valuable resources, there is a special benefit to paying your own way for a coach or program that will push you outside of your comfort zone. She noted that women are generous with donating their time, talent and money to CREW and other causes, but that it is important to allocate some of that towards one’s own growth and success.
Finally, Ms. Wolfe announced our 2019 Impact Award Winners. The award program had been refreshed for 2019, with some new awards being granted. The esteemed winners were as follows:
Acquisition of Unified Technology Systems expands Solutionz’ large market share in the Southeastern US and the company’s breadth of expertise with the addition of top talent, resources and physical locations.
LOS ANGELES – December 9, 2019: Solutionz, Inc. (“Solutionz”), a Fernandez Holdings (“FHI”) portfolio company announces the purchase of Unified Technology Systems (“Unified”). Solutionz is a top audio-visual integrator, support services and cyber security provider. Unified Technology Systems’ prominent position in the Southeast will help expand the company’s ability to design, build, and manage A/V, network, security and infrastructure deployments throughout the region.
To read the full press release, please click here.
We are thrilled to announce that Progressive AE has been named “Firm of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects Charlotte Chapter. The award recognizes notable achievements in design, community service, education, and service to the profession and the AIA.
To read the full press release, please click here.
Submitted by Diana Quarry, Womble Bond Dickinson
On November 12, 2019, CREW Members and guests had the pleasure of hearing about a critical piece of the revitalization of the Ballantyne area of Charlotte from the Northwood Office team – John Barton, President of Northwood Office, Kim Kendall, VP of Leasing, and Jana Dolder, Director of Property Management. Northwood purchased over 500 acres in Ballantyne from Smokey Bissell in 2017, and shared its vision for the area’s continued development over the next few years.
The core of the redevelopment, packaged as Phase I of the vision, will focus on building a destination for work, living, fitness, retail and recreation. Mr. Barton highlighted some of the features of Phase I, which will include an outdoor amphitheater, Stream Park (said to be the “Central Park” of the area), a walkable retail strip, and a series of curated restaurants. Ample green space is an important part of Phase I, and Northwood anticipates making the most of this space by hosting farmer’s markets and outdoor yoga events. Phase I will also include approximately 1,000 multifamily units for rent, 300,000 square feet within the entire mixed use community and 200 hotel rooms. Northwood is targeting that Phase I be open within 5 or 6 years from Q1 2020. Phase II of the redevelopment will follow completion of Phase I, and will contain another 1,000 multi-family units plus 300 townhomes, in addition to 400,000 square feet of office space.
Ms. Kendall elaborated on the specifics of a Class A office building which will be built across from Phase I and will be loaded with amenities. In addition to a 10th floor balcony and a rooftop terrace, the building will feature a 2,500 square foot fitness facility, a restaurant and retail on the main level, and the entire 11th floor dedicated as an amenity space for tenants of the building, including a 50-person conference room, kitchen and event space. She also described an adjacent residential project which will house 212 units and will feature a rooftop lounge, dog run and resident “speakeasy”. Both buildings that Ms. Kendall described are slated to open in 2021.
Finally, Ms. Dolder spoke to Northwood’s commitment to community engagement, which is a core value for the developer. They show this commitment through planning monthly programming and events including free yoga, social hours, an annual wellness fair and Earth Day events. They also host and sponsor numerous volunteer projects and charitable drives to give back to people in their community.
Submitted by Anna O'Neal, Wells Fargo Bank
At CREW Charlotte’s October Luncheon on October 9, 2019, Mayor Vi Lyles covered a broad range of topics facing Charlotte including affordable housing, infrastructure, environmental justice, social equity, and the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program. She also reflected on her years in Charlotte and her experience as an African American woman in a leadership position.
Mayor Lyles sat with moderator Stacia Neugent of GreerWalker and spoke with candor about the challenges facing the City and various paths to improve our great City, including reliable transportation, private-public partnerships for affordable housing, and taking reasonable action to combat climate change. She stated, “Charlotte is at its best when we have a dialogue that is about collaboration.”
Finally, the Mayor urged everyone to take action to be involved with the City of Charlotte, beginning with voting in the upcoming elections on November 5. She encouraged the audience to review everyone on the slate, including the City Council, and think about how we can move Charlotte forward.