SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The University of South Carolina Upstate will host the graduation of its inaugural class from the Retail Management Certificate Program on May 17 in Greenville, S.C.; 15 Spinx Co. managers have completed the year-long program formed as a partnership between USC Upstate's George Dean Johnson Jr. College of Business & Economics and Spinx, a chain of convenience stores and gasoline retailers based in Greenville.
Receiving Retail Management Certificates will be:
Kevin Carter, general manager of Store 125 in Piedmont.
John Chipps, general manager of Store 181 in Greenville.
Tracey Crawford, general manager of Store 108 in Greer.
Veronica Frier, general manager of Store 134 in Simpsonville.
Joann Galloway, general manager of Store 178 in Travelers Rest.
Aaron Housel, territory manager.
Cindy Anderson, foodservice manager of Store 125 in Piedmont.
Tomi Lee, general manager of Store 102 Greenville.
Shawn McDuell, IT project liaison.
Pam Morris, training director.
Lynette Norman, foodservice manager of Store 178 in Travelers Rest.
Kelly Paton, general manager of Store 116 Greenville.
Pendra Rich, general manager of Store 193 in Simpsonville.
Angela Young, general manager of Store 148 in Marietta.
Rusty Young, corporate auditor.
The four core areas of the executive level education program developed in collaboration between Spinx and the faculty were retail management, communicative Spanish for retail personnel, accounting/financial analysis and communication theory and practice.
"These managers have a combined 84 years of service to the Spinx Co.," said Spinx CEO Stewart Spinks. "This retail management certificate will build upon the experience they have, enhance their leadership and retail skills and prove a valuable asset to the company and to them as individuals. We know first-hand the difference in competence and confidence a quality education makes, and we as a company welcome opportunities to invest in our most valued resources—our employees!"
Spinks, who will speak at the ceremony, said that his company makes continued learning programs available to all Spinx employees including a GED program, company career path training and development, higher learning through this retail management program, to scholarship and tuition reimbursement opportunities in pursuit of a degree.
"The Spinx Co.'s partnership with the Johnson College of Business will benefit not just Spinx, but also the communities that we serve in having a well-educated workforce," said Spinks.
Spinx employs more than 700 associates, and with $465 million in annual sales, it is the largest gasoline retailer in the Upstate region. It operates more than 70 convenience stores and supplies more than 70 with gasoline in North and South Carolina.
The George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business & Economics at the University of South Carolina Upstate delivers business education to a diverse student population.
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"These managers have a combined 84 years of service to the Spinx Co.," said Spinx CEO Stewart Spinks. "This retail management certificate will build upon the experience they have, enhance their leadership and retail skills and prove a valuable asset to the company and to them as individuals. We know first-hand the difference in competence and confidence a quality education makes, and we as a company welcome opportunities to invest in our most valued resources—our employees!"