SCRA Announces new Marketing & Communications Director
Adrian Grimes • May 11, 2020

Summerville, S.C.—The South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) has announced that Adrian Grimes was named Director of Marketing & Communications on April 6.
“We’re extremely pleased to have Adrian join our team. She brings a diverse marketing and communications background spanning business, government, and most recently healthcare. Our marketing communications not only includes what we do here at SCRA, but we also have many opportunities for shared and cross promotions with our many partners and stakeholders throughout the state,” said Bob Quinn, Executive Director. “She will be an asset for our internal and external communications as well as in growing those external relationships.”
Grimes is responsible for the overall planning, development, and tactical hands-on implementation of SCRA’s marketing strategies and marketing communications. She also leads the operational aspects of marketing communications, including budgeting and staffing.
Prior to coming to the SCRA, Adrian Grimes led external affairs and marketing communications for the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance (SCTA) and the Medical University of South Carolina’s Center for Telehealth, headquarters of the SCTA, helping to expand services and insurance coverage into more than 400 telehealth sites across South Carolina. She also served on the board of directors for the Carolinas Healthcare Public Relations & Marketing Society and on the business and financial sub-committee of the American Telemedicine Association where she helped develop the first online search tool for telehealth insurance coverage, pivotal to telehealth marketing.
Grimes earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Science from the Citadel Graduate College. She is based in SCRA’s Summerville office.
The SCRA fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in academia, entrepreneurship and industry. SCRA works with public and private sectors, including industry, to identify market trends and validate the commercial relevance of academic research that SCRA funds. SCRA’s programs and operations had an almost $700 million impact on the state’s economy during the last fiscal year.
###
About SCRA
Chartered in 1983 by the State of South Carolina as a public, nonprofit corporation, SCRA fuels South Carolina’s Innovation Economy by accelerating technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship and industry.
About SC Launch, Inc.
Established in 2006, SC Launch, Inc., is an independent, nonprofit corporation affiliated with SCRA, which provides loans and investments to selected South Carolina-based companies participating in the SC Launch program.
Media Contact
Adrian Grimes
Director of Marketing and Communications, SCRA
O: (854) 888-2033
C: (843) 277-7295
CHARLESTON, S.C. – ForgePoint Partners, a new executive-led advisory firm, today announced its launch with a mission to help manufacturing, industrial, logistics, and other operationally complex businesses strengthen leadership, build healthy cultures, improve performance, and create lasting organizational value. Founded by Chris Elliott, Lisa-Jane Elliott, and Vincent Lombardy, the firm brings together decades of executive leadership experience across manufacturing, operations, supply chain, organizational transformation, leadership development, and business growth. ForgePoint Partners was founded on a simple belief: exceptional results are achieved when leadership is aligned, culture is healthy, processes are effective, and people are equipped to succeed. The firm works alongside business owners and leadership teams to identify the barriers holding their organizations back and implement practical solutions that strengthen capability, improve performance, and build long-term value. Unlike traditional consulting firms, ForgePoint Partners was created by operators who have spent their careers leading organizations, developing people, improving operations, navigating adversity, and delivering results. The firm's advisory approach centers on four critical pillars: Leadership. Culture. Process. Performance. "Organizations rarely struggle because they lack talented people," said Chris Elliott, Co-Founder of ForgePoint Partners. "More often, they struggle because leadership, culture, and execution become disconnected. We help leaders align their organizations, strengthen accountability, and create sustainable business performance." For Vincent Lombardy, culture is often the differentiator between businesses that continually struggle and those that consistently succeed. "Culture is not a soft issue. It drives how people communicate, solve problems, make decisions, and perform," said Lombardy. "When leadership teams are aligned and cultures are healthy, organizations move faster, execute better, and achieve stronger results." Lisa-Jane Elliott believes sustainable success is built through people and leadership development. "Strong cultures don't happen by accident," said Elliott. "They are built through intentional leadership, clear expectations, meaningful development, and genuine engagement. Our passion is helping organizations create environments where people, teams, and businesses can thrive." ForgePoint Partners supports organizations in a range of areas, including: Leadership team alignment and executive effectiveness Culture assessment, development, and transformation Leadership development and employee engagement Operational excellence and process improvement Quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability enhancement Organizational transformation and change management Succession planning and leadership capability building Supply chain and supplier performance improvement Fractional executive leadership and strategic advisory support The firm primarily serves manufacturing, industrial, logistics, distribution, and other operationally intensive organizations seeking to improve performance while creating stronger, healthier cultures and more effective leadership teams. The founders believe that sustainable results are achieved when organizations address both the people side and the operational side of the business simultaneously. "ForgePoint Partners was founded on a simple belief: businesses achieve exceptional results when leadership is aligned, culture is healthy, processes are effective, and people are empowered to perform," said the founders in a joint statement. "Our mission is to help organizations strengthen these foundations, solve meaningful challenges, and build stronger businesses for the future." About ForgePoint Partners ForgePoint Partners is an executive-led advisory firm that helps manufacturing, industrial, logistics, and operationally complex organizations strengthen leadership, build healthy cultures, improve processes, elevate performance, and create long-term enterprise value. Founded by experienced operators and business leaders, ForgePoint Partners works alongside organizations to develop practical solutions that deliver measurable and sustainable results.

Sew Fabulous Named One of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100 list celebrates businesses driving growth and innovation in their communities and around the world September 9, 2026 SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CO—, its award-winning digital platform for small businesses, have named Sew Fabulous LLC to the CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses list. Sew Fabulous was selected from more than 12,000 applicants by an esteemed panel of judges in recognition of its impressive growth, innovative strategies and commitment to its customers. The 2026 honorees represent 36 states and Washington, D.C., and include groundbreaking startups, innovative manufacturers, community builders and next-generation consumer brands. “To be named one of America’s Top 100 Small Businesses is an extraordinary honor,” said Angela Humphries, founder and owner of Sew Fabulous. “Sew Fabulous began with a sewing machine and a desire to serve people well. Today, we are creating meaningful local employment, developing the next generation of skilled professionals and helping individuals and organizations throughout our community look and feel their best. This recognition belongs to our dedicated team, our loyal customers and the Summerville community that has supported us throughout our journey.” Each CO—100 honoree receives a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, national brand exposure, exclusive access to expert business insights and networking opportunities, and membership in a national community of business leaders. Humphries will travel to Washington, D.C., October 19–21 to participate in events at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s historic headquarters. The experience will include the Small Business Forum, networking opportunities and an awards dinner recognizing outstanding achievement across 10 categories of excellence. Ten businesses will receive a $2,000 award for achievement in their respective categories. One company will be named the CO—100 Top Business of 2026 and receive a $25,000 prize. “Small businesses embody the spirit of opportunity that drives America’s economy forward. This year’s CO—100 honorees are solving problems, creating jobs, and strengthening their communities in remarkable ways,” said Jeanette Mulvey, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of CO— by U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Their success stories remind us that when entrepreneurs have the freedom to innovate and grow, the impact extends far beyond their own businesses.” About Sew Fabulous Founded in 2015, Sew Fabulous is a Summerville-based alterations and embroidery company serving individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the Lowcountry. Its services include everyday alterations, bridal and formalwear alterations, professional embroidery, uniform services and custom branded apparel. Sew Fabulous has earned more than 1,200 five-star Google reviews and numerous local awards for its craftsmanship, customer service and commitment to the community. To learn more about Sew Fabulous, visit SewFabulousSummerville.com. Media Contact Angela Humphries Founder and Owner, Sew Fabulous LLC [email protected] 843 277 7101 SewFabulousSummerville.com




















