(L–r) Columbia City Council member Tameika Isaac Devine, USC president Harris Pastides, Midlands Tech president Sonny White, S.C. Representative Joan Brady, and Mayor Bob Coble At 701 Whaley last Thursday night EngenuitySC held its IgNITE!, a leadership conference to showcase some of the region’s knowledge economy catalysts.

That was also the day of the Boeing announcement, so the day’s efforts in economic development, both the New Economy and the Old Economy, got an overlapping jolt.

To quote from its mission statement: “EngenuitySC is an active public/ private partnership that is extremely passionate about the Columbia region becoming a leader of the knowledge economy. Comprised of business and industry leaders, along with representatives from local government and academia, EngenuitySC strives to create a fertile business climate. EngenuitySC encourages entrepreneurship and facilitates the commercialization of ideas and technology.”

Kristian Neimi, chef and part owner, Gervais & Vine and Rosso Trattoria Italia The place was packed with $25 ticket holders, a sell–out before wine service began at 5:30 pm. At 6:30, the program proceeded with a welcome by Neil McLean, EngenuitySC’s executive director. Then Dr. Harris Pastides, president of USC, presented to Mayor Bob Coble the EngenuitySC 2009 Vision Award for his “support, transformative vision and innovation.”

Ten speakers came forward in sequence and delivered six–minute presentations each: Dr. Michael Amiridis, VP for Academic Affairs of Provost, USC; Anne Castro, chief design architect, BlueCross BlueShield of S.C.; Mark Fecteau, managing director of Global Growth & Innovation at Westinghouse Electric Co.; Katie Fox, director of the S.C. Artists Ventures Initiative with the S.C. Arts Commission; Josh Hackler, president and founder of Spanish Vines; Morihiko Nakahara, music director of the S.C. Philharmonic; Kristian Niemi, chef and part owner of Gervais & Vine and Rosso Trattoria Italia; Dr. Kenneth Reifsnider, director of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Center of Excellence and director of the Future Fuels Center at USC; Dr. Hildy Teegen, dean of the Darla Moore School of Business at USC; and Darrin Thomas, president of Thomas Media Group, LLC.

Dr. Hildy Teenen, dean, USC’s Moore School of Business “We’ve made great progress in preparing our city for success in the knowledge economy, and the speakers at EngenuitySC IgNITE! represent the knowledge creators, entrepreneurs, and talent attractors who are leading the way,” said McLean.
Katie Fox, director, S.C. Artists Ventures Initiative
Morihiko Makahara, music director of the S.C. Philharmonic
Mack Stone, Columbia Convention Center; and Amy Stone, retail business development, City Center Partnership
Attorney Steve Benjamin, announced candidate for mayor
Josh Hackler, president, Spanish Vines