Business Roundup
Fire captain recognized for 20 years of national EMS certification
Bluffton Township Fire District Station Captain Brandon Stevenson has been recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for maintaining National EMS certification for 20 consecutive years.
Stevenson earned his EMT-Basic certification in 2006 and has completed the registry’s biennial recertification requirements throughout his career.
A member of the Bluffton Township Fire District since Aug. 2, 2003, Stevenson has advanced through the ranks from firefighter to station captain. He has also served on the district’s hiring committee, fire investigations team, safety committee, honor guard and Combat Challenge Team. He currently leads Station 37 at Palmetto Bluff.
Primary care practice moves to Hilton Head Island
Beaufort Memorial Marshview Primary Care is relocating from Bluffton to the island, and two board-certified providers will be seeing patients at the new location.
Dr. Nikki Keisler and board-certified physician assistant Stephanie Lovato, who currently see patients at Beaufort Memorial Palmetto Medical Group in Bluffton, will now be seeing patients at Marshview. Bluffton patients will continue to have access to primary care with two new internists joining the team at Palmetto Medical Group – Dr. Sreshtha Singh joined the Bluffton practice in early July and Dr. Minh Anh Nguyen will be joining in September.
The new location for Marshview Primary Care is 100 Exchange Street, Hilton Head Island. This location will see its first patients on Sept. 8.
Sparklight awards grant to Boys & Girls Clubs
Sparklight has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry through its Charitable Giving Fund.
The funding will support math and literacy instruction, technology-assisted learning and workforce readiness programs for students served by the organization. During its latest grant cycle, Sparklight distributed more than $125,000 to 28 nonprofit organizations in communities it serves.
“We are grateful for Sparklight’s partnership in our mission to help every member reach their full potential,” said Ryan Wise, major gifts officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry.
Beaufort Memorial launches Concierge Care option on the island
Beaufort Memorial is opening a second location for Beaufort Memorial Concierge Care on Hilton Head Island as board-certified family medicine physician Dr. Christopher Opella transitions into a concierge role from his position serving patients at Beaufort Memorial Marshview Primary Care.
“My approach to patient care is very ‘old-school,’ and connecting with my patients giving them as much time as possible is important to me,” Dr. Opella said. “Concierge Care will allow me to take the next step in my career and take that commitment to connected, personalized care even further with my patients.”
Concierge Care is a membership-based model allowing patients to receive more customized services, including same day or next day appointments when needed, flexible scheduling, direct, 24/7 access to communication with a provider via phone, email or text and streamlined care coordination.
Bell named chairman of BJWSA board
Michael L. Bell has been elected chairman of the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors, succeeding Gregory A. Padgett.
Bell has served on the board since his appointment to the Bluffton Township seat in 1991 by then-Gov. Carroll Campbell.
Before retiring, Bell worked in community planning for the Town of Hilton Head Island and later served as data administrator and student information systems manager at Lowcountry Montessori School.
“As the longest-serving current board member, I have seen firsthand the dedication and professionalism that define BJWSA,” Bell said. “I am deeply proud of the authority’s accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to help guide its future.”
Sparklight awards grant to Boys & Girls Clubs
Sparklight has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry through its Charitable Giving Fund.
The funding will support math and literacy instruction, technology-assisted learning and workforce readiness programs for students served by the organization.
During its latest grant cycle, Sparklight distributed more than $125,000 to 28 nonprofit organizations in communities it serves.
“We are grateful for Sparklight’s partnership in our mission to help every member reach their full potential,” said Ryan Wise, major gifts officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry.
Gadson named GSU ICON award honoree
Author and motivational speaker Dr. Jonas Gadson has been named a 2026 Global Speakers University ICON Speaker Award honoree.
Gadson will be recognized Aug. 22 during the GSU ICONS Celebration and Awards Ceremony in Maryland. He is the author of “Mastering Your Message: Pick Up Your Mic! We Need To Hear Your Voice!”
Outside Brands founder earns SCBIZ honor
Mike Overton, founder and CEO of Outside Brands, has been named one of SCBIZ’s 2026 Icon Honors recipients.
The annual recognition honors South Carolina business leaders age 60 and older for career achievement, leadership and community service. Overton founded Outside Brands in 1979, growing the company into one of the Southeast’s best-known outdoor recreation businesses with operations that include kayaking, paddleboarding, bicycling and nature-based experiences throughout the Lowcountry.
Beyond building the company, Overton has been active in conservation, outdoor recreation and community initiatives, earning recognition for promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism across the region.
Recipients will be honored Sept. 22 during the Icon Honors celebration at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and will be profiled in the September issue of SCBIZ.
DiSario joins Carolina Eyecare Physicians
Optometrist Dr. Susan DiSario has joined Carolina Eyecare Physicians at its Bluffton office on William Pope Drive.
DiSario earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry and has practiced in Georgia and South Carolina since 1995. She provides primary eye care, contact lens evaluations, treatment of ocular disease and co-management of refractive surgery patients.
“I am excited to join the team at Carolina Eyecare Physicians,” DiSario said. “After more than three decades caring for families throughout the Lowcountry, I’m thrilled to continue serving patients in Bluffton.”
Realtor marks 40 years in business
Associate Broker Lea Smith is celebrating 40 years as a full-time real estate professional serving Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and the surrounding Lowcountry.
Smith began her real estate career Aug. 15, 1986, with International Paper Realty at Haig Point and joined RE/MAX nearly 30 years ago. During four decades in the business, she has helped buyers and sellers through changing real estate markets while witnessing the transformation of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton from small coastal communities into some of South Carolina’s fastest-growing areas.
Known throughout the local real estate community for her long tenure and local market knowledge, Smith has built her career serving clients across multiple generations of families relocating to or within the Lowcountry.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend my career doing something I truly love,” Smith said. “The greatest reward has been the relationships I’ve built over the years.”
Financial adviser ranked among state’s best
Jeffrey Baron has been ranked No. 3 among South Carolina’s Best In-State Financial Security Professionals for 2026 by Forbes and SHOOK Research.
Baron, a senior partner with Commonwealth Financial Group, said he was honored by the recognition.
According to Forbes and SHOOK Research, rankings are based on qualitative and quantitative factors, including industry experience, compliance records, client impact and firm nominations. The rankings are intended to help investors evaluate financial professionals and are not a guarantee of future performance.
Hilton Garden Inn completes renovation
Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head has completed a propertywide renovation that includes upgrades to guest rooms, public spaces, meeting areas and amenities.
The renovation refreshed all 104 guest rooms with new furnishings, carpeting, paint and bathroom improvements. The lobby, fitness center, meeting rooms, outdoor patio and The Garden Grille & Bar also received upgrades.
The hotel is owned by Apple Hospitality REIT Inc. and managed by McKibbon Hospitality.
