GSA Technology Council

Darla Moore, Vice President of Rainwater, Inc., is founder and chair of the Palmetto Institute, a nonprofit think tank aimed at bolstering per capita income in South Carolina. She serves on the boards of the University of South Carolina and New York University Medical School and Hospital. The University of South Carolina’s business school is named in her honor and she is the first woman profiled on the cover of Fortune magazine and named to the “List of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business”. She has served on numerous corporate boards, including Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. She currently serves on the board of The South Financial Group, MPS Group and the National Advisory Board of JP Morgan and was formerly a managing director of the predecessor Chemical Bank. She recently received the “Business Person of the Year Award” from the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and was inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Moore holds an M.B.A. from George Washington University.

After many years of successfully working for large organizations, J. B. Holeman decided to pursue a more entrepreneurial business path in 2002 forming Holeman Investments. The primary area of focus was to invest in early stage companies. He has invested in more than 15 early stage companies, many through the Charleston Angel Partners (CHAP). Based on that experience, Mr. Holeman became one of the two co-founders of the first Angel group in the Upstate called the Upstate Carolina Angel Network or UCAN.

Additionally, Mr. Holeman founded his own technology start-up called Oversight, Inc. This start-up firm focuses on using technology to significantly improve the accountability associated with temporary employees, security guards, and fixed assets.

Mr. Holeman also founded Holeman Developments, LLC with his son to create an environmentally sound, high performance, sustainable Green development. Their plan is to be one of the first developments to fully integrate both the horizontal and vertical aspects into a genuinely green community.

Mr. Holeman is also president of a small family business called Mound City Sand, Inc (MCS).

Prior to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Holeman worked for 10 years with large engineering and remediation companies that focused on environmental engineering and cleanup. Prior to that, he served in the US Army.

From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Holeman was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Radian Remediation and Operating Services (RROS). RROS was the wholly owned subsidiary of URS, Inc., the largest engineering company in the US. RROS was URS’ environmentally related construction company whose revenues averaged $140MM. Mr. Holeman managed all aspects of RROS. The largest project was a six year, $65MM landfill recovery, heavy construction job in Beirut, Lebanon.

From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Holeman was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Rust Environment and Infrastructure (RE&I). RE&I was a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management, Inc. RE&I was an environmentally related engineering and consulting company whose revenues averaged $290MM. For his last three years Mr. Holeman served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the entire company. Working with large EPC firms, Mr. Holeman successfully converted RE&I from a 99.5% commercial business to one that after seven years was about 50-50 commercial and governmental.

From 1964 to 1991, Colonel Holeman had a career in the US Army. He served in two principal fields: troop command and material acquisition. He commanded troops at following levels: Platoon, Company, Battalion, and Brigade Commands respectively in Germany, Vietnam, Texas, and Korea. Colonel Holeman’s Material Acquisition experience included both R&D and Manufacturing. He taught at the Defense Systems Management College, served three tours in Pentagon, selected for one year Training with Industry (Avco Lycoming), and culminated as Army’s Program Manager for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle System ($600MM annually). COL Holeman made numerous trips to Saudi Arabia supporting the sale of Bradleys to the Saudis and delivering Bradleys to US Army units during Desert Storm. He retired from active duty as a Full Colonel.

Mr. Holeman has had extensive international work and sales experience both in the Army and his civilian career. His direct overseas experience includes Germany, Vietnam, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Lebanon. He has lived for seven years outside the United States. Recently, he was inducted into the prestigious Society of International Business Fellows, a group of highly successful business people working together to broaden and deepen their international operations.

Mr. Holeman serves on the Board of UCAN and on the Advisory Council for the Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Holeman’s education includes the following:

• National War College, Washington, D.C., 1985. International Relations.


• Defense Systems Management College, 1975. Program/Project Management.


• MS, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1971.


• BS, United States Military Academy, West Point, 1964.

Climax Global Energy is an early-stage alternative energy company with a unique, world-class, patented technology. The company is completing development of a process that will enable it to economically convert waste plastics, used oils and forestry-industry by-products into valuable synthetic crude oil, transportation fuels and industrial petrochemicals.

Climax Global Energy offers unique value in several ways. For its refinery customers, it offers quality refinery feedstocks at an attractive rate, while at the same time conserving crude oil. For waste suppliers like recycling agencies, it provides a new and profitable market for disposing of non-recyclable waste which would otherwise need to be landfilled at a cost. For the community, the company helps solve the waste management problem by providing a beneficial use for large quantities of waste, while providing the general public with a renewable source of energy. Climax Global Energy, whose technology has undergone extensive lab testing since 1998, offers this value in an energy-efficient, environmentally responsible and highly profitable manner. In fact, the light gases that are emitted during the production process will actually be used to power its production plants.

The company is developing modular plants so that its technology can be located near the waste supply or refinery that would purchase the product. “We are grateful to SC Launch! for their endorsement of our company. We’re making great strides in developing our technology and we look forward to commercialization with our first plant in South Carolina,” says Climax Global Energy COO Thomas Pinto.

Profile provided by SC Launch!

David A. Thomas entered on duty as a Special Agent with the FBI on May 7, 1989. Upon completion of training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA, he reported to Tampa Division. After completing more than a dozen years of supervisory and leadership roles in areas such as violent crimes, domestic terrorism, and national infrastructure protection, Mr. Thomas was appointed Chief of the Cyber Division’s Criminal Computer Intrusion Unit in 2001.

In April 2003, Mr. Thomas was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the St. Louis Field Office. He returned to FBI Headquarters in July 2004 as Chief of Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence and Criminal Computer Intrusion Section. In this capacity, Mr. Thomas has directed the FBI’s efforts on all major transnational cyber investigations and was responsible for the creation of Cyber Action Teams, which deploy domestically and internationally in response to major cyber events.

Mr. Thomas was selected as the Deputy Assistant Director for the Science and Technology Branch in September 2006. In this position, he was responsible for providing the vision, leadership, and direction for the Branch, as well as ensuring the operational availability of state-of-the-art technologies, support, and expertise necessary to enable and enhance the FBI’s intelligence and investigative mandates. Mr. Thomas also oversaw the application of forensics services related to the collection, processing, and exploitation of computer and audio visual media in the Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, Criminal Investigative, and Cyber program areas.

On October 1, 2007, Mr. Thomas was designated Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Columbia, SC, Division.

Mr. Thomas was born in Richmond, VA, and raised in Dunlap, TN. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Prior to joining the FBI,

Mr. Thomas was the Assistant Director of the 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force in Jasper, TN.

Thomas speaks to the GSA Technology Council on April 9, 2008.

George Fletcher is Executive Director of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. Before being selected as the Council’s first Executive Director, he was President of Fletcher Group, Inc, a group of environmental management companies headquartered in Greenville. He is a Professional Engineer registered in six states and a Diplomate in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. George’s community involvement has included serving as Chair of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair (with his wife) of the Greenville County United Way Campaign, Assistant Governor for Rotary District 7750, President of the American Council of Engineering Companies – SC, and numerous other boards and commissions. He has been recognized by Greenville Magazine as their 2000 Business Person of the Year, by Clemson as a 2004 inductee into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Scientists and Engineers, and by the SC Society of Professional Engineers as their 1999 SC Engineer of the Year.

Manfred Gollent is an Improvement Architect and Change Agent helping clients ranging from individual professionals to Fortune 500 organizations to improve results, expand their potential and reach their goals more consistently. In this capacity Manfred facilitates Strategy Development, Productivity and Efficiency Development as well as Team Building and Organizational Development.

Prior to founding QLI International in spring of 2006, Manfred Gollent has been a turn-around executive in a Fortune 500 company with global operations for some 22 years. He lead the rebuilding of underperforming subsidiaries in the United States, Europe and Asia by developing their leadership structure and organization, restructuring their market portfolio, operations and efficiency to improve results towards meeting investors expectations – predominantly through organizational development as well as coaching and mentoring people to high performance while utilizing minimal capital investments in the turnaround process.

During his tenure at the headquarters his senior management roles included facilitating strategy development and improvement processes of operations in the UK, Belgium, Norway, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the USA. Manfred has extensive experience in all areas of management including marketing, sales, financial operations, product development and manufacturing. He served on company Boards in Norway, U.K., France, Belgium and U.S.A.

Following his passion for business and people development Manfred is now consulting to principals and executives of companies of different sizes as well as individuals in entrepreneurial roles with a focus on strategy, efficiency management, organizational development and personal development. In addition to his engagement with organizations and open enrollment workshops for personal development in the areas of leadership and sales, he is coaching individuals to help them maximize their potential and achieve their goals more consistently.

Manfred has a degree in Electrical Engineering and an Executive MBA from IMADEC University in Vienna, Austria. He is certified in training and marketing by ASI, a certified facilitator and affiliate of the Total Quality Institute, and is a certified affiliate and trainer of the Resource Associate Network.

Manfred has written articles for various publications and has given presentations to organizations and professional associations on topics including strategic planning, sales development, process management, leadership development, customer loyalty and goal development.

Knox H. White has been Mayor of the City of Greenville since 1995. A cornerstone of his leadership has been advancing neighborhood initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, and involving citizens in city government.

Now serving his 11th year as Mayor, he has spearheaded downtown retail and residential revitalization. His most ambitious project has been reclaiming the birthplace of Greenville, the historic Reedy River Falls, and the creation of a world-class public garden along the river.

A native of Greenville, Knox White is a partner in the law firm of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A., where he heads the Firm’s immigration and customs practices. Mayor White graduated from Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville Senior High School, Wake Forest University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is married to Marsha P. White and they have two children.

Mayor White is a member of Christ Church Episcopal; North Greenville Rotary; Board of Visitors of the University Center of Greenville; and serves on the Board of Directors for the The Peace Center for the Performing Arts and Metropolitan Arts Council.

Senator, District 13, Spartanburg, Greenville and Union Counties
Majority Whip

Jim Ritchie was elected to the South Carolina Senate in November 2000. In his first term, Ritchie was instrumental in developing and securing passage of legislation such as the South Carolina Education Lottery Act and the deregulation of broadband technology. He was also the author of the South Carolina Venture Capital Act and the landmark Domestic Violence Prevention Act of 2003, which made domestic violence a felony in the state.

In a 2002 report by The State, after serving only two years, Ritchie was selected by his colleagues as one of the Ten Most Effective Senators in South Carolina. In 2003, the Maritime Association of the Port of Charleston honored Ritchie with its first Legislator of the Year award for his leadership in effecting expansion of the port.

Ritchie was named Majority Whip in 2004. That same year, he received the Golden Advocate Award from the South Carolina Solicitors’ Victim Advocates Forum for his leadership in restructuring the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network. The South Carolina Policy Council also presented him with its Palmetto Leadership Award in 2004 for his commitment to individual liberty, free enterprise and limited government.

In 2005, Ritchie successfully lead the fight to pass landmark tort reform, medical malpractice reform and economic development initiatives. Recognizing his leadership, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce named Ritchie its Public Servant of the Year. He was also named Legislator of the Year by the South Carolina Medical Association Alliance and the Spartanburg Medical Society. In addition, he received the W. Mack Chamblee Jr. Quality of Life Award from the South Carolina Association of Realtors and was the recipient of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation’s Founders Award. Most recently, Ritchie was honored by the Home Builders Association of South Carolina with the 2007 Hammer and Trowel Award.

Ritchie currently serves on the Banking and Insurance, General, Judiciary, Medical Affairs, and Rules committees. In November 2005, he was named chairman of the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, a screening board for all judicial nominees in South Carolina.

He is a shareholder in the Holcombe Bomar, P.A. law firm. He received his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1986. He received his B.A. from West Virginia University in 1983 and graduated from the Fund for American Studies’ Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems at Georgetown University in 1983.

Ritchie is a Liberty Fellow. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the Urban League of the Upstate, the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts and the Orthopedic Research Foundation of the Carolinas.

He and his wife, Evelyn, have three children: Caroline, 19; Jimmy, 17; and seven-year-old Anna Grace.

Greg Hillman is a member of the GSA Technology Council’s Board of Advisors and the GSATC FastTrac® TechVentureâ„¢ Facilitator.

Greg Hillman is also an advisor to knowledge-based businesses, his general management and information technology career spans the spectrum from startups to the Fortune 50, leading businesses through conceptual design, formation, growth, global expansion and acquisitions. Greg is currently working with Champion Communications, Leighton Cubbage’s start-up that is developing markets for new-media products such as the Video E-Mercial.

As a founder and CEO of Integrated Business Solutions, Inc. for five years Hillman built a team and led that systems integration firm to become one of the largest information technology services companies in the mid-south to clients Federal Express, Sharing Plough Corporation, IBM, BellSouth, First Tennessee and Union Planters Banks and others. Greg served as chairman and CEO, investor, to start-up high-fashion bath and body company Indulge Beauty, Inc., as it grew to become a highly visible trend setter competing with major national prestige lines. As Principal Consultant / Program Director with Computer Sciences Corporation Consulting Division he led strategy, risk mitigation and enterprise-wide platform change implementation efforts globally at Dupont, Nortel and MCI (in the US) and contributed to the development of conceptual IT architectural plans for US government intelligence agencies and the USPS.

Hillman managed industry relations to Gartner Group, client PC manufacturers Intel, Gateway, AT&T, NCR and associated industry press while with Cincinnati Bell’s Information Systems (CBIS) $30m acquisition – (start-up) Software Support, Inc. (SSI). As systems engineer with Ross Perot’s Electronic Data Systems (EDS) he built relationships which later fostered success during the $90m acquisition of start-up cellular S/W and MTSO servicing firm Appex Corporation ($5m earl- stage investment by Greylock Partners) by EDS. As National Industry Director for publicly traded cellular / telephony systems development company – Auxco, his efforts were critical components of its $90m acquisition by CBIS. He holds an MBA in finance and economics from University of Utah and a BA in management / chemistry from Park University in Kansas City, KS. Hillman served as aircraft maintenance manager / technician and operations program manager while in the USAF stationed at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, MHAFB, Idaho and Pleiku, Vietnam.

Russell Cook is the Program Director for SC Launch!, an SCRA collaboration. SCRA leads the Knowledge Economy in South Carolina and the nation by successfully advancing applied research and technology through collaboration.

As Program Director, Cook maintains management responsibilities for launch zones located in the Upstate, Midlands and Coastal areas of SC. He works strategically with the SC Department of Commerce and other economic development organizations as well as the state’s three research universities: Clemson, MUSC and USC.

Cook serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for SC Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. He is also a member of the SC Economic Developers’ Association, the SC World Trade Center, the National Business Incubation Association and the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds.

Cook earned his B.A. degree in economics from Wofford College and received post-baccalaureate training at the College of Charleston and Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a Certified South Carolina Economic Developer.

He makes his home in Chapin, SC with his wife Gloria, a kindergarten teacher, and his two sons, Chandler, a sophomore at Columbia International University, and Cameron, a senior at Chapin High School.