Central Piedmont Community College encourages students to see beyond what is and envision what could be. Founded in 1963, Central Piedmont has grown to a multi-campus college where students receive a combination of technical and soft skills training to prepare them to enter the workforce and make a difference in their world.

One innovative program that TowneBank is honored to support is Accelerated Career Training (ACT). Launched in 2018, ACT seeks to address the economic mobility challenges some Mecklenburg County residents encounter by providing them with short-term training tracks, no-cost job training, and the support services they need to become work-ready in as little as seven to 15 weeks.

"We hear from students that would like training for careers that are in demand, where they will be able to find employment, and receive a good wage so they can support themselves and their family," says Sheena Ashley, Central Piedmont director of career development.

ACT learning tracks include: Commercial Driver's License (CDL)/Truck Driving; HVAC; Nurse Aide and Phlebotomy; Information Technology Fundamentals; Culinary Apprentice; Early Childhood Education; and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

All ACT students enroll in career readiness classes, receive academic and career counseling, and have access to a variety of Central Piedmont's other student services. All program costs, including tuition, fees, books, and services are covered for each student as well.

Sheena relates that the most frequent comment she hears from students is, "I don't know how I would have done this without you. Without this program, these scholarship dollars, and the assistance in getting started, I don't think I could have done it on my own." Sheena says that vote of confidence from the students is energizing to hear. "We are here to encourage students and we have put in place many supports — whether it's backup childcare plans, providing bus passes or mileage reimbursement, or buying scrubs. In fact, I have a box of scrubs in my office right now."

Jennifer Dukes is the incoming ACT program coordinator. She has worked with students who are getting their GED^® or HiSET^®and shares that many students then transition into the ACT program. "It is a joy to see them set this goal and achieve it and then move into a place where they can get a good job and support their families."

Vanessa Stolen serves as executive director of institutional development at the Central Piedmont Community College Foundation. "ACT offers an option for those students who are looking for something that is fast. It provides job satisfaction and a meaningful wage to get them employed in a better paying job. As an added benefit, ACT students earn college credits in many of the tracks. That will give them a head start should they choose to pursue additional, advanced training or a two-year associate degree."

Central Piedmont connected with TowneBank through an introduction from Central Piedmont Foundation board member Carl Showalter, also a TowneBank member. "TowneBank came to Central Piedmont, toured our campus, and met with our president, Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer," Vanessa says. "They liked what they saw and heard and chose to make an investment in our program and our students. We are so grateful that they wanted to become an engaged partner with us."

"Our thanks are extended to TowneBank for investing in our ACT program which is designed to help local residents step up from a job and into a career," Dr. Deitemeyer says. "Central Piedmont is in the life transformation business and this gift reflects our mission by equipping countless individuals with the skills and knowledge required to lift themselves out of poverty and obtain a family sustaining career."

For more information on Central Piedmont Community College and the ACT program, visit CPCC.edu/Programs/Accelerated-Career-Training.

In 2002, a group of staffing franchisees decided to start a new kind of staffing agency — one that was 100 percent focused on customers. They formed Allegiance Staffing, which is now celebrating their 20th anniversary with more than 40 locations in 15 states and more growth planned. Over the years, Allegiance Staffing successfully has placed more than 15,000 qualified full-time and temporary workers in a variety of industries including: warehousing, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, clerical, and call centers.

Lisa Barger is a partner overseeing Allegiance Staffing's North Carolina locations. She and her husband Robert are founding members. "When we first started out, we wanted to be customer-focused — to be a strategic partner by understanding their business and then developing a solution to make them more efficient and profitable," Lisa says.

Lisa and Robert own seven Allegiance locations in North Carolina including Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, and partner with their nephew, Allen Tuttle, in two locations in South Carolina. Allen serves as director of operations and nephew Byron Tuttle, joined Allegiance five years ago and is the company's payroll manager. "Our setup at Allegiance is totally different than other staffing companies," Lisa shares. "Each market is represented by an equal shareholder in the company. Therefore, our clients are dealing directly with an owner who can make a decision immediately rather than having to go through a corporate office."

"I enjoy the satisfaction of helping other people, whether it's an employee or a client," Lisa says. "Knowing that you've done something to help someone and their family, that's the biggest thing for me. And with our in-house staff, we work hard to be a family and to care about one another." Allegiance demonstrates this care through the Build Grow Share program, which rewards employees for staffing referrals. "Many companies will give employees a one-time fee if they refer someone, but our program goes beyond a single payment with the percentage of an hourly rate. And it's at no cost to our clients. Allegiance has paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars with the average employee earning $2,880 extra per year. It is essentially a profit-sharing program for our employees."

Outside of work, Lisa is passionate about giving back to her community and especially helping children. She served for many years on the board for Global Children Outreach in Charlotte. After the program dissolved, Lisa and Robert continued to host children from Ecuador. "We brought children to our home for the summer and made sure they had health care, dental care, and lots of fun times, too," Lisa says. She also makes regular trips to Ecuador to help children.

Allegiance Staffing works closely with Ben Mears, TowneBank Ballantyne market manager. "I was speaking with our accountant one day expressing my dissatisfaction with the customer service I was receiving from our banking partner at the time," Lisa says. "He recommended Ben and TowneBank; he introduced us, and the rest is history. I can't say enough about the customer service and Ben is just awesome. He's worked with us on several different things and now we've moved our personal relationship over to Towne as well."

If you are looking for help in finding good employees, visit AllegianceStaffing.com.

Ballantyne Country Club offers Charlotte residents wonderful opportunities to play golf, along with swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor dining, and a wide variety of events to enjoy every day. Founded in 1996 as a Crescent Community, Ballantyne Country Club has evolved into a member-owned club with over 850 members.

"We are centered on family activities. Our calendar is full, and we often have people join because of the numerous events we offer. If you can't find something to do here, you aren't looking," says David Lee, general manager. "We have everything from a book club, a poker club, a bourbon tasting group, Mahjong and vintners club," says Tammy Smith, director of accounting. "No matter what you enjoy, we have something for you, and it's a great way to meet people with similar interests."

The 18-hole championship golf course was designed by Rees Jones. "He has developed a lot of the golf courses in the Charlotte area," David says. "It's a friendly course for members to play — challenging, but also fair." The course offers a driving range and full-time instructors for golfers of all ages and abilities.

The Ballantyne clubhouse is a 45,000 square-foot facility with multiple meeting and dining spaces including a recently constructed outdoor dining area. Ballantyne has won several awards for weddings held at the beautiful clubhouse.

The family activity center has seven tennis courts, four pools, and a fitness center open 24/7 that features cardio and strength equipment, a variety of classes, and personal trainers. The club offers complimentary child watch at its Kids Club, where children can play while their parents are golfing, joining a yoga class, or enjoying a date night. Children can participate in junior golf and tennis and aquatics clubs. "We have 160 kids on our swim team," David says.

Working here feels like family," David says. "The members love our staff, and they want us to succeed. It's an interesting dynamic with the members as owners. They empower us to deliver the vision so they will continue to invite friends and family to join and be a part of this wonderful multi-generational club."

David explains how Ballantyne Country Club connected with TowneBank and Ben Mears, Ballantyne Market Manager. "We had a long-term relationship with another bank for 20+ years. Our finance committee wanted to refinance a loan and TowneBank stood out above and beyond everyone else. Ben Mears was a big part of it. The service we've received and the attention to detail has been amazing. The follow up is so much different from what we had from our prior banker. I can't imagine not staying with Towne because of that relationship. I went to the grand opening of the Myers Park office and met some of the Towne board members. Towne is a family-oriented bank just like we are a family-oriented club. Our values line up tremendously."

"Switching banks after you've been with a bank for over 20 years was a daunting task," Tammy added. "But everyone at Towne was extremely helpful and responsive. The customer service I received from TowneBank was wonderful and made the whole process so much easier."

For more information, visit BallantyneClub.com.

For 50 years, Providence Day School (PD) has offered an exquisite educational experience for students in Charlotte. Beyond academics, PD creates a sense of community among students, teachers, and administrators, and facilitates an experience to help each person understand their role in today's global society.

PD serves students from transitional kindergarten through grade 12, enrolling roughly 1,800 students each academic year. The school has one of the finest pre-collegiate faculties, with over half of the teaching staff holding advanced degrees in their field. In addition, PD has small class sizes in spaces that are designed and dedicated to each specific age group or subject matter.

As early as kindergarten, students begin their journey with the school's global studies curriculum, which is guided by a curricular framework known as the PD Passport. PD is known nationally for its Global Studies program, becoming the first school in the United States to create the Global Studies Diploma for upper school students.

"We intentionally create experiences that foster intercultural learning inside and outside of the classroom," says Michael Magno, assistant head of school for academic affairs at Providence Day. "Knowing the world is increasingly interconnected and ever-changing, we purposefully develop opportunities for our students to become empathetic, informed, and empowered global citizens."

The PD campus is home to several innovative facilities and spaces, like the language lab and STEAM workshop, a design space where students can craft set pieces for upcoming theatrical performances. The Studio serves as a "digital MakerSpace," where students can record podcasts, music, and videos for both academic and personal projects. A campus addition this year is the IDEAS Xchange, a place where students can explore the new IDEAS@PD curriculum incorporating innovation, design, entrepreneurship, analytics, and sustainability. "The course of study is IDEAS@PD as a new department with two strands; one is more focused on computing and innovation tech, and one more on design and entrepreneurship," Michael says.

"Providence Day exists to inspire students and create a passion for learning," continues Leigh Dyer, director of strategic marketing and communications at Providence Day. "Through these spaces, we are able to promote critical thinking and collaboration, encouraging students to research, design, and build their own original solutions to problems."

Students at PD are encouraged to participate in a range of other activities offered by the school. For example, 70 percent of eligible students participate in the athletic program at PD. The program includes 66 teams in 27 varsity sports and competes annually in over 950 athletic events. For students interested in the arts, PD has a variety of opportunities that encourage and nurture creativity, whether exploring band, orchestra, chorus, theatre, or visual arts.

The importance of social responsibility is intertwined in all aspects of the PD curriculum and experience, cultivating a sense of connectivity to the community and empowering students to improve the lives of others. In fact, PD is the only independent school in the nation to host a Freedom School program each summer, which provides quality summer and afterschool programs for students in grades K-8 throughout Charlotte's low-income communities.

"Our Freedom School has become an integral part of our Providence Day community with generous support from PD parents, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and students," says Leigh. "We have been able to share our time, talents, and treasures with these students to create an unforgettable summer for children around Charlotte."

Behind the scenes, TowneBank works with school leadership to support the institution's mission of educating students of today, as well as future generations in Charlotte and beyond. "We are there for the big deals — like working together on a loan for school improvements," says Will Bishop, senior vice president and commercial banking officer. "TowneBank also provides support for the school's day-to-day needs through our business banking and treasury services," says Kristen Kral, assistant head of school for finance and risk at Providence Day. "We truly need our banking relationship to be a partner, and that's what we get with TowneBank."

Learn more about Providence Day School at their website, ProvidenceDay.org.

Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education, and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, the nonprofit health system has more than 70,000 teammates serving patients at 40 hospitals and more than 1,400 care locations.

A true community organization, Atrium Health was started by Charlotte citizens who joined together to fund the construction of a new hospital in 1940. Since then, the health system has grown from a single facility to the largest provider in the region. The Atrium Health Foundation, established in 1959, is one of the largest charitable foundations in Charlotte, working alongside Atrium Health as it continues to serve as an important community asset.

Through its current Giving Hope Campaign, the foundation is supporting Atrium Health's efforts to create the learning health system of the future by building healthy communities, outstanding education programs, preeminent research, and exemplary facilities.The comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $500 million to transform healthcare in the region through investments in renovated, state-of-the-art spaces; national distinguished physicians; innovative and advanced treatment capabilities; and groundbreaking population health programs.

As an Atrium Health partner, TowneBank answered the need to create scholarships available to incoming students at Carolinas College of Health Sciences, a subsidiary of Atrium Health. A public, not-for-profit college, Carolinas College offers an array of healthcare studies, such as clinical laboratory science, diagnostic and imaging science, and nursing. The college serves as a "talent development engine," preparing graduates to work at Atrium Health and in other evolving healthcare environments. The scholarships will support underrepresented students in order to increase the diversity of the student body and ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have equitable opportunities to pursue careers in healthcare.

"We are honored that TowneBank shares Atrium Health's commitment to creating a culture of caring, empowering those who wish to learn, and embracing diversity in the communities we serve," said Hampton Hopkins, president of Carolinas College, which is owned by Atrium Health. "It's important to ensure a diverse student body that is representative of the patients we treat," he added.

"TowneBank believes in the strength of Atrium Health's educational programming," said Ted Wolfe, TowneBank Charlotte president. "We are honored to be part of the solution that provides a clearer pathway for marginalized students to improve the trajectory of their careers in the healthcare field."

Beyond Charlotte, Atrium Health provides care under the Health Wake Forest Baptist name in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as well as Atrium Health Navicent and Atrium Health Floyd in Georgia and Alabama. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health provided $2.46 billion last year in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits.

To learn more about Atrium Health Foundation and the Giving Hope campaign, visit AtriumHealthFoundation.org.

Patience is a virtue, and it is one that Myers Park market manager Stephen Heeseman had to exercise when the Myers Park Financial Center opened in March 2021 during the pandemic. He had brought on a fantastic group of banking professionals ready to grow relationships, including branch manager Chris Thorn, private banker Cari Berger, and commercial banker Mike Wollinger, along with private banker Alice Joyce, who came to Myers Park from the existing TowneBank Charlotte location in SouthPark.

The doors on the stunning location at 150 Providence Road opened at a time when other banks were requiring appointments to carry out basic transactions. Stephen recalls that, while we could not throw a large gathering to welcome neighbors to our new location, people found their way because the experience of coming to TowneBank was so inviting.

"People came to see us because they would have to wait so long at their bank, or could not get an appointment at all," Stephen shared. "We grew a loyal member base in those early days that has served us well as time went on."

Fast forward to September 2022. TowneBank had brought new Charlotte president Ted Wolfe on board in July, and our Towne family, board of directors, and bank members were eager for fellowship together to welcome Ted. It was the perfect opportunity to bring the Towne community together at Myers Park, where business and nonprofit leaders visited with professionals from TowneBank, Towne Insurance, TowneBank Mortgage, and Towne Wealth Management.

Stephen took a moment to introduce everyone on his team, from the family members in the retail branch, to the private bankers and commercial lenders, to the treasury and merchant services representatives that also call Myers Park home.

Executive Chairman Bob Aston, CEO-Elect Billy Foster, and other members of executive management attended the event to show their support for the team in Charlotte, noting it was the fastest growing market for the bank.

Ted addressed the crowd of over 150 guests, sharing how blessed he felt to join the incredible team that TowneBank had grown in Charlotte. "When I met with Bob, Billy, and others, I was struck by that sense of people that are empathetic, hard-working, and very competent. I was really attracted to the culture of TowneBank."

He went on to talk about the difference of banking at Towne: "One of the things that I think is really telling is that we have members, not clients. If you're clients of another bank, you may never have heard that. Here, you're not just a client, you're a member, and that means something. That's about a long-term relationship. We're here for the long run, and I'm so excited about what we have to do here in Charlotte."