May saw the official celebration for the new TowneBank office in Ballantyne. Over 250 guests enjoyed the grand opening festivities at the new TowneBank Ballantyne Financial Center, located on Conlan Circle. The 31,451 square foot building was originally built in 1998 and has been updated to house a range of financial services, including private, commercial, and retail banking, as well as the Charlotte office for Towne Insurance.

In keeping with the bank's tradition of giving back, TowneBank presented charitable donations to two local organizations. Recipients were the Charlotte Community ToolBank, which services community-based organizations by providing tools, equipment, and expertise to empower hands-on volunteerism, and the Ballantyne Rotary Club, which provides community service to international causes such as clean water initiatives, and local causes such as education and literacy.

"TowneBank is committed to serving others and enriching lives in the communities we serve, including right here in Charlotte," says Ben Mears, Ballantyne market manager for TowneBank. "We are proud to support organizations that have an immediate and longstanding impact on the wellbeing of individuals living in Ballantyne and the greater Charlotte area."

For the first time, the Presidents Cup will travel to Charlotte for the 14^th playing in September 2022 at the Quail Hollow Club. The Presidents Cup features world-class team competition with the top 12 players from the U.S. taking on the top 12 from across the globe except for Europe. The U.S. and Europe compete in a similar, but older event, the Ryder Cup. Originally scheduled for 2021, the Presidents Cup was postponed due to the pandemic.

Quail Hollow was founded in April 1959 when James J. Harris hosted a meeting at Morrocroft Farm with twenty-one friends who became the founding members. The golf course officially opened in June of 1961. Over the years, the club has hosted several tournaments including the Kemper Open and the World Seniors Invitational. In 2009, Quail Hollow welcomed their first PGA Tournament with the Wells Fargo Championship, and in 2017 hosted the PGA Championship which will return to Quail Hollow in 2025, making it the first North Carolina course to host multiple PGA Championships.

"The PGA of America is proud to return the PGA Championship to Quail Hollow and the wonderful host city of Charlotte," said PGA president Suzy Whaley. "Quail Hollow's course has a well-earned reputation as a stern test for the world's finest players, but what sets the club apart is its membership and the welcoming atmosphere that they promote. The state of North Carolina's appreciation for the game and major championship golf is remarkable."

The Quail Hollow Course was originally designed by famed golf course architect George Cobb in 1961 with the goal of capturing the beauty as well as the challenging terrain of the Piedmont region. The course has undergone a series of improvements including modifications to several holes by Arnold Palmer in 1986 and a redesign by Tom Fazio in 1997 who also modified several holes in 2016.

The clubhouse opened in 1967 and was renovated in 2000. The building features a grand ballroom, a library, several dining areas, and 15 fireplaces located throughout. Early decorations and furniture were provided by members, and many remain in the club with the idea of creating a feeling of comfort, much like entering an elegant home.

Johnny Harris serves as CEO of Quail Hollow and is the son of the founder. He is also CEO and Chairman of Lincoln Harris Real Estate, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. Johnny shares why he is a TowneBank member, "It's obvious to me that people always come first at TowneBank. They want to provide services for us who are members of the TowneBank family. As I've looked at my real estate investment needs and private investments I've made, I've been able to work with my banker Charlie Bartz and the team at TowneBank. We do business with very large financial institutions, but we also love to do business with smaller banks, and in particular TowneBank because the people make such a difference, and they really do care about you."

For more information, visit QuailHollowClub.com and LincolnHarris.com.

In 2019, Sarah Ann Schultz relocated to Charlotte. While working at a remote coworking space, she started to frequent a café that had really good food and coffee. About a year after Sarah Ann became a regular customer at the Community Matters Café, she realized she wanted to support the mission behind the restaurant and join the organization.

Community Matters Café is a six-month Life Skills program where graduates of Charlotte Rescue Mission's addiction recovery program learn crucial life and employment skills while working in a full-scale restaurant. Working in the Café helps those in recovery transition back into the working world. Approximately 160 people have graduated from the Café since it opened in 2019. One hundred percent of the profit from the Café goes back into the mission.

For the past two years, Sarah Ann Schultz has served as Communications and Marketing Manager for the Charlotte Rescue Mission (CRM). CRM is a unique substance use disorder treatment facility that combines a professional and clinical approach with a faith-based perspective. Their services are provided at no cost to the participant. CRM was ranked the #1 addiction treatment facility in North Carolina by Newsweek in 2021, and they believe incorporating faith and a clinical approach provides the best results and is the reason for their success. CRM reaches the community through churches, partnerships with referral programs, and by working with detox and judicial centers.

CRM offers programs for both men and women. The core program is 120 days with the option to extend into aftercare programs that assist graduates with securing stable employment and finding affordable transitional living accommodations. One of the programs, Recovery Living, offers housing for participants for up to two years after graduating. CRM's mission is to provide support that creates a solid foundation so once participants graduate, they are self-sufficient members of the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered the need for a new men's facility. In 2021, CRM launched the Miracle at Cedar Street, a capital campaign aiming to raise funds for a new men's campus. The new campus will allow the organization to continue to provide their residential drug and alcohol recovery program, at no cost. The current facility is nearly 100 years old and operates under an outdated building code, does not comply with ADA standards, and has limited options for mitigating the spread of illnesses. The new building will provide a more conducive space for recovery, and it will also allow the Mission to serve more than 100 additional men each year. On May 5^th, CRM broke ground on the new men's campus, but the campaign is ongoing, as they continue to work towards their fundraising goal.

Brian Bara, CRM's CFO, was introduced to TowneBank senior vice president, Will Bishop, by EJ Underwood, CRM's former Director of Principal & Planned Giving. Brian describes their experience with TowneBank as vastly superior. He says, "The direct, personalized service we received from TowneBank was very much welcomed after several prior unsatisfactory banking relationships." CRM maintains five checking accounts with TowneBank, and utilizes Treasury Services such as remote deposit, ACH, wire and expense check monitoring services. Brian says he is grateful for TowneBank's solution oriented approach, "TowneBank configured a great solution to enable CRM to earn interest on its excess funds through the use of a third-party sweep account." He also adds that "TowneBank did an incredible job for both CRM and CRM Social Enterprise to obtain PPP loans when the COVID situation arose. They navigated us through both the initial funding process and the subsequent loan forgiveness process." As a result, Brian says he would "Whole heartedly recommend TowneBank to any organization seeking a banking relationship that has the customer's welfare and service in mind." For more information, visit CharlotteRescueMission.org.

24 Foundation's mission is to inspire and engage communities to make an immediate impact on the lives of those affected by cancer. To date, the organization has raised over $25 million in support of children, adults, and caregivers living through and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

An avid cyclist, Spencer Lueders started the organization in 2002 after he completed a 24-hour bike ride to raise funds to fight cancer. Today, the organization invests in services that help untangle the maze of appointments, tests, and treatments that follow a cancer diagnosis and supports programs that increase the quality of life for survivors. "During that first ride, I talked to so many families who weren't sure what to do following a diagnosis," says Spencer. "24 Foundation is united by a common vision of providing support through cancer navigation and survivorship."

The foundation works with local and national beneficiaries to enhance the quality of life for patients going through treatment and their lifelong path as survivors. Levine Cancer Institute, for example, provides access to world class care to patients throughout the Carolinas through a network of 13 cancer care locations. The 24 Foundation works directly with the center to help fund their Supportive and Integrative Oncology services, as well as Navigation, Survivorship, and Wellness Programs. The foundation also partners locally with Levine Children's Hospital to support their wellness, special needs, and preventive care programs, all of which are designed to promote a high quality of life for survivors. Additional partners and beneficiaries include Be the Match, Claire's Army, and the Hospitality House of Charlotte, among many others.

The foundation's signature event, 24 Hours of Booty, harks back to the initial ride Spencer took more than 20 years ago. This July, hundreds will gather to bike and walk around Charlotte's renowned "Booty Loop" in the Myers Park neighborhood to raise money and awareness. The 24-hour event is a celebration of hope, healing, and coming together, where riders and walkers set their own mileage goals, often pedaling or walking in honor of or in memory of friends and family.

This past winter, TowneBank was proud to sponsor the 2^nd annual 24,000 Mile Challenge. Held in February, the challenge encouraged participants to take "big steps for small heroes," raising funds for pediatric oncology beneficiaries including LCH, Claire's Army, and the Pinky Swear Foundation. The build-your-own event had 250 of participants who walked, ran, jumped, swam, and biked toward a collective goal of 24,000 miles of moving around Charlotte.

"We were thrilled to partner again with TowneBank as our presenting sponsor and could not be more thankful for their support," says Katherine Murphy, vice president of 24 Foundation. "Through partnerships such as TowneBank, we're able to provide much-needed funding to those who need it most. That impact really hit home when a mother whose child had just come out of surgery for a brain tumor came downstairs and outside to our cheer station during the event and thanked us for all that we were doing. They had seen us from their window decked out in our orange and wanted to share how meaningful it was to see people running, walking, and biking in their honor!"

Learn more about 24 Foundation or register to participate in or volunteer at 24 Hours of Booty at 24Foundation.org.

This upcoming November will mark Mike Russo's 22^nd year with SPS Corporation. Mike made the move to the Raleigh area in 2001 after working with an internationally known curtain wall company. Looking for a home for his growing family, and following his dream of owning his own company, Mike saw the potential in the Triangle for a Glass Division with SPS, located in Apex. Mike acquired ownership in 2004, becoming president and CEO. While he now possesses majority ownership, he's quick to admit he wouldn't be able to run the company successfully without Chris Craney, his business partner and CFO.

Each SPS staff member takes an active role in all projects and prides themselves on providing customers with confidence and peace of mind throughout the entire building process. This, Mike quickly acknowledges, is due to their values and hard work ethic, which have been able to flourish in the family atmosphere and relaxed office culture they have created.

SPS Corporation has provided their expertise to businesses throughout the Triangle, as well as South Carolina and southern Virginia, and other parts of the southeast since 1990. Specializing in various exterior envelope building products, curtainwall remains their flagship product and service. Constructing the entire envelope of commercial buildings, Curtainwall provides structural safety and interior environmental control, protecting the inside structure from elements such as sun exposure, temperature changes, earthquake, rain, and wind. In June, the SPS family proudly celebrated their 40^th anniversary. Staff and vendors had a variety of food trucks to choose from, and took part in their yearly corn hole tournament.

As a result of their relationship with TowneBank, SPS has had the honor to be a supporter of First Tee – Triangle since 2005. As a golfer himself, Mike takes a personal interest in the knowledge that SPS can help empower young athletes through the game of golf. In January 2020, the First Tee organization acquired a new location for their home base, and SPS was honored to offer their services. SPS has committed to donate their time and expertise on glass products needed for the new Northwest Raleigh TriGolf location. Construction is scheduled to start this fall. The SPS family takes great pride in supporting many other philanthropic organizations, such as Make a Wish Foundation, the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and the Triangle Chapter of the American Heart Association.

Mike and Brian Reid, president of TowneBank Triangle, have shared a long friendship spanning the past 20 years. In 2006, SPS Corporation joined Paragon Bank, and Brian was assigned as Mike's main contact. When TowneBank acquired Paragon Bank in 2018, Mike had no qualms following Brian to TowneBank because Brian was a trusted partner who provided a "worry-free banking relationship with no issues." Mike says, "True and honest advice is a must when making decisions that not only affect yourself but others. I have confidence that Brian and TowneBank will always refer me to the best option."

Mike has both business and personal accounts with TowneBank, and when asked if he would recommend Towne to others, he says "Absolutely, yes! I highly endorse TowneBank. My entire family banks with them, including my extended family." Mike adds, "I don't think about my banking relationship anymore. TowneBank has given me peace of mind when it comes to both my personal and corporate banking."

A shining example of TowneBank's commitment came when SPS was entering unknown territory during the pandemic. Mike affirms TowneBank was ready to assist. It was a dire time, no one knew how things were going to go and places were shutting down; thankfully, Governor Cooper kept construction as essential. Once PPP loans came out, Brian and his team were sending emails at 2:00 AM to make sure the company received assistance to help with cash flow. Mike says he didn't have to worry about qualification policies or guidelines because the TowneBank team said, "just give us all your info, we'll handle it."

For SPS, the pandemic slowed things down, but it didn't shut things down. The company had a record year in 2020, as far as revenue, and they are expecting another great year in 2022. Mike realizes how fortunate he is to work with both his SPS family and the associates at TowneBank, and he is grateful for both. For more information, visit SPSCorporation.com.

When Ballantyne-area professionals formed a local Rotary club nearly two decades ago, they set out to create community initiatives that truly would address the needs of others and change their lives for the better. Their history now heralds many successful programs, and they continue to pave the way for brighter futures, particularly for school-age children throughout Charlotte. TowneBank was honored to support their efforts with a community impact gift, presented at the Ballantyne Financial Center grand opening on May 10, 2022.

Since 2016, the club has worked with the administration and literacy facilitators at eight area elementary schools to donate over 8,300 books that created or supplemented classroom libraries for new teachers. Club members established a pre-K library at Endhaven Elementary school and provided enough new books for a Title 1 charter elementary school to send home five to six books with each student during the initial stages of COVID-19. As a result, students had reading resources while the school transitioned to virtual status, with Ballantyne Rotary directly impacting a student population where over 75% come from low to moderate income households. Local education initiatives have also included scholarships to Ardrey Kell High School seniors, with all programs combining to reach the families of more than 7,000 students.

The club is expanding its outreach through a recent partnership with the Head Start preschool program at Alliance Center for Education. Many students live in apartments and have limited opportunity to "dig in the dirt." The club installed raised garden beds and provided gardening resources and tools, with a commitment to have club volunteers assist with gardening lessons and plantings. Club members also constructed several Little Free Libraries accessible to both school families and the local community and stocked them with a variety of books, from classic toddler and children's books to those that focus on parenting and embrace cultural diversity.

The board recently approved an initiative to develop a financial literacy program to provide resources and instruction to school families. Learning better money management will enable families to set a foundation for success, as financial decisions affect almost every aspect of one's life. Understanding financial terms, products and services is critical to making informed and effective financial decisions.

TowneBank applauds the continued innovation of the Ballantyne Rotary Club to change the lives of others through service. To learn more, visit BallantyneRotary.org.