Two Business Leaders Chosen to Receive Top Honor

COLUMBIA, SC – Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina and the S.C. Business Hall of Fame Committee have announced the names of the 2015 honorees, to be inducted at the 31st South Carolina Business Hall of Fame this spring.

Mr. Joseph Blanchard is President and CEO of Blanchard Machinery Company, the Caterpillar dealership serving the state of South Carolina, which doubled its number of employees since he became president in 1996. Blanchard serves on numerous boards and was recently presented the Medallion Award by Columbia College. His generosity to the arts is well known throughout the state.

Mr. Hugh C. Lane Jr., served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of South Carolina Corp. until April 2012. He remains Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Bank of South Carolina, a position he has held since its organization in 1986, and Chairman of Bank of South Carolina Corporation since its organization in 1995. Mr. Lane is the recipient of many awards and honors during his long career, including the Order of the Palmetto.

The South Carolina Business Hall of Fame is presented by Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina. Long regarded the ultimate prize among S.C. business elite, the black tie event will be held April 9th, 2015 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Many previously honored laureates and their families will be present as the 2015 inductees are added to the prestigious roll.

All laureates are chosen for their unique contributions to South Carolina’s business landscape, for being agents of positive change, for their leadership, and for being a source of inspiration to the leaders of tomorrow. South Carolina Business Hall of Fame laureates have dedicated their careers and lives to leading their companies with distinction. They have nurtured the talents of their employees, motivating them to share their vision for a bright South Carolina future. They have demonstrated the courage and character to prevail and have inspired the next generation of South Carolina leaders to follow suit.

Joseph Blanchard; Hugh C. Lane Jr.

About Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina:

Hand in hand with caring adult volunteers concerned about the future success and economic health of South Carolina’s students and the communities in which they live, Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina (JA) empowers young people to own their future economic success by enhancing the relevancy of their education. That’s because JA ignites the spark in students to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work in a 21st century global marketplace. http://centralsc.ja.org