Business briefs

William Raveis taps Dow for growth role in Lowcountry
William Raveis Real Estate has appointed Cristy Dow as strategic growth manager for its Hilton Head Island and Bluffton offices, the company announced.

Dow will focus on agent recruitment and development, strengthening connections between markets and supporting the firm’s luxury real estate presence in the Lowcountry, according to the company.

“Cristy’s tenure with our company and her understanding of relationship-driven growth make her exceptionally well suited for this role,” said William Raveis, Founder and CEO of William Raveis Real Estate. “Hilton Head and Bluffton are important to our long-term strategy, and we are committed to strengthening our presence there with proven leadership.”

Owen Tyler, broker-in-charge and senior vice president for William Raveis in the Hilton Head and Bluffton region, said the company is building a leadership structure designed to support experienced agents and meet expectations in the luxury market.

Sea Pines Resort announces maintenance director, culinary leadership changes
The Sea Pines Resort announced that Matt Whitis, director of facility maintenance, has been added to the resort’s executive leadership team.

Whitis joined the resort approximately four months ago. Resort President Steve Birdwell said Whitis has strengthened facilities operations and demonstrated strong leadership in a short period of time.

Whitis previously served as engineering manager at Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and spent more than two decades at Olivet Nazarene University, where he oversaw large-scale facilities and capital projects.

The resort also announced culinary leadership changes.

Alex Dinerstein, a nine-year employee, has been promoted to food and beverage operations manager. He most recently served as general manager of Links, an American Grill.

Nick Osterfoss has joined the resort as general manager of Links, bringing experience from luxury resort properties across the country.

Brendan McGuire has been promoted to general manager of Harbourside, and Eric Haley has been named assistant operations manager at Fraser’s Tavern.

Coastal States Bank hires treasury services banker
Coastal States Bank announced that Charlie Labassi has joined the company as treasury services relationship banker serving markets in Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Charleston and Savannah.

Labassi brings more than 20 years of corporate treasury and banking experience. In his new role, he will work with businesses to improve treasury processes and financial operations.

Brian Smith, the bank’s coastal regional president, said Labassi’s experience supports the bank’s relationship-based approach to serving local businesses.

Beaufort Memorial adds orthopedic physician assistant
Beaufort Memorial Hospital has expanded its orthopedic services with the addition of Kara White, PA-C, a board-certified physician assistant.

White joined Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists in the fall and sees patients in Okatie and Port Royal.

An Atlanta native, White earned a Master of Health Science from South College Atlanta in December 2024. She works alongside orthopedic surgeons Dr. Cory Messerschmidt and Dr. Vandit Sardana, as well as nurse practitioner Aron Love.

Beach House Hilton Head donates $106,000 to local nonprofits
Beach House Hilton Head Island Resort announced it distributed $106,000 to local and regional nonprofit organizations in 2025 through its Community Impact Program.

The donations are part of an initiative launched in 2022 by EOS Hospitality, the resort’s management company, aimed at supporting organizations that address basic needs such as food security, housing and crisis assistance.
According to the resort, the following organizations received funding in 2025:

$10,000 to Bluffton Community Kitchen, $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island, $10,000 to Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island, $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, $10,000 to Port Royal Sound Foundation, $15,000 to Volunteers in Medicine Bluffton-Jasper, $21,000 to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, $10,000 to Family Promise of Beaufort County, $10,000 to Direct Relief
General Manager Ben Beaudoin said the resort’s team was honored to distribute the funds and support initiatives focused on resident well-being, environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.

More information about the resort is available at beachhousehhi.com.

The Bargain Box awards $575,000 in grants
The Bargain Box announced it awarded $575,000 in 2025 to 55 Beaufort County nonprofit organizations.

Grant recipients were selected following interviews conducted by the organization’s grants committee, with final approval by its board. The nonprofit thrift store said its volunteers, donors and shoppers make the annual giving possible.