Bob Swift Named General Manager For Core Communities’ Tradition Hilton Head

Hardeeville, SC -- Core Communities has announced Bob Swift as General Manager of Tradition Hilton Head, its 5,300-acre master-planned community here.

Swift brings more than 25 years of experience in development, marketing and management of high end recreational and residential master-planned communities of which several have been nationally recognized for their environmentally responsible development.

“Bob’s record of achievements in our industry is significant,” said Core Communities’ President, Pete Hegener. “We are looking forward to him building upon the recent successes of our South Carolina community.”

Swift assumes the responsibilities of David Page, who leaves Tradition Hilton Head to take another position with Core Communities, which is headquartered in St. Lucie, FL.

“I’m looking forward to this tremendous opportunity and challenge,” said Swift. “Tradition Hilton Head is positioned to be a truly remarkable sustainable community that may one day be known as being among the best planned developments of its time.”

Much of Swift’s experience has been focused on environmentally responsive development and management. He coordinated the development of Indian River Club in Vero Beach, FL with its strong emphasis on environmental preservation. As a result, the Club was one of the first to receive Audubon International’s highest certification as a “Signature Sanctuary.”

Swift was later co-founder and CEO of The Audubon Partnership for Sustainability, a not-for-profit advisory firm which provides direction and leadership for sustainable real estate development practices. His motto then, as now is: “Good environmental sense always makes good economic sense.”

A native of Charlottesville, VA, Swift and his wife, Macy, currently live in Camden, SC and are looking forward to “getting settled quickly in the South Carolina Lowcountry.” They are proud owners of four retrievers.

Florida Woman Handed Key to Tradition Hilton Head’s First-Ever HGTV Green Home

HARDEEVILLE – (Friday, June 27, 2008) Marsha Coulthard, a Bradenton, Fla., medical billing clerk who once lived in Bluffton, got her first look at and the key to her new HGTV Green Home at Core Communities’ Tradition Hilton Head in Hardeeville on Friday.

Dozens of HGTV designers, Green Home sponsors and suppliers and Tradition Hilton Head officials applauded as Coulthard walked up the front steps to the new home she won after her name was drawn among more than 21 million mail-in and online entries this spring.

“My house, it’s so pretty,” said Coulthard as she dabbed away tears with a tissue. “It’s all just too much.” She was joined by her son, Matt Souligne, also of Bradenton. HGTV Green Home Designer Jack Thomasson handed Coulthard the key to the eco-friendly, sustainable home.

Also, officials from General Motors in Detroit gave Coulthard keys to a 2008 Hybrid Yukon.

Coulthard and Souligne were then given a tour of their new home by Thomasson and co-designer Linda Woodrum, a Hilton Head Island interior designer.

Tradition Hilton Head Public Relations Director Martin Sauls IV welcomed Coulthard and Souligne to their new home.

“We are excited to have you as a member of our family here at Tradition Hilton Head,” Sauls said. “And Core Communities congratulates HGTV and all of their sponsors who helped build this wonderful home which serves as a symbol of Tradition Hilton Head’s commitment to building with respect and protection of the environment.”

Sponsor representatives on hand for Friday’s Green Home key presentation were Shaw Industries Inc., Sears, General Motors, SCJ, Kohler, Caesarstone and Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp.

In addition to the fully furnished home and the GMC Yukon hybrid, Coulthard also was given an electric Club Car golf cart by Tradition Hilton Head. The golf cart’s battery is recharged by electricity provided by roof-top solar panels, which also serve as supplemental power for the home. The home is a 2,000-square-foot Lowcountry cottage style, three-bedroom, two-story design by Savannah architects Dawson Wissmach.

The entire prize package is valued at approximately $850,000.

Tradition Hilton Head is a 5,300-acre master-planned, sustainable community in Hardeeville.

Photo caption: Marsha Coulthard is handed the key to her new HGTV Green Home in Tradition Hilton Head in Hardeeville by HGTV’s Jack Thomasson on Friday, June 27.

All eyes on HGTV Sunday evening to see who won the Giveaway Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head

Excitement is building for this Sunday evening’s announcement of the winner of the first-ever HGTV Green Home, located right here in the heart of the Lowcountry at Tradition Hilton Head.

“I hope everyone in the Lowcountry who loves homes and new communities tunes in to the show Sunday,” said Martin Sauls IV, public relations director for Tradition Hilton Head, the 5,300-acre master-planned, mixed-use, sustainable community in Hardeeville being developed by Core Communities.

“Anyone who is interested in new building designs and technologies, especially the new ‘green’ wave of building, should watch this show,” he said.

“The national exposure Tradition Hilton Head and Core Communities have received throughout this joint venture with HGTV has positioned our company as one of the most innovative in green technology and sustainable concepts in today’s market,” Sauls said.

The winner of the Tradition Hilton Head green home has been notified but is being kept secret until Sunday evening. “The show Sunday promises to be a nail-biter,” Sauls said.

The HGTV Green Home Giveaway winner special airs at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

HGTV has been amazed at the public response to the green home program.

“We were thrilled with the response to the first annual HGTV Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head,” said Jim Samples, president of HGTV. “The number of entries far exceeded our expectations and demonstrated that our viewers as well as our advertisers have an interest in pursuing a greener lifestyle. It is incredibly gratifying to HGTV to see that consumers turn to both the network and to HGTV.com as a resource for accessible and eco-friendly approaches to living.”

HGTV said 21 million entries were received to win the green home, a package valued at approximately $850,000. People could enter to win online once a day.

Tradition Hilton Head and Core Communities are creating an environmentally responsible community that attracted the attention of HGTV, leading the channel’s executives to choose the development for its first green home.

“Tradition Hilton Head is the perfect community for our first-ever HGTV Green Home,” Samples said. “We wanted to select a community that demonstrated that you can live responsibly in a desirable location with modern amenities.”

On Monday, June 9, there will be an online video at www.HGTV.com of the winner answering questions posted by the public recently at the Web site.

Nearly 10,000 people toured the HGTV Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head from March 24 through May 18. Some 150 United Way of the Lowcountry agency volunteers conducted the tours. Tradition Hilton Head contributed $94,000 to the United Way of the Lowcountry from proceeds collected during the public tours of HGTV’s Green Home here.

Tradition Hilton Head Contributes $94,000 to United Way of the Lowcountry from HGTV Green Home Tours Proceeds

Tradition Hilton Head contributed $94,000 to the United Way of the Lowcountry from proceeds collected during public tours of HGTV’s Green Home here.
Nearly 10,000 people toured the HGTV Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head from March 24 through May 18. Approximately 150 United Way of the Lowcountry agency volunteers conducted the tours. HGTV is giving away the home, and people entered to win online through May 9. The winner will be announced during an HGTV special June 8 at 8 p.m.
On hand for Friday’s $94,000 contribution were Clarece Walker, president and CEO of United Way of the Lowcountry; Jack Alderman, chairman of the United Way board of directors; Jill Briggs, United Way executive vice president; David Page, president of Tradition Hilton Head; Martin Sauls IV, public relations director for Tradition; and about 40 United Way agency volunteers.
Walker said Tradition Hilton Head’s contribution is an excellent example of the business community’s support of United Way’s efforts to improve the lives of others.
“We are very grateful to Core Communities, Tradition Hilton Head and HGTV for providing this amazing opportunity for us to partner with them to help those in need in Beaufort and Jasper Counties,” Walker said.
“On behalf of United Way of the Lowcountry board of directors, partner agencies, volunteers, contributors, staff and most of all the people who will receive help and hope from the generous $94,000 contribution, we applaud Tradition Hilton Head’s generous community spirit,” she said. “Because of their commitment to the community, the 39 agencies funded by United Way will receive much needed funds to continue the great work they do everyday.”
Several United Way agencies received grants for providing volunteers to conduct the HGTV Green Home public tours. The grants were awarded on Friday to agencies according to the number of volunteers they provided and number of hours worked at the green home. Agencies and their awards are:
ACCESS Network – represented Friday by Letisha Scotland; $5,000 to provide case management, counseling, education and prevention services to people affected by homelessness, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other public health issues.
American Red Cross Palmetto Chapter – represented by Debbie Szpanka; $6,630 to provide disaster relief, health and safety services, blood services and emergency food and shelter.
Beaufort-Jasper-Hampton Comprehensive Health – represented by Angela Gabriel Walton, $2,500 to provide septic tank installation for low-income families.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry-Ridgeland Club – represented by Anne Walker; $8,370 to provide after-school and summer programs for children in Jasper County.
Senior Services – represented by Patricia Jenkins and Jannette Williams; $2,500 to provide noon meals to elderly and homebound individuals.
Thumbs Up – represented by Kevin Latulip; $5,000 to provide early intervention services to children whose parents have special needs.
YMCA – represented by Mike Bostwick and Tracy Robinson; $5,000 to provide scholarships for families who can’t afford to pay membership fees and participate in the athletic, nutrition and childcare programs that improve the quality of life in our community.
Tradition Hilton Head, a 5,300-acre master-planned, mixed-use and sustainable community, is being developed by Core Communities, the award-winning developer of St. Lucie West, Fla., and Tradition Florida.
Page applauded the United Way’s work in the community and its agency volunteers who conducted the HGTV Green Home public tours.
“The United Way volunteers made the green home tours a great experience for people visiting the home,” he said. “They were knowledgeable, hard-working and courteous. They were great ambassadors to the thousands of people from all across the country who came here and toured the HGTV Green Home.”
Jack Alderman, chairman of United Way of the Lowcountry, thanked Tradition Hilton Head “for involving the United Way in the HGTV Green Home tours. It meant a lot to us, and the contribution to United Way is sincerely appreciated.”
Page said Tradition Hilton Head’s partnership with the United Way on the HGTV Green Home tours was a perfect fit.
“The United Way, like Tradition Hilton Head, is committed to nurturing healthy communities,” Page said. “We are dedicated to making Tradition Hilton Head a sustainable, environmentally friendly and socially healthy community.”
He said Tradition Hilton Head’s involvement with the HGTV Green Home helped showcase the development’s commitment to the environment, and that being a green community is the “willingness to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the surrounding region. That’s why the United Way is such a deserving charity to be involved with.”
Page noted that HGTV chose Tradition Hilton Head for its first green home over hundreds of other communities.
“HGTV could have chosen any community in the country for its green home, but they chose Tradition Hilton Head because of our commitment to environmental stewardship,” Page said. “Core Communities places great importance on protecting the natural environment in the communities we develop. Our new leadership in ‘green design’ is just part of the responsible way we choose to conduct business.”
Alderman said he is proud to be associated with a conscientious developer like Core Communities.
“Core Communities is widely recognized for its sustainable, eco-friendly and healthy communities,” Alderman said.
Tradition Hilton Head also features a “Green Preview Center” which serves to educate visitors about the significance of building green homes, developing green communities and making existing homes greener

Hundreds Tour HGTV’s Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head on Opening Day

Tours of environment-friendly house now daily through May 18

The very first visitors to Tradition Hilton Head's HGTV Green Home giveaway public tours were Kristen Bronke and her Mother Melanie Coffman, both of Chicago, pictured to the left, shown with Martin Sauls IV (left), Tradition Hilton Head Director of Public Relations and Matt Amman, the community's vice president.

HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (March 25, 2008) – Nearly 500 visitors from as far away as Chicago and Boston toured the first HGTV Green Home at Tradition Hilton Head on Monday and Tuesday.

“We are excited about the start of public tours,” said Martin Sauls IV, Public Relations Director for Tradition Hilton Head. “The initial day was fantastic. Visitors were impressed with the HGTV Green Home, as well as our new Green Preview Center, a first for the region. We look forward to the thousands of visitors over the coming months.”

Melanie Coffman and her daughter Kristen Bronke vacationing on Hilton Head Island from Chicago were the first to tour visitors to step onto the veranda of the Lowcountry-style home which has achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold certification.

“This tour is a great opportunity to learn about green building and interior design and lifestyles that help protect the environment,” said Bronke, a high school teacher. “We definitely will be entering to win the home.”

United Way of the Lowcountry is the charitable recipient of proceeds from the HGTV Green Home public tours, and local United Way volunteers are guiding the tours.

On Monday, volunteers from United Way-funded agency Access Network were on hand to give the tours. A total of 150 United Way volunteers will assist in the HGTV Green Home tours. The home is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and tickets are $20 per person.

With Melanie Coffman and Kristen Bronke in the first group to tour the HGTV Green Home Monday morning were David and Cathie Townsend of Greenville, S.C.; Bob and Rita Lindberg of Waterford, N.Y.; Joanne Dahl of Waterford; and Jane Gasser of Muncie, Ind.

By the end of the first day Sauls reported that nearly 300 visitors had toured the home which features cutting-edge environmental design and construction, energy- and water-saving appliances and technology, recycled materials, solar panels on the roof, high-efficiency air filters, on-demand hot water, state-of-the-art insulation, pervious pavers, and native, non-intrusive plantings, all of which Tradition Hilton Head’s preferred builders can incorporate into your new home construction.

Visitors also are invited to walk through the region’s first-ever Green Preview Center located next to Tradition Hilton Head’s Welcome Center, where shuttle vans pick up the HGTV Green Home tours.

For more information on the HGTV Green Home and to enter for a chance to win visit www.HGTV.com/greenhome.

Tradition Hilton Head -- Located in between historic Savannah, GA and the resort community of Hilton Head Island, SC in the city of Hardeeville, Tradition Hilton Head is a 5,300-acre master-planned, mixed-use community unlike any other in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Developed by Core Communities, it is considered a “sustainable community” providing the convenience and rewards of a total town living environment, featuring a variety of neighborhoods and housing styles, shopping and dining in charming Village Square, a luxurious Fitness Center & Spa and the Tommy Fazio-designed Tradition National Golf Course. Tradition Hilton Head is located at 3171 Independence Boulevard, Hardeeville, SC 29927. For more information, call (866) 459-1422 or visit www.traditionhh.com

Core Communities -- An award-winning developer of the St. Lucie West and Tradition communities in Florida and South Carolina. Core Communities’ mission is to create and develop master-planned, mixed use, total-living community environments throughout the Southeastern United States. Core Communities is located at Tradition Station, 10521 S.W. Village Center Drive, Suite 201, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987. Visit Core Communities on the Internet at http://www.corecommunities.com.

Media contact: Martin Sauls, Public Relations Director

Tradition Hilton Head

(843) 208-5300 office / (843) 338-5509 cell

MSauls@Corecommunities.com