GVL Drive Owner & Chairman Craig Brown Awarded the Order of the Palmetto 

Greenville Drive Owner & Chairman Craig Brown Awarded Order of the Palmetto

GREENVILLE, S.C., (April 4, 2025) –– Craig Brown, owner and chairman of the Greenville Drive and Fluor Field, was presented with the Order of the Palmetto on April 4. Established by Governor John C. West in 1971, the Order of the Palmetto is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor. It is presented in recognition of a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service, and contributions on a national or statewide scale.

“Craig’s leadership as owner and chairman of the Greenville Drive, pivotal role in the revitalization of the West End of downtown Greenville, and philanthropic endeavors … speak volumes about his unwavering commitment to service and excellence,” said Rep. Bruce Bannister, who nominated Brown for the honor. “This prestigious award is not only a fitting tribute to his remarkable legacy but also a source of inspiration for others to follow his example of selfless dedication and service.”

It began in 2005 with Brown’s pledge to bring a minor league baseball team to Greenville and build a new ballpark. Although other cities offered opportunities for funding a stadium, Brown was adamant that Greenville was the right city for the team and offered to privately build the ballpark. He wanted the community to truly understand that this new stadium was for them rather than costing them.

Earning the title “Ballpark of the Year” in its first season, Fluor Field –– lovingly known as “Greenville’s front porch” –– has become an anchor of the renewed West End area of Greenville. Far more than a ballpark, Fluor Field is a year-round gathering place for people of all walks of life to participate in festivals, educational programs, fundraisers, reunions, tributes, and more.

Long before the stadium was completed, Brown began working toward building a stronger and more vibrant Greenville. Shortly after joining the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, he was elected to its Board of Directors and tapped to serve as co-chair of ACCELERATE! Greenville, an entrepreneurial initiative designed to increase per capita income of the Upstate Community. At Greenville Health System (now Prisma Health) he was a member of the Strategic Coordinating Organization Board and was an early champion of the Medical Experience Academy, founded by Dr. Brenda Thames, a 2022 Order of the Palmetto recipient. The Academy’s mission is to engage students early in the field of medicine to increase the number of healthcare providers in South Carolina. So strong was Dr. Thames’ faith in Brown’s leadership, she asked him to be the Chairman of the Academy’s Advisory Board.

Over the past 20 years, Brown has been a generous donor to many Upstate organizations — from the United Way of Greenville to the Girl Scouts-Mountains to Midlands to Unity Park, and many more. Far more than offering financial support, Brown gives generously of his time and talent. He does this through board service for organizations such as Upstate Warrior Solution and Furman University’s Advisory Board and through various Greenville Drive partnerships with Greenville County Schools, the United Way, Prisma Health and more. And while these may initially seem like disparate organizations, they all share one thing in common: dedication to improving the lives of South Carolinians.

In a letter of recommendation, Mayor Knox White said, “As Greenville's Mayor for the past 29 years, I've worked with many people and organizations, and I cannot think of anyone who has been a better partner to Greenville and the Upstate than Craig Brown.”

About The Greenville Drive

The Greenville Drive, High-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, are entering their 20^th season at award-winning Fluor Field in downtown Greenville. Since 2006, more than 500,000 fans a year have been welcomed to Fluor Field for both Drive games and additional community events. In 2017, the Drive was honored with the prestigious John H. Johnson President’s Award, presented by Minor League Baseball and given to “the total baseball franchise,” based on community impact and operational excellence. Awarded by “Baseball America”, the Drive also received the prestigious Freitas Award, which recognizes the nation’s top Single-A MiLB franchise, in 2012 and 2020. One hundred and sixteen Drive alumni have gone on to play at the major-league level. As testament to the team’s excellence, 10 out of the last 12 World Series winning teams featured at least one former Drive player on their roster.

About Fluor Field
Known as the “front porch” of the Upstate community, Fluor Field, located in Greenville’s West End historic district, is home to the Greenville Drive, the High-A South Atlantic League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Built in 2006, the award-winning baseball stadium is a mini replica of Boston’s Fenway Park, including a 30-ft-high “Green Monster” hand-operated scoreboard in left field and “Pesky’s Pole” in right field. In addition to capacity for 5,700 fans, Fluor Field amenities include a playground area for children, a covered bar and lounge area called the “500 Club”, multiple hospitality spaces that cater to both large and small events, and extensive food and beverage offerings curated by the Drive’s stellar Executive Chef Sammy Dominguez. In 2025, Fluor Field expects to welcome more than 500,000 people participating any number of events it will host throughout the year, including The Drive’s 66 home baseball games, 35+ amateur baseball games, and 150+ unique and memorable events, such as weddings and rehearsal dinners; business meetings and cocktail hours; full-fledged festivals, and more. Learn more at www.westendeventsgvl.com.

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