Saluda River Pet Food Centers Owner
Delivers Inspirational Speech to Tri-County Students

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/11/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON -- Quit and can't are two words that just aren't in Ray Salvo's vocabulary.

The Easley businessman, who owns Saluda River Pet Food Centers, recounted to a group of Tri-County Technical College's outstanding graduates his inspirational life story – painful details of how he rebounded from a near-death on-the-job accident in 1967, which led to the partial amputation of two legs and an arm, and rebuilt his life through education, hard work and strong determination to overcome incredible obstacles.

Salvo remembered that ill-fated day more than 30 years ago when, working as a lineman, he climbed a utility pole, but, unbeknownst to him, the lines were corroded. As he reached to get a knife out of his pocket, his shoulder brushed 8,000 volts of electricity. "I was dead instantly," he recalled.

His brother rushed to him and gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, saving his life. After being transported to the local hospital's emergency room where he regained consciousness, he noticed "my feet were as black as tar, and the sides of my feet were gone. I thought this was the worst of the accident. Little did I know that I had much further to go than that."

Several days later doctors brought the then 19-year-old Salvo forms to authorize the amputation of both legs. "I broke down and cried," he remembered. "Monday they took off both legs six inches below the knees. The following Monday they took off my arm off because of gangrene." For eight weeks doctors didn't know whether Salvo would live or die. He spent six months in the hospital and during that time, his kidneys shut down and he was near death from dehydration. Later, a main artery broke, and he almost bled to death during the night.

Months later he went to the Medical University to learn how to walk again and receive his prosthetics.

"I lost three limbs, but I didn't lose brain cells," he continued. He tried various jobs, such as car sales, which was too physically demanding for Salvo. "I wanted more," he said. He talked to counselors at Trident Technical College who sent him to the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Office who informed him they would pay for his tuition and books.

Salvo, who had dropped out of school in the seventh grade, had to earn his GED credentials before pursuing an associate degree so he soon enrolled in remedial coursework. "The first time they tested me I was on a fourth grade level," he said. "I was 25 years old, but I was starting off in the fourth grade. I excelled quickly because I had good instructors who helped me and believed in me."

After passing the GED exam, he entered Trident Tech where he majored in business technology and met his wife.

"Entering in a technical college was the best decision I've ever made," he says.

Following graduation, he accepted a job with Amoco Chemicals where he stayed for four years. "I wanted to advance in management so I entered Limestone College and took accelerated courses three evenings a week. I was working, in class or studying until three in the morning for two years. I was determined to finish in 1987." Which he did.

With his bachelor's degree in hand, Salvo was promoted to cost analyst at Amoco's Donaldson Center office. Several years later, in an act of corporate downsizing, the company laid off 15,000 associates, including Salvo.

"Here I am, again, at another dead end," he said. He began another job as an accounts payable supervisor at Cincinnati Milacon and became disheartened with the corporate world. One day he was in Cedar Creek Pet Food Center in Simpsonville and heard people talking about franchises. "I thought nothing about it.that day, but later, I said 'I can do that.''

In 1993 he opened the first Saluda River Pet Foods Center in Easley. "I sold everything I had to open this business -- my house, insurance policies, I emptied my savings account. I knew with determination and hard work, it would succeed."

He was right. He opened a second store in Anderson with the help of Anderson businessman Larry Miller. Later, Salvo opened a store in Simpsonville and one in Seneca.

"Don't settle for second best, he urged the soon to be graduates. Strive to be first. There are no guarantees in life, but if you work hard and continue your education, you will be the best that you can be."

After his speech, the following awards were presented:

Kelli Marlatt, of Salem, was among the 22 students from the state's technical colleges named to South Carolina's All-State Academic Team at the State House earlier this year. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the national academic honor society for community and technical colleges.

James Christopher Hayes, of Pickens, received the Textile Management Mayfair Leadership Award.

Lisa Ann McCullough, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Dental Assisting Student.

Howard K. Heffelfinger, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Industrial Mechanics Student.

Debbie Kirven Sanders, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Practical Nursing Student.

Randal Lane Tollison, of Central, was named Outstanding Surgical Technology Student.

Michael Jimmy Heath, Jr., of Westminster, was named Outstanding Welding Student.

Emily Rae Priest, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Comprehensive Studies Student.

Jennifer Louise Logan, of Walhalla,, was named Outstanding English Student and Outstanding Humanities Student.

Wely Wong, of Central, was named Outstanding Math Student.

Samantha Phillips Haynie, of Easley, was named Outstanding Medical Assisting Student.

Suzanne S. Manganello, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Science Student.

Alicia Sue Tennis, of Pickens, was named Outstanding Early Childhood Development Student.

William Neal Baskin, of Williamston, was named Outstanding Social Sciences Student.

Melissa Jean Stark, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Student Support Services Student.

Outstanding graduates in each department are:

Accounting - Susan Cooley Barnes, of Townville.

Associate Degree Nursing - Janie Strickland Cowart of Williamston.

Associate in Arts - Angela Stone, of Six Mile.

Associate in Science - Annie Michelle Makinson, of Seneca.

Business Technology – Kellie Wirtz Marlatt, of Salem.

Computer Technology - Nicholas Kosmos, of Anderson.

Criminal Justice Technology - Gwyndolyn Young-Fisher, of Pendleton.

Early Childhood Development – Alicia Sue Tennis, of Pickens.

Electronics Engineering Technology – Andrew Alan Graham of Seneca.

Engineering Graphics Technology - Brandon August Clay, of Seneca.

General Engineering Technology – Electro-Mechanical – Joshua David Vaughn, of Belton.

General Engineering Technology – Quality Assurance – Michael David Ellis, of Williamston, and Elizabeth Vaughn-Shaver, Belton.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology - Michael Shannon Broom, of Pickens.

Industrial Electronics Technology - James T. Hobby, Jr., of Belton, and Katherine D. Fesperman, of Pickens

Machine Tool Technology - Thomas Erwin Browning, of Williamston.

Medical Laboratory Technology - Katherine Anne Munn, of Clemson.

Office Systems Technology - Tracey Ridley Hare, of Seneca.

Radio and Television Broadcasting - Patricia Dianne Yancey, of Fair Play.

Textile Management Technology - Johnny Matthew Crocker, of Anderson.

Veterinary Technology- Erin Lynn Bouchillon, of Simpsonville.
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