About Us
Carolina Specialties International/ CSi was founded in 1988 with the goal of meeting the demand for local promotional marketing materials. CSi met those needs and created a niche for itself in this area by adding other products and services as well as exemplary customer service.
Our company has grown and changed over the years, but we have stayed true to the founding principle of hard work. Over the last 30 years CSi has persevered and built a well-deserved name for itself. And we have no plans to slow down! This is a company continuously looking to grow and expand. In 2017, CSi acquired Formula K Enterprises, which has proven to be invaluable to meeting the needs of our ever growing clientele.
CSi offers custom screen printing, embroidery, awards and recognition items, as well as promotional and marketing products. Owners Ann Marie Swilley and Stephen Haire continue to serve with a dedicated team offering uncompromising customer service and arguably the best in promotional marketing.
Our Team
Ann Marie Swilley
Sales Manager
annmarie@carolinaspecialties.comCall her Leader Extraordinaire, but not to her face. Ann Marie is all about her service to her clients and dedication to the business family she has nurtured through these 23 years – a family which includes her clients, her employees and dedicated business associates. She might as well be known as the hardest working woman in the Promotional Products Industry. In this industry, she is a Heavyweight – don't let her petite figure and polite demeanor fool you. Her precise combination of business savvy, fairness and wisdom delivers to her clients time and time again quality products, dependable service and unmatched understanding of the needs of the client. Imparting her knowledge to the staff under her wings weaves her philosophy across the fabric of CSI.
Bobby Joe Swilley
Vice President/Emeritus Sales Manager
bobby@carolinaspecialties.comGoogle him. There are over 30,000 hits on Bobby Joe Swilley. Around here he is known as Ol'Swil. Bobby is now semi-retired from his career at CSI, but remains a musician, songwriter and recording artist. However, his legacy at CSI endures. Through the years, Bobby developed great business relationships that are with CSI to this day. He also shared his business acumen with the sales staff. Those abiding principles help lay the foundation for the company CSI is today.
Joe Squire
Sales Rep
joe@carolinaspecialties.comJoe joined the team at CSI five years ago and has grown to be very much appreciated by his client base. He specializes in local government, team sports and medical facilities. He has a knack for seeing a client project from beginning to end and offering his skills and knowledge to ensure a successful marketing campaign.
Kelly Roy
Sales Rep
kelly@carolinaspecialties.comKelly is our newest arrow in the quiver of the CSI arsenal. She comes packed with 20 years of experience in our industry. Her keen eye for detail means your order will be right each and every time. Round all that out with a client friendly demeanor and a big heart guarantees a truly positive CSI experience.
Chris Beaman
Trophy Shop Manager
chris@carolinaspecialties.comWhat’ll you have? Chris has that old-fashioned flair of a diner waitress. You know, the kind who makes you feel at home and will serve you up exactly what you want with a down-to-earth familiarity. Chris Beaman is our notorious trophy-shop manager at the Promo Agency (A CSI Family Company). She engraves, she embroiders, she does it all… and although she’s not really famous for serving shrimp and grits, she is known for providing the best customer service in town.
Cindy Stroupe
Senior Sales Rep
cindy@carolinaspecialties.comOur very own Carol Burnett. Cindy is a hoot, but watch out, she will sell you an ice cube even when you are cold. Cindy has been with CSI almost from the beginning. She has a natural talent for sales, but, more importantly, she has a natural talent for taking care of her clients and their needs. With her loud twang she counsels and looks out for their best business interest all the while forging lasting relationships. She is an expert in military retention, government contracting agencies and hospital systems. Her versatility though has proven valuable to a diverse client base. Her clients wouldn't trade her for the world.
Stephen Haire
CEO
stephen@carolinaspecialties.comOur newest addition to the team. Stephen heads the Wilmington, NC headquarters of CSI. He brings with him several years of salesmanship and has quickly developed an excellent reputation within university systems and coastal military installations. Stephen is persistent and undaunted in his pursuit of the best result for the client's promotional campaign.
