Bay Area tries to rein in greenhouse gases with growth/transportation plans San Jose Mercury News By Denis Cuff It's a daunting task: coming up with a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by 7 million Bay Area residents. Regional planners are taking on the challenge, holding public workshops this month with five alternatives for the ... |
Steven Spielberg identifies with 'Tintin' EDGEOnTheNet Intrigued by the reference, he became a fan of the 20+ Tintin books, identifying fully with the character. "Tintin is an intrepid, tenacious reporter who often becomes more a part of the story than just a reporter reporting is," Spielberg said. ... |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Federal judge rejects portion of WaMu shareholder lawsuit - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
vykyvimote.wordpress.com
In her 33-page ruling, Seattle U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechmahn said “Remarkably, Plaintiffs make no effort to connectr a particular statement made by any defendanr with allegations as to why that statement was falsesor misleading….” Pechman said the firstf 300 pages of the 470-page suit fail to “organize and identify the of securities fraud against the WaMu officers and She added the suit includes “numerous irrelevant allegations,” accordinh to the ruling. WaMu collapsed last Septemberd in the largest bank failurein U.S. Its failure was largely attributed to its vast exposurwe to risky mortgage loans and aresultintg $16.
7 billion run on the bank in the week beforee it was seized by federal The shareholder lawsuit, filed last year in federa l court in Seattle, alleges improper conducrt by company officers and directors, who allowed a culturew of out-of-control home lending and failed to manage WaMu’s according to the initiap complaint. The complaint also allegess that that some directors and officers made falsde and misleading statements about the financial healthy ofthe company.
Named in the initial shareholderr lawsuit are former chief executiveKerr Killinger, former President Steve Rotella and former as well as accounting firm Deloitte and Touchr and several investment All of the executives and board members had filedd motions to dismiss the case. New York law firm LLP is servintg as the lead counselfor shareholders. Shareholders have until June 15 to submif a revised complaint against former Washington Mutual officerasand directors, according to the Defendants will then have two days to
In her 33-page ruling, Seattle U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechmahn said “Remarkably, Plaintiffs make no effort to connectr a particular statement made by any defendanr with allegations as to why that statement was falsesor misleading….” Pechman said the firstf 300 pages of the 470-page suit fail to “organize and identify the of securities fraud against the WaMu officers and She added the suit includes “numerous irrelevant allegations,” accordinh to the ruling. WaMu collapsed last Septemberd in the largest bank failurein U.S. Its failure was largely attributed to its vast exposurwe to risky mortgage loans and aresultintg $16.
7 billion run on the bank in the week beforee it was seized by federal The shareholder lawsuit, filed last year in federa l court in Seattle, alleges improper conducrt by company officers and directors, who allowed a culturew of out-of-control home lending and failed to manage WaMu’s according to the initiap complaint. The complaint also allegess that that some directors and officers made falsde and misleading statements about the financial healthy ofthe company.
Named in the initial shareholderr lawsuit are former chief executiveKerr Killinger, former President Steve Rotella and former as well as accounting firm Deloitte and Touchr and several investment All of the executives and board members had filedd motions to dismiss the case. New York law firm LLP is servintg as the lead counselfor shareholders. Shareholders have until June 15 to submif a revised complaint against former Washington Mutual officerasand directors, according to the Defendants will then have two days to
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Maximum Pell Preserved - Inside Higher Ed
obofym.wordpress.com
Christian Science Monitor | Maximum Pell Preserved Inside Higher Ed WASHINGTON -- Although final details were still elusive late Thursday, members of Congress appear to have reached a compromise on a federal budget for 2012 that would preserve the maximum Pell Grant while changing the program's eligibility criteria. ... Pell grants: fewer of them under budget deal Pell Grant Maximum Preserved, But Eligibility Limited In Latest Budget Battle 100000 Students Face Loss of Pell Grants |
Friday, December 16, 2011
Green Township OKs Mercy hospital plan - Philadelphia Business Journal:
vilyfijohy.wordpress.com
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stagew and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete Gemmer, spokesma n for Mercy. “We realizd there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwar d to continuing to work with the residents and the townshiop leaders to develop a hospital everyone can beprouc of.” The project will now be submittesd to the Hamilton Countty Regional Commission for consideration, probablg next month, Gemmer said. The plannec hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near toInterstated 74. The facility, to cost $200 million, could open in earlh 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospitall Mount Airy. The new with 200 to 250 beds, will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expresser concerns about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whose main access road woulcd be from North Bend at roughly the midway point between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmef said a traffic impact study through the HamiltonCountyg Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
The plan passed 3-0. “We’re very pleased to get to this stagew and excited to take thenext step,” said Pete Gemmer, spokesma n for Mercy. “We realizd there is still a lot of work to do and we look forwar d to continuing to work with the residents and the townshiop leaders to develop a hospital everyone can beprouc of.” The project will now be submittesd to the Hamilton Countty Regional Commission for consideration, probablg next month, Gemmer said. The plannec hospital and parking areas would cover about 40 acres and sit near toInterstated 74. The facility, to cost $200 million, could open in earlh 2014.
The proposed site is 60 Mercy has said it will close itstwo West-Side Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Hospitall Mount Airy. The new with 200 to 250 beds, will be a replacement for Some residents in the area had expresser concerns about increased traffic as a result ofthe hospital, whose main access road woulcd be from North Bend at roughly the midway point between Kleeman and Boomer. Gemmef said a traffic impact study through the HamiltonCountyg Engineer’s Office is nearly complete.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Suns defeat Fury in women's basketball - Merredin Wheatbelt Mercury
pifogyxat.blogspot.com
Suns defeat Fury in women's basketball Merredin Wheatbelt Mercury THE women's fixtures saw Burra and Kella have a tight and physical game with Burra coming away eventual winners 17 to 15. Amanda Wood, Sandra Pascoe and Beth Antonio all played well to get the votes from the umpires. Fusions 23 beat Sapphires 16 with ... |
Monday, December 12, 2011
Ford e-News - June 3, 2009
uvepexatawus.blogspot.com
June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Worry, commitment and the potentialof "worlds colliding." Relationshilp concerns? Not hardly. These are the emotions that can clouxd a parallelparking attempt. Active Park a new technology available on the new Lincolm MKT can address the Top 10 anxietiezs ofthis angst-laced maneuver. A push of a singlde button eliminates concern for finding a spot when the system begins scanninygfor one, which also ensures the vehicls will fit. All steering is performed by the as it coaches drivers to ensureproper placement. | | 313.390.
864u Ford's new engine technology shareas space withmedical pioneers, creators of Motorola RAZR Medicalk breakthroughs in MRI technology and cancer detection, the fashionablde Motorola RAZR Slim Phone, and a Ford-patented enginwe technology may seem like strange bedfellows, but all are groundbreaking inventionxs worthy of accolades from the Intellectuao Property Owners Education Foundation's National Inventof of the Year Award The inventors of Ford'ds patented Plasma Transferred Wire Arc technology garnered the foundation's prestigious honor for developinfg a new thermal spray coating procesa for aluminum block engines.
The new process replaces heavy cast iron reducing engine weight and internao pistonfriction losses, improving an engine's fuel | | 313.323.7045 Conquering the Baja 1000 last fall was no smal l feat for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT The adventure was caughy on film for a new feature documentary film, "Raptor - Born in Baja." The film was produced by Brentwood Communications in conjunction with Ford, and will premie Tuesday, June 23, at the Egyptian Theatres in Hollywood, Calif.
The documentary follows Ford designers, engineers and race program directors asthey construct, test and unveil the new F-150 SVT Raptotr by entering it in one of the toughest point-to-point raceds in the world, the Baja 1000. | | 313.206.3902 As the busy summer driving and family vacationm seasongets underway, Ford continuew its commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient vehiclesz for consumers to maximize their fun, relaxation and conveniences during this welcomed time of To take it a step further, through the end of the "Drive the Ford Difference" evenr provides added peace of mind, with Ford coverin g up to three months worth of paymentz on select new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury as well as 0 percent | | 313.
248.1051 Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a globalk automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributed automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plantsd worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company providews financial services through Ford MotorfCredit Company. For more information regarding Ford's please visit .
June 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Worry, commitment and the potentialof "worlds colliding." Relationshilp concerns? Not hardly. These are the emotions that can clouxd a parallelparking attempt. Active Park a new technology available on the new Lincolm MKT can address the Top 10 anxietiezs ofthis angst-laced maneuver. A push of a singlde button eliminates concern for finding a spot when the system begins scanninygfor one, which also ensures the vehicls will fit. All steering is performed by the as it coaches drivers to ensureproper placement. | | 313.390.
864u Ford's new engine technology shareas space withmedical pioneers, creators of Motorola RAZR Medicalk breakthroughs in MRI technology and cancer detection, the fashionablde Motorola RAZR Slim Phone, and a Ford-patented enginwe technology may seem like strange bedfellows, but all are groundbreaking inventionxs worthy of accolades from the Intellectuao Property Owners Education Foundation's National Inventof of the Year Award The inventors of Ford'ds patented Plasma Transferred Wire Arc technology garnered the foundation's prestigious honor for developinfg a new thermal spray coating procesa for aluminum block engines.
The new process replaces heavy cast iron reducing engine weight and internao pistonfriction losses, improving an engine's fuel | | 313.323.7045 Conquering the Baja 1000 last fall was no smal l feat for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT The adventure was caughy on film for a new feature documentary film, "Raptor - Born in Baja." The film was produced by Brentwood Communications in conjunction with Ford, and will premie Tuesday, June 23, at the Egyptian Theatres in Hollywood, Calif.
The documentary follows Ford designers, engineers and race program directors asthey construct, test and unveil the new F-150 SVT Raptotr by entering it in one of the toughest point-to-point raceds in the world, the Baja 1000. | | 313.206.3902 As the busy summer driving and family vacationm seasongets underway, Ford continuew its commitment to delivering high-quality, fuel-efficient vehiclesz for consumers to maximize their fun, relaxation and conveniences during this welcomed time of To take it a step further, through the end of the "Drive the Ford Difference" evenr provides added peace of mind, with Ford coverin g up to three months worth of paymentz on select new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury as well as 0 percent | | 313.
248.1051 Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a globalk automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributed automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 205,000 employees and about 90 plantsd worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company providews financial services through Ford MotorfCredit Company. For more information regarding Ford's please visit .
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Planning starts for northern Jacksonville beltway - Business First of Columbus:
hundleyobajoji1908.blogspot.com
The proposed Northern Beltway will loop north of Interstatw 10 and to continue on into Nassaju County and connect withInterstatd 95, said Scott Clem, the director of strategic planningf for the . The southern end will also tie into the Firs CoastOuter Beltway, which will go soutnh from I-10, through Clay County and acrosd the St. Johns River to I-95. The JTA and North Floridaw Transportation Planning Organization are launching a study groul this summer to look at the traffic projections for the NortherBeltway Project, Clem said. They also want to examinw the best place for the norther toll road to connect with theOutef Beltway.
Nassau County officials are looking forward to the constructionn of the Northern Beltway becauser of the numerous benefits having a limitede access toll road could bring to the saidSteve Rieck, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Developmenf Board. The Northern Beltway could generate more economic development in the area by allowing greatert access to the infrastructures atCecip Field, the , the Port of Fernandina and on the rail he said. “It will create jobs in Nassau County. That’s the most importan thing.
” Although the plans are just now beginninto flourish, the idea of a Northerbn Beltway has been in the makint for two years, said Art Graham, chairmann of the North Florida TPO. Graham said these beltwayds are key for future economic developmenrt in Northeast Florida at the Northeast regiomn strategic planning forumlast week. Althougn getting funding for the Outer Beltway has beena long-timse project, he thinks the Northern Beltwaty will be pretty simple to produce. “All the land is ownerd by one company, so it shouldf be fairly easy,” Graham said.
owns a lot of property in Nassau County, said Mike Bell, a spokesman for and it expects the Northern Beltwayu to go through a large amounft of its land. “We hold 130,000 acrews in Nassau County.” The JTA and TPO are splitting the cost of thestuduy group, said Jeff Sheffield, the planning director at the Nortnh Florida TPO, but they aren’t fundingh the entire Northern Beltway project. Clem said there is a possibilitg ofgovernment funding, but they will most likel y use public-private partnerships. Like the Outer Beltwayy project, local companies will be able to contributse to the Northern Beltway and receive a returnm on investment from revenue broughtt in bythe tolls.
The proposed Northern Beltway will loop north of Interstatw 10 and to continue on into Nassaju County and connect withInterstatd 95, said Scott Clem, the director of strategic planningf for the . The southern end will also tie into the Firs CoastOuter Beltway, which will go soutnh from I-10, through Clay County and acrosd the St. Johns River to I-95. The JTA and North Floridaw Transportation Planning Organization are launching a study groul this summer to look at the traffic projections for the NortherBeltway Project, Clem said. They also want to examinw the best place for the norther toll road to connect with theOutef Beltway.
Nassau County officials are looking forward to the constructionn of the Northern Beltway becauser of the numerous benefits having a limitede access toll road could bring to the saidSteve Rieck, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Developmenf Board. The Northern Beltway could generate more economic development in the area by allowing greatert access to the infrastructures atCecip Field, the , the Port of Fernandina and on the rail he said. “It will create jobs in Nassau County. That’s the most importan thing.
” Although the plans are just now beginninto flourish, the idea of a Northerbn Beltway has been in the makint for two years, said Art Graham, chairmann of the North Florida TPO. Graham said these beltwayds are key for future economic developmenrt in Northeast Florida at the Northeast regiomn strategic planning forumlast week. Althougn getting funding for the Outer Beltway has beena long-timse project, he thinks the Northern Beltwaty will be pretty simple to produce. “All the land is ownerd by one company, so it shouldf be fairly easy,” Graham said.
owns a lot of property in Nassau County, said Mike Bell, a spokesman for and it expects the Northern Beltwayu to go through a large amounft of its land. “We hold 130,000 acrews in Nassau County.” The JTA and TPO are splitting the cost of thestuduy group, said Jeff Sheffield, the planning director at the Nortnh Florida TPO, but they aren’t fundingh the entire Northern Beltway project. Clem said there is a possibilitg ofgovernment funding, but they will most likel y use public-private partnerships. Like the Outer Beltwayy project, local companies will be able to contributse to the Northern Beltway and receive a returnm on investment from revenue broughtt in bythe tolls.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Three Rivers Arts Festival back in Point State Park for 50th anniversary - Nashville Business Journal:
azajir.wordpress.com
This year, the festival will have a new paren t organization and a shorterrun time. “Our theme song is, ‘We’rre Back,’ as in back in the said Kevin McMahon, CEO of the Pittsburgh Culturak Trust, which took over the annuap Downtown arts and entertainment gathering in Point State Park will host freeoutdoor entertainment, including blues-rock band The Black each evening and during both weekends of the Many of the 500 artists will set up booths alonyg recently renovated Point State Park’s perimeter. “It’s a fabulous spac and really great for people to McMahon said.
Gallery exhibitsz and film screenings in the Cultural District also will bring traffic into other parts of he said. In spite of cropping the event from the traditionaol three weeks to 10 McMahon said he anticipates attendance to be levelk withprior years’ 400,000 to 600,00o0 levels. The decision to shortej the festival, founded in 1960, was influence by feedback fromartists — many said the threr week commitment forced them to miss out on otherd summer festivals — and the economy. “Candidly, given the it’s less expensive to do it for two weekends rather than McMahon said.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust also will mark a milestone this celebrating its25th anniversary. Hollie Geitner, vice presiden of marketing and communications for the PittsburghDowntowh Partnership, predicted the economg would not damper attendance, as the economic development nonprofit has founde Downtown traffic to remain steady this “It does bring a lot of people and it’s great because it happens during the day, not just weekends,” she said. “It’ s a great activity for people who work Downtowb to head over there and enjoy the food vendorsand shop.
”
This year, the festival will have a new paren t organization and a shorterrun time. “Our theme song is, ‘We’rre Back,’ as in back in the said Kevin McMahon, CEO of the Pittsburgh Culturak Trust, which took over the annuap Downtown arts and entertainment gathering in Point State Park will host freeoutdoor entertainment, including blues-rock band The Black each evening and during both weekends of the Many of the 500 artists will set up booths alonyg recently renovated Point State Park’s perimeter. “It’s a fabulous spac and really great for people to McMahon said.
Gallery exhibitsz and film screenings in the Cultural District also will bring traffic into other parts of he said. In spite of cropping the event from the traditionaol three weeks to 10 McMahon said he anticipates attendance to be levelk withprior years’ 400,000 to 600,00o0 levels. The decision to shortej the festival, founded in 1960, was influence by feedback fromartists — many said the threr week commitment forced them to miss out on otherd summer festivals — and the economy. “Candidly, given the it’s less expensive to do it for two weekends rather than McMahon said.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust also will mark a milestone this celebrating its25th anniversary. Hollie Geitner, vice presiden of marketing and communications for the PittsburghDowntowh Partnership, predicted the economg would not damper attendance, as the economic development nonprofit has founde Downtown traffic to remain steady this “It does bring a lot of people and it’s great because it happens during the day, not just weekends,” she said. “It’ s a great activity for people who work Downtowb to head over there and enjoy the food vendorsand shop.
”
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Detroit Red Wings cruise to 7th straight win with 4-1 victory over Buffalo Sabres - Washington Post
ibitasony.wordpress.com
USA Today | Detroit Red Wings cruise to 7th straight win with 4-1 victory over Buffalo Sabres Washington Post BUFFALO, NY â€" With pinpoint passing and precision, the Detroit Red Wings displayed why they are one of the hottest teams in the NHL. Jimmy Howard made 27 saves, and the surging Red Wings stretched their winning streak to seven with a 4-1 victory over . .. Detroit 4, Buffalo 1: Red Wings win seventh straight Roundup: Red Wings win seventh in a row Red Wings are rolling |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
First Niagara, Berkshire Hills ending TARP participation - The Business Review (Albany):
ysynut.wordpress.com
(Nasdaq: FNFG) and (Nasdaq: BHLB) both repurchasecd the warrants the Treasuruy held on shares of theidcommon stock. First Niagara, which is based in N.Y. and has regional headquarters in Albany, boughgt back a warrant for 953,000 shares of commoj stock, issued to Treasurt in November, for $2.7 million. First Niagara took the first step, returning the $184 million receive d from the Treasury for itspreferrer stock, in late May. It was able to do this becausse of a stock offering thatraised $380.34 million in private-sector capital.
“We leveragec the federal investment to make commercial and consumed credit readily available in the communities where we do just as theprogram intended, and replaced it with privatee investors’ capital when stock market conditions said John Koelmel, president and CEO of First “Unlike most others, we raisef more than twice the amountt originally received from the government and provided a solid returnh to taxpayers on their investmenty while continuing to execute our long term strategy for the benefir of our shareholders.” He said that during its six-month investmeng in First Niagara, the government earned more than $7.
4 for an annualized return of nearly 8 Berkshire Hills, a Pittsfield, Mass.-based company with nine area paid $1.04 billion to repurchase a warrant for 226,000p common shares issued to the Treasuryh in December. Berkshire also repaid the $40 millionn received for its preferred sharex inlate May, after raising $30 million in a privatee stock offering. Berkshire also said it has terminated its merge r agreement with CNBFinancial Corp. of Worcester Mass. CNB CNFA), parent of , opted for an offert from Inc. (Nasdaq: UBNK) of West Springfield. CNB paid Berkshirew a termination feeof $970,000.
(Nasdaq: FNFG) and (Nasdaq: BHLB) both repurchasecd the warrants the Treasuruy held on shares of theidcommon stock. First Niagara, which is based in N.Y. and has regional headquarters in Albany, boughgt back a warrant for 953,000 shares of commoj stock, issued to Treasurt in November, for $2.7 million. First Niagara took the first step, returning the $184 million receive d from the Treasury for itspreferrer stock, in late May. It was able to do this becausse of a stock offering thatraised $380.34 million in private-sector capital.
“We leveragec the federal investment to make commercial and consumed credit readily available in the communities where we do just as theprogram intended, and replaced it with privatee investors’ capital when stock market conditions said John Koelmel, president and CEO of First “Unlike most others, we raisef more than twice the amountt originally received from the government and provided a solid returnh to taxpayers on their investmenty while continuing to execute our long term strategy for the benefir of our shareholders.” He said that during its six-month investmeng in First Niagara, the government earned more than $7.
4 for an annualized return of nearly 8 Berkshire Hills, a Pittsfield, Mass.-based company with nine area paid $1.04 billion to repurchase a warrant for 226,000p common shares issued to the Treasuryh in December. Berkshire also repaid the $40 millionn received for its preferred sharex inlate May, after raising $30 million in a privatee stock offering. Berkshire also said it has terminated its merge r agreement with CNBFinancial Corp. of Worcester Mass. CNB CNFA), parent of , opted for an offert from Inc. (Nasdaq: UBNK) of West Springfield. CNB paid Berkshirew a termination feeof $970,000.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Effective leadership retreat requires buy-in from all - Denver Business Journal:
iqukikofor.wordpress.com
When planning a retreat, it's wise to ask, "Whatf do we want the end result to be? A vision? Harmony? Better sales More profits? Or all of the A good retreat involvess extensive pre-work in the form of team preliminary reading or leadership testingy and assessment. The planning and pre-worki can occupy more time and effort than theretreay itself. Here are two companiesd that implemented offsite retreats with decidedldifferent results. A $20 million Colorado company hired a consultanrt to improve itsdeclining performance. The consultant interviewed the managemenytteam confidentially, and compiled his note into a report for the founder/CEO.
None of his findings were surprising: An undertow of rumors, negativity, resentment and A culture of noconsequencesz ("36 strikes and you're out"). Startintg and not finishing. Workaholism leading to burnout. Confusing long hoursd or hard workwithout effectiveness. One senior manager said, "Everything aroundf here is harder than it has to Weekly leadership meetingswere subdued. The managers kept quieg unless the CEO spoke to them andthe CEO's focus was on problems to be not on wins or accomplishments.
The consultant compilefd an informal 360 review of theCEO -- that is, he interviewed the management team about the CEO's performance -- and the resultds were amazingly candid and The consultant presented the CEO with the data, and this was a wake-u p call. The business had no so the consultant implementedplanning meetings. The plan to "becomee the Ritz Carlton in ourindustry segment" seemed straightforward, but the legacty of non-accountability stifled any The company planned a leadership retreat to improvse performance.
The CEO discussed the old culturre ("36 strikes and you're out") and the new culture The consultant gave a primeron "the basivc success skills," such as showiny up on time, telling the truth, admitting mistakesx and keeping commitments. The group reviewed the emergingy plan and a departmental SWOTanalysiw (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). At the end of the the group prioritized tasks andassignedx accountabilities. Then nothing changed. Two montha later, the company held a seconde retreat. The consultant led a discussionjon mission/vision/values to give the leaders a self-chosen direction.
The senior team discussed "What's the same, what'xs better, what's worse?" and attempted to make the plan The group decidedto re-introduce a monthly all-employee meeting. Theses seemed like positive steps, and things begam to improve. Three months later, the companyg held its third retreat. The consultant decidedx to focus on strengthzand opportunities, and to deny negative He appointed several "monitors" to listen for negatives. They were askef to say things like, "That soundsw negative," "That sounds like a criticism," We're dwellin g on the problem" or "We'rwe getting off track.
" Knowing the group, the consultantf had allowed 10-15 minutes on the agenda to discussd positive changesand successes. Surprisingly, the positives took up the entirw morning. At one point, the vice presidentr of sales thanked the vice president of operations for some and then a waveof thank-yous broke out. It seemed as if everyonre was thanking someone else for In thisgroup process, a new culture of excitement and accountabilith was born. A $200 million privater company was about to attempt an initiaopublic offering, but first the board of directorsx felt it had to get all the seniof executives working together. It was a new leadership team composer of members fromdifferenr cultures.
Everyone had their peers evaluat e them in360 reviews. Everyone, that is, except the CEO, who felt he didn'tf need feedback. His mindset was, "If I weren't so good, I wouldn'g be at such a high level." The person who doesn'y want or need feedback is always suspectin leadership, and this prover to be a fatal flaw. The consulting firm interviewerd the senior leadersin depth, and the CEO was universallyy disliked. Most team members said, "If we weren't abou t to get a big payda [go public], I'd be gone." The management team departed fora two-dayh retreat, under the condition that the facilitators wouldn't include anythint touchy-feely.
As a result, the meetinge were decidedly businesslike, focusing on duties and responsibilities, goal and objectives. There's nothintg wrong with that, but the underlying dissatisfaction with the CEO neverwas addressed. At the end of the the CEO said, "We have taken a giant step forward." The who knew the board chairman personally, suggestexd an executive coach forthe CEO. This never was implemented, and six monthas later, the CEO was terminated and the IPO wasdelayee indefinitely. A leadership retreat is a valuablebusineszs tool.
You can gain immense leverage ifyou "begin with the end in mind," if you achievs everyone's buy-in, and if you do the planning and pre-work necessarty to make it
When planning a retreat, it's wise to ask, "Whatf do we want the end result to be? A vision? Harmony? Better sales More profits? Or all of the A good retreat involvess extensive pre-work in the form of team preliminary reading or leadership testingy and assessment. The planning and pre-worki can occupy more time and effort than theretreay itself. Here are two companiesd that implemented offsite retreats with decidedldifferent results. A $20 million Colorado company hired a consultanrt to improve itsdeclining performance. The consultant interviewed the managemenytteam confidentially, and compiled his note into a report for the founder/CEO.
None of his findings were surprising: An undertow of rumors, negativity, resentment and A culture of noconsequencesz ("36 strikes and you're out"). Startintg and not finishing. Workaholism leading to burnout. Confusing long hoursd or hard workwithout effectiveness. One senior manager said, "Everything aroundf here is harder than it has to Weekly leadership meetingswere subdued. The managers kept quieg unless the CEO spoke to them andthe CEO's focus was on problems to be not on wins or accomplishments.
The consultant compilefd an informal 360 review of theCEO -- that is, he interviewed the management team about the CEO's performance -- and the resultds were amazingly candid and The consultant presented the CEO with the data, and this was a wake-u p call. The business had no so the consultant implementedplanning meetings. The plan to "becomee the Ritz Carlton in ourindustry segment" seemed straightforward, but the legacty of non-accountability stifled any The company planned a leadership retreat to improvse performance.
The CEO discussed the old culturre ("36 strikes and you're out") and the new culture The consultant gave a primeron "the basivc success skills," such as showiny up on time, telling the truth, admitting mistakesx and keeping commitments. The group reviewed the emergingy plan and a departmental SWOTanalysiw (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). At the end of the the group prioritized tasks andassignedx accountabilities. Then nothing changed. Two montha later, the company held a seconde retreat. The consultant led a discussionjon mission/vision/values to give the leaders a self-chosen direction.
The senior team discussed "What's the same, what'xs better, what's worse?" and attempted to make the plan The group decidedto re-introduce a monthly all-employee meeting. Theses seemed like positive steps, and things begam to improve. Three months later, the companyg held its third retreat. The consultant decidedx to focus on strengthzand opportunities, and to deny negative He appointed several "monitors" to listen for negatives. They were askef to say things like, "That soundsw negative," "That sounds like a criticism," We're dwellin g on the problem" or "We'rwe getting off track.
" Knowing the group, the consultantf had allowed 10-15 minutes on the agenda to discussd positive changesand successes. Surprisingly, the positives took up the entirw morning. At one point, the vice presidentr of sales thanked the vice president of operations for some and then a waveof thank-yous broke out. It seemed as if everyonre was thanking someone else for In thisgroup process, a new culture of excitement and accountabilith was born. A $200 million privater company was about to attempt an initiaopublic offering, but first the board of directorsx felt it had to get all the seniof executives working together. It was a new leadership team composer of members fromdifferenr cultures.
Everyone had their peers evaluat e them in360 reviews. Everyone, that is, except the CEO, who felt he didn'tf need feedback. His mindset was, "If I weren't so good, I wouldn'g be at such a high level." The person who doesn'y want or need feedback is always suspectin leadership, and this prover to be a fatal flaw. The consulting firm interviewerd the senior leadersin depth, and the CEO was universallyy disliked. Most team members said, "If we weren't abou t to get a big payda [go public], I'd be gone." The management team departed fora two-dayh retreat, under the condition that the facilitators wouldn't include anythint touchy-feely.
As a result, the meetinge were decidedly businesslike, focusing on duties and responsibilities, goal and objectives. There's nothintg wrong with that, but the underlying dissatisfaction with the CEO neverwas addressed. At the end of the the CEO said, "We have taken a giant step forward." The who knew the board chairman personally, suggestexd an executive coach forthe CEO. This never was implemented, and six monthas later, the CEO was terminated and the IPO wasdelayee indefinitely. A leadership retreat is a valuablebusineszs tool.
You can gain immense leverage ifyou "begin with the end in mind," if you achievs everyone's buy-in, and if you do the planning and pre-work necessarty to make it
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Covidien, Nuvo partner on drug development - Triangle Business Journal:
igoeosysata1533.blogspot.com
The companies plan to collaborate on two topicaol formulations ofa non-steroidal anti-inflammatorg drug. Under the license agreement between Nuvoand , a subsidiary of Covidien, Nuvo NRI) will receive a one-time upfronft payment of $10 million and could receivre additional development and sales milestone paymentzs over the next several years, includinvg a $15 million milestone payment on the drug'ss approval by the FDA, which will increasde to $20 million if certain labeling criteriaq are agreed to by the FDA.
Covidieh also will pay Nuvo a royalty on sales of products developed and commercialized under this license Nuvo will be eligible to receive additional escalatint sales milestone payments for the products totaling upto $100 million. Covidieb will be responsible forall marketing, selling and medicall education activities. Nuvo will own and maintain the intellectuak property and will be responsiblwfor manufacturing. Covidien anticipates launch of the firstg product from this agreement in the first halfof 2010.
"Wed are pleased to be collaborating with Nuvo Research on topicakl formulations of diclofenac and the opportunity to expand our brandecdpharmaceutical portfolio,” said Timothy Wright, sector presiden of Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions at Covidien, in a “While we face difficult comparisons in 2010 in our Pharmaceutica l business, we are excited about the potential of thesw products to accelerate our performances in 2011 and beyond.” , formerly known as , operateds Covidien Imaging Solutions and Pharmaceutical also known as Mallinckrodt Inc., which is located in St. Louix and provides medical imaging technology and Covidien was spun off fromin 2007.
With 2008 revenuwe of nearly $10 billion, Covidiem has 3,000 employees in the St. Loui s area and more than 41,000 employeesw worldwide.
The companies plan to collaborate on two topicaol formulations ofa non-steroidal anti-inflammatorg drug. Under the license agreement between Nuvoand , a subsidiary of Covidien, Nuvo NRI) will receive a one-time upfronft payment of $10 million and could receivre additional development and sales milestone paymentzs over the next several years, includinvg a $15 million milestone payment on the drug'ss approval by the FDA, which will increasde to $20 million if certain labeling criteriaq are agreed to by the FDA.
Covidieh also will pay Nuvo a royalty on sales of products developed and commercialized under this license Nuvo will be eligible to receive additional escalatint sales milestone payments for the products totaling upto $100 million. Covidieb will be responsible forall marketing, selling and medicall education activities. Nuvo will own and maintain the intellectuak property and will be responsiblwfor manufacturing. Covidien anticipates launch of the firstg product from this agreement in the first halfof 2010.
"Wed are pleased to be collaborating with Nuvo Research on topicakl formulations of diclofenac and the opportunity to expand our brandecdpharmaceutical portfolio,” said Timothy Wright, sector presiden of Pharmaceutical Products and Imaging Solutions at Covidien, in a “While we face difficult comparisons in 2010 in our Pharmaceutica l business, we are excited about the potential of thesw products to accelerate our performances in 2011 and beyond.” , formerly known as , operateds Covidien Imaging Solutions and Pharmaceutical also known as Mallinckrodt Inc., which is located in St. Louix and provides medical imaging technology and Covidien was spun off fromin 2007.
With 2008 revenuwe of nearly $10 billion, Covidiem has 3,000 employees in the St. Loui s area and more than 41,000 employeesw worldwide.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Dallas properties mired in bankruptcy - Washington Business Journal:
http://www.guiasinterpretes.com/jslinkardb2.html
Recent casualties include holdings by West EndSquare Ltd. and West End Parkinv Co., which filed plans to liquidatein U.S. bankruptcy courr last month. About the same time, McKinney Avenu Properties No. 2 Ltd. filed for reorganizatio protection in bankruptcy All three entities are owned by Dallad developerAndrew Kasnetz, according to court Kasnetz declined to comment for this story, but his attorney, Larryh Friedman with Friedman Feiger LLP, said Kasnetz’ troublesd were sparked by the recession and compounded by his lender’ unwillingness to work with him in restructurint his loans.
Park Citiesx Bank holds the notes on thepropertiesz — about $7 million for the West End propertieds and about $11.5 million for the McKinneyg Avenue properties, according to court documents. The West End propertiees include avacant 56,500-square-foot building at 804 Pacifi c Ave., a 20,025-square-foot building at 807 Elm St. and a 6,900-square-foot parking garage at 801 Elm St. The buildings reportedly have been vacanr for more than a Theparking garage, which has one ground-floor tenant and space for a second, has been closed, Friedmamn said. The McKinney Avenue Properties No. 2 Ltd.
includes two 18,000 square feet in the 2500 blociof McKinney, also known as McKinneu Courtyard, which has five vacant spaces and sevenb tenants, including the Uptown Bar & Grill; and 18,50 square feet in the 2700 blockk of McKinney, also known as McKinney which has two vacancies and nine tenants, including Chipotle Friedman said. In bankruptcy court documents, Park Cities Bank claimeed that Kasnetz has failed to make loan paymentaafter Dec. 29, 2008, and didn’tt pay 2008 property taxes. On May 8, Park Citiee Bank posted the property for which was automatically delayed when Kasnetz filef for bankruptcy at the endof May. A hearingg is scheduled for June 29.
“Parm Cities Bank found themselves at a point in time wher e they hadno alternatives,” said Kenneth Biermacher, an attorney with Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC who is representinbg the bank, in an interview. “There weren’t any solutions to the problemsd after months of the noteholders not paying on the Incourt documents, Kasnetz allegef the bank’s attempt to foreclose is motivatedd by a desire to profit off the sale of the and the issue has become the subject of legap wrangling in Dallas County District Court. Despite negotiations for loan workoutasbetween Jan. 30 and April 1, the bank filefd a notice of default onMarch 30, accordinv to court documents.
Park Cities Bank then filedx for and received a temporary restraininyg order seeking to have the McKinney tenants pay rents directly tothe bank, accordintg to court documents. Kasnetz, in a written response to ParkCitiees Bank’s suit and in a accused the bank of trying to “seize valuables real property for less than market and to make a substantial profit by either flippinyg the properties or holding the properties untill the economy allowed for a sale at a highe price.” In an interview, Friedman said Park Citieas Bank may be stepping over the line betweejn lender and real estate agent. “Most lenders are not foreclosinb on their realestate loans,” he said.
“Nobody wants vacant real estate, unless there’s real estate in hot or soon-to-be hot areas.” Biermacher said that Kasnet zis “making things up” in his counterclaikm allegations. “We don’t believew that there is any substance or validityy tothe counterclaims,” Biermacher said in an interview. The bank is not interestedr in holdingthe properties, he said, and potentia investors are interested in the vacantt properties. The West End properties wouldsbe sold, Biermacher said in an to allow the bank to recove r its money. With the McKinney properties, the bank wants to “protecf the interest of all involved.
”
Recent casualties include holdings by West EndSquare Ltd. and West End Parkinv Co., which filed plans to liquidatein U.S. bankruptcy courr last month. About the same time, McKinney Avenu Properties No. 2 Ltd. filed for reorganizatio protection in bankruptcy All three entities are owned by Dallad developerAndrew Kasnetz, according to court Kasnetz declined to comment for this story, but his attorney, Larryh Friedman with Friedman Feiger LLP, said Kasnetz’ troublesd were sparked by the recession and compounded by his lender’ unwillingness to work with him in restructurint his loans.
Park Citiesx Bank holds the notes on thepropertiesz — about $7 million for the West End propertieds and about $11.5 million for the McKinneyg Avenue properties, according to court documents. The West End propertiees include avacant 56,500-square-foot building at 804 Pacifi c Ave., a 20,025-square-foot building at 807 Elm St. and a 6,900-square-foot parking garage at 801 Elm St. The buildings reportedly have been vacanr for more than a Theparking garage, which has one ground-floor tenant and space for a second, has been closed, Friedmamn said. The McKinney Avenue Properties No. 2 Ltd.
includes two 18,000 square feet in the 2500 blociof McKinney, also known as McKinneu Courtyard, which has five vacant spaces and sevenb tenants, including the Uptown Bar & Grill; and 18,50 square feet in the 2700 blockk of McKinney, also known as McKinney which has two vacancies and nine tenants, including Chipotle Friedman said. In bankruptcy court documents, Park Cities Bank claimeed that Kasnetz has failed to make loan paymentaafter Dec. 29, 2008, and didn’tt pay 2008 property taxes. On May 8, Park Citiee Bank posted the property for which was automatically delayed when Kasnetz filef for bankruptcy at the endof May. A hearingg is scheduled for June 29.
“Parm Cities Bank found themselves at a point in time wher e they hadno alternatives,” said Kenneth Biermacher, an attorney with Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC who is representinbg the bank, in an interview. “There weren’t any solutions to the problemsd after months of the noteholders not paying on the Incourt documents, Kasnetz allegef the bank’s attempt to foreclose is motivatedd by a desire to profit off the sale of the and the issue has become the subject of legap wrangling in Dallas County District Court. Despite negotiations for loan workoutasbetween Jan. 30 and April 1, the bank filefd a notice of default onMarch 30, accordinv to court documents.
Park Cities Bank then filedx for and received a temporary restraininyg order seeking to have the McKinney tenants pay rents directly tothe bank, accordintg to court documents. Kasnetz, in a written response to ParkCitiees Bank’s suit and in a accused the bank of trying to “seize valuables real property for less than market and to make a substantial profit by either flippinyg the properties or holding the properties untill the economy allowed for a sale at a highe price.” In an interview, Friedman said Park Citieas Bank may be stepping over the line betweejn lender and real estate agent. “Most lenders are not foreclosinb on their realestate loans,” he said.
“Nobody wants vacant real estate, unless there’s real estate in hot or soon-to-be hot areas.” Biermacher said that Kasnet zis “making things up” in his counterclaikm allegations. “We don’t believew that there is any substance or validityy tothe counterclaims,” Biermacher said in an interview. The bank is not interestedr in holdingthe properties, he said, and potentia investors are interested in the vacantt properties. The West End properties wouldsbe sold, Biermacher said in an to allow the bank to recove r its money. With the McKinney properties, the bank wants to “protecf the interest of all involved.
”
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Suggestion to Tweed Officials: Move Out - New York Times
stockdaleiqemico1521.blogspot.com
GothamSchools | Suggestion to Tweed Officials: Move Out New York Times The big news on Tuesday came from an episode at Baruch College on Monday afternoon, where students attempting to protest a tuition increase during a meeting of the City University Board of Trustees scuffled with police officers, ... Convert Tweed Cour thouse to a School, Downtown Pol Says |
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Workshop to help reduce traffic related deaths - Kuwait Times
xagawu.wordpress.com
Workshop to help reduce traffic related deaths Kuwait Times KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior is currently hosting a four-day workshop on 'National Traffic and Transport Strategy 2010-2020' at the Holiday Inn Hotel. It's being held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Humoud ... |
Friday, November 18, 2011
KV inks licensing deal with Hungarian firm - St. Louis Business Journal:
vorotintseyqah.blogspot.com
Gedeon Richter is an independent pharmaceutical company basedin Hungary. KV licensed women’e health products, including vaginal anti-infectives, to Gedeonj Richter, as well as in the U.S. for some Gedeom products. The new agreement gives Gedeomn Richter rights to make and distribute certain proprietary KV technologiese and products inits territories, includinbg the European Union. KV said it will receivd milestone payments and royalties for products developed under the but didn’t disclose the amounts. The agreementr also provides for future development ofadditional products. KV retaind the rights to the productz and technology inthe U.S.
Present in-licensex products, as well as Gedeon Richter'zs future proprietary development will be producedat Richter's facilities based on KV's technology according to a statement by Erik CEO of Gedeon Richter plc. Mo.-based KV has as of December, and halted all productioh andrecalled painkillers. KV said it entered into a consentt decree with the FDA that outlines a series of measuresa that will permit KV and its subsidiaries to resums manufacturingand distribution.
As part of the consen decree, KV has agreed not to market productzs it manufactures until it has satisfied certain requirementes designed to demonstrate compliancewith FDA'x current good manufacturing practicesw regulations. Brentwood, Mo.-based KV Pharmaceutical (NYSE: KVa, KVb) develops and market pharmaceutical products. David Van Vliet is KV’s
Gedeon Richter is an independent pharmaceutical company basedin Hungary. KV licensed women’e health products, including vaginal anti-infectives, to Gedeonj Richter, as well as in the U.S. for some Gedeom products. The new agreement gives Gedeomn Richter rights to make and distribute certain proprietary KV technologiese and products inits territories, includinbg the European Union. KV said it will receivd milestone payments and royalties for products developed under the but didn’t disclose the amounts. The agreementr also provides for future development ofadditional products. KV retaind the rights to the productz and technology inthe U.S.
Present in-licensex products, as well as Gedeon Richter'zs future proprietary development will be producedat Richter's facilities based on KV's technology according to a statement by Erik CEO of Gedeon Richter plc. Mo.-based KV has as of December, and halted all productioh andrecalled painkillers. KV said it entered into a consentt decree with the FDA that outlines a series of measuresa that will permit KV and its subsidiaries to resums manufacturingand distribution.
As part of the consen decree, KV has agreed not to market productzs it manufactures until it has satisfied certain requirementes designed to demonstrate compliancewith FDA'x current good manufacturing practicesw regulations. Brentwood, Mo.-based KV Pharmaceutical (NYSE: KVa, KVb) develops and market pharmaceutical products. David Van Vliet is KV’s
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Two MERC commissioners resign - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
bojony.wordpress.com
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquiws come about two weeks before councilors for of which MERC isa subsidiary, plan to vote on a measur e that would give the council more control over MERC’s generak manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC Generap ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s under fire from Presidenrt David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquid both opposethe proposal. president of the Portland accounting firmPerkins Co., mentioned the buildinhg problems between Metro and MERC in his resignationh letter. “During the economic times, my attention needs to be focuses on our clients atPerkinzs & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letter to Bragdon. “Thart said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdownn in the working relationship betweenh the Metro Council andthe , and believe it could have been handleed differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estatd broker and the commission’s vice didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her letter to but resigned two years before her term was set to end. In a lette r to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquis and commission member Ray Leary urged the councill to help delay Metro’s vote on the MERC oversighty matter.
Leary, Marquis, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingf MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a letterbackinyg Woolson. The letter came aftere Bragdon questioned the leadership of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson. The other commission Don Trotter, resigned last month and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. takes effect July 15. The termsd of Trotter and Reynolds would have expiredf at the end of 2009while Marquis' term was to expirer at the end of 2010. The Metro Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — which would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generalk manager — at its July 9 meeting.
It was introducefd by councilors Rod Park andRex Burkholder, who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC oversees the Oregobn Convention Center, the Portland Centere for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mulling a $457 millioj budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. The regional governmeny serves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’s 25 cities.
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquiws come about two weeks before councilors for of which MERC isa subsidiary, plan to vote on a measur e that would give the council more control over MERC’s generak manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC Generap ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s under fire from Presidenrt David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquid both opposethe proposal. president of the Portland accounting firmPerkins Co., mentioned the buildinhg problems between Metro and MERC in his resignationh letter. “During the economic times, my attention needs to be focuses on our clients atPerkinzs & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letter to Bragdon. “Thart said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdownn in the working relationship betweenh the Metro Council andthe , and believe it could have been handleed differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estatd broker and the commission’s vice didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her letter to but resigned two years before her term was set to end. In a lette r to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquis and commission member Ray Leary urged the councill to help delay Metro’s vote on the MERC oversighty matter.
Leary, Marquis, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingf MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a letterbackinyg Woolson. The letter came aftere Bragdon questioned the leadership of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson. The other commission Don Trotter, resigned last month and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. takes effect July 15. The termsd of Trotter and Reynolds would have expiredf at the end of 2009while Marquis' term was to expirer at the end of 2010. The Metro Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — which would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generalk manager — at its July 9 meeting.
It was introducefd by councilors Rod Park andRex Burkholder, who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC oversees the Oregobn Convention Center, the Portland Centere for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mulling a $457 millioj budget for fiscal year 2009-2010. The regional governmeny serves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’s 25 cities.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Kruglak brothers bring customer service to the security business - bizjournals:
ejyceh.wordpress.com
That year a storh about Glen andAlan Kruglak’s LLC in the Washingtob Business Journal — now framed and one of the firstt things visitors see — included a photo taken at the bottom of the stairs in Glen’ house because the company didn’t have an officd yet. Seven years later and settlexd into an office in Genesis Security Systems has grownh to 40 people androughly $15 million in revenue. Its sweet spot is serving companies of 100 or more peoplde who need more security than the standard key cardaccess systems. Clientsz include , CB . and USA Today. Business is off a bit this Roughly 25 percent of work comes from new whichis slow.
Yet the Kruglakxs report a strong Apriland May, largely becausde they got more aggressive with sales and also negotiated lower rates with suppliers. This isn’f the Kruglaks’ first go-round in the security business. The brothers grew up workingv intheir parents’ downtown D.C. music stores during the 1960s and ’70s. That business eventually morphedinto GIC, a securitty systems integrator, which the Kruglakes sold in 1995. The brotherw were enjoying a nice early retiremenr when they received visits from twoformerr employees, Chris Foster and Ed Simon, in 2002.
They all felt that person-to-person customer service in the security industrhy was declining because the big corporationes taking over the industry were Service calls were takingvtoo long. Proposals would take weeks to land ona client’s desk. Could they start their own business? The answer came as word leaked out to formerGIC customers. Genesis had its firstf client before the company openedan office. Foster and Simon are now A secret totheir success, learnecd at GIC and applied to Genesis, is to treatg customers with the retail mentality of “How can I help Traditionally, security companies functioned more like contractors.
Clientws outlined their needs, then askede for bids. But “sometimea clients don’t really understand the solutio tothe problem,” Glen says. Back on thoser Saturdays in themusic store, the brothers had become information sources for customers looking for updates on the lates t records hitting the shelves. They wanted theire sales team to function thesame way. “We’rse in a relationship business, and a relationshilp business focuseson service,” Alan says. “Icf you take care of they staywith you. It’s reall not that complex.” Roughly four yearws ago, Genesis landed AARP as a customer.
The organizatio for retirees dumped its previous supplier over customerservicew problems. Larry Lupo, AARP’s safety and security liked one thing in particularabou Genesis. The owners are directlyu involved, not because they have to be, but becausse they seem to enjoy it. Founders set the vision of wherde they want a companyto go, he “If they’re good at it and they’rer successful, they’ve implemented that into theird company and their people.” The importance of customee service is just one the lessons the Kruglakx have learned along the way.
They also got an education in Their first company ran into debt problems in the something they have vowed toneverf repeat. The Kruglaks say Genesis is debt free and maintainw atleast $1 million in cash reserves at all The Kruglaks also learned to seek recurrin revenue streams and become more efficient. By keepinyg all of the company’s trucks fully Genesis can quickly dispatch nearby technicians to bringgmissing parts, with the help of a GPS system that constantluy tracks all its vehicles. Keep an unrelentingt focus on the company’s customers.Become more efficient by standardizinyyour operations.
What it does: Securitg system design, installation, monitoring and maintenancs
That year a storh about Glen andAlan Kruglak’s LLC in the Washingtob Business Journal — now framed and one of the firstt things visitors see — included a photo taken at the bottom of the stairs in Glen’ house because the company didn’t have an officd yet. Seven years later and settlexd into an office in Genesis Security Systems has grownh to 40 people androughly $15 million in revenue. Its sweet spot is serving companies of 100 or more peoplde who need more security than the standard key cardaccess systems. Clientsz include , CB . and USA Today. Business is off a bit this Roughly 25 percent of work comes from new whichis slow.
Yet the Kruglakxs report a strong Apriland May, largely becausde they got more aggressive with sales and also negotiated lower rates with suppliers. This isn’f the Kruglaks’ first go-round in the security business. The brothers grew up workingv intheir parents’ downtown D.C. music stores during the 1960s and ’70s. That business eventually morphedinto GIC, a securitty systems integrator, which the Kruglakes sold in 1995. The brotherw were enjoying a nice early retiremenr when they received visits from twoformerr employees, Chris Foster and Ed Simon, in 2002.
They all felt that person-to-person customer service in the security industrhy was declining because the big corporationes taking over the industry were Service calls were takingvtoo long. Proposals would take weeks to land ona client’s desk. Could they start their own business? The answer came as word leaked out to formerGIC customers. Genesis had its firstf client before the company openedan office. Foster and Simon are now A secret totheir success, learnecd at GIC and applied to Genesis, is to treatg customers with the retail mentality of “How can I help Traditionally, security companies functioned more like contractors.
Clientws outlined their needs, then askede for bids. But “sometimea clients don’t really understand the solutio tothe problem,” Glen says. Back on thoser Saturdays in themusic store, the brothers had become information sources for customers looking for updates on the lates t records hitting the shelves. They wanted theire sales team to function thesame way. “We’rse in a relationship business, and a relationshilp business focuseson service,” Alan says. “Icf you take care of they staywith you. It’s reall not that complex.” Roughly four yearws ago, Genesis landed AARP as a customer.
The organizatio for retirees dumped its previous supplier over customerservicew problems. Larry Lupo, AARP’s safety and security liked one thing in particularabou Genesis. The owners are directlyu involved, not because they have to be, but becausse they seem to enjoy it. Founders set the vision of wherde they want a companyto go, he “If they’re good at it and they’rer successful, they’ve implemented that into theird company and their people.” The importance of customee service is just one the lessons the Kruglakx have learned along the way.
They also got an education in Their first company ran into debt problems in the something they have vowed toneverf repeat. The Kruglaks say Genesis is debt free and maintainw atleast $1 million in cash reserves at all The Kruglaks also learned to seek recurrin revenue streams and become more efficient. By keepinyg all of the company’s trucks fully Genesis can quickly dispatch nearby technicians to bringgmissing parts, with the help of a GPS system that constantluy tracks all its vehicles. Keep an unrelentingt focus on the company’s customers.Become more efficient by standardizinyyour operations.
What it does: Securitg system design, installation, monitoring and maintenancs
Friday, November 11, 2011
Millions worth of emergency equipment for valley - KGBT-TV
ishinlyuboqemija.blogspot.com
Millions worth of emergency equipment for valley KGBT-TV Over $3 million worth of new equipment, from brush trucks, diving equipment and medical tents, assembled Wednesday in Harlingen. They belong to emergency responders across the Rio Grande Valley. Event organizers said it's an ... |
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Big goals, games always take team effort - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
axilecyqih.wordpress.com
In our "it's who you know" I have been a beneficiary of knowing some amazin Cincinnatians along the wayto co-launching a boutiquer sports and entertainment public relations firm calledf . It's my favorite part of the job - working with clientss and getting to know them as people and as In 1999 at the ageof 30, when I was namedx to the Forty Under 40 it was an extreme I was working in marketingb at the , where I had the good fortun to meet Georgine Wolohan who was my board of liaison and continues to be the president of my sounding board. At 32, I had the moment that I wanted to work in sport s public relationsin Cincinnati.
I lookerd at moving to New York or Chicago but wanted tostay here. I love this I had determined my passion, the career that wouldf make me jump out of bed at7 a.m. on a Saturdayg to go work - sports and entertainment public relations. I exploref options with media colleagueBetsy Ross. She was at aftee anchoring the news here for Channels 5 and 9 and was lookingg to comeback home. We cooke up a business plan and launched Game Dayin 2002. We landecd our first clients/believers: Iris Simpson-Bush, who literall "runs" the Flying Pig Marathon as its executive director, and Doug Hart from , the producedr of the Home & Garden Show, among othefr major consumer shows.
We still pride ourselvese on working withthem today. Having worked in the nonprofirt world, I understood the challenges they face. I am proud to say that we strategicallyu support a number of amazing locaol institutions and their leadersthrough pro-bono work and/or financial contributions. It has been an hono r to develop professional relationshipes with such sports leaders as Leslie Spencefrof , Andy Danner of the Anthon y Muñoz Foundation, Charley Frank of the and Sharon Thomas of the Marvin Lewisz Community Fund and to see how they have impacted our community. Six years our firm has grown beyon d mywildest dreams.
I have become a true Cincinnatu ambassador as I have learned firsthand how wonderfuk our city is and the potentiawe have. There are key organizations that have the honord of marketingour region's and we are happy to assist their leaders: Bill Donabedian of 3CDC/Fountainb Square Management, Karen Michelsen and Pat Sheeran of the Cincinnat USA Regional Chamber, Linda Antus of the along with Mindh Rosen and Emilie Johnson of In this "who you know world," tell your frienda and family that Cincinnati is the place to work and play.
In our "it's who you know" I have been a beneficiary of knowing some amazin Cincinnatians along the wayto co-launching a boutiquer sports and entertainment public relations firm calledf . It's my favorite part of the job - working with clientss and getting to know them as people and as In 1999 at the ageof 30, when I was namedx to the Forty Under 40 it was an extreme I was working in marketingb at the , where I had the good fortun to meet Georgine Wolohan who was my board of liaison and continues to be the president of my sounding board. At 32, I had the moment that I wanted to work in sport s public relationsin Cincinnati.
I lookerd at moving to New York or Chicago but wanted tostay here. I love this I had determined my passion, the career that wouldf make me jump out of bed at7 a.m. on a Saturdayg to go work - sports and entertainment public relations. I exploref options with media colleagueBetsy Ross. She was at aftee anchoring the news here for Channels 5 and 9 and was lookingg to comeback home. We cooke up a business plan and launched Game Dayin 2002. We landecd our first clients/believers: Iris Simpson-Bush, who literall "runs" the Flying Pig Marathon as its executive director, and Doug Hart from , the producedr of the Home & Garden Show, among othefr major consumer shows.
We still pride ourselvese on working withthem today. Having worked in the nonprofirt world, I understood the challenges they face. I am proud to say that we strategicallyu support a number of amazing locaol institutions and their leadersthrough pro-bono work and/or financial contributions. It has been an hono r to develop professional relationshipes with such sports leaders as Leslie Spencefrof , Andy Danner of the Anthon y Muñoz Foundation, Charley Frank of the and Sharon Thomas of the Marvin Lewisz Community Fund and to see how they have impacted our community. Six years our firm has grown beyon d mywildest dreams.
I have become a true Cincinnatu ambassador as I have learned firsthand how wonderfuk our city is and the potentiawe have. There are key organizations that have the honord of marketingour region's and we are happy to assist their leaders: Bill Donabedian of 3CDC/Fountainb Square Management, Karen Michelsen and Pat Sheeran of the Cincinnat USA Regional Chamber, Linda Antus of the along with Mindh Rosen and Emilie Johnson of In this "who you know world," tell your frienda and family that Cincinnati is the place to work and play.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Insurers putting medical tourism plans to the test - Dallas Business Journal:
ebopotohy.wordpress.com
Now it includes doctor. When reportz came out a few years ago of Americane traveling to other countries for cheaper medical they were regarded as an Now the idea of looking oversease for care isbeing considered, or by companies across the country and by major insurance companiesw – including the largest carriers in Greatert Cincinnati. Anthem parent , based in Indianapolis, startec a pilot this year giving certain patients the optiohn of going to Indiafor care. The program startedd with , a Wisconsin-based provider of printed decorating solutions, and appliesz to certain common elective such as major joint replacement and upper and lowedback fusion.
Those procedures have to be performed at designateed facilities belongingto “an extended network of respected hospitales and health care providers in India,” according to WellPoint. All travel arrangements are covered under the for both the member and atravel “Depending on the findings from our pilort in Wisconsin, such as quality outcomes, membetr satisfaction and cost-savings, we will then decide the future of the said Deb Wiethop, spokeswoman for . McKinsey & Co., a New York-basedc national management consulting firm, estimated the medicaol tourism marketat 60,000 to 85,0000 inpatient travelers a year.
The numbers are smallerf than othershave reported, owingv partly to McKinsey’s strict definition of what constitutex a medical tourist. Travelers had to be “people whosew primary and explicit purpose in traveling is medicak treatment in aforeign country” and not, for example, ordinaryt tourists who become sick. And the market is more complexd than the hypewould suggest. About 40 percenrt of medical travelers are not seeking cheapetcare but, rather, advanced technology. Most originat e from Latin America, Europe, the Middl East and Canada and enter the Unite Statesfor treatment. Only 9 percenf of travelers are seeking lower costs for medicallynecessary procedures.
The medical tourism market is valuedat $20 billiob annually and should grow rapidlhy in coming years, author Joseg Woodman has claimed. He wrote the book “Patientss Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medicalo Tourism.” Popular destinations for U.S. patient s include India, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica and Patients are commonly uninsuredor underinsured, Woodmajn has said, and patients can expecg rates 25 percent to 75 percent less than those in the U.S. That can amouny to tens of thousands of dollars for major procedurese such as a hip replacement or a hearrtvalve replacement.
Patients often get treatment in state-of-the-art, even luxuriouss facilities, and often by U.S.-trainedr doctors. Some have added credibilituy through accreditation bythe . Wiethop said WellPoinf has no immediate plans to introduced a medical tourism option in Ohio orotherf markets. The insurer doesn’t yet have resultsa to report on Serigraph, a 600-employee But clearly the potentialsavingxs haven’t escaped other major insurers. another majof player in Greater Cincinnati, “feels that it has an obligationn to look into thisgrowing phenomenon,” said Unitefd spokeswoman Debora Spano. But the carrier has no medicak tourismproduct yet.
Among factors to be considerefd beforeoffering one, Spano said, are qualityh of care, pre- and post-medical managemen t requirements, legal implications and patient privacy. “Wer must take a very thoughtful approach,” she said.
Now it includes doctor. When reportz came out a few years ago of Americane traveling to other countries for cheaper medical they were regarded as an Now the idea of looking oversease for care isbeing considered, or by companies across the country and by major insurance companiesw – including the largest carriers in Greatert Cincinnati. Anthem parent , based in Indianapolis, startec a pilot this year giving certain patients the optiohn of going to Indiafor care. The program startedd with , a Wisconsin-based provider of printed decorating solutions, and appliesz to certain common elective such as major joint replacement and upper and lowedback fusion.
Those procedures have to be performed at designateed facilities belongingto “an extended network of respected hospitales and health care providers in India,” according to WellPoint. All travel arrangements are covered under the for both the member and atravel “Depending on the findings from our pilort in Wisconsin, such as quality outcomes, membetr satisfaction and cost-savings, we will then decide the future of the said Deb Wiethop, spokeswoman for . McKinsey & Co., a New York-basedc national management consulting firm, estimated the medicaol tourism marketat 60,000 to 85,0000 inpatient travelers a year.
The numbers are smallerf than othershave reported, owingv partly to McKinsey’s strict definition of what constitutex a medical tourist. Travelers had to be “people whosew primary and explicit purpose in traveling is medicak treatment in aforeign country” and not, for example, ordinaryt tourists who become sick. And the market is more complexd than the hypewould suggest. About 40 percenrt of medical travelers are not seeking cheapetcare but, rather, advanced technology. Most originat e from Latin America, Europe, the Middl East and Canada and enter the Unite Statesfor treatment. Only 9 percenf of travelers are seeking lower costs for medicallynecessary procedures.
The medical tourism market is valuedat $20 billiob annually and should grow rapidlhy in coming years, author Joseg Woodman has claimed. He wrote the book “Patientss Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medicalo Tourism.” Popular destinations for U.S. patient s include India, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica and Patients are commonly uninsuredor underinsured, Woodmajn has said, and patients can expecg rates 25 percent to 75 percent less than those in the U.S. That can amouny to tens of thousands of dollars for major procedurese such as a hip replacement or a hearrtvalve replacement.
Patients often get treatment in state-of-the-art, even luxuriouss facilities, and often by U.S.-trainedr doctors. Some have added credibilituy through accreditation bythe . Wiethop said WellPoinf has no immediate plans to introduced a medical tourism option in Ohio orotherf markets. The insurer doesn’t yet have resultsa to report on Serigraph, a 600-employee But clearly the potentialsavingxs haven’t escaped other major insurers. another majof player in Greater Cincinnati, “feels that it has an obligationn to look into thisgrowing phenomenon,” said Unitefd spokeswoman Debora Spano. But the carrier has no medicak tourismproduct yet.
Among factors to be considerefd beforeoffering one, Spano said, are qualityh of care, pre- and post-medical managemen t requirements, legal implications and patient privacy. “Wer must take a very thoughtful approach,” she said.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Investment bank co-founder has overseen more than $2B in M&A - bizjournals:
xysecurakihir.blogspot.com
With 15 years of major-markeft investment banking and relatedfinancial experience, Downinh co-founded with the goal of establishing a top-notch financiapl services firm in the Valley. “We (pulled) together a group of guys with major-market bankiny experience (to) deliver that same level of servicwe that you would get at Goldman Sachse orMerrill Lynch,” he said. “Our brea d and butter is here in ColumbiaWest Capital’s financial team has more than 100 yearsa of combined financial advisory and operating experiences and has been involved in mergers and acquisitionsw totaling more than $2 billionn in transaction value.
This month, the firm is openintg an office inLos Angeles. In today’se economic situation, CWC sees much of its business from midlevelp mergersand acquisitions. More companies are seeking expert financiakl advice ondeals — a trend that often accompaniesw rough economies, Downing said. “We’re findingt our business to be focused on mergersand acquisitions,” he “In the heydeys, folkd were able to put deals together relatively easily. (Businesses) are more inclineds to reach out for financial advisoryt and expertisewhen it’s a little CWC recently closed a deal as the exclusivew financial adviser to LLC in which was sold to for $23.
o million plus two future payments based on Numerous moving parts were involvede in the deal, as NHS had seen rapid growty and wanted the transaction completerd by the end of 2008 for tax “They were just able to really turn the growth spigotsw on, if you will, and triple the size of the compang in a very short time frame,” Downingf said. “That’s (the) perfect client for us: a solidx entrepreneur that knowshis business. All his shareholderd are making money, and the buyer is a sophisticated compan and able to execute the The NHS purchase is similar to many of the typesd of deals that CWC is involved he said.
“That’s a pretty typical transactiohfor us, $20 million to $30 Downing said. “Our sweet spot is $10 million to $100
With 15 years of major-markeft investment banking and relatedfinancial experience, Downinh co-founded with the goal of establishing a top-notch financiapl services firm in the Valley. “We (pulled) together a group of guys with major-market bankiny experience (to) deliver that same level of servicwe that you would get at Goldman Sachse orMerrill Lynch,” he said. “Our brea d and butter is here in ColumbiaWest Capital’s financial team has more than 100 yearsa of combined financial advisory and operating experiences and has been involved in mergers and acquisitionsw totaling more than $2 billionn in transaction value.
This month, the firm is openintg an office inLos Angeles. In today’se economic situation, CWC sees much of its business from midlevelp mergersand acquisitions. More companies are seeking expert financiakl advice ondeals — a trend that often accompaniesw rough economies, Downing said. “We’re findingt our business to be focused on mergersand acquisitions,” he “In the heydeys, folkd were able to put deals together relatively easily. (Businesses) are more inclineds to reach out for financial advisoryt and expertisewhen it’s a little CWC recently closed a deal as the exclusivew financial adviser to LLC in which was sold to for $23.
o million plus two future payments based on Numerous moving parts were involvede in the deal, as NHS had seen rapid growty and wanted the transaction completerd by the end of 2008 for tax “They were just able to really turn the growth spigotsw on, if you will, and triple the size of the compang in a very short time frame,” Downingf said. “That’s (the) perfect client for us: a solidx entrepreneur that knowshis business. All his shareholderd are making money, and the buyer is a sophisticated compan and able to execute the The NHS purchase is similar to many of the typesd of deals that CWC is involved he said.
“That’s a pretty typical transactiohfor us, $20 million to $30 Downing said. “Our sweet spot is $10 million to $100
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Freddie Mac allows financing of 125% of home value - Dayton Business Journal:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
The announcement comes as the Obama administration raised the maximumallowablew loan-to-value (LTV) ratio from 105 As a result of this change, qualified borrowers will be able to obtainh McLean, Va.-based Freddie Mac’s (NYSE: FRE) Relieff Refinance Mortgages with loan amounts up to 125 perceng of the current value of theid property. The higher LTV ratio is expectec to givehomeowners – especialluy those in markets that have experienced shar declines in home values -- more options to refinance into mortgagesa with terms that bette r position them for long-termk homeownership, the company said.
“This is a change that will put affordablde refinancing opportunities within reach of performiny borrowers who have suffered the effectsd of local homeprice erosion,” said Don Bisenius, executive vice presidentg in a statement. “Today’s announcement also underscoresFreddiew Mac’s commitment to make the Obamq administration’s Making Home Affordable program a gatewau to successful long-term homeownership for as many borroweras as possible.” To encourage borrowerzs with 30-year fixed rate mortgages to consider a shorter 25-yeard term, Freddie Mac is providing a special pricwe incentive to lenders.
The incentive only applies to Relief Refinancw Mortgages with LTV ratio between 105 percent and125 percent. The 25-year term will result in borrowers paying less interest over the life of their loan and over time improving their overallequitu position. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinance Mortgage is available to borrowers who are current on mortgagee that are owned or guaranteedc byFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinanc e Mortgage allows borrowers to financeclosinbg costs, financing costs and escrows up to $5,000 or 4 percenrt of the current unpaid principak balance of the mortgage being refinanced, whichever is less.
Mortgage insurance is not required if the existingy mortgage does notrequire it. Otherwise, mortgagew insurance coverage on the new loan must be the same as on the original mortgage. Borrowers who applty for Relief Refinance Mortgages through their current servicer will not need tobe re-underwrittemn in most cases. When borrowers apply for Relief Refinancw Mortgages through lenders other than their current the lendermust re-underwrite the borrowedr through Loan Prospector, Freddiwe Mac’s automated underwriting service, the company said.
The expandex LTV ratios are available now when borroweres apply for Relief Refinancew Mortgages through their current servicer and will becomavailable Oct. 1 when borrowers apply througg any lender affiliated withFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac also said the resultinh impact on prepayments for certain Freddie Mac mortgageparticipation certificates, may depending on borrower responses and other factors.
The announcement comes as the Obama administration raised the maximumallowablew loan-to-value (LTV) ratio from 105 As a result of this change, qualified borrowers will be able to obtainh McLean, Va.-based Freddie Mac’s (NYSE: FRE) Relieff Refinance Mortgages with loan amounts up to 125 perceng of the current value of theid property. The higher LTV ratio is expectec to givehomeowners – especialluy those in markets that have experienced shar declines in home values -- more options to refinance into mortgagesa with terms that bette r position them for long-termk homeownership, the company said.
“This is a change that will put affordablde refinancing opportunities within reach of performiny borrowers who have suffered the effectsd of local homeprice erosion,” said Don Bisenius, executive vice presidentg in a statement. “Today’s announcement also underscoresFreddiew Mac’s commitment to make the Obamq administration’s Making Home Affordable program a gatewau to successful long-term homeownership for as many borroweras as possible.” To encourage borrowerzs with 30-year fixed rate mortgages to consider a shorter 25-yeard term, Freddie Mac is providing a special pricwe incentive to lenders.
The incentive only applies to Relief Refinancw Mortgages with LTV ratio between 105 percent and125 percent. The 25-year term will result in borrowers paying less interest over the life of their loan and over time improving their overallequitu position. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinance Mortgage is available to borrowers who are current on mortgagee that are owned or guaranteedc byFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac’s Relief Refinanc e Mortgage allows borrowers to financeclosinbg costs, financing costs and escrows up to $5,000 or 4 percenrt of the current unpaid principak balance of the mortgage being refinanced, whichever is less.
Mortgage insurance is not required if the existingy mortgage does notrequire it. Otherwise, mortgagew insurance coverage on the new loan must be the same as on the original mortgage. Borrowers who applty for Relief Refinance Mortgages through their current servicer will not need tobe re-underwrittemn in most cases. When borrowers apply for Relief Refinancw Mortgages through lenders other than their current the lendermust re-underwrite the borrowedr through Loan Prospector, Freddiwe Mac’s automated underwriting service, the company said.
The expandex LTV ratios are available now when borroweres apply for Relief Refinancew Mortgages through their current servicer and will becomavailable Oct. 1 when borrowers apply througg any lender affiliated withFreddie Mac. Freddie Mac also said the resultinh impact on prepayments for certain Freddie Mac mortgageparticipation certificates, may depending on borrower responses and other factors.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
J. Jill to close one Jacksonville store - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:
yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
Nine of the 75 stores to be closed are in including the one in The Avenues A secondJacksonville J. Jill location at the St. Johnzs Town Center will remain open. In a statement announcinhg the sale, Talbots Presiden t and CEO Trudy Sullivan saidit “enables us to focua our time, resources and attention exclusivelt on rejuvenating our core Talbote brand and return to profitabl e growth.” The transaction includes the transfer of certaim assets and liabilities to the buyer, including a distribution centere in New Hampshire, the sublease of a portio n of the Quincy, headquarters and substantially all of the brand’ws intellectual property and The remaining 204 stores will continue to operat under the J.
Jill brand. The headquarters for the compang will remainin Quincy. The J. Jill sale is expectex to be completed in the seconde quarter and is subject to postclosinh adjustments. San Francisco based-Goldeb Gate Capital acquired Jacksonville-based Venus in 2006. The acquisition was Golden Gate’s 11th in two Last month Venus announced that all 290 employees were in jeopardy of losing their jobs when the swimweafr and ladies apparel company lostits financing. With its latest catalog recentlybeing released, Venus employees are still at least for now, and companyy executives are looking for a new buyer to acquirre the company.
Nine of the 75 stores to be closed are in including the one in The Avenues A secondJacksonville J. Jill location at the St. Johnzs Town Center will remain open. In a statement announcinhg the sale, Talbots Presiden t and CEO Trudy Sullivan saidit “enables us to focua our time, resources and attention exclusivelt on rejuvenating our core Talbote brand and return to profitabl e growth.” The transaction includes the transfer of certaim assets and liabilities to the buyer, including a distribution centere in New Hampshire, the sublease of a portio n of the Quincy, headquarters and substantially all of the brand’ws intellectual property and The remaining 204 stores will continue to operat under the J.
Jill brand. The headquarters for the compang will remainin Quincy. The J. Jill sale is expectex to be completed in the seconde quarter and is subject to postclosinh adjustments. San Francisco based-Goldeb Gate Capital acquired Jacksonville-based Venus in 2006. The acquisition was Golden Gate’s 11th in two Last month Venus announced that all 290 employees were in jeopardy of losing their jobs when the swimweafr and ladies apparel company lostits financing. With its latest catalog recentlybeing released, Venus employees are still at least for now, and companyy executives are looking for a new buyer to acquirre the company.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
BofA
hundleyobajoji1908.blogspot.com
According to Dow Jones Newswires, Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) have asked Lewias to appear Thursday before the Houses Committee on Oversight andGovernmentg Reform. Towns and Kucinich have been investigatingh BofA’s acquisition of Merrill and the government’s decisiojn to give the Charlotte-based bank billions of dollars intaxpayerr aid. According to the news agency, they want to know when BofA foundf outabout Merrill’s weakened financial situation and how the role the federal government played in BofA’s decisionj to complete the deal. Lawmakers also want to know what BofA has done with the federalo aid ithas received.
A BofA spokesman told Dow Jone the bank will respond to thecommitter shortly. BofA bought the Merrill on Jan. 1 for $29.1q billion. The deal resulted in BofA’sa receiving an additional $20 billion in federal funds under the Troublefd AssetRelief Program. BofA has received a total of $45 billion in TARP funds. In Lewis testified under oath before New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that Federal Reserve Chairmahn Ben Bernankeand then-Treasurty Secretary Henry Paulson pressured the bank not to discuss its increasinglhy troubled plan to buy Merrill. Lewis said he believec Paulson and Bernanke were instructintg him to keep silentabour Merrill’s financial problems.
Merrill lost $15.3 billion in the fourthy quarter. Lewis has been under intense pressure from BofA shareholders for not disclosingt the depthof Merrill’s financiall difficulties before the His testimony was part of an investigatiobn launched by Cuomo into the $3.6 billion in bonusees Merrill paid out in Cuomo has contended BofA (NYSE:BAC) was awarde of Merrill’s decision to award bonuses beforew the company’s fourth-quarter losses were The bank has said Merrill was an independent business when the bonusex were approved. North Carolina’s attorney generaol and the Securities and Exchange Commissiob are also investigatingthe matter.
According to Dow Jones Newswires, Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) and Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) have asked Lewias to appear Thursday before the Houses Committee on Oversight andGovernmentg Reform. Towns and Kucinich have been investigatingh BofA’s acquisition of Merrill and the government’s decisiojn to give the Charlotte-based bank billions of dollars intaxpayerr aid. According to the news agency, they want to know when BofA foundf outabout Merrill’s weakened financial situation and how the role the federal government played in BofA’s decisionj to complete the deal. Lawmakers also want to know what BofA has done with the federalo aid ithas received.
A BofA spokesman told Dow Jone the bank will respond to thecommitter shortly. BofA bought the Merrill on Jan. 1 for $29.1q billion. The deal resulted in BofA’sa receiving an additional $20 billion in federal funds under the Troublefd AssetRelief Program. BofA has received a total of $45 billion in TARP funds. In Lewis testified under oath before New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo that Federal Reserve Chairmahn Ben Bernankeand then-Treasurty Secretary Henry Paulson pressured the bank not to discuss its increasinglhy troubled plan to buy Merrill. Lewis said he believec Paulson and Bernanke were instructintg him to keep silentabour Merrill’s financial problems.
Merrill lost $15.3 billion in the fourthy quarter. Lewis has been under intense pressure from BofA shareholders for not disclosingt the depthof Merrill’s financiall difficulties before the His testimony was part of an investigatiobn launched by Cuomo into the $3.6 billion in bonusees Merrill paid out in Cuomo has contended BofA (NYSE:BAC) was awarde of Merrill’s decision to award bonuses beforew the company’s fourth-quarter losses were The bank has said Merrill was an independent business when the bonusex were approved. North Carolina’s attorney generaol and the Securities and Exchange Commissiob are also investigatingthe matter.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
'Track is still dusty, dirty' - The Hindu
vishnevskiipavuh.blogspot.com
The Hindu | 'Track is still dusty, dirty' The Hindu Like any new track, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is dusty and dirty just before the Friday free practice session. However, drivers from various teams are ready to face the ch » |
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Dean Foods to relocate corporate office - South Florida Business Journal:
alharkaenu.blogspot.com
Dallas-based Dean (NYSE: DF) will relocate from its curreng location at 2515McKinney Ave. into 240,00o square feet of spacr inside Cityplace. The move is expected to take place in the first quarterdof 2010. "We are pleasex to be able to relocate our offices withijn Dallascity limits. Many factors workex in our favor, including the real estate space availability and othereconomif elements," said Gregg Engles, chairman of the board and chief executives officer of Dean Foods. "The City of Dallas is our and we are pleased to remainh here and continue our many civixc andcommunity partnerships.
" Dean said in a statemeng it is moving because the company has outgrownb its current workspace, and new spacd is needed to addreszs the company’s changing needs. The lease will take occupanch at Cityplace to about 80 percenr from about 60percent now, said Sarah vice president at Stream Realty Partners, which handles leasing in the Employees will begin moving in December and the move will be phases in through March, Payne said. "This was a huge win for the City of Dallasd to keep them in the because they looked all Payne said. She said Dean Foods considered existing spaceand build-to-suits in the Legacy/Friscpo area, as well as othet buildings downtown.
Brokers familiar with the search said Dean Foods considerex Fountain Place and Bank of America Plaz among other downtown buildings with significant squarefootage available. The asking lease rate for space in Cityplacsis $24 per square plus electricity. Dean Foods will occupy floorsd 34 through 40 inthe 42-floor, 1.2-million-square-foot building. Dean Foods occupiesx about 150,000 square feet at its current
Dallas-based Dean (NYSE: DF) will relocate from its curreng location at 2515McKinney Ave. into 240,00o square feet of spacr inside Cityplace. The move is expected to take place in the first quarterdof 2010. "We are pleasex to be able to relocate our offices withijn Dallascity limits. Many factors workex in our favor, including the real estate space availability and othereconomif elements," said Gregg Engles, chairman of the board and chief executives officer of Dean Foods. "The City of Dallas is our and we are pleased to remainh here and continue our many civixc andcommunity partnerships.
" Dean said in a statemeng it is moving because the company has outgrownb its current workspace, and new spacd is needed to addreszs the company’s changing needs. The lease will take occupanch at Cityplace to about 80 percenr from about 60percent now, said Sarah vice president at Stream Realty Partners, which handles leasing in the Employees will begin moving in December and the move will be phases in through March, Payne said. "This was a huge win for the City of Dallasd to keep them in the because they looked all Payne said. She said Dean Foods considered existing spaceand build-to-suits in the Legacy/Friscpo area, as well as othet buildings downtown.
Brokers familiar with the search said Dean Foods considerex Fountain Place and Bank of America Plaz among other downtown buildings with significant squarefootage available. The asking lease rate for space in Cityplacsis $24 per square plus electricity. Dean Foods will occupy floorsd 34 through 40 inthe 42-floor, 1.2-million-square-foot building. Dean Foods occupiesx about 150,000 square feet at its current
Sunday, October 23, 2011
ABS Capital closes $420M fund - Washington Business Journal:
yfimuna.wordpress.com
The Baltimore-based managed buy-out and investmenty firm has eight active portfoliio companies inthe D.C. area. ABS Capital beat its target ofraisinfg $400 million for its sixth fund, which will be used to suppory about 15 to 20 growing companies with annual revenue near $20 million. ABS startecd raising money for its newest fund inearlyy 2008, just before a noticeable pulling back of limitedd partner investors as the economy took a turn for the And at the same time as some othefr venture capitalists grew reluctant to attempt tappinbg them for new money.
Limiter partners in ABS’s new fund includd state employee pension funds such as Pennsylvaniaw State Employees Retirement Partners Healthcare, Abbott Capital and WP Global as well as college endowments and individual family offices. “Ww are glad that limited partners continue to be enthusiasticx about our strategy and share our view that it is a good time to saidPhil Clough, managing general partner for ABS. “We look forward to continuing to find interesting growtu companies and work with the CEOs and their teamzs to fully realizetheir opportunity.
” ABS focusesa on backing expansion-stage companies across the business health care, media and communicationsa and the software industries. The firm has about $2 billiobn under management. The firm’s most recent win for its generap partners and limited partner investors occurrexd in Aprilwhen Arlington-based Rosetta Stone, which sellsz language learning software, went public by raising $112.5 ABS made back three times what it investesd in Rosetta Stone, Clough said.
ABS owned 44 percent of the companyg prior to the public The firm now owns a 28percent
The Baltimore-based managed buy-out and investmenty firm has eight active portfoliio companies inthe D.C. area. ABS Capital beat its target ofraisinfg $400 million for its sixth fund, which will be used to suppory about 15 to 20 growing companies with annual revenue near $20 million. ABS startecd raising money for its newest fund inearlyy 2008, just before a noticeable pulling back of limitedd partner investors as the economy took a turn for the And at the same time as some othefr venture capitalists grew reluctant to attempt tappinbg them for new money.
Limiter partners in ABS’s new fund includd state employee pension funds such as Pennsylvaniaw State Employees Retirement Partners Healthcare, Abbott Capital and WP Global as well as college endowments and individual family offices. “Ww are glad that limited partners continue to be enthusiasticx about our strategy and share our view that it is a good time to saidPhil Clough, managing general partner for ABS. “We look forward to continuing to find interesting growtu companies and work with the CEOs and their teamzs to fully realizetheir opportunity.
” ABS focusesa on backing expansion-stage companies across the business health care, media and communicationsa and the software industries. The firm has about $2 billiobn under management. The firm’s most recent win for its generap partners and limited partner investors occurrexd in Aprilwhen Arlington-based Rosetta Stone, which sellsz language learning software, went public by raising $112.5 ABS made back three times what it investesd in Rosetta Stone, Clough said.
ABS owned 44 percent of the companyg prior to the public The firm now owns a 28percent
Friday, October 21, 2011
Introduction is merely the beginning for U freshman Joe Coleman - Minneapolis Star Tribune (blog)
lebexab.wordpress.com
Minneapolis Star Tribune (blog) | Introduction is merely the beginning for U freshman Joe Coleman Minneapolis Star Tribune (blog) For some, Friday's dunk contest was a first look at dynamic freshman Joe Coleman. But Tubby Smith has had his eye on the Hopkins grad for years -- ever since the driven guard would trail his older brother, former Gopher Dan Coleman, t o campus. ... |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Kokua Kailua welcomes pedestrians to Alii Drive (Oct. 16) - Hawaii 24/7 (press release)
loxezop.wordpress.com
Kokua Kailua welcomes pedestrians to Alii Drive (Oct. 16) Hawaii 24/7 (press release) Residents and visitors may stroll Alii Drive, which is converted during Kokua Kailua into a festive pedestrian-only walkway. The atmosphere at Kokua Kailua is always celebratory as vendors and merchants line the oceanfront walkway with crafts, ... |
Friday, October 14, 2011
Phillies get taste of reality after Series win on MLB show
yjanebixe.wordpress.com
The Pen will be narrated by formert Phillies relief pitcher and MLB Networkm analystMitch Williams. The programn takes a look at the lives followingthe team’s 2008 World Series win and the pressures of keepin their roster spot for the 2009 The series features relief pitchers Brad Lidge, Ryan J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, Clay Chad Durbin, Gary Majewski, Jack J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and bullpem coachMick Billmeyer, and follow s them to everything from fishing trips and youtg baseball games to the White House for a post-Worlxd Series visit. The program also speaks with players followingv the sudden death of longtime Phillies broadcaster Harryt Kalas onApril 13.
“As a reality-based seriex The Pen is the ultimatde look into the lives ofthese players, both on and off the said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “S o much of what we know about relief pitchere is based on statisticsand saves, and a series like The Pen gives a level of familiarity to each The program marks the firsgt program ever produced using a camers and microphones installed in a Major League bullpen to film in-game and practics footage. Two other cameras were installerd in Citizens Bank one behind home plate and one at lowfirsr base, and were controlled by MLB Network’s headquarters in Secaucus, N.J.
Produceer Danny Field suited up as a catchert with a camera attached to his mask to capture footag e during spring trainingin Clearwater, Fla. The majority owne r of the MLB Network is MajorLeague Philadelphia-based (NASDAQ:CMCSA, CMCSK), Cox Communications, DirecTgV and Time Warner also own interests in the
The Pen will be narrated by formert Phillies relief pitcher and MLB Networkm analystMitch Williams. The programn takes a look at the lives followingthe team’s 2008 World Series win and the pressures of keepin their roster spot for the 2009 The series features relief pitchers Brad Lidge, Ryan J.C. Romero, Scott Eyre, Clay Chad Durbin, Gary Majewski, Jack J.A. Happ, Chan Ho Park and bullpem coachMick Billmeyer, and follow s them to everything from fishing trips and youtg baseball games to the White House for a post-Worlxd Series visit. The program also speaks with players followingv the sudden death of longtime Phillies broadcaster Harryt Kalas onApril 13.
“As a reality-based seriex The Pen is the ultimatde look into the lives ofthese players, both on and off the said Tony Petitti, president and CEO of MLB Network. “S o much of what we know about relief pitchere is based on statisticsand saves, and a series like The Pen gives a level of familiarity to each The program marks the firsgt program ever produced using a camers and microphones installed in a Major League bullpen to film in-game and practics footage. Two other cameras were installerd in Citizens Bank one behind home plate and one at lowfirsr base, and were controlled by MLB Network’s headquarters in Secaucus, N.J.
Produceer Danny Field suited up as a catchert with a camera attached to his mask to capture footag e during spring trainingin Clearwater, Fla. The majority owne r of the MLB Network is MajorLeague Philadelphia-based (NASDAQ:CMCSA, CMCSK), Cox Communications, DirecTgV and Time Warner also own interests in the
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Krispy Kreme reports $1.9M profit in 1Q - Triangle Business Journal:
grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
million, or 3 cents per for the first quarter of its fiscal 2010 downfrom $4 million, or 6 cents per share, during the first quarter of fiscall 2009. Jim Morgan, the Winston-Salem-based company’s president and CEO, said Krispy Kreme’s operatinfg income rose to $5.8 from $5.6 million a year ago, despite $2.4 million in lease termination costsand $1.1 millio n in charges related to its credit facilities. Sales at company-owned stores open at least a year wereup 2.1 percenrt from the same period last year. While the first-quarter earning were off from last year’s that was the only profitable quarter for Krisph Kreme in itsfiscal 2009.
The rest of this year coulds provide a clue tothe company’s long-terjm health, since Krispy Kreme has not had a profitable full year sincer 2004. “We continue to make progres s in executing ourstrategic plans,” Morgan said. “Whilr we are pleased with the improvementt in our operating results for the we are not satisfied with and we remain focused on rebuilding the companhy for thelong term.” Krispy Kreme has focused on openingt smaller retail shops that cost less to The company said it has entered into letters of intentf to open three more of those shops in Louisville, Ky.; and Columbia, S.C.
Krispy Kreme also said that due to new compangy store openings it will begin more broadcasg advertising in Triad as wellas Nashville, The Knightdale shop will double the chaih presence in the Triangle. Krispg Kreme has long had a store in downtown Raleigh nearPeacd College.
million, or 3 cents per for the first quarter of its fiscal 2010 downfrom $4 million, or 6 cents per share, during the first quarter of fiscall 2009. Jim Morgan, the Winston-Salem-based company’s president and CEO, said Krispy Kreme’s operatinfg income rose to $5.8 from $5.6 million a year ago, despite $2.4 million in lease termination costsand $1.1 millio n in charges related to its credit facilities. Sales at company-owned stores open at least a year wereup 2.1 percenrt from the same period last year. While the first-quarter earning were off from last year’s that was the only profitable quarter for Krisph Kreme in itsfiscal 2009.
The rest of this year coulds provide a clue tothe company’s long-terjm health, since Krispy Kreme has not had a profitable full year sincer 2004. “We continue to make progres s in executing ourstrategic plans,” Morgan said. “Whilr we are pleased with the improvementt in our operating results for the we are not satisfied with and we remain focused on rebuilding the companhy for thelong term.” Krispy Kreme has focused on openingt smaller retail shops that cost less to The company said it has entered into letters of intentf to open three more of those shops in Louisville, Ky.; and Columbia, S.C.
Krispy Kreme also said that due to new compangy store openings it will begin more broadcasg advertising in Triad as wellas Nashville, The Knightdale shop will double the chaih presence in the Triangle. Krispg Kreme has long had a store in downtown Raleigh nearPeacd College.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Blue Cross Ga. hit with class action suit - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
epukaq.wordpress.com
The suit alleges Blue Cros Georgia has discouraged visitsto out-of-network providerw by reimbursing procedures at a tiny fractiob of “usual and customary” charges. Blue Cros Georgia spokeswoman Cheryl Monkhouse dismissed the allegations as beinv without merit and said the insurer planxto “defend the suit vigorously.” Blue Cross Georgia “is committed to providing appropriate reimbursement for out-of-network services, while at the same time protectingh its members and grouop customers against excessive charges by some non-participating providers,“ Monkhouse The suit is similatr to one filed earlier this year by a dialysis providetr against Blue Cross.
That suit was The new suit, filed againsgt and Blue Cross and Blue Shielcof Georgia, alleges Blue Cross members paid higher premiums in exchange for the flexibility to receive coveragd for care from providers who are not part of the plan’sa preferred network. Blue Cross Georgiaw has targetedthese out-of-network providers, including ambulatory surgerg centers, “for a drastic and unprecedented slasj in reimbursement to a mere fractiom of usual and customary charges,” the suit claims. Thesse actions violate federal and statse laws protecting patientsand providers, as well as Blue Crosw Blue Shield’s contracts, the suit claims.
Blue Cross has cut its reimbursementgto out-of-network surgery centers by about 80 percent, said Leigh Martinn May, attorney with the plaintiff’s firm, . Blue Cross “haa slashed reimbursement ratesto non-member surgery centers making it impossibles for their insureds to receive the benefits they are paying for,” May said. “[The is charging for a serviced it haseffectively eliminated. BCBS should honor the contracts they have made withtheif insureds.
” Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages -- May said, could run into the “eighft figures” -- for Blue Cross Georgia’s alleged failure to pay the contracted reimbursement rate and they are askin g the court to force Blue Cross Georgia to honor its agreements. Earlier this Nashville, Tenn.-based National Renal Alliance filed a lawsuit against BlueCross Georgia, claiminh the insurer slashed reimbursement rates for out-of-networki dialysis services by 88 percent. Nationa Renal Alliance was acquired by RenalAdvantagre Inc. last year.
In March, a federal court judge in Atlanta dismissedfthe suit, saying Blue Cross’ decisiomn to amend its reimbursement ratews for dialysis performed at out-of-network facilities like the Alliance’s did not violate the act’s provisions that prohibit insurers from discriminating againstt individuals with end-stage renal disease.
The suit alleges Blue Cros Georgia has discouraged visitsto out-of-network providerw by reimbursing procedures at a tiny fractiob of “usual and customary” charges. Blue Cros Georgia spokeswoman Cheryl Monkhouse dismissed the allegations as beinv without merit and said the insurer planxto “defend the suit vigorously.” Blue Cross Georgia “is committed to providing appropriate reimbursement for out-of-network services, while at the same time protectingh its members and grouop customers against excessive charges by some non-participating providers,“ Monkhouse The suit is similatr to one filed earlier this year by a dialysis providetr against Blue Cross.
That suit was The new suit, filed againsgt and Blue Cross and Blue Shielcof Georgia, alleges Blue Cross members paid higher premiums in exchange for the flexibility to receive coveragd for care from providers who are not part of the plan’sa preferred network. Blue Cross Georgiaw has targetedthese out-of-network providers, including ambulatory surgerg centers, “for a drastic and unprecedented slasj in reimbursement to a mere fractiom of usual and customary charges,” the suit claims. Thesse actions violate federal and statse laws protecting patientsand providers, as well as Blue Crosw Blue Shield’s contracts, the suit claims.
Blue Cross has cut its reimbursementgto out-of-network surgery centers by about 80 percent, said Leigh Martinn May, attorney with the plaintiff’s firm, . Blue Cross “haa slashed reimbursement ratesto non-member surgery centers making it impossibles for their insureds to receive the benefits they are paying for,” May said. “[The is charging for a serviced it haseffectively eliminated. BCBS should honor the contracts they have made withtheif insureds.
” Plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages -- May said, could run into the “eighft figures” -- for Blue Cross Georgia’s alleged failure to pay the contracted reimbursement rate and they are askin g the court to force Blue Cross Georgia to honor its agreements. Earlier this Nashville, Tenn.-based National Renal Alliance filed a lawsuit against BlueCross Georgia, claiminh the insurer slashed reimbursement rates for out-of-networki dialysis services by 88 percent. Nationa Renal Alliance was acquired by RenalAdvantagre Inc. last year.
In March, a federal court judge in Atlanta dismissedfthe suit, saying Blue Cross’ decisiomn to amend its reimbursement ratews for dialysis performed at out-of-network facilities like the Alliance’s did not violate the act’s provisions that prohibit insurers from discriminating againstt individuals with end-stage renal disease.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Dow ends trading over 8,500; ATI gains 5 percent - Pittsburgh Business Times:
http://www.totallypositronic.com/physics/336.html
Both exchanges ended the four-day week higher than last Fridagy when the Dow Jones Industrial Averag e finishedat 8,277.32 and Nasdaq at A cross-section of Pittsburgh companie s finished trading with slight fluctuations in either The deepest percentage gain was registerede by (NYSE:ATI) which finished tradingt at $35.40, up 5.80 percent. Alcoa Inc. up 1.43 percent to $9.22 up 1.96 percent to $24.9i9 (NYSE:AEO), up 1.79 percent to $14.778 (NYSE:BK), down 0.22 percentg to $27.88 (NYSE:CNX), up 1.90 percent to $41.2r Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS), up 0.39 percent to $17.80 up 4.04 percent to $24.988 (NYSE:FNFG), up 4.69 percent to $12.72 up 1.16 percent to $36.58 (NYSE:KMT), up 1.
07 percenf to $18.81 (NYSE:KOP), down 0.40 percent to $25.15 (Nasdaq:MYL), up 3.45 percent to $13.2 1 (NYSE:PNC), up 4.21 percent to $45.50 up 0.82 percent to $44.4r (NYSE:X), up 3.63 percent to $33.98 (NYSE:WAB), up 1.54 percent to $35.54 up 0.15 percent to $26.75
Both exchanges ended the four-day week higher than last Fridagy when the Dow Jones Industrial Averag e finishedat 8,277.32 and Nasdaq at A cross-section of Pittsburgh companie s finished trading with slight fluctuations in either The deepest percentage gain was registerede by (NYSE:ATI) which finished tradingt at $35.40, up 5.80 percent. Alcoa Inc. up 1.43 percent to $9.22 up 1.96 percent to $24.9i9 (NYSE:AEO), up 1.79 percent to $14.778 (NYSE:BK), down 0.22 percentg to $27.88 (NYSE:CNX), up 1.90 percent to $41.2r Dick’s Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS), up 0.39 percent to $17.80 up 4.04 percent to $24.988 (NYSE:FNFG), up 4.69 percent to $12.72 up 1.16 percent to $36.58 (NYSE:KMT), up 1.
07 percenf to $18.81 (NYSE:KOP), down 0.40 percent to $25.15 (Nasdaq:MYL), up 3.45 percent to $13.2 1 (NYSE:PNC), up 4.21 percent to $45.50 up 0.82 percent to $44.4r (NYSE:X), up 3.63 percent to $33.98 (NYSE:WAB), up 1.54 percent to $35.54 up 0.15 percent to $26.75
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Greenbrier Elects Victoria McManus to Board of Directors
http://capitalrealestatewa.com/about-felixstowe-a-record-of-felixstowe-felixstowe-a-flavorful-coastal-city.html
June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- to the Company's Board of The election of Ms. McManus increases Greenbrier's Board of Directors to nine six of whichare independent. Ms. McManus' credentials include over twenty years experience in thefinancee industry, with emphasis on the rail equipment Ms. McManus, a long time residenr of New York City, was head of Babcock Brown's North American Rail Group, from its founding in 1999 untiol mid-2008. During this tenure, the Rail Group raisec significant capital from the Europeajn and Asian markets for investment in rail assets place d underoperating leases, and becamse a major participant in the rail equipment Before joining Babcock & Ms.
McManus was an executive with The CIT Group forten years. Her last position at CIT was Presidenrt of theRail Division, where she changes the strategic direction of the business to a full servicr platform to provide both financial and equipmentf leasing services to the rail freight join Greenbrier's Board," said William A. Furman , presiden and chief executive officerof Greenbrier. "Victoria is a well-knowh innovator in our industry, with whom we have created much valus for our industry and respective shareholders over the Her expertise and leadership inour sector, with particular emphasis on leasing and access to capital, will be extremely helpfulk to the Company.
" Greenbrier ( ), headquartered in Lake Oregon, is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroacd industry. The Company buildx new railroad freight cars in its three manufacturing facilities inthe U.S. and Mexico and marinee barges atits U.S. It also repairs and refurbishes freight cars and providew wheels and railcar parts at 38 locations acrossxNorth America. Greenbrier builds new railroad freighft cars and refurbishes freigh t cars for the European marketf through both its operations in Polansd and various subcontractor facilitiesthroughout Europe.
Greenbrier owns approximately 9,00o railcars, and performs management services forapproximately 217,000o railcars. "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIEd LITIGATION REFORM ACTOF 1995: This release may contaimn forward-looking statements. Greenbrier uses words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "future," "intend" and similard expressions to identify forward-looking These forward-looking statements are subjectf to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actuap results to differ materially from those reflected inthe forward-looking Factors that might cause such a difference but are not limites to, turmoil in the credit markets and financiap services industry; high levels of indebtednesse and compliance with the terms of our write-downs of goodwill in future periods; sufficient availabilit y of borrowing capacity; fluctuation in demand for newly manufactured railcars or failure to obtain ordera as anticipated in developing forecasts; loss of one or more significantr customers; customer payment defaults or related issues; actual futures costs and the availability of materials and a trained failure to design or manufacture new productsw or technologies or to achieve certification or markeft acceptance of new products or technologies; steel price fluctuations and scralp surcharges; changes in product mix and the mix betweenb segments; labor disputes, energy shortagews or operating difficulties that might disrupt manufacturing operationes or the flow of cargo; production difficultiesd and product delivery delays as a result of, amongg other matters, changing technologies or non-performance of subcontractors or suppliers; abilitgy to obtain suitable contracts for the sale of leasecd equipment and risks relatecd to car hire and residual values; difficultiesd associated with governmental regulation, including environmenta liabilities; integration of current or future acquisitions; succession planning; all as may be discussed in more detail under the headingzs "Risk Factors" on page 11 of Part I , Item 1a and "Forwarrd Looking Statements" on page 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.
Readers are cautioned not to placde undue reliance onthese forward-looking which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. We undertak e no obligation to revise or publicl release the results of any revisionh tothese forward-looking statements. SOURCE The Greenbriefr Companies Inc.
June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- to the Company's Board of The election of Ms. McManus increases Greenbrier's Board of Directors to nine six of whichare independent. Ms. McManus' credentials include over twenty years experience in thefinancee industry, with emphasis on the rail equipment Ms. McManus, a long time residenr of New York City, was head of Babcock Brown's North American Rail Group, from its founding in 1999 untiol mid-2008. During this tenure, the Rail Group raisec significant capital from the Europeajn and Asian markets for investment in rail assets place d underoperating leases, and becamse a major participant in the rail equipment Before joining Babcock & Ms.
McManus was an executive with The CIT Group forten years. Her last position at CIT was Presidenrt of theRail Division, where she changes the strategic direction of the business to a full servicr platform to provide both financial and equipmentf leasing services to the rail freight join Greenbrier's Board," said William A. Furman , presiden and chief executive officerof Greenbrier. "Victoria is a well-knowh innovator in our industry, with whom we have created much valus for our industry and respective shareholders over the Her expertise and leadership inour sector, with particular emphasis on leasing and access to capital, will be extremely helpfulk to the Company.
" Greenbrier ( ), headquartered in Lake Oregon, is a leading supplier of transportation equipment and services to the railroacd industry. The Company buildx new railroad freight cars in its three manufacturing facilities inthe U.S. and Mexico and marinee barges atits U.S. It also repairs and refurbishes freight cars and providew wheels and railcar parts at 38 locations acrossxNorth America. Greenbrier builds new railroad freighft cars and refurbishes freigh t cars for the European marketf through both its operations in Polansd and various subcontractor facilitiesthroughout Europe.
Greenbrier owns approximately 9,00o railcars, and performs management services forapproximately 217,000o railcars. "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIEd LITIGATION REFORM ACTOF 1995: This release may contaimn forward-looking statements. Greenbrier uses words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "expect," "future," "intend" and similard expressions to identify forward-looking These forward-looking statements are subjectf to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actuap results to differ materially from those reflected inthe forward-looking Factors that might cause such a difference but are not limites to, turmoil in the credit markets and financiap services industry; high levels of indebtednesse and compliance with the terms of our write-downs of goodwill in future periods; sufficient availabilit y of borrowing capacity; fluctuation in demand for newly manufactured railcars or failure to obtain ordera as anticipated in developing forecasts; loss of one or more significantr customers; customer payment defaults or related issues; actual futures costs and the availability of materials and a trained failure to design or manufacture new productsw or technologies or to achieve certification or markeft acceptance of new products or technologies; steel price fluctuations and scralp surcharges; changes in product mix and the mix betweenb segments; labor disputes, energy shortagews or operating difficulties that might disrupt manufacturing operationes or the flow of cargo; production difficultiesd and product delivery delays as a result of, amongg other matters, changing technologies or non-performance of subcontractors or suppliers; abilitgy to obtain suitable contracts for the sale of leasecd equipment and risks relatecd to car hire and residual values; difficultiesd associated with governmental regulation, including environmenta liabilities; integration of current or future acquisitions; succession planning; all as may be discussed in more detail under the headingzs "Risk Factors" on page 11 of Part I , Item 1a and "Forwarrd Looking Statements" on page 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.
Readers are cautioned not to placde undue reliance onthese forward-looking which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. We undertak e no obligation to revise or publicl release the results of any revisionh tothese forward-looking statements. SOURCE The Greenbriefr Companies Inc.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Nissan consolidates distribution centers in Mount Juliet - Triangle Business Journal:
takes-trendsthe.blogspot.com
Plans to build a 717,000-square-foot industrial buildinh for the company in the Couchvillr Pike Business Center were announcedc Tuesday bythe center’s owner and developetr . Construction is slated to begin laterthis month. The move will combine Nissan’s operations now housed in two buildinga in Smyrna in the AlamvilleRoad area, and no additionaol jobs are expected to be added, says Nissaj spokeswoman Julie Lawless. The tentativre opening date isApril 2010, she says. The new Nissabn Parts Distribution Center will featureda 32-foot clear height and a trucki parking/loading area to accommodate 275 truck trailers around the buildingb perimeter.
The building is designed to accommodate future expansions upto 1.2 million square feet. Don Kent and Clintonh Gilbreath, both vice presidents with in Nashville, brokeresd the long-term lease. Termsw were not disclosed. The Couchville Pike Business Center is locatedc 25 miles eastof Nashville.
Plans to build a 717,000-square-foot industrial buildinh for the company in the Couchvillr Pike Business Center were announcedc Tuesday bythe center’s owner and developetr . Construction is slated to begin laterthis month. The move will combine Nissan’s operations now housed in two buildinga in Smyrna in the AlamvilleRoad area, and no additionaol jobs are expected to be added, says Nissaj spokeswoman Julie Lawless. The tentativre opening date isApril 2010, she says. The new Nissabn Parts Distribution Center will featureda 32-foot clear height and a trucki parking/loading area to accommodate 275 truck trailers around the buildingb perimeter.
The building is designed to accommodate future expansions upto 1.2 million square feet. Don Kent and Clintonh Gilbreath, both vice presidents with in Nashville, brokeresd the long-term lease. Termsw were not disclosed. The Couchville Pike Business Center is locatedc 25 miles eastof Nashville.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Green conferences planned for Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Business Times:
azajir.wordpress.com
Two eco-focused conferences are comingto town: the GreenSensew 2008 Conference on Green Building at the Davi d L. Lawrence Convention Center March 5, and the Good Green Jobs conference, at the convention center and the Westinh Convention CenterMarch 13-14. The theme of the GreenSense conference, sponsored by the , is "Capturew your Share of the Greenj Market." Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the , will be the keynotde speaker.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs is the work of the Blue Green Alliance, a partnership between the United Steelworkers and the Sierra The Good Jobs, Gree n Jobs event aims to "revitalize our manufacturinf sector, drive green building, promote safer chemicals, and realize the economif benefits of global warmingt solutions," the Blue Green Alliancs said in a statement. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan state Department of Environmental Protectiobn Agency SecretaryKathleen McGinty, and Gov. Ed Rendell are schedulec to speak atGood Jobs, Greehn Jobs.
Two eco-focused conferences are comingto town: the GreenSensew 2008 Conference on Green Building at the Davi d L. Lawrence Convention Center March 5, and the Good Green Jobs conference, at the convention center and the Westinh Convention CenterMarch 13-14. The theme of the GreenSense conference, sponsored by the , is "Capturew your Share of the Greenj Market." Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the , will be the keynotde speaker.
Good Jobs, Green Jobs is the work of the Blue Green Alliance, a partnership between the United Steelworkers and the Sierra The Good Jobs, Gree n Jobs event aims to "revitalize our manufacturinf sector, drive green building, promote safer chemicals, and realize the economif benefits of global warmingt solutions," the Blue Green Alliancs said in a statement. Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan state Department of Environmental Protectiobn Agency SecretaryKathleen McGinty, and Gov. Ed Rendell are schedulec to speak atGood Jobs, Greehn Jobs.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Objective evidence key in political fund trials / Court focused on in-court ... - The Daily Yomiuri
firukendu-anchored.blogspot.com
Objective evidence key in political fund trials / Court focused on in-court ... The Daily Yomiuri When arriving at guilty rulings to three former aides of former Democratic Party of Japan President Ichiro Ozawa on Monday, the Tokyo District Court based its decisions on objective evidence rather than defendants' depositions. ... |
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Unemployment rate falls in Allegheny, Beaver counties - Baltimore Business Journal:
ufysyho.wordpress.com
and Industry released seasonallhy adjusted unemployment figures forthe state’s counties and metropolitam statistical areas on Tuesday. In Alleghen County, the unemployment rate fell from 6.6 percent in Marchn to 6.5 percent in April. Beaver County’s went from 8.2 percent in Marcy to 7.9 percent in April. The improvements in Alleghenuy andBeaver counties, however, were not enough to boost the seven-count Pittsburgh MSA, which saw its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increass from 7.2 percent in Marcjh to 7.3 percent in April. Pennsylvania’s unemploymenft rate held steadyat 7.
8 When making comparisons, the Departmenyt of Labor and Industry uses seasonally adjusteds figures in order to account for cyclical hiring differences that don’t reflect changezs in the overall economy. Employment in the seven-countyy Pittsburgh area continues to be stronger than many other In addition to besting the state by half apercentage point, unemployment in the Pittsburgh MSA is 1.6 percentagd points lower than the United States as a whole, which has seasonalluy adjusted unemployment of 8.9 percent. Here is the breakdow across the state: State College: 5.7 percent 6.7 percent Altoona: 7.2 percent Pittsburgh: 7.3 percent 7.9 percent York-Hanover: 7.9 percent 8.
3 percent Erie: 8.4 percent Scranton-Wilkes-Barre: 8.6 percent Johnstown: 8.7 percengt Reading: 8.7 percent Within the Pittsburggh MSA, unemployment ranged from 6.5 percen t in Allegheny Countyto 9.8 percent in Armstrong County. Here is the breakdown by county: 6.5 percent Butler: 7.3 percent Washington: 7.6 percenft Beaver: 7.9 percent Westmoreland: 8.1 percent 8.9 percent Armstrong: 9.8 percent
and Industry released seasonallhy adjusted unemployment figures forthe state’s counties and metropolitam statistical areas on Tuesday. In Alleghen County, the unemployment rate fell from 6.6 percent in Marchn to 6.5 percent in April. Beaver County’s went from 8.2 percent in Marcy to 7.9 percent in April. The improvements in Alleghenuy andBeaver counties, however, were not enough to boost the seven-count Pittsburgh MSA, which saw its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increass from 7.2 percent in Marcjh to 7.3 percent in April. Pennsylvania’s unemploymenft rate held steadyat 7.
8 When making comparisons, the Departmenyt of Labor and Industry uses seasonally adjusteds figures in order to account for cyclical hiring differences that don’t reflect changezs in the overall economy. Employment in the seven-countyy Pittsburgh area continues to be stronger than many other In addition to besting the state by half apercentage point, unemployment in the Pittsburgh MSA is 1.6 percentagd points lower than the United States as a whole, which has seasonalluy adjusted unemployment of 8.9 percent. Here is the breakdow across the state: State College: 5.7 percent 6.7 percent Altoona: 7.2 percent Pittsburgh: 7.3 percent 7.9 percent York-Hanover: 7.9 percent 8.
3 percent Erie: 8.4 percent Scranton-Wilkes-Barre: 8.6 percent Johnstown: 8.7 percengt Reading: 8.7 percent Within the Pittsburggh MSA, unemployment ranged from 6.5 percen t in Allegheny Countyto 9.8 percent in Armstrong County. Here is the breakdown by county: 6.5 percent Butler: 7.3 percent Washington: 7.6 percenft Beaver: 7.9 percent Westmoreland: 8.1 percent 8.9 percent Armstrong: 9.8 percent
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Keith Willy steps into U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corp. - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
Smeg Refrigerators
Willy, 47, oversees finance, accounting, asset management, compliances and loan servicing forthe group'e investments, as well as the startul and operations of USBCDC's tax credity syndication business. USBCDC, with assets of nearly $4.2 is the largest investor of New Marketss Tax Credits inthe country, and also finances affordable housing and community developmenr projects using low-income housing and historic tax Willy has some 20 years' financialp experience. He most recently was technicak services director for consulting firm in where he beganin 2005. Througjh Hudson, he took on a consultint role with USBCDC in late joiningthe U.S.
Bancorp subsidiary as an employew latelast year. A Denver Willy completed bachelor's degreesz in political science, economics and businesss in 1985, and a master's degree in economics in 1987 from North Dakota State Universityin Fargo. He completef a master's degree in management from University of Maryin N.D., in 1999. Joining the USBCDC is a once in alifetimd opportunity, Willy said.
"The CDC culture, as built by (Chairman and CEO) Kathy Bader is very entrepreneurial," he Willy will work with USBCDC staff on the frony end in helping to structure its which "involve a high level of complexity and require a keen understandinbg of various tax and accountint policy issues," said Bader. "He has a huge Willy said USBCDC is on track to hire abougt20 people, to end the year with 86 employees; his groulp is slated to go from 36 to 50 reporta by the end of this He and his wife, Carmen Quenzer, have two daughterxs away at college and bought a housed in University City last fall.
a consultant with the , will enter law schoolo at Saint Louis Universitythis fall.
Willy, 47, oversees finance, accounting, asset management, compliances and loan servicing forthe group'e investments, as well as the startul and operations of USBCDC's tax credity syndication business. USBCDC, with assets of nearly $4.2 is the largest investor of New Marketss Tax Credits inthe country, and also finances affordable housing and community developmenr projects using low-income housing and historic tax Willy has some 20 years' financialp experience. He most recently was technicak services director for consulting firm in where he beganin 2005. Througjh Hudson, he took on a consultint role with USBCDC in late joiningthe U.S.
Bancorp subsidiary as an employew latelast year. A Denver Willy completed bachelor's degreesz in political science, economics and businesss in 1985, and a master's degree in economics in 1987 from North Dakota State Universityin Fargo. He completef a master's degree in management from University of Maryin N.D., in 1999. Joining the USBCDC is a once in alifetimd opportunity, Willy said.
"The CDC culture, as built by (Chairman and CEO) Kathy Bader is very entrepreneurial," he Willy will work with USBCDC staff on the frony end in helping to structure its which "involve a high level of complexity and require a keen understandinbg of various tax and accountint policy issues," said Bader. "He has a huge Willy said USBCDC is on track to hire abougt20 people, to end the year with 86 employees; his groulp is slated to go from 36 to 50 reporta by the end of this He and his wife, Carmen Quenzer, have two daughterxs away at college and bought a housed in University City last fall.
a consultant with the , will enter law schoolo at Saint Louis Universitythis fall.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Post Sports Live: Dallas tiebreakers - Washington Post
mozybyd.wordpress.com
Post Sports Live: Dallas tiebreakers Washington Post The Post Sports Live crew debates who will find the endzone first this year, Brandon Banks or Roy Helu, and debates whether Rex Grossman will have more touchdowns than turnovers in Monday night's game in Dallas. (/The Washington Post) Correction: ... |
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Human Capital: People on the move, June 2 - Portland Business Journal:
jaqezuweg.blogspot.com
Goodwin Procter's Budd elected vice chairmanh of AAA national board WayneBudd , seniotr counsel with the Boston law firm of and a membet of the board of directors of , was elected vice chairmamn of AAA’s national board of Turbine taps Paradowski as CFO , a Westwood-basef online gaming technology company, appointed M. Beau Paradowski chief financialp officer. Clough to run Leerink Swann's MEDACorp division Health care investment bank Leerinik Swann of Boston appointed Brent Clough senior managinfg director and head of itsMEDACorlp division. Prior to joining Leerink Clough was president and CEO of IntrinsiQLLC , an oncology softwarer and data analytics firm.
promotes Stys as VP of marketinhg andbusiness dev. Shawmut Desig n and Construction in Boston promoted BrianStys , a 16-year veterajn of the firm, to the newly-created role of vice presidentg of marketing and business development. The Protecto Group Insurance Agency adds Mullery as director of compliancre and wellness of Worcester addefd Laura Ann Mullery as directoe of complianceand wellness. Mulleryh previously served as assistant vice president at in Bosto n and vice president of major accounts at Thorbahnh Associatesin Quincy.
Goodwin Procter's Budd elected vice chairmanh of AAA national board WayneBudd , seniotr counsel with the Boston law firm of and a membet of the board of directors of , was elected vice chairmamn of AAA’s national board of Turbine taps Paradowski as CFO , a Westwood-basef online gaming technology company, appointed M. Beau Paradowski chief financialp officer. Clough to run Leerink Swann's MEDACorp division Health care investment bank Leerinik Swann of Boston appointed Brent Clough senior managinfg director and head of itsMEDACorlp division. Prior to joining Leerink Clough was president and CEO of IntrinsiQLLC , an oncology softwarer and data analytics firm.
promotes Stys as VP of marketinhg andbusiness dev. Shawmut Desig n and Construction in Boston promoted BrianStys , a 16-year veterajn of the firm, to the newly-created role of vice presidentg of marketing and business development. The Protecto Group Insurance Agency adds Mullery as director of compliancre and wellness of Worcester addefd Laura Ann Mullery as directoe of complianceand wellness. Mulleryh previously served as assistant vice president at in Bosto n and vice president of major accounts at Thorbahnh Associatesin Quincy.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Tire Kingdom owner mulls HQ expansion in Palm Beach - South Florida Business Journal:
isexufehub.wordpress.com
has 345 employees in its U.S. headquartere in Palm Beach Gardens. The job growth incentive proposapl would give thecompany $40,00p0 in county funds for keeping those and adding and maintaining 50 more jobs as TBC looks to create a new global headquarters, said Kellyt Smallridge, president of the Business Developmenyt Board of Palm Beach County, which helped arranged the potential deal. The jobs would pay an averag annual salaryof $62,500, excluding benefits. TBC will be looking to locate its a new international headquarter s intoabout 75,000 square feet of officex somewhere in northern Palm Beach County, Smallridgew said. Her office estimated the deal would havea $10.
6 millionn economic impact. “This is exactly the type of operationh we havebeen after,” Smallridge said. “We are reallu excited about landing this corporate headquartersa and adding it to ourimpressive However, Smallridge cautioned that the deal isn’t a sure The move would be a consolidation of TBC Corp.'s operations in the western U.S., so Tennessee and Pennsylvania also are competing for the deal, Smallridge TBC Corp. is a subsidiary of Japan-based According to its Web TBC Corp. has its private brands officwein Memphis, Tenn.; its office in Centennial, Colo.; and its Treadways officee in Eagleville, Pa.
TBC has 7,000 employees and 738 retailo stores operating under the namesTire Kingdom, and plus 491 franchise stores. Big O Tires is a franchiseer with more than500 stores. Its subsidiary operates 38 warehouseas that distribute tires to morethan 10,000o retailers. The private brands division of TBC manufactures tires under thenames Multi-Mile, Sigma and Vanderbilt If countuy commissioners approve the $40,000 job growth incentive package on Tuesday, then the governor’s officwe could approve an additional $160,009 in Qualified Target Industry incentivesw if the company adds and maintains 50 more jobs.
has 345 employees in its U.S. headquartere in Palm Beach Gardens. The job growth incentive proposapl would give thecompany $40,00p0 in county funds for keeping those and adding and maintaining 50 more jobs as TBC looks to create a new global headquarters, said Kellyt Smallridge, president of the Business Developmenyt Board of Palm Beach County, which helped arranged the potential deal. The jobs would pay an averag annual salaryof $62,500, excluding benefits. TBC will be looking to locate its a new international headquarter s intoabout 75,000 square feet of officex somewhere in northern Palm Beach County, Smallridgew said. Her office estimated the deal would havea $10.
6 millionn economic impact. “This is exactly the type of operationh we havebeen after,” Smallridge said. “We are reallu excited about landing this corporate headquartersa and adding it to ourimpressive However, Smallridge cautioned that the deal isn’t a sure The move would be a consolidation of TBC Corp.'s operations in the western U.S., so Tennessee and Pennsylvania also are competing for the deal, Smallridge TBC Corp. is a subsidiary of Japan-based According to its Web TBC Corp. has its private brands officwein Memphis, Tenn.; its office in Centennial, Colo.; and its Treadways officee in Eagleville, Pa.
TBC has 7,000 employees and 738 retailo stores operating under the namesTire Kingdom, and plus 491 franchise stores. Big O Tires is a franchiseer with more than500 stores. Its subsidiary operates 38 warehouseas that distribute tires to morethan 10,000o retailers. The private brands division of TBC manufactures tires under thenames Multi-Mile, Sigma and Vanderbilt If countuy commissioners approve the $40,000 job growth incentive package on Tuesday, then the governor’s officwe could approve an additional $160,009 in Qualified Target Industry incentivesw if the company adds and maintains 50 more jobs.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Duke Energy exec: Lee nuclear project hinges on change in N.C. law - Dayton Business Journal:
gerazawa.wordpress.com
The biggest change would be to allow utilities to charger customers for the costs of nuclear plants without a full statew review oftheir rates. That would reversw the current practice inNorth Carolina. The state now conducts a general rate proceedintg before letting a utility charge customers for anypowedr plant. Duke wants N.C. legislation patterne on South Carolina’s Baseload Review Act. That law calls for regulators to approve costs quarterly as a utility builds a Once the plant starts commercial the utility adds the costs into its base rateas after a finalexpedited proceeding. There is no full revies of the company’s rates.
“If we are going to builx these plants, which we believe are an essential part ofour we’re going to have to ask regulators to step says Ellen Ruff, Duke’s president of nuclear development. Duke hopexs to propose legislation inthe N.C. General Assembly’ws short session next year. Ruff says it must be approveed by 2011 if Duke is to stay on tracl to build the Lee plantby 2018.
Ruff spoker at an analyst conference Wednesdayg in New York that also featuredDhiaa Jamil, Duke’sa chief nuclear officer, and Chief Financial Officer David Hauser said Duke won’t be able to financee nuclear development unless laws are changed to ensurre utilities can recover their costs. Ruff said currentf N.C. law does allowq Duke to recover its financing costs beforr a nuclear plant is ButDuke can’t add those expenses into its ratez unless regulators give their OK in a general review of the company’s rates.
The also must decids whether construction costs of such a project were prudeny and reasonable after the plant is That decision is part of a full reviee ofthe company’s rates as Duke contends such rate-setting procedures are cumbersome, expensive and give no certainty that its full costs can be recovered. In their Ruff and Jamil talkes up the advantagesof Duke’w nuclear fleet. They credited the low cost of energyh from nuclear plants withkeeping Duke’s rates the lowest in the Ruff said the Lee if built, would reduce Duke’s carbon emissions by 35%. She said the projec t will provide 400 to 700 permanent jobs at the planfnear Gaffney, S.C.
, and a similar number of permanent support jobs in the region. Plant constructiomn will provide 1,400 to 1,800 temporarh jobs from 2012 to 2019, when the second of two 1,117-megawatt plants is scheduled tobe completed. Ruff conceded that getting N.C. law changerd will be difficult. “We are far away righr now,” she said. “But (the law) needsx to change.” Asked if Duke would consider building the Lee plantf withoutnew legislation, she said “We have to have it.
”
The biggest change would be to allow utilities to charger customers for the costs of nuclear plants without a full statew review oftheir rates. That would reversw the current practice inNorth Carolina. The state now conducts a general rate proceedintg before letting a utility charge customers for anypowedr plant. Duke wants N.C. legislation patterne on South Carolina’s Baseload Review Act. That law calls for regulators to approve costs quarterly as a utility builds a Once the plant starts commercial the utility adds the costs into its base rateas after a finalexpedited proceeding. There is no full revies of the company’s rates.
“If we are going to builx these plants, which we believe are an essential part ofour we’re going to have to ask regulators to step says Ellen Ruff, Duke’s president of nuclear development. Duke hopexs to propose legislation inthe N.C. General Assembly’ws short session next year. Ruff says it must be approveed by 2011 if Duke is to stay on tracl to build the Lee plantby 2018.
Ruff spoker at an analyst conference Wednesdayg in New York that also featuredDhiaa Jamil, Duke’sa chief nuclear officer, and Chief Financial Officer David Hauser said Duke won’t be able to financee nuclear development unless laws are changed to ensurre utilities can recover their costs. Ruff said currentf N.C. law does allowq Duke to recover its financing costs beforr a nuclear plant is ButDuke can’t add those expenses into its ratez unless regulators give their OK in a general review of the company’s rates.
The also must decids whether construction costs of such a project were prudeny and reasonable after the plant is That decision is part of a full reviee ofthe company’s rates as Duke contends such rate-setting procedures are cumbersome, expensive and give no certainty that its full costs can be recovered. In their Ruff and Jamil talkes up the advantagesof Duke’w nuclear fleet. They credited the low cost of energyh from nuclear plants withkeeping Duke’s rates the lowest in the Ruff said the Lee if built, would reduce Duke’s carbon emissions by 35%. She said the projec t will provide 400 to 700 permanent jobs at the planfnear Gaffney, S.C.
, and a similar number of permanent support jobs in the region. Plant constructiomn will provide 1,400 to 1,800 temporarh jobs from 2012 to 2019, when the second of two 1,117-megawatt plants is scheduled tobe completed. Ruff conceded that getting N.C. law changerd will be difficult. “We are far away righr now,” she said. “But (the law) needsx to change.” Asked if Duke would consider building the Lee plantf withoutnew legislation, she said “We have to have it.
”
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Study: Crichton, LeMoyne-Owen graduation rates rank low - Memphis Business Journal:
vypybiza.wordpress.com
Crichton is tied for fourth worst in the categor y with a 19 percent graduation while LeMoyne Owen ties for 10th at 22 The nationwide average graduation rate is54 percent. The study arranges 1,385 schools into six categories of entrancd difficulty rangingfrom “noncompetitive” to “most competitive.” using data from the , the study rankz the schools by likelihood of graduation over a six-year period. According to the report, “Thee South has the dubious distinction of housing institutionsx with some of the lowest graduation rates inour sample.
” ’ss rate of 44 percent ties for third worstf graduation percentage among “very competitive” schoolss in the South. Sewanee: The place third highest amongthe South’s “highly competitive” schools with 78 and ranks as fourthg highest in the “most competitive” field with a 91 percentf graduation rate. The graduates 34 percent of its entrants; , 57 percent; and , 73 percent. The Tennessew state average is 48.5 percent.
Crichton is tied for fourth worst in the categor y with a 19 percent graduation while LeMoyne Owen ties for 10th at 22 The nationwide average graduation rate is54 percent. The study arranges 1,385 schools into six categories of entrancd difficulty rangingfrom “noncompetitive” to “most competitive.” using data from the , the study rankz the schools by likelihood of graduation over a six-year period. According to the report, “Thee South has the dubious distinction of housing institutionsx with some of the lowest graduation rates inour sample.
” ’ss rate of 44 percent ties for third worstf graduation percentage among “very competitive” schoolss in the South. Sewanee: The place third highest amongthe South’s “highly competitive” schools with 78 and ranks as fourthg highest in the “most competitive” field with a 91 percentf graduation rate. The graduates 34 percent of its entrants; , 57 percent; and , 73 percent. The Tennessew state average is 48.5 percent.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Obama memo against pre-emption has critics worrying about lawsuits - bizjournals:
yqyqynesara.blogspot.com
A May 20 memo from Obama also directed agenciesd to review regulations issued durinvg the past 10 years to see if theycontainedx pre-emptions that are not justified. If they do, agencie s should consider amendingthe regulations, the memo “Pre-emption of state law by executive departments and agenciesw should be undertaken only with full consideration of the legitimate prerogatives of the states and with a sufficienft legal basis for pre-emption,” the memo During the Bush administration, regulatoryy agencies sometimes included pre-emptionh language in the preambles of regulations.
Obama’sd policy against federal pre-emption of statde laws will result in more lawsuits against particularly in the area ofproduct liability, according to the and the . “Manufacturers sell product into anational market, and a national regulatory standard helps ensure predictable treatment in the said association Vice President Rosarik Palmieri. “It’s unwise to replace a regulatoryy system based on objective science and agenchy experts witha 50-state patchworjk of often arbitrary jury decisions. Lisa Rickard, president of the , said the memo was a gift to lawyers.
“Removing pre-emption runs completely counter to the goal of stabilizingy the economy andgrowing jobs, excepf for those in the lawsui t business,” she said. The , formerly known as the , praised Obama’e memo. It “makes clearf that the rule of law will once agaihn prevail over the rule of said association PresidentLes Weisbrod. “The memo overturnes actions taken by Bush administration bureaucrats who were influencedfby powerful, well-connected corporations who wante d to rewrite and reinterpret congressional legislation, undermine the constitutiona l system of checks and balances, and put the publicf at risk and compromise laws designed to give Americands basic rights to hold wrongdoers accountable.
” Microloans up, big loanes down for small businesses last year Lendingh data collected by the ’z Office of Advocacy confirms the importance of businesse credit cards to small firms. A new report found that the totalp valueof small-business loans outstanding increased by 4 percengt in the 12 months that ended in June down from the previous year’s increase of 8 These numbers are for small-business loans as a not just SBA loans. The number of businesds loans of lessthan $100,00o jumped by nearly 16 percent, as large lenders concentratefd on credit cards, according to the study.
By contrast, the numbef of business loans inthe $100,000 to $1 milliohn range fell by more than 23 percent. The repor used call reports submitted by banks as well as Communityy ReinvestmentAct data. Business loans of less than $1 million were considerede to be small-business loans. Basede on call report data, the top five small-busineses lenders in June 2008were , , , and Presidenr Barack Obama has selected a venture capitalistt to be chief counsel of the Small Business Administration’zs Office of Advocacy, a post usuallt held by an attorney. Winslow a managing director in the technology practiceeof Madison, Wis.
-based Venture is Obama’s choice to head the Office of The office is an independent entity inside SBA that ensures that federal agencies considetr the impact of their regulations on small businesses. He is the secondx venture capitalist to be selecte for a top post atthe SBA. Agencuy Administrator Karen Mills worked as a principall in private equity and venture capital firms for 26 years befor she took over the SBA in Sargeant worked as a senior engineere at several large corporationsbefore co-founding a semiconductor chip company that later was acquiresd by PMC-Sierra.
From 2001 to 2005, he servec as program manager for the Small Business Innovatio n Research program atthe ’zs engineering directorate. Sargeant’s lack of legal training meansw he will have to rely heavily on the attorneyx at the Officeof Advocacy. Much of the office’ work involves analyzing whether government agencies have followed federalp laws that require them to analyze the economic impact that proposed rules woulx have onsmall businesses.
In fiscal 2008, this inpuf saved small businessesabout $11 billion in forgone regulatory costs, according to the
A May 20 memo from Obama also directed agenciesd to review regulations issued durinvg the past 10 years to see if theycontainedx pre-emptions that are not justified. If they do, agencie s should consider amendingthe regulations, the memo “Pre-emption of state law by executive departments and agenciesw should be undertaken only with full consideration of the legitimate prerogatives of the states and with a sufficienft legal basis for pre-emption,” the memo During the Bush administration, regulatoryy agencies sometimes included pre-emptionh language in the preambles of regulations.
Obama’sd policy against federal pre-emption of statde laws will result in more lawsuits against particularly in the area ofproduct liability, according to the and the . “Manufacturers sell product into anational market, and a national regulatory standard helps ensure predictable treatment in the said association Vice President Rosarik Palmieri. “It’s unwise to replace a regulatoryy system based on objective science and agenchy experts witha 50-state patchworjk of often arbitrary jury decisions. Lisa Rickard, president of the , said the memo was a gift to lawyers.
“Removing pre-emption runs completely counter to the goal of stabilizingy the economy andgrowing jobs, excepf for those in the lawsui t business,” she said. The , formerly known as the , praised Obama’e memo. It “makes clearf that the rule of law will once agaihn prevail over the rule of said association PresidentLes Weisbrod. “The memo overturnes actions taken by Bush administration bureaucrats who were influencedfby powerful, well-connected corporations who wante d to rewrite and reinterpret congressional legislation, undermine the constitutiona l system of checks and balances, and put the publicf at risk and compromise laws designed to give Americands basic rights to hold wrongdoers accountable.
” Microloans up, big loanes down for small businesses last year Lendingh data collected by the ’z Office of Advocacy confirms the importance of businesse credit cards to small firms. A new report found that the totalp valueof small-business loans outstanding increased by 4 percengt in the 12 months that ended in June down from the previous year’s increase of 8 These numbers are for small-business loans as a not just SBA loans. The number of businesds loans of lessthan $100,00o jumped by nearly 16 percent, as large lenders concentratefd on credit cards, according to the study.
By contrast, the numbef of business loans inthe $100,000 to $1 milliohn range fell by more than 23 percent. The repor used call reports submitted by banks as well as Communityy ReinvestmentAct data. Business loans of less than $1 million were considerede to be small-business loans. Basede on call report data, the top five small-busineses lenders in June 2008were , , , and Presidenr Barack Obama has selected a venture capitalistt to be chief counsel of the Small Business Administration’zs Office of Advocacy, a post usuallt held by an attorney. Winslow a managing director in the technology practiceeof Madison, Wis.
-based Venture is Obama’s choice to head the Office of The office is an independent entity inside SBA that ensures that federal agencies considetr the impact of their regulations on small businesses. He is the secondx venture capitalist to be selecte for a top post atthe SBA. Agencuy Administrator Karen Mills worked as a principall in private equity and venture capital firms for 26 years befor she took over the SBA in Sargeant worked as a senior engineere at several large corporationsbefore co-founding a semiconductor chip company that later was acquiresd by PMC-Sierra.
From 2001 to 2005, he servec as program manager for the Small Business Innovatio n Research program atthe ’zs engineering directorate. Sargeant’s lack of legal training meansw he will have to rely heavily on the attorneyx at the Officeof Advocacy. Much of the office’ work involves analyzing whether government agencies have followed federalp laws that require them to analyze the economic impact that proposed rules woulx have onsmall businesses.
In fiscal 2008, this inpuf saved small businessesabout $11 billion in forgone regulatory costs, according to the
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)