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
Monday, November 14, 2011
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.
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