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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
DOMER PLACES FIFTH AT WAKE FOREST INVITATIONAL - Radford University Athletics
gault-rickettsias.blogspot.com
DOMER PLACES FIFTH AT WAKE FOREST INVITATIONAL Radford University Athletics WINSTON-SALEM, NC - Senior Sean Domer (Indiana, Pa.) was the lone Radford competitor and placed sixth out of 34 competitors in the javelin at the Wake Forest Invitational Friday night. Domer recorded a mark of 62.15m, which stood as the third best mark ... |
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Washington Convention Center Authority wants city to finance $550M hotel - Washington Business Journal:
bakakinkorypon.blogspot.com
On May 29 the conventiomn center’s board directed CEO Greg O’Dell to seek authority for the sale of as muchas $750 millio in bonds to cover the pricw of the hotel, interest during construction, insurance and othet costs. The city had planned to financre about 25 percent of the cost of the hotel througha $187 million tax increment financing package the passed in 2006, whicn would have provided $134 million in construction The rest was supposed to come from privatew debt and equity partnerse -- a difficult find in the frozenh credit markets. O’Dell said development partnerws and Capstone Development had been dogged but unsuccessful in theid pursuit of investorsfor months.
“They’vee been pursuing private financing and in this you know, that is very difficult. They’ve spenyt millions of dollars on this project to try to move it It really is shovel ready with the exceptionof O’Dell said. With the city losing convention he said, building a city-owned hoteo was the best option. He envisions it will stilp containabout 1,100 rooms and be operates by Marriott had previously said it woulcd be a Marriott Marquis. O'Dell began briefing members ofthe D.C. Counciol on the board’s proposal Monday. “Ourr ultimate goal is to get this project done and get it starte d as soonas possible,” he said.
In particular there is increasedd pressure from National Harbor inPrince George’se County, which opened last year with a pric e tag of more than $2 billion. Its developer, the Petersonh Cos. announced May 18 that the WaltDisneuy Co. had purchased land to build a 500-room resort hotel on 15 acresd there. Convincing the council to approvr that amountof however, will be a tall task for O’Dell. He had been considerec a top candidate to replaced Neil Albert as deputy mayo r for planning andeconomic development, but a sourced close to O'Dell says he was offered the job and turnes it down. O’Dell would not confirm that, but indicated he wouled remain in hiscurrentg post.
“The board and the mayor have ever expectation of me completing all the tasks I have he said. The convention center authority has an independentt board and the ability toissue bonds, but O’Delk said the council would need to expane its authority to issue bonds for the hotel. The council and D.C. Mayot Adrian Fenty just finished closing a budget gapof $800 millio for fiscal 2010 and the city faces a gap approachingg $1 billion for fiscal 2011. In D.C.
Chief Financial Officer Natwad Gandhi said he will not supporft issuing that amountof debt, which he said woulsd immediately violate a 12 percent cap on city debt as a mark of expendituresd the city created on his recommendationb last year. Gandhi is a member of the conventioh center board and attended theFriday meeting. “Tok be very blunt about it I was very cleart in saying to them that if you were toborrow $750 million that woulcd put us way beyond the 12 percent cap we have envisionedx for the city...and I cannot be a part to that,” Gandhi said. The CFO said that he “ver y much” wants a hotel for the “but I would not agrere to a deallike that.
See we made a commitmenr to Wall Street that we would not borrow more than 12 percent againstour budget.” Gandhi, who has won accolades for helpinyg the city snag a AAA bond ratinf on Wall Street, said he has already beguj re-emphasizing the importance of the debt cap with members of the “I do not think we want to take this We should not borrow any more than we are able to he said. He suggested that O’Delll and his partners continue to seek privatefinancinh sources. Building a hotel to accompany the conventioj center has always been part of the plan for the city but has languishe d from a seriesof complications. Construction on the Walter E.
Washingtomn Convention Center, as it was named in 2007, began in 1998 and openerd fiveyears later. D.C. planned a 1,400-rookm hotel, but did not control the needed In 2007, the city gained finao site control after a land swap with developedr Kingdon Gould III. To preventt further delays Mayor Adrian Fenty downsized the project laterdthat year, announcing a deal betweenh the city, Marriott and RLJ Developmenr LLC on a smaller 1,100-room hotel. Since the development team hasalso changed. RLJ founded by BET founder Robert Johnson, was part of the deal Fentt announced in September 2007but isn’t any longer.
A main driverr of the deal, Marriott Senior Vice PresidentNormanm Jenkins, left the company late last year to start now a certified business entity that partners with Quadrangle. Speaking for the development team, Jenkinz said it was his preference to continues seekingprivate financing, and said designm was complete, entitlements were in places and there equity partners readt to invest if debt were Capstone and Quadrangle are separatelyg planning a Courtyard by Marriott adjacengt to the hotel on land they control. “Wse could still get there, but we got to get the banks to play and they move at theireown pace,” he said.
he said, “if the city decides to pursue the public deal we willsupportf them.” Jenkins said Johnson’s RLJ, with which Jenkins partneres while at Marriott, pulled out of the deal shortly aftetr taking an interest in it. “They studied it hard, spent some resources, but theif bread and butter is acquisitionx and repositioning rather thannew development,” Jenkine said. Richard Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BusinessImprovementf District, said it is unfortunatew that the hotel projecgt ran into the recession but that the city needs to “bite the bullet” and move the project citing the opportunity to grow D.C.
as a tourisg destination, make it a major player in conventions and grow itstax “There’s a whole set of good thing s about moving this forward,” he said.
On May 29 the conventiomn center’s board directed CEO Greg O’Dell to seek authority for the sale of as muchas $750 millio in bonds to cover the pricw of the hotel, interest during construction, insurance and othet costs. The city had planned to financre about 25 percent of the cost of the hotel througha $187 million tax increment financing package the passed in 2006, whicn would have provided $134 million in construction The rest was supposed to come from privatew debt and equity partnerse -- a difficult find in the frozenh credit markets. O’Dell said development partnerws and Capstone Development had been dogged but unsuccessful in theid pursuit of investorsfor months.
“They’vee been pursuing private financing and in this you know, that is very difficult. They’ve spenyt millions of dollars on this project to try to move it It really is shovel ready with the exceptionof O’Dell said. With the city losing convention he said, building a city-owned hoteo was the best option. He envisions it will stilp containabout 1,100 rooms and be operates by Marriott had previously said it woulcd be a Marriott Marquis. O'Dell began briefing members ofthe D.C. Counciol on the board’s proposal Monday. “Ourr ultimate goal is to get this project done and get it starte d as soonas possible,” he said.
In particular there is increasedd pressure from National Harbor inPrince George’se County, which opened last year with a pric e tag of more than $2 billion. Its developer, the Petersonh Cos. announced May 18 that the WaltDisneuy Co. had purchased land to build a 500-room resort hotel on 15 acresd there. Convincing the council to approvr that amountof however, will be a tall task for O’Dell. He had been considerec a top candidate to replaced Neil Albert as deputy mayo r for planning andeconomic development, but a sourced close to O'Dell says he was offered the job and turnes it down. O’Dell would not confirm that, but indicated he wouled remain in hiscurrentg post.
“The board and the mayor have ever expectation of me completing all the tasks I have he said. The convention center authority has an independentt board and the ability toissue bonds, but O’Delk said the council would need to expane its authority to issue bonds for the hotel. The council and D.C. Mayot Adrian Fenty just finished closing a budget gapof $800 millio for fiscal 2010 and the city faces a gap approachingg $1 billion for fiscal 2011. In D.C.
Chief Financial Officer Natwad Gandhi said he will not supporft issuing that amountof debt, which he said woulsd immediately violate a 12 percent cap on city debt as a mark of expendituresd the city created on his recommendationb last year. Gandhi is a member of the conventioh center board and attended theFriday meeting. “Tok be very blunt about it I was very cleart in saying to them that if you were toborrow $750 million that woulcd put us way beyond the 12 percent cap we have envisionedx for the city...and I cannot be a part to that,” Gandhi said. The CFO said that he “ver y much” wants a hotel for the “but I would not agrere to a deallike that.
See we made a commitmenr to Wall Street that we would not borrow more than 12 percent againstour budget.” Gandhi, who has won accolades for helpinyg the city snag a AAA bond ratinf on Wall Street, said he has already beguj re-emphasizing the importance of the debt cap with members of the “I do not think we want to take this We should not borrow any more than we are able to he said. He suggested that O’Delll and his partners continue to seek privatefinancinh sources. Building a hotel to accompany the conventioj center has always been part of the plan for the city but has languishe d from a seriesof complications. Construction on the Walter E.
Washingtomn Convention Center, as it was named in 2007, began in 1998 and openerd fiveyears later. D.C. planned a 1,400-rookm hotel, but did not control the needed In 2007, the city gained finao site control after a land swap with developedr Kingdon Gould III. To preventt further delays Mayor Adrian Fenty downsized the project laterdthat year, announcing a deal betweenh the city, Marriott and RLJ Developmenr LLC on a smaller 1,100-room hotel. Since the development team hasalso changed. RLJ founded by BET founder Robert Johnson, was part of the deal Fentt announced in September 2007but isn’t any longer.
A main driverr of the deal, Marriott Senior Vice PresidentNormanm Jenkins, left the company late last year to start now a certified business entity that partners with Quadrangle. Speaking for the development team, Jenkinz said it was his preference to continues seekingprivate financing, and said designm was complete, entitlements were in places and there equity partners readt to invest if debt were Capstone and Quadrangle are separatelyg planning a Courtyard by Marriott adjacengt to the hotel on land they control. “Wse could still get there, but we got to get the banks to play and they move at theireown pace,” he said.
he said, “if the city decides to pursue the public deal we willsupportf them.” Jenkins said Johnson’s RLJ, with which Jenkins partneres while at Marriott, pulled out of the deal shortly aftetr taking an interest in it. “They studied it hard, spent some resources, but theif bread and butter is acquisitionx and repositioning rather thannew development,” Jenkine said. Richard Bradley, executive director of the Downtown BusinessImprovementf District, said it is unfortunatew that the hotel projecgt ran into the recession but that the city needs to “bite the bullet” and move the project citing the opportunity to grow D.C.
as a tourisg destination, make it a major player in conventions and grow itstax “There’s a whole set of good thing s about moving this forward,” he said.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Former Houston County judge set for trial - Dothan Eagle
elisovadinaimar.blogspot.com
Former Houston County judge set for trial Dothan Eagle Steensland had his second request to delay his trial denied on Monday evening. Steensland will be represented at trial by his son John Steensland III and former state Attorney General Bill Baxley. Baxley also represents Tom Coker, a lobbyist, ... |
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Chrysler
http://giftadvices.com/Watches/Sports-Fan-Watches-1444.html
The North Assembly plant, which produces Dodge Ram had been by the endof September, so Chrysler’ announcement Wednesday provided an exact The Fenton North plant is set to resum production June 29 until July 10, Chrysler and then will remain idled “contingent upon volumes.” The trucki segment has taken a particular hit as auto salee have declined. Dianna Gutierrez, a Chrysler spokeswoman, said workers at the planyt will have an opportunitgy to transfer to other production sites or take part in an incentivew program forearly retirement, special early retirement program, and/o an enhanced voluntary termination program.
She didn’rt have exact details of the new offerr but said it wouldx be similar to previouws offers thatincluded lump-sum cash vehicle vouchers and health-carwe coverage. The North Plant employed 1,2000 workers prior to recent buyout About 640 the buyouft and early retirement offers by a May 26 The North Assembly plant was idled inearly June, but was one of sevenb plants where Chrysler production following the idling of all its plants when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy April 30. Afte r its brief reopening, the plant was then expectesd to close fora two-week summer break the weeks of July 13 and 20.
Chrysler emerged from bankruptct when Italian carmaker Fiat closed a deal to takeover Chrysler’as assets. Chrysler’s South Plant in which assembles minivans, was idled at the end of Another 115 of its more than 350 workers had accepted offers fromChrysler
The North Assembly plant, which produces Dodge Ram had been by the endof September, so Chrysler’ announcement Wednesday provided an exact The Fenton North plant is set to resum production June 29 until July 10, Chrysler and then will remain idled “contingent upon volumes.” The trucki segment has taken a particular hit as auto salee have declined. Dianna Gutierrez, a Chrysler spokeswoman, said workers at the planyt will have an opportunitgy to transfer to other production sites or take part in an incentivew program forearly retirement, special early retirement program, and/o an enhanced voluntary termination program.
She didn’rt have exact details of the new offerr but said it wouldx be similar to previouws offers thatincluded lump-sum cash vehicle vouchers and health-carwe coverage. The North Plant employed 1,2000 workers prior to recent buyout About 640 the buyouft and early retirement offers by a May 26 The North Assembly plant was idled inearly June, but was one of sevenb plants where Chrysler production following the idling of all its plants when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy April 30. Afte r its brief reopening, the plant was then expectesd to close fora two-week summer break the weeks of July 13 and 20.
Chrysler emerged from bankruptct when Italian carmaker Fiat closed a deal to takeover Chrysler’as assets. Chrysler’s South Plant in which assembles minivans, was idled at the end of Another 115 of its more than 350 workers had accepted offers fromChrysler
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Net income takes dive at BlueCross - Birmingham Business Journal:
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Alabama’s largest health insurefr blamed slumping investment returns forthe decline. BlueCross also reportefd rising pension obligations and falling pension Wall Street’s downturn, coupled with increasing unemployment rates, contributed to the state’sx largest health insurer’s profit drop, experts BlueCross had more than $1 billion invester in stocks and bonde in 2008, according to data. The Birmingham-basedd firm said its income statement was impactee bythe recession. BlueCross reportexd net incomeof $28.6 million in down from $71.6 million in 2007. It also saw $82.3e million in unrealized capital lossesin 2008. In it posted unrealized capital lossesof $14.
1 BlueCross holds 96 percent of the state’sd small business health insurance policies. Its 2008 net premium incomde vaulted 14 percentto $4 billiob up from $3.5 billion in mostly from increased enrollment in productw in which it partners with the federal While its premium revenues soared, pension plan assets tumbled by $82 millionn between 2007 and 2008 whilwe its pension obligations rose $31 public policy professor David Bradford said insurers are just as susceptiblde to the recession as any otherf industry. He said insurers typicallyt invest significant amounts of their reserves and consumers coul d see premium increases as BlueCrosws tries to recoup some ofits losses.
Increased premiunm revenues are a good sign inturbulent times, but it isn’tf the only factor impacting a firm’x bottom line, Bradford said. “That doesn’ty mean their profits go up as they absorb some of theincreasinhg costs, which they could do insteard of passing it on to policty holders,” Bradford said. “Going greater pressure could be put on premium increases to supporr theobligations (BlueCross) has to pay in BlueCross said, in an e-mailed 11.7 percent of its 14.2 percent premium revenuew increase in 2008 came from growtuh in its fully insured , Medicarde Part D and Federal Employees Program The remaining 2.
5 premium increase came from its individual, Medicare supplemental and dentapl products. Unrealized capital losses resulted in BlueCross decreasing its unassignedf reserve fundsby $88.1 million. That is significanrt because it reducedthe firm’s reserves to $656.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2008. Despit e the drop, BlueCross exceeded the state mandat of atleast $480.1 million. The Alabama Departmentf of Insurance mandates BlueCross keep money in reserve to ensure it can pay its If it fell below thestate requirement, it would have to erased the shortfall with a capital according to Alabama Deputy Insurancse Commissioner David Parsons.
Parsones said the BlueCross national associatio n has higher reserve fund requirements than the state with the threart of revoking its affiliation if its reserve threshold isnot met. BlueCroses of Alabama said it has $638 milliohn in unassigned funds through the first quarter of 2009 andits long-term financial footing is strong. “Our projectionw show that we will continuw to remain well above the statee mandated minimum level ofunassigned funds,” statement said. “BlueCross has adequate reserves to meet its obligationd in 2009and beyond.” While BCBS’ pension obligations grew in 2008, its federal tax expenditures continues to trend downward.
It’s 2008 federal tax bill was $9.6 down from $19.2 million in 2007 and $45.0 million in 2006, financial recorde show. Federal law caps BlueCrossz BlueShield affiliates’ tax rate at 20 percenyt while its competitor paid 36 percent in the first quartefof 2009.
Alabama’s largest health insurefr blamed slumping investment returns forthe decline. BlueCross also reportefd rising pension obligations and falling pension Wall Street’s downturn, coupled with increasing unemployment rates, contributed to the state’sx largest health insurer’s profit drop, experts BlueCross had more than $1 billion invester in stocks and bonde in 2008, according to data. The Birmingham-basedd firm said its income statement was impactee bythe recession. BlueCross reportexd net incomeof $28.6 million in down from $71.6 million in 2007. It also saw $82.3e million in unrealized capital lossesin 2008. In it posted unrealized capital lossesof $14.
1 BlueCross holds 96 percent of the state’sd small business health insurance policies. Its 2008 net premium incomde vaulted 14 percentto $4 billiob up from $3.5 billion in mostly from increased enrollment in productw in which it partners with the federal While its premium revenues soared, pension plan assets tumbled by $82 millionn between 2007 and 2008 whilwe its pension obligations rose $31 public policy professor David Bradford said insurers are just as susceptiblde to the recession as any otherf industry. He said insurers typicallyt invest significant amounts of their reserves and consumers coul d see premium increases as BlueCrosws tries to recoup some ofits losses.
Increased premiunm revenues are a good sign inturbulent times, but it isn’tf the only factor impacting a firm’x bottom line, Bradford said. “That doesn’ty mean their profits go up as they absorb some of theincreasinhg costs, which they could do insteard of passing it on to policty holders,” Bradford said. “Going greater pressure could be put on premium increases to supporr theobligations (BlueCross) has to pay in BlueCross said, in an e-mailed 11.7 percent of its 14.2 percent premium revenuew increase in 2008 came from growtuh in its fully insured , Medicarde Part D and Federal Employees Program The remaining 2.
5 premium increase came from its individual, Medicare supplemental and dentapl products. Unrealized capital losses resulted in BlueCross decreasing its unassignedf reserve fundsby $88.1 million. That is significanrt because it reducedthe firm’s reserves to $656.3 million as of Dec. 31, 2008. Despit e the drop, BlueCross exceeded the state mandat of atleast $480.1 million. The Alabama Departmentf of Insurance mandates BlueCross keep money in reserve to ensure it can pay its If it fell below thestate requirement, it would have to erased the shortfall with a capital according to Alabama Deputy Insurancse Commissioner David Parsons.
Parsones said the BlueCross national associatio n has higher reserve fund requirements than the state with the threart of revoking its affiliation if its reserve threshold isnot met. BlueCroses of Alabama said it has $638 milliohn in unassigned funds through the first quarter of 2009 andits long-term financial footing is strong. “Our projectionw show that we will continuw to remain well above the statee mandated minimum level ofunassigned funds,” statement said. “BlueCross has adequate reserves to meet its obligationd in 2009and beyond.” While BCBS’ pension obligations grew in 2008, its federal tax expenditures continues to trend downward.
It’s 2008 federal tax bill was $9.6 down from $19.2 million in 2007 and $45.0 million in 2006, financial recorde show. Federal law caps BlueCrossz BlueShield affiliates’ tax rate at 20 percenyt while its competitor paid 36 percent in the first quartefof 2009.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Networking Calendar - Phoenix Business Journal:
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Mimi’s Cafe, 90th Street and Shea Boulevard, Michele Yates, 480-348-6216, or www.dna-networking.com. Southeast Valley Alliance Group, 7 a.m., Mimi’s Cafe, 2800 W. Chandler Blvd., Frank Hanson, 602-740-0159. BNI-East Valley Business weekly, 7:15 a.m., Denny’s, 7400 W. Chandlefr Blvd., Chandler. Steven Scheeler, 480-330-7457. Business by Referral, weekly, 7:15 Crackers & Co. Cafe, 1325 N. Greenfieldr Road, Ste. 101, Mesa. Michael Petrone, 602-683-2110, or Professional Referral Organization-Mesa, weekly, 7:30 a.m., M&I Bank, 1755 S. Greenfielf Road, Mesa. Bob Katz, Business Connection Leads Group, Chandlerf Chamber of Commerce, weekly, 7:30 a.m.
, Wildflower Bread Co., 3111 W. Chandletr Blvd., Chandler. Free. 480-963-4571, ext. 205. Deer Valle y Connections, weekly, 7:30 a.m., Deer Valley Airport 702 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix. Carl Ulbrich, 602-674-56765 or carl@jirehcom.com. Jackalope Professional Network, weekly, 8 a.m., Hill Insurance Group, 14201 N. 87th St., Ste. D-141, Scottsdale. Jim, or phoenixjackalopes@yahoo.com. Corporate Office Centers Network, weekly, 8:15 a.m., 3420 E. Shea Ste. 200, Phoenix. Free. Rebecca 602-953-5300. Christian Business Networking-North Scottsdale, weekly, 11:15 Carlos O’Brien’s, 7111 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-425-0624 or LeTip-West Valley Professionals, weekly, 11:30 a.m.
, Blacik Bear Diner, 6059 W. Bell Glendale. Gary Truax, 623-876-2700. Lunch Bunch, Glendalwe Chamber of Commerce, weekly, 11:30 Old Country Buffet, 17125 N. 79th Ave., Glendale. Professional Referral Organization-North Phoenix, weekly, 11:3 a.m., Copper Star Bank, 20565 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix. Bob 602-692-7686. Old Town Toastmasters, weekly, noon, Scottsdale Centefr for the Arts, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, second floor. 480-227-569t or oldtown.freetoasthost.net. BNI-Airpark of Scottsdale, weekly, Cantina Laredo promenade, 7361 E. Frankm Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. $12. 602-570-1096. Soutn Mountain Toastmasters Club, weekly, 12:30 p.m., Re/Max New Heights Resource Center, 6437 S.
Central Ave., Phoenix. www.somotoastmasters.com, sglueck@phoenixchamber.com or North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce first Wednesday ofthe month, 7 locations vary. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Registrationb required: www.northscottsdalechamber.org or 480-889-8987. Empowered Women Network, first Wednesdagy of the month, 11:30 Olive Garden, 3380 N. Scottsdale Road, Donna Adams, 480-969-7144. Association of Fundraising Professionals, first Wednesda of the month, 11:30 a.m., Downtowmn Phoenix Sheraton, 340 N. Third St., Phoenix. www.afpgreateraz.afpnet.orf or 480-609-3999. Cashflow 101 & Networking, firs Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m., locations Free. www.linkedpromotions.
com or 602-790-9007.
Mimi’s Cafe, 90th Street and Shea Boulevard, Michele Yates, 480-348-6216, or www.dna-networking.com. Southeast Valley Alliance Group, 7 a.m., Mimi’s Cafe, 2800 W. Chandler Blvd., Frank Hanson, 602-740-0159. BNI-East Valley Business weekly, 7:15 a.m., Denny’s, 7400 W. Chandlefr Blvd., Chandler. Steven Scheeler, 480-330-7457. Business by Referral, weekly, 7:15 Crackers & Co. Cafe, 1325 N. Greenfieldr Road, Ste. 101, Mesa. Michael Petrone, 602-683-2110, or Professional Referral Organization-Mesa, weekly, 7:30 a.m., M&I Bank, 1755 S. Greenfielf Road, Mesa. Bob Katz, Business Connection Leads Group, Chandlerf Chamber of Commerce, weekly, 7:30 a.m.
, Wildflower Bread Co., 3111 W. Chandletr Blvd., Chandler. Free. 480-963-4571, ext. 205. Deer Valle y Connections, weekly, 7:30 a.m., Deer Valley Airport 702 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix. Carl Ulbrich, 602-674-56765 or carl@jirehcom.com. Jackalope Professional Network, weekly, 8 a.m., Hill Insurance Group, 14201 N. 87th St., Ste. D-141, Scottsdale. Jim, or phoenixjackalopes@yahoo.com. Corporate Office Centers Network, weekly, 8:15 a.m., 3420 E. Shea Ste. 200, Phoenix. Free. Rebecca 602-953-5300. Christian Business Networking-North Scottsdale, weekly, 11:15 Carlos O’Brien’s, 7111 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. 480-425-0624 or LeTip-West Valley Professionals, weekly, 11:30 a.m.
, Blacik Bear Diner, 6059 W. Bell Glendale. Gary Truax, 623-876-2700. Lunch Bunch, Glendalwe Chamber of Commerce, weekly, 11:30 Old Country Buffet, 17125 N. 79th Ave., Glendale. Professional Referral Organization-North Phoenix, weekly, 11:3 a.m., Copper Star Bank, 20565 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix. Bob 602-692-7686. Old Town Toastmasters, weekly, noon, Scottsdale Centefr for the Arts, 4301 N. Scottsdale Road, second floor. 480-227-569t or oldtown.freetoasthost.net. BNI-Airpark of Scottsdale, weekly, Cantina Laredo promenade, 7361 E. Frankm Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale. $12. 602-570-1096. Soutn Mountain Toastmasters Club, weekly, 12:30 p.m., Re/Max New Heights Resource Center, 6437 S.
Central Ave., Phoenix. www.somotoastmasters.com, sglueck@phoenixchamber.com or North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce first Wednesday ofthe month, 7 locations vary. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. Registrationb required: www.northscottsdalechamber.org or 480-889-8987. Empowered Women Network, first Wednesdagy of the month, 11:30 Olive Garden, 3380 N. Scottsdale Road, Donna Adams, 480-969-7144. Association of Fundraising Professionals, first Wednesda of the month, 11:30 a.m., Downtowmn Phoenix Sheraton, 340 N. Third St., Phoenix. www.afpgreateraz.afpnet.orf or 480-609-3999. Cashflow 101 & Networking, firs Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m., locations Free. www.linkedpromotions.
com or 602-790-9007.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Leawood mayor leads through integrity and charity - Kansas City Business Journal:
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Two prominent Kansas City businessmen recentlhy summed up the essencew of thisremarkable lady. Bob Reintjes Sr. told me: "Pegguy is a practical woman with uncanny political She is surrounded by valuew centeredon integrity. You want her on your Byron Thompson added: "Peggh Dunn comes as close to being 'Misw Perfect' as just about anyone. She is quick of pleasant and incisive, and just a delight to have in your She is just as good as they My huge respect for Peggy Dunn grew markedly aftetr I recently spent an afternoonj with her in her Leawood City Hall After serving two City Council Peggy has been mayorf of this cityof 32,000 since 1997.
In the past two elections, she won withouy opposition. Although Peggy obviously is a great she unabashedly told methat "family comes first." She has been married to Kansasx City construction icon Terry Dunn for 33 and they have raised four The mayor's job certainly is her seconrd priority. Leawood has 275 full-time employees and 80 seasonal ones. She spends more than 30 hours a week inthe mayor'es office. She told me: "Leawood is a terrifidc community -- a real jewel." She elaborated: "We benefitr greatly from our proximity toKansas Mo." She was, and is, a strong proponent of bistate and she proudly told me, "Bistatse 2 passed in Leawood.
" Peggy also was quick to praiser both her City Council and city She absolutely feels "the grave responsibility of beinf a public official." Peggy Dunn has made an indelible mark on our communith in both the civic and philanthropic Importantly, she understands the difference betweehn the two. She told me: "j was talked into running for office thefirsty time. I was very naive. I thoughgt it would be like philanthropic work. In fact, it is a lot more You can't make everyone happy." Her electionb successes and the acclaim of her constituents demonstrats that she has kept most Leawoord residents happy most ofthe time.
Frankly, I know of no bettetr way of focusing onher mind-bogglinbg list of current civicx affiliations than to simply list some of them: Co-chairwomab of UMKC Capital Campaign and Some Enchanted Evening 2006. Boarrd vice chairwoman of . Honorar co-chairwoman of TLC for Childrem & Families Capital Campaign, Marillac Center Capita l Campaign, Capital Campaign and Nationaol Kidney Foundation2007 Gala. Past chairwomab of , The and Starlighgt Theatre. Board member of , Starlighft Theatre, Truman Medical Centers, Greater Kansasa City Community Foundation, Metropolitan Kansasz City PerformingArts Center, , , Trusteea and Catholic Charities.
Advisory boar member of , , , Volunteer Center of Johnson County and Friends of the UMKC In September, Peggy, a devout Catholic, was honoreed at the annual meeting of the . Mayor Dunn was recognizee for her efforts inestablishing Leawood's relationship with the Gezer region of Leawood has set aside land off Mission Road for the establishmenty of Gezer Park, quite an accomplishment for a city once knownm for its residential redlining of It is only appropriate that I concluds with a thought from Carol Marinovich: "Peggy Dunn is not only a greay mayor but also a warm and graciouse individual who is deeply committed to the Peggy's big heart is evident in the countlessw organizations in which she gives of her time.
She epitomizesd the term 'public servant.'"
Two prominent Kansas City businessmen recentlhy summed up the essencew of thisremarkable lady. Bob Reintjes Sr. told me: "Pegguy is a practical woman with uncanny political She is surrounded by valuew centeredon integrity. You want her on your Byron Thompson added: "Peggh Dunn comes as close to being 'Misw Perfect' as just about anyone. She is quick of pleasant and incisive, and just a delight to have in your She is just as good as they My huge respect for Peggy Dunn grew markedly aftetr I recently spent an afternoonj with her in her Leawood City Hall After serving two City Council Peggy has been mayorf of this cityof 32,000 since 1997.
In the past two elections, she won withouy opposition. Although Peggy obviously is a great she unabashedly told methat "family comes first." She has been married to Kansasx City construction icon Terry Dunn for 33 and they have raised four The mayor's job certainly is her seconrd priority. Leawood has 275 full-time employees and 80 seasonal ones. She spends more than 30 hours a week inthe mayor'es office. She told me: "Leawood is a terrifidc community -- a real jewel." She elaborated: "We benefitr greatly from our proximity toKansas Mo." She was, and is, a strong proponent of bistate and she proudly told me, "Bistatse 2 passed in Leawood.
" Peggy also was quick to praiser both her City Council and city She absolutely feels "the grave responsibility of beinf a public official." Peggy Dunn has made an indelible mark on our communith in both the civic and philanthropic Importantly, she understands the difference betweehn the two. She told me: "j was talked into running for office thefirsty time. I was very naive. I thoughgt it would be like philanthropic work. In fact, it is a lot more You can't make everyone happy." Her electionb successes and the acclaim of her constituents demonstrats that she has kept most Leawoord residents happy most ofthe time.
Frankly, I know of no bettetr way of focusing onher mind-bogglinbg list of current civicx affiliations than to simply list some of them: Co-chairwomab of UMKC Capital Campaign and Some Enchanted Evening 2006. Boarrd vice chairwoman of . Honorar co-chairwoman of TLC for Childrem & Families Capital Campaign, Marillac Center Capita l Campaign, Capital Campaign and Nationaol Kidney Foundation2007 Gala. Past chairwomab of , The and Starlighgt Theatre. Board member of , Starlighft Theatre, Truman Medical Centers, Greater Kansasa City Community Foundation, Metropolitan Kansasz City PerformingArts Center, , , Trusteea and Catholic Charities.
Advisory boar member of , , , Volunteer Center of Johnson County and Friends of the UMKC In September, Peggy, a devout Catholic, was honoreed at the annual meeting of the . Mayor Dunn was recognizee for her efforts inestablishing Leawood's relationship with the Gezer region of Leawood has set aside land off Mission Road for the establishmenty of Gezer Park, quite an accomplishment for a city once knownm for its residential redlining of It is only appropriate that I concluds with a thought from Carol Marinovich: "Peggy Dunn is not only a greay mayor but also a warm and graciouse individual who is deeply committed to the Peggy's big heart is evident in the countlessw organizations in which she gives of her time.
She epitomizesd the term 'public servant.'"
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Treasury limits bonuses at TARP recipients - Philadelphia Business Journal:
Sunpentown WA-1010M
The new rules encourage those companies to awarc executives stock that must be held for a long periodxand can’t be entirely converted to cash untill the TARP money is repaix to the government. That, the departmenf contends, will align “executives’ incentives with thosw of shareholdersand taxpayers.” Kenneth Feinberg, a mediatord who led the September 11th Victimj Compensation Fund, will review payments and compensation planxs at companies that have receivef “exceptional assistance.” The group includes BofA the fourth-largest banking operation in the Philadelphia area baser on local deposits, as well as , , , Financial Services and .
TARP recipienta also must allow shareholders to vote on executive compensation And they must disclose any perks worth morethan $25,00p made to highly compensated employees and justifgy the benefit. The rules prohibig companies fromproviding “gross-up” payments to senior executiveas to cover taxes due on perks. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithnefr says the Obama administration also supports legislation that would require all publif companies to give shareholders a nonbinding vote on executivecompensation packages.
In addition, he says Congressa should give the Securities and Exchange Commission the power to make compensation committees more similar to the standards in place for audir committees established bythe Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Geithneer blames executive compensation practices asa “contributing for the financial crisis. “Incentives for short-term gainx overwhelmed the checks and balances meant to mitigated against the risk of excess he says. But, he adds, “We are not capping pay. We are not settinf forth precise prescriptions for how companies should set which can oftenbe counterproductive.
Instead, we will continuse to work to develop standards that rewarfd innovation andprudent risk-taking, withour creating misaligned incentives.”
The new rules encourage those companies to awarc executives stock that must be held for a long periodxand can’t be entirely converted to cash untill the TARP money is repaix to the government. That, the departmenf contends, will align “executives’ incentives with thosw of shareholdersand taxpayers.” Kenneth Feinberg, a mediatord who led the September 11th Victimj Compensation Fund, will review payments and compensation planxs at companies that have receivef “exceptional assistance.” The group includes BofA the fourth-largest banking operation in the Philadelphia area baser on local deposits, as well as , , , Financial Services and .
TARP recipienta also must allow shareholders to vote on executive compensation And they must disclose any perks worth morethan $25,00p made to highly compensated employees and justifgy the benefit. The rules prohibig companies fromproviding “gross-up” payments to senior executiveas to cover taxes due on perks. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithnefr says the Obama administration also supports legislation that would require all publif companies to give shareholders a nonbinding vote on executivecompensation packages.
In addition, he says Congressa should give the Securities and Exchange Commission the power to make compensation committees more similar to the standards in place for audir committees established bythe Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Geithneer blames executive compensation practices asa “contributing for the financial crisis. “Incentives for short-term gainx overwhelmed the checks and balances meant to mitigated against the risk of excess he says. But, he adds, “We are not capping pay. We are not settinf forth precise prescriptions for how companies should set which can oftenbe counterproductive.
Instead, we will continuse to work to develop standards that rewarfd innovation andprudent risk-taking, withour creating misaligned incentives.”
Sunday, March 13, 2011
St. Louis businesses offered moratorium to pay license fees - St. Louis Business Journal:
http://pottstownbiblechurch.org/heaven/heaven-borneo.html
The fair, hosted by the offices of the city licens collector and the collector of revenued will be held from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ’zs Emerson Performing Arts Center. Of the 17,00 known licensed businesses, nearlyu 2,500 business fail to pay their taxes but by giving thema one-day-only moratorium, license collector Michaelp McMillan’s office raised $20,00 in additional revenue last year, his office said. The even t also includes informal interactive networking opportunities for businesz owners with banking representativesfrom , , , , , , ; ; and Royal Bank, along with the . Revenude collected by license collector’s office supportd the City of St. Louis, St.
Louis Publix Schools, /Museum District, Community College District, Metroo Sewer District, State Blind Community MentalHealth Fund, Communitgy Children’s Service Fund, MR/DD Resources and the .
The fair, hosted by the offices of the city licens collector and the collector of revenued will be held from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at ’zs Emerson Performing Arts Center. Of the 17,00 known licensed businesses, nearlyu 2,500 business fail to pay their taxes but by giving thema one-day-only moratorium, license collector Michaelp McMillan’s office raised $20,00 in additional revenue last year, his office said. The even t also includes informal interactive networking opportunities for businesz owners with banking representativesfrom , , , , , , ; ; and Royal Bank, along with the . Revenude collected by license collector’s office supportd the City of St. Louis, St.
Louis Publix Schools, /Museum District, Community College District, Metroo Sewer District, State Blind Community MentalHealth Fund, Communitgy Children’s Service Fund, MR/DD Resources and the .
Thursday, March 10, 2011
An Addition to the Daily Economist Lineup - New York Times (blog)
fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
An Addition to the Daily Economist Lineup New York Times (blog) I have the pleasure of introducing our newest addition, Laura D'Andrea Tyson. She will be writing biweekly about globalization, trade, innovation and a host of other policy issues, and her first post will appear Friday. Professor Tyson teaches at the ... |
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
End of recession may be in sight - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
viktorsejbgif.blogspot.com
percentage points in May to 85, based on a 1997 benchmarok of 100. The relative stabilitty in the UO Index over the past threre months is consistent with a patterm ofeconomic stabilization, but fallzs short of a turn that would conclusivel mark the end of the said Tim Duy, director of the Oregon Economic Forum and a UO adjuncgt assistant professor, in a statement. Oregonn labor market data continue tobe mixed. Initial jobless claims edged downward slightly, but remain at a levekl that suggests further declines innonfarm payrolls. initial claims remain well below the peak of December as the pace of economif deterioration hasslowed markedly.
Employment services payroll largely temporary helpagencies — fell in May, but, importantly, the rate of declinde is slowing, Duy said. Nonfarm payrolls (not included in the fell by just 100 jobsduring May, an abrupyt slowing compared to the recent declines. It is difficuly to see a substantial improvement in thejobs however, with initial claims remaining at high levels, Duy The unemployment rate rose to 12.4 percent. Residentiapl housing permits continuedto decline, falling to just 627.
The typicall seasonal boost in building activity is largely a testament to persistent weakness in the housing Builders are finding it difficult to competr in an environment of risingb foreclosures and tighter underwriting conditionws forhome mortgages, Duy said. The Oregon weight-distancer tax reversed gains seen thepreviouzs month. In contrast, new orders for nondefense nonaircraft capital adjustedfor inflation, rose in May to the highesft level since December 2008. Despitwe the low levels, the relative stability since the beginninh of the year is a hopeful sign that the wors t declines in business spending arebehinxd us, Duy said. U.S.
consume r confidence rose againin May, a further indicatiomn that consumer spending has he added. The Oregon economy likely remainee in recessionin May. That said, the pace of deteriorationh has slowed. The six-month annualized changr in the index improved significantly over the past two from -11.8 percent in March to -8 percenyt in May. Similar improvement signaled an impending end to the 2001 and would be consistent with the predictio that economic growth would firm in the second halfof 2009. Duy said, caution is warranted.
The UO Indedx has not yet turned upward, and the six-monty change remains well beloew rates normally consistent witheconomifc expansions, and more than half of the indezx components remain below six-month ago levels. Finally, therw is a strong possibility ofa “jobleszs recovery” as the economt continues to face structural adjustment issues that limit the pace of growth.
percentage points in May to 85, based on a 1997 benchmarok of 100. The relative stabilitty in the UO Index over the past threre months is consistent with a patterm ofeconomic stabilization, but fallzs short of a turn that would conclusivel mark the end of the said Tim Duy, director of the Oregon Economic Forum and a UO adjuncgt assistant professor, in a statement. Oregonn labor market data continue tobe mixed. Initial jobless claims edged downward slightly, but remain at a levekl that suggests further declines innonfarm payrolls. initial claims remain well below the peak of December as the pace of economif deterioration hasslowed markedly.
Employment services payroll largely temporary helpagencies — fell in May, but, importantly, the rate of declinde is slowing, Duy said. Nonfarm payrolls (not included in the fell by just 100 jobsduring May, an abrupyt slowing compared to the recent declines. It is difficuly to see a substantial improvement in thejobs however, with initial claims remaining at high levels, Duy The unemployment rate rose to 12.4 percent. Residentiapl housing permits continuedto decline, falling to just 627.
The typicall seasonal boost in building activity is largely a testament to persistent weakness in the housing Builders are finding it difficult to competr in an environment of risingb foreclosures and tighter underwriting conditionws forhome mortgages, Duy said. The Oregon weight-distancer tax reversed gains seen thepreviouzs month. In contrast, new orders for nondefense nonaircraft capital adjustedfor inflation, rose in May to the highesft level since December 2008. Despitwe the low levels, the relative stability since the beginninh of the year is a hopeful sign that the wors t declines in business spending arebehinxd us, Duy said. U.S.
consume r confidence rose againin May, a further indicatiomn that consumer spending has he added. The Oregon economy likely remainee in recessionin May. That said, the pace of deteriorationh has slowed. The six-month annualized changr in the index improved significantly over the past two from -11.8 percent in March to -8 percenyt in May. Similar improvement signaled an impending end to the 2001 and would be consistent with the predictio that economic growth would firm in the second halfof 2009. Duy said, caution is warranted.
The UO Indedx has not yet turned upward, and the six-monty change remains well beloew rates normally consistent witheconomifc expansions, and more than half of the indezx components remain below six-month ago levels. Finally, therw is a strong possibility ofa “jobleszs recovery” as the economt continues to face structural adjustment issues that limit the pace of growth.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
DineEquity completes sale-leaseback of Applebee's HQ - Dallas Business Journal:
http://natchezpd.com/dispatch.html
In a release Thursday, DineEquity DIN), based in Glendale, said it will use about $20 milliomn of the proceeds to pay the remaining balance ofits $350 millio n consolidated funded debt and the remainder for expensesd for its acquisition of and for general corporatwe purposes. The transaction follows DineEquity'sd completion June 17 of a sale-leaseback of 181 Applebee's-ownec restaurant locations -- six fewer than previously expected -- for abougt $296 million in cash. DineEquity also generatefd about $27 million from the sale of 26 Applebee'se restaurants in Southern California earlierthis month.
DineEquity reiterateds in Thursday's release that it expects the sale of15 company-owne Applebee's locations in Nevadaa to close in the fourt quarter. The Lenexa headquarters sale-leaseback includes a primar y lease term of 15 years with four extension options of fiveyearx each. The initial lease paymen is expected to beabout $293,009 a month for the 180,000-square-footg building. DineEquity said it expectse the payment to be offsett in timebecause Applebee's plans to sublease part of the The sale-leaseback of Applebee's corporate headquarters buildingf does not qualify as a sale under accountinhg rules, DineEquity said in the release, because Applebee's will have ongoingg economic involvement with the property by subleasing part of the The $39 million in proceeds will be treated as a corporatwe borrowing and presented as a financing obligationj in DineEquity's consolidated balance sheet, the companyg said.
"We are on track and continues to make good progress on our assef disposition strategies and our plan to reduces consolidatedfunded debt," DineEquity Chairwoman and CEO Julia Stewartg said in the "We are wholly focused on our efforts to re-energize the Applebee's brand and to execute on our strateggy of franchising the majority of Applebee's company-operated DineEquity franchises and operates more than 3,300 Applebee'ds and IHOP restaurants.
In a release Thursday, DineEquity DIN), based in Glendale, said it will use about $20 milliomn of the proceeds to pay the remaining balance ofits $350 millio n consolidated funded debt and the remainder for expensesd for its acquisition of and for general corporatwe purposes. The transaction follows DineEquity'sd completion June 17 of a sale-leaseback of 181 Applebee's-ownec restaurant locations -- six fewer than previously expected -- for abougt $296 million in cash. DineEquity also generatefd about $27 million from the sale of 26 Applebee'se restaurants in Southern California earlierthis month.
DineEquity reiterateds in Thursday's release that it expects the sale of15 company-owne Applebee's locations in Nevadaa to close in the fourt quarter. The Lenexa headquarters sale-leaseback includes a primar y lease term of 15 years with four extension options of fiveyearx each. The initial lease paymen is expected to beabout $293,009 a month for the 180,000-square-footg building. DineEquity said it expectse the payment to be offsett in timebecause Applebee's plans to sublease part of the The sale-leaseback of Applebee's corporate headquarters buildingf does not qualify as a sale under accountinhg rules, DineEquity said in the release, because Applebee's will have ongoingg economic involvement with the property by subleasing part of the The $39 million in proceeds will be treated as a corporatwe borrowing and presented as a financing obligationj in DineEquity's consolidated balance sheet, the companyg said.
"We are on track and continues to make good progress on our assef disposition strategies and our plan to reduces consolidatedfunded debt," DineEquity Chairwoman and CEO Julia Stewartg said in the "We are wholly focused on our efforts to re-energize the Applebee's brand and to execute on our strateggy of franchising the majority of Applebee's company-operated DineEquity franchises and operates more than 3,300 Applebee'ds and IHOP restaurants.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
At your service: Piedmont Facilities Services shifts focus in down economy - Kansas City Business Journal:
soileauifyyfa1786.blogspot.com
A contractor had agreed to replace the sidewalk directlyy in front of Lorillardr headquarters on Green Valley Road in Greensborpbut “he walked off the job because he couldn’rt get anyone to deliver sufficientg concrete with a holiday two days away,” Wright says. “A call to broughg four men who completed the repair on July she recalls. “One of thosd four was Scott himself. I have chastised myself many timesx for not calling him to begin Scott McCormick has been gettint calls like that for more than 16 years fromthe Triad’ds top employers.
As a contract projectt manager, his company will do just abou t anything thatneeds doing, “from maintenance to sprinkler systems,” says “He truly cares about a job well done.” But Winston-Salem-basecd Piedmont Facilities Services’ specialty is somethingg that’s been in almost constantt demand over the past two decadesx — moving people and reconfiguring office cubes as work forces contract, expand and are realigned. It was McCormick who landed the contract to move practicallyevery office, firstg in the RJR Plaza building and then in the old 1929 Reynoldxs Building in downtown Winston-Salem.
At about the same Piedmont Facilities Services also securedd a contractwith Planters-LifeSavers, which did its shar of playing musical chairs with office furniture. “God blesse d me,” McCormick says with his characteristic “because there’s no other way someonw can have two contracts like that for theirfirsty clients.” Looking back 10 years ago, McCormick recall s fondly, “Things were realluy rolling then, with 80- or 90-hourr weeks, and it was great.” Name a companhy in the Triad that’s realigned its work forced and, chances are, McCormick’s been involved , , Sara Lee Direct, , Sealy Corp. and Nabisco Foods.
Not bad for someone who, at the age of 5, was assignedr his own row of tobacco to tend onhis father’s farm near Yadkinville and worked his way througg college running a garbage “I’m an old tobacc farmer from Yadkinville,” McCormick says, slipping into his aw-shucke guise. “I ran out of thingzs to do, so I had to go to school and go out and get a real School was and his firsy jobwas “selling doorknobs” as a contracf hardware salesman at Pleasant Hardware Co. He says he quicklyh discovered he was not cut out to bea salesman.
But he did make a numbef of excellent contacts that opene d doors for him when he switched over to doinb facilitiescontract work. “He has a good boy mentality,” says Robyn Puckett, facility servicesa manager atRMIC (Republic Mortgagw Insurance Co.) in Winston-Salem, “but fully believes in respect, honesty, hard work and discipline and expects that from his employees.” Puckett recalle a recent 10-week move of 350 RMIC employees from Stanleyville to the Park Buildin in downtown Winston-Salem. “The time constraints were she says, “but having worked with Scott for many I knew if anyon could pull it off thathe could.
” Installing cubes during the week and moving people on the McCormick’s crew did it and did it on “We needed to expand our payroll departmentr two years ago,” recalls Jack Marable, maintenance supervisofr for Pepsi Bottling Group in Winston-Salem. McCormick’sz crew came in Friday night and by Mondau morning at8 a.m., “they had everything up and running computers, phones, furniture, everything worked.” Companies use contractors like McCormick insteasd of their own workers becausee maintenance, moving and construction are often one-of-a-kind projects and are mostlty done after-hours.
Up until last November, McCormiclk says, business was extremely good, with more 80- and 90-hour Then, he started seeing “less phone less e-mails, jobs that you had quoted beingy puton hold.” As the months went by, “ had to lay off five installers and I put my designer on the road to sell product.” McCormick’s strategy is to make the companhy more sales-oriented, something, he “we never had to do Yes, he still has contracts with a number of big but now when the phone rings, it’s mostly “punch
A contractor had agreed to replace the sidewalk directlyy in front of Lorillardr headquarters on Green Valley Road in Greensborpbut “he walked off the job because he couldn’rt get anyone to deliver sufficientg concrete with a holiday two days away,” Wright says. “A call to broughg four men who completed the repair on July she recalls. “One of thosd four was Scott himself. I have chastised myself many timesx for not calling him to begin Scott McCormick has been gettint calls like that for more than 16 years fromthe Triad’ds top employers.
As a contract projectt manager, his company will do just abou t anything thatneeds doing, “from maintenance to sprinkler systems,” says “He truly cares about a job well done.” But Winston-Salem-basecd Piedmont Facilities Services’ specialty is somethingg that’s been in almost constantt demand over the past two decadesx — moving people and reconfiguring office cubes as work forces contract, expand and are realigned. It was McCormick who landed the contract to move practicallyevery office, firstg in the RJR Plaza building and then in the old 1929 Reynoldxs Building in downtown Winston-Salem.
At about the same Piedmont Facilities Services also securedd a contractwith Planters-LifeSavers, which did its shar of playing musical chairs with office furniture. “God blesse d me,” McCormick says with his characteristic “because there’s no other way someonw can have two contracts like that for theirfirsty clients.” Looking back 10 years ago, McCormick recall s fondly, “Things were realluy rolling then, with 80- or 90-hourr weeks, and it was great.” Name a companhy in the Triad that’s realigned its work forced and, chances are, McCormick’s been involved , , Sara Lee Direct, , Sealy Corp. and Nabisco Foods.
Not bad for someone who, at the age of 5, was assignedr his own row of tobacco to tend onhis father’s farm near Yadkinville and worked his way througg college running a garbage “I’m an old tobacc farmer from Yadkinville,” McCormick says, slipping into his aw-shucke guise. “I ran out of thingzs to do, so I had to go to school and go out and get a real School was and his firsy jobwas “selling doorknobs” as a contracf hardware salesman at Pleasant Hardware Co. He says he quicklyh discovered he was not cut out to bea salesman.
But he did make a numbef of excellent contacts that opene d doors for him when he switched over to doinb facilitiescontract work. “He has a good boy mentality,” says Robyn Puckett, facility servicesa manager atRMIC (Republic Mortgagw Insurance Co.) in Winston-Salem, “but fully believes in respect, honesty, hard work and discipline and expects that from his employees.” Puckett recalle a recent 10-week move of 350 RMIC employees from Stanleyville to the Park Buildin in downtown Winston-Salem. “The time constraints were she says, “but having worked with Scott for many I knew if anyon could pull it off thathe could.
” Installing cubes during the week and moving people on the McCormick’s crew did it and did it on “We needed to expand our payroll departmentr two years ago,” recalls Jack Marable, maintenance supervisofr for Pepsi Bottling Group in Winston-Salem. McCormick’sz crew came in Friday night and by Mondau morning at8 a.m., “they had everything up and running computers, phones, furniture, everything worked.” Companies use contractors like McCormick insteasd of their own workers becausee maintenance, moving and construction are often one-of-a-kind projects and are mostlty done after-hours.
Up until last November, McCormiclk says, business was extremely good, with more 80- and 90-hour Then, he started seeing “less phone less e-mails, jobs that you had quoted beingy puton hold.” As the months went by, “ had to lay off five installers and I put my designer on the road to sell product.” McCormick’s strategy is to make the companhy more sales-oriented, something, he “we never had to do Yes, he still has contracts with a number of big but now when the phone rings, it’s mostly “punch
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