Crain's Cleveland Business articles from June 2008

Crain's Cleveland Business archives from June 2008

Late News.
June 2, 2008... VOSS IS BOSS IN EXPORT REALM Voss Industries of Cleveland, a maker of specialized clamps, couplings and other fabricated parts for the aerospace and defense industries, has received the 2008 Presidential Export "E'' Award - the highest...

Colette Appolito; President The President's Council.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Jay Miller It has been 22 years since Collette Appolito chose Cleveland over San Diego. "I was looking for a change,'' she said recently, neatly encapsulating a career that has taken her from the business world to government...

Hu Huang; Director of International Logistics and Customs Compliance Kichler Lighting Group.
June 2, 2008... Byline: John Booth Growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, Hu Huang worked on a state-run "re-education'' farm and learned English through government radio broadcast lessons. "That was my first dream, to be an...

Susan Williamson; President C.Trac Information Solutions.
June 2, 2008... Byline: John Booth Susan Williamson entered the world of direct marketing selling envelopes. It wasn't fun, and, Ms. Williamson admits, she doesn't like to talk about it much. But it did help shape her life and career philosophy. ...

Diane Nowak; Partner, Global Employer Services Group Deloitte & Touche LLP.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Chuck Soder People like Diane Nowak are hard to find. Too hard, actually. That's why Ms. Nowak, a partner with the Global Employer Services Group of Deloitte & Touche LLP, spends so much time helping women with their careers....

Rain clouds linger over county gov't.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Brian Tucker I can only blame it on all the rain we had in May. Must have made everyone just a bit weirder than usual. How else can you explain some of the recent news? Like Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora ranting and...

Going Places.
June 2, 2008... JOB CHANGES Construction D-A-S CONSTRUCTION CO.: Jeffrey Schroll to vice president of operations. Finance OHIO COMMERCE BANK: Kristi L. Arnold to senior loan processor. Financial Service LAKESIDE WEALTH MANAGEMENT...

SCRAP JUNKIES; Global demand thrusts metal, steel prices up, and dealers cash in.
June 2, 2008... Byline: DAN SHINGLER The junkyard dog has been given a lot more responsibility. Today, there's gold in every trashed piece of steel, copper, aluminum and just about any other metal you can name. Don't think so? Then you know less about...

Art museum promoting 1916 building; ON THE WEB: Story from www.crainscleveland.com.
June 2, 2008... The Cleveland Museum of Art has launched a large advertising campaign to attract visitors to the reopening of its 1916 building, which has been closed three years for extensive renovations. The art museum has renovated 19 galleries on...

Correction.(Correction notice)
June 2, 2008... A May 26, page 13 story misstated Richard Stuebi's affiliation with the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force. Mr. Stuebi is a member of the group. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason is chairman.

If they build it, who will come? Jacobs' downtown tower plans coincide with site searches by Baker, Huntington.
June 2, 2008... Byline: STAN BULLARD The public airing last week by Richard E. Jacobs Group of plans for a 21-story office tower on Public Square shows the stakes for developers are rising as they vie for the few tenants likely to anchor new office...

Businesses take employee travel off auto pilot; Rising costs lead to greater scrutiny of policies, practices.
June 2, 2008... Byline: KATHERINE FAY As the price of oil tops $130 a barrel and continues to rise, companies large and small are re-examining and adjusting their business travel policies and practices. Despite increases of 8% to 10% in the prices of...

Daniela Mahoney; Founder, president, CEO Healthcare Innovative Solutions.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Shannon Mortland Daniela Mahoney's passion for life has guided her in many ways. As a young nurse in communist Romania, Ms. Mahoney worked for a government-owned research laboratory. She was recruited by the Secret Police to...

CB Richard Ellis to manage leftover Duke properties; Developer to close local office, may sell rest of buildings piecemeal.
June 2, 2008... Byline: STAN BULLARD With Duke Realty Corp.'s departure from Northeast Ohio delayed indefinitely due to the real estate credit crunch, CB Richard Ellis will handle the developer's leasing, property management and maintenance needs in...

Margaret Hewitt; Vice president for construction University Hospitals.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Stan Bullard In the male-dominated building business known as much for bluster, yelling and conflict as for construction, Margaret Hewitt's calm, warm demeanor is as much a surprise as her gender. As vice president for...

Elizabeth Juliano; President, CEO Litigation Management Inc.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Chuck Soder Twenty-four years ago, Elizabeth Juliano realized she had an unusual combination of skills. Unusual in the good way: She used those skills to build Litigation Management Inc. of Mayfield Heights into a firm with...

Green = gold.
June 2, 2008... The validity of the above equation is dawning on more businesses in Northeast Ohio, and nationwide. The environmental movement isn't just for tree huggers or companies that want to grab some good PR. There's serious money to be made by...

Joan U. Allgood; Executive vice president, coroporate transactions and governance Secretary, board of directors Developers Diversified Realty Corp.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Stan Bullard After Developers Diversified Realty Corp.'s investment committee hatches a big deal to buy a shopping center company or invest in another overseas developer, Joan U. Allgood gets the task of putting the transaction...

Reporter's Notebook.
June 2, 2008... Talan Products was missing something. "We're called Talan Products, but we don't have any products,'' said the affable Steve Peplin, co-founder and president of the contract metal fabricator in Cleveland. That's about to change. ...

Dr. Mary Laughlin; Medical director Cleveland Cord Blood Center.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Shannon Mortland Dr. Mary Laughlin's job might sound complicated at first, but it's really all about the basics. As medical director of the Cleveland Cord Blood Center, Dr. Laughlin heads Northeast Ohio's first public center...

Elizabeth Oliver; President Keybank Greater Cleveland District.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Jay Miller Elizabeth "Lisa'' Oliver moved home to Kingston, N.Y., in 1990 after four years in New York City, thinking she soon would end her brief career in banking. She liked her job but didn't love it, and her husband,...

Economic challenges trip up RV business; With sales already lagging, dealers expect bigger hit when manufacturers boost prices.
June 2, 2008... Byline: JOHN BOOTH It's not that the recreational vehicle industry has never seen tough times - the gas crisis of the mid-1970s and the double-digit interest rates of the 1980s come to mind. However, the current economic environment is...

What's New.
June 2, 2008... COMPANY: Pierre's Ice Cream Co., Cleveland PRODUCT: Hola Fruta! line Nothing satisfies quite like a delicious frozen treat in the summer, and Pierre's is giving its customers more options with a four-product expansion of its Hola...

The Week; May 26 - June 1.
June 2, 2008... The big story: Richard E. Jacobs Group of Westlake and international real estate developer Gerald Hines Interests of Houston announced they have formed a joint venture that proposes to construct a 21-story office tower in downtown Cleveland on...

Karen Tuleta; Partner, Capital Markets Morgenthaler.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Kathy Ames Carr Karen Tuleta is like an ambassador coordinating relations between nations. In her case, however, she oversees deals involving Cleveland-based private equity firm Morgenthaler and about 200 lenders. Only a...

Helen K. Jones; President, CEO Recovery Resources Inc.
June 2, 2008... Byline: Joel Hammond Helen K. Jones, president and CEO of Recovery Resources Inc., a Cleveland-based provider of mental health and addiction services, stands tall in her field. How tall? In her former role as chairperson of the...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
June 2, 2008... A Page One photo in the May 26 issue of convicted stock broker Frank Gruttadauria, who was pictured at right, included the face of Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor Steven Dever.

Late News.
June 9, 2008... Developer ok'd to raze center street buillding Cleveland City Planning Commission last Friday approved a request by developers of the $500 millon Flats East Bank Neighborhood to demolish the former Crooked River Brewery building at 1101...

STAYING POWER; With a convention center still up in the air, tourism officials change their focus, while hotels pound the pavement.
June 9, 2008... Byline: JOHN BOOTH Though the site and specifications of Cleveland's planned convention center remain unknown, this much is certain: The state of flux surrounding the long-awaited structure has changed the game of selling the city as a...

GOING PLACES.
June 9, 2008... Job Changes education CLEVELAND CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Don Ross to director of major gifts. Finance CITIZENS BANK: Christina Beynon, Fairlawn; Carlye Bruno, Chagrin Falls; Eddie Strattonbey, Cleveland Heights; Stephen...

Putting on quite a display; Kent firm soon will start line that liquid crystal industry has `waited many, many years to see'.
June 9, 2008... Byline: CHUCK SODER Kent Displays Inc. is preparing to start a manufacturing line that people in the business of producing liquid crystal displays have "waited many, many years to see,'' according to an industry expert. The Kent State...

Alert us to company happenings.
June 9, 2008... Crain's Cleveland Business is planning to initiate a new feature called Data Center, which will serve as a one-stop spot for brief company news that fits under one of several categories. The initial categories will be Acquisitions;...

Veyance preps for acquisition No. 2.
June 9, 2008... Veyance Technologies Inc. in Fairlawn is about to make its second acquisition this year that will broaden its conveyor belt installation and repair services to support coal producers. The maker of industrial hose and conveyor belts under...

WHAT'S NEW.
June 9, 2008... COMPANY: Diversified Fall Protection Inc., Cleveland PRODUCT: Quick-Safe Truck Tarping System Diversified Fall Protection says its new system allows truck drivers to tarp loads without getting on top of the truck or load itself,...

Developer Edens & Avant plans regional market exit; S.C. firm puts nine plazas up for sale.
June 9, 2008... Byline: STAN BULLARD Real estate developer Edens & Avant of Columbia, S.C., wants to exit Northeast Ohio, and has put its nine shopping centers in the market up for sale. The CB Richard Ellis real estate brokerage is marketing the...

Pyramid expanding plant size; Plan boosts machine assembly capabilities.
June 9, 2008... Byline: KATHERINE FAY Pyramid Rebuild & Machine LLC in Tallmadge has broken ground on an addition that will increase substantially the size of its plant and will lead to the hiring of at least two new skilled workers. Pyramid is...

Crap shoot.
June 9, 2008... Backers of an initiative to legalize casino gambling in Ohio need 402,275 petition signatures to get the measure on the November ballot, and they anticipate no problem reaching that number. That's about the only number associated with...

Arts fund quite a draw for Cleveland; City among top 10 that bestow public money for projects.
June 9, 2008... Byline: JAY MILLER Public financing of the arts finally is taking hold in Greater Cleveland. It's happening none too soon as far as local arts organizations are concerned, and it's happening in a big way. The first wave of financing,...

SHORT TAKES.
June 9, 2008... * KEEPING AN EYE OUT: Demopoulos & Associates, a private investigation company in Lakewood, has opened a unit devoted to the investigation of mortgage fraud. The company, owned by Bonnie and Pete Demopoulos, currently has three full-time...

Home rehab drive could be model; Six foreclosure-stricken Cleveland neighborhoods in restoration pilot that could be applied citywide.
June 9, 2008... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Local nonprofits and government entities are teaming up to pick up where the foreclosure crisis left off. A multimillion-dollar effort will be launched this month or in early July to rehabilitate foreclosed...

Before the rewards, two-state operations offer plenty of risks; Those who have pulled it off urge detailed preparation for the long, arduous process.
June 9, 2008... Byline: SHARON SCHNALL Mark Snider wanted to work in a rapidly growing real estate market and eventually expand into other states. To that end, the owner of Bainbridge Township-based Tower Realty/The Winbury Group, founded in 1992, set up...

Pressure to hike prices unrelenting; Surge in costs blamed for radical increases.
June 9, 2008... Byline: MARK DODOSH Manufacturers are using words such as "unprecedented'' and "unparalleled'' to describe the pressure they're under to raise prices for their products because of the relentless rise in what they're paying for energy, raw...

You, too, can buy this stock cheap, just like the big guys.
June 9, 2008... * Longtime shareholders of National City Corp. who were upset that they didn't get to buy the company's stock for $5 a share when the troubled financial concern received its $7 billion capital infusion a few weeks back had their chance to do...

Jobs bill would revive preservation efforts; Governor's signature on stimulus measure will renew developers' shot at state historic tax credit.
June 9, 2008... Byline: STAN BULLARD The family-owned Brothers Printing in downtown Cleveland has printed yard signs for generations of politicians. So, it may not be surprising that David and Jay Kaufman - the brothers now behind the business - will be...

THE WEEK; JUNE 2 - 8.
June 9, 2008... The big story: Continental Airlines Inc. told employees that it plans to cut its work force by 3,000 workers and trim its flights by 8.3% by the end of this year to reduce expenses in the face of rising fuel costs. The company would not be more...

Nordson takes full control of Korean venture.
June 9, 2008... Nordson Corp. has acquired the 51% stake it did not already own in its Korean joint venture, Nordson Sang San Ltd. Westlake-based Nordson did not say what it paid for the rest of the company, which is a distributor of Nordson's adhesive...

Quotes of the Week.
June 9, 2008... "We have to take a little more realistic approach (in looking for conventions). We have to be a little bit more diligent in finding groups that fit.'' - Kelly Brewer, sales director, Positively Cleveland. Page One "Providing...

In slow economic times, Cleveland auctioneers perform beyond plan; Revenue from Gray's monthly events up by 800%.
June 9, 2008... Byline: SCOT ALLYN Two entrepreneurs with backgrounds ranging from Cleveland's west side to Kenya say the recessionary economy and weak dollar have worked to their advantage in taking their business beyond expectations. Gray's...

Dann's shame, and advice for Obama.
June 9, 2008... The beat just keeps going on for Marc Dann, the disgraced former state attorney general who resigned because of his involvement in a sexual harassment scandal and horrific hiring decisions in his office. Now, The Plain Dealer is reporting...

Report: Ohio's litigation climate continues to worsen; Businesses rank state 32nd; suits against lead paint manufacturers may have influenced study.
June 9, 2008... Byline: ARIELLE KASS Ohio dropped eight places in an annual ranking by state of the climate for lawsuits in the country, and it's fallen 13 spots in two years. The state tumbled to 32nd, where it was last ranked in 2004, from 24th in...

GRANDOPENINGS.
June 9, 2008... StreamLink Software1900 Superior Ave., Suite 223 Cleveland 44114www.streamlinksoftware.comAdam Roth, former chief operating officer at the West Side Ecumenical Ministry in Cleveland, has founded StreamLink Software, a provider of management...

TARGETED GAINS.
June 9, 2008... The 2003 reduction of the top U.S. tax rate for capital gains and corporate stock dividends to 15% provides significant benefits to wealthy Ohioans, according to a report by the liberal Citizens for Tax Justice. The bottom 60% of Ohio taxpayers...

GOING PLACES.
June 16, 2008... Job Changes Architecture DORSKY HODGSON PARRISH YUE: Kevin Zak to partner. RONALD KLUCHIN ARCHITECTS INC.: Kerre Ovens to designer, project manager. Education OBERLIN COLLEGE: Sandra Hodge to special assistant for...

'OUTSIDER' WITH AN IN; A newcomer to union politics, Brook Park UAW leader charged with salvaging Ford work.
June 16, 2008... Byline: DAN SHINGLER Mike Gammella might be the Barack Obama of local union politics. Certainly, he faces daunting challenges like those that will confront the Illinois senator, should Sen. Obama also turn out to be a successful...

FILLING UP; Food pantries have a lot on their plates as demand yields busiest month on record.
June 16, 2008... Byline: KATHERINE FAY The Cleveland Foodbank's busiest months are historically November and December. But after 29 years of serving the community's needs, the food bank's biggest month of need on record was this past April, during which...

Some doctors visit idea of concierge practices By KATHERINE FAY.
June 16, 2008... When Ruth Robechek turned 100 in May, her family threw her a party and invited all of her relatives, friends and her doctor. As a patient in a concierge medical practice, Ms. Robechek is very close with her physician, Dr. Richard Tomm. ...

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK; BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CRAIN'S WRITERS.
June 16, 2008... These are not your average coaches Coaches soon will become a staple in at least 100 local companies, but they won't be talking sports. Employers Resource Council, a human resources association for midsize companies, on July 1 will...

IT surveys: Business is good, but hiring's hard.
June 16, 2008... Byline: CHUCK SODER Information technology companies in Northeast Ohio report that they're doing better now than they were two years ago despite a soft economy and increased difficulty in hiring, according to surveys conducted by the...

THE WEEK IN QUOTES.
June 16, 2008... "We are eliminating extras like toilet paper and bars of soap. Do people need those products? Yes. But if it's between food and toilet paper, people take the food when times are tough.'' - Karen Brauer, field service supervisor, Salvation...

THE WEEK; JUNE 9 - 15.
June 16, 2008... The big story: A dividend cut and the sale of stock. Those are steps KeyCorp announced that are designed "to preserve and enhance its capital strength'' in the aftermath of a previously announced federal court ruling related to the tax...

CORRECTIONS.
June 16, 2008... *In the June 9 list of the largest privately held companies in Northeast Ohio as ranked by 2007 revenue, the estimated 2007 revenue figure for Lake Erie Electric Inc. is incorrect. Though it did not want its revenue figure publicly disclosed,...

OPINION.
June 16, 2008... Self-help Cities in need of healing from the waves of foreclosures created by the subprime lending fiasco can't afford to wait for a helping hand that may never come from the federal government. It will take self-help efforts such as the...

LATE NEWS.
June 16, 2008... FIRST INDUSTRIAL MAKES $9M BUY *First Industrial Realty Trust of Chicago has acquired a 275,000-square-foot industrial building on 45 acres at 8181 Darrow Road, Twinsburg. Matthew Beesley, a partner at the Cresco realty brokerage, said he...

Cohen & Co.'s eighth office strenghtens Fla. presence.
June 16, 2008... Byline: ARIELLE KASS Cohen & Co., a Cleveland-based accounting firm, has acquired a second Florida office. Mercurio & Bridgford of Sarasota on June 3 became the firm's eighth office, spokeswoman Wendy Kertesz said. The eight-person...

Respiratory therapist offers patients breaths of fresh air.
June 16, 2008... Position: Registered respiratory therapist Average median salary: $50,070 (May 2007) Requirements: An associate's degree is the minimum educational requirement, but a bachelor's or master's degree may be important for advancement....

Unhealthy Outlook; Expected shortfall in workers leaves industry seeking a cure.
June 16, 2008... Byline: KIMBERLY BONVISSUTO clbfreelancer@crain.com A looming shortage of health care workers in the next 10 to 15 years is raising questions about whether anyone will be there to care for large portions of America's graying...

Manufacturing layoff leads to nursing career.
June 16, 2008... Position: Licensed practical nurse Average median salary: $37,940 (May 2007) Requirements: LPNs must be licensed to practice by completing a practical nurse program and passing an examination. LPNs should have a caring, sympathetic...

CRAIN'S SEEKING COMPANY INFO.
June 16, 2008... Crain's Cleveland Business is planning to initiate a new feature called Data Center, which will serve as a one-stop spot for brief company news that fits under one of several categories. The initial categories will be Acquisitions;...

ASM's med device addition bears fruit; Geauga County trade group's decision to add new industry to former manufacturing-only focus boosts membership 22%.
June 16, 2008... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Five years ago, ASM International had a choice. The metals industry trade group in Geauga County could continue to focus on providing technical information about materials used only in old-line, industrial...

Former dancer says PT work keeps her active.
June 16, 2008... Position: Physical therapist Average median salary: $69,760 (May 2007) Requirements: A physical therapist needs a master's degree from an accredited physical therapy program and a state license, which requires passing scores on...

You may find surprise in Google search.
June 16, 2008... Byline: JIM PAVIA Larry Page, a co-founder of Google Inc., may be one of the smartest guys on the planet. But his brainchild isn't perfect, and I suggest he rethink the way his high-powered search engine deals with system glitches - as...

Medina dealer embroiled in legal struggle; Mitsubishi outfit, tangled in lawsuits, may soon be under new management.
June 16, 2008... Byline: JAY MILLER Medina Mitsubishi likely will be under new management soon after a tumultuous two weeks of dueling legal moves and countermoves. Since May 29, four legal actions have been filed involving Medina Mitsubishi in Medina...

Harlan Diamond.
June 23, 2008... Byline: Jennifer McKevitt Harlan Diamond, founder, owner and president of Executive Caterers, has lived in Bratenahl since 1981. "I live in a secure, total concept community right on the lake,'' said Mr. Diamond, who lives in the...

FORTY UNDER 40.
June 23, 2008... The search is on for members of the 2008 Class of Crain's 40 Under 40. There is no formal nomination form. All that is needed is narrative information about a person's accomplishments in his or her field and the person's involvement in...

Dave Carlson and Susan Carlson.
June 23, 2008... Byline: Jennifer McKevitt The first time Euclid resident Dave Carlson saw the house he later bought, his jaw dropped. "It was built as a lakefront cottage in 1899,'' Mr. Carlson said. "In 1999, the former owners refurbished and...

SMOOTH MOVE; Software provider sets date for relocation plans to shore up client base with acquisitions.
June 23, 2008... Byline: CHUCK SODER The new headquarters that Computer Systems Co. is building in Strongsville could open the door to more growth for both the business process software company and the city. The company, which does business as CSC...

Frank Sarosy.
June 23, 2008... Byline: Jennifer McKevitt Fairport Harbor Mayor Frank Sarosy can't get enough of the water. "Even when I travel, I look for a room with a view of the ocean,'' he said. "I pay a premium for it, but it's very therapeutic.'' Mr. Sarosy...

Pests, wind gusts can cloud picture-perfect settings; Property, erosion issues also can put damper on even the prettiest views from Lake Erie shore.
June 23, 2008... Byline: CHRISTINE GORDILLO Sensational sunsets, beautiful beaches and the many moods of Lake Erie make a home on the lake a dream for many Northeast Ohioans. But it's not always daiquiris on the deck and parties on the patio, as plenty of...

BUSY ON THE BEACH; New crop of lakefront, lakeview options soldier on despite lagging economy.
June 23, 2008... Byline: JENNIFER KEIRN You stroll onto a sandy beach as a brilliant sun sets over the water and lazy waves lap at your feet. It may sound like vacation bliss at a lakeside resort, but it's the kind of experience area developers are...

LATE NEWS.
June 23, 2008... STERIS SUED IN CASE OF MISMARKED BARRELS Sterilization products maker Steris Corp. of Mentor is being sued by a group of 67 people, most of them patients who were operated on with instruments cleaned with waste hydraulic fluid from...

Hillary's NE Ohio backers plan to flock to Barack.
June 23, 2008... Byline: JAY MILLER If Sen. Hillary Clinton's supporters in Northeast Ohio's business community are any indication, Democrats don't have to worry about large numbers of the ex-presidential candidate's backers migrating in November to...

CORRECTION.(Correction notice)(Company rankings)
June 23, 2008... In the June 9 list of Largest Privately Held Companies in Northeast Ohio as ranked by 2007 revenue, the estimated revenues for 2006 and 2007 for Panzica Construction Co. are incorrect. The 2006 estimated revenue is $131 million, and the 2007...

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK; BEHIND THE NEWS WITH CRAIN'S WRITERS.
June 23, 2008... Is it a surprise these guys drive a hard bargain? Call it the deal before the deal. For the dealmakers who were nine partners at Staubach's Cleveland office, it may have been the greatest deal of their lives. Before football great...

Colleges studying ways to trim costs.
June 23, 2008... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Local colleges and universities probably aren't much different than the average American family these days. They're all scrambling to find ways to absorb ever-increasing gas, energy and food costs. The ways...