Crain's Cleveland Business articles from November 2006

Crain's Cleveland Business archives from November 2006

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
November 6, 2006... Slot machines a viable solution to Taft-era woes We are supporting Issue 3 - which provides for slot machines at the state's seven racetracks, Tower City and Nautica - because we believe Ohio is headed in the wrong direction. Our plan is...

Failing grade for Ohio; Taxes and regulations weigh down state's ranking.(News)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... A new ranking from the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council gives Ohio low marks in its friendliness to small companies. The ranking prepared for FSB.com, Fortune magazine's small business web site, "evaluated the 50 states and...

KEEPING THEIR COOL; Region's produce companies employing technological advancements to improve efficiency and ensure product safety.(Sirna and Sons Produce )
November 6, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH Remote monitoring systems, fingerprint scanners and voice recognition software once were the stuff of James Bond movies and high-tech laboratories. They've since found their place among the tomatoes, mushrooms and...

What's New.(The Insider)
November 6, 2006... COMPANY: Keithley Instruments Inc., Solon PRODUCT: Model 3500 Portable RF Power Meter Keithley, a maker of advanced electrical test instruments, bills its new product as "the first lab-quality, handheld RF (radio frequency) power meter...

The Week: October 30 - November 5.(Prism Business Media Holdings Inc. acquiring Penton Media Inc.)(CB Richard Ellis Inc. acquiring Trammell Crow Co.)(Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. closing its one of the plant)
November 6, 2006... The big story: Backed by high-profile investor Bruce Wasserstein, New York-based Prism Business Media Holdings Inc. reached a definitive agreement to acquire the stock of Cleveland's Penton Media Inc. for $194.2 million. As part of the...

Reporters' Notebook; Behind the news with Crain's writers.(Golf Digest's latest annual ranking of Fortune 1000 chief executive officers.)(City Mission uses direct-mail solicitation for donations.)(Kane Co.'s patent for its Tie Thing that holds neckties in place.)
November 6, 2006... The writer's handicap is his game * Well, the number of companies in Northeast Ohio that are among the top tier of the Fortune 500 isn't what it once was, but at least the region is well-represented on Golf Digest's latest annual ranking...

KSU close to NCAA mandate on attendance; Akron unclear; UA needs strong Nov. crowds.(Kent State University )(National Collegiate Athletic Association )(University of Akron)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH Kent State University lost its Oct. 28 home football game against Ohio University, but in the wind and rain and cold, the Golden Flashes managed a victory in another area: attendance. The official attendance figure...

Stark's Woodmere buy invites Eton speculation.(Robert Stark)(Brainard Office LLC)(Eton Chagrin Boulevard )
November 6, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Shopping center developer Robert Stark is involved in a partnership that has bought the three-story Chagrin Brainard Building just east of his Eton Chagrin Boulevard lifestyle center in Woodmere Village - a deal that...

The Big Issue.(Opinion)
November 6, 2006... Does John Kerry's "botched joke'' about U.S. military personnel change your view of the Democratic Party in this week's election? Justin DiMare Cuyahoga Falls I'm a Republican and support the Republican agenda, so it doesn't...

The Week in Quotes.(News)
November 6, 2006... "We've had two years in the industry of outstanding (credit quality) numbers, and I think that time is coming to an end.'' - Henry L. Meyer III, chairman and CEO, KeyCorp. Page One "There's a growing population of 30- and 40-year-olds...

St. Vincent looking to raise cash for revamped ER.(emergency room)(St. Vincent Charity Hospital)
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND St. Vincent Charity Hospital has launched an $8.5 million fund-raising campaign to overhaul its emergency department and to provide money for additional programs and its endowment. The downtown hospital, which...

Short Takes.(McMahon DeGulis LLP to help companies embrace and integrate sustainable processes into their business and legal strategies.)(Maria Alfaro-Lopez to become general counsel/secretary to the board at John Carroll University.)(Marc L. Stolarsky has formed Marc L. Stolarsky Law LLC.)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... * SUSTAINING GROWTH: McMahon DeGulis LLP, an environmental law firm in Cleveland, has launched a sustainability practice. The firm is focusing it future growth in helping companies embrace and integrate sustainable processes into their business...

Tax Liens.(News)(Public notice)
November 6, 2006... The Internal Revenue Service filed tax liens against the following businesses in the Cuyahoga County Recorder's Office. The IRS files a tax lien to protect the interests of the federal government. The lien is a public notice to creditors that...

No no no.(League of Women Voters of Ohio comments on proposed constitutional amendments.)
November 6, 2006... It's Election Week, and time for our final shot at convincing you, the voting public, that you should vote "no'' on state Issues 2, 3 and 4. For help in this endeavor, we turn to the League of Women Voters of Ohio, which also opposes all...

Orthopedic boom continues; More active lifestyle in aging population, improved surgical techniques lead to local hospitals beefing up their operations in order to keep pace.(St. Vincent Charity Hospital)(University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center )(Cleveland Clinic.)
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND There's no need to sit around with achy joints when surgery can fix it. That's the mindset of many Americans today, and one that's prompting hospitals to cash in on the popularity of orthopedic surgery. Many...

SPLITTING DECISION; National Labor Relations Board ruling has unions, employers and labor attorneys abuzz.
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER A recent National Labor Relations Board decision that attempted to more clearly define which workers should be considered supervisors is sparking a mixed reaction from union officials, labor attorneys and employers....

Key expands receivables, deposits network in effort to increase national profile.(KeyCorp)
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER KeyCorp has expanded its network of locations for collecting deposits and receivables to create more sites that are beyond the footprint of its branch system. The move helps enable Key to move toward being a...

Positively tired of negative campaigning.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Brian Tucker This just in from the "Out-of-the-Mouths-of-Babes'' Department: You know the campaign season has sunk to new levels of annoyance when your 11-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter complain bitterly about the television...

Surety bonds a crucial ingredient for firms using outside contractors.
November 6, 2006... Byline: Mark Rader The convergence of technology, global supply chains and real-time communication has made it possible for companies to focus on core competencies by outsourcing projects and operations that do not directly generate...

OnTheJob.(Lawyers Associated Worldwide)
November 6, 2006... Byline: KIMBERLY BONVISSUTO CHRISTOPHER C. MCCRACKEN Chairman Lawyers Associated Worldwide Partner Ulmer & Berne LLP When Ulmer & Berne LLP began looking beyond Ohio's borders in 1997 to meet the expanding needs of...

Ethics changes allow lawyers leeway.
November 6, 2006... Byline: BRAD DICKEN Under new ethics rules for attorneys that take effect in February, lawyers will be able to reveal some information they previously were required to keep confidential. The change in client confidentiality standards...

Metro, Legal Aid pair to advise on nonmedical issues.(Legal Aid Society of Cleveland)(Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center)(Community Advocacy Program)
November 6, 2006... Byline: SUE ANGELL More and more, doctors are finding that a quick office visit and prescription refill will not cure their patients' every ill. That's where the new Community Advocacy Program comes in. The expanded partnership between...

New Malone venture aims to influence Hispanics.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH The principals behind MiConnexicentsn say there is more to reaching Hispanic consumers than just reaching for a Spanish-English dictionary. Malone Advertising of Akron has partnered with a North Carolina firm...

U-Store-It restructuring to affect at least 51.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD The next steps in the restructuring of U-Store-It Trust will slash or shift at least 51 jobs - or more than half the work force - at its Middleburg Heights headquarters as the self-storage warehouse operator plans to...

WLS Stamping expands with relocation of plant to Highland Heights.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER WLS Stamping Co. in Cleveland is undertaking a $3.2 million expansion with the movement of some of its operations to Highland Heights. The metal stamper and fabricator has purchased an 84,000-square-foot industrial...

Another piece added to VA puzzle; Electrical contractor plans $120M project with large office building, parking garage.(Veterans Affairs)(Veterans Development LLC)
November 6, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Doan Pyramid Electric LLC, an electrical contractor, is growing into a developer. The company is taking on the financing and construction of a $120 million office tower and parking garage that will support the...

Late News.(Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs L.L.P. relocates headquarters)(84 Charing Cross Bookstore opens new facility)(new store of Picciones Jewelers)
November 6, 2006... LAW FIRM HQ MOVES OUT OF DOWNTOWN AKRON * Law firm Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs LLP has relocated its headquarters from downtown Akron to Fairlawn. The new, 70,000-square-foot space at 3800 Embassy Parkway is about 10,000 square feet...

Going Places.(People)(Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. appoints Robert J. Bentley as partner)(Protiviti Inc. appoints Bob Brett as associate directors)(United States. Postal Service appoints Brenda A. Tufts as account manager)
November 6, 2006... Job Changes Financial Service DELOITTE & TOUCHE USA LLP: Robert J. Bentley, Fiona Chambers and Bill Snyder to partners; Cathleen Grabnar Domes to director. PROTIVITI INC.: Bob Brett and Denise Louie to associate directors; Tim...

Legal nurse consultants taking on expanded role; Medical background called for in variety of settings.(Patricia High)(Tri-C)(Linda Gartman)
November 6, 2006... Byline: HARRIET TRAMER Patient advocate. Legal researcher. Medical expert. As a legal nurse consultant, Patricia High wears many hats, drawing upon 27 years' experience working in critical, coronary intensive and post-anesthesia care...

Banks see emergence of rise in bad loans.
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Stable credit quality has been one of the few bright spots in the banking industry this year in what otherwise has been a difficult time for financial institutions. But after a third quarter that saw credit quality...

Medical firms brace for cuts in power device reimbursement; Providers of mobility products see layoffs among options for dealing with reduction in gov't payouts.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Invacare Corp. and other medical equipment companies are bracing for a substantial impact to their bottom lines as the federal government moves forward on its promise to slash payment for power mobility devices...

ONLINE SURVEY SAYS:.(News)(online survey on Sherrod Brown's appointment to replace Mike DeWine)(Survey)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown is a staunch liberal on trade and economic issues, but readers of CrainsCleveland.com are ready to send him to the Senate to replace the Republican incumbent, Mike DeWine. In our unscientific web poll last week, Rep....

NEW STATES OF AFFAIRS.(Rosenberg Advertising )(Stern Advertising in Pepper Pike )(Liggett-Stashower )(Melamed Riley Advertising )
November 6, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH The view from David Rosenberg's Lakewood office takes in a small slice of Detroit Avenue. The landscape of Rosenberg Advertising's client roster is a bit more expansive: The 16-person agency just added a client in Los...

Heightened security spawns new military processing site.(JDL Castle Inc.)(Cleveland Military Entrance Processing Station )
November 6, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD People seeking to enlist or starting their service in the U.S. armed forces will make a key stop at a new 25,000-square-foot office building that a North Carolina-based developer plans to build at Emerald Corporate...

Population shift translates into need for interpreters.
November 6, 2006... The Cleveland Municipal Court is spending more money this year on its Interpreters Unit and is developing new programs to make sure outside translators are better trained and linked to the court. The activity and growth in Cleveland's...

Luxurious rides.(News)
November 6, 2006... * Looking for a new set of wheels, possibly something with a bit more flair and fitting of your executive style? Check out the 2006/2007 Crain's Luxury Vehicle Guide. From a Saturn Sky to a Ferrari Fiorano, an Audi Q7 to an Acura RL and a Buick...

Report warns of electricity demand outstripping supply.(News)
November 6, 2006... Byline: JOE TRUINI Waste News U.S. electricity demand is threatening to greatly outpace supply, but the cheapest and most reliable way to address that problem may receive reluctant approval at best from environmentalists. That's the...

Hard lesson.(Ken Blackwell and Ted Strickland's poltical campaigns)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... The finest moment of Ken Blackwell's campaign for governor may have come last Tuesday in his speech conceding the election to his Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep Ted Strickland. Without sounding bitter, Mr. Blackwell acknowledged that the...

Ambassadors receive high marks; Born from others' best practices, `Clean and Safe' program a hit among business owners, patrons.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Cleaning crews from Downtown Cleveland Alliance's "Clean and Safe'' initiative have left a mystery behind as they carted off an estimated 45 tons of trash - from paper cups to car seats - from the city's central...

Careful planning essential for owners of S corporations.(Small Business)
November 13, 2006... Byline: Carl Grassi The Internal Revenue Service recently announced a project to audit at least 5,000 Subchapter S corporations. These audits are part of ongoing efforts to analyze tax law compliance by these types of businesses. An S...

Clevelander locks in role as source on school security; Experience in field, straightforward nature have national media outlets calling on Kenneth Trump.(National School Safety and Security Services)
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHERRY GAVANDITTI When there's a student shooting or random act of school violence anywhere in the country, Kenneth S. Trump doesn't stray too far from his phone. That's because despite having a small, Cleveland-based...

Republic banks on increasing NE Ohio profile pending deal; About to be acquired by Citizens Banking Corp., Ann Arbor firm looks to region's competitive market.(Republic Bancorp Inc.)
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Emboldened by its pending acquisition by Citizens Banking Corp., Republic Bancorp Inc. of Ann Arbor, Mich., is preparing to add new services and increase its physical presence in Northeast Ohio. Republic is...

CB Richard Ellis, Richfield developer team to market four NE Ohio industrial parks; Broker enlists Columbus VP to market centers.(Beacon Development Co)
November 13, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Beacon Development Co. of Richfield and the Cleveland office of CB Richard Ellis have launched a partnership to market the developer's four Northeast Ohio industrial parks - an arrangement that's a first for both...

Prism's deal for Penton raises fresh questions.(Penton Media Inc., Prism Business Media)
November 13, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH For the last few years, questions have swirled around Penton Media Inc. almost as incessantly as the winds that whip around its East Ninth Street headquarters. Some were answered with the recent announcement of an...

Going Places.(People)(new appointments)
November 13, 2006... Job Changes Construction D-A-S CONSTRUCTION CO.: Dennis Jalowiec to project manager. PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INC.: Wendy Morrow to marketing coordinator; Lynn Rieke-Galardini to client relationship manager. Education...

CREATING SPACE; NASA Glenn braces for one of its biggest projects by adding major equipment, digging trenches.
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Forgive NASA Glenn if its house isn't tidy these days, but preparations for one of the biggest projects to take place in Brook Park can't necessarily be done neatly. The reason for the clamor is Ares I-1, a test...

Late News.(Wrayco Industries Inc. gets finance from Small Business Administration)(Ozanne Construction Co. selected by Cuyahoga County)(BrightLight Creative contracts with DigiBahn)
November 13, 2006... WRAYCO GETS $4M IN SBA LOANS TO EXPAND * Calling it the biggest U.S. Small Business Administration loan deal with which it has been involved, Cascade Capital Corp. of Akron has approved $4 million in SBA loans to Wrayco Industries Inc. for...

The Week: November 6 - 12.(The Insider)
November 13, 2006... Kind of blue: Ohio, dominated for the last 16 years by Republicans, did an about-face last week as voters elected Democrat Ted Strickland as governor and fellow Dem Sherrod Brown as U.S. senator. Democrats won most other statewide races, too....

High-deductible health plans pushed, but find few takers.
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Pay attention or pay more money. That's the message many companies are sending to employees during this year's open enrollment season, which is when millions of workers nationwide choose their health plans for...

Crain's On The Web.(News)(Brief article)
November 13, 2006... News on your desktop * There's no need to surf the web looking for Northeast Ohio business news. Download the Crain's news ticker to the desktop of your computer for a scrolling feed of all today's breaking business and industry headlines....

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
November 13, 2006... Big-ticket items not end-all for downtown * In his Oct. 23 Personal View, Ed Morrison was spot-on in his assessment of Cleveland's business leadership. Due to the lack of a coherent plan, and more importantly a lack of team players and...

Tax Liens.(News)(Public notice)
November 13, 2006... The Internal Revenue Service filed tax liens against the following businesses in the Cuyahoga County Recorder's Office. The IRS files a tax lien to protect the interests of the federal government. The lien is a public notice to creditors that...

Sisters branch out to board; Olive Orchard owners turn to advisers to manage growth of specialty biz.(Patricia Hajifotiou and Sue Kluchar)
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHARON SCHNALL Sisters Patricia Hajifotiou and Sue Kluchar are all ears when it comes to outside opinions on managing the growth of their 2-year-old Bainbridge Township business, The Olive Orchard Inc. To offer guidance and...

You did it.(Ohio and its poiltics)(Column)
November 13, 2006... Ohio voters should take a bow. They acquitted themselves quite well last Tuesday in choosing to reject soundly state Issues 3 and 4 and to approve state Issue 5 by a huge margin. It wasn't an easy task. The race track operators and...

Cleveland Public Power eyes stake in Ohio plant.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER The administration of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson is considering an investment in a new, coal-fired electric plant in southern Ohio. The plant has been proposed by the Columbus-based power cooperative American...

Grand Openings.(small business enterprises)
November 13, 2006... K9 Design Dog & Cat Grooming 29715 Pettibone Road Glenwillow 44139 www.k9design-grooming.com K9 Design Dog & Cat Grooming, located at The Shops of Glenwillow Village Center, offers full-service grooming for all breeds of dogs and cats....

Short Takes.(Ultimate Placements LLC recruting more staff)(Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council rans states according to small business policies)(Shop Sublime changed its name to Our Fashion House)
November 13, 2006... * ADDING TO THEIR RANKS: Ultimate Placements LLC, a national executive search firm in Wadsworth, is in the process of building up its staff. According to Ultimate Placements president Stan Erman, the firm currently has nine account executives,...

Self-employed a focus in drive to mend tax gap.(Small Business)
November 13, 2006... Byline: Marsha Powers With end-of-the-year tax planning started in the offices of small businesses, there is a new concern that needs to be addressed. In an effort to raise revenue for the U.S. Department of the Treasury, small...

Rival material handlers' deal has combined firm in demand; Merger offers manufacturing customers a `one-stop shop' for their needs.(onveyer & Caster Corp., Equipment for Industry Corp.)
November 13, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT Hashing out an amicable merger between rival firms over dinner may seem like TV fare. However, that's the script Rick Andrews and the brother team of Jeff and Trevor Stohr followed when they brought together their two...

Effects of nuke detector work crystal clear; Two firms' collaborative efforts in $1.4 billion Homeland Security project to net hundreds of jobs.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT Two local producers of sensitive-materials detection equipment are moving ahead with a homeland security program that is designed to stop nuclear threats at the nation's borders and stands to create hundreds of...

The Big Issue.(Ohio's tax policy)(Brief article)(Column)
November 13, 2006... Who were the biggest losers in last week's elections: Republicans, race track owners or smokers? Colleen Cooney Cleveland Republicans, because they went to such huge defeats. Chris Alvarado Cleveland The race track...

Neighborhoods raise a stink over landfill development.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: JIM JOHNSON Waste News Americans oppose landfill development even more than casinos in their neighborhoods. Not by much, but still, that's some serious opposition. Indeed, more Americans would rather see a power plant or...

American recycling rate continues incremental rise, but still lagging.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: JOE TRUINI Waste News Americans recycled nearly one-third of the municipal solid waste generated in 2005 - a noteworthy percentage that nonetheless means two-thirds of the trash was buried or burned. The U.S. Environmental...

Ford leads push for cooperation on steel futures.(Ford Motor Co.)
November 13, 2006... Byline: ROBERT SHEREFKIN Automotive News Faced with burgeoning steel costs and dwindling negotiating power with steelmakers, Ford Motor Co. purchasing boss Tony Brown wants to change how the auto industry buys its most important raw...

Reporters' Notebook; Behind the news with Crain's writers.(Cleveland's elections)(Cleveland State University received $2 million federal grant )
November 13, 2006... Just a face in the crowd * Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson celebrated Sherrod Brown's victory over incumbent U.S. Sen. Michael DeWine in his favorite place - out of the spotlight. He was standing unnoticed with aide Valarie J. McCall as...

Fifth Third Ctr. pending sale has observers abuzz; Dallas firm's planned purchase offers hope of renewed institutional interest in office market.(Behringer Harvard)
November 13, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Dallas real estate investment company Behringer Harvard is preparing to buy Fifth Third Center in downtown Cleveland in a deal that real estate insiders prize as a signal that institutional investors are regaining...

Correction.(Correction notice)
November 13, 2006... The Nov. 6 list of Largest Suburban Office Properties reported incorrect rent per square foot for the Great Northern Technology Park I & II. The correct rent is $18.50 per square foot.

SEEKING A NICHE; John Carroll business dean studies peer institutions in hopes of finding ways to make Boler School competitive.(Insight)
November 13, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND For years, there has been a sense of contentment at John Carroll University's Boler School of Business. The school has relied on its reputation for graduating top-notch accountants without really touting any...

What's New.(The Insider)
November 13, 2006... COMPANY: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron PRODUCT: Eagle tire featuring Respons-Edge Technology In the Eagle, the tire's outboard sidewall is reinforced with a high-tech carbon fiber insert that provides stiffness for responsive...

The Week In Quotes.(News)
November 13, 2006... "Due to the lack of a coherent plan... accomplishments in Cleveland often happen despite ourselves rather than because of our talents. A trance-like fixation with conventions and gambling does not count as an economic development plan.'' ...

President blew chance to aid his party.(George W. Bush)(Column)
November 13, 2006... Byline: Brian Tucker What a mess of things the Grand Old Party has made, both in Ohio and the country. Decades of what effectively was one-party rule came crashing down on the heads of the party and its candidates in last week's elections....

HOME WORK LESSONS; Entrepreneurs learn from experience that working from home has its benefits, challenges.(Small Business)
November 13, 2006... Byline: CHRISSY KADLECK Jeanne Bluffstone believes that when she started Bluffstone Public Relations in 1986, home-based businesses were not as accepted as they are today. In fact, she eventually moved her fledgling public relations...

Bar owners explore next step without smoking option; Those with patios, or the capacity for one, remain more optimistic than those without.(News)
November 13, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Area bar owners are taking a deep breath and trying to figure out how to keep all their customers happy in the wake of the passage of state Issue 5, which will lead to a ban on smoking in nearly all public places....

Scott Simon; Vice president, leasing director, North Pointe Realty, Age: 37.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Stan Bullard Call Scott Simon the invigorator. He currently heads a 95-person committee at the Jewish Community Federation that's preparing recommendations for a $10 million effort to strengthen the Cleveland Jewish population...

Mayfield Heights, Australian firms join in $150M parking venture.(Gates Group LLC joint venture with Babcock & Brown Proprietary Ltd.)
November 20, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Gates Group LLC, a private equity firm in Mayfield Heights, is preparing to hit the accelerator on its plans to buy automobile parking companies throughout North America after forming a joint venture with Australia's...

Group to take risk on E. Ohio building; N.Y. investors say they're up to challenge of turning around high-vacancy asset.(Sovereign Properties Ltd.)
November 20, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD A New York investor group is preparing to buy the 1717 E. Ninth Building in Cleveland in a gamble that a renovation and an improving downtown office market can reverse the 21-story property's staggering 80% vacancy...

A NEW NEO; After three years, regional development group Team NEO shifts focus to a role centered on marketing, communication.(Team Northeast Ohio )
November 20, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Team NEO, the regional economic development organization, is undertaking a moderate course correction three years after its creation. Under new president Thomas Waltermire, Team NEO is jettisoning its role in business...

Clark H.I. Khayat; Senior vice president, corporate planning, National City Corp., Age: 35.(Special Report)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Shawn A. Turner No doubt, Rodney Dangerfield would be proud of Clark H.I. Khayat. Formerly an attorney at Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP, Mr. Khayat, 35, of Shaker Heights, is now senior vice president of corporate planning at...

Crain's on the Web.(News)
November 20, 2006... News in your inbox * Keep up with all the local breaking business news with the Crain's e-newsletter, delivered every business day to your e-mail box. Sign up for the free newsletter at www.CrainsCleveland.com/daily. Business 'toons...

Craig A. Hassinger; President, Seibert-Keck Insurance Agency, Age: 39.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: John Booth Sitting in Craig A. Hassinger's office at Seibert-Keck Insurance in Akron, it's easy to tell what matters most to the agency's 39-year-old president. When he's talking about family or community, or even hard work, his...

Jeffrey Wild; Partner, Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP, Age: 33.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Jay Miller The law - and his in-laws - brought Jeffrey Wild to Cleveland. Born and raised in and around New York City, Mr. Wild stayed in the city for college at Yesh-iva University and went to Yeshiva's Benjamin N. Cardozo Law...

Amy C. Regal; National Commercial, Sales Representative, Chicago Title Insurance Co., Age: 38.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Stan Bullard When Amy Regal becomes president of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties trade group in January, it will be a case of a relentless, behind-the-scenes networker...

April Boise; Partner, Thompson Hine LLP, Age: 38.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Shannon Mortland April Boise is somewhat of an anomaly in her field. She's a young, successful, black woman who is a partner at Cleveland law firm Thompson Hine LLP. But there aren't many like her, and that's something she's out to...

Lara Kalafatis; Vice president of university relations, Case Western Reserve University, Age: 39.(Special Report)
November 20, 2006... Byline: Shannon Mortland Lara Kalafatis' career has been all about taking chances. Soon after she obtained her bachelor's degree in journalism from Indiana University in 1990 and began writing for a magazine, she realized the field wasn't...