St. Louis Business Journal articles from April 2001

St. Louis Business Journal archives from April 2001

Smith wants to develop Maryland Plaza.
April 6, 2001... Partner in Chase hotel project targets former Saks building, townhouses, Culpeppers site The developer who delivered the $100 million renovation of the Chase Park Plaza is looking to buy and redevelop a high-profile block in the Central...

Cass takes over SCI after foreclosing.
April 6, 2001... Systems Consultants Inc. was flying high in 1999. The Clayton software firm, with revenue that year of $12.6 million and a $600,000 profit, had planned to go public this summer. Then the technology bubble burst. By early this year, SCI...

Warner's game plan far giving.
April 6, 2001... Quarterback sets up foundation, hires Rams' Moran St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who has sold cereal and appeared on a TV game show to raise money for philanthropic causes, is establishing a private charitable foundation. The...

Viasystems' stock dives, 15% of workers lose jobs.
April 6, 2001... One year after going public, Viasystems Group Inc. has been caught in a vicious downturn in the electronics industry. Its stock price dropped more since the first of the year than that of any other St. Louis-based company. Standard & Poor's...

The good life.
April 6, 2001... MasterCard workers could spend lunch hours playing video games, riding bikes or racing remote-control boats, after the company moves to its $135 million Global Technology and Operations Center in WingHaven later this spring. Vice President...

Blast from the past.
April 6, 2001... Here's a peek behind the construction wall in the lobby of the Drury Plaza Inn downtown. General Manager Cherrie Schulz said Drury Development Corp. is building a three-dimensional view of the early St. Louis riverfront that will feature...

Driving business.
April 6, 2001... Thompson Coburn has expanded its transportation law practice, adding five partners to its Washington, D.C., office, including former U.S. Rep. Lawrence Coughlin. The addition, effective April 1, boosts the transit practice to 24 partners,...

Dress up.
April 6, 2001... C.J. Banks will open its first St. Louis area store in May at Westfield Shoppingtown Mid Rivers in St. Peters. C.J. Banks is a Minneapolis-based specialty store catering to the women's large-size market.

The A team.(Saint Louis University is "safer." That according to a list in the March 30 )
April 6, 2001... Washington University is a "safe" school and Saint Louis University is "safer." That according to a list in the March 30 Wall Street Journal that looks at fall-back options for students who don't get admitted to their super-selective first...

Sports spending.
April 6, 2001... Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. ranked No. 1 among sports advertisers, spending $269 million in 2000, a 35.6 percent jump from 1999, according to Street & Smith's SportBusiness Journal. Nearly 87 percent of the brewer's total ad spending was devoted...

Making magic.
April 6, 2001... The Magic House made the Top 12 list of favorite family attractions in the April issue of FamilyFun. Also on the national magazine's list (but not the Top 12): The St. Louis Science Center, the Gateway Arch and the St. Louis Zoo.

Wall street wizards.
April 6, 2001... Susie Mathieu, sports marketer and arena developer, is one of 10 members of the "Chicks Laying Nest Eggs," an online investment club that shares the secret of its success in a just-published book with the same name. Mathieu is former marketing...

High flyer.
April 6, 2001... The "chicks" don't include Rehab-Care Group Inc. in their portfolio, but they might want to look at it. The company's stock was the No. 1 performing stock on the New York Stock Exchange in 2000, with a 383.5 percent gain.

Ex-Aurora executives turn over $10 million in stock.
April 6, 2001... Proceeds will help settle class action lawsuits Four former Aurora Foods Inc. executives will hand over $10 million of company stock to cover settlement terms in class action lawsuits brought against Aurora. Ian Wilson, former chairman...

Thermadyne's auditor has doubts it can continue.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... After emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy seven years ago, Thermadyne Holdings Corp. appears to be on the threshold of filing again. "Substantial doubt exists about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," said independent...

Corrections.
April 6, 2001... Pratzel's Bakery The Food Network's "The Best Of" program planned to film a show at Pratzel's Bakery April 3. The name of the establishment was incorrect in the March 30 issue. The Magic House The Magic House, St. Louis Children's...

Nooter/Eriksen adding 200 workers, new headquarters.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Plans to add 200 employees to its payroll have spurred Nooter/Eriksen to build a new corporate headquarters in Fenton. The company, a subsidiary of Nooter Corp. that makes heat recovery and steam generators, has experienced significant...

Wash U. adding intellectual property, tech law program.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The growing biotechnology field in St. Louis has prompted Washington University School of Law to offer a new master of laws program in intellectual property and technology law. The L.L.M. program is one of only about six nationwide among...

President Casino reports record month -- $7 million.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... President Casino on the Admiral hit the jackpot in March, posting its highest monthly revenue -- about $7 million -- in its six-year history. "That is our best month since the opening of the casino," said Jim Zweifel, vice president and...

Business Journal, Consortium team on diversity scholarships.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The St. Louis Business Journal and the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management are teaming up in April to help the organization celebrate its 35th anniversary in business diversity and higher education. CGSM is a national non-profit...

City to study coordinating Central Corridor development.(may hire SmithGroup as consultant)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... St. Louis is looking for ways to capitalize on the $2 billion in ongoing or planned development in the Central Corridor -- including creating a TIF district and an umbrella organization akin to Downtown Partnership. "This is an employment...

Medical People.(appointments, promotions, hirings)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Michael Zilm was promoted to president at St. John's Mercy Hospital in Washington, Mo. Dr. Joan Lang was appointed chair of the department of psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Vicki Lynn Thavorides was named...

Tenet wins approval for south county nursing home.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Regulators also approve Missouri Baptist's plan to expand, renovate obstetrics Tenet HealthSystem DI Inc. won approval to build a 96-bed nursing home in south St. Louis County, despite an effort by Rep. Jim Murphy, R-Crestwood, to kill the...

Hospital systems unite on effort to reform regulation.(Certificate of Need law)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Three hospital networks, often at odds, are united behind efforts to reform the way regulators review health-care projects in Missouri. BJC HealthCare, SSM Health Care and St. John's Mercy HealthCare are among 63 hospital organizations...

Engineered Support Systems Inc.(contract)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Engineered Support Systems Inc. has received two orders totaling $4.2 million for its auxiliary power units. The U.S. Army Communication Electronics Supply Command purchased $3.1 million worth of the units under an existing contract. Laguna...

Sheffield Pharmaceuticals.(asks FDA for OK to test drug)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... St. Louis-based Sheffield Pharmaceuticals has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate a new asthma treatment. The company wants to perform clinical studies of the drug budesonide in an inhalant form for the treatment...

Terminal Railroad Association.(to begin using emissions-reducing fuel)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Terminal Railroad Association will do its part to help improve air quality in St. Louis. The railroad will begin using emissions-reducing fuel treated with RxP in May. W.D. Spencer, president of Terminal Railroad, said in a press release,...

D&K Healthcare Resources Inc.(contract)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... D&K Healthcare Resources Inc. will be the primary supplier of pharmaceuticals to Pamida Pharmacies. The agreement, through Aug. 31, 2004, is a renewal of a previous seven-year agreement. Omaha, Neb.-based Pamida has 229 discount stores...

MarchFirst.(sells unit, offices)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... marchFirst has sold its St. Louis office and 19 other offices to Chicago-based Divine Inc. in a deal worth up to $125 million and affecting 2,100 employees. The St. Louis office is part of its SAP practice, which was headquartered in...

Huntco Inc.(seeks more time to file Securities and Exchange Commission annual report)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Huntco Inc., a St. Louis-based, steel processor, asked for more time to complete and file its annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In a press release, the company said it expects to file a report for the year ended...

Rockwood Capital Advisors LLC.(names Frank Aten CEO)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Frank Aten has been named president and chief executive of investment firm Rockwood Capital Advisors LLC. Aten had been chief investment officer. He also serves as managing director and principal founder with M Steve Yoakum, who is leaving...

PEOPLE.(hirings and promotions)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Accounting Bradley Steppig has joined Baird, Kurtz & Dobson as a managing consultant. Welsch, Flatness & Lutz has added Peggy Roberts as vice president. Advertising Adamson has promoted Susie Penn to creative director of its...

Rich rugs.(Asadorian Rug Co.)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Asadorian Rug Co. imports and sells some of the finest Oriental rugs Business activity: The lifting of the United States embargo on certain goods imported from Iran, including Persian rugs, has opened another door for Asadorian Rug Co....

MyriadSafety begins drive to protect highway workers.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... As interstates and highways around the St. Louis area have become obstacle courses bogged down with construction projects, the odds of accidents in construction zones are greater. The Federal Highway Administration estimates there are more...

Technology Solutions Inc.(contract with Central States Coca Cola Bottling Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Technology Solutions Inc., a bar code equipment maintenance and repair service provider, has signed a contract with Central States Coca Cola Bottling Co. Cayce Sebek is president of TSI, which received a contract in December to maintain...

LARGEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES.(in the St. Louis area)(Directory)
April 6, 2001... LARGEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES (RANKED BY 2000 GROSS INCOME) Company (rank last year) address phone/fax, Web site 1 Momentum ...

LARGEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES.(in the St. Louis area, raned by number of local employees)(Directory)
April 6, 2001... LARGEST ADVERTISING AGENCIES (RANKED BY LOCAL EMPLOYEES) Company Employees: address local\ phone/fax, Web site ...

LARGEST PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCIES.(in the St. Louis area, ranked by local revenue)(Directory)
April 6, 2001... LARGEST PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCIES (RANKED BY 2000 ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RELATIONS REVENUE) Company (rank last year) address phone/fax, Web...

Double-talk again.(use of confusing language)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 6, 2001... Today, we are going to talk about that thing or business we call doubletalk... or what is commonly known as "gobbledygook." This language, which only confuses most people, and is unintelligent to many, is used all too often. Rudolf Flesch,...

Certain schools improve chances of selective admission.(use of grading systems)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 6, 2001... Someone asked recently whether colleges would consider "B"s in a rigorous private school to be the equivalent of "A"s in a public school. Prior to our encounter, she asked an administrator at a competitive college for an opinion, which was...

Investors turn from offices to apartment properties.
April 6, 2001... Institutional investors also favor industrial sites in effort to balance their portfolios First David Thiemann tried to sell it, then Larry Reed took a shot. But after nearly two years of trying to unload the Pierre Laclede Center in...

Fisher-Rosemount move offices to Emerson campus.(Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... In a move aimed at saving money, Fisher-Rosemount will move the 50 people in its Clayton office to the Emerson campus in Ferguson. The company, a division of Emerson, now leases 11,000 square feet in the Huntleigh Financial Center, 8000...

Burkhart named as chairman of Colliers USA, to stay in St. Louis.(Mark Burkhart)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Mark Burkhart, president and chief executive of Colliers Turley Martin Tucker, was named chairman of the board of directors of Colliers USA. He will continue to work out of the firm's St. Louis office. Boston-based Colliers USA is a...

Parsons wins contracts for Pattonville schools, highways.(Parsons Brinckerhoff architectural and engineering services contract)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Parsons Brinckerhoff has been awarded a contract to provide architectural and engineering services for the Pattonville School District's facilities master plan. The project includes upgrades at several schools as well as construction of a...

What if...(views in improving St. Louis)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 6, 2001... Clark, McCoole, Krombach air their views on improving the city Bob Clark, Bob McCoole and Peter Krombach agree on one thing: Effective leadership is the key to ensuring a thriving St. Louis region for years to come. The St. Louis...

Wash U., SLU dorms offer home comforts on campus.(changes in buildings allow for private, single rooms)
April 6, 2001... Kathy Humphrey grew up in a large family, sharing everything with her brothers and sisters. Now Humphrey, vice president of student development at Saint Louis University, works with a student body to whom sharing a bedroom is a foreign...

Gray designs cafes where Amdocs workers unwind.(Gray Design Group installed places of relaxation for Amdocs Inc. employees)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Amdocs employees never have to leave the office for a bagel, cup of cappuccino or glass of juice. That's because Amdocs offices now include cafes with laptop-computer hook-ups, bistro tables and an array of culinary delights. "We love...

Home sales expected to rise as interest rates fall.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Spurred by favorable interest rates, new homes are going up throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. But the residential real estate market still has some recovery ahead if it's going to meet the near-record building levels seen in...

Bass Pro Shop to revive Mark Twain Mall project.(Greater Missouri Builders Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Fifth St. and Interstate 70 in St. Charles has some of the highest traffic counts in the metropolitan area, so it would make sense that the Mark Twain Mall there would do well. Except it hasn't. The Schnucks store was vacated in the...

Energy costs heat up Johnson Controls sales.(tips for saving energy costs)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Rising energy costs nationwide and rolling blackouts in California have been good for Jon Danuser's business. "There's more awareness about energy efficiency now," said Danuser, construction sales manager for Johnson Controls, which sells...

Beyond Housing is able to transform neighborhoods.(nonprofit group helps lower-income families)(Brief Article)(Column)
April 6, 2001... Cradled in her mother's arms, two-week old Darycha Houston peers out at the admiring faces of the Beyond Housing staff gathered around her. Her mother, Tamara Houston, 26, admits that, as for her baby, this is a new world for her, too. ...

McCarthy hosts field trips to attract students to jobs.(Construction Careers Center)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Studies show that many students begin eliminating career choices by 8th grade When Cindy Meredith's seventh graders visited McCarthy construction sites at Barnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine, she wanted her...

DESCO awarded membership in New America International Inc.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Jim Finn's loss is Mark Schnuck's gain. Finn & Associates lost its membership in New America International Inc. when Schnuck's commercial real estate firm, DESCO Commercial LLC, won the designation March 15 and became NA! DESCO Commercial...

OSHA's reach to be felt in construction industry.(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... New regulations and a crackdown on multiple-employer work sites means that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will have an even stronger hand in the construction industry this year. Construction workers face greater risks of...

Gateway EDI headquarters relocates to Watson Road site.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Because of rapid growth in recent years, Gateway EDI Inc. has moved its headquarters to 9201 Watson Road in Crestwood. The company has seen revenue jump 43 percent since last year, and it has hired 10 more employees. The new,...

Mosby commended by DuPont for carpet reclamation project.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Mosby Publishing has been recognized for its participation in DuPont's carpet reclamation program. Mosby is remodeling five buildings on its property. The 68,400 square feet of old carpeting is being shipped to a DuPont reclamation plant...

T.R. Hughes launches custom homes division in St. Charles.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... St. Charles builder T.R: Hughes Inc. has started a custom homes division. As with its residential and commercial divisions, the new custom home segment will handle the complete design/build process. A team of company architects will work...

Evans & Dixon signs new lease for Millennium Center space.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Evans & Dixon LLC will move into 33,000 square feet at the Millennium Center, 515 Olive. The building is now more than 95 percent full. Evans & Dixon, an insurance defense firm, will take the entire fifth, 10th and 11th floors. Its offices...

Korte to design/build youth activity center for U.S. Army.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... The Army Morale Welfare and Recreation Office has chosen Korte Co. to design/build a youth activity center in Fort Lewis, Wash. It is the sixth project Korte has handled for that office. The center, scheduled for completion in December, will...

REAL ESTATE PEOPLE.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Architecture/engineering Horner and Shifrin Inc. promoted Gino Bernardez Jr., Pamela Ekey and Carie Lewis to associates at the firm. John Walters and Richey Madison joined Christner Inc. as architectural technicians. Kevin Cook...

Horner & Shifrin to design and plan new bike trail for Olivette.(Horner and Shifrin Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Horner & Shifrin Inc., Engineers/Architects/Planners, will provide planning and design services for a new bikeway and trail system for the city of Olivette. The 7.6 mile route will connect five city parks, including Centerton, Indian...

Feng Shui.(using principles for better office or home design)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... It's time to take your spring cleaning one giant step further: Why not rearrange your furniture, use the color purple somewhere and put red flowers at your front door? All are examples of the Chinese art of placement, Feng Shui. "The principles...

Billyo paints maestro.(Billyo O'Donnell designs St. Louis Symphony Orchestra brochure)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... If you haven't seen the Saint Louis Symphony Qrchestra's 2001-2002 season brochure; grab one, and soon. "It takes great audiences to make great art" is the appropriate tagline for a piece that showcases not only great music, but the work of...

The discerning style guide to St. Louis life.
April 6, 2001... Q&A With the economy cooling, what's the one luxury item you refuse to give up? "Once-a-week massages at our home." Jeff and Lotta Fox Chief operating officer, Harbour Group, and community volunteer "My Gucci shoes." ...

St. Louis Science Center.(financial data and board of directors)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Douglas King President and chief executive The St. Louis Science Center aims to stimulate an interest in and understanding of science and technology throughout the community. The Science Center's three buildings hold 650 science and...

For what It's worth.(recent commercial real estate transactions)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Highlighting some of the most recent commercial real estate transactions in the St. Louis area. LOCATION: 6800 N. Hanley Road, Hazelwood DATE SOLD: Dec. 7, 2000 NEW OWNER: St. George Oil Inc. AGENT: Not available FORMER...

Allegiant Bancorp Inc.(C.V. Kirkpatrick sells shares of common stocks)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... C.V. Kirkpatrick, director, sold 1,000 shares of common at $9 each on Dec. 7, 2000 and now directly and indirectly holds 155,962.

Commerce Bancshares Inc.(executives exercise stock options)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Alexander B. Clark, chief financial officer, exercised an option for 8,545 shares of common between $1 1.06 and $15.24 each on Dec. 6, 2000 and sold 4,111 shares at $38.59 each on Dec. 6, 2000 and now directly and indirectly holds 39,139. David...

Spartech Corp.(Randy Martin exercises option for class new common stocks)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Randy Martin, vice president, exercised an option for 2,000 shares of class NEW common at $10.88 each on Dec. 29 and now directly holds 11,611.

Tax Corp.(Craig N. Cohen exercised stock options)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Craig N. Cohen, chief financial officer, exercised an option for 11,550 shares of common between $3.64 and $7.05 each on Dec. 1 and now directly holds 31,363.

Six-month summary.(number of stock transactions of four companies)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Six-month summary Number of stock transactions Disposals by Company Purchases sale or gift Allegiant Bancorp Inc. 1 1...

AMEREN CORP.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Charles Mueller Chairman, president and chief executive Ameren Corp. provides energy services to customers in Missouri and Illinois. The company had a profit of $457 million, or $3.33 per share, on revenue of $72.3 billion for the...

St. Louis Stocks.(year 2001 stock prices)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... St. Louis Stocks Close Close Company Symbol Exchange 3/28/01 4/4/01 A.G. Edwards AGE N $35.86...

Furniture Brands International Inc.(introduces cabinet line)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... March 19, $22.95 A.G. Edwards Accumulate/Aggressive. Our guess is that the wealthier consumer is stepping back into the consumption arena in a measured way. Thomasville unit could be stabilizing. The successful launch of the...

Solutia Inc.(securities price and forecast)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... March 26, $12.54 Merrill Lynch & Co. Accumulate. The stock is just above its low. Our price target is 10 times the 2002 earnings estimate of $1.50. Natural gas costs, primarily for nylon, continue to be difficult to hedge in the...

Express Scripts Inc.(A.G. Edwards Inc. upgrades shares)(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... March 14, $74.625 A.G. Edwards Accumulate/Aggressive. We are upgrading our shares to Accumulate from Maintain due to the recent pullback in share pride. We feel the concern over the increase in capitalized software is now fully...

Huttig cuts jobs, postpones projects to improve profits.(Huttig Building Products)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Bad weather and economic uncertainty are pulling down first quarter profits at Huttig Building Products. The result: delayed capital projects, job cuts and other belt-tightening. The company, based in Chesterfield, updated its first quarter...

Slay's turn to lead.(Francis Slay, mayor of St. Louis, Missouri)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
April 6, 2001... A new mayor in the city of St. Louis is a wonderful thing. Hope, excitement, potential. Optimism. We should know. This is the third new mayor the city has welcomed in the last three elections. Francis Slay follows Clarence Harmon, who...

Letter to the editor.
April 6, 2001... Furniture Brands Editor: Your March 30 edition asserted that certain senior officers of our company sold stock because they were bearish on our business or anticipated a negative earnings release. This is inaccurate. Mickey Holliman,...

Who owns the boat?
April 6, 2001... From time to time, I get exasperated with my brother and some friends when they don't see things as rosy as I do. And I'm learning that sometimes they are very right to be very suspicious. "All that glitters is not gold." "Now you see it,...

Finance stadium based on economic benefits.(St. Louis, Missouri)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... I have followed much of the discussion in local reports concerning a new home for the Cardinals. I also am familiar with many of the discussions regarding the attempts to revive downtown St. Louis. I do not claim to be an expert on the St....

Investment forum strives to give regional firms access to capital.(Brief Article)
April 6, 2001... Billed as Kansas City's first significant conference pairing regional entrepreneurs with investors from throughout the country, the InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum will accompany great expectations when it rolls into town in mid-May. ...

Investors focus on profitability, not growth potential of start-ups.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Not so long ago, venture capitalists were investing in growth. So their robustly capitalized charges began to implement growth-oriented models, which invariably were premised on profitable operation down the line -- and maybe then only with...

Companies should acquire more from investors than mere money.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 6, 2001... Jim Bramlett, president and CEO of FreightPro.com, said he knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime. So did Dan Dye, one of the founders of Kansas City's Three Dog Bakery. Last year, both men made presentations about their companies to...