Pittsburgh Business Times articles from January 2000

Pittsburgh Business Times archives from January 2000

Rand sets up shop here taking office space in Tech Development Center.(Rand Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... No decision yet on whether city will host permanent office OAKLAND -- The Rand Corp. has leased office space in Oakland, taking yet another step toward possibly establishing a permanent office in Pittsburgh. Jonathan Caulkins, a...

Georgiades establishes new law firm.(Peter N. Georgiades Associates)(Greystone Legal Associates)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 28, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- Peter Georgiades of Peter N. Georgiades Associates is launching a multi-office litigation boutique, Greystone Legal Associates. Previously he had been with Wile Georgiades Homyak & Norkus PC. "It's a bit of a gamble but we...

Will Ridge finally take an axe to state's onerous capital stock tax?(Pennsylvania's Capital Stock and Franchise Tax)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Business groups hope governor will strive to eliminate tax HARRISBURG -- With a unified voice Pennsylvania's corporate community hopes this is the year, finally, that Harrisburg calls for the eventual elimination of the Capita Stock and...

Computer trainer trims operations, will leave city.(Catapult Software Training)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... IBM subsidiary Catapult exits nine markets nationwide DOWNTOWN -- Pittsburgh's second-largest computer training firm is shutting down its facility here as part of a nationwide reorganization. Catapult Software Training CEO Tom Bahn...

Pittsburgh Foundation hands out $21 million.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- During 1999, the Pittsburgh Foundation approved $20.8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations in the area, the largest amount in its 55-year history. The money came from 660 funds established by members of the community. ...

Architecture firm builds on new name.(Norman Y. Harai Associates)(Klauschner & Harai Architects)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... EDGEWOOD -- Norman Y. Harai Associates, an architecture and design firm, has changed its name to Klauschner & Harai Architects. Norman Harai, a principal in the firm, is semi-retired and Robert Klauschner has taken over as president and...

Desbrow inks partnership with West Virginia shop.(Desbrow & Associates)(Charles Ryan Associates)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- Desbrow & Associates, a design and public relations firm, has signed a joint marketing agreement with Charles Ryan Associates, the largest advertising and public relations firm in West Virginia. Headquartered in Charleston,...

Riverhounds find a home on the radio.(1360 WPTT )
January 28, 2000... SOUTH SIDE -- The Pittsburgh River-hounds have reached an agreement with 1360 WPTT to broadcast 20 games during the 2000 season. The agreement calls for WPTT, owned by Renda Broadcasting Corp., to broadcast 11 homes games at Bethel Park...

Former Steeler brings Seattle Coffee to 'Burgh.(player Dwight White )(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... FINDLAY TOWNSHIP -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Dwight White and partner Bill Newlin Jr., the son of Buchanan Ingersoll CEO Bill Newlin Sr., are opening two Seattle's Best Coffee locations in the Pittsburgh Airmall at Pittsburgh...

Federated introduces six new LVM mutual funds.(Federated Investors Inc.)(LVM-Versicherungen)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- Federated Investors Inc. is leveraging the joint venture arrangement it set up with German insurance company LVM-Versicherungen in late 1998. Federated said it created six new mutual funds that will be marketed in Europe...

Software firm makes move to Four Gateway Center.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Contemporary Technologies expands services, needs space DOWNTOWN -- Contemporary Technologies Inc., an information technology services company that specializes in Oracle software, is moving from One Oxford centre to Four Gateway Center, a...

Paul Rosato.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Vice president and ca-founder of Surreal Impressions * Organization: Bloomfield-based Surreal is a textile printer and clothing designer. The 2-year-old company designs edgy shirts and jackets that combine silk-screened photographic...

Operating with a steady hand.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Jim Collins calmly works his plan at West Penn Hospital As low-key as the institution he now heads, James Collins has climbed the ranks quickly and quietly. But while the 40-year-old president and chief executive officer of the...

Airing their problems.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Local public broadcast institution WQED faces challenges that go well beyond recent events and should cause some introspective moments for all involved in the Public Broadcasting Service. After three years of attempting to complete a...

Seeking an ad-vantage.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... While a boon to the media, the money spent by local health insurers must give employers pause. Highmark and UPMC Health Plan combined to spend $4.26 million advertising dollars during the first nine months of 1999. In 2000, employers are...

Lock 'em up.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... How apropos. The former Allegheny County Jail Annex may provide a relocation option for some of the 125 Downtown businesses to be chased out by Mayor Murphy's Market Place at Fifth and Forbes retail revamping. Perhaps these businesses should...

USA Today caught with pants down.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... You may not want your child to visit Pink Pussy Cat Boutique's sex shop Web site. You may not want to visit it yourself. You may not know, or want to know, that it exists. You may not want your child looking for "Uncensored sex photos"...

Allegheny Institute to test County Council on TIF.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... No one should be surprised that the first likely user of the initiative and referendum procedures of Allegheny County's home rule charter is the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, the conservative think tank funded primarily by publisher...

Let me count the ways.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Remember learning to count watching Sesame Street? The Count would take over the screen with-his perfectly enunciated Transylvania accent and bellow out, "One, two, three,..." as thunder and lightning flourishes rocked the mansion behind him....

Time on your side.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Some days of the week may be better for hiring than for firing Is there a good day to get fired? Probably not. But some days may be better than others to actually do the firing. Human resources consultant Christine Posti gets riled...

GITBIT CORRECTION.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... For last week's GitBit -- a list of safety tips compiled by AT&T Wireless Services -- go to www.gitomer.com and click free stuff, then click GitBit. Register (if you're a first time user) and enter the words "Safe Cell Phone."

Ancillary focus a customer need.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Services such as investment banking lead to law income DOWNTOWN -- Is it enough for a law firm to simply practice law? In Pittsburgh, the jury is decidedly mixed. Leo Keevican, managing partner of Doepken Keevican & Weiss, said the...

Technology bounce.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Sara Haziewood, a reporter with the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, an affiliated newspaper, contributed to this story. Area law schools try to stay ahead of Internet trends When John Rago was in law school in the early...

Pennsylvania Bar Exam prepares for major addition by summer 2001.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Bridge the Gap aids in 'real world' preparation DOWNTOWN -- By next summer, the Pennsylvania Bar Exam will get at least one substantial addition and aspiring lawyers may be required to take a preparation course to ready them for the world...

New legislation in Congress to push for "12 points" of fair franchising.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Franchisees pushing for reforms After 15 years in the hotel business, franchisee Jay Patel said he got so fed up with being stepped on by franchisers that he founded his own hotel company and wrote a book on the injustices in the...

Options exist for appealing new county property tax assessments.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Many businesses and nonprofit organizations that own real property in Allegheny County have recently received a "Notice of Assessment Change" from the Allegheny County Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review. Although these...

Consolidation, midsize firms' woes define list of region's law practices.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... The midsize, general practice law firm without specific strengths or strong leadership is "three partner defections away from a crisis," according to Joseph Altonji, a Chicago-based director of Hildebrandt International, who manages the...

25 LARGEST PITTSBURGH - AREA LAW FIRMS.(Directory)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... 25 LARGEST PITTSBURGH - AREA LAW FIRMS (Ranked by number of lawyers in Pittsburgh area) Lawyers in Name ...

PEOPLE.(Statistical Data Included)(Company Profile)
January 28, 2000... ACCOUNTING Malin, Landis & Co. Inc., Ross Township, hired Paula Rummel as manager, Arthur Ward as senior staff and Yorke Tedder as firm administrator. Nancy Bromall joined Schneider Downs & Co. Inc., Downtown, as an accounting,...

ECONOWATCH.(Pennsylvania unemployment)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... ECONOWATCH The Pittsburgh Business Times tracks 10 economic indicators, five of which appear each week. Unemployment rate ...

BEST-SELLING BUSINESS BOOKS.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... 1. The Leadership Moment; Michael Useem, $14. Lessons to be learned from gripping adventure 2. Who Moved My Cheese? Spencer Johnson, $19.95. Lessons for handling life changes 3. What Would Machiavelli Do? Stanley Bing, $21. How to be...

NEW & NOTEWORTHY BUSINESS BOOKS.(The Corporate Athlete by Jack Groppel and Bob Andelman)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... The Corporate Athlete by Jack Groppel and Bob Andelman. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, $24.95. The authors contend that the rigors of corporate competition is the same or even greater than the demands made on professional athletes....

BRIDGES.(Awards of Excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... BRIDGES, a North Side-based contractor, received Awards of Excellence from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Pennsylvania for the construction of Wynnsong, a cinematic theater in Delmont, and a Shop 'n Save supermarket in...

Alcoa Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Downtown-based Alcoa Inc. purchased Excel Extrusions Inc. of Warren, Ohio. Excel is a subsidiary of Noranda Aluminum Inc., which is a part of Noranda Inc., a Toronto-based mining and metals company. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed....

ANSYS Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Cecil Township-based ANSYS Inc., which creates computer-aided engineering software, has partnered with Ithaca, N.Y.-based DatapointLabs, developer of TeslPaks, a software that tests plastics designs. The companies' software packages and...

Bell Atlantic Mobile.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Bell Atlantic Mobile opened a new 1,000-square-foot communications store at Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street, Downtown, to offer customers wireless phone and data products and service. Bell's PPG Place store closed Jan. 15.

Business Network International.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Business Network International, a networking organization specializing in business referrals among its members, opened a chapter in Greensburg.

West Penn Commercial Real Estate.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... John Caplan has formed West Penn Commercial Real Estate, located at 250 Mount Lebanon Blvd., Suite 324, Pittsburgh 15234. West Penn Commercial specializes in the sale and leasing of office, retail, industrial and investment properties.

ChemTech Consultants Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... ChemTech Consultants Inc., an engineering firm in Bridgeville, signed a partnering agreement with Valspar Corp., of Minneapolis, to be the vendor for engineering services for Valspar.

Michael Derzack.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Michael Derzack, 43, of Pine Township was sentenced in federal court, Western District of Pennsylvania, to six months in prison, followed by six months home detention, and three years supervised release after a conviction on income tax...

Demegen Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Braddock Hills-based Demegen Inc. was awarded a U.S. patent for a method of helping burns and surgical wounds to heal. Pittsburgh-based Demegen is completing pre-clinical evaluations of the product in preparation for human clinical trials....

Elisco Advertising.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Strip District-based Elisco Advertising has launched a new division, Mud Advertising. Mud's game plan is to conduct the bulk at its business via its Web site, www.mudadvertising.com. Whereas its parent is a full-service agency, Mud will work...

Four Rivers Software Systems Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Forest Hills-based Four Rivers Software Systems Inc. released its first Web-based application, ITMS, which allows technicians to update work orders from any computer in the network. The product is geared to benefit facilities, bio-medical and...

GAI Consultants Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... GAI Consultants Inc., a Monroeville-based engineering firm, now provides land surveying services, including boundary, topographical, control, construction and American Land Title Association surveys.

H.J. Heinz Co.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Downtown-based H.J. Heinz Co. has sold the assets of its New York fitness club business, Cardio-Fitness Corp., to an investment group led by Cardio-Fitness' former director of operations, Louis Bellino. Terms of the sate were not released....

Janus Technologies Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Robinson Township-based Janus Technologies Inc., a provider of technology asset management software, contracted with Louisville, Ohio-based Software Asset Management Services. SAMS will serve as a Janus consulting partner and provide...

Leger Ball & Scotti P.C.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... The law offices of David Scotti merged with Shilobod Leger and Ball. The new firm will be known as Leger Ball & Scotti P.C. with offices Downtown and in Greensburg.

MSA Process Automation Solutions and Services.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... East Liberty-based MSA Process Automation Solutions and Services contracted with Finx Oy, a Finnish process automation company, to market, sell, install and maintain Finx hardware and software-products as Finx's North American integrator and...

American Eagle Outfitters Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... American Eagle Outfitters Inc.: Ann Deshe, 10 percent beneficial owner, sold 189,900 shares of common stock between $44.03 and $48.09 each from Dec. 16 to Dec. 28, and now directly holds 4,650,779 shares of common. Ari Deshe, director, sold...

Bell Atlantic Corp.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Bell Atlantic Corp.: Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of the board, exercised an option for 3,100 shares of common stock at $41.91 each on Dec. 28, and sold 364 shares at $61.56 each on Dec. 28, and now directly and indirectly holds 102,020 shares...

Fidelity Bancorp Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Fidelity Bancorp Inc.: Richard Spencer, vice president, exercised an option for 802 shares of common stock at $7.22 each on Dec. 31, and now directly and indirectly holds 22,475 shares of common. William Windisch, president, exercised an...

LB Foster Co.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... LB Foster Co: Henry Ortwein, vice president, sold 8,950 shares of class A common stock at $5 each on Dec. 22, and now directly holds 7,425 shares of common. Recent stock price: $4.75

National Record Mart Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... National Record Mart Inc.: William Teitelbaum, president, purchased 6,200 shares of common between $2.88 and $3.88 each from Dec. 25 to Dec. 31, and now directly and indirectly holds 1,357,808 shares of common. Recent stock price: $3.31

DIVIDENDS.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... DIVIDENDS Company Amount Pay date Record Alcoa $0.25 2/25 2/4 Equitable $0.295 3/1 2/11

Black Box Corp.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Black Box Corp. (BBOX) QTR: 3, 12/31 1999 1998 Sales (000) $127,128 $84,789 Income (000) $12,305 $9,605 Per Share $0.65 $0.53 YTD Sales (000)...

II-VI Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... II-VI Inc. (IIVI) QTR: 2, 12/31 1999 1998 Sales (000) $16,874 $15,210 Income (000) $1,670 $1,302 Per Share $0.26 $0.20 YTD Sales (000) $33,072...

PPG Industries Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... PPG Industries Inc. (PPG) QTR: 4, 12/31 1999 1998 Sales (000) $2,053,000 $1,789,000 Income (000) $162,000 $162,000 Per Share $0.92 $0.91...

US Airways Group.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... US Airways Group (U) QTR: 4, 12/31 1999 1998 Sales (000) $1,896,000 S1.902,000 Income (000) ($81,000) $104,000 Per Share ($1.16) $1.18...

Matthews International Corp.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Matthews International Corp. (MATW) QTR: 1, 12/31 1999 1998 Sales (000) $63,540 $56,441 Income (000) $6,083 $5,415 Per Share $0.38 $0.33 Management said...

BeFree Inc. and NetMechanic Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Gives Web designers and Web masters content and tools required to build and improve sites' content, design, load time, domain name registration, promotion and e-commerce capability. The site is a collaboration of Downtown-based BeFree Inc....

Cyber Crime Defense Resource Center.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Stanton Levenson, and his cousin and law partner. Elliott Levenson, have expanded their Downtown law practice to include cyber fraud, cyber sex and cyber theft cases. Their new Cyber Crime Defense Resource Center is a resource for lawyers and...

Prism Communication Services Inc.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Prism Communication Services Inc., a communications carrier based in New York, signed a 10-year lease for the 10th floor of the Penn-Rose Building, 1627 Penn Ave., in the Strip District. The transaction was handled by Carlson & McGinley Real...

TriLogic on move.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... CECIL TOWNSHIP -- TriLogic Corp. is moving to Southpointe. The 40-employee information tech company will be moving in March to a new 7,000-square-foot location on Hillpointe Drive. The firm has occupied its current 5,000-square-foot...

Kirkpatrick buys Calif. law firm.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Beverly Hills practice will adopt the K&L name DOWNTOWN -- Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP has become the first Pittsburgh law firm to expand to the West Coast, acquiring Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein. The Beverly Hills...

MISSING PERSONS.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Downtown residents are a missing piece in the Market Place at Fifth and Forbes puzzle For Jim Richter, living Downtown means convenience. Mr. Richter, who moved to Pittsburgh eight months ago to work as a server at Morton's...

Dick Corp. mulls South Side move.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Construction company considers leaving Large LARGE -- Dick corp. may leave its longtime suburban home and build a new headquarters. Douglas Dick, president of Pittsburgh's second-largest construction company, confirmed a potential...

Redeveloped market house could create South Side hub.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... But city must relocate senior activity center SOUTH SIDE -- The landmark South Side Market House could go back to the future by spring 2001. The site is currently home to city-funded activities for youths and senior citizens, but may...

The art of the annual report.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... OAKLAND -- It's a far cry from the typical dry, number-laden annual report. The cover of Magee-Womens Hospital's 1999 annual report features an eye-catching, shapely jar made by Pittsburgh artist Sarah Smith Corey -- and the rest of the...

Kelly sculpture in the works.
January 28, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- A site hasn't yet been designated, but plans progress for a statue of the late Pittsburgh dancer/actor, Gene Kelly, in the famous lamp post scene from his classic film, "Singin' in the Rain." A grassroots committee of 31...

Web site claims 'Future is Ferlo'.
January 28, 2000... Jim Ferlo is not afraid to make his opinions known during Pittsburgh City Council meetings, community meetings and in print, radio and television interviews. But the Pittsburgh city councilman has taken his forum to new heights -- the...

Restaurateur may expand local menu.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Columbus chain operator plans growth beyond Waterfront Having established himself as the top restaurateur in Columbus, Ohio, while still in his 30s, Cameron Mitchell plans to conquer Pittsburgh next. Mr. Mitchell has already agreed...

The Gold standard.
January 28, 2000... Wexford conservator preserves priceless works worldwide, but finds few jobs in Pittsburgh When you're conserving a $38 million desk at the French palace of Versailles or helping a 33,000 pound art deco eagle to land, don't expected to be...

Jennifer Convertibles makes itself at home.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Sofa-bed dealer to open first area site, seeks more PLEASANT HILLS - Jennifer Convertibles hasn't yet opened ifs: first shop in the Pittsburgh market, but it's already making expansion plans. A 25-year-old specialty retailer dealing...

Head of AGH emergency medicine unit leaves for similar post in Texas.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Dr. Pepe cites foundation breakup in discussing decision NORTH SIDE -- Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of Allegheny General Hospital's department of emergency medicine, will leave his post next month to take another position at a Dallas academic...

Food banks urge citizens to give Y2K stockpiles.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The nation's nonprofit community has suggested a use for the canned and packaged food that many citizens stockpiled in anticipation of a mulennium meltdown: Give it to food banks to help feed the 31 million people that go...

Wheelabrator management buyout sheds Canadian parent company.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Move brings peace of mind to 100 employees DOWNTOWN -- Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc. has its future in its own hands again, after a management buyout from its old parent company, garbage giant Waste Management International. ...

Too small to drive.(new Lilliput Motor Co. catalog)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... The new Lilliput Motor Co. catalog sweats the small stuff. It offers everything from lithography-on-tin German and Czech mechanical toys, to exquisite, handmade working-scale reproductions of antique race cars, ships, trains and planes,...

Radio personality.(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... If you're the sort of person who likes to have the radio buzzing at work, here's a way to keep from bugging the co-worker next to you. And you'll get a hands-free phone, too. Sharper Image has a tiny phone that doubles as an FM radio....

Mixing it up the old-fashioned way.(Waring blender anniversary model)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... Waring's classic makes a big comeback If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's the approach Waring took with its classic bar, blender, which has remained unchanged for more than 60 years. The sleek anniversary model, which is...

Forecastique: What's hot in designer eyewear.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... People don't wear the same clothes every day, so why should they wear the same glasses? That's the question Norman Childs, president of Eyetique, put to me when we sat down recently to discuss the latest in eyewear fashion. Coming from a...

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... Two PPG Place, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Phone: (412) 281-7272 Fax: (412) 392- 5367 Web Address: http://www.dmc-law.com TOP OFFICERS: Wilber McCoy Otto, president Jeffrey Wiley, managing director Thomas...

Craig Campbell.(CEO, Adaboy Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 28, 2000... CEO, Adaboy Inc. Age: 33 Business: The Downtown-based firm created a patented technology that automatically places targeted advertising into online games. It is securing deals within the Internet game industry. Bookmarks:...

A PERKY SITE, WITH BYTE.
January 28, 2000... Browse www.wine.com for an array of wine selections for yourself or for gift ideas for the hard to please. But remember, you'll have to purchase it elsewhere: Pennsylvania doesn't allow wine to be shipped across its borders. ...

BURSTING WITH BABY DATA.(www.babydata.com)(Brief Article)
January 28, 2000... The pace of business today can keep people from concentrating on real life (read: family). To find out your chances of conceiving and to maximize the opportunity so you can get back to work, try Baby Data (www.babydata.com). Click on the...