Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) articles from June 2007

Colorado Springs Business Journal (CO) archives from June 2007

The invisible bank: USAA Federal Savings.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell There is a bank that has been operating in Colorado Springs for more than 20 years, has 3.4 million members nationwide, 6.8 million accounts and about $40.7 billion in assets under management. But despite all this, no...

When it comes to art, beauty and bucks in eye of beholder.
June 1, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Two weeks ago, contemporary art sales in New York at Sotheby's, Christie's and Phillips de Pury totaled $837 million. More than 120 artists recorded all-time high prices. The prices achieved were staggering, as were...

Commentary: Leadership all that's needed for change in Colorado.
June 1, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Which would you rather study, the state constitutions or accounting? State constitutions or the collected works of Ward Churchill? State constitutions or almost anything else? Most of us would choose "almost...

Retailers, nationwide and in Colorado Springs, facing crisis about trained work force.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson With the National Retail Federation predicting that overall industry sales will grow 5 percent this year, employers likely will be scrambling to recruit workers to keep up with demand. And it looks like it's already...

Martin Wood, COO for U of Colorado at Colo. Springs space center, keeps track of space, security ed.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff As chief operating officer for the National Institute of Science, Space and Security Centers on the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Martin Wood oversees several career fields. The...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: June 1, 2007.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell BOK Financial Corp. of Tulsa is purchasing First United Bank for $43 million. First United has one branch in Colorado Springs, at 1310 United Heights near Interquest Parkway and state Highway 83, and 10 branches in...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: June 1, 2007.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Starting June 9, the Visiting Nurse Association will provide public wellness clinics the second Saturday of each month at 5373 N. Union Blvd, suite 101. Registered nurses from the VNA will answer questions and...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: June 1, 2007.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley The appearance of a C.B. Richard Ellis sign on the northeast corner of 8th Street and U.S. Highway 24 means big changes for the former Western Sizzlin'/Rita's Fajitas site. The property was purchased by a local...

2007 CSPA Media Guide available.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The 2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is now available. The guide provides listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, reporters and other outlet contacts for El...

Builder News seeking top architect nominees.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Builder News magazine is seeking nominations for the 2007 Top Architects award, which honors leading architects in the West whose work embodies talent, vision and commitment to produce...

Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association elects board officers.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association has elected board officers for 2007-08. Charles McKay of Keyline Graphics Inc. will serve as president. Rich Brewer of G.A. Wright Marketing...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: June 1, 2007.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson The International Council of Shopping Centers presented six tenants with its 2007 Hot Retailers Award. The winners were J. Crew, The Little Gym, Lucy, ULTA, Uniqlo and WineStyles. These tenants won because of their...

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Colorado Springs store top performer.
June 1, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries of Colorado Springs has been honored as a top-performing store based on 2006 shipments by the La-Z-Boy network. The Springs store was the second highest performer...

El Paso County banks thriving on the competition.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Last year, El Paso County banking was more competitive that it has been for a decade. Dave Banks and Fred Crowley of Crowley's Consulting Inc. made that determination in part because of the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index,...

Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Pueblo: 3 cities, 3 downtowns...2 different directions.
June 8, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst During the past several years, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Pueblo have attempted to transform their downtowns into vibrant community centers. Their goals were similar: to revitalize businesses, to...

Disabilities change structure of financial planning.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Bryce Carey loves to work. He loves to feel his muscles pushing against the handle of a lawn mower as its blades slice over a lawn or straining against the weight of a shovel full of snow. Unfortunately, Carey will...

Commentary: Water buffs still can't agree on anything.
June 8, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Wandered down to Pueblo last weekend to attend an actual Congressional hearing. The grandly titled "Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Natural Resources of the United States House of...

Ed Rudolph's success in Colorado Springs stretches from sports to business.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Like the subject of a Jack Kerouac novel, Ed Rudolph has covered a lot of ground during his 47-year sports and business career. From winning a silver medal in the 1962 Olympics for speed...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: June 8, 2007.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Pioneer Services is opening a branch at 2710 S. Academy Blvd., Suite 130 on Tuesday. It is relocating from 3273 S. Academy Blvd. Pioneer Services is a lender that has been in the Colorado Springs area for more than 20...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: June 8, 2007.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine America's health care sector is shifting rapidly to a system where patients can get better information about the quality and cost of care, and there is competition to provide them with the best value. That's the word...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: June 8, 2007.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Optimists looking for news about a brightening new home market will have to hang on until 2008, at least according to the latest word from the National Association of Home Builders, economists and Inman News. The...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: June 8, 2007.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Even though high gas prices are a pain in the pocketbook these days, consumers are still expected to dish out nearly $10 billion on dads this Father's Day. And, that's even more than they spent last year. According to...

Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging selects Quality First winners.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging has selected the winners of its Third Annual Quality First awards, which recognize senior living communities for program...

2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide now available.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The 2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is now available. The guide provides listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, reporters and other outlet contacts for El...

Builder News seeking nominations for leading architects in the West.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff Builder News magazine is seeking nominations for the 2007 Top Architects award, which honors leading architects in the West whose work embodies talent, vision and commitment to produce...

U.S. Small Business Administration launches business primer strategies.
June 8, 2007... Byline: Colorado Springs Business Journal Staff The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering a free online training course designed to help people who are thinking about starting a small business or who are in the early stages of...

Michael Peltier launches Digital Expressway.
June 15, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Michael Peltier has opened Digital Expressway Inc. The telecommunications consulting company provides various options of high speed Internet, including T-1 lines, unlimited/local and long distance phone service,...

Progressive Group of Insurance Cos. recognized as IT innovator.
June 15, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The Progressive Group of Insurance Cos. has been selected as a 2007 CIO 100 award recipient. Each year, CIO magazine honors companies that exemplify operational and strategic excellence in information technology....

BBB names participants in Southern Colorado's Excellence in Customer Service Program.
June 15, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Ten companies have qualified to participate in the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado's Excellence in Customer Service Program. They are: *American Medical Response, Colorado Springs *Classic Homes,...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: June 15, 2007.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine The Joint Commission has launched a national campaign to help Americans understand their rights when receiving medical care. "Know Your Rights" is part of the commission's Speak Up program, which encourages people to...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: June 15, 2007.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley The Chapel Hills Atrium office building at 1125 Kelly Johnson Blvd. has been purchased by Kelly Johnson Ltd. Liability Co., a Denver investment group, for $8.15 million. At the time of the sale, the 77,866-square-foot...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: June 15, 2007.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Two patties, Pepper Jack cheese, fajita-seasoned peppers, onions and sliced jalapeos would be Wendy's chief marketing officer Ian Rowden's ideal hamburger. What would yours include? This summer, Wendy's is initiating...

Communication key to father and son businesses.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Mike and Si Niswonger know about candy -- how to mix chocolate and caramel and marshmallow, how to stretch and pull about 30 flavors of taffy, how to create peanut butter cups, mints and chocolate hearts. And they...

City of Colorado Springs seeking 'pioneering' volunteers.
June 15, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The City of Colorado Springs is seeking to residents to serve as at-large members of the Pioneers Museum Advisory Board. The board, which meets the second Thursday of each month, sets policies related to museum...

Commentary: Leadership will be the key to embracing, expanding diversity.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Lon Matejczyk Inside your CSBJ this week is our Leadership Quarterly special section. I had the opportunity earlier this week to speak to a group that was brought together by Citizens Project. Talking about leadership, I like what...

Van Briggle Pottery in Colorado leaving historic location.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Van Briggle Pottery's two-story brick and stone structure has stood at the unofficial gateway to Ute Pass and the Highway 24 corridor west for 120 years. But the landmark might soon be replaced, a casualty of declining...

Companies are digging deeper, giving more.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Companies are giving more money to charity than ever before -- despite the absence of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunamis. Corporate giving increased 4.7 percent to $10.6 billion during...

Commentary: Dysfunctional: Immigration bill debacle.
June 15, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst If ever you wanted definitive proof that our government is dysfunctional, the Senate provided irrefutable evidence of it last week by shooting down the president's laboriously crafted, bipartisan immigration bill....

Q&A with Ann King, partner at BKD LLP and president of Health Care Financial Management Assn.
June 15, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Ann King started working at BKD before she finished college. She now serves as the company's health care leader and is involved in accounting and auditing, practice management, third-party reimbursement and other...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: June 15, 2007.
June 15, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell On Nov. 2, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s Board of Directors approved the final rule to implement provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 that provides penalties for failure to timely pay...

Commentary: County budget cuts do not equal a world class city.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Lon Matejczyk Our county commissioners recently cut more than $6.58 million from the 2008 budget to balance it. The Southern Colorado Economic Forum will be having its annual gathering Oct. 11. The forum's theme this year is a...

Builder News magazine seeking top architect nominees.
June 22, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Builder News magazine is seeking nominations for the 2007 Top Architects award, which honors leading architects in the West whose work embodies talent, vision and commitment to produce significant contributions to...

2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide now available.
June 22, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report The 2007 Colorado Springs Press Association Media Guide is now available. The guide provides listings of newspapers, radio and television stations, reporters and other outlet contacts for El Paso and Teller...

Business leaders in Colorado have new advocate to help with health care issues.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Business leaders in Colorado have a new advocate to help them with health care legislation, employment and reform issues: The Business Health Forum. "We see a need to get business leaders engaged in the process,"...

Nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado Springs make major economic impact.
June 22, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Nonprofit arts organizations in Colorado Springs generate $94.7 million in economic activity, including 2,639 full-time equivalent jobs, $6 million in local government tax revenue and $2.8 million in state tax...

Colorado Springs homeowners association bucking trend.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley It's a rarity in this world: a homeowners association that welcomes a developer's plans to build or develop additional single-family and patio homes in an established community. But it does happen. Last November, for...

Commentary: Maybe it's the delivery, not the message.
June 22, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Sometimes, as we all know, style is more important than substance, emotion trumps reason and logic takes a back seat -- even if we're making vitally important decisions. We get married for the first time to people...

Q&A with David Churchill with Agilent Technologies in Colorado Springs.
June 22, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report In May 2006, David Churchill was named vice president and general manager of the network and digital solutions business unit of Agilent Technologies' Electronic Measurements Group in Colorado Springs. He hit the...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: June 22, 2007.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has launched a new publication: the FDIC Quarterly. The report is a compilation of data and analyses that were previously available through three publications -- the FDIC Outlook,...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: June 22, 2007.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine In response to concerns about marketing practices in the insurance industry, seven health care sponsors have agreed to suspend marketing of private fee for service plans. United Healthcare, Humana, Wellcare,...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: June 22, 2007.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley The owners of a three-building light industrial complex at 4655 -- 4675 Town Center Drive, just south of Platte Avenue near Wooten Road, have signed six leases, bringing the facilities' occupancy to 76 percent,...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: June 22, 2007.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was "bitten by the Steve & Barry's bug" after walking into a Steve & Barry's store for the first time. Having grown up in a family of eight children which faced financial challenges, Parker...

Rocky Mountain region law firm Holland & Hart ranked in AmLaw 200 list.
June 22, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Holland & Hart LLP is the only firm based in the Rocky Mountain region to be included in the AmLaw 200 list of leading law firms. The firm was ranked 151 of 200 nationally, based on gross revenue in 2006. Holland...

Commentary: Call of the open road just ain't what it used to be.
June 22, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd I know what I miss most about the Gulf Coast (aside from a large body of navigable water): long, straight, flat roadways. I experienced this epiphany a couple weeks ago while driving a 26-foot Penske moving truck from...

Competition heating up summer job season in Colorado Springs.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson When summer hiring hits, employers scramble to offer competitive wages while keeping an eye on those with training under their belts. Despite the state minimum wage and federal wage increases and the national...

New health care crisis in Colorado and nationwide: long-term care.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Families have been the foundation of the long-term care system in the United States -- and an important part of the economy -- but that could change during the next decade. As people live longer, have fewer children...

El Paso County Emergency Services Agency seeking proposals for ambulance services.
June 29, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Colorado Springs and El Paso County might soon have a new ambulance service. Since 1995, the joint city-county committee, the El Paso County Emergency Services Agency has used American Medical Response to serve the...

Commentary: Health care: you get what you can afford.
June 29, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst A couple of years ago, I briefly dated a woman who was recently divorced from a local orthopedic surgeon. One evening she complained mildly about her ex's unwillingness to fund some kid-related expenditure. "After...

Interview with president/CEO of The Bank at Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
June 29, 2007... Byline: CSBJ Staff Report Ed Sauer's career in the banking industry started not by making loans, but by collecting on defaulted loans. Repossessing cars and furniture taught Sauer valuable lessons about the responsibilities of underwriting...

Colorado Springs Financial Briefs: June 29, 2007.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Two banking trade groups, the American Bankers Association and America's Community Bankers, said this week that their boards have agreed to pursue a merger. The merger is expected to be finalized by the fourth...

Colorado Springs Medical Briefs: June 29, 2007.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Two Colorado Springs health care and business professionals have been elected to serve on advisory task forces for the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Reform, also known as the 208 Commission. Steve Krell, vice...

Colorado Springs Real Estate Briefs: June 29, 2007.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Imagine getting ready to develop a planned business center-zoned land and building package with a tenant lined up to take half the new space. Your location is visible with heavy drive-by traffic on a prime 1.73-acre...

Colorado Springs Retail Briefs: June 29, 2007.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson When looking for a nice cold drink for the summer, smoothies appear to be consumer's drink of choice. And they're not only found at specialty stores, they're being sold everywhere. According to an industry study by...

Balancing family, financing for entrepreneurs.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell The saying "never mix friends and family with money," might be as old as currency itself. Even William Shakespeare alluded to the dangers of mixing friends and family with money in the play Hamlet, stating "neither a...

Marketing books: Technology still not key to booking shelf space.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson Lots of people want to write a book that gets published, but despite advances in technology and the growth of e-books and Web retailing, little has changed when it comes to capturing an audience. Chain book stores like...

More people are traveling to Asia and Mexico in search of quality health care at better prices.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Thailand isn't known solely for its beaches and brothels - the country is quickly becoming the top destination for face lifts, knee replacement surgeries and organ transplants. And as health care costs - aided by...

Multiple funding sources floated for renovation of Colorado Springs' City Auditorium.
June 29, 2007... Byline: John Hazlehurst Supporters of renovating the City Auditorium have developed a financing plan that would require only a $7.25 million cash commitment from the city. A group which includes community leaders, elected officials and...

Commentary: Bad haircuts, bad investments, and living with both.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Mike Boyd Last week I was reminded about two life lessons that I learned during my youth: there's no such thing as a bad haircut and poker skills can be transferred to just about any situation involving risk. I've always thought...

Commentary: Event provided opportunity to showcase Springs.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Lon Matejczyk OK, so let me brag a little. Last weekend, our Book of Lists was selected as the best Book of Lists in the nation by Data Joe, our service provider for data collection for the book. CSBJ along with Northern Colorado...

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina creates relationship with Thai hospital.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina is one of the first U.S-based health insurer to develop a formal relationship with a foreign-based hospital. The company expects to add 12 additional hospitals to its...

Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic's new facility should be ready to open in November.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Becky Hurley Life more than a mile above sea level has its benefits: the air is clean, the sun shines more than 300 days a year and dramatic mountain views abound. On the flip side, however, Colorado's high plateau climate means...

Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Stables uses horses instead of equipment for rehabilitation/therapy.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine Chloe Cunningham smiles as she's lifted onto Tom-Tom, puts her feet into the tiny stirrups, and says, "Go!" as loud as her little voice can carry. She is one of nearly 75 students who are enrolled in an eight-week...

What to look for in a rehab provider.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Joan Johnson When people think about rehabilitation, they often think about recovering from amputations, strokes or other significant life-altering medical conditions that require physical therapy. And while they may turn to...

Commentary: West Nile virus.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Rosemary Bakes-Martin El Paso County has benefited from a generous amount of moisture this past spring resulting in rich plant growth; brimming lakes, ponds and streams; and a picturesque landscape fitting of our -- Colorful...

Debate about Colorado Senate Bill 1335 still raging.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Amy Gillentine A bill signed into law this month by Gov. Bill Ritter could mean higher health insurance premiums - or it could simply be a way to more fairly decide who pays how much. Senate Bill 1335 removes an insurance company's...

Bringing drugs to marketplace no easy task.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Sarah Colwell Every time a person pops a pill or takes a puff of an inhaler, he or she likely isn't thinking about how many people and how much money went into researching that medicine. There are five steps a drug must go through...