Dallas Business Journal articles from December 2000

Dallas Business Journal archives from December 2000

New energy.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... TXU Energy's Canadian unit will move to Dallas by the first quarter DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- TXU Corp. is continuing the Dallas-bound consolidation of its energy trading group, with plans to move its Calgary, Alberta, operations here by the...

Check clearinghouse to split from Carreker.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... NORTH DALLAS -- A Dallas-based national clearinghouse for 1.5 billion checks worth more than $2 trillion annually will establish its own facilities in April. The Electronic Check Clearing House Organization, a nonprofit that's known as...

CMC to start spec building in Carrollton.(CMC Commercial Realty Group)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... CARROLLTON -- CMC Commercial Realty Group is kicking off the New Year with a 118,000-square-foot speculative development at the intersection of International Parkway and Park Boulevard in Carrollton. The company closed two weeks ago on a...

Fairview girds for Central growth.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Officials drafting regulatory 'cookbook' for untapped stretch of N. Central Expressway FAIRVIEW -- With one of the largest undeveloped stretches fronting Central Expressway, Fairview officials know their city will soon be in the...

Metroplex move.(Jacobson Transportation Co.)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... FORT WORTH -- Jacobson Transportation Co., based in Des Moines, Iowa, has opened a sales office in Fort Worth to increase its presence in the Metroplex. Jacobson has had a Fort Worth office at 2575 E. Long Ave. for about two years where...

Targeting DART.(Dallas Area Rapid Transit )(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- Public transportation authority Dallas Area Rapid Transit has named a partnership led by Dallas-based advertising and public relations firm McGill Associates as its advertising agency of record. The two-year,...

National treasures.(Addison Airport)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... ADDISON AIRPORT -- Metroplex corporate aviation hot spot Addison Airport was named by the National Air Transportation Association as one of the most-needed airports in the nation on a list of 100 singled out by the group. In a white...

Gaining a new perspective.
December 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- After years of leasing office space and representing landlords in negotiations, Anthony Fritsche has decided to try things on the tenant rep side of the table. Fritsche is moving from one Trammell Crow Co. to another,...

High-techs may have weathered storm.(Telecommunications equipment industry)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Nonetheless, some say an industry shakeout is imminent RICHARDSON -- Telecommunications equipment may be sexy, but it sure isn't much to look at. To the layman, most telco gear resembles big black metal boxes strung together with...

Legend terminal could be next battlefield at Love.(Love Field airport terminal)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... $21 million facility is prize for survivors if startup fails to secure financing LOVE FIELD -- If Legend Airlines Inc. doesn't find its way out of bankruptcy court and resume flying, the start-up airline's private terminal at Dallas Love...

Dell still considering FW site, TIF offered by city.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... FORT WORTH -- Fort Worth city officials hope the holiday season concludes with a gift, exchange with Dell Computer Corp. Fort Worth may give Dell a lucrative incentive package, the details of which were being worked out as the year drew...

Legacy's 'banner year' tops realty activity.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... EDS-owned park in Piano nabs Computer Associates, AT&T Wireless, Beal Bank LEGACY -- With record-breaking absorption and numerous' corporate relocations, 2000 was a standout year for commercial real estate in the Metroplex. The year...

Restructuring rights Sierra's ship.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... 'Slashing, burning' means company could break even or show a small profit in 2001 NORTH DALLAS -- When Sierra Health Inc. officials refer to the sophomore year of their Dallas-based Texas Health Choice, it's often described as "rather...

2000 seen as 'historic year' for new Frisco retail.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... Population, income levels make area north of Dallas attractive to many national brands FRISCO -- As 2000 draws to a close, Frisco residents are dazzled by an array of newly opened stores competing for their hard-earned dollars. And,...

HTVN stays the course on marketing strategy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... But 'new kid on the block' still has a ways to go HALTOM CITY -- Hispanic Television Network Inc. ended the year by eliminating 31 positions and working with investors to meet its short-term cash needs. The news broadcast a clear...

LARGEST METROPLEX LIFE & HEALTH INSURERS.(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... LARGEST METROPLEX LIFE & HEALTH INSURERS RANKED BY 1999 ADMITTED ASSETS Rank/ 1999/ last ...

Team Nuts helping brokers whip cancer.(running team raises money and awareness about testicular cancer)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Over the last year or so, two-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong and MTV personality Tom Green have helped increase awareness of testicular cancer. Locally, a group of commercial real estate executives has put together a running group...

Up the ladder.(Thomas Carroll accepts job at HQ Global Workplaces)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... HQ Global Workplaces has tapped Thomas Carroll to develop and revitalize its executive suite offices across the country as vice president of real estate. Carroll previously was senior vice president of real estate for Zale Corp., where he...

Dreamy award.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... The HOK Planning Group has been awarded the Dream/Study award, one of the 2000 Dallas Urban Design Awards, for its design of the City Center TIF Streetscape project. The awards are given by the Dallas Planning Commission and the city of...

Avanex Corp.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Avanex Corp. has leased 43,700 square feet at 1801 N. Glenville Drive in Richardson. Larry Toon and Matt Coit with The Staubach Co. represented the tenant. Paul Moser with Stream Realty Partners L.P. represented the landlord.

McLane Co.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... McLane Co. has leased 79,000 square feet at 2085 Midway Road in Carrollton. Allan Young and Paul Moser with Stream Realty Partners represented the landlord, Kennedy Associates Real Estate Counsel Inc. Mark Sommer with Beltway Commercial Real...

Cushman & Wakefield.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Cushman & Wakefield of Texas Inc. has brokered the sale of a three-building warehouse complex in the Brookhollow submarket. Jack Fraker, Randy Baird and Angelina Wright marketed the property and represented the seller, Rreef Funds, in its...

ATM structure changing with the times.(Genpass Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Genpass Inc. began operations of its newest Dallas subsidiary last week. The Fort Washington, Pa., company has opened Genpass ATM Solutions, which will help companies decide where to place their automated teller machines and how to draw...

Bank One.(hiring bonus)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Chicago-based Bank One is instating a $1,000 hiring bonus for the first two months of the new year while trying to hire 72 tellers for its 75 Metroplex branches. If prospective candidates are hired by March 1 and stay through September,...

Carole Keeton Rylander.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... The comptroller's office said it will conduct these electronic bidding auctions, called BidTX, for state deposits on the first Wednesday of each month through MuniAuction, an auction hosting service. The office said that "approved Texas...

KBK Capital Corp.(securitization )(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... KBK Capital Corp. said last week it completed a $350 million securitization through its wholly owned subsidiary, KBK Financial Inc. The company said that "under this new facility, factored receivables and commercial business loans originated...

Mortgage Bankers Association of America.(home loans, refinances down)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... The Mortgage Bankers Association of America reported last week that the number of home loan purchases and refinances declined 8.1% to 371.9 for the week ending Dec. 15 from 404.8 the week before. The MBA's seasonally adjusted purchase index...

Paper: new No.1 trading partner for U.S.(recent white paper)(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... With Texas the largest exporting state to Mexico, it's interesting to note that the combination of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the landslide election of Mexican President Vicente Fox and an expected free trade agreement with the...

Perks survey.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... A survey of the perquisites enjoyed by executives, top management and middle management turned up some results the aviation and wireless-phone. industry can delight in: Use of corporate aircraft and mobile car phones are overwhelmingly...

People.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... * Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. has added Rusty Moore to its direct sales staff at the company's Texas Service Center in Dallas. Moore, a native of Dallas, is a 26-year veteran of the transportation industry. Prior to joining Old Dominion,...

D-FW's 'SOHOs' are big draw for Staples.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Staples Inc. has wrapped up its initial entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The company, one of the nation's leading office supply chains, dedicated its newest store, in East Dallas, earlier this month. "The Southwest is one of our...

Smaller scale.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Plano-base Metromedia Restaurant Group has rolled out a new Bennigan's prototype. The freestanding restaurant is a tad smaller than existing Bennigan's stores, making it more suitable for certain restaurant sites and developments. ...

Boosting reading.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... On the heels of a 2000 campaign that brought in 350,000 books for its Half Pint Library, Dallas-based Half Price Books has upped the target for 2001. The book retailer aims to bring in 500,000 books for the program, which offers books to...

Park Cities Hilton.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... The long-awaited Park Cities Hilton on Luther Lane -- and its restaurant, Opio -- opened Dec. 21. Robert Palleschi is general manager of the 224-room hotel.

Clive Lubner.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Senior executives Clive Lubner and Fred Berk of furniture retailer Robb & Stucky, which opened a Piano store this year, have received "retailer of the year" honors from trade magazine Furniture Today.

Lowe's Cos. Inc.(home improvement warehouse )(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Lowe's Cos. Inc. has opened its Frisco store at the northeast corner of Preston Road and Gaylord Parkway. The $15 million home improvement warehouse employs nearly 200 people.

Wyndham International Inc.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Dallas-based Wyndham International Inc. has named Jeff Wagoner as senior vice president of hotel/garden hotel operations. He'll oversee operations for more than 100 hotels in North America.

Haggar Clothing Co.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Haggar Clothing Co. has promoted David Roy to a newly created position, executive vice president of operations. Roy joined the Dallas-based clothing manufacturer in 1996.

Lubbock hospital put on hold -- for now.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... Preoccupied with its intended $2.4 billion purchase of Brentwood, Tenn.-based. Quorum Health Group, Triad Hospitals Inc. has put its plans for a hospital in Lubbock aside -- at least in 2001. "We are not saying we won't be coming there at...

Shanghai surprise?($10 million joint venture)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... CEO Rick McCord could not be reached for comment and my Chinese is well, nonexistent, to hold up my side of an interview. But the Chinese press is reporting that Denison-based Horizon Pharmacies Inc. is forming a joint Chinese report venture...

Hold the powder.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth is no longer using powdered latex gloves, which have sometimes caused post-operative complications and allergic reactions. All the operating rooms have been cleaned to remove powder residue. The...

Season of giving.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Dallas native Helen Dupies Bader has bequeathed $1.3 million to The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas to support research and treatment of arthritis. The gift, which was distributed through the Helen Dupies Bader...

On board.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... * Michael Dobbs of Aetna US Healthcare and Warren Webb of Fort Worth MedTech Center have been elected to second terms as directors of the board of The Health Industry Council. Also elected to the board were Jim Berend of Arthur Andersen...

PawnMart appoints CFO and senior VP.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Specialty finance and retail company PawnMart Inc. has appointed Robert W. Schleizer to senior vice president and chief financial officer; Schleizer will replace Monty Standifer, who held both positions during the interim. Schleizer brings...

Exxon sells to BP.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... ExxonMobil Corp. has gained final approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of its Exxon-branded ester-based, synthetic jet turbine lubrication oil business to BP. The sale satisfies conditions of the European Commission and the U.S....

Hillwood enters joint partnership.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Hillwood has entered into a strategic partnership with iFulfillment Inc., a Chicago-based provider of services for c-businesses and companies with multi-channel distribution needs. Hillwood has taken an equity stake in iFulfillment through...

INspire offers stock options.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... INSpire Insurance Solutions, a property and casualty insurance outsourcing and integrated services provider, has awarded one-time option grants to its 1,105 non-executive employees. Each received an option to purchase no less than 100 shares...

RadioShack appoints creative VP.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Barry King has been appointed. vice president-creative for RadioShack Corp.'s retail division. King will lead the company's in-house advertising team, The Circle R Group, in developing and overseeing print and broadcast advertisements. King...

Dallas company opens resort.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... Dallas-based Hollywood Casino Corp. opened its resort Hollywood Casino Shreveport, which features the largest dockside casino in the Shreveport area. The casino offers 1,469 slot machines and 68 gaming tables. Featuring an art-deco, Hollywood...

Haggar creates new position.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Haggar Clothing Co. has promoted David Roy to executive vice president of operations, a newly created position. Recently, Roy, who has been with Haggar for four years, served as senior vice president of operations. "The promotion is a direct...

Amresco declares third liquidating distribution.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... Amresco Capital Trust priced its third liquidating distribution at 35 cents per share. Shareholders approved the liquidation plan for the Dallas-based real estate financing company on Sept. 26, and so far have declared liquidating...

Parkland named among 100 best.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Parkland Health & Hospital System was named one of the nation's top 100 hospitals by an Evanston, Ill.-based health care information company that also reported the biggest drop in industry wide profits since 1993. HCIA-Sachs Institute, which...

Daisytek details new credit arrangement.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Daisytek International Corp. has signed a $120 million syndicated senior debt facility with Bank One Texas N.A. and Bank of America N.A. The threeyear arrangements replace an existing facility of $105 million that will expire Dec. 31, the...

TI unit expands sales efforts.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Texas Instruments Radio Frequency Identification Systems has named Dynasys Technologies of Clearwater, Fla., as an authorized distributor of its tracking and automated data collection products. Financial terms were not disclosed. RFID...

Bahrain buys rockets from Lockheed Martin.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Bahrain has signed a $6.5 million contract to buy extended-range, multiple-launch rockets from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Dallas. The foreign military sales contract calls for the Dallas subsidiary of Lockheed Martin to produce...

Cytoclonal names Easton to board.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Cytoclonal Pharmaceutics Inc. has named health care management consultant Robert J. Easton to its board of directors. Easton previously served as president of the Wilkerson Group, a health consulting firm, and as managing director of IBM...

viaLink inks deal with Winn-Dixie.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... The viaLink Co. announced WinnDixie Stores Inc. will use its syncLink and sbtLink services to syncronize item, price and promotion data for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based supermarket chain. Financial terms were not disclosed. Lewis "Bucky"...

Neiman's starts product recall.
December 29, 2000... Neiman Marcus has recalled its Mrs. Prindables caramel apples packaged with winged Santa, snowman and other ornaments. The ornaments are made of styrene plastic and can emit an odor that affects the taste of the chocolate and nuts around the...

Dr Pepper/Seven-Up buys Slush Puppie.
December 29, 2000... Dr Pepper/Seven-Up Inc. signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Slush Puppie Corp. for $16.6 million. Cincinnati-based Slush Puppie manufactures frozen, non-carbonated beverages and provides frozen-slush making equipment, point-of-sales...

EDS wins Dow contract.
December 29, 2000... EDS Corp. has won a seven-year contract from The Dow Chemical Co. to rebuild Dow's global communications network at a projected cost of $200 million annually. The deal calls for EDS to build the system around the Plano-based technology...

Nosa Eke.
December 29, 2000... A look at movers and shakers of the Metroplex -- and what makes them tick. Eke, 40, is owner of the Call Center Times, a Carrollton-based online magazine focusing on the needs of the call center industry. * Family: My wife Calletta...

Coming up through the ranks.
December 29, 2000... ThermoTek's founders couldn't wait for slow-to-decide big companies to embrace their technology CARROLLTON -- When Tony Quisenberry and several dozen investors founded ThermoTek Inc. seven years ago, it was their idea to develop and...

My BEST business decision.
December 29, 2000... "My best business decision was hiring a corporate hairstylist to give haircuts to employees each month. I haven't been able to find one other company that of fers this benefit -- and it's been such a great success for us. "Because most...

Airline partnerships fueling NextJet.
December 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- It's only been six months since spunky startup Next Jet. Inc. began providing same-day package delivery service nationwide, but the Dallas company is on its way toward a total of more than $100 million in revenue over the...

NONPROFIT PEW INTERNET AND AMERICAN LIFE PROJECT.
December 29, 2000... RESEARCHERS FROM THE NONPROFIT PEW INTERNET AND AMERICAN LIFE PROJECT found Fewer than 20% of Internet users bought gifts online this year. Of the 20%; 85% say they like seeing their purchases in person, and 80% fear sending credit card...

JOB-RELATED INJURIES AND ILLNESSES FELL IN 1999.
December 29, 2000... JOB-RELATED INJURIES AND ILLNESSES FELL IN 1999 for the seventh year in a row, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 5.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses last year, a 4% drop from the previous year. ...

OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS (1997-1999).
December 29, 2000... OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS (1997-1999), the typical small-business experienced annual sales growth of 19.1%. By comparison, in a 1997 survey by Small Business and the Internet, the average annual rate of growth for the previous three years...

'3 Steps to Yes: The Gentle Art of Getting Your Way'.
December 29, 2000... By Gene Bedell This isn't a book on selling, it's about a new paradigm that shows you how to persuade customers, your kids or co-workers to let you have your way by recognizing their needs, showing them your core values and communicating...

'Managing By The Numbers'.
December 29, 2000... By Chuck Kremer and Ron Rizzuto with John Case Many entrepreneurs, managers and business owners are either intimidated by financial reports or don't know they could do more to put them to good use in running their businesses. This book...

Getting Started in Online Personal Finance.
December 29, 2000... By Brad Hill Includes information on finding and using online insurance agents, mortgage brokers and banks; paying bills and borrowing money online; obtaining credit cards online; using online investing resources; and choosing an online...

Bureau of Labor Statistics.
December 29, 2000... Find information about the unemployment rate and the Consumer Price Index. www.bls.gov

CultureFinder.
December 29, 2000... For help in entertaining business associates, search by city and date to be connected to theater, classical music, opera, dance and other events. Can also order tickets. Site offers biographies on the most influential artists. ...

LARGEST METROPLEX PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURERS.
December 29, 2000... LARGEST METROPLEX PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURERS RANKED BY 1999 ADMITTED ASSETS Rank/ 1999/ last ...

Lofty lounging.
December 29, 2000... Delightful for guests, this inflatable mattress leaves a better impression than the couch! Not only is this puncture-resistant sleep-nest 26 inches off the floor, but an attached pump blows it up in just three minutes. Comes with washable...

Timeless ticker.
December 29, 2000... There are more brain surgeons in the world than watchmakers capable of constructing Dennis deBoulle's revolutionary watch. Complete with perpetual calendar and minute repeater, this watch will enable one lucky owner to see all days, months,...

Cheez-wiz.
December 29, 2000... Believe it or not, a four-course meal can be composed mostly of cheese. And for those with lactose tolerance, Mozzarella Co. founder Paula Lambert offers her "Cheese Lover's Cookbook & Guide." Inside, find mouthwatering cheese recipes along...

Bistro bites.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Encased in the mystique of an antique cotton warehouse, diners will find an eclectic menu and America's finest wines at Marty's Bistro. One of the nation's largest wine retailers, Marty's offers designer wines at affordable prices. ...

Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG: An expensive disappointment.(Brief Article)(Critical Essay)(Statistical Data Included)
December 29, 2000... Mercedes-Benz touts its ML55 AMG sport-utility vehicle as the "fastest SUV in America." The sport-ute also boasts the high-performance capability of a sports car, the automaker proclaims, the luxury of a fine sedan and the utility of an...

A year-end clubhouse review: A mix of old and new courses.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... The beginning of a new golf century has already brought us thrills that may last another 100 years. We had the chance to see Tiger Woods carve out a single season's worth of accomplishments that may last as long as golf is played (or...

Best New Business Lunches of 2000: A variety of new delights.(Brief Article)(Critical Essay)
December 29, 2000... With fondness: Our list of the Best New Business Lunches of 2000. Happy New Year! Cuidad -- Authentic Mexican food with style from Joanne Bondy and Monica Greene. Entrees shine. Pollo Verde, chicken breast in a clay pot with masa...

Beddie bye.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... When presidential candidate Henry Clay got the boot after a long campaign in 1844, his exquisite, 13-foot Gothic bed went with him. Designed by Crawford Riddell of Philadelphia and commissioned by Whig Party supporters, the bed's vaulted,...

Black and White.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... Bring in the New Year at Dick's Last Resort, where laughs are plentiful and pride is overrated. All guests will receive a goodie bag full of Dick's naughty and nice party favors. Wear a black and white costume and you may win a best costume...

Country talk.
December 29, 2000... Catch Steve Holy as he presents his heartfelt country songs at Billy Bob's Texas. This rising star, whose music has been dubbed "5090 Music," for its blend of '50s and '90s sounds, is climbing the charts with his hit "Don't Make Me Beg." ...

Hopeful New Year.(Brief Article)
December 29, 2000... What a difference a year makes. Roughly 52 weeks ago, we fretted that the world as we knew it would come to an end at the stroke of midnight, that the Millennium Bug would lobotomize the world's computers, that airplanes would fall out of the...