Dallas Business Journal articles from July 2001

Dallas Business Journal archives from July 2001

Accenture staying in Las Colinas.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Pioneering lease deal at Williams Square's East Tower building ends a two-year-long search for new office space LAS COLINAS -- In a leasing coup for real estate brokerage Cousins Stone, global consulting powerhouse Accenture has signed a...

Lucky Lady property sale would benefit Wells Fargo.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... FORT WORTH -- Fuel distributor Lucky Lady Oil Co., under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since April 3, has placed a substantial number of its real estate assets on the market, including its Fort Worth headquarters. Lucky Lady filed for...

NATURAL SELECTIONS.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Whole Foods Markets battles its health food rivals with stores that feature a tailor-made product mix HIGHLAND PARK -- Facing heightened competition in the natural foods sector, Whole Foods Markets Inc. is planning to customize its newest...

Telecom 'hangover' could last through 2003.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... RICHARDSON -- Last June, telecom-equipment maker White Rock Networks raised $30 million and planned to hire 300 engineers, mostly at its Richardson headquarters. How times have changed. Recently White Rock's CEO, Lonnie Martin, was in a...

Addison project draws activity.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... First Industrial project designed for industrial, office ADDISON -- Activity has been slowing in the real estate sector, but don't tell that to First Industrial. Its four-building, 228,000-square-foot Addison Tech Center is only 2 months...

Blasting off.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... MESQUITE -- When space shuttle Atlantis takes off on what is scheduled to be a July 12 launch, a Mesquite resident and alumnus of the University of Texas at Dallas will be among the crew. James F. Reilly, 46, a former offshore-oil and...

Reaching new heights.(largest office building project, Dallas North Tollway)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... NORTH DALLAS -- The largest office building project along Dallas North Tollway is reaching new heights. Developers held a topping out ceremony earlier this week to mark the 756,000-square-foot expansion of JPMorgan International Plaza hitting...

Better than expected.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... SOUTH DALLAS -- The North Texas Opportunity Fund L.P has closed on its first anniversary having raised $26.7 million, or nearly $2 million more than its original financial goal of $25 million. NTOF, a private equity fund focusing on...

More room.(Rooms To Go, new store)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... NORTH DALLAS -- Furniture retailer Rooms To Go plans to boost its Metroplex presence with a new store at the northeast corner of Preston Road and Interstate 635. The store is expected to open in the spring. Brian Murphy and Adam...

Also expanding.(Fogo de Chao Brazilian expansion)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... ADDISON -- Owners of Fogo de Chao Brazilian plan to expand their restaurant in Addison's bustling restaurant row. The restaurant, which opened in 1997, needs more space for guests to sit or stand while waiting for a table. The renovation...

Correction.
July 6, 2001... In the June 22-28 special report on employment, an article headlined "High-tech layoffs boost small-business startups" incorrectly identified Dallas-Fort Worth Small Business Administration director Lavan Alexander.

Source says four firms vying for hotel project.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Competition to build Fort Worth's convention center inn heating up FORT WORTH -- The list of competing developers to build the downtown convention center hotel includes a company from Dallas, another based in Austin and two from Atlanta,...

Scott J. Balch.(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 6, 2001... Balch, 43, is president and owner of Dallas-based North Texas Bomanite, a contractor and installer of architectural concrete. Balch is also founder and president of ConcreteScience Services of North Texas, a concrete maintenance service...

Execs reclaim cooking technology company.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Enersyst acquires Chef Consortium, plans rollout of oven that cooks food faster NORTH DALLAS -- Executives of a Dallas developer of cooking technology have repurchased the company from its Massachusetts parent and are beefing up its...

Private-equity firm Spyglass shuts doors.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... NORTH DALLAS - A private-equity investment firm affiliated with the Staubach Co. is closing. Spyglass Equities wound down its operations June 30. A Staubach representative couldn't be reached for comment. Spyglass was launched in the...

New law could attract Intel, other industry.(Texas Economic Development Act)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Chip maker not yet willing to commit to Alliance plant ALLIANCE -- Cattle this week were grazing at the Intel site at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, a testament to the relative inactivity at what was to be a chip plant employing hundreds or...

Cedar Hill's retail is expanding.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... New development could also house city hall CEDAR HILL -- The intersection of U.S. Highway 67 and F.M. 1382 is already a retail hot spot for Cedar Hill and the surrounding area. But, as in other parts of town, retail draws more retail....

MHA targets staffing rival with countersuit.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... IRVING -- Another round has begun in the ongoing court battle between health care staffing firms MHA Group and Martin, Fletcher & Associates -- this time with the former throwing a punch. Irving-based MHA, a nationally known group of six...

Harvest Ridge designed to lure first-time buyers.(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 6, 2001... FORT WORTH -- As Lee Nicol describes it, he's taking his company's 145-acre residential development into the land of two "900-pound gorillas." But in a market defined by the high-priced homes sprouting up in Northwest Tarrant County, Nicol...

New ER chief emerges amid JPS changes.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Tarrant County hospital is poised to name new CEO FORT WORTH -- As JPS Health Network reaches what is expected to be final contract negotiations with CEO candidate David Cecero, the Tarrant County hospital has made a major change in its...

Commons heading to Mansfield.(Texas shopping center development)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... MANSFIELD -- Retail developers WilsonStonaker L.L.C. just couldn't resist Mansfield any longer. The company will develop a Tom Thumb-anchored shopping center, called the Commons at Mansfield, on about 19 acres at the northeast corner of...

EDS signs five new deals.(contracts)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Computer services giant EDS Corp. signed five deals totaling about $1.2 billion. The Piano-based company signed a seven-year, $105 million per year contract with Sweden-based SKF, a supplier of bearings and seals; a two-year, $64 million...

Fossil forms joint venture.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Watch and accessories maker Fossil Inc. will form a joint venture with Japan's Seiko Instruments Inc. by selling 50% of its stake in its Japanese unit, Fossil Japan, to Seiko for an undisclosed sum. The agreement, which is subject to certain...

Amresco files for bankruptcy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Small- and medium-business lending company Amresco Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. In conjunction with the filing, the Dallas-based company said it entered into an asset-purchase agreement with NCS .I L.L.C., to sell all of...

Wells Fargo buys H.D. Vest.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Wells Fargo & Co. completed its acquisition of Irving-based H.D. Vest Inc. for about $127.5 million. Under terms of the agreement, which was approved by H.D. Vest shareholders May 22, Wells Fargo paid $21.03 in cash per share of H.D. Vest...

Isotopes sells Denton assets.(International Isotopes Inc. )(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... International Isotopes Inc. has agreed to sell the Shady Oaks facility and related assets in Denton to Antich Medical Imaging Inc. for cash. Certain substantial conditions to closing for both parties must be fulfilled by Sept. 30. In the...

Fleming makes bid on Furr's.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Lewisville-based Fleming, a grocery store supplier, has submitted a bid for the real estate assets and certain inventory of Furr's Supermarkets Inc. Fleming's bid totaled $57 million, plus inventory. Fleming intends that the majority of the 66...

Mixed-use project takes shape.(Mockingbird Station)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... UC Urban of Dallas, developers of the mixed-use Mockingbird Station, have joined with the owners of 25 acres along West Seventh Street in Fort Worth to develop a $100 million project that would include condominiums, row houses and retail,...

Airbase Services leases space.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Airbase Services Inc., based in Boulder, Cob., has signed a lease on 30,000 square feet at 2419 109th St. in Grand Prairie that will be used for repairing and resewing airplane seat cushions. The company also is renewing its lease on 40,000...

TelOptica to showcase new software offerings.(at trade show)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... TelOptica Inc. will preview some new software products at a trade show this week. The Richardson company (www.teloptica.com) makes software for helping voice-and-data carriers better manage their networks. Its products help carriers decide...

Voyagers' growth leads to center opening.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Voyagers, The Travel Stores, has added an offsite reservations center to support the growing travel business previously booked through its stores. The Dallas-based company still offers what it calls "travel concierge" service in the...

At the Plaza.(restaurant leases)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Lincoln Restaurant Group has added to the restaurant offerings at Lincoln Plaza in downtown Dallas. Tenants Dakota's American Grill, Plaza Cafeteria, It's in the Bag Take Out and Delivery and Java Junction/Coffee and Smoothie Bar have signed...

Buca di Beppo.(opens new Dallas location)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Buca di Beppo has opened its second local restaurant. The restaurant is adjacent to Stonebriar Centre in Frisco. Local managing partner is David Salisbury.

International Exhibitions Inc.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Houston-based International Exhibitions Inc., which produces home and garden shows, has promoted Gary Neidert to manager of exhibit sales for its Dallas-Fort Worth shows. He's been with the company nine years.

Saltgrass Steak House.(12th restaurant opens)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Saltgrass Steak House has thrown open the doors on its 12th restaurant in the Metroplex. Kendra Fisch is the general manager of the restaurant at 560 W. LBJ Frwy. at MacArthur Boulevard in Irving. The location is the Houston-based restaurant...

Kent and Kevin Rathbun.(CBS "Early Show")(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Big-name chefs Kent and Kevin Rathbun will demonstrate. barbecue cooking in a July 13 appearance on the CBS "Early Show." The brothers plan to show how to cook everything from baby back ribs to grilled tomato mozzarella salad. Kent runs the...

Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of DFW Inc.(Fuddruckers fund raiser)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Fuddruckers restaurant in Fort Worth is hosting a fund-raising event for Exchange Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of DFW Inc. The event occurs during lunch and dinner hours July 8 at the restaurant, 5601 Southwest Loop 820 near...

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Dallas-based Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has inked a development deal with former NBA player Alton Lister to open the .company's first Arizona location, according to company president Jim Deering. The company has grown to 28 restaurants with 47...

Panera Bread NorthPark.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Panera Bread NorthPark officially opened July 5, having hosted a July 3 charity-lunch event that benefited Gilda's Club North Texas. The fast-growing restaurant chain offers a program called "dough for funds," which supports charitable groups...

Titus Properties L.L.C.(4.6 acres in Twin Creek Village shopping center)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Titus Properties L.L.C. has purchased 4.6 acres of retail development in the Twin Creek Village shopping center in Allen. It will be used for a 24 Hour Fitness operation. Greg McDonald of the investment properties division of The Weitzman Group...

Southwest Food Service Expo.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Liberty Noodles and Goldrush Cafe each nabbed a "most creative menu awards at the Southwest Food Service Expo held in June in Dallas. Another local winner was Rockfish Seafood Grill for best overall menu.

Survey: Health care costs a major concern.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Health care costs are a significant concern for 82% of employers, according to a just-released national survey by Watson Wyatt. The consulting firm also found annual costs are up 11% this year. And, while 80% of employers surveyed claimed...

In trouble.(fraudulent marketing of health products on the Internet)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Jaguar Enterprises of Santa Ana, a company using a Mesquite mailing address but owned and operated by Florida resident Michael Forrest, was named as one of the companies targeted in a crackdown against what the Federal Trade Commission...

Irving Cancer Center at Baylor Medical Center at Irving.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Irving Cancer Center at Baylor Medical Center at Irving and Fort Worth's Moncrief Cancer Center are using a new ultrasound system allowing physicians to be more aggressive in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer. The B-mode, acquisition...

RTKL Associates Inc.(designing Indiana Heart Hospital)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... The Dallas office of international design firm RTKL Associates Inc. will oversee the design of the $40 million Indiana Heart Hospital. Construction on the 200,000-square-foot hospital in Indianapolis broke ground earlier this month. The...

Texas Instruments.(board of directors)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Lola Chriss, manager of health plan operations at Texas Instruments, has been named to Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health's board of directors. She replaces Sue Nelson, who retired from TI. Dfwbgh also expanded its board to 12...

AJL building state limousine network.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Executives at Fort Worth-based Accent/Johnston Limousine Inc. have launched the build out of a "Texas Network" that will give them operations in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. The company, which does business as AJL International, is one...

Texas seen as 'safe harbor,' expert says.(commercial property investors)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Los Angeles-based Strategic Partner Fund has purchased Preston Park South, a two-building, 359,000-square-foot office development at 4975 Preston Park Blvd. in Plano. Gary Carr and Russell Ingrum with CB Richard Ellis arranged the transaction...

On board.(CB Richard Ellis, Cheryl Schnieders)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Speaking of CB Richard Ellis, Cheryl Schnieders has joined the company's in institutional properties division. Previously with Metropolitan Capital Advisors, Schnieders will work with Carr and Ingrum as well as Randy Fleisher at L.J. Melody...

Moving up.(Staubach Co. promotion)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Changes are afoot at The Staubach Co. The firm has promoted Ka Cotter to vice chairman and Elysia Holt Ragusa to president of real estate services. Cotter replaces Jim Leslie, who resigned in May after 20 years with the tenant representation...

Ford F-250 SuperCab: Made for Texas.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... The job: Head to Throckmorton, where a story awaited about a modem-day cattle roundup. The vehicle: A Ford F-250 SuperCab, natch. Heavy-duty pickups like the F-250 account for about 33% of the 2 million full-size pickups sold annually in...

Cottonwood Valley: Too good to be forgotten.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... IRVING -- Like the often-over-looked little sister of a glamorous celebrity, Cottonwood Valley at the Sports Club is sometimes forgotten in the shadow of the sparkling TPC course across the street, but it's still an outstanding 18-hole layout....

Titanic tour.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Just when you thought the Titanic was never coming out of the water again, "Titanica," a special presentation, hits the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History's Omni Theater. In the film, underwater vessels and cameras take viewers to hidden...

Murder and merlot.
July 6, 2001... Avanti Restaurant Fountain Place has added murder to its Mediterranean menu Avanti will present a three-course murder-mystery dinner, "Murder is a Family Affair." Conspiracy-loving guests who desire an evening of betrayal, killing and...

The fine art of delegating.(Elizabeth Showers )(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 6, 2001... Managing all aspects of her company left this jewelry designer little time to do what she does best OAK LAWN -- Elizabeth Showers knew wearing six different hats at her jewelry-making business wasn't going to help her long-term. The...

'The 108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders'.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... By Warren Blank No one is born a leader, the author says, but anyone can become one. This book provides a template for leadership success and identifies specific traits that typically cause others to see people as natural born leaders....

'Seven Power Strategies for Building Customer Loyalty'.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... By Paul R. Timm Why, despite quality products, competitive prices and all the customer-centered rhetoric, is customer satisfaction declining in America? The author, an expert on customer issues, believes the reason comes down to a...

'It's not the Big that Eat the Small ... It's the Fast that Eat the Slow'.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... By Jason Jennings Laurence Haughton Speed in spotting trends and changing a company's course are essential to its success. The authors offer insight into how Hotmail, Charles Schwab and others used speed and stealth to foster explosive...

National Association for Female Executives.(website)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... A professional association dedicated to the advancement of women in the workplace through education, networking and public advocacy. www.nafe.com

National Association of Women Business Owners.(website)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... A national, professional association that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in every type of business through networking, resources, education and public advocacy. www.nawbo. org

Women.com.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... This Web resource for women offers channels on careers and small business. www.women.com

High-tech harassment.(Internet provides new method for sexual harassment in the workplace)
July 6, 2001... Online abuse is on the increase but new techniques are tipping the scales against the perpetrators RICHARDSON -- The Internet has created a new portal for sexual harassment. Potential new problems it has introduced into the office...

Playing it safe.(tips for avoiding injuries from using computers)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... To avoid injury to employees using computers: * Rest schedules should be developed and enforced. Generally, a minimum of a 15-minute rest break at least every two hours is required. * Screens should be situated so the employee can view...

Developing strategies to fight cybersmearing.(Brief Article)(Column)
July 6, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- Cybersmearing is a term used to cover instances when employees use Web sites, message boards, chat rooms and e-mail to criticize management, co-workers, or their employers, generally. All too often, these critical reviews...

Smartening up for the workday.(business clothing getting more conservative again)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Business casual is giving, way to a sharper image at the office GREATER METROPLEX-- Dressing up is always better than dressing down, even if office protocol suggests otherwise, says image consultant Ann Tully. Tully, owner of Uniquely...

Architects strive for balanced approach.(environmental architecture in North Texas)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 6, 2001... Successful designs need to reflect economic, social and environmental constraints GREATER METROPLEX -- In successful architecture, one important goal is to strike a balance between high-quality, innovative design and the constraints of...

Corner office loses status-symbol appeal.(modern bosses tend to be in middle of action)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... Growing trend sees bosses move their work space closer to their employees PLANO -- Aspiring executives have long viewed the corner office as a sign they have arrived. But times are changing. Nowadays, the boss is as likely to be found...

LARGEST METROPLEX OFFICE EQUIPMENT COMPANIES.(Dallas-Fort Worth area; table)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... LARGEST METROPLEX OFFICE EQUIPMENT COMPANIES RANKED BY 2000 LOCAL GROSS BILLINGS FROM EQUIPMENT SALES 2000/ 1999 ...

Tech experience has lessons for the future.(office layout tips)(Brief Article)(Column)
July 6, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- The high-tech industry's current down cycle underscores better than anything else how important space flexibility can be. Technology companies are no more immune to market cycles than any other industry. Tech giants...

LARGEST METROPLEX OFFICE FURNITURE COMPANIES.(ranked by sales volume for 2000)(Directory)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... LARGEST METROPLEX OFFICE FURNITURE COMPANIES RANKED BY 2000 LOCAL OFFICE FURNITURE SALES VOLUME Rank/ last year's Name Telephone rank Address Fax ...

Don't take that pain in the neck lying down.(tips for avoiding problems caused by working on computers)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... PLANO -- Sitting at a computer can be a pain in the neck... or the fingers, the back and the legs. According to several Dallas physical therapists, blue-collar workers aren't the only ones risking work-related injuries. Working at a...

Putting a lid on the problem of eyestrain.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... GARLAND -- The American workplace is suffering an epidemic affecting more than 70% of the work force, according to a Dallas-area optometrist. The culprit? The indispensable computer. Studies show smaller, older monitors, coupled with...

People on the move.(hirings and promotions)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... ADVERTISING & MARKETING Dawson duncan hired Steven Mace as director of media relations. BANKING & FINANCE RSM McGladrey Inc. appointed the following: Dennis Lavin, director of accounting and audit; David Perna, director of tax;...

Safety issue.(cellular phones provide safety)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
July 6, 2001... New York state struck first, passing a ban on drivers using hand-held cell phones. Then Santa Fe, N.M., joined in, becoming the first city in the Southwest to enact a similar ban. We hope that other jurisdictions - including Texas and its...

Don't count coal out.(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... The current energy crisis in California is enough to put many manufacturers, and business owners across the country on edge. And if the West Coast energy woes spread, business activity in other states - particularly in the lucrative technology...

Inside the DBJ Index.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
July 6, 2001... Hanging on Allegiance Telecom (Nasdaq: ALGX) Recent price: $14.38 52-week range: $8.50 to $77.88 Market cap: $1.64 billion Book value: $8.18 News: Allegiance Telecom announced it has begun operating in White...

PEOPLE.
July 6, 2001... Glenn Hunter Don't tell Fort Worth's Larry Shannon that dot-coms are struggling. Shannon, who worked 12 years for one-time U.S. House Speaker Jim Wright, has found success with several Internet sites. The newest: radiodailynews.com, which...

Patent of the week.(for system and method to display video data)(Brief Article)
July 6, 2001... GLOBAL LIGHT BOOST FOR PULSE WIDTH MODULATION DISPLAY SYSTEMS Daniel J. Morgan, Gregory J. Hewlett and Peter F. VanKessell of Texas Instruments have obtained U.S. Patent 6,226,054 for system and method to display video data. The invention...

Cousins may join Victory party.(Cousins Stone to help develop Victory Tower in Dallas)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2001... Las Colinas firm in line for ownership role in downtown office tower, sources say DOWNTOWN DALLAS -- Cousins Stone, a Las Colinas-based division of Cousins Properties in Atlanta, may assume an equity and development role in Victory Tower,...

Wise County power plant costs $350M.(Brief Article)
July 13, 2001... WISE COUNTY -- A division of Tractebel North America has started construction in southwestern Wise County on a $350 million power plant that will serve the Metroplex. A wholly-owned Tractebel subsidiary, Wise County Power Co. L.P., is...

New prescription.(David Cecero new Chief Executive Officer at JPS Health Network)
July 13, 2001... Armed with CEO experience and a 'spark of personality,' David Cecero prepares to doctor the tattered image of Fort Worth's IPS Health Network FORT WORTH -- A one-vote margin gave him the job, and dissenting board members decried his lack...

Higher salaries slam D-FW law firms.(Dallas-Fort Worth)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2001... GREATER METROPLEX -- Metroplex law firms are tightening their belts by reducing the size of associate classes, refocusing practice groups and laying off or demoting partners. As a result, firms will hire fewer attorneys and scrutinize the...

Bovine beauty to adorn Fort Worth.(Brief Article)
July 13, 2001... Display of fiberglass longhorns in Cowtown to benefit fine arts FORT WORTH -- Cowtown will live up to its name if a nonprofit group is successful in herding together corporations and arts benefactors to sponsor larger-than-life fiberglass...

A second chance.(for the Granada Movie Grill)(Brief Article)
July 13, 2001... LOWER GREENVILLE-- Snuffer's burger-joint owner Pat Snuffer plans to renovate the Granada Movie Grill, aiming to restore the popular lower Greenville Avenue landmark bits glory days. The historic Granada offered movies and munchies to a...