The Business Journal - Serving Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun articles from July 2000

The Business Journal - Serving Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun archives from July 2000

Marriott out as Safari Hotel suitor.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Marriott International Inc. is out as management company of the proposed $110 million, 518-room convention hotel to be built on the site of the demolished Safari Hotel in. Scottsdale. "We have terminated Marriott, and we're dealing with...

Heavenly lift-off.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Challenger Center brings last frontier to business The soft growl of the fire-spitting engine grows into a thunderous roar at t-minus 10 and counting, shaking the craft and its apprehensive occupants. No amount of preparation could...

Transit plan leaves business owners feeling derailed.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Construction of a 24-mile electric light-rail system through the heart of Phoenix's business core has Central Avenue building owners worried about their bottom lines. The business community's concern is simple: adding a light-rail track on...

Gannett Co. buyout bets on FCC rule.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Gannett Co. is betting the FCC will let the media giant keep both Arizona's No. 1 newspaper and No. 1 television station. The $2.8 billion buyout of Central Newspapers Inc., parent to The Arizona Republic, could run afoul of Federal...

Glendale digs for funds to lasso Mustangs arena.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... A proposal from the Phoenix Mustangs for a professional ice hockey arena and a hotel conference center in Glendale has city officials looking that gift horse in the mouth. Glendale's economic development department is preparing an analysis...

Governor appoints 35-member team to zero in on New Economy.(Arizona Partnership for the New Economy)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... In an effort to zero in on the most pressing areas surrounding Arizona's progress in the New Economy, the governor has appointed a 35-member team. The Arizona Partnership for the New Economy will meet July 7 to roll out the partnership's...

Secrets of a chili cookin' architect.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... The architects and designers at Langdon Wilson Architects Planners have a new appreciation of the power of chili. On June 16, the Langdon Wilson staff hosted the office's first-ever chili cook-off. Because it was so popular, the chili-fest...

View from one Valley to the other really not all that different.(Brief Article)(Column)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... SAN JOSE -- I awoke to these news developments the other day: * With no letup in the miserable traffic conditions in sight, the county is struggling with the issue of raising sales taxes by a half cent for transportation projects through...

Online golf booking firm sells assets, looks for life.(Greens.com)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Greens.com, a company that books tee times for golfers online, is proof the grass isn't always greener on the dot.com side. The Internet company is among the latest to succumb to financial woes, which forced it to call in a third party to...

'Roameo' wireless phone system dialed up by AG Communications.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Employees of Phoenix-based Avnet Inc. now can spend more time "talking" and less time playing telephone tag thanks to the company's new "Roames" wireless office phone system by AG communication Systems, Phoenix. Close to 100 employees at...

New bank brings new approach in service strategy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... A new bank is coming to town, and it's hoping to take the Valley by storm. Washington Mutual, a company that had $485.5 million in earnings from operations in its first quarter of 2000, could be a tough opponent for local banks. But,...

'Connect 2000' plugs businesses into technology.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... "Connect 2000" -- a full day of high-tech talk -- drew more than 500 Valley executives ranging from master "techies" to cyber-novices, hoping to gain savvy leadership tips for the 21st century. Connect 2000, which offered all-day seminars...

Seminars aim to open gates to Windows savvy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Whether you're using Windows 95, 98, NT, or Windows 2000, Prodicient Technologies Inc., of Scottsdale can help you take control of your computer, according to company founder Kevin Horton. Prodicient is presenting two seminars -- "Windows...

Survey: Businesses using more plastic for financing.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Small-business owners are continuing to finance growth with credit cards but only one-third of them are paying off the bill in full each month, according to results from a recent survey. Arthur Andersen and National Small Business United...

Motorola, Cox team to provide high-speed telecommuting network.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Motorola Inc. and Cox Communications Inc. have connected to provide Motorola employees an advanced high-speed teleworking service. So far, more than 150 Motorola employees are using the remote access solution that allows them to work from...

Texas firm acquires local tech courseware publisher.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... ComputerPREP Inc. of Phoenix, a privately held publisher and distributor of information technology courseware, has been acquired by Austin, Texas-based ProsoftTraining.com. Prosoft paid $30 million in cash and stock to ComputerPREp's...

Now open.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Logical, a United Kingdom supplier for e-business products and services, has opened a Phoenix office at 2700 N. Central Ave., Ste. 850. The company now has operations in 32 U.S. cities and a total of 2,500 employees worldwide. Heading...

New top hat.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... A new chief executive has taken over at Whitehat.com, a Tempe-managed web site that promotes ethical uses of email marketing. Ann Ewen now leads the company, replacing founder Rodney Joffe. Ewen previously was president of the software...

Improved trading.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Cyclone Commerce Inc., an Internet business-to-business infrastructure provider, landed a new client -- Bergen Brunswig Corp. of California. Bergen Brunswig provides consulting and supplies pharmaceuticals, surgical tools and other medical...

Help still wanted.(employment information from the Mesa, Arizona Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... With local unemployment near 3 percent, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce has added local and national job listings to its site, www.mesachamber.org, courtesy of Nation Job Inc. Low unemployment and an "availability crisis" were reasons behind...

Making the grade.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Synergy, a Tempe-based online distributor of promotional products, was listed in the Advertising Speciality Institute's 2000 Multi-Million Dollar Distinguished Roundtable -- a listing of distributors with sales totaling $2 million or more last...

Epartners.(planned seminars in the Phoenix, Arizona area)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Learn about new solution for online customer relationship management on July 18. Epartners, a Dallas-based consulting firm with offices in Tempe, will compare CRM solutions, demonstrate products and help companies determine what system is...

TheLinuxStore.com.(seminar, in conjunction with EBIZ Enterprises)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... * TheLinuxStore.com and EBIZ Enterprises will hold a second free seminar on Linex operating systems based on the success of a recent presentation. Business executives, systems, administrators and others may attend a free two-hour seminar...

Advisor.com.(planned seminar in the Phoenix, Arizona area)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... * Advisor.com is coming to Phoenix in October to host a seminar on designing and developing an e-business. Sessions will cover databases, knowledge management, messaging, work flow and groupware related to the Lotus Domino, Notes and Java...

Law firm merger could be a sign of the times.(Phoenix, Arizona)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... The merger of law firms Quarles & Brady LLP and Streich Lang in Phoenix could be a sign of things to come as more mid-sized companies look for deals with large national and international firms. "Obviously, in corporate America there is...

And the winner is.(Greenberg, Traurig, Hoffman, Lipoff, Rosen, and Quentel)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Miami-based Greenberg Traurig, which has a Phoenix office, has received several notable honors: * Cesar Alvarez, president and chief executive officer of the law firm, was on the National Law Journal's list of the 100 Most Influential...

Up in smoke.(legal judgment against Oxyfresh Worldwide Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Arizona Attorney General Janet Napolitano, along with attorneys general from 11 other states, have settled consumer fraud allegations with Spokane, Wash.-based Oxyfresh Worldwide Inc., which specializes in health products, including a smoking...

M&I chair.(M and J Thunderbird Bank)
July 7, 2000... M&I Thunderbird Bank's board of directors has named Dennis Jones as chairman of the board and CEO of the bank, effective July 1. Paul Brodt has been appointed president and chief operating officer. The two replace Thomas Lathrop, who...

New face.(Southwestern Business Financing )(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Southwestern Business Financing has announced the addition of Sherry Ann Sentgeorge as a new small-business development officer. Sentgeorge has experience in Small Business Administration financing regulations and program procedures,...

Fed spending in Arizona.(federal and taxpayer spending: statistics)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Arizona ranked 21st of all the states in the amount of money it received for every dollar its taxpayers sent to Washington in 1999. According to an analysis by the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, Arizona received $1.19 in federal...

Program director change.(David Yniguez moves to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... David Yniguez, program director for Phoenix Local Initiatives Support Corp. for the past eight years, is moving to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Len Huck, chairman of LISC Phoenix's local advisory committee, said the organization has created...

Casa Blanca trims operations down to one facility.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Casa Blanca Clinic, which once had seven medical centers and 100 physicians in the East Valley, is shrinking. The limited liability company has consolidated all of its operations into a single facility at 4001 E. Baseline Road in Gilbert....

Adult day care.(Pennington Gardens approved for health care program)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Pennington Gardens, a new senior living community to open in August in Chandler, has been approved as a provider for the Area Agency on Aging, Region One, for the adult day health care program. Seniors in the area can receive...

100 kidney transplants.(Scottsdale Healthcare performs 100th operation)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Scottsdale Healthcare's renal transplant program performed its 100th kidney transplant this month at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn. The 100th transplant was performed by medical director Arnold Serota, MD, on Michelle Barnes of Pearce, who...

New building.(Thunderbird Paseo Medical Plaza)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Ensemble Investments, based in Phoenix, is starting phase two of Thunderbird Paseo Medical Plaza, a 38,000-square-foot Class A medical office building on the campus of Thunderbird Samaritan Medical Center in Glendale. The new building...

Defibrillator study.(study on usage of defibrillators and CPR)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Phoenix has been chosen as one of 25 sites in the United States and Canada to participate in a federally funded research program to help victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The Public Access Defibrillation trial will investigate whether use...

Network administrators loaded with stress on job.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Lack of information about computer network changes is the biggest headache in the daily routine of network administrators, according to a survey by Cablesoft Inc., Tempe. Also, 82 percent of administrators said the biggest problem was...

Encore on the web.(Encore Products Inc. launches web site)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Encore Products Inc. has launched a web site at www.encoreusa, where customers can build a customized computer equipment enclosure. The Chandler company launched the site to make it easy for current and potential customers to become...

Dot.com financing.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... "Financing your Dot.com" is the subject of a seminar being hosted July 25 by AZSoft.net at Doubletree Hotel La Posada Resort in Paradise Valley. Featured speakers are Steve Wallis, senior vice president of Silicon Bank; Mike Wolf,...

Available now.(phone system from Inter-Tel Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... The small-office version of the AXXESS PBX system by Inter-Tel Inc., Phoenix, now is available. It is designed for networked or stand-alone offices requiring 10 to 30 phones. It provides businesses with integrated communications solutions...

Sun shines on Gilbert.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... The Gilbert Town Council has approved a plan by Arizona Public Service Co. to build an $800,000, 125-kilowatt solar power facility at the corner of Cooper and Elliot roads. The plant will provide enough energy to power 25 to 40 homes and...

Newly appointed.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Tracker International, Scottsdale, has appointed Marvin McCarthy as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He will be responsible for running the daily affairs of the corporation including research and development; sales and...

Stadium `quarterback' hired to make play for votes.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... The Az Wins campaign is up and running with a logo, office space and a campaign coordinator. Gretchen Nady, a local lobbyist, has been hired to oversee the campaign. The group has contracted Smith & Harroff Inc. of Alexandria, Va., to...

Another year gone by.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... The Arizona Office of Tourism held its annual Governor's Conference on Tourism last week. The three-day event covered topics such as tourism trends and outlooks, upcoming legislative issues, the growing cultural tourism niche and technology....

What a life.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... SunBurst Resort's summer special to lure locals has increased occupancy rates from 5 to 8 percentage points over last year, according to property general manager Darren Smith. Average summer occupancy rates for the Scottsdale property hover...

Movin' on up.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Phoenix replaced Orlando, Fla., as one of the top 10 business travel destinations, according to a new survey published by Runzheimer International. Also in the top 10 were Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Boston, Nos. 6,7 and 8,...

BW worldwide.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Best Western International has hired Scomber Services Ltd. and Access Worldwide to assist with some of its international sales efforts. Scomber Services currently represents Delta Airlines, America West Airlines and Gulf Air. It is the travel...

One stop shop.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... America West Vacations has launched a web site that allows customers to plan and purchase complete vacation packages electronically. Customers can book air transportation, hotel reservations and car rentals at www.americawestvacations.com. ...

Valley industry vets launch multi-marketing company.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... A new player in the Phoenix multimarketing scene has announced its arrival. My Hero Productions is comprised of husband-and-wife team Ben and Jane Gordon, both industry veterans in the Valley. The recently launched company, which...

Scottsdale expansion.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... CTS Advertising, Scottsdale, has expanded operations, thanks to the surge in the high-tech industry that "has catapulted CTS into a whole new arena," said president Steve Prince. CTS has added a new location to its existing headquarters,...

Emmy Awards.(many Arizona broadcasters win awards at the Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... KSAZ-TV 10 swept up many of the big honors at the recent 23rd annual Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards, which recognize excellence in television news, programming and achievement in the Southwest. The event, sponsored by the Arizona chapter of the...

Time to talk back.(KPHO-TV Talk Box show features local citizens expressing their views)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... KPHO-TV 5 wants Valley folks to talk back. A new half-hour show, Talk Box -- Out of the Box, which premieres July 8, will air on the second Saturday of the month and will include compilations of "best of" and new footage of local citizens...

Ad2 Phoenix.(names new board of directors)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... * Ad2 Phoenix has announced its new 2000-01 board of directors: president, Keri Van Vleet, Rhino Productions; public service, Corey Paul, Cramer-Krasselt; vice president, Catrina Rodgers, KOOL-FM 94.5; fund-raising. Amy Molinari, WB-TV 61;...

Alpern Lehman.(Aric Bellman to head up its electronic media department)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... * Alpern Lehman, Scottsdale, has appointed Aric Bellman to head up its electronic media department. Bellman will serve as director of i-business strategies and will oversee development and implementation of the agency's web-related projects....

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(executive appointments)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Advertising New hires at CTS Advertising, Scottsdale, are media director Roger Arevalo, account executives Kimberly Franklin and Marijke. Van Fleet, public relations associate Trevor Mance and senior web developer Eric Pasternak. ...

Forget Melrose; we'll have own 'Portales Place'.(5000 Portales Place condo project offers sophisticated design in Scottsdale)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... By now, you may have heard about what could become one of the Valley's premier residential condo communities. On 10 acres, the luxury development called 5000 Portales Place has one of the most sophisticated designs unveiled in recent years...

GM property's future.(General Motors to close Proving Grounds in Mesa)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... An industrial complex could be the new economic engine at the General Motors Proving Grounds, the testing facility where drivers started testing GM vehicles in 1937. The company will close the east Mesa facility in 2002 and relocate to southern...

Golf-course living, it's not just for seniors anymore.(Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club project)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... A luxury golf community in the East Valley is attracting younger buyers as well as more families with children, according to an internal study by the developer. The recent study polled residents who bought properties in Superstition...

COMMERCIAL.(local real estate transactions)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... $13.2 million Type: Multifamily Address: 5900 E. Thomas Road, Scottsdale Buyer: Christian Relief Services, Lorton, Va. Seller: TGM Realty Partners, New York Buyer's agents: Cindy Cook and Mike Salkheld, Pinnacle Realty...

LAND.(Argus Holdings Inc. bys land parcel)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... $1.7 million Address: 6 acres, 3748 E. Washington St., Phoenix Buyer: Argus Holdings Inc. Seller: Al and Viva Pasley Buyer's agent: Paul Miachika, Daum Commercial Real Estate Services Seller's agents: Rich Sica and Drew...

RESIDENTIAL.(Legendary Homes purchases residential property)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... $1.05 million Address: 5000 E. Arabian Way, Paradise Valley Buyer: Legendary Homes Seller: Dorothy Gaynor

Homeowners get help on contracting.(UBuildIt helps homeowners act as their own contractors)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Acting as your own general contractor when constructing a new home, remodeling or building an addition may save homebuilders as much as 20 percent. But is sweat equity worth the savings? Gary Berlin thinks so. In fact, it is the foundation...

WHO'S WHO.(Beazer Homes Arizona marketing VP Susan Ricehouse)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Name: Susan Ricehouse Title: Vice president of marketing Company: Beazer Homes Arizona Years with company: 3.5 Major projects: Ashton Ranch in Surprise; Estrella Vista in Goodyear; Summerfield in Gilbert; Acacia Landing in...

The main event.(creative events build company team spirit)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Getting creative in corporate life builds team spirit There's a fever in me air. It's called innovation. And whether you're a tech-savvy business or a low-tech enterprise, pressure for creativity most likely has affected your field. ...

Focus, strategy key to above-par golf events.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... In the game of business, deals conducted out of the office now are as commonplace as behind a desk. And in the Valley, the golf course just may be the most common place for establishing contacts, reinforcing relationships, making deals or...

Who's Who Chefs.(profiles of Arizona chefs)
July 7, 2000... Name: Wade Simpson Restaurant name: The Wrigley Mansion Club Title: Executive chef Age: 38 Years with restaurant: 5 months Where are you from? Years in the Valley? Native Arizonan If you could choose a different...

People.(Kimber Lanning of Modified)(Brief Article)(Interview)
July 7, 2000... Advocating artistic variety Name: Kimber Lanning Title: Gallery manager Company: Modified Address: 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix Hours: 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday, or by appointment Phone:...

What was the best deal you landed outside the office?(executive quotations)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Name: Tom Schneider Title: President and chief operating officer Company: Royal Precision, Scottsdale Bob Dunlap of KPMG and I are very fierce competitors on the golf course, despite the fact that I am his client. We are the only...

Special Event Site.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.specialeventsite.com Internet portal for the special-event industry. Links to event services, rental companies, equipment sources, supply sources, new products and more.

Party Directory.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.partydirectory.com/index.html Directory and search engine of event and party planners, party favor providers, DJs and karaoke, live music, other entertainment, balloons and florists, limo and travel services. Also offers theme...

Entertainment Professionals.(Entertainment Professionals Service Alliance web site)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.epsa-inc.com Entertainment Professionals Service Alliance site offers information on the meeting, convention and special-event industry including magicians, jugglers, comedians, hypnotists and trade-show attractions.

Hospitality Networks.(party and event planning web site)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.partyplanning.com Network of wedding, party and special-event planning resources available. Preparing to launch an improved site with information about local planners and suppliers in more than 200 cities.

All-time Favorites.(www.alltimefavorites.com offers event planning information)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.alltimefavorites.com A worldwide resource for planning events. Get help with theme ideas, facilities negotiation, catering, entertainment, audio/visual needs or find out how to rent a limousine that looks like a cow.

Event Software.(web site and products)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.eventsoftware.com Tempe-based developer of software to help schedule and manage events in different kinds of facilities, including arenas, convention centers, coliseums, performing arts centers, universities, museums and businesses....

Event Solutions.(event planning web site)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... www.event-solutions.com Magazine for planners of special events, parties and meetings.

Singing CEO.(United Healthcare CEO Kenneth Burdick)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... United Healthcare chief wants best, not biggest plan When Kenneth Burdick is not strategizing about how to make United Healthcare of Arizona the best managed care plan in the state, he's singing. And sometimes he does both at the same...

Lawyer finds it's crunch time for taco chain.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... It's been four years since David West last practiced criminal-defense law, but he says his new career involves many of the same skills. West recently signed a five-year agreement with Taco John's to open 10 stores in the East Valley cities...

Multicultural meet.
July 7, 2000... The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Women's News will host a multicultural entrepreneurial seminar for women Aug. 16. The half-day event will attempt to provide career women with tools, information and inspiration to...

Focus: Temari.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Dennis "Miyagi" Mahr and Chris Mahr are having a ball with their new Japanese restaurant, Temari, in Gilbert. In fact, that's what the name is all about. The new sushi restaurant combines Dennis' passion for authentic Japanese cuisine...

Going with the flow.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Carefree company a big fish in a small niche WebFlow Inc. What began as an SAP R/3 consulting company has evolved into a team that provides web-enabled work-flow solutions based on SAP (systems, applications and products in data...

Color Gray.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Looking to increase creativity in your office? Try emphsizing the color gray in your surroundings. Although widely considered a blah color, gray actually promotes creativity because it has no distracting psychological effect. Source:...

What makes your company more attractive than other firms to potential employees?(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... Name: Michael Manning Title: Managing partner Company: Morrison & Hecker LLP, a law firm Culture. It's a 95-year-old firm, and that culture from day one to the present day is something that is very important to us. We say to...

Mentoring programs need employee input to succeed.(Brief Article)
July 7, 2000... How do I create a formal mentoring program for my business? The first requirement of a successful mentoring program is for senior management to embrace the philosophy of a "learning organization." Officials must support with visible...

Verbal, interpersonal skills still top.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 7, 2000... Verbal and interpersonal skills are still seen as most important in potential employees, despite, demand for tech-savvy workers. According to a, study by American Express Small Business Services, those skills still matter most in the 21st...