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

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

Schwab eyes office tower.
November 3, 2000... The nation's largest discount stock brokerage company later this month may be moving into a new office tower in the Camelback Corridor, the Valley's most prestigious office market. Charles Schwab & Co. is in lease discussions with Artemis...

Lab has pills for fat pups.
November 3, 2000... So Rover ate too many doggie biscuits and now has a bit of a weight problem. Thanks to Olympian Labs Inc., a Scottsdale manufacturer of dietary supplements, Rover may be on her way to the lean, arid trim dog of years past. The...

Off the hook.
November 3, 2000... Software pirates offered a truce when hen it comes to pirating I software, Arizona ranks right up there with Captain Hook. A recent study conducted by the International Planning and Re-search firm reveals that 30.4 percent of software...

Motorola unit keeps expanding.
November 3, 2000... Motorola Computer Group is having growing pains. To keep up with the heavy demand for telecommunications products, the company is adding up to 800 new employees, twice as many as forecast earlier. The only hitch is where to house them....

Italian passion pays off.
November 3, 2000... In eight busy years, Maurizio Cristiani uprooted himself from his native Italy, settled in Phoenix, started a language' school and launched a newsletter for Italian transplants. Last month, he became a U.S. citizen, too. "I'm convinced...

Arizona woman gets support for job as 'CIO of USA'.
November 3, 2000... Some ramblings as we round the last stretch to Election Day, wondering how many hours it will take to fill out the ballot this year: * Would it surprise you that a new job title; CIO of the USA, could be in the wings, regardless of whether...

MARKET FACTS.
November 3, 2000... CAPITOL RATINGS Arizonans were asked - before the alternative fuel controversy - to rate the state Legislature's performance:

Bankers: Valley better than report card.
November 3, 2000... Bank of America goes the head of the class when it comes to working with and contributing to the black community. Last week The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People issued its first Banking Industry Report Card. ...

CORRECTION.
November 3, 2000... * Due to a production error, one of The Lists in the Oct. 27 edition --Scottsdale office buildings -- was repeated in place of a list of area moving companies. Moving companies will run in the Nov. 10 edition.

Scottsdale Chamber looks to re-examine structure.
November 3, 2000... The Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a yearlong quest for a new identity that will embrace high-tech businesses and could cut its politically charged ties to city money. The chamber, historically linked to Scottsdale's tourism...

Capitol Mall supporters seek $20 million shelter.
November 3, 2000... The Phoenix Community Alliance has sent a request for funding to Gov. Jane Hull to help pay for a $20 million homeless shelter -- a step the group says will jump-start redevelopment in the Capitol Mall District. In the works for years, the...

Humana faces Jan. 1 deadline to pay chiropractors.
November 3, 2000... Humana Inc. has less than two months to work the kinks out of its claims-payment process before it breaks the law in Arizona. The company has been "categorically denying" claims' from chiropractors in FCQA's Arizona network, according to'...

JDA Software Group Inc. authorizes 2-million share buyback of stock.
November 3, 2000... The board of directors of JDA Software Group Inc. has authorized a repurchase of up to 2 million shares of the company's outstanding common stock. Under terms of the plan, the company may periodically repurchase shares on the open market...

Charles Schwab invests in women's stock savvy.
November 3, 2000... Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. is trying to strengthen women's confidence in their investing abilities by launching a company-wide initiative called Women Investing Now. The program kicked off this week in Phoenix with the first of what likely...

GPEC in leadership spotlight at Biltmore for annual dinner.
November 3, 2000... The Greater Phoenix Economic Council is hosting its 11th Annual Dinner Nov. 15 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel/Resort & Spa. This year's event, with a theme of Leadership Spotlight, will honor organizations and communities that have...

Gilbert tops list as fastest-growing city in the U.S.
November 3, 2000... Gilbert sizzles, according to a national survey rating the country's "hot spots" in terms of rising populations. The town topped the list of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. In fact, it more than tripled its number of...

Apache Junction entices retailers, restaurants to boost economy.
November 3, 2000... Apache Junction has kicked-off a national marketing campaign to lure "big-box" retailers such as Target and Home Base--hoping to spruce up its local economy by capturing about $89 million in potential shopping revenue lost each year to nearby...

Husband steps in as Spectrum CEO.
November 3, 2000... Spectrum Astro Inc. has a new chief executive, and he's the husband of outgoing CEO Martha Martin. Dave Thompson said his wife is retiring arid plans to gradually phase out her connection to the company. Martin officially stepped down...

Local company closing Dallas call center.
November 3, 2000... A Phoenix company called eFunds is closing the biggest part of its Dallas call center and will lay off 176 people. The part in question is a division of eFunds' ChexSystems operation, which keeps track of consumers' banking histories,...

Jamcracker joins forces with Andersen Consulting.
November 3, 2000... Armed with $100 million in recent venture capital and a new partnership with Andersen Consulting, California-based Jamcracker has big plans for its facility in Temple. Area vice president Bob Bajema said the Tempe location will serve as...

Artemis to revamp Camel Square.
November 3, 2000... Plans to redo a northeast Phoenix office building are expected to turn a sleeper of a property into one that should make potential tenants wakeup and take notice. That's the goal of Artemis Realty Group LLC, new owner of Camel Square, a...

Ernst & Young booking hotel management firms.
November 3, 2000... Ernst & Young LLP is rolling .out a new management company selection service nationwide which has strong implications for the Phoenix market. The service helps owners and investors in the hospitality industry select the right professional...

LeapSource moves into shared-service headquarters.
November 3, 2000... LeapSource, a Tempe-based business-process outsourcing firm, has opened a new 87,000-square-foot, shared-service center at 7333 S. Hardy Drive, Tempe. According to the company, it is one of the most technologically advanced facilities of...

Qwest signs $600M deal for voice/Internet service.
November 3, 2000... Qwest Communications International Inc., Arizona's largest local phone and Internet service; provider, signed a three-year deal with McLeodUSA Inc. worth $600 million. Company off officials said it was the largest wholesale contract in...

Finova ratings lowered.
November 3, 2000... International rating agency Fitch lowered Scottsdale-based Finova Capital Corp.'s senior debt from BB to B. Additionally, Finova Finance Trust's preferred stock rating has been lowered from B+ to CCC+. Finova remains on Fitch's Rating...

Motorola hosts forum.
November 3, 2000... With support from China's Ministry of Information Industry, Tempe-based Motorola Computer Group hosted a two-day forum in Beijing More than 50 decision-makers from China's leading telecommunications equipment enter prises participated. ...

Internet exchanges join.
November 3, 2000... Two Internet aviation exchanges, the airline-led AirNewco and the supplier-owned MyAircraft, are joining together to cut transaction costs between airlines and suppliers. The new service, which will begin in the first quarter of 2001, will...

Check archive unveiled.
November 3, 2000... Bank of America, Arizona's second largest bank, joined with Chase Manhattan Bank and IBM in forming Viewpointe Archive Services, a new check-image archive company. According to its founders, Viewpointe will facilitate the exchange of check...

Honeywell signs Qualtech.
November 3, 2000... Connecticut-based Qualtech Systems Inc. was selected by Honeywell Space Systems, Phoenix, to develop a demonstration system for remote diagnostics of the International Space Station. Qualtech officials said the company will provide its...

Airline hires Chronic.
November 3, 2000... Tempe-based America West Airlines has hired Joseph Chronic as vice president, flight operations. Chronic will be responsible for managing the airline's flight operations organization, including its pilots, flight standards and flight...

Microchip to buy firm.
November 3, 2000... Chandler-based semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology Inc. said. it will purchase TelCom Semiconductor Inc. for $300 million. TelCom, based in Mountain View Calif., provides a variety of integrated circuits used in wireless...

Slot machine OK'd.
November 3, 2000... Scottsdale-based Atronic. Americas LLC received Nevada approval for its first 20-line slot machine, Three Wishes. "The driving force behind offering the new 20-line variations was due to increased player demand and the to top earning...

Sequencia sector bought.
November 3, 2000... Rockwell Automation, a division of Rockwell International Corp., has ac quired the batch software and services business of Phoenix-based Sequencia Corp. The acquisition includes the development, support, services and administra tive...

Fire halts chip making.
November 3, 2000... As the result of a weekend fire, snackfood maker Poore Brothers Inc. temporarily halted production at its Goodyear manufacturing facility. The fire caused damage to the roof and utility equipment over the potato chip processing area of the...

Titan appoints dealer.
November 3, 2000... Titan Motorcycle Co. of America, a Phoenix manufacturer of specialty motorcycles, gave Hacienda Harley Davidson Inc. a kick start, appointing it as its exclusive Arizona dealer for retail sales of Titan motorcycles, parts and accessories. ...

Arizona Mills given loan.
November 3, 2000... GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. has provided $146 million in permanent financing to the Arizona. Mills mall in Tempe. According to GMAC, Arizona Mills LLC, received a fixed-rate permanent loan with a 30-year amortization. Arizona Mills is a...

Revlon cutting back.
November 3, 2000... New York-based Revlon Inc., which makes Almay cosmetics, Flex shampoo and other personal care products, said that its net loss in the third quarter narrowed as the firm continued to cut costs. Revlon reported a net loss of $12.6 million for...

IRS beef with 4 taxpayers continues over '96 sale.
November 3, 2000... CONTRIBUTING The tax bill on Northside Hay Co. Inc.'s sale of Sun Land Beef Co. is on the rise, hitting $11.4 million. The Internal Revenue Service demanded $7.28 million in additional 1997 capital gains taxes and penalties from...

Corpedia to offer online training programs for legal-staffing group.
November 3, 2000... Corpedia LLC, an e-learning company with headquarters in Phoenix, has partnered with, staffing giant Spherion to provide online legal compliance training programs to its clients. As part of the arrangement, Corpedia will work, with...

EBIZ gets $2.5M in cash from Utah investment firm.
November 3, 2000... Scottsdale-based EBIZ Enterprises received $2.5 million in cash from the Canopy. Group -- a venture-capital firm that has funded Caldera Systems, Helius, Center 7 and others. Based in Orem, Utah, the Canopy Group invests only in Linux- and...

Online tracking added.
November 3, 2000... Accurate Cargo Delivery, a Phoenix-based freight business, now is an agent for freightPro.com. The freightPro Web site allows users to track less-than-load and truck-load. deliveries across the United States. The site was-developed to help...

Earnings delay reported.
November 3, 2000... Hypercom Corp. announced. last week it will delay its third-quarter earnings release, originally expected Oct. 26. The Phoenix company, which provides electronic payment terminals and software, anticipates a loss for the quarter, possibly...

Sequencia sells line.
November 3, 2000... Sequencia Corp. in Phoenix sold its original product line -- the rpmseries -- to Rockwell Automation, part of Rockwell International Corp. The batch-automation software included oBatch, mTrack, sProduction and eProcedure. Each helps...

You can do your filing online.
November 3, 2000... ImageTag, Phoenix, has launched a new Internet service called "KwikTagE" in coordination with Hewlett-Packard and 3M. The service helps store paper documents on the Internet, rather than in file drawers, desk-top "in" trays, or on hard...

Now selling.
November 3, 2000... Lockstep Systems Inc. in Paradise Valley announced the release of version 2.0 of its WebAgain software for correcting damaged Web sites. The original product, on the market since June, restores original content on a Web site, quarantines a...

Magnet offering $21M.
November 3, 2000... Magnet Capital is hoping to fund and grow Arizona businesses like it has done for America Online, Federal Express, Intel Corp. and others. With 10 loca1 banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration supplying capital, Magnet is offering...

Enviromnental operations company plans expansion.
November 3, 2000... AMEC, a Phoenix-based international engineering and services company, plans to double its U.S. environmental operations by acquiring Ogden Environmental and Energy Services Co. AMEC will pay $l5 million at closing, set for the end of...

IT workers always on call.
November 3, 2000... A recent survey conducted by William M. Mercer Inc., a human resources consulting agency with Valley offices, indicates that 71 percent of organizations polled require information technology personnel to be on call during nontraditional work...

SRP to reduce emissions.
November 3, 2000... New emission-control equipment being installed at Salt River Project's Santan Generating Station in Gilbert is expected to eliminate 80 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions at the plant. The $30 million facility upgrade is scheduled for...

CenterBeam targets Phoenix.
November 3, 2000... CenterBeam Inc., a Santa Clara, Calif.-based information technology outsourcing company, now is offering service to small to medium-sized companies in the Phoenix area. Valley companies can use CenterBeam's range of IT infrastructure that...

Palm productivity.
November 3, 2000... Agents Against Chaos, a personal productivity firm, is offering a new seminar: "Using Your Palm Organizer to Maximize Productivity." The seminar is designed to teach participants how to use this technology as a tool to become better...

Motorola sponsors effort.
November 3, 2000... In an effort to combat domestic violence, Motorola Inc., the Wireless Foundation and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence have teamed to sponsor the Donate a Phone program. The program is an effort of several government and...

State Bar hosting benefit event at federal building.
November 3, 2000... The Arizona Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of Arizona, is looking to show off the new Sandra Day O'Connor Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse and raise money for a good cause at the same time. On Nov. 8, it is hosting...

Introducing Accenture.
November 3, 2000... The global management and technology consulting firm, Andersen Consulting will be changing its name to Accenture. The name change is effective Dec. 31. The name change was necessary because of a lawsuit among Andersen Consulting, Andersen...

Steptoe & Johnson move.
November 3, 2000... The law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP is showing its commitment to downtown Phoenix by signing a 10-year lease for 50,000 square feet of office space in the new $500 million Collier Center at 201 E. Washington St. It also needs to...

Abalos expanding.
November 3, 2000... Phoenix CPA firm Abalos & Associates PC is expanding in both space and staffing. The firm, which owns the building at 7150 N. 16th St., has almost doubled the square footage it occupies in the building. It has added Scott Sawyer as a CPA...

A Win for camelback.
November 3, 2000... Win Holden, publisher of Arizona Highways magazine, has joined the board of directors of Camelback Community Bank. Barbara Ralston, president of the two-year-old bank, said that "Win's extensive knowledge in advertising and public...

Law firm adds two.
November 3, 2000... Two attorneys, formerly with the Weinberg Legal Group, have joined the Fennemore Craig law firm in Phoenix. Richard Oney joined as a director and shareholder. Oney will practice in intellectual property, patent, Internet and e-commerce law....

State Medical Board takes 17 disciplinary actions.
November 3, 2000... The Arizona State Board of Medical Examiners issued 17 disciplinary actions for the first quarter of fiscal 2001. BOMEX has made a commitment to aggressively reduce its caseload, hiring three additional investigators in July. Since den, the...

Phone home.
November 3, 2000... A Place Called Home a nonprofit organization that provides housing for homeless people, has opened 10 apartments for families with AIDS. Qualifying families must have one or both parents and/or children with AIDS. The search is on for...

More assisted living.
November 3, 2000... Sundt Senior Living is building a 117-unit assisted-living community for American Retirement Corp. of Brentwood, Tenn. Called Freedom Inn at Scottsdale, the new retirement community is at 64th Street and Greenway Parkway and includes 24...

New medical spa.
November 3, 2000... Gerald Walman, a Scottsdale eye surgeon, has teamed with his wife, Terri Walman, to open the Medical Spa of Image Laser Care Centers. The medical spa is designed to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that...

Operation Stroke set.
November 3, 2000... University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center is presenting, a Stop Stroke Summit this month in the Valley. The conference, sponsored by University Medical Center in Tucson, will provide the most current information on stroke prevention. ...

McMurry inks deal to buy 'Copy Editor' newsletter.
November 3, 2000... McMurry Newsletters, Phoenix, has added New York-based Copy Editor to its roster of business-to-business subscription publications after acquiring the newsletter last week for an undisclosed sum. Subtitled "Language News for the Publishing...

Convergence moves.
November 3, 2000... It's a new view for Porter Novelli Convergence Group -- one that includes the Kierland golf course and mountains to the south -- after moving its Valley operations to a 4,500-square-foot office in the. "Mesquite" building on Kierland Boulevard...

Air radio award winners.
November 3, 2000... The results are in -- for the Phoenix Achievement in Radio Awards 2000. "Best Newscaster" went to Connie Weber of KTAR-AM 620; "Best Overall News Presentation" went to KTAR news director Brian Barks for the "Homeowners Association...

Art auction planned.
November 3, 2000... Original works of art are scheduled to go on the block at the 10th annual Art Auction; hosted by the Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts. The event, to be held Nov. 10 at The Ice House in Phoenix, will feature...

Renowned restaurateurs, hotchers coming to Valley.
November 3, 2000... The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is hosting this year's AAA Diamond Awards dinner Nov. 13. More than 100 hoteliers and restaurateurs from around the world will be receiving 5-Diamond Awards at the formal event. In addition to the day's...

Bits on Prop. 302.
November 3, 2000... The Valley Hotel & Resort Association held its annual media reception at The Arizona Biltmore last week and Prop. 302 was the hot topic. While the majority of hospitality officials seemed to be in favor of the proposed tax increase on...

On the national front.
November 3, 2000... Smith travel Research officials are suggesting that the U.S. lodging industry may wrap up 2000 with steady occupancy growth for the first time since 1995. Over the Past few years, the number of hotel rooms coming online has diluted...

Relax on the red rocks.
November 3, 2000... A new Sedona spa, Mil amo, is slated to open Dec. 1 at the Enchantment Resort. The health and healing destination spa is 24,000 square feet and amenities include 16 guest casitas, a restaurant, smoothie bar and exhibition kitchen, a...

Stratta-gizing.
November 3, 2000... The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale will bring in chef Alessandro Stratta from his Las Vegas restaurant, Renoir at the Mirage, for the next installment of its guest chef series Dec. 7. Stratta, a graduate of the California Culinary Institute...

Chef for the day.
November 3, 2000... The Phoenician is launching a program where participants can become a chef for the day, cooking alongside Mary Elaine's chef de cuisine James Boyce. Participants begin at noon by receiving a chefs uniform -- complete with a monogrammed...

AmWest Toronto service.
November 3, 2000... America West Airlines launched service between Phoenix and Toronto this week. The flight departs Phoenix at 10 a.m. and arrives in Toronto at 3.58 p.m. Toronto-to-Phoenix departs 4:45 p.m. and lands at 7:20 Toronto is America West's second...

Getting connected.
November 3, 2000... Saying 'yes' to opportunities brings success When Linda Herold and her busband: moved to Scottsdale in 1997 after 20 years in New Orleans, she found it tricky to craft the quality connections she sought for her new life. The former clothing...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.
November 3, 2000... Accounting Arthur Andersen, Phoenix, promoted Melissa Quesnoy and Edward Wagner to senior managers, and the following to managers: Scott Gable, Anthony Hakes, Todd Lemay, David Miller, Ianet Molina, Darrin Riley, Frank Steele and David...

Medtronic's 2000 Hands lift hearts in community.
November 3, 2000... Medtronic Microelectronics Center in Tempe closed the entire day Oct. 20 so its more than 1,000 employees could volunteer in 63 community projects around the Valley. This was the second year the center held the 2000 Hands that Help...

Ray Cammack Shows.
November 3, 2000... Ray Cammack Shows, the company that provides the Arizona State Fair with midway attractions, donated and delivered more than 100 stuffed animals to the Phoenix Children's Hospital. Additional deliveries to other area children's hospitals were...

Arizona Humanities Council.
November 3, 2000... The Arizona Humanities Council, Phoenix, awarded nearly $38,000 to support 14 programs in Arizona. Locally, Scottsdale Public Library and the Phoenix Museum of History received $3,000 each.

St. Luke's Health Initiatives.
November 3, 2000... Arizona-based St. Luke's Health Initiatives awarded $24,000 to Healthy Women for a Lifetime, a nonprofit, public education network dedicated to postmenopausal women's health.

City of Mesa nets $2M for bus maintenance facility.
November 3, 2000... The city of Mesa received $2 million through the 2001 Federal Transportation Appropriations Bill; which will enable it to begin construction of a bus maintenance facility next year. The proposed facility, to be located at Greenfield Road...

The Alhambra School District.
November 3, 2000... The Alhambra School District was awarded a certificate of excellence in financial reporting by the Association of School Business Officials International.

Better Business Bureau of Central and Northern Arizona.
November 3, 2000... The Better Business Bureau of Central and Northern Arizona received an Outstanding bureau award from the Council of Better Business Bureaus for its achievements made by partnerships with the Flagstaff and Prescott chambers of commerce.

Classes.
November 3, 2000... * The College of Extended Education's American English and Culture Program, Arizona State University extended campus, has created the Business English Certificate Program to help students gain practical knowledge in American and international...