Fairfield County Business Journal articles from September 2005

Fairfield County Business Journal archives from September 2005

Perfecting business not rubbish to company.(Competitive Edge: Independent Refuse Service Inc.)(Company Profile)
September 5, 2005... Frank Sparagna gets excited when customers call him to compliment for a job well done. "How's everything else going?" the owner of Independent Refuse Service Inc. usually asks to keep the conversation going. But often that's all his...

Connecticut ranked fifth-costliest state in the nation.
September 5, 2005... Connecticut has been ranked by a research group among the nation's top five costliest states in which to do business, especially because of its high taxes, energy costs and office rents. The recent report by The Milken Institute, a Santa...

Bennett's Pond deal mixes office, housing.
September 5, 2005... The long-running dispute involving a Ridgefield property, known as Bennett's Pond, appears to be over, as the town Board of Selectmen was expected to approve a settlement last week that could bring a 100,000-square-foot office building and 145...

Worth quoting.
September 5, 2005... "It's not true what they say about being on your deathbed and the last thing you think about is work. I thought I was doing a great job at work, I felt like I had a mission, worked with great people and that I had built something that I wanted...

Norwalk firm builds a 'beautiful place'.(John Romano of All American Custom Pools & Spas Inc.)
September 5, 2005... John Romano has a boast that he wrote the book on building a pool, and it is no idle boast--because he did. Romano, owner of All American Custom Pools & Spas Inc. in Norwalk, has spent nearly 30 years building pools in the back yards of...

Innovation is its own reward: Technology Fast 50 to be named next month.
September 5, 2005... The Connecticut Technology Council and accounting giant Deloitte & Touche will recognize the state's 50 fastest-growing companies at a gala on Oct. 6 at Fairfield University. The 2005 Connecticut Technology Fast 50 Award is given based on a...

Survey to give a voice to county businesses.(Connecticut Business and Industry Association)
September 5, 2005... More than 8,000 Fairfield County businesses will soon receive a first-of-its-kind survey meant to project their collective voice on public-policy matters up to the decision-makers in Hartford. "It's going to be a comprehensive survey on...

Staffing employment and sales set new high.
September 5, 2005... Staffing industry employment and sales set a new high in the second quarter of this year, narrowly exceeding the industry's previous peak in the fourth quarter of 2004, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. ...

Dealership thinks outside the box, then redesigns it.
September 5, 2005... When Peter G. Callaghan and a business partner, Andrew Feuerstein, bought the BMW of Greenwich dealership two years ago, they wanted to make the business more efficient, speed up the service center, please customers more and provide more for...

Law allowing same-sex partner benefits effective Oct. 1.(small BUSINESS ZONE)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Under a state law effective Oct. 1, Connecticut companies must allow workers to add same-sex partners as beneficiaries to their employment benefits. The law requires that "parties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits,...

Knowledge drives growth.(Ask Andi?)
September 5, 2005... My business has had some ups and downs. It seems that often when I hire a new employee or vendor with a new set of job skills, we make some we get stuck again. What can I do to keep my company growing? To answer this business owner's...

Business web directory.(Directory)
September 5, 2005... ACCOUNTING Eisman, Zucker, Klein & Ruttenberg www.ezErcpa.com 914-428-7733 ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATIVE RECRUITING/STAFFING SERVICES The Execu | Search Group www.execu-search.com 914-653-9000 914-653-9001 (fax) Specializing in...

Spirituality is the company name.(Only in AMERICA)(Ramesh Wadhwani of SAI Systems Laboratories Inc.)(Biography)
September 5, 2005... Ramesh Wadhwani is a highly principled man. He invokes spirituality in his personal and business dealings. While some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, Wadhwani goes one step further, he pays homage to his spiritual adviser and his...

Nursing homes.(THE LIST)(Directory)
September 5, 2005... Ranked by number of licensed beds. Listed alphabetically in event of tie. Rank Name, address, telephone number Facility admissions Area code: 203 (unless officer(s) otherwise noted) ...

Tech innovation allows dealership to eliminate oil-disposal costs.(TECHCETERA)
September 5, 2005... Getting rid of used motor oil collected in the service department at BMW of Greenwich is an expense and a bother Bill Skorvanek wanted to avoid. So when the dealership built a new service center in Port Chester, N.Y., at a cost of nearly...

Gartner highlights key emerging technologies.(TECHCETERA)
September 5, 2005... Gartner Inc has identified three key technology themes businesses should watch. Technologies that will enable the development of collaboration, next-generation architecture and Web have been highlighted by the Stamford technology research...

10 tips for buying a gift online.(TECHCETERA)
September 5, 2005... When shopping for a gift, everybody wants to get a gift that someone will treasure. What motivates many people is trying to buy something we think they will love. We yearn for when they open up the present and have a pleased look upon their...

New twist in the money world: financial guidance popular mantra today.(FOCUS: Professional Services)
September 5, 2005... When the stock market collapsed in 2000 and the financial repercussions of 9/11 followed the next year, the need for financial advisers was stronger than ever as investors learned just how valuable an expert's advice could be. "I think the...

How to earn the minimum annual recurring revenue.(FOCUS: Professional Services)
September 5, 2005... If you are in a position that requires finding new clients, then you may have resigned yourself to the fact that you will be prospecting and marketing until you retire. For most of us, prospecting and marketing for new clients is the most...

Demand for accounting grads high.(FOCUS: Professional Services)
September 5, 2005... Accounting services companies continue to top the list of employers seeking to hire new college graduates, according to the summer 2005 issue of Salary Survey, a quarterly report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers....

Norwalk--'emerging economic' engine for county.(Doing business in Norwalk)
September 5, 2005... During the past year, three large corporations have moved into Norwalk, a trend business leaders and local officials attribute to the city's central location in Fairfield County and low cost of office space. "Norwalk has become an emerging...

Norwalk Leadership Institute.(News from Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce)
September 5, 2005... Developing new leaders within business and the community and encouraging professional development are essential for overall growth and prosperity. The Norwalk Leadership Institute is designed to prepare individuals for leadership roles by...

Growing business by the basket: Norwalk vendor pins her hopes on corporate gift market.(Doing business in NORWALK)
September 5, 2005... Just walk into A Touch of New England, it will hit you. The aromas from scented candles, the explosion of color from handmade purses, sweaters, the children's toys and pictures engulf your senses, and a certain level of calm takes over. ...

How can employers save on workers' compensation expenses?
September 5, 2005... Workers' Compensation cost containment is a frequent topic of discussion in the media and at business seminars. As is frequently noted, the costs associated with managing workplace injuries can have a significant impact on the bottom line....

Richard C. Decker, an assistant vice president at Ridgefield Bank, Ridgefield.(Credits, Clients and Awards)
September 5, 2005... Richard C. Decker, an assistant vice president at Ridgefield Bank, Ridgefield, and a financial advisor at Fairfield County Financial Services, a division of Fairfield County Bank Corp., and Infinex Investments Inc., a wealth and investment...

The School of Nursing at Fairfield University, Fairfield, was awarded two grants totaling $51,000 from the McKeen Fund--a $14,000 grant for the development of an advisory board and a $37,000 challenge grant toward a $74,000 three-year budget for a nursing lecture series.(Credits, Clients and Awards)
September 5, 2005... The School of Nursing at Fairfield University Fairfield, was awarded two grants totaling $51,000 from the McKeen Fund--a $14,000 grant for the development of an advisory board and a $37,000 challenge grant toward a $74,000 three-year budget for...

The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, Bridgeport, a non-profit organization that provides services to women and their families in cases relating to sexual assault and domestic violence.(Credits, Clients and Awards)
September 5, 2005... The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, profit organization that provides services to women and their families in cases relating to sexual assault and domestic violence, received a $10,000 donation from Standard Security...

NexVue Information Systems, Stamford, a provider of project management and accounting software solutions, announced the addition of TSS Facility Services, Union, N.J.(Credits, Clients and Awards)
September 5, 2005... NexVue Information Systems, Stamford, a provider of project management and accounting software solutions announced the addition of TSS Facility Services Union, N.J., a company that specializes ,n facility management, facility services,...

Building permits.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... Commercial American Construction, New York City, contractor for Reckson Properties. Perform interior renovations at an existing commercial building at 225 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $2.4 million. Filed Aug. 3. Arcor...

Cushman & Wakefield.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... John Isaacs of Weston was promoted to executive director, brokerage services in the New York City office of Cushman & Wakefield, a commercial real estate services company. Isaacs joined the company in 1998 as a senior director. He holds a...

Lex Products Corp.(Newsmakers)(Barry Neumann promoted to general manager of the KMP Division of Lex Products Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 5, 2005... Barry Neumann of Stamford was promoted to general manager of the KMP Division of Lex Products Corp., Stamford, a manufacturer of portable and fixed electrical equipmentfor entertainment, military and industrial markets. KMP is the newly...

Stamford Museum & Nature Center.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Melissa H. Mulrooney of New York City was appointed executive director of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Stamford. Most recently, Mulrooney was interim executive director at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Del. She was also head of...

Family Centers.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Family Centers, a nonprofit human services agency based in Greenwich, announced the promotion of the following professionals based in its Stamford office. Danielle Sieckhaus of Stamford was promoted to director of clinical and outreach...

Holiday Inn Select Stamford.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Nabil Salama of Monroe, N.Y., was appointed banquet manager at the Holiday Inn Select Stamford, Stamford. Since 2003, Salama was director, guest services operation at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor Hotel, Greenwich. Prior to that, he was food and...

Carnall Insurance Inc.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Val B. Angione of Norwalk was appointed assistant vice president, business development at Carnall Insurance Inc., Ridgefield, a subsidiary of Fairfield County Bank Corp. Most recently, Angione was director of operations at Stamford, Insurance...

Fairfield County Bank.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Nelsy Londono of Ansonia was appointed an operations service manager at Fairfield County Bank, initially based at the bank's 1312 Post Road, Fairfield, office. Londono has more than 13 years of banking experience, most recently as a service...

Real Estate Finance Association of Connecticut.(Newsmakers)
September 5, 2005... Sandra Fitzpatrick, vice president and commercial services sales manager in the Fairfield office of LandAmerica Financial Group Inc., a provider of title insurance and real estate transaction services, was elected president and chairperson of...

Court cases.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... Bridgeport Superior Court 1259 Howard Avenue L.L.C., Trumbull, et al. Filed by American Tax Funding L.L.C., North Palm Beach, Fla. Plaintiff's attorney: The Marcus Law Firm, New Haven. Action: plaintiff seeks to foreclose on defendants'...

Deeds.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... Commercial 26 Taconic Road LL.C., New Canaan. Seller: estate of Joseph A. Miazga, Greenwich. Property: 26 Taconic Road. Greenwich. Amount: $2 million. Filed Aug. 17. 40 Church Street L.L.C., New Canaan, Seller: Pamela J. Gamble, San...

Liens.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... Federal Tax Liens-filed Holmes Investigations & Security L.L.C., 17 Blake St., Norwalk. $13,140, corporate income tax. Filed Aug. 23. Meli, Louise M., 35 Amogerone Crossway, Greenwich. $6,929, FICA and employee withholding taxes. Filed...

Lis pendens.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... The following filings indicate a legal action has been initiated, the outcome of which may affect the title to the property listed. Aiken, Beverly. Filed by Hi Pillar Construction, Bridgeport, by The Barrister Law Group L.L.C., Bridgeport,...

Mortgages.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... 40 Church Street L.L.C., New Canaan by Alvin J. Sarter. Lender: Fairfield County Bank Corp., Ridgefield. Property: 40 Church St., Greenwich. Amount: $975,000. Filed Aug. 18. 56 Soundview Associates L.L.C., Armonk, N.Y. by Palo Varsames....

New business names.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... The Business Journal is not responsible for typographical errors contained in the original filings. 5 Star Roses, 309 Bemire Ave., Bridgeport, 06608, c/o Hugo Jimenez. Filed Aug. 8. A&G Landscaping, 35 Germantown Road, Danbury, 06810,...

On the agenda.(ON THE RECORD)(Calendar)
September 5, 2005... Wednesday, Sept. 7 SCORE small-business workshop, on marketing sales and publicity, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1864 Post Road, Darien. $20. For reservations, call 847-7348. Thursday, Sept. 8 Association of...

Public notices.(ON THE RECORD)(Public Notice)(Calendar)
September 5, 2005... Friday, Sept. 9 Oyster Festival, presented by the Norwalk Seaport Association, 6 to 11 p.m., Veteran's Park on Seaview Avenue, Norwalk. Continues Sept. 10 and 11. $10 a day, general; $6 a day, seniors. Call 838-9444. "Doo-Wop and...

Patents.(ON THE RECORD)
September 5, 2005... U.S. patents either recently issued to residents o Fairfield County or assigned to companies located here. Alkaline battery with flat housing. Patent no. 6,926,996 issued to: Alexander Shelekhin, Ridgefield; Steven J. Specht, Brookfield;...

Prudential Connecticut Realty.(Real Estate Update)
September 5, 2005... Dwight C. Wheeler of Fairfield joined the Southport office of Prudential Connecticut Realty as a sales executive. Most recently, Wheeler was a partner at two consulting firms that he co-founded--Employee Relations Extension L.L.C. Fairfield,...

Highgrove.(Real Estate Update)
September 5, 2005... Jessica Reinckens of Silvermine was appointed a sales associate for Highgrove. Stamford, a residential condominium property, by The Sunshine Group Ltd., the sales and marketing agent for Highgrove. Most recently Reinckens worked at William...

Resource directory.(advertising agencies of Fairfield County, Connecticut region)(Directory)
September 5, 2005... Advertising Agencies * Wrightway Creative Group 203-354-3650 A full-service advertising agency providing award winning creative and marketing services. Advertising/Graphic...

Three steps to cut communicating costs.(COMMON-SENSE BUSINESS)
September 5, 2005... Wal-Mart, McDonald's and many movie multiplexes are among those reporting fewer visits and lower sales attributed to the high gas prices. To save money, people are buying less and having less fun. And, when air conditioning comfort is replaced...

Save less, enjoy life, retire early.(Off the BOARD: Covering the county's public companies)
September 5, 2005... Who says you need to save a ton of money to live comfortably in your golden years? Well, financial planners for decades have spit out that one must save enough to maintain a decent lifestyle in retirement. What's enough, however, depends on how...

IWT Tesoro reports Q2 earnings.(Off the BOARD: Covering the county's public companies)
September 5, 2005... Westport-based IWT Tesoro Corp., a provider of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone wall and floor covering materials, reported second-quarter 2005 revenue of $14.4 million, up $2.8 million over the quarter ended June 30, 2004. This represented...

Intelsat and PanAmSat to merge.(Off the BOARD: Covering the county's public companies)
September 5, 2005... Intelsat Ltd. and PanAmSat Holding Corp. of Wilton have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Intelsat will acquire PanAmSat for $25 per share in cash, or $3.2 billion. Using a combined fleet of 53 satellites, the company will...

SEC begins probing Terex.(Off the BOARD: Covering the county's public companies)
September 5, 2005... Terex Corp. of Westport said it has filed a Form 8-K with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing that Terex has been advised by the agency that it is commencing an investigation of the company. Terex understands that the...

First five steps an executive should take.(VIEWPOINT)
September 5, 2005... At the end of 1995, I was given the opportunity to form and lead a $2.4 billion business made up of units being spun off from 3M Co. Most would jump at such an offer, but I knew it wasn't going to be arose garden. The units were being let go...

How to lower cost of employee benefits.(VIEWPOINT)
September 5, 2005... Controlling benefit costs over the past 10 years has been difficult, if not impossible. Health-care premiums have gone up 11.3 percent on average in 2005 alone. Employers have traditionally isolated their health-care cost control, but recently...

John Gaffney: knocking on heaven's door.(PROFITS & PASSIONS)
September 5, 2005... A times, passion is born from pain. John Gaffney, executive editor of the Peppers & Rogers Group in Norwalk, felt it in late February of last year, a crippling pain in his hip that sent him to the doctor's office. He had not been well;...

Questions and answers with Joseph J. Savage.(Interview)
September 12, 2005... Q: What kind of banking services does Webster provide businesses? A: Whatever kind of banking service a business needs, we offer it. As the largest commercial bank headquartered in New England, Webster offers everything from traditional...

Tile shop owner at cutting edge of industry.(Competitive edge: The Tile Shop Inc.)(Daniel Oprea)
September 12, 2005... Daniel Oprea says the most exciting thing about his business right now is that people are spending more than they did during past recessions. As a result, his clients can afford the creativity his company offers in its the designs instead of...

Gas costs will spur cost cutting, price hikes.
September 12, 2005... Businesses say they can't avoid the new reality at the pump and plan to deal with rising gasoline prices by passing costs to customers where they can and finding new ways to cut other expenses. "Everybody raises prices because insurance and...

Katrina's wrath ends Goldilocks economy.(Hurricane Katrina, 2005)
September 12, 2005... As vicious Hurricane Katrina wrought death and destruction on communities along the Gulf of Mexico, it too washed away discussion of the Goldilocks economy--remember the one that was not to hot, not too cold, but just right. Despite the...

Worth quoting.
September 12, 2005... "This was a terrible disaster and its impact can't be downplayed, but I think the American economy is a lot broader and a lot stronger than what happens in the gulf area." --Edward Deak, economics professor at Fairfield University

Developers bullish on residential projects in Bridgeport.
September 12, 2005... Bridgeport has been experiencing an increase in residential construction. Recently, work began on two projects which will add 200 units, including apartments and condominiums, to the city's real estate landscape. "Clearly, they...

Multigenerational travel on the upswing.
September 12, 2005... The 2000 U.S. Census measured multigenerational households, such as extended families with kids, parents and grandparents at 4.2 million homes, which was up 38 percent over the previous decade. Judging from what travel agents are seeing,...

Shenkman Capital expands in Stamford.(Shenkman Capital Management Inc.)
September 12, 2005... Shenkman Capital Management Inc., a $12 billion independently owned investment advisory firm, began a three-year sublease of 18,735 square feet of office space at 262 Harbor Drive in Stamford last month. The firm upgraded from a...

Retirement plan participation rebounds, study says.
September 12, 2005... Employees of U.S. health-care organizations are taking greater responsibility for saving for retirement, according to the third annual survey, "Retirement Plan Trends in Today's Healthcare Market--2005," conducted by the American Hospital...

Cities and towns doing fairly well, study shows.
September 12, 2005... While most top executives in Connecticut's cities and towns say they are being squeezed by rising costs and slow revenue growth, greater adherence to municipal best practices could relieve some of the pressure, according to a study. The...

Research tool helps small businesses.(small BUSINESS ZONE)
September 12, 2005... Bridgeport's Housatonic Community College is aiding businesses by providing them access to a research tool that can be used to compile information on various industries, companies and potential markets. The product, called OneSource, is a...

Stabilizing costs.(Ask Andi?)
September 12, 2005... My costs keep going up and down, as if they have a mind of their own. Is it possible to keep them more constant, and if so, how do I do it? This question comes from the owner of a service company. The company's single biggest cost to...

Business web directory.(accounting services in Fairfield County, Connecticut region)(Directory)
September 12, 2005... ACCOUNTING Eisman, Zucker, Klein & Ruttenberg www.ezkrcpa.com 914-428-7733 ACCOUNTING & ADMINISTRATIVE RECRUITING/STAFFING SERVICES The Execu | Search Group www.execu-search.com 914-653-9000 914-653-9001 (fax)...

Patenting the dream gets complex and costly.
September 12, 2005... In the movie, "Tucker: The Man and His Dream," Jeff Bridges, who plays the inventive genius behind the ill-fated automobile bearing his name, declares in the courtroom that if Ben Franklin were operating in the present system, he would be...

Home health-care services.(THE LIST)
September 12, 2005... Questions or comments? Call: 914-694-3600 Next List: September 26 Thrifts and Savings Listed alphabetically Fairfield County and region Name, address, telephone number Top local Area code: 203 ...

Entrepreneur wrote the book on business technology management.(Doing Business In STAMFORD)(Faisal Hoque)
September 12, 2005... Six years ago, veteran entrepreneur Faisal Hoque has a vision: he wanted to bring new management-science theory and apply it to technology so that corporations around the world could maximize the real business value of their technology...

Stamford office market is a 'study in contrasts'.(Doing Business In STAMFORD)
September 12, 2005... Stamford's office market was a study in contrasts in the first half of this year, as the flow of tenants out of the submarket ceased, but space returns continued to pose a challenge. On one hand, improved leasing, primarily driven by large...

Small consumer-products company looks to make it big.(Doing Business In STAMFORD)(Phoenix Brands L.L.C.)
September 12, 2005... Stamford-based Phoenix Brands L.L.C., which began its journey in 2004 with 40 employees, added 20 workers as the consumer-products company continues its expansion. Last year, it acquired four brands from Unilever Home and Personal Care...

Stamford remains upbeat despite corporate exodus: business leaders point to housing boom in downtown.(Doing Business In STAMFORD)
September 12, 2005... This city known for its corporate headquarters image, numerous financial services firms and office parks is still on a path of development, despite some recent setbacks in the past year, business officials said. In the last year, Stamford...

Retail growth in Stamford.(News from the Stamford Chamber of Commerce)
September 12, 2005... About a year ago Stamford was preparing to see the first substantial change in retail in 20 years. Certainly, Stamford has had its share of small retail stores move into its many centers, neighborhoods, etc. over the past several years....

Positive growth in the hospitality industry.(News from the Stamford Chamber of Commerce)
September 12, 2005... Stamford has become one of the state's major destinations for hospitality. It is one of the fastest growing business sectors in Fairfield County. Stamford first saw the hospitality industry as an important sector of business as part of the...

A "heart" sell.(News from the Stamford Chamber of Commerce)(Stamford Health System applies for approval of its coronary care units)
September 12, 2005... Former President Bill Clinton sure gave us all a scare. His quadruple bypass at New York Presbyterian Hospital last fall left many of us checking up on our own heart health while some opted for that overdue stress test "just to be sure."...

Home for the holidays? Christmas bookings slow so far this year, travel agents say.(FOCUS: Leisure, Travel and Transportation)
September 12, 2005... Although the national trend shows that more people will travel for Christmas this year than last, it seems the slight surge isn't registering with Fairfield County residents. Local travel agents say they are doing similar or slightly less...

Villa Web site offers to break vacation mold.(FOCUS: Leisure, Travel and Transportation)
September 12, 2005... For your next corporate retreat, instead of another golf outing in Miami or Hilton Head, S.C., how about giving your employees something a little more memorable? Norwalk-based InternetVillas L.L.C. (www.internetvillas.com) can make that...

More Americans opt to book air travel online: research reveals attitudes toward using technology before and during travel.(FOCUS: Leisure, Travel and Transportation)
September 12, 2005... A recent study finds that many Americans prefer to use technology when booking air travel and accommodations, but when it comes to using technology in transit, the general public is not seeking to use their cell phones while flying the friendly...

Power to the passenger: airlines use technology to give passengers control over how they spend their time.(FOCUS: Leisure, Travel and Transportation)
September 12, 2005... The airline industry is using technology to deliver a more convenient and enjoyable experience for passengers, according to the recently released seventh annual Airline IT Trends Survey by the SITA Group. Adoption of customer self-service...

Building permits.(ON THE RECORD)
September 12, 2005... Commercial A. P. Construction, contractor for S.A.C. Capital Advisors L.L.C. Interior renovations at an existing commercial building at 72 Cummings Point Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $350,000. Filed Aug. 18. Allegheny Design...