Austin Business Journal articles from January 1992

Austin Business Journal archives from January 1992

Tranquil millions. (Bill Hayden, founder of CompuAdd Computer Corp.) (Company Profile)
January 27, 1992... Bill Hayden has learned a thing or two in his life. One is that the friends you've had longest, the ones you knew when you were struggling for a buck, are the best. Another is that having more than two million bucks can disturb your peace...

Spreading the blues. (Antone's Records announces contract with WEA-Canada) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Austin's Antone's Records has reached a three-year deal with WEA-Canada for production and distribution. Under the agreement, WEA-Canada will handle Antone's blues-based catalog throughout Canada, including the impending release of Canadian...

GSD&M wins big. (wins contract with Fannie Mae) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... GSD&M Advertising has won the job of supplying strategic planning ideas for the Federal National Mortgage Association, known commonly as "Fannie Mae." In terms of assets, Fannie Mae is the nation's sixth largest corporation and is the...

Deduction higher. (Internal Revenue Service increases per-mile business deductions) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... The Internal Revenue Service has increased the per-mile business deduction allowed in 1992. The new rate is 28 cents per mile, up 0.5 percent from 1991. The rate was established by determining the insurance, license and registration,...

Thompson: Chamber chairwoman. (Carol Thompson, chairwoman of Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce)
January 27, 1992... Carol Thompson says her experience running a small business will bring a new perspective to her role as chairwoman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Thompson will be installed as head of the chamber's policy making board of...

Pickle: health-care reforms no-go in '92. (Austin Congressman J.J. Pickle)
January 27, 1992... Congress is too baffled and politically buffaloed to make major changes in the nation's crumbling system of health insurance in 1992, predicts Austin Congressman J.J. "Jake" Pickle. But, Pickle told members of the Austin chapter of the Texas...

Informedia: little firm, big results. (Focus: Meetings) (Company Profile)
January 27, 1992... Informedia is not the typical audiovisual company, quite unlike the 30 others listed in the Yellow Pages of the phone book. First, they don't advertise, not even in the Yellow Pages. Yet the company is busy enough to log 68-hour weeks....

Austin landscapers seek harm-free green. (Focus: Business in the Environment) (Industry Overview)
January 27, 1992... Austin may have a national reputation as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the land, but treating our dirt in a kinder, gentler way is a fairly new concept. Ever since the Middle Ages, when feudal lords cleared the areas...

Venture capital for select women and minority firms. (Industry Overview)
January 27, 1992... In a time when minority and women business owners complain there are few sources of funding, there is one venue looking for applicants. But those applicants must meet some very specific criteria. Venture capitalists have money and are ready...

White Construction Co. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... White Construction Co. has received a $15.9 million contract from the Lower Colorado River Authority for construction of the LCRA General Office Complex in Austin. The expansion will include two new buildings, renovations to two existing...

RTG/Partners Inc. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... RTG/Partners Inc. has been commissioned to perform architectural services for the swimming pool expansion to the Town Lake YMCA.

Advanced Micro Devices. (Earnings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Advanced Micro Devices reported sales in the fourth quarter increased by nearly 38 percent over the same period last year. The company reported record revenues of $366.2 million and net income of $106.7 million before the preferred stock...

Employers National Life Insurance Co. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Shareholders of Employers National Life Insurance Co. have approved a proposal to merge the company with a subsidiary of Protective Life Insurance Co. of Birmingham, Ala., to be consummated Jan. 31.

Corporate Finance Associates. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Corporate Finance Associates has announced a joint venture with M&A Worldwide Holdings B.V. to facilitate transatlantic mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. The joint venture will combine the strength of CFA's 40 offices throughout the...

State Comptroller John Sharp. (announces decline of the Texas Stock Index) (Notables) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... State Comptroller John Sharp has announced that all sectors of the Texas Stock Index declined slightly in November but remained 14 percent ahead of their performance in November 1990. According to Sharp, the Texas Stock Index decreased by just...

Hightech Signs. (acquires Custom Signs Today) (Notables) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Hightech Signs has acquired Custom Signs Today, a chain of instant sign franchises based in Atlanta, Ga. With the acquisition, Hightech Signs has nearly 100 franchises in 30 states and three foreign countries. There is a Hightech Signs center...

Radian Corp. (forms strategic alliance with Aangstrom Precision Corp.) (Notables) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Radian Corp. and Aangstrom Precision Corp. have agreed to form a strategic alliance that involves Radian's CPS-3 mapping software environment and Aangstrom's Vortext spatial database system. Under the agreement, Radian will be a principal...

Texas Copy. (acquires the copier business assets of CSI) (Notables) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Texas Copy, the largest retailer of Canon copiers, fax machines and micrographic equipment in Central and South Texas, has announced the acquisition of the copier business assets of CSI, the Canon dealership in Corpus Christi and eight...

David Weekley Homes Inc. (earnings) (Notables) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... David Weekley Homes Inc. reported another record-breaking year with a company-wide total of 1,700 sales in Houston, Dallas and Austin for more than $280 million, representing a 25 percent increase in revenues in 1990 of $224 million. The...

Austin Jewelry Appraisers. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Austin Jewelry Appraisers has opened a new office at 1709 W. Koenig Lane. The store is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on weekends. Telephone number is 458-8258.

Celis Brewery Inc. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Celis Brewery Inc. has opened an $8 million brewery at 2431 Forbes Drive. The 30,000-square-foot plant has plans to produce about 4 million bottles of beer a year and employ about 50 workers. Telephone number is 835-0884.

Jenco Computer Systems/PCB Division. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Jenco Computer Systems/PCB Division, a San Antonio-based computer, components manufacturer, has opened a production facility in Austin at 2013 Wells Branch Parkway Suite 204. The 4,500-square-foot plant currently employs 14 workers and plans to...

DSL Communications. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... DSL Communications has opened at 5809 Abilene Trail. The firm has been established by Donn Le Vie Jr., formerly with the Austin-based Process Instrumentation Division of Fisher Controls International Inc. DSL Communications offers technical,...

Carol B. Dochen Realtors. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Carol B. Dochen Realtors has opened an office at 4201 Far West Blvd. Dochen, a former realtor associate with Irene Smith Realtors, has 10 years experience in the Austin residential real estate profession. Telephone number is 345-2227, fax is...

Keller Williams Realty. (Openings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Keller Williams Realty, an Austin-based real estate network, has opened its 13th office in Texas. The new office is located in San Antonio at 2700 Northeast Loop 410 Suite 150.

Texas Commerce Bank. (Products) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Texas Commerce Bank is offering a half-percent bonus over the bank's standard certificate of deposit rates to its OnePlus 50 customers. The bonus applies to any new or renewing CD of $100,000 or less.

White Lace Inc. (Products) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... White Lace Inc. has announced the launch of a new Spanish/English bridal magazine, Revista Para Novias, the only national magazine dedicated to the Hispanic bride- and groom-to-be.

The Upstairs Maid. (Products) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... The Upstairs Maid offers full-service residential cleaning including carpet and window cleaning. The company is located at 12224-B1 Roxie Drive. Telephone number is 335-0862.

The Travelers Insurance Co. (announces joint venture with Health Economics Corp.) (Products) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... The Travelers Insurance Co. and Dallas-based Health Economics Corp. have announced a joint venture to share technology and offer an analytical health care management and reporting service to Travelers' managed customers. Joseph T. Brophy,...

Golfsmith International Inc. (Renamings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... Golfsmith International Inc. will replace Custom Golf Clubs Inc. as the corporate name for the industry's leading golf components company, which is based in Austin.

Maxserv Inc. (Renamings) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... MaxServ Inc. is the new name for Primefax Inc. MaxServ Inc. is an Austin-based provider of innovative technical and customer support systems and services.

Wayne S. Hollingsworth. (elected partner in Strasburger & Price L.L.P.) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... WAYNE S. HOLLINGSWORTH has been elected a partner in the Dallas-based law firm of Strasburger & Price L.L.P. He is an attorney in the firm's Austin office.

Randy Howry. (elected partner in Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... RANDY HOWRY has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Key Collie. (elected partner in Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... KEY COLLIE has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Eric Groten. (elected a partner in Brown Maroney and Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... ERIC GROTEN has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Doug Hilleboe. (elected a partner in Brown Maroney and Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... DOUG HILLEBOE has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Gerald Webberman. (elected a partner in Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... GERALD WEBBERMAN has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Craig Morgan. (elected a partner in Brown Maroney and Oaks Hartline) (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 27, 1992... CRAIG MORGAN has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline.

Texas firms flee tax.
January 20, 1992... The eyes of Texas are on Delaware. At least the eyes of the Texas Comptroller's Office will be focused that way for the next year, keeping a lookout for companies that might be trying to avoid the state's franchise tax. Andy Welch,...

1992 great for real estate. (Forecast 1992: Real Estate)
January 20, 1992... Austin's real estate business is better off than many could have imagined and key economic indicators point to 1992 being one of the best years ever, according to industry experts and local agents. Construction of single-family housing was...

KLBJ puts maverick manager out to pasture. (radio station manager, E.A.W. Smith retires)
January 20, 1992... After more than a decade of leading one of the most influential businesses in Austin -- and sometimes trampling on the city's most powerful toes -- E.A.W. "Ted" Smith has retired. Smith left the general managership of KLBJ radio this month,...

Travelers down. (passenger traffic at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport)
January 20, 1992... Passenger traffic was down 5.8 percent at Robert Mueller Municipal Airport in November 1991 compared to the same month in 1990. Seven of the 10 airlines operating out of the airport saw a downturn in their number of passengers. Three...

Austin retailers optimistic for 1992. (Austin, Texas)(includes related article) (Forecast 1992: Retail)
January 20, 1992... The ringing of cash registers in the Austin area this Christmas was more frequent than the previous year but still a little muted, prompting many retailers to predict 1992 will be a year of slow but steady growth. Although a few more shoppers...

Thrift store still under scrutiny. (Texas Paralyzed Veterans Association wantsthe Family Thrift Center to furnish the association with financial statement)
January 20, 1992... Members of the Austin Solicitation Board have delayed again renewal of an annual permit to a local group of paralyzed veterans pending further clarification of the finances of a local thrift store under contract to the veteran's group. The...

C&H Engineering Inc. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 20, 1992... C&H Engineering Inc. has received a $98,000 contract from the U.S. Navy. Under the terms of the contract, C&H will provide Automatic Test Equipment (electronic systems used to test printed circuit card assemblies and subsystems) that will be...

Walgreen Co. (Earnings) (Brief Article)
January 20, 1992... Walgreen Co. has posted sales for the quarter ending Nov. 30, 1991, of $1.7 billion. Net earnings for the same period were $35.5 million, or 29 cents per share, compared to earnings of $32.1 million, or 26 cents per share, for the same period...

Adam Hauser. (Upward and Onward) (Brief Article)
January 20, 1992... ADAM HAUSER has been elected a partner in the law firm of Brown Maroney & Oaks Hartline, a registered limited liability partnership.

Most Austin banks get high ratings. (Industry Overview)
January 13, 1992... According to three nationally recognized bank rating firms, Austin banks in general are in good health, faring just a little better than the nation and much better than the rest of Texas. The accompanying exclusive Austin Business Journal...

UT book scheme ends with reforms. (University of Texas at Austin book purchasing)
January 13, 1992... Students enrolled in the legal assistant training program at the University of Texas at Austin now are allowed to obtain textbooks at area bookstores as a probe into past book-procurement practices for the program continues. "I just feel...

Henna fights soft sales with service. (Henna Chevrolet, automobile dealer of Austin, Texas)
January 13, 1992... How many businesses could, or would, try to survive in this economy by giving up two or three potential profit centers? According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average new car dealer loses money on new cars, loses money on...

Optimism pervades banking outlook. (Forecast 1992: Banking) (Industry Overview)
January 13, 1992... Austin bankers may not be totally bullish on 1992's prospects, but they are all optimistic that this year will be a good one. Banking experts expect that two major banks will merge or be bought out and that two new branches serving East...

Refinancing a home lowers the payment. (Forecast 1992: Banking) (Industry Overview)
January 13, 1992... With interest rates lower than they've been in 18 years, Austin-area homeowners are rushing to refinance their mortgages. "We got 100 calls yesterday. People are excited and anxious over the rates," said Vicki Harcourt, co-owner of Austin...

Austin's biggest job provider will grow even larger. (Forecast 1992: Government)
January 13, 1992... Local government continues to feel the pinch of economically troubled times, but remains a bedrock of stability in Austin. Although such indicators as property tax revenues are down, the city will expand cautiously in 1992 as it tries to meet...

Austin air war continues 17 years. (debate over municipal airport)
January 6, 1992... A former Austin mayor once surveyed the political carnage left by unremitting wrangling about whether and where to build a new airport and announced that the 15-year-old battle just hadn't lasted long enough to resolve the issue. Lee Cooke,...

Success story. (Impact Printhead Services Inc.) (Company Profile)
January 6, 1992... It is a common formula for success: Do one thing better than anyone else. Because of its simplicity, the results many times are shockingly good. Ask Dave Gillett. He fixes dot-matrix printers for customers worldwide. Rather, his company,...

Growth for high tech. (Austin high technology industry forecasts) (Forecast 1992: High Technology)
January 6, 1992... Austin has emerged as a true technopolis, second only to Silicon Valley in California, and growth in advanced technology firms is expected to continue steadily through 1992. Firms involved in artificial intelligence, microelectronics research...

Deductible plan. (Texas Board of Insurance adopts deductible plan for workers compensation insurance) (Business Briefs) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... The State Board of Insurance adopted a deductible plan to help employers save money on worker's compensation insurance by paying part of their claims voluntarily from their own pockets. Enactment of a deductible plan complies with requirements...

No phone calls. (Texas Employment Commission)
January 6, 1992... Texas Employment Commissioner Mary Scott Nabers said the phones are ringing off the hook. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act has increased the workload tremendously for state employees trying to get extended benefit checks to eligible...

$106 million for Austin roads.
January 6, 1992... The $151 billion transportation bill signed into law by President Bush last month helps assure federal funds to construct some long-promised road projects in Austin. The projects involve widening portions of U.S. Highway 183 in north Austin...

Climbing the green ladder: controversial Buck Wynne lands region's top EPA post. (Environmental Protection Agency)
January 6, 1992... HOUSTON -- Most environmentalists live for a good controversy. And what better one, many are figuring these days, than the recent appointment of Buck Wynne to head up the Region 6 office of the Environmental Protection Agency. Local industry...

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (to receive $70 billion line of credit) (News Briefs)
January 6, 1992... AUSTIN -- Bankers here say Congress has forged a stop-gap banking bill that braces protection to depositors but leaves the industry stranded in the search for new capital. The bill includes a $70 billion line of credit to the Federal Deposit...

Bank One Texas. (tries to avoid new Texas franchise tax) (News Briefs)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- Texas state officials are moving to close loopholes in the state's new franchise tax and looking for a way to prevent Bank One Texas from averting the tax by moving a huge investment portfolio out of the state. The Office of the...

Tandy Corp.'s Computer City Supercenter. (opens first store in North Dallas) (News Briefs)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- Tandy Corp.'s Computer City Supercenter has tapped North Dallas as the site of its first metroplex store with additional local outlets on the way. "We're going to open our first store in the Dallas/Fort Worth market -- the first...

Go Media Inc. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... Go Media Inc., a graphic design and electronic production firm, has been named primary subcontractor to Bonner & Tate for the Capital Metro account.

Radian Corp. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... Radian Corp. was recently awarded a $257,000 subcontract by Galson Corp. of East Syracuse, NY, to provide remote atmospheric measurements using state-of-the art radar profiling and acoustic sounding equipment for an on-shore flow field study.

Kamstra Communications Inc. (Contracts) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... Kamstra Communications Inc. has been named agency of record by Arctco Inc. of Thief River Falls, Minn. Kamstra will provide public relations and research services for the company.

The Adolphus Hotel. (to be represented by ITT Sheraton Corp. in sales and marketing) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- For nearly 80 years, The Adolphus Hotel has stood on its own two, luxurious feet. That may be about to change. Representatives of The Adolphus and ITT Sheraton Corp. reportedly are close to finalizing a deal that would allow...

Texas Commerce Bank Vice Chairman John Adams. (reports on merger of parent Chemical Banking Corp.) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- Texas Commerce Bank Vice Chairman John Adams recently told the Dallas Business Journal that a planned merger of TCB's parent company Chemical Banking Corp. and Manufacturers Hanover Corp. would benefit from maintaining the bank's...

Tesoro Petroleum Corp. (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... SAN ANTONIO -- Recent developments at Tesoro Petroleum Corp. could set the stage for another takeover attempt, according to industry analysts. Robert West Jr., founder of the San Antonio-based petroleum marketing and refining company,...

Knight Industrial Inc. (claims Martin Wright Electric Co./ERMCO discriminated against it) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... SAN ANTONIO -- Knight Industrial Inc., an Atlanta-based company with a local presence, claims Alamodome electrical contractor Martin Wright Electric Co./ERMCO cut it out of a $1 million dome lighting-fixture subcontract because Knight is...

Preston Carter Jr. (receives financing for racetrack in Dallas) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- Dallas real estate developer Preston Carter Jr. said he has secured financing for his proposed $110 million Class 1 thoroughbred racetrack and has narrowed the site to two locations. Last month, Carter said he was looking at one...

Zale Corp. (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- The skies over floundering Irving-based Zale Corp. continue to get darker and the noose of debt around its neck is pulling tighter. Bond analysts and retail experts cast increasingly pessimistic views about the giant jewelry...

Encom Industries Inc. (buys land in Fort Worth, Texas) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- Encom Industries Inc., an importer of ceiling fans and specialty lighting from Asia, has purchased nearly 11 acres in South Fort Worth for an international headquarters. Hub Markwardt, Encom chairman and chief executive officer,...

Perot Group. (drops bid to take over Circle T Ranch) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- The Perot Group has dropped its bid to acquire the Circle T Ranch in Westlake, becoming the fourth potential buyer in 18 months to cancel a contract to purchase the 2,600-acre hideaway of bankrupt millionaire Nelson Bunker Hunt. A...

NBC Bank Plaza. (to be purchased soon) (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio's premier office building, the 500,363-square-foot NBC Bank Plaza downtown, could have a new owner soon. The 30-story property has been marketed internationally by New York City-based Citibank for the last couple...

Maxim Engineers Inc. (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- Maxim Engineers Inc.'s Fort Worth office, which doubled sales volume from 1990 to 1991, has moved to a new location to accommodate a staff doubled to 20 workers, President Gary Andrews said recently. Dallas-based Maxim has...

American Wireless Systems Inc. (Texas Business News Digest) (Brief Article)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- California-based American Wireless Systems Inc. has hired the former general manager of Sammons Cable Co. to lead the company's foray into the Fort Worth market, setting the stage for a battle over subscribers next spring....

Texas firms target Mexico for low-risk franchises. (Texas Trends)
January 6, 1992... SAN ANTONIO -- While many U.S. businesses are waiting for a free trade agreement to materialize before they begin doing business with Mexico, a growing number of companies are taking advantage of franchising's current popularity in Mexico to...

Courting lady luck: Dallas companies line up for lottery. (Dallas companies compete to provide services for state lottery) (Texas Trends)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- The State of Texas has millions of dollars up for grabs in its newly created lottery -- and that's not including prize money. More than 30 area companies already are looking to capture a piece of the lottery pie, which will include...

Loopholes in trading laws allow foreigners to grab contracts. (Texas Trends)
January 6, 1992... HOUSTON -- Thrustmaster of Texas Inc., a Houston maker of boat propulsion systems, saw more than $1 million in U.S. government contracts slip through its fingers last year. Worst of all, Uncle Sam's business left Houston for foreign...

NCNB remaps branches in effort to conquer consumers. (NCNB Texas National Bank) (Texas Trends)
January 6, 1992... DALLAS -- Abandoning a picture of Dallas that was admittedly simplistic, NCNB Texas National Bank has carved the city into seven distinct regions and decentralized the management of the bank's branches in order to become more accessible and...

F.W. chamber, cities recruiting Toal to redevelop Carswell. (Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and Tarrant County cities plan to hire James Toal to manage the redevelopment of Carswell Air Force Base) (Texas Trends)
January 6, 1992... FORT WORTH -- The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and several west Tarrant County cities plan to hire consultant James Toal this month to manage the redevelopment of Carswell Air Force Base. Toal, who contracted with the City of Fort Worth...