Business Courier Serving Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky articles from November 1999

Business Courier Serving Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky archives from November 1999

Downtown housing stays hot.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... Development proposed at Seventh, Vine streets The final phases of Cincinnati's Garfield Place housing project would bring up to 350 new rental units to the growing neighborhood on downtown's northern edge, according to a proposal...

TOY Story.(S.O.E.D.A. Inc.)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... PLAY TIME IS SERIOUS BUSINESS for a trio of local designers with a growing national reputation. The fantasy world vs. the real world. Few adults get to choose between the two, especially when it comes to the economics of making a making...

Historic Findlay Market looks at cyber sales.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... Over-the-Rhine site seeks e-commerce next year One of Cincinnati's oldest forms of retail is about to meet the world's newest. Merchants at Findlay Market may soon be selling specialty food products like salsa, jams and honey online....

UC planning new institute to boost biotech.(University of Cincinnati)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... The University of Cincinnati is planning to form a new research institute as a way to attract top-flight talent and corporate support for its quest to become, a national leader in biomedical research. Plans for the institute, unveiled at...

Berg-Berry buys Atlas Insurance retail division.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Family friendship led to sale by Midland Co. Faced with an industry that increasingly values size, Berg-Berry Associates Inc. is staking its claim. The East Walnut Hills-based insurance agency has purchased the retail division of the...

Cintech gets stock boost.(from NetVIA product)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... New product launch draws investor interest The introduction of a new product has already given Norwood-based Cintech Tele-Management Systems Inc.'s stock a big boost. But company officials also hope the move will fuel continued growth...

Tech entrepreneur on buyout binge; going public may be in cards.(A.F. Kelly & Associates)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... ANTHONY KELLY SOLD HIS FIRST COMPANY A YEAR AND a half ago. He's now building his consulting and e-commerce firm, with financing on the horizon. Anthony Kelly is living the dream of every start-up tech company. Just days from...

Bank One aside, acquisitions likely to continue.(mergers among Cincinnati-area banks)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... McCoy focusing online, but others to grow by buying Cincinnati's banking scene bears witness to the mergers and acquisitions boom of the 1990s. Area thrifts have dwindled while the largest banks gobble up in-market competitors and expand...

Lindner's son becomes CEO.(American Annuity Group Inc. names Craig Lindner CEO, replacing father Carl Lindner)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Cincinnati-based American Annuity Group Inc. has named Craig Lindner as CEO, replacing his father, Cincinnati financier Carl Lindner. Craig Lindner will also retain his previous title of president. Meanwhile, Charles Scheper will replace...

Ohio National to continue growth rate.(Ohio National Life Insurance Co.)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Ohio National Life Insurance Co. should continue to grow at its high-single-digit pace of the last few years, according to New York research firm Standard & Poor's. S&P recently affirmed the Montgomery insurer's financial strength ratings.

Pacholder Fund gets new name.(to be called Pacholder High Yield Fund Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Shareholders of Montgomery-based Pacholder Fund Inc. voted Nov. 16 to change the company's name to Pacholder High Yield Fund Inc. The name change was proposed to clarify the closed-end investment fund's goals.

Thomas More College.(to freeze tuition costs for 2000-01 academic year)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... * Thomas More College's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to freeze tuition costs for the 2000-01 academic year. Over the last seven years, annual tuition increases at the college have averaged 5.08 percent.

Sullivan Advertising Inc.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... * Sullivan Advertising Inc. has hired David Cawdrey of Cline Realtors Inc. to search for a new office in downtown Cincinnati. Fast-growing Sullivan rents about 6,000 square feet in the Gwynne Building, but is looking for at least twice as...

Gamestop opening six Tri-State outlets.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Texas-based chain sells video games, software A Texas-based national retailer of video games, computer software and hardware products dedicated to the hard-core fan is entering the Tri-State with plans to open at least six small stores....

Clovernook launches Memphis operation.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Center Will transfer some local manufacturing A local nonprofit center for the blind has set up shop in Memphis, with an eye toward helping the visually impaired move into the work force. Clovernook Center for the Blind, founded in...

Babies' Milk Fund merges with pediatrician practice.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Doctors' donation allows nonprofit to buy building The 90-year-old Babies' Milk Fund Pediatric Care has a new spring in its step, courtesy of a merger and a benevolent group of doctors. The pediatric nonprofit group recently merged...

Local promoter sports new logo for millennium.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... A year after changing its name, one of the premier promoters of the local sports business industry is sporting a new look with an updated logo, while beating the bushes to attract a number of new athletic events to the Tri-State. The...

Jackson pitches Chicago sports club for Corporex.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Local developer Corporex Cos. Inc. has utilized the services of a well-known former professional athlete, two-sport superstar Bo Jackson, as part of its foray into the Chicago sports club industry at the newest version of Five Seasons Country...

Skipjack new way to process transactions via Net.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Evolv Adaptive Technology has developed software that allows merchants to use a Palm Organizer to process payments over the Internet without the need of a Web site. The Skipjack Runabout was designed for merchants who do not want the...

Over-the-Rhine incubator lands corporate sponsors.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Main Street Ventures, a new business incubator in Over-the-Rhine, has garnered two new corporate sponsorships. ZoomTown.com, a business unit of BroadWing Inc. (formerly Cincinnati Bell), and professional services firm Deloitte & Touche...

PhotoRevival signs to sell gifts on genealogy site.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Montgomery-based PhotoRevival.com signed an agreement with RootsWeb.com to be the genealogy site's exclusive provider of photographic gifts. RootsWeb is one of the largest genealogy sites on the Internet, with 1.7 million visitors last...

Fifth Third bonds with public finance business.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Fresh off a flurry of bond underwriting deals, Fifth Third Securities Inc. is looking to stay on its steep growth curve and capitalize on recently opened public finance offices in Lexington and Indianapolis. In the past month and a half,...

Huntington will move to Fourth & Walnut Centre.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... In a time of 3.5 percent unemployment, your offices become a recruiting tool as important as your paycheck. That's the way local Huntington Bancshares Inc. is looking at its planned move from Fourth & Race streets to the Fourth & Walnut...

Observers speculate on Bank One sale/merger.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The Citibank Towers in Kenwood? It's a long shot, but some industry watchers say the troubles at Bank One Corp. may yet lead to a outright sale of the company. Problems at its credit card division and consumer lending operations have...

Cincinnati Bell requests waiver.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Cincinnati Bell Telephone is seeking a waiver from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio of existing local service guidelines. Cincinnati Bell argues the guidelines limit the company's ability to provide local phone service in other...

Fifth Third makes acquisition.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Fifth Third announced the completion of its acquisition of Indianapolis-based Peoples Bank Corp. and its subsidiary, Peoples Bank & Trust Co. Peoples has $659 million in assets, $572 million in deposits and nine banking offices in...

Comair expands jet service.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Comair will add non-stop jet service to five cities from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Beginning Feb. 1, the regional airline will offer four flights daily to Asheville, N.C.; Lansing, Mich.; Columbus; and Chicago's...

Synchrony 'company to watch'.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Synchrony Communications Inc. was listed as one of the "top 100 emerging companies to watch in 2000" by Computerworld magazine. Cincinnati-based Synchrony provides electronic customer-care solutions for e-business and was cited by...

Convergys gets N. Ky. contract.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Convergys Corp. announced it has won a five-year contract to supply billing services for the Northern Kentucky Water Service District, which has more than 61,000 customers. Convergys will provide, among other things, an improved bill format...

Book seller chooses Fifth Third.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Barnes & Noble, the nation's largest book retailer, recently signed a contract with a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank for credit card processing and Internet-based back-office management services. Midwest Payment Systems will electronically...

CFC names subsidiary officer.(Cincinnati Financial Corp.)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Cincinnati Financial Corp., an insurance holding company headquartered in Fairfield, has named James Benoski, a 28-year veteran of the company, as vice chairman of its three insurance subsidiaries. Benoski also was named chief insurance...

Youth link.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... High school students hone their tech skills at a local e-commerce firm. The co-founders of Electronic Commerce Link Inc. have watched the firm grow rapidly in its four years. In that time, the Northside-based technology business has...

Summit expects more growth in leasing market.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... But company holds off on further expansion It didn't take long for Richard Ross to know he was onto something good. It was the end of 1993 and Summit Funding Group was barely 10 months old. Still, Ross could peruse the year-end...

Don't let dreams die, no matter how long it takes.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Failure is worth it if you plan to try again I'm inspired today. Inspired by how powerful we as human beings can be. My phone rang the other day and a lively older gentlemen was on the other line. The day he called, I was slammed...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Laura Sharp)(Richard Roche)(Janet Bosken)(Mike Mobley)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... HEALTH CARE Dr. Laura Sharp has joined the family practice of Summit Medical Group's Crescent Springs office. Richard Roche has been named vice president of the department of human resources at Children's Hospital Medical Center. ...

Understanding Fed's actions often key to market direction.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Rate moves directly affect bonds; stocks' impact less clear Why is it that stock market analysts and traders obsessively scrutinize every utterance of the chairman of the Federal Reserve? It's because any statement from him can be a clue...

COURIER RATE BAROMETER.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... COURIER RATE BAROMETER Latest Year ago Two Three week week wks. ago wks. ago AVERAGE INTEREST RATES 30-yr. mortgage ...

3Com, other tech stocks help market set records.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The U.S. stock market continues to be pulled upward by tremendous demand for tech stocks. The Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes set new highs recent1y. Last year, the Nasdaq rose 11 percent between the end of September and...

Greg Smith.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Greg Smith, chief strategist with Prudential Securities, believes that Internet technology is driving an "efficiency boom." In his weekly report, Smith wrote, "The process of improving efficiency by connecting a business... to work with...

United Parcel Service of America Inc.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... United Parcel Service of America Inc. issued stock to the public recently in a highly publicized IPO. The stock came public at $50 per share. Demand outpaced supply, and the shares rose 44 percent quickly after the opening, reaching $77 the...

INSIDER TRADING RECAP.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... INSIDER TRADING RECAP (Number of insider transactions in past six months) Company Buy Option Sell Am. Annuity 1 4 4 Am. Financial 4 4 4 AK Steel 5 3 16...

MONEY MARKETS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... MONEY MARKETS Fund 7-day average yield Countrywide Institutional Government 5.09 Countrywide Ohio Tax-Free Money 2.99...

EARNINGS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
November 26, 1999... EARNINGS (Dollars in millions except per share data; revenues for financial institutions are net interest income plus other income) Current Yr. % Yr. Yr. %...

INSIDER TRADING.
November 26, 1999... INSIDER TRADING (Shares indicate common shares except as noted) Company/Officer Transaction Amount Price American Financial Group Inc. Fred Runk, ...

DIVIDENDS.
November 26, 1999... DIVIDENDS Increase Company Amount Period (from) Payable American Annuity Group Inc. 10 cents quarterly...

DON'T BE LEFT OUT.
November 26, 1999... IN OUR Dec. 17 issue, the Courier will publish a list of the Tri-State's 25 largest home mortgage lenders. If your firm would like to participate, please call Michael Hennessy at 621-6665, ext. 310 to receive a questionnaire. IN OUR Dec....

STOCK STATS.
November 26, 1999... STOCK STATS Exchange/ Year- Week- 52- 52- Ticker Close to-date ago net P/E week week Name of security symbol...

MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS.
November 26, 1999... MORNINGSTAR MUTUAL FUNDS TOP 20 GREATER CINCINNATI FUNDS Fund Star Net asset Yr.-to-date 3-Yr. Rank Fund name category rating value ...

Regent continues building up its station portfolio.
November 26, 1999... Jacobs adding middle markets In building his third broadcasting firm, Terry Jacobs continues to acquire small- to mid-market radio stations, and when necessary sell other stations along the way. "We're trying to establish the best...

Regent Communications Inc.
November 26, 1999... BACKGROUND Company name: Regent Communications Inc. Address: 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd.; Covington, Ky. 41011 Telephone: 292-0030 Internet address: www.regentcomm.com Business: Owns or operates 32 radio stations in three...

THE NUMBERS.
November 26, 1999... THE NUMBERS VITAL STATISTICS (Dollars in millions except per share data and ratio figures) Net Earnings Book value Return on Return on Year...

Pomeranz sale tops local list of priciest homes.
November 26, 1999... Results of the Courier's annual research effort to document the most expensive homes bought and sold in Hamilton County over the last year are in, and the top residential digs turned out to be a pricey Park Road number in Indian Hill. That...

BUTLER COUNTY'S BUSINESS BUDDY.
November 26, 1999... West Chester chamber serving Union, Liberty townships soars Joe Hinson likes his job and it shows. As president and chief executive officer of the Southeastern Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Hinson oversees a vital business...

Hard hats meeting laptops more often.
November 26, 1999... Computers, high-tech tools save on money and time Donald Hinkel, who has been in the construction business for more than 20 years, says the technological advances he sees happening in today's contracting industry never cease to amaze him....

Tax loophole on gains best executed by a pro.
November 26, 1999... Qualified intermediaries opening nationwide There is a tricky part of our nation's International Revenue Service Code, Section 1031, that has become increasingly popular as an instrument to defer certain gains. The rule behind...

Lead removal gets stickier with new law.
November 26, 1999... Anyone who works on homes built before 1978 should pay close attention to a rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that went into effect this summer. A final addendum to the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, the...

Brokers' educational quota lacking?
November 26, 1999... Some say 30 hours a year is just not enough Every three years, commercial real estate brokers are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education. But some real estate industry professionals say brokers should continue far beyond...

Don't forget the details when hiring a manager.
November 26, 1999... Responsibility checklist must be documented Owners of real property come in all shapes and sizes, from major institutional investors and real estate investment trusts to individuals owning a few parcels of land. But one thing many...

DEAL OF THE WEEK.
November 26, 1999... THIS WEEK'S DEAL: Len Koogler's Eyre closes $1.3M deal with Kroger for Mount Orab store DEAL OF THE WEEK examines a recent noteworthy lease or sale of local commercial property and/or a residential sale; the transaction must exceed $1...

The Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau.
November 26, 1999... The Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau was awarded the first place 1999 Prima Award for the innovative marketing campaign promoting Cincinnati as a world-class meetings destination.

Francine Finley.
November 26, 1999... Francine Finley of Star One realtors has been awarded the designation, Certified New Home Marketing Professional by the National Association of Home Builders' Institute of Residential marketing.

G. James Sammarco, M.D.
November 26, 1999... G. James Sammarco, M.D. of The Center for Orthopaedic Care was chosen as a Distinguished International Lecturer on fatigue fracture and primary care of foot and ankle injuries in athletes at the Congress of the International Federation of...

Dave Stenger.
November 26, 1999... The Ohio Association of Realtors has awarded the President's Sales Club Award of Achievement designation to Dave Stenger with Star One Realtors Western Hills office.

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has selected the following Allied Construction Industries member companies: Blau Mechanical Inc., Select Specialties Corp. and Wright Contracting Services Inc. as part of the 1999 Emerging 30...

Dr. Connie Fox.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... At the annual Talbert Lunch luncheon the following were recognized: Dr. Connie Fox, of the Hamilton County Community Mental Health Board, received the Talbert House Community Service Recognition award for her support of the Talbert House...

Zebo's Bistro.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Zebo's Bistro has been awarded a 1999 Tabletop Performance Award by Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine.

ABS Business Products.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Toshiba has named ABS Business Products its top dealer in the Midwest for overall customer satisfaction. The Hamilton County Development Co. honored the following for their contributions to business development in the Greater Cincinnati...

Patricia Mattis.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The Les Clefs d'Or USA has admitted Patricia Mattis, of the Cincinnatian Hotel, into its exclusive membership as one of the world's best concierges.

Baker Concrete Construction.(receives Build Ohio award)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Baker Concrete Construction received the 1999 "Build Ohio" award for converting a section of the Ohio Turnpike in Sandusky County from four lanes to six lanes.

Vivian Liambi & Associates Inc.(Vivian Llambi receives award)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce has awarded Vivian Llambi, president of Vivian Liambi & Associates Inc., the Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year Award.

Mary Lou Blount.(receives relocation agent accreditation)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Mary Lou Blount of Coldwell Banker West Shell has been awarded the designation of accredited relocation agent by Relocation Resources International Inc.

Elaine Milstein.(and Angela Black file for service patent)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Elaine Milstein of Biz-Buzz/HomeBizSOS and Angela Black of Technical Communication Solutions/Shaklee have filed for a Service Mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for their Woman Home-based Business Owners Support Group and the...

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.(associate degree in environmental engineering)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... The associate degree program in environmental engineering technology at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been approved by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Board of Examiners as meeting the educational experience...

Kendle International Inc.(introduces TrialWeb)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... Kendle International Inc. has announced the introduction of TrialWeb, a customized Web-based service that allows Kendle and a customer to share ideas, files, information and knowledge on a real-time basis.

Largest Third-Quarter Tri-State Mergers and Acquisitions.(Cincinnati, Ohio area)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
November 26, 1999... Largest Third-Quarter Tri-State Mergers and Acquisitions (Ranked by deal size) [*] Buyer Seller city, state city, state 1. Cincinnati Bell...

ASK THE CEO.(Microsoft antitrust case)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Do you agree with the judge's ruling in the Microsoft case? ASK THE CEO is a continuing series in which we ask important-to-the-region questions of corporate leaders. Larry Lazelle Foundation Bancorp I...

Technology will help fight world hunger.(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it's a good time for us to think about our food supply and how we can increase food security across the world. Much of the battle to conquer world hunger will be fought in labs and research facilities. But...

'Virtual High' on cutting edge.(Kentucky high schools utilize the Internet)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... As you read about the number of porn sites you can access over the Internet or the Web sites featuring mundane information about the latest teen-age heart-throb, it is sometimes easy to forget why Al Gore invented the thing in the first...

Thanks for -- hey, did I miss anything?(what Rob Daumeyer is thankful for)(Brief Article)
November 26, 1999... It's that time of year again. No, not the time to curse ourselves for voting "yes" on the stadium tax. Its Thanksgiving time, when eating and spending money become a civic duty. It's also a time to give thanks for the people and...

Convergys to buy back stock.(Brief Article)
November 19, 1999... Convergys Corp. announced that it will repurchase up to 7 million shares of its own common stock. The provider of integrated customer care and billing systems for the communications industry already has about 153 million shares of common...

Bell views city as test site.
November 19, 1999... Broadwing to boost area's tech reputation Cincinnati could become a testing ground for a host of new technology services developed by BroadWing Inc., the new company formed by Cincinnati Bell Inc.'s acquisition of Texas-based IXC...

Mercy to consolidate in Blue Ash.(Brief Article)
November 19, 1999... THE EXPANSION-MINDED HEALTH system will merge several local offices into a new headquarters. Mercy Health Partners, one of the Tri-State's largest health care systems, is combining several local offices at a huge new Blue Ash...

UC leather lab ready to come out of hiding.
November 19, 1999... The University of Cincinnati is about to preserve the Tri-State's reputation as the leather capital of America. Oh, relax. It has nothing to do with Robert Mapplethorpe. Rather, it has to do with the Leather Industries Research...

Challenges remain for Oak-free TriHealth.
November 19, 1999... Group works to minimize effect on neighborhood Anybody who looked at Bethesda Oak Hospital from a business perspective the past few years could see the writing on the wall. As first reported Nov. 16 on the Courier web site...