Indianapolis Business Journal articles from December 2003

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from December 2003

Airlines seek midfield delay: city to meet with cash-strapped carriers.
December 1, 2003... Commercial airlines, which will be hit with higher rent and landing fees to pay for construction and operation of Indianapolis International Airport's midfield terminal, are asking city officials to delay its opening as much as three years. ...

Procurement dilemma: state's effort to lure more local bids draws mixed reviews.
December 1, 2003... If Gov. Joe Kernan wants to help Indiana companies find more contracting opportunities with state agencies, he might start with locally based Bucher & Christian Consulting. On Nov. 20, when Kernan rescinded the Indiana Department of...

Conseco continues tradition of big pay: non-exec chairman Hilliard to get millions above norm.(Stephen Hilbert)(Gary Wendt)
December 1, 2003... Conseco Inc.'s new chairman is receiving the kind of pay package that would impress even Stephen Hilbert and Gary Wendt, the company's former CEOs who were vilified by critics for collecting excessive compensation. R. Glenn Hilliard,...

State plans $40 million lab: new downtown building will locate State Police, Health, Toxicology departments together.
December 1, 2003... Three of the state's most sensitive government laboratories soon will have a new home. Indiana's State Office Building Commission plans to construct a $40 million to $50 million building to house labs for the Indiana State Police, the Indiana...

PBS chief: local efforts make it work: station support, outreach key to national system.
December 1, 2003... Pat Mitchell is asked the same question everywhere she goes: With hundreds of channels of programming flooding cable networks from coast to coast, why does America need public television? The answer, she said, lies in that same cluttered...

Lilly wastes little time with launch of Cialis: drug for erectile dysfunction must make up ground in U.S. to catch rivals Viagra, Levitra.(Eli Lilly and Co.)
December 1, 2003... Eli Lilly and Co. put delivery trucks on the road within days of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's announcement that it had approved Cialis for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Some employees also made plans to work through the...

Anthem left little to chance in pitching its mega-merger: well-prepared sales blitz won over analysts.(Behind The News)(Wellpoint Health Networks Inc.)
December 1, 2003... By itself, Anthem Inc. is great. With Wellpoint Health Networks Inc., it's even greater. Or, as Anthem Chief Financial Officer Michael Smith said during an investor conference last month, "One plus one equals three--at least." Such...

New technology could replace the bar code: suppliers and logistics firms upset over costs of RFID.
December 1, 2003... A technological advancement touted as the bar-code's replacement holds much promise--and expense--for area manufacturers and logistics providers. Radio frequency identification, or RFID technology, can save even midsize manufacturers and...

Sierra Crest makes downtown play: Pan Am sale ends Sports Corp.'s ownership following tournament losses.
December 1, 2003... The recent sale of the Pan American Plaza building ended Indiana Sports Corp.'s 16-year run as landlord and put for-profit Sierra Crest Equities LLC in control of the building, which likely will mean changes for tenants and additional tax...

Condos planned in shadow of Anthem, Lilly: $8.5 million Delta Park project to include retail space, 32 residential units.
December 1, 2003... A new luxury condominium development called Delta Park is planned for a triangular strip of vacant land in the southeast corner of the Mile Square. Lafayette developer John Teibel has purchased a half acre on South New Jersey Street...

Security firms form alliance.
December 1, 2003... Five local security firms have banded together to form the Millennium Security Alliance, allowing customers to contact any company within the alliance to receive the services of any member. "We are all relatively small companies serving...

Proposed medical complex draws concern: city planners would like to see traffic issues resolved.
December 1, 2003... An Indianapolis developer wants to build a medical office complex and drugstore at the intersection of 65th Street and Binford Boulevard, but first he must resolve city traffic concerns. The Binford Medical Office Development calls for five...

Changes to Midwest ISO operating structure likely: merger, conversion to central system among options.
December 1, 2003... A forthcoming report will likely recommend changes to the operating structure of the Carmel-based manager of the Midwest power grid, following findings that the group contributed to the nation's largest blackout. A Nov. 18 report from a...

Pay still an issue at 'new' Conseco: non-exec chairman gets sweet deal.(Editorial)
December 1, 2003... Anyone who has followed the saga of Conseco Inc. over the last decade would be justified in looking at recent company developments and having mixed feelings about the insurer's future. In its first earnings report after emerging from...

Be thankful for not-for-profits.(Commentary)
December 1, 2003... As optimism and price gains return to the stock market and the economy appears to be turning around, local not-for-profits are allowing a slight glimmer of optimism to return to their conversations about fund raising and the future. But...

Property-tax subsidies are wrongheaded.(Eye On The Pie)
December 1, 2003... In 1994, there was a movie called "Dumb and Dumber." If it were made today, it would feature the majority of the Indiana House of Representatives. A cameo role would be reserved for the mayor of Indianapolis. The majority of the House and...

Election was an embarrassment.(Commentary)
December 1, 2003... No hanging chads, but the election of 2003 in Marion County is every bit as embarrassing as what happened in Florida three years ago. First, we watched the political shenanigans with the ballot and the ensuing court battles. Then came the...

We are responsible for keeping Colts.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... The NFL ratably shares its television revenue with all teams, so it is already doing its part to support all teams in the league. It's up to the small-market teams and their fans to generate the revenue to keep the teams in their respective...

Technology writer ignores own advice.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I just finished reading Tim Altom's [Nov. 17 column] "Don't let your Web site waste visitors' time" and I took issue with several of Altom's supposedly expert opinions. The one that struck me as the most absurd was the following: "Get this...

New not-for-profit springs from Keys to Work: Workforce Inc. will target the needs of employers.
December 1, 2003... Keys To Work Inc., a near-east-side staffing company that sometimes encounters difficulty placing its clientele of former felons, drag abusers and welfare recipients, is itself having trouble keeping employees. This year the staff has...

Entrepreneurship program again among nation's best.(Education)
December 1, 2003... Ball State University's entrepreneurship program has again been ranked as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report. BSU's program placed fifth in the magazine's 2004 America's Best Colleges survey, behind Babson College,...

Entity reports can be filed online.(Government)
December 1, 2003... Secretary of State Todd Rokita announced the completion of an electronic filing system that allows businesses to file their mandatory "entity reports" online. Business entity reports are legally required every year for not-for-profit...

Lilly streamlines executive ranks.(Health Care)(Eli Lilly and Co.)
December 1, 2003... Eli Lilly and Co. is doing some shuffling of executive positions to coincide with the retirement of a top vice president. Gerhard Mayr will retire March 1 as executive vice president of pharmaceutical operations, the company announced. ...

Proposed terminal wins design award.(On The Beat)
December 1, 2003... The design for Indianapolis International Airport's planned midfield terminal has been honored with an award by the St. Louis chapter of the American Institute of Architects. The Honor Award in the Unbuilt category was awarded to HOK Inc.,...

Riverview Hospital.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Noblesville-based Riverview Hospital has named Brian E. Dietz president and CEO effective Jan. 5. Dietz has 24 years of hospital leadership experience in Indiana, Ohio and Maryland, according to Riverview officials. This includes work as...

Major Hospital.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Shelby County's Major Hospital plans to start construction on an outpatient cancer center in Shelbyville by Dec. 8, according to Jeff Williams, the hospital's director of facilities and engineering. The center will be in Shelbyville's...

Anderson company to provide equipment to Detroit schools.(Manufacturing)(American Playground Corp.)
December 1, 2003... Anderson-based American Playground Corp. recently signed a deal to provide equipment for Detroit Public Schools. American Playground was selected from a group of 25 bidders for the project valued at $750,000 and coveting seven elementary...

Local company hits St. Louis.(Media & Marketing)(Full Perspective Video Services)
December 1, 2003... Indianapolis-based Full Perspective Video Services will open a sales office in the St. Louis area in early 2004, the company announced last month. Founded in 1982 as a video duplication facility, FPV has expanded to include service to the...

WZPL-FM 99.5's annual "Request-a-thon" raised more than $204,000 for Make-a-Wish Foundation of Indiana.(Media & Marketing)
December 1, 2003... WZPL-FM 99.5's annual "Request-a-thon" raised more than $204,000 for Make-a-Wish Foundation of Indiana. The event, which began at 6 a.m. Nov. 13 and ended at 6 p.m. Nov. 14, drew pledges from nearly 2,000 listeners who made a contribution...

Local UNCF chapter hosting annual fund-raiser.(Minority Business)
December 1, 2003... The local chapter of the United Negro College Fund will host its annual Evening of the Stars Gala Dec. 5 at the downtown Hyatt Regency. The event kicks off the national organization's 25th annual fund-raising campaign, which begins Jan. 4...

Seasonal Red Kettles reappear.(Philanthropy)(Salvation Army)
December 1, 2003... Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle campaign kicked into high gear last week as a veritable army of bell-ringers took to the streets throughout central Indiana. The effort typically raises about $500,000 for the local Tree of Lights...

Young Audiences of Indiana has named an executive director to replace Anna S. White.(Philanthropy)
December 1, 2003... Young Audiences of Indiana has named an executive director to replace Anna S. White, the longtime leader who retired in June. Eight-year Young Audiences veteran Jo-Ellen Florio Rossebro was promoted to the position this fall. She had been...

First Industrial buys property.(Real Estate)(First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.)
December 1, 2003... Chicago-based First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. recently added to its Indianapolis industrial portfolio by purchasing Northwest Business Park, a two-building, 343,200-square-foot complex in Park 100. The purchase, from Gateway/Kentucky...

A Lebanon manufacturing facility vacated several years ago by Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp.(Real Estate)(Parker Hannifin Corp.)
December 1, 2003... A Lebanon manufacturing facility vacated several years ago by Cleveland-based Parker Hannifin Corp. is under contract to an unidentified buyer. The deal is expected to close in early December, said Ross Reller of locally-based Meridian...

More mileage for IRL sponsors.(Sports)
December 1, 2003... Indy Racing League team, driver, event and league sponsors received more than $227.5 million worth of visual and/or verbal recognition during the Indianapolis-based league's 2003 television broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, according to the...

Indianapolis Raceway Park.(Sports)
December 1, 2003... Indianapolis Raceway Park officials announced Mike Myslinski has been named director of racing and operations. Myslinski brings nearly 15 years of motorsports experience to IRP. He worked for Dover Motor Sports Inc. as director of...

Bloomington aims at biotech.(Technology)(Bloomington Life Science Partnership)
December 1, 2003... Indiana Health Industry Forum Vice President Steve Bryant is heading south. Starting Jan. 1, he'll become project director for the Bloomington Life Science Partnership, a newly formed attempt to bolster life sciences business near Bloomington....

Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC.(Accounting)
December 1, 2003... Crowe Chizek and Co. LLC has promoted the following: Commercial Services Group: Stephanie Commins, operations coordinator; Brent Ells, Ann Hoff and Christi Minars, senior staff; Heidi Jennings and Tammy Zeller, engagement managers; Dealership...

Willow Marketing.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... Wendy Wolfred has joined Willow Marketing as public relations account manager.

Miles & Brinson Advertising.(Advertising/Marketing/ Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... Joel Cookston has been named creative art director for Miles & Brinson Advertising.

Hamilton Exhibits.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... John W. Patten has been named president and chief operating officer of Hamilton Exhibits.

Young & Laramore.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... Young & Laramore has added the following: Heather Harding, senior account coordinator, Mike Carnet, account supervisor, and Scott Miller, accounting assistant.

MARC USA/Indianapolis.(Advertising/Marketing/ Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... JoBeth Cox has joined MARC USA/Indianapolis as a senior account executive, public relations team.

MZD.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
December 1, 2003... MZD has promoted the following: Erin Kerr, media supervisor; and Allison Gearries, assistant media buyer. Sarah Moore has joined as an assistant account executive.

CE Solutions Inc.(Architecture/Design/Engineering)
December 1, 2003... John D. Taylor has joined CE Solutions Inc. as an associate.

Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter.(Civic/Not-For-Profit)
December 1, 2003... Terry Sanders has been named president of the Arthritis Foundation, Indiana Chapter.

Pepper Construction Company of Indiana.(Construction)
December 1, 2003... Pepper Construction Company of Indiana has added * Roger Hinderliter as project executive and promoted Kim Schlomer to project controller.

Kite Construction.(Construction)
December 1, 2003... Kite Construction has added the following: Brett Williams, project manager, Tenant Coordination, and John Novotny, general superintendent.

Kite Inc.(Construction)
December 1, 2003... Kite Inc. has added two estimators: Michael Credo and Alex Nulco.

Turner Construction Co. of Indiana LLC.(Construction)
December 1, 2003... Jeremiah R. Hudson has joined Turner Construction Co. of Indiana LLC as project superintendent.

Hagerman Construction.(Construction)(Jason Hebert has joined as project engineer)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Jason Hebert has joined Hagerman Construction as project engineer.

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Michael D. Fisher, M.D., has been named the chief of mammography services at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.

SpectraCare Home Infusion Pharmacy.(Health Care)(William Fields has joined as pharmacy manager)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... William Fields has joined SpectraCare Home Infusion Pharmacy as pharmacy manager.

Affiliated Group Insurance Services.(Insurance)(Mary C. Grammel has joined as an underwriter)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Mary C. Grammel has joined Affiliated Group Insurance Services as an underwriter.

Katz & Korin P.C.(Law)(Ronald G. Sentman has joined as an associate)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Ronald G. Sentman has joined Katz & Korin P.C. as an associate.

Severns & Bennett PC.(Law)(vice presidents and senior counsel named)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Severns & Bennett PC has named the following: H. Kennard Bennett, president/CEO; Jeffery D. Stinson, Kennethy A. Ewing and Jennifer L. VanderVeen, vice presidents. Julia E. Merkt has joined as senior counsel.

Baker & Daniels.(Law)(adds Brandon Judkins, Katherine McCanna and Teresa Melton as associates)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Baker & Daniels has added following associates: Brandon Judkins, litigation team; Katherine McCanna, litigation and environmental law; and Teresa Melton, labor and employment law team.

Aircom Manufacturing Inc.(Manufacturing)(John Hengesbach has joined as director of Product Development)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... John Hengesbach has joined Aircom Manufacturing Inc. as director of Product Development.

Delta Faucet Co.(Manufacturing)(Reinhard Metzger has been named president )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Reinhard Metzger has been named president of Delta Faucet Co.

Klipsch Audio Technologies.(Manufacturing)(Dave Rogers and Greg Topp have been promoted to business team managers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Dave Rogers has been promoted to business team manager, specialty retail and residential contracting, Klipsch Audio Technologies. Greg Topp has been promoted to business team manager, Mass Retail.

SPG Graphics.(Printing/publishing)(Gary Shepard has joined as manager of finishing and dispatch)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Gary Shepard has joined SPG Graphics as manager of finishing and dispatch.

National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos.(Professional/Trade)
December 1, 2003... Steve Fushelberger has been named vice president of Public Affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos.

Association for Humanist Sociology.(Professional/Trade)
December 1, 2003... Greta E. Pennell, University of Indianapolis, has been elected president of the Association for Humanist Sociology.

Roller Skating Foundation.(Professional/Trade)
December 1, 2003... Julia Stolle has joined the Roller Skating Foundation as program assistant.

Kite Development.(Real Estate)
December 1, 2003... Tom Garvey has joined Kite Development as vice president of Development.

Monarch Management & Realty Inc.(Real Estate)(Jennifer Whitlock has been named office manager )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Jennifer Whitlock has been named office manager at Monarch Management & Realty Inc.

The Longaberger Co.(Services)(Cindy Wagner and Patti Lacey have joined as independent sales associates)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Cindy Wagner and Patti Lacey have joined The Longaberger Co. as independent sales associates.

American Environmental Corp.(Services)(Chris White has joined as a senior project geologist)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Chris White has joined American Environmental Corp. as a senior project geologist.

The Fields Group.(Services)(sales managers appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Fields Group has named the following: Janet Harris, midwest regional sales manager; Kacey Kowars, mideast regional sales manager; Lisa Myers, regional sales manager Wisconsin/Minnesota; and Jim Irwin, midwest regional sales manager.

B&D Navigator.(Services)(Lissa Julius has joined as vice president of consulting)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Lissa Julius has joined B&D Navigator as vice president of consulting.

Amco Elevators, Inc.(Services)(Gary Moore, Keith Tibbs and Greg Reed have been promoted)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Amco Elevators, Inc. has promoted the following: * Garry Moore, chief operating officer; * Keith Tibbs, vice president, Operations; and * Greg Reed, vice president, Sales & Marketing.

Celadon.(Services)(Craig M. Koven has joined as media relations specialist)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Craig M. Koven has joined Celadon as media relations specialist.

Benefit Associates Inc.(Services)(Scott Orbaugh has joined as lead consultant, and Loretta Hirsch has joined as receptionist)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Scott Orbaugh has joined Benefit Associates Inc. as lead consultant, and Loretta Hirsch has joined as receptionist.

Indiana Supply.(Services)(new employees added)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Indiana Supply has added the following: * Kyla Hamilton, marketing specialist; * John Lang, Inside Commercial Sales; * Mike Hafley, Outside Commercial Sales; * Bill Shearer, Commercial Sheet Metal Sales representative; * Steve Moore, purchasing...

Epilogue Group LLC.(Services)(Riaz F. Abdulla has joined as vice president of BioPharma Licensing and Consulting)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Riaz, F. Abdulla has joined Epilogue Group LLC as vice president of BioPharma Licensing and Consulting.

American Consulting Inc.(Services)(Dan Weinheimer, Andy Gerdom, Jim Guidroz, Jim Keefe and Dave Smith have been appointed)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... American Consulting Inc. has named the following: * Dan Weinheimer, manager, Architectural Department; * Andy Gerdom, * Jim Guidroz and Jim Keefe, project development directors; and Dave Smith, director, Architectural Design Services.

Indianapolis Raceway Park.(Sports)
December 1, 2003... Mike Myslinski has been named director of Racing and Operations for Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Indianapolis Ice.(Sports)
December 1, 2003... Jewell Ashley has been named spokesmodel for Indianapolis Ice advertisements and promotional events. Will Hamele has been named goaltender.

TelSpan.(Technology/Telecommunications)(David Johnson has been promoted to Web services supervisor )(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... David Johnson has been promoted to Web services supervisor at TelSpan.

ExactTarget.(Technology/Telecommunications)(Gary Rush has joined as vice president of Technology & Operations)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Gary Rush has joined ExactTarget as vice president of Technology & Operations.

Sister cities tapped for biz opportunities: Indianapolis group trying to build relationships in Cologne, Germany.(Global Strategies)
December 1, 2003... Siblings for decades, cities in the United States and abroad are tapping their familial relationships in an effort to build business. And Indianapolis is among them. Representatives of the Indianapolis-Cologne Sister City Partnership...

China growing trade partner for Indiana: country's modernization efforts lure Hoosier exporters.(Global Strategies)
December 1, 2003... China has broken into Indiana's top 10 export markets. Statistics for the second quarter of this year, released recently by the state, showed China placing ninth on the list of Indiana's trading partners, up from 12th on the previous list....

Sarbanes-Oxley Act strengthens global business laws.(Voices From The Industry)
December 1, 2003... Ever since the mid-1970s, companies doing business abroad have had to be mindful of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act provision that says making illegal payments in a foreign jurisdiction can result in criminal penalties. Moreover, for...

Health care leaders offer Rx for industry: experts list education, collaboration among keys to shaping a better future.(In Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Editor's note: Who's Who Behind the Scenes is an attempt to identify the key up-and-comers in the local health care industry. For more information about how we compiled this listing, see page 34. Once the Who "s Who Behind the Scenes...