Indianapolis Business Journal articles from July 2005

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from July 2005

ITT paid for feds' aggression: sweeping probe didn't lead to charges against firm, top execs.(ITT Educational Services Inc. shares fall down)
July 4, 2005... On a chilly winter morning 16 months ago, federal investigators converged on ITT Educational Services Inc.'s Carmel headquarters and 10 of its 77 campuses, gathering documents in a high-profile raid that rattled investors and sent the company's...

Mayor: police merger certain: key leaders line up to negotiate cop consolidation.(Bart Peterson)
July 4, 2005... The stars have finally aligned for a police merger. The key stakeholders are aboard and Mayor Bart Peterson, who has always qualified his cop consolidation plan as hypothetical, now openly predicts its success. Speaking directly on the...

Jail plan calls for speedier courts: prosecutor still seeking more beds.(efficiency in court proceedings can solve jail overcrowding problems)
July 4, 2005... Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi's colleagues say relieving jail overcrowding is a question of efficiency. Since jail is meant to be a temporary stop for alleged criminals, they argue, improvements in the process from booking to trial can...

By George: speedway owner gains clout in Formula One negotiations.
July 4, 2005... There may be a silver lining to the cloud that descended over Indianapolis Motor Speedway at last month's U.S. Grand Prix: President Tony George has emerged unscathed from a public relations standpoint and has never had more control over the...

ATA captain bids bon voyage to Orion: Mikelsons unloads $4.95 million luxury vessel as company's struggles take toll on his assets.(ATA Holdings Corp.)
July 4, 2005... ATA Holdings Corp. Chairman J. George Mikelsons has sold his $4.95 million yacht and has been handed a regal bill for its crew's pay and benefits--the latest blow to the fortunes of the bankrupt airline's founder. "When pilots get...

State plays wait, see: Indiana likely to follow federal lead regarding oversight of charities.
July 4, 2005... As the national conversation about improving not-for-profit oversight gains volume, Indiana's top charity watchdog is tuning in--while he considers whether to join the cacophony. Attorney General Steve Carter convened an informal group of...

Guidant's woes turn J&J deal into game of chance.(BEHIND THE NEWS)(Johnson & Johnson)
July 4, 2005... Just a few months ago, some analysts were grumbling that Guidant Corp. was selling to Johnson & Johnson for too low a price. Why did Guidant accept $76 a share, they wondered, when on its own the company might be on its way to $80 or even $90?...

Ball State fosters alliance with film production pros: center aims to help students and industry.(Media Communications Association-International honors students)
July 4, 2005... It's a film school without the film school. Buoyed by a $20 million grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., Ball State University's digital learning efforts are making way for a wave of projects worthy of attention on and off...

Conseco hopes to receive crucial upgrade: ratings firm A.M. Best Co. may make decision soon.
July 4, 2005... The holiday season may arrive a few months early for Conseco Inc. if its subsidiaries receive the ratings upgrade that has topped their wish lists since their parent emerged from bankruptcy. A.M. Best Co. plans to complete a Conseco review...

Delta launches product to quench thirst for purer water: Procter & Gamble partnership flows with potential.
July 4, 2005... Locally based Delta Faucet Co. has launched a water filtration system it hopes will capitalize on the craze for bottled water. Americans last year drank more bottled water than coffee or milk for the first time. Only soft drinks stand above...

Local tax reform must get support: solons should end political rancor.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
July 4, 2005... Mayor Bart Peterson slashed $30 million from the city's budget June 29, a necessary move because expenses exceed current revenue from taxes on property, sales and income, and fees generated from other services. The mayor blames the General...

Patriotism that douses the fireworks.(Commentary)(Column)
July 4, 2005... Friends, then foes, then friends once again as their lives drew to a close, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day: July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. That these two Founding Fathers died on...

Corrections.(EDITORIAL)(Correction Notice)
July 4, 2005... * A June 13 story on page 6 misidentified Jerry Engle, CEO of Plainfield-based Lincoln Bank. Engle, formerly CEO of Greenwood-based First Bank, replaced retiring Lincoln CEO Tim Unger after Lincoln and First Bank merged. * The June 20...

Court decision opens barrel of worms.
July 4, 2005... The U.S. Supreme Court has now ruled again that the public good supersedes conventional private property rights. Some critics have argued that this is something new. It is not, but this decision is a major extension of existing government...

There are benefits to an open U.S. border.(Commentary)(Column)
July 4, 2005... I was frequenting one of my favorite watering holes downtown and ordered a chocolate martini with a strawberry when my bartender informed me the price was likely to go up this summer. I asked him why and he told me there was some kind of...

Smoking in bars should be banned.(Letter to the Editor)
July 4, 2005... "Death by smoke inhalation": A common fire department phrase in connection with house fires. On May 23, Editor Tom Harton did a powerful column favoring a ban on smoking in bars. A majority on our City-County Council acted curiously...

County hospitals don't need protection.(Letter to the Editor)
July 4, 2005... [On whether county-run hospitals deserve protection from competition] No, county governments should not be exempt from having to be competitive with other health care facilities. The best way to protect the financial health of county hospitals...

Marian College launches motorsports curriculum: classes to focus on business side of racing.
July 4, 2005... This fall, Marian College will begin offering a unique curriculum focused on the business of motorsports. Initially, motorsports-related classes will be offered within Marian's sports management program, but school officials said they'd...

Sunrise comes up across the street.(Sunrise Cafe )(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The Carmel location of Sunrise Cafe has found a new home following a developer's purchase of its building at 11450 N. Meridian St. The popular meeting spot was scheduled to open July 3 on the first floor of Meridian Mark II at 11711 N....

Koko Taylor on tap for 2nd Broad Ripple Bluesfest.(ARTS)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... It may not have the multiple stages and three-day lineup of Indy Jazz Fest, but Broad Ripple Bluesfest organizers are quietly building a blues tradition on the north side. The second-annual Broad Ripple Bluesfest, scheduled for July 30 at...

Federal grant will help IU continue 'Groups' program.(Indiana University)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Indiana University a five-year, $2.1 million grant to continue a program that improves college attendance rates among first-generation, low-income and physically challenged students. Founded in...

Westview hospital expands its Radiology Department.(HEALTH CARE)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Westview Hospital is working through a $4.5 million expansion of its Radiology Department, a project hospital officials hope to complete by December. The project includes renovation of 5,000 square feet of existing space and construction...

Roman Brand moves HQ.(Roman Brand Group.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Indianapolis-based advertising and marketing firm Roman Brand Group is moving its corporate headquarters to the Bank One Tower. The move from its current home in the Zipper Building on East Washington Street will be completed in late July. ...

WTHR-TV Channel 13.(awards.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The Radio-Television News Directors Association awarded WTHR-TV Channel 13 two national Edward R. Murrow awards. Reporter Anne Ryder and photojournalist Steve Starnes were honored for their work in the news series "Out of the Fire," about...

Locally based brand marketing and communications agency Miller Brooks Inc. recently won a first-place Telly Award for the Citizens Gas television advertising campaign spots.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Locally based brand marketing and communications agency Miller Brooks Inc. recently won a first-place Telly Award for the Citizens Gas television advertising campaign spots featuring personalities from the Builders Association of Greater...

Judges: Humane Society foes can't fight shelter in court.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... A coalition of local animal-welfare groups doesn't have the right to participate in legal proceedings involving a charitable trust controlled by Humane Society of Indianapolis, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled last week. The...

United Negro College Fund.(PHILANTHROPY)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The United Negro College Fund's Indianapolis office raised $1.5 million during its 2004-2005 annual campaign, the agency said recently. Its fund-raising success has earned the local chapter a "Top Performing Office" commendation from the...

Browning, ProLogis kick off Whitestown development.(Browning Investments Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Locally based developer Browning Investments Inc. and Colorado-based ProLogis hope to replicate their Plainfield jointventure success in the northwest suburbs. Construction has begun on a 501,930-square-foot modern bulk industrial building...

As of June 27, the locally based health care developer and consultancy founded by Jim Bremner and Michael F. Wiley became known.(.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... As of June 27, the locally based health care developer and consultancy founded by Jim Bremner and Michael F. Wiley became known as Bremner Healthcare Real Estate. Wiley, who co-founded the company nearly 20 years ago as Bremner & Wiley...

IRL TV ratings continue upward.(Indy Racing League)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Viewership doubled from 2004 for ESPN2's coverage of the Indy Racing League race at Richmond International Raceway June 25, according to New York-based Nielsen Media Research. The race garnered a 0.4 rating; last year's rating was 0.2....

Largest Indianapolis-area retail copying/quick-printing services.(Directory)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... Largest Indianapolis-Area Retail Copying/Quick-Printing Services (Ranked by number of local FTE employees) RANK PRINTER LOCAL: 2004 ADDRESS ...

Community Development Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Karen Adams has joined Community Development Inc. as a model home attendant.

Pamela Waggoner.(promotions)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Pamela Waggoner has been promoted to manager of sales and marketing.

Equicor Cos.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Pamela Day has joined Equicor Cos. as director of development and construction services.

Community Development Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Casey Dye has joined Community Development Inc. as a receptionist.

Mezzetta Construction Inc.(CONSTRUCTION)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Jay Beranek has joined Mezzetta Construction Inc. as a senior project manager. Craig little has joined as a project engineer.

Martin University.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Brenda Shaheed has been promoted to vice president of enrollment management at Martin University.

Butler University.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Ena Shelley has been named dean of the College of Education at Butler University.

Wells Fargo.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Bob Minardo has joined Wells Fargo as a senior vice president to manage the Indianapolis commercial mortgage office.

OrthoIndy.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Dr. Frank R. Kolisek has been named president of OrthoIndy.

Clarian North Medical Center.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Dr. John C. Jarrett II has been named to lead the in vitro fertilization lab at Clarian North Medical Center.

Conseco Insurance Group.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Michael J. Dubes has been named president of Conseco Insurance Group. Todd S. Coombes has been named vice president and IT service delivery officer for Conseco Inc.

Benefit Associates Inc.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Mary Ann Lutz has joined Benefit Associates Inc. as an executive assistant, and Carol Beadle has joined as an account service representative.

The Indy Partnership.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Andrea Hopper has joined The Indy Partnership as director of business development.

Richard G. Lugar Excellence In Public Service Series.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The Richard G. Lugar Excellence In Public Service Series has elected the following officers: Melissa Proffitt Reese, Ice Miller, president; Barbara Quandt, QEPI Inc., vice president; Kristin Altice, Shiel Sexton Co Inc., secretary; and Karen...

Humane Society for Hamilton County.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The Humane Society for Hamilton County has elected the following officers: Lynne Coverdale, Coverdale Mortgage Corp., chairwoman; Andy Gorogiani, eGIX Inc., executive vice president; Roger Nix, Windermere Animal Hospital, vice president,...

Tippmann Group/Interstate Warehousing.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Tippmann Group/interstate Warehousing has promoted the following: * Brad Hastings, senior vice president, business development; and * Matt Helbling, senior vice president, operations. * Edward McCauley has been promoted to president and CEO...

Love Heating & Air Conditioning.(appointments and promotions)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Love Heating & Air Conditioning has promoted the following: J. Mark Trausch, secretary/treasurer and general manager; Jonathan Phillip Love, vice president, marketing; Christopher Phillip love, vice president, sales; and Shannon Boyk, office...

International Business Solutions Alliance LLC.(appointments)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Mark McKinney has been named CEO at International Business Solutions Alliance LLC.

Growth in big supply at 3-year-old Milor: entrepreneur taps experience to land big clients.(Milor Supply Inc.; Michelle Taylor)
July 4, 2005... Michelle Taylor's first customer was a north-side hotel that ordered 3,000 janitorial gloves a month. She got up at 3 a.m., processed the order out of her garage, and delivered the gloves in her car. Less than three years later,...

Universities reach out to improve diversity: Purdue, IU use local offices to lure minority suppliers.(Focus: DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS; Purdue University; Indiana University)
July 4, 2005... Indiana's public universities are increasing their efforts to reach out to the state's minority business community. Purdue University's most recent step includes opening an office in Indianapolis that will serve as a contact point for...

Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration schedule.(FOCUS: DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS)
July 4, 2005... Indiana Black Expo will kick off its 35th annual Summer Celebration on July 7 with a full schedule of events. Some of these events may require reservations, invitations or Indiana Convention Center admission fees. More information on these...

Largest Indianapolis-area minority-owned businesses.(FOCUS: DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS)(Directory)(Illustration)
July 4, 2005... Largest Indianapolis-Area Minority-Owned Businesses (Ranked by number of local FTE employees) RANK BUSINESS 2004 ADDRESS Rank TELEPHONE / FAX / WEB SITE 1 Telamon Corp. NR 1000 E. 116th St., Carmel 46032 ...

Attention to diversity should extend beyond the office.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
July 4, 2005... When people think of workplace diversity, they usually think co-worker relationships--how people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs work together. This focus is important but it's also incomplete. It fails to take into account another key...

Aphorisms from a master: investing tips from Buffett.(Warren Buffett)
July 4, 2005... At Independence Day, it seems appropriate to examine quotes from the writings of the quintessential American capitalist, Warren Buffett. * "Mentally, we are always buying businesses. It's just that sometimes we can buy all of them and...

Embracing China thorny issue for government, markets.(INVESTING)
July 4, 2005... International trade issues abound. There are both long- and short-term stock market implications to these deals, along with political and social effects. China is the overwhelming player in most of the stories, but some closer neighbors are...

New data gives economists a new way to gauge state.(ECONOMIC ANALYSIS)
July 4, 2005... Ask any economic developer what he or she is expected to produce, and the answer is a single syllable: jobs. Sure, there are a few qualifiers. We want good jobs, which generally means high-paying, secure, or even non-polluting jobs. But...

The Finish Line Inc.(PROXY CORNER)(Company Profile)
July 4, 2005... The Finish Line Inc., 3308 N. Mitthoeffer Road, Indianapolis, 46235 (www.thefinishline.com), is a specialty retailer of brand-name athletic and leisure footwear, activewear and accessories. For the quarter ended May 29, the company reported net...

Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation Inc.(NOT-FOR-PROFIT OF NOTE)(Company Profile)
July 4, 2005... P. O. Box 6134 Indianapolis, IN 46206 Phone: 275-4700/fax: 269-5380 Web site: www.imcpl.org/found Founded: 1969 Paid employees: five Highest-paid staff member: Danny R. Dean, president, $128,750 Top volunteers: Julie...

Mayor announces $30 million in budget cuts.(Bart Peterson)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Mayor Bart Peterson June 29 announced $30 million in emergency cuts from the city's 2005-2006 budget. Public safety took the brunt of the cuts. The Indianapolis Police Department will lose 78 officers through retirements and attrition. The...

Cloverdale to get ethanol plant.(Putnam Ethanol LLC)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... A corn refinery/ethanol plant will be built in Cloverdale, about 40 miles southwest of Indianapolis, and is expected to provide an outlet for more than 5,000 farmers to sell 20 million bushels of com each year. Putnam Ethanol LLC June 28...

Conseco alleges attorney for Hilbert, Dick committed fraud.(Stephen Hilbert., Rollin Dick.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Conseco Inc. June 24 filed suit against an attorney who did legal work for former CEO Stephen Hilbert and former Chief Financial Officer Rollin Dick, charging he committed fraud in an effort to put the executives' assets beyond the company's...

West Lafayette expands economic strategy.(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... West Lafayette officials have developed an economic strategy intended to enhance the city's quality of life and attract more residents and businesses. The plan, which sets targets through 2007, calls for initiatives in housing and...

CIO quits Conseco money-management unit.(IBJ daily)
July 4, 2005... The chief investment officer for Conseco Inc.'s money-management subsidiary resigned the week of June 20 after the unit decided to narrow its focus and only manage assets of insurers, the company confirmed June 24. Gregory Hahn had served as...

Internet directory.(Directory)
July 4, 2005... FLEXIBLE OFFICE SPACE SIMPLYEOFFICE, INC.[TM] "WHERE YOU WORK"[TM] 6351 A S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227 317-492-9001 www.simplyeoffice.com information@simplyeoffice.com * Office Space on your terms:...

Retailer works to keep model trains chugging: hosting meetings for railroad enthusiasts is one way owner is fighting hobby's demise.(SMALL BIZ PROFILE: Train Express Inc.; Larry Pfost)(Company Profile)
July 4, 2005... Train Express Inc. Railroads built this country, and they built Larry Pfost's store. Now the railroads seem to be going away, and Pfost is doing everything he can to keep the same thing from happening to his business. Pfost owns Train...

Calendar.(Calendar)
July 4, 2005... Business-related calendar items should be submitted two weeks before event date. Contact bmaurer@ibj.com. July 5, 6:30 a.m.: Toastmasters Public Speaking, Le Peep Restaurant, 1-465 & 71st Street. Contact Jim Cherco at 506-5229. (Tuesdays)...

Conventions.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
July 4, 2005... July 4-July 6: European Organisation for Caries Research "Indiana Conference. Indianapolis Mariott Downtown. Estimated attendance: 125 July 6-July 9: European Organisation for Caries Research "ORCA Conference," Indianapolis Marriott...

Fund raising.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
July 4, 2005... Carmel's annual Fourth of July fireworks show to benefit from Carmelfest Committee's sale of Spark buttons and bracelets for $3 each. They also serve as raffle tickets and are on sale now through July 4. For further information,...

Fundraising results.(Carmel Clay Education Foundation)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Carmel Clay Education Foundation were able to raise $3,500 from Abuelo's grand opening.

In recognition.(awards for the physicians)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Howard C. Deltsch will be awarded the 2005 Indiana Family Physician of the Year by the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians. Thomas A. Jones will be awarded the 2005 Lester D. Bibler award by the Indiana Academy of Family Physicians for...

Mechanic's liens.
July 4, 2005... To: Irvin Cassidy d/b/a Daniels Construction, 221 N. Walcott, $61,500 From: Darrell Daniels Recorded: May 19 To: Eli Lilly and Co., 1402 S. Dakota St., $47,332 From: Wesco Distribution Inc. Recorded: May 20.

Will you try to transform or get stuck with status quo?
July 4, 2005... It's 4 a.m. I'm supposed to be writing by now, knitting you a tale about transformation. But the notions have yet to coalesce. So I lie in bed, watching through my bay window as a storm rolls through, igniting the sky with flashes of light. ...

Local attorney shares letters home in new book.(To Bear Any Burden)(Book Review)
July 4, 2005... Law often brings together combatants fighting for their clients' legal interests. Perhaps then it was inevitable that Daniel FitzGibbon would excel in the legal field after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and...

NBA's delayed-entry rule, Michelin's move and more.(National Basketball Association)
July 4, 2005... So much news, so little space. Item: The NBA and its players' association enter into a new collective bargaining agreement that will increase the age for draft eligibility to 19, or to one year after an athlete's high school class has...

Downtown's new building boom: a flurry of big developments hold promise, raise questions.(Cover Story)
July 4, 2005... Downtown is busting out in every direction, buoyed by nearly $1.5 billion in new construction. From the White River to Massachusetts Avenue, developments in progress or on the drawing board promise to redefine downtown Indianapolis in the...

Lifestyle retail craze hits Indianapolis: developers forge plans for four more of the trendy centers.
July 4, 2005... The lifestyle center is the latest fashion in the shopping center industry. And developers hope it'll be a lasting trend in the Indianapolis-area, where there are plans to open at least four of the outdoor retail malls over the next few years....

Brotherhood of brokers: many of city's top real estate names have fraternity connection.
July 4, 2005... When the brothers of Indiana University's Sigma Chi chapter get together for a reunion, there's bound to be talk about the good old days. But don't rule out a conversation or two about business, or even a potential deal scribbled out on a...

Smith launches new firm.(Samuel F. Smith founds Resource Commercial Real Estate)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Samuel F. Smith, the CEO at Indianapolis-based Meridian Real Estate since 2000, left the firm in April and founded Resource Commercial Real Estate. Resource quickly attracted a wealth of local real estate experience, becoming one of the...

REIT pressured to sell.(major stockholder, Mercury Real Estate Advisors LLC sends letter demanding liquidation of real estate investment trust, Century Realty Trust)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Management of Indianapolis-based Century Realty Trust, one of the nation's smallest public real estate companies, came under attack in May from a large shareholder, Greenwich, Conn.-based Mercury Real Estate Advisors LLC. Mercury, which...

Eastgate property sold.(JTL Capital LLC purchases Eastgate Mall from Wachovia Securities fund)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Dallas-based JTL Capital LLC purchased Eastgate Mall on the city's east side on March 8 from a Philadelphia-based Wachovia Securities fund. JTL said it would likely demolish the nearly-vacant mall, which was originally built in 1957,...

Duke plans new spec office building.(Duke Realty Corp. plans to begin work on Nine Parkwood Crossing's speculative office building)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Locally based Duke Realty Corp. announced plans in January to begin work on Nine Parkwood Crossing, a 204,762-square-foot speculative office building on 96th Street east of Meridian Street. The building is 22-percent preleased to American...

Tech firm plans big distribution center.(News recap: a quick look at recent big events in the local commercial real estate industry)
July 4, 2005... New Jersey-based medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson and Co. announced final plans to move forward with a new Midwest distribution center in Plainfield. The 655,000-square foot facility will be constructed on 62 acres in the...

Helmer to build new HQ.(headquarters)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Noblesville-based manufacturer Helmer Inc. announced plans in March to build a 73,000-square-foot headquarters facility on a five-acre site in Nobleville's Saxony development. Helmer, which designs and manufactures refrigeration and...