Indianapolis Business Journal articles from March 2007

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from March 2007

Rough road ahead? WellPoints new CEO likely to encounter more obstacles than her predecessor.(Angela F. Braly)
March 5, 2007... Acquisitions were Larry C. Glasscock's strategy to make WellPoint Inc. into a health insurance goliath. But as he hands the company's CEO reins to its top lawyer, Angela F. Braly, she faces much tougher odds to keep WellPoint growing by...

Dems like architect's fresh face: party grooming Schellinger as candidate for governor.(Jim Schellinger)
March 5, 2007... In the Democrats' field of potential candidates to unseat Gov. Mitch Daniels, there are few household names. That's why they're preparing to spend the next 19 months introducing you to Jim Schellinger. The 46-year-old Indianapolis...

Trying to woo Lucas: broker wants California company to move HQ near airport.(Lucas Oil )
March 5, 2007... Marvin Miller has a vision. The 71-year-old real-estate-veteran-turned-entrepreneur is representing a landowner trying to sell 125 acres just north of Indianapolis International Airport. But Miller wants him to give away some of the...

Nike's retail plan casts another cloud over Finish Line.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
March 5, 2007... Indianapolis-based Finish Line Inc. already had enough challenges, but here's another: Nike Inc., Finish Line's largest supplier, is revving up its own retail ambitions. Analysts, at least, see the Oregon-based company's move as a...

Mixed-use project would transform Lawrence: final piece of Fort Ben development includes residential, retail, offices.(Fort Harrison Reuse Authority)(Eden Land and Design Inc.)(Fort Benjamin Harrison project)
March 5, 2007... The final piece of a decade-long redevelopment of Fort Benjamin Harrison would give Lawrence a new downtown with shops, offices and public plazas mixed among as many as 1,000 condos, townhouses and apartments. The Fort Harrison Reuse...

Please pass the popcorn--and the cash: not-for-profits hope film encourages more donations.
March 5, 2007... The movie "Twister" inspired thousands of people to chase tornadoes. "Saturday Night Fever" compelled millions to don polyester and gyrate under a disco ball. But can a movie to be released March 9, "The Ultimate Gift," inspire the masses...

Group led by John Salley files counterclaim in ABA case: court battle could imperil future of fledgling league.(American Basketball Association)
March 5, 2007... Both sides in a contentious battle for control of the locally based American Basketball Association have agreed to play ball in out-of-court settlement talks. The two sides agreed to negotiate only after a trio of investors, led by former...

IU recognizes the talent within: McRobbie will provide a fresh start.(Michael McRobbie of Indiana University)(Editorial)
March 5, 2007... Michael McRobbie is from Australia, but he'll be the most Hoosier president of Indiana University since John Ryan stepped down 30 years ago. And that's something to celebrate. When the IU trustees on March 1 introduced McRobbie, now...

IMA art park is a grand slam.(Indianapolis Museum of Art's Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park)(Column)
March 5, 2007... Lest we overlook it among the rash of crimes, stock-market gyrations and General Assembly shenanigans reported in the media recently, the Indianapolis Museum of Art deserves some major kudos. Amid the chaos, the IMA announced the names of...

What's wrong with property taxes?(EYE ON THE PIE)(Column)
March 5, 2007... So much is going on in the Indiana General Assembly that it makes my head spin, which makes me dizzy and unfit for driving safely on the roads. That, plus the recent heavy snows, has made me a hermit. To re-enter society, I called Dr....

If they can't teach 'em, let's sue 'em!(Indiana educational system)(Column)
March 5, 2007... I have always been a big believer in education. It's something I got from my parents. They told me that, since I wasn't born into money and had no athletic ability, I better get a good education if I wanted to improve my chances of being...

City doesn't clear own sidewalks.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 5, 2007... Sorry, but I had to laugh when I read your [Feb. 19] editorial that government is threatening to crack down on people who don't clean their walks. I have been parking in the Westin garage for almost 14 years now and no one has ever cleared...

Dems' control of House has shifted legislative dynamics.(STATEHOUSE DISPATCH)(Indiana General Assembly)
March 5, 2007... The Indiana General Assembly has reached mid-session, the point at which bills originating in the House have passed to the Senate, and vice versa. Those bills that have not mustered enough votes to cross the rotunda are theoretically dead, but,...

Duo to pin down givers.(PHILANTHROPY)(United Way of Central Indiana fund raising campaign)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... The United Way of Central Indiana's 2007 fund-raising campaign will resemble a studio wrestling match. No, there won't be grimacing CEOs wearing tights, threatening to knock employers into the next life if they don't best last year's...

Casinos may get credits to offset 'racinos'.(French Lick Resorts and Casino LLC)
March 5, 2007... Owners of French Lick Resorts and Casino LLC were already concerned that the Indiana General Assembly might allow up to 5,000 slot. machines at Indiana's two horse racing tracks. But they might not be worried enough, according to Matt...

IUPUI trying again with tourism classes in Spanish.(TOURISM)(Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN, USA))(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... The IUPUI Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management is recruiting Spanish-speaking students to enroll for a class it will offer this fall on the basics of tourism and the hospitality industry. The school first offered the...

Century 21 At The Crossing Inc. has added the following sales associates.(REAL ESTATE)
March 5, 2007... Century 21 At The Crossing Inc. has added the following sales associates: Parminder Singh, Rita Miller, Chris Johnson, David Downs, Matthew McWhorter and Tom Prather.

316 Investments LLC.(RESTAURANTS)
March 5, 2007... Lance Aukerman has been named director of finance and administration for 316 Investments LLC. Ronnie Berry has joined as director of human resources.

Aztec Partners.(RESTAURANTS)
March 5, 2007... Bob Louden has been named vice president and general manager for Aztec Partners. Martha Briggs has been named senior accountant.

Accent on Business.(SERVICES)
March 5, 2007... Rachel Mahl has joined Accent on Business as director of business development.

ESI Environmental Inc.(SERVICES)
March 5, 2007... J. Gawlik has been named president and CEO of ESI Environmental inc.

Republic Airways Holdings Inc.(SERVICES)
March 5, 2007... Tom Ausbury has joined Republic Airways Holdings Inc. as director of customer service training.

Apparatus has added the following.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
March 5, 2007... Apparatus has added the following: Mike Allen, and Kevin Reynolds, solutions architects, and Chris Rozzi, design manager

Flexware Innovation Inc.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
March 5, 2007... John Donovan and Sheldon Shaw have joined Flexware Innovation Inc. as software engineers.

Quest Information Systems Inc.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
March 5, 2007... Jess Williams has been promoted to executive vice president of sales & consulting at Quest Information Systems Inc.

RND Group Inc.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
March 5, 2007... Kirk Payne has joined the RND Group Inc. as a lead software engineer.

DST changes may create time trials: an extended schedule threatens calendars on electronic devices.(Focus / TECH QUARTERLY)(daylight savings time)
March 5, 2007... It must seem like deja vu to Hoosier companies who again must prepare their computer networks for the confusion caused by daylight-saving time. Indiana's first-ever switch to DST last year triggered a mass adjustment of electronic clocks...

Could big year mean IPO for Aprimo? Analyst expects software firm to go public in near future, but company execs aren't ready to discuss possibility.(FOCUS / TECH QUARTERLY)
March 5, 2007... Last year was a good one for fast-growing local marketing software-maker Aprimo Inc. And this year could be even better. "It's not the beginning of the end; it's the end of the beginning," said Aprimo investor Mark Koulogeorge, managing...

Workshop addresses technology crime.(FOCUS / TECH QUARTERLY)
March 5, 2007... A free workshop on April 20 at the Purdue University College of Technology at Columbus is planned to teach business executives, information technology professionals and law enforcement officials how to work together to prevent computer-related...

Champ Car inks slot-car racing pact.(with AFX)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Champ Car, an Indianapolis-based open-wheel racing series, has entered a multi-year licensing agreement with AFX, a maker of model-sized slot cars and race tracks, to produce race sets in 2007. Financial terms of the deal were not...

Largest Indianapolis-area dial-up Internet access providers.(FOCUS / TECH QUARTERLY)(dial-up accounts)(Company rankings)
March 5, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Dial-Up Internet Access Providers (Ranked by local dial-up accounts) DIAL-UP RANK PROVIDER ACCOUNTS: 2006 ...

Electronic evidence a new reality in business litigation.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
March 5, 2007... Double-click, open, read and delete. Does this sequence for reading e-mail look familiar? Whether you work for a small- to medium-size business with few employees and a basic network of computers or part of a large corporation with its...

Amid all the complaining, U.S. continues to prosper.(BULLS & BEARS)(Interview)
March 5, 2007... A few weeks ago, I heard Ben Stein speak about politics and the economy. The noted lawyer, writer, actor and economist spouted off various positive statistics about the U.S. economy and then lamented that the public seemed morose about the...

How consumers respond when paper profits vanish.(ECONOMIC ANALYSIS)
March 5, 2007... Most market sages know it already, but there is always a new generation of investors that needs to relearn the lesson taught by this latest financial market volatility. Namely, that paper wealth is subject to change. Turning your financial...

Battle brewing between big business and the Web.(RETURN ON TECHNOLOGY)
March 5, 2007... The Web has always been viewed with suspicion by many people, but now it's become nothing less than the cause of copyright lawsuits against Ellen DeGeneres for letting a guest dance the Electric Slide, against the Girl Scouts for doing the...

Celadon buys Virginia trucking company.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Feb. 22 - Wed., Feb. 28)
March 5, 2007... Celadon Group Inc. has bought the truckload business and some trucks from Warrior Services Inc. of Charles City, Va., for $8.3 million. Indianapolis-based Celadon said Feb. 28 the acquisition broadens its customer base and adds drivers at a...

Delphi to lay off 133 workers in Anderson.(Stories reported in IBJ daily: Thurs., Feb. 22 - Wed., Feb. 28)
March 5, 2007... Delphi Corp., the bankrupt Michigan-based auto-parts supplier, has notified the Indiana Department of Workforce Development that it plans to lay off 133 workers at its Anderson ignition and generator plant by April 2. Anderson sustained a...

Africa.(FUND RAISING)(Africa by Design clothing )(Grace Assembly of God Church)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Africa to benefit from Africa by Design clothing company's 1st annual benefit concert for Africa at Grace Assembly of God Church, Whiteland, on March 2 from 7-9 p.m. Admission free. Call 887-1294 or knitman@integrity.com.

BehaviorCorp Inc.(GRANTS)
March 5, 2007... BehaviorCorp Inc. received $5,000 from Duke Energy Midwest Charitable Giving.

Positive Swing Inc.(GRANTS)
March 5, 2007... Positive Swing Inc. received a $30,000 matching grant from the U.S. Golf Association.

Crew Property Improvement Specialists.(IN RECOGNITION)
March 5, 2007... Crew Property Improvement Specialists was named 2006 Angie's List Super Service Award Recipient.

Stephen Russell.(IN RECOGNITION)
March 5, 2007... Stephen Russell, Celadon Group Inc, has been awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash.

Foundry Advertising.(IN RECOGNITION)
March 5, 2007... Foundry Advertising received nine awards at AdClub Indianapolis' 2007 Brass Ring Awards. See RECORDS page 36

Designing her dream: when clients wanted more, stylist opened new salon to expand range of services.(SMALL BIZ PROFILE: Swing Tyme Salon and Spa)(Stephanie Kirkland)
March 5, 2007... Stephanie Kirkland has known for a long time what she wanted. She's had it since 2000--when she opened Swing Tyme Salon and Spa. "I was one of those girls in high school who was interested in beauty and fashion," said Kirkland, 37. "I...

Relocation.(RECORDS)
March 5, 2007... Wilbur Smith Associates to 550 Virginia St., 46203. Phone 822-6269, fax 822-6273, wilbursmith.com.

Go German for a taste of the Irish.(TO DO LIST: ST. PATRICK'S DAY)(restaurants celebrating the festival)(Indianapolis Downtown Irish Fest)
March 5, 2007... The Rathskeller at the Athenaeum is as authentically German as any place you'll find on this side of the Atlantic. With the restaurant's founding in 1894, German immigrants imported all their best-loved traditions: a barrel-roofed beer...

Unbridled passion for horses.(Holly Banta of Woodard Emhardt Moriarty McNett and Henry L.L.P.)
March 5, 2007... Local attorney Holly Banta is used to taking on big challenges--whether she's litigating patent and copyright cases in federal court or putting a horse through its paces in the triathlon of equestrian sports. When she's not tending to...

A heapin' helpin' of straight-and-narrow satire.(NOTIONS)(discrimination against homosexuals)(Column)
March 5, 2007... ho.mo.pho.bia, noun: irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals --Merriam-Webster's Dictionary Hi. Big Brother here. You know me: Mr. Government-Knows-Best, Mr....

Here's Bird's take on the Pacers' fall from grace.(SPORTS)(dialogue with Larry Bird)(Interview)
March 5, 2007... Timing is everything, which meant I was in the caboose of the media train that rolled through Larry Bird's office recently. So by the time I sat down with the Indiana Pacers' president of basketball operations, Bird had pretty much heard, and...

Golf club resurrection: to save Pete Dye's first 18-hole course, a new owner calls back the master.(Maple Creek Golf and Country Club)
March 5, 2007... Maple Creek Golf and Country Club has a new owner eager to improve the east-side Indianapolis landmark by taking it back to its roots. The legendary designers of one of central Indiana's older courses have agreed to lend their name and...

Ensuring a swinging good time: organizers offer advice for hazard-free golf event.
March 5, 2007... Believe it or not, treating guests to an Ogio travel bag rather than a sleeve of Titleists is one way to improve your odds of luring a full slate of foursomes at your corporate golf outing. "If your gift bag is good, you're golden," said...

Most difficult Indianapolis-area golf courses.(Directory)(Table)
March 5, 2007... Most Difficult Indianapolis-Area Golf Courses (Ranked by USGA slope rating (1)) USGA SLOPE USDA COURSE RATING (1): RATING (2): RANK COURSE ...

Gora the explorer: Ball State chief always seeking new ways to build university's relevance, reputation.(Ball State University's Jo Ann Gora )
March 12, 2007... Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora keeps a schedule suited more to a political candidate than an academic. Take her schedule for Jan. 2526, when she motored from Muncie to Indianapolis to address a committee at the Indiana General...

Mansur lands airport hotel: $50 million-plus project at midfield terminal still faces design, financing, timing issues.(Mansur Real Estate Services Inc. )
March 12, 2007... The Indianapolis Airport Authority has tapped Mansur Real Estate Services Inc. to develop a $50 million-plus Westin hotel at the new midfield terminal. But the hotel's final design may be one submitted by a former competitor. ...

HH Gregg account goes up for grabs: only one local ad agency vying for contract; Pearson ends 24-year run with giant retailer.(Gregg Appliances Inc.)(Pearson McMahon Fletcher England)
March 12, 2007... HH Gregg--under increasing market pressure--has put its multimillion-dollar advertising account up for bid, and Pearson McMahon Fletcher England this month decided not to pursue the contract it has held for an unprecedented 24 years. That...

Wooing the Red Hats: over-50 women's society hotly pursued, tough to catch.(The Red Hat Society)(Organization overview)
March 12, 2007... They show up across central Indiana with increasing regularity--dozens of women dressed in purple and red, convening for tea, theater or shopping. And when they do, local businesses see green. Members of the Red Hat Society get together...

St. Elmo spinoff could go national: Harry & Izzy's dining concept aims for more casual crowd.
March 12, 2007... The owners of St. Elmo Steak House get dozens of requests a year to expand or franchise their landmark downtown restaurant. Their answer always has been no. But the strategy may be different for Harry & Izzy's, a St. Elmo spinoff...

Island gift fulfills developer's fantasy: IU turns donated beach property into lesson.(Indiana University)
March 12, 2007... Indiana University students have a piece of an island they want to sell you. If all goes well, they'll make the university millions of dollars-and learn a bundle about real-world business along the way. Kelley School of Business students...

WellPoint succession breeds unease on Wall Street.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
March 12, 2007... This isn't the WellPoint Inc. way. The last two times the Indianapolisbased health insurer appointed a CEO-when Ben Lytle took the job in 1989 and Larry Glasscock succeeded him in 1999--there was no drama. The board had publicly, and...

NFL Combine could leave Indianapolis after 20-plus years: event organizers want better deal after 2008.(National Football League)
March 12, 2007... Despite moving their headquarters from Tulsa to Indianapolis last year, the organizers of the NFL Scouting Combine said the event could move following 2008. "We're still in the midst of data collection, so it's difficult to evaluate this...

Snubbing of 'queen of the skies' to save millions: airport decides it can't justify taxiway upgrades with FedEx cancellation of 'super-jumbo' Airbus A380.
March 12, 2007... Indianapolis International Airport won't be rolling out an expensive red carpet for the new "queen of the skies," in the form of millions of dollars in taxiway modifications for the Airbus A380. Not only did airport tenant FedEx cancel its...

XM-Sirius merger is threat to local HD radio: local broadcasters hustle to launch digital channels.(Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. merges)
March 12, 2007... The news of a potential merger between New York-based Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Washington, D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. comes at a critical time for local radio station operators. If the merger draws more listeners,...

J.D. Byrider disputes sale of three dealerships: franchisees may balk at increasing cost of business.(J.D. Byrider Autos Inc. plans for its growth with technology development)
March 12, 2007... Used-car chain J.D. Byrider spent the last year recovering from the tragic death of its founder. It responded by posting its highest sales ever, $690 million. "It's been tough emotionally," said Steven E. Wedding, chief financial officer...

Time has come to hit accelerator: mass transit should pet some gas.(EDITORIAL)(Indiana, Department of Transportation issues rule for local transit to help commuters)(Editorial)
March 12, 2007... Rapid transit in central Indiana is moving forward at the same painstakingly slow pace as a minivan on Interstate 69 during rush hour. Ironic, isn't it--that the potential solution to gridlock seems to be spinning its wheels? Planners...

Hoosiers, wake up to the world.(Commentary)
March 12, 2007... Don't rest the chopsticks on your food. Don't blow your nose during the meal and never pour the soy sauce on your rice. These and other tidbits of Japanese dining etiquette had to be digested before our first trade mission to Japan in 2005....

Corrections.(Correction notice)
March 12, 2007... * A story on page 1 last week misstated the number of U.S. independent Blue Cross or Blue Shield plans not controlled by Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. According to the Chicago-based Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, there are 41 so-called...

Unsolicited advice for IU's next president.(EYE ON THE PIE)(Michael A. McRobbie appointed as president for Indiana University)
March 12, 2007... Congratulations, Dr. McRobbie, on being selected as Indiana University's next president. I've read that you are committed to helping IU become more active in the state's economic development. I've heard that from every IU president since 1...

How to improve Indy's 2011 Super Bowl.(Commentary)(National Football League to help donate to needfull players in future)
March 12, 2007... Feb. 4, 2007, will be a day fondly remembered in Indianapolis for generations to come. It was the day the Indianapolis Colts emerged victorious from Super Bowl XLI. The Super Bowl media exposure, combleed with the city's proud history of...

Column on investing was valuable.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... I will look forward to reading columns [by Mark Maddox] into the future. [In the Feb. 19 issue] he tackled a complicated subject and it would take several more columns to lead the reader through the information necessary to arm oneself for...

Indiana needs to be more inclusive.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... You will no doubt receive many angry e-mails about Bruce Hetrick's [March 5] column, l, for one, want to thank you for printing it. As a lifelong Hoosier, a businessperson and supporter of equal rights for all, I think we can do better in...

Being 'world-class' means embracing all.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... Bruce Hetrick's column regarding homophobic government and "straight and narrow satire" hit the nail directly on its head. It baffles me why a state so concerned with brain drain, world-class cities, and other such issues would work so hard to...

Write to legislator about amendment.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... Thank you so much for [Bruce Hettick's March 5 column], l am working to help stop this upcoming amendment. It is harmful to not only the gay community but to the heterosexual community as well. If only people would see that. One way to...

Discrimination is a Hoosier turnoff.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... To begin with, thank you! Thank you for your incredibly poignant article about legislation impacting Indiana's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. I grew up in a very rural area of Illinois, my high school days, even as a...

Thanks for column on coaches, faith.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
March 12, 2007... [Bill] Benner's [Feb. 19] "coaches of faith" article was great, as it stated the truth about sports media, while kindly challenging the position of [Rick] Telander's article in the Chicago SunTimes. It has prompted me to briefly write...

Daniels shows Peyton's poise, focusing on second half.(Mitch Daniels, Peyton Manning)
March 12, 2007... Bills that remain alive in the current session of the Indiana General Assembly now have moved from their chamber of origin across the Rotunda, and lawmakers are ready for the task of considering House bills in the Senate, and vice versa. ...

Rokita pushes for March primary.(Todd Rokita speaks on primaries)
March 12, 2007... Vying for their party's 2008 presidential nomination, Democratic candidates like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are already criss-crossing the country for public appearances. Ditto their Republican counterparts Rudy Giuliani and John McCain....

21st Century Fund tweaked, but remains unfunded.(GOVERNMENT)(Indianapolis Economic Development Corp.)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has won a skirmish over the Indiana 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. But renewal of the fund still faces an uphill battle. The 21st Century Fund is the state's primary vehicle for...

State Farm ups ante in Indiana.(INSURANCE)(State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. to reduce its dividend rates )(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... State Farm ups ante in Indiana State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. has cut its rates and announced a dividend for its Indiana auto policyholders. State Farm's move comes as auto insurers are increasingly competitive in their drive to...

Law firm lands insurance veteran.(LAW)(Amy Strati appointed at Baker and Daniels)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Amy Strati, who once served as acting commissioner of the Indiana Department of Insurance, has joined Baker & Daniels LLP. Strati began March 5 and is practicing in the firm's Insurance and Financial Services Group, concentrating on...

WISH, WTHR claim TV news ratings victories in February.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Once again, WISH-TV Channel 8 and WTHR-TV Channel 13 are both claiming victory in the war for local news viewership. TV news ratings are critical for local affiliates because they "affect what advertisers are charged for time during the...

Bidding open to build the Cultural Trail.(TOURISM)
March 12, 2007... The deadline for proposals to be the company building the first leg of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene and Marilyn Glick is March 22. The winning bidder must begin work May 1 to tear out the existing sidewalk and move...

Buses come to the rescue.(TRANSPORTATION)(IndyGo offers express bus services)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... IndyGo is offering express bus service from the east side to downtown to help alleviate vehicle traffic during the "Super 70" interstate reconstruction that runs through November. One express run will be on Route 8 Washington Street,...

Just take this sidewalk and shovel it?(THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW)(Denison Parking)(civil rights)
March 12, 2007... Did you know that, when it snows, you have a legal obligation to shovel the sidewalk in front of your house and business? If you don't, the city can fine you up to $50. That's right: 50 big ones. And if a pedestrian slips on your...

Greg Fox has joined Apex Benefits Group Inc.(INSURANCE)
March 12, 2007... * Greg Fox has joined Apex Benefits Group Inc. as benefits consultant.