Indianapolis Business Journal articles from May 2004

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from May 2004

Museum exhibit takes big steps: Dinosphere breaks fund-raising ground.
May 3, 2004... It's been 65 million years since Bucky and his brethren kicked up their heels, so what's another few weeks? Far too long, apparently. Dinosaurs will be besting out of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis this week as crews assemble an...

Utility critics say buyouts drain talent: after 2 years, city's water deal still under fire.
May 3, 2004... Two years after the city purchased the former Indianapolis Water Co., its manager is no longer bound by an agreement to keep roughly 200 non-union employees on staff. As a result, about 30 of them have accepted a buyout offer that includes...

Preschool chain targets north side: Primrose lured by fast-growing population.
May 3, 2004... A national preschool chain has set its sights on central Indiana, planning to open five locations in the next few years and twice that in the not-too-distant future. It's no wonder, considering the region includes many of the state's...

Transplant costs can pile up: intangibles make these specialties worthwhile for providers.
May 3, 2004... Clarian Health Partners recently trumpeted a 23-percent increase in volume for its organ transplant center, which has become the country's fourth-largest. Its surgeons transplanted 531 organs last year, a total that trails only giants in...

Rolls-Royce getting lean to grow plant long-term: new COO bears pressure to increase operation's profitability.
May 3, 2004... Building blocks laid by Rolls-Royce Plc at the former Allison's operation, which it bought from General Motors Corp. in 1995, are starting to significantly change the landscape at the west-side manufacturing plant. Officials at the firm's...

Venture firms receive $51m: Burrill to announce national-scale life sciences conference.
May 3, 2004... As investors and entrepreneurs convene in Indianapolis this week for the Indiana Venture Conference, the air will be thick with expectation. After more than a year of preparations, the $73 million Indiana Future Fund has made its first...

Defibrillator cost quandary puts Medicare on hot seat.(Behind The News)
May 3, 2004... The nuances of Medicare reimbursement may seem sleep-inducing. But one policy decision soon to play out in Washington could have sweeping implications for medical-device maker Guidant Corp. and, most important, for elderly and disabled...

New leadership team begins steering Duke ship: Dennis Oklak picks up where Thomas Hefner leaves off; former executives stay on through transition.
May 3, 2004... With characteristically little fanfare, Duke Realty Corp. on April 28 passed into a new era of leadership at its first annual shareholders' meeting following the retirement of longtime executives Thomas L. Hefner, Darrell E. "Gene" Zink Jr. and...

Statehouse races decided before polls even open: few primary races and uncontested candidates mean single-party rule dominates most Indiana districts.
May 3, 2004... Polls for Indiana's primary election don't open until May 4. And the general election remains half a year away. But partisan control of a majority of the open seats in Indiana's Statehouse has already been decided. Of 100 races in the...

Indiana Fever sign landmark deal with Galyans: presenting sponsor could pave way to profitability.
May 3, 2004... The Indiana Fever recently signed on Galyans Trading Co. Inc. as the team's "presenting sponsor," making the franchise the only local professional sports team with such a sponsorship. It's also only the second WNBA team to nab a presenting...

K-9s offer solution to growing fowl problem: Geese Wranglers use dogs to help businesses combat feathered nuisances.
May 3, 2004... A pair of Canada geese test the chilly waters of a retention pond near the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Others mingle along the banks, oblivious to the two sport-utility vehicles entering a nearby parking lot. With a "Go Fetch"...

Clarion tapping into water-monitoring market: locally based company emerging in an industry created by 9/11 and concern about future terrorist attacks.
May 3, 2004... A local developer of a water-monitoring system is making a splash in the burgeoning industry of homeland security post-9/11. The U.S. military has begun using Clarion Sensing Systems Inc.'s water contamination detector that is monitored...

Don't overlook Indiana's primary: your vote May 4 is important.(Editorial)
May 3, 2004... The numbers are astounding. Of the 100 seats that should be up for grabs in the Indiana House of Representatives this November, it's likely voters will have a say in only 47 of them. There's no contest in most of the districts. The primary...

Transit authority gets another chance.(Editorial)
May 3, 2004... The last time creating a regional transportation authority was proposed here, the City-County Council left neighboring communities at the altar. In 2001, the Council rejected the idea of a regional transit planning entity over fears it...

Endowment key to developing workers: without Lilly Endowment, Indianapolis would be nowhere close to what it is today.(Commentary)
May 3, 2004... Four years ago, I met with a group of business leaders from Louisville who came to Indianapolis on a mission. They wanted to find out what made Indianapolis a success and how they could emulate it to make their city comparable. I told...

Corrections.(Editorial)(Correction Notice)
May 3, 2004... * Electronics retailer H.H. Gregg maintains a store at 10101 E. Washington St. A story last week on redevelopment of the Lafayette Square area Incorrectly stated that the store had moved. * A securities document that listed a Wisconsin...

Is too much prime property tax-free? Either require all landowners, including not-for-profits, to pay property taxes or prohibit those organizations from owning real property.(Eye On The Pie)
May 3, 2004... Imagine my surprise to discover that radical ideas exist in South Bend. There are people espousing radical thoughts not far from the campus of the University of Notre Dame. These are not bomb-throwing anarchists, but perfectly respectable...

City's progress is slow but steady: it is not unusual these days to see arts-related articles on the front page of our newspapers ...(Commentary)
May 3, 2004... Those of us who submit opinion columns to IBJ are given an opportunity to sound off on community topics. Over the past two years, I have written about everything from springtime in Indianapolis to SUSAN Hoosier obesity. WILLIAMS Here is a...

Hetrick column is highlight of paper.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 3, 2004... I have never written a letter to the editor but wanted to express my opinion on Bruce Hetrick's column. Please keep this column! It is my favorite column in your paper. I have clipped several columns to pass on to colleagues and my sons who are...

'Under God' belongs in nation's Pledge.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 3, 2004... I am a subscriber and reader of IBJ and look forward to reading it each week. Though I am not normally one to write to the editor, I just had to respond to a [April 26] letter from Lloyd Wilkinson. I, too, am one of the older, or as he put...

Simons have been good to Indianapolis.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
May 3, 2004... The letter in your [April 12] issue titled, "Is Simon committed to Indianapolis?" by Bill Ehret deserves a response. Calling the Simon move a "devastating loss" for downtown while at the same time questioning their commitment to our...

Clinical hypnosis is a valuable tool.(Opinions)
May 3, 2004... As the chair of the Indiana State Hypnotist Committee, I was pleased to have been interviewed for the Health Care Focus article, "Hoosier hypnotists discover increasing acceptance" [in the April 19 issue]. As the article points out, we...

A hope for future corporate citizenship.(Opinions)
May 3, 2004... As I prepared to leave [Union Planters Bank] for the last time in my career, I took the chance to reflect on the past 34 wonderful years of this exciting market we have in Indianapolis. Although the economic landscape has changed a bit...

Lauth makes Orange County casino play.(On The Beat)
May 3, 2004... Locally based developer Lauth Property Group Inc. has thrown its hat in the ring as part of a team vying to build a casino in Orange County. Lauth, through an affiliate called Orange County Partners LLC, has teamed up with Merit Gaming...

City Market lines up local artists for music stage.(Arts)
May 3, 2004... City Market will kick off a summer-long music series May 3 on a new stage set up on its west side. Performers, including a Roncalli High School jazz group, Circle City Bluegrass Band and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble,...

Board finds little fault with Zollman's actions.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... The Indiana Medical Licensing Board dismissed two allegations of fraud against Dr. Wally Zollman and issued only a letter of reprimand for a third after listening to the Indianapolis plastic surgeon and a few other witnesses at a hearing late...

The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. added six members to its Central Indiana Region Board of Directors.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... The Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Inc. added six members to its Central Indiana Region Board of Directors, which covers the St. Francis Hospital & Health centers in Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville. New members are Mary...

Local firm sells growing bike accessory company.(Manufacturing)
May 3, 2004... LDI Ltd., a locally based investment company, recently sold its stake in one of the bicycling industry's fastest growing manufacturers. San Francisco-based Swander Pace Capital bought Answer Products from LDI in April for an undisclosed...

BMA honors B2B efforts.(Media & Marketing)
May 3, 2004... The Indianapolis chapter of the Business Marketing Association has handed out its annual Circle Awards recognizing excellence in business-to-business marketing. Accounting firm BKD LLP's local office won best-of-show honors for an...

Veolia Water partners with minority contractors.(Minority Business)
May 3, 2004... Veolia Water Indianapolis LLC, manager of the city's water utility, has forged a relationship with minority-owned contractors Prairie Concrete and Baja Concrete & Materials. The affiliation, in which Veolia will direct nearly $250,000 in...

Local NFPs need volunteers to 'Get on Board'.(Philanthropy)
May 3, 2004... With nearly a third of not-for-profit board positions vacant at any given time, it's no wonder charitable organizations in Indianapolis are looking for help finding qualified volunteers. More than 100 Marion County agencies applied for 80...

Westfield retail center dropped in annexation battle.(Retail)
May 3, 2004... Citing pressure from the Westfield Town Council, local retail developer Flynn and Zinkan Realty Co. on April 26 pulled a petition for a 17-acre development with 100,000 square feet of retail space at 161st Street and Springmill Road. The...

Purdue's Technology Center to add 60,000 square feet.(Technology)
May 3, 2004... Purdue University's research park is adding 60,000 square feet to its business incubator, doubling the size of its flagship facility for new entrepreneurs. Indianapolis-based Shiel Sexton will manage construction of the addition to...

Vehicle designers square off.(Transportation)
May 3, 2004... The Indianapolis-based Institute for Affordable Transportation will have its fourth annual basic utility vehicle design competition May 8 at 3940 W. 121st St. in Zionsville. Fifteen prototype vehicles designed by engineering students across...

Kroger shoppers add medical care to grocery lists: chain may introduce health centers in central Indiana.
May 3, 2004... Some central Indiana Kroger stores might take one-stop shopping one step further next year if the company decides to introduce mini-medical offices to the region. Last year, FastCare Family Health Centers opened in two of the grocery...

Bandy Carroll Hellige Advertising.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
May 3, 2004... Justin Combs and Christian Mehall have joined Bandy Carroll Hellige Advertising as account coordinators. Nichole Ireland has been promoted to account manager. Amy Sandfort has been promoted to account manager at Bandy Carroll Hellige Public...

Walker Information.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
May 3, 2004... Jen Haggerty and Amanda Loyd have joined Walker Information as project directors, Client Services Department.

Kristian Andersen + Associates.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
May 3, 2004... * Nathan Sinsabaugh has joined Kristian Andersen + Associates as a graphic designer.

REACH USA.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)
May 3, 2004... Dan Smith has joined REACH USA as a key account executive/ special projects coordinator.

Banning Engineering P.C.(Architecture/Design/Engineering)
May 3, 2004... Kevin Cavanaugh has joined Banning Engineering P.C. as director of Engineering. Brian Wagner has joined as a land surveyor assistant.

BSA LifeStructures.(Architecture/Design/Engineering)
May 3, 2004... BSA LifeStructures has promoted the following to senior associates: * Steve Bauer, * Miguel Betancourt, * Brett Bonenberger, * Karen Courtney, * Sam Jackson, * Daniel McDaniel, * Dan Miles, * Todd Reust and * Clay Springer.

Greeley and Hansen LLC.(Architecture/Design/Engineering)
May 3, 2004... Brett Barber has joined Greeley and Hansen LLC, Indianapolis office.

National City Bank of Indiana.(Banking)
May 3, 2004... Brent A. Holmes has been named leasing sales representative at National City Bank of Indiana.

Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co.(Banking)
May 3, 2004... * Christopher J. Barr has Barr been named cash management representative, Indianapolis market, at Irwin Union Bank and Trust Co.

Union Federal Bank.(Banking)
May 3, 2004... * Raymond L. Gusky has been promoted to senior vice president, Compliance, at Union Federal Bank.

KeyBank.(Banking)
May 3, 2004... * Charles E. Pike has been named financial advisor at McDonald Financial Group at KeyBank.

American Pianists Association.(Civic/Not-For-Profit)
May 3, 2004... The American Pianists Association has added the following officers: * Tom Henry, Woodard Emhardt Moriarty McNett & Henry, chairman; Christel DeHaan, immediate past president; Helen Small, president and CEO; Alpha Blackburn and Carolyn Hardman,...

American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division Inc.(Civic/Not-For-Profit)
May 3, 2004... Leslie Smith Babione has been named director of Communications, American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Division Inc.

Lumina Foundation for Education.(Civic/Not-For-Profit)
May 3, 2004... Tim Legesse has been named director of Alternative Investments for Lumina Foundation for Education. Dollyne Pettingill Sherman has been named director of Communications.

Local Initiatives Support Corp.(Civic/Not-For-Profit)
May 3, 2004... Local Initiatives Support Corp. has named the following new local advisory committee members: Mark Grant, Ice Miller; and Mark Dollose, Historic Landmarks Foundation. Andrew Burroughs, Pedcor Investments, has been named chairman. Jon Diggins,...

Poynter Sheet Metal.(Construction)
May 3, 2004... Poynter Sheet Metal has named the following: Jerrid Robinson, design and build engineer; * Chris Carson, Carson project manager; and Tana Curry, project management assistant.

Shiel Sexton Co.(Construction)
May 3, 2004... Shiel Sexton Co. has added the following: David Smith, project manager; and Terry Summers, estimator; Larry Love and Tim Sheets, superintendents.

Butler University.(Education)
May 3, 2004... * Christine N. Carlson has been named director of donor relations, Office of University Advancement, at Butler University.

House Investments--Real Estate Opportunity Fund III LP.(Finance)
May 3, 2004... * Tony Schneider, Schneider Huse & Associates LLC, has been elected to the advisory committee of House Investments--Real Estate Opportunity Fund III LP.

Hospital Program at Community Hospital.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... Dr. Shekar Narayanan has been named cancer liaison physician for the Hospital Program at Community Hospital.

Carmel Family Practice.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... Dr. Laura Johnson and Dr. Joan Duwve have joined Carmel Family Practice.

St. Vincent Carmel Hospital.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... St. Vincent Carmel Hospital has named the following medical executive committee: * Dr. ReseMarie Jones, president; * Dr. Craig Ciecura, past president; * Dr. James Hardacker, president elect; * Dr. Joseph Kern; Dr. Robert Stephens; Dr. MRch...

Health Care Excel.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... Health Care Excel has added the following: Allan Arkush, medical director, Indiana Medical Policy and Review Services; Brigitte Baker, executive director, Center for Enterprise Solutions; Penny Dyer, medical policy specialist; Marisa King and...

OnRamp Medical Communications.(Health Care)
May 3, 2004... Ryan Duncan has joined OnRamp Medical Communications as an account executive.

Conseco.(Insurance)
May 3, 2004... Shane M. Burris has been promoted to vice president, human resources, for Conseco. Richard E. Layman has been promoted to vice president, accounting operations.

Bingham McHale.(Law)
May 3, 2004... Bingham McHale has named the following partners: Kandy Kilkelly Hidde, Mike Padgett, Laura Moenning Smith and Amy Stewart.

Feiwell & Hannoy PC.(Law)
May 3, 2004... Michael J. Feiwell has joined Feiwell & Hannoy PC as a partner.

Locke Reynolds LLP.(Law)
May 3, 2004... Gregory G. Taylor has joined Locke Reynolds LLP as senior counsel.

Baker & Daniels.(Law)
May 3, 2004... * Jeffrey Mills has returned to Baker & Daniels as an associate on the Commercial Financial and Bankruptcy Team.

Plews Shadley Racher & Braun.(Law)
May 3, 2004... * Donald Bogard has been named of counsel to Plews Shadley Racher & Braun.

Threaded Rod Co. Inc.(Manufacturing)
May 3, 2004... Harold Wallen has joined Threaded Rod Co. Inc. as director of sales & marketing.

Bright House Networks Indiana.(Media)
May 3, 2004... Troy A. Bruinsma has joined Bright House Networks Indiana as director of marketing.

Re/Max of Indiana.(Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... * Uli Leib has joined Re/Max of Indiana as franchise development director.

Lauth Property Group.(Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Lauth Property Group has added the following: * John Eppink, project manager; * Laurie Schultz, market analyst healthcare; and * Jenny Stomp, accountant.

The Precedent Cos.(Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... * Daryl Knecht has been named vice president of sales and marketing for The Precedent Cos.

Duke Realty Corp.(Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... * Bridget Farren has joined Duke Realty Corp. as vice president of Retail Development.

NAI Olympia Partners.(Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Mark R. Figg has been named vice president and principal of NAI Olympia Partners.

Hoosier Park at Anderson.(Sports)
May 3, 2004... Raymond "Butch" Cook has been named director of Thoroughbred racing for Hoosier Park at Anderson.

Zent Consulting.(Services)
May 3, 2004... Tricia Wilson has been promoted to vice president of operations at Zent Consulting.

Netfor.(Technology/Telecommunications)
May 3, 2004... Ed McDonough has joined Netfor as a printer specialist.

ESCO Communications.(Technology/Telecommunications)
May 3, 2004... Rick Ford has joined ESCO Communications as vice president of Operations. Laura Smith has been promoted to purchasing assistant.

Trasys.(Technology/Telecommunications)
May 3, 2004... John W. Dalton has been named national account manager at Trasys.

Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc.(Utility)
May 3, 2004... John R. Bear has joined the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator Inc. as chief operating officer.

Market showing signs of life: commercial real estate experts see steady improvement amid tough competition.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... On April 16, as part of its Power Breakfast Series, the Indianapolis Business Journal convened a panel of local commercial real estate and construction experts to discuss industry conditions in the local market. In an hour-long discussion...

Activity, not deals, on rise for many industrial brokers: developers optimistic enough to add more bulk space.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Signs point to an increase in interest in industrial real estate space in the Indianapolis area. Yet, according to some industry observers, a flurry of activity hasn't amounted to many signed deals. "There have been several new deals...

Five groups in running to develop 6 acres on Canal: local players, Boston firms seek life sciences project.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Several of the area's biggest names in real estate are on the short list to develop six acres of land owned by Clarian Health Partners on the Central Canal. Five groups will give presentations on their proposals for the land at a May 7...

Developers of small office buildings find steady market: residential growth attracting small-business tenants.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... While most developers of large, multitenant office space wait out the doldrums of the local market by focusing their attention elsewhere, builders of smaller structures in suburban locales are reporting steady business. These neighborhood...

First Industrial has busy quarter.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Chicago-based First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. announced it signed more than 425,000 square feet worth of leases for warehouse space ha the Indianapolis market in the first quarter. The leases were for First Industrial properties on the east...

Re/Max office has high hopes for 'condo' office concept: realtor selling small spaces in Fishers headquarters.(Commercial Real Estate)
May 3, 2004... Why rent when you can own has been a key sales pitch of residential real estate agents for years. Now there's an experiment going on to see if the same thing works in the office market. Re/Max Preferred of Fishers is building a...