Indianapolis Business Journal articles from November 2007

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from November 2007

Now solo, VP set to expand: chain plans $15M in fixes, may double stores.
November 5, 2007... Convenience store stalwart Village Pantry has launched a $15-million plan to renovate 146 stores and is eyeing acquisitions that could double the chain's size in three years. The moves come as Village Pantry separates from parent Marsh...

$2 billion challenge: Lilly under gun to replace aging blockbuster Zyprexa.
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There's a $2 billion hole in Eli Lilly and Co.'s future. That's roughly how much pretax profit Lilly derives each year from its best-seller, Zyprexa, according to calculations by IBJ. And it's how much black ink will...

ATA parent shifts HQ to Georgia: Global Aero Logistics says subsidiary will stay in Indy.(ATA Holdings Corp. buys World Air Holdings)
November 5, 2007... The writing has been on the wall that Indianapolis might lose the headquarters for ATA Airlines and/or parent Global Aero Logistics ever since April, when Global said it was buying Georgia-based World Air Holdings. Now, the writing is on...

True trailblazer: Payne paved way for Cultural Trail project.
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To understand the uniqueness of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, not just to Indiana but to the country, it might be helpful to consider an outsider's opinion: "It's an idea that is so radical as far as civic...

Changes roil Babe Denny: turf war unfolds in neighborhood by stadium.
November 5, 2007... A long-neglected neighborhood south of downtown called Babe Denny suddenly is in the spotlight, attracting attention from city planners, code enforcers, land speculators and a politically connected attorney. The neighborhood, which sits...

Gambles paying off for Centaur CEO: Hoosier Park owner raises $1B for projects.
November 5, 2007... Rod Ratcliff still remembers the day nearly 20 years ago when he entered an off-track betting parlor for the first time. He was working for the Chicago Board of Trade back then, and his rail commute passed by one. Ratcliff noticed the hordes of...

Smooth sailing for Simon, despite economic squall?(BEHIND THE NEWS)
November 5, 2007... Retail pundits are trotting out all the downbeat analogies these days, as they fret that high gas prices and the slumping housing market will crimp consumer spending the rest of the year. As Carl Steidtmann. chief economist at Deloitte...

Medical-device startup lands venture capital: Symbios bringing orphan Biomet technology to market.
November 5, 2007... When large companies make innovations that don't fit their business plan, the discovery often ends up gathering dust on a shelf. But entrepreneurs are eager to build new companies around these orphaned technologies. Four years ago, Jeffrey...

Fine arts programs prepare students for real world: artists taught how to deal with galleries, market work.
November 5, 2007... Most fine arts students used to exist in a bubble--running to class in paint-splattered clothing and practically living in their studios, channeling their muse and honing their craft. Once they graduated, those who were driven enough to try to...

Midwest Mole tunnels into large local projects: east-side company in unusual niche makes mark.(Midwest Mole Inc.)
November 5, 2007... In the face of a slumping local economy in the early 1980s, several national construction firms packed up and left Indianapolis. One locally based salesman, Len Liotti, was given a choice--move to St. Louis along with his job at tunneling...

Five years after merger, agency out of the woods: Big Brothers Big Sisters moving in the right direction.
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Big Brothers of Indianapolis and Big Sisters of Central Indiana merged five years ago in hopes of mentoring more at-risk children, but turnover at the top of the organization has made it hard to get the ball rolling....

Daniels' tax plan is good first step: next up: government restructuring.(EDITORIAL)(Jr. Mitchell E. Daniels)
November 5, 2007... Gov. Mitch Daniels' property tax reform plan sets out a reasonable framework for overhauling a system gone bad. The fact the governor's property tax proposal has provoked the business community only proves that Daniels is willing to agitate his...

Is receptionist pay vital information?(Commentary)(Viewpoint essay)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The office was abuzz when I walked in on a Monday morning in late August 2006. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. staff was upset and it didn't take long to find out why. The Indianapolis Star had published their...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
November 5, 2007... * There were errors last week in a headline and photo caption that accompanied a story on page one about a dispute over land near Lucas Oil Stadium. The headline should have said "State fights for parcel." Attorney Paul Roland's name was...

Many are fans of 'the man's' plan.(EYE ON THE PIE)(Jr. Mitchell E. Daniels)
November 5, 2007... This is why I like Mitch Daniels. Speaking about his property-tax program, he said, "When Indiana acts this time, and act we must, our steps must be fair, far-reaching and final," Look at that alliteration... "fair, far-reaching and final."...

To the victor go the schools?(Commentary)
November 5, 2007... I have no idea who will get the job of mayor of Indianapolis come Nov. 7. But whoever it is can make a real difference in this town by tackling its most pressing issue: public schools. Good schools are the lifeblood of any community. They...

Many Martinsville folks are friendly.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... I read the article in the Oct. 15 edition regarding Martinsville. I was very excited to learn that there is a group (PRIDE) working to change Martinsville's image for the better. My 14-year-old daughter and I were talking about this very...

Mass transit is long overdue.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... Support for mass transit in the Indy metro area is growing, especially by those who find themselves in what the IBJ editorial (Oct. 22) calls a "nightmare." The time for mass transit isn't today, it was yesterday. While the Indiana...

Non-union workers have high standards.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... I thought I had entered a time warp as I was reading Mike Hicks' [column] "Why the nation's union movement is in decline" (Oct. 8). It has been a long time since I have seen (or heard) someone claim or imply that the trade or craft...

Taking exception to column on IU.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... I enjoyed [Bill Benner's Oct. 22] article about Indiana University, our alma mater. I think it was reasonably fair and balanced. At the same time, I would take issue with two points: First, why fire the assistant coach? I happen to think...

What is wrong with Christian Chamber?(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... What is so offensive about a Christian Chamber of Commerce? Are you offended because you would be excluded? I have to give an atta-boy to those "weak-kneed, mealy, meek, walk all over me and I'll turn the other cheek" Christians. I...

Ratings are valuable.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
November 5, 2007... The fact that the hospital ratings from Healthgrades [reported in the Oct. 17 online Health Care Weekly[ did not identify one "best" hospital in Indianapolis should not come as a surprise. Every hospital has areas where they excel and areas...

Nurse society gets new leader.(HEALTH CARE)(Honor Society of Nursing)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... After the retirement of its longtime leader, the Indianapolis-based Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, will have a new CEO this week. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Patricia E. Thompson, a registered nurse with a...

Eli Lilly and Co. and WellPoint Inc. are making disaster relief donations for the victims of wildfires in southern California.(HEALTH CARE)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Eli Lilly and Co. and WellPoint Inc. are making disaster relief donations for the victims of wildfires in southern California. Lilly, the Indianapolis drugmaker, promised to split $100,000 among three...

Suros faces another patent headache.(ON THE BEAT)
November 5, 2007... Suros Surgical Systems Inc.'s patent protection problems may be widening. Cincinnati-based Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. filed a patent complaint against Suros Oct. 5 in the U.S. District Court's Southern District of Ohio Western Division. The...

Arcadia HealthCare hires Miller White to do marketing.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... MillerWhite LLC, an ad agency with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, announced it has signed an agency of record deal with Arcadia HealthCare, the health and life sciences company that recently announced it is moving its headquarters to...

MZD Advertising.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Rich Lunseth appointed by advertising agency)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... * Rich Lunseth was recently hired as creative director at MZD Advertising. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Before joining MZD, he worked for Pearson McMahon Fletcher England for eight years, where he served as senior art director on several...

Study: not-for-profits have economic punch for Indiana.(PHILANTHROPY)(Report)
November 5, 2007... The not-for-profit sector now employs one in 12 Hoosiers and has a payroll of $7.4 billion, according to a new study by Indiana University. The sector employs at least 235,000, or about as many as the food sector, according to Indiana...

A 'green' business park.(REAL ESTATE)(Holladay Properties contracts with Indiana Wildlife Federation )(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] South Bend-based Holladay Properties and the Indiana Wildlife Federation have dedicated the state's first "Certified Wildlife-Friendly Development." The 1,500-acre AmeriPlex Business Park, southwest of the...

Most small businesses saw property tax increase.(SMALL BUSINESS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... More than 80 percent of Indiana small-business owners who responded to a survey done by the National Federation of Independent Business experienced property tax increases this year. Nearly 600 businesses responded to the survey about property...

Big Ten tournament marketing, operations plan unveiled.(SPORTS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Big Ten and Indianapolis officials have unveiled a new logo and branding campaign for the 2008-2012 Big Ten Basketball Tournaments. The men's and women's tournaments will be in Conseco Fieldhouse the next five years. Created by...

IU's patent focus pays off.(TECHNOLOGY)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Indiana University's increased concentration on producing new proprietary discoveries is paying off. The IU Research & Technology Corp. reports that IU faculty and staff filed 116 patent applications during the university's fiscal year 2007, a...

Powerway Inc.(TECHNOLOGY)
November 5, 2007... * Locally based manufacturing supply chain software-maker Powerway Inc. has added a new chief information officer to its four-member management team. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As CIO, Alan Ackroyd, who has worked for Powerway since 1999,...

On the drawing board: new Park 100 hotel.(TOURISM)
November 5, 2007... Indianapolis-based Schahet Hotels is building a 113-room Hampton Inn near Park 100. The four-story, 66,749-square-feet building is expected to open in fall 2008 at 5900 W. 73rd St. The new construction will be across Woodland Drive from two...

Bridget Deer and Jeff Bodkin have joined Kemper CPA Group LLP, Greenfield.(ACCOUNTING)
November 5, 2007... Bridget Deer and Jeff Bodkin have joined Kemper CPA Group U.P, Greenfield, as staff accountants.

Simons Bitzer & Associates, CPAs and Strategic Business Advisors.(ACCOUNTING)(Keith Bauer)(Beth Uselmann)(Erica Leipus)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Simons Bitzer & Associates, CPAs and Strategic Business Advisors, has named the following: * Keith Bauer, senior manager of business advisory services; * Beth Uselmann, senior accounting & tax analyst; and * Erica Leipus, staff accountant. ...

Ken Stalcup has joined Somerset CPAs.(ACCOUNTING)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Ken Stalcup has joined Somerset CPAs as a manager, assurance team.

Gregory Wiles and Lester Li have joined.(ACCOUNTING)
November 5, 2007... Gregory Wiles and Lester U have joined Resources Global Professionals.

Nicole K. Palmer has joined London Witte & Co. LLP.(ACCOUNTING)
November 5, 2007... * Nicole K. Palmer has joined London Witte & Co. LLP as a staff accountant. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Christy Randolph has joined Young & Laramore as an account manager.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS)
November 5, 2007... * Christy Randolph has joined Young & Laramore as an account manager. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jim Coryell.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Jim Coryell has been promoted to director of human and intellectual capital.

Hetrick Communications.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS)(Tasker Day)(Carolyn Magley)(Ryan Heath)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Hetrick Communications has added the following: * Tasker Day, client-relationship manager; * Carolyn Magley, production artist; * Ryan Heath, public relations specialist: and * Karen Belmont, project manager. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Emily Fultz has joined Synthesis Inc.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 5, 2007... * Emily Fultz has joined Synthesis Inc. as a graduate architect. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Richard Herzog has joined 2nd Globe.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 5, 2007... * Richard Herzog has joined 2nd Globe as production manager. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michael L. Kletka has joined Applied Engineering Services.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 5, 2007... Michael L. Kletka has joined Applied Engineering Services as a mechanical designer.

Robert Oak has joined BSA LifeStructures as an associate, CAD, architecture department.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 5, 2007... * Robert Oak has joined BSA LifeStructures as an associate, CAD, architecture department. * Daniel Adler has joined as landscape design team leader. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Craig Kessler has joined Lincoln Bank as vice president.(BANKING)
November 5, 2007... * Craig Kessler has joined Lincoln Bank as vice president, investment services, and as a Raymond James financial advisor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

STAR Financial Bank.(BANKING)
November 5, 2007... Sarah Baker has been named banking center officer, Greenfield banking center, STAR Financial Bank.

HomeFederal Bank.(BANKING)
November 5, 2007... * David Voris has been named vice president, cash management, HomeFederal Bank. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana.(BANKING)
November 5, 2007... * Beverly Mukes-Gaither and * Mike Ash have been promoted to senior vice presidents at Fifth Third Bank, Central Indiana. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Methodist Health Foundation.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... * Cornelius M. Alig, Mansur Real Estate Services Inc., has been elected to the board of the Methodist Health Foundation. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Indiana Black Expo Inc.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... * Tanasha L. Anders has been named interim president and CEO of the Indiana Black Expo Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Prevail Inc.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... * Tess Woods Joven has been named the education and training coordinator at Prevail Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Teachers' Treasures.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... Jane Howard has been named executive director of Teachers' Treasures.

Christamore House Guild.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... The Christamore House Guild has named the following officers: Melissa Rhodes, president; * Kelly Bodner, president elect; Mary Klein, vice president; Jane Smith, secretary; and Terd Van Winkle, treasurer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Peace Learning Center.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
November 5, 2007... Peace Learning Center has named the following new board members: Khiana Davis, William Friedman, Joanna Green, Kami Kitchen, Vannesah Ng, Angela Plank, Kay Swank-Herzog, Christopher Taylor, Chalmer Thompson, Amy Tobias, Roderick Wheeler, Kelly...

Viktoriya Vayn has joined S&B Construction.(CONSTRUCTION)
November 5, 2007... Viktodya Vayn has joined S&B Construction as pre-construction assistant.

Community Development Inc.(CONSTRUCTION)
November 5, 2007... * Jimmy Raley has been promoted to superintendent at Community Development Inc. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Emily Sellers-Christopher has joined Indiana Campus Compact as the program director for Grow Indiana AmeriCorps.(EDUCATION)
November 5, 2007... * Emily Sellers-Christopher has joined Indiana Campus Compact as the program director for Grow Indiana AmeriCorps. * Summer Sharp has joined as office manager. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

University of Indianapolis.(EDUCATION)
November 5, 2007... * Andrew M. Kocher has been named director of development in the department of institutional advancement at the University of Indianapolis. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Aisha Sabur-Jarvis has joined National College.(EDUCATION)
November 5, 2007... Aisha Sabur-Jarvis has joined National College, Indianapolis campus, as the career center director and instructor of business communication.

WestPoint Financial Group/Mass-Mutual.(FINANCE)
November 5, 2007... WestPoint Financial Group/Mass-Mutual has added the following financial services professionals: Lauren Dickey and Sarah Chapman.

Indianapolis Public Transportation Corp.(GOVERNMENT)
November 5, 2007... * Andrew Klineman has been named to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corp. board. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Chad Perdue has joined SBi Media.(MEDIA)
November 5, 2007... * Chad Perdue has joined SBi Media as video shooter/editor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tim Burns has joined Fox Sports Net Indiana.(MEDIA)
November 5, 2007... Tim Burns has joined Fox Sports Net Indiana as advertising sales account executive.

Flash-Point Human Resource Consulting.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... * Denny Darrow has joined Flash-Point Human Resource Consulting as a consultant. * George Hanlin has been promoted to consultant. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Jennifer Bertram has joined Bottom-Line Performance Inc. as an associate.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... * Jennifer Bertram has joined Bottom-Line Performance Inc. as an associate. Lisa Meece has joined as a senior associate. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Columbia Club.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... * Raymond A. Ailstock has been named director of catering at the Columbia Club. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ADESA.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... * Michelle Mallon has been named vice president of the legal department at ADESA. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Jorge Valderrama has joined RMS-Safety.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... * Jorge Valderrama has joined RMS-Safety as safety specialist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Cheri Tolley has joined EmploymentGroup as an account executive.(SERVICES)
November 5, 2007... Cheri Tolley has joined EmploymentGroup as an account executive. Tanya Derziotis has joined as a client service specialist.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment.(SPORTS)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Pacers Sports & Entertainment has promoted the following: Chris Bence, director of group Sales; Kris Kovatovic, Pacers sales manager; Michael Gunsherg and Jake Reynolds, sales consultant; Dave Neff and Cameron Nelson, ticket services...

NCAA.(SPORTS)
November 5, 2007... * John Adams has been named NCAA national coordinator of Men's Basketball Officiating. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Not your father's car lot: auto dealers grab attention with livelier designs.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
November 5, 2007... The three-tiered floor gives a commanding view of the flick playing on the big screen. Down the hall, other guests sit entranced behind flat-panel TVs in a spacious lounge, or check their e-mail courtesy of the building's wireless signal....

Sluggish housing market a blow to some contractors: residential crews seek commercial jobs to stay busy.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The number of crews Robert Hoffman employs to frame new homes has dwindled from 14 to four, and could drop even more if the residential construction market continues to sputter. But the owner of Hoffman Framework...

Mundell & Associates moving headquarters to Irvington.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINERING)(Brief article)
November 5, 2007... Indianapolis-based environmental engineering and consulting firm Mundell & Associates Inc. plans to move its corporate headquarters this month from the St. Mary's Academy Building in the downtown Lockerbie area to the Irvington Historic...

Fast-growing WDG built on years of industry experience: veteran of Kite, Lauth branches out on his own.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINERING)(WDG Construction & Development Services Inc.)(Company overview)
November 5, 2007... For Mike Wyman, a devastating fire that gutted the family home during his teen-age years laid the foundation, for a rewarding career in construction. The 41-year-old Wyman climbed from carpenter to become a leader of projects at two of the...

Largest Indianapolis-area electrical contractors.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINERING)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Electrical Contractors (Ranked by 2006 local revenue) LOCAL LOCAL FTE RANK CONTRACTOR REVENUE: EMPLOYEES 2006 ADDRESS...

Design Build Institute hoping to spur flood of projects.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINERING)
November 5, 2007... Public entities, like school districts and universities, are not known for being risk takers. Some even call them "risk averse." So, those in the architectural and construction industries aren't surprised that a state law passed two years...

Largest downtown office complexes (1).(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINERING)(Statistical table)
November 5, 2007... Largest Downtown Office-Complexes (1) (Ranked by rentable square feet of office space) RENTABLE SQ. RANK FT. OF BUILDINGS IN 2006 COMPLEX ...

There's really nothing light about the topic of light rail.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
November 5, 2007... Twenty U.S. cities have some form of light rail systems in operation, and about 40 more are constructing or seriously considering light rail systems. While the list of cities with active systems isn't really all that surprising (you can...

Quarterly profit reports don't tell the whole story.(INVESTING)(Viewpoint essay)
November 5, 2007... Deciphering a company's quarterly earnings report often can be a challenge for an investor. Many companies, but not all, choose to announce their quarterly earnings either before the stock market opens or after it closes. The idea is that this...

Profit reports help, hurt Hoosier stocks.(STOCKS)(Financial report)
November 5, 2007... Investors over the past week rewarded companies posting earnings at or above expectations, and savaged those that fell short. Many companies that didn't report results saw their shares float higher, driven by the Federal Reserve's Oct. 31...

It's time to use mass-appraisal model on state's homes.(ECONOMIC ANALYSIS)
November 5, 2007... In the 10 years since Indiana's property-appraisal system was ruled unconstitutional, taxpayers have spent perhaps $1 billion to remedy the situation. That's more than $350 per household, and more than we spend on environmental protection each...