Indianapolis Business Journal articles from October 2004

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from October 2004

IPS faces growing bond-issue discord: survey of property owners indicates limited support.(Indianapolis Public Schools)
October 4, 2004... No one is saying Indianapolis Public Schools doesn't need work. Facilities in the urban district are showing their age, and the educational environment is far from ideal. Science labs, media centers--and, yes, air-conditioning--undoubtedly...

Indiana's plate plan truck-friendly: program should cut thefts, lure more licensing to state.
October 4, 2004... A new state program offering personalized license plates for trucks has transportation firms rushing to license their rigs in Indiana and could be a big boost to the state's status as a trucking hub. The program launched this spring could...

Bush faithful pull in $2.3m in state: change in fund-raising law put focus on collecting $2,000 donations.(George W. Bush)
October 4, 2004... President Bush's Indiana money machine raised more than $2.3 million before it completed its work last month, thanks ha part to the efforts of longtime political insiders like former Republican Party Chairman Al Hubbard, Barnes & Thomburg...

Cable hopeful calls it quits: Utilicom says Marion County network isn't financially viable.
October 4, 2004... Overbuilding is over. With few exceptions, the upstart cable companies that sprinted into the marketplace several years ago in hopes of beating industry giants at their own game are stranded far from the finish line. That's certainly...

Anthem merger plans simmer: insurers considering 28 strategies to end California roadblock.
October 4, 2004... The multibillion-dollar Anthem-WellPoint merger started building momentum a year ago this week. Anthem Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Larry Glass-cock met with his WellPoint Health Networks Inc. counterpart, Leonard Schaeffer, on Oct. 3,...

Local illustrators find market for art in publishing centers on coasts.
October 4, 2004... In Indianapolis, the phrase "starving artist" hits close to home for some who want to parlay their creativity into a career. But the city is no longer a creative backwater for free-lance illustrators, more of whom are able to use art to pay the...

Simon's grip in Carmel less than meets the eye.(Behind The News)
October 4, 2004... Simon Property Group Inc.'s foothold in affluent north Carmel looked impressive even before it began developing Clay Terrace, the $100 million lifestyle center scheduled to open this month on the west side of U.S. 31. Along the east side...

Winona makes plans to retain Feyen as CEO: bankruptcy lawyers ask to keep him on temporarily.(Chief Executive Officers)
October 4, 2004... Winona Memorial Hospital bankruptcy lawyers know whom they want to lead the hospital through liquidation, and they know how much they want to pay him. Now they just need to collect the money. The attorneys plan to ask U.S. Bankruptcy...

Bosma Industries for the Blind poised for growth: CEO: new facility, funding key to expanded services.
October 4, 2004... It's a good problem to have. Eleven years after setting up shop in a former Pittsburgh Paint facility on the city's near-southeast side, Bosma Industries for the Blind is out of room. Business is booming at the not-for-profit agency's...

Black museum faces steep fund-raising goal: organizers are confident $50 million will come.(Indiana Museum of African American History)
October 4, 2004... The unsettling combination of a tepid economy and a lukewarm charitable-giving environment could make it difficult to raise $50 million to build the Indiana Museum of African American History. The economic uncertainty is among the...

BioCrossroads aims for another venture fund: seed fund would invest in earliest stages of biotech.
October 4, 2004... Not satisfied with $73 million, BioCrossroads is at it again. This time, the Hoosier biotech effort wants to create a $6 million to $10 million "seed capital" fund. "We see that as a missing link that needs to be filled," said...

Corporations embracing directors of diversity: issue pertains to more than just minority employees.
October 4, 2004... Diversity directors in this changing corporate climate are nearly as prevalent as human resources managers. Many of the city's larger companies have added the executive title only in the past few years as they attempt to keep pace with the...

Printing Partners makes artistic alliances: while industry declined, local firm's gamble on growth paid off with record sales and optimistic projections.
October 4, 2004... As the printing industry entered a serious decline in the late 1990s, brothers Michael and Joel O'Brien were expanding their business. They shed theft affiliation as an Insty-Prints franchise, added a commercial division, took on the name...

Don't punish IPS, solve tax problem: direct efforts at a legislative fix.(Editorial)(Indianapolis Public Schools)(Editorial)
October 4, 2004... Fighting Indianapolis Public Schools' decision to sell $200 million in bonds to finance physical improvements to its schools has no upside. That's why Mayor Bart Peterson and Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce President John Myrland have...

In the wake of Rathergate.(Editorial)(Editorial)
October 4, 2004... Whether it's scrambled, poached or fried-over-easy, major egg is all over the face of CBS News and its anchorman, Dan Rather. The network's use of questionable documents in reporting a story about President Bush's National Guard service has...

Chains are the success stories of business.(Eye On The Pie)(Column)
October 4, 2004... I was driving into Gaylord, Mich., last week, a town I had never visited before. Gaylord, in the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, is about 90 minutes east of Traverse City. It is the center of Otsego County, where close to 25,000...

We must nurture the creative class.(Viewpoint)(Column)
October 4, 2004... Columnist Susan Williams is running for state superintendent of public instruction. Her column is on hiatus until after the Nov. 2 election. Indianapolis deserves substantial credit for its effort to diversify its economy and develop its...

Simon HQ design is disappointing.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... The plans revealed for the Simon headquarters are more than a disappointment. From the people who gave us the exquisitely conceived Circle Centre mall, which made an important statement about Indianapolis through urban design in context, I...

Senior citizens need better transit options.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... We applaud your strong support of the need for a complete overhaul of IndyGo in the Sept. 6 IBJ. You correctly pointed out that a viable public transportation system is more than a social service, but a viable part of our local economy. ...

Downtown deserves sensitive architecture.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... Just finished reading your piece headlined "Retail in works downtown" from [the Sept. 13] issue. I'm a resident of the Harness Factory Lofts, and my parking spot is smack in the middle of that retail building out front. In addition, our...

Exec not anti-Semitic.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... I was shocked to read [in a column in the Sept. 20 issue] that Ron Hunter was accused of firing an employee because he was Jewish and also accused of making suggestive sexual comments at board meetings. I am of the Jewish faith, until the...

The Pyramids set to change hands.(On The Beat)
October 4, 2004... New York-based Sterling American Property was set to close Oct. 1 on its purchase of The Pyramids, one of the city's most recognizable office properties. The seller is a Utah-based division of Leucadia National Corp., a New York-based...

Indiana Business Bank completes offering.(Banking)(securities)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Although their initial timetable slipped, investors achieved success last week with the close of a private offering that raised $14 million toward the launch of the Indiana Business Bank. In November 2003, IBJ reported the efforts of 16...

Local hiring outlook positive.(Economy)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Indianapolis-area employers are bullish on hiring for the fourth quarter of the year, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. Thirty percent of the local companies interviewed by Milwaukee-based Manpower Inc. plan to add to...

King takes over Wishard's Hispanic Health Project.(Health Care)(Gloria King)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Wishard Health Services recently named Gloria King, the former executive director of El Centro Hispano, as the new director of its Hispanic Health Project. King took over Sept. 20 from Maria Quiroz-Southwood, who served as a part-time...

Walther Cancer Institute.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * The Walther Oncology Center recently reached a $500,000 fund-raising goal that will pave the way for a $1 million research upgrade. The center, a joint venture between locally based Walther Cancer Institute and Indiana University School...

Landscaper shares know-how.(Media & Marketing)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Fishers landscape designer Dean Hill is taking his show on the road, co-hosting a weekly half-hour TV series on cable's Do-It-Yourself Network. "Grounds for Improvement" was set to premiere Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. Indianapolis time; a second...

WFMS-FM 95.5.(Media & Marketing)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Local radio powerhouse WFMS-FM 95.5 continues to gain national attention, winning the Country Music Association's large-market station of the year honors for the third time this decade. Afternoon jock J.D. Cannon also contributed to the...

Publicis Indianapolis.(Media & Marketing)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Publicis Indianapolis has hired an executive creative director with experience at some high-profile marketing agencies. Todd Lemmon comes to the local shop from the Chicago offices of FCBi, the integrated marketing division of international...

Reporters and beats.(On The Beat)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... BRENT ADAMS IBJ Daily badams@ ibj.com GREG ANDREWS Investigative reporter gandrews@ ibj.com ANDREA MURRAGUI DAVIS Media, tourism philanthropy, education, adavis@ibj.com TAMMY LIEBER Real estate, arts, retailers tlieber@ ibj.com ...

Indianapolis-based EchoPoint Media has hired Sue K. Lewis to direct its national accounts business, leading media buying efforts for clients Steak n Shake, Red Gold Tomatoes, Weaver Popcorn and Delta Faucet's Brizo and Peerless brands.(Media & Marketing)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Indianapolis-based EchoPoint Media has hired Sue K. Lewis to direct its national accounts business, leading media buying efforts for clients Steak n Shake, Red Gold Tomatoes, Weaver Popcorn and Delta Faucet's Brizo and Peerless brands. Lewis...

Building's ownership tweaked.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... The Felling Cos., a locally based owner of commercial real estate properties, is now sole owner of 120 E. Market St., a 1950s-era office building that was renovated in 2002 and 2003 by Felling and David, Scott and Todd Yeager. The Yeagers...

Rock Bottom expands north.(Retail)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Colorado-based Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. has signed a lease for the former Cooker restaurant on West 86th Street with plans to open its second Indianapolis restaurant next year. Locally based PK Partners LLC purchased the building late...

IPL seeking rate hike to meet federal emissions standards.(Utilities)(Indianapolis Power & Light Co.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is reviewing Indianapolis Power & Light Co.'s proposal to spend $182 million to meet federal emissions standards. IPL, which serves 450,000 customers primarily in Marion County, is asking...

Centerfield makes investment.(Venture Capital)(Centerfield Capital Partners to Transolutions Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Locally based Centerfield Capital Partners announced a $1 million investment in Lake Bluff, Ill.-based Transolutions Inc. Transolutions, founded in 1994, manages transcription services for hospitals, clinics and surgery centers. According...

Roman Brand.(Advertising/Marketing/ Public Relations)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Roman Brand has added the following: Heather Locke, interactive production specialist; Jennifer McGlone, receptionist; Erica Sanders, executive assistant; and Union Williams, intern, Public Relations Department.

MZD Advertising Marketing & Public Relations.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)(Sarah Moore appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Sarah Moore has been promoted to account executive at MZD Advertising Marketing & Public Relations.

Indiana Chamber of Commerce.(Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations)(Bill Waltz appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Bill Waltz has joined the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as director of taxation and public finance.

RATIO Architects Inc.(Architecture/Design/ Engineering)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... RATIO Architects Inc. has added the following: Erin McCloskey, intern architect; Molly Walker, graduate landscape architect; and Matthew Lee, intern architect.

URS Corp.(Architecture/Design/Engineering)(Dale R. Bertelson appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Dale R. Bertelson has been named environmental manager at URS Corp., Indianapolis office.

Union Federal Bank.(Banking)(Larry Holbrook appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Larry Holbrook has joined Union Federal Bank as vice president, Deposit Services and Electronic Banking.

Lincoln Bank.(Banking)(R.J. McConnell appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... R.J. McConnell, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, has joined the board of directors of Lincoln Bank, Plainfield.

Huntington Equipment Finance.(Banking)(Daniel Goller appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Daniel Goller has been named vice president of sales, Indiana region, at Huntington Equipment Finance, division of Huntington National Bank.

Citizen's Bank.(Banking)(Jeremy Vehslage appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Jeremy Vehslage has joined Citizen's Bank, Moorseville, as manager, Eminence branch.

El Centro Hispano/The Hispanic Center.(Civic/Not-For-Profits)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Jim Browne, Goodin Abernathy & Miller LLP, has been named to the board of directors for El Centro Hispano/The Hispanic Center.

Indiana Business College.(Education)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Indiana Business College has named the following: Jamie Wyse, senior vice president, Operations; Mike Skaggs, director, Finance; and Greg Harris, controller.

GMAC Mortgage.(Finance)(Jackson Stewart appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Jackson Stewart has been named a loan officer at GMAC Mortgage, Speedway branch.

Public Employees' Retirement Fund.(Finance)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Irina Gladkov has joined the Public Employees' Retirement Fund as an investment analyst.

Decatur Township.(Government)(Deborah Fletcher appointed)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Deborah Fletcher has been named the township administrator for Decatur Township.

Wishard Health Services.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Gloria King has been named director of the Hispanic Health Project at Wishard Health Services.

M*Plan.(Health Care)(names Gary W. Hinkle as director of Marketing)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Gary W. Hinkle has been named director of Marketing, Small Group Business at M*Plan.

Indiana University School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, IUPUI.(Health Care)(appoints Lisa Riolo as chairwoman )(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Lisa Riolo has been named chairwoman of the Department of Physical Therapy at the Indiana University School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, IUPUI.

Westview Hospital.(Health Care)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Westview Hospital has added the following: George Gill, director of Marketing & Business Development; Lauren D. Jerome, marketing representative; Judy Donner, executive director of Westview Hospital Foundation; and Beth Smith, marketing...

Bose McKinney & Evans LLP.(Law)(appointments Bryan Woodruff)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Bryan Woodruff has joined Bose McKinney & Evans LLP as an associate, Business Services and Real Estate Groups.

Baker & Daniels.(Law)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Baker & Daniels has added the following intellectual property attorneys: Timothy E. Niednagel, R. Trevor Carter and Robert D. Null, partners; Norman Hedges, Ryan Barker, C.W. Arnett and William Meyers, associates; and Douglas Yerkeson, as...

Comcast Central Region.(Media)(appoints Michelle Foley)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Michelle Foley has joined Comcast Central Region, as vice president, Human Resources.

Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro North Market Center.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Charles E. Hill and Derek Gutting have joined Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro North Market Center.

Duke Realty Corp.(Real Estate)(promotes Elaine Williams to compensation Manager)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Elaine Williams has been promoted to compensation Manager, Human Resources, at Duke Realty Corp.

Speaking of health care: experts from the medical, drug and insurance industries share their views on rising costs and other issues.(Health Care)(Panel Discussion)
October 4, 2004... Indianapolis Business Journal took a look at the local and national health care scene Sept. 17 as part of its Power Breakfast Series. In a discussion at the Radisson Hotel City Centre downtown that lasted more than an hour, a panel industry...

Hospitals make efforts to improve their food service: St. Vincent adds 24-hour deli in $2 million renovation, joins St. Francis, others, by bringing in outside vendor.(Health Care)
October 4, 2004... Hospitals have been under the microscope as of late. Patients are becoming increasingly wary of issues ranging from malpractice incidences to reimbursement squabbles between health care providers and insurance companies. Looking to...

Mini med school offered by IU.(Health Care)(Indiana University)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
October 4, 2004... CPR, acupuncture and genetic counseling are among the topics that will be explored this fall when Indiana University's School of Medicine starts its latest mini-medical school. Medical school doctors and researchers also will talk about...

Lilly, Purdue part of effort fighting drug-resistant TB: international partnership hopes to head off epidemic.(Health Care)
October 4, 2004... For more than a year and a half, Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly and Co. has participated in a private-public partnership aimed at controlling a strong strain of tuberculosis that is plaguing many parts of the world. Although...

State offers site for information on drug programs.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter launched a new Internet page in September to help people find prescription drug information. The page is available at the attorney general's Web site, www.in.gov/attorneygeneral. It directs users to...

Flu shot programs ready for season.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Both the Marion County Health Department and Visiting Nurse Service Inc. kicked off their flu vaccine programs late last month and have several clinics scheduled through November. The county health department will offer free flu vaccines...

Roche weight-loss device serves well as diet buddy.(Gizmos)
October 4, 2004... How can you be objective reviewing something that helped you lose six pounds? Roche Diagnostics' new HealthWear technology did that for me in just two weeks, and I have to admit I'm impressed with it, despite the inevitable rough edges that new...

Largest Indianapolis-area physician group practices.(Health Care)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... Largest Indianapolis-Area Physician Group Practices (Ranked by number of local doctors) LOCAL FTE EMPLOYEES PRACTICE ...

Indianapolis-area hospitals.(Health Care)(Illustration)
October 4, 2004... Indianapolis-Area Hospitals (1) (Ranked by 2003 average staffed beds) 2003 AVG. 2003 AVG.: CHARGE (2) HOSPITAL ...

It's tough being contrarian, but the payoff can be good.(Bulls & Bears)(Column)
October 4, 2004... I try to lean toward being a contrarian. When the crowd is on one street corner all excited about an opportunity, I try to force myself across the street to the other corner. It's tough to cross the street and sometimes lonely, too. The...

Bull market bides its time gathering strength for return.(Investing)(Column)
October 4, 2004... The bull sits quietly, waiting for his chance. He has been patient these last five years, which is strange for him. He usually spends two-thirds of his time running, steaming, snorting--in charge. But today, he waits. The bull has seen...

It's past time to bust the manufacturing jobs myth.(Economic Analysis)(Column)
October 4, 2004... Is the economy creating good jobs? Not all of us agree it is. Stories of job closings at long-established manufacturing companies at the same time we see new Wal-Marts popping up in towns all around us support a casual impression that jobs...

Supreme Industries Inc.(Proxy Corner)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
October 4, 2004... Supreme Industries Inc., 2581 E. Kercher Road, Goshen, 46528, (www.supremeind.com), manufactures specialized truck bodies produced to customers' specifications. It also manufactures the Star-Trans line of special purpose shuttle buses. For the...

Let down by Web sales? Check out your checkout.(Return On Technology)(Column)
October 4, 2004... Those readers in retail know what I mean by the "conversion rate" That's the ratio of shoppers to buyers. This rate can vary hugely over the retail spectrum. Mostly, it depends on how many browsers a store can expect to get. Shoppers may...

IMA beefs up retail operations staff.(Indianapolis Museum of Art)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... The Indianapolis Museum of Art announced it has hired a full-time director of retail operations to maximize sales and profit opportunities for the museum's various retail outlets. Douglas Smith will oversee the Museum Shop, the Madeline F....

Trump, Credit Suisse First Boston break off talks.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... In a move that adds further uncertainty to a $123.5 million Orange County riverboat casino project in Indiana, Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc. Sept. 22 said a recently announced investment from Credit Suisse First Boston has fallen...

City announces funding for public art projects.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Mayor Bart Peterson and city arts leaders Sept. 24 announced nearly $250,000 in funding for five public arts projects to be installed in the city over the next two years. Most of the projects involve sculptures that will be installed in...

Arthur's Fresh Market to occupy former Atlas site.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Owners of the former Atlas Supermarket at 54th Street and College Avenue ended more than two years of speculation Sept. 27 by announcing Marsh Supermarkets Inc. has acquired the one-acre site. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Locally...

Emmis reports 2nd-quarter gains.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Locally based Emmis Communications Corp. today reported profit for the second quarter increased to $13.1 million, or 23 cents a share, from $7.5 million, or 14 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue increased to $166.8 million from $154.6 million a...

Hat World doubling size in Park 100.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Headwear retailer Hat World Corp. has signed a 10-year lease with locally based Duke Realty Corp. to move into a 195,000-square-foot headquarters and shipping facility at 7555 Woodland Drive in the Park 100 business complex, Duke said in a news...

Internet directory.(Directory)
October 4, 2004... COURIER/DELIVERY SERVICE * NOW COURIER We Deliver... and a whole lot more! 111 E. McCarty St., Indianapolis, IN 46225 (317) 638-7071 or (800) 543-6066 www.nowcouder.com E-mail: dholliday@nowcourier.com * Offices in...

Bankruptcies.(Records)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Aris Inc., dba Aris Traffic Control, Aris Security, CCO Travel, Cruise Connection, 7216 Madison Ave., Suite T, 46227. Chapter 7 liquidation. Assets: $27,687; liabilities: $49,837. W.R. Kelso Co. Inc., 10201 N. Hague Road, 46256. Chapter 11...

Calendar.(Records)(Calendar)
October 4, 2004... Business-related calendar items should be submitted two weeks before event date. Contact bmaurer@ibj.com. Oct. 4, 7-8:30 a.m.: Business & Professional Exchange, Carter Networking, North chapter, St. Luke's United Methodist Church,...

Conventions.(Records)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
October 4, 2004... Oct. 6-Oct. 11: National Association of Women Judges, The Westin Indianapolis. Estimated attendance: 250 Oct. 9-Oct. 13: American Swimming Coaches Association, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Estimated attendance: 1,200

Fund raising.(Records)(Calendar)
October 4, 2004... Riley Hospital for Children to benefit from James Wille Faust "Painting & Building Visions" from Oct. 1-Oct. 30. Artist's Reception on Oct. 1 from 5-9 p.m. Prints available. Brooke's Place for Grieving Young People to benefit from the...

In recognition.(Records)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... Home-A-Rama attendees chose Bedrock Builders as the People's Choice winner for 2004. Local attorney Jeffrey J. Kirk received the Venture Club of Indiana's Margo Jaqua Member of the Year Award. IU School of Law-Indianapolis has named...