Indianapolis Business Journal articles from September 2007

Indianapolis Business Journal archives from September 2007

Big dollars, little oversight? After plowing $25m into Conrad, city finally poised to conduct audit.
September 3, 2007... The city plans to hire an outside auditor in the next few months to review the books of the Conrad Indianapolis Hotel and determine how its investment is performing. It's a routine process, Mayor Bart Peterson said. But it's one...

Falling off the career ladder: displaced older employees increasingly abandon hopes of landing similar work.
September 3, 2007... Indianapolis resident Don Lathan spent 21 years as a computer programmer for a major insurance company before corporate consolidation changed his life. Now he has a part-time gig playing traditional Irish music with his wife, Alberta. Andy...

Mayor: MSA 'not a priority': observers say long-delayed redevelopment unlikely to gain momentum before election.(Market Square Arena )
September 3, 2007... When Bart Peterson announced in February that he would seek a third term as mayor, he said he wanted the opportunity to remedy one of the biggest disappointments of his tenure: the stalled redevelopment of the Market Square Arena site. At...

Manufacturing a new career: ex-banker Fred Merritt creates empire by buying, bolstering sleepy businesses.(Riverside Manufacturing )(Financial report)
September 3, 2007... Riverside Manufacturing was a sleepy New Castle firm with $5 million in sales when Fred Merritt bought it to try his hand at running a company. Five years later, Riverside's sales have grown a whopping 800 percent, it dominates its...

Steam plant ups reliance on coal: Citizens Gas calls pollution impact negligible, but utility watchdog group remains skeptical.
September 3, 2007... Citizens Gas & Coke Utility shuttered its coke manufacturing plant earlier this summer, much to the relief of neighbors and health officials who warned that its benzene emissions were a cancer threat. But regulatory filings show closing the...

David Marsh settles with grocer after bruising battle.(BEHIND THE NEWS)
September 3, 2007... David Marsh's legal battle with Marsh Supermarkets Inc. was so contentious that it seemed the parties never would make peace. But that's what just happened, and both sides are keeping the terms of their deal under wraps. Court records show...

Conrad owners tussle with project architect: lawsuit alleges firms are owed more than $850,000 for work on $100 million downtown luxury hotel.(case between Cosentini Associates and Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf)(Case overview)
September 3, 2007... The cranes and contractors have been gone from the site of the Conrad Indianapolis for about 18 months. But wrangling over the project continues in court. The private owners of the $100 million project are quarreling with prominent...

Will hefty Hoosiers get up for green, healthy event? Former producer of state flower and patio show plans first-ever Natural Living Expo in January.
September 3, 2007... Todd Jameson knows how to get Hoosiers off the sofa. Up until two years ago, he was producer of the Indiana Flower and Patio Show and the Christmas Gift and Hobby Show--two of the most popular annual events in Indianapolis. But a dollar to...

Campaign promoting local art moves into second phase; plan to target business owners is still on the drawing board.
September 3, 2007... "Be Indypendent" bumper stickers are popping up all over town. They've been stuck to the side of Dumpsters and the back of everything from VW bugs to cable repair trucks since debuting in July. The curious who follow the message back to...

Fiasco highlights education need: financial literacy gets short shrift.(Editorial)
September 3, 2007... There's plenty of blame to go around for the subprime mortgage meltdown. For starters, there are the predatory mortgage lenders and aggressive brokers who seemed all too eager to close loans that stretched or overextended borrowers. ...

It's all about managing diversity.(Commentary)
September 3, 2007... "Diversity" is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. The pair of words "diversity management" might be more to the point. Diversity really is a fact of life. In terms of humankind, the world is made up of different kinds of...

Should we consolidate libraries?(EYE ON THE PIE)(public libraries)
September 3, 2007... At last, we have a commission working to see if we can improve government in Indiana through reorganization. Former Gov. Joe Kernan and Supreme Court Justice Randy Shepard are leading the effort. Some of us are concerned that the commission...

Is this any way to run a government? Abduallah is casting votes, including controversial ones like the $90 million public-safety tax increase ...(Commentary)(Patrice Abduallah)(Law overview)
September 3, 2007... As someone who writes and pontificates about the events of the day, summer is usually my slow season. I have to work hard to find things to write and talk about for public consumption. However, this summer has been a whole different matter....

IMOCA art exhibit does have context.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 3, 2007... I'd like to comment on Lou Harry's [July 23] opinion of the current exhibit, "Xanadu" at Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art. As Lou indicates that the exhibit has "lack of context," and that "contrasting the grotesque with the...

Big Ten Network is worth the money.(LETTERS)(Letter to the editor)
September 3, 2007... [Anthony Schoettle's Aug. 27] article [on the Big Ten Network] fails to mention (or at least I didn't see it) that, if the cable companies put this channel on a sports tier. it also requires the consumer to have a set-top box to watch those...

Veteran accountant makes move.(ACCOUNTING)
September 3, 2007... Accountant Erni Mann is dissolving her Switzer Financial LLC practice to join locally based Crowe Chizek & Co. LLC later this month to lead the firm's business development initiatives in Indiana. Mann, 38, founded Switzer in January 2003...

Grass is greener at The Lawn.(ARTS)(audience doubles for musical concert)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The Lawn in White River State Park nearly doubled its attendance numbers this year with a strong lineup of concerts, including The Fray, Bob Dylan and Incubus. More than 50,000 people attended 11 concerts, compared with 26,000 at the same...

Conseco loses takeover appeal.(ON THE BEAT)
September 3, 2007... Back in May, Barron's magazine cited Carmel-based Conseco Inc. as one likely takeover target in the insurance industry. But after a summer of troubles with Conseco's long-term-care policies, it's time to think again, says stock analyst...

Heartland Truly Moving Pictures recently unveiled the ad campaign for this year's Heartland Film Festival, Oct. 18-26.(ARTS)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Heartland Truly Moving Pictures recently unveiled the ad campaign for this year's Heartland Film Festival, Oct. 18-26. Locally based Three-sixty Group conceived and developed the campaign, "Dramatically Different," which will feature broadcast,...

Gearing up for fleet workshop.(ENVIRONMENT)
September 3, 2007... Operators of heavy and medium-duty fleets have a lot to keep them up at night. Will using a biodiesel blend void the truck warranty? What can be done to reduce engine idling time? And there's always the recurring nightmare of being the...

Optimedia grows DQ deal.(MEDIA & MARKETING)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The Indianapolis office of Optimedia, a division of Paris-based advertising agency Publicis, recently signed a media buying and account services deal to work for Dairy Queen in 10 additional markets. Optimedia already has a deal representing...

Learn grant writing 101.(PHILANTHROPY)
September 3, 2007... Other than figuring out how to work the office coffeepot, it might be the most essential skill for the not-for-profit. Grant writing is the subject of a United Way of Central Indiana workshop Sept. 12 at its headquarters, 3901 N. Meridian...

First Indiana Plaza attracts several offers.(REAL ESTATE)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... A sluggish real estate market hasn't deterred investment groups interested in owning the 31-story First Indiana Plaza office building downtown. Crown Properties Inc., the New York-based owner of the struggling skyscraper, has received...

Get sugared-up at airport.(RETAIL)(See's Famous Old Time Candies opens new outlet in Indiana)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Indianapolis International Airport has two new retailers See's Famous Old Time Candies specializes in dark and assorted other chocolates and toffees. The San Francisco company has more than 200 locations in the western United States; this...

Family Christian Stores.(RETAIL)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Family Christian Stores plans to open a location in a retail development near Greenwood that includes a Walgreens, Flagstar Bank and Roots To Go. The project, northeast of Madison Avenue and County Line Road, sits on seven acres across from...

Super Bowl sponsor changing lanes to IRL.(SPORTS)(Indy Racing League)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The National Football League's loss might become the Indy Racing League's gain. Bob Parsons, CEO of the Internet domain name registrar GoDaddy.com, said he might pull his advertising from the Super Bowl, starting in 2008, and look for new...

Historic places in the spotlight.(TOURISM)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... A new Web site points travelers to Indianapolis' registered historic places with in-depth research on the 59 sites, themed travel itineraries and maps. The information was gathered and written by staff at the Indiana Division of Historic...

Company to wring money from wrecked vehicles.(TRANSPORTATION)(Dealer Services Corp.)(Copan Inc.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Carmel-based Dealer Services Corp. will provide financing for customers at all of Copan Inc.'s 123 U.S. vehicle salvage auctions. DSC is the largest provider of diversified vehicle financing for independent dealers in North America, with...

Vectren shows utilities can have interesting sites.(UTILITIES)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The owner's manual to one's toaster often is more exciting and practical than some utility company Web sites. Not that many utilities care, as they're not using the sites to sell books or appliances. But the folks at Evansville-based...

Polly Harrington has joined Resources Global Professionals.(ACCOUNTING)
September 3, 2007... Polly Harrington has joined Resources Global Professionals as an associate.

PricewaterhouseCoopers.(ACCOUNTING)(promotions of Amy Balcius, Michael Thompson and Damien Gearheart)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... PricewaterhouseCoopers has promoted the following: Amy Balcius, director, marketing & sales business development; Michael Thompson, advisory manager; Damien Gearheart and Stephanie Tura, tax managers; Cindy Marsh, human resources manager; Amy...

Roman BrandGroup.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS)(appointments of Ryan Eme, Joe Judd, Leslie Kavanaugh)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Roman BrandGroup has added the following: Ryan Eme, Joe Judd, Leslie Kavanaugh and Laura Toth media buyers; and Phyllis Johnson, media assistant. * Melanie Voelkel and * Christy Stewart have been promoted to senior media buyers.

Jason Spangler has joined Miles Brinson Brown as director of emerging technologies.(ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS)(appointments of Misty Boodt and Jamie Witt )(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... * Jason Spangler has joined Miles Brinson Brown as director of emerging technologies. * Misty Boodt has joined as account executive, and * Jamie Witt has joined as public relations/media associate.

Alvin Rusty Skoog has joined Sanitary Management & Engineering Comp Inc.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 3, 2007... * Alvin Rusty Skoog has joined Sanitary Management & Engineering Comp Inc. as director of engineering.

Terry Hill has joined Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects.(ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)
September 3, 2007... * Terry Hill has joined Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects as an architectural draftsman.

Maureen Mercho has joined United Way of Central Indiana as programs manager.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
September 3, 2007... * Maureen Mercho has joined United Way of Central Indiana as programs manager, resource development department.

People's Burn Foundation.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
September 3, 2007... Kena S. Hollingsworth, Hollingsworth Jocham & Zivitz PC, has been named to the board of the People's Burn Foundation.

Junior League of Indianapolis.(CIVIC/NOT-FOR-PROFIT)(appointments)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The Junior League of Indianapolis has elected the following new board members: Kelley Hurst, president; Renee Washington, president elect; * Beth Ann Kaltenmark, secretary; Stubbs * Ashley Higgins, training and personal development vice...

Shook Construction.(CONSTRUCTION)
September 3, 2007... * Mark Grasso has been promoted to project director at Shook Construction.

Eden Enterprises Inc.(CONSTRUCTION)
September 3, 2007... * Don Smith has joined Eden Enterprises Inc. as a superintendent.

IUPUI University Library.(EDUCATION)
September 3, 2007... * Jon DiGregory and *Julia Spoor Gard have been named community board advocates of the IUPUI University Library.

Barnes & Thornburg.(LAW)
September 3, 2007... * Brent and Mosby and * Christine Orich have joined Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

Postpartum Support International.(PROFESSIONAL/TRADE)
September 3, 2007... Birdie Meyer, Clarian Health, has been named president-elect of Postpartum Support International.

CFA Society of Indianapolis.(PROFESSIONAL/TRADE)(appointments of Charlotte Uppert, Robert Twitchell and Brendan McGrath)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The CFA Society of Indianapolis has elected the following officers: *Charlotte Uppert, Old National Wealth Management, president; Robert Twitchell, JPMorgan Asset Management, vice president; Brendan McGrath, Federal Home Loan Bank of...

National Brownfields Association, Indiana chapter.(PROFESSIONAL/TRADE)
September 3, 2007... Deborah E. Peters has been named the vice president of the Indiana executive committee of the National Brownfields Association, Indiana chapter.

Association for Operations Management, Central Indiana chapter.(PROFESSIONAL/TRADE)(appointments of Jason Wheeler, Javier Rodriguez and David Hinko)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... The Association for Operations Management, Central Indiana chapter, has elected the following officers: Jason Wheeler, Roche Diagnostics, president; Javier Rodriguez, Thermo Fisher, executive vice president; David Hinko, Rolls-Royce, past...

Columbia Club.(RESTAURANTS)
September 3, 2007... * Douglas Knopp has been named executive chef at the Columbia Club.

Catherine Bladen has joined That's Good HR.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... * Catherine Bladen has joined That's Good HR as a staff accountant.

Karin Gorman has joined PinPoint Resources.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... * Karin Gorman has joined PinPoint Resources as vice president, client services.

Michael Nichols has joined Full Circle Hair Studio.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... * Michael Nichols has joined Full Circle Hair Studio as a hair stylist.

KAR Holdings Inc., ADESA Inc.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... * Becca Polak has been named executive vice president, general counsel and secretary at KAR Holdings Inc., ADESA Inc.

Susan Canary has joined Anytime Fitness, Franklin.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Susan Canary has joined Anytime Fitness, Franklin, as the general manger.

Prima Communications Inc., Indianapolis offices.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Jason Young has been promoted to director of Prima Communications Inc., Indianapolis offices.

Jeffrey B. Linnan has joined Morse Moving & Storage.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Jeffrey B. Linnan has joined Morse Moving & Storage as general manager for the Indianapolis branch.

Bottom-Line Performance Inc.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Shelby Watts has been promoted to senior associate of Bottom-Line Performance Inc.

Shelley Kirkham has joined Midwest Mole as an assistant estimator.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Shelley Kirkham has joined Midwest Mole as an assistant estimator. Ryan Barkdull has joined as an estimator.

Mike Freeland has joined Management Recruiters of Zionsville.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Mike Freeland has joined Management Recruiters of Zionsville as a search consultant in the banking industry.

Brian Barth has joined Gregory Inc.(SERVICES)
September 3, 2007... Brian Barth has joined Gregory Inc. as business development manager, distribution and equipment, Midwest region.

Douglas Karr has joined Patronpath.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
September 3, 2007... * Douglas Karr has joined Patronpath as director of technology.

Aaron Geisel has joined Comcast.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
September 3, 2007... * Aaron Geisel has joined Comcast as regional vice president of marketing and sales.

Kent Kaiser has joined Perpetual Technologies.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
September 3, 2007... * Kent Kaiser has joined Perpetual Technologies as Unix administrator.

Mike Durham has joined BlueLock LLC.(TECHNOLOGY/TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
September 3, 2007... * Mike Durham has joined BlueLock LLC as the director of quality.

When it comes to LEED, Indiana trailing: but area designers, contractors see green progress.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
September 3, 2007... No environmentalist would mistake Indianapolis for the poster child of green building, but local designers and contractors are preparing themselves to capture a market they expect will become an integral piece of their portfolios. The...

Charter designs require creativity: local architect Axis building school niche.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
September 3, 2007... Much of what defines a charter school is in sharp contrast with the traditional model found in public school districts. And the differences start with the structure itself. Charter schools, due to budget restraints, typically involve...

Minority hiring on track: stadium, airport projects meeting most goals.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
September 3, 2007... Two of the city's largest and most visible construction projects so far have committed roughly $300 million in contracts to minority and women business owners--a healthy sum that has the owners meeting most of their obligations. The $1.1...

Increasing demand for land surveyors sparks changes: despite some criticism, Purdue University moves program into different department to attract more students.(Focus: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ ENGINEERING QUARTERLY)
September 3, 2007... Purdue University is mapping out a controversial strategy to produce more land surveyors amid growing demand for graduates entering the profession. The number of Purdue students interested in pursuing a surveying career has dwindled to...

Largest Indianapolis-area mechanical contractors.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)(Table)(Company rankings)
September 3, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Mechanical Contractors (Ranked by 2006 mechanical contracting local billings) LOCAL RANK COMPANY BILLINGS EMPLOYEES: 2006 ADDRESS ...

Largest Indianapolis-area architectural firms.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)(Table)(Company rankings)
September 3, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Architectural Firms (Ranked by 2006 local architectural billings) LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL ...

Upon further review ... new reasons for old buildings.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 3, 2007... Buildings, just like people, have lives. They're born, they do their jobs, they take on new roles and, after about 75 years, most of them reach the end. Sadly, some beautiful ones die too soon, while a few ugly ones live too long. How should we...

Choosing renovation or new construction a tough decision.(VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY)
September 3, 2007... Sooner or later, in the life of almost every building owner, there comes a time when a structure has outlived its usefulness in its current condition. A choice between two options must be made. Do we renovate or do we demolish and build...

Largest Indianapolis-area landscape contractors.(FOCUS: CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN/ENGINEERING)(Table)(Company rankings)
September 3, 2007... Largest Indianapolis-Area Landscape Contractors (Ranked by 2006 local revenue) FTE EMPLOYEES: YEAR-ROUND/ ...

Time to protect assets; more turmoil lies ahead.(INVESTING)
September 3, 2007... Heroes are for sporting events and battlefields, not investing. With some of the damage repaired from the early August rout, it is a good time to raise a little cash and wait a few weeks. There certainly will be no shortage of things to watch...

Stocks end flat after tumultuous week.(STOCKS)(Statistical table)
September 3, 2007... Stock indexes closed the past week about even with where they started. In between, however, there were wild gyrations, as investors tried to assess whether the worst of the mortgage crisis has passed or is yet to come. Few Indiana stocks...

What propelled American worker to the top of heap?(ECONOMIC ANALYSIS)
September 3, 2007... The Labor Day holiday, coming as it does on the first weekend in September, was conceived to recognize the American worker, but also to contrast to the May Day holiday so popular in socialist circles. As Labor Day passes, most of us don't...

Fifth Third Bancorp.(PROXY CORNER)(Company overview)(Financial report)
September 3, 2007... Fifth Third Bancorp, 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, 45263, (www.53.com), is a diversified financial services company that operates in Ohio, Indiana and five other states. It is Indianapolis' third-largest bank by workforce and has more...

What gossip is the Web spreading about you?(RETURN ON TECHNOLOGY)
September 3, 2007... In 2003, Barbra Streisand sued photographer Kenneth Adelman to try to force him to remove an aerial photo of her beachfront house from a public photo collection Adelman said was chronicling beach erosion in California. Suddenly, an obscure...

Honda to hire Hoosiers, but only from some counties.(Stories reported in IBJ daily)(Honda Manufacturing of Indiana )(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Honda Manufacturing of Indiana will hire 2,000 production workers for its Greensburg plant only from Indiana, but is limiting its selection to people already living in 20 counties, the company said Aug. 23. The first phase of hiring will...

Housing slump undermines Coachmen shares.(Stories reported in IBJ daily)(Coachmen Industries Inc.)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... Stock in Elkhart--based Coachmen Industries Inc. is sliding as the subprime mortgage implosion erodes opportunities for the Elkhart company to make money selling the houses it manufactures. Coachmen shares are trading near $6.80, down from...

WellPoint rolls out pilot health program nationally.(Stories reported in IBJ daily)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... After testing a new kind of wellness program at Eli Lilly and Co., WellPoint Inc. said Aug. 28 that it is offering the broad program to all national employers served by its Anthem subsidiary. WellPoint touts its Healthy Lifestyles program...

Indy 'most affordable' housing market, again.(Stories reported in IBJ daily)(Indianapolis)(Brief article)
September 3, 2007... For two years in a row, the Indianapolis-Carmel metro area has been the nation's most affordable major housing market, the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo said Aug. 22. An index shows that 87 percent Of new and...

Calendar.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
September 3, 2007... Business-related calendar items should be submitted two weeks before event date. Contact bmaurer@ibj.com. Sept. 4, 7:30 a.m.: Professional Referral Exchange, Fishers, Original Pancake House, 8395 E. 116th St. Contact Kimber Marshall, area...

Conventions.(RECORDS)(Calendar)
September 3, 2007... Sept. 5-9, 86th Blackhawk Division Association, Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites. Estimated attendance: 350 Sept. 6, Start with Art Luncheon, Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. Estimated attendance: 1,100 Sept. 6-8, The Sign...

Arts Council of Indianapolis.(FUND RAISING)
September 3, 2007... The Arts Council of Indianapolis to benefit by the 21st Annual Start with Art Business and Arts Luncheon sponsored by Arts Council of Indianapolis and The Shaheen Foundation on September 6 at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Indiana Convention...

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Indiana State chapter.(FUND RAISING)
September 3, 2007... Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Indiana State chapter, to benefit from 11th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes on September 8 at the IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Registration: 9 a.m. with walk to start at 10:30 a.m. Register at...