Detroiter articles from March 2002

Detroiter archives from March 2002

The final chapter.(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2002... I just found the luxury of time to read A Small Business Adventure: Chapter 12 ("Uh oh! It's down the drain") in your December issue. I thought writer and project director Kimberly Lifton did an absolutely great job portraying the downfall of...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2002... In the Health Care Section of December's "Complete Business Resource Guide," a listing of online wellness links included an incorrect Web address for St. John Health System. The correct address is: www.stjohn.org.

From the e-mailbag.(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2002... I just read your article on Richard Dauch in the February issue of the Detroiter ("The quintessential truck guy"). I really enjoyed it. Keep up the good work. Tom Gendich President Metalmite Corp. Rochester Just got my...

The path to diversity: it's a never-ending learning journey.(From the President)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
March 1, 2002... Ben Maibach is a champion. But not necessarily in they way you might think. At the Detroit Regional Chamber, Maibach (our featured personality profile for this month) is a Diversity Champion. Several years back, recognizing the...

Small business resource guide.(In Box)
March 1, 2002... Pontiac-based every: //WARE Inc. has introduced 7Ware Web Content Management Tools, which are designed to help businesses easily maintain the necessary real-time areas, such as events calendars and employment opportunities, within their...

Detroit Regional Chamber's exclusive breakfast seminar.(Coming Up)
March 1, 2002... It's not too late to register for the Detroit Regional Chamber's exclusive breakfast seminar featuring Frank McKinney, author of "Making It Big: 49 Secrets to Building a Life of Extreme Success." McKinney, known professionally as the "King...

"Business & Technology Security Summit 2002--collaboration, enterprise security and policy: issues of trust, technology and business".(Coming Up)
March 1, 2002... Digital Detroit will host "Business & Technology Security Summit 2002--Collaboration, Enterprise Security and Policy: Issues of Trust, Technology and Business" on April 16 at the Sheraton Hotel in Ann Arbor. This inaugural event will...

International Consular Ball.(Coming Up)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Richard Dauch will be honored as the 2002 World Trader of the Year on March 22 at the Detroit Regional Chamber's International Consular Ball at The Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn. The World Trader of the Year award is given out annually to an...

New diversity partner.(In Box)(Detroit Regional Chamber)(Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Detroit Regional Chamber has a new partnership with the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MHCC). As partners, the two organizations will work together to support pro-business legislation and public policy, and their members will be...

Welcome to Digital Drive.(In Box)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... "Digital Drive," the proposed tagline to brand Michigan's technology industry, has a new Website at www.digitaldrive.org. The site went live in December 2001, courtesy of Digital Detroit, the technology networking organization co-created...

Job security: confidence and caution.(In Box)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... In a nationwide telephone poll, 1,000 American workers were asked about their attitudes toward job security in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Question: How confident are you that your employer is doing everything...

Seven chamber members honored for HR practices.(In Box)(human resources)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Seven Detroit Regional Chamber members were honored for their innovative human resources practices at the Sixth Annual Arbor Awards for Excellence, co-sponsored by The Arbor Consulting Group Inc. and the Eastern Michigan University Master of...

Calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2002... February 26 Detroit Regional Chamber breakfast seminar featuring Frank McKinney, author of "Making It Big: 49 Secrets for Building a Life of Extreme Success" Townsend Hotel, Birmingham Contact: Tami Door, (313) 596-0394 March...

New members.(In Box)(Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Welcome to these companies who either joined the Detroit Regional Chamber or upgraded their memberships to the Executive Level in December. Gold * Dopar Support Systems Detroit Metadynamics ...

Anniversaries.(In Box)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Congratulations to these companies for their long-term commitment to the Detroit Regional Chamber. 40 Years Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Detroit 20 Years Oakland Schools ...

Healthy talk.(In Box)(U.S. elderly population)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Did you know... The U.S. elderly population will more than double by 2050. Of all people treated in emergency rooms on Friday and Saturday nights, 73 percent were there because of fights with someone they knew. The outermost layer...

World-class builder: Benjamin Maibach III--'Ben Three' to his friends--worked his way from the bottom up at Barton Malow. His billion-dollar-a-year enterprise is now the largest general contractor in Southeast Michigan and the 10th-largest in the United States.(Personality Profile)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... You've seen the construction signs as you're driving, walking or looking through a conference room window during a business meeting: Barton Malow Co. Hardhats. Steel beams. Backhoes. But if you're like most people, that's where it stops. If...

Bottom line benefits: a creative slate of attractive, cost-effective benefits could be the trump card you need to attract and retain today's brightest, most qualified employees.(Human Resources)
March 1, 2002... Looking for a way to improve employee morale and performance, attract first-rate job prospects and impact our bottom line positively? Consider expanding or revamping your employee benefits program. "Even in today's economic environment,...

Your one-stop HR shop.(Human Resources)(paying employees for working overtime)
March 1, 2002... If one of my employees works overtime without being asked, do I have to pay for it? What's the difference between an exempt and a nonexempt employee? If you own or operate a business, you often find yourself asking those and dozens of...

Reap with an EAP: an employee assistance program can help your staff in these challenging times.(Human Resources)
March 1, 2002... Employee assistance programs or EAPs have been in existence for decades helping employees and their families solve their personal problems ranging from substance abuse to parenting, relationship issues and financial and legal woes. EAPs...

The layoff blues: forced to downsize? Here's what you need to know to avoid the legal minefield.(Human Resources)(legal claims over layoffs)
March 1, 2002... The number of legal claims filed over downsizing issues is increasing. Even for "at-will employers the at-will" concept is still valid. But remember: "At-will" is not directly connected to non-compete/sales commissions, discrimination, unfair...

Manual training: tips for writing an employee handbook that will protect you from lawsuits.(Human Resources)
March 1, 2002... Employee manuals were once written like advertising brochures, filled with glowing puffery designed to persuade an applicant to accept the offer of employment. Times have changed. Employee handbooks must now be written to protect against an...

Loyalty oath: how many of your employees are truly loyal? Check out this survey.(Human Resources)
March 1, 2002... How loyal are your employees to your business? If more than a quarter of them are committed to your organization and planning to stay for the next two years, you're ahead of the national curve. A 2001 study by WalkerInformation, an...

Crestmark Bank.(Acquisitions)(acquired Spectrum Financial Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Troy-based Crestmark Bank acquired Spectrum Financial Corp. of West Palm Beach, Fla., a specialized financial services company providing factoring and related fee-based credit, collections and management information services to small and...

Genomic Solutions Inc.(Acquisitions)(acquired Cartesian Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Ann Arbor-based Genomic Solutions Inc. acquired Cartesian Technologies Inc., an Irvine, Calif.-based manufacturer of robotic instruments. Cartesian will be managed out of Ann Arbor but its 49 scientific employees will remain at their current...

Southfield-based Visiting Nurse Association Inc., the parent company of Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Southfield-based Visiting Nurse Association Inc., the parent company of Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan, the state's largest independent nonprofit provider of home health-care services, acquired Renaissance Home Health Care...

Marx Layne & Co.(Contracts)(named public relations firm of record in "Class of 2002-Top 10 Most Likely to Succeed")(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Farmington Hills-based Marx Layne & Co. was named public relations firm of record by American Woman Road & Travel magazine and the publication's sixth annual "Class of 2002-Top 10 Most Likely to Succeed" automotive awards gala. The event was...

Superior Consultant Co.(Contracts)(installation of Lawson 8 Series software at Bon Secours Health System Inc.)
March 1, 2002... Southfield-based Superior Consultant Co. was selected to implement an installation of Lawson 8 Series software at Bon Secours Health System Inc. in Marriottsville, Md. The finance and supply chain management software from Computer Sciences...

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss.(Expansions/Renovations)(open Ann Arbor office)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Detroit-based law firm Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss opened an Ann Arbor office on Jan. 1. Managing partner Jeffrey G. Heuer said the decision was driven by the explosive growth of opportunities in the Ann Arbor business community, particularly...

Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.(Expansions/Renovations)(RiverCafe)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center opened its RiverCafe on Jan. 2, marking another milestone as it nears completion of a $100-million redevelopment project that began more than two years ago. The new cafe, located near the guest lobby,...

Dykema Gossett PLLC.(New Products/Services)(is adopting StreamLoaner[TM] closing management software)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Detroit-based Dykema Gossett PLLC said it is the first law firm in Michigan to adopt the new StreamLoaner[TM] closing management software that automates the commercial real estate lending process. The software manages the workflow and produces...

Ward's Communications.(New Products/Services)(www.wardsauto.com)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Southfield-based Ward's Communications launched www.wardsauto.com, a new subscription site covering the automotive industry. The site combines Ward's newsletter content, which includes Ward's Automotive Reports, and specialty magazines...

Albert Kahn Associates Inc.(New Products/Services)(new subsidiary Kahn Professional Resources Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Albert Kahn Associates Inc., a Detroit-based planning, design and management firm, formed a new subsidiary company called Kahn Professional Resources Inc., specializing in contract staffing and direct placement of personnel for existing and new...

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers.(New Products/Services)(marketing agreement with Tooling University)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, based in Dearborn, announced a joint marketing partnership with Tooling University of Cleveland to provide 30 Tooling online courses in shop floor operations through SME's online Learning Center. The...

Red flag alert: is Michigan scaring away investors?(David Littman: on the Economy)
March 1, 2002... You'd think Michigan's policy makers and elected officials would do everything in their power to reinvigorate the state's business climate. After 18 months of economic deceleration and recession that have pummeled profits and employment in...

University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy in Detroit celebrated the completion of a $25-miilion fundraising campaign supported in part by matching gifts from area companies.(Benchmarks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy in Detroit celebrated the completion of a $25-miilion fundraising campaign supported in part by matching gifts from area companies. Funds from the campaign were used to renovate and expand...

Northstar Community Development Corp. and Warren Conner Development Coalition were among the winners of the 2001 Community Development Awards.(Benchmarks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Northstar Community Development Corp. and Warren Canner Development Coalition were among the winners of the 2001 Community Development Awards, presented by Local Initiatives Support Corp. (USC) Detroit and Community Development Advocates of...

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.(Benchmarks)(received a 2001 Cheers Award from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan received a 2001 Cheers Award from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices during the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists midyear conference in New Orleans, The award honors companies that set a...

National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois.(Benchmarks)(ranks No. 1 in Michigan in making U.S. Small Business Administration-backed loans)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois ranks No. 1 in Michigan in making U.S. Small Business Administration-backed Loans. For the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2001, National City, an SBA "preferred lender," made 146 SBA-backed loans in Michigan...

Guardian Industries Inc.(Benchmarks)(Consultation Education and Training Bronze Award received)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Guardian Industries Inc.'s Carleton facility received the Consultation Education and Training Bronze Award for an outstanding safety and health record from the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services. Guardian is based in Auburn...

The Detroit Medical Center.(Benchmarks)(Website wins two awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Detroit Medical Center's Website--www.dmc.org--won two Platinum Leader ship Awards from the Internet publication eHealthcare Strategy & Trends. The DMC site won for "Best Overall Internet Site" and "Best Interactive Site" in the health-care...

Fry Multimedia Inc.(Benchmarks)(eight 2001 WebAwards won from the Web Marketing Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Ann Arbor-based Fry Multimedia Inc. won eight 2001 WebAwards from the Web Marketing Association. Two sites were chosen best in their categories. Crate and Barrel's online store was name "best shopping site" and Eddie Bauer's online store was...

Schostak Brothers & Co.(Benchmarks)(received the Barbara Wicking Knight Philanthropy Award )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Southfield-based Schostak Brothers & Co. received the Barbara Wicking Knight Philanthropy Award from the Northeast Guidance Center in Detroit. Schostak was recognized for enabling the center to use the Pointe Plaza Mall to display artwork and...

Follmer Rudzewicz Advisors Inc.(Benchmarks)(Centerprise Information Solutions wins the Dynamics Excellence Award)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Centerprise Information Solutions, the technology group for Southfield-based Follmer Rudzewlcz Advisors Inc., won the Dynamics Excellence award at the Microsoft Great Plains Business Solutions annual partner conference. The award honors sales...

HarleyEllis of Southfield received a Design Honor Award from the Detroit Chapter of the American institute of Architects for its work on the Huntington Woods Community Center addition and renovation project.(Benchmarks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... HarleyEllis of Southfield received a Design Honor Award from the Detroit Chapter of the American institute of Architects for its work on the Huntington Woods Community Center addition and renovation project. AIA-Detroit also presented its first...

Walsh College in Troy presented its Jeffery W. Barry Dedication to Educational Excellence and Service Awards.(Benchmarks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Walsh College in Troy presented its Jeffery W. Barry Dedication to Educational Excellence and Service Awards to Robert H. Naftaly, executive vice president and COO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and Michael D. Fezzey, president and...

Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center.(Benchmarks)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Gayle Groshko, a senior RN in the Department of Radiation Oncology for Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center in Dearborn, received the 2002 Excellence in Radiation Therapy Nursing Award from the Oncology Nursing Society.

Macomb Community College.(Benchmarks)(appointment of Charles C. Thomas)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Community College Business Officers Association named Charles C. Thomas, vice president of business at Macomb Community College, the 2001 Outstanding Chief Business Officer for Region 10, which includes Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

McCann-Erickson Detroit.(Advertising)(Charlie Metzger given additional duties of director of client services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Charlie Metzger, senior vice president, director of business and resource development at McCann-Erickson Detroit in Troy, to the additional duties of director of client services.

NTH Consultants.(Architecture/Construction)(Don Andreski appointed to the Facilities Rehabilitation Engineering Practice)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Don Andreski to the Facilities Rehabilitation Engineering Practice at NTH Consultants in Farmington Hills.

Peoples State Bank.(Banking/Finance)(Catherine M. Revord named vice president and director of human resources)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Catherine M. Revord to vice president and director of human resources at Peoples State Bank in Hamtramck.

Lawrence Technological University.(Education)(Appointments.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Larry E. Johnson to director of the Bachelor of Science in Administration degree program at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield.

Kregg Wiggins, vice president-power-train at Siemens Automotive in Auburn Hills.(Education)(appointment to the Visiting Committee for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Kregg Wiggins, vice president-power-train at Siemens Automotive in Auburn Hills, to the Visiting Committee for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

AKT Peerless Environmental Services.(Environmental)(appointments of Michael J. Coram and Joshua J. Bennett)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Michael J. Coram and Joshua J. Bennett to environmental engineers at AKT Peerless Environmental Services in Farmington Hills.

Marcie Brogan, managing partner.(Health Care)(appointments of Marcie Brogan and Armando R. Cavazos to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan board of trustees)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Marcie Brogan, managing partner, Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing and Armando R. Cavazos, president and CEO, Credit Union ONE, to the board of trustees of the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

Oakwood Healthcare System.(Health Care)(Barbara R. Medvec named chief nursing officer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Barbara R. Medvec to chief nursing officer for Oakwood Healthcare System in Dearborn.

Right Management Consultants Great Lakes Region.(Human Resources)(Elyse Sutherland, Ph.D. and Andor Reiber, Ph.D., named vice presidents of organizational consulting services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Elyse Sutherland, Ph.D., and Andor Reiber, Ph.D., to vice presidents of organizational consulting services at Right Management Consultants Great Lakes Region in Southfield.

Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC.(Legal)(Edward C. Soto named firm administrator)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Edward C. Soto to firm administrator for the Bloomfield Hills, Grand Rapids, Washington, D.C., Denver and Salt Lake City offices of Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC.

Caponigro Public Relations Inc.(Marketing)(Joseph Kirik named vice president)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Joseph Kirik to vice president at Caponigro Public Relations Inc. in Southfield.

LovioGeorge Inc.(Marketing)(Marlene Bruder appointed chief financial officer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Marlene Bruder to chief financial officer at LovioGeorge Inc. in Detroit.

Bianchi Public Relations Inc.(Marketing)(Cynthia A. Williams named account executive)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Cynthia A. Williams to account executive at Bianchi Public Relations Inc. in Troy.

WDIV-TV.(Media)(appointment of Ted Pearse)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Ted Pearse, general sales manager of WDIV-TV in Detroit, to chairman of the Station Advisory Committee for the Television Bureau of Advertising.

Eisbrenner Public Relations.(Public Relations)(announces various appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Christine Olszewski and Stephanie Sanderson to senior account executives, Steve Salhaney to senior graphic designer and Alissa Piccluca to account coordinator at Eisbrenner Public Relations in Troy.

PR Services Inc.(Public Relations)(appointed Ron Hingst president and CEO)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Ron Hingst to president and CEO at PR Services Inc. in Ann Arbor.

Finsliver Friedman Management Co.(Real Estate)(announces various appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Randall Tarnow to senior vice president and head of the Corporate Account Services Group, David Greene to vice president of brokerage services, Scott Daniels to assistant controller and Kevin Mcloughlin to development and construction manager...

The Alford Group.(Services)(Virginia Fallis named senior consultant at the Michigan/Northern Ohio Area Office)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Virginia Fallis to senior consultant at the Michigan/Northern Ohio Area Office of The Alford Group in Detroit.

Collex Collision Experts.(Services)(appointment of Robert F. Presto)
March 1, 2002... Robert F. Presto to vice president of human resources at Collex Collision Experts in Clinton Township.

Rave Computer Association Inc.(Technology)(William Wagstaff named vice president, sales and marketing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... William Wagstaff to vice president, sales and marketing at Rave Computer Association Inc. in Sterling Heights.

Enterprise Computing Services.(Technology)(appointed Brian Belau sales associate for the Midwest territory)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Brian Belau to sales associate for the Midwest territory at Enterprise Computing Services in Livonia.

DTE Energy.(Utilities)(Karla Hall appointed manager of corporate contributions and community involvement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Karla Hall to manager of corporate contributions and community involvement at DTE Energy in Detroit.

Funds for scholarships.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Davenport University - Eastern Region Foundation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... A combination wine tasting, art auction and dinner event at the Fairlane Club in Dearborn helped raise more than $15,000 for student scholarships for the Davenport University-Eastern Region Foundation. Foundation Board Trustee Tarik Daoud,...

A welcome challenge.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Kresge Foundation sets up grant for a Learning Center at the Lawrence Technological University)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Kresge Foundation awarded an $800,000 challenge grant to support the construction of a $20-million Technology and Learning Center at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. The purpose of the challenge is to assist the...

A humanitarian fund.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(fund for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack setup by Pulte Homes Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Bloomfield Hills-based Pulte Homes Inc. committed $1 million through a fund established by the nation's largest home builders to provide support and assistance to the victims, their families and rescue workers affected by the Sept. 11 terrorist...

Banking on sports.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(National City Bank's corporate sponsorship with Wayne State University)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... National City Bank formed a corporate partnership with Wayne State University in Detroit. The project is designed to raise the visibility of WSU athletic programs. With National City's financial support, WSU produced its first-ever...

Tools for robotics.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Electronic Data Systems grant to Macomb Community College )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Macomb Community College received a grant from Electronic Data Systems (EDS) to purchase 10 Delmia IGRIP[R] software licenses. The software provides robotic simulation tools for design, evaluation and off-line programming of robotic work cells....

'Talking' ATMs.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Bank One Detroit installs "talking" automated teller machines)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Bank One installed eight "talking" ATMs at Michigan banking centers to make banking more convenient for its visually impaired customers. Customers use plug-in stereo headphones to hear confidential, step-by-step instructions to operate the...

Free education programs.(Civic minded: working together for a better community)(Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, based in Southfield, is offering free "Seizure Smart" epilepsy education programs to inform teachers, school officials and bus drivers how to recognize different types of seizures and what to do when a child...