Detroiter articles from March 2004

Detroiter archives from March 2004

Article boosts sales call.(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I really appreciate the Detroiter magazine for including my article on long-term care insurance in your December issue. I actually used it today at a sales call, and the client enjoyed seeing it. Thanks for your support. Nancy Boari, M.A....

More on banks.(Feed Back)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I agree with the points made in "You and your bank" in the November issue of the Detroiter. I would add one additional reason for banks terminating relations: the increasing account-specific profit/yield requirements of banks, which often has...

Many compliments.(Feed Back)
March 1, 2004... I wanted to thank you for the wonderful piece that was in the November issue of the Detroiter ("Partners in Principle"). I have received many compliments on the article. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael A. Semanco President ...

Detroiter adds value.(Feed Back)
March 1, 2004... I don't get a chance to read the Detroiter as often as I like, but when I do I'm always impressed. I just finally checked out your September technology issue and found the articles extremely valuable. Vince Cavasin Partner ...

A 'Central' priority: manufacturing is everbody's concern.(From the President)(manufacturing industries)
March 1, 2004... There's been a lot of talk about manufacturing lately and with good reason. Like it or not, this is a manufacturing state and the Detroit Region is the Automotive Capital of the World. If it weren't for manufacturing, I wouldn't be writing this...

Chamber history: a link to 1903-1904.(In Box)(Detroit Regional Chamber)
March 1, 2004... The Detroit Regional Chamber celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003. As the year drew to a close, the Chamber discovered a present-day link to its past: Michael M. Dixon is a great-grandson of Michael J. Murphy, who in 1903-04 served as the...

A new beginning for Heath Meriwether: the former Free Press publisher reflects on 17 years of service to the Detroit community.(In Box)
March 1, 2004... Heath J. Meriwether retired at the end of 2003 after a distinguished 17-year career with the Detroit Free Press, including the past seven years as publisher. He also had served on the Detroit Regional Chamber's board of directors since 1997....

The Leadership Detroit experience.
March 1, 2004... In honor of Leadership Detroit's 25th anniversary, the Detroiter will feature a monthly first-person report from LD graduates who are making a difference in their communities. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My Leadership Detroit experience has...

New members.(In Box)(Comau Pico, McLeodUSA Inc. and Perrin, Fordree and Co. are the new members of Detroit Regional Chamber)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Welcome to these new members who joined the Detroit Regional Chamber in December. Silver Comau Pico Southfield Diversified Health Care Management Consultants Inc. Southfield The Marketing...

Global honors: Nick Scheele, Ford Motor Co.'s president and chief operating officer, is named 2004 World Trader of the Year by the Detroit Regional Chamber's International Business Council.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... He is a knight of the British Empire, he speaks several European languages fluently and he is a chancellor at the University of Warwick in England. And his office is just across town, on the 12th floor at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn....

Targeting the new 'creative class': an innovative economic-development strategy is coming to the digital drive.(Economic Development)(industrialization)
March 1, 2004... With any type of construction, the foundation is critical. And so it is with economic development, especially in core cities like Detroit. As we move from the Information Age into the Creative Age, we are discovering that the foundation for our...

Reversing the demographic trend.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Last year, Gov. Jennifer Granholm made it a priority for Michigan to develop "cool cities"--her tagline for the kind of cities that will attract and retain the creative class and also the companies where they work. The Governor's team is...

The influential class and how it got that way.(The Rise of the Creative Class by Richard Florida)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In his book "The Rise of the Creative Class," Richard Florida, a professor of economic development at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, contends that economic development should focus on attracting and retaining the most creative and...

Eye on world trade: is your company ready to go global?(Economic Development)
March 1, 2004... Globalization is a term that's on just about everybody's to-do list, as in: In order to be successful in the future, we must be a global company. Whether you're large or small, chances are you've considered it, or at least tossed the idea...

Site Selection.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Site Selection magazine released the results of its annual ranking of the most business-friendly states in America, and Michigan ranked No. 2 for the second straight year. "The innovative economic development tools that we have in our arsenal...

An 8-point global cultural checklist.(Economic Developmentfbrf)(globalization)
March 1, 2004... In preparing your workforce for globalization, keep in mind that there are many cultural differences that impact conducting business successfully in other countries. Be sure that everyone from your key strategists to your hourly workers are...

Assess Your International Risk.(Additional resources)(U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American International Group Inc. have launched a new Web resource for small businesses)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American International Group Inc. have launched a new Web resource for small businesses seeking information on doing business overseas. Called "Assess Your International...

What you should know about franchising abroad.(Additional resources)
March 1, 2004... Taking your show on the road? Visit the Detroiter Online at www.detroitchamber.com/detroiter for advice on "What you should know about franchising abroad," by Richard A. Walawender, senior principal at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC.

Government contracts.(Economic Development)
March 1, 2004... The federal government aims to award 23 percent of its contracts to small businesses. Before you try to land a government contract, you should think about which federal departments or agencies would be a good fit for your business. Also note...

Detroit-Windsor border update: a bi-national study recommends a new border-crossing point to relieve traffic congestion.(Economic Development)
March 1, 2004... As the saying goes, "There's good news and bad news." The good news is that the Detroit Region benefits enormously from having good connections to Canada, its No. 1 world trade partner, by way of the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor...

Chamber plays a key role.(Detroit Regional Chamber's border security policy)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Detroit Regional Chamber has long recognized the economic importance of our shared border with Canada and has actively monitored border crossing policy, staffing, technology and infrastructure issues for more than two decades. Following the...

Policy update: MEGA.(Michigan Economic Growth Authority)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently signed legislation re-authorizing the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) until 2009. MEGA provides a Single Business Tax credit for companies to expand their current business or locate a new business in...

FMLA attendance policies.(Dickinson Wright: In Brief)(Family Medical Leave Act)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Several recent cases have given employers who have no-call, no-show attendance policies reason for concern. This type of policy typically provides that an employee's failure to report to work for two or three days, without proper notification...

Border proposals.(Economic Development)(road construction)
March 1, 2004... For the long-term solution to the capacity need, a number of proposals have been offered, including: Twin the Ambassador Bridge -- On the U.S. side, plans for improvements to the connection between the Ambassador Bridge plaza and the...

Fast Track Authority.(Policy update: Redevelopment legislation)(urban redevelopment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Fast Track Authority -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently signed the Redevelopment Fast Track Authority package (HB 4480-4484 and 4488), which will encourage urban redevelopment by establishing an authority to clear property titles and move...

Brownfield funding increase.(Policy update: Redevelopment legislation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Brownfield Funding Increase -- The Detroit Regional Chamber supported legislation to increase current brownfield funding by using Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) dollars. The legistration has been signed into effect as Public Act 252 and 253....

Policy update: venture capital.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A key component for any state's successful economic-development strategy is the ability to attract new business start-ups. These start-ups will gravitate towards states where venture capital is readily available. Michigan is at a disadvantage...

A bold vision for downtown Detroit: 2006 is the deadline for a revitalized urban core.(Economic Development)
March 1, 2004... Is Detroit in the fast lane on the road to becoming a "Cool City?" If you ask the people who are hard at work on a collaborative economic-development initiative called the Lower Woodward Improvement Program, the answer is a resounding "yes!"...

#4: dashed expectations.(succession planning (Business))(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Business owners with relatives in the business need to be especially diligent in planning their retirement early, and communicating the plan to those who are (not) expected to succeed them in ownership and management. The truth is that whether...

Do-it-yourself business plans.(Small Business CENTRAL)(small businesses)
March 1, 2004... A bit of advice--write your own business plan. Sure, you can hire somebody to do it, but nobody knows your business like you do (and if you're new to a business, take the opportunity to do lots of research and become an expert). Nobody else is...

Bright ideas--the truth about grants.(business financing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... True or false: Grant money is widely available to help you start your business. False! Yet this myth persists. The free-money con takes a grain of truth and distorts it. It's true, there are a few grants for small businesses. These highly...

Salute.(Atwell-Hicks Inc., Key Plastics L.L.C. and Autoliv North America Inc. are members of Detroit Regional Chamber)
March 1, 2004... To accomplish the goals set for the Detroit Regional Chamber, it takes a great deal of commitment from a diverse group of quality businesses. Members at the Gold, Silver and Bronze levels have embraced the Chamber's commitment to power the...

Global operations--global benefits.(Health Care CENTRAL)(health insurance plans of overseas employess)
March 1, 2004... If you plan to send any of your employees overseas, you can cover them for health, dental and vision benefits in a number of ways: Coverage under host country's plan: Depending on the country's eligibility rules, it is possible for...

Bright ideas--save money.(prescription program)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Running out of ideas to help manage your benefit costs? Take another look at your prescription program. You can add programs internally to help manage costs better without affecting employee co-pays: Generic enforcement -- This is common...

Benchmarks.(The Network)(Kelly Services Inc. was named 2003 Corporation of the Year)(Lloyd Semple and Joseph A. Ritok, members of Dykema Gossett PLC recognised as leading business attorneys)(William M. Saxton of Butzel Long received the State Bar of Michigan's Champion of Justice Award)
March 1, 2004... The following honorees are Silver-level members Kelly Services Inc. in Troy was named 2003 Corporation of the Year in the Professional/Commercial Services Sector by the Michigan Minority Business Development Council. It was the fifth time...

McCann-Erickson Detroit.(Advertising)(appoints Joe Tuskiewicz as senior vice president, worldwide account manager)(appoints John Van Tuskiewicz Vleck as senior vice president, strategic planning director)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Joe Tuskiewicz to senior vice president, General Motors worldwide account manager, and John Van Tuskiewicz Vleck to senior vice president, strategic planning director at McCann-Erickson Detroit in Troy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

SmithGroup Inc.(Architecture)(Eugene C. Hopkins appointed as a president of The American Institute of Architects)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA, senior vice president at SmithGroup Inc. in Detroit, to 80th president of The American Institute of Architects.

Employees Only Inc.(Business Services)(appoints Mark M. Taras as business development manager)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Mark M. Taras to business development manager at Employees Only Inc. in Troy.

Detroit Regional Chamber.(Chambers of Commerce)(appoints Lisa Baragar Katz as a Director, Public Affairs)(appoints Lynn Potter as executive account manager, Member Relations)(appoints Louisa Pool as database marketing specialist)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Lisa Baragar Katz to director, Public Affairs; Lynn Potter to executive account manager, Member Relations and Louisa Pool to database marketing specialist at the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Franco Public Relations Group.(Chambers of Commerce)(Daniel F. Ponder appointed as vice chairperson on the Executive Committee of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Daniel F. Ponder, CEO of Franco Public Relations Group in Detroit, to vice chairperson for District VII on the Executive Committee of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Michigan Economic Development Corp.(Government)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Donald E. Jakeway to president and CEO and Sandy Ring to senior vice president of economic development policy of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) in Lansing.

St. John Hospital and Medical Center.(Health Care)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Ronald F. LaPensee, FACHE, to executive vice president for St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP.(Health Care)(Beaumont Hospitals)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Mark J. Mendola, managing partner at the Detroit office of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, to the Board of Trustees at the Beaumont Hospitals.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.(Insurance)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Carolyn Walton, CPA, to vice president and treasurer, Karen A. Maher to vice president of medical care management and provider inquiry operations and Gregory W. Anderson to vice president, corporate and financial investigations for Blue Cross...

Foley & Lardner.(Legal)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... George W. Ash to chair of the expanded Government Procurement Team at the Detroit Office of Foley & Lardner.

Butzel Long.(Legal)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Gregory N. Blase, Katherine Donohue Goudie, Matthew H. Letzmann, Justin R. Peruski and Eileen E. Pott to associate attorneys at Butzel Long in Detroit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Clark Hill PLC.(Legal)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Peter D. Holmes, member at Clark Hill PLC in Detroit, to secretary/treasurer of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Dykema Gossett PLLC.(Legal)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Richard E. Gottlieb to leader of the Consumer Financial Services practice and James P. Feeney to head of National Ligitation at Dykema Gossett PLLC in Detroit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Abbott Nicholson, Quilter, Esshaki & Youngblood PC.(Legal)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Robert Y. Weller II to shareholder; Christopher R. Gura, Dale P. Ward, Russell S. Slatkin and Michael J. Weiker to associates; and Kenneth S. Wilson, Robert G. Lewandowski and Brian H. Rolfe to of counsel at Abbott Nicholson, Quilter, Esshaki &...

Hass MS & L.(Marketing/Public Relations)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Jud Branam to senior vice president, PR Technology, and Laurie Mayers to vice president, PR Technology at Hass MS & L in Ann Arbor.

Grubb & Ellis Co.(Real Estate)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Raymond Husband to senior vice president of the Office Group at Grubb & Ellis Co. in Southfield.

The Epitec Group.(Staffing services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Tony Hollamon to executive vice president, Sharon Ball to chief operating officer. Holly Maguire to director of human resources and general manager and Mark Ruma to chief financial officer at The Epitec Group in Southfield.

Comcast.(Telecommunications)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Brad Paul to Midwest Division director of engineering. David Weiss to Midwest Division director of project analysis and Jerome Espy to regional director of communications at Comcast in Southfield.

Pentastar Aviation.(Transportation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Rick Sieg to manager of crew compliance and scheduling at Pentastar Aviation in Waterford. For additional listings, visit the Detroiter Online at www.detroitchamber.com.