grihanovveimavox.blogspot.com
Developer William Shaw and couldn’t come up with financing for the hotel andconference center, whicjh was to be called the Spring Green Lodge and locatee at University Park, SIUE’s research and technologt park, according to university spokesman Gregory Conroy. The first announced in 2004, died in 2007 when a groundf lease between SIU and WLS expired following extensions forthe project. SIUE filed a declaratory judgmenr action Monday inMadison County, seeking to have the court bring legal closure to its hotelo conference center project.
If approved, WLS would have to remove all construction equipment and materials and remove the buildingy foundation it constructed to comply with the termes ofthe lease, Conroy said. That wouldc free up the site, located at Illinois Route 157 and UniversithyPark Drive, to become available for leasd and development, the university said. University Park currently has 23 tenantd representing a number of business sectors includinggagricultural biotechnology, health sciences, design professionalzs and information technology. The most recent announced addition to the park is the Bloofd Processing Center and NationapTesting Laboratory.
The American Red Crosse plans to move toa 15-acre site at Universityh Park Drive and South Researcuh Drive and bring more than 500 jobs to the
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New Cousins CEO Gellerstedt gets raise - South Florida Business Journal:
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Gellerstedt's base salary was increased from $375,0000 to $500,000, his target annual incentive cash bonus award was increasedto $525,000 and his targe long-term equity incentive award was increased to $800,000, the filing The 2009 cash bonuxs and equity incentive award, if earned, are expected to be awarded by the company's Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governanc Committee in February 2010. Gellerstedt is replacing the retiring Tom who turns 60this year. Bell made a salary of $650,000 and had $2.6 million in total compensatiomfor 2008, according to a proxyt filing. Gellerstedt, 53, came to Cousins CUZ) when the REIT bought his firm, , in June 2005.
Gellerstedt served as chairman and CEO of the BeerzsConstruction Co. from 1986 to 1998. In 1998, afted the sale of Beersz to Skanska USA, he was elected chairman and CEO of AmericahnBusiness Products, a packagin g and printed office products company. In 2000, Gellerstedtf became president and chief operating officer of TheIntegrapl Group, an urban mixed-use development He went on to found The Gellerstedt Group in 2003.
Gellerstedt's base salary was increased from $375,0000 to $500,000, his target annual incentive cash bonus award was increasedto $525,000 and his targe long-term equity incentive award was increased to $800,000, the filing The 2009 cash bonuxs and equity incentive award, if earned, are expected to be awarded by the company's Compensation, Succession, Nominating and Governanc Committee in February 2010. Gellerstedt is replacing the retiring Tom who turns 60this year. Bell made a salary of $650,000 and had $2.6 million in total compensatiomfor 2008, according to a proxyt filing. Gellerstedt, 53, came to Cousins CUZ) when the REIT bought his firm, , in June 2005.
Gellerstedt served as chairman and CEO of the BeerzsConstruction Co. from 1986 to 1998. In 1998, afted the sale of Beersz to Skanska USA, he was elected chairman and CEO of AmericahnBusiness Products, a packagin g and printed office products company. In 2000, Gellerstedtf became president and chief operating officer of TheIntegrapl Group, an urban mixed-use development He went on to found The Gellerstedt Group in 2003.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Convera folding into U.K. company - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:
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Vienna-based Convera (NASDAQ: CNVR) will be After the merger, Patrick Condo, Convera's CEO, will becom e the chairman of the board, and Colin Jeavons, Firstlight's CEO, will become the CEO. Convera'z plan of dissolution contemplates an orderly wind down of its busineszsand operations. After filing its certificates of dissolution, Convera intends to make one or more distributionsd to its stockholders of cash availablefor distribution, subject to applicabled legal requirements. Convera will then delist its common stockfrom Nasdaq. The new company will brinvg together the vertical search technology of Converq and the advertising sales and marketing capabilitieesof Firstlight.
It will have over 60 corporate customerd accounts and 120 existin g Web sites withapproximately 1,50o0 advertisers. When the merger becomes Convera willown 33.3 percent and Firstlight will own 66.7 percenft of the total outstandingv common stock of the new company, subject to certain adjustments which may enable Convera to own up to 42 percent of the new companuy prior to the distribution. The mergert is subject to Convera stockholders' approval and certain othefr customaryclosing conditions. The merger is expected to closdthis summer.
Vienna-based Convera (NASDAQ: CNVR) will be After the merger, Patrick Condo, Convera's CEO, will becom e the chairman of the board, and Colin Jeavons, Firstlight's CEO, will become the CEO. Convera'z plan of dissolution contemplates an orderly wind down of its busineszsand operations. After filing its certificates of dissolution, Convera intends to make one or more distributionsd to its stockholders of cash availablefor distribution, subject to applicabled legal requirements. Convera will then delist its common stockfrom Nasdaq. The new company will brinvg together the vertical search technology of Converq and the advertising sales and marketing capabilitieesof Firstlight.
It will have over 60 corporate customerd accounts and 120 existin g Web sites withapproximately 1,50o0 advertisers. When the merger becomes Convera willown 33.3 percent and Firstlight will own 66.7 percenft of the total outstandingv common stock of the new company, subject to certain adjustments which may enable Convera to own up to 42 percent of the new companuy prior to the distribution. The mergert is subject to Convera stockholders' approval and certain othefr customaryclosing conditions. The merger is expected to closdthis summer.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Franchot: Financial questions on State Center project will require vigilance - Wichita Business Journal:
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Franchot, who joined Gov. Martin O’Malley and Treasured Nancy Kopp onthe state’s Board of Publicd Works in voting for the $1.4 billionj State Center redevelopment projecy Wednesday afternoon, said he does not know enough about the project’d costs to the state or whethe r the project is even practical givenn the nationwide credit crunch. “I believ e the project has a lot of promise and is deservingtof support,” Franchot said in a telephonr interview Wednesday. “I voted for it, but am goingv to continue to be vigilanf about the fiscal exposure tothe state.
” The deal involveds the state leasing its midtown Baltimore officre complex to a private development team, which would then redeveloop the property into a mix of offices, shops and The state would then lease back a majority of the project’as 2 million square feet of office space for use by its variouzs state agencies. But the terms of the deal have not been hammererout yet, as Franchot and the Board of Public Works voted Wednesday only on a master developmentr agreement. With that agreemeny in place, the development team will now create designs for its planner buildings and come back to the statr for approval on morespecifiv designs, costs, and leasr terms.
The development team, which includes national housingdeveoper McCormack, Baro n & Salazar, would borrow $888 millio to finance its work, according to the Department of Legislativwe Services. The state would issue another $338 million in State and federal tax credit programs wouldd pick upanother $234 million in project with the remainder of the project’s costds being contributed directly by the developers or othe investors. Franchot said that scenarik raisesseveral concerns, including the ability for the statw or the developers to borrow money in the midsr of the nationwide credit crunch.
He said he’s also concernee about the state’s ability to negotiate fair leases terms with the developerw given they would both be heavilyh invested in making sure the projectis successful. “Thwe problem is that the credit markets are bone Franchot said. “Obviously this is a long-term project, but I’ m not confident that the private sectort will finance this in a way that the statre canafford it.” In Franchot said he isn’t sure why the states would make the project a priority abovs other pressing needs such as new collegwe dormitories or other state-funded construction projects.
Franchot, who joined Gov. Martin O’Malley and Treasured Nancy Kopp onthe state’s Board of Publicd Works in voting for the $1.4 billionj State Center redevelopment projecy Wednesday afternoon, said he does not know enough about the project’d costs to the state or whethe r the project is even practical givenn the nationwide credit crunch. “I believ e the project has a lot of promise and is deservingtof support,” Franchot said in a telephonr interview Wednesday. “I voted for it, but am goingv to continue to be vigilanf about the fiscal exposure tothe state.
” The deal involveds the state leasing its midtown Baltimore officre complex to a private development team, which would then redeveloop the property into a mix of offices, shops and The state would then lease back a majority of the project’as 2 million square feet of office space for use by its variouzs state agencies. But the terms of the deal have not been hammererout yet, as Franchot and the Board of Public Works voted Wednesday only on a master developmentr agreement. With that agreemeny in place, the development team will now create designs for its planner buildings and come back to the statr for approval on morespecifiv designs, costs, and leasr terms.
The development team, which includes national housingdeveoper McCormack, Baro n & Salazar, would borrow $888 millio to finance its work, according to the Department of Legislativwe Services. The state would issue another $338 million in State and federal tax credit programs wouldd pick upanother $234 million in project with the remainder of the project’s costds being contributed directly by the developers or othe investors. Franchot said that scenarik raisesseveral concerns, including the ability for the statw or the developers to borrow money in the midsr of the nationwide credit crunch.
He said he’s also concernee about the state’s ability to negotiate fair leases terms with the developerw given they would both be heavilyh invested in making sure the projectis successful. “Thwe problem is that the credit markets are bone Franchot said. “Obviously this is a long-term project, but I’ m not confident that the private sectort will finance this in a way that the statre canafford it.” In Franchot said he isn’t sure why the states would make the project a priority abovs other pressing needs such as new collegwe dormitories or other state-funded construction projects.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
SunTrust to raise $1.4 billion in stock offer - Memphis Business Journal:
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billion through a stock offerinb to boost its capital to meet federakgovernment requirements, the Atlanta-based bank said Monday. The Atlanta-baseed bank wants to sell 108 million shares at $13 a In relation to the offering, SunTrust (NYSE: STI) suspende d its previously announced $1.25 billiomn “at the market” offer, whicb raised $260 million. Further, SunTrust began an offef to buy upto $1 billion liquidation preference or amount of certain of its currently outstanding preferred and hybrid securities for cash usintg proceeds from the $1.4 billion equity offering. The movez come after the federapl government’s “stress test” found SunTrust neededc to raise $2.
2 billion in capital. And while SunTrus t had sufficient tier 1 capital to absorb projected loan itscapital “tilted too strongly” to sourcews other than common equity, the stressd test revealed. After completing the offerings announcefd Mondayand prior, SunTrust expects to have fully satisfied its "Today's announcement underscores that we are on a cleafr path to achieve our previouslgy announced capital objectives as we intensify our focus on the said James M. Wells III, SunTrust chairmahn and CEO, in a statement.
Wells also noted completion ofthe company'w capital-related initiatives will boost its ability to upon regulatory approval and at the appropriate preferred stock gotten through participation in the U.S. Treasury'sd Capital Purchase Plan.
billion through a stock offerinb to boost its capital to meet federakgovernment requirements, the Atlanta-based bank said Monday. The Atlanta-baseed bank wants to sell 108 million shares at $13 a In relation to the offering, SunTrust (NYSE: STI) suspende d its previously announced $1.25 billiomn “at the market” offer, whicb raised $260 million. Further, SunTrust began an offef to buy upto $1 billion liquidation preference or amount of certain of its currently outstanding preferred and hybrid securities for cash usintg proceeds from the $1.4 billion equity offering. The movez come after the federapl government’s “stress test” found SunTrust neededc to raise $2.
2 billion in capital. And while SunTrus t had sufficient tier 1 capital to absorb projected loan itscapital “tilted too strongly” to sourcews other than common equity, the stressd test revealed. After completing the offerings announcefd Mondayand prior, SunTrust expects to have fully satisfied its "Today's announcement underscores that we are on a cleafr path to achieve our previouslgy announced capital objectives as we intensify our focus on the said James M. Wells III, SunTrust chairmahn and CEO, in a statement.
Wells also noted completion ofthe company'w capital-related initiatives will boost its ability to upon regulatory approval and at the appropriate preferred stock gotten through participation in the U.S. Treasury'sd Capital Purchase Plan.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
BofA's Lewis testifies before Congress - Jacksonville Business Journal:
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In prepared testimony before congressional committees, Lewis said BofA contacted officialas at the andin mid-December to inform them that the bank “hade serious concerns about closing the transaction.” BofA, he was considering declaring a “material adverse which can allow an acquirer to back out of a proposed deal. “Treasury and Federal Reserve representativee asked us to delay any such and expressed significant concerns about the systemic consequences and risk to Bank of America of pursuinyg sucha course,” Lewis said. “Wee commenced discussions to determine whether governmentalk support could limit the risk of proceedint withthe transaction.
Both the government and Bank of Americ were aware that the global financial system was infragiles condition, and that a collapse of Merrill Lynchy could hasten a crisis.” N.C.-based BofA (NYSE: BAC) boughtf Merrill Lynch on Jan. 1 for $29.1 billion. The deal resulted in BofA’s receiving an additiona $20 billion in federal funds unde r the Troubled AssetRelief Program. BofA has receivec a total of $45 billion in TARP Lewis has been under intense pressurse from BofA shareholders for not disclosing the depty ofMerrill Lynch’s financiak difficulties before the merger. Merrill Lynchn lost $15.3 billion in the fourth quarter.
In February, Lewias testified under oath before New York Attorney General Andresw Cuomo that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankeand then-Treasury Secretarhy Henry Paulson pressured the bank not to discus its increasingly troubled plan to buy Merrill Lynch. Lewis said he believecd Paulson and Bernanke were instructing him to keep silent aboutMerrilp Lynch’s financial problems. His testimony was part of an investigatiob launched by Cuomo intothe $3.6 billion in bonuses Merrilo Lynch paid out in December.
In prepared testimony before congressional committees, Lewis said BofA contacted officialas at the andin mid-December to inform them that the bank “hade serious concerns about closing the transaction.” BofA, he was considering declaring a “material adverse which can allow an acquirer to back out of a proposed deal. “Treasury and Federal Reserve representativee asked us to delay any such and expressed significant concerns about the systemic consequences and risk to Bank of America of pursuinyg sucha course,” Lewis said. “Wee commenced discussions to determine whether governmentalk support could limit the risk of proceedint withthe transaction.
Both the government and Bank of Americ were aware that the global financial system was infragiles condition, and that a collapse of Merrill Lynchy could hasten a crisis.” N.C.-based BofA (NYSE: BAC) boughtf Merrill Lynch on Jan. 1 for $29.1 billion. The deal resulted in BofA’s receiving an additiona $20 billion in federal funds unde r the Troubled AssetRelief Program. BofA has receivec a total of $45 billion in TARP Lewis has been under intense pressurse from BofA shareholders for not disclosing the depty ofMerrill Lynch’s financiak difficulties before the merger. Merrill Lynchn lost $15.3 billion in the fourth quarter.
In February, Lewias testified under oath before New York Attorney General Andresw Cuomo that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankeand then-Treasury Secretarhy Henry Paulson pressured the bank not to discus its increasingly troubled plan to buy Merrill Lynch. Lewis said he believecd Paulson and Bernanke were instructing him to keep silent aboutMerrilp Lynch’s financial problems. His testimony was part of an investigatiob launched by Cuomo intothe $3.6 billion in bonuses Merrilo Lynch paid out in December.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Police: Columbus Stabbings Appear To Be Random Attack - WLWT Cincinnati
zemlyanikiyri.blogspot.com
Police: Columbus Stabbings Appear To Be Random Attack WLWT Cincinnati COLUMBUS -- An attack by a mentally ill man accused of stabbing four people at a downtown office building appears to have been random, authorities said. Police charged John W. Mallett with four counts of felonious assault on Thursday. |
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
BFC Financial, Woodbridge to merge - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
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In a joint press release the Fort Lauderdale-based companies said they entered into a mergerd agreement whereinWoodbridge (Pinkk Sheets: WDGH) would become a wholly ownex subsidiary of BFC (Pink Sheets: BFCF). BFC currently controlsa majority voting stakes in both Woodbridgeand BBX). BFC lost $58.9 million on revenues of $487.5 million in 2008. Woodbridge owns , whichh is building Tradition Florida inPort St. Lucie, and has investmentz in various companies includingand . Woodbridge lost $140.3 million on revenue of $25.r5 million in 2008.
In its firsgt quarter earnings report, Woodbridge warnee that Core Communities could default on the loans for Traditionb Florida if its lenders demands that it put more equitycapitalo down. Under the merger deal, all shareholders of Woodbridge Class A common stockj except BFC wouldreceive 3.47 sharee of BFC’s Class A common stocik per share. With shares of BFC opening at 40centes Monday, it equals nearly $1.3 a share for each share of which opened at $1.10 Monday. Levan and Abdo are chairman andvice respectively, of both companies. The merger would save betweej $1 million and $2 millionh in professional fees and SEC reporting costs forthe companies, Levan said.
It would also reducew the taxes Woodbridge would pay on its earningse once it returnsto profitability, he said. Currently, Woodbridge pays taxex on its earnings, and then BFC pays taxes on the portiojof Woodbridge’s earnings that it counts on its balancs sheet. The move will not causew any staff reductions, Levan Woodbridge will continue operate The agreement would include all currenft board members of Woodbridgeon BFC’a new board and add Woodbridge President Seth Wise and BankAtlantic Bancorpl President Jarett Levan to BFC’sw 12-member board, as well. Wise would also becom executive vice presidentof BFC. The deal is expecte d to close before the endof 2009.
BFC shareds closed unchanged at40 cents. The 52-week high was 95 cents on Sept. 2. The 52-weei low was 6 centa on Feb. 5. Woodbridgse shares closed down 2 centsto $1.08. The 52-week high was $6.690 on Aug. 21. The 52-weeok low was 2 cents on Oct. 24.
In a joint press release the Fort Lauderdale-based companies said they entered into a mergerd agreement whereinWoodbridge (Pinkk Sheets: WDGH) would become a wholly ownex subsidiary of BFC (Pink Sheets: BFCF). BFC currently controlsa majority voting stakes in both Woodbridgeand BBX). BFC lost $58.9 million on revenues of $487.5 million in 2008. Woodbridge owns , whichh is building Tradition Florida inPort St. Lucie, and has investmentz in various companies includingand . Woodbridge lost $140.3 million on revenue of $25.r5 million in 2008.
In its firsgt quarter earnings report, Woodbridge warnee that Core Communities could default on the loans for Traditionb Florida if its lenders demands that it put more equitycapitalo down. Under the merger deal, all shareholders of Woodbridge Class A common stockj except BFC wouldreceive 3.47 sharee of BFC’s Class A common stocik per share. With shares of BFC opening at 40centes Monday, it equals nearly $1.3 a share for each share of which opened at $1.10 Monday. Levan and Abdo are chairman andvice respectively, of both companies. The merger would save betweej $1 million and $2 millionh in professional fees and SEC reporting costs forthe companies, Levan said.
It would also reducew the taxes Woodbridge would pay on its earningse once it returnsto profitability, he said. Currently, Woodbridge pays taxex on its earnings, and then BFC pays taxes on the portiojof Woodbridge’s earnings that it counts on its balancs sheet. The move will not causew any staff reductions, Levan Woodbridge will continue operate The agreement would include all currenft board members of Woodbridgeon BFC’a new board and add Woodbridge President Seth Wise and BankAtlantic Bancorpl President Jarett Levan to BFC’sw 12-member board, as well. Wise would also becom executive vice presidentof BFC. The deal is expecte d to close before the endof 2009.
BFC shareds closed unchanged at40 cents. The 52-week high was 95 cents on Sept. 2. The 52-weei low was 6 centa on Feb. 5. Woodbridgse shares closed down 2 centsto $1.08. The 52-week high was $6.690 on Aug. 21. The 52-weeok low was 2 cents on Oct. 24.
Monday, March 12, 2012
PostOpinions E-Newsletters - Washington Post (blog)
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PostOpinions E-Newsletters Washington Post (blog) Sign-up for e-mail newsletters and alerts and get the news you need delivered directly to your inbox. Greg Sargent writes The Plum Line blog, a reported opinion blog with a liberal slant. By Greg Sargent Most economists think the recovery is ... |
Saturday, March 10, 2012
MUTILATED DOGS CHERISHED BY ADOPTIVE OWNERS CHERISHED - U-T San Diego
bhutan-warwick.blogspot.com
MUTILATED DOGS CHERISHED BY ADOPTIVE OWNERS CHERISHED U-T San Diego Kathy Caplis of Oceanside says Shadow, formerly Sunny, is loving and rambunctious. CHARLIE NEUMAN • UT Cher the Lab mix lives with Penny (above) and Scott Scarbrough in Rancho San Diego. Despite her medical bills, Scott said, the Scarbroughs have “no ... |
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Nardin remains No.1 among high schools - Philadelphia Business Journal:
http://collaborativeucd.com/?p=31
“There’s always the question of what peopl would think if we did drop says Reeder, who is Nardin’s “But that’s not our main It can’t be. We go beyondr looking at test We want to make certain our studentz receivea well-rounded education.” That strategy has paid off agaij this year, as Nardin once again rankd No. 1 among Western New York’z high schools. The all-girlxs Catholic school has finished first for eight consecutiveeyears -- among private schools from 2002 to and on the combineds list ever since. for the complete high schoopl rankings. And for separate rankings for each section of WesternhNew York. Williamsville East High Schoolis No.
2 in the 2009 just as it was ayear ago. Neighboring Williamsvills North High School holds third placsthis time, up from fifth in 2008. Busineszs First analyzed 131 high schools inthe eight-countg region, using four yearz of data from the New York States Education Department. The formula weighed each school’d Regents diploma rate, as well as its scores on a wide array ofRegents exams. Nardin emerged as the clear Ninety-nine percent of its 2008 graduates earned Regents diplomas withadvanced designations, which are awarded to seniors who pass eight Regents exams. No other high school in the regiomn did better than85 percent.
Reededr says her goal is to push Nardin’xs advanced diploma rate one poin t higher to100 percent. “Wes haven’t done it, but it continues to be somethinh that weshoot for,” she “We always try to challenge our students, and this is definitely one way to do Williamsville East climbed to seconds place in 2008 -- its best finish ever -- and remainzs there this year. It’s one of threwe Western New York high schoola where morethan two-thirds of studentsz posted superior scores (85 or better) on Regent exams in English, math, global historuy and U.S. history. (Nardin and Buffalo Academy of the Sacredf Heart arethe others.
) “When you’ve done as well as we some people might think there’s no more room for says Neal Miller, Williamsville East’s principal. “Butf we’ve never thought that. Every year, we talk about ways that we can get The leader outside of Erie County is Notre Dame High which ranksseventh overall. The Batavia which has an enrollmentof 172, draws studentz from six counties. Some live as far away as Brockporftand Warsaw. “There’s no says Joseph Scanlan, Notre Dame’s principal. “We’r e basically old school. We expect all of our kids to do Does thatalways happen?
No, but it doesn’ mean that we let Twenty-eight high schools are winners of subject putting them among the top 10 percenyt in English/foreign languages, math, science or social studies. for completee lists of subjectaward winners. Nardin, Williamsvillse East and Williamsville North are the only schools to sweepl all foursubject awards, while 12 institutionw are honored in a single Principal Kevin Ryan credits longer class period with helping Alden Senior High School win its sole subjec t award in science. “In both biologhy and earth science, we have an 80-minut e class every day along withan 80-minutw lab every other day,” he says.
“That givexs us some really solid, concentrated time on which has hadpositive results.” Private schools are not required to administer Regentss exams, and Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Nicholws School and Park School of Buffalo are amonb those that don’t. They have been excluded from theacademix rankings, since Business First lacks the necessary data to generate objective ratings.
“There’s always the question of what peopl would think if we did drop says Reeder, who is Nardin’s “But that’s not our main It can’t be. We go beyondr looking at test We want to make certain our studentz receivea well-rounded education.” That strategy has paid off agaij this year, as Nardin once again rankd No. 1 among Western New York’z high schools. The all-girlxs Catholic school has finished first for eight consecutiveeyears -- among private schools from 2002 to and on the combineds list ever since. for the complete high schoopl rankings. And for separate rankings for each section of WesternhNew York. Williamsville East High Schoolis No.
2 in the 2009 just as it was ayear ago. Neighboring Williamsvills North High School holds third placsthis time, up from fifth in 2008. Busineszs First analyzed 131 high schools inthe eight-countg region, using four yearz of data from the New York States Education Department. The formula weighed each school’d Regents diploma rate, as well as its scores on a wide array ofRegents exams. Nardin emerged as the clear Ninety-nine percent of its 2008 graduates earned Regents diplomas withadvanced designations, which are awarded to seniors who pass eight Regents exams. No other high school in the regiomn did better than85 percent.
Reededr says her goal is to push Nardin’xs advanced diploma rate one poin t higher to100 percent. “Wes haven’t done it, but it continues to be somethinh that weshoot for,” she “We always try to challenge our students, and this is definitely one way to do Williamsville East climbed to seconds place in 2008 -- its best finish ever -- and remainzs there this year. It’s one of threwe Western New York high schoola where morethan two-thirds of studentsz posted superior scores (85 or better) on Regent exams in English, math, global historuy and U.S. history. (Nardin and Buffalo Academy of the Sacredf Heart arethe others.
) “When you’ve done as well as we some people might think there’s no more room for says Neal Miller, Williamsville East’s principal. “Butf we’ve never thought that. Every year, we talk about ways that we can get The leader outside of Erie County is Notre Dame High which ranksseventh overall. The Batavia which has an enrollmentof 172, draws studentz from six counties. Some live as far away as Brockporftand Warsaw. “There’s no says Joseph Scanlan, Notre Dame’s principal. “We’r e basically old school. We expect all of our kids to do Does thatalways happen?
No, but it doesn’ mean that we let Twenty-eight high schools are winners of subject putting them among the top 10 percenyt in English/foreign languages, math, science or social studies. for completee lists of subjectaward winners. Nardin, Williamsvillse East and Williamsville North are the only schools to sweepl all foursubject awards, while 12 institutionw are honored in a single Principal Kevin Ryan credits longer class period with helping Alden Senior High School win its sole subjec t award in science. “In both biologhy and earth science, we have an 80-minut e class every day along withan 80-minutw lab every other day,” he says.
“That givexs us some really solid, concentrated time on which has hadpositive results.” Private schools are not required to administer Regentss exams, and Buffalo Seminary, Canisius High School, Nicholws School and Park School of Buffalo are amonb those that don’t. They have been excluded from theacademix rankings, since Business First lacks the necessary data to generate objective ratings.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Particle Drilling to file bankruptcy papers - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
bojony.wordpress.com
Houston-based Particle Drilling (OTCBB: PDRT) said in a regulatorgy filing issued May 27 that the oil and gas drillingb services company will terminate eight employees and put an unidentifiede number of remaining employees onunpaid “The company expects to file for bankruptcty early next week absent a suitable alternative,” officials said in a statement. Accordinfg to a recent regulatory filing, Particled Drilling had 19 employeee at the end of 2008 and has piled up lossese of morethan $45 millionn since its formation in 2003. The boarde has formed a three-member executive committeee and has hired Parks Paton Hoepfl Brown LLP to assist the companuy in exploringstrategic options.
Companyu officials could not be reached for The NASDAQ Stock Market notified the companyt earlier this month that it would delist its shares effectivedMay 12. The shares have subsequently been trading over the Particle Drilling owned several patents related to a drilling technologty designed to enhancethe rate-of-penetration functionn in the drilling process, especially in hard rock environments.
Houston-based Particle Drilling (OTCBB: PDRT) said in a regulatorgy filing issued May 27 that the oil and gas drillingb services company will terminate eight employees and put an unidentifiede number of remaining employees onunpaid “The company expects to file for bankruptcty early next week absent a suitable alternative,” officials said in a statement. Accordinfg to a recent regulatory filing, Particled Drilling had 19 employeee at the end of 2008 and has piled up lossese of morethan $45 millionn since its formation in 2003. The boarde has formed a three-member executive committeee and has hired Parks Paton Hoepfl Brown LLP to assist the companuy in exploringstrategic options.
Companyu officials could not be reached for The NASDAQ Stock Market notified the companyt earlier this month that it would delist its shares effectivedMay 12. The shares have subsequently been trading over the Particle Drilling owned several patents related to a drilling technologty designed to enhancethe rate-of-penetration functionn in the drilling process, especially in hard rock environments.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
historical society re-creates Titanic's last dinner - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
nazariomuibepu1687.blogspot.com
historical society re-creates Titanic's last dinner Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Titanic history buffs will have a chance to travel back in time and participate in a re-creation of the last dinner served on the luxury liner. The Greater Monessen Historical Society will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS ... |
Friday, March 2, 2012
Battle brewing over AEP rate hike - Business First of Columbus:
lehoquvuhu.wordpress.com
Parts of the PUCO ruling did not sit wellwith AEP. A statementy on the company’s Web site said the commission’s decisioj to moderate the impact of rate increaseas on consumers means theruling “does not provide the cash flow necessarh to deal with the significant increases related to fuel and environmentalo costs as we incur them.” that money will need to be collecter over an extended period, the company “The fact our rates will be so much lower than what our detailefd analysis shows is necessary to fund operations is of particulatr concern,” the statement said.
Still, AEP was encouragex the PUCO ruling supports its proposed vegetation management andgridSmaryt programs. “It has its pros and cons,” AEP-Ohilo spokeswoman Terri Flora said ofthe PUCO’s “We need to work with the commission to see wherer they are coming from.” The company’s optionsa at this point, she said, are to accepgt the commission’s decision, appeal it through file another electric service plan or pursue a marketf rate option allowed under a comprehensive energy law passesd by the General Assembly last year. The law providese for a system in which rates are set by the PUCO through electric service plans like the one filedsby AEP.
It also outline a path for electric utilities topursue market-based
Parts of the PUCO ruling did not sit wellwith AEP. A statementy on the company’s Web site said the commission’s decisioj to moderate the impact of rate increaseas on consumers means theruling “does not provide the cash flow necessarh to deal with the significant increases related to fuel and environmentalo costs as we incur them.” that money will need to be collecter over an extended period, the company “The fact our rates will be so much lower than what our detailefd analysis shows is necessary to fund operations is of particulatr concern,” the statement said.
Still, AEP was encouragex the PUCO ruling supports its proposed vegetation management andgridSmaryt programs. “It has its pros and cons,” AEP-Ohilo spokeswoman Terri Flora said ofthe PUCO’s “We need to work with the commission to see wherer they are coming from.” The company’s optionsa at this point, she said, are to accepgt the commission’s decision, appeal it through file another electric service plan or pursue a marketf rate option allowed under a comprehensive energy law passesd by the General Assembly last year. The law providese for a system in which rates are set by the PUCO through electric service plans like the one filedsby AEP.
It also outline a path for electric utilities topursue market-based
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Joliet Township High School Students to "Leap into Service" - MarketWatch (press release)
http://www.murtoughsupply.com/2007/11/29/dell-reports-26-rise-in-quarterly-earnings/
Joliet Township High School Students to "Leap into Service" MarketWatch (press release) All the students at both schools will receive a wooden token that encourages people to perform an act of kindness for someone and then pass along the token to that individual. This concept that one token can start a chain reaction of kindness was ... |
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Florida Laws that take effect July 1 designed to help developers - Jacksonville Business Journal:
http://wantins.com/new-air-travel-rules/thoughts-on-canada-restricting-carryon-luggage-on-flights-to-us.htm
Four new state bills will go into effect July 1 that will impacr the real estate developmentindustry — exemptinfg densely populated communities from certai n processes, expediting some permitting processes, diminishing the standardr of proof and shifting the burden of proof off the developer. Another bill was approvedr during the 2009legislative session, but must be put on a ballotr for final approval. Bob Rhodes, an attorneyt at , said the state Legislature has deferred strategic moneuy matters to take a tactical stance on stimulating the economyt by helping the commercial realestate industry.
“Thd state Legislature is trying to give the buildin g community encouragement tocontinue building,” Rhodesd said. It is “trying to prime the economic pump for thebuildint community.”
Four new state bills will go into effect July 1 that will impacr the real estate developmentindustry — exemptinfg densely populated communities from certai n processes, expediting some permitting processes, diminishing the standardr of proof and shifting the burden of proof off the developer. Another bill was approvedr during the 2009legislative session, but must be put on a ballotr for final approval. Bob Rhodes, an attorneyt at , said the state Legislature has deferred strategic moneuy matters to take a tactical stance on stimulating the economyt by helping the commercial realestate industry.
“Thd state Legislature is trying to give the buildin g community encouragement tocontinue building,” Rhodesd said. It is “trying to prime the economic pump for thebuildint community.”
Friday, February 24, 2012
'Up' avoids 'Hangover' at box office - Portland Business Journal:
grearqakususi1426.blogspot.com
"Up" brought in an estimated $44,244,000 in its second beating out the new releasefrom , which broughgt in an estimated $43,275,000. Another new release, 'w "Land of the Lost," came in well in thirds with anestimated $19,524,000. According to a report on Box Offices Mojo, which tracks box-office "Up" was shown on about 6,700 screends at 3,818 sites and "The Hangover" was shown on abou 4,500 screens at 3,269 sites. Coming in fourth was last week'ss number-two movie, "Night at the Museum: Battlde of the Smithsonian" from , which brought in an estimatecd $14,650,000.
Rounding out the top five is 'as "Star Trek," which broughtf in an esimated $8,400,000. The report says that "Star Trek" has broughtg in $222.8 million in 31 days, making it the second-biggest box officew smash in the "Sta Trek" franchise, when adjusted for ticket price The top spot belongs to theoriginal "Start Trek: The Motion Picture."
"Up" brought in an estimated $44,244,000 in its second beating out the new releasefrom , which broughgt in an estimated $43,275,000. Another new release, 'w "Land of the Lost," came in well in thirds with anestimated $19,524,000. According to a report on Box Offices Mojo, which tracks box-office "Up" was shown on about 6,700 screends at 3,818 sites and "The Hangover" was shown on abou 4,500 screens at 3,269 sites. Coming in fourth was last week'ss number-two movie, "Night at the Museum: Battlde of the Smithsonian" from , which brought in an estimatecd $14,650,000.
Rounding out the top five is 'as "Star Trek," which broughtf in an esimated $8,400,000. The report says that "Star Trek" has broughtg in $222.8 million in 31 days, making it the second-biggest box officew smash in the "Sta Trek" franchise, when adjusted for ticket price The top spot belongs to theoriginal "Start Trek: The Motion Picture."
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A.M. Best affirms Northwestern Mutual's high ratings - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
sunrise-invoices.blogspot.com
A.M. Best affirmed its financial strengtuh ratings ofof A++ (superior) and issuer creditf ratings of “aaa” of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and its subsidiary The outloo for both ratings is the Oldwick, N.J., ratings organization said The ratings reflect Northwesterbn Mutual’s sizable and mature individual life insurance franchise, conservativd operating profile, strong operating performance and superior risk-adjusted capitalization, A.M. Best Partially offsetting those positive rating factors was the recent decline inNorthwestern Mutual’s adjusted capital and surplu due mainly to realized and unrealized investment losses, A.M. Best A.M.
Best also noted that Northwestern Mutualo maintains an above average aggregate exposure to privatweplacement bonds, below investment grade, or bonds, commercial mortgages and equities. Despited NM increasing the total number of financial representatives over the pastcouplr years, Northwestern Mutual may be challenged to continuew to grow the number of sales professionalsz while maintaining current levels of retention and productivity over the long A.M. Best said.
A.M. Best affirmed its financial strengtuh ratings ofof A++ (superior) and issuer creditf ratings of “aaa” of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and its subsidiary The outloo for both ratings is the Oldwick, N.J., ratings organization said The ratings reflect Northwesterbn Mutual’s sizable and mature individual life insurance franchise, conservativd operating profile, strong operating performance and superior risk-adjusted capitalization, A.M. Best Partially offsetting those positive rating factors was the recent decline inNorthwestern Mutual’s adjusted capital and surplu due mainly to realized and unrealized investment losses, A.M. Best A.M.
Best also noted that Northwestern Mutualo maintains an above average aggregate exposure to privatweplacement bonds, below investment grade, or bonds, commercial mortgages and equities. Despited NM increasing the total number of financial representatives over the pastcouplr years, Northwestern Mutual may be challenged to continuew to grow the number of sales professionalsz while maintaining current levels of retention and productivity over the long A.M. Best said.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Make a plan to ensure a smooth move - bizjournals:
uqyvemiwu.wordpress.com
Unfortunately, sometimes moving is a necessary evil that cannorbe avoided, especially during a global When the time does come to pack up experts say there are a few things that can be done to minimize stress and keep employee productivity levelsd from taking a dive. George Deutsch, spokesman for in Houston, said largee moves should occur onFridah nights. “This gives employees time over the weekend to unpacjk their office and to get read y for workon Monday,” he said. The IFMA advises clientws to develop a plan priotr tothe move, so work schedules are adjusteds accordingly.
The organization encourages companies to provide standardized furniture and voicde and data solutions to allosminimal reconfigurations. Maria co-founder of software providedr , advises companies to start as early as eightr weeks beforea move, and to get the entires staff involved. “Collaborate with your she said. “Think employees don’t care about the new officr layout? Think again.” Includinvg employees in a move ensures theworkloard doesn’t fall on just one or two people, such as administrativre staff who often get saddled with the Colacurcio said.
Employers should consider assigning responsibility for packingg the common areas of an office to a varietuyof employees. Colacurcio also recommendas having a command center dedicated to keeping track of newphone numbers, vendodr service dates and other detailsz about the move. Bill Graebel, chier executive officer of the , an employee relocation and workplacewservices company, said relocation ranks third among life’s most stressful events, and today’s economicd crisis can only increasw stress levels. He said the best solution s for companies to help keep employeesx productive is to hire a move managemenyt company with a proven serviceperformance record.
Unfortunately, sometimes moving is a necessary evil that cannorbe avoided, especially during a global When the time does come to pack up experts say there are a few things that can be done to minimize stress and keep employee productivity levelsd from taking a dive. George Deutsch, spokesman for in Houston, said largee moves should occur onFridah nights. “This gives employees time over the weekend to unpacjk their office and to get read y for workon Monday,” he said. The IFMA advises clientws to develop a plan priotr tothe move, so work schedules are adjusteds accordingly.
The organization encourages companies to provide standardized furniture and voicde and data solutions to allosminimal reconfigurations. Maria co-founder of software providedr , advises companies to start as early as eightr weeks beforea move, and to get the entires staff involved. “Collaborate with your she said. “Think employees don’t care about the new officr layout? Think again.” Includinvg employees in a move ensures theworkloard doesn’t fall on just one or two people, such as administrativre staff who often get saddled with the Colacurcio said.
Employers should consider assigning responsibility for packingg the common areas of an office to a varietuyof employees. Colacurcio also recommendas having a command center dedicated to keeping track of newphone numbers, vendodr service dates and other detailsz about the move. Bill Graebel, chier executive officer of the , an employee relocation and workplacewservices company, said relocation ranks third among life’s most stressful events, and today’s economicd crisis can only increasw stress levels. He said the best solution s for companies to help keep employeesx productive is to hire a move managemenyt company with a proven serviceperformance record.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Grammy for singer Chris Brown a blow to women, writes Ros Reines - The Daily Telegraph
axilecyqih.wordpress.com
TheChronicleHerald.ca | Grammy for singer Chris Brown a blow to women, writes Ros Reines The Daily Telegraph ONE of the conditions for Chris Brown's controversial appearance at the Grammys last week should have been a photo montage of his battered ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, behind him on stage. At least then some of his smitten fans, who tweeted that he "could ... Let's lay off Brown: The Grammy winner's still a human being Image makers to Chris Brown: take a chill pill Chris Brown Denies Grammy Weekend Pick-Up Line |
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Quick A's deal needed for fall vote on move to San Jose - Philadelphia Business Journal:
ejyceh.wordpress.com
Reed told an audience at a Businesas Journal event Friday morning that he planned to meet in the afternoohn withLew Wolff, owner and managinbg partner of the A’s. Reed has been meetin on a regular basiw with Wolff on thestadium issue, with supportg from a number of city staff to attract the team to his city, according to Michellwe McGurk, senior policy advisor for Reed. He told the audienc e he hopes to have an agreemen with Wolff hammered out by early July so the San Jose City Councio could take up the issue in That time frame would need to be followesd in order to get a stadium proposak on the ballotthis fall.
Though Reed has said previousluy hiscity can’t afford to spene any public money on building the A’d ballpark, it does have a 14-acr site at Park Avenure and Autumn/Montgomery streets on the western edge of downtown San Jose wherd it could be built. City Council members have already signalef their support for movinvthe A’s to San Jose and a committe of civic and businesws leaders have been formed to get behindd bringing Major League Baseball to San The biggest barrier, however, to the A’s move south could be with Majo League Baseball.
Team owners must approve dropping the SanFranciscp Giants’ territorial rights to Santa Claras County, which officials of the National League team said they woul d resist since they regard the San Jose area as the heartr of their fan base.
Reed told an audience at a Businesas Journal event Friday morning that he planned to meet in the afternoohn withLew Wolff, owner and managinbg partner of the A’s. Reed has been meetin on a regular basiw with Wolff on thestadium issue, with supportg from a number of city staff to attract the team to his city, according to Michellwe McGurk, senior policy advisor for Reed. He told the audienc e he hopes to have an agreemen with Wolff hammered out by early July so the San Jose City Councio could take up the issue in That time frame would need to be followesd in order to get a stadium proposak on the ballotthis fall.
Though Reed has said previousluy hiscity can’t afford to spene any public money on building the A’d ballpark, it does have a 14-acr site at Park Avenure and Autumn/Montgomery streets on the western edge of downtown San Jose wherd it could be built. City Council members have already signalef their support for movinvthe A’s to San Jose and a committe of civic and businesws leaders have been formed to get behindd bringing Major League Baseball to San The biggest barrier, however, to the A’s move south could be with Majo League Baseball.
Team owners must approve dropping the SanFranciscp Giants’ territorial rights to Santa Claras County, which officials of the National League team said they woul d resist since they regard the San Jose area as the heartr of their fan base.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Cancer center seeks NCI designation - Beckley Register-Herald
clarityviellegq67.blogspot.com
Cancer center seeks NCI designation Beckley Register-Herald By Tina Alvey Register-Herald Reporter LEWISBURG â€" As the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center reaches the midway point in its push to become the first National Cancer Institute-designated center in the state, director Scot Remick spoke of the facility's ... |
Saturday, February 11, 2012
HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL Signs With XTREEM MUSIC - Feb. 11, 2012 - Blabbermouth.net
lamoreuuceses1724.blogspot.com
HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL Signs With XTREEM MUSIC - Feb. 11, 2012 Blabbermouth.net Due in April, the 18-song CD was recorded at 213 Studios in Portugal and was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studio (BEHEMOTH, VADER, KRONOS, DECAPITATED, ABORTED) in Bialystok, Poland. According to a press release, "Gorefilia" will showcase HOLOCAUSTO ... |
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Traffic plan coming for new arena - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
ejyceh.wordpress.com
David Reed, a senior vice president and landscape architect withthe firm, told members of the boarf of directors this morning that work will begin on the study July 9 and a formal plan will be completex by Nov. 1. The authority had its regular monthl meeting today atthe . Reed said there will be a seriesof as-yet-unscheduled forums, where the publidc will be able to weigh in on the trafficf plan. All groups that will be affected by the including police, fire and garbage collection, will have input. The Kentuckgy Transportation Cabinet, and the Parking Authority of Rived City alsowill participate.
Among the topic s to be considered, Reed said, will be any and all permanentrroadway alterations, potential directional changes and possibler street closures. “Everybody’s going to have a voice in said Arena Authority chairmanJim “There will be a full that will be “complete” and “well-documented.” Host said the traffic questionn is the one most often posexd to him by both the public and members of . Constructioj is well under way onthe $238 million, 22,000-seatt multipurpose arena, which is beingb built in the downtownm block bounded by Second, Main and Thirf streets and River Road.
Its primary tenants will be Uof L’s men’s and women’s basketball teams when it opens late next Also at the arena authority meeting, Bill Hedge, constructio n executive with Minneapolis-based , said that despite a rainy May, 3,500 cubic yards of concrete were poured at the site durintg the month. Mortenson is the constructiomn manager for the Louisvillearena project. To 20,500 cubic yards of concrete have been poured for thearena concourse, Hedge adding that that’s enough concretee to build a sidewalk from Louisvillwe to Cincinnati. Workers also toppedx out the arena parking garag during thepast month, Hedge said. An average of 298 workers are on siteeach day.
Arena authorityt members also heard detailzs of a partnership between the andLos Angeles-baser booking agency AEG to bring sporting events, concerts, family shows and othef programming to the new arena and Freedom “We’ll go after everything,” said Sims Hinds, an AEG seniofr vice president for business development. AEG booksz tours for such artists as Bon Prince andKenny Chesney. It also represents a variety of sportss propertiesand family-oriented entertainment acts, such as ice shows.
David Reed, a senior vice president and landscape architect withthe firm, told members of the boarf of directors this morning that work will begin on the study July 9 and a formal plan will be completex by Nov. 1. The authority had its regular monthl meeting today atthe . Reed said there will be a seriesof as-yet-unscheduled forums, where the publidc will be able to weigh in on the trafficf plan. All groups that will be affected by the including police, fire and garbage collection, will have input. The Kentuckgy Transportation Cabinet, and the Parking Authority of Rived City alsowill participate.
Among the topic s to be considered, Reed said, will be any and all permanentrroadway alterations, potential directional changes and possibler street closures. “Everybody’s going to have a voice in said Arena Authority chairmanJim “There will be a full that will be “complete” and “well-documented.” Host said the traffic questionn is the one most often posexd to him by both the public and members of . Constructioj is well under way onthe $238 million, 22,000-seatt multipurpose arena, which is beingb built in the downtownm block bounded by Second, Main and Thirf streets and River Road.
Its primary tenants will be Uof L’s men’s and women’s basketball teams when it opens late next Also at the arena authority meeting, Bill Hedge, constructio n executive with Minneapolis-based , said that despite a rainy May, 3,500 cubic yards of concrete were poured at the site durintg the month. Mortenson is the constructiomn manager for the Louisvillearena project. To 20,500 cubic yards of concrete have been poured for thearena concourse, Hedge adding that that’s enough concretee to build a sidewalk from Louisvillwe to Cincinnati. Workers also toppedx out the arena parking garag during thepast month, Hedge said. An average of 298 workers are on siteeach day.
Arena authorityt members also heard detailzs of a partnership between the andLos Angeles-baser booking agency AEG to bring sporting events, concerts, family shows and othef programming to the new arena and Freedom “We’ll go after everything,” said Sims Hinds, an AEG seniofr vice president for business development. AEG booksz tours for such artists as Bon Prince andKenny Chesney. It also represents a variety of sportss propertiesand family-oriented entertainment acts, such as ice shows.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
'Bachelor Ben Flajnik: I Should Have Been More Sympathetic To Casey S. - Hollywood Life
tiqosi.wordpress.com
Daily Mail | 'Bachelor Ben Flajnik: I Should Have Been More Sympathetic To Casey S. Hollywood Life “Watching it now I realize I could've been more sympathetic to her.†Ben knows now that he didn't listen to everything Casey had to say. “She was clearly involved with a guy that wasn't appreciating her but » |
Telegraph.co.uk | Facebook IPO: Letter from Mark Zuckerberg Telegraph.co.uk In his letter, Mark Zuckerberg said: 'Facebook was not origin » |
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
CEO departures up 47 percent in May - Houston Business Journal:
shemwellmygalej1291.blogspot.com
Overall, the pace of CEO turnover is down from according tothe report. In the first five months of 2009 employere announced 502CEO changes, 16 percent fewer than at the same pointg in 2008. The financial sector had the highest turnovert ratein May, accounting for 15 of the 115 CEO The sector has seen 50 CEOs depart so far this according to the report. However, that number is down from the 64 financial CEO departures during the firstr five monthsof 2008.
The highest turnovetr rate so far this year has been in the healthcare industry, which has seen 77 CEOs depart, includingg 14 in May, according to the For the first five months of the the figure is down 29 percent from the same periocd last year when 109 health care CEOs left office. Resignationm was the most common reason for leavingtin May. Nearly three-quarters of the CEO changes occurref atprivate firms, according to the report. “It has been difficulr to pinpoint a trend inthis year’sz turnover figures,” John Challenger, chief executive officee of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement.
“One month is up; the next is Challenger said that uncertaintu surrounding the recession may be the biggest factorf in CEO departures as companies are finding it difficult to plan forthe
Overall, the pace of CEO turnover is down from according tothe report. In the first five months of 2009 employere announced 502CEO changes, 16 percent fewer than at the same pointg in 2008. The financial sector had the highest turnovert ratein May, accounting for 15 of the 115 CEO The sector has seen 50 CEOs depart so far this according to the report. However, that number is down from the 64 financial CEO departures during the firstr five monthsof 2008.
The highest turnovetr rate so far this year has been in the healthcare industry, which has seen 77 CEOs depart, includingg 14 in May, according to the For the first five months of the the figure is down 29 percent from the same periocd last year when 109 health care CEOs left office. Resignationm was the most common reason for leavingtin May. Nearly three-quarters of the CEO changes occurref atprivate firms, according to the report. “It has been difficulr to pinpoint a trend inthis year’sz turnover figures,” John Challenger, chief executive officee of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement.
“One month is up; the next is Challenger said that uncertaintu surrounding the recession may be the biggest factorf in CEO departures as companies are finding it difficult to plan forthe
Sunday, January 29, 2012
BofA raises almost all of $33.9B buffer - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
afanasenkobexa.blogspot.com
billion. Last month, BofA sold $13.5 billion in common stock. The bank issued 1.25 billioh shares at an average priceof $10.77 per BofA also sold a 5.7 percent stakse in to Asian investors for a gain of $4.5 billion. In BofA agreed to exchange $9.5 billion in preferred share for 704 million shares of common BofA expects togarner $1.3 billionn from reduced dividends on the preferred The exchange doesn’t apply to preferred shares held by the federaol government. So far, BofA has boostec its Tier 1 common capitakby $2.1 billion by reducing a deferreds tax-asset deduction. And the bank says it has gained anadditional $2 billiojn from the disposition of assets.
As part of the company’s capitak plan, it could issue up to an additionakl 296 millioncommon shares. “We are pleased to have nearlyh reached our goalthis quickly,” said Joe chief financial officer. The governmentr said BofA had toraise $33.9 billionh after conducting “stress tests” on the country’s 19 largest The tests were designed to assess the banks’ abilitgy to survive if economic conditions worsen more than expected durin the next two years. BofA has received a total of $45 billiobn in taxpayer aid under thefederal government’s Troublee Asset Relief Program, whichg is designed to thaw the credit markets and boosft the economy.
In separate developments, N.C.-based BofA (NYSE: BAC) sold $3 billion in five-yeard notes on May 8 and $2.5 billion in 10-year notew on May 28 withouy guarantees.
billion. Last month, BofA sold $13.5 billion in common stock. The bank issued 1.25 billioh shares at an average priceof $10.77 per BofA also sold a 5.7 percent stakse in to Asian investors for a gain of $4.5 billion. In BofA agreed to exchange $9.5 billion in preferred share for 704 million shares of common BofA expects togarner $1.3 billionn from reduced dividends on the preferred The exchange doesn’t apply to preferred shares held by the federaol government. So far, BofA has boostec its Tier 1 common capitakby $2.1 billion by reducing a deferreds tax-asset deduction. And the bank says it has gained anadditional $2 billiojn from the disposition of assets.
As part of the company’s capitak plan, it could issue up to an additionakl 296 millioncommon shares. “We are pleased to have nearlyh reached our goalthis quickly,” said Joe chief financial officer. The governmentr said BofA had toraise $33.9 billionh after conducting “stress tests” on the country’s 19 largest The tests were designed to assess the banks’ abilitgy to survive if economic conditions worsen more than expected durin the next two years. BofA has received a total of $45 billiobn in taxpayer aid under thefederal government’s Troublee Asset Relief Program, whichg is designed to thaw the credit markets and boosft the economy.
In separate developments, N.C.-based BofA (NYSE: BAC) sold $3 billion in five-yeard notes on May 8 and $2.5 billion in 10-year notew on May 28 withouy guarantees.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Advocate: Mini-cannons marketed like a toy - ABC 4
acklinegymejac1362.blogspot.com
Advocate: Mini-cannons marketed like a toy ABC 4 These mini-cannons are openly marketed on the internet. They're sold to anyone who has a credit card. A former consumer products attorney says the mini-cannon is deceiving. “One has to say a product that functions like a gun but looks just like a toy ... |
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Accounting for change - Portland Business Journal:
http://mymobif5.com/style-beauty/5-fabulous-lessons-we-learned-from-heidi-klum/
Demand from business clients is up for litigationb andforensic accounting, accountants in the Portland area say. Valuationm work linked to mergers and acquisitions has And tighter credit has increased the need for even smal l private businesses to compile financial statements that meet the strict standardzs of theirlarger peers. has seen an increase in lawsuitsw by shareholders against individualswand corporations, which has heightenes demand for forensic accounting and fraud said William Holmes, managing partner. The Portland firm consulter on behalf of investors in the case againsg Oregon venture capitalistCraig Berkman.
Jurors penalized him $28 million last after concluding that Berkmamn had misused funds and lied about his Similar litigation continues to occupy the Holmes said, though he declined to specify open Geffen Mesher & Co. has experienced an increase in demand for some anddecreases elsewhere. The Portland firm has historically offered valuation work centered around merger andacquisitionj activity, said Mike Rompa, managing But mergers and acquisitions have drier up, cutting into demand for those services. forensic accounting work is up. “During toughj economic times, fraudulent activity does increase,” Rompa said.
Busineszs clients are increasingly calling on Geffenh Mesher to review their internal controls and identify possible fraudulent Geffen Mesher is also preparing more comple financial reports for small andprivate businesses. Bankzs have grown more cautious about making and increasingly require businesses to submit financiak statements that adhere tothe U.S. Generallty Accepted Accounting Principles, Rompa said. This has createf work for accounting firms that specialize in small andprivated businesses, which historically have not had to use accounting principles developedx for larger, public companies.
“Thde more prolific the accountingstandards are, the more difficult the smaller business finds it to compluy with those standards,” Rompa said. “The cost of compliancer has skyrocketed.” Those stricter standards are the result of increased scrutiny on which has created work for accountinf firmof Portland. The firm counts a number of banks amongits clients, said partnetr Mark Symonds.
As bad loans take a toll on bankbalancw sheets, state and federal regulators have requirer many banks to conduc thorough reviews of their loans, generating work for the banks’ Demand across business clients is up for strategiv planning help, Business clients face slim profig margins, or even losses, and are callintg on accountants to identify strategic moves, Symonds “Nobody knows how long this recession is going to but we can help clientes identify changes they may need to make to businesws practices.” Holmes and Co. has likewise seen an upticlk in this kind of consulting work.
The firm has adopted a policy ofopen access, investing in communication s technology to make employeesx accessible around the clock. “Clients have a lot of anxietu abouttheir future, their families, their bankingv relationships,” Holmes said. “We don’rt want to create more anxiety by notbeinfg available.”
Demand from business clients is up for litigationb andforensic accounting, accountants in the Portland area say. Valuationm work linked to mergers and acquisitions has And tighter credit has increased the need for even smal l private businesses to compile financial statements that meet the strict standardzs of theirlarger peers. has seen an increase in lawsuitsw by shareholders against individualswand corporations, which has heightenes demand for forensic accounting and fraud said William Holmes, managing partner. The Portland firm consulter on behalf of investors in the case againsg Oregon venture capitalistCraig Berkman.
Jurors penalized him $28 million last after concluding that Berkmamn had misused funds and lied about his Similar litigation continues to occupy the Holmes said, though he declined to specify open Geffen Mesher & Co. has experienced an increase in demand for some anddecreases elsewhere. The Portland firm has historically offered valuation work centered around merger andacquisitionj activity, said Mike Rompa, managing But mergers and acquisitions have drier up, cutting into demand for those services. forensic accounting work is up. “During toughj economic times, fraudulent activity does increase,” Rompa said.
Busineszs clients are increasingly calling on Geffenh Mesher to review their internal controls and identify possible fraudulent Geffen Mesher is also preparing more comple financial reports for small andprivate businesses. Bankzs have grown more cautious about making and increasingly require businesses to submit financiak statements that adhere tothe U.S. Generallty Accepted Accounting Principles, Rompa said. This has createf work for accounting firms that specialize in small andprivated businesses, which historically have not had to use accounting principles developedx for larger, public companies.
“Thde more prolific the accountingstandards are, the more difficult the smaller business finds it to compluy with those standards,” Rompa said. “The cost of compliancer has skyrocketed.” Those stricter standards are the result of increased scrutiny on which has created work for accountinf firmof Portland. The firm counts a number of banks amongits clients, said partnetr Mark Symonds.
As bad loans take a toll on bankbalancw sheets, state and federal regulators have requirer many banks to conduc thorough reviews of their loans, generating work for the banks’ Demand across business clients is up for strategiv planning help, Business clients face slim profig margins, or even losses, and are callintg on accountants to identify strategic moves, Symonds “Nobody knows how long this recession is going to but we can help clientes identify changes they may need to make to businesws practices.” Holmes and Co. has likewise seen an upticlk in this kind of consulting work.
The firm has adopted a policy ofopen access, investing in communication s technology to make employeesx accessible around the clock. “Clients have a lot of anxietu abouttheir future, their families, their bankingv relationships,” Holmes said. “We don’rt want to create more anxiety by notbeinfg available.”
Monday, January 23, 2012
Scripted sales calls old fashioned, fail to connect with customers - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
yfimuna.wordpress.com
Geez, I have been saying this for more than 25 andI can’t believe companiesx still use them to sell over the OK, forget the companies let’s blame the manager or the personn who is responsible for still trying to do somethintg that every sales trainer on the planet says does not Now, before I go on, do not writee or send an e-mail telling me that I am wrongy or being stubborn. Instead, why don’gt you try something new – that is, new to you or your organizationb – and just do what I will lay out here. Trusf me, it has worked everhy single time withany organization, big or small, that I have workexd with.
This horror of using scripts came rushinfg back to me recently while working with a companyu whose stores are in every big city in the The company is highly regarded for its ethics and is a very visiblew organization that many are familiatr with because ofthe company’sz longevity and brand awareness. I was asked to come to the company’w headquarters and look at its method of attractinbg new business through itstelemarketinb program, which the company has been using for a coupld of years. They said that althougjh the results were OK at sales had becomepretty dismal.
It took me just 30 secondx to read the script that the insidw salespeoplewere using, and I was I talked with the company president and said I could help the salespeopl in just two hours, but I needed him to let me do my job and not to interfer e unless I called him in for his He agreed, but I could sense he was a bit apprehensivre about the situation and my I worked only with the who was really a selling manager becaused she was on the phones herselcf at times trying to pitch in and help. We went into a and I spent an hour going over whyscripts don’t work and why she has been brainwashesd to do something that was against all the rules of professionaol salesmanship.
She was neither thrilled with me at this poinyt nor happy after I tookher eight-page script, ripped it up and threw it in the We role-played a little using real situationss that she might have with her husband, childrejn and friends, for instance. The goal was to show her that having a two-sided conversation is much more usefukl than a one-sided script. She was really starting to get it, even thougg she kept wanting to go back to a sellinh mode by doing more talking than listening andaskinb questions. It was so simple that it was frighteningv to her that a selling situation can be flexible and not just acannee speech, where she can actuallty have fun while conversing with a customer.
The introduction and questions I wrote out were basid and easy for herto grasp. They “Hi, my name is Susan from Client Co., and I woulx like to ask you two or three quick It will not take more than 48 seconds I promise. “Are you familiar with our company? If yes, what aspects ? “Why are you not a or why did you leaveour organization?” That was it. Yes, eightf pages down to two questions.
To be fair, we listerd all the benefits the company offers and then did the same with the commonb objections the salespeople get on the Once again, I had to throw out pages of objection-handling scripts and allow them to put the objectiobn raised in question form back to the For example, suppose the customee says, “I do not see a need to becomw a member of your organization.” The proper way to answed this is not a scripted Instead just ask, “Why don’t you?” The approacjh worked.
In less than two hours, she got two which is outstanding in that length of and she still is flying high from knowinhg that she could do much more often using her personalityy and not sounding likea
Geez, I have been saying this for more than 25 andI can’t believe companiesx still use them to sell over the OK, forget the companies let’s blame the manager or the personn who is responsible for still trying to do somethintg that every sales trainer on the planet says does not Now, before I go on, do not writee or send an e-mail telling me that I am wrongy or being stubborn. Instead, why don’gt you try something new – that is, new to you or your organizationb – and just do what I will lay out here. Trusf me, it has worked everhy single time withany organization, big or small, that I have workexd with.
This horror of using scripts came rushinfg back to me recently while working with a companyu whose stores are in every big city in the The company is highly regarded for its ethics and is a very visiblew organization that many are familiatr with because ofthe company’sz longevity and brand awareness. I was asked to come to the company’w headquarters and look at its method of attractinbg new business through itstelemarketinb program, which the company has been using for a coupld of years. They said that althougjh the results were OK at sales had becomepretty dismal.
It took me just 30 secondx to read the script that the insidw salespeoplewere using, and I was I talked with the company president and said I could help the salespeopl in just two hours, but I needed him to let me do my job and not to interfer e unless I called him in for his He agreed, but I could sense he was a bit apprehensivre about the situation and my I worked only with the who was really a selling manager becaused she was on the phones herselcf at times trying to pitch in and help. We went into a and I spent an hour going over whyscripts don’t work and why she has been brainwashesd to do something that was against all the rules of professionaol salesmanship.
She was neither thrilled with me at this poinyt nor happy after I tookher eight-page script, ripped it up and threw it in the We role-played a little using real situationss that she might have with her husband, childrejn and friends, for instance. The goal was to show her that having a two-sided conversation is much more usefukl than a one-sided script. She was really starting to get it, even thougg she kept wanting to go back to a sellinh mode by doing more talking than listening andaskinb questions. It was so simple that it was frighteningv to her that a selling situation can be flexible and not just acannee speech, where she can actuallty have fun while conversing with a customer.
The introduction and questions I wrote out were basid and easy for herto grasp. They “Hi, my name is Susan from Client Co., and I woulx like to ask you two or three quick It will not take more than 48 seconds I promise. “Are you familiar with our company? If yes, what aspects ? “Why are you not a or why did you leaveour organization?” That was it. Yes, eightf pages down to two questions.
To be fair, we listerd all the benefits the company offers and then did the same with the commonb objections the salespeople get on the Once again, I had to throw out pages of objection-handling scripts and allow them to put the objectiobn raised in question form back to the For example, suppose the customee says, “I do not see a need to becomw a member of your organization.” The proper way to answed this is not a scripted Instead just ask, “Why don’t you?” The approacjh worked.
In less than two hours, she got two which is outstanding in that length of and she still is flying high from knowinhg that she could do much more often using her personalityy and not sounding likea
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Builder Zaring declares Chapter 11 bankruptcy - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
yzirapogyg.wordpress.com
Zaring’s filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Courty for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati said he had estimater assets ofbetween $10 million and $50 million, and debtw in the same dollar range. A list of unsecured creditors included a KeyBankk claimof $2 million; National City Bank, $1.9 million; Fifthy Third Bank, $268,500; and Anne Zaring, The filing did not includr a schedule of assets and a statement of monthly income, a statement of financiak affairs and other documents required under federa bankruptcy law. Zaring has 15 days from the date of his June 26 Chaptedr 11 petition to filethose documents. He is represente d by lawyer Richard Nelsonat Todd, Kite & Stanford LLC.
The bankruptcy filingf follows the filing of at leasyt five claims and judgments by various creditora against Zaring in Hamilton County courtin June. They resultedc from lawsuits filed against Zaring andrelatexd entities. They included the following: Huntington National Bank vs. Scott Estridge Homes LLC and Allen G. Zarinvg III, Case #0906248; judgment June 29 for $3.4 • Huntington National Bank vs. Great Midwestf Development LLC andAllen G. Zarint III, Case #0906247; judgment June 29 for $5.3 million. • Huntingtonb National Bank vs. Clayton LLC, Alleb G. Zaring III and Andrew C. Case #0906246; judgment June 29 for • National City Bank s/b/m/t Provident Bank vs. Alle n G.
Zaring III, Case judgment June 18 for $1.9 million. • KeyBank National Association vs. Allen G. Zaring III, Case judgment June 8 for $2 million. Zarinvg was one of the Cincinnatui area’s most well-known home builders before selling his Zaring Homeds toDrees Co. in 2001. Several famil members are also involved in building and development firmz inthe area.
Zaring’s filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Courty for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati said he had estimater assets ofbetween $10 million and $50 million, and debtw in the same dollar range. A list of unsecured creditors included a KeyBankk claimof $2 million; National City Bank, $1.9 million; Fifthy Third Bank, $268,500; and Anne Zaring, The filing did not includr a schedule of assets and a statement of monthly income, a statement of financiak affairs and other documents required under federa bankruptcy law. Zaring has 15 days from the date of his June 26 Chaptedr 11 petition to filethose documents. He is represente d by lawyer Richard Nelsonat Todd, Kite & Stanford LLC.
The bankruptcy filingf follows the filing of at leasyt five claims and judgments by various creditora against Zaring in Hamilton County courtin June. They resultedc from lawsuits filed against Zaring andrelatexd entities. They included the following: Huntington National Bank vs. Scott Estridge Homes LLC and Allen G. Zarinvg III, Case #0906248; judgment June 29 for $3.4 • Huntington National Bank vs. Great Midwestf Development LLC andAllen G. Zarint III, Case #0906247; judgment June 29 for $5.3 million. • Huntingtonb National Bank vs. Clayton LLC, Alleb G. Zaring III and Andrew C. Case #0906246; judgment June 29 for • National City Bank s/b/m/t Provident Bank vs. Alle n G.
Zaring III, Case judgment June 18 for $1.9 million. • KeyBank National Association vs. Allen G. Zaring III, Case judgment June 8 for $2 million. Zarinvg was one of the Cincinnatui area’s most well-known home builders before selling his Zaring Homeds toDrees Co. in 2001. Several famil members are also involved in building and development firmz inthe area.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Agilent Initiates Quarterly Dividend Of 10 Cents A Share - NASDAQ
ramsburgsyuheo1544.blogspot.com
Agilent Initiates Quarterly Dividend Of 10 Cents A Share NASDAQ Agilent Technologies Inc.'s (A) board agreed to initiate a quarterly dividend, declaring its first cash dividend in company history and joining a growing list of firms looking to bolster shareholder value with cash payouts. The dividend was initiated ... Agilent declares initial dividend of 10c-share |
Monday, January 16, 2012
For travel agencies, a drop in corporate bookings; for video conferencing industry, an upswing - The Business Review (Albany):
ukatekexo.wordpress.com
Business volume has fallen by half since Septembedr at and its travel services divisiomin Guilderland, said Tim Cietek, chief executive “I’ve been on the phons making sales calls,” Cietek “[Companies] are saying we’ve got to sit tighrt until this whole thing bottoms out. They feel it’s goingv to be a short-term problem and start their travel at the firsgt ofthe year.” Another agency with a largd number of corporate accounts, (formerly Carlsoh Wagonlit Travel), has also experienced a One of its biggest , said last week the manufacturing company is freezing all corporate traveol except in cases where on-sitde customer visits are necessary.
On a positiver note, Travel Leaders President Rod Klassovity said the alternative energy industrgy has beenactive lately. While the state’x yawning budget deficits are likely to curtail government spendingon travel, the intensee lobbying expected in Albany in the comin months from interest groups trying to protect their piec of the pie could benefitg local hotels and restaurants. “We know there’s going to be activityy surrounding theupcoming budget,” said Michele Vennard, presiden t of the . “You don’t want to profiy on someone else’s pain, but it’s very good when a lot of peoplwe come to the state capital to talk aboutrbudget issues.
” Nationwide, business travell volume is expected to fall 3.7 percent this year and 2.7 percen next year, according to a surveyu done by the , a trade group in D.C. A turnaround isn’t expected until 2010, when travelp volume for business, meetings and conventions is projectedc to increase2 percent. The slowdown in corporate travel has forced agents to work hardef to find new but has created opportunities for adifferent industry: videop conferencing. Mid- to large-sized companies have used the technology for yearw as an alternative to buying airline ticketsd and renting hotel rooms when personnel needzsto meet. Interest has grown this year as travelp hasgotten costlier.
Revenue grew 10 percent last year at in Menandzs and is expected to rise about 20 percenthis year, said Scott VanRoy, director of business The 62-year-old firm, which installss video conferencing systems and does othet large-scale audio visual will finish this year with $20 million to $25 milliojn in sales. There’s a wide range of costds depending on the product specificationa and whether a company is upgrading a conferencde room already equippedwith A/V or buildingv one from scratch. Systems can run from $20,000 to “Our backlog is strong,” VanRot said.
“Our request for quotations is extremely Our only concern is that the economuy takes another dive and all of a suddenjwe don’t get the orders, or things tighten up with the But we feel we’res well-positioned.” Recent clients who bought video conferencingy systems include the law firm in accounting firm Bollam Sheedy Torani & Co. LLP, in and the in West Point. The next generation in videp conferencing, telepresence, hasn’t been embraced by locak firms because of the high but may be in demand asthe nano-tecg sector grows.
The technology uses large flat-panelo screens to make it seem as if the people speakinyg from a remote location are seated at the same tabls and in proportion to those at theothef site. “It takes upstate New York a littls bit longer to adoptnewer technologies,” VanRoy said. Another, smaller company that has a traditional videop conferencing room near the Albany Internationa l Airport for rent has experienced a little bit of an increased inbusiness lately. , in Lathakm rents the room for $175 per plus $125 for domestic dial-out calls, said Tony co-owner. Although the theater-style room can accommodate 30 it’s mostly used by one or two peoplr ata time.
Remote job interview s and legal depositions are the mostcommon
Business volume has fallen by half since Septembedr at and its travel services divisiomin Guilderland, said Tim Cietek, chief executive “I’ve been on the phons making sales calls,” Cietek “[Companies] are saying we’ve got to sit tighrt until this whole thing bottoms out. They feel it’s goingv to be a short-term problem and start their travel at the firsgt ofthe year.” Another agency with a largd number of corporate accounts, (formerly Carlsoh Wagonlit Travel), has also experienced a One of its biggest , said last week the manufacturing company is freezing all corporate traveol except in cases where on-sitde customer visits are necessary.
On a positiver note, Travel Leaders President Rod Klassovity said the alternative energy industrgy has beenactive lately. While the state’x yawning budget deficits are likely to curtail government spendingon travel, the intensee lobbying expected in Albany in the comin months from interest groups trying to protect their piec of the pie could benefitg local hotels and restaurants. “We know there’s going to be activityy surrounding theupcoming budget,” said Michele Vennard, presiden t of the . “You don’t want to profiy on someone else’s pain, but it’s very good when a lot of peoplwe come to the state capital to talk aboutrbudget issues.
” Nationwide, business travell volume is expected to fall 3.7 percent this year and 2.7 percen next year, according to a surveyu done by the , a trade group in D.C. A turnaround isn’t expected until 2010, when travelp volume for business, meetings and conventions is projectedc to increase2 percent. The slowdown in corporate travel has forced agents to work hardef to find new but has created opportunities for adifferent industry: videop conferencing. Mid- to large-sized companies have used the technology for yearw as an alternative to buying airline ticketsd and renting hotel rooms when personnel needzsto meet. Interest has grown this year as travelp hasgotten costlier.
Revenue grew 10 percent last year at in Menandzs and is expected to rise about 20 percenthis year, said Scott VanRoy, director of business The 62-year-old firm, which installss video conferencing systems and does othet large-scale audio visual will finish this year with $20 million to $25 milliojn in sales. There’s a wide range of costds depending on the product specificationa and whether a company is upgrading a conferencde room already equippedwith A/V or buildingv one from scratch. Systems can run from $20,000 to “Our backlog is strong,” VanRot said.
“Our request for quotations is extremely Our only concern is that the economuy takes another dive and all of a suddenjwe don’t get the orders, or things tighten up with the But we feel we’res well-positioned.” Recent clients who bought video conferencingy systems include the law firm in accounting firm Bollam Sheedy Torani & Co. LLP, in and the in West Point. The next generation in videp conferencing, telepresence, hasn’t been embraced by locak firms because of the high but may be in demand asthe nano-tecg sector grows.
The technology uses large flat-panelo screens to make it seem as if the people speakinyg from a remote location are seated at the same tabls and in proportion to those at theothef site. “It takes upstate New York a littls bit longer to adoptnewer technologies,” VanRoy said. Another, smaller company that has a traditional videop conferencing room near the Albany Internationa l Airport for rent has experienced a little bit of an increased inbusiness lately. , in Lathakm rents the room for $175 per plus $125 for domestic dial-out calls, said Tony co-owner. Although the theater-style room can accommodate 30 it’s mostly used by one or two peoplr ata time.
Remote job interview s and legal depositions are the mostcommon
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Credit unions
cahijisebi.wordpress.com
Overall asset, loan and deposit numbersx for Bexar County credit unionse all increased in compared with theprior year, according to figures gatherecd by the (NCUA). Despite that good news, however, localo credit unions’ profits, in aggregate, declined by 58.4 perceny over the period — from $105. 3 million in 2007 to $43.7 milliob in 2008. The news was the same at both the statr andnational levels, with credit unions posting, in increases in assets, loans and deposits. Yet, overal numbers show that profits declined nationallyuby 47.5 percent and in Texas by 61.1 percent betweeb 2007 and 2008.
Less than half of the 29 area credigt unions included in the report for Bexar Countyrecorded year-over-year losses in net the remainder reported either increases or decreases in net incomed — but, they were profitable. Rick Grady, spokesma n for the Texas Credit UnionLeague (TCUL), says that 2008 was an extremelt challenging economic year for all businesses. Contributiny factors this past year includee a downturn in theinvestments market, the stocik market, and the real estate market. Therer was also a decrease in loan demand, an upturn in and a downturn in theentire U.S. and worled economy. “These factors continue into 2009and will, quite continue into 2010.
The importantf point is, the vast majority of credit unions endex 2008 with a positive netincome …” Gradg says, adding that the decliner in profits had little to do with actual Of the credit unions included in the NCUA 10 of them including Valero FCU — posted year-over-yeat decreases in net income. Eleven credit unions posted year-over-year losseas in net income, including Securitgy Service and HEB John Worthington, spokesman for SSFCU, says the main reaso for the net losses is the required assessmentf by the NCUA from each of the credig unions to bring the insurance fund back up to the level “it’d supposed to be.
” The credit union insurancs fund, Worthington says, took a loss when two corporate credit unions — U.S. Centrapl Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal CredirUnion — failed and had to be takenj into conservatorship by the NCUA. “U.S. Central had some majoe problems because of what it hadinvested in, which were mortgage-backed securities,” Worthington says. “Tio make up for the which was billionsof dollars, the NCUA requiredr the assessment to rebuilr the insurance fund.
” He says other credit unions in Bexarf County, which had the option of booking the assessment during the fourth quarted of 2008 or the firstf quarter of 2009, were also affected by this Without the NCUA expense, HEB FCU CEO Lynn Kincaid, says her credity union would have posted a net income or profit of .63 C. Sean Murphy, president and CEO of Valero FederalCredigt Union, agrees, adding that his creditt union was required to book an $804,000 adjustment due to the NCUA expense.
He says, the credirt union decided to take the wholw assessment in2008 “and be done with Worthington says the temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund part of the Helping Families Save Their Homesw Act — recently passed muster in the Housee and the Senate and is awaitinh signature from the president. The bill will alloew credit unions to stretch out the paymentf for this assessment over the next eight At thesame time, it calls for credig unions to replenish the insurance fund over the next seveh years and extends insurance coveragwe of accounts up to $250,000 through 2013. Aside from the NCUA credit unions say other recession factor affected theirbottom line.
from fiscal year 2007 to 2008, one credir union recorded a decreasein assets; seven reportee declines in their loan and two credit unions reportede a decline in deposits. In addition, one creditt union, Express-News FCU, reported declines in both assetws and deposits for thetime period. A totalk of six credit unions recorded a decliner between 2007 and 2008 in profits as well as depositsand loans. These include: • Peoples Choice of • St. Joseph’w Credit Union; eral Credirt Union.
Ira Smith, president of Peoples Choicse of SanAntoino FCU, says the credit union’s figures reflect normal business activity that, becauses of its small size, had a disproportionate effectg on assets and deposits. “We’ve had a couple of very large which affected thecredit union, as well as old loand that we had to charge off and which we keep on the Smith says. “This allows us to recover (somes of) that charge-off.
” In any Smith says that even though thecredit union’s numberxs are down, it’s still in the “We’re not living on the hill, but, in our smallk bungalow, we’re eating beans,” he Linda Webb-Mañon, spokeswoman for the TCUL, says that the rise in unemploymenft has also made it difficult for some consumers to meet financiakl obligations. “When you consider the numbed of people outof it’s to be expected that some consumerd might find it difficulft to meet their financial obligations,” Webb-Mañon “Worth noting, however, is that many of our credi t unions ...
have implemented programs to assist members struggling to meet theirfinancial obligations.” Grady adds that credit unions serving largr employer groups also face financial hardships if that employee decides to let people go. Belinda Barrera-McDaniel, president of Select Employeese FCU, says 2008 was the credit union’ s most challenging year. Though her credit unionn posted increases in assetsand deposits, loans and net incomee declined year over year. “We were hit hard by loan losses largelt due to one of our select employee groups forcec to lay off and cut back hours due to loss ofmajod contracts,” Barrera-McDaniel says.
“We haven’t been hit that hard in almostt 10 years and always boasterd of our low delinquency andnet charge-off ...” Security Service’s Worthington adds that job losses due to the recessionh has been an “Our members are sufferinyg the same thing, people are being laid off or are losingy their jobs because of downsizing ... ” he When members don’t pay on their loans, he this impacts the credit union’s abilitg to pay interest on deposits. SSFCU has added to its asset recovery staff to help members look for ways to pay theirrloans back.
Eve Hernández, spokeswomanb for generations FederalCredit Union, says that earned incomse was lower in 2008 than in 2007 due to economicd factors and the overall declinde in the economy. This, she “affected the financial well-being of our members, contributingt to a decline inloan Still, she says, the credit union remains “highly capitalized” and is “actively managiny risk and expenses to maintain our long-terjm viability.” Sonya McDonald, spokeswoman for Randolph-Brooks Federal Credir Union (RBFCU), says her creditr union is continuing to make mortgage loans when many otherz have cut back.
“RBFCU has always utilized disciplinedlending practices, and because of we are able to offeer members lower rates on loans and credit cards,” McDonalrd says. “For example, we were the first in the area to significantlyt drop our auto loanrates — now as low as 3.7 percenf — providing opportunities for members to finance a vehiclre or to refinance a vehicle and increase their monthly cash Andrew Wilson, vice president of lending for generations Federal Credit Union, says the credity union’s loan department has implemented new programs to help members who mighf be struggling to make payments to regaijn control of their personal finances.
He adds that its financial literachy and member education classes have seen an increaser in attendance and special class requestzs over thepast year. Fred spokesman for , says the past 10 monthss have been particularly challenging for manyfinanciak institutions. Still, he says Firstmark continues to thriv e because it has not had direct exposureto sub-prime or Alt-A mortgages and did not invest in riskyh instruments such as crediyt default swaps.
Overall asset, loan and deposit numbersx for Bexar County credit unionse all increased in compared with theprior year, according to figures gatherecd by the (NCUA). Despite that good news, however, localo credit unions’ profits, in aggregate, declined by 58.4 perceny over the period — from $105. 3 million in 2007 to $43.7 milliob in 2008. The news was the same at both the statr andnational levels, with credit unions posting, in increases in assets, loans and deposits. Yet, overal numbers show that profits declined nationallyuby 47.5 percent and in Texas by 61.1 percent betweeb 2007 and 2008.
Less than half of the 29 area credigt unions included in the report for Bexar Countyrecorded year-over-year losses in net the remainder reported either increases or decreases in net incomed — but, they were profitable. Rick Grady, spokesma n for the Texas Credit UnionLeague (TCUL), says that 2008 was an extremelt challenging economic year for all businesses. Contributiny factors this past year includee a downturn in theinvestments market, the stocik market, and the real estate market. Therer was also a decrease in loan demand, an upturn in and a downturn in theentire U.S. and worled economy. “These factors continue into 2009and will, quite continue into 2010.
The importantf point is, the vast majority of credit unions endex 2008 with a positive netincome …” Gradg says, adding that the decliner in profits had little to do with actual Of the credit unions included in the NCUA 10 of them including Valero FCU — posted year-over-yeat decreases in net income. Eleven credit unions posted year-over-year losseas in net income, including Securitgy Service and HEB John Worthington, spokesman for SSFCU, says the main reaso for the net losses is the required assessmentf by the NCUA from each of the credig unions to bring the insurance fund back up to the level “it’d supposed to be.
” The credit union insurancs fund, Worthington says, took a loss when two corporate credit unions — U.S. Centrapl Credit Union and Western Corporate Federal CredirUnion — failed and had to be takenj into conservatorship by the NCUA. “U.S. Central had some majoe problems because of what it hadinvested in, which were mortgage-backed securities,” Worthington says. “Tio make up for the which was billionsof dollars, the NCUA requiredr the assessment to rebuilr the insurance fund.
” He says other credit unions in Bexarf County, which had the option of booking the assessment during the fourth quarted of 2008 or the firstf quarter of 2009, were also affected by this Without the NCUA expense, HEB FCU CEO Lynn Kincaid, says her credity union would have posted a net income or profit of .63 C. Sean Murphy, president and CEO of Valero FederalCredigt Union, agrees, adding that his creditt union was required to book an $804,000 adjustment due to the NCUA expense.
He says, the credirt union decided to take the wholw assessment in2008 “and be done with Worthington says the temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund part of the Helping Families Save Their Homesw Act — recently passed muster in the Housee and the Senate and is awaitinh signature from the president. The bill will alloew credit unions to stretch out the paymentf for this assessment over the next eight At thesame time, it calls for credig unions to replenish the insurance fund over the next seveh years and extends insurance coveragwe of accounts up to $250,000 through 2013. Aside from the NCUA credit unions say other recession factor affected theirbottom line.
from fiscal year 2007 to 2008, one credir union recorded a decreasein assets; seven reportee declines in their loan and two credit unions reportede a decline in deposits. In addition, one creditt union, Express-News FCU, reported declines in both assetws and deposits for thetime period. A totalk of six credit unions recorded a decliner between 2007 and 2008 in profits as well as depositsand loans. These include: • Peoples Choice of • St. Joseph’w Credit Union; eral Credirt Union.
Ira Smith, president of Peoples Choicse of SanAntoino FCU, says the credit union’s figures reflect normal business activity that, becauses of its small size, had a disproportionate effectg on assets and deposits. “We’ve had a couple of very large which affected thecredit union, as well as old loand that we had to charge off and which we keep on the Smith says. “This allows us to recover (somes of) that charge-off.
” In any Smith says that even though thecredit union’s numberxs are down, it’s still in the “We’re not living on the hill, but, in our smallk bungalow, we’re eating beans,” he Linda Webb-Mañon, spokeswoman for the TCUL, says that the rise in unemploymenft has also made it difficult for some consumers to meet financiakl obligations. “When you consider the numbed of people outof it’s to be expected that some consumerd might find it difficulft to meet their financial obligations,” Webb-Mañon “Worth noting, however, is that many of our credi t unions ...
have implemented programs to assist members struggling to meet theirfinancial obligations.” Grady adds that credit unions serving largr employer groups also face financial hardships if that employee decides to let people go. Belinda Barrera-McDaniel, president of Select Employeese FCU, says 2008 was the credit union’ s most challenging year. Though her credit unionn posted increases in assetsand deposits, loans and net incomee declined year over year. “We were hit hard by loan losses largelt due to one of our select employee groups forcec to lay off and cut back hours due to loss ofmajod contracts,” Barrera-McDaniel says.
“We haven’t been hit that hard in almostt 10 years and always boasterd of our low delinquency andnet charge-off ...” Security Service’s Worthington adds that job losses due to the recessionh has been an “Our members are sufferinyg the same thing, people are being laid off or are losingy their jobs because of downsizing ... ” he When members don’t pay on their loans, he this impacts the credit union’s abilitg to pay interest on deposits. SSFCU has added to its asset recovery staff to help members look for ways to pay theirrloans back.
Eve Hernández, spokeswomanb for generations FederalCredit Union, says that earned incomse was lower in 2008 than in 2007 due to economicd factors and the overall declinde in the economy. This, she “affected the financial well-being of our members, contributingt to a decline inloan Still, she says, the credit union remains “highly capitalized” and is “actively managiny risk and expenses to maintain our long-terjm viability.” Sonya McDonald, spokeswoman for Randolph-Brooks Federal Credir Union (RBFCU), says her creditr union is continuing to make mortgage loans when many otherz have cut back.
“RBFCU has always utilized disciplinedlending practices, and because of we are able to offeer members lower rates on loans and credit cards,” McDonalrd says. “For example, we were the first in the area to significantlyt drop our auto loanrates — now as low as 3.7 percenf — providing opportunities for members to finance a vehiclre or to refinance a vehicle and increase their monthly cash Andrew Wilson, vice president of lending for generations Federal Credit Union, says the credity union’s loan department has implemented new programs to help members who mighf be struggling to make payments to regaijn control of their personal finances.
He adds that its financial literachy and member education classes have seen an increaser in attendance and special class requestzs over thepast year. Fred spokesman for , says the past 10 monthss have been particularly challenging for manyfinanciak institutions. Still, he says Firstmark continues to thriv e because it has not had direct exposureto sub-prime or Alt-A mortgages and did not invest in riskyh instruments such as crediyt default swaps.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Quail leaving Red Cross; Alvey named replacement - Business First of Louisville:
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He will be replaced by Keith who has served as chief emergencyservices officer. Quail and his family are leaving Louisville for South Florida to be closer to familh living inthe area, said Logan chief development officer for the organization. Quail’s last day is scheduledf for July 21. He has not accepted a job in Florid buthas “several opportunities he’s looking McCulloch said. Quail came to Louisvilles in 2003, after serving as CEO of Heartf of Florida United Way in Over the next three Quail and Avery will make several visits to top donorsand volunteers, McCulloch said.
The searchg committee responsible forfinding Quail’s successor was led by managingy partner Dan Rivers. More than 130 peoplew applied for theCEO job, McCullocgh said. “Keith’s depth and breadth of Red Cross experience and passion will be an assetg to the LouisvilleArea Chapter,” Rivers said in a news “We worked hard to ensurse we selected someone who would be a good leader for the regionakl chapter and a motivator for the employees and volunteers of the Red Cross.” The Louisviller Area Chapter of the Americahn Red Cross serves 49 countiexs in Kentucky and six in Southern Indiana.
It providese food, clothing and supplies to victims of fires and natural It also offers firsft aid andCPR courses.
He will be replaced by Keith who has served as chief emergencyservices officer. Quail and his family are leaving Louisville for South Florida to be closer to familh living inthe area, said Logan chief development officer for the organization. Quail’s last day is scheduledf for July 21. He has not accepted a job in Florid buthas “several opportunities he’s looking McCulloch said. Quail came to Louisvilles in 2003, after serving as CEO of Heartf of Florida United Way in Over the next three Quail and Avery will make several visits to top donorsand volunteers, McCulloch said.
The searchg committee responsible forfinding Quail’s successor was led by managingy partner Dan Rivers. More than 130 peoplew applied for theCEO job, McCullocgh said. “Keith’s depth and breadth of Red Cross experience and passion will be an assetg to the LouisvilleArea Chapter,” Rivers said in a news “We worked hard to ensurse we selected someone who would be a good leader for the regionakl chapter and a motivator for the employees and volunteers of the Red Cross.” The Louisviller Area Chapter of the Americahn Red Cross serves 49 countiexs in Kentucky and six in Southern Indiana.
It providese food, clothing and supplies to victims of fires and natural It also offers firsft aid andCPR courses.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
No. 11 Georgetown has 5 turnovers in final 6 minutes, loses 68-64 to Cincinnati - Washington Post
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TSN | No. 11 Georgetown has 5 turnovers in final 6 minutes, loses 68-64 to Cincinnati Washington Post WASHINGTON â€" Georgetown led by six with 6 minutes to play. The Hoyas were shooting better than 60 percent at the time. They didn't get many more shots. Henry Sims committed a turnover. So did Nate Lubick. Then came a pair by Hollis Thompson, ... No. 11 Georgetown upset by Cincinnati 68-64 |
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Vulcan Society Urges Minority FDNY Applicants To Submit Proper Paperwork - NY1
younkinesagugad1746.blogspot.com
NY1 | Vulcan Society Urges Minority FDNY Applicants To Submit Proper Paperwork NY1 Representatives are trying to provide an extra nudge to black and Hispanic applicants who haven't submitted some necessary forms before the upcoming firefighter's exam. Around 14000 African Americans have signed up to take the test, but the Vulcan ... |
Thursday, January 5, 2012
TiVo wins $103M more in Dish patent suit - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
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The decision by comes five yearsaftet Alviso-based Tivo (NASDAQ:TIVO) sued EchoStar over whether some of its DVR technologyu violates TiVo patents. Dish Network used to be part ofEchoStarr (NASDAQ:SATS). It split into two companies at the starytof 2008. A jury found in 2007 that software inDish Network's set-top boxes violatexd TiVo patents covering DVR playback like the ability to pause and rewind live programmint while the DVR continues to Dish Network reprogrammed millions of its DVRs after the 2007 verdicg with a “workaround” it said removexd any infringing software.
But TiVo claimed Dish Network’s softwarwe “workaround” continued the old patentg violation and sought the contempt verdict from theTexasw court. Dish Network has already paid nearl $105 million of the damages and interest from the initial infringement judgement and hasanother $27 million in escroe for TiVo, according to Securities Exchange Commission filings. TiVo issued a statementg Tuesday praising thecontempt ruling. “EchoStar may attempy to further delay this but we are very pleasedd the court has made it cleare that there are major ramifications forcontinued TiVo’s press release said.
Dish Networlk issued a statement Tuesday sayingy it will appeal the contemp t verdict and seek a stay onthe verdict’s requiremenr that Dish start disabling features in many of its DVRs within 30 “We believe a stay is warranted and that we have stronhg grounds for appeal. Our engineerw spent close to a year designingaround Tivo’ss patent and removed the very featurea that Tivo said infringerd at trial. Existing Dish Network customersa with DVRs are not immediatelt impacted by these recent the company’s written statement said.
The decision by comes five yearsaftet Alviso-based Tivo (NASDAQ:TIVO) sued EchoStar over whether some of its DVR technologyu violates TiVo patents. Dish Network used to be part ofEchoStarr (NASDAQ:SATS). It split into two companies at the starytof 2008. A jury found in 2007 that software inDish Network's set-top boxes violatexd TiVo patents covering DVR playback like the ability to pause and rewind live programmint while the DVR continues to Dish Network reprogrammed millions of its DVRs after the 2007 verdicg with a “workaround” it said removexd any infringing software.
But TiVo claimed Dish Network’s softwarwe “workaround” continued the old patentg violation and sought the contempt verdict from theTexasw court. Dish Network has already paid nearl $105 million of the damages and interest from the initial infringement judgement and hasanother $27 million in escroe for TiVo, according to Securities Exchange Commission filings. TiVo issued a statementg Tuesday praising thecontempt ruling. “EchoStar may attempy to further delay this but we are very pleasedd the court has made it cleare that there are major ramifications forcontinued TiVo’s press release said.
Dish Networlk issued a statement Tuesday sayingy it will appeal the contemp t verdict and seek a stay onthe verdict’s requiremenr that Dish start disabling features in many of its DVRs within 30 “We believe a stay is warranted and that we have stronhg grounds for appeal. Our engineerw spent close to a year designingaround Tivo’ss patent and removed the very featurea that Tivo said infringerd at trial. Existing Dish Network customersa with DVRs are not immediatelt impacted by these recent the company’s written statement said.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Tuck puts spotlight on Falcons O-line - ESPN
tiqosi.wordpress.com
CBS New York | Tuck puts spotlight on Falcons O-line ESPN But by pointing out that most would consider the Falcons' O-line dirty, Tuck -- one of the smartest and most media savvy players in the NFL -- put the spotlight on Matt Ryan's linemen and their methods. People will be watching what the Falcons' front ... Justin Tuck Puts Falcon s' 'Dirtbag' O-Line On Blast |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Chrysler will install Garmin navigation system at factory - Kansas City Business Journal:
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In a Wednesday release, Garmin International, a unit of Olathe-based (Nasdaq: GRMN), said the navigation systemk combines Garmin’s user interface with Chrysler’ds Uconnect radio, merging technology and content intoa 6.5-inch touchg screen. “Garmin is uniquely positioned to quickly brinhg the latest and greatest navigation technology toan in-dash environment — priced at a levekl that mainstream drivers can afford,” Garmih COO Cliff Pemble said in the “Being a navigation provider for Chrysledr is a significant and long sought-after achievement for our The navigation system included detailed Navteq maps of Nortbh America with nearly 6 millionj points of interest, and many features found in Garmin’s newest portable devices, including: • Lane Assist, whichg guides the driver to the correct lane for an approachin g turn or exit.
• Junctiomn View, which realistically displayx three-dimensional road signs and junctions onthe driver’s along with arrows that indicate the properr lane for navigation. • Speed Limit & Currenrt Speed, which notifies the driver at a glancse whether the driver is within the posted speed limit. • Where Am I?, which givex the driver exact latitude andlongitudre coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, policw stations and fuel stations. Garmin Ltd. ranks No. 7 on the Kansae City Business Journal ’s list of area publixc companies.
In a Wednesday release, Garmin International, a unit of Olathe-based (Nasdaq: GRMN), said the navigation systemk combines Garmin’s user interface with Chrysler’ds Uconnect radio, merging technology and content intoa 6.5-inch touchg screen. “Garmin is uniquely positioned to quickly brinhg the latest and greatest navigation technology toan in-dash environment — priced at a levekl that mainstream drivers can afford,” Garmih COO Cliff Pemble said in the “Being a navigation provider for Chrysledr is a significant and long sought-after achievement for our The navigation system included detailed Navteq maps of Nortbh America with nearly 6 millionj points of interest, and many features found in Garmin’s newest portable devices, including: • Lane Assist, whichg guides the driver to the correct lane for an approachin g turn or exit.
• Junctiomn View, which realistically displayx three-dimensional road signs and junctions onthe driver’s along with arrows that indicate the properr lane for navigation. • Speed Limit & Currenrt Speed, which notifies the driver at a glancse whether the driver is within the posted speed limit. • Where Am I?, which givex the driver exact latitude andlongitudre coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, policw stations and fuel stations. Garmin Ltd. ranks No. 7 on the Kansae City Business Journal ’s list of area publixc companies.
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