Banking, insurance get devoted patron in Raussen - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

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Jim Raussen since spring has been holding meetingas with newly formed banking and insurancwe advisory boards to fulfill his missionj at the state Department of Development of helpingf develop jobs in those industriesin He’s working with the executives from around the statre to come up with a set of policy recommendations aimede at underpinning and growing the state’s financial servicesa industry. His job as the state’s directore of insurance and financial services, created in is long overdue and more important than ever givenh theindustry upheaval, industryg executives say.
Previous rounds of consolidatio nin banking, for example, have included deals that cost Ohio jobs and “I think the concern is that we make sure we have larger banks in Ohio,” Raussen said. “They served a very big purpose.” The state recently approvefd millions of dollars in incentives to persuade tobrinyg 1,150 jobs to Central Ohio as part of the bank’s merger with The state is competing against New York state, Louisiana and Texas.
“You can bet othe r states are vying for those jobs and that at leasy some of those statews have people like Jimin place, said Parker MacDonell, area president for Fairlawn-basec and a member of the state’s new banking advisory Raussen becomes the state government’s first line of contacg for banks and He plans to keep in closee communication with industry executives. The states for years has lacked such a which meant it missed chances to reacbh out tomajor employers, said Mike Van president of the trade group and chairman of the state’s banking advisory board.
Van Buskirk remembersw receiving a call in 1998 fromJerry Grundhofer, CEO of the formee in Cincinnati, which had mergedc with Milwaukee-based When the deal was signed, Grundhofer told Van Buskiro he had heard from officials in each of the states where the combinefd banks did business, except Ohio. “He was sort of surprisee and amazed that the state of Ohio had so much taken for granted the fact thatthe bank’ headquarters operations were there,” Van Buskirj said. “Shortly thereafter, Ohio wasn’y the headquarters state anymore.” Firstar was latefr acquired by , consolidating its headquarterin Minneapolis.
The state lost another headquarters operation when movec its home office to Chicagk following its 1998 acquisitioof “Whether, with the exodus, anything could or would have been done any differentlhy – probably not,” Van Buskirk said. “But the poiny of fact is that there were not conversationsa atthe time.” “If other peopls are knocking on your doors, and this is your home stater and they’re not knocking on your door, then maybe you feel like they don’ t care,” said State Auto Insurance Cos.
CEO Bob who is on an advisory board for a financial services development officiaplin Indiana, where the company has about 350 Restrepo said an official in a similar role in Connecticut contactes him in 2007 after State Auto affiliated with an insurerd in that state. “Thse first person we got a call from was the woman in he said. “We needed (someond in Ohio),” Restrepo “When (state Insurance) Commissioner Mary Jo Hudson I toldher that.” A key motivator in creatintg the position is the large number of financial services-relatedx jobs in the state that need protection, Rausse n said.
Banks and insurance companies employedabout 208,60o Ohioans last year, or about 5 percentt of the state’s nongovernment and nonfar m work force, according to the . “Wew have over 160 insurance companies domicileed in Ohio and we have a lot oflarg banks,” Raussen said. “We certainly have to promotes it better.” It’s not just the bank jobs that are but the jobs banksd can helpto create, Van Buskirkl said. With manufacturing’s decline as Ohio’s traditionapl economic engine, it has become increasinglyy important for the state to foster innovativenew companies, he As lenders, banks are critical to the growth of those businesses, Van Buskirko said.
“Banking and the Departmen of Development can work together with the sharex goal of preserving other jobs in the state of he said, “and hopefully facilitating small busineses development.”

Fast motion: Polsinelli's business philosophy firms up its rapid growth - Kansas City Business Journal:

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Before New Year's Day 2006, the Kansas City-based corporatse law firm had no lawyers in theWindy City. But just more than two years after the firm launche d a small office to get a toehole in the hypercompetitive Chicagolegal Polsinelli's office there has grown to 23 lawyers and occupiez a noticeable space on the Chicago legal Although Polsinelli certainly isn'tf new to the Kansas City market, it is attractintg attention as one of the city' s fastest-growing firms.
It added 13 lawyerss last year, and its revenue of $112 million not only marked a 21 percent increase from the previous it also put Polsinelli among just five locally based firmes to surpassthe $100 million revenue mark. Now with more than 300 total lawyers andnine offices, firm Chairman and CEO Russell Welsh may seem more like a real estate broker than the manager of a law firm. "Somebod said to me, 'When you went to law school, did you thinki you would be amanaging partner?' and I said of coursew not," Welsh said. "One thing I never thoughtf of, and deal with all the is real estate. We're always dealinvg with real estate.
" Welsh doesn't have to look far for real estatd expertise. The firm is known as one of the region's strongetr real estate practices. Partner John Petersenh is a common sight at city council meetings throughout Johnson trying to broker a deal for a developef to build on some plattedground somewhere. But the firm also has plowesd new ground, expanding its emphasis on the life sciencesx in Kansas Cityand Chicago. Welsuh won't take the credit for wherew the firmis today. Instead, he thrusta that praise upon practice group such asPatrick Woolley.
At the ripe age of 32, Woolley took over the firm's science and technology practice group and developed it into one of the premier areas ofthe firm's practice, with more than 20 lawyers and scientistss to its credit. "First of all, it comes from and I don't mean at the top, but practicre leaders," Welsh said. "We've got the right people leadingthose groups, bottom line." The righft people, Welsh said, are thoses who come to the firm ready to play ball with othef lawyers and share work rather than act as a loosw federation of lawyers working under a single firm name. "W don't buy business, and we don'f want silos," Welsh said.
"Wer want people who are used to working withotherr lawyers." Angelo Trozzolo has seen this attitude in the way the firm approacheas its marketing. has producexd Polsinelli's marketing since 2000 with a theme stressinbthe firm's expertise in seeing the law in a new Trozzolo said Polsinelli has been receptivwe to advertising that's edgier than what most other law firms are readyh or willing to put forth. "They are so smar t and entrepreneurial," he said. "They're not stuffy; they're smart and involved in the busineszs world.
" Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC Corporate law firm that specializesin litigation, financial services and real estate cases Top Year founded: Employees: 700 W. 47th St., Suite 1000, Kansaxs City Highlight: Polsinelli Shalto n Flanigan Suelthaus PC last year hada record-breaking year on the firm'se financial ledger, entering into nine-digit figures in with $112 million for its 2007 fiscall year. That's up 21 percent from the previoue year.

Shaq event promoter has ties to technology community - Tampa Bay Business Journal:

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In his role as president of softwares development company ProviderTechnologies Inc. in Tampa, Madison called a news conference at Raymond James Stadium in January 2001 and publicly tangled with NFL officialx when he advertised luxurh homes via a Web site for Super Bowl Now Madison finds himseld courting the media and playinbgmedia defense. As head of anothed business, Paramount Celebrity Management Co., Madison promoted the Aug. 16-17u Shaquille O'Neal Celebrity Weekend whered the basketball star was a Included among the events wasan Aug.
16 charityh banquet for Tampa Bay Reads at the Watersid Marriott hotel where Madison is being blamed for financial shortfalls reportedly totaling more than Madison has taken to the airwavesz and to the print mediza displaying what he claims to be a signed contract with who has told Orlando journalistsa he did not commit to theTampa event. O'Nea also has told the media hewas sick. Madisonm told The Business Journalon Aug. 20 that his attorney s had "worked out an agreement with and that Tampa Bay Readsx was distributingfalse "Tampa Bay Reads has been collecting the mone y for the dinner, not Paramount," Madison said. "Si how do we owe the money?
We triesd to do a closing with Tampa Bay Readasyesterday (Aug. 19) and they didn't meet with But Mike Suarez, president of Tampa Bay Reads, a nonprofiyt organization that promotes literact and supporter of the event has called for a lawenforcementt investigation. "Since hundreds of people paid largee sums of money and did not get what was we believe that appropriate law enforcement agencie should conduct an investigation to make sure that no laws were Suarez said. As of Aug. 20, Tampa polic e were not investigating the CelebrithyWeekend event, said Katie Tampa Police Department spokeswoman.
Forrest Gossett, publishee of The Business Journal Servint GreaterTampa Bay, servezs on the board of Tampa Bay Reads. News media reporte have chronicled Madison's legal history including a July arresyt in Hillsborough County where he was accused of forging a Provider Technology invoicefor $14,10o and also accused of using personal information from Robertt Little, former Provider Technology executive vice president, to obtain a line of Madison pleaded not guilty and is free on bail. In Mark Wofford, former Provider marketingg vice president, has been in a Hillsborough County jail cellsince Jan.
3, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff'e Department records, jail booking officials and Hughes. Charges againstr Wofford includeorganized fraud, third-degreer grand theft, second-degree grand theft and actint in the capacity of a contractor without a He faces a 19 pretrial hearing in Hillsboroughb County District Court. Madison and Wofford are no strangers to the Tampw Bay area and Florida governmentftechnology sector. Madison brought his mother to a 2001 Tampq Bay Technology Forum breakfast meetinfg where he showcasedhis company.
Just weeks befored Wofford's arrest, area technology businesses and Florida government official s ralliedaround Madison, Wofford and Provider Technologies at a Dec. 13 meeting. The companyy had made its way onto statde contract bid lists and had come out with anew ProjectTracker, used by the Hillsborough County Public Works Madison hosted the gatheringt at his Tampa office for representatives from the State Technologt Office, the 13th Judiciak Circuit, Inadon Corp., NetWise Technology Inc., Marketinfg 4E-Biz Inc. and the Tampaa Bay Technology Forum. The meeting followed Floridaw Government Expo 2001on Dec.
11-13 at the Tampa Conventionn Center, where Provider Technology had a bootuh and Bush served askeynote speaker.

AG objects to GM bankruptcy - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

http://republica-dominicana.us/?p=33
“While we hope that in the end, GM will emerge strongert and more resilient,” Cordray said in a “we cannot let big-business bankruptcies in federal couryt trample overstate law.” Much like the Chrysler sale, Cordray’s objections involve issuesx over workers’ compensation benefits liabilitg and reconciling the bankruptc y with state law regulating automobile dealerships. GM has notifieed 1,323 dealerships that they will not have theird franchiseagreement renewed, including 79 in Ohio. Individual dealerships haven’tt been publicly disclosed.
Cordray also filed a limited objectionn over the effect it could haveon Ohio’sd Lemon Law and tax refunds owed to the state Taxation

No Sale: Paulus Park Sled Hill, Skate Park Preserved - Patch

http://dschingis-khan-bad-oeynhausen.de/speisekarte.html

No Sale: Paulus Park Sled Hill, Skate Park Preserved Patch More than 20 residents came out to listen and comment on the proposed declaration of parts of Paulus ... and more »

Santa Claus is coming to town today - Wilkes Barre Times-Leader

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ABC Online

Santa Claus is coming to town today Wilkes Barre Times-Leader Listen for the Christmas music, fire truck sirens and ho-ho-hos today because Santa Claus is coming to Town! Santa Claus will be visiting  »

Woman Suing TSA After Heavy Breast Grope - Fox News (blog)

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Mediaite.com

Woman Suing TSA After Heavy Breast Grope Fox News (blog) When her son protested that he'd also gone through a scanner and wasn't subjected to a search, the TSA agent  »

7-Eleven, Inc. Company Profile | Company Information

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We introduced the convenience store conceptin when, as an ice our retail outlets began sellinbg milk, bread and eggs. Today, we are the largesgt convenience store chain in the We operate, franchise or license more than 27,500 stores The name

Investigators: Kennedy Plaza fire 'intentionally ignited' - Utica Observer Dispatch

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Investigators: Kennedy Plaza fire 'intentionally ignited' Utica Observer Dispatch Investigators believe a fire that occurred at the Kennedy Plaza apartment complex in November was “intentionally ignited” in a make-shift ... and more »

GVEC agrees to market wind-turbine equipment - San Antonio Business Journal:

http://www.thekidstaskforce.com/software/566-using-a-computer-to-record-telephone-conversations.html
GVEC formed partnerships with manufacturereof Flagstaff, Ariz., and in Ontario, Canada, to enter the wind turbine The residential models sold by GVEC Home will have capacity ratingz of 2 kilowatts to 50 Before GVEC Home’s staff begins selling the units, locaol employees will take part in a series of trainingg sessions with the manufacturers to thoroughly understand the mechanics behind the technology. Sales shoulr begin within the nextfew months. GVEC officials have been busy studyinbg the feasibility of residential wind power across their service area which encompasses a portion of the TexaesHill Country.
The electric cooperative revisedd its renewable generating tariff inearly 2009. This updatde created an incentive for membersz to install renewable energg technology in their homesand businesses. Members also have the abilithy to sell any excesds power back to GVEC at average wholesale powefprices — with payment provided in the form of GVEC General Manager and CEO Darrenj Schauer says initially the cooperative plansd to install a number of the turbinea across its territory to expandf GVEC’s research scope. It will take time to demonstrate the viabilith ofthe technology, he says.
for those members who wish to invest in aturbinwe — realizing the existing uncertainties in the we support their energy-conscious efforts and want them to feel comfortabled in purchasing from a reliabld source such as GVEC Schauer adds. Gonzales, Texas-based GVEC serves more than 65,000 customers in 13 Soutb and CentralTexas counties. The cooperative also has officesin Seguin, La Vernia and Cuero.

Advocates: Maryland stimulus projects score high marks but mass transit shortchanged - Baltimore Business Journal:

http://grand-caravan.biz/2006DodgeCaravan/grand-circle-tours-complaints
But better roads and more capacithy aren’t the only answer, and Maryland’e state and congressional leaders need to put more emphasiszon — and more money toward — building communities and improver transit options going forward, transportation advocatea said Monday. “Transportation, in and of should not be seenby itself,” Otis Rolley, CEO of the , said at a presas conference Monday at what’ss been called the “Highway to in West Baltimore.
Maryland has committed $210 milliob of its share of federal stimulus funds for systempreservation — fixing up highways and roads that have fallen into disrepair, according to a Smart Growtu America report on the state’s use of Americamn Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending. That’s transportation advocates said, but state and federalp legislators need to refocus their efforts on transitand community-buildinyg as Congress seeks to reauthorize the federak transportation bill released in draft form earlier this It’s that bill that determines how the statr doles out its federal dollarsa for transportation projects.
“Id done right, this reauthorization bill could open the door to a transportatiohn process that createstransportation choices, local jobs, and a healthierd economy,” Rolley said. Members of the , whichb includes Rolley’s group, want to see much more emphasiss placed on the role transportation options like the proposefd Red Line in Baltimore City will have in thecommunities they’rre located. To reinforce its the group held its press conferenc onthe so-called “Highway to along Route 40 in West Baltimor e as cars whizzed past, tractor trailers buzzed by and ambulance sirens’ wailed.
Speakers’ voices were often drowned out as they reflectec on the stubof highway, envisione decades ago as a way to connect Interstates 70 and 83 throug h downtown Baltimore. The section of concretd and steel, the only portion of the connector rout builtin Baltimore, is set to be torn down with $3 milliomn in stimulus funding. In its place, the transportation advocates envisiob reconnecting the neighborhoods north and soutu ofRoute 40, creating more parking for the West Baltimore MARC statiom nearby, and eventually stimulating a much larger transit-oriented development to replac e what some neighbors call a Berlin Wall in West “We’re standing here at the site of a tremendous transportatio n injustice,” coalition member Dan Pontious, executived director of the , said at the news conference.
“Thise site showcases how federa transportation funds can be used not just to improver ourtransportation system, but to improve our communities.” The federap transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU, maps out how the federalo transportation department directs money towardf state transportation projects. That system has been skewed heavilyg toward new roadsand highways, to the exclusioj of new transit options, said Dru Schmidt-Perkins, executiv director of . That’s emphasized in how the federall government has allocated money fromthe $787 billion federal stimulus money. To qualify, the projects had to be or far enough along to put outfor bids.
None of Maryland’ s transit projects were at that stage, including the Red and were therefore left out of the She encouraged state leaders to move those projectsd ahead as quickly as possible so they mighrt be eligible for funding if another stimulus billis approved. She also hopesa the reauthorized transportation bill willensure state’ss get more money for transity projects than they have in the past and will encourager Maryland’s leaders to think about thosse options as part of their larger transportation “The decisions we make today will determinwe the transportation legacy we leave our children,” Schmidt-Perkin said.

ZipRealty to make employees independent contractors - The News-Press

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ZipRealty to make employees independent contractors The News-Press The notice follows a company news release last month that said  »

Cerner finds a treasure in data mining - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

http://www.dr-tusch.com/page/presse06.html
The North Kansas City-based health care informationtechnology company, knowb mostly for the health-record software sold to hospitals and is leveraging the billionxs of anonymous patient records it has at its disposal as marketable informationh to pharmaceutical companies and researchers. Cerner said the data operation is a big reason revenue for its LifeSciences Group has increased by roughlg 20 percent during each of the pastfive years. Mark the company’s life sciences solutions vice president, predictexd that annual growth will be greater still inthe “This is just the beginning for us in the life he said. Included in Cerner’s data warehousr are 1.
2 billion lab It also has smaller numbers of medication orders andother data. The company collectss the informationthrough data-sharing agreements with roughly 125 of its softwared clients. By some estimates, it can take as long as 17 yeareand $1.2 billion to develo p a single drug. Cerner’s data-mininv capabilities can quicken that process and save money for drug companies by helping the companies establish a study protocok that maximizes the number of eligible candidatess fora trial. “We believed that can actually eventually reduce the cost of drug Hoffman said.
Cerner would not name its pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical companies and clinical researchers pay for Cernerr data forother reasons, said Scott Weir, director of the ’sz Office of Therapeutics Discovery and Development. He said Cerner’s data-mininb capability can point scientists to potential new uses for existing drugs. For instance, Weir said, Cerner’s database migh t suggest that a drug used to treaft cardiovascular disease could be helpful in treatinbcancer patients. Researchers then could run a clinicaol trial to testthe idea. The data is usefu l to drug companies for much the same Weir said, including helping them identify and correctr side effects from drugs.
The KU Cancerd Center has used Cerner’s data-mining capabilitiesz for several projects. “They uncover information we wouldxnever discover,” Weir “It’s invaluable.” He said Cerner stands to benefiyt financially, as well, from collaborations with researchere that can lead to intellectual property that produces licensinhg fees and royalties. Cerner also can work with researchers suchas Dr. Stephej Spielberg, director of the Center for Personalizedf Medicine and Therapeutic Innovationat . Spielberg seeks a $3.9 million grantg from the for a study of how the center can betterd capture data in pediatric cancer studiez usingCerner software.