fixyruw.wordpress.com
Carlson, 65, is just the sixthj CEO in thealumni association’s 105-year histor y and the longest-serving alumni director in the Big Ten Conference. Durinbg her tenure, the organization has more than doubled from fewerethan 30,000 members to more than 60,000. She also helpedr alumni support for variouscampus developments, including TCF Bank Stadiuk and the McNamara Alumnj Center. “I’ve been so fortunate to serve my alma mater for a quartefr ofa century,” Carlson said in a statement. “This is a greatr time to pass the maroon and gold mantls of leadership on tomy successor. This has been a dreaj job.
It’s given me the chancde to work with outstanding volunteer leadership and to help spread the word about the Universityt of Minnesota aroundthe state, the natiobn and the world.” Carlson has been a stafc member, volunteer or graduate student at the University of Minnesota for the past 43 She joined the university’s Extension Service in 1966 and earnes her doctorate degree in education administration and publifc policy in 1983. She said she plans to remain activre in the TwinCitiese community. “I’m ready to embrace a new careerd opportunity, and I’m also looking forward to some quality travekl time withmy husband, Paul Citron.
” Carlsobn and Citron married in August 2008. The alumno association plans to conduct a nationwidw searchfor Carlson’s successor. The search will be led by Brucs Mooty, national president of the alumni association boarof directors, and Maureen Reed, formetr chair of the university’s board of regents and current first vice presidentf of the alumni association.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hawaii hotel occupancy hits new low - bizjournals Business Travel Guide
framptongeqeaqu1461.blogspot.com
percentage points to 61.9 percent in May. That’ds the lowest occupancy level recordedsince 1987, when firstt surveyed the Hawaii hotel industry. The averaged daily rate also fell in down 12.8 percent to average $165 With lower rates and fewer revenue per available room (revpar) plunged 21.1 percent to as compared with May 2008. Occupancy, room rates and revpafr for the four main Hawaiian islands wereas • Oahu occupancy fell 3.6 percentage pointsa to 69.2 percent, room ratese were down $19 to $145, and revpar was off $18 to • Maui occupancy dropped 9.8 percentage points to 55.
9 room rates plummeted $36 to $210, and revparf declined $44 to $117; • Kauai occupancy decreasef 10.3 percentage points to 59.4 percent, room ratee slid $16 to $178, and revpat was down $29 to $106; and • Big Island occupancy slumpecd 8.2 percentages points to 49.3 percent, room rates dippedc $24 to $164, and revpafr fell $27 to $81. The Hawaii hotep monthly report is surveyed by Hospitalitg Advisorsand .
percentage points to 61.9 percent in May. That’ds the lowest occupancy level recordedsince 1987, when firstt surveyed the Hawaii hotel industry. The averaged daily rate also fell in down 12.8 percent to average $165 With lower rates and fewer revenue per available room (revpar) plunged 21.1 percent to as compared with May 2008. Occupancy, room rates and revpafr for the four main Hawaiian islands wereas • Oahu occupancy fell 3.6 percentage pointsa to 69.2 percent, room ratese were down $19 to $145, and revpar was off $18 to • Maui occupancy dropped 9.8 percentage points to 55.
9 room rates plummeted $36 to $210, and revparf declined $44 to $117; • Kauai occupancy decreasef 10.3 percentage points to 59.4 percent, room ratee slid $16 to $178, and revpat was down $29 to $106; and • Big Island occupancy slumpecd 8.2 percentages points to 49.3 percent, room rates dippedc $24 to $164, and revpafr fell $27 to $81. The Hawaii hotep monthly report is surveyed by Hospitalitg Advisorsand .
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Macedonia Plays Up Past Glory - New York Times
stelauguqdinec.blogspot.com
The Associated Press | Macedonia Plays Up Past Glory New York Times SKOPJE, MACEDONIA รข€" In the view of many here, the neighbors have been bullying this little Balkan country for a long time. A 30-ton statue of Alexander the Great in Skopje, Macedonia. Bulgarians see its people as Bulgarians with ... Macedonia erects Alexander The! Great statue Macedonia erects giant warrior on a horse statue Macedonia: what's in a name? A major controversy! |
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Honda sales plunge 41% in May - Birmingham Business Journal:
ucenyt.wordpress.com
’s American sales arm, , reported on Tuesdag that the automakersold 98,344 vehicles nationwide in May. A year ago, demandd for fuel-efficient vehicles had sent Hond to a record month of salesat 167,9977 vehicles. That represents a drop of 41 percent from ayear ago, when pricesz at the pump were higher and the automobile industry hadn’t yet hit crisid mode. Columbus Business First reports monthlu sales unadjusted for the differences in the numbet of selling days yearto year. Honda’s salesd in May, taking into account one fewer selling day last fell39 percent.
Leadin the decline in monthly sales for May wasthe company’sd flagship division, which saw a 42 percenty drop in sales at 88,875 Its luxury Acura division saw sales fall 36 percentg to 9,469 vehicles. Honda sales in the first five months of the year fell 34 percengto 430,358 vehicles, compared with 655,819 a year ago. That accounts for a 34 percent drop in Hond a salesat 387,556 vehicles and a 35 percent declins in Acura sales at 42,802.
Marysville-basede employs more than 12,000 workersz at assembly and enginr plants in and arouncdCentral Ohio, where they produce Hond Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements and Acura TLs and
’s American sales arm, , reported on Tuesdag that the automakersold 98,344 vehicles nationwide in May. A year ago, demandd for fuel-efficient vehicles had sent Hond to a record month of salesat 167,9977 vehicles. That represents a drop of 41 percent from ayear ago, when pricesz at the pump were higher and the automobile industry hadn’t yet hit crisid mode. Columbus Business First reports monthlu sales unadjusted for the differences in the numbet of selling days yearto year. Honda’s salesd in May, taking into account one fewer selling day last fell39 percent.
Leadin the decline in monthly sales for May wasthe company’sd flagship division, which saw a 42 percenty drop in sales at 88,875 Its luxury Acura division saw sales fall 36 percentg to 9,469 vehicles. Honda sales in the first five months of the year fell 34 percengto 430,358 vehicles, compared with 655,819 a year ago. That accounts for a 34 percent drop in Hond a salesat 387,556 vehicles and a 35 percent declins in Acura sales at 42,802.
Marysville-basede employs more than 12,000 workersz at assembly and enginr plants in and arouncdCentral Ohio, where they produce Hond Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements and Acura TLs and
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Merkle Inc. cuts 36 jobs - Denver Business Journal:
symowugebeda.blogspot.com
The Columbia, Md.-based database marketing firm, whichu reported record growthin 2008, cut arounr 3.5 percent of its 1,000 employee work The layoffs, including 19 jobs from its Columbia and Hagerstown offices, were primarily account managersw and other employees that serve the firm’s 10 to 15 financial services clients, said Patrick Hennessy, executive vice president of in an interview Monday. The companh also let go two employeeslast “We aren’t immune to what’s going on in the Hennessy said. “As some of our clients have cut back onmarketint [spending], we’ve had to adjust to righty size.
” Merkle held town hall-style meetings with all of its employeex in its seven company officesa late Monday to communicate the he said. The company also gave letters explaininvg the reductions toimpacted employees. News of the which came down from top managerzsaround noon, caught some workers off Callie Goff, an executivs assistant with Merkle, returned from vacation Monday to lear n her boss had been let go and she woulxd also be among those laid off. “u just think of it as I went on and my vacationkept going,” said Goff in an intervieaw Monday. Merkle reported revenue in 2008of $211 million, up 17 percengt compared to 2007, according to a Jan. 28 company presas release.
Hennessy said the company opened new offices in Hagerstown andLittle Ark., last year and also moved its headquarters from Lanhakm to a 120,000-square-foot building in Columbia. The firm helpsd businesses analyze customer data to better target consumers with marketing andadvertisinf programs. The company also added about 25 new clients last year The Limited, , , OnStar, Microsofyt (NASDAQ: MSFT), (NYSE: SNY), , (NYSE: Wendy’s, and the Memorial. , , , DELL), (NASDAQ: DTV) and Chase also renewed or expander work with the firmlast year, accordinv to the January release. And to handles that new business, the firm added 108 jobs last according tocompany officials.
Some of thosd positions were impacted by thelayoffa Monday. The firm has also reduced its travel expensesz to helpshed costs, Hennessy said. He declined to disclose the banking clients who recently pulle d back onmarketing services. But while the financial service clients havecut back, he said the firm’xs pharmaceutical and retail clients could spen d more on marketing services over the next He said the firm coulfd add positions as those sectorsz of the business grow in 2009. Merkle still plands to break ground on anadjacent 70,000-square-foor building by 2012 that could house up to 350 executives said.
The company is headquarteredc ina five-story building at 7001 Columbia Gatewayh Drive. Merkle’s layoffs come amid a handfukl work force reductions at some ofthe region’sx top marketing and ad agencies. MGH trimmed eightg positions andRedhead Cos. laid off
The Columbia, Md.-based database marketing firm, whichu reported record growthin 2008, cut arounr 3.5 percent of its 1,000 employee work The layoffs, including 19 jobs from its Columbia and Hagerstown offices, were primarily account managersw and other employees that serve the firm’s 10 to 15 financial services clients, said Patrick Hennessy, executive vice president of in an interview Monday. The companh also let go two employeeslast “We aren’t immune to what’s going on in the Hennessy said. “As some of our clients have cut back onmarketint [spending], we’ve had to adjust to righty size.
” Merkle held town hall-style meetings with all of its employeex in its seven company officesa late Monday to communicate the he said. The company also gave letters explaininvg the reductions toimpacted employees. News of the which came down from top managerzsaround noon, caught some workers off Callie Goff, an executivs assistant with Merkle, returned from vacation Monday to lear n her boss had been let go and she woulxd also be among those laid off. “u just think of it as I went on and my vacationkept going,” said Goff in an intervieaw Monday. Merkle reported revenue in 2008of $211 million, up 17 percengt compared to 2007, according to a Jan. 28 company presas release.
Hennessy said the company opened new offices in Hagerstown andLittle Ark., last year and also moved its headquarters from Lanhakm to a 120,000-square-foot building in Columbia. The firm helpsd businesses analyze customer data to better target consumers with marketing andadvertisinf programs. The company also added about 25 new clients last year The Limited, , , OnStar, Microsofyt (NASDAQ: MSFT), (NYSE: SNY), , (NYSE: Wendy’s, and the Memorial. , , , DELL), (NASDAQ: DTV) and Chase also renewed or expander work with the firmlast year, accordinv to the January release. And to handles that new business, the firm added 108 jobs last according tocompany officials.
Some of thosd positions were impacted by thelayoffa Monday. The firm has also reduced its travel expensesz to helpshed costs, Hennessy said. He declined to disclose the banking clients who recently pulle d back onmarketing services. But while the financial service clients havecut back, he said the firm’xs pharmaceutical and retail clients could spen d more on marketing services over the next He said the firm coulfd add positions as those sectorsz of the business grow in 2009. Merkle still plands to break ground on anadjacent 70,000-square-foor building by 2012 that could house up to 350 executives said.
The company is headquarteredc ina five-story building at 7001 Columbia Gatewayh Drive. Merkle’s layoffs come amid a handfukl work force reductions at some ofthe region’sx top marketing and ad agencies. MGH trimmed eightg positions andRedhead Cos. laid off
Sunday, June 19, 2011
GAAR sees home sales improvement - New Mexico Business Weekly:
http://karooinfo.com/2ki05.htm
For the third consecutive month, existing homes were spending feweer days, 85, on the market and prices have reachec their highest level sinceOctober 2008. Average homezs sales peaked in May 2007 at slightlyabove $260,000 and now the mediam (half above, half below) sales price in the metro regiob is $222,000. The 566 closed sales in May representera 4.4 percent increase over April’ s performance, but a 16 percenyt drop compared to May 2008. There were 1,472 new listings in a nearly 25 percent decline compareed to ayear ago. The supply/demancd ratio is another encouraging sign, standintg at just 6.31 in May. That ratio peaked in November at 12.09.
The ratiol measures pending sales against the total number of homes on the The higherthe supply/demand ratio, the more supplyu there is relative to “Rio Rancho has the largest of available new homes on the market, drawingg the attention of first-time buyers who are takin g advantage of the $8,000 income tax Padilla said. “Overall, the Albuquerque metro housing markett continues to outpace other markets nationally in salesa and June is expected to be one of the strongesg monthsin 2009.
”
For the third consecutive month, existing homes were spending feweer days, 85, on the market and prices have reachec their highest level sinceOctober 2008. Average homezs sales peaked in May 2007 at slightlyabove $260,000 and now the mediam (half above, half below) sales price in the metro regiob is $222,000. The 566 closed sales in May representera 4.4 percent increase over April’ s performance, but a 16 percenyt drop compared to May 2008. There were 1,472 new listings in a nearly 25 percent decline compareed to ayear ago. The supply/demancd ratio is another encouraging sign, standintg at just 6.31 in May. That ratio peaked in November at 12.09.
The ratiol measures pending sales against the total number of homes on the The higherthe supply/demand ratio, the more supplyu there is relative to “Rio Rancho has the largest of available new homes on the market, drawingg the attention of first-time buyers who are takin g advantage of the $8,000 income tax Padilla said. “Overall, the Albuquerque metro housing markett continues to outpace other markets nationally in salesa and June is expected to be one of the strongesg monthsin 2009.
”
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tesla to open seven showrooms - Memphis Business Journal:
http://www.illinois-home.com/society-and-culture-by-county.html
Stores in New York, Seattle and Chicagpo will open inlate June, followed by Miami. Tesla’s first European store will open in London laterthis month, followed by Municyh and Monaco. The new additions will complement Tesla’s flagship stores in Northerbn andSouthern California, which opened a year ago. Teslqa said it is scouting locationsin D.C., and Toronto. Tesla is the only producedr of highway-capable electric cars in North Americaor “We are rethinking almost every aspecrt of the automobile from the powertrain to the customer experience, both online and in our said Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a Tesla’s Roadster sells for $109,000.
The company expectsx to introduce itssecond car, the Model S sedan, in late 2011. It is expectex to sell for less than halfthe Roadster’es price.
Stores in New York, Seattle and Chicagpo will open inlate June, followed by Miami. Tesla’s first European store will open in London laterthis month, followed by Municyh and Monaco. The new additions will complement Tesla’s flagship stores in Northerbn andSouthern California, which opened a year ago. Teslqa said it is scouting locationsin D.C., and Toronto. Tesla is the only producedr of highway-capable electric cars in North Americaor “We are rethinking almost every aspecrt of the automobile from the powertrain to the customer experience, both online and in our said Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a Tesla’s Roadster sells for $109,000.
The company expectsx to introduce itssecond car, the Model S sedan, in late 2011. It is expectex to sell for less than halfthe Roadster’es price.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Stephen Malkmus set for Turner Hall gig - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
ermolayenayqaked.blogspot.com
Stephen Malkmus set for Turner Hall gig Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Pavement's Stephen Malkmus will play Turner Hall in an 8 pm show on Oct. 7. Malkmus & The Jicks are touring in support of the new album "Mirror Traffic," produced by Beck. Tickets are $17 in advance and go on ... |
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Stimulus: States allocated $5B for affordable housing - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
elzeyfirekuut1795.blogspot.com
States will use the money to help developerws finance the acquisition and construction of affordablesrental units. The funds are designedd to fill the financinf gap created by the frozen market for Low Incom HousingTax Credits, a federal programj that provides incentives for investment in rentakl housing for low- and moderate-incomre families. As many as 1,000 housing projects around the country are on hold becausre the value of the tax creditx has plummeted due to thecreditt crisis, according to the Treasury Department. Treasury collaborated with the Departmenrt of Housing and Urban Development on the programas to assist states in financinh affordablehousing projects.
“Thesre programs are an important step in achieving the goal of putting American people backto work, whiled at the same time providing quality, affordabled housing options for low-income families,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donova said. HUD also signef an agreement with the Department of Energg that will make it easier for residents of HUD public and assistecd housing to weatherize their The income verification requirements for the Departmengof Energy’s Weatherization Assistanced Program, which received $5 billion through the economic stimulusx bill, are the same as for HUD housinh subsidies.
Under the agreement signed by thetwo agencies, residents of HUD-assistedf housing won’t have to go through the income verificatio process again in order to have theier homes weatherized. “Thanks to this new we’re going to tear down the unnecessary barrier s in making the homesof low-income and elderlhy citizens more energy-efficient, and shred the red tape that too often stands between government assistance and the people it is meant to Vice President Joe Bide n said. “In the process, we’ll not only brinbg down energy costs, but also creatwe new green jobs that will be the foundation of oureconomix recovery.
” Construction companies that have received contracts for projecte funded by the economic stimulus bill are beginning to hire new workers or rehire laid-off employees, according to . “Early reportse indicate that the infrastructurwe piece of the stimulus is beginning to do exactly what was put construction workers back onthe job,” said AGC Chief Economisty Ken Simonson. Other contractors are canceling planned layoffa becauseof stimulus-funded contracts, Simonsonn said. For many contractors, stimuluzs projects are keeping a bad business environment from getting he said.
The number of construction jobs declinedby 110,00 in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Without stimulus-funded projects, that number would have been much Simonson said. Overall, nonfarm payroll employmentf fellby 539,000 jobs in April, the smallesf decline in six This could be a sign that the economy is beginningy to stabilize, which “is consistengt with the notion that demand for new construction will begin to emergre later this year and into 2010,” said Anirbanm Basu, chief economist for Associated Buildersw and Contractors. “The stimulus package represents an importanyt element inthat formula,” Basu said.
“Witb the broader economy beginning to recover even befors the stimulus package has had a major the implication is that better timeare ahead.” Energy to award $787 milliom for biorefineries, biofuels R&D The Department of Energyt plans to use $787 million in economic stimulus fundds for biorefinery demonstration projects, and advanced biofuelzs research and development. The department will award $480 millioj for pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries that produceadvanced bioproducts, and heat and poweer in an integrated system. These projectsa will facilitate the development of an advanced biofuels industr y to helpthe U.S.
reduce its dependencee on petroleum-based transportation fuels, according to the Department of Energy.
States will use the money to help developerws finance the acquisition and construction of affordablesrental units. The funds are designedd to fill the financinf gap created by the frozen market for Low Incom HousingTax Credits, a federal programj that provides incentives for investment in rentakl housing for low- and moderate-incomre families. As many as 1,000 housing projects around the country are on hold becausre the value of the tax creditx has plummeted due to thecreditt crisis, according to the Treasury Department. Treasury collaborated with the Departmenrt of Housing and Urban Development on the programas to assist states in financinh affordablehousing projects.
“Thesre programs are an important step in achieving the goal of putting American people backto work, whiled at the same time providing quality, affordabled housing options for low-income families,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donova said. HUD also signef an agreement with the Department of Energg that will make it easier for residents of HUD public and assistecd housing to weatherize their The income verification requirements for the Departmengof Energy’s Weatherization Assistanced Program, which received $5 billion through the economic stimulusx bill, are the same as for HUD housinh subsidies.
Under the agreement signed by thetwo agencies, residents of HUD-assistedf housing won’t have to go through the income verificatio process again in order to have theier homes weatherized. “Thanks to this new we’re going to tear down the unnecessary barrier s in making the homesof low-income and elderlhy citizens more energy-efficient, and shred the red tape that too often stands between government assistance and the people it is meant to Vice President Joe Bide n said. “In the process, we’ll not only brinbg down energy costs, but also creatwe new green jobs that will be the foundation of oureconomix recovery.
” Construction companies that have received contracts for projecte funded by the economic stimulus bill are beginning to hire new workers or rehire laid-off employees, according to . “Early reportse indicate that the infrastructurwe piece of the stimulus is beginning to do exactly what was put construction workers back onthe job,” said AGC Chief Economisty Ken Simonson. Other contractors are canceling planned layoffa becauseof stimulus-funded contracts, Simonsonn said. For many contractors, stimuluzs projects are keeping a bad business environment from getting he said.
The number of construction jobs declinedby 110,00 in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Without stimulus-funded projects, that number would have been much Simonson said. Overall, nonfarm payroll employmentf fellby 539,000 jobs in April, the smallesf decline in six This could be a sign that the economy is beginningy to stabilize, which “is consistengt with the notion that demand for new construction will begin to emergre later this year and into 2010,” said Anirbanm Basu, chief economist for Associated Buildersw and Contractors. “The stimulus package represents an importanyt element inthat formula,” Basu said.
“Witb the broader economy beginning to recover even befors the stimulus package has had a major the implication is that better timeare ahead.” Energy to award $787 milliom for biorefineries, biofuels R&D The Department of Energyt plans to use $787 million in economic stimulus fundds for biorefinery demonstration projects, and advanced biofuelzs research and development. The department will award $480 millioj for pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries that produceadvanced bioproducts, and heat and poweer in an integrated system. These projectsa will facilitate the development of an advanced biofuels industr y to helpthe U.S.
reduce its dependencee on petroleum-based transportation fuels, according to the Department of Energy.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
U.S. Voice & Data slated to be sold in multimillion-dollar transaction - Business First of Louisville:
budimirukaovyril.blogspot.com
Florida-based Brookside Technology Holdings Corp. (OTCBB: BKSD) has signed an exclusivr letter of intent toacquire U.S. Voice Data for an undisclosed amount, according to Brookside'w report for the quarter endedJune 30. The reporr stated that Brooksidepaid U.S. Voice Data a $250,000 deposit that will be appliede towarda $9 million cash component of the purchasre price when the deal closes. As part of the U.S. Voice & Data said it woul not to entertain any other purchase offers while Brooksider Technology worked out the details ofits transaction, whicgh initially was slated to close Friday, Aug. 31. That deadline has been extendeduntil Sept.
14 to allow Brookside Technology time to finalize its saidGeorge Pazinelli, president of Brookside Technology Holdings. The pending purchase agreement callsfor U.S. Voic e & Data to becomwe a subsidiary of BrooksideTechnology Holdings. The locall company would retain its name andexisting operations, includinvg its current product linese and work force, which consists of 65 full-time-equivalentg workers and 10 outside salee representatives. Mike Fischer and Scott Diamond, co-owners of U.S. Voicw & Data, also wouldx remain with the companyu as CEO and chiefoperating respectively. There would be few changes on the surface, Fischee said.
But having the resources of a larger organization would be beneficial when it comex to installations for clients with multiple locations acrosxsthe country, he added. Plus, the new ownership couldf open the doorfor U.S. Voic e & Data to offer a more comprehensive suitw of servicesand products. For example, Fischer said, compangy officials are considering introducingadditional equipment-financing options for customers, new extended warranties and manager IT services. They also are evaluating otheer voice, data and video-related products that might be addedto U.S. Voicee & Data's current offerings. Fischer said customerd prefer to get all their communications servicews fromone vendor.
And companyg officials are considering expansion to markets beyond its existing operationesin Louisville, Lexington and Indianapolis. As part of the propose d growth, U.S. Voice & Data likely will expandf its work force by about 20 percent withibn thenext year. The additionalo positions will be primarily technicians and sales For BrooksideTechnology Holdings, the deal represents an opportunit to move closer to its goal of creating a nationalp footprint of converged voice and data firms. Brookside Technology Holdings was formed in February when ashelk company, Cruisestock Inc., purchased Brookside Technology Partners Inc.
Based in Austin, Texas, Brookside Technology partners providesdconverged voice, data and wireless communications systems for businessews and government agencies in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.
Florida-based Brookside Technology Holdings Corp. (OTCBB: BKSD) has signed an exclusivr letter of intent toacquire U.S. Voice Data for an undisclosed amount, according to Brookside'w report for the quarter endedJune 30. The reporr stated that Brooksidepaid U.S. Voice Data a $250,000 deposit that will be appliede towarda $9 million cash component of the purchasre price when the deal closes. As part of the U.S. Voice & Data said it woul not to entertain any other purchase offers while Brooksider Technology worked out the details ofits transaction, whicgh initially was slated to close Friday, Aug. 31. That deadline has been extendeduntil Sept.
14 to allow Brookside Technology time to finalize its saidGeorge Pazinelli, president of Brookside Technology Holdings. The pending purchase agreement callsfor U.S. Voic e & Data to becomwe a subsidiary of BrooksideTechnology Holdings. The locall company would retain its name andexisting operations, includinvg its current product linese and work force, which consists of 65 full-time-equivalentg workers and 10 outside salee representatives. Mike Fischer and Scott Diamond, co-owners of U.S. Voicw & Data, also wouldx remain with the companyu as CEO and chiefoperating respectively. There would be few changes on the surface, Fischee said.
But having the resources of a larger organization would be beneficial when it comex to installations for clients with multiple locations acrosxsthe country, he added. Plus, the new ownership couldf open the doorfor U.S. Voic e & Data to offer a more comprehensive suitw of servicesand products. For example, Fischer said, compangy officials are considering introducingadditional equipment-financing options for customers, new extended warranties and manager IT services. They also are evaluating otheer voice, data and video-related products that might be addedto U.S. Voicee & Data's current offerings. Fischer said customerd prefer to get all their communications servicews fromone vendor.
And companyg officials are considering expansion to markets beyond its existing operationesin Louisville, Lexington and Indianapolis. As part of the propose d growth, U.S. Voice & Data likely will expandf its work force by about 20 percent withibn thenext year. The additionalo positions will be primarily technicians and sales For BrooksideTechnology Holdings, the deal represents an opportunit to move closer to its goal of creating a nationalp footprint of converged voice and data firms. Brookside Technology Holdings was formed in February when ashelk company, Cruisestock Inc., purchased Brookside Technology Partners Inc.
Based in Austin, Texas, Brookside Technology partners providesdconverged voice, data and wireless communications systems for businessews and government agencies in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Top private companies grow 12 percent, despite economy - South Florida Business Journal:
eragywaqer.wordpress.com
billion in 2007. The 12 percenty jump came even as pains from the real estat e bust registered and economic growth slowed Butthe list, which is based on companied reporting their 2007 revenue to the South Florida Businesas Journal, shows mixed results across numerous industries with big revenur gains, big declines and steadty returns. Given South Florida's historic reliancre on an increasing population, it's no surprisr that real estateand construction-related companies have 28 entries on the The highest-grossing development company is the , No. 9 on the Related's revenue dropped from $1.4 billion to $1.
25 billiom - a decline mirrored by many other real estate andconstructionm companies. Surprisingly, three of the five largest gainers, in terms of percentage of are real estate orconstruction related. saw 213 percent revenu growth, making it the largesrt revenue gainer, percent-wise, and No. 86 on the Kast posted 2007 revenueof $95 up from $30 millionj in 2006. General contractor James A. Cummingzs Inc., No. 36 on the list, rankedc second in percentage ofrevenue growth, at 150 percent. Cummingse built many government facilities, including local schoolzs and a garage at Palm BeacjhInternational Airport.
"That would explain some of the consistency and saidWayne Schuchts, managing principal of the Miami offices of tenant representation firm Also impressive in terms of revenue percentagew gain was Miami-based . With a leap from $60 million in 2006 to $109 millioh in 2007, Covin posted an 82 percent revenue gain and rankeds 80th onthe list. But real estate and construction-related companies also showed up on the opposite end of the spectrum with the worst revenue percentage declines. Key International took the worsthit - a 40.4 percenft drop from $282 million in 2006 to $168 million in 2007. Rightf behind was Gryphon Construction, whose revenue droppef 39.
9 percent - from $183 million to $110 Causeway Lumber, GREC Conversions and Current Builders rounded out the five wors t revenuepercentage declines. "That's the adjustment directly relatecd tothe home-building market - the lumber and the construction for the private sector," said real estat analyst Michael Y. Cannon, executive directotr of in Miami. In terms of overall revenue, the top five companiesz look similar tolast year. Stilpl No. 1 is Deerfield Beach-based , a diversified automotive companuywith $12.2 billion in revenue. JM Family is a majof distributor forand . Consideringy the slowdown in the auto its revenue grew an impressive 10 percentfrom $11.1 billion in 2006.
The misfortunde of dealers selling gas-guzzlers may have been JM'ss gain. "We are also fortunate to have a business partner in Toyotza thatproduces high-quality, economical cars and trucksd that are in demand in good timex and bad," JM Family CEO Colin Browm said through a Keeping the list's No. 2 spot is Miami-bases beverage distribution giant . Southern Wine kept the part going with an 11 percent revenue from $7.5 billion to $8.3 billion. Following at No. 3 is Miami'z , which distributes cell phones and globallyt manages wirelesssupply operations. Brightstar, one of the few technologhy companies on the grew revenuefrom $3.6 billion to $4.
8 billion, a 32 perceng jump. "We saw significant succeszs in a number of key markets like the U.S. and Latin America, and continued to grow via geographi expansion into partsof Asia, Africa and most important via a joint venture with into Europe," Brightstadr spokeswoman Sally Lange said. No. 4 is West Palm Beach'es , an energy, minerals and commodities firm. Oxboz grew revenue 146 percent - from $1.4 billiob in 2006 to $3.4 billion in 2007 - and made two major acquisitionslast year.
billion in 2007. The 12 percenty jump came even as pains from the real estat e bust registered and economic growth slowed Butthe list, which is based on companied reporting their 2007 revenue to the South Florida Businesas Journal, shows mixed results across numerous industries with big revenur gains, big declines and steadty returns. Given South Florida's historic reliancre on an increasing population, it's no surprisr that real estateand construction-related companies have 28 entries on the The highest-grossing development company is the , No. 9 on the Related's revenue dropped from $1.4 billion to $1.
25 billiom - a decline mirrored by many other real estate andconstructionm companies. Surprisingly, three of the five largest gainers, in terms of percentage of are real estate orconstruction related. saw 213 percent revenu growth, making it the largesrt revenue gainer, percent-wise, and No. 86 on the Kast posted 2007 revenueof $95 up from $30 millionj in 2006. General contractor James A. Cummingzs Inc., No. 36 on the list, rankedc second in percentage ofrevenue growth, at 150 percent. Cummingse built many government facilities, including local schoolzs and a garage at Palm BeacjhInternational Airport.
"That would explain some of the consistency and saidWayne Schuchts, managing principal of the Miami offices of tenant representation firm Also impressive in terms of revenue percentagew gain was Miami-based . With a leap from $60 million in 2006 to $109 millioh in 2007, Covin posted an 82 percent revenue gain and rankeds 80th onthe list. But real estate and construction-related companies also showed up on the opposite end of the spectrum with the worst revenue percentage declines. Key International took the worsthit - a 40.4 percenft drop from $282 million in 2006 to $168 million in 2007. Rightf behind was Gryphon Construction, whose revenue droppef 39.
9 percent - from $183 million to $110 Causeway Lumber, GREC Conversions and Current Builders rounded out the five wors t revenuepercentage declines. "That's the adjustment directly relatecd tothe home-building market - the lumber and the construction for the private sector," said real estat analyst Michael Y. Cannon, executive directotr of in Miami. In terms of overall revenue, the top five companiesz look similar tolast year. Stilpl No. 1 is Deerfield Beach-based , a diversified automotive companuywith $12.2 billion in revenue. JM Family is a majof distributor forand . Consideringy the slowdown in the auto its revenue grew an impressive 10 percentfrom $11.1 billion in 2006.
The misfortunde of dealers selling gas-guzzlers may have been JM'ss gain. "We are also fortunate to have a business partner in Toyotza thatproduces high-quality, economical cars and trucksd that are in demand in good timex and bad," JM Family CEO Colin Browm said through a Keeping the list's No. 2 spot is Miami-bases beverage distribution giant . Southern Wine kept the part going with an 11 percent revenue from $7.5 billion to $8.3 billion. Following at No. 3 is Miami'z , which distributes cell phones and globallyt manages wirelesssupply operations. Brightstar, one of the few technologhy companies on the grew revenuefrom $3.6 billion to $4.
8 billion, a 32 perceng jump. "We saw significant succeszs in a number of key markets like the U.S. and Latin America, and continued to grow via geographi expansion into partsof Asia, Africa and most important via a joint venture with into Europe," Brightstadr spokeswoman Sally Lange said. No. 4 is West Palm Beach'es , an energy, minerals and commodities firm. Oxboz grew revenue 146 percent - from $1.4 billiob in 2006 to $3.4 billion in 2007 - and made two major acquisitionslast year.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Obama: 'Doing nothing' about health care not an option - Austin Business Journal:
utyziluz.wordpress.com
“Health care reform is not something I just cookeds up when Itook office,” Obama told a crowf of about 1,500 peoplwe Thursday at in the Greejn Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon. “Itr is central to our economic future. In past year s and decades, there may have been some disagreement on this Butnot anymore.” Earlier this month, Obama said he want s Congress to pass a comprehensive healtj care bill by the end of the summer and ready for his signaturw by fall.
Many Democrats, including the favor a government-sponsored health insurance plan that woul compete with private insurers and be available for people not eligiblse for other government health care programs such as Medicare or Most Republicans and manybusiness groups, say a competing plan that isn’t profit-driven woulc drive private insurers out of On Thursday, the , a physician’s groupo Obama is scheduled to meet with Mondayu in Chicago, said it is opposed to a government-sponsoredd insurance plan. Obama said his administration is working on a Healthy Insurance Exchange that would alloaw people to compare insurance benefitsand prices.
None of the plans include in the exchange would be allowed to deny coveragre basedon pre-existing conditions and all must include an affordable, basic benefit option. “I also strongly believe that one of the options in the Exchange should be a public insuranceoption – because if the private insurancse companies have to compete with a public option, it will keep them honesty and help keep prices Obama said. Supporters of health care reforj say it would provide health insurance coverage to millionse of Americans and make coverage more affordable for thosd who arealready covered.
Because health insurance premiume have doubled over the lastnine years, and have growh at a rate three times faster than even those with coverage have reache d a breaking point, Obama said. Employers are not farinv any better. Small business owners have been forceds to cut health care benefitsx or drop coverage entirely because of rising Obama said. “We have the most expensivde health care system inthe world,” Obama “We spend almost 50 percent more per person on healtnh care than the next most costly But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthier for Obama vowed to let Americand who are content with their coverag e and their physicians keep what they but said the country has reached a point where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longet an option.
“If we do nothing, within a decade we will spendinhg one out of every five dollar we earn on health Obama said. “In 30 years, it will be one out of everuy three.” Obama acknowledged covering all Americanzs wouldbe expensive, but promised healt care reform would not add to the country’s deficigt over the next 10 years. “Toi make that happen, we have already identified hundredz of billions worth of savings in ourbudget – savings that will come from stepe like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiess and rooting out waste, fraud and abusr in both Medicare and Medicaid,” Obamz said.
In addition, Obama is proposingh that Congress scale back the amountthe highest-incomde Americans can deduct on their taxees and use that money to help finance healthb care. Obama spoke for about 20 minutezs and then took questions from six people in the audienc who expressed fearover “socialized medicine,” asked questionx about wellness and even questioned the country’zs education system. Regarding the idea of socialized Obama saidthat isn’t what he, or anyon in Congress, wants. “I’ve got enough stuff to he said. “I’ve got North Korez and Iran.
I’ve got Afghanistan and I think it would be great if the health care systemn was working perfectly and ifwe didn’t have to get involvedc at all.” Obama peppered many of his answerx to the audience with humor, even writing a 10-year-olx girl named Kennedy a note excusinb her from school after her father said she was missinfg her last day of clasds to be at the event. Obama’s stop in Greenj Bay was the firsttime he’s been in the statw since taking office and officials from the said he may have chose n Wisconsin because of the state’s reputation for beinf a “high quality, low provider of care in the Medicarse program.
In 2006, Medicare spent an average of $8,304 per beneficiary. In Wisconsin the average was $6,978, 16 percenty lower than the national average, according to the of Healtbh Care. The Dartmouth Atlas has been cite several times recently by Obama as he makeas the case for national health care According to the Dartmouth health spending in the Medicare program coulfd be reduced by as much as 30 orby $700 billion a without compromising the quality of care, if more doctors and hospitalas practiced like those in low-cost In a letter dated June 3 to Senate Financ e Committee members, Wisconsin’s Democratic Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl along with counterpartas from Minnesota and New Hampshire, said they are “proued to represent states and regionsw that have demonstrated true leadership in lowering costs….
and increasing quality outcomes for patients.”
“Health care reform is not something I just cookeds up when Itook office,” Obama told a crowf of about 1,500 peoplwe Thursday at in the Greejn Bay suburb of Ashwaubenon. “Itr is central to our economic future. In past year s and decades, there may have been some disagreement on this Butnot anymore.” Earlier this month, Obama said he want s Congress to pass a comprehensive healtj care bill by the end of the summer and ready for his signaturw by fall.
Many Democrats, including the favor a government-sponsored health insurance plan that woul compete with private insurers and be available for people not eligiblse for other government health care programs such as Medicare or Most Republicans and manybusiness groups, say a competing plan that isn’t profit-driven woulc drive private insurers out of On Thursday, the , a physician’s groupo Obama is scheduled to meet with Mondayu in Chicago, said it is opposed to a government-sponsoredd insurance plan. Obama said his administration is working on a Healthy Insurance Exchange that would alloaw people to compare insurance benefitsand prices.
None of the plans include in the exchange would be allowed to deny coveragre basedon pre-existing conditions and all must include an affordable, basic benefit option. “I also strongly believe that one of the options in the Exchange should be a public insuranceoption – because if the private insurancse companies have to compete with a public option, it will keep them honesty and help keep prices Obama said. Supporters of health care reforj say it would provide health insurance coverage to millionse of Americans and make coverage more affordable for thosd who arealready covered.
Because health insurance premiume have doubled over the lastnine years, and have growh at a rate three times faster than even those with coverage have reache d a breaking point, Obama said. Employers are not farinv any better. Small business owners have been forceds to cut health care benefitsx or drop coverage entirely because of rising Obama said. “We have the most expensivde health care system inthe world,” Obama “We spend almost 50 percent more per person on healtnh care than the next most costly But here’s the Green Bay: we’re not any healthier for Obama vowed to let Americand who are content with their coverag e and their physicians keep what they but said the country has reached a point where doing nothing about the cost of health care is no longet an option.
“If we do nothing, within a decade we will spendinhg one out of every five dollar we earn on health Obama said. “In 30 years, it will be one out of everuy three.” Obama acknowledged covering all Americanzs wouldbe expensive, but promised healt care reform would not add to the country’s deficigt over the next 10 years. “Toi make that happen, we have already identified hundredz of billions worth of savings in ourbudget – savings that will come from stepe like reducing Medicare overpayments to insurance companiess and rooting out waste, fraud and abusr in both Medicare and Medicaid,” Obamz said.
In addition, Obama is proposingh that Congress scale back the amountthe highest-incomde Americans can deduct on their taxees and use that money to help finance healthb care. Obama spoke for about 20 minutezs and then took questions from six people in the audienc who expressed fearover “socialized medicine,” asked questionx about wellness and even questioned the country’zs education system. Regarding the idea of socialized Obama saidthat isn’t what he, or anyon in Congress, wants. “I’ve got enough stuff to he said. “I’ve got North Korez and Iran.
I’ve got Afghanistan and I think it would be great if the health care systemn was working perfectly and ifwe didn’t have to get involvedc at all.” Obama peppered many of his answerx to the audience with humor, even writing a 10-year-olx girl named Kennedy a note excusinb her from school after her father said she was missinfg her last day of clasds to be at the event. Obama’s stop in Greenj Bay was the firsttime he’s been in the statw since taking office and officials from the said he may have chose n Wisconsin because of the state’s reputation for beinf a “high quality, low provider of care in the Medicarse program.
In 2006, Medicare spent an average of $8,304 per beneficiary. In Wisconsin the average was $6,978, 16 percenty lower than the national average, according to the of Healtbh Care. The Dartmouth Atlas has been cite several times recently by Obama as he makeas the case for national health care According to the Dartmouth health spending in the Medicare program coulfd be reduced by as much as 30 orby $700 billion a without compromising the quality of care, if more doctors and hospitalas practiced like those in low-cost In a letter dated June 3 to Senate Financ e Committee members, Wisconsin’s Democratic Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl along with counterpartas from Minnesota and New Hampshire, said they are “proued to represent states and regionsw that have demonstrated true leadership in lowering costs….
and increasing quality outcomes for patients.”
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