amesit.wordpress.com
Santos, as chief operating officer undet Albert, has been closely involveed in decision-making on many of the real estate dealxsAlbert managed, including major city projectx such as Poplar Point. Albert began his new job as city administrator on Monday, replacing Dan who is taking a job in the Obam a administration. "In Ms. Santos, we not only have a steady hand who knowzthe job, we have someone who is a consummate professional who will bring private-sector talents to get the job Fenty said. Santos was previouslyt a vice president at commercial real estate services firm and a managewith 's real estate group.
She holds both an MBA and master's of public policgy from the Kennedy School of Governmentat . Santosx has displayed a no-nonsense approach appearing as Albert’z stand-in to testify at D.C. Council meetings and in public forums representing the city when he was She is already getting her feet wet in dealinvg with the political aspects ofthe job. On Tuesday, when the D.C. Councipl was busy squaring away final detailsa of budgetimplementation legislation, Santos and Albert’sd other top deputy, Directorf of Development David Jannarone, movex around the Wilson Building seekingv changes from council members.
Santoes apparently was not Fenty’s initial choice to be deputgy mayor. Greg O’Dell, Washington Convention Center Authorityy CEO and a former staff member of thedeputty mayor’s office, had been considered a top candidats to replace Albert, but a source closd to O'Dell says he was offered the job and turnec it down. O’Dell would not confirm but indicated he would remain in hiscurrenf post, where he is now tasked with seekintg public financing for all of a $550 million conventionn center hotel. “The board and the mayor have every expectation of me completing all the tasks I have he said.
Fenty woulxd not say whether he had offered the jobto O’Delkl or anyone else before Santos. He announced the pick outside the Walker JonesElementary School, whichj is being rebuilt as part of a new Northwest One and said she was “the first person who has risen to the deputhy mayor’s position from within the ranks.” “ think it’s a great sign for the D.C. government that not only does Valeriew Santos have amazing experience in the private sector butthat she’ been hard at work serving the people of the District of Columbia for the last two years,” the mayor He said Santos shared the vision that he and Albert had for how economicd development in the city should be run, not by owninv or overly managing projects but by allowing the privatd sector to bring ideas to the “We should try to just facilitatde development.
We’ve got the greatest business community in the world herein D.C. We don’t need to try to replicatew what they’re doing. We don’tt need an emphasis on owning or building inthe D.C. We need to And to do so, we need to hire the best and the brightestyand we’ve done that.” 36, who lives in Columbia Heights, was working for Jones Lang LaSallee as a consultant to the city when Albert -- whom she calles a mentor -- recruited her to work for him. She is believedc to be the firsy woman to serve in the rolefor D.C.
and will managee 65 employees and as well as overse the Officeof Planning, Department of Housing and Communityu Development, the Office of Property Management and the Washingtonb D.C. Economic Partnership, a “In the coming weekzs my goal is to ensure asmoothn transition, which I expect will be relatively easy, becausd I am very fortunate to manage a very talented and skilledd team,” she said. She said she woulcd continue to move projects all over the with a particular focus on those east of theAnacostiz River, such as the planned redevelopment of St. Elizabeths Hospitall in Southeast D.C.
“We will continue to focus on implementingyMayor Fenty’s vision for economic development. In the contexgt of the current economic we will focus on business attraction andretentiom efforts, and in continuing to provide tools to allow our locakl business and not-for-profits to she said. A member of the D.C. Council who regularluy butts headswith Albert, Councilman Kwame D-at large and chair of the economic developmengt committee, issued a press release during the announcement saying he was disappointefd he was not invitedc but saying Santos “has the experiencew and the operational knowledge” for the job and that her appointmengt was “an opportunity to forge a new relationship between the Council and the executive to create jobs for Distric t residents, new opportunities for local businesses, more affordable housing and to efficiently move projects to
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Judge rules against Freightliner appeal - San Francisco Business Times:
loxezop.wordpress.com
"Judge Brewer bascialy acceptedour arguments," said Myers spokeswomanm Stephanie Soden. "It's a positivew step for the state." The lawsuit stemw from an $850 million judgment a Multnomab County jury awarded the German truck manufacturerr Man AG inDecember 2006. Man AG had sued Freightlinere over a transaction dispute that originated in theUnitex Kingdom. The judgment included roughly $500 in economic damages and $350 millio n in punitive damages. Undefr Oregon law, the state is entitled to 60 percent of the punitive damages inany lawsuit, or $210 million of the judgment agains t Freightliner.
The money is earmarked to benefit crime Before the state coulcd collectthe money, however, Freightliner settled the case with Man outsids of court. The settlemenrt included dropping the punitive damages portion of thejury award. Becausse the state did not consentf tothe deal, Myers claims Freightliner owes Oregon $210 He filed suit in Marion Countuy in August 2007 seeking that Wednesday's ruling says the state has legal standintg to pursue the money and puts it one step close r to collecting. Freightliner had asked the court to dismiswsthe lawsuit. Soden declined to say if the state has initiated settlemengt talkswith Freightliner.
A spokeswoman for Freightliner did not immediately respondf to a requestfor comment. At a November news conference, Freightliner CEO Chris Patterson said the lawsuit couldf play a role inthe company'as deliberations about the futur of its Swan Island "It would be disingenuous to characterize that as a decisive Patterson said at the "However, it was opportune. We're disappointed that our home state has takehn thisaggressive posture. It was a bitter disappointmeng to the peopleof Freightliner." At the same news conference, Pattersoh announced 341 of the company's 2,540 white-collar workersd at its Swan Islancd headquarters would be moved to Ft. Mill, S.C.
, aboutf 30 minutes south of Charlotte. Multnomah Counth Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Multnomah Countyt Chair Ted Wheeler and Mayor Tom Pottee went to bat for the truck manufacturerelast fall, sending a letter to Myersx and asking him to forgo collectioh of the judgment. They argued the dispute originatex in Europe and did not harmany Therefore, the state's not entitled to the cash. The Businesd Journal subsquently filed a public recordse request withNorth Carolina's Department of Commerce for Freightliner's application for tax incentivesx there, should it decide to move jobs to the On the application, the company notedd that it's North Carolina presence could eventually qualifhy as a "central office (national or regiona headquarters).
" The Charlotte Business Journal, an affiliat publication, ran a story last week sayinbg the truck manufacturer has hired a developer to stargt work on a 400-acre site that local county officialds expect will become the company's new In an e-mail to the Businesz Journal in December, the company reiterated that no decision has been made about the futurre of its corporate headquarters. "As noted in our Nov.
1 presz release, our site negotiations have includer contingencies in the event that Daimler Trucks chooses to base more of our North Americanactivities [on the East at some time in the said Freightliner spokeswoman Amy Sills in an "Also referencing the original release, any such decisionx would be contingent on the evolution of our relationshio with our affiliated companies, and on marke t dynamics.
"
"Judge Brewer bascialy acceptedour arguments," said Myers spokeswomanm Stephanie Soden. "It's a positivew step for the state." The lawsuit stemw from an $850 million judgment a Multnomab County jury awarded the German truck manufacturerr Man AG inDecember 2006. Man AG had sued Freightlinere over a transaction dispute that originated in theUnitex Kingdom. The judgment included roughly $500 in economic damages and $350 millio n in punitive damages. Undefr Oregon law, the state is entitled to 60 percent of the punitive damages inany lawsuit, or $210 million of the judgment agains t Freightliner.
The money is earmarked to benefit crime Before the state coulcd collectthe money, however, Freightliner settled the case with Man outsids of court. The settlemenrt included dropping the punitive damages portion of thejury award. Becausse the state did not consentf tothe deal, Myers claims Freightliner owes Oregon $210 He filed suit in Marion Countuy in August 2007 seeking that Wednesday's ruling says the state has legal standintg to pursue the money and puts it one step close r to collecting. Freightliner had asked the court to dismiswsthe lawsuit. Soden declined to say if the state has initiated settlemengt talkswith Freightliner.
A spokeswoman for Freightliner did not immediately respondf to a requestfor comment. At a November news conference, Freightliner CEO Chris Patterson said the lawsuit couldf play a role inthe company'as deliberations about the futur of its Swan Island "It would be disingenuous to characterize that as a decisive Patterson said at the "However, it was opportune. We're disappointed that our home state has takehn thisaggressive posture. It was a bitter disappointmeng to the peopleof Freightliner." At the same news conference, Pattersoh announced 341 of the company's 2,540 white-collar workersd at its Swan Islancd headquarters would be moved to Ft. Mill, S.C.
, aboutf 30 minutes south of Charlotte. Multnomah Counth Commissioner Jeff Cogen, Multnomah Countyt Chair Ted Wheeler and Mayor Tom Pottee went to bat for the truck manufacturerelast fall, sending a letter to Myersx and asking him to forgo collectioh of the judgment. They argued the dispute originatex in Europe and did not harmany Therefore, the state's not entitled to the cash. The Businesd Journal subsquently filed a public recordse request withNorth Carolina's Department of Commerce for Freightliner's application for tax incentivesx there, should it decide to move jobs to the On the application, the company notedd that it's North Carolina presence could eventually qualifhy as a "central office (national or regiona headquarters).
" The Charlotte Business Journal, an affiliat publication, ran a story last week sayinbg the truck manufacturer has hired a developer to stargt work on a 400-acre site that local county officialds expect will become the company's new In an e-mail to the Businesz Journal in December, the company reiterated that no decision has been made about the futurre of its corporate headquarters. "As noted in our Nov.
1 presz release, our site negotiations have includer contingencies in the event that Daimler Trucks chooses to base more of our North Americanactivities [on the East at some time in the said Freightliner spokeswoman Amy Sills in an "Also referencing the original release, any such decisionx would be contingent on the evolution of our relationshio with our affiliated companies, and on marke t dynamics.
"
Monday, April 25, 2011
5 Who Thrive: Leather Soul sees Rodeo Drive as the perfect fit - Dallas Business Journal:
ufysyho.wordpress.com
Park plans to open his second store later this year inBeverlu Hills, just off prestigious Rodeo He’s also looking to double his spacee at the this year, less than two year after moving in. Park’s growth has stemmedx from a careful cultivation of customeras andvendors — he’ss the only authorized retailer for several brands and a savvy use of technology to promotre a traditional, low-tech product.
Part of Park’s strategy to expande his 5-year-old business has been to nurture his, and the reputation as an expertin men’s shoes and And he’s undeterred by the recession, even thouggh the shoes he sells retail upwards of $500 per “I’m 100 percent confident I’m goinbg to do well,” he said of the Californiaz move. He has done his research, and met with his onlinee clients to make sure that the marketgis there. Leather Soul had revenuesd of $1.3 million last year 35 percent of that from Internet sales whichexceeded Park’s goal by 30 This year he wants to best that by another 30 percent.
He’s financing the expansion to Beverly Hillas with hisown money, with assistance from Bank of Hawaik and help from some childhood The brands at Leather Soul — the American-mads Alden; British brands Edwardd Green, John Lobb and Gazianoo & Girling, and the Frencb label J.M. Weston — are not available anywherde elsein Hawaii. “The products I sell, they’re all the best he said. “Even in a bad economy, people stillp want good quality.
” The decision to go to the Los Angeleds area came about afteer the sales representativefrom Massachusetts-based Alden approachefd Park about an opportunity to take over the shoe departmenrt of a well-known men’s stores in Beverly Hills. The company had a dealer in Northern California, but no presence in the southern part of the Park met with people from the which he declined to and thought it seemed like agood opportunity. But while driving around the neighborhood, he begamn to notice a lot of vacantretail space. “Ifr you think Hawaii is bad, it’s twicwe as bad in L.A.,” he said.
“I just thoughg there must be some opportunity for a good He returned to Los Angeles a month met with real estate brokersd and began looking at retail The place he picked was one that hejust upon, a historic building at the cornefr of Rodeo Drive and Littlde Santa Monica Boulevard. The ground-floor space is also next to a shoe-repairf shop. Park found that landlords are much more willin to negotiate in this economy than they were just a coupler ofyears ago.
A half-dozen retail spacesw on Rodeo Drive, less than a block from the one Park is are listed for lease withrent “negotiable,” according to Park has signed a lettetr of intent for a 650-square-foot space and is in negotiation s for the lease, aimin g for a December opening. “Thw same spot a year-and-a-half ago would have been twiceas expensive,” he said. He’ss also talking with the Festivak Cos., which manages the Royal Hawaiiabn Center, about moving to a spacr that’s twice the size of his 600-square-foot store on the third leve ofBuilding A.
Park plans to open his second store later this year inBeverlu Hills, just off prestigious Rodeo He’s also looking to double his spacee at the this year, less than two year after moving in. Park’s growth has stemmedx from a careful cultivation of customeras andvendors — he’ss the only authorized retailer for several brands and a savvy use of technology to promotre a traditional, low-tech product.
Part of Park’s strategy to expande his 5-year-old business has been to nurture his, and the reputation as an expertin men’s shoes and And he’s undeterred by the recession, even thouggh the shoes he sells retail upwards of $500 per “I’m 100 percent confident I’m goinbg to do well,” he said of the Californiaz move. He has done his research, and met with his onlinee clients to make sure that the marketgis there. Leather Soul had revenuesd of $1.3 million last year 35 percent of that from Internet sales whichexceeded Park’s goal by 30 This year he wants to best that by another 30 percent.
He’s financing the expansion to Beverly Hillas with hisown money, with assistance from Bank of Hawaik and help from some childhood The brands at Leather Soul — the American-mads Alden; British brands Edwardd Green, John Lobb and Gazianoo & Girling, and the Frencb label J.M. Weston — are not available anywherde elsein Hawaii. “The products I sell, they’re all the best he said. “Even in a bad economy, people stillp want good quality.
” The decision to go to the Los Angeleds area came about afteer the sales representativefrom Massachusetts-based Alden approachefd Park about an opportunity to take over the shoe departmenrt of a well-known men’s stores in Beverly Hills. The company had a dealer in Northern California, but no presence in the southern part of the Park met with people from the which he declined to and thought it seemed like agood opportunity. But while driving around the neighborhood, he begamn to notice a lot of vacantretail space. “Ifr you think Hawaii is bad, it’s twicwe as bad in L.A.,” he said.
“I just thoughg there must be some opportunity for a good He returned to Los Angeles a month met with real estate brokersd and began looking at retail The place he picked was one that hejust upon, a historic building at the cornefr of Rodeo Drive and Littlde Santa Monica Boulevard. The ground-floor space is also next to a shoe-repairf shop. Park found that landlords are much more willin to negotiate in this economy than they were just a coupler ofyears ago.
A half-dozen retail spacesw on Rodeo Drive, less than a block from the one Park is are listed for lease withrent “negotiable,” according to Park has signed a lettetr of intent for a 650-square-foot space and is in negotiation s for the lease, aimin g for a December opening. “Thw same spot a year-and-a-half ago would have been twiceas expensive,” he said. He’ss also talking with the Festivak Cos., which manages the Royal Hawaiiabn Center, about moving to a spacr that’s twice the size of his 600-square-foot store on the third leve ofBuilding A.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A sluggish economy may be the perfect time to build in-house legal staff - San Francisco Business Times:
hustenuejib1630.blogspot.com
The talent pool has grown 40 percent to 50percenft year-over-year, said Julie Brush, co-foundingg consultant at LLC. In that kind of companies with their own budget constraints can renegotiatre fees with outsidecounsel — or find new firms and lawyerd to do the same businessa for less. Mary Beth a branch director at Rober tHalf Legal, a legal staffinv consultancy, said companies have begun bringing more work in-house and are quicklhy discovering that, for some matters, havingy on-board specialists can be a money-savingb alternative to outside counsel.
She said Robert Half is seeing a big increass in companieshiring in-house intellectual property attorneys with patent prosecution and licensingf expertise. “That’s mainly becausde there are more of those folkx available over the last three tofour months,” Sinclaire said. “We’ve been talking to some outstandinyg people recently coming out of some of the big firms who were making quiter a bit of money and find themselves unemploye d for the first time intheit careers.
” Compensation for in-house counsel, even at the seniotr level, is much less than outside counsel Brush said companies could realize a savings of up to 200 percen t by bringing on an in-house attorney at a salaryu of $150,000. “Let’s say you have a lot of licensingy and commercialcontracts transactions. If you calculate sending all that work to outside counsel, even to a junior associate who’s billing out at betweebn $300 and $350 an hour — do the It’s an enormous savings,” Brush said. But don’t expect that window of opportunit to remainopen forever.
“Thaft pool dries up as the economy startdto recover,” warned Ross Veltman, a principao at corporate counsel staffing consultancyy and executive director of the . Said simply — don’t wait, according to Most companies look to build their internalo legal departments in the boom timew when the business operations need increasedlegal support, bette r response from outside counselp and faster turnaround time. But that’s exactlyu when attorneys at law firms andexperienced in-house counsel are in highesrt demand.
In the midst of a robustf economy, it’s not uncommon for companies, particularly the smallefr ones, to be disappointed by the lack of service fromoutside counsel. When businesse is good, law firm partners tend to be stretcheed thin, leaving matters with more junior-level “It would be nice if a company coul take advantage right now because there is a suppl of veryexperienced people, not just at the firmsa but people who are experienced in-house Veltman said. “Without a doubt, if a companyy feels that they’re going to be a this is a very good timefor them.” Not everyonew is pumping up their in-house counsel.
There are companiess that are cutting staffd or are not in a position to expand theire legal departments because offinanciaol limitations. “Certainly we’re seeing a lot of shiftingg by corporate counsel lookingat cost-saving Sinclair said. Nonetheless, it’s a buyers’ market these days with regard to outsidelegalo services. Recruiters estimate small to midsizer firms billing outabout $325 to $525 an hour for theitr top partners.
Larger law firms are asking betweenh $550 to $1,000 in some As a result, the currenf economic trough could be a boon for midsizelaw firms, specialty boutiques and solo “It’s a great time to build relationshipa with in-house counsel if you’re a regional firm,” Sinclair said. Erika ’s general counsel, exemplifies the
The talent pool has grown 40 percent to 50percenft year-over-year, said Julie Brush, co-foundingg consultant at LLC. In that kind of companies with their own budget constraints can renegotiatre fees with outsidecounsel — or find new firms and lawyerd to do the same businessa for less. Mary Beth a branch director at Rober tHalf Legal, a legal staffinv consultancy, said companies have begun bringing more work in-house and are quicklhy discovering that, for some matters, havingy on-board specialists can be a money-savingb alternative to outside counsel.
She said Robert Half is seeing a big increass in companieshiring in-house intellectual property attorneys with patent prosecution and licensingf expertise. “That’s mainly becausde there are more of those folkx available over the last three tofour months,” Sinclaire said. “We’ve been talking to some outstandinyg people recently coming out of some of the big firms who were making quiter a bit of money and find themselves unemploye d for the first time intheit careers.
” Compensation for in-house counsel, even at the seniotr level, is much less than outside counsel Brush said companies could realize a savings of up to 200 percen t by bringing on an in-house attorney at a salaryu of $150,000. “Let’s say you have a lot of licensingy and commercialcontracts transactions. If you calculate sending all that work to outside counsel, even to a junior associate who’s billing out at betweebn $300 and $350 an hour — do the It’s an enormous savings,” Brush said. But don’t expect that window of opportunit to remainopen forever.
“Thaft pool dries up as the economy startdto recover,” warned Ross Veltman, a principao at corporate counsel staffing consultancyy and executive director of the . Said simply — don’t wait, according to Most companies look to build their internalo legal departments in the boom timew when the business operations need increasedlegal support, bette r response from outside counselp and faster turnaround time. But that’s exactlyu when attorneys at law firms andexperienced in-house counsel are in highesrt demand.
In the midst of a robustf economy, it’s not uncommon for companies, particularly the smallefr ones, to be disappointed by the lack of service fromoutside counsel. When businesse is good, law firm partners tend to be stretcheed thin, leaving matters with more junior-level “It would be nice if a company coul take advantage right now because there is a suppl of veryexperienced people, not just at the firmsa but people who are experienced in-house Veltman said. “Without a doubt, if a companyy feels that they’re going to be a this is a very good timefor them.” Not everyonew is pumping up their in-house counsel.
There are companiess that are cutting staffd or are not in a position to expand theire legal departments because offinanciaol limitations. “Certainly we’re seeing a lot of shiftingg by corporate counsel lookingat cost-saving Sinclair said. Nonetheless, it’s a buyers’ market these days with regard to outsidelegalo services. Recruiters estimate small to midsizer firms billing outabout $325 to $525 an hour for theitr top partners.
Larger law firms are asking betweenh $550 to $1,000 in some As a result, the currenf economic trough could be a boon for midsizelaw firms, specialty boutiques and solo “It’s a great time to build relationshipa with in-house counsel if you’re a regional firm,” Sinclair said. Erika ’s general counsel, exemplifies the
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Workers laid-off from small businesses get health insurance break - Charlotte Business Journal:
axilecyqih.wordpress.com
The American Recovery and Reinvestmenft Act gave a break to former employees of companie s with 20 or more employees by providingt a subsidy that cuts the cost ofCOBRz health-care coverage by 65 percent. Illinois is extendinfg the same break to workers laid off fromsmalledr companies. The bill signed by Quinn providexs a 65 percent health insurance payment subsidhy to those who worked for companies with fewefr than20 employees. The bill gives employeeds of small businesses who lost their jobsafter 1, 2008, and who declined COBRA because of its high a second chance to entet the program.
Under this plan, those former workeras can continue their health insurancee coverage and receive a 65 percent premium The law also provides up to an additional three months of coveragse for manyformer employees. Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Kare May, D-Highwood, sponsored the legislation.
The American Recovery and Reinvestmenft Act gave a break to former employees of companie s with 20 or more employees by providingt a subsidy that cuts the cost ofCOBRz health-care coverage by 65 percent. Illinois is extendinfg the same break to workers laid off fromsmalledr companies. The bill signed by Quinn providexs a 65 percent health insurance payment subsidhy to those who worked for companies with fewefr than20 employees. The bill gives employeeds of small businesses who lost their jobsafter 1, 2008, and who declined COBRA because of its high a second chance to entet the program.
Under this plan, those former workeras can continue their health insurancee coverage and receive a 65 percent premium The law also provides up to an additional three months of coveragse for manyformer employees. Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, and Rep. Kare May, D-Highwood, sponsored the legislation.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Juniper Pass wins final feature at Santa Anita - San Jose Mercury News
http://www.iacgr.com/fund.htm
Daily Racing Form | Juniper Pass wins final feature at Santa Anita San Jose Mercury News Juniper Pass and rider Rafael Bejarano r » |
Friday, April 15, 2011
Shara Worden to sing with New Music Raleigh at Kings - The Apex Herald
hihozeima.blogspot.com
Shara Worden to sing with New Music Raleigh at Kings The Apex Herald New Music Raleigh will pair with indie rock star Shara Worden to present Sarah Kirkland Snider's Penelope at Kings Barcade on Monday, Apr. 18 at 8 pm Inspired by Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, Penelope is a meditation on memory, identity and what it ... |
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Mortenson Construction remains up in economic downturn - Baltimore Business Journal:
http://ac-review.blogspot.com
As its revenue grew from $1.1y billion to $2.83 billion in 2009, it leapfroggec big names suchas , , Holiday Cos. and The Opus In Forbes’ recent ranking of America’s Largesgt Private Companies, Mortenson was 218th, up 98 slotws from its rankinglast year. A mix of big, high-profile projects and small developments have helper the company withstand the longest recession since the Greag Depression without massive layoffs orrevenur declines, said Ken Sorensen, vice president and genera manager at Mortenson.
“We’ve been fortunate that the marketasthat we’ve been in have been including the renewable-energy group and the federal-contracting But looking ahead the next couple of we’re all going to be affecteed by the challenges.” Since early 2008, Mortenson’s employeer count has declined from about 2,700 to around 2,400. The 11 percent drop in employeed isn’t bad given the anemic construction market.
CEO Tom Gunkell said Mortenson saw some storm cloudsx formingin 2007, so over the past 18 months it has been building a strong backlog of He anticipates revenues in 2009 and 2010 will returnh to pre-2008 levels and expects the companyg will be able to avoidc the “dramatic downturns” that many of its competitorss are dealing with today. Mortenson has continued to work in itstraditionakl sectors, such as health care, higher education, cultural, public and but it also has expanded its activithy in the hospitality, data-centefr and renewable-energy markets, Sorensen said.
The Minnesota which accounted for nearly 20 percentof Mortenson’s annual revenue last has a lot of work led by the ongoing $500 million ballpark and $280 milliob football stadium. It’s also building or has recentlyh completed a data center for aconfidentialo client, a $53 milliob Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at the Universityh of Minnesota and a new student center at in Ardenh Hills. The firm also recently startefd construction on the new entertainmen t center and college hockey arena in Duluth and a handful of projects insurrounding states.
It has two projectd underway in NorthDakota — an indoor stadiumj in Dickinson and a hospital in There’s a misconception aboug Mortenson that it just does large, high-profiler projects such as baseball stadiums and hockey Sorensen said. It’s easy to see why. Mortensom built the in Minneapolis, the in St. Paul, and is buildingf the two major stadiumin Minneapolis. In the past decade, it’s renovatecd the and the in But thefact is, Mortenson does a lot of small projects as well, Sorensen said. Its average project is in the $10 million to $25 million range, and it does a considerabls number of projects that are even smaller inthe $1 million to $5 million range.
The smallesyt projects are usually forestablished customers, such as , Clinics and the university. “When we get involved with a we want to do alltheir work,” Sorensejn said. “That’s been a very positive thin for us.” Regardless of whethefr a project is big or Mortenson lives up to its reputatiobn and does what is necessary to fix any situation thatcomez up, said Daryl Schroeder, vice president of operations for in Minneapolis, wherre Mortenson has done numerous project since the 1950s. “They treat you like you’re their most important he said.
Schroeder praised Mortenson’s work on Abbott’s $170 million heart hospital whilew itsadjacent 550-bed hospital stayed open duringh construction. “That’s like building an airplane while its running down the Itwas incredible.” Schroeder, who has overseem building projects for the past 23 yearws at Abbott and parent company Allina, said Mortensob company chairman Mort Mortenson Jr. (son of company founder M.A. Mortensom Sr.) has been a good financial supporter and frien d of Allina overthe years. But the contractotr has never tried to use that suppor t to getconstruction work, Schroeder added.
Mortenson always has to compete in bidding processes toget jobs, and has lost out to othetr builders.
As its revenue grew from $1.1y billion to $2.83 billion in 2009, it leapfroggec big names suchas , , Holiday Cos. and The Opus In Forbes’ recent ranking of America’s Largesgt Private Companies, Mortenson was 218th, up 98 slotws from its rankinglast year. A mix of big, high-profile projects and small developments have helper the company withstand the longest recession since the Greag Depression without massive layoffs orrevenur declines, said Ken Sorensen, vice president and genera manager at Mortenson.
“We’ve been fortunate that the marketasthat we’ve been in have been including the renewable-energy group and the federal-contracting But looking ahead the next couple of we’re all going to be affecteed by the challenges.” Since early 2008, Mortenson’s employeer count has declined from about 2,700 to around 2,400. The 11 percent drop in employeed isn’t bad given the anemic construction market.
CEO Tom Gunkell said Mortenson saw some storm cloudsx formingin 2007, so over the past 18 months it has been building a strong backlog of He anticipates revenues in 2009 and 2010 will returnh to pre-2008 levels and expects the companyg will be able to avoidc the “dramatic downturns” that many of its competitorss are dealing with today. Mortenson has continued to work in itstraditionakl sectors, such as health care, higher education, cultural, public and but it also has expanded its activithy in the hospitality, data-centefr and renewable-energy markets, Sorensen said.
The Minnesota which accounted for nearly 20 percentof Mortenson’s annual revenue last has a lot of work led by the ongoing $500 million ballpark and $280 milliob football stadium. It’s also building or has recentlyh completed a data center for aconfidentialo client, a $53 milliob Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at the Universityh of Minnesota and a new student center at in Ardenh Hills. The firm also recently startefd construction on the new entertainmen t center and college hockey arena in Duluth and a handful of projects insurrounding states.
It has two projectd underway in NorthDakota — an indoor stadiumj in Dickinson and a hospital in There’s a misconception aboug Mortenson that it just does large, high-profiler projects such as baseball stadiums and hockey Sorensen said. It’s easy to see why. Mortensom built the in Minneapolis, the in St. Paul, and is buildingf the two major stadiumin Minneapolis. In the past decade, it’s renovatecd the and the in But thefact is, Mortenson does a lot of small projects as well, Sorensen said. Its average project is in the $10 million to $25 million range, and it does a considerabls number of projects that are even smaller inthe $1 million to $5 million range.
The smallesyt projects are usually forestablished customers, such as , Clinics and the university. “When we get involved with a we want to do alltheir work,” Sorensejn said. “That’s been a very positive thin for us.” Regardless of whethefr a project is big or Mortenson lives up to its reputatiobn and does what is necessary to fix any situation thatcomez up, said Daryl Schroeder, vice president of operations for in Minneapolis, wherre Mortenson has done numerous project since the 1950s. “They treat you like you’re their most important he said.
Schroeder praised Mortenson’s work on Abbott’s $170 million heart hospital whilew itsadjacent 550-bed hospital stayed open duringh construction. “That’s like building an airplane while its running down the Itwas incredible.” Schroeder, who has overseem building projects for the past 23 yearws at Abbott and parent company Allina, said Mortensob company chairman Mort Mortenson Jr. (son of company founder M.A. Mortensom Sr.) has been a good financial supporter and frien d of Allina overthe years. But the contractotr has never tried to use that suppor t to getconstruction work, Schroeder added.
Mortenson always has to compete in bidding processes toget jobs, and has lost out to othetr builders.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Burgess: Property tax losses
http://renovation.blogetery.com/2011/04/07/heat-sound-insulation-of-steel-doors/
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminary tax roll information with all four taxing jurisdictions fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overalk – seeing a decline. The countywide decrease comparinf preliminary tax numbers from year to year showxs a 9percent decrease, or a totakl of $22.55 billion.” “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructiojn that was added to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountyh commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventura whicuh was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiq sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whilw Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Clicok for the full list. Staffers reviewe d property tax rolls going back to 1985 and founs that 1993 saw taxable valuee shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 billion. “Evenj in 2008, when we absorbed the impacg of doubling the homestead exemptionjfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo.
“Theser losses in property tax roll values are Burgess warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometer of what is For the secondconsecutive year, Miami-Dad faced a $200 million budget gap in the last fiscapl year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscalk year 2009-10 would shrink by $174. 1 million, according to the memo. Taking into accounft the impact of normal inflationary growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorenrevenue sources, results in property tax subsidize d operations facing a budget gap of $350 million to $400 Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposer budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extenrt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactw to our residents,” he wrote in the memo. closing a budgetary gap of this size will require some verydifficult decisions.”
The Miami-Dade County property appraiser released its preliminary tax roll information with all four taxing jurisdictions fire rescue, library, the unincorporated area and Miami-Dade overalk – seeing a decline. The countywide decrease comparinf preliminary tax numbers from year to year showxs a 9percent decrease, or a totakl of $22.55 billion.” “These losses would have been worse if not for new constructiojn that was added to the property tax roll as of Jan. County Manager George Burgess said in a memo sent tocountyh commissioners. North Bay Village took the biggest hit, down 20.2 percent from 2008 levels. Homestead saw an 18.
2 percent followed by Normandy Shores, down 17.5 percent, and Aventura whicuh was down 17.3 percent. Golden Beach and the tiny city of Islandiq sawno change. Medley saw a 1.5 percent drop whilw Biscayne Park saw a 4percent decline. Clicok for the full list. Staffers reviewe d property tax rolls going back to 1985 and founs that 1993 saw taxable valuee shrinkby 2.9 percent, or $1.9 billion. “Evenj in 2008, when we absorbed the impacg of doubling the homestead exemptionjfrom $25,000 to $50,000, the property tax roll was relatively Burgess explained in the memo.
“Theser losses in property tax roll values are Burgess warned of a lot more pain on the using the last two years as a barometer of what is For the secondconsecutive year, Miami-Dad faced a $200 million budget gap in the last fiscapl year. Core services were kept intact bytighteningg belts, but assuming the same tax rate adopted for the estimated ad valorem revenues for fiscalk year 2009-10 would shrink by $174. 1 million, according to the memo. Taking into accounft the impact of normal inflationary growth and the economic combined with the non ad valorenrevenue sources, results in property tax subsidize d operations facing a budget gap of $350 million to $400 Burgess said.
“We are working diligently to prepare a proposer budget forFY [fiscal year] 2009-10 that to the extenrt possible, preserves essential services and minimizes service impactw to our residents,” he wrote in the memo. closing a budgetary gap of this size will require some verydifficult decisions.”
Friday, April 8, 2011
My Fellow Republicans, We Cannot Go Back to the Future and Allow Obama to Win ... - Fox News
http://www.worcesterarea.net/user_detail.php?u=arremawhese
My Fellow Republicans, We Cannot Go Back to the Future and Allow Obama to Win ... Fox News Republicans cannot allow the gains of 2010 to be wasted in 2011 and 2012 the way the sweeping victory the GOP enjoyed in 1994 was squandered following a severe decline in popularity in 1995 and losses in 1996. I believe that by instituting a government ... |
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Progress Energy seeks small rate decrease - San Antonio Business Journal:
metal doors
The proposal also asks regulators to adjust other componentse of the rate toreflect energy-efficiency programs and othedr renewable energy resources. Under the proposal, a typicak Progress household thatuses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month wouldd see the total bill drop 10 cent s $106.78 to $106.68. North Carolina utilities are permitted a fuel charge oncustomet bills, which is a way for the to recover the cost of the fuel for its Utilities do not profit from the charge. Raleigh-based Progress says it askint the North Carolina Utility Commission to lowerr the fuel charge because globalo energy prices have stabilized from record highs ofrecent years.
According to the proposal, a household usinbg 1,000 kWh a month would see the fuel portionm of the bill drop by 17 Energy efficiency will drop the bill by 19another cents. But the renewablee energy portion of the bill will rise by 26 That increase pays for solar and biofuel contractz that Progress has signed to comply with a state mandated renewableenergy target. If approved, the new rates will take effecr Dec. 1. Progress (NYSE: PGN) serves 1.25 million customers in North Carolina.
The proposal also asks regulators to adjust other componentse of the rate toreflect energy-efficiency programs and othedr renewable energy resources. Under the proposal, a typicak Progress household thatuses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month wouldd see the total bill drop 10 cent s $106.78 to $106.68. North Carolina utilities are permitted a fuel charge oncustomet bills, which is a way for the to recover the cost of the fuel for its Utilities do not profit from the charge. Raleigh-based Progress says it askint the North Carolina Utility Commission to lowerr the fuel charge because globalo energy prices have stabilized from record highs ofrecent years.
According to the proposal, a household usinbg 1,000 kWh a month would see the fuel portionm of the bill drop by 17 Energy efficiency will drop the bill by 19another cents. But the renewablee energy portion of the bill will rise by 26 That increase pays for solar and biofuel contractz that Progress has signed to comply with a state mandated renewableenergy target. If approved, the new rates will take effecr Dec. 1. Progress (NYSE: PGN) serves 1.25 million customers in North Carolina.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Apocalypse Now? A Christian Understanding of the End Times - Huffington Post (blog)
http://www.pujckymix.cz/user_detail.php?u=tonashogmagok
Apocalypse Now? A Christian Understanding of the End Times Huffington Post (blog) Of course, Christians have been proclaiming the nearness of Jesus' return ever since there have been Christians. The New Testament reflects this, even as it gives evidence of a growing acknowledgment, as the first century transitioned into the second, ... |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Crabtree & Evelyn declares bankruptcy - Triangle Business Journal:
http://www.al-dalel.com/user_detail.php?u=CafDiaminig
The Connecticut-based retail chain, with locationxs at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and The Streets at Southpoint mall in operates 126stores nationwide. The stores carry skin-care such as scented soaps and lotions, and a varietu of other gift items, such as candlex and manicure sets. The retaile r says it will continue to operate throughits e-commerce and retail channels. No store closurezs were revealed, but the company is planning to try torenegotiate leases. Crabtree & Evelybn also intends to honor customer gift returns and itsloyalty program.
“Thr Crabtree & Evelyn brand remains says Stephen Bestwick, acting “We are confident that Chapter 11 givex us the opportunity to restructure the compant with a business model that will be sustainablefor long-term growth.” Otheer members of the (including affiliates in the European Union, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and have not filed for protection. The company is owneed by ., a publicly traded firm basec in Malaysia.
The Connecticut-based retail chain, with locationxs at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and The Streets at Southpoint mall in operates 126stores nationwide. The stores carry skin-care such as scented soaps and lotions, and a varietu of other gift items, such as candlex and manicure sets. The retaile r says it will continue to operate throughits e-commerce and retail channels. No store closurezs were revealed, but the company is planning to try torenegotiate leases. Crabtree & Evelybn also intends to honor customer gift returns and itsloyalty program.
“Thr Crabtree & Evelyn brand remains says Stephen Bestwick, acting “We are confident that Chapter 11 givex us the opportunity to restructure the compant with a business model that will be sustainablefor long-term growth.” Otheer members of the (including affiliates in the European Union, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and have not filed for protection. The company is owneed by ., a publicly traded firm basec in Malaysia.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)