February 2009 Houston Business Connections Newspaper

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS $1MILLION www.peopledoingbusiness.com

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Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998

• Email: news@houston-businessconnections.com • SPECIAL 2009 PROMOTIONAL

The Lawal Center for Global Trade at TSU, One Step Closer to Reality HISTORY

RNC Elects First Black Chairman Former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele has won his bid to become the first AfricanAmerican Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Steele was clear in his reason for running by saying, “the Republican Party must present a vision for the future of America that relies on our conservative values and core principles.

It is wrong to believe the voters have suddenly become liberal.

They have just lost any sense of confidence that the Republican Party STEELE holds the answers to their problems. We must face the fact that our party has failed in recent years to live up to our own principles — we have failed to be ‘solutions oriented’ in addressing the concerns of all Americans.”

Steele made his decision to run last year but delayed his public announcement until November of last year so that he could call as many RNC members as possible to personally discuss the future of the Republican Party and to seek their support.

Steele worked the phones for days in an attempt to reach the leadership of the Republican Party he said.

He believes the future of the Party lies with the states and wanted to set the tone from the outset that he will place an emphasis on the members of the Committee to begin rebuilding.

“Having been a member of the RNC, as state chairman of the MD Republican Party from 2000 to 2002, as a County Chairman from 1994 to 2000; I know first-hand the RNC must truly be run as a federation of state parties in order to be effective.”

“I believe the leadership of our party must come from its grassroots because the members of the RNC are the best representation of what direction our party needs to take. The state chairmen, national committeewomen, and national committeemen are the party leaders who are closest to the vot-

See STEELE on page, P.9

CORPORATE GOODWILL: Glenn Lewis, Board Chair, Texas Southern University, Kase Lawal, President and CEO of CAMAC, Dr. Joseph Boyd, Dean of the Texas Southern University School of Business, and Dr. John Rudley, President of Texas Southern University.

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HOUSTON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS REPORTS

The Lawal Center for Global Trade Will Facilitate, Train Students, Business Executives, Entrepreneurs, In Developing Innovative Initiatives in Global Trade

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he Lawal Center for Global Global Trade through an endowment Trade in the Jesse H. Jones which will attract renowned faculty and School of Business provide endowed scholarat Texas Southern University ships to attract talented stuHOUSTON comes one step closer to dents. The Centers name is becoming a reality with the first generous expected to be officially approved by the installment donation of $100,000.00 of a Texas Southern University Board of $1 million pledge from alumnus, busi- Regents at their meeting this month. nessman, Kase Lawal.

“One of the proudest moments in the The donation is the largest from an life of any university, is when one of its alumnus in the history of the university.

These funds, pledged over a 10-year periSee $1MILLION on page, P.4 od, will establish the Lawal Center for

Astoundry Named the Best Place to Work in Texas HOUSTON —Astoundry was named the Best Place to Work in Texas

by The Texas Association of Business, the Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group. PAGE,8

Caterpillar Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility in Seguin Gov. Perry requests continued appropriations for Texas Enterprise Fund SEGUIN - Gov. Rick Perry recently urged the Texas Legislature to continue appropriating funds to the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) this session, citing investments in companies such as Caterpillar that have created thousands of jobs for Texans and attracted millions of dol-

lars in capital investment. The governor spoke at the groundbreaking for Caterpillar's manufacturing facility in Seguin.

“In these uncertain economic times, companies across the country are looking to Texas as the place to grow their business thanks to a reasonable regulatory environment, educated workforce, and economic incentives that bolster Texas’ capital and competition in a global CATERPILLAR on page, P.24

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ENTREPRENEURS CREDO I do not choose to be a Common man It is my right to be UNCOMMON...If I can I seek Opportunity - not Security I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the “Calculated Risk” to Dream and to Build, to fail and to SUCCEED. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.

I prefer the challenges of Life to the “Guaranteed existence”, the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.

I will not trade FREEDOM for Beneficence nor my dignity for a handout.

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AUBREY R. TAYLOR Houston Business Connections Newspaper is published by AUBREY R. TAYLOR. All right reserved. No articles may be copied, rewritten, published, or otherwise distributed without the prior written approval of the publisher. For special requests please call: 832.783.1113 or call the publisher directly at: 832.212.8735.

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Knight Foundation Awards $5 Million to Help Create BetterInformed Communities The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced grants totaling $5 million to support twenty-one innovative ideas intended to help residents in twenty communities nationwide lead more informed lives.

The grants, which range from $41,250 to $500,000, are the first IBARG U¨ EN awarded through the Knight Community Information Challenge, a five-year, $24 million initiative designed to help community foundations support creative uses of new media and technology tools to keep communities engaged. In Park City, Utah, for example, a community deeply concerned about global warming, a new Web site will enable residents to track their carbon footprint and exchange conservation ideas, while researchers in Boulder, Colorado, will use new media to engage 18- to 30-year-olds who haven't attended college in civic issues.

“At Knight Foundation, we firmly believe that you cannot effectively manage the affairs of a community in a democracy without the free flow of information,” said Knight Foundation president and CEO Alberto Ibargüen.

“That’s why we believe that information is a core community need, as critical as any to a healthy community.

Community foundations were established to meet core community needs, so they are logical partners.”

WHO Receives $9.7 Million From Gates Foundation to Research Medicines for Children The World Health Organization has announced a $9.7 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in support of its efforts to increase the number of child-size medicines designed and formulated specifically for children.

Working with UNICEF, WHO will use the grant to determine optimum dosage forms for pediatric medicines; develop dosing guides; and create guidelines for the testing, treatment, and use of medicines in children, including guidelines related to the conduct of clinical trials involving children. The research will build on the WHO-led Make Medicines Child Size initiative, which was launched in 2007 to GATES help improve access to better medicines for children.

More than 50 percent of medicines currently prescribed for children either have not been developed specifically for children or have not been proven to be effective and safe for their use. As a result, many children lack access to essential treatments because no suitable pediatric dosage or formulation of the necessary medicine exists, while those that do exist are not available or are too expensive.

“We must take the guess work out of medicines for children,” said WHO assistant director-general Carissa Etienne. “Children are suffering and dying from diseases we can treat, and yet we lack the critical evidence needed to deliver appropriate, effective, affordable medicines that might save them.”

Jewish Funders Network Establishes Fund to Help Nonprofits Harmed by Madoff Scheme The New York City-based Jewish Funders Network has announced the launch of a $5 million fund to assist nonprofits harmed by Bernard Madoff’s alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme.

Created through a collaboration of JFN members, the Crisis Loan Fund will provide bridge financing and interest subsidies to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits facing budget shortfalls caused by the scheme and made worse by the current credit crisis. Loans of $100,000 to $300,000 will be distributed to cover operating and program costs based on several criteria, including the strategic impact of the loan on the organization or its programs

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and the organization’s ability to re-pay the loan.

In addition, JFN has established a Pro Bono Resource Bank, which will provide nonprofits struggling in the economic downturn with managerial, legal, accounting, development, and other resources from JFN members and other groups.

“The Crisis Loan Fund represents an immediate first step to aid nonprofits who are already scrambling to meet increased demand with rapidly diminished resources,” said JFN president Mark Charendoff. “It’s our hope that philanthropists will join with JFN to continue to meet the demand in the months to come.”

Andrew D. Plepler, Bank of America Foundation, president.

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Commits $20 Million to Neighborhood Excellence Initiative

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he Bank of America Charitable Foundation has announced that it will allocate $20 million in 2009 to its signature Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI).

Now in its sixth year, the initiative recognizes, nurtures, and rewards people and organizations working to strengthen and revitalize their communities in fortyfive of the bank's largest markets. Much of the funding is unrestricted, enabling organizations to use the awards for operating expenses and capacity building while contributing to a region’s economic vitality. Local bank and community leaders identify organizations in each community that are best positioned to address the most pressing issues in that community.

Organizations receive support through three programs within the initiative. Neighborhood Builders provides $200,000 in unrestricted funding as well as leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader from each of two local nonprofits. Local Heroes recognizes five community leaders with a $5,000 contribution to a nonprofit of the recipient’s choice. And Student Leaders provides five high school students with a paid eight-week summer internship at a community-based organization and the opportunity to attend a student leadership summit.

“Leadership in our communities is more critical than it has ever been,” said Andrew D. Plepler, president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “As nonprofits wrestle with greater challenges and fewer resources, this program helps reinvigorate local economies, a key factor in addressing the current global crisis.”

Bush Foundation Awards $1.5 Million for Infant, Toddler Development Program The Minnesota Community Foundation has announced a $1.5 million grant from the Saint Paulbased Bush Foundation to develop grants and systems that support early childhood development in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Former Bush Foundation program officer Jane Fruehling Kretzmann has joined MCF to implement the program. Responsible for early childhood development grantmaking in her previous position, Kretzmann will work with colleagues at MCF and the Saint Paul Foundation, whose Words Work! early literacy program has helped close the achievement gap for 9,500 preschool children through Head Start programs and become a model for literacy development in Minnesota.

Houston Business Connections Newspaper is made possible by the support of our advertisers and supporters. Please support our advertisers and supporters! - Aubrey R. Taylor

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Q&A on Leadership

Galveston’s Harbor House Reopens Following Hurricane Ike Closure GALVESTON — Harbor House, Galveston’s only harbor view hotel located at Pier 21 has reopened. The hotel sustained minor flooding to its first floor check-in area from Hurricane Ike which struck Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008. Elevator service will be reinstated in mid-April 2009.

Harbor House room rates range from $89 to $149 and include complimentary continental breakfast.

This fine hotel offers 42 spacious rooms including three suites.

All rooms feature a sitting area, refrigerator, microwave, free highspeed Internet access and Wi-Fi. Complimentary continental breakfast is served daily on the second floor of the hotel. Harbor House guests also enjoy signing privileges at the Hotel Galvez and The Tremont House. The Hotel Galvez reopened Oct. 15 and The Tremont House is anticipated to reopen in May 2009.

The nine boat slips adjacent to the hotel were damaged and are being repaired. Olympia Restaurant at Pier 21, located on the harbor side of the hotel, now is tentatively scheduled to open in May or June 2009.

And will feature a Greek influenced menu, outdoor and private dining and live entertainment on weekends once reopened. The restaurant also will offer European wines and fare, a full bar and room service meals for Harbor House guests.

“We are proud to add Harbor House to the list of hotels open to the public,” says Area Director of Operations Steve Wisner. “Harbor House offers a unique location on the harbor near the cruise ship terminal and adjacent to the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa and Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig & Museum, with convenient access to several harborfront restaurants.”

Cruises departing from Galveston resumed November 1.

Currently, three cruise ships utilize Galveston as its home port. Carnival Ecstasy offers four-and five-day cruises to the Mexican coast and Carnival Conquest offers seven-day cruises to Mexico, Jamaica and Grand Carman.

Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas offers seven-day cruises to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and Key West through April 2009. Harbor House and Hotel Galvez are the preferred pre- and post-cruise hotels for both Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Harbor House is owned by Galveston preservationists Cynthia and George Mitchell and is part of Mitchell Historic Properties. For room reservations, call (409) 7633321. — (Vocus/PRWEB)

TAYLOR: How important is good leadership during times of crisis? OLSON: Leadership and character are the two most important qualities for elected officials to possess in a crisis. These two qualities determine if someone will rise to the occasion, create a sense of teamwork and urgency and move the process along toward an appropriate solution. In Congress, we need more people who will be steadfast, keep their word and their principles and work toward the best result for the American people, and not for a given party.

TAYLOR: Do you consider yourself to be a leader? If so, in what way? OLSON:

Throughout my career - in the Navy, at the Pentagon and on Senate staffs - I have worked with others to move ahead. As an aviator, I was responsible for the lives of my crew. At the Pentagon, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, our decisions impacted the lives of thousands of troops around the world. Working in the Senate, I understood that I worked for the people of Texas - and that their concerns were primary. As Chief of Staff, I was responsible for mentoring and leading people and coordinating with other offices to achieve our goals. In this time, I made sure that we were able to inspire people to perform to the best of their abilities for the greater good.

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E-INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT: CONGRESSMAN PETE OLSON REPRESENTS THE 22ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WHICH COVERS PARTS OF BRAZORIA, FORT BEND, GALVESTON, HARRIS AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES. HE LIVES IN SUGAR LAND, TEXAS, WITH HIS WIFE NANCY AND CHILDREN KATE AND GRANT AND DOG RILEY.

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SPOTLIGHT 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES

$1Million continued from P.1 graduates not only achieves success, but when that alumnus shares his or her success with others,” stated TSU's President Dr. John Rudley about the donation.

Rudley continued, “This gift establishes the Lawal Center for Global Trade in our Jesse H. Jones School of Business providing scholarships for students in international business and programming to support both the academic and business communities. This proud moment has occurred because Dr. Lawal and his family are committed to the mission of Texas Southern University and to giving back to Houston and to the international community through education.”

“The business world is a much more competitive place today than it was when I graduated from Texas Southern University three decades ago,” Dr. Kase Lawal said.

“In order for students to exceed today's challenges they must first be exposed to state-of-the-art programming.” Dr. Lawal continued, “It is my hope and that of my wife that this academic endowment will enable students to succeed across boundaries and provide business leadership in this new global economy.”

Lawal, a native Nigerian, who earned his B.A. in chemistry from Texas Southern University, is chairman and chief executive officer of CAMAC International Corporation. CAMAC was named the 2006 Company of the Year by Black Enterprise Magazine and has been ranked on the Forbes 400 list

“One of the proudest moments in the life of any university, is when one of its graduates not only achieves success, but when that alumnus shares his or her success with others.”

– TSU President Dr. John Rudley

of the largest privately owned companies in the United States.

Today, CAMAC is an international oil exploration, production and trading company with offices in Africa, Europe, North America and South America. Twentytwo years after its founding, CAMAC International is valued at nearly $2 billion.

Lawal started CAMAC in 1986 as an international trade operation.

Over the years, he refined his enterprise to focus on the oil and gas industry. Today, CAMAC has expanded into the energy trading, engineering and consulting industries.

Appreciative of the support of Dr. Lawal, Rudley concluded, “On behalf of Texas Southern’s students, faculty, staff and alumni, and our countless friends and supporters, we gratefully accept this generous commitment and offer our heartfelt thanks to the Lawal family for helping Texas Southern University develop innovative minds and thoughtful leaders who will define our country’s future.”

ONE STEP CLOSER: The Lawal Center for Global Trade in the Jesse H. Jones School of Business at Texas Southern University comes one step closer to becoming a reality with the first generous installment donation of $100,000.00 of a $1 million pledge from alumnus, businessman, Kase Lawal. Top Left: Kase Lawal takes time to pose for a photo with a TSU student who happens to be a big fan of his. Bottom Left: Lawal is talking to a group of gentlemen before the event got started. Right: Lawal shares a moment with Port of Houston Authority Chairman James T. Edmonds.

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OPINION PROVIDED BY ZOGBY INTERNATIONAL DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

A DANCE WITH THE PRESIDENT & FIRST LADY: President Barack Obama dances with U.S. Army Sgt. Margaret H. Herrera while first lady Michelle Obama shares a dance with U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Elidio Guillen at the Commander in Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009.

HISTORY With Crisis Comes Opportunity Obama, FDR and ratings of presidential greatness

By John Zogby

T

The challenges facing Barack Obama are daunting on multiple fronts. If he succeeds as president, considering the scope of problems and the public mood, it gives him the opportunity to achieve greater popularity and even a prominent place in history.

On the one hand, expectations for him are very high. His inspiring speeches and the idealistic movement that propelled his campaign set a high bar for his actions, at least among opinion makers and the Republican opposition.

Our most recent polling at Zogby International, however, reveals a state of affairs that could give Obama room to move forward with merely reasonable expectations and, as a result, greater chances for success.

Obama begins his first term well-liked and respected for his abilities. Our interactive poll of 3,498 voters, conducted from Jan. 6 to Jan. 8, 2009, found 60% rated Obama favorably. Other presidents have had higher ratings, but this is still very good, considering Obama

received just 53% of the popular vote. Fiftyeight percent of respondents also give positive scores to his performance during the transition.

Confidence in his ability to handle the economy, health care, foreign affairs and the environment all rated better than 55%. There is a bit more skepticism about Obama and taxes, with 50% expressing confidence.

Here’s the backdrop: When we asked voters about their personal financial situations and that of the nation, we found alarming signs of pessimism. Twenty-two percent feel job insecurity; 20% say their personal financial situation is poor; 42% have little or no confidence their children will have a better life than they had; 75% call the nation’s economic policy performance poor and 70% say the nation is headed in the wrong direction.

Given the depth of Americans’ gloom, perhaps it’s not a surprise that voters aren’t expecting Obama to produce a fast turnaround.

Our poll found that just 35% believe Obama will be able to move the nation out of recession.

More immediately, when asked about Obama’s first year in office, only 12% expect the economy to grow, while 50% anticipate a continued decline at a slower rate. The rest expect no change. In terms of their own financial situations in 2009, 20% expect to be worse off, while 49% anticipate their personal economic situation will remain the same. Twenty-four percent believe they will be better off in the

coming year.

With that playing-field in mind, Obama should consider his first term as a series of sixmonth leases – ones that will earn renewal with actions that show progress. This is a must, especially when it comes to neutralizing opposition from Republicans (and even, as we’ve already seen, from some Democrats).

On multiple levels, Obama’s model is Franklin D. Roosevelt, who took office during the Great Depression. Roosevelt successfully followed a philosophy of relief, recovery and reform. Relief began then--and will begin again now—with a government-funded stimulus package, which Obama has established as his first priority. Roosevelt’s New Deal stopped the negative flow of economic perceptions and realities. Recovery will hopefully come, for both Obama and the nation, as those public projects translate into personal wellbeing for Americans.

Reform is needed in many areas, but Obama should consider holding off for at least six months before diving into the urgent issues of health care and finance regulation. After all, polling evidence indicates voters aren't expecting instant gratification.

For all of these measures to succeed, Obama and Congress must cooperate. Our most recent ratings of Congress show its favorability is down to a paltry 4%. It is so important to restore public faith in both Congress and

other governmental institutions. Otherwise, we face the threat of a self-fulfilling prophecy: Our government can’t do anything right, and therefore it will continue to fail.

I’m certainly not lowering the expectations heaped upon Obama by saying that his skill-set is uniquely suited to both working with Congress and restoring people's faith in government. He has adeptly framed himself as less partisan than other politicians, and his speaking skills can inspire Americans as well as allow him to talk over the opposition and directly to them.

Our polling over many years on presidential greatness has consistently found FDR at the top. Clearly, crisis brings opportunity. (We hope, of course, that Obama and the nation won’t see international crises anywhere near the scope of World War II.) The problems Obama faces today are probably the greatest since FDR took the oath in 1932. As the first African-American elected president, Obama has already made history. Given the circumstances of public opinion and what is at stake, the Obama presidency will certainly make more.

------------------------------------------------------John Zogby is president and CEO of Zogby International and the author of The Way We'll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream. This is the first installment of his new weekly column for Forbes.com where it was initially published.

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SPOTLIGHT 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES

Astoundry Named the Best Place to Work in Texas Astoundry is named the Best Place to Work in Texas by The Texas Association of Business, the Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group.

HOUSTON — Astoundry, a leading full service information technology consulting company, has announced the company is number one in the small business category on 100 Top Places to Work for in Texas list. The fourth annual 100 Best Places to Work program recognizes the best employers in the state, the ones who make it a priority to create better workplaces for their employees.

Astoundry, who placed second in last year’s competition, earned this year’s top honors for its humorous approach to employee recognition with the annual “Cheesy Employee” awards, its generous profit sharing and employee ownership, and the bonuses the company provides for teams and individuals upon the successful completion of projects.

Other distinguishing programs include constant mentoring and employee growth plans, free babysitting for company events,

TWC Chairman Pauken Responds to Decreasing Texas Revenue Estimates AUSTIN — Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Chairman Tom Pauken renewed his calls for spending restraint in light of the Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2010-2011 released by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recently.

“What we need to do during the tense months that loom ahead is scrutinize the budget with even greater care than usual, making absolutely certain that what we decide to spend our Texas taxpayers' hard earned dollars on is truly worth the cost,” said TWC Chairman Pauken.

According to the Comptroller's report, Texas can expect to have $77.1 billion available for generalpurpose spending during the 201011 biennium. This represents a 10.5 percent decrease from the corresponding amount of funds available for 2008-09.

“Our present economic storm will blow over in time - far more slowly than Hurricane Ike but just as surely, so long as our national government doesn't continue to make things worse,” said Pauken.

time off for charity work, and Human Resource Management, and Astoundry’s willingness to fly Best Companies Group and based on employee’s families to company a two-part survey which comprises events. an in-depth look at the company's “We feel privileged to top the policies and procedures and an inlist of the Best Places to Work in depth survey of the employees.

Texas,” said Kevin Hanratty, The list is comprised of 100 President and Chief Service Officer companies split into three cateof Astoundry. “Providing exception- gories: 32 small-sized companies al service to our clients is the foun- (25-74 employees), 32 mediumdation of Astoundry as this dedica- sized companies (75-249 employtion to our clients ees) and 30 largeTEXA S starts with an equal sized companies (250 dedication to our and more employees). employees and our community. The rankings are in the February Being named to the top of the list 2009 issue of TEXAS MONTHLY simply supports this dedication” and the ranked companies were recThe Best Places to Work for in ognized recently at a gala awards Texas list is selected by The Texas luncheon held on January 28th in Association of Business, the Texas Austin, where Governor Rick Perry State Council of the Society for was the keynote speaker.

THE CHIEF: Kevin Hanratty is President and Chief Service Officer of Astoundry. For more information on Astoundry please visit them on the worldwide web at: www.astoundry.com

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SPOTLIGHT JUDGE ED EMMETT DOING BUSINESS

Harris County Plays Host to First Annual Major Trade, Transportation Conference Bruce Carlton, the president of the National Industrial Transportation League, and Jorge Canavati, the vice president of the Mexico Business Association of San Antonio, were among dozens of top transportation and trade experts to attend and speak at the First Annual Harris County International Trade & Transportation Conference in Houston.

was canceled in response to portation, how politics affects interHurricane Ike. national transportation and a disAccording to Judge Emmett: cussion of U.S.-Mexican trade.

The conference was designed to be In addition to Emmett, unusually detailed, bringing togeth- Carlton and Canavati, guest speaker some of the most ers included: Jeff important participants Moseley, the presiTEXA S in local, national and dent and CEO of the international transGreater Houston portation and trade. Many of those Partnership; Jim Edmonds, the who attended the conference will chairman of the Port of Houston be deciding the future of transporta- Authority; Richard Vacar, the tion in Washington, Austin, director of aviation for the Houston and Mexico City and pro- Houston Airport System; Robert vided a glimpse into some of the Voltmann, the president and CEO changes we can expect. of the Transportation The conference began with an Intermediaries Association; and early evening reception. And also numerous corporate officials rephad seminars focusing on chal- resenting dozens of Mexican translenges facing international trans- portation companies.

THE ORGANIZER: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett organized the conference to address current events in trade and transportation, with a special focus on U.S. and Mexico trade.

HOUSTON — Harris County Judge Ed Emmett organized the event to address current events in trade and transportation, with a special focus on U.S./Mexico trade. The conference was originally planned for September, but

Steele continued from P.1 ers — they know what the voters want — they talk to them everyday.

I have walked a mile in their shoes; without them you become out of touch with the issues that are important to Main Street Americans.”

“I want Republicans to get back to winning elections, not just for the sake of winning, but for the sake of our Country’s future. Most Americans today see a Republican Party that defines itself by what it is against rather than what it is for. We can tell you why public schools aren’t working, but not articulate a compelling vision for how we’ll better educate children. We’re well equipped to rail against tax increases; but can’t begin to explain how we’ll help the poor. The success of our Party's resurgence will come from the states - from our local leaders and from our Governors.”

We must articulate a positive vision for America’s future that speaks to Americans’ hopes, concerns and needs. It’s time to stop defining ourselves by what we are not, and tell voters what we believe, how we’ll lead, and where we’ll go…how we Republicans will make America better … how we’ll make their families more prosperous, their children better educated, their parents more secure, and all of us healthier, safer, and stronger. That means we must articulate our vision in the local public square, on TV, on Radio, in the local newspapers, on the internet. With God’s help and the guidance of the men and women who give strength to our Republican National Committee, I am prepared to do just that.”

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SPOTLIGHT THE NEXT GENERATION OF IDENTIFICATION

BEYOND — Our New Identification System —

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Palm prints are taken from the scene of a diffused roadside bomb in Iraq. Later, an individual entering a New York airport is arrested on an unrelated charge. A full set of prints are taken during the booking process and submitted to our Next Generation Identification (NGI) system. A positive ID connects the man to the roadside bomb.

average. There will also be a special category called the “Repository of Individuals of Special Concern” containing records of known or suspected terrorists, wanted persons, and sexual offender registry names.

These records can be quickly searched to help law enforcement in the U.S. and American soldiers in places like Iraq and Afghanistan assess the level of threat during an encounter.

“Better” because going beyond fingerprints as biometric identifiers will enhance the investigative and identification processes. For example, adding palm prints makes sense: some of the latent prints left behind

by criminals at crime scenes are palm prints. NGI is also being developed to be compatible with other continued on page, P.11

A ski mask-wearing bank robber leaves with his loot, and witnesses tell police they noticed a red skull tattoo on his hand. A search of NGI’s Interstate Photo System for a red skull tattoo provides a potential candidate list that could ultimately lead to the identification of the bank robber.

Both cases are hypothetical, but in the not-too-distant future these scenarios could really happen…thanks to the ongoing development of the Next Generation Identification system—a logical evolution of our current Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).

That evolution will include not only enhanced fingerprint capabilities but also other forms of biometric identification like palm prints, iris scans, facial imaging, scars, marks, and tattoos-in one searchable system.

Next Generation Identification is…

A state-of-the-art identification system that will be “bigger, faster, and better” than IAFIS, says Assistant Director Tom Bush of our Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

“Bigger” because it will increase the capacity of our fingerprint storage plus house multimodal biometrics records like palm prints and iris scans…and still have room to accommodate future biometric technologies (i.e., voice, gait, etc.) as they become available and prove reliable.

“Faster” because it will speed up response time for high priority criminal ten-print submissions from two hours to about 10 minutes on

Hours of Operation: The Museum opens and conducts tours Monday thru Friday from 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. the Museum is closed on Sundays. www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com 1 8 3 4 S o u t h m o r e , H o u s t o n , Te x a s 7 7 0 0 4 I Te l e p h o n e : 7 1 3 - 9 4 2 - 8 9 2 0

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SPOTLIGHT 2009 PEOPLE DOING BUSINESS SERIES CALL 832.212.8735 TO HAVE YOUR INFORMATION PUBLISHED IN THIS PUBLICATION!

Rep. Bohac pleased to report Brickhouse Gully Basin is Complete State of Texas Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) has announced that construction is now complete on the Brickhouse Gully stormwater detention basin. The project was completed ahead of schedule according to Harris County Flood Control District spokeswoman Heather Saucier.

The District also welcomes partflowed from White Oak Bayou.

W h i l e I k e t e m p o r a r i l y nerships with other government or delayed construction on the private entities to establish park feabasin, work resumed, and the $2 tures and trails on project sites, includmillion project was completed in ing the Brickhouse detention basin. late 2008.

Brickhouse Gully begins in Bohac reported that once the the Spring Branch area and extends turf has been estabfrom Gessner and Clay roads, runs east lished (approximateTEXA S between Clay (43rd ly nine to 12 months after construction has been com- Street) and Kempwood (34th pleted), the District will plant trees Street) and intersects White Oak at the site as part of its vegetation Bayou near Watonga in the Oak management program.

Forest community.

COMMITTED TO DISTRICT 138: State Representative House District 138 Dwayne Bohac believes that one of his biggest responsibilities is improving our local quality of life. The conclusion of this project is an extension of that commitment.

“Great credit goes to the Harris County Flood Control District for helping folks in the Oak Forest and Mangum Manor subdivisions with very serious flooding issues related to Brickhouse Gulley,” Bohac said.

“As Ike reminded us, we must continue to upgrade our infrastructure so that we are not left under water.”

Although only 75% complete in early September, the basin performed well during Hurricane Ike. The basin funneled and stored close to 36 million gallons of stormwater that otherwise would have over-

Beyond Fingerprints continued from P.10 U.S. biometric systems and potentially with those of some foreign partners.

Next Generation Identification is not…

A tool to expand the categories of individuals from who the fingerprints and biometric data may be collected, nor will it change existing legal authorities.

It doesn’t threaten individual privacy. As required with any federal system, the FBI is doing Privacy Impact Assessments on what information will be collected, how it will be shared, how it will be accessed, and how the data will be securely stored…all in an effort to protect privacy.

NGI is not strictly an FBI system. It’s a joint effort and is being developed in full collaboration with its primary users-our local, state, and federal partners…in particular the CJIS Advisory Policy Board and the National Crime Prevention Compact Council.

Over the next few years, we'll be rolling out NGI capabilities incrementally so our partners will have the benefit of each capability as soon as it gets our stamp of approval. Stay tuned for future updates, and visit our new NGI webpage.

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ON THE MOVE National People On The Move Bulletin • Section

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“Person — U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison —

Of The Year”

HONORING A VERY SPECIAL LADY: PHA Commissioners Jim Fonteno and Elyse Lanier; PHA Chairman Jim Edmonds; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; Congressman Pete Olson; Port Commissioner Judy Hawley, Port of Corpus Christi; and Port Commissioner Jimmy Brown, Port of Freeport.

Texas Ports Association (TPA) Honors U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as TPA ‘Person of the Year’

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HOUSTON — At a noon reception recently at the Downtown Club at One Shell Plaza in Houston, the Texas Ports Association (TPA) honored U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, as TPA “Person of the Year.”

The TPA annually honors individuals for their work and support for Texas ports. Its aim is to advance the development of Texas ports, enabling them to compete with ports outside Texas and thereby strengthen the economy of Texas. Texas seaports handle an estimated 20 percent of the deep sea vessels calling at U.S. ports.

Sen. Hutchison was elected to the United States Senate in 1993 by way of special election, making her the first — and, to date, the only — woman elected to represent the state of Texas in the Senate.

“Our ports serve as the economic engine for our region,” said Sen. Hutchison. “When Jim Edmonds, chairman of the Port Commission, called my office to tell me that the ports were sharing customs officers with the airport, I sponsored legislation to increase personnel to better protect our ports. I will continue to support legislation that bolsters our prosperity and ensures that Texas’ ports remain secure, competitive and operationally sound. I appreciate the Port Commission and the role its members play.”

“Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has long been at the forefront when it comes to national security, the economic welfare of our nation and the role our ports play in ensuring the success of those two dynamics,” said Port of Houston Authority Chairman Jim Edmonds.

ACHIEVEMENT: Tony Rigdon, port director, Port of Palacios; Phyllis Saathoff, Port of Freeport; Bill Mathis, port director, Port of Texas City; Wade Battles, PHA managing director and president of TPA; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; Steve Cernak, port director, Port of Galveston; Pete Reixach, Jr., port director, Port of Freeport; Larry Kelly, deputy port director, Port of Port Arthur; and Chris Fisher, port director, Port of Beaumont.

TEXA S Speaking from the perspective of the inland waterway industry, Matt Woodruff of the Kirby Corporation said, “There has been no louder voice speaking for our interests in Washington than that of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. While others talk of support, she has consistently delivered it. When our waterways have been threat-

ened, she has risen to the challenge, finding the resources to ensure that the needs of Texas waterways have been met. We can think of nobody who is more deserving of recognition as the Texas Port Person of the Year.”

Through her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee and as the Ranking

Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Sen. Hutchinson has been a tireless advocate on behalf of ports and the maritime industry. This advocacy has manifested itself in terms of ensuring the continued safe and efficient flow of commerce through Texas ports and navigation channels, and ensuring strong and effective port security. Senator Hutchison has long been a champion for Texas ports.

Hutchison helped pass, in 2006, the SAFE Port Act, which authorized random inspection of containers, established minimum standards and procedures for security containers bound for the U.S. and implemented an improved container targeting system.

She also offered an amendment to the Act, which passed and became law, adding hundreds of additional Customs and Border Protection officers to inspect incoming shipments.

Hutchison is an active supporter of the Port Security Grant Program, which has provided more than $200 million to Texas ports over the past six years.

PHA Managing Director Wade Battles, who serves as this year’s president of the Texas Ports Association, called Hutchison a “true champion” and said, “we’re glad to have her on our team.”

“She has proven herself to be a consistent and persistent advocate on behalf of Texas ports who has demonstratively helped deliver muchneeded resources to ensure our successful — and safe operation.”

Houston Business Connections Newspaper is made possible by the support of our advertisers and supporters. Please support our advertisers and supporters! - Aubrey R. Taylor

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BUSINESS CONNECTIONS www.peopledoingbusiness.com

Worldwide

Published By Aubrey R. Taylor • Serving The Houston Community Since 1998

• Email: news@houston-businessconnections.com • SPECIAL 2009 PROMOTIONAL

RESEARCH First Commercially Cloned Dog Delivered to Florida Family

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OCA RATON - Lancey in our family. His predBioArts International ecessor was a very special dog. has delivered the We are thrilled beyond words!” world’s first commerLancey was hand delivcially cloned dog, a 10-week ered to the Ottos on Monday, old Labrador January 26th by named Lancey, B i o A r t s F LORIDA Chairman Lou to Florida residents Edgar and Hawthorne.

“This is a very special mileNina Otto.

Lancey, the first commer- stone for our company - and cially cloned dog, was deliv- great fun for me too,” said ered to his family last month.

Hawthorne, who delivered “We can’t believe this day Lancey personally.

The Ottos were one of is finally here,” said Nina Otto, “We are so happy to have little five families to bid and win an

HAWTHORNE

auction held by BioArts International in July for a chance to clone their family dog. Lancey’s genetic donor,

Sir Lancelot, died in January, 2008, and the Ottos had his DNA stored. By October, samples from the original dog were on their way to the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, which provides cloning services to BioArts.

Lancey was born on November 18, 2008, and brought to the U.S. on January 25, 2009 after being weaned LANCEY page, P.22

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Lancey, the first commercially cloned dog, was delivered to his family last month.

Presidents’ Day is February 16th!

BULLETIN Taylor Signs Veteran Marketing Consultant HOUSTON — Aubrey R. Taylor, the publisher of this publication is pleased to welcome Jim Johnson, the founder and CEO of Better Marketing Concepts, L.L.C. aboard as a special consultant on local and international affairs. Johnson will take on the endeavor of expanding Aubrey R. Taylor products and services; locally, nationally and then internationally.

Supported by some of the Governor Bobby Jindal welcomes best international business James Johnson into consultants in the state of Louisiana.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden greet servicemembers Jan. 28, 2009, during their first visit to the Pentagon since taking office. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Obama Thanks Troops, Pledges Support Following Meeting with Joint Chiefs

By John J. Kruzel American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON — In his first visit to the Pentagon as commander in chief, President Barack Obama thanked U.S. servicemembers and pledged to provide troops the resources they need to accomplish their missions.

Obama spoke to reporters here after meeting with the Joint

Chiefs of Staff and Defense Vice President Joe Biden shook Secretary Robert M. Gates to dis- hands with a row of troops from all cuss military readiness, “difficult service branches who lined an EdecisionS” on Iraq and Afghanistan ring Pentagon hallway. and other national security threats “All of you who are serving and objectives. in the U.S. armed WASHINGTON “I want to first forces are going to of all thank all of have my full support, the men and women in uniform and one of my duties as president who are represented here. They are is going to be to make sure that the best that this country has to you have what you need to accomoffer,” Obama said after he and plish your missions,” he said.

Obama said the first point he addressed with the Joint Chiefs — the senior-ranking officers of each military service branch — was gratitude for the service and sacrifice of troops and military families, who he said were responsible for national freedoms that sometimes are taken for granted.

OBAMA on page, P.24

the world, Johnson brings experience and a worldwide perspective unparalled in the industry.

He’s also created and maintained strategic and meaningful relationships in corporate and political circles that should prove invaluable to Taylor’s vision of going global. “My number one goal is to serve as an extension of Aubrey R. Taylor,” Johnson said. “It’s than simple.”

After spending more than 25 years working in corporate America representing firms such as International Telephone & Telegraph, Aramco Services Company, Texaco, and The Anheuser Bush Companies, Johnson understands and can act on business objectives in a variety of industries.

“I know why Budweiser is the #1 beer in the world...I also know how to help companies meet their goals and seize opportunities — whether those opportunities are next door or on the otherside of the world.”

DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB BY VISITING: WWW.PEOPLEDOINGBUSINESS.COM

ON THE MOVE National People On The Move Bulletin • Section

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GOODBYE: Troops Bid Bush Farewell at Andrews Air Force Base ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE

The U.S. military bid farewell to the outgoing commander in chief during a stirring and emotional departure ceremony in which he called leading men and women in uniform the highlight of his presidency.

A

A joint service honor guard, military band and about 4,000 cheering, flag-waving fans greeted former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush as they arrived here from what’s been called “the ultimate change of command ceremony.”

The participants — former staffers, invited guests and servicemembers and their families — waited inside the 316th Airlift Wing’s Hangar Six to hail the president and former Vice President Dick Cheney. They watched the inaugural ceremonies on a jumbotron screen suspended from the hangar ceiling, then waited with anticipation as Bush lifted off from the Capitol grounds aboard the Marine Corps VH-60 helicopter referred to as “Executive One.” The crowd roared as the former president and vice president made their dramatic entrance into the hangar.

The rousing sounds of the “Air Force One” movie theme rung out as the huge hangar slowly opened, revealing the huge blue-and-white presidential aircraft glistening in the sunlight.

Children climbed onto their parents’ shoulders to catch a better glimpse, and spectators hoisted cameras high to capture the moment in history.

Bush admitted that he wasn’t sure how he would feel passing the presidency to the next administration, but declared, “I am thankful, I am grateful and I am joyful!”

“I’ve had a lot of great experiences,” as president, he told the group, but said none has been better than leading military members who have volunteered to serve the country in a time of danger. Bush said he’ll miss being commander in chief and being able to stand in front of the troops to tell them “how much we respect you and how much we admire you.”

Bush said he’ll leave the presidency with his “head held high,” confident that he took the right course in difficult times. Historians will sort out his time in office, he said, expressing belief that they’ll note "we did not shirk our duty, we did not shy away" from difficult decisions and that “we served with conviction.”

Cheney praised Bush for taking on “the big jobs that needed doing” after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks launched some of the greatest challenges to ever confront the United States. “George W. Bush protected America,” he said.

“History remembers such leaders and marks them well.”

Bush shook hands with many in the crowd, then turned toward the VC-25 aircraft that would take him home to Texas. The flight was designated Special Air Mission 28000 rather than Air Force One, which belongs only to the airplane carrying the sitting president.

On the tarmac, Air Force Brig. Gen. Maggie Woodward, the 89th Airlift Wing commander, escorted the Bushes to a red carpet stretching to the aircraft. A 42-piece joint honor guard flanked both sides of the carpet.

At the end of the carpet, Air Force Col. Steven Shepro, commander of the 316th Wing, and Col. Eric Snadecki, his vice commander, said their final goodbyes before Bush climbed the steps to the plane.

Shepro said he felt honored for him and his airmen to bid a personal goodbye to the departing former president. “It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend,” he said.

He credited his elite team that regularly serves the president — with the Air Force’s only flightline protocol office and a second-to-none security detachment, among them -

— By Donna Miles — American Forces Press Service

FINAL FAREWELL: Former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush give a final wave to the crowd of more than 1,000 people gathered at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., prior to their final departure aboard Air Force One, Jan. 20, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Craig Clapper.

5615 Northwest Central Dr. Suite #104 Houston, Texas 77092

GOODBYE continued on page, P.22 Houston Business Connections Newspaper is made possible by the support of our advertisers and supporters. Please support our advertisers and supporters! - Aubrey R. Taylor

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BULLETIN

PeopleDoingBusiness.Com • Section

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Alabama

Senior Vice President of Operations. In this role, PeekeVout will be responsible for all facets of operations from engineering and applications to client satisfaction and workflow.

Compass Announces Organizational Restructuring in Connection with Transformation Phase BIRMINGHAM — Compass Bank has announced an organizational restructuring focused on integrating Compass with BBVA’s universal banking model, upgrading technology platforms, and utilizing global resources and tools to gain further efficiencies throughout the organization. As part of the reorganization, Compass has upgraded its corporate governance system by further separating the responsibilities of risk management from control functions. As a result, the Audit Department, led by Ignacio Garijo, which resides in the Chairman's Office will operate completely independent of the business areas and report directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Compliance Department will now report directly to Jerry Powell, General Counsel and Secretary.

Alaska Lean Marketing Assessment Program launched by Business901 ANCHORAGE — Joe Dager, owner of Business901 has introduced the “Lean Marketing Assessment” to the attendees of a webinar he hosted recently. This program allows participants to gain a clear snapshot of their present marketing conditions and practices. The participants can use the assessment to determine areas in need of improvement and develop a plan accordingly. The Business901 Lean Marketing Assessment is used to determine a company’s current position relative to the recognized practices of a Lean Enterprise. It begins with an outline of the Key Performance indicators and the scoring system that is used in the evaluation of each. The participants complete the assessment during the process and active participation is encouraged to reinforce the evaluation of each indicator. The final element is a review and explanation of the scatter diagram that is created. This will allow participants to see the areas of greatest concerns and strengths.

Arizona Vershure Joins Greenbuild 09 as Arizona Host Committee Executive Director PHOENIX — Beth Vershure, former Station Manager for KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate, has joined Greenbuild 09 as the Executive Director of the Arizona Host Committee to help Arizona “connect to the conversation” to transform the built environment. Greenbuild 09 is the International Conference and Expo of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), taking place November 11-13, 2009 at the new Phoenix Convention Center. It is expected to bring 30,000 professionals to Phoenix in the fields of construction, energy, community planning, sustainability and other related fields to hear top international speakers and see the latest technology.

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Abalos & Associates, PLLC Names Altman Senior Tax Accountant PHOENIX — Sandy Abalos, managing partner of Abalos & Associates, PLLC announces that Jamie Altman has joined the firm as a senior tax accountant. In this position, she will handle client relations, research and compliance, as well as tax returns for businesses and individuals. Altman received a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Tennessee Society of CPAs. A native of Monaca, Pa., Altman resides in Phoenix.

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PRO names John Peeke-Vout Sr. VP Operations PHOENIX — IPRO Corp., a leader in the design of scalable, easy to manage litigation support software as well as e-Discovery software, has named John Peeke-Vout as

Arkansas Dillard's, Inc. Names Lloyd Garrison as CDI Contractors, LLC Chief Executive Officer LITTLE ROCK — Dillard’s Inc. announces that Lloyd Garrison has been named chief executive officer of Arkansas-based CDI Contractors, LLC (“CDI”). Garrison has been employed with CDI since 1987, most recently serving as president, and has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. William Clark,II, former chief executive officer of CDI, has resigned to pursue other interests. All other CDI officers and members of the management team remain with CDI. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kevin Lyles Named President & COO of Club Marketing Services BENTONVILLE — Kevin Lyles has been named President & Chief Operating Officer of Club Marketing Services, according to Dalton Lott, CEO. Lyles was previously Executive Vice President of Sales with the firm. His prior experience includes 17 years with the Bentonville offices of ConAgra Foods. Long active in the Bentonville community, Lyles is a past president of the Bentonville Tigers Football Booster club. He and his wife, Lorrel, have three sons. Lyles is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, with a degree in Food Science.

and growth.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD — IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc., a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announces that it has received the “Best IPO” award from the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA). LAVA Executive Director Leonard Lanzi said, “We are pleased to celebrate the success of venturebacked companies, such as IPC. In this environment, anyone who pulls off an IPO with a $237 million valuation should be commended for their efforts. From LAVA's perspective, who was involved and how it happened makes this a story we want to highlight.”

Thompson National Properties Hires Steve Corea as Senior Vice President, Acquisitions IRVINE — Thompson National Properties, LLC, announces that Steve Corea has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Acquisitions. Corea manages the sourcing, analysis, negotiation and due diligence reviews of acquisition candidates and has more than 25 years of commercial real estate experience, including $3 billion in tenant-in-common transactions and $1 billion in acquisitions on behalf of real estate investment trusts and opportunity fund investors. Previously, Corea was at Birtcher Anderson Realty and prior to that he was Senior Vice President at Triple Net Properties, LLC. He earned a Bachelor of Science in real estate finance and currently holds a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. Thompson National Properties, LLC provides real estate investment opportunities and asset management to high net worth domestic, foreign, individual and institutional investors.

As of December 31, 2008 Thompson National Properties has more than 8.7 million square feet of property under management.

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Coreland Principal Patrick Galentine Appointed on Two New Receiverships

California

Hotwire Announces Clem Bason As President of Hotwire Group SAN FRANCISCO — Hotwire, a leading travel discount site, announces that Clem Bason has been promoted to president of the Hotwire Group, which includes Hotwire.com(R), Travel-Ticker.com(R), and CarRentals.com(TM). Bason, who will oversee all aspects of the three business units, takes over for Eric Grosse, who has been promoted to president of Expedia(R) Worldwide.

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Mocana Named One of the “Top 100 Tech Startups in the World” by Red Herring SAN FRANCISCO — Mocana, a software company that delivers comprehensive security solutions for connected and embedded devices, announces that it has been selected by Red Herring as one of their “Global 100”: the top 100 privately-held technology companies in the world. High-profile alumni of Red Herring's “North American 100” (of which Mocana was also a winner) include then-startups Google, eBay and Skype.

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Sutter Health’s Former General Counsel Gary Loveridge Returns to McDonough Holland & Allen pc SACRAMENTO — Gary F. Loveridge, a 35-year veteran health care attorney, rejoins McDonough Holland & Allen PC after serving as senior vice president and general counsel for Sutter Health in Sacramento. Formerly McDonough’s managing shareholder and Health Care Practice Group leader, Loveridge's return as of counsel underscores the firm's continued growth and strong reputation in the field of health care law.

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GenCorp Announces Appointment of Chief Financial Officer SACRAMENTO — GenCorp Inc. announces that Kathleen E. Redd, the Company’s acting chief financial officer, has been appointed the Company’s chief financial officer. Redd will also maintain her position as vice president.

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IPC The Hospitalist Company Receives ‘Best IPO’ Award from Los Angeles Venture Association

TUSTIN — Coreland Companies of Tustin, Calif., one of the largest private real estate service companies based in California, announces that their Principal Patrick Galentine has been appointed State Court Receiver in matters involving two assets located in Southern California, a newly built 200,000-square-foot light industrial/office condo development in Downey and a 20,000square-foot executive suite/office complex in Irvine.

Coreland Companies will be responsible for the property management during the receivership period.

Colorado Michael S. Burg Selected as Lawyer of the Year for 2008 by Law Week Colorado ENGLEWOOD — Michael S. Burg, shareholder and founder of the firm of Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. has been named as 2008 Lawyer of the Year by Law Week Colorado. Burg's selection was in recognition of the entrepreneurial approach used to build a firm which enjoys a hard-won national reputation as a dynamic, aggressive trial firm and because he has displayed an exemplary commitment to his profession, his community and to his clients.

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Thomas Taber & Drazen Lands New Vice President DENVER — Thomas Taber & Drazen (TTD), a full-service independent Denver advertising agency, has hired Dirk Van Slyke as Vice President Group Account Director, according to Bryan Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of TTD. Van Slyke will take on top-level responsibilities on the WOW! Internet-Cable-Phone-a broadband (cable over-builder) provider to Midwest markets-and Clarity Media Group-owner of the San Francisco, Baltimore and Washington D.C. Examiner newspapers-accounts, as well as assist with new business development.

Connecticut Former Top Justice Department Official Joins Bracewell & Giuliani

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HARTFORD — Kevin J. O'Connor has joined Bracewell & Giuliani LLP's Hartford, Connecticut office as a litigation partner. Until recently, O'Connor served as the U.S. Associate Attorney General (the thirdranking position in the Department of Justice). He has extensive experience in both the federal government and in private practice. Initially Mr. O’Connor will focus on multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation matters (including those related to corporate restructuring) for Fortune 500 companies and private investment funds. He also will play a significant role in white collar matters handled by the firm’s New York, Washington, D.C., and Texas offices. Mr. O’Connor comes to Bracewell with a high-profile and strong national and statewide reputation, built through his prior service as a United States Attorney, municipal government official, Congressional candidate, and corporate lawyer.

Delaware Pax Evaluating New Technology Company for Acquisition WILMINGTON — Pax Clean Energy, Inc. announces that it has formally ceased plans for the proposed biodiesel plant located in Serbia and that it continues to evaluate several promising technology projects in an effort to bring increased value to shareholders.

District of Columbia United States Senator John McCain Putting his Country First with new movement WASHINGTON — United States Senator John McCain announces the formation of what he’s calling a new grassroots movement called Country First. The movement was created to strengthen the Republican party, better define the Republican ideals and message, recruit and back strong, dedicated candidates and continue ongoing efforts to bring real reform to government by always putting the United States first according to McCain.

Florida Winn-Dixie Pilots New SaveRite Concept JACKSONVILLE — In an effort to continue better serving its customers, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. has opened a prototype store in its existing SaveRite location on Jacksonville's Westside. The completely redesigned store, located at 1012 Edgewood Avenue, features everyday low pricing on thousands of items, plus monthly locked-in specials and special price-drop items in a warehouse format.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Launches Cover Florida Plans for the Uninsured JACKSONVILLE — As one of Governor Crist’s chosen health care insurers selected to participate in the Cover Florida plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has launched its low-cost insurance plans available to uninsured Floridians.

These plans are available to adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who have been without coverage for at least six months. BCBSF is offering two valuable Cover Florida products; a non-catastrophic and catastrophic plan, both with a broad range of coverage for members. The non-catastrophic plan provides coverage for basic and preventive care, including physician office visits, dental care, pharmacy, and lab work. The catastrophic plan offers the same services with the addition of hospital coverage. Average costs for the plans are approximately $50 and $150 per month respectively, and vary by region.

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tive immediately. Kendrick will be responsible for product management, development and user experience design.

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Knight Foundation announces the retirement of Larry Meyer MIAMI — The Miami-based Knight Foundation has announced the retirement of LARRY MEYER, senior communications officer. Meyer joined the foundation in 1995 as director of communications and was promoted to vice president and later secretary. Earlier, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Fort Myers News-Press, the Columbia Missourian, the Hannibal Courier-Post, and served as executive assistant to the publisher for the Miami Herald.

Georgia Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau Appoints c21 President Sharon Goldmacher to Board ATLANTA — The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) has appointed to its board Sharon Goldmacher - president of communications 21 (c21), an integrated marketing public relations firm. Goldmacher was one of four local professionals to receive this honor for 2009-2010. Goldmacher first became involved with the ACVB during her role as the marketing and PR chair for the 2007 NCAA® Men's Final Four®. Media coverage secured under Goldmacher's leadership totaled nearly 60 million impressions and $1.5 million in advertising value.

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Partners Named at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne Accounting Firm ATLANTA — Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP, Atlanta’s largest independent accounting firm, has named Kerry Defler and Robert Melnick as partners. “Kerry and Robert have performed at the highest level and demonstrated the desire and ability required of our partners as we advance our firm,” said Dan Simms, managing partner and CEO of HA&W. A member of the firm since 1998, Defler is a member of the Tax Group at HA&W and serves individuals, corporations and partnerships in the manufacturing, distribution, real estate, and technology industries. He also has extensive experience advising clients in the area of state and local tax issues.

Melnick joined the firm in 1987. He has more than 20 years of experience in both public accounting and private industry including seven years as CFO of an Atlanta-based business publisher and trade show producer. He is responsible for the financial management and daily administrative operations of the firm.

Hawaii HEI Announces Ajello as New Chief Financial Officer HONOLULU — Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. has announced that James A. Ajello has been named HEI Senior Financial Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Ajello will report to HEI President and Chief Executive Officer, Constance H. Lau. Ajello comes to HEI after eight years at Reliant Energy in Houston, Texas, where he was most recently Senior Vice President-Business Development, leading Reliant's effort to expand and grow competitive electricity markets across the United States. Ajello joined Reliant following deregulation of Texas’s electric markets, and as President of Reliant Energy Solutions LLC and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Commercial & Industrial Marketing, led the development and operations of a new line of business that provides integrated energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers in seven states.

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CallMiner Promotes Scott Kendrick Vice President Product

GTA TeleGuam Selects MetaSwitch as Its Strategic Supplier for IP Communications Infrastructure

FORT MYERS — CallMiner, the leader in enterprise speech analytics, announces it has promoted Scott Kendrick to Vice President Product. The promotion is effec-

HONOLULU — MetaSwitch, the leader in reliable, highquality carrier IP communications solutions, announced at the 2009 Pacific Telecommunications Council confer-

ence that it has been selected as the sole strategic VoIP infrastructure provider to GTA TeleGuam, Guam's leading communications service provider. A United States territory in the western Pacific Ocean, Guam is the largest of the Marianas island chain, with a population of more than 175,000.

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Hawaiian Electric Company Names New President & CEO HONOLULU — Hawaiian Electric Company, subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., announces that Richard M. Rosenblum has been named President and CEO. Rosenblum replaces T. Michael May, who stepped down as President and CEO in August of this year.

Rosenblum, age 58, comes to Hawaii with 32 years of experience in all phases of utility operations at Southern California Edison (SCE), California's largest electric utility. Most recently, he held the position of Senior Vice President of Generation, responsible for all of SCE's power generation facilities. During that tenure, Rosenblum helped initiate the nation's largest solar photovoltaic project, which aims to install 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity on commercial rooftops around Southern California.

Idaho Ryan Lane Joins Wirestone as Solution Architect BOISE — Wirestone, an independent marketing solutions company, adds Ryan Lane as a Solution Architect, according to Executive Director of Technology, Jon Baker.

In this new position, Lane, a 15-year digital veteran, will be part of Wirestone's Microsoft account team contributing both technical pre-sales consulting expertise on Microsoft sales activities as well as leading out architecture and implementation for new project deliveries. Prior to joining Wirestone, he spent two years with Wunderman as Digital Strategist working closely with the Silverlight business group inside Microsoft to create prototype applications and new tools. He was an Information Architect at Ascentium, a Program Manager at IndieFlix and Creative Director working on the design of a new home gaming platform at Infinium Labs.

Illinois Chicago Community Trust announce several appointments CHICAGO — The Chicago Community Trust has announced Bob Eichinger as director of donor services, Lloyd Fry as director of development, Antonio Martinez Jr. as assistant director of development, Veronica Vidal as manager of development, and William E. Lowry Jr. as special assistant to the president. Eichinger was formerly director of development and alumni affairs at Morgan Park Academy. Fry served as director of development at Window To The World Communications Inc. Martinez was director of corporate sponsorship for the American Bar Association.

Vidal was a fellow in the Chicago Community Trust's fellowship in arts and culture management. Lowry previously served as senior advisor to MacArthur Foundation president Jonathan Fanton.

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Caterpillar Announces Additional Layoffs for Employees at Three Illinois Facilities PEORIA — To bring production levels in line with current demand, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has notified fulltime production employees at its Aurora, Decatur and East Peoria, Illinois, manufacturing facilities of permanent layoffs. A total of 2,110 production employees will be laid off at the three facilities as a result of this decision. The layoffs for the production employees are in addition to a wide range of other workforce and cost-reduction actions that were outlined by Caterpillar recently.

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Illinois Senate votes 59-0 to impeach

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Governor Blagojevich SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted at his impeachment trial. The Illinois Senate voted overwellmingly to impeach the embattled governor on the charge of abuse of power in his role of allegedly trying to sale the vacant Senate seat of now President Barack Obama after he vacated the seat to run for President.

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Rand McNally Appoints Andreas Hecht to Lead Digital Division as Executive Vice President SKOKIE — Rand McNally announces the appointment of Andreas Hecht as executive vice president of digital products and services. Hecht joins Rand McNally as the company sets its sights on becoming the world leader in trip and travel services by leveraging its expertise in mapping, navigation and travel to create the industry's most sophisticated online trip and travel planning services seamlessly connected across mobile and portable devices and the Internet.

Indiana

Kansas INVISTA B.V. Makes Available Current Report to Investors WICHITA — INVISTA B.V., a global integrated polymers and fibers company, has made available a current report regarding an amendment of a material definitive agreement. INVISTA B.V. made the report available to holders and beneficial owners of units (consisting of 91⁄4% senior notes due 2012 of KoSa Lux Finance B.V., 91⁄4% senior notes due 2012 of KoSa UK Finance B.V., 91⁄4% senior notes due 2012 of INVISTA (Canada) Company, and 91⁄4% senior notes due 2012 of Arteva Global Holdings B.V.) as well as to prospective investors and securities analysts who contact INVISTA to request copies.

INDIANAPOLIS — Jackson Systems, LLC, an Indianabased, award-winning HVAC manufacturer and wholesaler, welcomes Ashley Rudolphi to their administrative team. As a marketing coordinator/administrative assistant, Ashley will be working on email marketing, and public relations, as well as helping create systems and procedures. She will work with external resources to develop blog content and re-design the company website.

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The Network of Women in Business Announces 2009 Board of Directors INDIANAPOLIS — The Network of Women in Business, Indianapolis’ oldest and largest locally based women’s organization, has elected their officers for 2009. The eight-member board directs the activities of the entire membership. Their one-year term begins immediately. Jill Wesley was elected President. She is currently, Director of Career Services at Indiana Business College. Member at Large (Past President) Stephanie Williams is a Financial Advisor at WestPoint Financial. Vice President, Denise Meyer is Solutions Marketing Manager at Interactive Intelligence, Incorporated. Treasurer, Cindy Schum is an Assistant Vice President at National Bank of Indianapolis. Secretary, Donna Moffatt is a Business Development Representative for Forum Credit Union. Marketing & Communications Chair, Nicole Nonte is the Business Development Director for BitWise Solutions, Incorporated. Membership Services Chair, Amanda McGinity is a CPA, Katz at Sapper & Miller, LLP. Special Interest Group Chair, Rachel Mahl is a Business Development Director at Accent on Business. The Network of Women in Business hosts a capstone monthly event, The Leadership Series, as well as a variety of special interest groups featuring dynamic speakers, focused on Sales and Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Casual networking. All events are open to the public.

For more information, please visit www. nowib.com.

Iowa Daniel J. Houston Named to Employee Benefit Research Institute Board of Trustees DES MOINES — Daniel J. Houston, president of Retirement and Investor Services at the Principal Financial Group®, has joined the board of trustees for the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) in Washington, D.C. Houston replaces the board position previously held by Larry D. Zimpleman, president and chief executive officer of The Principal®. Established in 1978, EBRI is the only not for profit, nonpartisan organization committed to original public policy research and education on economic security and employee benefits.

Today, EBRI is recognized as one of the most authoritative and objective resources in the world on employee

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jindal announces the appointment of Travis Mumphrey to the Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority. The Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority serves to establish priorities of projects from the remaining funds once all operation and maintenance expenses of the bridges and ferries under the authority of the Crescent City Connection Division of the Department of Transportation and Development have been paid. Travis Mumphrey, of Marrero, is the associate executive director of the YMCA of Greater New Orleans and is a member of the Alliance for Good Government. Mumphrey was nominated to serve as a representative of the 87th House District, as required by statute.

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Shaw Names Gary P. Graphia as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Kentucky Papa John's Named Top-10 Franchisor

by Entrepreneur Magazine

Jackson Systems, LLC Welcomes New Employee

Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Appointment of Travis Mumphrey to the Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority

LOUISVILLE — Papa John's International, Inc. has earned another industry honor, this time being named the number 10 global franchise for 2009 by Entrepreneur magazine in its annual Franchise 500 rankings.

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BATON ROUGE — The Shaw Group Inc. announces that Gary P. Graphia, currently executive vice president of Corporate Development and Strategy, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Shaw Group Inc. In this new role, Mr. Graphia will oversee the operating segments of the company and continue to report to J.M. Bernhard Jr., Shaw's chairman, president and chief executive officer.

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Fisher & Phillips LLP Opens Louisville Office

Jones Walker Attorneys Named to Positions in Order of British Crown

ATLANTA & LOUISVILLE —Fisher & Phillips LLP, a national labor and employment law firm, announces its expansion into Louisville, Kentucky. Jeffrey A. Savarise, Thomas J. Birchfield, Craig P. Siegenthaler and George D. Adams have joined Fisher & Phillips to open Louisville's first nationwide labor and employment firm. All four were formerly partners in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of the Louisvillebased law firm of Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC. Joining them as Of Counsel is Katherine A. Hessenbruch, who formerly held that position in Greenebaum Doll & McDonald's Labor and Employment Practice Group.

NEW ORLEANS — Jones Walker is pleased to announce the appointment of two of its attorneys to positions in an Order of the British Crown that has been in existence since the 11th century. Herschel L. Abbott, Jr., Special Counsel in the New Orleans office of Jones Walker, was recently invested into the Order of St. John, and Palmer C. Hamilton, a Partner in the firm's Mobile and Washington offices, was appointed a member of the Chapter of the American Priory of the Order, one of the Priory's two governing boards. Mr. Hamilton has been a member of the Order for several years. The Order of St. John is an Order of Chivalry of the British Crown, engaged in a variety of charitable works throughout the world. All appointments to the Order are made by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Sovereign Head of the Order, and His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, as Grand Prior of the Order.

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Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Appointment of Lance Wallace to the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal announces the appointment of Lance Wallace to the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators. The Louisiana State Board of Private Investigators serves to govern the practice of a private investigator in the state of Louisiana, examine all applicants seeking licensure as a private investigator or private investigator agency and issue licenses to those possessing the necessary qualifications. Wallace, of Lake Charles, is the owner of Wallace Investigations, LLC, and a member of the Louisiana Private Investigators Association. He will serve as a representative of the 4th Public Service Commission District, as required by statute.

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Governor Bobby Jindal Announces the Appointment of Terry Pizani to the Grand Isle Port Commission BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal announces the appointment of Terry Pizani to the Grand Isle Port Commission. The Grand Isle Port Commission serves to regulate commerce and traffic within Grand Isle Port According to statute, the commission is comprised of five members, subject to senate confirmation. Each member must be a resident of Grand Isle selected from nominations submitted by the mayor and aldermen of the Town of Grand Isle. Pizani, of Grand Isle, is a commercial fisherman and member of the Louisiana Shrimp Association.

Pizani was nominated for appointment by the mayor and aldermen of the Town of Grand Isle, as required by statute.

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Whitney Promotes Baird, Callicutt, Exnicios to Senior Executive Vice President, Davis, Olander, Schwertz, Tait Promoted to Executive Vice President NEW ORLEANS — Whitney Holding Corporation (Nasdaq:WTNY) announces its Board of Directors has promoted Robert C. Baird, Executive - Banking Services, Thomas L. Callicutt, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, and Joseph S. Exnicios, Chief Risk Officer to Senior Executive Vice President. "Bobby, Tom and Joe have each made significant contributions to Whitney over their tenures with the Bank, and I would like to join the rest of our Board in congratulating them on a well-deserved promotion," said John C. Hope, III, Chairman and CEO. "With over nine decades of combined banking experience, their expertise and their dedication to Whitney are extremely valuable during these challenging economic times and I am thankful to have them as members of this management team." Also promoted by the Board to Executive Vice President are Omer C. Davis, Regional President - Western Louisiana, Gary M. Olander, Regional President - Houston, Thomas D. Tait, Regional President - Central Gulf Coast and Joseph S. Schwertz, General Counsel.

Maine EnviroLogix and Ionian Technologies Enter Into Exclusive DNA License and Technology Transfer Agreement PORTLAND — EnviroLogix Inc. (Portland, ME), a com-

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HAVE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLISHED HERE? EMAIL THE INFORMATION TO US AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM pany that develops and sells rapid, on-site and lab-based immunoassays for detecting transgenic proteins in genetically modified seeds, plants and crops, and Ionian Technologies Inc. (San Diego, CA), a company commercializing a proprietary rapid nucleic acid assay technology, have concluded an Exclusive License and Technology Transfer Agreement. Under terms of the agreement, EnviroLogix is granted worldwide and exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and sell tests serving agricultural (including GMO), plant pathogen and veterinary markets utilizing Ionian's patented Nicking Enzyme Amplification Reaction (NEAR) technology. The tests will incorporate Ionian's isothermal amplification methods to detect targeted DNA and RNA, in less than 10 minutes, with sensitivity equivalent to PCR, the current gold standard.

Maryland Joe Corbi's Supports Unites States’ Troops With Pride BALTIMORE — Supporting our armed forces is a great way to make a difference in the lives and morale of the military men and women currently serving and deployed overseas. That is what Joe Corbi's, a family business, has set out to do. With the help of a program called AdoptaPlatoon (www.adoptaplatoon.org), Rocco and Laureen Violi initiated the process of supporting troops who sacrifice by being away from home and their families. Since 2003, Joe Corbi's and its family of employees have supported many different troops overseas. The AdoptaPlatoon program assigns you to various platoons as they are deployed, and as they return home, another is assigned. This gives many of the troops some of the benefits of having the support from home. In most cases, the troops do not have the advantage of base PX stores during deployment.

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Kodak Veteran Joins DataBank IMX Management Team, Gerry becomes General Manager of Databank's Western Region BELTSVILLE — DataBank, a national document management systems and document conversion services leader, has announced the appointment of John Gerry as the General Manager of their Western Region, headquartered in Sacramento, CA. Gerry comes to DataBank after 30 years with Kodak where he held several management positions in film-based and digital imaging systems. He will replace Bob Wyllie and will report directly to Dick Aschman, DataBank's CEO. Gerry will be responsible for DataBank operations located in Sacramento, CA and sales throughout the West.

Massachusetts EMC Names Randy Cowen to Board of Directors HOPKINTON — EMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, has announced the election of Randolph L. Cowen to its Board of Directors. Cowen is the former co-Chief Administrative Officer, Global Head of Technology and Operations and Chief Information Officer for the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. Mr. Cowen will also serve as a member of EMC's Leadership and Compensation Committee and Mergers and Acquisitions Committee. EMC also announces that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, a member of its Board of Directors since 2004, has resigned due to increasing demands on his time as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia Corporation in this challenging global economic environment. Mr. Cowen fills the Board seat vacated by Mr. Kallasvuo.

Michigan Detroit Chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Announces New Executive Team with Ganesan as President DETROIT — The Detroit Chapter of TiE, The Indus

Entrepreneurs, is pleased to announce that it has elected a new executive team with Tel Ganesan, CEO Vison Tech Solutions, as its new President. The announcement was made by the immediate past President of Detroit TiE, Victor Naidu, President Ramsoft Systems, Inc.

Minnesota Tom Cook, President Elkay Cabinet Division, Announces Retirement MINNEAPOLIS — Tom Cook has announced his retirement as President of the Elkay Cabinet Division. Cook began his career with Elkay as a consultant in 1993 when the company first entered the cabinetry business.

Shortly thereafter, he was named Vice President of Finance for Medallion Cabinetry. In 1999, he was promoted to General Manager for Medallion. Under the leadership of Cook, Medallion consistently outpaced the cabinet industry growth averages every year. In 2006, he was named President of the Elkay Cabinet Division. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association and is chairman of that organization's committee on environmental stewardship.

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Bush Foundation names Heegaard V.P. ST. PAUL — The Bush Foundation in St. Paul, Minnesota, has named Susan Heegaard vice president and educational achievement team leader. Heegaard, most recently director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, also served as senior policy advisor to Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Earlier, she held various positions in the education field at both state and federal levels.

Mississippi Methodist Leaders Dine on U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish at Annual Meeting JACKSON — Members of the United Methodist Church's Southeastern Jurisdiction Council of Bishops were formally introduced to U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish during their annual meeting in Jackson Mississippi recently. Sunflower native Turner Arant, a member of the board of directors for The Catfish Institute and a lay leader within the United Methodist Church, along with being a longtime catfish farmer, coordinated the meal for the church leadership.

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BCI named one of fastest growing companies in the country JACKSON — In the midst of difficult economic times, Business Communications, Inc. (BCI) has achieved substantial growth, culminating with their inclusion in Inc. magazine’s 2008 list of the fastest growing private companies in America.

Boston, Massachusetts, has been recruited as Vice President-Master Development at Stratus Building Solutions, the national building services and maintenance franchise company based in St. Louis, Missouri, with expanding operations in 18 states. As Vice PresidentMaster Development at Stratus Building Solutions, Farrell joins an executive team which is positioned to double in size system-wide by 2010, company executives said.

Montana Cellular One Continues to Expand Montana Coverage with Another New Cell Site in the Bozeman Area MISSOULA — Cellular One announces the launch of another new cell site in the Bozeman area. The new site is located in Logan, Montana within Gallatin County and provides coverage between Three Forks and Manhattan. The addition of this cell site represents Cellular One's 32nd new site in the state within the past 18 months. Cellular One continues to out-build Verizon and Alltel as clearly the fastest growing cellular phone company in Montana.

Nebraska Top New Year's Resolution for 2009 is Monetary, Not HealthRelated As Usual OMAHA — The number one New Year’s resolution for 2009 is to save more money according to 59 percent of those who participated in a survey conducted for TD AMERITRADE in December 2008 by Opinion Research Corporation. While the traditional health-related New Year’s resolutions - like exercise more, eat better and lose weight - were cited as goals for 2009, they were no longer within the top three New Year's resolutions as has been the case in years past. Forty-three percent of respondents said they are more likely to have personal finance-related resolutions for 2009 than they were two years ago compared to 28 percent when asked the same question in last year's survey. While the majority (92 percent) indicated they were confident they can manage their money responsibly, greater than half said they wished they knew more about personal finance and that managing their money is getting more complicated than it used to be.

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infoGROUP Appoints Two New Independent Directors OMAHA — infoGROUP (NASDAQ: IUSA), the leading provider of proprietary business and consumer databases, sales leads, direct marketing, email marketing, market research and global information solutions, has named Roger S. Siboni and Thomas L. Thomas as independent directors of infoGROUP's Board of Directors. Siboni and Thomas fill the positions vacated by the resignations of George Haddix and Vasant Raval.

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Robert L. Clarke Elected to Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors

Missouri Steve Tait to Step Down as President of RSM McGladrey KANSAS CITY — H&R Block has announced that Steve Tait, president of its wholly owned RSM McGladrey subsidiary, Tait will step down from his role with the company effective April 30. RSM McGladrey is a leading provider of accounting, tax and business consulting to middle-market businesses which operates in an alternative practice structure with McGladrey & Pullen LLP, a partner-owned CPA firm that delivers audit and attest services. Together, the companies rank as the fifth largest U.S. provider of accounting, tax and business consulting services, with 8,000 professionals and associates in nearly 100 offices.

David Farrell joins Stratus Building Solutions as VP-Master Deveopment ST. LOUIS — David Farrell, a veteran franchise industry executive and general manager who resides in suburban

OMAHA — Robert L. Clarke, who served as U.S. Comptroller of the Currency from 1985 to 1992, has been elected to the Mutual of Omaha Board of Directors, Chairman and CEO Dan Neary has announced. Clarke is a Senior Partner and founder of the global financial services practice at the law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani in Houston, where he assists banks in matters involving state and federal banking laws, regulations and compliance with requirements of supervisory agencies, including the management of regulatory risk in day-to-day operations, mergers, acquisitions and strategic planning.

Nevada Gov. Gibbons Appoint’s new Gaming Control Board Member CARSON CITY — Governor Jim Gibbons has announced the appointment of Mark Lipparelli of Las Vegas to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Lipparelli

Whatever field of human activity one may take, only those trends that are in harmony with the needs of society show rapid progress. — Nikolai Chernyshevsky

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Lipparelli’s professional past includes 4-years as an Executive Vice-President at Bally Technology in Las Vegas, 2-years as President and Vice-President of Shuffle Master, Inc. in Las Vegas, as well as various positions for Casino Data Systems in Las Vegas.

Lipparelli also served 5-years as a Research Analyst and Securities Analyst for the Nevada Gaming Control Board starting in the late 1980's.

New Hampshire Cedar Point Communications Names Industry Veteran Jeff Walker as Vice President of Marketing DERRY — Cedar Point Communications, a worldwide leader in integrated Voice over IP (VoIP) switching technologies for service providers and enterprise telecommunications operators, has announced that Jeff Walker has been named Vice President of Marketing. As vice president of marketing, Walker will be responsible for leading the product marketing, product management, corporate communications and customer facing application engineering teams.

New Jersey Verizon Business Earns 2009 Frost & Sullivan North American Market Leadership Award for Hosted IVR Services BASKING RIDGE — Frost & Sullivan has given Verizon Business its North American Market Leadership Award for the company’s Hosted Interactive Voice Response (IVR) services, for the second time in three years. The research and consulting firm announced the honor at its Excellence in Information and Communication Technologies Awards Banquet in San Antonio, Texas.

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Verizon Wireless Opens its First Store in Newark NEWARK — Verizon Wireless, the leading wireless company with the most reliable voice and data network, has opened its newest “evolution” Communications Store in Newark. The store, located at 744 Broad Street across from the Prudential building, is the first Verizon Wireless store in Newark and incorporates a new interactive retail design inviting consumers to experience wireless voice, data, music and video services in a sleek, fullservice environment. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store phone number is 973-648-0760.

New Mexico Grant Thornton Announces Nick Grieco As Tax Associate ALBUQUERQUE — The Albuquerque office of Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International, is pleased to announce that Nick Grieco has joined the company as a tax associate. Grieco will be responsible for tax support at Grant Thornton’s Albuquerque office.

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Qforma Appoints Two New Executives SANTA FE — Qforma, an advanced analytics and predictive modeling company, has announced the appointments of Kristopher J. Wiggs as Vice President of Sales, New Business, and William Howard, Ph.D., as Director, Field Operations.

New York Worldwide Industrial Publishes New Seals and Gaskets Buying Guide and Directory ALBANY —The international industrial directory for

American, Middle East and Asian manufacturers Worldwide Industrial has launched a new Gaskets and Seals Directory and Buying Guide for the global manufacturing community.

Worldwide Industrial Marketplace (WIM), a division of US-based Industrial Leaders Group and publisher of 54 industrial product directories for North America, Asia and the Middle East. The company said the publication includes offerings for a wide range of metal and rubber sealing and gasketing products for industrial, technical and medical applications.

According to Steven Hanford, spokesperson for Worldwide Industrial, the Gaskets and Seals Directory provides access to manufacturers, exporters and suppliers of O-rings, mechanical seals, rubber-to-metal seals, special sealing compounds, glass-to-metal seals, compressor, hydraulic and high temperature seals, hermetic, flexible, non-lead and brake seals as well as various gaskets such as cork, copper head, silicone and molded gaskets, boiler, high temperature, Telfon, foam and heat exchanger gaskets, spiral wound, Neoprene and a large variety of other gaskets and seals constructed in various materials.

North Carolina VACO Raleigh Managing Partner Named Nationwide Leader RALEIGH — VACO, an executive placement and consulting firm specializing in contract, special project and direct hire services in the fields of accounting and finance, information technology, e-training and design, operations and executive search, has announced that David Rhode, managing partner at the firm's Raleigh location, was named the firm's top producer nationwide.

Rhode was the top producer of gross margin for VACO's 24 offices and more than 200 producers who were in consideration for the ranking. In addition to his daily responsibilities managing VACO Raleigh, Rhode assisted in the selection of a new nationwide recruiting software system for the firm and also leads the nationwide software training for all new VACO associates.

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Sparqware Adds Kirby as CTO CHARLOTTE — Ryan Kirby has joined online data services firm Sparqware as Chief Technology Officer responsible for software architecture, development, operations and building corporate infrastructure. Prior to joining Sparqware, he was Development Operations Manager for SunGard OSSI in High Point, N.C. Kirby is a graduate of North Carolina State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education.

ture equipment dealership in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. David Meyer, CEO of Titan Machinery stated, “Thief River Falls is strategically located between our Crookston, Grand Forks and Roseau stores. Being on the edge of the Red River Valley, the Thief River Falls market is very similar to that of our core footprint in the Red River Valley of Eastern North Dakota and Western Minnesota. We are fortunate to have Cecil Anderson, the founder of Anderson Power and Equipment, as part of the Titan Machinery team, as he will continue to manage the dealership. Mr. Anderson is an industry leader and has done a great job over the years selling and supporting farm machinery representing the New Holland and CaseIH brands. We are witnessing increases in acres under production, improved farming practices, and improved seed genetics in this market, which will drive growth opportunities for Titan Machinery in the future.”

Ohio Thompson Hine Recognized for Client Service Excellence CLEVELAND — In an independent survey of corporate counsel, the law firm Thompson Hine LLP again ranked among the top 30 firms in the country for delivering client service excellence. The Survey of Client Service Performance: The BTI Client Service A-Team 2009, is published by The BTI Consulting Group and summarizes interviews with corporate counsel at Fortune 1000 companies on the key aspects of client relationships. Among the law firms identified by corporate counsel as delivering outstanding client service, the 30 highest-scoring firms each year are named to the “BTI Client Service A-Team.”

This is the second year in a row that Thompson Hine has been included in the ranks of these elite firms.

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Woolpert Acquires Miller Einhouse Rymer & Boyd DAYTON — Woolpert, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Miller Einhouse Rymer & Boyd (MER&B), a landscape architecture, civil engineering and planning firm in Orlando, Fla. Established in 1995, MER&B has extended services to private developers throughout central Florida by providing extensive expertise within the private market in comprehensive planning, site/civil design and engineering, and landscape architecture. MER&B was integral to the success of regional development landmarks such as Reunion Resort and Club, a 2,300-acre destination resort, and The Harmony Community Development District, a 1,000-acre neo-traditional neighborhood community that is the first phase of the 11,000-acre Birchwood Development of Regional Impact.

Oklahoma

North Dakota Titan Machinery Closes Acquisition of 9 Dealerships: Western Plains & WP Rentals FARGO — Machinery Inc. (NASDAQ:TITN) announces that it has closed on the previously announced acquisition of Western Plains Machinery Co. and WP Rentals, consisting of nine construction equipment locations in Montana and Wyoming. Founded in 1940, Western Plains Machinery has Case Construction dealerships in Billings, Great Falls, Missoula, and Kalispell, Montana and Casper and Gillette, Wyoming. WP Rentals has locations in Billings and Belgrade, Montana and Cheyenne, Wyoming. These nine locations are contiguous to Titan Machinery's existing construction stores and are expected to continue producing solid financial results by focusing on energy, mining, residential, commercial and infrastructure projects on the local, state and federal levels. In its most recently reported fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, Western Plains Machinery and WP Rental generated revenues of $48.9 million.

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Titan Machinery Acquires Agriculture Dealership in Minnesota FARGO — Titan Machinery Inc. announces the acquisition of Anderson Power and Equipment, Inc., an agricul-

a la mode Promotes Brian Craven to Chief Financial Officer OKLAHOMA CITY — a la mode, inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Brian Craven, CPA, to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mr. Craven is responsible for the company's economic strategy and forecasting, financial accounting and planning, and management of the company's financial performance.

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Quest Announces Election of Chief Financial Officer OKLAHOMA CITY — The boards of directors of Quest Resource Corporation and of the general partner of Quest Energy Partners, L.P. announces the election of Eddie M. LeBlanc as Chief Financial Officer of the entities. LeBlanc, an experienced E&P CFO, served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ascent Energy Company, an independent, private oil and gas company, from July 2003 until it was sold to RAM Energy Resources in November 2007. Before Ascent, LeBlanc served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Range Resources Corporation, an NYSE-listed independent, oil and gas company, from January 2000 to July 2003. LeBlanc was a founder of Interstate Natural Gas Company, which merged into Coho Energy in 1994. At Coho, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until 1999.

LeBlanc's 35 years of experience include assignments in Celeron Corporation and the energy related subsidiaries

Democracy cannot be forced upon a society, neither is it a gift that can be held forever. It has to be struggled hard for and defended everyday anew.—Heinz Galinski

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HAVE INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLISHED HERE? EMAIL THE INFORMATION TO US AT: NEWS@HOUSTON-BUSINESSCONNECTIONS.COM of Goodyear Tire and Rubber. Prior to entering the oil and gas industry, Mr. LeBlanc was with a national accounting firm. He is a certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst, and he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Southwestern Louisiana. He replaces Jack T. Collins, who was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer in September 2008.

Collins will continue in the role of Executive Vice President Finance/Corporate Development of the Quest entities where he will focus on the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan and capital structure.

Oregon Portland Attorney Selected to Serve on International Criminal Tribunal PORTLAND — Timothy J. Resch, a partner of the Portland law firm of Samuels Yoelin Kantor Seymour & Spinrad LLP has been selected to be part of the Office of the Prosecutor for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”). The Tribunal was mandated to prosecute persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia since 1991.

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Jive Named a Market Leader in Community Platforms PORTLAND — Jive Software, the social business software leader, is recognized as a ‘Leader’ in the Community Platforms space by Forrester Research. Jive was among the select companies invited to participate in the January 2009 Forrester Wave(TM): Community Platforms, Q1 2009 report.

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Rentrak Hires Cory Sher as Director of Business Development PORTLAND — Rentrak Corporation has announced that it has hired Cory Sher as director of business development for the company's Advanced Media and Information (AMI) division. Sher is responsible for developing and managing the relationships with Rentrak’s studio partners for the company’s OnDemand Essentials service and will lead the sales and distribution efforts in the Western Division for Rentrak’s linear television measurement service, TV Essentials. Mr. Sher reports to Carol Hinnant, senior vice president of business development, AMI division.

Pennsylvania Scott Denniston Joins NaVOBA PITTSBURGH — The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) announces that it has hired Scott Denniston as its director of programs. Denniston, an Army veteran, most recently served as director of the VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) since founding it nine years ago. As a chief pioneer in the veteran business movement, Denniston is perhaps the movement's most widely recognized and respected advocate. He leaves behind a lengthy and storied government career as an executive with the VA and SBA to work for NaVOBA, an organization which creates business opportunities for the nation's three million military veterans who own businesses.

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Cozen O'Connor Attorney Steven K. Gerber elected President of Randnor School Board PHILADELPHIA — Steven K. Gerber, a member in Cozen O’Connor’s Philadelphia office, has been elected president of the Radnor Township (Pa.) board of school directors. The board, which consists of nine elected members who serve four-year terms, develops and oversees the governance policies for the Radnor School District, which has been consistently rated as one of the top public school districts in the country. Gerber practices in the firm’s subrogation and recovery department. He devotes his practice to the prosecution of complex large property loss subrogation matters, including actions aris-

ing from fires, building collapses, water damage and product failures. Gerber has achieved subrogation recoveries on behalf of clients in scores of actions in numerous jurisdictions.

Rhode Island Textron Promotes Scott C. Donnelly to President PROVIDENCE — Textron Inc. announces that Chief Operating Officer Scott C. Donnelly has been named president in addition to his COO role. As president, Donnelly will continue to oversee all manufacturing operations as well as Textron's Information Technology, Six Sigma, Engineering and Global Sourcing functions.

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Leadership Change at Nestor Marks Completion of Turnaround PROVIDENCE — Nestor, Inc., a leading provider of advanced automated traffic enforcement solutions and services, has announced the departure of its CEO Clarence A. Davis, CPA. The Company welcomes longtime board member Michael C. James as its new Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. James will take the lead in working with the Company's Noteholders and negotiating new financing terms. The Company is in discussions with its Noteholders and is confident that the net results of recent changes will be positive and profitable.

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Nestor, Inc. Announces Board Member Resignations PROVIDENCE — Nestor, Inc., a leading provider of advanced automated traffic enforcement solutions and services, has announced that David N. Jordan and George Ball have resigned as members of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company is not presently seeking replacements for Mr. Jordan or Mr. Ball. Both cited personal reasons for their departures.

South Carolina

MEMPHIS - Pinnacle Airlines Corp. has named Brian T. Hunt to the new position of Vice President and General Counsel. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. is the parent company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and Colgan Air, Inc. Hunt joins Pinnacle after an 18-year career at ATA Airlines where he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. His previous experience includes private practice at Baker & Daniels, LLP and Riley Bennett & Egloff, LLP, both in Indianapolis.

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More Americans Focusing on Personal Energy Use to Save Money in Current Economic Downturn NASHVILLE — The majority of middle class Americans want to do their part to use less energy, but are more likely to act if the change will save them money, according to a national survey on energy conservation released by the Burton G. Bettingen Foundation. Seventy-three percent of respondents indicated that they were concerned or very concerned about energy conservation. Nearly half (46%) indicated that they see energy conservation as a way to save money. The survey was commissioned to gauge attitudes about energy consumption among middleincome Americans and to determine what average Americans might be willing to do to increase energy conservation in their daily lives.

Texas H-E-B Chairman/CEO named TCTA Friend of Education AUSTIN — Charles Butt of San Antonio, chairman and chief executive officer of H-E-B, has been selected as the Texas Classroom Teachers Association 2008-09 Friend of Education in the private citizen category. TCTA presents the award annually to honor an individual who has shown extraordinary commitment to public education in Texas. Founded in 1927, TCTA is an independent, nonunion association for Texas teaching professionals and serves 50,000 members across the state.

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Lee Resigns, Wright Appointed as New TRS Chairman

George S. King, Jr. To Lead SCBT’s Investment Division COLUMBIA — SCBT announces that George S. King, Jr. has joined the Wealth Management Group as program manager for the Investment Services division. With over 20 years of experience in financial management, King has an impressive resume' of accomplishments during his career, including a 10-year stint as senior financial advisor for Smith Barney. Prior to joining Smith Barney, King held leadership roles with Bank of Columbia and Bank of America. King will help set the vision for the future growth and expansion of a key segment of SCBT's non-interest income core businesses during a period of significant market volatility.

South Dakota Operation Cares Receives $10,000 from TriWest RAPID CITY — Military members may experience a decrease in their family income when they are deployed, which can affect their loved ones back home. For emergency assistance, many South Dakota military families have turned to Operation Cares for help with rent, utilities, medical bills or unanticipated expenses. To ensure that even more military families can receive the financial aid they need, TriWest Healthcare Alliance contributed $10,000 to Operation Cares. The secretary of the South Dakota Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Maj. Gen. Steven Doohen, accepted the contribution from TriWest's Don Brown, market vice president for the Central market in Rapid City.

Tennessee Pinnacle Airlines Corp. Names Brian T. Hunt VP and General Counsel

AUSTIN — Jim Lee, chairman of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), has announced his resignation from the TRS Board to pursue a new business venture. Governor Perry has appointed Linus Wright, the board's vice chair, as the board's new chairman. TRS manages a more than $80 billion pension fund and serves more than 1.2 million public and higher education employees and retirees in Texas.

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Gov. Rick Perry Appoints Three to Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry has appointed three members to the Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) Board of Regents for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2015. The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

Valerie E. Ertz of Dallas is owner and president of VEE Services Inc. She is a member of the Public Affairs Club, and the Southern Methodist University and SFASU Alumni associations. Ertz received a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and a master's degree in management from Troy State University. She is being reappointed.

Scott Coleman of Houston is a dentist in private practice. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Greater Houston Dental Association, and Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is an Eagle Scout and Boy Scout Troop 13 Committee Chair, and a member of the Boy Scout Council Board of Directors.

Coleman received a bachelor's degree from SFASU and a doctorate of dentistry from the University of Texas Dental Branch. He replaces Paul Pond of Dallas.

Steve D. McCarty of Alto is retired athletics director at SFASU. He is chair of the Alto Community Economic Development Council, and a past member of the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority, National Collegiate Athletic Association and National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors. He is also a member of Masonic Lodge #2 and the Nacogdoches Rotary Club.

In actual fact those who do not care for politics and sit on the fence do indeed side for a political party: The ruling party. — Max Frisch

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McCarty received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from SFASU. He replaces Joe Max Green of Nacogdoches.

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Magic Logix, Inc. Welcomes Steve Lindley, Executive Consultant DALLAS — Magic Logix, Inc. announces the addition of Steve Lindley, Executive Consultant. Mr. Lindley joins the Sales team providing new clients valuable Web Design, Web Development and Online Marketing Services.

Lindley joins Magic Logix, Inc. with years of experience in the technology industry. His past experience in Sales and calling on B2B accounts, has afforded Steve firsthand experience of the challenges that business owners face when growing their business. Lindley's experience has helped him develop an in depth understanding of each client's needs and goals, and he intends to apply those skills to increase the ROI for Magic Logix, Inc's clients. He believes daily prospecting is a must to drive interest for the product. “Planning for the future takes care of the present” is his creed.

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Thompson & Knight Names New Trial Practice Leader DALLAS — The global law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP has named Partner Joseph S. Pevsner as Trial Practice Leader. In his new role, Pevsner will be responsible for overseeing the Firm’s resources in preparing and trying cases across a wide spectrum of practice areas, industries, and jurisdictions. The Firm’s trial team includes more than 150 trial and appellate lawyers in the U.S. and other countries. More than 40 of Thompson & Knight’s trial partners are included in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009, a national directory listing the top U.S. attorneys.

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Rodney Morris Named Chief People Officer for Raising Cane’s DALLAS — Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers®, one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S., has named Rodney Morris as chief people officer. In this newly created position, Morris will manage recruitment, employee relations, compensation, benefits, risk management, training, development and the Cane’s Love crewmember recognition and reward program. Morris brings more than 20 years in the hospitality industry directly involving training and human resource functions to Raising Cane's. He will be based at the newly opened Dallas Restaurant Support Office.

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CITGO Petroleum Corporation Receives ENERGY STAR Award HOUSTON — CITGO Petroleum Corporation has received the prestigious ENERGY STAR award for its headquarters building on Eldridge Parkway in Houston.

The ENERGY STAR award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes businesses for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy that typical buildings and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. CITGO also is in the process of obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its headquarters building. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices, such as waste reduction, energy and water conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Based in Houston, CITGO is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, refined waxes, asphalt and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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Baker Hughes Appoints Russell J. Cancilla Vice President of HS&E and Security HOUSTON - Baker Hughes Incorporated announces that Russell J. Cancilla, 57, has been appointed Vice President of HS&E and Security. In this position, he will report to Chad Deaton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Over the last two and a half years,

Russ Cancilla successfully established a world-class security function at Baker Hughes. His broad skill set and international experience will be a significant asset in his new role and will add to the capability of our leadership team," said Chad C. Deaton, Baker Hughes' president, chairman and chief executive officer.

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The Buckingham Names Deborah Mahrt Director of Lifestyles HOUSTON — The Buckingham retirement community has announced the appointment of Deborah Mahrt as director of lifestyles. The announcement Mahrts’ appointment was made by Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham retirement community. Mahrt brings more than a decade of experience working with seniors to her new position and was recently presented the 2008 award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Gerontology from the University of Texas at Houston School of Nursing Center on Aging. As the director Mahrt will plan, coordinate and implement programs and events which provide senior residents with socialization opportunities, fitness and wellness activities, educational and recreational programs, and spiritual enrichment based on the needs and preferences of the residents.

RICHMOND — Massey Energy announces the promotions of John M. Poma to Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and Jeffrey M. Gillenwater to Vice President - Human Resources.

Washington Reeltime appoints Mark Felgenhauer to CEO, Barry Henthorn continues as CTO SEATTLE — The board of Reeltime Rentals, Inc. is excited to announce the appointment of Mark Felgenhauer to the position of CEO. Former Chief Executive Barry Henthorn will continue in his role as Chairman of the Board, and will continue to concentrate on his position as Chief Technology Officer effective immediately. These changes will enable Reeltime to take advantage of recent content and distribution deals, as the company continues to recognize significant revenue opportunities.

West Virginia Shop ‘n Save opens New Express Store Creating more jobs for Region

Utah Ken Peterson joins MasterControl SALT LAKE CITY — Master Control Inc., a global provider of GxP process and document management software solutions for life science companies, announces that Ken Peterson has joined the company as a CAPA Solutions Architect. His responsibilities include enhancing MasterControl solutions and incorporating best practices for managing CAPAs and other quality-related processes. He'll also serve as the company's CAPA product manager.

PHILIPPI — SHOP ‘n SAVE announces the grand opening of a new SHOP ‘n SAVE Express in Central West Virginia, bringing its area store count to nine. The opening of the new SHOP ‘n SAVE location resulted in more than 35 new jobs for the region. Store owners, Craig and Linda Phillips will welcome customers and employees when they officially open the 23,000 square-foot store with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. Grand-opening activities will include in-store demonstrations, sampling of signature items from every department, and giveaways.

Wisconsin

Vermont Ed Kiniry, Outdoor Industry Leader, is New Vermont Organic Fiber Co. CEO MIDDLEBURY — Vermont Organic Fiber Company (VTOF), the nation’s leading manufacturer of fabrics, blankets, and hand knitting yarn made with certified organic wool, has hired veteran outdoor industry entrepreneur Edward (“Ed”) Kiniry as CEO. Kiniry will be responsible for driving the growth of the company’s popular O-Wool® brand of products made with wool grown and certified to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic standard. Formerly, he was president of Winterquest, LLC, the parent company of Tubbs and Atlas snowshoes, selling the company to K2 Inc. in 2003.

Kiniry is credited with the re-invention of snowshoeing as a $100 million worldwide market.

Loblaw Selects RedPrairie Workforce Management (WFM) to Be Leveraged in Stores Across Canada MILWAUKEE — RedPrairie Corporation, a consumer driven optimization company, has announced Loblaw Companies Limited has purchased RedPrairie’s Workforce Management (WFM) application for its stores across Canada. The system will manage over 120,000 colleagues. Loblaw is Canada’s largest food distributor, and a leading provider of general merchandise products, drugstore and financial products and services.

Wyoming WyoTech’s Laramie Campus Announces 2008 Dream Award Winner

Virginia Timmons Group Selected by New Kent County, VA to Provide Geospatial Consulting Services RICHMOND — Timmons Group, a leader in geospatial and engineering consulting services, announces that the firm was selected

by New Kent County, Virginia to provide GIS strategic planning services. This contract enables Timmons Group to provide strategic planning consulting services for the development of an Enterprise GIS. “The GIS Strategic Plan will serve to guide GIS development and leverage the County’s current GIS investment,” said Russell Minich, Principal of Geospatial Services for State and Local Government for Timmons Group. “Our extensive experience in GIS planning and implementation coupled with our experience in providing solutions for state and local government business enables New Kent County to further their Enterprise Geospatial Solutions needs in a progressive and cost effective manner”.

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Massey Energy Promotes Poma and Gillenwater

CHEYENNE — Graduate Jared Beene was recently chosen by WyoTech’s Laramie, Wyoming, campus to receive their annual Dream Award. The Dream Award is presented by each WyoTech campus to an outstanding graduate who has overcome personal obstacles to change his or her life for the better through education. Beene, of Edmund, Oklahoma, was in the midst of his training at WyoTech’s Laramie campus when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite the pain from the growing tumor and the treatment decisions he needed to make, he was determined to complete his training without interruption. Not only did he continue to perform the demanding and rigorous tasks required in his Chassis Fabrication course throughout his diagnosis and eventual surgery-he also made the difficult decision to hold off on chemotherapy until after his graduation from WyoTech. Beene’s positive attitude and determination was inspirational to his classmates, who raised a record $11,398.92 in a fundraiser to assist Beene financially through his ordeal. Beene graduated from WyoTech on schedule with a degree in Collision/Refinishing Technology and Management. He immediately began chemotherapy upon his return to Oklahoma and today has a clean bill of health. Beene is currently a body technician with OKC Autoworks in Oklahoma City.

If...the machine of government...is of such a nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.— Henry David Thoreau

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continued from P.14 — with bringing honor to the Air Force.

“This is another moment in history that they share,” he said. “We’re giving him a fitting sendoff just like we always do.”

Command Chief James Davis, Andrews’ top noncommissioned officer, relished his base’s role in the inauguration and presidential departure ceremony. "We are a part of history, from the person working the logistics to the ones in the cordon to the ones marching in the parade,” he said.

“We’re all here to honor our former honor in chief as he departs,” said Army Sgt. Tyler Murray, one of six members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard” to serve in the joint service honor guard. “President Bush has looked out for his troops, and we're here to honor him.”

“I’ve been involved in a lot of high-priority missions,” said Army Pfc. Jared Robison, a fellow “Old Guard" soldier. "But this one is the highest on my list, personally.”

“It’s wonderful being a part of it, especially as a military member,” agreed Air Force Tech. Sgt. Steven Hawkens, from the 316th Security Forces. “It’s breathtaking, it’s exciting, it’s wonderful to see these things going on.”

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continued from P.13 from his surrogate mother.

The Ottos, longtime residents of Boca Raton, have had many beloved dogs over the years, but Lancey’s genetic donor was unique. “Sir Lancelot was the most human of any dog we’ve ever had,” said Otto. “He was a prince among dogs.”

Said Hawthorne, “One minute with Lancey and you know he’s special. He’s both extremely aware and very sweet. The Ottos are the first of six current clients to receive their clone. The next 6 months will be very exciting both for our clients and our staff.”

Additional information about the Best Friends Again program and dog cloning is available at www.bestfriendsagain.com.

More information about BioArts is available at www.bioarts.com.

BioArts International is a biotech company focused on unique, untapped markets in the global companion animal, stem cell and human genomics industries. The Best Friends Again program is a collaboration between BioArts and the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in South Korea, home to the best and most experienced dog cloning team in the world.

BioArts has been granted the sole, worldwide license for the cloning of dogs, cats and endangered species. The license was granted by Start Licensing, Inc. and applies to the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning patents developed at the Roslin Institute for the cloning of Dolly the sheep.

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Caterpillar Breaks Ground on Manufacturing Facility in Seguin marketplace,” Gov. Perry said. “This investcontinued from page, P.1 ment is proof positive that programs like the Texas Enterprise Fund are worthwhile uses of Texas taxpayer dollars, and I urge the Legislature to continue funding this essential component of our state's competitive economic package.”

Caterpillar Inc. is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and medium and high speed diesel engines. Last month, Caterpillar announced that it was moving one of its primary global assembly, test and paint facilities to Seguin, creating more than 1,400 jobs. The state invested $10 million through the TEF as a deal-closing incentive for the move, which will generate $169.7 million in capital investment. The project is the second largest in terms of job creation and investment this biennium.

“Caterpillar looks forward to the new engine facility in Seguin, which will allow us to improve process capability, flexibility and flow of our operations to optimize efficiency,” said Gary Stroup, Vice President of Large Power Systems Division for Caterpillar. “This location brings us closer to our customers and supply base, and as a result, will reduce freight, logistics and inventory costs.”

With this investment, Caterpillar will consolidate and relocate its assembly, paint and testing operations from Illinois and South Carolina to Seguin. The facility will provide engines for Caterpillar machines and electric power generation, as well as petroleum, marine, and industrial customers. Those looking to apply for jobs with Caterpillar may visit www. jointeamcaterpillar.com.

“Seguin is good for industry and industry is good for Seguin,” Rep. Edmund Kuempel said. “We are tremendously happy that Caterpillar has chosen our city to expand its production, and we look forward to being a good neighbor and a great place for them to do business.”

“Let there be no mistake about the new Caterpillar in Seguin,” Sen. Jeff Wentworth said. “It will provide a significant and very beneficial jolt to the economies of not only Seguin and Guadalupe County, but to this multi-county region of Texas.”

At Gov. Perry’s request, the legislature created the TEF in 2003 and reappropriated funding in 2005 and 2007 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. The fund has since become one of the state's most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $377 million and closed the deal on projects generating over 53,800 new jobs and $14 billion in capital investment in the state.

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Obama Thanks Troops, Pledges Support Following Meeting with Joint Chiefs He also suggested that he would relieve some of the pressure placed on the military by more evenly distributing responsibility among other U.S. government elements.

“We have for a long time put enormous pressure on our military to carry out a whole set of missions, sometimes not with sort of strategic support and the use of all aspects of American power to make sure that they’re not carrying the full load,” he said. "And that's something that I spoke to the chiefs about and that I intend to change as president of the United States.”

The president added that those involved in this afternoon's meeting in “The Tank,” the secure area in the Joint Chiefs of Staff wing of the Pentagon, agreed to make sure “the health of our force is always in our sights.” Participants included Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps. The commandant of the Coast Guard, though not a member of the Joint Chiefs, also participated.

“I know [they] are constantly thinking about what we need to do to make sure that people who are in uniform for the United States are getting the kinds of support that they need and that [their families need], and that’s something that I absolutely am committed to, and I know that Vice President Biden is as well,” he said.

Some of the most urgent issues facing White House and Pentagon officials include ways forward in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We’re going to have some difficult decisions that we’re going to have to make surrounding Iraq and Afghanistan most immediately,” Obama said.

“Obviously, our efforts to continue to go after extremist organizations that would do harm to the homeland is uppermost in our minds.”

“I have every confidence that our military is going to do their job, and I intend to make sure that the civilian side of the ledger does its job to support what they are doing,” he added.

Obama added that he a “wonderful discussion” with the Joint Chiefs about short- and long-term threats facing the United States.

“We talked about some of the broader, global risks that may arise, and the kind of planning and coordination that's going to be required between our military and our civilian forces in order to accomplish our long term national security agendas,” he said.

The president has been engaged with Defense Department and military officials since taking office Jan. 20.

During a meeting at the White House on his first full day in office, Obama directed key defense and military officials to plan for a “responsible military drawdown in Iraq.” The participants included Gates and Mullen, as well as Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command.

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, also joined the Jan. 21 meeting via teleconference. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker, key Cabinet members and senior national security officials also participated, collectively providing what Obama called “a full update on the situation in Iraq.” continued from page, P.13

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