October 18-24, 2013
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KELLEY: Family has option to buy shares
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of the Great Recession at the time of the investment and “Aaron and I had to wonder whether it would turn out this way,” Busse said. “It’s turned out great. We’re very pleased.” Busse has been a source of financial advice and served as the company’s chairman, leaving the rebuilding of the business and its day-to-day operation to Tom Kelley. Kelley has accomplished much with the rebuilt company this year. Acknowledging the importance of the investment was one of the first things he did during his remarks at the new store’s grand opening on the evening of Oct. 15. “Without Keith Busse, this building would not be here,” he said. “On behalf of our 500 employees … we thank you.” The 57,000-square-foot facility sits on 10.2 acres at 5220 Value Drive, a highly visible location northwest of a new Costco store. The road to the dealership runs along the west side of the Costco site. A huge 28-stall service department at the dealership has twice the capacity of Kelley Chevrolet’s previous location at 500 E. State. Blvd., across the street from North Side High School. In an announcement on the relocation, the dealership said it would hire up to 25 additional employees as part of the expansion, bringing its work force up to 150. Following his remarks at the open house, Kelley said GM has picked up some market share in Fort Wayne since reinventing itself, and sales have improved for Dealership Holdings, which still does business as Kelley Automotive. He estimates Kelley Automotive has
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“You don’t make a bet like this unless you believe it’s going to do that well.” Tom Kelley Kelley Automotive Group
25 percent to 30 percent of Fort Wayne’s new vehicle sales, which is down from the market share the business saw prior to the recession, when it ranged from 35 percent to 40 percent. With the new store, Kelley Chevrolet “will see a significant increase in sales; it could double our volume over the next two or three years,” he said. Total investment in the project was nearly $10 million. “You don’t make a bet like this unless you believe it’s going to do that well.” Earlier this year, Kelley Automotive invested $2 million to totally redo a Buick GMC store. In addition to Kelly Chevrolet and Tom Kelley Buick GMC, Kelley Automotive holdings include: Tom Kelley Cadillac; Tom Kelley Volvo; Midwest Auto Parts; Tom Kelley Automotive Superstore at the 14/69 Auto Mall; Tom Kelley Chevrolet-Buick in Decatur; and Tom Kelley Ford in Decatur. The East State Boulevard site was purchased from Hefner Chevrolet in 1985 by Kelley’s father, Jim. A Kelley Chevrolet body shop, heavy-duty truck and recreational-vehicle repair and fleet and commercial departments will remain at the site, operated by about 50 employees. The Kelley family has an option to buy enough shares in Kelley Automotive to get back to a majority ownership position in about a year and a half, and plans to exercise that option, Kelley said.
BALL STATE: Office location not finalized
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to share those resources,” Fallon said. Ball State benefits, too, “because to be an effective university requires an effective state to stay on the leading edge.” BSU does not expect to replace other economic-development entities, however. “Our role in relation to the other organizations is to be partner and find ways to assist. We wouldn’t take the position that we came galloping into town with a bag full of some zippy new solutions,” Fallon said. BSU has similar economic-development/ engagement offices in downtown Indianapolis and in Fishers. There already are a lot of connections between the greater Fort Wayne region and Ball State, Fallon added. “We’re related. We’re at least solid cousins.”
The exact location of BSU’s Fort Wayne office has not been finalized. Many of the area’s other economic-development entities, including the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, the Community Research Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, the Northeast Indiana Regional Workforce Investment Board and, soon, the combined chamber of commerce and economic-development organization now known as Greater Fort Wayne Inc., are housed in the 1st Source Center downtown. Neu worked previously in area economic-development efforts with John Stafford, the former director of CRI. Most recently, she was director of the Richmond, Va., diocesan office of pastoral planning.
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PHILHARMONIC: Both sides want resolution
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have remained relatively constant — even increasing with a series of $1-million-peryear donations from the Fort Wayne-based Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation — operating costs have increased, making it necessary to make cuts. The 41 musicians make between $27,222 and $32,806 annually. The musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic have continued performing under the rules of a contract that expired earlier in the summer. As a way of connecting with their patrons and also to highlight the ongoing negotiations, they have taken to handing out informational fliers about the philharmonic. Some of the points they make include: • All of the musicians have studied at major music schools. Most members hold bachelor’s degrees, and many have earned master’s or doctorate degrees. • Many members of the philharmonic also serve as faculty at schools and universities in northeast Indiana. They coach student chamber ensembles and members of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Youth Orchestras, teach private lessons and perform individually and in small ensembles in private and public events.
“While finances may be tight, the musicians’ concern is that an effective resolution is not imminent, and it appears the Philharmonic wants to cut wages, benefits and musical offerings as its solution,” another brochure from the musicians read. While musicians are willing to accept some temporary wage reductions, they said they feel that permanent wage cuts are not the answer. “The solution is enthusiastic support, appropriate fundraising and effective marketing,” the message concluded. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Player’s Association is represented by the Fort Wayne Musician’s Association Local 58 of the American Federation of Musicians. MacDonald and Nave both said the two sides are committed to reaching a fair and equitable resolution that enables the philharmonic to continue delivering quality performances. Nave declined to get into specifics, but MacDonald spoke for the union. “It’s the goal of both sides to reach an agreement,” MacDonald said. “But we are not willing to sit back and accept cuts that we believe will permanently alter the quality of the institution and quality of our offerings to northeast Indiana.”
Assistant Controller Position KPC Media Group Inc. is looking for a full-time assistant controller. The Assistant Controller will be responsible for assisting with or leading the development of the annual budget, monthly and annual closes and assisting management with analysis. This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer. This position interacts with all levels of Operations and Administration in a collaborative team environment. The person hired for this position will be responsible for performing the day-to-day general ledger accounting, financial reporting and analysis for assigned functional areas; Research and resolve Business Unit(s) inquiries for assigned functional areas; Routine communication with Supervisors relating to financial close, issues and deliverables; Responsible for month-end, quarter-end and year-end close for assigned functional areas; Research and prepare variance analysis and explanations; Responsible for the preparation and analysis of the periodic management reporting of financial results for assigned functional areas; Prepare all Financial Reporting requirements package; Perform Balance Sheet account reconciliations, account analysis, accrual calculations, and other related accounting documents/schedules; Create appropriate work papers that support journal entries and will be easily understood by reviewers, auditors, etc.; Prepare journal entries related to assigned functional responsibilities; Prepare foreign currency transactions analysis and its impact on financial results; Assist in the bi-weekly payroll; Cross train as back-ups for other staff in the case of emergencies; Other duties as assigned by the CFO.
Requirements for the position include • 5-6 years related experience; Associates/Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business • Effective Communication Skills (Written & Verbal) • Ability to succeed in a team environment • Experience managing other employees • Customer Service Oriented • Understanding of accounting processes, procedure and internal controls • Strong research and analysis skills • Ability to adapt quickly and learn new tasks independently • Excellent organization skills • Ability to manage competing priorities • Ability to generate bold, creative ideas to improve performance; experience with Great Plains, FRX and Access preferred. This full-time position offers many benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) and vacation. Qualified applicants should forward resumes to Nancy Sible, human resource manager, at nsible@kpcmedia.com