Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly - Nov. 15, 2013

Business Weekly GREATER

FORT WAYNE

NOVEMBER 15-22, 2013

Daily updates at www.fwbusiness.com

LOCAL NEWS

Program fills a need Ivy Tech to offer maintenance degree

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$1.00

Room with a view

A COMMITMENT TO CARE

Former Summit Club to reopen as Empyrean event venue

BY JOEL ELLIOTT jelliott@kpcmedia.com

Empyrean, the events and catering company that reclaimed space at the top of the PNC Building, will open Nov. 27 in time for Fort Wayne’s Night of Lights event.

Perched on the 25th and 26th floors, the space was formerly occupied by the Summit Club, a private club that operated for nearly four decades before going bankrupt and closing down in 2009.

The owners of Empyrean, Julia Fiechter and Gary Probst, have invested roughly $500,000 in renovating the nearly 20,000-square-foot space and outfitting it with an array of updates, including artwork, paint and new lighting.

“We want to bring a more upscale style of venue to

Eugene Butler works — inside and outside of his south Fort Wayne pharmacy — to improve people’s lives

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See EMPYREAN on PAGE 22

JOEL ELLIOTT

Eugene Butler has been helping people with their health-care needs at Community Care Pharmacy for 20 years.

BY JOEL ELLIOTT

ON THE WEB

jelliott@kpcmedia.com

Late one morning on a glittery, icy fall day, pharmacist Gene Butler bustled around in his long white coat filling prescriptions, keeping just ahead of a stream of sniffling customers queued up in front of his counter. The season change had brought with it a wave of colds and flu, and it seemed like nearly everyone had at least a cough.

Back in his office for a moment, in between answering customer phone calls, he sorted and filled out paperwork that he had arranged “Tetris”-style in six semi-orderly stacks on the desk in front of him. One of his employees

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INSIDE

Vol. 9 Issue 46

Q William Rozier, who is putting together a publication on Eugene Butler and the Community Care Pharmacy, has posted photos for his project on Flickr at www.flickr. com/photos/communitycare20th.

filled more prescriptions at the counter as a young child in line began sobbing. Butler cocked his head, listening. He recognized the cry.

“Aw, Jordan,” he said. “Another sick baby.” n

See PHARMACY on PAGE 23

JOEL ELLIOTT

Empyrean co-owner Julia Fiechter, center, talks to Mark Carboni and Terry Ratfliff at Empyrean, which is on the 25th and 26th floors of the PNC Building in downtown Fort Wayne.

Local news .................... 3-7

LOCAL NEWS

HEALTH CARE

BizView .............................. 8

Another strong year

Giving back

Do it Best saw sales rise; members see bigger rebate from cooperative

Donated breast milk helps nourish other newborns

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Health Care .................... 10 Personal Business ... 13-14 BizLeads ..................... 17-19 Top List............................ 20

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November 15-21, 2013

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November 15-21, 2013

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

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DOUG LEDUC

John Walter, dean of the school of technology at Ivy Tech Community College Northeast, said the associate-degree program could begin as early as next spring.

Ivy Tech degree boosts skills in industrial maintenance

I V Y T E C H C O R P O R AT E C O L L E G E OFFERS COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE TRAINING

College starts program to meet industry need

BY DOUG LEDUC dleduc@kpcmedia.com

Ivy Tech Community College Northeast is preparing a super-degree to meet a pressing industrial need and is looking for students who are up to its challenge.

The closest thing the program has to a name right now is an associate degree in industrial maintenance with a focus on automation and robotics. Most Ivy Tech associate degrees require 60 credit hours, and this one requires 12 on top of that.

An internship imbedded in it offers the opportunity for more hands-on, real-world experience.

Students in the program will attend classes

three days a week and spend two days a week in the workplace applying what they have learned in the classrooms and related training labs.

If their class and lab time were devoted to practice and instruction on the use of the programmable logic controllers that run factory automation and robotics, for example, they would be assigned to a plant’s PLC work group.

“It’s a little bit more specialized and more hands-on than our advanced manufacturing, which has tended to be a little more theory-oriented and more bookish,” said Jim Aschliman, executive director of Ivy Tech’s n

Ivy Tech Corporate College continues to do what it does best— responding to the needs of our northeast Indiana economy. We are now offering commercial driver’s license, or CDL, training. This is in response to a need in our region’s logistics companies to train skilled drivers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for 21 percent more drivers from 2010 to 2020—that’s more than 330,000 employees!

•

pre-trip inspection and lab work •

Classes are six-weeks in length and are located at SIRVA’s Fort Wayne office, 5001 U.S. Highway 30 West

See IVY TECH on PAGE 4

•

Program cost: $3,995 (covers instruction, materials, Department of Transportation physical, application for learner’s permit and license,

Cue the water work Fort Wayne will use almost $500,000 of its Legacy fund to pay for a study of riverfront development.

The contract between the city and SWA Group, which has offices in Texas, California, China and the United Arab Emirates, was approved by the City Council Nov. 12.

Ray Kusisto of Ortho NorthEast and Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer will co-chair a study advisory committee, which will meet for the first time when SWA visits Fort Wayne Dec. 5.

Training consists of classroom time, hands-on driving time, and

and first attempt at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles skills test)

For more information or to register, call (260) 480-4118.

The study is expected to take 12 to 18 months and will look at land use, infrastructure investment, environmental issues, river access, retail, entertainment, housing and connectivity to trails, downtown and nearby neighborhoods.

IvyTech.edu/CorporateCollege

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GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly n

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Huntertown boutique features new, vintage items The Porch Swing is a new

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Reporter’s

casual living NOTEBOOK boutique in Huntertown owned by Julie Collier.

The grand opening of the shop at 14609 Lima Road is scheduled for 5-10 p.m. Nov. 16.

The shop carries a blend of vintage and new items, including midcentury furniture, repurLinda Lipp posed items, cutting-edge home accessories, candles, original artwork and Vosage exotic chocolates. “I try to choose items that are different and interesting, yet functional,” Collier said.

A coffee bar is in the works that will sell custom roasted beans as well as fresh coffee. Regular store hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. For information, call (260) 338-2315.

REAL ESTATE & RETAIL

CHOCOLATE WITH A TWIST The Olive Twist is partnering with DeBrand Fine Chocolates to produce

chocolate bars that combine DeBrand’s chocolate with the extra-virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars of the Olive Twist.

The new gourmet tasting bars are being introduced exclusively at the Olive Twist’s retail stores in Fort Wayne and Auburn, as well as through the firm’s website.

The special DeBrand-Olive Twist chocolate bars will be available in three flavors: raspberry basil, made with DeBrand dark chocolate combined with the Olive Twist raspberry balsamic vinegar and basil olive oil; strawberry almond, made with white GREATER FORT WAYNE

Business Weekly (USPS 024-494) Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, IN 46802

chocolate, strawberry balsamic vinegar and roasted-almond oil; and orange chocolate, made with milk chocolate, cara-cara orange and vanilla balsamic vinegar and blood-orange olive oil.

Olive Twist co-owner Lori Berndt said she came up with the idea to partner with DeBrand after being approached by an outside firm offering a lesser-quality chocolate. She contacted Cathy Brand-Beere, DeBrand founder, and DeBrand’s staff developed the three flavor combinations.

“We were already in the process of experimenting with balsamic vinegars in various pieces, so the timing was perfect,” Brand-Beere said.

The gourmet chocolate bars will be sold for $7 each or in a package of three containing one of each flavor.

SPERRY VAN NESS PARKE GROUP Diana Parent represented the lessor, PD Properties LLC, and Whitney Peterson represented the lessee, Macanix LLC, in the renewal of a lease of office

space at 409 E. Cook Road, Suite 150.

Neal Bowman represented the tenant, Studio 13 Creative Skin Design, in the lease of 2,420 square feet of retail space at 416 W. Coliseum Blvd.

Troy Reimschisel represented both the lessor, Airport Industrial Plaza LLC, and the lessee, Craftline Graphics Inc., in the renewal of a lease of 312,725 square feet of industrial space at 3320 W. Ferguson Road.

Bill Beard represented the lessor, MMJ Investments LLC, in the lease of office space at 11617 Coldwater Road, Suite 103.

Beard represented both the seller, Mary Jo Knight, and the buyers, Jonathon and Amber Recker, in the purchase of retail space at 4007-4009 S. Wayne St.

KORTE ENDS FOOD DRIVE Korte Does It All Inc. collected 2,040 pounds of nonperishable food items during its October food drive for Commun

See REAL ESTATE on PAGE 7

3306 Independence Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46808 (260) 426-2640 Fax: (260) 426-2503 www.fwbusiness.com

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 3306 Independence Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Published weekly every Friday, the annual subscription rate is $49.

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November 15-21, 2013

IVY TECH: Degree could help retain workers

Continued from PAGE 3

Corporate College.

The program is being created “to meet industry needs; industry has said through the Indiana Automotive Council it needed to have more industrial maintenance-type people and needed to have a curriculum to develop them,” he said. Ivy Tech “is nimble and flexible and we meet community needs.”

Industrial-maintenance technicians are important partly because they help plants get longer life and top performance out of manufacturing equipment through proper care and maintenance, enabling facilities to operate production lines with minimal downtime.

There is a nationwide shortage of factory workers with this higher level of skill even though those jobs pay better than production work. Sue Smith, corporate executive for advanced manufacturing in the office of the president at Ivy Tech, said Ivy Tech has studied how community colleges across the country have been responding to the nationwide problem and based the super-degree program on the best models that have been emerging.

Students who enter the super-degree program straight out of high school will pay for the part of their training that takes place at Ivy Tech, and their employers will pay them for the work they do as part of their internships.

There also will be employers covering the program’s entire cost for employees they plan to promote to industrial maintenance technician positions once it is completed, Smith said.

“The cost is so inexpensive they could probably create a technician as cheaply as a staffing agency could get a technician. It makes sense to grow your own,” she said.

“Local technicians are more likely to stay in the area.”

Nine manufacturers in Wells County did just that this summer with a program developed through their collaboration with the Corporate College, WorkOne Northeast, Norwell High School and Wells County Economic Development.

Production workers selected for the training went through a 200-hour class that covered topics such as electricity, fluid power, machining, motors, welding and programmable logic controllers. Based on its success in Wells County it was replicated in Adams County.

Smith said the associate degree in industrial maintenance with a focus on automation and robotics will become available at Ivy Tech locations as they develop it to meet regional needs and find students for it.

Any employers willing to host more interns for the program than they plan to hire will be providing a service for other industrial employers who are not able to

participate but need workers with the skills it will develop, Smith said.

John Walter, dean of the school of technology at Ivy Tech Northeast, said it could be ready to offer the super-degree program as early as next spring.

It has one of the best community-college facilities for advanced manufacturing in the nation at its north campus near Stellhorn and St. Joe roads, and the courses he said would be needed for the program “are already in our inventory; we just have to tweak them.”

Ivy Tech Northeast received more than $2 million in grant funding from the Talent Initiative to buy some of the latest capital equipment, advanced-manufacturing machinery and software for the advanced-manufacturing labs in the Steel Dynamics Keith E. Busse Technology Center.

Most of the Ivy Tech Northeast funding was spent on high-end computer numerical control equipment, but the center also was able to buy precision measuring machines and robotic and metallurgy testing equipment.

Walter said Ivy Tech Northeast will work with area high schools, WorkOne Northeast, the Talent Initiative and industrial employers in northeast Indiana to find students for the super-degree program. Part of the recruitment effort will involve correcting misconceptions about modern manufacturing. Some people incorrectly believe industrial work environments have not improved much during the past half-century and production work is too unreliable to make manufacturing occupations worthwhile.

“Manufacturing is not what it used to be; the dark, dirty days of manufacturing are over,” Walter said. “All these facilities are well-lit, environmentally controlled and clean.”

He said the offshoring trend that moved less-skilled U.S. manufacturing to countries with lower labor costs appears to be largely over, and most of the production work remaining in the United States involves advanced manufacturing. Even in cases where occasional layoffs have interrupted the occupations of veteran production workers, “if they look at the income these people earned over their 20 to 25 years, they made far more than they would have made in a service industry,” he said.

The national shortage of skilled production workers and industrial maintenance technicians is likely to intensify as the U.S. work force continues to age and more and more baby boomers retire, he said.

“We’re not getting them replaced, so we have to turn the stigma of manufacturing around somehow,” Walter said. At Ivy Tech Northeast, “we have the facility, we have the curriculum, and we need people who are interested in manufacturing to get back into the classroom and learn these updated skills.”

November 15-21, 2013

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Store expansion reflects strong Do it Best performance n

BY DOUG LEDUC dleduc@kpcmedia.com

After helping others with home and commercial construction projects for 27 years, Alpha Building Center in Shipshewana completed its own dream project early this year, tripling the size of the home-improvement store.

As a member of the Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Corp. hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative, the store and its achievement were among a number of member success stories featured in the cooperative’s fiscal 2013 annual report released last month.

The Hershberger family built the store at 0855 State Road 5 in Shipshewana in 1985 to serve area contractors. The owners started planning an expansion that would double the size of the store about 10 years ago but the project was delayed by the recession, which hit the economy of LaGrange County and its recreational-vehicle industry particularly hard.

The economy there has been improving during the last couple of years, and “we have felt the effects of that,” Trevor Nice, the store’s retail manager, said in an inter-

“As we look toward a new year, I am confident that Do it Best Corp. is in a better position than ever before to help members grow their businesses while meeting the needs of even more independent member-owners.”

Tom Lamberth Do it Best Corp.

view. “With the RV industry being busier, that definitely translates to us being busier too.”

The Recreational Vehicle Industry Association reported RV manufacturers shipped 226,125 units during the first eight months of the year, which was up 12 percent from the same period last year.

Based on a University of Michigan survey of consumers, RV shipments are projected to grow 8 percent during 2013 and exceed 300,000 units for the first time since 2007. RV shipments are expected to grow 4 n

See DO IT BEST on PAGE 7

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Plans to expand Alpha Building Center in Shipshewana were put on hold because of the recession, but a resurgence in the recreational-vehicle industry gave it confidence to move forward with the project.

BenchmarkPortal honors Lincoln National’s annuity call center A company n that provides call-center consulting, training, certification, benchmarking and industry reports has designated Lincoln N a t i o n a l Corp.’s Individual Annuity Customer Contact Center

Reporter’s

NOTEBOOK

BANKING & FINANCE

in Fort Wayne one of the best in the business.

The insurance and finanDoug LeDuc cial-services company with a headquarters in Philadelphia and annuities operations based in Fort Wayne announced the center had received a “certified center of excellence” designation from BenchmarkPortal.

Lincoln, which does business under the Lincoln Financial Group brand, said only the

top 10 percent of call centers applying for the certification receive it, and the recognition “is one of the most prestigious awards in the customer service and support industry.”

“Lincoln’s Individual Annuity Customer Contact Center team earned the designation upon the conclusion of their initial assessment,” Bruce Belfiore, chief executive officer of BenchmarkPortal, said in the announcement.

“It’s a rare and tremendous achievement for a center to be assessed as more efficient and more effective compared with its industry from the onset.”

BenchmarkPortal maintains the world’s largest contact-center benchmarking database, and uses it to compare call centers based on scientific analysis for their operational metrics as well as their internal and external customer satisfaction.

“Our knowledgeable and experienced customer contact team is thrilled to be recognized with such an esteemed award,” Nancy Jordan, senior vice president and head of Lincoln’s individual annuity operations, said in the announcement. “We are looking forward to our continued work with BenchmarkPortal to ensure we continue to deliver best in class customer service.”

In addition to annuities, Lincoln offers:

life, group life and disability and dental insurance; financial planning and advisory services; savings plans; and employer-sponsored retirement plans. BenchmarkPortal designated the operations of its life insurance contact team a center of excellence earlier this year.

“We are thrilled to be exceeding industry benchmark results and to be providing a competitive advantage for both our individual annuity and life insurance business partners and customers,” Ken Solon, senior vice president and head of Lincoln’s shared services and information technology, said in the announcement.

“This achievement affirms Lincoln’s dedication to deliver a superior customer experience.”

PEOPLES EARNINGS DECREASE AS NET INTEREST INCOME FALLS A 3-percent decline in net interest income contributed to a 14-percent drop in annual earnings for Peoples Bancorp.

The Auburn-based parent company for Peoples Federal Savings Bank reported earnings of $2.6 million, or $1.11 per share, for its 2013 fiscal year ended Sept. 30, which was down from $3 million, or $1.26

per share, for its previous fiscal year.

Its provision for loan losses fell to $250,000 from $423,000 and “the balances of nonperforming loans and real estate owned have continued to decline and the delinquency rates on loans at the bank are much lower than the average for the peer group,” Maurice Winkler III, Peoples president, said in a report on its financial performance.

“The ongoing low interest rate period has continued to present challenges for the company,” he said. “Although 2013 earnings are lower than 2012, we are encouraged by our loan portfolio growth.

Net interest margin was flat for the year compared to last year, however, net interest margin increased by 21 basis points in the last quarter of the year.”

The company’s FY 2013 net interest income decreased to $11.7 million from $12.1 million for the previous year, but its noninterest income rose 16 percent to $4.2 million from $3.6 million. It expenses increased 7 percent to $12.8 million from $12 million.

“During the year, the bank prepaid several Federal Home Loan Bank advances n

See BANKING on PAGE 7

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November 15-21, 2013

Engine maker named Group Delphi buys company Innovator of the Year G r o u p Delphi, which

Engine Research Associates was named the Innovator of the Year at Business Weekly’s 2013 Innovation Awards event Nov. 7 at the Landmark Conference & Reception Centre in Fort Wayne.

The company, which is based at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, makes the patented Erickson Migrating Combustion Chamber engine that was created by the late Frederick Erickson.

The engine is popular with model airplane enthusiasts and is being developed for use in power lawn and garden equipment.

Engine Research Associates, run by Erickson’s sons Jeff and Rick, also has secured contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. For one of the contracts, the motor would be used to run a 2,000watt, lightweight generator. The motors would be used in unmanned aerial vehicles in two other contracts.

Engine Research Associates won the Emerging Company category — one of seven categories that make up the Innovation Awards. Each of the category winners presented to a panel of judges that selected the overall Innovator of the Year.

Other category winners were: • Health Care: Harbour Assisted Living of Fort Wayne; • Manufacturing and Distribution: Tuthill Corp.; • Professional Services: GMS Distribution; • Real Estate, Construction and Design:

Q

PARAGON WILL MERGE WITH PRIVATE-EQUITY FIRM Pierceton-based Paragon Medical Inc. on Nov. 8 announced it had entered into a definitive merger agreement with a Chicago private-equity firm. The deal is expected to close in December.

Paragon makes surgical instruments, orthopedic devices, and cases and trays.

Terms of the merger with Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Co. of Chicago were not disclosed.

Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Co. was founded in 1996. Its investments, which include buy-out transactions, recapitalizations and growth platforms, involve companies in the health-care industry, according to the private-equity company’s website.

Reporter’s

award for videos that were produced for the YourStoryMadeHere.com website. The campaign’s hardcover book and TV spots received gold awards, while the website earned an honorable mention in the international competition.

The “Your Story Made Here” campaign was started in 2012. It supports the partnership’s Vision 2020 initiative to develop, attract and retain talent in northeast Indiana.

The campaign was created with One Lucky Guitar in Fort Wayne and Red Tide Productions in Columbia City.

makes exhibits NOTEBOOK for trade shows and other events, acquired Image in Exhibits Fort Wayne, the company said in an announcement.

Terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed.

In the announcement, Group Delphi Barry Rochford said Image Exhibits’ clients will be able to take advantage of the larger company’s services, including exhibit content, design, fabrication, asset management, logistical support and installation.

“We are very pleased to welcome Image Exhibits to Group Delphi,” Justin Hersh, CEO of Group Delphi, said in the announcement. “Our focus on integration, innovation and service has been a key priority as we’ve grown over the past several years, and this focus serves as a solid foundation for blending Image with our group and delivering winning solutions to their important customer base.”

Group Delphi was formed from the merger of Icon Exhibits in Fort Wayne, Delphi Productions in Alaemda, Calif., and GGE in San Francisco. The company has production operations in Fort Wayne and Alameda.

Britton Marketing & Design Group in Fort Wayne produced a book that provides a look at how nine ranchers across the United States are raising Wagyu cattle and offers Wagyu-inspired recipes from the award-winning chef at Joseph Decuis in Roanoke.

“America’s Wagyu Trail: The Definitive Guide to the Breed” was written by Jeffrey Britton and Steve Penhollow, and is available in hardcover and e-book formats. The book includes contributions from Pete Eshelman, whose Joseph Decuis Wagyu Farm is one of the ranches that are featured.

The book provides a history of the Wagyu breed and some of the science behind what sets it apart from other breeds, then presents portraits of nine ranches raising the breed.

The latter half of the book serves up Wagyu recipes from Joseph Decuis Executive Chef Aaron Butts.

The e-book is available through Amazon and iTunes.

POLYONE TO CLOSE WARSAW PLANT

LYDICK JOINS WANE

IVY TECH WINS AWARDS

WANE-TV in Fort Wayne hired meteorologist Rob Lydick, who will be featured on

PolyOne Corp. will close its plant in Warsaw and lay off 110 workers, the Avon Lake, Ohio-based company said in a letter to the state of Indiana.

According to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter sent, PolyOne will start laying off workers at its designed structures and solutions plant, 3454 N. Detroit St., on or about Jan. 6.

The layoffs will end on or about Sept. 30.

Workers at the plant are represented by the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union Local 905.

The company, which makes specialized polymer materials, announced in July it would close six of its North American plants by the end of 2014.

won seven awards at the recent National

the station’s “First News Weekend” news program.

He replaces Nicholas Ferreri, who was promoted to chief meteorologist. Lydick most recently worked as a meteorologist at WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine, and is a graduate of Penn State University.

He joins anchor Gina Glaros on “First News Weekend.”

BRIAN GLICK

Jeff Erickson of Engine Research Associates accepts the Innovator of the Year award at Business Weekly’s Innovation Awards event Nov. 7.

3Rivers Federal Credit Union; • Retail: Rudy’s; and • Technology: TransWorks.

Judges for the 2013 Innovation Awards were: Don Steininger, Steininger Development; Julia Fiechter, Lendingahand.net; Terry Housholder, KPC Media Group Inc.; Mike Fritsch, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center; and Bill Nicholson, ENS Group.

Innovation Awards sponsors were: ENS Group; Keyflow Creative; Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana Inc.; Star Financial Bank; Lake City Bank; and Sweetwater Sound.

To view video interviews with each of the winners and read their stories, go to FWBusiness.com/events.innovation_ awards.

BRIEFLY

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

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MEDIA & MARKETING

‘YOUR STORY MADE HERE’ CAMPAIGN EARNS HONORS The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership’s “Your Story Made Here” marketing campaign recently won four awards in the MarCom Awards competition.

The partnership received a platinum

TAKE A WALK ALONG THE ‘WAGYU TRAIL’

Ivy Tech Community College Northeast Council for Marketing & Public Relations District 3 conference in Columbus, Ohio.

The community college won gold awards in the categories of: newsletter; specialty advertising; and fundraising/annual/multiyear campaign. It also received three silver medals and one bronze.

In addition, Ivy Tech Northeast marketing and communications executive director Andrew Welch was named communicator of the year, and Assistant Director Aja Michael was named a “rising star.”

If you have items for the media and marketing column, please contact Barry Rochford by email at brochford@kpcmedia.com, by phone at (260) 426-2640, ext. 311, or by mail at Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, 3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

November 15-21, 2013

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DO IT BEST: Sales rose 4 percent in 2013

Continued from PAGE 5

percent during 2014.

“We kind of had the feeling we were going to see some things coming back around, and (the store expansion) would be an opportunity to be ready for that,” Nice said. “The competition is always doing something, so we had to be sure we were-positioned for that as well.”

“Our store was about 5,000 square feet and its selection was just limited. It always has been a (professional) lumber yard, and the new store starts to offer more for just walk-in retail. We have much more to offer, not so much category-wise, but more options. We keep A’s and B’s and C’s instead of just A’s and B’s.

“Some people aren’t necessarily going to want to buy a $40 hammer if they have a project a $5 hammer will take care of … We’re still offering the professional-grade-type tools our customer base knows us for, but we’re offering other options as well.”

With the help of a Do it Best Corp. Preference Shares Redemption program, the family ended up undergoing a bigger store expansion that it originally had planned.

The 10,000-square-foot addition to the store was completed in January and it finished expanding its inventory this June.

“So far, business has been significantly up in the store,” Nice said.

As a member-owned cooperative, Do it Best returns profits each year to its members in the form of rebates. Rebates to the Hershberger family in the form of preferred stock in the company were

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redeemed to help fund the project.

The company reported member rebates rose 1 percent for its 2013 fiscal year ended June 29 to $116.4 million from $115.7 million for the same period last year. It was the 10th year the company distributed more than $100 million in rebates to members.

Do it Best sales rose 4 percent during its 2013 fiscal year to 2.8 billion from $2.7 billion, and its net income fell 27 percent to $372,000 from $511,000.

“While there are a number of factors that drive our ability to deliver a strong year-end return to our members, the underlying foundation is our team’s firm commitment to our number one goal: helping our members grow,” Bob Taylor, president and chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement on the company’s performance.

“It is through the consistent efforts of the entire Do it Best team to both deliver the very best products, services and solutions for our members while driving the highest level of operational efficiency that we can return such a strong year-end rebate to our members — more than $1 billion in just the last decade.”

The company’s chairman, Tom Lamberth, said in its annual report Do it Best had helped see it members through the challenges of a very tough economy in recent years, which hit the home improvement industry particularly hard.

“As we look toward a new year,” he said, “I am confident that Do it Best Corp. is in a better position than ever before to help members grow their businesses while meeting the needs of even more independent member-owners.”

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REAL ESTATE: Perfumery holds tours

Continued from PAGE 4 nity Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana.

For every food item Korte customers donated, they received $1 off their bills, or up to $10 per invoice.

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“After some very dramatic declines and years of sluggish growth, the construction industry is slowly adding jobs.”

Ken Simonson

PERFUMERY PLANS HOLIDAY EVENTS Annie Oakley will host its third-an-

nual open house and free holiday sensory tours Dec. 5-6 at its perfumery studio at 300 Johnson St., Ligonier.

The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days of the event. Tours will be offered beginning at 10 a.m., every hour through 3 p.m. Large groups should call (800) 652-6643 ahead of time to reserve space on tours.

The perfumery also will host a “Spirit of Christmas” party from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. The party is also free but groups should make advance reservations.

SHUTDOWN HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON CONSTRUCTION Construction employment hit a 50-month high as employers added more than 11,000 jobs in October and the industry unemployment rate fell to 9 percent, an analysis of government data by the Associated General Contractors of America concluded.

“After some very dramatic declines and years of sluggish growth, the construction industry is slowly adding jobs,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief econ-

Associated General Contractors of America

omist. “The federal government shutdown did not appear to have undermined construction job growth in the short term probably because it did not significantly impact projects that were already underway.”

Construction employment totaled 5,834,000 in October, an increase of 185,000 from a year earlier and the highest level since August 2009. Nonresidential construction firms added 6,600 new jobs in October while residential firms added 4,800 jobs.

As the industry continues to add new jobs, many firms report they are having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill key positions. The number of unemployed construction workers has declined at a faster rate than the industry has added jobs as laid-off workers either retired or found work in other sectors.

If you have items for the real-estate and retail column, please contact Linda Lipp by e-mail at llipp@kpcmedia.com, by phone at (260) 426-2640, ext. 307, or by mail at Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, 3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

BANKING: Cooperative Extension Service seminar looks at rural real estate legal, tax issues

Continued from PAGE 5

resulting in $872,000 in prepayment penalties,” Winkler said. “The company also had a $474,000, or 47 percent, increase in the cost of providing health insurance to our employees due to an increase in claims activity. Noninterest expenses would have declined without those items.

“Noninterest income increased $567,000 led by gains on the sale of investment securities of $1.1 million which was an increase of $538,000 from the year before.

Continued improvement in asset quality resulted in a lower provision for loan losses compared to the previous year.”

EXTENSION SERVICE HOLDS LEGAL, TAX SEMINAR The Allen County office of Purdue University’s

Cooperative

Extension

Service has scheduled a seminar on legal and tax issues related to rural real estate.

The seminar is designed for landowners, farmers, small businesses and individuals living in rural areas and professionals who help them with estate and financial planning, taxes and legal matters.

Professionals with law, accounting and insurance production firms may earn continuing education credit by attending the seminar. It will be presented by Gerry Harrison, a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and an agricultural economist with Purdue.

Topics covered in the seminar will include real-estate transfer and taxation, the “right to farm” law, approaches to limiting liability for farming activities and laws related to drainage, property rights and the condemnation process.

The seminar will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Cooperative

Extension Service Office at 4001 Crescent Ave. and registration for it is required by Dec. 9.

A registration form for the event is available at www.agecon.purdue.edu/extension/programs/index.asp. Registration and additional information for the event also is available by contacting Gonzalee Martin at (260) 481-6826 or marting@purdue.edu or Harrison at (765) 494-4216 or toll free at (888) 398-4636, ext. 44216, or by e-mail at harrisog@purdue.edu.

BEACON CREDIT UNION PRESENTS SPOTLIGHT AWARDS Beacon Credit Union awarded $1,750 to three Allen County entries in its Project Spotlight Program last month.

Based on two months of voting, a firstplace award of $1,000 went to Christ Child Society Layettes, a second-place award of

$500 went to Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministry Center and a third-place award of $250 went to Schnelker Veterans Memorial Park.

Anyone in the markets served by the credit union could nominate a charitable organization or community project for Project Spotlight and anyone in those markets could vote for their favorite once a day during August and September via voting slips at Beacon branches or online at the credit union’s Facebook page.

Close to 1,000 Project Spotlight votes were cast by Allen County residents.

If you have items for the banking and finance column, please contact Doug LeDuc by e-mail at dleduc@kpcmedia.com, by phone at (260) 426-2640, ext. 309, or by mail at Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, 3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808.

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GREATER FORT WAYNE

Business Weekly 3306 Independence Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46808 (260) 426-2640 Fax: (260) 426-2503 www.fwbusiness.com

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An unnecessary amendment

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November 15-21, 2013

Accentuating the negative

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cjohnson@kpcmedia.com

n

Indiana does not need a constitutional amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriages or civil unions.

First of all, such a prohibition already exists in state statute. It was enacted in 2004. Yes, it is possible that statute could be overturned in the future, which is why backers of the proposed constitutional amendment, called HJR-6, believe it’s necessary.

But given Indiana’s conservative leanings, it’s doubtful that would be allowed to happen anytime soon.

Freedom Indiana, a coalition of individuals, organizations and businesses seeking to thwart HJR-6, believes passing a constitutional amendment would harm the state’s ability to attract top talent and would paint it as being discriminatory. The talent argument is a main reason why businesses like Eli Lilly and Co. and organizations like the Indy Chamber have climbed on board. They fear we will lose quality workers to other states deemed more friendly to same-sex couples.

There is scant evidence, however, that Indiana’s existing statute banning same-sex marriages has negatively affected our ability to attract talent.

Likewise, there’s little evidence the prohibition has done anything to improve or protect marriage in

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EDITORIAL

Indiana; in fact, the state doesn’t even keep track of the divorce rate among Hoosiers.

Businesses and business groups opposing HJR-6, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce — which has not joined the Freedom Indiana coalition — also have a more pragmatic reason for their stance: They’re wary of the bruising political fight that will occur if the resolution is passed by the General Assembly and a referendum is put before voters.

They worry about the headlines people across the country will see that will no doubt clash with our efforts to market Indiana as a great place to do business.

But in the end, Indiana doesn’t need a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions because — and this is our acknowledged idealistic opinion — the constitution is not a weapon that should be used to legislate morality.

Constitutions exist to preserve those things that are fundamental to us as humans, as Americans, as Hoosiers.

They are not to be used to codify fundamentalism — be it ideological, theological or political.

WHAT’S YOUR VIEW? Want to share your thoughts on something you’ve read? Business Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns. E-mail them to news@fwbusiness. com, fax them to (260) 426-2503 or mail them to Business Weekly, 3306 Independence Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. Business Weekly reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length.

What is the No. 1 complaint of Hoosier employers? The labor force is outdated. We do not have enough workers with the training and experience to compete with other states and nations. Some employers would supplement that concern with the high percentage of applicants who cannot pass drug tests.

Our schools, by virtually every measure, are inadequate. They have produced a generation of ill-equipped, undereducated adult workers.

There is an epidemic of obsolescence in our towns and cities that is easily seen in downtown areas, roads, bridges, civic and governmental organizations. It is as though we are still in the 20th century fighting to retain the conditions of the 19th century.

When we have a chance to join with progres- n sive movements, we resist. Instead, we embrace regressive initiatives. Examples: • Replacement of property-tax revenue by an increased sales tax that helps the wealthy; • Repressive voter registration law and rejection of improved voter access methods; • Antiquated child-care oversight and child protection services; • Rejection of expanded Medicaid for approximately 300,000 Hoosiers; and • Acceptance of a “right-to-work” law.

Now a group of companies and institutions have the courage to come forth and say: “Enough is enough!” Led by Lilly, Cummins, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and IU, a coalition formed to block legislative passage of a resolution Morton J. to put a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the ballot in 2016.

Marcus Indiana already has a law that bans same-sex marriage. Proponents of that measure want to make it harder to repeal the law by placing the ban in the state’s constitution. Worldly-wise companies and institutions have said, “No!” They know how Indiana is viewed from elsewhere already. Why make things worse?

From outside the Hoosier Holyland, we look like a retrograde southern state. We were late to integrate our schools. We opposed (and still do) federal aid for a long list of infrastructure and social projects.

We celebrate an agricultural heritage that has been in relative decline for 100 years.

We delayed multicounty and interstate banking until our banks were swallowed by banks from our neighboring states. Only lately we recognized the importance of manufacturing and logistics in our economy.

Specialists in Hoosier Hype tell companies how business-friendly we are. They don’t mention the fact that we are unfriendly to those who work. They talk about our low workers’ compensation taxes without any mention of the resultant inequitable benefits for injured workers.

With all the negatives stacked against Indiana, we must commend successive administrations for keeping those good-cheer press releases coming. Although the gains cited and the honors awarded are mainly trivial, the flow of carefully crafted happy news is energetically maintained.

Same-sex relationships have become an increasingly important touchstone of contemporary thinking. For some, these relationships are sinful; others find them acceptable. The latter view is becoming dominant in the Western world. The companies and institutions who know that world do not want to see us pile more on the slag heap of our negatives.

EYE ON THE PIE

MORTON J. MARCUS is an independent economist, writer and speaker formerly with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He can be reached at mortonjmarcus@yahoo.com.

November 15-21, 2013

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Health Care n

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November 15-21, 2013

Depot collections help nourish newborns

BY LINDA LIPP

THE BENEFITS OF BREAST FEEDING

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When Sherry Ross gave birth to her first son seven weeks early, she saw firsthand the anguish of parents whose infants struggled to hold on to life in the neonatal intensive-care unit at Lutheran Hospital.

“It was heartbreaking to see them in there,” she recalled.

Ross, of Columbia City, was able to provide breast milk for her son, Brayson, first through a feeding tube and then in the natural fashion, and continued to breast feed when he was released from the NICU after 14 days.

But not all mothers are able to provide breast milk and all the natural health benefits it provides the infants. That’s why the Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank was formed in 2005, and Lutheran became its first hospital collection depot in 2008.

Ross found out too late about the milk bank program after her first child, but began donating as soon as she could after the birth of her second, Camron, who is nearing 5 months old.

“If you can do something to help, how can you not do it?”

Ross explained.

The Lutheran milk depot ON THE WEB has collected about 46,000 Q For information on the ounces of breast milk since it Indiana Mothers’ Milk Bank, was founded, or about 10,000 visit www.immb.org. ounces a year, said Holly Romary, a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant who helped get the program up and running.

Donors are screened to make sure they are healthy and are not taking any medications, legal or otherwise, that would affect an infant receiving the milk. They are given instructions on how to store the milk safely in a freezer, and how long it can be stored before being delivered to the milk depot. Each woman also must commit to donating at least 100 ounces by her own infant’s first birthday — after which, the milk’s composition changes naturally and it is no longer appropriate for a newborn.

“The milk is so safe. You follow the regulations and they send you everything you need,” Ross said.

Knowing her milk is feeding not only her own child but someone else’s at-risk infant also makes her more conscious of her own health practices, she said. “It keeps you on the ball.”

Michelle Harlan, a nurse and lactation consultant at Parkview Noble, learned about the milk-bank program at a professional conference. She didn’t donate with her first child, who is now 3, but she started donating two months ago after her second was born.

“If your baby is growing and healthy and God has blessed you with making extra milk, then why not donate?” she said.

While there is a growing market for breast milk bought and sold over the Internet, there’s no way a potential buyer can know if the donor was healthy or if safe collection and storage practices are employed. So Romary wasn’t surprised by the results from a study by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital,

LINDA LIPP

Sherry Ross began donating excess breast milk as soon as she could after the birth of her second son, Camron.

published in the November issue of Pediatrics, that found more than three-fourths of breast-milk samples purchased online contained bacteria that can cause illness.

“It’s not safe. We have people calling in about it all the time,” she said. “You have to think of breast milk the same way you would a blood transfusion.”

The donations collected at Lutheran and other health-care and WIC facilities that serve as depots are transported to Indianapolis where they are pasteurized and packaged for delivery to hospitals.

The bank believes breast milk is best for all infants, but premature babies in neonatal units are the highest-priority recipients.

The milk bank charges a fee of $4.50 per ounce to process the mothers’ milk, and some more enlightened insurers are now covering that cost for their plan members, Romary said.

“Other than that, the hospitals pretty much eat the cost,” she added.

Donors are women like Ross, who can produce more milk than their own infants can consume, and women who may have miscarried or lost a child at or shortly after birth. The IMMB’s Garrett’s Gift Bereavement Program allows those who have experienced a loss to donate in honor of their little one.

Each batch of milk is mixed with donations from three women to provide a better balance of natural antibodies. IMMB pays for the cost of all the health screenings and other supplies women need to serve as donors.

The number of women donating to the Lutheran depot varies, but the hospital never has had to work hard to market or sell the program to new donors. The mothers themselves do a lot of that.

Harlan has been promoting it on Facebook, and of course with mothers she sees in her work at Parkview Noble. Ross hasn’t sold any of her friends or acquaintances on donating yet, but that’s just because none of them have given birth recently.

“But I will get them,” she said. “I know I will.”

If 90 percent of mothers breast fed their babies for six months, the U.S. would save $14 billion a year in health-care costs, the United States Breastfeeding Committee estimated.

Unfortunately, however, only 12 percent of mothers are still exclusively feeding breast milk to their infants at 6 months of age. And one of the key reasons, said Lutheran Hospital nurse and lactation consultant Holly Romary, is that when they go back to work after giving birth they don’t get the support they need from their employers.

“That’s the No. 1 reason they quit,” she said.

Research shows clearly that breast feeding provides significant health benefits for both mothers and babies. Infants fed on breast milk, for example, are 77 percent less likely to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), one of the most costly and devastating illnesses a premature baby can develop.

NEC can add $75,000 to $200,000 to the cost of a newborn’s care in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Each year, NEC cases rack up expenditures of about $5 million statewide.

Babies that are breast fed, collectively, also experience: • A 36-percent decrease in cases of sudden infant death syndrome; • A 72-percent decrease in respiratory infections; • A 23-percent decrease in ear infections; • A 30-percent decrease in diabetes; and • A 24-percent decrease in obesity.

For mothers, research suggests breast feeding also can reduce postpartum depression, diabetes, breast and ovarian cancer, osteoporosis and obesity, Romary said.

“There are huge benefits for the mom,” Romary noted. “Breast-feeding is part of the birth process.

A woman has to be rebooted like a computer. When you don’t breast-feed, you’re not rebooting the computer and getting the woman back to normal status.”

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandated that employers provide breaks for breast-feeding women to pump excess milk. But few provide a specific place to do it other than a stall in a women’s restroom.

“All it has to be is a corner room with a lock on the door and an electrical outlet,” Romary said. And for every $1 an employer spends to aid breast-feeding women, it can save $2 or $3 in health-care costs and improve employee morale and retention.

“Really, it’s a no-brainer for employers.”

— BY LINDA LIPP

November 15-21, 2013

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

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Get back to living.

PAGE 11

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November 15-21, 2013

J&J said to reach $4B settlement (Bloomberg) — Johnson & Johnson will pay more than $4 billion to resolve thousands of lawsuits over its recalled hip implants in the largest settlement of U.S. legal claims for a medical device, three people familiar with the deal said.

The accord will resolve more than 7,500 lawsuits in federal and state courts against J&J’s Warsaw-based DePuy Orthopaedics unit, said the people, who requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly about the settlement. Patients who have had hips replaced claimed in the cases that the implants were defective.

The company will pay an average of $300,000 or more for each of those surgeries, the people said. The agreement doesn’t bar patients whose artificial hips fail in the future from seeking compensation from J&J, they said. That means the settlement is uncapped in terms of its total value, according to the people. The settlement is expected to be announced in the coming days in federal court in Toledo, Ohio.

The settlement will be the second multibillion-dollar agreement this month for J&J, the world’s largest seller of health-care products.

J&J, based in New Brunswick, N.J., said Nov. 4 that it will pay $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil probes into the marketing of

Risperdal and other medicines.

Mindy Tinsley, a spokeswoman for DePuy, declined to comment on the accord. J&J has spent about $993 million on medical costs and informing patients and surgeons about the recall, Lorie Gawreluk, another DePuy spokeswoman, said earlier this year. J&J set aside an undisclosed amount for litigation, which it increased before June 30, she said.

Under the accord, 94 percent of eligible claimants must sign up for the settlement or the company can withdraw from the deal, according to the people.

The company recalled 93,000 ASR hip implants worldwide in August 2010, saying 12 percent failed within five years. Internal J&J documents show 37 percent of ASR hips failed after 4.6 years. Last year, the failure rate in Australia climbed to 44 percent within seven years.

J&J had touted the metal-on-metal implants, first sold in the U.S. in 2005, as a new design that would last 20 years and offer greater range of motion. As failures mounted, patients complained in lawsuits that the metalon-metal implant caused dislocations, pain and follow-up surgeries known as revisions.

They claimed that debris from the chromium and cobalt device caused tissue death and increased metal ions in the bloodstream.

Over 2,000 moving parts and complex components.

Today’s healthcare rules are just as complicated.

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n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

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PersonalBusiness

PAGE 13

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‘You never know when the person in the corner is going to come up with the money-saving idea’ How would you describe Viridian?

CAREER PATH

What differentiates us from other architectural ďŹ rms would be our focus on sustainable design. We’re e c o - f r i e n d l y, green; ‘viridian’ itself is an old Name: Terry Thornsbury English word for green. I’m Age: 41 owner and pres- Company: Viridian ident. I started Architectural Design it in August of Inc. 2007 to break Title: president and away from what founder I saw as the Founded: August norm in they 2007 way buildings Location: 2020 E. were designed Washington Blvd. in the Midwest with a focus on Website: www.viridian -design.net upfront costs.

V e r i d i a n Employs: eight focuses on dura- Education: earned an bility and energy associate degree in efficiency and aviation maintenance technology from long-term operthe Air Force and ating costs. bachelor’s degrees Another compoin architecture and in nent to my busienvironmental design ness is I spent 14 from Ball State years in the Air University Force and I’m a service-disabled veteran.

In the last few years we’ve obtained the ability to do quite a bit of work for Veterans Affairs as a service disabled veteran-owned small business with a focus on energy efďŹ ciency.

A lot of times our projects deal with mechanical upgrades and electrical upgrades and are more on the engineering side. We try to make sure we design systems that are up to date, modern and energy-efďŹ cient.

We also do projects with the VA in which we upgrade interior hospital spaces, entry lobbies and cooridors, and in those

UPICK‘EM

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Terry Thornbury started Viridian Architectural Design Inc. in 2007.

projects we try to use materials that are sustainable such as those with recycled content or raw materials that are regional or manufactured regionally.

We don’t try necessarily to meet code; we try to exceed code when it comes to energy-efďŹ cient design and do it in way that minimizes operating costs.

Our clients might spend more on energy efďŹ ciency and less on aesthetics knowing their return is going to come back faster, and then they’ll have money for aesthetics they can do later.

We look at window systems, at door systems, and try to ďŹ nd as many things as we can on the building’s envelope that can help increase the energy efďŹ ciency of the building’s shell.

Good window, wall, roof and even slab insulation is important because the energy efďŹ ciency of the building’s envelope is just as important as the energy efďŹ ciency of its mechanical and electrical systems.

We use LED (light-emitting diode) lighting because it uses much less energy n

See THORNSBURY on PAGE 14

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November 15-21, 2013

THORNSBURY: Uytengsu Center at Indiana Tech allowed Viridian to show its capabilities

Continued from PAGE 13

and has a much longer life cycle; it can last 15 to 20 years.

And when we update electrical and mechanical systems we look at plumbing systems as well because we want to look at things that conserve water. Low-flow fixtures can minimize water use as much as possible and the natural water that is outside such as rainwater can be captured as a resource.

We try to get everything to work togethere as a system as best we can.

those concepts into design but realized where I worked I couldn’t make as big of an impact as I wanted to, so I started my own firm to make to make a difference.

I began it with basically nothing and just started picking up the phone and sending out emails and saying, “This is what I’m doing and this is what I want to do.”

I found clients through collaboration with other consultants — I had a pretty good reputation — and I worked off my contacts to pursue projects. And Business Weekly and some other news media covered what I was doing because it was different and the phone started ringing.

How did you start and develop Viridian?

I was in the Air Force Reserves when shortly after 9/11 I was activated and soon I was living in a tent city in the desert.

There were six of us in a tent but we were living so efficiently we would barely accumulate a bag of trash a week. I realized it was very easy to survive and live without all of the extra things we have here in the United States that are wasteful.

It was life changing. I had learned about conservation and energy efficiency in school but it’s when you’re applying those concepts that you become much more aware of them.

I got out in 2005 and tried to integrate

What is ahead for Viridian?

We just recently hired a new marketing director and he is now helping me try to expand our portfolio and go in a multitude of directions. Our opportunities with the VA are fairly good and a lot of our previous experience was in the higher-education market, and we’re able to go into that a little bit more.

We are growing. A year ago we had three or four employees and now we have eight.

We might have nine by Friday. We would expect to be at 10 or 12 people by the end of next year, which is as big as I wanted to get.

That would have been my five-year goal,

but with the economy doing what it did the goal got changed a little bit and the big thing for us has been controlled growth.

We’ve seen a slow, modest turnaround in the economy, and as things are getting better we’re getting bigger and better.

What do you like about your work?

I’m very passionate about what I do.

I’ve been driving a Prius for the last five years and became addicted to saving fuel.

Everything in our office is Energy Star; everything is energy efficient. I love being an architect. Every day I get an opportunity to try to make a difference on our overall impact on this planet.

Buildings are the biggest contributor to energy consumption in the United States.

Most people would think it’s cars, but it’s buildings and I get to help change their design and modify them to make them better.

Do any moments at Viridian stand out?

In 2009 we had two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects and one of them was the Wilfred Uytengsu Sr. Center at Indiana Tech. The former Seitz Center had been built in 1857 and we renovated it and it’s now one of the most energy-efficient buildings in northeast Indiana.

Engineering students at Indiana Tech can check monitors we installed in it to see it operating in real time. It’s an educational tool. That project was a great opportunity for us to prove what we’re capable of doing.

What have you learned through your work?

I’ve learned that it helps to have a wife with an MBA. I’ve learned that it helps to have a really good team because this business and this profession is very team-oriented.

I use an integrated design approach where everybody on the team is there from the beginning of the design process.

It isn’t just the architect meeting with the owner; it’s the architect and the engineers and the design side. You never know when the person in the corner is going to come up with the money-saving idea. We get to the best design much faster by everybody being there.

My background growing up playing sports and understanding team concepts has been very helpful — knowing who the coach is, knowing who the players are and knowing how to lead by example.

By Doug LeDuc. To suggest an idea for “Career Path,” email news@fwbusiness.com.

November 15-21, 2013

Q

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

fwbusiness.com

ASK SCORE

Don’t just use social media to talk; make sure you listen, too Question: What things should my small business consider when using social media?

Answer: Few things have had such a rapid and pervasive effect on small business marketing than social media. Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other elements of this medium have added a new dimension to connecting and interacting with customers, colleagues and potential business partners.

That small businesses have been early adopters of social media comes as no surprise to Jeanne Rossomme, founder and president of Washington, D.C.-based RoadMap Marketing.

“Small business owners were the first to see the potential and show real return on investment from social media,” Rossomme said, adding that she’s still impressed by “how quickly small business owners have seized on the medium and truly obtained positive results — sales, exposure and so forth — with focused consistent communications.”

Melinda Emerson, CEO of MFE Consulting in Drexel Hill, Pa., cited social media’s role as a conduit of real-time information from current and prospective customers, and the competition.

“Every business owner should be using social networking sites as a listening device to understand how their marketplace is changing,” Emerson said.

But like any other marketing tool, it’s important to understand what social media is, how it works and how it fits into your overall strategy “An effective social-media strategy must be tied to your customer buy cycle — where and when customers make decisions on purchasing your product or service,” Rossomme said.

Before incorporating social media into your business/marketing plan, Robbin Block, marketing strategist and owner of Blockbeta Marketing in Seattle, suggested addressing these critical considerations: • Understand where social media fits in the promotional mix.

• Know in advance the medium’s demographic differences; young people use Facebook differently than their parents and grandparents.

• Understand how social media affects other aspects of online marketing, particularly the growing connection between search engines and social media.

Block also cautioned against limiting your social-media strategy to the medium’s “Royal 3”: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

“There are social opportunities at sites that serve specific industries, geographic areas and those with common interests where you can connect with your audience,” she said, adding that small business owners may well determine that social media isn’t for them — at least not right now. “If your customers are somewhere else, that’s where you need to be.”

Provided by SCORE Chapter 50 in Fort Wayne. SCORE is a nonprofit association of more than 12,000 business experts who volunteer as mentors. SCORE offers free mentoring and low-cost workshops nationwide. Call SCORE Chapter 50’s office, 110 W. Berry St., Suite LL101, at (260) 422-2601 for a free counseling session or visit www. score-fortwayne.org. SCORE Chapter 50’s “Ask SCORE” column appears monthly in Business Weekly.

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PAGE 15

PAGE 16

GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly n

fwbusiness.com

If you’re looking for a local, trusted institution to help your employees manage their Health Savings Accounts, the 3Rivers team is ready to help your team today. Your staff can have the peace of mind in knowing they’re taking control of their medical expenses with a 3Rivers HSA.

To learn more about connecting your employees with a 3Rivers Health Savings Account, contact Joshua Fern at (260) 490-8328 ext. 3340 or jfern@trfcu.org.

/N LIMILTL BAKAMCE -NVEQ IMRTQAMCE OQELITLR /N FEER FNQ RES TO EMQNKKLEMS NQ LNMSHKX ACCNTMS LAIMSEMAMCE &ARX NMKIME ACCNTMS NOEMIMG

November 15-21, 2013

n November 15-21, 2013

NEW BUSINESSES D&D Cleaning & More LLC 1312 High St. Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Nina Lepper 5500 Detailing LLC 8309 Bluffview Court Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Jeremy Ballert New Life Health & Wellness, Southwest LLC 2051 Reed Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Joel D. Feeman The Royal Nights Inc. 2516 Abbey Drive, Apt. 3 Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Therrin Eber Waveland Development LLC 10504 Bayless Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Mathison Investments LLC A Better U LLC 3419 Bass Road Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Amy Markley New Life Health & Wellness, North LLC 2051 Reed Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Joel D. Feeman Green Ivy’s Home LLC 4530 Knoll Road Fort Wayne, IN 46809 Melinda Rice D&M Home Services LLC 5101 Holly Oak Road Fort Wayne, IN 46845 Mary J. Schreck Power Energy Corp.

8230 Quincy Court Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Marco Delatorre Do it Best Real Estate Holdings LLC 6502 Nelson Road Fort Wayne, IN 46803 Gary C. Furst D.T. Nails LLC 10220 Chestnut Plaza Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Michelle Nguyen Bass Holdings Inc. 10606 Lake Pointe Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46845 Jason Bass Jesus Barajas Estrada LLC 1215 Columbia Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Jesus B. Estrada

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

READER’S GUIDE BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from northeast Indiana courthouses, state government offices and informational Web sites.

These listings are intended to help companies find new customers as well as stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Businesses lists firms that were recently incorporated in the state of Indiana. Information is gathered from the Indiana Secretary of State.

Addresses listed may not be the actual address of the business.

Building Permits are issued by the Allen County Building Department during the specified period of time.

Real Estate is a list of agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential real estate sales recorded by the state of Indiana.

Bankruptcies are from the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Indiana.

For complete data involving a particular filing please access the The PACER Service Center, the Federal Judiciary’s centralized registration, billing, and technical support center for electronic access to U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate court records. Its Web site URL is http://pacer. psc.uscourts.gov.

BizLeads

CEDAR CREEK TOWNSHIP

Jesus Villa-Mesa LLC 3315 Smith St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Jesus V. Mesa

Joe and Dough LLC 301 Airport North Office Park Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Andy Norton

LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP

Singh & Singh Oil Corp.

1826 Greybirch Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Gurjit Nanrhe

CLJF Realty LLC 116 E. Berry St., Suite 302 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Carrie H. Gutman

MWB Photography L.L.C. 4705 Indiana Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Michael Butrum

Neighborhood Smoke House LLC 2909 Devon Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Derrick J. Dufor

Labstaff USA LLC 909 River Oak Run Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Carey Gross Gabriel Flores Nino LLC 3418 S. Anthony Blvd.

Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Gabriel F. Nino

The Citron Stripe LLC 3209 Simcoe Court Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Alexandra Burton

Nest 2 Impress LLC 9319 Sugar Mill Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Allison Wagler NIFDES LLC 2955 St. Louis Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46809 Donna Maskell Body Alchemy Bath Works LLC 2104 Parkland Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Juliana Dawson 3I Corp.

301 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 200 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Andrew D. Boxberger Douglas Holding Group Inc. 210 Passier Court Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Steven S. Douglas

Jac & Elsie LLC 111 E. Wayne St., Suite 800 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Damian B. Gosheff

Sonia Beatriz Jolon LLC 6002 S. Calhoun St. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Sonia B. Jolon

Gloy Trade International LLC 7319 Kingsway Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46819 Benjamin Gloy

Listings may vary due to information availability and space constraints.

LTE Enterprises LLC 116 E. Berry St., Suite 302 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 W. Randall Kammeyer

fwbusiness.com

Kick Apparel LLC 12312 Butterbrook Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Robert Hale

Summit Academy Inc. 2320 Maumee Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46803 Al Jennings

Professional Builders & Restoration LLC 301 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 200 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Richard P. Samek

PAGES 17-19

Maria Luisa Jimenez LLC 2047 Thompson Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Maria L. Jimenez

Patents include the following: Patent number, local inventor and assignee, brief description, filed date and approved date. Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office.

US Consulting LLC 6226 Hathaway Road Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Alan Boyle

n

Dunamis Machine Works LLP 5923 Kristie Lane Fort Wayne, IN 46816 Rachel M. Judt Cognitive Health Services LLC 6018 Eagle Creek Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Hyun O. Kim

Braish Business Investments Inc. 5324 Glenrose Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Chadi Braish

JH Equipment Leasing LLC 301 W. Jefferson Blvd., Suite 200 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Robert L. Nicholson

Bryant Operations Corp.

3003 Barnhart Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 Richard Allen Bryant II

Fremont Properties LLC 9009 Greyhawk Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Robert Current

Likable Art LLC 4607 Fairfield Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Cory Heimann

Colors R Us LLC 2511 Callman Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Tina M. Vangorder

Efren Quintana-Gonzalez LLC 278 Country Forest Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Efren Q. Gonzalez

Extract Consultants LLC 444 E. Main St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Jeffrey B. Harding Antonio Becerra LLC 5708 Blissfield Court, Lot 49 Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Antonio Becerra

Oswaldo Aguirre LLC 3105 Abbott St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Oswaldo Aguirre

COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS FORT WAYNE WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Strebig Construction Inc. 3810 Concept Court $850,000

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS

J&K Contractors 5816 Deer Hollow Place $350,000

Granite Ridge Builders Inc. 9803 Iron Bridge Road $382,988 Wannemacher Design Build LLC 10814 Azbury Blvd. $275,000

PERRY TOWNSHIP Delagrange Homes LLC 5221 Cedar Springs Blvd. $252,900 Hescot Builders Inc. 12592 Volterra Cove $250,000 Lancia Homes 13004 Claret Court $167,350 Carriage Place Homes Inc. 12552 Tocchi Cove $240,000

Granite Ridge Builders Inc. 9825 Chapmans Blvd. $314,900

Granite Ridge Builders Inc. 3927 Irene Court $152,791

Timberlin Homes LLC 9146 Sunriver Court $240,000

ALLEN COUNTY ABOITE TOWNSHIP Windsor Inc. 1410 Cypress Spring Drive $253,800 Bauman Construction Inc. 3122 Homestead Hills Run $220,000 Heller & Sons Inc. 9010 Strathmore Lane $155,000

12984 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458

6810 Briarcliff Drive From Alicia L. Myers to Lukis S. Gessner $97,500 9328 Sugar Mill Drive From Christopher R. and Tamara S. Wells to Alan H. and Cathy A. Senteney $246,500 6922 Dry Creek Court From Barry Ochstein to Tracy Y. Rozier $178,000 7254 Hazelett Road From CP-SRMOF II 2012-A Trust to Beverly Gudakunst and Darryl Agler $40,000 7409 Diane Drive From Jacquelyn L. Harmon to R&V Rentals LLC $70,000

12993 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458

Carriage Place Homes Inc. 2019 Lake Front Drive $249,000

NEW HAVEN ADAMS TOWNSHIP

5255 Woodlea Ave. From Fannie Mae to Bryan J. and Kamilia R. Fowler $74,500

Lancia Homes 15470 Towne Gardens Court $160,250

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

Windsor Inc. 1541 Citation Lane $149,260

13026 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458

46845

FORT WAYNE ABOITE TOWNSHIP

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

9511 Wheelock Road From Larry N. and Patricia L. Parker to Daniel T. and Susan J. Parker $120,000

Star Homes by Delagrange & Richhart Inc. 13514 Argamont Terrace $456,877

ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP

REAL-ESTATE TRANSACTIONS 46835 5210 Timbers End Place From Ronald J. and Erica Schweyer to Eugene D. Stephenson II $144,180 4922 Montcalm Court From James A. and Megan L. Arnold to Christopher J. Cummins $142,900 9504 Briarcrest Court From Tim and Carol Malcolm to Joe and Alicia Neukom $89,000

PAGE 17

12927 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 12971 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 13057 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 13091 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 13092 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 13068 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458

12936 Claret Court From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 13001 Toscana Passage From Windsor Homes Inc. to Bradley D. and Megan A. McCleary $40,000 1529 Vintners Way From PT Development Corp. to Springmill Woods Development LLC $732,458 12490 Tocchi Drive From Tuscany LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $44,086 13222 Delano Cove From Steury & Sons Construction LLC to Evan G. Long $147,000 4508 Denali Cove From Thomas A. and Tonya R. Dant to Erik L. and Christina M. Fox $425,000 902 Windrift Lane From Allen County sheriff to Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Reo LLC $166,000 13101 Winding Vine Run From Lancia Homes Inc. to Kevin A. and Leanne M. Stahl $201,700 2535 Baywood Trail From Performance Property Group LLC to Mathew J. Konkler and Kristin J. Zeedyk $435,000 12109 Shearwater Run From Kim I. and Sherley B. Miller to Brandi A. Knutson $132,000 16732 T Tarn Trail From Brian P. and Kimberly S. Howey to Landon Hapner $119,000 6907 Baswin Cove From Millennium Development Inc. to Jeffrey A. and Tamara S. Cover $369,900

PAGE 18

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13202 Boarstone Cove From Fannie Mae to Douglas R. Adelsperger $147,900 11325 Tall Oak Run From Granite Ridge Builders Inc. to Rafael M. and Rosa L. Aybar $49,820 11206 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126

11215 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 4780 Trailside Crossing From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 11202 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126

11168 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 11124 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 4726 Honey Oak Run From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $116,708

11186 Dupont Oaks Blvd.

From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $116,708 11278 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11240 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658

11288 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11254 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 4753 Trailside Crossing From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11275 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11297 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11288 Belleharbour Cove From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $437,658 11129 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126

Internet Directory www.fwbusiness.com IT SUPPORT & SERVICES • Innovative Technology Group, LLC Contact: Bob Peters 3201 Stellhorn Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 260-818-0135 itgnei.com

START-UP CAPITAL & ENTREPRENEURAL NEW BUSINESS RESOURCES • Northeast Indiana Innovation Center Inc. Contact: Gulya Alexander 3201 Stellhorn Road Fort Wayne, IN 46815 260-407-6442 niic.net

Be a part of Business Weekly's Internet Directory for $30/week.

Call Today!

260-426-2640

11159 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 11195 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 11229 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126 11263 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126

November 15-21, 2013

12835 Sutters Parkway From Michael Winarta and Ningwi Ko to Dawn P. Dunn $295,000

16725 T. Tarn Trail From Save Book FJB Properties to Daniel T. Miller $139,000

12551 Gondola Parkway From Timberlin Homes to Samuel W. and Sarah A. French $306,970

12422 Shearwater Run From Westport Homes of Fort Wayne Inc. to Manishkumar S. and Nikki M. Patel $177,700

4120 Avery Pass From Wilmer J. Blanchard IV and Karen P. Blanchard to Jacob Flynn and Marva J. Eberly $303,500

12322 Virginia Hills Court From the Sharon J. Moening living trust to Lance C. and Kristina Adams $255,000

ALLEN COUNTY

10320 River Rapids Run From Bruce C. and Jennifer L. Sharp to Joshua D. and Mallory A. Zehr $179,900

2025 Chancel Way From the Robert E. And Ramona S. Colby revocable living trust to Susan L. Hanzel $266,000

Shamera L. Washington 3518 Oliver St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Assets: $9,922 Liabilities: $96,239

13324 Della Furba Court From Ramon E. Brown to Dianne Schaffner $222,000

Melissa L. Long 7434 Hope Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46815 Assets: $4,140 Liabilities: $61,772

5325 Cedar Springs Blvd.

From Paul A. and Theresa A. Gilley to Edward J. and Kristen A. Brower $66,000

Damion M. Menchan 3007 Queen St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Assets: $35,870 Liabilities: $93,510

11912 N. Star Place From Helen M. Bassett to Gregory Bermes $139,000

Ihoness L. Rozier 6906 Selkirk Drive Ft Wayne, IN 46816 Assets: $3,025 Liabilities: $20,474

12594 Gondola Parkway From Tuscany LLC to Lancia Homes Inc. $62,900 13110 Vitiano Court From Katherine E. Allan to Vivian I. Farmer $201,000 2924 Southway Drive From Allen County sheriff to James Apollo and Tammy Lee-Apollo $44,000 12404 Muscovy Drive From Granite Ridge Builders Inc. to Mark and Elizabeth Racine $354,299 1135 Winnsboro Pass From Brandon and Stephanie Dickmeyer to Spencer S. Lewis $198,500 10604 Oak Trail Road From Joseph J. and Linda C. Kartje to Robert W. and Tamra D. Myers $175,500 13519 Galloway Cove From Classic Heights LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $50,600 11923 Westwind Drive From Burke A. and Gail A. Despain to Cynthia and Stuart Barnes $148,500

11293 Parkers Bay Drive From Domo Development Co. LLC to Granite Ridge Builders Inc. $350,126

4834 Holly Oak Road From Paul A. Meehan to Robert Kincaid $170,000

12880 Starling Cove From Westport Homes of Fort Wayne Inc. to Jennifer D. Garner $195,300

5931 Spring Oak Court From the secretary of veterans affairs to Venture Property & Investment LLC $98,750

13216 Dolcetto Cove From Eric J. and Mary E. Konken to Janelle M. Braun $262,000

10629 Springtide Way From Michael and Maribeth Corcoran to James A. and Megan L. Arnold $232,000

12430 Gondola Parkway From J&K Contractors to Koji and Bonnie N. Nishibuchi $353,000 12430 Gondola Parkway From David and Danelle Nesseth to J&K Contractors $353,000 12806 Chaplin Court From Kam Construction Inc. to Victoria L. Boyol-Devine $159,350 13340 Hawks View Blvd.

From Tom Schmucker Construction LP to Robert H. and Marsha A. Neely $157,500 12722 Canyon Creek Blvd.

From Brick Properties LLC to William J. Roughia Jr. and Abby M. Roughia $215,000

46774 9613 Elk Grove Court From Margaret Phillips to Vickie L. Pohnert $89,500

46804 5323 Tomahawk Trail From Diane R. Medert Revocable Trust to Maurice D. Springer $140,000

BANKRUPTCIES ADAMS COUNTY Steven N. and Margene D. Harvey 710 N. Third St. Decatur, IN 46733 Assets: $147,309 Liabilities: $147,290

Lisa M. Imel 11819 Bluffton Road Fort Wayne, IN 46809 Assets: $680 Liabilities: $62,431

Amy Y. Totten-Jones P.O. Box 13004 Fort Wayne, IN 46866 Assets: $2,970 Liabilities: $35,187 Susan R. Rucker 2307 Stonebriar Road Fort Wayne, IN 46814 Assets: $19,825 Liabilities: $30,355 Jared T. Adams 1512 St. Mary’s Ave, #B Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Assets: $4,215 Liabilities: $21,694 James R. Hopkins 2214 W. Point Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Assets: $2,450 Liabilities: $94,743 John L. Theodore 5031 Webster St. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Assets: $64,808 Liabilities: $86,084 Allen J. and Christa M. Smith 8612 Timbermill Place Fort Wayne, IN 46804 Assets: $179,400 Liabilities: $172,075 James R. and Judy R. Anders 7221 Old Trail Road Fort Wayne, IN 46809 Assets: $12,220 Liabilities: $49,180

November 15-21, 2013

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

Cynthia A. Nissen 1808 Sinclair St. Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Assets: $13,765 Liabilities: $156,045

Sandra Y. Saksena 2032 Monet Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46845 Assets: $189,650 Liabilities: $186,466

Brian L. Geiger 3104 Beaver Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Assets: $555 Liabilities: $14,040

Joseph L. and Shelley A. Shaut 4729 Blade Court Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Assets: $165,967 Liabilities: $152,738

Christopher A. Saine Sr. and Chastity M. Saine 54 Weshire Place Yoder, IN 46798 Assets: $13,525 Liabilities: $271,508 Anthony B. and Angela L. Blake 6104 Hystone Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46816 Assets: $13,860 Liabilities: $47,800

Billy R. Fore Jr. and Natacha N. Fore 4308 Morgan Crossing Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Assets: $23,555 Liabilities: $132,435 Ricky L. Wagner 148 Sturm St. New Haven, IN 46774 Assets: $70,400 Liabilities: $90,197

Angela Cantu 121 W. Paulding Road Fort Wayne, IN 46807 Assets: $19,228 Liabilities: $70,268

Connie J. White 4737 Winter St. Fort Wayne, IN 46806 Assets: $72,295 Liabilities: $75,802

Anthony L. Fleming 1429 Spring St. Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Assets: $22,451 Liabilities: $126,053

Patrice A. Griggs 7363 Lakeridge Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46819 Assets: $8,150 Liabilities: $31,102

Rose Baker 406 Cedar Glen Drive, Apt. 2 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Assets: $3,799 Liabilities: $18,011

Gregory O. Black 5333 St. Joe Center Road Fort Wayne, IN 46835 Assets: $88,337 Liabilities: $104,868

Reed E. Napier 4302 E. Tillman Road Fort Wayne, IN 46816 Assets: $185,600 Liabilities: $194,343 Kevin J. and Jessica L. Bure 1615 Sherman Blvd., Apt. R Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Assets: $2,700 Liabilities: $82,507 Jerry D. Humbert 15720 Antwerp Road Grabill, IN 46741 Assets: $5,650 Liabilities: $30,527 Bryan R. and Nanette K. Reed 214 Passier Court Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Assets: $149,894 Liabilities: $216,974

Q

fwbusiness.com

Thomas L. and Eva J. Wells 12725 Ewing St. Leo, IN 46765 Assets: $109,400 Liabilities: $161,904

William E. Mayotte Jr. and Debra K. Mayotte 1330 Gay St. Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $89,470 Liabilities: $54,681

James C. and Suzanna M. Millhouse P.O. Box 451 Angola, IN 46703 Assets: $5,752 Liabilities: $20,972

DEKALB COUNTY

LAGRANGE COUNTY

Tabatha J. Winters 0968 C.R. 60 Garrett, IN 46738 Assets: $14,409 Liabilities: $169,868

Larry W. Lower 588 Maple Ridge Lagrange, IN 46761 Assets: $5,470 Liabilities: $71,316

Dawson N. and Andrea R. Gorrell 5282 S. 225 West Pleasant Lake, IN 46779 Assets: $20,453 Liabilities: $34,212

Samuel E. and Lisa M. Hicks 210 N. James St. Garrett, IN 46738 Assets: $53,953 Liabilities: $132,465

Jeffrey A. and Pamela S. Lowe 9170 W. 770 North Shipshewana, IN 46565 Assets: $25,500 Liabilities: $64,366

Roy A. and Christina A. Bell 10725 W. 575 North Orland, IN 46776 Assets: $139,443 Liabilities: $99,725

Elizabeth F. Hart P.O. Box 1141 Shipshewana, IN 46565 Assets: $1,575 Liabilities: $28,342

Sharon A. Evans 547 Northcrest Road Angola, IN 46703 Assets: $3,337 Liabilities: $47,110

NOBLE COUNTY

WELLS COUNTY

Kristina L. Andrews 905 W. Main St. Albion, IN 46701 Assets: $14,320 Liabilities: $47,362

Jennifer L. Borgwardt 4811 E. 100 North Bluffton, IN 46714 Assets: $3,100 Liabilities: $44,527

Joseph L. and Lolita A. Sylve 724 W. William St. Kendallville, IN 46755 Assets: $99,970 Liabilities: $156,732

Jamie M. Gerber 519 S. Morgan St. Bluffton, IN 46714 Assets: $60,963 Liabilities: $89,609

HUNTINGTON COUNTY Jacquelyn M. Antoine 1017 N. Wayne St. Warren, IN 46792 Assets: $55,150 Liabilities: $103,640 Jackie L. and Susan K. Sills 728 N. Main St. Warren, IN 46792 Assets: $218,150 Liabilities: $194,613 Kyle D. and Korenda L. Bracht 6 Jade Road Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $76,187 Liabilities: $105,335

Karin S. Sherbahn 3717 Mulberry Road Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Assets: $94,325 Liabilities: $181,527

Ashley W. and Shanna L. Sides 235 Stadium Drive Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $8,750 Liabilities: $24,899

Marshandrius C. Thornton 10125 Avalon Way, Apt. 4 Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Assets: $1,295 Liabilities: $316,075

Scott C. and Tamara K. Tyree 739 E. 1200 North Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $16,537 Liabilities: $136,996

Max E. Caldwell II 2714 Otsego Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Assets: $1,460 Liabilities: $25,011

Rondal W. Vanover 1143 White Dove Court Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $555 Liabilities: $46,164

Jose L. Soto Jr. 1329 Zollars St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Assets: $21,120 Liabilities: $32,723

David J. and Julie A. Bye 439 Mayne St. Huntington, IN 46750 Assets: $49,953 Liabilities: $253,423

Susan E. Knapp 1919 Oak Tree Road Kendallville, IN 46755 Assets: $36,750 Liabilities: $57,214

Steven D. Clark 2376 N. 500 West Bluffton, IN 46714 Assets: $1,050 Liabilities: $39,132

WHITLEY COUNTY Ashley M. Masters 119 Henry St. Kendallville, IN 46755 Assets: $1,920 Liabilities: $17,442

Austin L. Salesman 10846 S. 250 West South Whitley, IN 46787 Assets: $102,804 Liabilities: $102,606

Brandie L. Colbert 330 E. Mitchell St. Kendallville, IN 46755 Assets: $38,655 Liabilities: $19,579

Matt S. and Jacquelyn M. Hess 848 Summit Drive Columbia City, IN 46725 Assets: $13,600 Liabilities: $7,255

STEUBEN COUNTY Joshua J. and Tori R. Daglow 425 S. Shoup St., #2 Angola, IN 46703 Assets: $10,813 Liabilities: $50,102

Brandon M. and Christine M. Eaglin 211 W. Spencer St. Columbia City, IN 46725 Assets: $3,500 Liabilities: $209,596

Jenny L. Shoda 412 N. Elm St. Columbia City, IN 46725 Assets: $15,550 Liabilities: $56,289 Terry M. and Elizabeth A. Lankford 109 E. Hanna St. Columbia City, IN 46725 Assets: $156,100 Liabilities: $141,322 Brenda S. Sievers 414 S. Walnut Columbia City, IN 46725 Assets: $5,300 Liabilities: $57,317

PATENTS D692,746 Bridging clip Thomas J. Lawson, West Chester, Ohio Gregg A. Stahl, Fort Wayne John J. Collins, Jr., Lebanon, Ohio Thomas J. Atkinson, McDonough, Ga. Gregory S. Ralph, Springboro, Ohio Filed: March 13, 2013 Approved: Nov. 5, 2013

PAGE 19

8,573,018

8,568,253

System for manufacturing wire Gregory S. Caudill, Fort Wayne Joshua S. Jur, Fort Wayne Essex Group Inc., Atlanta Filed: Jan. 15, 2010 Approved: Nov. 5, 2013

Golf swing training device and method Thomas M. Shoaff, Fort Wayne Filed: Dec. 18, 2012 Approved: Oct, 29, 2013

8,567,609

Patella tracking method and apparatus for use in surgical navigation Garrett Sheffer, Hoboken, N.J. Ryan Schoenefeld, Fort Wayne Biomet Manufacturing LLC, Warsaw Filed: Jan. 21, 2009 Approved: Oct. 29, 2013

Apparatus and method for separating and concentrating fluids containing multiple components Matthew D. Landrigan, Fort Wayne Michael D. Leach, Warsaw Joel C. Higgins, Claypool Biomet Biologics LLC, Warsaw Filed: April 19, 2011 Approved: Oct. 29, 2013

8,568,307

8,581,480

Hands-free use of a balfour blade Todd Rumsey, Fort Wayne Tippmann Medical LLC, Fort Wayne Filed: June 11, 2010 Approved: Oct. 29, 2013

Self-regenerating particulate trap systems for emissions and methods thereof Ali Ogut, Pittsford, N.Y. Cheng Chen, Fort Wayne Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, N.Y. Filed: Sept. 2, 2011 Approved: Nov. 12, 2013

8,571,637

8,574,238 Instruments, kit and method for suture management Anthony D. Zannis, Fort Wayne Prasanna Malaviya, Fort Wayne Keith M. McGrath, Warsaw Herbert E. Schwartz, Fort Wayne DePuy Mitek LLC, Raynham, Mass.

Filed: Oct. 28, 2005 Approved: Nov. 5, 2013

Tired of Computer Issues...

8,573,620 Vehicle suspension system Jonathan D. Batdorff, Fort Wayne International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC, Lisle, Ill. Filed: March 02, 2010 Approved: Nov. 5, 2013

Come see my dad

BRIEFLY

A L LE N C O U N T Y

ZOO POSTS SECOND-HIGHEST ANNUAL ATTENDANCE The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s annual attendance this year of 545,900 was the second-highest in its 48-year history.

The zoo opened in 1965 and set an attendance record of 614,666 in 2009, the year its African Journey exhibit opened.

About 96 percent of this year’s attendance took place during the regular zoo season and 20,156 visited it during the Wild Zoo Halloween. It will reopen on April 26.

“We are thankful for the support of our members, out-of-town guests and the entire community for another great year,” Zoo Director Jim Anderson said in a statement.

“Our staff works hard to provide an excellent experience for our visitors. I’m

proud of the work we do to connect our guests with animals every day.”

The zoo is run by the Fort Wayne Zoological Society nonprofit group. It operates without tax support, relying on sponsorships and donations as well as sales of memberships, tickets and concessions.

It is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction; 40 percent of its guests are from outside of Allen County, including 20 percent who live outside of Indiana.

260-484-4634 www.signaturemac.com

n PAGE 20

Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Top List GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly n

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November 15-21, 2013

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

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PAGE 21

Price isn’t a good reason for losing out on a sale Seventy-four n percent of salespeople complain about losing a sale because their price was too high. And 74 percent of them are wrong.

How did you lose the sale?

Why did you lose the sale?

Was it really price?

Or was it you?

Losing the sale manifests itself in complaints about: price, unreturned phone calls, bidding, loyalty to others and other blame-based excuses about why a sale does not take place and the relationship isn’t being built. Ouch.

Here are the major reasons why salespeople lose sales: 1. The customer was loyal to someone else. Your first job is to uncover what makes customers loyal. What’s the real reason they continue to do business with someone else? Ask yourself if you and your company possess the same qualities.

2. Lack of real connection to, or with, the buyer. The prospective customer is looking for comfort, peace of mind and assurance 3. Lack of engagement. You weren’t able to create real interactive dialogue.

4. Lack of perceived value. If the customer does not perceive genuine, definable value in your offer, then there is none.

5. Lack of perceived difference. If the customer does not perceive genuine, definable difference between you and your competition, then there is none.

6. Lack of relationship. When long-term relationship is present, truth, trust and value are the basis of purchase.

7. Lack of hustle. Response time to a customer’s need for service and/or information are critical factors in purchase.

8. Poor salesmanship. This has fundamental flaws of preparedness and presentation skills. There’s an obvious lack of questioning skills or sales strategies that create a buying atmosphere.

9. Poor attitude. The way you present yourself and your word choice combined with your tone and demeanor leave a huge impression on the customer. And that impression is either positive, neutral or negative — and you choose how you made them feel.

10 Lack of ability to reduce or eliminate risk. This may be the prime factor in losing sales. And the least talked about. The simple answer is: proof. Can you substantiate your claims?

10.5 Failing to do your best. Without

JEFFREY GITOMER

a doubt, this is the biggest flaw in salespeople. Whether it’s attitude, belief, self-confidence, preparation or follow-up, your execution at a level less than best leaves a huge opening for your competition to win.

Reality: None of these reasons is ever stated by salespeople. Instead, they (you) blame the loss of a sale on price.

“They took the lowest price,” is the most often stated reason for the loss of a sale.

And it is totally bogus. It’s easy to blame “price” for the loss. It’s harder to face and discover the real “why.”

The reality (and lifelong value) of why you lost a sale is forever silenced when you blame the loss on price and move on to the next sale.

Reality: “The customer took the lowest

price,” is as bogus as “my dog ate my homework.” The fact is you let the customer control the selling/buying process. Not good.

Strategy: Get the customer to change the criteria of proposal submission in a way that is both in favor of the customer and you.

Give customers ideas to get the order: Make customers aware of the cost of buying inferior products as it relates to work stoppage and lack of productivity. Make them aware of the value of their image and reputation.

Prove it to win it: Make everyone competing provide a video testimonial for each item they’re selling and every claim they make about it. Document and prove elements like service response time, how friendly you and your team are, and how

understanding business loans

easy you are to do business with.

The reality of blame: The opposite of blame is responsibility. In sales, responsibility is taken, not given. Be responsible to yourself and for yourself. Don’t blame the customer, help the customer. Do not let the real reasons you lost the sale get tangled up in blame.

Ask yourself: Why did you really lose that sale? What could you have done to make it?

“Jeffrey,” you whine, “But what about “bidding?” You know the people who take three bids then choose the lowest price? I’ve got some surprise answers about bidders next week.

JEFFREY GITOMER, a syndicated columnist, can be reached at salesman@gitomer.com.

the power of partnership

how a business loan can help your business

Businesses ha ve un ique financial requirements. Fortunately, there are a variety of loans designed specifically to meet these needs. Many business lending financial programs have been developed to help companies expand and keep new start-up ventures strong.

“The best place to get a business loan is still a [financial institution] . . . [They] typically offer the lowest interest rates and many have established reputations as trustworthy lenders,” said Dan Weil from Bankrate.

Local financial institutions, in comparison with online lenders, are more likely to undertand the community in which your business works and form a close relationship with you. This relationship is one of the many reasons funding from a local financial institution can be so profitable. Weil mentions, “The key to success with [financial institutions] today is to show past profitability and to describe a well thought-out plan for future profits.”

Many business owners who want to make small expansions or upgrades to their businesses end up postponing because they don’t realize that loans are not just intended for large sums of money. So, if you need to buy a few computers or vehicles to expand your business, it may be the perfect time to apply. Generally, the smaller the loan amount, the easier it is to be approved.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) works with financial institutions around the country to provide small businesses with loans. Utilizing the search tools provided by the SBA can help you find financial institutions in your area that are well-versed and interested in providing small business loans.

There are several loan types offered by the SBA. The 7(a) Loan Program provides funding for businesses with special requirements and is the SBA’s most common loan program.

To be eligible, your business must:

Be for-profit Meet the criteria to be defined as “small” by the SBA Do business in the United States Try other financial resources, such as personal assets, before attempting to receive loan assistance Demonstrate need for the loan Utilize funds for business purposes Not be delinquent in debt obligations to the government

Since some businesses rely on lenders to provide the capital they need to either open a business or finance capital improvements, keeping the communication open with your local lender is important in order to help your business grow.

Information provided by iAB Financial Bank.

Contact Matt Blair today for more information.

5217 Merchandise Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | p: 260.iAB.BANK | t: 855.422.2264 | Visit us at iabfinancial.com today.

MEMBER FDIC

PAGE 22

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GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly n

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November 15-21, 2013

EMPYREAN: Former Summit Club space can be rented for private parties, corporate events

Continued from PAGE 1

the downtown area,” Fiechter said. “Something the community can be proud of again.

From the food, to the wait staff, to the cocktails, we want to make sure our clients get the value that they want when we create an event.”

Fiechter said that 20 percent of the cost of venue rentals will go to her nonprofit organization, Lendingahand.net, which facilitates donations to charities from local businesses. This revenue goes only to Lendingahand.net’s operating costs, not to the charities it supports.

On a recent tour, workers stocked wine racks, installed the last of some 27,000 LED lights and applied finishing touches to wood varnish while the chef, Patrick Whetstone, sliced pineapples in the kitchen. Renee Miner, Empyrean’s event designer, said she was looking forward to the grand opening.

“Anyone who grew up in this community has a memory of the Summit Club,” she said. “The space has been vacant for too long, and Fort Wayne is ready to have a high-end event venue.”

Miner’s husband, Jeremy Miner, will serve as the general manager and sommelier. They met Fiechter in March, “and it’s been a whirlwind ever since — it just

JOEL ELLIOTT

Jeremy Miner, general manager and sommelier at Empyrean, stocks wine prior to the venue’s opening.

clicked,” Renee Miner said.

Between them, the Miners have worked in the event-planning industry for more than 20 years and have organized events for companies in Chicago and Indianapolis.

Both of them grew up in northeast Indiana.

Events at Empyrean can include private parties, corporate events, presentations, weddings or receptions. The company is not a private club, as was the Summit Club.

The venue, located at 110 W. Berry St., can accommodate up to 1,000 people, but can be partitioned into separate spaces to hold much smaller groups.

The event coordinator can use the LED lighting system to change the color of any room for branding or effect purposes. One space is set up with an overhead projector for corporate presentations.

Most of the renovations have been cosmetic, so the basic structure and layout of the space remains the same, Fiechter said. Tables can be reserved for 10, eight or six guests.

The Allen County charities that Lendingahand.net supports include Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, the Carriage House, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Erin’s House for Grieving Children, the Fallen Hero Fund, Lifeline Youth and Family Services Inc., Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House and Project Linus.

The per-person cost at Empyrean ranges from $70-$90 and includes an open bar, cocktail reception and meal service, according to its website. Each event will be custom-tailored to client needs, with varying arrangements of food stations, entrees, specialty drinks and snacks.

You r Busi n e ss Fi rst Since 1863, 1st Source Bank has helped businesses in our community grow and prosper by offering distinctive convenience, delivered with straight talk and sound advice, always keeping their best interests in mind.

Let us help your business grow. We’ll offer you great service, convenient banking and the checking and loan products needed to reach your goals. We’ll bring full service business banking to you. Call us at 260 969-2307.

1stsource.com/business/sba-loans

November 15-21, 2013

n GREATER FORT WAYNE Business Weekly

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PAGE 23

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM ROZIER

Mary Barksdale has had her prescriptions filled at Community Care Pharmacy since it opened 20 years ago.

n

PHARMACY: Butler is a ‘great educator’

Continued from PAGE 1

Working as a pharmacist for the past 20 years has made Butler a fixture in the community of Fort Wayne’s south end. He knows the members of the community, and they know him. One woman, Mary Barksdale, a retiree from International Harvester who has lived in the south end for the past 40 years, said she’s gotten her prescriptions filled for her glaucoma at the Community Care Pharmacy for the entire 20 years it has been in existence.

She recalled the time she became worried when doctors changed one of her eyedrop medications because a previous change in the medication had resulted in a bad reaction. Butler researched the eye medication and handed over several pages detailing his findings, and explained that she had nothing to fear, Barksdale said.

“He is a very patient pharmacist. He truly cares about everybody who comes through his door,” Barksdale said. “I know that when I or another customer of his have any concerns, he will do the research on his own because if we are concerned, he is concerned.”

William Rozier, a photographer and designer who also lives in south Fort Wayne, said various members of his family have relied on the pharmacy over the years.

Rozier is putting together a publication to celebrate its two decades of service.

“He’s like Cal Ripkin,” Rozier said of Butler. “He’s like the guy who basically played for the same team all of his life, and you can depend on him — he’s always there, and he brings a consistency that this community needs.”

Butler is known for his work in the

community outside of the pharmacy as well, volunteering with the NAACP and other organizations. Bill Crowley, who serves as the organization’s current treasurer, said Butler showed him the ropes of the position.

“He’s provided a great service for the community, and I know him as a friend, I met him when he first came here,” Crowley said. “He’s certainly a person who likes to help the community any way he can.”

Deborah McMahan, health commissioner for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, said Community Care Pharmacy provides an invaluable service for the people in the area. Butler’s location in the Lafayette Medical Center on the southwest corner of Lafayette and Pontiac streets provides easy access to health care for people who otherwise might have difficulty getting transportation across town to another facility, she said.

“We’ve worked with (Butler) at the health department a lot, and it’s great, because he’s a great educator, he takes the time, for instance, to teach kids with asthma about how to use inhalers, so he’s a great resource,” she said. “He’s a great value to that area and to that medical office.”

Butler said 20 years of operating as the area’s primary pharmacy have gone by quickly.

“The biggest thing I’ve enjoyed has been working with the patients,” he said.

“And it’s been gratifying to see us be able to meet some real health-care needs. People trust us — they respect us, they like coming here. We’re small, direct; we might not have mega-billions, but if a patient is coming here, chances are, we know them, and we know their needs.”

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November 15-21, 2013

Turn to the bank that’s 100% invested in your business.

With flexible loans, credit terms, online banking and more, Lake City Bank gives your business the resources it needs to grow.

After all, we’re the largest bank solely dedicated to Indiana.

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3306 Independence Drive Fort Wayne, IN 46808

Business Weekly

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