CRESCE~T
RESOURCES
INC.
LOCAL VOICE LONG DISTANCE ENHANCED DATA INTERNET MESSAGING
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f
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a
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l8cover
story
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e
s
santa time Larry Black provides facilities support for South Trust Bank's Charlotte properties most of the year, but every Thanksgiving he shuts the office door and puts on his Santa suit. For the next four weeks, he'll travel over 2,000 miles visiting nu rsing ho mes, assisted living centers, child care centers and Christmas parties.
charlotte's grow th:
33 are we overbuilt?
A recent report from the FDIC says Charlotte is at risk for overbuilding in the area of commercial rea l estate, which includes office, industrial, multi-family, retail and hotel development. It's the third straight year the FDIC has included the Queen City on the list. Local developers wonder what all the fuss is about.
11
•
real estate biz ballantyne takes shape
de artments publisher's post
4
biz digest
7
biz calendar
9
president ofThe Bissell Companies, says, the best is yet to come.
regional biz
IS
On slate for next fall is the Ballantyne Resort, the first destination
lancaster county grows
With one million square feet of office space in place, over 300,000 square feet of nearby retail, and homes ranging from the low $100s to over $2 million, Ballantyne is already a major success. But as Ned Curran,
resort in the entire Charlotte area. Make your reservations early.
•
Co mpani es seeking a locati o n accessibl e to
24
Cha rl otte and its benefits, but witho ut th e high
child's play
La ncaster Coun ty. And there a re quite a numbe r
Deb Hines, a commercial furniture consult-
of them - over th e last fo ur yea rs, ca pita l
land costs o r big city living, are looking to
ant and owner of DH & Associates, was asked by her daughter's school to advise them on purchasing furniture for the classrooms and computer labs. Her research led her to the launch of a new ven-
invest men t in La ncaster Coun ty has ave raged abou t $100 m illi o n annua lly.
biz resource guide
44
ture, Youth Ergonomics, Inc., which she and her partners hope will not only provide a solution to poor ergonomic design in chi ldren's furniture but be a successful business as well.
38 personal trainer Darlene Pearson and The Avenue Group train Web designers, graphics
on t he cover:
This month's cover features Larry Black and 15-month-old Charlie Schilling, son of Linda C. and jeffrey A. Schilling. Photo b)' Wa)'ne Mo1TiS.
professionals, technical writers, project managers, and instructional designers on a wide range of high-end software programs. It's not your average tra ining course. As Pearson notes, "Everybody does some so rt of tra ining, but we train a very specific and sophisticated audience."
greater crarlotte biz
cliaflotte iz december 2000
3
cliaflotte
Wi
IZ
December 2000 Volume I • Issue I I Publisher John Paul Galle s jgall es@greatercharlottebiz.com
Associate Publisher Maryl A. Lane maryl.a.lane@greatercharlottebiz.com
Editor Timothy J. Parolini tparolini@greaterc harlottebiz.com
Vice President/Director of Sales Talbert G ray tgray@greatercharlottebiz.com
Account Executives Polly A. Ep pley paeppley@greatercharlottebiz.com Kathryn Mose ley kmose ley@greatercharlottebiz.com Mike Shan non mshannon@greatercharlottebiz.com
Contributing Writers C asey Jaco bus Natalie Johnson Bea Q uirk N et hea Fort ney Rh inehardt
Contributing Photographer W ayne Morris
Greater Charlotte Biz is published 12 times per year by: Galles Communications G roup, Inc . 804 Clanton Road, Suite B Charlotte, N C 2821 7-1 358 www.greatercharlottebiz.com For editorial or advert is ing inquiries, cal l 704.676.5850. Pl ease fax subscri ptio n inq uiries to 704.676.5853 or e-mail t hem to info@greatercharlottebiz.com All contents Š 2000, Galles Communications Group, Inc. All rights reserved . Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is
prohibited . Products named in these pages are trade names or trademarks of their respective companies. The opinions
expressed herein are not necessarily those of Greater Charlotte Biz or Galles Communications Group, Inc.
4
december
2000
[publisher's ost] it's in our own hands Polling places and voting booths change from one location to another and from one election to the next- as do methods of voting from hand marking to pulling levers to punching chads. It can be a confusing and intimidating experience. As a result, voting is limited to those who are not to be intimidated by the process and to those who can be encouraged, manipulated or swayed to actually turn out. John Paul Galles, Publisher Having had extensive experience with political campaigning, I have witnessed numerous examples of political manipulation of votes and vote counts. One of my more amusing recollections was as campaign manager for a congressional race in the First District of Indiana in the early '70s . State Senator Adam Ben jamin was running against Representative Ray Madden, the incumbent for 30 years. It was a primary race, both candidates Democrats. Madden's seniority was especially important because, if re-elected, he would become chairman of the House Rules Committee, a very powerful position. As a northern Democrat, many special interest groups, especially labor unions, wanted him re-elected for a 17th term. Benjamin was well respected and well liked for his performance in Indiana's General Assembly. Campaign tricks were as rampant then as personal attacks and negative campaigning are today. In a fairly daring escapade, I had my staff dress up in white waiter aprons and caps and deliver specially ordered fortune cookies to a huge Madden dinner for several thousand party faithfuls at a local banquet hall. We put them at every place setting just before the dinner started. No one challenged us or suspected that the opposition was campaigning at their event. During the course of dinner, attendees were quite surprised when they opened their fortunes, "Adam Benjamin for Congress ." We created quite a buzz which was reported in the local papers the next day. Despite these shenanigans, power won out. Madden won by 3,200 votes out of 157,000 ballots. Having anticipated vote fraud and suspected specific precincts where fraud might take place in Gary and East Chicago, we placed a limited supply of volunteers in the larger precincts of Gary as observers. What they reported were instances where wedges had been placed under our candidate's lever so that one could not pull that lever, and pins in the counters on the backs of machines so that the drums would not rotate and tabulate the votes for our candidate. They even reported big red circles around the incumbent's name on several voting booths to make it easy for those who had been paid to vote and could not always remember their candidate's name . Despite our vigilance in Gary, the politica l power brokers withheld the tabulations and ba llot boxes from East Chicago from the county's vote tabulation office until late in the evening. When they were finally delivered, it seems that just a sufficient number of votes for the incumbent were delivered to provide for his margin of victory. We petitioned the Indiana State Police, the Attorney General, the FBI and others to investigate, but they would not intervene in a local election. Two years later, a more experienced Adam Benjamin defeated Ray Madden . It has been frustrating to watch this Presidential election- with all of its counts, recounts and court interventions- especially with the incidences of confusing balloting and cou nting rules, and allegations of faulty machines and political persuasion bordering on fraud. There will always be avenues for vote fraud and voter ma nipulation, but so many of the problems highlighted are within our control to avoid. If we truly value our right to vote, it is incumbent upon us to do all that we can to improve our system of voting so that every vote does count and we are not throwing away 120,000 ballots in Cook County or 20,000 in Palm Beach or rejecting military absentee ballots without postmarks when postma rks may not be available. While new technology may help minimize tabulation problems, it is at our own county level that we need to make improvements in the basic voting process- better designed ballots, more thoughtful and fair voting procedures and uniform counting regulations- to assure ourselves our Constitutional right to vote. And to assure fair state and federal elections, we need to expect this of others as well. As "out of our hands" as t he Presidential election results were this year, the integrity of the voting process is truly in our own hands. greater charlotte biz
A ock olid Rea Estate Team!
C• L. Managemenl Team : Eot1orn -o-r (L -R) JC'9n -:-ro'"I<Js, Mi~·e Rash, Karen Labovitz , Leslie Mitchell Top -ow.r(L-R} De-vic' Fulle·~ 9cb Hyma 1, D9rrf' 's <=GSsa. ~'oJnByers, Nathan Smith (Not pictured: Diane Austin)
:..Jo matter where you liV2 or wcrk, om professionals located in seven corrvenie t offices throughout the grEater Charlotte region can meet all af '\Our rE-.al estate needs. V/hetber you 're moving a ::arnil:; of fDur or a corporation of 4,000, Frudential Carolinas RecJt~ offers: 1-S op Shopping including: residential, :r:_e~ homes , Corpo rate Relc..:::ation. co _ m ercia!, RentFast, Preferred Carolina~. Title Agency and Profe~icn3~ Home Mortgage Lenders ser.rices. ·: all on 1he rock soli -:: ea of profEssionals with the technology, su-ngfr_and versati ity t:• meet ycur :::eeds at Prudential Carolinas Realty.
CORPORATE OFFICE 4529 Sharon Road Charlotte, NC 28211 (704) 366-5548
[bizdigest] [biznotes] chesterfield signs on The Charlotte Regional Partnership (formerly
~ Carolinas
. Partnership) CHARIOITÂŁ has
USA announced that
last minute gifts craft show provides some unique options If you're looking for unique gift ideas or want something to spruce up your office, you may want to visit the sixth
Chesterfield County has
annual American Craft
joined its organization as a
Council Craft Show. Held
member county. The addition
December 8- 10 at the
of Chesterfield marks
Charlotte Convention
the fourth South Carolina
Center, this craft show
county member and raises the
features original crafts
Charlotte Regional Partnership's
from over 230 artists.
total membership to 16 counties. Chesterfield joins Chester,York and Lancaster from South Carolina.
hotel reservations at a click The Charlotte Convention &
Visitors Bureau (CCVB)
Prices range from $20 to "Society Lady" teapot by Mia Tyson of Rock Hill, S.C.
several thousand dollars, and the artists will be available to talk about their work.
The artists for this show are selected through a national jury process,
has entered into a partnership
so t he crafts
with WorldRes.com that allows
at the show
visitors to
are high
make hotel
quality.
reservations
~~1QIJ~~
Among the
directly from
liimmlliiiiliilm
items available
"IS Gradu<:ted Spoons" in white and red oaks
by Fra1k Wright of Lanesboro, Minn. jewelry, 1-:?ath er goods, furniture and ho me Hand-blown glass vessels by Judson Guerard of Bakersville, N.C.
accessories an c designer clothing. Admission is $6 for one day. A two -day pass is also
the CCVB Web site
at the show are functional and decorative clay
available fo r $10 . For more information,
<www.charlottecvb.org>.
objects, hand-blown and etched glass, fine
call 704.33:.81 8 7.
According to a study by Forrester Research, online
Braves General Manager Visits Charlotte
bookings will generate $4.6
The November Hood Hargett
Peter Oosterhuis, Senior PC:A
Hargett Breakfast Club i5 held
billion in 2000 and are expected
Breakfast Club, a private
touring professional and
at the Charlotte Marriott
to more than double to $1 0
monthly event held exclusively
CBS golf analyst. The Hood
Executive Park Hotel fro11
billion in 2003 .
for Hood Hargett Breakfast
new hq for hendrick
Club sponsors and their
2001 for the select group of 18 sponsors and their
September 2000 to May
Hendrick Motorsports has
customers, featured long-
announced that site work
time Major League
guests. The purpose of
has begun on a 30-acre tract
Baseball Atlanta Braves
the series is for guests
general manager, John
to meet people and
Schuerholz . Under
network. The Hood
that will feature a new 85,000 square foot building next to their existing complex in Concord.The site includes a 7-acre pond and will house the NASCAR Winston Cup series teams of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson.
>-
greater charlotte biz
Schuerholz's leadership,
Hargett Breakfast Club
the Braves claimed their
Stu dent Athlete of
ninth straight division title
the Month for November
in the 2000 season.
was Tiffany McGinnis., a
The speaker featured in next month's issue will be
Tiffany McGinnis of Harding Hign School with Chuck Hood, pres de1t of Hood Hargett & Associates.
senior from Harding Unive rsity High Schoo l.
december 2000
7
[bizdigest] [biznotes] wake fo rest offers fast E!Y. BA program Wake Forest University's
new faces, changing faces , changing places ...
Babcock :::;racuate School of Management "Viii offer the Fast-
Cricket Communications has named
The Charlotte office of
Track Executiâ&#x20AC;˘e MBA Program
Grace " Betsy" Fruit general manager
Deloitte & Touche LLP,
beginning in August 200 I. The
for the Charlotte market. The Sa1
announces that Robert Branan has
program will take 17 months to
Diego-based wireless service
complete, wit1 classes meeting
company offers a flat rate for
rejoined the tax group
on Fridays and Saturdays on the
unlimited lo ca l wireless phon e ca lls.
as senior tax manager.
Fruit is responsible for develo ping
In his new role,
school 's \Vake Forest campus.
gabriel and trivergent co mplete merger
and directing operations, sales 3nd
Branan will participate
ma rketing for the Charlotte market.
in cl ient services for the Charlotte office
Gabriel Communications and TriVergen: have completed their merger.The combined
john Foster Holland has joined the NAI Southern Real Estate
company will be known as
team as a specialist in the sales
Gabriel Communcations, Inc.
and leasin g office for the greater
and be based in Chesterfield,
Charlotte area. He is a member of
Mo. Gabriel p-ovides facilities-
the Charlotte Region Commercial
based broadb1nd services to more than 19,000 customers in 13 miowescern and southeastern
state~.
m o re biznoces on page I I .
Board of Rea ltors. NAI Southern Estate is a family-owned real esta te com pany and is the fourth largest property management firm in Charlotte.
with primary responsibilities in the real estate and construction industrie s. Cheryl Myers has joined Charlotte Center City Partners as sen ior vice president, planning & development. An executive-on-loan from Bank of America since 1998, Myers has served as Center City Partners' project manager for the 2010 Vision Plan effort, a blueprint for downtown
development and growth. NewSouth Communications Corp., a broadband integrated communicat ions provid er has named Hugh jones as its Dealer Account Manager in Charlotte. He is responsible for recru it ing, training and developing programs with dealers in the Charlotte area in order to market NewSouth's products and services. BlueStar.net, a provider of broadband/DSL services and Internet access to small and medium sized business has named jason Grier as national director of sales oversee in g indirect / channel sales, e-business and telemarketing. He was previously channel manager for BlueStar in Charlotte.
8
december 2000
grea t er cha rl otte b iz
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~Ierchandising So Itt t .i o11s
greate r charlotte biz
december 2000
[realestatebiz] by bea quirk
[biznotes]
ballantyne tal<es shape
park avenue condos James Apple, Jr. and Donald Deutsch, Jr. of Greystar Capital Partners have announced their first residential project: Park Avenue Condominiums on the Trolley. Bordering Park Avenue and the trolley line in South End,
What The Bissell Companies, Inc. has achieved at Ballantyne in four short years is nothing short of phenomenal.
~'~~;~~~~fiJilt
the project will offer a wide variety of home choices from the mid-$80s to the high $200s and four levels of adjacent parking. Construction is planned for early 200 I.
expo design center to ancho r midtown square
Design Center as part of a
If you're one of those folks who never venture out beyond Highway 51, you're in for a big surprise.
proposed new mixed-use
Ballantyne <www.ballantynecorporate.com>
The Home Depot has purchased a lease for their new EXPO
development on the current site
is located at the Johnston Ro ad exit
of Midtown Square. Pappas
off of l-485 , -just 20 minutes from
Schedu1ed to oben next fall, the Ballantyne Resort is already starting to take re;;ervations.
Infrastructure
Charlotte/ Douglas Internati o nal Airport. Fo ll owers of the Charlotte real estate market took note when the Bissell and
Har~is
families assembled some 2,000 acres of land in the 1980s in the far southeastern region of the county. They noticed whe:1 the land was Properties plans to redevelop the 26 acres to include shops, restaurants and residences. The company has filed a rezoning petition with the city of Charlotte to allow the
rezoned -the largest rezoning in the county's history- in 1992 for a mixed-use development. And they paid attention in 1996 when the first dirt was moved for an office buil ding, a private golf course was opened, and
proposed mix. A hearing is sched-
the first lots were so ld in the exclusive
uled for January 16, 200 I. Pappas
Bal lantyne Country Club community.
would raze the existing mall and
ow, a mere four years later, they stand,
Before any work was done on buildings, 548 million was spent o n water, sewer, utilities and roads. Of the total, the Bissells op nt $36 million. The state's contribution of $1 2 million is being used for the constmction of a new, relocated Highway 521 that >viii become a major north-south road connecting Ballantyne with South Park. "We put the road network in first," EXplains Ned Curran, president of Bissell. '路 Ballantyne is a planned community with the road connections in place so we can prevent rcoad problems from happen ing." For example, there are two east-west corridors already in place - 1-485 and Ballantyne Commons Park-..vay. A third, the extension of P..ea Road from Providence Road West to E;allantyn~ Commons Parkway, is under construe-Jon and due for completion this summer.
rebuild it as a destination similar
jaws dropping, at what has been developed
Office Space
to Phillips Place in SouthPark.
where before there was nothing but fields
The plan also includes uncovering
and farms. And that accompli>hment is
Little Sugar Creek and creating
dwarfed by what is now coming ou t of the
The 535-acre Ballantyne Corporate Center rurrently boasts one million square feet of Class A o::tice space in 18 buildings. Four are single-tenant structures housing ESPN, >-
a greenway on the property.
>-
greater charlotte biz
ground. Here's a look:
decembe r 2000
II
[biznotes] all egiant signs at grinnell Allegiant Technology Group has leased about 24,000 square feet at the Grinnell Water Works office building on West
When built out in IS years, Ballantyne Corporate Cera:er .....;11 have some (lve million square feet of office space. The 535-acre campus boasts one million square feet of Ci:l~A offce space, including the Cullman Park Building pictured here.
Recreation
Equita bl e, Team Vest and Le ndingTree. Pinkerton Corporatio n will take up twoMorehead . The building has a sky-lit entry court with industrial style bridges that float over river rock. Painted steel trusses, heart pine ceilings, exposed brick walls and restored original wood panel warehouse doors are featured in the loft-style interiors. The exterior boasts large industrial style windows and solid brick walls. Colliers-Pinkard represents the building's landlord, McCoy
Since 1998, th e public has enj oyed
thirds o f a 90,000-square foot building
Ball a nty ne's da il y-fee co urse built by Bissell
now und er co nstructio n . Also due to be com-
a nd which was na m ed ' Bes t
pleted soo n is th e Cullma n Pa rk building,
Course in N01th Ca ro lin a' by North Carolinn
:1
110, 000-squ a re-fo ot, five-sto ry building ov _r-
Magazine. It is fl a n ked by la rge o pe n lo ts th a t
loo king a pocket park with a po nd, waterfall
w ill o ne d ay ho ld eight 12-story office towe rs
a nd wa lking trail. FN Tho mpso n is th e cor.-
th at will o ffe r brea thta kin g vi ews of th e
tractor fo r all the park's buildings.
g ree ns. Th e 32,000-squ a re-foot clubho use
Wh en built o ut in about 15 years, th e park will have some 5 millio n squ are feet.
Lincoln Harris has announced that it is moving its main corporate office from the Rotunda building in SouthPark to the Bank of America Corporate Center. "With the ongoing evolution of the Central Charlotte market, Lincoln Harris has a great opportunity locally, regionally and nationally," said Lincoln Harris president John
fa ll 2001. Also affili a ted w ith th e reso rt is th e Da na Rad e r Go lf Schoo l, whi ch has
every seven m o nths."
b ee n i 1 op era ti o n since 1997.
Retail There's about 130,000 squ are feet of retail space in Ballantyne Commons East. Jnst minutes away a,re th e 167,000-squa r -foot Sto necrest at PirJe r C len a nd Caro lina Place Mall, wi 1.2 million square feet and more th a n 100 sto res and adj ace nt power cemers. Residential !l o using o ptio ns incl ud e a pa rtme nts,
(O ne of th la rges t b ra nches in the co untty ,
Ba ll a ntyne d eve lo pers. )
Travel Destination As a travel des tin a ti o n, th e Ball a ntyne Reso rt will be unri va led in th e Cha rl o tte a rea. The 216 guest roo ms will fea ture m a rbl e fl oors in th e foye rs, 10-foo t ceilings, a nti q ue fu rnishin gs a nd o ri gin al artwo rk. The re w ill be 16,000 squ a re feet o f meetin g roo ms, including a 6,500-squ a re- foot b allroo m w ith 1 6- foot ceilings, as we ll as a 1 6,000-squ a refoo t Euro pea n-styled spa o ffe rin g an array o f pampe rin g se1v ices. In additi o n to th e golf
pri ces ra nge fro m $ 100,000 up to $4 milli:m a nd have increased signifi ca ntly since
Harris manages the bank's
Ba ll a nty ne o pe ned . "Bo th th e cl e ri ca l
headquarters and many other
wo rkers a nd decisio n-m a kers ca n li ve fi ve
buildings downtown.The company
minutes away fro m th e o ffi ce, " Curra n say:;.
december 2000
The la n,d was do na ted by th e ll arris fa mil y.
m ove- ups a nd luxuri o us m a nsio ns. The re 3.re
district in the county!" Lincoln
12
site tn at will be a sha red fac ilityj pa rk o f th e YMCA, C ha rl o tte-Meckl e nburg Schoo ls a nd the co unty's pa rk a nd recrea ti o n depa rtm e nt.
five a pa rtm e nt co mpl exes within Ball a n tyne.
of the second-largest financial
more biznotes on page 15 .
a d wa te r pa r ~ . Loca te~ adj ace nt to llaw k Ridg Ele m e ntary; 路t will be part o f a 110-acre
th e I la rris YM A, located nea r South Park,
ho mes a nd singl e- fa mil y ho m es. !l o usi ng
SouthPark properties.
路 K lude 1 ,000 squ are li e t, at) eri c fi elds
路s na med afte r Jam es ). ll a rris, fa the r of th e
Harris. "Why wouldn 't a company
foot management office for its
ro und was rece ntly b ro ke n o n th e YMCA's Ba ll a ntyn e bra nch, whi ch w ill
tow n ho m es, co nd ominium s, starte r h o m e;;,
want to be located at the heart
presence with a 2,800 square
Ba ll a ntyne Reso rt, sch edul ed to open in
says, "with a new build ing co ming o nline
as well as six fea turin g co nd o miniums, tow n-
will continue to have a physical
w ill beco me pa 11 o f th e $4. 1-milli o n
"De ma nd is co nsta nt a nd stro ng," Curra n
Holdings. LLC.
lincoln harris moves its headqu arters downtown
ew Go lf
Acco rding to promoti o nal m ate ri als d evelo ped by Bisseli -Hayes Rea lto rs, th ere a-e 50 ho usin g develo pm ents within minutes o f th e corp o ra te pa rk.
g r ea ter charlotte biz
o pportunities, there will be an indoor pool, an ae ro bic and fitn ess area, and a stea m sauna and whirlpoo l. "As a meeting facili ty with a direct
T he Matt Christopher Group Inc. is a premier provider o-
recreati o nal ti e- in, the reso rt w ill draw
Information Technology pHrnanent and contract placement. WL strive
peo pl e fro m well beyond Charl o tte,"
to reach the goals of both :>ur clients and our candidates. We 짜ork
Curran no tes. "Ball antyne will be see n
closely with both to m1ke sure that each fir is the RIGHT It!
as a recreati o n d estinati o n fo r corpo rate
((S taffing IS our business "
business- fo r o ne thin g, you can get off the pl ane a nd be o n th e starting
MCG
tee in one ho ur. " The d ema nd is already th ere. Bissell, w hich also owns and o perates The Park I lo tel in South Park (th e city's o nly fo ur-star ho tel), has already begun boo king meetin gs a nd taking reservatio ns for ro o ms at th e Ball a nty ne Reso rt. The reso rt will jo in two o ther ho tels in Ball an tyne, the 90- ro o m Ma rri o tt Courtyard , ra nked a mo ng th e cha in's
"As a meeting facility with a direct recreational tie-in, the resort
I
5ROADBAND
I
AVENUE
Welcome to the future of manag d internet hosting.
will draw people from well beyond Charlotte .... For one thing, you can get off the plane and be on the starting tee in one hour." -
Ned Curran, The Bissell Companies
to p 10 loca ti o ns in the nati o n, and the 11 8-suite Staybridge Suites, due to o pen in th e spring.
Ballantyne Country Club In 1993 , Cresce nt Resources pu rchased 617 acres fro m th e Bissell and ll arri s fa mili es, plus ano ther 156 acres fro m o ther land owners, to crea te th e Ba ll a n tyne Count ry Club co mmuni ty. The Rees Jo nes-des igned course o pened in 1996, soo n fo llowed by th e 40,000squ are-foot clubhouse, built in the style of an o ld- fashi o ned hunting lodge. As part o f the co mplex, there a re fi ve pools, six tenni s courts, a fitn ess center and a 15,000-squ are- foot fa mil y activi ty ce nter that includes a 25-sea t mov ie theater and a full -time directo r. The co mmuni ty has 840 ho mesites, whi d1 are sold to bo th individuals and to ho me builders. Acco rdin g to Ballanty11e's director o f sa les and marketing, Mike Burnett, 710 had been so ld as o f October, and 500 fa milies have moved in . The coun try dub has 850 mem bers. Ball a ntyne has its own sales fo rce, but also wo rks ha nd-in -ha nd with a see ballantyne, continued on page 43 .
greate r c h arlotte biz
704.943.2000 www. broadbandave nue.com
december 2000
13
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4446 South Boulevard • Charlotte • (70<1) 334-6823 • O pe
M nn . - Sal.
[ egional biz] by bea :Juirk
[biznotes] county enjoys growth
lancaster county grows
In the first three quarters of 1999, Lancaster saw $74 million in announced capital investment,
Over the last four years, capiral i11 v~s tment in Lancaster County has c.veraged about $100 million ar.nually.
including a $60-million expansion by Springs Industries, the county's largest employer. Other announcements were made by Genpak,Van Can, Ostrow Textile and Joslyn Clark Controls.
catawba ridge gets started Late in 1999 the groundbreaking for Catawba Ridge, a 6,200-acre mixed-use development that extends along the Catawba River from just below the S.C. 9 bridge southward to the S.C. 200 dam, began. The plans include a I ,200-acre light industrial park, 600 acres of commercial property, and I0,000 residential units (including a golf course
The new Bradley Arts and Sciences Building on t.te •:oJrr;JUS of University af South C:Jrolira lan :aster.
Most of the greater Charlotte region is located within the Tar He el State. But of t he surround ing cou ntiEs located in South Carolina, people often fo rget 3.bout Lancaster. But not the companies who are
seeki~
community, marina village with
a location accessible to Charlotte and a[ i·s
condominiums and apartments,
benefits but without the high land
and an assisted care facility) as well as a retail center, nature preserve park, boardwalk and public boat access area. The land management division of Crescent Resources, Inc., which created the plan, is marketing and managing most of the land for Lancaster
cost~
rn
45 minues away, putLng travelErs just
o r~
plane aVJay from ai1)N>her€ in tre world. "Third,
W€
ncow h we I €a rl y4,00C
acres in ::>usin::ss parkE, piLs abc ut 500 ~s.
acres in 5reen field site;," Gardne:r co ntin "Having three
bLSines~
minutes from
downto~n
parks 15 or 20 Cha rlctte is t:uly
a plus fer Lancast r Cc unty." In th e first three cp..Iarters of1999,
big city _iving. And there are quite a numbe:-
Lancaste- saw 174 mi llion n anuounce ·
of them -
capita l inves tm enL inc uding a f60 millici1
over the last four yea rs, ca pital
l :tdu~. cies,
investm _nt in Lancaster County has averagec
expansion by S_ ri gs
abo ut $ .00 million annually.
largest emplo)'€r. O th e- a nounceme :s
lm J=ressive figures. How has Lancastt:.r
Lhe co nty"s
were made by Genpak, Va:t Can, Ostrow
pulled it off? Ray Gardner, president of the
Textile and )osly:-. •::::lark: Contro lE.
Lancaste:- County Econom ic Development Corpora· ion (LCEDC) <www.lancasterscedc.com>, cites three main factors. "First,"
million a:nd created 382. ne·..v jobs. New -ompan i ~s were entre: ! Wire & Cab le, Air
he says, -·we have positioned ourselves for su::-
Technologies, Woodcock Pl3sters Adcheck
cess in irdustrial growth with infrastructu: e
Co ils, Mills Specia lry R·Jofing and Architectural Conc~ pt ~ ton e. Expmding
In 1 )99, invewne1 t tota led $81.3
County. The LCEDC will market
of water 3.nd sewer, natural gas and electri:a "Second ," Gardner adds, "we have the
the business park.
advanta§e of being part of the Charlotte
b usinesses inch.:d ed Duacell . Berskshire 'Neaving, Van \\'yd: Pool Ta::>les, .\ccutrex.
Region with th e amenities of a large metro-
Bora! Brick a nd Tag EXJ=ress.
politan a::ea with a large diversified workfarcz' CharlottE-Douglas International Airport is just
greater charlotte biz
Late i n 1999 tl-.e gi!O unjbreaki ng for Catawba :Udge, a 6,200-acP-
mi~d-use
dec ~ mber
2000
> 15
:levelop m en t th at extends alo ng th e
and expa ndin g businesses in th e prese nt.
th e m o unta ins J nd less th an three ho urs
Catawba Ri ve r fro m just below th e
La ncaster Co unty now boasts of six
fro m Myrtl e Beach. It sh ares a bo rde r
S.C. 9 bridge so uth wa rd to th e S.C.
business parks. Three o f th em have
w ith Meckl enburg and Uni o n co unti es
200 da m, bega n. The p lans in cl ud e a
been establi shed within th e las t two
in
Ca ro lin a coun ues.
o rth Carolina, as well as fo ur Sou t"1
1,200-acre li ght industri a l park, GOO
yea rs: the 75-acre La ncaster/521
acres of com m ercia l p roperty, a nd
Business Park o n lli ghway 521 , th e
10,000 res id enti al units (including
200-acre MacMill a n Business Pa rk
wo rkfo rce is em pl oyed in m anufactur-
a go lf co u rse co mmuni ty, m a rin a vill age
a nd th e 300-acre Ba il es Busin ess
ing, a nd whil e textil es rema in th e do mina nt ind us try, th e em p loym en t
So m e 3 7 percent o f La ncaster's
with co ndo m iniu ms and apa rtm ents,
Park, bo th loca ted o n Hi ghway 160.
a nd a n ass isted ca re fac ili ty) as well
Ro un d ing ou t th e list are: the 115-acre
base is expandi ng. Mo re th a n 80
as a retail center, nature p reserve pa rk,
Tow n of Kershaw Industri al Pa rk; th e
co mpani es ca ll Lancaster ho me; tl路 e
board wa lk a nd pu b lic boat access area .
162-acre La ncaster Business Park, located
to p empl oyers a re Sprin gs Indu s tri es,
The la nd ma nagem ent di visio n
at th e Highway 521 / S.C. 9 bypass; and
Durace ll USA. All egiance 1-i ealthca re
th e 1,300-acre Foster Industri al Pa rk,
Corp ., Springs Me mo ri a l ll osp ita l
created th e p lan, is m arketin g and
largest in th e coun ty. In fo rm ati o n o n
a nd US Textil e Co rpo rati o n.
m anaging m ost of th e la nd fo r La ncaster
ava il abl e sites in th ese parks and else-
Coun ty. The LCEDC w ill m a rket th e
where in La ncaster can be o btained
business pa rk.
fro m th e LCEDC We b site.
o f Crescent Reso u rces, Inc., w hi ch
"Thi s is o ne of th e grea test thin gs
Ye t La ncaster Coun ty rem a ins
In add iti on to its easy access to Charl o tte's airpo rt, La ncaster is a lw ho me to La ne ster Co unty Muni cipa l Airpo rt, which has o ne of th e lo nges t
to ever hap pen in La ncaster o un ty,"
sm all -town at hea rt. So me 549 square
no n-co mm er ia l, li ghted run ways in the:
Ga rdn er o bserves. "This is th e sta rt o f a
mil es in size, it has a po pul a ti o n of just
regio n (6,000 feet) . Fo r gro un d trans-
$2-billion ca pital in ves tm ent th at w ill
und er 60, 000 with three in co rpo rated
po rtati o n, th ere's nearby 1-77 (recent! }
add jobs a nd increase th e tax base fo r a ll
towns, Kershaw, I Iea th Springs a nd
w id ened) and 1-85. The LCEDC
res idents of th e coun ty." Whil e th e po tenti al fo r
ataw ba
Ridge lies in the fu ture, th ere are a lready a number of op portuniti es awa iting new
i~
waLk-
La ncaster, and eigh t townshi ps.
ing with o ther gove rnm ent bodi es to
Bo rd ered by th e Catawba Ri ve r and
speed u p two fo ur-lanin g p ro jects -
close to a number of la kes a nd wa ter-
II ighway 521 So uth fro m Lancaster to
ways, La ncaster is just three ho urs fro m
Ca mden, openi ng th e so uthern pa rt af
Trade show eXhibits
fvluseums
Sales Environments
C orporate Showrooms
S o Deog - Synctalk 20' x 20 ' No del CONDEX Nov. 200 0
16
d ecem b er 2000
704.6 79.4100 ww
m
ha~ls.~om
g r eater ch ar lo tt e bi z
the county to deve lopment, and Highway 160, where MacMillan and Bailes business parks are located. Lancaster also attracts business because of its opportunities for worker training. South Carolina's Special Schoo ls program, founded in 1961, provides state-funded worker training and incentives at no cost for new and expanding businesses.
"This [Catawba Ridge development] is one of the greatest things to ever happen in Lancaster County. This is the start of a $2 billion capital investment that will add jobs and increase the tax base for all res idents of the county." Ray Gardner, president of the Lancaster County Economic D evelopment Corporation
In addition, the state's Tech Prep program has been recogni zed by U. S.
News & World Report for its innovative approach to preparing high schoo l students for technology careers and higher education. Specifically in Lancaster, York Technical School and the University of South Carolina, Lancaster, provide a multitud e of offerings. Whi le Lancaster remains a rural ounty, even its largest city, Lancaster,
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is experiencing the same kind of urban revitalization cities a ll over the U.S . are undergoing. Older buildings are being renovated , with retail on the first floor and either office and/or resid ential units above. There is a new city hall, and a county office bui lding is und er construction . "The Ma in Street landscap ing is rea ll y changing," Gardner observes.
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And with th e infrastructure and plans now in pl ace throughout th e county, so will the landscape of Lancaster
ounty change in the
years ahead. biz
Bea Quirk is a Charlotte-based freelance writer. She covers regional business each month for G reater Charlotte Biz.
greater charlotte biz
Winter Over Seed- T'-::!E- r te to t ree ine 15 Minutes From Uptown • 1-77 sou1h to e-xit 90, turn left. Go 1/2 mile or US 21 , "'l..lrn b 't at Reg ent Park.
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704.547.0023 • 803.547.1300 • 800.671.5550 december 2000
17
by casey jacobus
[communitybiz I
• a~~~~_, and 0/Yb 6/~itcfT~tr~~_, a
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~ nanw t6
~_, ~ ~fo»n ~·
PJ31aok -
~ he'tr all~ in~-
and k'tr ;r ~ o/~cuis ~ inM:de k6 w~ute kac1. cff~ Q/Vew 8!/eaJt'tr w efT~_, he'tr a~~_,
bdfo»n now ti/JUd ~~ he'tr tie~ o/tie trkw. QY~Q/V~ ~~J k6 taok t6 ~ ~.·
w ftend tie holicky ~ ~~ ;rxl ~.
december 2000
19
During the holidays, you might expect to see a few Scrooges counting their money at the local bank. But at SouthTrust Bank's North Carolina branches, Santa Claus helps fulfill the company's claim that "it's not just another bank." en without the is the spitting image of Santa Claus. He's got the full white (mostly) beard and sweeping mustache, the fringe of white hair on a balding pate, the ruddy complexion, the perfect round glasses, and a belly which one can imagine could "shake like a bowl full of jelly" at any moment. Black provides facilities support for SouthTrust Bank's Charlotte properties
most of the yea r, but every Thanksgiving he shuts the office door and puts on his Santa suit. For the next four weeks, he'll travel over 2,000 miles visiting nursing homes, assisted living centers, child care centers, and Christmas parties. Anywhere a child or senior citizen needs to find Santa, Black will try to make hi~n appear. "Santa works for us eleven months of the year," says Bradley Thompson, CEO of SoutllTrust Bank <www.southtrust.com>, "then he takes care of tlle children for the other montll. " Black bought his first Santa suit in the 1980s. He enjoyed playing Santa for friends and for th e town ofTelluride, Co lorado, where he lived for three years during the early '90s. There, Santa came to town in a hot air balloon and landed on the main street.
20
december 2000
Black recalls one of his earliest experiences there. "A little boy, about seven or eight, kept staring at me. 'You want to pull my beard, don 't you?', I asked him. He nodded and I said 'come on: He pulled it, but not too hard. I told him to pull harder and he really yanked on it. Then he turned to his mother and said, 'Mom, it's him! '" Black first grew that beard in 1968 when he played the sheriff in a production of "The Night Thoreau Spent in )ail " at tl1e Mint Museum . It's become whiter, he says, as tlle years have gone by. Every May he begins letting it grow
weeks," says Thompson. "At the time he
out, shap ing it once or twice, and every December 24th, he trims it back. "My wife says I look like Sean Connery without the long beard, " says Black. Actually, Linda Black likes the Santa look fine, too. When she was a child she told her mother she wanted to grow up and marry Santa Claus. Her mother told her Santa already had a wife. When she married Black ten years ago, she was able to say, "See, 1 really did marry Santa." Thompson met Black after he wrote a comp laint letter to SouthTrust. Thompson was imprE'S"sed with tlle eloquence of the letter and arranged a meeting. He immediately recognized Black's potential. "The next year, 1 tried to hire Larry to play Santa for us for two
day for thirty days in a row, it's nice to have a back-up. "You have to see him in full regalia," says Harriet Penninger, branch manager of the Mint Hill office. "He's a wonderful Santa Claus." Togetller with the Mint Hill Business Association, SoutllTrust sponsors a Senior Citizen's Christmas Party. This annua l event draws about 500 people. Black appea rs as Santa and has his picture taken with anyone who wants it. "He speaks to everyone and has something nice to say to everyo ne, " says Penninger. In Cary, North Carolina, Black visits a day care center and interacts with over 200 children. "He's wonderful," says Anna Booth,
was working as a department manager at Wal-Mart and they wouldn't let him off. Even so Larry took a couple of days vacation and helped us out." In 1998 Thompson solved the problem by hiring Black full-time. Now Black works 40 hours a week for SoutllTrust most of tlle year and 120 hours as Santa at Christmas. "It helps us create some fun in the workplace," says Thompson. "Larry is part of the fun ." SouthTrust bought Black a second Santa suit. Since he puts it on every
greater charlotte biz
branch manager of the Walnut-Maynard
hold 1,000 sq uirming ch ildren in their
office. "We look foiWard to him coming
lap or to listen to 1,000 Christm as wish-
every year. He's very personable and very
es, it suits Larry Black to a tee.
patient. We take a picture of each child with San ta and send it home with the parents. It's a grea t way for us to show support for the comm unity." In Rutherford County, Black puts in an appearance at the annual "Breakfast
"I have a ball.' says Black. "It is a personal delight to portray San ta and experience all that adoration. You feel such a sense of responsibility to make every child feel positive c.bout Christm as." The hard pa:1 comes when a child
with Santa," a benefit fo r a new
asks for somethjng Black knows is
children's museum , to be ca ll ed
probably o ut of S::.n ta's reach to provide.
KidSense. Last year, about 1,000 children showed up to have their pictures taken with Santa. "Larry is rea l good with th e chi ldren," says Debbie Martin, vice
"Kids figure they can ask for the moon," he says. "When they want some-
"Santa works jJr us eleven months of the yem: Then he takgs care of the children f'Jr the other month. " Bradley 71Jomps()'l CEO ofSoutbTrusti:Lmk
thing I suspect is o ut of the parental abilit:f to provide, I just say 'I'll do my best.' I try not to make any promises vhi:h can't be kept. " When children ask fc路r pets, Black tells them Sa nta can't Jring li v
president and branch manager of the
an im als in his sled, l: ut says he' ll
Spindale office. "He's very gentle, and
>:alk to th eir parents 3.nd see if
especially good with those who are afraid. li e doesn' t wan t anyone to miss out on having his picture taken." While it might not suit everyone to
they think the ch il d is o ld enough to hand! the responsibility. Black a lso brings pleasure
>-
Logan Harris visits Santa.
to th e ma ny adu lts he visits at nursing
roject Manager
~
We provide consulting resources with project management expertise and industry experience.Specializing in banking/finance, government,and textile industries.
hom es and senio r citize n centers as well. "At o ne nu rs ing home, a 92-yea r old wo man said this wo uld pro babl y be her last Christmas," says Bl ack, "w hen l left, I to ld her 'See you next year: " In add iti o n to playing Sa nta fo r SouthTrust, Black does private pa rti es. Fo r the last five years, he's also been
212South Tryon Street,Suite1680 ·Charlotte, NC28281
(704) 332-661 I
Santa at the two ga m es befo re Christmas for the Cha rl o tte Horn ets. When Black does a party, he takes th e tim e to get to kn ow so mething abo ut everyone who' ll be there. He delights in
@Bell Atlantic Mobile
•snow
VerLzon WLreless
a chi ld's surprise when he asks so mething li ke, "Why did yo u name yo ur
In trod u c Ln ~
goldfish Brooklyn ?" Yo u wo n't ever see Sa nta in a bar
you're free to choose.
o r behaving inappropri ately, as lo ng as
• No roaming charges throughout the Southeast & the Carolinas calling areas .
Bl ack is po rtraying him . Black lea rn ed
• No long distance charges f r om the Southeast & the Carolinas calling areas t o anywhere in the U.S.
that lesso n o ne yea r in the late '80s
S i ng l eAate ~
Sout heast Plans
mon th ly access mo nt hly
a irtime minutes
when he we nt o ut for a drink with a group of fr iends. Upon learnin g that o ne
"Lany is real good with the 100 250
500 2,200
children. He's ve1y gentle, and
Add itional plans av allable
especially good with those who are afraid He doesn't want anyone to miss out on having Sing leAat e•· Ca roli nas Plans monthly
access month ly airtime minutes
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his picture taken. " Debbie Martin vice president and brancb manager, SouthTmst's Spindale office
fri end had to meet h is sister at the airport, Bl ack went ho m e a nd put o n his Na tional SingleRate'"' plans also av allable.
San ta su it befo re returnin g to th e bar fo r another ro u nd . Th en th e group left fo r the a irp o rt. "I was wa lkin g th o ugh th e co ncourse when a littl e boy spo tted me, " says Black. ' Loo k Dad, there's Sa nta;
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he sa id . His father replied, ' I to ld yo u we might see Sa nta at th e a irport: That
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was the las t tim e I ever took a drink whi le dressed as San ta. "
22
c e c ember 2 000
gr e at e r c h ar lotte biz
Whil e Black has been a n actor, a lawye r, and a judge, he feels he has fo un d his tru e ca lling in playing Sa nta Claus. "I have a gift God gave me a nd I' ll do th e best I ca n to repay it," he says. "I believe Christm as is impo rtant yea r ro und ." Bl ack has a dream , too. He wo uld like to fi nd a way to recognize peo pl e fo r the good thin gs they do th ro ugho ut the yea r. If he could, he woul d des ign a p in in the sh ape of a holl y bra nch and engrave it with the words "I keep Christm as in my heart" and present it to th e d oers of good d eeds. "The true spirit o f Christmas, the sp irit of love fo r o thers, sho uld no t be res tricted to just o ne mo nth a yea r," says Bl ack. "And it sho uld no t be acknowledged just o nce a year." bi~
Casey Jacobus is a Charlotte-based freelance writer.
~~Ricle
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december L.COO
23
by natalie johnson
[bizprofile 1
For the folks at Charlotte-based Youth Ergonomics, building better furniture for chi ldren is anything but
Have you ever been in a classroom or Sunday school setting with children? Did you notice that they do not sit still? You prot: ably figured the reason for their restlessness was sh011 attention spans. Some local entrepreneurs, though, are betting that poor furniture design also contributes to the rambunctious behavicr of children in our schools. And by improving that design, they'll help kids and build a successful business. Youth Ergonomics, Inc. <www.edgarcollection.com> believes it has the solution Vl
路cL.. 0
E QJ
c ~ ~
..,0 0
..c
a.
to
poor ergonomic design and oth::r
problems facing the children's commercial furniture industry. The idea for the company and its products began after
them on purchasing furniure for the classrooms and computer labs. Hines' previous comnercia l furniture experience was in the adult furniture market, so she vis ited sd1ools a nd observed children in the classrooms and labs to assess their needs. Hines
Deb I lines, a commercial furniture consu ltan t and owner of
found that the furniture available to students was inappropriate
011 & Associates, was asked by her daughter's school to advisE
for children in regard to si:.:e, comfott or support.
greater charlotte biz
>-
d e c e m be r 2 0 0 0
25
As a veteran of the adult
design, produce and distribute innova-
commercial furniture industry
tive children's furniture. The enthusiastic team immediately
Hines was accustomed to
began looking for a furniture designer
a wide range of product
who wo uld understand their ideas and
choices. In sharp contrast,
concepts and that could combine their
the children's market offered
vision with design skills, market
limited choices.
resources and production know-how.
Among those choices, there was nothing being offered that was comparable in design, comfort or durability to the products in the adult furniture market.
would be suitable for children - made
"We wanted to develop a product that for chi ldren, mindful of children and what their needs are," says Hines.
Given the trend toward ergonomic
Fortunately for the new partners,
office furniture, the increased amount
they did not have to look far.
of time chi ldren spend at computers,
According to Bob Flynn, "By sheer
and the possibility of long-term health
happenstance one of the best and
issues caused by poorly designed furni-
leading industrial and furniture design
ture, Hines found it hard to believe
houses in America is right here in
there was nothing suitable for children.
Charlotte, Tolleson Design. We
Hines became interested and researched
approached Tom Tolleson and showed
the market further. She concluded
him and senior designer Greg Saw our
that there was a void in the commercial
ideas. They found the venture exciting
furniture industry, and she was con-
and wanted to sign on."
vinced she could fill the need.
Hines and Flynn worked closely
Hines approached local business owner and commercial furniture veteran Bob Flynn, co-owner of Carolina Business Interiors. Flynn conducted his own market research and agreed with Hines' assessment of the industry, the
with the designers, thoughtfully making decisions regarding each aspect of the chair and accompanying table designs. The company will launch its line with a computer chair and accompanying
market and the business potential. In
table that can be used both in schools
August of 1999, the entrepreneurs,
and in homes. Future plans include
joined by David Longo (co-owner of
additional chair and table models, as
CBI) , formed Youth Ergonomics, Inc. to
well as desks and stools.
Here is what they are saying ... "Results speak louder than words. We have engaged h'enricks Corporate Training for both sales training and private consulting. Our results were immediate and well beyond anyone's reasonable expectation. I advise businesses of all sizes to retain Henricks Corporate Training as their personal guide to a secure future. " Ashley Campbell, President and CEO Midgard, Inc.
"In twenty years of professional selling and sales training, nothing has influenced my life more positively both on and off the job as the people at Henricks Corporate Training. Their interest extends beyond me as a client to me as a person. The attention and support I receive has made each day a stride forward in my success in life." Bill Sykes lotus/IBM
" ~ liENruCK' CORPORATE TIWMNG AND
DEVEWPMENT, INC.
7621 Little Avenu e, Suite 503 â&#x20AC;˘ Charlotte, NC 28226
t ies lnsliuteâ&#x20AC;˘ (704) 544-7383
26
d =c e m:Jer 2CJO
www.henrickscorp.sandler.com
greater char lotte biz
building the perfect chair The first priority for Youth Ergonomics is to produce furniture that will prevent children from developing health problems currently plaguing many adults. Research suggests that poor posture and unsupportive furniture are among the contributors of musculoskeletal disorders. "We are hopefu l that we can provide a solution to these
weight for greater sitting comfort. The
ence from th e adu lt version is t:1e
problems that will teach children from
seat back is also curved to provide prop-
number of legs. Youth Ergonomics'
their very first computer experience how
er lumbar support. There is a back
chairs have five legs rather than four.
to sit right and key right. When these
height adjustment so th e seat back can
The fifth leg provid es stab ility and
children reach ad ulthood they will be
support students of various sizes.
prevents its occupa nts from tilting
conditioned to automatically sit to avoid
safety first
carpal tunneL back, neck a nd muscle problems," says Flynn. The rapid growth of computer use
th e chair. The tabl e was also built
In addition to producing ergonomically correct children's furniture, the
w i ~h
ergonom ics and safety in mind . The keyboard and floorboard of the tab le
owners of Youth Ergo nomics are also
a re adjus tab le to accommodate different
among children in astounding. Students
concerned about sa fety, quali ty and aes-
body sizes. The adj ustab le mechanisms
are introduced to the computer in the
thetics. Unlike the adult version of th e
are des igned so fingers can't get caught
first grade and by the third grade are
computer chair, the chairs from Youth
or pinched in the moving mechanisms.
asked to perform research on the
Ergonomics do not have wheels, so the
Add iti ona lly, all of the table's edges
Internet and complete homework
chairs stay in one pl ace. Another differ-
are round and extra support has been
>-
assignments on computers. Experts pred ict that co mputer use will increase in school environments and one day we will see computers at each desk rather than in separate labs. Placing children in this type of computer intensive lea rning environment without proper support from the furniture may beco me
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a long-term health issue.
Software Consulting and Development
:::r
(1)
cally correct? The seat height is
• Consultation
adjustable, so students of different sizes
• Design
can keep their feet firmly planted on the flo o r, allowing their legs to form a right
• Programming
angle. This position does not impede supporting blood flow to the legs is
I~ Site Bus·ness So utions
the ability to see and understan.Q.
What makes their chair ergonomi-
blood flow to the legs. Another element
•
I
.Internet Applications
the "waterfall" front edge of the seat pan . Chairs with straight edges cut off circulation to the lower legs. The seat pa n itself is contoured so that a child's upper body weight does not push straight down on the "s itting bones. " The co ntoured seat pan disperses the
greater charlotte biz
december 2000
27
cu
d'Art. \
added to areas where critical .veight load may be a n issue. The quality of the materials also plays a la rge role in material "election. Durability is a major concern in the CAl Concepts brings to tt-~ table a h~al~ hy 11ix of traditional philosophies and fres h, new ideas. Tap our creative depth t: impar t a fresh ~p n to your corporate image or campaign. Count on us fer all your design need s. lrom printe:. me a to website development to multimedia presentations.
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production of the furniture. These chairs are made ofsoft-skinn _d urethan e and are extremely durable. Soft-skinned urethan e is firmer than traditional seat
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greater cha - lotte biz
cushions and can not be punctured, torn or stained. It can be sprayed down, scrubbed and sanitized. It's appealing to educators and parents because of the
Acquisitions? Mergers ? Plant Closings?
Be Proactive About Business Transitions
easy maintenance and extended life cycle of th e chair. The final product closely mimics products found in the adult furniture world. "In terms of the elements of design, we have created a product that the children can begin to use from the very first time they sit down at a computer, that not only will enhance performance, but will help them develop proper lifetime habits," notes Flynn. However, the simple act of giving someone an ergonomic chair to use does not insure that person will enjoy ergonomic benefits. Studies of adults show that often times they are not using ergonomic furniture correctly. To benefit from the furniture, people need to understand the basics of ergonomics and to be taught the various and appropriate adjustments to make to the furniture. >
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greater charlotte biz
december 2000
29
edgar to the res-
The owners of Youth Ergonomics believe the Edgar concept is an impor-
aJe
tant piece of the puzzle creating furni-
To that end,
ture that benefits all children. Tests
Yo uth Ergo nomics has created a computer genera ted
have shown that three-year-olds can wa tch this vid eo once and perfectly adjust their chairs. Edgar is a likeable and appea ling character. The hope is that he is someone the childre n wi ll
,jr~ n
to use the furni-
ture properly and to
with the children and becomes more
communicate the
hip as Eddie, the middle schoo ler
benefits of ergonomic•'. Edgar
inception of Yo uth Ergonomics; there
appeH on the
are now severa l manufacturers of
computer .;crezn and
ergonomic furniture for children.
he will take 1:1e child ren through the step> of adjLSti r g
r
e ncoura ~es
hec.lthy
AFFO K_Dft,B LE
design, quality and appeal. The U.S.
instructior al o::l interactive,
Dd
However, Youth Ergonomics believes its product is unique with respect to
the chair. The Edgar CD-ROM
CONVEN=ENT FLEX=BLE
and finally as Ed, the high sd1ooler. The market has cha nged since the
wiii be the first thing to
i~
relate to and trust. Edgar grows up
:::1-i ldren to "develop
li ~elo n :s
computer habits."
Patent office agrees. Youth Ergonomics has been awarded design patents
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greater charlotte biz
people helping people
strengths and these strengths have led to a product that did not stray from the
This story is not only one of a good idea and great design, it is
original vision of high-quality ergonom-
also one of people. The owners of
ically correct furniture for children.
over the next three years, the company
their excitement for the quality experts and extensive resources
has launched an extensive marketing
they found t turn their idea into
campaign. You may see ads for the
reality. In addition to the local
furniture in New Yorker and Parenting
design firm, Youth Ergonomics
magazines. Youth Ergonomics will
has called on local attorneys, graphic
market its products to institutions,
design artists and an advertising
including schools, libraries and churches
agency to get the job done.
and to the home market under the
"The synergy and excitement of
name of "The Edgar Collection." Chairs
others surrounding our concept has
and tables are expected to be available
been a big boost, not only to getting
to the public by the end of this year.
the job done, but to getting it done in
What started as a research project
one year," says Flynn.
704-532-6747
business idea and is now a product
their strong partnership to the success
ready for market. biz
of the first two designs. Hines and Flynn
Natalie johnson is a Charlotte-based freelance writer. This is her first article for Greater Charlotte Biz.
agree they couldn't have done it on their own . Each partner has different
do you want t REA thfrem de la
creme
Underwriting on WDAV gets the job done. Call (704) 894-8900 for details. of
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for an elementary school turned into a
Additionally the owners attribute
Service
it's business , as usual. ..
With a sales goal of $20+ million
Youth Ergonomics cannot contain
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We've been through turbulent times before. Regardless of roday's marker climate, the future includes the distinct possibility of uncertainty and vo lati lity. Not surprisingly, many investors fee l adrift, unsure where to turn for adv ice . Should you invest more in bonds or equities? More in sm a ll caps or blue chips? Or keep more ca h on hand? While nobody can promise you all the right answers, U.S. Trust can promise you somethin g invaluable: expertise based on experience. For over 145 years, through periods of extreme uncertainty, we've been a bedrock of stabi lity for our cli ents, providing them with sound advice that has helped preserve and enhance their wealth. In the process, we've become one of America's premier investment advisory and wealth management firms. To learn how
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A TRADITION OF GROWING ASSETS
RUST
NFW YO RK BOCA RAT O~ CII ARLOTT E COSTA \ IESA DA LLAS ESSEX CA RDEi\' Cl11' C RE. E:\'S BO RO GRE ENWJC II II OUSTON LARKS I' L' R LOS ANGE L ES ~ I O RRI STOWN NAPU:S PAL\Il\EACII PALO ALTO PI-IILADEL.PIIIA PORTI .t\ .'\'0 PRI NCETON RALEIGII SAJ\J fRA,\'CISCO STAMFORD VERO Bf.ACII WASHI NGTON D.C. \\'EST IIARTFORD \\'I LM! i\'CTON
by te:a quir<
[ bizfeatu re]
cha re
t t t?
e over
A recent report says Charlo te i.s at risk for o 1erb ilding. Local developers think o ~he 1se. Charb:te ccntinues [.u· i. tting' f .t
tD
i~ h ~c. lt hy .growth
th~
enjoy ro ust growth.
or a
ca~.e
th e FD IC has
or too muct- o f a gc-od
en:l of 3eptember, the Federal
Dct:o~it
Insurance
includ~c
: he Queen
FDIC isn't alene in o:a;ting a Dola ldson, wfkin
~
Enreite
a.JY
C t)- • e~e :
h .1S
its list cf dtiE> to wc..td1 for
!\·ea.; ill Ris/. fa<· Ccmulercial Real Estl! e Oucrbuilvn;g ( wail able at
And Moody's lnvest::m Ser1in has
wf'.•tfric_'go.;J mk/ana lyt icalf regiona l/). It lists 01arlotte as
Chcrlot te.
ncl rJr:'ec. Charlotte in
ovetb ·_ ildi -~
C:::>rpor;otioL fFDIC) re leasee a report, Rar.!?ing fvle'ro'Jolitan
the IJs . .Thc
~v~
in offtcc de\C Of70ell1 the city a code
yellow tor high supi=l: and dcrlinin5 d <. 11a:xl in th e
:>fTic ~
cne cf 3 L.S. narkets at risk for owrbuilding in :he area o(
ma-ket. MeallWhile,
comoe·c al : ea l esta· e, whic1 includes office, i
st· ial , mLI i-
if the people ere and the aut1ors o f thEse r.:!por:s are
famJ ;, ·e· aiJ a1d h otel devel{)pmenL It's the tl-ird
st ~a i gh ~
looking at th.: same :::ily.
~-eatEr
c h a r lot -: e bi z
year
a~rlc• tte s
>
be!: inE!r leaders -;.von:lzr
II
s~e
n::> rea>on or cause for al:rrm in this mukt:t."
s .1y~
To'1y C 1:11bley, whc comp iles researd1 da.a
for ±e Cbatiotte Chamber of Com m erce. _-I ~ ?JLn' S to lV_eclJE bu-g Cou:1ty's an:: Jal fie;ures b 19 ~ 9 1,051 neVI nd expand ing firms; a r::co rd 19.753 jobs created; ard _4.5 mJiion sqJarc feet of nev. cornr1e:cial space for a capita irv~strr. ent of £1.4 billio1 . In d: e flEt h 1.1::" of 200:J, thcr~ '-Vete =:52 new and exp3nd i:lg :l.rms; S,El8
a:t:a had t:::> rank r the top 10 for any two of th e categori.es. "If you're k·o kin§ for over-building, the best place to loo k is w~_ ere
thee's a ~ ctDfbuilding," he points out. "But i:1 Charlotte, constructic n is keeping pace with demand .'' The Ctambcr·3 Crumbley agrees: "They're not hcto ng in demand, whkh js :he most important co mpon er-t.'.
Sa?s Frank Warren. president of Karnes Research Co, wJ-.ich tracks the oca: commerciaJ real estate marke:,
"They anaJyze so Til any cities, th ey don 't understand tl1e new jobs cr.:<.tEd; 'lnd 9.6 million square fe~ t of ac.cli t:mul dp amics of th :: b::al m arket. They're just looking at raw comm::rcia l spacE fc: a ca::> i t.1 l i n·Jestme nt c f $ 1.3 :::>il Len. ccns:ruction statistics and not pre-Lea ·ing Jim . ale: mo, ex~cut r\·e \·ice pres:i.:::lent at T 1e other dties Bank of Ame-iu 1 Cbar.otte, is even more c.d:iv1 ty and other factors in the ma: ket. " can't figure it out: direct. "I'm my.;t i=.ed ic:en:ifiec ir the FDIC ''I'm not witness to tl1e over-buiklin5 he notes. "I -n siuing her~ in my •:en t~ r city suggesting- we're keeping pace ·Nith tr2y':e rep·xt as at- r i:;k for overoffice loc-kilg ou· tl-:: wi >dow, and [ -vonder, Emand in d:stribution and warehouse, and b;ild ng arc: Atlanta. 'When~ 's the over-building?' We have a n offic~ L1. uptown, there's vit'tuaJiy no office >pace at vacancy rate in the cen ter city of 1.7 poercem, Dalla:;, Las Vegas., Orlando, c. " 5ays Terr1 Orell, vice president, l:usinEss and there arc cnm.pc. ies du: would 'ke Phcenix. Portland (Ore.), ctvelopment for the Chamber. "Actu:~ll :r~ rom an to move 1.ere- but go to the suburbs because Ec:m:::>mic developmem viewpoint, space crvailSaJt lz.<e C ;:y, Denver. there's no spac a,·aiJab iE for th em." c:b lity is key - if you don't have spa.:e immediAdds L.mdor Wy-att, '-Vh:::> hc.1ds LP tl:e Fort vV:::>rth, Jacksonville, ctdy available, you can ·t attract comj:"an:~&. indust-ia di'vis on fer Child tess Klei :- "I read ' ! don't think anyone makes a relocation Sar.~.mento and Seatt e. about the rq:on in .,..he W1ll Strre:t }or.. ·nai, so or expansio n decision based on on ~ pi~ce of I called my bli'kErs. They were scra tchng their information," Or ~ l a.::lds. "Decisi o n-makers read busmess secheads :::>eo:at..se ther didn't understan.: it- ~speci3J I ? in th e ti ::>ns and magu:i:1::-s. loc k at trends. One announcement by the office and ir:dusttial maL ts." F~ IC is not going :o :1ave a co nsiderabl e effect on Chculotte's Mark Vitner, c. n ~o:o 1· om:ist with := irst Un ion Capi-.:J economic devebpmet1t.'' Markets, s ar.oj1et· one c·f those scratching h_s head '· r clid:n t think c. whc c I::Jt of L [the repol:j," ~-e says 'Their co1xe:ns are L well-inteDtic: ne:l, an::! whet L'ley're d : ing pro:::>ably nilis~ei<Se. The FI: lC's f:r~ t concern is hea lthy banks, and it war.ts If you' re loc <ing I>Jr fue, the best place to loc·k is whe: n h ere·s to avoid the. d€.'-·a;:<~ting effects the last recess ion had on smoke- and that's about a ll they've ::lone.' bDks whic:1 ha.rl cve:-extended tJJ.e mse.lves in co mn ercia l What V:itne.r 3 referr ng .o i> the m eth cdo logy ti1e rec.l estate i:1 th e ate 19E.Os and early 1990s. That's ·-vhy tt FD IC userl for its 1epon. Using yt:a r-end data for D99. t]-_e looks for figns of commercial overbuilding. countrls m ~ !rc a""£as ·..vere ranked acG) rcling to ne-.v CO:IS:t:rJcThe goal of t~_E repor:: is to "raise awareness about sub anti a! tion as a pe-centage existing st•JCk 111 eacb ::Jf tr e 6ve rcaii: growth in :eal e>tate d~vel o pment and t11e conesponding increases comm~rc:ia l propet'ty- types. To be co - ;id erd at rise<, a oet;o in risk exposure :c inc.nciaJ institutions. • The FDIC report aJso
or
the job Honey! hank God they didn't h ck
34
dec e 1.1b e r 2 000
background!
• Criminal Record Reports 5 min. reports in .VC • Employee Assessments • Empi./Edu. Verification
• DMV Recard Check • SSt Verification
greater cha - lotte bic:
The Essential Su Services Lea
o
Profess ion a I anc:i Industrial Placemen
Temporary Temporary to Hire Direct Hire
800
C~rr::o n
Ch u~c tre,
R:>:x:: , Sui:e W .C. 2:32 _7
(7C 4:) 525-3400 105 S. c ~ nrc r St·eet ) r:J.re.;\...Je., KC. 23677 (7C4) 873-.3444 -anks the cities ~ =arcing tc their commu::J.ity banks' mecian ratio ofC!xD loans to -:otal assets. Of the 1:;. Charlot:e communi-:y banks, only ro .:td C&D EXpm.ure of :nore than 10 p::rce:m and lie number of ast-due loans v.IS al!o lov.. S::J Ctarlotte's •:ommunity bani::s ar:: in goo::! sh:ape.
The report <:or_dudes, ' Local bank 3Sset quality mer be .::ffectd more by the indirect econom_: efr..:cts or cost-cutting 3nd job losses h :he ::1nancial sect::Jr." Read that 110 mean concern about ~he major layof": anc cosH::utting m:JVes :;y Bank of Am ::cG: ::end First Union in recent months. l::l "":a:t, the report m entions, "Re~t:tty 1nnounced planned : ost-cutting and wc-rtforce-cuttin5 ir_ :he financial se:tor may ex:a c rba~e _he threat of wt.ake:.- ~bsorpti ·::>n and : auld create the ?Co:ential for offi: e :narket oversupply." Local leadtr~ are awar:' of that, too, J Ut they are no: deeJ:ly wcrried. Vitr:er .oays whil e emp c-yrnrnt growth ir_ th ~ i.nancial sector '"as <; percent last >
;,;reater cha - c u e b iz
de:::enber 220J
35
year, be e::g:e·-:~ ir wi.I skYl dc...n to 3
cccuriog dowrrtO'v'l'l1. ::u-d 80 percent
~·u-cent t:-.tE ).CV"
cf _·lat ·-vaf pDe-1e;as::d "_\ lot of that
·But -:h.J.r's cn:•ugr
p·nwth LO OO>::Ib ~cry1bog """ ve built sc fu." he corrm ou. T ~o :: k .2nd to O\-erestirrtat£ 1.1 ~ t c. t- k~ · :nporL<..r.ce hcre. -~hile I •:.m't tnJ.gW1e Ch:adotte wrtbou: ::..-lu•. thc11~'s a iot §'O ng on here th1t doEsn'· ·uwk.:: b::u1ks, such " E t:-t E §f•:::'.v1.1. a{ I-igh t edt fit IT:!•." "A:;
3 s...I L ·b ::1
dt>Jdo::cr.
Ne'r-
out a::Te::ttd by th ~ l:anJ.· by::f:f; tha t IT .I•:h,"
fay> J
•:: urran.. p:::si : ent of
TI-e Bissell C:::orop'\1 es. 'Cind : tte has
a 110~e bal:!r co::x::. ,.,T r.c y pt:Ople r.:-aliZ£ .., Crf CP-f~.
tl-. :~
l~le 1's V?.at: ag ~es:
'~ h.e bmk~ erE
oc•r a faacr h
suburlH• c ffi · 11 'lrkfl,
1
· 1e
d1•:...:sh V"e
rr.a·1 se:: <:1 tri::J.lc-obwn effect. But the rr_a·k::ti> SJ ti:#tt tl tc f E"len i~'t
1 ~
owdowo
gcing teo H:Ju·the -narla:t:r ace."
fi giies :•J : ack u;> that c•:•ot ~ni.or. At E ~1d :::>ftbe sccor.d q.1c.r c~ i'1 200•:. h.e >~·~, 3 2 mi-licr fq _ar~ f~e: c:J c.-11 spc.ce '"-:1~ Lnde- m1 .nt.:tion - ,- Chz·lotte. Wure o - c.;
l 1£
SJ<.re
IS
sp::Jkcn fc•t,' 1-e ays.
Ch3.rktt 's. sul::ur·
311 office vacancy ir the third quarcr, ;md co n y-vi·i t it \V::.S 8.6 percent, mrongthE ICM.est ··s ~P-r been. In a su·~y ·:Jf i .s r . et::1bers IC~ed by the Chcrloke ::.egic:n C . rr rrercial Board of Lea tor~ in 0 : to beL h) "Jercent of the t ro-<ers disag·e 2d t a l : ae office market \.Jas ovubr:iiL ~rbac · ; r::oom for more ~ · ul.-iv~ SJ=·a•e t: b ~ c.bso rbed," \Va1e n ob:ero~e;. "r w:x::.ldn't argue the \a ncr raJ€ "V .• n't lcre:3Se, but it won'! toe 10 ..nac.:e~•tc.b ' E le>e~." BII 6•. ~-::eot ol : e brokers did agr ~e 11a ~ E ar:ment market is ov::rbu:Jt. ·.va nn, 1-m-c..-er, doesn't see it
nL w : 11 9
~uceol
dla wu Sorre2,.3 : o onits were absorbd in
1 99~,
a:- d 5. 500 .uri ~~ are under
co~tru:::tic.1,
sene<'. J.le::l -=or staggered
conp:aio- s. "1.he out at E.S ::::> the d
r:~ad
\.;J.C..lL..J'
rate may peak
9.:. rercnt, ~ut ultimately \.JiJ bdd 1.p." he believes.
grec.te- charlotte biz
Charlotte aren't particularly worried about Charlotte's commercial develcpment, they a~e not totally discountiJ-g the FDIC report, either. Says Bank of America's Palermo, "You always pay attention to governmental agencies, ux:l we're respectful of their authority. As a lender, we want loans to be paid bad<. and so we de business cautiously." "We're spec builders, so we mor:itoc things like the FDIC report," Curran says. "What also helps prevent overbuilding is that lenders are doing a better job of being careful, and credit requirements are stronger than they were 10 years ago. That's a good thin?,.' But builders know they still need to take chances- even if they're smart ones. Notes Curran, "During the last recession, people got so tentative the·; would wait for 50 percent of the buil:l ing to be pre-leased before breaking ground. You can't do that now- peopi ~ want space immediately, and so the threshold to gamble has been lowerd Still, I don't L1ink we've gotten to th point of overbuilding in Charlotte." And no one is saying Charlotte is invJlnerable, by any means. "Crowth will continue in Charlot:c - barring a major national slowdow1 or the relocation of one of the major banks," Warren says. Palermo looks at things that peoJ.~ in Charlotte-Mecklenburg have more control over. In addition to the effectt cf an airline merger, he mentions the potential loss of a professional sports team and the inability to solve the pr•)t::lems of roads, air pollution and schoolt as major hindrances to continuing th~ successes of the last decade. Others agree. In the commercial brokers' survey, they listed traffic and sd1ools as the top two threats to the commercial real estate industry. The fact L1at the FDIC report is giving people pause and making them realize continued growth is not a given, but something to work on, may be just what the city needs to keep its commercial real estate indusuy healthy- as !eng as people take action, that is. Stay tuned. biz
'"'/-:J\11 E-1r.
WIIY"l"Cf CSI! OUR O::<TOCE FCR
YO"CR .n:~-.."T :EUS1NES'5 OCEI:~G?
E~r:'1'lwh Gran Fr&ia~ c.-n..Jtow Bmt G.· ~ Gn-'00 So).u:trt Fcot C' Ill> lac~~<• I-.. uriful Ou~ lTI lioot l'n · ti<eR>~
ittdng& oq.r~ _._, ftiJ S.n i£• B:u rill t>rin; P:trJ<o::., • 1o i' Stock<d P o ~ q
Bea Quirk is a Charlotte-based freelance writt!r.
gre a ter ch a rlotte biz
ce u :mber 2COO
37
by neth ea fo rtn ey r hine hardt
[bizprofile]
personal Darlene
Pearson
building
a
new
and
model
The for
Avenue
Group
software
"This is a different kind of training for a woman to be in,"
are
tra i ning.
muses Da rle ne Pea rso n, pres ide nt
o f The Aven ue Gro up <www.theavenuegroup.com>, a Charl o tte-based techn o logy trai ning co mpany. "Most peop le think of tra ini ng in terms of sa les or hum an resources, but we d o tra ining o n highly specia lized softwa re pro ducts. " And no t just a ny software products. Pea rso n has established relati onships w ith top softwa re too l providers including Ad o be, Macromedia, Corel, Author!T, Quark a nd mo re. Whi le bo th the type and sheer number o f so ftware tools on th e market can be m ind-boggli ng, Pea rso n is carefu l to kee p th e co mpa ny focused o n a parti cul a r nicl1e. "We train o n to o ls for Web d esigners, graphi cs professio nals. technical writers a nd pro ject manage rs. We also tra in instru ctio nal d es igners - people who develop train ing mat ri a ls fo r large co rp o ratio ns," she expl a ins. "Everybo dy d oes so me so rt of training, but we tra in a very specifi c a nd so phisti cated audience." The Ave nue C roup o ffers bo th tra ining a nd services
greater ch a r lo t te bi z
prim aril y to the fin ancial se ices, ind ustri al, and co m p uter (h ardwa re a nd softwa re) m- rket segments. Its fo ur practice a reas are: Techni ca l Docum entati o n and Instru ctio nal Des ign; Training Delivery; We b a nd Pro mo ti o na l Materials Design a nd Develop ment; and Busin ess Ana lys is and Project Managemen t. The co mpany's busines路- model encom passes th ree d istinct di visio ns th at are uni q ue to th e fie ld : trainin g/d eli very, co nsulting services and softwa re prod uct sa les. Pea rso n co nsiders th is mix intrinsic to the co m pa ny success. "O u r p ri mary ro le is training," she stresses. "Bu t when you tra in o n the too l, many tim es people will wa nt to buy it fro m yo u a lo ng wi th co nsul ting services. They wa nt the who le package of tra in ing services and th e so ftwa re itse lf." ~
december 2000
39
- ----------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
earson has
rea l-wo rl d exposu re o nl y rein fo rces a n
a lso fo und that while classes are
already stro ng knowledge base. Pea rso n has an cache of ix full -time instru ctors
in fo rm ati ve, pa rti ci-
and 10 co ntracto rs availabl e fo r tra ining.
pants so metim es req u ire extra help a nd guidance to meet tight deadlines. "Sometim es they tell us, ' I lea rned
Clients have responded affi rm ati vely to Pea rso n's initi ati ves. Her business has a la rge base o f Fortune 1000 co mpa ni es with myri ad training
so much, but I do n't have the capacity to ge t everything. Can I ge t servi ces fro m yo u?' So we do a lo t of consulting
a nd co nsultin g need s: First Uni o n, Ba nk of Ameri ca, Transa meri ca a nd
wo rk as well. " The Ave nue Gro u p offers vendo r-
Du ke Energy. Whil e The Ave nue Gro u p targets large co rpo rati o ns, Pea rso n is
certi fied software trai ni ng at its u niversityarea complex and offs ite at cl ie nt
fi nd ing mo re and mo re growth in small er a nd m id-sized businesses, as well individ ua l custo mers. "The
loca les. But th e b igges t innovati o n in tra ining d eli very is, no t surpri singly, o nline. "We are already o n th e Intern et with e- learning.'' Pea rso n says pro udl y.
indi vidua l segment is really growing.'' she co nfirm s. "A lo t of individuals reach us thro ugh th e Web."
"There is a live chat every wee k. There a re material s th at peop le can work fro m . They can e- mail the instructor o r go to a message board ." Thee- lea rnin g delivery co m po nent is evo lving into bigge r a nd better thin gs. The co mpany's ro les as tra in er and
E PEARSON liAS
du al degrees in scientific and techni ca l co mmun icatio ns and co mputer science, she has pu t a fres h
va lue-add ed softwa re resell er a re key
new spin o n softwa re training and d eliv-
to
its web strategy. "Yo u ca n sign up fo r cl asses a nd buy th e p rod uct o n the
ely. Whil e to day her strengths cl ea rl y li e in strategic pl anning, sales a nd ma r-
same Web page.'' Pea rso n exp lains. She expects to even tua ll y b road-
ketin g, a nd business partnershi ps, her ca reer d irecti o n was n't always so cl ea r.
cast Charl o tte classes li ve in a video fo rm at for Intern et pa rti cipants." The techno logy is a lread y ava il abl e today.'' she insists. "All we have to do is build th e co ntent fo r it. " The Avenue Gro up ta il o rs cl asses to each client's specifi ca ti o ns. Exe rcises a nd exa mpl es in co rp o rate th e cl ient's ind ustry, a parti cul ar p ro ject o r even the cli ent's fil es. "We teach with th eir exampl es, their fil es.'' Pea rso n confi rms. "We use a sta nda rd a nd then incorpo rate
As a freshm a n at Mia mi Unive rsity of O hi o, Pea rso n aspired to be a n Eng!ish teacher. But an as tute
their [th e cli ent's ! perspecti ve. Most training co mpani es d o n' t do th at. " Whil e Pea rso n herself is no lo nge r in the class roo m, th e ca liber of teaching ta lent she has recruited helps her co mpa ny maintai n its edge. The Ave nue Group's instru cto rs b rin g a de pth of expertise and ex perie nce at every interface. Because of the co m pa ny's specialized focus, each instru cto r must be well -versed in disti net prod uct areas or subsets. And because each instructo r may also engage in co nsulting se1v ices,
40
D
-\RLI
a lways been a technica l thinker. Equip ped with
professo r kn ew th at her talents wo uld take her elsewhere. "He said, 'You' re go ing d own a path that just d oes n't seem to fit yo u; " Pea rson remembers. "So I transferred to Bowling Gree n Un ive rsity where my advisor reco mmended th at I co mbine scientific a nd technica l co mmuni cati o ns with co mputer science." Techni ca l writing a nd training was a natural fit fo r th e would-be Engli sh teacher. But it too k her a w hil e to ge t there. After wo rking in her native O hi o, Pearson ca me to Cha rl o tte to jo in Broadway & Seymo ur, Inc., a so ftwa re a nd services provider. Fo ll owing a b ri ef stint at O sprey Systems, Inc.. she fin all y set up sho p as a tra ining co nsulta nt. Pea rso n's co nsulting practi ce grew in lea ps and bounds to th e po int where she was overwhelm ed . "1 eith er had to
g re ate r cha r lotte biz
subcontract out or start hiring people," she confesses. "M idgard Information Systems was th e perfect solution." Pearson added her training practi ce to the company's mi.x. As a co-owner and COO of Midgard Information
e experience an authentic
Systems, Inc. <www.midgardis.com>, a systems integration firm, she e.x panded
clwrrascarin rodizio , or BrazJian
her already impressive skill set into th e
Stea ~;:house, and be sure to bring
manufacturing arena. Over the years,
you:: : ;tppetite. Waiters circle tb.e
she has amassed e.xperience in project
room with sizzling sl<ewers of over
management, business and systems
20 ku1ds of freshly grilled meat and
analysis, application design, systems construction and impl e mentation ,
carve them directly onto yo ur plate.
testing, techni ca l documentation and
Enjoy our hot bar, wilh delectable
training, and financia l services.
items su cb as garlic shrimp in lobster
In July 1998, Midgard decided
sauce and our cold bar with tropical
to narrow its fo cus and spin off the
fruits and otber delicacies. It's a taste
Communication Services division Pearson's area -
into a new company.
After fri endly negotiations, Midgard's
exper:.ence you won't want to miss!
Brazas Brazilian Grill
Communication Services department
- ~ r kw inn ~ r :Jnly 'It csJJ y hr: uo::h ~--' rJ ~ v 2nd fo r ..Dn•:h
• n Dh nc~· 01 5u day
became a separate corporate entity,
1·:.::~ •-v::.. ti:.:l nS Rc·:<:: 11111CIX.d
owned and o perated by Darlen e Pearson. Pearso n renamed th e unit, The Avenue Croup. As she cultivated relationships with major software and hardware vendors, one partnership literally put The Avenue Group on the map . Auckland, ew Zealand-based Optical System
Technology is Moving Fast ... Don't Get Left Behind.
Corporation formed an a ll iance with
BCS offers Business-to-Buriff.tSs Solutions for:
the company to both train and resell AuthoriT. a single-source authoring tool for technical writers. This software
- Short or Lon Term IT St2jfing - Network Services - Internet Solu!..io '1!: -Project OutsOitrc!11g
enables paper files, Web site documentation, online help and other fil e to be generated from a single file without duplication. The potential cost savings is enormous. "Since the information is in one place, one person can do it or a team of eop le can do this more quickly," Pearson says. "You don 't have to recreate it from a conte.xt and
Building Partnerships and S>J i u-: i on~ "Just-in-Time" for a Fast-P ::.ced '.N cr d.
www.bcsmis.com
layout format. It cuts down o n labor and tim e-to- market. "
Oiisiness
Pearson it's at an e.xcellent price point
Business Control Systems, L.P. lLC~ntro/ 402 West Trade Stre~t Sui1e 102 ~ Syst7ms Charlotte, NC 2820:!
and re latively easy to learn. The Avenue
lnforma ion Technology Solulions
While AuthoriT isn't the only tool available to meet this need, according to
1-800-945-2931
Group is the only U.S. training provider for AuthoriT and one of only two
greater crarlotte biz
>cec~mber
200::;
41
rese ll ers. Tb e rcluio1s l iJ= 115 E:>posed the conpa
-r
tc• in ternc.ti J 13.II
rket~ .
Pears01· ccr:1 men t>, ' B 0 1 Au th OI1T we •,
-~
t.h:i ~.
everyo ne happy in th e intern ati o nal market. but we ca n try. But th e o nl y
veJY ITLdl a -egiora l
compa1y. t ow 1bro g
to Lhe chall enge. · we ca n't al ways m ake
eJq:·Jsu re
coup led wh - e -IE:unin .;. V\ e 1re becom-
tim e we can fit th e w ho le wo rld in a chat is arou nd 3:30 o r 4:00 p.m ." As a wo man in a highly tech nical
ing worldwide.' '-'Vhi le ime u al i nal
fie ld, Pearson is often a curi osity in tech-
notori ety ITI :JY b:- idea l_ it d• s C•J me
no logy business circles. But in her most
with a few c:c:v
. Wi i3J:; di3p3 ate time
recent round of fi na nci ng. her gender may
zo nes can rr 1k :' live 0 1 li1e chat5 nea-Jy
have actuall y opened new doors. Pearson,
impos~ib l e for ~-
seeking to in crease her sta ff as well as
ea-ni 1g I
- se~
ing As ia n, .L r:::r ·ean as I'V€ . 1 JS
In serv-
m ove m o re classes o nlin e, too k a novel approach to fund -raising: targeting wo men.
Th ro ugh fem ale-ow ned in vestment ba nkin g firm, Fa irvi ew Ca pital Pa rtn ers, LLC, Pea rso n ra ised $250,000 in a ngel inves tm ent fro m loca l wo men. She wo rked di rectl y with each in vesto r, edu ca tin g th em o n th e co mpl exiti es of th e business. "We do a lo t of di ffe rent things, whid1 probably makes us a little confusing." Pea rson says. "So it too k a littl e time to educate them o n who we are, what we do and why we do it th at way." The merits of th e business pla n ul timately wo n Pea rso n stro ng suppo rt a nd m oved her in to th e business co mmun ity's lim eli gh t as a wo man -owned techno logy co mpany fund ed by wo m en in ves to rs fac ilitated by wo men ba nkers. Ea rli er this yea r, she wo n a regio nal Entrepreneuri a l Excell ence Awa rd fro m Worhing Woman m agazine. "Women ca n raise m o ney, even for a techni ca l busin ess. Fo rge t abo ut th e statisti cs. Yo u reall y can do whatever you set yo ur mind to d o. Give n a stro ng b usiness p lan, in vestors are willing to help wo m en succeed. " biz
Nethea Fortney Rhinehardt is a Charlottebased freelance writer.
Introducing Direct-to-Plate While most printers still spin their wheels with lots of pre-press work, The R.L. Bryan Company has moved into printing's fast lane. Our state-of-the-art. direct-to-plate l leid elbe rg Creo Trendsetter/S pectrum computer w plate
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Count on number one,The R.L. Bryan Company crew, to get the job done when you need quality printing at a realistic price. AMY HARRIS
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42
d eco::rrJ2r 2 (II)C
g re a ter char lotte biz
ballantyne, coot 1ued "rom :~ age 13.
n u mbe r of otr.er broker>. incl ud ing ll isseli -Hayes, Cottingh<J rn CI- alk, All an Tate and Prudentia l. ~ome :JO percen t of the sa les are co-brc k.ued.. What m:1ll::es Ba ll mrr n ~ uni q ue is not o nl y the rap .::! pa·::;;' of its deve lopme nt, but also the fact tt.at it is a ll occu rring accOTd:i ng to a m aster pl a n so detailed tbc.t Curran and his team placed a COP? >hop an:. other b usi ness services so w:rke:rs frorr: th~ office bu il d ings woul dn't he.~ to access t.'lem using na in road >.. To make sure EVerything wi t.:J ne Ballantyn ~ name i:; of the highest c uality, Lle name has t·ad emark p rotectio n. That level o ~ q ua:rty coo tro l a nd (:·Ia nning has been d i nat~d b::r H.C. '"S moky" Bissel l, w ho fou nded The I. issell Co m pn i.:s in 1%4 3r:d now szrves as chairman. Th:o comj::any is best l< nown as th e de·.-elope;- of South Park. Give n what'' occurred jui ng the last fo u r year'l, its hare to visua lize what Eall a nty ne wi l. lc·ok I kE: co:n:! 2004. biz
Bea Quirk is a Charbtte-bcred freelance writer. She covers Ch crbtte-arec real EState each month for Grel ter Charbtte Biz.
greater d·ar otte biz
®
Hillon Garden Inn
ptown Charlotte: 704-34 7-5972 Statesville Road: 704-597-7655 Pineville: 704-889-3279
SouthPark: 704-319-5700 Speedway Blvd .: 704-979-5600 Pineville: 704-889-2700
Gastonia: 704-865-6688
Uptown Charlotte: 704-373-0917 Mc.tthews: 704-841 -1155 Concord : 704-793 -1765
.J
$.
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HOTEL
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GROUP
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43
. b1z
c
e
.
g u 1 de
Take advantage of th ese products and services from Charlotte's leading business-to-business suppliers. advertising/marketing/pr 1st & 10 Ma rketing, Inc. 119 Stone Village Dr. Fort Mill, SC 29715 www .1stand 1Omarketing.com 704.556 .7330
autos/transportation Polaris Country 100 N. Main St. Stanley, NC 28164 www.polariscountry.com 704.263.9085
corporate apparel/gift specialties Action Plus 4811 Monroe Rd. Charlotte, NC 28205 704.536.8337
dining Brazas Brazilian Grill 4508 E. Independence Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28205 704.566.1009
education McColl School of Business at Queens 1900 Selwyn Ave. Charlotte, NC 2827 4 www.mccollschool.edu 704.337.2224 Pfeiffer University 4701 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 www.pfeiffer.edu 704.521.9116
employee screening I biz services TIS-Total Information Source www.applicantbackground.com 800.843.4199
financial services I banking First Citizens Bank www.firstcit izens .co m 888.323.4732 South Trust Bank www .southtrust.com 800.225.5782
financial services I investments Montag Management Corporation 2915 Providence Rd., Ste. 2 50 Charlotte, NC 28211 www.montagmanagement.com 704 .362.1886 U.S. Trust www.ustrust.com 800.733.1355
44
december 2000
W.E. Stanley & Company, Inc. 300 E. Wendove r Ave. Gree nsboro, NC 27401 www.westanley.com 336.273 .9492
golf courses I recreation Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation 7500 Olde Sycamore Dr. Charlotte, NC 28227 www.oldesycamoregolf.com 704.573.1000 Regent Park Golf Club 5055 Regent Pkwy. Fort Mill, SC 29715 www.regentparkgc.com 803.547.1300 I 704.547.0023
hospitality Dun hill Hotel 237 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 www.dunhillhotel.com 704.332.4141 I 800.354.4141 Panos Hotel Group 5936 Monroe Rd. Charlotte, NC 28212 www.panoshotels.com 704.532.6747
human resources I staffing Matt Christopher Group 4530 Park Road #100 Charlotte, NC 28209 www.mattchris.com 704.338.1948 Staff America 6000 Fairview Rd., Ste. 1500 Charlotte, NC 28210 www.staffamerica.com 704.944.7600 The Creative Group 201 S. College St. #2200 Charlotte, NC 28233 www.creativegroup.com 704.338.6688 The Transition Team 7512 E. Independence Blvd., Ste. 105 Charlotte, NC 28227 www.tttsolutions.com 704.532.0084 USA Staffing www .usastaffingi nc.com 800.991.2367 Westaff 800 Clanton Rd ., Ste. W Charlotte, NC 28217 www.westaff.com 704.525.8400
i.t./intemet services
office furniture
Ballantyne Consulting Group 15720 john). Delaney Dr., Ste. 100 Charlotte, NC 28277 www.gobcg.com 704.540.0509
Tech line 4446 South Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28209 www.techlineusa.com 704.334.6823
Broadband Ave 3417 Trade Park Ct. Charlotte, NC 28217 www.broadbandavenue.com 704.943.2000 Business Control Systems 402 W. Trade St., Ste. 102 Charlotte, NC 28202 www.bcsmis.com 704.333.7794 I 800.945.2931 CAl Concepts www.ca iconcepts.com 704.338.9808 CC Communications 10100 Park Cedar Dr., Ste. 166 Charlotte, NC 28210 www.cccommunications.com 704.543.1171 E-dreamz www.edreamz.com 704.716.3400 lnSite Business Solutions www.insitebiz.com 704.846.8121 march FIRST 2725 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 350 Charlotte, NC 28217 www.marchfirst.com 704.329.4600 Project Managers 212 S. Tryon St., Ste.1680 Charlotte, NC 28281 704.332.6611 System 5 Technologies www.sSt.com 800.599.9089 I 704.895.3456
insurance Hood Hargett & Associates P.O. Box 30127 Charlotte, NC 28230 www.hoodhargett.com 704.37 4.1863
printing/pre-press R. L. Bryan Company 7510 Hogan's Bluff Lane Charlotte, NC 28227 www.rlbryan.com 704.573.4946
real estate Crescent Resources 400 S. Tryon St. , Ste. 1300 Charlotte, NC 28201-100= www.crescent-resources.cr m 704.382.8009 Prudential Carolinas Realty 4529 Sharon Rd. Charlotte, NC 28211 www. prud entia lcha rlotte .c J m 704.366.5545
sales training I contact mall:C.gement Beacon 11911 Steele Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28273 www.pharos-software.con 704.587.0225 Henricks Corporate Trainiâ&#x20AC;˘g 7621 Little Ave. , Ste. 503 Charlotte, NC 28226 www.henrickscorp.sandler-.com 704.566.7383
telecommunications Adelphia 401 S. Tryon St., Ste. 220: Charlotte, NC 28202 www.adelphia-abs.com 704.357.8080 Verizon Wireless www.verizonwireless .com 888.466.4646
legal services Womble Carlyle 3300 One First Union Center 301 S. College St. Charlotte, NC 28202-602 5 www.wcsr.com 704.331.4900
media WDAV 89.9 Classical www.wdav.org 704.894.8900
trade show I presentations G. Michael's 656 Michael Wylie Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217 www.gmichaels.com 704.679.4100 Sharpe Images 800.688.0629 Dept. 205
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