Greater Charlotte Biz 2001.03 by CLT.biz & Charlotte Biz & Greater Charlotte Biz

WOMBLE CARLYLE

速

NEXT -GENERATION BUSINESS LAWYERS '~ www.wcsr.com ATLA TA GREENVILLE, S.C. CHARLOTTE WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RlCE, PLLC

WINSTON-SALEM

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK

RALEIGH

WASH! GTON , D.C. <>zooo

H-:re's c~

beirg firsl. Heres to eading. Here's to altering the face

busi1ess

revclutioni:i,g every single facet of your company. A new world. A new way.

C;:ll oL - Char otte office at 70'-.329.4600.

cover story

All in the Family Led by the father and son team of Zbigniew (left) and Matthew Michalewicz, and guided by the financial expertise of Dan Cullen, NuTe:h Solutions' adaptive software is revolutionizing the way companies use information. How7 It changes as quickly as your business changes.

20 E-Property Management Michael Praeger is bringing new world technology to old world property management. As CEO of AvidXChange, he and president ' - - - - - - L - and co-founder David Miller are developing an e-marketplace for commercial real estate property managers.

• •

32 Active Retirement The growth of upscale communities for older adults is changing the way Charlotteans look at retirement. Developers are building everything from gated communities with patio homes to deluxe onestory apartment complexes and calling them all "retirement communities."

42 Olympic Spirit When joyce Russell tells you about her experience as a 2000 Olympic Torch Relay runner you may feel as if you had been chosen to represent your '------" company, your community and your country at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

the biz interview Ed Dolby is the first AfricanAmerican to chair the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. As president of Bank of America - North and South Carolina, he was also recently named to Black Enterprise magazine's list of the Top 50 Blacks in Corporate America in 2000. &rea-:er charlotte biz

publisher's post

biz digest

biz calendar

9 II

real estate biz Playing the Numbers

•

de artments

regional biz Lake Towns Face

ew Challenges

restaurant biz Sullivans Steakhouse

auto biz 2002 Jaguar X-Type

golf biz Regent Park Golf Club

biz resource guide

on the cover:

This months cover features Matt and Zbigniew Michalewicz of NuTech Solutions in front of an original painting by Ewa]. Michalewicz, Matthews mother and Zbigniews wife. Photo by Wayne Morris.

1-'>W'or~~~~,:;.;;..:::.

cliaflotte iz march 200 I

cliaflotte

March 200 I Volume 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 3

[publisher's

stl

Not Necessarily Survival of the Fittest Watching the contestants on "Survivor"-far removed from Darwin's proposition-we are often surprised by their actions and amazed at their behavior, but

Publisher

nevertheless fascinated enough to tune in repeatedly.

John Paul Galles jgalles@greatercharlottebiz.com

Although by definition only one person can "survive"

Associate Publisher

Maryl A. Lane maryl.a.lane@greatercharlottebiz.com

and the contestants are unduly harassed courtesy of the

john Paul Galles, Publisher

show's producers pandering to a wanton audience share, it is somewhat awkward and disconcerting to witness the individuals behaving badly and building "alliances" to select victims for elimination. No matter how artificial, we identify with the constraints forced upon them and then wonder how we might

Editor

Timothy J. Parolini tparolini@greatercharlottebiz.com

behave in similar circumstances. While our economy does not dictate solo survival, our survival is nevertheless dependent to some extent on the actions of others and on external artificial stimuli.

Vice President/Director of Sales

Talbert Gray tgray@greatercharlottebiz.com Account Executive

Kathryn Moseley kmoseley@greatercharlottebiz.com Gregory L. Duncan gduncan@greatercharlottebiz.com

We watch business decision-makers nationwide and in our own community with similar trepidation as they are forced to merge or be acquired or even to shut down plants and lay off thousands of workers, in an effort to "survive." Our reaction is substantial if we are among the businesses being closed or the individuals being "laid-off," victims of our "economy." And our economic survival is further agitated by Alan Greenspan and other regulators who encourage economic responses that sometimes boost the economy and sometimes slow the economy. Having enjoyed the longest period of sustained economic growth as well as substantial growth of stocks and mutual funds until last year, we had been spoiled by low unemployment without significant inflation . Now, after the rapid decline of the stock

Contributing Writers

Casey Jacobus Natalie Johnson Bea Quirk Nethea Fortney Rhinehardt Chip Scholz

market and six interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve bringing interest rates to their highest level in nine years, the economy has slowed and layoffs are increasingly widespread. Clearly it was not sustained growth and low unemployment that caused this economic slowdown, but the fear of "irrational exuberance" held by prominent regulators and the restraints they enacted to combat this. The recent reductions in interest rates by the Federal Reserve are intended to

Contributing Photographer

Wayne Morris

rekindle economic growth by stimulating home sales and home refinancing. Hopefully, we can expect that consumer attitudes will improve li ke the spirits of contest ants on "Survivor" when they are rewarded with matches or food or blankets. When we feel more

Greater Charlotte Biz is published

comfortable and less frightened or concerned about the basics, we spend more freely or

12 times per year by:

are less likely to stop spending in fear of our future.

Galles Communications Group, Inc. 804 Clanton Road, Suite B Charlotte, NC 28217-1358 www.greatercharlottebiz.com For editorial or advertising inquiries, call 704.676.5850. Please fax subscription inquiries 704.676.5853 or e-mail them to info@greatercharlottebiz.com

Perhaps of somewhat lesser importance, certainly as an immediate stimulus, is President Bush's proposed tax cut. As long as we temper our "irrational exuberance" for tax cuts with adequate repayment of our national debt and responsible funding of social security, the stride of the economy should be strengthened for the long term. In the Charlotte region, we are fortunate to have a healthy economic base and mix of business that has served this area well in previous economic slowdowns or downturns. And unlike "Survivor," we are not voting anyone off this island. We live together and seek an economy where all participate and contribute and benefit from its growth and success. We are encouraged by recent efforts to stimulate a quick recovery of the economy

and more prosperous times for all businesses. Greater Charlotte Biz will do all we can

in whole or in part without permission is

to support local business growth and promote your business activity. We want to be a

prohibited . Products named in these pages are trade names or trademarks of their re spective companies. Th e opinions expressed herein are not necessarily

those of Greater Charlotte Biz or Galles Communications Group, Inc.

march 200 I

community of survivors together, not survivors without others! Don't forget .. . please visit our Web site at www.greatercharlottebiz.com if you have not already completed our Reader Survey!

g re at e r c h ar lotte biz

Aeron速Chair

ty Her man M i l le ~

[bizdigest]

Tech Biz from LocaiBusi ness.com Locai Business.com 1s a national daily online business news site w1th a local focus on t he Carolinas.

BroadBand Avenue Obtains Funding Internet hosting firm BroadBand Avenue said it has closed a second round of funding as it plots its expansion to other cities. The I0-month-old Charlotte company did not say how much money it raised and did not name the investors, although a spokesman described them as individuals. In january, the company said it had obtained $4 million in bridge financing, in the form of loans convertible to stock if it raised additional funding. At the time, founder and CEO Forrest Garvin told LocaiBusiness.com he was hoping for another $20 million to $30 million by March I. Founded last March, Broadband Avenue sells Internet hosting and management services to corporate customers. In some cases, it owns the servers and provides high-speed Internet connections. It also sells co-location services, providing floor space and Internet connections for customers' equipment.

Osprey and Unifi Technology to Cooperate Charlotte tech services firms Unifi Technology Group and Osprey have agreed to cooperate on installing computer and e-commerce systems for manufacturers and distributors. The two companies will jointly market their services primarily to customers in the electronics and chemical industries. Unifi will sell systems that help companies manage their manufacturing and supply chain operations. Osprey will provide e-commerce, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other business systems. Osprey executives said the partnership is their first with another services firm . The company, which grew up as a systems integrator, has relationships with software makers including Microsoft Corp., SAP. Charlotte-based Yerian Technologies, and Raleigh-based Haht Commerce.

Angels Help 123hire.com 123hire.com, a network of local online recruiting sites, has raised about $1.4 million in new financing from two Charlotte angel investment groups. The Charlotte-based company said it received investments from Charlotte Angel Partners and AWP Partners, a newly-formed group of angel investors in Charlotte. 123hire.com previously raised about $600,000 from private investors. including several who are members of Charlotte Angel Partners. The company plans to use the money to continue product development and add six new cities to its network.

g reater c h ar l o tt e biz

john Kasay Speaks at Club Ron Jaworski is March Speaker at Hood Hargett Breakfast Club returning in the fall to help the Panthers

Carolina Panthers

move up the winning ranks. The speaker

kicker

featured in next month's issue will be Ron

John

Jaworski, a current analyst for NFL pro-

Kasay

grams on ESPN and a former Philadelphia

was the

Eagles quarterback. The Hood Hargett Breakfast Club is

sports celebrity

held at the Charlotte Marriott Executive

speaker

Park Hotel from September to May for the

for the

select group of 230 clients, sponsors and

February

speakers. The pur-

Hood Hargett

John Kasay

pose of the

Breakfast Club, a private monthly event

series is

held exclusively for the 35 Hood Hargett

for spon-

Breakfast Club sponsors and their guests.

sors and

BroadBand Avenue, a managed Internet

their

hosting facility, was the Host Sponsor

guests to network

for the event. One of the very few players remaining

with the

from the Panthers inaugural squad, Kasay

ultimate

has been a large part of the Carolina

goal of

Panthers' success. He is the team's all-time

doing more

leading scorer, but has been sidelined for

business with each other.

the past two seasons with injuries. In

Ron Jaworski

Preparations are being made for

1999, Kasay suffered a torn anterior cruci-

the 2001-2002 Breakfast Club Series,

ate ligament (ACL) in his left (kicking) knee

which will expand to three new markets:

that ended his season. He underwent a

Greensboro, Raleigh and Greenville-

long recovery process and was slated to

Spartanburg (S .C.). For sponsorship

start the 2000 season.

inquiries and more information

However, in preseason practice

on becoming a member of the

Kasay fractured his left kneecap, again

Hood Hargett Breakfast Club, call

ending his season. Although still on the

704.556.7330 or visit the company's

road to recovery, John is excited about

Web site at ww.1stand10marketing.com .

Charlotte Convention & Visitors Bureau Breaks Reco rd The number of group room nights booked b) the Charloue Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCVB) has reached a record 225 ,955 for 2001- a 49 percent increase over "consumed

nights" for 2000. "'v\'e continue to increase our efforts in selling room nights for our local hotels,'' said Melvin Tennant, CCVB president and CEO. A room night is defined as the num-

ber of rooms a group will occupy times the number of nights they stay. A group of 500 reserving rooms for two nights, for example, will have consumed 1,000 room nights. marc h 200 I

06)0 Jan Price Rd. Ch : rk:tt-=., J.JC 28272 Ph:ne: · -f.)0-257-5360

•Efiren-:Jfaus

ma rc h 200 I

loo::a: r-:4588-288~ Fac 7~ -f 38-2888 E-l\olail: :·c Tl@ehrenhaus.com

greater charlotte biz

[bizcalendar] t

u e s d a y

Biz Net-. c.-k.opS S•.m thPnk Ev~ry

-LeS(!ay

7:30- &45 a.11 Kathryr Mose le 1 704.67b.5850, .ext. 101

thursdays

Pctrici ;:: P::t! lack

et\\ rk

Cu. ·lotte Chamber

Biz etwork.org SouthPark

Four~ 1

Every Thursday

R~'IIP

Se:or.:J ruesda\. Su5an f1 cGow311 704.37 : .410E

-uesday. 7:30a.m.

7:30 ·8:45a.m.

line 704.378.:.336;

Karv1 L ndsey 704.378.1321

Cha b r Connect: ew M:!m:>er Oriematioo

Charbne Chamber Ea5t r _a Co neil Luncheor --~sday

Las ~

Tuesday, 4:00 · 6:0J p.m.

R~\!P

line 704.378.1336;

O·erise Hemphill

Ch~rise

- empliJ 70!!.3'<: .1378

Biz etwork.org &llantyne

70~.3:'8.4106

5:30-:::::1 p.rr. Adam'~. l\· arkHJtel

7C•4.70B ..:Jso

C tarlottE: Cha:nbcr nth ea A:e:; Counc I L .mcheon

7(4.676.5850, ext. 101

Tl'ird Thu rsda1

Charlotte Chamber Perimeter South Area Council Luncheon

5Lsan 1.1C::OV\.al

=irst Thursday

Cil.ar ott£ CIIlmbcr Air'pon it rea Ce~unci unc.bcon

7G4.378.1378

wednesdc.vs Ev~ry Wednesday 7:30 ·8:45a.m. Kath ·vn Moseley 704.576.5850, ext. 101

Fourth Tuesday Susan V cC:owar

Kathryn Moseley

Cherise Hemphill

7(4.378.1378

Chari •:...e Chanbe: Center CitY CoLnci_ Luncneon

great=r chc.r otte b

Tl- ird T- u--sd~

B•- iness Growth

Charklltc Chu1bu Sooth Park Are Cc·un _i Luncheon

Third

Btz etwork.org

E-.ery Wednesday 7:30 · 8:45a.m. K;::thryn Moseley 704.676.5850, ext. 101

S ~e .

ptown

:letrofn.l Er trcpnnc: .trial C:>un<il _MEC)

Firstroond.org Fcurtll Tuesday 6:DC- 7:30p.m. TI-e caladian 1 :!/ rJ. Tryon St., 70L .33 1.9463

Charlotte Chamber Umivcrsity City Area Council Luncheon Second Thursday Susan McGowan 704.378.4106

7(4.373.4106

La5t Thur~:a y Cherise H-=m p1il 7G4.3 7-': .: 37E

alendar For

( 'orne Enjoy a~nother Incred "ble Day at the Races~' Do 't .Llfis.s the f)ufiWor Garden Party a;ul Social Event .:;_f..'iu Year! C£mu. Exrfxrience the Thrill of tht 'Chafe! l ~

Race 3jo:;.s(lr.· ltd~lll ri:ck

Im p :HI S

SOI'flROL"

«:Itt <tharlnttt (Dbserver

LAND ROYER ~m Cours ; 1J(JJ'Li(lf'S

BI:.E}'f"'~JI.LU.

T l FF

~- C 1. fi;~~ 4 ~, ,.,_'"""""'·"' """

We 1e C."C]JEctmg 2().000 pecple tc- e•-zJOY a day

pe7ienczRg the Tflriil

of the

~:·

j~,\

at ri:Je .-acesje'P u--:l l eve~ _'<-rget. R - ce proceeds ( are to benefit Cat::;:wba :..C.r.-ti.s ConsErvancy as ~·ei: as oftoe-: regionat <:bil:rities. Ifyou're mt.:::re.;;[ed in

V ISA

TllltilfDI·~

Bank of

Am~~ ,..,.. ~ ~ r.t¥'.~

'Ccast fC¥1" tbi.s }-Car's race u.>

)

Jpor~cr or wish

ro purchme .:; PSLfvr the 2001 ~~?en's ~up 'tet:piecc ase K-.xes p lease caB 704) 423-340D.

. .,

2001 Q U EEN'S CUP STEEPLECHASE

trealestate bizJ

by tea q ... ''<

Playing the Numbers --1ow Charlo-:te s real es-:ale analysts get t1e r numbers tlat

~~Eip

sh1pe

~re

market

E<eCJtives evai LEtlr~ Char otte's boc m ng real estae n arket _s.Jaly rely :>n date. --roll Frar < vVarren of Kar-e; Research c.rx:J the Chari Jt€ Chamber of Collrrer:e's Tcny Cru-rbl-=y.

It seems tha a rr.ost ::very

published p ec aboLIL Chalotte aru::l Cbrkue real e.3Late contains stc.tistics and fit:ures com'Jiled by FGnk \'l:!rrdl, presic~rt o- Karnes Resecrch Ccm:>-Jny <www.kamesresearch.cam> or Tony Crunbley, vice presictnt of research for ti-e Charlotte 01aol::::- cf Comme-c£ <www.charlottechamber..:Dm>. T1 ~ it data influ ::nce decist:m-rnaker:; on all k__nJs of mauas, from v. he~he:r to : elocate to C1arlotte, to whero:: tJ put their effie~: 01 re ail shop. tJot orly C:.Jt, but t~le r

gr·eater charlot~e : iz

s·ati3tics sbpe people-, percc-tic·ns of th ~ Que::n City ·ncludin.s beth t· Jsc whc li\-e a1d work bere .and thJsc whr· ho.ve nevee ; er stepped fc·ot in Lle :::oumy

::lecisions an:! p-or ·c r _he Altho-~h th ~ ir

futur~.

xckgrcunds are q.uc

::liffercru bo_h sl- Jre a de.: p afecti•Jn for _heir --_.-rrcLowr_

So wi- -J ar:z theoe guys, :me wher~

cb tl.ey come "P wl-1- those I\L11bersi Both are l•Kal beys -

C.ru 11bl e~

Bright Lig1ts , Big C i~ Fc'!T Cn.--mc e')-, 52,

C 'Br~ctL.!

h,1s

bJrr and rai3e.J in Kwrapclis, Warr~:J.

1lway.3 b::zn a b:g ·:ity. ·1 ;,.as gro'v\-in§

~rein

..tp in ·Jrna:JoliS in the

Ch=.rlo-te. And.

t1ou~1

both er_•)Y

't1e numbers,' _hey ar- not s lti:>tics gceks or set

fr~aks.

[! ) th see th .! reseach

and :ma]ys_3 as tools rJr their tr .le Ca 1irgs market : n~; Char iJtte, fo . Crumbley, and , for W:.rre:-1, heiTng clients= male

l~SOo

a.nc 60s,

md I ··;2::! mmir,g 1c the bg cit~ c.( : harloue, ' h ~ nx~lls. "Of .:ou ~se. the allest bulcli g t-1.rn

\,\'25

n.r.e stories.

·:ompar.:d to the 6( st.:Jrieo "Ve have now. " C -..tmbl ~ y

ci3co\ere: 1is afkiLy

ma --:1- 20J I

>II

things will look like in another fi~ For example, Crumbley's ph:::11e rings a lot less. Inquiries fc·r in .orilatior used to come to him from pe::Jple visitirg the office, by phone and via le11er later by fax. The Chamber used to ge:.. c.bout 50,000 inquiries a year that war l'bw, ·olks wanting information en Cha· otte _ust go to the Chamber·s We": stc With about 1.5 million !-.its lasr ye:tr. it is C•ne of he most active chamber site:; in t-.e ::ountry Also, with the advent of the lnternct, nore information and data ae a·nilable Jnline for free. Frecuently, Crurbley is 1ble to conduct his research on t±-e Net .nstead of spending hours on tbE. phone

''The fi_;Jre aren't just a b~ 1c+J

numb=.rs.. .. The/re the recsc,,s why i•t"rrise buildings are located

wh) auto and

oi~alers

:~:!the·,

are c/uste,·ed torethu,

wf1t the perfurr e cou · te • is

in th: f·ont o(the store, a~d

~ne

me-'> shoes are in the bxf-... ' -Torr Crumb ey, Char'otte Cltt:lrm: er

·or nunbcrs durJ1g a stint in t ~ ~.ir whe:-_ he compilec da~a ::n ;;ircn.ft .lis.cry W-en he r~tumed hem:, "12 •Jb:a red a _cgree from U. C C ·~ar otte n ·JU3in::.ss ad:rr:.inis~ation, with CoiCCntra·ion.: i 1 ge::. g-aphy and rrorketbg --J.e t1.en ~1rr,... his 13Sters in eco1.omic .?;cgraphy Jnde- the tutelage of Dr. AI 5te·;;a.t, wl·o rwu ns a 5ood friend and ccllc~g.12. "whil~ at UNO: Charlotte, C:-umb ey rae! at in crnship at the Cha!-bU of Comnera: 'I fe"l in lov~ w.tr tlx: marl•eting of .~ e city and the reqtrn::mcn .s cf kowin ~ you: "Jroduct," he:;- 1 s. 1:-le j J.r :xi the -esea:ch staff in 9-:' 6 and 1as been her ~ r_is en ire career, n....--v.· :;erv ng 2s' c p~~.iden. ·Jf the divisio"l. TheE was actually ver:' littk ch<Uge in t.h£ wa~ t:1.e r:::.earch :lep:ar::nent functiom:d for the fi:~ 20 years o "he; te!1llre, ::=ore~

Cn: ~ble} :ecalls. "Oh, we "NE:J.t rrom u8rg calu btors to COlT.pureJs, ;nd \Je beca "Tle m~·le proficient with t~c - no[o)gy," he ·. ommm.s, ,.Jut witr grov. _h of toc Intel net in the last five :;ears, the change

has b::en phnorr,enal. Few tb n.2:s have i:mpctecl . "le infc·rmatic•n i11dusny a~ muc - as - E. Internet. Who k'lO"-S w1.at

m c. rch

~00

::>r in the library. This change in technolog~ r.;..s been extremely satisfyi:lg for Crumtle::r "A numbers person just likes to r-ut ·he numbers on the screen- 1 w;;.n_ to see the numbers dispersed and ~·1..i: o · here," he says. "And the figures aren'· j .Et a bunch of numbers :o me. T:1e7 rr.ean something- they're the reascns why high-rise buildings are located to_sether why auto dealers are clustered to5ether. and why the perfume counter is :n the front of the store and .he mec's ~noes are in the back. "My numbers ~'lelp people uaderstand that Charlotte is the right l xatio:~ for them," Crumbley c::Jntinuts. 'And while we [the Chamber] are n::>t "'lere to recruit individuals, . ob seeker!: and those looking to buy a house .lx our information, too." Adds Crumbley, "[ enjoy :he marhting aspect of my job, - nd 1lo.,e my job because it's in Charlotte. " The biggest d .allenge of 1.is job, Crumbley says, is having an an~er for every question asked of the E·: oromic Development Department befJP- they get it. He succeeds about eighy :Jercer.t of the time. But some questio"I.S ~re ha-d to anticipate, like the time :~1.E 1-.ead of a firm considering a move ·o :::Larloue wanted to know if the city ha:l311. AAU swim team (it did), and wb..et-1.~ it was legal to raise chickens wi :hjn frc city limits (it was). Turns out tf.e ~:e:::utive's daughter was an AAU swimrret .m d that he raised exotic game hens.

Crumb.ey also W'orks to find ways to measure im:Jortant .:~spects of Charlo te. Even in :he 1970s, : harlotte's banking tusiness wcs big. but it was hard to pH J finger on hJ\o\-- big. He decided the <Uswer was to mea9Jre bank assets 1-eadcuartered ~re , a n·_mber that has gown [-om $7 l:::il"-ion when he joined the Chamber tc $900 btlLon today. Anyon~ wh , d-ives through the area md sees all the waehouses knows this ]-as to be a :listribu·ion center, but asain, j .1st how bi?;7 "TheP-'s no such .hing as a c.istributior industry- it crosses all se·: t.Jrs." Crmrbley sa;--s. "So we came up vith whole;ale sale.; volume as a me.lsure. You krow that if you're selling them , ;ou re mov ng thea. " (Charloue rarL<S 8xth in the naticn ll this category.) Cn.mt ley's offi :e also publishes quarrly report:. on ne"' and expanded busiDesses (the 1mount 1nd 5ize of i:westDlent) <..nd on corrmerc.al :levelopment, plm lists of manufacurers ard of foreign firms The public's tus: in the Cnamber's "igures is a testamnt to his dedication. n membeGhip surveys the Chambet· o:onducts regularly, confidence in its llfc·rmation gatr.er:ng and distributi..Jn : onsistentb ranks :n the 90th percntile.

3urvey Says ... Frank Warren, 40, has a backgroond n economi.::s and p annbg, and he is Jringing tlut into 1.= ay a5 he seeks to Kames Rescar::h Company. A pres~nt. Kames Resear<::"1 is the only third-pa-ty ::ommercia real est=.te Ill3.rket research fi-m #i.th off1c~ in Charotte and Raleigh . .Jf .he r five ft..ll-time <Ud one part-time -::m _ loyees. three ae city planners. W:men ea1:1ed iis _mdeJgr~ duate degree in economics fmn U C ·: J-.apel Hill and a ~a:; ters in city plannin;;; from Georgia Tech. The ompany was staned in l£90 by Eric Ka1:nes to :::onduct real estal2 market suiVeys, w1.ich remains an Lllportant part d what i does currently. In 1995, Karnes oper~d a Raleigh officE and hired ·Narren => :un the Charlot e operation. Before j-Arring Karnes, Wocren spent four years wLh an economic developmmt firm ~Washington, DC and four r-ars witr Charloue-based :=:aison Associates where l e established the ~xpand

gre3.ter charlotte biz

JA~

"", e~- ~fJ0

Ulllmigh:k<il b l

"W'= are paid to p·ooc'e a

LEASE A NEW 20C I JAGUARS-TYPE

R TYJP> 0-

,.•.l1J,g1lll& Jr

critical =r'= to potentia, de elopers or investo·s, Gl1d to

analrz~

all the

potential OJrcomes, posit\e a.1d negative -

inckJCir;g exit s:rarefies.'

- Fran" W:l,...tn, Karn~: P.e!-earcr

market researc.1 depa-uneiL lr 1999, Kames, whiL= remain ng coJnrp:::ny chair, "seni-retired to DenJer, (.::o·a·ado' as

39 Month I 32.500 Mile lease: Capitalized cost Down Payment First month's lease payment Refundable security deposit Acquisition Fee Cash due at signing

$43. 17• $1 470 $57• $SOO $45C• $1 52':'

~ JAGUAR~ s:OTT JAGU.t. •

4 16TYVOLA ROAD· 527-7000 • www. scottjag.com

200 I Jaguar S·TYPE MSRP $46,250 irclu:::ing UB 1SIOr..aiO"\ =-:IJjin~ t<l(es :Cie aid Er5e fees. leasee responsible for excess wear/tear and mileage at $..!0/m il~ O\ler ~-. 500-nile . lcr sx::cllese: :e-ms;:;.ke rE.'"fl'-.;ta1 deiNery from dealer stock by )/ 1/0 I.

Wan·en says, end \Ahrren be:c.u-te ptesidenL. At preswt, K:lrnes R.esea ch produc;:s quanetly rq:orts sune:-ing the industrial and ali.:::= mark~t5 ::1 Mecklenbur5 CcW1ty, as ·xe.l J.s a semiannual retaL sUJvey, whicn a .~ in.:::ludes six counties cutside Jf M=.:::k.c:nbmg. Similar studies <rrE ::ondocted jn Faleigh. The firm sells scb>criptiors tc• these reports, but t -e :lata is al3J tsed regularly in newspape1· md m.1gazine a ~ticles (including C:1tat.::1 ·=:narlo!..e B z), vhere Warren is ob.eJ. ibeGily qJo .ed. In comp: hng t J.ose s rve!'S , warren and his staff mther.t:cate inio•nation usir:g various :net~nds, fwm f1xing brohrs and leasing e:gents fJr upcatcd information en pDperties teo J=erscnally driving arol.Ul.d . 'l can't b =lie·r.: we haven't caus _d a 1;' \necks," ·-u: laLghs. "'vVe drive sl J"//ly, .ben slo"'l d Jwn more to look at a :rJre-ty, and ·hen tum aroLnd. We oLeJ. m <.ke chive > mad. 'Tm alsJ su ~prised we h:r1en '1 been stor:ped by the police ," \N';m::n ad::ls \vith a gr n. "We'll ::irive around a tuilcling, often late in t~~ e :la~1, talkirg into a >-

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:lictaphone, and we get some odd looks. I'm surprised no one has called 911. " Being well-established alsc con_ributes to the accuracy of the Karnes' :;urveys. "We've been around, s::> we car 5enerally tell if something looko right," Warren explains. "We also get informa_ion through the private clients we consult for. Sometimes we get a ca1! from l reporter asking us about something nevv. A.nd sometimes we just see something :luring our daily traveling. " "l couldn't grow the business by just doing the quarterly report5 ." Warren says. "But there's an infinite demand for ::onsulting services beyond marke research." ln recent ye;~rs, Karnes' offerings have expanded greatly Often in partnership with other finns, Kames conducts market analyses for developers and lenders seeking .o document the demand fo:- apartment communities, retail centers, office parks and mixed-use projects. The company r Jso performs due diligence br investment properties and assists with site selection for retailers ;~nd relocating businesses. For public-sector clients, Warren and his staff prepare housing and commercial real estate growth forecasts as part or local planing efforts. "We do a lot more than statistical analysis," he notes. These kinds of projects have Warren working, not only beyond Charlotte, but also outside orth Carolina. He says i.'s good to get out of the city and see other places and investigate what others are doing that could work here. But his affection for his hometown of Charlot:e is an important part of what he does. ÂˇÂˇ: have a love for studying cities and how the;' grow, but when you work so long ir one city, you redly have to love it to be grounded there," he says. "And l am my office is just two blocks from where l was born- Presbyterian Hospital. " Warren is surprised when some people consider him a negative commentatcr, especially in comparison to the Chamber's Crumbley. "Tony markets LLe city- he gets paid to be positive," he observes. "We are paid to provide a criucal eye to potential developers or investors, and to analyze all th~ potential outcomes, positive and negative including exit strategies." lt's just a t atter of how you play the numbers. biz

Bea Quirk covers the real estate m:Jrket each month for Greater Charlotte Biz.

greater charlotte biz

[regionalbiz]

b•1 chip sc hol'

Lake Towns Face The towr_s on the :: a~ _eo s~1_ or:: of Lak ~ c·rrLt::J. ar~ c_1ocs:mg thdr ov,T_ ·.vays of deilir3 V!itl-_ th~ exJ=bsh~ g::.-o wth :he;: h3.S :::one LtEi r -,·,ay J:-r. ? ..1d:et:, l- ~

m:·Nl~

elec.:d

NeT~T

Challenges

re.~ion the Lake 'Jcrn1n area .otar·s at exit 23 and m1s to ex.... 36 ._m l-T'.

lt ::ove:rs the n :nlh~m -:Jc-tion :Jf 1/.~c klc nburg

Co·:mt:; a..1 :: sout1erL

lrtdell County. It in.::.LJc ~ the :ow1s o f HuLtersv ille ComcliL~-. Da·,idson

ard

MJoresv-JI~

Meclc..enhnrg Cou:ruy Commis5··:::1;:r fn -u =:Jisuict 1 •:wrtch :ncLudes ::uml:..1eclc..enhnrg: t.eLs :he --_ale orn:~r_

For years, tre "- -e:J b : d not be:ne:fitd b::m t:1e growth :>f lL.: C1arlo:te r ~g crL

:::::nambe:r o)[ C:xm:ru:rce ::rc.vd,- scruc-

fao:ilitic3 , had ne t be _r: h.Jit, a; CI-a dot~ euanded :lr_t :c ~~ and thrn

:::r es h<n"" to :crnir..J rr:;.

C::Jliea£ _es L-n

In ·rast <.:cure, m::ludirg; ~e wer anc vaL r

teo

the ::;est of tl•"'-TI.

::::F-:e ha-;in§ a

en s dec.~ g with LnJ=:recdSlte·:J, c:--vth rn rts )ll"r \' d ::.1 rd,..,n . ~ =Jue :dlege to.vl a- c~ 1?-e, v.r _ l---\.rnte-5ville (abo 1e igtt) 1as e 1br, cEd o:JJi:::l. an ;?rJ,v h.

Ea::1 cf northe--r l""e::klernur."> la·e rT ar.,~n

lii

•= h;1:bu~.'

E !S :::cr:ner.·s at the .mn.:.z] dinr:c o[ tfl=> :::"Ja mber bring k -- Nh~ g..m : es, LJght.:- rr d ap:JlaLse b -n the rn:: r~ : <an ~s=• Jusi:-es:: pe::: e ·:1 ann:laru::.:.. "'.~ h_r,e w keep :e- i..-d ~ Ch;1rbtte dut "-'-e 1r~ hue, :me.."'~ an: a se~at.: ::om:Ju' :y." :c·r IJ103l rcs·dmts of tr,e ::: harl•1tt ~ gre:~:er

cJ-c.rlY:te

b t ;:

-t.:.-)Stall.tlal water reom:-c:: clos _ to :::t--arlo_te (Lake '·-crrnal .:md : n e<c~ l e- t trmsp:>rtatk' hf. s: -ucw-e, :1e: are:a re-:-~ained p-rmarll:' 15ricuJturd ::me. -:: reat onal. -:=-1:-E lal<~ ,.~a pbce C:J 3tl ; p a tniler or hu ld ;1 o b nor takE a ·:c 3t out on we~<~n._s. 'V-'hy woulc an y-

ere wmt to live •.•ut

the~

and

d ri~

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fer to

:E'

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,c foL~ht 3g?.""e';

tr ' ~ arJ:::.ue"

T:-rc q u tthc l99C:;, : <• u;;h. tl-~ to·; T. or :il s ::1: 3 of :he ld:e .?Jc w o. n~ t a · :'. p;;n:icula: l:. •)n t :: e.1~ te ·n si~. Tot1l r:·-pu ::.t .•r: for the fo-·L ' o:G.cn sh::JT~ ak~ : \'-n:: s,<: r•X,<~_:d Lc•n l eo~ th:m 35,00 to n ~artr OCr.•J J Hous· ng :-;c~ t~~:J bu t ~;:;::t;in& fom >

to a half billion dollars in the area. Six years ago , the Mooresville- outh Iredell Chamber of Commerce <www.rnooresvillenc.org> and the town took a major step by hiring a fulltime economic development coordinator. Melanie O 'Connell-Underwood came to the area from Chatham County, where she had served in a similar capacity. She has been a big reason for the tremendous growth. "People come here for a variety of reasons ," she says. "This is a beautiful area with a mild climate. We have access to three major interstate highways and an international airport. The town government is extremely open to working with new development. It works for usl " Mooresville and the north Mecklenburg towns, like almost every De---do~

La .e f--lorr-.an t- as b·ought I pi z ~ 3 d "" x ce.

1 arol,;;-x:i

~ on:iomlrrhrns

to Ul(\.ITY '<Vate<"ront :::ustc•m l()leS. Cc•mm:: rcial, rcail and

en rutamn::: . sectJrs ha\.e all 11ou ished , and JUS n::sses of 11l -< '1CS are ~el c cating to L'L:: mea

Transpla'l:s Fu-:1 Growth 0r: \\ 1h in the: are:J has co::ne prirrnn.l>' f:rcm tra•st:lan~. Trc:y f. :Jy, m c.:ugcr o - t"le AL~n Tate Real-y o Tice in H _.m

~?orfle ,

estima:es :hat :'5 perce:tt

or roorc oi t1.e grc--¥th in the a.::-ea is frc--n pe ~·rle

fr: m other areas cf the •:ountry wh. haYc : e::n trcns[e:rd or '::ave chc-

sen to

~ eulc

.n the Chc.rlo .te

trar ~pint krself, Trc.c:' de -:.1 )gta-hi·_ally

a _ ~a.

~ays,

~ tuated

-rhc area is

:'or a wic -::

ranJ~

of fcstyles W:t:-_ all of :he growth

co - mercial sectJr, tis :·ecC>ming

t:-1':!

a g:cat p'a_e to Ji, ::, '<V:>rk, she·? and pla;r. Y- u :.c:-t't hc.ve tc chive

t:J

scJth

Ch.tlottc a ~,mot-e to go tJ a movie, fi- d a res::aL -ar or go 3hopping. " ·'T - e ar:::1 has the potentia to be: :::wm e- tirely reside :ni31, hc.-Nn er," poin_s OL T~ rry Crre!L vi:e P - ~sic e nt of eco:utric ciz-·elopnent fo: the ==ha-lotte CI- · 1:1ber : f :=omrrerce. "The tcwns need to cc mi:n _c to devdop bu3ines,. parks, be ::1JSC tl-.·~:r:: is Iitle interest in green field sites for .-::locating. Bus:..• esses \'am the inlri:;trucrur: there so the,; can Juild in a reh t vef;' s -c•rt anDur.t Jf Lime.

m a!' : h 2 :) 0 I

town in the region, grew up around cotton farms and mills. Today, there is

Tho-e is 3;_1l a re1atin.l;>

Ia::-~

anount c · ?r·Jpe-ty D be ievelc::>:::d in - orth .r=e:::. :le::bcrg and Kuth lrecell •X· unti e~. :·ln ~er;vtll ~

ard

'Ao01e ~ vill ::

almost no trace of the textile industry in the area. The mills have become shopping centers or brownfield sites that have been re-developed in other ways.

- ve sot' e-~ ~ :1-.oLsc.nj 3c-cs anf able.

Racing Teams Settle In

J.r.d ha>:: 3:gg:'Css . vel~ \\OE<ed "N.ith the : e:ve· c•:Yre:u cor.trrt:n:ty ·o bLi' j office

One industry that has moved in to take the place of textile industry is stock

and irduorric parks. But d.:vel::>poer:t

car racing. North Mecklenburg and outh Iredell counties boast headquarters of more than 50 race teams. Mooresville has

::orne' c.: a prio:~ f01 bcal -e3icrt~ . "vl.ayor cf Eu :ur3vi.11::, ~any Qui.Jer, xrys th2 _tl:e :;iggest ss·Je f=.ch~ bs t..Jwn

.s ba - ncing prorer~y- c~ rights :~gair=t h ':styl ~ red,;. 'Tiere are several large lc.rd.J-oldu' t~'l<l: ·.rie\.1 th3L atd as .:-eir retir _men ., or t-1eir 1-i.d's il--1tri_mce.' H ~ etis that iris t~ re':= •T3ibility : [ th~ LCI\"TJS .c rr a}inizz fiTJW-~1. a :1d :::.ivers.:';> · "'l>: l:lA bas ~ _o rGcintain 3 heolth] : ommu:til, \'kh 3:J .;qu~ mil~ :: d uCJ.dew::loTxd .nd, :ie 10\.,f'l will hwe r:-ore :·l::tr arrp.e opp:>rturi:y to :::lc so. 1oc:rcs\i"le is ]gg~o.~ ,·el:; :x: :king n~w gtowt:J-.. ~ite Sdf:Lti,Jr. nagtit:e rEcently n..1~ ::. Ucxre:;v:Le and SJuth mdell as tJ-.e numl:e- three non.-u :ban ~ omrr ·.LL.l":' in .he ncti : n -or ne..r business al:l:JCt:n :e~r. :s- Ac::>~.dh& tJ a sttrve-T Jrcenaken fc·r the ::::h:m:l~r of Comrero:e , ew bLs n.::ss .c -m:·un•:emenG ( efi"L::d :IS [J.ci.lhe: er"Jioy•;:; 50 or rrore wn:- .:.r: in~s:rrem d'mo: e than S50CI,:•CC•l h::r.e zcCJnr:ted for cor.-: tbn 2 50) . e·,,jo-::>5 and m in,~tme:-t of close

n_..,

seen the greatest concentration of teams, even calling itself "Race City, USA. " "About ten or eleven years ago, there were only a few teams that were organized enough to have their own buildings," comments Don Miller, president of the Penske Racing Team. "We realized early on that we were in a big business, and we couldn't do it in our garages anymore. We took a look for land, and found Mooresville. " He adds that team members come from all around the world to live and work here, and this area is a tremendous draw - people want to relocate here. "It is a heck of a recruiting tool ," he says. Once Penske made its move, other teams followed quickly. The teams developed a good working relationship with the town government and the community. "We wanted a chance to prove that we were something other than what racers had previously been characterized as, "

greater charlotte biz

sa~s

UiJer. 'Jur peo:_:;1c: aE :1i~r -Y trained l ~chr t:: ens ard e:-tgiu.eero- this is a :Jec.n bus::re3s." :::.)n.::t -~ Gc: l ~ ms st3rted =·Jm.ns t•J the area. o.hE.r ri.~ .::d bo;b~s~s st.cl- Js bo::.} ~bps, enE boJC.ers frare naker:s >L:l c ti-er; ~,J..,re set:led t:e~e 3.3 vel! .f.:::c:::litg tc 0 ::::onndl-Un:l~~wcod, Tc.:ir:g--clattc bushe:s"~s a:::::::u.:1t fo~ no ~ _hc.r 2.: X err..p ·:Jy~ ani u~ m.xe th~ 2 Til_:c squ·e fet of ~:e in n~a i: u;ires; :_::;3-:ko.

Dc:v idson C rbs G ro·.v:h rap.:i §rowt-_ ,it ir:g the .r::a, OJ=:xs ticn tG ,;o;cwth Da3 -.-.roe:i. 5_~1 gmW'lh, :.o grcvth ar_d m:r.a5ed gro?Ll-. are: a l phases t~rov.u abcu: n :c;~,~ plannL11g offia::s _hro·yghCL : go·ar.nem 'iVit~

halls nC. in <.eigl::.bor:::o od :n~e::!r .s~ ThE tovvr cf 03.-i::::lson ,,s -=·e ~ n ::1-e rr:o5"L as~ t r j ·te in a::il::ing g::-•JV"th \v'hil: th:: otb~r to..,~s ~ gro"-n dnrr:at =-ll:-. Da',id~n has c·rl; inc-ec.s~- i:s p :•put.tior from 4,5J) ill ::X: •) to 5,5Cll tc·~Y. -::-he·. ha,~ done it \hit1- a ccnb.n.tio :I of zo:1ing ·es:ricLons , a:r:1s:: r.c. tiv~

po.i.cie; <:1c ::::to"t recently, c. nccno- _rr on Eu:t..re grcv:L "Lu: nc ::~Drill -:1 ~-c s been p::rr::hre:d as a no-s·cr;;;.tl::. rnc••E. l:ut whet 'I.e Lave c.cr e is "levv :h~ j:TC:~"""" wru e ve :,ave :ldineC. tlr l :ow ~~ • ,t for ou tcnm. ni the ~::-ro .Jtt o[ ope::. spoLe vle want :c ~eep· gy: Lea~o:-_ 3ri·=~. t::Jv.n mnl,;o;er cl "C·a.·..d:;ou. 'o'-11--. mor:: thar 4,4:::0 c.cre5 :::•f ur.Jcvt~o,.ei prqe:rty nd~~ Dc:vidsoris ooctrol, t;~ stak~5 are h:gl-. >-

t·lud- of l~ r ..r

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Building_ Wealth Through Customized Portfolio Management Fee-Based Investment Counselors

james L. Montag

jeffrey G. Vaughan

2915 Providence Road, Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 282 11 Telephone: 704.362.1886 Facsimile: 704.366.5269 www. montagmanagement.com

Creating an Identity The debate in Davidson is similar to the debate in the other towns. lt centers on creating an identity for the town so the soul of the town is not lost. The town manager of Cornelius is Bob Race. He is in his second stint at the helm, after leaving the town briefly from 1996 to 1999. "The lake is really a great resource, but it is not our identity. One of our greatest challenges is to make sure people know when they drive out of Huntersville and into Cornelius. "

Defining that identity is increasingly difficult given the dynamics at play in the area. Whereas Mooresvi lle and Davidson have well-defined and thriving downtown areas, Huntersville and Cornelius are struggling with theirs. Davidson has Davidson College, which is the dominant feature of downtown. However, as each town grows, developments such as Morrison Plantation in Mooresville and the retail centers that have built up around l-77 at exits 23, 25 and 36 work against a strong downtown.

Mooresville is committed to keeping its downtown strong. Through the efforts of town government and the Mooresville Downtown Commission <www.downtownmooresville.nc.com> , a master plan was just completed after a seven day planning session. lt gives guidance for downtown redevelopment, identifies desirable types of business, and provides an overall vision for its look and feel. "We want to be known as a neat little place," says Wayne Frick, executive director of the commission. Another challenge to identity is finding consensus as to what that identity should be, when each town shares similar features that make distinguishing them difficult. Interstate 77 separates the east and west sides of all of the towns. Each town has a portion of its real estate on the lake. And each town has grown with transplants, setting up disputes between these newcomers and the town natives. An organization that is helping to provide definition is the Lake orman Chamber of ommerce <www.northmeck.com> , serving in a working

Business is rarely conducted by the book, so why learn it that way? ot all MBA programs are alike. Many are fine, if all you're after is a resume line. But to truly excel in your career, you must expand your knowledge and abilities in ways that will be noticed by your superiors. If you can go beyond the textbook theories and fonnulas by offering real insights in to your company's challenges, you will be valued. That's what we want to help you achieve at McColl School of Business. Our MBA programs offer more than classroom lectures. You'll be immersed into critical thinking situations that will prepare you for a better life back at the office. Whether you're interested in executive business programs, an MBA or an School of Business Executive MBA, give us a call at 704-337-2224. Or visit www.mccollschool.edu. Queens College of Charlotte

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march 200 I

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Lccal dfKTS. ~~~IE r 1;5 to tuld :i IXli•JUe t::Ei 1}' fort· err tcw~.are fni1rg t"'") al ric vFiop ·e 15 1c 'l.i <oiJY•r< tc ar • •c tct1cr ~ J =urh £the c ent of •·h 11 p<-rt~sh ") with ~:ca busi:lo:s:;~ ..he tcwns of ;unte:o•Lk Comelim od J :lVidson and h ::L -:ofeos ::m.:.·s. TI-e glOup ll.:)'P :>:>as~ , a .OOSL _ ,00C -r.~rrbeE Jnd a ft.:[[-{ime ~- ~t oper:tzs a -.'is to r~ :E-nter rear Cata\', :<1 .'\:/enue Cer.._ ~8' 1r Ccmel:uo __,at :::e:cv::s cv::r lL,O::JO ir -perscn ·,rb ts ::1 ,r:a~.

Wo~k

rg Togeth:r

-=<:ichn Tet is the curren. charn:.an cf the: toa::f ::...r tl ~ Cbn·ter He feels L1at · h: o::JJ:, ..ny tha he Uike towns ca-. r::rru _ -;.i:J1::le se"Jc:.r.:.r~ ·. i; to ¥"Or~ tcg:tter. 'lb.•. is3ues :...1 a. ·"~>-.:.a ·e fc:.cing br ng u~ ~::g-::taer- transp::wat en a.:1d educat :•n. ::•r . ~rily. E..-er~r.e ~es L·1e pro::>lers, x . ..t seem5 ·.ve <. ·e aLN"}S rlaytng ca .·-:- -=·- . 5 not a..."'.:.:,s ea;y t rrom-Jle p<.nre:-srjp;." Eddng tl-at sent ment is ::::har. ~ Kn.J:< Jr.. tn~ !TlJl"'ecliGt.e pc:.s· Cl:J'T. H.:.:: £c.mi'y :l.:S be::- in tL;: area sr.c:: t -e 17):•s.. and h:s u1c ..e sa fJrrrc.r nu;or of Cxrlou::. "V;'·h aL of L1e ch~e.::. _?;Oil:§; Tl, the ~a:i.m:::nt is o pull Lq:: tbc :ir.n:b::i.:::ge - et'.: st:p f.rowth r,•J"i tha. ,.. e are he:c • E' e- t· Jug..~. .?;-Qwth ha3 s.::>'."e•l in rece1t !Too tho J. .;/Ll com ue. p· annir?; br ti-e fuw-.:: ,v-L .<H~ cc·c"J::nti:· n, far::"~igi-L a-.d bts f eC••r . One a·.e:n_e <Jf coopo::ratio is l.:le u:velopoe:u ,-- c li?; t rail in ~ from : h.arl : tre tht<n!'t- Iredell county The tC•\,r~ ;;re coll.:.bc :-at:11g ~reate-

ch::. - 1·.::-:-:e b1:::

uroug 1 the Hetropo itar T-<l!l::t=or_atior Commission that is : mrkd tlnou5i m :xld : n to sc:.l.::s Lax AmiciJX~ : ion of light ra.. is :!-ivins -:1.ore ::hang~ ~ ir. zon.ng and cl.:·,ek•p· ~nent. ~ecen 'y the -=-•JV\Ll ol Ccrltlitc ; pprm.-ed CevelopD~t c: a 'tO\Ill :e:-.tet:" Jn 125 acr::s adjacz-.L to tle railr::> ~ d trac~. It V\Ould in::ud.:: 1e:rtndit:ional oeigh: orhoJ:is witr mx~d us=. med Jn to h.gh delliity de·1e opoen .. Y.J.y:>r Jar Beaolu se~ ~he proj ~ ct «nc. ight nil as dependent J:J. each c·the ~ : '~ :Tigher dens~~:; suppJrLS rail, an:! Gil sJp ·o~:s higrer de~i:y." ::::ne t~: i:::~g is ce rta n - th£ p~e of change will continue to moec:.s: . l :le:nti.:.y ·Nil! te increlsingly dillkut to 1r.a:ntair Jnles:; an a:t.ive e[o-t .s ml.::iE tJ co so. Job c~aticn m the :u-ea -;vill b= a priori!;' :o s.cvv the l:ui:dur: of L:abc ·T aw: road:; and di·•ersiJ" to'W'l: L<..:< bc.s::5. lnn·JV:ltive S·Jlutions Leo the j)t:Dierm pos::d to r:la:nn.ng a::-td dev~lapmE:l.t organ_zations in the: ar::a Rill b;: roquird. However, .re area contbu ~~ tG w .>rk aocl pro:;p~r despite all cf the charge, mel nev" _omers ue m1de to fe ~ ~ a •an cf the communit;>: As Da\id~n C'ND m::.nage:r Brice puts iL "We -want "Je Jple .o ~row tha: ·pe ar:: ·.vell-r:Lnned - c:.- :1 L1~' ere web::m el ' biz Chip Scholz i:; a C/-ocrJotte-bcJ:;e:! freEI:'nce vl"'i~er. m<:rc

=0 I

by nethea fortney rhinehardt

[bizprofile I

E-Property Management Michael Praeger's company, AvidXChange, is trying to change the way property managers do business.

Michael Praeger is bringing new world technology to old world property management. As CEO of AvidXChange <www.avidxchange.com> , he and president and co-founder David Miller are developing an e-marketplace for commercial real estate property managers. Charlot:e-based AvidXchange has created an online platform that matches property managers with service providers and materials suppliers. Property managers can post requests for proposals fo ~ such things as roofing, heating/air conditioning service and lawn maintenance , while contractors can compete online for the business by submitting bids. AvidXchange also offers a full set of tools for purchasing supplies, settlement services , financing services, private catalogues and expense tracking. "We're in the early stage of changing a traditional industry," says Praeger. "We're really not competing against other companies. We're competing against the current way of doing business. " That current way of doing business is a paper-driven

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industry. Submitting proposals, securing bids and purchasing decisions involve paperwork, phone calls and delays. And comparing bids is not only time-consuming, but can be downright confusing. Commercial real estate is one of the last brick-andmortar industries to reap cost savings and efficiencies through ecommerce. Praeger is adding a new twist to a very conventional business by shifting property management toward a more efficient and economical on line marketplace. In the AvidXchange marketplace , service providers estimate and submit bids without all the "leg work," suppliers reach the sales channel cost-effectively and property managers easily procure goods and services. AvidXchange's goal is to improve a property's net operating income by 20 percent. For an average property manager, this translates to an estimated annual savings of over $200,000. Praeger notes, "Companies historically have focused on maximizing the revenue with rents. We can help them by minimizing expenses. " ~

march 200 I

ow does it work? The AvidXchange model takes into account that 85 percent of purchases occur at the local level. ln fact, local vendors also acquire an online presence when their real estate customer joins the AvidXchange network. Through AvidXchange, property operators move their current relationships with suppliers and service providers from an ofOine to an online environment. "By not disrupting these existing relationships, property operators can take full advantage of the AvidXchange tools fo r building business efficiencies," says Praeger. Here's how it works. When a real estate firm subscribes to AvidXchange, all of its ofOine bidding events for products and services contracts move online. "The online process mimics the ofOine process ," Praeger assures. "You go through the same steps, and invite the same vendors." Once competitive bid management is online, AvidXchange creates private catalogs from all current vendors/suppliers. "We don't want them to lose their current relationships," Praeger stresses. "When we move a customer online, we move their existing vendors and suppliers with them. " These private catalogs enable real estate firms to continue doing business with the same suppliers with greater efficiencies. Instead of phone tag with a sales rep, a simple e-mail does the job. One early adopter of AvidXchange identified 35 individual lighting products that it purchased regularly Through AvidXchange, the company sources its lighting vendor online. And it has a private online catalog of only those 35 products so its property managers can easily purchase lighting supplies from the same vendor at the same price. "The old way to source contractors -sending out documents, receiving responses, comparing the bids- typically takes about three weeks," explains Praeger. "But online, we're finding it can be completed in less than a week." What's more, comparing bids is a lot easier. Companies have the flexibility of

march 200 I

creating their own online template for contractors to fill in. They set the criteria and can even weight items that are most important. Real estate companies not only upload their terms, but can even include property maps and other CAD drawings to give contractors a greater understanding of their needs. o need to print complex documents , prepare bid books or courier them out. With bid management and procurement online, the last and perhaps the most critical feature of an AvidXchange subscription is back office integration. With one desktop for all property managers' needs - procurement of services, MRO products and office supplies - and

''The old way to source contractors - sending out documents, receiving responses, comparing the bids typically takes about three weeks. But online, we're finding it can be completed in less than a week." Mike Praeger, AvidXchange

a seamless integration with back-office accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, AvidXchange makes the job easier and more efficient. AvidXchange blends into the back-end accounting system, so that, as purchases are made , the information flows into the client's accounting system. o need to double enter the information. Invoicing is automatic. The AvidXchange desktop is easy to use, including an easy-to-understand graphical Web-based interface. While

there is no substantial learning curve in using the software, AvidXchange trains and certifies users, and co-manages the first 10 bidding events. Standard introductory licenses are modestly priced. The fee includes a license for two users , with the option of adding more , and three product catalogs with existing suppliers. With added wireless functionality, property operators can post requests-forproposals (RFPs) from the field, and service contractors can answer bids via a cellular phone or personal digital assistant. Additionally, supplier and manufacturers can hold "inventory auctions" by creating competitive bidding events for excess inventory that they may have. AvidXchange generates revenue through its annual subscription fees and transaction fees - about two percent. With this type of functionality, the technology behind this marketplace is mind-boggling. The AvidXchange marketplace is a robust, scaleable enterprise application created using Clarus Corporation's technology as its e-commerce framework. The AvidXchange solution is compliant with Microsoft Commerce platforms and adheres to XML standards. It integrates with popular ERP software such as SAP, Oracle and PeopleSoft and with leading real estate accounting applications. Other strategic partners include Microsoft , Deloiue &: Touche, TP Register and GE Capital. Not bad for a company that opened its doors in April 2000. One of AvidXchange's customers and presently on its Board of Advsors is Daniel Levine, president of Levine Properties, a leading property management and development firm based in Charlotte. Levine put out an RFP for a 52,000 square fooL building project at the firm 's Crown Point McAlpine Business Center. Their usual process of selecting general contractors to fulfill requests for service was time-consuming and labor intensive. The sheer size and scope of work normally required a week to ten days of communicating back and forth with potential bidders. But instead of faxing documents and fielding questions over the phone , Levine decided to try AvidXchange.

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"l was tJleasantly surprised at the ease of using AvidXchange and how it made the review process more competitive."

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which LOok about lO minutes LO complete. Contractors were supported in the submission process by AvidXchanges customer servic::: team. Bidders even had the option , for a small fee, of faxing in bids rather than 'ubmiuing them electronically The system automatically scored the bids and pulled cut the objective measures.

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Wher a real estate firm subscribes to AvidXchange , all of its offline bidding events for products and services contracts move online . have more participants bidding," says Levine. "Of course our established relationships wcn'Lgo om the window, but we can more easily see a wider picture of the availability of products and labor, and monitor price in the market at a certain point in Lime. " Biltmore Farms, lnc., an Asheville ,

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vice presiden of office and industrial development shares, "It makes all the communication bet ween contractors and subcontractors a lot easier. " While tl-_e communications flow was a key selling point, the Avi.dXchange marketplace underscores Biltmore Farms'

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>rn -ch 200 I

Launch· g the Business

Michaf. Pn~ge:r ~ 3 the first t ad11L tha :we 0 v>as"L t th: mo::st aus1u Jus ~at l:) ::::_Lr :h C.D loten-.et :01l ' o;my. "'0.-~ hac no dec. the Tatket woulj _ e sud

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c.nd irt,;:ractive calendar site that merged with Creative Loafing, Inc. Pneger's entrepreneurial streak :urfacerl during his days at Georgetown Univerity. No1 wanting to return to his 'Nisccnsin honetown for the summer, he lat:.nched a seasonal painting business. "!j ust :hought we'd paint some houses over the summer and make money for school." he remembers.

But by his sophomore yea, Praege r had 70 employees under his direction. Not only were they painting h.::>uses, but Praeger had also been awarded contracts from Georgetown and George Washington Universities to paint dorm rooms. His company blossomed to a $350,000$400,000 business in operaticn for only three months of the year. Michael Praeger was off and running.

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F _,j',y,d:r gnduatior_ h~ s~r-•.ed ~ an as:;.:oc:iatc -t 1. .3ummit -= ar:n~rs. c. [.ostcoc-bas~ \Elllure capL3l nd bu_:o_. rar_r:-~sbi-: '-Lh Jver $1 t II n U"1C2 ~ na"1~~mcn1 -::-1r~e :tears 1tc. he fcourded n~c·L:rJ: Fir n~rs and l.::J.fc·v·en:Jr-:S. LP, ar .r :orJr 1 i.:>r services cc-npa'r· tb t \.fa:. oJ..1:::c.e:.s :Jld in 1qc.. A:'tc: r -eL:catim; teo C:-c. - ::u~. Praeges. LJncl-ec }::1. c-nctte.r ccm-=:Er;'- Plane: R::sum=. on, ;; tec:1.nc cog:' :rezr enhan _ece:-n lntenet job~- te :~at succe::sLlly conple:e:l its nE::.f'T ·Nith Car.:et :.hc·p C• m ;;nc <~r : e-I' cct in Novem\::.:-r 190)<:;_

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a surprising dearth of competitors.

the local level. Their strategy doesn';

Praeger counts three companies-Facility Pro based in Atlanta, Ga., ite Stuff in Austin, Tx., and lesser known Manage Star in San Francisco, Calif.-as competitors. Praeger isn't worried, "lt's an enormous marketplace. We could operate for a number of years without running into each other. "

work as well vvith smaller companies

And he points out, "We have very different business models." Site tuff and Facility Pro aggregate the buying power of large real estate companies, typically with 10+ million square feet under management, to a few national distributors for discounted pricing on supplies. The companies also consolidate electronic invoices, eliminating the need to write thousands of checks. AvidXchange also negotiates deals with common national suppliers backed by the purchasing volume of all of its customers to get beuer pricing. But the similarities to its competitors end there. "We've approached it from a different angle, " Praeger says. "Real estate companies do most of their spending on

because local supplier relationships are much more important. Also, our competitors don't have any solutions for bid management. " With ll employees, over $2.2 million raised , a growing customer base and an active pipeline of competitive bidding events , Praeger has his sights set high. "Right now we have customers in western N.C., Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Baltimore, Md. The Carolinas and the Washington, D. area are where we are focusing on for the next six months. The last half of the year, we'd like to add Atlanta." According to Praeger, the 11-person firm plans to grow to 60 employees and $2 million in annual revenue through commissions and corporate rebates. By its third year, Praeger expects AvidXchange to be profitable with $54.2 mi ll ion in revenue. biz

Nethea Fortney Rhinehardt is a Charlottebased freelance writer.

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by nethea fortney rhinehardt

[bizprofile I

Led by a local father and son team, NuTech Solutions' adaptive software changes as quickly as your business changes.

You are a key executive reviewing market demographics. You know what your customers are buying and what they've bought in the past. But how can this information help you make more intelligent decisions about what they'll buy next year? A state-of-the-art computer program deftly whittles down the raw data into key trends - customer segments, buying patterns, most profitable customers and successful product lines. lt even tells you what to offer next year, all other things remaining equal. But busi:J.ess is anything but static. How do you shift your game plan if the economy goes into recession? What if there is a shortage of raw materials? What if the labor market tightens? How do you adjust production? How do you regroup? ln a sea of swirling business variables, this leading-edge technology can simplify decision-making, even if you've already negotiated a contract or bought a new warehouse. This greater charlotte biz

type of program, an optimization tool , considers the shifting variables and actually makes decisions for you. Data mining turns your raw data into knowledge and optimization software translates that knowledge into best practices decisions. ounds too good to be true? Not so, according to Matthew Michalewicz, 24 , CEO of NuTech Solutions <www.nutechsolutions.com> , a Charlotte, N.C.-based firm specializing in data mining and optimization technology. "Most businesses know that a traditional IT solution purchased today will become an obsolete dinosaur before its installation is even complete," says Michalewicz. "Even the best software package must undergo immediate upgrades :mce it is installed. The era of static solutions is drawing to a close and large corporations selling traditional IT packages have their days numbered. IT solutions of the future have to be adaptive. Business software must identify changes in the competitive landscape as soon as they occur and take the measures necessary to maximize performance relative to them. Only then can businesses achieve peak performance. " >march 200 I

' '

e are using adaptive technologies outcomes in everything from supply chain management to credit scoring to distribution," he explains. "Our solutions have the flexibility to adjust. " uTech Solutions is the creation of Michalewicz , his father Zbigniew, a computer scientist, and Dan ullen , a top financial consultant. Their adaptive technology is a dizzying world of genetic algorithms , neural networl , evolutionary programming, ant systems, D A computing, and quantum computing closed to all but a few brilliant Ph. D.s. uTech already has the market cornered in Ph.D.s. With over 30 top Ph.D .'s on staff and another 30 expected by year-end , uTech is poised to add more patem and copyrights to its already impressive cache of intellectual property. While Zbigniew insists that computational intelligence isn't that hard to understand, non-expert need not apply. "Our technology is based on natural processes," he says. "In our system , you run artificial evolutionary processes where complex business proces e adapt, respond and evolve better solutions without the need for additional programming. With any change in environmem, the business process adapts with an optimal solution. It not only make a lot of sense, it will be the new wave of the future for computer applications. You've heard of smart cards. Why not smart computers? " If this all sounds a little far-fetched , consider that it is already a rea lity. NuTech has amassed a noteworthy client list. Ford Motor Company, for example, tapped uTech's technical expertise to optimize the distribution of off-lease vehicles for Ford Credit Company. The annual savings for Ford? Twemy million dollars . "lL's living proof that the techno lo-

march 200 I

gy works, " says Michalewicz. Ford isn't the only true believer. uTech's influence extends to the hallowed halls of government. The U .. Department of Defense recently asked uTech to develop an advanced artificial life program that will model the military development of foreign countries. This project will help top defense officials predict future military threats for the United States. BMW sought out the company to create an advanced modeling system that allows engineers to test new crash zones without building physical proto-

They developed a computer system that dynamically reacts to time-varying traffic conditions at street intersections to optimize wide-area throughput. uccess is sweet, but Michalewicz does not take his high-profile cli entel e for granted. "I believe that our clients are critical to our success." While hi customers are from diverse industry segments, Michalewicz says that clients generally seek the same types of services. "First, they don't know what their data means. Second, they don 't know how to make good decisions based on their data. Third , their infrastructure doesn't work." While the company's key offerings are custom data mining and optimization tools, a lesser known but equally important facet is uTech's in-house infrastructure arm. "We believe that the network infrastructure powering all of these software developments is just as important as the actual software itself," he says. "We want to make sure that our clients have the necessary backbone to handle our types of systems. "

On the Acquisition Trail

"In our system, you run artificial evolutionary processes where complex business processes adapt, respond and evolve better solutions without the need for additional programming."-

Zbigniew Michalewicz

types. "Our system has helped shorten the production cycle of cars because they don't have to build as many prototypes and then crash them to test them," Michalewicz explains. The Ministry of Traffic in Rotterdam, The etherlands, turned to uTech So lutions for an adaptive system for traffic-light control on a realtime basis. NuTech did not disappoint.

To that end, NuTech's earliest acquisitions were LA Systems Design , a network implementation company and CTHA, a network design company, both based in the Queen City. While the acquisitions first appeared to be a departure from NuTech's core competency, it is all a part of a master plan. "The network component is just as critical as the actual software component," Michalewicz stresses. "And if we can't develop the proper network infrastructure, we can't deliver the software part. One comes before the other. From the beginning we wanted to develop everything from start to finish. " NuTech has moved aggressively on the acquisition front, with four acquisitions already under its belt and a fifth (Dragon Network Corp.) pending in Japan. Shortly after acquiring the Charlotte companies, uTech added Davis Digital Solutions in Germany and then Topos, based in Warsaw, Poland . Both companies employed

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uTech's technology. lt's quite a growth vehicle for a company that is less than two years old , but as Michalewicz points out. it isn't the size, but the talent acquired that matters. "Most of our acquisitions were small com anies. Some were only fiveor six-person firms ," he underlines. "Our key capital component, our key asset is really the people. We have acquired people who are leaders in these technologies and from there we develop products. " NuTech's team of experts also brings a wealth of industry contacts, so much so that nearly all of the company's clients come through word of mouth. The company has had little need to advertise thus far, and its intellectual might has instant credibility all over the world. With over 30 software products currently available and more in the works, there really isn't a one-size-fitsall solution. Michalewicz , though, envisions a day when uTech solutions are more readily available commercially. "My goal," he shares, "is to shrink-wrap our products so people can use them. l'd love to see a resume that says, 'l'm proficient in Excel, SAS and NuTech Optimizati.Jn and Data Mining tools.' "

The Power ofThree Considering how far uTech has come in such a short time, Michalewicz's dream just might come to fruition.

just a few years ago , he was a stud ent at UNC Charlotte working toward a finance degree. His father, Zbigniew, was , until recently, head of UNC Charlotte's computer science department, a well-known and respected scientist in his field. Dan Cullen, a family friend, was a successful money manager overseeing $100 million in assets . After graduating near the top of his class, Michalewicz accepted a position at Ernst & Young. But he found that his entrepreneurial spirit wasn't cut out for consulting. "Ernst & Young is a great company," he says, "but l felt really limited in my job there. lt just wasn't a good fit. " Instead, he went to work at Dan Cullen's independent firm , Cullen Financial Group. As Michalewicz studied market trends and emerging technology companies, he realized that his fath er was sitting on a gold mine. His vision , drive and creativity, coupled with his father's technology and Cullen's fundraising prowess could be a winning combination for something big. In june 1999, the threesome set up shop. "This [NuTech] couldn't have happened without each one of the three of us ," Matthew Michalewicz says. "Each of us provided a key component to getting this company off the ground. " Investors were inclined to agree. NuTech raised at least $5 million last year and is in the midst of another

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round of financing . Although Michalewicz is mum about revenue projections , previous published reports have placed figures anywhere from $20 to $90 million. And he isn't all that concerned about competiton. Michalewicz insists that competitors are few and far >

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between in this emerging industry. "There may be a consulting compan y here and there, but adaptive technology companies tend to be small and fragmented ," he says. And with NuTech buying up what they believe are the best firms, barriers to entry are high . "There are very few companies that have any expertise in the areas that we're pioneering. We are on the leading edge. "

From Communism to Capitalism The Michalewicz family odyssey to NuTech Solutions is a sto ry spanning World War Il and the Cold War. The elder Michalewicz explains that his grandfather actually emigrated to th e U.S. in 1910, settling in the Chicago area . A daughter returned to Poland in 1939 for a visit, only to be trap ped in the country during World War 11. The famil y remained separated for decades This daughter, Zbigniew's moth er, married and raised her family in Poland. Zbigniew graduated from the University of Warsaw with a mas ter's degree in appli ed mathemati cs and went on to receive his Ph.D. from the Polis!-_ Academy of Science. But by 1982 , he was weary of communism . It was the height of the So lidarity movement, and he yearned for a better life for his wife and young son , Matthew.

rr. arch 200 I

g re a ter char lotte tiz

"It was a most unpleasant time," he remembers. "We just had to move somewhere. " Somewhere turned out to be a world away in Wellington , New Zealand, whee Zbigniew accepted a university post. In 1988 , he set his sights on th e United States . After all , he had fam ily in Chicago. The Michalewicz fami ly came to Charlotte in 1989 for Zbigniew's new job in the computer science department at UNC Charlotte. Twelve years later he is chief scientist in million-dollar company with his son at the helm. Even he marvels at how far they have come. "None o f us ever dreamed it would have turned out like this. "

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NuTec h's U:1ivers ity-area facility is headquarters to the co mpany, which also has offices in Boston , Chicago, Denver, Colo. , Dortmund, Germany and Warsaw, Poland. Soon Matthew Michalewicz expects to add Tokyo, j apan . The finn has swelled from the three founders to 133 employees worldwide. Despite his young age, Michalewicz is a driving force behind the company's success, and he anticipates only good things to come. "NuTech is at the beginning of an emerging industry. We're not entering an industry 5 to 10 years clown the road where there are a lot of established players. We can be the first. We have the opportunity to dominate this industry. " bi~

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Systt;ms

Nethea Fortney Rhinehardt is a Charlottebased fre elan:e writer.

greater ch a rlotte b iz

ma-c• 2 0 C I

by casey jacobus

[bizfeaturel

Charlotte's Changing Landscape

Active Retirement The growth of upscale communities for older adults is changing the way Charlotteans look at retirement.

While Charloue has its share of nursing homes and church-affiliated retirement communities, it has been attracting an increasing number of large investments by companies specializing in developing state-of-the-art, upscale communities for older adults. Developers are building everything from gated communities with patio homes or condomiums to deluxe one-story apartment complexes with age restrictions to communities where aging people can get help with the nonmedical aspects of daily activities , and calling them all "retirement communities." The result is a confusing array of choices for individuals planning their retirement and caregivers needing help for an aging relative. Before making what is a major lifetime decision , it is important to understand the distinctions between such terms as Indepe ndent Living Retirement Communities , Active Adult Retirement Communities , Continuing Care Retirement

greater charlotte biz

Communities, Assis ted Living Cente rs , and the other terminology of the retirement care industry. "Too many people don't know the language ," says Debbi Lee , a regional long-term care ombudsman with the Centralma Area Agency on Aging <www.centralina.org/aaa>. "lt's like going to a foreign country without an interpreter." Purchasing extended care, either for yourself or for a relative, is one of the major financial decisions people make and it should be approached in the same way as any other big purchase- with careful investigation and research. What's more , says Lee , too man y people try to make a decision in a crisis. "You need to stan planning now when you first think your parent needs help, rather than two yea rs from now when Mom's burning the house down," she says. "You need to be prepared and do your homework before the crisis." >-

march 200 I

ith a gn owing '-· c a5 ng p0p..1 ati : • m.::l a =ommg econo ~ mar.·: na o1al r::·L~ me"l con.11.nit)~3 ha·;c _a ·getc d Cha ·I J llc as _he "Jiac2 t:::> lo~ . In n : reasin§ >Lnbto, rco"Jie a ~ -et._iring tc th ~ Ca ·clLms c,·cr , / Cal cne s.-nrce t:olill<Lcs then mJLl ll -:; :: .OQ(o ~lcddz r tur.s io cne d Ll- ~ >tate ·~ .op fi •c ··o.mti.::s i"l .1ttracli g relo::.:.thg ru rr:es. 1-ca.,rci g to s atistics fro-. ~c-~ [oh is on o . Agin~

<www.dll!S.st:tt :?.n :.USJaging>.

Mec <l.e1- .ug ~ ounl) 1-a:i 56,5L"i resi:: t>ll5 age r5 and o der in lC:.'o; b · cprcS<.nling :)5 percent d t'1e towl pq:u .J.tion B:· ~J2C. that 'igure i~ pre_.:ct.:.d to1 groo~ · .1)' 02 - erccn toJ ll4- ,+0:;J , ~ - Jal ing L ; 1x -c~ n · of tl-E tJia. popL Ia Lor. ''\ Lo. 1f ?e·Jpl.:: Juvc T::J.owd I cc,

in JJ.n.kng, ·exti·es. mj

~du :z tiol _,.

says JJTL :-.an l-_o·~·ard , president C• · Resouc-::. 'cr .)~rjGr Uvi.n.s <WWVt.:slal.cem>. ·_4,. lo: of retirees are mov·•g he ·e: to ·o ~ c oser :o thci- fatrilies. " VJL.;·- , tl-.:: ·ast . h·ec -,ea:;, a o.ItTbe r o · ::u .~ Jna l ::::.:: mpanifs have e"ltered the Clu.r'otte mah .. -:-·1 e.:;e include Al:crn, £_ _ri.J., ':Ln:ise =\Esistc:L Living, Mancr ..-.tSe a::- c Brigh:: n br Marri::lt• T!-.crc ~~ b ~en a pheocm =nal g;owth of upscale .::ornmuoities cme-ing tc t· e gTJN.r.g :Dpuht·cn of rcuees. Or~ re ::erw. e.::::a"11plc is The ~-:Jrcos in oO.t l- Char· •JI :e, ·Nhd1 feature_ a grnd t :tlrcoo:L , e egant din ng, a 'i.tn:ss cernc :. · -o:ary, a~ d i11c cor s"" · rnming n c: 40 ,J00 :;quare f.·oet : 1Lb1ome. -:-he up:.c.:.lz etiremtn. cor:un..tn.ity is -caled on 6•J c..::res an.::l ind.ucle3 viJ\ ~ s :a- artrnent>l :ot.agco. a we! !ness c ~ nLt., and ass s·ex::. --.ring nd :ki l::d n..1rsi::1§. beLS.

T:1e rdepcnderu livhg .,iJlas are cesi.:. ed v.ithout lo.: :l b=ar,ng wall~ g vir~ new owno::rs greater ·atitudt: k r futu-e rem•vatio'ls. ·~Nith the rnone:; fowing for ro::;; l e;ta::: in all shapes c.r.d forms, the L ·-e rieL :omm unity ::le• e.:: pes carnz _l _ e1 n..:;sc," >ays Dan (};.ens. president ol ~n '..:::- Liv ng A:scc:a-:s. w-hich pu li~hr:s Sonl.: Llvi 1g Resource rr;agazine anc Felir<-nent Lifest_,lts i :..:orth Carcoli 1.J <www.southeaste:r•retirement.com>.

"Durbg the last three years, it-~ i -some:me 0-::w o·:et CJ:-.arlotte i:::J c:n a'.:-plane and d:oH=~d li:tle ass:is-..:-::1 Lvirg seecs and the : c-nn nitie~ ~rctrted up ," says TrJ. H<;selden, t.xe:nive jirector c - t.h: Clarlou.zrAeLdenburg Cxm~il 0:1 f._ging. -he §rDWth in :lli: "lu:nber cf c.en·:.:rs h<..S happen : :l clzsr:ite as ale bar. ·=·n the licensin?; of an::' new ass:isted

;;s

llrct-i:ect rc detailing at 5unr :.e en Prov jence, ell Assis~= Living Ce nter welcomes r=siderr.s anc guests c.

ik~

gre.:..ter ·=harlolL b z

.A.

Southminster A Continuing care Retirerrent Comnunity OUR MISSION

Fou nded w ith p ride by two loca l churc hes, Southminstcr is a not-for-p rofit co nLinu ing care retiremen t co mm unity commiued to he lping people maintain an active lifestyle wi th d ignity, privacy, and peace of mind whi le ministering to thei r spiritua l needs. OUR HISTORY

A p3tio at S:::L :-n ins:-=r R~t r~nert ComnJn :y J:ro·rcE 3 c r:ti\'3le t:!tr~ at.

li\r ng c-:: .eG, ac.:·.ord ,g co j n·y G·oper, executr,e JirEt.:·oc ::;,[ -,: :>lh G.-c·lir-'Assist.£d L \i ng }.s:.o::: .:::.ticn a c-~Je asso:ia.io-. ::• c.U <:s> ~ .d 1_-,- ,g p-::>·ricl -: rs ir . he st.1le. ~.tar<: 1\..L'l:•ti"ies i::socd the 11cntor· . m L-.H .r ; ::ar:. ~1.sc· _- .he ;~me itre , :he:- als·: i.;;ud =-r.-::Jtic-o le:ters o con.,:....-ies '\ hid-. h3d aba·-) aqti red ard D b<J.ld ne,.., ::rr.zrs. te~ur c:mstmct..:::· ~ x e·.~ SJ=er: . mc1ct t:xpl<J·in3 he "Jassib-hti::o. i".fiaiL =· -- ·J~ing thei· nvesoncr.-:s, so::,~tra ) r::.i:::•:J;Jl .ocpan es Jnsur:: _, --l •:W/ _cu _s .hE mot a· o:r un ·Noulc. =ta·. in ::Fc:ct Y ·.vha . i·s out-: Jme =nigh t be. ·Nm. n..:ai md bu .~- .n urder "lOL c ks . the •:Ji•F··n:nLy. " T~ unlnt.::ncE :l :::oG.Sqocnce of the ffiJ a ..:: riurr '-'~~ ar E.cp]o3i::J:J o( be ~ c.r :i :or:rC" IJJ tie3 ·· 51)"3 ~ v. er...::. "Char:: .t:: ard ·=·J~..nrbic. .lte - ,y~ listed as tv/C• ._o[ . le ··Jt=· Lvc cr;erb.ti t tieo

m ti-eL~"

Open since 198- . Southminstcr was born o ut of the vision of a fe" church leaders who had the faith to work for their dream: A re tirement com m unity for p eo ple of all r eligion s.

Southminster's Board of Directors b comprised of high ly respected local community leaders who se rve, without compensation, for one reason on ly: To ensure tha t this community provides a genuine minist1y of ca ring and an exccllenL qua lity of life for its residen ts . OUR COMMUNITY

-It Well-appointed collages and apartments fo r active adults -It lagnol ia Place for those needing ~~ liule assistance -It Camellia Court for those suffering from memory loss -It Skilled nursing care for our frail residents M·rer·· ?ark Blp tist O mrch

"Stable. Closely connected to the community around us. t-lo rc affordable than you might think ... These arc a few of the words used to describe Southmi nster. VISITORS WELCOME! Free brochu re upon request. Cal l (70 1) 554-014 1 or (H00) 55 1-'5262. Ask for Brcta or Amy.

,..

The best care ... Always the best value V lelcorne to ~ ur.rise Assisted Livi ng, a place where fam iLi es expect the fin est in ca re. ::-I:!re, \¥e 1•r mise a full spectrum of services-from light support to daily ccmp-:: ·wwsi,·e care wi th all assisted li vi ng services, including med ica tio n supervision aru:l L'lC::mtinence management. Our compassionate c-aregivers ~ offer gentle assistance in beautiful surrmmcl ings. Ask about our separate neighborhood for th e mem01y-im pai recl. """' ~ •o"""' OPPORTUNITY

1.5.J"

Sunrise at Eastover

Sunrise on Providence

Sunrise of South Charlotte

704-366-2550 3610 Randolph Rd

704-365-5252 5114 Providence Rd

704-544-2094 5515 Rea Rd

;.. garden c: t S c u : 111 i r~ "'- Re: ' E'llEll Communi-t:; is a ::: l~as~nt Jlace IJ r:! lax. great~r ::h :: rlott::

:•iz

march 200 I

-:1;1! h:c

While the Charlot:e rr:.a- b saturated, it's a problem ·.vhch T boomer~

itself. As baby

of retirees will soar. By

:O. )

SoJ]re

C:rnmu niti ~ s

;;5c, .her .cn.Je r

~ive"

2:)~0 ,

co:ntTLr.itic,;;

:unb~r

tl-e

of North Carolina resident~ 65 1r:d o:d::r is expected

zr.Jug their .•wr: 1=cr grcup.

balloon LC 1.6

r :JI JS

compared to 927 ,586 in l."J<; 6 a

"Jercent increase. "While beds exceed r· e ned r:c·-v,

en b: ei th er "ag.:: .oc c-

or "ago: c:::his ·:e." AEe i-d·E '•e

h.Jye age

~rnac

re tirees, hm do not

re···_tr::::-:~ents,

wrerea:;

~.e

e:<clLo-i ,re :c·tmr.Lii..ies de ha"'[ e.g: r£qu temen....s usu~ ly age 55 :c."ld cllir. n ·.e:re sa o,i:'c varie:·; 0 . 1Cti,·c aj ul· retirerrt::

co-:~muni.ie~

hcte r

says Lisa Jernigan , vice pr::s.deru e ~ o.al.:s

O~;nb . t~.

and marketing for Resour:e:; fm :)ern:

rear gol · ce _ r s"~ c- lakes, wl- ·e o::J-e:rs

:::n ft:e

Living, "the demand will ;;row.

t,tzn:o oi them ne

l:ci~

bL lt

oJer a~ni...ic= J£ their ov1:1 tc a.Ina.::t th£

to ten years, the need wiL e::cx ·~· ut

e-up .;>-nesc-

we have now. "

i; l: _; ldtng an ~ge-r:s"J.i::.le :l CJnruuni:y ,--~ '10 ;~ : res en th~ f.ravJ.:y

f:C"l~lllza

De;ekprre:-t

Corrp ~ ry

C. p ~ i o n~

A Growing Number cf

Fifty years ago , ag:irg [XlTCTS w=Jc..:J? moved into their childre::1 '~ hones. I

Scheo l Rc·a.::l J=rr. r.;u la near 1...3k~ in .=oJ ocrr lred:j_l Coun~ y

>~crmm

Ih.e \ 'ilbge;;

~ - .::E~

Tree ·...-ill ha"'<: I 74

-he Lc:u -e ls, r Ass isted Living Cer er, has tv.ro locat to"lS: Highland Creek ,.-,d in the V ll c:ge a.t Caro l ina Place

grou-::• with agco rnging from the 50:; to 92,'.

sa~

la~

Kzth y Doster, lvarkding

they became too

and Admini:;trat:ve

ill for their fami-

Assistant.

" The~

lies to care for,

want to be close- to

they were moved

their grand ch ild:-en

to a nursing home

and to doWlsizc:, bu·

which provided

they aren't tead:- to

room and board,

move to a

personal care,

care facili ty. '

protection , super-

cJn ti-~u . ng

People whc

vision and med-

want to ac tively

ical care. Today,

retire , but can't

there are many

want to hme to

more options.

move again if

"With 77 per-

tJ--~i

health fai ls, ma:= be more attractc:::l

cent of all financial assets in the co un-

to a C ontit: uin.~ Ca re Re tircm e-:..t

try owned by people over 50, the

Co mmunity (CCRC) Llun

disposable income levels are incredi-

an Active Adu.t

ble," says Owens.

Retirement

"Many people in

CommuniL;>. Continuing Car;:

mi1. ste· Re t i·e 11:-t :::ommLnity r: rOI.oices c l nfc·rma mee in g

the 55-72 age bracket no longer

communities,

have to cut grass and

u1.~ ·=ar~

J:·::.

o- s :<: :~d -al one pJLio .ype ::1:::m es __,·, en it i:; .:.•rrrp.eted. Beyer' ·Y.e- 55 em

garden. They want to

~r:-~ n::lt'

oir me

cl~ o:>se

need three acres and dJ::::::'t wan.I 1>:•

time traveling, taking c l<.t.>ses ~ -d at .encir:g cultural events' ' Developers are rea:.y to g

.his

growing segment of the h•Jme b..>1ng market what they want Th .:; 1~ ,jesi~r ing a variety of Active ,'idul t Rejrem m t Communiti es specified; br .ndq:: . r::lem sen ior adults who v.a ·u to h·:: i:J.::. low maimenance reside::1ual c::m:·nun.l)

march 200 I

~ra-: 1. ~ d

so~Limes

o!Tu 5enicrs Loc promise of an ·nde?e:tder.t · f~ s.ty l e r,o_,., wi:h health ca· e w:::J.e 1.

a t·vo c: t:-ree-bec.rocm ho..t3e ....-:th st~rillrc ·::lLn·es includin.g ·:·pen :1Jor p8n5. ·,a-:LEd ceilin?,s, ;n~ m.lSt ::r :;uites, burc; r::cms and :ove:c pYc~s.. vi:ost of t:h2 x:t..sE.s have gara§:es arc. ~IT pied f-:>m ,Ji ] l9,00:: lO 5 ::.65 0:.0 .\m:::lil.ies jr_ t- e :'! fenced PYt:x->1 .;tJw_ge area. 1 c.~<.-::house ar :. _ tha·eeK rt lake \ -'l h

'~ing Lr~ils

'\ )m resi:ie:JE are a ver;o-

c<.l,=:l Lifecare communi:.ie:;,

ace. · f the~ n ~ :x:. it. ln addition to ?-<J•Cing cc tuge holl"eS or apartments v;:- h pla.: ~ ~ c. a:tiviti . s and recreatio"lal C."!?PO"turitics

mealo, h·J usekeepi ng, groLIC'

n12.1ru:nance. U-:lnsponation, udlillt> ar..::l spec c1 : are dwin_?; illness, CCI<Cs c....so offc:- a continULm of care that i:-tcre:o.ses. to ::t55tstec li·Jtns and nursing care br

s.x ~d

theoe

ho bec.::m = frail or ill.

~ r eater

)»

eharlott:= tiz

Yoztr

-O.S inde:?"l1cent, assisted and skilled lev;: _s of cc.re." E-~ couse no entrance fee is ~quired,

illni lar to the Ind ependent

Lr' ing .eti r=ent Communities , such Lodge, Carmel Place, The [•crches _et A?c.r.ments and others which ~ > Wilo ~3. :...a~

:>f':zr me.1l', b-Tl.dry service, transpona::bn, and ~4-hcur security along with rc::r<:ation pr:: 3- ams and other amenities. ~bot of :h~se :•Jmmunities charge a

::-siE:L the) pay a ::ne-time en.rance - X <m,_?;i:l..§. ;_o:r 531,500 tJ $]94 .:00

m.:mthl:' :i e l::i:h varies depending upon tl-.e ~r~ces provided. ln general, :h: mo01~1ly ~~~ ~anges from about 5 ~ ,300 teo $3,4DJ.

mel 1 m::m-l.ly f~, ranging from $1 ,405 .: :L ~25. -~.Ll.oJ,gh Soutbnin5ter retains

T1e Lates: Approach

: wn ::~ shi;:> ~the

Th= OC\"tSt approach to social, te:: identicl cs<: Emerged on the

3unrise of Sou t h C1.arlot1E i~ one :Jf a ~p'Air e nur:>er o= A3 3is1Ed Liv r § Ce1te '!: : hroughout Mec kler bt. rs :c-Ln t~.

Southminster f_etirer:.ec ::::ommunity is a CCRC tht -,.,as -oundecl in 1987 b} the '-..adcro J · ::::hrist Episcopal an.:! Mye ·s Fark BT:: tis ::::hurches. Open to peopc cl e•1ery f:titl:_ , .his nonprofit provdes fC"Jr ] ~ vel,. ca-2"

J:-

~rom

cottages and <9artmrr Jdults , to Magnolia Place -or those needing 3ome assistance .vith daily living, .o Camellia Court for those suffering from memory oss, to ski lied JUrsing care for _hose needing 24-hour-a-clay ~eclical allention. Residents who

fo:x a=:...ve

pwperr,r, tesiCents are ::ntitkd to l..r::: r and enjoy the r o rtage : r lF-Lrr.ETL fer tife They are dso enti-

oc.:iJna 'cen: abou t 15 years ago , the _ssis ted Li•,in_s Cente r. This has been the fas test growing segment of the retirement community industry in Charlotte in the last five years, attracting a number of national chains to the market. Atria

<www.atriacom.com>, which operates more than 100 communities in 26 states, opened MerryWoocl

South and =mer the indeMerryWood?endent living Charlotte. Alterra Jrea of South<www.assisted.com>, minster are which operates ;;~ssured that over 4 70 residences their needs will in 28 states, opened ::ontinue to be Wynwood of met as they Charloue and -he 1- c: ve n l1lhE ...~llcg:: 3: ·~rJ inz PLa::e prcv ides care fu · Al z1 ei mer's pati e11:3 . mature in life. Clare Bridge of "The percepSouth F';:d::.. 3uuise Assisted Living =d ~ ::> ·Jse o I cf the pub be and co11mon tion is that only the we:ah 'Y ive <"ww.s-.rr.ri;e assistedliving.com>, =: rea::: ~ nd :o\C a::.ess to 'l.Kore supportive here ," says Breta Cr..~mt:a: ket, cne of th~ nz·iJn's oldest providers of l::vel3 : [ ca c:. 5outhminster's mar·•.ethg dir~c tor. :csisted hin.;;; ·:ue and the operator of S::-.reral c•thcr ContitTl ing Care 'but that's not the ose. V ..e L:l\ e 3 t2 com=nunices in 24 states, opened P~ tir=etY C::: m'lronit es opened h the <umber of studio ate! Jn _ te::lrcoc·n t ·-::~ee lccatic •s i:J Charlo ue: unrise at Chd: uc ar~a en _he E18Us induCing Jpartmems that are1't .h ~ e:•:;pensi ; e." eastover, Sunrise on Providence and .ant~ .:oo ::3_a :es in lv'at hews 3nc The P Payment at Co<tir.ui:l.g ::=ae 2:unrise 11 Scocl:l Charlotte. P.r.es T o,-,i:::., OL The Cchage c l:b of Retirement Commt..lit es .s ~ comloinaAc: otd::13 to Mary B. Young, Cha:l : tte o -e r~ a •: o<t-nLum o[ ca-e in a lion of emrance fee ~, mo: nl:l 1 rent a 1d r:>.gional rra::tage: for sales and marketing ::h gb.:-; dif[o:P-Tt fo rm<Jt. It calls its~ lf the medical fees. Resiclc:ms Jt Scothmil_qer m Sunnse ·~....c. 3:corclance with our -onl:r -eua _rrur...men t community offerdo not buy their co_tage .-r .:."Jar:n-e:- t.

march 20<) I

gr2ater charlotte biz

Both Laurels offer a choice of studio, one and two bedroom apanmems and individualized care plans. Residents enjoy restaurant -style dining, assistance with medications, and nurses on site 24-hours a day, seven days a week. There is a base rate for the rental and then a charge depending upon the required level of care, with the total charge ranging from $1,950 lO $4,500. "Charloue is one of the biggest and most competitive markets for Assisted Living Centers," says Jernigan. "We have the advantage of being ~

-al windJv.:: pre .!ice am :1:: light and a se se of 3p::sce 1 t1 s ic_ -g;: at S·: uthmirster P.~ti remerr. :::-em1uni ty. 'a~g

-:Jl~~ philoso ::n~

c<. e for the ·rei

A va riety of iving options are avai lab le to retirees , i1cluding these units at Southminster Retirement Community.

We Belie v e

Ill

prC'riding

,_·-u·:: T~cn ing

n :: freedom our :1ree c:nt::::s inc~ude a:;si=td l<>ing, tr-:L:pmjent hv:.::-tg anc r:=-rir '3:cr:.cc ::;:.:; f::r those 'Vil< Alzhei>~-~ ID•:i-'o- :leoertia. tb:. dignity, :irdq:eidfnc~ fc:- the heal

:1)-.

'N~

als::> p-c-i.ce :.her: tee- ar d respite to sen ;~;; foTic,>Jing .il.:r~ry or "Vi::.le the r :::ar::s=-vers are a,•c.y -::on bu3ne3s or acat or .~ Assis:e•: Li·,i:'Jg C:::1~ a-e for those vvho need s·=-x l::.elp witl -..:>n-nedical daily livirg, ::n.t ccr 't re.::-c:Lmx..nd-thecbck skiled nur~ in.;. J\t.-~ J: them pr•.>vide pri'>-:. e TII<T:S or ::cit£s, with cc•:11mon hiitg wens an:! dir.ing rooos. -:=-t: centers J3 ]>- prcvke neals, transpol.ati::>n. a.:;o.uo.:::t-. e with :•lt1.· g and drtssing, y -, nctrs to ·ak:: :ne:::.tcatior., a .:l schecu-c:d a:::.-.r t.es. 0::-te oG[ y ,_,.;oe:::J ;rr_c m:.:.nageG firu, Resc u-::e> fo:- S ~n.o ~ .J\i r:.g, has orened t"-'0 <\ssi:: :.:c :.i-rtg ::::e-.ters in ·:1e ?ast t-l'C )-tar5 . The - ·.n-::.s in H ?)1la:1d C~eo<: anJ TI-e Lnt:': ~ in the Vil.J.ge at C~o . i.ro Fbo:e. '-to)'S

"V/e 7Vc-e t -

-ir:-1 .o gc

fll:)

r::- -:Jlannt:d co-umu::Ul)," :s<.~" Howard ''1:-fighlanc -cek r: a~ the 20\f curse and c- 3.11ge oi h_.u;;in~ q:pJ ::1'~-ni.w: :o. lt has

\.ICrked o·.n ~l. V!e c.re ::u1. arrcnity fc·: L-u:m. and th;> c.:;: ~c : c:s. •

At Robinson, Bradshaw & 1-linso>, we develop innovative solution s for our clients' legal needs. \ Ve understand the challenges facin g both emerging and establi shed companies in today's complex business environment. Our approach is tailored to each client's unique situation so that we provide the most effective advice and d1e most effective soluti ons to meet our clients' goals.

Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson -a tradition of excellen ce.

Robinson

Bradshaw &Hinson

NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFI CE

I 0 I North Tryon Street Suite 1900 Cha rl otte, l"C 28146 70-+.377.2536

The Guardian Building 213 East Main Street - Suite 600 Post Office Drawer 12070 Rock Hill, SC 29731 803 .325.2900

www.rbh.com march 200 I

headquartered in Charlone. We never plan to become as large as a Sunrise

thinkin5 and b ::.l w. .._.r_ <\s kroM.ed-s~ of the cis=:ao~ ~ nd 1-ch to trc<~t L. ha~

or Brighton by Marriott. Our niche is 'se rvice and care. ' We don 't want to lose sight of that. " In many cases, Assisted Living Centers offer services for those in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain, resulting in impaired memory,

grown, 111<.nf cf th:: ,\3isted Livi~ c~nter~ ~v.: open.::d - ew ncors or sc:tions tc dea· s~·c:if : :t 1-) wi tl· tins ~ patients. Dt-- e~ h ' "'- op ~ neL frce -s.~rc ing cerue:-s cesi.~ nc:d t.r• offer ~fe md secure -esid.:nt:iJl C3te fJr thnse wlO need 24-hour a 33i5 .<:.oce. "M an y' _,[ the

e su -eri ~ ~

~W:Y.

Alzheimer's or other dementia need very different programs , and even buildings, from those in assisted living situations," says Cooper. "The staffing requirements are much higher, and the security and layout of the building have to be considered. The cost of care is

considerably higher. " Howard, who once owned a nursing home in New jersey, considered it a personal mission to come up with a better solution for Alzheimer patients. He researched the disease and visited a number of programs before designing The Haven in the Village at Carolina Place. Another Haven , at Highland Creek, is under construction. "A lot of places recognize this kind of need , but they take the existing infrastructure and try to turn it into an Alzheimer's unit," says Diane Payne , executive director of The Haven. "There's lots of theory out there on how to enhance the quality of life for those with memory loss and we're really trying to put it into practice. " At The Haven , patients are separated into living units by the stages of their dementia. Those who have mild dementia , who maintain the social graces, but can't remember what they had for breakfast, are not in the same living center vvith those in the latter stages. The Haven features a 24-hour-a-day activity program utilizing the nationally recognized Main Street life skills area. Twenty-four hour nursing care is provided at a six to one ratio. Costs at The Haven range from $3,200 to $3,600 a month. The final option in retirement centers is the nursing home. Senior Living

ResoL1rce Magazine lists 25 nursing homes in the Charlotte area and there are undoubtedly more. Nursing homes provide hospital-like attention in an institutional setting for those who are recovering from serious injuries or surgery or who have a chronic illness. One th ing most Assisted Living Centers have in comm:n is tha: t'le~ all a:temr:t to provide a high quality of life, such as at Sunri5e on Prov jer•:e J d:Jred -.er3

march 200 I

Average annual nursing home costs are about $34,000.

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Planning Ahead People :oday are liv1ng longer than ever. Seventy-seven million baby boomers are approaching retirement age. In 30 years, the number of Amer ca's population age 85 and older

~ill

double

to 8.5 million. "Fifty to

y~ars

ago, the only option

home care was a nursing heme,"

says Jane Al:el, senior care coordinator at Novam Health Seniorcare Consultation and Referral en'ice <www.novanthealth.org.corn>. " ow there

a contin-

uum of care You don't go right from your own house

a nursing home."

With the wide variety of opLons across the landscape of retirement communities, today's consumer has an almost be~ldering

number of choices, oaking

it important

plan ahead. "PI:mning

The Haver In thE VillagE a: C3ro i1.: FIJcc includes a Main Street, which features a pet shor:, ice cream pa lo ::d :::e t o_ t :JUe and beauty sa lon .

isn't just for people who are sick or

:::onfusing- making ar_ inf.:..--:cd .Juict

best alternative. :=very situation is a

infirm or in a crisis," says Abel. "You

is importa

little different. " biz

don't want

loJ

get caught in a crisis."

And, w'<ile all the choices may be

CONVENIENT FLEXIBLE AFFORDABLE

"It's a finandal, Ucs:)lc a- d

::motional :lecisiol," says jet ·There's nc

e~sy

answer t-

:m.

w.:l;L i~

_h:

Casey jacobus is a Charlotte-based freelance writer.

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march 200 I

a r :::h 2Câ&#x20AC;˘O I

gr~ater

d-ar- ot:E biz

by natalie johnson

[bizprofile I

irit Joyce Russell carried the Olympic torch last summer in Sydney. Now, in true Olympic style, she uses it to inspire schoolchildren to reach for their dreams .

• • • • • he first impression becomes your lasting impression when you interact with joyce Russell, a local businesswoman, wife, mother and community leader. Immediately upon meeting joyce you are struck by her inspirational, enthusiastic, high-energy, motivating, and overwhelmingly generous spirit. Her enthusiasm and gusto are contagous and yo·.1 too become excited about whatever it is she is telling you. And when she starts telling you about her experience a5 an Olympic Torch Relay runner, you almost feel as if you yourself had been chosen to represent your company, your community and your country at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

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>march 200 I

n AJril 1996 , -::11e Sydney Organizing Ccnmittee for the Oly11pic Gam .:":: C·OCOG) cho:;e Adecco, :L:lss~ll's employer

Games and then travet.: d .'ia ma ny

wanted two employees from the field

forms of transport inclu ::' ing foo t,

who embod ied the values of the

boat, train , bicycle, hoc:<: and camel

O lympic Games and Adecco. When the

to the opening ceremcm.f .vhere the

selectio n commiuee called Russell's

and

v1orl dwide 't:ding agency, as

Olym pic Cauld ron was

office to discuss her nominees, long-

Sc:~i c-::s

ru nner Cathy Free mar .

it~

:.1

Offi cia

taffing

Su pporter.

by Australian

time business partner and friend,

W hen the seni or llliiT.agement of

SOCOC r:: qui red a t<:am ::.onsist:in g of

Sarah Davis, intercepted the call.

Adecco set out to selec t ~o o f its over

a[' proxim 1tely 2,500 hJltime staff and

Davis explains, "When they called l said , j oyce should

ac clitional su ppl.emen..ai ~ · staff

be the one.' lt was a

for he 5a11es

no-brainer. From he r

thcmselve:o. As

track record \vith the

the resLl t

company, and her

of ?dec:::os

entire outlook and

ach evellCltS

attitude, to the way

in s affhg

she helps people suc-

th.e O ly -n pics,

ceed -

the Adecco values."

o:::OG r.:-warddec.cc with

The selection team

spcts on the

agreed and in a staff

ed t ~\ll

she exhibits

meeting with her

0 fl'lpc --:Jrch

peers, Russell was sur-

Rcby Team. Th ~

Rchy

prised , shocked and

l orch

\VJS

delighted to be named

one of the two repre-

126-day jou rney

entatives to carry the

of the C• lympic

O lym pic Flame.

Fbne f-om 0~ mpi l, ..:;reece to the C•lympic

J::.-:e '\ussell

passes the torch to the fe rmer Premie

Russell started

New South Wales in Sydney.

with Adecco in 1987,

Sta iurr in Sydney As hiotory

28,000 full- time emplc:rees for the relay

::l ict::nes the Torch w:13 lit, using the sun's

team, the senior manaber:; including

Charlotte. She ran the most successful

ra~'S.

Russell, voted themse l\ e'; neligible. They

new branch that year and was named

at . he site of the c ri s nal

ympic

opening the first Adecco branch in

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Russell enthusiastically describes

• Consultation

the meeting when she was chosen to represent Adecco in Australia. "I was

::J ::J

• Design

"Many of the relay segments

• Programming

w ere run in the outback

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and those runners had to run farther than I did. I actually was given a very prestigious spot and only had to run about one-third of a mile." - Joyce Russell

in this meeting and the president of my company starts describing the people they had chosen to run in Australia. At first , I was mad because l was thinking 'I didn't get to nominate anyone from my division and I've got great people working for me.' And then you know when they are describing you ... and everyone

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was looking at me. I began to cry, because I never thought I would have the opportunity. Plus when they give you

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something like this, your family, your friends , everyone gets to see that you are being rewarded with this unbelievable

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opportunity :or all of the extra hours you've worked and all the things you've done. l was just so moved by it. " Russell continues , "The second thing I thought, was 'Oh my gosh, I've got to

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get up and run. I've got to be in shape to run this torch and represent us'. And l haven't run in about 20 years, so I started training. " The organizers of the relay

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team asked that the runners be able to run three miles holding a 6-lb. weight

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march 200 I

or~

-.ard. According to Russell, "Man;

of tL rdcy outt

segment~

C< <I1::i

fan·-~·-

th Jsc

were run in the

~u nners

had Lo run

inn I rue.. l c.ctually was

g i~n

20 segmeiLSo: ·xhind the lighting of the

in. Not everyone could get tickets to go

.orch at TC\'.n. Other runners that da:r

to the opening and closing ceremonies

_nduded C r~&

and individual events, but this event was

3nc Olivia

orman, Patrick Rafte::-

ewton john. Russell

a community event; the torch ran in

a ve _, -·rcs:.gious SlDL and only ha to

recei".ed 1:-e Olympic Flame from an

every community in Australia. The

run ;U.-u· one-.hird "8f a mile."

Ausmlin Cl~lillpic athlete and passed it

people of Australia could participate

Russ~Us

:::m

spot was so prestigiou;,

in [;_ L, •r~n iL was ai ·ed live around the wor:.J.

.)h~ ~an

Leo

in this event and they did. And they

a p:l iti::al dignitary

"The -v1ole experience was amazmg.

embraced all of the torch runners."

The peopk ..vere so excited." joyce

the Lorch through the

strect.s .f Syd ney on the day before the

exr:lains. '"T1is was a huge event for he

oper . "l.§, ceremonies. She was runner

~C·Ln·ry-

l 70 Jo- the day, whi: h placed her ooly

everyone LJ. .Australia could

""twas the only event that panicipa:~

Passing the Torch The torch traveled through all of Aust ralia's states and territories and was within an hour's drive of 85 percent of

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Australia's population. There were 11 ,000 torch runners in Australia. ln addition to covering the 16,875 miles over 100 days , the torch traveled through many of Australia's neighboring countries including: Samoa, Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Everywhere the torch traveled , crowds gathered. Each runner ran with his or her own torch (it is the flame that is passed) and had the opportunity to purchase the torch. All of the torches used in the Olympic 2000 Relay remained with the runners, with the exception of two torches that are on display in a museum. lt is the privilege of the Olympic host city to design the torches to be used. The Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch draws

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it inspiration from the Sydney Opera House, the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the subtle curve of a boomerang. The design includes three layers which are representative of eanh, fire and water.

Sharing the Experience Russell has turned an opportunity of a lifetime into a motivational and educational experience for others. Once Russell realized the torch was hers to keep , she immediately began thinking of ways to share the torch and the experience with others. Although she certainly appreciated the wonderful opportunity that she had earned, she underestimated

greater charlotte biz

Russell 's number one fan club, (left to right) son Coleman, husband David, Russell, and son Bryson.

the torch and the continuiing impact it

do youwantt REA tfzlrem de la

en me

would hc.ve on her life and the value it would hc.ve for others. Russell and Davis decided to share the torch and the experience with schoolage children through "Torch Talks" give.n at area schools. Da·.ris tells the story,

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"Tre whole experience was amaz ng... .This was a huge evert for t he country -

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it was the

only event that everyone in Australia could participate in. Not ever yone could get tickets to go to the opening and closirg

Today's Decisions for Tomorrow's Success Rely on Yesterday's Experience.

ceremonies and individual events, but this event was a community event; the

to ~ch

ran in every

community in Australia. joyce Russell

"We first stan ed with our own children's schools and , once we saw the impact, we let pe:·ple know we were available for classroom visits and school assemblies. It really touches the kids. The torch is r:owerful and to hear about her experience being involved with something of that oagnitude may have touched a life or two." The school talks Russell has

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THE

RIGHT STUFF 48

'11

a r: h 2 00 I

greate- ct- c: - lotte biz

T he Ma t< ::-1 ri':rt C< fnfo rmation Tc : b:to

C•?)'

r•nrp In -

ret m al cn t :an

p=uic:r

,-(c:acr-ct

~,._,.. i:t~ r

pJIICCtnt: .Jt.

" ~ «Ltd ido tc · . We wo rk n cke s trc th rt ca::h f t i:: d· e RI G"'-!T fit !

to reach the gc d : c f l •_ 1- o ur d icnc. a lC

cl osely with bot ,

One Stop For All Your Insurance Needs! Back in her Charlotte office, Russell spends time sharing her torch-carrying experience with local schoolchildren.

done focus n·: >t only on the Lorch and her experience, but also on the history of the Olymr:ics, world geography, personal character and the n lue of setting and achieving goals. She tries to Leach the children that though hard work and determination rewards will come their way. Russell is not only sharing her experience with school children. She has been asked to speak at corporate events, women's cluts and hospitals. And she does so generously and enthusiastically. When Russell talks about the experience and the company she 'Norks for, she uses words such as privilege, pleasure and honor, and you realize that she truly feels blessed by her e>.:periences. You also learn that even though she

We Care About Protecting And Serving Yo~

works very hard , she always credits others and always shares her vicwries. And finally, while you are listening

her, you realize that good things do happen w good people. piz Natalie johnson is a Char/ott-o-based freelance writer:

greater char lotte b iz

We strive

1610 East Morehead 3t P.O. Bcx 3T18:I Charlotte, NC 2822.3 ph•: ne: 704.375.8:x>O fax: 7C4.2.34.352E

- -

.,__-

review=d

[di~ingbi ztb

tv tJ-e Bz Gournet

an executive guide to dining out in greater charlotte:

Sullivan's Steakhouse An excel ent choice in Charlotte's crowdec steakf ouse market. :_o c.- mJr~ f:--n; rth2 hoLse spe:ialty is a 2C•- ounce

In s.Jch e.:.cellelt conpany as Morton's J f Chicago, The Capital Grille,

to 28 days, in

The P31ra <Jnd L1clrtosh's (forme rly Alston's), it might be difficult to

bone-in Kansas City ;trip: . fl3sh-:noked on a SLper h:grill so they

exc~l

in :1arlo:te'~ ~tec:khouse arena v.ere it not for the fact that

remain moist and .ende·. ErtrEe; also ircl;de cho~~. ~e3=ood, lob-

Sui iv<n ·~ deli\ers e;:.adly what it promi:.es- quality food, excellent

ster tail and griller: clicker brec.s. Amolg the c:cco-nparinents

ser"'ice, :3SLaly elegart surroundings c:nd re3sonable prices.

(serving two or m: re: , Pf~:ed fro 11 $4 to $5, are hotSeraci:.h

Sul ·Jan's: Steakhouse, frequently ~oted Best Steakhouse as

mashed potatoes, m~an=d sp n3ch and skillet stea~- mush-JOm

ngthe Best Restc:urant Win= Selection a me ng Charlotte

caps. A refresh ing Jh ·O'v'Vba:J.: tc t>e day~ w1en salads we·e ro;tirlely

rest.a;ra-ts, is-:he fifth in thE series of ;pscale concep: restaurants

served with dinners, all ffit~e; come with a huge v1>:d5E Jf i cebers

now nLr:::>eri~ 15 opened by Lone Stcr Steakhouse and Saloon,

lettuce drenched i1 cicec klmc:to-=s and biJe cheeSE. H()J'fe\'er,

wel c:s r

Inc. Eut :IS ~d: Clleesman, general rna lager, is quick to point out, it

servers do offer otner sal3d chJ ;:es- C3esar, spin3:r a-.d s iced

wo1ld J::-a mi ~ take to :hink of it a~ a "c1ain restaurant."

tomato and onion 3t $5 c.- s.o.

=>at:ern2d

;.pt::e: <:ers

after 19 -D~-€r=.

inclurJe v.older-

Chi:c:gJ ~teak

fuly fresr ~tone

hoLs=s.

cc:bc~ with a

Sui i1.a1 ~exudes

s= ect :li~ping

nogc:l&:i3 tor-

S3JC=, net 3nd ~cargJ!,

roy.jrg ti;s-Jar:l-

g3-lick;

stye tLres f·om

s:ea k tat;: re

swi15 and jazz

a: : o-n :J<ni2d by

recordi15,:5.

pefect :oast

lnsi:le t i; carr-

!rin:s :.e3Jed a 1i

fort3ble ~=t eiE-

tu a 01 l:lister ng

gart. T12 decc.-

m1st.ard s:ruce,

incude~

al::l re:resJ-ing.y

·rvood

pareirg, :a rJS.ed

cnus-y teqJila

flocrs, v-crm

liTe snrirrp, and

lighil~.

;vt- ite

a·e Jlri·: ed frorr

$4 tc $:_c•.

tab e:L:>:I1s anj

De~s::rts

an Jpen l::itdlen.

Sullivar 's features the art deco de>ign of a Chicago steakhouse of the 19405 Swing art, soft lighting and jazzy music.

Bla: [c..c:r d-wh i: e phc• to~

nn tre

eary 19::0s depicing celebrities from JOxing and other sports linE t1e

Is of the mahogaly-framed room . which includes an

eie"'iiEc ji1in5 aP-a. 3ul:Jcn'~

strawberries

kot:> ci •hrk we :>d,

in : ILde creme

l: rJ lee w h fresh as well c:s <:r.::1d '.i3rnier 3nd ra spb erry so;ffl§s.

There are the ;sual afte ·-ji nre · drinko, including-5u linn's signature Irish co-Tee .

jan 3nd piano bar has Jecome as integral to the

accomoan~

ci nf!r Sui ,·an's dces have a rriJst corpreren-

corw::e~t c:s tlE steal::.s. The mahogany b3r itself is shaped like a

sive wine list, per~Drcll·t ->=Ieee: by Cll=e5man witr OJEr 25J

curty le =r \V. Altrough known for its nartinis, the bar is fully

listings (including :::bs d _ B:Ji~ ne ·iot, t1e Biz Gou rnet's fc.,.orite)

sto : ked witt- s.ngl= malt sco:ches, bourbons, cognacs, armagnacs

priced from $22 to $675

anc ci&:cr5. A nurc:l depicting boxing scenes and post-fight celebra-

Servers are jeovi3~ o:rc:t:-t, Jell vers~;d and well ~a :eJ.

tiors e1 : rcl=s the room. SuLivan'o fea: ures ive jazz entertainment

Without excep:ion, t1e st3ff _; ajitLde is solicitous 3ld UJ:beat,

nighty -rros-ly duJs 3nd trios- piaro, bass and sax.

and sincerely enhc:n:es th= di ing expe·ie11ce.

Sui iJan's: mer~u features certi'ied Angus beef, wet-aged for 21

narc '-,

2CO

Dress is C3SU31 to elegant 11.5 a ma:ter of f3ct, if WilS fv'iK::hael greater Clc..rlc:te tiz

upscale Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steal-.: Houses [USDA prime-graded steaks], embracing an elegant and timeless early 20th century concept. [Interestingly, in a similar fashion, RARE Hospitality Internationa l (renamed from LongHorn Stea,s) operates LongHorn Steakhouses as we .l as Bugaboo Creek Steak Houses and The Capital Grille.] Strategically, these different vehicles provide the companies an cpr:ortu· nity to leverage their beef-buying powe -. Sui i·tan's sinewy bar "laS 1 speHes( c.llure offering up si5natu·e martinis :nc 5 ngle malt scc·tt:he$ a1d a selec · ::::11 of oYe:r 250 wines. It featur=s li~ jazz. ar d p ar.o n.g- d)'.

In 1996, Jamie Coulter, chairman 3rd CEO of Lone Star, recruited Michael Arcr eaway from Morton's of Chicago to develop its Sullivan's concept. He transformed :he

Del who firs: walkec il : o trefug,;hip

Texas roadhouse concept into more of a

Austin r=~ :aurant NEarirg b.t.~ _e:llls and

British gentlemen's club with live music,

boo:s. "It fit~ the ne~s of r.:ec·r: e who

with a design style authentic of ChicagJ Jf

wa 1t to come casu a as well asltose who

the 1940s- more like a Morton's but

wan.t to rrak~ it a sp~cic;l nigh: c ut,"

geared to appeal to a slightly younger

Ch~~srra - e~plains.

crowd (20 to 40 years of age) by offerirg a

Su.li•,ar's apJe=.ls :o a b-ood range of age grc up3. It is less often "iet~ed as a special--oc:asion resl:3urant, a1•: mo-e freq Jently ao a ve1u: =or art JCo:a sion seMng refiably gcoc f::JOd Gr.. en the fact thct Americans coosume c.n esti-nated 68 pou1ds o=beef a ~ea- on a pe - ~Lpita basis

more exciting environment and lower r:rices than establishments like Morton's. The

Ric< 0vc€SI'llan returned t::> C l- ariotre to open 3J l._.an'$ after h;,v - g -namged

the s.tar: JJ o{ the fla~shifl =·~ e"at ior· Aust1,Te> ..

DeLu :c. CafE concep: . The - rr •JS: t'e(:ent de\·e~o :mer: s include F rebids ~od<.y

Mounta i1 G1 ll and Joe ~t )',l :to-e's J ld Nei~pbo - llo t:• d

11alian i 1 S::me:res: .

one-Star V2teran, rn 1/e me y, who workec w1h Thcmp~on at Crcati•e Culinary

large bar area is also popular and has its

Concepts. is.knc•wn nationall~ f:> r hi ~ role in

own identity separate from the restaura1t.

the c-arr c:tic grcwth of Cenn>y ',;., :::1 P.Jllo

In a remarkably short period oftime, the chain was named the hot concept of

Loco . L:n e C: :ar and .Jther ,j,c:irs, and is cur·e ltl'/ prEsident Clld CD C•f :he

(USDA; 199E), up fro11 63 p:}Lrds thee

the year by Nation's Restaurant News in

Cla -e ll: n- ~=staurart Gro J , bo Lglr1last

years ecrlie r, steak V" l ,ure .y cent nue to

1997. From the very successful startup o=

year by ::c: rD..JSe Car:ital P3rtre ·s

be cne of:he mo~ f'e=1ue1Ly o-=:ered din-

the flagship steakhouse in Austin , the

(ThJnp,;cr ·. also a st31:er olrier in the

ner entrees c.t restaLr an: s. An :J 5u .li\'an's

number of Sullivan's has expanded ~o 1~,

groJp). ::lrffll01t owns a1j c•Jerates 49

is SJrely~ goi1g to be one oft· e 11ore

most recently opening in Tucson, Ariz.

freqJently visited -estc. ura1t5l

In 1998, Rick Cheesman, then serving

Sullivan's Charlccre C:::nre:tion In th o:: rrid·8C•s, D~nn s Hc11pson (naned b~· Tne

Otsaver as •Ye cf

Charlotte's "1uiet m Jre'/") c.nd ]i11 \oerney forrr ed ::rea five Culil;;ry Co 1 :ep:s, Inc. ("CCC"), tre : ompany N1icr crea: edthe Te~ roadhouse con:ept t h.a.t be :a me the

basis fo r the Wich ta. ~:ansa ,;-bc:,;= d Lone Star chain . 1119<;5, they roRd : he con· cept and the steakhouse r~st3t.J.rcn ts into Lone Star Steakhousoe :md 53 Iocr (for $26 miUion) , wtlich later nert public

as general manager of the Austin flagship,

restaur:m ~ .

volunteered to open the chain's fifth s:ec.k-

Ste=r a1d f~ Pr me Sirkin -=staurc. r : s.

of his youth growing up in Gastonia. "I

Sulf van's Stealc.h::use

worked closely with Jamie and Mike in

I<;:;:8 So.lth Blvd. [Svu:t-i:od ~elje -rl] C1.-lot:e, N:: :a:;.0-"':'67

Austin, and chose to bring the concept to

biz

.:!04-335-8228 =n.o11e 704-3B-87S7 fa>:

Charlotte- to where I grew up. In ClOJsing the South End location, we've declined more than one offer to locate in Center City and South Park. I'm convinced we made the right choice."

Seillthz: ';67 Openeti _::muary I~98 Service:

_uncl (pr vate f..-o:tc•ns o1 ·d ;ar open£ at -":::Op.-n_ · :vlon. thr11 Sun.) :::>inner 5:30 teo l:<lC p.m. "1on thru Sat. 1!1d .::30 to I<lOCo r:.n. SIJ'l,

P•ices:

:mrees: $16 to i:?9 Fer per~on

Mis:::.

=·iano barfeat11r~ I·.E j<.n ."1on. thro..Jgh ;aL Frivate ro·:Jm !~ ::o tc 6S. Extensive whE I ~:: Outdoor ;eathE a..r.Jil3ble, •Jeat.ler per;n u-g. '.'alet parking ofEr:c . .;n major :::redt nrd~ ;~a:ep~ed.

By the way, Charlotteans might also for his successes with Godfather's p·zz3,

Steak Compc:ny" t1rough a trre=-t'ered

Lone Star Steakhouse, Frankie's Italian

approach to : he restaurc.nt m:.-k=t Lone

Grille and Pancho & Lefty's. Thompsor is

Star Ste3k1ooses [certifted A n ;:: L~ Jeef

one of the partners of Red Mountain

ste3'<S], a ''d=stinatioo res ta rrf' embrac·

Management (along with Bill Dukes,

ing a Te;:;as roadhous~ concep: ; : he

cofounder of LongHorn Steaks), which 12s

upscale S_lli;an's Steakhou,;es embracing

since developed the Blue Marlin Seafo •JC

a Chicago style 194C·s steakrcuse w th

Grill (five locations in the Carolinas anc

jazz and swing mLsi·: conceJ:;

Virginia), Jack Mackerel's and the Dean &

d the

3nd is fra nc1 sero ~ :;: ; '.\!estern

house here in Charlotte, having spent most

recognize restaurateur Dennis ThomJson

Lone 3tar has p: ~it'oned itse lf c.s "The

greater char oite :)jz

SagebrLsb C: :eakhoLse &SalJCn , t.: Westen Sl:e.;-r and fcur F'r'me S rln r

m :t - o:: 1 lOC• I

reviewed by Brent Romans, Edmuflw .:om

luxury vehicles for the successful executive

2002 jaguar X-Type A Baby Cat for Generation X Jaguar will debut an all-new compact sedan in the hopes of carving out a slice of the entry-level luxury market.

Jaguar has not released specifics about the car, but Vii! dJ know that two V6s will be offered : a 2. 5-liter V6 and a larger ; .0 liter V6 . Jaguar says these engines are derived from the V6 fu u1d

Smaller than both the S-Type and X)8, the new sedan will be

in the S-Type, which means their lineage can also be t race c t c

called the X-Type and labeled as a 2002 model. It will compete

Ford's line of 24-valve DOHC Duratec V6 engines. Horsepo\./er

directly with other sport compact sedans like the Audi A4, Bf\AW

and torque figures are still unavailable, but Jaguar does sa-. that

3 Series, Lexus IS 300 and Mercedes-Benz C-Ciass.

the V6s will drive all four wheels, meaning that the X-Type

Previously known only by its engineering code name, X400,

is :"le

first Jaguar road car to feature all-wheel drive. A manual trcr 3-n is-

the X-Type will be built at Jaguar's Halewood plant in England.

sion will be offered, though it is unclear if it will be availab e fer

The JaguarS-Type and Lincoln LS were the first joint-venture ~rod颅

batt- the 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter engines.

ucts for Ford and Jaguar, and the X-Type will continue the trend

Visually, the car blends both modern and classic Jagu;a路

The beloved chrome Leaper is still in the prime position on thE: X-Type's hood. The front-end styling is similar to the XJ8's, but it is rn.clmore aggressive, with oval-shaped headlights and a more pronounced lower a1r intake. by sharing a basic body structure with the new 2001 Ford

lines. Its basic shape is similar to the XJ8, with quad headi grts,

Mondeo. The Mondeo platform (known in the States as the Ford

angled taillights and a traditional XJ grille. It is more athlet c c. nc

Contour/Mercury Mystique until it was dropped in 2000 due

muscular than the XJ8 though, and the sculpted hood, th id< C-pil-

to lagging sales) has been significantly redesigned, including

lars and body-length cutline are clearly derived from the S -T~路 p e .

major improvements in body rigidity, safety and refinement.

The X-Type will be priced below the S-Type in hopes of

The new Mondeo's attributes will play a critical role in

attracting a young audience . Our guess on pricing would b:=

determining the X-Type's success.

MSRPs starting in the low 30s for a base model with a mar U3

march 200 I

greater charlotte biz

The X-Type features a black leather interior and manual shifter. enhancing the sporting image. The dash includes the woodwork Jaguar is renowned for, in a darker color natching the black leather, and plenty of high tech. including a large format screen displaying satellite navtgation. climate control, stereo and telephone transmission and topping out in the low 40s for a loaded X-Type with the 3.0-liter engine and an automatic transmission. When the X-Type compact sedan arrives during the summer of 2001, Jaguar will have four different models in showrooms, including the XJ large sedan, the S-Type mid-size sedan and the XK sports car. / 3 777 Bcl;.umpu

Corporate hopes are high for this new

Cttrj:'U'c~ l'!ftce

54it.- 3115

CTrari'Jite f\.C Z82'!i-14.1'9 PlitJr.e 704.9r..5:()'j Fa. "VI.54I.ww:.}

model, and Jaguar expects that the car

J1~i'u'IGR-lir.eal

.,,n,•.i'11C'Jt:n;:. ::Oolfl

will double the company's current worldwide sales of about 85,000 units. Until we drive the car, it would

.....

be speculatiol on how good the 2002 X-Type will be, so we'll leave that for

IiliJtMifit}t~

later. We do know that it will face stiff

""S et::i ::-.13

competition . The 3 Series, C-Ciass and IS 300 are all exceptional sport sedans,

Tit ~

and Audi is ccming out with an all-new

lfiW

A4 for 2002. Next year is shaping up to be quite a rumble between automakers for market sh are of the entry-level luxury sedan market.

biz.

Edmunds.com, In:. was founded in 1966 to publish new and used vehtcle guides. In 1995, Edmunds became the first company to establish a site on the Web on whtch consumers could obtain vehicle tnfonmatlon a: no cost, and tn 2000, Edmunds

•

~ldKg

r~~o r_-< SoiiLtioa~ ,.

Curtt!lilta -s M?rt E:qurie. -J CPnYt!ti11g, _ <tt«.r E~1tee.-i11,: De;'gn Team witil 5reciil!::•htu t~~~ol Ce,...}tt:.:~rior; itt: luhj...Ver_do r/ ..1u t - "nt occ ' [J t 3::> rc r~til:r: Er c ge ., R·:ou D::I.f-~o..titcg F'coto o•:>l Su;>po rt

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• -= lle rpri se V"A."- ar.d •

e t\.oi'Ork P._l-al:VS s,

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S )' ~en ~

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ih- c- P 3$t>er u d

., N O S :>u port fo::- ·.:.riuow ' 2: 0 • IIF

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M E.nage .,cc:u :; ec ia ISIS

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• Nctw:: rk · ">-:J I ' :lee 3-l or' _ ;:'Co,tt-rt ·--re • 01e d ; _

D a :I C~ Optitr i7ation

F....eco...,cr. £nd R _mot e _A_c ces;;;

i..'ll S cCL::-:!

c..- _ r_g

'\".~-.,a , 1'-. ~ rwo-1.:...'11 ='

• E .gi1 -"..ta: IE.bii. t:"" :iolu· i011 ;

became the first source for vehicle pricing information for users of wireless Web-enabled devtces. Edmunds.com cootinues to provide free, unbiased information on all aspects of buying, owning and selling a vehicle.

g r ea te r ch a rlotte biz

r- ::. r :h

2:n

..)J

t€Vewed

by Larry Gas~

Regent Park Golf Club ';South of the Borde1-" course s2-ves JP challenges Alt hoJgh the remnarts of Jim and Tammy 83-•:J.:er's

mentioning. The number 2

=tom ping gl":)unds can still be seen, don 't let their

hole is a tough par 3, meas-

demise keep you from playing this =tuali:y go J course. Regent Park Golf C ub, located just a : -o~s t e s ate line in Fort M"ll, S.C., is a member course of th2 :::harlctte hiE a Golf Association. Designed t ·1 Ron Garland opened in 1?:1 5, tis a fr.;t-rate daily fee cour:e well worth yo ur time and r •Jne':'. ThE cou rs E sits on part o=the land pre•tious ly c•wned by Ji 11 and Tamm •t Bakke -'s no'A-d 2funct

Heri ~ age

USA <Xga-, izati ·:• n.

The cour: e is pr2sently owned by a Malay:ian o:c nglJmer3te

uring roughly

ts :. yards frorr

the back tee. h2 hole has a particulilrly interesting history. Originally a mJCerately difficult par 4, the hole was bordered on the right side of

The 7th hole is tight down the right sice ud also has a creek.

the fair.vay by se·: eral homes. These h ~mes were some of the origin al homes built during the peak years of Her tage USA wh2n tnere was no golf

c. rd it and its .;ur-

course. The homeowr -

ro Jnd ·ng facil ties ar?

ers reached an agree-

ma intained in top -

ment with Regent Par<

nc·tch cond iti on. The

GJ lf .:tub to share par~

256 acres are ca rve c

of ~ heir property when

from raturally rolling,

tre cnurse was built

wooded te rrain,

in 1594.

with fa irways ined by

However, after

to.vering oaks and

h23 ring regular com-

pi nes, and be3 utifully ac ce n ~e d

p c. ints over the years

with dog-

fom homeowners

wood s and anJ leas .

b:xmarded with erra - t

You woul:l be

tee shots, Regent Park

herd-p ressed to find a

d2c ided to reconstruc :

la ·ger and more well-

the role as a par 3 to

ec uip ped practice

fi.< the problem.

fa :i lity in th e area.

Another interest-

Regent Park h3s one

irg role on the front

of th e largest puttin g

n ne is the par 5, 7th

green s and a : hipping

h:Jie Although not

green as well. As if that

~r.eren ' t

enough .

The 8th hale

a ong par 4 and probably the most difficul: hole on the course.

t·emendously long, gclfers can easily hit

Regent also has san :I bun kers for practicing fair.vay Jun ker .;hots and those difi cult on e5 ri ght aroLnd the greens.

o=c:o urse, they

ha·1e he trad ifo nc. l driving rar g-=

well as pra ctice

m a rch 2 0 •) I

. If that weren't

enough, the ho le features a creek that golfe·s must avoid not only on their .;econd shot but also on their app roach to the large and fa st green . The number 8 hole, a lon g and :lifficult par 4, is

go f nst ·uc lion..

no do ubt the toLghest hole on the course . ..\fter you are done

As \'OL

c ar 2 ~u

area.; dEdi ( ate j foc Jrivate

la~ou :,

-he .;econd hole, a :ou,sh par 3, u s~d to be an easier par 4.

out of Jounds t::> the right if they are not

: a~?- ' ~ h e

18 hole

tra ve ling tn rough two

there, things gEt easier- but don't rela.< ju st yet. One of the most challenging holes •Jn tn 2 back nine is the

stc: te s and three : oL ntie5,

par 3, 13th hJle From the back tee s, tre go lfer must hit a 190

there are seve ra _holes worth

yard shot an d clear a large swamp area tJ a se·1erely sloping

g rea -:-=r charlotte bi z

green. P-art ofth ~ =un on this hole ·s . ust

riding y :· ur cart over probably the lon&est l>lidge,':ar: path i1 :he Charlotte are:J 1= y·:· u me: l::e par here, consider your:;.el ' LE::ky ! The sis-natu -e ro le at Regent is tte

ow you can have access to Documents where you need them, When you Need them!

Oftice S:>lutions

IKON Business lnform:rtion Services Presents OTG Imaging Software Th~

par 3, :.7tr hole Although not :renerd :>Us ly illng at 1 :~- ya rds, the golfEr ha5: to hit the ball over : re surroundin.s l :o ke :a a 1arro~o. and sl~ ng green . Fo r frequent~ layers at Regerrt, the ccurse offers anDLal membershp Jlc:n5: for bJth the cou rse :Jnd the practice faci ity..

Obvious Ch-oice •or your Total ln"onr ali on Mar agerwent Needs: • Imaging • Enterprise Fepcrt: Managenent • '/f:>r kfl o•t • '/feb/Browser BGS':ld Solutions 1-800-729-1268, ex-. 307:" • Forms Processing/OCR/ICR Solutions • ::onvers io1s E·g-3orge@lkon ..com echnol •: >gies S: at e of t h e A r t o :: L m e n t \1 a n a g e Tr E- n t

r•

S1ould 1 0L be irterested in livi 1g n ~ hE R~gent Far< comTu1ity, severa new cn:l

were tt-e jJnior g::>lfer= .,., - o wi ll reo::eiv= the )enefits fr:>m the

e:<isting 1omes ere available th -ousr ..,c:·ious compa 1 es.

money ra ised for CMJG!'..'"

-lo1neowners re:=i.te dis-

RE:gent Park ·s de =nit e y one oftre le3ders in ou · lccal go lf

o nts whe1 pla•ing at the

market Trey ma ~e it \ery -=asy for gol ers

() IJrSe .

anytim= via the l1tern>O't Just visit

~egent

Fc:rl<. is :Sso well·

of the day

ou··ng or t•)Jrncnent. La5t

REi:lders ca • be l:.ept up

No : ember, ·or example, ~T~T

to date on REge-l Pa rk anc

WirEless Sen ices

other ..-ea ccurses by

:: ut-

teamed with SpCI15Radio 610-V/FI\.Z lo tost it~ annu3 chari:v

sc ribin 5 tc an e-n ail

golftot-ma11ent

ter that is jesign:=d fo - are<J

=CI"

anj

make 2 ·eservati Jn a'"~') t iln =

sJ ied for a corpc nte golf On tl e I 3th ~de, you must hit a 190 ra-e drive.

:a book thei r tee : imes

<Y."\..w.tH!limes.con>

: he Charlotte 1\Ae:rJ Jun ior ::c·lf As$cc iation

(C V\JGA)_

"lE tls .et-

golfers j ust \"isi:

Hole 17 is Reger t Par~ 's eig;anature hole.

"The staff at Fe s-ent Park p-o,·ided ~.T& T Wireless <n d

<www.:hcrrlc•tte areagitf.t>Tg> and fill in 'P r e-mail addre~s

IJV FNZ w :h a first dass, turnkey o~ eratic1 for OLr tau · Dament,~

if you v-ou .d ike :o rece \·~ 1ew5 and anacv =rtised spec als

says MH:e Hollar-.:.! market director fer P.-& T Wireless b r

month[/ as ~A ell c: s the : ha- ce t::> vtin f-ee oJnds of gol f. biz

Ct-arlot::)Green=t:mo / Winston-Salen. 'Ne hosted 12.5+ golfers •• he receivec treatment 2x : ect2c from a privc:te golf club .

Larry Gast

To a pe-: or, the 5t:aff at Regent Park ·;ra~ court=ous crd profes-

of the C-,owte A.;,a Gof As;xKJtton.

sional, t:ak i'lg ca1e of every detail. In I hE end, tTE real INinners

carogoi(Q)ecortrlink..~et

At a Glance

tne (J<IIn=r cr Co ·ol.na Gel' 'V1Jrke irg, Inc and -:'Je direc:or

W hat the Playe rs Say_. I love to plar ltegent P<.rk.TJ-.e people

7045'17.0023 (loca f or Charette golfers) 877."'-~6.-4653

t€ reached VI•J e-mci/ at

Head Pro: T::>tid Lawton Phor : for Tee T imes:

'-/e con

great, the ::o.Jrse i ~ wonderful, <:nd the

practice facilit;- is top-rotdl. -

Due DawKn, Q I 0:" di;k jocley

I play at Reg:!r :. Park fer several -eascn~ It's a1 att -a~tite coLrse.The facil tie~

On tfle Wet::

are excellent. ne frien •js I h;we rwade b;re cootr ibu:e :really to the cameraderie

WWVY.:harlottelr>eagolf.org (links 1 0 t heir \V:b site at

and t-apFort t~ lt I have en.or-d.l-.s to :'le ~taff, I find tJ-.em 1ery compe:ert,

www. ~p. bellso u tl . com/sites/r~e-t)

accommodatir: and friend y. Eno.gh sai:! -

Fr a1k J. C i 'ti:to, retired

Course Detals: 72.7 f..athg/135. Slope, 6729 yards. Pa- 71

Being

256 c.aes, Bern•da grass fai rvva)>e , bent F ass green;

back t::> 11y m::e;t favori: e, Re~:em Pc.rk.n o..~g~ the c.cu -se i; lStheticall)' attra::-

mernt: =r of three e-olf clubs in tb:! C1rolii1as. I fnd myself being crawn

1:ive ard cornfo- tably ct-aiiEng-ng, mo;: enj::y th: ~off : hat s10em to ma~e each

Appr<>ximate Costs:

round I play rrcre enjo.1ab e "Vith thei - .-rierdl:' welcome:!. T~e accommcda:ing a11d

$47 \"\,eel:days n:luding cart $57 \"\,eel~endsf1olidays including cart

friendly iltmos : 1ere far ex.:eeds lhat "o..111d :tt most pri·,ate clu bs. -

Jo;epfi S. Lc Faso, U3 A riJ\"ays :::>ibt

Senicr ard twilg1t rates available

g r·e a t e- : h a r I o tt e biz

narch 21)1) I

urc

guide _ __

advertising I marketing/pr

financial services I banking

human resources I staffing

legal services

1st & 10 Marketing, Inc. 119 Stone Village Dr. Fort Mill, SC 29715 www.lstand10marketing.com 704.556.7330

First Citizens Bank www.firstcitizens.com 888.323.4732

Adecco

Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson

financial services I insurance

www.adecco.com

101 N. Tryon St., Ste. 1900 Charlotte, NC 28246

Matt Christopher Group

www.rbh.com

4530 Park Rd ., Ste. 100

704 .377 .2 536

Charlotte, NC 28209

architectural/ design firms liquid Design 601 S. Cedar St., Studio 114 Charlotte, NC 28202 www.liquiddesign.net 704.338.9980

autos I transportation Scott jaguar 416 Tyvola Road Charlotte, NC 28217· 3 560 www.scottjag.com 704.527.7000

displays I presentations G. Michael's 656 Michael Wylie Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217 www.gmichaels.com 704.679.4100

Hood Hargett & Associates P.O. Box 30127 Charlotte, NC 28230 www.hoodhargett.com 704.374.1863 Knauff Insurance 1610 E. Morehead St. Charlotte, NC 28233·3789 704.375.8000

financial services I investments Hilliard Lyons 592 5 Carnegie Blvd., Ste. 101 Charlotte, NC 28211 www.hilliard.com 704.556.9000 Montag Management Corporation 2915 Providence Rd ., Ste. 250 Charlotte, NC 28211 www .mantagmanagement.com 704.362.1886

Pfeiffer University 4701 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 www.pfeiffer.edu 704.521.9116 UNC Charlotte Continuing Education 9201 University City Blvd . Charlotte, NC 28223·0001 www .uncc.ed ul con ted 704.687.2424

march 200 I

www.wcsr.com

Charlotte, NC 28210

704.331.4900

www.staffamerica.com 704.944.7600

media 7512 E. Independence Blvd ., Ste. 105 Charlotte, NC 28227

NC Services for Dentistry P.O. Box 4219 Cary, NC 27519 www.ncdental.org 888.403.4147

704.532.0084

Dun hill Hotel 237 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202 www.dunhillhotel.com 704.332.4141 I 800.354.4141 Morgan Hotel and Suites 315 E. Woodlawn Rd . Charlotte, NC 28217 www.morganhotels.com 704.522.0852 I 800.522.1994

www.wdav.org 704.894.8900

office furniture Techline

Ballantyne Consulting Group 15720 John J. Delaney Dr. , Ste. 100

4446 South Blvd . Charlotte, NC 28209 www.workspacespec ialists.:on 704.334.6823

Charlotte, NC 28277 704.540.0509 CAl Concepts www.caiconcepts.com

office products IKON Office Solutions www.ikon.com 800.729.1268 x3077

704.338.9808

704.716.3400 lnSite Business Solutions www.insitebiz.com

plastic products I design Ehren -Haus Industries, Inc. 10600 john Price Rd. Charlotte, NC 28273 www.ehrenhaus.com 704.588.2887

704.846.8121 Internetwork Engineering

hospitality

WDAV 89.9 Classical

www.tttsolutions.com

www.edreamz.com

events Queen's Cup Charlotte Steeplechase 815 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217·1986 www.queenscup.org 704.423.3400

Charlotte, NC 28202·602 5

6000 Fairview Rd ., Ste. 1500

E·dreamz

healthcare

3300 One First Union Center

Staff America

www.gobcg.com

Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation 7500 Olde Sycamore Dr. Charlotte, NC 28227 www.oldesycamoregolf.com 704.573.1000

Womble Carlyle 301 S. Tryon

i.t./ internet services

golf courses I recreation

McColl School of Business at Queens College 1900 Selwyn Ave. Charlotte, NC 2827 4 www.mccollschool.edu 704.337.2224

704.338.1948

The Transition Team

Sharpe Images 704.525.7087. Dept. 31

education

www.mattchris.com

printing I pre-press

13777 Ballantyne Corporate Place,

Powerhouse Color

Ste. 305

804 Clanton Rd. , Ste. C

Charlotte, NC 28277·3419 www.ineteng.com 704.540.5800

Charlotte, NC 28217 www.realpages.com l powerhouse 704.523.5019 R. L. Bryan Company

march FIRST 2725 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 350 Charlotte, NC 28217 www.marchfirst.com

7510 Hogan's Bluff Ln. Charlotte, NC 28227 www.rlbryan.com 704.573.4946

704.329.4600

greater charlotte biz

Take advantage of these products and services from Charlotte's leading business-to-business suppliers.

Providence

South minster

Prudential Carolinas Realty 4529 Sharon Rd .

Charlotte, NC 28226

Charlotte, NC 28210

704.365.5252

www.southm inster.org

www.prudentialcharlotte.com

Adelphia 401 S. Tryon St. , Ste. 2200 Charlotte, NC 28202 www.adelphia-abs.com 704 .357 .8080

5114 Providence Rd.

8919 Park Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

telecommunications

Sunrise Assisted living on

senior living

real estate

www.sunrise-al.com

704.554.0141

704 .366.5545

iReadyWorld www.ireadyworld .com 877 .473 .2399

The Laurels & The Haven

sales training I contact management

Beacon 11911 Steele Creek Rd .

Sunrise Assisted living at Eastover

in Highland Creek

3610 Randolph Rd .

6101 Clarke Creek Pkwy.

Charlotte, NC 28211

Charlotte, NC 28269

704 .366.2550

www.rsl-al.com Haven : 704.947 .8050

www.sunrise-al.com

Charlotte, NC 28273

Network Cabling Systems 588 Griffith Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217 www.networkcablingsystems.com 704.523 .8606

Laurels : 704 .947.8050

www.pharos路software.com

Sunrise Assisted living of South

704.587.022 5

Charlotte & GlenView Suites

The Laurels & The Haven in

5515 Rea Rd.

the Village at Carolina Place

Charlotte, NC 28226

13180 Dorman Rd .

Henricks Corporate Training 7621 Little Ave., Ste. 503

704.544.2094

Pin eville, NC 28134

Charlotte, NC 28226

www .sunrise -al.com

www.rsl-al.com

www.henrickscorp.sandler.com

Haven: 704.540.0155

704.566.7383

Laurels: 704 .540.8007

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the subscn'ption form at greatercharlottebiz. com march 200 I

Dolby, con:inued from

pa~ 6(•

Ed Dolby

expo.>urE Jp~ortcnities. Th e~~ members who take tte ti-ne to determi n€ wrat

offering~ s~~:ifically

meet :1eir needs 'l'ill s=e

gJ'o:?ct bellefit from their me r bEGhip. The c - amber r as morE

President of the Carolinas, Bank of Amer cc1 Ch1ir. Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

ttnn 10•) :ouncils and com-n ·tiEes that offE· the opportunit>y Jor

Bo~n: December

in•Jcl'Jen.::rt. By working on 3n i-;sue- pe ·· aps one that

Education: Shaw University,

1944 Raleigh

acdresse= ·tour oNn 'hot bl.t:t:•Jn · - you can -nak.e key contacts

Career:

....,hiiE m3<i1g a pJsitive diffr.re-:e in your :omrrunrty.

President, Bank of America - North a1d :;IJJth C3olirra

Family: wife Vhat ~ool yo.1 tell a pc .enrial Chamber mem..Jer abow t11ebe di ofbecomingam ~mber? Fran a broad, alt·uistic view, jc; 1ing the C

amb~r

enables y·:::u to

t=l3>y a Ja 1 in the success o = th ~ communit) in whic1 you live 3nd do busi ess. As Charlott~ gJWS, opportJ1ity aboun js. =rorr c.

shctly Jusiness view, there is

-J

substitL1e for :he leve of p-::l-

gr3ms, e>.Josure and netwcr~in~ available :h roLgh tile Chamber.

Dee, three sons

last Book Read: Who Moved My Cheese? bySp-:rcerl o1nso'l Person Most Like to Meet: Alan laH Movie Seen: Erin

Greens~Ja n

Brockovich

Fa..-orite TV Show (past or present): The ~by S1ev.. Proudest Accomplishment: My current rc.e

Pre3ident of the Carolinas for Bank of AmedG

'iou ha e lived rn Charlo· .e >nee 1970. What are the l:iggest c 1ar ges you've st:en curing that tiJIU:? Certain[)' ~Ente r C ty Chariot:= 1as gone thrOl.sh signi f cant changes. Ban< of A.mericc hc:s

c.de a treme 'l dou~ in...estMent

in Cnartotte a1d is committe: :c · he growtr a1d develJprrent cf oJr heajquarters city. Other god corpora-e citizerlS like Rrst Ur ·o- 3nd Duke Energy ha\E also helpe : ma <e oJr Yita. Sc rTJe our politica locef5. The t-c.s expetienced i1 recent ye=rs see ncrE

J~ople

rena i s~ance

C~nte· •=ity

that Charlctte

energized our citv You no...

on the side.v3 ..:s almost 2-4 hou rs a day.

What announcements/changes can we exp;:cl Emm Bank of America this year? Bank of America has built our franchise from a h i~ :o-y ofmer&ers and acquisitions. Now, our strategy is focused Jn ?;•Jwin 5 reverue and significantly increasing customer satisf3ction. V/~'re doing this in a number of ways: investing heavily · ~-comne·ce initiatives and partnerships, introducing lnterr-=t :zdlnolJgy into bank'ng centers and ATMs, speeding up the deve ~ment of the inve!::tment banking platform worldwice, and i- ve:;· ing reavil·t in improvements in baseline customer service pe ·fo-n3n :e.

Introducing Di-ect-to -P'Icte

While most printer5 still

~pi-

tl-ei-

with lots of pre-press work.Th-=

ll"h~es

~.L.

E>)'an

Company has moved into pr1:11g's fast lane. Ht ideiJerg Creo Trends~ tter' Spectrum

c.rnputer w pia te

Our state-of-the-art, ·:lir-=ct-to-p ate

technology speeds the producti::m ::>-::>ce£!' tn ensure on-time delivery It also •o .:J; ccb - ilt every turn, so that the last piec t :• cross tre finish line looks just as good as

t~e

T-3:.

Ccunt on number-one,The R.L. Bryan ComJany crev- tc E'E't the jcb dole when you need quality printing at a realistic pri :e.

The R.L. Bryan ::::ompa:1y 1-8)0-476-1844 • Ph 803-343-6700 • Fax 8J3 -313-6E38 P.O. Box 368 • Columbia. SC 29202 • www.rlbr'•l .D"tl

r1arch 200 I

greate- crHictte b Z

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LANiER

~ FUJIFILM

interviewed by bea q_.ir<-

newsmakers, power

broker~

and personalities

Chamber Talk Ec. Dolby chair, ChaJotte Charnber of Commerce Ed Dolby is president of Bank of Am~ ri::a- ~orth an::! Sc ut1 Carol ina, chair of the company's multi-cultural leaders rup :=am and a member of the company's e>Trnercial and c::>flsJmer executive team . He was previously the Carolinas Consumer Bank Executive and was n111ed to 8/cc~c

Erterp:ise

rragazine's list of the Top 50 Blacks in Corporate

America in 2000. He is also now t h;:: fir.;t African American :o chair the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce . and transportation to regional planning c:n d

Wlut are your major goals for the Chc- lotte Chamber this year?

inner city development. Organizations ard

Ecu3tion continues to be at the top

volunteers from throughout the commun ·1y

oftt- :: community's priority list, and

are working to fulfill the mission of this pian

the : t-amber's <www.charlotte-

-to make Charlotte the best place to liv::

cha:aber.org> as well . We presented

and work. Many of the initiatives will

a SL-ccessfLl 'What's Working'

years to complete, but great progress is

con-=erence that focused on the

being made. Under the leadership of co-

bes: practices in curriculum

chairs Ed Shelton, Ken Thompson and Jin

de•1::lopment around the nation.

Hance, the success will continue.

tak~

We fl ill continue to push for full -=un r:U ng of:he Bright Beginnings

What do you think the Chamber

:lre-C: cu rriculum, which helps at-risk

does best?

: hi'. : ren begin kindergarten on

The Chamber is a catalyst for positive change. Through the efforts of our

::qLal footing with their peers .

volunteers, we are able to bring the righ :

We wi ll also continue our l e ~ lative

people to the table to address issues

efforts in Raleigh. Through

th e 'Vork of our full-time lobbyist

impacting not only Charlotte's business

an d c. committed group of volunteers,

community, but also its quality of life.

we w ·ll push for pro-business legislaWhat can the Chamber do better?

tion. especially in the areas of trans-

t-a·:e

portation and education. Another area of focus 11.1ill Je our di.e-si-

We nr .LSt continue to focus on leadership development. We

ty i-itiatives. Through programs like the IJ1inortty PrJf=ssionals

a number of programs- Leadership School, the lnvolvemen:

e->vork, the Diversity Business Council and the \\i1crity Busine!;.S

ForJn, New Executive Welcome, to name a few- but the futw::

Lec: dership Institute, we hope to positivey i11pact:the approach t:J

of ow :ommunity depends on the commitment and talent of

ciiHsity ir the Charlotte region .

these who step up to lead us. The Chamber must continue to encoJrage and educate those who have that drive and vision.

W - ar have been the Chamber's mc~t signi ·ic::~Lt ac·.:::>mplishments in recent years?

W~13 : woul d you tell a new Chamber member abou t h o\N to

Pe ·1aps one of the most significant accomplis - melts is the

ge: im·olved and make the most of his/her membersh iJ=?

creation of the Advantage Carolina Sttc: tesic Plcn Cild the infrastrt. cture that supports this

ambitiou~

::njeav :x. lr 1998, tr e

Cilc. mber unveiled this community plc.n that

'tF.f5

cteated with

inp...Jt from more than 400 members ofth2 bu oirl::ss commur t1•

We have a set of 17 initiatives, rangi n§" ir focL o frcm educa: icn

m a rch 200 I

I IM)Uk recommend that a new Chamber member do two thilgs to re:: p the most benefits from membership- get educated anj 5et involved. The Chamber has countless ways to help busi - esses grow- savings programs, training, networking and

See

Dolby, continued

on page 58

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