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)) cover story Bank of America Graham Denton, a Charlotte native who signed on with Bank of America in 1971 , is the president of the Charlotte Market Area, making him the point per son for the nation's largest retai l bank in its headquarters city To involve t he bank in a business venture, promotional event or civic project, he's the man to see.
{ Wachovia Championship N ot one to rest on his laurels, tournam ent director Kym H o ugham continues to refine the experience of t he second annual W achovia
publisher's post
4
biz outlook
6
employers biz
8
Championship at Q uail H ollow Club.
lnsource Contract Services, LLC
en 路-
Legislative and regulatory highlights fo r area employers.
Applying fts un1que approach to outsourcing, staffing and engineering
biz digest
40
biz resource guide
41
on top
42
consult1ng, lnsource Improves laborIntensive processes for its clients.
)
JHE Production Group, Inc. From NASCAR prerace shows to the Food L1on Speed Street Festival, JH E Product1o n Group executes t he crowd-pleas1ng speCial events, entertainment and photo ops t hat thnll fans and corporate sponsors.
c 路2
apri l 2004
Iexecutive! inks I Regent Park Golf Cou rse
on the cover :
Graham W Denton , Jr. Bank of America President Charlotte Mark et Area; President Consumer & Commercial Banking, No rth Ca mlina; Com mercial Executi ve fo r the Atlan tic Region.
Management team tees up enthus1asm. expert1se and v1sion to become the best publ1c golf course 1n Charlotte.
.,
Photography by Wayne Morris .
Icommunitybiz I
North Carolina Dance Theatre Two 1n emat1 1n<1l tar a1路e ft1ng Chadotte dance to new he1ghts.
clfaflotte
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greater chcrlotte biz
What is Business Class Performance?
ROADRUNNER
Business Class
[publisher's
st I
Encouraging Economic Growth Here at Home In con cert with its 100th anniversary, Du ke Powe r is sponsori ng an eco nom ic developmen t con fe ren ce on April 29 and 30, 2004, entitled, " Carolinas Competitiveness Forum." Eve r sin ce th e completion of the Catawba Hydro station a century ago , Du ke Power has been aggressively engaged in promoting the Carolinas' reliable, low cost electric service and the quality of life afforded by the lakes created for its power generation capacity. Duke Power is bringing together a specially selected group of key policy, business and social leaders to focus on the challenges we face and the opportunities to transform our region. Together, they will highlight strategies and approaches to enhance regional economic development. In addition to hearing high-powered speakers, those in attendance will have a chance to engage and interact on topics including the future role of manufacturing in the Carolinas, key competitive advantages and the drives of economic development transformation. Given the loss of 130,000 jobs in North Carolina and 100,000 in South Carolina in the last three years, we are desperate to attract new and relocating businesses and en courage the expansio n of existing businesses in this region . And, in light of Duke Power's initi ative in att ractin g th e textil e indu stry from New England several deca des ago substa ntia lly spurri ng our region 's eco nom ic deve lopm ent, we may well benefit from their expe rt ise in ide nt ify ing t he next wave of bu sin ess attraction s th at will provide jo bs for our wo rkers and futures for our fa milies. One significant aspect of economic developme nt that see ms to be missi ng or at least not highlighted on Duke Power's seminar age nda for discuss ion is the enco uragement of entrepreneurialism and the nurturing of already existing busi nesses for growth and expansion. Where is the attention to job creation within our regio n via t he expansion of resources available to small and mid-sized companies to expan d/ cha nge their product / service lines and maintain/expa nd their labor force? According to SBA figures, 96 percent of all em ployers in North Caro li na have fewer than 100 employees. Nearly half of North Carolina's 3,385,492 wo rkers in 2000 were emp loyed by small businesses. Collect ively, small busi nesses contribute more than 50 percent of the gross domestic product and almost 80 pe rcent of the econo my's new jobs. These numbers are not aberrant; they have re mained re latively co nstant for the last twenty years. They are well known, but often ove rlo oked in econo mi c develop ment circles. Small businesses are the rea l key to eco nomic growth. They crea te, innovate, grow, and expa nd. Unfortu nately, many commu nities and economic developers focus their limited time , attention and resource s on business attraction from outside the region rather than on stimulating extant and developing businesses that can substantially contribute to the expansion of jobs and growth. Relocating businesses are certainly important and valuable when they bring large numbers of jobs at one time, but steady job growth and a diversified business base serve longer-term economic interests more immediately and effectively. To a large degree, the Charlotte region and the Carolinas are well positioned to turn on the job generation process, especially in light of the number and quality of educational institutions offering research support and job training/retraining resources. Bringing together government, business, education and financial resources, and leaders at the Duke Power seminar provides an opportunity to target areas for economic growth such as tourism, nanotechnology, bioengineering and biotechnologies, robotics and defense-related industries. That is good. Hopefully, the discussion will recognize that we have many homegrown entrepreneurs and businesses that have survived rough times and are growing and succeeding, and consider how best to direct resources to help them develop in those directions. While we support and encourage efforts to attract business activity into our region, let's make sure we are equally anxious about and assiduous in providing growth opportunities to our existing regional business base. biz
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April 2004 Volume 5 • Issu e 4 Publisher John Paul Galles jgalles@greatercharlottebiz.com
Associate Publisher/Editor Maryl A. Lane maryl.a.lane@greatercharlottebiz.com
Creative Director/ Asst- Editor Tara Miller tmiller@greatercharlottebiz.com
Account Executives Crystal W . Chappell cwchappell@greatercharlottebiz.com John Patterson jpatterson@greatercharlottebiz.com
Contributing Writers Jay Ahuja Elli son Cla ry Susann e De itzel Casey Jaco bus C hris Jensen Lynn Mooney
Contributing Photographers Ro lland Elliott W ayne Mo r ris Greater Charlotte Biz is pu blished month ly by the Galles Communications Group, Inc. • 560 I 77 Center Drive , Su ite 250 • Charlotte, NC 282 17-0735 704.676.5850 Phone • 704.676.5853 Fax • www.greatercharlottebiz.com. Press releases and oth er news- related information, please fax to th e attention of "Editor" or e-mail: editor@greatercharlottebiz.com. Editorial or advertising inquiries, please call or fax at the numbers above or e-mail: info@greatercharlottebiz.com. Subscription inquiries or change of address, please call or fax at the numbers above or visit our Web site: www.greatercharlottebiz.com. © Copyright
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All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable . However, Galles Communicatio ns Group. Inc. makes no warranty to the accuracy or reliabi lity of this information.
Products named in these pages are trade names or trademarks of their respective companies. Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of
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or Galles Communications Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. For reprints call 704-676-5850 xI 02.
greater char l otte biz
WHAT CAN A
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More important, you experience active planning.
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Your situation, as well as the overall financial
A plan for investing, one for insurance, another
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WACHOVIA. WEALTH MANAGEMENT Uncommon Wisdom
Government Spending and Fiscal Decline: Are We Buying Trouble? Commentary by John E. Silvi a, Ph .D., Chief Economi st , Wachovi a Corporation
act is most imp robable, since all govern-
between cost and benefi t of a publicly pro-
of economics, this assumpti on
mental programs are touted as equally
vided good or service is un iquely challeng-
orces households and businesses to
indispensable.
R
sources arc li mited . As a basic tenet
make choices about their spendin g and
sa\~ng.
However, in the wo rl d of political
ing. The cost is born e by the taxpaye r, but,
It is important to recognize that many
often, it isn't the tax paye r that reaps th e
of the goods and services provided by the
benefi t. The te nde ncy therefore, as one
elections and public policymaking, the con-
gove rnment could also be provided by the
might expect, is that the demand for public
cept of limited resources does not appear to
private sector- ed ucation, for example.
goods is often far greater th an the wil ling-
be a conside ration. The th eme in any cam-
The question in such debates of public
ness of taxp aye rs to pay fo r said goods.
paign waged in the name of a political gain
versus pri vate sector fundin g is whether
is that we can afford anythi ng and every-
the expected benefit a public good p ro~ des
benefit of government spend ing takes us to
th ing and that they will pay. This rhetori cal
is greater than its cost. The question that
the issue of use r responsibility. How much
d rawing of lines in the sand implies that
follows is whether or not the private sector
should the user of public goods/services
there are some limitati ons, just not for us.
could
p ro~d e
Ac hi e~ n g
the good or service at a
a balance between cost and
help pay for them7 This is parti cularly
Unfortunately, there are also no limits
lower cost. The suppressed consumption
important in a state such as No rth
placed on the political rhetori c of unlimited
of public goods is also an issue. In ed uca-
Carolina, where the benefits of college
voter satisfaction.
tion , for example, all students get the same
ed ucation and Medi caid are particularly
number of days and hours of instructi on.
generous. How much of a student's educati on should th e stud ent pay for7 There may
"Li ve within your means" is a piece of homespun wisdom that policymakers
Those who desire more educati on go to
should heed when focusing on the eco-
the private sector in search of additional
not be a scientific answer, or even the same
nomic base that supports spending. Since
tutoring.
answer for all instances, but the question needs to be posed . In fact, th e p ro~si on of
the late 1990s, we have witnessed a rapid rise in state and federal spending (Exhibit 1). Unfortunately, the rate of this spending has been more rapid than the economic
What is the Balance of Costs and Benefits?
man y public goods/seM ces needs to be scrutin ized , and there is no better time than
An accurate analysis of the balance
in an election year.
long-term growth needed to support such spending. Our first challenge is to recog-
Exhibit I
nize the limits of our economic resources. The second is to begin to make the difficult
Federal Spending
choices about how we want to deploy these resources.
The Limits of Our Economic Resources
AS PERCENT OF GDP
23%
23%
22%
The pace of long-tenn growth in the economy creates some serious economic limitations. Furthennore, the allocation of economic reso urces to either public or private production requires choices to be
~ 22%
SPENDING 19.4%
21%
21% I
120%
20%
made. Resources devoted to the public purse cannot be allocated to the private sector. For this reason, it is important that
19%
19% 1
the allocati on of reso urces to the public sector be judged within a framework that
-
18%
Periods of recession: 7/1/1990 -2/28/199 1 3/1/2001 - 11 /30/2001
18%
balances marginal cost and margi nal benefit. This perspecti ve leads to the most efficient allocati on of resources. In a year of
17%87
89
91
93
95
97
99
01
03 17%
political jockeying, however, this balancing
6
april 2004
greater charlotte biz
On the beneficiary side of government spending, the rapid rise in North Carolina
is that those who benefit should pay for government services. This is readily apparent in the case of a toll bridge. Efficiency requires that the good or service be provided at the least expense, yet that charge
government expenditures, as a percent of the gross state product since 1999 (Exhibit 2), requires an evaluation of the real, tangible benefits of this state spending. Over a similar period, the ratio of state government employees relative to nonfarm employees
must cover the cost of the good!service. For a toll bridge, a high toll would discourage any use, while a very low toll may not cover much of the cost of the bridge. In
rose sharply, from 15.5 percent in 1999 to 17 percent in 2002. Therefore, the growth of state employment outgrew the basis of private sector employment, which supports
general, tolls do cover a modest percentage of the cost of the bridge but, generally, taxpayers themselves cover a greater percentage of the cost. In North Carolina, this balance is a particularly key issue for state services like Medicaid, state museums, parks and college tuition. Do users of these goods/services pay too little relative to the
the state through tax payments. On the cost side of the government spending debate, we encounter the issue of the balance between equity and efficiency in taxpayer burdens. The equity argument Exhibit 2
North Carolina Government Spending AS PERCENT OF GOP
10.SO/o
10.SO/o
2001
10.1%
SPENDING
10.0%
10.5%
9.7% 9.SO/o 9.3% 9.0%
8.9%
- f'triodsof ~ession: 7nfl 990 路 2n811991 31112001 路 11 13012001
8.SO/o 87
89
91
93
95
97
99
01
03 8.SO/o
Exhibit 3
North Carolina Personal Income
value? Would these goods/services be over-utilized if the user, as opposed to the taxpayer, paid for a greater, "fairer" distribution of the costs? Again, we have no scientific answer to this resolution of expenditure policy, but in a period of rapid increases in state spending and budget deficits, these questions must be addressed.
So What are Our Priorities? Given the inherent condition of limited resources, what should our real spending priorities be? In an election year, this is one of the key questions politicians and voters need to ask. At the federal level, we need to probe candidates for their priorities. How much can we spend on farm subsidies, energy subsidies, prescription drugs, foreign wars, space exploration and public bailouts of firms or individuals who have been hurt by global trade competition? All these programs have their individual merits, but when confronted with the realities of a fiscal budget, choices must be made. This is especially true since we are very unlikely to grow ourselves out of fiscal deficits. Spending restraint is a must. In North Carolina, 2004 offers us an opportunity to recognize that the slower pace of income growth among taxpayers (Exhibit 3) in recent years cannot allow this state to continue its rapid increases in spending. For this very reason, the election campaign offers us an opportunity to debate the balance of equity and efficiency - an essential element of state programs and taxation in North Carolina that so often goes ignored. biz
YEAR - ON -YEAR PERCENT CHANGE OF 2- YEAR MOVING AVERAGE
10%
10%
8%
8%
6%
6%
4%
4%
2%
- PfnodsofrK~
3Q 2003 @ 2.8 %
7nl1990 - 2128/1991
31112001 路 11 0012001
0%88
90
greater charlotte biz
92
94
96
98
00
02
04
2% 0%
Dr. John Silvia is chief economist for Wocho vio Corporation. Prior to joining Wochovio, Silvia worked on Capitol Hill as senior economist for the Senate Joint Economic Committee and chief economist for the Senate Bonking, Housing and Urban Development Affairs Committee. He hod formerl y been chief economist of Kemper Funds and managing director of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. Silvio holds a B.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Northeastern University and a Moster's in Economics from Brown University.
apri I 2004
7
Legislative and Regulatory H.Ighhghts . for Area Employees HIPAA's Scope
Message frowt the -rreside»t Have you ever been unhappy wi th a particular governmental/legislative
'""' <h>< ,{{ece<d yom w mp•ny, Y" {<h Ilk< \< wo;' D•vid ""u' Golio<h '""' wh<n you ui<d w g« • n ,n;w«' I , m ;u« you hov< Ide chi; l<u""''on , nd w"h<d you could""' mo« \npu< on'""' <YP" of""''""· Hdp m•Y be on the way''lou< non-pw\\< <mploy<" '"odo<\o<G in No«h Cocolin• The<<'"
Th< Employ<" A"od"\on (TEAl <n Choclo<«, W'""n Guolino lndu" " " (WCI) \n A;h<"ill<, Pi<dmon< A,odo<d lndu""" (PAll \n Gc«<Gbow, •nd C•pi<al A"o""'d Indo"''" (CAll \n Ral<igh Coll<c<iv<ly w< «P""'n' O'" 2, 500 comp•n'" ,nd 600,000 <mploY"' in <h< "'" Th< lou< '"odo<ion; " '" [ocm<d 'gcoup " ll'd <h< Employ<" Co•lidon of No«h C•wlino (ECNC) , and we will be lobbying for soluti ons to various issues of common interest to our member companies.
Our initial fo cus will be on the following topics: 1') Problems with the North Carolina workers' compensation 2)
system/Industrial Comm ission orth Carolina's high corporate tax rate/individual income tax rate,
Although the final d group health pi . eadline for small ans 1s qUickly . (April 14 200 ) approachmg , 4 , many emplo wondering h h yers are still Portability a:;;c e Health Insurance (HIPAA) will . countability Act of 1996 Impact them . Many h assumed th at smce . ave the do . their group health . y not self-msure msurance th b d . , e ur en of compliance is not an 1ssue · For some, this may b · e an mcorrect assumption Employers who self-ins . covered by th I ure are clearly e ru e. However th offer gro up health msurance . 1 who a· ose ered when th h re a so covey ave entered into . . an msurance agreement but th ey receive manag d. I or ISC ose protected health inf , . e (PHl) ormatiOn em 1 as a group health PIan. Also an f p oyer that is not self-insured b, orms certain record-kee in ut perhp g and employee relations functions empl , sue as assisting · oyees with group is sub · msurance claims ~eel to certain complia . ' ments. nee reqUire-
and the Incentive programs to attract new businesses and retain cxisung businesses 3) North Carolina government's role in a global economy 4) Rising health care costs for employees 5) Internati onal trade policies and how they affect businesses As a first step in this process, we have recently had the opportunity to
m<<' wi<h "'""I ol <h< " od\dol<; who"' cunning fm gov<<OO' of No«h Cocolin• W< ""' m« w\<h <h< cwo [<,ding "odcd'"' fwm ch< "'" fm U.S. S<n><< R<" ,,uc<d, w< hO'< d\;cu;;ed ch< •focemwc\on<d '"u<' \n d<p<h w\ch <h<m, •nd w< will ""' follow-up di>W"\on; bdo« , [<cc\on c\m<. In the coming months, I can foresee the Employers Coalition of North Carolina forming a political action comm ittee (PAC! to lobby for these issues. I also imagine we will be assisting our members in conducting voter
ceg'""'\on ddv<;, , nd d\"c\buc\ng li<«""" w ,du'"' <hd< <mploY"' on the issues that are critical to their business. It is especially important that regional businesses beco me informed
,boo<'""''""" W<'« pl<o;<d co in''" you \nco ou< m<mbm h\p PI<'" concan ou< o[[\c< co I"'" mo« ,boo< ou< ce;ou«<' ,nd m<mb« b<n<f><>.
Kevtvt~ L.
colbert. SPHR
President, The Employers Association
To determine the ext nization's ex o . , . ent of your orga. p sure, Its Important to cu out1me your . rrent approach and involve ment m providin to yo ur employee: grAoup he,alth coverage · Simp e anal · s to d etermine who you r .. covered entiys1 ties" wh at type of PHI yo u may come . are, with and which d m contact ven ors wo ld b ered "b · u e considusmess associa tes" . k . ey m determining the steps to take pliance before the . ensure comupcommg deadline.
t~s
Working with lnterns
Man y companies are gearing up L recrull su . o local high schools, Int Iversllles. erns can be an excellent source f extra labor to help b usmesses . o th during
c::~e~nal~~n:~rom
months · Belo w are some ti e summer h ps to elp yo u establish a .. internsh. . pOSlllVe 'P expenence fo h and the intern. r t e company Call schools now . Star . relationship with I I h . t developmg a oca lgh schools,
8
april 2004
greater charlotte biz
J
colleges and universities today. Interview. Learn about each student's interests and goals so you can tailor the position to provide the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment. Create meaningful work. Make sure the position you offer is more than just busy work. Establish mentors. Identify someone in the company who is willing to help the student learn what they need to know. Clarify expectations. Establish expectations of the intern, coworkers and the company. Organizations that develop positive internship experiences can create a pipeline fo r valuable future employees. Hiring someone who already knows how to get things done in your organization will allow you to capitalize even more on the time invested in training them. For high school students, employers should make sure they comply with child labor laws that restrict work hours and job duties. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, interns must be paid for the work they perform, unless they meet all of the fo llowing criteria: The training is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school; the training is for the benefit of the interns; the interns do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation; the employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the interns, and on occasion its operations may actually be impeded; the interns are not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusionof the training period; and the employer and the interns understand that the interns arenot entitled to wages for the timespent in training. (Workforce Stability Alert)
greater charlotte biz
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Thursday, April 22nd is this year's annual "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day." This year's theme is "Today's Vision, Tomorrow's Reality." The new theme represents how our nation's daughters and sons envision their future lives at work, home, and in the community. For more information or ideas , go to www.daughtersandsonstowork.org. Avoiding Office E-mail Blunders E-mail has become a daily way to communicate with people, especially co-workers and clients. Using e-mail is an appealing way to correspond because of its speed, apparent documentation, and, most of all, ease of writing quick notes to people. just because e-mail is an efficient and quick way to communicate does not mean that people should not think carefully about what they type. Sending or receiving illconceived or improper e-mail via your work account can lead to embarrassment and even disciplinary action. The following are some tips to help people use e-mail to their advantage rather than their detriment: Keep it short and sweet. E-mail is not a form of communication that lends itself to long missives: relying on your e-mail to communicate all the details often fails. Avoid discussing sensitive information . E-mail is not really private. Your company can access any e-mail going into or out of your account. Before e-mailing sensitive information, you should assume that people other than the intended recipient could read it. Know when to use e-mail, and when to have a discussion in person or over the phone. These days people try to use email for all kinds of purposes for which it is usually not ideal. If you want to brainstorm, or manage or critique others, it's usually best to do so in person - or, failing that, over the phone. Send e-mail only to those who will
want or need to see it. Don't cc: e-mails to those who have no part in the matter. Don't hit "reply all" if your message is really meant just for the person whose e-mail you're responding to. And don't send that forwarded joke about the pope, the rabbi, and the e-business consultant to everyone in the office. Most company policies prohibit e-mails that could be perceived as discriminatory or harassing in nature. Give your e-mail context. First, you should use your e-mails' subject lines to make it clear what they're about. Second, you should use a salutation at the top of the body of your e-mails, and include your electronic signature at the bottom; that way, those who are forwarded or copied on the e-mail will have an easier time understanding who is speaking to whom and why they are being involved in the conversation. Finally, try to respond to e-mails by cutting and pasting so that your e-mail contains snippets of earlier e-mails followed by your specific response to each snippet. Spell recipients' names correctly. Incorrect spelling shows that the recipient is not important enough for you to take the time to address correctly. Finally, remember that the e-mail system is the property of the company and is designed to be used for business purposes. Excessive personal use of the email system negatively impacts productivity and may be grounds for disciplinary action including termination of employment. biz
The Employers Association is a nonproftt Charlotte organization providing comprehensive human resources and training services. Founded in 1958, the Association maintains a broadbased membership of over 700 companies from all industries in the greater Charlotte region. The above excerpts were taken from The Management Report, the Association's monthly newsletter. For more information, please call Laura Hampton at 704-522-80 I I or visit the Web site at www.employersassoc.com.
april 2004
9
I Kym R. Hougham Tournament Director Wachovia Championship
by jay ahuja
~\~~eon Much More lh
. ~~ ~
Making the Wachovia Championship the Premier PGA Event Following the inaugural Wachovia Championship in Charlotte, Vijay Singh, the PGA's 2003 leading money winner proclaimed, "This is a great tournament. There is absolutely nothing I would change!" Suffice it to say, tournament director Kym Hougham is not one to rest on his laurels and allow a glowing review from one of the Tour's best golfers keep him from tinkering with what was a spectacular debut. He and his staff have to keep their eyes on much more than the ball to produce this premiere sporting event in Charlotte. >
(]~~ (Q
Hougham explains, "We had to experience having the Tour event here first before we cou ld fully assess our needs. By the end of the first tournament, we had 34 pages of notes on oper-
T's, Hougham offers an honest assessment: "For transportation, we hit a home run. I think if you asked me what the
Quail Hollow. "As far as tickets," Hougl-am continues, "we sold out last year an.:i we antici-
biggest surprise was last year, it was that
pate selling out again this ye:rr. However, ticket fulfillment didn't go as smoothly
ational items and spectator changes that we needed to make. A lot of those things
the shuttle and parking system worked so well." Anybody who took a shuttle
as we had wanted because of time constraints and printing errors tr at got in
we didn't know until we got th e people out onto Quail Hollow. ll's like the old
las t year wo uld have to agree . Parking
the way. But we got high marks on cus-
saying, 'Don't build a sidewalk until you find out where people are walking."' The Wachovia Championship was such a phenomenal success that few remember the weeks of torrential rain immediately preceding the tournament or the practice rounds on Tuesday that were completely rained out. "Fo r six weeks prior to the tournament , crews built what amounted to a small city on the soggy grounds of Quail Hollow and structural and bleacher contractors worked under very wet conditions," says Hougham , shaking his head . "And, as if those co nditions weren't difficult enough, once the rain subsided, nobody anticipated temperatures in the nineties for the first week in May. But fortunately the trees and pavilions at Quail Hollow offered ample shade and tournament officials made a point of encouraging spectators to stay hydrated ." To host any major spectator event, Hougham and his staff often refer to the three T's; transportation , tickets and toilets. Asked how the Wachovia Championship did in regard to the three
The leaderboard at the 18th green on the last day of the inaugural Wachovia Chamf'ionship. at the Coliseum and Ballantyne was
tomer surveys and with anotrer year's
ample, security was sufficient, and
experience, we'll do better. " One of the very successful changes implemented
shuttles departed frequently. During the week of this year's tournament, shuttles will also be available Wednesday through Friday from the center city, so workers can leave their car parked at the office and hop on a bus to and from
already for the 2004 tournarnznt was to offer tickets for sale as holida7 gifts. Last fall, from November 15th through the 26th, th e tournament sold neuly half of the available daily tickets as s_ocking
TRUGREEN LandCare 704-375-7555 12
april 2004
greater charlotte biz
stuffers! The third T- toilets (and other spectator on-course amenities) - was probably the biggest inconven ience for the general public during the tournament in 2003. Hougham acknowledges this and explains , "We're making a lot of changes there. The first year, we hid the toilets as best we could and may have done too good a job. The signage is going to be improved and we're pulling the restrooms on solid decks this year, which enables us to put them where they need to be , instead of looking for a level area. l believe spectators will see a major improvement in these operational areas. " Other changes that returning spectators will notice are enhanced concession areas and seating options. There was considerable pedestrian congestion behind the clubhouse, so many of the tents will be relocated. The big tent, called The Champions Club, was directly behind the ninth green last year and will be situated near the eighth green this year. The concession stand near the practice putting green experienced the most traffic, so it has been moved and expanded. The Sandbagger Cafe, situated near the driving range, did not work as well as planned , so a new main concession area will be created on the golf course, between the ninth and tenth fairways, near the Quail Hollow Turn House . Also new this year is an additional section of bleacher seats on the 18th hole. Open to the public, all bleachers at the Wachovia Championship will feature tip-down seats like those found at the Masters and U.S. Open. For any PGA Tour golf tournament, the unspoken fourth T is, of course, Tiger. Asked what Tiger Woods does for a tournament, Hougham, exhibiting his usual candor, says, "We're in a unique position where Tiger won't sell any more tickets, because we'll be sold out before he commits. Obviously, we want Tiger to come because we want the people of Charlotte to experience Tiger-mania. For us, it means a little more security when he is on the grounds. It also means that tickets will be utilized at a higher percentage. Those tickets that might otherwise sit in a drawer on Tuesday,
greater charlotte biz
Wednesday or Thursday, will be used by so mebody if Tiger is playing. While it won't mean more tickets sold , it will mean more people on the golf course, and that is a great problem to have. " As a PGA Tour tournament director, Hougham is competing with Charlotte's other sports franchises including the Panthers, the Bobcats and A CAR, for a share of corporate sponsorship dollars. But he relishes the idea. "We all have a liule different demographics, but we all tend to have a finger in each other's pie. it's another reason to put a quality product out there, so people will come out to see your event. We're all bringing world class athletes imo town and we're glad to be a part of that. The thing that impresses me so much about Charlotte is that everybody does it so well . The product is of such high quality. lt gave us a blueprint to put on the best PGA Tour tournament." Those who like to fuss that sports detract from other much needed community services will be heartened to know that last year's Wachovia Championship
David Toms sporting the trophy as winner of the 2003 Wachovia Championship.
netted a seven-figure donation for a wonderful charity, Teach For America. TFA recruits talented graduating seniors who commit to teaching in urban and rural schools for the first two years of their >-
f Business Success Institute Charlotte
The Business Success Institute- Charlotte will meet on April 27th to help you answer these questions:
·Is your company an asset or a job? • How much is your business worth without you? ·Is the value of your company growing at an acceptable rate? Every business owner needs to be asking these questions all the time. Join us as we explore them and offer suggestions to help you manage the growing value of your own business. Call Denise Altman at (704) 708-6700 for more information or visit www.business-success-institute.com. april 2004 13
careers. Ha lf of the $1 million th e Wacho via Championship contributed to TFA was earmarked for teachers in the Charlotte area. "We were very happy that Teach For America chose to do that , because it was not something we requested or required of them ," Hougham reveals. "lt's another way for us to give back to the
worked many long hours to make this event happen. We've got more work to do, but there is a sense of comfort because everybod y has been through it once now. " Volunteer chairman, Mac Everett , is another person Hougham credits. "Mac's knowledge of golf and passion for the spo rt really made my JOb easier. He knows the people , he knows the game, he has the organi-
community. Those 18 or 20 teachers in the Mecklenburg schoo l system will ha ve an impact on thousands of kids." Hougham will be the first to tell you that the inaugural Wachovia Championship benefited greatly from Quail
zation skills, and he is really hands-o n. You've also got j ohnny Harris and the Quail Hollow
Hollow Club being a nea r perfect course to host a PGA Tour tournament. There are no houses, except on the perim eter. There are plenty of great va ntage points for seeing the action and the course lay-
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membership. Literally, if Quail Hollow had said , 'We don't want to host the golf tournament,' l don't know if we wo uld have a Wachovia Championship in Charlotte."
Vijay Singh at the 2003 Wachovia Championship
out brings you back toward the clubhouse seve ral times during a round. That's particularly important to tournament golf because concession stands and other amenities can be centrally located instead of being spread out through 18 holes. "The golf course is the foremost thing at Quai l Hollow," Hougham says, "and it lends itself to great spectator viewing. It has one of th e best practice facilities on the Tour, so it's easy to get up-close-and-personal with the playe rs. The course is ideal to walk; it's not too hill y. It's just an all-around well thought out go lf cou rse for the players and spectators. Ultimately, it's a fair, hard golf course and that's what the best players like." Like any good manager, Hougham is also quick to recognize the unsung heroes who work behind the sce nes to make this tournament wo rk so smoothl y. He praises his talented staff; "Paula Burneue, our volunteer coordinator, has done just an amazing job. We can't put on this tournament without the vo lun teers. We ha ve over 2,500 working this yea r, taking vaca tion, Lime away from their work and families, to come out and support this event. The entire staff
"And I don't think you can credit Wachovia enough. It's so much more to them than just writing a check for the Titl e Sponsorship . The best title sponsors are the ones that have their corporate headquarters in th e tournament city. They really take ownership of it. Half of
PGA Tour Event
Wachovia Championship
WAC'HOVIA II'
(It \~1t'IO~'tl
Title Sponsor (Term): Wachovia Corporation (2003-2006) Next Event: May 3-9,2004 Host Venue: Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Glen Eagles Road, Charlotte 28210-4937 Phone: 1-800-945-0777 Purse: $5.6 million Primary Charity: Teach fo r America, a national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academ ic majors who commit two years to teach in underserved urban and rural public schools. Tournament Director: Kym R. Hougham Tournament Staff: 6 Business: Fou r-year professional golfing event highlighting the Carolinas with proceeds benefiting the charitable educational foundation Teach fo r America. www.wachoviachampionship.com
greater charlotte biz
our volunteers work at Wachovia, so it's a sense of pride for them." Having run the john Deere Classic in Moline, Illinois, for seven years, Hougham knows that Tour players can be pretty brutal in their assessment of tournaments, but the Wachovia Championship has been hard pressed to find much in the way of criticism. "The high praise started when they were playing their practice rounds," says Hougham. "Players felt it was hard, but fair and fun to play. They said the golf course spoke to them, it told them what to do as they stood on the tee box. " In an interview after the tournament, Tour veteran Nick Price boasted, "It's a straightforward , honest golf course There's not a bad hole out there. " Nevertheless, some significant changes await players this year. On the second hole, a downhill par three , the tee box has been moved back and the front tees have been cut down , so the pros can now see the entire green from where they tee off. Number eight has a brand new green , creating a slight dogleg right, so that what could have been described as a nondescript hole by Quail Hollow standards now has a good deal of character and added bite to the front side. The ninth hole has also been lengthened to bring the fairway bunkers back into play. It's become a 495-yard par-4 that even the long-hitters will find a bit more challenging. Including the majors, Quail Hollow was rated as the sixth hardest course on the Tour last year. lf PGA Tour players, their wives and caddies were to vote on such a thing, the Wachovia Championship would likely have earned tournament 'Rookie of the Year' honors as well. Now that Kym Hougham and his staff have the inaugural tournament behind them, they could very well meet their primary goal of presenting the finest tournament on the PGA Tour. One thing is certain- Hougham's crew will have their notebooks out again this year, keeping their eyes on much more than the ball. biz
joy Ahuja is a Charlotte-based freelance wnter.
greater charlotte biz
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[biz profile]
Insource Manufactures and Distributes Its Own Labor Solutions Applying its unique approach to outsourcing, staffing and engineering consulting, lnsource improves labor-intesive processes for its manufacturing and distribution clients
I
f you understand what outsourcing companies provide, if you know the methods of staffing firms, and if you
are familiar with the services of engineering consulting companies, then you are prepared to assess the benefits provided by a unique
firm in Charlotte that applies the best of those three approaches to improve labor intensive, manual processes for its clients in manufacturing and distribution. _,.. greater charlotte biz
april 2004
17
A self-described hybrid services firm , lnsource Contract Services, LLC is led by
The more steps you take to recognize your employees, the higher they'll climb
president and CEO Geo rge M. Mac ki e. Mackie says the first step is gelling clients to understand and visualize what their unique busin ess model provides to customers. "Because we are different , our challenge is to create a vision of what we do in a prospective customer's mind ," ex plains Macki e. "A potential customer could be a maj or manufacturer with produ ction offshore that brings some p roduct back to the U.S. for assembl y, packaging an d distribution. Each ord er needs to be manuall y asse mbl ed , then packed and shipped . lnsource operates in the clients' facilities, and our presence helps manufacturers realize significant cost savings, quality improve ments, and producti vity increases." Mac ki e maintains that one of the few areas left for companies to make improve mems in is their manual , labor-imensive processes. lnsource focuses exclusively on these processes, inco rporating enginee rin g services, operational kn ow-how, and superi or labor managemem techniques. lnsource employs more than 1,000 permanem , full-time associates - 15 in the corporate offi ce - with the balance working in manufacturing and distribution operalions throughout the Southeast.
For employee recognition that's over the top, call CA Short.
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apr il 2004
"Today, man y companies find themselves in an environmem with virtually no ability to raise prices , yet as we all know, costs cominue to go up ," says Mackie . "As we focus on the manual labor componem of our cliems' cost structure, we see medi cal insurance, workers' compensation, retiremem benefits, and other rising costs just killing them. The burden rate for most companies ranges from 30 to 60 percent. " He adds that in some cases, in order to reduce labor costs, companies turn to temporary workers, and while it is true a company can reduce costs with this approach , it often adds as many problems as it solves. "Temporary labor is becoming a co mmodity service, where companies still have to train and manage the temps, and high turnove r is inherent in this type of arrangement ," says Mackie. "Too often ,
the expected cost savings ends up being diluted by increased training costs, more erro rs, and degradati on in producti vity. What's worse, these arrange mems typi call y have lillie accoumability and absolutely no guaramee of performance. Customers tell us it is extremely difficult for them to meet their intern al perform ance goals using temps."
Forging accountable partnerships a total solution "In today's environmem , many companies have hit the wall in their efforts to redu ce costs, even by imroducing commodity contract labor That's key to us," says Kevin Clark , lnsource vice president. "It's how we differemiate ourselves. What makes our bu si n ~ss model so unique is that our goals and incenti ves, and th ose of our customers, are one and the same. This ali5nment, with eve ryo ne wo rking toge ther toward common goals, is how we achieve shared success with our d iems. And most importantl y, we sign up for full aco umability for our performance. j ust as our clients are acco untable to their intern al goals, so are we accoumable to those same goals. It is this partnership aro und common goals that exci tes our d iems the most. " lnsource has seven hi ghly acco mplished engineers (fi ve MBAs) Dn staff, ready to be dispatched to a cli ent's site. It's their job to lea rn the processes underway at a site, identify and recom mend imp rove ments, and deve lo p a plan for implementing those impro\'emems. That's the engineering assessmem made using the principles and method ologies of Lean and Six Sigma. In one ms tan ce, lnsource engineers spent l ,20C hours helping a client improve quality by reducing manual picking errors in a distribution operation . Using Six Sigma's DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control ) app roach , lnsource enginee rs work to optimize ma:1Ual processes and unl ock the potem ial for new levels o f pe rformance. From software to contract staffing CEO
Mac ki e is a UNC Chapel H.!! gradu-
grea te r ch a r lo tt e biz
ate who, after spending two decades in the software industry which included operating his own software firm , sold his business and worked in the non-profit arena in Charlotte. In 2000, he was invited to join the Wakefield Group, a venture capital firm that invests in growth companies with a focus on information technology, health care and business services. Mackie came on board as both a venture partner and Entrepreneur in Residence, bringing his experience in software and business processes to the table. "Wakefield gave me a horne," says Mackie. "They allowed me to work in tandem with them on any deal I wanted to. I tackled due diligence assignments, sat on boards, and on one or two occasions was a semi-active chairman menLoring and coaching CEOs. 1t gave me a platform from which to look for opportunities, and hopefully I gave Wakefield a different perspective on companies with an eye for processes." For example, in 2002, one of Wakefield's portfolio companies expressed a need for an interim chairman and CEO. Mackie took that assignment and made it his mission to get the company back on track and >
Prepare to develop tomorrow's new products and services!
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New York - O ct. 28, 2003 -
Senior IT executives expect spending on information technology to rebound over the next 12 months, according to a new survey by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)
560 I 77 Center Drive, Suite 240 Charlotte, NC 28217 Phone: 704-7 14-2660 Principal: Geo rge M. Mackie, IV, President and CEO
Don 't miss out on the next industry turnaround! Call today to find out more about certifications in the following IT service areas.
Number of Employees: more t han I ,000 In Business: Founded 1997, acqu ired in May 2003 , forming lnsource Contract Services, LLC Business: Unique hybrid of engineering and internally outsourced contract services. By combining engineering services with an insourced labor force , lnsource provides comprehensive, turnkey performance and labor management solutions for its clients in the Southeast.
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apri l 2004 19
hire a world class CEO from that particular industry for the company, which he did. By the end of 2002, lnsource was on Mackie's and Wakefield's radar. According to Mackie, with closer examination, the possibilities of the unique business model became apparent because it was a hybrid of engineering services with an internally outsourced labor component that offered its customers an integrated total solution with guaranteed results. 'The company had a prestigi ous list of customers and did a great job for them, but the company had evolved and begun to outgrow itself due to its success," says Mac kie. "It had a great value pro position and that's what we liked . We saw tremend ous potential in the concept and the timing at it relates to today's business environment. After close to six months of d ue diligence, we completed the acq uisition in May of 2003. "
2003: The year of transition During the first six months of operation , Mac kie built out the co mpany's infrastructure, including installing new
20
ap r il 20 04
Using the principles of Lean and Six Sigma, Insource: • Defines client's fundamental business issue and develops a business case and project plan . • Conducts an engineering assessment to measure processes using a formal engineering approach . • Analyzes historical data, determining direct labor costs, productivity and recommends changes. • Implements changes to improve processes using a customi zed 375step Implementation Project Plan . • Controls performance by assuming accountability for the process, and recruiting, hiring, training, and managing an insourced workforce on site .
information technology systems, upgrading the company's payroll and fin ancial systems, and positioning the company for growth and scalability. Mackie says the growth potential is so great that his goal is to take the company's employee count from 1,000 to 10,000 during his
tenure. Mackie des-cribed 2003 as the "year of transition" for lru:ource . "We've concentrated on repositio:ting the company by truly defining our value proposition and differentiating ourselves in the marketplace. We are building our brand around our name, which :ru~y represents what we do , literally, insource contracting services. " Mackie also focused on ~ tabiliz ing the customer base, which includes a large number of Fo rtune 500 comranies, including distribution center5 of the intimate apparel division of Sara Lee; tool manufacturer and distributor Stanley Works in Kannapolis; the Burnes Gro up , a di vision of Newell Rubberoaid , with its distribution center in Statesville; and Coca-Cola Bottling Company here in Charlotte. Burnes Gro up distribution manage r Curtis Swope has w::nked with lnsource for four yea rs. He s~ys lnsource removes the risk normally associated with the hiring of tempo rary wo rke rs. "They offer a unique service in that they supply the enginee ri ng, production improvements, the staff and 5upervision
g r ea ter c h a rl o tt e b i z
of the staff," says Swope. "And we particularly like the work ethic of the people lnsource brings in. There are no people issues for us. They come in, get the job done, and do it well. " Approximately 80 lnsource employees currently work at the Burnes Group packing and distribution center located in Statesville. Swope plans to increase that number to 160 during the fourth quarter of this year, leveraging the turnkey abilities lnsource provides. Who makes the best worker - who makes the best client?
Mackie says his company's goal is to forge a strong partnership with its clients. He looks for three attributes that make a company a viable partner: A highly manual process, a process that:S repetitive and constant, and a process that can be measured. "Our goal is to reduce operating costs, enhance productivity, improve quality and provide them with total flexibility in their labor management strategy," says Mackie. "And we guarantee our results." As for employees, Mackie says lnsource only hires people with a strong work ethic, those who are trainable, and those who will represent the company well. He adds, "We make medical benefits available to our associates, and we create an incentive-driven environment in which high performance is recognized and rewarded. And as we continue to grow, our associates will have every opportunity to grow along with us. We are all very excited about our future." Mackie is an investor in lnsource Contract Services along with The Wakefield Group, which is the majority investor, and Petra Capital Partners, L.L.C. , a private equity firm based in Nashville, Tenn., which focuses on investing in later stage growth companies in business and healthcare services companies. lnsource plans to continue expansion throughout the Southeast in the near term, and eventually become a national coast-to-coast company. biz Lynn Mooney is a Charlotte-based freelance
REGENT PARK Celebrating a Decade of Dedication Regent Park is pleased to announce its "Decade of Dedication " celebration April12-18. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Each weekday Regent Park will team up with the American Cancer Society to draw people to the course and also offer cancerprevention education. A special event each day will focus on a specific group of golfers, such as juniors, women or seniors, and ACS volunteers will be on hand to focus on a specific type of cancer education important to that group. The celebration finale is Saturday, April 17 when Regent Park will host a "Play Golf America Demo Day" , a PGA-sponsored event designed to expand participation in the game. MONDAY, APRIL 12- LADIES ' DAY Educational emphasis - Breast and Ovarian Cancer TUESDAY, APRIL 13- SENIOR DAY Educational emphasis - Blood-Related Cancers WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 - HUMP DAY Educational emphasis - Lung Cancer THURSDAY, APRIL 15- THREE FOR ALL Educational emphasis - Cancer Prevention FRIDAY, APRIL 16 -TGIF Educational emphasis - Skin Cancer
MEET THE NEW TEAM! PGA Head Golf Professional Todd Burrell (R) and Golf Course Superintendent Dino Psaroudis (L) will be on hand to answer questions and provide help .
DON'T MISS ... SATURDAY, APRIL 17- "PLAY GOLF AMERICA DEMO DAY " Featuring a $10,000 Long Drive Challenge and free 15-minute professional lessons as well as BEN WITTER 'S POWER GOLF & TRICK SHOT CLINIC FROM 2:00- 3:00 P.M. Educational Emphasis - Prostate and Colon Cancer
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greater charlotte biz
april 2004 21
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Exec "~ef~ees R~_giona11nffiatrves-=_ -- - -- -
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Word association: Bank of America. Name an executive. Typical responses are chief executive officer Ken Lewis or chief financial officer Jim Hance. Some still mention Hugh McColl Jr., the former chairman and CEO who built the nation's largest consumer bank before he retired in April 2001. Aname not often called is Graham Denton. He's a Charlotte native who signed on in 1971 and is the president of the Charlotte Market Area for Bank of America. )o>
"Charlotte, being the headquarters city, presents some unique opportunities or challenges, whichever way you want to look at it," says Denton, 59, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea. He acknowledges that people gravitate toward the well-known top executives. "But most of our (Charlotte-based) executives take more of a national or international view," explains Denton, who earned the market president title in 2002. "What we've done reasonably well is to get a lot of the things that would normally
A Wake Forest University graduate with a master's in finance from Georgia State University, Denton's the point person for the nation's largest retail bank in its headquarters city. To involve the bank in a business venture, a promotional event , a civic project or a sponsorship in the Charlotte region, he's the man to see. Getting the word out isn't the easiest task he's faced in his more than three decades as a commercial banker, duties he still performs in addition to his market president role.
go to them directed to me." Denton chairs a monthly meeting at which the local leaders of the bank's area lines of business discuss pending moves, both business and civic. If that sounds like the old city executive role, it is, says Denton, who filled a similar slot as senior bank executive in South Florida during the 1990s. That regional experience comes in handy now that he's back in Charlotte with his wife and son, because he also coordinates statewide initiatives as the bank's North Carolina president. The big change in the market president position is that there's more structure to support it, he adds. "When you come together and talk and understand what sales goals the various business units have," he explains, "you can be smarter as a team in making sure that a particular business line is successful in achieving whatever it is they're trying to do."
Hot Button is Bigger Market Share Understandably, then, Denton knows
Bank of BankofAmerica. soAmerica ~Corporation
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Bank of America Corporate Center I 00 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255 Phone: 704-386-5478 Chairman and CEO: Ken Lewis Charlotte Market Area President: Graham W. Denton, Jr. Number of Employees: 133,000 Year Founded: 1874 in Charlotte Footprint: In 21 states and the District of Columbia
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the banks hot buttons. The hottest, he advises, is the one that promises more business. "We are trying to better link where we put money," he says, citing high visibility events or partnerships with strong likelihood of bringing more customers into the fold. "Otherwise, we're just wasting money," he says matter-of-factly Bank of America has 68 banking centers in the Charlotte area and plans to spend $44.4 million adding 15 more by the end of 2005. Bank of America, Wachovia and BB&T hold the overwhelming majority of the areas financial relationships, but Denton won't comment on local market share. He is emphatic that Bank of America wants a larger piece of the pie. "Nobody around here has been happy about our market share statistics and our banking growth in Charlotte," he says. "The last 12 to 24 months, we have been shifting our momentum to give more attention to Charlotte on the business side to make sure we're maximizing our opportunities. We're going to continue to do that." Some around Charlotte whisper that Bank of America isn't as engaged in civic affairs as in McColls day. Denton differs. "There is still a tremendous commitment by people like Ken Lewis and Jim Hance." He clicks off a list: consumer products executive Barbara Desoer will chair the United Way of Central Carolinas for 2005; chief marketing executive Cathy Bessant will chair the Chamber in 2005; technology and operations executive Tim Amoult currently chairs the Arts & Science Council. "One of the challenges l have ," Denton adds, "is trying to keep track of all the involvement our people have." Denton himself serves on the board of United Way of Central Carolinas and Leadership Charlotte; he chairs the board for United Family Services and is joining the board for Charlotte Center City Partners. Statewide, hes on the board of North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry and will chair that economic booster organization i.n 2006. Still, some in Charlotte wrinkle a brow when they speak of the banks >
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planned 55-fl oor office tower in Manhat-
New York office, especially in light of the
Charlotte, the bank recently spent a
tan. They wonder what it portends for
pending Bank of America merger with
reported $ 140 million to name the stadi-
the Queen City.
northeastern powerhouse FleetBoston
um where the Carolina Panthers play
Financial Corporation . Denton downplays
home games in the Nati onal Football
a Manhattan office for Lewis.
League. "We've always au ached ourselves
Denton's qui ck answer: "(The tower is) symbolic of the fact we're a significant fina ncial institution . New York has all
"Whenever (Lewis) goes into a mar-
to the world of sports. Theres the
along (been) and will continue to be the
ket, hes out visiting with clients; he's not
O lympics, and we're probably the most
center of our investment bank activities.
going up there to spend several days try-
acti ve financing source for the professional
( New York) is where you need to be , but
ing to operate out of an area like that,"
sports world," Denton says.
it has nothing to do with headquarters
says Denton, whos known Lewis since
issues
both were fresh-faced recruits. "Thats
of the new Bank of America Stadium .
just not his style. "
"Charloue being our headquarters, we
Yet some Charl ou eans wonder if Lewis will spend significant time in a
As if to underline commitment to
"lt's very appropriate," Denton says
said 'Sure, this makes a lot of sense."' Charlotte Remains Vital Part of Territory
Even though Ban k of America stretches coast-to-coast, Charl oue remains important, Denton says. By a ranking based on populati on , business share and other measures, Charlotte is among th e bank's top 25 markets. Denton says the bank would like to see Charlotte and the reg10n grow by retraining the thousands of workers who've lost jobs in manufactunng, such as textiles, apparel and furniture , to prepare them for ca ree rs m se!Vlce fields. That will be good for the bank , too, adds Denton , who wi th h1s gray hair. dark sun and qw ck gnn co uld play a banker on the sc reen. ··vou can lind yourself do ing a lot ol fin ancmg m th e se rvlCe sector. He ti cks off some se rvice sector behemoths, including his bank with nearly
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14,000 associates in the area , Wachovia
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Corporation with 18,000 and Ca rolinas Medical Center with more than 14,000.
and Promotional Events
joining these, he says, is a multitude of smaller service firms.
• Conference and Meeting Rooms
Bank of America stands ready to
• Hands On Experience
promote smaller companies, Denton says, touting the bank's national leadership in
Programs • Group Tours • 98 Seat Auditorium • Hospitality Hall
New facility location: Talbert Point. Mooresville Current Location: Gasoline Alley, Mooresville
U.S. Small Business Administration loans and its 2 million small business customers. ln 2003, the bank made 9,406 SBA loans nationally and led North
• Catering Kitchen
Carolina with 252 small business loans. "That's our bread and butter," he
• Outdoor Observation Balcony
says of loans to businesses with annual revenues o f up to $10 mi llion. "That and mid-market," he adds, defin ing mid-market as firms with annual reven ues
When it comes to big business, the Charlotte area boasts headquarters for eight Fortune 500 companies. Denton says leaders of those firms tell him they're here because the city is attractive and easily accessible through the US Airways hub at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. "Being a hub airport is a significant driver of the growth of the economy of this region," he says, "and we've got to be very sensitive to and aware of making sure we don't lose a big competitive advantage." A practice associated with big busi ness that draws criticism for Bank of America is its outsourcing strategy "We will outsource where we think it will be a better deal for our shareholders," Denton says. Up to 1 percent of the companys total employment of 133,000 could work in Bank of America's new subsidiary that will open in India this spring, he adds. The continuing health of Charlottes urban core also is vital to economic growth that Denton says he and the bank see continuing at above the state and national average. The bank spent more than $1 billion building mixed-use officeretail-residential complexes and arts facilities in Charlotte's center city in the last decade. "Hardly any time goes by without us thinking about how can we give further stimulus to the center of the city by providing incentives to organizations or to help with trying to solicit businesses to the center city," he says. "Thats not to the detriment of the region. Its just that if we don't have a vibrant city itself, then its questionable how healthy the rest of the region is going to (be)." Other challenges include issues of adequate housing and transportation networks, he says. "Those things seem to be getting addressed, but they don't ever seem to happen soon enough," he says, because of fast-paced growth. Self-Financing Bonds Promise Job Growth
Donning his statewide cap, Denton points to an April North Carolina economic development summit sponsored by Duke Energy and suggests a topic for support: self-financing bonds. Most of
the country already uses such bonds, which are paid off from additional tax revenues generated by increased property tax values. As finance chair for North Carolinians for jobs and Progress, Denton is pushing passage of a referendum in November. It would change the state constitution to permit these bonds, which pay for public improvements such as streets, water and sewer service and sidewalks in special development districts for new or expanding businesses. They also can spur rehabilitation of abandoned textile or furniture factories. "Anybody involved in economic development in this state must get out there and make sure there're no misunderstandings about how this works," Denton says. "North Carolina has lost more jobs in the last two years than any state in America. We need self-financing bonds to recruit jobs and boost our economy" Underlining his commitment, Denton adds, "I consider it my responsibility- and the responsibility of all business leadersto communicate to as many voters as possible about the jobs and economic development that a constitutional amendment will generate." Economic growth brings Dentons focus back to his hometown. For a 1963 graduate of Myers Park High, Charlotte is a much bigger place these days. Much of the impetus for its rapid growth, he believes, is an historic, healthy relationship between public and private sectors. "Very much on both sides (business and government), we have a pro-growth, pro-business, pro-desire to make sure that we're addressing the needs of every population segment we have," he says. "! hope we don't lose that. " With Charlottes growth, the publicprivate consensus building takes more people to steer it, he admits. "But I think we still enjoy that great spirit of working together. " That's high praise coming from the man who coordinates Charlotte concerns with the agenda of a financial institution with $660 billion in assets. biz Ellison Clary is a Charlotte-based fi-eefance
Join us for the following upcoming events in the center city:
April 5-7 Taste of the Nation
April 30- May 2 A Taste of Charlotte/ Avenue of the Arts
May7-9 CityFest Live!
MayS Center City Green Market Kick-off
May23 Thunder in the Streets
May 26-28 Speed Street Charlotte Center City Partners 128 South Tryon Suite 1960 Charlotte, NC 28202 Ph : 704-332-2227 www.charfottecenfercity.org
TED BY C VROLET THESE DEALERS VRO ET HEVROLET EVROLET VROLET VR LET CHEVROLET
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John M. (Jay) Howard President JHE Productio Group, Inc.
by susanne deitzel
...
You've been there .. .standing stiff-backed at a stadium savoring the final note of the national anthem as the fighter jet fly-by thunders over your head. Spine-tingling moments like these, right before the familiar refrain of "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines," inspire anxious crowds and set the mood for sportFebruary 2004 Daytona 500: Clockwise from top left: Prerace Bud Shootout stage; LeAnn Rimes performing on the Daytona stage; fly-by of fighter jets; Air Force O ne over the Daytona crowd photos: HHP, Inc.
ing events. Bm if you are jay Howard, president and founder of JHE Production Group, Inc. (]HE) , your inspiration started well before that thunderous roar, because it was you who planned it. >-
greater char lotte biz
april 2004 29
Howard and his 22- person team are res ponsible for conceiving and executing hundreds of su ch events nationwide. From NASCA R pre race shows,
to
th e
pop ular Food Lion Speed Street Festiva l downtown, to pregame and halftime
Ill can honestly say that every thing I have ever been involved in has been done without precedent, and without a template."
ente rtainme nt for th e Charlotte Checkers
- Jay Howard, President
and the Carolina Panthers to the histori ca l Centennial of Flight at Kitty Hawk
cu lture, Howard also attributes his
late last year, JHE creates th e dazzling
NASCAR race at which Howard 's compa-
special effects, entertainment and photo
ny had to set up a 12 5- foot by 25- foot
unusual occu pation to genetics. "My
ops that not onl y make these eve nts
stage, wiring and equipment in seve n
grand fath er owned and ope rated
more interestin g, but worthwhile for
minutes, and run a live broadcast for
Cabarrus Theatre. Those were th e clays
corporate spo nso rs.
twenty-seve n minutes introducing 260
when , in his wo rds, 'We had to bally-hoo
racers. Then , imagine having to disas-
around town to get people to co me see
semble all those materials in a mere three
th e s how."' Addi tionall y, his father an d
"Backstage"
minutes. Says Howa rd of th ese chal -
othe r g randfath e r were skilled electrical
duction, fas ti dio us planning begins o n
To successfull y pu ll off a JHE pro-
lenges, "Everything in NASCA R is run
contrac to rs, and Howard developed a
clay one with an apocryp hal creati ve ses-
in a factor of "43. " With eve ry race
talent, and passion, fo r math a nd
sion, followed by a close accountin g of
beginning precisely on time, network
logisti cs.
all the resources needed to put th e gea rs
TV waits fo r no one."
in motion. This includes design and
A Conco rd nati ve, Howa rd was
It was also his fat her that conn ected him with H.A. "Humpy" W heele r,
production of elabo rate sets, assembly
spoon-fed NASCAR at a youn g age. He
NASCA R scion and current president
and disassembly, wiring, talent coo rdin a-
says that this wasn't just b eca use o f its
and ge neral manage r of Lowe's Motor
tion , sponso rship acq uisition , and
entertainment va lue, but because it was
Speedway. Recalls Howa rd , "In 1981,
perhaps m ost importantly ... timin g
such a stapl e of th e community.
Take, for exa mpl e, th e All-Star
Besides th e imme rsion in NASCA R
my freshman year at Appalach ian State University, Humpy hired me to be his "go-fer" for the Coca-Cola 600 Race. Eve r yea r after that, he kep t me on , and
Are you in compliance?
I wo uld sched ul e my classes co ntingent upo n who wo uld allow me to take off th at o ne week in October whe n raci ng
We help companies stay current with human resources regulations and laws.
Howa rd made a huge impression on W hee ler, who hired him to run PRN , Pe rform ance Racing Ne twork, whi ch is
• Employee Handbooks • Human Resources Advice Hotline • Human Resource Audits
respo nsible for all th e radio broadcast rights for the races. Sho rtl y after that , Wheeler increased Howards res ponsibili ti es, signing him on to produce al l the hi gh-energy pre-race shows at the speed-
• EEO/Affirmative Action Plans
way. Ad mits Howard , "Humpy put a lot of faith in me earl y o n . I can honestly
• Human Resources Seminars
say that every thing l have eve r been in vo lved in has been clone without prece-
• Management & Leadership Training • Human Resources Newsletter
cam e to town. "
dent , and without a template. I knew
Visit our web site to learn more about what we offer!
nothin g of radio , l knew nothing of proclueing shows. But l listen , a nd observe everything. A lot of peo ple und ervalue the ability and willingness to do that. "
Th e
EMPlOYERS ASS O C I A T I O N
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In 1987, Jay Howard sta rted JHE Production Group, with Wheeler as his first client. From there he picked up production of pre-race shows in Atlanta and Texas; signed maj o r clients like R.j.
30
april 2004
greater char lotte biz
Reynolds and its Winston Million and o Bull 5 programs; then, in 1996, got a call that would increase his opportunities dramatically Says Howard, "In 1994, Charlotte hosted the 'Street of Champions', an uptown street festival to celebrate the NBA Final Four. It worked so well that the Chamber of Commerce and officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway created 'Speed Street 600 ,' a similar celebration for racing fans. Its first year went well , but the second year of production was very involved and they lost their event director 75 days before the event. They came to us. So, in 75 days, we put together a plan to produce the whole show. Now the event is titled 'Food Lion Speed Street,' and we have produced it ever since. 2004 will be our ninth, and the event's tenth, year. " Food Lion Speed Street is a threeday event that draws over 400 ,000 people. It is the largest NASCAR festival, and arguably the largest street festival for a sporting event. A melange of music, personalities, street vendors and corporate showcases that glut several blocks of uptown, it exposes motorsports to non-followers, as well as drives core
JHE Production Group, Inc.
NASCAR fans to the Charlotte race instead of other venues. Explains Howard, "Our productions are an extension of sporting events. We know that people don't come to Charlotte because of Food Lion Speed Street, they come for the racing. However, what Speed Street does is gets people off the fence when they are determining which race they are going to travel to. By offering post-race entertainment, a nightlife, interactive displays where they can kick the tires, meet the racers, take home lots of
free stuff and have an overall racing experience outside the track, we make our race look a lot more attractive." "A Beautiful Mind" Most people cannot even conceive of what it takes to coordinate these events from planning to execution. Most are content to sit back and enjoy the show. However, one of the things that has made Howard so successful is his ability to compute numbers at the drop of a hat - before the hat hits the floor. >
~ ~
6324 Performance Drive Concord, NC 28027 Phone: 704-455-8888, 704-455-1900 Principal: John M."Jay" Howard, Founder, President Number of Employees: 22 In Business: since 1987 Business: Pregame and halftime sports entertainment, as well as special events across the county from concept to execution. Howard and his team mastermind, troubleshoot, produce and organize events such as NASCAR pregame events, entertainment at Charlotte sporting events, and special events like the 'First In Flight Centennial,' to commemorate the Wright Brothers' first flight, as well as honor the history of U.S. aviation heroes. www.gojhe.com
Clien~, Employee~, family, or friend~ ...
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greater charlotte biz
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april 2004
31
When he had 75 days to plan his first Speed Street, he graphed the street grids, divided it up into sponsor and vendor areas, computed the cost of production and presented an 8-foot long schematic to Coca-Cola. The company's response! "You got this figured out prwy quick." Then equally as quick, they signed onto the program. "You've got to develop a good program for sponsors," Howard explains "The days of sponsorships being about hanging a banner are over. Companies need documented impressions, interacLivity with the consumer, and a return on investment. We provide this for them. Add iti onally, we are extremely fortunate
commemorative coin, which has become a token of accomplishment for these Oiers. He says "l had to create a way for my crew to coordinate these events in my absence. The Oy-by matrix is a cheat sheet that makes it easy to direct the production on target. " When asked how he manages to handle all of he details involved in these productions, he replies simply, "l have found that if you can reduce a problem to a mathematical equation, you can always find a solution."
"The Right Stuff" In addition to Oight matrixes, assembly
to have developed great partnerships with the media to promote our events.
and disassembly of stages, wiring, fire-
This delivers the exposure to produce the numbers our sponsors need to see. "
tions, JHE also must sign entertainment talent, meet their needs, build the sets
In addition to crunching finances, Howard has also developed mathemati-
and oversee the production. According to Howard, the muchheralded Centennial 'First ln Flight'
cally based scenarios to coordinate events. He created a matrix to compute accurate Oy-bys over events. He determined that a l minute, lO second version of the national anthem has 150 beats, and created a system to gauge the speed of the jet with the time available before the singer ends with "home of the brave." By interpolating the two sets of data, the production team can instruct a pilot to speed up or slow down to produce that dramatic rush as the song hits its final crescendo. For those pilots who hit dead-on, he presents a "Time Over Target, Home of the Brave"
works, victory laps and on-air presenta-
Celebration in Kitty Hawk , was his company's piece de resistance. A smorgasbord of entertainers like Aaron Tippin, The Beach Boys, The Temptations and John Travolta we joined by historical figures such as John Glenn, Buzz Aldren, Neil Armstrong and Chuck Yeager. An intense air show featuring historical and stateof-the-art fighter planes awed the crowd, a trained bald eagle circled the grounds to land on the Kitty Hawk Memorial, and a special visit by President George W Bush hallmarked the event. Howard shares the importance of the celebration, "Before the presentation, l was standing on a cooler looking over at the most influential men and women in aviation, and l just went numb. l said, "l don't know who decided I get to talk to you guys, but here we go." He adds, "Mr.
December 2003: The Centennial 'First in Flight' Celebration in l<itty Hawk. john Travolta was emcee and historical (lgures such as john Glenn, Buzz Aldren, Neil Armstrong and Chuck Yeager were featured. A special v1sit by President George W Bush hallmarked the evenl
32
april 2C04
Harry Combs, founder of the Learjet, presented a replica of the Wright Brothers first plane, and delivered an incredibly moving
greater charlotte biz
- - · -- - - - - - - -- - -
"I doubt I will ever stop those fist-pumping moments when jet fighters fly over head and hit that last note, dead on." - Jay Howard, President
dedication. Three days later he passed away. We think he lived for this event and my team is so proud to have been a part of that." For several days during the event, Howard was sequestered with the Secret Service and White House staff 'deconflicting' the President's arrival. Meanwhile his entire staff- all fourteen people, handled business on the ground.
"JHE's 'Time Over Target'" For the success he's experienced, Howard heaps accolades on his team, which is divided into Operations, Production and Special Events/Administration. He also remains grounded and humble regarding his own contribution. "In this business , experience is everything. You learn from every mistake, every nuance , and determine how to make it better next time . It's not unlike an immune system, once a negative component is introduced, we attack it with everything we've got, integrate that information and move on. " He adds, "There are always going to be things that you cannot control - the weather, radio interference , a singer who isn't following the schedule. But our job is not only to bring as many things as possible under our control, but also to have a plan B, C, whatever, to pull things off in a great fashion. It requires a lot of tap dancing, but if you are in your element - and we have to be - the attendees never know that what they saw was 'Plan C."' Howard maintains a steady finger on the pulse of his company, but is leaving more and more of it to his team. By translating experience into systems, many of the presentations are turnkey operations . However, there is always a drive
greater charlotte biz
to keep things fresh , exciting, and to create bigger and better events. He says , "We are only as good as our last job, and if we don't keep the adrenaline flowing for ourselves and the attendees, we aren't fulfilling our obligations. " He adds, "We execute every production as perfectly as we can, and our goal is always to hear the client say, "Man, am I glad I called YOU. There is no better resume than that. " ]HE's reference list is long and impressive, and Howard has received
---
··----------
personal thank-you's from the Air Force , Governor Easley's office, Texas' Office of the Governor, D.C. Comics, Darrell Waltrip - the list goes on and on. When asked if after twenty-three years producing these events is still fun, Howard replies, "Absolutely! I doubt I will ever stop those fist-pumping moments when jet fighters fly over head and hit that last note , dead on. " biz Susanne Deitzel is a Charlotte-based freelance writer.
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april 2004
33
(l-R): Dino Psaroudis, Golf Course Superintendent Todd Burrell, PGA Head Golf Professional Regent Park Golf Club and Academy
by chris jensen
REGENT PARK GOLF CELEBRATES 10 YEARS MANAGEMENT TEAM TEES UP ENTHUSIASM, EXPERTISE AND VISION TO BECOME THE BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN CHARLOTTE
Much more than the leaves were changing last fall at Regent Park Golf Course and Academy in Fort Mill, S.C.
Golf course superintendent Dino Psaroudis joined Regent Park in October 2003 to head up the 21-member golf course maintenance staff. Most recently with Charlotte National Golf Club in Indian Trail, and before that, Ballantyne Country Club, Psaroudis brought with him an impressive track record of experience keeping greens in top shape. "Our goal is to bring Regent Park back to the same condition that the course was in when it received so many accolades in the 1990s," Psaroudis says. To accomplish that goal, he explains, the maintenance staff is in the process of reconditioning all of the greens, renovating all of the bunkers, and improving the overall aesthetics of the golf course. 'That involves a lot of little things and also some major work," Psaroudis says. "For example, we are renovating all of the bunkers in-house. We have already finished the front nine, and we have started on the back nine." All of them should be finished by mid-April, just in time for the lOth anniversary kickoff. But more about that later. . ." >Above: The completed bunker on hole 7, a par 3. At right: A fairway bunker under construction on hole I 0 shows the permeable liner that will allow water to drain through the new sand while keeping it separated from the clay base common in the Carolinas .
greater charlotte biz
Psaroudis is quick to credit Scott Cato, assistant golf course superintendent, for the
restaurant." Rounding out the management team are
The Academy at Regent Park features a 4,000-square-foot teaching center, a 26-acre
"absolutely great job" he did with the course
financial operations manager Linda Senneker
lighted practice complex, classes of all kinds
in the interim between the previous superin-
and Rich Albright, PGA golf professionaV
and private instruction.
tendents departure and Psaroudis' arrival.
membership coordinator.
Shortly after Psaroudis' hire, Regent Park promoted Todd Burrell, who had been assistant pro for three years, to PGA head
The management teams goal: to become the best public golf course in Charlotte. Burrell explains: "We realize that
April 17th will be a free day with 35 to 40 PGA pros donating their time, offering 15-minute lessons at no charge. First-time (or relatively new) players can go from
golf professional. Burrell lettered all four
Charlotte is an incredibly competitive public
station to station for tips from more than
years as a member of the men's golf team
golf market, and for us to excel, we have to
one pro. Between 30 and 50 vendors also
at Queens University in Charlotte, where
differentiate ourselves. We know our course
will be on site that day.
he also earned a bachelors degree in business
can be improved and hiring Dino has taken
administration.
care of that. The other thing we need to do is
first-time event, but we expect at least 1,000
provide exceptional customer service, and
to 1,200 people. Last year at PGA headquar-
At a youthful 27, it was Burrell's demonstrated leadership skills and business acumen that helped him attain this top job at Regent
that's a matter of training. That:S my job." Another way to compete, of course, is
"Its difficult to predict attendance for a
ters, they lost count at 3,500," Burrell says. "We hope to get people out here to see what
Park. But what does he see as his particular
to reduce fees, and that is exactly what
we have to offer - the refurbished course,
expertise?
Regent Park has decided to do this season.
the academy, the great customer service."
"The most important asset I bring to
"We plan to provide more and charge less,"
The leaves have changed, the winter
Regent Park Golf Course and Academy is my
Burrell says. "We want to develop a loyal
has passed, and it looks to be a glorious
leadership ability," Burrell says. "I like to put
customer base."
spring at Regent Park - a time of rebirth
people in positions where they will succeed and then delegate responsibility I'm big on
With a new management team in place
indeed.
biz
and a clear vision for the organization, Regent
teamwork, giving people a sense of owner-
Park is set to kick off its lOth anniversary
Chris Jensen is a Gastonia-based freelance
ship and pride."
in a big way
write~
As head pro, Burrell$ job is to manage
A weeklong celebration called "Decade of
day-to-day operations of the golf course, the
Dedication" is planned for April 12th-18th.
golf academy and the food and beverage
Each weekday Regent Park will team up with
services. He may be the administrative head
the American Cancer Society to draw people
of the organization but Burrell points out that
to the course and also offer cancer-prevention
"since 75 percent of Regent Parks revenue
education. A special event each day will focus
comes from the golf course, Dino:S job is very, very important. " "The bottom line is, if you have a good
on a specific group of golfers, such as juniors, women or seniors. And each day, ACS volunteers will be at Regent Park to focus on a
golf course and good customer service, you're
specific type of cancer education important
going to have a good year. That:S our philoso-
to that group, for example: skin cancer pre-
phy," Burrell says. "The golf course is Dino:S
vention for juniors, or early detection of breast
expertise. We talk about plans and he keeps
cancer for women.
me informed of changes. But we work as partners and I trust him totally " "I feel the same way about Fred Bond, our PGA professional lead instructor at the
The highlight of the week is planned for
Regent Park Golf Club and Academy
REGFNTPARK
GOLF ACADEMY
Parent Company: Malayan United Industries (Malaysia} 5055 Regent Parkway Fort Mill, SC 29715-8396
Phone: 803-547-1300,704-547-0023, 800-671-5550 Principals: Todd Burrell, PGA Head Golf Professional; Dino Psaroudis, Golf Course Superintendent
Saturday, April 17th when Regent Park will
Number of Employees: 36
host a "Play Golf America Demo Day " This is
In Business: Land bought out of PTUBakker bankruptcy in 1990. Front nine holes developed in 1994; back nine in early 1995.
a PGA-sponsored event designed to expand
Academy," Burrell says. Bond , a lifetime
participation in the game, to get people out
member of PGA, has 42 years of teaching
who have never played golf before. In the
experience. Academy staff also includes
past, the PGA has had an annual "Demo Day"
12-year teaching veteran Laura Covington,
at PGA headquarters in Florida, but this year
coach of the women:S golf team at Queens
for the first time the PGA is expanding the
University and LPGA teaching and club
event beyond its headquarters.
professional.
Regent Park Golf Course, Inc. d/b/a
"The PGA has selected only three sites
Business: Just outside Charlotte, the 18-hole public course includes parts of two states and three counties. The course was designed by Ron Garl on 256 acres of naturally rolling, wooded terrain.
and beverage manager, Valerie Senneker,"
in Alexandria, Va., and here at Regent Park,"
Burrell says. "What we have right now is
Burrell says. "The PGA was looking for a
Awards: Charlotte's Best Golf Course, Reader's Choice - Charlotte's Best magazine 1997, 1998, 1999; Places to Play, rated 4 stars - Golf Digest www.regentparkgolfclub.com
"We've also just hired a new food
in the eastern U.S.- one in Michigan, one
an open indoor/outdoor pavilion-style snack
spot in the Carolinas, and they were blown
bar but we plan to enclose the grill at some
away by our practice facility - better than
point and ultimately to have a full-service
anything else in the Charlotte area. "
36
april
2004
greater charlotte biz
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Two international stars are lifting Charlotte dance to new heights Whenjean-Pierre Bonnefoux and his wife Patricia McBride came to Charlotte to head up the North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT) in 1996, the company was on somewhat shaky ground.
foreground photo: Rolland Elliott
:: 8
april 2004
Seven years later the company has grown stronger and more stable; a second company of six junior dancers backs it up; and the dance school has grown fmm 100 students to 500. A capital campaign to raise money for new studios and to increase the endowment is well underway. "We had a good feeling about Charlotte," says Bonnefoux. "It is a growing city and The Arts and Science Council is so strong. While NCDT had only a few supporters in 1996, they were passionate. We believed Charlotte could be a dance center and thats what we are working towards." Outside of a few dance enthusiasts, most Charlotteans are unaware of the talent and experience Bonnefoux and McBride brought to the city. Both have had long careers in which they have been at the very top of their profession. "I had no idea of the great experience they had or how strongly connected to the stars of international dance they were," says Skip Knauff, CEO of Knauff Insurance and a member of NCDTS board of directors. "I've watched them collect a lot of really good talent and build a strong foundation for the company. We are so fortunate to have them." Pas de Deux
Bonnefoux, born in France, has performed with the Paris Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet and New York City Ballet. He has had works commissioned for the New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company, Pennsylvania Ballet and Munich Opera, among others. He has also served as choreographer and ballet master of the Pittsburgh Ballet and as chairman and artistic director of the Ballet Department at Indiana University Over her three-decade career, McBride has been celebrated as the outstanding American ballerina of the day and a star of international stature. In 1961 she became the youngest Principal Dancer in the New York City Ballet, at age 18. George Balanchine created leading roles for her in many memorable ballets, as did other choreographers. She has appeared as a guest artist with ballet companies throughout the United States and Europe and her partners included Edward Vilella, Peter Martins, Mikhail Barysnikov, and Rudolf Nureyev.
greater charlotte biz
McBride has been married to Bonnefoux for over 30 years and they have two children, Melanie and Christopher. When Bonnefoux was named artistic director ofNCDT in 1996, McBride was named associate artistic director. She teaches performance technique to the company, as well as dance training to students at DancePlace. She has also staged several Balanchine works for the company. Piroutte
The North Carolina Dance Theater is in its 33rd season of producing dance in North Carolina. Robert Lindgren, former New York City Ballet dancer, founded NCDT in Winston-Salem in 1970. Salvatore Aiello became the artistic director in 1985 and was responsible for moving the company to Charlotte in 1990. NCDTS reputation grew quickly in the early days. It was the number one touring repertory company in the nation in the early '80s, appearing in major festivals including the Spoleto Festival, the American Dance Festival and Dance Aspen. NCDT made several New York appearances and completed two European tours. However, touring is very expensive and, while NCDT continues to tour for about ten weeks every year, Bonnefoux has been more selective about where the company appears and more focused on building audiences at home in Charlotte. Since Bonnefoux joined NCDT as artistic director, he has greatly expanded the
North Carolina Dance Theatre 800 N. College Street Charlotte, NC 28206 Phone: 704-372-0 I 0 I
â&#x20AC;˘
Principals: Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, president and artistic director; Patricia McBride, associate artistic directo r In business: 33 years Business: Professional dance company performing classical and contemporary works.
repertory and increased the size of the company. He has commissioned choreographers from around the world and created over 20 ballets. In 2000 he formed NCDT2 as a training ground for young professional dancers. ln 2003 Bonnefoux was named president of NCDT. Grande Jette
Bonnefoux and McBride share a vision for NCDTS future. They want the company to grow a little larger, perhaps to 26 dancers. "Not too big," says Bonnefoux. "We don't want to have a company where some dancers don't dance much. All our dancers are soloists in their own right." They also expect to see growing audiences who understand and appreciate dance in Charlotte. McBride dreams of sold out performances in the 1900-seat Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. "What is a city without culture?" she asks. "All of the great cities of the world have great culture." NCDT is building audiences by expanding its dance venues. Locally, it has performed at Davidson College and Queens College, in addition to the Blumenthal, and held classes at Spirit Square, Country Day School and the Cannon School in Concord as well as at DancePlace. Bonnefoux also works at attracting diverse audiences by balancing programs between classical pieces and more contemporary works. New uptown studios are also pan of the vision. The current studios at the comer of College Street and Eleventh Street are inadequate. The roof leaks, there are no shower facilities, and only one dressing room. With uptown studios, Bonnefoux says the company will be more visible and this will help it compete with other entertainment and cultural offerings available in the city. For Bonnefoux and McBride, dance is a passion. Their personal satisfaction in their work comes fmm watching young dancers get better and better and from turning audiences onto dance. "I want everyone to know ballet is exciting," says Bonnefoux. "It is something everyone can relate to." biz
www.ncdance.org Casey jacobus is a Lake Norman-based freelance writer.
april 2004
39
[bizdigest]
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National Poll Finds Women Business Owners Optimistic About Economy Affordable He alth Care, Federal Contracting & Social Security To p Con cern s Women business owners are optimistic about
Nationwide Survey included the following:
their business futures in 2004, with 38% planning
Healt h Care:
on hrnng more employees this year and 59% mai n-
• 91% expect insurance rates to increase in 2004,
• 77% want to put in place budgetary conse-
quences for agencies who do not meet their small business targets.
taining the same number of employees, according
and 67% agree that Association Health Plans
• 62% believe there should not be a law allowing
to a national survey conducted by Women
(AH Ps) would help small businesses provide
contracti ng officers to designate contracts that
Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).
affordable health insurance coverage to employ-
only women-owned businesses can bid upon.
ees and their fami lies.
89% are seeking contract unbundling, breaking
WIPP members identified the top th ree issues of most concern to women business owners.
• W hen asked about recently passed Health
Health care was number one with 53% of the
Savings Accounts, 48% did not believe they
Social Security:
knew enough about them yet to respond.
• 47% believe that workers should be allowed to
respondents saying that this the most critical issue,
up large contracts into smaller ones.
and federal contracting opportunities and Social
Federal Contracting:
place a portion of their Social Security pay-
Security followed respectively. Estate Tax also ranks
• 43% of respondents want to pursue federal con-
ments in a private investment account under
high as an important issue: 81 % of the respondents
tracts but find the barriers too great, and 87%,
their own control, while only 20% believe that
said they would vote for a candidate that would
want more resources to help win business with
eliminate the estate tax.Tort reform and energy
the federal government through Small Business
followed closely as the most important issues.
Administration centers. While half of all privately
clear majority, 61 % favor a means test for all
When asked what the other important business
held companies are owned by women, only 2.9%
social security payments (payments to be calcu-
issues were that were not presented in the survey,
of all federal contracts are awarded to women-
lated on an income-rated basis.They clearly
most often cited were tax reform, access to capi-
owned businesses in spite of legislation encour-
oppose raising retirement age to 70 (64%),
aging every government agency to reach a 5%
increasing payroll taxes (73%), or cutting
goal.
retirement benefits (93%).
tal, trade and education. Specific findings of the 2004 WIPP Membership
40
aprrr 100 4
private accounts place workers at jeopardy. • If social security will face a financial crisis, a
gr·eater c'la, otte brz
bizresource guide
John M. Belk Announces Retirement John M. Belk has announced that he will retire
streamlined its organizational structure in order to
from the company next month after serving as the
position itself for long-term success and growth.
company's chairman and CEO fo r SO years.The
The I 12 former Belk store corporations were
company's board of directors has recognized his
merged into a new legal entity, Belk,lnc., in 1998,
leadership and contributions by naming him
and subsequently the store operating structure
Chairman Emeritus of Belk, Inc. Henry Belk, joined the company in 194S, following
was consolidated in 1999, and a new merchandising and marketing organization, including a new merchandise planning and allocation function, was
his service during World War II in the U.S.Army
created in 2002.
Mr. Belk, son of company founder William
infantry. He began his career working in the Belk
John Belk also announced the appointments
store in uptown Charlotte, and subsequently held
ofThomas M."Tim" Belk Jr., H.W McKay Belk and
key top management positions in the company's
John R."Johnny" Belk to new corporate positions
central buying office organization, the predecessor
effective on May 26, 2004, the date of the compa-
of Belk Stores Services, Inc. He was first elected
ny's annual stockholders meeting.
chief executive officer of one of the various Belk store corporations in 19S3, and has served at the
Tim Belk, president of store divisions, human resources, real estate and visual presentation, has
helm of the company since that time. He has held
been named chairman and chief executive officer
the title of chairman and chief executive officer
of Belk, Inc. Reporting to him will be McKay Belk,
since 198 1.
president of merchandising, marketing and mer-
Mr. Belk's leadership and vision over the past
chandise planning and allocation, who has been
SO years enabled Belk to become the nation's
named president and chief merchandising officer
largest privately owned department store company and one of the South's most successful and
of Belk, Inc., and Johnny Belk, president of finance,
respected retailers. Over the past six years, the
president and chief operating officer of Belk, Inc.
dbusinessnews.com
• goodmortgage.com is partnering with
Charlotte for the first deployment of a major
LendingTree, Inc., the leading online lending
metro-area public Wi-Fi network in the region.
and real estate exchange, joining the more
The company has indicated that its Internet
than 200 lenders on the LendingTree Lender
high-speed wireless data at public locations
network. dbusinessnews.com • Queens University of Charlotte, in partnership
concentrated in the center city of Charlotte
with Wachovia Bank, N.A., has announced
and surrounding suburbs. "The objectives of
Dana Rader as the 2003 Charlotte
th is W i-Fi trial are to test business and con-
BusinessWoman of the Year, an award
sumer demand for public W i-Fi, large-scale
which recognizes the achievement of
deployment of a public Wi-Fi service and
exceptional businesswomen in the for-profit
technical support of a Wi-Fi network,"
sector; based on their contributions to the business, civic and cultural communities in
according to a company spokesperson.The network is scheduled to go live in the second quarter of 2004. dbusinessnews.com • Mooresville is heralded as one of the nation's best spots to host new and expanded facilities in Site Selection magazine's Top I00
the Charlotte region. Other finalists for the 2003 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year Award were:Jennifer Appleby, president and chief creative officer ofWrayWard Laseter;
Small Towns in America. In the March 2004
Lori Collins, senior vice president - product and account manager of LendingTree; Gay
issue, Mooresville ranks fourth in the nation
Dillashaw, vice president operations of Allen
and scores higher than any other small town
Tate Co.; and Peyton Howell, president of the
in the Carolinas. dbusinessnews.com
Lash Group.
greater c h ar lotte biz
pg.l3 pg. 41 BC pg. 1 pg.18 pg. 27 pg. 42 pg. 44 IBC pg. 37 pg. 19 pg. 25 pg. 24 pg. 32 pg. 30 pg. 14 pg. 26 IFC pg. 37 pg. 15 pg. 15 pg. 43 pg. 33 pg. 25 pg. 21 pg. 3 pg. 20 pg.14 pg. 40 pg. 12 pg. 42 pg. 31 pg. 5 pg. 19
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company has substantially consolidated and
• Atlanta-based BeiiSouth has selected
Take advantage of these products and serv1ces from Charlotte's lead1ng busmess-to-bus1ness suppl1ers.
Great news for those with chronic heel pain We arc very excl[ed to introduce a new non, invasive treatmen t fo r
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704 .. 3 76 .. 394 7 Please call for information or an appointment.
april 2004
41
[ontop] Time Warner Cable has been selected as a finalist in the 2004 Beacon Awards competition sponsored by the Cable Television Public Affairs Association recognizing excellence in public affairs throughout the cable industry;Time Warner Cable was recognized for its communication with customers and employees following last year's historic ice storm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Food Lion with an ENERGY STAR" Sustained Excellence Award for its outstanding and continued leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through superior energy management. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has been named one of the nation's "20 great gardens" in HGTV's latest gardening book, HGTV Flower Gardening. Internetwork Engineering has been awarded the 2003 US Regional DVAR of the Year Award, Mid Atlantic at the 2004 Cisco Partner Summit. The Town of Mooresville has been selected as a "Champion of Industry" award winner for 2003 by Pat Summerall Productions. Mooresville was also selected as one of the 25 Best Managed Small Cities in America in the Small Cicy Management Category. Congratulations to the Metrolina Business Council, an association of 74 Charlotte business owners, on their 20th anniversary as a professional association. The Spa at Ballantyne Resort has been rated among the Top 3 Spas in North America & the Caribbean for 2004 by Conde Nast Johansens. META Security Group's product, Command Center, has been named a Blue Diamond Award finalist in the category of"Best Information Technology
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Product" by the Charlotte Chamber's Information Technology Charlotte. Richard L Bullard, a partner with Bullard, Blanchard, Johns. P.L.L.C., has been asked to serve as 2004-2005 board chairman for The Myositis Association , an international voluntary health organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. james B. Spears Jr., managing member of Haynsworth Baldwin Johnson & Greaves' Charlotte office, has been recognized in the International Who's Who of Management Labor & Employment Law. Chain Store Age magazine has named Food Lion senior vice president Cathy Green one of "40 Under 40 Rising Stars" in the retail industry. Roslyn A. Mickelson, professor of sociology at The Universicy of North Carolina at Charlotte, has been named this year's Harshini V. de Silva Graduate Mentor Award Winner. Dana Burr Bradley, professor of political science at The Universicy of North Carolina at Charlotte, has been named one of the six Fellows in Gerontology and Geriatrics Education by The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. Ed Nowokunski , president and owner ofThe Printing Office. has been selected as 2004 National Printer of the Year by Printlmage International for his innovation in the printing industry and focus on print excellence. Matt Swyt,AIIuring Homes, Inc., has been named 2003 Distinguished Builder of the Year and David Tibbals, PBS & J, has been awarded the 2003 Distinguished Associate of the Year by the Home
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graphics center have received a top sates achievement award from FASTSIGNS International, Inc. Carl Dickie has also received the FASTSIGNS Franchise Sales Recognition Award for supporting other FASTSIGNS franchisees. Derek W . Royster, CPA and director of the Charlotte office of RGL- Forensic Accountants and Consultants, has received his Accreditation in Business Valuation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Alan T. Baldwin, Jr., FAIA and Barbara Field, FAIA have been elevated to the American Institute of Architects prestigious College of Fellows for their contributions of national significance to the profession. David L Peeler, PE, president and CEO ofWK Dickson, has been named the Chairman of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors for 2004. Four communicy and regional leaders were recently named 2004 officers for the Presbyterian Heatthcare Board of Trustees: john R. Belk of Belk Department Stores as chairman of the board, Benjamin P. Jenkins Ill ofWachovia as vice chairman, Pamela S. lewis of Queens Universicy of Charlotte as treasurer, and Paul A. Stroupe Itt of Lance as secretary. MedCath Corporation has announced that jacque J. Sakolav, M.D. has been elected to its board of directors. Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson has announced that
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a pr il 2004
g reater cha r lot t e biz
the following six attorneys have become shareholders: Alice Pinckney Adams, David J. Clark, Stephen M. Cox, Jeffrey Hart, Jeffrey A. Henson and Richard S. Starling. The Charlotte office of the labor law fi rm Ellzey & Brooks LLC has merged with Fisher & Phillips LLP. Culp Elliott & Carpenter, P.L.L.C. has announced that Mark L. Richardson has become a partner of the firm, focusing on federal and state income, estate and gift taxation; and Jeffrey D. Barnes has been named senior counsel of the firm, focusing on real estate, bank lending, leasing, and commercial transactions. OfficeEnvironments Inc. has promoted Cindy Cox to president. Mann Travel & Cruises has launched a new online division, www. l23travel.com, staffed by the company's leisure reservations department. Mitchell Kelling, an associate with the law firm of Horack, Talley, Pharr & Lowndes, has been certified as a family law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar. Robert S. Blair Jr. has joined the firm as a partner specializing in family law and Katherine M. Lebar has joined the firm as an associate. CitiSide Builders has hired BoomTown Advertising to develop and direct a comprehensive advertising program aimed at elevating and expanding CitiSide's awareness among homebuyers and realtors. Eddie Blanton, Phil Davis and Troy Legge have partnered to form Lighthouse Commercial Realty, LLC. Connectivity Network Cabling has been awarded the structured, voice and data, cabling contract for REACH, Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte. Mastering Business Development, Inc., an international business development consulting and training firm , has appointed Kathleen E. Sienerth marketing manager
and Gary A. Burrell business manager. Christopher Allen has joined Pilot Media LLC as a sales j representative fo r the Cape Fear < Coast Pilot magazine. Shea Homes of North Carolina has hired Pamela Ruth as a sales associate. The Charlotte Museum of History has hired Pamela Meister as its new president and CEO; Meister comes to Charlotte from the Atlanta History Center, where she directed th ree different departments since 1998. Brendan Pierce has joined The Keith Corporation as a project manager for the development division. Charlotte Repertory Theatre has appointed Patrice J. Bennett as development director and Michelle McGowan as office manager. Todd Croy, a home mortgage consultant with Washington Mutual, has relocated to the South Park office of Washington Mutual. Anand Parikh has joined ColeJenest & Stone, P.A. as a civil engineer II , and Jared Clonch has joined the firm as a civil engineer I. Cherry, Bekaert & Holland has hired Dave Richards as the director of financial services in its Charlotte office. carbonhouse, inc. of Charlotte has hired Jonathan Grauel as director of media design. NAI Southern Real Estate has added Vince Sumner to its brokerage group. Mann Travel & Cruises has added Dawn Piatak to its staff. Angela Broome has joined the Bainbridge Crew as planning department coordinator.
~ ~
REI MAX Executive Realty has announced the following new sales associates: Debra Bondan, Janet Brooks, Sally Brown, Linda Matus, Melanie Myers, Lynda Paxton, Yogi Rohling and Tammy Thompson. Kelly Peace has been promoted to vice president of client services at The Lyerly Agency, and Susie Penn has been hired as creative director. Ballantyne Resort Hotel and Spa, one of Bissell Hotels' premier properties, has hired hospitality veteran Graham Asher as its general manager. Lynn Boggs, who has served in numerous positions for Novant Health, Presbyterian Healthcare's parent organization, has been named Presbyterian's chief operating officer. Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc. has announced the following promotions and appointments: David Adams has been promoted to senior vice president, Electronic Systems Group; Jam eel Barkat has been appointed director, integrated and strategic development, Electronic Systems Group; Ron Espinosa has been appointed vice president, business development, Embedded Computing; and Gregory Steiner has been hired as vice president, Integrated Sensing. James W . Pfefferkorn, Jr., PE, of CLARK-NEXSEN Architecture & Engineering was designated a registered communications distribution designer/customer owned outside plant design specialist by the Building Industry Consulting Service International. bi~
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