Southern Business Journal by The Southern Illinoisan

OCTOBER 2013

Directory of Advertisers

Inside O CTO B E R

20 1 3

1st Bank and Trust of Murphysboro......18

MONEY MATTERS

ELDER LAW

What are implications of rising mortgage rates? As housing’s comeback is a key factor in this current economic recovery, how worried should we be that home loans are growing more expensive? Analysts are divided about the impact. A July Wall Street Journal poll of economists drew rather mixed opinions: 40 percent of respondents felt that more expensive mortgages ‘won’t have a noticeable effect’ on the housing recovery, 35.6 percent thought that they ‘will slow sales,’ and 24.4 percent believed that they ‘will slow home-price gains.’ Two factors may maintain demand in the real estate market in the face of rising interest rates. Join Scott McClatchey as he breaks it down. Page 6

You did what with your money? In an effort to become Medicaid eligible, an elderly woman transferred a six-figure amount to a daughter. When that daughter eventually went bankrupt, things did not go well for either of them in court. In short, when the woman gave up ownership of her funds, the funds became subject to the vicissitudes of her child’s life. An experienced elder law attorney would have advised the woman to set up a special type of trust, one with built-in protections. Page 9

WORKPLACE Why can’t we be friends? What’s wrong with being Facebook friends, taking the group out for drinks or being everyone’s problem solver or helper? Because it’s called ‘work’ for a reason. Stay approachable, but always remain professional. In the end, you, as a leader and manager, will be evaluating your employees’ performances. You don’t want to be involved in personal issues. Stick to your own ethical standards and apply them in both your personal and professional lives. Page 7

Who’s in the news? Find out who has been hired, who has been promoted or who has received an award for efforts in business. Make sure you check out our newest Faces in the News collection of business portraits and learn more of the achievements and honors in regional business. If you know of a business person who deserves special recognition for advanced training, a unique honor or a business expansion, please let us know at sbj@thesouthern.com. Pages 14-15

ON THE COVER Photo by The Southern

Publisher: Bob Williams 618-351-5038

Southern Illinoisan. Contact us via mail at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62903. Also reach us on the Web at www.sbj.biz and via email at SBJ@thesouthern.com. The Journal is published 12 times per year monthly, and mailed to businesses, community development leaders, chambers of commerce members and other professionals in Southern Illinois. Copyright 2013 by The Southern Illinoisan, all rights reserved. A subscription may be obtained by calling 618-529-5454 or 618-997-3356, or by visiting our website.

Pepsi MidAmerica .............................. 13

Rare Chop House ................................ 3

SIU Business .............................. 10-11

ACHIEVEMENTS

John A. Logan College .......................... 8

Editor: Gary Metro 618-351-5033 Advertising: Mark Dynis 618-351-5815 Design & Layout: Rhonda May 618-529-5454, ext. 5118

SIU Credit Union ................................ 20

Southern Illinois Healthcare................ 16

Southern Illinois University.................... 5

The Chocolate Factory .......................... 3 Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Cover Story Local Realtors report that housing market is recovering BY DEB SAUERHAGE SBJ CORRESPONDENT

If you are thinking about upgrading your address, now might be the time, according to local housing experts. “Statistics show the housing market is recovering,” said Rich Davis, manager/ broker for Century 21 House of Realty in Carterville. “The recovery actually started in 2012.” Bob Davenport of Realty Central in Carbondale agrees. “It is my opinion that we are on our way back to a recovery,” Davenport said. According to Davis, who is also president of Egyptian Board of Realtors, the regional housing market is stabilized SBJ FILE PHOTO

SEE COVER / PAGE 4

Three houses on South Glenview Drive in Carbondale have for sale signs In the front yard in this file photo.

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OCTOBER 2013

Cover Story FROM PAGE 3 and showing signs of recovery. “First, there is pent up demand. That’s when people have been holding on to their homes,” Davis said. Because people have been waiting to sell, there aren’t many properties on the market. “We actually have a shortage of good quality homes,” Davis said. Homeowners have been cautious because of the economy and as job numbers slowed. Another indicator that the housing market has returned is that the stock market has bounced back after several years. Buyers are showing more confidence in the market. “All indicators say this is a good time to purchase a home,” Davis said. “We have historically low interest rates. We may never see rates this low again.” A better economy and job security is allowing homeowners to trade up, according to Davis. “Now, we have first-time homeowners becoming second homebuyers by buying a bigger home,” he said. The buying shift leaves more starter homes on the market. While, overall, the housing market looks good, there may be problems for first-time buyers who may have a bit of a challenge in the current market. “It is still a challenge for first-time buyers,” Davis said. “They may have underwriting issues.” Down payments and low credit scores may hurt their chances for getting their first home. “Traditionally, first-time buyers don’t have a lot of money to put down,” Davis said. “They don’t have the traditional 20 percent down and, many times, not even 10 percent down.” First-time buyers may also be hurt by poor credit scores, which can affect their ability to get a loan. Many programs developed to help first-time buyers have disappeared. “In the past, there were government incentives for first-time homebuyers which do not exist now,” Davenport said. “There are still incentives, but not as aggressive as before.” But, Davenport said he is still seeing the younger couples buying homes. “The lending standards are stricter for

‘All indicators say this is a good time to purchase a home. We have historically low interest rates. We may never see rates this low again.’ RICH DAVIS MANAGER/BROKER AT CENTURY 21 HOUSE OF REALTY

buyers, such as credit scores and down payments,” Davenport said. There are challenges for the first-time buyer. “There may be clouds on the horizon which can impact first-time buyers in 2014,” Davis said. “But, most issues can be worked out.” Davis recommends working with a licensed real estate professional. “They know the available lending programs and what options are available for the buyer,” he said. Credit repair is also important. “Clean up your credit score,” he said. “You have to have a credit score of at least 660 for the bare minimum.” Also, it’s important that potential buyers check their credit report for errors. “Poor credit can lock you out of the market,” Davis said. “Real estate is still a solid investment.” According to Davenport, it is still a buyer’s market. “There is an increase in homes being placed on the market, but it is location that is a factor on how long they are being sold,” he said. But, sales are on the increase, Davenport said. “The numbers of homes being sold in the past three years in our Multiple Listing Service jurisdiction are increasing each year from approximately 194 (average) homes per month being closed (sold) in 2011 to approximately 219 (average) homes per month in 2013,” he said. “This shows the market is on a rise.” New construction is also a factor in home sales. “Some areas in our MLS board are seeing more new homes built than others,” Davenport said. But, those areas in Southern Illinois, and across the nation, are few and far

SBJ FILE PHOTO

A home on Terrance Drive in Carbondale sold by Lowell Heller, a Century 21 real estate agent, is shown in this file photo.

between, said Ed Gund of Ed Gund Construction in Marion. In Southern Illinois, Gund said he estimates that 80 percent of all new construction is apartments. “Some new homes are being built, but not like gangbusters,” he said. “We are seeing some big homes being built by people who have money or a bank that is willing to lend.” According to Gund, only a few average homes ranging in price from $120,000 to $220,000 are being built. Gund also sites poor credit as a reason for the new housing decline. “The banks aren’t lending unless you have good credit,” he said. The downturn in new housing has taken a toll on construction companies. “I’ve watched a lot of people go out of business in the last few years,” he said.

“Some people are doing a fair amount of remodeling. But, many people can’t afford to add a new room, or do a kitchen or bath remodel.” Still, the region is faring much better than other parts of the country, which faced a housing bust from 2008 to 2010, according to Davis. “We never experienced the problems like California and Florida,” he said. “We never had the balloon market.” The market held on, but the buyers weren’t interested. “The market never tumbled,” he said. “The buyers just went away.” Looking ahead to 2014, Davis predicts it will be a “solid year” for real estate in the region. DEB SAUERHAGE is a correspondent for Southern Business Journal.

SIU Technology and Innovation Expo Fall 2013

CELEBRATING UNIVERSITY INNOVATION

DATE:

Friday, October 25, 2013 10:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 pm

WHERE:

Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center 1740 Innovation Drive Carbondale, IL 62903

WWW.TIE.SIU.EDU

Join the IN-novation crowd for the fifth annual Technology and Innovation Expo! Highlights include: A showcase of SIU faculty and student inventions Discussion panel: Innovative Funding Sources for Inventors and Entrepreneurs Distinguished Keynote Speaker: Lawrence Cruz, Chief Patent Counsel, Conair Corporation, and SIU alumnus Second annual Saluki Idea Competition

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2013

Money Matters Implications of rising mortgage rates Are they threatening the recovery? Or is their effect overstated? BY SCOTT MCCLATCHEY Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

Between early May and mid-July, the average interest rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose about 1 percent. Rates on 30-year FRMs have basically held McClatchey steady since hitting a peak of 4.51 percent in Freddie Mac’s July 11 Primary Mortgage Market Survey. In the Aug. 15 edition, they averaged 4.40 percent, but they could rise dramatically again. When mortgages become a bit costlier, things can get a bit tougher for home buyers, home sellers, home builders and real estate brokers, as well as the construction industry, labor market, service industry and broad economy. As housing’s comeback is a key factor in this current economic recovery, how worried should we be that home loans are growing more expensive? Analysts are divided about the impact. A July Wall Street Journal poll of economists drew rather mixed opinions: 40.0 percent of respondents felt that more expensive mortgages “won’t have a noticeable effect” on the housing recovery, 35.6 percent thought that they “will slow sales,” and 24.4 percent believed that they “will slow home-price gains.” So far, the lure of increasing home values appears to outweigh disappointment over pricier home loans. In the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index (released at the end of July and covering the month of May), both the 10-city and 20-city composites showed the biggest yearover-year gain since 2006. Rising home prices (and rising stock prices) contribute greatly to the “wealth effect” felt by consumers. So, there is a chance that a 100-basis-point rise in the

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Consumers have grown more optimistic recently (and wealthier, at least on paper) and home loans are still really cheap these days, at least by historical standards.

10-year Treasury yield (it hit 2.82 percent Aug. 15) and conventional mortgage rates may not do as much damage as feared. After all, both consumer confidence and consumer spending have improved even with a 2 percent hike in payroll taxes and this spring’s federal budget cuts. Maybe we haven’t seen it yet. The fundamental housing market indicators in our economy are lagging indicators, presenting statistics a month or more old. The Case-Shiller composite home price figures are based on three-month averages ending in the latest month of the index. In other words, the May survey reflected data from March, April and May, and May is when mortgage rates began their ascent.

New home sales figures compiled by the Census Bureau must also be taken with a grain of salt. The pace of new home sales reached a five-year peak in May, but here is the asterisk: the Census Bureau actually measures new home sales in terms of signed sales contracts rather than closings. So, a sizable percentage of those homes were not yet constructed, and the actual closing could have been months away. As it turns out, 36 percent of the signed sales contracts in May were for homes yet to be built, which means that they were, in all probability, three to nine months from completion, with most of the involved buyers unable to lock in mortgage rates in early May as they would have preferred.

Which of two outcomes will occur? Summer home sales statistics may reflect more impact from higher mortgage rates. Perhaps, they will communicate that the housing market is no longer red-hot, but reasonably healthy. The real estate industry, Wall Street and Main Street can all live with that. The bigger question is whether consumer spending and Gross Domestic Product will keep improving as mortgage rates presumably keep rising. If the economy gathers, or at least maintains, momentum and the “wealth effect” continues to boost consumer morale, then the housing market should see sustained demand — a desirable outcome. If mortgage rates rise due to inflation (or some other factor unrelated to growth), then consumers may decide that costlier mortgages are simply too much of a stumbling block to home buying, gains in home values notwithstanding. Two things can’t be denied. One, consumers have grown more optimistic recently (and wealthier, at least on paper). Two, home loans are still really cheap these days, at least by historical standards. Those two factors may maintain demand in the real estate market in the face of rising interest rates. SCOTT MCCLATCHEY is a certified financial planner with Alliance Investment Planning Group, a Carbondale investment firm located at 115 S. Washington St. He can be reached at 618-519-9344 or scott@allianceinvestmentplanning.com. He also provides investment, retirement planning and insurance services to SIU Credit Union members through the SIU Credit Union Investment Services partnership. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC.

OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Workplace Why can’t we be friends … even though I am your boss? BY ANGELA HOLMES-YOUNG SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

When it comes to workplace issues, where should the supervisors, managers and leaders of today fall when it comes to friendships in the workplace? The information Holmes-Young out there is conflicting. You are told to be personable and real. Be approachable and someone that your employees can turn to. Other sources tell you to keep a distance. Don’t get involved in personal matters. Keep a certain level of professionalism when dealing with employees. Oh, yes, and keep the door open whenever meeting with a female employee alone. Can you be friends and still be an effective leader? Can you or should you help an employee that is in trouble outside of work? This is truly one of the toughest struggles that leaders face in their professional career. In today’s world, we have both harassment policies and laws that employers and supervisors are held to. Hopefully, you have your own ethical and moral standards, as well, that you apply in both your daily personal and professional lives. Keep focused on the fact that you are at work to do work. Stay approachable, but always remain professional. Always ensure that workplace conversations are professional. Set the

tone and keep it clean. Immediately put a stop to any inappropriate conversations that you may be a part of. Let your organization’s policies guide you. And, get a witness. If you feel at all unsure about your conversations with an employee, make sure a third person is present. If an employee comes to you with a personal problem, don’t shut him out or slam the door in his face. This is the exact place that so many managers and leaders make a huge mistake. Invite the person in and listen. You may help him without soliciting additional information. Do not pry. Only listen. After listening, do your best to refer the employee to an expert for help. Maybe, the employee needs professional help. Be it a plumber or a psychiatrist, help him by getting a phone number or a website. You can be the referral mechanism, but do not insert yourself into this situation. Do not offer to drive him. You can suggest that someone drive him — a family member, etc. Do you see where I am going with this? You can guide the “help” process and get it started, but you are not the “helper.” This is not your deal. Think of it this way: This person is not your mother or your brother or your sister. You are not responsible for his personal life. If the situation he is in requires time off, you can refer him to whoever handles the time off. If you offer FMLA, you can potentially trigger that certification process if needed. If you have an HR person, transition this person to HR right away. Why? I will tell you why. In the end,

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. you are the one that will evaluate his performance. You do not want to be involved in his personal life. What happens when the employee doesn’t like his performance evaluation and says that you are being unfair and using his personal information against him to discriminate and harass? The less you know the better. When we think about workplace friendships, the idea of after-hours parties and socializing must be considered. Almost gone are the days of the company picnic at the boss’s house. Think first before you offer to take your team out for a round of drinks. I have seen nights like these go just fine, and I have seen them go terribly wrong. I beg you to proceed with caution. Even if you think things are fine, chances are that someone in your group may feel that this kind of outing is inappropriate. Do you really want to risk offending even one person? Ask yourself why you are really doing this in the first place. Get over yourself. Find your friends outside of work, and do your drinking at home. Don’t make your subordinates suffer through your war stories for hours, even if you are paying. For heaven’s sake, this isn’t Mad Men.

Do’s and Don’ts Do offer to take your team out for a meal. Or, better yet, have it catered in to celebrate a job well done. Don’t offer to buy a round of drinks

at your favorite bar. Not everyone drinks. Not everyone wants to. Not everyone can. What happens if someone gets in an accident on the way home? Do think of other rewards that do not include alcohol or, at least, do not make alcohol the focus of the event. Don’t ever let someone that has had too much to drink get behind the wheel of a car. Don’t be friends with your subordinates on a social networking site unless you are prepared for full disclosure of your private life. Do strive to keep your personal and professional lives separate. There are so many things to consider when planning team outings. Keep the following in mind: If some cannot attend, they may feel left out. Some may not care to hang out with co-workers after hours, while others may have family issues, such as a lack of child care. Some may not want to eat the food that you are ordering. Some may not want to drink, while others may feel uneasy about drinking with co-workers. And, some may feel pressure to drink more than they should. No, I am not saying you cannot reward your team. Just consider these items as you plan it. Better yet, ask the team members what they would like. ANGELA HOLMES-YOUNG is a Society for Human Resource Management-certified HR expert with more than 15 years of recruiting experience for various industries. She can be reached by emailing ang_holmes@yahoo.com or calling 618-559-9399.

OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Elder Law Daughter who declared bankruptcy must repay $142,742 Money was transferred in a plan to get her mother qualified for Medicaid BY RICHARD HABIGER SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

An elderly woman who transferred funds to her daughter so that she could qualify for Medicaid cannot claim that she retained ownership of the funds when her daughter Habiger declared bankruptcy. In Re Woodworth (Bankr. E.D. Va., No. 11-11051-BFK, Feb. 6, 2013). This case illustrates why do-ityourself asset protection does not work, and that it should never be undertaken without the expert assistance of an elder law attorney who specializes in qualifying clients for governmental benefits to help pay for care in a nursing home. In 2002, Dorothy Stutesman transferred $142,742 to her daughter, Holly Woodworth, so she would not have assets in her name if she ever needed Medicaid. In April 2010, Woodworth transferred the money to a trust designed to protect the assets from creditors. The entire corpus of the trust was used to purchase an annuity to benefit Woodworth. In February 2011, Woodworth filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy trustee sought to void the trust, arguing it was a fraudulent transfer under bankruptcy code. Woodworth did not dispute that the transfer was fraudulent, but she argued that the property was never part of her estate because she was holding it in a constructive trust for her mother. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia entered judgment for the bankruptcy trustee, holding that Woodworth clearly had complete ownership of the funds. According to the court, “Ms. Stutesman can’t have it both ways — she can’t part with title for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, and at the same time claim

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An elderly woman who transferred funds to her daughter so that she could qualify for Medicaid cannot claim that she retained ownership of the funds when her daughter declared bankruptcy.

that she retained an equitable title to the asset. To allow this kind of secret reservation of equitable title would be to sanction Medicaid fraud.” If an elder law attorney had been involved from the beginning in 2002, he would have asked Stutesman a lot of questions about her children, and, in particular, about the child chosen as custodian of the funds. By doing this, the attorney might have uncovered enough information for him to advice against making the transfer to Woodworth. Even if the attorney did not, an elder law attorney would have strongly advised Stutesman to not make an outright transfer to Woodworth. For example, an elder law attorney would have counseled Stutesman that Woodworth might end up in a wide variety of future circumstances,

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. including bankruptcy, which could jeopardize an unprotected transfer of the funds. For example, an unprotected transfer to Woodworth could be jeopardized if she were to be sued for causing personal injuries in an auto accident and not have sufficient liability insurance to cover the total award to the injured person. Or, if Woodworth were to be sued for divorce, her ex-spouse might be awarded some or all of the funds by the divorce court. In short, once Stutesman gave up ownership of her funds, the funds became subject to the vicissitudes of Woodworth’s life. Because of an unprotected transfer to

Woodworth, no matter how trustworthy or financially responsible she might have been in 2002, an experienced elder law attorney would have advised Stutesman to set up a special type of trust, one with built-in protections, into which to put the funds. Or, Stutesman might have been advised to purchase a Medicaid qualified annuity in 2002 instead of waiting until 2010, when it was too late to undo the mistakes made eight years earlier. RICHARD HABIGER is author of the Illinois edition of “How to Protect Your Family’s Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets” and an elder law attorney who focuses on asset protection, Medicaid and VA benefits. He may be contacted at 618-549-4529 or info@HabigerElderLaw.com.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2013

Entrepreneur’s Mailbag The making of a brand BY CAVANAUGH L. GRAY SBJ CONTRIBUTOR

A few years ago I co-presented a workshop on branding called Making of a Brand. I’ve always had an affinity for brands, especially those that were near and dear to me. In my Gray presentation, I described it as the “brand of faith” taking a quote from author Matt Haig: “Like religions, brands want people to have faith in what they have to offer. Ideally it is this ‘faith’ that marketers hope will lead to a lifetime of brand devotion and belief in the brand’s authenticity.” I remember the exact moment when the concept of branding became real for me. It was 1994, and I was on return trip from New Orleans with some college buddies. At one point while driving my friend’s 1994 Nissan Maxima I remember glancing at the speedometer and marveling at how well the car handled at those speeds. In that moment I remember forming an impression of the Nissan brand (based on my experience) that the automaker made the best engines in the world.

What is branding? I think it is important to note that developing a brand is not just about creating a cool name, an eye catching logo, or a tagline that resonates. All of these things are important but as a small business the goal is to have your brand be a true expression of your organization’s corporate message and personality. Today, winning brands are carefully designed business systems. It’s important to note again that branding is not your dynamic looking business cards, your most recent direct mail piece or your last news release. In short, branding is not advertising!

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz.

Why is branding important? If you’re a business owner with a great product or service, an amazing team and a great marketing plan you may be wondering why developing your brand is so important? For starters, branding helps to differentiate you from your competition. Branding helps your current and potential clients remember and or recognize you in a crowded marketplace. Branding gives your company a personality that potential customers can relate to and identify with. There is a basic law of branding that states, whether you realize it or not, if you are in business you already have a brand. Everything you do will either reinforce or detract from the brand. The issue then becomes how identifiable in the marketplace is that brand and how the general public feels about it. Sheila Patterson, co-owner of Macro International Inc. says, “The principles for marketing the world’s largest brands are just as effective for making small businesses successful.”

Brand like the big boys Whether you are a small or large organization, the goal should be to establish a brand that has a distinct advantage over the competition. The following are some ideas for branding like the big boys and achieving your own level of brand recognition. Be Brand Innovative. In some cases innovative brands are those that have managed to pioneer a segment and in doing so have managed to have their brand names becomes synonymous with the market segment. Netflix, Google, and Xerox are some companies that come to mind. Create a Brand Experience. As mentioned earlier, branding is no longer purely about creating the right advertising. Instead branding has evolved into the development of an

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It is important to note that developing a brand is not just about creating a cool name, an eye catching logo, or a tagline that resonates. All of these things are important but as a small business the goal is to have your brand be a true expression of your organization’s corporate message and personality.

overall experience that potential and existing customers can identify with. Some companies that come to mind include Virgin, Nike (Nike Town), and the Apple Store. Own a Niche. As a small business owner it could be beneficial to focus your marketing efforts on becoming associated with a particular word, concept, overall feeling or niche that you can own in the mind of the consumer. A couple of companies that come to mind that have done this well include Subway (the healthy fast food alternative), and Volvo (the safe automobile brand).

Parting thoughts on brands As in the case of my Nissan experience, brands can be positively and negatively created in an instance. Some tips for starting your brand off on the

right foot include: naming your company properly, understanding logo do’s and don’ts, creating a consistent brand message and knowing how all of these elements work together to create your brand. By focusing on innovating, creating a meaningful experience and occupying a niche you could be on your way to establishing your own unique brand. CAVANAUGH L. GRAY (cgray@ecafellc.com) is the Director of Business Development for The Entrepreneur Café, L.L.C 877-5114820. To read a chapter from his new book The Entrepreneurial Spirit Lives: 25 Tales to Help Entrepreneurs Start, Grow, and Succeed in Small Business log on to www.ecafellc.com. For more information on how to start, grow and succeed in small business, ‘Like’ on Facebook, ‘Follow’ on Twitter @TheECafe or ‘Connect’ on LinkedIn.

Brought to you Exclusively by Pepsi MidAmerica http://www.pepsimidamerica.com/rtw/register.html

SCOTTY MCCREERY

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2013

Achievements

Faces in the news Two accept positions at local distillery

Speith

Rose

Groves

Hecht

Jim Speith of Makanda has been named stillhouse manager at Grand River Spirits, craft distillers of Red Eye Moonshine and Grand River Baby Bourbon and Whiskey in Carbondale. And, Kyle Groves of Carbondale has been named assistant distiller. Speith oversees distillery production operations, including fermentation, distillation, barreling and bottling, while Groves’ duties include still operation and stillhouse service. Grand River Spirits is a local distillery using Southern Illinois ingredients to make whiskey products. Go to www.grandriverspirits.com for more information.

Century 21 House of Realty honored

Gooden

Holzmueller

Century 21 House of Realty, Inc., a five-office real estate company serving Jackson, Williamson and surrounding counties, was recognized in August by Century 21 LLC for achieving 35 years of real estate services to the residents of Southern Illinois. Century 21 House of Realty, Inc., is owned and managed by Richard and Janie Davis.

Rose writes military-inspired finance book Brown

Crain

Duryee

Johnson

Faces in the news Have you been promoted? Send a photo. Has a colleague at work completed an intensive continuing education program? Send a photo. Others in the business community will want to know it, so please consider passing on your employment news and photos to the Southern Business Journal. Feel free to email the information to sbj@thesouthern.com.

Jeff Rose of Carterville recently released his book, “Soldier of Finance,” published by Amacom Publishing, a publishing division of the American Management Association, based out of New York. Rose is a certified financial planner and CEO of Alliance Wealth Management, LLC in Carbondale. Rose served in the Army National Guard for nine years, including a 16-month deployment to Iraq in 2005. His book combines the discipline of his military training with the rigors of his financial planning experience to help people take control of their financial lives.

Hecht completes Graduate School of Banking Timothy A. Hecht, loan officer at Percy Banking Center, a branch of First National Bank of Steeleville, was awarded a diploma Aug. 23 at

commencement exercises during the 69th annual session of the prestigious Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The school was established in 1945 to provide bankers with an opportunity for advanced study and research in banking, economics and leadership. The curriculum focuses on the management of strategic issues faced by banking executives and financial services industry professionals.

SIU Med School study advances with grant A Southern Illinois University School of Medicine patented drug aimed at preventing noise-induced hearing loss is in the final stages of research. A $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense U.S. Army Research and Materiel Command Branch will support a Phase 3 clinical trial to determine if D-methionine (D-met) can prevent noise-induced hearing loss in soldiers. Kathleen C.M. Campbell, Ph.D., SIU professor of otolaryngology head and neck surgery and director of the division’s audiology research, is the principal investigator for the five-year project and inventor of the D-met drug. The study is a collaboration among SIU, the U.S. Army and Yale University.

Wade, Martinez named FPC managers Dee Wade has been named branch manager of Personal Finance Company in Marion, and Vickie Martinez is the new manager for PFC in Herrin. Wade has been with PFC 26 years at the Herrin branch. Under her tenure, Herrin has always been a President’s Club award-winning office. Martinez, a native of Nashville, Tenn., has been in the finance industry 14 years.

Gooden receives architectural license James L. Gooden of the firm Baysinger Architects, LLC in Marion, recently received his architectural license from the state of Illinois. A 2007 SIU graduate, Gooden is from Herrin and has been with Baysinger Architects since May 2012.

Holzmueller joins United Country sales team Eric Holzmueller, a professional forester and licensed realtor, recently joined the sales team at United Country–Trophy Properties and Auction in St. Louis. Holzmueller, a longtime resident of Jackson County, has a PhD in forestry and specializes in uniting buyers with their ideal country properties. He offers sellers exposure to a pool of buyers of hunting land, farms, timber lots and other rural property across Southern Illinois.

Brown accepts leadership role at Baptist Health William A. Brown has been named Baptist Health west regional executive, effective Sept. 3, and president of Baptist Health Paducah, effective Oct. 4, following President Larry Barton’s retirement. Brown most recently served as chief executive officer for both VHS West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park and VHS Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park. He has worked in health care for more than 35 years.

Duryee takes over as Saint Francis CIO Saint Francis Medical Center has named Edward Duryee as its new chief information officer. In this position, Duryee will be responsible for directing Saint Francis’ information systems strategy and operations. He is replacing Diane Smith, who is retiring after 40 years of service to Saint Francis.

Crain receives cemetery award Bryan Crain, president of Crain Cemetery Services, Inc. of Southern Illinois, has been honored by the Illinois Cemetery & Funeral Home Association with the designation of “Cemetery Member Elite.” The CME award is presented yearly to an Illinois cemetery operator who contributes to the cemetery industry overall. Crain was recognized for his efforts in mentoring and representing small association-run and not-for-profit

OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Achievements cemeteries in rural Illinois. He helped keep the volunteers who run such cemeteries exempted from new onerous requirements which were introduced by the legislature with urban cemeteries in mind. Crain and his wife, Stacey, own and operate three cemeteries, seven funeral homes and a monument company in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.

Law firm signs five-year lease Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., one of the region’s largest law firms, has signed a five-year lease to remain in its headquarters at 10 S. Broadway in the heart of downtown St. Louis. In addition to its headquarters, Greensfelder has offices in Belleville and Chicago. It employs a staff of 287, including 165 attorneys.

Johnson to serve on executive committee

Shannon D. Johnson, executive director/CEO of VisitSI (Williamson

County Tourism Bureau), has been elected to serve on the executive committee for the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureau. Johnson also will serve as the internal relations committee chairwoman with ICCVB. She will work with tourism bureaus across the state to increase professional development opportunities for members and Illinois’ tourism industry.

Hospital earns ‘best place’ title Saint Francis Medical Center has been named one of the 100 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine for the sixth consecutive year. The prestigious program is open to companies across the health care industry — hospitals, service companies, suppliers, payers and others — with at least 25 employees. Saint Francis was the only hospital in the state named to the list for 2012 or 2013, and it is one of just three hospitals in the nation to appear on the list every year since 2008.

Calendar Retirement open house honors Ripley Regions Bank recently hosted an open house at its Carbondale West branch in honor of the retirement of teller Phyllis Ripley. Ripley started her career in 1980 in Murphysboro, while her husband attended a local college. During her 33 years at the bank, she said the best aspect of working at the bank has been all of the new people she has had the opportunity to meet, as well as the friends she has made.

Solstice Tan opens in Carterville Solstice Tan recently opened at 402 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 8, in Carterville. Owned by Jodi Seely and Ashley Rimini, Solstice Tan offers single sessions, monthly unlimited packages and hourly packages. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 618-985-5353.

Oct. 5, 12 and 19; and Nov. 2 SafeLandUSA oil and natural gas training: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5, RLC MarketPlace, 321 Potomac Blvd., Mount Vernon; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Hamilton County Senior High School, McLeansboro; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12, Workforce and Illinois Small Business Development Center, 2 E. Locust St., Suite 200, Harrisburg; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2, Wayne City High School. Cost is $95 for each class. The deadline to register for the Mount Vernon, McLeansboro and Wayne City classes is one day prior to each class. The deadline to register for the Harrisburg class is Oct. 7. Call 618437-5321, ext. 5804, or email mining_tech@rlc.edu to register for Mount Vernon, McLeansboro and Wayne City classes. Call 618-252-5001, ext. 5, or email debbie.hadfield@sic.edu to register for the Harrisburg class.

Oct. 15 Starting a Business in Illinois (workshop): 9 to 11 a.m., room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. Free. An optional business start-up kit is available for $15. To register, call 618-536-2424, email sbdc@siu.edu or visit www.siusbdc.com.

Nov. 6 Using Social Media to Market Your Business (workshop): 1 to 3 p.m., room 150, Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 1740 Innovation Drive, Carbondale. Free. To register, call 618-536-2424, email sbdc@siu.edu or visit www.siusbdc.com.

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OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Special Report Signs emerge that job market may be picking up BY CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The job market is sending signs that it may be strengthening. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits has sunk to its lowest point in six years because few companies are laying anyone off anymore. A survey of service companies found that they added jobs last month at their fastest pace in six months. And more small businesses say they plan to hire than at any point since the recession began. All of which is prompting some economists to forecast a healthier job gain in September than the economy has produced in recent months. “If you put all that together, it suggests that there has been an improvement in job market conditions,” said Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics. Ashworth predicts that employers will have added 220,000 jobs in September. That would be the biggest gain in nearly seven months and would mark a sharp reversal from the summer. Job growth has averaged just 155,000 a month since April, down from 205,000 in the first four months of the year. The unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent in August from 7.4 percent in July. But the drop mostly occurred because more Americans stopped working or looking for jobs. The government no longer counts people without a job as unemployed once they stop looking for one. The Federal Reserve is monitoring the jobs data as it considers when to slow its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases. Those purchases are intended to keep interest rates low and speed borrowing, spending and economic growth. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke noted last week that the job market is “still far from what all of us would like to see.” Yet it might already be improving. Last week, applications for unemployment benefits fell 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 305,000. The number had reached 294,000 two weeks

In this July 31, file photo, Americorps volunteer John Harris III, who is helping to coordinate a jobs fair program, fills out some documents for job seekers in Washington.

earlier, but that figure was distorted by computer upgrades in California and Nevada that prevented those states from processing all their claims. Those two states have now caught up and are reporting complete data, the government says. Excluding the distorted figure, last week’s 305,000 applications were the fewest since September 2007, three months before the Great Recession began. Applications generally reflect the pace of layoffs. Layoffs had already fallen in July to the lowest on records dating back to 2000, according to a separate report. Applications have dropped an additional 7 percent since then. The dwindling number of people seeking unemployment benefits “is signaling further acceleration in payroll gains,” Jim O’Sullivan, an economist at

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. High Frequency Economics, said in a note to clients. Separately, the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said this month that service companies stepped up hiring last month. Service companies employ 90 percent of the U.S. workforce and range from the retail and construction industries to health care and financial services. Manufacturers also added jobs in August, the institute found, though at a slower pace than in July. In addition, the National Federation of Independent Business has said the percentage of small businesses that plan to add workers rose this month to the

highest level since January 2007. The economy is growing steadily, though sluggishly. It expanded at a 2.5 percent annual pace from April to June, the government has estimated. That is up from a scant 1.1 percent annual rate from January through March. For the first six months of the year, the economy has grown at a rate of just 1.8 percent. Economists worry that growth is slowing to an annual rate of 2 percent or less in the current July-September quarter. If correct, that would mark the third quarter in the past four that the annual growth rate has fallen to 2 percent or below, an abnormally low level. About 3.9 million Americans received unemployment benefits in the week that ended Sept. 7, about 23,000 more than in the previous week. That total has fallen 32 percent in the past year.

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 2013

Business Fine Print Building permits Carbondale Vicki Hamann, 2015 W. Norwood Drive, $4,000 James Allison, 410 E. Sycamore St., $8,000 Janet Voss, 809 N. Bridge St., $33,900 Campus Colonial, 608 W. Mill St., $5,000 Chris Barrett, 194 Glopen Road, $5,000 Chris Barrett, 604 S. Terrace Drive, $5,000 Mary Wright, 906 S. Skyline Drive, $30,000 Kenneth Mason, 1213 N. Robert A. Stalls Ave., $52,000 Villas at Chautauqua, 2711 W. Prairie Place, $140,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 29, $100,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 30, 100,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 31, $100,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 32, $100,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 33,

$100,000 Loretta Cooley, 1001 E. Park St., No. 34, $100,000 Leslie Williams, CPA, 2501 W. Murphysboro Road, $89,400 Asian Accupressure, 100 N. Glenview Drive, No. 102, $1,500 Thalman Chiropractic, 606 E. Eastgate St., $3,000 Hampton Inn, 2175 Reed Station Pkwy., $155,937 Uncle Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dog Shack, 2300 W. Main St., $15,000 Randy Lewis, 1301 W. Main St., $10,000 Wanki Moon, 605 S. Illinois Ave., $21,000 Southern Recycling, 300 W. Chestnut St., $31,000 Smithworks, 104 S. Marion St., $50,000 Goodman Network, 921 E. Larch St., $25,000

Marion Brok Webb, 1008 W. White St., $160,000 Carlos Tanner, 801 E. Carter, $11,000 Enrico Castellano, 205 N. Fifth, $160,000

Dale Hemphil, 2601 Hickory Lane, $10,000 Chris and Amana Osborne, 1713 Felts Drive, $240,000

Metropolis Brandon and Heather Clifton, 713 Fifth St. E, $9,000 Massac County Mental Health, 216 Fifth St. W, $4,200 Sterling and Julie Bailey, 600 Market St., $9,000 City of Metropolis, 700 Market St., $7,500 Joan Holzer, 611 Girard St., $14,000 Virgil Thomas, 510 Third St., TR W, $1,000 Andrew and Bonnie Trebelak, 203 Oak Drive, $3,000 Jack Hicks, 712 Seventh St. E, $3,500 Balinda Thomas, 110 Christian Lane, $52,400

Mount Vernon U.S. Bank, 123 S. 10th St., $100,000 Circle K, 1710 S. 10th St., $4,500 Karen Kelley, 414 Cardinal, $3,000 Robin Sumner, 327 Main St., $3,500 Gregory Brown, 311 S. 13th St., $0

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Bob and Susan Ford, 825 Bledsoe, $40,500 Larr y Gowler, 17820 E. Angling Road, $25,000 First Financial Bank, 900 Main St., $0 First Financial Bank, 3303 Broadway, $0 Larry Martin, 312 S. Fifth St., $7,600 Clyde Standridge, 12125 E. Meadows Drove, $900 Ruth Garafolo, 12254 E. Harlan Road, $1,000 Jesse Malone, 1016 Perkins, $3,000 Janet Capps, 1601 S. 12th St., $0 Randy Ratliff, 2845 Benton Road, $120,000 Randy Bernard, 8208 N. Triton, $160,000 Popeyes Restaurant, 4510 Broadway, $5,500 DG Partners (Dollar General), 1814 S. 10th St., $750,000 Girolamos, Inc., 819 Jordan, $200,000 Tyler Jefferson Motors, Interstate 57 and Illinois 15, $0 Central Christian Church, 314 N. 12th St., $135,000 SEE FINE PRINT / PAGE 19

OCTOBER 2013

SOUTHERN BUSINESS JOURNAL

Business Fine Print Murphysboro David and Debbie Trimble, 2106 Dewey St., $1,000 Keith Klaine, 1916 Kennedy St., $2,600 Les Conder, 2014 Roblee Ave., $8,400 William Coulter, 534 North St., $1,000 David McComb, 1102 Steven Lane, $5,000 Michael Schumaker, 2003 Illinois Ave., $1,000 Michael Long, 808 Illinois Ave., $750

Bankruptcies Chapter 7 Samuel E. and Virginia C. Bowles, P.O. Box 204, Grand Chain Gloria J. Brazier, 24103 Illinois 127, Tamms Arthur McLorn III and Jenifer L. McLorn, 306 N. Fair St., Marion Erin M. Rammel, 709 N. Webster, Harrisburg Adam Parks, 280 Red Cedar Lane, Ozark Ronald L. and Ellen L. Talber t, 602 E. Section Line Road, Wayne City Michael T. and Amanda M. Johnson, 15 Endsley Road, Harrisburg Terr y I. Lavin, 1513 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale Jamie S. and Candice M. McClellan. 27230 McDaniel School Road, Tamms Troy Brent and Angela M. Puckett, P.O. Box 812, Sesser Anthony N. Herber t, 1968 N. 7th St., Murphysboro Douglas. D. and Judith L. Sisk, 402 S. Julia, Smithton Dallas L. and Andrea B. Bumpus, 1187 Co. Road 1800 E., Fairfield Paula D. Duncan, 2111 Wall St., Murphysboro John E. Randall 22062 N. Stratford Lane, Texico, and Keri D. Randall, 401 S. Walnut, Salem Norman Parker Johnson III and Ramona S. Eyre, 15764 N. Harmony Lane, Mount Vernon Michael and Krystin Grant, 2605 Dogwalk Road, Anna Bertha M. Fulk, 202 Stone St., Carterville John William Gwaltney Jr., 609 Wasena, Benton Jonica A. Beers, 1101 Jefferson St., Johnston City Steven Richard and Donna Sue Brennan, P.O. Box 383, Shawneetown James Scott and Shanna Lea Opatt, 1912 B St., West Frankfort Arnold E. Priscilla A. Vannoy, 406 Oak, Zeigler

Shane Allan Aumiller, 119 Douglas, Anna Steve Joseph and Deborah S. Montilione, 24389 Ridgeway Road, Thompsonville Holly Dawn Brown, 904 Vaux St., Zeigler Justin L. and Bethany G. Mandrell, 508 N. 27th St., Herrin Brenda K. Jack, 800 S. 11th, Herrin William Paul Woolard, P.O. Box 682, Carbondale Garison R. Stanley, P.O. Box 73, New Burnside Kimberley C. Camarato, 221 S. 18th, Herrin Michelle N. Johns, 5028 Madison St., Oakdale John Bradley Weber, 490 S. 8th, Albion, and Brandy M. Weber, 504 W. Main St., Olney Julia D. Gwaltney, 13027 Hafer Road, Carterville Judith A. Robertson, 200 E. Patrick, Lot 55, Marion Camella M. Crandall, 404 Mitchell St., Benton Dennis M. and Donna R. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, P.O. Box 485, Mount Vernon Chad W. and Hillary D. Lewis, 203 Orchard, Zeigler Corey W. Smith, 14 E. Dayton St., Harrisburg Ivan L. Dawson, 501 N. Horn, West Frankfort Danny Joe and Della Jay Anderson, 325 Peak Road, Harrisburg Karen L. Waldron, 9594 Hickor y Ridge Road, Murphysboro Sandra Jean Sine, R.R. 2 Box 161A, Elizabethtown Andrew P. and Taylor L. Woolard, 507 S. Sunny Slope St., West Frankfort Barbra J. Howard, 823 Stewart St., Carmi Melissa D. Mitchell, 570 Raintree Road, Harrisburg Tabitha L. Conrad, 13 Manor Circle, Fairfield Matthew R. Stewar t, 404 Church St., Campbell Hill John R. Hoole, 802 Elm St., West Frankfort Britney N. Baney, 3972 Thompson St., Thompsonville Tammy L. Heckler, P.O. Box 37, Xenia JoAnn Joyce Miller, 9238 E. Prior Road, Dix Mar y Jane Johnson, Rt. 3, Box 163, Fairfield Brett D. Baird, 703 Skyline Drive, Apt. B, Marion

Chapter 13 Carol J. Sweikousky, 2737 McReynolds Lane, West Frankfort Barbara J. Austin, 3202 Elm St., Cairo

Find more business news at www.sbj.biz. Robert O. and Frances O. Burton, 22828 Rose Lane, Thebes Margie Carlson, P.O. Box 334, Olmsted Stephen M. Hensgen, 7421 Mulkeytown Road, Mulkeytown Dennis Andrew Ball, P.O. Box 84, Marion George Richard and Jacqueline E. Tanner, R.R. 1 Box 106, Herod Claudia A. Suchor, 1008 N. Johnson, Unit A, Marion Robert D. and Sharon Lynn McCoy, 102 S. Third St., Mound City Dale A. Droge, 72 Olive Branch Road, Mounds Maria Delcarmen Solano, 2571 S. Illinois Ave., No. 126, Carbondale Jerry O. and Miranda Todd, 611 S. 18th St., Herrin Daniel E. and Cindy S. Eldridge, 410 S. Ward, Benton William A. and Sandra L. Gooden, P.O. Box 366, Hurst Bernice Ann Buldtman, 317 E. 11th St., Metropolis Patricia D. Casey, 115 N. Ash St., De Soto Michael L. Humphries, 330 W. Park Lane, Carbondale Matthew Dominic Roark, 26241 Royal Oak Lane, Thebes Carl R. Tripp, 122 Hillside Terrace, Anna Michael P. V. Hickman, 307 E. Shawneetown Trail, Steelville Michael E. Thomas Jr., 1112 W. Concord, Marion Daniel S. and Christina D. Sinder, P.O. Box 581, Hurst Brad A. and Jennifer L. Clanahan, 921 Hillcrest Road, Karnak Danny Lee and LaDonna Renee Laramore, 513 S. Vine, Sparta Julie Ann Karabec, 701 Penina St., P.O. Box 423, Pinckneyville Gene D. Broadway, 605 N. Buchanan, Benton Latoria D. Mayfield, P.O. Box 256, Pulaski Dale L. Kellum, 1003 E. Cindy, Carbondale Dustin B. and Leilani Ellis, 10298 Burbank St., West Frankfort Phillip D. and Lynnette R. Griggs, 402 N. Lincoln St., Murphysboro Scott Wynn and Kimberley Sun Huffstuler, 700 Thomas, McLeansboro Gary D. Loucks, 5714 Country Club Road, Murphysboro Jeffery M. Carey, P.O. Box 64, Goreville Phillisha Victoria Brown, 8712 Davis Prairie Road, Marion

Thomas H. Pankey, 1914 N. 8th, Herrin Richard Hermann Lynch, 5807 Kiwi Road, Pinckneyville Tina Beth Snyder, 608 N. Chesterfield Commons, Apt. E, Mount Vernon Betty C. Mar tell, 624 N. 12th St., Mount Vernon Jason Bradley Downer, P.O. Box 94, Geff Jeremy L. Williams, 401 N. 10th St., Herrin Marietta C. Clark, 523 N. Bill Drive, Lot 59, Murphysboro Heather Jo Bohn, 511 E. Jackson, Du Quoin Dena L. Stogsdill, 205 Lynne Lane, Carterville Sherry G. Rollman, 225 S. Karber, Ridgway Jonathan T. and Erin D. Patterson, 618 Sturbridge Court, Lawrence, Kan. Jennifer R. Land, 2688 Tick Road, Grand Chain Charles E. and Rhonda G. Broadway, 117 S. 18th, Herrin Stephanie R. Mathis, 410 Randolph St., Pinckneyville Amy L. Bandy, 19712 Crab Orchard Road, Marion Michael A. and Donna M. Thomas, 216 Melody Lane, Murphysboro