The Fairfield County Business Journal Issue 6/04/2012

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FAIRFIELD COUNT Y

BUSINESS JOURNAL

YOUR ONLY SOURCE FOR LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS • westfaironline.com

Vol 48, No. 23 • June 4, 2012

Growth, Indeed Stamford firm may go public

FCBJ TODAY As new executive suites open in Danbury, a Denver company is operating a franchise virtual office model … 2

BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

S

State’s sales-tax smorgasbord could be in for a simplification … 3

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes says all signs are pointing up for area startups.

Looking for Lawn Doctor’s largest franchisee? It’s in Fairfield County, of course … 7

In the field: is GE hot for Hubbell? 8

The List: the fattest checkbooks in Fairfield County … 12

Special report: the state of Connecticut lenders … 17

That birthday cruise may end up costing a lot more than he thought … 19

Startup 2.0 New funds could be catalyst to energize entrepreneurs BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

A

s entrepreneurs and financiers thumb through new opportunities under the federal JOBS Act – and as Congress introduced a new bill dubbed Startup Act 2.0 – Connecticut has unleashed a flood of new funding promised by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy under his own jobs bill last fall.

Startup 2.0, page 6

Anchors away for Guardbot Robot showcased for Navy

BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

MEDIA PARTNER

Near the end of May, Startup Connecticut co-founder Danny Briere said the state was on the cusp of releasing new funding via Connecticut Innovations, intended to jumpstart technology startups, and that “things will start to happen.” Startup Connecticut convened a panel discussion late last month at the new Stamford

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he ducted-fan, tilt-rotor helicopters of “Avatar” fame have yet to find their way into the U.S. military, perhaps to the chagrin of sci-fi fans everywhere. But the rolling Droideka robots depicted in George Lucas’ second installment of the “Star Wars” series? They may be closer than

you think – as close as Stamford, in fact. Late last month, American Unmanned Systems put its Guardbot surveillance device through the paces for the U.S. Navy, in a New York City demonstration the Stamford-based company’s founder said he hopes will lead to a development contract. Originally launched to develop an Anchors away for Guardbot, page 6

ince its 2004 launch, Indeed Inc. has helped people near and far find jobs. In the process, it has become a significant employer in its own backyard – and could be on the brink of bigger things. Indeed CEO Paul Forster mulled the possibility of his dot-com pursuing an initial public offering of stock, while participating in a Startup Connecticut panel in Stamford, where it is based. The new federal JOBS Act may have helped the company push back the necessity of an IPO, Forster said, with the law allowing companies to remain private if they have more than 500 investors. At deadline, no Connecticut company had gone public this year, according to Greenwichbased Renaissance Capital, with Ridgefieldbased Chef ’s Warehouse the last to do so. That was in July. It raised $135 million. Norwalkbased Kayak Software Corp. filed for an IPO in November 2010, but 18 months later had yet to execute it. Indeed has not disclosed funding since 2005, when it raised $5 million from The New York Times Co. and Union Square Ventures. “The IPO onramp … is the most interesting part for us,” Forster said. “That really enables us to track our path to IPO without being (forced) into it.” Founded in 2004 by Forster and Rony Kahan, who created a finance industry job site called Jobsinthemoney, Indeed has broadened from being a metasearch engine for other job boards to posting resumes itself beginning last Growth, Indeed, page 6

Q&A with Ron Coccaro • 10


Virtual landlord Denver company brings a new twist to the executive office suite BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

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ith virtual and flex offices long an option for home-based entrepreneurs, a Denver company has made it an opportunity as well, offering virtual office franchises to establish executive office suites. In March, Intelligent Office opened its first New England location in Boston, a few days before Matrix Realty Group L.L.C. filed plans for a turnkey executive office suite service at the sprawling Matrix Corporate Center in Danbury. With landlords offering short-term office space as a way to find a use for excess capacity, Denver-based Intelligent Office is allowing any entrepreneur to get into the business, having established locations on Long Island, N.Y., where Matrix is based, and in New Jersey, but with no

Gold coastal property

Donnelly shuts Danbury site Printing giant RR Donnelly & Sons Co. is shutting down its Danbury plant at a cost of more than 150 jobs, its second closing in Connecticut disclosed over the past several months in addition to a plant in Windsor. In the first quarter, Chicago-based RR Donnelley earned $37.4 million on $2.5 billion in revenue, down 2 percent from a year earlier. In the first quarter, the company triggered plans to lay off nearly 1,400 workers. “Look, the top line here, no matter what product line you’re looking at, is we’re transforming RR Donnelley,” said CEO Thomas Quinlan, in a conference call in early May. “We’ve been doing it for the last couple of years. It doesn’t go quick. We’ve said in the past that twothirds of the revenue in 2000 were driven by domestic magazines, catalogs, retail, inserts, books and directories. In 2011, those products domestically constitute less than one-third of our revenue.”

Conn. outlines settlement Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy outlined how the state will apportion its share of a $25 billion mortgage foreclosure servicing settlement reached with five large lenders earlier this year. As a result of settlement proceeds, Connecticut will direct: • $119 million to mortgage loan modifications and refinancing;

revealed locations in Connecticut to date. Getting into the business does not come cheap – Intelligent Office estimates startup costs ranging between $300,000 and $500,000, covering everything from a fixed $30,000 franchise fee to leasehold improvements ranging anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000. Given the large number of high-end small businesses in professional services in Fairfield County, there are perhaps a surprisingly minimal number of flex suite operators, which offer space on a month-to-month basis or longer term, along with “virtual office” services such as a receptionist to take calls and route them to a home office. In Danbury, the new Matrix Executive Suites joins Plaza Executive Suites across town at 100 Mill Plain Road, which has been operating since 1991. Stamford’s newest operator is Stark Office

• $7.3 million to foreclosure “victims” in the state’s words; and • $28.1 million to offset effects of the foreclosure crises. In a press release, Malloy and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen stated the funding will give Connecticut the tools it needs to weather the remainder of the foreclosure crisis, avoid preventable foreclosures and ensure that the state’s borrowers receive the full benefits of the settlement. At the time of the initial bank agreement, Jepsen won recognition as one of the main drivers in the deal negotiating the largest joint federal-state settlement in history.

EPA funds Newtown cleanup The Environmental Protection Agency awarded $200,000 for demolition and cleanup work at the former Fairfield Hills psychiatric hospital in Newtown, which the town has owned since 2004. Since last fall, Connecticut has received more than $33 million in funding for brownfield cleanup and redevelopment, according to the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

Suites, which opened an executive office suite well as at 500 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich, last year on the penthouse level of the Stamford 40 Richards Ave. in Norwalk and at One Marriott overlooking the Long Island Sound. Reservoir Corporate Center in Shelton. The Building and Land Technology says it company is adding a second location in White achieved a 90 percent occupancy rate a few Plains, its fourth in Westchester County, amid years after debuting its own office suite offering at 2 Stamford Landing in Stamford, while also operating a location at 1540 Post Road in Darien. In addition to offering standard office suite and virtual office services, BLT promotes its center as an option for any businesses that need space in the wake of an unexpected disruption at their main place of business. And giant Regus has five Fairfield County locations, with Denver-based Intelligent Office is offering franchises to those interthe largest executive office suite ested in running their own executive office suites and virtual office operator in the world having qua- services. drupled its global membership base since the peak of the last economic cycle, plans to open 200 locations globally this year. to more than 1 million members in all. Through May, Regus had announced 15 new Regus increased revenue at existing busi- U.S. locations. The company is now looking ness centers 3.8 percent last year, but revenue to expand its business model to “third place” was up just 2.2 percent in its Americas region. venues apart from office buildings (the “secIn addition to small business owners, the com- ond place” being the home office), to include pany counts large corporations in its mem- rail stations, airports and even retail locations bership base, to include Facebook Inc. and such as Staples Inc. LinkedIn in the United States. The company After filing plans for an executive office suite says many of its customers have been with offering in March, Matrix in May scheduled an it for more than a decade, more than three open house later that month to showcase the decades for some. suites, stating on its website that it has reserved Regus has two locations in Stamford at 30,000 square feet for the service in the 1.3 milOne Stamford Plaza and Soundview Plaza, as lion square foot Matrix Corporate Center.

FLEX OFFICE SUITES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY Partial list OFFICE SUITE

LOCATIONS

American Business Centers

1177 High Ridge Road, Stamford

BLT Business Centers

2 Stamford Landing, Stamford 1540 Post Road, Darien

Connecticut Business Centers

6 Landmark Square, Stamford 191 Post Road West, Westport

Heyman sells Derby plaza

Matrix Executive Suite

Matrix Corporate Center, Danbury

Heyman Properties sold a 200,000-square-foot retail plaza in Derby anchored by Walmart to DLC Management Cos. CBRE represented Westport-based Heyman Properties in the transaction. Located on Route 24 in Derby, the plaza’s tenants also include Adams Supermarket and CVS.

Regus

One Stamford Plaza, Stamford

– Alexander Soule

Soundview Plaza, Stamford 40 Richards Ave., Norwalk One Reservoir Corporate Center, Shelton Riverview Executive Suites

500 Kings Highway East, Fairfield

SoNo Corporate Suites

50 Washington St., Norwalk

Stark Office Suites

243 Tresser Blvd., Stamford

2 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


RDS_FCBJad_May12_56Quarry:RDS_FCBJad_May12_56Quarry

Taking sales taxes to task BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

As part of an overarching examination of Connecticut’s business tax structure, sales taxes may be the initial priority in a report due this September, according to Chris Bruhl, a task force member who is CEO of the Business Council of Fairfield County. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy commissioned the task force to analyze business taxes and tax credits. At an initial public hearing in April, Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Kevin Sullivan said businesses should not expect any reduction in their taxes in cash-strapped Connecticut, but that they might benefit from a simplification of the tax code. At a May 3 meeting, the task force examined corporation taxes versus the taxation of entities that pass profits on to partners, which Bruhl said could likewise see some form of legislative attention in next year’s session. According to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, between 2004 and 2007 nearly 97,000 limited liability companies were formed in Connecticut, compared to about 8,900 corporations. The task force holds its next meeting June 14 in Hartford. Connecticut’s base 6.35 percent sales tax was the 31st lowest in the country as of this year, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Tax Foundation, which ranked New York 7th highest with an 8.48 percent combined rate of state and local sales taxes. If Connecticut has a lower combined sales tax than its biggest rival, it is nevertheless daunting for businesses assessing how much to levy in the form of taxes – or even deducing whether they have to charge tax at

all, with breaks abounding in Connecticut’s tax code for certain types of sales. “The process is so uneven, so confusing,” Bruhl said. “It’s really an irritant (and) it affects all companies.” If an irritant, it is a major source of state revenue – from the start of the fiscal year in June 2011 through April, Connecticut sales and tax collections totaled $2.4 billion, up more than $500 million from the previous fiscal year. The state itemizes those collections quarterly – in the most recent report for the third quarter of 2011, companies reported billions of dollars in deductions thanks to loopholes to promote various industries in Connecticut. At the April public hearing, an accountant with J.H. Cohn L.L.P. noted the state has more than 40 statutory provisions regarding the taxation of services. “Our rules are often very difficult to understand,” testified Patrick Duffany, a J.H. Cohn partner. “Because of the ad-hoc basis on which the sales tax changes were made and laws were adopted, what we are left with is a confusing maze of complex and often hard-to-understand rules regarding what services are taxable and what services are exempt.” Duffany called attention to rules governing the taxation of business analysis, business management, and business management consulting services under Connecticut’s sales tax rules, saying they create traps for the unwary. “Connecticut is the only state that I am aware of that imposes this tax, and I feel that this provision significantly increases costs on businesses who would like to enter some type of joint venture with Connecticut-based businesses,” Duffany said. “This … creates a disincentive to invest in Connecticut jobs.”

FAIR ARGUMENT

5/25/12

3:58 PM

Page 1

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“In Connecticut, parents groups tried to pass ‘parent-trigger’ legislation so they could take over and transform failing schools. A national teachers union moved fast to stop that … When your cause in life is preventing parents from having a meaningful choice or children from having a real chance, then you are on the wrong side.”

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– Mitt Romney in a May 23 address to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012

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PERSPECTIVES

‘The business community will not be intimidated’

guest view The following are excerpts from U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue’s speech May 22 at America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. “We share some fundamental beliefs that bind us together. What are they? We believe in the free enterprise system. It’s not perfect, but it provides one thing most other systems don’t … the opportunity to try and succeed beyond our wildest expectations or the opportunity to fail and try again. We believe it’s OK to fail – in fact, failure is a key part of success. We believe in risk – and that risk should be rewarded. Likewise, we believe success should be rewarded, not punished, and that a life in business is just as honorable as any other vocation. We believe that businesses and the pursuit of profit are good things ... that businesses that do well almost always do a lot of good – like giving folks the dignity of a job … or bettering their communities … or giving to charities. While we support a strong social safety net for the truly needy, we think most people should take responsibility for themselves and look for a hand up,

not a handout. We believe in a government that only does for people what they can’t do for themselves … a limited government that makes smart regulations that protect public health and safety and provide basic rules of the road for businesses and individuals – but aren’t overly burdensome or politically driven. We believe that given the opportunity to experiment, innovate and work for a just reward – without undue interference from the government – there’s very little we can’t accomplish. And we believe the free enterprise system is the best bet to ensure that future generations get the same advantages and opportunities we did … Government overreach and interference into our businesses is preventing us from lifting America out of this weak recovery. There’s too much regulation, too much taxation and too much spending. As a result, there is too much uncertainty. It’s holding us back. Businesses are too afraid to invest and expand … consumers and investors are too cautious to spend and put their money to work … and so demand is weak … Today we hear many of our leaders demonize specific industries and even demonize success. We hear them argue that entrepreneurs and businesses owe their success to government – more than to their own individual initiative, hard work, and good ideas. They say businesses never would be able to thrive if not for public goods like roads and bridges, public education

and other government services. If that were true, then why isn’t everyone successful and wealthy? Everyone has the same access to public goods. The fact is success is driven by the hard work, ideas, initiative and risktaking of individuals – not the government … Put simply, we need to elect leaders who believe in free enterprise and will vote for public policies that will support business and get our economy moving again … Visit with your elected officials. They are pretty good at listening to their constituents. But you know what? Sometimes they just don’t get it. Many of them haven’t ever met a payroll. They don’t understand the burden of bureaucracy and how it weighs down a small business. It’s our job to explain it to them, and if they still don’t learn it, it’s our job to hold them accountable. That’s why the chamber is engaged in its largest voter-education program ever. We don’t do presidential politics – but we will do presidential policy. We will constructively critique ideas and proposals heard on the trail and urge all candidates for all offices to embrace the ideas we have put forward … Now, some folks in town don’t want us involved in the election. Too bad. They’re in for a disappointment. The business community won’t be intimated and we won’t be silenced. We have a constitutional right to make our voice heard and we intend to fully exercise it.”

• Main office telephone. . . . . . . . (914) 694-3600 • Newsroom fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3680 • Sales fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3699 • Research fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3682 • Editorial e-mail. . . . . casoule@westfairinc.com Or write to: Fairfield County Business Journal 3 Gannett Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 www.westfaironline.com Publisher • Dee DelBello Managing Editor • Bob Rozycki

News

Fairfield County Bureau Chief • Alexander Soule Editor, Digital Content • Patrick Gallagher Records Reporter • George Cassidy Reporters • Patrick Gallagher • John Golden • Janice Kirkel • Mary Shustack • Zoë Zellers Research Director • Alissa Frey

Advertising Sales

Sales Manager • Anne Jordan Duffy Account Executives • Barbara Stewart Hanlon • Dan Vierno • Kristina Cook Director Digital Sales • Thomas Spanos Programs and Projects Coordinator • Beverly Visosky

Production

Department Director • Alison Kouzmanoff Art Director • Caitlin Nurge Harrison Manager of Digital Media • Sinéad Deane

Circulation

Director of Circulation • Holly Gallicchio Circulation Representative • Marcia Rudy

Administration

Chief Operating Officer • Michael Gallicchio Chief Financial Officer • Marie T. Orser Office Manager • Sylvia Sikoutris

Fairfield County Business Journal (USPS# pending) is published Weekly, 52 times a year by Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. Application to mail at Periodicals Postage rates is pending at White Plains, NY, USA 10610. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fairfield County Business Journal: Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. More than 40 percent of the Business Journal is printed on recycled newsprint. © 2012 Westfair Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited

Have your say

The Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and opinion columns. Submissions must include the writer’s name, home or business address, email address and telephone number for verification purposes. The Business Journal reserves the right to edit submissions for accuracy, style and space considerations. Email submissions to casoule@westfairinc.com. Submissions may appear in print and online.

4 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


Dynasty trust changes spur gift giving BY ALEXANDER SOULE

casoule@westfairinc.com

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or those who went into business to create a corporate dynasty of sorts, they may get no better chance in their lifetime to pass on portions of that dynasty to future generations. Trust and estate attorneys say a $5 million tax exemption via so-called dynasty trusts – $10 million for couples – is spurring major gifts in advance of the exemption’s expiration at the end of this year. At that point, the “generation skipping” exemption currently on the books is scheduled to revert to $1.4 million. Under current law, the top tax rate on gifts would balloon from 35 percent today to 55 percent, with an additional tax on estates worth more than $10 million.

“Unless Congress acts with purpose and is able to pass sweeping tax reforms immediately following the upcoming presidential election, owners can expect to pocket a lot less from their lifetime of work if they wait too long to act.” – Carter Morse & Mathias letter to clients

It marks a major opportunity for a “sandwich” class of taxpayers, who possess sufficient wealth to pass along gifts amounting to seven figures, but whose beneficiaries stand to lose a lot under a heavy tax burden. Dynasty trusts allow people to shield some assets from higher taxes by passing them onto grandchildren and their heirs.

Last year, President Obama proposed limiting such dynasty trusts to a 90-year sunset, limiting the degree to which families can benefit from the “generation-skipping” tax first established in 1986 under President Ronald Reagan. Connecticut does not allow dynasty trusts under state law, but several others do, including New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida. Under federal law residents of one state are allowed to establish dynasty trusts in another. Under Florida law, a dynasty trust expires after 360 years. Through April, Connecticut gift and trust tax collections totaled just under $150 million, down by a third from the year before. The threat of a major revision to dynasty trust law is resulting in a significant overhaul of estate planning, according to Todd Angkatavanich, an attorney with Withers Bergman, which has offices in Greenwich, New York City and New Haven. Angkatavanich said his firm and others are being flooded with queries amid continuing uncertainty over how Congress and the Obama administration will restructure dynasty trusts and other elements of the tax code related to trusts and estates. Michael Carter, a managing partner with the Westport investment bank Carter Morse & Mathias, said the pending changes are not lost on business owners, but he has yet to see any major activity among his company’s clientele. “Growing political pressure to focus on the “1 percent” and increasing pressures on federal and state budgets make it less likely that Congress will be able to once again extend the current favorable tax treatment of capital gains,” Carter Morse & Mathias wrote in a recent note to clients. “Unless Congress acts with purpose and is able to pass sweeping tax reforms immediately following the upcoming presidential election, owners can expect to pocket a lot less from their lifetime of work if they wait too long to act.”

FAIR ARGUMENT “We have taken (the sales force) from under 500 to now, at the end of last year, just under 1,300; and we will move that up between 15 percent and 20 percent this year.” – Chris Lafond, CFO Gartner Inc.

Citrin Cooperman Corner How do you compensate partners? Let me count the ways. BY JOHN P. BRYAN, CPA CITRIN COOPERMAN Whether you are a physician, attorney or other professional, all service organizations need to actively address their methodology for compensating owners. Methods of compensating owners come in many different shapes and sizes but follow three general frameworks. One of the easiest approaches is sharing profits equally or based on equity. On the other end of the spectrum are compensation plans where all profits are allocated to the partners based on a measure of performance (also known as “eat what you kill”). Lastly, are plans that are split between equity sharing and performance. While sharing profits equally may be easiest and can be the path of least resistance, it is rarely the best approach. In many cases, the more productive partners resent the fact that they are working harder but getting paid the same. Some partners may not put forth their best effort since there is no incentive to do so, and it may also hamper the practice from attracting top talent. If you are not measuring performance and then rewarding it in partner compensation, you are ignoring an issue that has a real potential of breaking up your business. While a strict performance-based approach encourages and rewards individual effort, it may not encourage teamwork. Performance can be measured in a number of different ways. It could be chargeable hours, cash receipts by a partner, new business generation, or some other measure that tracks and rewards profitability. For example, in a healthcare practice, work relative value units (“wRVU”) are often used. wRVU’s are generally considered to be an objective measure of the effort required to perform a medical procedure and are readily available from a regularly updated database maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. So in a simple example, if partner “A” brings in 35% of the receipts or generates 35% of the wRVU’s, he or she would then be allocated 35% of the profits. Although this approach is also generally easy to administer, it is very important to be sure

you have the right metric to measure performance for your business. The metric or metrics should be something that can be readily measured while at the same time encouraging a behavior that helps the business succeed. Rarely do I find that equal sharing or pure performance based models work the best. To encourage effort and profitability, promote teamwork and recognize partner managerial responsibilities, a hybrid approach is often most effective. Many compensation plans will share an agreed upon percentage of the profits equally, or by equity, and with a percentage of the profits based on a performance measure. Some plans also measure profits generated by employees and share them equally among the partners. More sophisticated arrangements will not only measure effort but also measure the cost of services. In a medical group with more than one specialty, there may be a need to recognize the differences in the cost of delivering services (i.e. surgery versus office visit). The same could be true in a specialty law practice. Revising partner compensation plans can be very contentious, resulting in heated discussions and bruised feelings. Nevertheless, compensation plans must keep up with the times or you run the risk of the practice being unable to attract high performing owners or, worse, losing key ones. Remember, when “star” partners are not rewarded, they are often the first to leave and this can lead to the downfall of your business. The key is finding what works for your business. A well conceived compensation plan will provide clarity for business objectives and motivation for the business’ owners. The next Citrin Cooperman Corner column will appear on this page Monday, July 9, 2012 dealing with financing your business. About the Author: John P. Bryan, a partner in Citrin Cooperman’s White Plains office has over 30 years of public accounting experience, specializing in helping emerging and mid-sized businesses boost profitability. He regularly advises professional service firms in dealing with issues of compensation. John can be reached by phone at (914) 949-2990 or via email at jbryan@citrincooperman. com. Citrin Cooperman is a full-service accounting and business consulting firm.

A MESSAGE FROM CITRIN COOPERMAN FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012

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Lance Cpl. Shandra Dyess

Startup 2.0 — From page 1

Andrew Grandin, mechanical design engineer with American Unmanned Systems, takes pictures of the Guardbot while swimming in the water beside it during testing Sept. 30. The Guardbot can reach speeds of up to 6 knots in water, requiring an adept swimmer for this task.

Anchors away for Guardbot— From page 1

unmanned drone helicopter to perform aerial surveillance, American Unmanned Systems has since developed on its own dime a futuristic robot that rolls from point A to point B. AUS envisions the Guardbot bounding onto beaches in advance of U.S. Marines or commando teams, getting a look at defenses in advance of soldiers wading ashore or other military moves. With the 1993 Gulf War, the U.S. military began expanding its use of aerial drones for surveillance and attack; and in 2000 it began purchasing ground-based robots to ferret out roadside bombs and for other purposes. The Pentagon uses more than 2,000 Packbot units from Bedford, Mass.-based iRobot, and some 3,000 TALON robots from QinetiQ and a predecessor company. Whereas the Packbot and TALON robots roll on tracks, AUS’ Guardbot simply rolls – at a speed of up to 7 miles an hour for about nine hours, able to traverse water, sand, muck, and inclines up to 24 degrees steep, according to AUS. In a Fairfield County Business Journal interview earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes highlighted AUS as among the most extraordinary companies he has come across in lower Fairfield County – in fact, AUS’ design for the Guardian unmanned helicopter is among the few adornments in Himes’

spare Stamford office. AUS founder Peter Muhlrad previously led the U.S. operations of Sweden’s CybAero, which also markets an unmanned helicopter for surveillance. AUS and CybAero are not the only ones chasing potential helicopter drone business – Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has long tinkered with unmanned drone options for the military, most recently flying a remote-controlled Black Hawk helicopter; and the K-MAX helicopter drone co-developed by Lockheed Martin and Bloomfield-based Kaman Corp. has seen duty in Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense plans to spend $5.8 billion on unmanned autonomous vehicles and research in 2013, a reported 13 percent drop from last year, with nearly $700 million going toward Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout helicopter drone. With the Pentagon having demonstrated the appeal of ground-based robots, law enforcement and other emergency agencies are fast taking notice, according to Global Information Inc., a Farmington market research company that issued a UAV industry report in late May. For now the only demonstration that matters for Muhlrad is the one that transpired on a New York City pier in late May -- but AUS hopes more is in store for its rolling robot, perhaps to include commercial applications such as a version of the Guardbot rolling around PGA tournaments to get up-close pictures of golf shots.

Innovation Center startup incubator, with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes on hand to field questions about the new JOBS Act, which among other measures allows for crowdfunding of startups outside the realm of venture capital. A proposed Startup Act 2.0 would create a research and development tax credit for startups, worth up to $250,000 or 20 percent of W-2 wages. Malloy is channeling state funding to the market via Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-state entity, while looking to boost services for entrepreneurs through a budding network of business incubators to include the Stamford Innovation Center. At the JOBS Act panel, one venture capitalist voiced support for the state’s renewed push on entrepreneurship, but questioned the strategy of parsing out funding through a state-backed entity like Connecticut Innovations. “Other states like Indiana, Illinois and others have matching programs,” said Geoff Schneider, founder and managing partner of Cava Capital in Wilton. “They took the $250 million that we just took in essence for Connecticut Innovations, and they spread it out across other managers. They said, ‘Look, we’re not going to be in

Growth, Indeed — From page 1

year and allowing jobseekers to apply for jobs directly from its website. In March, a company called SilkRoad published a study showing Indeed provides more new hires than any other recruitment source, ahead of CareerBuilder, Monster, Craigslist, LinkedIn and SimplyHired, as well as campus and recruiter websites. Indeed is the only Fairfield County company to rank among the 100 most-visited web sites in the United States, according to Alexa Internet Inc., even as it has expanded to more than 50 other countries. The company employs some 500 people, including 150 in Stamford, according to Forster. In March, the company announced plans to add 50 people in Dublin, Ireland, which will serve as the base of its European expansion. The question becomes the degree to which Indeed would add jobs in Stamford with any major infusion of capital from

the business of sourcing deals and we’re not going to be in the business of (choosing) which deals to do. What we want to do is make sure we believe in (venture capitalists) and do the due diligence on you, the firm. If you do the deal, we will match that deal – no questions asked, up to a certain level.’ “I don’t get paid for that, and I don’t make any money on that,” Schneider said. “But it brings (in) capital, and that’s a huge, huge way to get things flowing.” Still, Schneider supported Connecticut’s overall efforts, saying the seeds were planted more than a decade ago for what has become a dynamic digital media startup environment in New York City, which the Stamford Innovation Center and others hope to replicate here. Several in attendance said Connecticut still struggles with a sleepy reputation, however, in comparison with the far larger startup communities in Boston and New York City. Leonora Valvo, CEO of the Norwalkbased event software startup etouches, said the state badly needs the buzz that the state is looking to foster. “The feedback we get from these kids is that it doesn’t occur to them that the kinds of business like etouches and others are here,” Valvo said. “The reality is they don’t think of (Connecticut) as an incubator of startups and opportunity.”

an IPO or other source. In addition to the Dublin jobs, the company lists 15 open positions in Stamford; about twice that number in Austin, Texas, where it has a development site; and a few handfuls more in New York City and Mountain View, Calif. Forster said Stamford has been a great place for the company’s headquarters, giving it access to talent not just in Fairfield County but in New York City and Westchester County as well. With the JOBS Act giving companies additional room to grow, the hope is they can go public when they are ready. “How steep do we want to make that hill to climb to get access to capital?” said Jeff Evans, head of equity capital markets at UBS AG. “We see many companies that are close to or thinking about or recently public companies, that have an awful lot of time spent around the tracking of requirements around (being) a public company. One of the great things about the JOBS Act is that it starts to sort of smooth that transition out and doesn’t cause a wall to have to be scaled to get to the public markets.”

THE WEEKLY LIST IS NOW AVAILABLE BY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION. Go to westfaironline.com/buy/the-lists/ for more information and to view a sample. 6 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


Lawn Doctor franchisee sets the bar BY PATRICK GALLAGHER

pgallagher@westfairinc.com

A

fter a nearly 20-year run in the hotel industry that took Jeff Angus from Seattle to Atlantic City and nearly a dozen locations in between, he was ready to settle down and open his own business. Now, 12 years after reaching that goal, Angus, a New Canaan resident, unexpectedly finds himself at the helm of ten Lawn Doctor franchises in Westchester and Fairfield counties, making him the company’s largest franchisee. It all started when a series of hotel mergers in the mid-1990s left Angus with a choice: Relocate from Westport to Seattle – where he had been immediately before moving to Connecticut – or find a new employer.

and a seasonal staff of maybe seven. Now we have a year-round staff of five and, depending on the season, we’re employing 20 to 25.” Angus attributes his franchises’ success to his experiences in the hotel industry, where he helped to develop a centralized electronic reservation database for Red Lion Hotels. There, as vice president of sales and marketing, Angus was responsible for the entire sales department and the reservations system for the 60-hotel chain, which at the time had $450 million in annual sales.

“The nice thing about Jeff is he comes from a larger background and he takes his experience and turns a lawn care company into a company run with a corporate mindset,” said Paul Mumm, vice president of marketing for Lawn Doctor Inc., which has 460 franchises in 40 states and is headquartered in Holmdel, N.J. “When you have a background like that it generates some pretty positive best practices for everybody.” Lawn Doctor was acquired in January by the Los Angeles-based private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.

“ We produce energy- efficient lighting products so we understand the necessity of taking energy conscious steps in any facility renovation or new building project.” __

Glenn Farrell and Jeff Angus, manager and owner of 10 Lawn Doctor franchises in Westchester and Fairfield counties.

“Having spent every Monday in the corporate boardroom with a suit and tie on, I thought about going back to the hotel field but ... I didn’t really want to do that, so we said, ‘Let’s buy a small business,’” said Angus, who worked in sales and marketing for Red Lion Hotels Corp. for 15 years before the chain was acquired by Doubletree by Hilton. That was followed by a short stint with HEI Hotels & Resorts in Westport until it was bought by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. In 1997, Angus responded to a classified advertisement in The New York Times, in which the owner of three Fairfield County Lawn Doctor franchises said he was looking to sell. “I met with him one Monday afternoon, and as I drive into the parking lot, here’s this guy in a Jeep Wrangler with a cutoff shirt and jeans,” Angus said. The deal was finalized in February 1998, with Angus acquiring the Stamford-Darien-New Canaan-Westport-Weston franchises as well as the Fairfield-Southport outlets. Since then, Angus has added franchises covering Norwalk and Wilton, Greenwich, and central and northern Westchester. Just this year, Angus acquired the southeastern and southwestern Westchester franchises, giving him the entire county and ten franchises total, which are all run from the central Stamford location. “On Feb. 15, 1998, we had eight trucks, two employees and 1,500 customers to service over those next few weeks,” Angus said. “This year we’ll finish with close to 5,000 customers. When we first started we had a year-round staff of two

By applying the same electronic reservation system to his Lawn Doctor franchises, Angus has created a fluid system. “We run about 5,000 customers. We only need two people in the office to do that,” he said. “The guys all travel with laptops in their trucks. Their routes are downloaded by Wi-Fi into the truck each day.” And, as Angus said, “The proof is in the pudding.” Today, Lawn Doctor franchises nationwide are adopting the methods of electronic monitoring that Angus first incorporated.

Allison Walker, Chairman, CEO, The Lighting Quotient.

“ When our own HVAC system failed, the Energy Efficiency Fund stepped in and made it possible for us to “walk the walk” of energy efficiency,” said Allison Walker, Chairman, CEO, The Lighting Quotient. “Our business is now not only innovative in our lighting solutions, but also innovative in embracing a green workplace, and this message is carried into the community by our employees.”

Project: The Lighting Quotient (West Haven) Fund incentives: $111,045 Projected energy savings: $36,000 annually “ There’s a large educational aspect to all of this, and it’s important to get local businesses engaged in energy-efficient products and solutions,” said Walker. The Energy Efficiency Fund educated us and worked with us to help our business operate more sustainably, and we do the same for businesses we work with. It’s a win-win partnership.” Due to the capital investment often needed for high-efficiency systems, companies find it difficult to become energy efficient. The Fund offers substantial incentives to help you bridge that gap. And your energy cost savings are immediate and long-term.

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Sikorsky in $1B deal In a possible $1 billion contract, South Korea wants to buy eight Seahawk helicopters built by Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. The deal is subject to congressional approval. Separately, Sikorsky is refurbishing four Black Hawk helicopters for sale to Taiwan in a contract worth $43 million. The South Korea helicopters would include 16 engines and two spares from Fairfield-based General Electric Co. and its GE Aviation operations in Lynn, Mass.

GE hot for Hubbell? Eaton Corp.’s $12.8 billion deal for Cooper Industries plc could put Hubbell Inc. in play, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg, with General Electric Co. representing a possible bidder. Both Macquarie Group Ltd. and JMP Securities aired the possibility of deals involving Shelton-based Hubbell as well as Acuity Brands Inc., Bloomberg reported. GE CEO Jeff Immelt said his company would look at acquisitions worth between $1 billion and $3 billion, while speaking at a Florida electrical products conference. Hubbell shares are currently trading at a market cap of about $4.7 billion. Nearly half of Hubbell shares are owned by trusts, complicating any deal. “That has been the hurdle in why Hubbell hasn’t been acquired so far,” Nick Heymann, a New York-based analyst with William Blair & Co., told Bloomberg.

region. Also a New York area finalist was Michael Fallquist, CEO of Norwalk-based Viridian Energy. In New England, Ernst & Young chose as a finalist Fitlinxx CEO Dave Monahan. Shelton-based Fitlinxx runs systems to monitor the wellness of employees, among others including an ActiPed device that estimates how long a person engages in physical activity and the amount of calories they burn.

Bassett lays off 120 State regulators posted notice of W.E. Bassett Co. Inc.’s plan to lay off more than 120 people in Shelton, more than six months after it was acquired by Pacific World Corp. W.E. Bassett sells personal grooming products such as tweezers and the fingernail clippers that made it famous, while California-based Pacific World markets the Nailene brand of artificial nails and related products. William E. Bassett started the company in 1939, and at one point the company was a dominant employer in the Naugatuck River valley.

PB adds R&D in India Pitney Bowes Inc. is opening a second research and development center in India, after adding more than 600 employees there the past five years. Stamford-based Pitney Bowes has its headquarters in Stamford and a large development operation in Danbury. In Pune, India, inland from Mumbai, Pitney Bowes will continue development of its Volly digital billing and communications “mailbox” that is on track to debut with consumers later this year. The company’s existing India R&D office is in Noida near New Delhi.

E&Y names finalists

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Ernst & Young made executives with Design Within Reach Inc., Fitlinxx, and Viridian Energy among dozens of finalists for its annual Entrepreneur of the Year award covering the New York and New England regions. The upscale furniture retailer Design With Reach Inc. relocated in 2010 from San Francisco to Stamford. Ernst & Young recognized CEO John Edelman and John McGee, its chief operating officer, with the two eligible for Ernst & Young’s New York

County traffic 5th worst Next time you hear anyone from Boston or the Beltway carping about the traffic, feel free to flip them the time-honored salute. Lower Fairfield County has the fifth worst traffic congestion in the country, according to Kirkland, Wash.-based INRIX Inc. Only Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City have worse traffic, even as congestion nationally dropped a startling 30 percent last year after two years

8 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


of modest increases. Fairfield County drivers spend 45 hours annually idling on roadways, with the worst congestion at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays, according to INRIX.

Busway breaks ground Touting it as Connecticut’s first major transit project to commence under his administration, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy broke ground on the CTfastrak bus line that will provide rapid service between New Britain and Hartford. CTfastrak is being built on an abandoned railroad corridor from New Britain to Hartford’s Union Station alongside the active Amtrak rail right-of-way, with 11 stations planned. The federal government will cover $455 million of the $567 million project cost, with the remaining $112 million funded by the state. An estimated 4,000 construction jobs and at least 100 permanent jobs will result.

URI sells rental software United Rentals Inc. sold off its InfoManager and Wynne Systems subsidiaries in Irvine, Calif., which develop RentalMan software to track inventory for rental companies. Greenwich-based United Rentals did not immediately reveal what Constellation Software Inc. paid in the transaction. Toronto-based Constellation stated it has paid $50 million on acquisitions so far this year including the URI deal.

VC to lead GE initiative General Electric Co. hired a venture capitalist to lead its “healthymagination” efforts, under which it is spending $6 billion to develop products and services that lower health care costs and increase access. Sue Siegel joins Siegel Fairfield-based GE from Menlo Park, Calif.-based Mohr Davidow Ventures, where she focused on molecular diagnostics and digital health among other investments. Launching healthymagination in 2009 on the heels of GE’s “ecomagination” effort focused on environmental and energy initiatives, GE has pledged to reduce the cost of medical procedures that use GE technologies and services by 15 percent by 2015.

Funding for UFlexData Connecticut awarded a $250,000 lowinterest loan to a Greenwich company that runs cloud-computing platforms for small businesses and nonprofits, among other information technology management offerings. Mandragore L.L.C., which dubs its software UFlexData, plans to hire five people, committing to investing nearly $60,000 itself as part of the deal. Under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s Small Business Express program, Connecticut is issuing $100 million to small businesses in the form of loans and grants.

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CBO: short recession likely The looming “taxmageddon” of new taxes in 2013 would likely push the U.S. economy into recession, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). According to CBO estimates, the tax and spending policies that will be in effect under current law will reduce the federal budget deficit by 5.1 percent between 2012 and 2013. Under those fiscal conditions, economic growth would total just 0.5 percent, CBO expects – with the economy projected to contract at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the first half of the year before expanding at an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the second half.

WiFi access expands Under a new service dubbed CableWiFi, Cablevision and four other cable TV giants are expanding wireless Internet access to each other’s Wi-Fi hot spots. Cablevision Systems Corp. is the dominant cable television provider in lower Fairfield County, with its local operations and News 12 subsidiary in Norwalk. The Bethpage, N.Y.-based company offers its cable, telephone and online services under the Optimum brand. It is the most inclusive Wi-Fi hotspot roaming agreement to date among cable operators nationally, according to the trade publication Multichannel News, with Cablevision having structured a smaller deal in 2010 with Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. and New York City-based Time Warner Cable. Joining that trio under the new CableWiFi are Atlanta-based Cox Communications and Syracuse, N.Y.-based Bright House Networks.

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What is loan availability and demand today compared with a year ago? Dolev “When we were going through the worst of times in 2008 and 2009, loan demand was soft. I think the banks were trying to kind of limit their losses, restricting credit. So I think there was a lower demand because businesses were retracting and … because the banks were trying to right their ship from a risk-portfolio perspective. Since then we have been trying to aggressively increase our loan production … I can feel very confident saying over the past year that many (businesses) are healing from the downturn of 2008. We are seeing companies’ balance sheets improve significantly. We are seeing less delinquent payments and less write-offs … Many businesses are starting to expand (that) held off in buying equipment the past couple of years and now some of that equipment needs to be replaced, so they are investing in their businesses. It has improved. It is nowhere near the loan demand that we saw prior to the recession, but it is starting to improve. But I would categorize it still

Do you see any parallels between where we are today and 2003 and 2004 when we were last coming out of recession? “I think so. I think small business customers, although they are improving … are investing because of need, not necessarily because they see huge opportunities going forward. That’s a distinction that I see. I would characterize them as dipping their toe into the expansion waters, rather than jumping in … What we saw back in 2003 (and) 2004 was a big jump out of that slow period in the recession. We are seeing a slow trajectory upwards as opposed to a V-shaped recovery that we saw back in 2003 and 2004 – big difference. The other big difference is that the regulatory environment is significantly different than what it was. So the ability of banks to be able to lend with a different type of oversight has changed dramatically … Customers need to report more, we are less restrictive of loan-to-values that we used to be able to do, our reporting is increased, there’s a lot more scrutiny and especially for the larger banks like Wells Fargo, which has a higher standard of regulatory oversight than some of the small, regional (banks) and the smaller S&Ls out there.” For you, what’s the one biggest headache brought about by new federal regulations? “It’s not a headache – you have to adjust and make changes – but the appraisal process, for instance, has changed dra-

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matically. The valuations now are coming back much more conservatively, and it has to be an arm’s-length transaction – third party … Anything now that’s secured with real estate … that is a short-term facility has to have annual reviews, so there’s more education to the customers around that. The requirements for renewals – full documentation, the legal work that goes into that – is a little bit more extensive. We have more reporting to the Fed in terms of our loans and how we classify loans in terms of the performance of that. So we have to be closer in terms of understanding what our clients are doing, if there’s a perceived risk of default, all of that increases the monitoring, staying in touch with customers. I think the biggest impact is that it’s been an adjustment for our customers as well as for ourselves.” What’s been the biggest adjustment customers have had to make? “Well, there’s been some changes in credit policy, quite honestly. In the past, on the consumer side … you (could) go up to 95 (or) 100 percent loan-to-value (ratio) back then. Now they’re restricted to 70, 75 percent. Our credit policy on the business banking side now – 75 percent loan-tovalue (and) special-use property is less than that. There was more flexibility to get around some of those regulations, whether it was internal or external regulations.” Is there any industry that is ahead on the loan demand curve? “It’s across the board. I think we’re seeing a big slowdown in contractors and construction and anything related to commercial real estate. That’s very soft out there … I don’t know if commercial real estate is as seasonal. Projects can sometimes pick up or start depending on where they are because the weather changes. It’s not necessarily like the residential housing market where the buying season is in spring – it’s a little bit different from the (housing) sales cycle. I just think there’s less demand out there for new space. If businesses are not expanding at a high rate, there’s going to be lower demand for (new) office space … Here’s another change: When the demand was high for commercial real estate, it was easier for many of the real estate developers and contractors to find funding without having leases in place – basically spec funding. That’s not something any of the banks are willing to do at this point unless there’s leases in place and they have high occupancies. Anything that is speculative, it’s very difficult to get financing at this point.” What is it like out there from a competitive point of view among banks? “I think it’s always been a competitive business. You are competing with large,

money-center banks like ourselves and then you are also competing with some of the smaller banks that have their niches and markets and so forth. I would say that all the banks understand the value from a revenue perspective of loan generation, and how you can help the small business customers from the point of view of credit to expand their business ... We have hired up for expansion of our business … In the White Plains market alone we had four relationship managers (RM), now we are up to seven, so we have nearly doubled the number of feet on the ground. We have increased our RMs in the Connecticut market as well, throughout the entire Northeast.” That’s ‘RMs’ not ‘RNs,’ right? “Well, we are in the business of trying to help small business’ health get back to where they were a few years ago, so in a sense we are nurses. We’re banking nurses.”

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12 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


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FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 13


THE LIST CFOs

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February 13, 2012 • Vol 48, No. 7

FROM SKY BLUE TO BIG BLUE? BY ALEXANDER SOULE casoule@westfairinc.com

G

lancing up at a massive, aging skylight, Chris Van Buiten declared there would be no helicopter landing pad on top of the century-old, Old Town Hall in Stamford. Sky’s the limit after that, the Sikorsky Innovations head suggested.

In a stealth operation worthy of its newest secret helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. swooped in to embed a high-tech incubator at the new Stamford Innovation Center, with the Stamford iCenter itself launching with a half-dozen startups in house, while hosting a Stamford Startup Weekend March 30 and April 1. At the same time, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy confirmed he met in late

January with IBM Corp. managers, without specifying the purpose of that meeting to include whether any deal is in the works to get the Armonk, N.Y.-based company to expand in Connecticut. In one fell swoop initially engineered by Malloy aide Kip Bergstrom, Stamford finds itself with what it thinks will be a vibrant entrepreneur “hotel,” while iCenter, page 2

westfaironline.com New York’s focus on regional economic development, this issue of the Westchester County Business Journal marks the debut of its sister publication, HV Biz, within its pages. We bring together preneurs, anyway.the counties that make up the com The StamfordHudson iCenter comValley, with its twomenced operations in Stamford’s million population, and proOld Town Hall with a half-dozen vide business and economic startups already enrolled, ranging news helpful to shaping a from Arsanis Biosciences GmbH, powerful identity. HV an Austrian company hopingregional to Biz for news will appear biweekdevelop treatments cancer ly, Dotting, broadening the reach of page 2 all local businesses while strengthening knowledge and marketing opportunities.

BY JOHN GOLDEN jgolden@westfairinc.com

A

Dotting the ‘i’ In time, Barry Schwimmer and his cohorts might enable military aircraft to change color at the push of a button or a dotcom to support a “community of drink explorers.” In time, the Stamford Innovation Center hopes to be the ultimate enabler – for entre-

rchie and Jughead, Veronica and Betty and their forever-young comicbook gang at Riverdale High might blush at the storylines written in lawsuits by their creators’ clashing heirs at Archie Comic Publications Inc. in Mamaroneck. The real-world scripts, contained in state Supreme Court filings in Manhattan and Westchester County, include several employees’ claims last year that they were sexually harassed and threatened by Nancy Silberkleit, co-CEO of the comics publishing company since 2009 and widow of Michael Silberkleit, the former chairman and publisher of Archie

embrace off-site data backup

BY PATRICK GALLAGHER pgallagher@westfairinc.com

Feb. 2 report. However, the state’s private-sector employers posted a net loss of 11,200 jobs since last July, triggering what DiNapoli described as a noticeable slowdown. “After a strong first half of 2011, job growth in New York was markedly weaker during the second half of the year, raising concerns about the pace of the recovery in 2012,” DiNapoli wrote. The region that includes Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties ranked among the lowest of the state’s metropolitan areas in the proportion of jobs recovered since the recession. After losing 28,800 jobs between July 2008 and December 2009, the lower Hudson

BY ALEXANDER SOULE casoule@westfairinc.com

A day before the U.S. Commerce Department revealed that the economy added 243,000 hris Tella made it through the October nor’easter jobs in January,and state Comptroller Thomas Tropical Storm Irene relatively intact – but not in thethat hiring in New York DiNapoli warned nor’easter of March 2010 when a and 65-foot toppled thetree Hudson Valley has lagged over the onto his Greenwich house. past six months. cloud-serThrough it all, the roof never caved in on his cloud-ser Between December 2009 and December vices provider UFlexData and parent company Mandragore, 2011, the state’s private sector regained with Tella able to access all his company’s critical data and 183,600 – or 58 percent – of the jobs that software from mobile devices. were lost during the recession. As small businesses get increasingly comfortable with During that same period the state as a the idea of running their information technology out of the the run return of 46 percent of all cloud – housing applications and data onwhole remotesaw servers jobssmall that cloud were lost, ser- well above the national by others – a building formation of relatively ser average of 34locally. percent, DiNapoli noted in his vice providers like UFlexData is selling those services

Name ___________________________________________ Title _________________________________________ Marc Lotti and Chris Tella are helping area small businesses elevate their IT into the cloud.

A functional cloud system for many small-business needs comes in at half the cost of many mobile phone plans, according to Tella, CEO of UFlexData. Yet many businesses still associate the cloud with a sky-high bill up front and going forward.

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Archie, page 9

Infighting and lawsuits between co-CEOs have shaken Archie Comics since the death of its former publisher and chairman Michael Silberkleit, shown here in 2007 at company headquarters in Mamaroneck.

Valley added a net 4,000 jobs in the two years since, with the region’s job recovery rate of 13.8 percent ranking far behind the state and

The region that includes Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties ranked among the lowest of the state’s metropolitan areas in the proportion of jobs recovered since the recession. New York City, which recovered jobs that were lost during the recession at rates of 46.3

Back to the drawing Board • 18

percent and 51.6 percent, respectively. In the three-county region, “Gains in education, health services and tourism have been partially offset by sizable losses in government, construction and manufacturing,” DiNapoli wrote. Unemployment in the region fell to 6.4 percent last December from 7.2 percent in December 2009; however, the report noted that much of that decline was due to a drop in the state’s labor force rather than employment increases. Compounding the slow recovery, the financial securities industry, which DiNapoli called “the state’s economic engine” and which accounts for a third of the state’s gross State, page 9

good things • 40

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Comics. The company last summer asked a state judge to prevent Silberkleit from working at the company’s offices at 325 Fayette Ave. in Mamaroneck and to bar her from contacting company employees and vendors. In January, Jonathan Goldwater, who shares the co-CEO title and company director duties with Silberkleit and is the brother of Michael Silberkleit’s late business partner and co-publisher, filed a second lawsuit in Manhattan seeking her removal as company director and officer. If she stays, Goldwater said, the “iconic American company” is in danger of failing and being liquidated. Silberkleit, a Rye resident, that same week went to state Supreme Court in White

Cloud covered Small businesses learning to State comptroller warns of weak job market C

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THE FIRST THING RICARDO DESIGNED WAS

HIS FUTURE. Before Ricardo Auguste created a collection, he created a plan. Interning as a fashion designer for Her Game 2 in Stamford, CT. Thanks, in part, to On-the-Job Training, a program funded by Connecticut’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Now Ricardo is living his dream while living with paraplegia. To find out more, call 1.866.844.1903 or visit connect-ability.com. See the ability. See how we can work together. Connect-Ability is managed by Connecticut Department of Social Services. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 15


40UNDER40

It’s the most unique event in Fairfield County Forty of the best and brightest business professionals under the age of 40 will be feted June 21 • 5 to 8 p.m. at 1 High Ridge Park Corporate Center, Stamford

Keynote speaker Donna deVarona: Multiple Olympic gold-medal winner, 18 swimming records, Fairfield County resident and community activist.

Valley of Achievement

Showcasing a variety of businesses from Fairfield County, before and after the award ceremony, when everyone can stroll the simulated streets and marketplace and gain insight into what the county has to offer.

Network

While enjoying entertainment, artists at work, sponsor displays, the marketplace, wine from W.J.DEUTSCH & FAMILY and hearty hors d’oeuvres by DAVID’S SOUNDVIEW CATERING.

advisors suit up, Guest tickets are $40. Call today for reservations (914) 694.3600, Lots ext.of3027, A financial relationship or email your request to bvisosky@westfairinc.com. show up and keep up. you can trust. But how many know To be included in the commemorative journal, sponsorships and when to speak up? than ever, you need a bank that stands beside you. advertisements areNow, stimore ll available. Call (914) 694.3600, ext. 3031. TD Bank helps you make the most of every opportunity. We provide you with experience, guidance, and smart solutions that position you and your business for success. • Commercial Loans and Lines of Credit • Cash Management Services

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A strong strategic partner should know you and your organization well enough to know when to step up with insights, suggestions and fresh ideas. And when you trust the advice you’re getting, you know your next move is the right move. This is the power of being understood. This is McGladrey. Experience the power. Visit our Events page on mcgladrey.com to register for our June 13 Tax Summit in Stamford. For more information, contact Connecticut Office Managing Partner Tony Ceci at 203.905.5000.

TD Bank. N.A. | Loans subject to credit approval. Equal Housing Lender | TD Bank Group is a trade name for The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Used with permission. For detailed credit ratings for The Toronto-Dominion Bank and TD Bank, N.A. visit http://www.td.com/investor/credit. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, sell, or hold a financial obligation inasmuch as they do not comment on market price or suitability for a particular investor. Ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating organization.

© 2012 McGladrey LLP. All Rights Reserved.

ADDITIONAL PARTNERS: Bridgeport Regional Business Council • Business Council of Fairfield County • Darien Chamber of Commerce • Fairfield Chamber of Commerce • Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce • Greenwich Chamber of Commerce • Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce • Stamford Chamber of Commerce • Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce

16 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


SPECIAL REPORT Corporate Finance

Region’s banks cautious, but opportunistic BY JANICE KIRKEL

jkirkel@westfairinc.com

I

t was a mixed first quarter for the banking industry – FDIC-insured banks earned a total of $35.3 billion from January to March, up $6.6 billion from the $28.8 billion banks earned in the first quarter of 2011. But loan balances fell by $56.3 billion after three straight quarterly increases. “The condition of the industry continues to gradually improve,” said FDIC acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg. “Insured institutions have made steady progress in shedding bad loans, bolstering net worth and increasing profitability. (But) the overall decline in loan balances is disappointing after we saw three quarters of growth last year.” Gruenberg did caution against drawing conclusions from one quarter. Two-thirds of banks reported higher earnings. Ten percent reported losses, down from 16 percent a year earlier. The average return on assets, a measure of profitability, rose. But the flow of money into deposit accounts slowed. Lower provisions for loan losses and higher noninterest income were responsible for most of the earnings gain. Banks charged off $22 billion in bad loans, down 35 percent from last year. But the percentage of loans and leases that were not current remained high by historical standards. As for the decline in loan balances, credit card loans fell by $38.2 billion, residential real estate loans fell by $19.2 billion and home equity lines of credit dropped by $13.1 billion. Balances in construction and development loans declined by $11.7 billion. However, loans to commercial and industrial borrowers increased by $27.3 billion, and auto loans were up by $4.5 billion. Gruenberg summed it all up this way. “The improved financial condition of the industry has not yet translated into sustained loan growth. We will continue to watch this indicator closely.” That’s the national picture. What about community banks in Westchester and Fairfield counties? “We are trying to be opportunistic when it comes to lending,” said John Ritacco, president and CEO of Community Mutual Savings Bank in White Plains. “As a small bank in a big market there are many opportunities to help small business. There is lending, but the market is not as robust as it used to be.” As for the bank’s lending standards, “We have stuck to the traditional forms of underwriting whether in commercial lending or mortgages. Traditional underwriting

has stood the test of time for quite a while. We believe in continuing with those processes,” Ritacco said. Daniel Berta, president of Fairfield County Bank in Ridgefield, said his bank isn’t changing its lending practices either. “We were always cautious on lending, that helped us remain strong through the tough times. The word ‘cautious’ should go along with lending all the time.” He said mortgage lending was up in the first quarter and continues to be with record low interest rates. “And we’ve seen a shift lately to purchases rather than refinances. It’s hard to say if it’s a trend.” He did mention though, that “the Westport market has seen more activity. It depends on the size of the house. In Westport we’re seeing more activity at all different levels. In general though, the more reasonable homes, under $1 million, tend to be moving.” John Tolomer, president and CEO of The Westchester Bank in Yonkers, N.Y., said lending “has risen dramatically. It appears that past due loans and foreclosures are beginning to stabilize.” Loans were up 46 percent in the first quarter. “Banks always face the question of whether it’s better to lend it out or invest in Treasuries,” he said. “The low rates encourage banks to make loans.”

“We were always cautious on lending, that helped us remain strong through the tough times. The word ‘cautious’ should go along with lending all the time.”

– Daniel Berta, president of Fairfield County Bank

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 17


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ing their firms needed most, 30 percent of respondents stated they needed working capital for day-to-day operations, while 11 percent said that the capital was needed for machinery and equipment purchases.

R.R. Donnelley buys EDGAR The largest printing conglomerate in the nation is acquiring a onetime Norwalk company that struggled as a public company to build a business publishing Securities and Exchange Commission documents online and extracting data from filings. R.R. Donnelley is spending $70.5 million for EDGAR Online Inc., which takes its name from the SEC’s EDGAR database. EDGAR Online lost $9.8 million last year as sales rose 43 percent to $27.8 million; the company has never reported a profit and at the end of last year had an accumulated deficit totaling $86 million. Last year EDGAR Online designated Rockville, Md. as its new headquarters, having been based in Norwalk since its 1995 inception as Cybernet Data Systems Inc.

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A mind is responsible for the traffic light, the blood bank, ice cream, peanut butter, the doorknob, the microphone, the elevator, clothes dryer, lawn mower, pacemaker, the typewriter, guided missile, mailbox, the air conditioner, automatic transmission, curtain rod, baby carriage, lawn sprinkler, fountain pen, dust pan, the hand stamp, first open-heart surgery, cataract laser, fire extinguisher, doorstop, home security camera, the golf tee, fire escape, potato chip, food preservation, synthesized cortisone, the guitar, railroad telegraphy, envelope seal, printing press, bicycle frame, rocket catapult, insect destroyer gun, ice cream scoop, window cleaner, laser fuels, folding chair, gas mask, mop, refrigerator, pressing comb, urinalysis machine, door lock, electric cutoff switch, telephone transmitter, stair-climbing wheelchair, hairbrush, egg beater, eye protector, electric lamp bulb, biscuit cutter, chamber commode, almanac, horse shoe, lunch pail, motor, lantern, key chain, furniture caster, ironing board, sugar-refining system, lemon squeezer, portable weighing scales, wrench, airplane propeller, ore bucket, steam boiler, portable x-ray machine, cotton chopper fertilizer, street sweeper, cattle-roping apparatus, spark plug, galoshes, casketlowering device, clothes wringer, disrail car coupling, riding saddles, and so on and so on. The list is endless. Indeed, it’s time to stop and celebrate the fact that each and every one of the wonderful innovations mentioned here came from the mind. The mind of an African American. By supporting minority education, you keep open the possibility of tomorrow’s great ideas. Because of all the things that the human mind has created, perhaps the most amazing is the one that has yet to be created. And that possibility is a terrible thing to waste.

To support and to learn more about great African American innovators, please visit us at www.uncf.org or call 1-800-332-UNCF.

First Niagara signs go up First Niagara Financial Group Inc. completed its acquisition of HSBC Bank branches in Connecticut and upstate New York, overnight more than doubling its base of business in Fairfield County. HSBC entered the Fairfield County market in 2007, and in just two years built a deposit base of more than $600 million at 10 branches before deciding to divest its area retail banks. Last year Buffalo-based First Niagara acquired NewAlliance Bank, picking up eight branches with more than $266 million in deposits as of June 2011 when it announced the HSBC deal.

Loan market ‘average’ Three in four companies polled in April said credit availability was not a problem for their businesses, according to the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and Farmington Bank. Just 15 percent of respondents rated current conditions as either good or excellent, while 47 percent rated current credit conditions as average. About 38 percent stated that current credit conditions were either poor or fair. When asked about the types of financ-

With jury selection in mid-May, federal prosecutors began their trial of Westport resident Rajat Gupta, who says he is innocent of insider trading charges in the ongoing Galleon Group hedge fund probe. Gupta is a former head of McKinsey & Co. and onetime board member of AMR Corp., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co. Prosecutors say they have evidence, including wiretaps, showing that Gupta passed Galleon Group founder Raj Rajaratnam tips on public companies. Rajaratnam is serving an 11-year sentence for insider trading.

Catterton sells MonoSol Catterton Partners is selling off MonoSol L.L.C., a maker of water-soluble films that dissolve to release single doses of dishwasher and laundry detergents. Tokyo-based Kururay Co. Ltd. did not disclose what it is paying Catterton, a Greenwich-based private equity company that focuses on consumer products. Catterton acquired Merrillville, Ind.based MonoSol in 2007, with the company employing 300 people today. Cascade ActionPacs and Tide Pods are among the consumer products that use its technology. In April, Catterton invested $20 million in NJOY, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based maker of “electronic cigarettes.” – Patrick Gallagher and Alexander Soule

Your #1 source for local business news

This space provided by Westfair Business Publications as a public service.

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18 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


Strong demand, but owners reluctant to sell BY RAMSEY GOODRICH

D

e m a n d for quality companies is incredibly strong today, but most business owners are staying on the sidelines at the moment. Recent conversations with reluctant business sellers have included a range of rationales for a delay in the sale of their businesses. Their justifications for waiting included everything from hopes of landing a contract from a potential new client to the European debt crisis to planning a birthday cruise for a wife. Psychologically, business owners seem to be holding out to sell at the peak. While in general middle-market businesses have rebounded well since the 2008-2009 crisis, most owners seem to be holding out until they exceed their 2007 record highs in order to maximize value. Surprisingly, this strategy may not be the best answer in today’s market.

The market demand Within this recovering economy, businesses have increased their profitability and currently have higher cash balances than ever before. According to FactSet Research, there is more than $1.2 trillion in cash in the S&P 500 at the moment (not including the financial sector), the highest amount ever both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of assets. Strategic buyers, who are hungry for growth and innovation, are looking at M&A as a way to buy it rather than build it. Private equity (PE) buyers also have hoards of cash. Pitchbook.com estimates that PE investors have more than $425 billion in unused capital, mainly in middlemarket funds. With the dearth of dealmaking for the last couple of years, investors are facing increasing pressure to invest that capital. There is a strong demand for companies with scale in today’s market. Companies with more than $10 million in profits are being valued at higher multiples than smaller companies because of their stability and lower perceived risk. Middle-market PE investors are similarly seeking companies with at least $5 million in profits as new platform companies. Smaller companies have to demonstrate a

strong strategic fit or compelling growth prospects to command a premium today.

Supply shortage Deal flow has been sluggish for so far this year with dealmaking in North America down almost 10 percent in volume and 26 percent in total deal value, as reported on mergermarket.com. This is a result of business owners waiting on the sidelines. Interestingly, private equity firms selling their portfolio companies are on the rise. These professional investors, who buy and sell companies for a living, are divesting their businesses now and taking advantage of this increased demand. Strategic buyers and private equity investors today are taking longer to close their acquisitions as they are performing more due diligence and being more careful. As a result, a disciplined sale process can take six months or more. The supply and demand imbalance may not last long as most experts are predicting strong deal flow for the second half of the year. As the supply of deal flow increases, buyers are likely to become more selective and pass on mediocre opportunities or at least lower the valuations of their offers. These buyers and investors only have a fixed number of hours in their day to review opportunities and will be forced to focus only on the best deals on their desks.

Tax considerations Absent an extension by Congress, today’s unusually favorable tax environment is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2012, when increased taxes on capital gains and unearned income and a range of new taxes go into effect. For certain business owners, selling in 2012 versus 2013 could mean saving as much as an extra $1 million in taxes for every $10 million in taxable gain. Unless Congress acts with purpose and is able to pass sweeping tax reforms immediately following the upcoming presidential election, owners can expect to pocket a lot less from their lifetime of work if they wait too long to act. By waiting much longer, that birthday cruise may end up costing a lot more. Ramsey Goodrich is managing director and partner at Carter Morse & Mathias in Southport and chairman of the Connecticut chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. He can be reached at rgoodrich@ cartermorse.com.

Enabling my business. “Creating smiles is my passion, but being involved in the community and with our patients and their families is what I love most. It was a natural fit to go to Union Savings Bank. I was able to bring my business, checking, and merchant accounts to the bank, and also restructure loans to coincide with the building of my new location. But it’s not just about business; Union Savings Bank’s commitment to the community matches my philosophy. It’s that type of connection that makes doing business with Union Savings Bank so easy.” Dr. Joshua E. Baum Joshua E. Baum Orthodontics Cash Management • Commercial Lending • Electronic Banking Merchant Services • Wealth Management

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FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 19


Corporate Finance

What startup hedge funds need to know BY HENRY PHILLIPS

hedge fund assets in 2011 after New York City and London. Managers should ask themselves the following questions: • Will the strategies and products we trade tomorrow be the same as today? • How do we evaluate and select the right service providers? • Should we consider using multiple prime brokers? If so, how will we consolidate data? • What are the options and implications of outsourcing? • To what extent should we “shadow” our administrator to ascertain that net asset value and other calculations are correct? • Do we have the right technology platform to deal with future growth in size and

I

nvestor interest in seeding and emerging hedge fund managers is set to rise this year. Rather than focus exclusively on shortterm goals, emerging hedge fund managers should define a long-term vision and strategy designed to attract and retain capital and talented resources. This particularly rings true in the crowded Connecticut market, which was ranked by CityUK as the third-largest owner of

complexity? • Is our team structured correctly with the appropriate skill sets? • Are our compensation structures able to incent and retain our people? Increased regulation in the hedge fund industry, coupled with growing investor demands for full compliance, has the industry at a crossroads and is creating significant pressure for hedge funds to reevaluate their current compliance programs. For example, tax issues do not often take center stage in the hedge fund industry, but a confluence of factors has made tax issues particularly relevant. This is a trend that is likely to continue. Months of congressional debates over deficit reduction have kept alive the possibility of tax increases. Other tax-

SAVORY

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For 160 years, First County Bank has been operating under a set of guiding principles that have been core to our philosophy and success. These are the principles that have kept us financially strong and committed to helping local businesses. This stability-minded philosophy of “doing what’s right” is what makes our approach to banking fresh. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, we offer a comprehensive range of business banking services: • Commercial Loans and Lines of Credit • Commercial Mortgages • Cash Management Services • Business Checking • Money Market Savings Accounts • Business Check Cards and Credit Cards • Online and Telephone Banking Services • Employee Banking Services

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compliance issues facing the industry are the impact of the Affordable Care Act and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Also, changes in regulatory reporting requirements may prove a challenge for the hedge fund industry, whether it is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Form PF or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s change in filing exemptions. New managers should understand the regulation impacting the industry and see if their organization has appropriate resources to build a comprehensive compliance framework. Many hedge funds are beginning to understand the importance of establishing their own risk management framework and how it can contribute to enhanced success. The evaluation should consider, at a minimum, market, liquidity, leverage, counterparty and operational risks. New managers should think about what their appropriate risk appetite is. Five years ago, the presence of a CFO or chief operating officer (COO) at a hedge fund might have been considered optional, but now it can be viewed as a business necessity. Investors and regulators are constantly demanding information and evidence of internal controls. Regulators and institutional investors expect emerging funds to be able to operate and provide the same level of control and transparency as mature funds, while also being nimble and adaptable to change. Startup funds should consider hiring a COO or CFO from the beginning. This role should be filled by an experienced financial and operations manager who can work closely with the portfolio manager. New managers need to focus on making smart trades, not working on issues where they are not experts. Conversely, the CFO or COO should ensure that the business is scaled to support the asset size and trading portfolio that is envisioned by the manager. The hedge fund industry is large and growing, exceeding $2 trillion globally in 2011, and the number of funds continues to grow. Success should come to those industry players willing to raise their game and who are able to thrive under pressure – with the right people and infrastructures in place and attention to regulatory requirements and risk management. Henry Phillips is Deloitte’s Northeast regional managing partner and lives in Ridgefield. He can be reached at officeofthermpnortheast@deloitte.com.

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Are CFOs the real CEOs? Find out what our panel of experts has to say. JUNE 26

11:30 a.m. buffet lunch Program begins at noon at 1133 Westchester Ave. White Plains, NY A roundtable conversation presented by Westfair Communications Inc.

Westchester County Business Journal Fairfield County Business Journal • HV Biz • WAG

Lots of advisors suit up, show up and keep up. But how many know when to speak up?

Register now. Space is limited. Email Beverly Visosky at bvisosky@westfairinc.com or go to westfaironline.com/CFOs

Team McGladrey Golfer Zach Johnson and his caddie, Damon Green.

Power comes from being understood.

SM

A strong strategic partner should know you and your organization well enough to know when to step up with insights, suggestions and fresh ideas. And when you trust the advice you’re getting, you know your next move is the right move. This is the power of being understood. This is McGladrey.

Sponsors

Experience the power. Visit our Events page on mcgladrey.com to register for our June 13 Tax Summit in Stamford. For more information, contact Connecticut Office Managing Partner Tony Ceci at 203.905.5000.

© 2012 McGladrey LLP. All Rights Reserved.

next roundtable • fit for life and work • July 26 FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 21


Shakespeare on the Sound

“Romeo and Juliet” will be Shakespeare on the Sound’s production for our 17th season. Audiences will experience a newly conceived production directed by Artistic Director Joanna Settle with all new music and songs by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. This creatively inventive production finds us at a dinner party among eight friends who have a tradition of reading a Shakespeare play. Over the course of reading the play, the story will take over and our guests both onstage and off will find themselves completely consumed by the momentum and poetry of the events. This most well-known and classic romance is not the Shakespeare that we met in school, but the Shakespeare that has become a part of our lives. This Shakespeare for today draws from our lives, as we will discover bit by bit how much of him is already a part of us. We will be taken on a unique experience, which Shakespeare on the Sound has become known for, establishing us as one of the most popular professional theater companies in the country. In addition, we have been very busy with our educational outreach programs across Fairfield County. Our education department just completed a new anti-bullying program called “Speaking Daggers” in five schools; we’ve just accepted 12 young aspiring artists into our apprentice company and we’ve been touring local high schools and elementary schools introducing students to Shakespeare. Our summer camps will have new offerings, expanding existing programs and the creation of several new programs. We look forward to seeing you in the parks this summer as you sit with hundreds of people, all sharing one magnificent and special evening of theater under the stars. The play will b shown at Baldwin Park in Greenwich, June 26 through July 8, and at Pinkney Park in Rowayton, July 18 to 29 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit shakespeareonthesound.org for more information. Steven Yuhasz Shakespeare on the Sound Member, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County

The mission of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is to support cultural organizations, artists and creative businesses by providing promotion, services and advocacy. For more information, visit CulturalAllianceFC.org or email infoCulturalAllianceFC.org or call 256-2329. For events lists, visit FCBuzz.org.

FCBUZZ

Arts & Culture of Fairfield County

Skipper

BIG GUESTS FOR ZOO EVENT Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is kicking off its “90 Days of Summer” celebration in a big way with the arrival of two giant tortoises. Thanks to Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas; Professor, a Galapagos tortoise weighing 416 pounds; and Skipper, an Aldabra tortoise weighing a whopping 537 pounds; are making Beardsley Zoo their home for the summer. These reptiles are the largest tortoises in the world, with lengths exceeding five feet and weighing up to 650 pounds, but do not reach their full size until they are 40 years old. Galapagos tortoises are from islands about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador. They are

one of the longest-lived vertebrates, living more than 100 years in some cases. Unfortunately, Galapagos tortoises are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Of the 13 known species of Galapagos tortoises, only 11 are left today. The Beardsley Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult admission (ages 12 and older) is $12, children (ages 3 to 11) and senior admission (62 and older) is $10 and children under 3 are free. Zoo members are also admitted free. For more information, call 394-6565. The zoo is at 1875 Noble Ave. in Bridgeport.

THE RICH ARE DIFFERENT A comedy as relevant today as when it was penned, “The Bread Winner” by W. Somerset Maugham, the author of “The Circle” and “The Constant Wife,” will be presented as a script-in-hand play reading June 25, 7 p.m., Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport. The reading will be directed by Anne Keefe, artistic adviser, who is also curator of the script-in-hand series. Casting will be announced soon. Tickets to the event are $15. “The Bread Winner” tells a tale of affluent families in 1930 suburban London. When spoiled children find their parents boring and entitled wives take

their spouses for granted, what are hassled and overworked husbands to do? These self-absorbed lives are shaken to the core when one husband makes a shocking decision in this timely, comic satire about wealth and privilege. Playwright W. Somerset Maugham was one of the most prolific and varied writers of the 20th century. Among his many works, some of which were made into films, are “Of Human Bondage,” “The Moon and Sixpence,” “The Painted Veil,” “The Razor’s Edge” and “The Constant Wife.” For more information, visit westportplayhouse.org.

Visit FCBuzz.org for more information on events and how to get listed. 22 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com

Presented by: Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County


on the record Attachments GFYS L.L.C. and Vincent Mangano, Bridgeport. $75,000 in favor of Fairfield Jetland L.L.C., Fairfield. Property: 193 Wilson St., Bridgeport. Filed May 8.

Building Permits

Commercial

AP Construction, Stamford, contractor for Stamford Exit 9 III L.L.C. Perform alterations at an Bankruptcies existing commercial building, 1 Blachley Road, Stamford. EstimatThe following petition was filed in ed cost: $500,000. Filed May 1. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Bridgeport. Chapter 11 indicates the filer intends to submit a plan of reorga- Avalon Bay Community, Shelton, nization to the court. Chapter 7 in- contractor for Avalon Properties Inc. Replace the pool deck at muldicates a liquidation of assets. tifamily housing at 96 Glenbrook Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: Winsted Tire and Auto Sales $65,000. Filed May 9. L.L.C., 111 Torringford St., Unit 46, Winsted. Chapter 7, filed May 10, case no. 12-50871. Assets: less Becker, Scott, Trumbull, contracthan $50,000. Liabilities: less than tor for KMB Properties L.L.C. $50,000. Creditors: Town Fair Tire, Perform interior renovations at an $14,162; Irving Levine Automo- existing commercial building, 3296 tive, $8,212; Levine Paint & Auto Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated Supply, $7,982; BWP Carquest Dis- cost: $150,000. Filed May 4. tributors, $5,607. Type of business: limited liability company. Debtor’s attorney: Ronald I. Chorches, Law Bedford West Holdings L.L.C. Offices of Ronald I. Chorches Perform alterations at an existing commercial building, 154 BedL.L.C., Wethersfield. ford St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $124,190. Filed May 3. Items appearing in the Fairfield County Business Journal’s On The Record section are compiled from various sources, including public records made available to the media by federal, state and municipal agencies and the court system. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no liability is assumed for errors or omissions. In the case of legal action, the records cited are open to public scrutiny and should be inspected before any action is taken. Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 3 Gannett Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: (914)694-3600 Fax: (914)694-3680

Bismark Construction Co., Milford, contractor for Greenwich Hospital. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $450,000. Filed April 20.

Horan Construction Corp., Mineola, N.Y., contractor for Watson Enterprises Inc. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant Mercedes-Benz at 217 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $550,000. Filed April 20.

Menemsha Development Group, Hawthorne, Calif., contractor for AKS Capital Holdings Corp. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant Citibank at 453 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $470,000. Filed April 17.

Signature Construction, Stamford, contractor for One Stamford Plaza Owner L.L.C. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 263 Tresser Blvd., Stamford. Estimated cost: $1.5 million. Filed May 10.

Hyatt Regency Greenwich L.P. Construct a special-event tent at 1800 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed April 9.

Palmer Hill Partners L.L.C. Construct new multifamily housing units at 77 Havemeyer Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $920,900. Filed May 10.

Signature Construction, Stamford, contractor for TSI Realty Co. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 1241 E. Main St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $1.2 million. Filed May 1.

L&M Company, Port Chester, N.Y., contractor for Greenwich Lodge. Perform exterior renovations at an existing commercial building 47 Lafayette Place, Unit 6B, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $167,000. Filed April 13.

Pavarini Construction, Stamford, contractor for GRC Realty Corp. Perform renovations at an existing commercial building 600 Steamboat Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2 million. Filed April 5.

Landis Partners Inc., Greenwich, contractor for Greenwich Centre L.P. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building 1700 R. Putnam Ave., Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $70,000. Filed April 25. Loft Construction, Stamford, contractor for HPHV Direct L.L.C. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 208 Harbor Drive, Stamford. Estimated cost: $75,123. Filed May 10.

Malkin Construction Corp., Stamford, contractor for First Stamford Place SPE L.L.C. Perform interior renovations at an existing commercial building, 151 Greenwich Ave., Stamford. Estimated F. W. Madigan Company Inc., cost: $55,000. Filed May 2. Worcester, Mass., contractor for J&G Realty L.L.C. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant Malkin Construction Corp., Fedex at 24 Ardmore Road, Stam- Stamford, contractor for First ford. Estimated cost: $95,000. Filed Stamford Place SPE L.L.C. Fit out May 4. an existing commercial space for tenant Vista Partners at 151 Greenwich Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $165,000. Filed May 10.

Precision Aquatics Group L.L.C., Stamford, contractor for HPC Six L.L.C. Install an in-ground pool and enclosure at an existing commercial building, Walter Wheeler Drive, Stamford. Estimated cost: $350,000. Filed April 30. Saugatuck Construction Group, Stamford, contractor for Cortese Real Estate L.L.C. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant C4 Training at 469 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $165,000. Filed April 3. Saugatuck Construction Group, Stamford, contractor for GFC Fawcett L.L.C. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant HB Nitkin Group at 230 Mason St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $270,000. Filed April 24. Signature Construction, Stamford, contractor for 177 Broad Street Owner L.L.C. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 177 Broad St., Stamford. Estimated cost: $280,000. Filed May 1.

Starcko, William, Fall River, Mass., contractor for United Investments. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant CVS Pharmacy at 3710 Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed April 24.

Residential A. P. Savino L.L.C., Old Greenwich, contractor for Janeanne and William Neuenfeldt. Construct a new single-family residence at 176 Shore Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1.5 million. Filed April 16. Antonelli. John, Stamford, contractor for Sound Beach Properties. Re-roof an existing single-family residence at 191 Sound Beach, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $62,850. Filed April 11.

Baltray Company Inc., New Canaan, contractor for Julie and Kenneth Moore. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 200 Cognewaugh Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $250,000. Turner Construction, Milford, Filed April 26. contractor for Bridgeport Hospital. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 267 Bellette, Goitom. Construct addiGrant St., Bridgeport. Estimated tions and perform interior alteracost: $1.6 million. Filed May 4. tions at an existing single-family residence, 26 Vineyard Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $313,970. University of Bridgeport. Per- Filed April 27. form interior renovations at an existing commercial building, 374 Linden Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated Bellette, Goitom. Perform interior cost: $350,000. Filed May 10. renovations at an existing singlefamily residence, 967 Newfield Ave., Stamford. Estimated cost: $78,000. Weber, Harvey, Stamford, con- Filed May 9. tractor for 66 Field Point Realty L.L.C. Fit out an existing commercial space for tenant Meritage Betser, Irina. Perform interior Group L.L.C. at 66 Field Point renovations at an existing singleRoad, Greenwich. Estimated cost: family residence, 12 Longview Ave., $400,000. Filed April 4. Stamford. Estimated cost: $51,150. Filed May 1. Wernert Associates Inc., Cos Cob, contractor for the town of Greenwich. Construct a new fire department dormitory at 1 Horseneck Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $597,897. Filed April 24.

Cardinal Construction Corp., New Canaan, contractor for Ginbound L.L.C. Perform interior alterations at an existing single-family residence, 52 Doubling Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed April 2.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 23


on the record Cavaliere Industries, Stamford, contractor for Kenneth Lubash. Construct retaining walls at an existing single-family residence, 193 Shelter Rock Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed May 8. Certilman, Terri and Steven Certilman. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 111 Hillcrest Park Road, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $62,000. Filed April 27. Coppola, Dana and Maurizio Coppola. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 92 Little Hill Drive, Stamford. Estimated cost: $466,890. Filed May 7. Davenport Contracting Inc., Stamford, contractor for 16 Highgate Road L.L.C. Install an inground pool and enclosure at an existing single-family residence, 16 Highgate Road, Riverside. Estimated cost: $64,000. Filed April 10. Desiato, Christopher. Perform interior alterations at an existing single-family residence, 175 Prudence Drive, Stamford. Estimated cost: $84,000. Filed May 10. Dive-In Pool Service Inc., Shelton, contractor for Karen and Mark Goldberg. Install an in-ground pool and enclosure at an existing singlefamily residence, 10 Andrews Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $96,500. Filed April 26.

Hamilton, Patricia and Rayner Hamilton. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 136 Lower Cross Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed April 9.

Martins, Armando. Construct a new single-family residence at 9 Grenelle St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $98,000. Filed April 23.

Marze House & Decorative Painting L.L.C., Riverside, conHobbs Inc., New Canaan, con- tractor for Sarah Boles. Perform tractor for Cynthia Smith, trustee. interior alterations at an existing Construct a new tennis court and single-family residence, 8 Wildretaining wall at an existing single- wood Drive, Greenwich. Estimated family residence, 500 W. Putnam cost: $80,000. Filed April 12. Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed April 30. Millennium Construction Services, Rocky Hill, contractor for Jain, Vijay. Construct a new mod- Artspace Bridgeport. Perform inular single-family residence at 6 terior renovation at an existing sinGerald Court, Riverside. Estimated gle-family residence, 764 Madison cost: $215,000. Filed April 19. Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $75,900. Filed May 3. Jenkins, Linda and Arthur Jenkins. Install an in-ground pool and enclosure at an existing single-family residence, 251 Shore Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $90,000. Filed April 27.

Signature Pools, Norwalk, contractor for 38 Crown Lane L.L.C. Install an in-ground pool and enclosure at an existing single-family residence, 38 Crown Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $95,000. Filed April 25. Stephen C. Gidley Inc., Darien, contractor for Mita and Michael Spilo. Perform exterior renovations at an existing single-family residence, 386 North St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $134,900. Filed April 17. SWB & Associates, Norwalk, contractor for Lynn and David Gold. Construct additions and perform renovations at an existing singlefamily residence, 80 Katydid Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed April 30.

Palmer Hill Partners. Construct a new three-unit townhouse at 77 Havemeyer Lane, Stamford. Estimated cost: $920,900. Filed May 10. Trowbridge Building & Design Inc., New Canaan, contractor for Lauren Tyler and Stephen Prestige Construction, Riverside, Mersereau. Construct additions Joseph, Teresa. Perform interior contractor for Anthony Sanger- and perform alterations at an exrenovations at an existing single- mano. Perform interior alterations isting single-family residence, 914 family residence, 17 Ledge Road, and renovations at an existing sin- Rock Rimmon Road, Stamford. Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: gle-family residence, 140 Hamilton Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed $100,000. Filed April 4. Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: April 27. $75,000. Filed April 16. Kaali-Nagy Development Corp., New Canaan, contractor for Ilona and Damien Kaali-Nagy. Construct a new single-family residence at 16 Walsh Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1.1 million. Filed April 2.

Kevin O’Brien Design L.L.C., Cos Cob, contractor for Linda and Emerald Isle Construction David Hoffman. Perform interior L.L.C., Stamford, contractor for renovations at an existing singleVictoria and Raphael Gonzalez. family residence, 10 Normandy Perform renovations at an existing Lane, Riverside. Estimated cost: single-family residence, 70 Bush $70,000. Filed April 23. Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $150,000. Filed April 2. Knight & Grabowski, Stamford, contractor for Orchard K&G AssoForm Ltd., Greenwich, contrac- ciates. Perform interior demolition tor for Alicia and Robert Petrini. at an existing single-family resiPerform interior renovations at an dence, 40 Lenox Ave., Stamford. Esexisting single-family residence, 25 timated cost: $51,342. Filed May 8. Thunder Mountain Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $110,000. Larocca, Anthony. Construct an Filed April 12. addition at an existing single-family residence, 88 Roosevelt Ave., StamForm Ltd., Greenwich, contractor ford. Estimated cost: $96,300. Filed for Richard Smith. Perform interior May 11. renovations at an existing singlefamily residence, 99 Round Hill Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: Lee Schettino Construction L.L.C., New Canaan, contractor for $240,000. Filed April 19. North Maple Realty. Construct a pool pavilion at an existing singleGillespie, Kevin. Construct addi- family residence, 456 N. Maple tions and perform alterations at an Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: existing single-family residence, 62 $100,000. Filed April 13. Sinawoy Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed April 3. The Maple Group Inc., Bedford, N.Y., contractor for Sandra and Habitat for Humanity. Construct Ashley Honey. Construct an ada new single-family residence at 348 dition at an existing single-family Wilmot Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated residence, 51 Ridge St., Greenwich. cost: $90,000. Filed May 7. Estimated cost: $140,000. Filed April 10.

Putnam Tennis and Recreation L.L.C., Harwinton, contractor for Kara and Frank Skibo. Construct a new tennis court at an existing single-family residence, 1 Topping Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $65,000. Filed April 11.

Valdovinos, Jose, Bridgeport, contractor for Michael Kovner. Perform interior renovations at an existing single-family residence, 25 Wilshire Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed April 30.

Court Cases

Bridgeport Superior Court Beechwood Properties L.L.C., Bridgeport. Filed by Patricia Safford, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Miller Rosnick D’Amico August & Butler, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff alleges that she fell while visiting the defendant’s premises as the result of an unsafe condition arising from negligence on the part of the defendant, its agents and employees, which caused her to suffer serious, painful injuries and to incur substantial medical expenses. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 9. Case no. CV126026457. Connecticut Express Shuttle L.L.C., Hartford. Filed by North American Specialty Insurance Co., Sarasota, Fla. Plaintiff’s attorney: Donald H. Tamis, Seymour. Action: The plaintiff alleges that it provided workmen’s compensation insurance to the defendant during the period from June 2009 through June 2010 and that related premiums of $13,502 remain outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed March 27. Case no. CV126026202.

Veliz, Herbert. Construct an addition at an existing single-family resRadman, Nikola, Westport, idence, 186 Highview Ave., Stamcontractor for Ten Jia-Mang. ford. Estimated cost: $262,140. Global Financial Credit L.L.C., Hartford. Filed by Veronica Barrett, Construct a new single-fam- Filed May 9. Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: ily residence at 63 Winthrop Willcutts Law Group L.L.C., HartDrive, Riverside. Estimated cost: Waters Edge Pools, Stamford, ford. Action: The plaintiff alleges $550,000. Filed April 18. contractor for Olive and James that the defendant has made excesDoyle. Install an in-ground pool sive demands for reimbursement of Rosa Carpentry Inc., Greenwich, and enclosure at an existing single- its advances against her civil suit by contractor for Robin and Gregory family residence, 39 W. Hill Road, appropriating her entire settlement, Zorthian. Perform interior renova- Stamford. Estimated cost: $70,074. constituting a breach of contract tions at an existing single-family Filed May 1. by the defendant that caused the residence, 6 Dogwood Lane, Greenplaintiff to incur a financial loss. wich. Estimated cost: $70,000. Filed The plaintiff seeks damages in exWestchester Modular Homes of cess of $15,000 plus applicable costs April 23. Fairfield County, Bethel, contrac- and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed tor for Roseanne and Mark San- April 3. Case no. CV126026353. Schoen Associates, Darien, con- ford. Construct a new modular tractor for Daniel McLeod. Perform single-family residence at 91 Malinterior renovations at an existing lard Drive, Greenwich. Estimated The Harty Press Inc., New Hasingle-family residence, 444 Sound- cost: $500,000. Filed April 5. ven. Filed by Oxford Health Plans, view Ave., Stamford. Estimated Trumbull. Plaintiff’s attorney: Robcost: $65,250. Filed April 30. inson & Cole, Stamford. Action: White Birch Builders L.L.C., The plaintiff alleges that it provided Greenwich, contractor for Chantal health insurance coverage to the deScott, Margery and Gavin Scott. Erensen. Perform interior renova- fendant and that related premiums Construct a new single-family tions at an existing single-family of $37,789 remain outstanding residence at 136 Parsonage Road, residence, 154 North St., Green- and past due from the defendant Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1.5 wich. Estimated cost: $88,000. Filed despite repeated requests for paymillion. Filed April 18. April 3. ment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and Shoreline Pools, Stamford, conreasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed tractor for Jeannette and Patrick April 9. Case no. CV126026466. Brilliant. Install an in-ground pool and enclosure at an existing singlefamily residence, 480 Den Road, Stamford. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed May 1.

24 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com

Norwalk Hotel Management L.L.C., et al., Shelton, et al. Filed by Niki Mirtsi, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Riccardo L. Pate, Westport. Action: The plaintiff alleges that she was subject to sexual harassment by her supervisor during her employment with the defendant Norwalk Hotel Management and that the supervisor filmed and distributed their sex acts, causing her to suffer extreme emotional stress. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 3. Case no. CV126026342. OLM L.L.C., Milford. Filed by The Pitney Bowes Bank Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sugarmann & Sugarmann, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendant and that $22,507 relating to those deliveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 9. Case no. CV126026445. The Procter & Gamble Co., et al., Cincinnati, Ohio. Filed by Susan Umstatter, Stratford. Plaintiff’s attorney: David Laudano, Stratford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that she suffered skin burns when she applied defective product that was negligently manufactured and marketed by the defendants, which caused her to suffer serious, painful injuries and to incur substantial medical expenses. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed March 27. Case no. CV126026210. Reda Renovations L.L.C., et al., Weston. Filed by Probuild Company L.L.C., East Hartford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Robert A. Ziegler, Plainville. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendants and that $21,153 relating to those de1iveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendants despite repeated requests for collection by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed March 28. Case no. CV126026219.


on the record Credits, Clients and Awards Citrin Cooperman, with offices in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, recently held a fundraiser to benefit Toys for Tots and One Warm Coat. Its Norwalk office collected the most ––more than 650 toys, 300 coats and $6,600 for the organizations. The branch was awarded a breakfast by the company’s founder and managing partner Joel Cooperman. Martin Earley of Oxford has been named the CAREGiver of the Month for May 2012 by Home Instead Senior Care (HISC) in Sandy Hook and Trumbull. Earley was recognized for his outstanding care toward senior citizens as he assists them in personal care, meal preparation and other elements of their everyday lives.

Stamford Hospital has received a record 15 awards from the New England Society for Healthcare Communications’ (NESHCo) Lamplighters awards program. The hospital received more awards than any hospital or health care system –– eight gold awards, three silver and four awards of excellence. The Lamplighters was established in 1974 to showcase and honor excellence in health care communications and marketing in the New England region.

Robin Frederick was recently inducted as a member of the JCC Association of North America’s executive committee, as associate secretary. Frederick, a partner with Shipman & Goodwin L.L.P., based at its Stamford office, has been on the JCC Association Board of Directors since 2006 and is a past president of the Stamford Jewish Community Center.

Snapshot The Ability Beyond Disability “2012 Up, Up and Away Gala,” held at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury, attracted more that 600 guests. More than $775,000 was raised in support of people with disabilities.

Gregory Pastor of Rye Brook has joined TD Bank as vice president in commercial lending in Wilton. Prior to joining TD Bank, he served as a commercial lender at The Bank of New Canaan in New Canaan and at theFairfield County Bank in Ridgefield. Pastor graduated from Fairfield University and holds a MBA from Fordham University. Harriette R. Trevino of Monroe has been named community service coordinator for the Home Instead Senior Care offices in Trumbull and Sandy Hook. Trevino is co-founder and CEO of Bull’s Head Printers of Stamford and Monroe. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester in Rochester.

On the Go: Business, Etc.

Edward Jones, a financial services firm in Stamford has been named Firm of the Year by Money Management Institute, the naSaturday, June 9 tional association for the managed investment solutions and wealth management industry. The firm was awarded at the institute’s an- “Upholding the Law Without an HR Department,” 9:15 to nual Gateway to Leadership awards dinner for its outstanding suc- 10:45 a.m., Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull. $299. cess and sustainability in the industry. For information, call (800) 596-7040. Prudential Connecticut Realty recently recognized the top sales executives in its Norwalk office. Jo Deupree received the Top Selling Award. Jeff Gagliardo received was named Top Listing Agent.

Wednesday, June 13 Microsoft Excel Workshop, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Four Points Sheraton, 426 Main Ave., Norwalk. $149. For information, call (800) Stew Leonard Jr. was honored with the Robert S. Young Humanitarian 867-4340. Award for his positive contributions to the community.

“Upholding the Law Without an HR Department,” 7:45 to 9:15 a.m., Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. $299. For information, call (800) 596-7040.

Information for these features has been provided by the subjects or their delegates

Newsmakers Viking Construction Inc. in Bridgeport has completed the installation of solar panels, which now generate about 30 percent of its energy needs. The 126 Siliken Solar power panels will allow the company to save an estimated 2.5 barrels of oil a week. This installation also helps Viking meet some of its Energy Star partnership requirements.

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on the record United Clothes Recyclers, Bridgeport. Filed by WR CT Avenue L.L.C., Yonkers, N.Y. Plaintiff’s attorney: Rosenberg & Press L.L.C., Stratford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendant failed to observe payment terms of a June 2010 lease agreement between the parties and that $15,138 relating to that agreement remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 3. Case no. CV126026344. Vivirito Brothers L.L.C., et al., Trumbull, et al. Filed by Rising Phoenix L.L.C., Stratford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Anthony D. Truglia, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that it is the owner of a November 2007 $65,000 note issued by the defendant Vivirito Brothers, for which payment was guaranteed by co-defendants, and that $16,360 relating to that note remains outstanding and past due from the defendants despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 5. Case no. CV126026434.

Danbury Superior Court Community Power and Utility L.L.C., Brookfield. Filed by Brian Wittman, Brookfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Thomas K. McDonough, Waterbury. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendant failed to observe payment terms of a June 2010 consulting agreement between the parties and that, as a result, at least $10,000 remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed May 1. Case no. CV126009346. Green Star Energy Solutions L.L.C., Brookfield. Filed by Accountemps Division of Robert Half International, Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Weinstein Weiner Ignal Vogel & Shapiro P.C., Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendant and that $10,759 relating to those deliveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed May 1. Case no. CV126009337.

Kitchen Warehouse Inc., Danbury. Filed by Berkshire Broadcasting Corp., Danbury. Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher G. Winans, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendant and that $10,500 relating to those deliveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 30. Case no. CV126009330.

Stamford Superior Court

Collective Design Associates L.L.C., et al., Westport, et al. Filed by Stonington Water Street Associates L.L.C., Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Neubert Pepe & Monteith P.C., New Haven. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendant failed to adequately supervise construction in accordance with a March 2002 contract among the parties, which has exposed it to legal action and prospective financial loss. The plaintiff seeks a court order assigning responsibilMark Edwards Roofing & Siding ity for claims against it, if upheld, L.L.C., et al., Newtown. Filed by plus applicable costs and reasonAmeriprise, De Pere, Wis. Plaintiff’s able attorneys’ fees. Filed April 23. attorney: Joel M. Jolles, Hamden. Case no. CV126013695. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendants’ faulty installation and repair procedures caused damage Conroy Irrigation Inc., et al., to its insured’s premises for which Norwalk, et al. Filed by Allstate Init was obliged to reimburse its in- surance Co., Farmington. Plaintiff’s sured. The plaintiff seeks to recover attorney: Law Offices of Ruddell J. amounts paid to its insured in its Preston, South Glastonbury. Acrole as subrogee for the insured tion: The plaintiff alleges that the plus interest, costs and reason- defendants’ negligent installation of able attorneys’ fees. Filed May 1. pumping equipment damaged its insured’s premises and effects and Case no. CV126009343. that it was obliged to reimburse its insured for the damages. The plainPorco Construction Company tiff seeks recovery of amounts paid Inc., Sandy Hook. Filed by Joshua to its insured in its role as subrogee Miller p.p.a. Larry Miller, Sandy for the insured plus interest, costs Hook. Plaintiff’s attorney: Maher and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed & Murtha, Bridgeport. Action: April 25. Case no. CV126013709. The plaintiffs allege that the minor plaintiff Joshua Miller was struck by blown fencing while a busi- JBS USC L.L.C., et al., Greeley, ness invitee on premises owned or Colo., et al. Filed by Dorith Maotherwise under control of the de- rom, Westport. Plaintiff’s attorney: fendants as the result of an unsafe Eric V. Flam, Westport. Action: The condition arising from negligent plaintiff alleges that the defendants operating procedures on the part failed to pay her an agreed bonus of the defendants, their agents after her resignation, which has and employees, which caused him caused her to incur a substantial to suffer serious, painful injuries financial loss. The plaintiff seeks and to incur substantial medi- damages in excess of $15,000 cal expenses. The plaintiff seeks plus applicable costs and reasondamages in excess of $15,000 able attorneys’ fees. Filed April 24. plus applicable costs and reason- Case no. CV126013696. able attorneys’ fees. Filed May 2. Case no. CV126009355. Namrata & Preet L.L.C., et al., Stamford, et al. Filed by Vincent RJ’s Auto Sales & Service Sta- Gilleski, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attortion L.L.C., et al., Bethel. Filed by ney: Law Offices of John J. LaCava, Rapid Advance L.L.C., Bethesda, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff Md. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jacobs & alleges that she fell while visiting Rozich L.L.C., New Haven. Action: premises owned or otherwise unThe plaintiff alleges that during der control of the defendants as the April 2010 it received a judgment in result of an unsafe condition arising its favor against the defendants and from negligence on the part of the that $10,681 relating to that judg- defendants, their agents and emment remains outstanding and past ployees, which caused her to suffer due from the defendants despite re- serious, painful injuries and to inpeated requests for payment by the cur substantial medical expenses. plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repay- The plaintiff seeks damages in exment of all outstanding amounts cess of $15,000 plus applicable costs plus interest, costs and reason- and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed able attorneys’ fees. Filed April 30. April 24. Case no. CV126013698. Case no. CV126009332.

Lincoln College of New England. Filed by Heather Girard. Plaintiff’s attorney: William S. Palmieri. Action: claim filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Filed May 11. Case no. 12CV00703.

Tritex Real Estate Advisors Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association, McLean, Va. Property: 42 Dean Place, Bridgeport. Amount: $1.6 million. Filed May 8.

Unicco Operations Co. Filed by Peter Torrano. Plaintiff’s attorney: John S. Rubrich. Action: claim filed for notice of removal of an existing action to an alternative venue. Filed May 15. Case no. 12CV00722.

Tritex Real Estate Advisors Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association, McLean, Va. Property: 335 Benham Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $485,324. Filed May 8.

Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., et al. Filed by United Steel Inc. Plaintiff’s attorney: Steven Tarala Electric Co., Norwalk. Filed B. Kaplan. Action: claim filed for by Camellia Sinensis L.L.C., Green- breach of contract. Filed 05/09. wich. Plaintiff’s attorney: Men- Case no. 12CV00695. achem M. Sandman, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff alleges that Winn Managed Properties L.L.C. the defendant failed to complete Filed by Steven Wuerth. Plaintiff’s a July 2007 construction contract attorney: Richard E. Hayber. Acbetween the parties and that it in- tion: claim filed in connection with curred a substantial financial loss in employment discrimination. Filed order to complete the project with May 11. Case no. 12CV00707. a substitute contractor. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonDeeds able attorneys’ fees. Filed April 19. Case no. CV126013669.

Tritex Real Estate Advisors Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association, McLean, Va. Property: 1148 William St., Bridgeport. Amount: $797,680. Filed May 8.

SBE Builders Inc., Westport. Filed by Mike Grbic Painting Corp., Greenwich. Plaintiff’s attorney: Mark Sank & Associates L.L.C., Stamford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendant and that $72,323 relating to those deliveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed April 18. Case no. CV126013642.

U.S. District Court Aon Risk Services Northeast Inc. Filed by O&G Industries Inc. Plaintiff’s attorney: Finley T. Harckham. Action: claim filed for breach of contract. Filed May 15. Case no. 12CV00723. C & J Entertainment L.L.C., et al. Filed by Broadcast Music Inc., et al. Plaintiff’s attorney: Michael J. Rye. Action: claim filed for copyright infringement. Filed May 14. Case no. 12CV00713. Cardiolumen Inc. Filed by Cantor Colburn L.L.P. Plaintiff’s attorney: Andrew C. Ryan. Action: claim filed for a declaratory judgment. Filed May 15. Case no. 12CV00719. Diversified Solutions Inc., et al. Filed by Garnet Analytics Inc. Plaintiff’s attorney: Tristan S. Cowperthwait and Christopher P. McCormack. Action: claim filed for breach of contract. Filed May 14. Case no. 12CV00716. Harbor Yard Sports and Entertainment L.L.C. Filed by Purple Starfish Productions L.L.C. Plaintiff’s attorney: Justin R. Clark. Action: claim filed for breach of contract. Filed 05/10. Case no. 12CV00697.

Commercial

Residential Brookman, Elena and Andrew Brookman, Greenwich. Seller: Elizabeth and Douglas Quinn, Frisco, Texas. Property: 55 Burning Tree Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1.7 million. Filed May 9.

Carroll, Felicia and George Carroll, Stamford. Seller: Janis and 20 West End Avenue L.L.C., Riv- John Turner, Stamford. Properside. Seller: Kimberly Jackson, erty: 123 Surrey Road, Stamford. Greenwich. Property: 20 West Amount: $775,000. Filed May 2. End Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $627,500. Filed May 9. Davies, Jacqueline and Karl Davies, Stamford. Seller: Thomas Vil29 Douglas Avenue L.L.C., Stam- lani, Stamford. Property: 222 Rocky ford. Seller: Elizabeth Baker, Stam- Rapids Road, Stamford. Amount: ford. Property: 29 Douglas Ave., $726,000. Filed May 3. Stamford. Amount: $405,000. Filed May 3. DeWalt, Stacy and Layne Grindal, Stamford. Seller: Hope Daley, Cummings Enterprises Inc., Greenwich. Property: 71 Perkins Stratford. Seller: Boston Avenue Road, Greenwich. Amount: $1.6 Inc., Stratford. Property: 2012 million. Filed May 14. Boston Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $125,000. Filed May 7. Felfe, Tess and Rohan Virmani, Greenwich. Seller: Joy Chou and Elvin L.L.C., Stamford. Seller: Lo Curtis Chen, Greenwich and TaiRusso Family L.P., Stamford. Prop- wan, respectively. Property: 77 erty: Stamford town map 11811, Sawmill Lane, Greenwich. Amount: Stamford. Amount: $1.1 million. $2.1 million. Filed May 11. Filed May 7. Gega, Albana, Stamford. Seller: Grady Enterprises of CT L.L.C., Aurora Loan Services L.L.C., AuPoughkeepsie, N.Y. Seller: Greco rora, Colo. Property: 40 HundLand Holdings II L.L.C., Cos Cob. ley Court, Stamford. Amount: Property: vicinity of Liberty Street, $350,000. Filed May 4. Stamford. Amount: $600,000. Filed May 3. Gega, Englantina, Greenwich. Seller: David Hvolbeck, Greenwich. Horton Street L.L.C., Stamford. Property: 281 Riversville Road, Seller: Raymond Interlandi, Stam- Greenwich. Amount: $725,000. ford. Property: 90 Horton St., Filed May 10. Stamford. Amount: $400,000. Filed May 3. Hammond, Ranie and Ogden Hammond, Greenwich. Seller: Murphy Brothers Landscaping Robert Julius, Greenwich. PropL.L.C., Cos Cob. Seller: CKC L.L.C., erty: 11 Hycliff Road, Greenwich. New Canaan. Property: 65 Liberty Amount: $1.9 million. Filed May 8. St., Stamford. Amount: $495,000. Filed May 4.

26 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com


on the record Helupka, Michael, Greenwich. Seller: the estate of Rita Blasé, Norwalk. Property: 282 Davis Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $400,000. Filed May 14.

Colon, Ruth, et al. Creditor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Property: 484 Colorado Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed May 8.

Judgments

Accurso, Nancy, Stamford. $1,065 in favor of Stamford Radiological Degaetano, Vincent, et al. Credi- Associates P.C., Stamford, by JoJudge, Josephine and Kevin tor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Proper- seph P. Latino. Property: 20 Ayres Judge, Old Greenwich. Seller: Au- ty: 16 Barnstable Lane, Greenwich. Drive, Stamford. Filed May 3. drey Salisbury, trustee, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed May 8. Property: 37 Old Kings Highway, Alcan, Denise, Stamford. $1,065 in Old Greenwich. Amount: $585,000. Garin, Mario, et al. Creditor: favor of Stamford Radiological AsFiled May 14. Wilmington Trust Co. Property: sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph 30 Glenbrook Road, Unit 6F, Stam- P. Latino. Property: 133 Webb Ave., Judson, Colette, Greenwich. Sell- ford. Mortgage default. Filed May 7. Stamford. Filed May 3. er: Stephanie and Timothy Cost, Greenwich. Property: 1 Milbank Ave., Unit 1A, Greenwich. Amount: Guarnieri, Rocco, et al. Creditor: Andrews, Jamesha, Stamford. Federal National Mortgage Asso- $635 in favor of Stamford Oral and $1.3 million. Filed May 11. ciation. Property: 42 Dean Place, Maxillofacial, Stamford, by Joseph Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed P. Latino. Property: 2 Leon Place, Kardamis, Diana and Dean Kar- May 8. Apt. 2, Stamford. Filed May 3. damis, Bridgeport. Seller: Susan Melson, Joanne Stein and Marylou Gould, trustees, Southport. Proper- Guarnieri, Rocco, et al. Creditor: Beede, David, Stamford. $2,354 in ty: 61 Anchorage Drive, Bridgeport. Federal National Mortgage Asso- favor of Stamford Radiological Asciation. Property: 1148 William St., sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph Amount: $467,500. Filed May 7. Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed P. Latino. Property: 143 Soundview May 8. Court, Stamford. Filed May 3. Lepoutre, Catherine, Old Greenwich. Seller: Rosemary Cronin, Riverside. Property: Unit 138, Old Hernandez, Miguel, et al. Credi- Bernadel, Rose, Stamford. $653 in Greenwich Gables, Old Greenwich. tor: Wells Fargo Bank N.A. Prop- favor of Stamford Radiological Aserty: 223 Cold Spring Road, Stam- sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph Amount: $840,000. Filed May 10. ford. Mortgage default. Filed May 3. P. Latino. Property: 125 William St., Apt. 1, Stamford. Filed May 3. Lionetti, Grace and Michael Lionetti, Stamford. Seller: the estate Kavicky, Martin, et al. Creditor: of Estelle Buch, Stamford. Prop- The Bank of New York Mellon. Carde, Soledad, Stamford. $598 in erty: 37 West View Lane, Stamford. Property: 70 Halliwell Drive, Stam- favor of Stamford Radiological Asford. Mortgage default. Filed May 4. sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph Amount: $400,000. Filed May 7. P. Latino. Property: 185 Lockwood Ave., Stamford. Filed May 4. Norinsky, Judith and Gary Tar- Longobardi, Debra, et al. Creditor: Mayfair Court Condominium. noff, Brooklyn, N.Y. Seller: Mikhail Mgaloblishvii, Great Britain. Prop- Property: 33 W. Putnam Ave., Ga- Cardillo, Pat and Pasquale Carerty: 290 Guinea Road, Stamford. rage 378, Greenwich. Delinquent dillo, Stamford. $527 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates Amount: $1.6 million. Filed May 7. common charges. Filed May 15. P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 37 Woodway Road, Apt. Nunn, Anne and Francis Nunn, Medina, Jose, et al. Creditor: Wells 1, Stamford. Filed May 3. Fargo Bank N.A. Property: 810 Stamford. Seller: 1318 Long Ridge Road L.L.C., Stamford. Property: Thorme St., Bridgeport. Mortgage Charleston, Antonio, Bridgeport. 1318 Long Ridge Road, Stamford. default. Filed May 7. $1,826 in favor of Stamford RadioAmount: $1.2 million. Filed May 4. logical Associates P.C., Stamford, Reyes, Omar, et al. Creditor: U.S. by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 80 Snyder, Kirsten and Charles Sny- Bank N.A., trustee. Property: 442 Sidney St., Bridgeport. Filed May 8. der, Stamford. Seller: Amy and Wells St., Bridgeport. Mortgage dePatrick O’Dea, Stamford. Prop- fault. Filed May 8. Davis, Abraham, Bridgeport. erty: 32 Elmbrook Drive, Stamford. $3,858 in favor of Bridgeport AnesAmount: $432,000. Filed May 4. Shafter, Richard, et al. Creditor: thesia, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. LaHousehold Realty Corp. Property: tino. Property: 1255 Chopsey Hill Zander, Aliona and Marc Felder, 99 Sylvan Knoll Road, Stamford. Road, Bridgeport. Filed May 8. Luxembourg, G.-D. Seller: Chris- Mortgage default. Filed May 7. topher Alexander, New York City. Property: 127 Greyrock Place, Unit U.S. Bank N.A., et al. Creditor: Decarlo, Robert, Stamford. $985 906, Stamford. Amount: $295,000. Tower Lien L.L.C. Property: 83 in favor of Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial, Stamford, by Joseph P. Filed May 3. Beecher St., Bridgeport. Delinquent Latino. Property: 57 Rachelle Ave., municipal taxes. Filed May 8. Stamford. Filed May 3.

Etemadfar, Alex, Stamford. $296 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 171 Dannell Drive, Stamford. Filed May 3.

Pesantes, Kleber, Stamford. $240 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 212 Wardwell St., Unit B, Stamford. Filed May 7.

Figueroa, Catalina, Bridgeport. $1,335 in favor of Bridgeport Anesthesia, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 322 Poplar St., Bridgeport. Filed May 8.

Quintana, Audelina, Stamford. $2,085 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 37 Greenwich Ave., Unit 2D, Stamford. Filed May 3.

Fountain, Venoal, Bridgeport. $1,775 in favor of Bridgeport Anesthesia, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 850 Clinton Ave., Bridgeport. Filed May 8. Harris, Yvonne, Stamford. $1,321 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 25 Lancer Lane, Apt. 1, Stamford. Filed May 3. Harris, Yvonne, Stamford. $723 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 25 Lancer Lane, Apt. 1, Stamford. Filed May 3. Henry, Novlette, Bridgeport. $1,860 in favor of Bridgeport Anesthesia, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 29 Thorme St., Bridgeport. Filed May 8. Kelly, Christopher, Stamford. $3,173 in favor of Ford Motor Credit Company L.L.C., Livonia, Mich., by Nair & Levin P.C. Property: 161 Berrland Road, Stamford. Filed May 7.

Ruano, Saira, Stamford. $1,194 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 33 Charles Mary Lane, Stamford. Filed May 3.

Liens

Federal Tax Liens – filed Frydman, Perry, 965 Hope St., Stamford. $6,996, FICA and employee withholding tax. Filed May 7.

Federal Tax Liens-released

JNF Inc., 184 Summer St., Stamford. $1,046, Federal unemploySchanz, Donna, Stamford. $4,285 ment tax. Filed May 7. in favor of FIA Card Services N.A., Newark, Del., by Stephen A. Wiener. Property: 34 Sutton Drive, JNF Inc., 184 Summer St., Stamford. $5,265, FICA and employee Stamford. Filed May 3. withholding tax. Filed May 7. Thames, Karen, Stamford. $342 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 14 Vanech Drive, Stamford. Filed May 3. Velez, Alexandra, Stamford. $860 in favor of Stamford Oral and Maxillofacial, Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 136 Belltown Road, Stamford. Filed May 3. Villanueva, Doris, Stamford. $1,389 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 48 Limerick St., Stamford. Filed May 3.

Sole Mex at Stamford L.L.C., 502 Rex Corp. Plaza, Uniondale, N.Y. $10,174, Federal unemployment tax, FICA and employee withholding tax. Filed May 7. Sole Mex at Stamford L.L.C., 502 Rex Corp. Plaza, Uniondale, N.Y. $7,240, FICA and employee withholding tax. Filed May 7.

Mechanic’s Liens-filed

Loparco Linda, Stamford. Filed by Chris Tinkham, Stamford, by Chris Leon, Samuel, Stamford. $601 in Vukel, John, Stamford. $750 in Tinkham. Property: Parcel A, Stamfavor of Stamford Radiological As- favor of Stamford Radiological As- ford town map 13090, Stamford. sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph Amount: $1,715. Filed May 4. P. Latino. Property: 34 Durant St., P. Latino. Property: 4 Austin Ave., Stamford. Filed May 3. Stamford. Filed May 3. Marks, Latasha and Rory Marks, Bridgeport. $394 in favor of David M. Knaus D.D.S., Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 191 Lakeview Ave., Bridgeport. Filed May 8.

Mechanic’s Liens—released

Vukel, Maria, Stamford. $1,251 in favor of Stamford Radiological Associates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 230 Strawberry 1004 Associates L.L.C., Stamford. Filed by Cobalt Construction, Hill, Stamford. Filed May 3. Middletown, by Mark Pettorino. Property: 1008 High Ridge Road, Mejia, Cristina, Stamford. $2,760 Zurita, Johnny, Stamford. $421 in Stamford. Amount: $12,348. Filed in favor of Stamford Radiological favor of Stamford Radiological As- May 4. Associates P.C., Stamford, by Jo- sociates P.C., Stamford, by Joseph P. seph P. Latino. Property: 43 Sher- Latino. Property: 29 Arthur Place, man St., Second floor, Stamford. Stamford. Filed May 3. Filed May 3.

Obumnobye, Emmanuel, Bridgeport. $17,642 in favor of Gabriel Foreclosures Vergara, Jose, et al. Creditor: The Durogene, Bridgeport, by Russell Donahue, Diana, Stamford. $653 Bank of New York Mellon, trustee. in favor of $696, Stamford, by Jo- G. Small. Property: 25 Omega St., Bridgeport. Filed May 7. Adebanko, Mykhail, et al. Credi- Property: vicinity of Noble Avenue, tor: U.S. Bank N.A., trustee. Prop- Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed seph P. Latino. Property: 76 Brookdale Drive, Stamford. Filed May 3. erty: 3422 Main St., Bridgeport. May 8. Mortgage default. Filed May 7.

THE RECORDS SECTION IS NOW AVAILABLE BY DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION. Go to westfaironline.com/buy/records-section/ for more information and to view a sample. FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 27


on the record Davis Jr., Darwin, et al., Stamford, et al. Filed by Tamar T. J. Blazer, Stamford, for Woodside Green Association Inc., Stamford. Property: The following filings indicate a legal Unit 112-1A, Woodside Green, action has been initiated, the out- Stamford. Action: to foreclose on come of which may affect the title to the unit to recover delinquent comthe property listed. mon charges due the association. Filed May 2. AGI Rubber Company Inc., et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Walter Edwards, Loris, et al., Bridgeport, M. Spader Jr., North Branford, for et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert JacobTower Lien L.L.C. and the city of son P.C., Hartford, for Deutsche Bridgeport. Property: 141 Stratford Bank National Trust Co., trustee, Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to fore- Los Angeles, Calif. Property: 139 close on the property to recover de- Hansen Ave., Bridgeport. Action: linquent municipal taxes assigned to foreclose a delinquent mortgage to the plaintiff for collection. Filed in the original principal amount of May 7. $221,000 dated October 2005. Filed May 7. Aponte, Jamie, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Jacob- Etstein, Tal, et al., Greenwich, et al. son P.C., Hartford, for HSBC Bank Filed by Geraldine Cheverko, White USA N.A., Buffalo, N.Y. Property: Plains, N.Y., for Bank of America 55 Dekalb Ave., Bridgeport. Action: N.A., Charlotte, N.C. Property: 45 to foreclose a delinquent mortgage Upland Drive, Greenwich. Action: in the original principal amount of to foreclose a delinquent mortgage $200,000 dated September 2005. in the original principal amount of Filed May 7. $4.7 million dated February 2008. Filed May 10. Arvoy, Douglas, et al., Stamford, et al. Filed by Charles L. Siddons, Fletcher, Everald, et al., BridgeStamford, for Third Fairlawn Con- port, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert dominium Inc., Stamford. Prop- Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for Wells erty: Unit 15B3, Third Fairlawn Fargo Bank N.A., trustee, BloomCondominium, Stamford. Action: ington, Minn. Property: 1606 Barto foreclose on the unit to recover num Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to delinquent common charges due foreclose a delinquent mortgage the association. Filed May 2. in the original principal amount of $327,750 dated June 2006. Filed Berger, Lauren, et al., Greenwich, May 7. et al. Filed by Brynne E. Nichols, Stamford, for Angus Lane Home- Guzman, Maria, et al., Bridgeowners Association Inc., Green- port, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert wich. Property: Lot 5, Greenwich Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for Ocwen town map 8189, Greenwich. Ac- Loan Servicing L.L.C., West Palm tion: to foreclose on the unit to re- Beach, Fla. Property: 55 Concord cover delinquent common charges St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose due the association. Filed May 11. a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $192,000 Citimortgage Inc., et al., O’Fallon, dated May 2006. Filed May 7. Mo., et al. Filed by Mark A. Sank, Stamford, for Lockwood Gables Hall, Danita, et al., Bridgeport, et Association, Stamford. Property: al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Jacobson Unit 4, Lockwood Gables Con- P.C., Hartford, for PNC Bank N.A., dominium, Stamford. Action: to Pittsburgh, Pa. Property: 59 Sunforeclose on the unit to recover de- shine Circle, Bridgeport. Action: to linquent common charges due the foreclose a delinquent mortgage in association. Filed May 4. the original principal amount of $151,098 dated November 2008. Codrington, Estate of Ralston, et Filed May 7. al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Jr., North Branford, for Harker, Peter, et al., Bridgeport, Tower Lien L.L.C. and Water Pol- et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Jr., lution Control Authority of the city North Branford, for American Tax Bridgeport. Property: 39 Alba Ave., Funding L.L.C., Jupiter, Fla. PropBridgeport. Action: to foreclose on erty: 82 Chestnut St., Bridgeport. the property to recover delinquent Action: to foreclose on the property municipal taxes assigned to the to recover delinquent municipal plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7. taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7. Cummins, Brendan, et al., Greenwich, et al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh P.C., Farmington, for First Niagara Bank N.A., Buffalo, N.Y. Property: 39 Nutmeg Drive, Greenwich. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $900,000 dated September 2008. Filed May 9.

Lis Pendens

Hayes, Vincent, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for Green Tree Servicing L.L.C., Tempe, Ariz. Property: 3250 Fairfield Ave., Unit 227, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $225,900 dated September 2005. Filed May 7.

Nguyen, Hien, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for Seaside Village Homes Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 217 Alsace St., Apt. 51, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed May 8.

Norwood, Bryan, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Hunt LeibKitchenmax L.L.C., et al., Bridge- ert Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for port, et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Bank of America N.A., Charlotte, Jr., North Branford, for Tower Lien N.C. Property: 65 Overland Ave., L.L.C., Jupiter, Fla. Property: 303 E. Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a Washington Ave., 198 Knowlton St., delinquent mortgage in the origi206 Knowlton St., and 212 Knowl- nal principal amount of $239,321 ton St., Bridgeport. Action: to fore- dated September 2006. Filed May 7. close on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed Ortiz, Maria, et al., Stamford, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Jacobson May 7. P.C., Hartford, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, Los Lozada, Arturo, et al., Bridge- Angeles, Calif. Property: 60 Seaside port, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Ave., Unit 2, Stamford. Action: to Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for Bank foreclose a delinquent mortgage in of America N.A., Charlotte, N.C. the original principal amount of Property: 967 Birmingham St., $304,000 dated January 2007. Filed Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a May 7. delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $236,800 Peterson, Diane, et al., Bridgeport, dated April 2006. Filed May 7. et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, New Haven, for Tower Lien L.L.C., Ly, Dung, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Bridgeport. Property: 76 Dogwood Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, Drive, Bridgeport. Action: to forefor Seaside Village Homes Inc., close on the property to recover deBridgeport. Property: 173 Flanders linquent municipal taxes assigned St., Apt. 132, Bridgeport. Action: to to the plaintiff for collection. Filed foreclose on the unit to recover de- May 7. linquent common charges due the association. Filed May 7. Popy, Papia, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, Magsig, Michael, et al., Green- New Haven, for Tower Lien L.L.C., wich, et al. Filed by Matthew B. Bridgeport. Property: 420 Jane St., Woods, Norwalk, for Hudson City Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on Savings Bank, Yonkers, N.Y. Prop- the property to recover delinquent erty: 219 Taconic Road, Greenwich. municipal taxes assigned to the Action: to foreclose a delinquent plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7. mortgage in the original principal amount of $2.5 million dated Posey, Jasmine, et al., Bridgeport, March 2010. Filed May 10. et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, New Haven, for Tower Lien L.L.C., Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, et Bridgeport. Property: 45 Oman St., al., Greenwich, et al. Filed by James Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on C. Riley, Greenwich, for the estate the property to recover delinquent of Robert E. Lister III, Greenwich. municipal taxes assigned to the Property: 261 W. Putnam Ave., plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7. Greenwich. Action: to foreclose a mechanic’s lien in the amount of $108,855 dated May 2011. Filed Preston, Cleo Otis, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Hunt Leibert May 11. Jacobson P.C., Hartford, for PNC Bank N.A., Pittsburgh, Pa. ProperMoccia, Gwendolyn, et al., Stam- ty: 1042 Hancock Ave., Bridgeport. ford, et al. Filed by Tamar T. J. Blaz- Action: to foreclose a delinquent er, Stamford, for River Haven Inc., mortgage in the original principal Stamford. Property: Apartment amount of $127,500 dated April 209, River Haven, Stamford. Ac- 2007. Filed May 7. tion: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges Randall Properties L.L.C., et al., due the association. Filed May 2. Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, New Haven, for Tower Moore, Edward, et al., Bridgeport, Lien L.L.C., Bridgeport. Property: et al. Filed by Lawrence M. Gar- 83 Randall Ave., Bridgeport. Acfinkel, West Warwick, R.I., for The tion: to foreclose on the property to Bank of New York Mellon, trustee, recover delinquent municipal taxes New York City. Property: 117 Polk assigned to the plaintiff for collecSt., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose tion. Filed May 7. a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $170,000 dated September 2006. Filed May 8.

Reynolds, Lillian, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, New Haven, for Tower Lien L.L.C., Bridgeport. Property: 485 Pearl Harbor St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7.

Troy Jr., McKinley, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Nicole R. Fernandes, Armonk, N.Y., for HSBC Bank USA N.A., trustee, Buffalo, N.Y. Property: 144 Cottage St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $172,000 dated September 2005. Filed May 8.

Sheikh, Furquan, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Jr., North Branford, for American Tax Funding L.L.C., Jupiter, Fla. Property: 918C, 984C and 984D William St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7.

Mortgages

Silano, Virginia, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Robert N. Sensale, New Haven, for Tower Lien L.L.C., Bridgeport. Property: 2625 Park Ave., Unit 15A, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7.

Carmel Academy Inc., Greenwich, by Nora Anderson. Lender: The Conduit Foundation, Chicago, Ill. Property: 270 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Amount: $12 million. Filed May 11. Daniolos and Christopoulos Enterprises, Bridgeport, by George Christopoulos and Nicholas Daniolos. Lender: Westport National Bank, Westport. Property: 181 Dewey St., Bridgeport. Amount: $196,000. Filed May 7.

Elvin L.L.C., Stamford, by Vincent Vetrini. Lender: First County Bank, Stamford. Property: Stamford town map 11811, Stamford. Amount: Spencer, Olive, et al., Bridgeport, $850,000. Filed May 7. et al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh P.C., Farmington, for The Bank of New York Mellon, trustee, New Expert Construction Group York City. Property: 1639 Park Ave., L.L.C., Stamford, by Juan Pozuelo. Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a Lender: Jason Dolger, Stamford. delinquent mortgage in the origi- Property: 131 Cat Rock Road, Cos nal principal amount of $276,375 Cob. Amount: $150,000. Filed dated October 2006. Filed May 8. May 8. Stewart Jr., Howard, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Jr., North Branford, for Tower Lien L.L.C., Bridgeport. Property: 974A William St., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed May 7.

Horton Street L.L.C., Stamford, by Richard Astacio. Lender: Raymond Interlandi, Stamford. Property: 90 Horton St., Stamford. Amount: $400,000. Filed May 3.

Jadhav, Rajnikant, Stamford, by Rajnikant Jadhav. Lender: Stamford First Bank, Stamford. Property: 91 Strawberry Hill Ave., Unit 540, Struble, Spencer, et al., Bridge- Stamford. Amount: $400,000. Filed port, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, May 2. Norwalk, for Seaside Village Homes Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 72 Sims St., Spt. 225, Bridgeport. Action: to Juliana Enterprises L.L.C., Stamforeclose on the unit to recover de- ford, by Joseph Richichi. Lender: linquent common charges due the Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Basking Ridge, N.J. Property: 35 Magee association. Filed May 7. Ave., Stamford. Amount: $2.6 million. Filed May 2. Tisdale, Charles, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Walter M. Spader Jr., North Branford, for American Tax South End Phase II L.L.C., Funding L.L.C., Jupiter, Fla. Prop- Bridgeport, by Elizabeth Torres. erty: 229 Smith St., Bridgeport. Ac- Lender: Community Capital Fund tion: to foreclose on the property to Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 99 Corecover delinquent municipal taxes lumbia St., Bridgeport. Amount: assigned to the plaintiff for collec- $115,000. Filed May 8. tion. Filed May 7.

New Businesses

Torreso, Estate of Louise, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Lawrence M. Garfinkel, West Warwick, R.I., for Reverse Mortgage Solutions Inc., Spring, Texas. Property: 124 Jennings Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $363,000 dated December 2008. Filed May 8.

28 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com

The Business Journal is not responsible for typographical errors contained in the original filings. 4 Step 2 Health, 62 Locust St., Greenwich 06830, c/o Gxongyi Olajos. Filed April 24.


on the record A&M Clothing and Accessories, Glenda Rorick Fitness, 3250 R&B Cleaning Services, 409 743 E. Main St., Bridgeport 06608, Fairfield Ave., No. 130, Bridgeport Garfield St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o c/o Angel Echeverria. Filed May 8. 06605, c/o Glenda Rorick. Filed Ricky Williams. Filed May 1. April 13. al Farouk for Import and ExReliable Iron Works L.L.C., 491 port, 403 Greenwich Ave., Apt. 17, The Goldberg and Dillon Group, Grand St., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Greenwich 06830, c/o Wael Nasser. 41 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich Laurene Wilson. Filed May 2. Filed April 30. 06830, c/o Sharon Herbst. Filed May 15. SBA Public Relations, 48B All the Way Home Improvement, Rodwell Ave., Greenwich 06830, c/o 75 Randall Ave., Bridgeport 06606, Green Life L.L.C., 325 Lafayette Suzanne Jones. Filed May 1. c/o Lucas Oliveira. Filed May 3. St., No. 3205, Bridgeport 06604, c/o Anny Oropeza. Filed May 1. Time to Go Limousine Service Artiaga Fence, 53 Everett St., L.L.C., 129 Byram Road, GreenBridgeport 06606, c/o Roger Ar- Greenwich Hospital Founda- wich 06831, c/o Alcides Rodriguez. tiaga. Filed May 7. tion, 5 Perryridge Road, Greenwich Filed May 14. 06830, c/o Frank Corvino. Filed April 17. B’Iota Laboratories, 2 Greenwich Triple J Construction Inc., 11 Office Park, Suite 300, Greenwich Bote Road, Greenwich 06830, c/o 06830, c/o John van Houten. Filed J House, The, 1114 E. Putnam Ave., James Jagodzinski. Filed May 11. May 15. Riverside 06878, c/o John Fareri. Filed May 3. W. J. Deutsch Spirits L.L.C., 2 Bread and Butter Clothiers, 24 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich Putnam Green, Apt. D, Greenwich JCS Limousine, 265 Sylvan St., 06830, c/o William Deutsch. Filed 06830, c/o Tony Galaziubn. Filed Bridgeport 06606, c/o Juan Fernan- April 16. May 15. dez. Filed April 12.

Bicycle-suspension system. Patent no. 8,181,978 issued to: Frederick W. Kinzler, Trumbull; Walker P. Woodworth, Wilton; and Luigi J. Toffolo, Wilton. Capturing, processing, managing and reporting events of interest in virtual collaboration spaces. Patent no. 8,185,587 issued to Mark F. Dudley, Rochester, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Carbon black polymeric intermediate transfer members. Patent no. 8,182,919 issued to Jin Wu, Pittsford, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Categorization of information using natural language processing and predefined templates. Patent no. 8,185,553 issued to Alwin B. Carus, Waban, Mass. and Harry J. Ogrinc, Westwood, Mass. Assigned to Dictaphone Corp., Stratford.

Women in Transition, 1376 State Canales Sport, 1910 Boston Ave., JL Consignment, 1137 Post Road St., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Patricia Chair. Patent no. D660,056 issued to Niels Diffrient, Ridgefield. AsBridgeport 06610, c/o Pablo Cana- East, Westport 06880, c/o Janet Lee. McKinney. Filed May 1. signed to Humanscale Corp., New les. Filed May 1. Filed May 2. York City. www.internetoptimist.com, 6 Chacon Landscape, 230 King Jodian Stevenson Paralegal Ser- Garden Place, Greenwich 06831, Communication of elevator reSt., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Audilio vices, 45 Evers Place, Bridgeport c/o Patricia DeWitt. Filed May 2. assignment information in a Chacon. Filed May 1. 06610, c/o Jodian Stevenson. Filed group-elevator system. Patent no. May 1. 8,177,036 issued to: Jannah Stanley, Patents Cromwell; Paul A. Stranieri, BrisChocolate Lab, 1114 E. Putnam tol; Richard K.; Pulling Jr., Avon; Ave., Riverside 06878, c/o John JR Management L.L.C., 2105 E. Fareri. Filed April 26. Main St., Bridgeport 06608, c/o Anchor. Patent no. D660,139 is- Vlad Zaharia, Rocky Hill; Daniel sued to Paul Gaudron, Stratford Williams, Southington; Richard Jerry Robinson. Filed May 3. and Jacob Olsen, Roselle, Ill. As- Mangini, Brookfield; and Wade Church of God Information Last signed to Powers Products III Montague, Southington. Assigned Message, 955 Connecticut Ave., La Esquina Latina, 259 Wood L.L.C., Brewster, N.Y. to Otis Elevator Co., Farmington. Building 4, Suite 4010, Bridgeport Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Brenda 06607, c/o Rodrigue Bazile. Filed Hernandez. Filed May 1. Apparatus, system, and method Composite doors for transport May 7. for enforcing policy require- refrigeration unit. Patent no. The Laundry Room, 2 N. Water ments associated with a service. 8,181,476 issued to Shafi N. Khan, CTNY Limo, 31 Edgewood Ave., St., Greenwich 06830, c/o Joseph Patent no. 8,185,962 issued to John Cicero, N.Y. and Robert S. Simeone, Greenwich 06830, c/o Helen Pesce. Dandolo. Filed April 26. A. Moore, Rochester, N.Y. Assigned Bridgeport. Assigned to Carrier Filed April 12. Corp., Farmington. to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Lubin and Company Couriers, Daddona Design, 49 Centre Drive, 403 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich Battery having battery-life indi- Customer part replacement feaOld Greenwich 06870, c/o Nicole 06830, c/o Robinson Lubin. Filed cator with fragrance. Patent no. ture utilizing high-frequency Daddona. Filed April 27. May 11. 8,182,937 issued to Stuart M. Davis, service interval fault and signaNorfolk, Mass. and Steven J. Specht, ture analyses. Patent no. 8,184,995 Edible Arrangements No. 1375, Mesa Investment Consulting Brookfield. Assigned to The Gil- issued to: Michael Nicholas Soures, Webster, N.Y.; James Joseph Petery, 384 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich L.L.C., 351 Pemberwick Road, No. lette Co., Boston, Mass. Webster, N.Y.; Timothy D. Thomas, 06830, c/o Shahzad Miur. Filed 504, Greenwich 06831, c/o Mary Fairport, N.Y.; Jeffrey Gramowski, April 13. Ann DiMaggio. Filed May 14. Benchmarking correlated North Chili, N.Y.; Cheryl Marie stream processing systems. Pat- Koenig, Ontario, N.Y.; Robert SteFCL Painting and Power Wash- Michelle’s Cakes and More, 1490 ent no. 8,185,352 issued to: Kay ven Pozniakas, Rochester, N.Y.; ing, 194 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport Central Ave., Bridgeport 06610, S. Anderson, Washington, D.C.; David R. Kamprath, Webster, N.Y.; 06607, c/o Fredis Molina. Filed c/o Michelle Baerga-Rivera. Filed Joseph P. Bigus, Rochester, Minn.; Stephen F. Randall, West Henrietta, Eric Bouillet, Jersey City, N.J.; Pari- N.Y.; Kathleen Spencer, Webster, May 9. May 1. jat Dube, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.; N.Y.; Nitin Shenoy, Webster, N.Y.; Zhen Liu, Tarrytown, N.Y.; and Joanna Brown, Fairport, N.Y.; G&B Professional Marble and Morris Photography, 4 Lafayette Dimitrios Pendarakis, Westport. Christina DiMarco, Rochester, Tile, 219 Mill St., Greenwich Court, Apt. 6D, Greenwich 06830, Assigned to International Busi- N.Y.; Nancy Kelly, Irondequoit, ness Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y.; Bernard N Hakac., Webster, 06830, c/o Edoardo Gabrieli. Filed c/o Seth Morris. Filed April 20. N.Y. April 27. N.Y.; Cheng-Ning Jong, North Chili, N.Y.; and Nate Weldon, Picante Fresh Mexican Grill, 44 Rochester, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Genesis Property Management, Davenport Ave., Greenwich 06830, Corp., Norwalk. 61 Elm Court, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Anshu Vidyarthi. Filed May 14. c/o Errol Hall. Filed May 9.

Dental unilateral bite block. Patent no. 8,182,264 issued to William B. Dragan, Easton and Cotsworth P. Fishburne Jr., Rockhill, S.C. Assigned to Centrix Inc., Shelton.

Interface assembly for pre-concentrating analytes in chromatography. Patent no. 8,182,768 issued to: Andrew Tipler, Trumbull; John H. Vanderhoef, Stratford; and James E. Botelho, Danbury. Assigned to PerkinElmer LAS Inc., Dispenser with corner latches. Boston, Mass. Patent no. 8,181,772 issued to Martin Short, Jersey City, N.J. and Robert Croft, Jersey City, N.J. Assigned Intrauterine fallopian tube to Purdue Pharma L.P., Stamford. occlusion device. Patent no. 8,181,653 issued to: Michael G. Tal, Woodbridge; Patrick N. Gutelius, Emergency lighting fixture. Pat- Monroe; Mark J. DeBisschop, Burlent no. D660,491 issued to Steven ington; and Oleg Shikhman, TrumG. Holscher, Boling Springs, S.C. bull. Assigned to Yale UniverAssigned to Hubbell Inc., Shelton. sity, New Haven and Contramed L.L.C., Charlotte, N.C. Fluid reservoir with compliant wall. Patent no. 8,177,339 issued to: Mail-piece inserter adapted for Terrance L. Stephens, Molalla, Ore.; one-sided operation (OSO) and Jonathan R. Brick, Tualatin, Ore.; input conveyor module therefor. John R. Andrews, Fairport, N.Y.; Patent no. 8,181,768 issued to W. David P. Platt, Sherwood, Ore.; Scott Kalm, Sarasota, Fla. Assigned David R. Koehler, Sherwood, Ore.; to Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford. and Christopher J. Laharty, Oregon City, Ore. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Method for ad hoc parallel processing in a distributed environment. Patent no. 8,184,335 issued Gate-effective work-function to Hua Liu, Webster, N.Y. and Stemodification for CMOS. Patent ven J. Harrington, Webster, N.Y. no. 8,183,642 issued to: Dae-Gyu Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Park, Poughquaq, N.Y.; Michael P Chudzik, Danbury; Rashmi Jha, Beacon, N.Y.; Siddarth A. Krish- Method for color rendering usnan, Peekskill, N.Y.; Naim Mou- ing scanned halftone classificamen, Walden, N.Y.; Vijay Naray- tion. Patent no. 8,184,340 issued to: anan, New York City; and Vamsi Robert P. Loce, Webster, N.Y.; MarParuchuri, New York City. Assigned tin S. Maltz, Rochester, N.Y.; and Jay to International Business Ma- S. Grzenda, Fairport, N.Y. Assigned chines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Hygienic beverage mixing and whipping assembly. Patent no. 8,181,825 issued to: Bala Reddy, Ridgefield; Eugene Scoville, New Milford; and Brian P. Tulley, Thomaston. Assigned to Nestec S.A., Switzerland.

Method for controlling pH, osmolality and dissolved carbon dioxide levels in a mammalian cell-culture process to enhance cell viability and biologic product yield. Patent no. 8,178,318 issued to: Alan T. Y. Cheng, Naperville, Ill.; Ying Zhou, Naperville, Ill.; Amitabh Gupta, Naperville, Identifying and measuring ad- Ill.; Balazs Hunek, Chicago, Ill.; and herence to software develop- Nigel Grinter, Buffalo Grove, Ill. ment requirements. Patent no. Assigned to Praxair Technology 8,180,659 issued to: Steven Edward Inc., Danbury. Atkin, Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Michael Francis Moriarty, Byron, Minn.; Dale Martin Schultz, Chelmsford, Method for linking insurance Mass.; William James Sullivan, policies. Patent no. 8,185,416 isBethel; Susan Jane Williams, Sher- sued to Neil L. Jacobson, Greenman; and Luis Zapata, Wake Forest, wich. N.C. Assigned to International Business Machines Corp., ArMethod for modular arrangemonk, N.Y. ment of a silicon-based array and modular silicon-based array. PatInformation dissemination ent no. 8,182,069 issued to: Mark A. multifunction device. Patent no. Cellura, Webster, N.Y.; Peter J. Nys8,184,326 issued to Ramesh Naga- trom, Webster, N.Y.; Scott J. Phillips, rajan, Pittsford, N.Y. Assigned to West Henrietta, N.Y.; John P. Meyers, Rochester, N.Y.; Lyle G. DingXerox Corp., Norwalk. man, Fairport, N.Y.; and Bryan R. Dolan, Rochester, N.Y. Assigned to Inserter control apparatus. Pat- Xerox Corp., Norwalk. ent no. 8,181,424 issued to Thomas H. Rosenkranz, Dover Plains, N.Y. Assigned to Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 29


on the record Method of routing messages to multiple consumers. Patent no. 8,180,823 issued to: Srinivas Hasti, Stamford; Brian Keith Martin, Cary, N.C.; Michael Joseph Spreitzer, Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.; Graham Derek Wallis, Great Britain; David Ware, Great Britain; Neil George Stanley Young, Great Britain. Assigned to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. Method, system and program product for rewriting structured query language, SQL) statements. Patent no. 8,185,518 issued to: Howard S. Bloom, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Roy Froehlich, Canada; Thomas A. Jobson Jr., New Paltz, N.Y.; Edith A. Kanyock, Sloatsburg, N.Y.; Charles F. Matula, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; and Arnold M. Rosenberg, New Fairfield. Assigned to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y.

Powder formed from mineral or rock material with controlled particle-size distribution for thermal films. Patent no. 8,182,601 issued to: David D. Kragten, Burnsville, N.C Christy Karr Jr., Imperial, Pa.; Scott VanRemortel, Bakersville, N.C.; Robert Ratcliff, Bakersville, N.C.; Ibezim Anazia, Burnsville, N.C.; and Louis M. Schlesinger, Spruce Pine, N.C. Assigned to Unimin Corp., New Canaan.

Self-aligning MICR line treatment applicator. Patent no. 8,181,870 issued to Raphael F. Bov Jr., Pittsford, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk.

Sterile de-molding apparatus and method. Patent no. 8,181,431 issued to: Daniel Py, Larchmont, N.Y.; Benoit Adamo, Pelham, N.Y.; John Guthy, Southbury; Nathaniel Houle, Hebron; and M. Jeffrey Willey, Brookfield. Assigned to MediPrint module having pivotable cal Instill Technologies Inc., New support/instrumentation rack Milford. for print-head assembly. Patent no. 8,182,083 issued to Daniel J. Williams, Woodbury and Russell Surgical-accessory clamp and W. Holbrook, Southbury. Assigned method. Patent no. 8,182,469 issued to: S. Christopher Anderson, to Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford. Northampton, Mass.; Thomas G. Cooper, Menlo Park, Calif.; Bruce Pulse-to-pulse energy equaliza- Schena, Menlo Park, Calif.; William tion of light-beam intensity. Burbank, Sandy Hook; Margaret Patent no. 8,184,262 issued to Mu- M. Nixon, Santa Clara, Calif.; and hammad Arif, Ridgefield. Assigned Alan Loh, Los Altos, Calif. Assigned to ASML Holding N.V., The Neth- to Intuitive Surgical Operations erlands. Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.

Mixing bag or vessel with a fluid-agitating element. Patent no. 8,182,137 issued to Alexandre N. Terentiev, Lexington, Ky. Assigned Raceway-bridge assembly. Patent to ATMI Packaging Inc., Dan- no. 8,183,461 issued to Stephen R. Ewer, Milford. Assigned to Hubbell bury. Inc., Shelton.

Suspended germanium photodetector for silicon waveguide. Patent no. 8,178,382 issued to: Solomon Assefa, Ossining, N.Y.; Jack O. Chu, Manhasset Hills, N.Y.; Martin M. Frank, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.; William M. Green, Astoria, N.Y.; Young-hee Kim, Mohegan Lake, N.Y.; George G. Totir, Danbury; Joris Van Campenhout, Belgium; Yurri A. Vlasov, Katonah, N.Y.; and Ying Zhang, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Assigned to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. System and method for optimizing pattern recognition of nongaussian parameters. Patent no. 8,185,480 issued to: Dimitri Kanevsky, Ossining, N.Y.; David Nahamoo, Great Neck, N.Y.; Daniel Povey, Greenwich; and Bhuvana Ramabhadran, Mount Kisco, N.Y. Assigned to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y.

Surgical-stapling device. Patent no. 8,181,838 issued to: Keith L. Milliman, Bethel; Thomas R. Hessler, Bethel; and Thomas Wenchell, Durham. Assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group L.P., Mansfield, Mass.

System and method for protecting a print. Patent no. 8,182,875 issued to: Christine D. Anderson, Canada; T. Brian McAneney, Canada; Christopher A. Wagner, Canada; and Gordon Sisler, Canada. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Systems and methods for automated analysis of cells and tissues. Patent no. 8,185,320 issued to David L. Rimm, Branford and Robert L. Camp, Stamford. Assigned to Yale University, New Haven.

User preferences in a multipart workflow. Patent no. 8,184,307 issued to Michael Evan, Webster, N.Y. and Jonathan Levine, Rochester, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Variable light-control system and method using momentary circuit interrupt. Patent no. 8,183,798 issued to Thomas J. Mayer, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. and Glenn D. Garbowicz, Huntley, Ill. Assigned to Hubbell Inc., Shelton.

Tissue tensioner assembly and approximation mechanism for surgical-stapling device. Patent no. 8,181,840 issued to Keith L. Milliman, Bethel. Assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group L.P., Mansfield, Mass. Transaction system for employee stock options and other compensation programs. Patent no. 8,180,700 issued to: Caroline L. Arnold, New York City; Raghavachari Madhavan, New York City; Chris Kovel, Montclair, N.J.; Lynn M. Riehl, Stamford; Andrew Sargison, Great Britain; Ben Johnson-Laird, New York City; and Yimei Guo, Lake Grove, N.Y. Assigned to Morgan Stanley, New York City.

open up and say anything want better health care? start asking more questions. to your doctor. to your pharmacist. to your nurse. what are the test results? what about side effects? don’t fully understand your prescriptions? don’t leave confused. because the most important question is the one you should have asked. go to www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer or call 1-800-931-AHRQ (2477) for the 10 questions every patient should ask. questions are the answer.

30 Week of June 4, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com

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This space provided by Westfair Business Publications as a public service.

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Business ConneCtions Workforce Development

Human resources

Students Explore Pathways to Manufacturing and Engineering

High Court Bars Sexual Orientation Harassment

J

I

esus Montalvo told a packed room of students, teachers, and reporters how he took a hobby— drag racing—and built a small but profitable business from it. The owner of Connecticut-based Stunts Motorsports, a niche-market company that designs and produces diffuser plates, chrome accessories, and other parts for dragster cars, Montalvo was one of dozens of speakers at Pathways to Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, a career expo that drew more than 300 students to Tunxis Community College.

Montalvo knows the value of advanced technology training and a solid, business-driven curriculum. In fact, he sees it from two different perspectives: that of a business owner and a student. A senior at Hartford’s A.I. Prince Technical High School, he is graduating this month and headed for UConn in the fall, where he plans to study mechanical engineering.

The half-day expo was sponsored by the Connecticut Community Colleges’ College of Technology’s Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (RCNGM), a National Science Foundation Center of Excellence. CBIA’s Education Foundation coordinated the event. Students from 11 Connecticut high schools attended demonstrations and exhibits by over 25 Connecticut manufacturers—as well as workshops on digital manufacturing, CNC machining, rapid prototyping, laser scanning, fuel cells, electric vehicle technology, and jet engine design. Leading the presentations were entrepreneurs like Montalvo as well as representatives from UTC Power, ebm-Papst, and GE Energy.

n a unanimous decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that employers can be held liable for failing to protect their employees from harassment based on sexual orientation. The case involved an employee who claimed his former employer engaged in a discriminatory employment practice under the state’s antidiscrimination law when the company permitted co-workers to harass him and create a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation. Following a trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the ex-employee and awarded him $94,500. The company appealed, saying the state antidiscrimination law does not explicitly provide for hostile workplace claims with respect to sexual orientation. But the court disagreed with that argument. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the “terms, conditions or privileges of employment,” said the court, a well-settled term of art in antidiscrimination law broad enough to authorize harassment and hostile workplace claims.

“He has always kept his nose to the grindstone, and he’s doing what he loves,” says Jim Clarke, automated manufacturing department head at Prince Tech. “He just sent one of his custom parts—a tow hook—to S&W Race Cars. It’s gorgeous. The bottom line is he has fun.”

Connecticut is one of 20 states, along with the District of Columbia, whose laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Experts say the decision is the first supreme court decision from any state to specifically hold that harassment based on sexual orientation is an actionable claim to the same extent as harassment based on sex or race.

➤ Read more at cbia.com

➤ Read more at cbia.com

events

Ideas, Inspiration & Solutions for Entrepreneurs & Small Business

f Common startup pitfalls and how to avoid them f Finding the balance between controlling your startup and attracting the best resources to grow it f How to stimulate small business and

entrepreneurial growth and give a longlasting boost to economic recovery Program highlights: f Featured speaker: Liam E. McGee, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Hartford f Special guest speaker: Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy

Friday, June 15, 2012

Time 8:30–11 am Place Marriott Hartford Downtown

A forum presented by The Hartford in association with CBIA and the MetroHartford Alliance

Hear top experts and business leaders discuss:

Date

f Interactive keynote presentation: Noam T. Wasserman, Harvard Business School f Panel discussion on: New state financing assistance for small businesses; role of small business in New England’s economy

Cost

CBIA members, agents/brokers, partners, $15; Nonmembers, $20

Scan & register!

➤ Register at cbia.com

FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of June 4, 2012 31


: t c A e h t Caught in

Collaborating!

color group in cahoots with cohorts

Chase-Temkin

Puches Design

Press Express Printing Westgroup Photography

Inspiria Media Chase-Temkin

B

y now you’ve probably driven down Route 9A in Hawthorne and seen the sign outside of the Color Group Building. Don’t call the cops – but there are now four additional businesses under the familiar sawtooth roof. We’ve been accused of collaborating with one another. Yes, we’re collaborating and there is nothing criminal about it – in fact it works like a charm. We recently completed a catalogue for a large Westchester packaged food distributor. We designed it, photographed it, produced it, and printed it. All without ever sending anything out of our cells at 168 Saw Mill River Road.

Advertising BrAnding WeB design

The hottest new hamburger franchise in the County “The Westchester Hamburger Company” has a truly distinctive neon sign over their front door that was also created and produced by the collaborators at Color Group. We invite you to take advantage of our wild bunch. We’re not handcuffed together but we are very close and as you can see, we do work very well together. Whatever your project may be, the collaborators at Color Group will get it done for You. We’ll be keeping an eye out for you – don’t leave town without checking in with us.

t a e n o Get it D

trAde shoW grAPhics disPlAys signAge Point of PurchAse

PuBlicAtions

Posters

corPorAte identity

BAnners

Print Promotions PAckAge design illustrAtion Caught in the Act.indd 1

168 Saw Mill River Road (Rt 9A) P.O. Box 224 Hawthorne, NY 10532-0224 tel 914.769.8484

fax 914.769.8691

e-mail support@colorgroup.com

web www.colorgroup.com

mounting lAminAting retouching 10/13/11 2:53 PM


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