20120319-NEWS--1-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 3/16/2012 2:34 PM Page 1 $2.00/MARCH 19 - 25, 2012 INSIDE NorTech to play bigger shale role Interest in converting to natural gas cars grows and flexible electronics. on creating jobs related to advanced Group will prepare potential employees, In this case, however, it’s already energy. As fuel prices have continued to clear that eastern Ohio is about to Though evidence suggests that a rise, Northeast Ohio companies are push area companies to supply industry undergo a major increase in shale drilling bonanza is on the way, the pushing to develop an alternative gas drilling. Oil and gas companies oil and gas companies could end up using natural gas. PAGE 3 By CHUCK SODER boom, a move that represents a are scooping up land, drilling test wells buying parts and services from out- ALSO: [email protected] change of pace for NorTech. and making big statements about of-state companies, Mr. Karpinski ■ Merger activity The organization will continue how much money they’ll spend in said. And many of the new jobs could brisk among In NorTech’s eyes, shale gas pursuing its main focus, which is to Ohio over the next few decades. go to more experienced workers from credit unions counts as advanced energy. help nascent technology industries Even so, NorTech has a role to play, out of state, he said. locally and The economic development group take root in Northeast Ohio. The said vice president Dave Karpinski, NorTech can help solve those nationally. aims to help Northeast Ohio capi- industries to which it gives most of who heads the nonprofit’s Energy problems, he said. The nonprofit PAGE 3 talize on the anticipated shale gas its attention are advanced energy Enterprise initiative, which focuses See SHALE Page 22 PATENTED Kasich eyes APPROACH improved After 26 years, GE engineer’s work force 106 inventions — and counting — continue to impact company training Agencies, businesses By CHUCK SODER [email protected] collaborating better could solve problems n high school, Louis Nerone read a manual detailing how to By JAY MILLER [email protected] build devices using transistors made by the General Electric Co. Brian Sooy, president and creative IIt’s no wonder that he’s now the director of Sooy+Co of Elyria, under- stands better than most business- most prolific inventor at GE Lighting. people about work force development, Dr. Nerone received his 106th since his marketing and design firm has developed communications patent in December, 26 years after programs and websites for some of he began working for the East Lorain County’s economic develop- Cleveland-based division of GE. ment and job creation organizations. So he knows how tough it is for Almost all of his inventions are businesses, government job training designed to help regulate the flow agencies and colleges to make sure that students are learning the skills of electricity through all types of GE that will produce qualified employees light bulbs. for the jobs companies are trying to They can be found in GE light fill. Yet it still surprised him that there bulbs all around the world, but was a government program to help they’re not easy to see, given that him hire an unemployed web designer who only was lacking familiarity with they’re hidden in the base of lamp, a few key software programs his said Dr. Nerone, 61. company used. “The stuff that we work on in So he called the agency that admin- istered the program, The Employment here — you don’t even see it,” he Network, a Lorain County group that said last week from his lab at GE offers the unemployed help with JANET CENTURY job-search skills and helps employers Lighting’s Nela Park campus. GE Lighting engineer Louis Nerone has 106 patents to his name, one of which being an LED driver fill jobs. See PATENTS Page 21 (in his right hand and magnified) used in the light engine in his left hand. 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Porsche Driving School trip has a retail value of $1,800. 20120319-NEWS--3-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 3/16/2012 11:27 AM Page 1 MARCH 19 - 25, 2012 WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS 3 INSIGHT Merger opportunities grow for credit unions 2010, to 236 from 192. Prior to last COME TOGETHER Tight revenues, burden of regulatory compliance are fueling deals year, mergers were on the descent, falling in 2009 and 2010. The National Credit Union Administration By MICHELLE PARK with the other two continue. some of the small credit unions are Many, including Mr. Laurendeau, compiles data on credit union merger [email protected] All three of the credit unions beginning to feel defeated.” anticipate merger activity to continue activity; the data show a jump in 2011 approached Firefighters Community Many of those turning to mergers to grow. over 2010. (Ohio is in NCUA’s Region 3.) Ben Laurendeau has engaged in in recent months. are doing so because they lack Couple the merger activity with merger talks before, but never three “I can’t remember a time when options for leadership succession and the lack of new Ohio credit unions Year Nation Region 3 times in three months. I’ve ever been having three separate are struggling with unprofitability being chartered — only one has been Mr. Laurendeau, the president conversations all at the same time,” and the heavy cost of regulatory chartered by the state in nearly 20 2011 236 39 and CEO of Firefighters Community Mr. Laurendeau said. “It’s never compliance, industry insiders say. years — and it’s clear their numbers Credit Union in Cleveland, says happened for me.” At the same time, the low interest are falling. 2010 192 56 his institution is considering a trio His institution’s discussions are rate environment and low consumer From 2001 to 2011, the state’s 2009 237 63 of mergers. One was approved in only one indicator of increased demand have pinched revenues. number of credit unions dropped by February by his board and the other merger activity among credit unions Data from the National Credit 204, or more than 35%, to 377, 2008 278 62 institution’s board, and the deal in Ohio and nationwide. Union Administration reveal a 23% according to Callahan & Associates should close by midyear. Discussions Of the trend, he said, “I think increase in mergers in 2011 from See MERGERS Page 12 2007 251 55 THE WEEK IN QUOTES “No one group is FUEL SHIFT poised to do what needs to be done in SEEMS Ohio.” — NorTech vice president NATURAL Dave Karpinski, who leads the nonprofit’s Energy Enterprise initiative. Page One As gasoline prices rise, so does interest in fuel system conversion “As we went into new communities, it By DAN SHINGLER became difficult to [email protected] explain who we were. s the price of gasoline con- tinues to rise and the price of We had to first explain natural gas continues to fall, who we were not.” the argument for converting vehiclesA from one fuel to another is — Rich Frank, CEO of Guide- becoming more compelling and a few stone, which is rebranding itself Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs — as from its former name, Berea well as some established companies Children’s Home & Family Services. Page 10 — stand to benefit. “Natural gas is a game changer for high-mileage automobiles,” says Brad Trembath, president of NatGasCar “The crystal ball that LLC in Cleveland, a venture formed in was fogged over in 2008 by local entrepreneur Dan T. Moore to capitalize on fuel-system 2009 became clear.” conversions for vehicles. — Robert Garber, co-managing “An $80 fill-up with gasoline can be director of the Cresco brokerage reduced to $25 with natural gas,” Mr. in Independence. Page 15 Trembath said. “And because natural gas burns clean with 25% less carbon dioxide emissions, less greenhouse “You move to the gases are emitted into the atmosphere.” That’s pretty much the crux of the suburbs, and you’re argument for folks such as Mr.