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www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 25, No. 16 APRIL 20 – 26, 2009 $2 a copy; $59 a year

©Entire contents copyright 2009 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved in their Incentives lead the charge Twenty Twenty 20s Hybrid-car battery plants on the way, positive or negative

BY RYAN BEENE vehicle technology to become af- pricey technology in favor of tradi- ment is planned by Johnson Con- CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS fordable by the time the market de- tional vehicles that use cheap trols-SAFT Advanced Power Solutions mands it. The gasoline. L.L.C., KD Advanced Battery Group Plans to build four new ad- INSIDE plants would “Battery technology does appear L.L.C. and Korea-based LG Chem vanced battery plants in Michigan help create to be a good bet, but the state, by through its Troy-based subsidiary were lauded last week for bringing What’s coming: economies of giving tax incentives, is taking a Compact Power Inc. to launch the Four projects for the state closer to a green economy Michigan, Page 28. scale faster business risk that they will be new plants. — but the investment does carry than the mar- wrong on the pace of adoption on In addition, the Michigan Eco- What’s not: State big economic risks. didn’t apply for ket would on this specific type of battery tech- nomic Growth Authority has autho- Industry experts say the lithium center Kentucky its own. nology,” said Pat Anderson, prin- rized more than $500 million in ion battery plants — spurred by won, Page 28. But others cipal of the Anderson Economic state tax credits. more than $500 million in state tax say the bat- Group. When operational, the plants credits and $27 billion more in tery plants most likely will face “The big risk is that consumers could produce enough lithium ion available federal funding — will al- overcapacity for years, with con- will rebel.” Crain’s fourth annual low now-expensive plug-in hybrid sumers initially rejecting the About $1.7 billion total invest- See Battery, Page 28 salute to 20 creative area leaders in their 20s begins on Page 13. You can see photo galleries of the winners, plus four video profiles, at www.crainsdetroit.com /twenties. Lakeshore engineers Is there Page 3 Stimulus money could plug a Plan B state’s budget holes, but at success with SBA help

what cost? BY NANCY KAFFER CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS for Cobo? This Just In Fifteen years ago, Avinash Rachmale used to wonder how Custom cop car company he’d make the $250-a-month rent With tax off table, considering Plymouth site on his Lakeshore Engineering Ser- vices Inc. office near Six Mile Road there’s no money An Atlanta-based automo- and Telegraph. tive startup is considering a His first year in business, rev- for expansion site in Plymouth to be the enue was less than $30,000 and hub of manufacturing for its Lakeshore was a two-room, one- BY NANCY KAFFER custom-built police cars. man shop. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Carbon Motors Corp. plans Today, Rachmale leads The to be an OEM and retailer of Lakeshore Group, an international As a regional deal to expand cars used only for law en- engineering company with about Cobo Center dies, the city of De- forcement, according to its 250 employees, from a plush aerie troit must find alternate funding Web site. Rather than con- atop an Albert Kahn-designed to improve the aging convention tract with an existing OEM, building in Detroit’s New Center. center or face losing the North the firm plans to avoid lega- As for revenue, that’s changed a MARK LEWIS/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS American International Auto Show. Avinash Rachmale, CEO of Lakeshore Engineering Services Inc. in Detroit, cy costs and use existing The Michigan Court of Appeals little, too — Lakeshore ended 2008 recently won the U.S. Small Business Association’s Entrepreneurial Success auto suppliers. The company with $150 million in revenue and award — for growing his operation beyond the small-business category. gave the coup de grace Friday to a says it will create 1,350 direct $250 million in its sights. legislative deal that would have jobs and a total of 10,000 indi- “Look at how the mindset small and grew to become, within Inc.’s Tampa office. Brzezinski has expanded and renovated the aging rect. changes,” Rachmale said. SBA’s size standards, a big busi- a long-standing professional rela- convention center under the aegis Executives recently toured And Rachmale recently was ness,” said Richard Temkin, SBA tionship with Rachmale. of a regional authority. a 130-acre site at 5 Mile and named the national winner of the Michigan district “When I think That legislation would have fi- Ridge Road, said Gary U.S. Small Business Administration’s director. “The about nanced the estimated $288 million Roberts, CEO of Plymouth- Entrepreneurial Success award. other criteria for Avinash Rachmale Lakeshore, I expansion by extending a tri-coun- based DeMattia Group, which The award isn’t given to small an award is that think the way he ty hotel and liquor tax through owns the land. businesses. With $150 million in the business knew Lakeshore did it was very 2039. “Given our location and revenue, Lakeshore exceeded the used SBA help.” calculated — he Without that tax, regional lead- proximity to the supplier SBA’s small-business standards Rachmale couldn’t remain a kept his hand on ers say, there’s no money to fix base, we have the perfect site long ago. skillfully lever- the pulse of what Cobo. was going on not And without an overhaul of See This Just In, Page 2 “It’s basically an award that aged SBA pro- one-man, small-job goes to a business that started grams to grow only in the city Cobo, the auto show’s organizers his business, shop, with a CEO of Detroit but must look at other venues, NAIAS Temkin said. also what was co-chair Douglass Fox said Friday. “When I first bogged down in day- going on nation- “The reason I supported the met Avinash, he to-day operations. ally,” he said. transaction from the beginning is was basically a “He didn’t try there are not that many real op- one-man band trying to muster up to compete with people he knew tions available,” said Detroit City some business,” said Tom he couldn’t compete with. He tried Council member Sheila Cockrel, Brzezinski, an executive vice to find opportunities for small who voted to support the expan- president in Detroit-based engi- businesses, and he tried to find sion plan. “This is an option that NEWSPAPER neering firm Wade Trim Associates See Lakeshore, Page 26 See Cobo, Page 27 20090420-NEWS--0002-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 5:51 PM Page 1

Page 2 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009

surgery and allow anesthesiolo- McLean, Va., law firm. The move percent drop from the 173 SBA- Government, Academia and In- THIS JUST IN gists to alter sedation if needed be- adds all 22 Tighe Patton attorneys backed loans made in March 2009. ternational Group, to focus on de- fore complications arise. to a small staff that Butzel already “From April through Septem- veloping TARDEC applications ■ From Page 1 — Tom Henderson maintained in Washington. ber of last year we averaged 146, for non-energy innovations. The joint venture became effec- with a high of 188, and a low of NAC Director Paul Skalny will for them,” he said. tive April 1, and Butzel owns a 50 116,” Temkin said. continue to manage both. Carbon Motors Chairman and Retailer offers nursing homes percent stake in the rebranded The SBA’s fiscal year began Also, TARDEC has created a CEO William Santana Li has been a break on digital TV boxes firm, said Joe Melnick, chief mar- with a sharp decrease in lending, Ground Vehicle Gateway portal keeping a blog about the site se- keting officer. Butzel Long Tighe when the number of loans made to help businesses get inquiries or Novi-based Internet electronics lection process at www.carbon- Patton has a mix of federal regula- fell 66 percent compared with the proposals on technology with de- retailer SolidSignal.com is offering motors.com and said the firm is tory lawyers, litigators and a same month the year before. fense applications directly to to cover the difference on digital considering Plymouth in addition business law practice. “This is almost the first time NAC and TARDEC researchers. It television converter boxes for na- to sites in Georgia, Indiana and Meanwhile, six attorneys from there’s been an uptick in the is at tardec.groundvehiclegate- tionwide state-licensed nursing South Carolina. Butzel’s Detroit and Bloomfield month-to-month (numbers) since way.com. homes. — Daniel Duggan Hills offices resigned last week to then,” he said. “But it’s too early — Chad Halcom Facilities will get one free con- open Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Tur- to say there’s a trend.” verter box from SolidSignal.com co P.L.L.C. in Birmingham. Temkin said it seems likely that Medical technologies for each of the U.S. government Grocer moves to grow The attorneys are: Keefe some of the SBA-geared provi- coupon, issued on behalf of a resi- get testers’ approval Brooks, Matt Wilkins, Dan sions in President Barack Oba- Next month, the Market Square dent. Nursing homes have specif- Sharkey and Mike Turco as part- ma’s economic stimulus package store in West Bloomfield Town- Two area tech companies got ic coupons available under the ners, and Paula Hall and Brent have boosted SBA-backed lending. ship will open a new, expanded good news last week. Wixom- federal converter box assistance Warner as associates. Key provisions included an in- store in a space across the street based Rockwell Medical Technolo- program at www.dtv2009.gov. The firm opened Thursday in crease to 90 percent of the SBA from the current location. gies Inc. (Nasdaq: RMTI) reported The coupons can be redeemed Birmingham Place and will focus guarantee for loans made through Currently in 5,000 square feet that the independent Data Safety with SolidSignal.com by calling on business disputes, commercial most programs and the elimina- at 2100 Walnut Lake Road, the Monitoring Board has reviewed in- (866) 374-4625. litigation, workouts for troubled tion of fees for borrowers. specialty grocery store will dou- terim data on a Phase II study of a — Bill Shea water-soluble form of iron to treat companies and bankruptcy. — Nancy Kaffer ble floor space by moving across or prevent anemia in patients — Chad Halcom the road. In the process, the store with end-stage renal disease and Changes at Butzel Long: Automotive Center reorganizes will double its employees to 40. found no safety concerns, a key Small-business loans rebound The new building, designed by step in moving on to a Phase III Departures, joint venture The National Automotive Center, a Birmingham’s Victor Saroki & Asso- study and then to market. Detroit-based Butzel Long P.C. March results could mean that part of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive ciates and built by Bloomfield And Troy-based Somanetics both lost and gained lawyers last the distressed U.S. Small Business Research, Development and Engineer- Hills-based Jonna Construction Co., Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTS) announced week, with a new joint venture Administration-backed lending ing Center in Warren, will launch will feature 13-foot cherry wood approval by the U.S. Food and Drug and six attorneys leaving to form market may be perking up. its reorganization into two distinct shelving units to hold a selection Administration to allow a claim that a new firm in Birmingham. Last month, 83 SBA-backed groups this week during the Soci- of over 3,000 wines. It will also its noninvasive oxygen sensor sys- Butzel plans to announce this loans were made, said SBA Dis- ety of Automotive Engineers 2009 hold a wood-fired brick pizza tem improves the outcome of pa- week that the former Tighe Patton trict Director Richard Temkin, World Congress at Cobo Center. oven and a full kitchen for take- tients undergoing surgery who Armstrong Teasdale P.L.L.C. is now the highest number in any month They are the Energy/Alterna- out and catering. weigh more than 2.5 kilograms (5.5 Butzel Long Tighe Patton P.L.L.C., af- of the current fiscal year, which tive Energy Group, which will fo- The store is one of three in the pounds). The company’s systems ter Butzel formed a joint venture began in October. cus on new energy technologies area owned by Johnny Karmo. monitors oxygen levels during with the Washington, D.C., and It’s a slight gain, but also a 52 for TARDEC, and the Industry, — Daniel Duggan

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> Claims > Noticing > Balloting > Distributions 20090420-NEWS--0003-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 6:27 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 3 Contractors sue Yamasaki Small Business Monthly Companies say they weren’t paid for Middle East work

BY CHAD HALCOM owes the money to contractors on projects in Joseph Hardig III, partner at Bloomfield CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Hills-based Hardig & Hardig P.L.L.C. and attorney The lawsuits were filed by New York-based for Yamasaki, said that Syska was overpaid for Internationally known architectural firm Ya- Syska Hennessy Group Inc. last April in U.S. Dis- incomplete and inadequate work on the Educa- masaki Associates Inc. faces three pending law- trict Court in Detroit, and by Southfield-based tion City National Convention Center in Doha, suits by consultants and subcontractors alleg- DiClemente Siegel Design Inc. on Jan. 20 and Qatar, and that Yamasaki replaced Syska as the ing nonpayment or incomplete payment Northville-based Grissim Metz Andriese Associ- mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers approaching $3 million for services on projects ates P.C. on March 19, both in Oakland Circuit with another company “many months ago” on in the Middle East. Court. the project, which began in 2006. The company also is being sued by a former Default judgments against Yamasaki were “They (Syska) think they’re entitled to re- Four business problems, principal in a fourth case. entered in the DiClemente and Grissim Metz maining payment even after their nonperfor- Yamasaki, a 57-year-old company based cases after the company did not respond to the mance,” he said. “But because of the damages four solutions, Page 10. along Tower Drive in Troy and named for its lawsuits; the Syska case continues, although no See Yamasaki, Page 29 founder, the late Minoru Yamasaki, allegedly trial date has been set. Company index These organizations appear in this week’s Crain’s Detroit Business: Anderson Economic Group ...... 1 Bebeautiful ...... 14 Beringea ...... 4 Bookies Bar & Grill ...... 16 Campbell-Ewald ...... 7 Noble couldn’t Canine to Five ...... 10 Will stimulus Center for Automotive Research ...... 28 CF Productions ...... 14 Charles J. Schneider ...... 10 Compact Power ...... 1 survive 1-2 punch Core3 Solutions ...... 14 Detroit Rescue Mission ...... 6 DiClemente Siegel Design ...... 3 stymie reform? Efficient Office Solutions ...... 15 Bad cash flow, credit Engineering Society of Detroit ...... 22 Fisher/Unitech ...... 22 General Motors ...... 7 State might plug budget holes, avoid overhaul Great Lakes Electronics ...... 21 market deck supplier Great Lakes Urban Exchange ...... 20 Grissim Metz Andriese Associates ...... 3 BY RYAN BEENE Hardig & Hardig ...... 3 BY AMY LANE Hook Studios ...... 21 CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT WHAT BUSINESS GROUPS WANT CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Hole in One ...... 17 Hope Hospitality and Warming Center ...... 15 LANSING — Michigan’s worsening bud- Some of Michigan’s federal stimulus money A few years ago, Noble International Ltd. had big HIS Global Insight ...... 28 get situation is fueling debate over the use is being looked at to help balance this year’s plans. Today, it’s in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. J.D. Power Associates ...... 28 Johnson Controls ...... 1 of federal stimulus money as part of the fix. dwindling state budget. Many business The Troy-based auto supplier of laser-welded groups disagree with using the funds to plug KD Advanced Battery Group ...... 1 At Michigan’s disposal is some $1.1 bil- steel blanks used in car and truck bodies set out on Lakeshore Economic Coalition ...... 26 budget holes. They want deeper budget cuts a string of acquisitions in 2006 and 2007 to grow and lion that it could use this year to plug bud- and structural changes in Michigan Marketplace Homes ...... 15 get holes — an action business advocates diversify the business. The company went from Michigan Chamber of Commerce ...... 25 government. Michigan Economic Development ...... 28 say could enable lawmakers and Gov. Jen- revenue of about $447 million in 2006 to $872 million Here’s how they’d like to see the stimulus in 2007. Michigan Economic Growth Authority ...... 1 nifer Granholm to avoid significant re- money used: Michigan Growth Capital Fund ...... 4 But Noble also took on significant debt, and forms and spending cuts. Ⅲ Surcharge phase-out: Some want the Michigan Health and Hospital Association ...... 3 In addition, using stimulus money to when the recession hit, the company couldn’t re- Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association ...... 3 funds used to phase out the surcharge on Michigan Popcorn ...... 14 shore up the budget could leave less stimu- the Michigan Business Tax. cover. “We thought we were in a position where we had Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency ...... 25 lus money for other uses that have been Ⅲ Tourism: Michigan’s third largest industry Mr. Song Millinery ...... 10 mentioned over past months, like phase-out wants to use stimulus money in a multi-year some runway to effectuate a change to our capital Neumann Smith ...... 29 of the surcharge on the Michigan Business tourism promotional effort. structure — we knew we needed to find a solution,” Noble International ...... 3 CEO Andrew Tavi said. “But because we had limit- North American Int’l Auto Show ...... 1 Tax, funding for tourism and assistance to Ⅲ Health care: Health care advocates want Ono Tea ...... 16 health care providers. to use a portion of the funds to reduce rising ed liquidity going in, Plunkett Cooney ...... 29 Overall, Michigan’s stimulus money in- Medicaid caseloads and the growing ranks coming out of the end ProVen Health VCT ...... 4 cludes $289.8 million in unrestricted fiscal of uninsured. of the year … we Reink Media Group ...... 18 Relevar Home Care ...... 11 stabilization funds that can be used for any needed to do it quick- We just didn’t er than some other “ Rock CF Foundation ...... 19 program, and more than $2 billion over have enough SmithGroup ...... 19 three years in increased federal Medicaid challenges, go to a health care community companies — we just Soave & Associates ...... 12 funding. that is seeing rising Medicaid caseloads didn’t have enough Summit Commercial ...... 18 liquidity to The Book Beat ...... 11 The latter, while going into Michigan’s and growing ranks of uninsured citizens. liquidity to last.” “We would be very Noble lost con- The Lakeshore Group ...... 1 Medicaid program, can be used to free up last. Team Detroit ...... 7 other general funds that could be used else- concerned if all the feder- tracts in 2008 that it ” The Nailco Group ...... 14 where. al stimulus money target- was planning on hav- Wade Trim Associates ...... 1 Andrew Tavi, Wayne County ...... 20 It’s unclear how much of that money will ed for health care was di- ing renewed, erasing verted to solve other Noble International Ltd. Wayne State University ...... 16 be used on the budget. cash from operations Wee Revolution ...... 13 Lawmakers and the Granholm adminis- budget problems,” he for which it planned. Yamasaki Associates ...... 3 tration are discussing a combination of said. While the company managed through it by cut- Zaynini Fashion International ...... 17 spending cuts and use of stimulus money to Michigan’s tourism in- ting 30 percent of its North American workforce, address what’s now estimated to be a $785 dustry also has called for eliminating 401(k) matching, freezing salaries, Department index multi-year promotional eliminating bonuses, cutting discretionary spend- million shortfall in the current year alone. BANKRUPTCIES ...... 26 support from some of the ing and ending company travel, it couldn’t make up In upcoming fiscal 2010, previous estimates Yencich BUSINESS DIARY ...... 24 have forecast a $1.6 billion shortfall. stimulus money. for lost production volumes that gained momen- Dave Finkbeiner, senior vice president of Steve Yencich, president and CEO of the tum in the fourth quarter. CALENDAR ...... 24 advocacy for the Michigan Health & Hospital Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association, Tavi said Noble was hit by the double-whammy CAPITOL BRIEFINGS...... 25 Association, said the association “recognizes said that “to exclusively use the stimulus affecting all automotive suppliers: anemic cash CAREERWORKS ...... 22 monies to fill the budget gap would be the state’s dire financial situation.” flow from poor automotive sales and frozen credit CLASSIFIED ADS ...... 24 shortsighted and does nothing to promote markets making unavailable what normally gets But he said it “is reasonable and neces- KEITH CRAIN...... 8 sary” that a portion of the stimulus funds the growth of Michigan’s economy in the companies through slow periods. LETTERS...... 8 targeted at assisting states with health care See Budget, Page 29 See Noble, Page 27 OPINION ...... 8 OTHER VOICES ...... 9 E-mail connection Small Talk Twitter PEOPLE ...... 23 THIS WEEK @ Sign up for daily news headlines Spring storm season We’re tweeting! RUMBLINGS ...... 30 and breaking news as it happens, is here. Disaster Follow at twitter.com SMALL BIZ SOLUTIONS...... 12 WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM crainsdetroit.com/getemail. prep doesn’t have to be overwhelming. /crainsdetroit WEEK ON THE WEB ...... 30 20090420-NEWS--0004-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 4:55 PM Page 1

Page 4 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009

Sustainable Lighting + ‘Too young Professional Design = and too stupid ROI to know better’

TOM HENDERSON/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Beringea was born when co-founder Charles Rothstein (center) and David Eberly (right) New lighting methods can improve are senior managing directors of Beringea L.L.C. in visibility and reduce your costs. Farmington Hills. Leslie Shipley is director of See our Sustainable Lighting Video and was fired for refusing to fire others operations. other lighting education programs. BY TOM HENDERSON Nominated by: Kelly O’Donnell, Eberly said. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS marketing and communications “The moral of the story was that www.illuminart.net specialist. “Countless Beringea what I did meant a lot to them. Early in 1988, Charles Rothstein coworkers and They learned something about me refused to fire two employees. Business their families under pressure,” said Rothstein. They were productive, hard have thrived “And that’s how we run the busi- workers. Rothstein felt that letting over the years ness here — like a family. It’s a them go would be a bad response to due to one A MICHIGAN-BASED GLOBAL COMPANY SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY Hero very humane place to work with a business slump caused by the man’s very low turnover.” adherence to Black Monday of the previous Oc- Today, Beringea does invest- tober. his principles. His story is an ment banking, private equity and Because of his refusal, he got Second in a five-part series example to venture capital and has six funds. fired instead. about privately supervisors Three are based in Michigan and It was the best thing that ever held company across our three in the United Kingdom. happened to him … and to those owners region to Last year, Beringea was selected two employees. nominated by remember that to manage $75 million of the $150 Rothstein decided to start his an employee as being a good, million Michigan Growth Capital Fund, own investment firm. The two em- a business honorable which uses state pension fund mon- person does We believe in ployees he refused to fire joined hero. ey to invest in state companies or him, even though it meant taking a not always, unfortunately, align with being a companies willing to either move big pay cut. good corporate soldier. Loyalty is a here or establish operations here. Today, the firm Rothstein start- two-way street, even in hard (See related story below.) building lasting ed, Farmington Hills-based Beringea economic times.” “Of all the guys I’ve met in the L.L.C., has more than $400 million last four years, his was a friend- under management and offices in lost money on Black Monday and ship that grew out of respect,” said relationships London, Los Angeles and Shanghai. was nervous about his exposure in James Epolito, former president “Looking back at it, it might the bond syndications. and CEO of the Michigan Economic seem noble, but it was an easy So he wanted that business to cut Development Corp. who joined Delta thing to do,” said Rothstein. back on deal-making and for Roth- Dental as CEO on April 1. We’re proud of our track record of building “There’s something about loyal- stein’s two associates, David Eberly Epolito got to know Rothstein as long-term relationships and value the trust ty. It was the most rational response and Leslie Shipley, to be let go. a fellow member of the board of the our clients place in our firm. I could have to the situation at the “I didn’t know he’d been fired. I Michigan Strategic Fund. time. And I could deal with the fi- came in the next day and Charlie “Companies would come before Jones Lang LaSalle would like to thank nancial effects of being fired better was cleaning out his desk, and I us and make their pitches, and General Motors Corporation than they could. The marketplace asked him if he was moving of- when we got to the Q&A period, was still in shock and a downsizing fices. And he said, no, he’d been for their continued business and support. he’d always have questions that was probably in order. I thought I fired,” Eberly said. got directly to the point. He always should take the hit.” Rothstein told him what had hap- did his homework,” Epolito said. At the time he was fired, Roth- pened and soon Eberly and Shipley “He’s a brilliant guy with im- stein headed a new business unit both quit. Eberly was 24, Shipley peccable integrity. He surrounds of J.W. Korth & Co., a Farmington was 26 and Rothstein was 29. himself with bright young people Hills-based firm that had just got- Eberly kicked in some of his sav- who do a big service for the state. ten into the bond syndication busi- ings and became a co-founder in They could have pulled out and www.us.joneslanglasalle.com ness, joining other investment Beringea. Today, he and Rothstein gone to Boston or California, but © 2009 Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc. All rights reserved. banks to share in large corporate are senior managing directors and they were really interested in help- bond deals. Shipley is director of operations. ing Michigan.” Rothstein says Jim Korth was a “The key was being too young Tom Henderson: (313) 446-0337, brilliant businessman, but he had and too stupid to know better,” [email protected]

Beringea purchase may bring health care jobs here In February, Beringea L.L.C. Michael Gross, a Beringea direc- ground, Beringea is considering closed on its purchase of the Noble tor, said up to three companies in him to head a new fund the compa- Health Fund, a $28 million fund the Noble portfolio could have a ny is considering in France. It with 23 health care portfolio com- Michigan presence in six to 12 would be a fund of between 50 mil- panies, from Noble Health Fund Man- months, with another three candi- lion and 200 million euros and agers Ltd. dates likely to follow. would invest in health care compa- Charles Rothstein, Beringea’s The local presence could mean nies eager to expand to the U.S. via senior managing director, said the marketing and sales offices for Michigan. purchase gave Beringea an oppor- some companies and laboratories “Michigan has great universities tunity to find companies eager to for others hoping to do contract and it has a history of being home expand from a small health care business for U.S. companies. to pharma companies. Talent is market in England to the U.S., the Gross said that with Beringea cheaper in Michigan, too. It has a largest health care market in the operating the Noble fund, re- lot of displaced scientific talent and world. named ProVen Health VCT, which a lot of infrastructure. If you are a And with co-investment opportu- trades on the London Stock Ex- company in the U.K. looking to nities from the $75 million portion change under the symbol PHV.L, move to the U.S., people say Boston, of the Michigan Growth Capital Fund other British companies interest- or the Silicon Valley, but Michigan that Beringea manages on behalf of ed in the U.S. market have asked can compete with both at a much the state pension system, that about possibly being bought. lower cost,” he said. would mean expanding into Michi- Dr. Stephane Mery, a native of “The future of Michigan is a lot gan. The fund invests either in France, stayed on as the director brighter than anyone thinks,” said companies already here or willing of the Noble/ProVen fund. Roth- Rothstein. to establish operations here. stein said that given Mery’s back- — Tom Henderson DBpageAD.qxd 4/10/2009 11:27 AM Page 1

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Page 6 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Mission plans restaurant Crain’s editor-in-chief, staffers to give clients taste of work win awards for journalism Keith Crain, editor-in-chief of published Dec. 1. BY SHERRI BEGIN WELCH YWCA building on Woodward, has developed to work with De- Crain’s Detroit Business and chair- Clark also took a third-place CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS already owned by the mission. troit Rescue Mission clients. man of Crain Communications award for her front page de- Audi estimates the cost to ren- They include video editing and Inc., was honored by the De- sign March 31, 2008. And For 100 years, the Detroit Res- ovate the building and add a des- production, Web design, medical troit chapter of the Society of Skid took second place in cue Mission has provided shelter ignated restaurant entrance with assistant and home wiring. Professional Journalists with the feature photo category for thousands of people, fed them valet parking will be about About 80 mission clients are the organization’s Lifetime for a photograph published and helped them get sober. $500,000. The mission launched a enrolled in the training pro- Achievement Award. of Nick Cucinella, one of Still, the faith-based nonprofit campaign in February to raise grams at the college, paid for Crain was recognized for Crain’s “20 in their 20s” doesn’t feel it’s done enough, said the funds, he said, and already with U.S. Housing and Urban Devel- his outstanding contribu- honorees in the March 31, CEO Chad Audi. has $30,000 in hand. opment grant funding and dona- tions to Detroit journalism 2008, issue. “I don’t think we emphasized “No matter what, we’re going tions to the mission, Audi said. at SPJ’s annual banquet Health care reporter Jay the second phase, which is mak- to open it,” he said. April 15 at the San Marino Greene won an honorable The college began its first culi- Crain ing sure they will get a job” so The mission currently has nary arts training program in Club in Troy. mention in feature writing they can stay sober and get back about $280,000 in unrestricted re- May last year, covering every- In addition, Crain’s staffers won for his story on executive substance on their feet, he said. serves, he said. thing from basic science in cook- eight 2009 Excellence in Media abuse, “The Long Road to Recovery,” The Detroit Rescue Mission is In its preliminary audit report ing, food safety and plating, said Awards from the Detroit SPJ Chap- published Aug. 4. creating a number of ventures to for 2008, the nonprofit reported Bernard Thompson, district ter: Copy desk chief Gary Piatek and help its clients do just that, the combined revenue of $17.8 mil- dean for business and industry Reporter Sherri Begin Welch took copy editor Vic Doucette took a third- latest being a restaurant planned lion for its core shelter opera- partnerships. a first-place award, and reporters Tom place award in headline writing. for Highland Park. tions, its substance abuse treat- Henderson and Daniel Duggan took sec- And Crain’s Web site, Service and management The mission is collaborating ment program Christian Guidance ond place, in investigative reporting. www.crainsdetroit.com, won second training come at the end, with the Wayne County Community Center, and Lakeview Farms Mis- Welch won first place for her sto- place in the new-media category rec- through job experience at the College District to open a restau- sions, which operates Wildwood ry “Unchecked Passion,” a look at ognizing media Web sites for quali- restaurant. rant on Woodward Avenue, Ranch camp in Howell. donor involvement in nonprofits ty, design and usability. The Web hopefully before year’s end, Audi The mission had a total operat- Fifteen of the 25 people who en- and when it crosses the line, pub- site is produced by General Manag- said. ing excess of $871,779 for 2008 and tered the one-year program have lished April 21, 2008. er Alan Baker, Web Editor Christine The restaurant will provide net assets of $8.7 million. nearly completed it. Henderson and Duggan took sec- Lasek and Web Designer-Producer culinary arts, restaurant service Most of the people who come “We want them to be able to ond place with “Easy Money, Rushed Ai-Ting Huang. and management training for the through the mission’s doors are run an entire operation,” Deals — When Greed Isn’t Good,” a The Detroit SPJ chapter presents people who have gone to the res- adults who are not ready to go Thompson said. look at the subprime mortgage scan- Excellence in Media Awards annual- cue mission for help and have back and get a college degree, “Along with the cooking part dal, published Sept. 15. ly for outstanding news reporting been clean for at least a year. Audi said. of it, we’re teaching them to be Former graphics editor Nancy and analysis in local publications, Detroit-based Merz & Associates The culinary arts training pro- businessmen, as well,” so they Clark and multimedia reporter broadcast and new electronic media. L.L.C. is working on design plans gram is the latest in a number of can be chefs and caterers. Nathan Skid took first place in the This year’s contest received 325 en- for the restaurant, which will be job training programs the Wayne Sherri Begin Welch: (313) 446- feature design category for a Busi- tries. SPJ chapters in Chicago, Min- on the first floor of the former County Community College District 1694, [email protected] ness Lives story on holiday parties, nesota and Florida chose the winners.

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April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 7

CAPITALIZE ON PIRATE DRAMA? Chevy, Navy have Campbell-Ewald nervous The rescue last week of an American ship captain from pirates by elite U.S. Navy sailors would BY BILL SHEA ment scrutiny amid reorganiza- Millington, Tenn. of its customer-relationship man- appear to be gold when it comes to CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS tion fueled by federal loans, has More agencies bid on the con- agement work with C-E after a recruiting — but maybe not for the been slashing ad spending and ear- tract than in any past review, said brief review. service’s civilian advertising agency. Campbell-Ewald has billion-dollar marking brands to sell or kill. Altizer. The agencies made their The agency lost the $40 million hopes pinned on sailors and Ca- While Chevy is expected to re- pitches in the fall. National City account in April 2007 “Part of me says you don’t need to promote it because it was on every maros. main central to GM’s future, the “If you look at the history of rec- and Michelin North America Inc. TV in the world for three days,” The Warren-based advertising reductions have meant layoffs at ompetes, these are situations that work in early 2008, but in 2007 it agency will find out in coming said Tony Hopp, chairman and CEO C-E. The company currently has are mandates. The government picked up the U.S. Mint, Olympic of Warren-based Campbell-Ewald, weeks if it will retain the $500 mil- 1,100 employees, down from 1,300 generally doesn’t make changes,” Paint and Carhartt, as well as pro- which has handled the Navy’s lion U.S. Navy recruiting account it last year. It’s unclear how many of said George Rogers, president and jects for Shire Pharmaceuticals, Cin- advertising since 2000. “The news has won twice since 2000. It’s also those cuts are directly attributable CEO of Team Detroit, the Dearborn- tron, the Federal Deposit Insurance media is doing it for you.” dealing with severe General Motors to Chevy work, which includes the based coalition of agencies that Corp. and Meijer. Hopp said it would be up to the Corp.-ordered cutbacks in heavily digital campaign handle most Ford advertising. C-E’s strength lies in its diversi- Navy if it wanted to capitalize on the Chevrolet work it’s rollout this year of the re- He noted that New York-based fication away from auto work that the dramatic rescue of Capt. had since 1922. launched Camaro. agency JWT (which is part of Team began 13 years ago, Hopp said. Richard Phillips after he was held There’s a sense of un- Further muddying the Detroit) has had the U.S. Marine Hopp said the agency expects to in a lifeboat by Somali pirates for four days. certainty at the agency waters is a question mark Corps account since 1946. announce several new clients this that will be relieved only now looming over the The Navy has met all of its month and noted that C-E’s digital “That’s something the admirals and captains could answer,” Hopp when the Navy makes its Navy account’s value. De- monthly recruiting goals while C- staff has grown from 85 to 187 in said. decision, said Tony Hopp, fense Secretary Robert E has had the account. just a few years. That unit would The agency’s campaigns for the C-E’s chairman and CEO. Gates earlier this month Overall, it’s been a mixed couple be a $275 million to $300 million Navy have included efforts to “I don’t think anybody said there would be com- of years for Campbell-Ewald. agency if it stood alone, he said. enjoys that kind of envi- recruit for the branch’s special prehensive (but not yet de- The ad house picked up San An- “We haven’t let off the invest- forces, including the SEALs (Sea, ronment,” he said. “Obvi- Hopp fined) changes to military tonio-based financial services and ment throttle one nickel in terms Air, Land). ously, the Navy is a large piece of contracting as part of his plan to insurance giant USAA in Decem- of new business growth,” Hopp The most memorable commercial business for us. We expect an an- reshape Pentagon budget priori- ber. Terms weren’t announced, said. was a 30-second spot called swer soon. We’re confident, but ties and improve procurement. but USAA’s annual media spend is Others agree. “Footprints” that showed waves you never know.” The Navy last year had 325,300 believed to be about $50 million. “Campbell-Ewald over the years rolling onto a bare beach at night, The Chevy account is Campbell- sailors and a budget of $149 billion. The agency lost $100 million- has done a much better job than and then rolling back again to Ewald’s most valuable, but neither The recruiting advertising ac- plus creative and media work for most toward diversification of briefly reveal the imprints of SEALs the agency nor automaker will count review was mandatory. Los Angeles-based Farmers Insur- their business base away from au- that came ashore unseen. provide a dollar value. GM spent The Navy will say little about ance Group after 12 years to Dallas- tomotive,” Rogers said. “They may It was a trio of SEAL snipers $718 million in 2007 on Chevy ad- the contract. based agency The Richards Group, be at a certain specific situation, aboard the USS Bainbridge that killed the three pirates and vertising, according to New York- “All I can confirm is that we’re but picked up local media-plan- but I never count those guys out. based TNS Media Intelligence, and prompted Phillips’ rescue after in a bid process that’s under way, ning business for Minneapolis- They have a good sense of their negotiations broke down. that was expected to have dropped and we’re going through the acqui- based Buffalo Wild Wings in Novem- brand and they’re one of the considerably since. The Navy has about 2,600 SEALs sition process and the many steps ber. That work is believed to be stronger shops around.” among its 360,600 sailors. The troubled automaker, which involved,” said Capt. Phil Altizer worth about $25 million. Bill Shea: (313) 446-1626, — Bill Shea remains under intense govern- of the Naval Recruiting Command in In October, GM consolidated all [email protected]

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Page 8 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 OPINION Focus on schools’ success, not type here was much debate and consternation over a state Department of Education report last week that conclud- T ed that students in charter schools in general do better on MEAP tests than students in the public school districts in which most charter schools are located. That may be true in aggregate, but a Detroit Free Press analysis showed that students in charter schools perform more poorly than students in the surrounding district about 60 percent of the time. That led Central Michigan University, which charters more schools than anyone else in the state, to respond that the Free Press analysis doesn’t work because students in individ- ual charter schools come from many different districts, not just the one in which the school is located. So what are the rest of us to conclude in the pursuit of good public policy? We would suggest this: Are individual schools, regardless of format, good enough? Are their students being well-educat- ed enough to successfully pursue post-secondary education, with the largest number of them achieving bachelor’s degrees and a reasonable number of those going on to graduate school? There is no magic-bullet educational format. There are public, charter and private schools that challenge and trans- LETTERS form their students, and there are public, charter and private schools that leave their students massively unprepared. Let’s stop arguing the charter vs. public question, which Fellowship named for true leader doesn’t lend itself to an either/or conclusion, and start focus- ing on whether each of our schools is serving students. Editor: tive leadership in the corporate, Crain’s Detroit Business Thank you for the article pub- civic and nonprofit sectors for his welcomes letters to the editor. lished on April 13, “Fund starts fel- entire distinguished career. He All letters will be considered for lowship for CEOs of nonprofits.” has been a mentor to many local Ideas, action are our best bets publication, provided they are This article brought welcome at- signed and do not defame leaders who have been fortunate The past week has brought several creative responses to tention to the importance of effec- individuals or organizations. enough to work with him in his the changing economy. tive leadership for nonprofit orga- Letters may be edited for length various capacities. A group of Saturn dealers is pitching a proposal to buy the nizations. However, the article did and clarity. The Miller Fellowship Program not mention that the McGregor Write: Editor, Crain’s Detroit will recognize strong nonprofit brand and then contract with a variety of manufacturers to Fund named this program the Eu- Business, 1155 Gratiot Ave., leaders who have led human ser- make the cars. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that gene A. Miller Fellowship Pro- Detroit, MI 48207-2997. vice agencies for at least five years, clothing designer Eileen Fisher, who believes her brand is being gram, in honor of Eugene Miller, E-mail: [email protected] giving them the opportunity to step devalued by early deep discounting, has asked her staff to inves- who has served since 1985 as a back from their day-to-day respon- tigate the possibility of leasing space in major department stores trustee of the fund, and as chair- sibilities and undertake activities leadership capacities with many man of our board of trustees from that will both rejuvenate them and so she can control pricing. And, as reporter Daniel Duggan re- 2001 through 2008. community organizations, includ- benefit the organizations they lead. ports this week, a Washington, D.C., company called Carbon Mo- As most Crain’s Detroit Business ing Cranbrook Educational Com- We can think of no finer communi- tors Corp. is considering Michigan and four other states as a lo- readers know, Gene Miller was munity, the Community Founda- ty leader than Gene Miller for chairman and CEO of Comerica tion for Southeast Michigan, cation to build law-enforcement vehicles that aren’t made-over whom to name the program. versions of existing models (See story, Page 1). Bank and was affiliated with Com- Oakland University Foundation, erica and its predecessor banks for Detroit Renaissance, United Way C. David Campbell We don’t know if any of these ideas will become successful, President his entire career. He serves on nu- and others. McGregor Fund but we do believe that those with the best chance of coming out merous corporate boards. In addi- The McGregor Fund named this Detroit ahead once the economy improves are those who don’t stand tion to the McGregor Fund, he program for Gene Miller because still. serves or has served in volunteer he has epitomized strong, effec- See Letters, Page 9

KEITH CRAIN: Don’t forget the Detroit City Council They won the battle and they We’re looking at the I only hope they remem- this important motor show. The in Oakland County doesn’t really lost the war. They also may have potential loss of thou- ber the names of those chances of saving it now are di- matter. They all will be looking for lost thousands of jobs in Detroit. sands of Detroit jobs. five members of City minished greatly, and it’s going to a new home, and the sooner the I’m sure five members of the De- Jobs for the folks who Council who voted to be up to the Detroit Auto Dealers better. troit City Council, led by President live in the city of De- kill this deal that would Association to come up with alter- Luckily, there are elections this Monica Conyers are all feeling troit. The five members have helped to save the native plans that might help to year and the voters of Detroit will pretty good these days after show- of City Council didn’t North American Inter- save this show for the region, if not have an opportunity to reward ing their muscle. It’s a shame. seem to have any inter- national Auto Show, Cobo. those five members of the Detroit The deal was done, but there est in protecting the which is the biggest The same will be necessary for City Council who have cost the cit- didn’t seem to be enough bowing jobs of their citizens customer of Cobo Cen- Autorama, the boat show and SAE. izens of Detroit thousands of jobs. and scraping to council members, when the choice was ter every year and a sin- All of these shows are going to be They won the battle and cost the so they nixed the deal to try to whether to show their power. gle event that brings into the city looking for other venues now that hard-working voters and citizens spruce up Cobo Center with a bit of I cannot imagine the frustration of Detroit almost half a billion dol- these five members of the Detroit of Detroit hundreds of millions of expansion, as well. of all the people involved with this lars annually. (See story, Page 1.) City Council have driven a stake dollars of good-paying jobs. Let’s But that’s all dead now that an project and the frustration of all With a precarious economy, the into the heart of Cobo Center. not forget them when the primary appeals court agreed that council the people whose jobs are depen- challenge would have been to try Whether they find a new home comes up later this year. could, indeed, veto the deal. dent on the vitality of Cobo Center. to save the power and strength of out near the airport or somewhere It’s a real shame. 20090420-NEWS--0009-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 2:12 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 9 OTHER VOICES: Michigan needs to have a state-owned bank

It’s time for Michigan to port Authority, the De- billion deficit in 2009. students and purchases municipal Last year, Michigan residents open a state-owned, state- troit Public Schools, the What if our interest payments bonds from public institutions. paid more than $5 billion in per- run bank. Our leaders have University of Michigan went into our own bank? In 2007, with a loan volume of $2 sonal income tax. With a state talked for decades about and Michigan State Uni- North Dakota has the only state- billion, the bank earned a net prof- bank like North Dakota’s, we the same old problems: versity pay more than owned bank in the nation, estab- it of $51 million. Each year, the could reduce this burden, fund high taxes, our lack of re- $800 million a year in in- lished in 1919. The state guaran- state Legislature decides how to new businesses and restore our gional cooperation, our in- terest on long-term debt. If tees the bank’s deposits and, by use the bank’s profits. For exam- crumbling water and sewer sys- ability to create a succes- you add interest paid by law, the state must deposit all of its ple, in 1993, the Legislature trans- tems. And we don’t have to feel sor to our automotive Michigan cities, school funds in its bank, which three ferred $52 million to the general sorry about Wall Street losing our industry, etc. But they nev- districts and public utili- elected officials oversee. fund, $28 million from bank capital business. They didn’t “earn” the er talk about our central Charles Fleetham ties, the cost to taxpayers The bank’s stated mission is to and $24 million from earnings. money they lent us. problem: the dollars flowing from easily tops a billion dollars a year. deliver quality, sound financial North Dakota has a population Call your state representatives our state to Wall Street bankers. What does Wall Street do with our services that promote agriculture, of less than 700,000. Yet since 2000, today and ask to keep Michigan According to recent financial re- money? They decorate their offices commerce and industry in North the state’s GNP has grown 56 per- dollars in Michigan with a state- ports (available online), the state like kings. Dakota. It partners with private cent, personal income has grown owned bank. of Michigan, the city of Detroit, the And even though the state raised banks to loan money to farmers, 43 percent, and wages have grown Charles Fleetham is a Farming- Detroit Water and Sewerage De- business taxes last year (mine went real estate developers, schools and 34 percent. This year the state has ton Hills-based management con- partment, the Wayne County Air- up 66 percent), we might have a $1 small businesses, loans money to a budget surplus of $1.2 billion. sultant.

LETTERS CONTINUED ■ From Page 8 Workers deserve dignity Editor: Nonprofit experts and leaders gathered at Lawrence Technologi- cal University on March 9 to cele- brate and learn from nonprofits Together We Made a Difference! honored by Crain’s and the DTE Energy Foundation. There was also a more serious message. Ses- sion moderators predicted that the INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY — The Campaign for Oakland University economic tsunami that has struck corporate America is about to do a repeat performance in the non- Oakland University extends its thanks and appreciation to the donors and alumni who A special thank you to profit sector. have helped us reach our $110 million goal one year ahead of schedule. Campaign gifts Oakland University As rolling grant cycles end dur- are impacting the lives of Oakland University students and faculty through: Campaign Leadership ing 2009 and beyond, 2010 and 2011 may prove the leanest yet. So non- s Faculty chairs and professorships Campaign Co-Chairs profits are again bracing for even More than 36 research and academic program endowments Susan Cischke more massive restructuring and s Ann Nicholson reorganization ahead, and more s Dozens of student scholarship endowments, including study abroad Dennis Pawley people will lose their jobs. I challenge my former col- s Building and laboratory additions and enhancements President’s Campaign Council leagues (CEOs and presidents) to Frederick Adams restructure their organizations Maggie Allesee Henry Baskin with the same respect and care for By joining together with the shared goal of bringing innovation and opportunity to our students and faculty, and by extension, society, those who have contributed to Janet Bennett their employees they have for Walter Douglas their clients. The Campaign for OU have touched the lives of countless individuals.The reach of R. Hugh Elliott Having been handed my pink our campaign is extensive with: David Fischer slip several months ago from my John Ganfield nonprofit employer of 29 years, I s Thousands of new donors brought to Oakland through the Diane Grieves have had the privilege to share a comprehensive campaign Barry Klein cup of coffee or two with unem- David Baker Lewis ployed brethren from the corpo- s Nearly 2,000 new alumni donors providing support for Ron May rate world. Many received the in- their alma mater Gary Pilibosian Richard Rassel famous “box treatment” — pack up More than 900 OU employees and retirees contributing your things in a box and be escort- s Joan Rosen Robert Schostak ed to the nearest doors — the same to the campaign. Stephan Sharf doors of the places they may have James Sharp, Jr. walked through for years and Walter Young where they previously toiled for INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY — their companies and families. The Campaign for Oakland University Far too many business leaders are allowing fear — and their at- torneys — to determine how peo- ple are terminated today. Dignity and respect have been replaced by We Reached Our Goal! actions that are justified by avoid- ance of retaliation and a reduc- tion in litigation. My friends who www.oakland.edu/innovationandopportunity are HR professionals say that

there are sound termination prac- URL-2890 4.09 tices that also preserve respect and dignity for those who are ter- minated. Our sector is supposed to stand for and come alongside the disad- vantaged and disenfranchised. That compassionate philosophy and practice should apply as much to their employees as their clients. Glenn Trevisan Farmington 20090420-NEWS--0010-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:13 PM Page 1

Page 10 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009

Monthly Know when red flags signal it’s time for bankruptcy, Page 12 A CONVERSATION WITH Problem Minesh s lvers Baxi, business consultant and author Four business owners find a solution

Minesh Baxi is a Troy-based business consultant. His most recent book is The 30-Day Total mall Luke Song: Mr. Song Millinery, Detroit Business Makeover. He spoke with businesses Crain’s reporter Nancy Kaffer about can encounter Problem: Unexpected growth entrepreneurship and offered advice S big problems. After soul legend Aretha for existing businesses. Whether it’s getting Franklin appeared at Presi- How is entrepreneurship changing? noticed in a crowded dent Barack Obama’s inau- People are making a lot of marketplace, guration wearing a hat made transitions. People need information learning how to be by Mr. Song Millinery, the De- in a bite-sized format to make those troit hat-maker experienced the boss, or finding changes come about. a flood of orders. People were able to get business a way to meet a “We grew faster than we without doing too much in the past, sudden spike in expected,” said Luke Song, the but times have changed. The demand, problems store’s chief designer and economy has changed, and they come with the CEO of Moza Inc., the corpora- need to have more clear, up-to-date tion that owns the Mr. Song information on top of having a territory. brand. With a demonstrated business. Crain’s reporter pattern of growth and an in- What are the biggest mistakes Nancy Kaffer asked flux of new business, Song people are making? They don’t look four business thought he’d easily obtain fi- at hiring in a systematic format. The owners how they nancing for an expansion. He first person that comes to their mind, solved an especially was wrong. “Every bank has or that they like, they end up hiring. challenging problem. shut us down.” Some other mistakes people make — Their responses? they assume just by spending dollars Solution: Speed order turnaround “We had a lot of orders, we had to pay our sup- they can get advertising and Solutions don’t have pliers for the growth, and nobody was willing to marketing to work. Or they try to be an to be high-cost to be Before the Franklin bump, Mr. Song made help,” he said. expert in everything without looking for effective and, about a hundred hats a day, sold at 500 retailers So he and his staff renegotiated terms with the nationwide, including the Mr. Song showroom clients who carry Mr. Song chapeaus. (education from) experts. sometimes, in Detroit. The milliner ended 2008 with just “Some of our clients have 60-day terms; we Most of them don’t have a detailed homegrown ones get game plan or goals for their business. over $1 million in revenue, up from the previous would ask for 30,” he said. “It was like pulling the best results. year. teeth, but we got it done.” What are the biggest changes for Luke Song had hoped to add a few staff mem- The quick turnaround meant the shop could folks who are going into business bers and had considered expanding the show- keep up with increased demand. for themselves? Corporate Photos by room and increasing the brand’s production The retailer is projecting $6 million in revenue marketing is not the same as space, currently housed in a 5,000-square-foot for 2009. marketing themselves. Nathan Skid Ferndale facility. “Hopefully, we can get there,” Song said. They have to create their own “We’re workhorses here, and we’ll do what is Crain’s Detroit Business When the banks said no, Song scaled back his message, which is very hard for plans — but he still needed capital to meet the in- necessary for our goal — with or without the them to do. And usually they don’t creased order volume. bank’s help.” have a target market ... and now they have to find it. Or they hope to make the same money they were making in the corporate world in just a matter of a few months. Liz Blondy: Canine to Five, Detroit What’s the best advice for the owner of an existing business? Problem: Managing employees points, she’s sought training from sem- [Work] on your business rather than inars oriented toward small-business Canine to Five was Liz Blondy’s first busi- working in your business. There are owners. But when she needs immedi- ness venture — and the first time she’d a lot of systems and support ate, on-the-spot advice, she draws on outsourcing you can do outside your managed employees. the experience of businesses acquain- own company while you are staying “I was never a manager before, so tances. focused on the bigger vision of the there was a big learning curve for me,” “Recently, I had to discipline an em- company.” said the owner of the Detroit-based dog ployee, so I called a friend from (a local day care, in its fourth year of operation. restaurant) who has been in business for “Especially the first employee I had. a long time and manages 30 employees,” If you know someone in small business or Detroit We became really good friends. We were she said. or Wayne County the only two people who worked here.” The friend advised her to respect the government But that caused problems. employee’s dignity by conducting the con- Nancy Kaffer “It’s difficult when you love dogs, your versation privately, not during a shift. should employee loves dogs, and you’re together Solution: Training and distance And, she said, it’s important not to be interview, every day for three years,” she said. “I need to become a stronger manager, too informal with employees on the job. call (313) “Unfortunately, I’m having to distance 446-0412 or “It’s hard not to be their friend … but and I need to seek out resources to teach write nkaffer once you become friends with an em- me how to do that,” said Blondy, who has myself,” she said. “It goes against my na- @crain.com ployee, it is very difficult to be their 11 employees. ture, but that’s what being a boss has boss.” To shore up her managerial weak been about.” 20090420-NEWS--0011-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 2:11 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 11 Small Business Monthly Cary Loren: The Book Beat, Oak Park Misty Delegato: Relevar Home Care L.L.C., Mt. Clemens

Problem: So if I talk about an author coming to De- Problem: Competing with tions strategy to keep the Relevar brand troit we’re trying to promote, I try to put all prominent in the market. Declining traffic their books on the sales site, I put links in established businesses “It’s a very strong marketing program Traffic has been slowing for years at The the newsletter, and I may also write a blog Misty Delegato opened Relevar Home Care that’s themed every month,” Delegato said. Book Beat, an independent Oak Park book- about it, talking about why I think it’s im- L.L.C., a home health care service, six years Relevar began issuing a monthly post- store, said owner Cary portant for people to ago. Health care is a card along with an e- Loren. come.” growing industry, but newsletter. Both go out “We’re in an indus- The newsletter data- Delegato was compet- to all of Relevar’s try that has been fad- base contains 5,000 e- ing against businesses clients — and referral ing for years,” he mail addresses, said that had been in the sources. said. “We’re dealing Loren, who tries to market for 20 years, The company also in- with antiques.” link online news and some franchises with vests in Relevar-brand- notes to off-line advertising and mar- ed promotional items Solution: Build events. keting budgets much that are pegged to a cur- For example, the larger than Relevar’s. rent health care issue. a customer base Book Beat took an ac- “Because we’re a May, for example, is small company and Last summer, tive role in promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness we’re having a lot of Loren took a look at a talk by activist and Month, so Relevar’s franchises enter our the declining econo- author Bill McKibben, May promotions will re- market, it’s been diffi- my and realized he who addressed a fer to Alzheimer’s edu- cult to differentiate our- needed to take action crowd of 500 at the cation. selves,” Delegato said. to boost store traffic Grosse Pointe War The message: Relevar and sales. Memorial. Before the is up-to-date on health So he invested in event, Loren blogged Solution: Comprehensive care concerns. the company’s Web about McKibben’s marketing strategy, So far, Delegato is site. work, and the Book pleased with the results Loren sees his job Beat offered McK- on a budget — Relevar is up 10 per- as part store owner, ibben’s books for sale Delegato had consid- cent over last year. part educator. in both the online and ered hiring a full-time “(The marketing The Book Beat has bricks-and-mortar public-relations manag- campaign has) kept us a traditional Web site, store. er for Relevar, but that wasn’t in the finan- top of mind in our referral sources, so when an online store, a “I notice people cial cards. Delegato interviewed three they have a need to refer out home care, newsletter and a blog. All four online re- printing out the newsletters and coming in small public-relations companies before they see us,” Delegato said. “And we’re get- sources work together with them,” he said. “We don’t do every finding one that offered the services Rele- ting positive feedback from the materials “It’s integrated,” he said. “The sales, the book in the world. We have a very narrow var required, keeping in mind the small we’re dropping off and sending out, be- product part, then the newsletter and event focus on things we feel are important … company’s budget. cause they’re not just marketing materials, page, all these things are interconnected. that creates a kind of a following.” The firm developed an ongoing promo- there’s an educational edge to it.” 20090420-NEWS--0012-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 2:10 PM Page 1

Page 12 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Small Business Monthly Know which red flags signal bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can be a frightening word. But for many local business HOW TO CHOOSE owners in a worsening economy, it’s a word that promises relief A BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY from a morass of financial entan- Check references. glement. Choose one who evaluates your Local attorneys say small-busi- case on its merits. Beware of a ness bankruptcies have doubled in lawyer who seems to have an the past year. established model for business “It started three or four years bankruptcies. ago,” said attorney Francis Soave An attorney who will take the of St. Clair Shores-based Soave & time to discuss your business in Associates P.L.C. “We started seeing depth will be more likely to come people that had been involved in up with the bankruptcy plan that’s investment real estate, … people best for you. with five to 15 homes that they had purchased, all with mortgages.” Withholding, Soave explained, The field of bankruptcy clients refers to payroll taxes and in- continued to widen, encompassing cludes payments to a state’s unem- all types of small-business owners, ployment insurance fund or Social Soave said. Security. “We started seeing “Those are trust fund business people coming Small Biz taxes,” he said. “They in with small businesses, Solutions don’t belong to the per- looking for some relief,” son that’s collecting he said. them. You’re dealing When is it time for a with them in trust for business owner to consult the government, and a bankruptcy attorney? they’re just passing “If you think you’re in through your hands. Lease Dragging You Down? trouble, you probably When you don’t surren- are,” said attorney der them to the govern- Charles Schneider of Nancy Kaffer Lease Renegotiation ment, those are priority Whether you currently lease 3,000 square feet or Livonia-based Charles J. debts in a bankruptcy own twenty-five locations, Plante Moran CRESA Schneider P.C. “The reason I say that and in many cases cannot be dis- Tenant Representation is, they’ll go to the utmost lengths of charged, in or out of the bankrupt- is an independent, fully integrated, real estate trying to keep a business afloat, far cy. And the individual can be re- Incentives beyond the time that I, knowing sponsible for those.” consulting firm that will act as your unbiased advisor. what the bankruptcy laws say, Other potential indicators can Contact us today to lower your real estate costs. Sale Leaseback would have pulled the trigger and include a business that’s closed or fired the bank- on the verge of (248)223-3500 pmcresa.com Project Feasibility ruptcy bullet.” closing, or fore- A business If you think closed property, Lease Administration owner in difficult “ he said. circumstances, you’re in trouble, “But people Buyer Representation Schneider said, know when might empty or you probably are. they’re in trou- Project Management take a loan ” ble,” Soave said. against a 401k re- Charles Schneider, Charles J. About half his tirement savings Schneider P.C. clients are simply plan, or mortgage closing a business a family home. and liquidating assets, he said. “There’s a certain bundle of prop- More than half of his small-busi- erty they’re allowed to keep to make ness bankruptcy clients file Chap- a new, fresh start in life — an IRA ter 7, which involves liquidation of account, or a 401k, that would have the business. Chapter 11 bankrupt- been exempt under bankruptcy cy protection allows a company to code or not available to creditors,” reorganize. A corporation or part- he said. “People dive into exempt or nership can’t file for Chapter 13 You get more than just theories excluded assets trying to pay back bankruptcy, but an individual and equations at Lawrence their debt, when they should have with a regular income may use Technological University. You’re seen the writing on the wall and not Chapter 13 to adjust debt. done those things.” exposed to the tools and practical “Most small-business people, Common, Schneider said, is for a when they get into borrowing situ- experience you’ll need to realize business owner to borrow against ations, are forced to sign personal- your dreams. the equity in a family home. ly for debt,” Soave said. “Though “There are assets we call ‘ex- they may have a limited liability The goal is simple: To prepare empted assets,’ ” he said. “When corporation, the requirements of they come to me and they’ve usual- you to not only compete within their loans typically have personal ly liquidated those in some sort of guarantees. So the most common your profession, but to lead it. fashion, it’s almost always the case suit we’re looking at is personal that they’ve gone too far to try to bankruptcy.” Visit ltu.edu/applyfree avoid bankruptcy. If you’re look- Schneider concurs. to have your application fee waived! ing to invade assets of those types, “The lenders like to see the indi- you ought to be looking to see viduals on the hook for the amount whether you ought to be filing a of the debt because then it gets per- bankruptcy case at that time.” sonal and they can’t just walk Leaders in the Making A big red flag is getting behind away,” he said. on tax payments, Soave said. “Unless they file for personal Explore over 20 master’s and doctoral programs in architecture, business “That situation should not be al- bankruptcy. But if it comes to that administration, communication, computer science, information systems, lowed to linger,” he said. “You point, they’ve lost all hope that, if interior design, engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer), should immediately talk to your business has gone away, they and science at ltu.edu/academicsandmajors/graduate_programs.asp. accountant and speak to a bank- aren’t going to keep their personal ruptcy attorney because of the risk assets, either.” Lawrence Technological University 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058 800.CALL.LTU [email protected] ltu.edu and peril of ignoring that, especial- Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, ly with the withholding taxes.” [email protected] 20090420-NEWS--0013-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:14 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 13 in their Twenty Twenty 20s

eet the 2009 class of 20 in their 20s. M It’s easy to under- estimate the brainpower and young entrepreneurial talent we have in our own backyard, but the following pages will give you reason for celebra- tion. Now in its fourth year, our 20s program highlights the young professionals who may not have made their first mil- lion but are living proof that there is work under way by young people to counter the region’s brain drain. This year, Crain’s had more than 200 nominees. As always, it’s a difficult process, and we spent the past several months evaluating candidates to come up with the final list. CELEBRATION TIME Crain’s will host a celebration of the 2009 class of 20 in their 20s May 7 in the Key Club at Steve’s Soul Food Market in Detroit. To register, go to www.regonline.com/20event. The event, which kicks off with a Detroit Make it Here happy hour, runs 5-8 p.m. The cost is $25. Register by May 4.

Photos by Nathan Skid Crain’s Detroit Business

arry Brook started work at Lipari Foods I do quite a bit of silk-screening, myself, and a Why she lives in metro Detroit KARRY BROOK, 28 Inc. before she graduated from the College lot of nights I’m up to three in the morning,” K for Creative Studies and didn’t have a busi- said Brook, whose second son, Gabe, turned a “It’s my home. My family is here. Founder ness in mind when she took a few screen-print- year old this month. Everyone I know is here. I can’t Wee Revolution, St. Clair Shores ing classes after her son, Jake, was born in 2005. As if all that wasn’t enough, Brook wanted to imagine being comfortable in any But once she started to toy with his shirt de- jump-start her running — she ran track and other place. I grew up in the signs, people started asking her where she cross country in high school — and thought suburbs, and I went to school bought them, “I couldn’t pass up finding the time would be easier if downtown. I love the architecture. I know you hear about all the young the opportunity,” she said. she had other young moms to run I couldn’t people leaving, but not me.” In 2006, she began attending “ with. The group she founded runs Claim to fame: Turned a hobby trade shows as a business. Now, pass up the two to four miles on Tuesday making clothes for her son into a she has sales reps in Japan, Cali- nights at Metro Beach Metropark growing business while holding down fornia, Illinois and North Caroli- opportunity. in Harrison Township and Satur- a full-time job as a graphic designer na, and her line of trendy chil- ” day mornings at Dodge Park in for Lipari Foods Inc. of Warren. dren’s clothes is in 30 retail boutiques in the Sterling Heights, with babies in tow. Next step: Expand the Wee U.S., Japan and Puerto Rico. “I knew there were other moms like me out Revolution clothing line to the East Brook says 2008 revenue was about $20,000 there, struggling to find the time, and I figured Coast. Increase consumer sales and she’s shooting for $30,000 this year. it would be easier for me to do it if I knew I had online and, eventually, open a store By day, she uses her graphic arts skills for someone meeting me,” she said. in Detroit or a city with trendy Lipari. “Nights are reserved for doing orders. — Tom Henderson shops, like Royal Oak.

Karry Worst job: Working the salad bar for Henry Hmm, really? Bumps her butt in their Brook Ford Retirement Village restaurant, because on the front door to make sure WEB EXTRA of post-meal cleanup. it’s locked every night. See videos of four 20s winners at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties. Twenty 20s Fun Facts More fun facts online at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties 20090420-NEWS--0014,0015-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:12 PM Page 1

Page 14 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Focus: 20 in their 20s

fter reading an arti- cle on the prof- A itability of dial-up Internet companies, Paul Chambers decided it was time to enter the booming industry. So in 1996, at 14 years old, Chambers presented a business model to his grandparents for a $10,000 loan. But it didn’t take long for Chambers to realize he was in over his head. So at 16, he retooled his young company to focus on Web development. Shortly after, Chambers met his future business partner, Ryan Deyer, through a mutual ac- quaintance. Where Cham- bers had a stronger busi- ness acumen, Deyer was a PAUL CHAMBERS, 28 better Web designer. COO and co-founder, Core3 Solutions L.L.C., Birmingham While the pair worked Owner and president, Michigan Popcorn Co. L.L.C., Royal Oak to build a customer base through grassroots tactics such as distributing fliers and making cold calls, they Why he lives in metro Detroit discovered another niche — networking homes for wireless Internet. “There’s so much potential that in some respects it’s like a blank slate. I am the type of person who As Chambers closed in on a bachelor’s degree in appreciates a challenge.” telecommunications from Michigan State University, Claim to fame: At 14 years old he founded a his business back home continued to grow. computer service company on a $10,000 loan from his “I remember waking up on a Saturday morning af- grandparents. Last year, it generated more than ter partying the night before and having to drive back $1 million in revenue. because someone’s server was crashing,” he said. Next step: Grow both companies locally by refining “Sometimes I was driving home three days a week.” and perfecting processes and procedures. Then take The company focuses on three core aspects of Inter- both to other markets. net and computer technology: development, repair and hosting, hence its name Core3 Solutions L.LC. and plans to open 10 this holiday season. Last year’s DANIEL CASEY, 27 See the video: In addition to running this business, Chambers se- revenue hit $600,000. www.crainsdetroit cured local rights to the gourmet popcorn franchise “I have never been one to say build, build, build be- .com/twenties Founder, CF Productions, Hazel Park Dale and Thomas Popcorn Co. L.L.C. cause it’s about building the right model,” he said. “I In 2006, he opened his first permanent store in Roy- take it all personally and I care so much, people joke aniel Casey is on assign- thought we had a distribution al Oak and a holiday store in Twelve Oaks Mall. that my businesses are my real first wife.” ment in Los Angeles. He’s deal, but nothing ever hap- Chambers opened five holiday locations last year — Nathan Skid D writing a pilot for Ghost pened.” House Pictures, the film-produc- Casey hopes to return home tion company run by famous for- soon, financial backers willing, mer Detroiters Sam Raimi and to film what he hopes will be his aniel Gaynor has kept a running list of life Rob Tapert of “Evil Dead” fame. next movie, “Poletown,” a crime goals since high school. So far, his track record The pilot is set drama set in Hamtramck. I’m not to begin shoot- He’s written the screenplay D on meeting them has been fairly consistent. “ ing in October and wants to direct. That project First there was to graduate high school with a 4.0 supposed for, if things pan was helped along last year when grade point average. Then came enrollment in the Uni- out, a series fi- it was selected for participation versity of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Busi- to talk nanced by the in the Sundance Institute, a Robert ness, and a series of Starz network Redford-founded program that Why he lives in metro Detroit summers working in the departments of his about it. and DirectTV. provides mentoring and guid- Besides family and career, ” “I’m not sup- ance to young directors by such father’s company, which drew him from west Farmington Hills-based posed to talk about it, but it’s successful directors as Quentin Michigan, Gaynor sees the called ‘Graphic City’ and it’s sci- Tarantino, Wes Anderson and challenges in this region as The Nailco Group. ence fiction,” Casey said. Darren Aronofsky. a personal chance to make Last summer, he and Meanwhile, Casey said negoti- Casey has a bachelor of fine a difference by developing his father, President ations are under way to make his arts degree from the College for new local businesses that Larry Gaynor, dis- first feature film, “The Death of Creative Studies and a master of add jobs. cussed his future with DANIEL GAYNOR, 25 Michael Smith,” available for fine arts from the prestigious Claim to fame: the company and download on the Web. That film, American Film Institute. Successful launch of reached an agreement: President, Bebeautiful made in 2004, took the Grand His short film “The Butcher’s Bebeautiful, a division of He would come aboard Vice president of sales, The Nailco Group, Farmington Hills The Nailco Group that Jury prize at the 2007 Slamdance Daughter” won the American Soci- permanently if he could started in 2005 as an take on a standalone Unlike the parent company, which mainly sells Film Festival, the little brother of ety of Cinematographers’ Lazlo Ko- independent project for project of his own. hair care, hygiene and beauty aids as a distributor to the Sundance Film Festival. vacs Award for best cinematogra- direct consumer sales and “It’s tough for independent phy for a short film in 2008 and grew to $5.1 million in The result is Bebeau- salons and beauty-supply stores, Bebeautiful is pre- filmmakers to get their films was selected for Roger Ebert’s 2008 sales. tiful, an Internet-based dominantly a direct-order business to consumers. out,” Casey said. “We did well on Floating Film Festival. Next step: Working to beauty product order- The division has seen year-over-year growth ever the film festival circuit and — Tom Henderson take Bebeautiful sales to ing service. From con- since inception. $10 million, and eventually cept to startup, Bebeau- Bebeautiful now has about 30 employees, who re- Why he lives in metro Detroit a ranking on Internet tiful went on to make port to Gaynor, out of the parent company’s staff of Retailer’s list of the top 500 $500,000 or so in 2005, 240, while Gaynor still holds an executive position as “I’ve made films in Detroit my entire life and I never want to change that. retail Web sites. its first year of opera- vice president of sales for The Nailco Group. Visually, Detroit has one of the most arresting landscapes one could tion. For 2008, its sales Now 25, Gaynor says his next list of goals includes ever hope to come across. It’s as textured as it is diverse.” were $5.1 million, up from about $4.2 million the pre- taking Bebeautiful’s annual sales to $10 million and a Claim to fame: Snagging a Grand Jury Award for his first feature film, ceding year. ranking on Internet Retailer’s list of the top 500 retail “The Death of Michael Smith,” at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. Customers can order either through a mail-order Web sites. That task may be tough this year as a na- Next step: Finishing the script for a science fiction pilot for the Starz catalog that goes out five times a year to 200,000-plus tional recession continues, but he’s working on it. network while seeking funding for his next feature film, “Poletown.” customers, or online at www.bebeautiful.com. — Chad Halcom

Daniel Hmm, really? In his first series of homemade Paul Hmm, really? Films Daniel First job: Working in The Nailco in their Casey movies, the “Star Trek” fan would run around Chambers and edits wedding Gaynor Group warehouse in Lyon Township. Mackinac Island dressed like Captain Kirk. and promotional Worst job: Working in The Nailco videos for close Group warehouse. “I’m more of an Twenty 20s Fun Facts More fun facts online at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties friends and family. air conditioning type of guy.” 20090420-NEWS--0014,0015-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:13 PM Page 2

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 15 Focus: 20 in their 20s

Why he lives in metro Detroit “I feel a sense of an ecosystem niche. This is the habitat I was born into and I feel a responsibility to that. I have traveled, but this has been the only place that feels like home.” Claim to fame: Doubled funds raised for the Hope Hospitality and Warming Center Inc. through aggressive fundraising, in part by using social media. Next step: He’d like to see the warming center become a year-round, full-service shelter. Right now it hosts 65 people a night from Christmas through early April.

hat you do isn’t that important. It’s why you do it. W That’s the philosophy that guides Ryan Hertz’s work, but what he does is pretty impressive. When Hertz joined the Pontiac-based Hope Hospitali- ty and Warming Center Inc., the economy was crashing and large corporations and foundations were paring charitable giving. His main task as the center’s first paid executive director was to raise funds. Instead of relying on a handful of large donors with undetermined budgets, Hertz sought to grow the pool of small donors. When you When you increase the number of donors, Hertz increase donors, said, you’re growing the number of stakeholders. you increase “You’re investing in stakeholders. the future of the organi- zation by cultivating a RYAN HERTZ, 28 larger donor base,” he said. “And because we’re a small organization, a small amount of money can Executive director make a big difference.” Hope Hospitality and Warming Center Inc., Detroit Hertz described the results of his efforts as “sur- prisingly successful.” Kind of an understatement. donors the impact of their contributions — and a Twit- In past years, funding has come from roughly a ter campaign to get 2,000 people to donate $5 each. dozen donors, 95 percent of it from two sources. Now, For the past two years, the center’s operating bud- about 200 people have donated to the center. get has ranged from $30,000 to $35,000. Since Novem- JOHNNY GINNETTI, 28 Those smaller donations, he said, came in part from ber, he said, the center’s raised $65,000. Owner and founder online donors — part of Hertz’s fundraising is Hertz is also principal consultant and co-founder of Efficient Office Solutions L.L.C., Livonia through social media. EcoZoic L.L.C., a sustainability consultancy in Detroit. He’s started a blog for the center — a way to show — Nancy Kaffer hile working for Farm- ington Hills-based Smart Why he lives in metro Detroit W Office Systems, Johnny “I grew up in Florida, and with the Ginnetti saw an untapped mar- monotony of it being hot all the elling new homes usually ket niche. time, it’s actually nice having the hinges on buyers being able He kept getting calls from po- change of seasons.” S to sell their homes. Not an tential customers looking for Claim to fame: Founding an easy task in the current market. used or refurbished office furni- office furniture company that Michael Kalis found a way ture, but at the time the office refurbishes used cubicles, chairs around that. furniture dealer and many oth- and desks for customers. The Kalis owns Marketplace Homes company has seen 25 percent to ers in metro Detroit didn’t offer 30 percent annual revenue L.L.C., a business that helps people such a service. growth since it was founded in find their way into new homes by So in August 2004, Ginnetti August 2004. taking their old ones. and business partner Adam Lon- Next step: Expanding the Through one portion of the busi- don launched Efficient Office Solu- company’s relationship network ness, Marketplace works with peo- tions L.L.C. by partnering with national office ple who owe more money than their The company buys unwanted furniture dealerships, which homes are worth and are unable to office furniture from businesses could significantly increase sell. The firm will rent a home from that are either closing or upgrad- average order volumes. an owner through a six-year con- ing. It then refurbishes the furni- tract and, in return, broker a deal ture and sells it to local furniture the office furniture dealerships for the person to buy a new home. dealers looking to provide cheap- don’t want to do.” Market- er options to their customers. Na- EOS has grown from two guys He brokered place also MICHAEL KALIS, 27 tional Business Supply Inc. in Troy, housing their first order in a has a rent- Vice president of sales and marketing, owner Facility Matrix garage, to a 2,000- $8 million in to-own Group Inc. in Pon- Our goal is to square-foot show- program Marketplace Homes L.L.C., Novi tiac and Interior “ room and an sales in 2008. for people there is also a market for the peo- Systems Contract make sure nothing 8,000-square-foot with poor credit who can’t buy a Why he lives in metro Detroit ple with families who just need Group Inc. in Roy- warehouse in home. their problems solved and find a al Oak all carry ends up in a Livonia. With a supply of interested “I didn’t choose Detroit, Detroit chose me. With a thriving company, new house.” refurbished fur- The company renters and a stable of empty I simply couldn’t leave for another Kalis started his career selling niture from EOS. landfill. also has seen rev- homes, Kalis put the elements to- city.” homes at Bloomfield Hills-based The company, Ginnetti says, enue” increase by about 25 percent gether to hit $1 million in revenue Claim to fame: Helped start a new Pulte Homes Inc., and he credits the has put good use to furniture that to 30 percent a year since found- in 2008. Half of that was from com- real estate business that’s making bad economy with getting his busi- would have otherwise been ing in late 2004. In 2008, EOS post- missions, paid by builders, through money in the down market. ness started. dumped. If a piece sits in the ed revenue of roughly $500,000. arranging new-home sales. He bro- Next step: Help 100 homeowners “If things were great, I’d have warehouse for too long, Ginnetti This year, Ginnetti expects to hit kered $8 million in real estate sales move from upside-down situations stayed at my previous job,” he said. donates it to a nonprofit organi- that same amount by June. in 2008 and $10 million in 2007. into communities in 2009. Though he’s the owner of the zation or school. EOS could soon have a Kalis personally selects the company, Kalis keeps the vice “Our goal is to make sure noth- stronger international reach, too. homes to be involved in the pro- He sees the upside for people on president title. ing ends up in the landfill,” he The company has sold to cus- gram and then outsources the man- both sides. “I show up and I look young, so said. “Whether we have to scrap tomers in Japan and is in talks to agement services. At any given “If we’re leasing a home from people get concerned,” he said. and recycle steel, or donate office do work for customers in India. time, he’ll have between 30 and 50 someone, they can be upside down — Daniel Duggan furniture. It’s the dirty work that — Ryan Beene homes involved in the operation. and get out of it,” he said. “And

Johnny Worst job: Dishwasher Ryan First job: Table Worst job: Brushing Mike First job: Dishwasher at Worst job: Loading Hmm, really? Secretly Ginnetti at the Ponderosa in Hertz magician at a rental wigs at a Kalis the Plymouth boulders and bricks loves “The Notebook.” Brighton. “It’s much pizzeria in West costume shop in Marketplace (now into trucks — 10 hours worse than it Bloomfield Indiana. closed) meat counter. a day, six days a week. sounds.” Township. 20090420-NEWS--0016,0017-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:09 PM Page 1

Page 16 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Focus: 20 in their 20s

iet Le and his sister Phoung went to the 2007 World Tea Expo in Las Ve- V gas to scope out the landscape for their specialty loose-leaf tea. They went back again the next year, as exhibitors, to show off Ono Tea. Ono, which comes from a Hawaiian term meaning flavorful and delicious, has grown from an initial investment of $50,000 to $300,000 or so in revenue for 2008. It can now be found at Hiller’s Markets, Plum Market, Nino Salvaggio Inter- national Marketplace, the Townsend Hotel and other locations. Growing up, Le’s mother would use tea in cooking, especially in an aromatic tea- based soup. “We grew accustomed to using tea for things other than drinking,” Le says. Drawing from We ran familial and Viet- namese heritage, See the video: “ SARAH KUBIK, 29 www.crainsdetroit into people Le and his sister Recycling technician .com/twenties launched Ono in that could the fall of 2007. Wayne State University, Detroit “When we first make it started the tea arah Kubik had a dream: Persuad- company, we saw ing Wayne State University in 2005 to Why she lives in metro Detroit happen. ourselves being S vastly improve its recycling efforts. “I love Detroit. It is my soul mate. Detroit ” in stores in a Not only did her dream come true, but has forced me to become a better person. year,” Le said. But Ono first appeared at she ended up creating her own job when It doesn’t get any harder than the ‘D.’ ” IET E the Townsend only six months after V L , 26 Wayne State hired her as recycling techni- Ⅲ Claim to fame: Improving the recycling launch. Placement in other retailers soon Co-founder and chief creative officer cian in February 2008. She expects to grad- program at Wayne State University in a followed. Ono Inc., Novi uate in May with a bachelor’s degree in so- variety of ways, including leading a drive to “We ran into people that could make it ciology. place more than 600 recycling containers on campus. “Once I learned that (Detroit) was home happen, and it’s a little like a domino ef- to the nation’s largest garbage incinerator Ⅲ Next step: Incorporating Recycle Detroit, fect.” Why he lives in metro Detroit a separate organization she founded in July and was the last of the 30 largest cities not As chief creative officer, Le handles the 2005. Recycle Detroit manages the to offer curbside recycling, I wanted to be marketing strategies for Ono. Each tea “I’ve always liked urban living and I enjoy going greening of Detroit’s festivals, including blend is developed for and marketed to a to the downtown Detroit area. I get a really good an agent of change.” Dally in the Alley and Movement, Detroit’s certain lifestyle. vibe from the people here, and I’m the type of I wanted In 2005, Kubik be- Electronic Music Festival. “ For example, Ono has six blends in its person that really feeds off of a vibe and gan lobbying the uni- energy.” to be an versity’s board of mental program to recycle products, offer Yogalates collection — each is supposed to Ⅲ Claim to fame: Co-founded Ono Inc., maker of transportation alternatives and engage in detoxify and energize the body. Yogalates, governors, one-by- Ono Tea, a gourmet loose-leaf tea, marketed to agent of Ono’s first lifestyle-designed collection, one, to improve its a green product purchasing program. specific lifestyles, in November 2007. Ono is change. program. One of her suggestions was to place re- was marketed to local yoga studios such now sold at Hiller’s Markets, Plum Market, Nino Kubik said it cycling containers around campus. as Rising Sun Yoga in Southgate and Yoga Salvaggio International Marketplace, the amounted to 150” gray containers for paper “Under my direction (in June 2008), we Shelter in West Bloomfield Township. Townsend Hotel and other locations. in campus buildings, but there was little placed 600 recycling receptacles, or green Both now carry the collection. Ⅲ Next step: Launching a companion Web site promotion. centers, for the collection of paper and Now Le is working to launch a compan- to Ono Tea’s site, www.iloveono.com, with In 2006, former university President plastic and metal containers in 73 campus ion Web site featuring himself, his sister videos of Viet, his sister Phoung Le and local Irvin Reid started an environmental task buildings,” Kubik said. and local chefs talking about how Ono tea chefs talking about cooking with tea. force, and Kubik was named co-chair of So far, Wayne State has recycled more can be used in cooking. the recycling subcommittee. than 20,500 pounds of paper and hundreds “We need to make it innovative, fun, re- With her involvement and encourage- of pounds of other disposable materials. freshing and clean,” he said. ment, Wayne State developed an environ- — Jay Greene — Ryan Beene

n 1993 while riding to school in the back of a me to put my idea into action.” Why he lives in Trans Am, John Lambrecht told his future In 2000, Lambrecht, remembering his conver- metro Detroit I business partner, Mark Jerant, he wanted sation in the Trans Am, called Jerant to see if to open a bar in downtown Detroit. They were he was interested in pursuing the dream they “In all honesty, I think in eighth grade at the time, but Lambrecht discussed years ago. His answer was yes. the city has meant every word. In 2003, Bookies Tavern opened for business. great potential. Lambrecht went on to attend Loyola University Revenue steadily grew, ultimately hitting p I want to do my Chicago. During his sophomore year, he began $600,000. In 2006, his mother sold the building. part rather leading a double life, attending When the new owners went than just move class Monday through Wednes- It forced me to into foreclosure in 2007, Lam- out and day and managing his family’s “ brecht worked with DTE Energy complain building, the Book Tower in De- Co. to split the building’s $12,000 about its put my idea into troit, the rest of the week. problems.” monthly utility bill with another Lambrecht learned how to cre- tenant. Ⅲ Claim to action. ate a cool atmosphere while in When own1ership changed fame: He ” refused to let Chicago: “The bars tell the city’s story; they were again in 2008, the landlord expected Lambrecht his business really open and authentic.” to continue footing the bill, but he refused. In fail, despite While surveying the Book Tower, it dawned on 2009, the building closed, and with it went the serious Lambrecht that he needed to create some buzz, bar Lambrecht worked so hard to create. setbacks. and a Chicago-style bar made perfect sense. Instead of counting his losses, Lambrecht Ⅲ Next step: A nervous Lambrecht created a business looked for the next great opportunity. Looking to plan and gave Sean Harrington, owner of De- Bookies Bar & Grille, on Cass Avenue, three See the video: open a new troit’s Town Pump Tavern, the “sales pitch of a blocks west of Comerica Park, is 9,000 square feet — JOHN LAMBRECHT, 29 www.crainsdetroit restaurant lifetime.” that’s four times the size of the old Bookies. It Owner, partner .com/twenties concept in “Sean looked at me and said, ‘well, if it’s such a opened late last month, and Lambrecht expects downtown Bookies Bar & Grille, Detroit good idea, why don’t you do it?’ ” Lambrecht Detroit. revenue to hit $2 million in 2009. said. “I took his advice to heart because it forced — Nathan Skid

Sarah First job: John Worst job: Sales associate Viet Hmm, really? Taught his cat to eat in their Kubik Neighborhood Lambrecht at Abercrombie & Fitch in Le junk food. The cat’s favorite is baby sitter. Chicago. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Twenty 20s Fun Facts More fun facts online at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties 20090420-NEWS--0016,0017-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:09 PM Page 2

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 17 Focus: 20 in their 20s

amaher Mohammad comes in. has come a long way. She strikes a delicate bal- S As the proprietor of ance between a deeply held a small Dearborn boutique, sense of modesty and a she’s designing custom youthful energy. Her 35 cre- dresses and jewelry for Zayni- ations include sophisticated ni Fashion International Inc., evening gowns, trendy-but- her clothing line. Born and conservative ensembles and raised in that city, the 27- traditional Islamic dress. year-old fashion designer After graduating from planned to be a teacher. Then IADT, Mohammad had a a job at the mall changed her dream that she would travel life. to the Middle East to launch That’s where Mohammad her line. started designing custom his A month later, she’d found and hers sports jerseys. With an investor to provide $2,500 orders flowing in from in seed money and traveled around the country, she to Jordan, where she has quickly real- family. While ized that her Every there, she love for de- “ purchased sign wasn’t a wedding’s a fabrics and flash in the found a pro- pan. fashion show. duction facili- Moham- ” ty. See the video: mad changed www.crainsdetroit She returned course, enrolling .com/twenties to a whirlwind at the Internation- year of local al Academy of Design and Tech- fashion shows, culminating AMAHER OHAMMAD nology in Troy. There she with a deal to produce cloth- S M , 27 learned about all types of de- ing overseas that fell apart at Owner and designer sign, but evening gowns and the last minute. Zaynini Fashion International Inc., Dearborn jewelry remained near and Mohammad was unde- dear to her heart. terred. “Middle Eastern culture is “I said, ‘Maybe it’s a sign Why she lives in metro Detroit rich and extraordinary,” Mo- to do it myself,’ ” she said. “I hammad said. “Every wed- believe everything happens “This is a niche market with a large community ding’s a fashion show.” for a reason, so I went of women, ages 15-35, looking to represent But most commercial around Dearborn, looking their culture in a trendy way.” clothing lines, she said, for investors. I found a small Ⅲ Claim to fame: Launched a line of modest aren’t in line with the mod- investment, a small 800- but glamorous evening fashions targeted mainly to Arab-American women. est attire that traditional square-foot location, and my Arab-American women often store will have been open Ⅲ What’s next: Developing an accessory line for kids and online store. seek. one year ago this April.” That’s where Mohammad — Nancy Kaffer

t age 17, Michael Nisson followed his father into residential real estate investing. A He bought his first house on Dicken Street in Ann Arbor for about $200,000, with his father putting up the collateral. By the time he graduated from the University of Michigan, he owned four investment prop- erties. Shortly after graduating in fall 2006, he established his company, Hole In One L.L.C., initially with backing from his father. Branching out beyond single-family homes, he and his father joined another investor in funding a deal to acquire a 21-unit apartment building in the center of UM’s campus. By convert- His success led ing foyers in the apartments into third bedrooms, the in- MICHAEL NISSON, 25 him to create a vestment group was able to Partner charge higher rents to turn MINIMUM philanthropists Hole In One L.L.C., Ann Arbor Home Bed/Bath Sq. Ft. Previous Minimum BID Slash its $3 million investment Asking Price Bid In Price into a $5.45 million sale two $60,000 fund. 009D 1/1 690 $135,000 $275,000 56% and a half years later. Why he lives in metro Detroit Through his company, Nisson now owns all of eight 025J 1/1.5 793 $209,714 $350,000$70,000 67% houses and has partial ownership of another four. “It’s full of great opportunities for young professionals 002A 2/2 1,135 $194,985 $565,000$80,000 59% Nisson’s success with rental properties led him to to make a difference. To me, the Detroit area is a land create a next generation of philanthropists fund at the of opportunity.” Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation with $500 dona- Ⅲ Claim to fame: Established a real estate investment tions from other young professionals that totaled business and a next generation of philanthropists fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation that $6,000 and leveraged an equal amount from the foun- brought in $6,000, which then leveraged an equal dation. amount from the foundation. In its first round of what Nisson hopes will be annual Ⅲ Next step: Moving into new commercial real estate grants, the fund made grants to 826michigan in Ann Ar- investment. bor to help with childhood learning, the Community Ac- tion Network for teaching disadvantaged youth basic region can make to flourish in terms of economic de- business skills, and the Leslie Science and Nature Center in velopment and quality of life. Ann Arbor to subsidize school field trips to the center. Nisson is working on a program to connect young Nisson also serves as a board member of the Arts Al- professionals to established professionals in the Ann liance of the Ann Arbor Area and in March 2008 became Arbor area for mentoring. He hopes to host his first active with Ann Arbor Region Success, a county-con- mentoring event late this spring. vened initiative identifying changes the Ann Arbor — Sherri Begin Welch

Samaher Mohammad Michael Nisson Hmm, really? Plays dress-up, Worst job: Unloading books off of semitrailers. imagining she’s a model Hmm, really? On a trip to Disney World, scared Donald Duck with strutting down the runway. his best impersonation. 20090420-NEWS--0018,0019-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:06 PM Page 1

Page 18 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Focus: 20 in their 20s

Why he lives in metro Detroit “Detroiters are genuine, passionate, and they possess a determination that has enabled them to overcome and transcend any obstacle that they have had to encounter.” Claim to fame: Left an established commercial real estate firm to start a new business and already has a substantial client list. Next step: Plans to take on additional brokers this year and grow within the underserved niche of real estate in the city of Detroit.

omeone working at a com- mercial real estate firm in a S down economy might start thinking about a less risky career. Bunia Parker, however, went the other route; he left an estab- lished firm to start a commercial real estate firm in Detroit, Summit BUNIA PARKER, 29 Commercial L.L.C. Principal Parker gives two reasons, the first comes from the heart. Summit Commercial L.L.C., Detroit “I love this city and I want to be part of its inevitable revitaliza- lio in Detroit, part of his duties as tion.” a broker at Southfield-based NAI The second reason, he said, Farbman. He held that post from comes from the head. 2004 until starting the new firm in “When a market is depressed, March with former colleagues Ben this provides a great opportunity Smith and Jerome Eagger. for a new company to come in and Summit already has 276,000 make a name for itself without all square feet of space under repre- the competition that is around sentation. Clients include The Well- during a boom period.” ness Plan and Big Brothers Big Sis- The firm specializes in commer- ters of Metropolitan Detroit. J.C. Beal cial real estate consulting and Construction Inc. hired Summit to transactions in Detroit. He’s cer- lease the office portion of its Brod- tainly no stranger to real estate in erick Tower development in the the city. city’s central business district. Parker was director of leasing But Parker came to real estate for a 2.2-million-square-foot portfo- by way of popcorn.

Why he lives in metro Detroit With an Internet business, Reinkensmeyer can live anywhere, but he stays for his family and Birmingham’s Tot Hockey Program. Claim to fame: Taking www.stocktradingtogo.com from a personal blog to a commercial Web site with nearly 50,000 unique users and $20,000-plus revenue in peak months. What’s up next: Growing user traffic to 100,000 unique users per month, a personal milestone, and developing new advertising accounts.

ull and bear markets alike translate into a fairly con- B stant revenue stream for Blain Reinkensmeyer’s online re- source for traders and investors. Reinkensmeyer, 22, has operat- ed www.stocktradingtogo.com since 2007 and formed Reink Media Group L.L.C. to manage its business BLAIN REINKENSMEYER, 22 operations earlier this year. The President and owner site, with its 5,500-plus registered Reink Media Group L.L.C., users, now generates enough rev- Birmingham enue for Reinkensmeyer to work full time out of the home he leases in Birmingham. should follow. A big down day “It can be down or up in the mar- brings traffic from users trying kets as a whole, and either way the to find out what’s happening or investors will have questions,” he how to protect themselves. Ei- said. “The up days bring a supply ther way, it’s pretty constant.” of people looking for good (stock) Reinkensmeyer has seen busi- picks or news on trends they ness grow steadily since starting

Bunia Hmm, really? Creates in their Parker oil paintings and mosaics to relax. Twenty 20s Fun Facts More online at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties 20090420-NEWS--0018,0019-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:07 PM Page 2

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 19 Focus: 20 in their 20s

Why she lives in metro Detroit “I live and work in the downtown area of Detroit and enjoy the urban lifestyle. The cost of living is very appealing for a young professional with a starting salary.” Claim to fame: This was Served as the lead lighting designer “ from SmithGroup a very Inc. for the National Intrepid rewarding Center of Excellence in experience Bethesda, Md. The facility is dedicated because I to the research, I love this city. diagnosis and was able to “ treatment of ” military personnel give back to t and veterans with traumatic brain those who injury and He and his brother started a psychological BBEY ENFREW serve our gourmet popcorn shop, Hotpop, in health issues. A R , 26 the Renaissance Center. After learn- Next step: She’ll Lighting designer, SmithGroup Inc., Detroit country. ing about business operations in use a research that venture, Parker decided to ” grant (amount still ot often does a young profession- tims and their families,” said Renfrew, She uses 3D modeling software to pro- pursue real estate rather than re- unknown), from the al get to head up a major project who had two other SmithGroup em- duce renderings that represent her de- tail as a career. Illuminating N plus serve her country by help- ployees working for her on the project. signs and uses new technologies to And after graduating from Duke Engineering ing military personnel with traumatic “This enabled me to develop design maximize energy performance. University and moving to Ghana, it Society of North brain injuries. criteria that would optimize the com- Already strong in math and science, was the simple pleasures of Detroit America of New But Abbey Renfrew, lighting design- fort level of patients utilizing this facil- Renfrew took an art history of archi- — Better Made chips, Faygo and York, to continue her work on the er at Detroit-based SmithGroup Inc., al- ity,” she said. tecture class as a freshman at Pennsyl- Vernors — that called him back. effects of lighting ready has that feather in her cap. It took six months to design the vania State University. She then decided “Despite the common percep- on patients with One of the challenges Renfrew faced lighting system for the building, which to major in architectural engineering. tions in and out of Detroit, I be- traumatic brain in designing lighting at the National In- is now under construction. “I chose lighting design as my focus lieve the city’s best years are injury. She’ll also trepid Center of Excellence, a 72,000- “This was a very rewarding experi- because I felt that it offered the most ahead of it,” he said. conduct a post square-foot traumatic brain injury ence because I was able to give back to opportunity for creativity,” Renfrew — Daniel Duggan occupancy evaluation of the center in Bethesda, Md., is that many those who serve our country,” she said. “Lighting also presented a lighting at the of the injured soldiers have a fear of said. unique combination of architectural National Intrepid light, or photophobia. She handles schematic sketching, expression and technical engineer- Center. “I spent several days touring mili- construction documents, lighting cal- ing.” as an investor information blog on tary facilities and talking to TBI vic- culations and custom fixture design. — Jay Greene www.blogspot.com. In January 2008, revenue was less than $1,000 for the month. Lately, it’s averaging about $18,000 ince she was 5 years old, making the benefit concert a Why she lives a month, with spikes during Emily Schaller has been national event. volatile markets. S raising money to fund In August 2007, Schaller be- in metro Detroit For example, cystic fibrosis research, a dis- gan the City to City Ride, a 282- October last October set “Staying in metro ease with which she was diag- mile bike ride from Campus Detroit has given me a monthly nosed at age 18 months. Martius in Detroit to Grant the opportunity to brought a record at $32,000 Schaller raised $100,000 by Park in Chicago. grow and become or so after a col- the time she was She has secured established in the monthly lapse in the business world while 22, through walk-a- Schaller got sponsorships from lending markets taking advantage of thons, bowl-a- Ford Motor Co. and record. sent stock prices the great resources thons and car Spin magazine Rock Racing, a na- into a freefall. In March, when we have here.” washes. tional bike-racing Web use grew and the market Claim to fame: She attended to sponsor the gear company, showed signs of a rally, Reinkens- Raising $150,000 Wayne State Univer- whose team recent- for cystic fibrosis meyer reported income of roughly concert. sity for about two ly won the Amgen research and $26,000. years to study theater but Tour of California, the largest securing a The site also logged a record dropped out to launch the Rock bike race in the U.S. sponsorship of 128,250 unique page views in $20,000 or more CF Foundation so she could raise Schaller’s efforts through the March and has seen nearly 50,000 money full time. from New York- foundation have brought in based Spin unique users in high-activity While working part time at $50,000 to date. magazine for her months. Pure Detroit, a Detroit-centric Her fundraising tenacity and foundation’s annual About half of Reinkensmeyer’s retailer, she organized an an- push to live as an active role benefit concert and revenue comes in pay-per-click ad- nual benefit concert — now in model for people with the dis- other sponsorships vertising, while the rest is affiliate its sixth year — with local from Ford Motor Co. ease earned her an invitation to ad agreements with trading sites bands. and national racing the fall 2008 North American and analyst services that pay com- Two years ago, Schaller got gear company Rock Cystic Fibrosis Conference, a mission or referral fees. New York-based Spin magazine Racing for City to national conference for re- City Ride, an annual The site includes news articles, to cover the concert, held at the a forum for questions, links to bro- searchers, doctors and others bike ride from Royal Oak Music Theatre. Detroit to Chicago. kers and other services. involved in cystic fibrosis care. This year, Spin has commit- Next step: To He recently brought four writ- ted to secure a national head- Schaller not only gave a speech at the conference, she gain global exposure ers aboard to post articles as the EMILY SCHALLER, 27 liner for the concert with a and support for the demands grow on his time as web- and her former band “Hellen” Founder and CEO sponsorship valued at $20,000 Rock CF master. performed for attendees. Rock CF Foundation, Trenton or more. The magazine also is Foundation. — Chad Halcom talking with Schaller about — Sherri Begin Welch

Blain Abbey Worst job: Emily First job: Worst job: Hmm, really? Plays classic rock when she Reinkensmeyer Renfrew Working at the Schaller Planting flowers Planting flowers has passengers in the car, but as soon Allegheny Ludlum for a Grosse Ile at classmates’ as they step out, she’ll blast show tunes Hmm, really? !@#$%* steel mill in flower company. homes. and sing her guts out. Curses in his sleep. Brackenridge, Pa. 20090420-NEWS--0020,0021-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:39 PM Page 1

Page 20 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Focus: 20 in their 20s

arah Szurpicki attended with meetings in other cities to ichael Watts had SARAH Harvard University and lived discuss topics of mutual inter- been freelancing S in Washington, D.C., and est and later exchange feedback. M as a graphic de- SZURPICKI, 28 New York City before returning She has since shifted meet- signer for live events and Co-founder and to metro Detroit two years ago. ings to a Web platform with ex- 3-D media when he and director, Great She and a friend in Pitts- pert interviews on topics such colleague Aaron Lakes Urban burgh were commiserating as transportation, hosted as Schwartz decided they Exchange, about the similarities between podcasts on GLUE’s Web site had enough contacts and Royal Oak the two post-industrial cities, in and held in conjunction with enough of a portfolio to terms of the challenges they conference calls. do it full time. faced and the groups of people In March, GLUE held its sec- So in 2006, they started We trying to revitalize the regions. ond annual conference in Mil- Hook Studios L.L.C., an “ They thought that it might be waukee, with about 70 people. Ann Arbor-based com- need to be beneficial to get young profes- Szurpicki and GLUE are now mercial art studio fo- sionals in Midwest cities to ex- co-convening a June summit in cused on 3-D and integrat- a unified change ideas. That led them to Buffalo, N.Y., to discuss the use ed media. front. create the Great Lakes Urban Ex- of economic recovery programs “I was sick of the whole ” change in the fall of 2007 as a pro- for longer-term, sustainable re- freelancing thing,” Watts ject of the Brookings Institution’s vitalization of Great Lakes said. Great Lakes Economic Initiative. cities. He wasn’t particularly Today, the GLUE network is “We can’t continue to advocate worried about starting a 1,500 strong. just for Detroit; we need to be a new company because Through $15,000 in startup unified front in this region” be- he’d been working in the capital and networking support cause we have shared histories, industry for several years from Brookings, the group was challenges and needs, Szurpicki on his own. able to secure $150,000 to said. “We had come into it $200,000 through, among others, — Sherri Begin Welch with a solid amount of the Charles Stewart Mott Founda- contacts,” he said. That tion in Flint and The John R. included such clients as Oishei Foundation in Buffalo. Why she lives in metro Detroit Toyota Motor Corp. In September, GLUE became “I like to surround myself with a project of the Tides Center, a The company has since pragmatic optimists who believe done computer-generated ani- San Francisco-based nonprofit in creating their own solutions.” mation and illustration for that sponsors social innovation. Claim to fame: Engaging major Last spring, Szurpicki held a young professionals in metro few pilot meetings with metro Detroit and the broader Great brands I was Detroit members in tandem Lakes region to exchange such as “ stories, ideas and best practices Burger sick of the and form a constituency to King, advocate for federal policies to Lexus, Jeep whole benefit the region’s post and Coca- industrial cities. Cola. freelancing Next step: To co-host a June But it summit in Buffalo, N.Y., on the was the 10 thing. use of economic recovery ” programs for sustainable weeks of Show your revitalization of Great Lakes design, animation and flash cities and to launch a public work on a Coke Zero online awareness campaign about the video game, launched last sum- appreciation features that young people value mer, that brought the company with a in the region’s cities. into its current relationship Macy’s Gift Card! Why he lives n 2006, Geoff Young was part of a graduate class at GEOFF Wednesday, April 22 is Administrative in metro Detroit I the University of Michigan’s Professional’s Day. Give Macy’s Gift school of public policy assigned “I knew that here, at YOUNG, 29 Cards because you couldn’t have done the county level, I to develop governance options for the idea of creating an avia- Project it without their assistance, support and could make an development tion-related economic develop- contributions! They can shop at over 800 impact quicker and specialist, really get involved ment zone around Detroit Metro- Aerotropolis Macy’s stores nationwide and online at and be in government politan and Willow Run airports. Program Office, macys.com. Competitive discounts apply. rather than be on the The ideas hatched in that Wayne County, outside (as an class became core elements of Detroit analyst).” the aerotropolis plan that’s be- For details, call Macy’s Corporate Claim to fame: come a major economic devel- Sales & Services at Part of the University opment endeavor of Wayne Coun- Somerset Collection 248-816-4599; of Michigan public ty Executive Robert Ficano. policy class that Twelve Oaks 248-344-6880; helped re-launch the Three years ago, he decided to Oakland 248-597-2020; aerotropolis concept revisit the concept originally proposed by his predecessor, Ed Lakeside 586-566-2868; and helped develop key aspects of the McNamara. Briarwood 734-998-5083 plan. After The concept involves agree- or 1-800-735-2587. graduation, Wayne ments by nine local govern- County hired Young ments to streamline the permitting process to al- to work on the plan. low corporations to more quickly launch Next step: To work operations around the airports. on a regional entity Young’s class work involved defining the con- that can oversee ceptual functions of the quasi-public develop- regional assets such as transit. Also ment corporation that oversees aerotropolis func- continuing work on tions. the formation of “It has powers and functions, but doesn’t have Aerotropolis that power without the authority of the local gov- Development Corp. ernments,” Young said. and Wayne County’s He was the only member of the class to go to e-government efforts. work on the aerotropolis project full time. Today, he’s a project development specialist with Wayne

Sarah Worst job: Food runner for a in their Szurpicki Clarkston deli. “I was not invited back for a second day.” Twenty 20s Fun Facts More online at www.crainsdetroit.com/twenties 20090420-NEWS--0020,0021-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 4:40 PM Page 2

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 21 Focus: 20 in their 20s

unds from a teenager’s lawn Why he lives in business usually go to junk metro Detroit F food, movies and consumer electronics. With the roots of his family and For Nathan Zack, those funds the roots of his bought a forklift. business in the After dropping out of high school area, Zack said and starting a full-time landscaping there is no business at 16, Zack sold the enter- reason to prise two years later for $40,000 — a consider another king’s ransom at the time. He used the area for his money to buy the forklift and start a headquarters. computer recycling business. Claim to Ten years later, Great Lakes Electron- fame: Using the ics Corp. has revenue of more than $25 proceeds of a ATHAN ACK high-school million and 90 employees. N Z , 28 landscaping The company is President business to I wing Zack’s green take on Great Lakes Electronics Corp., Detroit create a “ the scrap business. recycling everything. Great Lakes Elec- business ” tronics handles the “de- plan — one that’s on paper, anyway. now operating in manufacturing” and recycling of electronics: “I wing everything,” he said. “I’ve never three states with taking old computers, servers, cable boxes put any thought into where I’m going. That’s 90 employees. and TVs and breaks them down to the raw been good and bad, but it seems to work out.” Next step: materials. Those materials are then sold to His move from landscaping to recycling The company’s companies that will use the aluminum, for is something Zack credits to his mother, a MICHAEL WATTS, 28 recent example, in their manufacturing operations. Greenpeace activist. She encouraged him to Founding partner, Hook Studios L.L.C., Ann Arbor expansions to Chicago and Nothing heads to the landfill. do something helpful for the planet. Puerto Rico are Great Lakes Electronics has expanded She also has earned a spot on his staff. expected to into items other than computers as part of a Her title? company. continue as Zack scrap metal recycling business. And geo- “I don’t know what her title is,” he said. Why he lives in metro Detroit “They took a risk with us being considers other graphically, it expanded to Chicago, Florida “She can call herself anything she wants. “I never had any inclination to a new vendor on such a large pro- markets around and, most recently, Puerto Rico. But Zack She’s my mom.” build a company in another area. ject,” he said. “It took our compa- the world. says the growth doesn’t fit into a business — Daniel Duggan Ann Arbor is a great city, and I ny to the next level.” love living here. There’s a lot of He estimates Hook will do good talent coming out of UM.” about $1 million worth of work Claim to fame: Becoming a this year, up from $350,000 last preferred vendor to one of the top year. U.S. advertising agencies. Detroit April 2009 The company has eight full- Pittsburgh Next step: To be recognized on time employees and is adding one a national level and secure bigger every two or three months, he clients. said. Hook is working on new pro- with Miami-based Crispin Porter + jects, Watts said, including more Bogusky, named the hottest U.S. with Crispin Porter + Bogusky. advertising agency by Advertis- Because of confidentiality ing Age. agreements, it is too early to talk Watts called the relationship specifics, he said. the watershed moment for the — Bill Shea

e, Huron Stimulus Package ,

With traditional financing difficult to arrange, Huron Capital is providing middle-market companies its own stimulus package by eliminating financing risks for you or your clients. How? > Fresh Capital – Having recently raised $350 million for our third equity Fund, we are aggressively seeking new opportunities. > Flexible Capital Structures – Huron can provide up to 100% of the purchase price in order to ensure certainty of closing. Flexibility is our focus. We can provide the entire capital structure to get a deal done, and by doing so, we increase the certainty of closing, an important consideration in current market conditions. As County and has since used the class concepts on the a result, we are just as active now as we have been over the past several years and are eager to deploy official aerotropolis Web site and to develop time- I take more capital, and more frequently. Be Certain About Huron. lines, budgets and other key aspects of the plan. “ Young also was involved in building the county’s what I get department of economic development Web site, one for the of the various tasks that have come his way. “I take what I get for the day and run with it,” he day and said. HURON CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC He also spent part of 2006 working on the U.S. En- run with vironmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Trans- PLATFORM INVESTMENT CRITERIA TRANSACTION TYPES portation Partnership, which is an initiative to re- it. duce emissions in the logistics industry. ” Revenues $20 million to $200 million Buyouts Buy & Build — Bill Shea EBITDA $3 million to $20 million Recapitalizations Growth Initiatives Equity per Deal $10 million to $70 million Family Successions Corporate Spin-offs

Michael Watts Geoff Young Nathan Zack www.huroncapital.com Hmm, really? Hidden Hmm, really? Has Hmm, really? Has the 500 Griswold, Suite 2700 I Detroit, Michigan 48226 I Tel: 313.962.5800 talent is Tektonic been to about 70 most beautiful feet 225 Ross Street, 4th Floor I Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219 I Tel: 412.201.7040 dancing. Phish concerts. in the world. 20090420-NEWS--0022-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 3:40 PM Page 1

Page 22 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009

CareerWorks online Visit www.crainsdetroit.com /careerworks to search for jobs, post a résumé or find talent. Oakland County, ESD plan workshops for displaced engineers Help for BY CHAD HALCOM to be held within the next several gineers and Technical Profession- through its own Emerging Sec- CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS months, said Della Cassia, direc- als and a subsequent Alternative tors program. tor of marketing and public rela- Career Choices II, both drew “It’s still very early, but we ob- job seekers Oakland County and the Engineer- tions for ESD. crowds of 200 or so. viously think very positively ing Society of Detroit are hoping to “It doesn’t teach you hard Targeted industries for retrain- about what the engineering soci- collaborate on workshops de- areerWorks is a weekly skills, but they do gather some ing and placement have included ety is doing with these sessions,” signed for engineers and techni- collection of advertis- representatives of companies in health care and pharmacy sci- Schreiber said. cal professionals in career transi- various industries and acclimate ences, IT, high-growth sectors of “We could see it fitting into our C ing, news and informa- tion because of automotive job you to what they do, and what the economy and the Leadership own programs, and we might be tion geared toward readers in cuts. skills you might have or need to in Energy and Environmental De- able to help as a local government career transition or looking The ESD already has organized brush up on, and some soft skills sign certification system for sus- agency by going after some specific for new jobs. two sessions in January and like tailoring your résumé to ap- tainable building technologies. (public) funding for job training.” Included in our coverage: March at Rock Financial Showplace ply and the contacts you might David Schreiber, Oakland For more information on ESD, “CareerTransition,” high- in Novi. need,” Cassia said. County’s strategic initiatives su- visit www.esd.org. lighting a person who has No dates are set, but ESD is or- Two previous workshops, Al- pervisor, said the county has dis- Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, made a successful leap from ganizing two programs of its own ternative Career Choices for En- cussed collaborating with ESD [email protected] one profession to another; a calendar of job- and training- related events; and news sto- EMPLOYMENT CALENDAR ries affecting the job market. CareerWorks is also online. Program designed to help Online registration is avail- dard 2009 and SolidWorks eDraw- Wednesday to help budding entre- ings, online documentation, ac- On our Web site, at able on the company’s Web site preneurs. Topics of discussion in- engineers, designers at http://www.funtech.com, cess to video training from Solid- clude entrepreneurial skills, busi- www.crainsdetroit.com/ Fisher/Unitech of Troy is ex- click on “learn more” in the an- Professor and a discounted CSWA ness feasibility and business careerworks, you can post an exam. tending its No Engineer Left Be- nouncements section and follow formation. anonymous résumé and at- Hands-on courses begin this hind retraining program aimed the form. Acceptance into the It will be held at the Oakland tract employers. You can month and are scheduled through- at assisting displaced engineers program is on a first-come, first- County executive office building scan the newest jobs from our out the year. and designers re-enter the mar- served basis, and candidates (41 West), 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, area or all of Michigan. You ketplace by helping them gain must meet the qualifications of Waterford Township. Cost: $30. can set up e-mail alerts so skills via a three-step process: at- being displaced within the previ- Help with starting a business Register online at www.oak- whenever a job that interests tend a three-day Introduction to ous 12 months from a position The Michigan Small Business and gov.com/peds/calendar and click you is posted, you’ll know SolidWorks course, receive an where they were using either 2D Technology Development Center is on the workshop or call (248) 858- about it. evaluation copy of SolidWorks or 3D CAD tools. presenting a workshop 6-9 p.m. 0783. Employers can post jobs or 2009 Office Premium 3D CAD Fisher/Unitech is also a par- search résumés for talent software for skill enhancement, ticipant in the SolidWorks Engi- they seek. and potentially be placed at a neering Stimulus Program, Fisher/Unitech customer site for which offers a free, download- an unpaid 30-day internship. able version of SolidWorks Stan- CareerTransition Name: Fred Levine, 58 Education: Bachelor’s degree in speech from Eastern Michigan University in 1972, postgraduate classes in broadcast advertising at Wayne State CAREER MOVES University. Past career: Two-and-a-half years as facilities FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES MANAGEMENT manager of Southfield-based Jewish Vocational Services, one year as national facilities manag- Great Franchise EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – CORNERSTONE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY er for A&W Restaurants Inc. in Farmington Hills Opportunity for and 28 years as vice president of Embassy Me- Golf Enthusiasts Southfield’s Cornerstone Development Authority (CDA) is seeking a Chief Executive Offi- Prime markets now available in SE Michigan. cer. Responsible for day-to-day management of the operations of the CDA to include staff chanical Contractors Inc. in Farmington Hills. supervision, functional oversight of the Millenium Theatre, financial and budget administra- Join a recognized leader in the retail golf New career: Owner of Ambassador Group and De- tion, contract administration, special events coordination, grant preparation, promotion of Fred Levine industry. redevelopment and business retention in the downtown area, representing the CDA before troit Head Shots, which provide photography ser- Contact Frank Hutton - 248-994-0553 business and community groups; and serving as liaison to the City, business community, Former career: vices for the corporate and nonprofit sectors. www.progolfamerica.com and CDA residents. Facilities manager Why he decided to make the switch: “I had al- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Planning, Business Administration, Mar- New career: ways shot weddings and bar mitzvahs, and I REAL ESTATE keting, or related field, and 5 years of directly related experience including at least 3 years Photography worked my way through college shooting wed- of supervision. Masters Degree is a plus. The position also requires experience in munici- business owner pal financing, marketing, land-use, and applicable State and Federal laws; a valid State of dings. I shot my first paying job when I was 16, Experienced Office/Sales Manager Michigan driver’s license and a good driving record. Tzoumakas Real Estate, LLC, located in Troy, photographing homes for several of the Michigan offering a unique opportunity for a moti- Salary range is $52,000 to $63,000 DOQ plus benefits. This is a contract position, serving builders for whom my father did plumbing. vated Associate Broker for a Commercial Real at the pleasure of the CDA Board. Estate Office. Associate Broker will be the When my son was out of college and out on his Office/Sales Manager to recruit, motivate and Submit a City of Southfield Employment Application package, resume, and cover letter to own, I took the bold move to do it full time. My mentor salespersons. Position pays highest com- include recent accomplishments and salary requirements by 5:00p.m., Friday, May 8, 2009 wife supported the decision, as did JVS. I mission in the industry and bonus potential. to Valerie Crump, Director of Staff Services/Human Resources, 26000 Evergreen Road, Please call Robert Tzoumakas, Broker, 248-321- P. O. Box 2055, Southfield, MI 48037-2055 or fax to 248-796-4715. Employment Applica- haven’t looked back.” 3519 for a confidential interview. tions and the Release form can be downloaded from the City of Southfield website at How he made the transition: “I am a member of www.cityofsouthfield.com. three business networking groups, plus I’ve de- Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/H and Drug-Free Workplace. veloped a lot of business contacts over the past Call Us For Personalized 30 years. In fact, I am now writing a series of Service: (313) 446-6068 articles for an online photography site on ad- justing your business in a down economy.” CLOSING TIMES: Monday 3 p.m., The State of Michigan, Department of Management and Budget, is recruiting for the posi- Obstacles overcome: “Being the new old kid one week prior to publication date. tion of Deputy Director to oversee the Business Services Administration. The Deputy Direc- Please call us for holiday closing times. tor is responsible for the management of statewide procurement initiatives as well as the on the block. Most new photographers have the FAX: (313) 446-1757 state’s fleet, print, mail and related logistics activities. Candidates possessing a bachelor’s photo skills but lack the business sense to deal degree in business, finance and administration preferred. Minimum of five years professio- E-MAIL: [email protected] nal managerial experience in government services with an emphasis in complex, strategic with corporate and nonprofit CEOs and mar- INTERNET: procurement highly desired. The position is located in Lansing, with an annual salary of keting people.” www.crainsdetroit.com/section/classifieds $102K to $129K, depending upon experience, plus a fringe benefit package Advice for others: “You are never too old to start Confidential Reply Boxes Available Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and copies of college transcripts to the: over and do what you love. Don’t ever let anyone PAYMENT: All classified ads must be Department of Management and Budget, Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 30026, Lansing, MI 48909; Attention: Mary Beth Seppala; Fax: (517)-373-8317 or e-mail: tell you that business is for young people.” prepaid. Checks, money order or If you have made a similar change in your ca- Crain’s credit approval accepted. [email protected] no later than May 1, 2009. Additional information on how to apply for this position can be found on the State Job Posting site at reer or know someone who has made an interest- Credit cards accepted. www.michigan.gov/mdcs/. All persons who are not currently state employees must submit ing career transition, contact Andy Chapelle, See to and pass a pre-employment drug test prior to their actual appointment to the classified service. The Department of Management and Budget is a drug-free, alcohol free, equal managing editor at Crain’s Detroit Business, at Crainsdetroit.com/Section/Classifieds employment opportunity employer. for more classified advertisements [email protected] 20090420-NEWS--0023-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 2:13 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 23

PEOPLE ADVERTISING Nancy Gray to ad- Chicago; Linda Gillum to associate dean LAW ministrator of of academic affairs, faculty develop- Robert Huffman to senior vice presi- clinical services William Forrest III to partner, Kien- dent, Campbell-Ewald, Warren, re- IN THE SPOTLIGHT ment and diversity, and associate pro- baum, Opperwall, Hardy and Pelton in the Center for fessor of biomedical sciences, from maining lead creative strategist and Auburn Hills-based Ecology P.L.C., Birmingham, from associate. Women’s Health, member of the dean’s office, University writer for United Services; also, Bart Coatings Inc., which develops Oakwood Health- of Michigan Medical School, Ann Ar- Trina Bush to principal, Lee & Associ- Huthwaite Jr. to senior vice president clean-tech ultraviolet curable care System, ates, Southfield, remaining CFO. from senior director, business value coatings, has appointed Kevin Dearborn, from bor, and assistant provost for academic affairs at UM; and Dr. Angela Nuzzarello group, Trilogy Inc., Austin, Texas. Stolz CFO. chief develop- REAL ESTATE Kim Pawlak to vice president and di- Stolz, 45, has ment officer. to associate dean of student affairs, rector of creative operations, Mars Ad- been with the Dr. Robert from associate dean for student pro- John Hamburger to president, Broder vertising, Southfield, from director of company since McAuley to associ- grams and professional development, & Sachse Real Estate Services Inc., operations. February 2007 Gray ate dean for educa- Northwestern University Feinberg Birmingham, from vice president and and had been tional information technology and clin- School of Medicine, Chicago. director of property management. ARCHITECTURE controller and ical assistant professor of biomedical science, Oakland University, Rochester, Gail von Staden chief from chief information officer, Univer- to principal, von accounting officer. He sity of Illinois at Chicago. Also, Dr. John coffee!! Staden Archi- Musich to associate dean for graduate tects L.L.C., replaces David Morgan, who and continuing medical education, re- opportunity!! Birmingham, Stolz maining corporate director of medical from senior asso- left to pursue other business opportunities. education for Beaumont Hospital, Roy- ciate and senior al Oak; Dr. David Felten to associate interested?? project manager, Stolz earned a bachelor’s degree dean for research, remaining vice presi- Gensler Architec- in accounting from the University of dent for research and medical director, franchise?? ture, Design & Portland in Portland, Ore., and an Beaumont Research Institute, Royal Planning P.C., MBA from the University of Notre Oak; Dr. Michele Raible to associate Call Tim McClain (517) 482-8145 Detroit. Dame. von Staden dean of undergraduate medical educa- tion and a clinical assistant professor of or [email protected] CONSULTING pathology, from deputy head for pathol- FINANCE www.biggby.com Scott Smith to se- ogy education, University of Illinois, Joe Condon to management consulting nior director, Hy- leader, Plante & Moran P.L.L.C., South- dra Professionals field, from vice president of operations, L.L.C., Farming- RTI Biologics, Alachua, Fla.; also, Ted Colonial Life Honors its 2008 Top Public Sector District ton Hills, from di- Mallires to manager, from associate. rector, BBK Ltd., John Bush to di- William F. Hill Bill Hill and his award winning Southfield. rector and branch Public Sector Manager team make benefits count. manager, UBS Fi- Colonial Life DISTRIBUTING nancial Services Let them help you: Inc., Troy, from Daniel Hutchin- Better manage your health care branch manager, 600 West Lafayette, Suite 300 son to controller, expenses. Smith Lighting Supply Merrill Lynch, Detroit, Michigan 48226 Co., Ferndale, Farmington Hills. Business: 313.965.3533 Realize employer and employee tax savings by pre-taxing through from controller John Kolar to assis- Customer Service: 800.325.4368 and general man- tant vice president Section 125. coloniallife.com ager, GCH Ma- and branch man- Save hours of valuable administrative chinery Division ager, Independent time with our flexible enrollment options Inc., Warren; Mallires Bank, Bloomfield also, Charlie Hills, from small- Marlene L. Garland-Hill, PhD and simplified billing systems. Daniels to sales business officer. Chief Executive Officer Provide benefits counseling to manager, from Andy Zaleski to se- Marlene L. Garland Agency improve your employees’ understanding group manager of nior tax director, William (Bill) Hill, and appreciation of their benefits. daily operations, BDO Seidman Colonial Life 2008 600 West Lafayette, Suite 300 Enterprise Rent- L.L.P., Troy, from Public Sector Manager Offer a broad portfolio of personal Hutchinson a-Car, Toronto. senior tax manag- Detroit, Michigan 48226 of the Year, and insurance products that help fill er, Grant Thorn- Business: 313.965.1777 Marlene L. Garland-Hill, PhD the gaps in employer-sponsored ENGINEERING ton L.L.P., South- Toll Free: 866.582.1777 benefits, and allow employees to Glenn Nixon to director of advanced field; also, Keith pay for coverage through convenient simulation technologies, AVL Power- Mannor to senior payroll deduction. tax manager, [email protected] train Engineering Inc., Plymouth, Kolar from director of All this and more at no direct cost from central region sales director, An- garland-hill-insurance.com domestic tax, ArvinMeritor Inc., to the employer. sys Inc., Canonsburg, Pa. Troy. Charlene Mitchell-Rodgers to public Jared Rosenbaum Bill’s district was recognized recently for relations and marketing manager, to director of bid outstanding 2008 performance at Colonial Life Lakeshore Engineering Services Inc., management and Detroit, from president, Media Con- President’s Club on the big island of Hawaii. market develop- sultants, West Bloomfield Township. Bill was honored by Colonial Life’s President/ ment, Invescor Connie Lilley to director of sustainable CEO and Unum’s Chairman at Leaders’ Ltd., Farmington Conference in Maui, Hawaii. goods and initiatives, Core Products Hills, from senior Group L.L.C., Livonia, from manager associate, Bill has more than 28 years of experience of special programs. Amherst Capital providing innovative benefit solutions in the Partners L.L.C., Birmingham. State of Michigan. Under Bill’s leadership, his public sector district has served Michigan’s PEOPLE GUIDELINES Michael Skinner to Rosenbaum largest city government and largest school Announcements are limited to vice president of business banking, Huntington Banc- system for more than 20 years. management positions. Nonprofit shares Inc., West Bloomfield, from vice and industry group board president, Bank of America, Livonia. appointments can be found at Call us and start making Sarah Banks to www.crainsdetroit.com. Send manager, Plante your benefits count today! submissions to Departments, & Moran P.L.L.C., The Hill Team Crain’s Detroit Business, 1155 Southfield, from Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207- associate. Top Public Sector District in the nation for four of the last 2997, or send e-mail to eight years – 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2008. [email protected]. HEALTH CARE Releases must contain the person’s Specializing in city government, educator and commercial name, new title, company, city in Katherine Daudlin sectors. to director of de- which the person will work, former velopment, Visit- There is always someone on hand to meet your unique needs. title, former company (if not ing Nurse Associa- promoted from within) and former Banks tion of Southeast city in which the person worked. Michigan, Oak © 2009 Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company Photos are welcome, but we cannot Park, from manager of annual giving Colonial Life products are underwritten by Colonial Life & Accident guarantee they will be used. and special events, St. Mary Mercy Insurance Company, for which Colonial Life is the marketing brand. Hospital, Livonia. 20090420-NEWS--0024-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/16/2009 2:34 PM Page 1

Page 24 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009

CALENDAR BUSINESS DIARY

Analysis: U.S. Economic Recovery. Ford Hospital and dinner April 27. CONTRACTS Crab seafood restaurant. For reserva- TUESDAY Miller Canfield 7-8 p.m. With: Contact: (248) 353-0735. Mustafa Birmingham-based Schechter Benefit tions or more information, call (800) APRIL 21 Mohatarem, chief economist for Gen- Advisors has been contracted to pro- 272-6232 or visit www.ramada.com. eral Motors Corp. Community House, Regional Economic & Community De- vide employee benefit advisory ser- Leadership Macomb. 8-9:30 a.m. Learn Birmingham. Free. Contact: (248) 644- velopment Luncheon Birmingham NEW SERVICES about Leadership Macomb and net- 5832. . vices to West Bloomfield Township- work with current class and sponsors. Bloomfield Chamber, Observer & Ec- based Planterra Corp., an interior Detroit-based Brasco International, a With: Macomb County Sheriff Mark centric Newspapers. Noon-6:30 p.m. landscaping company. Nonprofit Management Conference. designer and manufacturer of out- Hackel and Don Torline of Baker Col- April 29. Speakers include: Doug Warren-based , a Walsh College, Troy Chamber, others. MSX International Inc. door protection shelters, has lege. GM Heritage Center, Sterling Rothwell, Detroit Renaissance Inc.; L. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Keynote speaker: First provider of business outsourcing ser- launched a Web site to showcase its Heights. Free, registration required. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County gentleman Dan Mulhern. Walsh Col- vices to the global automotive market- traditional designs and the latest Contact: (586) 445-7127. executive. Townsend Hotel, Birming- place, has contracted with Redwood lege, Troy. $50 for Troy Chamber green initiatives which include the ham. Forum, luncheon and legisla- Shores, Calif.-based Xtime Inc., a members, $95 others; includes break- use of sustainable materials and so- fast and lunch. Contact: (248) 641-3694. tive reception: $85 members, $95 non- provider of customer relationship Credit Crisis: Light At the End of the lar-powered LED lighting. Web site: Tunnel. 7-9 a.m. Association for Corpo- members. Reception only: $50 management tools for dealership ser- members, $60 nonmembers. $650 for vice operations, will jointly market www.brasco.com. rate Growth Detroit chapter. Panel Write a Successful Business Plan. Ser- corporate table of eight. Contact: (248) Brighton-based micarguy.com, an on- discussion with: Lawrence Gardner, vice Corps of Retired Executives. 9 MSXI’s suite of dealer service business 644-1700. president, Lawrence Gardner Associ- a.m.-1 p.m. Learn the importance of processing outsourcing solutions and line community for those who love au- ates; David Boyle, president, Michigan having an effective business plan and Xtime’s online ServiceCRM tools to tomobiles, has launched a Web site & Northwest Ohio Banking, National how to create one. Michigan Business All Things Green. Macomb County dealers in North America. through Motor City Interactive de- City Corp.; Steve Moss, managing di- & Professional Association, 27700 Chamber of Commerce, Macomb Ann Arbor-based Thomson Reuters, signed to be a resource for consumers rector, Wells Fargo Securities L.L.C.; Hoover Road, Warren. $45. Contact: County Planning and Economic De- which provides information to busi- and car enthusiasts in the market to and Patrick O’Keefe, founder, O’Keefe (313) 226-7947, [email protected]. velopment. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30. nesses around the world, has insti- buy new or used vehicles. The new & Associates Consulting. Glen Oaks tuted into its online healthcare infor- Web site, www.thecarguyclub.com, Golf & Country Club, Farmington Conference geared toward manufac- mation services components combines software and social net- Hills. $25 members, $45 guests. Con- turing and service organizations provided by Draper, Utah-based works to feature automotive news tact: (734) 662-5544. wishing to understand opportunities COMING EVENTS in alternative energy, workforce de- HealthEquity Inc., a personal health- from Michigan and around the globe Accelerating Innovations in Medical velopment for green jobs, incentives care financial services company including videos, photos and other Care. Engineering Society of Detroit and tax advantages when pursing serving employers, health insurers, media. INCOSE Michigan Chapter, others. 8 benefits administrators and finan- “green,” and much more. IBEW train- Baker College of Allen Park has an- THURSDAY a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 28. With: Dr. Julian cial institutions. ing facility, 2277 E. 11 Mile Road, War- APRIL 23 Goldman, director of interoperability, nounced a partnership with ren. $25. Contact: Nicole McKee, (586) Ann Arbor-based Stout Systems has CVS/Pharmacy to offer new pharma- Center for Integration of Medicine signed a contract with the National In- Inforum Inner Circle. 5:30-8 p.m. Co- and Innovative Technology in Boston; 493-7600. cy technician certificate and associ- stitutes of Health in Washington, sponsored by Deloitte L.L.P. Honors and Dr. Chisato Nojiri, chair and chief ate degree programs. Classes specific D.C., to provide embedded systems 22 notable businesswomen. Each will medical officer, Terumo Heart Inc., to the new pharmacy technology pro- Employer Forum on Internship. De- services for a medical research de- network with seven attendees in a Ann Arbor. Inn at St. John’s, Ply- grams will begin spring quarter 2009 troit Regional Chamber. 8-11:30 a.m. vice. roundtable setting. Townsend Hotel, mouth. $169 for ESD, INCOSE and af- April 30. A highly informative work- in a 2,000 square foot area of Baker’s Birmingham. $50 members, $60 non- filiate council members, $189 for non- Detroit-based Urban Science, a glob- shop that will explain how intern- Allen Park campus designated as a members; add $10 after April 18 and at members and $149 for students and al retail consulting firm, has signed a ships can be a successful talent man- pharmacy training laboratory. the door. Contact: (313) 578-3230. seniors; $20 extra for tour of Henry contract with Auburn Hills-based agement strategy for your company. Audi of America Inc. for the automo- Ann Arbor-based Fry Inc., a sub- Macomb Community College, War- bile company to use Urban Science’s sidiary of Micros Systems Inc., has ren. Free. Contact: Greg Handel, (313) business management service to im- redesigned the e-commerce checkout 596-0331. prove the profitability of Audi’s re- process for Secaucus, N.J.-based tail network. Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. MARKET PLACE Influential Women Series. Raymond Ann Arbor-based ERT Systems L.L.C. Mt. Clemens-based Basic Metals has James and Associates. Noon-1 p.m. has contracted with Grant County, developed a new scrap-metal theft May 4. With: Lou Kentucky, to provide its OnSite ERT alert system available to the public at ANNOUNCEMENTS & FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES Anna Simon, technology to the county’s depart- SERVICES president of www.basic-metals.com. National companies seek owner/operators for Michigan State ments. Onsite ERT, a system to track Canton Township-based Plumbing new franchises in Michigan shopping centers. and locate emergency personnel and BUSINESS SERVICES Including; Aveda, Cinnabon, Dairy Queen & University. Com- Professors, a plumbing and sewer re- equipment, will be used to track and Gateway News. Available at Westland Cen- munity House, pair company, offers repair services ter, Westland and Genesee Valley Center, locate the county’s 150 firefighters Birmingham. that allow most sewers and drain WE SELL BUSINESSES Flint Twp. Contact Tom Riley at 810.245.7288 $25. Contact: (248) and equipment at emergency events. pipes to be relined with little or no Confidential & Professional Service. 644-5832. Bloomfield Hills-based business INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES digging. For more information, visit Specialize in Manufacturing, Distribution & coaching firm Pande Associates Inc. Business -To-Business Service Industries. www.plumbingprofessors.com. Private Money Needed World Trade has contracted with Web site Confidential Business Sale, Inc. Earn 15% plus 2 pts Month Executive http://tv.factor77.com to offer infor- Auburn Hills-based Facton, a cost-so- www.ConfidentialBusinessSale.com Secured by Residential Real Estate, 65%LTV max. Simon Breakfast. De- mation, counseling services and other lutions company, has upgraded its Detroit Metro Office 313-221-9378 www.invest-securely.com or (800) 229-0714 troit Regional Chamber. 7-9:30 a.m. resources to potential or operational Tooling Module for customers to EQUIPMENT & May 5. Honoring young business owners. view and manage tooling costs in Yousif Ghafari, PUBLIC NOTICES Troy-based ilumisys Inc., a developer real time. MERCHANDISE founder and and producer of lighting, has con- chairman, Gha- STARTUPS Ypsilanti Housing Commission is re- OFFICE FURNITURE fari Associates tracted with the National Center for questing proposals (RFP) for Developers L.L.C. and former Manufacturing Sciences in conjunc- Pandora Outside the Box Marketing, for Multifamily Housing using Low-Income MUST SELL, OFFICE CLOSED tion with a Department of Energy Housing Tax Credits and other Financing. U.S. Ambassador at 1380 E Jefferson Ave. in Detroit, of- Desks $99, Chairs $39, Files $49, Partitions $50, grant, to develop design and manufac- Selected firms must have a working knowl- Lateral Files $99, Cubicles, Office Phone Systems to Slovenia. fers marketing strategy, brand devel- edge of (HUD) rules, regulations and pro- Call (248) 548-6404 or (248) 474-3375. Townsend Hotel, turing strategies for product use, re- opment, print design, event plan- cedures. A complete RFP may be obtained Birmingham. $35 cycling and disposal of LED-based ning, Web design, Internet at 601 Armstrong Ypsilanti, MI 48197 or e- for business lighting. mail [email protected]. Propos- marketing, trade show planning and builder members Cranfield Impact Centre, a provider of als are due 6/1/2009 @ 3:00 p.m. EST. and above, $45 ba- displays, and corporate gifts. Tele- engineering analysis and services for Ghafari sic and associate phone: (313) 259-3458, ext. 124; Web members, $60 nonmembers. Contact: vehicle crashworthiness, occupant site: www.marketwithpandora.com. BUSINESS & Beverly Maddox, (313) 596-0343. safety and biomechanics based in the United Kingdom, has contracted with MZX Quality Solutions of Ann Arbor, INVESTMENTS Troy-based Altair Engineering Inc. for started by Mark Zenas, offers imple- use of its Altair HyperWorks simula- mentation and internal auditing of BUSINESSES FOR SALE CALENDAR GUIDELINES tion software to enhance CIC’s design ISO9001:2008 and TS16949 systems, gap analysis, supplier auditing and Large Plastics Manufacturer Closing. If you want to ensure listing and analysis capabilities. Office cubicals, conference room furniture, online and be considered for print selection, problem solving expertise files and pallet rack available. publication in Crain’s Detroit EXPANSIONS and inspection/containment services. Call 734-564-1226 for an appointment. Business, please use the online Telephone: (734) 223-2641; Web site: Macomb County’s Secretary of State Heavy sheet Metal Stamping Plant in SW Detroit. calendar listings section of offices have been expanded to include www.mzxqualitysolutions.com. Includes Patents on in house Manufactured Gas www.crainsdetroit.com. Here’s Mileage Saving products. Est. 1925. Serious Only call the Southwest Macomb County PLUS how to submit your events: 248-348-2829 office in Warren. The PLUS office of- From the Crain’s home page, click fers customers extended Wednesday BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES DIARY GUIDELINES “Detroit Events” in the red bar hours and services including a self- near the top of the page. Then, Send news releases for Business Entrepreneur looking to purchase or invest in service station that allows drivers to Aluminum Extrusion or Mg Die-Casting business. click “Submit Your Entries” from quickly renew their license plate tabs. Diary to Departments, Crain’s e-mail contact information to cdbboxreply.com the drop-down menu that will The office is located at 28220 Dequin- Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot Must include box number 10053 in subject line. appear and you’ll be taken to our dre Road. Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 or online submission form. Fill out send e-mail to cdbdepartments@ the form as instructed, and then Lodgian, a hotel management and de- crain.com. Use any Business Diary LEARN WHY OWNING A RECESSION velopment company, has opened the RESISTANT SPEED QUEEN COIN LAUNDRY click the “Submit event” button at item as a model for your release, IS SO PROFITABLE the bottom of the page. That’s all Ramada Plaza Troy/Detroit at 5500 and look for the appropriate Financing & Locations there is to it. Crooks Road, Troy, 48098. The hotel category. Without complete Free Informational profit seminar held Saturdays includes 185 rooms, a renovated fit- 10 am -12 noon. Call for details & reservations. More Calendar items can be information, your item will not run. ness center, indoor heated pool, com- UNIVERSAL COIN LAUNDRY MACHINERY found on the Web at Photos are welcome, but we cannot www.universal-laundry.com plimentary Wi-Fi Internet access, www.crainsdetroit.com. guarantee they will be used. 248-435-6200 Desoto’s restaurant and Charley’s 20090420-NEWS--0025-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 2:41 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 25 Biz groups oppose expanded jobless benefits

LANSING — Michi- But the changes would damage our state’s business cli- ditional unemployment benefits to employment.” gan business groups are need to be permanent, mate.” UI recipients in state-approved He said that over the next couple opposing the expansion Capitol and business advocates The groups said they “under- training, such as the No Worker Left years — as the state exhausts the of unemployment insur- Briefings say that the costs to the stand the need to help the unem- Behind program, for a high-demand federal dollars — it can determine a ance benefits sought by state’s UI system would ployed,” but a better alternative to occupation. plan to support benefits expansion. House Democrats and in two years exceed the taking the federal stimulus money The workers must have been em- “The state needs to figure out a Gov. Jennifer Granholm. one-time stimulus fund- would be to pursue cost-saving re- ployed in a declining occupation or way to subsidize this, too,” he said. The proposed changes ing and would lead to forms within the state UI system. lost their jobs due to an employer’s The second bill, sponsored by in state unemployment higher UI taxes paid by That might include boosting ef- permanent reduction in operations. Bert Johnson, D-Highland Park, insurance law would en- employers. forts to detect fraud by workers According to a House Fiscal would allow laid-off part-time able Michigan to receive That in turn could who claim unemployment and col- Agency analysis, the Michigan Unem- workers seeking part-time work to $138.9 million in addi- cause employers to look lect benefits while still employed. ployment Insurance Agency estimates receive unemployment benefits. tional UI funding under at cutting expenses and The proposed bills, House bills that change would cost the state’s Currently, people must seek full- Amy Lane the federal stimulus laying off workers, said 4785 and 4786, represent two of four unemployment insurance trust time work to be eligible. package. Wendy Block, director of health conditions required in the Ameri- fund about $52.5 million annually. The bill would cost the state trust Supporters say the changes, policy and human resources at the can Recovery and Reinvestment Hammel said he understands fund about $17.2 million annually, which would help part-time work- Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Act if Michigan wants to tap addi- the business community’s con- according to state estimates. ers as well as those in retraining The chamber is among at least tional funds beyond some $69 mil- cerns, but said job training is vital Gov. Jennifer Granholm sup- programs, come at a crucial time. 16 business groups in a coalition to lion for which it is already eligible. to the state’s struggling economy. ports the bills and is urging law- Bill sponsor Rep. Richard Ham- oppose the state’s acceptance of The state could use the money “We talk a lot about transform- makers to approve them. mel, D-Mt. Morris Township, said the additional UI stimulus funds. for administrative purposes or to ing this economy,” he said. “This The bills are expected to see dis- the measures will “bring some re- In one letter to lawmakers, pay unemployment benefits. at least gives us a chance to say cussion soon in the House. lief to folks that are in the most groups said the “long-term tax in- Bill 4785, sponsored by Hammel, we’ll help you upgrade your skills Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, need right now.” creases on Michigan employers will would provide up to 26 weeks of ad- and we’ll continue to pay you un- [email protected] REAL ESTATE

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Page 26 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Lakeshore: Growing up ■ From Page 1 clients that were willing to give into these,” Parikh said. him the opportunities.” Parikh gives the example of a Rachmale seemed to understand long-term contract Lakeshore pur- that establishing a sense of trust sued with the U.S. Air Force. It took would lead to business benefits in about 18 months before Lakeshore the future, Brzezinski said. got its first contract, but then “Once he gained trust, and got a things took off, Parikh said. job, he was meticulous,” he said. “They awarded 20 prime con- “The first job’s hard to get, but the tracts,” he said. “Then you com- second job’s even pete with the same harder because you select pool of compa- have to perform. He The first nies. … As opposed was good on both of “ to saying, let’s bid on MULTIFAMILY AND HEALTHCARE LOAN SALE 2009-2 those.” job’s hard to get, this building or this Rachmale came to opportunity, we got Approximate Portfolio Size Michigan from his but the second into these ongoing, native India to at- long-term contracts. Unpaid Principal Balance: $103 Million tend Wayne State Uni- job’s even harder Now, these contract Total Number of Loans: 21 versity, where he mechanisms are be- trained as an engi- because you have ing used to push the Scheduled Bid Date neer. He worked for two big initiatives of May 20, 2009 several years after to perform. President (Barack) graduation before ” Obama” — the stim- Tom Brzezinski, starting his own ulus funding and Wade Trim Associates Inc. For further information please visit the HUD MHLS 2009-2 website at www.hud.gov/fhaloansales company. continued work in Rachmale said he’s always been Iraq and Afghanistan. a bit of a risk-taker. These days, about 75 percent of “I decided to do something on Lakeshore’s business comes from my own,” he said. “And I’m the the federal government, most of it Transaction Specialist: KDX Ventures, Inc. baby of my family, so I didn’t have overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. 1750 K Street, NW, Suite 200 to worry about providing for some- Stateside, Lakeshore’s done jobs for Washington, DC 20006 one back home.” the Detroit Water and Sewerage De- The first five years were a long partment and Selfridge Air National 202-775-0518 slog. Lakeshore focused on environ- Guard Base in Harrison Township. [email protected] mental jobs, and Rachmale worked “What he did to build the compa- until midnight most days. But he al- ny, using the 8(a) and other pro- This announcement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy mortgage loans. Information concerning the mortgage loans will be furnished ways had a vision for Lakeshore’s grams, is really a model for how a only to, and bids will be accepted only from, bidders who certify that they have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be future expansion in mind. business can use 8a to advance,” capable of evaluating the merits and risk and who certify that they have the resources to bear the risk of a purchase of the mortgage loans. “I used to go to the job site, do Temkin said. “He really availed the work, write the report, deliver himself of a variety of assistance to the report to the client,” he said. progress and become a big busi- “If I keep doing this, I don’t see ness, a very successful business, how to get to the next level.” and one that has made many con- But during that period, Rachmale tributions to the community.” was sowing the seeds for growth. Rachmale believes a company’s He knew that if he wanted obligations don’t end with a job. So Lakeshore to grow, it couldn’t re- three years ago, he founded the main a one-man, small-job shop, Lakeshore Economic Coalition. The with a CEO bogged down in day-to- nonprofit offers training programs day operations. for those who are underprivileged “But what comes first, the chick- or have had trouble with the law. en or the egg?” he said. The focus is on job skills training, He became involved with the but there’s an outreach component SBA’s 8(a) program, which allows as well. During the holidays, the businesses owned by socially or coalition sponsors needy families. economically disadvantaged peo- Four years ago, Lakeshore ple, a designation that includes moved into its new digs in New some Indian-Americans, to com- Center, purchased for $2.2 million, pete for federal contracts. according to a 2008 report in And establishing a good track Crain’s, with a total investment of record with the federal govern- $12 million, Rachmale said. ment is the key to further govern- Lakeshore occupies about 60,000 ment contracting, Rachmale said. feet of the 250,000-square-foot In the late 1990s, with revenue building, which also houses a De- growing, Lakeshore had amassed troit Police Department precinct. enough success for Rachmale to The building’s maintenance expand his team. That’s when Ex- workers, Rachmale said, are hired ecutive Vice President Kevin from the surrounding community. Parikh joined the firm. “We’re a Detroit-based busi- “We shifted to a diversified port- ness,” Parikh said. folio of long-term contracts … ini- Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, tially, there’s a huge effort to get [email protected].

BANKRUPTCIES The following businesses filed for Road, Holly, voluntary Chapter 7. As- Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. sets and liabilities not available. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit April 10- Noble International Ltd., 28213 Van 16. Under Chapter 11, a company files Dyke Ave., Warren, voluntary Chap- for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves ter 11. Assets: $190,763,000; liabilities: total liquidation. $38,691,000. Belloli Home Improvements Inc., 22103 Prototech Laser Welding Inc., 23361 Blackburn, St. Clair Shores, volun- Quinn Road, Clinton Township, vol- tary Chapter 7. Assets: $0; liabilities: untary Chapter 11. Assets and liabili- $47,062. ties not available. Vernick Finance Co., 25526 Goddard, The Troy Group Inc., 5763 Algonquin Taylor, voluntary Chapter 11. Assets: Drive, Troy, voluntary Chapter 7. As- $0; liabilities: $10,795,839. sets and liabilities not available. RPA Construction Inc., 1860 Ranch — Compiled by Mark Lewis 20090420-NEWS--0027-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 6:29 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 27 Noble: Hit by 1-2 punch ■ From Page 3 “We had a significant amount of source its business with Noble to debt, we had some lost contracts, other suppliers as early as the fol- fifteen and the markets collapsed, and lowing Monday. this was all happening at approxi- Last Monday, then-CEO Thomas mately the same time,” he said. Saeli resigned. COO Frank Sovis two heads Over the course of 2008, Noble followed suit the day after, leaving was racked by financial problems. the company to Andrew Tavi, vice Revenue declined from $872 million president and general counsel. in 2007 to just $375 million at the On Wednesday, the company are better than one end of 2008. Its stock fell from more filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In than $14 per share in January 2008 its filing, Noble asked the court to to about 15 cents in Friday trading. approve a $9.7 million line of credit Steel prices skyrocketed early in provided by GM, Ford and the year, driving up costs. And its Chrysler to fund operations. lenders tightened up, weary of a But with nearly all its laser-weld- troubled automotive industry ed blanks business gone to competi- marked by supplier distress and tors and the Detroit 3 pulling tool- automakers facing bankruptcy. ing and equipment out of those In November 2008, the company plants, Noble is winding down op- hired L.A.-based financial advis- erations at four plants in North ers Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin America, including its facility in Capital Inc. and tried as many av- Warren, and is releasing all the em- enues as it could to access capital. ployees at those plants, Tavi said. “We contacted hundreds of po- The company is also trying to tential lenders — banks, hedge sell is roll-forming line of business funds, private equity firms — to try while in bankruptcy. to access capital, and at the same But the company was able to ne- time we were entertaining the po- gotiate an ownership transfer of tential sale of pieces of the compa- its site in Tonawanda, N.Y., to a ny,” Tavi said. “It was a frustrating competitor receiving some of the As a CEO, you can’t always turn to colleagues and friends for opinions and advice. event, because you’re trying to re-sourced business, saving 13 jobs When you become a TEC member, you tap into unbiased insight from someone raise capital to sustain your opera- and showing Tavi something posi- who shares your experience, or who has been there before. It’s like having a team tions — the operations of a compa- tive about Noble’s staff in Troy. of your own professional advisors to help guide the way. You don’t have to go it “Our employees rolled up their ny that was otherwise the market alone. Start the right conversation today, call us at 586.443.5880 x201. leader in its space — and there was sleeves and … people here worked just no access to capital.” tirelessly to save 13 jobs in New Nowhere else to turn, Noble bro- York,” he said. “There’s some good

kered a deal on Feb. 23 with its cus- ol’ American spirit there that www.tecdetroit.com ;/,>693+»:3,(+05.*,64,4),9:/0769.(50A(;065 tomers. General Motors Corp., Ford shows through, and so it’s all the Motor Co. and Chrysler L.L.C. agreed more disappointing when you’re (U(MÄSPH[LVM=PZ[HNL0U[LYUH[PVUHS^^^]PZ[HNLJVT to bankroll Noble’s operations — not able to find a solution that but only for a while. saves everybody.” The Detroit 3 told the company Ryan Beene: (313) 446-0315, on March 19 that they planned to [email protected] Cobo: Is there a Plan B? ■ From Page 1 is viable. I think something that Kenyatta joined Cockrel in sup- got lost in the conversation is that porting the deal — and Detroit the hotel and liquor tax sunsets in Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. vetoed the 2015. That’s a critical element of council’s decision. A court battle the the deal.” ensued, and the council emerged Neither Detroit City Council victorious last week. President Monica Conyers, who “(Conyers) decided to take it on,” voted against the Cobo expansion said Patterson, who had an ap- plan, nor Denise Tolliver, Cony- pointee on the Cobo authority and ers’ deputy chief of staff, returned whose county would have paid the phone calls seeking comment Fri- extended tax. “She blew it up, and day afternoon. she won the battle. I’ll give her cred- City Council President Pro Tem it for that. But she has lost the war.” JoAnn Watson said she planned to Patterson said he has no interest invite all Cobo stakeholders to the in crafting a new deal to expand table this week for a “family meet- Cobo — and less interest in con- ing” to discuss a new expansion tributing financially. plan. “As far as looking to the suburbs Watson declined further com- for hotel-motel taxes, that’s DOA,” ment on the record after being told he said. “She now has really basi- that Oakland County Executive L. cally told the suburbs, ‘We don’t Brooks Patterson, among the re- need your funding, we don’t want gional leaders Watson identified as it, with those strings attached.’ stakeholders, has said he isn’t inter- She thinks she can find (other) ested in negotiating another deal. funding. I don’t think it’s that The history of the failed legisla- easy. (Conyers) expects everyone tive deal is well-known: Control of to race back to the bargaining the center would have passed to a table to carve out something that five-member regional authority, satisfies her, but Oakland County and the city of Detroit would have is not going back to the table.” received a $20 million payment. Patterson said he believes that In a charge led by Conyers, the the auto show belongs at Cobo, in council voted 5-3 to disapprove the Detroit, but said that if the show’s transfer of the center to the au- organizers were forced to leave the thority — Conyers, Watson and center, he’d encourage them to council members Barbara-Rose look to the suburbs before taking Collins, Martha Reeves and Alber- the show out of state. ta Tinsley-Talabi voted to disap- He suggested three sites for an prove the transfer; council mem- Oakland County-hosted auto show: bers Brenda Jones and Kwame See Cobo, Page 28 20090420-NEWS--0028-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 6:31 PM Page 1

Page 28 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 Kentucky lands battery consortium after Michigan passes

BY RYAN BEENE Michigan was a contender early on, but ings from folks in Michigan, that they were manufacturing to a nonprofit, removing CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS decided to not pursue NAATBatt. not pursuing us and that they were pursu- those high cost assets from balance sheets, “We thought the best approach for Michi- ing other opportunities,” Greenberger said. Greenberger said. Michigan is not the only horse in the ad- gan was to work individually with those Unlike the sites planned in Michigan by Johnson Controls Inc. and Townsend vanced automotive battery race. four major battery companies that had ex- A123Systems Inc., KD Advanced Battery Group Ventures, the venture-capital partner with The day before the state announced it isting relationships with OEMs and autos,” L.L.C., LG Chem/Compact Power Inc. and John- Kokam America Inc. and The Dow Chemical Co. landed $1.7 billion in investments by compa- Bridget Beckman, public-information offi- son Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions in KD Advanced Battery Group L.L.C., were nies planning to build lithium ion battery cer of the Michigan Economic Development L.L.C. to mass-produce their own proprietary some of NAATBatt’s original, founding manufacturing plants to bring more than Corp., wrote in an e-mail. designs, the NAATBatt site will build a flexi- members. But they’ve since pulled out. 6,000 jobs to the state, Kentucky Gov. Steve In a later e-mail, she added: “We want to ble manufacturing site to make batteries of The Michigan-committed firms are likely Beshear announced his state had landed its be the center of advanced battery engineer- various chemistries, formats and designs to “not so anxious to see us succeed,” Green- own high-wattage investment. ing, manufacturing and commercialization. be used by companies in the consortium. berger said, because they want to maintain Glendale will be the home of a planned Our strategy was to go after companies that “The issue we’re trying to address is that competitive advantage. $600 million headquarters and manufactur- have the best practices and right industry what has really kept a large number of U.S. “What we’re doing, truth be known, is en- ing plant of the National Alliance for Advanced relationships to hit the ground running.” companies out of the business are the inher- abling a lot of companies that are not nearly Transportation Batteries, or NAATBatt, a non- This threw a wrench in the plans of James ently high capital costs and relatively low as far along ... but may ultimately have profit consortium of more than 50 compa- Greenberger, co-founder and general coun- margins of actually getting into the business much better technology, including a num- nies — but no automotive manufacturers — sel of NAATBatt and a partner and co-chair and manufacturing (lithium ion battery) ber of California-based startups,” Green- the Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Reed Smith L.L.P., a law firm in Chicago. cells,” Greenberger said. berger said. “We’re letting them in the of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. “My assumption to begin with was that NAATBatt will act as an industry re- game, and business is a full-contact sport, Kentucky was chosen over sites in Texas, we would end up in Michigan,” he said. source for companies to outsource develop- and … while I think we are a resource to Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Penn- “Then as we went on with some further dis- ment of the manufacturing process technol- these larger companies, I can also see why sylvania and South Carolina. cussions, we started sort of to get cool feel- ogy involved in lithium ion battery cell they might also view us as a threat.”

Battery: New plants – and questions – on their way Cobo: Any ■ From Page 1

battery packs to power 240,000 to was part of a team that worked Plan B? 500,000 vehicles, depending on FOUR PROJECTS FOR MICHIGAN with government officials to pro- ■ From Page 27 whether the cars are standard hy- mote that incentive. A123Systems Inc. of Massachusetts: Plans to invest $600 million to the 214,000-square-foot Rock Finan- brids, plug-in hybrids or fully David Cole, chairman of the Cen- manufacture batteries — first in Livonia, with more locations expected — cial Showplace in Novi, which isn’t electric. ter for Automotive Research at the for Chrysler L.L.C.’s ENVI electric product line. State tax credits: $125 large enough but could be expand- Massachusetts-based A123Sys- University of Michigan, said he does- million. Jobs expected: 5,000. ed, General Motors Corp.’s defunct tems Inc. did not release production n’t expect the new battery plants to LG Chem of Korea/Compact Power Inc. of Troy: Will invest $220 1-million-square-foot Centerpoint totals for its planned plant in Livo- start out producing at full capaci- million to manufacture 15 million lithium ion battery cells a year in a to- Business Campus in Pontiac, and nia. It would be the first in the com- ty. be-disclosed Michigan location, with agreements to supply the Chevrolet the Pontiac Silverdome. Cobo has pany’s national network expected Volt. State tax credits: $125.2 million. Jobs expected: about 300. “In first-generation technology, about 700,000 square feet of exhibit to produce batteries for as many as you’re not going to see a dramati- Johnson Controls-SAFT Advanced Power Solutions L.L.C.: Joint space; the plan called for an expan- 5 million hybrids or 500,000 plug-in venture with France-based SAFT will renovate a shuttered JCI plant in cally high production because the sion to 866,000. hybrid vehicles per year. Holland to make 15 million lithium ion cells a year. The venture plans to cost is too high,” he said. “Nobody “(Rock Financial) already has The capacity for hybrid and invest $220 million. Battery system agreements with Ford Motor Co. and is going to invest right out of the renderings on table with an archi- electric vehicle production creat- Azure Dynamics. State tax credits: $145.5 million. Jobs expected: 498. chute in this huge volume until tectural firm to expand to 1 million ed by the plants will be many KD Advanced Battery Group L.L.C.: Midland’s Dow Chemical Co., they get into a couple of genera- square feet,” he said. “The only times larger than the current lithium ion battery-maker Kokam America Inc. and Kokam’s majority tions where they’re confident that qualification there is they can’t do market. About 316,000 hybrids venture-capital owner, Townsend Ventures, expect jointly to invest $665 they’ve got the costs in line with million in a plant for the Midland region or metro Detroit. State tax it without a public subsidy. All I were sold in the United States in what they think can be competi- credits: $144.6 million. Jobs expected: 900. would need is a redirection of the 2008, roughly 2.4 percent of the tive,” he said. hotel-motel taxes in Oakland overall U.S. market, according to After two or three generations “There’s only going to be a limit- and environmentally friendly County. That’s enough of a rev- J.D. Power & Associates Inc. in Troy. — which Cole said could take less ed number of people that are going technology and vehicles. enue stream for Rock Financial to “There is clearly a risk of sup- than 10-15 years — the cost of a to take the leap and go with these “As we come out of this reces- expand and host the auto show. It porting the expansion of high-tech electric vehicles that are more ex- sion and the economy gets any- lithium ion battery pack could be would need legislative approval, batteries for automobiles given pensive and untested,” he said. where close to normalcy, the de- reduced to $5,000 to $6,000. and that’s the rub, of course.” that there is only a small market,” Paul Lacy, manager of technol- mand is going to continue to be “It’s going to take a while for Centerpoint would require modi- Anderson said. “If we all knew ogy research at IHS Global Insight there, and that’s why every single these markets to mature, and the fication, he said, and the Silver- that oil was going back to $100 a in Troy, agreed the high cost of manufacturer’s portfolio has a real test is ultimately what the dome, the best geographic location, barrel, it would be a lucrative pay- plug-ins — the few available now significant percentage of hy- cost of these batteries will be, and would require an expensive demo- off on such an investment.” and those like the highly touted brids,” he said. I can tell you that the cost looks lition and construction project. Analysts caution that the bat- Chevrolet Volt to be released in Compact Power, which is con- like its going to be attractive once Other funding would be “very tery plants likely will have un- 2010 — will not sell in high num- tracted to assemble battery packs you get into a couple of genera- difficult,” said Wayne County Ex- used production capacity in their bers. for the Chevrolet Volt with cells tions,” Cole said. ecutive Robert Ficano, who said he first years of operation. Lacy said the battery pack for made by its parent company, LG And since the batteries are ex- still believes the legislative deal “It sounds like they’re overly the Volt, with an estimated price Chem, received about $125 million pected to have useful lives longer could be saved. optimistic and they all want to tag of around $40,000, is said to in government incentives for its than the actual vehicles, Cole Kenyatta said he’s hoping for take advantage of the tax breaks cost about $16,000 to $18,000. Sev- planned $220 million investment. said, the batteries could be some federal funding. being offered right now. But I eral million battery packs would Other companies are chasing reused. “There’s a possibility of federal think they’re a little too opti- need to be produced to bring that additional incentives to speed One example is using them to earmark dollars by way of (U.S. mistic about how the market will cost down. their battery development. store power-grid electricity creat- Rep. John) Conyers, by way of grow in the next five to seven “It is appropriate for the gov- David Vieau, CEO of A123 Sys- ed during non-peak hours to be (U.S.) Sen. (Carl) Levin,” Kenyatta years,” said Mike Omotoso, se- ernment to be providing incentives tems Inc., said the company has used during heavy electrical use. said. “It will not be enough, by my nior manager of powertrain fore- because what it can do is acceler- applied for $1.84 billion under the Utilities buying batteries could understanding, to complete the casting at J.D. Power. ate the development of this sector Department of Energy’s $25 billion create a $2,000 post-vehicle resid- renovation, but it could be some J.D. Power projects plug-ins and — the technology, the market — Advanced Vehicle Technology ual value, Cole said, making the seed money.” electrics will account for roughly 1 because if it was left completely up Loan program and plans to apply net cost of the battery about Ficano, Sheila Cockrel, Kenyat- percent of new vehicle sales in to market forces, it would take for additional funding under the $3,000. ta and Patterson all said the deal 2016 and about 1.5 million hybrids longer,” said Prabhakar Patil, CEO $2 billion set aside for advanced “If the costs are there, $5,000 for might be re-visited after the No- will be sold the same year. of Compact Power Inc. battery manufacturing in the a battery with a $2,000 residual vember election, which will seat a That would be a five-fold in- Patil said he is not worried stimulus bill. value, then they’re into a big-time four-year, full-term mayor. All of crease from hybrid sales in 2008 about the current low level of de- That’s on top of the $125.2 mil- opportunity and really a redefini- the City Council members are up — the same year gasoline prices mand for hybrids. lion MEGA credit granted for tion of the vehicle,” Cole said. for re-election. spiked at more than $4 per gallon He expects the price of gasoline A123’s $600 million Livonia plant. “If they can’t get there, that’s a “We need to let the situation and hybrids gained traction in the to continue to rise because of in- The stimulus bill’s consumer different story, but at least with a cool and get through the political market. creased demand from developing tax credit of up to $7,500 for buy- plug-in hybrid you have the po- season,” Cockrel said. “And take a “Last year, hybrid sales were nations such as India and China. ing plug-in hybrid vehicles is a tential.” look, at that point, at the lay of the right at 316,000 units, or about 2.4 And he thinks the government significant driver needed to ad- land in Detroit.” percent of total light vehicle and consumers will continue to vance lithium ion cars in the mar- Ryan Beene: (313) 446-0315, Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, sales,” Omotoso said. push for energy independence ket, Vieau said. He noted A123 [email protected] [email protected] 20090420-NEWS--0029-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 6:09 PM Page 1

April 20, 2009 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 29 Yamasaki: Contractors file lawsuits for payment www.crainsdetroit.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Keith E. Crain ■ From Page 3 PUBLISHER Mary Kramer, (313) 446-0399 or [email protected] caused to my client through their Ayoub and Szantner did not re- EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cindy Goodaker, (313) 446- nonperformance, we contend they spond to four phone messages and a 0460 or [email protected] Some at Yamasaki go unpaid MANAGING EDITOR Andy Chapelle, (313) 446- now owe us.” Hardig said he was not fax request seeking comment this past 0402 or [email protected] handling the two default judgment Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR/FOCUS Jennette Smith, (313) 446-1622 or [email protected] cases and could not comment on receptionist said Szantner was out of BUSINESS LIVES EDITOR Michelle Darwish, (313) them. the country. At least two voicemail since January, complaints say 446-1621 or [email protected] COPY DESK CHIEF Gary Piatek, (313) 446-0357 Syska, in its lawsuit, said that messages seeking a comment from or [email protected] changes in its original $4.5 million CFO Lee Yesh on Wednesday also ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Jeff Johnston, (313) agreement with Yamasaki drove up were not returned. BY CHAD HALCOM he and more than 80 percent of 446-1608 or [email protected] DATA EDITOR Anne Marks, (313) 446-0418 or its project cost and that it is still owed Most of Hong’s claims have been CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS the current 50 or so employees [email protected] more than $2 million plus interest. Di- dismissed, and the lawsuit awaits a received, other than some cleri- WEB GENERAL MANAGER Alan Baker, (313) 446- As lawsuits accumulate cal and secretarial staff, were 0416 or [email protected] Clemente Siegel claims it is owned case evaluation hearing May 6. WEB EDITOR Christine Lasek, (313) 446-0473, nearly $44,000 on a $128,000 contract “The (shareholder) oppression is- against Troy-based architectur- on Jan. 29. [email protected] for work on the same project. sue is just about the only part of the al firm Yamasaki Associates Inc., Finn said investigators in WEB DESIGNER/PRODUCER Ai-Ting Huang, (313) the company also is under re- 446-0403, [email protected] Grissim Metz, a landscape architec- case that still survives,” said Hardig, DELEG Wage and Hour cases EDITORIAL SUPPORT Robertta Reiff (313) 446- tural firm, claimed it is owed more who represents Szantner in addition view by the state for failing to like the Yamasaki matter typi- 0419, YahNica Crawford, (313) 446-0329 pay some employees for more NEWSROOM (313) 446-0329, FAX (313) 446- than $500,000 for three projects worth to the company. cally review records and then 1687 TIP LINE (313) 446-6766 more than $500,000. They are the head- Ayoub is represented by Keefe than two and a half months. make a report to the depart- The state Department of Ener- REPORTERS quarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Brooks of newly formed Brooks ment, which would then notify Ryan Beene: Covers auto suppliers, steel, higher Co., the Masdar city development pro- Wilkins Sharey and Turco P.L.L.C. in gy, Labor and Economic Growth the employer in 90 days on education. (313) 446-0315 or [email protected] ject in the UAE and the New Cairo Birmingham. Brooks said Yamasaki Wage and Hour Division re- whether payment is due. If Ya- Daniel Duggan: Covers retail, real estate and ports it has received eight com- hospitality. (313) 446-0414 or central business district and mixed- International was formed to protect masaki is found to owe wages [email protected] use development project in Egypt. Yamasaki Associates as it did more plaints against Yamasaki in- and doesn’t resolve the matter Jay Greene: Covers health care, insurance and the “You always want to use litigation international work, not to disenfran- volving nonpayment of wages in another 14 days, the case environment. (313) 446-0325 or since late January. [email protected]. as the last resort, but so far we have chise Hong. could go to the Michigan Attor- Chad Halcom: Covers law, non-automotive heard nothing further on (pay- Minoru Yamasaki, who died in The department sent notice ney General’s office by late manufacturing, defense contracting and Oakland to the company last week that and Macomb counties. (313) 446-6796 or ment),” Thomas Pereira, owner and 1986, founded the architectural firm July or early August. [email protected]. president of Thomas J. Pereira P.C. in in the 1950s and went on in 1965 to be- an investigator will seek pay- “Typically, only about 25-30 Tom Henderson: Covers banking, finance, Farmington Hills and attorney for gin designing Tower 1 and 2 of the roll records to review those percent of the cases where pay- technology and biotechnology. (313) 446-0337 or claims, said Jack Finn, admin- [email protected]. Grissim Metz. World Trade Center plaza, which ment is found to be due end up Nancy Kaffer: Covers small business, the city of Scott Sirich, head of the Construc- were destroyed in terrorist attacks istrator of DELEG’s Wage and going to litigation,” he said. Detroit, Wayne County government. (313) 446- Hour Division. Under a typical 0412 or [email protected]. tion Law Practice Group at Bloom- Sept. 11, 2001. Other notable designs “Most of them are resolved with- Bill Shea: Covers media, advertising and field Hills-based Plunkett Cooney P.C. by his company include the Torre Pi- time frame for such cases, he in the first two to three months, marketing, entertainment, the business of sports, and attorney for Syska and Di- casso in Madrid, One Woodward Av- said, the department likely and the parties can usually work and transportation. (313) 446-1626 or would inform Yamasaki by [email protected]. Clemente Siegel, said DiClemente enue in Detroit and the towers of Co- out the matter themselves with- Nathan Skid: Multimedia reporter. Also covers the has not yet been paid, “and we have lumbia Center on Big Beaver Road in mid-July if it finds payment is out taking that step.” food industry. (313) 446-1654, [email protected]. no communication on why they Troy. due. The employee told Crain’s Sherri Begin Welch: Covers nonprofits and “We were getting paid on a services. (313) 446-1694 or [email protected] haven’t paid.” Gene Carroll, a partner at rival ar- that some Yamasaki accounts, LANSING BUREAU In the fourth case, Tae Hong, an ar- chitectural firm Neumann Smith & As- regular schedule, and then at particularly within the U.S., Amy Lane: Covers business issues at the Capitol, first it started out where the telecommunications and utilities. (517) 371- chitect and former principal of Ya- sociates Inc. in Southfield, said non- are paying more consistently 5355, FAX (517) 371-2492, [email protected]. or masaki filed suit in Oakland County payment from clients is an check was a few days late, then than overseas projects, and he 115 W. Allegan, Suite 220, Lansing 48933. Circuit Court in April 2008 against the increasing concern for all architects it was a week late, then one of hoped the company would be- ADVERTISING company, Chairman and CEO Ted since the national economic down- mine bounced back in the fall gin paying employees on those ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Marla Downs, (313) Ayoub and Partner and Director of turn amid tighter credit markets. and had to reissue,” said one accounts soon. 446-6032 or [email protected] Design Robert Szantner. “Collection is always a business is- Yamasaki employee, a projects “What we’re told is they SALES INQUIRIES: (313) 446-6052; FAX (313) 393-0997 Among Hong’s claims were that Ay- sue for us, and a bigger one right manager who asked not to be aren’t paying anyone because ADVERTISING SALES Jeff Anderson, Matthew J. oub and Szantner diverted work to a now,” he said. “Firms with govern- identified. they’ve been using the money Langan, Lori Tournay Liggett, Tamara Rokowski, Kimberly Ronan, Dale Smolinski newly created entity, Yamasaki Inter- ment and university contracts are “Then they told us they were to pay rent and utilities, and WESTERN ACCOUNTS Ellen Mazen (Los Angeles) national; withheld payment to consul- doing better in terms of payment, moving from payday on every this is some kind of cash-flow (323) 370-2477 CLASSIFIED SALES SUPERVISOR Terri Engstrom, tants and contractors; and froze him and those working for developers on other Thursday to once a month. problem,” he said. “But you 313-446-0351 out of decision-making, reducing him spec projects are hurting more. It’s We thought that might help them can’t continue to expect your MARKETING MANAGER Irma Clark to the status of an oppressed share- as much about the mix of who your and make it more consistent, employees to work hard and EVENTS MANAGER Nicole LaPointe only we haven’t actually been not pay them, and you have to MARKETING ARTIST Sylvia Kolaski holder, a legal term that applies to mi- clients are right now, as it is the SALES SUPPORT Suzanne Janik, YahNica nority partners in privately held com- economy.” paid once since the change.” try to do something.” Crawford panies that are treated detrimentally Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, chal- The employee said the most Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, CIRCULATION Candice Yopp, Manager. [email protected] SALES, MARKETING INTERN Kim Winkler by majority shareholders. [email protected] recent company paychecks that PRODUCTION MANAGER Wendy Kobylarz PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Larry Williams, (313) 446-0301 CUSTOMER SERVICE MAIN NUMBER: Call (888) 909-9111 or write [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS $59 one year, $98 two years. Budget: Should state plug holes or reform system? Out of state, $79 one year, $138 for two years. Outside U.S.A., add $48 per year to out-of-state rate for surface mail. Call (313) 446-0450 or ■ From Page 3 (888) 909-9111. SINGLE COPIES: (888) 909-9111. future.” cal realities and the pressures, but hearing us?” said John Bebow, ex- ment inefficiencies is not going to REPRINTS: Call (717) 399-1900, ext. 125, or “The state needs to cut programs every time that we use stimulus ecutive director of the nonpartisan put us in any better shape finan- write [email protected]. TO FIND A DATE A STORY WAS PUBLISHED: that cost money, and invest more money to plug these holes is an op- Ann Arbor think-tank The Center cially as a state.” (313) 446-0367 or e-mail [email protected]. money in things that generate more portunity missed,” said Jim Hol- for Michigan. He said before any stimulus CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS IS PUBLISHED BY jobs and tax revenues, and that’s comb, vice president of business Bebow said that between a cata- spending is determined, Bishop’s CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. Michigan’s third-largest industry advocacy at the Michigan Chamber log of some $1.5 billion in possible office needs to discuss increased CHAIRMAN Keith E. Crain — tourism,” Yencich said. of Commerce. reforms that the center has sug- reductions to all budgets with the PRESIDENT Rance Crain SECRETARY Merrilee Crain The debate is escalating as state “We’re finally going to have to gested, recommendations coming Senate Republican caucus. TREASURER Mary Kay Crain revenues wither. face up to the fact that we have … from a legislative commission on House Speaker Andy Dillon, D- Executive Vice President/Operations William A. Morrow Revenue projections in January structural deficits, Michigan’s government efficiency, and other Redford Township, said “there’s a Group Vice President/Technology, have proven wrong, and March government is too big, and we’re changes put forth by the business unified consensus that we need to Manufacturing, Circulation Robert C. Adams marked the third consecutive spending too much.” community, “there’s room for sav- cut, the sooner the better.” Vice President/Production & Manufacturing month that tax collections fell at Granholm’s office won’t specify ings out there that have not been He said House Democrats are Dave Kamis Corporate Director/Circulation least $100 million short of expecta- how much of the stimulus she fa- adopted.” identifying cuts and he expects Patrick Sheposh tions. vors using toward the budget. She Gary Olson, director of the Sen- lawmakers in both chambers to G.D. Crain Jr. Founder (1885-1973) Under one budget scenario previously recommended tapping ate Fiscal Agency, said that once the meet this week and try to develop a Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr. Chairman (1911-1996) EDITORIAL & BUSINESS OFFICES: that’s been discussed, the state $312.6 million of the Medicaid-re- stimulus money runs out, Michi- consensus list. An executive order 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732; (313) could put about $413 million in lated funds in the current year. gan could be left with further holes from Granholm is expected soon, 446-6000 stimulus money toward this year’s Liz Boyd, Granholm’s press sec- in the state budget if the economy although Boyd would not com- Cable address: TWX 248-221-5122 AUTNEW DET CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ISSN # 0882-1992 budget problem, leaving the need retary, said discussions with the hasn’t improved enough to pro- ment.. is published weekly except for a double issue the third week of January, and a double issue the for $372 million in cuts. Legislature involve recommenda- duce revenue growth sufficient to Sarah Hubbard, vice president fourth week of August by Crain Communications Inc. at 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732. Members of the business com- tions that include stimulus money offset the use of federal money. of government relations with the Periodicals postage paid at Detroit, MI and additional munity have resisted the use of and cuts. Matt Marsden, press secretary Detroit Regional Chamber, said the mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS, Circulation stimulus money, saying the state Still, headlines last week about to Senate Majority Leader Mike Legislature and governor have lit- Department, P.O. Box 07925, Detroit, MI 48207- 9732. GST # 136760444. Printed in U.S.A. needs to do more to cut spending. the use of stimulus money toward Bishop, R-Rochester, said that “us- tle time to waste. Entire contents copyright 2008 by Crain “We’re getting very concerned the budget problem raised red flags. ing one-time money to fix short- Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content in any because we understand the politi- “Wait a minute, is anybody falls born of long-standing govern- [email protected] manner without permission is strictly prohibited. 20090420-NEWS--0030-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 4/17/2009 6:15 PM Page 1

Page 30 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS April 20, 2009 RUMBLINGS WEEK ON THE WEB FROM WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM, WEEK OF APRIL 11-17

Comcast workers cent from March 2008, ac- Newspapers said it will close Granholm seeks cording to Farmington on May 31 the Birmingham, Central Depot volunteer for projects Hills-based MLS Realcomp II West Bloomfield, Troy and More than 2,300 Comcast Ltd. Likewise, the average Rochester weekly newspa- Corp. employees, along with federal funds time on the market for a pers and eliminate 44 edito- family and friends, are ex- residential listing de- rial, advertising, circula- touted as pected to volunteer for more for high-speed creased from 123 days in tion and production jobs. than 20 nonprofit organiza- March 2008 to 101 days in The company is launch- tions throughout Michigan March 2009. The 5,426 sales ing a Sunday newspaper, this week as part of the rail project in the region in March 2009 the South Oakland Eccen- historic ruin eighth annual “Comcast was up from 4,180 sales in tric, which will cover Royal Cares Day.” ov. Jennifer Granholm March 2008. Oak, Berkley, Clawson, he city of Detroit the building remains a fea- The weeklong observa- and the governors of Real estate investor Huntington Woods, South- wants to tear it ture of the neighborhood, tion culminates with a G seven other Midwest and restaurant owner Den- field and Pleasant Ridge, re- T down. The Detroit In- with a celebrated history, dozen events April 25. states have signed and sent nis Kefallinos on April 30 placing the Southfield Ec- ternational Bridge Co. says like European castles or ru- Events are expected to in- to Washington a letter tout- will announce the opening centric and the weekly the building can be saved. ined structures of antiquity. clude building an urban ing the proposed Midwest of a 40,000-square-foot De- Mirror newspapers. But some members of the If the depot’s demolished? garden in Detroit and pack- Regional Rail Initiative as troit retail development Ferndale-based S3 En- communities closest to the “It’ll be a different place,” ing food at statewide food worthy of consideration for called Shops in the Kresge tertainment Group said it will Michigan Central Depot have McKay said. “You’d have a banks, the cable provider some of the $8 billion Presi- Building. The project will co-produce a TV music- a different idea: “It’s more better view of St. Anne (de said. dent Barack Obama on feature 120 small spaces to comedy series in Michigan viable as a ruin than any- Detroit Catholic Church), a Among the local groups Thursday said will be made be leased to retailers for called “The Wannabees,” thing else,” said Tim McKay, better view of the bridge, Comcast volunteers will available for interstate $600 to $1,200 per month. aimed at “tweens.” Shoot- executive director of the but all of a sudden the park help are Latino Family Ser- high-speed rail projects. ing will begin within the Greater Corktown Develop- doesn’t have a focal point. … vices, Angel’s Place, Focus: The initiative is a $3.4 bil- next three months. ment Corp. This is a building that’s an HOPE, City Year Detroit and lion multi-phase plan with PUBLIC COMPANIES Gov. Jennifer Granholm Southwest Solutions Execu- important architectural fea- Arab Community Center for Chicago as the central hub, ArvinMeritor Inc. has signed legislation to al- tive Director Tim Thorland ture of our district.” Economic and Social Services. and it would include 3,000 (NYSE:ARM) has cut about low eligible unemployed concurs. Volunteers will help the miles of current rail lines 250 employees since early Michigan workers to re- “Give me $3.6 million, and New use found for old tires Michigan Nonprofit Associa- for trains traveling 110 February, continuing cost- ceive up to an additional I’ll fix the problem,” he said, tion by making personal- mph. The first phase would cutting that is expected to seven weeks of extended referring to the amount of Cass Community Social Ser- needs packages in Ann Ar- include the Amtrak line that bring $430 million in annu- unemployment insurance bor, Plymouth and Sterling federal stimulus money De- vices, a community health links Detroit, Chicago and al savings. More than 100 of benefits. Heights. troit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. center in Detroit, has come Pontiac. the positions were in its A report by Michigan More than 50,000 Comcast has tapped for a depot demo- up with an innovative way to Light Vehicle Systems busi- Future Inc., which found that employees are expected to lition. “Fence it off, stabilize clean up the environment, ness unit. during the national reces- participate nationwide. MEGA grants awarded the floors, make it safe, light provide work for the unem- Ann Arbor-based Domi- sion, the U.S. shed low-edu- the building.” ployed and generate money Among incentives given no’s Pizza Inc. (NYSE:DPZ), cation jobs while adding Rehabilitating the build- for its charitable activities. by the Michigan Economic trying to put out public re- jobs that require a higher ing may not be practical, Employing formerly BITS & PIECES education, provides further Growth Authority board on lations fires ignited by McKay said, but the struc- homeless and mentally ill evidence that Michigan The Chaldean American Tuesday was a credit worth YouTube videos made by two ture could work as a histori- people, Cass produces “Mud must focus on preparing Chamber of Commerce will $2.8 million over 12 years fired employees, posted a cal ruin. Mats,” or rubber floor mats, honor Johnny Karmo, owner and retaining talent, said for Unity Studios Inc., a $146- YouTube video of its own, It’s unclear whether the from discarded tires that are of Market Square in Birming- President Lou Glazer. million movie, television Advertising Age reported city’s proposed demolition recovered from the many ham and West Bloomfield Stanley Christmas of De- and new media studio and Thursday. In it, Patrick could progress. The depot, abandoned lots in the city. Township, as its busi- troit filed suit Monday retail/residential project Doyle, president of Domino’s vacant since the late 1980s, is Left alone, the tires would nessperson of the year, and against the city and City scheduled to begin con- USA, apologizes for the inci- owned by Detroit business- contaminate groundwater Dr. Nathima Atchoo as its hu- Council, contending the 96- struction this fall on 104 dent, in which an employee man Manuel “Matty” Moroun. and create breeding grounds manitarian of the year on year-old Michigan Central De- acres adjacent to Allen appeared to put contami- Two groups have ap- for insects and rodents. April 24. For more informa- pot is protected by the Na- Park’s City Hall on the for- nated cheese and meat on proached the station’s owner The Mud Mats are one of tion, see www.chaldean- mer Visteon Technical Cen- tional Historic with plans to do something the more interesting envi- chamber.com. sandwiches, and says the ter property. Preservation Act of 1966 with it, said Dan Stamper, who ronmental projects trum- James Nicholson, presi- company is taking steps to The 750,000-square-foot and should not be razed, the as president of Moroun’s De- peted in Detroit for Earth dent and CEO of PVS Chemi- ensure such an incident project will create 83 direct Associated Press reported. troit International Bridge Co. Day this Wednesday. cals Inc., Detroit, has been doesn’t happen again. jobs, and will include the Vanguard Community is also chief spokesman for Earth Day was born on named Michigan Executive Lifton Institute for Media Development Corp. is offer- the station. the streets of San Francisco of the Year by the Wayne Skills, a residential program OTHER NEWS ing small office space at a He declined to name the on April 22, 1970. Communi- State University School of to retrain workers for jobs small price at the Milwaukee groups, citing confidentiality ty groups, businesses and Business Administration. The U.S. Coast Guard is in the entertainment pro- Junction Business Center, agreements, but said at least politicians trumpet their Honored as distinguished threatening legal action to duction industry. 2795 E. Grand Blvd. Month- one is from Southeast Michi- year-round activities to pro- alumnus was Anthony Frabot- halt work on the second ly rent is $250 for any of 13 Other incentives went to Ambassador gan and will present its ideas tect the environment and ta, CEO and chairman of span of the approximately 100-square- Urban Science Applications Bridge because the project within the next week. increase conservation UHY Advisors Michigan and foot office spaces. Inc., JB Autotech L.L.C. and doesn’t have its required fi- As a ruin, Thorland said, awareness. co-CEO of UHY Advisors Inc. With 49 units remain- Transonic Combustion Inc. nal permit. ing at his two Detroit condo Four battery makers also A March 20 letter from projects, Peter Cummings on received credits (See story, Coast Guard’s bridge pro- Thursday began advertis- Page 1.) gram administrator asked ing an auction May 9 in Detroit International Bridge which he’ll try to sell them. Co. President Dan Stamper to BRIGHT SPOTS He set a minimum bid of provide by today evidence $65,000 for a one-bedroom at Lycera Corp. said Thurs- as to why bridge work has BEST FROM THE BLOGS Riverfront and $95,000 at the day it has received the sec- begun without the permit. READ THESE POSTS AND MORE AT WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM/BLOGS ond-largest round of ven- The letter gives the Ellington. ture-capital funding in bridge company until today Think before you post Ad agency might make cuts state history. The company, to show cause. OBITUARIES which makes small mole- From recent college grads Word around the Detroit Chicago-based General Mark “The Bird” Fidrych, getting burned by their advertising campfire is cules to attack autoimmune Growth Properties Inc., owner Detroit Tigers Facebook images to new that more job cuts are diseases, received a com- of Lakeside Mall in Sterling 54, the former hires Twittering why they looming as part of a ru- mitment of $36 million from Heights, Novi Town Center in pitcher, died Monday in an hate their new boss … all mored restructuring at Silicon Valley-based Inter- Novi and Southland Center accident on his Northbor- learned the same lesson: Southfield-based agency West Partners L.L.C., Massa- in Taylor, has filed Chapter ough, Mass., farm. What goes online, stays W.B. Doner & Co. chusetts-based Clarus Ven- 11. It is unknown if the Gerald MacDonald, who online. tures, Chicago-based ARCH properties will be sold. The in 1991 helped create the Venture Partners and EDF company also had been merger of Comerica Bank Ventures of Ann Arbor. planning to build the Shops and Manufacturers National The 51,492 residential at Gateway Park retail de- Bank, died April 5 of Reporter Nathan Skid’s Detroit-area restaurant blog Reporter Bill Shea’s blog on sports, the media, listings on the market in velopment in Detroit at leukemia, complicated by can be found at www.crainsdetroit.com/skid transportation and marketing can be found the region in March repre- Eight Mile and Woodward. his 24 years with multiple at www.crainsdetroit.com/shea sent a decrease of 21 per- Observer & Eccentric sclerosis. He was 70. DBpageAD.qxd 3/23/2009 11:47 AM Page 1

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