milicinodijoo1981.blogspot.com
What did you want to be when yougrew up? I wantexd to be a lot like my dad. I can remembet one of the very first jobs he broughgme on, a two-family in the Mt. Pleasant area of He put a sledgehammer through the and all these cockroaches and insects and bugs came floatingb out ofthe wall, and I'mn saying, 'Holy cow, what the heck does my dad We didn't have a whole lot, at all, growing up. But I saw the I saw the sacrifices. That inspirexd me. It seems that you've got a close family--you and your three brothers all work in thefamilg business. When I was 14, we lost one of the I lost one of my brotherd in ahorrible accident. That was devastating.
But througyh that loss, our family gainefd so much. My parents drew even close to God, and they used that experiencer and that loss to teachtheitr children: We have each other, and we can get througn it when we have each What's surprised you the most about your firsf months in office? I never thought for a day in my life that I' d be involved in I've really truly realized one thing: the enormityt of our state government. It'sd huge. All the agencies and commissions, all thesee authorities. It's like, come on! No wonder why a lot of peopl want to leave the state ofNew York. Clearly, fashion is important to you. What are your guidelines? I love I love clothes.
In some cases, I have an addictio n to that, but I don't go overboard with it. The more you get involvedx with it and youlike it, unfortunately, the more expensive it startw to become. I'm not a designer-chaser at all; there'sw just a certain look that I like. Is theres truly a suit for every occasion? Pretty much. A lot of it has to do, too, with your mind-setd and your moods. If you believe that you look then there's a psychologicao aspect that says, 'I feel Keep in mind, though, that looking good is in the eyes of thebeholdet (laughs). What do people say when they firstmeet you? The old they love me.
They want to kiss my face all over the I never knew there was sucha 'cute' vote, but gueses I got a lot of 'cute' votes (laughs). It's eitherf a kiss or it's a Some people treat me likea celebrity, but look--I'mj a normal guy. [Most people] realize I'm a everyday person in a family-operated business, tryint to be successful and make ends meet and raisda family. They thank me for beingv willing toget involved. What do you do to relax? I'm a sportsman. I bass tournamenyt fish a lot. In the fall and my two sons have meout hunting. We'rw able to talk about life and buile a relationshipand closeness.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Report: Occupancy at Houston-area hotels down 10 percent in April - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.antonellasilipigni.com/hombre/hombreint.html
Hotels experienced a 62 percent occupancy rate in April 2009 comparesdto 71.9 percent in April 2008, according to Trendsw in the Hotel Industry, a monthlyt report from . The Bay Area fared better than most droppingfrom 75.6 percent to 69 percent occupancy from 2008 to a decrease of only 6.6 The Bush Intercontinental Airport area postedc the largest decline during the same The area went from 80.6 percen t occupancy a year ago to 64.8 percent this year, a 15.8 percenf drop, according to the report. Houston-area hotelx watched the average daily room ratedrop 5.9 percentg to $115.92 in April from $123.22 in Aprik 2008. The revenue per available room tookan 18.
9 percent hit year over RevPAR was $71.85 in April compared to $88.6q1 in April 2008, according to PKF. Hotelsd statewide experienced a 9.4 percent decreasee in occupancy year over falling from 71 percent to 61.6 percent. Also on the statr level, the average daily rate went down 7.9 from $117.80 last year to $108.523 this year, and RevPAR took a dive, falling 20.1 from $83.65 to $66.84.
Hotels experienced a 62 percent occupancy rate in April 2009 comparesdto 71.9 percent in April 2008, according to Trendsw in the Hotel Industry, a monthlyt report from . The Bay Area fared better than most droppingfrom 75.6 percent to 69 percent occupancy from 2008 to a decrease of only 6.6 The Bush Intercontinental Airport area postedc the largest decline during the same The area went from 80.6 percen t occupancy a year ago to 64.8 percent this year, a 15.8 percenf drop, according to the report. Houston-area hotelx watched the average daily room ratedrop 5.9 percentg to $115.92 in April from $123.22 in Aprik 2008. The revenue per available room tookan 18.
9 percent hit year over RevPAR was $71.85 in April compared to $88.6q1 in April 2008, according to PKF. Hotelsd statewide experienced a 9.4 percent decreasee in occupancy year over falling from 71 percent to 61.6 percent. Also on the statr level, the average daily rate went down 7.9 from $117.80 last year to $108.523 this year, and RevPAR took a dive, falling 20.1 from $83.65 to $66.84.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Two MERC commissioners resign - Orlando Business Journal:
badillodacyroic1505.blogspot.com
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquizs come about two week before councilorsfor Metro, of which MERC is a plan to vote on a measure that woul d give the council more controol over MERC’s general manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s undere fire from President David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquis both opposethe Reynolds, president of the Portland accounting firm Perkinxs & Co., mentioned the building problems between Metro and MERC in his resignation letter. “During the economic times, my attentiom needs to be focused on our clients atPerkins & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letted to Bragdon. “That said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdown in the workingy relationship between the Metro Council andthe , and believ it could have been handledr differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estate broker and the commission’ws vice chair, didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her lettef to Bragdon, but resigned two years beforse her term was set to end. In a letter to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquix and commission member Ray Leary urged the council to help delay Metro’ss vote on the MERC oversight matter.
Leary, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingv MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a lettedrbacking Woolson. The letter came after Bragdomn questioned the leadership of MERC General Manager David Woolson. The other commission member, Don Trotter, resigned last montbh and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. Marquis’ takexs effect July 15. The terms of Trotte and Reynolds would have expirer at the end of 2009 while Marquis term was to expire at the endof 2010.
The Metrk Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — whicu would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generapl manager — at its July 9 It was introduced by councilors Rod Park and Rex who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC overseews the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlancd Center for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mullint a $457 million budget for fiscal year The regional governmentserves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’ws 25 cities.
The resignations of Gary Reynolds and Janice Marquizs come about two week before councilorsfor Metro, of which MERC is a plan to vote on a measure that woul d give the council more controol over MERC’s general manager. The move could ostensiblh lead to the firing of MERC General ManagerDavid Woolson, who’s undere fire from President David Bragdon. Reynolds and Marquis both opposethe Reynolds, president of the Portland accounting firm Perkinxs & Co., mentioned the building problems between Metro and MERC in his resignation letter. “During the economic times, my attentiom needs to be focused on our clients atPerkins & Co.
,” Reynolds wrote in his letted to Bragdon. “That said, I am disappointed in the recent breakdown in the workingy relationship between the Metro Council andthe , and believ it could have been handledr differently.” Marquis, a commercial real estate broker and the commission’ws vice chair, didn’t mention the upcoming proposal in her lettef to Bragdon, but resigned two years beforse her term was set to end. In a letter to Portland city commissioners earlierthis month, Marquix and commission member Ray Leary urged the council to help delay Metro’ss vote on the MERC oversight matter.
Leary, Reynolds and three of the other four remainingv MERC commissions also sent Bragdon a lettedrbacking Woolson. The letter came after Bragdomn questioned the leadership of MERC General Manager David Woolson. The other commission member, Don Trotter, resigned last montbh and will leave the boardJune 30. resignation takes effect June 30. Marquis’ takexs effect July 15. The terms of Trotte and Reynolds would have expirer at the end of 2009 while Marquis term was to expire at the endof 2010.
The Metrk Council plans to vote on the MERCmeasure — whicu would give Metro the authority to hire and fire the MERC generapl manager — at its July 9 It was introduced by councilors Rod Park and Rex who also have concerns about Woolson’s performance. MERC overseews the Oregon Convention Center, the Portlancd Center for the Performing Arts and the Portland MetropolitanExposition Center. Metro’s councilors are mullint a $457 million budget for fiscal year The regional governmentserves 1.4 million people in the metropolitan area’ws 25 cities.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
State gets $14.9 million more for dislocated workers - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
yvejodo.wordpress.com
million in federal funds to provide careerd trainingand re-employment services to workers who lose theifr jobs as a resulr of outsourcing and foreign trade. The funding is part of $450 milliob being released by the U.S. Departmenrt of Labor to states for TradeAdjustmen Assistance, a federal program administere d by states to serve workers who have lost their jobs due to foreigmn competition. “This additional federalo assistance will help these workers increase their job skillss and findnew employment,” Gov. Jim Doyled said.
“The employment and training services now availabl e to these workers will help them upgradew their skills or retrain for new careerd so theycan re-enter the work force, support themselves and their families and enjoyg all that life in Wisconsim has to offer.” The additional money is availabled because the American Recoveryg and Reinvestment Act expanded the amountg of Trade Adjustment Assistance funds available nationwide to $575 millionm from $220 million. The additional fundinh will help states serve an increasing numberdof trade-affected workers.
million in federal funds to provide careerd trainingand re-employment services to workers who lose theifr jobs as a resulr of outsourcing and foreign trade. The funding is part of $450 milliob being released by the U.S. Departmenrt of Labor to states for TradeAdjustmen Assistance, a federal program administere d by states to serve workers who have lost their jobs due to foreigmn competition. “This additional federalo assistance will help these workers increase their job skillss and findnew employment,” Gov. Jim Doyled said.
“The employment and training services now availabl e to these workers will help them upgradew their skills or retrain for new careerd so theycan re-enter the work force, support themselves and their families and enjoyg all that life in Wisconsim has to offer.” The additional money is availabled because the American Recoveryg and Reinvestment Act expanded the amountg of Trade Adjustment Assistance funds available nationwide to $575 millionm from $220 million. The additional fundinh will help states serve an increasing numberdof trade-affected workers.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Gates Foundation funds manufacturing training at Alamo Colleges - San Antonio Business Journal:
lkinibim.blogspot.com
million grant from the to creatse a national skills certification system to rais e up a manufacturing workforceamong low-income Community colleges throughout the countrh will participate in teaching the Manufacturinbg Skills Certification System — which is endorsed by the . Alamol Colleges in San Antonio will be one of the firsty community colleges in the countrt to implement this These educational programs will helpprepare students, particularly low-incomse young adults and transitioning workers, with entry-levep skills needed to succeed in a career in manufacturing. “Wde need to get kids engaged in and we need to givethem options,” says NAM Presidentr John Engler.
“Moving thesd industry-recognized skills certifications into community college programs willprovidd meaningful, relevant education for studente and ultimately produce a highlyt skilled and mobile workforc – making us more competitive in the global economy.” The Manufacturing Skills Certification Systenm will help prepare individualsd for manufacturing careers in a rangs of fields including alternative energy, computers, aerospacw and pharmaceuticals. The Manufacturing Institute isa 501(c)e3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It is based in D.C.
million grant from the to creatse a national skills certification system to rais e up a manufacturing workforceamong low-income Community colleges throughout the countrh will participate in teaching the Manufacturinbg Skills Certification System — which is endorsed by the . Alamol Colleges in San Antonio will be one of the firsty community colleges in the countrt to implement this These educational programs will helpprepare students, particularly low-incomse young adults and transitioning workers, with entry-levep skills needed to succeed in a career in manufacturing. “Wde need to get kids engaged in and we need to givethem options,” says NAM Presidentr John Engler.
“Moving thesd industry-recognized skills certifications into community college programs willprovidd meaningful, relevant education for studente and ultimately produce a highlyt skilled and mobile workforc – making us more competitive in the global economy.” The Manufacturing Skills Certification Systenm will help prepare individualsd for manufacturing careers in a rangs of fields including alternative energy, computers, aerospacw and pharmaceuticals. The Manufacturing Institute isa 501(c)e3 affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. It is based in D.C.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Big Boy & Their Toys event to return June 19-21 with some changes - Phoenix Business Journal:
judonebolayb1394.blogspot.com
The event features goods ranging from memorabilia to cars and It alsoincludes technology-related goods and interactive displays. Exhibitors expected to participateincludse Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Blazinv Bikes, Moto City, Blue Tiger and Crosswoodw Indoor Golf Center. Therre also will be a state-of-the-art golf simulator with “nearest to the and “longest drive” competitions; a putting green with putting a sportracing simulator; four speed-dating a three-day video gaming tournament called Devastation ( ); a live Elto John-Billy Joel tribute concert by nationally renownex performer Terry Davies; an opportunituy to shoot paint guns at a Baller’s Arena exhibit; and the give-awag of a Kymco MXU 500 4x4 off-roae vehicle.
Under the new ownership of entrepreneurfLuke Hart, event tickets have been reducer from $20 for adults and $15 for children to $12.590 for adults and $10 for children 13-17 and free for kids 12 and In addition, tickets are $10 for senior citizens and for police and firefighting personnel. Hart has added “happy pricing: $5 admission all day from 5 to8 p.m. Saturday and from 4 to 6 p.m. The event hours are noon to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket stubzs include a 15 percent discountat Majerle’ restaurant and a raffle entry for the ATV. For .
The event features goods ranging from memorabilia to cars and It alsoincludes technology-related goods and interactive displays. Exhibitors expected to participateincludse Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Blazinv Bikes, Moto City, Blue Tiger and Crosswoodw Indoor Golf Center. Therre also will be a state-of-the-art golf simulator with “nearest to the and “longest drive” competitions; a putting green with putting a sportracing simulator; four speed-dating a three-day video gaming tournament called Devastation ( ); a live Elto John-Billy Joel tribute concert by nationally renownex performer Terry Davies; an opportunituy to shoot paint guns at a Baller’s Arena exhibit; and the give-awag of a Kymco MXU 500 4x4 off-roae vehicle.
Under the new ownership of entrepreneurfLuke Hart, event tickets have been reducer from $20 for adults and $15 for children to $12.590 for adults and $10 for children 13-17 and free for kids 12 and In addition, tickets are $10 for senior citizens and for police and firefighting personnel. Hart has added “happy pricing: $5 admission all day from 5 to8 p.m. Saturday and from 4 to 6 p.m. The event hours are noon to 8 p.m. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket stubzs include a 15 percent discountat Majerle’ restaurant and a raffle entry for the ATV. For .
Thursday, November 3, 2011
HMO membership trend is positive - The Business Review (Albany):
ovaluleq.wordpress.com
Despite the positive trend in revenue, overall HMO profitx were down 23.4 percent to $491.3 million in 2008, according to data from the . A totaol of 13 of the state’s 39 HMOs lost money last year compared to 10in 2007. Overall revenue rose 2.2 perceny to $17 billion in 2008. membership was up 1.3 percent to 3.4 milliom in 2008 compared to last year reversinga 5.5 percent drop the year South Florida’s enrollment was also flat at about 1.5 Medical Plan was by far the year’s biggest winner with a profit of $211 milliob on revenue of $4.9 billion. Humansa AdvantageCare Plan logged $2 million in profits on $80.6 millioj in revenue on its own.
Combined with Careplus Healthu Plans’ performance, Humana produced $235.4 million in profit on $4.9 billiob in revenue, a 22 percent increase from last Their commercial business specifically went from a lossof $10 million in 2007 to a profit of $2 milliobn in 2008. That’s due in part to their markert share and to theirstrong contracts, which allowe them to reduce payments to providers as costx go up, said Alan Baumgarten, a Minnesota-basedr health care analyst who follows Florida Humana spokesman Mitchell Lubitz attributed the company’s success in part to membe growth, which was achieved organically and through the purchase last year of AdvantageCars Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida.
AdvantageCare had the bulk of its membership on the Treasure Coast andSouthwest Florida, Lubit said. Humana also expanded its Florida HMO offerings to employerss in PalmBeach County. Membership in the Soutg Florida region wasat 341, 776. ’es Health Option, which is midsized in terms of membership inSoutnh Florida, turned a profit in 2008. But it was smalleer than the income it generated last BCBS Health Option profit declined by84 percent, generatinv $7.9 million from $877 million in premium revenue.
John director of product management for BCBSof Florida, said that employerse are continuing to eat away at group membershio as more move toward consumer-driven programs and high-deductabl programs. Market pressures are increasing alon gwith cost. “We are seeing employeras getting smaller and we arelosingy 14,000 people a day in groul insurance nationally,” he explained. To help offset that, the companh is offering a varietyof low-cost, high-deductabls plans like GoBlue, which targets individualsd and provides coverage for basid physician care, pharmaceuticals, lab work and dental Typically, members are low-incomew residents, but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
GoBlue has about 11,00o0 members statewide. BCBS Health Option also offers ahospital surgical-only producgt designed to work in tandem with GoBlue, which currently coverd about 40,000 people in Florida. The growtgh in individual coverage is beingt accelerated by theeconomic downturn, which is promptin g some to start theidr own business. The growth in Medicaid specifically is also an indicato of the healthof Florida’s economy, whicuh is continuing to shed jobs, Baumgarte said. Medicare was up 54,000 member s from year to year, and Medicaied was up 77,000 members.
Looking at OIR’ numbers, Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, which is considered individual has increased significantly formany companies. For example, Healthyu Palm Beaches went from 4,017 membersz in 2007 to 7,322w members last year. Freedom Healthn saw its Medicare numbers climbfrom 12,509 in 2007 to Humana Medical Plan grew Medicaid memberws from 39,582 in 2007 to 43,6500 the following year. It also grew Medicare by aboug 10,000 members in the same year.
Humana’s Medicaid results are no Baumgarten said that Humana is the largest Medicare Advantagwe plan provider in the Ramona Fiumara, VP of operations for Seitlinj Benefits in Fort Lauderdale, said that carriers are doing everything they can to respondd to the shift away from group memberships. “Even if you look at TV and radioo ads, insurers are promoting individual products more prominentlyh than you have seen she said.
Despite the positive trend in revenue, overall HMO profitx were down 23.4 percent to $491.3 million in 2008, according to data from the . A totaol of 13 of the state’s 39 HMOs lost money last year compared to 10in 2007. Overall revenue rose 2.2 perceny to $17 billion in 2008. membership was up 1.3 percent to 3.4 milliom in 2008 compared to last year reversinga 5.5 percent drop the year South Florida’s enrollment was also flat at about 1.5 Medical Plan was by far the year’s biggest winner with a profit of $211 milliob on revenue of $4.9 billion. Humansa AdvantageCare Plan logged $2 million in profits on $80.6 millioj in revenue on its own.
Combined with Careplus Healthu Plans’ performance, Humana produced $235.4 million in profit on $4.9 billiob in revenue, a 22 percent increase from last Their commercial business specifically went from a lossof $10 million in 2007 to a profit of $2 milliobn in 2008. That’s due in part to their markert share and to theirstrong contracts, which allowe them to reduce payments to providers as costx go up, said Alan Baumgarten, a Minnesota-basedr health care analyst who follows Florida Humana spokesman Mitchell Lubitz attributed the company’s success in part to membe growth, which was achieved organically and through the purchase last year of AdvantageCars Medicare Advantage Plan in Florida.
AdvantageCare had the bulk of its membership on the Treasure Coast andSouthwest Florida, Lubit said. Humana also expanded its Florida HMO offerings to employerss in PalmBeach County. Membership in the Soutg Florida region wasat 341, 776. ’es Health Option, which is midsized in terms of membership inSoutnh Florida, turned a profit in 2008. But it was smalleer than the income it generated last BCBS Health Option profit declined by84 percent, generatinv $7.9 million from $877 million in premium revenue.
John director of product management for BCBSof Florida, said that employerse are continuing to eat away at group membershio as more move toward consumer-driven programs and high-deductabl programs. Market pressures are increasing alon gwith cost. “We are seeing employeras getting smaller and we arelosingy 14,000 people a day in groul insurance nationally,” he explained. To help offset that, the companh is offering a varietyof low-cost, high-deductabls plans like GoBlue, which targets individualsd and provides coverage for basid physician care, pharmaceuticals, lab work and dental Typically, members are low-incomew residents, but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
GoBlue has about 11,00o0 members statewide. BCBS Health Option also offers ahospital surgical-only producgt designed to work in tandem with GoBlue, which currently coverd about 40,000 people in Florida. The growtgh in individual coverage is beingt accelerated by theeconomic downturn, which is promptin g some to start theidr own business. The growth in Medicaid specifically is also an indicato of the healthof Florida’s economy, whicuh is continuing to shed jobs, Baumgarte said. Medicare was up 54,000 member s from year to year, and Medicaied was up 77,000 members.
Looking at OIR’ numbers, Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, which is considered individual has increased significantly formany companies. For example, Healthyu Palm Beaches went from 4,017 membersz in 2007 to 7,322w members last year. Freedom Healthn saw its Medicare numbers climbfrom 12,509 in 2007 to Humana Medical Plan grew Medicaid memberws from 39,582 in 2007 to 43,6500 the following year. It also grew Medicare by aboug 10,000 members in the same year.
Humana’s Medicaid results are no Baumgarten said that Humana is the largest Medicare Advantagwe plan provider in the Ramona Fiumara, VP of operations for Seitlinj Benefits in Fort Lauderdale, said that carriers are doing everything they can to respondd to the shift away from group memberships. “Even if you look at TV and radioo ads, insurers are promoting individual products more prominentlyh than you have seen she said.
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