INSIDE This Edition

Transcription

INSIDE This Edition - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing after 10

a Fo
Paccocu
ge u s o
s nt n
13 in
-1 g
4
A Voice For Upper Cumberland Businesses
December 2009 | Issue 60
Mega deals require incentives and ‘shovel-ready’ sites
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
J&S to build ‘green’
wellness center in
Kentucky
TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. – J&S
Construction Company has
been chosen to construct the
$2.5 million Monroe County
Family Wellness Center in
Tompkinsville, Ky.
“We’re just humbled
that we’ve been given this
opportunity to serve the people
of Monroe County and we are
confident that we will do a
good job for them,” said John
D. Stites II, CEO of J&S.
The county was awarded
a $3 million grant by the
Kentucky state legislature
for the project in 2006. The
unanimous decision to select
J&S as general contractor for
the design-build project was
made by the Monroe Fiscal
Court following presentations
from three companies.
The building will include
a six-lane swimming pool, a
cardio-fitness area and support
facilities. It will be the second
building of a multi-phase
project.
With the building’s
interior layout tentative,
J&S will use its expertise in
design-build construction to
meet the owner’s June 30,
2010 deadline. Of the three
companies being considered,
J&S designed the facility
to include the most square
footage, as well as assurances
that J&S would not submit
change order requests.
The contract was signed the
second week in November and
work is in progress.
Communities that don’t offer
a robust package of incentives
and have “shovel-ready” sites
that are available to attract
large-scale business/industry
prospects are “eliminated
before the hunt,” according to
Gary Farlow, president/CEO of
the Cleveland-Bradley County
Chamber of Commerce.
Farlow recently spoke to
members of the CookevillePutnam County Chamber of
Commerce about how his
community was able to attract
an investment by Wacker
Chemie AG to build a $1
billion polysilicon
manufacturing facility in
Cleveland. Wacker is one of
three global giants to choose
Tennessee sites for billiondollar facilities during a sevenmonth period from July 2008
to February 2009.
German-based Wacker,
which is the world’s second
NSCC tailors offerings to region’s work force
Averitt wins Quest
for Quality service
awards
COOKEVILLE – Averitt
Express was recently honored
with three 2009 Quest for
Quality awards from Logistics
Management magazine.
See MEGADEALS pg.18
Midstate Wine &
Spirits opens at
Baxter Junction
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
It is all about providing
training and education for a
highly technical, highly
skilled work force at the
Cookeville Campus of
Nashville State Community
College, according to Director
Dennis Tennant.
The college recently held
an open house to familiarize
business and industry leaders
about campus offerings, and
how NSCC-Cookeville can
help students develop work
force skills for 21st century
jobs. The event was coPhotos: Darrell Kerley CBJ
sponsored by the CookevillePutnam County Chamber of
Commerce, and brought
together CEOs, human
resource directors, training
officers, Putnam County
school officials and other
community leaders from
across the region.
“The open house was a
chance to showcase our
Dennis Tennant, director of Nashville State Community College
campus and to learn what the demonstrates one of the industrial robots built by NSCC students
needs are for area
and used to teach work.
manufacturers and how we
the demonstrations was an
course.
can help them be
exhibition
by
one
of
several
“The robot is able to
competitive,” said Tennant.
robots
that
have
been
built
distinguish
the difference
Approximately 40
by
NCSS
students.
Similar
in
between
the
black line and
attendees were given a tour
appearance
to
Disney’s
the
white
floor
on either side
of the campus and
popular
Wall-E
animated
of
the
line
and
is
guided
opportunities to view
character,
the
18-inch-high
around
the
course
by keeping
demonstration of state-ofrobotic
figure
traveled
along
the
line
in
the
center
of its
the-art lab equipment,
a
large
circle
drawn
with
a
sights,”
explained
Tennant.
software and processes used
black marker in the center of
Another robot identified
by students to gain valuable
the
room,
showing
its
ability
and
sorted marble-sized steel
skills.
to
recognize
and
traverse
the
balls
by size, weight and
One of the highlights of
See bizbuzz pg.15
largest producer of polysilicon
used in semiconductors,
announced its deal in
February. This was just one
month after news broke that
the number one polysilicon
producer, Hemlock
Semiconductor, would build a
$1.2 billion facility in
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Midstate Wine & Spirits is
now the second package liquor
store to open in Baxter since
voters passed a package store
referendum November 2008.
Owner Chris Mabey recently
opened the store at 115 Fast
Lane in the Baxter Junction
retail complex.
Midstate occupies 2,600
square feet of retail space, with
a walk-in cooler for chilled
wines and specialty beers, in
addition to a storage area. The
store carries a full line of spirits.
“We are stocking our wine
cellar around customer needs
based on what products they are
using,” said Mabey, “We have an
experienced staff that can help
them choose.”
Mabey said customer tastes in
this area vary widely, from very,
very sweet to very dry wines.
“We are proud to be here,”
said Mabey, “and excited about
the business. We are looking
forward to serving people here,
whether they need a single
bottle of wine for dinner or
several cases for a wedding
reception of 300.”
Officials in Baxter hope the
store will bring needed revenue
to the city. In November
2008, residents voted to
permit package liquor stores
in the community that has an
See NSCC pg.19
See SPIRITS pg.18
INSIDE This Edition
Community Bank...
Executive Profile
Medical Profile
Fast Facts
Community Bank completes merger with
Edsouth.
American Way Real Estate’s
Jeff Jones.
Outpatient Imaging Center
changing diagnostic imaging...
New business licenses and county-by-county
unemployment rates.
See Profile pg.6
See MEDICAL pg.10
See FASTFACTS pg.8
CUMBERLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL
705 NORTH DIXIE AVE
COOKEVILLE, TN 38501
See COMMUNITY BANK pg.3
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
COOKEVILLE
PERMIT NO. 76
2
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
THINK TV FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS
TOO EXPENSIVE?
THINK agaIN.
Find the
best tV solution
For your business
$10
OFF
Per Month
for 12 Months
FREE
EXPERT
CONSULTATION
ADD HD
FOR $10/mO
FREE
SIRIUS RADIO
CHANNELS
fOR 3 MONtHS
Great TV packages for less than $1 a day.
The Technology Store
931-526-7243
921 S Willow Ave
Cookeville, TN 38501
Requires 24-month qualifying programming purchase. Restrictions apply, including business verification and monthly fees for additional receivers. Offer ends 1/31/10 and is available in the continental United States for new, first-time DISH Network
commercial customers. All prices, packages and programming subject to change without notice. All DISH Network programming, and any other services that are provided, are subject to the terms and conditions of the promotional agreement and Commercial
Customer Agreement.
December 2009
3
www.ucbjournal.com
INSIDE
This Edition
Legislative forum . .... PG. 4
Executive Profile: Jeff
Jones ....................... PG. 6
Fast Facts: Unemployment
& Business Licenses . PG. 8
Medical Profile: Outpatient
Imaging Center .......PG. 10
Overton Chamber column.
...............................PG. 11
J&S takes LEED gold .......... .............................. PG. 12
Accounting Focus . ............ ........................PGS. 13-14
Highland Industrial Park
update . ..................PG. 14
Going Green: Conserving
water ......................PG. 18
Classifieds: ............PG. 19
JAY ALBRECHT
Publisher/Editor
BEVERLEY NASH
Staff Writer
Advertising
JEFF DUNCAN
Darrell Kerley
ABBEY BARNES
AMY BLAYLOCK NEW
DESIGN/LAYOUT
DARRELL KERLEY
Production Manager
Jesse kaufman
Photography
PTT VENTURES, LLC
Larry mcdonald
Chairman
MIKE MCCLOUD
Principal Advisor
[email protected]
The Cumberland Business Journal is
published monthly by PTT Ventures, LLC.
It is produced by MMA Creative at
705 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501.
PHONE: (931) 528-8852. FAX: (931) 520-3833.
E-MAIL: [email protected]. Every attempt is
made to present factual information; neither the
Cumberland Business Journal, nor PTT Ventures
can be held responsible for opinions expressed or
erroneous information provided by contributing
writers. Cumberland Business Journal© by PTT
Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved unless granted
by written permission. Call for subscription rates.
Community Bank completes merger with Edsouth
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
John E. Arnold Jr., president of
Educational Services of America (dba
Edsouth Services) and its wholly
owned subsidiary Edbancorp, based
in Knoxville, and Don Calcote,
president of Community Bank of
the Cumberlands, Cookeville and
Jamestown, jointly announced the
completion of the merger with their
respective companies on Friday, Nov.
20, 2009.
According to company officials,
Community Bank of the Cumberlands
will continue to operate as a
separately chartered community bank
serving its customers in Putnam and
Fentress counties. The bank plans to
retain all of its current employees and
will add additional staff to support its
increased presence in the community.
“We were presented with a very
unique opportunity to expand
our core group of products and
services, which will allow us to
better serve our customers,” said
Arnold. “Community Bank of the
Cumberlands has demonstrated
a superior level of service to its
customers with local decision makers
who share a strong commitment to
community involvement. All of us
at Edsouth Services are pleased to be
forming this partnership with this
organization.”
“We look forward to offering
additional banking services and
financial products to our growing
customer base, in addition to having
enhanced resources available to
expand our presence throughout
our community,” said Calcote. “We
believe that Community Bank of the
Cumberlands and Edsouth Services
share a similar corporate culture and
are confident that our partnership
We look forward to offering additional banking services and financial
products to our growing customer base, in addition to having enhanced
resources available to expand our presence throughout our community.
We believe that Community Bank of the Cumberlands and Edsouth
Services share a similar corporate culture and are confident that our
partnership will benefit all of our customers and local communities.
DON CALCOTE
President/CEO Community Bank
will benefit all of our customers and
local communities. This merger will
allow us to offer significant financial
stability while continuing to provide
the personal service our customers
have come to know and expect from
our community bank.”
Arnold stated that Community Bank
of the Cumberlands will maintain
both of its branches in Cookeville,
in addition to its main office in
Jamestown, and that the bank will
have more than $130 million in
assets with approximately 15 percent
tier 1 capital, which makes it one of
the most well capitalized banks in
Tennessee. Edsouth Services has more
than $1.4 billion in total assets. For
more information about the company,
visit www.edsouth.org.
Recent wave of graffiti bad for business recruitment
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Graffiti vandals have targeted some
local business owners as many as six
times, causing them to spend large
amounts of money in challenging
economic times to have the unsightly
mess removed from building facades.
“It costs me about $300 to have it
removed from my building,” said one
owner, who asked not to be identified.
“It is just a huge business expense.
Eight buildings were painted the last
time they painted my building. It’s a
rampage.”
Several owners have banded
together with police to discuss ways
to fight the problem. Some owners
have considered installing security
cameras, although it is an expensive
fix and the cameras have to be
maintained daily. Most small business
owners are just trying to stay afloat
and don’t have the time or funds for
such additional equipment and work.
“Here we are trying to recruit
businesses and put our best foot
forward and then the people who
visit have to see this,” said Cookeville
Police Chief Bob Terry of the
increased frequency of spray-painted
graffiti that is showing up around
Cookeville.
“I share the frustration of business
owners. I see what they see every day,
and it is not acceptable.”
We will continue to do
as much as we can. My best
advice to businesses is as soon
as it goes up, clean it up. We
are open to any suggestions
people want to give us.
I can tell you this – when we do
catch someone, the juvenile
courts will take a very dim view
of this type of activity.
BOB TERRY
Cookeville Police Chief
“People just need to be more
observant and call the police when
they see something,” commented
another owner. “It took at least eight
hours to paint our building. Somebody
had to see them do it.”
Many people are beginning to
wonder if Cookeville is experiencing
the gang-related problems that plague
larger cities.
“The idea that it is gangs doesn’t
concern me,” said Terry. “The common
thought is that it is just a bunch of
‘wannabes’ that have moved here from
other places. I think it is as vulgar
and unattractive as anybody else, and
it is expensive for owners. But by the
time you see the violation the violator
is already gone.”
According to Terry, the department
has sent officers to gang school to
prepare for if or when the city begins
to experience gang-related activity.
The police department also has a
special group of officers who work
on “task-driven” activity, such as the
graffiti crimes.
“We have our CNET (Community
Nuisance Eradication Team) working
on this,” said Terry. “We’ve explored
the legality of ways to prevent it.
Some stores are setting limits on who
can buy spray paint. Legally, they can
set any limit they want.
“We will continue to do as much as
we can. My best advice to businesses
is as soon as it goes up, clean it up.
We are open to any suggestions people
want to give us.
“I can tell you this - when we do
catch someone, the juvenile courts
will take a very dim view of this type
of activity.”
CORRECTION
In last month’s CBJ, we incorrectly
reported that La Gardéna resort is in
Macon County. The project is in Clay
County. Also, owners have invested
more than $600 million in the project
to date.
For more information about La
Gardéna, visit www.mylake.com or
phone 1-877-mylake-5.
The CBJ regrets the errors.
4
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
Legislative forum identifies jobs as greatest need for U.C. region
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
About 80 guests attended a recent
legislative forum hosted by the
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of
Commerce that featured state legislators
and Jim Brown, state director of the
National Federation of Independent
Business.
“With 17,000 unemployed workers
across the 14 counties of the region, we
need laws that will solve that problem,”
said Dr. Steve Copeland, chairman
of the Chamber Transportation and
Advocacy Committee.
Brown moderated a panel of
legislators that included Sen. Charlotte
Burks, D-15th District, and Reps. Charlie
Curtiss, D-43rd District, Henry Fincher,
D-42nd District, and Terri Lynn Weaver,
R-40th District.
Legislators spoke about key issues
affecting businesses in the Upper
Cumberland region and across the state,
and were eager to listen to what their
constituents had to say.
“The state is $400 million behind on
budget projections,” said Curtiss, “with
only $530 million in the ‘rainy day’
fund. The pre-K program is on the line,
as well as a number of other programs.
Hearing from you all will help us know
what to do.”
Workers Compensation
One of the primary issues that
has legislator’s phones “ringing off
the hook,” according to Weaver, is a
reclassification of the designation of
construction contractors that requires
sole proprietors and partners with
no employees that are paid directly
license.
The state legislature will return to
session after Jan. 1, which is too late
to change the bill before the effective
date. However, according to Brown and
Fincher, the Department of Labor has
agreed to a 60-day compliance period
that will give the legislature time to
resolve the issue.
Unemployment
Insurance Fund
When congress reconvenes, it
will again consider problems in the
Unemployment Insurance funds,
according to Curtiss. Though steps were
taken earlier to prop up the fund, the
balance has again decreased to $211
million due to the increasing levels of
unemployed workers.
Small Business Relief Act
by the property owner to purchase
and maintain worker’s compensation
insurance on themselves, as well as
employees. The bill was enacted in 2008
and will become effective Dec. 31, 2009.
“We are working to get the bill
repealed,” said Weaver, whose husband
is a builder. “The bill would cost his
business approximately $9,000 per
year.”
The law was enacted as a result of
a lawsuit brought by a contractor who
opted out of worker’s compensation
benefits and was then injured on the
job.
The Upper Cumberland’s
SUPER DEALERSHIP
WE ARE YOUR
PRE-OWNED TRUCK
SUPERCENTER! Come
Check out our stock!
DODGE
CHALLENGER
RT!
“The bill went too far,” according
to Curtiss. “Everyone agrees that we
needed to make changes that will
help masons and other independent
contractors without benefits who are not
covered if they are laid off or hurt. Once
it is resolved, I believe it will result in
lower premiums.”
Thousands of people would lose their
jobs if the bill becomes effective as
it currently is written, according to
Brown. The NFIB will probably propose
raising the penalties for failing to
insure workers, including imposing
significantly higher fees and loss of
Brown told the group that the NFIB
is supporting H.R. 1836, the Small
Business Relief Act, which would
provide a six-month payroll tax holiday
for businesses. He encouraged everyone
to contact their congressmen and ask
them to vote yes for the bill.
It is critical that small business
owners keep lawmakers advised of how
legislation is affecting their businesses,
according to Brown.
“Every significant piece of legislation
helps some and hurts others,” said
Curtiss. “The chambers of commerce
and NFIB are key to helping us, as your
congress, keep up with bills and know
how to help you.”
“Our offices have aggressive workers.
If there are problems that arise from
legislation that is being considered, call
and let us know,” said Burks.
All Christmas
Merchandise on sAle!*
*Some exclusions apply,
see store for details.
620 S. Jefferson • Cookeville • (931) 526-9797 • 888-526-9797
8 TO
CHOOSE FROM!
WE ARE TENNESSEE’S USED CAR GIANT!
OVER 300 PREOWNED UNITS TO CHOOSE FROM AND 15 UNDER $6,000.00
WE WON’T BE UNDERSOLD!
East Tennessee
CHRYSLER • DODGE • JEEP
www.easttennesseedodge.com
Open: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm
I-40 EXIT 317 • 2712 N Main St
CROSSVILLe (931) 484-9746 toll free 800-952-3392 Sun 12pm-8pm
Available in Many
Styles such as:
• Slate
• Clay Tile
• Shake
• Stone Coated Shingle
• Thatch
• Standing Seam
103 Randolph Rd. • Crossville
(931) 277-3586 •1-800-468-0139
December 2009
5
www.ucbjournal.com
CHC Mechanical Contractors celebrates 40 years with open house
GREG LAPLANT
CBJ Staff
Celebrating 40 years in business,
CHC Mechanical Contractors hosted
employees, vendors, partners,
customers and friends for an
anniversary open house on Friday,
Nov. 13.
“Over the past 40 years, we’ve seen
a lot of change in Cookeville and the
Upper Cumberland; a lot of companies
come and a lot of them go,” said Garry
Floeter, CHC president and CEO, who
assumed on-site management of the
company in 1973. “We’ve been very
fortunate to have stayed in business
this long and to enjoy the success
we’ve had. And of course, we wouldn’t
even be celebrating this anniversary
if it weren’t for the great people we’ve
worked with as employees, customers
and partners.”
Many significant events took
place in 1969. It was the year man
walked on the moon, while children
across the country watched Sesame
Street for the first time. The New
York Mets miraculously won the
World Series, and the company that
would later become known as CHC
Mechanical Contractors was founded
in Cookeville.
Cantrell Brown established
American Heating Cooling &
Supply and focused primarily on
air conditioning and heating for
residential new construction. The
company also performed related sheet
metal, plumbing and electrical work.
Started in the early 1960s, Brown
sold the company to three Nashville
investors who reincorporated it as
CHC Mechanical Contractors recently hosted an open house to celebrate the
company’s 40th anniversary. Originally known as American Heating Cooling &
Supply when it was founded in 1969, CHC has developed into a full-service heating
and cooling contractor with clients throughout the Southeast.
American Heating & Cooling. In 1973,
Garry Floeter was hired as American’s
general manager and minority share
holder. That year, American Heating
& Cooling had total sales of less
than $100,000. The company’s five
employees operated out of a 2,400square-foot building, while its “fleet”
consisted of three trucks.
The company was renamed
Cookeville Heating & Cooling the
following year, and in 1986 the
service department was formed into
a separate company: Cookeville
Mechanical Services. Total
revenues for that first year were
around $500,000. Eventually, due
to such strong name recognition
throughout the Upper Cumberland,
the commercial HVAC and plumbing
contracting business was renamed
CHC Mechanical Contractors, while
the services company became CHC
Services.
After several decades of steady
growth, Floeter (who by 1988 became
the principal owner of CHC) sold his
interests in the residential services
company in 2003 to focus more on
CHC Mechanical Contractors. The
following year, the commercial
services operation was reorganized
and spun off into another company,
Cookeville Heating & Cooling
Services.
Today, CHC is an award-winning
Discover
mechanical contractor that has been
nationally recognized for its safety
record, which includes accolades
from the Association of General
Contractors–Tennessee Chapter,
Air Conditioning Contractors of
America and Associated Builders
& Contractors. CHC is also the only
mechanical contractor to have twice
earned the Tennessee Governor’s
Award for Excellence in Workplace
Safety, and the company’s record
for days worked without a lost-time
accident stands at 1,769.
The company now employs more
than 100 associates, including LEED
accredited professionals, engineers,
designers, craft workers, service
technicians, and other specialists.
Some of CHC’s work can be seen
throughout Middle Tennessee and the
Southeast: the Tennessee Governor’s
Residence, Cookeville Regional
Medical Center, the McMinnville Civic
Center, Columbus County Hospital
(Whiteville, N.C.), several projects
for the University of the South
(Sewanee, Tenn.), and Freedom Plaza
in Cookeville, which just recently was
given LEED Gold Certification by the
U.S. Green Building Council.
Now celebrating its 40th year in
service, CHC Mechanical Contractors
has been providing mechanical
construction solutions throughout
the Upper Cumberland Highlands,
as well as Middle Tennessee and
the Southeast, since 1969. Located
at 347 E. Stevens St. in Cookeville,
the company can be contacted at
931-528-5514, or online at www.
CHCcompanies.com.
Is your Health Care Cost Increasing?
Power
Cumberland Insurance Group offers Choices to Help both Employers and Employees
As an independent agent,
THEtheir Health Care Cost.
Control and Reduce
Cumberland Insurance Group
deals with many fine insurance
companies that give our customers
MORE options, MORE service and
MORE savings. Give us a call and
see the choices we can offer you!
• HOME
• AUTO
• BUSINESS
• LIFE
• HEALTH
High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP):
►Allow Employers to Control their Benefit Cost.
►Are Consumer Directed Health Plans.
Combined With
Health Savings Account (HSA) • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
►Allow Employees to Control Medical Spending.
►Employees have Flexibility to use Medical $$$ Wisely.
►Medical Cost are either Pre-Taxed or Tax Deductible.
Proud Member Of
$$$ Equals Health Care Savings $$$
Choice
Call one of our Agents Today for more Information.
OF
An Authorized Agent
C
Best Agents
Lowest Costs
Most Choices
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association® Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans
HOME
CUMBERLAND
●
’ S A L L ● A LIFE
B O U●T HEALTH
CHOICES
● I TBUSINESS
AUTO
Health Insurance – Authorized Agent
INSURANCE GROUP
COOKEVILLE
COOKEVILLE
1459 Interstate Dr, Ste 201
1459 Interstate
Dr. Ste
Cookeville
TN201
38501
Cookeville,
TN
38501
(931) 372-1222
(931) 372-1222
(931) 372-2762 fax
(931) 372-2762 fax
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc., an Independent Licensee of the
BlueCross BlueShield Association ® Registered marks of the BlueCross BlueShield
Association, an Association of Independent BlueCross BlueShield Plans.
SPARTA
SMITHVILLE
287
N. Spring
St.
Sparta
TN 38583
Sparta,
TN
38583
(931) 836-2675
(931) 836-2675
(931) 836-8459 fax
(931) 836-8459 fax
117 East Bryant
St.
Smithville
TN 37166
Smithville,
TN
37166
(615) 597-4375
(615) 597-4375
(615) 597-4390 fax
(615) 597-4390 fax
SPARTA
287
N Spring St
SMITHVILLE
117 E Bryant St
JAMESTOWN
JAMESTOWN
1007
Old Hwy 127 S
1007
Old
Hwy
S.
Jamestown
TN127
38556
Jamestown,
TN
37556
(931) 879-5923
(931)879-6637
879-5923 fax
(931)
(931) 879-6637 fax
6
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
Jeff Jones’ real estate career – a good fit
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Jeff Jones changed careers – from accounting to real estate –
because he couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk crunching
numbers all of his life. He hasn’t looked back since making that
decision, and for the past 10 years has been the voice and face of
American Way Real Estate Co. in Cookeville.
“I started out as an accountant, and my first job was HR
(human resource) auditor for the state of Tennessee in Nashville,”
said Jones. “Later, I was hired
as a staff accountant for Sutton
Shirt Company in Sparta. Then
I worked for a year as controller
for Gill Western Corp. in
Cookeville.”
After Gill Western moved its
manufacturing facility to
Longview, Texas, Jones began
looking for other options.
“Accountants are typically
more reserved, and I guess I
wanted a more active career,”
said Jones. “Growing up, I did a
little of everything, including
operating heavy equipment for
my dad, working on trucks and
farming. My dad had always
been in business for himself in
trucking and excavating, and I
wanted the same thing. Real
estate was the best opportunity
for the least amount of
investment to go into business
for myself.”
Jones enrolled in real estate
classes in Nashville in 1989.
After working as an affiliate
broker with American Way for
three years and taking 260
hours of continuing education,
Jones obtained his broker’s
license.
“I drove to Nashville every
weekend for two months to get
the 130 educational hours needed to sit for the exam,” said
Jones. “Then after passing the exam, I had to take an additional
130 hours.”
He became a member of the American Way sales force in 1989,
and six years later, was offered the job of sales manager for the
company.
The business of real estate has changed drastically since Jones
began, mainly driven by technology and the Internet.
“When I started we were still using the Multiple Listing
Service books that were updated every two weeks,” said Jones.
“In the 1970s and 1980s, we were members of the Homes for
Living network and used a black and white magazine that was
published three times per year.
T H IS
E X ECUTI V E
P RO F I L E
You & Us.
Working together to address
your financial needs.
“Since 1994 American Way has published a four-color process,
58-page catalog with only American Way properties listed.
“We think if a person believes in us enough to list their
property with our company, then we are not going to dilute it by
showing it alongside other properties.”
In addition to distributing 120,000 copies of the listing catalog
every year, the listings are also syndicated on 32 different Web
sites.
“Those Web sites receive 485 million unique viewers per year,”
added Jones. “The Internet has opened up our world. Before,
Cookeville was this little
secret. Now, folks are amazed
to learn what is available here:
Center Hill Lake, the
mountains, the symphony
orchestra, the drama center
and children’s theater group.
“What are the chances that
you could go from 100,000
people viewing your real estate
listings 25 years ago to almost
500 million today? And social
networking has opened up
even more prospects. I have
friends that I don’t know
anywhere outside of Facebook
who have asked me to list
properties for them.”
When Herb Baugh and Rex
Ennis opened American Way
in 1972, they had 3 agents.
Today, the company has 68
agents. Jones has been a
partner for six years, along
with current partners Baugh
and Fred Brown.
His goal for American Way is
to grow the business into a
regional real estate company.
“Right now, we list properties
in Jackson, Putnam and White
counties, and around the lake
areas in DeKalb and Pickett
Photo: Amy Blaylock-New CBJ
counties,” said Jones. “I would
like to recruit agents to open
offices in Cumberland and other counties in the Upper
Cumberland.”
Jones is president of the Upper Cumberland Association of
Realtors, which represents 400 realtors in the Upper
Cumberland. He has served on the board or as an officer of
UCAR for the past 12 years. He is also Graduate Realtor Institute
(GRI) certified and holds a National Association of Realtors
Council of Residential Specialties (CRS) designation.
He is a member of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of
Commerce and has served as a Chamber ambassador. He served
for two years as team recruiting chairman and one year as event
chairman for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
BROUG H T
115 N. Washington Avenue
931-528-5426
800-359-2723
©2007
©2006 UBS Financial Services
Services Inc. All Rights
Rights Reserved.
Reserved. Member SIPC.
TO
Y OU
B Y
UBS
December 2009
7
www.ucbjournal.com
U.C.’s Citizens Bank celebrates its 80th anniversary
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Citizens Bank, headquartered in
Carthage, has seen a lot of changes
since it opened three days before the
stock market crash of 1929.
“That wasn’t planned, and no, we
didn’t have anything to do with the
crash,” jokes Walter Birdwell Jr., CEO,
whose father opened the bank along
with a group of other local
businessmen. “The stock market crash
didn’t really affect Tennessee until the
1930s. Fortunately we didn’t have any
of the bad loans that rocked other
banks. We didn’t have any loans at
all. We had a very small bank with
simple operations.”
The bank began as Citizens Bank &
Trust Co. with $30,000 in capital and
59 stockholders. Today, it is one of the
highest capitalized banks in the Upper
Cumberland at 15.26 percent Tier 1
capital, according to the most recently
published (June 30, 2009) FDIC report.
“That is a comfort for us and
protection for our customers,” said
Birdwell. “It was very slow for a while
after we opened. Then we really began
to grow in the ‘50s and ‘60s as the
economy grew and we seemed to fit
[the needs] of our community.”
“I came back to the bank in 1954,”
continued Birdwell. “After college and
the military, I worked as a bank
examiner. In 1954 we had $5 million
in assets. Now that number is almost
$500 million.”
In 2008, Citizens recorded the
highest earnings percentage of any
Citizens new Cookeville - North Washington Branch
I came back to the bank in 1954. After college and
the military, I worked as a bank examiner. In 1954 we had $5
million in assets. Now that number is almost $500 million.
We changed the name to just Citizens Bank in the 1960s and
began to expand outside of Smith County. Our first branch
outside Smith County was in White County.
Walter Birdwell Jr.
CEO - Citizens Bank
bank its size in Tennessee, and the
third highest in the U.S. for
comparable-sized banks.
“We changed the name to just
Citizens Bank in the 1960s and began
Tennessee’s safest
mechanical contractor
What does it mean to work with a safety
leader like CHC Mechanical Contractors?
Lower costs, for starters, since we can
reduce our overhead thanks to a superior
safety rating. It also means more projects
completed on time with fewer delays due to
injuries and lost man-hours.
Winner
of the 2008
AGC of
Tennessee
Construction
Safety
Excellence
Award
for specialty
contractors.
When your construction project requires a
heating, cooling, refrigeration or plumbing
specialist, turn to Tennessee’s award-winning
mechanical contractor: CHC Mechanical
Contractors.
u rs in g
ool of N
TTU Sch
CRMC No
rt h Tow e r
347 East Stevens Street
(931)
528-5514
www.CHCcompanies.com
to expand outside of Smith County.
Our first branch outside Smith County
was in White County,” said Birdwell.
Today the bank operates nine
branches staffed by almost 100
employees in three counties: Putnam,
Smith and White. Its newest branch is
a replacement for an older building at
the corner of North Washington
Avenue and East 10th Street in
Cookeville.
“We have 500 stockholders,” said
Birdwell, “though most people think
we are closely held.”
Birdwell has seen and heard many
trends in banking and the economy
since the early days, but nothing like
the changes he has seen in 2009.
“The past year has been different
from anything I’ve ever experienced,”
he said. “I heard a lot about what
happened in the ‘30s. Today, business
is just very slow in most of our
markets. There is not much business
expansion at all, though there is more
in Putnam County than the other two
counties. I really don’t see the
turnaround that people are saying is
happening.”
Having weathered a crisis just three
days after opening, Birdwell believes
Citizens Bank’s capital strength has
the company positioned to weather
another 80 years.
IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR
LEAD FOR A BUSINESS
NEWS STORY Please
Contact Editor/Publisher
Jay Albrecht at
[email protected]
8
December 2009
FAST FACTS
All Rates Not Seasonally Adjusted
Sept ’09 / Aug ‘09 / Sept ‘08
Unemployment Rates (%
11.2/11.9/8.2
12.0/11.8/7.0
13.4/13.8/10.4
12.6/13.6/10.3
12.7/14.5/8.2
Capture Photography
11630 Joe Anderson Rd
Silver Point, TN 38582
13.0/13.7/9.6
12.0/12.6/8.9
12.8/13.4/7.7
9.7/10.3/6.7
10.2/10.7/6.8
14.9/15.7/7.9
10.8/11.6/7.4
10.8/11.6/8.3
13.5/16.0/8.0
14.2/14.3/7.7
Tennessee:
12.0/11.8/7.0
Source: Tennessee Dept. of Labor
& Workforce Development
1805 Tanyard Rd.
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-688-6012
NEW
BUSINESS
LICENSES
Ward Construction Manufactured
Housing
61 Lambert Lane
Westmoreland, TN 37186
615-644-3066
S & B Sales
12490 Galen Rd
Lafayette, TN 37083
Macon County
(from the office of County Clerk
James Howser)
Antlers & Feathers LLC
404 College St.
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-666-2697
Spears Painting Service
980 Hwy 52 by-pass East Apt 35
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-666-2536
Kemp Brothers Construction
12 Old Kemp Hollow Rd
Pleasant Shade, TN 37145
615-735-9624
Red Barn Winery & Vineyard LLC
Double T Electrical Services
1626 Purtle Rd
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-666-6560
Whimsy Hollow
526 Blue Sky Circle PO Box 237
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-670-1652
Hewitt’s Gunsmithing Inc.
1792 Austin Rd
Lafayette, TN 37083
615-666-4584
Fur Real Taxidermy
5166 Woodmore Rd
Westmoreland, TN 37186
615-388-6430
Putnam County
Wayne Nabors)
Affordable Deer Processing
11108 Nashville Hwy
Baxter, TN 38544
American Craftsman
2634 Lake Pointe Dr.
Beef O’Brady’s
851 S Willow Ave
Book’s Wicked Good
310 Maxwell Dr.
Baxter, TN 38544
A Little Bit of Green...
Toyota Prius Hybrid
51 CITY 48 HIGHWAY*
Toyota Highlander
Hybrid 2WD
27 CITY 25 HIGHWAY*
Toyota Camry Hybrid 33 CITY 34 HIGHWAY*
...Goes a Long Way.
Toyota... moving forward with a Hybrid to fit your lifestyle.
*2010 EPA mileage estimates. For comparision use only. Actual mileage may vary.
1540 Interstate Drive • Cookeville, TN
931-526-5600
w w w. c u m b e r l a n d - a u t o . c o m
Brian D. Neely @ Name that
Barber Shop
1546 E. Spring St.
Cigar and Beer Emporium
115 Fast Lane Suite 2
Baxter, TN 38544
www.ucbjournal.com
P&H Lawn Mower Parts
125 E Spring St
Planned Perfections
130 Phillips Bend Ct
R Cubed Environmental Solutions
641 N Dixie Apt 2
Colby Wheeler Photograpy &
Gallery
1435 S Jeffereson Suite G
Retractables of Upper Cumberland
2311 Reeser Lane
Cowans/Homesource
1060B Willow Industrial Ct
Ron Middlebrook
1900 Vivian Dr
Creative Designs by Ms. Gail
124 E. Broad St.
Sani Days Commercial Hygiene
Services
1938 Birch Circle
Entenmann’s Sales Co. Inc.
Wholesale Baked Goods
1065 Willow Industrial Ct STE B
First and Cedar
47 N. Cedar
Forever Lawn of Tennessee
131B Carr Ave
G’s BBQ
148 W Jackson
Grade-A-Catering (ORECK)
1400 Salem Rd
Grade-A-Catering (TUTCO)
500 Gould Dr
Newzoom Inc. DBA Zoomsystems
400 Dubois Rd
San Francisco, CA 94107
Our Flying Hands
1589 White Rd
Southern Kentucky Contractors
Inc.
578 Kelly Rd
Bowling Green, KY 42101
White County
Connie Jolley)
All Western Tack Supply Tennessee
273 W. Bockman Way
Sparta, TN 38583
Advanced Asphalt Products LLC
2144 Roberts Matthews Hwy
Sparta, TN 38583
Decks for Less
110 N Village St
Sparta, TN 38583
Finish Line Pizza
24 E Maple St
Sparta, TN 38583
Professions Cut & Color
495 Duck Pond
Sparta, TN 38583
Dalton Flooring Center
3703 Roberts Matthews Hwy
Sparta, TN 38583
Pup in a Tub
482 Fairview Circle
Sparta, TN 38583
Sporty Cuts
728 S Jefferson Unit 15
Country Rose Shop
255 W. Bockman Way
Sparta, TN 38583
Sunny Smiles Childcare
1410 Elmore Town Rd
Baxter, TN 38544
B-B Recovery
237 Earls Lane
Doyle, TN 38559
Two Nineteen Design Associates
17 S Jefferson Ave
The Game Room
311 Spring St
Sparta, TN 38583
Waffle House #1083
1121 S Jefferson Ave
Patterson and Son
7549 Franks Ferry Rd
Sparta, TN 38583
Waffle House #931
1079 S Willow Ave
Renee Bouldin Photography
592 Turntable Rd
Sparta, TN 38583
Witches Wart Pumpkins
4811 Tom Fall Rd
Baxter, TN 38544
K&M Sales
170 Mayberry St
Sparta, TN 38583
December 2009
9
www.ucbjournal.com
Mid. Tenn. Federal Credit Union celebrates 40 years in Cookeville
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
“We have traditional banking
services, including savings accounts,
certificates of deposit, money market
accounts and IRAs. We provide inhouse and secondary market
mortgages, as well as home equity
loans. About the only thing we don’t
have is safety deposit boxes, and that
is because of a lack of space.”
Membership in the credit union is
obtained by depositing $25 in a
savings account. The NCUA provides
insurance coverage of at least
$250,000 on all savings accounts.
MTFCU now has about 3,500
members, and they are capitalized at
14.5 percent.
The company has grown from its
meager beginnings to 10 full-time
and four part-time employees. Its Oak
Street branch is scheduled to open
Nov_09_Sparklers_CBJ.pdf
1
11/20/09
before the
end of the year.
Middle Tennessee Federal Credit
Union is celebrating 40 years in
business and the opening of a new
branch at 112 Oak St. in Cookeville.
“When Bob
Stinnett and a group
of nine other
Fleetguard
employees deposited
$5 each into a cigar
box in 1969, little
did they know it
would grow into an
$18 million credit
Bob Stinnett
union,” said Ed
Gabel, CEO/manager of Middle
Tennessee Federal Credit Union.
Stinnett had moved to Cookeville
from Ohio to take a job as a manager
at Fleetguard. He had been a member
When Bob Stinnett
and a group of nine
other Fleetguard
employees deposited $5
each into a cigar box in
1969, little did they
know it would grow into
an $18 million credit
union. The credit union
was started with a
volunteer board of
directors.Today we have
a seven-member board
with Del Heffelfinger as
the current chairman.
For the first few years
Bob (Stinnett) kept the
money in a cigar box on
his desk.
ED GABEL
CEO - MTFCU
4:08 PM
Add an extra special
touch to your holidays
with Stonehaus Winery’s
sparkling wines. Make spirits
bright and compliment your holiday meals
with our Sparkling Muscadine or Seyval.
Celebrate friends and family with the
sweet flavors of Tickled Pink or “That’s
Just Peachy!” Whatever the occasion,
Stonehaus Winery will surely help make
this the most wonderful time of the year!
The new MTFCU building at 112 North Oak in Cookeville
Present this coupon and save...
10
%
OFF
any order over $100
15
%
OFF
any order over $250
20
%
OFF
any order over $500
Tennessee Wines • Sparkling Wines
Gourmet Gift Baskets and Gift Packs
Homemade Cream & Butter Fudge
Fine Nuts and Confections
Offer expires January 1, 2010. Discount cannot be combined with any other offer.
Stonehaus Winery, Inc. • 2444 Genesis Rd #103 • Crossville, TN 38571 • (931) 484-WINE (9463)
C
M
of a credit union at the company
where he had worked in Ohio, and he
convinced his co-workers to join with
him to open the Fleetguard Federal
Credit Union. The National Credit
Union Association granted a charter
for the new financial services
company in October 1969 for
employees of the manufacturing
company and their families.
“The credit union was started with
a volunteer board of directors,” said
Gabel. “Today we have a sevenmember board with Del Heffelfinger
as the current chairman.
“For the first few years Bob
(Stinnett) kept the money in a cigar
box on his desk,” said Gabel.
The same cigar box is now
prominently displayed in the lobby of
the main office at One Eleven Place in
Cookeville.
“Eventually, we were able to hire a
part-time employee, then membership
was opened to other groups, including
employees of the city of Cookeville,
Putnam County, Cookeville Regional
Medical Center and others,” said
Gable. “In 2006, FCU changed its
name to Middle Tennessee Federal
Credit Union and began offering
memberships to individuals and
families of anyone who worked,
worshipped, resided or attended
school in Putnam County.
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Stonehaus Winery’s New
Sparkling Seyval Blanc
www.stonehauswinery.com • Crossville, TN
Contact us today! (931) 484 -9463
10
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
m e d i c a l
p r o f i l e
Radiology team changing the face of diagnostic imaging at
The Outpatient Imaging Center
BEVERLEY NASH
Staff Writer
A team of board certified radiology
professionals, along with dedicated
management and staff, is changing the
face of diagnostic imaging at Cookeville
Regional Medical Center.
The Outpatient Imaging Center opened
in 2007, and is the region’s first all-digital,
full-service imaging facility. It is located at
251 W. Third St., just one block from the
hospital. The OIC provides
both diagnostic testing in
The Women’s Center and
other imaging services on
an outpatient basis.
“We have a very warm,
open environment. There is
a fireplace and comfortable
sofas and chairs,” said
Hugh Bennett, manager
of the OIC. “We want
to provide more timely
services in comfortable
surroundings. Receiving
diagnostic testing can be a
little frightening. We want
to make it less so. One of
our staff is with the patient
every step of the way.”
“In The Women’s Center,
a nurse navigator is there
to answer any questions
women may have about
biopsies, mammograms
or any testing they are
receiving,” said Dr. Josue
Montanez, radiologist. “The
nurse navigator is very
knowledgeable and helps
guide women through the
process.”
“Our goal is to balance
clinical expertise with comfort,” said
Michelle Zellner, director of the hospital’s
Imaging Center, which includes all imaging
services for Cookeville Regional.
“There are really three goals,” said Dr.
Spencer Madell, radiologist. “Timeliness
of service, clinical expertise and personal
attention.”
Cookeville Regional has four board
certified radiologists with a combined 80plus years of experience, which is somewhat
unique for a community hospital of its size.
T H I S
M E D I C A L
In addition to Drs. Madell and Montanez,
Drs. Ginny Charnock and Clifford Game
are members of the imaging services team
comprising Cumberland Imaging Associates.
“Before I came to Cookeville, I worked for
an 800-bed hospital with a 30-person group
of radiologists that provided services for
several hospital divisions. The equipment
that we have here at Cookeville Regional is
comparable to what was available there,”
said Montanez. “And the number of medical
specialties available on staff here is also
comparable. It is really very remarkable for
a community-based hospital.
“Also, the fact that the hospital is cityowned and all of the money is reinvested
in the community is a plus and means that
the people making decisions have the best
interests of the community in mind.”
“The hospital’s administration really
understands what we need to provide
quality care for patients,” said Madell. “We
have the only high-field, high-resolution
open MRI in the region, and one of the few
P R O F I L E
B R O U G H T
CRMC is
Changing the
Experience of
Prostate Surgery
crmchealth.org | (931) 646-2629
64-slice CT scanners, which means a shorter
testing time for patients and more detailed
results. We are also able to offer coronary
artery CT. Dr. Ginny Charnock is one of
only 100 physicians in the United States
certified in coronary artery CT.”
For the past two years, The Women’s
Center at Cookeville Regional has received
a Komen Foundation grant that has allowed
it to provide free mammography services
every six weeks for area residents who
could not otherwise afford mammograms.
More than 500 patients
across the Upper
Cumberland have benefited
from this program.
Madell earned his
medical degree from the
Albert Einstein College of
Medicine in the Bronx,
N.Y., and completed his
residency training in
diagnostic radiology at New
England Medical Center in
Boston, Mass., where he
was chief resident. He is
board certified in radiology.
Charnock earned a
medical degree and
completed a residency
program at the University
of North Carolina School
of Medicine in Chapel Hill,
N.C. She also completed
a fellowship in MR/CT
at Vanderbilt University
Medical Center in Nashville.
She is board certified
in radiology and in
cardiovascular computed
tomography.
Montanez received his
medical training at the
University of Texas School
of Medicine in San Antonio, and completed
a residency program in diagnostic radiology
at the University Hospitals of Cleveland in
Ohio, where he also served as chief resident.
He is board certified in radiology.
Game earned his medical degree from
the University of South Alabama College
of Medicine in Mobile, Ala., and completed
his residency in diagnostic radiology at the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. He
is board certified in radiology.
T O
Y O U
B Y
C R M C
With the daVinci robotic surgical
system, patients will benefit from:
• Shorter hospital stays
• Smaller, barely noticeable scars
• The most advanced technology available, right
here in the Upper Cumberland
December 2009
11
www.ucbjournal.com
Overton Chamber committed to enhancing business growth
Rita Reagan
Director, Marketing & Tourism
Livingston-Overton County Chamber
Overton County is more than just a
beautiful place – it is business,
tourism, education and fun-filled
events. Despite a troubled economy
nationwide, we are in greater demand
than ever before.
The Livingston-Overton County
Chamber of Commerce is made up of
committed leaders who are ready to
face the challenges ahead. This year
the Chamber has helped bring many
diverse businesses to our area. We
understand the need to attract
businesses that are going “green.”
Tanimura and Antle, a hydroponic
lettuce plant, recently located to our
area. Cooper Recycling LLC is another
green business that expanded this
year on Highway 111. They are
Overton County’s two largest green
industries, with hopefully more to
follow. The Chamber has also
attracted numerous restaurants,
medical facilities and retail
establishments this year.
Our downtown square is a vibrant
oasis of businesses with shopping,
dining and entertainment. The sales
tax collections around the square
increased 25 percent this past year.
This is attributed not only to new
businesses and maintaining a high
occupancy rate, but also to people
shopping more at home. The
Chamber’s Downtown Revitalization
Committee is dedicated to developing
a Main Street approach for our town
square. This approach emphasizes the
balanced use of four critical elements:
1) organization of downtown
businesses and interests; 2) design
that enhances visual qualities and
historic architecture; 3) promotion
and marketing; and 4) economic
restructuring and business
recruitment. We have seen that the
entire community, not just the
downtown, benefits from a healthy
downtown area.
Our educational system in Overton
County is another contributing factor
to our successful economic growth.
While Overton County is not immune
to the high unemployment rates
throughout the Upper Cumberland, it
offers two great opportunities for
advancement. Volunteer State
Community College and the Tennessee
Technology Center at Livingston both
have experienced tremendous growth
in the past year, especially from an
influx of unemployed workers who
are taking advantage of this
opportunity to further their
education. This is why the Chamber
feels that even during bad economic
times, you must take advantage of
what is before you, and be ready when
the economy turns around. Leadership
skills are also very important to us, as
evident by the Adult and Youth
Leadership programs both filling to
capacity each year.
Tourism has also been widely
utilized as an economic development
tool because of its potential to
generate income from outside the
community. As director of marketing
and tourism, I am committed to
attracting tourists to our area through
marketing our county, promoting our
events, and capitalizing on our scenic
attractions. According to the latest
figures, tourists generated $6.55
million in direct tourist spending in
Overton County. Dale Hollow Lake
and Standing Stone State Park offer
many activities for tourists and locals
alike.
Many other events transpire during
the year throughout the county,
including the annual Hog-Eye Fest in
June, the Bluegrass Festival in July,
our Overton County Fair in July, and
the National Rolley Hole Festival in
September. December is always a
special time of year with all the
Christmas and holiday events.
Christmas in the Country, Elves’
Holiday Workshop, and the annual
Christmas Parade are just some of the
events that make Overton County a
great place to call home for the
holidays.
The Livingston-Overton County
Chamber of Commerce is committed
to getting the message out there of
who we are, what we are, and where
we are to the people around the world.
Our slogan is “Overton County, where
you can spend a day... or a lifetime.”
For more information about our area
or events, please contact me at the
Chamber at 1-800-876-7393,
[email protected] or visit our
Web site at www.overtonco.com
For over 30 years...
Gernt Insurance has been helping families and
businesses safeguard their success in the Upper
Cumberland by providing protection for their lives
and property. Let our professional agents come up
with a solution for your family or business. Our
representation of quality companies, such as State
Auto Insurance (A+ AMBest rated since 1954),
allows our clients to have enhanced protection
while achieving premium
Labor, Employment
& Commercial Law
1420 Neal Street | Suite 201 | PO Box 655
Cookeville, TN 38503 | 931-372-9123 tel
931-372-9181 fax
www.wimberlylawson.com
Cookeville Knoxville Nashville Morristown
savings.
Home • Auto • Business • Health • Life
171 Lantana Rd. • Crossville, TN
(931) 484-3448
800-810-0994
www.gerntinsurance.com
Art E. Gernt, II - Broker/Agent
12
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
Cookeville’s Freedom Plaza takes the
environmental gold for J&S Construction
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Photo:Jesse Kaufman CBJ
Freedom Plaza has earned the U.S.
Green Building Council’s LEED Gold
Certification for builder and owner
J&S Construction Company.
The company’s 28,000-square-foot
headquarters at 1843 Foreman Drive
just off South Willow Avenue
features environmentally friendly
features that reduced average energy
costs last winter to less than $95 per
month. This amount is significantly
less than the cost to operate
buildings of comparable size and
structure.
“We are proud to have earned
LEED Gold Certification for the first
privately owned building in the
region,” said Johnny Stites, vice
chairman and CEO of J&S
Construction. “By building our
headquarters using green building
standards, we are confirming to our
clients that environmentally
friendly construction is a good
value. When you compare the cost,
businesses spend 71 percent to
operate and maintain their building
and only 11 percent in construction
costs. It makes good sense to build
green.”
The LEED Gold designation
certifies that a building has met a
number of criteria based on a scale
that rates energy efficient design
and build components in five
categories: sustainable site; water
quality and conservation; energy
and atmosphere; materials and
resources; and indoor environmental
quality. Priority credits are awarded
to projects that implement green
building strategies for important
environmental issues facing the
region where they are built.
Freedom Plaza’s green features
include spray foam insulation, a
water-source heat pump, energyefficient lighting and many other
state-of-the-art design/build
components.
The USGBC developing the LEED
For over 33 years, APPi has committed to producing the highest
quality products and services possible. We do this by continuously
investing in our equipment, our professional staff and you, our
customers. With cutting-edge technology, equipment, traditional
printing values, and the demonstrated ability to develop new and
customized solutions and ideas, we strive to meet and exceed your
expectations. We believe we look good when you look good.
Stationery • FormS • BuSineSS CardS • appointment CardS • poStCardS
poStCard notiFiCationS • mailing ServiCeS • perSonalized letterS
newSletterS/BulletinS • annual reportS • produCt SheetS/FlyerS
BroChureS • raCk CardS • door hangerS • media CoverS/inSertS
taBle tentS • poSterS • BannerS • pop/oFFiCe diSplayS • magazineS
Saddle StitChing • hard Bound BookS • perFeCt Bound BookS
wire/Coil Bound BookS • CatalogS • CalendarS • plannerS
poCket FolderS • laBelS • tagS • manualS • training
materialS • numBering • padding • note padS • poSt it-noteS
preSCription padS with SeCurity FeatureS • laminating
Shrink wrapping • Folding • emBoSSing • Foil Stamping
varniShing • uv Coating • Shipping & FulFillment
ServiCeS • and juSt aBout anything you Can think oF
Offset Printing
Variable Data
Digital Printing
Mailing Services
654 West Spring Street | Cookeville, TN 38501 | www.appisolutions.com
rating system in 2000 and has
grown to encompass projects in
more than 100 countries across the
globe. J&S Construction Company is
a locally owned, full-service
construction company with more
than 50 years’ experience building
projects, relationships and trust. It
has successfully completed more
than 5,000 unique projects for a
variety of clients, more than 70
percent for repeat customers. J&S
employs 115 craftsmen and trade
professionals, including a number of
nationally recognized and awardwinning architects and engineers,
including LEED AP project
managers.
Tenn. October
unemployment
rate unchanged
NASHVILLE – Labor & Workforce
Development Commissioner James
Neeley announced that Tennessee’s
unemployment rate for October was
unchanged from the September rate.
“While the national unemployment
rate increased to 10.2 percent, the state’s
rate held steady at 10.5 percent for the
second consecutive month,” said Neeley.
“This continues a pattern of
stabilization in most sectors of
Tennessee’s economy.”
The October rate a year ago was 6.9
percent. The national rate for October
2009 was 10.2 percent, up from the
September rate of 9.8 percent.
According to the state’s Business
Survey, 5,300 job gains occurred
primarily in state/local government
educational services; 5,000 in
administrative, support and waste
services; and 1,800 in private
educational services. Major employment
decreases occurred in leisure and
hospitality, which was down by 6,900;
mining and construction, declined by
2,600; and manufacturing, which
decreased by 1,400 jobs.
Year-over-year increases occurred in
health care and social assistance, up by
6,400; local government, increased
3,300; and federal government, which
gained 2,000. Manufacturing was down
37,100; mining and construction lost
29,500; and trade, transportation and
utilities declined by 28,700.
December 2009
13
www.ucbjournal.com
Accountants help U.C. businesses stay afloat in tough economy
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Accounting firms in the Upper
Cumberland are on the front lines of
the economic changes, helping their
clients stay afloat in a business
environment of weakening
manufacturing production and the
scarcity of bank lending.
“Our area has been hit hard
because many companies are
automotive supply chain
manufacturers that have experienced
a trickle-down effect due to decline in
auto sales and bankruptcies at
General Motors and Chrysler,” said
Gentry Underhill, senior partner at
Totherow, Haile and Welch in
McMinnville.
A tightening in bank lending
activity has caused a fear factor that
businesses have not experienced
during the past boom years, according
to area accountants.
“Everybody is afraid of the banking
environment,” said Gary McNabb,
CPA with Hugh Bailey & Associates.
“Companies used to be able to borrow
90 percent of the cost to build a
manufacturing facility. Now, business
has declined such that they need
banks that will look past the numbers
and have confidence in the owners.”
The tighter lending environment
has dramatically affected both the
commercial and residential
construction sectors.
“The construction industry has been
killed, everything from site
preparation to developers,” said Tom
Janney, owner of Janney & Associates
in Livingston and Smithville. “Some
companies are getting out of the
business entirely, although Middle
Tennessee hasn’t been hurt as much
by the downturn as some other areas
of the country. Businesses are
watching every penny and cutting
back on payroll.”
“The downturn in the housing
market has also dried up the nursery
industry,” said Underhill. “There is no
need for landscaping and people aren’t
spending money for beautification
projects. We have seen a 50 to 60
percent reduction in payrolls over the
past two years.”
Even those companies that have not
been hardest hit are somewhat
reluctant to be as aggressive with
business decisions as they once might
have been.
“Companies aren’t expanding like
they were previously,” said Underhill.
“They are holding on to their money,
even if they could expand. They are
concerned with the huge amounts of
money the government is spending
and what it is going to take to shrink
the government deficit.
“We’ve provided a lot of
consolidation work for companies that
are divesting of non-core products
and business to become leaner,”
Underhill added. “Also, during the
past 12 months we have seen
companies turn to cost accounting.
Price quotes are much tighter. When
people felt they were prosperous, they
didn’t look so much at pricing
profitability. Now instead of looking
at how they can reduce taxes,
companies are looking for ways to cut
costs.”
As 2009 comes to a close, there are
some things businesses will want to
do to help ease the burden and go into
the New Year with a better outlook.
“Anybody in business today needs
to take a good, hard look at what
profits can be accelerated if they have
losses,” continued Janney. “And, if
they had a decent year, look at what
income can be deferred. Maybe buy
equipment or postpone buying
depending on your situation.
“Many contractors are changing
their business to a corporate structure
to lessen the effect of changes in the
Worker’s Compensation Law that are
due to go into effect Dec. 29.
Corporations are exempt under the
new law. Accountants have been on
the front end of the wave to spread
the word about the changes.”
“It is legitimizing insurance for the
construction industry, but it is raising
costs, especially for small
contractors,” said McNabb. “Also, the
high government spending is
expected to increase taxes for small
businesses. Everybody agrees we need
changes in health care, but not a
government-run system. We haven’t
seen a lot of bankruptcies among our
clients yet, but I am afraid we will.
The trend is for businesses to cut costs
and hang on.”
“I believe the economy may have
bottomed out,” said Underhill. “But I
also believe we will walk on the
bottom longer than we want to be
there.”
14
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
Changes in technology and federal laws
affect the business of accounting
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
The economy may be heavy
on the minds of accountants as
they navigate difficult waters for
clients, but it is not the only factor
affecting their business.
“The economy is causing people
to get better at what they do,” said
Gary McNabb, CPA with Hugh
Bailey & Associates. “Whether they
are a manufacturer or salesman,
they are having to become more
efficient.”
Along with their clients,
accounting firms have had to
improve the way they do business.
“If you are not up on technology,
you will fall behind, because more
and more customers want to do
business at their convenience,
especially those 40 years of age
and younger,” said Tom Janney,
owner of Janney & Associates in
Livingston and Smithville. “You
need T-1 lines for faster Internet
speed and greater security. My
entire office has gone paperless.
“We have an integrated
platform for contract and practice
management, and for research.
And we are going to a secure client
portal for release of information to
clients via the Internet.”
“Advances in technology have
really been an asset for what we
do,” said Gentry Underhill, senior
partner with Totherow, Haile and
Welch of McMinnville. “Every
part of our work is linked. We can
research the tax code online and
update spreadsheets in a couple
of hours where it used to take us
weeks to update manually with 11column ledger pads.”
While technology upgrades
have helped accountants improve
business efficiencies, other factors
have reduced the type of services
some companies are able to offer
clients.
“After Enron, our company
stopped doing audits because of the
changes in federal regulations that
prohibited accounting firms from
providing both audit and consulting
work for the same client,” said
Janney. “It affected the viability of
our business, since often auditing
services can be a loss leader. So it
required us to raise fees to cover
the cost of our consulting services.”
“Because of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act changes that came after Enron
and MCI, we have also seen a
movement more toward risk-based
audits rather than straight financial
statement reviews,” said Underhill.
“Audits are more customized to
the specific work and assets of
individual companies. And there
will likely be more changes when
the dust settles.” n
Highlands industrial park work to
begin soon; awaiting road plans
BEVERLEY NASH
CBJ Staff
Infrastructure work will soon be
underway on the proposed Highlands
Regional Business Park, according to
Cookeville City Manager Jim Shipley.
The 290-acre development is located
off Interstate 40 between mile markers
The park previously received
approval from the state of Tennessee
as a “dual-purpose” park, which
certified it for business and industry
use. It is the first such approval in
Tennessee history.
“Every site selector consultant
tells us that having land alone is not
enough in this day and age. The
280 and 286 in Cookeville.
“We are ready to start on the
infrastructure and road work and are
just waiting for the final road plans
from Barge Waggoner,” said Shipley.
“As soon as we receive the plans, work
will begin.”
Nashville-based engineering firm
Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon
Inc. is developing the plans.
Shipley stated that there are still
right-of-way issues to resolve on Lee
Seminary Road, but nothing is holding
up start of development inside the
park.
land must be ‘shovel-ready’ with the
infrastructure in place, or at the bare
minimum, a timeline of when the
infrastructure will be available,” said
George Halford, president/CEO of the
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber
of Commerce.
“We are excited about the
next phase in the infrastructure
development of the Highlands
Regional Business Park. It is key to
effective marketing of the park and
of our community. Without it we
will be passed over for new industry
opportunities.” n
Cookeville Regional Medical Center Tower Addition
The Electrical Contractor of Choice
for Companies of the Upper
Cumberland since 1967
• COMMERCIAL
• INDUSTRIAL
• THERMAL GRAPHIC IMAGING
• STATE LICENSED
1560 Brown Ave. • Cookeville
(931) 526-7216
www.lakelande.com
COME JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION
at 112 North Oak
(2 blocks south of CRMC)
WE HAVE “FREE” CHECKING, DEBIT CARD,
INTERNET BANKING, ATMs, to name just a few.
ALSO GREAT RATES ON SAVINGS AND LOANS!
CHECK US OUT AT:
www.midtenfcu.com
OR CALL US AT:
931.528.9400
Savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 by NCUA
Jackson Plaza
377-7C West Jackson
Cookeville, TN 38501 • 931-526-6576
December 2009
15
www.ucbjournal.com
BIZBUZZ
From page 1
Each year, the magazine solicits input
from thousands of shippers across North
America, asking them to evaluate their core
transportation providers’ performance in key
areas vital to logistics excellence. The Quest
for Quality awards stem from the industry’s
largest customer satisfaction study; this
year’s awards are based on 6,485 survey
responses.
According to survey results, shippers
gave Averitt’s performance high marks,
positioning the carrier to receive the 2009
Quest for Quality award in three different
categories: South/South Central Regional
Less-than-Truckload, Expedited and 3PL. In
fact, no other privately held company earned
more awards than Averitt in 2009. And only
FedEx and UPS earned recognition in more
categories than Averitt.
Each Quest for Quality award category
is based on certain criteria that are critical
to the industry. For example, less-thantruckload or time-critical service providers
are rated in on-time pick up and delivery
reliability, capability to provide instant
shipment updates, value, customer service
and equipment and operations.
Meanwhile, 3PL customers – those
shippers who outsource the management
of their transportation needs to a thirdparty logistics service – rank providers on
criteria that are unique to that market
segment: carrier selection/negotiation, order
fulfillment, transportation/distribution,
inventory management and logistics
information systems.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by
our customers as a champion of quality
within the industry,” said Gary Sasser,
president/CEO of Averitt “This marks the
25th year the Averitt team has earned the
Quest for Quality distinction, and we believe
it demonstrates our desire to continuously
provide the best service available anywhere.”
Logistics Management has presented its
Quest for Quality awards for 26 years. No
other less-than-truckload carrier in the
South has earned more Quest for Quality
awards than Averitt.
Established in 1971, Averitt Express is a
leading provider of freight transportation
and supply chain management with
international reach to more than 100
countries. The company specializes in
delivering customized solutions with a
single source of accountability for service
offerings that include less-than-truckload,
truckload, expedited, importing/exporting
and supply chain management. Backed
by successful execution for hundreds
of customers, Averitt’s supply chain
management capabilities include dedicated
fleet operations, warehousing services and
transportation management. For more
information, call 1-800-AVERITT (283-7488)
or visit www.averittexpress.com.
Tennessee receives $12
million to retrain and assist
workers affected by foreign
trade
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Labor
Commissioner Jim Neeley has announced
receipt of $12 million in funding from the
U.S. Department of Labor to enhance the
state’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
“These federal funds will provide career
retraining and other services and assistance
to Tennessee workers to help ensure they
have the skills they need to compete for
jobs demanding higher skills,” said Gov.
Phil Bredesen. “This is a big boost for the
program and Tennesseans that it serves.”
TAA is a federally funded program that
provides assistance to workers that have
been affected by job loss or had their hours
and wages cut due to increased imports or
a shift in production to a foreign country.
Workers covered under the petition may
access a variety of services that include
Merry Christmas
& Happy New Year!
F R O M Y O U R F R I E N D S AT O N E H O U R M A R T I N I Z I N G
• Drycleaning
• Alterations
• Shirt Laundry
• Formal Wear
• Draperies
• Household Items
• Leather/Suede
• Fur
• Tuxedo Rentals
M-F 6:30 - 6 pm Sat. 8-4
377 Foutch Dr. (931) 526-4687
55 N. Walnut (931) 526-5227
re-employment, retraining, job search
allowances, relocation allowances and a
health care tax credit.
“I’m very pleased with the increased
level of funding we’ve received for this
program, which will help level the playing
field for those workers affected by increased
imports or a shift in production to a foreign
country,” said Neeley. “The goal of the Trade
Act program is to help workers return to
suitable employment as quickly as possible
and I applaud the U.S. Department of
Labor for providing more resources to help
Tennesseans reach that goal.”
Tennessee’s program ranks third in the
nation in the amount of trade petitions filed.
According to a business survey conducted by
the U.S. Department of Labor, employment
in manufacturing has declined more than
39,000 since September 2008. Prior to this
announcement, Tennessee had received
$16.5 million in TAA assistance. In the past
year, more than 1,500 Tennesseans have
participated in TAA job training with an 88
percent completion rate.
TAA is funded by the U.S. Department
of Labor but is administered by state
governments and state agencies. A petition
for TAA funds may be filed by a group
of three or more workers, their union
or their designated representative. For
more information, contact the Tennessee
Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, or visit www.tn.gov/labor-wfd.
Tennessee ranked among top
five states for best business
climate seven of last 10 years
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The editors of Site
Selection magazine, one of the nation’s
premier economic development publications,
have ranked Tennessee among the five best
states in the U.S. for best business climate.
The announcement marks the seventh time
in the past decade Tennessee has been listed
among the top 10 states.
The closely watched annual rankings
appear in the November 2009 Site Selection
magazine’s print and online editions at www.
siteselection.com.
“I am pleased Tennessee is once again
listed among the top five business climates
in the country. This is a very competitive
ranking by a very well-respected
publication,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner
of the Tennessee Department of Economic
and Community Development. “We’ve
worked hard to maintain our reputation as
a state that is business-friendly by viewing
job creation as a partnership between the
state and local communities and designing
projects according to a prospective
company’s individual needs.”
The rankings are determined by the
number of new and expanded business
facility projects, as well as results from a
survey of corporate site selectors who are
asked to rank factors most important to
them when determining a location. Some
of those factors included transportation
infrastructure, existing work force skills, and
state and local taxes. Tennessee also ranked
fifth in the site selector executive survey.
“It is gratifying that publications like Site
Selection are recognizing Gov. Bredesen’s
Jobs Cabinet approach to economic
development and the more than 170,000
new jobs and $27 billion in new capital that
have resulted from it,” said Kisber.
The Site Selection accolade is one of
many the state has collected this year.
Southern Business & Development magazine
named Tennessee a co-state of the year.
Bredesen, Kisber and Revenue Commissioner
Reagan Farr were also named to the
publication’s 2009 list of 10 People Who
Made a Difference. Tennessee also won Area
Development magazine’s prestigious annual
Gold Shovel Award, which is presented to
the state that achieves the most success in
terms of job creation and economic impact.
See BIZBUZZ pg.16
16
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
BIZBUZZ
From page 15
Guarantee your copy
delivered to your Home or
Business for only $25 a
year!
CALL AND PAY BY
CONVENIENCE OF YOUR
CREDIT CARD OVER THE
PHONE...
(931) 528-8852 or
Toll Free: 800-499-2332
The CBJ is launching
a series of articles
celebrating the
entrepreneurial spirit of
the Upper Cumberland. If
your business or industry
is an example, please Email
[email protected] for a
questionnaire and details.
Reminder: The CBJ is always
seeking news. You are urged
to share your company’s news
with the U.C.
Call (931) 528-8852
The TDECD mission is to create
higher-skilled, better-paying jobs for all
Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract
new corporate investment in Tennessee and
works with Tennessee companies to facilitate
expansion and economic growth. TDECD
also works with rural and urban Tennessee
communities to achieve excellence in
community development by emphasizing
foundational steps and targeting community
strengths to improve quality of life and grow
jobs. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/
ecd.
Tennessee Tech receives
$125,000 Department of
Energy technical support
grant
COOKEVILLE –Tennessee Tech University
has been awarded $125,000 by the U.S.
Department of Energy to provide technical
support and help local industries reduce
overhead costs.
Tennessee Tech’s 3-Star Industrial
Assessment Center conducts studies
for industries that identify methods to
increase energy efficiency and reduce
waste production. The grant will help Tech
continue to provide the studies at no cost to
companies and reduce internal costs.
Tech will use the grant to provide
enhanced industrial facility energy
assessments for both the Kellogg’s and SFI of
Tennessee facilities in Memphis. Engineering
and technology students under the direction
of faculty from Tech, East Tennessee State
University, and the University of Memphis
will perform the study.
The energy grant will also enable the IAC
at Tech to build on existing relationships
with its regional distributors to identify
small to medium plants that can benefit
from industrial energy assessments.
“This grant is significant because it will
allow us to work on implementing a plan
to reduce energy costs,” said Ken Currie,
director of the Center for Manufacturing
Research at Tennessee Tech. “It will give
the students a chance to gain engineering
experience, and provide an opportunity for
them to evaluate how a plant’s energy and
waste issues are managed and how they can
lower energy cost and waste production.”
Tradebank expanding into
Cookeville
Representatives of Tradebank of Knoxville
attended November’s Business After Hours
event at the Cookeville-Putnam County
Chamber of Commerce to announce their
expansion into the Cookeville market. The
company also operates in the Crossville area.
According to Upper Cumberland General
Manager Jeff Jones, the Cookeville market
was previously owned by Tradebank of
Nashville, however the division has been
restructured to combine Cookeville with the
Crossville market region.
Both the Knoxville and the Nashville
franchise are part of Tradebank International,
one of the world’s largest barter exchanges
with offices in more than 70 countries across
the U.S., Canada and East Central Europe.
Transactions between trading partners are
converted into “trade dollars” with balances
maintained by the company on each
partner’s trade account.
Tradebank International began operations
in 1987 and has completed more than $2
million in barter transactions worldwide
between trading partners that exchange
goods and services.
The company has approximately
70 trading partners across the Upper
Cumberland that barter a broad spectrum
of goods and services, including flooring,
plumbing, medical services, jewelry, Web
design, advertising, lodging and cosmetics.
Tradebank of Knoxville opened in 1995
and has completed more than $7 million in
trades this year. The Knoxville franchise is
owned by Marc Davis, and has four fulltime and three part-time brokers. For more
information, visit www.tradebank.com or
phone 865-531-1822.
Averitt wins Clean Diesel
Leadership Award
COOKEVILLE – Averitt Express was recently
received a Clean Diesel Leadership Award
from the Tennessee Trucking Association
(TTA) at an awards ceremony held in Destin,
Fla.
According to the TTA, the award, which
was presented this year for the first time, is
designed to recognize organizations within
the transportation industry that have made
significant, measurable improvements in
air quality through the development and/or
implementation of clean diesel actions.
These actions range from educating drivers
on fuel efficiency to equipping tractors with
auxiliary power units to using alternative
fuels.
To be eligible for the award, a
transportation provider must demonstrate
environmental leadership and meet such
criteria as directly or indirectly reducing
air pollution; developing a replicable model
with measurable, sustainable outcomes that
other companies can follow; and employ
technology aimed at reducing diesel engine
emissions.
Award entries are judged by members
of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative
Leadership Group, the Tennessee Department
of Environment & Conservation and the
Tennessee Department of Transportation.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our
environmental initiatives, particularly our
commitment to improving the quality of
the air,” said Gary Sasser, president/CEO
of Averitt. “The Averitt team understands
the importance of finding better, more
environmentally friendly ways to go about
our business every day.”
ellieodomphoto.com • [email protected]
931-544-5996
848 North Jefferson Ave. • Cookeville, TN 38501
Receive a FREE
reusuable
market tote
with any $50
vera bradley
purchase with
this ad!
Southern
Traditions
412 east spring street
- cookeville (across from justice center)
526-5751
December 2009
17
www.ucbjournal.com
#1 Leader in the Employee Assessment Industry Seeks Talented
Executives and Professionals to Become Strategic Business Partners
An economic recession has always
meant two things: the competition for
jobs becomes fierce and the need for
businesses to actively manage their
own survival becomes imperative.
While survival can translate into
slower, smarter growth, it can also
mean cost cutting and downsizing, or
at the very least, rightsizing.
Companies that develop products
and provide services designed to
assist employers as they navigate
such trying times, and especially
those that do it very well, often will
thrive...companies like Integrated
Management Resources Inc., an
affiliate of Profiles International
Inc., owned by Cookeville Chamber
member Greg Maciolek.
I live wherever I want. My job is completely flexible.
Ninety percent of all my business is done online. There is a
quality to my life that I never thought possible, and I feel really
good about the fact that I’m providing businesses with
something they really want and need to be successful. I’d like to
make sure other people just like me get the same shot that I did.
GREG MACIOLEK
Integrated Management
Building a Business
Greg Maciolek is founder and CEO
of Integrated Management Resources
Inc. After 26 years of distinguished
service as a commander and fighter
pilot, Greg retired from the Air
National Guard and the U.S. Air Force.
Having served in one of the greatest
bureaucracies, holding senior-level
positions for the last 14 years of his
career, Maciolek was looking for
something to call his own. He became
affiliated with Profiles International
Inc. more than a decade ago.
A Growing Industry
The success of Profiles International
Inc. and Integrated Management
Resources Inc. is due in large part
to its unrivaled, comprehensive
portfolio of computer-based
employee assessment, retention
and management tools. Developed
in close consult with occupational
psychologists, human resource
executives and a myriad of other
invaluable professionals, the
company’s products are customized to
meet the needs of any employer, big
or small and of any kind. In addition,
programs can be individually tailored
and updated as needed to achieve
any organization’s most pressing
objectives and realize its ultimate,
long-terms goals.
Today, Maciolek sees demand
for the company’s products and
services growing in a number of key
industries, including small banks
Y E A R
E N D
Ends 1/04/2010
and credit unions, government
agencies, health care and even small
non-profits. Employers must be
very methodical and strategic when
it comes to hiring, managing and
retaining their work force.
“Our products are designed to help
them make the smartest decisions
they can under the circumstances, all
of which adds up to incredible savings
in terms of both time and money,”
says Maciolek.
The Right Candidate
According to Maciolek, the
best candidate to become one of
the company’s strategic business
partners doesn’t need any past
sales experience. “I had no sales
background whatsoever. Truly, it’s
not necessary,” he says. “This is
relationship selling. The products are
so well designed that there is no ‘hard
sell’ here.”
According to Maciolek, annual sales
into six figures is not at all unlikely
after the initial start-up phase of 18
months or so. That’s a pretty solid
return on an initial investment of
just $12,000. Start-up fees include
the necessary operating systems,
everything needed to set up 25 new
clients right away, inventory worth
upwards of $35,000, and unlimited
and ongoing training, support and
marketing assistance. The only
additional cost a partner incurs is an
annual Internet site hosting fee of
$1,200.
But perhaps the most rewarding
aspect of being a Profiles
International strategic business
partner can’t really be quantified at
all – it’s priceless. “I live wherever I
want. My job is completely flexible.
Ninety percent of all my business is
done online,” Maciolek says. “There
is a quality to my life that I never
thought possible, and I feel really
good about the fact that I’m providing
businesses with something they really
want and need to be successful. I’d
like to make sure other people just
like me get the same shot that I did.”
If you are interested in learning
more about this opportunity, contact
Greg Maciolek at 865-675-5901 or by
email at [email protected]. n
Paid advertisement
E V E N T
0%FOR72MONTHS
ON EVERY NEW 2009
CHEVROLET!
Plus!
TRAVERSE
TAHOE
SUBURBAN
EQUINOX
MALIBU
IMPALA
CORVETTE
COBALT
HHR
SILVERADO
AVALANCHE
FREE INTEREST FOR 6 YEARS!
2009
Chevy Silverado
FREE LIFETIME OIL CHANGE!
#1
Customer
Satisfaction
Award Winner
4 Years in a Row!
#1
Dealer!
2 0 0 9 H H R LT
Only!
13,888
83 YEARS STRONG!
$
3 3 0 W . S P R I N G S T. • C O O K E V I L L E
(931) 526-2163
www.carlenchevrolet.com
18
December 2009
www.ucbjournal.com
Making commercial buildings green by conserving water
With the above-average amount of
precipitation the Upper Cumberland
has received in the past few months,
the subject of water usage and
shortages is not something that
concerns many residents. However,
recent studies have shown that
virtually every region in the U.S.
will experience water shortages in
the next 10 years. All we have to do
is look back a few years when water
shortages were a significant problem
here in the Upper Cumberland.
GOING GREEN
with Joe Bontrager
LEED Accredited Professional
systems. The plants used in this
process are appropriate to the local
climate and are drought-resistant.
Another great way to cut down on
drainage line for gray water, a
filtration system and storage cisterns.
Cisterns can also be used to capture
rainwater runoff from buildings and
parking areas that can be used for
irrigation needs.
Water use in the interior areas of
buildings accounts for less than half
of a building’s total water
consumption. By making a few
So what can we do to help with
water shortages and save ourselves
money in our new and existing
buildings?
Water usage for the exterior of
your building is a major expense
many commercial property owners
do not consider in the early stages of
design. From the irrigation system to
heating and cooling units, more
water is consumed for a commercial
or residential building’s exterior than
is used for toilets, faucets and
showers combined. In office
buildings, approximately 20 percent
of water is consumed by landscaping.
Last year, approximately 53 percent
of commercial property owners were
over-irrigating.
One example of how to reduce
over-watering is by using
xeriscaping techniques. Xeriscaping
is a process of landscaping and
gardening that can reduce or
eliminate the need for irrigation
MEGA DEALS
From page 1
Clarksville, and seven months after
Chattanooga reported it had sealed a $1
billion deal with German automaker
Volkswagen.
Four factors that were very much
under the control of Cleveland/Bradley
County leaders were instrumental in
securing the Wacker facility.
First was a significant incentives
package offered by Cleveland/Bradley
County that was matched by state and
federal assistance.
“It is a very, very corporate world.
These are big deals,” said Farlow, “and
the search is worldwide. They
absolutely expect incentives that are in
line with the benefits these companies
are expected to generate for the
region.”
Bradley County is providing $5
million in infrastructure cost in the
form of a grant and 25 years in tax
abatements. The state of Tennessee
brought an incentives package to the
table worth $75 million in
infrastructure and training funding
and $100 million in new job tax
credits.
Second, Cleveland officials kept the
door open and maintained cordial
relations with Wacker even after
initially being turned down. Wacker
first considered Cleveland for
expansion into North America in 2005,
then chose to locate a new facility near
its corporate headquarters in Germany.
Three years later, company executives
called again when they were ready to
build another plant, in part because the
first experience was a good one.
“We parted on good terms, even
though they didn’t choose us the first
time,” said Farlow. “In the four years
between the two meetings, the
techniques.
In many office buildings, the
implementation of these technologies
can cut water consumption by 30
percent or more, with a potential
three-year return on investment.
Another way to cut water
consumption is the reuse of gray
water inside the building. The use of
gray water to flush toilets and urinals
could cut water consumption by 40
percent to 50 percent in a new office
construction. This trend is catching
on. As municipalities look at ways to
cut water usage, these trends will be
much-needed tools for reducing
water usage.
Water consumption will be a major
factor in the next few years as aging
utility infrastructures are updated
and replaced. The cost of water will
continue to rise, and water saved will
contribute directly to the bottom line
for companies.
irrigation expenses is to use your
building’s gray water – wastewater
from hand-washing sinks and
showers – for outside irrigation. The
requirements for gray water
irrigation are a separate wastewater
company built four other plants. This is
a company that is expanding rapidly,
and we wanted to be included in any
future plans they might have.”
Third, when the project was initially
being considered, the city already had
ownership of a suitable mega site that
was listed on the TVA online site
inventory. This was also true of the
Hemlock plant in Clarksville.
“Community preparedness was key,”
said Farlow. “We already had
ownership of 550 acres that was part of
a planned expansion of the Hiwassee
Industrial Park. We had the site work
completed, utility information and
topography data.”
Wacker will develop 100 acres in
phase one, but wanted to purchase the
additional acreage for anticipated
future expansion.
At one point, two separate companies
were bidding to option the property –
Wacker and another group with a
proposed $8 million to $9 million
project.
Fourth, nobody talked about the
project outside of closed meetings
during the four years that negotiations
were taking place.
“If the client says don’t talk, then you
don’t talk,” said Farlow. “We were able
to keep the deal under wraps until the
night before the announcement even
though hundreds of people worked
thousands of hours to make it happen.”
Farlow offered several other factors
that he believed were significant in
Wacker’s decision to choose Cleveland.
“Another key factor was nearby
access to Olin Chlor Alkali, with its
availability of the large amounts of
chlorine that Wacker will need,” said
Farlow. “And, the presence of a large
capacity of quality electricity at
reasonable rates through Tennessee
simple changes, the amount of water
usage can be reduced even further.
High-efficiency lavatory faucets,
sensor-activated faucets and sensoractivated flush valves are all
considered the most common
Valley Authority.”
Polysilicon manufacturing uses 20 to
25 percent the amount used by a
nuclear power plant. According to
Wacker officials, TVA rates are about
half the cost of electrical rates in
Germany.
Accessibility to educational resources
was key. Many of the 500-plus initial
workers that will be hired by Wacker
will need education and training in the
highly skilled and highly technical
field of polysilicon production.
The direct jobs are expected to result
in a $20 million payoff in the form of
annual payroll for workers. In addition,
an estimated 475 indirect jobs are
anticipated at an annual payroll of $14
million.
Also, accessibility to a good
transportation network provided by
Interstate 75 was a requirement. The
company has a four-hour turnaround
time for orders sent to Olin, which is
the first tier-one supplier to be
announced. That is why most tier-one
manufacturers are expected to be
located on or near the Wacker complex.
However, tier-two suppliers will be able
to operate from greater distances,
opening up many counties in the Upper
Cumberland areas for possible business.
Farlow commented that Cleveland
and Cookeville are very similar in
population size and other features. Both
communities are located near good
transportation resources – Cleveland is
near I-75 while Cookeville is near I-40
and state Highway 111. The
membership size and structure of both
chambers of commerce is similar, and
each has a strong focus on business
development. Also, the local economy
in both areas has not suffered as much
as other parts of the country.
“Tennessee was just named by Site
Joe Bontrager is a LEED Certified Project
Manager for J&S Construction Company
Inc. in Cookeville, TN. J&S is a locally
owned, full-service construction company
with more than 52 years’ experience
building projects, relationships and trust.
It has completed more than 90,000 square
feet of LEED certified buildings and over
5,000 unique projects with more than a 75
percent repeat customer rate. J&S employs
100 of the finest craftsmen and trade
professionals, including a number of
nationally recognized and award winning
architects and engineers.
Paid advertisement
Selection magazine as one of the top
five states in the nation for best
business climates,” said George Halford,
president/CEO of the Cookeville
Chamber. “The location of Wacker
Chemie and Volkswagen within a short
distance of our area offers tremendous
potential for our community. We want
to be ready to capture our share of
those benefits.”
SPIRITS
From page 1
estimated 2009 population of 1,368. The
referendum passed with 53 percent of
the votes.
“We hope to receive about $200,000
in tax revenue annually, if you go by
the number that was reported in the
newspaper for Jackson County,” said
Baxter Mayor Jeff Wilhite. “We have
pretty much the same market, and will
probably pull customers from some
parts of the region that they don’t draw,
except for the north side Jackson County
store.”
Danny Joe West and Millie Lee opened
Crossroads Wine & Spirits earlier this
year.
“Any time you have a business that
comes to town, you have improvements
in buildings and facilities,” said Wilhite.
“Mabey’s building is nice, and so is the
Crossroads facility.”
The city also hopes both stores will
create added revenue from indirect sales
attracted for the region.
“Anything you bring into the
community that is different from what
has been here before will attract indirect
business,” continued Wilhite. “I think
we will also see an indirect benefit from
these stores. For example, people may
come from I-40 and stop for gas or a
sandwich at Luv’s [Travel Stop], and that
will create added revenue.”
December 2009
19
www.ucbjournal.com
NSCC
From page 1
color.
“This type of application is used in
manufacturing every day, and workers
are needed who understand how it
functions and how to build and
program the equipment and
technology to make the applications
work,” Tennant continued.
The Cookeville Campus of NSCC
began offering technical courses in
1993 in the Chamber of Commerce
offices in Cookeville. It is now part of
the Tennessee Board of Regents
network of community colleges.
Current enrollment is 457 students.
From 2008 to 2009, enrollment
increased by more than 25 percent,
and by almost 50 percent over the past
three years. In addition to degree and
certificate programs, the college also
offers training for existing employees
of manufacturing companies on a
contract basis.
“We’re riding a good (enrollment)
wave right now,” said Tennant, “That’s
because we have tried to stay focused
on our original technical training
format. We also offer transfer classes
that can be taken toward credit to a
four-year college degree, like other
traditional community colleges, but
our niche is in the technology classes
that we offer.”
NSCC offers degree programs in
business management, computer
technology, electrical engineering
technology, general technology, office
administration, police science and
social services. Certificate programs
are available that provide training in
administrative assistant skills,
computer-aided drafting, medical
coding, medical transcription services
and Web page authoring. Specialty
courses are taught in Cisco Systems
technology and English as a second
language.
One of the newest initiatives at
NSCC is a program that is being
developed in conjunction with the
Putnam County Schools Director Dr.
Kathleen Airhart.
“Mr. Tennant and I have been
working on a concept that will allow
Putnam County high school students
to receive dual credit [high school and
college credit] for attending classes at
the community college,” said Airhart.
“We have a few students who have
already started, and we have
developed a more formal process that
will begin in spring 2010. We are very
excited about it.”
Chase Merola is a recent high school
graduate who is taking classes at NSCC
and is enrolled in a robotic circuitry
digital interface course.
“I love it so far,” said Merola. “I don’t
really know what I want to study yet,
but I am interested in robotics,
whether in factory work or some other
area. I want to look into taking a Cisco
class next.”
“The things Chase is learning in this
class are very much in demand right
now,” said Tennant. “If he completes
all of the Cisco courses, he will have
very marketable skills.
“We are working hard to develop
programs that ensure students like
Chase can acquire the very specialized
skills that will help them succeed.”
If your company is one
of the oldest businesses
in the U.C., email
[email protected] or
call 1-800-499-2332
The Upper Cumberland’s Best Place To Buy Tools This Christmas!
Jamestown
(931) 879-8161
Fairfield Glade
(931) 484-1625
Livingston
(931) 823-6471
Woodbury
(615) 563-4414
Cookeville
(931) 528-8413
Lake Tansi
(931) 788-1807
Sparta
(931) 836-2271
Algood
(931) 537-3312
Crossville
(931) 484-9191
Baxter
(931) 858-1122
Monterey
(931) 839-8922
www.pottershc.com
CLASSIFIEDS
EMPLOYMENT
Sales Representative: MMA Creative,
Inc. is seeking aggressive, results oriented
sales representative(s) to sell a broad range
of advertising products, services and/or
sponsorships. We are accepting entry level as
well as experienced applicants. Full-time positions
with base plus commissions and benefits. Travel
may be required. If you have the qualifications
below, please contact DD McCloud via email (no
phone calls, please): [email protected].
Qualifications:
• Excellent written and verbal communication
skills
• Excellent organizational skills / detail oriented
• Ability to generate and/or follow up on leads
and accounts either in person or via telephone
• Building successful relationships with high level
decision makers locally and/or nationally
• Utilize strategic selling techniques
• Ability to meet revenue and business targets
• Self-motivated but works well with others
• Assist and/or manage the process of launching
new products and areas of interest
• Ability to handle pressure positively and
effectively
• Proficient knowledge of Excel, Word, internet,
email and general computer usage; office
practices, procedures and equipment
• Proposal writing, presentation skills, creative
thinking and diligent work ethic is essential
Experience is a plus
BUSINESS SERVICES
Enhance your business or home with live
interior plants. Dr. Your Plants offers design,
installation, weekly maintenance, and for your
home, vacation plant care. Free Consultation. Call
Mark at Dr. Your Plants, 931-252-4180
December 2009
20
www.ucbjournal.com
IT’S A REALLY
BIG
BUSINESS
DEAL
Wouldn’t it be great if you could
spend more time growing your business
and less time stressing over the little things?
25
$
Business High-Speed Internet
STARTING
AT JUST
FrontierFast Business High-Speed Internet
offers BREAKTHROUGH speeds at an
UNBEATABLE price:
• Dedicated, UNSHARED connection that won’t bog
down during peak hours
• Always on, always fast, secure connection
• Security software from CA, and 10 Frontier email
accounts with 5 GB storage space each
PER MONTH
With a $4.99 monthly modem fee, a one-year Price Protection Plan and Frontier Phone Service.
Big-time savings. Limited-time offer.
Call Today 1.866.920.1381
Monday – Friday 7:00am – 6:00pm EST
© 2009 Frontier Communications Corporation. New Frontier Business High-Speed Internet customers only. A one-year Price Protection Plan with a $150 early cancellation fee applies. Business High-Speed Internet
Service at this promotional price is subject to a maximum of five lines per customer. Service is subject to availability. Installation options vary and charges may apply. New Frontier customers are subject to credit
approval. Applicable taxes and surcharges apply. Security software must be downloaded using Frontier High-Speed Internet Service and requires Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later), XP Home/Professional
32-bit (SP1 or later), or Vista 32-bit. Offer expires 12/31/09. Frontier reserves the right to withdraw all or any portion of this promotional offer prior to expiration date. Other restrictions may apply.
E10144_BHSI_10x1625_Ad_F.indd 1
11/17/09 10:30:50 AM

INSIDE This Edition - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing after 10

Transcription

Similar documents

June - Southern Humor

april 11-12 ~ 8pm

Must See Cookeville

The Award-Winning plus

September/October 2016 Vol 31 #5

2014-ucbj-june-edition-web - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing

PDF - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing after 10

HOME SHOW

Nissan and Hyundai of Cookeville