http://utahbusiness.com The latest news from utahbusiness.com en-us 2008 Utahbusiness.com - All Rights Reserved  Utah Business is now accepting 2010 Book of Lists information for the following industries: SBA Lenders, Banks and Credit Unions. Please contact Heidi Kulicke at heidi@utahbusiness.com for more information if your company warrants inclusion in one or more of these lists. Specifically, we’re looking for: the company name, web site, main Utah address, phone and fax number, and contact name and title.   Utah Business is also reaching out to companies regarding the Top 100 Private Companies in the state. If your company is headquartered in Utah and employs a large amount of people in (and out of) the state and does not have stock that can be traded publicly, we want to know! Please contact Heidi Kulicke at heidi@utahbusiness.com for more information Specifically we’re looking for: the company name, web site, main Utah address, phone and fax number, contact name and title, company description (one sentence), number of total full-time employees and UT full-time employees. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9282 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 Utah Business Staff MPOWER announced the launch of their online finance management tool designed to help users better control their money.  MPOWER allows users to budget, eliminate debt, protect their identity and track investments for one low price per month.     After a quick set up at www.mpowering.com, users can access MPOWER to monitor every account, credit card, debt, and investment in one location with a single and secure login.   “MPOWER is more than just a budgeting tool,” said Alain Templeman, founder and CEO of MPOWER.  “It’s a comprehensive system that helps you manage every part of your financial experience so you get the most out of every penny you earn.”   These features set MPOWER apart as a comprehensive financial management tool:   Manage your personal finances with one simple interface for all your accounts Find savings with smart recommendations for making your finances work for you – typical users can find hundreds of dollars in savings within minutes of logging in for the first time Eliminate and manage debt with professional calculators that show you how to pay down debt and meet your financial goals Social investing tools that make investing smarter Evaluate risk based on potential financial moves and receive recommendations to mitigate risk Receive customized advice on insurance strategies to protect your assets, income, and family needs in the event of disability or death Identity theft protection with custom alerts in the event of suspicious activity "As a CFO for many businesses, my focus is on the future and making sure each business will succeed financially,” said Ken Kaufman, founder and CEO, CFOwise.  “MPOWER has applied this same concept to its product, and it functions like no other.  It is like having a CFO for my personal finances at very little cost."   MPOWER offers unique tools such as a Home Value Tracker, which partners with Zillow to show the historical valuation of the home. The Mortgage Accelerator helps users pay off their mortgage faster through extra payments, or with more innovative suggestions using a HELOC.  MPOWER uses proprietary algorithms to suggest the optimal financial moves, and helps users eliminate debt faster. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9283 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Overstock.com, Inc., the Salt Lake City-based online discount retailer, has opened a warehouse store at 955 S. 3800 W. (one block east of Bangerter Highway and two blocks north of California Ave.).  The store is open to the public every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store occupies a space within Overstock.com’s main Utah warehouse.  The entire warehouse is approximately the size of seven football fields. Inventory at the warehouse store varies from week to week.  In the past, items like clothing, furniture, electronics, sporting goods, home accessories and bedding have been available. “All the inventory within the store is sold at liquidation prices.  These items are priced at much less than on our Web site.  For example, a Carolina Adirondack chair that might sell elsewhere for as much as $280 and sells new for $109.99 on the Overstock.com Web site was recently priced at $35 at our warehouse store,” said Overstock.com President Jonathan Johnson. Johnson added that inventory in the warehouse store includes new and sometimes gently used or refurbished items. All sales are final, and Overstock will accept cash and major credit and debit cards only. Checks will not be accepted.  Customers will not be able to pick up items that have been purchased online at the warehouse. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9284 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  NetDeposit, a leading provider of payment technologies, announced that it has expanded its ProviderPay offering to give pharmacies more choices in the type of payment and reconciliation services best suited to their business. NetDeposit now offers three new pharmacy payments, claims and reconciliation services: ProviderPay Complete, ProviderPay ERA and ProviderPay Remit. All three solutions are Web-based services that transform the way pharmacies manage their claim and payment data. ProviderPay automates and accelerates many of the tasks required to manage the financial side of a pharmacy, such as reconciling claims to remittances, connecting to and managing electronic payers and compiling key information for pharmacies to use.   --  ProviderPay Complete is a full-feature pharmacy claims and       reconciliation product that captures and reconciles all third-party       payment information, including all remittance and payment types, such as       paper Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and checks, as well as Electronic       Remittance Advice files (ERAs) and Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs).       ProviderPay Complete converts paper EOBs and checks into electronic       files for easy access to this information via online portals and email       reports.    --  ProviderPay ERA receives and reconciles only the electronic remittance       and payment information a pharmacy receives. It is an economical       alternative for pharmacies for which a majority of payers have the       ability to process electronic remittances and payments. ProviderPay ERA       customers receive full payment reconciliation services, including       payment information, 24/7 online access and email reports.   It is ideal       for pharmacies that receive little or no paper-based claims       information.    --  ProviderPay Remit is an innovative online service that provides a       consolidated receiving point for a pharmacy's ERAs and EFTs.  It takes       the difficulty out of setting up, receiving, reconciling, storing, and       reporting on electronic payments and remittance advices from third-party       payers. NetDeposit works directly with more than 70 payers to receive       electronic remittances on behalf of individual pharmacies. ProviderPay       Remit is the low-cost solution for pharmacies that want the ease of       electronic payment management, but are not interested in payment       reconciliation services.  "Not all pharmacies have the same needs and requirements when it comes to electronic payment and reconciliation services. Because of this, we have created solutions suited to the individual needs any pharmacy, chain or independent, may have," said Jeff Johnson, general manager of Pharmacy Services at NetDeposit. "With any of NetDeposit's ProviderPay solutions, pharmacies are able to reduce the amount of time spent on banking and payment activities, payer collections and claims data management, enabling them to dedicate more time to serving their customers and building their business.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9285 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  C7 Data Centers, Inc., a leading regional data center operator and managed services provider has signed a multi-year colocation agreement with Answers Corporation, creators of the leading answer engine Answers.com which includes the properties WikiAnswers and ReferenceAnswers(TM). Answers selected C7 Data Centers to be its production site for services to the Midwest and West of the U.S. and Asia-Pacific.    “We are delighted to welcome another dynamic and innovative company to our customer ranks,” said Nate Hatch, C7’s CEO and president. “C7’s facilities offer the resilience, disaster recovery, and data protection required by heavily frequented Top 20 websites like Answers.com. C7’s technical team is completely dedicated to Answers as they further streamline their IT infrastructure.”   Along with its colocation, bandwidth and managed service offerings, C7 offers disaster recovery and remote backup, and many other value-added services. “Our decision to outsource to C7 Data Centers was straight-forward.  In addition to being located in a disaster-free zone, they provide secure, enterprise-level facilities, a range of cost-effective services including local technical and admin support and importantly, the geographic load balancing we require for our organization,” said Dan Marriott, director of production operations, Answers Corporation. “We were impressed at how C7 demonstrated great flexibility in accommodating our high growth needs.  C7 has built an excellent reputation over the past few years, and through our experiences with their management team and services, we are confident they will continue to provide great value to our company.”  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9286 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Specialized Bicycle Components opened a new 250,000-square-foot Western Distribution Center at 1475 South 5070 West.   The company held a ribbon cutting and open house for local business leaders and vendors. Jeff Edwards from the Economic Development Corporate of Utah, Derek Miller from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Robert Farrington of Salt Lake City’s Office of Economic Development Office, representatives from the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and Specialized executives attended and spoke on the economic benefits of the center. The event also featured tours of the facility, and simulated bike races called Gold Springs with Ned Overend, world mountain biking champion.   Specialized first moved its western distribution center to Utah 11 years ago. The new location will allow the company to better serve its growing dealer base, and expand operations, which Specialized plans to do soon.     The current economic situation presented the opportunity for Specialized to relocate to a larger, more modern building designed specifically for the company’s needs. Before a new location was selected, however, corporate headquarters asked local managers to reevaluate whether the Salt Lake area was still the best place.   “When we took a fresh look at the possibilities, Utah came out on top once again,” said Corporate Distribution Manager Kim Petersen. “Here, we found an ideal combination of good lease rates, a well-established carrier support infrastructure—including modern rail access and container handling facilities—and a passionate, active talent pool that is attracted to the local outdoor splendor. Utah is still the right place for Specialized."   The new facility serves 11 western states and houses Specialized’s logistics and distribution team, U.S. service center, customer service, warranty administration, and quality departments. The new facility’s design addresses the needs of these important teams both through enhanced shop spaces and natural lighting. These simple customized details at the design stage allow for top-notch service for customers by reinvigorating the staff and creating a more cohesive team environment. The new, more efficient configuration allows the Specialized team to achieve a 99.7% order fulfillment accuracy rate.   “In the midst of a challenging economy, smart companies are finding opportunities” said Craig Kaminski of Commerce Real Estate Solutions, which brokered the distribution center lease. “Specialized is a great example of how an organization can leverage current conditions to create a competitive advantage.”   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9277 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Biomerics, a leader and innovator of medical polymer solutions has acquired Fruition Design, of Bountiful, Utah. Fruition Design is a provider of early stage design services that are focused on serving the medical device industry. Mark Adams, co-founder of Fruition Design, will join the Biomerics management team as the Director of Engineering. Mr. Adams will be responsible for design engineering, program management, product and materials development, and tooling. Mr. Adams brings to Biomerics over 20 years of product development and project management experience. Prior to starting Fruition Design, Mr. Adams spent 10 years with multiple divisions of Boston Scientific Corporation. “I am very excited to be joining forces with Biomerics. They are a world-class injection molding and compounding company. Biomerics’ and Fruition Design’s customers will now be better served by the combined capabilities of both organizations,” stated Mark Adams. “We are pleased that Mark will be joining the management team of Biomerics,” stated Travis Sessions, President and CEO of Biomerics. “He will be a valuable contributor to our organization, and will assist in a seamless transition for the current Fruition Design customers.” Biomerics continues to expand its core capabilities to better meet the needs of the medical device industry. The early stage design services, as provided by Fruition Design, build upon the existing Biomerics capabilities of program management, product development and medical device polymer solutions.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9278 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire ExecuTrain of Utah, a locally owned and operated computer and business skills training center are partnering with Sunset Learning to offer Cisco Authorized training through the use of their proprietary HD-ILT system, the only Utah-based company to do so.  “We’ve heard clients are frustrated by the quality of Cisco training they receive from the other local training companies in Utah, as well as the cost of travel for training on some of the more unique Cisco Technologies” said Mark Mickelsen, Director of Sales and Marketing for ExecuTrain of Utah. “This solution solves both problems. Not only will students receive high quality instruction, which they have come to expect from ExecuTrain, but they can now attend classes on the full range of Cisco products without getting on an airplane to do so.”   HD-ILT from SLI, is the world’s first distance training system utilizing state-of-the-art, life-size high definition video & audio combined with patented remote lab access. This unique combination provides students with the same real-time, interactive experience as if they were actually in the classroom with the instructor. Utilizing the public Internet and requiring only regular business bandwidth and student PCs, HD-ILT provides an accessible and cost-effective solution to training delivery anywhere in the world.   "We are honored to partner with ExecuTrain and look forward to our joint efforts to expand Cisco technology training in Utah," said Rick Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Sunset Learning Institute. "At Sunset Learning Institute we pride ourselves on pioneering a great variety of technologies and innovations.  We were first-to-market in remote labs, remote voice lab technologies, Cisco Channel Partner Enablement Programs and are proud to be first in providing a unique delivery mode via HD-ILT, our proprietary technology that won Cisco’s Excellence in Innovation Partner of the Year.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9279 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Hunt-Leavitt Insurance Agency and Roberts-Leavitt Insurance Services combined operations.  The St. George Area Chamber of Commerce will celebrate this announcement at a ribbon cutting at 3:00 on February 9, 2010.  Jaron Hunt and Travis Roberts are the local managing co-owners of the agency.   The agency will now operate as Hunt, Roberts & Leavitt Insurance Agency.  The Roberts-Leavitt staff has moved into the current Hunt-Leavitt location at 162 North 400 East, Building C, Suite 102 (Between Designer Furniture Gallery and Workforce Services).  “The move comes with more parking.  It will be much easier for our clients to come into the office,” said Roberts.   The merger will expand the lines of services and insurance carriers available.  “Our customers will still work with the same fine insurance professionals as before, but our staff will now have more tools at their disposal to serve them,” said Hunt.   Hunt-Leavitt Insurance Agency was formed as a Leavitt Group agency in 1995 by Jaron Hunt and Roberts-Leavitt Insurance Services has been serving the southern Utah area since 1984.  Both agencies provide all types of insurance products to area residents and businesses. For more information, visit the newly launched website of Hunt, Roberts & Leavitt Insurance Agency at www.HRLINS.com. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9280 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire NetStreams, recently acquired by ClearOne announced a FREE NetSteams App is available to download on the URC Toolbox at www.urccontrolroom.com. With the release of the DigiLinX control app for the URC MX-6000, dealers can simply log onto the Universal Remote Control ToolBox site and download the DigiLinX app for the URC MX-6000controller for free. The addition of the DigiLinX new application for the MX-6000 controller gives users a powerful whole house controller in the palm of their hands that is easy and quick to configure. All of the NetStreams functions are built-into the MX-6000 controller including the tactical buttons on the remote such as volume up and down, mute, channel up and down.  The simple scroll wheel allows quick and precise selections through even the largest media library and playlists.                 The two-way module NetStreams has developed for the MX-6000 provides a new level of WiFi control for a DigiLinX project,” said Scott Woolley, director product management multimedia and networking products, at ClearOne. “Controls include: lighting, HVAC, security and of course all the audio and video controls.” “We are excited to have NetStreams as one of our Platinum members in our Complete Control Partner Program (CCPP),” said Mitchell Klein, URC’s director of business development. Klein adds, “Our network remotes are a natural accompaniment to the NetStreams systems and we are delighted to have this offering for mutual dealers.”     “The DigiLinX application on the URC Toolbox works very well,” said Bradley Elliott, vice president of Electronic Lifestyle Associates. “We have three NetStreams / URC systems in our demo house and we are now getting 3 referrals a week from the URC website.”     http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9281 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Due to popular demand, Grow Utah Ventures (www.growutahventures.com), Zions Bank, USTAR, Workman Nydegger, Ballard Spahr, SEED Dixie, and CFO Solutions are bringing its “Concept to Company” Contest (www.concepttocompany.org) back to Southern Utah.    Like last year, this years contest will focus on new technology innovations. Applications are available online at www.ConceptToCompany.org. Applicants from the Five County and Six Country regions of southern and south central Utah will have a judging preference in the contest, according to event organizers. “We really want to nurture technology development in the Southern Utah Region,” said Jill Elliss, director of Southern Region USTAR.   The "Concept to Company" contests are ongoing innovation contests held in various regions across the state of Utah and were created as a way to encourage entrepreneurism and stimulate business growth in the state. Each competition focuses on a different industry and matches the unique entrepreneurial strengths of that particular region. To date, the Concept to Company contests have distributed more than $190,000 in prize money and helped over 18 companies bring their business ideas to fruition. The Southern Utah contest will focus on new product or service innovations related to technology in any field.   “The goal of these contests is to grow new business in Utah and stimulate our local economy,” said T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah Ventures. “Based upon what we’ve experienced so far, Utah’s entrepreneurs are making a significant impact and will no doubt be a driving force in helping the state and our nation survive this struggling economy.”      The application deadline closes on March 14, 2010 and finalists will be announced around March 25, 2010.  Finalists will present their ideas to a panel of judges on April 9, 2010.  The winners will be announced later that day with the winning entry receiving up to $35,000, comprised of cash and the equivalent value in consulting or prototyping services to help bring the idea to fruition. Two runner-up winners will each receive up to $17,000 comprised of cash and services.   Last year’s “Concept to Company” contest grand prize winner, Efficient Fuel Systems used the prize from the contest to finish prototyping its products and get it ready to market and sale to potential customers.   “What helped us most in winning last year’s contest was the instant credibility it provided us,” said Jared Loosli, president and CEO of Efficient Fuel Systems.  “The credibility we gained legitimized us and helped open doors for us and gave us the ability to talk to people, specifically customers.  The money was useful as well because it enabled us to take our product to the next level and finalize our prototype sooner and get us to the point we needed to be to demonstrate our products potential.”    In addition to last year’s winner and the two runners up, seven of the 8 finalists are also receiving regular support through training and mentoring.  These seven businesses are all selling products and services and are growing and becoming active participants in the Southern Utah communities.   “The three winners, and other finalists continue to work with us on a regular basis,” Elliss said. “These meetings have enabled us to provide consulting services and help these companies hone their business ideas and thought processes. The outcome of this contest has been outstanding.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9268 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire   Love Communications, a Salt Lake City-based full-service advertising agency, has unveiled a new multi-media campaign on behalf of the Humane Society of Utah (HSU), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010. The Love Communications campaign, which launched in mid-January, features outdoor billboards, Web site banner ads, print ads and truck wraps. The campaign’s TV and radio commercials begin this month. The creative is built around the theme, “Adopt one. Help thousands.” “We’re encouraging support of the Humane Society, which saves many animals every year through rehabilitation, spay and neuter surgeries and food and shelter,” said Preston Wood, partner and creative director at Love Communications. “Adopting animals is the best way to demonstrate that support.” The campaign, developed by Love Communications’ senior copywriter Katie Bradley Barrett and art director Trent Wall, features visuals of both dogs and cats, with messages like “dogkind thanks you,” “every cat should land on its feet,” and “no one does more for as many.” The TV spots feature multiple dogs appearing on camera through visual duplication, illustrating the thousands of animals the Humane Society of Utah helps every year.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9267 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire The Utah Health Exchange (UHE) launched a new pilot program designed to admit large employer groups into the Exchange earlier than originally anticipated. When established last year, the plan was opened for early testing only to small employers, 2-50 individuals.  The Utah Health Exchange was not scheduled to admit large employer groups for beta testing until fall of 2011. However, at the urging of several large group employers, Utah House Speaker David Clark included a provision in his most recent health system reform bill authorizing the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s Office of Consumer Health Services to initiate a pilot project for large employer groups.  The first four employer groups to contribute to plan design through participation in the pilot are Zions Bank, APX Alarm, HealthEquity, Inc. and Spanish Fork City government. Zions Bank, a pioneer in consumer driven health plan (CDHP) implementation, will evaluate the UHE program and consider the benefits it may present to employees alongside the CDHP plans it has offered for the past five years. “Together, these four groups constitute yet another ‘unprecedented partnership’ on the path towards meaningful health system reform,” said Speaker Clark.   “Utah businesses are demanding more predictable and controllable health care costs and increased choice and flexibility for their employees.  The Health Exchange provides an avenue to address these concerns,” said Spencer Eccles, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development in whose agency the health exchange is being developed. The Utah Health Exchange is a critical component in moving towards a consumer-based system. The Exchange allows employers the opportunity to simplify benefits management by offering employees a “defined contribution”, or specified amount of pretax dollars set aside for the purchase of an employee-selected health plan from a menu of various plans and prices.  The Exchange also allows employees, rather than employers, to compare and select the health plan that works best for their individual needs and circumstances.    As more employers choose to offer health benefits on a defined contribution basis via the Exchange, increasing numbers of workers will be able to take their coverage with them from job to job. Increased portability means greater continuity of care and a reduction in the number of uninsured. By statute, all plans offered through the Exchange must meet federal standards for employer-sponsored coverage; thus, participating employers and their workers can be confident the insurance they choose will be quality coverage from responsible carriers. Furthermore, it is expected the element of consumer choice in this market will put downward pressure on prices and while simultaneous putting upward pressure on quality. This combination constitutes the most effective means whereby consumers may maximize value in their health coverage. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9272 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  ClearCenter (www.clearcenter.com) unveiled a global network of cloud-based services via ClearSDN. ClearSDN is a global service delivery network designed to monitor and update software, content, resources and services for each ClearOS installation across the globe. ClearOS, the open source network, server and gateway from ClearFoundation, can be tailored to serve the unique needs of small IT environments. ClearSDN connects each ClearOS installation with critical updates, services and monitoring from a single web-based interface. "ClearSDN is critical to our ClearOS installations across the globe," explained Doug Carter, IT Administrator for Mercy Corps. "Mercy Corps has installed ClearOS in more than a dozen sites across the globe in places like Kenya, Guatemala, Afghanistan and Pakistan. ClearOS is solid and reliable - the sites just run. ClearSDN services are essential to our success. Not only are key services such as content filter and anti-malware always updated, but the sites are well maintained using intrusion protection, remote system monitor, remote security audit, bandwidth monitor and more. ClearOS with ClearSDN is easy to deploy and the support from ClearCenter is outstanding." "ClearSDN is the heartbeat of the ClearOS strategy," said Michael Proper, CEO of ClearCenter. "ClearSDN allows customers to know their ClearOS installations are secure, updated and monitored according to their specific needs. ClearSDN can be custom-tailored for virtually any market, including home, business, enterprise, government, education and not-for-profit. Partners use ClearSDN services to ensure remote sites are safe, secure and backed up.” ClearSDN offers content filter updates, anti-malware updates, anti-spam updates, intrusion protection updates, remote server backup, remote bandwidth monitor, remote system monitor, remote security audit, dynamic VPN, dynamic DNS and Internet domain services. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9269 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. announced that the Company has modified the business model. In addition to focusing on large contracts in the medical bed and automotive industry, the company is more aggressively focusing on smaller contracts and production orders that produce immediate income for the Company. Clark Mower, president of Flexpoint Sensor System, stated, “We have recently announced several production contracts for a variety of products featuring Bend Sensor technology. The Company, since the last quarter of last year, has focused on the development of smaller production contracts that will introduce products and our technology into the market. This will allow the Company to produce immediate income and recurring orders. Management’s decision was not only driven by the ability to produce immediate revenue, but by the sentiment that it is critical to get our technology into the marketplace quickly. As multiple customers utilize the product, it can be recognized and accepted as a superior technology. Management feels that wide utilization of the technology is the best marketing and sales tool that the Company has.” Flexpoint wants to be proactive and this additional direction is allowing the Company to generate new momentum and interest in our technology, while simultaneously pursuing the larger contracts. The Company intends to provide an update on the status of our current and potential products, including automotive products, in the near future. Mower continued, “We have recently announced several production contracts that have further substantiated this model. They include the rupture/bursting disks, the emergency vehicle safety product, the air flow monitor, the controller for products in a major theme park, and additional orders from the Rome Tor Vergata for next generation interactive gloves. We expect recurring orders on many of these products and to be announcing additional new production contracts in the near future. It has been exciting to see the acceptance of our technology in so many different industries.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9270 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire    Weber and Davis counties are finding pockets of prosperity, county business leaders said at a Utah Business roundtable discussion Wednesday, February 3, 2010. While the recession hits the rest of the nation, the business leaders said their part of the state feels protected by Utah’s more stable economy and that they are strong contributors to the economy as well.   Travel and Tourism Travel and tourism has become an economic boon for Weber and Davis counties, the leaders said during the discussion. Location and affordability attract business and military travelers, tourists, and meeting and convention planners from in and out of state, creating a positive economic impact to the area.   Rich Koski, director of sales for the Ogden/Weber Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the largest meetings he sees are military related, due to the close proximity to Hill Air Force Base. Large businesses like Kimberly Clark regularly fill hotel rooms with business professionals from out of state. Many small businesses sprouting up in Northern Utah have also contributed to higher occupancy rates.   Koski and Barbara Riddle, president and CEO of the Davis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, both said there has been a lot of positive press in national and world-wide media. Publications including the LA Times, New York Times, Washington Post and Ski  Magazine have highlighted Weber and Davis counties for their skiing attractions and other offerings like Antelope Island, creating interest and enhancing visitor bookings.   Another pocket of prosperity for the travel and tourism industry came from hosting the Winter 2010 Dew Tour at Snowbasin. Dave Hardman, president and CEO of the Ogden/Weber Chamber of Commerce, said Snowbasin had the largest attendance ever at a Dew Tour event and it is very likely the tour will be back next year.   Hill Air Force Base A big pocket of prosperity is Hill Air Force Base (HAFB). It is Utah’s No. 1 employer, Ron Kusina, executive director at Weber Economic Development Corp. said, and is currently putting approximately 23,000 people to work each day.   But HAFB does more than provide jobs—it also brings people here. Marty Smith, general manager for Ogden Eccles Conference Center, said the center’s biggest show is an Air Force convention and for the past three years attendance has been up 50 percent and is already sold out for this year.   Last year HAFB was selected as one of three bases to host Air Force Week, which Hardman said drew more than 450,000 people into the base—a bigger crowd than the 2010 Winter Olympics brought to a single venue in Salt Lake City.   Technical Education Weber and Davis counties have developed a strong network between businesses and technical education facilities, allowing them to maximize their dollars. Jay Greaves, vice president of instruction at Davis Applied Technology College, said DATC has partners coming out of the walls. Businesses are not hiring graduates from DATC like they used to, Greaves says, but they are still hiring. He says the DATC feels support from local businesses and that applied technology colleges and employers are working together.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9271 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 Candace Little Everyone wants to understand where they fit in at their company.  When Newmont Mining Corporation (Newmont) approached Allen Communication Learning Services (Allen) for training support to help employees better understand their business, the company was searching for a way to enhance employee engagement. As Newmont has operations on five continents, Allen’s mission was to create courses for employees not directly involved in mining to help them better understand mining processes and the business of recovering, processing and selling gold.   Allen developed five, 30-45 minute courses that would provide an overview of mining, geology, and processes important to Newmont’s business.  These courses included visuals and video, as well as knowledge checks to assess learner comprehension. Moreover, new employees have access to these courses for immediate understanding of their roles within the company and with other employees.   “One of the more interesting design features of this course is the process animations which illustrate complex mining practices using step-by-step diagrams,” states Michael Noble, CLO of Allen Communication Learning Services. “These animations help learners understand both the high-level process as well as the sequence of individual tasks comprising that process.  Because these courses are being translated into multiple languages, it was also important to focus on the technical accuracy of the illustrations.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9273 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Universal Accounting announced that 2009 was a record year for total students and revenue over the company's 30-year history. Amid the recent economic recession, Universal Accounting found that many professionals were motivated to start their own accounting business and the company grew from nearly 2,000 students in 2008 to 2,500 in 2009. In addition, Universal Accounting revenues reached $6.4 million, up about 23 percent from $5 million in 2008, the company's previous best year. "As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Universal Accounting, our company is also pleased to record our most successful year in terms of revenue and new students" said Allen Bostrom, CPA, Universal Accounting CEO, and author of popular business books In the Black, Nine Principles to Make Your Business More Profitable, and Red to Black in 30 Days. "Our success, coming at a time when many businesses struggled to keep the doors open, demonstrates that the techniques we teach our students in how to launch and operate a business "in the black" work." Universal Accounting attributes its record growth to multiple factors, including: 1. Introduced a revised educational product, the popular Professional Tax Preparer Program in 2009; 2. Wider acceptance of Universal Accounting's professional designations of Professional Bookkeeper (PB), Quickbooks Specialist (QS) and Professional Tax Preparer (PTP); and 3. Successful implementation of Universal Accounting's marketing strategies. The company teaches these same strategies to students interested in launching and growing their own practices. "The most satisfying part of Universal Accounting's success is that we've helped thousands of students start and run their own successful accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation business," said Bostrom. "By enabling professionals to take control of their own future and financial well-being, Universal Accounting employees are energized everyday." http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9274 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Submit your nomination to the eighth annual Utah Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and the Utah Technology Council. The program recognizes Utah’s best innovations and the companies that created them. Nominations are due February 10, 2010 and can be submitted online by visiting this link: http://www.stoel.com/innovation/utah_entryform.asp Innovations from all industries and in all areas of technology will be considered including the following: Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices Clean Technology and Energy Consumer Software and Web Services Enterprise Software and Web-Enabled B2B Solutions Mechanical Systems/Chemicals/Manufacturing Medical Devices Outdoor and Consumer Products Other Up to two finalists and one winner will be selected from each category. The entries are judged by a Selection Committee comprised of approximately 70 representatives from private industry, government and higher education, many of whom are experts in the areas of technology represented. Award winners will be announced at an Awards Luncheon in April. The awards program is sponsored by Utah Business Magazine and supported by the Association of Corporate Growth, FundingUniverse.com, USTAR, Utah Manufacturers Association, Utah Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the Wayne Brown Institute. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9275 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire NetStreams, a pioneer in AV over IP networking, recently acquired by ClearOne, a leading global provider of audio conferencing solutions, released its new DigiLinX Application Suite. DigiLinX Application Suite is the configuration software for the award winning DigiLinX IP-Based Audio/Video Distribution network system from NetStreams.   Among the new key features of the DigiLinX Application Suite are: Support for Lutron Radio RA2 lighting control systems Crossover support for Atlantic Technology ICTS-6.1-IP speakers A faster graphical user interface (GUI) for TL430 and TL700 touchscreen controllers Improvements to the Graphical User Interface New drivers for Naim media servers   The DigiLinX Application Suite simplifies system setup by packaging multiple advanced configuration tools into an easy to use software package with includes:.DigiLinX Dealer Setup 2.55, StreamNet System Explorer, StreamNet ASCII Commander, DigiLinX Virtual Control Software, and a User Interface Demo.   “This new release gives our dealers powerful tools for a whole new level of GUI customization, advanced diagnostics, and amazing new control capabilities,” said Michael Braithwaite, Senior Vice President of Technology at ClearOne. “This release also demonstrates NetStreams’ continuing commitment of product innovation to our residential channels and partners such as Lutron and Atlantic Technology.”   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9276 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Smith’s Food & Drug Stores has opened its first Smith’s Express fuel station and convenience store located at 1974 South 1100 East in Sugar House. A second location at 873 East South Temple in Salt Lake is scheduled to open in February.  The new stores created 12 new jobs. Utah is the first Smith’s market to introduce the Smith’s Express store concept. The locations were acquired from the previous operator Sinclair Oil. Smith's Express will stock the most popular convenience items like snacks, fountain beverages, tobacco products, ice, beer, auto needs and top selling grocery and non food items. Coolers will stock fresh Smith’s dairy items and other convenient perishable item selections. Customers receive rewards points and accumulated fuel discounts as well as Earn & Learn credit towards schools for items purchased at Smith’s Express stores. “These convenient fuel locations provide a nearby opportunity for our customers in the Avenues and Sugar House neighborhoods to use the Smith’s fuel savings program,” said Kenny Kimball, Smith’s Group vice president of sales and merchandising.  “Kroger’s expertise in operating convenience stores across the country has given Smith’s a solid base on which to bring more service to our customers.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9264 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire ContentWatch, the developer of Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com) parental control and content filtering software, unveiled Net Nanny 6.5, addressing the critical need to monitor social networking and instant messaging (IM) activity. “Internet and technology dangers are growing rapidly and can be far more serious than parents realize due to the growing prevalence of trends such as social networking and IM,” said Jack Sunderlage, ContentWatch CEO. “It is our mission to continually address these issues with tools to help parents protect their childrens’ safety online.” A recent study from the U.S. Department of Justice reports that more than 50 percent of teenagers receive requests for personal information and have frequent personal conversations with strangers online through IM. Likewise, 50 percent of teenagers say their parents are unaware of their online activities and have never discussed Internet safety with them. Net Nanny 6.5 offers the following new features and enhancements: Social Networking: Parents can monitor their children’s social networking activities, such as friends, pictures, videos, personal descriptions, wall posts, and IM conversations, on commonly used sites like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Bebo. Profanity Masking: Unruly users often post inappropriate or profane comments on sites like YouTube, which alters how web filters categorize content. Net Nanny 6.5 now masks (@#$!) inappropriate content, allowing users to view the page without being bombarded with vulgar language. ProxyProtect: Net Nanny’s ProxyProtect sees through and filters the content of all web–based proxies (http and https), and aggressively blocks attempts to get around filtering by blocking local host proxy applications. Search Terms: Net Nanny 6.5 now gives a fully detailed report of online searching behavior. Users can view web, video, and image searches on all the popular search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask. Net Nanny 6.5 also allows parents to receive customizable alert and report email notifications in real-time or in batches (hourly, daily or weekly), block uploading of pictures, use keyword blocking that lets them decide if kids should see pages with specific words or phrases, block posting/commenting on blogs and forums and lets parents easily extend kid’s online time. Based in Salt Lake City, ContentWatch delivers Internet security solutions for the consumer and business markets. ContentWatch's mission is to be the world leader in thought and technology by creating Internet management tools and services that provide homes and businesses with a safer, more productive Internet experience through its patent-pending contextual analysis engine. ContentWatch Internet Management solutions are used in over 157 different countries and are the recipients of the Reviewer’s Choice from Government Computer News and Editors’ Choice from PC Magazine.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9261 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire FORTUNE ranked CHG Healthcare Services as the 26th best company to work for in America, according to FORTUNE magazine’s 13th annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” survey. “CHG is honored to receive recognition as a great place to work. We’ve committed to staying true to our first core value of putting people first despite the challenges related to the economy, and it’s gratifying to know that our employees feel passionate about working here, “said Michael Weinholtz, president and CEO at CHG Healthcare Services. CHG recently launched CHG Pulse, an interactive website that provides insight into the company’s unique culture though the use of photos, video, and employee spotlights. The company also uses its presence on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to keep its employees informed and engaged. CHG employs approximately 1,100 employees in California, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and its Salt Lake City, Utah-based headquarters. CHG is the only company from Utah to receive the listing from FORTUNE. In total, 343 U.S. companies vied for a place on the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. To pick the 100 Best Companies, FORTUNE partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the results of the Institute's Trust Index survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about the management's credibility, job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third of the scoring is based on the company's responses to the Institute's Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring, communication, and diversity. FORTUNE deputy managing editor Hank Gilman says, “The most important considerations for this year’s list were hiring and the ways in which companies are helping their employees weather the recession. All 100 companies on our list are currently hiring, many of them aggressively, leading to more than 96,000 open job positions expected in the next year.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9262 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire One of Utah's premier economic development programs, the Utah Fund of Funds (Utah FoF), has obtained a second round of financing from Salt Lake City-based Zions Bank.  The $20 million line of credit enables Utah FoF to continue moving its economic development efforts forward with additional capital while it waits for the broader financial market to unfreeze.  “The Zions financing is a great help to the Utah FoF program and we are pleased to partner with a local entity, like Zions, as we continue the success of this unique economic development program” said Jeremy Neilson, Utah FoF’s managing director.     The Utah Fund of Funds is an innovative economic development program created by the Utah State Legislature to foster entrepreneurship by increasing the amount and diversity of capital available to Utah’s established, growth and emerging companies. The program was initially established with the passage of Utah House Bill 240 (“The Venture Capital Enhancement Act”) and has $300 million of contingent tax credits. The Fund of Funds invests in strong-performing venture capital/private equity firms, which in turn explore investments in promising Utah companies.   The state-supported fund helps create and build new high-tech, life science and energy start-ups in Utah, leading to higher paying jobs and economic growth. To date, 37 Utah Companies have received capital from Utah Fund of Funds portfolio funds, with total investment dollars reaching over $190M, creating over 2,000 high paying jobs in the state.  The currently portfolio of 27 funds was carefully selected from over 500 funds which applied to the Utah Fund of Funds.  The Utah FoF management team carefully maintains this network and plays match-maker for Utah Companies and potential sources of capital.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9265 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire The new Multi Agency State Government Office Building was named as the Division of Facilities Construction and Management’s top Design-Build project of the year.  Finished well ahead of schedule and right on budget, the building now stands majestically adjacent to the West I-215 Belt Route at about 1900 South with construction finishing this week.   State personnel actually began moving into the facility in November, as soon as floors were ready to receive them.  All personnel will not be in place until March.  But the facility will be ready for them as soon as they are ready to move in.   The State of Utah set out to provide two very different state agencies with working stations individually designed to meet each agency’s specific needs.  “Demands were many,” says Sean Onyon, VCBO Architecture principal and lead designer on the project. “We had no choice but to fix the final budget from the beginning.” By using the Design-Build procurement method, Jacobsen Construction, working with VCBO architects, finished the project right at the $46.2 million lump sum contract.   That figure includes the additional $4.28 million added to the budget during construction to meet additional state needs. The schedule was adjusted at the same time, to have everything completed by the February 26 deadline. Substantial completion will occur the end of the first week of February – weeks ahead of the agreed-upon schedule.     “It’s a demonstration of how Design-Build procurement can maximize state expenditures” says Paul Lawrence, Jacobsen project manager and leader of the Design-Build Team. He said the 252,000 square foot facility spreads two separate agencies across four floors, and provides ample space to meet both the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality roles.  “And it brings all the amenities of a Class A office facility to the State at a conservative public budget.”   The brace-framed steel structure rises 77 feet above the 700-stall parking lot.  Because of the nature of the soils on which it was built, the building needed geo piers to carry the load.  The curtain wall, brick veneer and ribbon window design from VCBO Architects provides plenty of light and a feeling of solidarity to the structure.     Onyon says the project was: “A testament of working together. Anytime design, construction and ownership put their heads that closely together value can be optimized.” In this case, the design-build format enabled some very creative solutions for the dual agency ownership. “We divided the building into two wings to separate the roles of the two agencies. One agency deals more with human problems, the other with documents and finances.”   The two agencies share a common vertical core, housing elevators, restrooms, and stairs.  Shared spaces and the “street” configuration provide an increased buffer from the traffic noise from the adjacent freeway.  By collecting the common areas on the rear of the building, “we were able to bring people together for food service and other common interests.” According to Onyon, the common spaces provide a solid barrier to the sound and other freeway distractions.  “I am very pleased how well it all worked out.”                                                                                                                                               By separating the two agencies the building now solves another problem – solar control.  By placing the building in the middle of the North/South rectangular site, each wing is now oriented in an East/West direction to maximize sun exposure.  The site orientation also allows each agency to have adjacent parking to their individual building wings. “Perhaps the feature I like most,” says Onyon, “open office areas are placed on the exterior so borrowed light from the clearstory windows reaches into the interior. “ “I really like the Design/Build format,” says Lawrence.  “We had our heads together throughout the project solving any problems we encountered, and both designer and constructor worked them out together with the State’s needs foremost in our thinking.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9260 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Outdoor Retailer Winter Market (OR) closed on Sunday, January 31, 2010 with greater industry participation than last year after four days of show features, categories and vendor offerings new to the 2010 trade show, held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.   "Retailers came to this year's Winter Market ready to place orders because they because they have righted the inventory problems of early 2009 and feel a strong sense of optimism," said Kenji Haroutunian, Outdoor Retailer show director. "That optimism is not hollow hopefulness; it's based on hundreds of brands maintaining real growth in 2009 and strong innovation fueling better products for consumers in 2010-11."                                                            Among Winter Market's more than 800 brands and nearly 170 new exhibitors were companies on the cutting edge of outdoor-focused technology.   One among them is Dew Active Gear that manufactures carrying and remote control devices that allow active people to conveniently enjoy their portable music devices while participating in their sport.     "As a new product category, we knew we needed to be at Outdoor Retailer to identify distribution channels and buyers in North America," said Fred Bloudin, president of Dew. "This has been our debut event and has allowed us to define our product space and communications strategy."   Columbia Sportswear, returning to the show floor after not being represented at Winter Market in 2009, used this show to debut its suite of Omni-Heat technologies, materials with reflective, insulating and electric fabric properties used in winter apparel. "Being at Winter Market is really valuable and we have great meetings here that we wouldn't anywhere else," said Alan Kissell, Columbia national sales manager. "Our technology is being received very well. It is nice being back in the fold." Shops like Mountain Gear of Spokane, Washington attended 2010 Winter Market with more buyers than they've ever brought to the show.   "We brought 11 buyers and they have found this Winter Market to be a very energetic show where vendors are really receptive to new ideas," said Paul Fish, Mountain Gear founder. "There is a high level of excitement here that is even stronger than a year ago, and lots of well-found optimism. Shops missing this are missing a great opportunity to change their businesses for the better."   Outdoor Retailer strengthened the industry's optimism by adding new features to Winter Market that fostered networking, education and inclusivity of peripheral winter sports. New events centered around the show floor's different zones, such as the Designer/Supplier Speed Dating hosted by the OR Design Center, supported OR's niche segments within the broader OR community.   OR also helped attendees and exhibitors learn about how social media is changing the online market place in the panel discussion, "The Media is Dead. Long Live Media." OR reinforced this message, with the support of Channel Signal, by using screens around the show displaying the outdoor industry's conversation about Winter Market happening on the ORWinter Twitter feed.   New partnerships with Protect Our Winters, The North Face Masters of Snowboarding competition and the X-Dance film festival after party were some of OR's initial efforts to create a more inclusive winter sports community at Winter Market.   "We worked hard to put new programs on the ground at Winter Market that increased the show's value to attendees," Haroutunian said. "The industry will see these initiatives continue at Summer Market." http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9253 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Small to Mid-Sized Companies to Enhance Technical Knowledge at No Cost by Receiving Convergence Technologies Training and Certification   TriTel Networks, Inc., an industry leader in unified communications, is offering advanced on-demand communications technology training to their customers.  The region's small to mid-sized companies are now able to easily enhance their technical knowledge at zero cost by receiving Convergence Technologies Training (CTT) and Certification.   Through the company's membership in Technology Assurance Group (TAG), an international organization of unified communications providers representing $400 million in combined sales, and their strategic partnership with TechnologyUS, TriTel Networks, Inc. has created an avenue to enhance the skills sets of the businesses they serve, while further differentiating their value proposition from their competition.   "In our endless effort to provide solutions and services that drive customer profitability and productivity, we launched a program to help our customers stay at the forefront of communications technology," commented Jay Brown, president of TriTel Networks, Inc..  "CTT is a phenomenal program that delivers the latest information.  It gives us another opportunity to share our expertise, enables our customers to enhance their understanding of our solutions, and illustrates our commitment to customer satisfaction.  We believe the more knowledge someone possesses the more successful their company will become." CTT provides students with a solid understanding of voice, video and data technologies, while focusing on the day to day knowledge of convergence technologies.  Designed to dispel the mystery of VoIP and advanced applications, the training materials are written and delivered in step-by-step layman terms.    CTT is an extensive program with 13 modules comprised of 30 sessions that can be spread over a period of several weeks. The courseware builds upon each segment allowing for manageable scheduling in accordance with daily responsibilities.  Taught by industry experts and experienced certified instructors, CTT courses are online via pre-recorded virtual classrooms and students connect via audio and web media streaming. Upon completion students receive a Convergence Technologies Training Certification.   "We're very excited about offering CTT to our valuable customers," said Mr. Brown.  "In conjunction with TechnologyUS (www.technologyUS.com), TriTel Networks, Inc. has the ability of providing our customers with a $1,195 training program at no cost.  One of our philosophies since the inception of the company was to offer as much technical knowledge as possible to our customers and this is just another example of us living up to it." http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9254 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire    Red Ledges (www.redledges.com), a private golf and four-season recreational community located in the Heber Valley, recently broke ground on its first semi-custom homeownership option called The Heights. The Heights at Red Ledges will include 27 lodge-style residences on three-quarter-acre to one-acre home sites.   The Heights collection features semi-custom homes ranging from 3,500 square feet to 4,600 square feet. Owners have the ability to customize their home’s exterior and interior and have the option to choose between three signature home models, including: Chamonix, Torino and St. Moritz. Each can be designed to fit a unique style of living from mountain rustic to traditional and contemporary.   “The Heights is a stunning collection of homes perfectly positioned for owners to take advantage of the lifestyle offerings at Red Ledges,” said Todd Cates, Red Ledges vice president and project manager. “The homes will not only have grand mountain views, but will also overlook the future Village Center and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th holes of the 9-hole Nicklaus Design short course. This is a great option for owners who want a custom product with a simplified and convenient construction process.”   The Heights is being designed and built by CSE and Associates, Incorporated of Scottsdale, AZ.  The award-winning builder has more than a decade of experience in the design and construction of semi-custom homes in high-end, luxury communities, such as DC Ranch and Silverleaf in Scottsdale, Arizona and in Park City.     “We are excited about building The Heights at Red Ledges,” said Scott Edmunds, CSE and Associates president. “Our experienced team will guide homeowners through a seamless process, so their dream mountain home can easily take shape before them.”   The Heights, which start at about $1.5 million, encompass gourmet kitchens, luxury baths, elegant interior features and open space ideal for families. A Torino style model is currently under construction and scheduled to be ready for touring summer 2010.  The collection was also designed in partnership with DTJ Architects and HRI Interior Design to capture the essence of luxury and relaxation in the beautiful mountain setting.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9255 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire   Bank of Utah continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience by announcing it will open a new mortgage office in South Jordan.  The bank reported purchasing assets and hiring existing employees of Optimum Mortgage, at 893 West Baxter Drive.  The new Bank of Utah Mortgage office will house eight loan officers and three support staff, and will offer Bank of Utah’s full suite of mortgage lending services. “Because our mortgage lending operation has seen great success in our existing markets, Bank of Utah has taken advantage of this partnership in South Jordan,” said Branden P. Hansen, senior vice president for Bank of Utah.  “We have great faith in the future of Utah’s commercial and residential mortgage lending, and this partnership will serve as another step in expanding our reach in the market.”   Hansen said 2009 was a banner year for Bank of Utah in residential mortgage lending, with $309.7 million in total mortgage production from seven offices. This made up 40 percent of the bank’s net income for the year, and was 22 percent higher than the previous year. Bank of Utah is also one of the top producers of first-time home loans in the state.   “We are excited to bring our level of service and variety of mortgage lending products to the South Jordan community, including FHA, reverse, construction lending, and Utah housing loans,” added Hansen. “Bank of Utah also brings deep expertise and experience in mortgage lending to the area.  We do everything locally from start to finish including using our own capital for the loans, doing the underwriting and loan processing, and even making all the decisions locally.  This means we have complete control of our transactions and can process loans much quicker, without last minute changes. Bank of Utah also brings real knowledge of mortgage loan regulations, which protects the consumer.”   Adam Catmull, current owner of Optimum Mortgage will serve as the branch manager at the South Jordan Bank of Utah Mortgage, and all current employees will remain to service existing customers.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9256 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  ProPay (www.propay.com), an industry leader in end-to-end data security encryption, credit card processing, and electronic payment services, announced its support of the expansion of eBay Buyer Protection to all approved electronic safe payment methods. ProPay applauds eBay’s extension of its Buyer Protection program. eBay Buyer Protection adds an unprecedented level of customer support and trust to the world’s largest online marketplace. Under the new policy, ProPay buyers and sellers particularly benefit from the extension of eBay‘s Buyer Protection to all approved safe electronic payment methods. ProPay has been an attractive option because buyers simply pay with their credit card at checkout without having to open up an account and/or ensure they have enough funds in an account for a purchase. Buyers enjoy the convenience and rewards of paying with their credit card and now can enjoy eBay’s Buyer Protection. “As eBay’s first electronic payment method added in addition to PayPal and credit cards, we’re extremely pleased to be part of eBay’s New Buyer Protection program,” said Gary Goodrich, CEO of ProPay. “This new program adds another layer to the protection already offered by the individual card brands and signifies both companies’ commitment to simple, safe and secure payment transactions for eBay buyers and sellers.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9257 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Patients with hearing, vision, and speech disabilities, who receive care at University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics, will be screened and provided with auxiliary aids and services as required by federal law under a Resolution Agreement reached with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). An HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) compliance review identified areas of improvement needed to ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities receive equal access to the University of Utah’s health care system. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, recipients of federal financial assistance (often hospitals and health care providers reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid) must provide auxiliary aids and services. These aids and services include qualified sign language interpreters and readers, when necessary to ensure effective communication with patients and companions who have hearing, vision or speech impairments. The University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics, located in Salt Lake, Davis, Wasatch, Tooele, and Utah Counties, provide care for residents of Utah and five surrounding states, and see more than 850,000 patients per year. As a result of the Agreement with OCR, the health care system will develop new policies and procedures, improved notices to patients of available auxiliary aids and services, comprehensive records to assure ongoing provision of appropriate aids and services, and extensive training of personnel. “Effective communication is critical in health care settings where miscommunication may lead to misdiagnosis and endanger patient safety,” said OCR Director Georgina Verdugo. “OCR is committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access to safe, high-quality health care environments.” “We are committed to providing all of our patients with safe, convenient and quality health care,” according to Rob Kistler, director of customer service for University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics. “The voluntary changes to our processes and policies that will be implemented based on recommendations from the Office for Civil Rights will continue to guarantee that our patients and their companions have timely access to appropriate auxiliary aids and service.”   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9246 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Park City Group, a developer of patented retail supply chain solutions and services, announced that Associated Retail Stores has selected Park City Group’s Consumer Driven Sales Optimization (“CDSO”) platform to capture, manage, analyze and share critical data with its partners, improving visibility across its supply chain. Associated Retail Stores becomes the sixth retailer in the past 12 months to implement Park City Group’s CDSO solution. “I am delighted that Associated Retail Stores has recognized the potential of our proprietary CDSO platform offers to drive higher returns across its retail store base,” said Randall K. Fields, Chairman & CEO of Park City Group. “The platform to be implemented for Associated Retail Stores supports the concept that the future of commerce between the retail trade and consumer package goods suppliers will revolve around Scan Based Trading and that Park City Group’s experience in implementing this type of successful business practices for more than the past decade makes it an ideal partner.”“We selected Park City Group because of the many benefits its solution provides for improving our financial performance and better managing our business,” said Associated Retail Stores President Dave Wirthlin. “In demonstrating its unique Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) solution, Park City Group positioned its CDSO and, more specifically, its Scan Based Trading platform as a means to align our wholesaler/grocer operations with the interests of our supplier community. As a result, we look forward to reducing working capital through improved inventory management while enhancing shelf execution and increasing sales with end consumers.” Mr. Fields added, “We entered calendar 2010 with significant momentum and a robust pipeline and I am very excited about the abundant growth opportunities that lie ahead of us. Associated Retail Stores is the first of many new customers we intend to announce in the coming months.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9247 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire This year Ogden celebrated their 25th year as a Tree City USA with a blow out tree planting on Arbor Day - “25 trees on 25th  Street for 25 years”!  The Ogden City Forestry Department and the Tree Board had to overcome some difficult challenges including: removing distressed/dead trees, identifying soil and water table limitations, selecting tree species able to grow in the unique environment and convincing business district owners to support the tree planting effort. However, once word spread of the project locals came out in droves to support the planting donating over 100 volunteer hours from citizens, youth groups and Weber State students.  The group was so effective they actually set a new WORLD RECORD for the number of trees planted in one-hour.    The tree planting effort did not stop at 25th Street.  Ogden City was also selected by the National Arbor Day Foundation to host one of 15 Trees For Success planting efforts across the country.  87 trees were planted at Mound Fort Middle School and Gramercy Elementary with help of students, local Home Depot Employees, City staff and representatives from the Arbor Day Foundation.   All the momentum and support from the tree planting projects has fueled Ogden’s Tree Board and Forestry staff to think about tree management.  The city is actively addressing the high risk trees in the community by systematically identifying the most hazardous tree and contracting for removals as budgets allow.   The Tree Board is currently in the process of revising their city ordinance to include a new species list and updated material that reflects Ogden’s growing needs.    “Ogden would definitely be my choice for community of the year.  City Forester, Monte Stewart and the tree board have really gone above and beyond the typical city this last year.  They've definitely got the biggest and most active tree board I've ever seen.  It's amazing how many people they can get out to their functions and the support they get in donations from the community.” - Morgan Mendenhall, Division of Forestry, Fire & State Lands Northern Area Forester.   This year Ogden City has shown a strong commitment to the future success of their urban forest and deserves recognition as the Community of the Year! http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9248 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  The Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) has sold 161 acres of state school trust lands to The Nature Conservancy (the Conservancy) to expand the White Dome Nature Preserve in St. George, Utah. The 161-acre parcel was purchased by the Conservancy for conservation of federally listed at-risk species of endangered plants and animals. The $535,000 purchase price will be deposited in Utah’s Permanent School Fund.   Located south of the fast-developing city of St. George, the White Dome Nature Preserve provides protection for plants and animals including the zebra-tailed lizard and loggerhead shrike. It also contains some of the last remaining populations of the threatened Siler pincushion cactus, and the endangered dwarf bear claw poppy. Visitors to the area will eventually enjoy public hiking trails and educational signage.    Since the initial purchase in June of 2005, the Conservancy conducted innovative restoration work improving the area’s habitat for the dwarf bear claw poppy. Ecologists restored degraded habitat by de-compacting the soils and planting seeds native to the area. SITLA facilitated this restoration project by contributing biological soil crusts from adjacent lands.    According to SITLA Director Kevin Carter, “SITLA is proud to be part of an effort to preserve some of Utah’s most important natural areas and to develop the area in a way that helps St. George residents appreciate the native wonders of the desert. Most importantly, these transactions allow SITLA to receive funds benefiting Utah’s public schools, while adding open space that will be protected and preserved.”    SITLA is an independent state agency that manages 3.4 million acres of Utah trust lands for the benefit of Utah’s schools and other public institutions. Money generated from the school trust lands is deposited in the state Permanent School Fund, a perpetual endowment that annually distributes income to each K-12 public school in Utah.   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9249 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Utah’s travel and tourism industry felt the economic punch during 2009, but leaders say they are hopeful for a stronger 2010. Travel and tourism leaders met to discuss the industry’s issues and trends during Utah Business’ annual roundtable discussion on Thursday, January 27, 2010. Participants look forward to continuing to offer and promote quality skiing, dining, conventions, outdoor recreation and other opportunities for a wide array of travelers, and at the same time, help accomplish some State goals.   Scott Beck, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, said “When you look at the stated goals from the State of State that Governor Herbert gave about stronger export business from the sate, about becoming better known internationally, I don’t really see any other industry that is as connected to the goals as much as our industry.”   The discussion covered many positive trends in Utah tourism, with Bruce T. Fery, executive vice president of Grand America Hotels and Resorts, reporting that in-state travel is increasing. Neil Wilkinson, director of marketing for Temple Square Hospitality also reported an increase in new travel companies from different parts of the world booking trips to Utah.    “When people come to Utah, their perceptions change,” said Beck. “They are changed for the better and they come back …The economic impact of this industry is immense. We are a legitimate way to accomplish [Gov. Herbert’s] goals.”   Building relationships with foreign countries or businesses out of state starts by getting people to Utah, and travel and tourism leaders say the economy has impacted corporate and leisure travel. Right now, everyone is looking for a good deal—a low price, high value destination—and the leaders agree that Utah is a good deal for many tourists. But, compelling outsiders to come to Utah can be challenging at times, with strict alcohol laws and misguided perceptions.   Most industry leaders agree that “normalization” of alcohol laws will encourage more travel and diminish the amount of convincing it sometimes requires for tourism booking commitments. But they also recognize that keeping the “authentic” and “real” feeling of Utah is something that needs to be respected. Spreading word of Utah’s good service and great opportunities will hopefully drown out the misconceptions and distract from the alcohol limitations for now.   Industry leaders said they have seen an increased demand for quality service in hotels and ski resort locations, and it’s a demand they are willing to meet.    “The best marketing strategy is having a good product,” said Coleen Reardon, director of marketing for Deer Valley Resort.  In an effort to maintain its offering of quality staff and top-notch service, Reardon said Deer Valley Resorts did not participate in employee downsizing. This has allowed the resort to continue providing the good service the resort was founded on.     “Service is not just a trend, it’s what people are searching for,” Keith Griffall, CEO of Western Leisure, Inc. said. “I think what Grand America and Deer Valley have brought to Utah in terms of a tourism product is a sophisticated level of service people are looking for, not just a friendly service we are already known for.  It is a level of service we should all strive for and it is a real plus for Utah’s tourism industry that we have people that make that their brand.”   Connie Marshall, director of public relations and marketing for Alta Ski Area said trying to achieve sophistication and embrace all of Utah’s “realness” while articulating it to tourists is a challenge. “The impact of what’s happening in the past few months has been worldwide. Our customer, our guest or our consumers feel they need to find core values they run their lives by and Utah is so positioned because we are so real, so unpretentious, so undiscovered,” Marshall, a Utah transplant, said. “I would hate to see as we maybe become more sophisticated as a state to lose whatever that thing that becomes troublesome when we’re trying to solve liquor issues or family size issues or whatever, that really it is a part of what we are too.”    The state has been successful in its efforts to promote “who we are.” Along with other leaders, Griffall said the state of Utah has done a tremendous job marketing Utah travel and tourism. “We have actually increased our market,” Griffall said. “States surrounding us have not. It leaves us in a great position.”    The state’s Life Elevated campaign and marketing associated with Utah’s “greatest snow on earth” has help spread the word of the “elevated” experiences Utah has to offer, industry leaders said. Once people get here, it’s not hard at all to convince them that what they saw in the marketing is true.   For a complete write up of this roundtable, see the 2010 March issue of Utah Business. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9250 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 Candace Little  Since its founding in 1985 EK Ekcessories has grown into a world leader in outdoor accessories.  From a humble beginning in a small ski shop on Main Street in Logan where EK owner Ed Kalbach developed his first of countless creations, beginning with the Cat Flap side shield for Cat Eye style sunglasses, that opened the door for the ever popular Cat Strap Eyewear Retainer and Cat Crap Lens Cleaner/Anti Fog that were soon to follow.    Over the years EK Ekcessories has received numerous awards and supported countless organizations.  All of which have contributed to its success as a company.    EK Ekcessories uses and will continue to use only the highest quality materials to create its outstanding lines of accessories and will continue to make them here in the USA.  This is not just any accessories company but, a global leader with quality consumer products in the Outdoor, Pet, Safety Security, Motor Sport, and Ad specialty industries with market presentation in more than 40 countries worldwide. EK Ekcessories has provided thousands of accessories to companies and individuals who seek quality durability and performance.    EK Ekcessories looks forward to the coming years, continued growth, and is committed to continuing to provide a superior quality accessories line. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9240 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  TestOut Corporation—an award-winning* provider of online labs for IT certification training—released an all-new LabSim A+ Essentials certification training course. Completely redesigned and rewritten to adhere to CompTIA’s 2009 revision of the A+ exam objectives, the new LabSim A+ course incorporates more advanced online lab simulations that combine hardware and software tasks to give IT learners more realistic experience to pass their A+ certification—an industry standard for computer support technicians. The new course is free for TestOut customers who purchased the previous A+ course within the past year. With the previous version of TestOut’s LabSim A+ course, hardware and operating system tasks happened in separate labs. In the new LabSim A+, these tasks have been combined so that users can see how the hardware installation affects the operating system. For example, real-world tasks such as taking a BTX or an NLX motherboard, plugging it in and configuring it are all combined in one lab for the most realistic learning experience. “These motherboards are covered in CompTIA’s objectives, but how many classes actually give students real experience working with them?” said Don Whitnah, TestOut’s vice president of product development, “These students generally only have one computer to work with – whether in class or at home – so they don’t get to see, much less work with, all of the components. We’ve designed our lab scenarios to expose them to as much hardware and as many operating system tasks as possible, which gives them a much more realistic and well-rounded learning experience.” According to Whitnah, “We’ve made sure every scenario, video and exam questions that’s covered in the new LabSim A+ Essentials course is relevant, new and important. As a result, the course gives users training that is useful and applicable, even for those who don’t plan to take a certification exam.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9241 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Integrated Marketing Group (IMG)  was chosen by Novus International to help create an identity for and  formally launch Stratum Nutrition, the company's newly formed human  nutrition division.  IMG will help manage overall branding efforts  including logo development, strategic positioning and creative  development, as well as execute a targeted public relations campaign.   As a global leader in animal agriculture health and nutrition, Novus  International has been playing an active, albeit behind-the-scenes  role in human nutrition since its inception in 1991.  The company's  core competency is in creating science-based, nutritional solutions  for the daily health and welfare concerns that farmers have for their  animals.  Drawing upon this nutritional solutions-based business  approach, Novus is launching Stratum Nutrition, a dedicated human  nutrition division that will include ingredients and technologies that  can be directly utilized in supplements, beverages and foods.   "We look forward to working with Novus to introduce Stratum Nutrition  to the industry, as well as collaborate on branding efforts for the  company's specialty ingredients," stated Jeff Hilton, IMG co-founder  and partner. "Novus's commitment to product innovation, clinical  research and intellectual property will greatly enhance Stratum  Nutrition's success in the human health market."   "IMG's knowledge of the dietary supplement, food and beverage  ingredient markets made them an ideal partner to help Novus brand and  unveil our dedicated human nutrition division, Stratum Nutrition,"  stated Thad Simons, president and CEO, Novus International.  "We feel  their expertise is invaluable as we introduce our portfolio of    http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9242 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Somewhere in the world, someone goes blind every five seconds. A child goes blind every minute. At least 7 million people go blind every year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).   Eighty percent of all blindness is preventable or even curable – a sobering reality, also according to the AAO.   That’s where Standard Optical comes in. The Utah-based company is bringing new technology – in the form of consumer-driven, self-administered, self-service vision-testing kiosks – to Utahns. The SoloHealth EyeSite kiosks, which are free to use, will be in area grocery stores beginning this month.   “Periodic eye and vision examinations are an important part of preventive health care,” says Aaron Schubach, vice president of Standard Optical. “Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important for maintaining good vision and eye health, and when possible, preventing vision loss.”   While Schubach emphasizes that the self-service kiosks are not a replacement for a traditional, comprehensive eye exam, the SoloHealth EyeSite technology can provide an initial vision assessment. The machines will then automatically recommend a more comprehensive eye exam with an eye care professional (and will even help schedule an appointment).   “This is really quite amazing technology,” Schubach said. “In less than five minutes, a person can go through a quick vision screening to determine if they need to follow up for a comprehensive eye exam, all while waiting for a prescription to be filled.”   The interactive, touch screen kiosks – the first of their kind in the Western United States – provide consumers with a quick, accurate assessment of their near and distance vision. Additionally, the machines will provide information to consumers on various eye conditions and diseases such as cataracts, presbyopia, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and more.   “The kiosks are similar to the automated blood pressure machines, yet high tech and interactive.  ” said Bart Foster, CEO and founder of SoloHealth. “Our goal is to help educate people on the importance of eye health.   We realize it can’t provide every answer or prevent every problem, but a person can get a very accurate assessment of their eyesight and get a firm idea of what to do next.”   The new SoloHealth EyeSite kiosks can be found near the pharmacies at assorted Smith’s and Associated Foods Stores along the Wasatch Front and in St. George. A complete listing and map of where EyeSite kiosks are available can be found by visiting www.standardoptical.net or by calling 1-800 EYE CARE. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9243 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Sales of existing single-family homes in Salt Lake County surged in last year’s fourth quarter, ending a three-year decline in falling home sales, according to the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS’ Housing Market Report.   Overall, more than 2,400 single-family homes were sold in the fourth quarter, a 36 percent increase compared to 1,785 sales in the same quarter in 2008. Home sales also showed a 19 percent gain in the month of December compared to the same month a year earlier.   “Nearly every ZIP code in Salt Lake County saw double-digit increases in home sales,” said Bill Heiner, president of the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS. “Existing home sales are surging because of more affordable home prices and the federal government’s home buyer tax credit. In addition, there are fewer newer homes being built. Because of that buyers are turning to existing inventory.”   Single-family home sales were up 113 percent in Holladay in the fourth quarter compared to last year. In Midvale, sales rose 109 percent. In Draper, sales were up 52 percent. In West Valley, home sales climbed 38 percent.   In the 12 months ended Dec. 31, there were 9,146 single-family homes sold in Salt Lake County, up 4 percent compared to 8,796 sales in 2008. The rise in home sales in 2009 ends a three-year downturn in annual single-family home sales and suggests that the bottom of the housing market occurred in 2008.   Home sales in 2010 could reach as high as 10,000 units sold, a nearly 10 percent rise over 2009 levels, according to a 2010 Housing Forecast commissioned by the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS.   Condominium sales across Salt Lake County also showed huge increases. In the fourth quarter, there were 544 condos sold, up 42 percent compared to 384 sales a year ago.   Across the Wasatch Front, sales of single-family homes also surged. Sales were up 26 percent in Davis County. In Tooele County, sales increased 61 percent. In Utah County, home sales were up 46 percent. In Weber County, sales rose 19 percent.   “The anticipated expiration of the first-time home buyer tax credit brought strong support to Wasatch Front housing markets,” said Lerron Little, 2010 president of the Utah Association of Realtors. “Utah County home sales were particularly strong as buyers found affordable home options and good values. The area’s increase in single-family and condo sales was the highest on fourth quarter records dating back to 1996.”   The past housing downturn in Salt Lake County ranks No. 2 in terms of its severity, according to the Salt Lake Board of REALTORS. The area’s most severe housing downturn began in 1977 when home sales fell by 55 percent over a four-year period.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9244 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire   The Utah Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS Utah) announced the 2010 winners of the annual Marketing Communication Awards that recognize the year’s best marketing efforts by marketing professionals serving Utah’s Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) Industry. The 2010 winners are as follows: Ascent Construction won first place in the “General Print” category for its promotional brochure. Jacobsen Construction Company won first place in “Electronic” category for its newly revised website. Reaveley Engineers + Associates won first place in the “Collateral” category for its “green” promotional postcard printed on card-stock embedded with real flower seeds (plant the card; grow a flower). MarketLink, a Utah marketing consulting firm, won first place in the overall marketing campaign category. The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is a national trade organization of marketing directors, marketing consultants, art directors, and photographers that provide professional marketing services to the nation’s AEC Community. The Marketing Communications Awards recognize and honor the best marketing work product developed by Utah professionals during the preceding year. The General Print category recognizes the best single printed piece (brochure, mailer, etc.). The Electronic category recognizes websites, multimedia presentations, etc. The Collateral award recognizes promotional or give-away items such as calendars, trinkets, pens, etc. The Overall Campaign award recognizes the best coordinated branding or promotional effort that includes two or more print or electronic items that share common design elements. Winners of Marketing Communication Awards are honored at an annual honorary luncheon each December. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9235 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Robert C. Gross Associates, a Utah corporate governance counseling and dispute resolution firm, announced its selection as a partner of The Board Institute, the nation’s premier supplier of boardroom assessment materials and services. Partners of The Board Institute have exclusive access to independent, world-class board evaluation tools, including those proven to facilitate better communication, clearer decision-making, improved corporate results and reduced risk.   “As both a former board member and CEO, Bob Gross has a rare level of expertise concerning boardroom issues. We’re pleased to add his firm to our roster of qualified consulting partners,” said Susan Shultz, chairman and CEO of The Board Institute. “Bob’s experience, coupled with our suite of solutions for enhanced corporate governance, can provide boards with an unmatched ability to comply with evaluation mandates, gain insight into best practices, assure proper risk management and improve overall performance.” Robert C. Gross Associates achieved this high level of recognition as a result of its uncommon level of proficiency in corporate consulting and commercial dispute resolution. The firm specializes in mediation and arbitration, board evaluations, leadership development, compensation design and strategic planning. This is the latest in a series of achievements by the firm’s principal, Robert Gross, who has three decades of experience in business, finance, law and government, including service as executive director of Utah’s Department of Workforce Services, chief of staff to former Utah governor Mike O. Leavitt, chief executive officer and board director of First Interstate Bank of Utah and Blue Healthcare Bank, and senior attorney at Jones Waldo, one of Salt Lake City’s oldest and most reputable law firms.   More recently, he was tapped by President George W. Bush to serve as senior advisor to the interim Iraqi government, working both to re-establish Iraq’s social services infrastructure and to register nearly 500,000 former Iraqi soldiers for employment services. He is an adjunct faculty member at Westminster College, where he teaches corporate governance and conflict resolution.   “It’s an honor to combine forces with The Board Institute. My clients see a clear advantage from the partnership, since we can better assess boardroom behavior, dissect motivators and analyze change,” Gross said. “In turn, we can facilitate better communication, clearer decision-making, improved corporate results and reduced risk.”   “Robert C. Gross Associates is a perfect fit for The Board Institute. Bob’s expert insights and our innovative solutions will help clients better manage, measure and monitor corporate governance,” Shultz said.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9236 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire BSD Medical Corporation (BSD) announced the sale of two BSD-2000 hyperthermia systems to Dalian Orientech Co. LTD (Dalian Orientech), the Company’s exclusive Chinese distributor. The BSD-2000 system non-invasively delivers localized therapeutic heating (hyperthermia) by applying radiofrequency (RF) energy to certain cancerous tumors, including those located deep within the body. Clinical studies have shown that hyperthermia treatment can kill cancer cells directly as well as increase the effectiveness of other cancer therapies, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy, for the treatment of certain tumors. With the assistance of Dalian Orientech, a privately owned company, BSD obtained Chinese regulatory (SFDA) approval for the BSD-2000 in 2005, allowing Dalian Orientech to market and sell the system to hospitals throughout China. Pursuant to an exclusive distributor agreement, the Company has now placed seventeen BSD-2000 systems with Dalian Orientech in China. Hyperthermia has been used in China for the treatment of cancer for many years, and several thousand simple hyperthermia cancer therapy systems are in place in China. The market objective for BSD in China is to continue to expand and upgrade the existing market for clinical hyperthermia equipment to the advanced features of the BSD-2000. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9237 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire CrimeReports, publishers of the national crime map, announced its iPhone app has had more than 100,000 downloads and has been used to complete over eight million crime searches across North America in the 30 days since its release. CrimeReports partners with law enforcement agencies to publish their crime data on the National Crime Map, which now includes data from nearly 700 law enforcement agencies across North America. CrimeReports’ low cost and quick integration has led to a current sign up rate of 50 new agencies per month. “The real credit for our growth goes to our partner agencies, who have opened up their crime data to the public,” said Greg Whisenant, founder and CEO of CrimeReports. “Essentially, we’re providing an inexpensive, powerful service to law enforcement agencies who already wanted to get this information to the public.” CrimeReports has seen a steady rise in its traffic and users over the last year. CrimeReports currently has over 100,000 users in the U.S. and Canada who receive daily, weekly, and monthly crime alerts for their neighborhoods. The CrimeReports website is free to the public allowing any citizen, anywhere in the world, access to the site to monitor crime in participating areas across North America. In addition, CrimeReports recently added national sex offender data to the National Crime Map, so users in the U.S. can see sex offender information in their area whether their local law enforcement agency is participating or not. Currently, CrimeReports’ service areas cover more than 20% of the US population, mapping more than 10 million crimes last year and include major metropolitan areas like San Francisco, Boston, San Jose, Washington DC, Baltimore, Dallas, Portland, Los Angeles County, and others. Additionally, more agencies are using CrimeReports to report information to their public constituencies than other popular social media tools such as Twitter. “The real beneficiary of our service is the general public,” says Whisenant. “They have quick, easy access to timely crime information that they didn’t before. And law enforcement agencies have a new tool they can use to communicate with citizens and engage them in better crime prevention efforts.” In addition to the website and iPhone app, CrimeReports has also launched Command Central, an internal law enforcement crime dashboard used to generate crime statistics, monitor trends, and help law enforcement agencies to implement CompStat and accountability management practices. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9238 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire Lansmont Corporation, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and a leading provider of state of the art engineering services, manufacturing capacity and test and measurement products, signed an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Small Business Programs to begin work in their Mentor-Protégé program which enhances their capabilities to be a contractor for NASA. Glenn A. Delgado, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Small Business Programs at NASA, David Brock, Small Business Specialist from the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and executives from Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK), were onsite at Lansmont’s headquarters to formally sign a contract enrolling Lansmont into the program. They were greeted by local politicians and officials, who joined them to meet with Lansmont employees and tour the facility.  “Lansmont exemplifies a level of excellence, dedication and assurance of quality that is coming from small businesses throughout the country that are supporting a multitude of important NASA missions,” said Brock. Mr. Delgado added, “NASA is committed to providing all categories of small businesses an opportunity to participate in both NASA prime contracts and subcontracts.” As the assistant administrator, Delgado provides executive leadership and policy direction for developing and implementing policies and initiatives throughout NASA to ensure that all categories of small businesses are afforded opportunities to compete for agency contracts. The NASA Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to encourage NASA prime contractors to assist eligible Protégés in enhancing their capabilities to perform NASA contracts and subcontracts, foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between these entities and NASA prime contractors, and increase the overall number of these entities that receive NASA contract and subcontract awards. The formal enrollment into the Mentor-Protégé program furthers a business relationship between ATK and Lansmont, where ATK will serve as the Mentor to Lansmont, which will be the Protégé. “We are thrilled, humbled and honored to be enrolled in this program with ATK and NASA,” said Dave Huntley, president of Lansmont Corporation. “ATK was recently named as the 2009 NASA Agency-Level Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year, so we feel especially privileged to be under such attentive guidance to prove ourselves as an essential partner that can be relied upon for the space program and future NASA missions." ATK has been utilizing Lansmont’s SAVER 3X90 instruments to ensure the safe movement and monitoring of the Space Shuttle’s two reusable solid rocket motors (RSRM). Manufactured at ATK Launch Systems Division in Utah, the RSRM is transported by special rail equipment in multiple segments to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for assembly and preparation for flight. Lansmont’s SAVER 3X90, an award-winning test and measurement solution, is magnetically attached to each segment to ensure that they are not exposed to damaging shock, vibration and climatic conditions while transported. In 2010, when the Space Shuttle is retired, Lansmont will continue to assure the safe transport of NASA’s new Ares Launch Vehicle 1st Stage motor segments. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9239 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  FORTUNE ranked CHG Healthcare Services as the 26th best company to work for in America, according to FORTUNE magazine’s 13th annual “100 Best Companies to Work For” survey.    “CHG is honored to receive recognition as a great place to work. We’ve committed to staying true to our first core value of Putting People First despite the challenges related to the economy, and it’s gratifying to know that our employees feel passionate about working here,” said Michael Weinholtz, president and CEO at CHG Healthcare Services.   CHG recently launched CHG Pulse, an interactive website that provides insight into the company’s unique culture though the use of photos, video, and employee spotlights. The company also uses its presence on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to keep its employees informed and engaged.   CHG employs approximately 1,100 employees in California, Connecticut, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma and its Salt Lake City, Utah-based headquarters. CHG is the only company from Utah to receive the listing from FORTUNE.   In total, 343 U.S. companies vied for a place on the “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. To pick the 100 Best Companies, FORTUNE partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on the results of the Institute's Trust Index survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about the management's credibility, job satisfaction, and camaraderie. The other third of the scoring is based on the company's responses to the Institute's Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring, communication, and diversity.   FORTUNE Deputy Managing Editor Hank Gilman says, “The most important considerations for this year’s list were hiring and the ways in which companies are helping their employees weather the recession. All 100 companies on our list are currently hiring, many of them aggressively, leading to more than 96,000 open job positions expected in the next year.”   http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9212 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Salt Lake City (January 22, 2010)—XMission released its new residential digital phone service, XMission Voice, to DSL customers in Utah.   "After an exhaustive test process, I am proud to offer Voice service to our DSL customers,” said XMission president and founder, Pete Ashdown."Voice over DSL is so good, I am using it for my own personal needs." All Utah residents who qualify for 1.5 Megabit DSL or faster can bundle it with XMission Voice. XMission Voice starts at $30 per month, plus taxes and installation charges. Customers can keep their current telephone number, or XMission will assign them a new number. “Our residential DSL customers have been asking XMission to provide them digital phone service either so they could cancel their Qwest land line or switch off Vonage,” said Chief Operations Officer, Grant Sperry. Features include free nationwide long-distance (in the contiguous 48 states), voice mail, voice mail to email, voice mail for iPhone, call waiting, call forwarding, call blocking, 3-way calling, caller ID block, and emergency forwarding. XMission Voice utilizes Voice over IP (VoIP) technology. In addition to cost savings when compared to traditional phone service, XMission Voice customers benefit from advanced networking Quality of Service (QoS) prioritization to ensure their phone calls sound better, according to Sperry. XMission will remotely assist with the initial hardware setup and necessary configuration. Ashdown said customers should not see any interruption in their phone service. XMission Voice works with most residential telephones. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9213 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Life is good for Grow Utah Ventures and current and potential tenants of its Ogden eStation.  The company announced that it is moving its Ogden eStation across town to a larger facility to accommodate growth and meet the demands of entrepreneurs in Northern Utah.   The new facility is located at 2036 Lincoln Avenue in Ogden, Utah and is part of the remodeled American Can Center.  It’s a new 3200 square foot facility and will be able to act as company headquarters for as many as 20 businesses. “We believe that our eStations are truly the finest business incubators in the state,” said Alan E. Hall, Founder and Chairman of Grow Utah Ventures.  “The eStations are designed to create an environment where an entrepreneur or small business owner can thrive and learn how to be a productive business.  For our part, we try to meet regularly with our tenants to see what help they need, provide mentorship formally and informally, walk down the halls and chat with them, and make a lot of introductions.” Grow Utah Ventures’ eStations are business incubators focused on making young companies successful businesses. They come with private cubicles and offices, phone lines, printers, meeting space, and Internet access. eStation tenants are selected among applicants and invited to move their operations to the eStation campus. Once a business moves into the eStation, the Grow Utah Ventures team meets with them regularly, both formally and informally to provide mentoring and ongoing training to ensure that they have the best chances at success.  The original e-Station was created in 2005 and at 2300 square feet was significantly smaller than the new facility.  Over its nearly five year history, the original e-Station housed nine companies that employed over 25 people. “With the eStations we strive to provide an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and collaboration,” said T. Craig Bott, president and CEO of Grow Utah Ventures. “Over the years we’ve had a number of success stories and feel, that with this move to a larger facility, the vision we had when we opened our first eStation has helped young companies grow into successful companies” Other eStations are also located at Utah State University and within the Simmons Entrepreneur Center at the Davis Applied Technology College.  http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9214 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  As affordability continues to be restored to Utah’s housing market, Wolf Creek Resort Properties, the onsite real estate entity for Wolf Creek Utah in Ogden Valley, reports a 40 percent rise in sales within the resort from 2008 to 2009, mainly in the condominium and single family home categories. Not surprisingly, 40 percent of last year’s buyers were Utah residents. Just 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City, Wolf Creek Utah is a four-season, master-planned resort community. Long known for its family-friendly focus, and outstanding golf course, ski mountain, recreation and lodging values, Wolf Creek Utah should continue to be a valuable investment through 2010.  Spring Bengtzen, principal broker at Wolf Creek Resort Properties, attributes the 2009 sales increase to the resort’s year-round amenities, close proximity and convenient access to the Wasatch Front, and affordable prices. In 2009, real estate prices at Wolf Creek Utah started at $109,000 for home sites,   $150,000 for two-bedroom condominiums, and low $300,000s for single family homes. An investment at Wolf Creek Utah was attractive to families anxious to establish a seasonal residence, or year-round home, and buyers took full advantage.     “The valley’s spectacular peaks and serene lake, local recreation opportunities and the resort’s competitive lodging prices attract visiting families and tourists alike year-round,” said Bengtzen. “We’re finding that because we offer a family-friendly mountain resort experience just a short drive from Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front, without the traffic, congestion and inflated prices of many resort towns, Wolf Creek Utah is both enticing and realistic for families looking to invest in a seasonal or second home, or a new full-time residence.”   Continued Bengtzen. “In 2010 we predict that Wolf Creek Utah will continue to be a great value for families and for sales to continue to rise, especially as Utah’s housing prices become more and more affordable. Our full-service brokerage is located at the resort to show visitors personally the many property options Wolf Creek Utah has to offer. The resort’s affordable nightly lodging rates welcome visitors and interested buyers to experience the Ogden Valley and Wolf Creek Utah first hand at any one of our different property types.”   Many people don’t realize that Wolf Creek Utah offers sales and nightly lodging at a range of different property types, including: Trappers Ridge single family homes, presenting breathtaking mountain and lake views with a choice of seven distinctive floor plans; custom home sites, allowing buyers to build their dream home in the Highlands, Elkhorn, or Hidden Oaks areas overlooking the spectacular valley; The Fairways single family homes, located off of the 14,15, & 16th fairways ; Moose Hollow and Cascades Townhomes, adjacent to the golf course and a planned retail village; and much more. http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9215 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire  Since its inception in 1949, Martinizing Dry Cleaning has grown into one of the most recognized and well-respected names in dry cleaning in the United States and beyond. And though Utah residents may not be familiar with the brand, that will soon change: As Martinizing celebrates its 60th year in business, the Loveland, Ohio-based company will make its debut in the Beehive State with plans to open at least 15 locations throughout the state over the next five years – the first of which will open on Monday, January 25th in Layton at 861 E. Gordon Avenue, under the watchful eye of Scott Ray. Ray, a Layton resident, is no stranger to business ownership, having owned and operated the DHL contractor SER Enterprises for the past 22 years. During that time, Ray grew his business from two employees and two trucks into a staff of 300 and a fleet of over 150 trucks servicing 11 states but when DHL announced it would be cutting back on its domestic service shipments this past summer, Ray began to consider alternate avenues to ensure a stable future. Though his operation remained intact after DHL’s restructuring – he is one of just 18 DHL contractors remaining in the country – Ray’s search for a new concept continued and after researching a number of opportunities, he found Martinizing to be the best fit.            “Owning a business for over 20 years and finding out it could be closed down at a moment’s notice definitely made me reevaluate my plans for the future,” said Ray, 47. “When I came across Martinizing, I knew right away it was a concept that would withstand the test of time and the more I learned about the company, the more I was impressed. Being the person to introduce Utah residents to Martinizing is a big responsibility but I know it’s just the beginning of a very bright future.” Ray has committed to open 15 locations throughout Davis, Salt Lake, Utah and Weber counties but would like to open as many as possible across the state. While the company guides and directs its franchise owners, Martinizing CEO, chairman and former Salt Lake City resident George L. Strike trusts them to operate their stores in the way they know best. “You always like to have strong relationships with your customers, which in our case are our franchisees, but our relationship with them transcends that,” Strike said. “The franchisor-franchisee relationship is a very strong bond. We view our franchise owners as our partners.” Though the economy may not be what it once was, Strike is not worried for his brand: He says it’s in times like these that a company’s strengths and weaknesses are magnified, either positively or negatively, and thus Martinizing truly does have something to celebrate during its 60th year. “This difficult economic climate really enhanced our feelings about the future of our business,” Strike said. “The true value of a business really comes through in difficult times. We have a strong, competitive advantage and the outlook for Martinizing is the best ever.” http://utahbusiness.com/issues/articles/9216 Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:33:30 +0000 PR or News Wire