Columbus CEO Archives

November 2015 Edition

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Tech tycoon spearheads pot legalization bid in California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The push to put California among the states where marijuana can be sold to and legally used by adults for recreation took a major step forward on Monday as ballot language backed by Napster co-founder Sean Parker, other wealthy entrepreneurs who support pot legalization and leading advocacy groups was filed with the state.

VW objects to union vote by 1 group of workers in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Volkswagen is objecting to a request from a small group of maintenance workers at its lone U.S. assembly plant to hold a vote on whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union. The company is instead calling for a full vote by all maintenance and production employees at the plant.

Prosecutor: Police shooting OK, but body cameras turned off

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont prosecutor says police officers were justified in the non-fatal shooting of a distraught man outside his mobile home but had turned off their body cameras because they were worried about the blinking lights and audible beeps giving away their positions.

California settles debt collection suit with JPMorgan Chase

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The nation's largest bank will pay $100 million to settle a California lawsuit alleging it used illegal methods to collect debts from more than 125,000 credit card holders, the state's attorney general announced Monday.

Cuba and US firm sign telecoms agreement on roaming

LA HABANA (AP) - Cuba's state telecommunications company and U.S. firm Sprint have signed an agreement for cellphone roaming service, the first direct deal of its kind between phone companies in both countries.

Tech tycoon spearheads pot legalization bid in California

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The push to put California among the states where marijuana can be sold to and legally used by adults for recreation took a major step forward on Monday as ballot language backed by Napster co-founder Sean Parker, other wealthy entrepreneurs who support pot legalization and leading advocacy groups was filed with the state.

Cuba and US firm sign telecoms agreement on roaming

LA HABANA (AP) - Cuba's state telecommunications company and U.S. firm Sprint have signed an agreement for cellphone roaming service, the first direct deal of its kind between phone companies in both countries.

How the Dow Jones industrial average fared on Monday

Stocks posted solid gains Monday, adding to last month's big advances and pushing the Dow Jones industrial average into positive territory for 2015. Several companies moved on news, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Visa.

This Can't Wait: And the winners are...

Now that campaigns for votes are over, a campaign for local shoppers is well underway. Small Business Saturday is slated for Nov. 28, and Monday is the deadline for communities to sign up as Neighborhood Champions.

Gateway Inc. co-founder Mike Hammond dies at age 53

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - Mike Hammond, who co-founded computer maker Gateway in an Iowa farmhouse in 1985 and helped turn it into an American success story by shipping PCs straight to customers in boxes with a spotted-cow design, has died at age 53.

Farmer corn trade lawsuits against Syngenta reach 2,000

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - About 2,000 farmers, grain handlers and corn exporters have filed lawsuits against Swiss biotechnology company Syngenta now that a federal judge has ruled their cases have merit to move forward.

In Newark, Obama to call for breaking cycle of incarceration

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - More than half a million people leave U.S. prisons each year, but with jobs, housing and mental health services scarce, many are soon back behind bars. On Monday, President Barack Obama is to call for breaking that cycle of incarceration by helping former inmates successfully re-enter society.

Obama signs 2-year budget, debt deal before default deadline

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday signed into law a bipartisan budget bill that avoids a catastrophic U.S. default and puts off the next round of fighting over federal spending and debt until after next year's presidential and congressional elections.

Matt O'Brien joining AP as state government reporter in RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Matt O'Brien, an award-winning journalist with a track record of breaking news and using records to hold big business and public institutions accountable, is joining The Associated Press as state government reporter in Rhode Island.

A look at the potential causes of Russian plane crash

NEW YORK (AP) - Investigators are still trying to determine what led to the sudden and catastrophic breakup of a Metrojet plane Saturday over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, just 23 minutes after the Russian-operated jetliner took off from the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

In Newark, Obama to call for breaking cycle of incarceration

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than half a million people leave U.S. prisons each year, but with jobs, housing and mental health services scarce, many are soon back behind bars. On Monday, President Barack Obama will call for breaking that cycle of incarceration by helping former inmates successfully re-enter society.

Visa to buy Visa Europe in deal that could exceed $23B

NEW YORK (AP) - Payment processing giant Visa announced plans Monday to buy its sister company, Visa Europe, in a deal that could be worth more than $23 billion and would consolidate all of Visa's operations worldwide.

High court won't hear appeal on mortgage ratings

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from shareholders who claim the Standard & Poor's ratings firm made false statements about its ratings of risky mortgage investments that helped trigger the financial crisis.

High court rejects ex-stockbroker's appeal in fraud case

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court turned away an appeal from a former Toronto stockbroker convicted in a multimillion-dollar securities fraud who says federal prosecutors should have turned over documents that might have helped his defense.

Metrojet exec says external impact caused Egypt plane crash

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - Only an external impact could have caused a Russian plane to dive into the Egyptian desert, killing all 224 people on board, Metrojet airline officials said Monday, adding to a series of confusing statements from investigators that left unclear why the plane broke up in mid-flight.

More cases of E. coli in Washington, Oregon expected

SEATTLE (AP) - Health officials expect the number of people sickened by an E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington state and Oregon to grow while they investigate the cause of the infection.

Visa meets 4Q profit forecasts

Payment processor Visa Inc. on Monday reported a 41 percent rise in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, helped by lower legal expenses and higher payment processing volumes on the company's namesake network.

Greek ferries tied up in port as seamen hold 2-day strike

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greece's ferries have stopped running for 48 hours as seamen walked off the job to protest growing unemployment in their sector, falling income and new austerity measures as part of the country's third bailout.

New push for pint-sized medical devices to treat sick kids

WASHINGTON (AP) - Improvise isn't a word parents want to hear from their kid's doctor. Yet pediatric specialists too often have to jury-rig care because many of the medical devices needed to treat sick children were built for adults.

China joins IMF currency basket: Why it matters

BEIJING (AP) - The addition of China's yuan to the select basket of currencies used as a yardstick by the International Monetary Fund is a sign, experts say, that the yuan may one day become as recognizable as the dollar or euro.

Student arrested on Washington campus after racial threats

SEATTLE (AP) - Most, but not all, students returned to a Washington state university Monday as police arrested a 19-year-old accused of making racial threats against black students and others on social media that shut down the campus last week.

Chemours to cut about 400 positions

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The Chemours Co., a chemicals business spun off from the Dupont Co. earlier this year, says it is laying off about 5 percent of its global workforce.

Box Office Top 20: 'The Hunger Games' rules again

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Audiences had a number of new movie-going options over the Thanksgiving weekend, including "The Good Dinosaur" and "Creed," but it was "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" that held on to the top spot for the second weekend in a row.

Tech review: All-ages gadgets

Need gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season? Our gadget guy, Phil Pikelny, reviews droids, DIY robot kits and even the smallest wearable motion-charger out there.

Best of Business 2015: The Winners

Our eighth annual online poll identified the Best of Business from hundreds of contenders in 83 categories and attracted 12,659 voters from among Columbus CEO readers in May through July.

Woe spreads in Pennsylvania's 4-month budget standoff

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State-subsidized pre-kindergarten programs are shutting down, domestic violence shelters are closing their doors and Pennsylvania's school districts are begging for more time to pay their bills - all because of a four-month budget stalemate that shows no signs of ending.

More cases of E. coli in Washington, Oregon expected

SEATTLE (AP) - Health officials expect the number of people sickened by an E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington state and Oregon to grow while they investigate the cause of the infection.

More cases of E. coli in Washington, Oregon expected

SEATTLE (AP) - Health officials expect the number of people sickened by an E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington state and Oregon to grow while they investigate the cause of the infection.

Move to spur pint-sized medical devices to treat sick kids

WASHINGTON (AP) - Improvise isn't a word parents want to hear from their kid's doctor. Yet pediatric specialists too often have to jury-rig care because many of the medical devices needed to treat sick children were built for adults.

Israeli minister resigns, paving way for gas deal

JERUSALEM (AP) - An Israeli Cabinet minister has resigned, clearing the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to circumvent a ruling of the country's antitrust commissioner and advance a contentious natural gas deal.

Leaders of S. Korea, Japan and China set for rare summit

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The leaders of South Korea, China and Japan will meet Sunday for their first summit talks in more than three years as the Northeast Asian powers struggle to find common ground amid bickering over history and territory disputes.

Best of Business 2015: Business Support Services

Ad Agency

SBC continues to persuade our readers to keep it on top, as Fahlgren Mortine remains in second place.


Architectural Firm

Moody Nolan sketches another first place win, with M+A drafting its place in second.


Commercial Data...

Editor's Notes: Good, Better, Best

Mary Yost celebrates homecomings on staff and introduces Columbus CEO's first Better Business Bureau supplement while giving readers the scoop on Best of Business 2015.

Best of Business 2015: Meetings and Events

Audiovisual Production Company

Mills James takes center stage after being last year's runner-up, with Live Technologies in the second-place spotlight.

Best Caterer

Cameron Mitchell Catering cooks up the win this year, with City BBQ Catering spicing up the second-place spot.

Attraction for Visitors

Best of Business 2015: Healthcare

Cardiac Practice

Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center beats a steady rhythm in first place, with OhioHealth Heart & Vascular Physicians second.

Dermatology Practice

Central Ohio Skin & Cancer finishes flawlessly in first, with Buckeye Dermatology in second place.

Dental Practice

Dr. Mark Levy extracts...

Best of Business 2015: Food and Beverage

Places to Entertain a Client

Hyde Park eases into the top spot, edging previous multi-year winner, Lindey's, into second.

Happy Hour

Lindey's mixes up top drinks and good company, with Marcella's holding second place as these two trade places.

Outdoor Dining

Lindey's serves up readers' patio of choice, as Barcelona...

Best of Business 2015: Education

Private Schools

The Wellington School graduates with top honors for the first time, surpassing Columbus Academy, last year's winner, now in second.

Continuing Education Offerings

Ohio State University makes the top grade with readers, while Columbus State Community College scores second.

MBA Program

Best of Business 2015: Workforce

Executive Coach Firm

Gallagher Consulting Group coaches itself to a first-place win, as Focus3 and Synergy Consultants tie for second.

Executive Search Firm

Dawson places itself on top for the third year, with Acloché in second.

Employer (500+ employees)

Nationwide Insurance guarantees a...

Best of Business 2015: Personal Perks

Auto Dealer

Byers Auto drives away with readers' top choice, cutting off Germain Motor Company.

Fitness Facility

LifeTime Fitness works out first-place, as Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club takes second.

Home Décor/ Furniture Store

Crate and Barrel displays itself as readers' No. 1 choice, with...

Best of Business 2015: Personal Perks

Auto Dealer

Byers Auto drives away with readers' top choice, cutting off Germain Motor Company.

Fitness Facility

LifeTime Fitness works out first-place, as Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club takes second.

Home Décor/ Furniture Store

Crate and Barrel displays itself as readers' No. 1 choice, with...

Best of Business 2015: Financial

Business Lender

Huntington cashes in with most votes, with JPMorgan Chase showing value at second.

Accounting Firm (more than 20 CPAs)

GBQ accounts for the most votes, with Deloitte tallying second.

Accounting Firm (fewer than 20 CPAs)

Holbrook & Manter adds up to No. 1, as Susan E. Thomas CPA sums up...

Best of Business 2015: Real Estate

Retirement Community

Westminster-Thurber Community remains the long-term choice for golden years, with Friendship Village of Dublin in second place.

Commercial Interior Design Firm

FITCH positions itself in the No. 1 spot, as KP Designs & Associates follows closely in second.

Custom Home Builder

Best of Business 2015: Best of the Rest

Large Nonprofit (Annual revenue over $7 million)

Mid-Ohio Foodbank gathers readers' top votes, with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio in second.

Small Nonprofit (Annual revenue under $7 million)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus signs up the most readers' votes, with Dress for Success Columbus appearing second.

Columbus Visits Growing

Creative campaigns by Experience Columbus have shown their worth by packing in Columbus visitors.

Revving Up Downtown Retail

Retail Consultant Margaret McCauley is on her way to Columbus to give insight on how Downtown can try on a larger size when it comes to retail.

2015 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics

For 20 years, the Better Business Bureau serving central Ohio has presented its Torch Awards for Ethics to elevate and celebrate commitment to the highest standards of leadership character ethics by for-profit and nonprofit enterprises.

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