Year: 2000

With a new television network affiliate in Rochester, Warner Bros. hopes to create waves in the industry.
WRWB-TV is Warner Bros.’ first locally programmed and operated cable-only affiliate in the country. But wooing the area’s loyal audience might require some of the media giant’s muscle. WRWB-TV is slated to launch this month.
For more information, see today’s print edition of the Rochester Business Journal.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $1 million to the city of Rochester’s Home Ownership Improvement Program.
The program is aimed at helping low and moderate income families purchase and rehabilitate homes. The grant will enable the city to provide property improvement grants to new homeowners.
Rochester’s home ownership rate of 44 percent pales compared with the U.S. rate of 67.7.
“Home-ownership is the surest way to build strong neighborhoods and strong cities,” said Andrew Cuomo, HUD’s secretary.
To obtain financial assistance from the city’s program, a family of four should have no more than $41,900 as annual income.
A city-HUD initiative launched in May has resulted in the sale of more than 100 homes.

Wilmorite Inc. is in technical default on a $5.5 million County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency bond sold to finance construction of its new St. Joseph’s Garage. The default comes as the firm’s tax arrears on the adjacent 900,000-square-foot Sibley Building office tower has reached more than $2.4 million, city officials said.
For more information, see today’s print edition of the Rochester Business Journal.

Auto parts manufacturer Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. today announced plans to temporarily lay off 1,700 hourly employees over the next three weeks at its New York, Michigan and Ohio facilities.
The company employs 54,000 hourly workers in 43 plants in the United States. The company employs 3,200 here.
John Pekarek, the company’s director of media relations, claimed that Delphi has not yet determined which of its facilities in the three states would be targeted for the layoffs.
The move is in response to decreased customer demands, company officials said. The announcement comes a month after it laid off 101 employees from its vehicle steering systems operations in Michigan as a result of decreased orders.
In a prepared statement, J.T. Battenberg III, Delphi’s chairman, CEO and president, said, “Overall customer schedules in the automotive industry are softening and we are taking steps to prepare our company for reduced volumes and intensified economic and competitive pressure in the coming months.”
Workers affected by the job cuts will be given notice during the week prior to the layoff. They are to be paid up to 95 percent of their regular pay based on their union’s contract and seniority.
Delphi has contracts with three unions. “Fortune” magazine reported earlier this year that one agreement with the United Auto Workers union, that dates back to the days before General Motors Corp. spun off Delphi, has the company locked into paying some employees $45 an hour in wages and benefits—nearly double the compensation for UAW members in competitors’ plants.
The company’s stock (NYSE: DPH) has drifted downward from an April high of more than $21 a share to trade at $13.62 a share at midday.
“This really just covers plans through the balance of the year,” said Steven Gaut, Delphi’s corporate director of external communications. “We’ll be re-examining the workforce needs and any additional customer schedule information on a weekly basis.”

Auto parts manufacturer Delphi Automotive Systems Corp. today announced plans to temporarily lay off 1,700 hourly employees over the next three weeks at its New York, Michigan and Ohio facilities. The company employs 54,000 hourly workers in 43 plants in the United States. The company employs 3,200 here. John Pekarek, the company’s director of media relations, claimed that Delphi has not yet determined which of its facilities in the three states would be targeted for the layoffs.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $1 million in HUD Neighborhood Initiative funds to the city of Rochester. The funds go to the city’s Home Ownership Improvement Program to help more low- and moderate-income families purchase and rehabilitate homes. Rochester’s home ownership rate of 44 percent pales compared with the U.S. rate of 67.7 percent.

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Underberg & Kessler LLP announces the following appointments: Anthony Adiutori, associate, real estate department; Timothy Johnson, of-counsel, corporate department; and Anthony Lee, associate, trusts and estates department.

The Monroe Plan for Medical Care announces the following appointments: Annell Boone, behavioral health outreach worker; Ruth Collins, financial analyst; Richard Coris, programmer analyst; Mario Macias, provider relations representative; Melodie Mastrogiovanni, utilization review clinical specialist; and Lisa Mobley, claims analyst.

Nazareth College of Rochester has named Kerry Gotham assistant director of alumni relations and parents’ program coordinator. His responsibilities will include developing programs for future alumni and recent graduates, as well as programs for parents of current students.

Edward Sassaman M.D. has joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of the Rochester Area as corporate medical director. He is responsible for programs relating to children, such as pediatric guidelines and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. In addition, Gloriela Burns has joined Blue Cross as director of quality management and medical policies. She is responsible for the quality improvement programs, provider credentialing, corporate medical policies and the accreditation from the National Committee on Quality Assurance.

Patricia Bomba M.D. has been named medical director, geriatrics, with Excellus Inc. She will apply her knowledge in geriatric medicine to the two million people served by Excellus.

Geva Theatre’s board of trustees announces the appointment of Frank Mack as the theatre’s new managing director.

Our Lady of Mercy High School announces that Kerryn Boroski has been named the new women’s varsity basketball coach.

Robert Allen has joined Fleet Bank’s commercial real estate group as a vice president and relationship manager. He will be responsible for managing and originating commercial real estate loans and administering real estate loan portfolios. Previously, Allen had worked in commercial real estate, commercial lending and operations at the Chase Manhattan Bank.

George Park Jr. has been named as the new district administrator for the Rochester office of the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. Previously, Park had served with the board as special assistant to the chairman.

Mary Mallaber has joined Prudential Securities Inc. as a financial advisor. Previously, she had been a commercial lending analyst at General Motors Acceptance Corp.

Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic announces the recent addition of Anil Patel M.D. as hospitalist. Previously, Patel had served as a hospitalist at the Genesee Hospital. He provides in-hospital care for patients requiring admission.

WHEC-TV 10NBC, a division of Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., announces the following appointments: Joe Fazio, director of sales; Marilyn Garbarino, local sales manager; and Ajda Sabuncu, national sales manager.

Baldwin Richardson Foods Co. announces the addition of Deborah Caruana as supply chain analyst.

Post Central Inc. has promoted Lisa Coultry to the client services department. She will be responsible for scheduling and billing as well as marketing and promotional initiatives.

Lucid Inc. announces that George Anstadt M.D. has joined the company as its director of clinical quality. He will be responsible for the company’s clinical programs and will focus on clinical acceptance, technical advancement and product development.

Erdman, Anthony and Associates Inc. announces the following new staff members: Jeremy Glen, junior design engineer; Jeffrey Kosmala, team lead-er; Mike Moriarity, senior structural designer; Wende Wallman, project manager administrator; and Erika Wind, business development coordinator.

Martino Flynn LLC has recently promoted Amy Lancaster to print media buyer. In this position, she implements media plans and buys on behalf of Martino Flynn’s print advertising clients. Lancaster has been with the company since 1994.

Rochester Rehabilitation Center Inc. announces that Jay Travers has assumed the position of vice president for clinical services and quality assurance compliance. He will also maintain the position of director, mental health services. In addition, Deborah Kenney has joined the Rochester Rehabilitation Center as manager of public relations and volunteer services.

Paul Mulla has joined Nu-Look Collision as a paint technician at the company’s Cristo Collision location. He is responsible for preparing and painting recently repaired vehicles.

The law firm of Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP announces that Ingrid Palermo has joined the firm as an associate in the financial reorganization and bankruptcy group. Palermo will concentrate her practice on preparing pleadings and motions; advising creditors, creditors’ committees, plan administrators, and debtors in possession; commercial bankruptcy and litigation matters.

Charlie Kincaid has been promoted to construction inspection manager at Fisher Associates P.C. He will oversee the firm’s 10 NICET-certified inspectors.

East House Corp. announces the following appointments: William Lovette, finance director; Dwight Gomez, case manager; and Megan Lechner, Melissa Szuba and Ellen Lewis, counselors. 

Roseann Depaola has joined Andy Kane Realty/Allstate Rentals. She has over 10 years of real estate sales and management experience.

Webcraft Response Management Services announces the following promotions: Gary Clifford, production supervisor; David Sigouin, team leader; Terry Huntoon and Julius Thompson, material coordinators; and Ray Feller III, account coordinator. In addition, Webcraft announces the following new hires: Steve Miller, production supervisor; Kimberly Peregoy and Bev Legonelli, senior account managers; and Michael Anello, programmer.

Centurion Capital Corp. has recently hired Thomas McGuire as director of business development. He brings 24 years of experience to the position.

Fiber Technologies LLC announces the addition of Charles Stockdale as vice president and general counsel. He will hold primary responsibility for legal, regulatory and right-of-way matters. Previously, Stockdale had been deputy general counsel for Adelphia Communications Corp. in Pennsylvania. 

12/1/00 (c) 2000 Rochester Business Journal. To obtain permission to reprint this article, call 585-546-8303 or e-mail [email protected].
 

Xerox Corp. plans to eliminate some 200 local manufacturing jobs, the company said today.
Employees affected by the layoffs will get full pay and benefits through Jan. 26. The layoffs are effective Dec. 22.The layoffs announced today result from slowdowns in manufacturing volumes. The downsizing is unrelated to the restructuring announced in the spring or additional plans hinted at this fall, a Xerox spokeswoman said. The document company some months ago announced some 2,000 local jobs would fall to a restructuring effort, the third Xerox downsizing program in as many years. Xerox stock closed at $6.94 a share today, up six cents.

Northwest Airlines claims an alleged work slowdown by mechanics is increasing as the carrier enters the busy pre-Christmas travel period. The mechanics, however, continue to deny any organized work slowdown.

Verizon Communications, the No. 1 U.S. local telephone company, raised its earnings forecasts through 2002 to reflect the termination of its plans to buy a controlling stake in NorthPoint Communications Group Inc. Verizon said its previous earnings forecasts included costs related to the proposed NorthPoint deal. Verizon canceled its $800 million pact to buy a 55 percent stake in NorthPoint.