ORLANDO, Fla., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Information Architects Corporation (IACH) announced today that it has named former AIG executive J. RUSSEL DORSETT as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Dorsett will be primarily responsible for implementing Information Architects' aggressive new growth strategy, including the integration of new business strategies and initiatives which are already in progress. Mr. Dorsett will also be responsible for identifying and expanding additional new business ventures for IACH. In addition to being the CEO, Mr. Dorsett will also join the Board of Directors of the corporation and assume the role of Chairman.

Mr. Dorsett is currently a director at Veris Settlement Partners, a position he has held since 2008. He also is the co-owner of Select Life Settlement Corporation, which has been active in the life settlement business since October of 2005. Mr. Dorsett's experience as an executive in the insurance industry dates back to 1974, and includes acting as a senior executive for a number of major insurance carriers. It also includes his tenure as Managing Director and CEO from 1995 to 2002 of American International Assurance, Australia (AIA) which was at that time the Australian division of insurance giant AIG. Mr. Dorsett also served on the Board of Directors of the Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA) for four years, and as President for two. Mr. Dorsett is a CLU and a 1972 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

"With Mr. Dorsett's comprehensive background," comments Tom Jaspers, IACH CFO, "I believe he will give Information Architects a great advantage in moving forward in a fresh direction. He has a wealth of experience in financial services both overseas and domestically, as well as a track record for leadership, both in large companies and in start-ups. He has also been deeply involved in the public policy issues around financial services regulation, particularly as it applies to life settlements and other evolving insurance related products and services. We are extremely optimistic about what he can achieve and the new level of excellence IACH can reach under his leadership."

"IACH has developed a bold new strategy, and appointing Mr. Dorsett to this new role is just the beginning of the revolutionary changes at hand. Tremendous work has been going on behind the scenes ever since last year when the share restructure positioned IACH to capitalize on new opportunities and to build a powerful new management team," remarks Nicole Craig, director.

CORPORATE PROFILE Information Architects Corp. (IACH) is a worldwide Marketing and Distribution company.

"Forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Information Architects Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions (including in the information technology and financial information industry), actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies, and the purchasing activity or lack thereof by registered web mall members.

William Craig 954 358 7099

Read the original post:
Information Architects Corporation Names Russell Dorsett Chief Executive Officer

Posted on June 5, 2012, Tuesday

ON TRACK: Photo shows an artists impression of the pedestrian sky bridge across the terminals. KLIA2, the new LCCT in Sepang is on track for full operations by April 2013.

KUALA LUMPUR: KLIA2, the new Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang is on track for full operations by April 2013, OSK Research said.

In a research note yesterday, it said with the construction now 51.78 per cent complete, the project was 89.9 days ahead of its original works schedule.

This will provide room for the its existing operations to make the transition to the new terminal, it said.

The research house said for the first time, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had organised a site visit for the investment community to witness the progress of construction at KLIA2.

We note that the upcoming KLIA2, which will be the worlds largest low cost carrier terminal with an annual capacity to handle 45 million passengers, is designed with the flexibility to accommodate future growth and expansion, it said.

It added that KLIA2 would offer retail space of close to four times that in the current LCCT, and the revenue to be potentially chalked up might amount an additional RM120 million, at the very least.

The response from retailers had been overwhelming, with over 700 applicants eyeing the 225 outlets up for rental.

We see MAHB generating strong cash flow not only from the rising demand for travel but also from the development of townships near KLIA.

Read more here:
KLIA2 on track operate by April 2013, construction in progress

Suffolk Downs unveiled its plans Tuesday to team up with Caesars Entertainment on a $1 billion casino development on the site of the aging, 1935 horse track, revealing a development plan that includes retail shops, nightclubs and a luxury spa that proponents said would create 2,500 construction jobs and 4,000 resort jobs for local residents.

The hopeful developers of the seaside race course in East Boston and Revere, who enjoy the backing of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, are competing for the eastern regions lone casino license against another proposal to locate a casino resort on a larger tract of forest in Milford next to Interstate 495.

The plan calls for up to 5,000 slot machines and 200 table games in 200,000 square feet of gaming space that developers said would generate an estimated $200 million in annual tax revenue and $150 million a year in annual spending at regional vendors.

Project officials also listed members of their development team, including architect Elkus Manfredi of Boston, general contractor Suffolk Construction of Boston, transportation specialists Vanasse Hangen Brustlin of Boston and Seagull Consulting of Winthrop, and engineers Haley & Aldrich of Boston, Nitsch Engineering of Boston, and McNamara/Salvia Inc. of Boston.

Meanwhile, the developer of the proposed Crossroads Casino in Milford has allegedly not met with the towns administrator since before the actual signing of the gaming law in November 2011.

The Board of Selectmen is waiting to hear an actual, definite proposal. To this day they havent had anything to weigh, Milford Town Administrator Louis Celozzi told the News Service. We just havent gotten to that point.

Crossroads developer David Nunes, a Bolton native who now lives in Colorado, disputed Celozzis take, writing in response to an email that he is in constant touch with the community and its officials. Earlier on Tuesday, Nunes told the News Service that his proposal was the first to secure an exclusivity agreement with the host community, a step Celozzi discounted as minor.

Its not that weve been inundated with proposals, Celozzi said.

Two of the three selectmen in Milford had different levels of optimism about the proposal, but both said they had not spoken with Nunes in nine months to a year.

Im questioning the seriousness of the proposal at this point, Selectman William D. Buckley said.

Original post:
Suffolk Downs offers casino proposal; Milford rival stands by plan

A public hearing lasting more than three hours Monday was still not enough for the Cupertino City Council to come to a decision on an apartment complex project slated for the corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and Blaney Avenue.

A majority council's desire to see more retail and fewer apartment units is sending Prometheus, a San Mateo-based real estate and property management group, back to the drawing board.

The project as of now would see the demolition of a number of retail shops and restaurants at Blaney Plaza. Prometheus is seeking permission to demolish approximately 21,000 square feet of existing commercial space and construct a mixed-use project consisting of roughly 80 apartment units and a new 7,000-square-foot commercial building.

Construction will likely mean the bulldozing of nearby businesses such as Chili's Grill and Bar, Shan Restaurant and a number of retail shops in the rear of the property. A number of the retail pads date back to the 1960s and '70s.

Current businesses at Blaney Plaza include M&M Food Mart, Out of the Blue Consignment, Pinky Nail Spa, Ernie's Barber Shop and a cleaners. The Village Falafel is the only retail pad that was not acquired and will remain standing.

The loss of retail was a sore spot for residents and members of the council, who requested that Prometheus meet with city staff again to find a way to add more parking and more retail, while lowering the number of apartment units

"I want to see retail that works here, and I think parking is important to making it work," mayor Mark Santoro said.

As proposed, the project would see a 7,000-square-foot commercial building built along Stevens Creek Boulevard, with about half of the retail space going toward some kind of dining establishment.

Prometheus acquired the property at 20300 Stevens Creek Blvd. with plans to build apartments that will align with the already established Biltmore Apartments on S. Blaney Avenue. The project would add an additional 12 units to the Biltmore complex, and recreational facilities and entryways onto the property would be shared by the two properties.

The Biltmore Apartments include 179 apartment units. The apartments have been in operation since 1970s and most recently went through a renovation in 1999.

Continued here:
Cupertino apartment project stalls, as city council wants to see more retail, fewer units

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara (HACSC) will hold a grand re-opening of the Cypress Gardens senior citizen housing facility in San Jose, California, showcasing the agency's successful program of upgrading and revitalizing traditional Public Housing through creative public-private partnerships.Guests of honor for the gala event are Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager and San Jose City Councilmember Pete Constant.The press is cordially invited to attend on Thursday, June 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cypress Gardens, 3555 Judro Way, San Jose, California 95117.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120604/SF18572)

Originally built in 1984, Cypress Gardens is one of HACSC's oldest affordable public housing facilities for senior citizens.Years of neglect and deferred maintenance, due to limited federal funding, had left Cypress Gardens in desperate need of rehabilitation.Faced with these financial realities, HACSC creatively partnered public and private parties to accomplish the task.

"Cypress Gardens proves that public-private partnerships are a win-win formula for serving the affordable housing needs of our seniors, disabled, and homeless residents of Santa Clara County," said Alex Sanchez, executive director of HACSC. "This is the kind of teamwork that can be achieved throughout the nation."

HACSC Solves a Stubborn Housing ProblemBuilt and funded under the federal government's Public Housing program for low-income renters in the 1980s and 1990s, 10 properties in Santa Clara, San Jose, Gilroy, and Campbell, California faced a steady downward trend in federal funding, maintenance and renovation.

But through a creative partnering of public and private parties, HACSC in the past three years has rehabilitated and upgraded 555 Public Housing units, preserving critical low income housing options in one the country's hottest rental markets.

To accomplish this, HACSC leveraged over $90 million in private funds from Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax exempt bonds, and commercial loans.The total cost of the construction work was approximately $84 million, and addressed millions of dollars of deferred capital work that could not be financed from the Department of Housing and Urban Development's annual Capital Grant for Public Housing.Four different general contractors were hired to complete these projects, and the work has created over 400 jobs for construction workers, legal and architectural professionals, as well as city building inspectors.Without HACSC's efforts, the properties would have fallen into disrepair, and valuable units that provide services and housing to extremely low income tenants would have been lost.

More about the Rehabilitation of Cypress GardensCypress Gardens is comprised of 125 units for approximately 150 residents, mostly senior and some disabled citizens.The rehabilitation project, which began in November of 2010, included the repair of major interior, exterior, and common use areas.Among the improvements are: new outdoor siding, new windows, new paint, a new walkway, improved landscaping, new appliances, new floor coverings and fixtures, new common area kitchen appliances, a new multimedia center with a new computer, expanded laundry equipment, new air conditioning, and a new fire alarm system.

The project budget was approximately $7.6 million, the general contractor was Segue Construction, Inc. of Pleasanton, California, and construction lasted for approximately 13 months.

"The rehabilitation of Cypress Gardens added approximately 80 jobs to our local economy," said Vanessa Cooper, HACSC's director of real estate services."But more importantly, our unique teaming of public and private interests has resulted in a safer, more comfortable, and enhanced living environment for many of our most needy senior citizens."

Excerpt from:
Grand Re-Opening of Cypress Gardens in San Jose Showcases Effectiveness of Public-Private Partnerships for Affordable ...

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Sue W. Thomas was named chief executive officer of Nystrom, Inc., a global supplier of complementary products and services for commercial building, including some of the worlds most renowned structures, like the recent renovation of the Pentagon.

As CEO, Thomas is responsible for the visionary leadership and strategic direction of Nystrom and will emphasize delivering an even richer experience for customers. A trusted name in the commercial building industry for more than 60 years, Nystrom supplies the miscellaneous and specialty components essential to building projects, such as roof hatches, smoke vents, louvers and access doors.

A longtime key member of the companys management team, Thomas is credited with leading the organization through periods of high growth and development, acquisition and challenging commercial construction market conditions.

In addition, she guided the business through several acquisitions, including that of Victory Treads in 2011, Arden Architectural Specialties in 2008 and Babcock-Davis Hatchways in 2001. She also has overseen productivity improvements, including the expansion of production capacity to 51,000 square feet facility in Minneapolis, and the adoption of practices for lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.

Sue is uniquely qualified and experienced to lead this organization into further growth and to deepen our customer relationships, said James T. Nystrom, chairman of the board. We are confident under her direction, Nystrom will expand its industry position as the go-to strategic partner in Right to Site Services.

Thomas is a member and former president of the Twin Cities Chapter of the Construction Finance Management Association, the only nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the educational needs of construction financial professionals.

Prior to becoming CEO of Nystrom, Thomas served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the company. She joined Nystrom in 1990 in finance. She succeeds Scott Sustacek as CEO of Nystrom.

About Nystrom, Inc. Nystrom, Inc. is a global supplier of complementary building products and services which include miscellaneous and specialty construction items:Roof Hatches, Smoke Vents, Access Doors, Fire Safety, Stair Treads and Nosings, Expansion Joint Systems, Louvers, Wall & Door protection and Entrance Flooring Systems. Nystrom partners with clients to simplify and streamline workflows, taking the hassle out of specifying and procuring.Key customers have direct access to people who immediately take care of their needs and take full responsibility for the process from beginning to end.As an earlier adopter of Autodesk Revit Building Information Modeling (BIM), Nystrom delivers the right information and the right support to improve client productivity and profitability.

Photos/MultimediaGallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50299394&lang=en

Originally posted here:
Nystrom, Inc. Names New CEO with Focus on Enriching Customer Experience

Boca Raton has been given an ultimatum: Sign the agreement to restore Lake Wyman by June 30 or lose the project.

Robert Robbins, director of Palm Beach County's environmental resources management, said in a letter delivered Monday that if the city doesn't sign, a $1.5 million grant from the Florida Inlet Navigation District will be returned.

"After June 30, we will have lost the opportunity to construct the project," Robbins wrote.

The makeover would overhaul the area, where silt and overgrown vegetation have made high tide the only time a canoe can glide through trails winding through Lake Wyman's mangroves.

It would also expand a boardwalk, plant sea grass and provide recreational docks.

But neighborhood opposition particularly from the Golden Harbour Neighborhood Association prompted both the City Council and the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District last month to seek more study before committing to their $383,167 share of the $2.9 million project.

They say the project potentially harms manatees, impedes water flow and, with the building of a maintenance road, creates privacy problems.

Lake Wyman Park, an 8.3-acre, city-owned park, is located along the western side of the Intracoastal Waterway, adjacent to the James A. Rutherford Park. The city used to rent canoes there, but hasn't since existing vegetation became too thick.

Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel said Tuesday if the park district isn't in the effort, neither is the city.

"We could not see our way clear unless [the district] contributes their half," Whelchel said.

See the article here:
County wants Boca Raton officials on board with Lake Wyman restoration

Project people are the Jenkinses, but no project has been more satisfying for the couple than the restoration of their historic Arrowtown convent home.

Alan and Kath Jenkins moved from Auckland eight years ago, after holidaying in Arrowtown for several years.

"We used to holiday down here and loved it. One day, we just said, 'Why are we going back?

"We love it down here'," Mrs Jenkins said.

Suckers for punishment, the couple did not just want to buy and move in, they wanted something they could work at and the old church convent on Merioneth St was just the challenge they wanted.

"It was quite run-down. The state of it was just appalling," she said.

"We wanted a project and had previously restored villas, something with a bit of history and character," he said.

The cottage certainly had the history. The cottage was built in the early 1870s and was home to Arrowtown's only lawyer at the time, Henry Stratford. It was bought by the Catholic Church in the 1890s and used as a home for nuns until the 1940s.

The Church had added two bedrooms on the northern side of the house and a music room. The original rooms remain and a lot of the original material and stone is still intact.

In 2004, the couple bought the property and have since added to it, built around it and made the old cottage into a home.

See the rest here:
Arrowtown cottage labour of love

COLLEGE POINT, NY--(Marketwire -06/05/12)- Weather analysts and news agencies are closely following the wildfires that are currently spreading across the southwest region of America. Wildfire seasons have caused violent destruction to lives, property and land throughout U.S. history. While most forest fires are a natural occurrence, citizens are urged to take preventative steps to avoid these chaotic events and help rebuild devastated communities. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the intense heat of fire is enough to cause structural damage. Mascon Restoration is one company based in New York that helps revitalize these impaired structures.

One article from MSNBC traces the current state of multiple wildfires in Arizona. While two wildfires are currently contained and pose no threat to structures, one fire has residents of Crown King evacuating. The area, which is 85 miles north of Phoenix, could become even more hazardous if winds shift to push the flames back into the community. Officials are concerned about road access; if the fire grows it is possible that firefighters and residents could become trapped.

While authorities work to protect human lives as the fire spreads, others are concerned about damage to their homes and businesses. Although concrete swimming pools and stone exteriors can act as barriers to flames, the intense heat and smoke of fires can negatively affect the appearance of a building. Heat can cause cracking and discoloration of stone faades, in addition to the carbon staining that results from smoke and soot damage.

Mascon Restoration is a company that offers expert repair and cleaning of challenging surfaces such as stone, brick, marble and granite. Although Mascon Restoration is based in New York, miles away from the current southwest wildfires, the region is not unfamiliar with forest fires. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the state contains 18.9 million acres of forested land that can support severe and widespread fires. In 2002, New York forest rangers responded to 324 such wildfires.

The department stresses the serious nature of "wildland-urban interface fires," an occurrence that poses threat to local homes and businesses in the New York area. In the event of any type of fire, Mascon Restoration urges citizens to first protect themselves and other residents. As noted by the MSNBC report, many home owners find that property abandonment is a struggle. While fires can prove fatal to citizens, it does not mean that a structure cannot be repaired. Mascon Restoration is a company that understands the importance of building preservation, and offers an array of services that can help property owners rebuild impaired structures.

ABOUT:

From roofing to waterproofing, Mascon Restoration is a New York-based company fluent in the repair and reconstruction of damaged buildings. The business offers extensive faade inspection, cleaning and restoration services that include surfaces such as marble, granite, brick and stone. Mascon Restoration values the importance of urban structures and works to provide affordable rates to both property owners and local governments when it comes to restoring the appeal of buildings.

Originally posted here:
Weather Alert: Mascon Restoration Provides Repair Services as Wildfire Season Hits America

American Ambassador in Sofia, James Warlick, refuted once again Tuesday media information that he has been recalled early.

In an interview for TV7, which the channel says might be his farewell one, the diplomat explained that the US has started the procedure to nominate his replacement, but the decision has not yet been finalized.

On May 25th US President Barack Obama officially announced that he has nominated Marcie Ries for Ambassador to Bulgaria, where she will replace James Warlick. The announcement was published on the site of the White House.

In the interview, the Ambassador also touched on the last developments in the country's fight against organized crime, saying the arrest of alleged drug lord Evelin Banev AKA Brando is a significant step forward of the government in this fight. He stressed once again that criminals must not only be arrested, but tried and receive just sentences under the rule of law.

Warlick pointed out that as Rome was not built in a day, the fight against organized crime is a long and difficult process.

"The series of arrests of key figures from the underground such as Brando or the alleged "Octopus" gang ringleader Alexey Petrov, are proof that the Bulgarian government is making the necessary efforts and must stay the course," said he.

Commenting on the new law for confiscation of illegally acquired assets without the need to have an effective Court verdict, the diplomat explained that all individuals in Bulgaria who have "unexplainable" wealth must be probed.

The Ambassador further reiterated his support for the decision of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, to scrap the project to build a second Nuclear Power Plant, NPP, in the Danube town of Belene, adding he agrees with Borisov's motive that such project is a very expensive undertaking.

"If this was an economically beneficial project, investors would have shown up," Warlick stated.

He also commented on the exploration of shale gas deposits in Bulgaria, saying Bulgarians are right to give top priority to preserving the environment. The diplomat, however, voiced the opinion that there is a need of in-depth and unbiased debate about such exploration as shale gas can end up being an alternative energy source for the country.

See the rest here:
Outgoing US Ambassador: Bulgarian Cabinet Must Stay Course