Wunsch Named to Science Post

David Wunsch, coordinator of the coal-field hydrology program at the Kentucky Geological Survey, has been named the American Geological Institute Congressional Science Fellow for 1998-99. Wunsch was one of five finalists named from a pool of 28 applicants and is the first person from Kentucky to receive the honor.

As a Congressional Science Fellow, Wunsch will work as a staff member in the office of a member of Congress or a congressional committee. The goal of the fellowship is to send professional scientists to Washington to offer technical and scientific advice to legislators on issues relating to the environment, natural resources and federal science policy.

"To me, the opportunity to offer one good suggestion that could affect one good decision would be worth a year in Washington and allow me to contribute something to my country," said Wunsch.

As a hydrogeologist and geochemist, Wunsch will bring expertise in water supply and water quality matters, as well as mining reclamation issues.

Local Company Hits Entrepreneur's Top 100

The companies included in the Top 100 were selected based on the following criteria:

• The founder must be actively involved in daily operations and must control at least 51 percent of the business.
• The business must have been founded no earlier than 1995.
• Annual sales must have exceeded $1 million in 1997.
• Companies must meet the Small Business Administration's definition of a small business, based on the number of employees and sales figures. (Numbers vary according to industry.)

Control Solutions ranked 65 on the Top 100 list.

The firm got off to a rapid start after being added "almost immediately" to the vendor list at Toyota, says Cox. From there, word of mouth brought in much of the business and a commitment to offering a high level of skill ("everybody here is an engineer," Cox points out) has kept them busy. As of last month, sales for the company were already close to surpassing the firm's 1997 figures.

Toyota, Steak-Out Awarded National Service Honors

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) and the Lexington Steak-Out franchise have been honored with national service awards for outstanding support of their community's volunteer blood donor program.

TMMK received the Platinum Award for Corporate Blood Drive Sponsorship from America's Blood Centers, the nation's largest network of community blood centers. In addition to coordinating donor recruitment within the company, TMMK also participates in awareness campaigns to encourage other

Kentucky businesses to support the donor program. Nearly 11,000 pints of blood have been donated at TMMK-sponsored blood drives since 1989.

Bill and Renee Roberts, owners of the Steak-Out meal delivery stores in the Lexington area, received the 1998 National Organization Award from the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals. During the past two years, the Roberts have donated approximately $50,000 in food for donors at Lexington drives.

"Without corporate and community partners like TMMK and Steak-Out, the blood needs of central and eastern Kentucky hospitals could not be met," said Susan Berry-Buckley, CEO of the Central Kentucky Blood Center. "Their support makes every organ transplant, emergency surgery and cancer therapy that occurs in our community possible."

The two companies were nominated for their efforts by the Central Kentucky Blood Center, a non-profit organization that supplies blood and blood components to 68 hospitals in 54 Kentucky counties.

Hospital Launches Welfare to Work

Saint Joseph Hospital has been awarded a $157,200 grant from the Mission and Ministry Fund of Catholic Health Initiatives to support the establishment of a welfare to work program. The grant is part of a $2 million fund established by Catholic Health Initiatives (Saint Joseph's parent organization) to create healthier communities through innovative and collaborative programs.

Joining Saint Joseph as community partners in the SOLAR (Saint Joseph Opportunities for Learning and Recruitment) program are Employment Solutions, Bank One, The Urban League of Lexington, the mayor's office and others.

With the funding, SOLAR will provide experienced trainers to give program participants the basic skills needed to work in hospital settings. The program will also include van transportation and child care subsidies for participants while they are in job training, a coordinator for the program and employment opportunities at the hospital. Saint Joseph employees will serve as mentors for those making the transition from welfare to work.

Surgeon Leads New Medical Breakthrough

Dr. Thomas G. Abell, a Lexington ophthalmic surgeon, has been selected as one of the first surgeons in the country to be trained and approved to utilize a new medical technology that enables cataract patients to see without the use of glasses.

With cataracts affecting more than 50 percent of all Americans over age 65, the new AMO Array lens is being hailed as the biggest medical breakthrough in eye care since the disposable contact lens.

Based on his past surgical results and reputation, Abell was one of 60 physicians selected nationally to implant the lens. He has now performed more than 100 procedures and serves as a clinical advisor on the procedure to both the local and national medical community.

"Many of our patients receiving this lens no longer require corrective lenses for daily activities, while some only require them for specialized activities," Abell explained during a recent presentation to area physicians. "This lens provides a dramatic improvement in patient quality of life."

Women's Conference Slated for September 3

With one in four U.S. workers employed by women-owned firms, there's no question that the business landscape has changed within the last generation and is poised to continue its growth.

In response, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center will be hosting its sixth annual Women Mean Business Conference on September 3 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel. The conference will include a variety of workshops that address topics such as strategic planning, negotiating, networking, starting a business, motivating employees, financing, marketing and technology.

Speakers for the event include Sharon Hadary, executive director of the National Foundation for Women Business Owners, and Maureen O'Hanlon, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Radisson Hotels Worldwide. Hadary will be speaking on "Women Business Owners: Breaking the Boundaries;" O'Hanlon will expound on recruiting and retaining the best employees.

Cost of the conference is $125. For more information, call 606/257-7667 or 606/257-7666

State's Small Business Environment Improves

The index is calculated by using tax rates (personal income, capital gain, corporate income, property, sales, death, unemployment, health insurance and electric utilities), workers compensation costs and crime rates.

Kentucky ranked 19th in the Small Business Survival Index

"The entrepreneurial sector of our economy drives innovation, invention, growth and job creation, notes Foundation President Karen Kerrigan. "Clearly, state and local government policies impact decisions made by and for the survival of small businesses. The lighter the governmental burden, the better for entrepreneurship and the economy in general." The Small Business Survival Foundation is a non-partisan, non-profit research and education organization. For a copy of the Small Business Survival Index 1998 contact 202/785-0238.

Now Doing Business As...

• Slone & Garrett PSC has changed its name to Slone, Benton & Long PSC, reflecting former partner Laurel Garrett's decision to accept the position of interim general counsel with Fazoli's Restaurants. Partners Mike Slone, Joseph Benton and Karen Long have relocated the firm to 201 Walton Avenue, where they have refurbished the building that once housed the Woodland Grocery.

• The Rexroth Corporation, Pneumatics Division has changed its name to Mannesmann Rexroth Corporation, Rexroth Mecman Division. The new name reflects ownership by Mannesmann AG; the new division name reflects the previous joining of Rexroth and Mecman into one company. The division's new Internet Web site address is www.rexrothmecman.com (formerly www.rexrothair.com).

The Rexroth Mecman Division, headquartered in Lexington, is a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and hydraulic equipment for general industry, oil field, mobile/construction and marine markets.

• Bitwise Technology, Inc. is changing its name to Future Phase Technology, Inc. as a result of the company's reorganization that will separate its two primary locations (Lexington and Louisville) into individual organizations. The Louisville branch of the company will now be known as Data Voice Systems, Inc.

Association Update

David M. Andrews, a partner with the taw firm of Andrews and Associates, has been appointed to the board of directors of First Steps of Kentucky, Inc. First Steps is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with financial assistance and training directed toward finding gainful employment.

Don McNay, president of the McNay Settlement Group Inc., has been elected to the board of directors for the National Structured Settlement Trade Association.

Russell L. Travis, a Lexington neurosurgeon, has been elected president of The American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

The Bluegrass chapter of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants named the following individuals as officers of the 900-member chapter:

President: Anne H. Ehl, Potter & Company
President-elect: Jenny Dulworth Albert, Dulworth, Breeding & Karns
Treasurer: Kent D. Hisle, Hisle & Company
Secretary: Suzanne H. Peal, Georgetown College

Dr. Kathryn A. Bolton has been elected to the board of directors of the Kentucky Chiropractic Society.

Tom Stipanowich, a University of Kentucky law professor, recently served as academic adviser for an American Arbitration Association committee responsible for developing a new due process protocol to be used in mediating consumer disputes. The protocol includes 15 principles intended to protect the rights of consumers who are required to resolve disputes outside of court.

New Ventures

UniDial, a privately-held Louisville telecommunications resale company, has opened a corporate sales office in Lexington to expand its network in the Central Kentucky area. The company is comprised of a nationwide network of more than 400 corporate service employees, 500 independent authorized agents, 6,000 sub-agents and sales representatives, and a UniDial-employed direct sales force numbering more than 150. In addition to its Louisville and Lexington offices, the company also maintains offices in Denver, Colorado and Newport Beach, California, 800/895-7474.

Almost Home, new store specializing in home furnishings, is now open at 108 Mr. Tabor Road, next to Pieratt's. Store hours are 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. (606)335-6111.

Sprint PCS has opened the Sprint Communications Store at 3703 Nicbolasville Road, Suite 40 (next to Men's Wearhouse). Retail store phone: 606/971-2000; business sales phone: 606/971-2025.

Weingarten Gallery, in Apple Computer value added reseller, has opened in Lexington at 991 Fairhaven Drive, offering solutions for printing, newspaper, advertising and graphics arts, along with a full line of peripherals and software to support Macintosh computers. David Salyer, a Macintosh consultant, is the manager. 606/272-2545, fax 606/225-8420, e-mail dsalyer@mis.net

HOW TO REACH US:
News items to be condidered for inclusion in Fast Lane should be submitted to The Lane Report, 269 W. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507, or fax to 606/244-3544, ATTN: Fast Lane

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