A.M. Executive Briefing - Nov. 18
This Morning's Headlines:
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Insurance Crime Bureau Taps FBI Deputy Chief
In December, the National Insurance Crime Bureau's new president and CEO will be FBI deputy director Robert Bryant. NICB members want the group to work harder on cargo theft, said James Spiller, associate vice president and acting chief executive.Earlier in 1999, Spiller said the group was eyeing possible methods of doing just that. Bryant has "done a solid job helping reduce violent crime nationwide and deploying more of the FBI's resources in the fight against cargo crime," said National Cargo Security Council Chairman Ed Badalato. Journal of Commerce Online (11/18/99) ; Barnett, Chris
Truckers Join Theft Fight
The Ontario Trucking Association is now taking part in the TIPS database, which was created by the American Trucking Associations to compile information about cargo theft. Toronto Sun (11/18/99) P. 28U.S. Probe Expands to Ryan Aides
According to unidentified sources, the "Operation Safe Road" federal probe into the Illinois alleged bribes-for-licenses scandal is now looking into whether aides to George Ryan, who was secretary of state at the time and is now governor, intentionally stopped or slowed earlier internal probes into the allegations.During the federal probe, allegations have surfaced that the secretary of state inspector general's office did not heed employees' claims of corruption.
Frank Murphy, who was the chief investigator in a 1993 state investigation, has been subpoenaed, and the sources say the grand jury has heard testimony from two or more other onetime inspector general's investigators. Onetime investigator Russell Sonneveld alleged in a 1998 affidavit that Dean Bauer, a friend of Ryan's who was then in charge of the inspector general's office, stopped Sonneveld's investigation into the licensing of a trucker in a fatal Wisconsin accident.
t has been claimed that some of the alleged bribes ended up as campaign donations. Ryan said, "I've said this happened on my watch and I have to take the hit for it" but that he was not aware of the scandal at the time. Chicago Tribune (11/17/99) P. 1; Marx, Gary; Cohen, Laurie
Quality Distribution Inc. Announces New Chief Executive Officer
The top North American tank carrier Quality Distribution has chosen Thomas L. Finkbiner, formerly Norfolk Southern's vice president of intermodal, as CEO and a director. Former CEO Charles J. O'Brien Jr. remains board chairman. On Finkbiner's watch, Norfolk Southern's intermodal business led the industry in growth. Business Wire (11/17/99)Alan Brogan to Lead Norfolk Southern Intermodal
R. Alan Brogan will become the new president of the Norfolk Southern division Norfolk Southern Intermodal on Dec. 1. In addition to several offices held at Norfolk Southern, Brogan spent six years as president and CEO of North American Van Lines, then a Norfolk Southern subsidiary. PR Newswire (11/17/99)Consultant Tones Down FedEx Effect
When a Federal Express hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina was proposed in 1998, a report said the economy in the 12-county area would get a $240 million annual benefit, but a new report reduces that number by $70 million.The nonprofit Joseph M. Bryan and Z. Smith Reynolds foundations paid for the new study, conducted over seven months by the Regional Technology Strategies consultancy, while the earlier study was done for the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce.
But RTS partner Brian Bosworth said the $70 million disparity is "important but not dramatic," since the hub will probably bring many new businesses into the area and make the economy thrive. The Federal Aviation Administration is to put out a draft environmental impact statement on the proposal in the first part of 2000. The proposal has its detractors. News & Record (Greensboro, N.C.) (11/17/99) P. A1; Wireback, Taft
Public Hearing Held on $1.2 Billion Container Terminal
A Wednesday hearing on the draft environmental impact statement for the South Carolina State Ports Authority's proposed "Global Gateway" container terminal on Daniel Island saw many detractors with different grievances. Some warned of the destructive effect on the mostly African-American community in Cainhoy due to a rail link that would be built through the area, while others said the proposed $1.2 billion would be better spent on schools.The idea is too expensive and would hurt the environment and community, said President Kim Lee of the group Save the Wando. But SPA President and CEO Bernard Groseclose said that in order to survive the port has to "meet the needs of our customers," including 700 South Carolina businesses. Getting the necessary permits from the state and federal governments will probably take a year or so. Associated Press (11/17/99) ; Smith, Bruce
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