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InterBusiness Issues - September 2007
Doug Parsons
Excelling in a Global Economy
The President/CEO of Excel Foundry and Machine, Inc. and CEO of FLSmidth Excel LLC, formerly known as Excel Crusher Technologies, Doug Parsons understands what it takes to succeed in today’s global economy. Since taking over as President of Excel Foundry and Machine in 1998, he has watched sales soar from about $9 million to over $50 million this year. Parsons founded Excel Crusher Technologies in 2004, selling both of the Pekin-based companies to FLSmidth two years later. He continues to oversee both companies, as well as participating in merger and acquisition activities for FLSmidth. Parsons sits on the Illinois Workforce Investment Board and the Advisory Board for Morton Community Bank. He is Worship Director at Riverside Community Church and a Director of All God’s Children International, an orphan care/adoption agency. He won the 40 Leaders Under Forty award in 1999, and has been written up in the New York Times and Inc. magazine. He lives in Peoria with his wife, Jennifer, and three children: Merrill, 13; Jessica, 10; and Jack, 6.

Features

Business Profile
Butch's Pizza - A Family Legacy
By Sarah Cash
Butch’s Pizza was the first food company in the nation to develop and market, on a wholesale basis, a white pizza with a special garlic sauce on it.
Congress in the Classroom Celebrates 15th Year
Brad McMillan
Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service
If we are to develop more principled leaders in public service, a great place to start is in the classroom.
Cost Segregation Studies Help Building Owners Save Millions
Mark Colvin
Clifton Gunderson LLP
An Illinois biofuel facility saved $7 million on its federal tax bill; a real estate developer, $2.8 million; an apartment/condo complex, $334,000.
Publisher's Note
Not Business As Usual
by Jan Wright, Publisher
In an age of unprecedented, rapid change, there is no certainty; there are no guarantees.
Working to Reduce Sewer Overflows to the Illinois River
Gene Hewitt
City Engineer, City of Peoria
Despite this progress along its banks, the Illinois River does not meet Clean Water Act goals.
Caterpillar Posts Record Second-Quarter Sales and Revenues
Caterpillar Inc. reported record second-quarter sales and revenues of $11.356 billion.

Also in this issue...

Business Bulletins
The latest in business news in central Illinois.
Harnessing the Wind
Bill Newhouse
STS Consultants
Wind power is now the fastest growing energy source in the world, which has helped reduce the cost of production.
Do You Have Room to Drive Down 401(k) Costs?
Gery Blackburn
RSM McGladrey
Many mid-sized businesses and their employees are seeing hidden fees and undisclosed costs whittle down their 401(k) plan balances.

Columns

Agricultural Issues
No Viable Alternative to Horse Harvesting
Patrick Kirchhofer - Peoria County Farm Bureau
City Issues
An Engaged Electorate in 2008
Mayor Jim Ardis - City of Peoria
Education Issues
Forty Years, 400,000 Minds
Dr. John Erwin - Illinois Central College
Heartland Issues
Increase Revenues with Chamber Membership!
Roberta Parks - Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce
Junior Achievement Issues
Let Them Learn by Doing
Larry Timm - Junior Achievement
Occupational Health Issues
Health & Productivity
Michael Davis - IWIRC Corp.
Tourism Issues
Sports Play in Peoria
Brent Lonteen, Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Business Banking Issues
Identity Theft: A Big Business
Dave Cochran, South Side Trust & Savings Bank
Community Issues
H-P/PCF Alignment Update
W. Michael Bryant, Methodist Medical Center
Ethical Issues
Ethics and Training
Dr. John Throop, The Summit Group
HR Issues
Illinois Joins the Ranks of Non-Smoking States
Mary Pille, Employers' Association
Legislative Issues
Passing a Capital Budget
State Rep. Mike Smith, 91st District
Social Issues
Campaign for a Brighter Future
William & Marjorie Springer, 2007 United Way Campaign Chairs
Workforce Issues
The Future of Workforce Development, Part 2
Bashir Ali - Central Illinois Workforce Network
Chiropractic Issues
Massage and Chiropractic: Why?
Dr. Robert Zinser, Zinser Chiropractic Clinics
County Issues
Capitalize on Energy Savings
William Prather, Peoria County Board
Healthcare Issues
Protecting 5 Million Lives from Harm
Dr. R. Michael Gulley, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center
Investment Issues
Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?
Scott Elger, Robert W. Baird & Co.
Manufacturing Issues
Train to Sustain
Tucker Kennedy, IMEC
Staffing Issues
Internet Sources for Career Information
David Smith, Manpower Professional