Month: July 2009

Norfolk Southern Selects Fayette County Site for New Memphis Regional Intermodal Terminal

Posted by Ryan Willis – July 16, 2009

NorfolkSouthern

Norfolk, Va – Norfolk Southern announced today that it will construct a new intermodal terminal in Rossville, Tenn., in Fayette County, to serve the Memphis region, as part of the railroad’s Crescent Corridor initiative to establish a high-speed intermodal rail route between the Mid-South and Gulf Coast and the Northeast. The $129 million facility, in which freight is transferred between truck and rail, will occupy a 570-acre site and is expected to open in January 2012.

Norfolk Southern’s Crescent Corridor initiative is a multistate network of infrastructure improvements and other facilities intended to enhance Norfolk Southern’s 2,500-mile rail network that supports the supply chain from the Gulf Coast, Birmingham and Memphis to Philadelphia and the New York metropolitan area and enable it to handle more freight traffic faster and more reliably. The railroad is in the process of implementing Corridor projects, including straightening curves, adding passing tracks, improving signal systems, and building new terminals. Altogether, nearly $2.5 billion in Crescent Corridor projects have been identified, and based on the public benefits that stand to be derived in the form of highway congestion relief, NS plans to implement the Crescent Corridor initiative through a series of public-private partnerships.  If and when the Crescent Corridor initiative is fully implemented, it is anticipated that more than one million truckloads of freight will be absorbed from the highways to the rails annually, saving the U.S. more than 170 million gallons of fuel per year.

“Because of its strategic location and growing intermodal demands in the South, the Memphis regional terminal will be an anchor for the Crescent Corridor, and the new facility will help make possible truck-competitive freight transportation between the South and major Northeast markets,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “We commend Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for their collective vision and partnership in recognizing the economic development opportunities and job growth potential this project brings to Tennessee.”

Annual benefits to Tennessee as a result of the Crescent Corridor are expected to include more than half a million trucks diverted to rail, nearly 27 million gallons of fuel saved, carbon dioxide reductions of almost 300,000 tons, close to $17 million in annual congestion savings, avoidance of an estimated $23 million in accident costs, and the creation of more than 5,100 jobs.

“The Greater Memphis Region is home to the world’s largest cargo airport and one of the nation’s biggest cargo river ports. The Crescent Corridor and the Memphis intermodal terminal will expand the role of freight rail, further enhancing our competitiveness and spurring economic growth,” said Gov. Bredesen. “I appreciate all those who have worked in partnership to bring the benefits of this project to Fayette County, the Greater Memphis Region and the state of Tennessee.”

The Memphis terminal also will represent opportunities for economic development and job growth for Marshall County, Miss., and the State of Mississippi. Annual benefits to Mississippi as a result of the Crescent Corridor are expected to include more than half a million trucks diverted to rail, 8.5 million gallons of fuel saved, carbon dioxide reductions of 94,000 tons, close to $6 million in annual congestion savings, avoidance of more than $7 million in accident costs, and the creation of more than 1,000 jobs.

“Mississippi is pleased to participate in this five-state effort, through the Crescent Corridor, to improve the national freight transportation network, and I am enthusiastic about the economic development opportunities it will bring,” said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. “Working together in a partnership with Norfolk Southern, we are laying the groundwork for thousands of new jobs in logistics at a critical time for the American economy.”

NS conducted an extensive site search of the Memphis region for a suitable location. Site selection was given careful and exhaustive consideration to minimize impacts on surrounding communities, roadway facilities, and the environment. For commercial purposes, it was imperative that the site be located along the Norfolk Southern main line east of Memphis.

The Memphis regional intermodal facility will have the capacity to handle more than 327,000 containers and trailers annually. There will be a paved area to park 2,177 trailers and containers mounted on chassis. The terminal will utilize the latest in gate and terminal automation technology, which will reduce the waiting time to get into the terminal, thereby reducing emissions. Four trains will serve the terminal daily. Further, the location selected will allow for adjacent economic development opportunities, including the development by others of an integrated logistics park and possible industrial park. This would add significant employment opportunities to Fayette County, the Memphis region, and Marshall County.

Rail intermodal traffic uses one-third of the fuel required by long-haul trucks on the highway and greatly reduces congestion caused by this truck traffic. These reductions can result in significantly reduced emissions and highway maintenance costs, helping the environment and the burden on state budgets.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a leading North American transportation provider. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Any statements contained in this news release that are not related to historical facts are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties (noted in the Norfolk Southern’s filings with the SEC), which could cause actual results to differ materially.

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Media Contact:

Ryan Willis

(865) 584-0550

rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Radio Systems’ Randy Boyd named CEO of the Year by Business Tennessee Magazine

Posted by Ryan Willis – July 16, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn – The founder and President/CEO of Radio Systems has been named Business Tennessee Magazine’s CEO of the Year.

Radio Systems produces and markets a wide variety of pet products, including the PetSafe family of brands and Invisible Fence.  Sport Dog is also a Radio System product.

Boyd founded the company mostly on a dream and quickly built it into a successful business. It went from a $10 million dollar a year company to a $100 million dollar a year company in ten years. Boyd hopes to use the same math and have a $1 billion dollar company within another ten years.

According to the article, analysts seem optimistic and note that pet products are one of the few retail growth areas. But Boyd acknowledges it won’t be easy. Quoting from the Business Tennessee article: “We’ve got a path to get there, but it’s going to be a challenge—there are a lot of things on our road map, and there’s a probability that some of them won’t happen,” he says. “But we also believe that the biggest idea we’ve ever had, we haven’t thought of yet.”

Technology will continue to play a role, with new products planned that include GPS capabilities and “smart” technology that will make it even easier for people to build better relationships with their pets.

Boyd is also deeply involved in the Knoxville community and is helping create “dog parks” across the county.

For more information about the Radio Systems brands, visit www.PetSafe.net or call 865-218-1568.

Media Contact

Mike Cohen

865-584-0550

mcohen@ackermannpr.com

PACS Imaging Technology Arrives at East Tennessee Medical Group

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – July 16, 2009

ALCOA, Tenn. – East Tennessee Medical Group (ETMG) has installed  the AVREO Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) at its facility at 266 Joule St., Alcoa, to more efficiently provide patients with cutting-edge imaging and digital technology.

PACS retrieves, distributes and stores medical images on computer networks to replace hard copies. Ron German, CEO of ETMG, said PACS is an “important asset to ETMG because the technological advances will ultimately improve our patients’ experience and quality of medical care. PACS offers a clear advantage to ETMG through its ability to improve workflow, reduce time and costs, and equip physicians with an easily-accessible way to view images.”

“I am proud that ETMG is the first and only multi-specialty physician group in the greater Knoxville area to purchase this state-of-the art imaging system. Our patients will clearly benefit through the efficiencies this system brings us,” he said.

                 The system provides:

  • Physician accessibility of images from anywhere
  • Confidentiality and safety of studies
  • Access to all historical studies
  • Greater staff efficiency
  • Appointment duration is reduced

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, East Tennessee Medical Group, 266 Joule Street, Alcoa, is Blount County’s most comprehensive physicians’ organization, with more than 50 physicians and allied health professionals, supported by state of the art technology and staff. ETMG was voted the #1 healthcare facility in Blount County in the 2009 Maryville Daily Times Readers’ Choice Awards. ETMG also is the recipient of the 2008 TECHMED award for its use of innovative electronic medical records and patient care technology and voted the Best Healthcare Facility in Blount County by The Daily Times Readers Choice Awards. For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

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Revolutionary Clayton i-house arrives in Missouri

Posted by Rick Laney – July 14, 2009

Image OneSRINGFIELD, Missouri – The new, Energy Star™ rated i-house from Clayton Homes has arrived in the Springfield area and can now been viewed, toured and purchased at the the Clayton Homes model home center in Springfield, Mo.

The eco-friendly Clayton i-house, which is now available for purchase, launched nationally at the Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Neb. on May 2, 2009 when Warren Buffett showed the i-house to attendees.  Since that time, the i-house has been featured on numerous national cable television news shows and in newspapers and magazines across the country.  The i-house on display in Springfield is the same i-house toured by Buffett at the Berkshire-Hathaway meeting before it was moved to Springfield.

The i-house is Energy Star™ rated, which means the home is at least 30 percent more energy efficient according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Although home buyers are likely to first notice the stylish design, cutting-edge color combinations and modern furnishings, the i-house also features solar panels, a rain water catchment system, high-end “low e” windows, a tankless water heater, low-flow faucets, easily renewable bamboo flooring and many other energy saving items.

“The i-house will change the way people look at our products and housing in general,” said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton Homes.  “We build these homes in a controlled environment away from the weather, so there’s a huge quality benefit simply because of how we build a home.  We also have far less scrap in our building process than a traditional home, so there are tremendous cost savings we pass along to the homebuyer.”

Built with an exterior of cement board and architectural metal, the home’s most distinctive feature is the V-shaped roof over the primary living space that includes the i-house’s rainwater catchment system and solar panels. The primary living area includes a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, and a deck connects it to a separate living area that features a bedroom or den, a full bath and a roof-top patio.

Clayton Homes says the i-house’s energy costs are less than $70 a month, but that figure drops to less than one dollar per day when the optional solar panel system is installed.

The i-house is consistent with the overall environmental focus at Clayton Homes, which is in the process of obtaining LEED certification – the national benchmark for eco-friendly design – at its Tennessee headquarters.  Clayton has cut energy costs at its offices by 28 percent over the last two years, and has already started implementing many of the “green” features of the i-house into its traditional homes.

Although the i-house is expected to be a popular primary residence, it is also drawing considerable interest from people who wish to have a second home or vacation home because of its affordability, unique design and energy efficiency.  The $8,000 first-time homebuyer’s tax credit, is expected to attract many first-time homebuyers, many of whom will be drawn to the modern design and energy efficiency of the i-house. More information is available at http://claytonihouse.com.

Clayton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, has built 1.5 million homes since 1934.  Clayton homes are precision-built in 35 state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facilities strategically located throughout the United States.

The Golfing Life – Exclusive Interview with Greg Norman

Posted by Ryan Willis – July 13, 2009

GnormanLoudon, Tenn. – Tennessee National is launching a golf lifestyle blog (http://thegolfinglife.com/).  The inaugural post features an exclusive interview with Greg Norman.  In the interview, Norman discusses everything from golf course design and his other business ventures to life outside of the game and some of his “life lessons.”  He gives great insight into his philosophy on business and really gives readers a unique look into his life.  

The blog will feature regular updates and news from around the golfing world along with a special focus on the golf lifestyle.  The Golfing Life is provided by Tennessee National (www.tennesseenational.com), a private waterfront golf community located in Loudon, Tenn. 

Tennessee National is a master-planned private waterfront golf community offering a broad selection of premium amenities, home sites, custom homes and condominiums.  Located off Highway 72 in Loudon, Tennessee, the development includes a private Greg Norman Designed Signature Golf Course.  For more information on land sales or golf memberships, visit Tennessee National’s Discovery Center from 9am-6pm Monday-Friday, Saturday 10am-6pm & Sunday 12pm-6pm, call us at 865-408-9992 or visit us online at www.tennesseenational.com.

Media contact
Ryan Willis, Ackermann PR
865-584-0550
rwillis@ackermannpr.com

Reach Them to Teach Them Founder Selected as Finalist for TN Teacher of the Year

Posted by Amelia Daniels – July 9, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Education has announced the nine finalists for the 2010 state Teacher of the Year Award.  Reach Them to Teach Them’s founder, Amy Crawford is a regional winner. 

Award criteria include using creative teaching methods as well as being effective school and community leaders. 

Crawford has taught middle school in Knox County for many years.  In 2005, she became overwhelmed with the pressure to ‘teach to the test.’  “The focus was shifting from truly teaching students to trying to increase the test scores,” says Crawford.

For Crawford, a light bulb went off.  “I pushed myself to go beyond those tests and make sure that teaching revolves around one thing and that’s the student.”

After applying this new way of teaching and seeing positive results, Crawford expanded her reach beyond the classroom.  She founded Reach Them to Teach Them, a non-profit organization, that trains, motivates and inspires people of influence to equip children to reach their maximum potential. 

Through an event held each fall in Knoxville, TN, Reach Them to Teach Them impacts the lives of more than 1,700 people.  “But our influence doesn’t stop there,” says Crawford.  “Those people return to their classrooms, churches, gyms, campgrounds, and ball fields, more inspired to help mold the next generation.”

Crawford says she is honored by the recognition by the Tennessee Department of Education, but her real joy comes from change she’s making one student at a time.  “We have the power to write on their hearts with permanent marker,” says Crawford.

A final round of interviews will be held and the Tennessee Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall.

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Media Contact: 

Amelia Daniels
(865) 584-0550
adaniels@ackermannpr.com

Wilderness at the Smokies Expands Sales & Marketing Team

Posted by Rick Laney – July 2, 2009

steve-cruz-photo1Sevierville, Tenn. –  Wilderness at the Smokies resort has hired Steve Cruz as the newest member of its sales and marketing team.  Cruz brings more than 15 years experience in the East Tennessee tourism industry.  His previous professional experience includes working with Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Georgia.

Cruz will serve in the newly created position of sales and marketing director and will be responsible for directing all sales, marketing and advertising for Wilderness at the Smokies resort.  He will join Dottie Clabough, director of group sales, and Kim Bridges, director of public relations and promotions.

Cruz said, “Wilderness at the Smokies has changed the tourism landscape in this area.  It’s exciting to be part of such a special place that so many families look forward to visiting.  We plan to build on and grow the unbelievable success Wilderness at the Smokies has experienced in its first year of operation.”

Wilderness general manager David McGregor said, “We believe Cruz will be a great addition to our sales and marketing team.  He brings the perfect background to firmly establish Wilderness at the Smokies as a premier area attraction.”

Wilderness at the Smokies, conveniently located just minutes from Interstate 40 in the scenic foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is establishing a new standard for family vacations to East Tennessee.  Phase I of the resort opened in June 2008 with a 234-room hotel and outdoor waterpark.  The Wild WaterDome Indoor Waterpark opened in December 2008 and the resort has just unveiled its Lake Wilderness Outdoor Waterpark which features an Adventure River and a 10,000 square foot Wave Pool. 

The developers of Wilderness at the Smokies resort are the owners of Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort - America’s Largest Waterpark Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  For more information on the resort or for reservations, visit www.wildernessatthesmokies.com or call 1-800-867-WILD (9453).

Commtest’s Ascent 2009 Vibration Analysis Software Released

Posted by Rick Laney – July 1, 2009

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -  Commtest, Inc. changed the way the world looks at vibration analysis when it introduced its innovative line of affordable vibration analysis and data acquisition products in the 1990s.  Now a good thing is getting better.

Coming off a record-breaking year when Commtest doubled the size of its Knoxville headquarters and placed more than 800 portable and vbOnline® systems globally, Commtest announced this week that its Ascent® 2009 Software is now available.  Building on the success of its award-winning Ascent® 2008 R2 Software, Commtest says the new software offers performance improvement and enhancements for its customers.

In addition to all of the functionality that won the Ascent Software a prestigious Plant Engineering Product of the Year Award in 2007, the new version of Ascent provides an extended Internationalization Engine with expanded language support and an enhanced universal plug-and-play driver for USB communications with instruments.  Other improvements include attached file schedule entry (the ability to attach external documents), improved reporting options and enhanced database utilities that eliminate duplicate entries.

Commtest also announced this week that it has released new device firmware for the vbSeries® vibration analyzers and new vbOnline®.  The vbSeries® of products from Commtest delivers the core features and functions that maintenance professionals need in a vibration analyzer without the complexity and cost typically associated with vibration analysis equipment.  Commtest’s products have opened the door for many small- and mid-sized companies to benefit from advanced maintenance practices that only large corporations could afford in the past.

Commtest’s complete line of innovative equipment includes vibration data collectors, portable vibration analyzers and permanently-installed online machinery surveillance systems – all sharing the user-friendly software interface, Ascent.  The company also has a comprehensive services division that helps customers maximize their return, get started with the equipment in hours and provides a complete range of training services.

The new Commtest Ascent 2009® Software is available to registered users at www.commtest.com. Commtest Instruments Ltd. is based in Christchurch, New Zealand and the company maintains a U.S. Headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee.