This Week's Paper

MAY 20-26, 2013
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It's no secret that the top executives at public companies receive fat paychecks. This week, IBJ uncovers the goodies ladled on top of that compensation. Using public records, reporter Dan Human finds that some officers at Indiana's top public firms spent tens of thousands of company dollars on personal expenses such as travel, golf club memberships and financial advisers. Also in this issue, learn about the $171 million rounded up by a local private investment firm to invest in other companies. And in Focus, J.K. Wall details how mobile apps designed to improve users' health could be a real threat to Indiana's established life-sciences giants like Eli Lilly and Co., Roche Diagnostics Corp., and  Cook Medical Inc.

Front Page

Oesterle sells land to Angie's List, reaping millionsRestricted Content

Angie’s List Inc. CEO Bill Oesterle has collected millions of dollars over the years by renting to the company property for its campus along East Washington Street. Now, the landlord and chief executive is pocketing millions more by selling Angie’s the property, at well above its assessed value.

Firms ladle trips, car allowances on top of rich pay packagesRestricted Content

Senior executives at Indiana's public companies last year received, on average, more in perks than the typical Hoosier earned all year, IBJ found after reviewing Securities and Exchange Commission documents for more than 60 Indiana companies.

Top Stories

Centerfield rounds up $171M for new fundRestricted Content

An Indianapolis private investment firm has raised one of the largest-ever funds in the state. Centerfield Capital Partners pulled in $171 million that it plans to invest in about 20 companies. Its two previous funds totaled $60 million and $116 million.

Athenaeum weighs redevelopment bids for surface parking lotRestricted Content

Three developers are competing to build a mixed-use project likely to include a parking garage on a surface lot adjacent to the historic Athenaeum building.

Nancy Irsay puts party pavilion, home on market for $3.7M

Dozens of small charities have used the pavilion in south Carmel to host events, paying far below market rates.

WISH-TV rakes in bucks with city's only locally produced lifestyle showRestricted Content

"Indy Style"--an hour’s worth of TV programming on everything from recipes to music to fitness to screen-door-repair tips--fills its show with guests who are a combination of invited guests, sponsors and one-time-only advertisers.

Spate of banking mergers may be just the beginningRestricted Content

First Merchants Corp. CEO Michael Rechin thinks a wave of bank mergers is coming—driven by financial institutions’ quest to increase profits in an environment where super-low interest rates continue to squeeze margins.

Focus

Mobile health apps could cut into legacy companies' turfRestricted Content

The future of Indiana’s sprawling health care and life sciences industry might be threatened by an unlikely source: smartphone apps.

Indiana device makers absorbing Obamacare excise tax

The state's medical-device companies are finding that they cannot pass on the new medical-device tax created by Obamacare to their hospital customers, causing them to continue to make cuts and to look to foreign markets for more profitable growth.

Study rebuts hospitals' argument on Medicare, rising costs

Rather than raising prices on private health insurers to make up for inadequate payments from the government, hospitals across the country have been raising prices just because they can, according to a new study.

PINCUS: State needs better life sciences startup ecosystemRestricted Content

Indiana’s life sciences sector is mostly composed of legacy companies.

Perimeter

Greenwood, Whiteland try to spur, shape growthRestricted Content

Two Johnson County communities are determined to capture—and control—the next wave of suburban growth.

A&E, etc.

LOU'S VIEWS: In Indy Opera’s ‘Flying Dutchman,’ strong voices almost drowned by overdone visuals

Season closer tackled Wagner's large-scale seafaring tale. Plus, thoughts on ‘4000 Miles’ at the Phoenix Theatre.

DINING: Sandwich shop Fresco no mere supermarket sidebar

Third in a month-long series of Cultural Trail restaurant reviews.

BENNER: Cricket-loving Mayor Ballard might be ahead of his time

The stakes are lower, but the odds higher, compared with previous mayors who took risks with sports.

Opinion

MORRIS: I’m from the government, and I’m here to helpRestricted Content

Obama's troubles might save us from his heavy-handed, second-term agenda.

DAVIS: Support workers' volunteerism

With businesses everywhere working to attract and retain great talent and customers, giving back to the community can end up on the back burner. The time and effort required to connect with charities, plan events and provide time off from critical business focus initially seems to be counterproductive. This paradigm leaves many leaders scratching their heads about corporate social responsibility.

KENNEDY: We the ignorant peopleRestricted Content

Like it or not, the United States is a country where, increasingly, people read different books and newspapers, visit different blogs, watch different television programs, attend different churches and even speak different languages.

Skarbeck: Financial markets brace for era of social mediaRestricted Content

Two recent episodes have regulators scrutinizing the role social media plays in the investment markets.

Hicks: Firing of Heritage researcher shows cowardiceRestricted Content

A recent study by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, sheds a great deal of light on the sausage mill of policy research, and the courage and integrity of the process of policy research altogether.

ALTOM: When it comes to big purchases, don’t follow the crowdRestricted Content

The most popular tech product isn't necessarily the one that is best for your business.

School choice segregates

Reflecting on the [May 13] article “Trying to Reclaim a Legacy,” please don’t forget another group of people who took a risk: the taxpayers.

Transit skeptic lists demands

You ask how to get non-believers on board [May 13 editorial].

1. Show me one mass transit system in the nation that is self-supporting, including upkeep and depreciation with excess inflow of cash.

Stick to oval racing roots

Thanks for Benner’s [May 6] column. There are far too many street/grand prix races already.

In Brief

Kessler Mansion neighbors balk at business uses

An Indianapolis City-County Councilor is looking into the possibility of zoning violations at the massive north-side property. The mansion will host a camp for entrepreneurs in June.

Eco devo veteran takes over Hamilton County Alliance

Former state Department of Commerce Chief Tim Monger took the reins of the economic development group after financial woes forced the organization to reevaluate priorities. He plans an aggressive approach.

Convenience stores sue to sell cold beer in Indiana

An industry trade group filed a lawsuit Tuesday morning contending that Indiana liquor law is unconstitutional and unfairly benefits liquor stores.

People

People in the news - May 20, 2013

People listings are free.

Records

Records - May 20, 2013

Records listings from the May 20, 2013, issue of IBJ.

Not-for-Profit of Note

NFP of NOTE: Jameson Camp

Jameson Camp enriches the lives of Indiana youths by inspiring them to discover their strengths.
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