Archive for April, 2012
DHHS: Employee stole personal information of 288,435 SC Medicaid beneficiaries
Posted: April 19, 2012 at 9:15 pm
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - The personal information of more than 228,000 Medicaid recipients in South Carolina has been stolen by a former state Department of Health and Human Services employee, according to DHHS and the State Law Enforcement Division.
SLED says 36-year-old Christopher Lykes was able to make off with 228,435 Medicaid recipients' personal information by emailing the information to his personal Yahoo email account.
The information contained names, addresses, and Social Security numbers -- information the Lykes had access to and the agency trusted him with.
Most of the people impacted by the security breach live in Richland, Lexington, Barnwell, Orangeburg, Allendale, and Bamberg counties.
Lykes has been charged with five counts of Medically Indigent Act Confidentiality violations and one count of disclosure of confidential information.
DHHS Director Tony Keck says it started in January and ended three weeks ago. They found out about the scheme after conducting employee performance reviews.
"The information was not readily available, but it was available to him through a normal reporting process and that's where we've identified a security lapse that the department was not sufficiently requiring employees to justify their need for that information," Keck said. "That is fairly easy lapse to close and we've done that."
Keck says he called the employee in on April 10 and fired him, then turned the information over to SLED.
SLED has Lykes' home computer and is working to track down where the information went and hopefully why this employee wanted it in the first place.
"Agents have now taken possession of his work computer and also the employee's personal computer. At this time, we know of at least one other party who has received data from this former employee and this transfer is part of this ongoing investigation," SLED Director Mark Keel said.
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DHHS: Employee stole personal information of 288,435 SC Medicaid beneficiaries
For C.E.O.'s, Personal Conduct Does Matter
Posted: at 9:15 pm
Michael W. Peregrine, a partner at the law firm McDermott Will & Emery, advises corporations, officers and directors on issues related to corporate governance, fiduciary duties and internal investigations.
It's the traditional compact in corporate America: what C.E.O.'s do on their own time is their business, as long as they are not breaking any laws. And it's a compact that is rapidly going by the wayside, as boards concerned with the corporate reputation are increasingly making clear.
Last week, Brian Dunn resigned from his position as Best Buy chief while the board investigates his personal conduct. News reports stated that the investigation was focused on Mr. Dunn's misuse of company funds related to an inappropriate personal relationship with a female employee.
Mr. Dunn had served as chief executive of Best Buy since 2009 and was highly popular with employees, having advanced from a store floor sales position to senior leadership over a 28-year career. Best Buy issued a public statement that the investigation was unrelated to operations or financial controls, but a final report is not expected for months.
The Best Buy scandal is the latest in a string of prominent controversies in which boards have moved quickly to terminate executives over concerns with personal conduct rather than legal or financial impropriety. And these cases may mean boards will need to set up new guidelines for their leaders in order to resolve thorny issues involving personal rather than business ethics.
For instance, Highmark's board dismissed its chief, Kenneth Milani, after he was charged with assault and trespassing. The charges arose from his fistfight with the husband of a female employee with whom Dr. Milani was said to be having an affair.
Also relevant was the decision of the University of Arkansas to dismiss its popular and highly successful football coach, Bobby Petrino, for multiple concerns arising from an inappropriate personal relationship with a female athletic department employee. And certainly, there was the highly publicized 2010 decision of Hewlett Packard to dismiss Mark V. Hurd as chief executive for expense account irregularities involving a female consultant on contract.
In each of these situations, the board sought to preserve the company's reputation. And in the era of corporate responsibility, that is increasingly what the law, and public policy, would expect from boards.
Evaluating reputation risk is a component of the board's oversight. Reputation risk can arise from the public disclosure of an event -- violation of prevailing law, professional ethics, or standards of business conduct, product quality, public safety or values. The theory is that an event can create a negative public impression, which in turn jeopardizes a company's value on a broad scale.
While reputation is difficult to monetize, it is equally difficult to restore once damaged. The ultimate governance lesson from Best Buy is that reputation risk can arise from untoward personal conduct of executive officers. Thus, the traditional compact may need to be amended.
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For C.E.O.'s, Personal Conduct Does Matter
Momentive Performance Materials Introduces Personal Care Products to Address Key Consumer Trends and Benefits
Posted: at 9:15 pm
ALBANY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a leading global provider of silicones and advanced materials, today announced the launch of seven new additives that can help formulators improve the performance of personal care products while addressing consumer trends. Developed for hair care, sun care, skin care and color cosmetics applications, these products were introduced at In-Cosmetics 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, April 17-19.
Innovation at Momentive is driven by our customers needs on two critical fronts, said David Cohon, Global Marketing Director, Personal Care, Momentive Performance Materials. The first is to provide continual improvements in benefits that consumers have come to expect in their personal care products. The second is to provide products that address ongoing consumer interest in issues ranging from protecting the environment to protection from the environment. Helping formulators meet these needs requires the in-depth knowledge and global capabilities across diverse technologies that only an industry leader such as Momentive, with more than 70 years of science-based innovation for enhancing everyday life, can offer year after year.
Momentive is expanding its comprehensive portfolio of specialty silicones for personal care products with the following new products featured at the In-Cosmetics show:
Hair Care
Three new ingredients not only offer greatly improved hair conditioning effectiveness, but are also manufactured without the use of parabens and are easy to use in formulations.
Sun Care, Skin Care and Color Cosmetics
Two new formulator-friendly emulsifiers for skin care and color cosmetics applications offer high silicone actives, among other sought-after benefits.
Two new additions to Momentives range of film formers leverage the companys leadership in silicone resin technology to enhance the SPF effectiveness of sunscreens while improving durability. The new additives also offer improved performance of sun care, skin care and color cosmetics products along with additional desired consumer benefits.
For more information about Momentives solutions for the personal care industry, please call 800.295.2392 in North America (+1 614 986 2495 everywhere else), email 4information@momentive.com or visit http://www.momentive.com.
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Momentive Performance Materials Introduces Personal Care Products to Address Key Consumer Trends and Benefits
And Now For Something… – Video
Posted: at 9:14 pm
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And Now For Something... - Video
CCNA And CCENT 3:00 Lab: Frame Relay – Video
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CCNA And CCENT 3:00 Lab: Frame Relay - Video
The Weirdness Of It All – Video
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The Weirdness Of It All - Video
Ford: Should You Own this Success Story?
Posted: at 9:14 pm
By John Mylant - April 18, 2012 | Tickers: F | 0 Comments
John is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinions of our bloggers and are not formally edited.
2008 saw a financial meltdown for the country and the auto industry was one of the worst hit. One company that continues to impress me with its turn around (without government intervention) is Ford (NYSE: F). It is a company that has rebounded, prospered and continues to show innovative leadership.
Rebounding from Extinction
Like many companies back in 2008 Fordstruggled as auto sales dried up very quickly. Losing $75 million a day, the stock dropped close to a buck in value. Three years later, the company made a $20 billion profit on sales of over $100 billion. $6200 in profit sharing was paid to each of its eligible employees and today the stock is trading at $11.95. Now that is quite a success story.
Continuing to Prosper
It has done well this year also. Recently Ford raises 2012 U.S. sales forecast. Its previous sales forecast was between 13.5 and 14.5 million in sales but now it is looking at close to 15 million. It is the North American operations that are carrying the company. Just in the U.S., first quarter sales were the best the company has in the last four years; plus March was the best since 2007 with the Ford Fusion recording its best month ever and the F-Series showing the strongest March sales in five years.
Canada has shown surprisingly similar success this year. January and February set a stronger than expected pace for the year. So now they have increased forecasts for yearly car sales. For the year they are projecting sales to be 1.67 million, which are 40,000 higher than was projected.
Innovation brought to the Consumer
Ford is continuing to research and bring innovative technology to the consumer through its products. With a goal is to be able to cut 750 pounds from a vehicle by the end of the decade and boost fuel efficiency substantially, Ford formed a partnership with Dow Automotive Systems to develop advanced carbon fiber composites that could be used in high-volume vehicles. Both companies together will research new manufacturing techniques and materials to cut weightyet strengthen the quality of its vehicles.
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Ford: Should You Own this Success Story?
Plymouth North boys track enjoys a taste of success
Posted: at 9:14 pm
A victory in the 4x400 relay event was the turning point for the Plymouth North boys track and field team Wednesday in a win over Dennis-Yarmouth. The Blue Eagles improved to 2-0 on the season.
Ian Allen won two events, the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, posting a Division 3 state qualifying time in each of them. The 11.1 seconds time he ran in the 100 also tied his personal best.
Scott Dickson also won two events, posting the best distances of the day in the discus as well as the shot put.
John OBrien (400-meter) and Mike Bambrick (a personal record of 2:05.01 in the 800-meter event) completed Plymouth Norths sweep in the short and middle-distance sprints. Riley Woolsons time of 61.6 seconds won him the 400-meter low hurdles in a personal best time and qualified him for the state meet.
The difference in the meet was Plymouth Norths depth at the top of each event. Greg Marinos took second in the 100-meter in a state-qualifying time of 11.4 seconds. Alec Provo finished second in the 400, Todd Cushing placed second and Alek Andrews third in the mile, while Kevin McNeeley and Andrews came in second and third in the two-mile race, respectively.
Rob Naidoo took second in both hurdle events and came in third in the triple jump, while Conor Boris finished second in the javelin and third in the discus.
The Blue Eagles were also in action Saturday at the Route 228 Freshman/Sophomore Meet at Notre Dame of Hingham. Allen had another great day for himself, taking second in the 400-meter dash and seventh in the 100-meter event. Naidoo came in second in the 400-meter low hurdle and 10th in the triple-jump, Bambrick took third in the 800-meter, Nate Shannon finished 11th in the two-mile and Bobby Dee was 11th in the javelin.
Bambrick (2:05.00 in the 800) and Allen (53.67 in the 400) each put up personal record times that qualified them for the Division 3 state meet at the end of the season. Overall, Plymouth North placed 11th in the team competition.
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Plymouth North boys track enjoys a taste of success
Leading National Lender, Churchill Mortgage, Celebrates 20 Years of Success
Posted: at 9:14 pm
BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Churchill Mortgage announced a series of special events and promotions planned for this year to celebrate its 20th anniversary, including: a First-Time Video Contest where first-time homebuyers will recount their experiences; a Young Entrepreneurs Contest, where 20 people in their 20s will pitch business ideas to Churchill Mortgage for a chance to win a capital investment; special Habitat for Humanity builds; and block parties (featuring special giveaways and barbecue) for each branch office throughout the year. Churchill Mortgage is a leader in the mortgage industry providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 23 states.
Since 1992, Churchill Mortgage has continued to grow and evolve into one of the leading mortgage companies in America. The lender was founded on the premise of operating its business with no debt, allowing Churchill to grow responsibly while maintaining a solid foundation. By abiding by this no debt policy, Churchill has experienced steady growth. Last year alone, the lender added five new branches throughout the country, increased its staff by 11 percent and established successful partnerships with industry leaders that further benefit its customers.
Churchill Mortgage has also been closely associated with nationally syndicated radio host, Dave Ramsey, and was in fact, the first sponsor for his program. Churchill Mortgage is a company you can trust, said Ramsey. For more than two decades, they have provided great service and the right tools to help borrowers achieve financial stability. Many companies define success based on the dollars coming in, but like us, Churchill defines success by the number of lives they change. Im honored to celebrate with my good friends at Churchill Mortgage, and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.
Today, Churchill Mortgage takes a great deal of pride in the fact that it earns a large majority of its business from customer referrals. Through its consultative approach to lending and strong commitment to local communities, the lender focuses on the right loan product for each borrower, providing the education and tools necessary to ensure borrowers financial stability.
Twenty years in operation is a great achievement for any business, and were extremely proud of this accomplishment, said Mike Hardwick, president of Churchill Mortgage. We continue to grow not only to help more individuals achieve their dream of owning a home, but also providing opportunities for some of the industrys hardest-working and most talented professionals. As we celebrate, all of us at Churchill are excited about whats to come for the next 20 years and we look forward to our continued success.
About Churchill Mortgage
Founded in 1992, Churchill Mortgage is a prominent and financially sound leader in the mortgage industry, providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 23 states. Unique within the industry, it is the only mortgage lender endorsed by nationally syndicated radio personality and personal finance expert and author, Dave Ramsey. Through its consultative approach to lending and strong commitment to local communities, the lender focuses on the right loan product for each borrower, providing the education and tools necessary to ensure borrowers financial stability. For more information about Churchill Mortgage, visit http://www.churchillmortgage.com or follow them on Twitter @ChurchillMtg and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/churchillmortgage.
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Leading National Lender, Churchill Mortgage, Celebrates 20 Years of Success
Short term health & fitness goals can lead to long term success
Posted: at 9:14 pm
Health experts say a successful workout program is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.
Personal trainers at Broadmoor Fitness at Hansen Park in Kennewick say setting small goals every few weeks will help you achieve long term success.
Reporter Brian Brennan set out to lose 20 pounds in 3 months. To accomplish this goal Personal Trainer Shayne Smith set Brian up with a program to measure his progress about every three weeks.
"It's going to take you awhile. So you need things along the way to keep you going. Largely that has to do with increased athleticism, increased flexibility, increased strength, clothes fitting differently," says Personal Trainer Shayne Smith.
Smith says every client is different so he tailors the program to meet their needs. He set Brian up with the very demanding "300 Workout." It's a physical fitness test that actors and stunt men from the movie 300 completed after months of training.
The workout starts with 25 pull-ups then goes on to include 50 dead-lifts with 135 pounds, 50 push-ups, 50 box jumps, 50 floor wipers, 50 kettle bell clean and presses, and finally another 25 pull-ups.
Brian says when he first started the program he could barely do half the workout, but he can now do the whole thing in 25 minutes. He says every test he would do a little better than the time before, and that kept him motivated for the entire 3 months.
He's also happy to report he did lose the 20 pounds.
Don't try the 300 Workout without consulting a professional. If you'd like to set some goals or want more information call (509) 735-7744.
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Short term health & fitness goals can lead to long term success