Press Releases

Stephanie M. Chmiel and Peter E. Jones Join Columbus Office

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Stephanie M. Chmiel and Peter E. Jones have joined the law firm Thompson Hine LLP as associates in the firm's Columbus office.

Chmiel, a member of the firm's Business Litigation group, focuses her practice on civil litigation matters in state and federal courts, including product liability, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, tort and commercial disputes. She formerly was an associate with Jones Day. Her pro bono experience includes drafting a habeas petition to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of an indigent prisoner, drafting and arguing appellate briefs on behalf of the Kings County District Attorney's Office and drafting an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals on behalf of a Tibetan monk.

On joining the firm, Chmiel says, "Thompson Hine's breadth and depth of experience, along with their commitment to client service, as evidenced by their Client Service Pledge, sets them apart from other firms. I'm pleased to be a part of Thompson Hine."

Chmiel earned her J.D. from Cornell University and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Miami University. She is admitted to practice in New York, Pennsylvania and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Jones, also a member of the Business Litigation group, was formerly an associate with Squire Sanders. He focuses his practice on general litigation and political law compliance, including commercial litigation, product liability and First Amendment issues. Jones counsels individuals, businesses and public entities on compliance with government ethics, lobbying regulations and campaign finance-related matters at both the state and federal levels. During law school, Jones was an extern for The Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to entering law school, Jones taught high school English.

"By joining Thompson Hine's business litigation practice, I can expand my ability to provide excellent service to my clients," says Jones. "I am excited about the new opportunities I have with Thompson Hine."

Jones earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from Capital University and his B.A. from Bradley University. He is admitted to practice in Ohio.

Bill Jacobs, who heads the firm's Business Litigation group, states, "We are very pleased to add Stephanie and Peter to our group. Each brings a unique background that strengthens our group. Their experience will help further our ability to do our best work for clients every day."

Columbus office partner-in-charge Tony White adds, "Stephanie and Peter are both strong additions to our Columbus office. We're glad to have them at Thompson Hine."

About Thompson Hine LLP: Established in 1911, Thompson Hine is a business law firm dedicated to providing superior client service. The firm has been recognized as one of the Best Corporate Law Firms in America (in an annual survey of corporate directors conducted by Corporate Board Member magazine). With approximately 400 lawyers, Thompson Hine serves premier businesses worldwide. The firm has offices in Atlanta, Brussels, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, New York and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ThompsonHine.com.

    Source: Thompson Hine LLP

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc (MMC) honored three female executives yesterday at the 36th annual YWCA-NYC Academy of Women Leaders Salute Luncheon, held at New York City's Gotham Hall.

Lucy Fato, Vice-President, Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary for MMC; Barbara Marder, World Wide Partner and Principal at Mercer; and Eugenie Steele Dieck, a partner at Oliver Wyman Delta, were among the women recognized at the event this year for their outstanding leadership, professional achievement and civic commitment. The YWCA-NYC, one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the country, established the Salute in 1974 to honor trailblazing women in business who exemplify the organization's mission. Honorees are inducted into the YWCA-NYC's Academy of Women Leaders, joining the ranks of the more than 3,000 women who have been recognized by their companies and the YWCA since the Salute's inception.

"MMC is incredibly fortunate to have the expertise of these three exceptionally talented women in one organization. We are proud to honor them at this event for the ways in which they share of themselves both within the company and within their communities," said Kathryn Komsa, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at MMC and Co-Chair of the 2009 Salute Steering Committee.

MMC, a participant in the Salute luncheon for more than 25 years, was the Presenting Sponsor of this year's event. MMC Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Orlando Ashford delivered the keynote speech.

Ms. Fato has been practicing law since 1991, joining MMC's legal team in late 2005. She volunteers with a number of organizations in New York City and her hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the National Board of Alumnae Visitors for The Ellis School, a college preparatory school dedicated to the education of girls and young women in Pittsburgh.

Ms. Marder, based in Mercer's Baltimore office, is the global leader of both the company's Global Defined Contribution and International Consulting practices. She was instrumental in the recent re-launch and expansion of the Mercer Women's Business and Leadership network. Outside of work, Ms. Marder has been active in the Beth Tfiloh Community School, having served as the Upper School Committee Chair and Vice Chair and sitting on the board of directors.

Ms. Dieck's work with Oliver Wyman Delta has allowed her to consult with boards and executive leadership across a variety of industries to effect large scale organizational change. As a member of the firm's U.S. management committee, she is responsible for the development of consultant talent. Ms. Dieck, who resides in the Philadelphia area, is active in her community through pastoral care work with the elderly. She has also been involved in fundraising to assist schools in providing services for children with special needs.

MMC is a global professional services firm providing advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. It is the parent company of a number of the world's leading risk experts and specialty consultants, including Marsh, the insurance broker and risk advisor; Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy; and Kroll, the risk consulting firm. With approximately 52,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue of $11 billion, MMC provides analysis, advice and transactional capabilities to clients in more than 100 countries. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges. MMC's website address is www.mmc.com.

    Source: Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

JUNO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Some of America's most well known and respected companies have selected Florida Power & Light Company (NYSE: FPL) as a nationwide winner in the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI) 2009 National Key Accounts Customer Service Awards program for outstanding service in energy efficiency.

FPL was one of six utilities to receive the recognition from businesses that include national chain and multi-site brands such as Walgreens, Target, Staples, McDonald's, HealthSouth and Wal-Mart.

"Our national customers are extremely smart consumers of electricity and consider the delivery of energy efficiency programs a critical component of a successful energy strategy. We are truly honored by this award," said Tracie Bagans, FPL's national account team manager. "FPL is committed to helping our customers big and small be more energy efficient. We're proud that, with the active participation of our customers, FPL has the No. 1 energy efficiency program in the country."

Since its inception in 1988, EEI's National Key Accounts Program (www.eei.org/na) has addressed the unique and growing needs of commercial customers with multiple sites or outlets, including chains and franchise operations.

"The chains put a premium on utilities that tailored programs and services to meet their needs, and on companies and individuals that provided them with information they needed in a simple, fast and accurate way," said Thomas R. Kuhn, President of EEI.

Through the National Key Accounts network of electric utilities, these businesses gain a single point of contact at each utility that serves their company. In addition to the award for FPL's program, the businesses recognized one of FPL's energy experts for his outstanding customer service. FPL National Account Manager Ralph Calleja received the individual honor for his work expediting new service connections, providing information about rates and suggesting ways to improve energy efficiency.

EEI President Kuhn added that: "the winning utilities and individuals understand that the health of their business is dependent upon the health of their customer's business. With today's volatile energy prices and uncertain economic conditions, the winners know that they must continually work to make their customers more energy efficient, more productive and, ultimately, more profitable."

For nearly three decades in partnership with its customers, FPL has managed the most successful and cost-effective energy efficiency programs in the nation. FPL's typical residential customer bill is below the national average and the lowest of all 54 electric utilities in Florida, according to the latest Florida Municipal Electric Association data.

Florida Power & Light Company

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with nearly 11,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are well below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and the No. 1 energy efficiency program among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE: FPL). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

Edison Electric Institute

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Its members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. EEI also has more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.

    Source: Florida Power & Light Co.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Eugene S. Rosenfeld and Craig Manchester, principals of Integral Communities, have teamed with a fund managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. to form Sentinel Capital Funding, a new source of financing for residential developers. The venture combines the significant residential finance and development experience of Rosenfeld and Manchester with Oaktree's expertise in real estate investments.

"Conventional financing for residential land development and homebuilding has come to a standstill," said Manchester, managing partner of Sentinel Capital. "This is a great opportunity for an unconventional lender with seasoned leadership to fill a void in the market. With our deep knowledge of the industry and Oaktree's extensive track record in real estate investments, we bring a strong team onto the playing field."

An Executive Committee, comprised of representatives of both firms, will serve as a Lending Committee to approve loans to homebuilders and residential land developers for properties throughout the West Coast. Lending operations will be implemented by Sentinel Capital staff headed by President Bruce Beck, a career residential construction lender who began his career at Bank of America. Beck can be reached at (949) 706-2634.

ABOUT OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.

Oaktree (GSTrUE: OAKTRZ) is a premier global alternative and non-traditional investment manager with over $65 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2009. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in distressed debt, high yield and convertible bonds, specialized private equity (including power infrastructure), real estate, emerging market and Japanese securities, and mezzanine finance. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the firm today has approximately 580 employees and offices in 14 cities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.oaktreecapital.com

ABOUT INTEGRAL COMMUNITIES

Integral Communities is a diversified real estate company specializing in residential housing development and investment. Integral's principals are the key executives that transformed Western Pacific Housing, a leading California homebuilding company into the nation's 12th largest homebuilder. For more information, please visit www.integralcommunities.com

    Source: Sentinel Capital Funding

COLUMBUS, Ohio,, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ohio Nurses Association's House of Delegates elected Paula Anderson, RNC to the office of President of the Association for the 2009-2011 term. Anderson succeeds Barbara A. Nash MS, RN, C, CNS, who was term-limited after serving two consecutive terms as President of ONA.

Anderson is a Staff Nurse at The Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus and has been a bedside Registered Nurse for almost 40 years. She is the Immediate Past President of the Ohio State University Nurses Organization, and is a member of the American Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the Mid-Ohio District Nurses Association. Anderson previously served as a Structured Director on the ONA Board of Directors.

Following is the 2009-2011 ONA Board of Directors:

President -- Paula Anderson - Westerville

First Vice President -- Daniel R. Kirkpatrick - Fairborn

Second Vice President -- Sandy Ranck - Ashtabula

Secretary -- Brennon Giles - Wheelersburg

Treasurer -- Gigi Prystash - Lyons

Board of Directors -- Structured

Joyce Powell - Cuyahoga Falls; Jacinta Tucker - Dover; Kathy Dalton - Addyston; Eric Williams - Youngstown; Mary Wilson - Mt. Sterling

Board of Directors -- Unstructured

Linda Riazi Kermani - Akron; Tracy Ruegg - Powell ; Shirley Hemminger - Cleveland; Dorcas Fitzgerald - Warren; Michele Valentino - Canton

About the Ohio Nurses Association

The Ohio Nurses Association is a member-driven, full-service professional association and is the premier professional organization for Ohio's registered nurses. Organized in 1904 to secure a Nurse Practice Act to protect the citizens of Ohio, it has been promoting and protecting nurses, the nursing profession and those who receive nursing care for over one hundred years.

SOURCE Ohio Nurses Association