Cisco wants to build $35 million lake resort
By Kathy Edwards
Special to the Reporter-News
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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Cisco community leaders still hope to move forward with plans for developing a $35 million resort at Lake Cisco.
Although the Hilton Hotels Corp. apparently has declined to become involved in the project, a newly created committee of area residents will meet Sept. 16 to discuss the project's future.
More than a year ago, Cisco Mayor Hal Porter and an interested group of residents put together a striking vision for their city's revitalization.
They wanted to partner with the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Hilton Hotels Corp. to develop a 100-room hotel and resort with attractions that include a water park at the historic swimming pool at Lake Cisco, an expanded golf course and a rodeo arena.
The historic pool, once billed as the largest outdoor concrete swimming pool, closed in 1974 after 46 years. The dam at the lake (once open to the public) helped the school's football team earn the nickname "Big Dam Loboes." The city has been trying to find new uses for the pool area.
The latest venture was called the Hilton Heritage Resort, said Porter, who is also the Cisco schools superintendent. He said the city of Cisco, in concert with the Cisco Development Corp., has investigated the possibility of developing the area around Lake Cisco into a resort.
Porter said the Cisco Development Corp. assisted with the process of hiring a consultant to do a feasibility study, which cost $17,000. CADCO architectural firm out of Abilene drew up the designs.
Armed with the plans and a study, the Cisco group approached the Hilton Hotels Corp. because Cisco was the home of Conrad Hilton's first hotel, which is a now a historic landmark. But the Hilton representatives didn't warm to the proposal.
"Unfortunately, the corporation did not take into account the attractions we planned to develop that are unique to Cisco when they looked at the proposal," Porter said.
The consultant suggested that Cisco, a city of 3,800 people, narrow the scope of its development plan, but proponents have not backed down from their revitalization effort.
"The community is excited about this. There is so much history around Cisco to build on, but we will need a major partner to get the project developed," said Don Henry, chairman of the Cisco Economic Development Board. "We will offer in-kind incentives such as land for the project and tax relief."
The mayor has appointed 21 people, including himself, to the newly created Parks Special Study Committee to continue exploring the project. The committee will meet in its first called meeting at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Davis Learning Resource Center at Cisco Elementary School, 503 W. 11th St.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Friday, December 28, 2007
GATES to Leave Microsoft
Microsoft Announces Plans for July 2008 Transition for Bill Gates
Working full time at Microsoft through June 2008, Gates then will continue as chairman and advisor while increasing Foundation efforts; Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie to assume expanded roles.
Related Links
Microsoft Resources:
•
Media Alert: Microsoft to Announce Company News – June 15, 2006
•
Virtual Pressroom: Microsoft Leadership Update
•
Microsoft Senior Leadership Team
Event Coverage:
•
On Demand Webcast (40 min. 43 sec.)
•
Written Transcript of Gates & Ballmer Remarks – June 15, 2006
•
Find a series of video clips from the news conference in the Virtual Presskit
•
Channel 9 (MSDN) interview with Ballmer, Gates – June 15, 2006 (3 mins., 56 secs.)
REDMOND, Wash. — June 15, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that effective July 2008 Bill Gates, chairman, will transition out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The company announced a two-year transition process to ensure that there is a smooth and orderly transfer of Gates’ daily responsibilities, and said that after July 2008 Gates would continue to serve as the company’s chairman and an advisor on key development projects.
The company announced that Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect and begin working side by side with Gates on all technical architecture and product oversight responsibilities, to ensure a smooth transition. Similarly, Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will work closely with Gates to assume his responsibility for the company’s research and incubation efforts; Mundie also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to guide Microsoft’s intellectual property and technology policy efforts.
“Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company,” Gates said. “I remain fully committed and full time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs.”
June 15, 2006, Redmond, Wash: (L-R) Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie, Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie and CEO Steve Ballmer gather prior to a news conference announcing plans for Gates to transition out of a day-to-day role in Microsoft over the next two years while Ozzie and Mundie assume increased roles in the company.
Click for high-res version.
“This was a hard decision for me,” Gates added. “I’m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever.”
In September 2005 Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer organized the company into three divisions under presidents Jim Allchin, Kevin Johnson, Robbie Bach and Jeff Raikes, who were given much greater responsibility for product development and strategy decisions within their respective businesses. In August 2005 the company appointed Kevin Turner as chief operating officer.
“Bill and I are confident we’ve got a great team that can step up to fill his shoes and drive Microsoft innovation forward without missing a beat,” Ballmer said. “We will continue to hire the world’s best technical talent and give them the tools to do their best work, and we will continue to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities for our customers by investing for the long term.”
Ballmer and Gates noted that Microsoft has been steadily expanding its senior leadership in recent years, and that today’s announcement continues a transition process that has been underway for several years. In January 2000, Gates assumed the role of chief software architect and Ballmer assumed the role of CEO, responsible for all day-to-day operations and company business strategy.
“This is a very sensible and thorough approach. A two-year transition will ensure that the company has a smooth transfer of strategy and knowledge from Bill to the next generation of leaders,” said James I. Cash, Ph.D., member of the Microsoft board of directors and former James E. Robison Professor, Harvard Business School. “Steve and his management team are very impressive, and I’m confident the company will not miss a step.”
Ozzie, 50, worked on the first electronic spreadsheet, VisiCalc, in the early 1980s, then joined Lotus Development Corp. in 1983 to develop Lotus Symphony, an MS-DOS®-based integrated software management product that combined word processing, spreadsheet, business graphics, data management and communications capabilities. In 1984, Ozzie formed Iris Associates Inc. to develop Lotus Notes. In 1997 Ozzie founded Groove Networks, where he developed Groove Virtual Office. Microsoft acquired Groove Networks in April 2005 and named Ozzie chief technical officer.
Mundie, 56, joined Microsoft in 1992 to create and run the Consumer Platforms Division, which was responsible for developing non-PC platform and service offerings including the Microsoft® Windows® CE operating system; software for handheld PCs, Pocket PCs and Auto PCs; and early telephony products. Mundie also started Microsoft’s digital TV efforts and acquired and managed the WebTV Networks Inc. subsidiary. Mundie is also the original champion of the Trustworthy Computing Initiative at Microsoft, which has influenced Microsoft’s software development strategy. His current responsibilities also include global technology policy and a variety of technical and business incubation activities.
Ozzie and Mundie will continue to report to Gates. At an appropriate time during the two-year transition period, they will shift to reporting to Ballmer.
Gates, 50, started Microsoft in 1975 with childhood friend Paul Allen. He took Microsoft public in 1986 and was the company’s chairman and CEO until 2000, when Ballmer took over as CEO. For the past six years Gates has focused on Microsoft’s software development as the company’s chairman and chief software architect. In 2000, with his wife, he formed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose assets now are $29.1 billion.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft has pioneered many of the software innovations that paved the way for the digital information revolution and launched the PC industry. Beginning with MS-DOS, Microsoft’s first operating system, and continuing with products such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows and Xbox®, the company has developed a broad range of software, services and solutions that have transformed the way people work, communicate and play. Microsoft has 63,000 employees in more than 100 countries and generates annual sales of more than
$40 billion (U.S.). With products for desktop PCs, servers and mobile devices, Microsoft continues to be the worldwide leader in helping people and businesses realize their full potential.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft, Windows, MS-DOS and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
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Working full time at Microsoft through June 2008, Gates then will continue as chairman and advisor while increasing Foundation efforts; Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie to assume expanded roles.
Related Links
Microsoft Resources:
•
Media Alert: Microsoft to Announce Company News – June 15, 2006
•
Virtual Pressroom: Microsoft Leadership Update
•
Microsoft Senior Leadership Team
Event Coverage:
•
On Demand Webcast (40 min. 43 sec.)
•
Written Transcript of Gates & Ballmer Remarks – June 15, 2006
•
Find a series of video clips from the news conference in the Virtual Presskit
•
Channel 9 (MSDN) interview with Ballmer, Gates – June 15, 2006 (3 mins., 56 secs.)
REDMOND, Wash. — June 15, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that effective July 2008 Bill Gates, chairman, will transition out of a day-to-day role in the company to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The company announced a two-year transition process to ensure that there is a smooth and orderly transfer of Gates’ daily responsibilities, and said that after July 2008 Gates would continue to serve as the company’s chairman and an advisor on key development projects.
The company announced that Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect and begin working side by side with Gates on all technical architecture and product oversight responsibilities, to ensure a smooth transition. Similarly, Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will work closely with Gates to assume his responsibility for the company’s research and incubation efforts; Mundie also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to guide Microsoft’s intellectual property and technology policy efforts.
“Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company,” Gates said. “I remain fully committed and full time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs.”
June 15, 2006, Redmond, Wash: (L-R) Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Chief Research and Strategy Officer Craig Mundie, Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie and CEO Steve Ballmer gather prior to a news conference announcing plans for Gates to transition out of a day-to-day role in Microsoft over the next two years while Ozzie and Mundie assume increased roles in the company.
Click for high-res version.
“This was a hard decision for me,” Gates added. “I’m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever.”
In September 2005 Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer organized the company into three divisions under presidents Jim Allchin, Kevin Johnson, Robbie Bach and Jeff Raikes, who were given much greater responsibility for product development and strategy decisions within their respective businesses. In August 2005 the company appointed Kevin Turner as chief operating officer.
“Bill and I are confident we’ve got a great team that can step up to fill his shoes and drive Microsoft innovation forward without missing a beat,” Ballmer said. “We will continue to hire the world’s best technical talent and give them the tools to do their best work, and we will continue to tackle the biggest challenges and opportunities for our customers by investing for the long term.”
Ballmer and Gates noted that Microsoft has been steadily expanding its senior leadership in recent years, and that today’s announcement continues a transition process that has been underway for several years. In January 2000, Gates assumed the role of chief software architect and Ballmer assumed the role of CEO, responsible for all day-to-day operations and company business strategy.
“This is a very sensible and thorough approach. A two-year transition will ensure that the company has a smooth transfer of strategy and knowledge from Bill to the next generation of leaders,” said James I. Cash, Ph.D., member of the Microsoft board of directors and former James E. Robison Professor, Harvard Business School. “Steve and his management team are very impressive, and I’m confident the company will not miss a step.”
Ozzie, 50, worked on the first electronic spreadsheet, VisiCalc, in the early 1980s, then joined Lotus Development Corp. in 1983 to develop Lotus Symphony, an MS-DOS®-based integrated software management product that combined word processing, spreadsheet, business graphics, data management and communications capabilities. In 1984, Ozzie formed Iris Associates Inc. to develop Lotus Notes. In 1997 Ozzie founded Groove Networks, where he developed Groove Virtual Office. Microsoft acquired Groove Networks in April 2005 and named Ozzie chief technical officer.
Mundie, 56, joined Microsoft in 1992 to create and run the Consumer Platforms Division, which was responsible for developing non-PC platform and service offerings including the Microsoft® Windows® CE operating system; software for handheld PCs, Pocket PCs and Auto PCs; and early telephony products. Mundie also started Microsoft’s digital TV efforts and acquired and managed the WebTV Networks Inc. subsidiary. Mundie is also the original champion of the Trustworthy Computing Initiative at Microsoft, which has influenced Microsoft’s software development strategy. His current responsibilities also include global technology policy and a variety of technical and business incubation activities.
Ozzie and Mundie will continue to report to Gates. At an appropriate time during the two-year transition period, they will shift to reporting to Ballmer.
Gates, 50, started Microsoft in 1975 with childhood friend Paul Allen. He took Microsoft public in 1986 and was the company’s chairman and CEO until 2000, when Ballmer took over as CEO. For the past six years Gates has focused on Microsoft’s software development as the company’s chairman and chief software architect. In 2000, with his wife, he formed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, whose assets now are $29.1 billion.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft has pioneered many of the software innovations that paved the way for the digital information revolution and launched the PC industry. Beginning with MS-DOS, Microsoft’s first operating system, and continuing with products such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows and Xbox®, the company has developed a broad range of software, services and solutions that have transformed the way people work, communicate and play. Microsoft has 63,000 employees in more than 100 countries and generates annual sales of more than
$40 billion (U.S.). With products for desktop PCs, servers and mobile devices, Microsoft continues to be the worldwide leader in helping people and businesses realize their full potential.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft, Windows, MS-DOS and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Abilene Media Outlets Changing Hands
Abilene Media Outlets Changing Hands
Several Abilene radio stations and two local TV stations are changing hands in the coming months.
In a deal that's being called the biggest shakeup in radio history is in the works and it includes six Abilene radio stations.
Publicly owned Clear Channel Communications is being acquired by an investor group led by Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and Bain Capital Partners LLC.
The sale will affect 450 Clear Channel radio stations, including Abilene stations Kean, KEYJ, Mix92, The eagle, 1470am and KSLI 1280 as part of a $21.3 billion dollar deal.
Meanwhile KTXS TV Channel 12 and it's Telemundo affiliate KTES TV Channel 40 are being sold by Diamond Castle Holdings LLC and BlueStone Television LLC.
The current owners have only owned KTXS and KTES for two years.
The stations are being sold to the investment group Bonten Media Group LLC.
All of the sales are pending approved by the Federal Communications Commission.
Monday, October 30, 2006
On the Radio: What happened to all the country music stations? in midland odessa
07/28/2005
courtesy of
Marie Tyler Midland Reporter Telegram
For one of the most popular formats in the Permian Basin, the path for country music hasn't been easy.
About four years ago, the country music market began to change in the Permian Basin. Stations changed languages, switched disc jockeys and switched formats.
However, as the dust settled, an old adage remained true. "You can't go wrong in Texas with country music." said Kent Cooper, the general manager of Cumulus Broadcasting.
Before the changes, there was KGEE 100 and KNFM 92.3, both of Cumulus and KTXC 104.7, KJBC 1150 AM and KKJW 105.9 FM.
After K-Love moved to a new frequency in 2001, Kicks 99 Country (FM 99.1) added to the list of stations, under the direction of Encore Broadcasting. It didn't take long for Kicks to top the list.
Only on the air for a little more than four years, Kicks 99 is the No. 1-rated country station on the air in the Permian Basin, according to Arbitron. Also, Kicks has already been honored as one of five finalists for the Country Music Association Station of the Year Small Market-2004.
Advertisement
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}
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Featuring "Mike & Dana," previously of KGEE 100, Encore hoped to bring listeners from the now defunct KGEE.
"Everyone has a hand in what is going on," said Mike Lawrence of "Mike and Dana" on Kicks 99. "I think that's a big difference."
He and co-host Dana Carole have been "working together for 16 years and married for almost 15," Lawrence said, and they are glad to be "having fun and being able to do what we want to do. It's every broadcaster's dream."
"Kicks is now the top rated country station in the market and Lonestar has been on the air 20 years," said Tommy Vascocu, president of Encore Broadcasting.
While Kick thrived, others changed their focus. KTXC, which was a country station called K-Tex 104.7, changed its format to La Ley -- a Spanish station playing regional Mexican music, and has enjoyed success.
"There were so many country stations," said Richard Esparza, station manager for Telemundo and La Ley. "The Hispanic market was underserved at the time."
KJBC-AM 1150 was a classic country station until 2000, at which point it was sold and became a Catholic radio station.
Competing against the new Kicks 99 and against its Cumulus sister station KNFN, KGEE 100 experienced a ratings decline over the next few years, and in 2004, Cumulus made the decision to change KGEE to Joy 99.9. Instead of keeping the station local or country, they changed the station to a contemporary Christian music syndicated out of Nashville.
"We had two country stations and another in the market. There were too many country stations and we needed to change one of them," said Kent Cooper, general manager of Cumulus Broadcasting. "We thought (Christian music) really fit the people here. It's been great; it's been more successful than we ever thought it would be."
Cumulus re-tooled the remaining country station. It became known as LoneStar 92.
"It needed freshening up," said Cooper, of Lonestar 92. The logo was revamped a year ago to include a Texas flag. "We upped the attitude on it. We added a girl to the morning show," Cooper said.
Now three country stations remain in the Basin. LoneStar 92 and Kicks 99 play mainstream country music; while Pure Country 105.9 continues to play the classic country.
What does the future hold for country music?
The success of more Texas country music, Lawrence said.
courtesy of
Marie Tyler Midland Reporter Telegram
For one of the most popular formats in the Permian Basin, the path for country music hasn't been easy.
About four years ago, the country music market began to change in the Permian Basin. Stations changed languages, switched disc jockeys and switched formats.
However, as the dust settled, an old adage remained true. "You can't go wrong in Texas with country music." said Kent Cooper, the general manager of Cumulus Broadcasting.
Before the changes, there was KGEE 100 and KNFM 92.3, both of Cumulus and KTXC 104.7, KJBC 1150 AM and KKJW 105.9 FM.
After K-Love moved to a new frequency in 2001, Kicks 99 Country (FM 99.1) added to the list of stations, under the direction of Encore Broadcasting. It didn't take long for Kicks to top the list.
Only on the air for a little more than four years, Kicks 99 is the No. 1-rated country station on the air in the Permian Basin, according to Arbitron. Also, Kicks has already been honored as one of five finalists for the Country Music Association Station of the Year Small Market-2004.
Advertisement
');
}
//-->
Featuring "Mike & Dana," previously of KGEE 100, Encore hoped to bring listeners from the now defunct KGEE.
"Everyone has a hand in what is going on," said Mike Lawrence of "Mike and Dana" on Kicks 99. "I think that's a big difference."
He and co-host Dana Carole have been "working together for 16 years and married for almost 15," Lawrence said, and they are glad to be "having fun and being able to do what we want to do. It's every broadcaster's dream."
"Kicks is now the top rated country station in the market and Lonestar has been on the air 20 years," said Tommy Vascocu, president of Encore Broadcasting.
While Kick thrived, others changed their focus. KTXC, which was a country station called K-Tex 104.7, changed its format to La Ley -- a Spanish station playing regional Mexican music, and has enjoyed success.
"There were so many country stations," said Richard Esparza, station manager for Telemundo and La Ley. "The Hispanic market was underserved at the time."
KJBC-AM 1150 was a classic country station until 2000, at which point it was sold and became a Catholic radio station.
Competing against the new Kicks 99 and against its Cumulus sister station KNFN, KGEE 100 experienced a ratings decline over the next few years, and in 2004, Cumulus made the decision to change KGEE to Joy 99.9. Instead of keeping the station local or country, they changed the station to a contemporary Christian music syndicated out of Nashville.
"We had two country stations and another in the market. There were too many country stations and we needed to change one of them," said Kent Cooper, general manager of Cumulus Broadcasting. "We thought (Christian music) really fit the people here. It's been great; it's been more successful than we ever thought it would be."
Cumulus re-tooled the remaining country station. It became known as LoneStar 92.
"It needed freshening up," said Cooper, of Lonestar 92. The logo was revamped a year ago to include a Texas flag. "We upped the attitude on it. We added a girl to the morning show," Cooper said.
Now three country stations remain in the Basin. LoneStar 92 and Kicks 99 play mainstream country music; while Pure Country 105.9 continues to play the classic country.
What does the future hold for country music?
The success of more Texas country music, Lawrence said.
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