08/30/10 Business Journal--coming highlights

It's been an intersting week here in Laredo in the business world.
In this week's Business Journal:
1. The Laredo Development Foundation has some interesting speakers for their September symposium from the Port of New Orleans. They're experts in handling rail and oil tanker traffic and have interesting insights about the Gulf oil spill.

2.Coffee Talk will focus on a conversation I had with a businessman who contends the city government is neglecting its oldest trading partner, Mexico, for missions to Central and South America. Are we doing enough? That's a matter that people in Laredo have their individual opinions on. He thinks we need to enrich our trade relations with Mexico now while the economies of both nations are in an econmic survival mode. Meanwhile, I haven't seen any press releases from the city in the month I've been here about trade missions to Central and South America. I think whatever's happening with those missions needs to be made public, if these officials are spending taxpayer money. There needs to be a public disclosure of the money spent and the results we've gotten. But I do commend city manager Carlos Villarreal for telling his side of the story in response to Paul Cavazos' letter denouncing the Central and South American trade missions two "Coffee Talks" ago.
Bottom line--we need to open up trade routes to Central and South America. But are we doing enough to enhance, to perfect, the trade relationship between Laredo and America's third-largest trading partner on our southern border?

3.Meanwhile, in the Business Journal, advertising and marketing agency owner A.B. Barrera talks about the shopping habits of the Mexican National buyer, something which can really help retailers in Laredo.

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Thank you, Laredo ...

Well, this marks my final online entry here at "Coffee Talk Live" as Business Editor for the Laredo Morning Times.

Thanks for stopping by, reading and watching as Laredo Morning Times continues to extend its service into the social media realm.

As previously mentioned, Sean Bowlin has been named Business Editor and will oversee LMT Business Journal and other Greater Laredo-area business related news, features and stories.

You can contact Bowlin at 956-728-2529 or via e-mail at sbowlin@lmtonline.com.

Until we cross paths again, muchas gracias Laredo.

-- Joe Rutland

Bowlin named Business Editor for LMT ...

Sean Bowlin has been named Business Editor for the Laredo Morning Times.

He takes over for Joe Rutland, who will be leaving on July 30.

Contact information for Bowlin is forthcoming. LMT welcomes Bowlin to its staff.

CBP officials announce Laredo Port of Entry wide load truck changes at World Trade Bridge ...

CBP officials issued this statement in regard to handling wide load commercial trucks at the Laredo Port of Entry:

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry at World Trade Bridge are announcing dimensional changes for the processing of trucks hauling wide loads through that commercial crossing from now until further notice.

Effective Wednesday, all wide loads to be processed at the World Trade Bridge will not exceed more than 17 feet wide or 15 feet high. In addition, wide load shipments will be routed for entering into the U.S. through the City of Laredo toll plaza Lane No. 1 (the lane farthest west coming from Mexico) rather than the usual route. Wide load shipments will still utilize the FAST Lane into the U.S. and then queue at the end of the bridge to be escorted by a CBP vehicle through the City of Laredo toll plaza. The crossing of wide loads still remains only between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. from Monday to Friday.

Furthermore, wide loads wanting to be processed via the City of Laredo toll plaza at World Trade Bridge must make arrangements with CBP by providing notice of their intention to cross, one day prior to crossing, by calling (956) 794-9430.

Any questions or concerns regarding this change may be addressed at the above listed number or at (956) 794-9419.

Wide load shipments exceeding the listed dimensions must be processed through the Colombia Solidarity Bridge.

The Colombia Solidarity Bridge processes wide loads of any size between the hours of 8 a.m. to midnight from Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays; and from Noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

The change in the processing of these types of shipments through the World Trade Bridge is as a result of the ongoing lane expansion construction project. As soon as processing of wide load shipments can be resumed at World Trade Bridge, a public notice in the form of a news release will be issued.

CBP together with the City of Laredo have been working together to bring to fruition the construction of seven additional primary inspection lanes being built at the World Trade Bridge. The $4.6 million expansion project, which should be completed by this December, will expand the number of primary inspection booths at the World Trade Bridge from 8 to 15 and include other infrastructure improvements. In addition to the seven additional primary inspection booths, the project will include another empty truck inspection lane at secondary express and include an additional exit inspection booth. The World Trade Bridge opened for business on April 15, 2000. This is the first major expansion or infrastructure improvement at the facility in 10 years.

"In an effort to keep commerce flourishing, we maintain open lines of communication and have established procedures to allow trade to move in an uninterrupted manner," said Gene Garza, CBP Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry. "While this is a change to the processing of wide loads, the completion of the construction project at World Trade Bridge is critical to the trade community and CBP."

BBVA Compass appoints Notzon as Senior Wealth Adviser ...

BBVA Compass released this information this week:

BBVA Compass recently announced staffing changes to its Laredo-based Wealth Management Group, including the addition of James Notzon as Senior Wealth Adviser.

The position was created for Notzon based upon his experience and understanding of the diverse financial needs of South Texas’ Wealth Management clients.

In his role for the South Texas Region, Notzon will be focused on delivering financial solutions to BBVA Compass’ Wealth Management clients. Notzon brings 24 years of banking, investment and wealth management experience to the bank, most recently in Laredo-based positions with Merrill Lynch (1992-2010) and the former Laredo National Bank (1986–1992).

A longtime Laredoan, Notzon is a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Laredo, the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association, TAMIU Bi-National Center for Non-Profit Excellence and the Laredo Country Club. Notzon is also an alumnus of Leadership Laredo.

A graduate of St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Notzon holds degrees in both accounting and finance.

"James is a true Laredoan who wants the best for his community and his clients," said Bill Helms, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Wealth Management. "His passion for Laredo, South Texas and Mexico is inseparable from his work. With expertise and knowledge of the market, honed by 24 years of banking, investment and wealth management in Laredo, James brings great leadership to BBVA Compass."

Giampaolo Consigliere, Laredo City President, added, "The addition of James to BBVA Compass and our Laredo-based Wealth Management Group servicing the South Texas region further demonstrates our commitment to Laredo and all of South Texas. This, combined with additional organizational changes within our Laredo Wealth Management Group, means that BBVA Compass’ presence in the region will continue to grow as we work to provide industry leading product solutions and services to our many clients."

Additional changes to Laredo Wealth Management include the promotion of Roxanna Ramos to Regional Manager. Ramos is a Laredo native and longtime BBVA Compass employee, who recently relocated to her hometown from San Antonio.

Additions have also been made to the Wealth Management sales force, with the promotion of Lizzy Treviño and Lalo Uribe, as well as the hiring of Mary Garza, as Private Bankers. Together, the three bring a combined 52 years of banking experience to the Wealth Management Group.

IBC Bank partners with Red Cross, opens flood relief account ...

IBC Bank sent this information out Wednesday morning:

IBC Bank, in partnership with the American Red Cross, is helping the residents of Texas and Oklahoma affected by recent extraordinary flooding. An account has been set up at the bank where the public can make donations to the Disaster Relief Fund to help those displaced by the floods. IBC Bank has started off this account with an initial donation of $5,000.

Anyone can visit any IBC branch and inform their teller they wish to contribute to the Red Cross Account (#2111404268). Donations can be made with cash or check.

You can also use your mobile phone to text "Red Cross" to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross.

Help people affected by disasters like the current flood by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

Downtown slowly comes back to life ...

I was out Tuesday morning, walking around downtown Laredo to get a feel for shoppers and traffic moving through that business corridor.

A couple of merchants I spoke with had similar viewpoints. One said the traffic of people in the store hasn't been really good. Another said traffic has been slow at his store since reopening after the Rio Grande flood.

One shopper was having items she purchased put into the trunk of her car. She commented that for a Tuesday morning around 10 a.m., things looked pretty normal to her.

There will be more information on how downtown Laredo is rebounding business wise in this post-flood time later at www.lmtonline.com.