Watchdog Toll wins national accolades
Colorado Deputy Insurance Commissioner Erin Toll tops Inman News’ list of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate People. Inman News, based in Emeryville, Calif., bills itself “as the nation’s leading independent real estate news service.”
Others on the list: Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan, National Association of Realtors chief executive Terry McDermott and Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, for his work toward regulating Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
“I’m just kind of amazed by it,” Toll said. “I’m just trying to keep my eye on the ball and not let it go to my head.”
Toll earned her spot on the list for her investigation of nine real-estate title insurers for alleged kickbacks, which set off a national probe of title-insurance companies in several states.
Since the investigation, the Colorado Division of Insurance has negotiated settlement agreements with First American Title Insurance Co. and Fidelity Financial Co. First American will refund $24 million to customers nationwide, and Fidelity will pay up to $2.6 million.
Red Robin counsel drives point home
Jim McCarron, corporate counsel for Greenwood Village- based Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc., made one thing clear when he took the stage at a retail conference in Vail this month.
“I took my Chrysler Pacifica up here. I did not bring the corporate jet,” McCarron told the audience at the International Council of Shopping Centers Rocky Mountain Idea Exchange.
Red Robin chief executive Michael Snyder stepped down in August after an investigation into his travel expenses, including the use of company-chartered jets.
Snyder later agreed to reimburse the company $1.25 million for travel, lodging, entertainment and other expenses incurred since 2001.
Ex-Bronco allegedly fleeced in Vegas scam
Despite being fleet of foot, even multimillionaire professional athletes can’t outrun investment scams.
Former Denver Broncos defensive end Neil Smith is one of several high-profile professional athletes identified as victims in a Las Vegas-based investment scam, according to this month’s issue of Forbes magazine.
Smith, who played on the Broncos’ 1998 Super Bowl team, claims he was bilked out of $1 million. Baseball stars Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez together invested more than $1 million, the report said.
Federal prosecutors allege that Dennis D. Cope and his partner, Edgar M. Bias, raised $18 million from 11 people for a New Mexico oil and gas operation, never invested the money and returned $8 million to pacify angry investors. Both have been indicted on 32 counts of securities fraud and face trial next month.
Ultimate targets the tech-challenged
Thornton-based Ultimate Electronics figures that shining a light on consumers who lack tech savvy will bring in dollars.
Their latest advertising campaign, developed by New York-based Cliff Freeman & Partners, targets victims of “intechxication,” or having to make difficult technology buying decisions without expert advice.
A press kit announcing the new campaign came inside a locked safe with a numbered dial. The combination came from answering multiple choice questions about electronics equipment. The safe contained lists that describe intechxication and magnets embossed with sayings such as: “If you buy electronics where you also buy bulk lunchmeat, you’re intechxicated.” Other suggested remedies included a visit to Ultimate Electronics.
Silk Soymilk title sponsor for Farm Aid
Look for two Boulder-based companies at this year’s Farm Aid concert today. Silk Soymilk is the benefit’s title sponsor and will offer samples to all concertgoers alongside its sister company, Horizon Organic milk.
Parent company WhiteWave Foods is sponsoring the Chicago event to demonstrate its ongoing support for Farm Aid’s mission: to keep family farmers on their land, said spokesman Mike Keown. Silk and Horizon Organic purchase enough organic feed and other ingredients to support hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland.
Two other companies with Colorado roots also have signed on to help performers such as Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Emmylou Harris expand their reach to Gulf Coast-area farmers impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Chipotle and Wild Oats markets are corporate sponsors.
