Moving on up: LSU journalism graduate and former WBRZ-TV senior producer Kurt Davis has been named executive vice president of affiliate relations for CBS Television Network, the CBS Corp. announced today. Davis, a 1983 LSU graduate, will oversee all day-to-day operations for the network’s affiliate relations department. He will succeed Elizabeth Tumulty, who held the position since December 2013. “Kurt will now be a big part of our continuing efforts to build up on CBS’s status as the number one broadcaster in the business. Clearly, CBS’s affiliates are a big part of our success and it is gratifying to have someone with Kurt’s expertise managing these important relationships” says Leslie Moonves, CBS Corp. CEO and chairman, in a statement. Read the full announcement.
Expanding: Industrial gas company Praxair Inc. announced today that it will expand its carbon monoxide production at its Geismar plant to meet increased customer demand. The project is estimated to cost more than $100 million, according to a news release. The expansion will include a 13 million standard cubic feet per day carbon monoxide purification train on site and a carbon monoxide cold box. It is expected to be completed by the second half of 2018. Carbon monoxide is used for products in specialty chemicals, including those in the housing and auto industries. Praxair is a Fortune 250 company with 2015 sales exceeding $11 billion and touts itself as the largest industrial gases company in North and South America. Read the full release.
Now hiring: Over the next six months, 39% of small business owners say they plan to hire more staff and 75% have plans for growth, according to the 2016 American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor. The survey also found, however, that 19% say finding the right people to hire has emerged as the top challenge to growth. “We are seeing a renewed focus on hiring, as businesses manage by the mantra of ‘you are only as good as your people,’” says Susan Sobbott, president of global commercial payments for American Express, in a statement. More small business owners are also paying themselves a salary this year compared to last year, 57% to 51%, and male business owners on average pay themselves $17,000 more than female small business owners. See the full release.
