June 2016 Rail News: Passenger Rail Valley Metro is pursuing a bold expansion plan in Metro Phoenix Source: Progressive Railroading June 2016
"Valley Metro has been on a roll. In less than 18 months, the Arizona public transit agency serving the Phoenix-Mesa-Tempe area has opened two light-rail extensions as part of its aggressive plan to build 66 miles of light rail by 2034. The agency also has logged steady growth in rail ridership — including serving a record number of passengers during Super Bowl XLIX — and received word earlier this year that Tempe's streetcar proposal has been included in President Obama's fiscal-year 2017 budget. Moreover, in August 2015, Phoenix voters approved a referendum calling for a major boost in local transit funding, including additional dollars that will help pay for new Valley Metro light-rail lines.
At the same time the agency has logged a good deal of light-rail success in its relatively short history — Valley Metro Rail Inc. was founded in 2002 — it also hit a few speed bumps. The biggest hit came in late 2015, when then-Chief Executive Officer Stephen Banta stepped down after The Arizona Republic launched an investigation into his entertainment and travel expenses while at the agency.
In response to Banta's resignation, Valley Metro's board tapped former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith to fill in as interim CEO. A lawyer, accountant, former real estate developer and longtime advocate of public transit, Smith has spent the past few months trying to right the agency’s course so that Valley Metro staff members can refocus their attention to growing and operating a public transportation system . . . Since he arrived on the scene Feb. 1, Smith has taken steps to correct the problems uncovered in a recent audit of the agency, improve employee morale and keep staff focused on advancing the agency’s expansion plans. "I was recruited to come in, hopefully settle things down, deal with the issues that came out of the departure of our former CEO and work to restore trust in the agency," Smith says. "We've been working on initiatives to accomplish all three of those. . .
An Arizona Attorney General's Office criminal investigation of the situation is now underway In August 2015, Valley Metro opened the 3.1-mile Central Mesa Extension, which connects downtown Mesa businesses, the arts and entertainment district, Mesa City Plaza, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and special events in downtown Tempe and Phoenix. Valley Transit Constructors began building the extension in summer 2012. The project was funded by a $75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), $71 million in countywide transportation tax funds and $53 million in federal air quality funds. . . . "There's no doubt that Phoenix is going to continue to grow. Even during the recession, we held steady," Smith says. "And now growth is back — not as much as the boom times, but it’s a significant number. We added over 100,000 people last year."
And transit can only help by moving that population growth from outlying suburbs back to the urban areas, he says.
"We fill in the hole of the doughnut with public transportation and that’s the exciting thing," Smith adds. "We are creating an opportunity to redevelop those areas that were left behind in urban sprawl. And we’re seeing a lot of new development touched by rail."
Valley Metro's Smith agrees that light rail has helped attract development to the region. In the future, he’d like the agency to work more with developers to foster projects that “connect” with light-rail service. "We're expanding our educational efforts to make sure that when developers look at areas along our rail line, they look at them not as just another piece of real estate, but as something that could have a higher value if it integrates light-rail into the development," says Smith. With all that to digest, Smith acknowledges he's balancing a full plate. But his charge is to get the agency back in order by the time the new executive steps in. The position is expected to be posted by early June — he will not be a candidate — and filled by year's end, Smith says.
According to a report in Plastics Today on June 22, 2016 manufacturing operations in the 180,000-square-foot facility are expected to commence by the second quarter of 2017. . . Mesa Mayor John Giles told KJJZ.org that the city is offering to pay Dexcom $750 for each Mesa resident it hires. The incentive is capped at 300 hires, which would represent atotalcosttothecityof$225,000. The company projects creating more than 500 jobs over the next several years.
Dexcom (Nasdaq: DXCM), a San Diego-based continuous glucose monitoring manufacturer, is taking a 216,000-square-foot building on South Dobson Road near Loop 101 in Mesa’s Fiesta District.
DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM) insiders have most recently took part in a trading activity. On 6/9/2016 Lister John, General Manager, EMEA sold 3,560 shares ...
Dexcom (DXCM) was the worst-performing stock within the iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI) on May 26, 2016. The stock went down by ...
DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ:DXCM)‘s stock had its “outperform” rating reaffirmed by investment analysts at Wedbush in a research note issued on Wednesday. They currently have a $112.00 price objective on the medical device company’s stock. Wedbush’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 52.59% from the company’s current price.
DexCom (NASDAQ:DXCM) opened at 73.40 on Wednesday. DexCom has a one year low of $47.92 and a one year high of $103.29. The company’s market capitalization is $6.12 billion. The company’s 50-day moving average is $65.47 and its 200 day moving average is $69.38.
DexCom (NASDAQ:DXCM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 27th. The medical device company reported ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $116.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.37 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($0.17) EPS. DexCom’s revenue was up 59.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that DexCom will post ($0.36) EPS for the current year.In other DexCom news, insider Jorge A. Valdes sold 18,038 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.06, for a total transaction of $1,299,818.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,667 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,326,124.02. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Jess Roper sold 3,470 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.00, for a total value of $239,430.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 92,190 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,361,110. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.
Other large investors recently bought and sold shares of the company. Janus Capital Management bought a new stake in DexCom during the third quarter worth $8,500,000. Shaker Investments LLC OH increased its position in shares of DexCom by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Shaker Investments LLC
OH now owns 96,165 shares of the medical device company’s stock valued at $7,876,000 after buying an additional 2,650 shares during the last quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC increased its position in shares of DexCom by 26.2% in the fourth quarter. Essex Investment Management Co. LLC now owns 21,788 shares of the medical device company’s stock valued at $1,784,000 after buying an additional 4,517 shares during the last quarter. Russell Frank Co increased its position in shares of DexCom by 12.0% in the fourth quarter. Russell Frank Co now owns 205,160 shares of the medical device company’s stock valued at $16,897,000 after buying an additional 21,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System increased its position in shares of DexCom by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 90,342 shares of the medical device company’s stock valued at $7,399,000 after buying an additional 2,029 shares during the last quarter.
A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on DXCM. Jefferies Group raised their price objective on DexCom from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 24th. Leerink Swann dropped their price target on DexCom from $100.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Friday, February 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $100.00 price target (down previously from $120.00) on shares of DexCom in a report on Wednesday, February 24th. Canaccord Genuity reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of DexCom in a research report on Thursday, April 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of DexCom in a report on Monday, May 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. The stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $94.09.
Dexcom, Inc (Dexcom) is a medical device company. The Company is focused on the design, development and commercialization of continuous glucose monitoring systems for ambulatory use by people with diabetes and for use by healthcare providers for the treatment of people with and without diabetes. Its products include SEVEN PLUS, DexCom G4, DexCom G4 PLATINUM, DexCom Share System and DexCom G5 Mobile.
Dexcom won’t drive the artificial pancreas initiative. We will remain focused on our mission to replace finger-sticks. One thing that I learned long ago is to be really good at one thing, and don’t stray too far outside of that area expertise, because it will dilute your efforts.
Remarks from this online interview
We are the market leader in CGM. There are only two approved CGM devices on the U.S. market; the other is from my former company. We have over 50 percent share in the market despite being a much smaller company. Medtronic has actually made the public statement that Dexcom spends more money on CGM than it does, and that’s true, which is why we are in this position. MDO: Obviously, Medtronic is also a competitor in the CGM space. What is your strategy for competing with large, established players like them in this space?
There were times in Dexcom’s history that were extremely challenging. Back in late 2008, the markets had turned very bad. We were struggling as a company. We had introduced the Seven Plus CGM system, but we were running out of money. A large shareholder had to dump 3 million shares of our stock in a few days. As a result the share price plummeted to $1.39. Luckily, I had the wherewithal to step in and buy a significant number of shares in the open market to indicate my confidence in the company. Today, we trade at $50.00 a share, but there were very lean times.
However, we never lost our mission view. I never told anyone how dire our situation was — only a handful of people, including the board, knew. But we rallied. I said, “I’ll figure out a way to get us money.” That pit bull mentality is critical. Once you latch on to something, don’t let go. You’ll find a way. It may be tough, but you’ll find a way. Gregg: The biggest challenge I see in front of us is a very rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Under the Accountable Care Act and other activities, you can see the writing on the wall for physicians — they are going to get paid for performance. I think the medical device industry is slightly behind that revolution in the way healthcare is delivered...you will certainly see us move back into the hospital arena with a subcutaneous sensor
The sad thing right now is that there are 64-year-olds with private insurance who have had great success managing their diabetes with CGM, but they are facing the loss of reimbursement coverage as they migrate to Medicare. Dexcom is working on some initiatives to create opportunities for those truly needy patients. If they don’t have coverage, we will try to figure out something that can help them financially to acquire the product. For example, we have created a foundation that employees — including Dexcom executives — will spend their money to populate. It will be launched in the first part of 2015
Visit Mesa Selects HAPI to Lead National Marketing Strategy, Creative for City Limitless Regional Brand
. . . Why the change in agency?
Wasn't Simple View Inc doing a good job? [A sampling of their images is added to this post/yoga?]
HAPI was awarded Visit Mesa's marketing and creative services contract after a selective RFP process that included multiple in-state and out-of-state agencies
MESA, AZ, June 11, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ - Visit Mesa, the destination marketing arm for Mesa, Arizona, has selected branding firm HAPI for strategy, advertising and media services effective July 1, 2016
HAPI was awarded Visit Mesa's marketing and creative services contract after a selective RFP process that included multiple in-state and out-of-state agencies.
"Visit Mesa has measured an increased awareness of our brand, City Limitless , since its inception and is delivering an inspired, fresh Arizona experience to leisure travelers," said Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia. "As our product offerings expand and our awareness grows, we intend to be aggressive, take risks, and target new visitors in altogether new ways. With the support of our Brand Development Advisory Committee, we know that HAPI is the strategic and inventive firm that can carve our new creative path and get even more folks to take notice."
HAPI officially begins work with Visit Mesa in July, the beginning of Visit Mesa's new fiscal year. Their first charge will be to communicate the destination's authentic dynamic brand and identify new approaches to reaching potential consumers. Visit Mesa has placed a heavy emphasis on targeting millennial travelers, one of the nation's largest and fastest growing consumer groups, and will continue with this effort. In addition, the organization will adhere to a purely digital marketing approach, abandoning traditional print mediums, for selling through on the city's visitor experience. Visit Mesa's five branded lifestyles will also be elevated in the coming year with HAPI overseeing the creation of a new image library featuring new photography and consumer-generated visual content.
"Mesa and its regional partners have many distinguishing offerings that make it a must-see city," said HAPI Owner/Creative Director Jason Hackett. "Authenticity will be key to expanding the City Limitless brand effectively. With our track record of results, we are thrilled to work with Visit Mesa's savvy team to implement new strategies to establish Mesa as a premier Arizona destination."
This is the first time federal education officials have analyzed chronic absence. On a national level, the report found the highest rates among black, Latino, and Native American students and students with disabilities.
Arizona has among the highest rates of youth disconnection in the country. Nationally, one in seven youth ages 16-24 meet the criteria; in Arizona, that number is one in five. To learn more about the Zip Code Project, please visit www.azed.gov/zipcode. for additional information
[Blogger's Notes: this project was announcedon May 12, 2016 - looks like it took about a month to get some attention from KJZZ]
A new federal report ranks Arizona as the 10th worst state when it comes to K-through-12 absenteeism.
About 16 percent of students here missed more than 15 days during the 2013 school year— higher than the national average of roughly 13 percent.
Charles Tack, a spokesman for the Arizona Department of Education, says the agency is well aware of the problem and they hope a new program known as the Zip Code Project can help improve those numbers.
South Phoenix zip code 85040 and Maryville included, along with Chinle and Apache County
He explained right now they’re targeting four zip codes with high poverty levels and crime rates— "We want to help these students get back on track. And how we’re planning to do that is to work closely with communities…to provide those students with resources."
Contact Info: Christopher Dickinson Zip Code Project Manager Arizona Department of EducationDirect: P: 602.542.9411 Email: Christopher.Dickinson@azed.gov
(Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Education)
The Zip Code Project targets 4 Arizona zip codes with high crime and poverty levels
Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider may have just discovered a new fundamental particle that could change the way we look at the universe. Is this Dark Energy? A giant Neutrino? The big brother of the Higgs Boson? Or could it be the mysterious Graviton? Matt also reveals the answer to the Dark Energy Challenge question and responds to comments from the Ice Age episode. We’ve got a lot going on, so check it out!
Challenge Winners: Pete Benzi astronomianova@gmail.com Ingrid Skard ingrid.skard@gmail.com Ryan Brown Ryan.Brown@unb.ca Nicolai Veliki nickveliki@gmail.com Sandra Unruh s6saunru@uni-bonn.de Alex Gravenor blazingkin@gmail.com Brian Ross bross14@jhmi.edu
You can review a more in-depth explanation of the challenge answers at the link below. The first document is the main question solution described in this video, and the second is the extra credit. The third provides the details of an analytical solution to the integral. Special thanks to Pete Benzi, who is not only one of our winners but also but also generously provided the extra credit solution (incl. the integral) we link to here. His was much more clearly presented than ours!
Wayne Steiger joins us today again to discuss the current situation with WSO and our findings. We look at magneto data from Sweden, and probably the most amazing picture we have ever seen. Views:17,596
