• Team Worldwide Expands at Rickenbacker
• Access to Freight Companies Entices Elite Batch System
• Rickenbacker Wetland Mitigation Project
• Baymont Inn and Suites at Rickenbacker Provided Superior Service to National Guard
• Navy Operational Support Center Changes Commands
• Chick-fil-A Leadercast
• The Region's Academic Excellence in Logistics Networking Event

The presence of Team Worldwide has expanded at Rickenbacker with the addition of a branch that can handle any logistics service a customer may need.

Located at 7280 Alum Creek Drive, Suite A, the Team Worldwide branch has 13 employees and offers global logistics solutions to its customers.

"We relocated to the Rickenbacker area because we wanted to get into a Foreign-Trade Zone to work more in-depth with our international agents," explained branch owner Ron Chapman. "We want to build up our import business and Rickenbacker is much more affordable than our previous location."

Chapman and his staff stand ready to serve your logistics needs and can be reached at 800-837-6262.

Team Worldwide is comprised of the service companies of Team Air Express, Team Transportation, Team Ocean Services and Team Customs Brokerage. Offerings include domestic and international air cargo service, domestic surface transportation, warehousing/distribution capabilities, hazmat packaging and forwarding, and other ancillary service capabilities that provide Team's customers a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

One of the newest businesses to locate to the Rickenbacker area is Elite Batch Systems. A division of Systech Incorporated, Elite Batch Systems creates computer control systems for the ready-mix concrete/aggregate industry. These computer control systems, when used onsite to control the mixing process, can result in superior products.

"We chose to relocate the business to Rickenbacker because of its convenient access to freight companies who can meet our domestic and international shipping needs including Panama, Mexico and Canada," said General Manager Ben Gordon. "Another benefit is that our new facility includes loading docks that are perfect for facilitating the truck transport of our computers on pallets."

Located at 7200 Alum Creek Drive, Elite Batch Systems employs 10 people. For more information about the company, contact Gordon at (614) 367-0656 extension 101.

Photo taken before construction of wetland mitigation project.

Current-day photo of wetland mitigation project.

Past issues of Rickenbacker Area Report showcase the exciting growth and development in the Rickenbacker area through news about local businesses, warehouses/distribution centers, roads and other projects. With this terrific progress comes another type of growth and development that the Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) has been involved in as part of its environmental responsibility – a large wetland mitigation project.

Located less than three miles from the Rickenbacker area, the Mackey Ford Wildlife Area is home to the wetland mitigation project. It is on land owned and managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. The goal of the project is to create 20 or more acres of a wetland complex that would be a mixed habitat to replace wetland habitats impacted by the development of the Rickenbacker area.

Construction on the wetland mitigation project began in August 2008 and included an effort to utilize existing local plant material. Great care was taken to transplant approximately 45 clumps of plants from the Rickenbacker area to the Mackey Ford Wildlife Area.

During the first year of monitoring, reports indicate that the wetland mitigation site is on a trajectory toward success. It boasts a diversity of lush vegetation growth comprised of approximately 60 different plant species and over 40 species of wildlife. The site will continue to be monitored for the next four years.

The Mackey Ford State Wildlife Area is located north of Harrisburg-Fairfield Road (State Route 762) and west of U.S. Route 23. A small gravel parking lot is available with limited parking for observation but currently does not have public trails.

Cmdr. Michael "Tiki" Varias will be leaving the Navy Operational Support Center at Rickenbacker in May.

Cmdr. Michael "Tiki" Varias will be leaving the Navy Operational Support Center at Rickenbacker in May after almost two years and will be replaced by Cmdr. Don Ross.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my tour as Commanding Officer of the best Navy Operational Support Center in the country and my involvement with the Rickenbacker Area Council," says Cmdr. Varias. "It has been an honor and privilege working with the best civic and military leaders of the Rickenbacker area, and I will truly miss their camaraderie and greatly appreciate their dedicated support in caring for our businesses, residents, military service members and their families."

Cmdr. Varias will be accepting a new position in Washington, DC, as Deputy Commander, Navy Safe Harbor headquartered in the Navy Annex, which is next to the Pentagon.

"Navy Safe Harbor is a Wounded Warrior program that provides non-medical care for seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and their families," explains Cmdr. Varias. "Although I'm looking forward to this great career opportunity, my tour in Columbus will always have a special place in my heart because of the wonderful people who have enriched my life and blessed my family."

Community Partners of Southern Franklin County is hosting a one-day event focusing on key elements of being a great leader. The Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a one-day leadership event featuring the world's best leaders speaking about the leadership principles that matter most. Broadcast live from Atlanta to hundreds of locations around the world, the Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a catalyst for new ideas and better leadership practices.

Join your fellow industry, academic and government leaders to learn how the Columbus Region Logistics Council, an initiative of the Columbus Chamber, is working to strengthen the logistics industry in the region. You will hear from a panel of academic leaders who will highlight the programs in our colleges, universities and high schools that make our region number one in logistics education in the country. You will also hear about the $4.6 million grant awarded to Columbus State Community College for logistic training.

Following the presentation, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks as you network with leaders in the logistics industry, academics and government officials.

For additional information, contact Dan Ricciardi at 225-6903 or Marc Blubaugh at 223-9300.