IdeaStar's Greg Kopp Lends a Helping Hand in New Orleans

IdeaStar Development Manager Greg Kopp recently took a week off from work…to work.

He volunteered to do construction work for New Orleans Habitat, a branch of Habitat for Humanity International. The organization is dedicated to the ongoing recovery and rebuilding of New Orleans.

“I built some steps and hung some doors. I know that doesn’t sound like much. But in a small way it is helping somebody get their home back, and I like doing that kind of work,” Greg said. The woman for whom the house is being constructed is currently living in a FEMA trailer. “There were acres of land just totally washed out,” Greg said. “It really helps to put your own life in perspective.”

A letter of gratitude from a future homeowner.

Greg's steps in progress.

While in New Orleans, Greg worked on projects in Musicians' Village, a neighborhood started for low-income musicians to keep the music in New Orleans. He lived at Camp Hope, a converted elementary school that now serves as a dormitory for Habitat volunteers.

A finished section of Musicians' Village

“Ever since hurricane Katrina I wanted to go and volunteer, but never decided to get up off the couch and just go. The most recent season of This Old House showcases a home in New Orleans that was damaged by the flood. As part of the series, they also discussed the Habitat projects taking place down there, so I started dong some research,” Greg said. “I just decided it was time to do this."

Empty storefronts are a common sight.

As an unexpected trip perk , the car rental agency was out of standard run-of-the-mill cars. So Greg drove the Mercedes which was substituted for the same price. “It was difficult to give that back,” Greg said.

Greg is looking forward to another volunteer trip in New Orleans, and hopes to take his wife Bonnie with him. “I encourage anyone to volunteer. It was work, but also a lot of fun, and the people down there really appreciate the help.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat, either in New Orleans or closer to home, visit the Habitat Web site.

Pictures taken by Greg Kopp.

Mike Wise Wows 'Em at The Web Association

IdeaStar's own Mike Wise was among the speakers discussing The Evolution of Digital Content at the April 29 meeting of the Cleveland Web Association. Mike is our Vice President of Insurance Technologies, guiding IdeaStar insurance clients through the process of Web enabling their products and procedures. Mike's main point? All content on the Web must be "engaging, engaging, engaging" to be of value.

Mike brought his own cheering section, including IdeaStar's James Polak, Whitney Zunic, Becky Lovejoy and Andi Hoppes. Steve Lamb and Jon Vokes were working the cameras. They, of course, gave him a standing ovation.

It's Great to be Green

Being green can bring in the green. Business Development Manager Laurel Baldwin recently attended the Green Manufacturing Expo: The Industry Event for Sustainable Manufacturing in Anaheim, California. The conference focused on “business solutions and scientifically based technologies that can be employed to reduce the impact of twenty first century man on the planet's resources.”

“It was awesome. I learned about the latest trends to share with IdeaStar’s environmentally aware clients, including TCP Inc., Neundorfer Inc., and Fomo Products Inc.,” Laurel said. Manufacturers are learning they can save a lot of money as well as the planet by providing sustainable products and adopting the best conservation practices.

It's a great story that needs to be told, and the Internet offers a perfect forum. IdeaStar offers the latest in Web development and promotion, including Web site design, blogs, online videos, promotion and much more.

Here are some of the buzz words Laurel learned at the conference: carbon-footprint reductions, design-for-manufacturing, lean and green, zero waste, green chemistry, and clean tech. We're impressed with her new vocabulary.

Lots of fun and friendships re-unite in Arizona

IdeaStar went back to the ICMG conference for the fifth straight year and it was our best one ever! We went in 2003 at the invitation of one customer. Now we have a couple dozen customers that we serve from ICMG. Here's some pictures from this year's event.


Jane Hudeck, senior project manager, and Mike Wise, Vice President-Sales, prep the IdeaStar booth for the show.


Old pals, Wayne Largent, Exec VP of IdeaStar, and Mike Owens, Chief Marketing Officer of Access Plans USA, share their mugs for the camera.


Chris Jones, National Sales Director for Insuranti, Inc. and his father, Danny Jones, Executive Vice President, stopped by our booth for a visit. Who's booth is that in the background?

Mike, Jane, and David Burke of Universal American.


Our hotel was located in Fountain Hills, Arizona. They have a fountain that shoots water high into the air. It's supposed to be the highest fountain in the United States.

The southwest sunsets are always spectacular even from hotel parking lots.

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