Information Services

Biospherics Inc., a Beltsville information services andbiotechnology company, said yesterday its shareholders have approved splitting off its Information Services Division, which provides database management services for governmental and other clients, into a wholly owned subsidiary.The company said it has not decided who will head the subsidiary.Biospherics also reported net income of $414,476, or 4 cents a share, for the first quarter of 1997, compared with a loss of $71,030, or 1 cent a share, that was reported for the period last year.

This schedule will be in effect Monday: Government offices Open in Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, Frederick, Harford and Howard counties. Closed in Baltimore City; Baltimore and Carroll counties. Courts Closed in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick counties, and in Annapolis and Baltimore City. Libraries Open in Anne Arundel and Carroll counties. Closed in Baltimore City; Baltimore, Frederick, Harford and Howard counties.

USF&G Corp. laid off 110 of the 680 employees in the company's information services department yesterday as part of what executives said was a new strategy to provide better internal services to the insurer's various product divisions.The layoffs followed two years of cost-cutting and staff reductions at the Baltimore-based insurance company. Those moves shrank the work force by more than 40 percent, to its current level of about 7,200 nationwide (2,273 in Baltimore).But unlike the previous rounds of layoffs, the company said, yesterday's reductions were not intended merely to cut costs, but to make the information services department more effective.

Did you hear about the new bill that would allow the U.S. government's official overseas information agency to rebroadcast its content onto American TV and radio? The bipartisan Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2012 was introduced in Congress last week by Reps. Mac Thornberry, a Texas Republican, and Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat, both of whom are presumably dissatisfied with their satellite TV package and think more government-produced content would go down better with an after-work beer.

The head of Spherix Inc., whose eclectic businesses range from developing an artificial sweetener to processing campground reservations, has resigned over differing opinions on the direction of the Beltsville company. Spherix announced yesterday that Thomas W. Gantt resigned Tuesday as president and chief executive officer, about a year after being named to lead the company. He is the second president to resign from Spherix in 18 months. He was replaced by Richard C. Levin, a 13-year company veteran who was named acting chief executive and president.

GE Information Services names president/CEOHarvey F. Seegers, 42, was named president and chief executive officer of Rockville-based GE Information Services yesterday.He replaces Hellene S. Runtagh, 48, who, the company said, left to pursue another business opportunity.GEIS, one of 12 divisions of General Electric, provides business-to-business electronic services -- such as data interchange and electronic funds transfer -- to more than 40,000 firms, which it calls "the world's largest electronic trading community."

Biospherics Inc., a Rockville biotechnology company, reported its earnings more than doubled in the third quarter ended Sept. 30, to $326,454, or 8 cents a share, compared with a year ago.The company credited the increase to improvements in its information services division. It hired 150 temporary employees this summer to handle calls for an information hot line on breast implants. Biospherics handles information services for about 10 pharmaceutical companies.Three months ended 9/30/92...

U.S. ports are creating a de facto international paperless trading network that will enable them to exchange business information quickly and easily.Ports, ship lines and shippers in the United States and overseas can tap into the telecommunications links that GE Information Services set up for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's Automated Cargo Expediting System, or ACES."

BELTSVILLE -- Biospherics Inc. chairman and president Gilbert Levin estimates that the company's earnings rose "500 percent-plus" last year from the $129,630, or 3 cents a share, reported for 1991.Mr. Levin also estimated that revenue for 1992 rose about 10 percent from the $15.1 million reported for 1991.The company, which derives about 70 percent to 75 percent of its revenue from providing information services for government agencies and pharmaceuticals firms, expects to report its 1992 results later this month.

Hopkins physics laboratory announces staff changesThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel has announced the appointments of two assistant directors and a new head of its Business and Information Services Department.Ed Portner, formerly assistant director for business operations, was named assistant director for laboratory operations.Ruth Nimmo has been named assistant director for business operations. She was head of the Business and Information Services Department.

This schedule will be in effect Monday: Government offices Closed in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick counties, and in Baltimore City and Annapolis. Courts Closed in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick counties, and in Baltimore City and Annapolis. Libraries Closed Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Frederick counties and Baltimore City. Public schools Closed in all jurisdictions.

Though it's been open since last fall, you might not have heard of The Americana , a handsome two-story bar and restaurant in Canton. But with its brunch menu and sports-ready clientele, Sunday's divisional game may be the time to check it out. The Americana replaced Clutch, which ostentatiously billed itself as "Baltimore's premier sports bar," with a low-key attitude. For decor, the owners have peppered the bar with some vintage knick-knacks and framed covers of the Saturday Evening Post.

Aside from glitzy ads on TV and in magazines, information on prescription drugs can be tough to come by for Gregory Wollon, a 62-year-old Havre de Grace resident. "You don't choose a prescription because beautiful people are using it," said Wollon, adding that she has been researching acid reflux medications. This search could get easier starting today when the Harford County library system plans to launch a service providing access to a Web site from Consumer Reports magazine on costs, types and availability of prescription drugs.

Herbert Rogers Age: 55 Years in business: 12 Salary: $38,000 a year How he started: Herbert Rogers graduated from the University of Maryland, Baltimore with a bachelor's degree in modern languages. He went on to the National Autonomous University of Mexico where he obtained a master's degree in Latin American literature. He stayed in Mexico for eight years. When he returned to Baltimore he briefly taught Spanish in Baltimore City public schools. He was encouraged by a friend to become a librarian at the Enoch Pratt.

In The Region Maryland General union sets deadline for one-day strike The union representing about 225 Maryland General Hospital employees has notified the hospital that its workers will go on strike next week if the two sides don't reach a new contract agreement before then, the union said yesterday. Workers from the Service Employees International Union local 1199E-DC will strike from 6 a.m. Feb. 4 until 6 a.m. Feb. 5 if a deal isn't made, the union said. At issue is a proposed one-year wage freeze.

The head of Spherix Inc., whose eclectic businesses range from developing an artificial sweetener to processing campground reservations, has resigned over differing opinions on the direction of the Beltsville company. Spherix announced yesterday that Thomas W. Gantt resigned Tuesday as president and chief executive officer, about a year after being named to lead the company. He is the second president to resign from Spherix in 18 months. He was replaced by Richard C. Levin, a 13-year company veteran who was named acting chief executive and president.

Three months after announcing the elimination of 350 jobs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maryland has informed state officials of plans to cut another 233 positions as a result of contracting out information services.Company officials said yesterday that the positions -- 7 percent of Blue Cross' current work force of 3,400 -- will be eliminated upon completion of an agreement with GTE Data Services of Florida."We expect it will be finalized by March 1," said Blue Cross spokeswoman Deb Nielsen.

USAir Group Inc. elevated its finance chief to president and chief operating officer yesterday, a move that frees airline Chairman Seth E. Schofield to spend more time cutting labor costs at the beleaguered carrier.Frank L. Salizzoni, 55, was named to fill the post left vacant nearly two years ago when Mr. Schofield became the airline's chairman and chief executive officer."It's a very smart move that will provide Seth with the ability to focus on union things," said Jon Ash, managing director of Global Aviation Associates, a Washington aviation consulting firm.

CA governance panel is to meet tonight in Columbia A revised schedule has been issued by the Columbia Association's Governance Committee for its public discussions on proposals that have been submitted to the board to recommend changes in the town's governance structure. Meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. today in the boardroom at Columbia Association headquarters; Sept. 8 in the MIS (management information services) conference room; and Sept. 15 and 22 in the small conference room. Proposals to be discussed are available at www.columbia association.