The Enquirer

Jim Riley has resigned as chief financial officer at Chiquita Brands International Inc., the company said Friday. Riley joined Chiquita in 2001 to assist with restructuring its balance sheet. He will leave at the end of August.

Chiquita said the company is close to choosing a replacement.

Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer, credited Riley with helping Chiquita steer through bankruptcy and cut its total debt since emerging in March 2002.

"These results could not have happened without Jim as our CFO," Aguirre said.

Gradison reappointed to oversight board

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Friday the reappointment of former Cincinnati Congressman Bill Gradison to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The commission unanimously selected Gradison to serve a five-year term upon the completion of his current term.

The board oversees audits of financial statements of public companies.

IT professionals can view new technology

Greater Cincinnati IT professionals can tour American Power Conversion Corp.'s InfraStruXure architecture at West Chester Holding Inc. in Monroe on Thursday.

This new technology controls power, cooling and environmental management, and reduces installation time while lowering the cost of owning such equipment. The tour begins at 5 p.m.

To register, call Matthew Wims at (401) 789-5735, ext. 3050, or go online to http://promo.apcc.com and enter key code R948Y.

Toyota to make fewer Avalons as sales slide

LOUISVILLE - Toyota has cut production of the Avalon sedan at its plant in central Kentucky amid a slide in sales.

Through July, Toyota sold 23,446 Avalons, down from nearly 64,000 during the first seven months of 2000.