News: Colby - Fiesta Corporation #7 (1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brandt, Outlaw

---Source: Marshfield News-Herald (30 April 1983)

COLBY - May promises to be an eventful month for Colby's Fiesta Corp. and it looks like the rest of the year could be a busy for C-Way Industries, Inc.

Fiesta officials will request that the corporation's name be changed and a federal grand jury may bring charges against Fiesta's former owner.

The bankruptcy court will be asked May 6 to approve Fiesta's new name. It would go into effect immediately.

"We're going to call ourselves C-Way Industries, Inc.," said William Brandt Jr., Fiesta's chief executive officer.

The name change is the result of negative notoriety Fiesta has received during the past two years. The change is "supposed to give us a breath of new life," he said. Name changes are allowed under the bankruptcy code.

The name C-Way is derived from the acronym for the Central Wisconsin Airport near Mosinee which often is referred to as C-Way because of the airport's initials. Brandt said the name would help identify the company with the area where it's located.

In addition to the name change, Brandt said the court will be asked on May 6 and in the following few weeks to approve "Further changes in the corporate structure." He declined to elaborate.

There are also indications that a federal grand jury investigation of J. Raymond Outlaw, Fiesta's former owner, may be concluding. U.S. Attorney John Byrnes in Madison declined to comment Friday on what charges might be filed or when, but said he might have more information in a few weeks. Charges had been expected this week.

Several Fiesta financial records were subpoenaed by federal investigators more than a year ago.

In addition, the bankruptcy court judge will be asked May 6 to ratify an agreement between Fiesta and the army and air force in a dispute regarding $3 million in advance payments for uncompleted contracts. A favorable ruling is expected.