Briefs: Countrywide jobs cut by about 500

Countrywide jobs cut by about 500

LOS ANGELES -- Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest mortgage lender, said it has eliminated about 500 jobs as it tries to ride out problems from a credit crunch that has rocked the home loan industry. Countrywide employs more than 60,000 people.

Delta Air Lines names new CEO

NEW YORK -- Delta Air Lines named board member and industry veteran Richard Anderson its new chief executive Tuesday, a move partly aimed at maximizing its plan to expand international flights. Anderson, currently a senior executive at UnitedHealth Group and a former CEO of Northwest Airlines, succeeds Gerald Grinstein, 75, who is retiring.

Chrysler rolls off new minivans

WINDSOR, Ontario -- The first of Chrysler's next-generation minivans rolled off an assembly line Tuesday. The debut of the 2008 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country comes the same month as Chrysler's sale to the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LLC.

OSHA workshops offered next month

NAPERVILLE -- Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will offer workshops during a safety and health conference Sept. 24-28 at Northern Illinois University's Naperville campus. The 19th annual Chicagoland Safety and Health Conference is for employers, employees and other parties interested in safety, health, environment and emergency preparedness. For information about registration, call (815) 753-6902.

Real estate firm gets national honor

NAPERVILLE -- The National Association of Office and Industrial Properties has named Ryan Cos. U.S. Inc. the National Developer of the Year, the company announced Tuesday. Notable area projects include the $65 million Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, 70-acre Randall Crossings business park in Elgin, and $24 million senior housing Thomas Place in Glenview. The developer's area office is in Naperville.