Logos

Effective Logos should be 5 things:

Simple
Memorable
Timeless
Versatile
Appropriate

I am currently working on a rebranding of Gladstone. I work here full time. Here is a sample of the current identity.

This design is not:

Simple
Memorable
Timeless
Versatile
Appropriate

Here are a few examples I have mocked up (Bottom 3). In these designs our name is simplified to Gladstone and the many departments are treated similarly and the logos are taken away to make our identity feel united.