Newsroom

1. Curating scaled inventory sets: Through this initiative, MOSAIC aims to provide vehicles for brands to buy diverse voices at a scale larger than any individual member could achieve on their own. By curating inventory that represents various diverse communities, MOSAIC will not only amplify diverse voices but also dispel stereotypes about suitability associated with each group of content through research.
   
   
2. Monitoring success for diversity support: Participating creators' feeds will have the opportunity to monitor monetization using the AB Daily Monitoring solution. This data will help quantify the financial support going to diverse media owners and diverse voices. It will also serve as a baseline and recurring check-up to ensure equitable revenue is being generated for these creators. Additionally, MOSAIC collaborates with participating and external advertisers to track their buys through attribution, demonstrating the buying power of the audiences reached through diverse voices.

Media Contact

MOSAIC Collective
collective@wearemosaic.info

VTS, the industry's only technology platform that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and their customers across the real estate ecosystem, today announced that GlobeSt has recognized CEO Nick Romito, and Chief Strategy Officer Ryan Masiello as honorees on its 2024 Influencers in Commercial Real Estate Technology list. This is the company’s fourth year being featured on the list, having also won in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

“We at VTS are immensely proud to be recognized as one of GlobeSt’s Influencers in Commercial Real Estate Technology for a fourth year, a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to pioneering innovation for commercial real estate,” said Romito. “2023 was an incredible chapter for our company, and we look forward to continuing to provide the industry with the most comprehensive tech solutions on the market.”

Romito and Masiello were recognized for their leadership throughout 2023 and beyond, having most recently spearheaded the launch of VTS’ tenant experience platform VTS Activate in May. Leveraging the previous acquisitions of Rise Buildings and Lane Technologies in 2021, VTS Activate is a revolutionary tenant experience platform that enables commercial real estate owners and operators to create a fully integrated, campus experience and provide first-of-its-kind ‘one app, access anywhere’ functionality for tenants and employees. VTS Activate comes on the heels of the company’s CBRE-led $125M Series E fundraise in September 2022, which marked another major milestone for the co-founders who started the company back in 2012.

“Having founded VTS over a decade ago, it is incredible to see just how much our company has evolved and continues to be acknowledged as a leader in the PropTech sector,” said Masiello. “We’re thrilled to kick off 2024 with this recognition and to reaffirm our team’s dedication to advancing the industry with meaningful solutions.”

For this year’s Influencer series, GlobeSt Real Estate Forum aimed to highlight the accomplished and impactful individuals and leadership teams that are creating revolutionary solutions solving for today’s industry challenges and market woes. The professionals featured on this list have impacted the marketplace through new and/or improved technology applications, their first-of-its-kind contributions to the industry, the vast successes they boast, and/or the innovations and best practices they’ve introduced to the business.

About VTS

VTS is the industry's only technology platform that unifies owners, operators, brokers, and their customers across the commercial and residential real estate ecosystems. In 2013, VTS revolutionized the commercial real estate industry’s leasing operations with what is now VTS Lease. Today, the VTS Platform is the largest first-party insights and collaboration engine in the industry, transforming how strategic decisions are made and executed by real estate professionals across the globe.

With the VTS Platform, consisting of VTS Lease, VTS Market, VTS Activate, and VTS Data, every stakeholder in real estate is given real-time market information and workflow tools to do their job with unparalleled speed and intelligence. VTS is the global leader, with more than 60% of Class A office space in the U.S., and 13 billion square feet of office, residential, retail, and industrial space is managed through our platform worldwide. VTS is utilized by over 45,000 professionals and over 1.2 million total users, including industry-leading customers such as Blackstone, Brookfield Properties, LaSalle Investment Management, Hines, BXP, Oxford Properties, JLL, and CBRE. To learn more about VTS, and to see our open roles, visit www.vts.com.

Media Contact

Eric Johnson

eric.johnson@vts.com

Media Contact

Eric Johnson
eric.johnson@vts.com

The University of Dayton School of Law (UDSL) proudly announces its commitment to advancing education in Government Contracting & Procurement through the adoption of the National Contract Management Association's (NCMA) ANSI-approved Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™) and Contract Management Book of Knowledge® (CMBOK®).

The Master in the Study of Law (M.S.L.) in Government Contracting & Procurement program at UDSL is dedicated to providing students with the highest quality education and ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the ever-evolving profession of contract management. By incorporating the NCMA CMS™ and CMBOK® into its program and course curricula, UDSL reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence and aligns with contract management best practices.

Kraig Conrad, CEO of the National Contract Management Association, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We commend the University of Dayton School of Law for taking this progressive step for their program. This standard is a recognized benchmark in the profession, and its incorporation into UDSL's program reflects the university's dedication to providing students with a competitive edge in their careers."

The NCMA CMS™ and CMBOK® will serve as the foundation for UDSL's M.S.L. program, guiding the development of curriculum that addresses the dynamic and complex landscape of government contracting and procurement. This strategic adoption ensures that students receive comprehensive and up-to-date education and prepares them for success in the workforce.

In response to the adoption, Sabra Tomb, UDSL’s Director of Training Programs and Strategic Business Development stated, "UDSL’s Government Contracting & Procurement Program is committed to delivering excellence in education and preparing our students to excel in their professional pursuits. The integration of the NCMA Contract Management Standard™ into our program is a testament to our dedication to providing a top-notch education that meets the needs of the industry and empowers our students for success."

As UDSL continues to strengthen its position as a leader in legal education, this decision underscores its commitment to staying at the forefront of profession advancements and provide students with a competitive advantage in the job market.

About the University of Dayton School of Law

The School of Law offers a fully online master's program in government contracting and procurement designed by seasoned industry and government experts. The program is designed for contract professionals; a law degree is not required. Courses are taught in real-time to encourage active learning and provide opportunities for live feedback and interaction between faculty and students. Each class meets once a week, scheduled for working professionals. Financial aid, military, and veteran benefits; and corporate and government tuition deferment, assistance and reimbursement options are available. For more visit: https://udayton.edu/law/.

About the National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA)—www.ncmahq.org—stands as the premier contract management organization whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums.

Media Contact

Holly DeHesa

281-865-3296

holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org

Media Contact

Holly DeHesa
holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org

• Neel Shah, founder of EZ Newswire
• Edwin Jain, founder of Monoid
• Saumya Rawat, co-founder of Pharmesol

Media Contact

Angela Mascarenas
angela@aifurnace.co

"We are incredibly excited to introduce this new digital content database in collaboration with Image Relay," said Noah Dempsey, Marketing Coordinator at Delgado Stone. "With this platform, we are providing our Authorized Dealers and their clients an unparalleled level of efficiency in accessing the visual assets they need to bring their projects to life."

• Accreditation and recognition: Every photo is accompanied by credits to the Authorized Dealer, mason/contractor, and architect/designer.
• High-resolution photo access: Easily retrieve high-quality images of completed projects.
• Tag-based sorting: Effortlessly locate photos by project type, application, and stone color through a comprehensive tagging system.
• Instant sharing and download: Seamlessly share and download photos directly within the database.
• Diverse showcase: Showcase a full array of palletized product photos, completed projects, and a range of installation techniques.

"We are committed to making the customer experience an easy one and the introduction of our digital database highlights this promise," said Mike Wolfe, CEO of Delgado Stone. "Understanding the frequent need for images from our customers, our sales, marketing, and customer experience teams worked together to streamline access to this valuable information. The successful launch of this initiative is a testament to our ongoing efforts to proactively address customer needs and enhance their overall experience."

Media Contact

Noah Dempsey
noahd@delgadostone.com

Comtrade 360, a leading global software consultancy providing tailored software and full-stack product development services, today announced the appointment of Chris Noordyke as Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager. With an impressive track record in sales and technology, Noordyke’s primary mission is to expand Comtrade 360’s service offerings and market reach.

Noordyke brings nearly 20 years of sales and technology industry experience to Comtrade 360, having served as Chief Revenue Officer at StorONE, a software storage company. Before that, Noordyke held senior roles at Rezillon, Diamanti, and Blue Medora.

“Comtrade 360 is delighted to welcome Chris Noordyke as our Chief Revenue Officer based on his depth and breadth of experience helping technology organizations grow,” said Alexis Lope-Bello, CEO of Comtrade Group. “His proven leadership and strategic vision align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering exceptional services to our partners and clients.”

In 2024, with leadership from Noordyke, Comtrade 360 is poised to extend its expertise within key software development services and solutions offerings related to Application Modernization, DevSecOps, DevOps, and Salesforce.

“During my tenure in the software industry, I have observed Comtrade 360’s remarkable expertise and innovative approach, which are vital for any forward-thinking technology enterprise,” said Noordyke. “The company’s philosophy aligns tightly with my own belief that bringing software products to market swiftly is where competitive edge is born.”

For more than 30 years, Comtrade 360 has specialized in developing customized technical solutions to meet the needs of leading enterprise infrastructures and systems software providers globally. The company’s service offerings include Application Modernization, Salesforce, Observability, Cybersecurity, Backup & Recovery, Data Management, DevOps, Cloud & Hybrid Cloud, Machine Learning, and AI solutions. Clients include HPE, Pointnext R&D, WorldRemit, Microsoft Azure, and CERN.

To learn more about Comtrade 360 and its offerings, visit https://www.comtrade360.com/.

About Comtrade 360

With a legacy spanning over 30 years, Comtrade 360 has been a trusted partner to the world’s leading software organizations. Specializing in tailored software and full-stack product development services, the company leverages new technological and innovative approaches. Services include Application Modernization, Salesforce, Observability, Cybersecurity, Backup & Recovery, Data Management, Fast file management based on CERN EOS, DevOps, Cloud & Hybrid Cloud, Machine Learning, and AI solutions. Clients include HPE, Pointnext R&D, WorldRemit, Microsoft Azure, and CERN.

Media Contact

Jennifer Mirabile

comtrade@trustrelations.agency

Media Contact

Jennifer Mirabile
comtrade@trustrelations.agency

Lash Spell, the indie lash and eyebrow beauty brand, announces its entry into luxury resort spas through a new partnership with Maui’s iconic Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Known for its stunning beachfront location in Wailea, Grand Wailea will debut its reimagined Kilolani Spa on February 28, 2024, where Lash Spell will emerge as a retail partner amidst the spa’s upscale amenities. In keeping with the vision of Lash Spell co-founders Tara Bogna and Trevor Kavanagh, the exciting partnership is designed to expand the brand’s luxury destination footprint, while showcasing their popular collection of lash and eyebrow care products.

The brand is recognized for its commitment to enhancing consumers' natural eyebrows and lashes, offering effective yet gentle products suitable for even the most sensitive users. Backed by an abundance of positive online reviews, Lash Spell's formulations are known for their unique blend of peptides, proteins, vitamins and conditioning ingredients, which delivers results in as little as 4–6 weeks.

“We are so honored and excited to be working with such a prestigious spa, and to secure a presence in the island of Maui by expanding the Lash Spell reach to a new consumer segment,” says Tara Bogna, co-founder of Lash Spell. “It is a dream come true to have our brand showcased in paradise and aligned with such an amazing spa as we kick off 2024.”

All Lash Spell products, including Brow Spell, Enhancing Eyebrow Serum, Lash Spell, Enhancing Eyelash Serum, and Spell Duo, the brand's combo collection, will be available at Kilolani Spa’s curated retail area. As part of Lash Spell’s commitment to giving back, 1% of all purchases will go to Cancer Cartel, a non-profit organization that directs every dollar raised toward helping families affected by cancer. With this charitable initiative, Lash Spell extends its impact beyond the beauty industry, contributing to a meaningful cause.

About Lash Spell

Lash Spell was founded by sibling duo Tara Bogna and Trevor Kavanagh to enhance every person’s natural lash superpowers with the most effective yet gentle eyelash serum. Infused with a nourishing blend of peptides, proteins, vitamins and conditioning ingredients, Lash Spell’s products deliver results in as little as 4–6 weeks. Leading with a commitment to giving back, Lash Spell pledges 1% of all sales to Cancer Cartel—a non-profit that donates every single dollar they raise toward helping families affected by cancer.

About Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The iconic resort consistently ranks among the world’s best in leading travel and consumer reports. Nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Wailea Beach, Grand Wailea provides a range of vacation experiences: open spaces for the active vacationer, beauty and seclusion for romantic getaways, and family fun with rope swings and a jungle-style river pool. Guests will soon have access to a newly reimagined spa experience at Kilolani Spa and can currently enjoy an intimate spa experience at Mōhalu Healing Garden & Beauty Lab, as well as eight restaurants, including the newly renovated Botero Lounge at the heart of the resort, and its latest oceanfront Italian dining addition, Olivine. Accommodation options include Grand Wailea’s 777 rooms and 57 suites, as well as an enclave of 50 luxury villas at Hoʻolei that each span at least 3,200 sq. ft., located nearby with access to Grand Wailea amenities. For reservations and information on what is currently available/open on property, please call 1-800-888-6100 or visit www.grandwailea.com.

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of more than 30 iconic properties that creates a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to elegant service, one-of-a-kind experiences and culinary expertise in landmark locations around the world. Inspired by their timeless environments and sincerely elegant service, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver an effortless experience from the moment a guest books through checkout. In addition to the brand’s renowned hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria boasts a best-in-class residential portfolio that provides the comfort of a private home combined with the unsurpassed amenities and high-touch service of Waldorf Astoria. Waldorf Astoria is part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Experience an unforgettable stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts by booking at waldorfastoria.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com, and follow the brand on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact

Colleen Mathis

917-690-5560

colleen@absoluteRrelations.com

Media Contact

Colleen Mathis
colleen@absoluteRrelations.com

UNO Pizzeria & Grill, the iconic restaurant brand and the birthplace of deep dish pizza, has introduced a new limited-time-only menu that features the flavors of New Orleans and Mardi Gras. With Fat Tuesday on February 13 this year, the company wanted to release the menu in advance of the celebration of Mardi Gras to give guests the opportunity to try the flavorful new items over an extended period of time.

The menu features UNO's spin on classic New Orleans dishes as well as a few completely new tasty creations. Items featured on the menu include:

Big Easy Gumbo – A bowl of chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage gumbo with rice, vegetables and classic Cajun seasoning.

Cheesy Grits and Shrimp Appetizer – Shrimp sautéed with bacon, onion and a housemade Makers Mark BBQ sauce served over cheesy grits.

Seasoned Fried Shrimp Appetizer – Tender shrimp dusted in seasoned flour (with a tiny kick) and deep fried to a golden brown. Served with a housemade remoulade sauce.

New Orleans Pasta – A delicious combination of chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage and seasoned plum tomatoes sautéed with garlic, celery, and UNOs spicy alfredo sauce. Tossed with rigatoni.

Mike’s Hot Honey Chicken and Cornbread – In-house baked cornbread topped with crispy chicken tenders and drizzled with Mike’s Hot Honey. Served with maple aioli. A hot new collab.

Cajun Ribeye and Grilled Shrimp – A 10-oz Choice ribeye grilled to order with jazzy Cajun seasoning and served with a skewer of basil-marinated shrimp. Served with two sides.

Jambalaya Deep Dish Pizza – A buttery deep dish dough filled with bayou-seasoned shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage, seasoned plum tomatoes, caramelized onions and celery. Topped with freshly grated mozzarella, cheddar and asiago cheeses.

Andouille Sausage Bayou Thin Crust Pizza – Housemade dough and marinara sauce topped with andouille sausage, caramelized onions, mozzarella, ricotta and banana peppers.

“This new menu offers our guests a fun and flavorful food experience. Having lived in New Orleans for a portion of my life, I am keenly aware that New Orleans and Mardi Gras celebrate community, food and fun. These are qualities that are alive and well in all of our UNOs locations every day,” stated CEO Erik Frederick. He continued, “We want to give our guests menu options that are a bit different than what you would normally see at UNOs, or any other restaurants for that matter. All of these items really kick up the flavor and spice a few notches. As they say in New Orleans “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” which means “Let the good time roll!”

To celebrate the release of the menu, UNOs is offering a BOGO 50% off deal on the Mardi Gras menu items from January 31 to February 4. Offer is valid on all food menu items (drinks excluded from offer). The offer is valid for dine-in and participation may vary by location.

The limited-time-only Mardi Gras menu is available at most UNOs locations and is scheduled to run into April 2024.

About UNO Pizzeria & Grill

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes approximately 80 company-owned and franchised UNO Pizzeria & Grill restaurants located in 18 states, and the District of Columbia, India, and Saudi Arabia. UNO is all about connecting people over pizza—from its famous Chicago Deep Dish, which UNO invented in 1943, to its Chicago Thin Crust, to its gluten-free and vegan pizzas. For more information, visit www.unos.com.

Media Contact

Chris Dellamarggio

339-613-7641

cdellamarggio@unos.com

Media Contact

Chris Dellamarggio
cdellamarggio@unos.com

In an increasingly competitive and malicious environment vulnerabilities in enterprise codebases can lead to catastrophic security failures. Many times these can be fatal for businesses built on a foundation of customer trust and reliability. Data security is the most fundamental promise that a business can make to its users. Despite this, we have grown accustomed to hearing about massive data exploits on an almost daily basis. It is logical that recent research has found that 71% of software engineers are concerned about software reliability at their workplace.

p0 has launched from stealth and today announces that it has raised $6.5m from Lightspeed Venture Partners with participation from Alchemy Ventures to help stop catastrophic software failures. p0’s proprietary technology leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) to identify safety and security issues in software before it is ever run in a production environment. p0’s technology provides a single-click solution with no need for additional user configuration.

p0 can handle a wide range of software issues including data integrity issues and validation failures (including those affecting data security), alongside speed and timeout issues. p0 noiselessly surfaces intelligent and actionable output far more effectively than traditional software reliability and security solutions. Through developer teams simply connecting their Git code repositories to p0, they can rapidly gain insight beyond what traditional rule-based static analysis tools can provide - with the ability to run code scans in just one click.

p0's dashboard showing testing of endpoints in progress with a few endpoints already tested and showing results

Prakash Sanker, co-founder and CTO of p0, said: “Across the world, recent catastrophic software failures have led to real-world impact on human life and poor outcomes for businesses. At p0, we are determined to stop these safety and security issues affecting our society. Leveraging AI, we can go further than traditional software reliability and security tools to ensure society sees the benefits of technology with less risk.”

Kunal Agarwal, co-founder and CEO of p0 commented: “We’re building a phenomenal team and product at p0, all focussed around protecting our clients and their users the damage that software vulnerabilities and reliability bugs can cause. As software becomes more intricate and pervasive, the importance of robust testing and reliability checks has never been more apparent. p0 is here to fundamentally change how organisations tackle these challenges head-on by harnessing the analytical power of AI. Our innovative approach empowers developers to write safer, more secure code thereby pre-empting serious run-time failures and exploits."

Before founding p0, Sanker studied math and computer science at Stanford University and worked at companies including Palantir. Agarwal, an economics graduate from Harvard College, has previously founded a company backed by Lightspeed, Priority Vendor Technologies, which was acquired by Kansas-based C2FO in 2019.

p0 will use the capital to develop its product further, as it seeks to gain adoption from more users and build its team further.

Hemant Mohapatra, Partner at Lightspeed, commented: “At Lightspeed we’ve backed over 50 companies using generative AI to create new markets and upend old ones. p0’s cutting-edge approach to code and API security is unique and amongst the first ever truly LLM-native ways of solving this age-old and ever-evolving problem. We are excited to have incubated and backed them from when this was just an idea on paper”

About p0

Founded by Prakash Sanker and Kunal Agarwal, p0 leverages AI to help software teams surface critical security issues in software before their code is deployed to production. Through connecting with Git code repositories, p0 can identify a variety of software issues, using Generative AI to go further in identifying bugs than other tools can. For more information, please visit https://p0.inc/

About Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a global multi-stage venture capital firm focused on accelerating disruptive innovations and trends in the Enterprise, Consumer, and Health sectors. Since 2000, Lightspeed has backed entrepreneurs and helped build companies of tomorrow, including: Affirm, Acceldata, AppDynamics, Darwinbox, Hasura, Nutanix, OYO, Razorpay, Snap, Supabase, and Udaan. Lightspeed and its affiliates currently manage more than $18 Billion across the global Lightspeed platform, with investment professionals and advisors in India, Silicon Valley, Israel, China, Southeast Asia and Europe. www.lsip.com

Media Contact

Bilal Mahmood

+44 7714 007257

b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com

Media Contact

Bilal Mahmood
b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com

• Date: March 2, 2024
• Time: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• Location: Cistern Yard at College of Charleston

Media Contact

Barbie Schreiner
barbie@kidsonpoint.org

BrightSign, the provider of the most advanced, capable, and trusted digital media players and operating system, today announced Bright Alliance, a global program that affirms the company’s commitment to empowering its partner ecosystem. Bright Alliance is a comprehensive support system designed to enhance technical, sales, and marketing efforts for CMS partners, fostering mutual growth and generating business opportunities.

Organizations—from retailers, to restaurants, to public spaces, to financial institutions—have a desire to create immersive experiences and connect with consumers in new ways. To achieve this vision, organizations need engaging content, reliable hardware and software, and an ecosystem of partners to attract, engage, and captivate audiences.

Bright Alliance provides CMS partners with structured resources, including marketing, training, and technical assistance to promote, sell, implement, integrate, and support the latest BrightSign products. Bright Alliance means elevated engagements that spark new possibilities for CMS partners— all with reliability, longevity, and security at the forefront. By giving CMS partners the support they need, BrightSign is committed to maximizing the potential of every touchpoint, empowering businesses to bring to life their visions for connecting with consumers. The Bright Alliance program is set to formally roll out in Q1.

“The work we do alongside our partners is one of the best-kept secrets in the digital signage and immersive display industries. This dedicated program is a chance to align with partners on the needs of the industry, communicate the value of our work together, and provide support to bring visual and immersive experiences to life,” said Misty Chalk, vice president of sales, Americas, at BrightSign. “Consumer attention is finite, and experiences are everything. So, organizations must define their unique digital signage journey to meet the needs of their audience.”

BrightSign will be available to discuss the Bright Alliance program at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2024 at Booth #6M280. Follow BrightSign on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay up to date on the company’s latest news.

About BrightSign®

BrightSign LLC, the global market leader in digital signage media players, is headquartered in Los Gatos, California, with offices in Europe and Asia. BrightSign manufactures media players and provides free software and networking solutions for the commercial digital signage market worldwide, serving all vertical segments of the digital signage marketplace. From entry-level BrightSign LS players to BrightSign XC players offering state-of-the-art technology and unsurpassed performance, BrightSign's products are known for their signature reliability, affordability, ease-of-use, and market-leading technology. For more information, visit BrightSign.

Media Contact

Racepoint Global

617-624-3221

brightsign@racepointglobal.com

Media Contact

Racepoint Global
brightsign@racepointglobal.com

Media Contact

Nicolas Peluffo
nkp@trvlrpay.com

Today, the OPTN Expeditious Task Force announced a bold goal of achieving 60,000 successful, lifesaving deceased donor transplants annually in the U.S. by the end of 2026. That number represents a 58% increase in deceased donor transplants over the next three years. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is the non-profit organization that contracts with the federal government to serve as the nation’s Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).

The task force was created to pursue transformational changes across the nation’s organ donation and transplant system, increasing the number of lifesaving transplants, improving how donor organs are allocated, and increasing the use of all available organs. Members include transplant recipients, patient and donor family members, organ donation and transplant clinicians, community advocates and others, representing the many diverse perspectives of the national system. Twenty percent of task force members have no prior affiliation with the OPTN.

“As the task force name implies, we need to move quicker, be more responsive, and deliver results for the patients we serve,” said Dianne LaPointe Rudow, DNP, president of the OPTN Board of Directors. “The reality is that while the number of transplants continues to grow, so does the non-use of available organs and allocations of organs out of the intended sequence of offers. Increasing transplantation to meet this bold aim is certainly a challenge. But we believe it is achievable with shared commitment to innovation and improvement in the organ allocation and placement process. Of course, any approach to boost the number of transplants must also uphold our commitment to provide all patients the best and most equitable access to receiving a transplant.”

The need for improving efficiency is clear. In the case of kidneys, the most transplanted organ, the number of kidneys recovered from deceased donors increased by 56 percent between 2018 to 2023. Yet the number of kidney transplants only increased by 44 percent, meaning that approximately one quarter of kidneys recovered were not transplanted.

The task force began benchmarking and goal setting with an assessment of the top 20 percent of transplant programs by growth in transplant volume across the country. These institutions represent what is possible for growth in organ transplant and provide invaluable insights and effective practices in pursuit of the task force’s bold goal of 60,000 transplants by 2026. The task force plans to conduct rapid, small-scale trials of innovative approaches to increase organ usage and placement efficiency .

George Surratt, a member of the OPTN Board of Directors and a patient serving on the Expeditious Task Force, recognizes the effort as an opportunity to drive important changes.

“We have the chance with this task force to make a real difference for patients,” Surratt said. “I’ve been the person waiting for that call from my doctor letting me know that an organ was available; that call is life-changing. So I’m excited that our work here today and going forward will ensure that more patients receive that all-important call and that the gifts of generous donors save even more lives. My fellow task force members and I are here with open minds, a willingness to embrace new approaches, and an understanding that the nation’s patients are the driving force behind this effort. It’s an exciting and inspiring time to be engaged in this work.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports the task force’s work, and both HRSA and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) contractor continue to provide feedback and ideas to shape the aims and approaches the task force is considering.

The task force has reviewed recommendations from many sources, including the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) 2022 report and the work of the OPTN Ad Hoc Committee on Systems Performance. It also has received and continues to receive input from a variety of stakeholders, including patients, donor families, advocates, medical professionals and transplant leaders. As the task force develops actionable recommendations for new initiatives, it will remain engaged with stakeholders and the general public to guide its critical work.

About UNOS

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves as the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) under contract with the federal government. The OPTN helps create and define organ allocation and distribution policies that make the best use of donated organs. This process involves continuously evaluating new advances and discoveries so policies can be adapted to best serve patients waiting for transplants. All transplant programs and organ procurement organizations throughout the country are OPTN members and are obligated to follow the policies the OPTN creates for allocating organs.

Media Contact

Anne Paschke

804-782-4730

anne.paschke@unos.org

Media Contact

Anne Paschke
anne.paschke@unos.org

The American Paper Plate Coalition (“APPC”), representing the majority of American paper plate production, today petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) to investigate unfairly priced and subsidized paper plate imports from China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions detail unfair trade practices to sell paper plates at less than fair value and allege dumping margins up to 279%, as well as numerous subsidies. The petitions detail the injury suffered by the U.S. industry and its workers, and request relief in the form of special duties on all associated imports to offset unfair pricing and unfair subsidies.

“Imports from these countries have used dumped prices and subsidies to continue to grow in the U.S. market at the expense of American producers and workers,” said Bill Biggins, President and Co-owner of APPC member Aspen Products, Inc. “Over the past three years, unfairly priced and subsidized imports have harmed American producers and taken jobs away from hard-working Americans.”

The cases filed today cover all types of plates produced from any type of paper, regardless of color, decoration, shape and size.

“American producers can compete with anyone in the world, as long as we’re all playing by the same rules,” said Robert Epstein, President and CEO of APPC member AJM Packaging Corporation. “Fortunately, our country’s trade laws are set up to support fair trade. On behalf of our employees, customers, and colleagues, we look forward to seeing those laws enforced and those who violate our laws held accountable.”

The next steps in these investigations will be the initiation of Commerce antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by February 14, 2024, and a preliminary ITC determination by March 11, 2024.

About the American Paper Plate Coalition

The American Paper Plate Coalition, representing the leading U.S. producers of paper plates, is comprised of AJM Packaging Corporation of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Aspen Products, Inc. of Kansas City, MO; Dart Container Corporation of Mason, MI; Hoffmaster Group, Inc. of Oshkosh, WI; Huhtamaki, Inc., of De Soto, KS; and Unique Industries, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA.

For more information, visit https://www.ajmpack.com/, https://www.aspenpro.com/, https://www.dartcontainer.com/, https://www.hoffmaster.com/, https://www.huhtamaki.com/en-us/north-america/, and https://www.favors.com/

The American Paper Plate Coalition is represented by Adam H. Gordon of The Bristol Group PLLC, a Washington, DC international trade law firm committed to defending American industry, agriculture, and manufacturing jobs.

Media Contact

EAH Strategies

Elizabeth Posthumus

202-445-9858

elizabeth@eahstrategiesllc.com

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Elizabeth Posthumus
elizabeth@eahstrategiesllc.com

IMA Financial Group and Vouch, leaders in insurance for technology, life sciences and web3, have today announced the formation of a strategic alliance, merging IMA's brokerage expertise with Vouch's innovative coverage.

The alliance disrupts the landscape for innovative tech companies underserved by legacy insurance products. Until now, Vouch has operated exclusively as a managing general agent (MGA), distinguished by its proprietary coverages and direct-to-startup distribution model. IMA is its first retail brokerage partner.

To merge its expertise with Vouch’s proprietary insurance products, IMA launched IMA Next.Gen, a new program offering specialized insurance products crafted for venture-backed startups in technology, life sciences and web3. This program fills a crucial market gap, offering unique coverage enhancements and access to 10 exclusive Vouch coverages designed to meet these sectors' rapid innovation and growth needs.

Through this partnership, IMA broadens its insurance solutions, providing comprehensive, tailored coverage for the specific challenges tech enterprises face. IMA clients gain exclusive access to Vouch's specialized tech industry products, with preferred pricing and custom coverage options combining standard and specialized insurance products.

Mark Ware, EVP at IMA, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "Partnering with Vouch enables us to enhance our insurance offerings significantly, ensuring our clients, from startups to IPO-ready companies, have access to the best possible solutions."

Sam Hodges, Co-Founder & CEO of Vouch, also remarked on the synergy: "IMA's recognized technology practice and track record with innovation economy clients make them an ideal partner. This collaboration is focused on delivering purpose-built insurance products and experiences for tech businesses."

The IMA-Vouch partnership represents a holistic approach to insurance management, catering to companies across their development spectrum. It provides startups with essential insurance products at competitive rates and evolves with them to offer a more comprehensive suite of services as companies grow.

The IMA Next.Gen program allows clients to leverage Vouch's proprietary insurance and benefits, including exclusive coverage enhancements developed by IMA, as well as the Vouch technology platform. This digital brokerage tool streamlines the insurance process, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience for managing coverage. As clients grow, the program supports their expanding risk management needs, ensuring continuous, tailored insurance support.

"We aim to provide founders with products and services uniquely designed for their specific risks," said Hodges. "Our partnership with IMA is a testament to our commitment to serving technology businesses at every stage of their growth."

About IMA Financial Group

IMA Financial Group is an independent broker defining the future of insurance through comprehensive and consultative risk and wealth management services. A majority employee-owned and managed company, its 2,300-plus associates in offices across the country are empowered by a shared mission to manage risk, protect assets and make a difference. Learn more at https://www.imacorp.com.

About Vouch

Vouch is a US-based provider of business insurance to thousands of high-growth companies that has raised $160 million from top-tier Silicon Valley institutions and investors, including Ribbit Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Y Combinator and Index Ventures. Since its inception in 2018, the company has empowered clients to get risk management right through niche expertise, a proprietary approach to pricing and underwriting, fast, digital-first procurement and coverages that scale as the company grows.

More information on Vouch can be found at https://www.vouch.us. Vouch Insurance Services, LLC (NPN # 19039391) and Vouch Specialty Insurance Services, LLC (NPN # 19926463) are licensed in the states in which they conduct business. Detailed license information is available at https://www.vouch.us/licenses.

Media Contact

Ruth Rohs

303-615-7513

ruth.rohs@imacorp.com

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Ruth Rohs
ruth.rohs@imacorp.com

Kingham Dalton Wilson, Ltd. (KDW), a renowned leader in the construction industry specializing in design-build industrial and commercial construction, has announced it will expand its executive leadership team to support a growing range of projects.

The design-build firm will add two longtime team members to its C-suite. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, Jay Kingham, who joined KDW in 2006, will serve as President, a role formerly held by Keith Dalton, who will remain Chief Executive Officer. Eighteen-year veteran Rolf Scheffler has been named to the new role of Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Kingham was KDW Principal and Construction Manager, while Scheffler served as Director of Special Projects.

“Clients rely on us as a single-source solution that excels in every stage of a commercial development,” said Scheffler. “As COO, I will work to optimize efficiency in processes, implement risk management practices and champion quality control initiatives to meet our 2024 operational excellence goals.”

Former Project Manager Michael Mann replaces Scheffler as Director of Special Projects, and KDW’s Preconstruction Manager Mark Camilli has become Director of Preconstruction.

With over 128 years of combined experience and a track record of more than 2,000 successful projects, KDW has an established reputation for providing the highest-quality construction services with a dedicated team of professionals who prioritize customer satisfaction and deliver projects within scope, within budget and on time.

In 2023, the company launched nearly 40 projects, including Sovereign Flavors’ Kyle, Texas, headquarters, Balcones Resources’ San Antonio-based material recovery facility, Elin Energy’s Waller County, Texas, solar panel manufacturing facility and Newton Nursery’s Spring, Texas, nursery. The momentum continues into 2024, with additional projects slated for completion throughout the year.

"As KDW expands in and beyond Texas, we need additional leaders to serve our growing client portfolio and employee base,” said Dalton. “The new structure recognizes and supports our employees’ dedication and professional development and provides a strong foundation for our future.”

About Kingham Dalton Wilson

Kingham Dalton Wilson, Ltd. (KDW) is a full-service design-build firm specializing in customized industrial and commercial construction. With a team of more than 100 in-house designers, architects and multidisciplinary building professionals, the company is a single-source, one-contract solution for global and domestic companies, designing and building facilities that meet complex client specifications, often in niche industries such as cold storage, clean technology, food manufacturing and oil and gas. With headquarters in Houston and an office in Austin, KDW has completed more than 2,000 projects across Texas since its founding in 2004. For more information, visit www.kdw.com.

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Jessica Poulalier

jessica@centerreachcommunication.com

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Jessica Poulalier
jessica@centerreachcommunication.com

Media Contact

Laura Cooper
info@nfsi.org

Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS), a leader in traumatic brain injury and stroke rehabilitation services, today announced the appointment of Jamie Mason, J.D., as general counsel.

“Jamie has extensive in-house counsel experience and a strong background in healthcare,” says Nicholas Ashley, chief governance officer of Centre for Neuro Skills. “She is a fast learner and quickly integrated herself with the team. We are fortunate to have her in the company to keep us moving forward.”

Mason joined CNS as assistant general counsel in March 2023. As general counsel, she will oversee all aspects of the organization’s legal, risk management and regulatory performance efforts. Mason will provide oversight across all seven CNS clinics throughout California and Texas.

Mason received her Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School and has more than 10 years of experience as a trial attorney, primarily representing hospitals, medical groups, physicians and attorneys.

The CNS Bakersfield clinic is the company’s flagship location, established in 1980. CNS has two other clinics across California in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as four Texas clinics in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Austin. Through inpatient, outpatient, day treatment and residential rehabilitation programs, CNS’ facilities provide tailored neurorehabilitation therapy to patients.

“Centre for Neuro Skills is not only an industry leader in post-acute neurorehabilitation services but also a pioneer in healthcare with unmatched passion, innovation and growth,” said Mason. “It is an honor and privilege to serve as general counsel for CNS, and contribute to making a positive impact on our patients’ lives.”

About Centre for Neuro Skills

Centre for Neuro Skills is an experienced and respected world leader in providing intensive rehabilitation and medical programs for those recovering from all types of brain injury. CNS covers a full spectrum of advanced care from residential and assisted living to outpatient/day treatment. Founded by Dr. Mark Ashley in 1980, CNS has seven locations in California and Texas. For more information about Centre for Neuro Skills, visit neuroskills.com, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube. For a video overview of CNS, visit our YouTube channel.

Media Contact

Robin Carr

+1 415-766-0927

CNS@landispr.com

Media Contact

Robin Carr
CNS@landispr.com

indiGO Auto Group, the country’s premier boutique automotive retailer with 26 luxury dealerships throughout Texas, California, Missouri and soon-to-be Arkansas, has opened its newest location, Porsche Sugar Land, at 13426 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land, Texas. The new Porsche Center is adjacent to some of the city’s most popular retail outlets and attractions. Excitement is already building for a community-wide Grand Opening celebration slated for this coming April.

The 150,000-square-foot Porsche Center was built from the ground up utilizing low-carbon technology. It boasts an array of state-of-the-art, energy efficient design features, further demonstrating indiGO Auto Group’s dedication to sustainability across the value chain of the vehicle.

“indiGO Auto Group is committed to building with maximum sustainable features,” said General Manager Bram Zeegers, who previously held the same position at Porsche Palm Springs in Southern California. “Since opening in December, our goal has been to create a fully immersive, experiential ownership journey that exceeds all expectations for our customers.”

Porsche Sugar Land currently employs approximately 50 full-time team members—ranging from sales to service—and is projected to be important economic driver for the City of Sugar Land and the larger Houston metro area. Additional open positions are listed at www.indigoautogroup.com/careers.

indiGO Auto Group acquired its first Texas store, Porsche North Houston, in 2010. The company now boasts 26 franchised stores in six U.S. markets, including the recently added Porsche San Francisco and will be opening Porsche Little Rock this spring, making it one of the largest franchisees of Porsche Centers in the country.

“We’re thrilled to bring indiGO Auto Group’s concierge style, white-glove service to the Sugar Land community,” said indiGO Auto Group CEO Kelly Wolf, a native Texan who has been profiled in numerous publications, including The Houston Business Journal and Automotive News, where he also was named one of the elite 40 under 40 in the automotive industry. He currently serves on the Board of Regents for Porsche Cars North America and has been a board member since 2020.

indiGO Auto Group stands for a level of expertise beyond traditional dealerships, combining intimate factory knowledge with an authentic automotive passion that is displayed by every team member. The company is wholly owned by Netherlands-based Pon Holdings B.V., a global business of mobility products, services, and solutions.

For more information visit www.porschesugarland.com

About indiGO Auto Group

indiGO Auto Group is the destination for everyone who shares a passion for automobiles, providing unique access to brands we dream to drive, with experiences, insights, and connections for fellow enthusiasts that inspire and reward owners. indiGO Auto Group represents 26 franchised dealerships in seven United States markets, including Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and St. Louis, Missouri, plus San Francisco, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Riverside, Marin, and Redwood City, California. Dealership destinations include Porsche and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North Houston; Lamborghini and McLaren Houston; Cavallino Rosso St. Louis; Porsche St. Louis; indiGO Classic Cars; Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen Marin; Ferrari Silicon Valley; Jaguar and Land Rover Riverside; BMW and Porsche Palm Springs; Bentley, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Aston Martin, McLaren, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Audi and Rimac of Rancho Mirage. For more information visit www.indigoautogroup.com

Media Contact

Michael Felci

760-834-8599

mfelci@cordmedia.com

Media Contact

Michael Felci
mfelci@cordmedia.com

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) proudly announces that certified speaking professional, esteemed author and leadership consultant Richard Hadden will take center stage as the opening keynote speaker for the upcoming NAFA 2024 Institute & Expo. This premier event, which is the industry’s largest gathering of fleet and mobility professionals, is scheduled to take place from April 22–24, 2024, in San Antonio, TX.

"We are delighted to have Richard Hadden, a seasoned expert in leadership and management, share his insights at NAFA 2024 Institute & Expo," said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “His expertise aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways for our attendees. For those seeking to connect directly with industry experts and gain insights into the evolving landscape of fleet management, Richard's keynote will be an invaluable opportunity.”

In his keynote session titled Recruiting and Retention in the New World of Work, Hadden will delve into the profound changes in the world of work, offering insights and strategies for attracting, retaining and engaging a dynamic workforce in 2024 and beyond. Attendees can expect an exploration of the evolving mindset of today's workers and practical keys to building high-performing teams in the current employment landscape.

Hadden will also be leading the I&E Pre-Conference Leadership Development Institute Program on Sunday, April 21. Attendees will learn how to create an engaged—and more profitable—workforce throughout Hadden’s practical, interactive, content-packed and entertaining presentation. Interested participants can learn more about the program and secure their seat here.

Hadden, co-author of the acclaimed Contented Cows leadership book series and the book Rebooting Leadership, brings a wealth of experience from his roles in the Financial Services and Information Technology sectors. As the Director of Product Development for a software company in North Florida and the founder of his technology consulting business in 1986, Hadden seamlessly transitioned his focus from Information Technology to Human Resources, Leadership and Management.

I&E attracts thousands of fleet professionals from a variety of fields, including corporate, government, public safety, utility, education, and more. The three day conference offers a blend of education, impactful conversations, networking opportunities, and products and services from the industry’s leading suppliers. More information about the I&E schedule can be found here.

Prospective exhibitors are encouraged to secure their space early to ensure prime placement in the I&E Expo Hall. For more information about reserving an exhibit booth, please visit NAFA’s website. Sponsorship opportunities can be secured here. This year’s current sponsors include Bestpass Inc., FASTER Asset Solutions, Geotab, Holman, Legend Fleet Solutions, Merchants Fleet, Motive, Samsara, Stellantis, U.S. Bank Voyager, WEX and Wheels, Inc.

NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year.For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Media Contact

Keaveny Hewitt

919-622-5276

khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

Media Contact

Keaveny Hewitt
khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com