Newsroom

Kevel, the API led ad serving company, is announcing it has raised $23M in Series C funding. This round of funding was led by Series B investor Fulcrum Equity Partners with investment from Godwin Capital Group, Iberis Capital, Dunnhumby Ventures, as well as continued participation from Commerce Ventures. The new funding allows Kevel to deepen its retail media focus and drive advanced product innovation to retailers and marketplaces offering on-site retail media ad products.

“What makes retailers different from traditional publishers is that they have unique 1st party data and closed loop attribution,” stated James Avery, CEO, Kevel. “Kevel’s flexible API tools enable retailers to build differentiated retail media platforms leveraging their unique attributes to provide advertisers with innovative, cutting edge decisioning, ad formats, targeting, and site performance, all while keeping their data safe and secure at scale.”

In order to effectively expand further into the retail media market and continue to serve its retailers, Kevel is announcing the expansion of its senior leadership team with the addition of former Frame.io Chief Revenue Officer Puja Rios joining the company as President / COO. Her strategic appointment comes at a critical time for the business as it looks to capitalize on the retail media momentum, with ad spend expected to increase 10.4% to $141.7 billion in 2024.

With over 25 years of experience in the software industry, Rios has a proven track record of scaling revenue, building high-performance teams and delivering stellar results. Rios focus will centralize around the next phase of growth for Kevel, expanding the company’s client base further into the retail media sector.

“Kevel’s success and innovation in the retail media market reflects its relentless pursuit of pushing boundaries to deliver a solution that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of its customers,” commented Rios. “I am proud to join a company where innovation knows no bounds and where we are redefining what's possible in the ever-evolving landscape of retail media.”

This heightened focus on retail media comes at a pivotal time for the billion dollar retail advertising industry as it enters the age of differentiation. Retailers and marketplaces are striving to capture advertiser demand for inventory, flexibility and maximum ROI by offering the best mix of data targeting, ad formats and measurement while balancing the preservation of their brand, data assets and shopper experience.

Avery continued, “We see a large shift in the retail media landscape as brands focus on doubling down on the retail media networks that are delivering value, and cutting back from the retail media networks that are commoditized. This is pushing retailers to invest in moving from off the shelf solutions to building high-end, differentiated retail media networks. Adding Puja to our team is going to enable us to scale with more retailers and help them in their quest to earn their spot on the media plans of the largest brands in the world."

For more information about Kevel, please visit www.kevel.com

About Kevel

Kevel powers innovative, flexible ad tech infrastructure APIs that fuel its ad serving solutions. It’s unique offering empowers multi-brand retailers to launch differentiated retail media networks that improve the shopper experience while maintaining total control of their first-party data. Kevel believes that every digital retailer should have the capability to scale their own distinct ad platform, just like big tech players like Amazon. Customers like Edmunds, Klarna, Delivery Hero, Leroy Merlin, Slickdeals, and other leading retailers and marketplaces all launched their own retail media network with Kevel. The company has garnered numerous accolades, most recently earning recognition as one of the leading 100 innovative tech start-ups driving the future of brand-to-consumer in 2023 and awarded the MarTech Breakthrough Award for best overall ad tech company in 2022. Learn more at www.kevel.com.

Media Contact

Jennifer Choo

+1 973-343-8819

jchoo@kevel.com

Media Contact

Jennifer Choo
jchoo@kevel.com

The latest edition of the Retirement Management Journal—a distinguished, double-blind peer-reviewed journal devoted to retirement and retirement-income planning—has been published by the Investments & Wealth Institute (Volume 12, Number 1, 2023).

Award-winning financial journalist and retirement management expert Robert Powell, CFP®, RMA®, continues his role as long-time editor-in-chief, overseeing the contributions of a distinguished set of industry luminaries and academic experts. Available via annual online or print subscriptions, the Retirement Management Journal helps sophisticated advisors gain new insights and advanced strategies to help their clients navigate the complexities of the modern retirement landscape.

“This issue of the Retirement Management Journal is characteristically rich in its offerings of scholarly articles, book reviews, and expert discussions,” said Mr. Powell. “Additionally, as part of our Visionaries Series, we are also delighted to showcase two exclusive, deep-dive interviews with a set of legends in the field of retirement planning: Annamaria Lusardi and J. Mark Iwry.”

Ms. Lusardi is one of the most cited authors in contemporary financial literacy and founder of the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center. In this interview, she recounts major milestones in her career, including her lasting contributions to the highly influential and widely respected Health and Retirement Study. Along the way, she reflects on the importance of promoting and embedding financial literacy into all aspects of our societies. Ms. Lusardi discusses ideas such as automatically enrolling people into pensions, adding measures of a citizen’s financial literacy to nationally collected statistics, and ensuring that all employers offer financial education in the workplace.

Meanwhile, Mr. Iwry has been referred to as “one of the most constructive public servants in the United States.” His pedigree and professional accomplishments in affecting retirement plan law and policy include serving as senior advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury for national retirement policy, advising on and helping develop the SECURE and SECURE 2.0 Acts, and testifying to Congress 27 times both as a government official and as a private-sector expert. In his interview, Mr. Iwry provides readers with a fascinating, detailed history of his efforts to help Americans achieve financial and retirement security — even as the long-standing era of direct benefit pension plans waned in favor of defined contribution approaches.

Another paper of note is “Optimal Spending and Portfolio Rules to Protect Desired Spending in Retirement.” Written by Professor Massimiliano De Santis, Ph.D., this paper proposes a novel retirement spending and investing strategy for retirees who wish to maintain, and potentially increase, spending power over time — while minimizing the risk of spending declines. De Santis’ strategy is multifaceted, including a spending rule that adjusts withdrawals based on portfolio performance, an asset allocation strategy that becomes more aggressive with higher excess wealth, and a consistent integration of spending and asset allocation adjustments.

The inside front cover of this edition of the Retirement Management Journal introduces readers to the Chicago Booth RMA® Capstone experience, a new offering for retirement management professionals interested in earning the Retirement Management Advisor® certification from Investments & Wealth Institute.

“As always, the contributions of the peer reviewers, the editorial advisory board, and particularly Debbie Nochlin, the Investments & Wealth Institute’s editorial director, have been integral to this edition of the Retirement Management Journal. Nochlin’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in bringing together all these valuable resources for professionals in retirement planning.”

About the Retirement Management Journal

The Retirement Management Journal is an annual academic publication of the Investments & Wealth Institute. The double-blind peer-reviewed publication is focused on retirement and retirement-income planning research and commentary. The target audience includes retirement and financial planning practitioners, policy experts, product designers, and academic researchers conducting studies related to retirement. The journal aims to advance knowledge and provide insights to help advisors develop strategies for their clients' successful transition into retirement and is designed in part to contribute to the body of knowledge in the Investment & Wealth Institute’s Retirement Management Advisor® certification program. A distinguished editorial advisory board consisting of academic scholars, industry practitioners, and policy experts reviews all submissions. The commentary provided by the authors who appear in the Retirement Management Journal does not necessarily represent the opinions of the Investments & Wealth Institute board of directors, staff, members, or the editorial advisory board of the publication.

About the Investments & Wealth Institute

Founded in 1985, the Investments & Wealth Institute is the premier professional association, education provider, and standards body for financial advisors. Through its award-winning events, publications, courses, and acclaimed certifications — Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®) — the Institute delivers Ivy league-quality, highly practical education to more than 20,000 practitioners annually in over 40 countries. Members of the Institute include the industry's most successful investment consultants, advanced financial planners, and private wealth managers who embrace excellence and ethics in applying a broad set of knowledge and skills in their daily work with clients.

Media Contact

Allison Edmondson

+1 303-850-3207

aedmondson@i-w.org

Media Contact

Allison Edmondson
aedmondson@i-w.org

Media Contact

Curator's Office
media@spaceblue.club

Media Contact

Courtney Jeffries
cj@vrtl.live

Officials from the State of California, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Tule River Indian Tribe of California, Save the Redwoods League, and other members of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) today announced significant progress in their work to protect the world’s largest tree species from severe wildfires. In its 2023 Progress Report for Saving the Sequoias, GSLC confirms that coalition partners have more than doubled the acres across the giant sequoia range where treatments are underway.

In its second year of large-scale collaboration, the coalition has exceeded its goals with ecosystem wide achievements:

• Treated nearly 9,900 acres in 28 giant sequoia groves—more than twice the acreage treated in 2022. This brings the total giant sequoia grove acres treated since the extreme 2020-21 wildfires to 14,143 out of 26,000;
• Planted more than 294,000 native tree seedlings in severely burned areas, bringing the total to more than 542,000 in two years;
• Initiated and hosted research studies by academic, government, and nonprofit entities;
• Revived cultural practices and expanded co-stewardship agreements with tribes and nonprofits

The full 2023 progress report is available here.

“The Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition made significant progress in 2023 to increase wildfire resilience in our forests and communities,” said coalition Co-Chair Clay Jordan, who is also superintendent of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. “We are realizing the founding goal of the coalition: accelerating the pace and scale of giant sequoia restoration by close coordination and collaboration. Forest treatment is not a one-time event, but a long-term commitment to actively stewarding and restoring these complex natural systems. Everyone benefits from the efficiencies and efficacy of the coalition’s combined efforts—the forest most of all.” 

GSLC’s work in 2023 was managed by 941 people at a cost of $32.9 million. GSLC conducted initial restoration treatments on 9,886 of 26,000 acres in 28 of approximately 80 groves, which represents more than twice the amount of giant sequoia grove acres treated than the previous year. This restoration work increases the wildfire resilience of the groves by reducing the amount of hazardous and combustible plant materials (fuels) through manual and mechanical fuels reduction, prescribed fires and cultural burning practices.

GSLC also worked to improve forest health through reforestation and planted more than 290,000 locally sourced native trees, including 119,000 giant sequoias. Combined with the previous year, the coalition has now planted more than 542,000 trees in and around the sequoia groves. These reforestation projects focus on areas that experienced uncharacteristically high wildfire intensity where seed trees have died, burned seeds were not able to develop, and minimal regeneration has occurred naturally.

“Our work to ensure a wildfire-resilient future for giant sequoias lives at the scientific intersection of forest ecology, wildfire and climate studies,” said Dr. Joanna Nelson, Ph.D., director of science and conservation planning for Save the Redwoods League and co-lead of the GSLC science committee. “We are simultaneously applying the latest evidence-based techniques and advancing the field’s understanding through research. As we coordinate research and adaptive management across the coalition, we boost our ability to steward giant sequoias.This is a long-term challenge with long-term solutions, and we are starting the long-term with timely action, now.”

“While we benefited from a relatively quiet fire season in 2023, what happens this year is impossible to predict, so we must prepare for the worst,” continued Nelson. “We urge elected officials and policymakers to continue to provide funding and personnel, enact policy changes and help us reduce fuels now so we can continue to address the problem at scale.” 

Giant sequoias are the largest trees in the world, and severe wildfires have killed up to 20% of the mature trees since 2015.

The two federal agencies that own and manage the majority of giant sequoia lands—USDA Forest Service and National Park Service—implemented emergency actions in 2023 to accelerate the pace and scale of work.

The members of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition include:

• National Park Service, represented by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Yosemite National Park
• USDA Forest Service, represented by the Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sierra National Forest, and Tahoe National Forest
• Tule River Indian Tribe of California, stewards of all or parts of five sequoia groves
• Bureau of Land Management, stewards of Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area
• California State Parks, stewards of Calaveras Big Trees State Park
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), stewards of Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest
• University of California, Berkeley, stewards of Whitaker’s Forest
• Tulare County, stewards of Balch Park

About Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition

The Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition (GSLC) is a landscape-scale, multi-partner collaboration dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of giant sequoia grove ecosystems. Our coalition is composed of all federal, tribal, state and local agencies and organizations that manage giant sequoia groves in public, tribal or private nonprofit ownership. Our affiliate partners include select federal and state conservation agencies, nongovernmental organization conservation groups, and academic research partners with a shared commitment to protect and steward giant sequoias and their ecosystems from emerging threats associated with climate change and the extended absence of natural, low-severity wildfire processes on the landscape. Learn more at giantsequoias.org.

Media Contact

Robin Carr

+1 415-766-0927

redwoods@landispr.com

Media Contact

Robin Carr
redwoods@landispr.com

Media Contact

Sara Schiffer
team@proof-pr.com

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (“the Trust”) announced today that it will host a live conference call on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time. Members of the Trust’s management team will discuss its recent financial and operating results as reflected in the Trust’s monthly report for the period ended February 29, 2024, and Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, both of which are expected to be filed prior to the call. The conference call will include a question and answer (Q&A) session.

Conference Call Details

• Date: Monday, March 11, 2024
• Time: 11:00 am CDT | 12:00 pm EDT
• Dial-in: U.S. & Canada Toll Free: (877) 841-2983 or International (215) 268-9893
• Webcast: www.ctltrust.net via the Investor Relations Section or click here to access
• Replay (available for 30 days): U.S. & Canada Toll Free: (877) 660-6853 / International: (201) 612-7415
• Conference ID #: 13745042

Telephone replays will be made available approximately 3 hours after the conference end time. Participants will be required to state their name and company upon accessing the replay.

Additional information, including the Trust’s Monthly and Quarterly Reports, as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) can be accessed via the Trust’s website at www.ctltrust.net.

About Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust

Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust (the “Trust”) was established to acquire 160 retail properties and 6 warehouse distribution centers (the “Properties”) from J.C. Penney as part of its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. The Trust’s operations consist solely of owning, leasing and selling the Properties. The Trust’s objective is to sell the Properties to third-party purchasers as promptly as practicable. The Trustee of the trust is GLAS Trust Company LLC. The Trust is externally managed by an affiliate of Hilco Real Estate LLC. The Trust is intended to be treated, for tax purposes, as a liquidating trust within the meaning of United States Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-4(d). For more information, please visit https://www.ctltrust.net.

Forward Looking Statement

This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “our vision,” “plan,” “potential,” “preliminary,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” or “would” or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology and include, but are not limited to, the Trust’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events and stock price performance. The Trust has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Trust believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control. These factors, including those discussed in the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, please refer to the Trust’s filings with the SEC that are available at www.sec.gov. The Trust cautions you that the list of important factors included in the Trust’s SEC filings may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not in fact occur. The Trust undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

Media Contact

Jessica Cummins, Investor Relations

+1 847-313-4755

jcummins@hilcoglobal.com

Media Contact

Jessica Cummins
jcummins@hilcoglobal.com

Benchmark is pleased to announce the transaction between GloveIt, LLC and Ruscan Chem Inc. The transaction represents a strategic, vertical expansion for the Ruscan Chem team.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, GloveIt was established in 2002 by Managing Member and CEO, Karen Gleason. The company is a designer, e-commerce retailer, wholesaler, and international fashion-forward women’s sports accessories distributor. They focus on women’s golf, tennis, and pickleball products and maintain relationships with big box stores, including PGA Tour superstore, Golf Galaxy, and Worldwide Golf.

“The entire Benchmark International team was an absolute pleasure to work with. Throughout the process, they were always available to walk me through each step, and I felt extremely confident in their ability to complete the sale. Emilia was outstanding to work with! I would highly recommend this professional, competent, and thorough group to work with to sell any business.” —Karen Gleason, Managing Member and CEO of GloveIt

based in Ontario, Canada, Ruscan Chem is a CPG distributor, utilizing e-commerce retail to distribute its current product base to over 10 countries worldwide. The acquisition of GloveIt is a valuable addition to their existing portfolio, consisting of products falling into the categories of health, wellness, sports equipment, accessories, and gear.

Benchmark International brought several buyers to the table for this opportunity. Multiple offers were received for the seller’s review, ultimately resulting in an offer that the seller could not refuse and one that she was excited to move forward with, not only for the offer itself but for the growth potential it offers to the company.

“Working with Karen and her team to complete this transaction was such a joy. We wish her the best in the future and are excited to see GloveIt and Ruscan Chem continue to grow together.” —Emilia Muniz, Senior Transaction Associate

Americas: Sam Smoot at +1 (813) 898 2350 / Smoot@BenchmarkIntl.com

Europe: Michael Lawrie at +44 (0) 161 359 4400 / Lawrie@BenchmarkIntl.com

Africa: Anthony McCardle at +27 21 300 2055 / McCardle@BenchmarkIntl.com

About Benchmark International

Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $11 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network as well as the #1 Sell-side Exclusive Privately-held M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook and Refinitiv's Global League Tables.

Media Contact

Brittney Zoeller

+1 813-898-2350

zoeller@benchmarkintl.com

Media Contact

Brittney Zoeller
zoeller@benchmarkintl.com

1. Human-led AI methodology that draws subject matter expertise and tacit knowledge from users, infusing each sentence with key insights. 
2. Narrative algorithms that are proven to spark buy-in for innovative products, ideas, processes, and methodologies.
3. A user-friendly interface facilitates editing and collaboration for content teams.
4. Developed by PhDs in scientific and technical writing with over a decade of experience crafting mission-critical white papers for fast-growth startups and Fortune 1000 brands.

Media Contact

Kate Greulich
kate@narratize.com

Media Contact

Graceann Bennett
g@agholywater.com

ATFX proudly announces the appointment of Drew Niv, a distinguished pioneer and thought leader in the FX industry, as its Chief Strategy Officer. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Drew Niv brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role at ATFX.

Drew Niv is widely recognized for his pivotal role in co-founding FXCM in 1999 and serving as its CEO for 19 years. During his tenure, he fostered strategic partnerships with institutional clients, including major hedge funds, prominent banks, and renowned financial institutions worldwide. His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the FX industry, with notable contributions to groundbreaking initiatives such as the development of FastMatch in collaboration with Credit Suisse and the establishment of Grid Sight as a forerunner in Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence for analysing and predicting price movements in CFD prices.

In his new capacity as Chief Strategy Officer at ATFX, Drew Niv will report directly to Joe Li, Chairman of ATFX Group. Joe Li expressed his enthusiasm for Drew Niv’s appointment, stating:

“We are delighted to welcome Drew Niv to the ATFX team. His extensive experience and strategic insights will be invaluable as we chart the course for our future growth and development. With Drew Niv on board, we are poised to revolutionize the landscape of financial services. His wealth of experience and strategic insights will play a crucial role in guiding our efforts to introduce groundbreaking financial products and advanced tools into the existing ATFX ecosystem. Moreover, Drew’s expertise will be instrumental in forming strategic partnerships that will drive our commitment to delivering unparalleled services that cater to the dynamic requirements of individual and institutional customers globally.”

ATFX’s commitment to innovation is evident in its track record of introducing pioneering technologies such as applying blockchain technologies in loyalty program, and AI-based solution in e-KYC workflows. These advancements reflect ATFX’s proactive approach to staying at the forefront of the industry and commitment to empower traders by enhance their trading experiences.

Drew Niv’s appointment comes as part of ATFX’s broader strategy to onboard elite professionals and expand its global footprint. Recent appointments include Linton White as Regional Head for ATFX Africa, Hormoz Faryar as Managing Director of Institutional Sales and Aditya Singh as the new Business Development Director International at ATFX MENA respectively. By recruiting highly experienced professionals like Drew Niv and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence, ATFX is poised to achieve long-term success and solidify its position as a dominant player in the global financial marketplace.

About ATFX

ATFX is a globally leading fintech broker, holding licenses in multiple countries, including the UK's FCA, Cyprus's CySEC, UAE's SCA, Australia's ASIC, and South Africa's FSCA. With a strong presence in Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, APAC, and South Africa, ATFX is committed to delivering exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide. The company prioritizes customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, positioning it as one of the top choices for traders seeking reliable and sophisticated trading solutions.

For further information on ATFX, please visit: https://www.atfx.com

Contact Details

Weems Chan

sales.uk@atfx.com

Media Contact

Weems Chan
sales.uk@atfx.com

Media Contact

Bernardita Calinao
bcalinao@walkspan.com

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) proudly unveils Brian Fielkow, safety expert and leader, as a keynote speaker for the upcoming NAFA 2024 Institute & Expo. The event, renowned as the premier gathering of fleet and mobility professionals, will take place from April 22-24 in San Antonio, TX.

Brian is an esteemed leader in safety-sensitive industries, and brings over thirty years of executive leadership experience, particularly in transportation and logistics, to the I&E stage. As the Executive Vice President of Risk Resources at Acrisure, Brian provides strategic guidance to select companies, drawing from his distinguished career dedicated to fostering robust safety cultures. His expertise has earned him accolades such as the Distinguished Service to Safety Award from the National Safety Council.

“NAFA is thrilled to welcome Brian Fielkow as a keynote speaker for our 2024 Institute & Expo,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “Brian’s wealth of experience in safety-sensitive industries and his commitment to cultivating safety cultures align perfectly with NAFA’s mission. His session promises to equip attendees with actionable strategies to enhance safety and drive success within their organizations.”

During his keynote address, titled "The Roadmap to Fleet Safety," Brian will share invaluable insights into cultivating a safety-driven environment within organizations. Attendees can expect to gain practical tools and concepts to instill a behavior-based culture of safety, enhancing accountability and operational excellence.

Brian’s session will delve into key topics such as distinguishing safety as a core value, the pivotal role of leadership in driving safety initiatives, and strategies for inclusive engagement across all levels of an organization. Attendees will also learn about deploying metrics, breaking down silos and fostering a "just culture" that prioritizes prevention.

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, Shell Fleet Solutions, Stellantis, U.S. Bank Voyager, WEX and Wheels, Inc.

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

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

+1 919-622-5276

khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

Media Contact

Keaveny Hewitt
khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

Entre Mujeres LIVE!, the acclaimed bilingual event series known for its commitment to empowering Latina entrepreneurs in the US, is thrilled to announce its latest innovation: The Compass Society. This new, exclusive membership community is tailored specifically for Latina entrepreneurs who are bilingual and seeking opportunities for growth, learning, and collaboration. The inaugural event for The Compass Society is set to offer an intimate learning experience for a limited group of 40 attendees, featuring workshops, networking, and a marketplace, all culminating in an exquisite brunch. This unique event will take place at the Serena Hotel in Aventura, aligning with Women’s History Month, and is proudly presented in partnership with Genesis Motor America.

Event Highlights:

• Date & Time: March 6, 2024, 10:30 AM – 2 PM ET
• Venue: SERENA Hotel Aventura, a distinguished Tapestry Collection hotel by Hilton

Featured Workshop: The premiere session, “Discover the Secret Path to Double Your Sales,” led by Solangelie Molina, a seasoned digital strategist and television producer, is designed specifically for Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs. This workshop will delve into strategic sales planning, leadership, and overcoming growth-related challenges.

Networking Brunch: A delightful brunch awaits attendees, providing an ideal setting for building meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs.

Marketplace Showcase: Discover products and services from women-led businesses and new Compass Society members in a specially curated marketplace.

Why The Compass Society?

Entre Mujeres LIVE! is rooted in its mission to support immigrant women by offering a platform for resources and inspiration as they transition to life in the United States. The founders, Cristy Clavijo-Kish, Michelle Rodríguez-Tápanes, and Anabelle Blum, recognize the need for Latina entrepreneurs to develop critical business skills. The Compass Society’s custom programming focuses on in-depth topics with ample time for strategic networking and showcasing products at the marketplace.

“With approximately 5 million Latino/a-owned businesses in the U.S. generating over $800 billion annually, our community is experiencing significant growth,” the founders share. “The Compass Society aims to support this vibrant sector by providing at least three tailor-made workshops this year, alongside our annual conference. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to serving Latina entrepreneurs, particularly those who prefer to think and operate in Español.”

Secure Your Spot:

Availability is limited for this exclusive event. To secure your place and learn more about The Compass Society and its offerings, please visit entremujereslive.com.

Entre Mujeres LIVE! is not just an event; it’s a movement. Join us as we continue to empower Latina entrepreneurs, fostering a community of growth, learning, and success.

About Entre Mujeres LIVE!

The founders of Talento Unlimited– an award-winning, Latina-led boutique content marketing and talent management media company, partnered with Latina TV Host and expert lifestyle content creator Anabelle Blum to launch ENTRE MUJERES LIVE! in 2023 as a new venture producing dual-language events that allow attendees to Learn, Influence, Visualize, and Engage as a community through a curated agenda of conversation and educational moments. Following its successful, sold-out inaugural event in June and subsequent Wellness Luncheon in November, the trio is rapidly expanding new programming experiences and content campaigns under the Entre Mujeres LIVE! brand centered around crucial themes for Latina entrepreneurs and business managers.

For more information and sponsor partnership opportunities visit the event website at: https://entremujereslive.com or contact team@talentounlimited.com via email.

About Genesis Motor America

At Genesis, we put the customer at the center of every decision we make. Genesis is a global automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design, safety, and innovation while looking towards a more sustainable future. Genesis designs customer experiences that go beyond products, embodying audacious, forward-thinking, and distinctly Korean characteristics within its unique Athletic Elegance design identity. With a growing range of award-winning models—including G70, G80, and G90 sedans, along with GV60, GV70, and GV80 SUVs—Genesis aims to lead the age of electrification, starting with its Electrified G80, GV60, and Electrified GV70 models. Genesis has stated its commitment to becoming an all-electric vehicle brand by 2030 and to pursuing carbon neutrality by 2035. www.Genesis.com

Follow Genesis Motor America on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube

Media Contact

Cristy Clavijo-Kish

cristy@talentounlimited.com

Media Contact

Cristy Clavijo-Kish
cristy@talentounlimited.com

Ben Brunton, co-founder of Prestige Motorsports in San Antonio, is a prolific entrepreneur with multiple successful business ventures under his belt. Ben has an extensive background in business, specifically healthcare. He is a founding partner of Medical Facilities Holdings (MFH), PSN Affiliates, and, most recently, BE Enterprises, LLC.

Ben’s most recent venture, BE Enterprises, encompasses his and his business partner’s luxury lifestyle brands. Ben spends much of his time curating these unique lifestyle brands, ranging from luxury estate experiences with Edward Anthony Lifestyles, a bed and breakfast vineyard in Napa, Chateau De Vi, and most recently, opening a motorsports club and luxury car service, storage, and leasing business, Prestige Motorsports.

“Since childhood, I have had a massive passion for vehicles, cars, and motorsports. I saw a need in Texas, nationally, and globally with people like myself who have a car collection. These folks want to ensure each vehicle is serviced well, all while showing off their collection. This niche brings like-minded people together, and we saw an opportunity to create a country club-esque membership for people with this shared passion. That was the impetus for starting my storage and service facility. It allows me to enjoy my cars while giving back to the larger vehicle-loving community,” says Brunton.

At their state-of-the-art facility spanning 19,000 square feet in the northern part of San Antonio, members can enjoy a wide array of amenities. Provided by their in-house boutique dealership, car enthusiasts have the opportunity to purchase, sell, trade, or consign their vehicles. The members-only clubhouse boasts an opulent viewing lounge situated on a 3,000-square-foot mezzanine, complete with a full-service bar, large-screen TVs, a cutting-edge realistic Formula 1™ simulator, and more.

A range of services is offered to their members to ensure their vehicles remain in optimal condition. The Prestige Performance Shop, their official service and performance provider, can provide a spectrum of detailing services, from routine maintenance washes to comprehensive paint correction and ceramic coating. Also, the climate-controlled and secure storage facility presents an enticing and distinctive option for the storage needs of car collectors.

Moreover, members gain access to an array of social events, including Formula 1™ and other major sports viewing parties, poker nights, networking events, and more. Prestige Motorsports also holds exclusive access to Edward Anthony Lifestyles' property portfolio in Napa Valley. With every curated experience and event, the Prestige team takes care of every detail for an elevated excursion.

Prestige Motorsports continually hopes to expand its offerings for its members and strives to continue to give back to the San Antonio community. The team is highly focused on their commitment to customized customer services. Bruton hopes that Prestige Motorsports will leave a legacy and open up opportunities for community, partnership, and connections with shared vision and passions. He wants Prestige Motorsports to cultivate a place where people can connect and make memories.

About Prestige Motorsports

Prestige Motorsports is the premier automotive social club in the San Antonio area. Surround yourself with the most “prestigious” people and cars San Antonio has to offer. Our beautiful dealership, storage facility, and lounge are the ultimate places for motorsports enthusiasts and car lovers to enjoy. Whether you’re coming by to have a drink, enjoy the clubhouse, or network with our membership community—Prestige Motorsports has you covered. From drive days and watch parties to members-only events with special guests, we are more than just a show gallery for your vehicles. We are a group where you can connect and build friendships. With our full-service bar, state-of-the-art Formula simulator, and luxurious automotive-themed lounge, members are sure to enjoy their time at Prestige Motorsports.

Media Contact

Madison Baber

+1 210-213-2426

madison@rprfirm.com

Media Contact

Madison Baber
madison@rprfirm.com

AdvicePay, the leading platform for processing payments and overseeing compliance of fee-for-service financial planning so advisors can get paid for their advice, announced today that it has launched new integrations with eMoney, a leading provider of technology solutions that helps people talk about money, that will offer efficiencies for joint customers navigating between the two platforms.

With the integration, advisors can eliminate redundant tasks like logging in or creating client profiles in each platform. Advisors will also be able to send AdvicePay-generated documents, such as planning agreements or invoices, directly to their client’s eMoney vault, centralizing all important information related to their engagement with the advisor.

“As more and more financial advisors charge standalone fees for their financial planning services, existing AUM-based workflows for billing from portfolio management systems may not work anymore. Instead, as financial planning becomes the central value proposition, financial planning software like eMoney becomes the central hub for clients… and so it’s only natural that financial planning fee billing capabilities become more deeply integrated to financial planning software,” said AdvicePay co-founder Michael Kitces. “We view the eMoney partnership as a unique opportunity to join forces with another leader in this space. Together, we are building an entire fee-for-service planning ecosystem to help advisors capitalize on the growing demand from consumers to be able to simply pay one-time or ongoing subscription fees for the advice relationship they want.”

For AdvicePay and eMoney, the integration creates a natural synergy. The idea for the integration originated with AdvicePay clients, who expressed interest in having a tie-in between the two systems, and will be available to all eMoney advisors looking to begin charging financial planning fees (or to expedite their billing workflows if they already charge for financial plans.)

“We look forward to helping advisors simplify and streamline their workflow so they can more easily get paid fees for their value, and spend their time doing what matters most: working with their clients to plan for the future,” said Ricky Illigasch, VP, Product Management at eMoney Advisor.

In November, AdvicePay announced that it had completed its one-millionth transaction since its launch in 2018. Over the past two years, AdvicePay has experienced a 102% increase in advisors added to the platform and a 193% growth in transaction volume. In 2023, for the second straight year, AdvicePay was named one of America’s fastest-growing private companies on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list.

Want to know more?

Check out our blog post, “Introducing the eMoney and AdvicePay Integration” for more insights and how to get set up.

To learn more about the AdvicePay platform, head to www.AdvicePay.com.

About AdvicePay

Established by well-known financial advisors Michael Kitces and Alan Moore, AdvicePay is the industry-leading billing and payment workflow solution created specifically for fee-for-service financial planning. Financial services firms and their advisors benefit from efficient workflows designed exclusively to support their fee-for-service financial planning revenue, including up-to-date compliance and data security management, all in one unified platform.

Media Contact

Shannon Beck

406-412-2047

media@advicepay.com

Media Contact

Shannon Beck
media@advicepay.com

To instill confidence and foster innovation in the agricultural biologicals sector, DPH Biologicals announced the expansion of its science-first, data-verified approach with a multi-year effort to quantify the comprehensive value potential of biologicals.

“DPH Bio has been committed to science that yields results from day one. Based on multi-year field research and through collaborations with our partners, we aim to provide customers a deeper understanding of the distinct value potential unlocked by biologicals,” said Mick Messman, President and CEO of DPH Bio, speaking at the 2024 Commodity Classic agricultural trade show in Houston that annually convenes thousands of growers. “Historically, return-on-investment has been measured by the cost to increase yield. However, our customers see the long-term value that biologicals deliver, such as improved soil health, water use efficiency, disease control, and plantability.”

A review of 107 corn trials conducted over three years using TerraTrove SP-1 Classic revealed increased fertilizer efficiency in addition to average yield increase of 2.5 bu/A.

“Although yield is an important metric, we believe it’s critical for growers to be able to measure the holistic value of biologicals in the field and across their entire business,” said Messman. “As we expand our portfolio and industry partnerships, we are pioneering the concept of ‘BioAgonomics’ to capture and maximize the full value proposition of biological solutions. As we further analyze the data, we are seeing some interesting trends based on management practices and soil conditions.”

For example, in a multi-year study, SP-1 averaged 6.5 more bushels per acre in high-yield, 220-bushel per acre corn in the Midwest.

DPH Biologicals Introduces BioAgonomics™ to Redefine On-Farm Value

Defined by DPH Bio as the branch of knowledge in agriculture focused on the connection between agronomic practices in crop production and the transfer and consumption of value uniquely unlocked by biologicals, BioAgonomics™ uses biologicals to create sustainable profitability and ingenuity across the supply chain, delivering the highest value in the field and for channel partners, including growers, ag retailers and advisors, product manufacturers and food companies.

For instance, TerraTrove™ Residuce® Complete delivers more than increased yield and fertilizer savings. As a comprehensive biodigester, Residuce accelerates the breakdown of crop residue, like corn stover and tough organic matter. A Michigan State University study revealed that corn stover contains 100 pounds of nitrogen (N), 50 pounds of phosphorus (P), and 210 pounds of potassium (K) an acre on a 200- bushell crop. In a recent field trial, Residuce delivered 19.7% degradation after a fall application. By leveraging these findings, Residuce can be calculated to provide 19.7 pounds of N, 9.85 pounds of P and 41.37 pounds of K, or more than $45 per acre in fertilizer savings.

Furthermore, additional value can be quantified by accounting for factors, such as more uniform seedling emergence, reduced farm equipment wear and tear, reduction of the disease host, and improved plant standability, as well as the retention and conversion of carbon within the soil. Through collaborations with trusted advisors, including prominent researchers at University of Illinois, DPH Bio will continue to collect and evaluate data to calculate biologicals’ comprehensive value to growers in aspects beyond yield.

“With advanced scientific research and on-farm trials, results can easily be seen in the field, but we aspire for more,” said Messman. “The pivotal convergence of biologicals, agronomy and economics holds the key for a triple bottom-line impact by improving crop production, land stewardship and rural livelihoods. Looking ahead, and in collaboration with our partners, our mission is to give growers an even clearer, comprehensive view of their investment in biologicals.”

For more information, growers participating in Commodity Classic are invited to visit DPH Bio at Booth 6945 on the third floor of the George Brown Convention Center. In addition, the company plans a series of workshops, including a CropLife webinar on March 5th.

About DPH Biologicals

DPH Biologicals, LLC attracts, develops and scales technologies improving broad market access and simplifying the grower experience with biologicals. Based on investments in scientific research, field testing, partner relationships and product development, and leadership-owned since 2024, DPH Bio yields success through science and relationships, standing at the leading edge of clarity, trust and proven, profitable solutions for agricultural biologicals. For more information, visit www.dphbio.com.

Media Contact

Sara Winters

sara@agtechpr.com

Media Contact

Sara Winters
sara@agtechpr.com

Cognia®, the leader in school improvement and evaluation, announced today that it is acquiring fellow nonprofit CenterPoint Education Solutions, which supports educators in their use of assessment and curriculum. This acquisition, which was approved by Cognia’s board of directors Tuesday, enables Cognia to expand its assessment program to offer curriculum-based assessments offered at multiple intervals during the year.

The new assessments and aligned professional learning offered by CenterPoint provide an alternative for state education agencies, districts, and schools that want something more than traditional large-scale summative assessments. The assessments used by most states today for accountability purposes are not designed to help improve teaching and learning because they are given at the end of the year and do not reflect the curriculum that has been taught.

Based in Washington, D.C., CenterPoint has an extensive K-12 assessment item bank in mathematics, English language arts, and science. “CenterPoint is one of the most highly regarded curriculum-based assessment providers,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “This acquisition allows Cognia to be competitive in an emerging market immediately—this will have a direct impact on our existing summative work.” Cognia now offers options for next-generation assessment of learning for students across K-12 with learning alignment between classroom instruction and student assessments that are aligned to state standards and meet accountability requirements.

“CenterPoint has an important resource in curriculum-based assessments that are of great value to schools, districts, and states,” said Sue Krause, interim CEO of Center Point. “Cognia has a vast network of schools, districts, and states that are committed to improvement and want their assessments to reflect what students are learning.”

CenterPoint works with schools, districts, and states to provide reliable curriculum-based assessments, high-quality academic services, and expert professional learning solutions. This acquisition primes Cognia for growth and expands what Cognia offers states and districts that are looking to improve and be more responsive to students, parents, and teachers.

“These are two like-minded, mission-driven organizations that together will develop opportunities for states to align assessment with curriculum, improve their accountability systems, and drive improvement,” said Laura Stover, managing director, ETS and former CEO of CenterPoint.

The acquisition expands Cognia Assessment Solutions from grades 3 to 8 in English language arts, mathematics, and science to a full complement of K-12 summative and interim curriculum-based assessment solutions. The important grant-funded work CenterPoint is doing in K-12 science assessment will continue. CenterPoint staff will become a part of Cognia to support the design and delivery of curriculum-based assessments, and professional learning training on assessment use and literacy. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by June 30, 2024. Cognia will assume responsibility for the operation of CenterPoint on July 1.

About CenterPoint

CenterPoint Education Solutions is a nonprofit organization that supports schools, districts, and states in designing and implementing aligned systems of high-quality curriculum, assessments, and professional learning that drive high achievement for all children.

About Cognia

Cognia® is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping schools and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and professional services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. Find out more at cognia.org. The news release can be found on the website here.

Media Contact

Shep Ranbom

+1 202-365-4774

sranbom@communicationworks.com

Media Contact

Shep Ranbom
sranbom@communicationworks.com

Media Contact

Curator's Office
curator@spaceblue.club

The Backpack ecosystem of companies, creators of the Backpack wallet, the Mad Lads NFT collection, and Backpack Exchange, today announced the first joint closing of their $17 million strategic Series A round at a $120 million combined valuation. The round was led by Placeholder VC, with participation from a select group of other strategic investors including Hashed, Robot Ventures, Amber Group, Wintermute Ventures, Selini Capital, Delphi Digital, and founders of leading web3 ecosystems such as Solana, Tensor, Jito, Zeta, Marginfi, Drift, Monad, Galxe, and other influential supporters worldwide.

Armani Ferrante, CEO of Backpack commented on the news:

“The history of finance is littered with scandals, but Backpack is doing things differently. Over the past year, we’ve set the foundation to build a crypto-native financial institution, and with the conclusion of this round, with trust minimization and compliance as foundational principles, we begin a new chapter for ourselves and, hopefully, for the rest of the industry.”

The Backpack ecosystem comprises several products and services, including the popular Backpack noncustodial wallet, Backpack Exchange, a fully regulated global cryptocurrency exchange with industry-leading speed, security and functionalities, and Mad Lads, currently the top NFT community in the Solana ecosystem. Backpack is also the creator and developer of Anchor, the Solana smart contract framework, the executable NFT (xNFT) token standard, and others.

Backpack’s strategic fundraising was led by Placeholder VC. “We’ve been impressed with Backpack’s ability to not only deliver high-quality applications, but also build a strong community around their ecosystem,” said Joel Monegro, General Partner at Placeholder VC. “After building a relationship with the team over the past year, we’re convinced they have the skill, ambition and drive to create one of the most trustworthy global exchanges in the industry with a strong focus on performance, compliance, and auditability.”

“The Backpack team is an all-star team that really understands the community with a focus on building compliant services. Their ability to create the best user experience is top notch, and the synergies within their ecosystem are evidenced by their strong track record of user acquisition within the industry to date.” Baek Kim, General Partner at Hashed said. “We are very excited to work with the team and resonate deeply with their compliance standpoint in terms of being optimally regulated and entering the mainstream of the global financial infrastructure.”

The round also attracted strong interest from other leading web3 ecosystem players. “The Backpack team is a great example of what happens when crypto natives are also strong builders. They understand that crypto is not just the underlying technology, it is also the culture that forms around it,” said Evgeny Gaevoy, founder of Wintermute Ventures, one of the largest liquidity providers in digital assets, “For me, Backpack is having the success I would expect, when a team figures out the intersection of tech and culture. I’m excited to see them continue to grow.”

Backpack’s fundraising was applauded by the Solana ecosystem as well. “Backpack has not only pioneered exceptional products such as the Backpack Wallet but has also cultivated a remarkable community through the Mad Lads. Armani and the Backpack team have exemplified what it means to focus on great products and user experiences and iterate relentlessly,” said Anatoly Yakovenko, founder of Solana Labs, “Watching Backpack build a global exchange that stands out for its user experience and trustworthiness has been truly inspiring.”

About Backpack Wallet

Backpack Wallet is an all-in-one web3 app that functions as a noncustodial wallet, allowing users to buy, hold, sell, and transfer cryptocurrencies, as well as interact with xNFTs, a popular NFT standard that tokenizes applications. Backpack Wallet is also the creator of Mad Lads, the top NFT collection in the Solana ecosystem. For additional information on Backpack Wallet, visit https://www.backpack.app.

About Backpack Exchange

Backpack Exchange is a fully regulated global cryptocurrency exchange innovating to provide an exciting, fun, and easy-to-use trading platform for both experienced and new web3 users worldwide. For more information, visit backpack.exchange.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Backpack

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BackpackExchange

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backpackexchange

Media Contact

Qimei Luo

press@backpack.exchange

Media Contact

Qimei Luo
press@backpack.exchange