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Today, CA Water For All shares research, "The Magnitude of California’s Water Challenges" by Jay Lund (UC Davis), Josué Medellín-Azuara (UC Merced), and Alvar Escriva-Bou (UCLA), that identifies significant future water supply losses annually for California, estimating that by 2050, the Golden State is projected to lose between 4.6 and 9 million acre feet of annual water—equivalent to 10–20% of its supply for California’s communities and farms.

This research supports the estimates in the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy and amplifies the urgent need to set necessary statewide targets in statute that will extend beyond any one Administration to create a sustainable and long-term water supply for all Californians and future generations, as established in SB 366 (Caballero).

"As water uses consistently change over time, our research points to future water supply losses from several changing conditions, a growing population, an expanding economy, increased needs for environmental uses, reduced Colorado River supply, and groundwater overdraft," stated Jay Lund, UC Davis. "Proper preparations and planning by the state, water providers, and all stakeholders will be critical to how California adapts to ongoing deficits and anticipated loss in supplies."

As a result of changing and worsening climate conditions, an aging water infrastructure, a growing population, a global economy, and antiquated state policies, California is facing an ongoing water supply shortage of historic proportions.

The research highlights the following consequences of continued inaction:

• Overall water supply will lessen, increasing the severity of droughts and increasing cost to the state to mitigate damages.
• Having to purchase or import water raises costs for cities and towns. 
• Agriculture’s shift toward permanent crops—about one-third of irrigated California land today— increases the costs of fallowing farmland.
• The projected annual loss equates to 50–90% of statewide urban water use, or between 1.5 and 3 million acres of irrigated farmland.

"The findings of this important research reinforce what the Governor and his Administration have asserted in their Water Supply Strategy, and calls for policymakers to take action to codify water supply targets capable of advancing policy solutions that will address and implement new approaches to modernizing water management and planning," stated Danielle Blacet-Hyden, Deputy Executive Director of California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA). "As a proud co-sponsor of SB 366, and on behalf of our statewide coalition of more than 150 organizations, we are eager to continue our work this legislative session to pass much-needed legislation and establish clear and necessary targets to address the perpetual water supply threat that grows worse every year."

Without clearly defined water supply targets and strategically planning the appropriate projects to achieve those targets, the state will continue to experience devastating water shortages in the future. SB 366 will secure an adequate water supply to preserve the California way of life, support economic vitality, and achieve food security, reliable energy supplies, support housing needs, ensure environmental uses, replenish underground and surface water storage, and maintain recreational activities. 

"As a water manager on the frontlines every single day, this research underscores the critical importance of not just planning for long-term loss but also short-term, extreme drought. SB 366 accounts for an annual loss of 10 million acre feet, setting the target in statute, allowing policymakers, regulators, and water managers to work together on how to make up for this anticipated deficit," stated Paul Cook, General Manager of Irvine Ranch Water District. "We are at a crossroads with our future water supply, we cannot afford to wait for the next crisis before making much-needed improvements in the system. The time to act is now to protect and support our future, the California economy, its environment, and our way of life."

SB 366 will be heard in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee on June 25, 2024. 

To read the full report and supporting materials, click here. 

About CA Water For All 

CA Water For All is a statewide effort made up of more than 150 organizations seeking to educate policymakers on the urgent need for a legislative solution to address California’s ongoing water supply challenges. We are focused on bringing together the water community, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on ensuring Californians have a sustainable and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses now and for future generations. To learn more or become a supporter, visit www.CaWaterForAll.com.

Media Contact

Kaitlyn Bryson

kbryson@ka-pow.com

+1 916-639-3227

PathAI, a global leader in AI-powered pathology, unveiled two novel AI products, PathExplore™ Immuno-Oncology Profiling (IOP) and IHC Explore™ (1) to empower cancer drug developers and clinical researchers with AI-powered insights. The product pairing provides unprecedented single-cell and spatial resolution of the tumor microenvironment from routine pathology samples to facilitate biomarker discovery and deeper understanding of treatment response for the next generation of cancer therapeutics. The expansion of the Explore™ portfolio comes at a time when AI-pathology is experiencing accelerated large-scale adoption across the diagnostic and biopharma industries.

“As cancer rates continue to rise, the demand for advanced precision medicine tools that provide accurate biological insights has never been greater. Our mission to make a difference in patient lives is unwavering, and these new products showcase our commitment to providing researchers with the tools they need to make meaningful advancements in cancer research, treatment and care,” said Andy Beck, PathAI CEO. “We're thrilled to introduce these two groundbreaking products ahead of the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.”

PathExplore IOP: H&E-Based Immune Phenotyping

The composition of the tumor immune microenvironment plays a crucial role in characterizing tumors likely to respond to immunotherapy. PathExplore IOP expedites characterization of immune phenotypes by quantifying tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and their spatial distribution using routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) samples. With this new product, researchers have the ability to quantify TIL spatial arrangements within tumor core and periphery, and gain insights around the sample’s immune inflamed, desert, or excluded characteristics.

PathExplore IOP was designed specifically to quantify patterns of immune infiltration characteristic of a strong immune response, and ultimately improved patient survival. Immune infiltration has been previously shown to be prognostic of positive outcomes, however; standardized and scalable approaches for investigating these phenotypes remained elusive.

“PathExplore IOP illustrates the power of AI by visually interrogating the dynamics between cancer cells and immune cells with unparalleled resolution for highly accurate and efficient immune phenotype classification,” said Benjamin Glass, VP of Product & Translational Research. “Researchers can now access insights at scale to better inform biomarker strategies for patient stratification and mechanisms of response and resistance.”

PathExplore IOP will be featured in a poster presentation at the upcoming ASCO 2024 meeting, demonstrating the product’s application for stratification of patient response to checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.

IHC Explore™: AI-Powered Biomarker Quantification

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a widely utilized approach for identifying biomarkers unique to certain cancers, informing treatment strategies, measuring prognosis, and patient classification for clinical trials. IHC scoring in the early clinical settings can be time-consuming, subjective, and low-resolution. Especially in early stage biomarker development, defining an optimal scoring system for a novel IHC assay can be complex. IHC Explore™ fills a need for spatial quantification of IHC biomarkers in single-cell resolution with broad target compatibility.

IHC Explore provides a panel of standardized and structured features that quantify IHC stain abundance within and around cells of the tumor microenvironment, enabling drug developers to build biomarker scoring strategies from scratch for most IHC stains – and to precisely find those patients most responsive to treatment. PathAI’s partnership with Roche streamlines the translation of these AI insights and scoring strategies into companion diagnostic development.

“Drawing on our advanced computational pathology expertise, we're extending the impact of our Explore product suite, which enables us to seamlessly support AI-powered assay development,” said Hisani Madison, VP of Precision Medicine and Medical Device Development. “This advancement is poised to revolutionize biomarker-based drug development for new immunotherapies, antibody drug conjugates, and paving the way for the analysis of the next generation of targeted cancer therapies.”

Accepted Abstracts at ASCO 2024

PathAI will be attending and presenting abstracts at the upcoming ASCO event in Chicago, IL. Visit PathAI’s booth in the Innovation Hub (IH18) May 31 to June 4, 2024 to meet our team, learn more about AI-powered pathology, and engage with our scientists and collaborators at their respective posters.

Abstract # and Title

• 8539: Correlation of immune phenotypes derived from H&E-stained whole slide images with prognosis and response to checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC.
• 4519: Association of machine learning (ML)–derived histological features with transcriptomic molecular subtypes in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Footnotes:

(1) PathExplore™ IOP and IHC Explore™ are for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About PathAI

PathAI is the leading precision pathology company providing software and AI-enabled solutions to all pathologist stakeholders including laboratories, research institutions, and the biopharma industry. Developed with the input of hundreds of pathologists, PathAI’s digital pathology Image Management System, AISight, is the solution of choice for laboratories transitioning to digital workflows. Rigorously trained and validated with data from more than 15 million annotations, its AI-powered models can be leveraged to optimize the analysis of pathology samples to improve efficiency and accuracy of pathology interpretation, as well as to better gauge therapeutic efficacy and accelerate drug development for complex diseases. For more information, please visit www.pathai.com.

Media Contact

Maggie Naples

+1 401-490-9700

pathai@svmpr.com

Activate Games Inc., the pioneering force behind the world's first active gaming experience, is thrilled to announce its expansive venture into the United Kingdom and Ireland markets with the opening of 30 new stores in partnership with We Do Play.

Following the resounding success of Activate's innovative gaming concept across North America and the MENA region, the company is poised to revolutionize the entertainment landscape in the UK and Ireland. With a commitment to promoting physical activity while offering unparalleled gaming experiences, Activate is set to captivate audiences across these vibrant regions.

"This expansion marks a significant milestone in Activate's journey," said Adam Schmidt, Founder and CEO of Activate Games Inc. "The UK and Ireland have long been on our radar as markets ripe for Activate's unique blend of interactive gaming and physical activity. We are excited to bring our adrenaline-pumping adventures to communities across these regions and provide an unforgettable entertainment experience for players of all ages."

Each Activate location offers an immersive gaming environment where players can #EnterTheGame and compete in a variety of interactive challenges. Activate promises an experience like no other, where players can unleash their competitive spirit while staying active.

"We are committed to diversifying leisure offerings and providing our guests with innovative entertainment experiences," said Richard Beese, Co-Owner of We Do Play. "With the launch of 30 new stores in the UK and Ireland, we are thrilled to introduce Activate to a new audience and create lasting memories for families, friends, and gaming enthusiasts alike."

The expansion into the UK and Ireland marks a significant milestone in Activate's global growth strategy. Activate is poised to unveil more than 20 new stores across the United States and Canada in 2024, including an expansion into the MENA region this Fall. Furthermore, Activate has strategic plans for international growth, with aspirations to establish 70 stores in 10 countries over the next 5-10 years. With locations worldwide and a dedicated community of fans, Activate continues to push the boundaries of traditional entertainment and redefine the gaming experience for the modern era.

For more information about Activate Games Inc. and to stay updated on the latest news and store openings, visit Activate or follow Activate on social media:

Facebook: Activate

Instagram: @activategames

TikTok: @activategames

About Activate

Activate is the world’s first active gaming experience where players #EnterTheGame. Activate offers a unique blend of physical activity and gaming that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Each Activate location provides fun and interactive rooms for players to compete, earn stars and track achievements. With the global headquarters located in Winnipeg, Canada, Activate has grown to 30 locations across Canada, the U.S. and now the world! To join the active gaming movement, visit playactivate.com.

About We Do Play

We Do Play specializes in creating unforgettable, immersive leisure and hospitality concepts. It started as a single brand, eventually incorporating Flip Out and Putt Putt Social. Boom Battle Bar was also previously co-owned by We Do Play.

Flip Out is a global indoor adventure park business and is currently the largest in the UK. Since 2015, Flip Out has catered to 8 million customers a year. Putt Putt Social is the UK’s leading Asian-inspired adventure golf, drink and dining experience. We Do Play is continuing to expand its footprint in the leisure and entertainment space, with its partnership with Activate being the latest addition to its portfolio. www.wedoplay.co.uk

Follow We Do Play on Linkedin: We Do Play

Follow Flip Out on Instagram: @flipoutuk

Follow Putt Putt Social on Instagram: @puttputtsocial

Media Contact

Jalila Singerff

+1 613-614-6777

jalila@jiveprdigital.com

The New York State sections of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW), comprising 17 dedicated sections across the state, triumphantly hosted the 50th anniversary gala of the Bethune/Height Recognition Program (BHRP) on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

With the theme "Advancing Our Mission, Strengthening Our Message, Refining Our Method," the event commemorated five decades of the BHRP's unwavering dedication to empowering African American women and girls. Held at Leonard's Palazzo in Great Neck, the afternoon celebration brought together distinguished guests, community members, and program beneficiaries from New York and beyond. The spirit of unity, reflection, and inspiration filled the room as attendees acknowledged the BHRP's significant impact over the past half-century.

Keynote Address by Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd

The esteemed Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd, a distinguished scientist, engineer, civic leader, and lifelong advocate for STEM education, served as the event's keynote speaker. Dr. Boyd's impressive background includes her tenure as the former national president of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. from 2000 to 2004 and her role as the former president of Alabama State University. Her inspiring address resonated with the audience, emphasizing the importance of continued progress for African American women and girls.

Leadership and Recognition

Johnnie M. Walker & Dawna M. Fields, National BHRP Co-Chairs, alongside Carol E. Moore, NYS BHRP Chair, and Gladys Keller & Evelyn Kinsey, NYS Luncheon Co-Chairs, led the organization of this historic event.

A Commitment to Continued Impact

The BHRP Gala serves as the pinnacle fundraising event for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) by the New York State NCNW sections as a whole. Funds raised will directly support programs and services dedicated to empowering African American women and girls throughout the state.

The 17 participating sections are:

•  Brooklyn
• Co-op City
• East Bronx
• Flatbush
• Hudson Valley
• Huntington
• Long Island Cross County
• Manhattan
• Metropolitan Women's Network
• Midwood & Vicinity
• Nassau County
• North Bronx
• Staten Island
• Queens County
• Suffolk County
• Syracuse
• Westchester

Looking Forward

The 50th anniversary celebration marked a significant milestone for the BHRP. The event not only commemorated the program's past achievements but also fueled the organization's passion and commitment to shaping a brighter future for generations to come.

Full list of NCNW Affiliate organizations:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• American Federation of Teachers Auxiliary to the National Medical Association, Inc.
• Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.
• Chums, Inc.
• Continental Societies, Inc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
• Gamma Phi Delta Sorority
• Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
• Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
• Ladies Auxiliary, Knights of Peter Claver
• Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority
• Las Amigas, Incorporated
• Les Gemmes, Inc.
• National Assoc. of Negro Business & Prof. Women's Clubs
• National Association of University Women
• National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division
• National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
• National Coalition of 100 Black Women
• National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• National Delicados, Inc.
• Order of Eastern Star,
• National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.
• National Women of Achievement, Inc.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
• Swing Phi Swing, Social Fellowship, Inc.
• Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Incorporated
• The Charmettes, Inc.
• The House of the Lord Churches,
• National Department of Women's Work
• The Links, Incorporated and Links Foundation, Incorporated
• Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD)
• Women's Home & Overseas Missionary Society
• AME Zion ChurchWomen's Missionary Council
• CME ChurchWomen's Missionary Society
• AME Church
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

About the Bethune/Height Recognition Program

The Bethune/Height Recognition Program (BHRP) was founded in 1974 and has grown into a great national movement. Its uniqueness comes from the annual opportunity it gives individuals to live the legacy of NCNW’s founder, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune by contributing to the work for which she dedicated her life. Proceeds from the Program help to undergird the vital work of the National Office by broadening and strengthening the financial base that is so crucial to NCNW's survival and its ability to affect much needed change. For more information, visit https://ncnw.org/bhrp or on Facebook.

Media Contact

Michelle Mitchell

ncnwnysbhrp2022@gmail.com

+1 516-387-2227

Entrefiliate, a company that specializes in supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, today announced that Entrefiliate is preparing to relaunch our new website including a featured section for small business and entrepreneur stories and we're loaded up with free resources to help small businesses.

The decision to revamp the website and add a dedicated section for small business and entrepreneur stories comes as Entrefiliate aims to provide even more valuable resources and inspiration to its audience. By offering a platform for these stories, Entrefiliate hopes to showcase the resilience and creativity of small business owners and entrepreneurs.

This announcement underscores Entrefiliate's commitment to supporting and empowering the small business community. With a focus on providing free resources and a platform for sharing stories, Entrefiliate continues to be a valuable resource for small businesses looking to grow and succeed.

Looking ahead, Entrefiliate plans to continue expanding its resources and offerings for small businesses, with a focus on providing practical tools and insights to help entrepreneurs thrive in today's competitive landscape.

For more information on entrefiliate and the upcoming website relaunch, please visit https://www.entrefiliate.com.

About Entrefiliate

Entrefiliate, based in Salisbury, MA, is a specialized blog and media platform focused on helping small businesses thrive. We cater to individuals poised to embark on their entrepreneurial journey, offering a curated collection of resources tailored for businesses at every level. Our unique approach provides the tools and resources necessary for anyone to take the first step toward entrepreneurship. With a bold vision to create 10,000 new entrepreneurs over the next five years, Entrefiliate is committed to being the catalyst for innovation and growth. Discover how we can help launch and grow your business by visiting https://www.entrefiliate.com.

Media Contact

Timothy Borthwick

connect@entrefiliate.com

NAVEX, the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, has released its 2024 Regional Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report. A deeper dive into the global data, it offers valuable insights into workplace culture by analysing 1.86 million global reports spanning 3,784 organisations that together employ more than 50 million employees. NAVEX analysed its global 2023 data by four main regions: Europe, North America, South America, and Asia Pacific (APAC).

“Understanding how regional differences may impact the level and types of incident reporting is a key component of evaluating the effectiveness of a whistleblower program. Consistent analysis and benchmarking of whistleblowing hotline data empowers organisations to take action and evaluate their risk and compliance programs,” says Carrie Penman, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at NAVEX.

“NAVEX remains the gold standard in risk and compliance data analytics, continually innovating our benchmarks to enhance corporate compliance programs and offer insights into the trending risk areas. New this year, we analysed critical third-party reporting trends in our research to involve a group that represents a diverse and distinct view. In this way, business leaders will better understand how to nurture ethical culture throughout the business including the supply chain.”

Europe-based organisations saw a larger share of reports from third parties

In a first for this report, NAVEX analysed its database by both employees and third-party reporters. Europe-based organisations appear to have received a larger share of their reports from third parties than peers based elsewhere in 2023 (apart from South America, where some metrics in this analysis are subject to greater swings). This may be related to a greater focus on third-party due diligence in Europe driven by regulations such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (commonly referred to as LkSG), the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and sanctions regimes.  

Third-party reporters are less likely to be anonymous than employees across almost all measures, but some nuances remain. For example, organisations based in Europe and APAC have roughly the same anonymity rate for employees, but third parties were more likely to stay anonymous when reporting to an organisation based in APAC.  

The Substantiation Rate (the rate of reports that when investigated prove to be correct or partially correct) for third-party reports made to organisations based in Europe was actually better than the rate for employees in 2023—a surprising finding given the decreased proximity third-party reporters have to the organisation, its policies, and training.  

European headquartered organisations received the greatest share of reports of Bribery and Corruption 

The greatest share of reports pertaining to Bribery and Corruption by headquarters were for those based in Europe, which also showed a 10% year-over-year increase; 1.78% of reports in 2023 compared to 1.62% in 2022. Conversely, when looking at this category by report origination, reports in North America and Europe were far less likely than in APAC and especially South America to involve this Risk Type. 

March and October are peak months 

Interestingly, report volume is typically lower in the summer months. This appears true when looking at reporting by company headquarter location and by the region in which a report originated. Reporting shows two peaks across regions and measures—March and October. 

Europe shows increase in reporting…except the UK 

There were expectations that the implementation of the European Union Whistleblower Protection Directive would increase internal reporting activity across Europe, given that the regulation requires a wide swath of organisations to implement internal reporting systems. Data shows median Reports per 100 Employees is indeed increasing across mainland Europe.  

However, for the UK—notably not an EU member state and thus not subject to the Directive—report volumes fell. Comparing 2022 to 2023, organisations based in Europe saw median Reports per 100 Employees increase from 0.53 to 0.63, while in the UK, those values decreased from 0.53 to 0.43. This trend may change as the nation considers updates to its own internal reporting regulations, a process still under discussion in Parliament. 

Workplace Civility reports for European-based organisations more than doubled 

Workplace Civility issues (bad behaviour, bullying or abuse of power) experienced a major increase in frequency for organisations based in Europe; reports jumped 123% (2022 versus 2023). This trend was also evident in Europe by region of report origination, which experienced an 83% increase. By both measures, all regions saw this Risk Type grow year-over-year, yet Europe was particularly notable. 

Retaliation reports still low but are on the rise  

Finally, although always relatively low, retaliation reports represented a greater share of reports made for all four geographies in 2023 than in 2022, both in terms of headquarters and report origination region. Among the greatest increases were for organisations based in Europe, which saw a noticeable rise in frequency. Individuals who experience retaliation are much less likely to report again to the same channel, and this is likely a factor in the low overall volume of these types of reports. 

When reporters feel they cannot safely speak up internally, they may turn to an external regulator, revealing the need to address misconduct directly and for organisational change. Noting the protections provided to whistleblowers in various regulatory regimes, and that the EU Directive places the burden of proof on the organisation—not the reporter—proactive retaliation prevention processes are becoming more important than ever.  

Join our webinar for more insights on the 2024 Regional Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report.  

About NAVEX 

NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Anita Lo

anita.lo@navex.com

CloudCode AI, an AI-driven software solution, is thrilled to announce the launch of Kaizen, a cutting-edge open-source project designed to supercharge software application testing and code review. Kaizen leverages the power of artificial intelligence to help developers streamline their workflows, ensuring they can move faster without compromising on quality or security.

Maintaining high quality and security standards while meeting tight deadlines is a significant challenge in today's fast-paced software development landscape. Kaizen addresses this challenge head-on by providing an intelligent AI agent that assists developers in efficiently testing and reviewing their code. This innovative tool will become indispensable for development teams striving for excellence and speed.

Key Features of Kaizen

• AI-Powered Testing: Kaizen’s AI agent can conduct thorough and automated testing, identify potential bugs, and suggest improvements. By leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, Kaizen ensures comprehensive coverage and accuracy, reducing the likelihood of bugs slipping through production.
  
  
• Intelligent Code Review: The AI agent goes beyond simple syntax checking. It provides context-aware code reviews, identifies potential vulnerabilities, suggests optimizations, and ensures adherence to best coding practices. This feature is designed to enhance the quality and security of the codebase.
  
  
• Seamless Integration: Kaizen is built to integrate seamlessly with popular development environments and CI/CD pipelines like GitHub Apps. This ensures developers can incorporate AI-powered testing and code review into their workflows without disruption.
  
  
• Continuous Improvement: True to its name, Kaizen embodies the philosophy of continuous improvement. The AI agent learns from each interaction, becoming smarter and more effective. This ensures the tool evolves with the development team’s needs, consistently providing value.
  
  
• Open Source Flexibility: As an open-source project, Kaizen invites contributions from the global developer community. This collaborative approach accelerates innovation and ensures that Kaizen remains adaptable and responsive to the diverse needs of developers worldwide.

Why Kaizen Matters: Speed Without Compromise

Kaizen allows developers to move quickly through their development cycles, significantly reducing the time spent on manual testing and reviews. Enhanced Quality: By automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent insights, Kaizen helps maintain and even elevate the quality of the codebase.Robust Security: The AI agent’s ability to detect vulnerabilities and enforce best practices ensures that security is never sacrificed for speed.

"We believe that Kaizen will be a game-changer for development teams," said Saurav Panda, CEO of CloudCode AI. "By automating and enhancing the critical processes of testing and code review, developers can focus on what they do best: creating innovative solutions. Kaizen represents our commitment to empowering developers with the tools they need to succeed."

Kaizen is now available on GitHub, and CloudCode AI invites developers to join the community, contribute, and benefit from this revolutionary tool.

For more information and to get started with Kaizen, visit GitHub link and website.

About CloudCode AI

CloudCode AI is dedicated to transforming the software development landscape with advanced AI-driven solutions. Our mission is to empower developers with tools that enhance efficiency, quality, and security, enabling them to build the future faster and better. For more information, visit https://cloudcode.ai.

Join us in revolutionizing software development with AI-powered innovation!

Media Contact

Saurav Panda

team@cloudcode.ai

While Memorial Day itself honors Americas military members who lost their lives in service to our country, the weekend has become synonymous with travel, cookouts, and time with family and friends. Uno Pizzeria & Grill is offering a series of BOGO free deals over the weekend to help bring family and friends together. The deals will run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and feature a different BOGO free deal each day. This BOGO deal encourages pairs or groups to come dine together and save.

On Friday, May 24, Uno Pizzeria & Grill will offer a BOGO Free Pizza deal valid on all deep dish and thin crust pizzas. Buy one pizza and get a second of equal or lesser value for free. Valid for dine-in and also take-out. Must use code BOGOFREE when ordering online.

On Saturday, May 25, Uno Pizzeria & Grill will offer a BOGO Free Entree deal. Buy any entrée and get a second entrée of equal or lesser value for free. Valid for dine-in only.

On Sunday, May 26, Uno Pizzeria & Grill will offer a BOGO Free Pasta dish deal. Buy any pasta dish and get a second pasta dish of equal or lesser value for free. Valid for dine-in only.

The Memorial Day holiday is on Monday, May 27. Uno Pizzeria & Grill honors those U.S. military members who have passed and thanks all service members for their service and commitment. All restaurants will be open on Monday.

Participation may vary by location.

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. The Company also operates Uno Foods, a consumer packaged-foods business which supplies supermarkets, airlines, movie theaters, hotels, airports, travel plazas, and schools, with both frozen and refrigerated UNO branded products. For more information, visit www.unos.com.

Media Contact

Chris Dellamarggio

+1 339-613-7641

cdellamarggio@unos.com

CAMS (Community Association Management Services) is excited to announce Robert DeSantis has been named vice president of its Myrtle Beach, SC region.

DeSantis has over twenty years of experience in the community management industry and has held diverse positions throughout his career. He is heavily involved in the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and has served on several committees over the years.

When asked about his new role, DeSantis remarked, "I’m happy to be a part of the CAMS Myrtle Beach team and look forward to a strong and successful partnership. I am eager to personally engage with each of our communities."

As regional vice president, DeSantis will oversee all area managers and work closely with the business development team to provide local expertise and promote regional growth. He will implement quality improvement initiatives, assist with employee recruiting efforts, and build and maintain positive relationships with clients and vendors.

Ronda Bossert, CMCA®, AMS®, senior vice president of CAMS South Carolina regions, is excited to see DeSantis step into his new role.

"We’re extremely happy to have Rob join our team in Myrtle Beach!" said Bossert. "His passion for the role and commitment to forging great partnerships with clients and employees is amazing. With over two decades of experience, we know he’ll be a great addition to our team on all fronts."

About Community Association Management Services

In business since 1991, CAMS is North and South Carolina’s premier community management company. With experienced local managers in each of its nine regions, CAMS provides innovative solutions to the community associations it serves. Additionally, CAMS was featured in Inc. Magazine’s 2022 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. To learn more, visit www.camsmgt.com/choose-cams.

Media Contact

Rudi Shelor

rshelor@camsmgt.com

PathAI, a global leader in AI-powered pathology, and Aster Insights, the leading provider of scientific and clinical intelligence for oncology discovery, today announced a multi-year strategic partnership to develop curated multimodal datasets that pair PathAI’s PathExplore (1) artificial intelligence (AI) tumor microenvironment (TME) quantification panel with Aster Insights’ Avatar clinical, molecular, and digital pathology imaging data. By combining their respective best-in-class platforms, PathAI and Aster Insights will be able to expedite the development of novel insights to accelerate the discovery and development of new treatments for patients with cancer.

The partnership will allow PathAI to utilize digital whole slide imaging (WSI) from Aster Insights’ Oncology Research Information Exchange Network® (ORIEN). ORIEN® members participate in Total Cancer Care® (TCC), the world’s largest and longest-running observational research study in oncology, which has accrued over 400,000 patients to date.

Digital pathology images contain a wealth of untapped data, and PathAI’s PathExplore is the world’s first structured, standardized, and scalable product that leverages AI to characterize the TME from routinely available hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained digital WSIs. PathExplore exhaustively detects and classifies the millions of cell and tissue regions across H&E WSIs to provide researchers access to important insights, such as patterns of immune cell infiltration and presence of complex tissue structures. These data are critical for better understanding existing treatments and the development of novel therapeutics.

PathExplore features are paired with Aster’s Avatar multimodal data including tumor whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing, which allows researchers to follow a patient throughout their cancer journey and access rich information about their cancer biology. Avatar provides a powerful set of data, allowing for a deeper understanding of disease pathology, and what happens to patients when they are exposed to certain treatments.

“Analysis of histopathology images uniquely allows researchers to define and quantify spatial changes in the tumor microenvironment resulting from treatment or disease progression,” said Andy Beck, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of PathAI. “Our collaboration with Aster Insights is empowering researchers with robust multimodal datasets to explore hypotheses such as identifying and analyzing novel histological biomarkers correlated with patient treatment, outcomes, and gene expression.”

“Our approach to leveraging AI with multimodal data will lead to new information and deeper insights than currently possible,” said Anand Shah, M.D., CEO of Aster Insights. “Together with PathAI, we are creating new knowledge that is critical for researchers and life sciences partners to expand therapeutic options.”

PathAI and Aster Insights are offering these joint solutions to biopharma customers to support targeted and pan-cancer initiatives across the drug development lifecycle. For more information, please contact Aster Insights and PathAI. You can also connect with both companies at ASCO in Chicago, IL, from May 31–June 4, 2024.

Footnotes:

(1) PathExplore is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About PathAI

PathAI is the only AI-focused technology company to provide comprehensive precision pathology solutions from wet lab services to algorithm deployment for clinical trials to the industry leading AISight Image Management System. Rigorously trained and validated with data from more than 15 million annotations, its AI-powered models can be leveraged to optimize the analysis of pathology samples to improve efficiency and accuracy of pathology interpretation, as well as to better gauge biomarker status and accelerate drug development for complex diseases. For more information, please visit www.pathai.com.

About Aster Insights

Aster Insights is the leading provider of scientific and clinical intelligence for oncology discovery. We partner with drug, biologics, diagnostics, and medical device developers to accelerate oncology product discovery and development. Aster Insights leads the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network® (ORIEN), a consortium of the nation's leading cancer centers that conduct Total Cancer Care®, the world's largest and longest running observational research study in oncology. Together, we are changing the way cancer is studied, treated, and prevented. Learn more at www.AsterInsights.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact

Maggie Naples

+1 401-490-9700

pathai@svmpr.com

Dawn Thomas-Smith

dawn.thomas-smith@asterinsights.com

The average enterprise uses nearly 400 SaaS applications that are not connected to each other, leading to data silos and scattered insights across the organization. In a significant move to streamline this process, UnifyApps has announced an $11 million seed funding round to build a unified integration platform that will allow enterprises to create custom applications 10x faster, build workflow automations and sync data between applications in real-time. The funding, led by Elevation Capital, along with participation from the founders and angel investors, underscores the growing demand for real-time connectivity between applications in the enterprise technology landscape.

UnifyApps was co-founded by Pavitar Singh (CEO), who served as the CTO at NYSE-listed enterprise software company Sprinklr, along with Sumeet Nandal (COO), Abhishek Kurana (CPO), Rachit Mittal (CTO), Abhinav Singi (VP Engineering), Rahul Anishetty (VP Engineering), Kavish Manubolu (VP Engineering) and Shivam Satrawal (VP Product Management). The idea for UnifyApps was born after the founders realized that enterprise companies lacked a solution for seamless app integration, leaving tremendous untapped value from cost optimizations and efficiency gains.

Pavitar Singh, CEO of UnifyApps, said, "The rapid adoption of SaaS applications has led to building silos within the organization with each team using their own set of tools which are not connected to the rest of the organization. Our vision is to change this by making integration simple and accessible, enhancing experiences for both customers and employees".

What sets UnifyApps apart is its comprehensive approach to integration, addressing four critical areas: data sync, workflow automation, no-code application development, and the creation of generative AI agents. While competitors may focus on individual areas, UnifyApps offers a holistic solution that delivers a better return on investment (ROI) and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for customers. Currently, UnifyApps is targeting large, forward-thinking enterprises globally. The platform is designed to be ready for enterprise scale and complexity.

Looking ahead, UnifyApps plans to expand its platform to support over 5,000 applications and give organizations the flexibility to build their own custom integrations in less than a day. The company is also committed to advancing the capabilities of generative AI and building fine-tuned, purpose-built LLM-powered agents that will leverage these integrations.

"Our goal is to deliver value first products and obsess over customer satisfaction. We want enterprises to truly unlock the full potential of their technology investments. By using UnifyApps, they can unlock a lot of hidden value from their current SaaS ecosystem and propel the next level of growth.” added Pavitar Singh.

Mukul Arora, Co-managing Partner, Elevation Capital, said, “We are really excited to partner with Pavitar, who has deep experience in building a large enterprise-focused SaaS business, and was instrumental in growing Sprinklr to a multi-100mn dollar revenue company. With UnifyApps, he wants to build a future where seamless unification across applications and data can help large enterprises automate complex business processes and bring unparalleled efficiency. We believe this can be a massive opportunity and are thrilled to be a part of this journey.”

The announcement of UnifyApps' seed funding marks a significant milestone in the company's journey to redefine the SaaS unification landscape. With a strong foundation and a clear vision, UnifyApps is poised to reduce fragmented systems & bridge data silos by enabling teams to build complex applications, automate workflows and unify data across multiple applications.

About UnifyApps

Unifyapps is a cutting-edge ‘Unified Integration Platform’ powered by generative AI, revolutionizing how enterprises connect disparate applications. Founded in 2023 by Pavitar Singh, along with a team of visionary co-founders, Unifyapps operates globally with headquarters in India, Dubai, and the US. In its seed round, the company raised $11 million, with funding from Elevation Capital, co-founders, and angel investors. Unifyapps empowers enterprises to create sophisticated applications, automate business workflows, and construct robust data pipelines, catering to the needs of forward-thinking organizations worldwide. Designed for enterprise scalability and complexity, Unifyapps is at the forefront of innovation, transforming the digital landscape with its cutting-edge solutions.

About Elevation Capital

Elevation Capital is a leading venture capital firm that provides seed and early-stage capital for emerging companies in India. Having invested in India since 2002, Elevation has deployed over $2.6B of capital in 190+ companies. The firm announced its eighth pool of capital of $670 million in April 2022. Co-led by Managing Partners Ravi Adusumalli and Mukul Arora, along with Partners Mridul Arora and Mayank Khanduja, the firm has invested across Consumer Internet, SaaS, Fintech, Consumer Brands, Edtech, Healthtech and Deeptech. Elevation Capital has offices in Bengaluru and Gurgaon.

Media Contact

Bilal Mahmood

+44 7714 007257

b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com

AGC Biologics, a leading global biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), and BioConnection, a specialized contract manufacturing organization (CMO) focusing on aseptic filling of vials and syringes for clinical and commercial production, today announced a new strategic partnership. The companies are partnering to provide end-to-end biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing capabilities for drug substance and drug product using the development and manufacturing expertise of AGC Biologics and the specialized aseptic filling capabilities of BioConnection.

The new partnership offers a seamless, full-service clinical-stage development and manufacturing solution that accelerates timelines and brings life-saving therapies to market more efficiently. By combining world-class drug substance and drug product services, AGC Biologics together with BioConnection now offer one convenient “gene to vial” value chain service with a single contract and project management team for the project lifecycle. Further, developers will save time and resources by avoiding long, complex processes associated with negotiating a separate drug substance and drug product contract and be able to conveniently plan drug filling activities for as soon as their substance release is scheduled—all through this new offering.

New Solution for Companies Potentially Impacted by U.S. BIOSECURE Act

This new strategic partnership addresses the ongoing needs of the industry in the wake of the proposed U.S. BIOSECURE Act. By having a combined end-to-end solution that uses facilities in Japan, the United States and Europe, developers now have a reliable and secure supply of services for development, manufacturing (including freeze-drying) and aseptic filling for their drug product’s needs.

AGC Biologics is especially well-positioned to support the needs of developers that may be impacted by this legislation, as it is one of the largest CDMO networks in the world offering single-use bioreactor technology. Developers seeking alternatives from their current outsourcing partner benefit from access to AGC Biologics’ single-use network utilizing the most ubiquitous bioreactor types, enabling an easier transfer of platform processes and reduction in process changes associated with changing outsourcing partners.

Combined Expertise and Resources

Through this new joint offering AGC Biologics and BioConnection are providing comprehensive solutions to meet the increasing demand for high-quality biopharmaceutical manufacturing services, while also continuing to offer their services independently.

AGC Biologics offers a broad range of protein-biologics services spanning from cell line development to commercial-scale manufacturing across its global network of facilities on three continents, supporting drug substances for microbial and mammalian-based systems, plasmid DNA (pDNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). With a proven track record of delivering innovative biopharmaceutical solutions to clients worldwide, including supporting more than a dozen commercial products since 2018, AGC Biologics is renowned for its teams with deep technical and scientific expertise at its global facilities, and a commitment to quality, reliability, meeting product timelines and collaborating with developers to meet their needs.

BioConnection specializes in aseptic filling of vials and syringes, providing clients with tailored solutions for both clinical and commercial production of either liquid or freeze-dried products. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a highly skilled team, BioConnection is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of product quality and safety. Clients have valued BioConnection since 2005 for this and for its unmatched customer-oriented approach.

“Now more than ever global pharmaceutical companies and developers need reliable facilities to produce and fill their drug products, and by combining our resources with BioConnection we are offering a new end-to-end solution for them under one contract with AGC Biologics,” said Patricio Massera, CEO of AGC Biologics. “We believe BioConnection has a strong acumen, and this established partnership will enhance our biopharmaceutical manufacturing offerings by offering drug product service for protein biologics, allowing us to create deeper relationships with developers to help get their products to patients in need.”

Similarly, Alexander Willemse, CEO of BioConnection, commented, “We are excited to join forces with AGC Biologics to offer integrated manufacturing solutions that address the complexities of biopharmaceutical development. Together, we are well-positioned to support our clients at every stage.”

For more information about AGC Biologics please visit www.agcbio.com. Visit www.bioconnection.eu to learn more about BioConnection.

About AGC Biologics

AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, every step of the way. We provide world- class development and manufacture of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells.

Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with cGMP-compliant facilities in Seattle, Washington; Boulder and Longmont, Colorado; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba, Japan. We currently employ more than 2,500 team members worldwide. Our commitment to continuous innovation fosters the technical creativity to solve our clients’ most complex challenges, including specialization in fast-track projects and rare diseases.

AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.’s Life Science Company. The Life Science Company runs ten different facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals.

To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com.

About BioConnection

BioConnection is a specialized contract manufacturing organization (CMO) focusing on aseptic filling and lyophilization of vials and syringes for clinical and commercial production. With state-of-the-art facilities, a proven successful EMA and FDA track record and a team of experienced professionals in Oss, The Netherlands, BioConnection provides tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of clients in the biopharmaceutical industry. BioConnection is specialized in fill & finish and lyophilization of small and large molecules, orphan drugs, personalized medicine and controlled substances. Its customers value BioConnection for its reliability. BioConnection is renowned for its reliability, with customers appreciating the certainty of delivery made possible by its extensive capacity. The company combines this reliability with a personalized approach to client relations.

Discover more at www.bioconnection.eu.

Media Contact

Nick McDonald, Sr. Manager Global Marketing and Communications

+1 425-419-355

nmcdonald@agcbio.com

Dennis Link, Head of Business Development

+31 412-846 036

dennis.link@bioconnection.eu

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is thrilled to announce its participation at the upcoming Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, June 10–12.

The event will feature a presentation by one of ToolsGroup's valued customers, Franke, an industry leader in home solutions, food service systems and coffee equipment, scheduled for June 11. During this session, Franke will provide insights from their digital supply chain transformation journey, showcasing how they optimized the performance of their complex manufacturing and distribution ecosystem using ToolsGroup's AI-powered S&OP solution, driven by its flagship tool, Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+).

Franke wanted to enhance demand planning efficiency through a synchronized and integrated process, reduce manual workload to focus on value-added activities, and improve collaboration. From advanced forecasting and robust S&OP processes, Franke implemented ToolsGroup's AI-powered solution to support end-to-end planning, increase efficiency and enhance visibility.

"ToolsGroup's advanced tools are instrumental in supporting our S&OP process, providing integrated synchronization and full cross-functional transparency. This enables us to improve demand and supply planning, enhance collaboration, and achieve end-to-end data visibility, empowering us to run multi-scenario planning with confidence," said Alberto Nisoli, Global Head of Supply Chain Platform at Franke.

"Franke exemplifies all the keys to success for a digital supply chain transformation project," remarked ToolsGroup CMO and EVP of Growth, Kevin Young. "They set clear objectives for the initiative and began their journey by implementing SO99+ to optimize supply chain performance and deliver immediate value. The value was extended by digitalizing their S&OP processes to achieve cross functional transparency and synchronization of demand and supply across the organization. We are proud to partner with Franke and to play a part in the tremendous results they are planning to achieve."

ToolsGroup was recently recognized in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Supply Chain Planning Solutions. We believe this recognition underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses to optimize their supply chains effectively. A complimentary copy of the Gartner report is available here.

Interested in learning more about ToolsGroup's solutions? Schedule a meeting here and stop by kiosk #400.

About Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo™

Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo conference delivers must-have insights, strategies and frameworks for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and supply chain leaders to think big and drive real impact within their organizations. Dive into supply chain strategy and tech at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo™ 2024 conference in Barcelona, Spain. For more information visit: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/supply-chain-spain

Gartner Disclaimer

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant, Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo and Peer Insights are a registered trademark, of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Franke

Franke Group is a leading global supplier of products and services for residential kitchens, the foodservice and convenience store segments, as well as the professional coffee making industry. With more than 60 companies, it is represented on five continents. Its over 8,000 employees are constantly striving to develop innovative, adaptable solutions to meet business partners' and consumers' current and future needs. The products and services of the three divisions enable partners to keep pace with developments in a rapidly changing world. Franke combines cutting-edge technology, functional aesthetics and integrated services to deliver efficient, smart and sustainable solutions. It creates kitchen worlds and coffee making systems that fit flexibly into the living spaces of today and tomorrow.

About ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision-making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory—delighting customers and achieving financial and sustainability KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com.

Media Contact

Meir Kahtan
917-864-0800
mkahtan@rcn.com

Green Lantern Solar, an innovative and trusted renewable energy developer, today announced the successful completion of the sale of eight 500-kilowatt (kW) net-metered solar projects in Vermont to Sea Oak Capital, LLC.

These community solar projects, located in both Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) territories, mark a significant step forward in advancing the state's renewable energy goals. Offtakers of the energy generated by these projects include eight family farms, three dairy farms, several retailers, hotels, resorts and restaurants, a campground and a country club.

"We are pleased to partner with Sea Oak Capital in the development and construction of these projects," said David Carpenter, VP of Development & Chief Legal Officer, Green Lantern Solar. "Over the course of 13 years and more than 135 projects, Green Lantern Solar's community solar projects have provided significant value to municipalities and the communities and offtakers they serve. The successful sale of these projects further reinforces our business model of carefully selecting optimal project locations and efficiently developing them for maximum return for the owner, the customers and the community."

The portfolio includes a diverse range of projects throughout the state:

• Londonderry: Constructed on a town-owned parcel in Londonderry, Vt. (GMP), this project was completed on an expedited schedule during the winter.
• Castleton Heights: Constructed in Castleton, Vt. (GMP), this project was also completed on an expedited schedule during the winter months.
• Pico View: Located in Pittsford, Vt. (GMP), this project overcame several challenges, including a redesign around a wastewater replacement area.
• Pittsford Furnace Brook: Also located in Pittsford, Vt. (GMP), this project faced challenges stemming from significant archaeological sensitivity in the area. To mitigate these issues, innovative redesigns and construction sequences were employed to minimize the effects.
• ORR: Located in Lemington, Vt. (VEC), this project is on the reclaimed portion of an active sand-and-gravel operation.
• Bloom: Situated in Bloomfield, Vt. (VEC), this project is also on the reclaimed portion of an active sand-and-gravel operation.
• CRB: Located in Island Pond, Vt. (VEC), this project is also situated on the reclaimed portion of an active sand-and-gravel operation and is nearing completion. Throughout development, Green Lantern Solar collaborated closely with the landowner and regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with land-use permits.
• Brighton: Situated in Brighton, Vt. (VEC), this project is permitted on an active sand-and-gravel extraction operation and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.

Vermont's solar power generation accounts for more than 20% of the state's electricity production. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) anticipates this growth to continue for the foreseeable future. A key driver behind this growth is net metering, which enables surplus solar energy to be returned to the grid in exchange for credits on electric bills. This mechanism fosters the uptake of renewable energy and allows both individuals and businesses to engage actively in Vermont's transition to 100% clean energy.

Green Lantern Solar sold the multi-project portfolio, comprising Notice to Proceed (NTP) and Commercial Operation Date (COD) projects, to Sea Oak Capital, LLC.

"Community solar project investments have become one of the bedrocks of our growth strategy," said Dan Poydenis, Chief Executive Officer of Sea Oak Capital. "The completion of these projects not only assists the State of Vermont in meeting its renewable energy goals but also provides substantial and long-term savings to many local small businesses. We would like to congratulate the Green Lantern Solar team for their professionalism and hard work to make these projects a success."

"As we aggressively expand Green Lantern Solar's footprint beyond Vermont and New England, we will continue to build on successes like these to leverage our deep experience and our proven development process in those new markets," Carpenter added.

About Green Lantern Solar

Green Lantern Solar is a vertically integrated regional renewable energy development company emphasizing the development of community solar projects and commercial solar solutions for municipal, education, healthcare and government entities. Green Lantern works with landowners to revitalize and re-develop low-value sites such as brownfields, landfills, quarries/pits/extraction sites and other challenging real estate. The company currently provides a full suite of services: development, financing, construction and operations, maintenance and asset management. For more information, visit www.greenlanternsolar.com on LinkedIn and @GrnLntrnSolar on X (Twitter).

Media Contact

Leah Wilkinson

+1 703-907-0010

leah@wilkinson.associates

Callan Family Office, a registered investment advisor serving ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, foundations and endowments across the United States, today announced the launch of a new offering focused on supporting business owners considering transacting or transitioning their businesses.

The Business & Transaction Advisory Practice will be led by industry veterans Jeff Getty and Lisa Clifford. They educate owners on value optimization, exit option strategies, and value enhancement through due diligence preparation. Additionally, they work closely with the business owner's legal and tax counsel on transaction structuring to minimize all levels of taxation in alignment with the client's financial, philanthropic, legacy and estate planning goals.

"Business owners represent a large segment of the U.S. GDP and most owners' net worth," said Jack Ginter, Chief Executive Officer of Callan Family Office. "Before selling or transitioning, an owner should ensure that their business is in its strongest possible position to allow them to generate maximum value. Jeff and Lisa have spent decades strengthening companies and preparing them for sale. We are excited to bring them on to lead this practice and deliver holistic support to business owners during all phases of their business lifecycle."

Getty and Clifford join Callan Family Office from Key Private Bank, where Getty led the family wealth consulting team and founded the Business Advisory practice. During his 14-year tenure, he managed a team of 12 professionals, providing support on approximately 30 to 40 transactions per year.

Getty holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Science in Taxation. In addition, he is a Fellow in the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC®), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA®), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and Certified Value Growth Advisor (CVGA®). He is author of the book The Descent is the Real Climb: The Unexpected Truths About Successful Business Transitions.

"Having spent two decades advising thriving business owners, we are thrilled to join a company synonymous with entrepreneurial success," Getty said. "We look forward to assisting clients of Callan Family Office on how to prepare for this life-changing event."

Clifford holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation (CPWA®) and is a Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA®).

"Unlike other firms, we have an extremely narrow focus: maximize the value of our clients' businesses in preparation for a sale," Clifford said. "I'm proud of our work for hundreds of owners, helping them achieve their goals for their businesses and families. I look forward to delivering optimal value to Callan Family Office clients."

About Callan Family Office

Independently owned and operated, Callan Family Office was founded by experienced wealth professionals to provide investment management, thoughtful personalized advice, and holistic financial planning to ultra-high-net-worth families, foundations, and endowments. The firm's principals have spent their careers serving ultra-high-net-worth clients and institutions.

Callan Family Office has agreements with Callan LLC to use the Callan ® tradename in providing investment advisory services to the ultra-high-net-worth market segment and to access Callan's institutional quality research, education, and investment guidance experience. Callan Family Office and Callan LLC are independent, unaffiliated investment advisory firms separately registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Callan Family Office (CFO) is the exclusive trademark licensee of Callan LLC. Callan LLC provides products and services to CFO. Clients of CFO are not clients of Callan LLC, and the parties are not affiliated. CALLAN, CFO and the other Callan trademarks and service marks are registered and/or unregistered trademarks of Callan LLC and may not be used without its permission. INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES AND PRODUCTS PROVIDED TO CLIENTS OF CFO ARE PROVIDED SOLELY BY CFO AND NOT BY OR ON BEHALF OF CALLAN LLC. REPRESENTATIVES OF CFO ARE EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF CFO AND NOT EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS OF CALLAN LLC.

Media Contact

Callan Family Office

info@callanfo.com

Avenue Z, a strategic marketing and communications company announces the appointment of Jessica Dalziel as its Chief Client Officer. Dalziel brings over 15 years of experience in unlocking top-tier solutions, fostering innovative thinking, and harnessing exceptional talent across strategic accounts. With this appointment, she will oversee the full breadth of client relationships across the company.

"Our strategy revolves around nurturing the growth and success of our clients across multiple channels. To accomplish this, we're embracing a more client-centric approach than ever before," stated Jeffrey Herzog, Chairman and CEO of Avenue Z. "Jess' natural leadership talents and steadfast connections bolster and accelerate our commitment to industry-wide revolution, amplifying customer experiences along the way."

Dalziel will enhance client experience through solutions tailored to each client's unique needs and business goals, elevate service delivery standards, and fortify Avenue Z's reputation as a trusted advisor in the industry. In this role, Dalziel will report to the company's COO, Dave Johnson.

"Jess has been pivotal in shaping NightWise's strategic marketing initiatives, elevating our brand's presence, and fostering smooth, productive collaborations with her exceptional talent and friendly demeanor", said Danny Rinaldi, founder and CEO of NightWise. "Her adept management of complex projects has positioned us as frontrunners in the sleep industry, while her partnership with every team member has greatly contributed to our successes."

Dalziel shared, "Many agencies focus solely on advancing technologies such as AI or the latest trends. A successful client strategy harnesses both but never loses sight of human empathy and trust. It delves into the intricacies of each client's needs, enabling our teams to tailor solutions that resonate on a deeper level and drive impactful results. I'm thrilled to leverage my background to strengthen our client relationships and bring unparalleled value alongside the talented team at Avenue Z."

Before joining Avenue Z, Dalziel served as the VP of Strategic Accounts at Investis Digital in New York. In this role, she spearheaded business growth, innovative processes, and resources, with a keen focus on business development and nurturing client relationships. Prior to that, Dalziel held value-creation positions at Isobar, a dentsu company, where she adeptly coordinated project plans on a global scale, seamlessly integrating them across diverse stakeholders.

Dalziel earned her MBA from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and a bachelor's degree in Advertising from Grand Valley State University.

About Avenue Z

Avenue Z is a strategic marketing and communications company breaking traditional boundaries between marketing, advertising and PR. From the Wall Street Journal to TikTok, PR to social and search, we create narratives that drive commerce, connections, and conversion, across all channels. With experts, tech and teams based in New York, Boston, Orlando, Miami and global reach, we drive influence. Visit www.avenuez.com.

Media Contact

Madeleine Worrall

+1 817-808-1521

madeleine.worrall@bevelpr.com

Adro, a New York-based technology company enabling access to checking, savings and credit for international students and workers moving to the U.S. through its university partners, announced today Stearns Bank N.A. as its official bank sponsor.

With support from Stearns Bank N.A. to build a financial on-ramp for internationals, Adro is set to launch this summer. Product highlights include:

• The ability to open an account before arrival in the U.S., no Social Security number required
• Complete product access from the day of arrival, including debit and credit cards via Apple Pay and Google Wallet
• The ability to begin building credit on Day 1, while waiting for a Social Security number to be issued, and
• Discounted international money transfers

“As one of our earliest and biggest supporters, choosing Stearns Bank N.A. as our sponsor bank was an obvious choice,” said Amarildo Gjondrekaj, CEO and co-founder at Adro. “Stearns has a long history of recognizing minority groups that are traditionally underserved and underbanked. They have been an invaluable resource in sharing their expertise in risk and compliance oversight. Their team has shown great appreciation towards what we’re building to improve the banking experience for internationals.”

“We believe in listening to what our community needs. Our customers and communities are increasingly more global and mobile, and we’re all about increasing inclusion and access. Empowerment for all is our mission, and partnering with Adro to offer the full breadth of financial services to international students and workers aligns perfectly with our priorities,” said Kelly Skalicky, President and Chief Executive Officer at Stearns Bank N.A.

Josh Hofer, Chief Risk and Information Security Officer at Stearns Bank N.A., who leads the fintech and innovation division adds, “We’re emerging as a leader in fintech partnership and innovation because of our strong risk management, compliance and regulatory expertise and our common-sense business approach, which we’re in a great position to leverage for Adro and its customers to expand and maximize Adro’s reach and impact.”

With its bank sponsor now confirmed, Adro’s focus remains on narrowing down and finalizing its key university partners ahead of the upcoming 2024–2025 academic year. For more information, visit www.joinadro.com/university.

About Adro

Adro is a technology company helping internationals unblock access to financial services so they can live like a local. Based in New York, Adro has raised a $1.5M pre-seed and is backed by investors who deeply believe in equal access and opportunity for newcomers arriving in the U.S.

Adro was selected to join the 2024 Hudson Valley Venture Hub Accelerator at SUNY New Paltz. Adro is a graduate of Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator and a member of CELA Innovation. To learn more, visit www.joinadro.com.

About Stearns Bank N.A.

Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $2.8 billion, independently owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Stearns Bank is consistently recognized as one of the Best Banks to Work For, most recently ranked by American Banker as the 5th best bank to work for among banks in the nation, while earning top rankings based on its strong capital and earnings as one of the nation’s highest-performing banks. The Independent Banker’s 2023 “Best of the Best” ranks Stearns Bank as the 4th best-performing bank in the U.S. among banks having more than $1 billion in assets based on banks’ 3-year average return on assets. Stearns Bank’s financial strength and success is achieved by Stearns Bank becoming one of the most prominent community impact lenders in the nation through effective public-private partnerships and innovative local initiatives with community organizations, CDFIs, and Minority Deposit Institutions across the country.

Stearns Bank specializes in nationwide affordable housing, workforce and multifamily housing, commercial construction lending, build-to-suit and CRE-repositioning lending, family office and lender financing, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing to foster economic development and entrepreneurial growth at a local level in communities across the country. As a national leader and go-to bank for nonprofits, Stearns Bank created a customized suite of nonprofit banking solutions specially designed and tailored to empower nonprofit organizations across the country.

Driven by a passion to help others achieve their greatest ambitions, Stearns Bank’s mission is to Get the Job Done! For more information, visit StearnsBank.com.

Media Contact

Katherine Wong Too Yen

kat@joinadro.com

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) is encouraged by Maryland's recent enactment of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), setting the stage for safe access to kratom products for consumers. Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed the bill into law on Thursday, May 16, making Maryland the 13th state to adopt the KCPA. On April 4, 2024, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed a similar bill regulating kratom in the Bluegrass State.

The KCPA aims to safeguard consumers by implementing age restrictions, requiring some disclosures on product labels, and mandating reporting of adverse health events related to kratom usage. These measures underscore a responsible approach to regulation that prioritizes consumer safety while preserving access to kratom, a botanical with a long history of traditional use in Southeast Asia.

"We commend the leadership of Maryland and Kentucky in passing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which offers guidelines and a basis for future regulations," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. "By implementing age restrictions and enhancing transparency through label disclosures, these states are taking proactive steps to ensure that consumers can make informed decisions about their kratom usage. Including provisions for reporting adverse health events demonstrates a commitment to ongoing monitoring and improvement of kratom safety protocols."

Growing List of States with Recent Kratom Legislation

The enactment of the KCPA in Maryland and Kentucky adds to a growing list of states that have signed responsible kratom regulation. Of the 13 states in which the possession, distribution, sale, or manufacture of kratom products is regulated, 10 states (Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia) also place requirements for kratom product labels. The other six states have no product labeling requirements (Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oregon, and South Dakota).

"The Global Kratom Coalition looks forward to working with state-level legislatures who passed the KCPA to further strengthen label requirements and limits on certain active ingredients," said Lowe. "Of particular concern is an alarming and increasing number of synthetic isolate 7-hydroxymitragynine products that are being sold as kratom but are entirely different. Consumers should approach these products with extreme caution."

Safety of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) Products Not Established

In April 2024, the Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) released a position paper addressing the proliferation of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products in the market. "GKC Position Paper: 7-hydroxymitragynine Products” delves into the complexities surrounding these synthetic products and their implications for public health and regulation. According to the GKC, the safety of 7-OH products has not been established, and what is currently known about its commercialization is not in the interest of public safety. Products that contain synthetically derived 7-OH should not be considered as kratom products.

7-OH products claim heightened potency due to elevated levels of mitragynine and other alkaloids, yet a closer examination reveals concerning disparities in composition compared to authentic kratom products, in that they contain large amounts of 7-OH that are not seen in authentic kratom products.

The GKC has found many of these products have very little or non-existent levels of kratom-derived alkaloids and disproportionately high concentrations of synthetically produced 7-OH. Such imbalances raise significant safety considerations, particularly given what is known about the pharmacological profile of 7-OH.

GKC supports legislation like California Assemblymember Matthew Haney’s Assembly Bill 2365. Assemblymember Haney’s proposed Kratom Consumer Protection Act in California limits the amount of 7-OH found in kratom products to less than 1% of total alkaloids.

About Kratom 

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves have traditionally been used for their mood-boosting and energy-enhancing properties. While kratom's regulatory status and safety have been debated, the passage of the KCPA represents a significant step toward establishing consistent standards for kratom products in the U.S.

About the Global Kratom Coalition

The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) exists to protect and expand access to leaf-based kratom around the world. The organization represents the interests of advocates committed to positive change benefiting consumers. The organization supports education and the development of kratom science, which is central to the GKC’s mission—to empower individuals worldwide with access to safe and responsibly sourced kratom products by advancing scientific research and sensible regulation.

The GKC operates on five key values:

• Access: The belief that individuals should have a choice as to how they look after their health, informed by the latest unbiased information available.
• Education: Providing accurate, evidence-based information about kratom (including on our website), allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
• Advocacy: Serving as a united voice for kratom consumers worldwide, seeking fair and sensible regulations that prioritize consumer safety, freedom of information, and good sourcing and manufacturing practices.
• Community: Fostering a global group of enthusiasts, experts, vendors, and advocates to promote the benefits of kratom and fight for informed and responsible use.
• Responsibility: Promoting the responsible use of kratom and encouraging vendors to adhere to strict quality and safety standards so that consumers have access to products that are safe, well-manufactured, and appropriately labeled.

Please follow us at:

Website: https://globalkratomcoalition.org

Twitter: @kratomcoalition 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/globalkratomcoalition

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalkratomcoalition

Media Contact

Matthew Lowe

mlowe@globalkratomcoalition.org

Paw Pro GmbH, a leader in Pet Health, is thrilled to announce a $1.5 million partnership with Health Reasoning, a pioneer in Healthcare AI and tokenization. This strategic collaboration aims to develop and deploy an innovative Web3 platform featuring the revolutionary Treats token and redeemable NFTs.

The partnership highlights the growing synergy between Paw Pro’s vision for enhanced customer engagement and Health Reasoning’s expertise in blockchain technology. This collaboration is poised to deliver a state-of-the-art digital ecosystem that will redefine user interaction and reward mechanisms within Paw Pro’s community.

Platform Features

Treats Token: A blockchain-based utility token designed for transactions, rewards, and incentives within the Paw Pro ecosystem uniting all pet lovers. Detailed information about the Treats token will be available in an upcoming white paper.

Redeemable NFTs: Unique digital assets that users can acquire, trade, and redeem for various rewards, enhancing user engagement and loyalty.

“We are excited to partner with Health Reasoning to bring cutting-edge blockchain technology to our platform,” said Katrina Graue, CEO of Paw Pro GmbH. “This collaboration will not only enhance our service offerings but also provide our users with innovative ways to interact with and benefit from our ecosystem.”

“Health Reasoning is thrilled to join forces with Paw Pro GmbH in this transformative project,” said Damon Spiceland, CEO of Health Reasoning. “Our expertise in AI and Blockchain technology combined with Paw Pro’s vision for customer engagement will set a new standard in the industry.”

This partnership underscores Paw Pro’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies to provide unparalleled value to its users. The development and integration of the Web3 platform will begin immediately, with the first phase of the project expected to launch this summer.

For more information about Paw Pro GmbH and Health Reasoning, please visit https://paw-pro.com/ and https://healthreasoning.com/.

About Paw Pro GmbH

Paw Pro GmbH is a leading innovative company in bacteria-based nutrition supplements for dogs, dedicated to improving the well-being of pets through advanced solutions and exceptional care. At Paw Pro, we offer natural and chemical-free pet supplements, especially created to protect pets, helping them strengthen their immune system for a long, happy life. Our patented combination of elements, sourced from the highest quality ingredients, ensures that our products are unique and highly effective. We produce our supplements at a state-of-the-art medical research center in Germany. Paw Pro’s vision is to become one of the leading pet supplement brands in the market, meeting and exceeding the standards of our clients by providing them with healthy and natural products for their pets. We aim to protect dogs, supporting their natural immune system and improving their lifestyle as a result.

About Health Reasoning

Health Reasoning is a pioneering company in healthcare, specializing in blockchain and artificial intelligence solutions that drive transformation and efficiency. Health Reasoning’s mission is to harness the power of blockchain technology to create secure, transparent, and user-centric digital ecosystems.

Media Contact

Katrina Graue

katrina.graue@paw-pro.com

Waterfall Lounge, a Guyanese-Caribbean bar and lounge in the heart of Brooklyn, is proud to announce the opening of its location at 4703 Church Avenue. The lounge is hosting its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 17, 2024 in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Exclusive swag bags will be provided to the first 50 guests upon arrival. 

Owner Nola Rodney expressed her enthusiasm for the opening, stating, "We are thrilled to open our doors to the Brooklyn community and share the flavors and vibes of the Caribbean with everyone who walks through our doors. This is a dream come true for us, and we can't wait to welcome you all with open arms."

Located at a prime spot on Church Avenue, guests can expect to indulge in delicious cuisine, refreshing drinks, and a lively atmosphere that captures the essence of the islands. This event is an exciting culmination of months of work to renovate the space as the owners prepared to open their doors to the Caribbean-American community in Brooklyn. With a focus on providing signature cocktails and mouth-watering appetizers filled with Caribbean flavors, the new location is set to become a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Waterfall Lounge will soon share plans to host events, introduce new menu items, and create memorable experiences for guests.

To register and to learn more about our grand opening and ribbon cutting, please click here.

For more information on Waterfall Lounge and the new location in Brooklyn, visit Waterfall Lounge at https://WaterfallLoungeBK.com.

About Waterfall Lounge

Waterfall Lounge is a Guyanese-Caribbean restaurant in the heart of Brooklyn, NY, providing a unique Caribbean-American dining experience. Discover more about our offerings and upcoming events at https://WaterfallLoungeBK.com or find us on Facebook.

Media Contact

Nola Rodney

the1waterfalllounge@gmail.com