Newsroom

Siebert Williams Shank & Co. (SWS) announces a key new hire in public finance industry veteran Collin Teague, most recently an Executive Director of the Municipal Securities Department at Morgan Stanley. Teague will serve as a Manager Director in Siebert Williams Shank’s public finance group, highlighting the firm’s steadfast and growing commitment to expand its municipal finance practice in 2024.

Teague comes to SWS with 19 years of municipal banking experience at Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, and Goldman Sachs. He has executed numerous public finance deals for a diversified set of infrastructure and transportation issuing clients across the Midwest Region and Texas, including a $2.9 billion green-field toll road for the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation in Houston.

As a Manager Director of Public Finance at SWS, Teague will focus on originating business with surface transportation issuers throughout the country.

“Collin joining us is further evidence of our commitment to growing our public finance platform with a particular emphasis on those areas where we believe there will be voluminous issuance,” said Gary Hall, President of Infrastructure & Public Finance at the firm. “Given the need for both capital improvements and investment in the surface transportation sector, we want to have a seasoned banker focused in this area.”

Based in Siebert Williams Shank’s New York office, Teague will provide investment banking services and structure deal transactions for toll roads, highways, and transit systems.

“With the COVID relief money running out, we believe these municipalities need to raise capital in other ways, which we think is in the issuance of bonds,” said Sewon Kim, Manager Director and Head of Transportation Group. “So we see opportunities because of that, in addition to tremendous infrastructure needs across the country. Having a senior banker like Collin investing his time and efforts on the surface transportation sector will give us significant leverage in a key growth area of public finance.”

Teague is known as a highly technical banker with broad intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic.

“Siebert is a growing company while several others are not growing or even contracting,” Teague said. “Municipal finance is a core business of Siebert, and the surface transportation side really attracted me because that’s what I want to focus on in the next step of my career.”

About Siebert Williams Shank

Dually headquartered in New York, NY and Oakland, CA, SWS is an independent non-bank financial services firm that offers investment banking, sales and trading, research, and advisory services. Its mission is to exceed expectations through value-added results and leave a lasting impact on the sectors, corporations, and communities they serve. SWS counts 74 Fortune 100 companies among its clients.

Media Contact

Tom Butler

+1 646-213-1802

TButler@ButlerPR.com

Smart Girl Stories, an online platform that empowers Smart Girls, today announced the launch of its self-submission and advocacy programs on SmartGirlStories.com. These programs allow individual Smart Girls to share their stories independently on the platform, while organizations focused on empowering Smart Girls can join as advocates.

By providing a platform for Smart Girls to share their stories and for organizations to advocate for girl/women empowerment, Smart Girl Stories is creating a community where voices are heard, and stories are shared to inspire and empower others.

In the future, Smart Girl Stories plans to expand its programs and partnerships to reach more Smart Girls and organizations dedicated to girl/women empowerment.

For more information, visit Smart Girl Stories at https://smartgirlstories.com.

About Smart Girl Stories

Based in Skaneateles, NY, Smart Girl Stories is a beacon of inspiration for girls globally, offering a safe and supportive online platform for sharing stories that motivate and encourage positive change. Our mission is to empower Smart Girls to make a difference in the world, one story at a time. Our platform invites Smart Girls of all ages and from across the globe to engage with a community that values their voices and experiences and provides a place where the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers can find inspiration and camaraderie. To learn more, visit https://smartgirlstories.com.

Media Contact

Neil Fennessey

+1 617-851-3816

neil@sgmediaco.com

RISE & DREAM Foundation's 7th Annual Charity Celebrity Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday May 4 at the Springfield Golf Course in Chandler, Arizona benefitting the BACK TO SCHOOL FRESH START program. Former NFL athletes already confirmed to attend include Michael Bankston, Robert Tate, Frank Saunders and Jeremy Bridges, with MLB pro Junior Spivey who will also be there.

The annual charity golf tournament hosted by the RISE & DREAM Foundation is a significant event that raises funds for the BACK TO SCHOOL FRESH START program, providing underprivileged children with essential school supplies and resources to kickstart their academic year. The participation of former NFL athletes adds excitement and star power to the event, attracting more attendees and ultimately increasing the impact of the fundraiser.

Looking ahead, the RISE & DREAM Foundation is committed to expanding its philanthropic efforts and hosting more events that make a difference in the lives of those in need. The company aims to continue partnering with local organizations and individuals to create impactful and memorable experiences for all participants.

To register as a golf participant, click here.

About RISE & DREAM Foundation

RISE & DREAM Foundation is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a purpose to make an impact in the lives of children, families and homeless that need it most. This purpose is accomplished through our mission to:

RESTORE – We restore communities of disparity through our homeless initiatives.

INVEST – We invest in at-risk children and families by supplying their essential needs.

STRENGTHEN – We strengthen children and adults through sports, fitness, and nutrition.

EMPOWER –  We empower people to get involved and invest in their community.

For more information, visit https://riseanddreamfoundation.com.

Media Contact

Donna Segura

+1 210-902-3937

donna@oleanderpr.com

Kava Coalition is pleased to announce its support and funding for an upcoming review by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) focusing on the safety profile and therapeutic potential of traditional aqueous kava and modern kava extracts. This comprehensive review, based on the collaborative research efforts of kava experts globally, will culminate in the production of a monograph and therapeutic compendium. These resources aim to address historical concerns surrounding kava use and provide valuable guidance to kava producers, regulators, healthcare practitioners, and consumers on best practices to ensure quality and minimize risks associated with kava consumption.

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a botanical native to the Pacific Islands, where it has been used for centuries in traditional ceremony and to elevate mood and produce a feeling of relaxation.

"It is unfortunate that misconceptions surrounding kava have impeded its recognition and acceptance despite centuries of safe traditional use and a wealth of contemporary scientific evidence supporting its safety and efficacy," said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Kava Coalition.

Kava faced regulatory challenges in the early 2000’s due to concerns over its safety, particularly regarding liver health which still clouds the facts about traditional aqueous kava and modern kava extracts today. However, emerging research has challenged these assertions, suggesting that any reported instances of adverse effects are either extremely rare or related to other factors such as adulteration or improper use.

"The extensive body of evidence now available unequivocally demonstrates the safety of kava for the general population when used responsibly," said Roy Upton, Founder and President of AHP. "The forthcoming monograph and therapeutic compendium by AHP will provide a valuable resource for dispelling myths and promoting evidence-based understanding of kava’s safety and therapeutic potential."

The Kava Coalition is committed to advocating for the dissemination and utilization of AHP's forthcoming resources upon their release, aiming to foster informed decision-making and responsible use of kava worldwide.

About Kava Coalition

The Kava Coalition is an alliance of kava consumers, experts, and industry leaders committed to advancing kava education, advocacy, and choice. Through educational initiatives and community engagement, KC promotes awareness and appreciation for kava’s traditional practices and cultural significance. Simultaneously, the Kava Coalition advocates for modern regulation that reflects current scientific knowledge, ensuring consumer safety and product integrity.

About American Herbal Pharmacopoeia

AHP was founded in 1995 to promote the responsible use of herbal medicines and ensure they are used with the highest possible degree of efficacy and safety. This is done primarily through the development of standards of identity, purity, and analysis for botanicals, as well as by critically reviewing traditional and scientific data regarding their efficacy and safety. AHP’s qualitative and therapeutic monographs represent some of the most comprehensive and critically reviewed body of information on herbal medicines in the English language, and serve as a primary reference for academics, health practitioners, manufacturers, and regulators.

Media Contact

Matthew Lowe

Executive Director, Kava Coalition

+1 916-202-1982

mlowe@kavacoalition.org

Leela AI, a provider of advanced visual intelligence solutions for improving productivity and safety in manufacturing, today announced its selection as a finalist in the 2024 Innovation Showcase at the 21st annual MIT Sloan CIO Symposium. Among the elite group of ten early-stage companies chosen, Leela AI has distinguished itself by pioneering cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly blend innovation with tangible value for the Enterprise IT sector.

Leela AI representatives will appear at the in-person MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, to be held May 13–14, 2024.

"We are honored to be chosen as a top-10 finalist from an elite group of technological innovators for the MIT Sloan 2024 Innovation Showcase," said Cyrus Shaoul, CEO of Leela AI. "Leela AI’s team has deep roots at MIT, and the Showcase nomination affirms that the global CIO community is ready to harness cutting-edge visual intelligence to deliver more value to their stakeholders."

"We are thrilled to announce the finalists of the 2024 Innovation Showcase, which is held each year in conjunction with the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium," said Anton Teodorescu, Chair of the Innovation Showcase. "Collaborating with emerging enterprises to foster connections with established industry leaders is a privilege and continues to yield mutually beneficial outcomes with each passing year."

After careful consideration, the Innovation Showcase judges selected the 10 impressive companies because they:

• Have an enterprise IT solution product available in the market
• Are a start-up with less than $10 million in annual revenues
• Are selling enterprise IT solutions to CIOs or corporate IT departments
• Show innovation and/or strategic value and potential impact on the top and/or bottom lines

The Innovation Showcase will take place as part of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium at The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 13–14, 2024. The full agenda for the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is available here and tickets are available for purchase here.

About the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium

The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is the premier global conference for CIOs and digital business executives to become more effective leaders. CIOs and senior IT executives explore enterprise technology innovations, business practices and receive actionable information that enables them to meet the challenges of today and the future. The Symposium offers a unique learning environment by bringing together the academic thought leadership of MIT with the in-the-trenches experience of leading global CIOs and industry experts. The MIT Sloan CIO Symposium is organized and developed by the MIT Sloan Boston Alumni Association. For more information and to register for this year’s Symposium, visit www.mitcio.com.

About Leela AI

Leela AI is helping manufacturers achieve greater visibility into their operations to drive performance and continuous improvement. Leela’s privacy-enabled visual intelligence software identifies and times every step in the manufacturing process to spotlight best practices, bottlenecks, and safety hazards. Leela Platform helps our customers track hourly performance, support standard work, reduce waste, boost capacity, and improve safety, while also expanding digitization beyond machine data.

Media Contact

Eric Brown

eric@leela-ai.com

FilmChain, co-founded by Maria Tanjala and Irina Albita, has completed a significant funding round, securing a $3M (£2.3M) investment. This financial milestone was achieved through a priced round led by the Holt IntersXion fund, with support from Roca X, DeBa Ventures, TechAngels Romania, and returning investor HearstLab. The investment, which also converts previous notes, signals a robust vote of confidence in FilmChain, currently dealing with over-subscription demand. 

Addressing the challenges of delayed settlements and opaque financial processes in the entertainment industry, FilmChain introduces a groundbreaking payment platform that ensures immediate access to detailed financial reports and analytics. With its cutting-edge solution, FilmChain is transforming the landscape of collection services, offering real-time payments and on-demand reporting capabilities. With over 1900 clients across the UK, Europe, and Australia, FilmChain is poised for expansion in North America. 

At the core of its technological advancement, FilmChain utilizes financial technology with its own architecture and fintech APIs, and a private Ethereum blockchain, enhancing the transparency and auditability of transactions. This strategic integration instills a higher level of trust and accountability in the intricate financials of film, television, and gaming industries. The blockchain tracks ownership in an architecture that enables future secondary sales in asset management. 

"Revenue collection can be a black hole for a producer. As soon as you give your film away to the world's sales agents, you are more or less a passenger, and then you wait for your money and reports. Real-time distributions are important as cash flow is a big issue in the industry. Traditional reports are Excel monsters, prone to errors, and basically impossible to check for plausibility. It's data chaos compared to FilmChain, which is so well prepared, so easy to digest," said Christoph Lange, One Two Films, FilmChain client and investor.

In 2023, FilmChain embarked on a strategic partnership with the German Producers Association (Produzentenverband), launching a bespoke reporting platform. This innovative solution empowers producers to track and report on critical metrics like revenue and audience data directly to content creators. As a natural extension of their Collection Account Management (CAM) service, FilmChain collaborated with the German Producers Association to ensure the platform was thoroughly aligned with the unique demands of the industry.

"The reporting platform streamlines bureaucratic processes and simplifies the data flow for authors and copyright holders. Theatrical, streaming, and TV productions can now be tracked transparently and standardized, which was long overdue. More transparency is also necessary along the entire value chain—because transparency creates trust," said Fabian Massah, Endorphine Productions, responsible for the Producers Association.

Now operational in Germany, the bespoke platform is not only revolutionizing how producers and creators interact with data but is set to extend its transformative impact across additional European territories. This expansion signifies FilmChain's commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in the entertainment industry, marking a significant leap forward in its mission to redefine the standards of financial reporting and analytics in the creative sector.

"We are honored to have attracted an exceptional group of investors to our capital table, encompassing seasoned fintech specialists, successful entrepreneurs, and distinguished professionals from entertainment," said Maria Tanjala, co-founder of FilmChain. "As we forge ahead in our quest to revolutionize global payments and expedite cash flow, we are excited to broaden our suite of products and harness cutting-edge technologies. Our strategic expansion into North America represents a natural progression for FilmChain," Tanjala said.

"In an era where transparency and immediate access to funds are paramount for filmmakers, talent, financiers, and sales agents, FilmChain stands as a beacon of innovation," declared Irina Albita, co-founder of FilmChain. "Our payment infrastructure is meticulously crafted to cater to the critical needs of these stakeholders. With the infusion of fresh capital, we are poised to empower a new wave of filmmakers across North America," Albita asserted.

"We see a particular under-the-radar moment to invest in the intersection of fintech and the sports, media & entertainment sectors. FilmChain’s fintech infrastructure, alongside its blockchain technology, ensures that every dollar of revenue generated is equitably distributed among stakeholders and royalties management is executed with unambiguous precision, driving more efficient, transparent, and secure financial operations in the management of film revenues," said Brendan Holt Dunn, GP HOLT IntersXion Fund, CEO Holdun Family Office. 

About FilmChain

FilmChain's innovative platform utilizes digital banking and blockchain technology to simplify revenue management for production companies through a Digital Collection Account Manager (CAM) system. The company enables efficient revenue collection, allocation, and analysis and enhances operational efficiency, transparency, and settlements. For more information, visit https://filmchain.co.

About Holt Xchange – IntersXion Fund 

Over a hundred years, five generations of experience, and a robust global network, The Holt Xchange is powering innovative tech products, world-class companies, and entrepreneurs, helping shape the future of their businesses and growth. The Holt IntersXionFund is an innovative venture capital initiative that focuses on harnessing the transformative power of Fintech technologies within the realms of Sports, Media & Entertainment. This groundbreaking initiative is poised to revolutionize these industries by investing in cutting-edge companies that are shaping the future of content production, distribution, and consumption. For more information, visit https://holtxchange.com.

Media Contact

Irina Albita

irina@filmchain.co

Maria Tanjala

maria@filmchain.co

Elisabeth Laett

elisabeth@holtxchange.com

PathAI, a leading precision pathology company, today announced that Hoag Health System, the leading health system in the southern California region, will adopt the AISight Image Management System (IMS) as their primary platform, powering their transition to digital pathology. The transition from analog, glass-slide-based pathology to digital pathology continues to accelerate across anatomic pathology, globally. This transition is in part driven by the availability of AI pathology tools that harness machine learning (ML) algorithms to augment and assist the pathologist interpretation.

“The transition to digital pathology will unlock dramatic improvements in how care is provided to Hoag’s patients. By utilizing the most advanced image management system on the market with embedded algorithms, we expect to be able to deliver faster turnaround times to our physicians, more accurate and reproducible pathologist assessments, and expand our understanding of how biomarkers can drive optimal care decisions,” said Dr. Michael Brant-Zawadzki, MD, FACR, Hoag Vice President, Research Administration, CATALiST and Addiction.

AISight (1) is a cloud-native intelligent enterprise workflow solution that is used by the world's leading laboratories and research centers to power their digital pathology workflows and AI applications. It serves as a central hub for case management, image management, and best-in-class artificial intelligence tools from PathAI and third-party partners, to enable a broad spectrum of histopathology use cases.

“Together with our partners, we will continue to pursue our vision to improve patient outcomes with AI-powered technology,” said Eric Walk, MD, FCAP, Chief Medical Officer, PathAI. “We are excited to partner with forward-thinking industry leaders like Hoag who embrace the science of what machine learning algorithms can offer healthcare professionals and how those learnings can augment and empower the important work of pathologists.”

According to Dr. John Cupp, MD, Director of Digital Pathology, Hoag Health System and PathAI Advisor, “Hoag is particularly excited to utilize PathAI’s ArtifactDetect algorithm that can improve pathology review, specifically to address pre-analytical factors that typically would delay pathologist review, as well as applying PathAI’s quantitative IHC scoring algorithms to support complex interpretation in PDL1 and HER2.”

Importantly, PathAI will collaborate with Hoag and their laboratory information system (LIS) provider to build a bi-directional integration between AISight and their Epic Beaker LIS instance to ensure a fully integrated pathologist experience.

“Computational pathology promises to unlock great potential for predictive biomarkers for patients with cancer,” said Dr. David R. Braxton, MD, Chief of Molecular Pathology Services, Hoag Family Cancer Institute. “This is an exciting next step in Hoag’s digital transformation as we continue to look ahead towards healthcare innovations that offer continual advancements in patient care, treatment efficacy, and overall public health outcomes.”

(1) AISight is For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About Hoag

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional health care delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 16 urgent care facilities, 11 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of health care services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women’s health, and orthopedics through Hoag’s affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and four ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet® hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.

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

On the way to the exciting milestone celebrating its 195th Anniversary in October 2024, Historic Neir’s Tavern will be hosting a special spring edition of their Community Block Party on April 27, 2024. Neir’s will be celebrating their Queensmark Award, a bronze plaque which designates Queens buildings that have historical, architectural, and cultural merit. The festivities will take place from noon to 6:00 p.m. in Woodhaven (Queens), NY on 88th Avenue between 78th Street (also known as Neir’s Tavern Way) and 77th Street.

The highlight of the afternoon will commence with Neir’s Tavern officially accepting and receiving the bronze plaque from the Queensmark Awards Program. Neir’s has invited several city agencies to set up helpful informational stations for attendees as well as community organizations such as the Forest Hills Ambulance Corps. who will be providing education on CPR. 

The family-friendly outdoor event will feature fun activities for people of all ages. There will be a bouncy castle (children only) and a “Kids’ Table” nearby which will feature free activities including face-painting. Making a return appearance, the “Goodfellas Challenge” banner will give everyone the opportunity to “do their best DeNiro” and pose for a souvenir photo on the spot. 

There’s an all-day pop-up market, and a fun raffle for baskets full of prizes such as Neir’s T-shirts and caps and other great surprises! A portion of the proceeds from the raffle will be donated to a local Veterans’ organization. 

The primary sponsor, The Kiwanis Club of Ozone Park-Woodhaven, will have a table set up at the event. "The Kiwanis Club members believe in the importance of celebrating and preserving historic local businesses, and Neir’s Tavern is a wonderful example of a place that means so much to so many Woodhaven residents, as well our neighbors in Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, and beyond. All of us look forward to celebrating the awarding of the Queensmark Designation to Neir’s along with the entire community!"

"We are so grateful to have a sponsor that shares our community values," said Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern. "We especially acknowledge the connection we’ve forged over the past few years with the President of the Kiwanis Club, Walter Chaluisant, and to all of the members who are aligned with our concept of working together to support Neir’s Tavern on the Road to 200. Receiving the Queensmark Designation is a great honor, and we are happy to be able to provide an afternoon of free entertainment and fun for everyone in the community."

And don’t forget to save the date for the 195th Anniversary Celebration on October 5, 2024.

About Historic Neir's Tavern

Founded in 1829, Neir's Tavern is the oldest tavern in NYC and one of the oldest and most historic continuously operating taverns in America. Famed for being featured in classic films such as Goodfellas and Tower Heist, as well as having hosted performances by a young Mae West, it retains its historical charm with a more than 150-year-old mahogany bar and an original draught beer system. Neir’s remains a community-based destination with the ambiance of a historic American tavern offering casual drinks, hearty meals, and good company. Neir's is located at 87-48 78th Street in Queens, NY. For more information, visit https://neirstavern.com.

Media Contact

Loycent Gordon

+1 347-620-1314

loy@neirstavern.com

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today announced the 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for 2024. NAFA’s 100 Best Fleets in the Americas program recognizes peak-performing public and commercial fleet operations, as well as the Fleet Professional and Fleet Technician of the Year. The winners were announced this morning during NAFA’s annual Institute & Expo (I&E) in San Antonio.  

This contest aims to cultivate industry pride, enhance visibility within the fleet community, improve productivity and operational efficiency, and inspire individuals to pursue careers in fleet operations. Originally conceived by the late fleet industry advocate Tom Johnson, this contest is now in its 25th year running.

“The 100 Best Fleets contest plays such an integral role in the NAFA community,” says Mike Camnetar, CAFM, NAFA Board President. “These awards showcase the outstanding achievements and leadership within our industry. We commend these fleets and individuals for their dedication to excellence and innovation, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish in 2024.” 

The 2024 winners for each of the following categories:

• Best Public Fleet: Dakota County Fleet Management, MN
• Best Commercial Fleet: Essential Utilities
• Fleet Professional of the Year Award: Kenny Stimson, Carvana
• Fleet Technician of the Year Award: Curtis Mullins, City of Round Rock, TX

The full list of the 2024 100 Best Fleets in the Americas can be found here https://www.nafa.org/100-best-fleets-2024/. The 100 Best Fleets Program Sponsors include Agile Fleet Management Solutions, AssetWorks, Fleet Worthy Solutions/Bestpass, Fuel Force, Geotab, Pure Forge Brakes, the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, RTA, Samsara and Toyota Fleet. 

NAFA is excited to host a 100 Best Webinar Series and Regional Roundtable events throughout 2024. Webinar attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the 100 Best fleet winners and leaders, discover the top five success trends for 2024 and understand what actions these top fleets have taken to become a 100 Best fleet. Attendees will walk away with initiatives and action steps they can immediately implement within their fleet. To register for this webinar series, visit: https://www.nafa.org/events/100-best-fleets-webinars/ 

To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/

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

khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

919-622-5276

TheHandover.com, a pioneering online marketplace, is excited to announce early sign-ups for its platform, revolutionizing how real estate investors, brokers, and developers connect with leading-edge construction and renovation projects worldwide.

Designed to streamline the fund raising process, TheHandover.com offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals to gain first access to top-tier projects, enhancing their portfolio with potentially high-return investments. Our platform not only connects you to exclusive projects but also provides a suite of analytical tools to evaluate investment potential effectively.

Why You Should Sign Up Early

• Exclusive Access: Get first dibs on the latest construction projects before they go public.
• Strategic Advantage: Leverage advanced tools and data analytics for smarter, faster investment decisions.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow real estate professionals and expand your industry presence.

"We're thrilled to open TheHandover.com for early registrations. This platform is more than just a marketplace; it's a community where the brightest minds in real estate converge to find the best opportunities that the market has to offer," said Matthew Guarneri, founder of TheHandover.com. "We believe that TheHandover.com will set a new standard in real estate investing and project development."

Why You Should Join TheHandover.com

Don't miss out on becoming a part of this exclusive real estate community. Early sign-ups are now open at https://www.thehandover.com/sign-up and use referral code EZNews. Secure your spot at TheHandover.com and start transforming your real estate strategy today.

About TheHandover.com

TheHandover.com is an innovative online marketplace that connects real estate investors, brokers, and developers with high-quality construction and renovation projects around the world. With a focus on innovation and connectivity, TheHandover.com aims to empower real estate professionals with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in a competitive market. For more information, visit https://www.thehandover.com.

Media Contact

Matthew Guarneri

marketing@thehandover.com

Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC, announces the filing of a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse against the Catholic Bishop of Chicago (aka the Archdiocese of Chicago). The complaint outlines Fr. Keehan’s extensive history of abusing minors, which began in 1967, shortly after his ordination. In 1993, the Archdiocese's Professional Fitness Review Board determined that there was at least one "credible" allegation of child sexual abuse involving Fr. Keehan. Despite this finding, the Archdiocese allowed Fr. Keehan to continue his ministry at St. Ann School and Parish in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago throughout the 1990s. During this time, Fr. Keehan served as Head Pastor, overseeing the elementary school and parish, which had approximately 300 children. Parents and parishioners at St. Ann’s were never informed of Fr. Keehan history of abuse, and consequently he continued to prey upon unsuspecting minors. Fr. Keehan remained at St. Ann’s until around June 2002, when he was eventually placed in the Cardinal Stritch Retreat, a facility where the Archdiocese placed many of its pedophile priests.

For decades, the Archdiocese misled the public and parishioners regarding the serious dangers children faced at Archdiocesan parochial schools and parishes by predatory priests. For example, in late 1992, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and the Archdiocese’s Director of Legal Services informed media outlets, including the Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune and the Catholic Reporter, that no priest who has ever engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor will ever return to parish ministry or any type of ministry that includes access to minors. At the time they made these statements to the public, they knew they were not true. 

Plaintiff, now an adult, filed this case as John Doe 2 to protect his identity. He is the third former St. Ann student to file a lawsuit against the Archdiocese related to abuse perpetrated by Fr. Keehan at St. Ann’s. Plaintiff is the 6th known victim to report being abused by Fr. Keehan. The Archdiocese did not report any allegations of abuse perpetrated by Fr. Keehan to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), law enforcement, or the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office until 2002 (approximately 10 years after receiving written notice of allegations). 

A history of Fr. Keehan’s assignment history within the Archdiocese is below, with notes regarding locations where there have been allegations of sexual abuse misconduct with minors.

• 1967: Year Fr. Keehan was Ordained by the Archdiocese
• 1967-1974: St. Basil, Chicago, IL (CHI) *allegations Fr. Keehan abused several minors, male and female
• 1974-1979: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Chicago, IL (CHI) *at least one former student
• 1979-1980: St. Benedict, Blue Island, IL (CHI)
• 1980-1983: St. Thomas of Canterbury, Chicago, IL (CHI)
• 1981-1983: Truman College, Chicago, IL (CHI)
• 1983-1985: Our Lady of Lourdes, Chicago, IL (CHI)
• 1985-1990: Queen of Angels, Chicago, IL (CHI)
• 1990-1991: Holy Innocents, Chicago, IL (CHI)
• 1991-2004: St. Ann, Chicago, IL (CHI) *at least three former students
• 2004: On Leave
• 2005-2010: Other Assignments (CHI); Cardinal Stritch Retreat House, Mundelein, IL (CHI)
• Fr. Keehan is still alive

Plaintiff is represented by Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC Founding Partners Martin D. Gould, Mike R. Grieco, Bryce T. Hensley, and Attorney Valerie A. Letko. 

"For decades the Archdiocese of Chicago has denied or covered up the abuse by its priests, actively misled parishioners and the public regarding what it knew and when, impacting countless lives and denying them justice. This lawsuit which is the second lawsuit we have filed involving Fr. Keehan aims to obtain that justice for our client and encourage the other survivors of Fr. Keehan’s abuse to come forward so they can obtain justice and some sense of closure as well,"  said Founding Partner Martin Gould.

"Our client’s story is tragic. Not only because of the abuse he endured, but because it was entirely preventable. The Archdiocese’s own commission warned Cardinal Bernardin in 1992 about the irreparable harm that would occur if the Archdiocese didn’t adequately address clerical sexual abuse. Instead, the Archdiocese chose to allow this known-perpetrator priest to oversee approximately 300 children at St. Ann’s. This lawsuit is a direct result of the Archdiocese’s institutional failures, which have left a wake of destruction in the lives of countless survivors," said Attorney Valerie A. Letko.

If you are a former student, altar server, or parishioner who experienced sexual abuse at St. Ann’s or within the Archdiocese of Chicago, or have any helpful information, please contact Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC (justice@SGGHLaw.com; www.sgghlaw.com) to discuss your legal rights. Media inquiries, please contact Lynn Smith, lynn@lynnsmithtv.com.

About Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC

Stinar Gould Grieco & Hensley, PLLC is a boutique national personal injury firm dedicated to advocating for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries in high-stakes litigation. We pride ourselves on being Innovators of Law and Providers of Justice. Our attorneys have litigated and won cases nationwide, representing thousands of individuals, including hundreds of survivors of rape, sexual assault, and childhood sexual abuse in many of the highest profile abuse cases across the country. These cases include claims against institutions such as University of Michigan (Dr. Robert Anderson), Michigan State University (Dr. Larry Nasser), professional sports teams, Jeffrey Epstein, private and public schools, elite private boarding schools, orphanages, foster care programs, hospitals, mental health facilities, Fortune 500 companies, and numerous religious institutions and related entities. Recent successes include participating in global settlements valued at nearly $3 billion. For more information, visit https://www.sgghlaw.com.

Media Contact

Lynn Smith

+1 646-717-0354

lynn@lynnsmithtv.com

As 4media group continues to grow, it is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex Hinojosa as its new Executive Vice President (EVP) of Integrated Services. In this role, Alex will lead the integration of the PR, digital, social, research, and influencer departments teams, fostering a culture of continued innovation and cohesive strategies for its client-partners.

"Alex's strategic vision and exceptional leadership are key assets that will enhance our service delivery," said Ed Cyster, Global CEO and founder of 4media group. "By aligning these teams under his direction, we are poised to offer even more comprehensive and seamlessly integrated solutions to our client-partners."

Alex brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his new position. Since joining the U.S. operations of Atomik Research in 2016, Hinojosa has been instrumental in establishing robust operations and innovative data storytelling techniques that have propelled the company's growth. His expertise spans a broad range of industry verticals, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, healthcare, education and more, making him uniquely qualified to steer the integrated services at 4media group.

"I am thrilled to lead these talented teams and build upon the strong foundation we have at 4media group," said Hinojosa. "Our focus will be on driving innovation and leveraging our combined expertise to deliver outstanding results for our clients. I am committed to enhancing our capabilities and expanding our reach to deliver insights-driven communications strategies that truly make a difference."

Alex’s career began as a media personality, providing him with unique insights into public relations and audience engagement. Based in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three children, Alex is deeply involved in his local community, particularly in coaching his children's sports teams.

About 4media group

As an integrated communications agency, 4media group has been storytelling on behalf of the world’s most notable brands and organizations since 2008. Using insights to inform our approach, we create the best achievable outcomes for our clients through marketing strategies, social media, influencer programs, broadcast media tours, video production, news distribution, public service announcements and public relations. We’re a global company with headquarters in London, UK and Bentonville, Arkansas, with satellite offices spanning from Los Angeles to New York City. We work as one company, one culture for our clients every day. Visit us online at 4media-group.com.

Media Contact

Jaimee Davis

jaimee.davis@4media-group.com

Today, NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) held the highly anticipated General Session at its 2024 Institute & Expo (I&E) in San Antonio, featuring a dynamic panel with esteemed OEM leaders and a compelling industry update with Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro.

“Today’s General Session at I&E provided attendees with unparalleled insights and strategies to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of fleet management,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “From Ted Cannis’ enlightening industry update to the engaging discussions during the OEM Panel, our attendees gained invaluable perspectives to drive innovation and success in their respective fields.”

In his keynote address titled “Ford Pro – Our Learnings: Grow Productivity, Reduce Risk,” Ted Cannis provided attendees with critical insights into the future of fleet management. As the CEO of Ford Pro, Cannis leads a global team dedicated to delivering comprehensive solutions to government and commercial customers, focusing on accelerating productivity, improving uptime and lowering operating costs through connected services and work-ready gas and electric vehicles. 

Following Cannis’ address, NAFA hosted a dynamic OEM Panel Discussion. Distinguished leaders from Toyota, Stellantis, GM Envolve and Ford Pro engaged in a robust discussion about the automotive industry’s next phase of evolution and its profound implications for every driver, fleet and road. Panelists included Tom DeLuise from Toyota, Eric Swanson from Stellantis, Robert Wheeler from GM Envolve, and Greg Wood from Ford Pro.

Attendees left today’s General Session feeling empowered, inspired and ready to take on the fleet industry. This session, and the entire I&E schedule, highlight NAFA’s commitment to delivering exceptional educational content and networking opportunities for fleet professionals worldwide. 

For more information about NAFA and its upcoming events, please visit www.nafa.org

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

khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

919-622-5276

HRE Advisors is a full-service real estate advisory firm that offers brokerage, appraisal, and consulting for their client’s commercial and residential needs. HRE is thrilled to announce an expansion that will deepen the firm’s professional expertise in the area. HRE has recently partnered with Darren Hack, Angela Turner, and Davin Ramage, all of whom carry a depth of experience in commercial and residential real estate, along with other additions to the team.

Dustin Hawkins, MAI, CCIM, the Principal of HRE Advisors, looks forward to continuing the firm’s commitment to its advisory services through the vast amount of education and experience HRE offers. As such, Dustin is thrilled to bring additional experience and knowledge to the team to enhance that expertise and level of service.

Darren Hack joins HRE Advisors from Hack Building, a real estate and construction company specializing in appraisal, multi-tenant commercial buildings, tenant build-outs, repurposing, and home building. Accompanying Darren to the team are Kelly Hack, Stan Hack, and MaryAnn Cain, who provide a combined 65 years of expertise in commercial and residential real estate, buyer and seller representation, land planning, commercial development, investment properties, and more.

Sarah Riley, West Kentucky Star’s People’s Choice Realtor of the Year in 2023 and 2024, will further strengthen HRE’s ability to service the WKY region. Sarah’s experiences include a strong residential sales portfolio as well as residential property management. Sarah is among the top performing agents in the area with a strong grasp on the residential sales and investment market.

“Sarah and Kelly will strengthen HRE’s residential brokerage, ensuring strong, transparent value for our clients. Darren’s construction and development experience will add a level of service and professionalism to the firm that will give our clients an even higher level of confidence,” says Dustin.

Angela Turner is another addition to the HRE team. Since 2008, Angela has worked in and around all things real estate, starting her career in leasing and property management and obtaining her real estate license in 2013. Angela has drawn an exceptional amount of experience through her leadership role at Falconite Development. Angela’s 15 years of experience in commercial leasing, project management, and business development puts her in the top echelon of this industry.

Davin Ramage has also joined HRE to bring stability to the firm’s growing appraisal department. Davin has been immersed in residential real estate appraisal since 2016. His strong work ethic, analytical mind, and reliability quickly gave him a reputation that all of Western Kentucky has come to trust. He will also bolster HRE’s agricultural appraisal services, offering poultry, swine, and row crop advisory and valuations.

Stacey Treece is an associate appraiser with HRE. Stacey began her appraisal career in 2022 after 15 years in education. She started strong, learning from Darren at Hack Building, who says she “is one of the most gifted analytical and appraisal minds I’ve seen.”

HRE Advisors strives to continue providing clients with a broad spectrum of services that cover all aspects of commercial, agricultural, and residential real estate brokerage across the most coveted areas of Western Kentucky. They offer superior risk-adjusted real estate returns and capital preservation through quantitative analytics and a strategic planning framework. These additions to the team represent virtually every aspect of the real estate landscape, from end-to-end business planning to implementation solutions at an entity, portfolio, or project level.

About HRE Advisors

HRE Advisors is a premier manager of investment quality commercial real estate portfolios focused on providing superior risk-adjusted returns for our clients and investors, consistent with the objectives defined by their investment guidelines. Served by a strong group of senior professionals who understand the importance of aligning manager-client interests, HRE Advisors designs solutions to deliver value while bringing a clear understanding of market dynamics, research, and experience to real estate investment management. With expertise in acquisitions, dispositions, tenant or landlord representation, and appraisal, HRE Advisors is uniquely equipped to advise clients, drawing on a depth of knowledge spanning capital markets, geographical markets, industry trends, and property fundamentals. With its recent expansion, HRE now also adds residential real estate and agricultural appraisals to its expansive service offerings. Backed by access to best-in-class tools and a proprietary platform, the HRE Advisors team strives to identify opportunities that exceed client expectations and deliver superior results.

Media Contact

Madison Baber

+1 210-213-2426

madison@rprfirm.com

With smart ring market leadership within its sights, Ultrahuman has today announced plans to open a manufacturing facility poised to accelerate its production capacity. The UltraFactory will be located in Indiana. It opens within the next six months and will be the launchpad for Ultrahuman’s next phase of growth.

The UltraFactory will offer an end-to-end production capability and is based on the company’s first operational model of such a facility in India. This development comes hot on the heels of a $35 million fresh investment in the company (Series B funding round) and reaffirms Ultrahuman’s ambition to become the market leader in the smart ring space in the next 12 to 15 months.

The company has already seen phenomenal growth over the past year, becoming the second-largest player in the smart ring market while maintaining profitability. The opening of the new UltraFactory, will add a production capacity of 200,000 smart rings and present an additional $100 million revenue opportunity annually. This is a push towards establishing smart ring market leadership in the U.S.

Ultrahuman’s ability to make significant long-term manufacturing investments, supported by its profitability, is unique in the smart rings market. As a result, UltraFactory’s cutting-edge end-to-end production capabilities will enable the company to fully capitalize on what the company sees as its biggest competitive advantage: fast product development and iteration, and speed of execution in rolling out to global markets.

With the U.S. market growing in importance for Ultrahuman in recent months, the move will help the company lower costs in shipping and logistics, while aiding the U.S. government in its push to strengthen domestic manufacturing rather than manufacturing in offshore locations, like China. This brings an expected hiring boom of 150 new Ultrahuman employees in the U.S. over the next 12 months split between engineering and research (30%) and commercial operations (70%).

Mohit Kumar, founder and CEO of Ultrahuman commented: “The U.S. is an interesting market for us given it has always been huge in terms of demand for the product but we’re also seeing tremendous value from a manufacturing and research perspective. UltraFactory U.S. would enable manufacturing for health tracking smart ring devices and give us the ability to do necessary research to evolve the form factor further.”

Ultrahuman has seen phenomenal growth over the past 12 months, becoming the second-largest player in the smart ring market while maintaining profitability. "Our vision of being the top player in terms of both active devices and geographic presence is within reach, thanks to our rapid expansion and the love we've received from our users," added Kumar.

UltraFactory will help Ultrahuman support its recent retail expansion into over 150 outlets worldwide, spanning iconic locations like London’s Selfridges on Oxford Street, Changi Airport in Singapore, and the Virgin megastore in Dubai. In addition to their smart ring called Ring AIR, the Ultrahuman product suite includes a continuous glucose monitoring wearable called M1 Live, a home health device called Ultrahuman Home and a preventive blood testing product called Blood Vision. Their platform integrates glucose, sleep, movement, blood markers, and HRV, offering a comprehensive approach to health monitoring.

"Our growth is a testament to the user love for our products, highlighted by industry-leading NPS and engagement metrics since the launch of our latest model, the Ring AIR. Our relentless focus on improving user experience through continuous firmware and software updates is what sets us apart," Kumar emphasized. "Shipping a new firmware version every two weeks and weekly app improvements reflect our commitment to excellence and our speed of execution, our biggest competitive advantage. We’ve also iterated on hardware at the speed of software by designing novel devices like Ultrahuman Home, a home health monitor.”

Looking ahead, Ultrahuman is on track to surpass $100 million in annualized revenue run rate (ARR) by the end of 2024, a milestone that will be achieved profitably.

"Our ability to make long-term manufacturing investments, supported by our profitability, is unique in the smart ring market," Kumar noted.

Ultrahuman's dedication to scientific validation and innovation is further evidenced by the completion of a clinical trial involving 105 participants, aimed at validating the ‘Metabolic Score’ generated on the Ultrahuman platform.

"Our long-term investment in R&D and intellectual property is a cornerstone of our strategy, ensuring that our products not only meet but exceed the highest standards of efficacy and reliability," Kumar concluded.

About Ultrahuman

Ultrahuman is the world's most advanced metabolic fitness platform. Ultrahuman’s products include the Ultrahuman M1(continuous glucose monitoring sensor), the Ultrahuman Ring and Blood Vision, a preventive blood testing platform with the pioneering UltraTrace™ technology. By collating different biomarkers, Ultrahuman is helping people improve their energy levels and lifestyle, track their workout, sleep and recovery, and avoid metabolic disorders. For more information and updates on Ultrahuman, please visit ultrahuman.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Media Contact

Bilal Mahmood

+44 7714 007257

b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com

Hisham Syed

hisham@ultrahuman.com

Austin-based Vinat and Vino Vinyasa have partnered to feature Vinat's Slovenian wines in a fun and educational yoga class. Vino Vinyasa classes combine vinyasa-based yoga with fun wine facts through creative yoga poses. Each experience ends with a comparative wine tasting, which takes place after the yoga flow. The Four Seasons Austin welcomed Vinat's wines at their Vino Vinyasa class on April 13, 2024, and now it's Houston's turn! Join us at Hilton Americas Houston on May 18, and experience the perfect blend of yoga, wine, and relaxation.

About Vinat

Vinat works with vineyards to sell high-quality European wines directly to customers. This allows the company to cut out middlemen and offer great wines (with super cheeky labels) at fair prices. Vinat’s website also suggests easy pairings, such as popcorn with its Valevino Skinny Dip Prosecco, and unconventional wine pairings, including books, binge-able TV shows, and Spotify playlists customized to each wine. The wines are available on www.drinkvinat.com and are produced in Italy and Slovenia (priced between $20 and $24 per bottle).

About Vino Vinyasa

Vino Vinyasa combines wine education and yoga. Their signature events are offered at luxury hotels, wine bars, and wineries in Austin, Houston, Nashville, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City. Vino Vinyasa also offers private events for corporate offices, birthdays or bachelorette parties. To learn more, please visit www.vinovinyasayoga.com.

Media Contact

Sarah Mack

hello@drinkvinat.com

CleanCloud, the leading software provider for laundromats and dry cleaners, is thrilled to announce the launch of its groundbreaking website builder, designed exclusively for CleanCloud customers. This innovative tool empowers laundromat and dry cleaning businesses worldwide to effortlessly create and enhance their online presence, positioning them for success in the digital era.

CleanCloud's new website builder, available for free to all CleanCloud customers, is a game-changer in the industry. It offers a simple, drag-and-drop content management system (CMS) tailored specifically for laundromats and dry cleaners. With this tool, even those with limited technical skills can build functional and visually appealing websites.

Key Features of CleanCloud's Website Builder

• User-Friendly Interface: CleanCloud's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes website creation a breeze. Users can choose from a range of pre-set templates and effortlessly edit text and images to suit their unique brand and style.
  
  
• Advanced Customization: For more tech-savvy users, the website builder allows for the addition of custom code, enabling the creation of highly personalized, fully customized websites.
  
  
• AI-Powered Image Creation: CleanCloud's website builder includes an AI image generator, enabling you to effortlessly create unique visuals that represent your brand. This innovative feature eliminates the need for costly photography or generic stock images, making your website both distinctive and cost-effective.
  
  
• SEO Enhancement: Boosting search engine rankings has never been easier. CleanCloud's builder facilitates the inclusion of relevant keywords, descriptions, and meta-tags, while all websites built with it receive at least one valuable backlink from CleanCloud.
  
  
• Showcasing Google Reviews: Businesses can seamlessly display Google reviews and ratings on their websites, helping to build trust and credibility with potential customers.
  
  
• Analytics and Ad Tracking: Easily add Google and Facebook tracking in order to accurately monitor and analyze web traffic and advertising spend effectiveness.

Co-founder and CTO of CleanCloud, David Griffith-Jones, shared his thoughts on this exciting development: "We're always looking for opportunities to help our customers grow, and having a fast, beautiful and effective website is an important part of this. We know that many have struggled with getting a website up and running, whether that's because of the cost of the build, lack of time, or the need for technical expertise. With our new website builder, we've made it easier than ever for every laundromat or dry cleaner owner to have their own website. Anyone with access to a computer can build a basic site that will attract more customers and ultimately grow their business."

CleanCloud's website builder represents a significant leap forward in terms of sophistication and user-friendliness compared to alternative website builders in the industry. This powerful tool allows CleanCloud customers to enjoy all the advantages of larger CMS offerings without the associated costs, reinforcing CleanCloud's commitment to helping laundromat and dry cleaning business owners stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

About CleanCloud

CleanCloud is the leading point of sale software provider dedicated to revolutionizing the laundromat and dry cleaning industry through innovative technology solutions. With a commitment to helping businesses thrive in the digital age, CleanCloud offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and grow revenues. For more information, visit https://cleancloudapp.com.

Media Contact

Leanne Patterson

leanne@cleancloud.com

NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA), the vehicle fleet industry’s largest membership association, today held a Media Day event at its annual Institute & Expo (I&E) in San Antonio, TX. At Media Day, over a dozen leading companies shared breaking news, innovations and other important announcements with industry reporters and publications in back-to-back press conferences. 

Media Day provided a unique opportunity for companies to showcase the latest developments in the fleet industry. Participants showcased a range of industry advancements in data analytics, safety technologies, electrification and more.

“We were thrilled to bring Media Day back again at I&E this year,” said Bill Schankel, CAE, CEO of NAFA. “The product launches and exciting announcements made during Media Day are a testament to the fleet industry’s dedication to progress. These cutting-edge technologies, solutions and insights set the course for a more connected and efficient future.” 

Below is a look at the breaking news presented during NAFA’s I&E Media Day 2024:

Draiver (Booth #1323)

Presented by Federico Ranero, CEO

Draiver presented new advanced-AI products. The company unveiled an all-in-one Command Center for total vehicle inventory management, as well as the new Draiver Driver app with cutting-edge tech features like Vehicle Inspection and Self Assign designed to increase valuable uptime. Ranero positions the innovations as the future of vehicle delivery.

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) (Booth #1322)

Presented by Donna Wagner, Vice President of Media and Industry Relations

ASE presented preliminary results of its engine repair survey; commissioned to identify repair tasks technicians perform most frequently. 72% of respondents are currently A1 certified or were in the past and 76% hold one or more ASE A2-A8 automotive certifications while a majority of respondents hold each of those respective certifications.

MoveEV (Booth #1523)

Presented by Dave Lewis, Founder & CEO

MoveEV unveiled its first marketplace add-in for the MyGeotab® Product, designed for Geotab-enabled fleets with EVs enrolled in MoveEV’s home charging reimbursement program, ReimburseEV™. The add-in connects Geotab and ReimburseEV™, allowing users to view any car’s home charging and reimbursement history without leaving the Geotab environment.

GreenPower Motor Company (Booth #440)

Presented by Brendan Riley, President

GreenPower announced a new all-electric commercial vehicle product, the EV Star Utility Truck, purpose-built and customizable for vocational applications and workloads. The EV Star Utility Truck joins GreenPower’s EV Star Cab & Chassis commercial vehicle family as the 10th truck body upfit solution manufactured by GP Truck Body.

RoadFlex (Booth #2033)

Presented by Rush Akin, Chief Revenue Officer

RoadFlex presented the launch of its Proactive Fuel Risk Management Platform™: an AI-powered fleet expense management solution that saves fleets an average of 11% in fuel costs. RoadFlex is redefining fuel cards and fuel management. It leverages advanced spending controls, telematics integrations and eliminates card misuse and fuel fraud.

Feal Ramp (Booth #1145)

Presented by Marat Shterenberg, US Sales Director

Feal Ramp announced a cutting edge aluminum loading ramp, crafted from military grade aluminum. The ramp includes a no-drill universal installation and a patented double hinge transition plate to streamline the loading and unloading of goods, increase efficiency, ensure stability and prevent accidents.

GPS Trackit (Booth #2123)

Presented by Jeff Alsop, Sr. Director of Indirect Sales

GPS Trackit announced VidFleet WiFi Hotspot, a groundbreaking enhancement that transforms its VidFleet dash cams into high-speed Wi-Fi hubs, extending connectivity beyond the dashboard. In tandem, they introduced Driver Safety Assistance for all dash cams, providing drivers with instant audible coaching for improved safety and driving habits.

Fleetio (Booth #1149)

Presented by Shay Misra, Sr. Product Marketing Manager

Fleetio announced an expansion to its payment options for third-party maintenance with Fleetio Pay Debit, an innovative payment solution. Customers will be able to efficiently and securely manage transactions using physical and virtual Visa debit cards, ensuring complete control over financial activities.

Merchants Fleet (#Booth 641)

Presented by Lisa Drake, Assistant Director of Fleet Electrification

Merchants Fleet announced they’ve secured $1.4 million in grants and incentives for clients’ electrification initiatives, a strategic move designed to accelerate fleet electrification throughout North America. Leveraging deep expertise in navigating the complex funding process, Merchants is empowering clients with specialized guidance and support to help to identify and apply for crucial funding.

Fleet Complete (Booth #1732)

Presented by Frank Friesacher, Chief Product Officer

Fleet Complete presented an exciting step forward in fleet electrification for mixed fleets by making the transition to OEM EVs even simpler. With its advanced support for OEM connected electric vehicles (EV), the global IoT leader continues to demonstrate its commitment to offering mixed fleets with more efficient fleet management solutions.

FreightMiner (Booth #1632)

Presented by Al Houry, Founder & CEO

In partnership with Insight Autonomy, FreightMiner revealed technology for fleets that eliminates endless costs and time spent on driver training and collision repairs. This technology makes trucks safer to drive… anywhere, all year long. It installs on existing fleets, alerts drivers about surrounding obstacles, keeps fleet vehicles in their lane and prevents collisions.

Shell Fleet Solutions (Booth 1256)

Presented by Jim Perkins, Director, Shell Fleet Solutions US

Shell Fleet Solutions, with WEX, shared the news that its Shell Fleet Navigator® Card will soon offer integrated payments for both fuel and EV on-the-go charging, giving flexibility to internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) hybrid fleets. The new feature will allow ICE vehicles to fuel up at 95% of U.S. gas stations, while EVs can utilize charging stations on the WEX network nationwide.

Teletrac Navman (Booth #1833)

Presented by Carlos Caponera, Chief Marketing Officer

Teletrac Navman announced enhanced AI-powered safety features for its IQ Camera, targeting driver distraction, cell phone usage, and drowsy driving, ensuring fleet protection and efficiency.

Bluedot (Booth #1844)

Presented by Martin Hamedani, VP of Partnerships

Bluedot announced the public launch of Bluedot for Fleets, an all-in-one platform for public charging accessibility, automated payment and billing management, home charging reimbursement and vehicle analytics. It’s designed to streamline the operations of electric vehicle fleets.

NovaCHARGE (Booth #2044) 

Presented by Paul Boes, VP of Engineering, and Mark Gross, VP of Product Development 

NovaCHARGE announced the expansion of their innovative total solutions package available for fleets with FLEXX mobile EV charging systems. This new solution will ensure efficiency, productivity, and ease of transition to EVs for fleet managers of municipalities, enterprises, and utilities.

Spring Free EV (Booth #2160)

Presented by Sunil Paul, Co-Founder & CEO of Spring Free EV

Spring Free EV announced the external launch of their fleet financing and tax credit solution, Residual Capital. For fleet operators, Residual Capital significantly eases the economic burden and residual value risks involved with EV acquisition. The product offers investors the ability to monetize available tax credits and benefits.

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

khewitt@onwrdupwrd.com

919-622-5276

Today, Botanic Tonics announced the promotion of current President, Cameron Korehbandi, to Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. With Korehbandi’s appointment, JW Ross, the company’s founder and current CEO, will maintain his role as Chairman of the Board and still be involved in company operations.

"We are thrilled to elevate Cameron’s role to CEO," said Ross. "Cameron’s had an immensely positive impact on the business since joining as President in December 2022. Given his impressive track record so far at the company and his background in high-growth CPG brands, we’re confident Cameron is the right person to continue to drive the business forward.”

Prior to joining Botanic Tonics, Korehbandi served as Chief Financial Officer at Art of Sport, Kobe Bryant’s personal care brand. Under his financial strategy and management leadership, Korehbandi led the company through a sale in 2022. Korehbandi has also held financial leadership positions at Soylent, Califia Farms, Red Bull, and Unilever.

"I am incredibly excited to continue my Botanic Tonics journey as CEO and lead this exceptional team. Botanic Tonics' commitment to providing high-quality botanical products aligns perfectly with my values, and I strongly believe in the positive impact our products can have on people's lives. I look forward to working closely with the team to drive innovation, growth, and success in the industry, and I am confident that together, we will achieve great things," said Korehbandi.

About Botanic Tonics

Botanic Tonics is a plant-based herbal supplement company headquartered in Broken Arrow, OK. Established in 2020, it produces kava-forward tonics and capsules under its feel free brand. It’s two product lines, feel free CLASSIC and feel free are crafted with ancient functional plants to provide mood lift, energy, and focus. Botanic Tonics’ products are manufactured in an FDA-registered, cGMP-certified facility and actively supports consumer safety regulations through transparent labeling and educational resources. To learn more, visit https://botanictonics.com.

Media Contact

media@botanictonics.com

STAND+ (formerly Gales®), a rapidly expanding footwear enterprise dedicated to pioneering advancements in workplace safety and comfort, proudly introduces its latest line of energy-dispersive, non-slip shoes. Designed to reduce workplace accidents and mitigate the pain and fatigue associated with prolonged standing, STAND+ shoes mark a significant milestone in the evolution of occupational safety and comfort.

STAND+ energy-dispersive, slip-resistant footwear is engineered to reduce workplace slip-and-fall accidents and alleviate pain and fatigue on feet/joints during long shifts. STAND+ emerged when its founder and CEO Rob Gregg noticed a spotlight on workers’ mental health and fatigue, but a relative neglect of physical burnout tied to inadequate footwear. Thereafter, STAND+ became the first-ever HSA/FSA-eligible non-slip shoes. In Q1 2024, the company experienced an extraordinary 122% quarter-over-quarter direct sales growth and recently secured new funding from prominent angel investors and venture capitalists to bolster its trajectory of innovation and growth.

Gregg commented, "While high-energy return athletic shoes excel in enhancing vertical jumps and running speeds, they inadvertently increase pressure on knees, backs, and joints during extended periods standing. STAND+ was conceptualized to counteract this effect by instead doing the opposite—dispersing energy, similar to the effect of workspace standing mats."

Initially conceived for healthcare settings, STAND+ is now broadening its customer base to encompass food services, hospitality, and industrial sectors. With breathable designs and ASTM F2913 oil-slip-resistant soles, STAND+ shoes offer unparalleled comfort and safety across diverse work environments. By prioritizing comfort and functionality, STAND+ anticipates increased adoption of safety footwear in workplaces, resulting in substantial cost savings for businesses by reducing slip-and-fall related workers’ compensation claims, which average between $15,000 to $50,000 per occurrence.

In addition to the new product launch, STAND+ celebrates the successful conclusion of a new funding round, securing over $2 million to fuel its growth and expansion endeavors. The funding round attracted participation from both existing stakeholders and new investors, including Cake VC, Women's Equity Lab, Midnight Venture Partners, Cosmic VP, Nik Sharma of Sharma Brands, Community Acces Fund, and SuperAngel.vc.

STAND+ remains steadfast in its commitment to revolutionizing workplace safety and comfort. With an unwavering focus on delivering unparalleled value to its customers and partners, STAND+ is poised to redefine industry standards for years to come.

For more information about STAND+ and its innovative safety footwear, please visit www.standshoes.com.

About STAND+ (formerly Gales®)

STAND+ is a leading footwear company dedicated to revolutionizing workplace safety and comfort through slip-resistant, energy-dispersive footwear technology. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation, STAND+ strives to empower workers across various industries to perform at their best while staying safe and comfortable on the job. For more information, visit www.standshoes.com.

Media Contact

rob@standshoes.com

@wearstand