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News Release

Media Veterans Ervin Duggan and William Kristol Join Forces, Urging FCC Hearing into Character Fitness of FOX and Murdochs to Remain Public Interest Broadcast Licensees

Raynor Ave.

Today, former PBS President Ervin S. Duggan and former Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol filed a joint informal objection to the broadcast license renewal application for Fox Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF-TV). The pair's informal objection urges the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a hearing that examines whether Fox Corporation (FOX) and its leadership have violated the character requirements expected from public trustees granted a broadcast license. The Duggan-Kristol objection follows a formal Petition to Deny filed by the Media and Democracy Project (MAD) earlier this month. It brings high-profile bipartisan backing to the group's efforts. "As media veterans, we are acutely aware of the power afforded to those who control the information broadcast on our nation's airwaves," said Ervin S. Duggan. "Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch's role in perpetuating election falsehoods stands as a blatant violation of the character requirements expected of those the FCC entrusts to hold a broadcast license." In the pair's objection, Duggan and Kristol say that although they were members of different parties when they served in government—and had different perspectives on many issues throughout their respective careers in public service and journalism—they strongly believe that American democracy must be grounded in open, respectful, and factual debate. The objection goes on to say, "[w]e believe that media companies who are directly or indirectly granted the privilege to serve the public through the operation of FCC-licensed television stations have a corollary duty to facilitate and strengthen democracy by participating in that debate—not by hiding their opinions, nor by providing 'equal time' on all issues to outside parties, nor by merely chasing ratings or corporate stock price, but by adhering to the highest journalistic standards in reporting and distributing news to ensure that the public has solid facts upon which to make the decisions that are essential to our society's future as a democracy." "The adjudication of the Dominion case unequivocally established that Fox News Channel repeatedly disseminated false news, and the Fox cable channels and its broadcast ones are clearly intimately linked, as Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch hold the authority for decision-making over both," said William Kristol. "The Commission should follow the well-established legal framework and conduct a hearing to fully consider the fitness of FOX and the Murdochs to continue as licensees of the public airwaves." WTXF is one of 29 broadcast television stations owned and operated by FOX through its 100 percent ownership of Fox Television Stations, and the ultimate control over these enterprises rests with Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch. Their controlling interest in FOX and all its various broadcast subsidiaries means they are the de facto party seeking renewal of the WTXF license. The judge overseeing the Dominion litigation refused to excuse Rupert from the case that found both Murdochs had presided over the presentation of false news. Similarly, the FCC must refuse calls to excuse the Murdochs from accountability and at a minimum initiate a hearing, if not outright deny their license renewal application. A copy of the full Duggan-Kristol informal objection is available here. A link to MAD’s initial Petition to Deny is available here. Ervin S. Duggan is a veteran of the Lyndon Johnson White House, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and former President of PBS. William Kristol is a veteran political analyst and commentator. He served in senior positions in the Ronald Reagan administration and the George H. W. Bush White House. For two decades, he edited The Weekly Standard magazine, and is now editor at large of The Bulwark and a director of the educational and advocacy group, Defending Democracy Together. For media inquiries, please contact Aaron Alberico at aalberico@raynoravenue.com. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.raynoravenue.com/

July 31, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Hunter Biden Plea Deal Rejected by Federal Judge

National Legal & Policy Center

Federal Judge Maryellen Noreika in Delaware rejected a sweetheart plea deal whereby Hunter Biden agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax violations and enter a pretrial diversion program for a felony gun charge. The gun charge would be dropped if he stayed off drugs and alcohol and complied with other conditions for two years. The prosecutors also recommended that there would be no jail time for the two tax charges. The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), an ethics watchdog group, had previously blasted the lenient plea agreement between the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, David Weiss, and Hunter Biden. NLPC called upon Judge Noreika to reject the deal. The plea deal fell apart when the prosecutor told the court that the investigation is still ongoing, but Hunter and his attorneys thought the plea deal would give him immunity for any other crimes he may have committed. The frustrated judge gave the two sides some time to settle their differences during a break in the hearing but further problems arose regarding the gun charge. If Hunter did not abide by the terms of his pretrial diversion program, the judge was concerned that she would be the one to decide that the prosecution of the gun charge should proceed. She made it clear that the judiciary does not have that prosecutorial power under our Constitution’s separation of powers. She gave the parties thirty days to file additional briefs on a revised plea deal. Notably, Judge Noreika grilled Hunter during the hearing on the source of his foreign income. Hunter admitted receiving taxable income from Burisma oil company in Ukraine, where he was on the Board, and from a Chinese energy company. Yet despite the five-year investigation, no charges were brought against Hunter under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for engaging in political activities on behalf of Burisma and Chinese interests, despite overwhelming evidence that NLPC had presented to the Justice Department in 2020. “It’s outrageous that after a five-year investigation of Hunter Biden, and the recent IRS whistleblowers’ sworn testimony of a Justice Department coverup and obstruction, the best that the prosecutor can come up with is a couple of misdemeanor charges and recommend probation as a slap on the wrist,” said Paul Kamenar, counsel for NLPC. “Thankfully, Judge Noreika rejected the plea deal as we urged, but it remains to be seen if a new deal is agreed to,” Kamenar added. "The two-level system of justice whereby the Biden family gets a pass is rightfully perceived by the public as the politicization of the justice system,” said Peter Flaherty, Chairman of NLPC. “If the Justice Department continues to cover up for the Biden family, Congress must vigorously pursue its investigation, which appears to be leading to impeachment proceedings.” ### Founded in 1991, NLPC promotes ethics in public life and government accountability through research, investigation, education, and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

July 27, 2023 11:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

New Data Reveals Enforcement Alone Will Not Solve New York’s Gray Market Cannabis Problem

NuggMD

The recent headline-making raids by law enforcement designed to end illicit cannabis sales in New York are unlikely to work, according to a new, first-of-its-kind survey, because New Yorkers overwhelmingly trust the products they are purchasing in those locations. The survey was conducted by NuggMD, the nation’s leading telehealth platform for cannabis, and first reported by Cultivated, a cannabis newsletter written by Jeremy Berke, an independent journalist who formerly covered the cannabis industry for Insider. According to the survey, 61 percent of respondents who buy cannabis in unlicensed gray market locations said they trust that it has been tested for contaminants, while 22 percent of these respondents indicated they do not trust the safety of gray market products, but that they can’t purchase cannabis anywhere else. (Gray market locations do not have testing requirements.) Additionally, most respondents who purchase cannabis in the gray market reported one or more negative experiences with the products purchased. Thirty percent of these respondents said it made them higher than they expected, while 31 percent said the product looked, smelled, or tasted odd and 65 percent said the product didn’t get them as high as they expected, given the dose they consumed. Most concerning is that nearly 8 percent of respondents reported feeling unwell after consuming cannabis purchased in the gray market. “Our survey shows New Yorkers have an alarming amount of trust in the illicit cannabis products they’re purchasing from unlicensed retail locations. While this trust is misplaced, that doesn’t make it any less real, which is why enforcement alone is not a solution to the state’s illicit cannabis problem,” said Alex Milligan, co-founder and CMO of NuggMD. “So long as consumers trust those products, there will be demand for them.” While New York State legalized recreational cannabis more than two years ago, there are currently just 20 licensed recreational dispensaries open in the state, according to the Office of Cannabis Management. Five are clustered in one three-mile radius in Manhattan, and half have opened during the past two months. According to the NuggMD survey, individuals who hold medical cards were less likely to shop for cannabis in the gray market. Taken together, the data suggests that a combination of more licensed dispensaries and a public information campaign that emphasizes the difference between safe, lab-tested cannabis and cannabis bought in the gray market would slow the consumption of gray-market products and contribute meaningfully to public health and safety. Milligan concluded: “We know that it is difficult to regulate this sector while allowing operators to build a vibrant marketplace. But, as our survey shows, every barrier that impedes new licensed dispensaries from opening quickly where there is demand for them increases risk for many thousands of New Yorkers.” Methodology NuggMD sent a series of questions about cannabis buying patterns and preferences to approximately 70,000 cannabis consumers in New York State and received 354 responses. The survey is non-scientific and contains selection bias. The company hopes the survey prompts further study and ultimately reduces the barriers that impede more licensed recreational dispensaries from opening. About NuggMD NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. They've connected over 1,000,000 patients face-to-face with their new medical marijuana doctors via their state-of-the-art telemedicine platform. They believe every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore every option in their journey to wellness. For further information, visit NuggMD.com. Contact Details NuggMD Andrew Graham +1 646-385-0189 andrew.g@getnugg.com Company Website http://www.nuggmd.com

July 20, 2023 05:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time

University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Empowers Students with National Contract Management Association's Contract Management Standard

National Contract Management Association

The University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies (UVA SCPS) and the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) have forged a partnership to enhance student success and drive excellence in contract management education. UVA SCPS is proud to announce the adoption of the ANSI-Approved Contract Management Standard™ (CMS™) as the foundation of its graduate Procurement and Contracts Management Certificate online program and course curricula. “Our alignment with the CMS™ and the Contract Management Body of Knowledge ® enables us to prepare our students for NCMA certifications which serve as a as a strong steppingstone into the contract management profession," said Jimm Rich, MPA, Ph.D., Faculty Program Coordinator at UVA SCPS. “UVA SCPS and NCMA have a shared commitment to student success, built on the understanding that we must equip our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the contract management profession,” stated Melissa M. Lubin, Ph.D., Dean of the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. “By aligning our curriculum with the CMS™, UVA SCPS will ensure that our students are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.” "We couldn’t be happier to have University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies as an official Contract Management Standard adopter," stated Kraig Conrad, Chief Executive Officer of NCMA. "This collaboration not only prepares students for success but also positions UVA SCPS as a champion of the contract management workforce." The adoption of the Contract Management Standard™ ensures that UVA SCPS students are exposed to the industry's best practices, fostering their professional growth, and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By integrating the CMS™ into their program, UVA SCPS offers a comprehensive and robust educational experience that empowers students to excel in the field of contract management; all while continuing to set a new standard in contract management instruction. For more information about the Higher Education Institutions that have adopted the Contract Management Standard™ of the Contract Management Body of Knowledge into their curriculum, please visit www.ncmahq.org/adopters. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), a nonprofit professional society founded in 1959, is an important resource in the field of contract management. With nearly 20,000 members, NCMA is dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice and profession through education, certification, and networking opportunities. NCMA serves through an open exchange of ideas in neutral forums of buyers and sellers. Visit www.ncmahq.org to learn more. About University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies The University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies provides transformative educational experiences for lifelong learners who seek to complete degrees, certificates or professional programs to advance their careers, enrich their lives, and impact their communities. More information is available at scps.virginia.edu. Contact Details NCMA Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

July 20, 2023 07:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time

‘AI Can’t Replace Creativity’ finds Freelancer.com’s latest job trends report

FREELANCER.COM

Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN) (OTCQX: FLNCF), the world’s largest freelancing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today released new figures revealing a surge in freelance creative writing jobs, growth in business marketing activities, and an increase in on-site photography and videography gigs. The Fast 50 Q2 2023 report, a quarterly dataset ranking the fastest growing and falling jobs on the platform, analyzed over 280,000 jobs posted to Freelancer.com between April and June 2023. According to the data, the fastest growing freelance jobs by percentage growth in Q2 2023 were: 1. Creative Writing - up 58% (from 1,868 to 2,961 jobs) 2. User Interface Design - up 52% (from 2,017 to 3,075 jobs) 3. Twitter Marketing - up 41% from (1,650 to 2,334 jobs) 4. Photography - up 40% from (2,101 to 2,945 jobs) 5. Writing (Microsoft Word) - up 38% (from 3,175 to 4,401 jobs) While the world debates whether AI will take human jobs or not, and therefore dramatically hit the labor indexes, the latest figures reviewed by Freelancer.com’s data science team revealed interest for freelance writing jobs are increasing on the platform over the last quarter. Other writing related skills also saw growth across the quarter, including Copy Typing (up 31.2%, 4,867 to 6,389 jobs) and Ghostwriting (up 22.8%, 5,212 to 6,404 jobs). Other jobs which have been deemed as ‘at risk’ of being automated by AI, such as data entry, have also seen an increase over the quarter. Projects for Data Processing were up 21% (from 9,076 to 11,024 jobs) and projects requiring Excel as a skill also saw a 15% increase (from 13,246 to 15,301 total job postings). “AI can’t replace creativity yet. While workers and businesses are benefiting from productivity gains offered by generative AI, the data suggests that the technology in its current form isn’t able to replace creative work. We saw a similar trend occur in the first quarter of the year, as creative design jobs were flourishing despite interest for generative AI tripling,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. The Fast 50 Q2 2023 report also reveals an increase in businesses investing heavily in freelance marketing support. This trend comes off the back of an unprecedented rise in jobs usually associated with the creation of new businesses and new ventures as found in the Fast 50 Q1 2023 report. In addition to Twitter Marketing ranking as the third fastest growing job, growth also surged for the following marketing skills: ● Search Engine Marketing (SEO) - up 26% (from 1,840 to 2,328 jobs) ● Sales - up 23% (from 2,614 to 3,233 jobs) ● Marketing - up 19% (from 8,269 to 9,867 jobs) ● Social Media Marketing - up 16% (from 6,524 to 7,574 jobs) ● Facebook Marketing - up 14% (from 5,602 to 6,410 jobs) Marketing jobs are some of the highest earning on the platform per project. Projects seeking SEO experts typically pay US$2,231 per project. General marketing jobs on average pay US$1,422 per project, while Social Media Marketing pays $584 per project. Local jobs, which is where employers hiring freelancers in their local area to do service or physical-based jobs, are growing across the platform by 37%, from 2,122 to 2,905 total projects. The two key drivers for growth for these types of jobs relate to Photography and Videography which are up by 40% (from 2,101 to 2,945) and 32% (from 3,095 to 4,097), respectively. On average, projects for Videography attract US$70 per hour. Fastest Falling Jobs of Q2 2023 The most significant declining trend observed in the Q2 2023 report shows that employers are easing their interest for tech and IT related skills. The Fast 50 report for Q3 2022 highlighted significant growth in a number of highly specialized and niche tech skills, such as software development, android app development, programming, and others. The catalyst for demand being global mass layoffs and hiring freezes across the tech sector towards the end of 2022. The latest Fast 50 Q2 2023 data shows interest for niche tech skills is beginning to slow down, with software development (down 28%, from 1,308 to 942), API (down 26%, from 1,516 to 1,109), iOS Development (down 26%, from 1,220 to 894) and Microsoft SQL Server (down 25%, from 1,309 to 975) all decreasing over the last quarter. Easing of these types of skills also aligns with Layoff.fyi’s tech layoff tracker also showing a reduction in the number of layoffs occurring globally. Fast 50 Q1 2023 - Data Analysis Relief For Writers As Data Suggests AI Can’t Replace Creativity The main trend from the Freelancer.com Fast 50 Q2 2023 report shows freelance writing jobs, specifically those seeking journalists and editors, increasing on the platform over the last quarter. Despite having access to freely available generative AI tools, employers are turning to on-demand freelancers to help write creative content for their websites and blogs. Creative Writing jobs were the number one fastest growing job on Freelancer.com in Q2, growing 58% from 1,868 to 2,961 jobs posted. Other writing related skills, such as Writing (Microsoft Word) (up 38.6%, 3,175 to 4,401 jobs), Copy Typing (up 31.2%, 4,867 to 6,389 jobs) and Ghostwriting (up 22.8%, 5,212 to 6,404 jobs), also saw an increase over the quarter. Interestingly, other skills which experts predict will be overtaken by AI are also increasing on the freelancing platform. Data processing grew by 21%, from 9,076 to 11,024 in Q2. Jobs with Excel as a key skill also increased by 15.5%, from 13,246 to 15,301 jobs. Data entry recently ranked as the World’s Most Boring Job in Freelancer.com ’s global survey measuring attitudes towards work. Data entry is also one of the most popular jobs that employers tend to delegate to on-demand freelancers. Businesses Focus On Growth, Following Startup Boom, By Investing In Marketing Jobs seeking Sales experts grew 23.6% and Business Analysis increased by 21.4% over the last quarter. This is another indication that businesses are focusing heavily on growth and strategy alongside promotion. In Q1 2023, Freelancer.com observed an unprecedented rise in jobs usually associated with the creation of new businesses and new ventures. This was apparent with projects for logo design, corporate identity design and eCommerce all growing simultaneously and aligning with new business formation statistics released by the US Census. While there isn’t data supporting another rise in new businesses in Q2 2023, what Freelancer.com is seeing is businesses now doubling down on marketing, sales and social media efforts to increase business. This aligns with global trends of big consumer brands, such as ones reported in Australia, slashing their marketing spend and look towards more self-driven or low budget or organic marketing efforts. Twitter Marketing, which ranks third in the most in-demand skills for Q2 2023 after growing 41% over the quarter, is growing to become a popular option for businesses looking for social media support. Social Media Marketing as a skill increased by 16% and Facebook Marketing increased by 14%. Marketing, as a skill generally, is up 19.3%, growing from 8,269 to 9,867 total jobs in Q2. Classic marketing tactics such as Search Engine Marketing (SEO) and Web Search grew by 26% and 21%, respectively. SEO and Web Search are both budget friendly ways for businesses to maintain a competitive advantage in search engines results. A similar trend was observed in the Q3 2022 as many tech companies began mass layoffs and cut Search Engine Marketing spend as a way to reduce marketing spend. As a result, Freelancer.com observed growth in SEO related projects or social media marketing as both are cost effective marketing strategies. Jobs seeking Sales experts grew 23.6% and Business Analysis increased by 21.4% over the last quarter. This is another indication that businesses are focusing heavily on growth and strategy alongside promotion. Demand For Tech Jobs Slows Down As Layoffs Reduce Worldwide Freelancer.com is beginning to see interest for niche tech and IT related skills reduce on the platform. A sudden surge in technology related skills was observed all throughout 2022, however, was largely apparent in the Fast 50 report for Q3 2022 which saw a significant increase in jobs relating to niche IT-related projects all being driven by a surge in tech layoffs. The latest figures from the Fast 50 report for Q2 2023 shows interest is beginning to slow down as 16 of the top 25 fastest falling jobs are related to tech, which are the same jobs which climbed heavily towards the end of last year. Software Development, which had sustained growth quarter-on-quarter throughout 2022, saw a decline of 28% from 1,308 to 942 jobs. Projects requiring API as a skill are down 26% (from 1,516 to 1,109) and iOS Development jobs are also down 26% (from 1,220 to 894). Location-Based Photography & Videography Jobs Are Booming Local Jobs are a specific type of job which are location based and are specific to a location. These jobs are typically service or physical jobs, such as local pick up, delivery, photography, gardening or cleaning services. This quarter saw Local Jobs grow by 37%, from 2,122 to 2,905. The two key drivers for growth for these types of jobs relate to Photography and Videography which are up by 40% (from 2,101 to 2,945) and 32% (from 3,095 to 4,097), respectively. Visual content will always be in-demand for any business, regardless of size. Whether it’s capturing an event or shooting footage to use for ads, real-life imagery will always be an important part of promoting businesses. ##### Freelancer Fast 50 The Freelancer Fast 50 report is the world’s largest forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. The data is based on 280,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer platform between April 1 to June 30 2023. Fast 50 Q2 2023 Data About Freelancer Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 67 million registered users have posted over 22.7 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer also owns Escrow.com and Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. Contact Details Freelancer.com Marko Zitko +61 404 574 830 marko@freelancer.com

July 19, 2023 12:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Comcast Names Jose Espinel to Lead Texas Region

Comcast Texas

Comcast today announced Jose Espinel as the new senior vice president for its Texas Region. Espinel will lead all business functions of the region, including the robust broadband infrastructure expansion of the Xfinity 10G Network in Texas. “I couldn’t get here fast enough,” said Espinel. “Texas is the land of opportunity, and I truly admire the rich diversity of the region and our Comcast Texas team. My priority will be to continue to expand our world-class broadband network to more customers and communities while ensuring our most vulnerable southeast Texans don’t get left behind.” Espinel, a native of Venezuela, brings nearly 25 years of communications and data industry experience to Comcast’s Texas Region. He joins Comcast after a successful tenure at AT&T where he led teams in Arizona, New Mexico and Las Vegas. While in Los Angeles and San Diego, Espinel led AT&T’s consumer mobile business and the Hispanic segment strategy for the region. He also worked with DIRECTV Latin America. “Jose embodies all our cultural touchstones. He’s an inclusive, principled, people-focused, competitive and customer-driven leader,” said Comcast West Division President Rich Jennings. “Our country is experiencing the largest broadband infrastructure expansion of our lifetime, and Jose is ready to lead the charge in Texas so more families and communities can unlock a future of unlimited possibilities.” Espinel joins Comcast’s Texas Region on July 10 and will report to Jennings. “I’m excited to lead this incredibly talented and dedicated Comcast Texas team and continue to provide reliable service to, and serve, the wonderful communities in the region,” said Espinel. “I am also looking forward to spending more time with family members who are proud and long-time residents of the area.” Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast | Texas Region Steve Campion +1 832-920-2001 Steve_Campion@comcast.com Company Website HTTPS://www.ComcastTexas.com

July 10, 2023 07:02 AM Central Daylight Time

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Lockheed Martin Sets Industry Benchmark as Early Adopter of NCMA Contract Management Standard and Contract Management Body of Knowledge

National Contract Management Association

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Lockheed Martin, a leading global aerospace and defense company, is one of the first prime contractors to adopt the cutting-edge National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Contract Management Standard™ (CMS ™) and Contract Management Body of Knowledge ® ( CMBOK ®). With this adoption, Lockheed Martin reiterates its unwavering commitment to excellence in contract management, ensuring that its workforce possesses the necessary competencies that align seamlessly with both the federal government and institutions of higher education, which have also embraced the CMS. The NCMA Contract Management Standard™ equips organizations with a structured approach to contract management, facilitating improved communication, streamlined processes, and enhanced risk management. As Lockheed Martin integrates this CMS into its operations, the company further strengthens its ability to deliver unparalleled value to customers and stakeholders. By proactively adopting this groundbreaking standard, Lockheed Martin sets a new industry benchmark, showcasing its dedication to fostering enhanced communication, transparency, and efficiency within its contract management processes. "At Lockheed Martin, we continuously strive to be at the forefront of innovation and industry-leading practices. Our decision to be an early adopter of the NCMA CMS™ and the CMBOK is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional results for our customers," said Debra Scheider, Vice President of Corporate Contracts for Lockheed Martin. "By implementing this standard, we enhance our ability to drive collaborative and successful partnerships, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and compliance.” Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA, expressed his gratitude for Lockheed Martin's adoption of the NCMA CMS™ and CMBOK®, stating, "Lockheed Martin as one of the early adopters demonstrates commitment to their workforce and customers. This moves our profession forward on a shared vision of fostering a robust connection between industry and government through a common language.” The U.S. Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) announced the new classification in a January 19 memo, stating that the CMS™ will become the foundation of a new contracting training system for all government agencies effective February 1, 2023. The new Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) (Professional) will now align with the Department of Defense framework (DAWIA), which is also based on the CMS™. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved third edition of the NCMA CMS™ is recognized globally as the preeminent standard in the profession. It serves as the basis for hiring and training frameworks as well as the NCMA’s ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-accredited Certified Contract Management Associate (CCMA) certification. The CMBOK® is based on the CMS™ and serves as the basis for NCMA’s ANAB-accredited Certified Professional Contracts Manager™ (CPCM™) certification. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), which was founded in 1959 and is the world’s leading association in the field of contract management. The organization, which has over 18,000 members, is dedicated to the professional growth and educational advancement of procurement and acquisition personnel worldwide. NCMA strives to serve and inform the profession and industry it represents and to offer opportunities for the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. To find out more, please visit www.ncmahq.org. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation. Contact Details National Contract Management Association Holly Dehesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org/

July 06, 2023 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

This Independence Day: Meet the U.S. Army Soldier Next Door

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/UOderlkXedk For more information, visit GoArmy.com Over the past 248 years, the U.S. Army has evolved to include Soldiers from every state in America and many foreign nations who represent the cultural backgrounds, experiences, and passions that reflect who we are as Americans. They are first-generation Americans, artists, musicians, athletes, scientists, doctors, authors, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers. They are Soldiers who are dedicated to serving our country. As we celebrate our nation and approach July 4 th, now is a unique opportunity to learn of the unexpected stories of the accomplished men and women who have dedicated their lives to service. These Soldiers are also ushering in an era of change for the U.S. Army marked by modern policies that reflect the needs of a new generation. A striking example of this is Maj. Shahin Uddin, a Bangladesh-native, Army Public Affairs Officer, and father of 12 children. He lives out what it means to be a Soldier by exceptionally balancing his passion for service with his purpose in honoring his culture and caring for his family. Maj. Shahin Uddin conducted a media tour to discuss how the Army ranks have evolved with Soldiers who represent the multicultural backgrounds, experiences and passions that reflect who we are as Americans. Some of the topics Maj. Uddin discussed included: Maj. Uddin’s path to service Who serves in the U.S. Army today. Some of the misconceptions civilians have about Soldiers and military life How the Army is modernizing to support the needs of a new generation Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 30, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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American Businesses Want Secure Borders and a Modernized Immigration System to Help Address Worker Shortages

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/cyDh_POE9fg There might as well be a giant “Help Wanted!” sign over the United States. The economy has bounced back from the pandemic lows, but companies have been struggling to meet their workforce needs to keep up with the surge in demand for everything from household products to cars. At the same time, the crisis level situation on our southern border is not abating, as the U.S. Border Patrol has seen 133,000 more border crossings through April of this fiscal year than during the same period of time in last year’s record-shattering totals. The U.S. currently has approximately 10.1 million job openings, while there are 6 million people unemployed and looking for work. The worker shortfall has also emerged as a key factor driving persistent inflation and higher interest rates. Securing our borders and modernizing our immigration system can help us confront these challenges. Many people wonder given the seriousness of these issues and the polarization in Congress if any real progress can be achieved on border security and immigration reform? The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes not only that it can be done, but that it must be done. The immigration challenges we face today didn’t arrive at our doorstep overnight; they’ve been around for decades and have only grown in size and severity due to many years of congressional inaction. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is leading the LIBERTY Campaign (Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform This Year) with over 430 national, state, and local business associations. The campaign launched with a letter calling upon Congress to address the crisis at our border and the critical workforce shortage before the year’s end. Many experts believe that expanding legal immigration to the U.S. would help spawn economic output by driving much needed labor force growth at a time when America’s population growth is stagnating. A nationwide media tour was conducted on June 20 th featuring Neil Bradley from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discussing why Congress cannot afford to wait any longer to secure our borders and modernize our broken immigration system. Topics that Neil Bradley from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce discussed included: How serious our border and legal immigration problems are. What the consequences will be if Congress foregoes fixing the problems on our borders and within our legal immigration system. How a modern, pro-growth immigration system will help address the chronic workforce issues plaguing many American employers today and other economic problems we’re suffering from. Why the Chamber launched the LIBERTY Campaign with over 430 other associations. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

June 26, 2023 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Professional Services

Media Veterans Ervin Duggan and William Kristol Join Forces, Urging FCC Hearing into Character Fitness of FOX and Murdochs to Remain Public Interest Broadcast Licensees

Hunter Biden Plea Deal Rejected by Federal Judge

New Data Reveals Enforcement Alone Will Not Solve New York’s Gray Market Cannabis Problem

University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies Empowers Students with National Contract Management Association's Contract Management Standard

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