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Surety Industry Launches Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program

SFAA

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) and the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) are pleased to announce they have jointly developed and launched the surety industry’s new Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program. This free program helps small, new, emerging, minority-owned and other disadvantaged contractors learn how to qualify for construction surety bonds, thereby expanding their business opportunities and providing the services and benefits of these bonds. The Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program includes two components: a set of eLearning modules available online 24/7, which can be taken on demand at the learner’s pace, and an optional mentor program with industry professionals who can provide practical advice and recommendations for the mentee to follow in their efforts to achieve bonding. “The surety industry has a longstanding commitment to providing resources and programs to new and emerging minority contractors. The Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program was specifically designed by industry experts to provide the education needed to understand the bond qualification process,” said Lee Covington, president and CEO of SFAA. “By combining the modernized eLearning platform with a mentoring component, minority, and other contractors now have the opportunity to learn firsthand from professionals inside the industry, gaining valuable insight into the bonding qualification process to expand their business opportunities.” “Many small construction businesses simply are unaware of the value that surety relationships can bring to their business,” related Mark McCallum, CEO of NASBP. “This state-of-the-art educational program conveys those advantages and empowers them with knowledge.” SFAA and NASBP have been joined by several leading construction trade associations to spread awareness of the new educational opportunity including the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). “We look forward to making this program available to our AGC members, specifically underserved or disadvantaged contractors,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “It provides a great foundation on the bonding application and qualification process and will help these contractors expand into new markets.” “The new Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program is a valuable resource for underrepresented contractors,” said Michael Bellaman, president and CEO of Associated Building and Contractors. “The mentoring component is a critical piece, as these contractors can utilize the experience and expertise of professionals in the surety industry to gain practical knowledge about qualifying for a bond.” For more information about the Contractor Bonding Education & Mentoring Program, or to register, visit www.contractorbondinged.org. ### The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all segments of the surety and fidelity industry. Based in Washington, D.C., SFAA works to promote the value of surety and fidelity bonding by proactively advocating on behalf of its members and stakeholders. The association’s more than 425 member companies write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. For more information visit www.surety.org. Founded in 1942, the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP) is the association of and resource for surety bond producers and allied professionals. NASBP members specialize in providing surety bonds for construction contracts and other purposes to companies and individuals needing the assurance offered by surety bonds. https://www.nasbp.org Contact Details SFAA Peter Roth - Vice President – Strategic Communications, Marketing & Research +1 703-401-0676 proth@surety.org Company Website https://surety.org/

January 13, 2022 09:55 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Velocity Global and Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks gives respite and relief to Marshall Fire victims

Velocity Global

$30,000 donation to relief fund VIP tickets to Red Rocks for those affected by the fire Velocity Global has partnered with Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks to donate $30,0000 to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund to assist with recovery from the Marshall Fire, as well as a special VIP Red Rocks experience for those affected by the worst wildfire in Colorado history. “Our hearts go out to our neighbors who lost all of their possessions and precious life in the blink of an eye,” said Ben Wright, Velocity Global founder and CEO. “Money helps in times like this, but so does a brief escape from the realities of recovery. We chatted with our partners at Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks to find a way to provide that getaway, even for just a night at Red Rocks.” Denver-based Velocity Global, the leading platform for global talent solutions, is a presenting sponsor of Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks, a partnership between Icelantic Skis, The Pinecone Project, and AEG Presents Rocky Mountain. The group is donating VIP tickets to those affected by the Marshall Fire. “Music and community can help heal and we’re thrilled to be in a position to offer both to those impacted by this tragedy,” said Sam Warren, director and founder of Winter on the Rocks. “We’re asking anyone who knows someone affected to let us know and we’ll give them a night at Red Rocks.” The only winter concert at Red Rocks is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year with Diplo, Sofi Tukker, Talib Kweli, DJ Matt Cassidy, and JACOBY on January 28th. Velocity Global will distribute tickets to those affected through its social media accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram starting today. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

January 13, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

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Volatus Aerospace accelerates its Public Safety Initiative with the addition of advanced UAV Mobile Command Units

Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (TSXV: VOL) (“Volatus”) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Illinois-based DRAXXON to market and sell fully integrated mobile command centers configured to support drone operations in a public safety environment. Demonstrations of these Mobile Command Centers and various public safety drones will provide an opportunity for first responders to evaluate customized solutions to meet their tactical requirements. The Mobile Command Center enhances Volatus’ integrated solutions for public safety agencies. “The public safety market is rapidly adopting the use of tactical drones and the application of Drones as First Responder. We are committed to being a leading provider of turnkey solutions in this sector,” said Glen Lynch, Volatus CEO. “Mobile Command Centers provide all the components of a rapid response unit including drone communications, flight operations, and live data feeds. DRAXXON is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, specialized vehicles designed for multi-mission capabilities. Innovation and quality make them a perfect partner for our public safety initiative.” DRAXXON CEO Brock Wilkerson remarked, “Partnering with Volatus and integrating their various drones, mission control systems, and intelligence offerings with our high quality, specialized vehicle solutions, results in powerful resources for first responders.” According to Markets&Markets in their 2021 report ‘Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Market,’ the global government and law enforcement market is forecast at US$5.72B by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 17.1%. The public safety market is a targeted growth sector for Volatus. “Delivery of the first vehicle is scheduled for January 25 th and our North American roadshow will begin in March," said Dean Attridge, VP of Solutions Engineering. "We will be showcasing our fully integrated solution at the International Security Conference & Exhibition (ISC) West tradeshow.” About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions. Operating a vast pilot network with offices throughout Canada, the United States, and South America, Volatus provides enterprise and industrial solutions including training, equipment sales & support, imaging & inspection services, drone cargo solutions, design & manufacture, and research & development. With a rapidly expanding network of strategic partnerships and acquisitions, Volatus is driving the full potential of UAV technologies around the world and shaping the industry of tomorrow. Forward-Looking Statement: This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Corporation with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding (i) the business plans and expectations of the Corporation; and (ii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Corporation, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects the Corporation’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Corporation; meeting the continued listing requirements of the TSXV; and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in this news release and the Circular, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Circular under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Contact Details Volatus Aerospace Corp. Rob Walker +1 514-447-7986 rob.walker@volatusaerospace.com Company Website https://volatusaerospace.com

January 12, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Velocity Global welcomes LPGA Tour Stars Lexi Thompson and Albane Valenzuela as brand ambassadors

Velocity Global

Velocity Globa l, the leading provider of global talent solutions, welcomed 11-time LPGA Tour champion, Lexi Thompson, and former Stanford collegiate standout and rising LPGA star, Albane Valenzuela, as global golf brand ambassadors. Both 2021 Olympians will display the Velocity Global logo on their hats throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Thompson and Valenzuela join six-time PGA TOUR champion and 2021 DP World Tour BMW PGA champion, Billy Horschel, and four-time Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour champion, Kevin Hall, as global brand ambassadors for Velocity Global. “Studies are backed by stories from our clients and employees on how important ‘work anywhere’ is to women, and it was time for us to welcome two of the best professionals in the world of golf to help us tell that story,” said Rob Wellner, Velocity Global chief revenue officer. “Lexi and Albane carry our message to a global audience that embraces the opportunity to work for anyone, anywhere. We can’t wait to support both of them as they compete around the world.” Thompson is one of the biggest stars on the LPGA Tour and across all of sports, and has been a top performer since she turned pro in 2010 at the age of 15. She owns 14 worldwide professional victories, including one major championship, and she is currently ranked 12th on the Rolex Rankings. She has represented the U.S.A. five times at the Solheim Cup and twice as an Olympian in Rio and Tokyo. She turned her passion for fitness and self-care into businesses as an entrepreneur with her LEXI Skin and LEXI Fitness brands. “I’m blessed to apply my talents all over the world, and that’s what Velocity Global makes possible for other professions,” said Thompson. “They help people work for anyone, anywhere around the world. And as an entrepreneur, I love their passion for helping businesses grow. Velocity Global is a perfect fit and I’m proud to represent them.” Valenzuela is truly a global citizen of the game as she was born in New York, moved to Mexico at a young age, and later grew up in Switzerland. Her father is from Mexico and her mother is from France, which led to her fluencies in English, French, Spanish, and German. She had a historic collegiate career at Stanford University where she competed in 11 major championships as an amateur, was the 2019 Pac-12 Golfer of the Year, and was a two-time runner-up in the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Albane turned pro in 2020 and represented Switzerland in the last two Olympic games. She uses her platform on the LPGA Tour to support her other passion, Alexis for Autism, a foundation established with and named after her brother that raises funds for associations, foundations, and medical research for autism. “I grew up in a family that knows what it means to be global citizens, and I found a partner in Velocity Global that aligns with that world view,” said Valenzuela. “Golf is truly a global sport. To achieve success, you must perform against anyone, anywhere. That’s exactly what Velocity Global enables for businesses and talent.” Thompson and Valenzuela begin their 2022 seasons at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio on January 27. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com For Lexi Thompson Brett Falkoff, VP, Golf, GSE Worldwide bfalkoff@gseworldwide.com For Albane Valenzuela Jon Heaton, VP, Excel Sports Management jheaton@excelsm.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

January 11, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

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Intapp Introduces Next Generation Collaboration and Content Suite for Professional Services Firms

Intapp

Intapp (NASDAQ: INTA), a leading provider of cloud-based software for the global professional and financial services industries, today announced the launch of its OnePlace Collaboration & Content suite, extending Microsoft 365 functionality for the unique needs of professional services firms. The suite of cloud solutions, which combines the capabilities acquired from Repstor and existing Intapp industry cloud solutions, extends the Intapp platform natively within Microsoft 365. Intapp collaboration and content solutions turn Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook into intuitive, centralized engagement and client-centric workspaces with intelligent file management. Users experience simplified collaboration, enhanced compliance, and automated governance, which help to ensure better client outcomes and solve for many of the remote-working challenges facing every firm. OnePlace Collaboration & Content consists of three major offerings: Intapp Documents enables engagement-centric document management capabilities in Microsoft SharePoint and provides the tools needed to effectively file emails and access content, all from within Microsoft Outlook. Intapp Workspaces provides engagement-centric experiences, 360-degree insights, and automatic lifecycle management improving internal and external collaboration within Microsoft Teams. Intapp Client Collaboration ( coming soon ) increases information and content sharing with clients and other parties through secure, client-branded external workspaces. Built-in integrations with Intapp offerings and other industry-leading solutions deliver a more intelligent and comprehensive work experience for professionals. Key Intapp integrations include: Intapp Walls – Extends the maintenance of complex compliance, client, and engagement-level confidentiality and security standards across Microsoft 365 applications. Intapp Intake – Automatically provisions Microsoft Teams workspaces for new engagements, ensuring team members have all they need to meet and tightly collaborate in a dedicated, access-controlled workspace. Intapp Integration Service – Integrates Microsoft 365 with other datasets and applications, helping firms create more connected experiences for their professionals. “The vast majority of professional services organizations have shifted their operating models to support digital work as an imperative of growth. In recognizing this need for agility, firms have increasingly turned to Microsoft 365,” said Alan McMillen, General Manager, Collaboration and Content Solutions, Intapp. “With OnePlace Collaboration & Content, firms can maximize the effectiveness of distributed teams using the combined power of Intapp and Microsoft 365 to handle the complex content and processes associated with the legal, accounting and consulting industries.” For more information on OnePlace Collaboration & Content please see the resources below or contact us for a personalized demo: Webinars Client case studies OnePlace Content & Collaboration brochure About Intapp Intapp makes the connected firm possible. We provide cloud software solutions that address the unique operating challenges and regulatory requirements of the global professional and financial services industry. Our solutions help more than 1,950 of the world’s premier private capital, investment banking, legal, accounting, and consulting firms connect their most important assets: people, processes, and data. As part of a connected firm, professionals gain easy access to the information they need to win more business, increase investment returns, streamline deal and engagement execution, and strengthen risk management and compliance. For more information, visit intapp.com and connect with us on Twitter (@Intapp) and LinkedIn. Contact Details Intapp Ali Robinson +1 612-232-0062 ali.robinson@intapp.com Company Website http://www.intapp.com

December 21, 2021 04:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

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National Tax Policy Leaders Meet to Focus on New Markets Tax Credit

New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021) — Tax policy trends and economic recovery for underserved urban and rural communities were the focus at the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Coalition annual NMTC Conference, held virtually yesterday. The event was attended by 300 industry professionals and policymakers and featured five members of Congress and CDFI Fund Director Jodi Harris as keynote speakers. Conference participants noted the need to pass legislation calling for the NMTC’s permanence as a key tax policy. Keynote speakers included Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA); Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO); House Chief Deputy Whip Terri Sewell (D-AL); Senate Finance Committee members Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Mark Warner (D-VA); and CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris. Panelists included congressional staff, NMTC board members and leadership, investors and economic development leaders, Treasury Department officials, and legal experts. Panels held discussions on the impact of the pandemic, the pending permanent extension of the Treasury Department program, changes to the Community Reinvestment Act and credit pricing, legislative hurdles, and the latest insights from the Treasury Department. “The amount of good that the New Markets Tax Credit has done in our communities – especially during this incredibly challenging time – cannot be overstated,” said Congressman Neal. “The types of projects that the program supports are exactly what we in the congress say that this country needs to ‘Build Back Better.’” Never in the twenty-year history of the NMTC has there been more support from policymakers. Over the last two years, Congress twice enacted legislation to significantly expand the Credit. In 2019, the NMTC was extended for one year (2020) with a 44 percent increase in allocation authority from $3.5 to $5 billion. December of the following year, Congress enacted a 5-year, $25 billion NMTC extension through 2025, the largest in the program's history. “Senator Cardin and I have been working on this together for a long time. We were able in the last year to get it extended for five years, and at a 5 billion dollar number,” said Senator Blunt, describing the five-year extension. “I think it’s proven its value,” he added. “Everything from the big new food bank in the Kansas City area to a health clinic at Warsaw near Truman Lake were built with the New Markets Tax Credit.” “Most important to me in Maryland, the New Markets Tax Credit has produced more than 34,000 jobs statewide and an investment of 3.6 billion dollars in capital across 93 individual projects,” said Senator Cardin. “Your work changes the lives of Marylanders and all Americans for the better in communities that need the most support.” The recent expansions of the program were only possible because of the significant support for the NMTC in both parties, in addition to Congressman Neal and Senators Blunt and Cardin. In the 116th Congress, nearly 200 members of Congress, evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans - took action in support of the NMTC, either by cosponsoring legislation expanding the Credit or by signing a letter in support of NMTC permanence. The arrival of the 117th Congress and the Biden administration has continued support for the NMTC program. The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2021 (HR 1321/S. 456) has amassed over 110 combined cosponsors from both parties. The Biden Administration's Fiscal Year 2022 tax proposals additionally included a permanent extension of the NMTC. “As the lead sponsor of the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act, I have been fighting to expand this credit which is critically important for the economic development in underserved communities in my district,” said Representative Sewell. “By incentivizing private investment to spur economic growth, the New Market Tax Credit is one of the most powerful tools in our toolkit to revitalize urban and rural communities that need so much help across the country.” “I think that we all know that development in smaller communities in America continues to be a challenge,” said Senator Warner. “Hopefully that challenge is going to get a little easier now that we have finally provided the appropriate amount of broadband resources so that every rural community in America will have access to highspeed internet broadband, but we ought to combine that connectivity with the ability to utilize the very successful New Markets Tax Credit program.” Permanent extension of the New Markets Tax Credit is currently pending adoption within the Congressional Build Back Better legislation with all eyes on the Senate. “With more than two decades of bipartisan successes under our belt, we’re continuing our push to increase funds and to make the NMTC permanent,” said Bob Rapoza, NMTC Coalition spokesperson. “At a time when the economic frailty of our underserved communities has never been more apparent, we see a tremendous opportunity for our coalition to help create jobs, spread opportunity, and put America back on a solid financial footing, and we implore Congress to make it happen.” About New Markets Tax Credit Program The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was enacted in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. Since its inception, the NMTC has generated more than one million jobs. Today due to NMTC, more than $115 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org. About New Markets Tax Credit Program The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) was enacted in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low-income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. Since its inception, the NMTC has generated more than one million jobs. Today, due to the NMTC, nearly $110 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org Contact Details Bob Rapoza +1 202-498-9921 bob@rapoza.org Company Website https://nmtccoalition.org/

December 16, 2021 12:09 PM Eastern Standard Time

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OUT OF OFFICE ALERT: Work Anywhere in the World Courtesy of Velocity Global

Velocity Global

Nationwide contest sends three winners to live anywhere in the world for a full year and keep their current job Velocity Global to showcase the positive impact of remote work by supporting the winners at no cost to their employers Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, today announced its Out of Office Year TM contest, which provides three winners the ability to work remotely in their current jobs from anywhere in the world, paid for by Velocity Global. "In this new world of work, you can be the CEO of your own career. Talent can move across the country or across the world on their own terms and their employer can benefit,” said Ben Wright, Velocity Global founder, and CEO. “The ‘Out of Office Year’ demonstrates to employers and employees how simple it is to work from anywhere, all while gaining new life experiences and a broader world view.” Workplace flexibility remains top of mind for workers. According to an August 2021 survey from FlexJobs, 58% of employees reported they wanted to be full-time remote post-pandemic. It’s a desire among business leaders as well. In the 2022 Velocity Global Work in Progress report, 63% of the more than 1,000 tech leaders surveyed said they would prefer to work from a new location such as closer to family or overseas. As employers continue to institute policies around different workplace concepts – remote, in-office, or hybrid – employees are evaluating if those policies align with their priorities. “The ability to work remotely is one of the most important conversations employers can have with their current and potential employees,” said Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of Herjavec Group and Velocity Global brand ambassador. “I grew a leading cybersecurity company by committing to hire top talent from anywhere. I know the benefits that ‘work anywhere’ brings to a business, but now employees know the benefits it brings to their lives. There’s no turning back and Velocity Global’s Out of Office Year sheds light on how simple it can be to make this benefit a reality.” Out of Office Year Contest Details The contest is open to all U.S. residents interested in moving to another location while keeping their current job. At OOOyear.com, applicants submit up to a 60-second video explaining where and why they want to work remotely. Velocity Global will select three applicants and fulfill their dreams of working anywhere. Velocity Global will facilitate the conversation between the employees and their employers regarding worry-free compliance, payroll, and employee support. Velocity Global will support that employee through its global work platform in any of more than 185 countries for one year at no cost to the employer. The employer simply continues to pay the salary, benefits, and other regulatory requirements just as they do now for that employee. The winners and their stories will be chronicled through Velocity Global’s social media channels to inspire other employees and employers to enter the future of work. For more information about the contest or to submit an entry, please visit OOOyear.com. Applications are now open until January 31, 2022. About Velocity Global Velocity Global accelerates the future of work beyond borders. Its global work platform simplifies the employer and employee experience to employ any talent anywhere with just a click through its proprietary cloud-based workforce management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. As the largest global Employer of Record (also known as International PEO) in 185 countries and all 50 United States, more than 1,000 brands rely on Velocity Global to build global teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. The company offers additional services including Independent Contractor Compliance to assess a workforce, and Agent of Record (AoR) to streamline payments to contractors. Velocity Global was named a “Leader” in Global Employer of Record services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information visit velocityglobal.com. Contact Details Velocity Global Eli Rice +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

December 15, 2021 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

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Chief Compliance Officers find U.S. Department of Justice’s Recent Guidance Documents on Effective Corporate Compliance Programs are Helpful but Need More Detail

Ethics & Compliance Initiative

Today the Ethics & Compliance Initiative ( ECI ™) released the report of findings from a survey of nearly 250 chief compliance officers (CCOs) on the value and impact of several guidance documents issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) since 2019. The Corporate Compliance Program (CCP) and DOJ Enforcement Policies survey inquired about CCOs’ views of four primary DOJ policy or guidance documents that communicate the criteria used by the DOJ to evaluate the effectiveness of corporate compliance programs in enforcement decisions. The survey further sought CCO input about ways the DOJ could further incentivize corporate compliance and encourage corporate self-disclosure and cooperation in the event of violations. ECI surveyed ethics & compliance (E&C) leaders about the DOJ’s: Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs (CCP), updated June 2020; Guidelines for Taking Disclosure, Cooperation, and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters (FCA-related policies), issued March 2019; Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), 2nd edition, July 2020 (this guide discusses the FCPA Corporate Enforcement Policy (CEP) contained in the Justice Manual [CEP as explained in the FCPA resources guide]); Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs in Criminal Antitrust Investigations, issued July 2019 (antitrust compliance program guidance); and Incentivizing effective programs and compliance in organizations. ECI found that the majority of CCOs – on average 68% – were familiar with the DOJ’s four guidance documents. CCOs were most familiar with the DOJ’s Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs guidance document. ECI also asked about the helpfulness of DOJ’s policies and found that E&C leaders overwhelmingly agreed they are helpful. CCOs said that they have been able to educate stakeholders about the DOJ’s perspective in order to promote the importance of compliance and to strengthen the cultures of their organizations. The extent to which CCOs briefed various stakeholder groups about the DOJ’s issuance of guidelines varied by the policy document. Company efforts to adjust their programs in light of DOJ’s criteria also varied, in part due to the extent to which companies felt that their programs already sufficiently addressed the DOJ’s standard, or to the extent that the policy area (such as FCPA, FCA or Antitrust) was identified as a key risk for the corporation. In terms of corporate willingness to self-disclose violations, particularly with regard to FCPA, FCA and Antitrust violations, CCOs indicated that their organizations would be more willing to self-disclose and cooperate if they were aware that the DOJ is consistently giving credit to other organizations for doing so. The challenge, however, is that an average 63% of CCOs indicated that they are unsure whether the DOJ is consistently declining prosecutions, awarding credit or negotiating plea agreements in alignment with its guidance. Through the survey, CCOs offered suggestions as to how the DOJ could further incentivize corporate compliance programs. These included: Providing illustrative examples of E&C program practices that were influential in DOJ’s declination decisions; Providing more details of enforcement actions, improving its guidance documents, and engaging more with companies; Providing credit for company efforts to build a strong ethical culture; Dismissal of a qui tam action if the company maintains an effective compliance program in a situation where an employee failed to report internally before filing suit; and Elimination of the threat of debarment or exclusion for companies with effective E&C programs. ECI will hold a Best Practice Forum – The Impact of DOJ Guidance on Corporate Compliance Programs – from 2 pm to 3:30 pm EST on Wednesday, December 15, to discuss and consider: The value of DOJ enforcement guidelines and resources to E&C functions; How DOJ guidance is being applied in organizations and why it is not being applied in some cases; The information and guidance E&C leaders are looking for from the DOJ; and The October 2021 DOJ memorandum on corporate criminal enforcement policies in the context of ECI’s survey findings. “It is clear from the study that the Department of Justice has a significant impact on corporate compliance practices,” said Patricia J. Harned, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ECI. “Respondents overwhelmingly agree that reforms demonstrative of a cooperative approach rather than a punitive approach by DOJ would incentivize improved corporate compliance in organizations. “It is our hope that ECI will have an opportunity to speak further about these results with the DOJ, on behalf of the ethics & compliance profession.” The Corporate Compliance Program (CCP) and DOJ Enforcement Policies Summary of Findings is available here. About ECI Established in 1922, the Ethics & Compliance Initiative™ ( ECI ™) comprises the two oldest nonprofits in the ethics & compliance industry; the Ethics Resource Center® (d.b.a. the Ethics Research Center) and the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association (d.b.a. the Ethics & Compliance Association). Through its research, ECI identifies the practices that improve ethics & compliance program effectiveness and build institutional culture strength. As an association, ECI brings together ethics & compliance professionals and academics from all over the world to share techniques, resources and exciting new ideas. ECI also has an established track record of providing support to organizations seeking to transform their cultures, often in the wake of significant challenges with noncompliance. Contact Details Florence Sumaray +1 301-717-9063 florence@ethics.org Company Website https://www.ethics.org

December 14, 2021 03:05 PM Eastern Standard Time

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College of DuPage Paralegal Alumna One of Seven Certified Russian Court Interpreters in Illinois

College of DuPage

In federal courthouses across the U.S., access to justice requires the use of languages spoken around the globe. As one of only seven Certified Court Interpreters in Illinois for the Russian language, College of DuPage alumna Olga Bronovytska plays an integral role in helping a defendant with limited English proficiency or who is deaf or hard-of-hearing understand legal proceedings and assist in their case from beginning to end. “Regardless of the outcome of a case, the bottom line is that meaningful access to the process is provided to the defendant,” Bronovytska said. A 2020 COD Paralegal Studies graduate, Bronovytska said the College provided her a solid foundation to learning the intricacies that take place in a courtroom. “Without completing the Paralegal Studies program at COD, I would not have been comfortable interpreting hearings, depositions, arbitrations and other cases,” she said. “Without specific education in the legal field, it is just impossible to embrace and be fluent in legal proceedings. I decided I needed to go through the entire program to obtain a solid foundation.” Because she was working and raising two young children, Bronovytska took only one or two classes per semester. She was thrilled with the encouragement she received from both faculty and peers, including Paralegal Professor Sally Fairbank. “Professor Fairbank made me realize how many more professional opportunities would open up if I completed the program,” she said. “I was also amazed with the support that faculty provided. It was immediate.” Fairbank credits Bronovytska’s tenacity during her time in the program and has enjoyed seeing her flourish in the field. “Olga was the consummate professional from the first day she started our program,” she said. “She was poised, prepared and courteous, and her work product was superior. She was continuously focused on learning and self-improvement, and I am thrilled that our program assisted her in reaching this prestigious accomplishment. Court interpreters play such a vital role in the constitutional process, and they allow everyone, no matter their background, a fair trial.” During the next few years, Bronovytska—who also interprets Ukrainian, is advanced in French and is conversational in Mandarin Chinese—plans to continue working as a court interpreter while looking for additional courses to take at COD, including corporate law. She then would like to find employment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where she can use her multilingual skills, or with corporations where she could use both linguistic skills and knowledge obtained during her time in the Paralegal Studies program. “My COD professors provided me with consistent support throughout the program, and to them I must give a sincere ‘thank you.’” Learn more about the Paralegal Studies program at College of DuPage ### Contact Details Angela Mennecke +1 630-942-3134 menneckea@cod.edu

December 13, 2021 05:00 PM Central Standard Time

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