News Hub | News Direct

Professional Services

Architecture CRM/Customer Service Consulting Government & Policy Human Resources Intellectual Property/Trademark/Patent Law Legal
Article thumbnail News Release

Rotunda Capital Partners Announces New Operating Partner

Rotunda Capital Partners LLC

Rotunda Capital Partners ("Rotunda"), an operationally focused, private equity firm that collaborates with family-founder owned businesses, is pleased to announce that Ellen Kim has joined the firm as an operating partner. Ellen will be valuable to accelerating the firm’s value-creation process (“Rotunda Performance System”) by working closely with portfolio companies to implement key strategic and operational initiatives established through Rotunda’s strategy mapping process. She will also lead Rotunda’s growing strategy execution officer program and the deployment of other cross-portfolio operational best practices. “We are thrilled to welcome Ellen to our growing team," said John Fruehwirth, managing partner of Rotunda. “Her years of experience driving operational change will be invaluable as we look to scale improvements across the portfolio.” “Rotunda has a long track record of partnering with management teams to build great companies. They continue to enhance and augment their systematic approach to creating organizations capable of significantly scaling in a sustainable manner,” said Ellen. “I am excited to join Rotunda and look forward to further supporting many new initiatives designed to drive our portfolio companies' growth and deliver long-term value.” Prior to joining Rotunda, Ellen served as the chief financial officer for Roti Modern Mediterranean. Her previous work experience has spanned both the public and private sectors including operational experience at AlixPartners, as an appointee with the US Small Business Administration, and at Citigroup. She currently serves on the board of the nonprofit Millennial Action Project. About Rotunda Capital Partners Rotunda Capital Partners is an operationally oriented private equity firm focused on transforming family-founder owned companies into dynamic, data-driven platforms able to achieve and manage significant growth. Since its founding in 2009, Rotunda has partnered with management teams to build great businesses within three primary sectors: value-added distribution, asset-light logistics and industrial & business services. Rotunda strives to achieve replicable results by implementing its Rotunda Performance System to create strategic alignment, develop lean processes and create robust, data-driven infrastructures. For more information, visit www.rotundacapital.com. Contact Details Jill Lafferty +1 847-280-1295 jill@rotundacapital.com Company Website https://www.rotundacapital.com

January 25, 2022 07:43 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

SullivanCotter Welcomes New Principal Aimee Greeter to the Physician Workforce Practice

SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter, the nation’s leading independent consulting firm in the assessment and development of total rewards programs, workforce solutions, and technology and data products for the health care industry and not-for-profit sector, is pleased to announce the addition of Aimee Greeter, Principal, to the firm’s growing Physician Workforce Practice. For nearly 15 years, Aimee has served as a trusted advisor to a variety of health care provider organizations nationwide. As the industry continues to undergo significant change, Aimee works with physician groups and health systems of all sizes to develop competitive compensation and rewards strategies focused on supporting pay equity and enhancing physician engagement. “In the wake of a COVID-19 resurgence, recent changes to the Physician Fee Schedule, and a looming provider shortage, hospitals and health systems are dealing with a myriad of challenging present-day obstacles,” said Mark Ryberg, Physician Workforce Practice Leader, SullivanCotter. “Aimee’s deep-seated industry knowledge and strategic insight reinforces our ability to provide clients with the guidance needed to develop innovative solutions to complex issues as they plan for 2022 and beyond.” Aimee specializes in helping organizations assess, develop and implement pay and career equity initiatives and consults with employers on ways to improve fairness, transparency and advancement for all people regardless of their gender identity, race and ethnic background. She also works closely with clients to optimize physician and advanced practice provider alignment and affiliation activities to support quality care outcomes, cost efficiencies, integrated care team delivery and patient-centered operations. Aimee has additional experience in conducting clinical service line reviews, providing advisory support on mergers and acquisitions, and facilitating boards and executive leaders in strategic planning and growth initiatives related to market sustainability, care delivery transformation and business model evolution. Before joining SullivanCotter, Aimee held senior leadership roles at a boutique health care consulting group. Aimee is the author of the recently published book Effective Crisis Leadership in Healthcare: Lessons Learned from a Pandemic and is a popular national speaker on topics of crisis leadership, health care transactions and provider engagement. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. About SullivanCotter SullivanCotter partners with health care and other not-for-profit organizations to understand what drives performance and improve outcomes through the development and implementation of integrated workforce strategies. Using our time-tested methodologies and industry-leading research and information, we provide data-driven insights, expertise, technology and data products to help organizations align business strategy and performance objectives – enabling our clients to deliver on their mission, vision and values. Contact Details Becky Lorentz +1 314-414-3719 beckylorentz@sullivancotter.com Company Website https://sullivancotter.com

January 25, 2022 06:00 AM Central Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Jason Carris Buys Independent Print Shop and Converts Business to Minuteman Press Franchise in Red Bank, NJ

Minuteman Press International Inc

Jason Carris is the new owner of Minuteman Press in Red Bank, NJ, which is part of the Middletown Township. Utilizing the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, Jason purchased independent print shop All American Print & Copy Center, which was in business for 40 years, and took over the location in September 2021. Jason says, “ The biggest advantage of buying this business was having an established clientele. We did our research and made sure the owners were respected by their clients. There was also 40 years of history and track record as well.” What is it like for Jason to be a new local business owner in Red Bank? He says, “Once you make that leap, it’s a very exciting experience to own your own business. We have a vibrant community here and I see the long-term growth potential. I am looking forward to making Minuteman Press a real pillar and trusted business partner in Red Bank / Middletown Township.” Jason further explains, “I think we have a tremendous opportunity to expand our wide format printing business with banners, posters, and signage remaining in high demand for our clients. I am also looking forward to bolstering our in-house mailing and direct mail services to help other local businesses reach their target audiences.” Prior to franchising, Jason worked in medical publishing and digital marketing. He also ran a number of small consulting businesses in his career. He says, “A combination of things – including the pandemic and economic forces – made me decide to go fully into business ownership. My wife Renee has an entrepreneurial spirt as well.” He adds, “ Minuteman Press International and our Regional Vice President Jim Galasso guided us through the purchase of the business step by step. Jim made the process easier to manage and I couldn’t have done this on my own without the help from the team at Minuteman Press.” Why Minuteman Press? Jason answers, “We did a lot of research and Minuteman Press jumped out to us on a number of levels. They were on a lot of top franchise lists, they appealed to people who hadn’t owned a business, and the business seemed easy to learn. In addition to being a highly respected franchise, Minuteman Press had a reasonable cost of entry and I appreciate their cap on royalties.” He continues, “The support has been wonderful. Because there is a 40-year history of the independent print shop we purchased, we have been transitioning the business. It’s great to have the training and support especially since I had not run a business of this scope before.” When asked about the keys to making that leap and becoming a business owner, Jason shares, “I think the two biggest keys to owning a business are to really make sure you feel 100% comfortable with the business model, and to believe in your products and services. Also, it is important to be proactive but also have patience after buying the business. Think about growth potential, and understand there is a learning curve. That’s normal for everyone.” Minuteman Press in Red Bank is located at 518 Route 35, Red Bank, NJ 07701. For more information, call 732-758-6200 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nj/red-bank. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. For more information on the Minuteman Press Franchise Conversion Program, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

January 24, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

NICOLAS JIMENEZ NAMED DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR COMCAST HOUSTON

Comcast Houston

Nicolas Jimenez has been named director of Government Affairs for Comcast’s Houston Region. In this role, Jimenez will be responsible for overseeing regulatory, franchising, and public policy matters across the entire region. “I’m so excited to join the terrific Comcast team in our Houston region and continue to build on the excellent relationships we have with our government and community partners,” Jimenez said. “My family and I are thrilled to now be part of America’s most diverse city and to a region known for growth, hospitality, and innovation.” Before joining the Houston team, Jimenez led Comcast’s government affairs efforts in South Metro Denver and Southern Colorado. He also worked at Comcast’s Philadelphia headquarters, where he served as national partnerships lead for Internet Essentials, Comcast’s signature community impact initiative aimed at helping income-constrained households get online. Jimenez is a passionate lifelong learner and community-oriented leader, who has a long history of development and paying it forward. “We are excited to have Nicolas join our Comcast Houston team,” said Toni Beck, vice president of External Affairs, Comcast Houston. “His expertise and background in government affairs, passion for digital equity and meaningful stakeholder engagement will be an invaluable asset as we deepen our connection with communities and customers, remain laser-focused on closing the digital divide and grow Comcast’s business in the Houston area.” Jimenez replaces Melinda Little who was promoted to a government affairs role in the Company’s central division. Jimenez is a graduate of Temple University, Fox School of Business. He is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, who enjoys volunteering and spending time with his wife and kids. Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, 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 Foti Kallergis +1 832-986-0196 Foti_Kallergis@comcast.com Company Website https://houston.comcast.com/

January 24, 2022 05:00 AM Central Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

NYPA and SIGA Explore Using Level-0 Monitoring Technology To Overcome Cybersecurity Gaps in the Energy Sector

SIGA OT Solutions

The New York Power Authority (NYPA), America's largest state power organization and SIGA OT Solutions, a leading OT cybersecurity company, formed a collaboration in 2019 as part of a New York State economic development partnership, and have published a white paper based on their findings, called Overcoming Cybersecurity Gaps in the Energy Sector: How to Address Stuxnet-Type Scenarios Using Level-0 Monitoring. NYPA identified cyberattacks as a major threat to its operations in the coming years. NYPA’s cyber division—together with the AGILe team—aimed to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks on its facilities. The main objective of the collaboration is to reveal otherwise undetectable cyber threats—such as unique Stuxnet-type scenarios—using SigaGuard, an advanced electrical signal conditioning and analysis solution. SigaGuard is the leading process-oriented detection (POD) solution based on Level 0 information which cannot be tampered with or masked. Cybersecurity gaps in OT environments need to be addressed taking a multi-level approach, with ongoing threat analysis to minimize the attack surface of potential hackers. When considering adversary tactics and threat models, there is an apparent gap in the field level of the process and sensors, Level 0. This gap was exploited in several cases in recent years and can cause dangerous situations—which can impact the OT process and endanger lives. The recently published white paper describes how NYPA and SIGA collaborated in a simulated attack environment to test these scenarios. The sequence of attacks was carefully designed and executed by NYPA’s AGILe lab team and cyber experts, focusing on the main cyber scenarios which affect the real operation of a sub-station with either false or no reporting to the control level. The test outcome validates the significance of Level 0 monitoring as a holistic approach towards OT cybersecurity, clearly demonstrating the unique advantages of combining POD and Level 0 data. Focusing on electric signals—before they are converted into data packets and filtered by the PLC—is probably the most effective technique for accurately identifying an operation anomaly, regardless of the cause. It can bring the highest possible level of visibility into process equipment and sensor functioning, closing an intractable gap against determined adversaries. Link to white paper: https://sigasec.com/resources/overcoming-cybersecurity-gaps-in-the-energy-sector-how-to-address-stuxnet-type-scenarios-using-level-0-monitoring/ Alan Ettlinger, Sr. Director, Research, Technology Development and Innovation at New York Power Authority, noted: “NYPA places a priority on preventing any downtime, failure or malfunctions of its mission-critical infrastructure, and we invest a great deal of effort and resources to ensure resilience and security. SigaGuard’s monitoring system that detects anomalous behavior and provides real-time validation of process data was demonstrated in a substation environment, which is one of our critical assets, and conforms with NYPA’s innovative deployment plan in the areas of process resilience and security.” Amir Samoiloff, co-founder and CEO of SIGA, added: “SIGA’s cooperation with NYPA has demonstrated a strong and strategic bond with a major utility in the U.S., with the highest professional conduct. This collaboration became possible due to the excellent expertise and motivation of the NYPA team. SIGA is looking forward to deepening its partnership with NYPA’s elite cyber protection team by further integrating SIGA’s cyber security solution, SigaGuard, into additional NYPA critical infrastructure centers.” About NYPA NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the US, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov SIGA OT Solutions Developer of SigaGuard, a technology platform that providesincipient failure detection for infrastructure operators to improve the reliability, safety, and cybersecurity of their assets. SIGA’s technology is US patented and ISO / IEC 27001 certified providing OT monitoring, anomaly detection and cybersecurity solutions for commercial, industrial, critical infrastructure, ICS and SCADA systems. SIGA Data Security and SIGA OT Solutions Inc., a Delaware corporation, boasts satisfied customers in the United States, Europe, Singapore, Japan, and Israel, and were named a Gartner "Cool Vendor" for Industrial IoT and OT Security, and is a recipient of the EU Research and Innovation program - Horizon 2020. For more information visit www.sigasec.com Contact Details SIGA OT Solutions Ilan Sosnovitch +972 50-327-3092 ilan.s@sigasec.com Company Website https://sigasec.com/

January 20, 2022 09:03 AM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

FROM THE STOCK ROOM TO THE BOARD ROOM: HIGHER PAY ON THE WAY

Total Compensation Solutions

As a result of projected inflation, increasing interest rates, and a COVID-19 Pandemic economy, compensation shifts are happening up and down the corporate ladder as well as in The Board Room. And, the insurance and energy industries are leading the way. According to the 2022 Total Compensation Solutions (TCS)' Board of Directors Compensation Report, payment methods are also shifting towards a combination of both stock and annual retainers, with Board Chair and Lead Director, among other Board positions, seeing dramatic increases. The 16 th annual edition of the TCS Board of Directors Compensation Report, provides in-depth analytics on compensation, incorporating proxy data from 2,283 public companies across 12 industry sectors, representing revenue groups from $50 million to over $1 Billion. The report also provides industry breakdowns (i.e., insurance, energy, health care, media, telecommunications, banking, etc.) and geographical breakdowns to reflect regional economies. Board of Directors’ pay elements include annual retainer, meeting fees, stock awards, stock options, committee retainers and meeting fees. Findings reveal: Most companies (74%) in this report pay some form of stock compensation to their Board members. Seventeen percent (17%) of the companies in this report give initial stock grants to new Board members. Seventy-seven percent (77%) use annual retainers to compensate Board members. Only three percent (3%) of companies in the report use per meeting fees exclusively. Fifty-six percent (56%) of companies reported having stock ownership guidelines for Board members. Chairman, Lead Director Regular Board Member Positions Highest Paid Sectors: Insurance, Energy and Tech Overall, compensation for Regular Board Members increased by 8.1% over the last three years. The Insurance Industry has the highest total cash compensation and equity pay for Board Chair with an increase of 18.1% over the last three years. The Insurance industry has the highest average annual retainer for Regular Board members with an increase of 10.1% over the last three years. The Energy industry has the highest average retainer for Lead Directors with compensation increasing 47.7% over the last three years. The Technology industry has the highest average total cash compensation and equity for Regular Board Members with an increase of 19.0% over the past three years. The members of the Audit Committee have the highest total cash compensation of any committee. With Projected Growth, Comes Projected Scrutiny” – Proxy Advisory Firms Play Larger Role “Our data validates what we expected to see given the inflationary environment and economic variables resulting from a Pandemic economy. What surprised us was the major shifts in the three leading sectors, insurance, energy, and tech.” says Paul Gavejian, Managing Director of TCS. “We’ve been tracking Board data for over 20 years now, and the years of flat payments seem to be over”. Tom Bailey, Principal Consultant on Board advisory matters point out. “With these increases come the need for caution. When those in the Board Room get paid more, there should be an expectation of increased scrutiny.” Governance surrounding Board compensation will become even more critical in the future and, he notes ”proxy advisory firms started to address excessive compensation paid to non-employee directors in 2020. One of these watchdogs instituted a policy to identify boards that pay members at the top 2% of their index and sector and identified these payers as outliers and potentially problematic.” The 2022 Board of Directors Compensation Report, a leading source of Board compensation trends, and it also reveals data on other Board room issues, including board governance and function, sustainability and societal shifts (ESG), and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), among over 2,200 public companies in diverse industry sectors, geographical regions, and revenue size groups. For more information on these trends, or to purchase a copy of the study please contact Tom Bailey at tbailey@total-comp.com. For more information on TCS visit the web site at www.total-comp.com. Total Compensation Solutions is a compensation consulting firm specializing in Executive Compensation and Board of Directors Compensation. Contact Details Total Compensation Solutions Tom Bailey +1 914-255-8725 Tbailey@total-comp.com Company Website http://www.total-comp.com/

January 18, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

Velocity Global Named Official Global Work Platform of the LPGA and LET

Velocity Global

The LPGA announced today that Velocity Global, the leading provider of global expansion solutions, has been named the Official Global Work Platform of the LPGA and Ladies European Tour (LET) in a multi-year agreement. Velocity Global will work with the LPGA Tour and LET to highlight the global impact of their players, representing more than 60 countries, through enhanced storytelling opportunities and player recognition. “This partnership highlights that global talent pushes greater competition,” said Rob Wellner, Velocity Global Chief Revenue Officer. “Golf is truly a global sport and to achieve success, you must perform against anyone, anywhere. We’re proud to partner with the LPGA and LET to support the game’s global players just as our Global Work Platform supports talent and businesses around the world.” The partnership introduces the Velocity Global Impact Award, celebrating players who have helped to grow the sport of golf and inspire the next generation of athletes through their actions. More details on the Velocity Global Impact Award, including the structure of the 2022 nominations, will be shared in the coming months. “We’re excited to welcome Velocity Global to the LPGA Partner family and create this Impact Award to showcase our players outside the ropes,” said the LPGA’s Chief Sales Officer Kelly Hyne. “As a like-minded global business, Velocity Global will help illustrate the impact our players make in the game of golf and in their home countries. We look forward to many years of collaboration.” The LET will utilize the Global Work Platform from Velocity Global to simplify compliance, benefits and payroll for their talent to deliver tour events in 25 countries across multiple continents this year. “We are delighted to partner with Velocity Global to utilize their world-class expansion and talent solutions to help accelerate the growth of our business and international footprint,” said LET CEO Alexandra Armas. “We fully embrace this opportunity to best service our players and continue growing the game globally.” Additionally, as an Official Partner of the LPGA’s Women’s Network, Velocity Global will utilize the LPGA platform to highlight those initiatives internally focused around women’s leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion through additional programming. Velocity Global furthered its support of the women’s game with the recent announcement that LPGA Tour players Lexi Thompson and Albane Valenzuela joined six-time PGA TOUR champion Billy Horschel and four-time APGA Tour champion Kevin Hall as its global golf brand ambassadors. 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. About the LPGA The LPGA is the world’s leading professional golf organization for women, with a goal to change the face of golf by making the sport more accessible and inclusive. Created in 1950 by 13 Founders, the Association celebrates a diverse and storied history. The LPGA Tour competes across the globe, reaching television audiences in more than 220 countries. The Symetra Tour, the LPGA’s official qualifying tour, consistently produces a pipeline of talent ready for the world stage. The LPGA also holds a joint-venture collaboration with the Ladies European Tour (LET), increasing playing opportunities for female golfers in Europe. Across the three Tours, the LPGA represents players in more than 60 countries. Additionally, the LPGA Foundation has empowered and supported girls and women since 1991, most notably through LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the only national program of its kind, which annually engages with nearly 100,000 girls. The LPGA Amateur Golf Association and LPGA Women’s Network provide virtual and in-person connections to female golfers around the world, while LPGA Professionals are educators, business leaders and gamechangers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone. Follow the LPGA on its U.S. television home, Golf Channel, online at www.LPGA.com and on its mobile apps. Join the social conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. About the LET The LET inspires women and girls to pursue their passion and realise their potential through the game of golf. At our core, we aim to build and deliver an extensive competitive schedule of events to enable our strong, energetic, proud, and confident players to compete at the highest level, pursue their dreams and lead by example. Our diverse and multicultural membership of 316 professional golfers represents as many as 36 countries. We are a global tour with roots in Europe. We aim to entertain and excite, but also to enhance health and quality of life, as a responsible, committed and respectful partner. Inspiring – our players are inspiring role models to follow and encourage others to pursue their own dreams. Passionate – we are driven by a passion to perform to our full potential and get better every day. It’s not just about the money or the glory, but a true love for the game. Committed – we are fiercely committed to continuous improvement and recognise the grit that it takes to achieve long-term goals. 2022 marks the 44th season of golf tournaments since the professional tour was founded in 1978 and the third edition of the Race to Costa Del Sol. This year’s schedule includes 31 events in 21 different countries and a record-breaking prize fund of €24.5 million. The LET Access Series is the official development tour of the LET, formed to give players an opportunity to compete and progress onto the LET and achieve their dreams in professional golf. Ladieseuropeantour.com #RaiseOurGame Contact Details Velocity Global John Hall +1 720-650-4348 news@velocityglobal.com LPGA Christina Lance christina.lance@lpga.com LET Bethan Jones bethan.jones@ladieseuropeantour.com Company Website https://velocityglobal.com/

January 18, 2022 07:01 AM Mountain Standard Time

Image
Article thumbnail News Release

ACCOUNT HOLDERS AT DONORSTRUST SET ASIDE MORE THAN $1 BILLION FOR CHARITY IN 2021

Donors Trust

The team at DonorsTrust, a donor-advised fund (DAF) provider committed to encouraging philanthropic giving and protecting donor intent, today announced that accountholder contributions made in 2021 more than doubled from 2020 to exceed $1 billion dollars. This significant milestone demonstrates the continued generosity of existing accountholders and new philanthropists choosing to open or transfer accounts to DonorsTrust. Most importantly, by contributing such funds to a donor-advised fund, it ensures these individual funds can only be used for philanthropic purposes that benefit an operating charity. “The philanthropic spirit is alive and well as donors increase giving, give more strategically and more frequently,” stated Lawson Bader CEO of DonorsTrust. “Donor-advised funds remain the fastest growing charitable vehicle in the country to centralize and simplify giving. We are excited to provide these critical services to philanthropists at a time when charitable organizations need it most.” In addition to the more than $1 billion in contributions flowing into DonorsTrust accounts during 2021, grant recommendations from accountholders (essentially, a donation made from a DAF to a charity) are also on a record-breaking pace. On Giving Tuesday (November 30), DonorsTrust announced it was on track to exceed 2020 grants to nonprofit organizations – both in amount and total grants. In 2019, DonorsTrust accountholders recommended $163 million in grants to 751 charities in nearly every U.S. state, representing an increase of 12% in grant recommendations compared to2018. In 2020, DonorsTrust paid out more than $186 million to charitable causes. With the expected surge in additional giving around the holidays and year-end, the amount in 2021 would break records again. December 2021 was the busiest month on record for grant-making in DonorsTrust’s twenty-plus year history with 2,905 total grants. Grants were up nearly 20% in 2021 over the previous year. In a recent Giving Ventures Podcast interview Bader stated that, “…We push donor-advised funds in general because they really are for anybody. They’re not just for trillionaire, millionaire, billionaires. It’s for anybody, and I’m encouraged by the growth of donor-advised funds across the entire industry these last many years…” “While we are pleased with so many new accounts and an influx of contributions into those accounts, we are even more excited that our payout rates are among the highest in the industry,” Bader said. “Our account holders are focused on addressing issues now and are active givers to organizations that need it most in these critical times.” “In previous years, DonorsTrust account holders requested more money to be dispersed from their DAFs than they contributed into the account,” Bader explains “New accounts are generating more money going into DonorsTrust for future donations, which will surely be utilized quickly. It is a great way to start the New Year, especially considering our account holders are active, not idle.” ### To learn more DAFs and DonorsTrust, please visit http://www.donorstrust.org and listen to the Giving Ventures Podcast here: https://www.donorstrust.org/podcast/. Established in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) public charity, DonorsTrust is a community of donors devoted to creating a better future. Our donors support charities they believe protect our Nation’s constitutional liberties and strengthen civil society through private institutions rather than with government programs. Our boutique size lets us offer our donors personal attention and advice that helps them achieve their philanthropic goals. We ensure that our donors’ intentions are protected and offer them a simple, effective and tax-advantaged way to give. Since inception, DonorsTrust has granted out over $1.6 billion to over 4,000 charities that protect our constitutional liberties and strengthen civil society without government funding. Contact Details kglobal Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.donorstrust.org/

January 13, 2022 01:56 PM Eastern Standard Time

Article thumbnail News Release

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

1 ... 7576777879 ... 118