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Contract Management Institute Announces New Governance Board

National Contract Management Association

National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Contract Management Institute (CMI), an institution dedicated to advancing the profession of contract management is thrilled to introduce its newly appointed Governance Board for the 2023-2024 term. These accomplished professionals will play a pivotal role in guiding the strategic direction of CMI and ensuring the organization's success. "Having had the privilege of working alongside these distinguished professionals throughout my career, I am absolutely thrilled and deeply proud to welcome them to the newly revitalized CMI," stated CMI's Executive Director and former Department of Homeland Security Chief Procurement Officer, Soraya Correa. "Their exceptional expertise and dedication will undoubtedly contribute to our shared vision, and I look forward to the extraordinary journey ahead." NCMA Chief Executive Officer, Kraig Conrad will become the Board Chair for CMI. He expressed his excitement, saying, "I am delighted and honored to serve as Chair for the Institute. CMI is poised to become an important extension of NCMA, providing valuable resources to elevate our profession. I look forward to our journey together and the positive impact we will make." Denyce Carter, the current Board Chair of NCMA, will be joining Kraig Conrad as a distinguished addition and Vice Chair to the CMI board. She said, "I look forward to being part of an initiative that identifies and creates ways to enhance contract management practices, ultimately improving the profession for the workforce and the broader acquisition community." Along with Mr. Conrad and Ms. Carter, the Governance Board includes several accomplished professionals – including three NCMA past Presidents – that bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the CMI board, representing a diverse range of organizations from government agencies and industry leaders to top consulting firms. The full list includes: Amanda Christian, Senior Vice President of Subcontracts and Procurement at CACI International Inc. She is responsible for setting direction, policy, and procedures based upon corporate-level strategy, and ensuring that procurement and subcontracts personnel provide value and contribute to the overall success of the company. Amanda is a Past-President of NCMA and served on its Board of Directors for seven years. She is a Fellow and currently serves on the Board of Advisors. Alan Chvotkin, Partner at Centre Law Group where he specializes in federal government contracts law and its policies and practices, including counseling companies on a wide range of matters from contract formation and performance through disputes and claims. Mr. Chvotkin is a Fellow of NCMA and currently serves on its Board of Advisors. Kim Denver, Senior Vice President and Chief Contracts Executive at Leidos, leads a team of over 250 contracts professionals, overseeing a diverse portfolio of thousands of active contracts, and previously held a key role as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement. Mr. Denver currently serves on NCMA’s Board of Advisors. Wendy Masiello is currently an independent consultant, having retired from the U.S. Air Force as a three-star general in July 2017. During her 36-year career with the Air Force, she served as director of the Defense Contract Management Agency; deputy assistant secretary (contracting), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition; and program executive officer for the Air Force’s $30 billion service acquisition portfolio. She is an NCMA Past-President, and currently a member of the Board of Directors for KBR Inc. and Board of Advisors for NCMA and the Public Spend Forum Debra Scheider is Vice President, Corporate Contracts for Lockheed Martin Corporation. She is responsible for leading the Corporations Contracting, Industrial Development, and Estimating work encompassing policies, strategies, training, and procedures across the Corporation. Ms. Scheider is Past-President of NCMA and served on its Board of Directors for nine years. She is a Fellow of NCMA and currently serves on the Board of Advisors. She is a Director for the Procurement Round Table. Karla Smith Jackson, currently serving as the Senior Procurement Executive, Deputy Chief Acquisition Officer, and Assistant Administrator for Procurement at NASA, is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise with more than three decades of federal contracting experience. Her noteworthy background is in program management, acquisition, and contract planning. She is currently a member of the NCMA Board of Directors. Charlie Williams, President, CWilliams, LLC., held a number of pivotal roles that significantly contributed to the field of contract management., Notably, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Contracting for the United States Air Force, Director of the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), Commissioner on the Section 809 Panel, President of the NCMA Board of Directors, Chair of the NCMA Standards Consensus Body, a valued member of the NCMA Board of Advisors, and a distinguished Member of the NASA Advisory Council. CMI is dedicated to fostering excellence in contract management by conducting research, studies, and analyses that promote engagement, standards, professional development, and enhanced business practices. The new Governance Board will play a pivotal role in guiding the organization's strategic direction and ensuring the continued growth and success of CMI. For more information about the Institute and its Governance Board, please visit ncmahq.org/cmi. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – www.ncmahq.org – stands as the premier contract management organization whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. Contact Details National Contract Management Association Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org

December 12, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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USA Benefits Group Partners with AmeriLife to Expand Agent Opportunities & Serve More Clients

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with USA Benefits Group, a fast-growing, national health brokerage dedicated to delivering the highest quality products, service, and support to independent agencies, agents, and their clients. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We see this partnership as a power play to further USA Benefits Group's explosive growth,” said Rick Banville, CEO of USA Benefits Group. “AmeriLife is a rapidly expanding giant in the industry who takes the pressure off of agencies like ours through resources like HR, payroll, compliance, legal, marketing, recruiting, and technology so we can do what we do best: recruit and train agents and agencies to be successful. We are very excited about our bright future together.” “We are so grateful and honored to become partners with AmeriLife,” added Jessica Banville, president of USA Benefits Group. “We are thrilled that our agents and clients will benefit from an even larger portfolio of products and support. This partnership will give us even greater opportunity in making the industry better as we continue to develop training systems that bring success to all. We are stronger together!” For more than three decades, USA Benefits Group has been at the forefront of helping agents and their clients navigate the complexities of health and ancillary insurance (including ACA and ACA alternatives) for the under-65 market. Over the years, the company has expanded its portfolio to include Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement insurance, life insurance, and health insurance benefits for small businesses, as well as developed proprietary tools and training for its insurance professionals to succeed and thrive. Headquartered in nearby Spring Hill, Fla., USA Benefits Group boasts nearly 2,000 independent contracted agents nationwide. Now, with access to AmeriLife’s best-in-class resources, deep product portfolio, and industry expertise and leadership, USA Benefits Group is primed to supercharge its growth and deliver even more value to beneficiaries across the United States. “I’m excited to welcome Rick, Jessica and the USA Benefits Group family to ours,” said Scotty Elliott, Chief Distribution Officer for AmeriLife Health. “Our shared values and commitment to excellence in service makes this a winning partnership right out of the gate, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.” ### About USA Benefits Group USA Benefits Group is a nationwide insurance agency dedicated to the principles of service, integrity, professionalism and diversity. The company provides an extensive range of insurance products and pledges to honor its commitment to its producers, clients and carriers by holding itself to the highest ethical standards. Everything that USA Benefits Group does is designed to ensure that its customers are presented quality products with a “Servant’s Heart” and a goal of exceeding expectations. For more information, visit USABG.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as a leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

December 11, 2023 10:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Innovator Ridima Jain Forges Compassionate Futures in Industrial Design

Ridima Jain

Ridima Jain, an acclaimed Industrial and Lighting designer, is captivating the world with her groundbreaking approach to design. Born in India and holding a Master's degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, Jain's work transcends boundaries, merging nature and culture seamlessly to create spaces that enhance human experiences. As a founding member of the Women in Design NYC Chapter of IDSA and a Visiting Associate Professor at Pratt Institute, Ridima Jain is not only shaping the future of design but also sharing her expertise with the next generation of designers. Her educational journey spans design schools in India, Germany, and the United States. This diverse experience positions her as a unique generalist in the design world, enabling her to make profound contributions across various domains. The centerpiece of Jain's portfolio is her graduate thesis at Pratt Institute, where she revolutionized the concept of window blinds. Her design extends beyond conventional uses, ingeniously channeling daylight deeper into interior spaces. This innovation not only enhances the aesthetic but also positively influences physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Jain's commitment to healing environments is evident in her Emergency Housing Module, featured at Prototypes for Humanity in Dubai. The use of translucent Kalwall panels in these modular homes ensures a continuous interplay of light and space, offering comfort and maintaining circadian rhythms for individuals recovering from traumatic events. Jain's expertise extends into critical, life-saving designs with her Zero Light Tourniquet. Created for use in zero-light conditions, this product is a testament to her ability to address extreme challenges through design. It combines thermal detection and an automatic pneumatic braid system, significantly aiding medics in identifying and treating injuries in the absence of light, showcasing her versatility and commitment to impactful design solutions. Through her role as a co-creator and instructor of the Equatorial Living Lab, Jain shares her design philosophy with a broader audience. In this innovative four-semester project, students from two continents collaborate on low-cost housing in developing nations' equatorial climates. Jain, alongside Kevin Walz, guides students in blending historical and indigenous wisdom to create nurturing environments, focusing on innovation with local materials, fostering community and advocacy for quality of life. The first semester saw students delve into the history of low-cost housing, sustainable materials, and indigenous construction methods, culminating in an open-source online repository of their findings, designs, and construction documents. Jain’s unorthodox perspective in architecture enables her to critique and improve upon existing space designs. Her holistic view allows for innovative solutions that address both the physical and psychological aspects of living environments. For Ridima, the essence of design lies in its impact. "Making a positive impact on people’s lives, changing the way they interact with their environments and the people around them, " she asserts, is the core of her design ethos. Ridima believes that the spaces we inhabit profoundly influence our behavior, placing a significant responsibility on designers to create environments that promote positivity and sustainability. For further information, please visit www.ridimajain.com. About Ridima Jain Ridima Jain is an Industrial and Lighting designer known for her innovative approach to design that seamlessly blends nature and culture. With a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, she has made significant contributions to the field, with a focus on enhancing human experiences through thoughtful and impactful design solutions. As a trailblazer in the world of industrial and lighting design, Ridima continues to inspire and shape the future of design through her work, teaching, and advocacy. Contact Details Ridima Jain Ridima Jain rjain36@pratt.edu Company Website https://www.ridimajain.com/

December 11, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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AI-Driven Media Discovery, Distribution and Monetization Platform VideoXRM Launches Netcapital.com Funding Campaign

VideoXRM

VideoXRM, the pioneering artificial intelligence (AI) driven, B2B video distribution and discovery platform, announces the launch a $500,000 offering on the Netcapital.com digital private capital markets ecosystem. Capital from the offering will be used for the continued development and commercialization of the VideoXRM platform. The minimum investment is $300 and the offering deadline is January 31, 2024. Learn more at: https://netcapital.com/companies/videoxrm Businesses increasingly utilize video and rich media to differentiate their benefits and to reach new audiences, yet most of this complex and unstructured content remains difficult if not impossible to find. VideoXRM brings expanded exposure and ROI to this high value content, that until now, has been virtually inaccessible via conventional search technologies. Utilizing proprietary AI-machine learning technology, metadata, and granular indexing, VideoXRM is able to automatically classify videos, audio, images, etc., enabling unparalleled media discovery. The platform is ideal for company to company and company to investor engagement, news media, researchers, supply chain and procurement managers, M&A sourcing, partnering and benchmarking. VideoXRM’s revenue streams will include promotional services, highly targeted video campaigns and premium content on a pay-per-view and pay-per-subscription basis. Initial revenue is targeted by year-end 2023. VideoXRM CEO, David N. Baker, commented, “Over the past 2 ½ years we have made huge progress building out the platform and business solely with internal funding. Our accomplishments include: Commercial Launch of the VideoXRM Platform Attracting 175 companies and 9,000 videos to the platform, with many content sources in the pipeline. Developing proprietary AI/Machine learning technology to extract video and audio metadata used to classify and index content within 140,000 industry categories. 2 Patents Issued and 3 Pending. “We are launching our Netcapital offering to fund our continued growth and enhancement of our platform. In Q1 2024 we will launch an entirely new aspect of our video platform, providing capabilities that will add substantial additional value for our customers and company. We hope you will join us on our journey to build the most powerful business media distribution and discovery platform to enable the leg of growth in video and rich media communications and commerce.” Connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter and Facebook. About VideoXRM ( VideoXRM.com ) VideoXRM is an AI-driven, B2B media discovery, distribution, communication and monetization platform that connects corporate rich media content with all potential stakeholders. The platform and smart search technology creates value and knowledge from mountains of unstructured digital media, delivering greater ROI from content investments. VideoXRM’s mission is harnessing the enhanced communicative power of rich media through a new distribution and discovery paradigm. VideoXRM was Co-founded by David N. Baker, who formed Revere Data LLC (Sectorbase) which was acquired by FactSet Data Systems, Inc. His Co-founders are Vadim A. Tarasov, Byron Kwok, and David Guzy. Contact Details Catalyst IR David C. Collins +1 212-924-9800 videoxrm@catalyst-ir.com Company Website https://videoxrm.com

December 08, 2023 08:20 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise Review: King's Lynn Owners Paula & Keith Boyce Share Key Lessons Learned & Growth Insights for 2024

Minuteman Press International Inc

For nearly two decades, Paula and Keith Boyce have been the dynamic duo behind the Minuteman Press franchise in the vibrant town of King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK. Their journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, transforming their business from a traditional high street print shop into a cutting-edge powerhouse, delivering ingenious print solutions to a roster of prestigious corporate clients. The highlight of their journey came in 2021 when they received the coveted invitation to join the Minuteman Press International President’s Club, a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. Keith Boyce shares the nearly 20-year journey of Minuteman Press in King’s Lynn as well as the key lessons learned, growth insights for 2024, and advice for other owners. History of the Business According to Keith Boyce, “it all began in 2004 with the introduction to Minuteman Press International’s invaluable network of suppliers and partners.” With a focus on marketing, the Boyces conquered new markets, concentrating on delivering unparalleled service that shifted the conversation from price to value. This blueprint for success has powered year after year of remarkable growth, with one notable exception—2021 (during the height of the pandemic). So, what makes Minuteman King’s Lynn such a tour de force? Keith shares, “The system isn't a rigid framework; it's a catalyst for innovation. The transition from the bustling High Street to our present location at 12 Campbells Business Park was a thrilling exercise in adaptability, rooted in Minuteman Press' fundamental principles. Through open channels of communication, our entire team embraced opportunities.” Keith continues, “Then came the curveball – COVID-19. The world changed overnight, and our customers needed novel ways to engage with clients and expand their online presence. We already had a head start serving this market and seized this unique moment, igniting a spark of reinvention in the business, setting us apart from the competition. The reward? A robust financial position to propel us through this thrilling metamorphosis.” Growing the Business Today Today, Keith shares, “Our business is a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Traditional core products still make up 50% of our operations. However, more recently in 2023 we took a bold leap forward by acquiring an apparel company. The remaining 50% is a whirlwind of online services, with virtual shops, print-on-demand, fulfilment, and drop-shipping at the forefront. These cutting-edge solutions are on everyone's lips as they adapt to the evolving business landscape. In 2023 and beyond, we are elated to provide ‘managed print services’ to 10 customers, with grand plans to expand to 20 in the coming year. The magic lies in the fact that our relationships with these customers evolve into vital partnerships, creating a vibrant ecosystem of success and learning.” What's next for Minuteman Press in King’s Lynn? Keith says, “Thankfully, the close-knit team and deep customer connections put us in a unique position. We know our customers inside and out, and partner ourselves with industry leaders. It's about weaving all these threads into a tapestry of opportunity. The market may throw curveballs, but we have pumped up the excitement in 2023 and heading into 2024 with a multi-channel marketing push. We are covering Google, social media, and a reinvigorated campaign to meet our existing, dormant, and new customers face to face.” Keith continues, “As Minuteman Head Office puts it, there's direct marketing, and then there's everything else! This is the fundamental tenet of our ongoing quest for year-on-year growth. We also strive to achieve this with careful consideration of our environmental footprint and the need to focus on sustainability, which is a big point of focus here in the UK.” Key Lessons Learned & Advice for Others Keith concludes by sharing, “The most gripping lessons we’ve learned in our 19-year journey are that marketing and nurturing new & existing customers is an unending adventure. It's about keeping focus on profitability and aligning your employees with stretching objectives and lofty goals. Innovating, problem solving, establishing new revenue streams, all with a view to support customers’ needs is what being a part of the franchise family is all about—boldly venturing into the unknown, setting sights high, and writing our success story, one thrilling chapter at a time.” For more information on Minuteman Press in King’s Lynn, England, visit https://minuteman.com/uk/locations/england/kings-lynn/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.co.uk Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

December 08, 2023 05:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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No Remote Identification, no flying. Remote ID Becomes Mandatory for Drone Pilots in the EU and will reshape the commercial use of drones

Dronetag

Most pilots will need drones equipped with the built-in RID feature or use RID transmitters attached to the drone body. There is not much time left to comply. In its latest official statement, EASA affirmed that RID will become mandatory for all pilots in the EU. All drones flying in the Specific category (advanced operation including BVLOS, over 25 kg drones, dropping material or flying higher than 120 meters, for example) and all drones with class marks operating in the Open category (mostly leisure drone activities and low-risk commercial activities) will be required to operate with an active and up-to-date RID system. There are two ways to satisfy this condition: flying a C-class drone with RID built-in (C1, C2, C3, C5, C6) or retrofitting older drone models with a RID module attached to the drone body. RID technologies allow authorities and any member of the public to identify drones remotely using a smartphone app or dedicated receiver. Identification data transmitted may include the drone’s serial number, operator registration number, remote pilot position or, if not available, take-off point, and drone’s location. The main goal of RID adoption is to enhance the safety of unmanned aircraft systems operations. Dronetag is Ready for the New Regulation For pilots who must purchase the required RID module for their drone to stay compliant in 2024, the Dronetag company has the solution ready. “Our Dronetag Beacon is one of the first devices listed on the EASA website as fully compliant with the new regulation,” describes Lukas Brchl, CEO of Dronetag, what his company offers. According to his words, pilots should not ignore the upcoming change: “To avoid problems that framed the start of RID in the USA earlier this year, drone operators should get their RID module in advance if they want to use their drones in 2024 safely. The production capacities of all suppliers are limited, so my only advice is to act now. Dronetag team put immense effort into scaling production to the maximum, but we already accept orders with deliveries at the end of January 2024.” Dronetag also offers an OEM solution tailored for drone manufacturers, seamlessly integrating Remote ID functionality into newly manufactured drones. The compact and cost-effective DRI module ensures immediate compliance, functioning effortlessly right out of the box. Furthermore, Dronetag extends its support to Drone manufacturers, facilitating the certification process with the EASA and guaranteeing compliance with the latest Remote ID regulations for drone sales within the EU. Devices manufactured by Dronetag offer compliance with new regulations and add advanced benefits for pilots in the form of hi-tech features such as flight logging, live flight data measuring and unmanned traffic management tools, to name a few. The Czech company offers a free, unique multiplatform application as a part of their end-to-end solution. According to customers in the US, Dronetag devices deliver one of the longest battery life on the market, packed in lightweight and miniature yet variable devices. Direct or Network RID? Based on Brchl’s recommendation, the Direct RID modules will be the most suitable devices for most pilots. In the Dronetag portfolio, such a device is called the Dronetag Beacon, which transmits identification data via Bluetooth to the drone's nearby surroundings. Professional pilots might appreciate advanced features offered by Network RID devices like Dronetag Mini, which will be compatible with U-Space operations planned in the near future. American Leader Expanding to Taiwan & Asia-Pacific Region Dronetag is currently active in more than 30 countries on four continents and is already coordinating flights across the globe. After similar FAA regulations for the USA went live in September 2023 ( Enforcement got extended for Six Months, literally hours before the rule efficiency, causing challenges for the whole drone market), Dronetag has become the leading supplier of RID devices for commercial drone operators in the USA. “Dronetag covers 70 % of RID device supplies to the American market. In November 2023, we closed a deal with the Drone Nerds, one of the leading drone distributors in the US, which strengthened our position. And we believe that even European drone pilots will find our devices handy and well-crafted,” shares Brchl. The list of recent successes goes on; Dronetag has also been selected by NATO - Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) to its program, where the most exciting innovators developing groundbreaking technologies create more than just innovation; the goal is to bring real positive social impact. Dronetag is a manufacturer of Remote Identification devices and platforms for drone pilots and manufacturers. Its add-on transmitters enrich existing drones with a Remote ID capability, while modules are used by manufacturers who built them directly into their drones' internal circuits. Dronetag devices transmit identification and location data to other airspace participants via the Dronetag App, which offers advanced fleet management tools to professional pilots. The company’s vision of safer airspace relies on innovative unmanned traffic management and digitally visible drones. Contact Details Dronetag Jan Jiroušek jan.jirousek@dronetag.cz Company Website https://dronetag.cz/

December 07, 2023 03:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Londonderry, NH Wins Business of the Year

Minuteman Press International Inc

For over 8 years and counting, Bob Bean has been the proud owner of the Minuteman Press franchise in Londonderry, New Hampshire located at 44 Nashua Road, Unit 18. When Bob purchased the business in October of 2015, he followed the Minuteman Press system and immediately became involved with several community groups and organizations. Thanks to Bob’s hard work and dedication, Minuteman Press in Londonderry has won the Business of the Year award from the Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. Bob accepted the award at the special awards dinner that was held on Oct. 12, 2023 at the Tupelo Music Hall in Derry NH. Bob shares his humble reaction to winning the award and provides his insights on the importance of being an active member of local groups in order to build relationships and generate referrals. He also talks about his journey to Minuteman Press and how his passion for helping others drives him today. What does it mean to you to win Business of the Year? H ow are you active in your community? Bob Bean: “Receiving the Business of the Year is a humbling experience. It was a surprise, I did not know that we had made such an impact in the Chamber and business community for this recognition. We have just tried to provide services to the businesses and the community to the best of our ability. It is great to be recognized and know that we are doing a good job with in the communities that we serve. I am involved in two local Chambers, member of the Rotary Club of Londonderry, and have been an active member in BNI for 8 years. I have made many connections with a lot of the non-profits in the area and work with them to help with their needs and support their functions. With the local rotary we have sponsored Christmas on the Commons, Senior High School Graduation Banners have donated to many non-profits and helped with fuel assistance during the winter months. I am also involved with the Freemasons in the state.” How would you best describe your community? Bob Bean: “ The Derry/Londonderry community are the largest two towns that are in the chamber and we have several smaller towns in the chamber also. New Hampshire does not have a lot of large metropolitan areas; it is made up more of small towns that are convenient to bordering states. Other than small businesses and small business owners, the majority of the communities are made up of people that work out of state. The people and businesses in the community are open and always look for ways to help each other when possible. As business owners, we all want to support each other and do what we can to see that we can grow and thrive.” What are some of the key ways you’ve grown your business? Bob Bean: “Networking is the key that has worked for us. Since 2015, I have been a member of the chamber and of BNI. I have always been very active in the networking area by going to meetings, ribbon-cuttings, events, and visiting businesses. We took advantage of the upgraded minuteman.com website to get some traffic through online channels. One of the other biggest ways we’ve built the business is through referrals from our customers and the organizations we work with.” What are your high-demand products and services? Bob Bean: “We have been able to provide direct mail services for many of our clients; this has been a big part of the business over the last few years especially during the pandemic. We also do a lot of marketing catalogs and Playbills for several theater groups and music groups.” What was your previous background? Why did you choose Minuteman Press? Bob Bean: “I was in the computer industry for almost 40 years. Most of my career was in management both in manufacturing and support. I was a Field Service Representative for a computer company for many years. Then, for 20 years, I was a Technical Support Manager for a supermarket chain. I chose Minuteman Press because of the research I did on the company and talking to the Regional Vice President and several store owners.” What has the support from Minuteman Press been like for you? Bob Bean: “Minuteman Press International support has been good on all levels. When I have a question, we can usually get an answer quickly. When there is an issue, support has been good at assisting in resolving the issue.” What are the biggest personal and professional rewards of owning your business? Bob Bean: “Personal and professional goals are similar in that I enjoy helping people and organizations. This business has given me the chance to connect with many more people and organizations to be able to help and give my knowledge and experience to them so that they can succeed.” What advice would you give to other business owners right now? Bob Bean: “Get involved with your local Chamber of Commerce and BNI Networking Group. These two are very critical to the growth and success of the business. Also, look into other organizations and groups like the Exchange, Rotary, Kiwanis, or whatever is in your area and local to your business. But do not just join these groups; get involved and be active in what is going on with the groups and be involved in the community. You get out of them what you put into them, so if you are active and visible then you will be the person or business that others will seek out and rely on for help and advice.” For more information on Minuteman Press in Londonderry, NH, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/nh/londonderry/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

December 06, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Hearing Necessary to “Shed Light” on Repeated Misrepresentations from Those Defending FOX from FCC Petition

Raynor Ave.

Supporters of the Media and Democracy Project’s (MAD) Petition to Deny the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corp-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF) submitted joint informal comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reiterating the evidence in support of holding a hearing into the matter. The supporters sought to address a series of misrepresentations circulating within the media and on Capitol Hill that follow from the same playbook FOX employed to undermine the 2020 election. Among other things, these comments clearly state that MAD’s petition is non-partisan and not about politics, not about speech, does not threaten Philadelphians’ access to Sunday Eagles NFL games, and will establish only an extremely narrow and limited precedent. The filing also called on the FCC to grant MAD’s motion to compel FOX to produce key discovery from recent litigations saying, “not requiring the production of those documents would be tantamount to looking the other way.” The group of seven—including former media veterans and FCC officials—concluded their filing with the following: “Because of Dominion record evidence (including internal emails and texts) the whole world watched Rupert Murdoch, Lachlan Murdoch, and FOX acknowledge the truth that the 2020 election was not stolen, debate the cost in viewers and revenues of reporting that truth to their viewers, and make a business decision to lie to them instead. The whole world also watched the tragic consequences of that business decision. Judge Davis called them out on it. The question is what the Commission will do.” To debunk scare tactics employed by Fox allies who have asserted FCC action against WTFX would deprive Philadelphians of the Eagles’ Sunday games, the commenters provided a declaration from former NFL media executive Frank Hawkins, who explained that in light of longstanding NFL TV contract provisions “[t]his assertion is at best uninformed, and at worst misinformation.” The joint informal comments were filed by Milo Vassallo, MAD’s Executive Director; Alfred Sikes, former Republican Chairman of the FCC; Ervin Duggan, former Democratic Commissioner of the FCC and former President of the Public Broadcasting Service; Jamie Kellner, Founding President of the Fox Broadcasting Company; William Kristol, former Editor of Rupert Murdoch’s The Weekly Standard; William Reyner, former Lead Regulatory and Commercial Counsel for Rupert Murdoch/News Corporation/Fox; and Preston Padden, former Executive of Fox Broadcasting Company and Former Lead Lobbyist for Rupert Murdoch/News Corporation/Fox. A copy of the joint informal comment is available here. A link to MAD’s initial Petition to Deny is available here. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots organization focused on strengthening a free and independent media in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.Org. To sign up for more information from The Media and Democracy Project, click here. Contact Details Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

November 29, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Putting the Brakes on Distracted Driving This Holiday Season

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/-m__hB55lSE The holiday season is here – and that means there will be an increase of motorists on U.S. roadways. With more families hitting the road, it’s an important time to discuss the dangers and consequences of distracted driving. The 2023 Travelers Risk Index on distracted driving found that 70% of consumers feel that distracted driving is more of a problem now than it was over the past few years. Following are additional highlights from the 2023 Travelers Risk Index: · 80% make or receive calls. · 57% use handheld devices. · 28% post on social media. · 27% take photos or videos. The Travelers Institute, the public policy division at Travelers, has been raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving through its Every Second Matters® campaign – an initiative that began in 2017. Since the campaign started, the Travelers Institute has published a number of whitepapers and resources to help consumers understand the risks and learn how to be safe behind the wheel. The Travelers Institute was joined by Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics solution provider, which regularly publishes new distracted driving data insights and road safety reports throughout the year. According to its new report, The State of Distracted Driving in 2023 & the Future of Road Safety, CMT reports that the 23% surge in distracted driving in 2022 caused an additional 420,000 crashes, 1,000 fatalities, and $10 billion in economic damages. Additionally, a new analysis from CMT shows that distracted driving increased by 9.2% on Thanksgiving Day from 2020 to 2022. For more information, visit TRAVELERSINSTITUTE.ORG AND CMT.AI. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 22, 2023 02:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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