Tag Archives: Awards and Honors

Strategic Benefits Advisors holds steady as Atlanta’s benefits consultant market shrinks 17%

Firm named one of Atlanta's largest employee benefits companies for eighth consecutive year and adds Operations and People Development Officer Kendra Jeffreys to support continued growth

ATLANTA, Ga., Sept. 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) has been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s largest employee benefits and compensation companies of 2026. This is the eighth consecutive year SBA has made the Chronicle’s annual list highlighting benefits consultants and brokers. Even as the number of benefits consultants and brokers in Atlanta fell 17% in 2026, according to the Chronicle, SBA held its position and is ensuring readiness for growth with the recent addition of Operations and People Development Officer Kendra Jeffreys.

Image caption: Kendra Jeffreys of Strategic Benefits Advisors.

Jeffreys joined SBA in April to lead the design and scaling of the internal systems, processes and talent infrastructure that support SBA’s growth. On the operational side, she guides how SBA deploys AI and automation to improve efficiency while maintaining the judgment, accuracy and client stewardship central to its consulting approach. She also oversees the recruiting, onboarding and leadership development programs that help SBA attract and grow talent.

“The contraction in Atlanta’s benefits consulting market reflects a broader period of consolidation across the industry,” said SBA Founding Principal Mindy Zatto. “Against that backdrop, SBA has continued to grow because our clients across the country value experienced, independent consultants who stay close to the work and can help them navigate increasingly complex benefits decisions. That kind of continuity matters, especially when the market around you is changing.”

“As SBA grows, we also have to be deliberate about how we build the firm behind the client work,” Zatto added. “Kendra is the right person to help us strengthen the systems, processes and talent development practices that support our people today and position SBA for thoughtful, sustainable growth.”

Jeffreys brings more than 20 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, enterprise transformation, project management and people development. Before joining SBA, she held senior operational leadership roles with national and global organizations, where she led large-scale transformation initiatives, systems implementations, process improvement efforts and staff development programs. She earned her master’s degree in public health from Georgia State University and her bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Emory University.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of more than 20 years in the field, SBA’s team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/strategic-benefits-advisors-holds-steady-as-atlantas-benefits-consultant-market-shrinks-17/

Six Postdocs Selected for NPA IMPACT Fellowship Program Class of 2027

New cohort of exceptional early-career researchers hails from institutions across the U.S.

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In advance of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) introduced the six members of its Class of 2027 IMPACT Fellowship Program (IMPACT). The sixth IMPACT cohort consists of postdoctoral scholars from a diverse range of backgrounds and research disciplines who will engage in a 16-month program designed to provide comprehensive personal and professional development.

Image caption: National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

Founded in 2021, IMPACT offers postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented communities a variety of resources to leverage their existing strengths, acquire new skills, build and maintain meaningful networks and connections, identify opportunities, and navigate their career trajectories with confidence. Scholars are selected both for their expressions of needs for resources and exceptional promise to further blossom as leaders in an intensive, peer-driven environment.

As a key component of the program, Fellows develop individual IMPACT projects using skills and resources developed or enhanced during their time in the program. The projects target specific communities of importance to the Fellows with creative initiatives – from innovative science programs in urban K-12 schools to academic partnerships with native American communities to advance understanding of disease – that yield sustainable, positive, replicable benefits for years to come.

“Each year, I’m amazed at the caliber of scholars joining our IMPACT program to learn, connect, and give back to us all through their leadership,” commented Thomas P. Kimbis, J.D., executive director and chief executive officer of the NPA. “This cohort is no exception. I’m thrilled to welcome them to the growing ranks of IMPACT fellows and alumni.”

“The IMPACT program is an outstanding vehicle to build critical skills and instill confidence that helps create a new generation of exceptional leaders– not only in science and research but across our whole society,” said Andrea Pereyra, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the NPA board of directors.

NPA IMPACT Fellows, class of 2027:

Jyotsna Godavarthi, PhD, UTHealth Houston
Alexandra Kuvaeva, PhD, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Jaya Nepal, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University
Shefali Rai, PhD, University of California San Diego
Shruti Tophkhane, PhD, University of Minnesota
Yabo Vidogbena, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

The NPA thanks its generous IMPACT sponsors, including NYU Langone Health, Gallagher Insurance, and the Dana Foundation. The NPA is actively seeking additional sponsors to support advancement in underrepresented scholarly communities through programs such as IMPACT. Academic institutions, companies, and nonprofit funders interested in engaging with the NPA can learn more about current sponsorship opportunities at: https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=839646.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATION:

The NPA is a national charitable and educational nonprofit association headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, that seeks to improve the postdoctoral experience by supporting a culture of inclusive connection. Learn more at https://www.nationalpostdoc.org/.

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NEWS SOURCE: National Postdoctoral Association

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (National Postdoctoral Association), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/six-postdocs-selected-for-npa-impact-fellowship-program-class-of-2027/

Soap Opera Magazine Named No. 1 Soap Opera News Site of 2026 by High on Films

Ranking cites breaking-news speed, editorial accountability, comprehensive coverage and reader experience in placing Soap Opera Magazine first among leading daytime television news outlets

ONTARIO, Canada, Sept. 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Soap Opera Magazine (https://soapoperamagazine.com/), a digital publication covering American daytime television, has been named the No. 1 soap opera news website of 2026 by entertainment publication High on Films. In its newly published ranking, “The 5 Best Soap Opera News Sites Online in 2026,” High on Films placed Soap Opera Magazine first among five major outlets covering the daytime television industry.

Image caption: Soap Opera Magazine.

Soap Central ranked second, followed by Soaps.com, Michael Fairman TV and Soap Hub.

High on Films named Soap Opera Magazine “Best for: breaking news speed and daily spoiler depth,” citing the publication’s newsroom standards, editorial accountability, continuously updated spoiler coverage and distribution across major digital platforms.

“This recognition means a great deal to our entire team because it is based on the things we have deliberately worked to build,” said Amber Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief of Soap Opera Magazine. “Speed matters in entertainment journalism, but being first means very little if you are not also accurate. Our goal has been to create a publication fans can check every day and know that what they are reading has been sourced, reviewed and written by people who genuinely understand these shows.”

FOUR AREAS USED TO DETERMINE THE RANKINGS

High on Films said four primary factors were considered when evaluating soap opera news websites:

Breaking news speed. The ranking examined how quickly outlets publish significant daytime television news following credible confirmation, including casting changes, contract developments and other major industry stories.

Sourcing and accuracy. Publications were evaluated on their ability to distinguish confirmed information from rumor, publicly correct errors and identify the journalists responsible for their reporting.

Coverage completeness. The ranking considered whether outlets consistently cover all five current American network daytime dramas: “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Beyond the Gates.”

Reader experience. Mobile performance, advertising density and whether readers are directed to current and useful information were also considered.

High on Films concluded that Soap Opera Magazine earned the top position because it was the only publication in the ranking it viewed as competing strongly across all four areas simultaneously.

The publication also highlighted Soap Opera Magazine’s internal standard of publishing breaking daytime news within 60 minutes of credible confirmation and then updating stories as additional verified information becomes available.

EDITORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY SETS PUBLICATION APART

The ranking specifically pointed to Soap Opera Magazine’s February 2026 appointment of Sinclair as Editor-in-Chief as an important component of the publication’s editorial structure.

Sinclair has spent more than 16 years covering daytime television and has authored more than 25,000 published articles. Her previous positions include Managing Editor at SoapHub, Editor-in-Chief at Daily Drama and Senior Editor at Soap Shows.

Under Sinclair’s leadership, Soap Opera Magazine operates with named journalist bylines, correction standards and editorial reference files designed to prevent longstanding character and storyline inaccuracies from being repeated as fact.

“Soap fans know these shows better than almost anyone,” Sinclair said. “They remember what happened ten years ago, who played a character, how relationships connect and whether something actually aired or was simply rumored. That audience demands accuracy, and they should.”

BUILT FOR DAILY SOAP OPERA COVERAGE

High on Films also cited Soap Opera Magazine’s approach to spoiler coverage as a differentiator.

Alongside daily reporting, the publication maintains continuously updated spoiler pages for each daytime drama, allowing readers to find current information without relying exclusively on individual articles that become outdated as storylines advance.

Soap Opera Magazine publishes coverage of “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Beyond the Gates,” with distribution extending beyond its website through MSN, NewsBreak and social media.

The No. 1 ranking comes during a year of continued expansion for Soap Opera Magazine.

In February, the publication announced Sinclair as Editor-in-Chief and revealed that it was exploring a return to a physical print edition. In September, Soap Opera Magazine announced nominees for the inaugural Maggie Awards, a fan-voted awards program recognizing performances and storytelling across all five daytime dramas.

“Soap opera journalism has changed dramatically from the magazine era, but the demand for great coverage never disappeared,” Sinclair said. “The audience simply moved online. Our job is to build the newsroom that audience deserves.”

The complete High on Films ranking, “The 5 Best Soap Opera News Sites Online in 2026,” is available at: https://www.highonfilms.com/the-5-best-soap-opera-news-sites-online-in-2026/

ABOUT SOAP OPERA MAGAZINE

Soap Opera Magazine (https://soapoperamagazine.com/) is a digital publication dedicated to comprehensive coverage of daytime television. A revival of the print title published from 1991 to 1999, the publication delivers daily spoilers, breaking news, character analysis and exclusive content covering “The Young and the Restless,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Beyond the Gates.”

Distributed through MSN, NewsBreak and major social media platforms, Soap Opera Magazine serves a dedicated community of daytime television fans with timely, accurate and fan-focused content. Soap Opera Magazine is published by Squid McGuffey Media LLC.

Follow Soap Opera Magazine:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoapOperaMagazine

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapoperamag

X: https://x.com/SoapOpera411

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soap-opera-magazine

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NEWS SOURCE: Soap Opera Magazine

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Soap Opera Magazine), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/soap-opera-magazine-named-no-1-soap-opera-news-site-of-2026-by-high-on-films/

Argyle and The BIG Point of Sale named 2026 Connections Award winners by PROGRESS in Lending

Recognized for embedding payroll-based VOIE directly into the mortgage origination workflow through ICE Mortgage Technology's Encompass Partner Connect

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., July 22, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Argyle, the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform, and The BIG Point of Sale today announced they have been named winners of the 2026 Connections Award by PROGRESS in Lending. The award honors the most impactful partnerships, integrations and acquisitions advancing the mortgage industry, recognizing the companies for an integration that embeds verification of income and employment (VOIE) directly into the loan origination process through ICE Mortgage Technology’s Encompass Partner Connect® framework.

Image caption: argyle logo.

“Being named a Connections Award winner alongside Argyle validates the approach we’ve taken from day one: verification should happen where the loan is actually originated, not as a separate step borrowers and processors have to manage on the side,” said Jerry Melia, president at The BIG Point of Sale. “This recognition reflects the work our team has put into making that experience feel seamless for lenders and borrowers alike.”

“Argyle empowers consumers to securely share data directly from their payroll and other income-related accounts with authorized lenders,” said John Hardesty, senior vice president of revenue at Argyle. “Lenders can embed income and employment verification directly into The BIG Point of Sale, accessing direct-source data earlier in the process and eliminating the manual back-and-forth that has historically slowed things down for borrowers and operations teams.”

Income and employment verification has historically been one of the more manual, time-consuming and expensive parts of the mortgage process. Borrowers are typically required to locate and upload paystubs, W-2s and other documentation, while lenders spend additional time chasing missing information, following up and re-entering data across systems.

With Argyle, The BIG Point of Sale integration changes that by making verification a natural part of the borrower application experience. Loan officers can initiate VOIE requests from The BIG Point of Sale on any device during or after the application process. Borrowers can easily share their real-time income and employment data through consumer-directed payroll connections— no document uploads required. After completing the Argyle connection flow, required data including VOIE, paystubs and W-2s is returned in real time and automatically posted to the Encompass eFolder through native Encompass Partner Connect functionality and workflow automation rules.

The integration also supports GSE-eligible verification data and reference IDs within the same workflow. As an authorized supplier for Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter® validation service and an approved service provider for Freddie Mac’s Loan Product Advisor® asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle enables lenders to access direct-source data and GSE reference IDs without leaving the point-of-sale environment or reordering a VOIE through separate systems.

The business impact of the integration is already visible in the field. Since embedding Argyle into the borrower workflow within The BIG Point of Sale, Absolute Home Mortgage increased its automated verification success rate from 10% to 48%. The lender reduced reliance on processor intervention and manual borrower follow-up while improving file completeness entering underwriting—with nearly half of loans submitted for underwriting already including paystubs and W-2s synced through Fannie Mae’s Day 1 Certainty® framework.

Key benefits lenders gain through the integration:

Speed: Payroll-connected VOIE data arrives in Encompass in real time, reducing delays between application and underwriting.
Cost reduction: Automated payroll-based VOIE can significantly reduce verification costs compared to legacy database-driven services.
GSE support: Lenders can qualify for representations and warranties relief through the same workflow, helping reduce repurchase risk exposure.
Better borrower experience: Borrowers complete verification from a mobile device in minutes rather than gathering and submitting paper documents.

ABOUT ARGYLE

Argyle is the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform empowering consumers to share their income, employment, and asset data through consumer-directed payroll and bank connections. With Argyle, lenders automate verification workflows to save time, reduce fraud and compliance risks, lower costs and build better product experiences. As an authorized supplier for Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter® validation service and an approved service provider supporting Freddie Mac’s Loan Product Advisor® asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle empowers mortgage lenders to receive the paystubs and W-2s applicants share, understand applicants’ ability to pay and improve loan quality—all at up to 80% less cost. Argyle’s commitment to innovation is backed by investors including Bain Capital Ventures, Checkr, Mastercard and SignalFire. For more information, visit https://www.argyle.com/

ABOUT THE BIG POINT OF SALE

The BIG Point of Sale, a Mortgage Automation Technologies solution, is a configurable point-of-sale platform built to help mortgage lenders simplify and automate the loan origination process. Through native integrations with ICE Mortgage Technology’s Encompass Partner Connect framework and verification partners like Argyle, The BIG Point of Sale embeds verification, disclosures and workflow automation directly into the borrower application experience, helping lenders reduce cycle times and manual work from application through closing. The BIG Point of Sale is based in Fairfield, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.thebigpos.com

Tags: @withArgyle

NEWS SOURCE: Argyle

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Argyle), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/argyle-and-the-big-point-of-sale-named-2026-connections-award-winners-by-progress-in-lending/

Click n’ Close named one of USDA’s Top Wholesale Lenders for 2026

ADDISON, Texas, July 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Click n’ Close, a multi-state mortgage lender, received a USDA 2026 Top Wholesale Lender award. The award was presented today at USDA Rural Development’s National Lender of the Year Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Image caption: Click n’ Close named one of USDA’s Top Wholesale Lenders for 2026.

The USDA National Lender of the Year Awards recognize top lending partners supporting rural homeownership through USDA Rural Development’s Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. Click n’ Close ranked second nationally in the Top Wholesale Lender category, behind United Wholesale Mortgage.

Click n’ Close offers USDA loans through its wholesale and correspondent channels, including a forgivable second-lien down payment assistance option that can be applied toward closing costs, escrows and prepaids. The company also supports manufactured home financing under the USDA program, expanding the range of eligible property types available to rural homebuyers.

“Rural borrowers often get overlooked by lenders chasing volume in metro markets,” said Jeff Bode, chief executive officer of Click n’ Close. “We built our wholesale platform to serve the brokers working in those communities, and this ranking tells us that approach is paying off for the families they’re helping get into homes.”

The USDA National Lender of the Year Awards Ceremony was held June 17 in Washington, D.C. Soliman Martinez, division manager, accepted the award on Click n’ Close’s behalf. More information on the ceremony is available in the USDA’s news release at https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-holds-national-lenders-year-award-ceremony-0.

About Click n’ Close, Inc.

Click n’ Close, Inc. is a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and originators through its wholesale, correspondent and retail channels. The company is an industry leader in proprietary down payment assistance (DPA) programs and a recognized leader in One-Time Close construction lending across conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and Section 184 programs. Through its 1st Tribal Lending division—the nation’s largest originator and servicer of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans—Click n’ Close extends its commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities nationwide.

In operation since 1959, Click n’ Close has remained at the forefront of mortgage innovation, pioneering the adoption of eClosings and eNotes. Backed by a strong financial foundation, Click n’ Close has the balance sheet and warehouse capacity to support and scale its specialized loan programs, providing consistent access to capital and reliable execution for its partners. By maintaining direct relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private investors and servicing its loan programs in-house, the company delivers dependable liquidity, loan salability and an enhanced borrower experience.

Learn more at www.clicknclose.com.

NEWS SOURCE: Click n' Close Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Click n' Close Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/click-n-close-named-one-of-usdas-top-wholesale-lenders-for-2026/

NotaryCam President Brian Webster named a 2026 Inman Best in Finance honoree

HOUSTON, Texas, July 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — NotaryCam®, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization (RON) and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced that President Brian Webster has been recognized as a 2026 Inman Best in Finance award winner. The award honors mortgage and finance professionals who have advanced innovation and raised industry standards for excellence. Webster is recognized for his enduring role in modernizing the mortgage process and normalizing remote online notarization as a trusted, compliant component of digital closings.

Image caption: NotaryCam President Brian Webster.

With more than 25 years of experience in mortgage and financial services, Webster has helped transform RON from an emerging concept into a mainstream element of the homebuying experience. He has guided the expansion of NotaryCam’s secure, compliant RON and identity verification solutions across newly approved states while deepening integrations with leading eClosing and document providers.

Prior to leading NotaryCam, his work at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Wells Fargo and Freedom Mortgage contributed to early eMortgage initiatives that laid the groundwork for today’s paperless closing ecosystem. He has also played an active role in shaping industry standards through collaboration with regulatory and trade organizations.

“Being recognized by Inman alongside so many outstanding professionals in mortgage and finance is a tremendous honor,” said Webster. “This recognition reflects the work of the entire NotaryCam team and the partners who trust us to deliver a better closing experience. We remain committed to making remote online notarization more accessible, more secure and more seamless for everyone involved in a transaction.”

Explore the full list of 2026 Inman Best in Finance honorees at https://www.inman.com/best-of-finance-awards/.

About NotaryCam, a Stewart Company

NotaryCam, a Stewart-owned company, is the leader in online notarization and mortgage eClosing solutions, having notarized documents worldwide for more than two million customers across the United States and more than 146 countries. The company’s eClose360® platform delivers the “perfect” online mortgage closing in every jurisdiction where RON is allowed and supports all eClosing scenarios with a flexible workflow for document recording and unparalleled identity verification, security and customer convenience. In addition to real estate transactions, NotaryCam provides RON services to many Fortune 500 companies as well as small and midsize businesses. The company also proudly maintains an industry-leading 99.8 percent customer satisfaction rating and the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) amongst the best global tech brands.

Visit https://www.notarycam.com for additional information or to get a document notarized today.

NEWS SOURCE: NotaryCam Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (NotaryCam Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/notarycam-president-brian-webster-named-a-2026-inman-best-in-finance-honoree/

Southern California Dog Finley from Pet Friendly Paw Life Wins Best in California, Competing for Best in Nation in the Pet Lovers Choice Awards

SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 14, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Pet Friendly Paw Life Pomeranian Finley has won the title of Best in California in the Pet Lovers Choice Awards and is now competing for Best in Nation. Vote for California dog Finley to win the national title, the voting round lasts from July 14th through July 22nd. The event benefits rescue Best Friends Animal Society with official media partner USA Today Pets.

Photo caption: Finley, Pomeranian from Pet Friendly Paw Life, Best in California Winner for the 2026 Pet Lovers Choice Awards.

Small but mighty 6 lb. tri-color Pomeranian Finley is a paw ambassador for Pet Friendly Paw Life, where he helps his paw family discover and feature dog friendly destinations across southern California and beyond. @PetFriendlyPawLife quickly grew to over 60,000 followers and subscribers across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube combined in just over 6 months thanks to highlighting dog friendly restaurants, hotels, shops, events and experiences across California. Finley and his Pomeranian sister Cocoa feature in all the Pet Friendly Paw Life highlights, giving them their Paw Approved and Two Paws Up stamps of approval.

Finley has his own survivor story, where he was rejected by his biological dog mom and needed to be hand fed as a puppy, growing up very attached to his human paw mom Pebbles and paw dad Robert. It’s for this reason that Pebbles decided to start Pet Friendly Paw Life, because Finley would insist on joining his paw family everywhere. Pet Friendly Paw Life quickly gained a strong local Southern California following, which helped propel Finley to win the Best in California title, beating thousands of entrants.

Finley was present at the 2026 Pet Lovers Choice Awards Best in State live taping and even got his paw-15 minutes of fame on the stage with comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Monica McNutt. Little Finley is now collaborating on a music video with local Temecula musician Joanna Pearl to her song, “Authentically Me” from her latest album, available on iTunes and Spotify. Follow @PetFriendlyPawLife on Instagram and/or YouTube to see the video debut!

To Vote for Finley visit https://petloverschoiceawards.com/contestant/60404?contest=79

To learn more visit https://www.petfriendlypawlife.com/

ABOUT PET FRIENDLY PAW LIFE:

Pebbles Vadakan started Pet Friendly Paw Life in late 2025 to feature dog friendly locales and products across southern California and the occasional road trip, with a focus on Los Angeles, San Diego, Temecula Wine Country, Orange County and Fallbrook. The main social channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube quickly gained over 20,000 followers each (60,000+ combined) thanks to engaging videos choreographed to music, adorable Pomeranian paw ambassadors Finley and Cocoa, and local event round-ups that have become a popular staple within the dog friendly community.

The first event for Pet Friendly Paw Life is taking place August 23, 2026 at Cougar Winery in Temecula Wine Country, titled “Paws, Pours and Pop-Ups,” in collaboration with several other local dog influencers (Pug Moms Club, Stormi’s Furever Friends, OC Yorkies and Tiny Dog Club and San Diego Pomeranians).

MULTIMEDIA

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Photo caption: Finley, Pomeranian from Pet Friendly Paw Life, Best in California Winner for the 2026 Pet Lovers Choice Awards.

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NEWS SOURCE: Pet Friendly Paw Life

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Pet Friendly Paw Life), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/southern-california-dog-finley-from-pet-friendly-paw-life-wins-best-in-california-competing-for-best-in-nation-in-the-pet-lovers-choice-awards/

Dovenmuehle’s Amber Cowan named a Mortgage Stars honoree by Mortgage Women Magazine

LAKE ZURICH, Ill., July 9, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dovenmuehle Mortgage, Inc. (DMI), a leading mortgage subservicing company, announced today that Amber Cowan, first vice president of Default Operations, has been named a Mortgage Stars honoree by Mortgage Women Magazine. The program recognizes women making significant contributions to the mortgage industry through innovation, leadership and impact on colleagues and clients. Cowan is honored for modernizing default operations through data-driven innovation, her borrower-focused servicing strategies and her sustained commitment to building high-performing teams.

Image caption: Dovenmuehle’s Amber Cowan, 2026 Mortgage Star.

Cowan oversees 600 employees across collections, foreclosure, loss mitigation, REO, bankruptcy and property preservation. Over the past year, she led the integration of default operations KPI and SLA ecosystems into dynamic dashboards, giving leadership and operational teams the ability to measure performance trends against benchmarks and drill down to loan-level detail. She further expanded performance analytics by introducing geographic, loan type and seasonality data into performance monitoring, fundamentally shifting how non-performing assets are governed throughout their lifecycle.

Through automation initiatives including bulk processing workflows for borrower assistance milestones, Cowan’s team achieved a significant reduction in review timelines and related expenses. She helped expand Dovenmuehle’s capabilities to service HELOC and junior lien portfolios and collaborated across departments to improve claim recoverability reporting and operational visibility. She also modernized the borrower experience by supporting expanded omni-channel engagement, mobile notary services and remote online notarization.

“I’m honored to be recognized for work that I believe is moving the industry forward,” said Cowan. “But I’m most proud of the team behind these results. Every efficiency gain, every performance milestone reflects the dedication of the people I get to work alongside every day. This recognition belongs to them as much as it does to me.”

Beyond operational results, Cowan is recognized for her commitment to developing people. She introduced staff training initiatives in multiple formats, including video, interactive manuals and outside vendor trainings, and meets regularly with indirect reports to discuss their goals and professional growth.

Explore the full list of honorees: https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/written-stars-2026-mortgage-star-awards.

About Dovenmuehle

Founded in 1844, Dovenmuehle (Lake Zurich, Ill.) is a mortgage subservicer for commercial banks, credit unions, independent mortgage lenders, MSR investors and state housing finance agencies nationwide. The company subservices portfolio loans, as well as loans sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and the Federal Home Loan Bank with servicing retained. Using a combination of best-in-class and proprietary technology, Dovenmuehle helps lenders reduce servicing costs and deliver consistently high levels of service to homeowners while maintaining compliance with investor and regulatory requirements. Learn more at https://dovenmuehle.com.

NEWS SOURCE: Dovenmuehle

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dovenmuehle), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dovenmuehles-amber-cowan-named-a-mortgage-stars-honoree-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

Dovenmuehle’s Amber Cowan named a Mortgage Stars honoree by Mortgage Women Magazine

Image caption: Dovenmuehle’s Amber Cowan, 2026 Mortgage Star.

Explore the full list of honorees: https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/written-stars-2026-mortgage-star-awards.

About Dovenmuehle

NEWS SOURCE: Dovenmuehle

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dovenmuehles-amber-cowan-named-a-mortgage-stars-honoree-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

National Postdoctoral Association Announces Inaugural Institutional Policy Awards, Releases Policy Report

New program celebrates 12 institutions advancing the postdoctoral experience; national report tracks progress, concerns

BETHESDA, Md., July 7, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) today announced the recipients of its inaugural Institutional Policy Awards, recognizing twelve institutions that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the postdoctoral experience, along with its 2026 Institutional Policy Report, tracking national trends affecting the postdoc community.

Image caption: National Postdoctoral Association Announces Inaugural Institutional Policy Awards.

The 2026-2027 NPA Institutional Policy Award recipients are:

Boston Children’s Hospital
Cleveland Clinic Research
Gladstone Institutes
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Temple University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Texas Medical Branch
Van Andel Institute
Virginia Commonwealth University

“Today, for the first time, we make a record of who stands out in their alignment with accepted recommendations for postdoctoral excellence – ultimately not to separate them from other outstanding institutions, but to bind our whole community through shared knowledge,” said Thomas P. Kimbis, executive director and chief executive officer of the NPA.

The inaugural awardees represent approximately five percent of NPA member institutions and were selected for their outstanding overall alignment with the revised Recommended Postdoctoral Policies and Practices (RPPP). Their recognition reflects sustained institutional commitment across the broad range of policies that shape the postdoctoral experience – from appointment and compensation practices to mentoring, professional development, career preparation, and institutional support.

“At its core, these awards reflect a simple idea: if we want to improve the postdoctoral experience nationally, we need to recognize and learn from institutions that are helping lead the way,” said Andrea Pereyra, M.D., Ph.D., chair, NPA board of directors. “By doing so, we not only celebrate their commitment, but also help elevate practices that can inform and inspire progress across the broader postdoctoral community.”

The awards represent the culmination of four years of work by NPA staff and volunteers to develop the first known national initiative at this scale, recognizing institutional excellence in the postdoctoral community. The inaugural dozen awardees comprise a remarkably diverse group: large and small; universities, national laboratories, and institutes; ranging from east and west, north and south.

The institutions honored today for their work have significant alignment with NPA policy recommendations when viewed across the full set within the RPPP, although none have completed their work. “We’re not here to celebrate the perfect,” said Kimbis. “No organization is perfect. But we do see some making important, translatable progress in critical areas – and that’s worth celebrating.”

Complementing the awards, the 2026 NPA Institutional Policy Report analyzes institutional policy data available nowhere else from more than 100 organizations nationwide and provides trends, findings and recommendations. This broad view shows important gains, but also reveals a postdoctoral community at a critical juncture, facing intensifying economic pressures, persistent inequities in benefit distribution, and a structural gap in career outcome tracking that threatens the U.S. research pipeline.

Together, the RPPP, Institutional Policy Report, and Institutional Policy Awards create an integrated framework of recommendations, benchmarking, and recognition designed to help institutions understand emerging needs, measure progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and share successful approaches across the postdoctoral community.

“We celebrate leading institutions today in the context of national trends we have been tracking for more than a decade. Where we see excellence and accomplishment, we also recognize the hard work ahead to elevate the postdoctoral experience where it belongs,” said Kimbis.

In the coming months, the NPA will recognize additional institutions demonstrating exceptional achievement in specific areas of postdoctoral policy and practice. The association will also develop practical resources – including best practices, implementation guides, and lessons learned – to help institutions support postdoctoral scholars nationwide.

“Improving the postdoctoral experience is a community effort,” said Erin Heckler, Ph.D., vice chair, NPA board of directors. “The NPA, recognizing the work of these institutions as examples of policies and practices, shares what progress is possible for everyone.”

About the National Postdoctoral Association:

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NEWS SOURCE: National Postdoctoral Association

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National Champions Crowned During 2026 Pygmy Goat Convention, Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the NPGA

Champion Buck, Doe and Wether awarded highest honor during 50th anniversary celebration

SEATTLE, Wash., June 30, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) is proud to announce the National Champion Buck, Doe and Wether for 2026. Hosted by the Ohio Pygmy Goat Association, the Golden Jubilee National Convention held in Owensville, Ohio June 19-21, not only celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the NPGA, it also brought together the best animals from across the country to compete in the Champion Challenge.

Image caption: (L-R) Platinum Wether Country Critters Dayne; PGCH Doe Morgan Crossing Sancy; Buck Hass’ Happy Herd Mr Bojangles.

In order to compete for National Champion in the Buck Class a buck must be a Permanent Grand Champion (having won Grand Champion Buck four times). In the Doe Class, a doe must also be a Permanent Grand Champion (having won Grand Champion three times). In the Wether Class, a wether (castrated male), must be a Bronze Certificate Wether or higher, (having won Best Wether three or more times).

The National Champion Buck is Hass’ Happy Herd Mr Bojangles owned by Deb and Carrie Graf and Heather and Michael Putman from Rensselaer, IN. Mr Bojangles was bred by Betsy Hasselbach. First runner up is Polk Springs Morgan owned and bred by Grant and Sally Rogers. Second runner up is Channel Acres Cantbelieveitsnotbutr owned and bred by George, Susan and Hannah Neal.

“First thing I felt was relief after many months of work to get to this stage. It was a very special moment to have this animal be chosen and be a part of the first national champion bred by Betsy,” said Michael Putman.

The National Champion Doe is Morgan Crossing Sancy, owned by Bryson and Donna Staley from Liberty, NC. Sancy was bred by Eva Morgan. First runner up is Burntwood Farms Love Child bred and owned by Doug and Lisa Bragg. Second runner up is Holy Goats Perisha bred and owned by Eva Lowe.

“It’s a real honor to raise a doe from another breeder and watch her grow. I love seeing her succeed at a high level,” said Bryson Staley.

The National Champion Wether is Platinum Wether Country Critters Dayne owned by Lauren Nelson from West Union, SC and bred by Karen Crawford. First runner up is Rocking 3W Atomic Bomb bred and owned by Taylor Whitney. Second runner up is American Heritage Olaf owned by Avery Linville and bred by Tina Anderson.

“I was caught off guard; I wasn’t expecting it. I love my Dayne, super proud of him,” said Lauren Nelson. “He’s only been to 2 National Challenges and both times he’s walked away with a title. In 2023 Red Bluff, California he was 1st runner up. Now on the East Coast, at almost 5yrs old he wins the National Championship Wether! South Carolina has been great for Dayne! He looks amazing! Thank you to my mom, who works hard for NPGA and keeps our herd looking amazing! Love you momma!”

“It was amazing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NPGA with our members, breeders, exhibitors and friends during the National Convention,” said Darren Watkins, President of the National Pygmy Goat Association. “Congratulations to the winners, they’re all beautiful animals.”

About National Pygmy Goat Association

The National Pygmy Goat Association is the official breed association of the American Pygmy Goat. The organization was founded April 23, 1976 and promotes pygmy goats by setting official breed standards, provides animal registration, maintains a database of pedigrees, certifies judges, and sanctions pygmy goat shows around the United States. For more information visit https://npga-pygmy.com/

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Image caption: (L-R) Platinum Wether Country Critters Dayne; PGCH Doe Morgan Crossing Sancy; Buck Hass’ Happy Herd Mr Bojangles.

NEWS SOURCE: National Pygmy Goat Association

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (National Pygmy Goat Association), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/national-champions-crowned-during-2026-pygmy-goat-convention-celebrating-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-npga/

Friday Harbor and NewFed Mortgage honored with PROGRESS in Lending’s 2026 Connections Award

Award recognizes collaboration that cut cycle times, boosted capacity and drove $170 million in additional volume

SEATTLE, Wash., June 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Friday Harbor, an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, has been named a recipient of PROGRESS in Lending’s 2026 Connections Award alongside NewFed Mortgage Corp. (NewFed), a full-service residential mortgage lender operating in more than 20 states. The recognition honors a partnership that allowed NewFed to grow production without the hiring cycles and overhead that typically accompany scale.

Image caption: Friday Harbor and NewFed Mortgage honored with PROGRESS in Lending’s 2026 Connections Award.

NewFed rolled out Friday Harbor across its origination and fulfillment teams with a straightforward premise: catch problems before they reach an underwriter. The platform evaluates loan files against automated underwriting system (AUS) findings, investor guidelines and NewFed’s own credit overlays early in the process, so processors and loan officers can resolve issues while borrowers are still engaged.

The results have been significant. Since implementing Friday Harbor, NewFed processors have increased monthly file capacity by 36%, while underwriters review 35% more loans. Application-to-funded cycle times have dropped from 32 days to 26 days, and NewFed funded approximately $170 million more in loans during 2025 than the prior year without adding a single fulfillment hire.

“NewFed came to us with a clear-eyed goal: grow production without the headcount increases that erode margin,” said Theo Ellis, CEO of Friday Harbor. “What made this partnership work was their willingness to give us a real look at how their operation actually runs: the workflows, the friction points, the edge cases. The results speak to what’s possible when a technology partner understands your operation from the inside out.”

Now in its third year, the Connections Award honors partnerships and integrations that are advancing mortgage lending through collaboration, innovation and measurable business results. The collaboration extended well beyond a typical lender-vendor relationship. NewFed joined Friday Harbor as an early design partner, contributing feedback on real production workflows and loan scenarios that directly shaped the platform’s development.

For a full list of 2026 Connections Award winners, visit https://mymortgagemindset.com/

About Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor is an AI pre-underwriting platform that helps lenders identify and resolve potential issues earlier in the origination process. By analyzing borrower documents, appraisals and income calculations against investor guidelines and lender overlays, the platform helps teams deliver cleaner files, achieve fewer underwriting touches and improve individual productivity. For more information, visit https://fridayharbor.ai/.

Tags: #mortgagetech #AI #fintech

NEWS SOURCE: Friday Harbor

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Friday Harbor), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/friday-harbor-and-newfed-mortgage-honored-with-progress-in-lendings-2026-connections-award/

DocMagic and Truliant Federal Credit Union earn PROGRESS in Lending’s 2026 Connections Award for industry-first eHELOC milestone

Recognition marks the latest chapter in a yearslong collaboration that has produced three landmark milestones in digital mortgage lending

TORRANCE, Calif., June 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic® was honored today with PROGRESS in Lending’s 2026 Connections Award alongside Truliant Federal Credit Union, a North Carolina-based credit union serving more than 300,000 members. The recognition honors a yearslong partnership that culminated in the mortgage industry’s first electronic home equity line of credit (eHELOC) registered with the MERS® eRegistry.

Image caption: DocMagic, Inc.

Since 2020, Truliant and DocMagic have worked together to build the credit union’s digital closing capabilities from the ground up. In June 2025, that partnership extended into home equity lending, where DocMagic’s SmartSAFE™ eVault made the eHELOC registration possible.

The eHELOC milestone is the third time the two organizations have broken new ground together. In March 2020, DocMagic helped Truliant become the first credit union in North Carolina to complete a full eClosing. A year later, working with DocMagic, Truliant became the first credit union to transfer an eNote to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and just the second in the entire 11-member FHLBank system to do so, opening a wider path for member financial institutions to pledge eNotes. In the months that followed, the shift to eNotes cut six to eight days from Truliant’s loan delivery timeline.

“Truliant has been a tremendous partner in advancing digital lending across the credit union space,” said Pat Theodora, CEO of DocMagic. “Every milestone we’ve reached together over the years has been built on a shared belief that the next frontier is always worth pursuing.”

“DocMagic has helped us move lending forward with greater speed, efficiency and ease for consumers,” said Beth Eller, senior vice president of mortgage lending at Truliant. “Their innovative, forward-thinking approach has been instrumental to our progress, and we’re honored to celebrate this achievement together.”

About DocMagic:

DocMagic® provides a complete digital mortgage platform for the mortgage industry, delivering proprietary document generation, automated compliance, eSignature, eClosing, eNotarization, eNote and eVault technology in one unified solution. Built on nearly 40 years of innovation, DocMagic helps lenders, settlement service providers and investors move loans from application through post-closing with greater speed, accuracy and confidence. AI deepens that foundation through the company’s Intelligent Agentic Network. For more information, visit www.docmagic.com.

About Truliant Federal Credit Union:

Truliant is a mission-driven, not-for-profit financial institution based in Winston-Salem, N.C. It improves lives by providing great service and straightforward financial solutions. Truliant was chartered in 1952 and serves 333,000+ members. A top 100 U.S. credit union, Truliant has more than 35 branches in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. For more information, visit www.truliant.org.

Logo link for media:
https://www.docmagic.com/sites/default/files/img/logo/docmagic-logo-reg.png

* * *
UPDATED: 1:40 p.m. PDT to fix an inadvertent error in the text as originally provided.

NEWS SOURCE: DocMagic, Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DocMagic, Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/docmagic-and-truliant-federal-credit-union-earn-progress-in-lendings-2026-connections-award-for-industry-first-eheloc-milestone/

Chris Nevada and Nevada Real Estate Group Earn Multiple Industry Recognitions in 2025

Las Vegas-based brokerage honored on The Wall Street Journal's RealTrends The Thousand, USA TODAY's America's Best Real Estate Professionals, and earns 9,200+ five-star client reviews

LAS VEGAS, Nev., June 25, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Nevada Real Estate Group, led by founder Chris Nevada, has been recognized across multiple industry honors in 2025, including placement on The Wall Street Journal’s RealTrends The Thousand list, USA TODAY’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals ranking, and the Top 50 Nevada Real Producers list. The Las Vegas brokerage also holds the #1 Real Estate Team rankings in both Las Vegas and Reno and has accumulated more than 9,200 verified five-star client reviews across Zillow, Google, and FastExpert.

Photo caption: Chris Nevada.

The recognitions follow the team’s #1 Nevada ranking by RealTrends Verified for 2025, published in partnership with The Wall Street Journal. Nevada Real Estate Group closed 789 transaction sides and $361.5 million in residential volume in 2025, ranking #44 nationally by sides and #50 nationally by volume.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION HIGHLIGHTS

The Wall Street Journal — RealTrends The Thousand (2025): Named to the top 1,000 U.S. real estate professionals by closed volume.
USA TODAY — America’s Best Real Estate Professionals (2025): Featured on the top 1.5% national ranking by closed residential transactions.
Top 50 Nevada Real Producers: Recognized on the statewide list of highest-producing real estate professionals.
#1 Real Estate Team in Las Vegas: Top-ranked team in the Las Vegas market by closed sides and volume.
#1 Real Estate Team in Reno: Top-ranked team in the Reno / Northern Nevada market.
9,200+ verified five-star reviews: Across Zillow, Google, and FastExpert — one of the largest verified review portfolios for a Nevada team.

FOUNDER COMMENTARY

“We are humbled by the recognition from The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and RealTrends — these are industry benchmarks that real estate professionals work entire careers to earn,” said Chris Nevada, founder of Nevada Real Estate Group. “More meaningful to me are the 9,200-plus families who took the time to leave a five-star review. That number represents trust that was earned one transaction at a time.”

Nevada launched the Las Vegas operation 18 months ago after 10 years building a Reno-based practice. The firm has scaled to 150 licensed agents during what Las Vegas REALTORS reported as the slowest Southern Nevada sales year since 2007.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Nevada Real Estate Group won?

Nevada Real Estate Group has been recognized on The Wall Street Journal’s RealTrends The Thousand list, USA TODAY’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals list, and the Top 50 Nevada Real Producers list. The team also holds the #1 Real Estate Team rankings in both Las Vegas and Reno and has earned over 9,200 verified five-star client reviews across Zillow, Google, and FastExpert.

Is Nevada Real Estate Group recognized nationally?

Yes. Nevada Real Estate Group is recognized in The Wall Street Journal’s RealTrends The Thousand (top 1,000 nationally) and USA TODAY’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals (top 1.5% nationally). The team closed 789 sides and $361.5 million in volume in 2025, ranking #44 and #50 nationally on the respective metrics.

Who is the top-rated real estate team in Las Vegas?

Nevada Real Estate Group, founded by Chris Nevada, is the top-rated Las Vegas real estate team based on closed transaction volume and sides, verified by RealTrends in partnership with The Wall Street Journal.

Who is the top-rated real estate team in Reno, Nevada?

Nevada Real Estate Group is the #1-ranked real estate team in Reno, Nevada. Founder Chris Nevada — an award-winning Nevada real estate broker — spent 10 years building a Reno-based real estate practice before expanding the firm into Las Vegas.

What makes Nevada Real Estate Group different from other Nevada brokerages?

Nevada Real Estate Group is the only Nevada team currently ranked #1 in both the Las Vegas and Reno markets, recognized by The Wall Street Journal’s RealTrends The Thousand and USA TODAY’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, and named the best real estate team in Henderson Nevada, with more than 9,200 verified five-star client reviews across Zillow, Google, and FastExpert.

ABOUT NEVADA REAL ESTATE GROUP

Nevada Real Estate Group is a Nevada-based residential real estate brokerage led by founder Chris Nevada, operating under LPT Realty. The firm holds the #1 Real Estate Team ranking in both Las Vegas and Reno and is recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal’s RealTrends The Thousand and USA TODAY’s America’s Best Real Estate Professionals. The team serves Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Reno, and Incline Village.

Office: 8945 W Russell Rd #170, Las Vegas, NV 89148

Phone: (702) 637-1759

Web: https://www.nevadarealestategroup.com

MEDIA CONTACT
Chris Nevada, Founder
Nevada Real Estate Group
(702) 637-1759
chris@reno775.com

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Photo caption: Chris Nevada.

NEWS SOURCE: Nevada Real Estate Group

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Nevada Real Estate Group), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/chris-nevada-and-nevada-real-estate-group-earn-multiple-industry-recognitions-in-2025/

Informative Research receives MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award for unified credit and verification platform

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., June 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced it has been named a recipient of the MortgagePoint Excellence Award for Top Technology Providers. The recognition highlights IR’s innovative, unified platform, which enables lenders to operate more efficiently and make confident, data-driven decisions across the loan origination process.

Image caption: Informative Research receives 2026 MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award.

IR brings credit, verification and borrower data solutions together in a single, cohesive platform. By simplifying the tech stack and streamlining key workflows, IR helps clients manage costs, improve pull-through and enhance performance at every stage of origination. Integrations with leading loan origination systems and top data providers eliminate friction across credit, income and asset verification processes.

IR offerings include:

The Credit Platform: powers a full suite of solutions including soft pulls, hard pulls, tri-merge, FICO 10T, VantageScore 4.0, Mortgage Refresh, Account Refresh and simulators.
SoftQual™: enables prequalification without impacting borrower credit scores, while automated data transfers into loan origination systems reduce manual work and improve accuracy.
The Verification Platform: delivers a customizable waterfall across instant databases, payroll providers and manual verification, integrating with The Work Number®, Experian Verify, AccountChek®, and more.
Action Center: a self-service portal enabling loan officers and processors to make changes, request supplements and letters of explanation, and resolve issues directly from the credit report.

A robust data and analytics layer supports multiple IR solutions with dashboards, audit trails, reporting and platform reliability. Over the past year, IR expanded its technology footprint with five new integrations, including a partnership with Halcyon to automate income validation and add IRS tax transcript access, expanded verification options with Thomas & Company, and the introduction of The Work Number Report Indicator from Equifax to provide earlier insight into borrower employment status.

“This recognition reflects the work our team puts into solving real problems for lenders every day,” said CEO Matt Orlando. “Our platform was built to cut through the complexity of the origination process. When lenders can better manage credit and verification costs, improve pull-through and lower repurchase risk using a single, connected platform, we know we’re succeeding. We’re proud to be named among the top technology providers in the industry and remain committed to raising that bar.”

Explore the full list of MortgagePoint Excellence Award recipients: https://themortgagepoint.com/2026/06/15/meet-this-years-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipients/.

About Informative Research

Informative Research, a Stewart company, is a premier technology provider delivering data-driven credit and verification solutions to the lending community. The solutions provider currently serves mortgage companies, banks and lenders throughout the United States. The company is recognized for streamlining the loan process with its straightforward service model, progressive solutions and cutting-edge technology. To learn more, visit https://www.informativeresearch.com.

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Informative Research), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-receives-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-for-unified-credit-and-verification-platform/

DocMagic named 2026 MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award recipient for digital mortgage innovation

TORRANCE, Calif., June 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — DocMagic® announced today it has again been named a recipient of the MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Award. The annual award recognizes the most innovative technology providers in the mortgage industry. According to MortgagePoint, the Tech Excellence Award “highlights companies that deliver cutting-edge solutions, improve operational efficiency and enhance the mortgage process through technology.”

Image caption: DocMagic, Inc.

MortgagePoint selected DocMagic as a winner for the second consecutive year based on its continued innovation and measurable impact across the digital mortgage lifecycle. Over nearly four decades, the company has evolved from a provider of document generation into a fully connected platform that supports document prep, compliance, eSignature, closing and eVaulting in a single environment.

Despite a challenging market, DocMagic’s digital closing platform continued to grow in 2025. eClosings increased nearly 31% year over year, with eNote activity growing even faster. Since 2022, the company has supported hundreds of thousands of eClosings and now accounts for nearly 12% of all industry eNote registrations.

“We’re proud to be recognized again by MortgagePoint,” said Lori Johnson, COO of DocMagic. “What matters most to us is helping our clients operate with more certainty and less friction. That means giving them tools that make closings faster, compliance easier and operations more efficient. It’s what we’ve been doing for almost 40 years.”

DocMagic continues to develop proprietary innovations. The company recently secured two U.S. patents related to electronic loan document technology and enabled the industry’s first electronic home equity line of credit registration with the MERS® eRegistry. Most recently, its SmartSAFE eVault earned MISMO’s eVault System Certification, adding to existing MISMO certifications for its eClosing system and remote online notarization capabilities.

Across market cycles, DocMagic has maintained a focus on reliability, compliance and scale. That consistency has allowed lenders, credit unions and independent mortgage banks to expand digital execution without adding operational burden or risk.

The MortgagePoint Tech Excellence Awards annually spotlight organizations advancing essential technology across mortgage and real estate. To learn more and view the full list of honorees, visit https://themortgagepoint.com/2026/06/15/meet-this-years-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipients/.

About DocMagic:

Logo link for media: https://www.docmagic.com/sites/default/files/img/logo/docmagic-logo-reg.png

NEWS SOURCE: DocMagic, Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/docmagic-named-2026-mortgagepoint-tech-excellence-award-recipient-for-digital-mortgage-innovation/

FirstClose CEO Tedd Smith named to 2026 National Mortgage Professional Legends of Lending

AUSTIN, Texas, June 12, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Tedd Smith, chief executive officer, has been named to the 2026 National Mortgage Professional Legends of Lending. The honor recognizes mortgage professionals who have made enduring contributions to the industry through innovation, leadership and long-term impact.

Image caption: FirstClose CEO Tedd Smith.

Smith is a co-founder of FirstClose and has led the company since its inception. Under his leadership, FirstClose has grown to serve more than 225 financial institutions and supports $129 billion in funded loans. The company’s platform enables lenders to close home equity and second mortgage loans in seven days or less through workflow automation and deep LOS integrations.

“This recognition reflects the work of an exceptional team and the lenders who have trusted us to reimagine what the closing process can look like,” Smith said. “We started FirstClose because we believed technology could fundamentally change the economics of home equity lending, and that belief drives every decision we make.”

Smith’s career in mortgage and housing finance spans more than 30 years. He previously co-founded Flood Zones, Inc., a nationwide automated flood zone certification firm acquired by TransUnion Corporation and now part of Cotality, and Home Equity Loan Corporation, which was sold in 1999.

This year’s Legends of Lending honorees are featured at nationalmortgageprofessional.com.

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company’s mission is to increase profitability and reduce costs for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist their borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (FirstClose), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/firstclose-ceo-tedd-smith-named-to-2026-national-mortgage-professional-legends-of-lending/

Edupoint Synergy Education Platform Named ‘Next-Gen School Solution of the Year’ in 2026 EdTech Breakthrough Awards

Award recognizes unified approach to K-12 data, instruction, support, operations, and analytics

MESA, Ariz., June 10, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Edupoint® Educational Systems today announced that Synergy® Education Platform has been selected as winner of the “Next-Gen School Solution of the Year” award in the 8th annual EdTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by EdTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes top companies and solutions in the global educational technology market.

Image caption: Edupoint Synergy Education Platform Named “Next-Gen School Solution of the Year.”

Synergy Education Platform is a modern K–12 student data management system built to connect insight to action across the full student lifecycle. With a single, unified data model underlying student information, teaching and learning, student support, district operations, and analytics, Synergy gives districts a seamless foundation for managing daily work, improving visibility, and supporting timely decisions.

Built around four natively connected solution areas—Core SIS, Teaching & Learning, Student Support, and District Productivity—Synergy provides one source of truth and one access point for the role-based tools and real-time information needed for daily operations, classroom instruction, student services, communication, and reporting.

Synergy connects teaching and learning with the broader student lifecycle by tying curriculum, instruction, grading, and performance data directly to the student record and related workflows. Teachers can use real-time gradebook, LMS, and assessment data to identify learning needs, adjust instruction, and connect students to additional support when needed.

That same shared data supports coordinated student services across MTSS, 504, and special education processes. Because instructional context, intervention history, documentation, and progress data stay with the student, educators and support teams can work from complete, current information as needs change over time—and classroom teachers can continue supporting students with the right context in view.

Across district operations, Synergy extends that same connected foundation to administrative workflows, communication, program management, and reporting. Interactive analytics and role-based dashboards help leaders reveal patterns, improve consistency, and make faster, better-informed decisions.

“Synergy Education Platform is a modern student data management system that blurs the lines between SIS, instruction, and student support workflows,” said Steve Johansson, managing director, EdTech Breakthrough. “Districts and educators can quickly identify what needs attention and take the next step within the same system, without delays or workarounds.”

The EdTech Breakthrough Awards program recognizes standout educational technology products and companies across the global edtech market. In its 8th annual cycle, the program drew a record number of nominations from innovators across more than 20 countries.

“Being recognized again by EdTech Breakthrough reinforces the continued relevance of our platform strategy,” said Rob Wilson, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Edupoint. “Synergy reflects where K–12 technology is headed: toward unified systems that reduce complexity, improve visibility, and help educators act with greater speed and confidence.”

About Edupoint Educational Systems

Edupoint Educational Systems is a leading education technology company focused on simplifying K–12 operations and instruction. Its Synergy Education Platform unifies student information, teaching and learning, student support, operations, and analytics in one modern system—helping educators turn data into action. For more than 25 years, districts of all sizes have relied on Synergy to support both immediate needs and long-term growth.

More than 5.5 million students use Synergy in 21 states. Learn more at https://www.edupoint.com/.

About EdTech Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the EdTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in educational technology products, companies and people. The EdTech Breakthrough Awards provide a platform for public recognition around the achievements of breakthrough educational technology in categories including remote learning, student engagement, school administration, career preparation, language learning, STEM education and more. For more information, visit EdTechBreakthrough.com.

Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

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NEWS SOURCE: Edupoint Educational Systems

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Edupoint Educational Systems), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/edupoint-synergy-education-platform-named-next-gen-school-solution-of-the-year-in-2026-edtech-breakthrough-awards/

Debut Author Tina Rastelli Awarded Prestigious 2026 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize

New Book, 'A Story to Tell,' Delivers Hope for Healing Amidst Devastating Circumstances

SWEDESBORO, N.J., June 8, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — During an unexpected betrayal, juggling career and single motherhood, along with financial difficulties, Tina Rastelli started journaling prayerful appeals to God, which would become, “A Story to Tell: From Single to Surrendered” (ISBN 979-8218457594; published by Single to Surrender), and win the prestigious 2026 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize, as it was announced last week.

Image caption: Cover, “A Story to Tell,” by Tina Rastelli.

“There are books you read, and then there are books that read you — books that seem to reach through the page and speak directly to something you did not know you needed to hear…By the time I turned the final page, I had laughed, wept, held my breath, and quietly whispered a prayer of my own,” wrote book reviewer Peter Okonkwo.

The Eric Hoffer Grand Prize is one of the highest distinctions in independent publishing chosen through multiple rounds of judging from thousands of international entries spanning all genres — and the Grand Prize recognizes a single book each year for exceptional literary merit. Rastelli’s book was also honored with the Eric Hoffer First Horizon Award recognizing exceptional debut works that demonstrate promise and literary quality. “A Story to Tell” was also named a Finalist for The American Legacy Book Awards, celebrating titles that contribute meaningfully across a range of genres and voices.

Rooted in personal experience and anchored in faith, “A Story to Tell” speaks to women navigating difficult and unplanned seasons—offering reassurance that even life’s most painful detours are not without purpose. Through honest reflection and a message centered on surrendering control and trusting God’s plan, Rastelli invites readers into a deeper understanding of how brokenness can become the beginning of restoration.

“This book was born out of a season that didn’t look anything like what I had planned,” Rastelli said. “But through that journey, I came to understand that surrender isn’t about giving up – it’s about trusting that God is still writing a story worth telling.”

Since its release, “A Story to Tell” has resonated with readers seeking faith-centered encouragement, particularly women experiencing uncertainty, loss, or life transitions. Its message aligns with a growing desire for authentic, Christ-centered conversations around struggle, identity, and purpose. The book is also increasingly capturing broader audiences as a timeless story of faith, perseverance, and hope despite the difficulties life often delivers.

More information about the book and the author’s story can be found at https://www.singletosurrender.com/.

“A Story to Tell” is available at Single to Surrender, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other places books are sold.

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Image caption: Cover, “A Story to Tell,” by Tina Rastelli.

NEWS SOURCE: Single to Surrender

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Single to Surrender), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/debut-author-tina-rastelli-awarded-prestigious-2026-eric-hoffer-grand-prize/

Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., June 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Craig Leabig, Senior Vice President of Marketing, has been named a 2026 Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The award recognizes influential marketing executives who have transformed brands and driven measurable business results across the housing economy.

Image caption: Informative Research SVP of Marketing Craig Leabig named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader.

Over the past year, Leabig led Informative Research’s marketing transformation, building a scalable, data-driven ecosystem that strengthens the company’s brand positioning and deepens its connection with lenders. Under his leadership, his team completed a full redesign of the company’s website, driving a notable increase in traffic. He also spearheaded significant social media growth, increasing both audience and impressions.

“This recognition reflects the work of an incredible team that has rallied around a shared vision for what marketing can do for our organization and our clients,” said Leabig. “We’ve focused on building systems and strategies that create lasting value, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Beyond digital performance, Leabig developed a structured marketing nurture ecosystem designed to educate lenders throughout the buyer journey, ensuring that messaging is clear, relevant and actionable. He introduced standardized content frameworks for client communications, including product updates, launch announcements and educational materials. This has improved consistency across all customer touchpoints.

Leabig’s impact extends into operational and cross-functional improvements as well. He partnered with Compliance and Customer Success to streamline client onboarding and helped implement a HubSpot-based support ticketing system that gives the organization clear visibility into support requests, client trends and team performance.

“HousingWire’s Marketing Leaders represent the professionals shaping how housing companies connect, compete and grow in a constantly evolving market,” said HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins. “As market conditions, client expectations and business priorities continue to shift, this year’s honorees are helping their organizations adapt, innovate and grow. We’re proud to recognize the marketers driving meaningful impact across housing.”

Explore the full list of 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leaders: https://www.housingwire.com/articles/introducing-the-2026-marketing-leaders/.

About Informative Research

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-svp-of-marketing-craig-leabig-named-a-2026-housingwire-marketing-leader/

Floify’s Courtney Dodd named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader

Recognition highlights revenue-driven approach that generated 68% of total pipeline in 2025

BOULDER, Colo., June 2, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that Courtney Dodd, head of marketing, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The HW Marketing Leaders award recognizes the people behind the strategies, campaigns and brand decisions shaping housing finance. Dodd is one of 70 honorees named to the 2026 class.

Image caption: Courtney Dodd of Floify.

Dodd has fundamentally reshaped marketing’s role at Floify over the past 12 months, evolving it from a support function into a primary driver of revenue. By aligning marketing and business development representative teams under a unified strategy, she built a scalable pipeline engine that generated 68% of the company’s total pipeline in 2025, a milestone that reflects both strategic vision and disciplined execution.

She led go-to-market strategy for two major product launches: Dynamic AI, which transforms how lenders capture borrower data through intelligent automation, and Dynamic Apps 2.0, which expands workflow customization for mortgage professionals. Each launch was tightly connected to pipeline generation and revenue outcomes, with messaging, demand generation, outbound strategy and sales enablement fully aligned from the start.

Dodd’s ability to integrate cross-functional teams around measurable revenue impact has strengthened collaboration across sales, product and marketing and improved overall go-to-market efficiency. Her approach is grounded in data-driven decision-making, clear accountability and a consistent focus on execution that moves the business forward.

“Courtney has redefined what marketing means at Floify,” said Joshua Steffan, SVP and group general manager at Porch Group and interim president and general manager of Floify. “She built a function that doesn’t just support revenue, it drives it. The results speak for themselves, and the discipline and clarity she has brought to our go-to-market approach has made us a stronger, more competitive company. This recognition reflects the real and measurable impact she has had on our business.”

“The 2026 Marketing Leaders are raising the bar for what effective marketing looks like in housing,” said Sarah Wheeler, HousingWire’s editor-in-chief.

For a complete list of winners, visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT FLOIFY:

Floify is a fully configurable point of sale (POS) platform that streamlines the loan process with a secure application, communication and document portal between lenders, borrowers, referral partners and other mortgage stakeholders. Its Dynamic AI feature reimagines the mortgage application process by moving document collection and AI-driven data extraction to the very beginning of the process, allowing borrowers to upload key documents and have applications prepopulated with verified information, accelerating pre-approvals and simplifying the borrower experience. Floify is a subsidiary of Porch Group, Inc. (“Porch Group”) (NASDAQ: PRCH). For more, visit https://floify.com/ or find us on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter / X.

X: @Floify #mortgage #fintech #housingfinance #HousingWire #HWAwards

NEWS SOURCE: Floify

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Floify), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/floifys-courtney-dodd-named-a-2026-hw-marketing-leader/

Melinda Harris of Down Payment Resource named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader

Recognition highlights nearly two decades of building the industry's authoritative voice on down payment programs

ATLANTA, Ga., June 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR),the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homeownership programs, today announced that Melinda Harris, vice president of marketing and communications, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. Each year, HousingWire’s HW Marketing Leaders program recognizes the executives shaping how housing finance companies communicate, compete and grow. Harris is among 70 honorees selected.

Image caption: Melinda Harris of Down Payment Resource.

Harris has spent nearly two decades helping shape how lenders, multiple listing services and housing professionals understand and use down payment programs. In that time, she built DPR’s marketing function from a one-person operation into a structured, scalable engine that today drives industry education, lead generation and platform adoption across a national network of lenders, MLSs and technology partners.

Over the past year, Harris led campaigns designed to correct persistent misconceptions around down payment assistance, including persona-based outreach and myth-busting initiatives that repositioned DPA as a viable strategy for a broader range of homebuyers, not just low-income or first-time buyers. Her data-driven campaigns, built around DPR’s proprietary Homeownership Program Index (HPI) and Declined Loan Analysis, have become a reliable source of market intelligence for journalists, policymakers and housing professionals alike.

Harris also implemented HubSpot to better align marketing and sales functions, improving lead visibility and conversion across the organization. Her work supporting events, partnerships and integrations with major industry platforms has helped DPR expand its reach and deepen its presence across the housing finance ecosystem.

Her contributions have coincided with a period of significant company growth. Down Payment Resource earned a spot on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately owned companies after achieving 130% revenue growth from 2021 to 2024, and has been named to the HousingWire Tech 100 for three consecutive years.

“Melinda has been instrumental in evolving how the industry thinks about down payment programs,” said Rob Chrane, chief executive officer of Down Payment Resource. “Her ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling narratives has helped us shift the conversation from niche to mainstream, and her commitment to accuracy and education reflects everything DPR stands for. This recognition is well deserved.”

“[The 2026 Marketing Leaders] are raising the bar for what effective marketing looks like in housing,” said Sarah Wheeler, editor-in-chief at HousingWire. “They are combining creativity, strategy and data-driven execution to build stronger brands and deeper customer connections.”

For a complete list of the 2026 winners, visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the housing industry authority on homebuyer assistance program data and solutions. With a database that tracks more than 2,600 programs and toolsets for mortgage lenders, multiple listing services (MLSs) and API users, DPR helps housing professionals connect homebuyers with the assistance they need. DPR frequently lends its expertise to nonprofits, housing finance agencies, policymakers, government-sponsored enterprises and trade organizations seeking to improve housing affordability. Its technology is used by seven of the top 25 mortgage lenders, two of the largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://www.downpaymentresource.com/.

X: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #downpayment #HousingWire #HWAwards

NEWS SOURCE: Down Payment Resource

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Down Payment Resource), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/melinda-harris-of-down-payment-resource-named-a-2026-hw-marketing-leader/

Holly Shipley, head of marketing at Class Valuation, makes the 2026 HW Marketing Leader list

Recognition highlights unified brand strategy, UAD 3.6 readiness campaign and cross-functional alignment during period of rapid growth

TROY, Mich., June 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Holly Shipley, head of marketing, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The HW Marketing Leaders award recognizes the people behind the strategies, campaigns and brand decisions shaping housing finance. Shipley is one of 70 honorees named to the 2026 class.

Image caption: Holly Shipley of Class Valuation.

Shipley stepped into her role in early 2025 during a period of significant organizational change, including multiple acquisitions and internal team transitions, and quickly established structure, direction and strategic momentum for the marketing function. Over the past 12 months, she has rebuilt Class Valuation’s marketing capabilities with a focus on content, thought leadership and market engagement and unified messaging across acquired companies while honoring the regional expertise and specialty strengths each division brings.

One of her most consequential initiatives was leading Class Valuation’s UAD 3.6 readiness campaign, a multi-channel effort that included webinars, blog content, contributed articles and a centralized resource hub. The campaign positioned Class Valuation as a trusted guide for lenders navigating one of the most significant appraisal data transitions in years and delivered measurable results: more than 3,500 page views, hundreds of webinar views and a significant volume of client and prospect consultation requests. Shipley also spearheaded internal adoption campaigns for next-gen appraisal platform Class Marketplace, helping migrate 90% of clients to the platform, and pioneered a companywide AI initiative that aligned 13 cross-functional departments around a shared platform and dataset.

Externally, Shipley has elevated Class Valuation’s industry voice through integrated campaigns, strategic partnerships and contributed thought leadership that has expanded the company’s presence among lenders, appraisers and housing finance professionals.

“Holly came into a demanding situation and immediately demonstrated the kind of leadership that makes organizations stronger,” said Jonathan Willen, chief revenue officer of Class Valuation. “She brought clarity to our messaging, cohesion to our teams and real strategic impact to our marketing function at exactly the moment we needed it. The results she has driven in a short time are a reflection of her talent and her commitment to this company.”

“As market conditions, client expectations and business priorities continue to shift, this year’s honorees are helping their organizations adapt, innovate and grow,” said Clayton Collins, CEO of HousingWire. “We’re proud to recognize the marketers driving meaningful impact across housing.”

For a complete list of winners for 2026, visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT CLASS VALUATION:

Class Valuation is a leading nationwide appraisal management company (AMC) renowned for its commitment to fast turn times, exceptional quality and unparalleled client service. The company leverages a powerful combination of skilled professionals, innovative products, optimized processes and advanced technology to empower lenders in fulfilling homeownership dreams. Consistently recognized by top mortgage lenders for its outstanding performance, Class Valuation has also earned accolades as a top workplace and received numerous industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information, please visit https://www.classvaluation.com.

X: @ClassValuation #appraisal #valuation #lending #HousingWire #HWAwards

NEWS SOURCE: Class Valuation

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Class Valuation), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/holly-shipley-head-of-marketing-at-class-valuation-makes-the-2026-hw-marketing-leader-list/

FirstClose VP of marketing David Bolin named 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader

AUSTIN, Texas, June 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that David Bolin, vice president of marketing, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader, recognizing his strategic vision, measurable business impact and ability to translate complex lending technology into compelling market narratives.

Image caption: FirstClose VP of marketing David Bolin named 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader.

Bolin was selected for his role in transforming FirstClose’s marketing function into a measurable growth engine, scaling the team from one to eight members and building the infrastructure needed to support demand generation, product marketing and brand at scale. Under his leadership, marketing now generates 65% of the company’s total pipeline, demonstrating a clear and sustained impact on company growth.

“Being recognized as a HousingWire Marketing Leader is a reflection of what our entire team has built together,” Bolin said. “Our focus has always been on translating the real value of FirstClose’s platform into stories and strategies that resonate with lenders. When marketing drives meaningful pipeline and helps grow the business, that’s when you know you’ve built something that works.”

Bolin joined FirstClose with 20 years of experience in fintech and mortgage technology, bringing a distinct ability to align brand, product positioning, public relations and communications under a single strategic vision. His tenure coincided with a period of heightened demand for home equity solutions, and he ensured the company was positioned to seize the opportunity, aligning marketing, product and sales to promote FirstClose’s advantages in speed, automation and borrower experience.

A key element of his leadership has been a focus on customer storytelling. Bolin led the development of a robust case study program that highlights measurable outcomes for lenders, including reductions in loan turnaround time of up to 65% and instances in which clients moved home equity from a secondary offering to their primary product. These narratives have helped differentiate FirstClose’s platform, which is used by more than 225 financial institutions and supports $129 billion in funded loans.

Bolin has also strengthened FirstClose’s positioning within the broader lending ecosystem, elevating messaging around strategic integrations and partnerships and reinforcing the company’s role in modern lending infrastructure.

“David has done an exceptional job building a marketing function that is deeply connected to our business strategy and the real-world challenges our customers face,” said Tedd Smith, chief executive officer of FirstClose. “This recognition is well deserved and reflects his ability to connect product innovation, market demand and customer success into a story that sets FirstClose apart.”

The HousingWire Marketing Leaders award recognizes marketing executives across the mortgage and real estate finance industries who have demonstrated excellence in strategy, campaign execution, brand building and measurable business impact. More information about the award and this year’s honorees is available at housingwire.com.

About FirstClose

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/firstclose-vp-of-marketing-david-bolin-named-2026-housingwire-marketing-leader/

Dark Matter Technologies’ Wes Horbatuck named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader

Recognition highlights the go-to-market leadership behind three AI product launches and the company's third annual Horizon user conference

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 1, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced that Wes Horbatuck, senior vice president of marketing, has been named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader by HousingWire. The award recognizes marketing executives across the housing finance industry who have demonstrated measurable impact, strategic leadership and excellence in execution over the past 12 months.

Image caption: Dark Matter Technologies’ Wes Horbatuck.

Horbatuck, who was also recognized as a HousingWire Marketing Leader in 2024, has served as the architect of Dark Matter’s external positioning at a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution. Over the past year, he led go-to-market strategy for three major AI-driven product launches, directed the company’s third annual Horizon user conference and led go-to-market execution for 15 new partner integrations through the Exchange℠ Service Network, including messaging alignment, asset development and partner coordination.

Horizon 2026, held in April in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, served as the launchpad for Ask Aiva®, a conversational AI embedded in the loan origination workflow; a Developer Platform expansion introducing model context protocol (MCP) connectivity, which enables lenders and partners to build integrations on top of the Empower® loan origination system through a published API layer; and the expansion of ElevateSM, the company’s loan servicing and recapture solution. Horbatuck built the event narrative, led keynote and closing content, directed the stage experience and coordinated across product, engineering and executive leadership to position Dark Matter as an AI-first mortgage technology company with tangible solutions for the market.

Beyond the conference, Horbatuck built Dark Matter’s LinkedIn presence from the ground up, generating more than 67,000 impressions and over 3,700 new organic followers in under 90 days with no paid media spend. He also created and hosts the Spotlight podcast, extending Dark Matter’s voice directly to industry practitioners.

“People are kind enough to give me credit for being an ideas guy, but the truth is that ideas are the easy part. The hard part is turning them into reality,” said Horbatuck. “I have the privilege of working with people who execute at an incredibly high level and aren’t afraid to tell me when an idea needs work. Lyndsey Hearn, our director of growth marketing, Brenna Paquette, our creative director, and Tina Kisner, our events manager, are three of those people. I couldn’t do this without them.”

For a complete list of the 70 winners for this year, visit the HousingWire website.

ABOUT DARK MATTER TECHNOLOGIES:

Operating with the nimble nature of a startup and the disciplined maturity of one of the industry’s leading providers, Dark Matter Technologies delivers powerful technology with unparalleled automation and relentless innovation to leading mortgage lenders, servicers and companies nationwide. For more information, visit https://www.dmatter.com.

X: @dmattertech #fintech #mortgage #HousingWire #HWAwards

NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Dark Matter Technologies), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dark-matter-technologies-wes-horbatuck-named-a-2026-hw-marketing-leader/

GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., and KARNATAKA, India, May 29, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — GeekyAnts, an AI-Powered Digital Product Engineering and Consulting Company, earned a nomination at the ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 under the “Excellence in AI & Digital Transformation” category. The nomination recognizes the company’s work in AI-led product engineering, enterprise modernization, cloud-native systems, and digital customer experience.

Image caption: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence.

The ET Now Business Conclave & Awards 2026 will bring together business leaders, policymakers, investors, and technology executives to discuss India’s growth priorities and the role of innovation in enterprise competitiveness. For technology leaders in North America, the nomination reflects a broader shift in the market: AI no longer sits at the edge of transformation. It now shapes platform strategy, engineering productivity, customer experience, and operating models.

GeekyAnts Founder and CEO Kumar Pratik, Co-Founder Sanket Sahu, and Chief Revenue Officer Kunal Kumar will attend the event on 16th June 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Kumar Pratik will also participate in a panel discussion, where he will share perspectives on AI transformation, digital product engineering, and the need for scalable technology systems that deliver measurable business outcomes.

The recognition comes at a time when enterprise leaders face pressure to convert AI pilots into production systems. McKinsey’s 2025 global AI research found that 88% of organizations use AI in at least one business function, while many still struggle to scale AI across the enterprise. Gartner has reported that less than half of digital initiatives meet or exceed business outcome targets. IBM’s CEO research shows that many leaders now explore AI agents, yet only a smaller group has moved AI programs into scaled execution.

These signals matter for VPs of Engineering, digital platform heads, cloud infrastructure leaders, and customer experience executives. AI transformation requires more than model integration. It demands secure data architecture, cloud discipline, product design, governance, performance engineering, and delivery teams that understand enterprise systems.

“Enterprise AI has moved from experimentation to execution,” said Kumar Pratik, Founder and CEO of GeekyAnts. “The next phase will depend on engineering discipline, responsible architecture, and the ability to connect AI systems with real business workflows. This nomination reflects the kind of work we believe will define digital transformation in the years ahead.”

GeekyAnts’ case studies show how the company has applied that approach across AI and digital engineering programs. In an AI document intelligence engagement for Pillar Engine, GeekyAnts built an automated insight generation platform that reduced manual effort by 99%, processed 10,000 pages in two minutes, and achieved more than 85% response accuracy. The system used AWS Bedrock, Claude, Snowflake, DynamoDB, ECS Fargate, and a custom agent architecture to turn complex documents into role-based insights.

For Nexus, GeekyAnts worked on AI-driven process automation across business process management workflows. The team designed SQL agents, evaluated RAG models, and built benchmarking systems that improved testing quality and reduced manual validation cycles by 50%. The engagement also improved internal workflow efficiency by 30%, showing how AI can support operational teams when engineering teams design it around process outcomes.

The company also delivered cloud modernization work for an AI-powered hiring platform, moving infrastructure from AWS EKS to Azure in one week. The project reduced monthly infrastructure costs by 50% and cut mean time to resolution by 80% through improved monitoring and CI/CD practices. For enterprise engineering leaders, that case points to a core AI-era requirement: intelligent products need resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure.

GeekyAnts also built Smart Pantry, an AI meal recommendation platform that combined personalization, product design, and recommendation logic. The platform reduced meal decision time by 40%, doubled daily active use during its pilot phase, and helped the product team move faster on AI-led feature development.

The nomination adds visibility to GeekyAnts’ broader positioning in AI consulting, AI-powered product engineering, enterprise system modernization, digital customer experience, cloud infrastructure, full-stack development, and UI/UX design. The company operates across San Francisco, Bengaluru, and London, giving it access to enterprise clients that need both strategic technology guidance and distributed engineering execution.

For large organizations in the U.S. and Canada, the market message remains clear. AI transformation now depends on partners that can connect strategy, architecture, product delivery, and business impact. GeekyAnts’ ET Now nomination places the company within that conversation as enterprises look for engineering teams that can move AI and digital platforms from concept to production.

Learn more: https://www.geekyants.com/en-us

CONTACT INFORMATION

US Office
GeekyAnts Inc.
315 Montgomery Street, 9th & 10th Floors
San Francisco, CA 94104, USA
+1 845 534 6825
info@geekyants.com
www.geekyants.com/en-us

India Office
GeekyAnts India Pvt Ltd
No. 18, 2nd Cross Road, N S Palya, 2nd Stage,
BTM Layout, Bangalore – 560076, Karnataka, India
+91 80 4305 8884

UK Office
GeekyAnts UK Ltd
SPACES Finsbury Park
17 City North Place, London N4 3FU, England, UK
+44 1702 655221

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Image caption: GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence.

NEWS SOURCE: GeekyAnts

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (GeekyAnts), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/geekyants-earns-et-now-2026-nomination-for-ai-and-digital-transformation-excellence/

Spodak Dental Group Recognized as a 2026 Sun Sentinel Top Workplace for the 10th Time

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., May 28, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Spodak Dental Group is proud to announce its recognition as a 2026 Sun Sentinel Top Workplace, marking the 10th time the organization has received the prestigious honor. The organization was the only dental office to be recognized in the Small Business category.

Image caption: Spodak Dental Group Recognized as a 2026 Sun Sentinel Top Workplace for the 10th Time.

The Top Workplaces awards are based entirely on feedback captured through a research-backed employee engagement survey, reflecting how team members experience the organization’s culture. The award recognizes companies that foster exceptional workplace culture, employee engagement, leadership, and organizational excellence.

For Spodak Dental Group, the recognition reflects five decades of commitment to building a practice where both patients and team members feel genuinely cared for.

Founded in 1976, Spodak Dental Group has become known for delivering a more elevated, personalized dental experience rooted in advanced care, thoughtful service, and long-term relationships.

“At Spodak Dental Group, we’ve always believed that great dentistry starts with great people,” said Erika Pusillo, CEO of Spodak Dental Group. “Receiving this recognition for the 10th time is incredibly meaningful because it reflects the culture our team has built together over many years. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, challenged to grow, and inspired to deliver an exceptional patient experience every single day.”

The practice’s continued growth and recognition are rooted in a philosophy that has become central to the organization’s identity, “Dentistry, Done Differently.”

From minimally invasive treatment planning and advanced technology to hospitality-inspired patient care and ongoing team development, Spodak Dental Group continues to redefine what patients can expect from a dental experience.

The organization’s approach is built on the understanding that “when results matter, where you go matters.”

That philosophy has helped Spodak Dental Group earn the trust of generations of patients throughout South Florida while attracting top talent committed to excellence, compassion, and innovation.

Today, Spodak Dental Group remains focused on raising the standard for modern dentistry by creating an experience that feels more personal, more thoughtful, and more connected from the moment patients walk through the door.

For more information about Spodak Dental Group, career opportunities, or to schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.spodakdental.com/ or call/text (561) 303-2413.

About Spodak Dental Group:

The Spodak Dental Group, an Inc. 5000 honoree, has evolved to become South Florida’s premier, comprehensive dental facility, and comprises a world-class association of dental professionals poised to provide full-service dental care second-to-none in both scope and skill. The Spodak Dental Group team includes General and Restorative Dentists, Endodontists, Periodontists, Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Master Ceramic Artists and Anesthesiologists, as well as one of the nation’s only in-office dental labs.

NEWS SOURCE: Spodak Dental Group

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Spodak Dental Group), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/spodak-dental-group-recognized-as-a-2026-sun-sentinel-top-workplace-for-the-10th-time/

Floify’s Courtney Dodd named 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech award winner

Recognition highlights leadership in driving innovation, growth and industry impact in mortgage technology

BOULDER, Colo., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Floify, the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced that its Head of Marketing Courtney Dodd has been named a Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine. The Women of Tech award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of technology through innovation, leadership and community impact.

Image caption: Courtney Dodd of Floify.

Dodd brings more than a decade of experience in mortgage fintech, with a career defined by translating complex technology into clear market value and accelerating platform growth. Since joining Floify in 2023, she has led a comprehensive brand and go-to-market transformation, repositioning the company to better serve lenders.

Under her leadership, Floify launched Lender Edition and Broker Edition, establishing differentiated strategies and messaging aligned to each segment. She also spearheaded the introduction of Dynamic Apps, Dynamic Apps 2.0 and Dynamic AI, innovations that enable lenders to create customizable loan application experiences, automate workflows and support a broader range of products, including HELOC and non-QM loans.

Dodd’s impact extends beyond product launches. Her strategic alignment of marketing, product and sales has contributed to significant company growth, including record customer acquisition and a 98.2% customer satisfaction score.

In addition to her professional achievements, Dodd is a strong advocate for women in technology. She actively supports industry initiatives such as Mortgage Women, an industry community where she serves as a media member, as well as Dallas Dinner Lead and Our Third Place. She also regularly mentors emerging professionals, helping to foster the next generation of leaders in mortgage fintech.

“This recognition reflects Courtney’s ability to bring innovative technology to market and do so in a way that drives real results for lenders,” said Joshua Steffan, SVP and group general manager at Porch Group and interim president and general manager, Floify. “Her leadership has strengthened Floify’s position as a forward-thinking platform and continues to elevate how the industry approaches borrower experience and operational efficiency.”

For a full list of winners, visit Mortgage Women Magazine’s website.

ABOUT FLOIFY:

X: @Floify #mortgage #fintech #housingfinance @mortgagewomen

NEWS SOURCE: Floify

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/floifys-courtney-dodd-named-2026-women-of-mortgage-tech-award-winner/

Dark Matter Technologies’ Leslie Cheshier named Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Recognition honors leadership in advancing client-centric innovation and enterprise transformation in mortgage technology

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology, today announced that Leslie Cheshier, its chief client officer, has been named a 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine. The award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of mortgage technology through innovation, leadership and meaningful industry impact.

Image caption: Dark Matter Technologies.

Cheshier has spent nearly two decades working with mortgage technology. She has led major platform conversions, enterprise integrations and regulatory initiatives, including efforts tied to the implementation of TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure requirements. Her work has helped modernize legacy infrastructure, improve scalability and create more connected, end-to-end workflows across the mortgage lifecycle.

At Dark Matter, she continues to elevate the organization’s voice-of-the-client strategy, ensuring product development and platform enhancements are grounded in the needs of lenders and their borrowers. As chief client officer, she oversees relationships with more than 70 enterprise and strategic clients, aligning technology strategy with real-world operational needs to help lenders improve efficiency, reduce risk and drive performance. Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding clients through complex transitions, including large-scale system migrations completed without disruption to operations.

Beyond her professional contributions, Cheshier is a dedicated mentor and advocate for women in technology. She actively supports the advancement of emerging leaders by creating structured development opportunities, fostering inclusive teams and championing career growth across the organization.

“This recognition reflects Leslie’s exceptional leadership and commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for our clients,” said Vikas Rao, CEO of Dark Matter Technologies. “She brings a unique combination of technical expertise, operational insight and empathy that continues to strengthen client partnerships and drive innovation across our platform.”

Visit Mortgage Women Magazine’s website to view the full list of 2026 recipients.

ABOUT DARK MATTER TECHNOLOGIES:

X: @dmattertech #fintech #mortgage @mortgagewomen

NEWS SOURCE: Dark Matter Technologies

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dark-matter-technologies-leslie-cheshier-named-women-of-mortgage-tech-award-winner-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

Class Valuation’s Audrey Clearwater named to Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech list

Recognition honors leadership in advancing data-driven innovation and operational excellence in mortgage technology

TROY, Mich., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Class Valuation, a leading real estate appraisal management company (AMC), announced today that Audrey Clearwater, Senior Vice President of Sales Operations, has been named a Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine. The award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of mortgage technology through innovation, leadership and meaningful industry impact.

Image caption: Class Valuation.

Clearwater’s career has been defined by her ability to bridge operations, revenue strategy and platform execution. In her role at Class Valuation, she leads initiatives focused on CRM intelligence, data analytics, pricing modernization and marketplace evolution, helping the organization scale more efficiently while improving transparency across workflows.

Clearwater has played a key role in embedding structured data into valuation workflows, reducing manual processes, improving data consistency and increasing throughput. Her leadership has also helped lower revision rates and enhance data integrity, enabling faster, more reliable outcomes for lenders.

Beyond her professional impact, Clearwater is deeply committed to developing future leaders. She actively mentors emerging professionals and creates opportunities for women to grow into leadership and technology-focused roles, fostering a more inclusive and forward-thinking industry.

“Audrey’s recognition reflects her unique ability to turn complex systems into practical, high-impact solutions,” said John Fraas, CEO of Class Valuation. “She brings a powerful combination of operational expertise, strategic vision and leadership that continues to elevate our organization and the broader mortgage industry.”

To view the full list of 2026 winners, visit Mortgage Women Magazine’s website.

ABOUT CLASS VALUATION:

Class Valuation is a leading nationwide appraisal management company (AMC) renowned for its commitment to fast turn times, exceptional quality and unparalleled client service. The company leverages a powerful combination of skilled professionals, innovative products, streamlined processes and advanced technology to empower lenders in fulfilling homeownership dreams. Consistently recognized by top mortgage lenders for its outstanding performance, Class Valuation has also earned accolades as a top workplace and received numerous industry awards. Founded in 2009, Class Valuation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. For more information, please visit https://www.classvaluation.com.

X: @ClassValuation #appraisal #valuation #lending @mortgagewomen

NEWS SOURCE: Class Valuation

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/class-valuations-audrey-clearwater-named-to-mortgage-women-magazines-2026-women-of-mortgage-tech-list/

Down Payment Resource’s Kathy Gault named Women of Tech Award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Recognition highlights leadership in advancing affordable housing technology and data integrity

ATLANTA, Ga., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry’s leading technology for connecting homebuyers with homeownership programs, today announced that Kathy Gault, DPA Program Specialist, has been named a 2026 Women of Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine, recognizing her impact on advancing mortgage technology and expanding access to affordable housing.

Image caption: Mortgage Women Magazine Women of Tech Award winner Kathy Gault.

Gault’s career has been defined by her ability to translate complex program data into clear, actionable insights for lenders, housing providers and homebuyers. At DPR, she manages relationships with nearly 400 down payment assistance (DPA) program providers nationwide, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the data powering DPR’s platform.

Gault plays a critical role in maintaining DPR’s national database, working closely with program providers to verify legal documentation and ensure compliance with GSE requirements. Her ability to build trust and clearly communicate complex requirements has strengthened partnerships across the country and helped establish DPR as a trusted resource in affordable housing.

In addition to her data stewardship, Gault contributes to ongoing product enhancements by providing insights from real-world lending and program administration. Her expertise helps ensure that DPR’s technology continues to evolve to support both operational efficiency and borrower access.

Beyond her technical contributions, Gault is a dedicated mentor who supports the development of others within the organization and across the industry, reinforcing a culture of learning, collaboration and inclusion.

“Kathy’s work behind the scenes at DPR ensures that lenders and housing professionals can rely on high-quality, up-to-date information to help more borrowers access homeownership opportunities,” said Rob Chrane, DPR’s founder and CEO. “We couldn’t be more proud of her and this recognition, which reflects her exceptional commitment to accuracy, collaboration and service.”

The Women of Tech award recognizes individuals who are shaping the future of mortgage technology through innovation, leadership and meaningful industry impact.

For a full list of winners, visit the magazine’s website.

ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE:

X: @DwnPmtResource #downpaymentassistance #downpayment @mortgagewomen

NEWS SOURCE: Down Payment Resource

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/down-payment-resources-kathy-gault-named-women-of-tech-award-winner-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

Service 1st’s Lisa Binkley named Women of Mortgage Tech Award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Recognition honors leadership in advancing verification technology, automation and data integrity in mortgage lending

HAMMONTON, N.J., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Service First Information Solutions, LLC (Service 1st), a leading provider of credit reporting and verification solutions for the mortgage industry, announced today that Lisa Binkley, Chief Operations Officer, has been named a Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine for 2026. The award recognizes individuals shaping the future of mortgage technology through innovation, leadership and meaningful industry impact.

Image caption: Mortgage Women Magazine Women of Tech Award winner Lisa Binkley.

Binkley brings decades of experience in mortgage operations and technology to her role, with a career defined by developing and implementing solutions that transform how income, employment and tax data are validated across the mortgage lifecycle.

Under Binkley’s leadership, Service 1st and National Credit-reporting System, Inc. (NCS) have modernized verification workflows by combining automation with expert oversight, reducing processing times from approximately 30 minutes to as little as seven minutes while improving data accuracy and consistency.

Binkley’s approach emphasizes a “human in the loop” model, ensuring that automated systems are paired with expert review to maintain compliance, quality and trust. This balanced approach has helped lenders scale operations while navigating evolving regulatory and fraud prevention requirements.

Beyond her operational and technical contributions, Binkley is actively engaged in industry initiatives, including MISMO and MBA’s mPower, where she contributes to advancing standards, collaboration and leadership development across the mortgage ecosystem.

“This award reflects Lisa’s deep expertise and commitment to building technology that delivers both operational efficiency and consumer protection,” said Curtis Knuth, CEO of Service 1st. “Her leadership continues to shape how lenders approach verification, compliance and automation in an increasingly complex environment. This award is well deserved, indeed.”

For the full list of 2026 recipients, visit Mortgage Women Magazine’s website.

ABOUT SERVICE FIRST INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC:

Service First Information Solutions, LLC (Service 1st) delivers integrated, technology-driven verification tools designed to help mortgage lenders streamline workflows, reduce friction in the loan process and support faster, more informed lending decisions. Service 1st is affiliated with National Credit-reporting System, Inc. (NCS), a long-standing provider of credit information and verification services. To learn more, visit https://www.srv1st.com or call 866-606-5952.

X: @S1NCSTRV #MortgageTechnology #LoanProcessing #VerificationSolutions @mortgagewomen

NEWS SOURCE: Service 1st Information Services

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Service 1st Information Services), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/service-1sts-lisa-binkley-named-women-of-mortgage-tech-award-winner-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

Informative Research VP of Product Management Corey Hampton Honored Among Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Tech

GARDEN GROVE, Calif., May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Informative Research (IR), a leading technology provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions for the lending industry, today announced that Corey Hampton, Vice President of Product Management, has been named among the 2026 Women of Tech by Mortgage Women Magazine (MWM). The award honors influential women who are driving innovation, advancing technology and shaping the future of the mortgage industry. Hampton was recognized for her leadership in modernizing integrations, strengthening enterprise delivery capabilities and advancing scalable, secure solutions for lenders.

Image caption: Corey Hampton of Informative Research, 2026 Women of Tech Honoree.

Hampton has built her career at the intersection of mortgage technology, integration strategy and cross-functional execution. Beginning in 2007 at CBCInnovis, she developed deep expertise in credit data solutions, API design and enterprise integrations, ultimately rising to Vice President of Integrations at DataVerify. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in professionalizing implementation standards, improving scalability and enhancing the performance and security of mission-critical systems.

Since joining Informative Research in 2023, Hampton has led high-impact initiatives that enable the company to meet the rigorous operational, identity and compliance requirements of large financial institutions. She has successfully guided enterprise programs, including the delivery of Single Sign-On and risk management frameworks that support ongoing growth.

In addition to her technical and operational impact, Hampton is a dedicated advocate for women in technology. Through mentorship, sponsorship and active participation in the Mortgage Bankers Association’s mPower community, she has helped develop and elevate the next generation of leaders in the industry.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the opportunity to take complex challenges and turn them into scalable, repeatable solutions that create real impact,” said Hampton. “I’m honored to be recognized alongside so many talented women who are helping move our industry forward, and I’m eager to continue supporting others as they grow into leadership roles.”

Explore the full list of 2026 Women of Tech honorees in the May issue of Mortgage Women Magazine: https://nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news/women-tech-2026-code-closes.

About Informative Research

NEWS SOURCE: Informative Research

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/informative-research-vp-of-product-management-corey-hampton-honored-among-mortgage-women-magazines-2026-women-of-tech/

FirstClose’s Andria Lightfoot named 2026 Women of Tech Award Winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

AUSTIN, Texas, May 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that Andria Lightfoot, vice president of client success, has been named a 2026 Mortgage Women Magazine (MWM) Women of Tech Award winner, recognizing her leadership, innovation and impact advancing mortgage technology and supporting women in the industry.

Image caption: Andria Lightfoot, vice president of client success.

Lightfoot was selected for her more than 20 years of experience driving digital transformation across mortgage operations and fintech, as well as her commitment to mentoring and elevating Women of Technology.

“I’ve always been drawn to technology because of its ability to make people’s lives better,” Lightfoot said. “Throughout my career, my focus has been on using technology to solve real problems, improve efficiency and create better experiences for the people doing the work. This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the progress we’re making as an industry to create more opportunities for Women of Tech.”

Lightfoot began her career in mortgage operations while in graduate school, working as both a loan officer assistant and a processor, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges facing frontline teams. That early experience, combined with her programming background, led her to champion automation and digital workflows to improve efficiency and outcomes.

She has since held key leadership roles across the industry, including serving as the first female chief operating officer of a 40-year-old mortgage company and as the first chief customer officer at a fintech startup. In those roles, she led initiatives that improved loan turn times, expanded enterprise adoption of digital mortgage solutions and increased accessibility for underserved borrowers.

At FirstClose, Lightfoot leads implementation and customer success strategy, helping home equity lenders accelerate time-to-value through improved project management, faster delivery timelines and innovative HELOC solutions. She is also known for mentoring emerging leaders and advocating for greater representation of women in mortgage technology.

The Mortgage Women Magazine Women of Tech Award recognizes standout professionals who are advancing the mortgage industry through innovation, measurable impact and leadership, while helping expand opportunities for Women of Technology. Read more about Lightfoot’s journey and impact in her Women of Tech winner profile.

About FirstClose

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/firstcloses-andria-lightfoot-named-2026-women-of-tech-award-winner-by-mortgage-women-magazine/

ACES Quality Management Named One of 2026 Best Places to Work in Financial Technology for Fourth Consecutive Year

DENVER, Colo., May 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced that it has been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Financial Technology. The awards program was created in 2017 and is a project of Arizent and Best Companies Group.

Image caption: ACES Quality Management.

This annual survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the financial technology industry. Companies recognized on this year’s list operate in and serve companies and consumers in a wide range of financial services, including banking and mortgages, insurance, payments and financial advisory.

“Earning this recognition for the fourth time is a testament to the exceptional people who make ACES what it is,” said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. “Our most recent employee engagement survey confirmed something we’re incredibly proud of: ACES ranks in the top 10% of U.S. software companies for engagement. Employees tell us they value our leadership’s openness, the flexibility built into how we work, and the sense that their efforts genuinely move the company forward. This award reflects all of that, and it challenges us to keep earning it.”

“Each year, the Best Places to Work in Financial Technology offers a glimpse into the workplace practices of fintechs whose employees rate them highly,” said Penny Crosman, Executive Editor of Technology at American Banker. “This year, employees appear to value remote work, schedule flexibility and autonomy above all else, at a time when many traditional financial firms are enforcing strict return-to-work policies.”

To be considered for participation, companies must provide technology products, services or solutions that enable the delivery of financial services. Companies must also have been in business for at least one full year and employ at least 15 people in the U.S.

Companies from across the United States entered a two-part survey process to determine Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. +The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking.

For more information on Arizent’s Best Places to Work in Fintech program, including full eligibility criteria, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkFinTech.com or contact Penny Crosman at penny.crosman@arizent.com.

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation’s most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

Over 70% of the top 20 independent mortgage lenders;

7 of the top 10 loan servicers;
14 of the top 30 banks; and
7 of the top 15 credit unions in the United States.

ACES also supports multiple state housing authorities and mortgage insurers, a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and dozens of third-party QC service providers that collectively serve hundreds of financial institutions.

Unlike other quality control platforms, ACES Flexible Audit Technology® enables independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions to easily manage and customize the system to their specific needs without relying on IT or outside resources. With ACES’ AI-powered capabilities, audit teams can translate complexity into clear insights and accelerate performance.

Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

NEWS SOURCE: ACES Quality Management

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (ACES Quality Management), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/aces-quality-management-named-one-of-2026-best-places-to-work-in-financial-technology-for-fourth-consecutive-year/

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Tag Archives: Awards and Honors

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Debut Author Tina Rastelli Awarded Prestigious 2026 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize

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Melinda Harris of Down Payment Resource named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader

Holly Shipley, head of marketing at Class Valuation, makes the 2026 HW Marketing Leader list

FirstClose VP of marketing David Bolin named 2026 HousingWire Marketing Leader

Dark Matter Technologies’ Wes Horbatuck named a 2026 HW Marketing Leader

GeekyAnts Earns ET Now 2026 Nomination for AI and Digital Transformation Excellence

Spodak Dental Group Recognized as a 2026 Sun Sentinel Top Workplace for the 10th Time

Floify’s Courtney Dodd named 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech award winner

Dark Matter Technologies’ Leslie Cheshier named Women of Mortgage Tech award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Class Valuation’s Audrey Clearwater named to Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Mortgage Tech list

Down Payment Resource’s Kathy Gault named Women of Tech Award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Service 1st’s Lisa Binkley named Women of Mortgage Tech Award winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

Informative Research VP of Product Management Corey Hampton Honored Among Mortgage Women Magazine’s 2026 Women of Tech

FirstClose’s Andria Lightfoot named 2026 Women of Tech Award Winner by Mortgage Women Magazine

ACES Quality Management Named One of 2026 Best Places to Work in Financial Technology for Fourth Consecutive Year