Tag Archives: Awards and Honors

IDS Client Support Manager Tina Mausser Named 2019 HW Insider

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Mortgage document preparation vendor International Document Services, Inc. (IDS), announced today that Client Support Manager Tina Mausser has been honored by HousingWire magazine in its fourth annual HW Insiders Awards(TM) program. Winners are chosen by HousingWire's editorial board based on their accomplishments over the past 12 months.

Mausser has been with IDS for 14 years. During that time, she has worked in several departments, including Integrations and Implementations, enabling her to build long-standing relationships with IDS's clients. This experience has also provided her with a well-rounded understanding of IDS products and any issues its clients may face, especially since she on-boarded many of them during her time in Implementation. In addition, Mausser's deep understanding of the IDS system and the mortgage industry uniquely positions her to help IDS clients maximize the flexibility of the idsDoc system, a key IDS differentiator, to meet their individual needs.

"I have always had an incredible support system here at IDS, always pushing me to be better and guiding me along the way," Mausser said. "I would not be successful without the amazing support I have received from my mentors, my managers and my peers."

As Client Support Manager, Mausser manages the largest service team in IDS company history, and since her ascension to the position, she has implemented procedures aimed at improving the quality of customer service IDS provides. The IDS Client Support Team is afforded the unique ability to implement changes for client issues, rather than pass these off to another department. Under Mausser's leadership, the client support team has improved the documentation and testing of said changes, which lends to a smoother production process both internally and externally.

"Tina Mausser is one of IDS's most valued employees. While not one to shine the spotlight on herself, her diligence, leadership and dedication to client service haven't gone unnoticed, and we are thrilled to see her efforts recognized on an industry-wide scale," IDS Vice President and General Manager Mark Mackey said.

According to the publication, the HW Insiders program recognizes 50 individuals who "are the 'go-to' team members in their companies and represent a wide range of occupations within the housing industry, from lending and servicing to investments and real estate. The Insiders are professionals their companies turn to with their most important or challenging projects because their contributions and hard work lead to superior results."

"We created the Insiders award program to bring acclaim to the unsung heroes that are helping drive the housing industry forward," HousingWire Managing Editor Ben Lane said. "Last year's nominations were amazing, but this year's blew us away. Each of this year's winners is a true all-star who helps drive their organization to new heights."

For the full list of this year's honorees, visit
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49941-here-are-housingwires-2019-insiders.

About HW Media

HW Media is the leading digital community for real estate, financial services and fintech professionals to engage, connect and gain knowledge. Founded in 2016 through the acquisition of HousingWire, HW Media is based in Dallas, TX with team members across the country. HW Media is owned by Riomar Capital.

About HousingWire

HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 40,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 4 million unique visitors each year. Our audience of mortgage, real estate, financial services and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit https://www.housingwire.com or https://www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

About IDS, Inc.

IDS, a Reynolds and Reynolds company, was founded in 1986 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a nationwide provider of mortgage documents and compliance. IDS services include eSignatures, closing documents, initial disclosures, document fulfillment and integration with leading loan origination systems and eClosing platforms. The IDS flagship doc prep solution, idsDoc, is recognized in the industry for its ability to be customized to meet specific lender needs, particularly in regards to major industry compliance changes. (https://info.idsdoc.com/)

Mortgage document preparation vendor International Document Services, Inc. (IDS), announced today that Client Support Manager Tina Mausser has been honored by HousingWire magazine in its fourth annual HW Insiders Awards(TM) program.

Related link: https://info.idsdoc.com/

SimpleNexus VP of Sales Paul Drobot Recognized with HousingWire’s Insiders Award

LEHI, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced that VP of Sales Paul Drobot has been named a 2019 HW Insiders Award honoree by HousingWire. HousingWire's 2019 Insiders Award winners were carefully selected by the publication's editorial board based on candidates' vital and dynamic contributions to their companies.

Drobot was recognized for the crucial role he has played helping SimpleNexus grow to become the mortgage industry's mobile lending platform of choice, connecting 20,000 active loan originator users with 1.1 million borrowers and 65,000 realtor partners to produce millions of loans totaling over $100 billion in volume. Under Drobot's sales leadership, SimpleNexus welcomed 60 new enterprise clients to its platform in 2018 and earned a spot in the top 500 of the 2019 Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest-growing companies.

"Paul has always been an exceedingly high performer, in large part due to the care he places in understanding the nuanced needs of individual mortgage lenders," said SimpleNexus Head of Sales Chuck Staib. "He is keenly aware that each lender's business model and operating style requires a unique set of solutions. Paul is able to quickly ascertain a client's business structure, value stream and how delivering to its borrowers is impacted by the combination of LOS, services and integrations it uses to deliver exceptional results."

"Our Insiders grow more difficult to choose each year as their talent and impacts on the mortgage and real estate industry continue to blow us away," said HousingWire Associate Editor Kelsey Ramírez. "This year's winners are truly the secret weapons of their industry and continue to push their companies to greatness and move markets forward."

Today, SimpleNexus empowers more than 20,000 loan officers to "do more" while serving more than 223 mortgage companies, including 15 of the top 25 retail lenders in the United States. For more information, visit https://simplenexus.com/domore.

The full list of HW Insiders Award honorees can be viewed in the September issue of HousingWire magazine or at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49941-here-are-housingwires-2019-insiders.

About SimpleNexus, LLC:

SimpleNexus is the digital mortgage platform that enables lenders to originate and process loans from anywhere. The company's best-in-class, easy-to-use app connects loan officers to their borrowers and real estate agents to easily communicate and exchange data in a single location throughout the entire loan life cycle. Loan officers can manage their loan pipelines, order credit, run pricing and send pre-approvals - all on the go.

About HousingWire:

HousingWire is the nation's most influential source of news and information for U.S. mortgage markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments and real estate market participants as well as financial market professionals.

Winner of numerous awards, including a 2012 Eddie Award for national editorial excellence in B-to-B Banking/Business/Finance, HousingWire has been recognized for excellence in journalism by the Society of Business Editors and Writers, the American Society of Business Press Editors, the National Association of Real Estate Editors and Trade Association Business Publications International.

Twitter: @SimpleNexus @HousingWire #2019HWInsiders #digitalmortgage

SimpleNexus, developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced that VP of Sales Paul Drobot has been named a 2019 HW Insiders Award honoree by HousingWire.

Related link: https://simplenexus.com/

ReverseVision’s Jeff Birdsell Named 2019 HousingWire Insiders Award Recipient

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- ReverseVision, the leading provider of technology and training for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) industry, announced that Jeff Birdsell, vice president of professional services has been named a recipient of the 2019 HousingWire (HW) Insiders Award. Now in its fourth year, the Insiders Award program recognizes "operational all-stars" within the housing industry who have been vital to their employer's success.

Birdsell was honored for utilizing his strong coding skillset, problem-solving capabilities and in-depth industry knowledge to position reverse mortgages into technological and operational coexistence with the world of traditional mortgage lending. To that end, Jeff's development oversight has been critical to the successful completion of recent landmark product advancements, including ReverseVision's expanded support for proprietary reverse mortgage products, the development and launch of the Comparison Calculator tool within RV Sales Accelerator (RVSA), the creation of advanced API plug-ins and the overhaul RV Administrator (RVA).

"For the last six years, Jeff has worked with ReverseVision to refine its product offerings and deliver superior professional services to clients," said John Button, president and CEO of ReverseVision. "His commitment to client service and advancing the HECM and reverse industry is unparalleled. We commend him for this honor."

"I'm very passionate about cultivating technology and business practices that strengthen our industry and quality of life for seniors," said Birdsell. "To receive recognition for my accomplishments is very rewarding and would not be possible without the efforts of my top-notch team at ReverseVision."

"Our Insiders grow more difficult to choose each year as their talent and impacts on the mortgage and real estate industry continue to blow us away," said HousingWire Associate Editor Kelsey Ramírez. "This year's winners are truly the secret weapons of their industry and continue to push their companies to greatness and move markets forward."

Now in its fourth year, the HW Insiders Award program recognizes housing industry professionals essential to the performance of their companies within the housing space. The full list of honorees can be viewed in the September edition of HW magazine and online at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49941-here-are-housingwires-2019-insiders.

About ReverseVision

ReverseVision, Inc. is the leading provider of technology and training for Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) origination. With many thousands of active users, ReverseVision technology is used by 10 of the top-ten reverse mortgage lenders and supports more HECM transactions than all other systems combined. The company's comprehensive product suite also includes HECM sales and education tools and a dedicated professional services team. ReverseVision partners with some of the finest and fastest-growing banks, credit unions and lending organizations in the United States to provide its HECM technology to brokers, correspondents, lenders and investors.

A four-time HousingWire TECH100(TM) company, ReverseVision has also been recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500(TM) listing. ReverseVision's annual user conference, the only event of its kind in the industry, brings together more than 200 lenders, vendors and educators each year to advance HECM lending. The company continues to build on its technology's pioneering capabilities with frequent enhancements aimed at boosting users' HECM volume, workflow efficiency and data analysis capabilities.

For more information, visit https://www.reversevision.com.

About HousingWire

HousingWire is the nation's most influential source of news and information for U.S. mortgage markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments and real estate market participants as well as financial market professionals.

Winner of numerous awards, including a 2012 Eddie Award for national editorial excellence in the B-to-B Banking/Business/Finance, HousingWire has been recognized for excellence in journalism by the Society of Business Editors and Writers, the American Society of Business Press Editors, the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and Trade Association Business Publications International.

Twitter: @ReverseVision @HousingWire #2019HWInsiders #digitalmortgage #HECM

ReverseVision, the leading provider of technology and training for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) industry, announced that Jeff Birdsell, vice president of professional services has been named a recipient of the 2019 HousingWire (HW) Insiders Award. Now in its fourth year, the Insiders Award program recognizes "operational all-stars" within the housing industry who have been vital to their employer's success.

Related link: https://www.reversevision.com/

LBA Ware Director of Marketing Kelley Mangel Recognized as a 2019 HousingWire Insider

MACON, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, today announced that Director of Marketing Kelley Mangel has been named a recipient of the 2019 HousingWire HW Insiders Award. This marks the fourth year that HousingWire's Insiders Award program has recognized the "unsung heroes propelling their companies to success."

As LBA Ware's chief communicator, Mangel has been essential to the company's evolution from a little-known Georgia startup to a high-visibility industry influencer and market success. Hired as LBA Ware's sixth team member and first "non-technical" employee, Mangel developed the LBA Ware brand from scratch and executed the company's first marketing plan. Today, Mangel oversees all of LBA Ware's branding and corporate identity initiatives in addition to assuming the role of lead product designer for the firm's highly-anticipated product, LimeGear, which will debut at Source Media's Digital Mortgage conference in September.

"Kelley has made essential contributions to the growth and success of LBA Ware," said company Founder and CEO Lori Brewer. "She is both a strong leader and a standout team player, and her keen marketing sensibility has helped shape the LBA Ware brand and user experience. Her attitude and drive to succeed has permeated our entire culture."

"Our Insiders grow more difficult to choose each year as their talent and impact on the mortgage and real estate industry continue to blow us away," said HousingWire Associate Editor Kelsey Ramírez. "This year's winners are truly the secret weapons of their industry. They continue to push their companies to greatness and move markets forward."

This year's annual HW Insiders Award program recognized 50 professionals working in various sectors of the housing economy, including mortgage lending, servicing, investing and real estate. Winners were peer-nominated and selected by HousingWire's editorial board based on candidates' accomplishments in the last 12 months.

The full list of HW Insiders Award winners can be viewed in the September edition of HousingWire magazine or online at https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49941-here-are-housingwires-2019-insiders.

About LBA Ware

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organizations. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency. For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

Twitter: @LBAWare @HousingWire #digitalmortgage #2019HWInsiders

LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, today announced that Director of Marketing Kelley Mangel has been named a recipient of the 2019 HousingWire HW Insiders Award. This marks the fourth year that HousingWire's Insiders Award program has recognized the "unsung heroes propelling their companies to success."

Related link: https://lbaware.com/

Study Identifies Boston’s Top-Rated Plastic Surgeons

BOSTON, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- An analysis of multiple online rating sources has shed light as to whom Boston-area plastic surgical patients consider the area's top plastic surgeon. According to actual patient ratings gathered from five different rating platforms, Dr. Jeffery Spiegel, of The Spiegel Center, was ranked as the area's top plastic surgeon, receiving more five-star ratings from his patients than any other plastic surgeon.

The study, conducted by John C. Anderson Ph.D., a former professor of management at UCLA and consultant in the plastic surgery industry, compiled patient ratings from five key platforms-Google, Facebook, RealSelf, Vitals.com, and RateMD.com, looking specifically at which physicians had received five-star ratings from patients, and for which procedures.

Dr. Spiegel received 221 five-star ratings. The next surgeon with the most five-star ratings, Dr. Jeffrey Darrow, earned 125 top marks from his patients. Others, with fewer top marks, included Boston plastic surgeons Dr. Sean Doherty, Dr. Richard Bartlett, Dr. Samuel Lin, Dr. George Volpe, Dr. Leonard Miller, Dr. Summer Slavin, and Dr. Joseph Russo.

The number of five-star reviews earned by the surgeons ranged from 12 to 221.

In addition, the study looked at which procedures earned the doctors the most top reviews. These tended to flow along the lines of each practice's specialty. Dr. Spiegel, for example, was ranked highest in facial plastic surgery (rhinoplasties, face lifts, injectables, blepharoplasties, and facial feminization surgeries).

Other surgeons were noted for their skills in breast augmentation and reduction, injectables, rhinoplasty, and gynecomastia.

Patient ratings are one indicator of physician quality along with board certification, academic credentials, and experience.

The complete study is available at: https://www.drspiegel.com/general/the-best-plastic-surgeons-in-boston/

About The Spiegel Center:

The Spiegel Center is a state-of-the-art Facial plastic surgery center that specializes in cosmetic and facial feminization surgery for patients in Boston. Learn more at: https://www.drspiegel.com/

An analysis of multiple online rating sources has shed light as to whom Boston-area plastic surgical patients consider the area's top plastic surgeon. According to actual patient ratings gathered from five different rating platforms, Dr. Jeffery Spiegel, of The Spiegel Center, was ranked as the area's top plastic surgeon.

Related link: https://www.drspiegel.com/

Dallas Based Small Business Beauty By Earth Among Inc. Magazine’s Annual List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies – the Inc. 5000

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Inc. magazine today revealed that local Dallas based small business, Beauty By Earth is No. 809 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment-its independent small businesses.

Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the Inc. 5000. All of the credit goes to our fantastic team," said Ryan Greve, CEO Beauty By Earth. "Their dedication and focus in bringing the Beauty By Earth vision to life is at the core of our success. Our passion is crafting the highest quality organic and natural skincare products possible, and our mission is to make those products accessible to all. We're fired up as we take on our next goal: to triple our product line and so create a complete catalog to serve all of our customer's needs."

Not only have the companies on the 2019 Inc. 5000 (which are listed online at Inc.com, with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc., available on newsstands August 20) been very competitive within their markets, but the list as a whole shows staggering growth compared with prior lists. The 2019 Inc. 5000 achieved an astounding three-year average growth of 454 percent, and a median rate of 157 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue was $237.7 billion in 2018, accounting for 1,216,308 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.

"The companies on this year's Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success," says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "There's no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities."

The annual Inc. 5000 event honoring the companies on the list will be held October 10 to 12, 2019, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. As always, speakers include some of the greatest innovators and business leaders of our generation.

About Beauty By Earth:

Beauty By Earth was founded in the Dallas, Texas area by two friends searching for safe skincare products for their young children. Their mission is to provide premium organic and natural skincare products at an affordable price, thereby making them accessible to all. To them, words like "organic" and "natural" aren't marketing gimmicks: they're a promise.

Beauty By Earth products are Certified Cruelty-free, created from responsibly sourced ingredients, highly rated on EWG, and are proudly made in the USA.

For more information, visit: https://www.beautybyearth.com/

About the Inc. 5000 Methodology:

The 2019 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2015 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2015. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent-not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies-as of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2015 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.

Twitter: @beautybyearth https://twitter.com/BeautyByEarth

Inc. magazine today revealed that local Dallas based small business, Beauty By Earth is No. 809 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment-its independent small businesses.

Related link: https://www.beautybyearth.com/

White Pine Ranked #1 East Idaho Charter School by SDE

AMMON, Idaho /ScoopCloud/ -- White Pine Charter School (WPCS) is pleased to announce their ranking as the highest-performing charter school in East Idaho by the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE). The SDE also rated White Pine as the fifth-highest East Idaho school overall, and among the highest 10% of schools statewide.

Each year, the SDE releases online report cards which give "grades" to public schools and public charter schools in Idaho. On August 13, IdEdNews.org organized this year's new SDE grades into a list for easier cross-district comparison. The resulting ranking showed White Pine as the highest-ranked charter school in the region encompassing Bingham, Bonneville, Fremont, Jefferson, and Madison counties.

WPCS Board Chairman Adam Frugoli says he is "extremely proud" of the ranking, but knows there will be more work ahead. "We are not satisfied," he says. "We want to be the best school in Idaho and we are committed to redesigning what public education can be here."

"I'm really excited about White Pine's continued academic success," says WPCS administrator Jeremy Clarke. "This just reinforces that there are successful (and free!) alternatives to the traditional schools in East Idaho. Our mission is 'Success for every student,' and we want that mission to show in our work, in our results, and in our students' lives."

The report is especially encouraging as White Pine opens their White Pine STEM Academy for its first school year on August 22. This new school will serve students from 7th to 9th grade and will work to connect advanced technology, project-based learning, and industry leaders to prepare students for the high-paying jobs of tomorrow (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). WPCS plans to expand the STEM Academy in coming years into a full high school. It is located on a five-acre property in Ammon (2664 First Street).

The SDE's report card is primarily based on objective student test achievement, but also includes factors like graduation rates, teacher retention, learner progress, and career readiness. Combining these scores gives each school an overall composite score or "grade."

Founded in 2001, White Pine Charter School is the largest and oldest charter school in East Idaho. They serve a diverse student body of more than 500 in kindergarten through 9th grade, with students coming from all over East Idaho.

For more information on WPCS and White Pine STEM Academy, visit https://whitepinecharterschool.org/.

For media contacts, please email Matt Wiltbank at wiltbankma@wpcscougars.org.

White Pine Charter School (WPCS) is pleased to announce their ranking as the highest-performing charter school in East Idaho by the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE). The SDE also rated White Pine as the fifth-highest East Idaho school overall, and among the highest 10% of schools statewide.

Related link: https://whitepinecharterschool.org/

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Names Steiner Realty, Inc A Winner of the Pittsburgh Top Workplaces 2019 Award

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Steiner Realty, Inc. announces their designation as one of Pittsburgh's 2019 Top Workplaces. Steiner Realty has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2019 honor by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

"Top Workplaces is more than just recognition," said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. "Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement."

Casey Steiner, the company's President, expressed his pride in obtaining the designation, placing the company among an esteemed group of 90 Pittsburgh-area companies. "This award validates our efforts to continuously improve a company built on a firm foundation of trust and respect for everyone," remarked Casey. "We commend our employees for all their hard work that provides our tenants with clean, comfortable, well-maintained housing," he said. "And we will continue to invest time and resources in our employees, treating them all as family, listening to their opinions and responding to them in good faith."

"Becoming a Top Workplace isn't something organizations can buy," Claffey said. "It's an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It's a big deal."

About Steiner Realty:

Steiner Realty, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based real estate brokerage firm owned and operated by Clarence H. (Casey) Steiner since 1989. Steiner Realty, Inc. currently manages over 1600+ rental units in the Greater Pittsburgh area in a mix of luxury loft apartments, community apartment complexes, small apartment buildings and high-rises, as well as single-family homes and townhouses. In addition to office staff, Steiner Realty employs a full-service maintenance staff to handle all aspects of property maintenance, repair, and updating.

Learn more at: http://www.steiner-realty.com

Facebook: @SteinerRealty
Twitter: @SteinerRealty

About Energage, LLC:

Headquartered in Exton, Pa., Energage is a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools that help leaders to unlock potential, inspire performance, and achieve amazing results within their organizations. The research partner behind the Top Workplaces program, Energage has surveyed more than 57,000 organizations representing well over 19 million employees in the United States.

Steiner Realty, Inc. announces their designation as one of Pittsburgh's 2019 Top Workplaces. Steiner Realty, Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based real estate brokerage firm owned and operated by Clarence H. (Casey) Steiner since 1989.

Related link: https://www.steiner-realty.com/

GMAR and Michigan State Police Trooper School Come Together to Sponsor Medical Service Dog

LANSING, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs announced that in February 2019, Sgt. McRae of the Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School set a goal: to honor Michigan State Trooper Craig A. Scott; a military veteran who was killed in the line of duty after 7 years on the force in 1982.

Each recruit class creates a Hero WOD (workout of the day) for a fellow trooper and performs the Hero WOD at the gym. This 135th trooper recruit school added a fundraiser with an ambitious goal. To raise $25,000 to sponsor the training of a medical service dog for a deserving recipient.

The members of the 135th Trooper Recruit School were well on their way to that goal, raising $9,200 during a Hero WOD. That's when GMAR (The Greater Metropolitan Association of REALTORS(R)), reached out to help them complete their goal. GMAR has already been involved in raising funds for service dogs for several years, with their "5 Years, 5 Dogs, 5 Lives Saved" campaign, and they have previously completed sponsorship of Service Dogs Cobalt REALTOR(R) Blue, and Thor, and have future Service Dog Independence, currently in-training.

On Monday, August 12, 2019 the two came together, and GMAR presented a check to The Michigan State Police for $15,725 - covering the balance of the Trooper Recruit School's sponsorship.

The funds raised and contributed will be sent to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, that has raised and trained more than 320 service dogs for deserving individuals in need nationwide, predominantly for veterans and first-responders.

To date, Guardian Angels has paired more than 20 dogs in the State of Michigan. But the waiting list continues to grow. The number of both veterans and first-responders facing issues such as PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, Seizure and Diabetic disorders and mobility issues is steadily increasing, and it is the hope of the Michigan State Police and GMAR that this individually-trained medical service dog, yet named will greatly improve life for its future recipient.

Learn more at: https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs announced that in February 2019, Sgt. McRae of the Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School set a goal: to honor Michigan State Trooper Craig A. Scott; a military veteran who was killed in the line of duty after 7 years on the force in 1982.

Related link: https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Arizona Department of Housing Congratulates the Recipients of the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Awards

PHOENIX, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- Arizona Department of Housing presented the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Awards at a recognition ceremony in Scottsdale on August 21. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 16th Annual Arizona Housing Forum; the premier industry event for housing and community development professionals in the state.

The Housing Hero Award recognizes outstanding achievements by nominees in eight categories and is named in honor of the outstanding public service exemplified by the late Brian Mickelsen, an original member of the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and the city manager for the Town of Cottonwood.

Arizona Department of Housing congratulates the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Award recipients in the following categories:

Outstanding Affordable Housing Initiative

* South Phoenix Village Infill Redevelopment Project
City of Phoenix & Foundation for Senior Living

Innovative Supportive Housing Program

* First Place (R) AZ
First Place - Phoenix

Exemplary Rural Multifamily Project
* Las Brisas Sunset Apartments (San Luis)
Comite de Bienestar, Inc.

Exemplary Urban Multifamily Project

* The Marist on Cathedral Square (Tucson)
Foundation for Senior Living

Tribal Initiatives

* TOKA Homes III
Tohono O'odham Ki:Ki Association

Outstanding State Administered Community Development Block Grant Funded Project

* Boys & Girls Club
Town of Prescott Valley

Elected Official

* Gila County Board of Supervisors
Woody Cline, Tim Humphrey, Tommie Martin

Arthur Crozier Partner in Housing

* Michael McQuaid
Human Services Campus (Phoenix)

Learn more about Arizona Dept. of Housing at: https://housing.az.gov/

Arizona Department of Housing presented the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Awards at a recognition ceremony in Scottsdale on August 21. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 16th Annual Arizona Housing Forum; the premier industry event for housing and community development professionals in the state.

Related link: https://housing.az.gov/

CyberTexas Foundation will host 2019 San Antonio Cyber Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony

SAN ANTONIO, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- The CyberTexas Foundation will host the 2019 San Antonio Cyber Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Downtown Campus, Buena Vista Building. The Hall of Honor recognizes cyber pioneers who innovatively forged new paths across the city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, the nation and abroad.

Inductees are recognized for their efforts to understand and accept the pronounced risks and challenges and profoundly lead the way in creating one of the preeminent cyber ecosystems in the country.

The CyberTexas Foundation is proud to announce the 2019 Inductees:

PIONEERS

J. Michael Kretzer, Technical Director, 688th Cyberspace Wing, Joint Base San Antonio
* Program manager for the first Air Force Information Warfare (IW) focused planning and targeting tool initiative in 1996-2002;
* Program manager for the first DoD Advanced IW Concept for IO Planning 1997-2002;
* Established Cooperative Research Agreement between UTSA and Air Force that assisted in early development of the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security as well as the Dark Screen metropolitan-based exercises;
* First Technical Director for the Air Force Information Operations Center, 688th Information Operations Wing, and 688th Cyberspace Wing;
* Provided cyber expertise to several Air Force Chief Scientist studies to include CyberVision 2025, Air Force Technology Horizons, and Science and Technology Strategy 2030.

Daniel M. Teal, Principal Engineer, Sophos, Austin
* Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of WheelGroup Corporation;
* Created NetRanger - the first commercial network intrusion detection system;
* Senior technical engineer and architect for the Distributed Intrusion Detection System (DIDS);
* Designed architecture for the first Automated Security Incident Measurement (ASIM) site;
* Co-Founder and CTO of CoreTrace Corporation;
* Researched and developed Bouncer, the first commercial application control whitelisting product;
* Awarded patents in many areas of cyber security.

Kevin J. Ziese, (Posthumously), Senior Computer Scientist, Cisco Systems, Dripping Springs
* Owner of numerous U.S. Patents: Method and system for dynamically distributing updates in a network (2008); Method and system for providing tamper-resistant executable software (2003); Method and system for dynamically distributing updates in a network (2002); System and Method for rules-driven multi-phase network vulnerability assessment (2001); Method and System for adaptive network security using network vulnerability assessment (2001);
* Senior Computer Scientist, Cisco Systems; Co-Founder and Senior Scientist at WheelGroup Corporation; Air Force Engineer and United Nations Peacekeeping Inspector Computer Expert-United States.

ALL-STAR

Josh Beck, Networking Engineering Instructor, Roosevelt High School, San Antonio
* Developer and instructor of one of the best CyberPatriot programs in the city at the Engineering and Technology Academy (ETA) at Roosevelt High School;
* Lead one of his 13 teams to the CyberPatriot National Competition where the Army JROTC team placed 3rd in Service Division;
* Army JROTC team won the All-Service Cisco Networking Challenge;
* Developed a program resulting in nearly 30 students earning industry recognized IT and security certifications.

"Members of this year's Pioneer inductees soundly represent the Air Force's foundation and technological advancements in what we now call cybersecurity," said Joe Sanchez, Executive Director, CyberTexas Foundation and Founder of the SA Hall of Honor.

The Pioneer Category was established for an individual who devoted an extended period (20+ years) or a career to the field. The All-Star Category was established for an individual (or team) who has made substantial contributions over the course of the past year or more. The All-Star Category has three segments: Workforce/Education, Government/Operations and Industry/Technology.

Sanchez offered insight into the work of pioneer Mike Kretzer by highlighting his ability to "carry forward in the Air Force tradition of advancing the mission by helping shape the cyber tools, tactics and techniques into weapon systems." Sanchez continued: "Mike has a superb eye for finding golden nuggets in national labs, startups and academic institutions and turning them into tools used by our cyber warriors."

In describing why Dan Teal and Kevin Ziese were selected, Lee Sutterfield, CEO and co-founder of SecureLogix, and inaugural Hall of Honor inductee stated that "the innovative technology and processes developed by Dan Teal and Kevin Ziese were groundbreaking in the field of detection and defense, which are widely found today in military and commercial devices and software. Their work brilliantly continued into the collective standup of WheelGroup, into Cisco Systems and into the development of numerous patents."

Chris Cook, Senior Advisor at CyberTexas Foundation described Josh Beck as the "developer of one of the more prominent and successful high school CyberPatriot programs in the region at Roosevelt High School's Engineering and Technology Academy." Cook stated that, "Beck's drive to teach students led to an Army JROTC team placing third in the country in the CyberPatriot National Competition Service Division. They also won the All-Service Cisco Networking Challenge."

The induction ceremony will start at 5 PM. It will be followed by a reception. To learn more or to attend, contact Victor Malloy, General Manager, CyberTexas Foundation at vmalloy@cybertexas.org.

More information: https://www.cybertexas.org/

The CyberTexas Foundation will host the 2019 San Antonio Cyber Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 5 p.m. at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Downtown Campus, Buena Vista Building. The Hall of Honor recognizes cyber pioneers who innovatively forged new paths across the city of San Antonio, the state of Texas, the nation and abroad.

Related link: https://www.cybertexas.org/

Texas Systems Group Named to List of 501 Top IT Managed Service Providers in the World

AUSTIN, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Texas Systems Group (TXSG) has earned a coveted slot on Channel Futures' list of the top 501 IT managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Channel Futures issued a statement about this year's list saying, "The competition was fierce, but their commitment to taking risks on strategic business decisions, dedication to customer support and intuitive knowledge of the managed services market helped these companies rise above the competition."

The MSP market is worth about $200 billion dollars with thousands of companies competing for market share. "The 2019 MSP 501 winners are the most elite, innovative and strategic IT service providers on the planet, and they stand as a model of excellence in the industry," says Kris Blackmon, Content Director of Channel Partners and Channel Futures and lead of the MSP 501 program. "As the MSP 501 Community grows, leagues of managed service providers learn from the successes of these winning companies, gaining insight into the best practices, strategies and technologies that elevate an MSP to the level of the 501 winners."

This year, there were a record number of applicants. "There are hundreds of thousands of MSPs worldwide," says Texas Systems Group Marketing Manager Melanie Reyna. "It's rewarding to be recognized for our commitment, not only to our clients, but to our team. This recognition is only possible because we work with some of the most talented and caring people in the industry."

About Channel Futures:

Channel Futures, Channel Partners Online, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution are part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

Informa has over 10,000 colleagues in more than 20 countries and a presence in all major geographies. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

About Texas Systems Group:

Recognizing a dire need for organizations to have responsive, professional-grade IT support, David Doran and Andrew Lam founded Texas Systems Group in 2002 with a vision of delivering Texas friendly, honest and caring IT support to both small and midsize businesses and healthcare organizations.

By effectively managing IT risks and passionately supporting its clients, Texas Systems Group has earned the trust of hundreds of organizations across Texas and throughout the United States.

For more information, visit https://www.txsg.com.

Texas Systems Group, 2204 Forbes Drive, Suite 101, Austin, TX 78754. Phone: 512.249-2000.

Texas Systems Group (TXSG) has earned a coveted slot on Channel Futures' list of the top 501 IT managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Channel Futures issued a statement about this year's list saying, "The competition was fierce, but their commitment to taking risks on strategic business decisions, dedication to customer support and intuitive knowledge of the managed services market helped these companies rise above the competition."

Related link: https://www.txsg.com

Inc. Magazine Names LBA Ware to the 2019 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing Private Companies

MACON, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Inc. magazine yesterday revealed that LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, is ranked 3,466 on the magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list. The Inc. 5000 list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

The list provides a unique look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment - independent small businesses. LBA Ware is the only company this year from Macon, Ga to make the list.

"Our escalating growth is reflective of mortgage lenders' growing desire to automate the tedious, time-consuming task of manual commission calculations and harness their data for shrewd decision-making," said LBA Ware Founder and CEO Lori Brewer. "We are honored to be listed on the Inc. 5000 and look forward to future years of continued growth."

LBA Ware's debut on the Inc. 5000 comes on the heels of the company's recent announcement that it closed the second quarter of 2019 having completed $3,622,659,995 in lifetime calculations of loan originator commissions and operational bonuses through its flagship sales incentive platform, CompenSafe(TM).

"The companies on this year's Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success," says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "There's no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities."

Eligibility for the 2019 Inc. 5000 requires companies to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent. Honorees are ranked according to their rate of revenue growth from 2015 and 2018 expressed as a percent. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About LBA Ware:

Founded in 2008, LBA Ware's mission is to inspire opportunity by delivering solutions that are essential to the way mortgage companies operate. We are a trusted partner and play a key role in our clients' success by enabling them to motivate, incentivize and better leverage the human potential within their organizations. Our applications automate traditionally manual business processes for which an existing software solution does not exist, empowering lenders to create an integrated software environment that maximizes their productivity and operational efficiency. For more information about LBA Ware and our software solutions, visit https://lbaware.com.

About Inc. Media:

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2,000,000 in 2010 to more than 20,000,000 today. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

Inc. magazine yesterday revealed that LBA Ware(TM), provider of the leading automated compensation and sales performance management platform for mortgage lenders, is ranked 3,466 on the magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list. The Inc. 5000 list is the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.

Related link: https://lbaware.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Recognized as a 2019 ‘Best Place to Work’ in Dallas

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has been recognized by their team members in Dallas as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in North Texas in a survey conducted annually by the Dallas Business Journal.

"We are pleased and proud to be recognized by our EPIC team members as one of the region's Best Places to Work," said KJ Wagner, Managing Principal of EPIC's operations in Dallas and across the Southwest. "Our teams have truly found a home in EPIC's people-first culture that values and promotes client service excellence, community, alignment, respect, responsibility and fun - which this award clearly reflects."

The 2019 Best Places to Work in North Texas is an annual feature in the Dallas Business Journal. Companies were judged based on an employee survey conducted earlier this year. The survey measures the satisfaction and morale of employees and the culture of the workplace, including whether it fosters engagement and creativity, and makes the workday enjoyable.

Best Place to Work recognition in North Texas continues a long-standing EPIC tradition of being recognized for workplace excellence. Since the company's founding in 2007, EPIC has been consistently recognized as a 'Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across the country, and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally on ten occasions.

EPIC encourages and supports its employees' participation in the activities of a wide range of charitable organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alzheimer's Association and many other non-profit and community-service organizations, both local and national. Individual stories can be found in the Culture section of EPIC's website at https://www.epicbrokers.com/culture/#tabs

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.
EPIC now has more than 2,000 team members operating from 65 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, has been recognized by their team members in Dallas as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in North Texas in a survey conducted annually by the Dallas Business Journal.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

SimpleNexus Named One of America’s 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies for Second Consecutive Year

LEHI, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced it has been ranked in the top 500 on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies for the second year running.

SimpleNexus' mobile-first mortgage platform is not only growing rapidly, it's also changing consumer behavior. Recently the firm released data indicating that the majority of borrowers applying for a mortgage loan now prefer a mobile-driven application process. As of May 2019, mobile applications account for more than 50% of all mortgage applications submitted through the SimpleNexus platform.

"SimpleNexus' growth is propelled by market demand for mobile-first origination tools that effortlessly move borrowers from applicants to homeowners," said SimpleNexus Founder and CEO Matt Hansen. "We're delighted that our passion for transforming the mortgage lending experience has landed us on the Inc. 500 for a second year."

To date, SimpleNexus has connected its 20,000 active loan originators with 1.1 million borrowers and 65,000 realtor partners to produce nearly five million loans totaling over $100 billion in volume. Last year the company added 60 clients to its roster, bringing the total number of enterprise lenders SimpleNexus empowers to "do more" to 223, including 15 of the top 25 retail lenders in the United States.

"The companies on this year's Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success," said Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. "There's no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities."

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database sortable by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at https://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About SimpleNexus, LLC:s

SimpleNexus is the digital mortgage platform that enables lenders to originate and process loans from anywhere. The company's best-in-class, easy-to-use app connects loan officers to their borrowers and real estate agents to easily communicate and exchange data in a single location throughout the entire loan life cycle. Loan officers can manage their loan pipelines, order credit, run pricing, send pre-approvals and sign disclosures - all on the go.

About Inc. Media:

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative company builders. Inc. took home the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. The total monthly audience reach for the brand has been growing significantly, from 2 million in 2010 to more than 20 million today. For more information, visit https://www.inc.com/.

Twitter: @SimpleNexus #digitalmortgage @Inc #Inc5000

SimpleNexus (https://simplenexus.com/), developer of the leading digital mortgage platform for loan officers, borrowers and real estate agents, today announced it has been ranked in the top 500 on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies for the second year running.

Related link: https://simplenexus.com/

It’s Official: Los Angeles Has a New Spicy Chicken Sandwich Champion!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Amongst all of the glitz and glamor that is so prevalent in the modern cuisine industry, one factor consistently and undeniably proves itself: that unforgettable, exquisite flavor will always reign superior in the hearts of food lovers. Take into account the groundbreaking story of Korea Town's/LA's newest gem, H Cafe - part of the H Hospitality Group.

Located in the heart of Koreatown, it is simple to see why this family run restaurant has quickly become one of LA's hottest spots.

In an attempt to expand its exposure, H Cafe entered a culinary competition at the Indigo Hotel. Coming into the competition, H Cafe was undoubtedly the least recognized restaurant, competing against award winning contenders including Broken Spanish and Salazar, both of which were recognized as bib gourmand restaurants by Michelin's 2019 guide, Otium, Faith and Flower, Nankai Shochu, Patina, and most of the other heavy-hitters of the culinary Los Angeles food scene.

H Cafe's team was expertly crafted. Its executive chef Michael Reed, was leading the team, accompanied by Sous Chef Nelson Correas and talented general manager Brian Quezada. The undeniable strength of the team became evident when Sous Chef Nelson, after a sleepless night of passionate cooking, came up with a buffalo chicken sandwich sauce that would change the fate of the restaurant. Nelson's hot sauce went on to win over the hearts of his coworkers and eventually the palates of LA's most critical diners.

As an unknown restaurant, the pressure of competing against the top chefs in the state was imminent - but no match for the drive and determination of this passionate team. Tensions were exacerbated when, due to H Cafe's unrecognizable status, the competition holders forgot to provide the only tool they needed to fry the now "award-winning buffalo chicken sandwich" which was a fryer.

After the setback, the team powered through: they ran to Chef Michael Reed's restaurant Poppy & Rose, picked up a 50 pound fryer, and raced back to the competition. Even though H Cafe's booth started setting up while the competition had already begun, the team began frying what would be a total of 700 spicy chicken sandwiches for an especially critical audience at an unprecedented pace. The competition was taken by storm when, amongst bib gourmand awarded and other highly reputable restaurants, Chef Reed's famous spicy chicken sandwich with Chef Nelson's homemade Buffalo hot sauce took the top prize at the event.

Astounded competitors, despite being shocked at their defeat, were quick to grant their congratulations to the unprecedented victor. Despite being the smallest, youngest and least recognized restaurant by an overwhelming margin, H Cafe's incredible team and unequivocal flavors captured the hearts and palettes of LA's most critical diners.

And their journey didn't stop there. On the weekends, you can clearly see the storm that H Cafe has caused; lines trail out the door, and happy customers can be seen sipping mimosa flights and snapping photos of their picture-perfect dishes.

Upon entering the H Cafe, the welcoming environment is felt instantly, accentuated by the prohibition era-like atmosphere. The modern decor and low-hanging lights provide a lively intimacy which can be felt (and heard) from far outside its doors. Tucked into a beautiful boutique hotel, H Cafe undoubtedly stands out as a gem amongst other prominent restaurants: fueled by passion, determination and most importantly, flavor, this restaurant is one for all food lovers to keep an eye out for.

VISIT US: 3200 W 8th Street, Los Angeles, California, 90005.

Learn more about H Cafe at: http://hcafes.com/

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

Amongst all of the glitz and glamour that is so prevalent in the modern cuisine industry, one factor consistently and undeniably proves itself: that unforgettable, exquisite flavor will always reign superior in the hearts of food lovers. Take into account the groundbreaking story of Korea Town's/LA's newest gem, H Cafe - part of the H Hospitality Group.

Related link: http://hcafes.com/

KROST CPAs and Consultants Named Inside Public Accounting Best of the Best and Top 200 Firms

PASADENA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Inside Public Accounting (IPA) named KROST CPAs & Consultants and its affiliated tax consulting practice Best of the Best and Top 200 Firms for the fourth year in a row. The firm placed 109th on the prestigious top 200 list, a substantial leap from 157th in 2016 when it first made the rankings.

Recipients of these distinguished awards will be highlighted in the August and September 2019 issues of IPA's monthly newsletter.

"We challenged ourselves again this year to meet and exceed our own expectations of what we could accomplish," remarked Greg Kniss, Managing Principal. "We've taken great efforts to seek out the most talented staff and show our appreciation to those who have been with us through it all. We are so passionate about our work and the industries that we serve. It is an honor to be chosen as a leader by IPA which is so highly regarded in our profession."

IPA is a highly regarded independent publication that produces one of the most comprehensive benchmarking reports in the profession. The independent and confidential report is a valuable tool to improve firm management, which is why firms across the country trust IPA with detailed financial information annually.

This is IPA's 29th annual independent ranking of top firms in the nation and is one of the highest honors in the industry today. Over 70 metrics are analyzed from more than 550 accounting firms across the nation to tally the results.

ABOUT KROST CPAS & CONSULTANTS:

Established in 1939 in Pasadena, California, KROST is a full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm serving clients across various industries such as manufacturing and distribution, financial services, sports and entertainment, real estate, grocery, hospitality, and restaurant/foodservice. For more information, visit: https://www.krostcpas.com/

Inside Public Accounting (IPA) named KROST CPAs & Consultants and its affiliated tax consulting practice Best of the Best and Top 200 Firms for the fourth year in a row. The firm placed 109th on the prestigious top 200 list, a substantial leap from 157th in 2016 when it first made the rankings.

Related link: https://www.krostcpas.com/

American Gem Society Circle of Distinction Dinner Honors Jewelry Industry Leaders

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /ScoopCloud/ -- A proud tradition in the American Gem Society (AGS) took place last night as the Society once again honored the outstanding accomplishments of the jewelry industry's best and brightest at the annual Circle of Distinction Dinner. The prestigious event was held at New York City's historic Plaza Hotel and celebrated the work of three well-known and highly-respected industry professionals.

Alan M. Zimmer, President and CEO of REEDS Jewelers, Inc., received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the industry throughout his career. Elliot Tannenbaum, Senior Principal of Leo Schachter Diamond Group, and Caryl Capeci, CEO, of Chow Tai Fook (CTF) North America, were both awarded the distinctive AGS Triple Zero(r) Award for their many accomplishments and their dedication to the fine jewelry industry.

In their acceptance speeches, the honorees told personal stories about their careers and inspiration, and expressed their appreciation for the American Gem Society and the jewelry industry.

"I am honored and humbled to receive the lifetime achievement award from the American Gem Society," said Mr. Zimmer during his acceptance speech. "AGS is a steward of this industry. They are an organization dedicated to making us all better by creating industry standards to protect not only the jewelry consumer, but our industry as a whole."

"I have always felt that the AGS was a reliable partner in our efforts by promoting the highest standards of professionalism in the laboratory and in the jewelry retail arena. All of us in the industry have benefitted from this incredible organization," said Mr. Tannenbaum, who also noted, "Education of the sort developed and promoted by the AGS has been a key factor in the success of our company and of the industry at large in our generation."

"I am incredibly proud to receive the AGS Triple Zero Award," said Ms. Capeci. "At CTF, we are deeply committed to the long-term success of the jewelry industry in North America. A key element of this will be investing in and developing the talent of the future. No industry organization sets a better example for this than the AGS with their impressive Young Titleholders Group and effective mentoring program. The industry as a whole should pay attention to these efforts and follow their lead."

The American Gem Society would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support in making the event both memorable and a success: JCK Events, Chow Tai Fook North America, Wells Fargo, GIA, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group, and Signet Jewelers.

To learn more about American Gem Society, please visit https://www.americangemsociety.org/.

About the American Gem Society:

The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting a high standard of ethics, continuous education, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is a professional organization awarding credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than one in twenty jewelers in the country have chosen to meet the exacting standards necessary for membership.

Website: https://www.americangemsociety.org/

Facebook: @AmericanGemSociety1934 - http://www.facebook.com/AmericanGemSociety1934
Instagram: @AmericanGemSociety - https://www.instagram.com/americangemsociety
Twitter: @AmerGemSociety - https://twitter.com/AmerGemSociety

Twitter tags: #askforAGS #AmericanGemSociety

MEDIA CONTACT:
Robin Skibicki
Marketing Associate
American Gem Society
702.255.6500 x1028
rskibicki@ags.org

PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

A proud tradition in the American Gem Society (AGS) took place last night as the Society once again honored the outstanding accomplishments of the jewelry industry's best and brightest at the annual Circle of Distinction Dinner. The prestigious event was held at New York City's historic Plaza Hotel and celebrated the work of three well-known and highly-respected industry professionals.

Related link: https://www.americangemsociety.org/

2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year Awarded to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Alice

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is excited to announce that on Friday, July 26, 2019 our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year by more than 900,000 nationwide voters and the American Humane Societies' panel of judges.

Alice has been watching over Antonio since 2016, after he tragically suffered a gun-shot wound to the head at the age of nine, while sitting in his parents' car in 2015.

Since that day, Antonio has struggled through 5 brain surgeries, leaving him with a permanent traumatic brain injury, and an artificial flap that covers a large portion of his skull. He suffers regularly from seizures, spells, migraines and balance issues. Alice is at Antonio's side constantly, including attending school together; and she is focused on Antonio at all times. She not only alerts to oncoming seizures and spells, but assists him with balance issues, as a fall could potentially be fatal.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Alice completed nearly 2 years of unparalleled custom training to prepare for a life partnering with and assisting Antonio.

Antonio's mom Tara says: "Alice is a hero in our eyes because without her, Antonio would not be able to do the simple things in life we take for granted, like going to school, the store, or even just walking outside. She has never once failed in alerting and has saved Antonio's life many times. Alice has given Antonio a chance at a new normal life he did not have without her. The life that was ripped away for no reason. She has NEVER let him down. If that is not a hero, I don't know what is."

Now that Guardian Angels, Alice has claimed the top spot in the Service Dog Category, in October, Antonio and Alice will head to California, to take part in the LIVE 2019 Hero Dog Awards, being broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, to compete with the 6 other category winners for the title of "Hero Dog of the Year."

Voting will be open until September 9, 2019, and you can visit http://herodogawards.org/dog/alice/ to read their full story, and show them support with your vote!

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2010, and custom-trains medical service dogs for veterans, first-responders and individuals like Antonio. Although the cost of training each service dog can take up to 2 full years, and cost nearly $25,000, we donate each dog to the recipient at no cost. We receive no federal or state funding. Everything we do is funded completely by private and foundation donations. To date, we have paired over 320 service dogs in 23 states across the nation.

If you would like to learn more about our organization, or become a supporter, visit our website at https://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is excited to announce that on Friday, July 26, 2019 our Service Dog, Alice; specifically trained to assist Recipient Antonio was named the 2019 Service Dog Hero of the Year by more than 900,000 nationwide voters and the American Humane Societies' panel of judges.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

Reconciled named one of the 2019 Accounting Today’s Best Accounting Firms to Work for

BURLINGTON, Vt. /ScoopCloud/ -- Reconciled, an online bookkeeping firm headquartered in Burlington, was recently named as one of the 2019 Accounting Today's Best Accounting Firms to Work for. Accounting Today has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees.

This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting profession, benefiting its economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 firms.

To be considered for participation, firms had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be an accounting firm.
- Have a facility in the United States;
- Have a minimum of 15 employees working in the United States;
- Must be in business a minimum of 1 year

Firms from across the United States entered the two-part survey process to determine Accounting Today's Best Accounting Firms to Work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation.

The combined scores determined the top firms and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data and determined the final ranking.

"The firms on this list represent the best workplaces in the accounting profession," said Accounting Today Editor-in-Chief Daniel Hood. "They are outstanding places to build a career."

"We are honored to receive this award," said Reconciled CEO Michael Ly. "We could not have built such an amazing place to work without the engagement of all of our employees and amazing work they do for our customers."

Reconciled has been nationally recognized for their innovative approach to accounting services, including a focus on remote workers and providing flexible work from home opportunities that allow their team members to live their best lives.

For more information on Accounting Today's Best Accounting Firms to Work for program, visit http://www.bestaccountingfirmstoworkfor.com/.

About Reconciled:

In 2015, Reconciled opened in Burlington, VT using the most innovative, best-in-class digital tools to provide online bookkeeping services to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the U.S. and beyond. Reconciled's dedication to innovative technology use made them Intuit's 2018 U.S. Firm of the Future. Our team of U.S.-based accounting professionals have a broad range of proven industry experience. Reconciled now employs a growing team of 20+ dedicated professionals, and has offices in Burlington, VT, Charlotte, NC, Denver, CO and Los Angeles, CA.

Learn more at: https://getreconciled.co/

Reconciled, an online bookkeeping firm headquartered in Burlington, was recently named as one of the 2019 Accounting Today's Best Accounting Firms to Work for. Accounting Today has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify companies that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees

Related link: https://getreconciled.co/

Improving Health: Delray Beach Dentist Offers A Better Night’s Sleep

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Local dentist, Dr. Tiffany Dudley is now helping Delray Beach, Florida, residents get a more restful night's sleep. Dr. Dudley of Spodak Dental Group recently became an American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) Diplomate.

ABDSM is the board for the leading national organization for dentists who treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. Earning Diplomate status from the ABDSM is a unique honor that recognizes special competency in dental sleep medicine.

"Sleeping with a CPAP machine, which includes a face mask, tubing and a constantly running motor, can be difficult, and many Delray Beach residents are unaware that an effective - and comfortable - treatment is available," said Dr. Tiffany Dudley, general dentist at Spodak Dental Group. "I'm committed to using my knowledge of dental sleep medicine to help treat my patients' snoring and sleep apnea, and provide Delray Beach residents with a better night's rest."

While CPAP is the standard treatment for sleep apnea, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine estimates up to 50 percent of sleep apnea patients do not comply with or tolerate CPAP. In contrast to a CPAP machine, oral appliances are a mouth guard-like device worn only during sleep to maintain an open, unobstructed airway. Patients like oral appliance therapy because it is comfortable, easy to wear, quiet, portable and easy to care for.

"Oral appliance therapy is an effective treatment option that offers a higher rate of patient compliance than CPAP," Dr. Dudley said. "I work with my patients and their sleep physicians to identify the right oral appliance device, custom fit the device for each patient, and make any needed adjustments to ensure an open airway and a more restful sleep."

Patients with loud snoring and diagnosed sleep apnea sufferers with difficulty tolerating CPAP should contact Dr. Dudley to schedule a complimentary consultation appointment. She also works closely with physicians to treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

About Spodak Dental:

Spodak Dental Group, a 2017 Inc. 5000 honoree, is a comprehensive dental destination providing all general and specialty services in one convenient, state-of-the-art, LEED Gold Certified facility. The team of General and Restorative Dentists, Endodontists, Periodontists, Prosthodontists, Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Anesthesiologists are uniquely equipped to treat all dental health needs. Spodak Dental Group is located at 3911 W. Atlantic Ave. Call (561) 498-0050 or visit https://www.SpodakDental.com/ for more information.

About The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine:

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is the only non-profit national professional society dedicated exclusively to the practice of dental sleep medicine. The AADSM provides educational resources for dentists and promotes the use of oral appliance therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing. Established in 1991, the AADSM has nearly 3,000 member dentists worldwide. Visit https://www.aadsm.org/ or call the national office at (630) 686-9875 for more information.

Local dentist, Dr. Tiffany Dudley is now helping Delray Beach, Florida, residents get a more restful night's sleep. Dr. Dudley of Spodak Dental Group recently became an American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) Diplomate.

Related link: https://www.spodakdental.com/

Lang Capital Group Presents an Exquisite Dinner Cruise on The Odyssey Lake Michigan with IMAG

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Lang Capital Group announces the International Multicultural Awards Gala (I.M.A.G) on August 9, 2019. The Gala will raise funds for IMAG of Greater Chicago's programs to build and repair hope, families, and resources in the greater Chicago communities.

The IMAG celebration is their one and only fundraising event for the year and will include a special collaborative service project with nonprofits, a VIP reception with participants and fellow VIP's, a gourmet feast by Chicago's premier caterer, lively entertainment, a high-end Live Auction, mingling with fellow leaders and community influencers.

Join IMAG of Greater Chicago' and over 600 of Chicago's ambassadors, influencers, and business leaders for our premier fundraising event on Friday, August 9th at Chicago's most exclusive and evanescent event venue - the Odyssey Cruise Vessel. Attendees are expected to include a high-profile group of top philanthropists, business leaders, elected officials, and media representatives.

"We invite you to attend, sponsor, and be recognized as we showcase the collaborative efforts of 7 prestigious nonprofit organizations, for an evening to remember to help change lives and build a better community where everyone has an opportunity to thrive," says Dr. Stacee Lang of Lang Capital Group.

This event is being hosted by comedian Damon Williams who has been seen on BET's "Comicview," Comedy Central's "Premium Blend," "The Joyner Sky Show" on TV-ONE and HBO's "P Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy."

Friday, August 9, 2019 at 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Odyssey Chicago River
455 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, Illinois 60611

For more info visit
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-multicultural-awards-gala-imag-tickets-64334381868

About Lang Capital Group:
Lang Capital Group, NFP (LCG) is an advisory firm that specializes in grant writing, partnerships, business development, and growth strategies for nonprofits and small and mid-sized businesses. LCG concentration is on federal funding, government contracts and forming connections of commerce between public and private sectors for clients. Learn more: https://www.langcapitalgroup.org/

The Lang Capital Group announces the International Multicultural Awards Gala (I.M.A.G) on August 9, 2019. The Gala will raise funds for IMAG of Greater Chicago's programs to build and repair hope, families, and resources in the greater Chicago communities.

Related link: https://www.langcapitalgroup.org/

Factory Collision and Restoration Earns Official Certification and Prestigious Top Automaker Recognition

WEYMOUTH, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- Factory Collision & Restoration has been officially Certified by Assured Performance, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization for maintaining the right tools, equipment, training and facilities necessary to repair the participating Automaker brand vehicles according to the manufacturer's specifications.

In achieving their Certification, Factory Collision & Restoration is now an integral part of the most advanced repair capable and efficient auto body repair network in the world. Adding to their credentials, Factory Collision & Restoration is officially recognized by Assured Performance, FCA, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Repair Capable - Ford Vehicles, and Aluminum Repair Capable - Ford Vehicles.

To become Certified and officially recognized by the various Automakers, Factory Collision & Restoration passed the rigorous Certification process essential to help ensure a proper and safe repair of the new generation of advanced vehicles. Less than 5 percent of body shops across the nation are able to meet the stringent requirements to become officially Certified and recognized. The Certified network is made up exclusively of best-in-class collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded the strict requirements of the Certification program.

According to Factory Collision & Restoration owner, Rob DelGallo, "This certification supports our reputation for superior customer service serving our community. We are your neighbors and friends, so it is important to provide our customers with the peace of mind that their vehicles are being repaired correctly by highly trained professionals that care about them."

The Certification criteria are based upon auto manufacturer requirements. These are critical to ensure the vehicle fit, finish, durability, value and safety following an accident. As new model vehicles are being introduced that use light weight high strength materials and advanced technology, a proper repair according to manufacturer specification is even more important than ever to ensure the passenger safety and proper performance of the vehicle. Auto manufacturers want to ensure that consumers have the option of Certified Collision Repair wherever they live, work, or travel.

"Consumers need the confidence and peace of mind to know their vehicle is being repaired by a shop that has what it takes to ensure the vehicle safety. Factory Collision & Restoration is officially a Collision Care Provider," said Scott Biggs, CEO of Assured Performance Collision Care(TM). "They represent the standard by which all other body shops are measured."

Learn more about at Factory Collision & Restoration: https://www.factorycollision.com/

About Assured Performance Collision Care(TM):

Assured Performance Collision Care(TM) is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization specializing in the automotive collision repair market segment. Assured Performance works with the top automakers to identify, audit and promote collision repair providers that meet best-in-class business standards and the manufacturer's requirements. Consumers can go to: http://www.collisioncare.org/ or https://www.autobodylocator.com/ to find a list of Collision Repair Providers.

Factory Collision & Restoration has been officially Certified by Assured Performance, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization for maintaining the right tools, equipment, training and facilities necessary to repair the participating Automaker brand vehicles according to the manufacturer's specifications.

Related link: https://www.factorycollision.com/

Kapor Center Awards $1 Million to Fund Diversity in Tech – Byte Back Awarded $100,000 in National Tech Done Right Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Kapor Center announced the winners of its inaugural $1 million Tech Done Right Challenge grant competition, including the Washington D.C. non-profit, Byte Back. The challenge identified 10 social impact organizations who are building a more diverse and inclusive tech economy locally and nationally. Each winning organization will receive a $100,000 grant.

"We were thrilled with the number of strong applicants from all over the country for this timely challenge," remarked Cedric Brown, Chief Foundation Officer at the Kapor Center. "We're confident that these grants can propel the important work of these 10 organizations to the next level. Together we're moving toward a tech sector that provides robust opportunities for previously untapped and overlooked talent."

"Our economy has changed, and Byte Back is providing the training for individuals who have been left behind," said Elizabeth Lindsey, executive director of Byte Back. "Thanks to the Tech Done Right Challenge and our partnership with the Kapor Center, we're building a more equitable and inclusive tech sector. We're thinking differently about diversity, and together we're changing the face of tech."

The Tech Done Right Challenge launched in March 2019 to galvanize cross-sector collaborations in cities across the U.S. to build diverse and inclusive tech ecosystems. A key requirement of the challenge is to find solutions that embrace innovation through prototypes, experimentation and iteration through public and private collaborations. The Tech Done Right Challenge is possible through the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The challenge asked organizations to answer: "What is your innovative solution to build a diverse and thriving inclusive tech ecosystem in your community?"

Winning Organizations:

The following are the winning organizations and their focus cities for implementing innovative solutions to diversify the technology industry:
* Baltimore Corps | Baltimore
* Bixel Exchange | Los Angeles
* blackcomputerHER Data Science Executives | Houston
* Byte Back | Washington
* Generation Titans | Albuquerque, N.M., Austin, Texas and Pittsburgh
* Goodie Nation | Atlanta
* HBCUvc | National
* Oakland Codes | Oakland, Calif.
* Project United Knowledge | Kansas City, Mo.
* The Knowledge House | Bronx, N.Y.

Winner Breakdown:
A total of 120 applications from 48 U.S. cities were submitted, focused on interventions at the Post-Secondary, Tech Workforce, and Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital segments. The 10 award winners come from a range of locations across the Midwest, the South, and from both coasts. All of the winning organizations focus on increasing representation of underrepresented people of color in our tech economy via tech talent or entrepreneurship/venture capital programs.

Background:
In 2018 the Kapor Center released the Leaky Tech Pipeline, a research framework that identifies the systemic barriers which underlie the lack of diversity in tech. While the tech sector has the potential to bring jobs, innovation and wealth to communities, far too many women and people of color remain excluded from the technology economy as tech workers, founders or investors. The Tech Done Right Challenge seeks to reverse this trend by supporting trailblazers who have holistic solutions to build inclusive tech economies.

About the Kapor Center:
The Kapor Center is a recognized leader in the movement to enhance diversity and inclusion in the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem through increasing access to tech and STEM education programs, conducting research on access and opportunity in computing, investing in community organizations and gap-closing social ventures and increasing access to capital among diverse entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.kaporcenter.org.

About Byte Back:
Byte Back, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, provides a pathway of inclusive tech training that leads to living-wage careers. As a leader in digital inclusion since 1997, Byte Back has helped hundreds of graduates launch living-wage careers that use technology. In 2018, 50 graduates were hired, earning $27,599 more per year than before Byte Back training. Please see more at byteback.org.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.send2press.com/300dpi/19-0712s2p-byte-back-grads-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Byte Back students celebrate during the Summer Graduation ceremony in June. The $100,000 award from the Kapor Center's Tech Done Right Challenge will support students on a pathway of tech training and into living-wage careers.

The Kapor Center announced the winners of its inaugural $1 million Tech Done Right Challenge grant competition, including the Washington D.C. non-profit, Byte Back. The challenge identified 10 social impact organizations who are building a more diverse and inclusive tech economy locally and nationally. Each winning organization will receive a $100,000 grant.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney Shaana Rahman Named a 2019 Northern California Super Lawyer

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Rahman Law PC announces the eleventh year of the law firm's principal and founder, Shaana A. Rahman, a personal injury attorney in San Francisco and Paso Robles, has been selected by Super Lawyers(R) for a spot on their coveted lists. This year, Ms. Rahman is on the Northern California Super Lawyers List for the eighth consecutive year, having been on the Northern California Rising Stars List for the three years prior.

Only 5% of attorneys are selected for the Super Lawyers List within each region and of them, only 2.5% make it to the Rising Stars List. The Super Lawyers rating service reviews attorneys in a variety of practice areas broken down by region and makes their selections based on professional achievements, independent research, peer-recognition, and peer-evaluations. Rahman Law PC is honored to share the news of Ms. Rahman's continued selection as an outstanding attorney ranked in the top 5% of lawyers by Super Lawyers.

Ms. Rahman's other achievements which were taken into consideration for her Super Lawyers rating include: being one of the Top 20 Personal Injury Lawyers in San Francisco by Expertise in 2017 and 2018, a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, recognized as a Top 40 under 40 Attorney by The National Trial Lawyers, receiving Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent(R) (the Highest Level of Professional Excellence) peer review rating based on the opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary, and Avvo's Rating of Superb as a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney by client reviews.

Other professional activities are also taken into consideration including pro bono work and community service. Ms. Rahman contributes to her San Francisco and Paso Robles communities primarily as an advocate for bicyclist and pedestrian safety concerns as a member and/or sponsor of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Bike East Bay, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Walk San Francisco, San Luis Obispo County Bike Coalition, and also supports other women in business through the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business program. In addition to published works, Ms. Rahman also maintains a blog on her website to raise further awareness of personal injury issues surrounding her communities.

"Being selected by Super Lawyers for the 11th time tells me I'm making a difference in my community," said Ms. Rahman, "and I want to continue my work as a personal injury attorney to help make the voices of victims be heard and hopefully prevent future injuries to cyclists and pedestrians through my work with so many wonderful organizations."

With nearly 190,000 active attorneys in California, Super Lawyers has many candidates for their top 5% list. Ms. Rahman was selected through independent research and peer evaluations. To remain within the top 5% as a Super Lawyer for eleven years is an accomplishment to be proud of for any personal injury attorney in California. Additionally, Ms. Rahman is in the minority as a practicing female attorney, which will place her on the Top Women Attorneys of Northern California List published later in 2019. According to the American Bar Association's January 2018 Commission on Women in the Profession, only 35% of the American Bar Association lawyer members are women, up .4% from the prior year.

About Rahman Law PC

The personal injury lawyers at Rahman Law PC are powerful advocates for people who have been injured through no fault of their own. What makes Rahman Law PC different from other personal injury law firms is they care about what happens to their clients; they aggressively advocate for their clients' interests and have a personal relationship with each client, taking the time to listen and figure out solutions that make sense from a legal point of view but also from a human perspective.

By providing the highest quality legal services to those who have been injured or have suffered wrongdoing at the hands of other individuals, corporations, or public entities, the personal injury attorneys and trial lawyers at Rahman Law PC have a proven track record of results and have successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients throughout California. Rahman Law PC offers clients attentive service backed with big firm experience, making them ready to take on any opponent.

To learn more about the personal injury lawyers at Rahman Law PC, visit https://www.rahmanlawsf.com or call (415) 956-9245 in San Francisco, (805) 619-3108 in Paso Robles, California.

Media Contact:
Lacey Clifton
(805) 619-3108
info@rahmanlawsf.com

Rahman Law PC, 1111 Riverside Avenue, Suite 500, Paso Robles CA 93446

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

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/7ygV5dr47GY

Rahman Law PC announces the eleventh year of the law firm's principal and founder, Shaana A. Rahman, a personal injury attorney in San Francisco and Paso Robles, has been selected by Super Lawyers(r) for a spot on their coveted lists.

Related link: https://www.rahmanlawsf.com/

Frost and Sullivan Recognizes Olea Kiosks for Outdoor Design Expertise

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Olea Kiosks of Los Angeles, has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2019 Customer Value Leadership Award for its self-service kiosk manufacturing and focus on designs for outdoor use.

Olea Kiosks is recognized not only for its technologically advanced and custom kiosks, this award also acknowledges its high standards for in-house manufacturing and services to make it an industry leader.

Frost & Sullivan evaluated Olea Kiosks in two main areas: Customer Ownership Experience and Customer Service Experience. Kiosks give businesses the opportunity to put the customer in the driver seat and in control of their transaction, and with sleek, modern, aesthetically-pleasing designs, Olea delivers a positive experience for today's user.

Olea is redefining self-service technology with innovation that makes the transaction experience faster, more reliable and easier, particularly in the outdoor space. With several custom, outdoor designs completed and installed, Olea has earned a reputation for providing high-quality kiosks for challenging environments, including outdoor tourist attractions subject to varying temperatures and weather elements.

"Self-service kiosks in demanding environments, such as outdoor locations, face performance and frequent maintenance challenges. With its superior product design knowledge and expertise, Olea has virtually eliminated outdoor maintenance issues for its clients. Such high levels of customer satisfaction have resulted in more than 200 Olea-built drive-thru kiosks installed across the United States, with more to come," stated Nandini Bhattacharya, Industry Manager, from Frost & Sullivan.

Since 1975, Olea Kiosks has designed and installed more than 20,000 custom kiosks for companies including CLEAR and Kaiser Permanente. Its custom kiosks can be seen throughout the United States and in other countries. Olea has a custom design process to ensure the kiosk is built and deployed to deliver the business outcomes for which it was intended.

About Olea Kiosks

Olea Kiosks Inc., is a Los Angeles-based self-service kiosk manufacturer in business since 1975. Its technologically advanced, in-house manufacturing and services have made it an industry leader.

For more information, visit https://www.olea.com/.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/KwvBMjXbcsA

Olea Kiosks of Los Angeles, has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2019 Customer Value Leadership Award for its self-service kiosk manufacturing and focus on designs for outdoor use.

Related link: https://www.olea.com/

2019 Lupus Insight Prize Awarded to Dr. Ignacio Sanz: Recognizes Studies of Harmful Immune Cells in Lupus

BOSTON, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance has awarded its 2019 Lupus Insight Prize to Ignacio Sanz, MD, for discovering that certain little-understood immune system cells are a major source of the harmful proteins that promote lupus symptoms. His work could spark new treatments for the disease and help doctors determine which patients could benefit from current drugs. Dr. Sanz is a Mason Lowance Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.

The award was announced June 19 at FOCIS 2019, the 19th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS). The $100,000 award recognizes a major, novel insight and/or discovery with the promise of changing thinking about lupus as well as a high probability of generating further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

"Dr. Sanz has already made vital contributions to understanding the role of B cells in lupus," said Kenneth M. Farber, President and CEO, Lupus Research Alliance. "We very much look forward to his next advances afforded by our Lupus Insight Prize."

Dr. Sanz's discoveries were a breakthrough for understanding how certain B cells, a type of immune cell, promote lupus. B cells are key for the disease. Their normal job is to produce proteins called antibodies that protect against bacteria and viruses. But in lupus, B cells release antibodies that trigger damage to patients' own tissues. Researchers have known that some B cells must mature in specialized parts of the lymph nodes or spleen before they can make these destructive antibodies.

Dr. Sanz showed that many damaging B cells follow a different route and identified the molecular mechanisms that underpin this B cell activation pathway. He and his team were the first to apply a comprehensive characterization of these cells using cutting-edge techniques such as multidimensional flow cytometry analysis of DNA in lupus patients. They found that this group of B cells was prevalent in patients who were undergoing lupus flares, particularly African-Americans. Dr. Sanz and his colleagues also found that, in contrast to healthy subjects, the lupus B cells were ready to transform into cells that produce harmful antibodies, even in patients without active disease.

"I thank the Lupus Research Alliance for recognizing my work, and I am eager to pursue further research with the potential for improving patient treatment," said Dr. Sanz.

Researchers may be able to build on Dr. Sanz' discoveries to develop new drugs that could reduce patients' risk and severity of disease flares. The results could also help doctors identify subsets of lupus patients that are more likely to benefit from therapies that destroy B cells using existing drugs. In addition, the cellular and molecular make-up of the abnormal lupus B cells should help identify new therapeutic targets.

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90% of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. African Americans, Latin Americans, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

About the Lupus Research Alliance

The Lupus Research Alliance aims to transform treatment while advancing toward a cure by funding the most innovative lupus research in the world. The organization's stringent peer review grant process fosters diverse scientific talent who are driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.

Learn more at: https://www.lupusresearch.org/

The Lupus Research Alliance has awarded its 2019 Lupus Insight Prize to Ignacio Sanz, MD, for discovering that certain little-understood immune system cells are a major source of the harmful proteins that promote lupus symptoms. His work could spark new treatments for the disease and help doctors determine which patients could benefit from current drugs.

Related link: https://www.lupusresearch.org/

Astin Home Care Wins Top Rated Local Business Award

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- For their outstanding service throughout the years, Astin Home Care Agency has been honored with the prestigious 2019 Top Rated Local(R) award. Top Rated Local(R) is a highly distinctive award which certifies the excellence of local businesses which have maintained remarkable ratings and reviews on verified review sites online and ranks them based on their overall rating.

This enables consumers to confidently find top rated businesses or service providers in their area. In their case, Astin Home Care has been rated as one of the best non skilled home health care providers in Georgia, and the best in College Park area, with an average rating of 5.00 stars, which has earned them a rating score of 93.00.

"We are happy and humbled to receive this award because it shows our clients are highly satisfied with our services. We strive to provide superior care that keeps our clients and their loved ones healthy, happy, and connected. This recognition assures that Astin Home Care is indeed trustworthy and dependable and has proven its ability to provide in-home care services in the state of Georgia," said Michele Ellis-Williams, proud co-owner of Astin Home Care.

"Our goal is to continue delivering a service that no other home care agency provider can match, and we will continue using the feedback we get to improve our services and better serve our customers. We thank all our loyal clients, our employees, and everyone else who has made this possible."

For more information about this award, reader can visit https://www.topratedlocal.com/astin-home-care-reviews.

About Top Rated Local:

Top Rated Local(R) is a system that empowers both consumers and businesses by solving the widespread challenge of fake reviews, defamatory comments, and other acts of slanderous interferences from competition.

About Astin Home Care Agency:

Astin Home Care Agency is a non-medical home care provider based in Atlanta, Georgia, servicing the areas of Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Pickens, Polk, and Rockdale since 2013.

The Agency has now expanded its services to Douglasville County and will be servicing the city of Douglasville and surrounding cities and towns.

Among the services offered by Astin include personal care services, light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, Alzheimer's and dementia care, stroke care, assistance with rehabilitative therapy, hospice support, non-medical transportation, and concierge services among other non-medical services.

Astin leads in the non-medical home care market in Georgia through innovative care practices and an exceptional commitment to caregiver training. For more information about Astin Home Care, visit https://www.astinhomecare.com/.

For their outstanding service throughout the years, Astin Home Care Agency has been honored with the prestigious 2019 Top Rated Local(R) award. Consumers rate agency among the top 5 home health care providers in Georgia.

Related link: https://www.astinhomecare.com/

Galileo Founder and CEO Joins Prestigious Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship

OAKLAND, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Galileo Learning, one of America's largest and fastest growing summer day camp providers, announced today that its Founder and CEO, Glen Tripp, is one of 25 individuals who will join the Pahara community of leaders this Fall. This highly dynamic and influential cohort is designed to support and challenge diverse, innovative leaders who are reimagining America's public schools.

The Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship describes its program as "a two-year, cohort-based program that identifies exceptional leaders in the educational excellence and equity movement, facilitates their dynamic growth, and strengthens their collective efforts to dramatically improve public schools, especially those serving low-income children and communities."

For years, Galileo has closely partnered on topics of innovation and equity with world-class organizations like The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula, Stanford University School of Education, and Maker Education Initiative. The Pahara-Aspen Fellowship is now on the growing list of ways in which Galileo is emerging as a vocal and experienced leader in education, outside the boundaries of the summer programming space.

"I'm thrilled to have the chance to team up with public education leaders from around the country to learn how they are developing future innovators, and see how Galileo might contribute to these efforts," says Glen Tripp, Galileo Founder and CEO. "The purpose of education needs to evolve to meet the changing needs of the global community. I look forward to growing with my colleagues as we consider these questions."

About Galileo

Galileo operates 100+ summer camp programs throughout California and Illinois, where more than 35,000 kids and over 2,500 staff will invent, design, create and play in summer 2019. Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. Founded in 2002 by Glen Tripp, Galileo is a certified B Corp, was named one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, and is a Real Leaders' 2019 Top Impact Company. More information: https://galileo-camps.com/

Galileo Learning, one of America's largest and fastest growing summer day camp providers, announced today that its Founder and CEO, Glen Tripp, is one of 25 individuals who will join the Pahara community of leaders this Fall. This highly dynamic and influential cohort is designed to support and challenge diverse, innovative leaders who are reimagining America's public schools.

Related link: https://galileo-camps.com/

Synergy SIS by Edupoint Wins ‘Student Information System of the Year’ Category in the 2019 EdTech Breakthrough Awards

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Edupoint(R) Educational Systems, creator of the industry-leading Synergy(R) Education Platform for K-12 student information and learning management, has won the 2019 EdTech Breakthrough Awards "Student Information System Solution of the Year" for its Synergy Student Information System (SIS). EdTech Breakthrough is a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies and solutions in the global educational technology market.

"The student information system award category is hyper-competitive, and Synergy 'breaks through' with its deep focus on enriching the educational experience both in and out of the classroom with an incredibly robust feature set," said James Johnson, Managing Director for EdTech Breakthrough. "With Synergy's powerful student data management capabilities and full suite of mobile apps, we see the platform truly facilitating greater effectiveness, productivity, engagement, and learning. We are thrilled to recognize Edupoint as a 2019 EdTech Breakthrough Award winner."

The EdTech Breakthrough Awards honor excellence and recognize innovation, hard work, and success in a range of educational technology categories, including Student Engagement, School Administration, Adaptive Learning, STEM Education, e-Learning, Career Preparation and many more. This year's program attracted over 1,500 nominations from over 12 different countries worldwide.

Synergy SIS "breaks through" the field of K-12 student information systems by working as part of a comprehensive data management ecosystem, Synergy Education Platform, which is designed to work as a single, seamless solution. This major market innovation solves the data movement and integrity challenges districts face with systems assembled from disparate components. Partner districts can easily add modules and extend functionality - including a robust gradebook and the management of online registration, curriculum, content, assessment, response to intervention, special education, and analytics - with data flowing throughout the system in real time. Synergy SIS also includes a unique suite of native, role-based mobile apps that liberate student data management from office, desk, and classroom.

"We are thrilled and honored to accept this award from EdTech Breakthrough for our Synergy Student Information System," said Rob Wilson, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Edupoint. "We believe that a truly robust and supportive student information system must empower educators to interact with the highest quality, real-time data when and where they need it. Everything we do at Edupoint is directed at providing innovative solutions that create real value for partner districts, and we look forward to introducing ongoing innovations within Synergy SIS to meet their evolving needs."

About Edupoint Educational Systems:

For over thirty years, the leadership of Edupoint Educational Systems has provided well-designed, technologically-advanced student data management systems that empower K-12 stakeholders to improve student achievement. Synergy Education Platform by Edupoint is an industry-leading student data management ecosystem built to fit the way K-12 educators already work, with seamlessly integrated student information management, learning management, response to intervention, assessment, special education management, and analytics. Thousands of schools nationwide choose the Synergy Education Platform to support 4.5 million students in 21 states. Learn more at http://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 e-learning, student engagement, school administration, career preparation, language learning, STEM and more. Learn more at https://edtechbreakthrough.com/.

Edupoint(R) Educational Systems, creator of the industry-leading Synergy(R) Education Platform for K-12 student information and learning management, has won the 2019 EdTech Breakthrough Awards "Student Information System Solution of the Year" for its Synergy Student Information System (SIS).

Related link: http://www.edupoint.com/

Jessica Merino Receives the Young Entrepreneur Award from NAWBO Chicago

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- On Monday, May 6, 2019, Jessica Merino of Merino Wealth Management received the Young Entrepreneur Award at the Annual Celebration NAWBO Chicago Achievement Luncheon.

The Young Entrepreneur Award showcases an outstanding individual for her business achievements and commitment to serving this organization. The winner of this award is an exemplary member who inspires us while propelling entrepreneurism forward.

At Merino Wealth we believe that all women deserve to be respected when it comes to their money and money is one tool we all have to drive us to the point of equality," said Jessica Merino. "From supporting causes that help women and girls, to providing employees with a family leave benefit, to helping our clients invest their money in companies with women leadership I like to think we're walking the walk."

Reflecting on the honor, Merino stated, "this award meant so much to me as the women of NAWBO, who are leaders in their own fields, are such an inspiration to me."

"It is a privilege to honor accomplished women at our annual Achievement Award Luncheon that showcases the diversity and success stories that inspire our community," says Susan Gotham, President NAWBO Chicago.

NAWBO Chicago regularly identifies key award opportunities in the business community and within NAWBO and disseminates that information to its members for application.

The celebration took place on May 6 at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, starting with networking at 11 a.m., followed by Luncheon and Program at 12 p.m. and concluding with the Chocolate Hour at 2 p.m.

About Merino Wealth Management:

Merino Wealth Management was founded in 2016 by Chicago Financial Advisor Jessica Merino, CFP(R). We take a down-to-earth approach to help make achieving your financial and life goals a reality. At the end of the day, our clients want to feel more confident and less stressed about finances, and in turn, more present and effective in their own lives and businesses. More information: https://www.merinowealth.com/.

Over the years, while Jessica has helped clients in all walks of life, she has become an expert in helping female entrepreneurs who consider themselves Gen X-ers, Xennials, or Millennials. She understands their challenges so her goal is to help them feel more confident and less stressed as they pursue their financial goals. She loves her work because she finds that it leads to a domino effect of financial empowerment as her clients help themselves and others.

About NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners):

Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the unified voice of America's more than 10 million women-owned businesses representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO develops programs that help navigate women entrepreneurs through the various stages of their business growth. For more information about NAWBO Chicago, visit http://www.nawbochicago.org/.

"Get a seat at the table or build your own table, and make sure to include other women at that table," said NAWBO Founding President Susan Hagar.

*PHOTO link for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0613s2p-Jessica-Merino-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Jessica Merino, CFP.

On Monday, May 6, 2019, Jessica Merino of Merino Wealth Management received the Young Entrepreneur Award at the Annual Celebration NAWBO Chicago Achievement Luncheon.

Related link: https://www.merinowealth.com/

Edupoint Educational Systems Makes ‘Top Companies to Work for in Arizona’ List for the Fourth Year

MESA, Ariz. /ScoopCloud/ -- Edupoint Educational Systems, an industry leader in K-12 student information and learning management, has once again earned a spot among the 2019 azcentral.com(R) Top Companies to Work for In Arizona. The 2019 list marks the fourth time Edupoint has been recognized.

Selection for the list is based on employee surveys measuring culture, work environment, leadership, and employee pride and satisfaction, combined with rigorous evaluations of workplace practices, policies, perks, and demographics.

Edupoint offers competitive pay and a generous benefits package along with a vibrant wellness program, including company-provided Fitbit, health seminars, free weekly instructor-guided meditation and exercise classes, and fun incentives that promote health. Employees also enjoy casual dress, free healthy snacks, and continued learning opportunities, such as Excel and SQL Development classes and a weekly lunchtime Toastmasters club. Edupoint is also deeply invested in developing interns and runs an active internship program.

Giving back to the community is a valued part of the culture at Edupoint as well, with highlights including staff participation in Save the Family Thanksgiving Food Drive and Holiday Toy Drive and Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

"The work environment at Edupoint promotes the exceptional teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving needed to deliver on our promise to customers," said Bob Weathers, Founder and CEO at Edupoint. "We're proud of the employee-centric culture and friendly atmosphere that make this a great place to work, year after year."

If you are interested in working for a "Top Company," see the current job openings at Edupoint: http://www.edupoint.com/About-Us/Careers.

About Edupoint Educational Systems:

For over thirty years, the leadership of Edupoint Educational Systems has provided well-designed, technologically-advanced student data management systems that empower K-12 stakeholders to improve student achievement. Synergy Education Platform by Edupoint is an industry-leading student data management ecosystem built to fit the way K-12 educators already work, with seamlessly integrated student information management, learning management, response to intervention, assessment, special education management, and analytics.

Synergy is unique among K-12 student data management solutions in providing an array of role-based mobile apps designed to give parents, students, teachers, administrators, health staff, special education teams, and counselors access to the tools they need when and where they need them. Thousands of schools nationwide choose the Synergy Education Platform to support 4.5 million students in 21 states.

Learn more: http://www.edupoint.com/.

Edupoint Educational Systems, an industry leader in K-12 student information and learning management, has once again earned a spot among the 2019 azcentral.com(R) Top Companies to Work for In Arizona. The 2019 list marks the fourth time Edupoint has been recognized.

Related link: http://www.edupoint.com/

Move For Hunger Receives $50,000 ‘A Community Thrives’ Grant from USA TODAY NETWORK and The Gannett Foundation

RED BANK, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Move For Hunger was announced today as a grant recipient of A Community Thrives, a grantmaking and crowd-funding program from the USA TODAY NETWORK and a part of the Gannett Foundation. Move For Hunger will receive a $50,000 "A Community Thrives" grant to expand its Multi-Family Apartment Food Rescue Program.

A Community Thrives supports non-profit organizations with projects focused on community building and has helped to contribute more than $6.5 million since 2017. This year, A Community Thrives engaged participants in 46 states. Move For Hunger was one of 16 organizations to receive the award, and one of just seven to receive a $50,000 grant.

Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that has created a sustainable way for the relocation industry to reduce food waste and fight hunger. The organization partners with thousands of moving companies, apartment communities, and relocation management companies to provide their customers, residents, and clients with the opportunity to donate their food when they move. Since 2009, Move For Hunger has delivered nearly 15 million pounds of food to food banks & pantries across the United States and Canada. That's the equivalent of 12 million meals.

The A Community Thrives grant will allow Move For Hunger to expand its Multi-Family Apartment Food Rescue Program, onboard new members, distribute food collection bags & educational resources, and organize food drives with participating properties.

"Forty million Americans are facing hunger every day, yet we are wasting 40% of the food we produce each year," said Adam Lowy, Move For Hunger's Executive Director/Founder. "The A Community Thrives grant will allow Move For Hunger to accelerate our plans to scale our Multi-Family Apartment Food Rescue Program and train even more properties on how to incorporate food rescue into their daily operations. We are so grateful to the USA TODAY Network and the Gannett Foundation for their support."

"We are proud of the work Move For Hunger has done to reduce food waste and fight hunger nationwide," said Andy Yost, Chief Marketing Officer of Gannett. "At Gannett, our mission is to connect and empower our readers to make a difference in the communities they are a part of. Through A Community Thrives, we are further fueling our mission and purpose."

About Move For Hunger:

Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that has created a sustainable way for the relocation industry to reduce food waste and fight hunger. In addition to collecting food from people who are moving to new homes, Move For Hunger also helps companies and individuals across the United States and Canada organize successful food drives. To date, they have collected nearly 15 million pounds of food. For more information, or to find out how you can host your own food drive, visit https://www.moveforhunger.org/.

About A Community Thrives:

A Community Thrives is a grantmaking and crowd-funding program from the USA TODAY NETWORK and is part of the Gannett Foundation. A Community Thrives supports non-profit organizations with projects focused on community building and has helped to contribute more than $6.5 million since 2017.

About USA TODAY NETWORK:

USA TODAY NETWORK, part of Gannett Co, Inc. (NYSE: GCI), is the largest local-to-national media organization in the country, powered by our award-winning newsrooms and marketing solutions business. With deep roots in local communities spanning the U.S. with more than 100 brands, plus USA TODAY, we engage about 126 million people every month through a diverse portfolio of multi-platform content offerings and experiences. For more information, visit https://www.gannett.com/.

PRESS CONTACT
Dan Beam, Communications Manager
Move For Hunger
dan@moveforhunger.org
(732) 774-0521 x109

Move For Hunger was announced today as a grant recipient of A Community Thrives, a grantmaking and crowd-funding program from the USA TODAY NETWORK and a part of the Gannett Foundation. Move For Hunger will receive a $50,000 "A Community Thrives" grant to expand its Multi-Family Apartment Food Rescue Program.

Related link: https://moveforhunger.org/

Mary Grandy of EPIC Receives 2019 Joe Quigley Memorial Award

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that EPIC Sacramento-based Vice President of Property & Casualty, Mary Grandy, was the 2019 recipient of the Joe Quigley Memorial Award, conferred annually by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). The award was presented to Grandy during the CFMA's Annual Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas on June 1-5.

In 1999, CFMA's Executive Committee unanimously approved the creation of the Joe Quigley Memorial Award in memory of former national president and the founding member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter, Joe Quigley. Joe's commitment to local chapter activities, and CFMA in general, epitomizes the dedication and commitment of CFMA volunteers.

This Memorial Award recognizes outstanding chapter participation and activity. It is given each year to that CFMA General or Associate Member who exemplifies the following:
* Enthusiasm in the promotion of CFMA at the local chapter level
* Contribution at the local chapter level (including participation in CFMA functions and committees)
* Activities that support CFMA's Mission and Strategic Goals
* Consideration for, and service to, fellow CFMA members and the local community
* Significant years of contributions to CFMA.

Click here for additional details, including a list of past winners: http://www.cfma.org/membership/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1095.

Said Curt Perata, EPIC's Pacific Region President, "Mary has an amazing effect on her communities. Whether it is her local community, the insurance community, or the construction community, she works tirelessly for all of them. The recipients of these efforts are not the only ones who are better off because of Mary's involvement. Anyone who has worked alongside her in any capacity has benefited from her expertise and her caring, giving spirit, including myself. All of us at EPIC are very pleased and proud to see Mary being further recognized by CFMA in this way."

About EPIC

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,800 team members operating from 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, including inquiries about employment, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO link for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0610s2p-EPIC-at-CFMA-300dpi.jpg
*Caption: Joe Quigley Memorial Award presented to Mary Grandy during the CFMA's Annual Conference and Exhibition.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that EPIC Sacramento-based Vice President of Property & Casualty, Mary Grandy, was the 2019 recipient of the Joe Quigley Memorial Award, conferred annually by the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA).

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

MQMR’s Marie O’Brien Named 2019 HousingWire Rising Star

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mortgage Quality Management and Research, LLC (MQMR) announced today that its Director of Compliance Marie O'Brien has been recognized by HousingWire magazine in its sixth annual HW Rising Star Awards(TM) program. O'Brien also serves as a Senior Associate in the Compliance Department of Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP and as MQMR's Associate General Counsel.

O'Brien was recognized as a Rising Star for helping MQMR build out its mortgage compliance platform and offering, which includes AML audits, monthly compliance services on demand, comprehensive compliance audits, development of mortgage compliance policies and procedures and advertising and marketing compliance reviews.

"Mortgage compliance is one of MQMR's primary areas of focus, and thanks to Marie O'Brien's considerable expertise, MQMR's reputation as the industry partner of choice for compliance advice and guidance is second to none," said MQMR President Michael Steer. "We're extremely lucky to have Marie as part of our best-in-class compliance team, and on behalf of the entire company, I would like to congratulate her for receiving this well-deserved honor."

As the magazine noted in its profile on O'Brien:

In her roles at MQMR and AGMB, O'Brien provides mission-critical compliance advice and guidance to mortgage lenders and brokers of all sizes on a variety of federal and state compliance, transactional and litigation matters including RESPA, Regulation Z, Regulation X, Truth in Lending Act, Fair Lending Act, Dodd Frank, loan officer compensation, predatory lending, disclosures, high-cost limitations and licensing.

The HW Rising Star awards recognize the innovative talent in individuals under the age of 40 that is propelling our industry forward. The 50 winners represent a variety of occupations within the housing industry, but all of them demonstrate leadership and innovation that inspire not only those within their own organizations, but also in their communities and in the industry at large. The 2019 Rising Stars were chosen by HousingWire's editorial board based on tangible accomplishments in the last 12 months.

"I am grateful for the recognition and for the opportunity to be a part of the MQMR team, which is made up of so many bright and dedicated individuals," said O'Brien. "MQMR cultivates an environment that breeds success both professionally and personally. It's exciting to see our work make a difference in this industry."

"This year's group of Rising Stars represents a rising generation of strong, innovative and motivated leaders taking the mortgage industry by storm. Each of these individuals has accomplished a great deal, but we believe they are still at the early stages of their ultimate impact on the housing economy," said Clayton Collins, CEO of HousingWire.

For the full list of this year's honorees, visit https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49144-housingwires-class-of-2019-rising-stars.

About HW Media
HW Media is the leading digital community for real estate, financial services and fintech professionals to engage, connect and gain knowledge. Founded in 2016 through the acquisition of HousingWire, HW Media is based in Dallas, TX with team members across the country. HW Media is owned by Riomar Capital.

About HousingWire
HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 40,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 4 million unique visitors each year. Our audience of mortgage, real estate, financial services and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit https://www.housingwire.com or https://www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

About Mortgage Quality Management and Research, LLC
MQMR helps its clients climb higher by bridging the gap between risk and compliance through its suite of risk-related services. MQMR provides mortgage compliance consulting throughout the origination process, conducting internal audit risk assessments and ongoing internal audit support, servicing QC and subservicing oversight to master servicers, and filling the void of meeting vendor management oversight requirements. With 2,000+ operational reviews of mortgage companies, subservicers, document custodians, and vendors annually, MQMR prides itself on being the mortgage industry partner of choice for audit, risk and compliance. To learn more, visit https://www.mqmresearch.com, https://www.subsequentqc.com, and https://hqvendormanagement.com.

Mortgage Quality Management and Research, LLC (MQMR) announced today that its Director of Compliance Marie O'Brien has been recognized by HousingWire magazine in its sixth annual HW Rising Star Awards program. O'Brien also serves as a Senior Associate in the Compliance Department of Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP and as MQMR's Associate General Counsel.

Related link: https://www.mqmresearch.com/