Tag Archives: Mergers and Acquisitions

Former Co-Residents Merge Podiatric Practices, Form New Modern Foot & Ankle®

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Three Central Florida podiatric practices announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the new Modern Foot & Ankle®. The combined medical group will provide patients with additional board-certified physicians, a brand-new location, and the miniBunion™ system, a groundbreaking, minimally-invasive procedure for bunion correction.

The merger is set to close on January 1, 2021.

Dr. Adam Siegel, of Modern Foot & Ankle, Dr. Michael Zuri, of All Podiatry Group, and Dr. Roma Patel, of Prism Podiatry, are partnering together to helm the multi-regional practice-development of which has been years in the making.

"The three of us were co-residents; we were in the trenches with each other," said Dr. Siegel. "There are no two physicians I trust more than Dr. Patel and Dr. Zuri to take our brand of technologically-advanced, high-quality care and grow it into a household name in Tampa Bay and Orlando."

The group is acquiring the partners' existing locations in Tampa, Fla., Lutz, Fla., Brandon, Fla., and Casselberry, Fla., with construction underway on a state-of-the-art clinic in Winter Garden, Fla. Dr. Patel will relocate to this clinic in early 2021.

"From the ground up, we're creating a facility that's designed to make everything as easy as possible for the patient," Dr. Patel said. "It's a new era in healthcare where service matters. The Horizon West clinic will reflect that."

Modern Foot & Ankle's signature approach leverages medical and operational technologies to elevate the patient experience. As Dr. Siegel notes, most people don't have time to sit in the waiting room for an hour. They want quicker diagnoses and newer treatment options, he added.

"What we've done is build a system that can accommodate our patients in terms of convenience, efficiency, and advancements, and more important, a team who can deliver on all of that," Dr. Zuri said. "We have physicians like Dr. Steven Baker, who has more than forty years of experience. And then in February we're adding a very gifted and renowned surgeon, Dr. Evan Young."

Dr. Young currently practices at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Ark. A triple board-certified foot and ankle surgeon with a demonstrated record of success in challenging and unique cases, he is known for being an early adopter of the miniBunion, a cutting-edge surgical procedure.

The miniBunion can promote "a walking recovery and rapid return to real life," according to the website of its developer, CrossRoads Extremity Systems. Compared to most bunion surgeries, the website states, the miniBunion causes less soft-tissue trauma and the incision site is up to four times smaller with a more concealed location.

"The future of surgery is minimally-invasive," said Dr. Siegel. "As with every other aspect of our practice, we stay on the forefront of innovation."

Through Big-City Technology, Small-Town Care™, Modern Foot & Ankle has reshaped the patient experience and curated a progressive model for podiatric healthcare. The board-certified physicians provide comprehensive medical and surgical solutions for foot and ankle conditions in clinics across Central Florida. With 24/7 online booking and check-in, extended office hours, advanced on-site equipment, and the latest treatment options, Modern Foot & Ankle serves patients efficiently, comfortably, and on their schedule.

For more information, visit http://modernfootandankle.com/.

Media Contact:

Lindsay Siegel, Modern Foot & Ankle

Phone: (813) 549-5678

Email: marketing@mfahealth.com

Three Central Florida podiatric practices announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create the new Modern Foot & Ankle®. The combined medical group will provide patients with additional board-certified physicians, a brand-new location, and the miniBunion™ system, a groundbreaking, minimally-invasive procedure for bunion correction.

Related link: http://modernfootandankle.com/

PARAGON Wealth Strategies Acquires Jacksonville-based Mellen Money Management, Creating Multi-Generational Wealth Management Firm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- PARAGON Wealth Strategies, a Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor and comprehensive wealth management firm, has acquired Mellen Money Management - a fee only financial planning firm specializing in investment management and life-stages planning for growing families. Mellen's founder and owners, Scott Snider and Ian Aguilar, will join PARAGON as partners of the firm. Approximately 60 client families will join PARAGON as new clients.

Commenting on the merger, PARAGON CEO and Managing Partner Jon Castle said, "This merger positions PARAGON as a multi-generational firm. Since opening our doors in 2005, PARAGON has grown from a small financial planning practice to a regional leader in the Fee-Only Wealth Management space. By acquiring the skilled entrepreneurial leadership of another firm, we can begin the process of properly structuring PARAGON to provide lifelong wealth management services to all present and future clients, even after the original founders retire. This merger also allows PARAGON to provide additional building financial planning and investment services with scale and competence, and to appeal to younger wealth-builder clients, not just clients primarily concerned with managing their retirement."

PARAGON is relatively unique in that the firm provides fee-only wealth management and asset management services to its clients using a team-based service model, as opposed to maintaining its relationships with clients through individual advisors or relationship managers.

Clients of the firm typically meet with different advisors through the course of their relationship, depending upon skills necessary to address important agenda items and impending life events. In this manner, a client is not dependent upon "his guy" or "her advisor" being in the office or available to answer questions at any given time, but instead, can comfortably work with the entire team. As a result of this approach, PARAGON's client retention rate has been very high, even being 100% in some years.

After the merger is complete, PARAGON will have approximately $390 Million under management. For more information about PARAGON, including PARAGON's philosophy, service options, partner bios, and disclosure documents, visit https://www.wealthguards.com/.

Investment advisory services provided by Paragon Wealth Strategies, LLC, a registered investment adviser.

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PARAGON Wealth Strategies, a Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor and comprehensive wealth management firm, has acquired Mellen Money Management - a fee only financial planning firm specializing in investment management and life-stages planning for growing families.

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

Galway Insurance Holdings Secures Majority Interest from Harvest Partners with New Equity Investments from Oak Hill Capital and The Carlyle Group

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Galway Insurance Holdings ("Galway"), the holding company for EPIC Brokers & Consultants ("EPIC") and JenCap Holdings ("JenCap"), which together represent one of the nation's largest insurance distribution firms, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with vehicles controlled by Harvest Partners, LP and its affiliates ("Harvest") for a majority interest of Galway.

Galway's existing private equity investors, Oak Hill Capital ("Oak Hill") and The Carlyle Group ("Carlyle"), will reinvest alongside the management team and employee shareholders, who will remain significant shareholders. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

In total, Galway manages over $7 billion of insurance premiums, employs over 3,100 associates and operates over 100 offices serving all 50 states. EPIC and JenCap are ranked as the 14th and 8th largest retail and specialty distribution brokers by Business Insurance magazine, respectively.

John Hahn, co-founder and Chairman of Galway, said, "We are thrilled with the outcome and are excited to welcome Harvest on as partners. To have them alongside Oak Hill and Carlyle presents us with a formidable group of investors highly supportive of our vision to continue to build a differentiated business within insurance distribution. This recapitalization provides us with the ability to be opportunistic in today's market; to grow and expand each of Galway's related specialty strategies around retail brokerage, risk management, wholesale brokerage, program administration and underwriting management."

EPIC CEO, Steve Denton said, "The addition of Harvest Partners and the ongoing commitment of both Oak Hill and Carlyle allows our retail platform to continue our exponential growth in all aspects of our business which now includes comprehensive, nationwide solutions across industry focused practices in employee benefits and property & casualty along with dedicated resources in areas like risk management, small commercial and private clients."

John Jennings, co-founder and CEO of JenCap, said, "This is exactly why we joined the Galway platform; the business dynamics of the holding company are extremely attractive for investors and will allow us to pursue our aggressive growth goals, while building out further specialty expertise and depth across our platform for our twelve thousand retail clients."

Jay Wilkins, COO and Partner of Harvest, said, "John, Steve and John have built an exceptional business with the support of Oak Hill and Carlyle that we look forward to continue aggressively growing" with Steve Carlson, Partner, adding "It is an optimal time to invest in such a strong team to capitalize on favorable dynamics in the insurance distribution space."

Steve Puccinelli, Managing Partner of Oak Hill said, "Since our original 2017 investment in EPIC, John Hahn and his top-tier team have more than tripled the business, significantly expanding that company's unique platform and successfully joining it with JenCap to create Galway in June of this year. We are excited to continue to partner with the Galway management team, as well as Harvest and Carlyle, to build the preeminent growth platform in insurance distribution."

John Redett, Managing Director and Head of Carlyle's Global Financial Services group, said, "We're proud of our long-standing partnership with John Hahn and the rest of the management team. John and the Galway team have done a fantastic job growing the business since we initially invested in 2013 and we believe Galway is positioned to capitalize on a number of strategic initiatives going forward. The addition of Harvest Partners and continued investment from Carlyle, Oak Hill Capital, and management further strengthens our tenured partnership and creates a strong alignment among all stakeholders."

Equity capital for the investment will come from funds managed by Harvest Partners, L.P., Oak Hill Partners Fund V, and Carlyle Global Financial Services Partners II and III.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Evercore Group LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co LLC served as financial advisors to Galway. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP served as legal counsel to Oak Hill and Galway. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel to Carlyle. Ropes and Gray LLP served as legal counsel to Harvest.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, now has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients. For more information on EPIC, visit: https://epicbrokers.com/.

About JenCap Holdings

JenCap Holdings is a premier national specialty insurance distribution platform that includes managing general agencies, specialty program administrators, and transactional wholesale brokers. JenCap has assembled a management team with the sector insight and experience to drive organic growth and strategic acquisitions leveraging technology and advanced data analytics. JenCap is headquartered in New York. For more information on JenCap, visit: https://jencapholdings.com/.

About Harvest Partners

Founded in 1981, Harvest Partners is an established New York-based private equity investment firm that focuses on investments in middle-market companies in the business services & consumer, healthcare, industrial services, and manufacturing and distribution sectors. This strategy leverages Harvest Partners' nearly 40 years of experience in financing organic and acquisition-oriented growth companies. For more information, please visit https://www.harvestpartners.com/.

About Oak Hill Capital

Oak Hill Capital is a private equity firm managing funds with approximately $15 billion of initial capital commitments and co-investments since inception. Over the past 34 years, Oak Hill Capital and its predecessors have invested in over 90 private equity transactions across broad segments of the U.S. and global economies. Oak Hill Capital applies an industry-focused, theme-based approach to investing in the following sectors: Media & Communications; Services; Industrials; and Consumer, Retail & Distribution. Oak Hill works actively in partnership with management to implement strategic and operational initiatives to create franchise value. For more information, please visit: https://oakhill.com/.

About The Carlyle Group

The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across four business segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Credit and Investment Solutions. With $230 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2020, Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,800 people in 31 offices across six continents. For more information, please visit https://www.carlyle.com/.

Galway Insurance Holdings ("Galway"), the holding company for EPIC Brokers & Consultants ("EPIC") and JenCap Holdings ("JenCap"), which together represent one of the nation's largest insurance distribution firms, announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement with vehicles controlled by Harvest Partners, LP and its affiliates ("Harvest") for a majority interest of Galway.

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

EGW Announces the Acquisition of Buy Wholesale Company

CARROLLTON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- EGW Utilities, Inc. has acquired Buy Wholesale Company, LLC (BWC) of Montgomery, Texas. BWC was founded by Karl Knapp in 1985. He and his wife, Tracy, operated it until its acquisition on October 30, 2020. The procurement of BWC greatly increases EGW's waterworks and plumbing product offerings. This allows customers to benefit from a wider variety of items shipping from a single location to minimize freight expenses and maximize the flexibility of their inventory.

Throughout its existence, BWC has been an exceptional source of quality products with outstanding customer service. "The Knapps have built a company that we are very proud to make part of the EGW Water & Plumbing Group. BWC's reputation for quality products and customer service is something we're excited to carry forward and share with even more wholesale distributors across the nation in the near future," says Phil Wiegers, EGW's Founder and CEO.

EGW plans to relocate BWC's inventory, equipment, and other assets from their existing facility in Montgomery, Texas, to EGW's warehouse in Carrollton, Texas by the end of 2020. The Knapps will work with EGW for the next several months to aid in the transition, and BWC will continue to operate in its current location until the move is complete.

The changes brought forth through the acquisition will prove advantageous to the customers of both BWC and EGW. One thing that won't change is the exceptional service and quick turnaround that EGW Water & Plumbing customers have grown accustomed to over the years!

If you have any questions, please contact EGW at 972-446-1655 or through sales@egwsusa.com.

About EGW Water & Plumbing:

EGW Utilities, Inc., is a privately-held distributor of waterworks and plumbing products to wholesale supply houses across the United States through the company's Water & Plumbing Group. The company is headquartered in Carrollton, Texas, and was founded in 2001. For more information visit: https://www.egwwaterandplumbing.com/

EGW Utilities, Inc. has acquired Buy Wholesale Company, LLC (BWC) of Montgomery, Texas. BWC was founded by Karl Knapp in 1985. He and his wife, Tracy, operated it until its acquisition on October 30, 2020. The procurement of BWC greatly increases EGW's waterworks and plumbing product offerings.

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

LoadDelivered Logistics Rebrands to Capstone Logistics and Strengthens Integration Between Warehousing and Transportation Divisions

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- LoadDelivered Logistics, a leading food and beverage specialized third-party logistics (3PL) company, announced today that it is rebranding following its acquisition by Capstone Logistics. The company will now operate as Capstone Logistics' freight management solution.

Founded in 2008, LoadDelivered has a large, diverse network of carriers and long-standing relationships with Fortune 500 manufacturers and retailers. Capstone Logistics acquired the company in 2018 to support its strategic expansion into freight brokerage services.

"This rebrand reinforces what we've been working on for the past two years, which is unlocking significant long-term value for partners through our integration with Capstone's warehousing, last mile, and payment solutions," said Chris Ricciardi, President of LoadDelivered. "Our connected services and technology help reduce costs, provide unique value-add, and mitigate risks for both our shipper and carrier partners."

Capstone's expanded transportation management capabilities for shippers, retailers, distributors, and carriers include:

* End-to-end operational continuity

* Bid management technology

* Dynamic dock scheduling

* Touchless payment and automated settlement for drivers

* Driver dwell time reduction

* Last mile delivery services

"This announcement marks a major milestone in our company's evolution," said Steve Taylor, CEO of Capstone Logistics. "The Capstone brand now unifies our expanded capabilities as we continue our mission to provide service and value through innovation. Looking ahead, our focus is on leveraging our integrated brand to drive growth as a holistic supply chain partner."

About Capstone Logistics

Capstone Logistics is the leader in providing specialized, technology-enabled solutions for the most challenging supply chains. Powered by an interconnected platform, Capstone creates end-to-end efficiencies and cost-savings that help suppliers, distributers, and retailers exceed customer expectations. From performance-driven labor solutions to high-touch transportation and fulfillment, Capstone delivers the scale, accountability, and continuity that enables modern supply chains to compete in an ever-evolving environment.

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

LoadDelivered Logistics, a leading food and beverage specialized third-party logistics (3PL) company, announced today that it is rebranding following its acquisition by Capstone Logistics. The company will now operate as Capstone Logistics' freight management solution.

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

Next Gen Acquires Entrepreneurship Organization to Expand Educational Reach

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Few understand the importance of fostering entrepreneurship at an early age quite like Dylan Gambardella and Justin Lafazan. Next Gen's co-founders credit their entrepreneurial success to their learnings - and failures - in launching businesses while still in high school. That is why Next Gen HQ is announcing its acquisition of TrepStart Independent Youth to encourage high school entrepreneurship.

"We tell all young entrepreneurs to get in the game and start building," says Gambardella, Next Gen HQ's Co-CEO. "Justin and I were fortunate to launch our first company before college, and the experience has compounded our growth as leaders."

Chasing entrepreneurial dreams at any age is difficult. Next Gen aims to make the journey easier by providing the tools and resources entrepreneurs need to realize their business and life goals. Now, through acquiring St. Louis-based TrepStart Independent Youth, the Next Gen team will look to do exactly that for high school students, expanding its 500,000+ monthly audience.

TrepStart was launched in 2010 to generate entrepreneurial awareness and understanding through an array of educational programs and hands-on experiences. The organization aims to introduce students to entrepreneurship in a unique and unconventional way, allowing students to better engage while developing a deeper understanding of their life goals.

"We first learned of TrepStart through members of our Next Gen community who joined the annual conference," commented Lafazan, Co-CEO of Next Gen HQ. "They recognized synergies between our missions, which became apparent to our team immediately upon learning more."

After attending an event in St. Louis and meeting TrepStart's leadership, the Next Gen team knew this would be a fruitful opportunity to reach and impact thousands of new young entrepreneurs.

Tanya Hamilton, Founder and Executive Director of TrepStart Independent Youth, agreed: "I am grateful that after 10-years of empowering thousands of teens nationwide, we were able to find such a great organization in Next Gen HQ to continue our mission. I'm confident the team will take this program to the next level."

As part of the cash acquisition agreement, Next Gen HQ will retain all rights, IP, and directorship for TrepStart Independent Youth. Tanya Hamilton will work with the Next Gen HQ team during the transition period.

To learn more about the acquisition and to participate in future programs, visit Next Gen HQ's website at https://nextgenhq.com/trepstart

About Next Gen HQ:

Next Gen HQ develops products, spaces, and media to energize the world's greatest entrepreneurs, helping them win at business and life. Serving a global monthly engaged audience of over 500k entrepreneurs, Next Gen works with corporate clients including Capital One, American Express, Dell Technologies, and Wall Street Journal, helping them access and engage the next generation. Learn more: https://nextgenhq.com/

About TrepStart Independent Youth:

Independent Youth Inc. (IY) is a social enterprise that educates teens (ages 12-21 years old) on entrepreneurship by offering unique programs and resources. The mission of IY is to generate entrepreneurial awareness and understanding among youth through an array of educational programs and hands-on experiences. Independent Youth accomplishes its mission through various programs including the Annual Teen Entrepreneurship Symposiums (TrepStart).

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Few understand the importance of fostering entrepreneurship at an early age quite like Dylan Gambardella and Justin Lafazan. Next Gen's co-founders credit their entrepreneurial success to their learnings - and failures - in launching businesses while still in high school. That is why Next Gen HQ is announcing its acquisition of TrepStart Independent Youth to encourage high school entrepreneurship.

Related link: https://nextgenhq.com/

Foley Group and Convergence Partners Announce Merger of Their Two Companies

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Foley Group, Inc. and Convergence Partners, Inc., announced today the completion of the merger of their companies to offer the electrical industry a unified resource for virtually all their products, services, and design needs. The merged business will operate under the Convergence Partners brand.

"Convergence now represents over 210+ manufacturers including Hubbell Lighting, Lutron, and Legrand," Convergence president, Peter Kurtz said. "The availability of Lighting, Electrical Materials, Audio Visual automation, Shades and Furnishings from one resource is unprecedented within the market niche in this territory," said Kurtz.

"Helping customers solve problems more effectively and efficiently is a top priority," said executive vice president, Scott Denney, "and our combined number of account managers and product experts will help ensure streamlined interactions for architects, electrical engineers, lighting designers, electrical contractors, distributors, and end users as well," he continued.

Mark Denney, vice president projects and quotations stated, "Our industry partners will realize the convenience of accessing high-quality, technologically-advanced products, and appreciate the specialized proven expertise that ensures customers at all levels are well-equipped to readily implement the best possible solutions so the goals of everyone involved come to fruition."

About Foley Group, Inc.

Founded in 1961, Foley Group, Inc. is a manufacturer's representative agency with an emphasis on lighting sales within the electrical industry, primarily serving the new construction market, lighting retrofits, and energy saving upgrades.

The company is widely recognized as the leader throughout Kansas and Western Missouri.

Foley Group's headquarters is in Kansas City, Kansas, with a regional office in Wichita, Kansas.

About Convergence Partners, Inc.

Incorporated in 2014, Convergence represents quality manufacturers, and provide service solutions within four focused divisions. We have a family-first culture and operate with a humble reputation built on ethical business practices that foster long-term relationships.

Based in North Kansas City, Missouri, the territory Convergence covers is Western Missouri and all of Kansas, with a regional office in Springfield, Missouri. In addition, the Audio-Visual channel spans a four-state territory including Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Company Website: https://ConvergeRep.com/

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Foley Group, Inc. and Convergence Partners, Inc., announced today the completion of the merger of their companies to offer the electrical industry a unified resource for virtually all their products, services, and design needs. The merged business will operate under the Convergence Partners brand.

Related link: https://convergerep.com/

Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation (PEI) Acquires Fibertek to Expand Manufacturing Capacity

PITTSBURGH, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation, Inc. (PEI) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Electrical Products Division of Fibertek, Inc. of Franklin, Tenn. Fibertek is a manufacturer of leading-edge specialty fiberglass tapes and high-performance laminates for electrical insulation applications in electric motors, generators, and transformers.

"We have long admired Fibertek's products and performance in the market and are very excited to combine our resources," said T.H. 'Tip' Paul, President and owner of PEI. "Bringing Fibertek under the PEI manufacturing group will add scope and depth to our capabilities with our converting and distributing business."

History and Synergy:

Fibertek is one of the oldest privately-owned tape manufacturers in America, with history dating back to 1898. Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation (PEI) is a manufacturer, converter, and distributor of electrical insulation materials based in Pittsburgh, Pa. founded in 1947.

PEI's founder, T. R. Paul, patented the first use and process of manufacturing a B-Stage Fiberglass Armature Banding Tape (originally trademarked as "Polyglass Banding Tape") which became the standard for EMD and GE (formerly known as General Motors) to become the standard for DC equipment on a global level. PEI is still privately owned and operated by the Paul family in its 3rd generation of family ownership.

The acquisition of Fibertek will broaden the product range that PEI has to offer within the Electro-Mechanical Insulation market, provide the capability for PEI to manufacture UL approved laminates, and allow for PEI to set up their own in-house testing laboratory for all manufactured products. The combined Manufacturing, Conversion and Distribution Services of these two leaders within the Electro-Mechanical Insulation Industry create an exciting, reliable supply option to OEM and Repair Industries.

The newly acquired Fibertek brands consist of the following products:
* Res-I-Glas Banding Tapes
* Res-I-Straint Tadpole Edging Tape
* Res-I-Band Banding Film
* Res-I-Flex Sealable Armor Tape
* Res-I-Lam Flexible Laminates
* Res-I-Lam Formed Wedges
* B-Stage Surge Rope

About Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation (PEI):

Since 1947, Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation (PEI) has been a leading manufacturer, converter, and distributor of electrical insulation materials, serving OEM and repair facilities in the Power Generation, Mining, Locomotive, Mass Transit, and Wind Power sectors.

For more information visit https://www.peipittsburgh.com/ or call 1-800-462-4734.

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Pittsburgh Electrical Insulation, Inc. (PEI) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Electrical Products Division of Fibertek, Inc. of Franklin, Tenn. Fibertek is a manufacturer of leading-edge specialty fiberglass tapes and high-performance laminates for electrical insulation applications in electric motors, generators, and transformers.

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

IntelliMedia Networks Inc. Acquires Canadian GlobalMLX, A Supply Chain CTPAT Training Consultant

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- IntelliMedia Networks Inc., a leading provider of streaming media distribution and immersive training technology, acquired GlobalMLX, a Canadian supply-chain security training and certification consulting firm for an undisclosed amount. GlobalMLX is a U.S. Homeland Security recognized consultant providing industry-leading anti-terrorism supply-chain training and certification for cargo transport to the United States.

GlobalMLX has earned recognition as a "Best Practice in the Supply Chain Security & Threat Awareness Industry" by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, maintaining a 100% success rate of client certification since 2002.

"This acquisition will position IntelliMedia Networks to offer technology solutions under the ASCT Systems brand by extending our industry-leading cloud-based training platform - Apollo and GlobalMLX's unique CTPAT training content enabling us to simplify and expand the certification process for the CTPAT program," said Darshan Sedani, president and co-founder of IntelliMedia Networks. Mr. Sedani added, "Our highly advanced training platform enables clients to learn at their own pace and prepares them for the knowledge required to be certified."

The CTPAT program was launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2001 to train and verify participating companies in maintaining a high level of cargo security in conformance to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's standard for continued ease of access to the U.S. market.

"We are excited to offer this new approach to CTPAT training by combining our content and expertise with the global reach, ease of use, and AI-based intelligence of IntelliMedia's Apollo LTMS platform. We will be able to scale and revolutionize the way C - TPAT training and certification are provided to our clients," said Mandy Lynn Aitken CEO of GlobalMLX.

"Supply chain security threats manifest themselves in an ever-changing global theater including danger to the goods and products consumed in the U.S. Companies with the intention of maintaining access to the large U.S. market have to be vigilant to protect their end-consumers for continued access to the U.S. market," said Teodros Gessesse, CEO and co-founder of IntelliMedia Networks.

"Our clients are excited with their new capability to have on-demand training ready at their fingertips 24/7," said Mr. Stratos Tsantopoulos COO of ASCT Systems. "This is our dream come true as it provides our clients the capability to rapidly scale their security awareness and sail through CTPAT certification - every time."

The CTPAT training solution offered under ASCT Systems combines both the Apollo learning and training management system (LTMS) and GlobalMLX's proprietary training content creating a highly intuitive and always-available cloud training platform with global reach. The platform will provide a company-wide or department level licensing that both educates, tests, and verifies compliance of CTPAT regulations supporting certification. The company will still be managed by Ms. Mandy-Lynn Aitken as its CEO and Mr. Stratos Tsantopoulos as the COO maintaining the depth of CTPAT experience both executives have acquired over the years.

IntelliMedia Networks Inc. is a U.S.A. and India based software company specializing in developing cloud-based scalable platforms to distribute content. Utilizing extensive experience in video delivery, web, mobile, applications, and platform design, IntelliMedia delivers rich media experiences for education, entertainment, business, government, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and newsgathering. IntelliMedia has won two Product of the Year awards at the 2019 National Association of Broadcasters show for products recognized as trailblazers in the video industry.

GlobalMLX is a Canadian company engaged in the training and certification of exporters that require expedited transportation of goods to the United States under the CTPAT rule of the U.S. Homeland Security Agency. As a recognized partner with 15 years of experience, GlobalMLX has helped a variety of clients in a wide range of market verticals get and maintain their compliance with the CTPAT program.

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* https://intellimedianetworks.com/
* https://apolloltms.com/

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IntelliMedia Networks Inc., a leading provider of streaming media distribution and immersive training technology, acquired GlobalMLX, a Canadian supply-chain security training and certification consulting firm for an undisclosed amount.

Related link: https://intellimedianetworks.com/

Rock Center Financial Partners publishes the book, ‘Mergers & Acquisitions: Crushing It as a Corporate Buyer in the Middle Market’

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Rock Center Financial Partners, LLC announced today that they have recently published a book, "Mergers & Acquisitions: Crushing It as a Corporate Buyer in the Middle Market" (ISBN: 978-1735052205) aimed at helping companies improve their ability to execute successful mergers and acquisitions ("M&A").

The book explains in detail how deals are structured, negotiated, and valued. And, it provides a framework that corporate buyers in particular can use to execute their own successful M&A deals.

The book primarily focuses on helping corporate buyers. Why? Because apparently there are many studies that say M&A deals tend to fail a majority of the time for corporate buyers. But, if that's the case, then why do so many companies keep doing deals year after year? And, does anyone do them right?

Actually, a lot of people do them right. But if you believe the statistics, there seem to be a lot more people doing them wrong. The question is, how can buyers do deals the right way, so that they don't become another statistic? This book answers that question.

Buyers who have the right mindset to approaching their deals, and a process that involves the right people with the right skills, are much more likely to have success in M&A. With that being said, this book contains practical real-world advice that has been applied in actual deals, and it provides the framework, best practices, and technical skills that are so important for executing successful M&A deals.

The book was written by Kevin Tomossonie who is a Co-Founder at Rock Center Financial Partners, LLC. Kevin has spent the majority of his career specializing in M&A and has been involved as both an executive and consultant in well over 150 transactions.

Details about this book, including a free preview, and links for where to buy it, can be found at: https://rockcenterfinancial.com/book/

About Rock Center Financial Partners, LLC:

Rock Center Financial Partners, LLC is a New York based boutique consulting and accounting firm that provides a variety of services, including mergers & acquisitions consulting and financial due diligence.

Website: https://rockcenterfinancial.com/

Rock Center Financial Partners, LLC announced today that they have recently published a book, "Mergers & Acquisitions: Crushing It as a Corporate Buyer in the Middle Market" (ISBN: 978-1735052205) aimed at helping companies improve their ability to execute successful mergers and acquisitions ("M&A").

Related link: https://rockcenterfinancial.com/

LTC NEWS Acquisition Anticipates Growth and Expansion

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- Matt McCann, a nationally-known veteran of the long-term care (LTC) insurance industry, announces the formation of LTC NEWS, LLC after acquiring the online asset - ltcnews.com.

Previously owned by publisher Chip Ramsey, the acquisition includes all the websites and social media platforms operated by LTC NEWS and its corresponding editorial content.

Formed in July 2015, LTC NEWS is an online resource for long-term care planning, health and retirement issues to help consumers plan for and better understand the financial impacts of aging.

LTC NEWS, LLC plans to expand its editorial content and resources and to offer a full range of unique digital advertising and marketing opportunities to reach adults aged 40 and up. It will also provide creative resources to design advertising to help businesses effectively reach their target audience.

It will also offer sponsored-content opportunities to allow a company, health care provider, or insurance or financial professional to engage readers and drive traffic to their website while delivering on their marketing objectives.

"LTC NEWS will continue to offer news and informational resources to help American families plan for a successful future retirement," Matt McCann, who will work as interim president and CEO, says. "I look forward to working with the current staff and to adding new staff to help us grow in the years ahead."

Prior to acquiring LTC NEWS, McCann consulted for LTC NEWS, so he's intimately familiar with its operation and assets. The company will also design websites and social media platforms for home health agencies, adult day care centers, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, nursing homes and other businesses related to providing long-term health care services.

LTC NEWS will provide similar services for insurance and financial professionals looking for quality websites and social media platforms to help them engage their clients.

"Many insurance and financial professionals want affordable state-of-the-art websites and social media platforms," McCann explains. "LTC NEWS will provide these resources so these professionals can have a compelling Internet and social media presence."

LTC NEWS will continue to publish articles at no charge from expert guest columnists and these authors will gain outstanding exposure, website backlinks and traffic to their websites. Specific guidelines will limit the amount of advertising content in those articles.

Sponsored-content articles will allow a targeted message to promote a product or service and drive traffic to a website while providing useful information on a specific topic.

"We're striving to provide an exceptional user experience and brand that users remember and trust. Answering consumers' questions accurately, clearly and quickly is essential to LTC NEWS," Daniel Pope, who will lead the website development and creative team, says. "We'll also analyze consumer behavior at scale in large datasets to help determine which topics, resources and advertisements are most relevant to consumers."

Pope says the goal is to present the website visitor with relevant opportunities to learn something new. The overall website experience will enhance user activity and increase the time spent on the website.

"The time invested between the user and the LTC NEWS brand will foster a culture of trust which benefits both consumers and advertisers. Our advertising partners can take advantage of targeting specific topics or resources within their niche that our consumers actively seek," Pope says.

The company is currently seeking an entrepreneurial sales manager to lead its nationwide sales effort. This individual should have a solid knowledge of Internet advertising and an understanding of the long-term health care industry.

Interested individuals can forward a resume and cover letter to Lori Urbanick at: lori.urbanick@ltcnews.com.

LTC NEWS will be operated independently from McCann's firm, McCann Insurance Services, Inc., and the company will be headquartered in offices located in Countryside, Illinois, and Columbus, Ohio.

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

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:
[1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0612s2p-matt-mcann-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Matt McCann of LTC NEWS, LLC.
[2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0612s2p-ltc-news-logo-300dpi.jpg

MEDIA CONTACT:
Matt McCann
of LTC NEWS, LLC
+1-630-698-0916
matt.mccann@ltcnews.com

Matt McCann, a nationally-known veteran of the long-term care (LTC) insurance industry, announces the formation of LTC NEWS, LLC after acquiring the online asset - ltcnews.com.

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

Lowden Street Capital Announces Acquisition of Southern Air Custom Interiors, Inc.

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. /ScoopCloud/ -- Lowden Street Capital, a private equity firm focused on rural market investing, acquired Southern Air Custom Interiors, Inc., an upholstery company out of Haleyville, Ala. that focuses on custom aircraft interiors, on April 30, 2020.

Founded in 2017 by Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital is a private equity firm currently raising its second fund. Lowden Street focuses on small business buyouts in rural communities, assisting small business owners with transitioning their businesses from one generation to the next by offering investing, consulting, and other strategic services.

Southern Air Custom Interiors, Inc. has been customizing aircraft interiors since 1992, and is well known within the industry for the quality of their craftsmanship. Led by two female furniture upholsterers, Southern Air has established itself as a premier aircraft interiors operation for Cessna, Gulfstream, and Mooney owners, among many other brands. Southern Air Custom Interiors plans to expand service offerings by offering aircraft maintenance and avionic services to meet the needs of its customers.

"I am excited to welcome Southern Air to the Lowden Street family-let's take to the skies!" said Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital Managing Partner. "I have been thoroughly impressed with their work on private aircraft, client mixture, and high ethical standards, and I look forward to working with their team to streamline processes, increase efficiencies, and expand sales channels."

Mr. Bean went on to comment, "to support the addition of new sales channels, Southern Air intends to grow its staff by hiring for new technical jobs, which I find inspiring given the current complications facing the U.S. economy."

In anticipation of the acquisition, Lowden Street Capital recently hired Texas Christian University MBA graduate Melissa Shahbaz to serve as Junior Director. For that announcement and more information on the dynamic team at Lowden Street Capital, visit LowdenStreet.com.

Founded in 2017 by Matt Bean, Lowden Street Capital is a private equity firm located in Alexander City, Alabama. Lowden Street is strategically focused on rebuilding and developing mature and small businesses in rural markets.

Learn more at https://www.lowdenstreet.com/

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Lowden Street Capital, a private equity firm focused on rural market investing, acquired Southern Air Custom Interiors, Inc., an upholstery company out of Haleyville, Ala. that focuses on custom aircraft interiors, on April 30, 2020.

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

Texoma Real Estate Firm 580 Realty Combines Digital Marketing with Independent Agility Through Acquisition with Okie Land & Home

TEXOMA, Okla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Okie Land & Home Monica Lambert are joining 580 Realty, a successful association which will bring together an independent firehouse to a stellar realty team, expanding the service area by an additional five counties. This now includes Coal, Pontotoc, Pittsburg, Latimer, Pushmataha, Hughes and McIntosh. From Lake Eufaula to Lake Texoma! Kiamichi Wilderness to Arbuckle Mountains!!!

Broker of 580 Realty, Brian Allen comments that, "This combination creates an even larger powerhouse for 580 Realty, the most dominant brand for real estate in Southern Oklahoma."

He sees a mutually beneficial relationship blossoming between the two entities, creating a hub for buying and selling properties within communities throughout Oklahoma, including Durant, Kingston, Calera, Colbert, Atoka, and Madill. 580 Realty now plans to bring their same effective marketing, strategic advertising, and a client focused experience to townships and cities served by Okie Land & Home service.

Mr. Allen also adds: "We are very excited that, with this merger, Monica Broker - Okie Land & Homes will continue to provide the personal and local support that agents and their clients demand, while providing the resources afforded to a powerful, highly recognized brand with a massive local presence. We are committed to ensuring that all homebuyers and sellers receive the best service imaginable and our agents are afforded every opportunity to maximize their business potential."

With decades of combined experience, the agents at 580 Realty operate with an edge that keeps their clients returning for both buying and selling real estate in Oklahoma. Providing high-quality, honest, and accessible real estate advice and services in the Texoma region will continue to be 580 Realty's focus. Clients particularly enjoy the unique and compelling experience that leverages the power of digital marketing to make connecting the right buyers and sellers to the properties of their dreams a seamless and creative experience.

Okie Land & Homes will transition to 580 Realty and though its visual identity will evolve, clients can expect the same level of care and an enhanced level of marketing for listings, thanks to this merger. Okie Land & Homes is headed by Monica Lambert, who will run point for northern counties and cities, while continuing to specialize in affordable homes, farms and ranches, vacation homes, acreages, and investment properties.

With over 14 years of dedicated, client-focused experience buying and selling properties, Ms. Lambert's expertise in listings within the adjoining counties like Hughes, Pittsburg, and Pontotoc will give the whole team the chance to provide even more options for buyers and sellers.

The merger is also the perfect fit as Okie Land & Homes relies on a significant social media presence, including a dedicated Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/OKLandandHomeTrader - where potential clients can post requests for specific types of properties.

Ms. Lambert takes the time to respond to every single member request, besides maintaining a full spectrum of listings, including cabins, starter homes, single-family dwellings, and more. The nearly 2,000-strong member group for Okie Land & Home will now join the ranks of 580 Realty's customer base and listings across the Texoma region.

This merger allows Okie Land & Homes the opportunity to harness the power of digital, along with the intimate and personal care Ms. Lambert has always provided for her clients. Ms. Monica Lambert will also be part of the 580 Realty sales team as an agent delivering high-touch communications and enhancing the reach of clients who are looking for unique properties using a digitally-driven search process.

More information: https://www.580realty.com/blog/texoma-real-estate-firm-580-realty-combines-digital-marketing-with-independent-agility-through-acquisition-with-okie-land-home/

Media Contact:
Brian Allen
580 Realty
brian@580realty.com
580-877-7653

Okie Land & Home Monica Lambert are joining 580 Realty, a successful association which will bring together an independent firehouse to a stellar realty team, expanding the service area by an additional five counties. This now includes Coal, Pontotoc, Pittsburg, Latimer, Pushmataha, Hughes and McIntosh. From Lake Eufaula to Lake Texoma! Kiamichi Wilderness to Arbuckle Mountains!!!

Related link: https://www.580realty.com/

Paragon Insurance Holdings Acquires Trident Public Risk Solutions from Argo Group

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC, headquartered in Avon, Connecticut, a national MGA, announced today that it has closed on the purchase of Trident Public Risk Solutions (TPRS). Acquired from Argo Group (Argo), the transaction positions Paragon as one of the largest providers of commercial insurance coverage for public entities in the U.S. As part of the transaction agreement, Trident's business will continue to benefit from Argo policy and claims services.

"I am excited to work with the Paragon team, growing this great business and delivering tremendous value to our public entity customers," said Timothy Carter, Executive Vice President.

"We are excited to have Trident as part of our portfolio of companies and to be growing our business with Argo Group. Their collective expertise in public entity insurance and risk management will create a great partnership as we continue to grow together," said Ron Ganiats, CEO and co-founder of Paragon.

The business will continue to report to Sue Coates, President of TPRS - Guaranteed Cost Division and John Atherton, President of TPRS - Retained Limits.

ABOUT ARGO GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ARGO), is an underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo Group offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of businesses in two primary segments: U.S. Operations and International Operations. Argo Group's insurance subsidiaries are A.M. Best-rated "A-" (Excellent), and Argo Group's U.S. insurance subsidiaries are Standard and Poor's-rated "A-" (Strong). More information on Argo Group and its subsidiaries is available at https://www.argolimited.com/.

ABOUT PARAGON

Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC, is headquartered in Avon, Connecticut, and operates as a national MGA. Formed in 2014, the company writes all commercial lines of insurance across more than twenty insurance programs. Paragon's industry-specific and general underwriting facilities offer insureds, retail agents, carriers, reinsurers and service providers unique product, service, capability, and results. Please visit https://www.paragoninsgroup.com/ for additional information.

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Tickers: NYSE:ARGO / NY: ARGO

Paragon Insurance Holdings, LLC, headquartered in Avon, Connecticut, a national MGA, announced today that it has closed on the purchase of Trident Public Risk Solutions (TPRS). Acquired from Argo Group (Argo), the transaction positions Paragon as one of the largest providers of commercial insurance coverage for public entities in the U.S.

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

Bank of Southern California, NA and CalWest Bancorp, the Holding Company for CalWest Bank, Announce Changes to Merger Agreement

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) and CalWest Bancorp (OTCBB: CALW), today announced that they have renegotiated the terms of their merger and have agreed to amend the initial Definitive Agreement announced on October 21, 2019 following shareholder meetings held on April 22, 2020.

The economic effects of COVID-19 prompted Bank of Southern California's shareholders to pause and adjourn their voting to pursue an amended merger agreement. According to the terms of the amended agreement, BCAL's all-cash offer is now $0.35 per CALW share compared to the initial Definitive Agreement which offered $0.43 per share. The amendment to the initial Definitive Agreement is expected to be presented to shareholders in mid-May with an expected close on May 29, 2020 pending all regulatory approvals.

About Bank of Southern California

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, California, is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. The Bank currently operates eleven branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County. For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com or call (858) 847-4780.

About CalWest Bancorp

CalWest Bancorp is the holding company of CalWest Bank, a community bank recognized for its exemplary service to entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and non-profit organizations located throughout Southern California. The Bank serves the business community through its four branches located in Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Redlands. For more information, please visit https://calwestbancorp.com/ or call 949.766.3006.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain comments or information that constitute forward‐looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), and Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp intend for such forward‐looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of that Act. These include statements as to the anticipated benefits of the merger, including future financial and operating results, cost savings and enhanced revenues that may be realized from the merger as well as other statements of expectations regarding the merger and any other statements regarding future results or expectations.

Forward‐looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward‐looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management's views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict. Forward‐looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors which could have a material effect on the operations and future prospects of each of Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp and the resulting company, include but are not limited to: the businesses of Bank of Southern California and/or CalWest Bancorp may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; revenues following the merger may be lower than expected; customer and employee relationships and business operations may be disrupted by the merger; the ability to obtain required regulatory and shareholder approvals, and the ability to complete the merger on the expected timeframe may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the ability of the Bank of Southern California to successfully execute its business plan; changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; changes in demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non‐traditional competitors; changes in banking legislation or regulation; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; and changes in the national and local economy. Bank of Southern California undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward‐looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Additional Information About the Merger

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote for approval of the merger. In connection with the proposed merger a joint proxy statement was provided to the shareholders of both institutions which provided detailed information about the merger and the two institutions. Shareholders are encouraged to read the joint proxy statement carefully before voting on the merger. The directors, executive officers, and certain other members of management and employees of Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of votes to approve the merger. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the merger may be obtained by reading the joint proxy statement.

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Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL / OP: BCAL / OTC:CALW

Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) and CalWest Bancorp (OTCBB: CALW), today announced that they have renegotiated the terms of their merger and have agreed to amend the initial Definitive Agreement announced on October 21, 2019 following shareholder meetings held on April 22, 2020.

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

Forged Components Inc. (FCI) Has Acquired the Western of Texas Forge & Flange Company

HUMBLE, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Forged Components Inc. is proud to announce the acquisition of the Western of Texas Forge & Flange Company. The acquisition was completed in the 4th quarter of 2019.

The Western of Texas Forge & Flange Company has been in business for over 35 years and manufactures high-quality pipe flanges and forgings to standard and custom sizes. They have the ability to supply commodity flanges to the oil and gas exploration and production, oil refining and processing, petrochemical, chemical, and power generation industries just to name a few.

Even though the Western of Texas Forge & Flange Company is by owned FCI, they will continue operating under the Western of Texas Forge & Flange Co. trade name. They specialize in alloy material grades.

"Western of Texas Forge & Flange Co. is particularly a good fit because FCI does not manufacture commodity flanges, as well as it expands our forging capabilities with an addition of 4,000 lb., 8,000 lb. and 12,000 lb. hammers," said Leon Zilberman at FCI. "This purchase fills one of the few gaps within the range of products FCI provides for the oil and gas industry."

Some of the capabilities that Western of Texas Forge & Flange provide are open die and rough forging, heat treating, manual machining, CNC machining, and PMI. They have a strong reputation for delivering "on time" shipments and specialize in expedited production.

About Forged Components Inc.

Forged Components Inc. (FCI) is a global leader in the forging, heat treating, machining of integral self-reinforcing connections for ASME pressure vessels, studding outlets and ASME B16.47 Series A & B large diameter flanges.

FCI operates from over 300,000 square-feet of manufacturing facilities at multiple locations throughout Texas in Houston, Humble and Navasota with its corporate office and manufacturing/inventory facility situated in Humble. In addition to ASME pressure vessel connections, FCI manufactures custom forgings for all sectors of the oil and gas, petrochemical and power generation industries.

Learn more at: http://www.ForgedComponents.com

*(LOGO 72dpi: https://forgedcomponents.com/wp-content/themes/forged-new/images/header-img.jpg)

Forged Components Inc. is proud to announce the acquisition of the Western of Texas Forge & Flange Company. The acquisition was completed in the 4th quarter of 2019.

Related link: https://forgedcomponents.com/

Team Rio National and Sports U announce merger to create Team Rio University

COLTS NECK, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- Team Rio National and Sports U are proud to announce a collaboration and combination of NJ's most successful grassroots basketball programs over the last decade with the creation of Team Rio University (Rio U). As an Under Armour Association sponsored program, Team Rio University is able to deliver a complete student-athlete basketball development and educational advancement program.

Players will have access and support to the finest coaches, trainers, mentors, and educators to reach their potential on the court, in the classroom, and in life.

Over the last decade, the combined programs have graduated over one hundred NCAA Division 1 scholarship athletes, seven McDonald's All Americans, and eight NBA players.

"Eight years ago we created Team Rio National because we wanted a comprehensive academic and basketball development experience for a group of passionate local players. Over the years, the formula has proven successful and we would like to extend the opportunities to more student-athletes in the tri-state area. By combining forces with Sports U, Team Rio University can extend its reach and help impact more youth players throughout the region," said Brian Klatsky, founder of Team Rio National.

Former Big East head coach and Team Rio coach, Mike Rice added "We have a tremendous amount of respect for Brian Coleman and his accomplishments with Sports U are immense. We now unite and marry the two strongest grassroots programs over the last decade in New Jersey. This is going to have a very positive impact on student-athletes in the Garden State."

Sports U founder, Brian Coleman, says "This merger is going to be a disruptor and game changer in the tri-state basketball community. I'm very excited for the future of Rio U basketball!"

Shannon Coyle, coach and director of Rio U Girls, added, "After a very successful launch of the Girls UAA circuit in 2019 and the inaugural seasons of Team Rio National girls, we are very excited to broaden our reach throughout the tri-state area with Sports U. The synergies, resources, and network that come with the combination of both boys basketball and Sports U, gives our girls an elite experience for them to maximize their potential."

Tryouts for the upcoming season start on February 29, 2020 and continue on March 7, 2020. Tryout details, location, and times, can be found at https://teamrionational.com/.

About Team Rio University:

As a 501(c)(3) organization, Team Rio University is an Under Armour sponsored program that assists student-athletes on and off the court in their pursuit of college and professional basketball. The boys and girls programs participate in the highly regarded Under Armour Association (UAA). Both the boys and girls UAA leagues generate hundreds of college coaches and scouts at their NCAA live session events to provide student-athletes a world class platform for competition and recruitment.

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Team Rio National and Sports U are proud to announce a collaboration and combination of NJ's most successful grassroots basketball programs over the last decade with the creation of Team Rio University (Rio U).

Related link: https://teamrionational.com/

Mazda of Mesquite car dealership and service center in Mesquite, Texas, announces imminent ownership transition

MESQUITE, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Mazda of Mesquite - a Mazda car dealership and service center located at 15900 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy in Mesquite, Texas, 75150 - will transition to new ownership as of February 27, 2020.

Mazda of Mesquite is a full-service car dealership and automotive repair center that sells and services new and used Mazda vehicles. This dealership features an on-site service center that offers scheduled maintenance, repairs, and genuine OEM part replacements for Mazda cars. They also offer on-site Mazda automotive leasing services.

As of Thursday, February 27, 2020, Mazda of Mesquite will officially transition to new ownership. The dealership will no longer be family-owned and operated, but its new owners share the genuine passion for Mazda and the auto industry as a whole that has sustained Mazda of Mesquite as an integral and trusted local business in Mesquite, Texas, for many years.

The new owners understand that Mazda of Mesquite has been a trusted part of the community in Mesquite for many years. They are excited to facilitate a smooth transition in ownership for this reputable dealership, and hope to reassure their valued customers that Mazda of Mesquite will remain the same reliable brand under this new ownership-just with a strengthened customer service-oriented attitude and a revitalized growth mindset.

Mazda of Mesquite will remain open and offering their full range of services to customers throughout what is expected to be a smooth ownership transition. Their website - www.MazdaofMesquite.com - also remains live during this transition and the functionality of the dealership's online convenience features will not be disrupted.

The new owners at Mazda of Mesquite are committed to continuing to sell and service a diverse range of top-quality Mazda vehicles while providing warm and enthusiastic customer service that goes above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction and facilitate the development of long-lasting professional relationships.

The sales and service team at Mazda of Mesquite remains loyal, hardworking, and dedicated to providing the highest-quality service under new ownership. Mazda of Mesquite team members

are excited to welcome the dealership's new owners and celebrate their onboarding while continuing to provide smooth, fast, uninterrupted service to their valued customers throughout Mesquite and its surrounding areas.

Stop by Mazda of Mesquite on or after February 27, 2020 to experience this dealership run under new ownership for yourself. The new owners at Mazda of Mesquite are excited to greet this amazing dealership's valued customers and are eager to address any questions, concerns, or confusion that community members may have with regards to this ownership transition.

Mazda of Mesquite 972-686-6200 https://www.mazdaofmesquite.com/

Mazda of Mesquite - a Mazda car dealership and service center located at 15900 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy in Mesquite, Texas, 75150 - will transition to new ownership as of February 27, 2020.

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

777 Partners Announces Acquisition of Uown Leasing

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- 777 Partners, a Miami based investment firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Uown Leasing ("Uown"), from Shepard Capital Partners. Uown, a lease-to-own company based in Tampa, was founded in 2008.

The company partners with retailers of durable consumer goods to offer a lease-to-own financing product as an alternative to traditional credit. Currently, Uown offers its product in over 450 locations across the United States, with a focus on retailers of furniture, bedding and appliances.

Under the terms of the acquisition, Uown Leasing will combine operations with Mollie Financial, 777 Partners' existing lease-to-own product, and operate solely under the Uown Leasing name going forward. Uown will utilize Mollie Financial's best-in-class technology, including its innovative merchant portal.

"We look forward to expanding Uown into a nationally recognized leader in the lease to own industry, and we think that 777 Partners and Mollie Financial are the ideal partners to fuel explosive growth," says Daniel Klein, the CEO of Uown.

"We are excited to add Uown to 777 Partners' portfolio of consumer finance companies. Daniel and team have a built a market leading platform and we look forward to contributing to the future growth of Uown," says Aaron Levy, Principal at 777 Partners.

About Uown Leasing

Uown Leasing operates lease purchase programs to select furniture and electronics retailers across the United States. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Uown Leasing currently supports dealers operating in over 46 states. For more information, visit https://uownleasing.com/.

About 777 Partners

777 Partners is a Miami-based investment firm focused on a broad spectrum of financial services businesses across insurance, lending, specialty finance, and financial technology. Operating in attractive markets and often times esoteric asset classes, 777 seeks to make control investments across the business life cycle in companies with scalable profiles and ambitious management teams. 777 Partners senior management team is composed of industry veterans with backgrounds in private equity, venture capital, investment banking, insurance, financial technology, actuarial science, asset management, structured-credit, ABS, risk, analytics, complex commercial litigation and computer science. For more information on 777 Partners, visit https://777part.com/.

About Shepard Capital Partners

Shepard Capital Partners is a Florida based private equity firm focused on investment opportunities in the Southeastern United States. The firm invests in cashflow positive businesses where the primary constraint to growth is access to capital, and commercial real estate transactions which meet defined return characteristics. For more information on Shepard Capital Partners, visit https://shepardcap.com/.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Reed
Shepard Capital Partners, LLC
creed@shepardcap.com
Phone: 404-643-1766

777 Partners, a Miami based investment firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Uown Leasing ("Uown"), from Shepard Capital Partners. Uown, a lease-to-own company based in Tampa, was founded in 2008.

Related link: https://shepardcap.com/

KROST Kicks Off the Year by Announcing Merger with BPE&H an Accountancy Corporation

PASADENA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- KROST CPAs and Consultants, a firm based out of Los Angeles, has merged in BPE&H out of Woodland Hills effective January 1, 2020. Seven principals will join the leadership team at KROST, including Scott Eisner, Martin Belak-Berger, Bob Price, Phil D'Amico, Scott Gilmore; and founding BPE&H principals Jerry Block and Jane Plant. With the addition of 30 team members total, KROST's practice will expand to 200 team members firmwide and grow its presence in the thriving Woodland Hills area.

The new KROST management and staff will remain at the 21300 Victory Boulevard office until next summer when the two Woodland Hills office locations will move into a new space together. KROST has locations around the Greater Los Angeles area, including offices in Pasadena, West Los Angeles, Valencia, and Woodland Hills.

"Joining with KROST makes sense from a resource standpoint. We now have in-house recruiting and other corporate support systems to alleviate workload on our leadership so we can spend more time with our clients. The firm's industry task forces are also a great complement to our manufacturing and real estate expertise. Overall, we are thrilled about this new chapter and ready to hit the ground running," remarked former BPE&H Principal, Martin Belak-Berger.

"Merging with BPE&H made sense for us on several levels. Their mission and vision, as well as dedication to superior customer service, resonates with our core values and the principles that we stand by here at KROST. Our tax, accounting, and advisory teams will benefit from the added resources; all of which will allow us to continue to support our clients," said KROST's Managing Principal Greg Kniss.

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 in the areas of tax, accounting, consulting, assurance and advisory, M&A and capital markets, corporate tax incentives, and wealth management.

For more information about KROST, please visit https://www.krostcpas.com/.

KROST CPAs and Consultants, a firm based out of Los Angeles, has merged in BPE&H out of Woodland Hills effective January 1, 2020. Seven principals will join the leadership team at KROST, including Scott Eisner, Martin Belak-Berger, Bob Price, Phil D'Amico, Scott Gilmore; and founding BPE&H principals Jerry Block and Jane Plant.

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

Deacon Jones Acquires Lee Hyundai of Goldsboro

RALEIGH, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Deacon Jones Auto Group recently acquired Lee Hyundai of Goldsboro and will rename the store "Deacon Jones Hyundai." Deacon Jones Auto Group, with headquarters in Smithfield, North Carolina, has grown rapidly in the past few years. This growth will now include the acquisition of the former Lee Hyundai of Goldsboro which will be renamed under the Deacon Jones umbrella to "Deacon Jones Hyundai."

This location, at 304 N Oak Forest Rd. in Goldsboro, NC, will continue the growth and the investments that Deacon Jones has made to this area of the Goldsboro community.

With the acquisition of the Hyundai store, Deacon Jones now has brand new showrooms for Kia, Nissan, Honda, and Ford located right next door and the Hyundai store anticipates a brand-new remodel to start in 2020. This area of McLain street will become a one stop shop for any automotive shopper.

Deacon Jones Auto Group has been serving North Carolina for over 40 years and their development of the Goldsboro area has been a plus for the surrounding communities. These new locations are just a short drive from downtown Goldsboro, Mount Olive, Wilson, Clinton, Greenville, Kinston, Smithfield, and Johnston County, its home base.

"While we have grown rapidly, we have made a conscious effort to respect our customers and those in the community who have helped us to succeed," remarked Ken Jones, President of Deacon Jones Auto Group. "Our motto remains, 'We treat people the way we want to be treated,' and I believe that is why we are growing and expanding as a full-service family of Automotive dealerships, continuing to meet the needs of our patrons as this area progresses."

Jones added, "The acquisition of the new Hyundai store only enriches our presence in this community and gives people more choices for quality vehicle purchases and adds a new brand that Deacon Jones didn't previously have."

Deacon Jones currently includes 17 new and pre-owned dealerships located throughout North Carolina in Goldsboro, Smithfield, Princeton, LaGrange, Greenville, Selma, Raleigh, and Clinton.

For more information about Deacon Jones Auto Group, please visit their website at: https://speakindeacon.com/

Deacon Jones Auto Group recently acquired Lee Hyundai of Goldsboro and will rename the store "Deacon Jones Hyundai." This location, at 304 N Oak Forest Rd. in Goldsboro, NC, will continue the growth and the investments that Deacon Jones has made to this area of the Goldsboro community.

Related link: https://speakindeacon.com/

Kimball Entertainment merges with K-Star PR to provide clients with a wider range of entertainment services for 2020

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kimball Entertainment is a full-service Entertainment Co. based in Beverly Hills, California. Founder Keri Ann Kimball has found a unique way to bring her relationships and assets to this multidimensional company by integrating a strategic coaching team in house at Kimball Entertainment.

Kimball Entertainment is a development and production company for film and TV with a PR firm under its umbrella, K-Star PR. The strategic coaching team is led by Keri Ann Kimball and supported by her team of entertainment experts.

"At Kimball Entertainment we advise and guide our clients to help them move to the next level whether they are at the top of their game or having challenges. Kimball Entertainment believes everyone needs a coach in life, someone to see things with fresh eyes and guide you to elevate yourself and company to bigger success," says Keri Ann Kimball.

"Athletes at the top of their game have coaches," says Jen Sincero, American writer, speaker and success coach, "we can all use a coach to improve our game at life."

Keri Ann Kimball was educated at A.C.T. in San Francisco and Tisch School of the Arts at N.Y.U. and Circle in the Square Repertory Theatre before moving to Los Angeles and founding a successful Entertainment Co. Zephyr Entertainment in the 90's. She then went on to work at DMI Music and consulted for several other predominate entertainment companies in Los Angeles.

Kimball Entertainment works with writers, directors and producers to create original content based primarily on "true stories" and bring them to life on the big and small screen.

At Kimball Entertainment we work closely with writers, directors and talent to ensure the integrity of their projects and control the messaging of the content to the Press though K-Star PR, a press relations firm that is under the umbrella of Kimball Entertainment. We do this by allowing the artists and creators the freedom to explore and create without the confines of big corporate influence. She raises private equity and then partners with Hollywood powerhouse Producers, Production Co. and Studios that will distribute the content to the public.

Kimball Entertainment and K-Star PR work closely with non-profits like Wild Aid, LAPD Mentor Programs, Flying Hero Club, Anna Lynne McCord Foundation, The Compton Kids Club, Brain Mapping Foundation, Beauty Gives Back, Broadway to the Rescue, Hope of the Valley. We integrate these non-profits into the Entertainment world through events, PR, marketing and when reasonable, the film, television and streaming world to create brand awareness.

For more information on:
KIMBALL ENTERTAINMENT
https://www.k-starpr.com/
https://www.kimballentertainment.com/
310-721-4912
Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States

Email:
asst@K-StarPR.com
asst@KimballEntertainment.com

Instagram: @KimballEntertainment
@KeriAnnKimball
@K_StarPR

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*Photo Caption: Film & TV producer, Keri Ann Kimball, founder of Kimball Entertainment Beverly Hills, California.
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Kimball Entertainment is a full-service Entertainment Co. based in Beverly Hills, California. Founder Keri Ann Kimball has found a unique way to bring her relationships and assets to this multidimensional company by integrating a strategic coaching team in house at Kimball Entertainment.

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

Frenkel and Company Completes Transition to EPIC Brand

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, which operates as EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), announced today that Frenkel & Company, acquired by EPIC in November 2017, has completed their adoption of the EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants name and brand.

The Frenkel & Company and Frenkel Benefits names will be retired for all Frenkel operations with the exception of Frenkel International which will operate as a specialty division of EPIC. Since joining with EPIC in 2017, Frenkel's associates and practice areas have become integrated into the EPIC business and significantly expanded EPIC's Northeast footprint in risk management, property and casualty insurance, international client services, employee benefits consulting, program solutions and private client services.

Said John Kelly, formerly CEO of Frenkel & Company and now EPIC New York's CEO, "Frenkel's decision to join EPIC has helped us deliver an expansive new set of capabilities to our clients, with the same commitment to service delivery that has been a hallmark of our firm."

Steve Denton, President of EPIC Holdings Inc. noted, "Throughout the past two years we have had the opportunity to integrate our teams, culture and businesses and are proud to now be able to present this unification across the risk management and employee benefits community together as one EPIC. The Frenkel team and capabilities rapidly became ingrained in the EPIC organization and we are excited to kick off 2020 with their full transition to EPIC."

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent overseeing investments across the entire EPIC platform. The firm's core retail insurance brokerage business, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, now has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

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 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/.

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, which operates as EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), announced today that Frenkel & Company, acquired by EPIC in November 2017, has completed their adoption of the EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants name and brand.

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

Whole Brain Consulting Acquires JL Dale and Associates LLC

LOVELAND, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Boulder, Colorado area's Brandon Hernandez, co-founder and senior partner of Whole Brain Consulting, announces acquisition of JL Dale and Associates, LLC.

Les Dale, owner of JL Dale and Associates, after a long career in food safety and food safety auditing, is retiring. In this move, Les reached out to Whole Brain Consulting to ensure his clients would be fully supported despite his decision to exit the company. The subsequent acquisition of JL Dale and Associates means Whole Brain Consulting now has a presence in Michigan, expanding the company's depth in the food safety, food quality, and food regulation arena.

"Whole Brain Consulting appreciates Les' long career in food safety," says Hernandez. "We can't adequately express our gratitude that Les would entrust JL Dale and Associates' clients to Whole Brain Consulting. We wish Les nothing but the best in what we hope is a long, well deserved, relaxing retirement."

Hernandez, founder of BJH Food Safety, combined forces with Will Madden of Right Brain Consulting in 2016. Together the two entrepreneurs and food industry experts founded Whole Brain Consulting, leveraging Hernandez's depth of expertise in food safety and food production and Madden's two decades of experience with contract negotiations and operations management, also in the food industry.

This is the company's second acquisition. Hernandez and Madden can be found at various conferences and trade shows throughout the year, speaking to the complexities of third-party outsourced operations management within the food industry, including negotiation and management of co-packer and co-manufacturer relationships.

To learn more about Whole Brain Consulting and the acquisition, visit https://whole-brain-consulting.com.

About Whole Brain Consulting:

Whole Brain Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in outsourced operations in the food industry, operates from offices in Chicago and Boulder. From supply chain and operations management to food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, Whole Brain Consulting utilizes the cumulative expertise of over two dozen industry experts to solve problems for rising food companies.

Boulder, Colorado area's Brandon Hernandez, co-founder and senior partner of Whole Brain Consulting, announces acquisition of JL Dale and Associates, LLC.

Related link: https://whole-brain-consulting.com/

VermontWeddings.com Celebrates New Ownership

BURLINGTON, Vt. /ScoopCloud/ -- Weddings are a celebration of change, and today VermontWeddings.com, Vermont's leading online wedding planning resource, celebrates a change in ownership from Lorin Holmes to Tricia Cunniff.

Since 2011, Lorin Holmes has overseen the business's growth from a regionally-focused website to a robust, state-wide resource. She has personally worked with hundreds of wedding professionals across Vermont during her tenure, helping to gain exposure for their individual businesses. In addition, VermontWeddings.com has helped to raise the state's profile as a desirable wedding destination.

"Building Vermont Weddings has been a thrilling journey for me," says Holmes. "Today I'm excited to transition the site to such a strong, passionate marketing professional and watch the next chapter of Vermont Weddings unfold."

After working alongside Holmes for several months, Tricia Cunniff assumes leadership of the site. Cunniff brings with her a background in marketing and events along with her personal recent experience planning a Vermont wedding.

"I'm excited to further showcase what Vermont holds for couples planning a wedding," says Cunniff. "We are lucky to have so many amazing wedding professionals in our state. My hope is that by partnering with them, we can help to both simplify the planning process for couples and bring even more events to our state."

The site is currently accepting new advertising listings and real wedding submissions.

About Vermont Weddings:

VermontWeddings.com is Vermont's leading online directory of wedding venues and professional vendors. The website provides couples with tools to research, plan and share information about their Vermont weddings and celebrations.

Visit https://vermontweddings.com, and follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vermontweddings), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lovevermontweddings) and Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/vermont_weddings).

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tricia Cunniff
Owner, VermontWeddings.com
tricia@vermontweddings.com

Weddings are a celebration of change, and today VermontWeddings.com, Vermont's leading online wedding planning resource, celebrates a change in ownership from Lorin Holmes to Tricia Cunniff.

Related link: https://vermontweddings.com

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants and Prime Risk Partners Have Joined Forces

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and Prime Risk Partners Inc., announced today that they have officially joined forces to continue to build on their national footprint and offer greater specialty support and services to their clients and collaboration among EPIC's colleagues. The transaction previously announced on October 15th has closed.

Prime Risk Partners brings experienced insurance professionals dedicated to providing tailored solutions to help their clients manage a wide range of risks in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world. Prime Risk Partners employs a highly consultative approach to commercial insurance, personal insurance, risk management and employee benefits consulting services. This approach aligns well with EPIC's core beliefs in and strong reputation for service excellence, innovation, community, collaboration and having fun - all in the interest of being a "people first" organization.

"We are pleased the transaction closed exactly as anticipated," said Adam Meyerowitz, Prime Risk Partners' President and Co-Founder. "We are thrilled to begin our EPIC journey with our new partners."

Added EPIC President, Steve Denton, "The cultural fit between Prime Risk Partners and EPIC has been apparent in every interaction we have had with all of their teammates. We are already collaborating to bring the combined expertise and breadth of service offerings to our collective clients."

Prime Risk Partners will initially operate as Prime Risk Partners - an EPIC Company. Prime Risk Partners' operating leadership and insurance professionals will continue to provide service from their existing locations.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent overseeing investments across the entire EPIC platform. The firm's core retail insurance brokerage business, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, now has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

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 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/.

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EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and Prime Risk Partners Inc., announced today that they have officially joined forces to continue to build on their national footprint and offer greater specialty support and services to their clients and collaboration among EPIC's colleagues. The transaction previously announced on October 15th has closed.

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

Bank of Southern California, NA and CalWest Bancorp, the Holding Company for CalWest Bank, Announce Agreement to Merge

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) and CalWest Bancorp (OTCBB: CALW), today announced the signing of a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the "Agreement") whereby CalWest Bank will merge with and into Bank of Southern California. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of CALW and BCAL. According to the terms of the agreement, BCAL's all-cash offer of 0.43 cents per CALW share values the transaction at approximately $32 million. The merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.

The merger combines two Southern California franchises with similar core operating philosophies and cultures. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Bank of Southern California currently operates eleven branch locations and one production office in San Diego County, the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. CalWest Bank is headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, with three branches located in Orange County and one office located in Redlands. The proposed merger with CalWest Bank follows Bank of Southern California's acquisition of four-branch Glendale, CA based Americas United Bank in July 2018, providing Bank of Southern California with its first expansion opportunity into the desirable Los Angeles market.

CalWest Bank offers an attractive footprint in the Orange County market, providing Bank of Southern California with the opportunity to continue its strategic expansion in Southern California. Bank of Southern California currently operates one regional branch location in Orange County. Upon completion of the transaction, the combined organization will have pro forma assets of approximately $1.1 billion and combined capital of approximately $120 million.

Commenting on the announcement, Nathan Rogge, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Southern California, said, "The combined bank offers a highly attractive franchise for us in the dynamic Orange County market and furthers Bank of Southern California's vision of expanding our market share in Southern California. CalWest Bank is a well-managed community business bank with a strong relationship banking culture, making it a great fit for us. Bank of Southern California recently expanded into Los Angeles in July 2018, and in Orange County in December 2017, so this opportunity allows us to continue to execute the next natural extension of our planned growth. We believe this transaction allows the bank to better serve the clients of both organizations with increased lending capabilities, technology enhancements, and an increased branch network. Additionally, it provides a great value for our shareholders, creates opportunities for our employees, and expands our franchise to better serve customers of both organizations," concluded Rogge.

Glenn E. Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer of CalWest Bank, echoed, "We are pleased to partner with an organization that shares our approach to community banking. Our clients and employees will benefit by joining a bank with a commitment to exceptional customer service and strong employee culture. We believe our franchise will meaningfully contribute to Bank of Southern California's vision of becoming a leading community business bank in Southern California. Bank of Southern California's sound financial condition and comprehensive business expertise make them an excellent choice and natural partner for us."

Nathan Rogge will continue as President and CEO, and the existing Bank of Southern California executive management team will continue in their current roles at the combined bank.

MJC Partners, LLC served as financial advisor and Duane Morris LLP served as legal counsel to Bank of Southern California. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, served as financial advisor and Stuart Moore Staub served as legal counsel to CalWest Bancorp.

About Bank of Southern California

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, CA, is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals, and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. The Bank currently operates eleven offices and one production office in San Diego County, the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County. For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com/ or call 858.847.4780.

About CalWest Bancorp

CalWest Bancorp is the holding company of CalWest Bank, a community bank recognized for its exemplary service to entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and non-profit organizations located throughout Southern California. The Bank serves the business community through its four branches located in Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Redlands. For more information, please visit https://calwestbancorp.com/ or call 949.766.3006.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), and Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp intend for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of that Act. These include statements as to the anticipated benefits of the merger, including future financial and operating results, cost savings and enhanced revenues that may be realized from the merger as well as other statements of expectations regarding the merger and any other statements regarding future results or expectations.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management's views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors which could have a material effect on the operations and future prospects of each of Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp and the resulting company, include but are not limited to: the businesses of Bank of Southern California and/or CalWest Bancorp may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; expected revenue synergies and cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or realized within the expected time frame; revenues following the merger may be lower than expected; customer and employee relationships and business operations may be disrupted by the merger; the ability to obtain required regulatory and shareholder approvals, and the ability to complete the merger on the expected timeframe may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; the ability of the Bank of Southern California to successfully execute its business plan; changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; changes in demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking legislation or regulation; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies, and assessments; the impact of technological advances; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; and changes in the national and local economy. Bank of Southern California undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Additional Information About the Merger

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote for approval of the merger. In connection with the proposed merger a joint proxy statement will be provided to the shareholders of both institutions which will provide detailed information about the merger and the two institutions. Shareholders will be encouraged to read the joint proxy statement carefully before voting on the merger. The directors, executive officers, and certain other members of management and employees of Bank of Southern California and CalWest Bancorp may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of votes to approve the merger. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the merger may be obtained by reading the joint proxy statement when it becomes available.

Media Contacts:
Tony DiVita
Bank of Southern California
858.847.4783
tdivita@banksocal.com

Glenn Gray
CalWest Bancorp
949.766.3088
ggray@calwestbancorp.com

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Tickers: OTC Pink:BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL / OP: BCAL / OTC:CALW

Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL) and CalWest Bancorp (OTCBB: CALW), today announced the signing of a definitive agreement and plan of merger (the "Agreement") whereby CalWest Bank will merge with and into Bank of Southern California. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all regulatory approvals and the approval of the shareholders of CALW and BCAL.

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

The Nation’s 34th Largest Retail Insurance Broker Prime Risk Partners Joins EPIC

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Prime Risk Partners Inc. and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, announced today that they have entered into an agreement to join forces. Prime Risk Partners, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a growing national firm of experienced insurance professionals dedicated to providing tailored solutions to help their clients manage a wide range of risks in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world.

Ranked among the top 35 retail insurance brokers in the United States, Prime Risk Partners employs a highly consultative approach to commercial insurance, personal insurance, risk management and employee benefits consulting services.

EPIC, founded in 2007, has grown to become one of the 15 largest U.S. retail insurance brokers and the nation's 9th largest privately-held insurance brokerage, with core beliefs in and a strong reputation for service excellence, innovation, community, collaboration and having fun - all in the interest of being a "people first" organization.

"Our partners have been delivering strategic guidance and service around the risk management, insurance and benefit consulting needs of our clients for decades," said Prime Risk Partners' Chairman & CEO Bret Quigley. "Joining EPIC will allow us to deliver an even broader and deeper set of capabilities and added value to our clients with the same commitment to excellence that has always been a hallmark of our partners."

"Our vision for Prime Risk Partners is to build a superior national insurance platform. Joining EPIC allows us to accelerate that vision rapidly with like-minded leadership we know well and respect," added Adam Meyerowitz, Prime Risk Partners' President and Co-Founder. "We are thrilled to join forces with such a unique and highly successful company as EPIC."

Prime Risk Partners will initially operate as Prime Risk Partners - an EPIC Company following closing. Prime Risk Partners' operating leadership and insurance professionals will continue to provide service from their existing locations. Adam Meyerowitz will join EPIC's executive leadership team.

Said EPIC President, Steve Denton, "Bret Quigley and Adam Meyerowitz have built Prime Risk Partners the right way by bringing together brokers and agents with great reputations and specialties in the markets they serve. Their team fits perfectly with our existing New York and New Jersey operations, adds a substantial presence to our Boston business and opens up a sizable new region for us in the Midwest. We are thrilled be able to partner with Prime Risk Partners and we look forward to the future together."

"We are delighted for Prime Risk to join the EPIC family, a unique platform in the insurance brokerage market focused on being the best home for producers and driving best-in-breed organic growth. Prime's integrated business fits well within EPIC and further bolsters our northeast hub, which has been a critical focus during our partnership with EPIC," said Steve Puccinelli, Partner at Oak Hill.

"We could not have asked for a better management team than the Prime Risk Partners team, led by Bret Quigley and Adam Meyerowitz, to help us take Prime Risk Partners from the idea stage to become the successful and growing top brokerage firm it is today," said Ganesh Rao, Managing Director at Thomas H. Lee Partners, Prime Risk Partners' original equity sponsor. "They have been fantastic partners and we are gratified to know that Prime Risk Partners will be well positioned to continue growing by joining forces with EPIC."

Barclays and Waller Helms Advisors acted as financial advisors and Weil, Gotshal & Manges acted as legal advisor to EPIC. Reagan Consulting acted as financial advisor and King & Spalding acted as legal advisor to Prime Risk Partners.

About Prime Risk Partners - an EPIC Company

Prime Risk Partners, headquartered in Atlanta, is a growing national firm of experienced insurance professionals dedicated to providing tailored solutions to help our clients manage a wide range of risks in an unpredictable world. Recently ranked among the top 35 brokers in the United States, Prime Risk Partners employs an ongoing consultative approach to meet commercial, personal, and employee benefits insurance needs. For additional information, please visit https://primeriskpartners.com.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent overseeing investments across the entire EPIC platform. The firm's core retail insurance brokerage business, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, now has more than 2,000 team members operating from more than 70 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

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 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//epicbrokers.com.

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Prime Risk Partners Inc. and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, announced today that they have entered into an agreement to join forces. EPIC, founded in 2007, has grown to become one of the 15 largest U.S. retail insurance brokers and the nation's 9th largest privately-held insurance brokerage.

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

Fannie Hillman + Associates Expands Central Florida Legacy

WINTER PARK, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Fannie Hillman + Associates, a long-standing fixture in the Central Florida real estate market, has acquired a new location along famed Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. On September 26, 2019, Fannie Hillman + Associates, led by President and Broker Scott Hillman, purchased Winter Park Land Company.

The oldest real estate brokerage in the state of Florida, Winter Park Land Company's rich history has helped form our Winter Park community. Certainly, our great town would not be what it is without the efforts of Winter Park Land Company.

Fannie Hillman + Associates is thrilled to be expanding their boutique firm, while maintaining an exceptional level of personalized service to their current and future clients. The Park Avenue location will allow Fannie Hillman + Associates to provide an even greater presence in the community they love and serve.

Their original and current location at 205 West Fairbanks Avenue will remain open; Fannie Hillman + Associates will be operating at full strength from both offices.

The acquisition of Winter Park Land Company falls in line with Fannie Hillman + Associates' mission, allowing each of their agents and team members to provide the highest level of support and service to their customers while expanding their ever-present and active role in the communities they serve.

"I have immense respect for what Winter Park Land Company means to our city. Their success within our community certainly made this acquisition more than appealing," says Scott Hillman. "I am very proud to now be associated with that history."

He adds, "You are always welcome to stop by our offices to say 'hello' or call us to speak to any of our knowledgeable and capable agents. We are truly honored to serve you and our community."

Learn more:
407-644-1234
https://www.fanniehillman.com/
205 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, Florida

Fannie Hillman + Associates, a long-standing fixture in the Central Florida real estate market, has acquired a new location along famed Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. On September 26, 2019, Fannie Hillman + Associates, led by President and Broker Scott Hillman, purchased Winter Park Land Company.

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

Integro USA Inc. Completes Transition to EPIC Brand

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, which operates as EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), announced today that Integro USA, Inc. (Integro USA), acquired by EPIC in January 2019, has completed their adoption of the EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants name and brand.

The Integro USA brand will now be retired and the 400 former Integro USA associates working from 22 U.S locations will now do business as EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants.

The acquisition and rebranding to EPIC adds significant resources and expertise that highly complement EPIC's diverse insurance distribution platform and broad offerings.

Areas of deepened expertise include:

Entertainment & Sports: focusing on music & events; theatre & venues; film, TV & media; athletes, sports associations, sports teams, amateur sports; and equine insurance.

Specialty: leading provider of insurance brokerage services to Professional Services Firms (accountants, lawyers, hedge funds, asset managers, architects & engineers, consulting firms) and Transportation & Logistics businesses.

Risk Management/Complex Accounts: deep technical resources and services for the Fortune 500 and complex risk accounts. Specific industry expertise includes Healthcare, Real Estate, Financial Institutions, Industrial/Manufacturing, and Retail/Consumer.

Reinsurance: expertise in Specialty Accident & Health, Property & Casualty, and Professional Liability.

Middle Market Accounts: property/casualty, employee benefits, and private client services for small to medium sized companies and individuals

Employee Benefits Consulting: added expertise for mid to large employer groups as well as unique services for the private equity sector.

Said Marc Kunney, formerly President of North America Operations for Integro USA and now EPIC's President, Risk Management, "Joining forces under the EPIC brand allows us to continue offering our collective client base the highest level of service and expertise, while providing depth and scale to further invest in our combined capabilities."

Pete Garvey, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants CEO and a founder and former CEO of Integro Ltd., noted, "I know firsthand what a high quality group we have added to EPIC. We can't be more delighted to have Integro's U.S. team onboard to make us one larger, fully integrated, more successful EPIC."

Steve Denton, President of EPIC Holdings Inc., added, "We have spent the last several months combining the large account and specialty businesses of Integro with EPIC's existing capabilities. The complementary strengths and resources match up perfectly. We are very excited to introduce our combined capabilities under a united banner."

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 more than 70 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 $600 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/.

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center, which operates as EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), announced today that Integro USA, Inc. (Integro USA), acquired by EPIC in January 2019, has completed their adoption of the EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants name and brand.

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

JenCap Holdings LLC to Acquire Aran Insurance Services Group, a Specialty Insurance Business

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- JenCap Holdings (JenCap), a specialty insurance business, announced today that it has agreed to acquire privately-held Aran Insurance Services Group (Aran), a specialty program administrator with offices in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and New York. Founded in 2009, Aran has been led by Tim Kenny and John LaCava who have built one of the leading program administration insurance platforms in the country.

JenCap Holdings (JenCap) was formed in March 2016 by The Carlyle Group (Nasdaq: CG) and JenCap management to consolidate specialty insurance distribution businesses, including managing general agents, program managers and transactional wholesale brokers. The acquisition of Aran is the ninth transaction by JenCap since its founding, and places the company among the largest specialty insurance distribution platforms in the U.S.

"The Aran team has built a multi-faceted company with a wide variety of property and casualty programs for specialty markets as well as a strong presence in the accident and health market," said John F. Jennings, President and Chief Executive Officer of JenCap. "We are excited to help in the expansion of Aran and its subsidiary companies within JenCap."

Aran Insurance Services Group Co-Founder and Chairman, Tim Kenny stated, "Aran has a long-standing commitment to our clients, carriers, and team members, and we specifically sought out a strategic partner that shared this focus. JenCap fulfills this goal, and we are very excited about our partnership."

"Aran's strategic partnership with JenCap creates a number of opportunities for growth and development," commented John LaCava, Aran Insurance Services Group Co-Founder, President and CEO. "We look forward to expanding our programs, markets, and capabilities through JenCap's established network of carriers and agency partners."

About JenCap Holdings:

JenCap Holdings is a premier national specialty insurance distribution platform that includes managing general agencies, specialty program administrators, and transactional wholesale brokers. JenCap has assembled a management team with the sector insight and experience to drive organic growth and strategic acquisitions leveraging technology and advanced data analytics. JenCap is headquartered in New York. For more information on JenCap, visit: http://jencapholdings.com/.

About Aran Insurance Services Group:

Aran Insurance Services Group is a multi-faceted company offering diversified insurance and financial services to the United States and Canadian markets. Aran specializes in both developing and acquiring insurance underwriting facilities offering specialty insurance products and services to the property casualty and accident health markets. For more information on Aran, visit: https://www.araninsurance.com/.

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/wire/images/16-1207s2p-jencap-300dpi.jpg

Tickers: NASDAQ:CG / NQ: CG

JenCap Holdings (JenCap), a specialty insurance business, announced today that it has agreed to acquire privately-held Aran Insurance Services Group (Aran), a specialty program administrator with offices in Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts and New York. Founded in 2009, Aran has been led by Tim Kenny and John LaCava who have built one of the leading program administration insurance platforms in the country.

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

GPRS Locates and Acquires Master Locators – Becoming One of the Largest Privately Held Utility Locating Companies in the United States

TOLEDO, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, LLC ("GPRS"), has acquired Master Locators utility locating business ("Master Locators"), a leading provider of private utility locating, concrete scanning, vacuum excavation, SUE and video pipe inspection services. Master Locators' clients include utilities, engineering firms, and contractors who rely on its services to identify and map the presence of subsurface structures using ground penetrating radar and other locating techniques. Master Locators represents the fourth acquisition for GPRS.

"This is a terrific opportunity for us," said Gus Sareyka, President of Master Locators. "The new partnership with GPRS and CIVC gives us additional capital and resources, enabling Master Locators to better serve our customers and support our growth."

Kyle Sareyka, Chief Operating Officer of Master Locators, added, "GPRS is the market leader in the private locating industry and we are excited to partner with Matt Aston and his team to continue to extend GPRS' leadership position." Kyle Sareyka will join GPRS as the Regional Director of the company's Northeast Region. Master Locators' Vacuum Excavation business will form a new company Level A Underground Solutions that will continue to service its existing customers and work closely with GPRS to provide a full suite of subsurface utility engineering solutions.

Master Locators enhances GPRS' market position in the private utility locating, concrete scanning, and video pipe inspection markets by adding scale to GPRS' existing business in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut.

"Master Locators represents a highly complementary acquisition for GPRS that enhances our market position in several rapidly growing regions," said Matt Aston, President of GPRS. "Master Locators operates with strong core values around humility, integrity and passion. We are excited to collaborate with Master Locators' management team to better serve our customers' current and future needs."

About GPRS:

GPRS, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, provides private utility locating and concrete scanning services to utilities, contractors, engineering firms and environmental consultants in every major market in the United States. To learn more, visit: https://www.gp-radar.com/.

About Master Locators:

Master Locators is headquartered in Glen Mills, PA providing private utility locating services primarily in the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas. To learn more, visit https://masterlocators.com.

About Level A Underground Solutions:

Level A is headquartered in Glen Mills, PA providing vacuum excavation and SUE services in the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas. To learn more, visit https://levelaunderground.com.

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, LLC ("GPRS"), has acquired Master Locators utility locating business ("Master Locators"), a leading provider of private utility locating, concrete scanning, vacuum excavation, SUE and video pipe inspection services.

Related link: https://www.gp-radar.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Acquires Trumark Insurance and Financial Services

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today the acquisition of Trumark Insurance & Financial Services, a Pleasanton, CA-based Brokerage/General Agency specializing in the institutional financial advisory market.

The acquisition will bring Trumark into EPIC's growing Financial Services Practice and will complement the offerings of EPIC's Vanbridge business, which focuses on alternative asset management, corporate and individual high net worth clients, and solving risk related issues utilizing insurance and alternative capital.

"The addition of Trumark is an exciting step forward for EPIC's Financial Services business, and an excellent opportunity to mutually build on each other's success," said Peter Garvey, CEO of EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants. "This transaction furthers our commitment to building our Financial Services Practice across the country, and we are delighted that the Trumark team has elected to join us on this journey."

"I'm very proud of the company we've built over the last 20 years and believe that joining EPIC is the ideal path forward," said Tim Bellig, Principal of Trumark.

Added Tom Bellig, also a Principal of Trumark, "Joining EPIC provides us with an extraordinary, complementary portfolio of products and services as well as a significant distribution opportunity."

"We are excited about what this acquisition means for our evolving Financial Services Practice," said Mitchell K. Smith, Managing Principal of Vanbridge, an EPIC company. "The addition of Trumark gives EPIC and the Vanbridge business greater depth, scale, and flexibility, allowing our team to further leverage the best-in-class solutions we continue to assemble for the benefit of our clients."

The transaction closed August 1, 2019 and terms were not disclosed.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and Vanbridge

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/.

Vanbridge is an insurance intermediary and program management business acquired by EPIC in 2018. Vanbridge focuses on alternative asset management, corporate and individual high net worth clients; solving risk related issues utilizing insurance and alternative capital.

Vanbridge's life insurance, executive benefit and financial advisory wholesale distribution business, consults for advisors and agents around the country. This operation is headquartered in Boca Raton, FL. For additional information about Vanbridge, an EPIC company please visit https://www.vanbridge.com/ or http://www.vbiservices.com.

About Trumark

Trumark's team of advanced point-of-sale specialists, forms strategic partnerships with institutional financial advisors, broker-dealers, P&C firms, RIAs and independent advisors. They implement risk management solutions for their high net worth individual and business clients using an array of insurance products. Trumark's team provides unparalleled expertise in the areas of product evaluation, product structuring, underwriting and case management to deliver professional, ethical solutions that enhance the advisor's relationship with their client. For additional information, please visit https://trumarkfinancial.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today the acquisition of Trumark Insurance & Financial Services, a Pleasanton, CA-based Brokerage/General Agency specializing in the institutional financial advisory market.

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

Memphis-based Venture Capital Firm Innova Announces Sale of Portfolio Company Arkis Biosciences to Integra LifeSciences

MEMPHIS, Tenn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Innova Memphis, a Memphis-based early stage venture capital firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of its portfolio company Arkis Biosciences. Knoxville-based Arkis, a neuro-surgical medical device company, has been acquired by Integra LifeSciences Holding Corporation, a leading medical technology company.

"The acquisition of Arkis Biosciences strengthens Integra's offerings in neurocritical care and Integra's position as the world leader in advanced catheter technology," according to a press release issued on July 29 by Integra; furthermore Dan Reuvers, president of Codman Specialty Surgical says: "Today's acquisition expands our leading portfolio to better treat patients and underscores our commitment to addressing unmet needs in patient care."

Innova was an early investor in Arkis and led the company's Series A round in 2016.

Ken Woody, Innova President and Arkis Board Chair says: "We were very impressed with the team, and technology from day one. I worked closely with Chad Seaver and the management team, and saw their daily commitment to product quality and compassion for the patients. This was a great outcome for Arkis, and we could not have picked a better company to acquire this lifesaving technology than Integra. I'm very proud of the Arkis team and thrilled with the outcome for our co-investors."

Jan Bouten, Partner at Innova further states, "This is a great win for Tennessee. Arkis was founded by a physician from UT Medical Center and an engineer with a PhD from UT. They got started in the UT Research Foundation Business Incubator. This outcome is a great demonstration of Innova's thesis: 1) invest local, 2) invest early, 3) invest in great teams, and 4) invest in promising technologies that fill a real customer need. From there, we work very closely with the Founders as they grow their business and we bring other investors along with us."

Innova led a strong syndicate of investors who believed in the Arkis team and mission, including Angel Capital Group, Lighthouse Fund, and several other Angel investors from Tennessee and across the U.S. We're grateful for the support these co-investors gave Arkis as they grew and commercialized their product line.

"Many of our investors have a background in healthcare and are passionate impact investors. Innova was an ideal partner for Arkis due to their extensive experience in MedTech and their relationships in the industry. I think it is important for investors of a Medical Device company to appreciate the regulatory hurdles, sales cycles, and other challenges often faced in the industry. I'm grateful for our investors' passion, dedication, and especially for their support and confidence in the team," said Chad Seaver, founder and CEO of Arkis Biosciences.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Innova Memphis:

Innova is a pre-seed, seed and early-stage investor focused on starting and funding high-growth companies in Life Sciences, Technology and AgTech fields. Innova links capital with great ideas to create groundbreaking products and services. With more than $35M deployed in over 100 companies, Innova is one of the most experienced investors in the Mid South and Southeast. The firm was started in Memphis in 2007 by the Bioworks Foundation.

For more information visit https://www.innovamemphis.com/

Innova Memphis, a Memphis-based early stage venture capital firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of its portfolio company Arkis Biosciences. Knoxville-based Arkis, a neuro-surgical medical device company, has been acquired by Integra LifeSciences Holding Corporation, a leading medical technology company.

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

Skin Care Center of Bonita Springs Joins Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Skin Cancer Center of Bonita Springs is now part of Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, a family-focused practice with offices throughout Florida. Our team of providers treat all types of skin and scalp conditions. We are committed to providing excellence in patient care and will be offering more services to better serve the community in the future. Many of the current staff members will remain with our practice.

Dr. K. Wade Foster, Medical Director of Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, said "What sets us apart is our ability to diagnose and treat skin cancer, with highly-specialized physicians and the latest techniques." K. Wade Foster received his M.D. and Ph.D. (Biochemistry) from the University of Alabama Birmingham. He completed both his internship and residency at UAB and his Procedural Dermatology Fellowship at UCLA David Geffen school of Medicine and the West Los Angeles V.A. Medical Center under Dr. Ron Moy. He has been medical director of Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers since July 2008.

Dr. David S. Freitag joins Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers. He received his masters degree in Organic Chemistry at Harvard College and his M.D. from Georgetown University. Dr. Frietag completed his internship and residency at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and his Fellowship at UCLA in Santa Monica. He has been in private practice in Washington DC and SW Florida since 1989.

While Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers provides the full spectrum of dermatology and skin care services, our team of physicians, ARNPs, and PAs are experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancers. Medical Director K. Wade Foster, M.D., Ph.D., is Fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery, which is the most effective technique for most skin cancers, with minimal scarring or risk. He and his team use proven, advanced technologies to remove cancers, preserve healthy skin, and restore natural appearance.

About Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers:

Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, based in Winter Haven, Florida, treats all types of skin and scalp conditions. Medical director K. Wade Foster, MD, PhD, is Fellowship-trained in Mohs surgery, which is the most effective technique for most skin cancers, with minimal scarring or risk. Several convenient locations serve patients throughout Florida. Complete office listings are available on the company website.

For more information about Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, visit https://www.fldscc.com/ or contact Cora Ligon at 863.838.5475.

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Skin Cancer Center of Bonita Springs is now part of Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers, a family-focused practice with offices throughout Florida. Our team of providers treat all types of skin and scalp conditions. We are committed to providing excellence in patient care and will be offering more services to better serve the community in the future.

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