Tag Archives: Washington D.C. Business

New Book ‘Total Sh*t Donald Trump’ Skewers the President

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Author Paul Orwell's new book "Total Sh*t Donald Trump" (ISBN: 978-1733807302; ppb; Oceania Press) released today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and many other platforms, makes the case that the president is, in a sense, "the physical embodiment of our nation's collective excrement" and that "we citizens have a duty to flush it, not just shovel it."

While Orwell acknowledges that Trump is consistently inconsistent unlike any other President before him, he asserts that Trump is a conscious, committed and unapologetic turd.

The book contains numerous pithy author insights, including:

* Hundreds of phrases of Trumpspeak in a "sh*ttery" at the back of the book. "Trumpspeak" is POTUS 45's version of Newspeak from namesake George Orwell's book "1984."

* Reasons why many Americans think the President's sh*t doesn't stink. Not a matter of olfactory glands but a matter of mental avoidance, delusion and the collective suspension of disbelief.

* Advice to all Americans as to how to help evacuate Trump from the American body. A simple step remedy is described, which would make a timely and effective laxative for the U.S.A.

* (and much more, uncensored!)

"The general public is not as comfortable as Don is in the land of lying, litigation, exaggeration and misinformation, which gave Trump great advantage through the election," says author Paul Orwell. "But in November 2020 the electorate will have a chance to get toilet plungers out and give politicians their quadrennial cleaning at the ballot box."

Land of the Free:
"Total Sh*t Donald Trump" is published by Oceania Press today as a free eBook at https://pr.bookfunnel.com/gqcknk.

Available in Print:
The book is available for purchase for $5.95 in paperback from major booksellers; and available in Kindle and print at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QMSX3WD. It contains 82 pages.

About the Author:
Paul Orwell is the author of "Total Sh*t: Donald Trump," a satirical essay about our president that uses "sh*t" as a metaphor to describe Trump, and the book "SAD! Donald 'Biff' Trump Is President," which catalogs the striking similarities between Donald Trump and the bully Biff Tannen from "Back to the Future II."

Orwell is a businessman and writer living in Washington, D.C. who believes that Dirty Don is soiling America and that regular Republicans and Democrats have much more in common than Big Media wants them to believe. He fervently hopes that once the "Trumpster fire" has been extinguished, America can heal again.

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

Follow Paul on social media at:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/paulorwell1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paul.orwell.56

Special book supporter launch account on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrumpTruffles

*PHOTO link for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-0510s2p-totalshtrump-300dpi.jpg

Author Paul Orwell's new book "Total Sh*t Donald Trump" (ISBN: 978-1733807302; ppb; Oceania Press) released today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and many other platforms, makes the case that the president is, in a sense, "the physical embodiment of our nation's collective excrement" and that "we citizens have a duty to flush it, not just shovel it."

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

NEXT and Housing Finance Strategies Form Strategic Alliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NEXT Mortgage Events, creator of NEXT women's mortgage technology summit, today announced it has engaged in a strategic alliance with Housing Finance Strategies, a Washington, DC-based advisory firm led by renowned industry veteran and award winner Faith Schwartz, former executive director of HOPE NOW.

This alliance enables NEXT to establish a Washington, DC presence and expand its footprint into housing policy and regulations. It also allows Housing Finance Strategies to increase its visibility and reach among the NEXT community, which includes thousands of high-ranking women mortgage executives, and the organizations that support them.

The companies plan to collaborate on a variety of projects that advance executives' industry knowledge of housing policy and regulations, and promote effective deal-making.

"This collaboration avails a new level of intel to the NEXT community and puts a lot of power behind our growth plans," said Jeri Yoshida, co-founder of NEXT. "Housing Finance Strategies is respected across the housing industry for its expertise, and Faith is renowned for decades of noteworthy accomplishments. We're thrilled for the advances this collaboration will bring to the industry."

"Having served as the keynote speaker at the NEXT Technology conference earlier this year on behalf of FormFree, I was enamored with the niche NEXT serves," said Faith Schwartz, Owner of Housing Finance Strategies, LLC. "The intersection of my consulting firm -- with clients ranging from big 4 consulting firms to non-banks and fintechs -- and NEXT is a tremendous fit and the timing with all the housing related issues in play is prescient."

"NEXT is known for delivering the type of executive intel that changes business outcomes, as well as individual careers," said Molly Dowdy, co-founder of NEXT. "This strategic alliance will turbocharge what NEXT delivers as Faith and Housing Finance Strategies bring unrivaled thought leadership to the NEXT community on a consistent basis."

The two firms will continue to operate their businesses and corporate entities without a change in structure while leveraging the benefits of the alliance.

About NEXT Mortgage Events LLC:

In January 2018, NEXT Mortgage Events broke the mortgage industry's unspoken barriers that limit women's access to competitive intel and networking-based information exchange, when it introduced NEXT, the mortgage technology summit for women. NEXT is a two-day, tech-focused symposium based on lenders sharing competitive intel with other lending executives. A boutique gathering, each NEXT event is limited to 200 attendees, and targets a select group of decision making executives. Roughly 85-90 percent of lender attendees hold a title of VP or higher and approximately 85 percent of attendees are women. NEXT is held twice a year, in winter and summer. For more information visit NEXTMortgageConference.com, follow @NEXTmtgEvents or email info@NEXTmortgageEvents.com.

About Housing Finance Strategies:

Housing Finance Strategies is a small woman-owned business founded in 2016 to provide Strategic Advisory Services, Government and Industry Relations, Public Policy Expertise, Roundtable and Event Management and Professional Speaking Services. The firm brings 25+ years of expertise to the forefront of mortgage, including leading fintech change, advising on GSE reform and ensuring non bank readiness for regulatory oversight. For more information, visit HousingFinanceStrategies.com or email admin@housingfinancestrategies.com.

NEXT Mortgage Events, creator of NEXT women's mortgage technology summit, today announced it has engaged in a strategic alliance with Housing Finance Strategies, a Washington, DC-based advisory firm led by renowned industry veteran and award winner Faith Schwartz, former executive director of HOPE NOW.

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

DC Startup Sorcero Brings New Tech to Adult Learners at Byte Back

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Learning technology skills requires technology. That's why Byte Back and Sorcero recently started teaming up to integrate AI software that makes learning and retaining information easier in the tech classroom.

Byte Back, a D.C.-based nonprofit with 22 years of experience providing inclusive tech education, and Sorcero, a D.C.-based startup, are a natural fit. This is the first community-serving direct-impact nonprofit that Sorcero has partnered with to test its software, and they see it as an opportunity to enhance their product while also making a positive impact in the community.

In Byte Back's CompTIA A+ course, which started last month, students use official A+ guides with more than 1,300 pages of material. It takes time and repetition to master it all and be ready for two challenging certification exams.

With Sorcero, it's easier and quicker. Students enter questions and instantly get answers sourced directly from the curriculum, guides, and the instructors themselves.

"Unlike using a traditional search engine, where there can be too much information, Sorcero is much more focused," said Andrew Quilpa, Byte Back technical instructor, who first piloted the software in his CompTIA IT Fundamentals course in fall 2018.

"They get the answers that will help them ultimately pass the test," said Quilpa, adding that it makes studying at home easier because they can use the software on computers, through email, or even through text message. When they're ready for job interviews, they can refer back. And, when they start their first tech job, they can continue learning and get answers to help them succeed in the IT workplace.

The software also puts tech within reach for adults who may not have access to devices at home. "For Byte Back students who don't have a computer at home, Sorcero is a huge help because they can use it through SMS," Quilpa said.

For Sorcero, testing at Byte Back is an essential part of creating a product that is useful for diverse users with an array of tech skills. "Often times, we have found that technology is not always optimized for the lives of people like the students of Byte Back - people who may not have laptops at home, who may not be able to spend as much time using tech," said Dipanwita Das, the CEO and founder of Sorcero. "We want Byte Back students to help inform the design of Sorcero from the very beginning."

The startup is donating their product to the nonprofit, looking to make an impact, with a "community of learners to make sure they don't continue to be left out," Das said.

"Providing students with a flexible learning tool they can use anywhere and anytime greatly enhances their chances of succeeding in class," said Mark Rivera, education manager at Byte Back.

ABOUT BYTE BACK:

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

ABOUT SORCERO:

Sorcero is a cognitive technology company that has reimagined knowledge and learning to help people do remarkable things. Developed by MIT Media Lab veterans, Sorcero is turning chatbots, virtual assistants and search on their heads. Uniquely transparent, Sorcero supercharges performance with frictionless access to contextual answers, knowledge and learning-making people smarter and more productive. Instantly. See more at https://www.sorcero.com/.

Learning technology skills requires technology. That's why Byte Back and Sorcero recently started teaming up to integrate AI software that makes learning and retaining information easier in the tech classroom.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

Byte Back to Bring Free Tech Career Training to Baltimore

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Byte Back, a growing tech education nonprofit, today announced that Chrissie Powell was named as the organization's Baltimore Site Director, leading the launch of its first expansion outside the Washington, D.C. metro region. This past October, Byte Back won a $1 million CAD ($775,000 USD) TD Ready Challenge grant to expand to Baltimore. Powell's hire represents an important step in expanding efforts to equip adults on the other side of the digital divide with the technology skills they need to succeed.

"Baltimore is a special city filled with intelligent, innovative minds just waiting to be ignited," Powell said. "This, coupled with my in-depth knowledge and experience within Baltimore's workforce development community, provides a sweet recipe for a successful Byte Back expansion."

Powell has been in the community nonprofit sector since 2012, formerly a leader at Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake. "I'm honored for the opportunity to serve Baltimore and her residents once again," she said.

"Thousands of adults in cities around the country are looking for opportunities to fully participate in the digital economy and to earn a living wage. Byte Back is thrilled to be bringing that opportunity to Baltimore," said Elizabeth Lindsey, executive director of Byte Back. "Chrissie's passion and drive will help put tech within reach in a whole new community."

Byte Back has been increasingly in the national spotlight, as an expert in digital inclusion and tech diversity, and will now expand their on-the-ground impact.

Powell will work with community partners to recruit and train students and corporate partners to hire Byte Back graduates after they graduate. Free tech training for adults in Baltimore city is planned to launch by summer 2019, with at least 72 students receiving training by the end of the year.

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

Byte Back, a growing tech education nonprofit, today announced that Chrissie Powell was named as the organization's Baltimore Site Director, leading the launch of its first expansion outside the Washington, D.C. metro region. This past October, Byte Back won a $1 million CAD ($775,000 USD) TD Ready Challenge grant to expand to Baltimore.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

American Society of Appraisers (ASA) partners with Anow to give real property appraisers a competitive edge

RED DEER, Alberta /ScoopCloud/ -- Anow, creator of the leading software for real estate appraisal offices, today announced a partnership with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) that gives members a significant discount off Anow's core appraisal office management platform and early access to the tech firm's cutting-edge products currently in development.

"ASA and Anow are working together to help real property appraisers modernize time-consuming tasks," said ASA International President Robert Morrison. "Anow makes it simple for independent appraisers to get better organized, measurably more productive and more in tune with their businesses - and through our affiliation, appraisers can have a say in the future of industry technology as well."

"Anow's appraisal office management platform automates scheduling, updates, invoicing and payroll so appraisers can dedicate their time to what they do best: real property appraisals," said Marty Haldane, founder and CEO of Anow. "We exist to make life easier for appraisers, and we're thrilled to partner with the ASA to bring members into our beta program so they can be among the first to benefit from our next exciting innovations in appraisal technology."

As part of the ASA's affinity program, members now have access to the following Anow benefits:
* 20 percent off a 12-month Anow subscription
* An invitation to participate in Anow's closed beta programs
* Priority consideration of member suggestions by Anow's development team.

Anow and the ASA are co-hosting a virtual lunch and learn on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 12 p.m. ET that will include a demo Anow and review of affinity program benefits. To register, visit http://resources.anow.com/webinar-asa-february26/.

ABOUT ANOW:

Anow is an appraisal management software developer that simplifies the way real estate appraisers manage their businesses. Launched in 2011 by multi-generational appraisal professional Marty Haldane, Anow streamlines a wide range of everyday appraisal processes while offering unmatched business insights to help appraisers compete in today's digital environment.

Powerful order tracking, job assignment, collaboration, and scheduling tools allow appraisers and administrative staff to save time, assign appraisals more easily and deliver exceptional service to clients and mortgage lenders from any web-enabled device. Advanced reporting enables business owners to manage fee competition and turn times with ease. Anow is headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta. For more information, visit https://anow.com/.

ABOUT AMERICAN SOCIETY OF APPRAISERS (ASA)

ASA is an international organization of appraisal professionals and others dedicated to the education, development and growth of the appraisal profession. ASA is the oldest and only major organization representing all disciplines of appraisal specialists, originating in 1936 and incorporating in 1952. ASA's headquarters is in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. Visit the ASA Web site at http://www.appraisers.org/.

Twitter: @AppraisersNow @ASAappraisers #appraisaltech

Anow, creator of the leading software for real estate appraisal offices, today announced a partnership with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) that gives members a significant discount off Anow's core appraisal office management platform and early access to the tech firm's cutting-edge products currently in development.

Related link: https://anow.com/

Brainy Camps Association Launches ‘Be Gluten Free Family Camp’ for Youth with Celiac Disease

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, announced that it will be launching a family camp for youth with celiac disease in summer 2019. Adding to its consortium of 12 condition-specific camps, Be Gluten Free Family Camp, or BG Free for short, was founded in conjunction with the Gastroenterology Department of Children's National Health System.

Registration has officially opened for the 3-day, 2-night program, as well as for Brainy Camps' other summer programs. The camp is scheduled to run July 12 to July 14, 2019.

BG Free will provide opportunities for children and their families to learn about celiac disease in an environment that is supportive, safe, fun, and of course, gluten-free. Brainy Camps, which works in partnership with departments at Children's National, is a subsidiary of the Washington D.C.-based pediatric hospital.

"Camp Be Gluten-Free represents an opportunity for kids with celiac disease and their families to build a support system by connecting with other children and families living a gluten-free lifestyle," said Vanessa Weisbrod, gluten-free diet education director at Children's National. "We plan to offer activities to benefit the entire family, including cooking classes, support groups and social outlets like bonfires with gluten-free s'mores and a family talent show. We hope to build camaraderie and a truly celiac strong community."

Susan Mehlman, assistant director of Brainy Camps, said: "Brainy Camps is excited to add a thirteenth camp to our consortium of medically managed, residential camps serving children with chronic health conditions. Be Gluten Free Family Camp will allow kids to meet others like themselves and their families to gain support from one another as they learn about the condition from experts in the field. We welcome the gastroenterology team from Children's National as they guide the families through their first summer with Brainy Camps."

The campsite is located in Saint George, Va.

About Brainy Camps:

Brainy Camps Association, a 501(c)(3) charity and subsidiary of Children's National Health System, is a consortium of residential and family camps, retreats and services for children with chronic health conditions. With the help of over 150 volunteers, the organization serves more than 500 children each year. Brainy Camps' mission is to help youth with chronic health conditions live well and reach their potential.

Through week-long condition-specific camps and support and leadership programs, Brainy Camps offers children the opportunity to meet peers, mentors and counselors with the same conditions and to learn skills in medical self-management. Since its founding in 1994, Brainy Camps has expanded to host condition-specific camps for children with a range of health conditions, including neurofibromatosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart disease, Down syndrome, hemiplegic/diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, high functioning autism spectrum disorder, celiac disease, Tourette syndrome and childhood obesity, as well as a program for youth transitioning to adulthood.

To learn more about Brainy Camps visit: https://www.brainycamps.com/.

Twitter: @BrainyCamps @childrenshealth

Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, announced that it will be launching a family camp for youth with celiac disease in summer 2019. Adding to its consortium of 12 condition-specific camps, Be Gluten Free Family Camp, or BG Free for short, was founded in conjunction with the Gastroenterology Department of Children's National Health System.

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

Byte Back Wins CDN $1 Million TD Grant for Expansion

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Today, TD announced Byte Back as one of 10 recipients of the inaugural TD Ready Challenge grants. Each recipient organization will receive CDN $1 million (USD $775,000) to help them scale innovative solutions aimed at preparing North Americans for the economy of the future.

With a focus on financial security, the recipients of this year's Challenge will apply the grants to solutions they have designed to help workers transform their existing skills and build new ones and help reduce barriers to STEM training for underrepresented groups to open doors for individuals who have the greatest risk of falling behind due to rapid technological advancement.

Byte Back is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects communities with inclusive tech training and pathways into living-wage careers. With the CDN $1 million investment, Byte Back will expand into Baltimore in 2019 and begin to fully explore a national expansion. This is the first time in 21 years that the nonprofit has expanded outside the Washington, D.C. region.

The technology skills gap Byte Back addresses isn't unique to its home region. In the U.S., 28 million adults are living in poverty. Since 2002, the U.S. economy has lost 28 million low tech jobs that have disappeared or now require medium and high tech skills. Byte Back provides a unique solution for adults who haven't had the opportunity to use technology in their careers.

"The changing workplace presents new opportunities for a prosperous economy, but we must grow in ways that allow everyone a chance to succeed," says Bharat Masrani, Group President and Chief Executive Officer, TD Bank Group. "Fortunately, there is no shortage of innovative ideas to support greater income stability - ideas that can open doors and help people feel more confident in the future."

With this investment from TD, Byte Back will train at least 72 people in Baltimore in the first year and set the stage for the organization's national expansion.

"Thousands of adults are still struggling to succeed in the digital economy, and we cannot leave them behind. They deserve education opportunities, they deserve to fully participate in a digital world, and they deserve living-wage careers," said Elizabeth Lindsey, executive director of Byte Back. "We're really dreaming now about what it looks like for our impact to expand to hundreds and thousands more people across the country."

About the TD Ready Challenge:

Acting as a springboard for social innovation, TD established the TD Ready Challenge to identify and support scalable solutions to a specific issue identified within The Ready Commitment. In its inaugural year, the issue of focus for the TD Ready Challenge was helping to increase income stability and encouraged non-for-profit organizations across North America that are working on innovative solutions to help increase income stability and help improve the skills people will need for the economy of the future. In total, TD granted $10 million (CDN) under the 2018 Challenge.

From over 200 submissions, TD shortlisted 15 semi-finalists who presented their solutions on September 7, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario.

These semi-finalists were then judged in two rounds by a panel composed of TD executives and external subject matter experts, including Linda Nazareth, economist and trends expert, and Jennifer Tescher, president and CEO, Centre for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI). Ten finalists were then chosen by the panel at the close of the second round.

About Byte Back:

Byte Back connects communities with inclusive tech training and pathways into living-wage careers. For 21 years, its innovative training pathway has helped hundreds of graduates move from low tech skills to recognized certifications and into careers that use technology.

Byte Back's TD Ready Challenge Solution: Byte Back Ready - Proven Pathways to Economic Success
* Byte Back will scale its inclusive training pathway from the Washington, DC region into Baltimore, helping more people enter life-changing careers and fully participate in the digital economy.

Learn more about Byte Back at: https://byteback.org/

2018 TD Ready Challenge grantees include:
* ACCES Employment (Canada - Ontario): Women in Technology
o Recognizing emerging high-growth areas in STEM, ACCES Employment will provide immigrant women with training, employer connections and experiential learning to help secure and retain competitive employment in programming and cybersecurity, in collaboration with Seneca College.

* Canada Learning Code (Canada - Ontario): Unlocking the Power of Code - Digital Literacy Education for Adults
o This education initiative will offer hands-on, accessible learning experiences for mid-career individuals to increase their digital literacy and technological knowledge to thrive in a rapidly-changing job market, while acting as a bridge for adults interested in making a career shift into technology.

* Ecole des entrepreneurs de Quebec (Canada - Quebec): Previsio Software with Financial Literacy Training
o To address the challenge of financial forecasting for entrepreneurs as they evaluate the viability of their projects, this program will enhance capabilities and tools to help increase entrepreneurs' financial literacy and enable them to make strategic decisions based on business results.

* Immigrant Access Fund Canada (Canada - Alberta): Increasing Income Stability for Skilled Immigrants
o This program will increase income stability for newcomers with a program providing low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to skilled immigrants to fund the costs of training and recertification, while offering support and guidance to unlock participants' past education and experience.

* JEVS Human Services (US - Pennsylvania): JEVS-College for America - Greater Philadelphia Area
o A collaborative effort with Southern New Hampshire University's College for America (CfA), this initiative will address the inaccessibility of post-secondary education for those from low-income families by offering the opportunity for individuals to attend employer-driven degree programs, while providing direct access to living wage opportunities.

* Jobs for the Future (JFF) and Audacious Futures (Cross-Border - Massachusetts): Scaling AudaciousYou - the Google Maps for the Future of Work and Learning
o AudaciousYou, a personalized, research-backed, AI-powered upskilling/reskilling solution, will be scaled to help empower workers at risk from automation and a changing world of work to develop future-ready skills and connect to job opportunities by employing a holistic approach, including video and AI technologies.

* Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) (US - Pennsylvania): Creating Income Security through Technology-Based Workforce Development
o A partnership between PHMC and Homeworks N' Camden, a local nonprofit, this initiative will work with young adults to build towards a sustainable future by blending intensive coding with technology skills through a nationally-recognized workforce development curriculum.

* Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology (Canada - Ontario): TD-HELIX Transformation Initiative
o To tackle the challenge of reskilling mid-career professionals whose jobs might be impacted by changes in the labour market, the program will change their 'career DNA' and improve individuals' skills as creative thinkers, problem-solvers, communicators and collaborators.

* The WoodGreen Foundation (Canada - Ontario): Accelerating Possibilities - Creating Sustainable Pathways to Success in a Changing Landscape
o This initiative will bring together and scale four of WoodGreen's most successful advancement programs in an innovative accelerator program to position mid-career participants for financial stability and sustainable employment.

TD Ready Challenge is part of The Ready Commitment, a multi-year program targeting CDN $1 billion (US $775 million) in total by 2030 towards community giving.

To learn more about the grant recipients and the TD Ready Challenge, visit https://www.td.com/corporate-responsibility/ready-commitment/ready-challenge.jsp.

Additional details about The Ready Commitment can be found at https://www.td.com/corporate-responsibility/ready-commitment/index.jsp

About TD Bank Group:
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group ("TD" or the "Bank"). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 25 million customers in three key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Retail, including TD Canada Trust, TD Auto Finance Canada, TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank(r), TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in TD Ameritrade; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 12 million active online and mobile customers. TD had CDN$1.3 trillion in assets on July 31, 2018. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE:TD).

Learn more about Byte Back:
Learn more at: https://byteback.org/

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:
(1) Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-1024s2p-ByteBack-TDpitch-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Elizabeth Lindsey, Byte Back executive director, pitches for the TD Ready Challenge on September 25 in Toronto. Byte Back was one of over 200 applicants for the grant and is one of 10 $CDN 1 million winners.

TWITTER: @ByteBackDC @TD_Canada #TDreadyChallenge #STEMeducation

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/dEPC_JKOhV8

Today, TD announced nonprofit Byte Back, Inc. as one of 10 recipients of the inaugural TD Ready Challenge grants. Each recipient organization will receive CDN $1 million (USD $775,000) to help them scale innovative solutions aimed at preparing North Americans for the economy of the future.

Related link: https://byteback.org/

Brainy Camps Association Announces Race for Every Child Team to Support Programs for Children with Chronic Conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, has announced its participation in the Race for Every Child fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The annual event, scheduled for Oct. 20, 2018, is sponsored by Children's National Health System and helps to raise funds for the pediatric hospital's many departments and causes.

Brainy Camps, a subsidiary of Children's National, has participated in the fundraiser for the past two years. The non-profit organization successfully raised more than $17,000 through the fundraiser last year and has set its goal at $25,000 this year. Donations made to the Brainy Camps Team will support camper scholarships, programming and future growth.

A schedule for the day's events includes pre-race activities, a 5K walk/run and a 100-yard kids dash. The event will be held at Freedom Plaza, several blocks from the White House.

"The Race For Every Child follows on the heels of our camp season, making it the first fundraiser of the new camp year," said Susan Mehlman, assistant director of Brainy Camps. "Many of our counselors and camp families join us at the event, making it a mini reunion for all those who are already counting down the days to next summer's camp.

"It is a fun way for us to raise money for camper scholarships while allowing us to spend quality time with our Brainy Camps friends, families and supporters. And for all those who give-big and small - it is a wonderful way of showing how important the camps are in the lives of the children we serve."

About Brainy Camps:

Brainy Camps Association, a 501(c)(3) charity, is a consortium of residential and family camps, retreats and services for children with chronic health conditions. With the help of over 150 volunteers, the organization serves more than 500 children each year. Brainy Camps' mission is to help youth with chronic health conditions live well and reach their potential.

Through week-long condition-specific camps and support and leadership programs, Brainy Camps offers children the opportunity to meet peers, mentors and counselors with the same conditions and to learn skills in medical self-management.

Since its founding in 1994, Brainy Camps has expanded to host condition-specific camps for children with a range of health conditions, including neurofibromatosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart disease, Down syndrome, hemiplegic/diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, high functioning autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome and childhood obesity, as well as a program for youth transitioning to adulthood.

To support the Race for Every Child team visit https://giving.childrensnational.org/site/TR/FundraisingTR/Race2018?team_id=2381&pg=team&fr_id=1200

To learn more about Brainy Camps visit: https://www.brainycamps.com/.

EVENT DETAILS:
Where: Freedom Plaza, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
When: October 20, 2018
7:00 a.m. Pre-Race Activities
8:45 a.m. 5K Run/Walk
10:15 a.m. Kids Dash

Twitter: @BrainyCamps @childrenshealth #RaceForEveryChild

Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, has announced its participation in the Race for Every Child fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The annual event, scheduled for Oct. 20, 2018, is sponsored by Children's National Health System and helps to raise funds for the pediatric hospital's many departments and causes.

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

Secure Insight Creates National eClosing Training Program Using DocMagic’s Total eClose Solution

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Secure Insight, a New Jersey-based data intelligence and vendor management firm, announced today at the MBA's Annual Convention & Expo that it teamed with DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, to develop and host an online training program to teach attorneys, title agents, notaries and other entities how to accomplish clear, compliant and completely paperless eClosing transactions.

Secure Insight noted that while lenders have made good progress installing digital mortgage point-of-sale solutions, it is just the initial step to implement a true eClosing solution. DocMagic developed Total eClose(TM), a comprehensive solution that enables a 100 percent paperless eClosing process from start to finish using a single-source vendor.

"Getting over the adoption hump starts with ease of use and adequate training so users feel comfortable conducting business within the eMortgage ecosystem," stated Andrew Liput, president of Secure Insight. "We partnered with DocMagic because their Total eClose solution is one of the easiest and most intuitive in the industry, which is conducive to adoption for title agents, attorneys and notaries to understand and leverage."

Secure Insight has an extensive database of more than 70,000 closing professionals that can take advantage of this vital training program, which provides the educational foundation that paves the way for their business practices to include eMortgages and eClosings. Lenders are increasingly seeking well-qualified professionals to work with and this wide-scale training program is poised to significantly move the adoption needle.

Company officials at Secure Insight say their ultimate goal is to become the industry's go-to resource for lenders to access settlement professionals who are well-trained in eClosings, similar to what the Nationwide Multi-state Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) provides for loan officers. Lenders can provide a list of approved title companies and Secure Insight then works to implement a common and consistent process for training on a national level.

Tim Anderson, director of eServices at DocMagic stated: "The new training program and centralized database will provide key information and knowledge for professionals about our industry-leading Total eClose technology and assist lenders in locating professionals who are qualified to leverage it for the benefit of consumers. Further, one of the primary issues it solves is that in a purchase market, lenders really don't choose the settlement professionals and typically don't have direct relationships with them either nor the dedicated resources to continually train them to effectively support full eClosings. The online training eMortgage Education Module helps alleviate this impediment."

The online training is officially set to launch on November 15, 2018 and will be available through a link on Secure Insight's website. To learn more, contact Secure Insight at info@secureinsight.com or (877) 758-7878.

About Secure Insight:

Secure Insight, the brand name of Secure Settlements, Inc., is the first company to offer a standardized risk management process and information database of fully risk-assessed mortgage closing professionals that protects consumers and lenders, reducing fraud and ensuring that federal regulatory requirements are met. Secure Insight monitors tens of thousands of title, settlement and real estate legal firms and professionals nationwide through proprietary technology and the mortgage industry's only National Settlement Agent Database. This database is accessed daily as a fraud prevention tool by state and federal banks, mortgage lenders and credit unions throughout the United States. For more information about Secure Insight please visit http://www.secureinsightsales.com/.

About DocMagic:

DocMagic, Inc. is the leading provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, compliance, eSign, eDelivery and eMortgage solutions for the mortgage industry. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Torrance, Calif., DocMagic, Inc. develops software, mobile apps, processes and web-based systems for the production and delivery of compliant loan document packages. The company's compliance experts and in-house legal staff consistently monitor legal and regulatory changes at both the federal and state levels to ensure accuracy. For more information on DocMagic, visit https://www.docmagic.com/.

Secure Insight, a New Jersey-based data intelligence and vendor management firm, announced today at the MBA's Annual Convention and Expo that it teamed with DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, to develop and host an online training program.

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

The ACEC Business Insurance Trust Announces Leadership Changes and New Trustee Appointments

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The American Council of Engineering Companies Business Insurance Trust (BIT) and Greyling/EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants announced today leadership changes within the Trust as well as new Trustee appointments. Current Trustees Robin S. Greenleaf, P.E., LEED AP, Robert A. Overfield, P.E., and Michael D. Klingner, P.E. have assumed new leadership roles for the ACEC BIT. Robin will serve as Chair of the BIT Trustees, Robert as Vice Chair, and Michael as Treasurer. Former Chair Gary Loesch, P.E., DEE, will remain involved with the Trust as Trustee Emeritus.

Additionally, Armando Ramos, P.E., LEED AP and Richard Humann, P.E., have been appointed Trustees for the ACEC BIT. "We are very pleased to welcome new Trustees Armando and Rich. With their extensive experience in managing engineering firms in California and the northeastern US, they bring a balanced perspective to the Trust and a thorough understanding of the risks and challenges facing engineering firms today," said Robin.

Armando Ramos is President of Ramos CS, a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm specializing in engineering, program, and construction management. Mr. Ramos has over 22 years of experience working on large-scale transit and transportation systems, international airport expansions, and federal and municipal facilities.

Mr. Ramos started his career as a Structural Engineer, where he was responsible for the design of several federal facilities and structures, including the Metro Gold Line underground tunnels and bridges in the Los Angeles area. Armando has held many ACEC leadership roles, with his most recent being ACEC Los Angeles President (2018-2019).

Mr. Richard Humann is Chairman, President, and CEO of H2M architects + engineers; H2M Associates, Inc.; and H2M Architects & Engineers, Inc., where he first started as an engineering intern in 1987. Rich became the CEO in 2013, and since been responsible for the overall performance of the firm, driving the corporate mission, vision, and values of the firm to create a working environment that promotes growth, engagement, and positive culture. "Building sustainable communities since 1933" is H2M's mission, marshalled by Rich in how he motivates and encourages all employees to make sustainable design the foundation of the firm. Rich sits on several charitable, business, and academic boards, including the Engineering Advisory Boards at Stony Brook University and the New York Institute of Technology, and the Corporate Advisory Board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The ACEC BIT is responsible for providing quality business insurance responsive to engineering firms' unique needs, delivering exceptional service to ACEC members, and offering valuable and relevant member benefits. The Trustees strive to meet and exceed member firms' expectations and are committed to helping the Program keep pace with changes in the profession.

For additional information regarding the ACEC BIT Program, please contact Jeff Connelly at Greyling/EPIC (833-223-2248 or jeff.connelly@greyling.com) or any of the following BIT Trustees:

Robin S. Greenleaf, P.E., LEED AP, F.ACEC
Phone: 617.542.0810
Email: rgreenleaf@arcengrs.com

Robert A. Overfield, P.E.
Phone: 307.587.4911
Email: robertov@eaengineers.com

Michael D. Klingner, P.E.
Phone: 217.223.3670
Email: mdk@klingner.com

Doris I. Willmer, P.E., LEED AP, F.ACEC
Phone: 770.939.9904
Email: dwillmer@willmerengineering.com

Rachel Hayden, P.E.
Phone: 214.753.8100
Email: Rachel@haydenconsultants.com

Armando Ramos, P.E., LEED AP
Phone: 626.993.6786
Email: aramos@ramoscs.com

Richard Humann, P.E.
Phone: 631.756.8000
Email: rhumann@h2m.com

Marc Alper, P.E., S.E., F.ACEC
Phone: 314.432.8600
Email: marc.alper@alperaudi.com

Gary E. Loesch, P.E. DEE
Phone: 631.756.8000, ext. 1140
Email: gloesch@h2m.com

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

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

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed 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/.

The American Council of Engineering Companies Business Insurance Trust (BIT) and Greyling/EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants announced today leadership changes within the Trust as well as new Trustee appointments. Current Trustees Robin S. Greenleaf, P.E., LEED AP, Robert A. Overfield, P.E., and Michael D. Klingner, P.E. have assumed new leadership roles for the ACEC BIT.

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

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor shares how to engage your grown kids about preparations for their own retirement

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- In his compact new book, "Parent's Guide to Your Child's Retirement: 21 Thought-Provoking Conversations to Have with Your Adult Children" (ISBN: 978-0999641415) Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor(SM) Rodger Alan Friedman, delivers an easy to follow structure that may serve to enable you and your children to have positive, engaging and thoughtful conversations regarding their future retirement.

"The book is designed for parents who have grown children who are in the workforce, children who should be salting away funds for their own future retirement. I did not write this for parents of toddlers, grade school kids or hormone raging teenagers," says Friedman. He writes that "My focus here is on kids that should be contributing to 401(k), 403(b) plans, IRA's and investing in real estate to build future wealth."

Friedman's new book is very deliberately interactive. After sharing with parents the three monsters potentially hiding under the beds of their one-day-to-be-retired kids that can hinder their retirement, he provides 21 conversation paths to engage parent and child in thoughtful, non-confrontational dialogue regarding the progress the adult child is making in preparing for their own future retirement.

Friedman clearly defends and weaves within the suggested conversations that parents are not inclined to fund their child's retirement. "Parents Guide to Your Child's Retirement" is a short 76-page guide designed as a parental tool to gauge if you should still be worried about your child.

Friedman can talk about:

* The 3 biggest risks - or monsters that can wreck your kid's retirement;
* The importance of understanding if your child has an entitlement mindset;
* Engaging in thoughtful conversations with grown kids to determine if they are a train-wreck waiting to happen or if they are on track for an independent future retirement;
* How the parents can help without funding their kids retirement.

To request a free copy of the book, please contact Rodger Alan Friedman using the information found below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rodger Alan Friedman is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor((SM) Wealth Manager and financial advisor with 35 years' experience in the industry. Friedman is a former senior vice president-wealth management and senior investment management consultant with Morgan Stanley and has authored 3 additional books on retirement planning and working with a financial advisor.

AVAILABILITY: Washington, D.C. metro area, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rodger Alan Friedman, Steward Partners Global Advisory, 7550 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 420 Bethesda, MD 20814; by phone (240) 800-3450 or Rodger.Friedman@StewardPartners.com

Steward Partners Global Advisory LLC and The Friedman, Wong, Kafetz Group maintains a separate professional business relationship with, and our registered professionals offer securities through, Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC.

In his compact new book, "Parent's Guide to Your Child's Retirement: 21 Thought-Provoking Conversations to Have with Your Adult Children" (ISBN: 978-0999641415) Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor(SM) Rodger Alan Friedman, delivers an easy to follow structure that may serve to enable you and your grown children to have positive, engaging and thoughtful conversations regarding their future retirement.

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

Legendary TV and Radio Host Donnie Simpson celebrates a 50-year career milestone announcing his highly anticipated memoir

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Oracle Group International announces the publication of "THROUGH THESE EYES: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love and The Man Behind The Music" (13th & Joan; Hardcover; On Sale: Jan. 30, 2019; $25.99; ISBN: 978-1732646469) by award-winning, influencer, humanitarian, and legend Donnie Simpson.

Through his highly anticipated memoir, Simpson chronicles the highs and lows of his extraordinary career which in 2019 will commemorate 50 years of entertaining listeners on Radio and Television.

"Through These Eyes" takes us back to where it all began, his beloved hometown of Detroit. Joining the staff at WJLB radio at 15 years old, affectionately dubbed, Donnie "The Love Bug" Simpson, quickly gained popularity with his sultry voice, warm smile, and piercing green eyes. Relocating after 15 years to Washington, D.C., he continued dominating ratings and captivating audiences, which led to his most memorable role in 1983 as the host of BET's primetime music video show, Video Soul solidifying his role as a pop culture icon.

Over several decades, Donnie has interviewed the biggest stars in the world, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Janet Jackson, James Brown, Sting, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Madonna, Smokey Robinson, President Clinton, Tom Hanks, Barry White, and so many others. Donnie has been inducted into the BET Walk of Fame and the R&B Music Hall of Fame. The only non-musician honored at that point.

"I'm always labeled as trailblazer. To this day, so many artists talk about what it meant to sit on the couch with me, the effect that it had on their careers, and it's a blessing to have been in that position," says Simpson. "The most wonderful compliment I get is when people tell me they feel like they know me. They do know me; they know my spirit. I'm the same dude all the time. 24/7, always filled with hope and love, I'm Donnie. That's my story."

"Through These Eyes," a publishing collaboration between Donnie Simpson Productions, The Oracle Group International, and 13th & Joan Publishing is available for pre-order at http://www.donniesimpson.com/.

The Oracle Group International announces the publication of "THROUGH THESE EYES: An Iconic Memoir of Life, Love and The Man Behind The Music" (13th & Joan; Hardcover; On Sale: Jan. 30, 2019; ISBN: 978-1732646469) by award-winning, influencer, humanitarian, and legend Donnie Simpson.

Related link: http://theoraclegroupinc.net/

New Study Strengthens Evidence that Fluoride Safely Prevents Tooth Decay, But Critics Ignore the Study They Once Welcomed

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- A study led by researchers at the federal government's National Toxicology Program (NTP) has found no link between elevated levels of fluoride and cognitive/learning deficits. The American Fluoridation Society (AFS) reports that the recently released NTP study examined rats that consumed food and water with varying exposures of fluoride. The researchers "observed no exposure-related differences in motor, sensory, or learning and memory performance" for any of the nine tests they conducted.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes the benefits of adding fluoride to toothpaste and drinking water. The CDC and many leading health experts recommend adding fluoride to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. Most public water systems in the U.S. add more fluoride to reach the level proven to reduce the rate of tooth decay for children and adults.

When the NTP study was first announced, an anti-fluoride group welcomed the news with a headline declaring that the study's findings "could end fluoridation." This group cited the NTP's "cutting edge scientific tools" and wrote that the NTP's decision to conduct a study "puts a lie to [proponents'] claims" about fluoridation. The American Fluoridation Society (AFS) noted that critics have been quiet since the NTP study results were publicly released.

"Critics of community water fluoridation were thrilled when the NTP said they would conduct a thorough study of this issue," said AFS President Johnny Johnson. "However, they have been as quiet as a church mouse since the NTP's findings were made public. Once again, they choose to ignore the studies that don't fit into their fear-based mindset. They're choosing silence over science."

The NTP research studied rats during their prenatal development through their adulthood. These rats consumed water with three different concentrations of fluoride (0, 10 and 20 ppm) and two different fluoride levels in food: 20.5 ppm (a standard diet) and 3.24 ppm (low-fluoride diet). Although fluoride critics often claim that fluoridation is harmful to the thyroid, the NTP study revealed that thyroid hormone levels were not altered by exposure to levels as high as 10 or 20 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride.

The only side effect found by the NTP study was inflammation of the prostate gland, which was observed only at a fluoride exposure that was far above the level of human exposure by drinking fluoridating water.

In addition to the NTP study, research published in 2015 by the American Journal of Public Health found no link at all between fluoridation and IQ scores. This 2015 study was conducted in New Zealand, where fluoridation programs are common. The New Zealand study examined a large sample of people and examined IQ scores collected over a 31-year period.

Few public health topics have been researched as thoroughly as CWF. In fact, the database maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine contains more than 56,000 studies or research papers on fluoride. And the Library's records include more than 6,400 studies that focus specifically on fluoridation.

Two other recent reports reinforce the safety of fluoridated water. In a report issued this March, Public Health England reviewed the evidence surrounding fluoridation and reached this conclusion: "The findings of this report agree with the view that water fluoridation is an effective and safe public health measure to reduce the frequency and severity of dental decay, and narrow differences in dental health between more and less deprived children and young people."

In April, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued a report stating that "there is currently no scientific basis for concerns about the safety of children and adults" due to fluoride exposure from foods and drinks.

For more information, visit https://americanfluoridationsociety.org/.

A study led by researchers at the federal government's National Toxicology Program (NTP) has found no link between elevated levels of fluoride and cognitive/learning deficits. The American Fluoridation Society (AFS) reports that the recently released NTP study examined rats that consumed food and water with varying exposures of fluoride.

Related link: https://americanfluoridationsociety.org/

Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Shares How to Avoid Living in Your Kid’s Basement When You Retire

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- In his compact new book, "The Mindset of Retirement Success: 7 Winning Strategies to Change Your Life" (ISBN: 978-0999641408), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Rodger Alan Friedman, delivers blunt advice to anyone who has been putting off retirement planning.

Friedman's new book is meant to provide the attitude change recalcitrant savers need to start saving now so they won't get caught short when their paychecks inevitably stop coming.

"There is a staggering amount of information available on preparing for retirement, so a lack of information is not the problem. Rather, it is putting that information to good use, and that is all about what you are willing to do and your mindset. This is what the book is all about," says Friedman.

"The Mindset of Retirement Success" consists of seven chapters each containing action steps. Chapters include: Retirement Issues You Will Face; Are You Willing To Do What Is Necessary?; Visualize Your Ideal Retirement; Hold Yourself Accountable; Don't Go It Alone, Assemble a Team; Set Higher Goals and Get Started Now.

In his book, Friedman writes: "Becoming aware of the potentially severe consequences if you do not make planning and investing for retirement a priority is a great first step. I doubt you would look forward to being a greeter at a big box store in your golden years. ... Most definitely, you do not want to end up in your sister's basement, or worse, your kids' basements because you failed to plan and then ran out of money. Explaining to your future granddaughter why you live in her basement is not a conversation you will eagerly anticipate. You will either have a plan for your future, or you will reluctantly be part of someone else's plans for you."

Friedman can talk about:
* Five major risks you face, as you get closer to retirement.
* The importance of paying yourself before you pay your credit card debt, bills or car loans.
* The advantages of having an accountability buddy and a team to have your back.
* Five actions to take to get started now.

The book is available at all major book sellers, including Amazon at: http://a.co/ecVzExo

About The Author:

Rodger Alan Friedman is a chartered retirement planning counselor and financial advisor with more than 30 years' experience in the industry. Friedman is a former senior vice president-wealth management and senior investment management consultant with Morgan Stanley. He is also the author of "Forging Bonds Of Steel: How to Build a Successful and Lasting Relationship with Your Financial Advisor" and "Fire Your Retirement Planner You: Concise Advice on How to Join the $100,000 Retirement Club."

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

Praise for The Book:

"Rodger does a fabulous job pointing out that we, ultimately, are the ones who have to push ourselves to plan for our future or we only have ourselves to blame." - Mel Robbins, CNN commentator and internationally bestselling author.

"This practical book gives you a step-by-step process to help achieve financial independence and organize your life so you can enjoy your dream retirement." - Brian Tracy, bestselling author

Disclaimer: Raymond James, the book author's broker/dealer, is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the opinions of Mel Robbins or Brian Tracy.

The book is published by Rodger on Retirement Publishing, a division of Forging Bonds of Steel, LLC.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rodger Alan Friedman
(844) 3MY-PLAN
Rodger@RodgeronRetirement.com

AVAILABILITY: Washington, D.C. metro area, nationwide by arrangement and via telephone.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0118s2p-mrsbook-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Front cover, "The Mindset of Retirement Success: 7 Winning Strategies to Change Your Life" by Rodger Alan Friedman.

In his compact new book, "The Mindset of Retirement Success: 7 Winning Strategies to Change Your Life" (ISBN: 978-0999641408), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Rodger Alan Friedman, delivers blunt advice to anyone who has been putting off retirement planning.

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

Mike Klaschka of EPIC to Present on Financial Risk at DC Alternative Investment Consortium Event

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Managing Principal Mike Klaschka will present at the DC Alternative Investment Consortium (DC-AIC) on Tues., Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at The Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C.

Klaschka will present alongside Sixth Man Research Founder Mark Lapolla as they discuss with the investor and manager community the topic of risk as it relates to portfolio risk, operational risk, market risk and personnel risk. Kirk Rostron, managing partner at Mt. Vernon Capital, LLC, will moderate the discussion.

DC-AIC is a new thought group created to provide knowledge sharing and interaction among Washington-area investment advisers and fund managers in the alternative investment arena. The group recognizes the unique characteristics and international emphasis of the alternative investment community in Washington, and aspires to be an organization for industry intelligence and meaningful networking.

Click here for more information: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eemjdxkn45c2a553&llr=hkcnovdab&showPage=true.

About Mike Klaschka, managing principal, EPIC:

Mike Klaschka is a managing principal based in EPIC's New York City office. He has over 26 years of industry experience and is a highly respected and skilled negotiator in the professional liability marketplace. Klaschka has extensive experience working with financial institution, technology, real estate, private equity and complex risks with strong technical knowledge of D&O, E&O, Cyber, Fidelity, Fiduciary, Media, Employment Practices Liability and Transactional Liability.

He joined EPIC in August 2016. Prior to EPIC, Klaschka was the national leader of Integro's Management Risk Practice where he spent 11 years. Prior to Integro, he spent 10 years at Marsh & McLennan where he held various positions including head of their E&O Center of Excellence Group based in New York as well as the West Coast FINPRO placement leader for financial services, technology and commercial accounts group based in San Francisco.

Klaschka earned Bachelor of Arts Degree from Drew University in 1991 and majored in Economics with a minor in Political Science.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,300 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty insurance, Employee Benefits Consulting, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 30,000 clients.

With run rate revenues of roughly $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

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

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-1106s2p-Klaschka-300dpi.jpg

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Managing Principal Mike Klaschka will present at the DC Alternative Investment Consortium (DC-AIC) on Tues., Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at The Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C.

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

NAMB Releases Housing Outlook: Congress Needs to Make Key Changes

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NAMB, an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, has announced its housing outlook and its plans to advocate for change.

"The housing economy represents 20 percent of the national economy, but it's on the verge of stalling out even though the overall economy is moving forward at a decent rate," said NAMB president John G. Stevens. "Congress needs to shed bipartisan politics and focus on solving the numerous issues facing the housing market. NAMB plans to advocate for those changes for the remainder of this year and into 2018."

Stevens identified several key issues that are working together to create a difficult housing landscape:
* Excessive student debt is precluding new homebuyers from entering the market
* Lack of inventory in many local markets is driving prices out of reach for new homeowners
* Over regulation in the mortgage space is driving up the cost of originating loans
* Artificially low rates will increase in the future and lead to further market contraction
* Uncertainty on the future of mortgage deductions is putting people in a holding pattern.

"I believe there's a solution to many of the issues that are impeding the housing industry," said Stevens. "Let's take student loans. The average thirty-something has nearly $35,000 in student loan debt. We need to create a standard mortgage product that allows borrowers to roll their student loans into their mortgage principals at the lowest rate possible."

Certain tax policies, Stevens contends, are keeping older homeowners in their homes even when downsizing would otherwise make more sense, further contributing to inventory shortages and market stagnation. Over regulation, he adds, is driving up the costs of transacting mortgages, which ultimately get passed on to the borrower.

"NAMB is going to advocate very seriously and urge republicans and democrats to join forces in removing the impediments to family formations and housing in general that can be discharged without undue risk," Stevens said. "We-and they-need to act now, since any changes will take time to have a meaningful impact."

ABOUT NAMB:
Since 1973, NAMB has been the voice of independent mortgage professionals nationwide. NAMB offers professional education and certification programs for its members and advocates for common sense legislation and regulation aimed at helping consumers and improving business conditions for small businesses, independent mortgage companies and licensed mortgage loan originators. John G. Stevens is the current president of NAMB.

For more information, visit namb.org or follow @NAMBpros.

NAMB, an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, has announced its housing outlook and its plans to advocate for change.

Related link: http://namb.org/

NAMB Appoints John Stevens as New President

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NAMB, an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced that former president elect John Stevens has been appointed to the role of president.

Stevens has been in the mortgage industry since 2009 and has held board positions with NAMB since 2012. He has also been involved in the Utah County Planning Commission, and is actively involved in numerous state and local community efforts.

As president, Stevens is spearheading NAMB's overall strategies to grow the organization's reach by expanding its membership and enhancing the opportunities it makes available to members, homeowners and the mortgage industry's community of individual loan originators and small to midsize businesses.

"The majority of mortgages in the U.S. are originated by small to midsize businesses, yet most of the industry isn't aware of how much collective power we have when we come together as a group," said Stevens. "My main priorities this year are to raise awareness of NAMB and NAMB's efforts, to grow our membership, and to leverage our power to make even more positive changes for the brokers, bankers and businesses we represent, as well as for all American homeowners, loan originators and small to midsize mortgage companies."

Stevens' mission this year is to "educate, advocate and empower." As part of this mission, he has developed strategies to expand NAMB's education programs and advocacy efforts, further strengthen its relationships with state "-AMB" associations, and expand awareness of the diversity of its target member base, which includes mortgage brokers, bankers and businesses.

"I'm proud and honored to be named president of this organization and I'm excited about the changes we can make in the coming 12 months," said Stevens. "Our goal is to make it even easier for our members to have a voice, be represented, and deliver the quality of services that protect homeowners and new homebuyers."

NAMB was established in 1973 and is the largest mortgage-related individual member-based organization in the U.S. All board members at NAMB are volunteers in one year appointments.

About NAMB - The Association of Mortgage Professionals:

Since 1973, NAMB has been the voice of independent mortgage professionals nationwide. NAMB offers professional education and certification programs for its members and advocates for common sense legislation and regulation aimed at helping consumers and improving business conditions for small businesses, independent mortgage companies and licensed mortgage loan originators. John G. Stevens is the current president of NAMB.

For more information, visit http://namb.org/ or follow @NAMBpros.

NAMB, an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced that former president elect John Stevens has been appointed to the role of president.

Related link: http://namb.org/

Howard University Alumnus’ International Fashion and Lifestyle Brand Makes U.S. Debut at Black Hollywood

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Ochulo, an international Fashion and Lifestyle brand based in Nigeria, will make their U.S. debut during Howard University's homecoming at the legendary Social Architects' Black Hollywood extravaganza. This engaging fashion experience entitled, "The People's Paradise," presents Ochulo's revolutionary men's and women's fashions. The magic will unfold on Friday October 20, 2017 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in NW Washington, D.C.

Taking place in the Congressional Ballroom at 10:30 p.m., with a festive procession led by West African Percussion Orchestra, Farafina Kan, America gets their first close-up look at Ochulo's unique designs, bold cutting edge makeup, chic accessories, and rare art that push the boundaries of fashion and lifestyle design as we know it.

Tickets range from $20 - $75 and are available at Black Hollywood.

Products are available for viewing and purchase at https://www.ochulo.com/.

From Africa to the World, The People's Paradise will celebrate an appreciation for Africa and the global culture of fashion.

While in Washington D.C. founders Joe Philip Nzewunwah and Nwaji Jibunoh will be guest lecturers at Howard's School of Business discussing e-commerce/eBusiness and featured in the Howard University Alumni Fashion Show brunch; after which they head to NYC to visit the fashion district.

Ochulo is an international online shopping platform with an "African made & designed" mantra that started its journey in March 2017. Founded by Joe Philip Nzewunwah; former Wall Street investment banker, Howard University & Wharton Business School alum and co-founded by Nwaji Jibunoh, Howard University alum and highly experienced management consultant. Both have extensive international and local market experience providing investment advice to large multinationals and start-up SMEs.

EVENT SUMMARY:

HOST:
Social Architects'
Black Hollywood Event

Please contact us to reserve event press passes.

CALENDAR LISTING:
Fashion/Lifestyle

WHAT:
Black Hollywood - The People's Paradise

WHO: Ochulo Lifestyle

WHEN:
Friday - October 20, 2017
9:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.

PERFORMANCES: One Night Only

WHERE:
Renaissance Hotel 999 Ninth
Congressional Ballroom
Street Northwest, Washington, D.C, 20001

TICKETS: $20 - $75

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hu-homecoming-black-hollywood-tickets-35107203591?aff=es2

More information: https://www.ochulo.com/

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Davidson
301-300-4011
kellymavenmedia@gmail.com

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Ochulo, an international Fashion and Lifestyle brand based in Nigeria, will make their U.S. debut during Howard University's homecoming at the legendary Social Architects' Black Hollywood extravaganza. This engaging fashion experience entitled, "The People's Paradise," presents Ochulo's revolutionary men's and women's fashions. The magic will unfold on October 20, 2017 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in NW Washington, D.C.

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

NAMB Appoints Valerie Saunders as Its New Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NAMB, the organization that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced that it has appointed Valerie Saunders as the organization's new executive director.

In her role as executive director, Saunders is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations that support the organization's goals to increase its footprint among its target member base of mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers and mortgage businesses. Her role will involve collaborating with NAMB's board to develop strategies, and developing and implementing processes that bring those strategies to fruition.

Saunders previously served as vice president of NAMB and has been with the organization, both as a member and as a board member, for over 15 years. In addition to her role as NAMB's executive director, Saunders is vice president of Florida-based mortgage brokerage RE Financial Services, Inc.

"NAMB has experienced a great resurgence over the past several years, and our goal is to build upon that momentum and continue to grow our member base," said Saunders. "A lot of originators and mortgage businesses don't realize how much NAMB membership can protect their interests and increase opportunities for them. We have aggressive goals for educating our target members and growing the number of people who benefit from NAMB's offerings."

"Valerie has a proven track record of creating programs that benefit members and homeowners, as well as NAMB," said Fred Kreger, president of NAMB. "We're looking forward to further leveraging her knowledge, creativity and vision in growing our member base and NAMB's influence in the coming year."

NAMB is the largest mortgage-related individual member-based organization in the U.S. and was established in 1973. In addition to educational opportunities and business resources, NAMB actively lobbies and advocates for originators and homeowners on both state and national levels. NAMB's membership includes brokers, bankers and businesses that include individual originators and small to midsize organizations.

ABOUT NAMB:
NAMB has been representing the interests of small mortgage businesses, mortgage loan originators and their clients since 1973. The organization represents loan originators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and supports its members through initiatives and opportunities that help increase productivity and lower business costs, such as education, training and advocacy. NAMB offers rigorous certification programs that support the highest levels of professional knowledge and education. Its lobbying and advocacy efforts focus on national and state issues.

For more information, visit http://namb.org/ or follow @NAMBpros.

NAMB, the organization that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced that it has appointed Valerie Saunders as the organization's new executive director.

Related link: http://namb.org/

NAMB Rebrands to Better Reflect the Professional Diversity of Its Member Base

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- NAMB, an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced a rebranding that includes a new logo and marketing campaign. NAMB's new brand identity emphasizes the diversity of its member base, which includes individual loan originators and small and midsize mortgage origination businesses of all kinds-brokers, bankers and correspondent lenders.

NAMB's new logo depicts incorporates a graphic of a house divided into five segments, which represent the five regions of the country that align with NAMB's bylaws and member representation. Its marketing campaign reinforces NAMB's emphasis on each member's individuality and freedom to define its own business and focus.

"A lot of people don't realize that NAMB is not limited to brokers," said Fred Kreger, president of NAMB. "NAMB is an association for all state licensed and registered mortgage loan originators-as well as the small to midsize businesses that originate mortgages. This rebranding reflects the diversity of our member base."

NAMB was established in 1973 as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, and later changed its name to NAMB - the National Association of Mortgage Professionals before this rebrand shortened the organization's name to simply NAMB.

NAMB is the largest mortgage-related individual member-based organization in the U.S.

ABOUT NAMB - The Association of Mortgage Professionals:
NAMB has been representing the interests of small mortgage businesses, mortgage loan originators and their clients since 1973. The organization represents loan originators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and supports its members through initiatives and opportunities that help increase productivity and lower business costs, such as education, training and advocacy. NAMB offers rigorous certification programs that support the highest levels of professional knowledge and education. Its lobbying and advocacy efforts focus on national and state issues.

For more information, visit http://namb.org/ or follow @NAMBpros.

NAMB (formerly National Association of Mortgage Brokers), an association that represents the interests of individual mortgage loan originators and small to mid-size mortgage businesses, today announced a rebranding that includes a new logo and marketing campaign. NAMB's new brand identity emphasizes the diversity of its member base, which includes individual loan originators and small and midsize mortgage origination businesses of all kinds-brokers, bankers and correspondent lenders.

Related link: http://namb.org/

In ‘Abduction’ Walter Blair Has Written a Thriller for Readers Who Gravitate to Highs and Lows of a Mystery Pursuit

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Walter Blair's third novel obviously demonstrates that the success of his first two novels were not flukes. The literary skills presented by Blair in "Abduction" (2017, WBlair Publishing) place him in a class reserved for John Grisham, Danielle Steel, David Baldacci, Lee Child and Michael Connelly, to name a few.

The one thing every parent fears, the kidnapping of a young child, is the focus of "Abduction." The lives of the Madisons are irreparably altered when 5-year old Chrissy Madison is taken. A life and death struggle to find the kidnapper of a young child.

Blair's novel goes inside the minds of the abductor, the abductee, and the parents who are determined to rescue their daughter before time runs out. Blair's ingenious use of prose to depict triumph over adversity is admirable. Readers will find themselves rooting for Kourtney and Daniel, Chrissy Madison's parents.

"Abduction" will make a great movie as a compelling, utterly breathtaking drama.

"My first two novels, 'Presidential Approval' and 'The Sanction,' did better than my wildest dreams could ever have imagined," admits Blair. "They quickly picked up pace internationally, and truly may become global bestsellers. Jennifer Steele resonated extremely well with readers so I wanted to waste no time in bringing her back into their lives. These stories once again mirror the terrorism threats and activities running rampant in the real world. The final installment 'Project H2O' is two years away."

See it as a cocktail of fact and fiction with a gray area that will leave you guessing. This is a trilogy with far reaching dimensions.

"I am presently at my desk completing two novels. The first is called 'Undergrad' and the second is 'West Point.' In 'Undergrad,' my very next publication, Mozart Castle enters college as a freshman, but his academic studies are soon augmented by erogenous experiences with women who share with him the magic and mysteries of their feminine treasures. Nothing prepares Mozart for what he would discover. However, by his senior year his journey from boy to man is complete -- almost."

The author continues, "In 'West Point,' the story takes the reader to Germany where a very attractive colonel, Jane Sherwood, disappears after a night out on the town with five male officers also stationed at the U.S. Military Base in Frankfurt. Jane is never seen again. Now back in the U.S. all five of Colonel Sherwood's fellow officers are apparently marked for death. The one thing they all have in common with Jane Sherwood is that they were all once cadets at West Point Military Academy. Stay tuned, because this mystery thriller is coming into your hands sooner than you think."

Order books from: http://www.walterblairbooks.com/, https://www.basamagazines.com/ or WBlair Publishing. For eBooks go to NOOK, Amazon, and iTunes, among others.

About the Author:

Walter Blair practiced law in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, winning significant cases including the landmark immigration case embedded in U.S. v. Paul Russell, cited by the Supreme Court in Padilla v. Kentucky, 2340 S. St. 1473 (2010). In that year, Blair began to write fiction and nonfiction books. The author was educated in London, England, then New York where he completed a Bachelor's Degree at the State University of New York, New Paltz. He then completed both a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning, and a Law Degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Blair maintains his permanent residence in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Contact with concerns: Doris Staton, Marketing Rep. 610 287 7405 or the author at corporate offices 202 286 1099 or via basamagazines@gmail.com.

Walter Blair's third novel obviously demonstrates that the success of his first two novels were not flukes. The literary skills presented by Blair in "Abduction" (2017, WBlair Publishing) place him in a class reserved for John Grisham, Danielle Steel, David Baldacci, Lee Child and Michael Connelly, to name a few.

Greyling’s Gregg Bundschuh and Kent Collier to present at April 2017 Risk Management Conferences

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that managing principal Gregg Bundschuh and client executive and professional services risk consultant Kent Collier of Greyling Insurance Brokerage - a Division of EPIC, are among the featured risk management and insurance professionals presenting at two high profile events targeting the needs of large Construction and Design firms.

Greyling's Bundschuh will present at the exclusive EFCG CFO Conference for Engineering & Consulting Firms, taking place at the New York Yacht Club and Harvard Club on April 20 and 21, 2017. The event has been held annually for the past 16 years to educate invitees on the most important issues facing a CFO in the Construction and Design industry. Bundschuh will share his experience and knowledge on the increasing risks related to foreign and domestic terrorism, including cybercrime.

Collier will present at the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, being held in Washington, D.C. April 20 - 22, 2017. His session, "A Risky Proposition: The Ever Changing Role of Insurance in the Current Construction Climate - Need-to-Know Trends for In-House and Outside Counsel," will help attendees understand insurance coverage issues confronting owners, contractors and design professionals - including emerging risks impacting construction projects, such as cybercrime and terrorism.

About Gregg Bundschuh, J.D., Managing Principal, Greyling Insurance Brokerage - a Division of EPIC:

Gregg Bundschuh, J.D. is a co-founder and an equity partner of Greyling Insurance Brokerage. He is nationally recognized for his active role in addressing emerging issues that affect the construction, design, and development communities. He advises clients of the firm on their insurance programs and risk management strategies. He also provides guidance to industry organizations such as the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Bundschuh's unique perspective on risk and insurance issues reflects his background as a construction lawyer, a general counsel to an international design firm, and an insurance broker and risk consultant.

Bundschuh's experience includes design of customized insurance policies for risks associated with building information modeling (BIM) and integrated project delivery (IPD). He has developed insurance and risk management programs for domestic and international firms in a wide range of industries. In addition, he has spoken before dozens of national and international gatherings concerned with design, construction, risk management, and insurance matters. His publications include An Owners' Guide to Construction Risk Management & Insurance; the insurance chapter of the New York Construction Law Manual; and The Design/Build Deskbook.

Prior to Greyling, Bundschuh was a senior executive and leader of the Global Construction Practice with Marsh Inc. Before that, he had been general counsel for an international architecture and engineering firm and had practiced construction law with an Atlanta law firm. He is a member of the board of governors and a fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers.

Bundschuh is a 1982 graduate of Wake Forest University and holds a law degree from the University of Georgia.

About Kent Collier, J.D., CRIS, Client Executive and Professional Services Risk Consultant, Greyling Insurance Brokerage - a Division of EPIC:

Kent W. Collier, J.D., CRIS, is Associate Client Manager at Greyling Insurance Brokerage. Collier provides day-to-day service to Greyling clients by identifying, addressing, and mitigating insurance and risk issues in the architecture, engineering, construction contracting and development, environmental, and legal service fields. He advises clients on professional liability claim recognition and reporting, and he helps clients manage claims, including periodic review of outstanding and past claims. He is also responsible for drafting and negotiating professional service contracts.

Collier performs risk management consulting for clients including preparation and presentation of educational seminars, compilation and analysis of risk surveys, recommendation of and coordination with legal counsel, and answering various client questions concerning legal, insurance, and risk issues impacting the construction and engineering industry. He has experience presenting continuing education training to staff regarding risk management, contract negotiation, and insurance.

Prior to joining Greyling, Collier was a practicing attorney for over 8 years at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP in Atlanta, focusing on construction litigation and transactions. He represented architects, engineers, EPC and general contractors, owners, and specialty subcontractors in litigation across the country regarding issues such as insurance coverage, delay and lost productivity, construction defects, design errors and omissions, product liability, surety bonding, and lender liability on diverse projects including high-rise condominiums and hotels, casinos, power plants, industrial and chemical processing plants, civil and underground work, schools, and hospitals. He is a licensed attorney in Georgia, New York, and Florida, where he is a Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law. Collier was named as a "Rising Star" in Construction Litigation by Georgia Super Lawyers from 2012 through 2015.

Collier is a 2002 graduate of the University of Virginia and received his law degree in 2005 from Emory University. Collier is active in several industry organizations including the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). He is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction. Collier also holds the Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designation from the International Risk Management Institute (IRMI).

About Greyling Insurance Brokerage - a Division of EPIC:

Greyling is designed for construction and design professionals. Our leadership includes attorneys, engineers, environmental experts, and risk specialists who are veterans of the insurance and construction industries. We take a proactive, multi-focal view of risk to help develop solutions that lower cost and minimize exposure. That's why the management at many of the world's leading construction and design firms -our clients- sleep well at night.

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 1,100 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With roughly $280 million in run rate revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

About the EFCG CFO Conference for Engineering & Consulting Firms:

EFCG's CFO Conference has been held in early April over the last 16 years. This 1 1/2 day conference, held at the New York Yacht Club and Harvard Club, is intended to identify and provide insight into the most important issues facing a CFO in the "A/E/C" industry. Participation is limited to 150 and is by invitation only. To learn more about EFCG please visit http://www.efcg.com/

About the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law:

The ABA Forum on Construction Law is the largest organization of Construction lawyers in the United States, and indeed in the world. The Forum's roughly 6,000 Members and Associates are drawn from all types of Construction practice - law firms large and small, solo practitioners, in-house and government counsel, as well as construction professionals and the public sector. Forum members represent all segments of the Construction industry: owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, lenders, insurers and sureties. Learn more here: http://www.americanbar.org/groups/construction_industry.html.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408-295-4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that managing principal Gregg Bundschuh and client executive and professional services risk consultant Kent Collier of Greyling Insurance Brokerage - a Division of EPIC, are among the featured risk management and insurance professionals presenting at two high profile events targeting the needs of large Construction and Design firms.

Real Help for a Milwaukee Public School

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- On March 28, 2017, the Treasurer of STEM-CAN Supporters (SCS) sent a $2,500 check to Fritz Blandon, Principal of Milwaukee Allen-Field Elementary School as a donation for the immediate purchase of Student Leadership Blazers and seven compound microscopes along with some minor supplies.

Principal Blandon had earlier described to SCS these prioritized needs and their estimated costs as being beyond his school budget. Since such beyond-school-budget supplies and projects are well within the mission of SCS, it was easy for SCS to be of prompt assistance. SCS is glad to give direct help to needy public schools for the direct benefit of their students; it is doubly pleased to get such thrilled reaction as received from Principal Blandon who was effusive in his letter of acceptance of the donation.

This original gift to Allen-Field Elementary represents exactly half of what SCS has budgeted for the school community. SCS is deeply convinced that it takes a community to produce the best possible Public School results; it takes a community to minimize absenteeism while maximizing school spirit and graduation rates of caring students.

Therefore, beyond these kinds of direct help to the school, SCS offers the matching amount of funding to help the school PTO or school community leaders to strengthen the local school community. Such school community funds will be used by the local volunteer leadership of parents, teachers, and other community leaders for enriching neighboring and deepening communication among the whole school community.

Other needy neighborhood public schools are invited to participate similarly in using similar funding by the STEM-CAN Supporters, a charitable educational corporation.

STEM-CAN Supporters initially budgets a get-acquainted $5,000 per applying needy neighborhood public school, with $2,500 dedicated to immediate classroom, project, program or school needs and a matching $2,500 for developing school community neighbor relationships.

These relationships are developed and supported primarily through "Our Community Hour" as described at https://stem-can.org/for-parents/.

For further information contact Edwina Rogers via Edwina@STEM-CAN.org.

On March 28, 2017, the Treasurer of STEM-CAN Supporters (SCS) sent a $2,500 check to Fritz Blandon, Principal of Milwaukee Allen-Field Elementary School as a donation for the immediate purchase of Student Leadership Blazers and seven compound microscopes along with some minor supplies.

Courageous Stories from Former Girl Soldiers to be Shared at Local Event

WASHINGTON, D.C., /ScoopCloud/ -- ChildVoice today announced that on Saturday, January 28, from 2-4 p.m., "Enduring the Night" co-author Natalie Committee-Fath will present an Author Talk at The Potter's House, a nonprofit cafe and bookstore in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Committee-Fath will shine light on the issue of human trafficking and the plight of an estimated 250,000 child soldiers involved in conflicts globally.

She will tell how, through the help of an organization called ChildVoice, young women in northern Uganda are speaking up about the terror they experienced as child soldiers in the rebel group known as the Lord's Resistance Army.

ChildVoice is a nonprofit organization that offers rehabilitation and reintegration services to those most affected by war. The book, "Enduring the Night: Courageous Stories of Survival by Former Girl Soldiers" (ISBN-13: 978-1938840067) features award-winning photography that illustrates the harsh realities of war as well as the hope found in post-conflict restoration. 100% of the proceeds from sales of "Enduring the Night" go toward helping ChildVoice provide support services for war-affected young women like those featured in the book.

One young woman who came to ChildVoice, named Grace, was abducted at age 10 and forced to be a soldier for nearly 10 years. She said, "As I share my story with others in my community, I find that they also are able to open up and tell me their experiences, and it is a great comfort to them. For so long, we had to hide because others feared us, even though it was never our choice to do the things we did."

While working at ChildVoice, co-authors Natalie Committee-Fath and Kristin Barlow recognized the need to bring attention to the oppression that Grace and the other young women had faced.

"Although the situation in Uganda has improved, the civil war in South Sudan is now raging, leaving vulnerable young girls prey to human trafficking and prostitution," said Committee-Fath. "ChildVoice is working to bring some of the most destitute of these girls across the border to northern Uganda, where they find sanctuary and a safe place to begin rebuilding their lives at ChildVoice's Lukome Center."

ChildVoice's Founder and CEO, Conrad Mandsager, also recognizes the importance of sharing these girls' stories, not only to raise awareness, but also as part of the healing and empowerment process for the young women at the rehabilitation center. He said, "When I first met Grace, she kept her eyes downward and could barely speak about her experience; I knew then what success for our organization would look like. Although we couldn't do anything to restore their childhoods, maybe we could do something to restore their voices."

To learn more about this event, click here: http://pottershousedc.org/event-blog/2017/1/28/enduring-the-night-courageous-stories-of-survival-by-former-girl-soldiers-author-talk.

About ChildVoice:
ChildVoice was founded in 2006 to restore the voices of children silenced by war in northern Uganda. At that time, more than 30,000 children had been abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army and forced to become soldiers. Since 2007, ChildVoice's Lukome Center has provided a therapeutic community for adolescent girls including former child soldiers and sex slaves, child mothers, orphans and other highly vulnerable girls in northern Uganda.

At the Center, girls are able to recover from the trauma of war and receive the educational and vocational training they need to rebuild their lives. While Uganda is no longer at war, the effects of years of conflict have left generations of families struggling to recover from trauma and poverty. Today, there are 35 conflict zones around the world where children are growing up in war-torn communities. ChildVoice is working diligently to expand its services to include war-affected children in South Sudan and beyond.

Learn more at: http://childvoiceintl.org/.

ChildVoice today announced that on Saturday, January 28, from 2-4 p.m., "Enduring the Night" co-author Natalie Committee-Fath will present an Author Talk at The Potter's House, a nonprofit cafe and bookstore in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Committee-Fath will shine light on the issue of human trafficking and the plight of an estimated 250,000 child soldiers involved in conflicts globally.

Former Military Officers Seek Greater Due Process for CA Bonus Troops

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Two former military officers of the Washington D.C. law firm of Jordan Guydon sent letters today to U.S. Senator Boxer, other Congressional leaders, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army, urging the strengthening of due process for the California National Guard bonus recipients. The two are Darlye Jordan, managing partner of the firm and a former Army major who advised commanders during the Gulf War; and, Howard G. Cooley, of-counsel, and a retired Army colonel.

Cooley and Jordan are concerned that there is no mention of the role of the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMRs) in the remedy of the bonus cases. In the letter, they argue the Guardsmen have an administrative due process right to the extraordinary decisional and equitable powers Congress conferred on the boards.

Jordan, also a former finance officer in the military, notes that "the remedies of waiver and remission of the remaining debt" may still leave some servicemembers with a historical record of problematic "past due" notices. Jordan also notes "it may take longer than expected for negative information to be removed from some credit records." Cooley and Jordan argue that since only BCMRs have the authority in DOD to cause the debt to be eradicated as through it never existed, Guardsmen should have the opportunity to appeal to their Service BCMR.

Cooley states, "For the Army Board to be poised to fairly evaluate the appeals of Guardsmen, it must get its own house in order, and can do so easily by shutting down its illegal adjudication system immediately and adopting the adjudication process used by the Air Force BCMR." Cooley notes, "20 years ago, management consultant Booz Allen Hamilton, in effect advised DOD that the Army Board breached decisional integrity because the ABCMR staff impermissibly took over the decisional process from the board and reduced the board to a mere rubber stamp for the staff."

Cooley asserts "by law, servicemembers are entitled to have their cases fully evaluated by an independent panel of high ranking, fair-minded, and experienced board members - not unappointed staffers under pressure to cut corners (including the denial of the due process rights of servicemembers) in order to adjudicate cases in 10-months."

Cooley adds that if some of the problematic bonuses were issued to Air Guard members from California, in addition to the Army Guard members, "then there would be unacceptable dual standards, with the Air Force Guardsmen walking upstairs to the regular order boardroom conducted by an independent and appointed board, while the Army Guardsmen are directed to the basement where the staff is in charge while the appointed board members are divested of all of their decisional authority."

Jordan and Cooley believe "it is time to rightsize the BCMR process, as all servicemembers are entitled now to the gold standard adjudication afforded by the Air Force BCMR, and nothing less."

For more information about Jordan Guydon LLP, visit: http://jordanguydonlaw.com/.

Media Contact:
Howard G. Cooley
Jordan Guydon LLP
hcooley@jordanguydonlaw.com
(703) 865-8699

* PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-1206s2p-hgcooley-300dpi.jpg
* PHOTO Caption: Col. Retired Howard G. Cooley.

Two former military officers of the Washington D.C. law firm of Jordan Guydon sent letters today to U.S. Senator Boxer, other Congressional leaders, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Army, urging the strengthening of due process for the California National Guard bonus recipients. The two are Darlye Jordan, managing partner of the firm and a former Army major who advised commanders during the Gulf War; and, Howard G. Cooley, of-counsel, and a retired Army colonel.