Investor Alert: Ademi & O’Reilly, LLP Investigates Possible Corporate Fraud of Eastman Kodak Company.

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ademi & O’Reilly, LLP is investigating possible corporate fraud claims against Kodak (NYSE: KODK) resulting from inaccurate statements Kodak made regarding its internal controls, business practices, financial statements and prospects.

Click here to learn more about the investigation: <a target="_blank"…

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Ademi & O’Reilly, LLP is investigating possible corporate fraud claims against Kodak (NYSE: KODK) resulting from inaccurate statements Kodak made regarding its internal controls, business practices, financial statements and prospects.

Click here to learn more about the investigation: http://ademilaw.com/case/eastman-kodak-company or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you.

The investigation focuses on whether Kodak issued false and misleading statements regarding its business practices, internal controls and prospects.  Specifically, The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced that it would be putting on hold a $765 million loan Kodak was to have used to start a new business segment producing pharmaceutical ingredients.  Kodak stock has been trading erratically and the company is being investigated by the Securities Exchange Commission.  Kodak has formed board committee to review its internal controls and business practices.

If you wish to obtain additional information or have information about this investigation of Kodak, please contact Guri Ademi either at gademi@ademilaw.com or toll-free: 866-264-3995, http://ademilaw.com/case/eastman-kodak-company.                    

We specialize in securities fraud and shareholder litigation.  For more information, please feel free to call us.  Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Contact:
Ademi & O’Reilly, LLP
Guri Ademi
3620 East Layton Ave.
Cudahy, WI 53110
Toll Free: (866) 264-3995
Fax: (414) 482-8001
www.ademilaw.com

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SOURCE Ademi & O’Reilly, LLP

Virginia Mason and CHI Franciscan Open a New Birth Center to Expand Obstetric Care Options to Puget Sound Families

SEATTLE, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Virginia Mason Birth Center, an Alliance with CHI Franciscan, is officially open to patients. The new 20,000 square-foot birth center is the realization of the two organizations’ commitment to expanding comprehensive women’s health and obstetric options as Seattle continues to grow and more capacity is needed.

SEATTLE, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Virginia Mason Birth Center, an Alliance with CHI Franciscan, is officially open to patients. The new 20,000 square-foot birth center is the realization of the two organizations’ commitment to expanding comprehensive women’s health and obstetric options as Seattle continues to grow and more capacity is needed.

Expecting mothers have more options today than ever before about their birth experience, and the Birth Center ensures a full range of options are available and accessible. The Birth Center offers a collaborative care model between OB/GYNs and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and welcomes doulas. Team members will work closely with mothers to help them make the best decisions for themselves from the level of medical support and pain management they desire, to the types of providers present during the delivery process.

Staffed by three certified OB/GYN providers and three CNMs, the Birth Center will offer:

  • New, private birthing suites
  • Three private labor and delivery rooms, six postpartum beds, and two obstetric triage bays
  • Personalized birth plans that offer many options and respect the preferences of expecting mothers, including water births, midwifery and doula care, and pain management, including nitrous oxide
  • Level II Special Care Nursery with five bassinets dedicated to newborns who need more intensive care
  • On-site lactation consultants and online childbirth preparation classes

«We are pleased to expand access to high-quality women’s health services for patients and families who are looking for a comprehensive, personalized experience,» said Ketul J. Patel, CEO of CHI Franciscan. «By bringing together the expertise of two leading Washington health care organizations, we are ensuring we can continue to meet the needs of our communities throughout the growing region.»

In recent years, CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason have developed joint offerings for obstetric and women’s health, as well as radiation oncology to increase access of care for patients. The Birth Center will join Franciscan Women’s Health at Virginia Mason, a 3,800 square-foot outpatient obstetric and women’s health clinic that opened in January of this year. Between the joint facilities, women can access care throughout their pregnancy and beyond.

«Working closely with CHI Franciscan, our skilled teams will provide high quality and safe birthing and nursery services,» said Virginia Mason Chairman and CEO Gary S. Kaplan, MD. «Welcoming a child is one of the most exciting moments for a family. Our new Birth Center’s collaborative, patient-centric model will personalize care to create special and memorable experiences.»

The Birth Center opening follows a recent announcement from CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason to explore combining the two health systems through the formation of a Joint Operating Company. The organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with the goal of finalizing the evaluation and planning process by the end of 2020.

To keep patients and staff safe during the pandemic, all CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason locations including the joint Birth Center, are taking extra safety precautions. Every person is screened before entering the facility. The Birth Center is also implementing universal masking, limiting the number of visitors, and following physical distancing guidelines.

For more information, patients can call or visit us online at (206) 287-6300 or virginiamason.chifranciscan.org/birth-center.

About CHI Franciscan

CHI Franciscan is a Catholic nonprofit health system based in Tacoma, Washington, with $2.45 billion in total revenue and a team of more than 12,500 physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and staff who provide expert, compassionate medical care at 10 hospitals and over 220 primary and specialty care clinics throughout the greater Puget Sound. This includes St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor; St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw; St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way; St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma; St. Michael Medical Center, Bremerton and Silverdale; St. Anne Hospital, Burien; CHI Franciscan Rehabilitation Hospital, Tacoma, and Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital, Tacoma. Started in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, today CHI Franciscan is one of the largest health systems in Washington state. The system is comprised of more than 1,250 hospital beds and over 4,000 credentialed providers offering cardiovascular care, cancer care, orthopedics and sports medicine, neurosciences, women’s care and other health care services. CHI Franciscan’s mission is to create healthier communities, including caring for the poor and underserved. In fiscal year 2019, the organization provided nearly $200 million in community benefit—free, subsidized, and reduced cost health care and programs. Follow CHI Franciscan on Facebook facebook.com/chifranciscan, Twitter @CHIFranciscan and Instagram @chi.franciscan.

About Virginia Mason Health System

Virginia Mason, founded in 1920, is a nonprofit regional health care system based in Seattle that serves the Pacific Northwest. In the Puget Sound region, the system includes 336-bed Virginia Mason Hospital; a primary and specialty care group practice of more than 500 physicians; outpatient medical facilities and services in Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Edmonds, Federal Way, Kirkland, Issaquah and Lynnwood; Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled-nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS; Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research; Virginia Mason Foundation; and Virginia Mason Institute, which trains health care professionals and others around the world in the Virginia Mason Production System, an innovative management method for improving quality and safety.

Virginia Mason Health System also includes Virginia Mason Memorial, a 226-bed hospital serving Yakima Valley in central Washington since 1950. Virginia Mason Memorial includes primary care practices and specialty care services, including high-quality cardiac care; cancer care through North Star Lodge; breast health at Ohana Mammography Center; acute hospice and respite care at Cottage in the Meadow; pain management at Water’s Edge; an advanced NICU unit that offers specialty care for at-risk infants; advanced services for children with special health care needs at Children’s Village; and The Memorial Foundation.

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SOURCE CHI Franciscan

SoCalGas to Award $150,000 in Grants to Local Cities to Fund Planning for Climate Adaptation and Resiliency

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it will again award <a target="_blank"…

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it will again award Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Grants to local cities to support efforts to increase resiliency in the face of climate change risks such as wildfires, floods, extreme heat, drought, sea level rise, and other major weather events. The competitive grant program provides $50,000 each to three municipalities in the SoCalGas service territory and is designed to help cities and counties reduce the impact of climate change-related threats. The application process opens today.

An advisory panel of planning and sustainability experts from the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC) and the American Planning Association-California Chapter (APA-California) will assist with the selection of the winning applications from across Southern and Central California.

«Collaboration between utilities and municipalities is key to resiliency when preparing for climate events such as wildfires, earthquakes and floods,» said Andy Carrasco, vice president of strategy & engagement and chief environmental officer at SoCalGas. «The natural gas infrastructure is critical to the resiliency of the energy supply during natural disasters and as we work to implement our vision for a 21st century energy system, we look forward to providing affordable and cleaner energy to cities while helping them maintain resiliency.»

«As LA’s regional climate collaborative, LARC supports cross-jurisdictional collaboration and facilitates the exchange of information, best practices, and cutting-edge research» said Erin Coutts, LARC’s executive director. «We are excited to advise a grant program that encourages partnerships and will help our cities address climate vulnerabilities in disadvantaged communities.»

«As shapers of the built environment, planners recognize our critical role in helping the communities we serve prepare for the risks associated with climate change,» said Ashley Atkinson, president-elect of the American Planning Association’s California Chapter. «We’re grateful to SoCalGas for helping local cities elevate climate adaptation among competing priorities by providing grant funding for essential plan updates.»

Municipalities embarking on a Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan, or incorporating climate change impacts into the Safety Element of their General Plan are eligible to apply. Grant proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES: SoCalGas encourages applicants to address climate vulnerabilities in disadvantaged communities.
  • COLLABORATION: Reflect coordination and partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders (energy/water utilities, transportation, housing, etc.).
  • CO-BENEFITS: Identify potential co-benefits of the adaptation work, such as benefits to public health, air quality, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and the economy.

The annual grants will be funded by shareholders and will not impact natural gas bills. The deadline to submit proposals is September 30, 2020.

Last year, the City of Loma Linda, the City of Malibu and Los Angeles County were awarded the three SoCalGas adaptation and resiliency grants.

Los Angeles County is utilizing its grant to prepare an Adaptive Capacity Assessment for disadvantaged communities in unincorporated Los Angeles County, which will inform and be incorporated into the County’s Safety Element Update. The City of Loma Linda is making use of its grant to update its local hazard mitigation plan as well as the Safety Element of its General Plan. Finally, Malibu is applying its grant to create a comprehensive and actionable Community Resilience and Adaptation Plan that will be integrated into the Safety Element of the City’s General Plan.

A study on the impacts of four climate-related disasters on the energy sector found that natural gas infrastructure exhibited significant resilience because it is underground. In addition, the study showed that backup generation powered by natural gas pipelines can provide on-site electricity generation for hospitals, relief centers and other critical facilities during a disaster. A summary of its findings may be found here.

The climate grant program is part of SoCalGas’ vision to be the cleanest gas utility in North America. As part of this plan, the utility committed to displacing 20% of its traditional natural gas supply with RNG by 2030 through its reimagined 21st century energy system. It also has the potential to include several other clean energy strategies such as hydrogen and will provide clean, reliable and affordable energy.

For more information about SoCalGas’ environmental initiatives, go to socalgas.com/smart-energy.

About SoCalGas
Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company’s pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians— about 45 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.

SoCalGas’s vision is to be the cleanest gas utility in North America, delivering affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable natural gas (RNG) by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2014 through 2018, the company invested nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.  

About Southern California Gas Co.: Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 145 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

 

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

The Dan Marino Foundation And Badia Spices Partner To Raise Autism Awareness And Urge The Public To ‘Be a Game Changer for those with Autism’

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Dan Marino Foundation and Badia Spices are again partnering to launch…

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Dan Marino Foundation and Badia Spices are again partnering to launch an on-going awareness and fundraising campaign, «Be a Game Changer for those with Autism,» in support of those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Starting August 2020, when consumers purchase a 1L or 33.8 FL OZ bottle of Badia Extra Virgin Olive Oil or 1L or 34 FL OZ bottle of Badia Extra Virgin Olive Oil Organic at any retailer in the United States where Badia Spices are sold, Badia will donate 5% of the proceeds from the sales to the Dan Marino Foundation.

«We are always working to deliver life-changing programs,» said Dan Marino, Chairman of the Dan Marino Foundation. «Claire and I are thankful to the Badia team and their customers for supporting our programs by participating in this campaign which also raises awareness and acceptance of individuals with autism.»

Badia Spices, Inc. is one of the fastest-growing family-owned Hispanic food companies. Badia manufactures, packages, and distributes spices, seasoning blends, marinades, sauces, teas, health items, and other products to more than 90 countries around the world. Through these annual fundraisers, to date, Badia Spices has raised over $800,000 for the Dan Marino Foundation.

«Badia is proud to partner with the Dan Marino Foundation in support of their unparalleled efforts to empower individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities in their journey to independence,» said Joseph «Pepé» Badia, President of Badia Spices, Inc.

Badia Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes from the finest quality olive groves. It has an excellent flavor and aroma, as it is naturally extracted from the first cold press. Various recipes using Badia Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be found at www.badiaspices.com.

About the Dan Marino Foundation:
Founded by Dan and Claire Marino shortly after their son, Michael’s, autism diagnosis in 1992, the Dan Marino Foundation has a long and distinguished history of life-changing programs and services, with the mission to «empower individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.» The Foundation has raised more than $84 million to create and support unique and impactful initiatives. For more information, please visit https://danmarinofoundation.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter

Media Contact:
Kip Hunter Marketing
Aimee Adler Cooke | 561-302-6902 | aimee@kiphuntermarketing.com

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SOURCE Dan Marino Foundation

purME: A Gas Mask You Can Wear Everyday

HONG KONG, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The purME team wishes to raise awareness of air pollution and other airborne threats, then help people to defend against them through its new campaign.

purME is proud to present the purME mask, a small, light, and comfortable respirator that provides excellent protection against both airborne and droplets threats. The standard filter is rated at KN95 for particular protection with provision to upgrade into the P100 level. It will filter out pollution…

HONG KONG, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The purME team wishes to raise awareness of air pollution and other airborne threats, then help people to defend against them through its new campaign.

purME is proud to present the purME mask, a small, light, and comfortable respirator that provides excellent protection against both airborne and droplets threats. The standard filter is rated at KN95 for particular protection with provision to upgrade into the P100 level. It will filter out pollution particles, allergens, bacteria and viruses, and block out harmful droplets. It is available in crystal clear color, so people can see a person’s face, and facial recognition will work.

Taking the best features from a variety of designs, purME provides the protection standard of industrial respirators while retaining the portability and comfort of a lightweight pollution mask. The company made purME from scratch and everything is designed from the ground up. The facepiece is crafted to fit and seal people of all facial profiles comfortably.

purME’s LFGB-approved silicone facepiece will seal off droplets, water splash and pollutants when it is put on. It is supple and shaped to fit people of all face profiles comfortably. The material is fully machine-washable in hot water; it takes just 20 seconds to disassemble for cleaning or swapping filters. It is like a gas mask but with only one-third of its weight and size.

Inside the mask is a pair of inhalation and exhalation valves, ensuring one-way airflow. This will maximize the useful life of the filter and keep the mask cool and dry, as excess humidity and heat are breathed out every time someone exhales. Ten KN95-certified filters are included with each mask, each lasting up to 50 hours. More filters are available as add-ons.

purME is available for pre-order on Indiegogo now (https://igg.me/at/3fsLni–EMc/x/23634763#/), starting from $34 with 10 filters for an essential package (50% off MSRP) to a $78 special pack that includes two masks of the buyer’s choice and bags.

purME would appreciate people reporting this project on their platforms, reviewing the product, and creating unboxing videos.

purME invites everyone to join in the mission to protect against air pollution and other harmful substances.

CONTACT:
Gloria Chan
pr@purme.co
purME Team

Related Images

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purME
A Gas Mask You Can Wear Everyday

Related Links

Indiegogo

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SOURCE purME

LicataRisk Named Top Risk Advisor in Lawyers Weekly’s 2020 Survey

BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — We are happy to announce that the attorney community in the Northeast has recognized Licata Risk Advisors as #1 in the Risk Management category again this year.

BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — We are happy to announce that the attorney community in the Northeast has recognized Licata Risk Advisors as #1 in the Risk Management category again this year.

We thank the GCs who are among the 19,500+ readers of the publication, some of whom are clients, and many of whom are friends of the firm.

LicataRisk consultants work hand in hand with attorneys, those employed by our client firms and those acting as outside counsel.  We are truly grateful for the honor.

See our risk and insurance services for in-house counsel:

Read more: https://licatarisk.com/2020/08/08/licatarisk-named-top-risk-advisor-in-the-northeast/

CONTACT: Frank Licata, 617-718-5901, FLicata@LicataRisk.com  

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SOURCE Licata Risk Advisors

SHAREHOLDER ALERT: WeissLaw LLP Investigates GCI Liberty, Inc.

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

WeissLaw LLP is investigating possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law  by GCI Liberty, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLIBA, or the «Company») and its board of directors concerning the proposed interested-party acquisition of the Company by Liberty Broadband Corporation (NASDAQ: LBRDA, LBRDK) («Liberty Broadband»).  Holders of Class A GLIBA shares will receive 0.580 shares of Liberty Broadband’s LBRDK common stock for each share of GLIBA stock that they hold.  The transaction is valued at approximately $8.7 billion and is expected to close in the first half of 2021.

If you own GLIBA shares and wish to discuss this investigation or have any questions concerning this notice or your rights or interests, visit our website:

http://www.weisslawllp.com/gci-liberty-inc/

Or please contact:
Joshua Rubin, Esq.
WeissLaw LLP
1500 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, NY  10036
(212) 682-3025
(888) 593-4771
stockinfo@weisslawllp.com

In light of the fact that John C. Malone serves as Chairman of the Board of both GLIBA and Liberty Broadband, and that he and certain related holders who stand on both sides of the transaction have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the deal (representing approximately 27% of total outstanding GLIBA shares, and 48.3% of outstanding total Liberty Broadband shares),  WeissLaw is investigating whether the special committee of the GLIBA board acted independently in agreeing to the proposed acquisition and whether the 0.5830 exchange ratio reflects adequate value for Company shareholders. 

Given these facts, WeissLaw is concerned whether the special committee of the GLIBA board was truly independent in agreeing to the proposed acquisition, whether the proposed acquisition undervalues the Company, and whether all material information related to the proposed acquisition will be fully and fairly disclosed to GLIBA shareholders.

WeissLaw LLP has litigated hundreds of stockholder class and derivative actions for violations of corporate and fiduciary duties.  We have recovered over a billion dollars for defrauded clients and obtained important corporate governance relief in many of these cases.  If you have information or would like legal advice concerning possible corporate wrongdoing (including insider trading, waste of corporate assets, accounting fraud, or materially misleading information), consumer fraud (including false advertising, defective products, or other deceptive business practices), or anti-trust violations, please email us at stockinfo@weisslawllp.com

 

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SOURCE WeissLaw LLP

WomenCorporateDirectors 2020 Virtual Global Institute

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — WomenCorporateDirectors’ landmark 2020 Global Institute, totally reimagined this year as a virtual, live,…

NEW YORK, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — WomenCorporateDirectors’ landmark 2020 Global Institute, totally reimagined this year as a virtual, live, three-day experience, will feature some of the world’s most powerful leaders, addressing the most pressing governance issues for today’s boards. 

«Leading Today and Transforming Tomorrow» will feature keynoters Paul Knopp, Chair and CEO of U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG LLP; David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs; Madeleine K. Albright, 64th Secretary of State of the United States and Chair, Albright Stonebridge Group; The Hon. Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia; and global economist Dambisa Moyo; and board directors Rear Admiral Mary Landry, General Lester Lyles, Joyce Roche, and Carla Harris, with more speakers added daily.

«As board members and corporate leaders, we are all grappling with monumental shifts in social norms, governance, strategy, the economy, and operational excellence,» says Susan C. Keating, CEO of WomenCorporateDirectors Foundation (WCD). «This year, WCD is taking a deep dive into the imperatives that are driving our new reality, tapping an unprecedented global array of speakers and panelists who can shed new light on the issues we are all facing.»  

Women directors of public and privately held companies from 45 countries are expected to attend the Institute and WCD Visionary Awards Celebration. «The virtual nature of this year’s Institute is allowing our members to participate from homes and offices around the world – from the EU to Mongolia, from Singapore to Chile,» says Keating. «The connections we make, director-to-director, have always been special; now they are mission-critical.»

«Board members understand just how much vigilance is needed to stay on top of what’s going on today, and prepare for the transformation of the future,» says Camille Asaro, Partner, KPMG and Director of WCD. «As the Global Lead Sponsor of WCD, KPMG is pleased to participate in this important dialog and we are honored to have KPMG’s new Chair and CEO, Paul Knopp, and our Deputy Chair and COO, Laura Newinski, as participants in this highly anticipated event.»

Panels, Conversations, and Deep Dives
The Institute will have multiple tracks over three days, and the program is growing weekly. Select topics include:

  • The Role Directors Can Play in Leading Racial Equity
  • How Resilient Brands Are Approaching Acquisition and Retention of Customers
  • Navigating the Perfect Storm
  • The Global Threat of Cyberwarfare: From Work at Home to Infrastructure and Election Insecurity
  • True, False or…Neither? Tackling Disinformation Globally and Its Implications for the Boardroom
  • Work Has Changed: How Boards Navigate Disruption and Drive Human Capital Transformation

Visionary Awards 2020
On September 9, as a highlight of the Institute, WCD will host the virtual celebration of its 2020 Visionary Awards, honoring corporations and leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and women’s leadership in the C-suite and board. WCD has been a pacesetter in recognizing such corporate leadership for the past 9 years. The 2020 awardees are: Starbucks, Shiseido; U.S.-based global manufacturer Elkay, and Ana Paula Pessoa, board member of Newscorp, Credit Suisse, Suzano, and Vinci Group.

Sponsors
Sponsors of the 2020 Global Institute include Global Lead Sponsor: KPMG LLP; Platinum Global Institute Sponsor: Goldman Sachs; Global Executive Sponsors: Spencer Stuart, Pearl Meyer; Global Strategic Sponsors: Morgan Stanley, Vinson & Elkins, Latham & Watkins; Global Supporting Sponsors: Marriott, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Silver Global Institute Sponsor: Sullivan & Cromwell; and Bronze Global Institute Sponsors: JPMorgan Chase & Co., Uber.

For more information, please contact Davia Temin, Suzanne Oaks Brownstein or Trang Mar of Temin and Company at news@teminandco.com or 212.588.8788.

The Global Institute is open to WCD members and invited guests. Some sessions will be open to select media. Journalists who would like to attend and cover, please email Temin and Company at the address above.

About WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc.
The WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc. (WCD) is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the WCD Foundation has 76 chapters around the world. The aggregate market capitalization of public companies on whose boards WCD Foundation members serve is over $8 trillion. In addition, WCD Foundation members serve on numerous boards of large private and family-run companies globally. For more information visit www.womencorporatedirectors.org or follow us on Twitter @WomenCorpDirs, #WCDboards, #WCDGlobal2020. 

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SOURCE WomenCorporateDirectors Education and Development Foundation, Inc.

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice Awards Over 200 Units Throughout Pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — While many franchises have halted expansion efforts during the pandemic, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has exceeded in terms of growth. The Florida-founded franchise concept, who surpassed the 100 units awarded mark earlier this year, has awarded…

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — While many franchises have halted expansion efforts during the pandemic, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has exceeded in terms of growth. The Florida-founded franchise concept, who surpassed the 100 units awarded mark earlier this year, has awarded an additional 224 units this year to 8 Area Representative partners across the country, 193 of these units awarded in the month of April alone. The new agreements will be bringing Jeremiah’s Italian Ice to new markets across Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The franchise, founded in Central Florida, has been growing astronomically since the launch of its franchise opportunity last year. With new locations recently opened in Texas and Arizona, and more to come in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, the franchise is well on its way to becoming a national sensation. Drawing in Area Representatives who hold experience with brands such as Tropical Smoothie, Subway, Wing Stop, Bento Asian Kitchen & Sushi, Blu Halo and Hangar 36 among others, Jeremiah’s is proud to welcome these operators to help the brand go national.

«Jeremiah’s is surpassing milestones quicker than almost any other emerging concept we’ve ever seen,» stated Cameron Cummins, Co-Founder of Pivotal Growth Partners and Chief Development Officer for Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. «Even more notably, all of this growth is taking place during the worst economic climate in ten years. Anyone who looks into the concept sees the huge potential within this franchise opportunity.»

Each store boasts an upbeat atmosphere full of vibrant colors and offers over 40 flavors of indulgent high-quality Italian Ice, as well as creamy Soft Ice Cream. A synthesis of these two core products, the Jeremiah’s Gelati is the showcase of the menu with layers of Italian Ice swirled with thick, homemade Soft Ice Cream, offering nearly limitless flavor combinations. Jeremiah’s franchisees are embedded in the local community and are crucial to helping keep communities smiling through tough times. Jeremiah’s wants to continue to expand its footprint so people across America can taste how amazing their treats are and to help entrepreneurs make their dreams come true.

«We have been fans of Jeremiah’s in Orlando for years and have been waiting for the opportunity to be a part of an amazing brand and product,» said David Hung, a member of Jeremiah’s new Area Representative group in South Florida. The group is made up of Johnny Tung, Jimmy Tung, and David, who have over 20 years of industry experience at the Bento Group. «Simply put, we wanted to be part of something special. Jeremiah’s values and culture are why it’s leading the pack.»

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the brand has placed an emphasis on maintaining the health and safety of its employees and customers. Jeremiah’s was able to continue to spread joy in the community with their beloved frozen treats through delivery, drive thru service and curbside pickup options. Jeremiah’s continues to adapt to society’s new normal, pivoting its traditional franchise development efforts to instead host virtual discovery days in order to continue connecting with their pipeline of interested franchisee prospects.

«We are so happy to see our close-knit family expand and we are ready to showcase our concept to communities across the nation,» said CEO and Founder, Jeremy Litwack.

Jeremiah’s is poised to become the premier frozen dessert franchise of the new decade.

For more information about Jeremiah’s, visit www.jeremiahsice.com.

About Jeremiah’s Italian Ice
Founded in 1996 and franchising since 2019, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has come to be known not only for its superior frozen treats, but also its outstanding customer service, community involvement, and an exciting brand image that exudes the Jeremiah’s motto – LIVE LIFE TO THE COOLEST®.

Focused on delivering flavorful experiences to each and every guest, Jeremiah’s is committed to serving its vibrant, flavorful treats up with a smile in a lively environment. With 27 locations throughout Florida, Arizona, and Texas, Jeremiah’s is offering franchises nationwide. Initial expansion plans target the Southern United States, including Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona and Texas. For more information, visit https://www.jeremiahsfranchise.com.

About Pivotal Growth Partners
With a combined 50+ years of experience and a network of expert financial, growth and development partners, Pivotal Growth Partners creates value and grows small, regional companies into nationally acclaimed brands. Co-founded in 2018 by longtime franchise industry professionals Bryon Stephens and Cameron Cummins, PGP helps emerging franchise brands at their pivotal growth moment through experienced leadership, access to fundamental resources and day-to-day guidance. Jeremiah’s has partnered with Pivotal Growth Partners (PGP) to facilitate nationwide growth.

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SOURCE Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

Electric Cars: The Lifeline of the Auto Industry, reports IDTechEx

BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — In the past two decades, the car market has declined twice: first due to the 2008 economic crisis, and then due to falling sales in China. Most recently, the lockdowns implemented to combat the coronavirus pandemic, causing auto-production plants to close globally and a loss of consumer spending will lead to an unprecedented 23% decline in 2020 (IDTechEx…

BOSTON, Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — In the past two decades, the car market has declined twice: first due to the 2008 economic crisis, and then due to falling sales in China. Most recently, the lockdowns implemented to combat the coronavirus pandemic, causing auto-production plants to close globally and a loss of consumer spending will lead to an unprecedented 23% decline in 2020 (IDTechEx prediction).

In the following decade (2030 – 2040), things will not improve: the global car market will be blindsided by the rise of autonomous vehicles, which greatly reduces the need for private car ownership. Within this scenario, it is electric cars which will remain a beacon of growth, satisfying both the governmental drive to clean air in cities whilst also working more readily with autonomous vehicle technology.

In their simplest form, an electric car consists of an energy storage device powering one electric traction motor, which spins wheels via a transmission. First invented in the 19th century, electric cars ultimately lost the battle to the internal combustion engine, unable to compete with the energy density of gasoline. Over one hundred years later, the Li-ion battery is enabling their meteoric rise as a solution for reducing local emissions and green-house gases.

Once derided as toys, today electric cars with barely 15 years of development offer cutting-edge automotive technology and performance, from sub 2.5 second 0 – 60mph acceleration, to autonomous driving functionality and solar bodywork. Battery-electric vehicles (BEV) are the endgame: zero emissions at point of use and the focus of automotive start-ups (and China). On the other hand, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) provide a short/mid-term solution, soothing initial fears of range anxiety.

The brand new IDTechEx report, «Advanced Electric Cars 2020-2040«, provides a long-term outlook for the car market and enabling technologies in the wake of COVID-19. The key sections are summarized.

Forecasts and COVID-19 Impact

In the report, IDTechEx provide long-term forecasts to 2040 for electric passenger cars by region (China, US, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, RoW) and by powertrain (battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel-cell). Forecasts are presented in number of vehicles, battery demand (GWh) and market size ($ billion), with historic data back to 2015.

All forecasts are adjusted to reflect the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic: amid economic uncertainty and unemployment, the auto industry has been one of the hardest hit as car purchases, typically the second largest consumer purchase (the first is a house), are now more difficult to justify ­for millions of consumers worldwide.

Li-ion Batteries

The IDTechEx report identifies and explains trends in Li-ion batteries for electric cars. For example, nickel content is increasing while cobalt content is decreasing: why is this important for automakers and the overall sustainability of the industry? It also provides historic market data on the Li-ion technology mix based on our database of electric cars in top auto markets: China has phased-out LFP from over half its car market to less than 2% today; why will Tesla contradict this and adopt LFP for Model 3 sales in China?

Electric Traction Motors

All electric motors have the same purpose of converting electrical energy to mechanical energy, but there are many types of motors that derive their names from their construction, principles of operation, or even from the control technique employed on them. The IDTechEx report explores why automakers are converging on permanent magnet motors, multiple motors, provide a benchmarking analysis of the different motor types, and finally, an outlook for how IDTechEx expects the motor market to evolve over the next ten years.

Autonomous Vehicle Technology

IDTechEx predicts that the rise of autonomous vehicles will have a profound impact on the global car market as it enables mobility-as-a-service to become cheaper than private-car ownership. The report shows forecasts of autonomous passenger car miles, revealing how this will lead to a fundamental peak-car scenario. IDTechEx appraises the key underlying technologies such as LiDAR and camera-based systems: is the camera-only approach a high-risk gamble or a winning strategy that will be copied?

For more information on this report, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Cars or for the full portfolio of Electric Vehicles research available from IDTechEx please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/EV.

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Consultancy and Event products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information on IDTechEx Research and Consultancy, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Media Contact:

Natalie Moreton
Digital Marketing Manager  
press@IDTechEx.com 
+44(0)1223 812300

 

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SOURCE IDTechEx