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LeadStar and LeadingResponse Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Lead Generation with In-Person Seminar Programming

AmeriLife

LeadStar, the proprietary, private leads platform created with and exclusively for AmeriLife -affiliated agents, announced today that it has partnered with LeadingResponse to launch LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse to strengthen its spectrum of lead options and provide AmeriLife agents with a comprehensive seminars services platform to offer face-to-face educational opportunities for health and life insurance and financial services customers. LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse is the newest addition to the LeadStar platform, which now provides a comprehensive set of lead delivery options. LeadingResponse’s dynamic seminar programming will provide agents with a seamless experience from lead acquisition to conversion, with services that include real-time lead delivery, comprehensive campaign management, and expertly crafted seminar content designed to engage and convert. “This partnership is a game-changer for AmeriLife’s Health and Wealth professionals looking to drive growth and enhance live engagement with their target audiences,” said Chief Lead Officer for AmeriLife William DeCourcy. "We recognize that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to delivering compliant, high-performance leads to AmeriLife agents. Partnering with LeadingResponse expands the lead options available to AmeriLife agents, allowing health and wealth product sales professionals to scale efficiently and effectively in multiple channels – including the key channel of face-to-face educational seminars.” LeadingResponse, with decades of experience in targeted seminar marketing, brings unparalleled expertise in engaging affluent consumers through in-person seminars, webinars, and multichannel marketing approaches. Their proven conversion strategies in educational workshops and seminar solutions have filled countless events with qualified consumers, perfectly complementing LeadStar's capabilities in lead generation. “We are excited about our partnership with AmeriLife and LeadStar,” said Matthew Kearney, Chief Executive Officer for LeadingResponse. “We look for partners that share in our mission to connect health and wealth experts to consumers exactly when help is needed, and AmeriLife and LeadStar are a perfect fit. By leveraging our expertise, concierge service, and advanced technology, AmeriLife sales professionals can grow their businesses through our highly effective solution suite.” The LeadingResponse platform includes targeted audience reach specifically designed to target affluent consumers aged 50 and above; a robust client portal, Hub, which allows for 24/7 review of ongoing campaigns while integrating with your CRM and marketing automation workflows; and high conversion rates through seminar attendance, with attendee rates over twice the industry average. “LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse represent a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to provide AmeriLife’s distribution partners with the tools and strategies they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace,” added DeCourcy. “We are confident that LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse can drive client growth with data-driven insights and marketing solutions that optimize LeadStar’s lead generation suite of services to achieve strong outcomes.” AmeriLife-affiliated licensed health agents and financial professionals interested in leveraging LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse are encouraged to inquire with their marketers or uplines about access to these integrated services, promising a boost in both the quantity and quality of leads and conversions. For more information about the partnership and to request access, please visit the LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse page on the LeadStar website. ### About LeadStar LeadStar is an industry-leading enterprise leads program that delivers the compliant, reliable, and performative leads that today’s health and life insurance agents need to grow their books of business and maximize their success. Powered by AmeriLife and exclusively for the company’s affiliated agents, LeadStar’s suite of solutions includes LeadStar Marketplace, LeadStar Connect, LeadStar Direct, and LeadStar Seminars Powered by LeadingResponse. For more information, contact an AmeriLife-affiliated marketing company or visit LeadStarHub.com. About LeadingResponse Founded in 1996 with headquarters in Tampa, LeadingResponse is a trusted and proven leader in customer acquisition for health and wealth organizations across the United States. LeadingResponse’s solution suite enables clients to connect with consumers in the medium they want to engage and at the point in the consumer journey clients wish to target. Whether consumers need Preneed, legal defense, financial advice, a senior living community, Estate Planning, or a Medicare procedure, LeadingResponse connects our client experts to provide the needed consultation. With our teams of marketers, designers, and developers, LeadingResponse is the easiest way for organizations to grow their business and increase revenue. For more information, visit the LeadingResponse website. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For over 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and 120 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Jeff Maldonado media@amerilife.com LeadingResponse Pamela Girardin pamela.girardin@leadingresponse.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols corporatedevelopment@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

July 30, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Davis Davis & Harmon Partners With Alteryx to Transform Sales Tax Consulting Practice

Davis Davis & Harmon

Demonstrating its commitment to technological leadership in the sales tax consulting sector, Davis Davis & Harmon LLC (DDH), the nation's largest woman- and minority-owned firm, today announced its strategic adoption of Alteryx, a leading enterprise analytics platform. The adoption of Alteryx enhances DDH's robust data analytics capabilities and reinforces its position as an innovative service provider that leverages technology to address the dynamic needs of its clientele. The platform’s comprehensive data preparation and analytics tools establish repeatable workflows, freeing up DDH experts to focus on their value-added, sophisticated insights. “Our clients rely on DDH to navigate their most challenging sales tax issues,” said Chanel Christoff Davis, Davis Davis and Harmon CEO and founder. “DDH will fully integrate Alteryx into its operations by the end of the year, and anticipate that it will significantly enhance our in-depth analysis and strategic advising, catalyzing our growth and delivering bottom-line results for clients.” The combination of DDH's specialized expertise and Alteryx’s technological proficiency in managing high-volume, sophisticated data challenges positions DDH and its clients ahead of the digital transformation curve. “By deploying Alteryx for tax automation and analytics, DDH is, once again, blazing new ground for the benefit of its clients and team members,” said Mike Tagtow, Sales Director at Alteryx partner, Capitalize Analytics. DDH’s subject matter experts handle intricate transactions for Fortune 100 clients, who typically present much larger and more complex data sets. For example, DDH client Baker Hughes, one of the world’s largest energy companies, has fully transitioned to the new system. With Alteryx, DDH streamlined tax processing, identified potential tax savings and provided them with more accurate and timely tax advice. “We fearlessly embrace technological advancements,” says Deon Harmon, Davis Davis and Harmon's Chief Growth Officer. “Just as we blaze trails for minority and women-owned businesses, we are harnessing the power of technology to transform the sales tax advisory industry.” About Davis Davis & Harmon LLC - Sales Tax Experts Davis Davis & Harmon LLC (DDH), established in 2001 by rising entrepreneur Chanel Christoff Davis, is the largest woman- and minority-owned sales tax firm in the United States. Based in Dallas, the company guides businesses through the complexities of sales and use tax laws and regulations. Its team fosters an environment of compliance, education, and risk mitigation and delivers measurable bottom-line results to clients. To learn more about DDH, visit http://www.ddhtax.com. About Alteryx Alteryx (NYSE: AYX) powers analytics for all by providing our leading Analytics Automation Platform. Alteryx delivers easy end-to-end automation of data engineering, analytics, reporting, machine learning, and data science processes. It enables enterprises everywhere to democratize data analytics across their organizations for a broad range of use cases. More than 8,000 customers globally rely on Alteryx to deliver high-impact business outcomes. To learn more, visit http://www.alteryx.com. Alteryx is a registered trademark of Alteryx, Inc. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Contact Details Davis Davis & Harmon Chanel Christoff Davis +1 972-488-5000 chanel@ddhtax.com Center Reach Communications Alexandra Campbell alexandra@centerreachcommunication.com Company Website http://www.ddhtax.com/

July 29, 2024 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Leaders in Real Estate Weigh in on National Rent Cap Proposals

K3 Holdings

K3 Holdings, a privately held real estate investment firm with extensive holdings throughout the United States issued a statement today regarding the recent proposal by the President of the United States to implement a national cap of 5% on annual rent increases. While leaders of K3 Holdings and Alpine LA Properties commend the White House's effort to address the escalating costs of housing, leaders believe that the proposed one-size-fits-all approach falls short in addressing the complexities of housing affordability across diverse regions. "Rent control policies, like the proposed national cap, are intended to stabilize housing expenses for tenants. However, the effectiveness of such policies, especially at a national level, remains a contentious issue," said Michael Kadisha, Principal of K3 Holdings. "While rent stabilization can provide much-needed stability to tenants, the recent White House proposal overlooks the crucial ties to economic metrics and the diverse circumstances of renters and property managers." Housing markets vary significantly across the United States, and what works in one region may not be suitable for another. Existing local rent control measures reflect regional nuances but would fall short if implemented on a national scale. "In addition to relieving pressure on renters, it is essential to recognize that landlords also face increasing costs in maintaining properties," added Nathan Kadisha, Principal of K3 Holdings. "While rent controls might stabilize or reduce rent increases, they do little to address the rising operational costs landlords face, such as maintenance, utilities, insurance, and other expenses." Market dynamics heavily influence rent prices, with supply and demand playing critical roles. Policies that discourage new construction or renovations due to stringent rent caps could exacerbate housing shortages, driving rents even higher in the long run. “Effective policy making demands a balanced approach —one that prioritizes stability, fairness, and inclusivity,” Nathan Kadisha continued. “By fostering collaboration between policymakers, tenants, landlords, and other stakeholders, we can work towards building stronger communities where safe, stable, and affordable housing is accessible to all.” “As property managers, K3 Holdings stands ready to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration towards these shared goals. Together, we can envision a future where housing insecurity is a thing of the past, and every individual and family can thrive in a home they can afford,” Michael Kadisha said. “By striving for comprehensive, locally adaptable solutions, we can pave the way towards a more equitable housing landscape for all Americans.” ### For more information or to schedule an interview with a K3 spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@danrene.com Contact Details Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@danrene.com

July 25, 2024 02:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Over 25,000 Individuals Demand FCC Hearing on Petition to Deny FOX Affiliate Broadcast License

Media and Democracy Project

Today, the Media and Democracy Project (MAD) was backed by 25,532 concerned individuals demanding that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hold a hearing to investigate whether FOX and its leadership violated long-standing FCC rules on the character required for broadcast licensees. The 611-page filing includes signatories from all fifty states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. It marks the one-year anniversary of MAD’s Petition to Deny the broadcast license renewal application for FOX Corporation-owned television station FOX 29 Philadelphia (WTXF). “Rarely does an FCC proceeding generate such a groundswell of public engagement, and we’re thrilled to have so many supporters joining our effort,” said Milo Vassallo, the executive director of MAD. “While FOX has peppered this proceeding with politicians and sports teams, we have dedicated our efforts to educating everyday Americans about the FCC’s role in determining whether FOX's leadership meets the character expected of a broadcast licensee.” The filing represents the views of concerned citizens joining MAD in demanding a hearing and according to the filing, “petitioning their government to investigate FOX, a greedy corporation that did incalculable harm when it actively sought to undermine the 2020 presidential election for the sake of its corporate profits.” They join a growing bipartisan chorus of former FCC officials, media veterans, and a noted First Amendment scholar supporting MAD’s petition. MAD’s Petition to Deny documents serious character and rule violations relating to WTXF’s parent corporation’s egregious conduct—spreading dangerous misinformation about the 2020 election all to protect the FOX media empire’s profits. The intentional distortion of news, authorized at the highest levels of FOX’s corporate structure, and fabricated by management and on-air personalities, represents a severe breach of the FCC’s policy on licensee character qualifications. Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s actions outlined in the court decision in Dominion v. FOX “shock the conscience.” The people deserve to know the full truth about FOX’s decisions, which showed discord in the 2020 election and contributed to the attack on our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021. In light of serious allegations of rule violations and concerns regarding character, on October 9, 2023, MAD filed a motion requesting the FCC to compel FOX to produce key nonpublic discovery from its various lawsuits to ensure full transparency and accountability for its actions. “Never in the history of the Commission has the agency been confronted with a license renewal applicant whose parent company was found by a court of law to have repeatedly presented false news,” said former FOX Broadcasting executive Preston Padden. “We are proud to be joined by so many in calling for a hearing and urge the Media Bureau to compel FOX to produce key discovery that has been withheld from the public.” It’s been nine months since the motion for discovery was filed, and outside opening the petition for Public Comment, the FCC has been silent. Today’s filing says this of the 25,532 individuals: “Petitioners have each volunteered their names in support of this effort because they believe that owning a broadcast station is more than a business—it is a public trust.” Now, it is more important than ever for the Commission to move swiftly to investigate and designate this matter for a hearing. To join this effort, visit foxpetition.com. The Media and Democracy Project: MAD is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, grassroots organization focused on strengthening a free and independent media in the public interest. MAD aims to improve our national discourse so that American voters can engage in informed decision-making. As part of that goal, MAD has an interest in the responsibility of journalists and media to report fully, accurately, and fairly on the electoral process and the outcome of elections. Additional information is available at www.MediaAndDemocracyProject.Org. To sign up for more information from The Media and Democracy Project, click here. Contact Details Raynor Ave. Aaron Alberico +1 202-744-0786 aalberico@raynoravenue.com Company Website https://www.mediaanddemocracyproject.org/

July 25, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Vymo Receives Prestigious Advanced Functionality Ranking from Celent for Distribution Management

Vymo, Inc.

Vymo, a leading multi-channel distribution management platform powered by AI for the global insurance industry, announced today that Celent, a renowned research and consulting firm focused on financial services technology, recognized Vymo in its new report, Insurance Distribution Management Solutions: North America Edition. Celent notes that use of distribution management systems is increasing and growing more sophisticated, as market changes such as insurance agency consolidation, the proliferation of channels, and the growing demand for data, take hold. The report profiles 14 distribution management solutions including Vymo, outlining their functionality, customer base, technology, implementation, and support as a “first step toward creating a shortlist of vendors for evaluation” for insurance companies. “We are pleased to announce that Vymo Distribution Management has earned Celent’s prestigious Advanced Functionality ranking in the category of Compliance in the 2024 Distribution Management SolutionScape,” said Karlyn Carnahan, head of Celent’s North American insurance practice. “Vymo's compliance solution, powered by AI and Gen AI, not only enhances productivity but also fosters innovation. This recognition underscores Vymo's unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional technology solutions for the insurance industry.” Eric Bustos, General Manager of Vymo’s U.S. operations, noted: “Our suite of modular applications ensures effective and adaptable solutions to enhance the producer experience at pivotal stages in the producer lifecycle. From agent recruiting and onboarding to activity tracking, training, and sales enablement through intelligent lead management, our technology enhances agent performance. Today, Vymo is honored to be recognized by Celent for our excellence in the producer compliance sector. This recognition marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand our North American presence and provide cutting-edge technology and services to insurance companies and agencies across the region.” About Vymo® Vymo is a global provider of a smart distribution management platform powered by AI to deliver data-driven insights and transform the way your business operates. Meticulously crafted for insurers, MGAs, FMOs, IMOs, and insurance distributors who have outgrown legacy sales and account management tools and require greater automation for producer administration and sales processes. Vymo's platform features a suite of modular applications – including OnboardIQ and EngageIQ, and is engineered to deliver a superior producer experience through critical steps in the sales process; such as onboarding, compliance, activity tracking, and sales enablement. Vymo has raised over $45M in funding from Sequoia Capital, Emergence Capital, and Bertelsmann India Investments and is also a winner of CB Insights' and Microsoft's 'AI for All' awards. Additional Resources: Vymo Distribution Management Platform Vymo OnboardIQ Vymo EngageIQ for Leaders Vymo EngageIQ for Sellers U.S. Media Contact: Meir Kahtan MKPR mkahtan@rcn.com +1 917-864-0800 Vymo, Inc. Michael Palmisano Vice President, Marketing 440 N Wolfe Rd. Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Web: https://getvymo.com/ Blog: https://getvymo.com/blog All other registered trademarks, trademarks, or service marks belong to their respective companies. Contact Details MKPR for Vymo Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://getvymo.com/

July 23, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Freelance jobs grow despite AI, finds new data from Freelancer.com

FREELANCER.COM

Freelancer.com (ASX: FLN), the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by number of users and jobs posted, today released its quarterly Fast 50 Index for Q2 2024 based on data from 251,000 jobs posted to the platform. Computer Security (up 27.1% from 868 to 1,103 jobs) emerges as the fastest-growing freelance skill on Freelancer.com, based on job postings across more than 2,000 skill categories from April 1 to June 30, 2024. This trend in cybersecurity skills suggests more small-to-medium businesses are turning to freelancers for cyber security support, further backed by Network Administration (up 9.9%, from 1,229 to 1,351) also placing in the top 25 fastest growing jobs on the platform. The data also shows no negative impact on generative AI tools on freelance jobs, evident in the growth of Writing, Business Service, and Legal Skills seen in this quarter’s Fast 50 report, all of which were predicted to decrease with the rise in generative AI. PDF writing (up 26.7%, from 2,533 to 3,210) was the second fastest growing job, followed by third place being Microsoft Word (up 23.9%, from 3,368 to 4,173) projects which are also associated with content writing. Writing job Copy Typing came in at the 16th place, growing 11.6% (from 4,428 to 4,941). Legal jobs, which were expected to have been ‘at threat’ to AI, have also increased (up 12.0% from 1,138 to 1,274), as well as Legal Research (up 10.8% from 917 to 1,016). In addition to the index, Freelancer.com ’s annual AI survey, which surveyed more than 4,100 workers globally, investigated AI impact on income and the initial results are shedding light on earnings. When asked how the introduction of AI tools have impacted earnings, more than half of workers (52.5%) reveal they’re earning either the same or more. One fifth (19.2%) say that they’re earning a lot more since generative AI tools were introduced, while only one sixth (17.7%) admit to earning less. “AI is creating more jobs than it takes. While many critics continue to speculate which jobs will be made redundant with AI tools, the data shows that freelance jobs which are labeled as the ‘most at risk to AI disruption’ are in fact growing. The preliminary results from our AI survey also dispel the myth that freelancer are earning less since the introduction of generative AI as more three quarters of workers we surveyed are either earning the same or earning more, with a subset taking advantage of AI and earning a lot more.” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive at Freelancer.com. Cybersecurity threats are on the rise across all organizations, but are particularly harmful for small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) which have little-to-no security expertise and usually minimal protection. As a result, businesses turned to freelancers for help. In 2Q24, Computer Security jobs ranked as the fastest growing skills (up 27%), indicating there has been an uptick in cyber security threats targeting SMBs. Many of the projects posted throughout the quarter require help with network security, security assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities, and creation of cyber security response play books. General business services are also increasing on the platform as more employers are hiring freelancers to support their small businesses. A clear indication of this is the popularity of Market Research and Telemarketing jobs coming in as the fourth and fifth fastest growing skills in Q2 2024, up by 21.1% (from 1,525 to 1,859) and 19.4% (from 1,177 to 1,405), respectively. Other business related skills grew in Q2 2024, including Sales (up 15.5% from 3.467 to 4,005), Lead Generation (up 12.2% from 1,802 to 2,021) and Business Plans (up 10.9% from 1,197 to 1,328). A sudden increase in General business services means that many of the new businesses, which are usually started at the beginning of the year, now require further assistance in helping grow and scale their business. Fastest Falling Skills for Q2 2024 The main category of jobs that fell in Q2 2024 was eCommerce related jobs, which saw a significant increase in Q1 2024. Shopify Templates, ranked as the fastest falling skill and was down by 13% (from 1,476 to 1,284). CSS, which is commonly used in website development, was also down (11.8% from 9.486 to 8,368). Both WooCommerce (from 1.072 to 952) and Shopify (2,545 to 2,269) also fell in the quarter. The easing of eCommerce jobs in this quarter was mainly due to seasonality. Typically, entrepreneurs will start a business at the beginning of the year, requiring help to set up their websites or eCommerce platforms. From there, the entrepreneur either pivots to hiring freelancers for other business services, such as sales or research which we’ve seen in Q2 2024 fastest growing jobs, or are equipped with enough to run their business without any further help. Fastest Growing Overall Job The most popular online freelancing job by total volume is currently Graphic Design with almost double the amount of projects than the other top skills. Graphic Design is followed by PHP (programming), Photoshop, Website Design and HTML (programming). These are typically the best skills for any new freelancer to focus on initially when starting their freelancing journey. How Electronic Repairs Are Becoming the Fastest Growing Skill Globally Electronic Repairs has emerged as one of the fastest-growing job categories on the platform over the past year. In Q2 2024, it ranked 19th among the top 25 fastest-growing jobs, with a 10.7% increase (from 14,945 to 16,548 jobs). However, its most impressive growth is evident in the year-over-year comparison, where Electronic Repairs jobs surged by 162%, from 6,315 in Q2 2023 to 16,548 in Q2 2024. Electronic Repairs are in-person jobs where freelancers are deployed across select countries and cities to fix laptops, printers and computer hardware as part of the Freelancer Global Fleet Program. ##### Freelancer.com Fast 50 The Freelancer.com Fast 50 index is the world’s largest forward indicator of trends in online jobs related to industries, technologies, products, and companies. The data is based on 251,000 jobs posted to the Freelancer.com platform between 1st April to 30th June 2024. Data: Fast 50 Quarterly Index – Q2 2024 2023 Q2 v 2024 Q2 Fastest Growing Jobs for Q2 2024 Fastest Falling Jobs for Q2 2024 About Freelancer Twelve-time Webby award-winning Freelancer.com is the world’s largest freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplace by total number of users and projects posted. More than 74 million registered users have posted over 23.8 million projects and contests to date in over 2,000 areas as diverse as website development, logo design, marketing, copywriting, astrophysics, aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Freelancer owns Escrow.com and Loadshift. Freelancer Limited is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker ASX:FLN and is quoted on OTCQX Best Market under the ticker FLNCF. Contact Details Freelancer.com Marko Zitko +1 650-800-6863 mzitko@freelancer.com

July 18, 2024 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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2024 Global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry Report: Benchmark International Unveils Critical Insights

Benchmark International

Benchmark International, a leader in the mergers and acquisition (M&A) industry, proudly announces the release of its comprehensive " 2024 Global Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry Report ". This pivotal document provides in-depth analysis and crucial insights into the dynamic AEC industry, offering valuable perspectives for stakeholders and industry professionals worldwide. The AEC sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, evolving regulatory landscapes, and shifting market demands. Benchmark International's latest report delves into these trends, thoroughly examining current market conditions, key drivers, and future forecasts. Key Highlights of the 2024 AEC Industry Report: Market Dynamics: Detailed analysis of market size, growth rates, and segmentation across various regions and sectors within the AEC industry. Technological Innovations: Exploration of cutting-edge technologies reshaping the AEC landscape, including Building Information Modeling (BIM), artificial intelligence, and sustainable construction practices. Regulatory Developments: Insights into the impact of new regulations and standards in the industry, with a focus on compliance and risk management. M&A Activity: Examination of recent mergers and acquisitions, highlighting key deals and strategic moves by major players in the AEC sector. Future Outlook: Projections and trends for the coming years, providing industry professionals with a roadmap for strategic planning and investment. Benchmark International's dedication to delivering high-quality, actionable insights is reflected in this report, which is poised to become an essential reference for executives, investors, and professionals within the AEC industry, equipping them with practical knowledge for their roles. ABOUT BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL: Benchmark International is a global M&A firm that provides business owners with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. Benchmark International has handled over $11 billion in transaction value across various industries from offices across the world. With decades of M&A experience, Benchmark International’s transaction teams have assisted business owners with achieving their objectives and ensuring the continued growth of their businesses. The firm has also been named the Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor and the Global M&A Network as well as the #1 Sell-side Exclusive Privately-held M&A Advisor in the World by Pitchbook and Refinitiv's Global League Tables. Contact Details Brittney Zoeller +1 813-898-2350 zoeller@benchmarkintl.com Company Website https://www.benchmarkintl.com/

July 17, 2024 11:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Leaders in Real Estate Advocate for Cooperative Approaches to Address Housing Crisis

K3 Holdings

K3 Holdings, a privately held real estate investment firm with extensive holdings throughout the United States is advocating for collaboration as stakeholders consider housing policies to combat homelessness. In a recent article published by The Mortgage Note and a blog post at the K3 Holdings and Alpine LA Properties websites, leaders stressed the need for cooperative approaches to policies that can address housing options, especially for disadvantaged populations. “At K3 Holdings and Alpine LA Properties, we experience firsthand the complex challenges faced by both landlords and tenants in the quest for safe and adequate housing. The ongoing economic turbulence, driven by higher interest rates and inflation, underscores the urgency for cohesive, sensible housing policies. As political leaders seek effective solutions, expanding the perspectives at the table is essential,” stated Nathan Kadisha, a K3 Principal. “Safe and adequate housing is a cornerstone for community stability and prosperity—it is a moral imperative. When families struggle to find stable homes, the repercussions ripple through society, leading to increased homelessness and pressure on social services. This issue affects every facet of our communities, highlighting the critical need for effective policy solutions.” According to Kadisha, effective housing policy should create mutually beneficial outcomes for both landlords and tenants. Unfortunately, policy debates often frame these groups as adversaries, competing for limited resources. This adversarial mindset overlooks the shared goals and common interests that can unite landlords and tenants. While often considered unlikely allies, landlords have a vested interest in advocating for policies that support tenants and promote vibrant, inclusive communities. Advocacy from property companies can help ensure the financial health of investments and fosters environments where tenants can thrive. “As stakeholders continue to seek solutions, policymakers should work collaboratively to address the root causes of housing insecurity while protecting property owners' interests. This approach can solve critical issues facing all parties. Unlike so many political battles, when it comes to affordable housing policies, one group does not have to lose for another to win,” Kadisha continued. One key area for sensible policy action is rent stabilization. Thoughtfully implemented rent stabilization can provide tenants with the stability they need while allowing landlords to earn a fair return. By capping annual rent increases at a rate tied to inflation, we can ensure rental housing remains affordable without imposing undue burdens on property owners. Ensuring fair treatment for tenants and landlords alike helps build stronger, more resilient communities. “As property managers, we bring a unique perspective to the table, balancing tenant needs with our business interests. Lopsided policies can harm the broader community, making it imperative for us to advocate for balanced, unifying housing policies. By working together, we can bridge the gap between stakeholders and pave the way for a more equitable, sustainable housing market.” Addressing the current housing crisis demands bold, visionary leadership from policymakers. By prioritizing policies that promote stability, fairness, and inclusivity, stronger communities where everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing can be built. Property managers are ready to collaborate with policymakers, tenants, and other stakeholders to realize this vision. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with a K3 spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@danrene.com Contact Details K3 Holdings Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 dan@danrene.com

July 17, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Standard Fleet and UP.FIT Partner to Modernize Government Electric Vehicle Fleet Management

Standard Fleet

Standard Fleet, an electric vehicle management technology developer, and UP.FIT, an Unplugged Performance company focused on the upfitting of Tesla electric vehicles for fleet use, today announced a collaborative initiative designed to enhance government electric vehicle (EV) fleet management. This effort brings together UP.FIT’s industry-leading expertise in customizing Teslas for specialty use with Standard Fleet's sophisticated fleet management software, aims to improve operational efficiency and support the environmental goals of government fleets including those managed by emergency responders and law enforcement. “Our collaboration with UP.FIT aims to equip police departments with the tools they need for a smoother, more cost-effective fleet management experience,” said David Hodge, Founder and CEO of Standard Fleet. “Integrating our software with UP.FIT’s customized Tesla vehicles means we can offer a system that improves operational efficiency while supporting environmental goals.” "Our mission at UP.FIT is to simplify the adoption of electric fleets for first responders and fleet operators globally,” said James Hedland, Fleet Director at UP.FIT. “Standard Fleet software gives operators complete control of the access, charging, maintenance, and dispatching of their up-fitted EVs. Together we’re providing police departments and other city and county fleet operators with an electric vehicle management system proven to enhance performance and operational efficiency." The partnership addresses a growing need for cost-effective and responsible deployment of EV fleets in public service by merging the expertise and capabilities of UP.FIT and Standard Fleet. This initiative is poised to redefine fleet management for government entities, enhancing both vehicle functionality and operational oversight. Key Benefits of the Partnership: Improved Operational Efficiency: Standard Fleet’s software streamlines the management of charging, maintenance, and daily operations of EVs, reducing both time and costs for fleet managers. Tailored Vehicle Customizations: UP.FIT modifies Tesla vehicles to meet the specific needs of police and public safety operations, enhancing their reliability and suitability for work in the communities they serve. Environmental Impact: The shift towards EVs helps reduce emissions and air pollution, and aligns with local, state, and federal environmental objectives. Sergeant Tony Abdalla from the South Pasadena Police Department, a client benefiting from this partnership, stated, “Adopting electric vehicles for police work presents a unique set of challenges along with opportunities to better serve our community with a cleaner, more reliable, and higher performance police fleet at lower costs over the long term. Standard Fleet technology gives us mobile access to all of our EVs to enhance our operations from dispatch, charging, maintenance, and analytics, to keyless access for officers coming on- and off-duty. Combining Standard Fleet software with the hardware and digital technology upgrades installed by UP.FIT puts our fleet at the forefront of sustainability and performance.” This initiative underscores the potential of technology to improve public sector operations and promotes the adoption of sustainable practices in fleet management. As police departments and other city and county fleet operators increasingly turn to electric vehicles, Standard Fleet and UP.FIT provides scalable, impactful, and effective solutions for the challenges of modern fleet operations. To learn more about this strategic collaboration, please visit here. Useful Links: Learn More: www.standardfleet.com About UP.FIT: https://up.fit/ Follow us: Blog | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Sales and Partnership Inquiries: Please email Standard Fleet at contact@standardfleet.com. About Standard Fleet: Founded in 2021 and based in San Francisco, Standard Fleet envisions a future where electric vehicle (EV) fleets are at the forefront of sustainable transportation, supporting a more environmentally friendly approach to urban mobility. The company’s software simplifies the management of electric vehicle fleets by enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating the transition to sustainable transportation. For more information, please visit www.standardfleet.com. About UP.FIT: Based in Hawthorne, CA, UP.FIT, an Unplugged Performance company, is the global leader in upfitting Teslas for fleet use. Launched in response to the growing need for advanced, sustainable fleet solutions, UP.FIT collaborates with industry leaders to engineer high-level components, turnkey vehicles, training, and innovative management tools. The UP.FIT mission is to provide first responders with the most innovative, safe and reliable equipment possible, all while driving to a cleaner tomorrow. Contact Details ANW Networks for Standard Fleet Alicia V. Nieva-Woodgate +1 720-808-0086 alicia@anwnetworks.com Company Website https://www.standardfleet.com/

July 16, 2024 11:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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