Business, Free News Articles, Software

Movement Mortgage Implements CompenSafe to Automate LO Compensation

MACON, Ga. -- LBA Ware(TM), a leading provider of automated compensation software and systems integration solutions for mortgage lending and retail banking, announced that South Carolina-based Movement Mortgage has implemented CompenSafe(TM) to automatically calculate commissions for its loan originators (LOs) located in 700 branches across 49 states.

"When I joined Movement Mortgage, I was tasked with identifying a compensation tool that would bring increased efficiency, accuracy and transparency to our payroll process and keep pace with our rapidly expanding sales force," said Aubrey Ratchford, Finance Director of Compensation at Movement Mortgage. "After coming across CompenSafe in my research, I discovered that several of our employees had previous experience with the system so we ultimately chose CompenSafe to automate our commission calculations."

"Since implementing CompenSafe, the amount of time and frustration our payroll team experiences have decreased significantly, and our LOs have better visibility into their anticipated compensation each month, which they love," Ratchford added. "In addition, having compensation systematically calculated and captured has reduced the amount of time and effort required to produce accurate financials."

CompenSafe is the first mortgage industry-specific software that integrates loan origination system (LOS) data with LO-specific commission package conditions to automatically calculate commissions in real time, thereby reducing compensation errors and streamlining the overall payroll process. In addition, LOs can view their anticipated compensation through CompenSafe anytime, providing transparency into the commission calculation process and supporting lenders' LO retention strategies.

"Successful lenders find that as they grow, the demands that compensation calculation places on the payroll team can exceed the capacity of homegrown solutions," said Lori Brewer, CEO of LBA Ware. "CompenSafe alleviates this immense burden by calculating compensation automatically. This optimizes efficiency for payroll teams and allows lenders to source and retain top LO talent with custom compensation plans and providing the peace of mind of transparent and accurate commissions calculation."

About Movement Mortgage:
Movement Mortgage, a national top 10 retail mortgage lender, exists to love and value people by leading a Movement of Change in its industry, corporate culture and communities. Movement is best known for its innovative mortgage process and referable experience, which begins with Upfront Underwriting and a seven-day loan processing goal. The company, a certified Great Place to Work, employs more than 4,300 people, has more than 700 branches in the U.S. spanning across 49 states. Its non-profit organization, The Movement Foundation, has reinvested more than $30 million in communities to date. For more information, visit https://movement.com.

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

Twitter: @LBAWare @MovementMtg #LOComp #mortgage

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Advertising and Marketing, Business, Free News Articles

Sokal Media Group Signs Maguire Automotive

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sokal Media Group is pleased to announce that they are the agency of record for the Maguire Family of Dealerships. Maguire is driven by values such as loyalty, trust, commitment, security, and support for their customer base. The Maguire Family of Dealerships guarantees you will leave their showroom as a satisfied customer.

Maguire Automotive fully stocks a variety of new and pre-owned makes and models in their multi-rooftop, multi-brand family of dealerships located in Ithaca, Trumansburg, Watkins Glen and Syracuse, New York.

"My focus in this endeavor is to expand visibility of our product through a broader range of advertising," said Phil Maguire, Owner and President of Maguire. "Our philosophy has always been customer satisfaction, and we are enthusiastically looking forward to this new season for our dealerships."

Starting in February, 2018, Sokal Media Group will launch new websites for the group, create new advertising campaigns, and assist in many other areas of dealership business.

"We've been blessed to partner with an extraordinary group such as Maguire," said Mark Sokal, CEO of Sokal Media Group. "Our team is ready and more than capable of meeting their advertising needs and requests, and we plan on fulfilling our commitment to their satisfaction."

About Sokal Media Group:

With headquarters in Raleigh, N.C. and offices in Mooresville, N.C., Sokal Media Group is the area's largest advertising agency focusing on automotive advertising. Sokal Media Group is dedicated to growing business for their clientele through multiple marketing and advertising services.

As a full-service agency, they manage the entire project from start to finish. They execute everything from media buying, radio and television production, ad design, direct mail, search engine marketing, website design, website maintenance, and much more.

The Sokal Media Group staff includes 102 employees from Account Executives and Account Coordinators, to Media Buyers, Digital Strategists, Website Developers, and Graphic Designers. Currently Sokal Media Group manages 448 clients along the East Coast.

For more information on Sokal Media Group visit http://www.sokalmediagroup.com/.

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Business, Free News Articles

Bank of Southern California, N.A. Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-end 2017 Results

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL) announced quarterly earnings of $1,134,397 for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $1,088,043 for the third quarter of 2017 and $902,476 for the fourth quarter of 2016. For the year, net earnings were $3,964,692 in 2017, a 32% increase compared to $3,009,251 for 2016. Results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 2017 include a $200,000 increase in income tax expense due to recent Tax Reform legislation.

"We are very pleased to report our fourth quarter and year-end results. In 2017, we continued to experience strong organic growth in our existing San Diego and Coachella Valley markets, and we expect to see similar results in our recent expansion into Orange County," commented Nathan Rogge, President and CEO of Bank of Southern California.

Total assets ended the year of 2017 at $480 million, up from $468 million at September 30, 2017, and up from $424 million at December 31, 2016. Total loans increased to $399 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $388 million and $333 million at September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively, while total deposits were $407 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $418 million at September 30, 2017, and $377 million at December 31, 2016.

In addition to the company's solid financial performance, in 2017 the bank continued to build on its momentum to continue to create an organization that is the bank and employer of choice for Southern California business owners and our employees, with the company executing on two strategic initiatives focused on the customer experience and employee engagement. "We are very grateful for our loyal clients, and our experienced team of business banking professionals, who are the reason for our success in 2017," concluded Rogge.

For more details about our quarterly results, please visit the "About Us" / "Financials" page of our website and follow the link labeled Quarterly Results and Trends: https://www.banksocal.com/about-us/financials/

About Bank of Southern California:

A growing community bank established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, CA, is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products and services to individuals, professionals, and small-to-mid sized businesses. The Bank's solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. The Bank currently operates seven branches in San Diego and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County, and a production office in Orange, CA.

For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com/ or call (858) 847-4780.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may contain comments or information that constitute forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and Bank of Southern California intends for such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of that Act.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management's views as of any subsequent date. Future events are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those presented, either expressed or implied, in this news release. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability of the Bank to successfully execute its business plan; changes in interest rates and interest rate relationships; changes in demand for products and services; the degree of competition by traditional and non-traditional competitors; changes in banking legislation or regulation; changes in tax laws; changes in prices, levies and assessments; the impact of technological advances; the outcomes of contingencies; trends in customer behavior as well as their ability to repay loans; and changes in the national and local economy.

Bank of Southern California undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact:
Tony DiVita
Bank of Southern California
(858) 847-4783
tdivita@banksocal.com
https://www.banksocal.com/

* Quarterly Financial Highlights Table Follows (PDF):
https://www.banksocal.com/wp-content/uploads/December-2017-QTR-End-Results-Web.pdf

Ticker: OTC Pink: BCAL / OTC:BCAL / OTCMKTS:BCAL / OP: BCAL

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Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles, Insurance

EPIC Insurance’s Suzannah Gill Named a 2018 Rising Star in Advising by Employee Benefit Adviser

ATLANTA, Ga. -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Benefits Strategy Consultant Suzannah Gill has been recognized as a 2018 Rising Star in Advising by Employee Benefit Adviser.

The 2018 Rising Stars in Advising, chosen by Employee Benefit Adviser's editorial team after a nationwide search, are compassionate leaders who practice what they preach. This year's group of standout advisers, ages 35 and younger, are taking charge of the employee benefit supply chain with a determination to reduce costs and improve client outcomes.

Although she was the firm's youngest producer when she joined EPIC, Gill quickly became known as a company and industry thought leader. She draws upon her background as an ERISA attorney to deliver unique expertise as a consultant, with a keen focus on driving down employers' costs and ensuring that their interests are aligned by offering to work on a fee basis. Gill's clients benefit from enhanced employee offerings, reduced costs, and increased EBITDA.

"We are pleased and proud that Suzannah has been named a 2018 Rising Star in Advising," said John Hahn, CEO of EPIC. "This well-deserved recognition is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to providing EPIC clients with the highest level of service excellence. Suzannah is a tremendous asset to our team and a stand-out, consultant, leader and adviser."

Click here the full list of Rising Stars: https://www.employeebenefitadviser.com/list/employee-benefit-advisers-2018-rising-stars-in-advising.

About Suzannah Gill, benefits strategy consultant:

As part of EPIC's employee benefits consulting team in Atlanta, Benefits Strategy Consultant Suzannah Gill brings a broad spectrum of experience to EPIC. She was previously a senior associate and benefits consultant for a large Atlanta benefits consulting firm with a focus on strategic management and business development. Prior to that, Gill provided strategic benefits expertise to her clients as an ERISA attorney at a prominent Atlanta law firm, representing clients in both Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation matters.

Gill is a responsive and results-oriented benefits advisor, helping her clients understand and navigate the complexities of employee benefits, so they can focus on managing and growing their businesses. Additionally, her skill set further expands EPIC's legal expertise in employee benefits.

Gill earned a Bachelor of Science in Management with Marketing Certification, highest honor, from Georgia Tech and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law.

About EPIC:

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

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

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property and 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 U.S. 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/.

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Alliances and Partnerships, Business, Free News Articles, Transportation

C2SMART Signs Agreement with NEXT Future Transportation for Cyberphysical Test Bed

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- BROOKLYN, N.Y., Feb. 6, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- C2SMART, a Tier 1 USDOT University Transportation Center based at New York University Tandon School of Engineering, and NEXT Future Transportation have agreed to collaborate on the creation of a cyberphysical test bed to test NEXT's designs for modular self-driving vehicles. C2SMART will build and use scale models of NEXT's vehicles along with simulations to test routing algorithms and operational policies for shared autonomous vehicles, helping the company to propose and start field pilots in cities.

NEXT has developed technology for modular self-driving vehicles that can couple together while in motion, providing a transfer-less travel experience for users from door to door without the significant cost of assigning vehicles to individuals. To fully realize the technology's potential, NEXT needs a safe environment to test dispatch, routing, and idle vehicle repositioning algorithms that can fully make use of the vehicles' capabilities.

One of C2SMART's missions is to partner with technology providers and public agencies to help develop, test, and deploy transportation technologies, such as NEXT's modular vehicles, to different city markets.

For this collaboration, NEXT will share the specifications for their 1:10 scale vehicle models with C2SMART. The center will construct the models with the help of the 3D printing facilities at NYU Tandon's MakerSpace. Once construction is complete, C2SMART will work with NEXT to set up communications between a computer and the vehicles to start testing algorithms for three fleet control strategies.

The three procedures C2SMART will implement are:

* A dispatch with pickup and delivery routing algorithm, used for a service in which a train of vehicles picks up passengers at a terminal, travels along a main route, then redistributes the vehicles at the other end for door-to-door service.

* Dynamic decision making for vehicles merging at a station to determine when to depart, balancing lower operator costs with higher user costs as the wait time increases.

* Idle vehicle repositioning, which assigns idle vehicles to wait in a specified location until they are dispatched to new passengers.

Once C2SMART has successfully tested the algorithms, NEXT can use the documented tests to propose field pilots to city agencies and determine user demand for the service.

About the New York University Tandon School of Engineering:

The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, the founding date for both the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (widely known as Brooklyn Poly). A January 2014 merger created a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a tradition of invention and entrepreneurship and dedicated to furthering technology in service to society.

In addition to its main location in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon collaborates with other schools within NYU, the country's largest private research university, and is closely connected to engineering programs at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. It operates Future Labs focused on start-up businesses in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and an award-winning online graduate program.

For more information, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu/.

NEXT is a patented advanced smart transportation and artificial intelligence system based on swarms of modular self-driving vehicles. Each module can join and detach with other modules on roads and highways. The company has created a proprietary open, bus-like environment among modules, allowing passengers to stand and walk from one module to another while in motion.

To learn more, please visit http://www.next-future-mobility.com/.

Contacts:
NEXT Future Transportation inc. Silicon Valley, USA
(408) 256-2765 info@get-next.com

C2SMART Brooklyn, NY
http://c2smart.engineering.nyu.edu/

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Free News Articles, Software

Enigma iPhone Data Recovery Reaches Revolutionary Speeds

BIRMINGHAM, U.K. -- One of the leading global data recovery brands specializing in iOS data recovery today announced the new software update that has tripled recovery speeds. Enigma Recovery continues to push the boundaries of iOS data recovery, through innovative new algorithms and vast improvements to user interaction. The software that has now enabled a 3 times faster iPhone recovery speed, expertly refining the experience for customers worldwide.

Enigma Recovery can recover deleted messages, contacts, calls, notes and calendar items from iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices. First released in January 2013, the recovery algorithms have gone from strength to strength allowing data recovery, data transfer and data backup functions. The recovery tool has the ability to extract data dating years back, from the internal database of any iOS device.

A team of highly advanced software developers sit at the helm of the software's improvement journey with each release. The new Enigma Recovery release has reached remarkable speeds and will be available to download from the main website from today.

"The team spent a good amount of time optimising the performance. We were able to come up with a number of implementations that have completely transformed the data scan speeds. The outcome is better than we had hoped for, greatly enhancing the user experience like never before," said Brice Grenard, Senior Software developer, Enigma.

With online acknowledgements and recommendations from Macworld, Tech Advisor, Cult of Mac and CNET, Enigma Recovery is fast becoming the user's first choice for expert iPhone data recovery. The software is also the first of its kind offering two-factor iCloud recovery authentication, providing the safest third-party iCloud data download available.

About Enigma Recovery:

Enigma Recovery is an iPhone Data Recovery tool that allows users to recover deleted data from iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch devices, iTunes backup files and iCloud backup files. It is the only UK smartphone data recovery solution offering users a free trial download, with preview options. Upon purchase users go on to view all data found and restore previously deleted items back to their device through the free Enigma Restore app.

With Enigma Recovery, users can recover deleted messages, contacts, notes, calendar events and calls. Learn more: https://www.enigma-recovery.com/ios/iphone/sms-text-messages/.

More about iPhone Data Recovery: https://www.enigma-recovery.com/ios/iphone/.

More about Enigma Recovery: https://www.enigma-recovery.com/.

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Awards and Honors, Business, Defense and Military, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities, Police, Fire and Rescue

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Wins 2018 Academy of United States Veterans ‘VETTY’ Award

WILLISTON, Fla. -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, located in Williston, Fla. On January 20, 2018 its Founder and CEO, Carol Borden and National Canine Program Director, Nate Burney were at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. to accept the 2018 VETTY Award for outstanding efforts in Veterans Mental Health.

In choosing Guardian Angels for this distinguished award, the board of governors of AUSV state: "Recipient (GAMSD) has made a significant difference in the lives of veterans whose wounds can't be seen. Recipient has provided services/methods to replace feelings of despair with hope."

Carol Borden, Founder and Chief Executive Officer said: "We're just so proud of everyone connected with our organization. From staff to volunteers and foster trainers, everyone involved truly cares about making a difference for our veterans and first-responders. It is a great honor to have our work with veterans recognized by the Academy of United States Veterans."

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs was honored to stand beside several deserving veterans' charities, veterans, and individuals who were also recognized at the black tie gala, including:

* Leadership: Sarah Verardo, Executive Director, The Independence Fund
* Education: Dustin Perkins, Director of Marketing, Student Veterans of America, Illinois
* Employment: Bunker Labs
* Community: National Veterans Legal Services Program
* Honorary Vetty: Steven D. Vincent, Senior Business Development Manager, Tiag
* Honorary Vetty: George A. Chewning, II, Director of Governmental Affairs, Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation
* Honorary Vetty: Jake Tapper of CNN, Chief Washington Correspondent, CNN who also hosted the evening.

The line-up of esteemed presenters and speakers included: Montel Williams; VA Secretary, David Shulkin; White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly; actresses Anne Heche and Shohreh Aghdashloo; veteran and NFL player Nate Boyer as well as Mark Rockefeller.

Actor Mike Vogel, who along with Veteran and Bronze Medal Recipient, Matt James presented the award.

Several business leaders were also in attendance, including Eric Mitchell of LifeFlip Media, Eli Crane of Bottle Breacher, Sal DeFranco of Battle Grounds Coffee, and Travis McVey of Heroes Vodka.

Academy of United States Veterans (AUSV) established the annual VETTY awards to recognize those that contribute to the well being of the veteran community.

Our acceptance speech can be viewed on our website at: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/vetty-award-acceptance-speech-2018/.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, mobility issues and more.

Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Since their inception in 2010, Guardian Angels has paired more than 220 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need; and with your help, they can do even more.

For more information on our program, visit: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/.

*Photo for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0202s2p-gamd-vetty-300dpi.jpg
*Photo Caption: Founder & CEO of Guardian Angels, Carol Borden and Service Dog, Huey accept the 2018 VETTY award in Mental Health from actor Mike Vogel of The Brave, and Bronze Star Recipient, Matt James.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/0xl1HfPlos0

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Business, Free News Articles, Product Launches, Software

Wondershare’s Recoverit Gets Data Back On Track

SHENZHEN, China -- Industry leader Wondershare Technology specializes in providing software to streamline and bring simplicity to today's busy world. Today it announced the launch of its revolutionary new data recovery software, Recoverit.

Global experts in application software development, Wondershare has research and development centers across the globe including China, Japan and Vancouver and its investors include prestigious companies such as Sino-Wisdom and IDG.

With users in over 150 countries worldwide, Wondershare is a key member of the National Planning Software Enterprises of China and offers full multi-language, live support.

Reliable data recovery for business:

Wondershare's launch of Recoverit signifies a new high in professional data recovery. With over five million users across 120 countries, the Recoverit data recovery program is a fast and reliable data recovery solution which can retrieve any lost data from any device.

Using an advanced algorithm, the recently updated version of Recoverit has an unparalleled speed and success rate which has earned it a place in the Top 10 Best Data Recovery Software list in 2017 on TopTenReview.

The name was chosen from over 10,000 entries from Wondershare users in an online competition which netted the winner a brand new iPhone 8.

Suitable for PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices, Recoverit is user friendly and straightforward with just three easy steps:
* Select recovery mode
* Scan device / computer
* Preview, recover and save files.

Files that can be retrieved with Recoverit include documents, emails, photographs, video footage, audio files and much more and includes data lost through accidental deletion, unexpected power outtages, virus damage, hard disk crashes and even factory re-sets or powerwashes.

Suitable for both the home and the office, Recoverit is the new face of quick, simple and affordable data recovery.

Lost it? Recoverit!

Statistics show that 96 percent of all business workstations are either not backed up at all or not backed up correctly - an alarming number considering that, of businesses which suffer major data losses, 43 percent do not recommence trading and, 51 percent go out of business completely within two years. (Source: National Archives & Records Administration).

In a 2017 survey, 31 percent of users within a small survey section reported suffering a major and un-saved data loss which affected their own job and the performance of the business. With these statistics in mind, it's easy to see just how vital a reliable and efficient data recovery service is to your business.

"Wondershare Recoverit is a good option when you've lost important files and want to get back as much as possible. It offers a good set of tools for finding files, and its scans run smoothly and efficiently," said a Yahoo Tech.

Efficient, powerful and professional, powerful scan functions helps you to easily trace and identify every byte on your storage device and, the advanced file-recovery algorithm enables the retrieval of deleted, formatted or even damaged files within minutes. Using Recoverit's data recovery software is a much more cost effective and convenient method than calling out expensive and time-poor data recovery companies whose hourly rates are often out of proportion to the service provided.

A new brand, more new functions!

The new version of Recoverit is the most powerful data recovery software yet in terms for the speed and efficiency of recovery. Using an advanced algorithm to ensure consistently high data recovery rates, Recoverit retrieves data from any device, even under the most extreme conditions. It has been divided into two versions according to different operating platforms, data recovery for windows and data recovery for Mac.

For more information on Recoverit, visit: https://recoverit.wondershare.com

Data recovery for Windows: https://recoverit.wondershare.com/data-recovery.html

Data Recovery for Mac: https://recoverit.wondershare.com/data-recovery-mac.html

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/bX9EI2jOl_A

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Business, Construction and Building, Economic Development, Free News Articles

RMA Terminates Contract as Pompano Beach CRA Managers

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. -- Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) today announced that they have terminated their contract as Managers to the Pompano Beach CRA, a position the firm has held since 2009. Despite the redevelopment agency's newsworthy success in transforming the city, the firm's principals, Kim Briesemeister and Chris Brown, felt that terminating their contract was their only option due to the hostile environment that has been pervading the CRA meetings over the past few months. The termination letter submitted on February 1, 2018 will result in a 90-day transition period.

"We are honored, that for over the past decade, our firm has been instrumental in planning and implementing the highly visible redevelopment of Pompano Beach," said Briesemeister. "The transformation of this city has been a tremendous success story, as both the beachfront area and the downtown are now poised for an epic revitalization. We are very proud of what we have accomplished in this city - creating a better quality of life for the residents, providing opportunities for new businesses and developing an environment that made people notice the incredible qualities of this community."

"Terminating this contact was not an easy decision," said Brown. "Pompano Beach is where both Kim and I have our homes; it is where we built our company's office and where we had hoped to expand RMA in the future. However, for a city to be successful in its reinvention, the leadership must work together. Unfortunately, the recent CRA meetings have become a hostile environment where a small group of community members and certain commissioners have, time after time, impugned RMA's reputation."

The situation reached an untenable point at the January CRA meeting, when Briesemeister was constantly interrupted while presenting a proposed transition plan for the CRA. This transition program had been in discussion for 8-10 months, and was prompted by a dramatic reduction in funding from the County due to a settlement of longstanding litigation with the City.

"Because the County settlement reduced the CRA funding by millions of dollars, transition plans were already underway; however, RMA was committed to remaining in an active consulting role. Instead of working to continue the phenomenal growth of this city, this meeting, in particular, disintegrated into a forum where we were repeatedly forced to go on record to correct erroneous statements by the two commissioners and a handful of people. These same commissioners had also made repeated motions to terminate RMA, with each vote resulting in votes of 4-2 to retain RMA," said Briesemeister.

In December, numerous city residents and business leaders, seeing the injustice occurring during these CRA meetings, spoke out about the incredible work RMA has done to redevelop the CRA districts. This includes a beachfront that is now a magnet for restaurants, retail and hotel developments, and a downtown that has been recognized as a cultural hub, and due to RMA's planning, is now poised to become one of South Florida's most vital economic areas with the development of the Innovation District.

"We are grateful for the incredible support the majority of the residents, business owners and commissioners have expressed on RMA's behalf," continued Brown. "For many years, Pompano Beach leaders and residents worked together to transform the city; the results are undeniable and have been acclaimed by numerous media outlets. Working with cities who understand what a dynamic reinvention process entails, over the long term, is what creates continued success.

We wish the City the best in moving forward, and we will make our highly trained team available in a consulting role to Pompano Beach, if requested. Our goal is to create successful cities, and as a firm, we look forward to our continued work with our many insightful city/county-clients, helping them achieve prosperity and progress."

About RMA:

Founded in 2009 by Kim Briesemeister and Chris Brown, Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) is comprised of a phenomenal team of redevelopment experts passionate about building better communities. RMA is the most experienced full-service economic redevelopment consulting and management firm in the state of Florida specializing in revitalizing core areas and corridors for cities, counties and special districts nationwide. The co-founders are also the authors of one of the definitive books about city redevelopment, "Reinventing Your City, 8 Steps to Turn Your City Around." Learn more at: http://www.rma.us.com/.

*Web Photo Caption: Chris Brown and Kim Breisemeister.

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Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, Regional Events

Leading experts select Tucson to host education summit

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Institute for Teacher Education invites educators to a 2-day summit on Classroom Management and Student Engagement & Motivation at The Radisson Suites Tucson March 2-3, 2018. Through research-based tools and strategies, educators will be equipped to calm the classroom and motivate the unmotivated learner.

Former Teacher of the Year and Smithsonian Educator, Eric Combs and Executive Director Patti Davenport will work directly with participants to provide two full days of engaging professional development. Registration includes a research-based training manual for each session and an opportunity to earn up to six graduate credits.

Instructors for the Institute for Teacher Education are nationally certified and have served schools and districts throughout the United States and Canada for over a decade with remarkable results.

Schools have reported significant reductions in referrals, bullying, and other behavioral issues, and increases in student achievement, parental involvement and teacher job satisfaction.

School superintendent Philip Deardorf stated, "This has been the best training we have ever seen in our district. Seeing the engaged teachers (even the ones who normally sit at the back of the room) is phenomenal!"

The Institute for Teacher Education exists to support teachers in the classroom with proven strategies they can use immediately to improve school culture and increase student achievement in Arizona.

Registration for one or both days is available at: http://www.instituteforteachereducation.org/.

Contact:
For more information about this event, please contact:
Patti Davenport
Patti@equippingeducators.org
208-818-0902

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