My roles as a business owner and Vice Mayor already require me to be a leader for my teams and constituents. However, leading other leaders is a completely different challenge, and one that I am excited to take on.

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Jane Bolin, a successful attorney, entrepreneur, and current Vice Mayor of Oakland Park, Florida was recently appointed as Chair of the Global Governance Committee for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), a global non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs achieve greater business success. Bolin is the first woman to assume this role in the organization’s 33-year history.

Considered one of the world’s most influential entrepreneur communities, EO has more than 14,000 members in its 190 chapters around the globe. Members of EO must be owners, founders, or majority stakeholders of their business earning at least $1 million in annual revenue.

“Jane is a powerhouse. We are thrilled to have her leading the Global Governance Committee,” said Carrie Santos, CEO of the Entrepreneur’s Organization. “Her leadership and focus are critical to leading a group of volunteers from around the world handling thorny issues of ethics, transparency and oversight.”

Bolin added: “I am honored to take on this new role. I see this appointment as a real opportunity to continue to hone my skills as a leader. My roles as a business owner and Vice Mayor already require me to be a leader for my teams and constituents. However, leading other leaders is a completely different challenge, and one that I am excited to take on.”

Since joining EO in 2012, Bolin has established a robust track record of leadership at the nonprofit. Prior to becoming Chair of the Global Governance Committee, she served as President of EO’s Tampa Chapter, Membership Chair for the South Florida chapter, Area Director for the East region, and the Governance Director of East Region. In her new role, Bolin will work with the Committee and Regional Directors on matters of governance, policy creation and implementation, and membership.

As a successful business owner, Bolin is a strong believer in the power of entrepreneurship to uplift people, transform communities, and renew economies worldwide. As Vice Mayor, she believes that key to the American dream is a governance system that not only inspires entrepreneurship but also empowers people to start their own businesses and create opportunities for success, prosperity, and upward social mobility.

Bolin was also recently appointed as President of the Florida Bar to the Governmental and Public Policy Advocacy Committee, which operates to promote professionalism and provide information, networking, and education opportunities for lawyer-lobbyists in the state.

About Jane F. Bolin

Jane Bolin is the current Vice Mayor of the city of Oakland Park, Florida. A successful entrepreneur, attorney, author, philanthropist, and civic leader, Bolin is known for her action-oriented bipartisan approach to serving South Floridians. Deeply involved with her local community, Bolin serves on the governance committee of the Pride Center at Equality Park of South Florida and is an active member of Oakland Park/Wilton Manors Rotary Club and the Oakland Park Kiwanis Club. She is also the incoming global chair of governance for Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

About Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 14,000 influential business owners with 198 chapters in 62 countries. Founded in 1987, EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in business and beyond.

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Mindy Diamond of Diamond Consultants, with guests Shirl Penney of Dynasty Financial Partners (btm l), Rich Steinmeier of LPL Financial (top r) and Jim Dickson of Sanctuary Wealth (btm r)

The series has become many advisors’ “go-to resource” for education about the ever-changing industry demonstrated by surpassing 100,000 downloaded episodes. Yet Diamond credits the growth to a shift in advisor sentiment and rising interest in independent models.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

It was almost 3 years ago when Mindy Diamond, President and CEO of Diamond Consultants, the wealth management industry’s leading recruiting and consulting firm, recorded her first few episodes of a podcast to answer advisors’ questions on independence. “What began with the intention of doing maybe 5 or 6 episodes to answer the most frequently asked questions I heard from advisors about ‘independence’ turned into a passion project for me,” Diamond reminisced.

Yet she found herself driven by the audience’s enthusiasm and since, Mindy Diamond on Independence has evolved into a series designed to empower financial advisors and independent business owners by providing “inside access” to knowledge and resources. She describes it as, “Thoughtfully-curated, unique content and perspectives, including industry updates, insights on the ever-changing landscape and candid conversations with a slate of visionaries and top advisors.”

The series has become many advisors’ “go-to resource” for education about the ever-changing industry demonstrated by surpassing 100,000 downloaded episodes. Yet Diamond credits the growth to a shift in advisor sentiment and rising interest in independent models.

As a result, she invited 3 “ex-wirehouse-turned-independent-industry-leaders” who were previous guests on the show to revisit for a special “100K commemorative” episode titled “How These 3 Firms Carved a New Path and are Changing the Wealth Management World At Large.” The show, airing July 23rd, will include Shirl Penney, President and CEO of Dynasty Financial Partners, Jim Dickson, CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth, and Rich Steinmeier, Managing Director and Divisional President, Business Development of LPL Financial, in a panel format with Diamond hosting and recorded via Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

In the episode, each guest shares their insider’s view of the wirehouse world they left behind, the evolution of the wealth management industry as a whole and how change is being fueled by supported independence models.

Diamond commented that “firms are creatively designing supported independence models for wirehouse advisors to become independent business owners. And this is turning the wealth management industry on its head.”

“One of the great things about the evolution of the independent space over the last 10–15 years is the many different options available…the space is systematically checking just about every objection box that you might hear from a wirehouse advisor, to say ‘there’s pretty much something for everyone.’ So there’s really no excuse left anymore for an advisor to say ‘independence isn’t for me’,” Penney remarked.

When reflecting about the future of the industry, Dickson commented, “I think I’m most excited about building a community and a culture that allows advisors to help each other…independent but not alone.”

Steinmeier adds, “It’s so cool that we’re doing a video for this. If you want to know the difference between the wirehouses and independence, look at the smile on Jim’s face. It’s about being happy, right? … That’s what this is about—coming to work every day and loving what you do.”

“It’s enthusiasm that’s palpable,” Diamond said. “It’s an exciting time to be an advisor, and as Shirl so aptly put it, ‘this is the advisors’ Super Bowl.’”

The episode airs on Thursday, July 23rd and can be found on the Diamond Consultants Podcast page on their website, as well as on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

Mentioned in this article…

Mindy Diamond

President and CEO, Diamond Consultants

Mindy started Diamond Consultants in 1998 from her bedroom floor—and today it’s known as one of the leading consulting and recruiting firms for the industry’s top financial advisors. Drawing from her own entrepreneurial experience, the firm employs a unique relationship-driven approach that helps individuals and organizations achieve what she refers to as their “Best Business Lives.” Mindy hosts the popular podcast series Mindy Diamond on Independence, is a prolific writer and regular media contributor. Connect with Mindy Diamond on Linkedin…

About Diamond Consultants

Diamond Consultants is the wealth management industry’s leading recruiting and consulting firm, serving top financial advisors and independent business owners for nearly 25 years as a trusted and objective partner. The firm has unrivaled industry expertise, connectivity and a 360-degree view of the landscape. Diamond uses a proven “advisor-first” methodology that strategically guides the due diligence process, empowering advisors to make informed decisions and realize their Best Business Life™. Follow Diamond Consultants on Linkedin…

Shirl Penney

President and CEO, Dynasty Financial Partners

Shirl Penney is the founder of Dynasty Financial Partners. He currently serves as President and CEO of Dynasty and is a member of the Board of Directors. Dynasty is a leading integrated platform services company for independent wealth management advisory firms. Dynasty has received many industry awards and recognition for its impact on the wealth management industry since its launch in 2010. Shirl is a frequent speaker at industry events, often quoted in various financial publications, and was named to Investment News’ 2015 list of 40 most influential people in wealth management under the age of 40. Shirl was also named to the 2016 inaugural list of Icons and Innovators in wealth management by Investment News. Prior to Dynasty, Shirl worked at Citi Smith Barney in various leadership roles including director of private wealth management and head of executive financial services.

About Dynasty Financial Partners

Dynasty Financial Partners is known for assisting advisors of integrity to better service their clients, run their businesses more profitably, grow faster, and enhance the enterprise value of their firms. Dynasty does this by providing wealth management and technology platforms for select independent financial advisory firms. Dynasty creates access to valuable resources and industry-leading capabilities through an open architecture platform, enabling advisors to address their clients’ needs and to protect and grow their wealth. Dynasty supports independent advisors and their teams in being independent, but not alone, by creating exclusive community events and experiences. Dynasty also offers access to flexible capital solutions to help advisors expand, scale, and grow their business and provides M&A support to firms looking to grow inorganically or to plan for succession. Dynasty’s core principle is “objectivity without compromise,” and the firm is committed to developing solutions that allow investment advisors to act as true fiduciaries to their clients. Dynasty has a leading network of RIAs who leverage its integrated platform and Dynasty’s growing Enterprise Services Group supports larger institutional clients who often have multiple advisors in multiple cities by delivering Dynasty’s platform at the home office and firm level. Dynasty has helped to level the playing field for advisors and firms looking to deliver Private Wealth Management capabilities to their UHNW clients vs many of the larger Wall Street firms in providing a robust suite of capabilities, products, and services when combined with Dynasty’s support offers independent advisors the ability to compete at the highest levels of wealth management client opportunities.

Rich Steinmeier

Managing Director and Divisional President, Business Development, LPL Financial

Rich Steinmeier is managing director and divisional president, Business Development, responsible for the firm’s overall growth strategies. In this role, he has responsibility for recruiting new financial advisors and institutions to LPL and to existing advisor practices, while also exploring new markets and M&A opportunities. He also leads the team responsible for onboarding new advisors to the firm. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2018, Mr. Steinmeier was the head of Digital Strategy and Platforms for UBS Wealth Management Americas. He joined UBS in 2012 as managing director and head of the Emerging Affluent Segment and the Wealth Advice Center. Prior to UBS, he held a variety of leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, including director of Strategy and Analytics and director of Business Development. He also spent six years at McKinsey and Company.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation’s largest independent broker-dealer**. We serve independent financial advisors, professionals, and financial institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions.

Jim Dickson

Chief Executive Officer, Sanctuary Wealth

Jim is the visionary who led the founding, development and launch of Sanctuary Wealth as an innovative, partnered independence network for elite advisors. Jim spent 20+ years in numerous senior leadership roles at Merrill Lynch. Reporting directly to the CEO, Jim spent the last six years as a divisional executive and member of the firm’s executive committee. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Jim was actively involved in spearheading Bank of America’s leadership development program and helped inspire and train the next generation of the firm’s managers. Having begun his career at Ernst & Young, Jim has gained a distinctive perspective and valuable experience in developing and optimizing organizations of all sizes. Known throughout the financial services industry for his thought leadership, Jim is an active and highly sought-after speaker, recognized for his insights on delivering growth in the wealth management space.

About Sanctuary Wealth

Sanctuary Wealth is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite, top-performing advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices, and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service each client deserves. Creating an ecosystem of partnered independence, Sanctuary provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses all designed to empower each partner firm to achieve their full potential. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network covers 14 states and includes more than 36 partner firms with approximately $10 billion in assets under advisement. The Sanctuary Wealth Group includes the fully owned subsidiaries Sanctuary Advisors, a registered investment adviser, and the broker-dealer Sanctuary Securities, as well as Sanctuary Asset Management, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Capital Markets, and Sanctuary Global Family Office.

While our growth feels particularly noteworthy now, in today’s disrupted economic landscape where many companies have sought to scale back costs in the second quarter, it’s an ongoing testament to our technology.

DENVER (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Vendavo, the market leader in commercial excellence solutions, today announced record-setting revenue growth for Commercial Excellence SaaS solutions. For the first half of 2020, the company saw a SaaS revenue lift of 54 percent compared to the second half of 2019. The increase represents continued upward momentum for the last several years.

New SaaS bookings were up 10 percent and service bookings were up 39 percent in the first half of this year. Bruno Slosse, President & CEO, Vendavo says “While our growth feels particularly noteworthy now, in today’s disrupted economic landscape where many companies have sought to scale back costs in the second quarter, it’s an ongoing testament to both our technology and our customers’ understanding of the need for more effective and efficient business processes for improved profitability.”

The increase in service bookings is partly attributed to the company’s formalization of Vendavo Value Consulting earlier this year. The group of commercial excellence experts are dedicated to partnering with customers to overcome digital transformation challenges and to ensure technology value is continuously optimized.

New bookings for Vendavo in the first half grew primarily out of the manufacturing sector. Notably, one of the Top 5 auto manufacturers in the world implemented the Vendavo Commercial Excellence platform. Customer partnerships across healthcare have also expanded this year, including with some of the world’s Fortune 50 organizations as they seek to navigate the volatile business landscape created by COVID-19.

In the second quarter, Vendavo launched Margin Bridge Analyzer (VMBA), a cloud-based commercial intelligence solution that helps B2B enterprises understand and explain the business implications of change, including prices, volumes, product mix, and other dynamic market factors.

“Variations in change across your pricing, costs, volumes and more are always difficult to reconcile to the bottom line,” Slosse said. “That’s especially true today, with change now serving as our new normal. To navigate out of these challenging times, it’s important to make smart decisions quickly.” 

To help organizations with business continuity and revenue recovery, Vendavo also hosted Commercial Excellence Month LIVE in May. More than 1,000 people participated in the month-long series of live, virtual industry panel discussions, keynotes and solution deep dives. The event was also a fundraiser for the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

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About Vendavo

Vendavo powers the shift to digital business for the world’s most demanding B2B companies, unlocking value, growing margin and accelerating revenue. With the Vendavo Commercial Excellence platform, companies develop dynamic customer insights and optimal pricing strategies that maximize margin, boost sales effectiveness and improve customer experience. With an annual margin improvement totaling more than $2.5 billion across companies in chemicals, distribution, high-tech and manufacturing, Vendavo delivers cutting-edge analytics and deep industry expertise that help companies stay one step ahead. Vendavo is headquartered in Denver, CO and has offices around the globe. Learn more at Vendavo.com.

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Howard Mills joins Ensight’s Board of Directors

“Howard [Mills] is one of the foremost insurance regulatory experts in the United States today. He will be an outstanding addition to our board.” – Bill Unrue, CEO, Ensight

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Ensight, the leading life and annuity digital sales platform, today announced that Howard Mills, former Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department and Senior Advisor at the Deloitte Center for Regulatory Strategies, has been appointed to its Board of Directors. The appointment will bring Mills’ insurance regulatory leadership to the Ensight Board of Directors as the company continues to expand the technology platform’s market-leading compliance functionality. Mills’ appointment will help shape Ensight’s strategic direction in order to help Life and Annuity manufacturers, distributors and financial professionals address the changing regulatory landscape, such as the evolving Best Interest (BI) regulations.

“Howard is one of the foremost insurance regulatory experts in the United States today. His broad depth of experience and expertise is unparalleled and will help Ensight continue our focus on the digital compliance innovation required to meet the emerging financial services environment, including new Best Interest standards,” said Bill Unrue, CEO, Ensight. “He will be an outstanding addition to our board.”

Howard Mills is a retired Deloitte Managing Director and Global Insurance Regulatory Leader and currently serves as an Independent Senior Advisor at the Deloitte Center for Regulatory Strategies. Prior to joining Deloitte in 2007, he served as Superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department. During his tenure, he led the Department’s transition to conducting risk-based examinations, was a leader at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on issues such as principles-based reserving for life insurance companies, terrorism risk insurance, and disaster preparedness.

“I am extremely pleased to be joining the Ensight Board. The future of insurance distribution will depend upon making products easier to understand for financial professionals and consumers, creating better financial planning decisions more aligned to financial needs and risk tolerance,” commented Mills. “In today’s ‘digital first’ world, greater adoption of life insurance and annuities is contingent on this step forward. As a former regulator, I understand how important it is for insurers and producers to also remain compliant with stringent best interest standards. Ensight is the market leading sales compliance platform to help accomplish this difficult task.”

Prior to joining Ensight, Mills was an active member of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the Presidential Financial and Banking Information Infrastructure Committee. He also served as co-chair of the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims and testified before Congress on matters impacting the insurance industry.

Mills is a Governance Fellow at the National Association of Corporate Directors and has over 30 years of experience serving on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations.

Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Insurance Federation of New York and as an Advisory Council Member of The Institutes Griffith Insurance Education Foundation. Mills was elected to three terms in the New York State Assembly where he was a member of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators and rose to become the Deputy Minority Leader.

To learn more about Ensight at https://www.ensightcloud.com/.

About Ensight™

Ensight™ is the leading cloud-based insurance sales acceleration platform for more than 500 Life and Annuity distributors, thousands of financial professionals, as well as many of the largest North American insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Ensight helps drive sales growth and productivity, while addressing the entire sales lifecycle experience – from prospect to policyholder, new business to inforce.

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Thomas Bruckbauer

I was always happiest when one of my employees or team members left my group or the company to do bigger, better things. I like knowing that I helped someone hone the skills they’d need to move forward in their professional lives and that’s at the heart of what we do at The Growth Coach. -Bruckbauer

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Thomas Bruckbauer’s career, although focused on science, technology and services, has always been about leadership, team building and business development. Now he’s excited to be using his experience in a new way with his new business – The Growth Coach Metro West.

The Growth Coach is the largest provider of affordable group coaching workshops in the nation, but coaches also offer group and one-on-one coaching for sales professionals, managers, management teams, self-employed professionals and more. Coaching follows three industry-leading series – their Foundational Series, Fundamental Series and Fast Forward Series. The Growth Coach serves the Metro West communities and the surrounding areas in Greater Boston.

“I’m looking forward to helping business owners and company leaders in the Metro West area by working with them to build better businesses and better lives. Working with The Growth Coach is a long-term commitment to real mindset change and accountability. You’re not bringing in a consultant to try to fix a problem – you’re bringing in a coach who is dedicated to standing in your corner and helping you get wherever you need to go. With The Growth Coach’s system and my leadership experience, I know I can make a real difference in this community,” Bruckbauer said.

Bruckbauer, who is originally from Germany, moved to Tennessee in 1997 to work for CTI Pet Systems (later Siemens Medical Solutions) in positions from Application Developer to Director of Engineering. In 2012 he moved to Massachusetts for a position with Bruker Biospin Corporation’s Preclinical Imaging Division in Billerica, where he worked in business development as the Director of Research and Development, then the Business Unit Manager and then the Market Manager. During this time, he became a proud United States citizen.

After moving back to Tennessee, Bruckbauer worked as the Vice President for Research and Development for ABT Molecular Imaging, where, among other duties, he led the development and growth of a high-performing research and development team and also developed collaborations and customer relationships to understand the market and prepare the company’s products for success. He’s now proud to be back in the Greater Boston area helping business professionals as a Growth Coach.

Although Bruckbauer has spent his career with large companies, he has almost always been on small teams, which often operated like their own businesses with budgets, strategic planning and business development.

“I’ve held a wide variety of positions, but I think, in every job, I’ve mostly been given the tasks no one else wanted. I’ve always been the one to face challenges head on, but never by myself. I know you have to build an excellent team and support structures you can trust to work together toward a common goal. That’s the only way to be successful,” Bruckbauer said. “I think of it as helping people to grow wings so they can fly. In all of my years in management, I was always happiest when one of my employees or team members left my group or the company to do bigger, better things. I like knowing that I helped someone hone the skills they’d need to move forward in their professional lives and that’s at the heart of what we do at The Growth Coach.”

As a Growth Coach, Bruckbauer is certified in The Strategic Mindset coaching process, which adheres to the standards, practices and policies that the International Coaching Federation has set forth in their Code of Professional Standards and Ethics. The company’s landmark Strategic Mindset Process is so effective that it comes with a money-back guarantee.

The Growth Coach, founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, sold its first franchise in 2003, but its leaders have a successful 20-year track record of helping business leaders find success and balance. Today the business and sales coaching franchise is in more than 100 markets worldwide. The Growth Coach was included in Bond’s “Top 100 Franchises” and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500” and “Best of the Best,” in USA Today and has been featured on FOX, CBS and NBC.

For more information about how The Growth Coach Knoxville, call (508) 504-7540, email TBruckbauer@TheGrowthCoach.com or visit http://www.TheGrowthCoachMetroWest.com.

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David Kelly – Vice President of Development

IRVINE, Calif. (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Westport Properties, Inc. is excited to announce the return of David Kelly as Vice President of Development. Kelly previously worked as the Director of Development for five years with the company. In his new role, he will oversee the development team, focusing on self-storage and industrial projects nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to have David with the Westport Properties family again,” said Charles Byerly, President and CEO of Westport Properties and US Storage Centers (“Westport”). “Prior to his departure, David played an integral part in growing Westport’s development portfolio, and there is no doubt he will play a vital role in creating opportunities for us this time around as well.”

David Kelly boasts several years of development and construction experience gained at Regency Centers, Snyder Langston, and Standard Pacific Homes. Westport is currently developing a self-storage facility in Los Angeles, CA that is projected to open in the Fall of 2021.

About US Storage Centers

Founded 1985, US Storage Centers is an owner-operator of self storage facilities across the country. The Company is a fully integrated operator that develops, acquires and manages its portfolio—additionally, the Company provides third-party management services. As of March 2020, it has over ten million rentable square feet under management and employs approximately 400 people nationwide. US Storage Centers is a founding partner of the 501(c)3 Kure-It, a non-profit organization that raises money for underfunded cancer research, and Charity Storage, a 501(c)3 that uses vacant storage units to raise money for local charities. To date, Kure-It has raised over $9M and Charity Storage has raised over $500K.

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Charlie Pagliazzo, Vice President of Channel and Wholesale Distribution, Granite Telecommunications

“Now more than ever channel partners have taken on a significant role in helping businesses to understand, source and successfully deploy advanced technologies. And, I am honored to be recognized by the channel community as a trusted leader.”

QUINCY, Mass. (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Granite Telecommunications, a $1.5 billion provider of communications services to multilocation businesses and government, announced today that Charlie Pagliazzo, Vice President of Channel and Wholesale Distribution for Granite, has been recognized as a “Top Gun 51” by the editors of Channel Partners and Channel Futures along with premier leaders in the indirect IT and telecom channel.

Pagliazzo, a 27-year telecom veteran, joined Granite 17 years ago to establish the company’s channel program. In that time, he has built the company’s channel organization, which now brings in more than $250 million annually. As Channel Chief, Pagliazzo has championed and overseen significant strategic investments in Granite Channels, including the additions of regional channel managers to provide local support to sales partners in market.

In addition to Granite’s expanded channel management team, the company has invested in layers of support for partners, including teams for partner sales support, client solutions development, sales engineering, project management, account management and customer service.

The strategy is working. Granite Channels has grown as a percentage of Granite’s overall business over the last several years, and in 2020 is growing at its greatest rate since its inception.

“Today’s channel leaders must be futurists, accountants, technologists, marketers and crisis managers,” said Kris Blackmon, senior content director for Channel Partners and Channel Futures. “It’s important to recognize these outstanding executives on the basis of insights from within the community itself. We want to thank all everyone who helped us assemble this year’s list.”

To compile the Top Gun 51 list, determined each year in tandem with the annual MSP 501, Channel Partners and Channel Futures editors invited those who know channel executives best — distributors, master agents and industry analysts — to nominate leaders who exemplify channel advocacy and leadership. All nominations are strictly confidential.

A channel leader was defined as possessing integrity, knowledge and confidence, the ability to inspire others, commitment and passion. He or she must be adept at recognizing the increasing diversity of partner types, revenue models, and partner and customer journeys.

Those tasked with selecting the Top Gun 51 were asked to consider three criteria for selection:

1. Advocates for the channel model with internal leadership. Proof points: Minimal or no house or named accounts. Product or service has “channel-friendly” features and meets advertised claims for end-user functionality. Few operational roadblocks to success within partner program.

2. Is committed to partners’ business success: Proof points: Has increased the percentage of revenue coming through partners during tenure. Can show data to support innovative programs for, for example, use of MDF funds, training and certifications. Provides effective enablement.

3. Works to earn trust: Proof points: Considered ethical and honest by partners. Is transparent about direction of company and limitations of product or service. Minimizes risk of engagement.

“For nearly two decades, I have been a steadfast advocate for the channel inside and outside of Granite,” said Pagliazzo. “Now more than ever channel partners have taken on a significant role in helping businesses to understand, source and successfully deploy advanced technologies. And, I am honored to be recognized by the channel community as a trusted leader.”

Pagliazzo and the rest of this year’s #TopGun51 will be recognized in a special program during Channel Partners Virtual: Digital Events for the Modern Channel. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution have been combined into a three-day online event to be held Sept. 8-10.

The complete 2020 Top Gun 51 list is available at Channel Partners.

About Informa Tech

Channel Partners Online, Channel Futures, Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution are part of Informa Tech, a market-leading B2B information provider with depth and specialization in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. They help drive the future by inspiring the technology community to design, build and run a better digital world by providing market-leading research, media, training and event brands. Every year, they welcome 7,400+ subscribers to their research, more than 3.8 million unique visitors a month to their digital communities, 18,200+ students to their training programs and 225,000 delegates to their events.

Background

The 2020 Top Gun 51 list is based on data collected by Channel Partners and Channel Futures from a list of well-known master agents, distributors and channel analysts. Data was collected online from May 13 to June 3, 2020. All nominations are held in strict confidence.

About Granite

Granite delivers one-stop communications solutions to multilocation businesses and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada. The $1.5 billion company serves more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100 companies in the United States and has 1.75 million voice and data lines under management. Granite launched in 2002 and grew quickly by helping businesses to simplify sourcing and management of local and long distance phone services with one point of contact and one invoice for all their office locations nationwide. Today, Granite is the leader in aggregating Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS), and has extended its unique value proposition – “one company, one contact, one bill” – to include a range of advance business communications services, including Internet access, SD-WAN, wireless WAN, hosted PBX, SIP trunking, mobile voice and data, mobile device management, managed security, network integration and much more. Granite employs more than 2,100 people at its headquarters in Quincy, Mass., and nine regional offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.granitenet.com.

…We believe in the businesses too often left out, overlooked and underestimated. Kabbage Checking is a new banking service built to give those small businesses an upper hand to earn more, save more and grow their business faster without sacrificing anything they expect from a bank.

ATLANTA (PRWEB)
July 22, 2020

Kabbage, Inc., a data and technology company providing small business cash-flow solutions, launched Kabbage Checking™, a new business checking account built for the smallest of companies, but fit for the largest. True to Kabbage’s continued efforts to support the companies most critical to America’s economy, Kabbage Checking gives small businesses the same capabilities, convenience and security they expect with a traditional checking account, but without the monthly fees or friction.

In minutes, small businesses can apply for a Kabbage Checking account, irrespective of their time in business, revenue or prior relationship with Kabbage. There are no opening fees or maintenance fees for Kabbage Checking accounts and there are no minimum or daily balance requirements. Instead, Kabbage Checking pays you. All customers will earn a 1.10 percent annual percentage yield (APY) paid out monthly, one of the highest interest rates for a business checking account in the industry.(1)

“Amidst one of the largest financial crises in history, we helped over 225,000 small businesses access services many of their long-time bank partners would only provide to their largest customers,” said Kabbage President Kathryn Petralia. “We believe in the businesses too often left out, overlooked and underestimated. Kabbage Checking is a new banking service built to give those small businesses an upper hand to earn more, save more and grow their business faster without sacrificing anything they expect from a bank.”

Small businesses can now join the waitlist to apply for a Kabbage Checking account with:

• No minimum opening deposits: Begin banking at any stage of your business.
• Cash deposits: Deposit cash at one of 90,000 participating retailers and service centers nationwide.*
• Free ATM access: Withdraw cash at one of 19,000 in-network ATMs nationwide.*
• Wallets: Create up to five Wallets to track savings goals or manage your cash flow.*
• Bill pay: Set up your vendors, organize your bills and issue payments electronically.
• Kabbage Debit Mastercard®: Access millions of merchants who accept Mastercard globally.

Kabbage Checking propels the company into a full financial-services provider as small businesses can now accept, deposit, pay, borrow, save and analyze their funds all through the Kabbage Platform. It strengthens its existing set of complementary solutions, which when combined gives the smallest of businesses an immediate technology advantage historically reserved and difficult to attain even for the largest.

Kabbage’s products are designed to work together to power a seamless cash flow management experience. When paired with Kabbage Insights™, Kabbage Checking customers receive daily cash flow analyses and forecasts. When integrated with Kabbage Payments™, customers can prevent cash flow gaps with faster settlements. Kabbage Funding™ helps prevent customers’ accounts from going negative, effectively eliminating costly overdrafts. The resulting solution gives small businesses access to unified cash flow tools in minutes with zero upfront costs or commitments.

When new features launch later this year, Kabbage Checking will also support wire transfers and mobile remote deposits. All Kabbage Checking accounts are issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, and are insured up to the FDIC’s standard deposit insurance amount of $250,000.

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(1)Interest paid every monthly cycle based on the average daily available balance of the prior 30 days. Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 07/02/20 and may change before or after you open an account.

*For complete product details and disclosures, please visit http://www.kabbage.com/checking

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About Kabbage

Kabbage, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is a data and technology company providing

small business cash flow solutions. Its suite of products includes Kabbage Checking™, a trademark of Kabbage, Inc., providing small businesses a new way to bank; Kabbage Payments™, helping small businesses get paid and access the money they earn faster; and Kabbage Insights™, calculating small businesses’ real-time cash flow. In response to COVID-19, the company became the third-largest PPP lender in the nation by application volume and launched http://www.helpsmallbusiness.com to help small businesses generate more revenue by selling online gift certificates. Kabbage is a 2020 CNBC Disruptor 50 and is funded and backed by leading investors, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, BlueRun Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, and others. For more information, please visit http://www.kabbage.com.

Kabbage Payments, LLC, a subsidiary of Kabbage, Inc., is a registered Payment Service Provider/Payment Facilitator sponsored by Fifth ThirdBank, N.A., Cincinnati, OH.

Bank account opening is subject to Green Dot Bank approval.

Banking services are provided by and the Kabbage Debit Mastercard® is issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. Other Kabbage products and services are not provided by Green Dot Bank or Green Dot Corporation.

Green Dot Bank operates under the following registered trade names: GoBank, Green Dot Bank and Bonneville Bank. All of these registered trade names are used by, and refer to, a single FDIC-insured bank, Green Dot Bank. Deposits under any of these trade names are deposits with Green Dot Bank and are aggregated for deposit insurance coverage. Kabbage Checking™ account funds are FDIC-insured up to the allowable limits through Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC upon verification of Cardholder’s identity. Coverage limit is subject to aggregation of all of Accountholder’s funds held on deposit at Green Dot Bank. Green Dot is a registered trademark of Green Dot Corporation. ©2020 Green Dot Corporation. All rights reserved.

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