Category Archives: Business

Press Releases from the Business World. Announcements, Product releases, Appointments.

American College of Healthcare Trustees Presents Webinar “COVID-19 Compliance Changes and Challenges” for the Post-Acute Care Continuum


The post-acute care continuum is facing unprecedented challenges in keeping up with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape, caused largely by regulator reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic

Post-acute organizations need to do strategic compliance program planning now to avoid adverse survey outcomes. Heightening awareness through concise and consistent messaging, strong policies and procedures and staff training are key to lessening the impact of adverse survey outcomes post PHE.

The American College of Healthcare Trustees (ACHT), a national professional association that promotes good governance, leadership, and decision making in healthcare, will present a webinar “Post COVID-19 Compliance Changes and Challenges” on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 5pm EDT. Registration is free, but required: https://bit.ly/ComplianceACHT.

The webinar, given by two experts in compliance, privacy, and operations, will offer important insights on how doctors’ practices, hospitals, home care, and others along the continuum of care can survive in the post-COVID world. Webinar participants will learn:

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) directional change
  • Where to focus compliance efforts
  • Become familiar with the waivers that facilitated the change

The webinar will deliver meaningful insights into CMS’ enactment of the Medicare temporary roll-back of regulations directly impacting the post-acute continuum, including in these areas:

  • Telehealth
  • Operations
  • Staffing and Supervision
  • Documentation

“Post-acute organizations need to do strategic compliance program planning now to avoid adverse survey outcomes,” said Kristine Tomzik, RN, MBA, BSN, CHC, CCEP, CHPC, CFE. “Heightening awareness through concise and consistent messaging, strong policies and procedures and staff training are key to lessening the impact of adverse survey outcomes post PHE.”

“The post-acute care continuum is facing unprecedented challenges in keeping up with the rapidly changing regulatory landscape, caused largely by regulator reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cheryl Ben-David, PT, DPT, CHC, CRC, CPC, CDC. “The pandemic exposed gaps in our healthcare delivery system, painfully evident in the Nursing Home sector. Challenge brings opportunities for innovative partnerships and program development, like the expanded use of Telehealth. Likely, other temporary roll-backs will remain, which will change the healthcare delivery system as we know it.”

Compliance is an important component of the ACHT Curriculum. “We are proud to have two people of the expertise and stature of Ms. Tomzik and Dr. Ben-David conducting this webinar,” said David Levien, MD, MBA, FACS, President and CEO of ACHT. “Ms. Tomzik is the American College of Healthcare Trustees Fellow. Supporting and promoting the impressive work our Fellows are doing is part of ACHT’s mission.”

This webinar is a must attend for Skilled Nursing Care, Home Health and Hospice Administrators, Post-Acute Services Vice Presidents, Compliance Officers, Chief Nursing Officers, Chief Administrative Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Executive Officers and Board of Directors Compliance or Audit Committee members.

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 5pm EDT

Webinar Registration: https://bit.ly/ComplianceACHT

About ACHT

The American College of Healthcare Trustees (ACHT) is a national professional association dedicated to promoting high performing, competent, qualified, ethical governance and leadership in healthcare that is person-centered and accountable by providing continuing education, resources, and networking.

Become a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Trustees now: https://bit.ly/joinACHT.

About the Experts

Kristine Tomzik, RN, MBA, BSN, CHC, CCEP, CHPC, CPHQ, CFE, has over 25 years of healthcare consulting experience specializing in healthcare compliance, healthcare privacy and operations for skilled home health, home based care, and hospice providers. Kristine can be reached kristine@tomzikconsulting.com

Dr. Cheryl Ben-David is a licensed physical therapist, and certified as a CHC, CRC, CPC, and CDC, who brings over two decades of experience, having worked in the highly regulated environment of healthcare within the US, providing litigation support & investigations with a focus on Compliance across the post-acute continuum and durable medical equipment suppliers, documentation integrity, billing, reimbursement, pharmaceutical promotion and privacy. A subject matter expert across rehab service delivery and operational enhancements including physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and Speech Language Pathology (SLP).

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Alera Group Releases Results of COVID-19 Employer Pulse Survey: Phase 2


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The good news that is worth repeating: 84% of those employers surveyed plan to bring furloughed employees back soon with the right health precautions.

Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firm, today released the results of the Alera Group COVID-19 Employer Pulse Survey: Phase 2.

The survey identified several key findings:

  • Pandemic Response: More companies have implemented a formal infectious disease response plan, and 46% of employers surveyed are putting one in place now or considering adding one.
  • Increased Furloughs and Layoffs: 30% of surveyed companies have furloughed employees, but the majority are planning to bring back those employees within three months. The restaurant/entertainment and automotive industries have been the two hardest hit, furloughing roughly 80% and 70% of their workforces respectively. Size has also played a role: companies with 1,000 or more employees furloughed the most employees, at 56%. Companies in the 25-49 employee range size faired the best with those companies laying off 16% of workforce.
  • Continuing Benefits: Of those that have furloughed employees, the majority of companies are continuing benefits, rather than requiring furloughed employees to go on COBRA. This response is similar to the results from the first Pulse Survey, where 87% were continuing benefits for furloughed employees.
  • Remote Work: A third of respondents say more than 75% of their workforce is doing well with remote work. One-third also say they are likely to require employees to continue remotely to reduce physical office costs.
  • Employee Safety: Companies are taking a variety of actions to help keep their employees safe including increasing the frequency and depth of cleaning, providing protective gear, and limiting the number of employees in certain areas.

“One thing is certain: the impacts of COVID-19 have had a wide-reaching and deep impact on nearly every industry,” said Sally Prather, Employee Benefits Practice Leader for Alera Group. “Despite the challenges from the coronavirus, since the first survey, we’ve seen that many employers have been handling the situation to the best of their abilities. The good news that is worth repeating: 84% of those employers surveyed plan to bring furloughed employees back soon with the right health precautions.”

Continues Prather, “Employers should continue to stay updated with the CDC and follow their guidelines to make sure the transition from home to workplace runs smoothly and effectively.”

The Alera Group survey was conducted online from May 18 to May 29, 2020, and consisted of 804 employers across various sizes, industries and regions. The full survey report can be viewed here: https://cloud.aleragroup.com/content/covidpulsesurveyphase2/. The first edition of the survey was conducted online from March 27 to April 6, 2020 and consisted of 831 employers. The first edition of the survey can be found here: https://cloud.aleragroup.com/content/covid19pulsesurvey/.

About Alera Group

With over 80 firms across the country and nearly 2,000 teammates, Alera Group works together to deliver solutions in employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management. Built on a unique model of collaboration, Alera Group is now the 17th largest independent insurance agency in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com.

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Kabbage Launches a Streamlined PPP Application for Drivers and Delivery People Using Uber


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With more than $100 billion left in the PPP, there is a meaningful opportunity for the self-employed to still apply and receive funding. With Uber, we aim to provide hundreds of thousands of more independent contractors access to federal funding.

Kabbage, Inc., a data and technology company providing small business cash-flow solutions, today expanded its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with a customized application for drivers and delivery people who use Uber in the U.S. As the fourth largest PPP provider by application volume, Kabbage has broadened its ability to serve America’s smallest businesses by providing Uber’s network of self-employed drivers a simplified way to apply for federal-relief funding.

The bespoke PPP application clarifies eligibility, how to apply and will automatically prepopulate information relevant for independent contractors using Uber. The result is a more straightforward and efficient process for applicants to access PPP loans. Currently, over 90 percent of all approved independent contractors that applied through Kabbage had an automated experience, and applicants may receive SBA approval the same day they apply.

As an SBA-approved credit provider for the PPP, Kabbage is focused on Main-Street businesses for which the program was designed to serve. Now with over 130,000 SBA-approved PPP loans for more than $3.8 billion, Kabbage’s average loan size is $29,000, compared to the SBA’s total average of $113,000. Through this efficient PPP application, Kabbage will provide a greater number of diverse, independent contractors access to funds appropriated to assist them through this crisis.

“With more than $100 billion left in the PPP, there is a meaningful opportunity for the self-employed to still apply and receive funding,” said Kabbage CEO Rob Frohwein. “With Uber, we aim to provide hundreds of thousands of more independent contractors access to federal funding.”

“Getting access to PPP funding has been difficult during this crisis for many, including people who drive and deliver using Uber and are looking for extra support,” said Cammie Jenson, U.S. Driver Experience for Uber. “We’re excited that Kabbage stepped up to design a process to streamline and enhance the application process.”

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 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 launched http://www.helpsmallbusiness.com to help small businesses generate more revenue by selling online gift certificates. Kabbage is funded and backed by leading investors, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, BlueRun Ventures, Mohr Davidow Ventures, and others. Kabbage Payments, LLC, a subsidiary of Kabbage, Inc., is a registered Payment Service Provider/Payment Facilitator sponsored by Fifth ThirdBank, N.A., Cincinnati, OH. For more information, please visit http://www.kabbage.com.

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ConnectYourCare Announces the Release of New COBRA Administration for Dummies® Book


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COBRA is notoriously difficult to administer, and ConnectYourCare is thrilled to offer an industry-first COBRA guide that offers clarity straight from our experts.

ConnectYourCare, a national leader in consumer-directed health care account solutions and highly compliant COBRA administration, today announced the release of COBRA Administration for Dummies® in partnership with John Wiley & Sons, Inc., publisher of the best-selling “For Dummies” book series.

This new book, written for employers, benefits specialists, and HR personnel administering COBRA—as well as benefits brokers and consultants assisting their clients—simplifies the complex nuances surrounding COBRA, formally known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

Many employers are mandated to offer COBRA by the U.S. Department of Labor as a means of providing continuing group health insurance coverage for employees and their families after a job loss or other qualifying event. However, benefits personnel who handle COBRA are often left navigating the rules, regulations, and complex administrative work on their own.

Written by ConnectYourCare’s expert COBRA team, this ConnectYourCare Special Edition sheds light on the subject, offering both simplified explanations and detailed descriptions for a number of COBRA topics, including but not limited to:


  • Who COBRA covers, what benefits should be offered, and when
  • Explanations of employee and employer responsibilities for collecting information
  • COBRA notifications and timelines
  • Guidelines for staying compliant and avoiding pitfalls
  • 10 top tips for administering COBRA

“COBRA is notoriously difficult to administer, and ConnectYourCare is thrilled to offer an industry-first COBRA guide that offers clarity straight from our experts,” said Steve Grieco, ConnectYourCare Chief Executive Officer.

“This Special Edition will help employers alleviate administrative pain points and expand their knowledge around COBRA regulations to maintain compliance.”

COBRA Administration for Dummies®, ConnectYourCare Special Edition is also available for download at https://www.connectyourcare.com/resource/cobra-administration-for-dummies/.

About ConnectYourCare

As a consumer-directed health care pioneer and nationally recognized industry leader, ConnectYourCare delivers a comprehensive solution supporting health care savings accounts and expanded tax-advantaged offerings. Through continuous evolution, highly rated service, and domain expertise across the benefits, banking, and payments spectrum, we are revolutionizing the connection between health and wealth. ConnectYourCare creates greater participant value through intuitive account management; greater employer value and savings through dynamic, outcome-based workflows and tools; and greater partnership value through deep engagements to meet goals—with proprietary, cloud-based technology and a modern, intelligent platform as its foundation.

Trusted by leading organizations, spanning all industries and sizes, we are making it easier for people to manage care, so they can enjoy life. For more information, visit ConnectYourCare.com.

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Fordham Real Estate Institute Welcomes Ryan Severino, Chief Economist and Industry Thought Leader, to Adjunct Faculty


Ryan Severino, CFA

Our program stands out because of experts like Ryan on our faculty, and other world-renowned industry leaders who serve as personal mentors for our students. They are getting real-time information and advice by true leaders in the field.

The Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) is pleased to announce that Ryan Severino, CFA, chief economist at JLL, will join the REI graduate adjunct faculty staff this fall. He will be teaching classes in Real Estate Risk and Portfolio Management.

In his role at JLL, Severino is responsible for global and regional economic research, analysis and forecasting, as well as property market forecasting. He previously served as senior economist and director of research at Reis, as well as associate director of research at MetLife Real Estate Investments. Before joining MetLife, Severino served as the director of investment strategy and market research at Starwood Capital Group. He has also held research positions at Prudential Real Estate Investors and UBS.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan to the Fordham Real Estate Institute and know that our students will benefit tremendously from his decades of experience,” said Dr. Anthony Davidson, dean, Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS). “Our program stands out because of experts like Ryan on our faculty, and other world-renowned industry leaders who serve as personal mentors for our students. They are getting real-time information and advice by true leaders in the field.”

Severino’s research has appeared in publications such as The Real Estate Finance Journal and Wharton Real Estate Review. An industry thought leader, his insights have been featured in top news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times and The Economist. He also has experience teaching real estate finance and economics at leading universities in New York City.

Severino is a member of the CFA Institute, the American Economic Association, the National Association for Business Economics, ULI and NCREIF. He earned a master’s degree from Columbia University in International Finance and Economics, a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Japanese and Economics from Georgetown University and is a CFA Charterholder.

“It is my honor to be joining the esteemed adjunct faculty at the Fordham Real Estate Institute and I look forward to a great semester,” said Severino. “With everything that has gone on over the last few months, the industry at large has shifted which will certainly lead to exciting discussions.”

For more information on the Fordham Real Estate Institute, visit https://www.fordham.edu/realestate.

ABOUT THE FORDHAM REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE

The Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) currently offers a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), graduate certificates in real estate finance, development and construction management, a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate (BSRE), and a comprehensive array of professional certificates in real estate and construction at its campuses in Manhattan and West Harrison, N.Y. Serving professionals and owners/investors of all stripes, the curriculum presents the essential elements of real estate finance, investment, development and management. The programs are developed and taught by leading industry practitioners and are centered on imparting real-world professional skill sets. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks as classes can be taken in-person, online, and at various paces. REI is a part of Fordham’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies. For more information, visit http://www.fordham.edu/realestate.

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Mercury Insurance Lists 10 Safety Tips for Drivers Returning to the Roadways


It’s important to review the rules of the road before setting out on your trip to ensure your safety and that of others.

As businesses reopen, commutes resume and more cars get back on the road, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) advises drivers to take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe behind the wheel.

“Stay-at-home orders resulted in less vehicle traffic but, incidentally, speeding and reckless driving increased dramatically as drivers took advantage of the empty streets,” said Kevin Quinn, vice president of claims and customer experience at Mercury Insurance. “This dangerous behavior puts lives at risk and can result in unnecessary collisions and fatalities. It’s especially dangerous as cities, counties and states reopen and more drivers begin returning to the roads. Drivers need to check themselves and be aware and respectful of the increasing number of vehicles surrounding them.

“Many drivers are also out of practice – aside from maybe some trips to the grocery store, their longer commute driving skills may be a bit rusty. It’s important to review the rules of the road before setting out on your trip to ensure your safety and that of others.”

Quinn recommends 10 tips to help drivers refresh their skills and stay safe behind the wheel as everyday driving resumes:

1. Get reacquainted with your vehicle and driver settings. If your vehicle stayed in park for the majority of stay-at-home orders, it may require some maintenance. Check the oil level and tire pressure to ensure they haven’t decreased before driving. Make sure your seat and mirrors are still positioned optimally for an unobstructed view of the road ahead and remove as many blind spots as possible.

2. Have a collision avoidance plan. Plan ahead for potential driving emergencies – such as a dog running into the street, another vehicle running a stop sign or a sudden obstruction on the highway – and create a strategy for how to react. Having a collision avoidance plan helps to make you a safer driver and protects motorists around you.

3. Plan travel time accordingly. If you need to be at the office or an appointment by a specific time, be sure to allow yourself enough time to arrive at your destination without rushing. Account for potential delays like traffic congestion and don’t wait until the last minute to leave your home. Speeding and weaving in and out of traffic lanes to get where you need to be is dangerous and inconsiderate of other drivers.

4. Remove distractions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most crashes are the result of distracted drivers. Distractions such as using or manipulating your phone, noisy or overly active passengers, eating and multi-tasking will all result in unsafe driving conditions. Reduce or remove these types of distractions while on the road so you can focus on keeping yourself and your passengers safe while driving.

5. Be aware of other drivers. Driving safety isn’t just about your behavior, but also depends on those around you. Don’t assume they’re being attentive – they may be distracted and not see the stop sign or traffic light ahead of them. Use caution when entering intersections, changing lanes, turning and entering and exiting parking spots.

6. Remain cognizant of speed. Speed limits are set for a reason, so don’t break them. Driving under the speed limit can be dangerous for others on the road. If your car won’t accelerate to the posted limit, turn on your flashers and safely make your way to the side of the road for service.

7. Maintain proper following distance. Rear-ending makes up a substantial portion of total injuries sustained in collisions. Following too closely behind a car hinders your ability to come to a full stop on time and it also limits your sightlines. The rule of thumb is putting at least three seconds of space in between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Use a fixed object – such as a pole or overpass – and count the seconds between when the car in front of you passes it and when you pass it to determine the appropriate following distance.

8. Stay actively engaged in the task of driving. Most modern vehicles are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems – like lane departure warning and active emergency braking technology – to help drivers avoid collisions, but this technology isn’t a substitute for proper and safe driving practices. Keep your eyes focused on the road ahead, and check mirrors, over your shoulder and use your signal when turning or changing lanes.

9. Remember to yield to pedestrians. Walkers and joggers may have grown accustomed to fewer cars on the streets, thus, may forget to look both ways before crossing. They also might not be paying the utmost attention to their surroundings, particularly if they’re looking at their phones, but pedestrians do have the right of way, even if jaywalking. Use caution when driving on roads with high foot traffic.

10. Obey posted traffic signs. Many cities have been repairing roads during the stay-at-home period, when fewer people were driving. Keep an eye out for any temporary traffic signs surrounding transit construction.

“More traffic means there’s more chance to get into a collision, even if it’s a minor fender bender, so taking the steps to drive safely will help keep the number of crashes down and prevent your insurance rates from skyrocketing,” Quinn continued. “The key to driving safely is to see the big picture. A combination of alertness, defensive driving and common sense will help keep you out of harm’s way when back on the road.”

Visit Mercury Insurance Drive Safe Challenge and Mercury’s blog for more safe driving tips and resources.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices. For more information visit http://www.mercuryinsurance.com or Facebook and follow the company on Twitter.

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HDS Global Names eCommerce and AI Leader Jim Liefer President and COO as Company Delivers eCommerce Model of the Future


Jim Liefer, COO & President

“Jim is the ideal leader who can help HDS execute its vision with precision,” said Louis Borders, founder and CEO of HDS, who also founded Borders Books & Music, Synergy Software, and Webvan. “Jim’s AI and robotics background, combined with his operational ecommerce experience, aligns perfectly with

Home Delivery Service (HDS Global), the highly personalized, touchless fulfilment service setting the standard for next generation e-commerce, today announced that Jim Liefer has joined the company as President and COO. With over 30 years of operational leadership and technology development experience at established Fortune 50 companies and Silicon Valley startups, Liefer most recently served as CEO and president of Kindred AI.

“Jim is the ideal leader who can help HDS execute its vision with precision,” said Louis Borders, founder and CEO of HDS, who also founded Borders Books & Music, Synergy Software, and Webvan. “Jim’s AI and robotics background, combined with his operational ecommerce experience, aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver a deeply tailored customer experience. He also has an incredible track record of success. We are excited to welcome him to the HDS team.”

At Kindred AI, Liefer successfully led the company from pre-product design concepts to a fully functioning, customer-facing organization that serves large global retailers with AI-powered robotic solutions within their fulfillment centers. Previously, he was COO at One Kings Lane, where he supported three years of consecutive year-over-year growth of more than 100 percent. Earlier in his career, Liefer was vice president of operations for Walmart.com, responsible for identifying and implementing processes and systems that could scale and continually improve efficiency. He also served as vice president of information systems with UPS Supply Chain Solutions. Additionally, Liefer formerly held positions in technology banking and software applications.

Liefer joins HDS as the company prepares to transform the e-commerce experience end-to-end. By combining industry-defining automation, AI-powered software, eco-friendly delivery totes, along with service-free home delivery, HDS addresses all that’s broken in e-commerce today. While traditional retailers and online mass merchants must continuously update their legacy fulfillment systems to meet evolving consumer needs, HDS was built, from the ground up, with touchless, automated fulfillment at its core. Its patented RoboFS automated fulfilment system evolves how goods are received, stored, picked, packed, transported, and delivered, resulting in fresher-than-store groceries as well as consumer goods sent directly to the customer’s front door.

“HDS has developed the most comprehensive end-to-end solution for e-commerce today,” said Liefer. “These systems are being applied strategically to deliver a customer experience that was previously unimaginable — even for the most high-touch, luxury brands like One Kings Lane. HDS built an entirely new system to offer a personalized experience to every customer. I am so excited to be a part of the future of e-commerce where customers receive the experience they deserve.”

About Home Delivery Service

Founded by Louis Borders, Home Delivery Service (HDS Global) is transforming eCommerce – end-to-end – starting with fresh groceries and other daily essentials. Powered by the latest in AI and advanced robotics, the company’s patented automated fulfillment system, RoboFS, enables quick, touchless order fulfillment, resulting in fresher-than-store goods, delivered direct to the customer’s door. The company has also developed a novel user experience, customized around the dietary needs, preferences, and brand favorites of each individual customer. With its bold vision and innovative technology, HDS has secured funding partnerships from the world’s leading brands, including Ingram Micro and Toyota. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hdsglobal.com and to learn about the technology that powers HDS, visit: http://www.robofs.com

Press kit can be found here. Please direct any questions to: press@hdsglobal.com

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Two InsurTech Pioneers, ePayPolicy and Veruna, Ink Integration Agreement


ePayPolicy and Veruna have entered into a vendor-partner agreement to add the digital payment processing capabilities of ePayPolicy to the Veruna AMR, the company’s open-platform agency management system (AMS).

Both companies are InsurTech pioneers, redefining how independent insurance agencies conduct business through the innovative development and application of technology, and are committed to greater agency control and paperless operation.

ePayPolicy is on a mission to replace paper checks with convenient, simple, online payments via credit card or ACH. While digital payments are ubiquitous across the spectrum of consumer and business transactions, insurance has traditionally been slow to offer alternatives to checks — even though most are using an AMS to automate other aspects of the business. ePayPolicy gives policyholders the convenience of digital payment options while handling the specific accounting, compliance, and reporting requirements of independent agents and brokers.

“To reach today’s independent agents, it’s essential that we integrate with the agency management systems that are continuing to develop agency first solutions,” said Milan Malkani, ePayPolicy co-founder. “Veruna offers an exciting, innovative AMS that’s feature-rich. We’re honored to be named as their integration partner for payment processing.”

“Our goal is to help agencies outperform the past,” said Jennifer Carroll, CEO of Veruna. “We are in tune with their evolving needs in an ever-changing world, and the Veruna AMR offers agencies a robust, yet nimble, suite of management functions. Digital payment processing is a welcome and timely addition, and ePayPolicy is the perfect partner for us.”

The Veruna platform revolutionizes agency operations and makes higher levels of productivity possible with the ability to make more rapid, informed decisions utilizing real-time data, robust analytics, and automated workflows. By coupling exceptional technology with industry expertise, Veruna delivers an AMS designed to meet the needs of modern insurance agencies by enhancing mobility, flexibility, customization, and integration capabilities.

“ePayPolicy is redefining insurance payments, and Veruna is redefining agency management,” said Carroll. “I see exciting implications for forward-thinking agencies — and our clients.”

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About Veruna

Veruna delivers the insurance industry’s only modern agency management system (AMS) built on the Salesforce platform and capable of driving quicker decisions using real-time data, robust analytics, and automated workflows with increased mobility, flexibility, customization, and integration all backed by the expansion capabilities inherent to the Salesforce AppExchange. For more information, visit veruna.com.

About ePayPolicy

ePayPolicy is the simplest way to collect digital insurance payments. Austin, Texas-based ePayPolicy is the nation’s foremost provider of payment processing developed exclusively for independent agencies, brokers/MGAs and premium finance agencies. The company’s innovative electronic payment processing portal enables its clients to accept payment via credit card or ACH, without messy merchant accounts or hidden fees. ePayPolicy sets up quickly, integrates seamlessly with leading management systems, and is endorsed by independent insurance associations nationwide. To find out more visit epaypolicy.com.

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Cloud4Wi appoints Scott Ackerman as Chief Operating Officer and Board Member


Scott Ackerman

Scott Ackerman

“We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation and I look forward to working with this exceptional team to manage these new challenges and to maintain focus on delivering the company’s strategic growth objectives.” said Scott Ackerman, COO at Cloud4Wi.

Cloud4Wi, the industry’s leader in location-based customer insights technology, is excited to announce that Scott Ackerman, former CEO of TuneCore, joined the company as COO and Board Member.

“Scott is a seasoned and trusted leader who consistently delivers results. He is uniquely qualified to drive strategic prioritization and accountability within Cloud4Wi, with a laser-focus on operational excellence, and he is a perfect fit with our company culture,” said Andrea Calcagno, CEO and Co-Founder at Cloud4Wi. “I have tremendous confidence in Scott’s ability to align Cloud4Wi’s world-class innovation with industry-leading operational practices to extend our market leadership.”

Ackerman will assume responsibility for human resource, finance, support and customer service, and operations. Ackerman will be responsible for the alignment and prioritization of the activities, ensuring operational excellence across the company.

“The opportunity to join Cloud4Wi is very exciting,” said Scott Ackerman, COO at Cloud4Wi. “We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation and I look forward to working with this exceptional team to manage these new challenges and to maintain focus on delivering the company’s strategic growth objectives.”

Ackerman joins Cloud4Wi from TuneCore where he served as President and COO in 2010 and was promoted to CEO in 2012. Prior to joining TuneCore, he held executive operations positions at eHarmony, Orbitz, US Airways and American Airlines. He is an accomplished executive leading global sales, services and operations in high growth technology companies.

About Cloud4Wi

Cloud4Wi is a location-based customer insights solution that enables businesses and organizations to seamlessly and safely collect, analyze and act on customer data. Using real-time behavioral insights, Cloud4Wi empowers one-to-one relationships with customers by delivering perfectly-tailored communications at the right moment. With a 10x faster data collection and +30% lift in click-through rate, location-based customer insights drive results in today’s new normal. Leading global companies rely on Cloud4Wi. They include Armani, BAC Credomatic, Burger King, Campari, Carmila, Diamonds International, First Trust, Gruppo FS Italiane, Herschend Family Entertainment, Klepierre, Kudu, Lacoste, Loro Piana, MaxMara, New York Botanical Garden, Prada Group, Talent Garden, The Cordish Companies and Valentino.  Cloud4Wi is headquartered in New York, and has offices in San Francisco, London, Paris, Milan, Pisa, São Paulo, and Bangkok.

To learn more about Cloud4Wi, please visit the website at http://www.cloud4wi.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Elena Briola

Cloud4Wi

ebriola@cloud4wi.com

Tel: +1 (347) 296-8790

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Kyndi® Names Mark Oney Senior Vice President of Product


Kyndi today announced that Silicon Valley veteran, Mark Oney, has been named to the company’s executive team as Senior Vice President of Product. Oney’s extensive entrepreneurial expertise began at Apple during the personal computing revolution and grew to include an extensive list of SVP roles at startups where he specialized in transforming new technologies into breakthrough products.

“The opportunity to join a company like Kyndi – who has already had a great start with outstanding technology and some really good early successes with customers – is what I was looking for,” says Oney. “I’m excited to be able to step in at a time when I can help the company take on the challenges of scale that lie ahead in the next 2 to 3 years – and do that at startup speed.”

As Senior Vice President of Product, Mark will guide Kyndi to focus on the right products, solutions, and segments required to fuel its long-term success. Adept at anticipating and responding to the needs of emerging markets, Oney’s role will be to ensure the company has the right balance of organizational structure and agility to capitalize on the exploding demand for text AI and reading automation. Mark will report to Ryan Welsh, Kyndi Founder & CEO.

“Mark’s proven track record in developing and executing winning product strategies at startups is tailor-made for Kyndi at this moment,” says Welsh. “As enterprises seek new ways to digitally transform key business processes, the reading automation and text AI markets are growing and evolving rapidly. Mark is uniquely talented at setting a bold product vision and successfully delivering solutions that deliver superior business value. That powerful combination will help us successfully scale the business and exploit our strengths.”

About Kyndi

Kyndi’s Reading Automation AI software transforms the way product teams and developers integrate AI into their internal and customer applications.

Kyndi is backed by leading venture investors including Intel Capital, UL Ventures, and PivotNorth, who was recently named to the Forbes Midas List for visionary investments. Customers include Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. For more information, visit https://kyndi.com/ or follow @kynditech.

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