Category Archives: Business

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

Trent Thompson Joins the WebPresented Team


WebPresented is excited to announce that Trent Thompson has joined the company, assuming the role of Vice President, Sales & Marketing as of March 2020. Trent comes to WebPresented with 20 years of individual sales and sales leadership experience. Most recently, Trent spent the last four years in the same capacity at Tour de Force.

James Gerdes, President of WebPresented, shares, “We are delighted to welcome Trent Thompson as the newest member of our Executive team. Trent adds phenomenal talent, integrity, creativity and experience to the organization. Most importantly, Trent understands what it takes to deliver customer success.”

James continues, “he sets the highest standards for himself and those around him. As WebPresented continues to deliver best-of-breed technology and services to our customers, Trent is a critical component in our continued growth.”

Prior to his time at Tour de Force, Trent spent several years in the financial industry, with a focus in retail and commercial banking. Trent graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Trent lives in Perrysburg, Ohio with his wife Summer and their two children, Luxe and Liam.

Trent Thompson shares, “I am ecstatic to be a part of the WebPresented family. The WebPresented culture promotes excellence, idea generation and putting the customer at the center of what we do. In my experience, I have found that distributors are struggling to pull together disparate data. They are in need of creating automation, ensuring proper and expedited movement through their sales cycle. Distributors are looking for partners who understand their business and are a value-added resource. Finally, they are looking for easy. WebPresented hits the mark on all these areas. This is why I am excited about joining this team!”

WebPresented is a software company that provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for hundreds of Wholesale Distributers. WebPresented’s flagship product, WPCRM, syncs data from customers’ ERP systems and delivers it back to sales reps as actionable intel. More than 20,000 Sales Professionals rely on WPCRM every day to increase revenues, improve efficiency, and collaborate with team members. Based in Columbus, OH, WebPresented has been providing technology solutions for Wholesale Distributors for over 12 years.

Learn more at https://www.webpresented.com or reach out to sales@webpresented.com for more information.

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Statistics Show How Accidents Influence Car Insurance Costs


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“Before making the decision to file a claim to their insurers, drivers should carefully analyze if it’s worth it. Drivers who are not at fault and suffered minor damages should avoid filling claims to prevent their premiums to increase substantially”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents how car insurance premiums will change for a policyholder who files a claim after an accident.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/car-insurance-after-an-accident-how-are-premiums-affected/.

Before making a claim to the insurance provider, drivers should consider a few things before making this move. According to a recent study, drivers who make a single auto insurance claim saw their premiums increase on average by 44.1%. Also, the reported premium increases weren’t for individuals who have a history of unsafe driving. Even after a single claim, premium increases can be significant.

Drivers who want to file a claim after an accident should consider the following:

  • How much the premiums will rise. The increase drivers can expect to see on their insurance premiums after an at-fault accident varies by location, driving record, vehicle, and the insurance company. Drivers can expect anywhere from a 23% to 73% increase in premiums in year one after an at-fault accident.
  • Insurance premium increase by state. Some states report costlier increases than others. Drivers living in states such as North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, New Hampshire, and California can expect to see their rates increase after an accident from 57.3% to 63.1%. On the other hand, drivers from Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Maryland will see their rates go up anywhere from 21.5% to 30.6%. Increases in the premium paid can last as long three to five years after an at-fault accident if the damages to the vehicle exceed over $2,000.
  • How to lower the premiums. Be prepared and purchase accident forgiveness. Not all companies offer this, but those that do will give the policyholders a one at-fault accident forgiveness with no increase in premium if they fit certain criteria. Other methods involve raising the deductible and improving the credit score. Furthermore, policyholders should avoid filing claims for small things after they have filed a claim on an at-fault accident.
  • Which claims affect the premiums the most. Bodily injury claims can cause the premiums to spike the most. A single bodily injury claim will result in an average premium increase of 48.6%.
  • What if the policyholder isn’t at fault. Whether or not the rates will increase after an accident in which the policyholders were not at fault is insurance provider specific. Some companies will not increase the premium for drivers involved in their first accidents, but if they suffer several accidents, even if they are not at fault, it could result in an increased premium.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/.

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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Does Car Insurance Cover Damage Caused By Riots And Vandalism?


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“In case of vandalism, only comprehensive car insurance can help drivers receive proper reimbursements.”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains which car insurance policy covers acts of vandalism.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/does-your-current-car-insurance-policy-cover-vandalism/

Insurance coverage that covers acts of vandalism is not part of the liability insurance. Drivers that got their cars vandalized will have to support the costs of repairs by themselves if they are only having liability coverage. Drivers that have comprehensive coverage in their insurance plans will be protected against acts of vandalism.

Rioting can occur at unexpected times and the consequences can be devastating for car and business owners, It can be difficult to assign fault to any damage caused by a riot, especially since rioters tend to cover their faces. Owning the right coverage can help drivers recover from riot-related losses. Policyholders need to have coverage in place before the rioting occurs since some providers may not allow purchasing coverage when active riots are in the area. This is the case with the ongoing violent riots happening in more than 25 states all over the U.S. What drivers should know:


  •     Comprehensive coverage is the only policy that covers vandalism. This coverage will protect drivers against events that don’t involve driving. Evens like car theft, floods, fire, falling objects, and of course vandalism Drivers should think twice before purchasing this expensive policy. Every day, there are more than 700 acts of vandalism against vehicles from the US. Comprehensive coverage comes with a deductible that has to be paid before the insurance kicks in and pay for the costs to repair or to replace a vehicle.
  •     The costs of comprehensive coverage. Several factors can influence the costs of comprehensive insurance. Factors like the insurance company, the policyholder’s coverage, and his address. Besides paying for the comprehensive coverage, drivers will also have to pay for the rest of the components of their policies. On average the costs of comprehensive car insurance are about $1,000 per year.
  •     Comprehensive coverage will also reimburse the policyholder if the car’s windshield is cracked or shattered. Some companies offer glass coverage without a deductible.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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Gianni Cortes accepted into Forbes Business Council


“It is my goal to inspire and influence young business leaders like myself by providing valuable knowledge driven by experience and learnings on a formidable platform.”

Gianni Cortes, executive of Cortes Construction Inc., a worldwide commercial construction company based in Tarpon Springs, Florida has been accepted into the Forbes Business Council, the foremost growth and networking organization for successful business owners and leaders worldwide.

Gianni Cortes was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors.

“We are honored to welcome Gianni Cortes into the community,” said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Council. “Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world.”

As an accepted member of the Council, Gianni has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum and at members-only events. Gianni will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Finally, Gianni Cortes will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

“I am thrilled to become a part of Forbes council alongside thousands of successful business professionals like myself. It is my goal to inspire and influence young business leaders like myself by providing valuable knowledge driven by experience and learnings on a formidable platform.” – Gianni Cortes

ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

About Cortes Construction

Founded in 2004, Cortes Construction is the recognized commercial construction contractor throughout the U.S. and Caribbean market. Specializing in hospitality renovation and contracting, Cortes has amassed a massive portfolio of hotel franchises such as Ritz Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, Hilton, Hyatt, and more. By having staff in-house Cortes is able to have precise control in budgets, schedules, and importantly quality. Cortes’ employees are dedicated to completing the best quality on earth, and leaving properties better than we found it.

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The Traffic Group Offers Pro Bono Traffic and Safety Planning Services to Restaurants Expanding with Outdoor Seating


Our goal is to assist restaurants in providing both safe and efficient outdoor seating, without putting their patrons in grave danger.

On the heels of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s announcement that restaurants may reopen starting Friday, May 29, 2020 with outdoor dining only, The Traffic Group, Inc. (TTG) – one of the nation’s leading SDVOSB traffic engineering and transportation planning firms – will now be offering their services to restaurants free of charge.

Whether in an urban setting or in a shopping center, restaurants will now have no other option than to utilize sidewalks, streets, and parking lots typically designed for the movement of people and vehicles. This means restaurants will need to take the safety of their patrons into consideration. The Traffic Group can assist restaurants with temporary and long-term efficient space planning, traffic rerouting, Manual on Uniform Traffic Controlled Devices (MUTCD) signing, safety, and operations.

“With close to 16 million restaurant workers in the U.S., we recognize the restaurant industry in particular has taken a deep financial loss, in turn creating so much hardship for our collective friends, neighbors, and relatives,” says Wes Guckert, PTP, President and CEO of The Traffic Group. “We want to help restaurants get back to business as much as possible. This is why we are providing pro bono services.”

Continues Guckert, “Our goal is to assist restaurants in providing both safe and efficient outdoor seating, without putting their patrons in grave danger.”

Those restaurants interested in working with The Traffic Group may contact them by calling the office at 410-931-6600 or emailing: info@trafficgroup.com.

About The Traffic Group, Inc.

Established in 1985, The Traffic Group, Inc. (TTG) is a Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) traffic engineering and transportation planning specialty firm headquartered in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Through use of sophisticated technology and the in-house experience of more than 80 industry professionals, TTG offers services that help determine road improvements, signal and sign location, lighting plans, land usage, public facility and capacity issues, and security measures. With over 4,000 pieces of traffic data collection equipment, The Traffic Group has the largest inventory of such equipment in the U.S. and conducts more than 100,000 counts for clients annually.

For more information about The Traffic Group, visit the company’s website at http://www.trafficgroup.com or follow them on Twitter @TheTrafficGrp.

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Southeastern Agency Group Earns “Diamond Achiever” Award in North Carolina


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“We are proud to present this award to the management and staff at the Southeastern Agency Group,” says Frankenmuth Insurance President and COO Fred Edmond. “The members of the agency’s team are excellent business partners, providing quality, professional service to all clients they serve.”

The Southeastern Agency Group of Greensboro, North Carolina has been named “Diamond Achiever” for the state of North Carolina by Frankenmuth Insurance. The award is presented to the state agency that attained the highest overall percentage rating in profitability, growth and policy retention during the past year.

The results achieved by the team at the Southeastern Agency Group in 2019 have helped the agency become one of the most successful of Frankenmuth Insurance’s more than 600 independent agencies. This is the second time that the Southeastern Agency Group has been named a Diamond Achiever for North Carolina, after previously earning the award in 2017.

“We are proud to present this award to the management and staff at the Southeastern Agency Group,” says Frankenmuth Insurance President and COO Fred Edmond. “The members of the agency’s team are excellent business partners, providing quality, professional service to all clients they serve.”

To learn more about the Southeastern Agency Group, find them on Facebook or visit http://www.sagnc.com.

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Frankenmuth Insurance has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses for 150 years. Because insurance is both complicated and critical to people’s lives, Frankenmuth works exclusively with 645 independent agencies to provide business, home, auto and life insurance policies. With more than 750 employees, the company is headquartered in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and offers insurance products in 15 states. Frankenmuth Insurance is financially sound, with $1.7 billion in assets. The company has an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) and is a Ward’s 50® Top Performer. For more information visit fmins.com.

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Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency Earns “Diamond Achiever” Award in South Carolina


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“We are proud to present this award to the management and staff at the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency,” says Frankenmuth Insurance President and COO Fred Edmond. “The members of the agency’s team are excellent business partners, providing quality, professional service to all clients they serve.”

The Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency of Camden, South Carolina has been named “Diamond Achiever” for the state of South Carolina by Frankenmuth Insurance. The award is presented to the state agency that attained the highest overall percentage rating in profitability, growth and policy retention during the past year.

The results achieved by the team at the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency in 2019 have helped the agency become one of the most successful of Frankenmuth Insurance’s more than 550 independent agencies. This is the fourth time that the agency has been named Diamond Achiever for North Carolina, after previously earning the award for 2014, 2013 and 2012.

“We are proud to present this award to the management and staff at the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency,” says Frankenmuth Insurance President and COO Fred Edmond. “The members of the agency’s team are excellent business partners, providing quality, professional service to all clients they serve.”

To learn more about the Upchurch & Jowers Insurance Agency, find them on Facebook or visit http://www.upjowers.com.

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Frankenmuth Insurance has been providing peace of mind for families and businesses for 150 years. Because insurance is both complicated and critical to people’s lives, Frankenmuth works exclusively with 645 independent agencies to provide business, home, auto and life insurance policies. With more than 750 employees, the company is headquartered in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and offers insurance products in 15 states. Frankenmuth Insurance is financially sound, with $1.7 billion in assets. The company has an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent) and is a Ward’s 50® Top Performer. For more information visit fmins.com.

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Validus Growth Investors Awarded Top Guns Designation by Informa Financial Intelligence


Validus Growth Investors

Validus Growth Investors

Validus Growth Investors has been awarded a PSN Top Guns distinction by Informa Financial Intelligence’s PSN manager database, North America’s longest running database of investment managers. Achieving the Top Guns distinction means that the Validus strategies are among the top 10 performers within one or more peer groups reporting to Informa. The Validus Global Growth strategy finished with the #1 return for the three-month period and the #5 return for the one-year period. The Validus International Growth strategy finished with the #3 return for the three-month period.

“It is certainly nice to have our strategies honored with a Top Gun rating, especially during times of such market volatility,” said Mark Scalzo, Validus Growth Investors Chief Investment Officer. “We attribute this success to Validus’ proprietary, bottom-up, process which seeks to identify mispriced secular growers that are less dependent on macroeconomic conditions. The results further affirm our mission to achieve the best risk-adjusted outcomes for our clients, regardless of the market environment.”

PSN Top Guns ranks products in six proprietary categories in more than 50 universes and is a resource for institutional asset managers and investors in their decision-making process. Top Gun firms are awarded a rating ranging from one to six stars, with the number of stars representing continued performance over time.

Validus Growth Investors was honored with three total ratings: a 1-Star and 2-Star Top Gun rating for its Global Growth strategy and a 1-Star Top Gun rating for its International Growth strategy.

In the Global Equity universe, Validus Growth Investors’ Global Growth strategy was awarded a 1-Star Top Gun rating, for a top ten return in the first quarter of 2020 along with a 2-Star Top Gun rating, for a top ten return for the one-year period.

In the International Equity universe, Validus Growth Investors’ International Growth strategy was awarded a 1-Star Top Gun rating, for a top ten return in the first quarter of 2020

“Congratulations to Validus Growth Investors for being recognized as a PSN Top Gun,” said Ryan Nauman , Market Strategist at Informa Financial Intelligence’s Zephyr. “This highly esteemed designation allows us to recognize success, excellence and performance of leading investment managers each quarter.”

The complete list of PSN Top Guns and an overview of the methodology can be located on https://psn.fi.informais.com/ (Free registration is required to view methodology).

About Validus Growth Investors

Validus is a research-focused, independent growth equity manager. Using proprietary research methods that evolve over time, Validus implements fundamentally-driven strategies with active risk-mitigation techniques to enhance down-side protection. All of Validus’ strategies employ the same philosophy and process. We seek company-specific growth wherever it leads and no matter how it’s defined by the market. We believe that an active growth strategy with an appropriate investment horizon, stock-specific focus and market risk mitigation deserves a place in every portfolio. For more information, visit http://www.validusgrowth.com.

About Informa Financial Intelligence’s Zephyr

Financial Intelligence, part of the Informa Intelligence Division of Informa plc, is a leading provider of products and services helping financial institutions around the world cut through the noise and take decisive action. Informa Financial Intelligence’s solutions provide unparalleled insight into market opportunity, competitive performance and customer segment behavioral patterns and performance through specialized industry research, intelligence, and insight. IFI’s Zephyr portfolio supports asset allocation, investment analysis, portfolio construction, and client communications that combine to help advisors and portfolio managers retain and grow client relationships. For more information about IFI, visit https://financialintelligence.informa.com. For more information about Zephyr’s PSN Separately Managed Accounts data, visit https://financialintelligence.informa.com/products-and-services/data-analysis-and-tools/psn-sma.

Investing involves risk, loss of principal is possible. There is no guarantee that any historical trend illustrated above will be repeated in the future, and there is no way to predict precisely when such a trend might begin. The information is based on the economic and market conditions as of this date. The information is not intended as a discussion of the merits of a particular offering and should not assume that any discussion or information provided herein serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for personalized investment advice from Validus or any other investment professional.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass.

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Machine Learning, FinTech Provider Attunely Inc. Announces Industry Veteran Jason Hiland as Vice President of Sales


Attunely Inc. is pleased to announce and welcome Jason Hiland as Vice President of Sales. Jason will be contributing to growing the sales function, developing new business opportunities, and scaling Attunely’s customized, machine learning solutions. Attunely is laser-focused on solving its customers’ pain points with an emphasis on revenue recovery for the delinquency phase in the credit ecosystem.

“With the addition of Jason, Attunely continues its philosophy of blending together Account Receivables & Revenue Cycle Management industry veterans with Machine Learning software pioneers,” said Scott Ferris, Attunely’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “We now live in a business climate where creditors and collection agencies must be more efficient and tailor their consumer outreach to recover precious revenue in light of exponential delinquencies and fewer agent resources caused by the COVID-19 crisis.”

“Attunely’s Machine Lerning models have proven to lift revenue recovery and liquidation rates by intelligently prioritizing delinquent accounts in a compromised agent workforce environment,” added Rob Nadler, Attunely’s Senior Vice President of Sales.

Jason is a seasoned sales veteran with more than 16 years’ experience in accounts receivable, healthcare, and financial services. He has held leadership positions with responsibilities over Sales, Business Development, Customer Service, and Operations. In addition, Jason has a proven record of building long term business relationships across these industries.

Prior to joining Attunely, Jason was Vice President of Sales for BillingTree. During his tenure he was instrumental in growing market share through direct client sales, training staff, and working with product and development teams on the design of new platforms. In addition to BillingTree, Jason held positions in the Accounts Receivable Management industry with Ontario Systems and CACi. Jason graduated with a B.S. in Accounting/Economics from Ball State University.

“After a phenomenal decade with BillingTree, I felt a burning desire to seek an opportunity that truly transforms the way companies in the Financial Services industry conduct their operations. Today’s environment requires a fundamental shift in revenue recovery workflows by leveraging predictive de-identified data to create efficiencies while protecting resources and financial capital. I am thrilled to join the Attunely team and collaborate with industry colleagues and friends about the dynamic impact Machine Learning can have on their financial well-being,” said Jason.

About Attunely Inc.: Attunely is a Machine Learning, SaaS optimization platform for the Accounts Receivable & Revenue Cycle Management industry that pioneers dynamic scoring models to increase revenue recovery yield in the collection process, in turn, improving outcomes for creditors, lowering risk in the credit ecosystem, and facilitating a better consumer experience. http://www.attunely.com

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XBRL International elects Wes Bricker to Board of Directors


XBRL International today announced the election of Wesley “Wes” Bricker to its Board of Directors. Mr. Bricker’s appointment begins on 29 June 2020 for a two year term and he is eligible to serve a maximum of three terms.

“The Covid-19 pandemic underlines the importance of accurate, timely, comparable and digital information for decision-makers in all walks of life” said Hans Buysse, Chairman of the Board. “The XBRL standard is being used around the world to help shift business reporting from paper to data in support of vital digital transformation. We are very pleased to welcome Wes to the Board at this important moment.”

CEO John Turner adds “The XBRL standard draws on the knowledge and skills of professionals from across the public and private sectors. I’m delighted to add my welcome to Wes. His involvement signals the importance of digitization to the audit and accounting profession. XBRL International’s modernization of its standard is opening up new opportunities and reinforcing the digital work not just of regulators and enterprises around the world, but also that of audit and accounting firms.”

“I have seen the importance of XBRL and the positive impact it can have on the usefulness of business reporting through digitization and standardization” said Wes Bricker, incoming XBRL International Board Director and PwC Vice Chair and US and Mexico Assurance Leader. “This globally important standard helps promote an information environment that can lead to better decision making. XBRL can also help management and auditors in promoting quality, credible information in the markets.”

Ends.

Notes to Editors

About Wes Bricker

Wes is currently PwC’s Vice Chair and Assurance Leader for the US and Mexico. In this capacity, he serves as a member of the US Leadership Team and the Global Assurance Executive Leadership Team. Wes’s leadership and oversight of the Assurance practice encompasses audit quality, business development and portfolio strategy, human capital, diversity, innovation, and technology.

Prior to joining PwC US, Wes served as the Chief Accountant of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) beginning in 2016, after serving as the deputy chief accountant following a role as a professional accounting fellow. In his role as the SEC’s Chief Accountant, Wes was the principal advisor to the Commission on accounting and auditing matters, and led the Commission’s Office of the Chief Accountant, a group of professionals widely regarded for promoting useful and reliable financial reporting in the capital markets in the US and internationally.

About XBRL International, Inc

XBRL International is a global not for profit operating in the public interest. Our purpose is to improve the accountability and transparency of business performance globally, by providing the open data exchange standard for business reporting. The standards are used by more than 150 regulators in more than 50 countries to collect high quality, reliable and timely digital business information from millions of companies around the world. We are the standards development organisation behind the freely-licensed XBRL specifications. XBRL International produces and supports the Data Amplified Conference, and certifies XBRL Software for third party software applications. @xbrlINT @DataAmplified #xbrl

Media Contact:

Debra Cagigal

+1 248 760 5085

Deb.cagigal@xbrl.org

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