Category Archives: Business

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

Noblis Names Matt Salter Vice President of Business Development for their Federal Civilian Solutions Mission Area


Matt Salter, vice president of Business Development, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions

“As the business development director for our FCS mission area Matt has contributed to business growth and successfully launched an FCS emerging business development leader program which helped foster employee growth,” said Amr ElSawy, president and CEO, Noblis.

Noblis, a leading provider of science, technology and strategy services to the federal government has named Matt Salter vice president of business development for the Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions (FCS) mission area.

“As the business development director for our FCS mission area Matt has contributed to business growth and successfully launched an FCS emerging business development leader program which helped foster employee growth,” said Amr ElSawy, president and CEO, Noblis. “We look forward to his continued contributions to our growth in FCS and his collaboration across Noblis to help us meet our government clients current and future needs.”

“Matt has contributed significantly to Noblis’ growth and high bid performance standards in our federal civilian mission area,” said Mile Corrigan, vice president, Noblis Federal Civilian Solutions. “He has applied discipline and rigor across Noblis’ business development lifecycle while mentoring account leaders and capture managers across the enterprise.”

In addition to Salter’s proven track record as a business developer in the federal and commercial markets, he has served as a senior manager leading technical teams in the healthcare and transportation domains to advance IT modernization efforts including cloud, high performance computing, enterprise information management and risk-based decision making. Salter also served as program manager for Noblis’ Risk and Safety Management Alert System, where he led cross functional teams in product development, system implementation and training, and subscription sales to healthcare providers across the U.S. and Canada.

Salter earned a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and holds numerous management and business development certifications.

ABOUT NOBLIS

Noblis is a dynamic science, technology, and strategy organization dedicated to creating forward-thinking technical and advisory solutions in the public interest. We bring the best of scientific thought, management, and engineering expertise together in an environment of independence and objectivity to deliver enduring impact on federal missions. Noblis works with a wide range of government clients in the defense, intelligence and federal civil sectors. Together with our wholly owned subsidiary, Noblis ESI, we tackle the nation’s toughest problems and apply advanced solutions to our clients’ most critical missions.

Share article on social media or email:

Wasserman West Partner Guillermo Wasserman Ranked Among “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers”


Wasserman West, LLC is pleased to announce that Guillermo Wasserman has been ranked as one of “Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers” by Latinvex for his Corporate and M&A work in Latin America. He is also the only lawyer in the State of Georgia to be recognized by Latinvex.

Latinvex annually ranks top international lawyers and law firms for their Latin American work. The top 100 lawyers were selected among international law firms in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, based on their recent track record on major deals in Latin America and recognition by clients and colleagues in the region.

As head of the Firm’s Latin American Practice, Mr. Wasserman regularly advises U.S. and Latin American-based companies on complex cross-border transactions, particularly in the technology and retail industries. Mr. Wasserman, who is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, holds law degrees from both civil law and common law jurisdictions, and is licensed to practice in the U.S. and Argentina, is widely regarded as a leading Latin American expert.    

“This is very well-deserved recognition and an earned testament to Guillermo’s dedication to providing clients with the full benefit of his on-the-ground experience in multiple jurisdictions. We are very fortunate to have him lead our Latin American practice. His knowledge of civil and common law, as well as language and business culture, informs our practice,” said Robert A. West, Wasserman West’s managing partner. “Our continued presence in Latinvex’s rankings reflects our Firm’s commitment to provide first-tier services to our clients doing business in Latin America.”

Maria Farall, a member of the Firm’s Latin American Practice, added, “Guillermo’s unique expertise and hands-on experience in Latin America have been instrumental in our ability to providing outstanding services to our clients across the region.”

Wasserman West is a business law firm based in Atlanta focused on cross-border transactions involving a wide range of industries and business sectors in the U.S. and Latin America. For more information about Wasserman West, please visit: http://www.wassermanwest.com

Share article on social media or email:

Insurance giants wake up to conversational AI, makes a decisive move


The financial industry is racing to the digitization and win the online customer. This win underscores the relevance of CogniCor’s digital assistant platform in such a scenario.

CogniCor (https://www.cognicor.com), a category leading provider of digital assistant platform for wealth, has been handpicked to participate in the 2020 OnRamp Insurance Accelerator (https://www.onrampinsuranceaccelerator.com/), in collaboration with Allianz Life and Securian Financial, two Fortune 500 insurance giants. This nationally ranked, GOLD-tier accelerator program in the USA brings together the insurance industry’s top corporations, investors, and 5 carefully curated startups that work together to deploy groundbreaking solutions that help redefine the insurance experience landscape. For CogniCor, whose Scalable Knowledge-graph based Conversational AI platform (CIRA) is used by top wealth management and retail banking clients, this presents a huge opportunity to work closely with the influencers and thought leaders in the insurance industry and extend the domain coverage of CIRA platform within the broader financial services sector.

Founded by Dr. Sindhu Joseph, from her Ph.D. thesis and her experience of inventing 6 US Patents in AI, CogniCor developed advanced AI capabilities in cognitive knowledge organization, language understanding, machine reasoning, and deduction to develop a robust platform that any financial firm can use to easily deploy and manage various digital assistants in their business operations. Launched in the US in 2018 CogniCor serves category leaders in the wealth space, such as LPL Financial, BNY Mellon Pershing the CIRA platform.

CogniCor’s CIRA platform is the industry-leading knowledge-graph based platform that helps you create a digital twin of your best sales/service agent and scale it to support digital engagements such as easy and fast search, digital assistants and chatbots, advisor churn and fraud prediction assistants, Reg-BI compliance and more.

In order to help companies struggling to provide support during COVID-19, CogniCor recently launched SmartBot, which is a lighter version of CIRA that mid-sized firms can use to start responding to common customer questions in a matter of days.

Sindhu commented ”Coming at a critical period when after the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial industry is racing to the digitization and win the online customer, this win underscores the relevance of CogniCor’s vision to enable every business in the world with a thinking, talking and cognitive interface that enables them to engage with their customers 24X7”.

Share article on social media or email:

The Main Benefits Of Usage Based Insurance During Coronavirus Crisis


News Image

“Usage Based Insurance will help low-risk drivers to get more affordable rates. They will get personalized rates based on their performance”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents the advantages and disadvantages of usage-based car insurance programs.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/drivers-can-get-cheaper-car-insurance-if-they-install-telematics/

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of all Americans. Given the current situation, most Americans are doing their best to save money. Nowadays, more and more drivers are switching to usage-based insurance programs. The surge in popularity for usage-based car insurance policies in this period is not surprising. Drivers who were affected by the current crisis can save money on their car insurance if they switch to a usage-based program.

UBI insurance is a relatively new type of insurance. It relies on data transmitted by onboard devices. After analyzing the data, insurance companies will re-evaluate the risk profile of a client and adjust rates. These are UBI’s main features and benefits:


  • As the name suggests, UBI rates rely on the way the driver uses his car. More exactly, rates will fluctuate depending when and where it drivers, how it takes curves, how he brakes, maximum speed and other related parameters.
  • UBI policies have become popular in the recent years. It is a top choice for people considering themselves good drivers. Safe drivers who want to keep their premiums low or even lower them can always talk with their insurance providers and check for available UBI programs.
  • Many insurance providers are offering discounts for using telematics. Telematics are devices that track the driver’s behavior, allowing the insurance company to provide a customized quote based on the driver’s measured risk factor. Insurers like Allstate or Progressive are offering discounts of at least 5% just for agreeing to install a telematics device. However, drivers who have a very low measured risk factor can get a discount of up to 40% or 50%. Drivers who drive fewer miles than average drivers, or drive outside of busy rush hour traffic, might be considered to have a lower risk factor.
  • UBI insurance provides several financial benefits. If the driver meets the insurer’s expectations, he will be greatly rewarded. Drivers will have access to customized rates that will lower the insurance costs.
  • Tips on improving driving skills. Another advantage is the instant feedback that a driver receives after data is analyzed. This will help driver understand his mistakes and improve his driving habits.
  • Recover stolen vehicles. Since UBI policies rely on installed tracking devices, once the insurer is notified that the car is stolen, it can access the device and pinpoint the location.

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.

Share article on social media or email:

United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company, Selects Senior Market Sales® as the Sole Distribution Partner for Its Medicare Supplement Plans


SMS logo

SMS logo

SMS is proud that an insurance carrier with such credentials has selected us as the exclusive distribution partner for its Med Supp product line.

United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company, has chosen Senior Market Sales® (SMS) as the exclusive marketing organization for its line of Medicare Supplement (Med Supp) products.

“SMS is proud that an insurance carrier with such credentials has selected us as the exclusive distribution partner for its Med Supp product line,” said Dwane McFerrin, SMS’ Vice President of Medicare Solutions. “It’s a partnership poised to benefit the carrier, agent, SMS and consumer alike.”

McFerrin explained that U.S. Fire offers a complete line of competitively priced Med Supp products, including Plan L, which few carriers offer and many consumers want.

“Plan L allows the consumer to choose any health care provider while maintaining low premium cost and low out-of-pocket expense,” he said. “This plan is a great fit for those who have Health Savings Account funds to spend, or for those interested in a viable Medicare Advantage alternative.”

About Crum & Forster

Established in 1822, Crum & Forster has proudly served customers with the utmost professionalism, excellent service and a diverse portfolio of customized products. Their agile structure enables them to respond quickly to the changing needs of clients while reinforcing their commitment to service excellence.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company. C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company 2019.

The insurance companies within Crum & Forster are United States Fire Insurance Company, The North River Insurance Company, Crum & Forster Insurance Company, Crum & Forster Indemnity Company, Crum & Foster Specialty Insurance Company, Seneca Insurance Company, Inc., Seneca Specialty Insurance Company, First Mercury Insurance Company and American Underwriters Insurance Company.

About Senior Market Sales, Inc.

Senior Market Sales® (SMS) supports independent insurance and retirement planning professionals so they can focus on growing their businesses and building meaningful client relationships. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, SMS provides everything from proprietary technology and expansive products to expert training and marketing programs. By providing big-picture perspective and strategies and all-in-one place efficiencies, SMS has helped thousands of health and wealth planning professionals for nearly four decades reach new levels of success. Visit http://www.SeniorMarketSales.com for more information.

*Plans are underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company. C&F and Crum & Foster are registered trademarks of the United States Fire Insurance Company. The Crum & Forster group of companies is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company 2019. AH-2051

Share article on social media or email:

Red Banyan CEO Evan Nierman Shares Expert Advice with Internal Comms Pro Podcast


News Image

Communicators actually act as emissaries, providing a sense of the feeling within the company. The strength of the internal communications function derives in part by being able to bring together a diverse range of skill sets.

Leading crisis communications and PR firm Red Banyan is pleased to announce that its CEO, Evan Nierman, was recently a featured guest on the Internal Comms Pro podcast. Evan shared his expertise with the show’s host Sara Jackson and offered actionable tips on how corporate communication professionals can help companies thrive in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nierman took listeners through a 6-step roadmap, guiding them on how to transform internal communications practices from an initial reactionary phase to a thriving, proactive powerhouse.

“There has never been a time where the roles of both crisis communications and internal communications are more valued,” said Nierman. “Communicators actually act as emissaries, providing a sense of the feeling within the company. The strength of the internal communications function derives in part by being able to bring together a diverse range of skill sets.”

During the interview, Nierman said that he set out to create a PR agency that is not merely focused on promoting products and businesses, but rather one that champions vital issues and serves the greater good, values that are particularly essential in the current climate. As communications professionals, he and his growing team have provided strategic counsel to top business leaders, government officials, high-profile individuals and even presidential candidates.

“At the end of the day, you have to juggle a lot of competing inclinations and a lot of needs but start from the ones that are most fundamental and inform your target audiences of vital information that they need to have,” said Nierman when offering guidance to internal communications pros. “Remember the importance of storytelling; people remember stories, people are inspired by stories, and there are always stories to tell.”

Highly regarded by industry professionals, the Internal Comms Pro podcast is dedicated to educating and sharing stories with the internal communications community. It offers a platform of free resources to support the discipline of employee communication.

To listen to the latest episode featuring Evan Nierman and to learn more, visit https://www.internalcommspro.com/post/internal-communication-in-the-age-of-social-distancing-3-7.

About Red Banyan

Red Banyan is a top crisis communications and public relations agency with clients across the country and internationally. With offices in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C., Red Banyan combines a substantive understanding of complex issues with the experience and skills needed to execute campaigns that deliver results. Specializing in crisis communications, corporate public relations, government relations, and legal PR, Red Banyan provides an integrated approach to communications rooted in strategy. Learn more at http://www.redbanyan.com, become a fan on the Red Banyan Facebook page and follow the firm on Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Share article on social media or email:



ConnectYourCare Announces Increases in 2021 IRS Limits for Health Savings Accounts


News Image

While some may view the increases as modest, every dollar matters right now for consumers when it comes to saving.

In an effort to provide needed guidance to brokers and employers, ConnectYourCare—a national leader in consumer-directed health care account solutions—is announcing the inflation-adjusted limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), set forth annually by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The new 2021 HSA contribution limits include:

Maximum HSA Contribution Level

$3,600 for individual coverage

$7,200 for family coverage

Minimum Deductible for Qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

$1,400 for individual coverage

$2,800 for family coverage

Maximum Out-of-Pocket Expenses for HDHP

$7,000 for individual coverage

$14,000 for family coverage

The new limits increase the pre-tax amounts individuals and families may contribute to their HSA over 2020 limits by $50 and $100, respectively, though the minimum deductible for qualifying health plans remains the same from 2020 to 2021. Out-of-pocket maximums are up $100 for individuals and $200 for families over 2020 limits.

Worth noting, those who have an HSA and are over age 55 can save an extra $1,000 annually as a “catch-up” contribution.

“The IRS limit increases are in line and similar to prior year increases, despite the COVID environment,” says Harrison Stone, General Counsel, ConnectYourCare.

“While some may view the increases as modest, every dollar matters right now for consumers when it comes to saving,” he adds.

In addition, as part of the CARES Act that was signed into law at the end of March, Congress is also now allowing consumers to use an HSA or a flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for over-the-counter medications without a prescription. The Affordable Care Act required a prescription for such purchases. The CARES Act also allows the use of HSAs for telehealth and other remote care services until Dec. 31, 2021.

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 https://www.connectyourcare.com/.

Share article on social media or email:

Briz Media Group Adds MasterCard’s David Galvan to Connectors


Briz Media Group, a dbray Media company, today announced the addition of David Galvan, Vice President of Digital Partnerships at MasterCard to Connectors. Connectors is Briz Media Group’s network of the best and brightest executives in business who are committed to bringing new innovative ideas, thinking and guidance to Briz Media Group, its clients, and the marketing and communications industry.

Connectors helps advise companies on key business initiatives—from raising capital to the best route to successful exits.

“David is a long time friend and former client who has been tremendously supportive to me and my agency over the years,” David Bray, founder & chief executive officer at Briz Media Group. “He is a well accomplished payments, technology and Internet veteran with over 25 years of business and operating experience in Silicon Valley. We’re thrilled that David has joined Connectors and look forward to the impact of his addition to the network.”

Galvan is currently VP of Digital Partnerships and Start-Up Engagement for MasterCard International, where he focuses on digital partnerships, alliances, mentorship and investments with emerging companies in the Fintech space. Prior to that, Galvan was Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy for 24 Hour Fitness, the largest privately owned U.S. fitness club chain in the United States.

Before 24 Hour Fitness, Galvan was the President/Head of BD at Schedulicity, a leading online scheduling service for appointment-based businesses. Galvan has also held senior leadership and operating roles at Topix, InfoGroup, Yahoo, AOL/Netscape, and Motorola.

Galvan joins a growing list of top executive Connectors including:


  • Greg Coleman, EIR at Lerer Hippeau, former president of Buzzfeed, President & CRO at The Huffington Post & NYU Stern School of Business Adjunct Professor, Digital Marketing, former president of Criteo
  • Ron Berger, Chairman of The Berger Shop, former CEO, Executive Chairman at EURO RSCG, Co-founder & Chairman Emeritus at Advertising Week & Chairman of the 4A’s
  • Aurelie Guerrieri, CMO of Open Systems, Founder & former CEO of Akila One, President Emeritus of Women in Wireless, author of The Mobile Native’s Guide to Marketing, published with App Annie. In 2016, she was named one of 25 Mobile Women to Watch by Mobile Marketer.

About Briz Media Group

Founded in 2010, Briz Media Group is a team of seasoned communications specialists, made up of PR practitioners, journalists, event planners, and digital media executives, who help companies develop results-driven, multi-platform content and publicity. We get results that matter for our clients. Results are conceived with a specific goal in mind – whether it’s to secure funding, generate new business leads and sales, promote a new product or develop a plan toward a potential exit. For more, please visit http://www.brizmediagroup.com

Share article on social media or email:

Gary Baughman Joins ELIXSYS INC. as Chief Operating Officer


“The breadth of his experience, coupled with his strong business acumen and affinity for developing world-class operating teams is a fantastic addition to our growing company.” – Steve Piccolo, CEO

ELIXSYS INC., nationally leading the development of domestically sourced bulk chemicals, announced today that Gary C. Baughman has joined Elixsys INC. as the Chief Operating Officer. With principle technology development completed, Mr. Baughman will fuel the execution and deployment of ELIXSYS technologies.

Mr. Baughman has over 35 years of experience serving the power, industrial, chemical and environmental markets. He most recently served as CEO of APTIM, a $2 billion global provider of asset-related services to government, oil & gas, commercial, industrial and power clients. Prior to APTIM he was COO then CEO of M+W Americas, a provider of design, construction and program management capabilities to clients in the advanced manufacturing, pharmaceutical, data center and renewable energy markets. Previously Mr. Baughman held leadership, sales, and technical roles at AECOM, Wood Group, Washington Group International and Fluor.

As COO at ELIXSYS, Mr. Baughman will provide executive leadership for the company’s development, deployment, and operation of critical assets. “It is with great pleasure we welcome Gary to the Elixsys team,” states CEO Steve Piccolo. “The breadth of his experience, coupled with his strong business acumen and affinity for developing world-class operating teams is a fantastic addition to our growing company.” Additionally, Mr. Baughman will act as a key focal point for the capital markets as we further our development into a leading technology solution provider to power, industrial and chemical customers globally.

About ELIXSYS INC.

Elixsys is developing innovative modular chemical processes to extract valuable minerals, metals, and rare earth elements from coal combustion waste. The modules combine proven and environmentally safe processes with innovative sequencing and trade secret chemical formulas to deliver marketable commodities. Recovered materials are in demand as cement, fertilizer, and as specialty filler products used in the production of high-quality paper, plastics, rubber and specialty coatings.

Share article on social media or email:

American Waterways Operators Elect Crowley Maritime’s Art Mead as Chairman


Crowley provides tug and barge solutions and is a member of AWO, American Waterways Operators

Art Mead

The response to this crisis by AWO member companies, staff and our mariners has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Art Mead, vice president and chief counsel of Crowley Maritime Corp., was elected chairman of the American Waterways Operators, the national tugboat, towboat and barge industry association, yesterday during the association’s spring board of directors and annual membership meeting, which was held virtually.

In accepting the leadership role, Mead emphasized the resilience and adaptability of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry as it continues to serve the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The response to this crisis by AWO member companies, staff and our mariners has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Mead said. “While shelter-in-place and work-from-home orders proliferated from state-to-state, our mariners and our workers continued delivering millions of tons of needed raw materials, consumer goods and energy.

“But during COVID-19, our industry has shown the nation what we’ve always known to be the case – our industry is resilient and adaptable,” Mead said.

Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Mead joined Crowley in 1996 as an associate corporate counsel. Prior to joining Crowley, Mead worked at the U.S. Department of Justice, Admiralty and Shipping Division and held commercial marine transportation related positions at Stolt-Nielsen, Inc., and Maersk Line Limited. Mead also served as a U.S. Navy commander with the reserve component of Military Sealift Command. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine transportation from the State University of New York Maritime College, and a law degree from Golden Gate University.

In addition to Mead, the AWO elected Del Wilkins, president of Illinois Marine Towing, Inc., as vice chairman; and Clark Todd, president and chief operating officer of Blessey Marine Services, Inc., as treasurer. Mead succeeds outgoing Chairman Scott Merritt, former chief operating officer with Foss Maritime Company, LLC.

AWO President and CEO Jennifer Carpenter welcomed and thanked the newly-constituted Board of Directors, saying: “My vision is of an AWO that is, and is experienced by our members as, your indispensable organization, crucial to enabling your companies and our industry to survive, adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing business and public policy environment. COVID-19 is the latest challenge and is one for the history books, but it is not the only one, and it won’t be the last.”

A full announcement by the AWO is available here.

About the American Waterways Operators

The American Waterways Operators is the national trade association representing the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, which operates on the rivers, the Great Lakes, and along the coasts and in the harbors of the United States. Barge transportation serves the nation as the safest, most environmentally friendly and most economical mode of freight transportation.

About Crowley

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 128-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family- and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley Logistics, a logistics supply chain division that includes ocean liner services; Crowley Shipping, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of conventional and dual fuel (LNG) vessels, including tankers, container ships, multipurpose, tugboats and barges; engineering; project management; and naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime; Crowley Fuels, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley Solutions, which focuses on global government services and program management, government ship management, expeditionary logistics and government-oriented freight transportation services. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com.

Share article on social media or email: