Category Archives: Business

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

Former Marqeta COO Eric Bachman Joins Qolo as Board Member


“He believes in our mission to evolve the payments industry and bring a new approach through our first all-in-one payments solution and how we are liberating companies so they have new options to own their payments P&L.”

Qolo, the B2B payments hub for the New Economy, today announced that Eric Bachman, former Chief Operating Officer of Marqeta has joined Qolo’s Board of Directors. Bachman is an institutional payments veteran with over 30 years in banking, payments and building new companies.

Bachman currently advises Fintech and early stage technology companies. His experience in the Fintech and payments industries is broad and deep, including managing an operating budget in the hundreds of millions; working with regulators to navigate companies in different industries through complex and challenging regulatory hurdles; managing the sell side of four acquisitions the buy side of more than a dozen company or portfolio acquisitions and integrations; and, raising over $250MM in funding from private investors, VCs, and private equity across multiple start-ups.

“Eric has been furthering innovative financial, loyalty and payment solutions for decades. He has worked with leading financial institutions and successful start-ups,” said Qolo CEO Patricia Montesi. “We are thrilled to have him join our Board and assist Qolo’s efforts to be at the forefront of the payments industry. He believes in our mission to evolve the payments industry and bring a new approach through our first all-in-one payments solution and how we are liberating companies so they have new options to own their payments P&L.”

Bachman mostly recently served as Entrepreneur in Residence for BBVA – New Digital Businesses. While there he brought his unique perspective and key learnings as the firm focused on the challenges and opportunities of disruption and the emergence of a new finance ecosystem. He helped the bank develop new businesses and investments in a number of blockchain opportunities for the New Digital Businesses group.

While COO of Marqeta, he focused on creating the infrastructure, partnerships, and processes that allowed the company to leverage its processing technology serving multiple financial institutions and many service, technology, and financial technology companies.

“The industry finds itself at an incredible time driven by the evolving needs of New Economy companies, the pandemic and increasing disruption in the payment space,” said Eric Bachman. “Qolo has the team and the technology to become a very exciting competitor in the industry. I am excited by their efforts to bring superior payments products and better payments practices to the industry and am eager to support them in their efforts to become the next category leader.”

Bachman has played key roles as an executive in product development, product management, marketing, sales and operations at US Bank, Wells Fargo, NextCard, BankServ and CES, among other payments organizations. He has served on Visa’s Merchant Advisory Council and been a speaker at many payments and trade events. He has a BA and post-graduate study from UC Berkeley.

About Qolo

Founded in 2018, Qolo is the B2B payments hub for the New Economy with a mission to help businesses navigate today’s complex payments and financial transactions landscape. Qolo empowers businesses to manage payments efficiently with an eye toward growth and reduced expense. Qolo supports companies wherever speed, security and cost of payment are important including gig worker payouts, distribution payments, multi-currency and cross-border businesses and modern fintech firms. Composed of experts and entrepreneurs in payments, Qolo’s founding team has more than a century of combined industry experience. Learn more at https://qolo.io/.

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Philadelphia Insurance Companies Named One of the Best Places to Work in Insurance


Many things have changed this year, but our dedication to our community, our customers, and our employees remains the same.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance for the 11th consecutive year. This honor is an annual feature by Business Insurance and Best Companies Group that lists the agents, brokers, insurers, and other providers with the highest employee engagement and satisfaction.

“Many things have changed this year, but our dedication to our community, our customers, and our employees remains the same,” said Chairman and CEO Bob O’Leary. “We value this program because it allows employees to give us useful feedback every year.”

One aspect of PHLY’s corporate culture that many employees highlighted in the program’s survey is the Company’s commitment to giving back to the community. During this challenging year, PHLY has strived to maintain this culture of giving back, even with the majority of employees working remotely. The Company has organized several virtual volunteer events, including a sandwich-making campaign to help feed the homeless in Philadelphia. Go here to watch a video recap of the event, which resulted in 850 sandwiches for the homeless.

Earlier this year, PHLY was also named one of Top Workplaces in Philadelphia by The Philadelphia Inquirer and one of the Healthiest Employers of Greater Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

To learn more about TEAMPHLY and the company culture, visit PHLY.com/Careers.

About Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Philadelphia Insurance Companies designs, markets, and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance products incorporating value added coverages and services for select industries. The Company is rated “A++” (Superior) by AM Best Company and “A+” for counterparty credit and financial strength by Standard & Poor’s. In business for over 50 years, PHLY is nationally recognized as a member of Ward’s Top 50, one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance, and one of the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America. The organization has more than 50 offices strategically located across the United States to provide superior service. For more information, please visit http://www.PHLY.com.

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How to Choose an MSP or vCTO to Take Your Business to the Next Level


Choose an MSP

Not all MSPs are created equal. Choose an MSP or vCTO (virtual Chief Technology Officer) that will complement your business and deliver on promises.

A NYC area managed services provider (MSP) discusses how to choose an MSP or virtual chief technology officer (vCTO) in a new article on the eMazzanti Technologies website. The informative article first encourages readers to consider the business problems they want to solve before choosing a vendor.

The author then lists several selection criteria, including flexible solutions and pricing, strategic focus, and a proven reputation. She concludes by suggesting that readers examine the partnerships a prospective provider has developed. An MSP that partners well brings additional depth and breadth to a company’s IT strategy, she suggests.

“Not all MSPs are created equal,” stated Jennifer Mazzanti, CEO, eMazzanti Technologies. “You need to choose an MSP or vCTO (virtual Chief Technology Officer) that will complement your business and deliver on promises.”

Below are a few excerpts from the article, “How to Choose an MSP or vCTO to Take Your Business to the Next Level.

Experience and Services to Match Business Requirements

“Once you have identified the problems to solve, look for an MSP/vCTO that offers a complementary range of services. These may include items such as cloud solutions, comprehensive cyber security, network management,information governance and eDiscovery.”

Flexible Solutions

“The one-size-fits-all approach has no place in managed services. While some organizations choose to outsource their entire IT department, others may need a temporary vCTO to guide a specific project. Choose an MSP/vCTO that can adapt to your business requirements and adjust as necessary when the technology landscape evolves.”

Strategic Focus

“Under the break/fix model of IT support, customers call an IT services provider to fix a problem. But quality MSPs/vCTOs offer much more than tech support. The technology landscape changes daily, and you need a partner with the expertise and vision to help you navigate the changes.”

Proven Reputation

“Any company can paint a stellar picture on their website. Take time to look under the hood before you commit. Ask for case studies and reference sites. Do the executives supplying vCTO services have a proven record in the industry? Do the technicians have the certifications and experience they need to inspire your trust? Has the provider won key industry awards?”

Comprehensive, Customizable IT Services

For nearly 20 years, eMazzanti has delivered world-class managed services to organizations around the world. The company cut its teeth supporting customers through the aftermath of September 11. Since then, they have provided customized solutions for cyber security, networking, cloud services and more.

Keeping an eye on the technology horizon, they help business leaders design and implement the solutions that keep their business relevant, processes efficient, and digital assets secure. Its engineers pair a wealth of expertise with lightning fast response times and unparalleled customer service.

Have you read?

How to Make Your IT Effective in the New Normal

Leverage Managed Services and vCTO to Get More from Technology

About eMazzanti Technologies

eMazzanti’s team of trained, certified IT experts rapidly deliver increased revenue growth, data security and productivity for clients ranging from law firms to high-end global retailers, providing advanced retail and payment technology, cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site implementations, 24×7 outsourced network management, remote monitoring and support.

eMazzanti has made the Inc. 5000 list 9X, including eight consecutive years, is a 4X Microsoft Partner of the Year, the #1 ranked NYC area MSP and NJ Business of the Year! Contact: 1-866-362-9926, info@emazzanti.net or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies.

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NFP Rebrands Brokers Across the UK and Ireland as ‘NFP’


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“Integrating our acquisitions in the UK and Ireland gives us momentum as we pursue the tremendous opportunities we see in the region,” said Doug Hammond, chairman and CEO of NFP.

NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant providing employee benefits, property and casualty (P&C), retirement and individual solutions, today announced that Mackenzie Taylor Benefits Consultants Limited, Linkfield Corporate Solutions Limited and Wentworth Employee Benefits Limited in the UK, as well as HMP Insurance and Pensions Advisors Limited in Ireland, are adopting the NFP business name where permitted by law. NFP serves clients through more than 260 offices across the United States and 45 international offices in the UK, Ireland, Puerto Rico and Canada.

NFP’s brokers in the UK and Ireland provide employee benefits, P&C insurance and private client solutions to domestic and multinational organizations and individuals. This implementation is part of NFP’s strategy to integrate employees, resources and operations under the NFP brand. NFP remains focused on addressing client needs as new challenges emerge in a dynamic environment, while expanding its presence in Europe. UK-based Johnson Fleming Group Limited, a recently acquired NFP company specializing in pensions and employee benefits, will adopt the NFP name in 2021.

“Taking on the NFP name across all brokers brings us together in ways that will benefit our employees and the clients we serve,” said Matt Pawley, managing director of NFP. “We will be able to collaborate and access expertise more efficiently, enhancing our ability to help clients overcome challenges, protect what they’ve built and advance their growth. From customized programs designed to help companies recruit and retain talent, to P&C insurance that provides essential peace of mind, we are continuously elevating our position as a go-to resource for current and future clients.”

“Integrating our acquisitions in the UK and Ireland gives us momentum as we pursue the tremendous opportunities we see in the region,” said Doug Hammond, chairman and CEO of NFP. “With 120 employees in Europe, focused leadership from Matt and his colleagues, and an unwavering commitment to delivering value to clients, we will build from our success and continue our growth in ways that distinguish us in the market.”

About NFP

NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates. NFP enables client success through the expertise of over 5,700 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors, and financial institutions. NFP is the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue, 6th largest US-based privately owned broker, and 8th best place to work in insurance (Business Insurance); 10th largest property and casualty agency (Insurance Journal); and 12th largest global insurance broker (Best’s Review).

Visit http://www.NFP.com to discover how NFP empowers clients to meet their goals.

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Edsby K-12 digital learning platform completes $5.3 million Series A investment


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“The four co-founders of Edsby are delighted to welcome such a successful industry veteran who shares our vision of how modern technology can enhance student learning and achievement,” said CEO John Myers.

Edsby®, the most comprehensive unified digital learning and data platform for K-12 education, has completed a Series A financing round to propel its continued growth worldwide. The investment was led by education technology executive Chris Besse with participation from existing investors.

In conjunction with the investment, investor Chris Besse, former CEO of FreshGrade and EdgeMakers and Managing Director, K-12, Nelson Education, has joined Edsby as a member of the Board and Chief Commercial Officer.

All seed investors also participated in the round. They include MindAngler Capital, headed by Nigel Stokes, co-founder and former Chairman and CEO of DataMirror Corp.; XDL Capital Group, led by Dennis Bennie, former Chairman and CEO of Delrina Corporation.

Edsby is used by millions of students, parents, teachers and school districts worldwide. It combines learning management system (LMS) features with advanced assessment, reporting and parent communication—all tailored specifically to the needs of districts, regions and countries. Edsby has seen wide adoption by school districts across North America and elsewhere in the world, including a country-wide rollout in New Zealand.

“The more I looked at Edsby, the more I realized the company’s vast market potential,” said Chris Besse. “The Edsby platform’s unique and comprehensive breadth of features provides K-12 education with the best cloud-based, enterprise solution for managing learning.”

“The four co-founders of Edsby are delighted to welcome such a successful industry veteran who shares our vision of how modern technology can enhance student learning and achievement,” said CEO John Myers. “Edsby stands to benefit tremendously from Chris’ deep experience in the K-12 education sector.”

Edsby announced a seed round in 2014.

About Edsby

Edsby is an award-winning SaaS-based digital learning and data platform that engages students, parents and teachers on all of their devices. It gives school districts, states and provinces or national governments powerful new ways to facilitate their digital transformations. The Edsby team has been building scalable, reliable software systems for education organizations around the world for 30 years using latest technology and standards. More information at https://edsby.com/.

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Meagan Charbonneau joins Gilbane Building Company to expand business development strategies in Massachusetts


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Gilbane Building Company is pleased to announce that Meagan (O’Hara) Charbonneau has joined the Massachusetts business unit as a business development manager.

Meagan brings 10 years of industry experience and engagement within the Massachusetts A/E/C community, recently serving in a business development capacity for Knoll and Fort Point Project Management in Boston. In her new role, Meagan will work to strategically enhance Gilbane’s presence within the higher education and life science markets, while also expanding upon existing relationships with Gilbane’s client base throughout the state.

Meagan is actively involved in industry organizations that include ISPE’s Membership Committee, PWC’s Sponsorship Committee, CoreNet’s Golf Committee, and was past member of the board of IFMA. A native of Falmouth, Meagan recently relocated to Millis, Massachusetts with her husband and two children, where she looks forward to engaging with the community through charitable initiatives and community involvement. In her free time, Meagan enjoys cooking and playing golf.

“We are very excited to have Meagan join our team,” said Vice President and Business Unit Leader Mike O’Brien. “Her reputation, knowledge, and relationships from years in the industry and community will be a tremendous asset to our efforts as we continue to work to expand Gilbane’s higher education and life sciences portfolios of work.”

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, close-out and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 50 office locations around the world.

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LaSalle Vaughn, Compliance Executive at Robinhood Markets, Joins PerformLine Board of Directors


LaSalle Vaughn

LaSalle Vaughn

“LaSalle has an in-depth understanding of our industry and the regulatory hurdles our clients experience. We’re excited to add his significant experience to the mix as we continue to scale PerformLine.”

PerformLine, the leading provider of automated compliance technology, today announced the addition of LaSalle Vaughn to its board of directors.

Vaughn has over 20 years of financial services executive experience in highly regulated industries, leading global operations and compliance teams for large financial institutions and fast-growing startups. He joined Robinhood Markets in March 2019, and recently expanded his role where he serves as Head of Product Compliance and Quality Assurance, leading teams that provide advice, risk mitigation, approval and quality assurance for new and enhanced Robinhood products.

“We’re thrilled to welcome LaSalle to the board. The extensive leadership he brings in key areas such as marketing and product compliance, operations, and contact center management, as well as diversity and inclusion initiatives at both hyper-growth fintechs and Fortune100 companies will further strengthen the plans we have to better serve our clients and our employees,” said Alex Baydin, CEO and Founder of PerformLine. “LaSalle has an in-depth understanding of our industry and the regulatory hurdles our clients experience. We’re excited to add his significant experience to the mix as we continue to scale PerformLine.”

“PerformLine has an impressive focus on helping compliance professionals do their jobs better through the use of technology to protect their brands and their consumers,” said LaSalle Vaughn, Board Member, PerformLine. “As a PerformLine customer and a former keynote speaker at their COMPLY Conference, I’ve been able to witness first-hand PerformLine’s incredible dedication to not only their clients but also the growth of the marketing compliance industry. I’m honored to serve on the Board and I’m looking forward to contributing to help support the company’s continued growth.”

Prior to Robinhood, LaSalle served as the Executive and Marketing Compliance Officer for United Services Automobile Association (USAA), where he led compliance oversight of all advice and approval of marketing and new product creation for the company, its affiliates, and third parties. LaSalle brings to PerformLine deep expertise in operations, risk management, compliance, contact centers, and transformation scaling for high growth organizations.

The addition of LaSalle Vaughn to the Board of Directors for PerformLine reflects the company’s deep commitment to helping organizations in highly regulated markets meet their compliance obligations across their consumer-facing sales and marketing channels.

ABOUT PERFORMLINE

PerformLine is a leading provider of compliance technology that empowers leaders with a first-line solution to mitigate risk across consumer touchpoints including web, call, message, email, and social media channels from one platform. PerformLine automates the path to discover, monitor, and mitigate compliance risks and ensure brand safety. The PerformLine SaaS platform features full workflow capabilities, real-time analytics, remediation, and monitoring while providing clients with significant time and cost savings by automating compliance activities across channels and departments. For more information, visit http://www.PerformLine.com.

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SpectraMedix Releases VBP Contract Modeler Version 3.0 for Healthcare Payers


The VBP Contract Modeler is a unique application that enables payers to model various risk-based contracts rapidly to advance into Value-Based Payments.

Today SpectraMedix, a leading provider of solutions that streamline the advancement of Value-Based Payment (VBP) models to health plans and their provider networks, announced the release and immediate availability of VBP Contract Modeler Version 3.0. The latest release adds an intuitive user interface that simplifies and optimizes the entire VBP contracting process for payers and helps them foster ACO and provider adoption of value-based arrangements. This latest release supports Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Commercial, and Medicare business lines across the entire spectrum of VBP types including shared risk and full capitation.

“We’re delighted to release Version 3.0 of the VBP Contract Modeler. It is a unique application that enables payers to model various risk-based contracts rapidly to advance into Value-Based Payments, and facilitate payer-provider collaboration,” said Raj Lakhanpal, MD, Chief Executive Officer at SpectraMedix.

The VBP Contract Modeler is one of four applications that comprise the VBP Performance Suite. It seamlessly integrates with the other applications which include the VBP Performance Portal, Cohort Manager, and Self-Service Analytics.

VBP CONTRACT MODELER SHOWCASE ON OCTOBER 8, 2020

SpectraMedix is hosting a VBP Contract Modeler Version 3.0 Showcase Webinar on October 8, 2020 at 1:00 PM EDT. This is an exclusive event open to the payer community. If you would like an invitation, please request an invite at https://www.spectramedix.com/vbp-contract-modeler-version-3.0-showcase.

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River City Bank continues its North Bay expansion with former Heritage Bank of Commerce SVP Seth Shorett


Seth Shorett, River City Bank

Former Heritage Bank of Commerce SVP, Relationship Manager Seth Shorett has been named Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager for the North Bay at River City Bank.

We are pleased to welcome Seth to our team, and we look forward to strengthening our ties in the region as a result of his community oriented and client-first mentality.

River City Bank expands its commercial banking team in the North Bay region with the addition of Seth Shorett as Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager. In collaboration with Market President Jim Kimball and recently announced Market Manager David Casassa, Shorett will be responsible for expanding the bank’s commercial banking presence through underwriting, business development and credit portfolio management for business clients in Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. He brings more than 18 years of experience in the commercial banking and real estate industries, having most recently managed accounts as Senior Vice President, Relationship Manager at Heritage Bank of Commerce.

“Collective resilience and support are the driving forces behind commercial success in the North Bay, and our growing team is already deeply rooted in the local landscape,” said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. “We are pleased to welcome Seth to our team, and we look forward to strengthening our ties in the region as a result of his community oriented and client-first mentality.”

TWEET THIS: People on the Move: @RiverCityBank continues North Bay expansion with announcement of Seth Shorett as Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager. He will oversee business development and credit portfolio management for the bank’s commercial clients in the region. #commercialbanking

“The most important part of the banking experience, whether you’re working with an individual or a business, is the relationship, and that personal approach is the River City Bank team’s greatest strength,” said Seth Shorett, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for the North Bay at River City Bank. “As a longtime resident of the North Bay, I’m excited to help drive investment in our communities and produce growth for local businesses in all sectors.”

As SVP, Relationship Manager with Heritage Bank of Commerce, Shorett managed commercial accounts and underwriting across the portfolio, including C&I, CRE, construction, non-profit and asset-based lending. He came into his role at Heritage Bank of Commerce while aiding its acquisition of Presidio Bank, where he had spent nearly a decade contributing to the growth of Presidio’s asset size to $950 million. Heritage Bank’s acquisition of Presidio Bank was finalized in 2019.

Born and raised in San Bernardino, Shorett graduated with Highest Honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After graduating, he moved to San Diego and entered the real estate industry, where he earned his broker’s license and started his own property management company. Shorett changed career paths in 2006 upon moving to the Bay Area and securing a position with Bank of Marin. He lives in Novato with his wife and two children, where he sits on the boards of North Marin Community Services, the Novato Chamber and Marin Builders Association. When not in the office, he divides his time between volunteering in the community, spending time with his family, working on his truck, and heading outdoors to camp, hike or go off-roading.

For more information about River City Bank, visit RiverCityBank.com.

About River City Bank

Named one of Sacramento Business Journal’s “50 Fastest Growing Companies” for each of the past four years, River City Bank is the Sacramento region’s premier business bank with assets of nearly $3.2 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a “Superior” financial rating from the nation’s leading independent bank-rating firm, Bauer Financial, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned bank in the Sacramento region with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit RiverCityBank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

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Bainbridge Announces Shae Shults as President of Business Development


Bainbridge adds Shae Shults as President of Development to oversee national growth initiatives.

I’m proud to be a part of the team and look forward to working closely with the leadership to bring Bainbridge’s exceptional product to new markets.

The Bainbridge Companies (Bainbridge), a leading developer, owner and manager of luxury multifamily communities, today announced the hiring of Shae Shults as President of Business Development.

Based in Dallas, Shults will oversee our corporate business development efforts, which includes portfolio acquisitions and management assignments, as well as joint venture sourcing and overall corporate relationships across Bainbridge’s key growth markets in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southwest.

Shults brings more than 18 years of commercial real estate experience with REITs, owners and operators, and fee-managed platforms. She has worked across owner-managed, third-party and joint venture assets with specialized expertise in business development and client services.

“As Bainbridge continues into an exciting growth period with new business and third-party management expansion, we’re thrilled to welcome Shae to the team,” said Dana Caudell, President of Property Management at Bainbridge. “With her extensive experience and proven success in business development and client management across markets, she’ll be an integral asset as Bainbridge continues its strategic growth beyond Florida, into Atlanta, Texas and the greater Mid-Atlantic.”

“Bainbridge has really differentiated itself in the multifamily space—the collaborative approach across the management, capital, and investments divisions has created a new standard,” said Shults. “When you walk into a Bainbridge community, you know it’s a Bainbridge community. I’m proud to be a part of the team and look forward to working closely with the leadership to bring Bainbridge’s exceptional product to new markets.”

To learn more about Bainbridge’s communities and recent growth initiatives, visit https://bainbridgecompanies.com/.

About The Bainbridge Companies, LLC

The Bainbridge Companies is a leading owner, developer and manager of luxury multifamily apartment communities in the Eastern United States. Founded in 1997, Bainbridge is a fully integrated family of real estate companies engaged in the development, construction, management and acquisition of residential and commercial real estate. Bainbridge is headquartered in Wellington, Fla., with regional offices in Bethesda, Md., Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., Orlando and Tampa, Fla., Atlanta, Ga., Dallas and Austin, Tx., and New York City, N.Y. Our team consists of over 600 passionate professionals across our offices and portfolio. For more information, visit http://www.bainbridgecompanies.com.

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