Category: Business

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Business Healthcare

Jim Corrigan named Chief Executive Officer of ConnectiveRx

Current CEO Harry Totonis Becomes Chairman of the Board of Managers

WHIPPANY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The ConnectiveRx Board of Managers today announced that President Jim Corrigan has been named Chief Executive Officer of the company, an industry-leading provider of technology-enabled patient support and access solutions for specialty and branded medications, effective immediately. Corrigan succeeds Harry Totonis, who has been named Chairman of the Board of Managers and will lead strategic partnerships, investments and M&A strategy in that position. Additionally, Chief Commercial Officer Frank Dana will expand his role to President and Chief Commercial Officer, continuing to lead business development and network partnerships for the company.

As a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Genstar Capital, ConnectiveRx’s majority shareholder, Harry Totonis, working with Genstar, established ConnectiveRx in 2015. During his tenure as CEO, he has guided the company through three successful acquisitions, expanded the company’s services to support the entire patient medication journey, and accelerated organic growth from 200 to 1700 employees. Today, ConnectiveRx partners with more than 120 pharmaceutical manufacturers and supports over 530 pharmaceutical brands.

“Under Harry’s leadership and strategic foresight, he has grown a family-owned copay business into an industry-leading pharmaceutical services company that is revolutionizing how patients access and afford specialty medications. We look forward to continuing to work with Harry as a member of our Strategic Advisory Board and in his new role as Chairman of the Board at ConnectiveRx,” said Eli Weiss and Jean-Pierre Conte, Managing Directors of Genstar Capital.

Prior to ConnectiveRx, Jim Corrigan’s 30+ year career is highlighted by his most recent role as President and CEO of ERT, a clinical trial technology provider. Under his leadership, ERT quadrupled in size. Jim also served a long tenure as CEO of surgery products for GE’s multi-million-dollar life sciences division.

“Jim has an excellent track record of leadership in the life sciences industry driving transformative growth across both publicly and privately owned organizations. Our leadership styles are complementary and our priorities of delivering superior patient, customer and employee experiences are consistent, which is why he is the right person to lead ConnectiveRx as the next CEO.”

Jim Corrigan added, “I joined ConnectiveRx because I believe in the company’s mission of helping patients access and afford their medications. I’m honored to partner with Harry and lead our great team through its next chapter of growth while continuing to deliver on the company’s dedication to innovation, exceptional customer partnership and patient service.”

About ConnectiveRx

ConnectiveRx takes the pain out of the prescription process for pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers and their patients. Through a technology-driven platform of patient support, affordability, awareness and adherence solutions for branded and specialty medications, the company is a strategic partner that helps navigate the complex prescription journey for more than 84 million patients and 1.6 million healthcare providers each year.

ConnectiveRx is headquartered in both Whippany, NJ and Pittsburgh, PA. To learn more, visit www.connectiverx.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook @ConnectiveRx.

Contacts

Danielle Daly

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

danielle.daly@connectiverx.com

Categories
Business Local News

Rosemark, a new business focused on enhancing customer relationships, led by industry veteran Chris Kuenne, launches with equity investment from Newlight Partners

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Rosemark Group (“Rosemark”), a new company focused on helping brands build deeper relationships with their consumers, recently announced that it has entered into an agreement under which Newlight Partners LP (“Newlight”), a growth equity investor, will make an equity investment of up to $150 million in the company. Rosemark will use the investment to build the next leader in customer marketing by acquiring and accelerating the growth of tech-enabled marketing companies focused on deepening consumer relationships. Rosemark is founded and led by Chris Kuenne, an entrepreneurial pioneer with more than 35 years of experience converting deeper consumer insights into thriving brands.

Kuenne and his team are assembling best-in-class companies to join the Rosemark platform, which will support the unique culture of each company to enable its growth as an independent brand. Rosemark will create cohesion across the platform through its operational expertise, consumer connection strategy, and its cross-brand business development efforts, including Rosemark’s proprietary Quantitative Persona™(QP) method.

“Marketing has made a significant shift to the numeric, algorithmic, and the measurable where purchase conversion is king. This is creating a mercenary mindset where the connection between brand and consumer is increasingly transactional, without regard to the motivations and preferences that deepen the consumer’s connection to the brand,” explains Chris Kuenne, CEO of Rosemark. “Brand relationships based primarily on transactions diminish over time. That’s not good for either brands or the bottom line.”

Rosemark aims to reverse this trend through systematically deepening the relationship between brands and their most valuable consumers.

“We are building Rosemark from the ground up to reverse this trend through systematically deepening the relationship between brands and their most valuable consumers,” added Mr. Kuenne. “We will reduce the complexities that marketers face today, shine a light on their most valuable consumers, and deliver experiences and programs that build more enduring consumer-brand connections. In doing so, we believe we can help lead marketing into its next chapter. We are grateful to have the support from Newlight, whose approach of working closely with management to build great businesses is fully aligned with ours.”

“We are excited about supporting the Rosemark team and their mission to help companies enhance customer lifetime value. We believe the Rosemark Group model will be very attractive to high growth entrepreneurs and we look forward to partnering with them to acquire these businesses and drive incremental growth,” said Adam Stulberger, a Partner at Newlight Partners.

About Rosemark

Rosemark is an operating company focused on enhancing Consumer Lifetime Value. Rosemark will acquire and help accelerate the growth of best-in-class service and technology companies. Under the leadership of Chris Kuenne, the Rosemark team will partner with motivated entrepreneurs who are seeking a strategic and financial growth partner to help them achieve their vision for impact. Prior to founding Rosemark, Kuenne founded, built, and scaled, the global digital agency Rosetta. Several of Rosemark’s leadership team also held senior positions at Rosetta, which was sold to the Publicis Groupe for $575 Million.

About Newlight Partners LP

Newlight Partners LP is a growth equity firm focused on building businesses in partnership with founders and exceptional management teams. For more than 15 years, the Newlight team has helped build successful enterprises in five sectors, including telecommunications, financial services, power & infrastructure, healthcare and business services. Led by David Wassong and Ravi Yadav, the Newlight team has invested approximately $6 billion in over 100 investments since 2005, first as the Strategic Investments Group at Soros Fund Management LLC (Soros), and now as Newlight after the team’s spin out from Soros in 2018. Newlight has approximately $4 billion in capital commitments and assets under management.

For more information, please visit www.newlightpartners.com.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
For Rosemark

Shannon Hartley

(609) 651-5394

Shannon.Hartley@rosemark.com

For Newlight Partners LP

Nathaniel Garnick

Gasthalter & Co.

(212) 257-4170

Categories
Business Technology

Iteris selected by Rutgers University to support New Jersey Department of Transportation and Middlesex County’s Connected and Automated Vehicle Initiative

Multi-phase, Multi-year Program Leverages Iteris’ Smart Mobility Infrastructure Management Expertise to Prepare Cities and States for Advancements in Connected and Automated Vehicle Technology

  • Goals of the initiative include establishing a Smart Mobility Testing Ground in Middlesex County, NJ for NJDOT, local transportation agencies and private-sector researchers in downtown New Brunswick
  • Iteris tools will support the development of CAV innovation, while delivering equitable and accessible mobility and safety solutions to the local community
  • Deal represents growing demand for Iteris’ specialized consulting services in a key geographic market

SANTA ANA, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $ITI #CAIT—Iteris, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI), the global leader in smart mobility infrastructure management, today announced that it has been selected by Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) to support the design and implementation of the Middlesex County – Smart Mobility Testing Ground (MC-SMTG) in New Jersey, representing growing demand for Iteris’ specialized consulting services in a key geographic market.

Under the terms of the sub-contract agreement with Rutgers University for the multi-phase, multi-year program, Iteris will complete the concept design and testing in the initial phase, and participate as partner in the public-private-and-academic partnership (PPAP) team that will carry out the proposed construction and testing ground development phase.


The MC-SMTG will serve as the foundational element of an innovation hub in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) that will attract public and private-sector researchers testing advanced driving system applications in real-world conditions while also serving as a source of high-resolution transportation data.

Consistent with NJDOT commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti’s vision of “Commitment to Communities,” an initial focus of the project will be delivering easily accessible safety applications such as those offered by Iteris to improve safety and travel conditions in the corridor in the first year of operation.

Iteris will provide its design and safety application expertise to design and implement an environment for smart mobility application testing to address several key challenges for local communities along key corridors, including congestion, safety, environmental, energy and community equity issues.

The MC-SMTG is envisioned to become a core foundational platform for the New Jersey transportation community, positioning the state as a national leader in CAV innovations and supporting its pursuit of funding opportunities in the new era of smart mobility technologies.

“The MC-SMTG is a critical element in accelerating the delivery of the benefits that can be derived from these new smart mobility technologies, and the project will further establish Rutgers CAIT as a center of excellence in transportation innovation in the connected and automated vehicle arena,” said Dr. Ali Maher, professor and director at Rutgers CAIT. “Iteris will play a key role as a supporting private-sector partner, providing its design, implementation and smart mobility application development expertise.”

“We are proud to support Rutgers University, NJDOT and Middlesex County’s forward-thinking CAV development and testing initiative with our design and smart mobility application development expertise,” said Dr. Moe Zarean, regional vice president, Consulting Solutions at Iteris. “Iteris’ continued involvement in the growing connectedness of multimodal road users positions us well to help communities around the nation be ready for the future, and ultimately improve the safety and efficiency of our nation’s transportation networks.”

This project is in addition to several CAV deployments Iteris is already working on across the United States – including oversight of pilot deployments, smart work zones, advanced pedestrian detection and automated commercial vehicle inspections. Iteris also led the development and evolution of the U.S. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) architecture reference for over three decades, initiating the Connected Vehicle Reference Implementation Architecture in 2012 and continuing to support the evolution of the combined ARC-IT for the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.

About Iteris, Inc.

Iteris is the global leader in smart mobility infrastructure management – the foundation for a new era of mobility. We apply cloud computing, artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, advisory services and managed services to achieve safe, efficient and sustainable mobility. Our end-to-end solutions monitor, visualize and optimize mobility infrastructure around the world to help ensure that roads are safe, travel is efficient, and communities thrive. Visit www.iteris.com for more information, and join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Iteris Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based upon our current expectations and the information available to us at this time. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “outlooks,” “target,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “can,” and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the awarded contract and our services in connection with the project. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Important factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, perform our services on a timely and cost-effective basis; government funding and budgetary issues, and potential related funding delays; the impact of general economic, political, and other conditions in the markets we address; and the potential impact of product and service offerings from competitors. Further information on Iteris, Inc., including additional risk factors that may affect our forward-looking statements, is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, and our other SEC filings that are available through the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

Contacts

Media Contact
David Sadeghi

Tel: (949) 270-9523

Email: dsadeghi@iteris.com

Investor Relations
MKR Investor Relations, Inc.

Todd Kehrli

Tel: (213) 277-5550

Email: iti@mkr-group.com

Categories
Business

Berkley One grows presence in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest with state and product expansions

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #AlwaysMovingForward–Berkley One (a Berkley Company), an insurance provider for modern, sophisticated individuals and families, is growing its presence in the Mid-Atlantic with the addition of Maryland as an active state for personal insurance. Ahead of the collector vehicle and boating seasons, the provider is also expanding Berkley One Classics in three states and Recreational Marine in five states.

“We’re filling in the map quickly,” states Kathy Tierney, President of Berkley One. “And in a way that not only broadens our footprint to more states but deepens it with an expanded product portfolio, including recreational marine and collector vehicle solutions.” Tierney adds, “As a growing organization, we remain focused on working with and for our agents and clients to help them keep moving forward.”

In Maryland, Berkley One offers its full complement of personal insurance solutions including insurance for homes, condos and rentals, automobiles, fine art and collectibles, excess liability, flood and excess flood and recreational marine.

Collector Vehicle, offered through Berkley One Classics, has expanded to Colorado, Kansas and Missouri and Recreational Marine has been added in Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, Vermont and Wisconsin. These solutions are offered through agents with a Classics or Recreational Marine appointment with Berkley One.

Berkley One’s current footprint includes Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. Collector Vehicle is available as a stand-alone product in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota and Recreational Marine is available as a stand-alone product in Maine.

About Berkley One: Berkley One is a member company of Berkley, one of the nation’s premier commercial property casualty insurance providers, whose insurance company members are rated A+ (Superior) by A. M. Best Company. Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation conducts business worldwide through more than 50 operating units and reported $8.8 billion of gross premiums written in 2020.

Products and services are provided by one or more insurance company subsidiaries of W. R. Berkley Corporation. Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and the precise coverage afforded by any insurer is subject to the actual terms and conditions of the policies as issued.

Contacts

Christoph Ritterson

Berkley One

312-586-4298

critterson@berkleyone.com

Categories
Business

New Jersey Resources board of directors declares quarterly dividend

WALL, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The board of directors of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) unanimously declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock of $.3325 per share. The dividend will be payable on July 1, 2021 to shareowners of record as of June 16, 2021.

The company is committed to providing value to its shareowners with a competitive return and has paid quarterly dividends continuously since its inception in 1952.

About New Jersey Resources

New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR) is a Fortune 1000 company that, through its subsidiaries, provides safe and reliable natural gas and clean energy services, including transportation, distribution, asset management and home services. NJR is composed of five primary businesses:

  • New Jersey Natural Gas, NJR’s principal subsidiary, operates and maintains over 7,500 miles of natural gas transportation and distribution infrastructure to serve over half a million customers in New Jersey’s Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Middlesex and Burlington counties.
  • NJR Clean Energy Ventures invests in, owns and operates solar projects with a total capacity of more than 357 megawatts, providing residential and commercial customers with low-carbon solutions.
  • NJR Energy Services manages a diversified portfolio of natural gas transportation and storage assets and provides physical natural gas services and customized energy solutions to its customers across North America.
  • Storage & Transportation serves customers from local distributors and producers to electric generators and wholesale marketers through its ownership of Leaf River Energy Center and the Adelphia Gateway Pipeline Project, as well as our 50 percent equity ownership in the Steckman Ridge natural gas storage facility, and our 20 percent equity interest in the PennEast Pipeline Project.
  • NJR Home Services provides service contracts as well as heating, central air conditioning, water heaters, standby generators, solar and other indoor and outdoor comfort products to residential homes throughout New Jersey.

NJR and its nearly 1,200 employees are committed to helping customers save energy and money by promoting conservation and encouraging efficiency through Conserve to Preserve® and initiatives such as The SAVEGREEN Project® and The Sunlight Advantage®.

For more information about NJR:

www.njresources.com.

Follow us on Twitter @NJNaturalGas.

“Like” us on facebook.com/NewJerseyNaturalGas.

NJR-D

Contacts

Media:
Michael Kinney

732-938-1031

mkinney@njresources.com

Investors:
Dennis Puma

732-938-1229

dpuma@njresources.com

Categories
Business

The Birch Group acquires four-building portfolio in Short Hills for $255M — One of the largest commercial deals in N.J.’s recent history

Company continues calculated expansion in Northern NJ with off-market deal in affluent Short Hills submarket

 

SHORT HILLS, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Birch Group, a privately-held commercial real estate investor, owner and operator, today announced the $255-million acquisition of a prominent four-building portfolio in Short Hills, N.J. The off-market acquisition comes on the heels of the company’s recent $77-million portfolio purchase in Morristown, and further cements its focus on acquiring prime value-add office assets across the suburbs of Northern N.J.


The 843,300-square-foot portfolio comprises four Class A office buildings located at 51, 101, 103 and 150 JFK Parkway in the affluent Short Hills submarket, widely recognized as one of the most prestigious and iconic suburban office regions in New Jersey. Cushman & Wakefield represented Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE:CLI), the seller in the transaction, and is also being retained by The Birch Group as the exclusive office leasing agent for the properties. With the acquisition, The Birch Group has now acquired over $750 million of commercial office assets since 2019.

“This portfolio offers a unique opportunity to reposition historically high-performing properties back to best-in-class assets, which is a hallmark of The Birch Group’s strategy. Short Hills is known for its incomparable prestige that manifests in heightened expectations among the regional tenant base,” said The Birch Group CEO and Founder Mark Meisner. “A one-size-fits-all approach to asset management doesn’t work in this submarket, and our focus will be on enacting tailored improvement strategies to create enduring value for our tenants and investors alike.”

The portfolio, which represents The Birch Group’s first foray into the Short Hills submarket, has a storied history of attracting and retaining blue chip tenants. Currently 80% leased to an impressive roster of 22 tenants, The Birch Group targeted the portfolio as a unique repositioning opportunity. The properties’ unrivaled trophy quality and preeminent Short Hills address has drawn the likes of Citibank, Investors Bank, KPMG, Bank of America, UBS, Dun & Bradstreet, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo — all current tenants.

Situated directly off Route 24, the properties offer regional connectivity to the Garden State Parkway, I-78, and the NJ Turnpike with immediate access to a highly skilled executive labor base in Short Hills, the wealthiest town in N.J. and the sixth wealthiest town in the United States. The buildings are further complemented by an expanding, walkable mixed-use amenity base that includes convenient access to the high-end Mall at Short Hills, a 4-Diamond Hilton Hotel, Canoe Brook Country Club, and The Upton — a recently completed upscale residential development by Roseland Residential Trust. The Mall at Short Hills is New Jersey’s premier shopping destination, offering unrivaled access to the state’s most extraordinary collection of quality retail including four of the world’s most prestigious department stores along with 150 specialty shops, restaurants, cafes and entertainment options.

The Birch Group will employ its unique value-add strategy for the portfolio, complementing $15.2 million of recently completed renovations at the properties by previous ownership, in addition to a newly constructed parking deck at 150 JFK Parkway. To this end, The Birch Group has tapped world-renowned commercial design firm Gensler to lead the design enhancements.

“During the pandemic, there has been a demographic shift to the suburbs and the migration of this talent pool represents an extraordinary opportunity to meet the demand for high-quality office assets in prime New Jersey markets,” Meisner added. “Short Hills is among one of the most prestigious suburban locales and it has consistently achieved above average rents in New Jersey, while maintaining the highest occupancy rates within the market.”

Each of the properties are located in the high-growth Route 24 Corridor, which is ideally situated near affluent residential communities including Short Hills, Millburn, Summit, Livingston, Chatham and Florham Park. Short Hills alone is home to 35% of N.J.’s billionaires, boasting a $1.475 million average home price and access to a top-level talent base, which has traditionally drawn consistent interest from high caliber Fortune 500 companies and leaders across industries spanning medical, finance, education and technology.

“These properties are situated within proximity to New Jersey’s most highly sought-after residential areas, which has long enabled them to attract a nationally recognized roster of blue chip tenants,” said David Bernhaut, executive vice chairman of Cushman & Wakefield of New Jersey, Inc. “The Short Hills cache has been instrumental in attracting wealth management, consulting, accounting and legal firms, as well as the headquarters of Dun & Bradstreet and Investors Savings Bank. These companies have chosen Short Hills due to its unparalleled local and regional highway access, proximity to private country clubs, high-end hospitality, and other conveniences that you simply can’t find in other submarkets.”

The four-building portfolio is located less than 15 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport, and within easy reach of NJ Transit’s Summit Station, which provides tenants and visitors with an easy commute to Manhattan via the Midtown Direct train line.

About The Birch Group

The Birch Group is a privately-held commercial real estate investor, owner and operator with a singular ability to uncover opportunity and create enduring value for partners, tenants and investors. Since 2014, we have deliberately expanded our portfolio of income-generating properties to include more than 3.8 million square feet of value-add office assets in strategic markets that demonstrate sound fundamentals and growth potential.

The Birch Group takes the long view, employing a methodical approach to investment in the pursuit of institutional-quality assets that consistently outperform any market cycle. For each property, we listen to the needs of existing and future tenants and enact tailored improvement and marketing strategies to create workplace environments that help them prosper. For more information, visit: https://birchgroupllc.com/

Contacts

MEDIA:
Christian Rizzo

Antenna Group

christian.rizzo@antennagroup.com

Categories
Business Education Technology

Newark Public Schools to install 4,500+ Odorox air and surface sanitation systems to help students and faculty return to the classroom safely

Powered by PYURE Technology, and proven to kill the COVID-19 virus, Odorox machines will operate in the district’s PK-12 classrooms, offices and high-traffic areas.

 

NEWARK, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — To welcome students and faculty back into the classroom with confidence, Newark Public Schools announced that it awarded a contract to Bio-Shine Inc., based in Spotswood, New Jersey, to install more than 4,500 Odorox air purifiers in PK-12 classrooms, offices and other high-traffic areas throughout the district. Odorox, powered by PYURE Technology, is a hydroxyl-generating air and surface purification system that makes indoor air safe to breathe and surfaces safe to touch.


The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of good air and surface hygiene in schools. In addition to Newark Public Schools’ strict COVID-19 protocols and sanitation procedures, Odorox adds a crucial layer of protection. Powered by PYURE Technology, Odorox replicates the way sunlight sanitizes the air outside by generating and diffusing the same natural cleansing agents indoors. This technology has been proven to destroy SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is safe to use 24/7 around people, plants and animals.

“The district has made every possible effort to prepare our schools for the safe return of students and staff to in-person instruction, and this is one example of those efforts. Our city has seen high positivity rates, so we’re being extremely cautious and taking guidance from Newark Department of Health Director Dr. Mark Wade in our reopening strategy,” said Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “Our priority is the health and safety of our students and staff. We’re confident that we are able to resume in-person instruction in Newark’s public school system, and our buildings will be safe.”

Beyond its ability to kill the COVID-19 virus, Odorox is effective against viral seasonal infections like the flu and common colds, as well as norovirus and other gastrointestinal viruses. It also destroys airborne mold spores; cleanses the air of allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other irritants; and eliminates odors.

“As head of facilities, I know the central system indoor air quality control systems are working, but it’s not something that the people occupying those spaces every day can see. What’s great about Odorox is that you can see the machine working in the room and that brings peace of mind to students, parents and staff,” said Steve Morlino, Executive Director of Facilities Management for Newark Public Schools. “But the true value is that it does what it says it does – it kills the COVID-19 virus; thoroughly disinfects porous and non-porous surfaces; eliminates VOCs and other irritants from the air; and much more. We will do anything we can to create a healthier, more comfortable learning environment in our schools.”

“This equipment is great for schools because there is very little maintenance required and it is extremely energy efficient. PYURE’s hydroxyl-generating technology does not require contaminants within a room to pass through a processing chamber in the machine for it to achieve its 99% efficacy rate in sanitizing the air and surfaces,” said Jason Teigman, Executive Director of Sales at Bio-Shine, Newark Public Schools’ distributor of Odorox. “This is also why Odorox is able to work so quickly. There’s one filter on the unit to protect the components from dust, dirt and debris. Otherwise, as long as the unit is turned on, hydroxyls are being generated and dispersed by the machine into the air and onto surfaces.”

In addition to the 4,500 Odorox machines, Newark Public Schools’ COVID-19 protocols include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Masks are mandatory at all times inside school buildings
  • Plexiglass sneeze guards are installed on desks and all classrooms are equipped with disinfecting supplies, extra masks and gloves
  • Signage is posted reminding people to practice social distancing, wear a mask and wash their hands
  • Free breakfast and snacks are provided at school, and at early dismissal, students are given a grab-and-go lunch option to avoid congregations in lunch rooms
    • Food is also available for students’ families as well, if needed
  • Many of the faculty and staff have been vaccinated and the rest are encouraged to get vaccinated as well
    • The district has hosted several events at Barringer High School to administer vaccinations
  • On March 24, Newark Public Schools announced a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks to provide weekly pooled COVID-19 testing for all students and faculty in each classroom
  • Strict access restrictions require any non-student or faculty member authorized to enter a Newark public school building to provide a negative COVID result
  • Daily ingress procedures require all faculty, students and authorized visitors to:
    • Answer the CDC’s required COVID-19 screening questions
    • Step into a shoe sanitizing station to disinfect and clean their shoes, then onto an extraction mat to remove excess moisture
    • Check their temperatures
    • Apply a hand sanitizing agent
  • Students are assigned a Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday schedule
    • Wednesdays are reserved for thorough cleanings and sanitization

Other sanitation and facility upgrades made by Newark Public Schools in response to the pandemic include, but are not limited to:

  • Electrostatic sprayers for disinfecting porous and non-porous surfaces
  • Kaivac No Touch Bathroom Cleaning Machines
  • Air intake grilles are fully open to continuously flush buildings with fresh air and MERV filter ratings have been upgraded where appropriate.

In order to test the effectiveness of all COVID response measures, Newark Public Schools instituted air quality control and testing protocols that include, but are not limited to:

  • Reflective light meter to test surfaces for microscopic living cells on surfaces
  • Ion tester
  • Regular CO2 measurement and monitoring
  • O3 and oxidant meters
  • More frequent air filter changes

For more information about Newark Public Schools’ response to COVID-19 and back-to-school protocols, www.nps.k12.nj.us.

For more information about Odorox air purifiers, PYURE Technology and how they are helping to ensure the safe return to the classroom, email OdoroxAir@Bio-Shine.com.

All media requests can be directed to odoroxpr@antennagroup.com.

About The PYURE Company

The PYURE Company, formerly known as HGI Industries, designs, manufactures and markets commercial air purifiers that sanitize air and surfaces. PYURE’s innovative, patented technology replicates the way sunlight sanitizes the outdoor environment by safely generating and diffusing hydroxyls and organic oxidants indoors. PYURE markets products that destroy pathogens and improve air quality – from portable devices treating hundreds of square feet to HVAC-integrated solutions with sensor driven, integrated process controls treating hundreds of thousands of square feet. PYURE products can be purchased directly or through authorized distributors. Founded in 2007, The PYURE Company is a privately-owned enterprise with corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities located in Boynton Beach, Florida. For more information, visit www.pyureco.com.

Contacts

Victoria Woodside

Antenna Spaces

odoroxpr@antennagroup.com
646-779-5572

Categories
Business Local News Technology

RtBrick completes another cashflow positive year

Routing software pioneer adds Tier-1 deployment to its list of 2020/21 achievements

PRINCETON, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — RtBrick Inc has completed its financial year, which ran from April 2020 through to March 2021. The company completed another cashflow positive year, alongside achieving some notable milestones, and cemented its position as one of the networking industry’s most important industry pioneers.

The year marked the live deployment of its software in Deutsche Telekom’s broadband network in Germany, following a successful pilot. Europe’s largest carrier is now using RtBrick’s BNG (Broadband Network Gateway) routing software to provide broadband services in Germany at speeds up to 1Gbps.

RtBrick also added support for IPTV services, surpassed the scale limitations of conventional routers using multithread processing, and added new APIs to its software, allowing operators greater control over their networks.

“This year has seen some significant achievements for RtBrick, including a major customer deployment, new products and features,” said Pravin S Bhandarkar, CEO and founder of RtBrick. “Despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic, when we transitioned to a remote working organization, we have maintained a strong engineering presence and augmented the team in strategic areas.”

The end of the financial year culminated in the announcement of a new Consolidated BNG (Broadband Network Gateway) for deployment in more remote locations.

RtBrick was also recognized as finalists in three prestigious industry awards – Leading Lights Most Innovative Telecoms Product, Broadband Awards Best Fixed Access Solution and Computing Technology Product Awards for Infrastructure Product of The Year.

To learn more about RtBrick’s leading disaggregated solution for broadband networks, check out our website here.

About RtBrick

RtBrick has pioneered carrier routing software that runs on off-the-shelf hardware. It has applied the same approach to networks that the huge ‘cloud-natives’ have used to build and operate their web-scale IT services. RtBrick is a privately held company, with staff located in India, Europe and the USA.

Contacts

Media

Justin Ordman

Red Lorry Yellow Lorry

rtbrick@rlyl.com
857 217 2886

Categories
Business Sports & Gaming

DraftKings named first Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner of the Professional Fighters League

DraftKings Will Leverage PFL’s Proprietary SmartCage Technology to Deliver Unique Prop Bets and Innovative Season-Driven Gaming Opportunities to Fans   

PFL MMA 2021 season premieres on Friday, April 23 in primetime across ESPN networks and streaming platforms

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced a new, multi-year partnership that designates DraftKings Inc. as the “Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner of the PFL.” To start the season, wagering on PFL fights via DraftKings will be available for fans across the country, pending regulatory approvals.


The multi-faceted partnership will give MMA, daily fantasy and sports betting fans a truly unique viewing and gaming experience utilizing PFL’s proprietary SmartCage technology. PFL is the first in combat sports to capture and distribute real-time fighter data and analytics, which are integrated into each broadcast and across the league’s digital and social channels and include metrics like punch speed, fighter tracking, kick speed, heart rate and caloric burn. This data will eventually allow for innovative and distinctive prop bets. For example, fans will be able to place a wager on whether or not a fighter will land a strike exceeding 25 MPH.

“We’re thrilled to partner with DraftKings as we look to advance the sport by delivering a premium and unique betting and gaming experience to the millions of passionate MMA fans in the US,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL. “The PFL’s win and advance season format combined with our proprietary SmartCage fight data and analytics offer unmatched prop bets and gaming opportunities. MMA’s league is back with our season debut this Friday, April 23 in primetime on ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.”

As Official Sportsbook and Daily Fantasy Partner of the PFL, live odds will be integrated into each event broadcast across ESPN networks and streaming platforms, as well as during PFL’s pre-fight show presented by DraftKings and hosted by former college basketball player and ESPN media personality, Jonathan Coachman, alongside former MMA fighter Ian Parker. Additionally, DraftKings will offer cash prizes coupled with PFL-branded pools tied to the league’s regular season, playoffs and championship events. These offerings expand on the 2019 PFL Championship Pick’Em game, which garnered over 30,000 submissions and featured six, million-dollar world title fights on New Year’s Eve.

“We are excited to further our relationship with the Professional Fighters League as their first official betting and daily fantasy partner,” said Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer of DraftKings. “MMA is mainstream. The fan is young, loyal, passionate, and engaged, and PFL delivers an innovative product. We look forward to bringing a premium betting and fantasy experience to this growing audience in what is a monumental partnership for combat sports and the gaming industry.”

DraftKings’ logos will also be featured in and around the cage, and DraftKings has exclusive rights to utilize PFL logos and “Official Partner” branding for advertising and promotions. Additionally, PFL and DraftKings will collaborate on exclusive, themed content across their social and digital platforms.

Since its inception in 2018, Professional Fighters League has quickly established itself as the No. 2 MMA company in the world. The league has experienced tremendous YoY growth across digital channels – 68% follower increase on Instagram, 30% total audience growth across digital and a 200% social engagement spike.

With the addition of world-class talent – from elite fighters to established business executives – and partnering with industry-leading brands such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, GEICO, CarParts.com and Socios, the PFL continues to accelerate its global expansion. Sports fans across more than 160 countries around world will be able to tune in to the league’s highly anticipated return on April 23 in Atlantic City, NJ.

Sports betting regulations are still being finalized across the country, and users will only be able to access these offerings in states where sports betting is legal.

About Professional Fighters League

Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the first and only to present MMA in the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. PFL is the innovation leader with the PFL SmartCage delivering viewers on-screen fight analytics and real-time prop bets. PFL Roster is second to none with 25% of its fighters ranked in the top 25 in their weight-class. All PFL 2021 Season events are live in primetime on ESPN2/ESPN+ in the U.S. (typically on Thursdays), as well as on leading broadcast and streaming outlets in 160 countries worldwide.

For more info visit www.PFLmma.com and follow PFL on Instagram (@PFLmma), Twitter (@PFLMMA), and Facebook (/PFLmma).

About DraftKings

DraftKings Inc. is a digital sports entertainment and gaming company created to fuel the competitive spirit of sports fans with products that range across daily fantasy, regulated gaming and digital media. Headquartered in Boston, and launched in 2012 by Jason Robins, Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman, DraftKings is the only U.S.-based vertically integrated sports betting operator. DraftKings is a multi-channel provider of sports betting and gaming technologies, powering sports and gaming entertainment for 50+ operators in 17 countries. DraftKings’ Sportsbook is live with mobile and/or retail betting operations in the United States pursuant to regulations in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports product is available in 8 countries internationally with 15 distinct sports categories. DraftKings is the official daily fantasy partner of the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA TOUR and UFC as well as an authorized gaming operator of the NBA and MLB, an official betting operator of the PGA TOUR and the official betting operator of UFC. DraftKings also owns Vegas Sports Information Network, Inc. (VSiN), a multi-platform broadcast and content company.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this release are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words “estimates,” “projected,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “future,” “propose” and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside DraftKings’ control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see DraftKings’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. DraftKings does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts

Loren Mack

pfl@dkcnews.com
media@draftkings.com

@DraftKingsNews

Categories
Business Technology

Demotech affirms financial stability rating assigned to Gateway Insurance Company

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — #FSR—Buckle, a tech-enabled financial services company, announced the Financial Stability Rating® (FSR) of A, Exceptional, assigned to its licensed carrier, the Gateway Insurance Company, has been affirmed by Demotech, Inc., based on year-end 2020 results. FSRs are a leading indicator of the financial stability of property and casualty insurers and title underwriters. Last year, Buckle announced the acquisition and recapitalization of Gateway, including its 47 state insurance licenses.

“Buckle’s mission is to serve the emerging middle class and providers to the gig economy with our inclusive, digital financial services platform,” said Kristi Matus, CFO and COO of Buckle. “We are pleased to receive this affirmation from Demotech, allowing Buckle to continue working toward our vision of helping gig workers to achieve economic freedom through our insurance products that provide excellent coverage at fair prices.”

This level of FSR is assigned to insurers who possess exceptional financial stability related to maintaining positive surplus regarding policyholders, liquidity of invested assets, an acceptable level of financial leverage, reasonable loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (L&LAE), and realistic pricing.

FSRs summarize Demotech’s opinion of the financial stability of an insurer regardless of general economic conditions or the phase of the underwriting cycle. FSRs utilize statutory financial data based on insurance accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Since 1989, FSRs of A or better have been accepted by the major participants in the secondary mortgage marketplace.

About Demotech, Inc.

Demotech, Inc. is a financial analysis firm specializing in evaluating the financial stability of regional and specialty insurers. Since 1985, Demotech has served the insurance industry by assigning accurate, reliable, and proven Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs) for Property & Casualty insurers and Title underwriters. FSRs are a leading indicator of financial stability, providing an objective baseline of the future solvency of an insurer. Demotech’s philosophy is to review and evaluate insurers based on their area of focus and execution of their business model rather than solely on financial size. Demotech was the first to review and rate independent regional and specialty insurers. Demotech’s consistently increasing list of accreditations and acceptances has resulted in rating and reviewing more than 400 insurers operating in the U.S. Visit www.demotech.com for additional information.

About Buckle

Buckle provides a financial services platform that focuses on insurance, credit, and advocacy for the gig economy. The company is reinventing the insurance model to more efficiently manage risk, supporting the entire ecosystem of drivers, fleets, and transportation network platforms to help everyone achieve economic freedom. Connect with Buckle on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit www.buckleup.com.

All trademarks recognized.

Contacts

Tracy Wemett

BroadPR

+1-617-868-5031

tracy@broadpr.com