SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Oct 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) will hold its popular online auction from October 31 through November 8, 2026. The auction is one of the foundation's most important fundraising events of the year. Proceeds fund scholarships that help underrepresented wine professionals earn professional certifications and advance their careers.

GWEF's mission is to assist underserved communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education, raise their earning power and increase diversity in the wine industry. In its six-year history, the foundation has awarded 364 scholarships totaling $457,000. More than a third of recipients have received a promotion after earning their certification.

Auction lots will include trips, one-of-a-kind tastings, special limited-production wines and more. Highlights include a three-day trip to Champagne Lossy with a stay at the château, a private tour and tasting, and a Michelin-starred dinner. Another special lot includes a five-course dinner for two at Valette in Healdsburg, CA, paired with wines from five top winemakers (David Ramey, Rochioli, Kosta Browne, Aperture and Bob Cabral). An instant cellar from noted wine writer and emeritus board member Alder Yarrow offers 36 bottles, from wines drinking well now to those that will age for 20 years. The auction is open to the public, and the link will be shared via @glancywineedfoundation close to the launch date of October 31, so be sure to follow for updates.

"Our auction is one of the biggest sources of scholarship funding we have each year," said Ana Keller, President, Glancy Wine Education Foundation. "Every winning bid helps a wine professional take the next step in their career. As those professionals advance, the wine industry gains the talent and perspective it needs to connect with a wider range of consumers."

The auction comes one year after GWEF became a national scholarship organization. In 2025, partnerships with the International Wine Center in New York and American Wine School, with classes in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Detroit, added in-person programs on the East Coast and in the Midwest alongside the foundation's West Coast schools. A partnership with the Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) also opened GWEF scholarships to AAAV members. Funds raised this year will help the foundation serve students across this wider footprint.

GWEF's all-volunteer board keeps overhead at 9%, well below the nonprofit average of about 20%. Scholarship funds go directly to the foundation's wine school partners. GWEF holds a Platinum Transparency rating from Candid.

For auction updates, scholarship recipient stories and foundation news, follow GWEF on Instagram at @glancywineedfoundation.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET 415-701-9463 kimberly@glancywineeducationfoundation.org

Andrea Smalling, 707-266-4069 andrea@glancywineeducationfoundation.org

ABOUT THE GLANCY WINE EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Established in 2020, The Glancy Wine Education Foundation (GWEF) is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting underserved and minority communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education, increase diversity and raise earning power. GWEF has awarded 364 scholarships totaling $457,000 since its founding and partners with wine schools in California, New York and the Midwest. The foundation holds a Platinum Transparency rating from Candid. Professionals in need of financial aid are encouraged to apply for scholarships year-round at https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/.

News Source: Glancy Wine Education Foundation

Related link: https://www.glancywineeducationfoundation.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/glancy-wine-education-foundation-online-auction-runs-october-31-through-november-8-2026/

ADDISON, Texas, Oct 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Click n' Close, a multistate mortgage lender, today announced that it has been named one of Mortgage Women Magazine's 2026 Top Employers for Women. The annual recognition, featured by Mortgage Women Magazine and National Mortgage Professional, honors mortgage companies that provide women with resources, mentorship and leadership opportunities and maintain women's representation at every level of their organizations.

"Women at Click n' Close go out of their way to champion one another, whether that means nominating a colleague for industry recognition or building a team that gives other women room to grow," said Delores Lopez, chief operating officer of Click n' Close. "That culture was one of the first things I noticed when I joined the company, and I'm proud to see Mortgage Women Magazine recognize it."

Women make up nearly 64% of the Click n' Close workforce of 336 employees and hold two of the company's six C-suite positions, serving as chief operating officer and chief compliance officer. Women also lead teams in correspondent lending and sales.

Much of that leadership has been developed internally. The COO position has primarily been filled by women for the past 15 years. A former COO spent nine years building a national support and training function before her promotion. A third woman began in an entry-level shipping role and, over 25 years, rose to manage the company's platform team. When Click n' Close expanded its underwriting department in 2021, the COO at the time assembled a five-person leadership team made up entirely of women. The company also sponsored the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association Certified Mortgage Leaders class for women for the past three years.

Female executives at Click n' Close designed the company's eMortgage and eNote strategy, which helped make it one of the industry's largest sources of digitally closed loans as early as 2018 and was later featured in a national eMortgage case study. Company leaders have presented at national and state Mortgage Bankers Association conferences and the MERS eMortgage Boot Camp and serve on boards and advisory councils of state and national mortgage associations.

Click n' Close offered remote work options before the pandemic, moved its entire workforce remote in 2020 and has remained remote-friendly since. The company provides up to four weeks of paid parental leave following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, private space for nursing mothers and on-site yoga and Pilates classes five days a week. When the company moves into its new headquarters, those classes will expand to include an on-site fitness facility that offers high-intensity interval training.

"Some of the most consequential decisions in our company's history were made by women, including our early move into eClosings and eNotes," said Ian Kimball, president of Click n' Close. "This recognition belongs to the people who run so much of this business, and we intend to keep promoting from within, so the next generation has a clear path to follow."

About Click n' Close, Inc.

Click n' Close, Inc. is a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and originators through its wholesale, correspondent and retail channels. The company is an industry leader in proprietary down payment assistance (DPA) programs and a recognized leader in One-Time Close construction lending across conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and Section 184 programs. Through its 1st Tribal Lending division-the nation's largest originator and servicer of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans-Click n' Close extends its commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities nationwide.

In operation since 1959, Click n' Close has remained at the forefront of mortgage innovation, pioneering the adoption of eClosings and eNotes. Backed by a strong financial foundation, Click n' Close has the balance sheet and warehouse capacity to support and scale its specialized loan programs, providing consistent access to capital and reliable execution for its partners. By maintaining direct relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private investors and servicing its loan programs in-house, the company delivers dependable liquidity, loan salability and an enhanced borrower experience.

Learn more at https://www.clicknclose.com/.

News Source: Click n' Close Inc.

Related link: https://www.clicknclose.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/click-n-close-named-one-of-mortgage-women-magazines-2026-top-employers-for-women/

TAMPA, Fla., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- For the holiday season, Pillar To Post® Home Inspectors is putting a playful spin on home safety with its "Monster Free" certificates, a fun way to celebrate a home inspection and help make the transition of a move easier and fun for the kids.

Featuring colorful, cartoon-style monsters crossed off with bold red Xs, the certificates offer a lighthearted reminder that while spooky surprises are welcome during the holidays, unexpected home issues are best left out of the festivities. Whether it's creaky floors, mysterious drafts, or something lurking behind the basement door, a professional home inspection can help homeowners better understand their new home before settling in.

Designed to bring a little extra fun to the home-buying experience, the "Monster Free" certificates can be shared with homebuyers following their inspections during the holiday season. They offer a memorable, family-friendly keepsake that celebrates this exciting milestone while reinforcing the value of having a home professionally inspected.

"Buying a home is one of life's biggest adventures, and the holidays make it even more magical," said Charles Furlough, President and CEO of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors. "Our Monster Free certificates add a little seasonal fun to the experience, starting with Halloween."

From first-time buyers can help make the experience of a move to a new home and/or school easier for kids, according to the 350 franchisees of North America's largest home inspection network.

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors encourages homebuyers to make a professional home inspection part of their home-buying journey. With experienced inspectors and a commitment to help buyers make informed decisions, the company brings expertise and reassurance to one of life's most important investments.

So, this holiday season, let the festivities be frightfully fun-and leave the home inspection to the professionals. Because when it comes to your home, a little peace of mind is the best gift of all.

ABOUT PILLAR TO POST® HOME INSPECTORS

Founded in 1994, Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the largest home inspection company in North America with home offices in Toronto and Tampa. There are over 350 franchises located across the United States and Canada and 85,000 5-Star Google Reviews on record to date. For further information, please visit https://pillartopost.com/.

News Source: Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

Related link: https://pillartopost.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/pillar-to-post-home-inspections-include-monster-free-certificates-for-a-spooktacularly-safe-holiday-season/

DETROIT, Mich., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Millionaire Mastermind Academy, the national entrepreneurship and economic empowerment nonprofit founded by Velma Trayham, is hosting 16 free Party at the Polls events this election season - 13 in Michigan and three in Nevada - through its partnership with When We All Vote, the nonpartisan civic engagement initiative founded by former first lady Michelle Obama.

The events began Oct. 3 and continue through Election Day, Nov. 3, bringing together entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives and community leaders to promote voter readiness and informed participation.

From film studios to small business hubs, each gathering reflects the community it serves. Together, the events aim to reach hundreds of voters by meeting people where they already gather, work and build relationships.

"As a Detroit native and filmmaker, this work is personal to me. I know the talent, ambition and determination in this city, and I want the people building its future to have a voice in the decisions that affect their livelihoods," said Treavion Davenport, executive director of Millionaire Mastermind Academy and founder of FLEXHAUS CINEMA+ SOUND.

"Behind every small business and every production are families counting on those opportunities. Our partnership with When We All Vote brings civic participation into spaces where people already feel connected - from creative studios to neighborhood businesses. Across our 16 activations in Michigan and Nevada, we're reminding people that their voices matter, their votes matter, and they have a role in shaping what comes next for their communities."

Founded in 2018, Millionaire Mastermind Academy helps women entrepreneurs build businesses and pursue economic mobility through mentorship, technical assistance, accelerator programs and strategic connections. According to its 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report, the organization has served more than 8,000 entrepreneurs, with a strong presence in Georgia, Texas, Florida and Arizona.

Its partnership with When We All Vote extends that work into civic participation. Public decisions influence access to capital, workforce development, infrastructure and the conditions in which businesses operate. The events help participants understand those connections and prepare to make their voices heard.

Every event is free, open to the public and nonpartisan, with no candidate endorsements.

Detroit event brings film and television professionals together

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Millionaire Mastermind Academy will bring Detroit's film and television community together at Living the Dream Studio for "Let's Make It a Movie Mixer!" The event will include a "Class of 2026" industry photograph celebrating the professionals helping shape Detroit's creative economy.

Featured speakers include Davenport and Sabrina Jackson, a FOX 2 Detroit contributor and Millionaire Mastermind Academy community partner.

Detroit registration is available at https://www.mobilize.us/whenweallvote/event/1059775/.

MEDIA INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

Trayham is available for interviews about the organization's civic engagement work and the connection between entrepreneurship, economic opportunity and voter participation. Additional interview opportunities include Davenport and Jackson. Media are invited to cover the events. (Media only: info[@]millionairemastermindacademy.com).

ABOUT MILLIONAIRE MASTERMIND ACADEMY

Millionaire Mastermind Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Velma Trayham to advance economic opportunity through entrepreneurship. The organization has mentored more than 8,000 women through technical assistance and economic empowerment programs, helping women-owned businesses grow and strengthen their communities. https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

ABOUT WHEN WE ALL VOTE

When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan initiative founded in 2018 by Michelle Obama to increase participation in every election, close the race and age voting gap, and change the culture around voting. It is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

News Source: Millionaire Mastermind Academy

Related link: https://millionairemastermindacademy.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/millionaire-mastermind-academy-non-profit-hosts-16-nonpartisan-party-at-the-polls-events/

NEW YORK, N.Y., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Luvme Hair is highlighting office-ready hairstyles for Fall 2026, bringing attention to the role of hair length, texture, and silhouette in creating polished looks for professional settings. From defined curly pixie cuts to classic bobs, shoulder-length layers, and long waves, the selection reflects different approaches to workplace styling while leaving room for individual expression.

As fall brings tailored jackets, layered knitwear, and structured outerwear into everyday wardrobes, hairstyles become another element of a polished workday look. From defined curly pixie cuts to classic bobs, shoulder-length layers, and long waves, Luvme Hair is drawing attention to versatile styling options for different professional environments and routines.

The brand's guide to 7 Professional Wig Hairstyles for Work explores seven approaches to workplace styling, including sleek straight hair, soft side parts, body waves, defined curls, and neat half-up styles. The guide emphasizes clear silhouettes, manageable styling, and coordination between hair and clothing rather than a single definition of professional hair.

SHORT HAIRSTYLES: DEFINED, POLISHED, AND EXPRESSIVE

Short wigs offer a distinctive option for professionals who prefer a clean silhouette or a more expressive style. Classic bobs can complement structured workwear, while pixie cuts provide a shorter alternative with a defined shape.

A Curly Pixie Cut adds texture and personality to the office-ready hairstyle conversation. With well-defined curls and a thoughtfully maintained shape, this style can pair with tailored blazers, minimalist knitwear, and other fall wardrobe staples.

For more seasonal inspiration, Luvme's fall short wig hairstyles guide explores a range of shorter silhouettes, including layered bobs, pixie-inspired looks, and textured curls.

MEDIUM-LENGTH STYLES: BALANCE AND MOVEMENT

Shoulder-length cuts and layered styles offer another option for professional settings. Their length allows for movement and face-framing detail while providing flexibility for different outfits and occasions.

Soft waves can complement relaxed business-casual clothing, while straighter, layered styles can create a more structured appearance. These options can work alongside fall essentials such as button-down shirts, knit tops, and tailored outerwear.

The right combination depends on the wearer's preferred silhouette and workplace dress code. Luvme's guide to matching wigs with outfits and occasions provides additional ideas for coordinating hair texture, length, and color with different clothing styles.

LONG HAIRSTYLES: CLASSIC AND VERSATILE

Long wigs remain an option for professionals who prefer more styling flexibility. Sleek straight hair can create a streamlined finish, while body waves and loose curls introduce softness and dimension.

Depending on the occasion, long styles can be worn down, swept to one side, or arranged in a simple half-up look. These variations make it possible to adapt a familiar hairstyle for meetings, presentations, daily office wear, and after-work gatherings.

A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO FALL WORKWEAR

For Fall 2026, Luvme Hair is emphasizing choice rather than a single definition of professional hair. A polished bob, a defined curly pixie, layered shoulder-length hair, or long soft waves can each contribute to a different interpretation of workplace style.

By considering hairstyle alongside clothing, occasion, and personal preference, wearers can build a professional look that feels appropriate to their routine without giving up individuality.

ABOUT LUVME HAIR

Luvme Hair offers human hair wigs across a range of textures, lengths, colors, and constructions. The brand focuses on natural-looking results, convenient wear, and versatile styling options for different routines and personal preferences. https://shop.luvmehair.com/

News Source: Luvme Hair

Related link: https://shop.luvmehair.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/luvme-hair-highlights-office-ready-hairstyles-for-fall-2026/

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial SalesLeads today announced its September 2026 results for planned capital project spending in the Food and Beverage industry. Food and beverage renovation and equipment upgrade planned projects rose 27.6% from the previous month.

The Firm tracks planned industrial capital projects across North America, including facility expansions, new plant construction and major equipment modernization. Its research confirms 65 new projects in the Food and Beverage sector in September. Processing facilities accounted for 45 of them and distribution and industrial warehouse projects for 23. The research team also identified 7 projects valued at $100 million or more. The largest is a proposed $1.3 billion, 1.5 million-square-foot Walmart distribution center in Georgia. Construction is expected to start in late fall 2026.

The following are selected highlights on new Food and Beverage industry construction news.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROJECT TYPE

* Processing Facilities - 45 New Projects

* Distribution and Industrial Warehouse - 23 New Projects

FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROJECT SCOPE/ACTIVITY

* New Construction - 16 New Projects

* Expansion - 19 New Projects

* Renovations/Equipment Upgrades - 37 New Projects

* Plant Closing - 7 New Projects

FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROJECT LOCATION (TOP 10 STATES)

* California - 7

* New York - 6

* Indiana - 6

* Georgia - 5

* Pennsylvania - 5

* Wisconsin - 5

* Michigan - 4

* Minnesota - 3

* Texas - 3

* Washington - 3

LARGEST PLANNED PROJECT

During the month of September, our research team identified 7 new Food and Beverage facility construction projects with an estimated value of $100 million or more.

The largest project is owned by Walmart, who is planning to invest $1.3 billion for the construction of a 1.5 million sf distribution center in CARNESVILLE, GA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in late Fall 2026.

TOP 10 TRACKED FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROJECTS

PENNSYLVANIA:
Dairy product mfr. is planning to invest $1.2 billion for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a 1.5 million sf processing facility at 7350 Industrial Blvd. in ALLENTOWN, PA. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

WISCONSIN:
Agricultural co-operative is planning to invest $700 million for the construction of a soybean processing plant in EVANSVILLE, WI. They have recently received approval for the project.

INDIANA:
Flavour, fragrance and cosmetic ingredient mfr. is planning to invest $215 million for the construction of a processing facility in WEST HARRISON, IN. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2028.

MISSOURI:
Dairy product mfr. is planning to invest $197 million for the construction of a processing facility on Hazel Ave. in CARTHAGE, MO. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

NEW YORK:
Supermarket chain is planning to invest $110 million for the construction of a distribution and cold storage facility in ROCHESTER, NY. They are currently seeking approval for the project and will consolidate their operations upon completion.

PENNSYLVANIA:
Snack food mfr. is expanding and planning to invest $42 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on an additional 79,000 sf of processing space at 615 Alpha Dr. in O'HARA TOWNSHIP, PA. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

SOUTH CAROLINA:
Food products mfr. is planning to invest $33 million for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their processing and warehouse facility in SWANSEA, SC. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2028.

MISSOURI:
Frozen food products mfr. is planning to invest $32 million for the construction of three office facilities and a warehouse on Le Compte Rd. in SPRINGFIELD, MO. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction will occur in 2 phases and they will relocate their operations upon completion.

INDIANA:
Food and beverage company is planning to invest $30 million for equipment upgrades on their processing facility in KENDALLVILLE, IN. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

COLORADO:
Brewery is planning to invest $23 million for equipment upgrades on their production and warehouse facility in FORT COLLINS, CO. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

About Industrial SalesLeads, Inc.

Since 1959, Industrial SalesLeads, based in Jacksonville, FL is a leader in delivering industrial capital project intelligence and prospecting services for sales and marketing teams to ensure a predictable and scalable pipeline. Our Industrial Market Intelligence, IMI identifies timely insights on companies planning significant capital investments such as new construction, expansion, relocation, equipment modernization and plant closings in industrial facilities. The Outsourced Prospecting Services, an extension to your sales team, is designed to drive growth with qualified meetings and appointments for your internal sales team. Visit us at https://salesleadsinc.com/.

Each month, our team provides hundreds of industrial reports within a variety of industries.

Learn more:
https://www.salesleadsinc.com/data-solutions/industrial-project-reports/

https://www.salesleadsinc.com/blog/

News Source: Industrial SalesLeads Inc

Related link: https://www.salesleadsinc.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/27-6-mom-increase-in-industrial-planned-projects-for-renovations-and-equipment-upgrades-for-september-2026/

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading affordability intelligence platform, today announced a partnership with ARMLS® (Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service). Founded in 1982 and based in Tempe, Arizona, ARMLS has grown into one of the largest MLSs in the country, serving more than 38,000 subscribers.

Through the partnership, ARMLS subscribers gain access to Down Payment Connect, DPR's tool that integrates its database of more than 2,700 down payment assistance (DPA) programs directly into listing data. Eligible listings are flagged with a special icon, making DPA-eligible properties easy for agents and potential buyers to identify.

According to DPR data, DPA can lower an applicant's loan-to-value ratio by an average of 8.8%, helping lenders qualify more mortgage-ready borrowers and agents deliver better outcomes for homebuyers.

"Every one of ARMLS' subscribers now has a direct line to the down payment assistance programs their clients need to get into a home," said Rob Chrane, founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource. "Arizona has substantial DPA resources available, and pairing that with ARMLS' reach means far more buyers will actually find out these programs exist and make use of them."

Down Payment Connect provides ARMLS subscribers with a personalized landing page they can share on their websites and social media and in their email signatures to connect prospective buyers with available assistance. In Arizona, DPA is offered through 34 agencies and 61 programs, with an average assistance amount of $28,000. Programs are available to buyers earning up to $155,000 a year who are purchasing homes priced up to $484,350.

ABOUT ARMLS:

Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service is an association-owned Multiple Listing Service covering Arizona, providing MLS and other core services for MLS subscribers. ARMLS provides technology solutions, support and training for more than 38,000 real estate professionals. For more information, visit https://armls.com.

ABOUT DOWN PAYMENT RESOURCE:

Down Payment Resource (DPR) is the mortgage industry's affordability intelligence platform, operationalizing down payment programs at scale for lenders, MLSs and API users. Its embedded intelligence helps automate program eligibility, decisioning and delivery, connecting homebuyers with the assistance they need through a national database of over 2,700 programs. DPR's technology is used by seven of the top 25 mortgage lenders, two of the largest real estate listing websites and 600,000 real estate agents. For more information, visit https://downpaymentresource.com.

News Source: Down Payment Resource

Related link: https://www.downpaymentresource.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/down-payment-resource-inks-contract-with-armls-to-expand-access-to-down-payment-assistance/

BOULDER, Colo., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, today announced the launch of Verification of Assets (VOA) within Floify Verify, its native verification service powered by Argyle.

Lenders using Floify have been able to verify income and employment directly through Floify Verify for some time. However, asset verification was handled elsewhere, through tools such as AccountChek® or Plaid. That meant borrowers were routed through a different interface mid-application, while lenders were left managing separate reporting and a second billing relationship. VOA brings asset verification directly into Floify Verify, completing what Floify calls the "verification triad."

VOA is built into two places in Floify. In Live Loan Flow, a loan officer can trigger asset verification at any point, manually or through business rules, and request re-verification later if a borrower's finances change. In Apply Now, including Floify's Dynamic AI autofill experience, a borrower can connect a bank account directly in the assets section, with document upload as a fallback, and see that data flow straight into the 1003. Both paths share the same bank connection, GSE-accepted report and billing pipeline.

Lenders can also select the VOA report's transaction history window, ranging from 15 days to 2 years, and choose which accounts to include when refreshing the report. Floify automatically suppresses duplicate bank statement requests once a report is on file. Reports meet Day 1 Certainty® eligibility requirements from Fannie Mae and AIM eligibility requirements from Freddie Mac, with reference numbers written automatically into the GSE fields in Encompass® and BytePro®. All verification activity on a loan (income, employment and assets) now appears on a single invoice.

"Verification of assets is the piece our lenders have been asking for since Floify Verify launched in 2024," said Bryan Traeger, general manager of Floify. "Income, employment and assets are the three pillars of a complete verification picture, and now lenders can run all three through one platform, one connection and one invoice."

"We've worked with Floify for years to bring real-time, consumer-permissioned income and employment data into their platform, and VOA extends that partnership to assets," said Shmulik Fishman, founder and CEO of Argyle. "Lenders get a faster, more reliable view of a borrower's full financial picture in a workflow they already trust, and borrowers get to skip the paperwork entirely."

VOA supports checking and savings accounts at launch, with investment accounts such as retirement accounts and stock and bond holdings planned for a future release.

ABOUT FLOIFY:

Floify is a fully configurable point of sale (POS) platform that streamlines the loan process with a secure application, communication and document portal between lenders, borrowers, referral partners and other mortgage stakeholders. Its Dynamic AI feature reimagines the mortgage application process by moving document collection and AI-driven data extraction to the very beginning of the process, allowing borrowers to upload key documents and have applications prepopulated with verified information, accelerating pre-approvals and simplifying the borrower experience. Floify is a subsidiary of Porch Group, Inc. ("Porch Group") (NASDAQ: PRCH). For more, visit https://floify.com/ or find us on social media at Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter / X.

ABOUT ARGYLE:

Argyle is the leading consumer-permissioned verification platform, empowering consumers to share their income, employment, and asset data through consumer-directed payroll and bank connections. With Argyle, lenders automate verification workflows to save time, reduce fraud and compliance risks, lower costs and build better product experiences. As an authorized supplier for Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter® validation service and an approved service provider supporting Freddie Mac's Loan Product Advisor® asset and income modeler (AIM), Argyle empowers mortgage lenders to receive the paystubs and W-2s applicants share, understand applicants' ability to pay and improve loan quality-all at up to 80% less cost. Argyle's commitment to innovation is backed by investors including Bain Capital Ventures, Checkr, Mastercard and SignalFire. For more information on Argyle's industry-leading platform, please visit https://argyle.com/.

News Source: Floify

Related link: https://floify.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/floify-adds-asset-verification-completing-its-floify-verify-suite/

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for home equity and mortgage lenders nationwide, announced today that PROGRESS in Lending (PIL) has recognized Chief Technology Officer Dan Kellett for his influence on how lenders approach home equity technology, naming him one of nine 2026 Lending Luminaries.

Now in its eighth year, the Lending Luminary Award honors mortgage industry professionals whose ideas and leadership move others. The association defines a luminary as "a person who inspires or influences others" and published this year's winners on Oct. 10.

Kellett's recognition centers on a point he has pressed about home equity lending. In his view, lenders have brought the application online while leaving the processes that follow it unchanged.

"Until you fix that underlying structure, you don't really have a digital experience," Kellett said. "You just have a digital intake form."

He traces part of the problem to the fact that home equity does not sit cleanly in any one department. Home equity lines of credit follow consumer lending conventions, and closed-end second mortgages fall under mortgage regulation, so institutions inherit complexity from both sides without infrastructure built for either. With pull-through below 50% and origination costs near $4,600 per loan, Kellett has argued that lenders compressing 40- to 45-day cycles into 10 to 15 days are automating order management rather than polishing intake.

Kellett, who leads product engineering, information technology and cybersecurity at FirstClose, applied the same thinking when he set the company's AI strategy. The work began with internal operations, where every employee has AI tools and receives training as new capabilities become available. He then moved to the data layer, bringing custom applications, Salesforce® and Jira® together in a single warehouse that the business can query. AI within the product is the last phase and remains a direction on the company's roadmap.

Kellett also re-architected XpressEquity, the FirstClose point-of-sale platform, and rebuilt the company's technology team. Under the architecture he established, the FirstClose platform runs on cloud-native, event-driven services with end-to-end observability, and automated governance processes have reduced the work of maintaining SOC 2 compliance.

FirstClose works with more than 225 financial institutions, a client base that gives Kellett a direct view of the systems and constraints lenders work within. The full list of 2026 Lending Luminaries is available at https://mymortgagemindset.com/the-2026-lending-luminary-award-winners-are/.

About FirstClose

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to home equity and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce costs for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist their borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit https://firstclose.com/.

News Source: FirstClose

Related link: https://www.firstclose.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/firstclose-chief-technology-officer-dan-kellett-named-a-2026-lending-luminary/

DENVER, Colo., Oct 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ACES Quality Management (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced today that PROGRESS in Lending (PIL) has recognized Kyle Kehoe, executive vice president of sales, as one of nine 2026 Lending Luminaries. PIL's eighth annual Lending Luminary Award recognizes people in the lending industry who inspire or influence others. This year's honorees come from lending, servicing, technology and title.

Kehoe has spent the past year encouraging lenders to maintain their investment in quality control (QC) as origination volumes stayed low. With fewer new loans coming in, lenders had less room to absorb repurchase requests or hold defective loans they could not sell or service. During that period, Kehoe's sales team closed new business with the 11th-largest bank in the U.S., the second-largest bank in Canada, the second-largest bank in Arkansas, the largest and second-largest credit unions in Florida and the largest credit union in Oregon.

"Kyle leads a team that knows this industry and the risks lenders face as well as anyone," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "They take the time to understand each institution's challenges and stay with the problem until it's solved. When volume dropped, Kyle spent the year telling them that's when QC matters most, and the lenders who listened are better for it. That's the kind of influence this award recognizes."

Over the coming year, Kehoe plans to take the same approach into market segments where ACES has an established presence and room to grow.

"It's an honor to be recognized by PROGRESS in Lending, and I share it with our entire team," Kehoe said. "They're dedicated to helping lenders strengthen their risk management, which protects both the institution and its borrowers, especially in a market this tight."

The full list of 2026 Lending Luminaries is available at https://mymortgagemindset.com/the-2026-lending-luminary-award-winners-are/.

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* Over 70% of the top 20 independent mortgage lenders;

* 8 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 14 of the top 30 banks; and

* 7 of the top 15 credit unions in the United States.

ACES also supports multiple state housing authorities and mortgage insurers, a government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) and dozens of third-party QC service providers that collectively serve hundreds of financial institutions.

Unlike other quality control platforms, ACES Flexible Audit Technology® enables independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions to easily manage and customize the system to their specific needs, including the ability to evaluate loan risk at scale without relying on IT or outside resources. With ACES' AI-powered capabilities, audit teams can translate complexity into clear insights and accelerate performance.

Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

News Source: ACES Quality Management

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/aces-quality-managements-kyle-kehoe-named-a-2026-lending-luminary/

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced that CEO Laird Nossuli has been named a finalist for the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) inaugural mPower Visionary Awards. Nossuli was honored October 10 in Chicago at mPowering You, the MBA Summit for Women in Real Estate Finance, following a selection process that drew nearly 100 nominees from across the mortgage industry.

Nossuli earned recognition for more than two decades of leadership challenging conventional thinking about mortgage market growth. Her work has helped lenders recognize that expanding homeownership opportunities in underserved communities is not only a community development priority but also a significant business opportunity. Through iEmergent's market intelligence and her strategic guidance, lenders can identify unmet mortgage demand, establish market-specific growth plans and measure their progress in reaching more borrowers.

"There's enormous opportunity in the mortgage market that lenders simply aren't seeing," said Nossuli. "When we put good data in front of people and help them understand what's possible in their own communities, it changes the conversation. We can build stronger mortgage businesses and help more families achieve homeownership at the same time."

Beyond her work with lenders, Nossuli serves as a national partner and strategic advisor to MBA's CONVERGENCE initiatives, which bring together lenders, nonprofit organizations and community leaders to expand access to homeownership. She has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours and made iEmergent's market intelligence available to help participating communities identify lending opportunities and develop strategies for closing homeownership gaps.

Introduced in 2026, the mPower Visionary Awards recognize women whose leadership, impact and support of other women are helping shape the future of real estate finance. The program recognizes achievements across three categories: Change Maker, Community Builder and Grit and Grace. Fourteen finalists were selected, with one winner named in each category. The program also presented separate Visionary of the Year and Lifetime Achievement honors.

About iEmergent

Founded in 2000, iEmergent provides mortgage lending forecasts and analytics to the lending, housing and real estate industries. The company offers an extensive variety of forecast and market intelligence products, including Mortgage MarketSmart, a visualization tool that helps lenders quantify how mortgage markets will change. For more information, visit https://www.iemergent.com/.

News Source: IEmergent

Related link: https://www.iemergent.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/mortgage-bankers-association-names-iemergent-ceo-laird-nossuli-an-inaugural-mpower-visionary-award-finalist/

LAS VEGAS, Nev., Oct 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ViewTech Borescopes, a leading provider of remote visual inspection solutions, will exhibit at the 2026 National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), October 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The company will highlight inspection solutions designed to help business aviation maintenance professionals evaluate aircraft components, identify potential defects, and make informed maintenance decisions.

At NBAA-BACE booth 2520, ViewTech will feature its VJ-4 video borescope, including 3D measurement capabilities that allow technicians to capture dimensional measurements of internal components and assess potential defects more accurately. Available in select configurations, the VJ-4 3D measurement video borescope combines high-resolution imaging with measurement technology to support detailed inspections of critical aircraft components.

Also on display will be ViewTech's rugged 11-inch Screen Replicator Tablet, which wirelessly mirrors and enables control of the borescope's display. The tablet provides a larger viewing screen for inspection footage, making it easier for maintenance teams to view inspection results and collaborate in demanding MRO environments.

"Business aviation maintenance teams rely on accurate inspection data to assess aircraft component conditions and guide maintenance decisions," said Zack Wessels, ViewTech Borescopes Senior Sales Consultant. "Combining high-resolution imaging, 3D measurement capabilities, and professional reporting tools, ViewTech's inspection solutions help technicians document findings and communicate results effectively."

To support inspection documentation, ViewTech also offers ODIN Borescope Report Maker, or Operator Driven Inspections. The software helps users create professional inspection reports that organize findings and can be shared with technicians, engineers, and other decision-makers to support maintenance planning and communication.

ViewTech encourages aviation maintenance professionals to experience the VJ-4 video borescope firsthand through its 21-day, no-cost, no-obligation demonstration program. This opportunity allows teams to evaluate the technology on their own aircraft and equipment before making a purchase decision.

ABOUT VIEWTECH BORESCOPES

ViewTech Borescopes is a leading provider of remote visual inspection solutions, offering video borescopes and inspection technologies designed to help professionals efficiently examine difficult-to-access areas. ViewTech provides a range of inspection systems for applications across manufacturing, aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and other industrial markets.

Learn more: https://www.viewtech.com/

News Source: ViewTech Borescopes

Related link: https://www.ViewTech.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/viewtech-borescopes-to-debut-advanced-3d-measurement-technology-for-business-aviation-at-nbaa-bace-2026/

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation has partnered with LenderLogix to launch LiteSpeed, a modern mortgage point-of-sale platform designed to make the loan process easier for borrowers and more efficient for loan officers.

LiteSpeed integrates with Encompass® and gives borrowers a mobile-friendly experience to apply, upload documents, complete tasks and stay connected throughout the process. For loan officers, it helps streamline workflows and reduce repetitive administrative work.

"At Bay Capital, we don't believe in adding technology just to say we have more technology," said Tim Gough, CEO of Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation. "We want tools that actually make it easier for our loan officers to do business and create a better experience for their customers. LiteSpeed does that."

The platform includes mobile applications, document and task management, electronic signatures, preapproval letter generation, upfront fee collection and AI-assisted workflow tools.

For Bay Capital, the launch is part of a larger effort to rethink the origination experience around what today's loan officers and borrowers actually need.

"Loan officers shouldn't spend their day fighting technology," said Nick Thomas, President & Chief Production Officer of Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation. "Technology should remove friction, save time and help them have more conversations with customers and referral partners. That's the standard we're trying to build around."

"Bay Capital has been very intentional about the technology and resources it provides its team, and we're excited to welcome them to LenderLogix," said Patrick O'Brien, CEO of LenderLogix. "LiteSpeed is built to provide a more connected borrower experience without creating another disconnected system for loan teams to manage."

ABOUT BAY CAPITAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION

Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation is a full-service mortgage banker headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. Founded in 1994, Bay Capital serves homebuyers, real estate professionals, and builders across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, offering a range of residential mortgage products and a strong focus on purchase business, operational execution, and technology-enabled lending. NMLS #39610.

For more information, visit https://www.baycapitalmortgage.com/index.html.

ABOUT LENDERLOGIX

LenderLogix is a mortgage technology company focused on building modern tools for lenders. Its products include LiteSpeed as well as solutions for preapproval letters, payments, borrower communications, and other mortgage workflows.

For more information, visit https://lenderlogix.com/.

News Source: LenderLogix

Related link: https://www.lenderlogix.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/bay-capital-mortgage-launches-litespeed-to-make-origination-faster-and-easier/

STUDIO CITY, Calif., Oct 19, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Kord Fire Protection is highlighting the role of alarm monitoring in commercial buildings and offering three months of fire alarm monitoring at no charge to eligible new commercial customers under a qualifying agreement.

Alarm monitoring helps connect building systems to an off-site monitoring station, allowing designated personnel to receive signals when an event or system issue occurs. Depending on the equipment installed, monitored systems may include fire alarms, security and intrusion alarms, elevator emergency communication systems, and other building alerts. Each system has different functions, so property owners should understand which events are monitored and how notifications are handled.

WHY ELECTRICAL RELIABILITY MATTERS

Monitoring depends on more than the alarm device itself. Control panels, backup batteries, wiring and communication pathways must function properly for signals to reach the monitoring station. Power interruptions, damaged connections or communication failures can affect system performance.

Building owners and facility managers should confirm that backup power is maintained, monitoring connections are operating properly, and required inspections, testing and repairs are kept up to date. Monitoring is an important part of an emergency plan, but it does not replace local alarms, system maintenance or other required fire protection measures.

"Reliable monitoring depends on having a system that can detect an event and communicate it," said Darius Kordabadi, CEO of Kord Fire Protection. "Property owners should know what their systems monitor and make sure the equipment and connections are maintained."

Electrical maintenance is another consideration for commercial properties. Kord Electric provides commercial and industrial electrical services, including preventive maintenance and electrical troubleshooting, helping businesses address issues that can affect building systems and operations.

Property owners can also review applicable requirements through Kord Fire Protection's NFPA codes and guidelines resource center, which includes information on fire alarm and electrical standards. Requirements vary by building type, system and jurisdiction.

THREE MONTHS OF FIRE ALARM MONITORING

Kord Fire Protection is offering three months of fire alarm monitoring at no charge to eligible new commercial customers. The offer requires a qualifying three-year monitoring agreement and is subject to system qualification and site review.

Businesses with an existing fire alarm system, or those considering a change in monitoring providers, can learn more about the offer and request an assessment through Kord Fire Protection's alarm monitoring services page.

The company encourages property owners and facility managers to review their current monitoring arrangements, confirm how alarm signals are handled, and address system or electrical issues before an emergency occurs.

ABOUT KORD FIRE PROTECTION

Kord Fire Protection provides fire protection services for commercial, industrial, retail and multifamily properties across Southern California. Its services include fire alarm monitoring, fire alarm systems, inspections, testing, maintenance and fire suppression solutions. https://kordfire.com/

News Source: Kord Fire Protection

Related link: https://kordfire.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/kord-fire-protection-is-highlighting-the-role-of-alarm-monitoring-in-commercial-buildings-with-three-free-months-of-monitoring/

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Oct 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville's River Arts District, one of its most visible abandoned corners is coming back to life. Lobo Builders has restored a landmark historic church as The Treadway, six Mountain Modern townhomes in the district USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards named the No. 1 arts district in the United States in 2026.

Designed by Wilson Architects and Channel Designs Interiors, each of the six residences features 23-foot dome ceilings, custom cabinetry, native materials, and architectural stone preserved from the original structure. Modern stairwells sit alongside those original details, and every home has sweeping French Broad River views and a private porch.

The River Arts District is a walkable community known for strolling from shop to shop, and The Treadway's design encourages that, promoting organic community engagement.

"I had dreamed of renovating this building for years, but the opportunity never presented itself," said Thomas Wolfe, two-time Griffin Award winner and co-founder and general contractor of Lobo Builders. "When the door opened to purchasing the building, we knew Calder and Aaron Wilson and Channel Designs would be the right designers. Our crews are master craftsmen and have done an incredible job realizing their designs. It is personally and professionally fulfilling to see the project completed and to see the community benefit."

Lobo Builders has long been a supporter of the arts in Western North Carolina, including the artists of the River Arts District and the Diana Wortham Theatre. After Helene, the company wanted to help the beloved district recover.

The Treadway is part of the 2026 Western North Carolina Parade of Homes, a self-guided showcase presented by the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tours are October 17-18 and 24-25, 2026, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can vote for their favorite homes October 16-18 at https://wncparadeofhomes.com/.

The Treadway is at 4-14 Roberts Street in the River Arts District. For more information, visit https://TheTreadway.com/ or contact Joanna Baker of Patton Allen Real Estate at 828-713-9135.

ABOUT LOBO BUILDERS

Founded in 2012 by Thomas and Annie Wolfe, Lobo Builders crafts custom mountain homes and renovations across Western North Carolina through transparent systems built on trust, integrity, and concierge-level customer care. The company is also a supporter of Blue Ridge Public Radio. Learn more at https://www.lobobuilders.com/.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/uK-3hm9Sn6Q?si=8HvAGmef-7LBGV9u

News Source: Lobo Builders

Related link: https://www.lobobuilders.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/lobo-builders-turns-abandoned-church-into-six-townhomes-reviving-river-arts-district-corner-after-helene/

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- While modern pediatric leukemia treatment stands as one of oncology's greatest triumph stories, a quiet and urgent crisis persists for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients diagnosed with high-risk acute blood cancers. St. Petersburg-based Jackson Copeland Foundation targets the massive survival disparity gap in AYA acute myeloid leukemia, raising funds for pioneering research with Oct. 30 Anchors & Irons Invitational charity golf tournament in Clearwater.

Over the past two decades, five-year survival rates for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have climbed to over 90%. By contrast, young adults diagnosed with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a vastly different reality. Even at initial diagnosis, frontline intensive therapy yields a five-year survival rate of only ~50%-lagging 40 percentage points behind pediatric ALL. For those who experience a relapse, five-year survival rates plummet to a dismal 10%.

This profound outcome gap poses a vital question for the medical community: Does the persistent stagnation of survival in high-risk young adult leukemia reflect a fundamental flaw in medical research and funding priorities?

DIRECT ACTION: SEED FUNDING BREAKTHROUGH AML RESEARCH IN 2026

Headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, The Jackson Copeland Foundation was established in 2025 specifically to spotlight this survival gap and funnel vital resources directly into cutting-edge research. In 2026, the Foundation established a new research seed fund with the Center for Advanced Leukemia Therapies and Research in Ohio, directly supporting AML researcher Dr. Courtney Jones. Dr. Jones's lab focuses on uncovering novel metabolic dependencies and therapeutic targets in high-risk acute myeloid leukemia to overcome drug resistance and disease recurrence.

The Jackson Copeland Foundation is currently just $11,500 short of completing its 2026 research funding commitment to Dr. Jones's lab, making upcoming fourth quarter community fundraising efforts crucial to maintaining momentum.

GRASSROOTS IMPACT: PATIENT RELIEF, REGISTRIES, AND BLOOD DRIVES

In addition to funding laboratory research, The Jackson Copeland Foundation delivers direct, hands-on assistance to leukemia patients and their families year-to-date in 2026:

* 100+ Families Assisted: Provided direct financial assistance grants to over 100 leukemia patients and their families to offset living expenses and travel costs during lengthy hospitalizations.

* 40+ Stem Cell Registry Additions: Added more than 40 new potential bone marrow and stem cell donors to the DKMS and National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registries through community swab drives.

* 40+ Blood Units Collected: Directly contributed over 40 units of life-saving blood products to OneBlood through sponsored community donation events.

UPCOMING EVENT: THE ANCHORS & IRONS INVITATIONAL (OCTOBER 30)

To bridge the remaining $11,500 research gap and continue direct patient grants, The Jackson Copeland Foundation is hosting its inaugural charity golf tournament event in partnership with VETSports Florida:

* Event Title: The Anchors & Irons Invitational & After-Action Social

* Date: Friday, October 30th, 2026

* Location: Cove Cay Golf Club - Clearwater, FL

* Community Invitation: Local golfers, business sponsors, community volunteers, and donors are invited to join for a day of golf and networking to learn more about AYA leukemia, register for the stem cell donor registry on-site, and support the Foundation's research mission.

EXECUTIVE STATEMENT/QUOTE

"Right now at All Children's Hospital and other pediatric cancer centers, parents are being told their child has a 92% chance of surviving childhood leukemia. Meanwhile, at Moffitt Cancer Center and other adult cancer treatment centers around the country, a 20- or 25-year-old patient is being told they have a 50/50 chance at being alive in 5 years, and just a 10% chance of surviving a relapse.

"As much as patients and families try to ignore the odds during diagnosis and treatment, we simply cannot accept this massive disparity as the status quo. The Jackson Copeland Foundation exists to shine a spotlight on this gap for young adult leukemia patients." - Jeff Copeland, Founder, CEO & Media Contact, The Jackson Copeland Foundation

ABOUT THE JACKSON COPELAND FOUNDATION

Established in 2025 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, The Jackson Copeland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to spotlighting and closing the survival disparity gap for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients diagnosed with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Through targeted research seed funding-including its 2026 grant to the Center for Advanced Leukemia Therapies and Research-direct patient financial assistance, and stem cell registry drives, the Foundation empowers families and advances life-saving clinical breakthroughs.

To register for the Oct. 30 Anchors & Irons Invitational or contribute to their research or patient support programs, visit https://jacksoncopeland.org/

DATA VERIFICATION & SOURCE TRANSPARENCY

To ensure complete scientific rigor and verifiability, the underlying clinical and epidemiological data points are sourced from established national registries and peer-reviewed clinical trial literature:

* Pediatric ALL (Ages 0-19) [~92% 5-Year Survival]: Verified via the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and CONCORD-2 population-based net survival registry data, demonstrating pediatric ALL survival rising from ~50% in earlier decades to >90% today.

* Newly Diagnosed AYA FLT3-AML [~50% 5-Year Survival]: Verified via Phase III trial follow-up data (e.g., RATIFY/CALGB 10603) evaluating adult patients (ages 18-60) receiving frontline intensive chemotherapy plus targeted FLT3 inhibitors (midostaurin), achieving 4-to-5-year overall survival of 51.4% versus 44.3% with chemotherapy alone. Despite targeted advances, outcomes at initial diagnosis still lag drastically behind pediatric benchmarks (~50% vs. ~90%).

* Relapsed/Refractory FLT3-AML [~10-12% 5-Year Survival]: Verified via real-world population registry studies (Alberta Cancer Registry, 2020) and pivotal salvage trial cohorts (ADMIRAL trial), demonstrating a median overall survival of 5.3 to 10.6 months and 5-year survival of ~10-12% for relapsed/refractory AML patients unable to receive a successful stem cell transplant bridge.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/aTV8b0uuL94?si=fpHYhQ7UQ7efKbez

News Source: The Jackson Copeland Foundation Inc.

Related link: https://jacksoncopeland.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/20-years-old-with-a-50-50-chance-of-survival-does-high-risk-leukemia-in-young-adults-represent-a-failure-in-research-priorities/

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct 16, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter), an innovative leader in home lending technology, today announced the promotions of Don Oliver to chief technology officer, Chris Medvidofsky to chief financial officer and Blaine Prober to general counsel. All three have been with Dark Matter since it launched in 2023. The timing reflects how the company has built its leadership team: supporting people's growth within the organization when they demonstrate experience, leadership and a customer-first mindset.

The promotions follow the recent appointments of Salvatore Piccola as senior vice president of product strategy and Gil Valera as vice president of professional services. Together, the five executives form a team that pairs outside perspective with people who have helped build Dark Matter's technology, client relationships and culture, as the company continues to grow and advance its AI-forward platform for lenders and servicers.

As chief technology officer, Oliver will lead Dark Matter's technology organization as the company expands the open APIs, Model Context Protocol (MCP) and agentic AI capabilities of the Empower® loan origination solution and the Aiva® Intelligence platform. He most recently served as vice president of platform engineering and brings deep experience in AWS and AI, including his role as one of Dark Matter's AI representatives within Constellation Software.

As chief financial officer, Medvidofsky will oversee Dark Matter's financial strategy and operations. He has guided the company's finances since its founding, most recently as vice president of finance and accounting, and was named a 2026 HousingWire Finance Leader.

As general counsel, Prober will lead Dark Matter's legal and compliance function, building on his work as vice president and deputy general counsel and his years as lead deal counsel for Empower. He has also spoken on multiple industry panels about AI and the legal considerations businesses must weigh as they adopt it, a perspective he brings to the role as AI continues to reshape home lending.

"We have been purposeful about how we build this leadership team, and I'm thrilled by the caliber of the group we have been able to assemble," said Vikas Rao, CEO of Dark Matter Technologies. "We invest in people, give them room to grow and move them into larger roles when both they and the company are ready. Don, Chris and Blaine earned these roles through the quality of their work and their commitment to our clients."

ABOUT DARK MATTER TECHNOLOGIES:

Dark Matter Technologies is the trusted innovation partner that empowers home lending. As the home of the Empower loan origination solution with its built-in point of sale and Aiva Intelligence, the Elevate℠ loan servicing solution and the Exchange℠ partner marketplace, Dark Matter moves enterprise lenders and servicers from doing to reviewing with its unified data model and exception-based processing. For more information, visit https://dmatter.com/.

News Source: Dark Matter Technologies

Related link: https://www.dmatter.com

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/dark-matter-technologies-names-new-cto-cfo-and-general-counsel/

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct 15, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA), an independent employee benefits consulting firm, today announced it was named HR Consultant/Advisory Partner of the Year in the 2026 Pinnacle Awards for Human Resources, earning the category's sole platinum award, the program's highest level of recognition. The honor recognizes SBA's expertise in benefits consulting, with particular emphasis on a longstanding client engagement led by Director Kim Shumate.

SBA's nomination centered on nearly a decade of work with a large employer that began with a retiree health exchange search in 2017. Since then, the employer has repeatedly turned to SBA for vendor searches, implementation support and ongoing consulting across its retirement, health and welfare benefits programs, including periodic assessments of provider costs and service levels. Led by Shumate with executive oversight from SBA Principal Jay Schmitt, the work has drawn on the expertise of a broader SBA team that includes Runae Badciong, Lori Pocock, Kim McCauley, Kah-Lee Wong, Anna Marushchenko and Walker Gscheidle.

Over the course of the relationship, SBA developed deep institutional knowledge of the employer's benefits systems, administrative processes and complex operational requirements. That expertise proved especially valuable when the employer outsourced its health and welfare administration. SBA identified potential conflicts with existing systems, recommended changes to the implementation plan and developed tools to simplify the employer's complex internal benefits allocations. The transition was completed without disruption to employee benefits, and the employer subsequently engaged SBA to support another complex transition involving four benefit carriers.

"Our clients count on us for more than recommendations. They trust us to understand their organizations, anticipate challenges and stay involved as their needs evolve," said SBA Founding Principal Mindy Zatto. "That kind of relationship takes years to build, and it depends on the depth of expertise and personal commitment people like Kim and her team bring to their work every day. This recognition is a testament to the way we serve our clients across the firm."

Shumate joined SBA in 2011 and was promoted to director in 2019. Her nearly four decades of experience guiding large employers through vendor selections, benefits plan transitions and system implementations stand out even at SBA, where consultants average more than 20 years of industry experience.

To see the full list of Pinnacle Awards for Human Resources winners, visit https://www.pinnacle-award.com/winners-human-resources-2026 .

ABOUT STRATEGIC BENEFITS ADVISORS:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of more than 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

News Source: Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.

Related link: https://www.sba-inc.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/strategic-benefits-advisors-named-hr-consultant-advisory-partner-of-the-year/

SOLANA BEACH, Calif., Oct 15, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Encore Sushi, the new restaurant from chef James La and partner Chris West, will celebrate its grand opening Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, with a Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. Drinks and chef's samples will be available. Encore is open now at 112 S. Cedros Ave., at the entrance to the Cedros Design District, steps from the world-famous Belly Up Tavern.

Upscale casual sushi at the entrance to the Cedros Design District.

The Cedros Design District is a walkable stretch of design shops, galleries, boutiques and live music. Encore is built as its front door, a place where sushi, music and art share the bill. Given the neighborhood, artists may drop in for impromptu sets, and Encore plans to hang work by Cedros Design District artists.

"Cedros is where North County goes to find something original," West said. "Encore is the first stop where a night on Cedros begins. Whether guests are headed to the beach or a show down the street, we hope they'll stay for the encore."

West describes his partner in plain terms. "James is one of the top sushi chefs in San Diego, if not all of Southern California," he said. "His precision and his read on each day's fish are why I wanted to build this restaurant with him."

At Encore, every piece is cut to order in front of the guest, and the sushi bar is the front row. Bluefin tuna, chu-toro, New Zealand king salmon, Hokkaido scallop and uni anchor the nigiri and sashimi. The menu's signature rolls are inspired by music. La adjusts to each day's catch, paying close attention to the weight of the rice, the thickness of the cut and the balance of sauce.

"Encore is the culmination of 25 years of creating," La said. "Sushi is a live performance. The counter is our stage, and every piece is cut the moment it's ordered. The signature rolls are where we riff, but it always comes back to the fish."

Encore seats 42 in 1,700 square feet and serves beer, wine and sake. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday. Happy Hour runs 3 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday for dine-in guests. Encore hosts private events for up to 50 guests, including full buyouts. Reservations are available at https://encoresushi.com/.

ABOUT ENCORE SUSHI

Encore Sushi is upscale casual sushi at the entrance to the Cedros Design District, a partnership between chef James La and Chris West. The 42-seat restaurant is at 112 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075, steps from the world-famous Belly Up Tavern. Phone: (858) 925-7052. Learn more at https://encoresushi.com/ or on Instagram at @encore_sushi

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris West, Partner, Encore Sushi
chris@encoresushi.com | (760) 207-0435

Image link for media: https://encoresushi.com/img/chef-1200.be202286.avif

Caption: Chef James La at Encore Sushi, 112 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, Calif. Encore celebrates its grand opening Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at the entrance to the Cedros Design District. Photo courtesy of Encore Sushi.

News Source: Encore Sushi

Related link: https://encoresushi.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/encore-sushi-sets-grand-opening-celebration-oct-23-with-solana-beach-chamber-ribbon-cutting/

SALISBURY, N.C., Oct 15, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Automotive Group, North Carolina's largest corporate sponsor of Make-A-Wish, invites local media and community members to join a special celebration on Thursday, October 22, at 3:00 p.m. at Capital Toyota Ford of Salisbury, as the dealership helps make a local teenager's dream of visiting Hawaii come true.

The event will also feature Capital Automotive Group's annual Make-A-Wish check presentation, announcing a $315,000 commitment for the coming year to help grant additional wishes to children facing critical illnesses throughout the Carolinas.

A SPECIAL CELEBRATION FOR DAE'JAH FOSTER

The celebration will honor Dae'Jah Foster, an 18-year-old Salisbury resident who is courageously battling lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that has presented significant health challenges and required extensive medical treatments.

Dae'Jah, who celebrated her 18th birthday in September, has experienced a particularly difficult year as she navigates life with lupus. Despite these challenges, she continues to demonstrate strength and determination, recently beginning a new job while receiving the love and support of her aunt and legal guardian.

On October 22, the Capital Toyota Ford of Salisbury team, alongside Make-A-Wish, will come together to celebrate Dae'Jah and her upcoming dream trip to Hawaii, scheduled for November 12-18. The event will be filled with excitement, surprises, and support from the local community as Dae'Jah prepares for an unforgettable experience.

A $1 MILLION MILESTONE AND ANOTHER $315,000 COMMITMENT TO MAKING WISHES COME TRUE

Capital Automotive Group recently surpassed $1 million in contributions to Make-A-Wish, helping grant more than 100 wishes to children battling critical illnesses throughout North Carolina over the past five years.

As the largest corporate sponsor of Make-A-Wish in North Carolina, Capital Automotive Group proudly supports both Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina and Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina.

During the October 22 celebration, Capital Automotive Group will present its annual ceremonial check and announce an additional $315,000 commitment for the upcoming year, continuing its mission of bringing hope, strength, and joy to children and families across the Carolinas.

What makes Capital's partnership especially meaningful is its commitment to keeping its impact local. The automotive group prioritizes granting wishes for children living within approximately 20 miles of its dealerships, ensuring that each wish directly benefits the families and communities its stores serve.

"Our partnership with Make-A-Wish is one of the most meaningful things we do as a company," said Lindsey Longo, Chief Strategy Officer of Capital Automotive Group. "Surpassing $1 million and helping grant more than 100 wishes is an incredible milestone, but what makes it truly special is knowing these are children and families right here in our own communities. Committing another $315,000 for the coming year means we have the opportunity to bring hope and joy to even more families. Our dealerships are more than places to buy and service vehicles. We want to be a meaningful part of the communities we serve, and there is no better way to do that than by making wishes come true."

EXPANDING THE MISSION INTO SALISBURY, MORGANTON AND FLORENCE

Following Capital Automotive Group's recent acquisition of several Cloninger Automotive Group dealerships, the company is excited to bring its longstanding commitment to Make-A-Wish into additional communities, including Salisbury and Morganton, North Carolina, and Florence, South Carolina.

The expansion represents more than additional dealership locations. It creates opportunities for Capital and its newly welcomed team members to build meaningful relationships, support local families, and extend a culture of community involvement and giving back.

"We are especially excited to introduce our new dealerships and team members to a partnership that means so much to our family and our organization," Longo added. "Our goal has always been to make a difference locally, one child and one family at a time. As we grow into Salisbury, Morganton and Florence, we want these communities to experience that same commitment. Celebrating Dae'Jah and helping make her dream of visiting Hawaii come true is a wonderful way to begin this next chapter."

MEDIA INVITATION: JOIN US OCTOBER 22

Local media representatives are invited to attend and help share Dae'Jah's inspiring story, capture her special celebration, and cover Capital Automotive Group's annual $315,000 Make-A-Wish check presentation.

The event will offer photo and video opportunities, including Dae'Jah's celebration, the ceremonial check presentation, and representatives from Capital Automotive Group and Make-A-Wish.

EVENT DETAILS

* What: Make-A-Wish Celebration Honoring Dae'Jah Foster and Capital Automotive Group's $315,000 Annual Check Presentation

* When: Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.

* Where: Capital Toyota Ford of Salisbury

* Location: Salisbury, North Carolina

* Occasion: Celebrating Dae'Jah's wish to travel to Hawaii and announcing Capital Automotive Group's commitment to granting additional wishes across the Carolinas

More information:

https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app20013a?team_id=62445&fr_id=7459&pg=team&NONCE_TOKEN=7509961B0CF6FCC9063979683F1F9445

https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR?team_id=62449&fr_id=7459&pg=team

ABOUT CAPITAL AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Capital Automotive Group is a family-owned automotive organization with 50 locations representing 19 automotive brands across 26 cities. With a longstanding commitment to community service, Capital believes in supporting the families and neighborhoods that support its dealerships. Its partnership with Make-A-Wish is a cornerstone of those efforts, with more than $1 million contributed and over 100 wishes granted across North Carolina. The group continues to expand its charitable impact with a new $315,000 commitment to helping grant additional wishes in the Carolinas. https://capitalautogroup.com/

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, bringing hope, strength, and joy to children and families during some of life's most challenging moments.

News Source: Capital Automotive Group

Related link: https://capitalautogroup.com/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source, who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/capital-automotive-group-to-celebrate-salisbury-teen-battling-lupus-with-special-make-a-wish-hawaii-send-off-and-315000-commitment/