Send2Press Newswire

Leading Executives and Civic Figures Praise California Waste Solutions for Innovation Ahead of Its 35th Anniversary

California Waste Solutions — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 21:03:42 +0000

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- California Waste Solutions, Inc. has received messages of support and congratulations from business partners, lenders and civic figures as it approaches its 35th anniversary in 2027. The letters and comments arrive as the Oakland-based company increases investment in recycling technology and pursues environmental infrastructure projects abroad.

The recognition follows recent coverage of California Waste Solutions' investments, including artificial-intelligence scanners at a Bay Area recycling plant, industrial drones being prepared for use at a landfill in Ho Chi Minh City, and a proposed waste-to-energy facility in Vietnam expected to require more than $500 million in investment. The company has also recently introduced audiences to its origins through screenings of the documentary The King of Trash.

The California equipment is being installed. The Vietnam waste-to-energy project remains a proposal, and drone operations are subject to the required flight permits and operator certification.

"There's nothing like getting feedback from your customers and partners, and what we've had lately has been a surprise, even to me," said Michael Duong, President of California Waste Solutions. "To be congratulated by such honest, successful names in business means a lot for everyone in this company. That is especially true for the workers who put so many tireless hours into providing a top-of-the-line service every day."

Behind the company's growth are generations of employees whose work has kept recycling services running across Oakland and San José. From collection crews and equipment operators to maintenance technicians, sorting teams, and customer service staff, their experience has helped California Waste Solutions maintain its daily operations while adapting to changing recycling requirements and technologies. As the company approaches its 35th anniversary, that workforce remains central to both its service record and its plans for the future.

Founded in Oakland in 1992 by David Duong, California Waste Solutions serves more than 343,000 residential, commercial and municipal customers in Oakland and San José and operates six Bay Area facilities. Its services include recycling collection, processing, material recovery and customer service, as well as household-battery and used-motor-oil collection. The company will mark its 35th anniversary in 2027.

A LARGER LEGACY AHEAD

"Thirty-five years is long enough to establish a legacy, but it is also early enough to imagine a much larger one," said James Carter, president of Yellow Electronics in San Jose. "The relationships, operating knowledge, community trust, and workforce experience built over decades can become a platform for continued improvement. ... the anniversary creates a strong platform from which to make that next chapter deliberate rather than accidental."

At the 10th Street material recovery facility in Oakland, the company is installing EverestLabs artificial-intelligence scanners on the container line. The scanners identify and count items headed for disposal, providing a continuous record of material flow.

At the Timothy facility in San José, California Waste Solutions is expanding the capacity of Pellenc optical sorters already in use to improve the recognition of targeted commodities and the purity of material prepared for market. The company has used optical sorting in its U.S. facilities since the mid-2000s.

On September 10, 2026, the City of Oakland said it had begun using Aerbits aerial imagery to identify illegally dumped waste rather than relying solely on 311 reports. California Waste Solutions, the city's recycling contractor, provided trucks to remove some of the dumped material.

California Waste Solutions founder David Duong has said that addressing illegal dumping can improve the quality of material entering the company's recycling facilities. Business partners have welcomed these initiatives as California Waste Solutions continues investing in recycling technology and services to meet changing industry demands.

Erik Larsen, an Oakland business partner, described the recent upgrades as part of a longer-term strategy of investing ahead of changing industry needs.

"Innovation rarely happens in isolation. Better equipment, technology, processes, safety practices, and environmental performance all depend on outside expertise as well as internal leadership," said Larsen. "The willingness to learn from partners and invite new ideas has helped California Waste Solutions continue evolving rather than relying only on what worked in the past."

Rick Perez, president of KGEL Steel Inc. in Riverside, offered a similar perspective as a vendor.

"California Waste Solutions' growth has ... supported an ecosystem larger than the company itself," Perez said. "Remaining relevant over 35 years ... requires more than doing the same work longer; it requires learning and investing."

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND DECADES OF INVESTMENT

In Vietnam, wholly owned subsidiary Vietnam Waste Solutions operates the 128-hectare Da Phuoc Integrated Waste Treatment Complex in Ho Chi Minh City. The facility was developed using sanitary-landfill technology modeled on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Designed for capacity of up to 10,000 tons per day, a figure equivalent to approximately 70% of the city's municipal solid waste according to the project description, it has operated since November 2007. The company describes Da Phuoc as the only facility of its kind in Vietnam applying these standards.

Vietnam Waste Solutions expects industrial drones to begin regular flights at Da Phuoc following approval of flight permits and operator certification. The drones are intended to spray biological treatment products over active waste-receiving areas, landfill cells and other odor-sensitive zones. Each aircraft can carry up to 10 liters of solution and fly for approximately 15 minutes. The proposed approach is intended to reduce workers' direct exposure to treatment chemicals.

Alex Nguyen, identified in the correspondence as a manager at VinFast Auto LLC, offered a personal perspective on founder David Duong's longstanding emphasis on improving the company's operations.

"A founder's greatest contribution is often the standard established at the beginning, and that standard has shaped California Waste Solutions for decades," Nguyen said. "Recycling today requires better data, better technology, stronger education, and constant attention to the quality of the material moving through the system."

Vietnam Waste Solutions is also proposing a waste-to-energy plant designed to process 3,000 tons of waste per day and generate 60 megawatts of power, using equipment sourced from G7 and G8 countries. The proposed plant is intended to support Ho Chi Minh City's 2030 climate objectives and Vietnam's national 2050 net-zero target.

Beyond Da Phuoc, the subsidiary is advancing the 1,760-hectare Green Environmental Technology Park, a project licensed in 2015 and envisioned as a Vietnam-U.S. green industrial complex rather than a conventional land-lease development.

Mark Holmstedt, president of Westhoff, Cone & Holmstedt in Alamo, said the company's advantage is increasingly institutional.

"Looking forward, the company's strongest advantage may be the combination of local knowledge and decades of experience," Holmstedt said. "Those qualities can support smarter decisions, more effective outreach, stronger partnerships, and continued innovation."

Those assessments accompany a separate record of charitable giving. In a letter dated March 26, Lloyd Minor, dean of Stanford School of Medicine, thanked David Duong for a gift to the Research Fund for Dr. Aijaz Ahmed. Minor wrote that the support "empowers our researchers, faculty, and students to imagine and bring to fruition scientific discoveries that enhance our understanding of biology, advance patient care, and prepare future leaders in biomedicine."

Since 2020, the company has made more than 100 donations, including COVID-19 relief contributions and school scholarships.

SUCCESS DESPITE OBSTACLES

For California Waste Solutions founder David Duong, the approaching anniversary carries personal significance. After arriving in the United States as a Vietnamese refugee, he built the company from its beginnings in Oakland in 1992 into a family-owned recycling business serving communities across the Bay Area, later expanding into environmental infrastructure in Vietnam. His journey reflects decades of persistence and investment, as well as a belief that business success carries responsibilities beyond the company itself. The messages received ahead of the anniversary recognize not only the company's development but also the relationships Duong has built throughout his career.

Several of those messages reflect on Duong's journey from refugee to entrepreneur and his investments in environmental infrastructure in Vietnam.

Venerable Chan Phap Tu, principal dharma teacher at the Enlightenment Buddhist Center in Novato, described Duong's investment in Vietnam as a contribution to the country's waste-management infrastructure.

"You were the first son of that land who brought the [Da Phuoc] landfill knowhow to the country at the moment nobody [was] thinking of an organized and civilized society as it should be," he said. He also cited Duong's account that at least 70 percent of Ho Chi Minh City's population benefits from the facility, recognizing the work "despite of a lot of obstacles you have overcome."

Timothy Linh Bui, a San José film producer and director, reflected on Duong's experience in a recent letter to the company.

"Your journey - from surviving as a refugee and coming to America as an immigrant to building California Waste Solutions into what it is today - is powerful proof that the American Dream is still alive and strong," Bui wrote. "Environmental work requires patience because the results are created through millions of repeated actions. Better sorting, lower contamination, improved recovery ... all contribute incrementally."

As California Waste Solutions approaches its 35th anniversary, the company is preparing for its next chapter through new recycling technologies, continued municipal service in the Bay Area, and proposed environmental infrastructure investments in Vietnam. For David Duong, the milestone is also an opportunity to recognize the employees, families, business associates, and communities whose relationships with California Waste Solutions have developed over more than three decades.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA WASTE SOLUTIONS

Founded in 1992 by David Duong, California Waste Solutions provides recycling collection, processing, customer service and material recovery for residential, commercial and municipal customers in Northern California, including Oakland and San José. Through its subsidiary Vietnam Waste Solutions, the company operates large-scale environmental infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City. Headquarters: 1211 Embarcadero, Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94606. https://www.calwaste.com/

ABOUT VIETNAM WASTE SOLUTIONS

Vietnam Waste Solutions is the wholly owned Vietnamese subsidiary of California Waste Solutions and the operator of the Da Phuoc Integrated Solid Waste Facility serving Ho Chi Minh City. Da Phuoc was developed as Vietnam's first sanitary-landfill model based on U.S. Subtitle D standards. Existing operations include sanitary landfill management, recycling and material recovery, composting, leachate and wastewater treatment, treated-water reuse, landfill-gas collection and electricity generation. Vietnam Waste Solutions is advancing the proposed 50- to 60-megawatt Da Phuoc waste-to-energy project and continues development of the Long An Green Environmental Technology Park.

News Source: California Waste Solutions

Related link: https://www.calwaste.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/leading-executives-and-civic-figures-praise-california-waste-solutions-for-innovation-ahead-of-its-35th-anniversary/

A $25,000 Prize Waits in Los Angeles. The First Clue Is Inside a Movie

Writer-director Colin Best — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:40:50 +0000

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- What's in the case? Registration is now open, and players across the US can try to find out. "What's In The Silver Case?" is a live mystery that begins inside "The Man With the Silver Case," the black-and-white neo-noir thriller from writer-director Colin Best, and moves into Los Angeles, with a $25,000 prize for the winner.

The first clue is hidden in the film itself, so the only way in is to watch it. "The Man With the Silver Case" is streaming now on Prime Video and free on Kapang ( https://kapang.com/watch/2663/the-man-with-the-silver-case ).

Players who solve the opening clue register at lookagain.la ( https://lookagain.la ), and from there the hunt moves off the screen and into the city. Later stages take place in person in Los Angeles. Players can compare notes on released clues, but each player must complete every step personally.

Up to 50 finalists will earn a place in a three-day finale in Los Angeles from October 27 to 29. The winner is expected to be announced October 30, 2026, after verification.

"You watch most of these movies and you know where they're going from minute two," said Colin Best, writer and director of "The Man With the Silver Case."

In the film, a nameless Man in Gray (Stuart Reid) takes a job delivering a mysterious silver case for a shadowy organization. Handcuffed to it and hunted by people willing to kill for it, he retreats to a safe house, where an unprepared family is pulled into the violence he brings with him.

Best shot the film in 19 days on a single camera, on location during the coldest Swiss winter in 20 years, with the lead doing his own stunts in freezing conditions. The film includes a helicopter jump and more, all for a budget of less than a car commercial.

It co-stars Lara Marian and Tom Ohmer, and its soundtrack runs from Sonny Rollins to The Cure's "A Forest" and the Grateful Dead's "Dire Wolf." It was released by Freestyle Digital Media.

"Colin did a fantastic job creating that feeling that you have to know what's inside the silver case. We wanted to take that curiosity and FOMO beyond the screen, turn Los Angeles into an extension of the story, and create something people would want to talk about, share and actually be part of," said David Soltani, Managing Partner of DSo Consulting and one of the strategists leading the campaign.

HOW TO PLAY

Watch "The Man With the Silver Case," free on Kapang or on Prime Video.

Find the clue hidden in the film and enter it at lookagain.la.

Follow the hunt as it moves into Los Angeles, where later stages take place in person.

Up to 50 finalists compete in the finale October 27 to 29. The winner is expected to be announced October 30.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase or payment of any kind will not increase an entrant's chances of winning. Open only to legal residents of the US who are at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of registration. Contest Period: October 6, 2026 at 12:00:00 a.m. PT through October 30, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. PT. Later stages and the finale require in-person participation in Los Angeles, California. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: MWSC, LLC. Administrator: Promosis, Inc. Full Official Rules at lookagain.la/rules ( PDF: https://lookagain.la/rules ).

ABOUT "THE MAN WITH THE SILVER CASE"

"The Man With the Silver Case" is a black-and-white neo-noir thriller written and directed by Colin Best and produced by Chris Martin and Beni Lehmann, with Colin Best and Joby Ogwyn as executive producers. It stars Stuart Reid, Lara Marian and Tom Ohmer. Shot in Switzerland and released by Freestyle Digital Media, the film is streaming on Prime Video and free on Kapang.

ABOUT COLIN BEST

Colin Best is a musician, filmmaker and hotelier, and "The Man With the Silver Case" is his feature directorial debut. In 2016 he produced "The Black Jacket," a vérité documentary about a former Black Panther working to change the violent mindsets of influential gang members in South Central Los Angeles. He founded The Academy of Chess and Checkers, a musical collective with six albums released since 2005, and his later music projects include Billy Chuck: Frontier Music.

Press kit, stills and key art: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xn_Ar_7ABI5FEBUSpSM25mK0z7KmRkXG

Trailer (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8pF3V9t5hY

News Source: Writer-director Colin Best

Related link: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8212151/

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/a-25000-prize-waits-in-los-angeles-the-first-clue-is-inside-a-movie/

We’re Not Gonna Take It: Gen X Expects a Different Senior Living Experience

3rd3rd Marketing — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:01:41 +0000

SEATTLE, Wash., Oct 09, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- On Ageism Awareness Day, leaders at 3rd3rd Marketing, the "Un-Senior Living Agency," are challenging senior living organizations to take a closer look at the images, language and assumptions they use to communicate with consumers.

The World Health Organization defines ageism as stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination directed toward people based on their age. In senior living marketing, those stereotypes can be subtle: assuming people of a certain age want the same things, portraying aging primarily through frailty or dependency or defining consumers by the year they were born rather than who they are and how they want to live.

As senior living marketers work to reach baby boomers while preparing for Gen X, it's increasingly important to recognize that age-based assumptions can mischaracterize how people actually see themselves and want to live as they age.

With the oldest members of Gen X turning 61 this year, many are already researching communities for their parents, comparing options, reading reviews and reaching out to sales teams.

Amy Estridge, Director of Account Services & Growth at 3rd3rd Marketing, calls this the "two-lens customer" because at the same time, they're forming their own opinions about whether senior living could ever fit the future they imagine for themselves. Many continue managing family and career responsibilities into their 60s, and traditional ideas about retirement may not match how they see their next chapter.

For Gen X, choice, flexibility, transparency and control may be increasingly important. They also have plenty of tools to determine whether marketing promises match reality, from websites and online reviews to social media and firsthand experiences shared by residents, employees, friends and family.

One simple place to start: Market to the person, not the age.

"People don't wake up on a particular birthday and suddenly become a demographic," Estridge said. "If we want our marketing to resonate, we need to understand the person first and their age second."

Senior living leaders should understand they're selling healthspan and potential. Marketers have power in their messaging, and the impact is real. For example, Yale gerontologist Becca Levy found that older adults with positive self-perceptions of aging live 7.5 years longer than those with negative ones. Ageist messages don't just affect self-esteem; they affect health, vitality and longevity.

That means moving beyond predictable images and familiar adjectives like vibrant, exceptional and engaging and showing what life actually looks like. It also means understanding consumers through their values, aspirations, behaviors and priorities rather than relying on assumptions tied to an age bracket.

"Gen X may be looking at senior living for Mom or Dad today, but they're also paying attention to whether what they see reflects the way they want to live in the future," said Estridge. "If what they see is an outdated stereotype of aging, that's shaping their perception of senior living before we've ever tried to market to them."

At Hillcrest, a senior living community in La Verne, Calif., 3rd3rd helped shift storytelling and imagery to focus on more culture, creativity and interpersonal relationships. Occupancy increased from 90% to 97% over the following seven months.

Research suggests those stereotypes can affect how consumers respond to brands. Ageism can show up in images as much as words. AARP found one in five respondents said they decided not to buy from a brand because of age stereotypes in advertising.

Additionally, research in the British Journal of Dermatology found that only 6% to 23% of people at age 50 have at least 50% gray hair; while a Getty Images search for people in their 50s predominantly shows gray-haired people who often appear older, reinforcing an inaccurate picture of what 50 actually looks like.

"Ageism in marketing doesn't always look insulting. Sometimes it looks perfectly nice," said Cynthia Thurlow, President and CEO of 3rd3rd Marketing. "It can be assuming everyone of a certain age wants the same lifestyle or deciding what matters to them before we've even asked. If we're serious about changing how people experience aging, we have to change the assumptions behind how we talk about it."

For senior living communities, addressing ageism in marketing will take more than changing a few words and swapping outdated photography. Communities need to provide prospective residents with evidence instead of adjectives, make pricing and services easier to understand and show what senior living can add to someone's life.

On Ageism Awareness Day, 3rd3rd encourages senior living leaders to start by asking two questions:

What does your organization do because older consumers genuinely value it? And what does it do simply because senior living has always done it that way?

The answers may reveal an opportunity to rethink how senior living views aging itself.

ABOUT 3RD3RD MARKETING

3rd3rd Marketing is the "Un-Senior Living Agency," partnering with senior living communities and mission-driven aging services organizations globally. By dismantling stereotypes and replacing them with aspirational narratives, 3rd3rd helps organizations to build authentic connections, increase engagement and achieve lasting impact. For more information, visit: https://3rd3rd.com/.

News Source: 3rd3rd Marketing

Related link: https://3rd3rd.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/were-not-gonna-take-it-gen-x-expects-a-different-senior-living-experience/

ViewTech Borescopes to Showcase New Industrial Inspection Screen Replicator at 2026 ASNT Annual Conference

ViewTech Borescopes — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 17:38:01 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- ViewTech Borescopes will exhibit at the ASNT Annual Conference from October 12-15 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, showcasing its latest advancements in remote visual inspection technology, including a new screen replicator tablet designed to enhance the flexibility and convenience of industrial borescope inspections.

The screen replicator tablet provides a larger, wireless display for ViewTech's VJ-4 video borescopes, allowing inspectors to mirror and remotely control the borescope's display. The rugged 11-inch tablet gives inspection teams a convenient way to view live inspection footage on a larger screen while maintaining control of the borescope from the tablet.

Designed for demanding nondestructive testing and inspection environments, the screen replicator tablet is included with ViewTech's 3.9mm and 6mm Front View and Side View 3D Measurement video borescopes. Wireless connectivity allows inspectors to share the inspection display without being tethered to the borescope system, providing greater flexibility when working around large or difficult-to-access equipment.

"The new screen replicator tablet gives inspectors another way to interact with and share their borescope inspections," said Chris Courtright, Sales Consultant and NDT Level III at ViewTech Borescopes. "By pairing a larger, rugged display with the VJ-4 video borescope, inspection teams can improve visibility, collaboration, and accessibility during remote visual inspections."

ViewTech will also demonstrate the capabilities of its VJ-4 video borescopes, which combine high-resolution imaging, intuitive controls, and advanced inspection features for applications across manufacturing, power generation, oil and gas, and other industrial environments. Available configurations include Front View and Side View options, as well as 3D Measurement capabilities for capturing dimensional information during inspections.

Attendees visiting ViewTech's booth will have the opportunity to experience the screen replicator tablet and VJ-4 video borescopes firsthand and learn how the technology can help inspection teams evaluate difficult-to-access areas without unnecessary equipment disassembly.

Visit ViewTech Borescopes at Booth 543 during the ASNT Annual Conference to see the new screen replicator tablet in action and discuss remote visual inspection solutions with the ViewTech team.

https://www.viewtech.com/about-us/tradeshows/asnt-annual-conference-2026/

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-showcase-new-industrial-inspection-screen-replicator-at-2026-asnt-annual-conference/

DocMagic’s Lori Johnson named a 2026 Powerful Woman of Mortgage Banking

DocMagic, Inc. — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:00:25 +0000

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct 08, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- DocMagic® announced today that Chief Operating Officer Lori Johnson has been named one of Mortgage Banker's 2026 Powerful Women of Mortgage Banking. The award recognizes women in mortgage banking who stand out as leaders by driving innovation, adapting to change and making a positive impact on their organizations, colleagues and the industry. Mortgage Banker selected Johnson for her contributions to mortgage technology, her efforts to modernize the lending process and her commitment to developing future industry leaders.

Johnson has built her career on the idea that technology should simplify lending, not complicate it. She has focused on improving workflows, reducing friction and helping lenders navigate regulatory change, always with the borrower experience in mind.

With more than 30 years in mortgage technology, Johnson has pushed lenders past paper-based closings and into compliant, fully digital processes. As COO, she oversees DocMagic's day-to-day operations, from compliance and product development to sales and marketing, guiding the company's continued growth while championing the next generation of women in the industry.

"Sponsorship is just as important as mentorship," Johnson said. "It's not enough to give advice, you have to create visibility, invite people into important conversations and give them the chance to take on bigger challenges."

"Lori's impact extends far beyond operational leadership," said Pat Theodora, CEO of DocMagic. "She has spent her career helping lenders solve real problems, while building strong relationships across the industry. Just as importantly, she's committed to supporting and mentoring others, particularly women pursuing leadership roles in mortgage technology. This recognition reflects both her professional achievements and the positive influence she continues to have on those around her."

Johnson also participates in industry initiatives, including the Mortgage Bankers Association's mPower for Women program. Through mPower she mentors women moving into leadership roles across the industry.

For more information about the 2026 Powerful Women of Mortgage Banking awards, visit https://www.nationalmortgageprofessional.com/magazine/mortgage-banker-magazine.

About DocMagic:

DocMagic® provides a complete digital mortgage platform for the mortgage industry, delivering proprietary document generation, automated compliance, eSignature, eClosing, eNotarization, eNote and eVault technology in one unified solution. Built on nearly 40 years of innovation, DocMagic helps lenders, settlement service providers and investors move loans from application through post-closing with greater speed, accuracy and confidence. AI deepens that foundation through the company's Intelligent Agentic Network. For more information, visit https://www.docmagic.com/.

News Source: DocMagic, Inc.

Related link: https://www.docmagic.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/docmagics-lori-johnson-named-a-2026-powerful-woman-of-mortgage-banking/

Home equity lenders report an average per-loan impact of $753.04 from execution improvements

FirstClose — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 21:12:32 +0000

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 07, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- FirstClose™, a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for home equity and mortgage lenders nationwide, today released the results of an independent study by MarketWise Advisors, LLC, examining the value of improvements in operational readiness and execution for home equity lenders. Participating lenders reported an average financial and operational impact of $753.04 per loan, a 7.99x return, across the core and extended capabilities MarketWise modeled.

MarketWise Advisors independently surveyed 71 respondents across 54 participating lenders and modeled the results using FirstClose's Order Management Services and XpressEquity point-of-sale (POS) platforms. Core capabilities accounted for $478.06 of the average per-loan impact, and extended capabilities added $274.99, according to the study.

Participating lenders also reported saving 33.74 minutes of manual work per loan on order management functions alone, equivalent to 448 hours saved per participating institution. Loan cycle time fell by days, and error-affected loans decreased by 31%. Depository lenders take about 40 days on average to move a home equity loan from application to closing, compared with about 15 days at nonbank lenders. That gap illustrates why operational execution, not borrower demand, has become the constraint on converting home equity interest into closed loans.

"Home equity demand isn't the issue. What separates lenders right now is execution," said Tedd Smith, CEO of FirstClose. "This study puts a number on something we hear from lenders constantly. The institutions protecting and growing their share are the ones treating execution as a competitive advantage instead of back-office overhead."

Nonbank lenders grew their share of subordinate-lien originations from 8% to 29% between 2022 and 2025, while the combined share held by banks and credit unions fell from 85% to 66%. Lenders using FirstClose's core and extended capabilities together reported handling 21.49% more loan volume without adding staff.

"The institutions in this study weren't competing on rate or on credit box. They were competing on deploying the right process to get a loan through the pipeline," said Jordan Brown, founding principal and CEO of MarketWise Advisors. "Closing ratio, cycle time and error rates are operational levers, and this study measures what moving them is actually worth."

DISCLAIMER: The results of this study are indicative of the average reported result across the 2026 FirstClose client base in an independent ROI study conducted by MarketWise Advisors, LLC. It represents the mean level of performance reported across a representative sample of FirstClose clients. The data is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither MarketWise nor FirstClose provides any warranty or representation as to accuracy or future performance. Actual performance may materially differ based on individual factors. All rights reserved.

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://www.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/home-equity-lenders-report-an-average-per-loan-impact-of-753-04-from-execution-improvements/

Down Payment Resource adds three new team members to support lenders, HFAs and community programs

Down Payment Resource — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:00:49 +0000

ATLANTA, Ga., Oct 07, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Down Payment Resource (DPR), the housing industry's leading affordability intelligence platform, today announced three additions to its team: Melissa Roy as a partner solutions engineer, April Espinosa as a down payment assistance programs specialist and Jeff Smith as a housing finance agency (HFA) relationship manager.

"Each of these hires brings real, hands-on experience with the borrowers, lenders and agencies we serve every day," said Rob Chrane, chief executive officer of DPR. "As demand for down payment assistance keeps growing, we need specialists who know how to put our technology to work and help homebuyers and lenders actually succeed with it."

As a partner solutions engineer, Roy will guide enterprise partners from initial discovery through implementation. She brings nearly a decade of mortgage industry experience across product management, sales, origination and operations, including roles as a senior loan officer at Lima One Capital, a mortgage product manager at United Community and six years as a mortgage banker and office manager at Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group.

Espinosa takes on the role of down payment assistance programs specialist on DPR's Community Programs team. She spent over five years as a housing portfolio specialist for the City of Tampa, where she managed compliance activities of a housing portfolio exceeding $100 million and oversaw mortgage servicing and regulatory reporting across single-family and multifamily housing programs. She is HUD-certified as a housing counselor and has assisted homeowners, borrowers, contractors and community members in resolving housing program questions and servicing concerns.

As a relationship manager on DPR's HFA team, Smith brings over 15 years of mortgage industry experience, including prior work with one of DPR's lender partners, along with a track record of operational expertise that will support the company's continued work with HFAs nationwide.

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-adds-three-new-team-members-to-support-lenders-hfas-and-community-programs/

Analysis: Neighborhood income data understates mortgage access gaps

IEmergent — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:00:38 +0000

DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct 07, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- New analysis from iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, finds that mortgage access gaps for low-income households are substantially wider than neighborhood-level data suggests. The analysis draws on the last five years of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data and compares individual loan applicant income with the median income of the census tract where the subject property is located.

The two measures produce materially different pictures of mortgage access, including who applies, how often applications result in originated loans and how much borrowers receive. That distinction matters because lenders and regulators use HMDA data to evaluate mortgage lending to LMI borrowers and in LMI geographies, including as part of fair lending and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) examinations. But the implications extend beyond regulatory compliance: for any lender, understanding how its market performance changes when measured by borrower income versus geography can affect how it identifies access gaps, benchmarks its performance against peers and evaluates where its business opportunities lie.

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

* Who applies: Applications tied to low-income census tracts, where median family income is less than 50% of area median family income, account for just 3% of all mortgage applications. But by applicant income, low-income borrowers account for 11% of all mortgage applications.

* Who gets a loan: Half or more (50% to 56%) of applications for properties in low-income census tracts convert to originated loans, whereas only about four in 10 applications (39% to 43%) from low-income applicants result in an originated loan.

* How much they borrow: The average purchase loan amount in low- and moderate-income (LMI) census tracts, where median family income is less than 80% of area median family income, is 31.6% lower than in non-LMI census tracts. But by applicant income, the average purchase loan amount for LMI borrowers is 50.7% lower than for non-LMI borrowers.

"A census tract's income level is a neighborhood average, and averages smooth over the households facing the steepest barriers," iEmergent CEO Laird Nossuli said. "If lenders rely only on tract-level data, they can conclude that access for low-income borrowers is better than it actually is and build strategies around the wrong problem."

Income affects mortgage access through two separate barriers. One is whether a household is in a financial position to apply for a mortgage at all. The other is whether an application becomes a loan. Application rates and origination rates do not necessarily move together, and analyzing borrower income can show lenders whether lower-income households are underrepresented among applicants or whether applications are falling out before they become loans.

"Growing the number of low-income households who apply and getting more existing applicants to closing are different challenges that call for different products, outreach and operational fixes," iEmergent COO Bernard Nossuli added. "Analyzing applicant income alongside census tract income gives lenders a more complete view of where access gaps exist, how those gaps vary by market and where there may be opportunities to respond."

These findings are part of iEmergent's multipart HMDA data analysis. Download the full report at https://www.iemergent.com/insights/2025-hmda-mortgage-income.

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/analysis-neighborhood-income-data-understates-mortgage-access-gaps/

Service 1st marks 100 years in business, extends beyond mortgage lending

Service 1st Information Services — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:00:14 +0000

HAMMONTON, N.J., Oct 07, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Service First Information Solutions LLC (Service 1st), a leading provider of credit reporting and verification solutions for the mortgage and other industries, is celebrating 100 years in business. Over the past century, Service 1st has expanded well beyond its roots in mortgage credit reporting.

Today, the company's solutions include loan origination products, such as tri-merge, dual-merge, and single credit reports, along with prequalification services and its Score Navigator® suite. Its verification services cover income, employment and asset verification, as well as lien and judgment reports.

Service 1st has also deepened its integration within the mortgage technology ecosystem through ICE Mortgage Technology's Encompass® Partner Connect (EPC) platform. Through EPC, Service 1st offers portfolio scoring and borrower authorization capabilities that improve efficiency and confidence in compliance across high-volume loan workflows.

The company is also exploring beyond its traditional mortgage-lending base with Medicaid eligibility verification as an emerging vertical, as new federal requirements for community engagement create demand for employment, income and identity verification services. This evolution has been matched with a growing team as Service 1st adds staff to support its expanding client base and new lines of business.

"Reaching 100 years is a testament to the trust our customers and partners across this industry have placed in us, generation after generation," said Service 1st CEO Curtis Knuth. "We wouldn't be here without the credit unions, lenders and clients who have grown alongside us, and we're grateful for every one of those relationships as we look toward the next 100 years."

The company's roots trace to 1926, when the Credit Bureau of Santa Maria was established and in 1969 incorporated as the Credit Bureau of Santa Maria LLC, then merged with the Credit Bureau of Lompoc in 1975 and affiliated with the Credit Bureau of Tulare County in 1977. The Credit Bureau of San Luis Obispo joined the organization in 1980, and the Credit Bureau of Redding was acquired in 2008, followed by a combination with the Credit Bureau of Sacramento in 2010. In 2016, the original Santa Maria bureau and its affiliated companies combined to form Credit Data Solutions LLC. National Credit-reporting System, Inc. (NCS) acquired Credit Data Solutions in 2019 and renamed the company Service First Information Solutions LLC, operating under the Service 1st name as a company distinct from NCS.

ABOUT SERVICE FIRST INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, LLC:

Service First Information Solutions LLC (Service 1st) delivers integrated, technology-driven verification tools designed to help mortgage lenders streamline workflows, reduce friction in the loan process and support faster, more informed lending decisions. Service 1st is affiliated with National Credit-reporting System Inc. (NCS), a long-standing provider of credit information and verification services. To learn more, visit https://www.srv1st.com or call 866-606-5952.

News Source: Service 1st Information Services

Related link: https://www.srv1st.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/service-1st-marks-100-years-in-business-extends-beyond-mortgage-lending/

PROGRESS in Lending honors ACES Quality Management’s AI advancements with 2026 AI Pioneer Award

ACES Quality Management — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:55:32 +0000

DENVER, Colo., Oct 07, 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 it has been named one of the AI Pioneer Award winners by PROGRESS in Lending. Honorees include 14 financial technology companies whose AI work spans the loan lifecycle from origination through servicing.

This award recognizes ACES' technological advancements in AI through ACES Intelligence®, the financial services industry's first AI-powered quality control (QC) engine, to remove the manual bottlenecks that have long shaped mortgage QC. ACES launched ACES Intelligence in September 2025, allowing auditors to build loan selection criteria by describing the filters they need in plain English and to draft Executive Summaries covering selection methods, defect statistics and key findings. The platform also detects personally identifiable information, such as Social Security and credit card numbers, to limit the exposure of borrower data.

"We know how important AI is becoming in our industry, and we believe it has to be used wisely, with strong governance and people at the center," said Trevor Gauthier, chief executive officer of ACES Quality Management. "ACES Intelligence doesn't automate QC. It helps reviewers work faster on the tasks around the audit, like building selection criteria and drafting findings summaries, so they can focus on the judgment calls that define quality. Customers tell us a full audit takes them hours less now, and we appreciate PROGRESS in Lending for recognizing our efforts."

Georgia's Own Credit Union reported shorter review times on individual loans after adopting ACES Intelligence, while compliance consulting firm CrossCheck Compliance LLC said the platform let its managers shift time from rewriting audit findings to serving clients. ACES Intelligence customer adoption has more than tripled since general availability.

The full list of 2026 AI Pioneer Award winners is available at mymortgagemindset.com/the-2026-ai-pioneer-award-winners-are.

For more information about ACES Intelligence, visit www.acesintelligence.com.

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 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/progress-in-lending-honors-aces-quality-managements-ai-advancements-with-2026-ai-pioneer-award/

37.5-percent Growth in $100M New Industrial Planned Projects MoM for September 2026

Industrial SalesLeads Inc — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:19 +0000

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct 06, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Industrial SalesLeads announced today the September 2026 results for the new planned capital project spending report for the Industrial Manufacturing industry. The Firm tracks North American planned industrial capital project activity, including facility expansions, new plant construction and significant equipment modernization projects. Research confirms 156 new projects in the Industrial Manufacturing sector. Projects valued at $100 million or more rose 37.5%, and new construction projects grew 14%, as manufacturers continue to commit to large-scale investments.

The following are selected highlights on new Industrial Manufacturing industry construction news.

Industrial Manufacturing - By Project Type

* Manufacturing/Production Facilities - 142 New Projects

* Distribution and Industrial Warehouse - 78 New Projects

Industrial Manufacturing - By Project Scope/Activity

* New Construction - 41 New Projects

* Expansion - 56 New Projects

* Renovations/Equipment Upgrades - 83 New Projects

* Plant Closings - 10 New Projects

Industrial Manufacturing - By Project Location (Top 10 States)

* Michigan - 11

* Indiana - 10

* Wisconsin - 10

* Texas - 9

* California - 8

* North Carolina - 8

* Mississippi - 7

* Ohio - 7

* Pennsylvania - 7

* Iowa - 6

LARGEST PLANNED PROJECT

During the month of September, our research team identified 22 new Industrial Manufacturing facility construction projects with an estimated value of $100 million or more.

The largest project is owned by Tesla Inc., who is considering investing $10 billion for the construction of a solar cell manufacturing facility and currently seeking a site in FORT BEND COUNTY, TX. Watch Industrial SalesLeads for updates.

TOP 10 TRACKED INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING PROJECTS

TENNESSEE:
Metal producer is planning to invest $7.4 billion for the construction of a 6.9 million sf processing, warehouse, and office complex at 1800 Zinc Plant Rd. in CLARKSVILLE, TN. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for 2029.

OHIO:
Automotive mfr. is considering investing $3 billion for the construction of a manufacturing facility and currently seeking a site in central OHIO. Watch Industrial SalesLeads for updates.

GEORGIA:
Tire mfr. is planning to invest $1.1 billion for the expansion and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing and warehouse facility in ROME, GA. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in 2027, with completion slated for 2033.

MISSISSIPPI:
Electrical equipment mfr. is planning to invest $528 million for the construction of a manufacturing and warehouse facility in GALLMAN, MS. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Construction is expected to start in late 2026, with completion slated for 2029.

KENTUCKY:
Home appliance mfr. is planning to invest $512 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing campus in LOUISVILLE, KY. They are currently seeking approval for the project. Completion is slated for late 2027.

SOUTH CAROLINA:
Cable and wire mfr. is planning to invest $400 million for the construction of a 550,000 sf manufacturing facility on Rowesville Rd. in ORANGEBURG, SC. Construction is expected to start in late Fall 2026.

OKLAHOMA:
HVAC equipment mfr. is planning to invest $300 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on a 1.3 million sf manufacturing and warehouse facility in OWASSO, OK. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

ARKANSAS:
Industrial electrical equipment mfr. is planning to invest $242 million for the construction of a 1 million sf manufacturing facility in NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

NEW YORK:
Aerospace component mfr. is planning to invest $225 million for the renovation and equipment upgrades on their manufacturing facility in NISKAYUNA, NY. They are currently seeking approval for the project.

VIRGINIA:
Maritime industrial services company is planning to invest $180 million for the expansion of their manufacturing, warehouse, and service complex in NEWPORT NEWS, VA by 48,000 sf. 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/37-5-percent-growth-in-100m-new-industrial-planned-projects-mom-for-september-2026/

California Safe Schools Launches Diesel Idling Education and Reporting Campaign

California Safe Schools — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:30:01 +0000

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct 06, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- California Safe Schools (CSS), in partnership with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), has launched a statewide public-education campaign to help Californians recognize unnecessary diesel idling, understand California's idling requirements, and report suspected violations near schools, homes, childcare facilities, hospitals, senior facilities, and other sensitive locations.

The campaign initially focuses on communities in Los Angeles City Council District 6-including Arleta, Lake Balboa, North Hills, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Sun Valley, and Van Nuys-with educational and reporting resources available statewide at StopDieselIdling.com.

KNOW CALIFORNIA'S FIVE-MINUTE RULE

Under California regulations, diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds generally may not idle their primary engine for more than five consecutive minutes. Exceptions include certain traffic conditions, power take-off operations, and some bus operations.

Vehicles displaying a CARB-certified Clean Idle sticker may qualify for additional allowances in unrestricted areas, but generally may not idle for more than five minutes within 100 feet of homes, schools, hospitals, senior facilities, or childcare facilities.

"Clean air should be something every Californian can count on, children and adults alike, whether they are going to school, working, playing outside, or simply living in their neighborhoods. This campaign puts practical information and tools in the hands of residents so they can recognize unnecessary diesel idling, report recurring concerns, and help bring greater attention to the problem," said Robina Suwol, Executive Director of California Safe Schools.

RECOGNIZE. DOCUMENT. REPORT.

California Safe Schools encourages community members to:

* Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

* Watch for recurring diesel idling near schools, homes, childcare facilities, and other sensitive locations.

* Safely document the location, date, time, vehicle description and, when possible, license plate number.

* Report suspected violations to 1-800-CUT-SMOG (1-800-288-7664) or through https://aqmd.gov/complaints.

* Visit https://StopDieselIdling.com for educational and reporting resources.

CARB enforcement data indicate high compliance among inspected vehicles, with approximately 96-97% compliance in recent years. Community observations can nevertheless help identify recurring idling concerns and locations that may warrant attention.

BUILDING ON COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

CSS has worked for decades to connect schools and communities with environmental-health information and pollution-prevention resources. The organization previously partnered with Los Angeles Unified School District and the City of Los Angeles to identify diesel-pollution hotspots and support installation of more than 100 "No Idling" signs near schools.

The new Diesel Idling Deterrence Project expands that work by making education and reporting resources available to communities statewide. The project is funded through a CARB Community Air Grants Program.

"I'm grateful to see growing attention on the urgent need for clean air and for protecting our children, families, and school communities from unnecessary diesel pollution. I'm thankful to California Safe Schools for leading this important effort," added Stephanie Fernandez, a resident.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA SAFE SCHOOLS

Founded in 1998 by Robina Suwol, California Safe Schools is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children's health and the environment. CSS promotes safer school environments, advances environmental justice, and works to reduce toxic exposures in schools and communities.

For more information, visit: https://www.calisafe.org/.

News Source: California Safe Schools

Related link: https://www.calisafe.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/california-safe-schools-launches-diesel-idling-education-and-reporting-campaign/

FocusOne Strengthens Digital Mortgage Capabilities with LenderLogix LiteSpeed

LenderLogix — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:44 +0000

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct 06, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- LenderLogix, a provider of mortgage point-of-sale and automation software, today announced that FocusOne, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO), has implemented its LiteSpeed point-of-sale platform as part of its continued investment in technology designed to help credit union partners deliver a modern, streamlined mortgage experience to their members.

FocusOne provides mortgage lending solutions and support designed to help credit unions strengthen their mortgage programs without having to build and maintain every component internally. With LiteSpeed, FocusOne is expanding those capabilities with a streamlined digital application experience that makes it easier for members to apply, submit documentation and complete outstanding tasks while helping lending teams reduce manual work throughout the application process.

Through LiteSpeed's mobile-friendly application and centralized borrower dashboard, members can complete key steps of the mortgage process without creating an account or remembering login credentials. Secure links guide them back to their dashboard to upload documents, complete tasks, and stay engaged with their loan. LiteSpeed also operates as a native extension of Encompass(r), keeping borrower activity connected to the loan origination system and reducing the need for disconnected workflows.

"Credit unions should be able to offer the technology and convenience members expect without losing the personal service and relationships that set them apart," said Adrian Dominguez, CEO of FocusOne. "Our relationship with LenderLogix allows us to continue expanding the infrastructure we provide to our credit union partners, making the mortgage process easier for members while giving credit unions access to capabilities they may not want to build or manage on their own."

The implementation reflects FocusOne's broader commitment to helping credit union partners remain competitive by pairing mortgage expertise with scalable technology and operational support. By integrating LiteSpeed into its mortgage platform, FocusOne can provide its partners with a more connected digital experience while allowing credit unions to remain focused on the member relationships that differentiate them in their communities.

"Credit unions shouldn't have to choose between delivering a modern digital experience and maintaining the personal relationships that make them different," said Patrick O'Brien, CEO of LenderLogix. "FocusOne understands that technology should make it easier for credit unions to serve their members, not add complexity to the lending process. We're excited to work with their team to bring that experience to the credit union market."

ABOUT FOCUSONE

FocusOne is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) providing tailored lending and financial solutions designed to help credit unions strengthen their offerings and better serve their members. Through its mortgage, automotive lending, and insurance solutions, FocusOne supports credit union partners with the expertise, technology, and services needed to compete in today's financial landscape.

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

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: http://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/focusone-strengthens-digital-mortgage-capabilities-with-lenderlogix-litespeed/

June Point Lending launches DSCR loans in California

June Point Lending — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:42 +0000

NEW YORK, N.Y., Oct 06, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- June Point Lending Inc. (June Point Lending), a tech-forward wholesale non-QM lender, announced today it is offering debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans in California, its 19th state for DSCR lending and one of the country's largest broker markets.

California brokers gain access to June Point Lending's proprietary technology infrastructure, built to replace the manual workflows that still define much of non-QM. Brokers upload a 1003 and receive initial eligibility results in minutes, with key requirements flagged and analyzed up front.

"When we started June Point Lending, brokers kept telling us about clients they couldn't qualify, often real estate investors and self-employed borrowers whose finances don't fit the traditional box," said Viral Shah, chief executive officer of June Point Lending. "DSCR and non-QM loans exist for exactly those borrowers, but some brokers have written non-QM off as too complicated to offer. We're building June Point Lending to change that by making the process simpler and more predictable. Given the demand for DSCR in California, this is an important market for us to get right."

Shah and William DeVar co-founded June Point Lending after helping build Better.com from its earliest days as the company scaled past $20 billion in originations. DeVar went on to serve as chief product officer at consumer lending startup Koalafi. Backed by Deciens Capital, June Point Lending moved from initial funding to a live lender in roughly eight months.

"Speed only matters if brokers can trust it," said Dan Goldman, executive vice president of sales at June Point Lending. "Every broker has a dedicated account executive and direct access to partner success managers and underwriters on the file, all supported by technology so our people can focus on resolving complex issues and escalations."

June Point Lending currently offers DSCR loans in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

ABOUT JUNE POINT LENDING:

June Point Lending (NMLS No. 2707229) is a tech-forward wholesale lender specializing in non-QM loans. Guided by its mission to bring speed, certainty and service excellence to every loan, June Point Lending combines support from dedicated account executives, partner success managers and directly accessible underwriters with proprietary technology that delivers initial eligibility in minutes, flags requirements up front and provides seamless status tracking. Founded by mortgage industry veterans and backed by institutional capital, the company offers DSCR loans in 19 states. Learn more at https://www.junepointlending.com. Supervised by the DFPI, loans are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law License No. 60DBO-213146.

News Source: June Point Lending

Related link: https://www.junepointlending.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/june-point-lending-launches-dscr-loans-in-california/

Floify names mortgage technology leader Bryan Traeger as general manager

Floify — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:00:17 +0000

BOULDER, Colo., Oct 06, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Floify, the mortgage industry's leading point-of-sale (POS) solution, has selected Bryan Traeger as its new general manager. Traeger will lead Floify's next phase of growth with a focus on expanding the company's use of AI and push the boundaries of the borrower and lender experience. Traeger officially assumes the GM role on October 12 and will be at MBA Annual in Chicago, October 12-14, booth 600.

Traeger most recently served in corporate development at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota before joining Floify. Before that, he spent nearly six years at Maxwell, where he led acquisitions including LenderSelect Mortgage Group, the wholesale lending and capital markets division of Blue Ridge Bank, and the point of sale Revvin (formerly MortgageHippo), and earlier served as vice president of customer success and partnerships.

He previously was vice president of corporate development, IT, and marketing at HomeServices Lending, a Berkshire Hathaway company, where he also led capital markets initiatives for the $2B lender. He began his career auditing mortgage backed securities at Clayton Fixed Income Services and as an acquisitions and investment strategy associate at Berkshire Hathaway Energy.

"Floify already has a customer base that genuinely loves its product and a team that takes that seriously," said Bryan Traeger, general manager of Floify. "My focus is on listening to lenders, understanding the full arc of their business and using that to push what this platform can do. The POS is not just an intake form. It is where the digital borrower experience begins, and there is a lot more we can deliver from that starting point."

"Bryan has the rare combination of having been a lender, built customer success organizations and led M&A integrations, so he understands this industry from every angle," said Joshua Steffan, interim president and general manager of Floify and senior vice president and group general manager at Porch Group. "That breadth is exactly what Floify needs as we push into the next phase of growth, and we could not be more excited to have him leading the team."

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 for 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, 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.

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-names-mortgage-technology-leader-bryan-traeger-as-general-manager/

Yuri Gascon’s ‘Friday Guy’ Offers a Candid Memoir of Surviving Childhood Trauma and Reclaiming a Life

Tellwell Publishing — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:15:56 +0000

BARCELONA, Spain, Oct 05, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Author Yuri Gascon presents "Friday Guy: The Highs and Lows of the Non-ordinary Life of an Ordinary Man" (ISBN: 978-1834541075) released by Tellwell Publishing, a deeply personal memoir drawn from his own experiences with childhood trauma, family dysfunction, shame, abuse, and the long process of finding a way forward.

From an early age, Alexander learns that home is not always a place of safety. Raised in a turbulent family environment, he experiences violence, fear, rejection, and abuse, events that profoundly shape the way he sees himself and the world around him. His mother's response to his abuse leaves him carrying an especially devastating burden of shame and guilt.

Gascon's memoir explores how experiences that happen in childhood can continue to influence identity, relationships, self-worth, and emotional wellbeing long into adulthood. Rather than presenting trauma as a single event with a simple resolution, "Friday Guy" follows the complicated consequences of growing up in an environment where painful experiences were rarely discussed or resolved.

At the center of the book is the question of how a person survives when the people who should provide protection become sources of fear, shame, or harm.

The memoir also examines the silence surrounding abuse. As Gascon writes, "Abuse is a parasite that feeds off hate and shame, growing in size and strength with silence." The book confronts that silence through an unflinching account of experiences the author carried for decades.

"Friday Guy" ultimately becomes a story not only about what happened to Alexander, but about the struggle to understand those experiences from an adult perspective. Gascon writes openly about dissociation, guilt, identity, relationships, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences, while also exploring the possibility of healing and reclaiming creativity, passion, and love.

It took him several years to be able to put into words all the experiences, emotions and learnings from trauma. For a while, he thought he had lost creativity and passion for writing. Finding love was the way to reclaim them.

Yuri Gascon is a Spanish writer and citizen of the world who speaks Czech, English, Greek, and Spanish. He has lived in Europe and the Americas and currently resides in Barcelona, Spain. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a master's degree in Communication. Friday Guy is his first book and is based entirely on his own life.

"Friday Guy: The Highs and Lows of the Non-ordinary Life of an Ordinary Man" is available on all major digital book platforms.

BOOK DETAILS

Title: "Friday Guy: The Highs and Lows of the Non-ordinary Life of an Ordinary Man"

Author: Yuri Gascon

Website: Yuri Gascon - Author - https://yurigascon.com/

Genre: Memoir

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Paperback ISBN: 9781834541075

Purchase Link: https://amazon.com/dp/1834541077

Tellwell Publishing ( https://tellwell.ca/ )

News Source: Tellwell Publishing

Related link: https://www.tellwellpublishing.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/yuri-gascons-friday-guy-offers-a-candid-memoir-of-surviving-childhood-trauma-and-reclaiming-a-life/

FIDO Alliance Certifies SecuGen Unity 20 FIDO2 Fingerprint Security Key

SecuGen Corporation — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:00:48 +0000

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct 05, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- SecuGen Corporation, a leading provider of fingerprint recognition technology, today announced that the FIDO Alliance has certified SecuGen's Unity™ 20 FIDO2 fingerprint security key. The key is FIDO® Certified for FIDO2 at Authenticator Security Assurance Level 1. It creates and stores passkeys for passwordless, phishing-resistant sign-in to compatible websites and applications.

When the Unity 20 FIDO2 is used to sign in with a passkey, it requires the user to match their fingerprint with a fingerprint registered on the key. Fingerprint matching and handling happen only inside the key, which means fingerprint data neither leaves the key nor gets sent to the computer, to websites, or to the cloud.

The key is built on SecuGen's flagship U20-ASF fingerprint platform and its U20-A optical sensor used in the company's top-of-the-line readers, which are FBI certified for U.S. federal identity verification (PIV) programs and are deployed in national identity programs in other countries. The hardened glass platen resists scratches, impact, corrosion, and electrostatic shock. Smart Capture™ technology helps the sensor match dry, moist, aged, and scarred fingers, even in bright light.

"A touch merely tells a security key that someone is present. But a fingerprint match tells that someone is verified," said Won Lee, CEO at SecuGen Corporation. "We built the Unity 20 FIDO2 with the same optical sensor as our highest-quality fingerprint readers. FIDO certification gives our partners independent confirmation that the key meets FIDO security requirements and works with FIDO2 websites and identity platforms."

"Our reseller partners told us they needed a FIDO2 security key as more websites and identity platforms accept passkeys," said Dan Riley, Vice President of Engineering at SecuGen. "The Unity 20 FIDO2 completed the conformance and interoperability tests required for certification."

Unity 20 FIDO2 at a glance

* Certification: FIDO® Certified, FIDO2 (CTAP v2.1), Authenticator Security Assurance Level 1 (L1), Enterprise Security Profile, Type: Roaming authenticator (hardware security key)

* User verification: Fingerprint match on the key

* Capacity: Up to 10 fingerprints and up to 255 passkeys

* Privacy: Fingerprints are matched and stored only on the key

Availability

SecuGen plans to make the Unity 20 FIDO2 available in the fourth quarter of 2026 through SecuGen and its worldwide reseller network. Resellers and integrators can request evaluation units now at sales@secugen.com.

About SecuGen

SecuGen Corporation is a leading provider of fingerprint recognition technology for physical and information security. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in California, USA, SecuGen designs and develops FBI-certified fingerprint sensors, OEM components, development kits, biometric software, and ready-to-use PC peripherals. SecuGen products are trusted worldwide across industries including financial services, government, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and more. Known for durability, accuracy, and affordability, SecuGen is committed to continuous innovation, rigorous quality standards (ISO 9001:2015 certified), and robust developer support.

SecuGen, Smart Capture, and Unity are trademarks or registered trademarks of SecuGen Corporation in the United States and other countries. FIDO® is a trademark (registered in numerous countries) of FIDO Alliance, Inc. All other marks may be the property of their respective owners. Learn more: https://secugen.com/.

News Source: SecuGen Corporation

Related link: https://secugen.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/fido-alliance-certifies-secugen-unity-20-fido2-fingerprint-security-key/

Dark Matter Technologies and Mezzo bring one-to-many verification orchestration to lenders

Dark Matter Technologies — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:00:29 +0000

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct 05, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter), an innovative leader in home lending technology, today announced an integration with Mezzo, creator of the mortgage industry's first one-to-many operating architecture for third-party services. Available through Dark Matter's Exchange℠ Partner Marketplace, the integration gives lenders using the Empower® Loan Origination Solution a single gateway and workflow across multiple verification providers, with standardized reporting and without the cost and timeline of individual vendor integrations.

Historically, each additional verification vendor has meant another integration, another workflow and fragmented reporting. The integration removes that trade-off. Lenders using Empower can turn on a new provider already integrated with Mezzo with the flip of a switch, with no integration expense or development timeline.

Within Empower, lenders use Mezzo's VoX (Verification of Everything) orchestration gateway to build an unlimited number of verification waterfalls tailored to their strategy. Loan attributes determine the path, and each provider's response determines whether the waterfall continues or stops. That replaces a process that is manual today, in which a processor orders from one vendor and, when no result comes back, logs into the next. VoX also catches duplicate orders before they become duplicate fees and returns results in one normalized format.

Every VoX transaction generates an immutable trace log showing which providers were queried, in what order and what each returned. That audit trail gives lenders a clear view of vendor performance to inform future routing and vendor decisions. "Lenders have always known that optimizing their vendor mix could improve margins and reduce turn times," said Vikas Rao, CEO of Dark Matter Technologies. "The problem has been the cost and friction of doing it. The integration between Dark Matter and Mezzo solves that by bringing vendor-neutral orchestration directly into Empower, giving our clients the control and visibility to act on what they already know."

"The value of vendor choice is only realized when lenders can execute on it efficiently," said Jina Choi, AMP, president of Mezzo." Mezzo removes the integration barrier, automates the waterfall and gives lenders a single source of truth for vendor performance, with measurable ROI in as little as 30 days. Through this integration with Empower, that capability is now available to some of the industry's most sophisticated lenders."

The integration will debut at the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention and Expo, October 11-14 in Chicago, and will be available to Dark Matter clients following the event. Clients should contact their account manager for more information.

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 integrated point-of-sale, intelligence suite and 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 .

ABOUT MEZZO:

Mezzo builds the operational layer that unifies and standardizes a lender's fragmented third-party services ecosystem. Accessible through the LOS, AI-native technology executes a lender's own rules and strategy through dynamic waterfalls, appends verified data and triggers cross-service actions in real time to fine-tune cost and performance across verifications, credit, fees and automated underwriting technology, including Desktop Underwriter® and Loan Product Advisor®. Every run is transparent and self-optimizing, providing a complete audit trail of every decision while continuously improving execution and reporting ROI on every loan.

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-and-mezzo-bring-one-to-many-verification-orchestration-to-lenders/

Another Rural Area Targeted for Industrial Solar and Lithium Battery Facilities, This Time Near UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Park, Mesa Verde

NoValleyRange — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 10:00:43 +0000

MONTEZUMA COUNTY, Colo., Oct 05, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- NoValleyRange, a neighborhood group located near Mesa Verde (a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Park), are fighting a Texas developer proposing a $240 million dollar solar and lithium battery development. The proposed project consists of 900 acres of solar panels and 8 acres of lithium battery storage at the base of Colorado's only UNESCO world heritage site. This project is comparable in size to the 500,000-panel Cleve Hill Solar Park, the largest solar field in the UK.

The neighbors are fighting the project for the same reasons that many other rural communities across the US are fighting similar projects. Namely, that the solar field and BESS facility will degrade property values, harm tourism, and put small businesses out of business. However, the Valley Range Energy Park presents unique problems. It will dominate the views from the northside overlooks from Mesa Verde National Park and degrade the park visitor experience. Mesa Verde is not only a cultural treasure, but also the economic tourism engine that supports the entire community. Even more alarming is the potential for a catastrophic battery fire.

According to Lillian Wakeley, Board Director at Mesa Verde Association, in a recent social media comment, "The solar array will overwhelm the views from every overlook on the north escarpment in Mesa Verde National Park. Large battery storage means fire risk and also huge security lights. One of Mesa Verde's major drawing points is the dark night sky, and ranger programs with new night-scopes are hugely popular. Please think about the impact on our tourist industry if we encroach on our national park with overwhelming lights, noise, and nearly a thousand acres of solar panels."

Mesa Verde National Park is also a huge driver of the local economy. According to a National Park Service report, in 2023 505,000 visitors came to Mesa Verde National Park and spent $59.5 million in communities near the park. That spending in the local area had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $75.6 million (*see note 1). Park visitation was directly responsible for approximately 8% of total employment in Montezuma County (*2).

The Valley Range solar project also includes 8 acres of lithium battery storage commonly referred to as a BESS. BESS facilities are new technology with a dismal safety record. Most of the BESS systems in the US have been installed since 2020 (*3) Unlike conventional fires, BESS fires produce their own oxygen and are nearly impossible to extinguish (*4). BESS fires also produce poisonous gasses including hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride. Most troubling, is the ability of a BESS fire to produce carcinogenic fallout in the form of aerosolized exotic metals (*5).

In the 2025 Moss Landing battery fire, 55,000 pounds of carcinogenic metals were aerosolized into the neighboring tourist town and surrounding marshes (*6).

BESS installations present unique economic problems when located near a major tourist attraction, such as Mesa Verde National Park.

According to KAZU News, the 2025 lithium-ion battery fire in the popular tourist town of Moss Landing California (and the accompanying repeated evacuation orders and national news coverage) devastated the local tourism industry (*7).

According to neighboring business owner, Bryan Davis, "Anything negatively effecting Mesa Verde National Park is a critical economic issue here. This community relies on the National Park for a huge percentage of the local economy."

In recent weeks the Valley Range project has become a local political issue in Montezuma County with Republican commissioner candidate Rodney Cox saying "There is a solar farm being proposed now, and I'm against everything about that." Rodney Cox's opponent Democrat Rebecca Busic has said she supports the solar project and lithium battery installation (*8).

ABOUT NOVALLEYRANGE:

NoValleyRange is a local community activism group made up of two neighborhoods located near Mesa Verde National Park. We are sheep farmers, chocolate shop owners, campground owners, retirees and ordinary folks. NoValleyRange is not a partisan group, our members span the political spectrum. However, we are united in our effort to stop this project. Sign the petition and learn more at https://www.novalleyrange.com/.

CITATIONS:

*1 https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/news/tourism-and-economy.htm

*2 https://data.coloradoan.com/unemployment/montezuma-county-co/CN0808300000000/

*3 https://www.energy-storage.news/us-double-bess-capacity-2028-eia-reports/

*4 https://eticaag.com/how-to-extinguish-battery-energy-storage-fires/

*5 https://eticaag.com/55000-pounds-of-toxic-metals-from-moss-landing-fire/

*6 https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/02/new-study-moss-landing-battery-fire-dumped-55000-pounds-of-toxic-metals-into-wildlife-rich-marshes/

*7 https://www.kazu.org/kazu-news/2025-04-09/moss-landing-business-owners-say-they-are-still-suffering-effects-of-battery-plant-fire

*8 https://www.ksjd.org/podcast/ksjd-local-newscasts/2026-09-24/commissioner-candidates-disagree-on-big-beautiful-bill-child-care

News Source: NoValleyRange

Related link: https://www.novalleyrange.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/another-rural-area-targeted-for-industrial-solar-and-lithium-battery-facilities-this-time-near-unesco-world-heritage-site-and-national-park-mesa-verde/

Resident’s Love of Golf Inspires New Virtual Golf Center at Jenner’s Pond

Simpson — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:10:56 +0000

WEST GROVE, Pa., Oct 02, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Jenner's Pond, a Simpson senior living community, announced the opening of a new virtual golf center created through a resident-led effort and support from the Simpson Foundation.

The idea began with new resident Newt Brosius, an avid golfer who owned a golf simulator that he had previously used. When he moved to Jenner's Pond, Brosius approached the Simpson Foundation about donating the simulator and creating a dedicated space where residents could use it.

What began as one resident's idea soon became a community project, the Jenner's Pond Virtual Golf Center.

Brosius recruited fellow golfers to form a planning and support committee and worked with the Simpson Foundation and Simpson President and CEO, Dr. Carol McKinley to identify the right space, determine what was needed to create the center and develop a project budget.

"Newt saw an opportunity to take something he loved and turn it into something that could bring people together," said McKinley. "That kind of resident involvement is what makes Jenner's Pond a vibrant place to live. Our residents help shape the experiences and opportunities available in the community."

For Brosius, having golf available on campus also filled a practical need. He and other Jenner's Pond golfers had been traveling approximately 15 miles to Kennett Square to use a golf simulator.

"Having our own Virtual Golf Center will be a great way to not only enjoy golf but also to have fun and build friendships. Whether you're a scratch golfer or just learning the game, the center offers great practice ranges. You can record your swing to see how you can improve, or play 80-plus courses from around the country, including Pebble Beach in CA and Bethpage Black inLong Island where the Ryder Cup was played recently."

For non-golfers, there are many games, including mini golf. Residents can schedule "tee" times from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Simpson Foundation helped bring the project to fruition by combining existing charitable gift funds with additional contributions raised from the Jenner's Pond community. A plaque inside the center recognizes the project's major donors.

"The Simpson Foundation was happy to help with this idea and was happy to work with Newt and the committee to raise the additional funds needed to make it a reality," said Bill McMorran, interim vice president of mission advancement.

Residents are already learning how to operate the simulator, and plans are underway for friendly games and events, including a miniature golf competition. The center also gives golfers a place to continue playing and practicing throughout the winter, regardless of weather.

The project reflects the Simpson Foundation's broader role in supporting programs and amenities that enhance residents' lives. The Foundation secures charitable support for benevolent care, resident programs and other life-enhancing services across Simpson communities.

The new center also adds to Jenner's Pond's recreational offerings for prospective residents who want to continue pursuing longtime interests, including golf, after moving to a senior living community.

"Golf is social, and it keeps people moving. It gives people a reason to get together, compete a little and have fun without having to leave the campus," said Brosius.

ABOUT SIMPSON

Since 1865, Simpson has met the changing needs and desires of Pennsylvania area seniors from diverse backgrounds as a not-for-profit family of services consisting of three Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Simpson House, Simpson Meadows and Jenner's Pond; three affordable senior living communities: Simpson Gardens I, Simpson Gardens II and

Simpson Midtown; as well as Simpson HomeCare and Simpson Rehabilitation. The organization is dedicated to providing elders from diverse backgrounds with more amenities, better services, improved care and a higher quality of life in beautiful, dignified and spiritual settings. For more information, visit https://www.simpsonsenior.org/.

News Source: Simpson

Related link: https://www.simpsonsenior.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/residents-love-of-golf-inspires-new-virtual-golf-center-at-jenners-pond/