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38-Year Printing Business Avante Print Center Converts to International Minute Press Franchise in Mesa, Arizona

Minuteman Press International Inc

For nearly 38 years, Carl Denti and his family operated their independent print shop Avante Print Center. In Feb. 2022, Carl sold the business to new owners Devin and John Weiss through Minuteman Press International’s conversion program, which connects sellers with qualified buyers. Carl says, “It was time for me to join my wife Patricia in retirement and I think the transition to International Minute Press has gone very well. I needed to like the people who bought the business and Devin and John are great. My daughter Renee has stayed on working in the business and we also have employees with 25 years of tenure, so it was important for us to be comfortable with everything.” Devin and John have rebranded as International Minute Press in Mesa, AZ, and are operating out of the same location at 218 West Hampton Avenue, Unit 13 that was home to Avante Print Center. Devin says, “We believe owning a business gives us a real sense of pride. By purchasing this established business, we strive to honor our clients, our community, and our staff with continued personalized service and outstanding support.” History of the Business On March 27 th, 1984, Carl Denti and his wife Patricia opened Avante Print Center in Mesa. Carl shares, “I had owned a previous business in Kansas City that I sold. We moved to Arizona and at that time I decided to invest in another business. I told my accountant I didn’t want anything in credit collections (which I did for 15 years) and I didn’t want to own a food-related business. One of the things he came up with was printing.” He adds, “Patricia was very influential in having us go into the printing industry as well. She previously had worked for Hallmark in Kansas City doing calligraphy, and she wanted something we could do together. In our first full year in business together, we made a 39.8% profit.” While printing proved to be a viable business for Carl and Patricia, he also appreciated the freedom it afforded him to pursue other passions. Carl says, “From 1992 – 2021, I also served as the pastor of a church in Arizona, which I never really considered to be work plus it didn’t really pay the bills. Printing was an easy business to market and sell, and I felt it had easier customer acquisition than other industries.” Over the years, Avante Print Center became a second-generation family business. Carl explains, “Patricia and I worked together in the business until she retired a few years ago, and my daughter Renee also worked with us and is still working in the business today even after it was sold.” Growing the Business For the 37-plus years he was in business, Carl operated on four key principles. He says, “No matter what business you own, for me the principles never change. We built Avante Print Center following these principles: Customer service was the apex. We decided that no one would out-service us. When we said we were going to do something, we did it. My goal was to get at least 98% (if not 100%) of all jobs out on time and done right. My definition of quality is that the job has to be accepted by the customer, that they will be happy with it and order it again, and that they will tell someone about the work that we did and refer our business. You have to be able to go after the market and you have to sell. One of the problems people run into when starting a business is that their goal is to simply unlock their doors. Instead, your goal needs to be to make a profit, which takes a lot more than turning the key and turning on lights. Know your numbers and live by your numbers. It’s as simple as that.” Selling the Business While Carl was thinking of retiring at some point, he actually wasn’t actively pursuing a sale of his printing business. He explains, “I did not have the business listed for sale but I’ve known Jack Panzer (Minuteman Press International Regional Vice President) for approximately eight years. When I received a letter and flyer in the mail that Jack could help sell my business, I thought that was very smart of Minuteman Press International do reach out. Jack was very laid back whenever we spoke, and he was always open and honest along with being knowledgeable about the industry.” At the beginning of 2021, the timing was right. Carl shares, “In January 2021, Jack approached me with a qualified buyer that he thought could be a fit for my shop. I told him what it would cost if someone wants to buy our business. I also consulted with my daughter Renee, who decided she didn’t want to take over the business. We started the sales process in March 2021 and it was finished by Feb. 2022.” As for the transition to the new owners, Carl says, “I think the transition has gone very well. I needed to like the people who bought the business and Devin and John Weiss are great. Renee has stayed on working in the business and we also have employees with 25 years of tenure, so it was important for us to be comfortable with everything.” “Jack Panzer is a terrific guy from top to bottom. He’s very transparent and open as is the team at Minuteman Press International. I don’t think there’s a better way to sell your business and here’s why: 1. You’re not paying any commission; 2. You’re working with a well-established 45-year company in Minuteman Press International; and 3. Your buyer is going to have a much better chance of succeeding with the support they are getting. If they succeed, then your employees will be taken care of… and that really means a lot to us.” -Carl Denti, Retiring Owner, Avante Print Center (now International Minute Press, Mesa, AZ Meet the New Owners Devin and John Weiss are no strangers to owning a business. Devin says, “ John and I have owned several diverse businesses but most recently I owned a dance studio for 25 years. When John and I met approximately 10 years ago, we started a business together shortly after, that we continue to operate.” When the opportunity came to buy an established business while also receiving additional support, Devin says, “Honestly, it was a no brainer. We had planned to open an International Minute Press in the area in 2020, just before the pandemic hit. A year and a half later, our Regional VP Jack Panzer, reached out with this opportunity to buy Avante Print Center and convert it to International Minute Press. It was such a great opportunity that we couldn’t pass it up!” When asked why they chose franchising, Devin answers, “We have looked at other businesses and franchises, and were completely impressed with Minuteman Press International by comparison. The amount of hands-on guidance and support are second-to-none. In the past, we have always done businesses independently, and having the support of this franchise in particular was a great draw.” “Jack Panzer and his team were with us every step of the way; they made the sale as easy as it could be. Since buying the business, the support has been great. From the training to the in-store training with the local field staff, it has superseded our expectations in every way. Their patience and knowledge gave us the confidence we needed to enter a new industry for us.” -Devin Weiss, Owner, International Minute Press, Mesa, AZ (formerly Avante Print Center) Entering the Printing Industry Now that Devin and John are operating their business, they are excited to hit the ground running and continue the legacy that Carl and family started. Devin says, “We believe owning a business gives you a sense of pride. By purchasing an established business, we strive to honor our clients, our community, and our staff with continued outstanding service and support.” As a full-service printing and marketing services provider, Devin and John are excited to help other local businesses and organizations with virtually everything they need to operate and promote themselves. Devin says, “Wide format printing is especially exciting right now. There is such a wide variety of custom printed products that we can provide to our clients – we haven’t found anything we can’t do yet in-house or with the help of our franchisor and vendors.” As she reflects on owning a business vs. having a job, one word comes to mind for Devin: “Freedom!” She elaborates, While you have to put in many hours as the owner of a business, they are on your own schedule and with your own priorities. You decide what your life entails every day, and we wouldn’t trade that for the world! We love to travel and the freedom makes that possible.” Advice for Others Devin shares this advice for others who are looking to buy a business right now: “Do your due diligence. A positive attitude is a must. Survey other business owners about their experiences, both good and bad. There is a lot of preparation that goes into buying a business, and having a successful franchise to guide you is a great option. Ultimately, no matter how prepared you are, it is a learning experience!” International Minute Press is located at 218 West Hampton Avenue, Unit 13; Mesa, AZ 85210. For more information, call 480-969-4888 or visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/az/mesa21. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press International franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. To find out how to sell your printing business through Minuteman Press International, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 19, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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U.S. Integrity Receives Strategic Investment from Las Vegas Sands

U.S. Integrity

U.S. Integrity, a technology and data-driven analytics company that monitors for match-fixing, game manipulation, and other unethical or illegal sports betting-related activity for the largest professional sports leagues and collegiate properties in the U.S., as well as licensed sports-betting operators and regulators, announced it has received an investment from Las Vegas Sands, the world’s leading developer and operator of integrated resorts. The investment will enable U.S. Integrity to continue developing a unique regulatory technology platform to service the needs of key stakeholders across the online gaming and sports betting industry. The platform is designed to identify potentially problematic bets closer to real time to ensure the integrity of sports globally. U.S. Integrity will provide their next generation platform to teams, leagues, bookmakers and regulators to enable proactive intervention. “U.S. Integrity’s mission is to help grow the legal, regulated sports betting market by providing solutions that ensure sports betting integrity in every play, every game, and every sport,” said Matthew Holt, U.S. Integrity’s Chief Executive Officer. “The strategic investment from Sands will help us expand our capabilities and develop new innovative products and services to bring transparency and peace of mind to our growing list of clients.” U.S. Integrity provides customizable dashboards that highlight anomalies and potentially suspicious wagering activity to professional sports properties as well as sportsbook operators and gaming regulators. The terms of the investment were not disclosed. For more information please visit USIntegrity.com. About U.S. Integrity U.S. Integrity is a leading technology-driven sports wagering monitoring company, providing the highest level of protection against betting-related fraud and corruption. Supported by investors including SeventySix Capital and the New York Angels, U.S. Integrity’s mission is to grow the legal, regulated sports betting market by providing solutions that ensure sports betting integrity in every play, every game, every sport. U.S. Integrity partners with a number of the largest professional sports leagues and collegiate conferences in the U.S., as well as licensed sports-betting operators and regulators. U.S. Integrity is based in Las Vegas and New York. For additional information, visit www.usintegrity.com. Contact Details Scott Sadin scott.sadin@usintegrity.com Company Website https://www.usintegrity.com/

April 19, 2022 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

With a Two-Year Revenue Growth of 1,853%, Le Prunier Ranks No. 7 on Inc. Magazine’s List of the Pacific Region’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies

Le Prunier

Inc. Magazine recently named Le Prunier as No. 7 on its third annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Pacific list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies based in Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful private companies within the Pacific region economy generating sustainable growth and jobs. “We are so excited and grateful that Le Prunier has achieved this amazing milestone. We certainly couldn’t have done it without our amazing customers who have supported us during a phase of rapid growth and our talented, hardworking team,” shared Co-Founders Jacqueline, Allison and Elaine Taylor. Since its 2018 debut, Le Prunier has undergone dramatic year over year growth, built on its loyal customer base, strong innovation, and solid retail strategy. Customers seek out the brand for its efficacious products built on the Power Of Plum, and commitment to organic and sustainable practices. In 2021, the brand experienced an over 25,000 person wait list for their cult-classic Plum Beauty Oil. Expanding upon their offerings, patented Plumscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 31 was introduced this past year; an innovative sunscreen that pairs skincare and sun protection without leaving a white residue typical of many mineral sunscreens. Today, Le Prunier can be found at Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Goop, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Aillea, Verishop, Petit Vour, Niche Beauty, Luisa Via Roma, Le Bon Marche and QVC. Le Prunier also has a strong international presence due to distribution partnerships in Europe and Asia. The companies on this Inc. list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Pacific. Between 2018 and 2020, these 150 private companies had an average growth rate of 195% percent and, in 2020 alone, they added 10,252 jobs and $5.1 billion to the Pacific region’s economy. Companies based in the Irvine, Santa Monica, and Venice, California, areas had the highest growth rate overall. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals Pacific, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/pacific. This acknowledgement by Inc. is aligned with the other accolades and recognition shared by some of the most prominent media and industry leaders for Le Prunier including, 2022 Elle Magazine’s Green Beauty Star Award for Plumscreen SPF 31, 2022 Allure Readers’ Choice Award Nominee for Best Clean Facial Moisturizer, 2021 Oprah Daily O-Ward for Best SPF for Combination Skin, 2021 Shape Magazine for Best Face Sunscreen, and 2021 QVC and HSN Winner of “The Big Find”. In 2021, Cosmetify and WWD announced Le Prunier as the “No. 3 Rising Beauty Star” with an 866% brand increase after carefully analyzing the most searched beauty brands in the world, ranked via Instagram followers, Instagram engagement, Instagram mentions, Google search volume, and change in search volume. “This year’s Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of America’s off-the-charts growth companies. They are disruptors and job creators, and all delivered an outsize impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies you’ll be hearing about for years to come,” says Scott Omelianuk, Editor-In-Chief of Inc. About Le Prunier: In September 2017, siblings Jacqueline, Allison and Elaine Taylor collectively founded Le Prunier, an organic beauty line based on The Power of Plum®. The sisters built Le Prunier from an ancestral legacy that began in 1916 with their great grandfather who farmed the rich soils of Northern California, laying the seeds for four generations of family-operated farming. While maintaining the family’s sustainable, organic farming practices, the Taylor sisters unlocked the extraordinary beauty benefits of this powerful fruit. Today, the sisters carry on the farm’s legacy with a 4th generation perspective—Tradition Meets Innovation®. More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals Methodology The 2022 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2018 and 2020. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2018. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2019. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2020 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media The world’s most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. Contact Details General Inquiries info@leprunier.com Company Website https://leprunier.com

April 19, 2022 08:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

On the Trails: Ideas for Kicking Off Spring on the Trails

YourUpdateTV

Spring is here, and the outdoors are calling. Sometimes it can be hard to think of new ways to get outside and have fun. Recently, vice president of communications at Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (RTC), Brandi Horton, participated in a satellite media tour campaign to talk about kicking off the spring trail season and share ideas to make the most out of the outdoors on the nation’s 40,000 miles of trails, where people can walk, bike and be active outside, completely separate from vehicle traffic. There are thousands of multiuse trails across the country, including trails in every state. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/n92molHjE74 RTC, the nation’s largest trail advocacy organization, is encouraging Americans to kick off the spring trail season on Celebrate Trails Day, Saturday, Apr. 23, 2022, by getting outside and being active on their favorite trails. Celebrate Trails Day is an annual celebration of the nation’s trails and the benefits they bring to our health and well-being. Since 2019, trail use has surged as people seek outdoor spaces for exercise and connection with friends and family. Trails make getting outdoors and around by foot, bike and wheelchair more accessible for everyone. On Celebrate Trails Day, and beyond, RTC is offering resources and events to encourage people to make trail use part of their daily lives. As people increasingly navigate back to in-person work, school and other activities, there is an urgency in encouraging them to continue their practice of outdoor physical activity. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per day, five days per week, through activities such as a brisk walk or bike ride, yet the latest data shows that 25% of Americans are inactive. Trails are a valuable resource to address inactivity, providing safe, close-to-home spaces where people can walk, bike and be active. Those who participated in Celebrate Trails Day in 2021 reported spending on average more than 90 minutes being active outside, exceeding physical activity guidelines. RTC offers creative ideas for getting outside, a free trail-finder app, TrailLink.com, and stories from RTC’s Trail Moments initiative and TrailBlog, which capture voices from around the country about how people are incorporating trail use into their lives. Hosted on the fourth Saturday of April, Celebrate Trails Day is an annual spring celebration of America’s trails. Started by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in 2013, the celebration encourages people across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s exceptional trails and trail systems. On April 23, more than 185 partner organizations and thousands of people from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., plan to take part in Celebrate Trails Day. For more information about Celebrate Trails Day, to find events, and to enter to win prizes, visit railstotrails.org/celebratetrails and follow #CelebrateTrails on social media. Celebrate Trails Day is supported by “Parks for All” championed by Hydro Flask, Athletic Brewing Company, Catrike, Clif Family Foundation, the CDC’s “Active People, Healthy Nation” initiative, Dogfish Head, Mirrycle, the Recreate Responsibly Coalition, IZIP and Warm Peet. About Brandi Horton: Brandi Horton serves as RTC’s vice president of communications. She has dedicated her career to communications for social change and is passionate about creating communities that promote health and well-being. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her family, where she regularly frequents the Four Mile Run and W&OD trails en route to work, the playground and little league games. About Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong. RTC is dedicated to building a nation connected by trails, reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 18, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Justin Dealy New Chief Compliance & Operations Officer at Accelerated Wealth Advisors

Accelerated Wealth

Justin Dealy has been appointed Chief Compliance & Operations Officer at Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC (AWA), succeeding Melissa Starr. AWA is a wealth strategy firm providing financial planning, and risk-controlled investment and tax strategies to help clients achieve their long-term goals. “I look forward to fostering a culture of compliance and operational excellence at Accelerated Wealth Advisors. In the coming months and years, I want to apply a systematic process to nurture an environment where employees understand AWA’s commitment to integrity and encourage everyone to do the right thing while our firm helps its clients to live life abundantly and with confidence.” - Justin Dealy, Chief Compliance & Operations Officer, Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC “All of us at AWA wish Melissa Starr good luck and happiness as she embarks on her new future. I am sure Melissa will carry the same commitments and energy to her new endeavor as we were accustomed at Accelerated Wealth. We’ve learned over the years that change is the one constant while we help our clients live rich and meaningful lives. One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to operational and regulatory excellence. With his vast experience, Justin Dealy will play an important and crucial role in future-proofing our compliance and operations strategy at Accelerated Wealth.” - Bill Walton, Founder & CEO Accelerated Wealth, LLC Dealy earned his master’s degree in Financial Analysis and Risk Management from the University of Colorado. Before joining AWA, Justin worked for the Royal Bank of Canada, T. Rowe Price, Integrity Wealth Group and Trellis Software. Away from the office, Justin spends every spare moment he can with his wonderful three-year-old daughter. Listen to Accelerated Wealth Radio on 740KVOR every Saturday and Sunday from 9am-10am. For more information please visit www.acceleratedwealth.com or https://www.facebook.com/AcceleratedWealthColoradoSprings/ About Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC (AWA) Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC (AWA) is a SEC Registered Investment Advisor, headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO, and dedicated to providing effective strategies to help its clients make wise financial decisions. AWA's business practices and culture are driven by its core values of faith, integrity, relationships, vision, excellence and being coachable. AWA is affiliated with Accelerated Wealth, LLC (Accelerated Wealth) also headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. Accelerated Wealth and its affiliates have 5 offices located in three states including additional Colorado offices in Englewood, La Junta and Pueblo. Advisory services are offered through Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Accelerated Wealth, LLC and Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC are affiliated entities. Neither Accelerated Wealth, LLC nor Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC provides legal or tax advice. The information contained herein is obtained from sources deemed to be reliable. Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC and Accelerated Wealth, LLC cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the information being presented. Contact Details Accelerated Wealth Advisors, LLC Sloane Herman, Director of Marketing +1 719-466-5639 sloaneh@acceleratedwealth.com Company Website https://www.acceleratedwealth.com

April 14, 2022 11:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Spiceology Welcomes Charlie’s Produce as a Distribution Partner to Provide Pacific Northwest Chefs and Restaurants Access to Next-Day Fresh Spices

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest-growing spice company in America, today announced its partnership with Charlie’s Produce, an independent, full-service produce company. By adding Spiceology products to their category lineup, Charlie’s Produce is now providing local chefs and grocery stores in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon with next-day access to the highest quality, freshly-ground, grade-A spices and blends. “As a partner of Spiceology and a Spokane native, it’s great to have my blends with Spiceology, as well as their entire spice and ingredient line, available through a local produce distributor like Charlie’s Produce,” said Chef Chad White, a Pacific Northwest-based chef and James Beard Awards Semifinalist. “I know how crucial it is to have a distributor in the area to get fresh ingredients that you can trust, and, similar to Spiceology, Charlie’s has a history of being a dedicated partner to the foodservice industry.” Charlie’s Spokane location, which services North Idaho and Montana, as well, was the first to offer Spiceology, and the company’s footprint has now expanded to Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. “As a produce distributor, our priority is to provide our clients with the freshest ingredients possible,” said Tygann Billow, Division President, Charlie’s Seattle. “We are excited to work with Spiceology and bring premium spices to chefs and grocery stores in the Northwest, and eventually expand into the west coast. Working with their team will ensure that we not only have the freshest produce, but also the freshest spices and seasonings.” Professional chefs and grocery stores look to Spiceology for its selection of 400+ spices, blends, chiles, salts, confections, and more. As a chef-owned and operated company, Spiceology’s Periodic Table of Flavor™ was designed to keep chefs organized with identifiable packaging that will ensure easy access to each ingredient. “It’s been a tough couple of years for the foodservice industry, and we are grateful to have partners like Charlie’s Produce, a leader in the industry, believe in us to help them move forward,” said Darby McLean, Spiceology’s Vice President of Channels and Distribution. “Spiceology is chef-owned and chef-operated, and we strive to be a good partner within the foodservice industry by offering chefs streamlined access to the most fresh and high-quality ingredients. We’re excited to partner with Charlie’s Produce, and continue to partner with more locations.” Charlie’s customers can add Spiceology ingredients to their next Charlie’s Produce order through their normal ordering process. To sign up as a Charlie’s customer or for more information, please visit https://www.charliesproduce.com/order/. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT CHARLIE’S PRODUCE The Charlie’s story begins in 1978 with a truck and three guys who thought they could do better. They were smart, hard-working and had a passion for produce. They had some ideas on how they could raise the bar on quality, inventory and the logistics of how produce moves from where it’s grown to where it’s enjoyed. Today, with innovation and technology woven into everything we do, Charlie’s has evolved into an independent, full-service produce company with 7 distributions centers throughout the west coast. We supply restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, wholesalers, the marine industry, and more with a full range of services. We offer conventional, organic, specialty produce, floral items, and a full line of fresh processed solutions for the retail and food service industries. We believe that forging rich, meaningful partnerships fosters success, from our employees, to our growers, to our customers and consumers, and ultimately, to the communities in which we live and work. Our aim is to nurture our partners so that together, we can nourish consumers and sustain communities. Learn more about Charlie’s Produce here. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

April 14, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SC Johnson and 4th Family Team Up to Empower Youth in Underserved Communities by Leveraging the Power of STEM and Sports

SC Johnson

SC Johnson, the maker of household consumer brands including Windex ®, OFF! ® and method ®, today announced a partnership with 4th Family, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth in underserved communities by combining the relevance of sports with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning. The partnership will create the “STEM & Sport Team Up,” a learning program that features the science behind the sports children love to play. The program will reach 4,000 middle school-aged children in Chicago, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin, the location of SC Johnson’s global headquarters. “SC Johnson’s efforts to increase access to education in underserved communities align perfectly with 4th Family’s innovative approach to STEM learning,” said Alan VanderMolen, Chief Communications Officer at SC Johnson. “We are excited to introduce STEM to children in Chicago and Racine in a relevant, engaging way that leads to greater diversity and inclusion in STEM.” Co-founded by John Scottand Jahkeen Hoke in Albany, New York, 4th Family was established as a response to a clear education and employment gap of urban youth in the STEM disciplines. “We grew up in inner-city Albany, and without playing and identifying with sports, we may not have gotten the opportunities to continue our educations and have the careers we have today,” said Jahkeen Hoke, Co-Founder of 4th Family. “We are thrilled that through the ‘STEM & Sport Team Up’ with SC Johnson, we are bringing opportunity, long-term empowerment, and self-belief to more kids in more communities simply by making STEM as relevant and accessible as possible to the next generation, regardless of their background or current beliefs around STEM.” Added John Scott, Co-Founder of 4th Family, “To have our first national partner be SC Johnson, a company with a decades-long commitment to increasing representation in STEM, it feels like the stars aligning.” Each participating school will experience a three-phased program that begins with a large assembly event called “The Science of Slam” showcasing basketball dunks and the science involved with how to dunk. The second phase is a day-long clinic for 100-150 interested children followed by a three-day camp where they will learn via in-depth, interactive programming. Events in Racine begin May 2, with Chicago programming to follow the second week in May. Clinics and camps will take place in June and July, respectively. 4th Family’s STEM Team is led by Dr. John Drazan and Dr. Amy Loya, whose research with 4th Family has been recognized by the MIT Sports Analytics Conference, as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Both Dr. Drazan and Dr. Loya are former college basketball players with PhDs in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Drazan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Department at Fairfield University in Connecticut, and Dr. Loya is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering Department at Union College in New York. “As sports were my pathway into a career in science, I know that for many kids, they don’t necessarily see themselves in STEM. So it’s important to go beyond the traditional things kids associate with STEM like male scientists in white lab coats,” said Dr. Drazan. “Our work shows that the fusion of youth sports programs with sports analytics is an excellent opportunity to serve as an introduction to STEM and to broaden the appeal of STEM among youth in underserved communities.” About SC Johnson Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible – it's our responsibility. A heritage of innovation and bold, transparent decisions is why our high-quality products and iconic brands – including OFF! ® Raid ®, Glade ®, Windex ®, Scrubbing Bubbles ®, Ziploc ®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day ®, method ®, Autan ®, Baygon ®, Mr Muscle ®, Duck ®, Lysoform ® and more – are in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide. Since 1937, SC Johnson has annually given 5% of all pretax profits to charity. Over the last decade, SC Johnson has invested more than $300 million into families, communities, and the planet worldwide. Today, our community efforts focus on building a more sustainable world, a healthier world, and a world with more opportunity. About 4th Family 4th Family is a not-for-profit organization that hosts teen/community events, mentoring programs, personal development programs, educational programming, wellness & health programs, annual sport leagues & tournaments, as well as educational trips. At 4th Family, we seek to empower urban youth through mentoring and leadership opportunities, especially within the STEM fields. The central thesis for our sports science and other STEM programs is that our young people have the aptitude to learn real skills for the most critical sector of our economy – technology, science and engineering. Invited, supported, and mentored to explore their own interest in and aptitude for STEM, thousands of youth have participated in 4 th Family’s award-winning programs since 2012. Contact Details SC Johnson +1 262-260-2440 GlobalPublicAffairs@scj.com Company Website https://www.scjohnson.com/

April 14, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NFT standards have a long road ahead, says Huobi Research Institute

Huobi Research Institute

The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market appears prosperous of late. According to data from NFTGO, total traded volume for 30 days reached US$6.2 billion. However, the most commonly adopted standard for NFTs, ERC-721, contains elements that may result in unfairness towards buyers. A new report from Huobi Research Institute examines several other proposed standards and concludes that standards innovation could prompt the industry to re-invent itself. In a new report titled “ The Advanced Road for NFT Standards”, the disadvantages of the ERC-721 standard are analyzed, including the need to pay gas fees multiple times for an NFT series to be minted and how bots can be used to mint rare NFTs if certain conditions are met. While some projects seek to avoid such a situation by randomly distributing NFTs with different properties according to their tokenIDs, users remain in the dark as to whether the distribution was indeed conducted fairly, as the right to issue NFTs still lies very much in the hands of project developers. The report further examines ERC-721A, a new standard whose main selling point lies in saving gas fees by allowing for the gas cost for minting multiple NFTs to be almost equivalent to that of minting a single NFT. In ERC-721A, a holder’s address is updated only once when a batch of NFT is minted so long as two preconditions are met: 1. The user has sufficient balance to mint and 2. The NFT minted by batch is of a continuous tokenID. In addition, ERC-721A removes the redundant storage requirements associated with ERC-721. Several new standards, dubbed ERC-721R, have also been hotly debated of late, with the two most famous ones attempting to solve the unfairness issues linked to ERC-721. ERC-721R, proposed by exo-digital-labs provides for trustless refunds, while ERC-721R proposed by erc721r.org seeks to distribute NFTs to minters more fairly by pseudo-randomly assigning tokenIDs. “The value offered by setting standards lies in unifying the basic attributes of NFT products so developers can better focus on NFT content,” says Yeyan Wei, Researcher, Huobi Research Institute and author of the report. “More innovative standards will lead to the development of the entire industry, and it would do good for the NFT industry to re-invent itself.” Click here for the full report. About Huobi Research Institute Huobi Blockchain Application Research Institute (referred to as "Huobi Research Institute") was established in April 2016. It is committed to researching and exploring new developments in the global blockchain industry. Its goal is to accelerate the research and development of blockchain technology, promote its applications, and improve the global blockchain industry ecosystem. Huobi Research Institute covers industry trends, emerging technologies, innovative applications, new business models, and more. Huobi Research Institute partners with governments, enterprises, universities and other institutions to build a research platform that covers the entire blockchain industry. Its professionals provide a solid theoretical basis and analyze new trends to promote the development of the industry. Contact Details Ker Zheng +86 139 2280 3249 media@global-hgroup.com Company Website https://huobiresearch.medium.com/

April 13, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

NAMEPA receives grant from Cargill to implement program for educating students to become Marine Environment Protectors

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

The North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) has received funding from Cargill to implement an afterschool enrichment program for youth in grades 6-8 in underserved communities in the greater Miami area with a goal to educate and activate students to be “Marine Environment Protectors”. The project will help “Save Our Seas” by encouraging this generation to become responsible stewards of the marine environment through hands-on educational programs and projects. NAMEPA’s Marine Environment Protectors program increases ocean literacy among underrepresented youth, highlights workforce development in marine fields, allows for long-term scientific research, and creates a framework for similar projects to expand across North America. “Cargill believes in being strong community partners and actively supports valuable programs that protect and promote our planet,” explained Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Cargill’s Americas Lead for Ocean Transportation. “We are partnering with NAMEPA to help foster ocean literacy amongst students of today and steer them to become ocean ambassadors of tomorrow. This program supports this goal and will drive lasting positive change.” NAMEPA Co-Founder and Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker commented, “ NAMEPA is grateful to Cargill Cares Community Fund for providing opportunities for organizations such as NAMEPA to engage with students in local communities to be better overall stewards. Marine Environment Protectors will provide hands-on educational programming by utilizing the natural environment, scientific instrumentation, and immersive classroom instruction. This funding allows NAMEPA to continue our educational outreach toward the goal of activating communities to ‘Save Our Seas’.” CARGILL - Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 157 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. NAMEPA - The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at www.namepa.net. Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

April 12, 2022 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time