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Sermorelin.com, a telehealth platform focused exclusively on sermorelin peptide therapy, has launched to connect patients with licensed healthcare providers offering sermorelin under medical supervision. The platform’s launch comes amid growing clinician interest in exploring sermorelin as a complement to GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, where preliminary research has examined the role of growth hormone secretagogues in supporting lean body composition during weight management.

Published research, including a 2025 case series in PubMed Central, has documented outcomes in patients combining GLP-1 therapy with growth hormone-stimulating peptides. In this small case series, researchers observed fat loss alongside lean tissue preservation in a majority of subjects, though the authors noted that larger controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings (PMC, 2025).

Sermorelin.com’s mission is to provide a centralized resource for patients and clinicians interested in sermorelin peptide therapy — offering physician-directed telehealth consultations, evidence-based educational content, and a community for sharing treatment experiences under medical supervision.

A Message from Leadership

“Our goal is to give clinicians and patients a dedicated platform for exploring sermorelin under proper medical supervision,” said Mark Lombardi, CEO of Sermorelin.com. “There is meaningful early research around combining sermorelin with GLP-1 therapies, and we believe patients deserve access to physicians who are informed about these options and can guide treatment decisions based on individual needs.”

What Is Sermorelin? Understanding the Peptide Behind the Platform

Sermorelin is a 29-amino acid peptide that is the shortest fully functional fragment of naturally occurring growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH). Unlike direct human growth hormone (HGH) injections, sermorelin works by stimulating the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone through the body’s own signaling pathways. Peer-reviewed research indicates this mechanism maintains the body’s natural feedback loops, which may contribute to a different side-effect profile compared to exogenous HGH administration (Endocrine Reviews, 2020).

Sermorelin is one of the few GHRH-class peptides that currently retains compounding eligibility under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The FDA has taken regulatory action on a number of other peptides previously available through compounding pharmacies, including BPC-157, CJC-1295, and Ipamorelin. Sermorelin’s continued compounding eligibility under current regulations makes it one of the remaining options for clinicians seeking a GHRH-class peptide for supervised patient care.

What Does Research Say About Sermorelin and Lean Body Composition?

Research into the relationship between growth hormone secretagogues and lean body composition has been an area of ongoing clinical investigation. Several published studies have examined sermorelin’s effects on body composition, though researchers note that results vary across study populations and protocols, and that larger randomized controlled trials are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Published findings that have contributed to clinician interest in this area include: a controlled study reported that consistent sermorelin use was associated with a mean increase in lean body mass of 1.26 kg in adult men over a standard treatment cycle (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism). A separate meta-analysis of growth hormone therapies found that GH treatment was associated with a mean increase in lean body mass of 2.1 kg alongside a comparable reduction in fat mass (Annals of Internal Medicine). Research in elderly patients treated with sermorelin observed improvements in waist-to-hip ratios, suggesting that age may not limit the body-composition effects of GHRH stimulation (Clin Endocrinol). A 2022 peer-reviewed study reported that growth hormone may improve energy substrate availability for contracting muscle tissue (Frontiers in Endocrinology).

How Is Sermorelin Being Studied Alongside GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications?

The intersection of growth hormone secretagogues and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy is an active area of research in metabolic medicine. GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound) have demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials for reducing body weight. However, published trial data have reported that a meaningful portion of weight lost on GLP-1 therapy may come from lean tissue rather than fat alone, which has prompted clinical interest in strategies that may support lean tissue preservation during treatment (New England Journal of Medicine; The Lancet).

Sermorelin and GLP-1 medications operate through different biological pathways. While GLP-1 agonists work primarily through appetite suppression and enhanced insulin signaling, sermorelin stimulates endogenous growth hormone production through the GHRH axis. Researchers have hypothesized that the distinct mechanisms may be complementary, and early clinical data — including a 2025 case series published in PubMed Central — have documented outcomes in patients receiving both therapies, though the authors emphasized that prospective, controlled trials are necessary to establish clinical guidelines for combination use.

Sermorelin.com provides clinicians with educational resources, peer-reviewed research summaries, and patient monitoring tools relevant to sermorelin use. The platform does not recommend specific treatment combinations but supports physicians in making informed decisions based on individual patient needs and the current evidence base.

Sermorelin Dosage: What Patients Should Discuss with Their Physician

Sermorelin dosing is individualized and should be determined exclusively by a licensed healthcare provider based on the patient’s lab work, health history, and treatment goals. The following ranges have been reported in published clinical literature and are provided for informational context only — they are not treatment recommendations.

Dosage ranges reported in published literature include: for general wellness, approximately 200–300 mcg administered subcutaneously before bedtime, timed to the body’s natural nocturnal growth hormone release cycle. For men with body-composition goals, ranges of 300–500 mcg have been studied, with many protocols using 300–400 mcg under physician supervision. For women, ranges of 100–200 mcg for general wellness and 200–300 mcg for targeted body-composition goals have been reported. Published cycling protocols typically span 3–6 months, and some clinicians have reported using a 5-day-on, 2-day-off schedule, though optimal cycling has not been established through large controlled trials.

Sermorelin is also available in orally dissolving tablet (ODT) formats at approximately 1,000 mcg, providing an alternative administration route for patients who prefer sublingual delivery over injection.

Sermorelin.com’s telehealth platform connects patients with licensed providers who can evaluate individual needs, order appropriate lab work, and determine whether sermorelin therapy is appropriate based on the patient’s specific clinical picture.

What Are the Reported Side Effects of Sermorelin?

Because sermorelin stimulates the pituitary gland’s own growth hormone production rather than introducing exogenous growth hormone, the body’s natural somatostatin feedback mechanism remains active. Researchers have noted that this self-regulating pathway may contribute to a different risk profile compared to direct HGH administration, though head-to-head comparative data are limited.

Side effects reported in clinical literature and practice include: injection site reactions such as mild redness, swelling, or discomfort, which are typically transient; occasional headache, particularly during the initial weeks of therapy; transient flushing or lightheadedness shortly after injection, reported in a small percentage of patients; and nausea, which appears to be dose-dependent and often responds to dosage adjustment.

Regarding long-term safety, the FDA’s 2013 determination noted that sermorelin (marketed as Geref) was not withdrawn from the market for reasons of safety or efficacy. However, patients should be aware that long-term safety data from large randomized controlled trials specific to compounded sermorelin formulations are limited, and ongoing monitoring by a licensed provider is recommended for anyone using sermorelin therapy.

Building a Community for Sermorelin Patients and Clinicians

Beyond clinical access, Sermorelin.com is developing a community for patients and clinicians interested in sermorelin peptide therapy. The platform provides educational content, treatment experience sharing under medical supervision, and resources to help clinicians stay current on published research, regulatory developments, and clinical best practices.

The platform’s physician network currently spans multiple states, and the company continues to onboard licensed healthcare providers who are interested in incorporating sermorelin into their clinical practice.

Company Roadmap

Sermorelin.com has outlined several near-term initiatives, including: expanding its physician network toward coverage across all 50 states and select international markets; releasing a dedicated global community for anyone taking Sermorelin; developing educational resources addressing treatment considerations, published research, and clinical best practices for both patients and prescribing clinicians; building data infrastructure to support future anonymized, IRB-reviewed outcomes research from consenting patients; and supporting clinician-led efforts to study sermorelin’s role in combination therapy protocols through prospective research.

Closing Statement

“We believe sermorelin is one of the most important therapeutic tools in modern hormone optimization,” said Lombardi. “As the evidence continues to develop what clinicians and patients are experiencing firsthand, Sermorelin.com will remain the trusted platform connecting people with physician-supervised, evidence-based sermorelin peptide therapy.

About Sermorelin.com

Sermorelin.com is the only platform fully dedicated to the use and access of sermorelin peptides, offering a physician-directed telehealth experience and community for sermorelin users. We only offer treatment options that include sermorelin and provide unique insights from our members who have taken or are taking sermorelin. Our vision is to become the largest global community of sermorelin users, helping millions access this therapeutic option. Learn more at sermorelin.com and join our community today.

Disclaimer

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Sermorelin and GLP-1 therapies are prescription treatments that must be prescribed and supervised by a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary. References to clinical studies, case series, and emerging research reflect currently available data and are not equivalent to large-scale randomized controlled trials. Ongoing research may further clarify safety and efficacy findings. Compounded medications referenced herein are prepared by licensed pharmacies pursuant to applicable federal and state laws and are not FDA-approved. Regulatory policies may change. Any forward-looking statements, including expansion plans, clinical partnerships, or data publication initiatives, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning or modifying any medical treatment.

Media Contact

Mark Lombardi
CEO, Sermorelin.com
mark@sermorelin.com
+1 307-217-6473

Vera Clinic and Appsilon Enterprise have announced a formal collaboration to introduce the Vector 10™, a surgical blade built from CVD lab-grown diamond, into clinical hair transplant practice. The partnership makes Vera Clinic the first clinic in the world to pioneer the use of this material in FUE hair transplantation, and it represents a meaningful shift in how surgical instrumentation is being approached in the field.

For patients across the Midwest who have been researching hair restoration options, including the growing number traveling internationally for the procedure, the announcement is worth understanding.

A Material That Performs Differently

Hair transplant surgery is a precision-intensive procedure. A typical session involves thousands of individual channel incisions, and the consistency of the surgical blade used to create them matters more than most patients realize.

Until now, sapphire has been the industry's benchmark for that precision. It is harder than steel, produces clean tissue separation, and performs reliably across long surgical sessions. Most quality-focused clinics have standardized around it.

Vera Clinic was the first hair transplant clinic in Turkey to adopt sapphire blades in FUE procedures, continuing its tradition of innovation by being the first clinic in the world to implement CVD lab-grown diamonds in hair transplantation.

The Vector 10™ is built from a different material entirely. Lab-grown diamond, produced through Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), sits at a hardness rating of 10 on the Mohs scale (measuring the hardness of materials), the maximum. Independent testing at Çınar Validation and Test Laboratories compared the two materials directly: sapphire blades showed measurable sharpness degradation after approximately 6,000 incisions; the diamond blade maintained its edge past 90,000. That is a 15-fold difference in edge longevity. Initial cutting sharpness in the first 1,000 incisions measured roughly twice that of sapphire.

At the microscopic level, the blade's edge approaches Ångström-level refinement, near-atomic scale, which allows for cleaner tissue separation and more consistent micro-channel formation throughout the entire procedure. Repeated sterilization cycles between 121°C and 134°C produced no measurable structural change in the material.

For patients, what this means in practical terms is a blade that performs as precisely at the end of a long session as it did at the beginning.

How the Collaboration Came Together

Appsilon Enterprise's work has nothing to do with cosmetic medicine under normal circumstances. The company develops advanced technologies for aerospace systems, quantum applications, and high-precision optics, fields where material performance is non-negotiable and tolerances are measured in fractions of a millimeter.

Vera Clinic contributed the clinical expertise needed to make that engineering applicable in a surgical setting: blade angle calibration, ergonomic refinements for extended procedures, channel depth precision, and tissue response data gathered across thousands of real cases.

"We didn't set out to simply create another blade," said Waleed Taleb, CMO at Vera Clinic. "Our goal was to bring a new level of surgical precision into real clinical practice. Working with Appsilon allowed us to introduce a material innovation that genuinely supports surgical performance."

A Clinic That Has Earned Its Reputation

Vera Clinic has established itself as one of Istanbul’s most innovative hair transplant clinics, building its reputation through a series of firsts in FUE technique development. The clinic is also one of the most awarded hair transplant centers in the city. It was chosen as the best hair transplant clinic in Turkey by the European Award in Medicine 2021 and earned the 2026 iF Design Award for its purpose-built clinical facility. It is consistently top-rated across Trustpilot, ProvenExpert, and Google Reviews by international patients.

More than half of the clinic's international patients come from the United States, according to its 2025 annual report, a patient base that includes a steady and growing number from the Midwest. For those patients, the decision to travel to Istanbul for a procedure is not taken lightly. It is the result of careful research, multiple consultations, and a clear-eyed assessment of where the best clinical outcomes are being achieved. The Vector 10 is part of what that research now leads to.

Looking Ahead

The collaboration is being announced at this stage because the foundational work is complete, independent lab validation, clinical optimization, and real-world surgical performance data are all established. What follows is broader clinical adoption and continued outcome tracking as the technology moves into wider use.

The question it leaves for the broader industry is a straightforward one: if diamond-engineered precision performs at this level, what does the next standard in hair transplant surgery look like?

Media Contact

Sude Anbarli
sude@veraclinic.net

The American Bar Association (the ABA) has begun the first revision of its Model Procurement Code in 25 years, a sweeping effort aimed at modernizing the legal framework governing how state and local governments purchase technology and services.

Chris Bowen, Esq., corporate counsel for public sector customers at Google LLC, is serving as co-chair of the ABA’s Information Technology Committee, which is overseeing the update. The initiative is a joint undertaking of the ABA and the Partnership for Public Good, with the aim of addressing how current technology should be reflected in the legal standards governing public purchasing. The effort comes as governments increasingly rely on artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven systems that were not contemplated when the code was last updated.

“This committee is focusing on how technology and recent developments should be addressed in the Model Procurement Code as it goes through its first revision in 25 years,” Mr. Bowen said.

Questions Concerning AI and IP Ownership

The update is underway as public agencies face complex legal inquiries into artificial intelligence and cloud-based services. “The industry trend right now is grappling with IP ownership questions that come with the new AI technologies,” Mr. Bowen said, including who owns the models, the weights for the models and the resulting trained models.

However, those aren’t the only concerns. Complicated issues also arise when organizations build upon third-party platforms. “When you use a third-party model to train your own model, who owns the new model that is created?” Mr. Bowen said.

Data sovereignty is another area under scrutiny. Public entities seek assurances about where data is stored and whether cloud infrastructure can operate in controlled environments. “There is increasing discussion over data sovereignty, not just where the data resides on a generally available cloud, but also whether that cloud can be made available offline so that people can actually host it in their own data center,” Mr. Bowen said.

Committee members are examining how procurement rules should account for these realities, balancing these considerations with transparency, competition and fiscal responsibility. Mr. Bowen has experience negotiating contracts for leading-edge technologies with governments and academic institutions across the United States. “This experience has enabled me to see where the customer's concerns are, as well as to make sure that the needs of the clients are met,” he says. 

Legal Clarity for Emerging Technologies 

Mr. Bowen joined Google in 2022 and serves as corporate counsel for public sector customers. In that role, he negotiates outbound contracts with state, local and federal civilian agencies. His work also involves assisting internal contracts and compliance teams. These efforts include evaluating evolving contract terms and contributing to broader legal strategies that support commercial transactions.

Before joining Google, Mr. Bowen held legal positions at Spire Global Inc., IBM, ArentFox and the U.S. Department of Justice. His background includes complex litigation and procurement matters. Additionally, he counseled organizations maneuvering regulatory frameworks for technology adoption.

The Model Procurement Code revision represents a milestone for the legal community. Public procurement statutes often lag behind technological innovation, creating uncertainty for agencies and vendors. Mr. Bowen and his fellow committee members aim to provide clarity on how artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and data governance impact essential government services.

The updated code is also expected to influence how public entities across the country structure technology acquisitions in the years ahead. By integrating current considerations and established legal standards, the committee hopes to strengthen accountability.

About Christopher A. Bowen Esq.

Christopher A. Bowen Esq. is corporate counsel for public sector customers at Google LLC, where he negotiates contracts involving advanced technology with government and academic institutions. He currently serves as co-chair of the ABA committee revising the Model Procurement Code for the Information Technology Committee.

Media Contact

Christopher A. Bowen Esq.
cabowen25@yahoo.com

Empower Charleston is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 Investment Grant Cycle and is now officially accepting applications from nonprofit organizations across the Tri-County region. Every two years, Empower Charleston brings together philanthropic leaders to collectively invest in high-impact nonprofit organizations poised for growth and creating meaningful change in the community.

The cycle will culminate at the Showcase of Nonprofits on October 22, 2026, at The Cedar Room in downtown Charleston, where selected finalists will present their work to the Charleston philanthropic community and may receive co-investments in addition to a two-year capacity-building grant.

Beyond financial support, Empower Charleston Partners provide hands-on engagement over two years, offering expertise in areas such as strategic planning, leadership development, governance, marketing, finance, and operational growth — helping organizations build sustainable capacity and expand their impact.

Empower Charleston is currently seeking innovative nonprofit organizations demonstrating measurable social impact and readiness to scale their work in the following focus areas:

Focus Areas

• Education
• Mental health and wellness
• Economic mobility

Application Deadline

Friday, March 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

“We look forward to learning more about the impactful work happening across our community and partnering with organizations committed to lasting change,” said Eric Thome, Advisory Board Chair of Empower Charleston.

For questions about the application process or eligibility, interested organizations are encouraged to reach out directly to Program Director Stirling Halversen at stirling@empowercharleston.org.

Apply Now: www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc
Access Code: “EMPOWER26”

About Empower Charleston

Empower Charleston connects philanthropic leaders with nonprofit organizations to provide strategic funding, capacity-building support, and community connections that help nonprofits grow stronger, more sustainable, and more impactful across the Charleston region. For more information, visit empowercharleston.org.

Media Contact

Stirling Halversen
stirling@empowercharleston.org
+1 843-801-3072

Smart Energy Pay, an international infrastructure company focused on energy systems and digital payment architecture, has outlined its approach to the future of digital finance. The company states that long-term digital value should reflect measurable economic activity rather than market speculation. It argues that infrastructure, energy systems, and structured payment processes must work together to support digital transactions. This perspective positions energy as a central element in the development of the digital economy.

Digital Infrastructure Requires Reliable Energy Foundations

Digital platforms depend on physical infrastructure to operate. Every blockchain validation process requires electricity to power computational systems. Artificial intelligence workloads, cloud networks, and international payment systems also rely on stable energy supply. Without electrical energy, computational systems cannot function. Consequently, the digital economy cannot operate without consistent power infrastructure. This relationship places energy at the core of digital operations.

Despite this reality, many digital assets still receive attention mainly as tradable instruments. Market value often reflects sentiment and supply-demand dynamics rather than measurable economic output. This situation creates a structural gap between digital representation and physical production. In several cases, a direct connection between tokenized value and industrial activity remains limited.

Smart Energy Pay highlights the need to reconnect digital systems with real operational performance. The company believes measurable processes, such as energy generation and infrastructure activity, offer clearer reference points for digital validation.

Payment Architecture Moves Toward Real Economic Integration

Global infrastructure and energy projects operate across multiple jurisdictions and contractual frameworks. Payments within these projects often move between banks, operators, and contractors in complex settlement chains. Structured transparency becomes essential in these environments. Payment systems must support verification, compliance, and traceability across international operations.

According to Smart Energy Pay, payment infrastructure is evolving beyond basic transaction processing. It is becoming an operational layer that connects financial settlement with the moment economic activity occurs. This shift requires systems capable of validating performance events. These events may include energy production milestones, industrial output verification, or project completion stages.

Energy plays a practical role in this framework because it can be measured in real time. Energy production and consumption data can therefore support structured validation mechanisms. Such integration could support more transparent settlement models. It may also improve coordination between financial systems and industrial operations.

Smart Energy Pay Focuses on Infrastructure Instead of Market Speculation

Smart Energy Pay states that its infrastructure model focuses on operational functionality rather than speculative token value. The company integrates energy infrastructure, digital validation tools, and structured payment mechanisms within one system. The objective is to connect financial settlement processes with measurable performance data. This approach enables payments to correspond with verifiable operational events.

The company explains that speculative cycles frequently shape the digital asset market. However, infrastructure systems must operate independently from short-term price fluctuations. Industrial and infrastructure environments require predictable settlement structures. Systems that link payments with verified performance data may therefore become more relevant in these sectors.

Smart Energy Pay positions its infrastructure within this operational layer. The company aims to support payment systems that reflect measurable economic activity. This approach highlights the role of infrastructure in future digital finance models. It focuses on integrating physical processes with transparent settlement frameworks. The company states that the future of digital finance will depend on systems capable of supporting complex economic environments. Infrastructure, energy systems, and payment architecture must function together to support this development.

About Smart Energy Pay

Smart Energy Pay operates as part of Smart Energy Provider Ltd., an international technology and financial company headquartered in Hong Kong. The organization develops infrastructure that connects energy processes with digital validation and payment systems. Its ecosystem includes the proprietary Layer-1 blockchain, Smart Energy Chain, and the financial platform, Smart Energy Pays. The company aims to build globally deployable infrastructure capable of mapping industrial and energy processes into structured digital settlement environments. To learn more, visit www.smartenergypay.com and www.smartenergypays.io.

Disclaimer

This press release may contain forward-looking statements relating to Smart Energy Pay’s strategy, technology development, and views on the evolution of digital finance infrastructure. These statements reflect the company’s current expectations and assumptions and may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice.

Media Contact

Tahssin Asfour
media@smartenergypay.com

NeonNow has launched CX, an AI-first CX contact centre platform designed for roadside assistance and other mission-critical contact centres, including banking and finance, health, and government. The system helps emergency and roadside call centres detect distress faster, prioritise urgent cases, and reduce response times.

AI-Powered Emergency Detection and Prioritisation

The platform uses a combination of AI orchestration tools and sentiment analysis to identify stress, fear, or confusion in a caller's voice, even if they do not explicitly say they are in danger. Calls flagged as urgent are prioritised to human operators in real time, helping trained agents focus on genuine emergencies over routine service requests. NEONNOW also integrates GPS tools to locate callers who are unsure of their position, a common challenge on unfamiliar or remote roads.

"This technology supports rather than replaces human decision making," said Michael Powrie, founder of NeonNow. "Trained agents remain in control, but they now have real-time insights that help them cut through the noise during high-volume periods and identify the calls that need immediate attention."

The launch comes as Australia's road safety remains a major concern. Research indicates that prolonged emergency response times are strongly associated with higher mortality rates. Calls that take longer than 12 minutes to reach help are linked with significantly higher risks compared with responses under seven minutes. In practical terms, reducing response times by even a few minutes can make the difference between a manageable roadside incident and a life-threatening situation.

Advanced Features for Operational Efficiency

NeonNow's AI technology builds on Amazon Web Services infrastructure and incorporates automated call summarisation and compliance tracking, reducing administrative workload and speeding up reporting. It also enables predictive dispatch optimisation, which helps roadside assistance providers recommend the most suitable service provider based on location, availability, and past performance. Additionally, the system can deliver proactive customer alerts via SMS or app updates when service arrival times change, improving efficiency and reducing uncertainty for drivers.

Experts say faster emergency response is increasingly critical as traffic volumes grow and drivers travel across longer distances, often in remote areas. By integrating AI into the call process, NEONNOW allows human operators to focus on complex decisions while the system highlights callers who need immediate attention. This combination of technology and human expertise is intended to improve outcomes for both roadside service providers and the drivers they assist.

Data-Driven Insights for Long-Term Improvement

Beyond immediate response benefits, NeonNow believes that NEONNOW can help shape the future of roadside assistance in Australia. By capturing and analysing large volumes of call data, the system can identify trends, optimise resource allocation, and support continuous improvement in response strategies. According to Powrie, these insights can inform both operational planning and the development of additional AI-driven tools for the sector.

While the system is designed primarily for emergency prioritisation, it also enhances safety for routine roadside situations. Drivers unsure of their location, confused by vehicle issues, or concerned for personal safety can receive faster support because NEONNOW flags key indicators of distress for agents, even if the caller does not explicitly articulate the problem.

Faster response times and smarter triaging of calls are particularly important in remote areas where help may be further away. By providing real-time intelligence to human agents, NeonNow's AI-enabled system aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of roadside services across Australia.

"Reducing delays in emergency response is critical," said Powrie. "Even small improvements in how quickly help reaches someone can save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce stress for drivers and their families. NEONNOW is designed to provide those improvements while keeping trained operators in control of every decision."

About NeonNow

NeonNow is an AWS Advanced Tier Solution Provider and AWS Independent Software Vendor specialising in contact centre solutions. The company has achieved AWS Service Delivery Partner status and maintains 26 AWS certifications across its team of 15 accredited professionals. NeonNow has been recognised in Deloitte's Fast 500 APAC, the Financial Times APAC Fast 200, and as a finalist for AWS CX Partner of the Year. With a decade of AWS communications experience, NeonNow delivers NEONNOW, a comprehensive enhancement layer for Amazon Connect that brings enterprise-grade contact centre features to organisations of all sizes. NeonNow's solutions are available through the AWS Marketplace. For more information, visit www.neonnow.io.

Provident Polska S.A., a key subsidiary of International Personal Finance plc (IPF), has demonstrated significant operational momentum following the publication of the Group’s half-year 2025 (HY25) financial results. Provident Polska, which operates as a licensed payment institution offering specialized payment credit and credit cards, has played a central role in the Group’s reported 5.5% increase in pre-exceptional profit before tax to £49.9 million.

In Poland, the business has returned to a strong growth footing, delivering a 17% increase in customer lending at constant exchange rates. This performance is a cornerstone of the Group’s "Next Gen" strategy, which focuses on building products and channels to ensure propositions remain attractive to the next generation of customers.

Digital Innovation and Product Expansion

A milestone achievement for the Polish market in the first half of 2025 was the expansion of the credit card portfolio. Provident Polska reached 160,000 credit cards, supported by a fully digital offering launched during the period. The Group also noted strong demand for shorter-term products currently being trialled in the Polish market.

“We have delivered a strong first-half performance with financial results ahead of our internal plan,” said Gerard Ryan, CEO of IPF. “This was driven by high demand for our portfolio of credit products, excellent credit quality, and a continued focus on cost discipline. Our ‘Next Gen’ strategy is delivering good progress, and we are continuing to invest in our digital transformation to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Key Financial and Operational Performance

The HY25 results highlight several critical benchmarks from the report:

• Lending Growth: Poland’s 17% increase in customer lending contributed to a Group-wide 11% rise in customer lending.
• Credit Quality: The Group annualised impairment rate improved to 8.3% (from 10.5% in H1-24), reflecting a resilient portfolio and strong repayment performance.
• Digital Transformation: The expansion of customer apps and mobile wallets continues to drive improved customer experience and high Net Promoter Scores.
• Receivables Growth: Group receivables grew by 12%, with European home credit contributing £502 million to the closing net receivables.

Capital Strength and Outlook

The Group maintains a robust funding position with total debt facilities of £650 million and £92 million in headroom. This capital strength underpins plans for continued growth and a progressive dividend policy, with the interim dividend increasing by 11.8% to 3.8p per share.

Data references from the HY25 Presentation:

• Profit and dividend data: Slides 3 & 13.
• Poland lending growth (17%) and Group lending (11%): Slide 10.
• Credit card volumes and digital launch: Slide 6.
• Impairment and credit quality: Slide 12.
• Digital strategy and mobile wallet: Slide 7.
• Gerard Ryan quote: Half Yearly Report

About Provident Polska

Provident Polska S.A. is part of the IPF Group, a leading international provider of consumer credit. Throughout 29 years of operations in the Polish market, the company has served millions of people, focusing on ethical lending, digital transformation, and prioritizing financial inclusion alongside sustainable returns. For more information, visit www.provident.pl.

Media Contact

Karolina Łuczak
karolina.luczak@provident.pl
+48 668 313 014

Rachel Moran
rachel.moran@ipfin.co.uk
+44 7760 167637

There’s no shortage of tools that will tell a law firm whether ChatGPT mentioned their name. But generic citation data outlining where a firm shows up in answer engines doesn’t tell them which prompts they should be cited in, where they’re ranking for their targeted prompts, or how to capture more leads from AI platforms.

Custom Legal Marketing’s AI Monitor, one of the many tools in its Sequoia Platform, has been running since October 2025. The beta version, which a dozen of CLM’s law firms were plugged into for testing, initially supported Google AI Overviews, Perplexity, and ChatGPT.

For Custom Legal Marketing’s law firm answer engine optimization services, the team needed a platform that shows firms exactly where they’re strong, where they’re invisible, and what to do about the gaps, at scale. The law firms that CLM plugged into the system in October are already seeing results.

CLM’s AI tool has helped their team close citation gaps for Chicago car accident lawyers Briskman Briskman & Greenberg.

In just four months after integrating Sommers Schwartz into the AI Monitor, the Detroit medical malpractice law firm saw a 107% increase in leads from ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude.

Three months after CLM enrolled Atlanta estate planning firm Slowik Estate Planning into the platform, attorney Jake Slowik said of a new signed client, “One of my leads from ChatGPT represented everything that I look for in the perfect client.”

The success stories across the sample follow these same metrics of more citations, more answer-engine traffic, and higher lead quality.

Jason Bland, Custom Legal Marketing co-founder and CEO, expressed excitement about the early results: “The reason we launched Sequoia is because we needed an active platform that gets results. If a tool is telling us how often a law firm is ranking but isn’t giving our team the insights to outperform the firms with the highest citation share, it’s worthless. The first version of the AI Monitor delivered some nice results, and now that we’ve done this massive upgrade, we’re expecting historic improvements over the next quarter.”

A Growth Platform, Not a Scoreboard

The piece that separates this from a monitoring tool is what happens after the data comes in. The CLM AI Monitor doesn’t just report problems. It generates prioritized recommendations based on what it finds, leaning heavily on CLM’s proprietary research database.

If a firm is absent from a platform, the system looks at which sources that platform tends to cite and identifies where the firm is missing, maybe they’re not listed on a directory that Gemini leans on heavily, or they don’t have the kind of comparison content that Google AI Mode favors. Those gaps become specific action items: get listed here, publish this type of content, pursue this PR opportunity. A GEO Audit pulls all of it into a structured report that maps out the firm’s competitive position across the entire AI search landscape and lays out a concrete path forward.

Since the AI Monitor lives inside the Sequoia Platform, answer engine optimization insights feed action items directly to other departments, like LinkOps, so the SEO and AEO objectives stay in sync and work for one another.

Bridging Answer Engine Optimization with Real Leads

If a firm is being cited and featured in AI chatbots but not getting phone calls, then all that hard work building content and authority is essentially being monetized by the AI platforms with no value back to the firm. Marketing dollars are about leads and cases.

The new AI Impact Score was built around that question. It’s a 0–100 number that blends visibility with what actually happens downstream. What percentage of a firm’s organic web traffic is now coming from AI sources? Of those visitors, how many convert into a phone call or a form fill? A firm with moderate visibility but a high conversion rate will score differently than one that shows up everywhere but generates nothing from it. Different scores lead to different recommendations — one firm needs more exposure, the other needs better landing pages.

Behind the score is a full attribution chain that lays out every step: AI mention, source citation, website visit, conversion. It breaks down by platform, so a firm can see that ChatGPT mentions are driving calls at twice the rate of Perplexity mentions, or that Google AI Mode traffic has the highest form-fill rate. That kind of detail changes how you allocate effort. 

It was important to Bland that the AI Impact Score bring real value to the platform, maintain a transparent audit chain, and serve as a metric that correlates with real-world performance. The ups and downs of the AI Impact Score are designed to mirror those of citations and leads. Bland has been publicly vocal about his disdain for vanity metrics, calling them "a waste of time and a distraction from effective law firm marketing" — so the AI Impact Score had to prove its worth before being pushed to the new AI Monitor upgrade.

Why Law Firms Can’t Ignore Answer Engine Optimization

When someone asks an AI assistant to recommend a personal injury lawyer or walks through what to do after an accident, the response names two or three firms. The firms in that answer are reaching someone at the exact moment they need help, and since most recommendations come after a series of issue-related prompts, the chatbot is essentially acting as a lead qualifier.

AI search share is growing fast, and the firms that figure out how to show up consistently now — and can prove it’s translating into calls — are going to be very difficult to displace once these platforms settle into their recommendation patterns.

What Else Shipped in the AI Monitor Upgrade

A prompt research tool that generates relevant AI queries to track based on the firm’s practice areas, so nobody’s guessing which questions to monitor. Sentiment tracking across all seven platforms, so firms know not just whether they’re mentioned but how they’re described. Spreadsheet exports are now available system-wide to connect the data to platforms not yet natively supported by Sequoia. And prompt tagging that lets teams slice data by practice area, office, or campaign. 

About Custom Legal Marketing

Custom Legal Marketing is a law firm marketing agency built for how clients actually find lawyers today. Founded in 2005, CLM combines award-winning creative and has a proprietary purpose-built AI platform, Sequoia, to help law firms stand out, get chosen, and grow in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. For more information, visit custom.legal. 

Media Contact

Jason Bland
Custom Legal Marketing
contact@customlegalmarketing.com
+1 800-789-6451

JewBelong, a nonprofit organization known for public awareness campaigns addressing antisemitism, said a recent advertising campaign on New York City taxi tops was removed before its scheduled end date. The campaign was launched amid an increase in antisemitic incidents in New York City. According to NYPD data cited by JewBelong, antisemitic incidents rose 182% last month compared with the same period a year earlier.

The campaign, which launched January 14, 2026, featured digital ads on taxi toppers across the city and was scheduled to run through March 10. According to the organization, the message displayed on the taxi toppers read: “Not gonna hide my Jewish star for a free bus ride.” The campaign used sharp, satirical language to underscore a more serious point: the compromises many Jews feel pressured to make about visibility and identity amid rising antisemitism. JewBelong said the ads were taken down the day after a New York Post article about the campaign appeared.

JewBelong co-founder Archie Gottesman said the campaign was intended to raise awareness about the experiences of Jewish individuals amid rising antisemitism.

“Why are Jewish voices being silenced in New York City at the very moment antisemitism is surging?” Gottesman said. “Our taxi campaign was created to start a conversation about the compromises many Jews feel pressured to make about visibility and identity. Pulling it sends a troubling message about when speaking out against hate becomes uncomfortable.”

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), also commented on the issue.

“If acknowledging that Jewish New Yorkers sometimes feel compelled to hide visible symbols of their identity is considered controversial, that should alarm all of us,” Greenblatt said. “The problem isn’t the billboard. The problem is the climate that made the message resonate in the first place.” 

JewBelong said it plans to continue its awareness efforts through additional outdoor advertising. The organization is working with another outdoor advertising agency and has two new billboards that were installed this week in Brooklyn and Queens with the messages “Standing against antisemitism is standing with America” and “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” The billboards, in collaboration with Larry Huch Ministries, are expected to remain in place for one year.

About JewBelong

JewBelong is a nonprofit organization and online platform focused on making Judaism accessible and welcoming to people at all stages of their Jewish journey. Since 2021, the organization has also produced national billboard and digital campaigns aimed at raising public awareness about antisemitism. Its campaigns have appeared in 42 states and are designed to reach broad audiences beyond the Jewish community. According to the organization, independent research conducted in 2025 found that JewBelong’s billboard campaigns increased awareness and prompted discussion about antisemitism among non-Jewish audiences. For more information, visit www.jewbelong.com.

Media Contact

Jenny McIntosh
Senior Consultant, JewBelong
jmcintosh@kruppagency.com

Galaxy Corporation, a Korea-based AI entertainment technology company, said Bob McCooey, vice chairman of Nasdaq, visited its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 4 to review the company’s business strategy and discuss its potential path toward a U.S. listing. The visit comes as Galaxy Corporation highlights recent revenue growth, a return to profitability, and its expansion of an “enter-tech” business model combining entertainment intellectual property with AI and robotics.

During the visit, Galaxy Corporation presented its growth strategy, business structure, and long-term vision as it explores opportunities in global capital markets. The company described the meeting as part of its ongoing efforts to engage with international financial institutions and strengthen its profile with global investors.

Galaxy Corporation reported KRW 126.0 billion in revenue for the first half of 2025, representing more than 200% year-on-year growth, and said it returned to profitability during the same period. The company also said market expectations for full-year 2025 revenue exceed KRW 300.0 billion. These figures were presented by the company as indicators of its expanding scale and business momentum.

Positioning itself beyond the model of a conventional entertainment company, Galaxy Corporation said its strategy centers on an “enter-tech” approach that integrates IP, AI, and robotics. The company stated that this structure is designed to connect content creation, technology platforms, and commercial expansion, with the goal of building a more scalable business model and reducing dependence on any single content asset.

Actor Song Kang-ho, one of the company’s affiliated artists, attended the visit. Galaxy Corporation said its artist and creator network, including Song Kang-ho and G-Dragon, forms an important part of its business portfolio alongside its technology-driven initiatives.

According to the company, McCooey showed interest in Galaxy Corporation’s AI-based K-POP robot project and its virtual IP strategy. The company’s “More (The Day After Tomorrow)” project was introduced as a culture-and-technology platform exploring the coexistence of humans and digital beings, reflecting Galaxy Corporation’s efforts to develop new forms of entertainment experiences.

Galaxy Corporation said the meeting provided an opportunity to present its competitiveness as a Korea-based entertainment technology company and to further its dialogue with global capital market participants as it evaluates future listing options.

About GALAXY Corp

Galaxy Corporation is a Korea-based AI entertainment technology company developing an “enter-tech” business model that combines entertainment IP, AI, robotics, and platform-based commercialization. For more information, visit www.galaxyuniverse.ai. 

Media Contact

Seok Jonghoon
wisdom@galaxyuniverse.ai

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (Zoomlion) is presenting its latest construction machinery adapted for North American working conditions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, demonstrating the company's expanding footprint and long-term strategy in the Americas.

The exhibition, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 3–7, features Zoomlion's diverse portfolio of high-end intelligent products including engineering cranes, concrete machinery, earthmoving equipment, mining machinery, and construction hoisting machinery, as well as digital construction solutions.

Tan Ruxu, deputy general manager of Zoomlion's overseas company and head of the Americas region, said the company is seeing recovering market confidence and growing acceptance of Chinese-branded equipment among North American customers, particularly in new energy and intelligent machinery segments.

Zoomlion is pursuing a differentiated approach in the mature North American market through its end-to-end direct sales model, with local subsidiaries established in key countries. The company operates assembly facilities in Wisconsin, as well as manufacturing plants in Brazil and Mexico, supported by its North American R&D center and Milwaukee operations base.

"Entering a mature market requires patience and long-term strategic commitment," Tan said. "Our goal is to build localized service networks and provide complete solutions that meet diverse regional needs, from Canada's harsh winters to varied mining applications across the Americas."

Zoomlion has participated in CONEXPO for seven consecutive editions, using the platform to reinforce its commitment to the Americas through localized operations and comprehensive service offerings. The company expects the region to become a significant revenue driver in the coming years as its investments mature.

Headquartered in Changsha, China, Zoomlion is one of the world's leading construction machinery manufacturers, with products sold in over 170 countries and regions.

NOWPayments, a crypto payment gateway supporting over 350 digital assets, today announced two major product enhancements designed to help merchants increase revenue and expand their customer reach: a performance-based affiliate program upgrade and the integration of global fiat-to-crypto provider Banxa.

Both updates are aimed at improving merchant acquisition and conversion efficiency within the crypto payments ecosystem.

Performance-Based Affiliate Model Drives Merchant Growth

NOWPayments has introduced a tiered affiliate structure that enables partners to earn higher commission rates based on the number of referred merchants and the transaction volume those merchants generate. The upgraded model aligns incentives with long-term performance, allowing high-performing affiliates to scale earnings proportionally to the value they bring to the ecosystem.

By strengthening its affiliate infrastructure, NOWPayments aims to accelerate merchant acquisition while rewarding sustained contribution to platform growth.

Banxa Integration Expands Checkout Conversion

In parallel, NOWPayments has integrated Banxa, a global fiat-to-crypto infrastructure provider, enabling end users to purchase cryptocurrency directly at checkout.

With this integration:

• Customers can pay using fiat even if they do not already hold crypto.
• Merchants continue receiving cryptocurrency directly into their wallets.

This removes friction for first-time crypto users while preserving the non-custodial settlement model preferred by many digital businesses. The addition of a seamless fiat on-ramp is expected to improve checkout conversion rates and broaden access to crypto payments across new user segments.

About NOWPayments

NOWPayments is a crypto payment gateway that enables businesses worldwide to accept digital assets through API-first infrastructure. The platform offers multi-chain support, recurring billing, mass payouts, and conversion tools tailored to online businesses operating in Web3 and digital commerce environments. For more information, visit nowpayments.io.

Today, UL Solutions executive John Genovesi joined GrayMatter's board of directors. GrayMatter, based near Pittsburgh, Pa., is a leader in industrial intelligence and digital transformation. Genovesi is executive vice president and president of Software and Advisory at UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science.

The appointment, supported by GrayMatter's investment partner Tailwind Capital, marks a significant milestone in the company's accelerated growth strategy. Genovesi brings more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across automation, industrial software and advanced digital technologies. At UL Solutions, he leads global strategy for a suite of Software-as-a-Service and advisory offerings that strengthen supply chain transparency, sustainability and operational performance for enterprise customers.

Before joining UL Solutions, Genovesi served as chief operating officer of Adapdix, an edge AI startup pioneering autonomous manufacturing. He also spent three decades at Rockwell Automation, where he held multiple executive roles, including executive vice president of enterprise accounts and software. His career has centered on building global teams, scaling cutting edge software businesses and driving high-stakes enterprise transformation.

A Natural Fit for GrayMatter's Innovation Chapter

Genovesi's background aligns seamlessly with GrayMatter's mission to modernize and digitize industrial operations. His experience spans enterprise software strategy, go-to-market excellence and large-scale, digital execution, which are core areas fueling GrayMatter's next stage of growth.

"John and I go back many years, and I've always admired the way he blends strategy and deep technical understanding," said Paul Galeski, CEO and executive chairman of GrayMatter. "He has this rare ability to help organizations see what's possible, and then actually make it happen. Bringing him onto the GrayMatter Board isn't just a strategic decision; it's a personal privilege. He's someone I trust, respect, and genuinely enjoy partnering with."

GrayMatter investment partner Tailwind Capital emphasized the value of Genovesi's industry perspective and leadership.

"John's track record of scaling complex technology businesses is unmatched," said Tailwind Partner Andrew Mayer. "His insights will play an important role as GrayMatter continues expanding its intelligent operations platform and delivering new value to customers."

Genovesi on Joining the GrayMatter Board

"I'm excited to join the GrayMatter board and reconnect with Paul and the team during such a high momentum phase," Genovesi said. "GrayMatter has always been a true Thinkers and Doers organization, one that listens carefully to operators, applies experience with humility, and focuses relentlessly on outcomes. I look forward to supporting the mission and helping drive what comes next."

About GrayMatter

At GrayMatter, smart thinking meets decisive doing. We’re the Thinkers and Doers who transform industrial operations into clarity, uncovering intelligence hidden in clipboards, legacy systems, and human memory. We partner with driven clients to deliver outcomes that matter — fueled by curiosity, grounded in community, and committed to shared success. From the plant floor to the boardroom, we help organizations think smarter and do better — by listening to the machines they already trust. For more information, visit graymattersystems.com.

Media Contact

Jeremy Boren
jboren@graymattersystems.com
+1 877-741-2410

Immigrant Invest has issued a statement clarifying Malta's investor migration framework after the country revised its citizenship legislation and discontinued its citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment route in 2025. The company outlined what the reform means in practice, which legal pathways remain available, and how high-net-worth individuals should reassess their long-term planning under the updated rules.

Legal Context and Implications for Applicants

In April 2025, Malta discontinued its citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment, which had allowed applicants to obtain citizenship after making an economic contribution and completing a residence period of 1 or 3 years.

The move followed increased scrutiny at the European Union level and broader discussions about whether investor citizenship schemes align with EU law and principles. European institutions questioned the link between financial investment and access to EU citizenship rights.

"Citizenship and residency frameworks operate within national law, and governments may amend or discontinue them," said Vladlena Baranova, head of legal and AML compliance at Immigrant Invest. "Such changes affect eligibility criteria and timelines, influencing long-term planning for high-net-worth individuals."

Lawful Residence Alternatives

Although the citizenship route was discontinued, Malta continues to operate residence-based frameworks and allows citizenship by merit under national law. These pathways remain available to qualified applicants, subject to specific legal requirements.

• Permanent Residence Option: The Malta Permanent Residence Programme, MPRP, allows non-EU nationals to live in Malta indefinitely but does not impose residency requirements to maintain the status. The required investment starts at €169,000. The MPRP does not grant citizenship later, but it offers long-term stability in Malta and access to the Schengen Area for travel.
• Tax Residence Framework: The Malta Global Residence Programme, or MGRP, is structured differently. It focuses on obtaining tax residence status and requires the payment of an annual tax of €15,000 or more. In addition, applicants make investments which, combined with the tax payment, amount to approximately €30,000. The MGRP suits individuals who divide their time between jurisdictions and prioritise tax residence rather than permanent settlement.
• Merit-Based Citizenship: In addition to residence routes, Malta maintains a citizenship framework based on merit. This pathway is discretionary and reserved for individuals who demonstrate an outstanding contribution or service to the country in areas such as innovation, culture, or the public interest. Malta citizenship by merit is not a programme and should not be viewed as a replacement for the former framework.

"Permanent residence, tax residence, and merit-based citizenship serve different purposes and lead to different legal outcomes," added Baranova. "Understanding these differences helps investors align their objectives with the appropriate legal status."

About Immigrant Invest

Immigrant Invest is an investment migration consultancy advising high-net-worth individuals in accordance with applicable national laws. The company provides guidance on residence and citizenship options across Europe and follows a compliance-first approach. The legal team monitors legislative and regulatory updates to ensure clients receive accurate and up-to-date information. For more information, visit imin-malta.com.

Media Contact

Vladlena Baranova
digital@immigrantinvest.com
+356 2033 0178

A striking waterfront residence inside the exclusive Wild Dunes community is bringing together two of Charleston’s most coveted coastal lifestyles — deepwater Intracoastal boating and walkable ocean access. Located at 27 Waterway Island Drive, the home sits along one of the most desirable stretches of Isle of Palms, where panoramic waterway views, dock access, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean create a rare combination seldom available in Charleston real estate.

Positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway, the residence was designed with an inverted floor plan, placing the main living areas and primary suite on the upper level to capture sweeping water views and coastal light throughout the day. Expansive windows and multiple levels of porches frame the surrounding marsh and waterway landscape, while the home’s elevated design enhances privacy and maximizes views across the water.

Listing agent Bryan Crabtree describes Isle of Palms — and particularly Wild Dunes — as one of the most distinctive coastal environments in the region.

“Isle of Palms has always been one of the most special coastal communities in Charleston, but Wild Dunes offers something even more unique — a balance of privacy, resort amenities, and natural beauty that is increasingly difficult to find anywhere on the East Coast,” Crabtree said.

The property’s outdoor living spaces are designed to fully embrace the Lowcountry waterfront lifestyle. Just beyond the home, a sparkling in-ground pool and spa overlook the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a private retreat for entertaining or relaxing while watching boats pass along the waterway. Mature coastal landscaping and elevated terraces provide both privacy and expansive sightlines across the water.

Beyond the pool deck, a deepwater dock with boat lift extends into the Intracoastal, offering immediate access to boating, fishing, and exploring the surrounding waterways. From here, owners can easily navigate north toward Bulls Bay and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge or south toward Charleston Harbor.

According to Crabtree, the ability to combine boating access with proximity to the ocean is exceptionally rare in Charleston.

“Homes that are just steps from the Atlantic Ocean are rare enough, but when you combine that with a private deepwater dock on the Intracoastal Waterway, you’re talking about a location that almost never becomes available. Buyers are essentially getting two waterfront lifestyles in one property,” he said.

The home itself offers spacious interiors designed for both everyday living and entertaining. A welcoming entry opens into warm coastal interiors with hardwood floors, custom millwork, and large windows that bring the surrounding landscape inside. The main living level features generous gathering spaces oriented toward the water, creating a natural connection between indoor living and the surrounding coastal environment.

Flanking the main living areas are two identical oversized office suites overlooking the water, versatile spaces that could easily function as reading rooms, sunrooms, creative studios, or plant-filled retreats — each capturing expansive water views.

Additional features throughout the home include a three-stop elevator serving all levels, a 5.5-car garage with tandem bays, a fully conditioned workshop, and a spacious conditioned cedar closet designed for off-season wardrobe storage. These rarely found amenities add both practicality and luxury to the home’s coastal design.

Yet what ultimately defines the property is its setting within Wild Dunes and its relationship to the surrounding natural environment. From the home, residents can easily walk to the Atlantic shoreline, enjoying miles of beach just moments away.

“For many Charleston buyers, the ultimate coastal location is the ability to walk to the beach while keeping a boat behind the house. Properties that offer both are extraordinarily limited, which is why homes like this tend to be held for generations,” Crabtree explained.

Wild Dunes itself remains one of the Lowcountry’s premier resort communities, offering championship golf courses, tennis facilities, private beach access, and miles of scenic walking and biking trails. At the same time, the community maintains a sense of quiet seclusion — an increasingly rare quality along the rapidly growing South Carolina coast.

For Crabtree, the home captures the essence of Charleston coastal living.

“This home captures everything people dream about when they think of Charleston coastal living — boating at sunset, quiet mornings overlooking the waterway, and the ocean just a short walk away. It’s a lifestyle that is becoming increasingly difficult to replicate anywhere along the Southeast coast,” he said.

With its combination of deepwater access, ocean proximity, expansive outdoor living, and thoughtfully designed interiors, 27 Waterway Island Drive represents one of the most compelling waterfront opportunities currently available on Isle of Palms.

About Bryan Crabtree Real Estate

Bryan Crabtree is a Charleston, South Carolina real estate broker and Realtor® with Indigo Oak | Christie’s International Real Estate, serving Charleston and Mount Pleasant. He specializes in luxury homes, historic properties, golf communities, and waterfront real estate across the Lowcountry. Crabtree works with both local and relocating buyers and sellers. For more information, visit www.therealestateexperts.com.

Disclaimer

Real estate services provided by Bryan Crabtree, realtor and real estate broker with Indigo Oak | Christie’s International Real Estate, Charleston, South Carolina. This release is for informational purposes and is not intended as a solicitation where prohibited by law.

Media Contact

Bryan Crabtree
Real Estate Broker, IndigoOak | Christie's International Real Estate
bcrabtreeiphone@gmail.com
+1 843-343-4141

Bank of the Lowcountry welcomes Tracy L. Searson as the newest member of their Charleston team. Tracy has joined the Ravenel branch as the company’s newest vice president and commercial relationship manager.

Chase Talbert, executive vice president and market president for Charleston, is “excited to welcome Tracy to the team as we expand our presence in the Ravenel Market.” He noted that “with her deep roots in the community and 30-plus years of banking experience, Tracy brings valuable insight and leadership. Her arrival comes after the Ravenel branch’s renovation, strengthening the bank’s commitment to serving the growing community."

“I am grateful for the opportunity to assist the St. Paul’s community and support their financial needs,” added Tracy. “I look forward to making a positive impact on Bank of the Lowcountry’s team, its clients, and our community.”  

As the company’s second location, the Ravenel branch of Bank of the Lowcountry has been serving its community and neighbors for over 25 years. With the building’s new renovation and Tracy’s addition to the team, Bank of the Lowcountry is reinforcing its commitment to provide excellent, responsive service to the Ravenel community and the surrounding area. From deposit accounts to loan products, Tracy and the rest of the Ravenel team are determined to meet the needs of the community as growth and development continue to bloom in the lowcountry.

About Bank of the Lowcountry

Based in Walterboro, Bank of the Lowcountry provides a variety of traditional and online banking solutions to meet the needs of customers throughout the Lowcountry. Find out more at BankLowcountry.com and follow Bank of the Lowcountry on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Samantha Murdaugh
communication@banklowcountry.com

Andreozzi + Foote, together with Florida-based co-counsel Horowitz Law, has filed a civil lawsuit in the Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Highlands County on behalf of five women who allege they were sexually assaulted at a Sebring healthcare practice operated by physician Dr. Jorge Zeledon.

Since August 2025, authorities have filed multiple criminal charges against Dr. Zeledon in separate cases involving allegations from more than a dozen individuals. Those criminal proceedings are separate from this civil lawsuit, which involves allegations brought by five women and examines whether responsible parties failed to protect patients.

The lawsuit names Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida, Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, his wife, as defendants. Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA is a professional association through which Dr. Zeledon operated his medical practice. The lawsuit alleges that these entities breached their duty of care to the plaintiffs by ultimately failing to protect them from sexual battery by Dr. Zeledon.

According to the complaint, four of the plaintiffs, identified by pseudonyms to protect their privacy, allege they were subjected to medically unnecessary and non-consensual sexual touching by the physician during routine examinations at the practice located at 6801 Highway 27 North, Suite C3, in Sebring, Florida.

One plaintiff alleges that once, while she accompanied her father to his appointments with Dr. Zeledon, the doctor put her hand on her back and then buttocks. According to the suit, she did not allow her father to see him again, fearing she would be groped at future appointments.

Several plaintiffs allege repeated incidents occurring across multiple appointments; one alleges inappropriate touching spanning from August 2019 to November 2023. According to the lawsuit, this sexual misconduct did not arise from any diagnosis or treatment.

The complaint further alleges that Dr. Zeledon engaged in similar unwanted sexual conduct with other female patients. It also alleges that his wife, who worked for the practice, knew or should have known that he was unfit to continue treating patients and failed to intervene, report the conduct, or protect patients, despite being directly informed of sexual assault and harassment allegations before the plaintiffs’ abuse ended.

Civil Lawsuit Alleges Liability

The lawsuit asserts claims of vicarious liability and direct liability against Kidney and Internal Medicine Specialist of Central Florida and Jorge I. Zeledon, MD, PA, alleging the entities are legally responsible for misconduct that occurred within the scope of the physician’s role at the practice and that, because of his role as a managing partner, Dr. Zeledon’s actions are indistinguishable from those of the practice.

In addition, the lawsuit brings a claim for negligent retention and supervision against the practice entities and Marta E. Arango-Zeledon, the wife of Dr. Zeledon. The defendants owed the patients a duty of reasonable care, and they knew, or should have known, that Zeledon was unfit, dangerous, and a threat to the safety and welfare of women entrusted to him for medical services, according to the suit.

The complaint further alleges that there were multiple prior complaints of sexual misconduct involving Dr. Zeledon, including reports made to law enforcement and/or the Florida Department of Health.

Due to their psychological, emotional, and physical injuries resulting from the alleged misconduct, plaintiffs seek compensatory damages. They are also requesting a jury trial.

“Patients place immense trust in the physicians who treat them,” Benjamin Andreozzi, partner, Andreozzi + Foote, said. “This lawsuit alleges that Dr. Zeledon abused that trust and used his position within his own medical practice to harm patients. Civil litigation provides a way to examine his conduct and pursue accountability.”

Attorneys representing the women believe additional individuals have experienced similar conduct and encourage anyone with information or concerns to come forward. Individuals seeking a free and confidential consultation may contact Andreozzi + Foote at info@vca.law.

About Andreozzi + Foote

Andreozzi + Foote is one of the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firms with a history of representing survivors in cases against large and powerful organizations including Penn State University, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Catholic Church. The trauma-informed Pennsylvania-based sexual abuse lawyers at Andreozzi + Foote are committed to obtaining life-changing results for victims and their families. Managing Partner Ben Andreozzi hosts "Justice Interrupted," a podcast that gives survivors of child abuse and their advocates a national platform. For more information, visit www.victimscivilattorneys.com.

Media Contact

Maria Smith
Andreozzi + Foote
marias@vca.law
+1 717-807-5808

Great Lakes Engineering Group celebrated over two decades of bridge infrastructure services, reflecting on its growth while advocating for safer bridges nationwide. Founder and President Amy Trahey, P.E., reflected on the milestone to highlight the growing urgency of strengthening bridge safety and infrastructure planning across the United States.

America’s infrastructure is aging faster than it is being renewed, a reality that civil engineers have been documenting for years. According to an article published in The New York Times, the average bridge is over 40 years old, and about 42,000 of them are structurally deficient. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has similarly reported that roughly one in three U.S. bridges requires repair and replacement. Trahey insists that these figures are a reflection of the mounting exposure to risk across transportation networks that millions rely on daily.

Great Lakes Engineering Group works within that pressure point. The Michigan-based firm specializes in bridge design, structural inspections, underwater engineering, and complex infrastructure evaluations. Trahey believes the industry’s core challenge lies in sustained prioritization.

“We have been putting duct tape on structural problems for decades,” she says. “If the deck is failing, if corrosion is reducing load capacity, if joints are compromised, you address the root cause. You don’t patch it and defer the real solution to the next funding cycle.”

Trahey believes fragmented funding models contribute significantly to the problem. She points out that transportation funds are often drawn from gas taxes, general funds, and periodic allocations. In her view, this could create uncertainty that makes long-term capital planning difficult. Furthermore, Trahey has observed that when it comes to funding allocation, infrastructure often gets treated as a line item rather than a foundational system.

“Everyone wants strong schools, reliable healthcare, and emergency services, and those are essential,” she says. “But infrastructure connects all of it. Close one bridge, and a 10-minute commute becomes a 40-minute detour. School buses would reroute, emergency response times might stretch, and communities would feel it immediately.”

With that complexity in mind, Trahey highlights that the consequences of postponed maintenance can compound over time. She points to a condition-rating framework often prevalent within agencies, which categorizes structures as good, fair, or poor. Without sustained intervention, she insists, fair structures can slide into poor condition while previously sound assets deteriorate. “By the time you fix the worst structures, the next tier has already declined. It becomes a cycle that is financially and operationally exhausting,” she explains.

The Federal Highway Administration has reported that preventive maintenance can be a cost-effective means of extending the service life of bridges, reinforcing Trahey’s argument that early investment can yield measurable long-term savings. She believes lifecycle cost analysis should guide decision-making more consistently than short-term budget relief. “If you were building your own home, you would design the foundation correctly, inspect it, and use quality materials,” she says. “Infrastructure deserves that same dedication because families are traveling over it every day.”

Safety concerns extend beyond the traveling public to the workers who maintain these systems. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports thousands of work zone injuries annually, a figure that underscores the risk faced by inspectors and construction workers. Trahey believes stronger protective measures and clearer accountability are imperative. As Trahey shares, “Construction professionals deserve more than minimal barriers and hope. If enhanced protective systems reduce exposure to traffic hazards, they should be prioritized. Accountability cannot wait for tragedy.”

Trahey also highlights workforce capacity as another structural challenge, even in the availability of funding. She argues that experienced engineers and certified inspectors aren’t domestically available in large numbers, and reliance on outsourcing complex structural analysis abroad may introduce inconsistencies in standards and oversight. “You should trust technical advisors who understand the regulatory environment and who live with the consequences of their work,” she says.

To address systemic gaps, Trahey supports dedicated transportation funding, expanded public-private partnerships, and user-fee models such as tolls that align infrastructure usage with revenue generation. She believes stable funding enables agencies to plan proactively. “There has to be an injection of sustained investment. You cannot design, inspect, and rehabilitate critical infrastructure on uncertainty,” she says.

Civil engineering, she notes, has always evolved in response to lessons learned. Within that context, she believes the next phase must strengthen regulatory and financial frameworks with equal emphasis. While temporary solutions may ease immediate budget pressures, Trahey argues that they shift greater costs to the future and, in doing so, jeopardize long-term safety. That precariousness, in her view, needs to be addressed with sustained investment and effective leadership willing to treat infrastructure as essential, not optional.

“No one should question whether a bridge is safe when they cross it,” she says. “If we are doing our job correctly, the public never has to think about their safety being at risk every time they drive over a bridge.”

About Great Lakes Engineering Group

Great Lakes Engineering Group (GL Engineering) is a civil and structural engineering firm specializing in bridge-related infrastructure services. Founded by Amy Trahey, P.E. in 2000, the company provides bridge design, inspection and scoping, underwater inspections, and construction engineering services for public agencies and private clients. The firm has worked on projects at the state, county, and municipal levels, supporting the planning, evaluation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. GL Engineering emphasizes technical quality, professional development, and innovative problem solving to deliver efficient, cost-effective engineering solutions. For more information, visit glengineering.com.

Media Contact

Amy Trahey
info@glengineering.com

Gene Saunders, founder and chief executive officer of Project Lifesaver International, has been named one of CIO Today’s "Top 5 Most Influential Business Visionaries to Follow in 2026." The recognition highlights his leadership in public safety innovation and his role in transforming search-and-rescue operations through technology-driven solutions.

Recognition for Public Safety Innovation

The honor underscores Mr. Saunders’ decades-long commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism and Down syndrome. Through Project Lifesaver International, he has helped build a structured, technology-supported model that equips first responders with tools, training and protocols designed to locate missing individuals quickly and safely.

A Career in Public Service

Mr. Saunders’ career in public service began in 1963, when he entered the U.S. Army after graduating from Norview High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He later served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne and continued his military leadership through the National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol and the Virginia State Guard.

In 1968, Mr. Saunders joined the Chesapeake Police Department, where he rose to the rank of captain. He founded and commanded the department’s SWAT team for 23 years, leading more than 800 missions and overseeing specialized operations across multiple units.

The Development of Project Lifesaver

The turning point in Mr. Saunders’ career came from frustration during search-and-rescue missions involving missing individuals with cognitive impairments. He witnessed the emotional toll on families when searches ended in tragedy.

Determined to find a better solution, Mr. Saunders studied wildlife radio-tracking technology and adapted it for human use. In 1997, he developed the concept that became Project Lifesaver. By 1999, the program was established within the sheriff’s office, and in 2001, he retired from law enforcement to dedicate himself fully to expanding the initiative.

A Structured, Technology-Based Model

Project Lifesaver introduced a proactive system that combines radio frequency transmitters with specialized training for public safety agencies. Instead of relying solely on large-scale search operations, trained teams can deploy targeted tracking methods to significantly reduce search time and crew requirements.

Mr. Saunders has long emphasized practical efficiency and has noted that traditional searches for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease can last many hours and require extensive personnel. At the same time, a properly implemented tracking program can reduce both time and cost.

Leadership and Ongoing Impact

Under Mr. Saunders’ leadership, Project Lifesaver has expanded internationally, supporting member agencies across the United States and abroad. The organization focuses on accountability, continuous training and measurable results. He often shares a simple leadership principle: “You’re only as good as your last operation.” He encourages agencies and leaders to remain disciplined, stay calm in crises and continue refining their methods.

CIO Today’s recognition highlights not only technological innovation but also sustained humanitarian impact. Mr. Saunders leads a nonprofit organization and has consistently stated that his mission is service-driven rather than profit-focused. His work reflects a career defined by operational excellence, community collaboration and persistence.

Mr. Saunders remains active in national search-and-rescue organizations and serves on the board of trustees of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. He continues to speak at universities and public safety forums, advocating for improved preparedness and the integration of technology.

About Project Lifesaver

Founded in 1999, Project Lifesaver is a public safety nonprofit focused on helping protect and locate individuals with cognitive conditions who are at risk of wandering. The program provides law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams with specialized tracking technology, training and response protocols to improve recovery results. Today, Project Lifesaver supports agencies across the country and worldwide, helping to bring vulnerable individuals home. For more information, visit projectlifesaver.org.

About Marquis Who’s Who

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com. 

Media Contact

Project Lifesaver International
saunders@projectlifesaver.org
+1 877-580-5433

Coupang, a U.S.-based technology leader in digital services, has been named to LexisNexis’s 2026 Top 100 list of global innovators for the second year in a row. The LexisNexis list was included in the firm’s report, published today, “Innovation Momentum 2026: The Global Top 100.”

According to LexisNexis, inclusion on the Top 100 list reflects the measurable improvement in Coupang’s patent portfolio over the past two years, and appearing on the list for two years in a row highlights the company's growing innovation momentum.

The Top 100 Global Innovators are identified by LexisNexis through an extensive analysis of the quantifiable improvement of each company’s patent portfolio over the prior two years, using the Innovation Momentum methodology adapted from the Patent Asset Index.

“We’re honored by this recognition, which reflects our efforts in advancing innovative technologies to redefine the future of commerce and expand the global reach of U.S. exports to new customers in new markets,” said Coupang Chief Global Affairs Officer Robert Porter. “We’re proud of our many employee inventors who are driving innovations that allow Coupang to serve our international customers with excellence and collaborate more closely with our selling partners.”

Coupang’s innovation program has been steadily growing in recent years, resulting in notable growth across the company’s patent program:

• The cumulative number of patents issued to Coupang worldwide has risen from 91 in 2015 to 3,919 in 2025, an average annual growth rate of 45%.
• Coupang has been issued 354 patents in the U.S. alone.
• From 2024 to 2025, Coupang was issued 933 patents in South Korea.
• Since 2021, Taiwan has issued 1,132 patents to Coupang.
• The number of employee inventors named in Coupang patent filings reached an all-time high of 736 in 2025.

"Coupang's second consecutive appearance on the Top 100 Global Innovators list reflects a patent portfolio that encompasses breadth across technologies and depth in quality,” said Marco Richter, Senior Director of IP Analytics and Strategy for LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. “Coupang's patent assets show that the company prioritizes intellectual property as a core strategic driver in the business, an approach which pays dividends in strengthening the business for continued success."

Coupang employee inventors — and their inventions — are well-distributed across the company’s businesses and functions, including Global Operations, eCommerce Engineering, Ads & Marketplace, Customer Experience and Retail. For example:

• In Coupang’s retail business, machine learning enables systems to continuously analyze real-time purchase trends and intelligently manage the distribution and inventory of millions of products across the company’s network of fulfillment centers.
• For Coupang’s video streaming service, Coupang Play, the company developed a smart gateway system that monitors server loads and speeds in real-time, dynamically directing each video segment to stream from the most optimal server to enable more users to enjoy crisp, smooth video delivery even during peak traffic periods.
• For Coupang Eats, the company’s food delivery service, the company developed a system that intelligently adjusts the "recommended prep time" for restaurant orders by applying machine learning to each restaurant's real-time workload and operating mode. By sharing accurate timing for each order, the system minimizes driver wait times and ensures customers receive their food while it's still at its freshest and best.

Coupang has invested billions of dollars into building its end-to-end logistics infrastructure, which integrates cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and custom robotics. With technology underpinning every aspect of its global business, Coupang provides unmatched delivery speed and service quality to customers in the U.S. and 190 countries and regions around the world and exported more than $5 billion in U.S. goods and services in 2025.

In addition to this recognition from LexisNexis, Coupang recently earned second place on Fast Company’s list of the world’s most innovative companies in the Retail category in 2025.

About Coupang

Coupang is a technology and Fortune 150 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CPNG) that provides retail, restaurant delivery, video streaming and fintech services to customers around the world under the brands that include Coupang, Eats, Play, Rocket Now and FarFetch. For more information, visit www.aboutcoupang.com.

About LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions

LexisNexis® Intellectual Property Solutions brings clarity to innovation for businesses worldwide. We enable innovators to accomplish more by helping them make informed decisions, be more productive, comply with regulations, and ultimately achieve a competitive advantage for their business. Our suite of search, workflow, and analytics solutions enables companies to be more efficient and effective at bringing meaningful innovations to our world. We are proud to directly support and serve these innovators in their endeavors to better humankind. For more information, visit www.lexisnexisip.com.

Media Contact

Marisa Lee
press@coupang.com