News from April 2024


Hidehiro Imatsu Named President of Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) has appointed Hidehiro Imatsu as the new president and representative director of Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. (“GSJCL”), with the effective date set for June 3, 2024. Imatsu, currently serving as co-head of Global Interest Rate Products Trading and co-head of the Asia Pacific Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Franchise in Hong Kong, will retain these roles while taking on the new leadership position in Tokyo.In a statement, David Solomon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs, expressed confidence in Imatsu's...

Retail Association of Nevada president: ‘Nevadans need real reforms that protect plaintiffs, not millionaire attorneys’

Mary Lau, president of the Retail Association of Nevada, stated that businesses in Nevada are confronting "an unprecedented number of meritless lawsuits" that "do nothing to protect their customers" and only serve to enrich attorneys. Lau expressed her concerns in a press release dated March 18.

With May Approaching, Pump Prices Stick to the Slow Lane

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 25, 2024)—With domestic gasoline demand decidedly in the doldrums and the cost of oil retreating, the national average dipped two cents since last week to $3.65.Andrew Gross, spokesperson for AAA, noted, "Domestic gas demand is pretty pokey at the moment, which is often the case in the runup to Memorial Day and the traditional start of summer driving season."Gross also added, "The recent national average price of $3.67 could be the peak until hurricane season is well underway. But as always, the wildcard will be the cost of oil, so stay tuned."...

Fast on the Freeway Can Lead to Fury on the Side Streets

Washington, DC (April 25, 2024) – Raising speed limits on highways could lead to more crashes on nearby roads, according to new research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation, emphasized this point by stating, “Increasing posted speed limits on freeways may improve traffic flow but could also lead to safety concerns in adjacent communities once speeding drivers proceed to neighboring roadways.”The study conducted by AAA Foundation researchers focused on the impact of speed limit changes on...

OPINION: Inflection Points for a Late-Stage Tech Startup Body

Much goes into running a successful startup, but in simplest terms, managing one is an exercise in fast, smart decision-making. Every day brings new choices, big and small. However, some decisions are more critical. These inflection points can have a profound impact on the trajectory of a company’s long-term success.

Enclave partners with AnitaB.org to host free coworking day in Evanston

Enclave Coworking will be hosting a free coworking day for the community at their Evanston location on May 9.

State Farm® Launches Innovative Program to Assist Drivers Involved in Collisions

State Farm has introduced an innovative program aimed at assisting drivers involved in collisions, further emphasizing their commitment to enhancing driver safety. The new Accident Assistance feature, integrated into the Drive Safe & Save platform, aims to provide crucial guidance and support to individuals during the challenging moments following an accident.According to State Farm, the Accident Assistance feature is designed to help drivers navigate the immediate aftermath of a collision by offering guidance on essential steps such as ensuring safety, contacting...

Flying Food Group provides in-flight catering to ITA Airways’ new US routes

Flying Food Group has announced a partnership with ITA Airways to offer in-flight catering services for the airline's new flights operating between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport. The new route is scheduled to operate six times per week.

Nationwide Launches Dynamic Default Feature to Accelerate Adoption of In-Plan Protected Retirement Solutions

Nationwide has announced the launch of its Dynamic Default feature, aimed at speeding up the adoption of in-plan protected retirement solutions by allowing plan sponsors to automatically default participants into a protected retirement solution. Eric Stevenson, President of Nationwide Retirement Solutions, stated, "We’re really starting to see a lot more employers become more comfortable offering protected retirement solutions, and we believe offering them through dynamic default will be the next generation of retirement plan auto features."The implementation of the...

SBA Administrator Guzman to Kick Off National Small Business Week with Events April 28-29 in Washington, D.C.

SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman is set to launch National Small Business Week (NSBW) events in Washington, D.C. on April 28-29. The event will bring together the 2024 Award Winners, individuals who exemplify the resilience and determination driving the nation's economy.During the event, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will honor various stakeholders for their contributions to entrepreneurial development, federal contracting, lending, disaster recovery, and more. Administrator Guzman stated, "The press is invited to attend all events and must RSVP......

Morgan Stanley Names 10 Women and an Ally as their MAKERS Class of 2024

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has announced the 2024 MAKERS Class, a group of 11 outstanding professionals dedicated to advancing women and breaking barriers within the firm. Jed Finn, Head of Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, expressed the importance of celebrating leaders committed to supporting women, mentoring, and driving positive change. He stated, "At Morgan Stanley, we believe it’s important to share and celebrate the stories of our leaders who are committed to advancing women, mentoring and breaking barriers. The MAKERS program, a powerful tradition at our...

Flying Food Group partners with Hainan Airlines to launch direct flights between Seattle and Beijing

Flying Food Group SEA has unveiled a partnership with Hainan Airlines to facilitate direct flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. The service, which commenced this month, operates thrice weekly.

Progressive Corp.'s personal lines business outperforms Q1 targets

Progressive Corp.'s personal lines business has reported a combined ratio of 84.5% in the first quarter, significantly below management's 96% target and marking the lowest such result for the segment in a first quarter since 2004. This follows an unexpected downturn in underwriting results from March 2023, which led Progressive to reduce its expansion pace, including cutting back on advertising expenditure.

Nationwide reveals most common reasons for veterinary visits among insured pets

Nationwide, a leading provider of pet insurance, has conducted an analysis of its database to identify the most common medical conditions that prompt veterinary visits. The company's database comprises more than 1.2 million insured pets, and the study was aimed at helping pet owners understand and prepare for the costs associated with these common conditions.

Nationwide Catastrophe Response Unit Deployed to Rock Hill, SC for Vehicle Damage Assessment

A Catastrophe Response Unit (CRU) is being deployed to Rock Hill, SC, to setup a temporary drive-in for vehicle damage assessment and will offer appointments every 30 minutes. This initiative aims to streamline the assessment process for customers affected by recent events in the area.Customers who have already filed a claim and wish to schedule a drive-in appointment can contact their claim representative to discuss inspection options. This personalized approach ensures that individuals can easily access the support they need during this challenging time."Our Claims...

Nevada drivers pay above-average rates for auto insurance, Bankrate reports

Bankrate has reported that drivers in Nevada are paying an average of $973 per year for minimum coverage auto insurance and $2,779 for full coverage. These rates are significantly higher than the national average, which stands at $2,014 annually for full coverage and $622 for minimum.

Graystone Consulting Receives Third Consecutive Quality Leader Designation from Coalition Greenwich

Graystone Consulting, a business of Morgan Stanley, has once again been recognized for its excellence in the financial services industry. The company announced that it has been named a Quality Leader for the third consecutive year by Coalition Greenwich in Overall U.S. Investment Consulting among large consultants.Jeremy France, Head of Institutional Consulting Solutions at Morgan Stanley, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating, “Our clients are at the heart of Graystone, and we focus on bringing them the best of what our organization offers – boutique-level...

SBA Recognizes 2023 T.H.R.I.V.E. Program Winners

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced the recognition of the 2023 T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders Reimagined cohort winners in Seattle and North Metro Puerto Rico. Guzman emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to supporting small businesses through initiatives like the T.H.R.I.V.E. program, stating, "T.H.R.I.V.E. trainers play a crucial role in developing a robust network of trusted advisors and peer support networks across the country."The T.H.R.I.V.E. program, which stands for Train. Hope....

SBA Announces 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One Winners, Up to $3 Million in Prizes Awarded

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the winners of the 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition (GAFC) Stage One, with each recipient receiving $50,000 in prize awards. Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman highlighted the significance of these winners in fostering innovation and supporting small businesses, stating, "SBA’s Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage One winners join the SBA’s incredible network of entrepreneurial support organizations contributing to America’s innovative startup ecosystem."The competition focused on three theme areas:...

Innovative spaces await: Linden Branch remodel is underway

The Linden neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, is set to undergo a transformation with the remodeling of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s (CML) Linden Branch. The project, which will more than double the size of the current library branch, kicked off with a ceremonial "wall breaking" event on April 17, 2024.Ralph Carter, the founder of We Are Linden, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the community, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s going to be a great thing. We need places like this as a safe haven. That’s one of the biggest things...