Andy Mientus & Michael Arden(Photo: instagram.com/andymientus) View Comments Surely no one’s doing sadness today. Broadway favorites Andy Mientus and Tony nominee Michael Arden celebrated their wedding on August 18. The two got engaged in June 2014.According to the Instagrams of Broadway faves such as Fiddler on the Roof’s Alexandra Silber (a longtime friend of Arden), the wedding was held at Babington House in Somerset, England.Mientus played Hanschen in the Deaf West revival of Spring Awakening, which Arden directed. The former Broadway.com vlogger’s additional credits include Les Miserables and Carrie on stage and Smash on screen.Arden received a Tony nomination earlier this year for his work on Spring Awakening; as an actor, he appeared on Broadway in Big River and The Times They Are A-Changin’. He also headlined The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Jolla and Paper Mill Playhouse and directed Baystreet Theater’s current production of My Fair Lady.Congratulations to the happy newlyweds!
Mister and Mister.— Michael Arden (@michaelarden) August 18, 2016
Leaders of four diverse business organizations in Vermont have found general agreement over some of the most important economic issues facing the state, including on nuclear power and health care access. The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, Vermont Business Roundtable and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility communicated their shared policy goals around energy, health care, and telecommunications infrastructure in a joint statement released Wednesday.It comes as no surprise that all four organizations support broadband and mobile telecommunications coverage across the entire state. But they were also able to agree that nuclear power could be a source of electricity in what they see as a diversified energy solution, which would also include renewables. And they agreed that the health care system should be reformed to the extent that a solution would include universal access. VBR President Lisa Ventriss told Vermont Business Magazine that the nuclear piece was not an endorsement of Vermont Yankee. What VBR is saying, she said, is that, “Nuclear power is a clean, affordable, sustainable source of electricity.”LCRCC supports the relicensing of Vermont Yankee and VBSR, for one, does not. In effect, the groups are at the very least not rejecting nuclear power, Ventriss. Nuclear power, for instance, could be part of the mix of sources in a system contract a Vermont utility might sign with an out-of -state entity.Andrea Cohen, president of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility said, “VBSR does not support the relicensing of Vermont Yankee.” But, she added, her organization is “not expressly opposed to nuclear.”The same broad sort of common interest among the four groups was found with health care. All four want to find a way to reduce costs while making it available to everyone. Here, Cohen said that VBSR specifically supports universal access, ability to pay and a decoupling from employment. Neither she nor the group at large made a statement specifically about the single-payer plan making its way through the Legislature.Speaking first for the group in the prepared statement, Roundtable Chair, Steve Voigt, CEO of King Arthur Flour, said ‘Our four organizations have found common agreement on some of the most pressing issues facing Vermont today. Our aim is to work collaboratively toward faster, smarter and better policy outcomes in the legislative arena to benefit our companies and employees.’On the energy front, all four business organizations endorsed a diversified electric energy supply portfolio to meet increased demands for electricity that includes biomass, hydro, solar, wind sources, and nuclear. Referring to recent conversations with ISO-New England regarding transmission reliability, Jeff Beer, Co-Founder of Select Design and Chair the of Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, said, ‘it is incumbent upon business to speak with a collective voice of the critical need for transmission reliability; especially as we move towards a diversified energy future.’Health care reform is of great interest and critical importance to the business organizations. Recent surveys by the business organizations cited concerns primarily aimed at improving cost containment and reducing the current downward drag on business competitiveness. Julie Lineberger, Owner of LineSync Architecture and Chair of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, said, ‘The cost of healthcare is the greatest obstacle to the success of many Vermont businesses; we must find a way to provide affordable health care to all Vermonters with financing that is equitable and sustainable.’ On the economic development front, telecommunications infrastructure is recognized as the threshold issue for expanding existing companies and enabling new businesses to locate in Vermont. Steve Terry, Co-Founder of Worth Mountain Consulting, and Chair of Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, said ‘Vermont urgently needs a universal, high-speed, affordable broadband and mobile connectivity system so we can compete with the world.’ The various organizations will be working throughout the summer on these issues to continue building consensus and broader stakeholder agreement around more granular policy recommendations.
By Dialogo March 09, 2011 United States and Dominican Republic security forces will be conducting a military exercise named Fused Response 2011 from March 7-11. Fused Response is a Chairman-Joint Chief of Staff (CJCS)-approved, U.S. Southern Command-sponsored military exercise conducted by Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH). The exercise will involve a joint contingent of U.S. and Dominican Republic military personnel with approximately 250 security personnel participating in the event. Training conducted in Fused Response will consist of staff planning, reconnaissance, and other Special Operations training intended to improve interoperability and skills necessary to combat terrorism and illicit trafficking. The Dominican Republic and the United States military frequently train together and enjoy solid working relationships.
7SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr,Debbie Matz Debbie Matz was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the eighth board chair of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). After confirmation by the U.S. Senate on … Web: www.ncua.gov Details Starting in May of each year, NCUA begins the rigorous process of developing the following year’s budget using a zero-based process.Some people have asked me what zero-based budgeting means:It means every position and every expense must be individually justified.It also means our budget is developed from the bottom up.Zero-based budgeting at NCUA begins with a field-level review of every credit union to determine the number of workload hours that will be needed for the upcoming year. Field staff recommends the number of hours to supervise each credit union based on asset size, complexity, and financial trends.Workload estimates are then refined by each level of management in the field, until the budget proposal is forwarded to NCUA’s Central Office for extensive review and analysis.The 15 offices within NCUA headquarters are also rigorously evaluated to ensure resources are allocated efficiently toward priority needs. We don’t just carry over amounts that were budgeted or spent in the prior year. We require every office to explain the merits of every line item, the specific needs for every spending category, and the basis of developing every cost estimate.Throughout the budget process, the Executive Director and the Chief Financial Officer brief each Board Member multiple times on budget proposals that are submitted, updated, and recommended. So the budget is thoroughly vetted at every level of the agency.Lowest Budget Increase in 7 YearsAs a result of the intense analysis, scrubbing, and reviews, I am pleased that NCUA’s 2015 budget includes the lowest increase in seven years.The 4.2 percent increase ensures that we have the resources to efficiently do our jobs—protecting the safety and soundness of credit unions and being a vigilant steward of the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund—in a manner that recognizes our operating costs are borne by the credit unions we regulate and insure.Cutting the Budget Is Not an OptionI know there will always be those who argue that NCUA should cut the budget—and that any increase is too big.Cutting the budget, however, is not an option. Like all businesses, this agency faces non-discretionary costs that tend to increase each year, such as:Health care;Travel and hotels;Telecommunications;Leased and owned property;Hardware and software; andMaintenance and repairs.So the only way to materially cut the budget would be to substantially cut staff.Reducing Staff Leads to Higher LossesLet me remind you: NCUA made the mistake of cutting staff in the years leading up to the Great Recession. NCUA cut 71 full-time equivalent staff (FTEs) between 2001 and 2008. To keep costs down, the agency employed a smaller exam force, cut back to 18 months between exams, and had fewer office staff analyzing Call Reports.The result was that NCUA was unable to identify many credit unions’ problems soon enough to save them from losses.Another argument some stakeholders make is that NCUA should reduce staff each year as the number of credit unions declines.However, that argument has a fatal flaw: Most of the insured shares and troubled assets from those credit unions do not disappear; they are acquired by other credit unions.So the remaining credit unions are growing larger and more complex, posing greater concentration risk to the Share Insurance Fund.Specialists Support New Credit Union PowersLarger, more complex institutions require more examiners with specific specialties in certain operations—from sophisticated investments, to specialized lending, to cutting-edge technology.In addition, credit unions have requested new powers—like derivatives and asset securitization—which require enhanced supervision.I have often said that NCUA needs to keep up with the industry that we supervise. So, our budget is intended to ensure that NCUA’s supervisory expertise will keep pace with credit unions’ expanding business opportunities.Specialists are critical to identifying and resolving traditional risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and concentration risk, as well as new and evolving operational risks including cybersecurity threats. To address these risks with a heightened focus on efficiency, this budget would reallocate 18 existing regional staff from generalists to specialists in capital markets, real estate and business lending, and information systems.The 2015 budget will also achieve other important goals and objectives of NCUA’s Strategic Plan:Developing financial literacy and consumer protection programs;Providing guidance to small credit unions; andStrengthening cybersecurity within the agency and throughout the credit union system.It’s important to note: The nine new positions for 2015 will be offset by eliminating five general examiner positions. That’s how we arrived at a net increase of only four FTEs.NCUA Is a Leader in Budget TransparencyStakeholders may be surprised to learn that NCUA discloses considerably more information about our budget and spending than independent federal financial regulatory agencies are required to make available to the public. NCUA even provides more financial information than credit unions are required to provide to their own members.This year, although we are not required to do so, we are providing even greater detail on the NCUA budget:Our publicly posted Board Action Memorandum is twice the length it was in previous years and contains a much greater level of budget detail.For the NCUA website, we’ve disaggregated the top five budget categories that are rolled up in the Board Action Memorandum and broken down each category for all 21 NCUA offices—something we have never done before.Also for the first time, we are posting five fact sheets about the NCUA budget.The fact sheets go beyond the numbers:The first sheds light on transparency; it includes links to all the information posted on NCUA’s budget, as well as NCUA’s spending throughout the year.The second outlines the budget development process in even more detail.The third describes the Information Technology Prioritization Council—the panel I created to weigh the costs and benefits of all proposed IT projects before they are included in the budget.The fourth outlines NCUA’s procurement process, which explains how we use contractors where appropriate rather than hiring permanent FTEs.The fifth will describe major line items where we achieved budget savings for 2015.The bottom line: The 2015 budget is not only more transparent; it will cost-effectively provide NCUA with the necessary resources to achieve the agency’s mission as both regulator and insurer. The budget is designed to protect the safety and soundness of America’s federally insured credit unions and to ensure that no credit union member will lose a penny of their federally insured deposits.
What would you do if you knew the following information:The make, model, and competition for member’s next vehicle.Where members shop, buy their groceries, fast food, and gas.Identify what members are most likely to watch, read and listen.Identify who is currently disrupting your business.And, if you knew all this, how would you change your products, channels, staff and marketplace position to increase the value to your members? Fortunately for the industry, credit unions have robust amounts of data that can be connected to gain insights to help them better understand their members and improve their lives.Here is how Our Community Credit Union, (Asset size $350 Million) located in the Pacific Northwest, was able to connect their data, create insights and improve their member value. They engaged with OnApproach M360 data warehouse solution and THRIVE Strategic Services to connect their data and build strategy. continue reading » 12SHARESShareShareSharePrintMailGooglePinterestDiggRedditStumbleuponDeliciousBufferTumblr
The Department of Revenue announced on Saturday that the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2019 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns is extended to July 15. Taxpayers will have an additional 90 days from the initial deadline of April 15 to file. For the daily COVID-19 Report, visit here For all press releases regarding coronavirus, please visit here. Find the latest information on the coronavirus here. Photos of the state’s lab in Exton are available for download and use here. Coronavirus and preparedness graphics are available here near the bottom of the page: hereCommunity preparedness and procedures materials are available here. For an updated map with the number of cases, visit here. Updated coronavirus links: The Department of Revenue will also waive penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments through the new deadline of July 15. This new deadline applies to 2019 tax returns and payments as well as estimated payments for the first and second quarters of 2020. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WBNG) — Pennsylvania gave an update on the coronavirus in the state on Saturday. All non-life-sustaining businesses must close to slow the spread of COVID-19Pennsylvania k-12 schools closed with guidance providedPostponing in-person events that consist of 10 people or more throughout the United StatesDiscretion for religious leaders in holding servicesNo visitor policies at all State correctional facilities and nursing homes to ensure the safety of inmates, residents, staff and visitors Restricted visitor policies in state centersRestricted visitor policies in assisted living and personal care homes For more coverage of the coronavirus, click here.
The Wolf Administration has announced: For more information, visit www.revenue.pa.gov, where you can find free tax forms and instructions. You can also visit the department’s pages on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for additional information. There are 3,766 who have tested negative for the virus, but with commercial labs being the primary testing option for most residents, data cannot be release on how many tests are pending. There have been two deaths statewide. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said in a press release that as of March 21, there are 103 additional positive cases of the coronavirus and one additional death in Allegheny County. The statewide total adds up to 371 positive cases, spread across 28 counties. Due to the high volume of business waiver requests, the Wolf Administration is delaying the order saying that all non-life-sustaining businesses in Pennsylvania must close to slow the spread of COVID-19. The revised time of enforcement is Monday, March 2 at 8:00 a.m.
France’s €32.6bn pension reserve fund has blamed a “brutal” fall in stock markets towards the end of 2018 for contributing to its first investment loss in eight years.In its annual report, published this week, the Fonds de Réserve pour les Retraites (FRR) said it had lost 5.2% over 2018, with the last two months of the year dramatically impacting performance.A statement from the fund said this annual loss was the first it had experienced since launching a new investment strategy in 2011 – and should not be attributed to its stock selection.The fund’s return-seeking assets, which make up 56% of the portfolio, lost 8% over the year, with its bond allocation losing 0.8%. This meant the fund’s total assets stood at €32.6bn at the end of 2018 – down €3.8bn on a year earlier – having lost €1.7bn through the investment performance and the rest from making its regular payment to the Caisse d’Amortissement de la Dette Sociale, which was established to redeem the country’s social security debt.Despite the loss, the FRR was still able to meet its liabilities, it said, with annualised performance since 2011 reaching 4.2%, net of all costs. FRR’s Olivier Rousseau collects the Climate-Related Risk Management award from Marie Dzanis, CEO of Northern Trust Global Investments, at December’s IPE Awards dinner in DublinCredit: Patrick FrostThe fund acknowledged the return of volatility to world markets and outlined its commitment to the French economy, citing a long-term investment horizon.Over the course of the year, the fund also stepped up its commitment to responsible investment by increasing the focus on environmental, social and responsible criteria when renewing its contracts.It lowered the threshold for excluding companies earning revenues from thermal coal from 20% to 10%, in line with its policy of moving in line the energy transition.It also awarded development capital fund mandates, with €2bn being invested in unlisted French assets.Further readingWhy FRR doesn’t invest in green bonds – for now Executive director Olivier Rousseau explains FRR’s approach to sustainability in the fixed income arenaIPE Conference: Quantitative v qualitative in impact investing Asset owners from Ireland, Sweden, France and the UK argue that numbers aren’t the only way of measuring impacts
Sarah Bates has been appointed to succeed Dame Jane Newell as chair of the John Lewis Partnership Trust for Pensions effective 1 August.A department store brand, John Lewis is the UK’s largest employee-owned business, with the employees called partners.Bates is a veteran of investment management with specialist expertise in pensions. She rose from being a fund manager to becoming CEO of the UK institutional business at Invesco, which she left in 2003. She has since then held a variety of trusteeships and non-executive director positions. She is currently an independent member of the investment committees of the BBC Pension Scheme and the Universities Superannuation Scheme, and was previously chair of the pension fund investment committee for Cancer Research UK and chair of trustees for the Stena Line UK pension scheme. Away from pensions, she is chair of Polar Capital Technology Trust and Merian Global investors, and non-executive director of the Worldwide Healthcare Trust.She is also a co-founder of the Diversity Project and chair of the Diversity Project charity. Sarah Bates, John Lewis partners pension scheme’s new chair of trusteeNewell is stepping down after having been chair of the John Lewis pension trust since 2013. She has also been chair of Royal Mail’s pension plans, the Dixons Group pension scheme; and the United Utilities Pension Scheme. The John Lewis Partnership pension scheme now only has an open defined contribution scheme, with the defined benefit section having been closed at the end of March following a year-long review and consultation with the retailer’s partners.To read the digital edition of IPE’s latest magazine click here.
Avila was one of the names that Barca were linked with in the winter window. The Argentine’s fine season could see him getting an international call up, where he may play with Leo Messi.Advertisement Promoted Content8 Best 1980s High Tech GadgetsWhat Our Favorite Celebs Look Like With Their Natural Hair ColorCouples Who Celebrated Their Union In A Unique, Unforgettable WayPortuguese Street Artist Creates Hyper-Realistic 3D Graffiti10 Risky Jobs Some Women DoBest & Worst Celebrity Endorsed Games Ever Made6 Ridiculous Health Myths That Are Actually TrueTop 10 Female Stars Everyone Had A Crush On In The 90sWho Earns More Than Ronaldo?7 Black Hole Facts That Will Change Your View Of The UniverseWhich Country Is The Most Romantic In The World?The Best Cars Of All Time Loading… Osasuna striker, Chimy Avila, as paid tribute to Barcelona captain Lionel Messi. “Any player would like to play with Messi, or have a coach like Cholo Simeone,” said Avila. “Messi is the only person you can’t compare. read also:Wenger: English youngsters can match Messi “I always say Messi because Maradona I only saw on video and I’ve played against Messi.” FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 
CRYSTAL, Mich. (Aug. 5) – Chance Allen of Alma picked up the win in the Lane Automotive IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Crystal Motor Speedway.Mitchell Hunt was second and Myron DeYoung took third.
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