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AmeriLife To Acquire TruChoice Financial Group from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire TruChoice Financial Group (“TruChoice”) and its affiliate Inforce Solutions, LLC (“Inforce”), from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (“Allianz Life”). Headquartered in Minneapolis, TruChoice is one of the largest field marketing organizations (FMO) in the financial services industry. The company partners with life and annuities agencies to provide them with best-in-class marketing, business support and financial solutions in an ever-changing industry. Inforce, an affiliate of TruChoice, is a national brokerage general agency (BGA) focused in the life insurance market. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. The addition of TruChoice provides significant opportunity for AmeriLife to expand its annuities production, as well as increase its reach in the fast-growing life insurance market and forge a closer relationship with Allianz Life. “Today’s announcement brings together two incredible companies that not only share similar values, but also a deep, unwavering commitment to empowering agents and advisors to help their clients live more financially secure lives,” said Scott R. Perry, chairman and CEO of AmeriLife. “We’re excited to welcome Brian Peterson and the talented teams at TruChoice and Inforce to the AmeriLife family and its best-in-class distribution.” Under the AmeriLife umbrella, TruChoice and Inforce will gain access to a wealth of industry-leading resources, new products, and solutions to expand opportunities for their more than 4,000 financial professionals. Like AmeriLife, TruChoice will continue to maintain its strong relationship with Allianz Life as a non-affiliated FMO as the latter moves to consolidate its focus around its core business of creating innovative products that help clients manage their risk in retirement. “This is a great move for TruChoice that puts us on a path to significant growth going forward,” said Brian Peterson, president and CEO of TruChoice Financial Group and Inforce. “I couldn’t be more excited for our employees and the financial professionals we serve. I’m convinced AmeriLife is the perfect new partner to help us drive this exciting expansion.” “This sale supports Allianz Life’s ability to further focus on our core strengths of providing our independent distribution partners with innovative risk management and retirement solutions for their clients,” said Jasmine Jirele, president and CEO of Allianz Life. “I am also excited that this move will allow TruChoice to accelerate its growth as an independent distributor. We look forward to continuing to partner with TruChoice and expanding our relationship with the AmeriLife group of companies.” Piper Sandler & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to TruChoice Financial Group and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in connection with the transaction, which is expected to close on November 30, 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. ### About TruChoice Financial Group TruChoice is a dynamic sales and marketing organization and one of the largest distributors of financial services products in the insurance industry, functioning as a foundation for the success of the independent financial professionals they serve. For additional information, visit TruChoiceFinancial.com, and follow TruChoice on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2021, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.6 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, registered index-linked annuities and fixed index universal life insurance, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with approximately 150,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details AmeriLife | Media Relations Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com AmeriLife | Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com TruChoice Financial Group Chris Cowan +1 678-718-1951 mediarelations@truchoicefinancial.com Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Brett Weinberg +1 763-765-7160 brett.weinberg@allianzlife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

November 07, 2022 03:30 PM Eastern Standard Time

Bluberi Adds a Slice with “Bluberi π” Studio in Reno, NV

Bluberi Gaming

Bluberi or (the “Company”) today announced the grand opening of its brand new game development studio “Bluberi π” in Reno, NV. Bluberi is opening this studio as a complementary content stream to help build the portfolio in conjunction with the development team in Drummondville, Canada. The studio is led by Vice President of R&D, Keith Hughes, an experienced Game Designer with a background at IGT and Scientific Games (now Light & Wonder). Keith is joined by a mix of industry veterans as well as some new faces to the gaming industry. “We here at Bluberi π are thrilled to be a part of this team. The games coming out of our talented Canadian team such as Devil’s Lock & Fu Bamboo showcase the potential of Bluberi and set a high bar for our team here in Reno. We can’t wait to contribute to the Bluberi roadmap and provide an additional source of content as the company grows in the coming years!”, said Hughes. The name, “Bluberi π”, comes from the team’s deep-rooted commitment to industry leading math and the Bluberi New School core value. One of the most iconic numbers in all of math, π, is a constant, while also never-ending and mysterious. As a homonym to the word “pie”, the studio’s name also represents the Company’s commitment to a fun and irreverent approach to game design. "2022 has been an amazing year for Bluberi, thanks to consistently strong releases from our flagship R&D facility in Drummondville, Quebec, the lifeblood of the company. And as we're primed for growth in 2023 and beyond, we're very excited to introduce our second studio, Bluberi Pi. Due to strong planning and leadership we're already highly staffed and primed to unveil their first products next year." said Mike Brennan, Chief Product Officer. “Having Bluberi π as part of the Bluberi family is an incredibly exciting development for the company”, said Christian Smith, Senior Director of Product and Marketing. “The experience, creativity, and passion this team brings will serve as a great compliment to the successful games being developed in Drummondville.” “Most of the success in my career has come from collaboration with team members that bring diverse thoughts, ideas, and opinions, and I am excited to continue that style of game development with both the creative and passionate people in the Bluberi π studio as well as with the team in Drummondville.”, Hughes added. Bluberi π is targeting to have its debut game in the market sometime in 2023. About Bluberi Backed by more than 25 years of industry experience, Bluberi is an established and reliable company with an expansive vision to deliver the highest quality casino gaming experience to players in Class II and Class III markets across the globe. We strive to provide industry-leading customer service by being the easiest company to do business with and are proud to be an agile supplier; able to respond to customer feedback quickly as we grow to become a best-in-class gaming partner. To learn more, visit bluberi.com. Bluberi Media Contact: Christian Smith, Sr. Director of Product & Marketing, christian.smith@bluberi.com Contact Details Bluberi Christian Smith, Sr +1 847-778-2462 christian.smith@bluberi.com Company Website https://bluberi.com/

November 07, 2022 09:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

READY FOR BUSINESS FUND IS DISTRIBUTING MORE THAN $200,000 IN CASH GRANTS TO 76 SMALL BUSINESSES IN WASHINGTON

Comcast Washington

SEATTLE, November 7, 2022 – The Ready for Business Fund – a relief program launched by GSBA, Washington State’s LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce, and Comcast – is distributing $2,500 and $4,000 cash grants to 76 small businesses throughout Washington state. The Ready for Business Fund was founded in the summer of 2020 with an initial $100,000 investment from Comcast and designation of GSBA as the fund manager. To date, the fund has supported more than 200 small businesses in Washington with nearly $1 million in financial support and wraparound services. The Ready for Business Fund was renewed this year with an additional $75,000 in funding from Comcast and GSBA, reprising its role as the program and fund manager. Grants from the Ready for Business Fund will be made possible by more than $150,000 in additional donations from Pepsi, T-Mobile, US Bank, Meta, and Verity Credit Union and a $100,000 grant from King County. These funds will now support small business owners across all industries, including local restaurants, bookstores, bistros, shops and stores, which are an important part of the social fabric in our communities. “GSBA recognizes the importance of investing in the small businesses that are critical to a thriving community and economy,” said Ilona Lohrey, GSBA president and CEO. “We are proud to once again partner with Comcast to grow our Ready for Business Fund to support a diverse group of business owners who need our help now more than ever.” The Ready for Business Fund was created to support small businesses in Washington, especially those owned by LGBTQ people, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and women, who are at greater risk in today’s uncertain economy. Grant recipients also include small businesses located in rural areas of Washington that lack proximity to resources. “We're grateful for our continued partnership with the GSBA to recognize so many resilient small businesses through the Ready for Business Fund,” said Diem Ly, Community Impact director, Comcast Washington. “We at Comcast believe and act on our shared value that ensuring equitable access to resources for BIPOC and LGBTQ-owned businesses means all of our communities and neighborhoods benefit in the long-run.” Feel free to adjust as you see fit! “Between recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over inflation, our small businesses have faced some of the most difficult struggles over the last few years, and it is up to our community to step up and support them. That’s why partnerships like the one between King County, GSBA and Comcast are so imperative right now,” shared King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. GSBA assembled a selection committee consisting of diverse community and business leaders to evaluate the applications received. Notifications to grant applicants about the status of their application have begun and awards will be delivered beginning this week. All grant recipients will also receive wrap-around services, including GSBA membership and consulting. Ready for Business Fund grant recipients include: More information is available at theGSBA.org/ready-for-business. About GSBA Established in 1981, GSBA is Washington State's LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce and is the largest of its kind in North America. The chamber represents over 1,400 small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace. GSBA proudly serves as a connector across the region, bringing communities together through business while advocating for civil rights and small business. GSBA also promotes LGBTQ tourism through Travel Out Seattle, advocates for small businesses in Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood through the Capitol Hill Business Alliance (CHBA) and invests in the next generation of LGBTQ and allied leaders through the GSBA Scholarship & Education Fund. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with over 56 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Andy Colley Andy_Colley@Comcast.com Company Website https://www.thegsba.org/business-resources/ready-for-business

November 07, 2022 08:56 AM Pacific Standard Time

St. Supéry to Highlight Leading Philanthropic Entrepreneurs With #GivingTuesday Chats

St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery

Join St. Supéry CEO, Emma Swain and leaders of three exceptional organizations in November. On zoom or the winery’s social platforms, find out how these top Philanthropic Entrepreneurs address critical issues of health care, land conservation, education, and social equity. All sessions will be nationally broadcasted as a podcast series. St. Supéry, a philanthropic leader and estate winery in the Napa Valley, spreads inspiration by spotlighting the innovative and creative solutions these organizations are deploying locally, nationally, and globally. Winery CEO, Emma Swain states, “Only one day of Giving in November isn’t enough. Some people just watch change happen in the world, and there are leaders who create that change. Meet these Philanthropic Entrepreneurs who are improving the world for generations to come. We know they will inspire you and bring joy to your day.” Hear from Doug Parker, President & CEO of Land Trust Napa County (Nov. 8 th at 4 PM), Brett deLeuze, President of ZD Wines with The deLeuze Family Endowed Professorship (Nov. 15 th at 4 PM), & Kim Mazzuca, President & CEO of 10,000 Degrees® (Nov. 22 nd at 4 PM). All of these special organizations focus on enriching our community and beyond. November 8 th, 46 Years of Saving Land in Napa with Doug Parker, President & CEO of Land Trust of Napa County This local nonprofit works cooperatively with landowners and our community, protecting agricultural land, water resources, wildlife and wildlife corridors, scenic open space, forests, ranches, wildflower meadows and native biodiversity throughout Napa County. They permanently protect land through conservation easements and direct land acquisition to limit future development in critical environments. By carefully prioritizing their activities, the Land Trust continually expands the network of conservation lands that provide clean water, wildlife habitat and corridors, thriving agricultural lands, and access to nature for all those who live in and visit the Napa Valley. November 15 th, The deLeuze Family Endowed Professorship with Brett deLeuze, President of ZD Wines This professorship fund is established to recognize and further promote the outstanding research approach of Dr. Joseph Tuscano and the UC Davis Cancer Center in pursuing a non-toxic cure for lymphoma that will have widespread availability for lymphoma patients. When a cure for lymphoma is found, this fund will be designated toward non-toxic cures in perpetuity. November 22 nd, 10,000 Degrees® with Kim Mazzuca, President & CEO Believe. Partner. Connect. Since 1981, this leading California equity-focused scholarship provider and college success nonprofit has helped more than 20,000 students from low-income backgrounds achieve their college dreams, and now reach more than 12,000 students and their families each year. The St. Supéry #GivingTuesday sessions are free to join. Grab a glass and toast these innovative programs and creative fundraising efforts. Start your inspiration with a glass of St. Supéry wines from the wine giveback series, knowing that each four-bottle assortment provides $50 to your choice of featured organization. Continue your inspiration with a donation to one of these organizations and reward yourself with the offer below: Wine and travel aficionados are encouraged to plan their next trip to the Napa Valley around giving back. Select the cause and date of your preference and join Emma and up to 20 other generous individuals for intimate summer Giving Back Estate Luncheons paired with its estate wines for $500 per person. Note St. Supéry in your direct donation to the featured charity to join the fun! June 16, 2023 | 10,000 Degrees® June 23, 2023 | The deLeuze Family Endowed Professorship Chef, Jill deLeuze Billeci of ZD Winery will join St. Supéry Estate Chef for this luncheon. Wine pairings from both, St. Supéry Winery and ZD Winery. June 30, 2023 | Land Trust of Napa County Get the zoom links to join the #GivingTuesday Chats and find out more about the wine giveback sets at https://www.stsupery.com/givingtuesday/ Previous giving Tuesday conversations included Oceans 2050, One Mind Institute, Humanity Showers, Primo Center, Aim High, and Voices of our City. They are available on our Podcast channel: https://tinyurl.com/past-giving-Tuesday-chats. About St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery St. Supéry, a CHANEL owned winery, is one of the rare 100% estate grown wineries and is a Certified Napa Green Winery and Vineyards. It is located in the renowned Rutherford growing region in the heart of Napa Valley. The winery specializes in sauvignon blanc and red Bordeaux varietals. St. Supéry Press Kit and posted press release: https://stsupery.com/trade-media/press/ St. Supéry Giving Tuesday images: https://tinyurl.com/St-Supery-Giving-Tuesday St. Supéry images: https://tinyurl.com/St-Supery-Images ### St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery · 8440 St. Helena Hwy. · PO Box 38 · Rutherford, CA 94573 Web stsupery.com · Phone 707.963.4507 · Fax 707.963.4526 Contact Details For more information, contact Annie Watterson annie@stsupery.com

November 04, 2022 05:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time

Cold and Flu Season 2022: How Over-the-Counter Remedies Can Help

YourUpdateTV

Flu season has almost always been a predictable part of every winter, but the COVID-19 pandemic threw things out of whack. The 2020-2021 flu season was practically non-existent due to COVID-19 precautions and lockdowns, and last year’s flu season was definitely mild compared to pre-pandemic years. Recently, Best-Selling Author and Medical Contributor Dr. Ian Smith teamed up with Mucinex on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the upcoming cold and flu season and some resources that can help. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/c4AY6pLO1kU Many health experts are predicting the 2022-2023 flu season will be a severe one, due to several factors. The main reason the flu basically disappeared the last two years was the behavior changes people made to avoid COVID – staying home, avoiding public gatherings, wearing masks, and not traveling. That also prevented the flu virus from spreading like usual. Those measures have been mostly abandoned – in addition, without the last two ‘flu seasons’ many individuals’ immunity to seasonal flu will be decreased. It is possible that we could see a higher rate of severe illness due to the flu this year. Many experts have looked to Australia, where flu season runs from April to September. They are just coming out their most devastating flu season in five years, which could be a precursor as to what we can expect to see in the U.S. The best way to prevent and limit the effects if you do contact the flu is to get vaccinated. It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to be most effective after administration, and since the influenza virus is already circulating, it is best to do this as soon as possible. Key preventative measures like washing your hands often and covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and sneezing into your elbow if you don’t have a tissue can be extremely effective in preventing the spread of germs. If you do find yourself with flu-like symptoms, such as cough and congestion, there are options available to help you feel better and over-the-counter remedies are the first stop. While over-the-counter remedies don’t cure the flu virus, they can go a long way towards helping treat the symptoms. Dr. Ian’s go-to is Mucinex Extended-Release Tablets, because they are clinically proven to last up to 12 hours. As the #1 pharmacist recommended expectorant, Mucinex Extended-Release Tablets relieve chest congestion and thin and loosen mucus, which can provide relief for your chest congestion, making your cough more productive. People must use over-the-counter products as directed. If symptoms persist, you should contact your healthcare professional and get checked out if deemed necessary. You can find Mucinex online at Mucinex.com or stop by Walmart or your local pharmacy retailer. About Dr Ian Smith Dr. Ian Smith is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling books, SHRED: THE REVOLUTIONARY DIET, and SUPER SHRED: The Big Results Diet, and BLAST THE SUGAR OUT. Dr. Smith’s highly anticipated newest book, The Clean 20, became an instant New York Times best seller, helping hundreds of thousands of people reduce bad sugars from their diet, lose weight, lower blood sugar levels, and cut the cravings. Dr. Smith was appointed by President Obama to a second term on the prestigious President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. He is currently the medical contributor and co-host of the nationally syndicated television show The Rachael Ray Show. He is a former co-host of the Emmy award winning syndicated daytime talk show, The Doctors. He also served as the medical/diet expert for six seasons on VH1’s highly-rated Celebrity Fit Club, and is the creator and founder of the national health initiatives The 50 Million Pound Challenge and The Makeover Mile. Dr. Smith is the former medical correspondent for NBC News network and for NewsChannel 4 in New York, where he filed reports for NBC Nightly News and The Today Show as well as WNBC’s various news broadcasts. He has appeared extensively on various broadcasts including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey Show, The Talk, Larry King Live, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, MSNBC and many more. He has written for various publications including Time, Newsweek, Men’s Fitness, and the New York Daily News, and has been featured in several other publications including, People, Redbook, Details Magazine, Essence, Ebony, University of Chicago Medicine on the Midway, Cosmopolitan, and Black Enterprise. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 04, 2022 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children Elevates Stories of Adoption in Special Campaign for National Adoption Awareness Month

Spence-Chapin

On November 1, Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children marks National Adoption Awareness Month with community-wide offerings that celebrate the diverse stories of the adoption constellation and seek to counter misconceptions that continue to permeate mainstream notions around adoption in the United States. While more than 100,000 children are adopted in the US each year[1], adoption continues to be widely misunderstood. In the United States today, 56% of American adults report that they are not familiar with adoption, and yet 40% of Americans know someone who is connected to adoption[2]. Persistent misconceptions around adoption can perpetuate negative stereotypes and leave those connected to adoption feeling isolated and misunderstood. National Adoption Awareness Month provides critical space for dismantling myths around adoption and elevating the varied and unique stories and experiences of those connected to adoption, and that make up the diverse adoption constellation. Spence-Chapin will contribute to the spread of adoption awareness throughout the month of November through an in-person event and multi-platform digital campaign. The event, Stories of Adoption, a panel discussion taking place on Wednesday, November 16, at 6PM at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza in Brooklyn, NYC, will unite adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents around their stories of adoption. Attendees will have the chance to ask panelists questions and share their own experiences. The conversation will be moderated by Monica Baker, Director of Domestic Adoption Programs at Spence-Chapin, and is free and open to the public—those connected to adoption, and those who are interested in learning more about adoption or in hearing stories of the unique lived experiences of others. The event also welcomes professionals in the field of health care and social work who want to learn more about adoption and related services to best serve their patients and clients. “This event is meant to celebrate, reflect, and honor the unique and important experiences that make up the adoption constellation and to increase awareness around the diversity that exists in the adoption community. We encourage attendees to be active participants in this immersive and meaningful event,” said Linda Alexandre, Spence-Chapin Chief Program Officer. In addition to the community event, Spence-Chapin will launch a special digital series, Stories of the Constellation, on social media and through its podcast, Adoption Talk by Spence-Chapin, which will feature interviews with exceptional members of the adoption community who take a deep dive into their diverse narratives with listeners. Topics for this series include Search and Reunion of Birth Families, Kinship Adoption, Sibling Stories, and Adoptee Voices. To learn more about Spence-Chapin’s community programming for National Adoption Awareness Month, visit https://spence-chapin.org/naam/. [1] Adoption by the Numbers, National Council for Adoption. [2] Dave Thomas Foundation’s 2022 U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Attitudes Survey About Spence-Chapin: Spence-Chapin has been offering exceptional adoption and family services for more than 100 years. Its mission is to help find loving families for children whatever their needs or circumstances and provide counseling and lifelong support for all children and families to whom they have been born or entrusted. Spence-Chapin’s roots date back to the early 1900s with the pioneering work of Ms. Clara Spence and Dr. and Mrs. Henry Chapin, who established nurseries for infants abandoned on the streets of New York City, led humanitarian efforts, and created families through adoption. Spence-Chapin has since expanded to include other comprehensive support programs. The organization’s award-winning efforts have served more than 25,000 women, children, and families through domestic, international and special needs adoption, post-adoption support, and humanitarian aid programs such as the Granny Program. Find out more at www.spence-chapin.org. Contact Details Christine Pohl +1 212-360-0285 cpohl@spence-chapin.org Company Website https://spence-chapin.org/naam/

November 04, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Willamette Valley Benefits Joins AmeriLife

AmeriLife

AmeriLife Group, LLC (“AmeriLife”), a national leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities and retirement planning solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Willamette Valley Benefits. Under the leadership of longtime industry veteran and CEO Elma Friend, Willamette Valley Benefits specializes in the marketing and distribution of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and ancillary health solutions to clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "This is an exciting time for women in this industry,” said Friend. “We are a women-owned and operated business and have continued to see growth. I believe in the nurturing, compassionate side of what we do and taking care of people is our priority. As a female-driven operation, we continue to see more women entering this field and it’s a great fit because AmeriLife understands that diverse, empowered and client-first agents are key to delivering the right solutions and service.” Headquartered in Portland, OR., Willamette Valley Benefits has, for more than 16 years, helped clients navigate the complexities of healthcare via a dedicated staff of Medicare and health insurance professionals. Friend, also its founder, started with HealthNet and in launching Willamette Valley Benefits, committed herself and her firm to being a service-oriented business. Today, Willamette Valley Benefits takes a supportive approach when it comes to bringing in new agents. They collaborate with them consistently on education, service, compliance and support, ensuring that each agent has what they need to build their book of business and have a better work-life balance. Willamette Valley Benefits’ growing team currently serves communities in Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Idaho, and has recently branched into Texas. Already deeply familiar with AmeriLife through its longstanding relationship with Jack Schroeder and Associates, Willamette Valley Benefits will now have full access to AmeriLife’s best-in-class technology and resources and leading distribution platform, positioning the firm for significant growth. “Willamette Valley Benefits is, without a doubt, representative of the new face of our industry,” said Mike Vietri, AmeriLife’s Chief Distribution Officer. “AmeriLife is excited to add such a diverse and performative agency to its portfolio of companies. We look forward to working with Elma and her team to grow their operations and empower more of their agents to help people live longer, healthier lives.” ### About Willamette Valley Benefits Willamette Valley Benefits, Inc. is a local independent Medicare and health insurance agency based in Milwaukie, OR. With a passion for helping clients navigate their insurance needs, they are committed to making sure the information clients receive is clear and understandable. The team collaborates directly with clients to reduce their workload, clear up confusion and be confident that there is someplace to go when their health coverage questions need to be answered. Willamette Valley Benefits has been in business for more than 16 years and has grown through word of mouth, offering its services at no cost to those who need assistance. For more information visit WVBenefits.com. About AmeriLife AmeriLife’s strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. In doing so, AmeriLife has become recognized as the leader in developing, marketing, and distributing life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For more than 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers served through a distribution network of over 300,000 insurance agents and advisors and more than 100 marketing organizations and insurance agency locations nationwide. For more information, visit AmeriLife.com, and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn. Contact Details Media Jeff Maldonado +1 321-297-1112 jmaldonado@amerilife.com Partnership Inquiries Patrick Nichols +1 727-726-0726 pnichols@amerilife.com Company Website https://amerilife.com/

November 03, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Educational Travel Nonprofit to Announce 2023 D-Day History Trip to France Exclusive to Veterans

Road Scholar

This Veterans Day, November 11, Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel for older adults, will release an exclusive experience just for military veterans (or active duty service members) and their travel companions in 2023. The nine-day educational program will take a small group of 12-24 veterans from Paris to the beaches of Normandy to learn about war history, art history and the places where these two faces of France intersect. “This will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for the group,” said Road Scholar’s Program Operations Director in France, Amale Bourhim. “Not only will we have a deeper study of the military history of every site we visit, but simply the experience of learning together with fellow veterans is sure to create a distinctive sense of camaraderie and a bond that will make this trip memorable.” Based on one of Road Scholar’s most popular European programs, The Best of Northern France: Paris and Normandy, Road Scholar will be offering one exclusive trip Sept. 28-Oct. 6, 2023, just for veterans. Additional military history programming will be included, along with a visit to the Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) in Paris and a field trip to the Mémorial de Caen, commemorating World War II’s “Battle for Caen.” This program will also be offered at a special 10% price reduction for the military veterans, active duty service members and their travel companions. This all-inclusive program includes accommodations, meals, field trips, a Group Leader and more. It begins in Paris, where participants will learn about the city’s occupation and liberation. Local experts in Montmartre, Monet’s Giverny and Honfleur will share stories of famous impressionist painters and the French art that was protected and lost during WWII. The group will also visit Mont Saint Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perhaps the most impactful day will be when the group of veterans visits Omaha Beach to walk in the footsteps of WWII soldiers and the Normandy American Cemetery, where together they will take part in a moving ceremony to pay respects to those who made the greatest sacrifice of all on June 6, 1944. “Many Road Scholar participants and alumni are veterans of the armed forces, and our military history programs from Gettysburg to Pearl Harbor are some of our most popular learning adventures,” says Road Scholar’s Chief Program Officer, Maeve Hartney. “We’re proud to be honoring the legacy of these 12 American heroes and the courageous veterans who fought in World War II.” It is important to note that this program is rated “Activity Level: Let’s Go!” Participants should be able to walk three miles per day, often on cobblestone streets or hilly terrain, and navigate stairs in Metro stations. Find more details about this exclusive learning adventure at www.roadscholar.org/veterans. About Road Scholar: Road Scholar is the nation’s largest not-for-profit educational travel organization for adults — a true university of the world — offering thousands of programs in more than 100 countries and 50 states. Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the world leader in educational travel since 1975. Learn more at press.roadscholar.org. Contact Details Road Scholar Kelsey Knoedler Perri +1 617-521-5301 Kelsey.Perri@roadscholar.org Company Website https://www.roadscholar.org/about/press

November 03, 2022 11:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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SIGMA America Introduces New Website Redesigned for Streamlined Browsing Experience on Any Platform

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki; headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan), a leading lens and camera manufacturer for both still and cinema applications, is pleased to announce the debut of its new website. Rebuilt from the ground up, www.sigmaphoto.com is optimized for an informative, enjoyable, and visually compelling experience on screens of all sizes, from phones to studio monitors. A core goal of the new site was to improve the experience for all site visitors, wherever they are, and on whatever device they may be using. This started with a new foundation, built on Magento Cloud Commerce 2, that significantly reduced load times. Combined with rethinking the product organization structure and modernizing the user experience for a mobile-first approach, this enabled a robust and easy-to-navigate site that is performant on all devices. "Our new design modernizes our online experience, allowing customers to easily find and compare the depth and breadth of SIGMA lens and camera offerings in a visually engaging format," says Mark Amir-Hamzeh, SIGMA America President. "From hobbyist photographers to Hollywood filmmakers, the site has been crafted to inform and inspire while guiding the user to the right gear for their purposes." The e-commerce and dealer-finder focus is complemented by a wealth of educational content from SIGMA's talented team of contributors on the redesigned blog. The site itself also delivers on the product promise. SIGMA is a leader in crafting tools for creative visual content and, as such, the site is richly illustrated with imagery captured with its products. Most of the photography comes from SIGMA America Ambassadors, a group of elite working professionals who have chosen SIGMA photographic and cinematic gear for their work, including Global Vision lenses in the Art, Sports, Contemporary and Cine lines, and often incorporating the innovative fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless cameras. The website was designed and developed in partnership with Blue Collar Agency, Hood River, Oregon, SIGMA America's digital agency of record, under the direction of managing partners Rob McCready and Tom Lehman. Key updates include: Revamped homepage displays new announcements and information in a visually stunning way Improved product search functionality via new taxonomies "Build Your Own Kit" Cine lens bundle pricing tool Implementation of a real-time, dynamic "find a product" data exchange with authorized dealers' stock Streamlined customer experience and full purchase functionality on all platforms Educational discount programs for students and educators Streamlined product registration Improved online warranty support services Redesigned blog and workshops/events pages New Press Room for company news, product images, and media inquiries Experience the new website at www.sigmaphoto.com. Screenshot of the new SIGMA America website Screenshot of the new SIGMA America website Screenshot of the new SIGMA America website About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA Corporation of America Jack Howard +1 631-201-7381 sigma.pr@sigmaphoto.com Company Website https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

November 03, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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