All posts by Neel Achary

32-year-old insurance agency becomes a part of growing alliance.

(St. Louis, Mo., April 12, 2023) Luebbering Insurance Agency recently joined Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois.

Founded in 1991, Luebbering Insurance Agency was created by owner Dennis Luebbering. The full-service nine-person agency is located at 2717 Industrial Dr. in Jefferson City, Mo. Luebbering Insurance Agency specializes in auto, home, commercial, life and health insurance.

Dennis has 32 years of experience in the insurance industry. Luebbering Insurance Agency began as a captive agency and switched to an independent agency in 2009. Luebbering currently serves on the board of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents as the organization’s vice president.

“We have been in business for more than three decades, and we liked that Valley Insurance Agency Alliance is a locally owned and operated business which features so many member benefits,” said Luebbering Insurance Agency owner Dennis Luebbering. “The Alliance provides a variety of perks, everything from extensive training to the ease of reporting, and we look forward to a long-term mutually beneficial relationship.”

Founded in 2006, sister company Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a $11 billion national alliance.

For more information about Luebbering Insurance Agency, call (573) 635-5810 or visit www.li-ins.com.

As the summer comes knocking at our door – it’s time to swap out lingering cool-weather staples, making it the perfect moment to embrace cool, breezy, and sustainable silhouettes that will keep you comfortable all day long.

So, as the temperature increases — Fabindia has introduced a luxe comfort collection — Cotton Core. From everyday work wear to high-tea rendezvous, these breathable fabrics and easy colors make for a capsule closet must.

1. Cotton striped shirts: Cotton striped shirts available in subdued colors make for an excellent addition to your summer wardrobe. Pair them with cotton trousers or shorts, they are a sure shot keeper.

2. Floral cotton shirts: Inspired by nature, floral cotton shirts are all you need for your upcoming trips. Team them with a pair of shorts or easy linen trousers to complete your ensemble.

3. Traditionally crafted cotton shirts: For those who love exotic ethnic motifs these shirts are all you need this season. Pair them with cotton or linen trousers to instantly elevate your summer look.

4. Floral midi dresses: Made with love, these breezy floral midi dresses are the perfect pick for a brunch date or picnics. Team them with strappy flats and a straw hat to finish your summer look.

5. Hand-embroidered midi dresses: Celebrate the traditional crafts of India with the hand-embroidered midi dress that are perfect for this season. The elegant neck, dramatic sleeves and soothing colors make it hard to pass.

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For questions or more information please contact:
Mansi Bhasin | 98738 70318
Vaishnavi Gupta | 9999142540

Wencor announces an exclusive, multi-year defense partnership with Regal Rexnord Aerospace and an extension of their current exclusive commercial aftermarket agreement.

Peachtree City, GA (March 30, 2023) Regal Rexnord Aerospace has selected Wencor as its exclusive distributor supporting the global military and government aftermarkets for Regal Rexnord’s seal and bearings products. In addition to the agreement, Wencor and Regal Rexnord Aerospace recently announced the extension of their exclusive global agreement, in which, Wencor will continue to distribute Regal Rexnord Aerospace seals and bearings to the commercial aviation aftermarket through 2027.

“Regal Rexnord Aerospace has enjoyed a strategic partnership with Wencor for nearly two decades, which has proven to be value-added in servicing the growing needs of the aerospace market. We are pleased to continue our joint efforts in supporting our mutual commercial and defense customers with the highest quality of engineered solutions,” said Regal Rexnord Vice President and General Manager – Aerospace Division, Jamie Quilter.

“Regal Rexnord has been a great partner for almost twenty years, consistently offering a growing portfolio of products. We are excited to extend and expand our long-term relationship, both of which allows Wencor to continue delivering on its value proposition of providing innovative solutions that enhance reliability and availability to our commercial and defense customers through our best-in-class service levels,” adds Wencor Chief Executive Officer, Shawn Trogdon.

About Wencor
Wencor has been a trusted partner in aerospace and defense for over 60 years, offering CMM and DER repairs, PMA design and development as well as an extensive network of distribution solutions to help customers lower the cost of aircraft ownership while increasing reliability. We support most of the commercial airlines, repair stations and OEMs worldwide through our corporate affiliates; Absolute Aviation Services, Aerospace Coatings International, Accessory Technologies, Aviatron, Fortner Engineering, PHS Aviation, Silver Wings Aerospace, Soundair Aviation Services, Aero-Glen International, ASC International and Kitco Defense. Wencor is headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia area with additional offices in Utah, Alabama, California, Florida, New York, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Amsterdam, Singapore, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Istanbul. For more information, please visit www.wencor.com and follow Wencor on LinkedIn.

About Regal Rexnord Aerospace
For over 65 years, Regal Rexnord has provided quality bearings, seals, gears and electrical components used in the aerospace industry all over the world. As the premier leader in the supply of highly engineered specialty bearings and mechanical seals, Regal Rexnord products can be found in every aspect of the aerospace industry, from engine systems and flight controls, to landing gear and aircraft structures. Whether it’s the rudder of a plane or a landing gear, Regal Rexnord Aerospace products help guarantee a smooth operation.

GLEN HEAD, N.Y. March 30, 2023—Today is opening day across baseball, and what would the start of the season be without the annual simulation by Strat-O-Matic, the market leader in sports simulations, on the regular season and playoffs? Led by Aaron Judge’s 52 home runs, 132 RBI and .313 batting average, the sim has the slugger pushing his Yankees to 102 wins and eventually defeating Los Angeles, four games to two, to win their 28th championship.

Strat’s simulation tabbed Cleveland with a league-best 111 wins earning the A.L. No. 1 seed, with New York at No. 2 and Houston (101 wins) No. 3. The sim has New York beating wild card Minnesota, which had toppled Cleveland in the ALDS, and the Dodgers in the championship.

In the N.L., San Diego’s 100 wins led the circuit, with Atlanta (96) and St. Louis (94) the other division winners. Los Angeles’s path to the final round included a wild card win over New York, revenge 3-1 ALDS triumph over San Diego, and 4-2 series spread over Atlanta.

Other A.L. awards went to Cy Young winner Shane Bieber of Cleveland (20-6, 2.80 ERA, 228K) and Rookie of the Year Grayson Rodriguez of Baltimore (11-6, 2.97 ERA). In the N.L., Nolan Arenado’s .293 average, 46 home runs and 116 RBI for St. Louis earned the third baseman the MVP, Yu Darvish of San Diego claimed the Cy Young with his 17-4, 2.55 ERA and 221 strikeouts and Corbin Carroll of Arizona taking the Rookie of the Year (20 home runs, 62 RBI).

Nonprofit living community awarded a total of $401,950 for its Foster Grandparent Program

 

(St. Louis, Mo., March 30, 2023) — Cardinal Ritter Senior Services (CRSS) – one of South County’s largest independent and assisted living nonprofit communities – recently received a $401,950 grant from AmeriCorps for its Foster Grandparent Program (FGP). The three-year renewable grant is an AmeriCorps-funded program that began in 1965. CRSS has consecutively received this renewable grant since 2001.

AmeriCorps presents the FGP grant to organizations with a dual purpose: to engage Americans ages 55 years and older in volunteer service, as well as to provide one-on-one support to youth with special and exceptional needs or those who are in circumstances that limit their academic, social, or emotional development.

Foster grandparents volunteer between five and 40 hours each week at site partner schools and early childcare centers. Volunteers must be age 55 or older and meet established eligibility guidelines. In addition to earning a tax-free stipend, the foster grandparents receive accident and liability insurance, meals while on duty, transportation reimbursement, and monthly training.

“Our growing program currently has 56 foster grandparents who are making a difference in the lives of 350 children,” said Cardinal Ritter Senior Services’ CEO Chris Baechle. “We are proud to once again receive this very generous grant from AmeriCorps, which not only benefits St. Louis children but also helps our volunteers stay active and involved with the community,”

Founded in 1961, Cardinal Ritter Senior Services (CRSS) creates communities that promote the dignity of human life and reflect the spirit of Jesus Christ. Nearly 7,000 of the ministry’s older people benefit from housing options including independent or assisted living, memory care, affordable apartments, and skilled nursing communities. In addition to its main Shrewsbury campus located at 7601 Watson Rd., the nonprofit has a robust social services department.

For more information about becoming a foster grandparent, call (314) 918-2297 or visit www.cardinalritterseniorservices.org.

MENLO PARK, Calif. and COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 30, 2023 — Kitman Labs, the performance intelligence company setting a new industry standard for how elite sports organizations use data, today announced a landmark multi-year partnership with the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS). The partnership will be housed at the Crew’s world-class facilities in Lower.com Field and the OhioHealth Performance Center in Columbus.

“We welcome the Crew and their entire Organization, led by Tim Bezbatchenko, into the Kitman Labs performance family,” founder and CEO Stephen Smith said. “As the first club in Major League Soccer history, the Crew are paving the way as the first in MLS to become an ‘Innovation Partnership’ club – a multi-faceted partnership which will impact every level of athlete performance and club operations, from their first team to their scouting and youth programs to their approach to investment and resource allocation. Our collective goal is to create a fully integrated operating system designed to elevate and advance player and team performance in North America, and we are proud to be able to collaborate with a club that has been known as an innovation leader since the founding of MLS.”

“The Crew and Kitman Labs are two organizations with complementary philosophies which is why this groundbreaking partnership makes so much sense,” Crew President & General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko said. “We are both deeply committed to fundamentally changing how data is used in sport to optimize performance, reduce injury risk, support operations, and ultimately drive success across every aspect of the organization, from the First Team, through Crew 2 and to the Academy. That common mission has now evolved into the development of an all-encompassing operations platform that will hopefully yield dividends in every aspect of team operations – not just for the Crew, but for North American soccer in the years to come. We are proud to be the first adopters in MLS as we look to try and set a new standard in how performance intelligence is leveraged across the sport.”

Kitman will collaborate with the Crew to leverage its proprietary performance intelligence platform and analytics to support three key areas of focus:

Player Development – delivering a tailored and data-driven talent development process to maximize player potential
Evidence-based Coaching – development of a real-time integrated system to enable objective, outcome-driven coaching and planning
Scouting and Recruiting – development of a data rich, configurable recruitment analytics solution to maximize the return on current and prospective players

With roots as “The Team of Firsts in MLS,” the Crew – under Bezbatchenko’s leadership since 2019 – have secured three championships: 2020 MLS Cup, 2021 Campeones Cup, 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup.

Leading the day-to-day implementation of the partnership are Crew Vice President of Soccer Administration Jaime McMillan, Crew Director of Analytics Alex Mysiw, Kitman Labs Performance Strategy Lead Darcy Norman and Kitman Labs Project Manager Courtney Steward.

The Kitman Labs Innovation Leadership partnership is designed to provide Columbus with deeper, strategic insight into all areas of on-field performance, ranging from developmental club best practices to helping gamify trade and transfer scenarios as well as making sure that injury prevention and maximal performance scenarios are created effectively and easily for all athletes, while giving performance leaders the ability to maximize every area of performance. The Crew and the Kitman Labs teams will work in lock-step to develop and instill the infrastructure and processes necessary at the ground level, to support the accurate, real-time collection and distillation of relevant data across the business to enable the analysis necessary to drive the desired KPIs.

This new business launch follows other recent business strategy moves Kitman Labs have undertaken. That includes the successful close of a $52M Series C funding round led by Guggenheim Investments, a global asset investment and advisory firm with more than $259 billion* in assets under management and two strategic acquisitions of The Sports Office and Presagia Sports, both made in the last two years. The combined companies represent the industry’s largest network of elite and youth organizations (700+) and created the industry’s largest dataset of talent, performance, and medical data for all stages of the athlete lifecycle.

Rucker previously worked for the alliance’s sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management.

(St. Louis, Mo., March 28, 2023) Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois, recently promoted Kaylee Rucker to Communication Coordinator.

In this position, Rucker will handle internal and external communication for alliance members and company partners. This includes coordinating conferences, trade shows, and education opportunities for both the company’s team and its partners, as well as assisting with the organization’s marketing efforts and monthly newsletter.

Prior to her promotion, Rucker served as an administrative assistant for VIAA’s sister company Powers Insurance & Risk Management, one of the largest family owned and operated independent insurance agencies in the bi-state-region. She previously worked at various customer support-related businesses. Rucker earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Missouri State University.

“Kaylee’s promotion is based upon her excellent work performance and communication skills,” said VIAA’s co-founder Henry Powers. “She will play a huge role in the marketing efforts of our rapidly expanding alliance, and we look forward to all she will accomplish.”

Founded in 2006, sister company Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a $11 billion national alliance. Founded in 1991, Powers Insurance & Risk Management provides personal and business insurance, surety, risk management, and employee benefits. The companies are headquartered at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information, call (314) 725-1414 or visit www.viaa4u.com.

28th annual event to showcase the work of emerging Missouri high school artists.

(St. Charles, Mo., March 21, 2023) Mosaics Fine Art Festival recently opened the application process for its Joyce Rosen Founder’s Scholarship. Missouri high school students, who are eligible for nomination by their art teachers, will be selected to showcase their art at the 28th annual event. The deadline for submitting one piece of art per student is Sept. 1.

The Joyce Rosen Founder’s Scholarship tent will exhibit all artwork, and three scholarship prizes will be awarded by a professional judge. Students can submit original work in a variety of media categories including clay, drawing, glass, leather, metal, pastel, oil/acrylic, photography, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor, and wood.

Mosaics Fine Art Festival – which invites only 100 artists to showcase and sell their wares at this exclusive juried event – is held Fri., Sept. 15 through Sun., Sept. 17. The family-friendly event, which is free and open to the public, will be held along several blocks of North Main St. in Historic St. Charles, Mo. where more than 30 restaurants and over 75 shops are located.

“This is a unique opportunity for high school artists to have their work on display at a major arts festival,” said Mosaics Fine Art Festival’s vice president Melinda Nolan. “It is a huge honor for the student, the student’s art teacher, and the student’s school to be recognized for their dedication to the importance of fine arts in our society.”

Mosaics Fine Art Festival features live musical entertainment, a Children’s Village for hands-on art experiences, and the Mary Hediger Memorial Art Shop for Kids where children ages 14 and younger can buy professional artwork. The Artists for Adoption Pet Pavilion is open to families interested in adopting pets from local rescue organizations.

Pictured is Mosaics Fine Art Festival board member Diana Nash, who oversees the Joyce Rosen Founder’s Scholarship.

The Mosaics Fine Art Festival is a nonprofit organization that showcases local and regional artists while educating the community’s children and adults in how art can enhance their lives. The festival features a wide array of artwork produced by a mix of emerging, mid-career and established artists in all media. For more information about the submission process, call (314) 406-2067 or visit Mosaics Fine Art Festival.

Queen’s Award

Left to right: Chancellor Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE, Moroccan Ambassador to the UK HE Hakim Hajoui, Vice-Chancellor John Latham CBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Sir John Crabtree.

Coventry University’s incredible connections with countries across the globe have been recognised in one of the last awards in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s most prestigious business award, was awarded to Coventry University for its tireless work building relationships with institutions and companies throughout the world, while also drawing thousands of students from around the globe to its campuses across the UK.

The award was one of the last Her Majesty The Queen would have approved before her death in September last year.

This year The Queen’s Award will be renamed in tribute to her successor and son King Charles III, as the King’s Award for Enterprise.

The Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, was on hand to make the presentation at Coventry University’s new Delia Derbyshire building – part of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities – on behalf of the monarch.

The award, in the category of International Trade, comes as there were 15,565 international students from over 150 nationalities are studying across the Coventry University Group in 2021/22, making it the sixth largest higher education recruiter for international students in the UK.

Coventry University Group’s global outlook has also seen it establish a network of global hubs, in Brussels, Dubai, Singapore, Rwanda and Beijing, in addition to its campus in Wroclaw, Poland, and branch campus in Egypt, as well as a joint institute with Communication University of China that launched in September 2022.

Sir John Crabtree OBE paid tribute to the late Queen and met Coventry University Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Latham CBE, and the Chancellor, Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE, to present the award to the university.

Sir John Crabtree OBE said: “These awards were introduced in 1966 by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II as she was very keen and determined to support British enterprise.

“Coventry University now has one of the last awards she would have approved.

“This year’s winners will be the King’s Awards for Enterprise which means Coventry University will be in the last batch of The Queen’s Awards, which I think is very fitting.

“It is a real accolade because Coventry University has got this award for an international focus on jobs, skills and work to welcome people to our region.”

Dr Casely-Hayford CBE said: “Sadly we lost our wonderful monarch, the late Queen, last year, so this is one of the last awards that will ever be made and titled The Queen’s Award, which makes it even more special.

“For us, this prestigious award really is something we value as a global education group that is committed to widening access to quality education.

“Our mission is creating better futures and that is not confined to these shores or to the people of this country. We passionately believe in the power of education to transform lives across the world and communities and have five core values that help us achieve that.

“Our international students bring diversity of thought, outlook, their approach to issues, all of which help the university community and the wider community accelerate positive change.”

Coventry University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Latham CBE said: “This is the second time we have won this award and that has happened through innovation, talent, teamwork and determination. This event was a chance to celebrate our international success but also reflect on the legacy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

“Students from 150 nations study across our group – this is what Coventry is about. We’re a global institution preparing people for a global world as we move forward. We’re so proud to have won this.”

The Moroccan Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Hakim Hajoui, also attended the ceremony as the university prepares to open a branch campus in Casablanca with The British Schools Educational Services Prives.

Sondra Berg brings nearly 10 years of insurance industry experience to her new role.

(St. Louis, Mo., March 17, 2023) AAdvantage Insurance Group recently hired Sondra Berg as its Personal Lines Account Executive. In this position, she will focus on maintaining, expanding, and servicing the agency’s clients. Berg will develop relationships with existing clients, as well as pursue new business opportunities.

Berg has worked in the insurance industry for nearly 10 years. Prior to joining AAdvantage Insurance Group, she worked at a local insurance agency in various capacities. Berg holds licenses in Property & Casualty Insurance, as well as in Life Insurance in both Illinois and Missouri.

Founded in 2009, AAdvantage Insurance Group specializes in auto, home, business, farm, and life insurance. The agency serves clients in 19 states with the majority in Illinois and Missouri. AAdvantage Insurance Group is located at 78 S. Main St. in Glen Carbon, Ill.

“Sondra makes an excellent addition to our growing organization based upon her ability to create customer service solutions,” said AAdvantage Insurance Group’s CEO Josh Kaburick. “She brings an extensive amount of industry experience to her new role, and we look forward to all she will accomplish for both our clients and our company.”

AAdvantage Insurance Group is a member of Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois. Founded in 2006, sister company Valley Insurance Agency Alliance generates more than $600 million in written premium and is the regional founding member for the Strategic Insurance Agency Alliance (SIAA), a $11 billion national alliance.

For more information about AAdvantage Insurance Group, call (618) 692-4440 or visit www.aadins.com.