Press Release Depot

• 20Aug

  Social Networks, Web 2.0 and Multi-Generational Workforce Centerstage at Second Annual Southern California Knowledge Management Forum in September

  California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, State, Texas, Washington No Comments

  LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For CIOs, Chief Knowledge Officers, researchers and other professionals managing knowledge assets for their organization, the Southern California Knowledge Management Forum (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/) will be held September 9-11, 2008 in Malibu, CA, at Pepperdine University (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/welcome/locations/malibu.html). By managing the processes, information systems, corporate culture, and expertise that exists at all levels and locations of the business, a company can discard processes that don’t work, encourage the adoption of those that do, and anticipate, rather than react to, problem situations. The three-day event explores best practices from social networks, Web 2.0 and the multi-generational workforce that are shaping the evolution of knowledge for value creation by such global leaders as Apple, Google, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Inc, Northrop Grumman Corporation, NASA, Fluor Corporation, Xerox and The Walt Disney Company.

  The conference program (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/schedule.html) will cover these vital topics:
  – How social and communication networks contribute to knowledge sharing and knowledge management
  – Implications of Web 2.0 for enhancing enterprise collaboration opportunities
  – Obstacles to knowledge sharing across generations
  – Web 2.0 strategies for increased innovation and productivity
  – Impact of “age diversity” on the workplace and generational commonalities that cut across racial, ethnic, and economic differences
  – Knowledge mining lessons from the past to secure future success
  – Project development and execution for knowledge management

  Notable keynote speakers (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/speakers08.html) include:
  – Randy Adkins, Director, U.S. Air Force Knowledge Management Center of Excellence
  – Stephen Cranford, Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers
  – Vijay Koduri, Product Marketing Manager, Google Inc.
  – Scott Koziol, Higher Education Account Executive, Apple Inc.
  – Dan Nerison, Manager of Knowledge Community Deployment and Performance, Fluor Corporation
  – Christina Ramstein, Director of Intelligence and Collaboration, The Walt Disney Company
  – Tom Soderstrom, Chief Information Officer, NASA-JPL
  – Captain Ralph Soule, Commanding Officer, United States Navy Team Carrier One

  Hosted by Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, Second Annual Southern California Knowledge Management Forum will provide comprehensive interactive discussions, case studies and networking opportunities intended to build a community of best practices across industries on knowledge management topics, strategies and innovations.

  Visit http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsevents/kmforum/ for more information and to register.

  About the Graziadio School of Business and Management
  Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu) has been developing values-centered leaders for contemporary business practice since 1969. Our portfolio of fully accredited MBA, Master of Science and bachelor’s completion business degree programs provide personalized attention in an intimate setting, emphasis on applied and relevant business practices, and the convenience of six campus locations throughout Southern California. With an alumni network of more than 30,000 business professionals, the Graziadio School delivers superior flexibility, quality of experience and depth of knowledge for professionals continuing their education as full-time students, fully-employed degree recipients and senior executives.

  Contact:
  Douglass Gore, Director of Public Relations
  Phone: (310) 568-5580
  GraziadioPR@pepperdine.edu

  SOURCE Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business

• 20Aug

  Minnesota’s Campaign Financing Program Faces Growing Problems

  California, Minnesota, State No Comments

  LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Minnesota’s public
  campaign financing program has long led the nation in limiting big money’s
  power in state elections, but large private donors have played a ballooning
  role in the state’s elections since the mid-1990s. The legislature should
  implement specific reforms to mitigate big money’s influence in elections,
  concludes a new report, Public Campaign Financing in Minnesota: Damming Big
  Money in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, issued today by the Center for Governmental
  Studies (CGS).

  For nearly 35 years, Minnesota has provided public funding to candidates
  who agree to limit their campaign spending. In 2006, for example, only 16
  percent of contributions to participating candidates came from political
  parties, PACs and lobbyists.

  Minnesota’s public campaign financing system is still considered one of
  the finest in the country. While seventeen other states have similar programs,
  no other state program enjoys higher participation rates than Minnesota, where
  well over 90 percent of candidates have opted into the program since 1990.
  Minnesota also provides candidates with about one third of the total money
  they receive per general election, which is more public funding than they
  would receive in almost any other state with a similar program.

  Despite these successes, Minnesota’s public campaign financing program
  faces a serious and growing challenge: independent expenditures by political
  parties and other non-candidate groups. Independent expenditures by political
  parties have escalated from 0.1 percent of total campaign spending in 1996 to
  59 percent of total campaign spending in 2006. The high spending by political
  parties undermines the public financing program’s ability to reduce the
  influence of private money in campaigns — and that produces serious
  consequences for the public’s trust in government.

  “If Minnesota does not change its laws to keep up with these new
  developments, its law will become less and less effective,” commented Tracy
  Westen, CEO of the Center for Governmental Studies.

  The report, based on two years of study, recommends that Minnesota:

  — Provide additional public financing (”rescue funds”) for participating
  candidates facing heavy opposition spending.

  — Place contribution limits on grants to political committees, political
  parties and political party units.

  — Subject all advertisements meant to influence elections to the same
  disclosure rules that apply to candidate committees.

  — Offer public financing to candidates in the primary elections and
  increase the number of $50 contributions candidates must collect to qualify
  for the program.

  — Require all candidates to disclose their contributions and expenditures
  electronically and display all of this information in the state’s online
  searchable database.

  Damming Big Money and other CGS reports are available on the CGS website,
  www.cgs.org. The JEHT Foundation provided funding for this report, but it is
  not responsible for the statements or views expressed in the report.

  The Center for Governmental Studies is a non-profit, national non-partisan
  organization that creates innovative political and media solutions to help
  individuals participate more effectively in their communities and governments.

  SOURCE Center for Governmental Studies

• 19Aug

  Texas Association of Builders Statement Regarding Sunset Commission Staff Recommendations on the Texas Residential Construction Commission

  State, Texas No Comments

  AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) today released the following statement in response to the Texas Sunset Commission staff report on the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC). The following quote can be attributed to Ron Connally, Amarillo home builder and TAB First Vice President:

  “Today the Sunset Commission staff released a short-sighted recommendation that would harm consumers by returning Texas to the uncertainty of unregulated home builders and the complete absence of consumer protections, including mandatory written warranties and clear building and performance standards.

  “The Texas Association of Builders is disappointed that the Sunset Commission staff has recommended throwing the residential construction industry in this state back to a time when there was no regulation at all of the industry with no corresponding ability to prevent bad actors from continuing to harm Texas consumers.

  “Without the TRCC’s dispute resolution process, homeowners with construction defects that are currently being resolved in an expedient and cost-effective manner will be left with nowhere to turn but time consuming and expensive litigation.

  “In 2003 and again in 2007, the Legislature recognized the need to regulate home builders and remodelers and authorized the TRCC as an efficient alternative to resolve construction defects. With the additional resources and powers vested in the agency by the Legislature last session, the agency has begun to implement significant and meaningful changes which, contrary to Sunset staff’s conclusions, do protect Texas homeowners. We fully support the ongoing improvement in both the dispute resolution process and the oversight of our industry.

  “The Texas Association of Builders looks forward to continuing our work with the members of the Sunset Commission during the review process and the entire Texas Legislature next session to explore any necessary changes to the TRCC to further enhance the positive effects consumers and builders have enjoyed since the agency’s creation.

  “Pulling the plug on the consumers’ most readily accessible and cost-effective path to resolution is anything but constructive.”

  ABOUT TAB: Founded in 1946, the Texas Association of Builders (TAB) is an affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders and has 33 local home builders associations across Texas. Representing over 500,000 jobs and more than $35 billion in the Texas economy, the state and local associations play a crucial role in providing housing for Texans. With nearly 13,000 members, TAB is the third largest home builders association in the nation.

  SOURCE Texas Association of Builders

• 19Aug

  Florida Hit by Tropical Storm Fay: How to “Storm-Proof” Your Benefits

  Connecticut, State No Comments

  HARTFORD, Conn., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — While stocking up on bottled water and batteries is necessary to prepare for severe weather and unexpected disasters, people might not think about preparing their health benefits in advance. Aetna encourages everyone to “storm-proof” their health and health benefits information, both of which should be readily accessible in times of disaster.

  Tips on how to protect your family’s health before and after a natural disaster can be found in English at www.PlanforYourHealth.com or in Spanish at www.PlanifiqueParaSuSalud.com.

  What You Can Do to Prepare:

  – Create a simple personal health record for each member of your family
  * Include names and dosages of your medications and contact information for your doctors
  * Download a sample at www.PlanForYourHealth.com
  – Make sure that you and your family have health insurance and know what it covers (e.g., out-of-area care)
  – Keep your insurer’s toll-free number handy, and ask if they offer greater flexibility during natural disasters (e.g., refilling prescriptions early)
  – Make sure you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations
  – Prepare an evacuation box (and make sure your medications and insurance cards are in it when you leave!)

  Plan for Your Health is an online resource to help people quickly and easily prepare their health benefits essentials.

  SOURCE Plan for Your Health

• 19Aug

  PA Agriculture Secretary Recognizes Industry, Producers for Excellence in Agriculture

  Pennsylvania, State No Comments

  Center for Farm Transitions, PAgrows Honor Pennsylvania Agriculturalists

  HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For their commitment to fostering the next generation of Pennsylvania agriculture, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff today recognized four producers and agribusinesses as pioneers in the areas of agricultural entrepreneurship and transition.

  Wolff recognized the efforts of Strathmeyer Forests, York County; Giant Food Stores, LLC., Cumberland County; Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur, Lancaster County; and Josh Leidhecker of Susquehanna Smart Fuel, LLC., Lycoming County, during Penn State’s Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs.

  “The agricultural industry is constantly evolving to remain relevant and viable while still providing high quality products to consumers,” said Wolff. “The winners of the awards today have shown their commitment to excellence in agriculture, whether they help in marketing new products, agricultural transitions or are transitioning themselves, and serve as examples of the success that can come from tapping into programs like PAgrows and the Center for Farm Transitions.”

  Strathmeyer Forests received the Entrepreneur Award for Excellence in Agriculture for its dedication to providing consumers with the highest-grade tree products. In business for more than 75 years, Strathmeyer Forests has worked to improve the genetic quality of their evergreen transplants, seedlings and Christmas trees.

  The business structure of the tree farm has evolved to take advantage of the unique knowledge, talents and skills of each team member of the four-generation family business, helping to ensure the success is passed on to the next generation of the Strathmeyer family.

  The Leadership Award was presented to Giant Food Stores for its strong partnership with the state’s PA Preferred program, which showcases the best Pennsylvania has to offer through branding high quality foods that are grown or processed in the state.

  Each year, Giant and PA Preferred host a trade fair where local vendors introduce their products to Giant buyers. Since November, Giant has displayed PA Preferred products on exclusive racks in all of its Pennsylvania stores, giving smaller producers a presence in the marketplace. Giant also uses signs in its stores to direct customers to local products and it continues to support advertising efforts that showcase Pennsylvania agriculture.

  Scott and Jennifer Gochenaur were recognized as the New Generation Award winners for their success in buying a 21-acre egg laying farm in Lancaster County. The Gochenaurs got help for their purchase from PAgrows and private and public funding sources like the Next Generation Farmer Loan program through Fulton Bank, the commonwealth’s First Industries Fund - Small Business First Program through the Economic Development Corporation of Lancaster, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

  The PAgrows and Center for Farm Transitions Value-Added Excellence Award went to Josh Leidhecker, founder and owner of Susquehanna Smart Fuel, a business that promotes the sustainable farming of canola seed for biodiesel, premium grade food oil and feed stock. The company provides Pennsylvania farmers an opportunity to diversify their operations with a value-added crop, and remains diverse itself through multiple uses of the final processed product.

  Part of the economic development team at the Department of Agriculture, the Center for Farm Transitions provides resources, including consultations, information and referrals to knowledgeable and experienced professionals, that will serve farmers as they look to transition into agriculture, new agricultural enterprises and to the next generation of farmers. For more information on the center, visit www.iplantofarm.com.

  The PAgrows program provides technical help for farmers, processors and agribusinesses in their funding needs. Using programs such as the First Industries Fund and Farm Service Agency loans, PAgrows seeks to find the best method to secure funding for your agricultural project. For more information about PAgrows, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and follow the links to PAgrows.

  CONTACT: Nicole L. C. Bucher
  (717) 787-5085

  SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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