Parker Health Group Names Mark Lenhard as Next President & CEO

Experienced aging services executive will succeed renowned leader Roberto Muñiz

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Health Group, a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of aging services, announced today that Mark Lenhard, MS, LNFA, has been named its next President & CEO. Lenhard is expected to join Parker in December 2026 and will succeed longtime President & CEO Roberto Muñiz, who will retire by the end of the year after nearly 28 years of leadership.

Lenhard currently serves as President & CEO of United Methodist Communities (UMC) and the UMC Foundation, providing strategic leadership for one of the region's most respected faith-based nonprofit aging services organizations. UMC's expansive network includes nine senior living communities, a home- and community-based services platform, a consulting arm, and a philanthropic foundation, all dedicated to helping older adults thrive.

Since joining UMC in 2022, Lenhard championed a period of innovation and growth. Under his leadership, UMC launched BEAM Consulting, which helps senior living organizations modernize their infrastructure and leverage technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve efficiency and service delivery. During his tenure, the organization also created Connexion Communities, a new subsidiary that expanded its senior care mission beyond New Jersey.

A transformational nonprofit healthcare and aging services executive, Lenhard brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across senior living, life plan communities, long-term care, post-acute care, and home- and community-based services. He has also served in numerous governance and leadership roles across healthcare, public policy, and faith-based organizations, including board chair, treasurer, and finance and risk management positions.

"Mark understands that successful leadership in aging services begins with mission, relationships, and a genuine commitment to the people we serve," said Muñiz. "Throughout this transition, I have emphasized that Parker's next CEO must be the right fit for our person-centered culture. After spending time with Mark, I am confident that he shares our values and respects the strong foundation we have built together. I look forward to supporting him as he prepares to lead Parker into its next chapter."

Lenhard is also an active national and regional leader. He serves on the boards of the Methodist Ministry Network and Caring Communities and is a featured speaker for LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware and other state and national audiences.

"Selecting Parker's next President & CEO has been the Board's most important responsibility this year," said Steven Landers, MD, MPH, Chair of Parker's Board of Trustees. "We were choosing the person who will be entrusted with carrying Parker's mission, values, and person-centered culture forward, and we attracted many extraordinary candidates. Mark's extensive aging services experience, collaborative leadership style, and track record of innovation distinguished him throughout the search. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Mark to Parker as he begins this important new chapter."

"We are also profoundly grateful to Roberto for his visionary leadership and impressive accomplishments over nearly three decades," Landers continued. "He transformed Parker into a nationally respected leader in aging services while preserving the compassion, relationships, and human connection that define our culture. Roberto has built an exceptionally strong foundation for the future, and his active support throughout the transition will help ensure Mark begins his tenure with the knowledge, relationships, and confidence needed to succeed."

Parker's Board of Trustees conducted a comprehensive national search, guided by input from care partners, residents, program participants, family members, organizational leaders, and Trustees. The Board sought a highly qualified, person-centered leader who would protect Parker's culture, support its care partners, and share the organization's commitment to helping older adults live with dignity, purpose, and connection.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Parker Health Group's next President & CEO," said Lenhard. "The organization's values resonate deeply with me, and I am excited to partner with Parker's care partners, residents, families, and Board of Trustees to build on its remarkable legacy. Together, we can create new opportunities for innovation, strengthen our impact, and continue enhancing the lives of those we serve."

The transition of its leadership is a significant event in Parker's storied history. Over the past 50 years, only two individuals have served at the helm of the organization as CEO.

Since joining Parker in 1998, Muñiz has led the organization through an extraordinary period of growth and transformation. Parker evolved from two nursing homes caring for approximately 110 residents into a comprehensive aging services organization serving more than 16,000 older adults and their families each year through residential, home-based, and community programs.

Under Muñiz's leadership, Parker pioneered person-centered models of care, expanded its continuum of services, and developed major healthcare and academic partnerships. These include the Parker Advanced Care Institute with VNA Health Group and the Parker Health Group Division of Geriatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Muñiz also recently completed a two-year term as Board Chair of LeadingAge, the national association representing more than 5,400 nonprofit aging services providers.

Parker emphasized that its mission, values, strategic priorities, and commitment to those it serves will remain at the center of the organization throughout the transition. Parker's leadership team and Board of Trustees will work closely with Lenhard as he begins meeting the Parker community and preparing to lead the organization into its next chapter.

For more information about Parker Health Group and its continuum of aging services, visit parkerlife.org.

About Parker Health Group, Inc.

Parker Health Group, Inc. is a not-for-profit, New Jersey-based aging services organization with nearly 120 years of experience that is committed to empowering older Americans. We are a diverse community of over 1,000 dedicated and passionate employees, caregivers, volunteers, thought leaders, researchers, educators, and partners. Our award-winning standards and approaches have made us a pioneer of inclusive aging services and long-term care residences, and a national thought leader on the conversation around aging in America. Founded in 1907, Parker has been challenging, changing, and expanding the idea of what it means to grow older in America, and how all of us can make aging part of life. For more information, visit parkerlife.org.

Media Contact:

Lee Dorry

Public Relations & Communications Manager

Parker Health Group

732-565-2425

[email protected]

SOURCE Parker Health Group

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2026 IMS | IASO Bio Presents First-in-Human Phase 1 Data of RD140, a Fully Human BCMA/GPRC5D Dual-Targeted FasT CAR-T

— Poster presentation selected for the poster discussion session (Abstract No.: PA-200): in a first-in-human study in 9 heavily pretreated, high-risk patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma or plasma cell leukemia, RD140, a fully human BCMA/GPRC5D dual-targeted FasT CAR-T, achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 88.9% (100% in the higher-dose cohort) and a minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate of 88.9%

— No neurotoxicity, including ICANS, was observed, and cytokine release syndrome was predominantly low-grade; built on the FasT CAR-T rapid manufacturing platform, RD140 completes cell manufacturing in just 3–4 days

SHANGHAI and NANJING, China and PLEASANTON, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IASO Biotechnology ("IASO Bio"), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel cell therapies and biologics for hematologic malignancies and autoimmune diseases, announced preliminary data from the first-in-human (FIH) Phase 1 clinical study of RD140 — its self-developed, fully human BCMA/GPRC5D dual-targeted CAR-T product based on the FasT CAR-T rapid manufacturing platform — at the 2026 International Myeloma Society (IMS) Annual Meeting. The study is an investigator-initiated trial (IIT) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) and plasma cell leukemia (PCL), designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of RD140.

The results were presented as a poster by the team of Professor Jin Lu of Peking University People's Hospital and were selected for the poster discussion session[1](Abstract No.: PA-200). The study is a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT06655519), and 9 patients have been enrolled and received RD140 infusion to date. The study enrolled patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who had received at least three prior lines of therapy, as well as patients with plasma cell leukemia whose disease had progressed after first-line therapy; patients with extramedullary disease or prior BCMA-targeted therapy were also eligible for enrollment. Preliminary data showed that RD140 induced deep responses in a heavily pretreated, high-risk patient population: the overall objective response rate (ORR) reached 88.9%, the MRD negativity rate reached 88.9%, and no neurotoxicity events, including immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), were observed.

Study Design and Patient Baseline

After lymphodepletion conditioning with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine for three consecutive days, patients received a single RD140 infusion; two dose levels have been evaluated to date: 1×10⁵ cells/kg (DL1, n=3) and 3×10⁵ cells/kg (DL2, n=6). Among the 9 infused patients (44.4% male; median age 65 years, range 54–72 years), 8 had R/R MM and 1 had plasma cell leukemia; 6 patients had high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (per mSMART 3.0 criteria), of whom 3 concurrently carried two high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities; 2 patients had extramedullary disease; 2 patients had previously received BCMA-targeted therapy; all 9 patients were triple-class exposed, of whom 6 were penta-exposed.

Deep Responses and an Exceptionally High MRD Negativity Rate

As of the data cutoff on May 6, 2026, with a median follow-up of 6.05 months (range 3.0–11.5), the overall objective response rate (ORR) was 88.9%, with the ORR in the higher-dose cohort (DL2) reaching 100%; 88.9% of patients achieved MRD negativity (at 10⁻⁵ ), 6 patients achieved MRD negativity as early as day 28, and median progression-free survival (mPFS) has not been reached.

Manageable Safety, with No Neurotoxicity Observed

Regarding safety, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in the 9 evaluable patients and was predominantly low-grade: 8 patients had grade 1–2 CRS and 1 patient had grade 3 CRS. The median time to CRS onset was 4 days (range 2–8), and the median duration was 5.3 days (range 4–13); no neurotoxicity (including ICANS) was observed.

Pharmacokinetics Showing a Typical Expansion Profile

Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that RD140 exhibited a typical expansion profile in peripheral blood: the median time to peak expansion was day 15 (range 8–22); the median peak CAR transgene copy number was 112,981.7 copies/μg DNA; soluble BCMA (sBCMA) levels declined below the limit of detection in all 9 patients after infusion.

Conclusion

Preliminary first-in-human data for RD140 show that this fully human BCMA/GPRC5D dual-targeted product, based on the FasT CAR-T manufacturing platform, delivers deep responses and an exceptionally high MRD negativity rate in heavily pretreated, high-risk patients with R/R MM and PCL, with a manageable safety profile — supporting further clinical evaluation with expanded sample sizes and extended follow-up.

Professor Jin Lu

Peking University People's Hospital

"We are very pleased to present preliminary data from the first-in-human study of RD140 at this year's IMS Annual Meeting. In patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) and plasma cell leukemia (PCL) — all triple-class exposed, mostly penta-exposed, and high-risk — RD140, leveraging its BCMA/GPRC5D dual-target design, achieved an objective response rate (ORR) of 88.9% and an exceptionally high MRD negativity rate, with no immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) of any grade observed. Of particular note, the FasT CAR-T rapid manufacturing platform enables cell manufacturing to be completed in just 3–4 days, significantly shortening the waiting time for patients and securing a valuable treatment window for more critically ill patients."

Reference：

Lu J, Liu Y, Dou X, et al. First-in-Human Phase 1 Study of RD140, a Fully Human BCMA/GPRC5D Dual-Targeting FasT CAR-T, in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM) and Plasma Cell Leukemia (PCL). 2026 IMS. Poster PA-200.

SOURCE IASO Bio

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Consumer Reports tested 17 prenatal vitamins and found wide variations in nutrient levels, including key nutrients like folate.

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prenatal vitamins need a higher standard too: a recent Consumer Reports investigation tested 17 prenatal vitamins and found wide variations in nutrient levels, including key nutrients like folic acid, which is essential for neural tube development. In the evaluation, Bird&Be's Complete Prenatal Pack met all of its claims.

See what Consumer Reports had to say about Bird&Be. Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.

Why does Bird&Be measure up?

- Developed by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs with doctor-recommended nutrients for pregnancy.

- Bird&Be's best-in-class formulations are made in GMP-certified facilities, lab-tested, licensed by Health Canada — a federal authority that assesses products for safety and quality — and Clean Label Project Certified to meet Prop 65 standards for heavy metals.

What should expecting parents look for in a prenatal?

Prenatal vitamins are a routine part of prenatal care, yet they're highly unregulated, so brands aren't required to verify their contents before reaching shelves. Bird&Be sets a new standard of care, and Consumer Reports' findings back up years of the brand's third-party testing and position as one of the safest, most-trusted and recommended prenatals.

"Expecting parents deserve products they can trust. Bird&Be is committed to making supplements that are safe and effective, built on rigorous scientific standards. Consumer Reports identified a gap in oversight for our category, and its consistent recognition of Bird&Be confirms the commitment to high quality that we've made to our customers and healthcare providers since day one," said Samantha Diamond, CEO and Co-Founder of Bird&Be.

Bird&Be is available at birdandbe.com, Amazon, and Ulta.

About Bird&Be

Bird&Be makes best-in-class prenatal products designed to help people take control of their reproductive health. Every formula is developed by fertility doctors and OB-GYNs and made to meet or exceed rigorous safety and quality standards.

SOURCE Bird&Be

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Strategic distribution agreement combines Pinard Beauty Pack's bottle manufacturing expertise with Meiyume's US market presence, global capabilities and beauty intelligence.

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the US beauty market continues to evolve, brands are looking for packaging partners that can combine specialized expertise, innovation, reliability and speed-to-market.

To address these needs, Meiyume is pleased to announce a new collaboration with Pinard Beauty Pack, a recognized bottle manufacturer for the beauty industry. Meiyume will become the distributor of Pinard Beauty Pack solutions in the US market, opening a new route into the US prestige beauty ecosystem.

This strategic collaboration goes beyond a simple distribution agreement, bringing together complementary strengths: Pinard Beauty Pack's bottle manufacturing expertise and Meiyume's established US presence and global capabilities.

Together, the two companies aim to provide US beauty brands with broader packaging capabilities, local support and a more efficient path from development to market launch.

Packaging expertise & innovation

Pinard Beauty Pack brings recognized expertise in bottle manufacturing and packaging development for the beauty and dermocosmetics markets. Combined with Meiyume's broad portfolio of packaging technologies and components, this collaboration gives brands access to a wider range of solutions and innovation opportunities.

Faster & more secure development

By combining specialized manufacturing expertise with Meiyume's global sourcing, industrial and local US capabilities, we aim to help brands optimize costs, secure their supply chain and accelerate time-to-market, while maintaining high standards of quality and reliability.

Consumer & market intelligence

Through Meiyume's Beauty Intelligence Platform (BIP), brands can also benefit from AI-driven insights into emerging trends, consumer expectations, product launches and packaging dynamics. These insights can help identify opportunities and inform product and packaging development from initial concept through to launch.

Global reach, local support

This collaboration creates a bridge between Pinard Beauty Pack's European manufacturing expertise and the US beauty ecosystem, while leveraging Meiyume's international network to support brands across markets.

The Meiyume team is delighted to collaborate with Pinard Beauty Pack and to bring this complementary packaging offering to our clients in the United States.

Together, we aim to provide beauty brands with reliable, differentiated and market-relevant packaging solutions while accelerating their journey from insight to market.

For more information about this collaboration, please feel free to reach out to your respective Meiyume contacts or contact us at [email protected].

SOURCE Meiyume

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $100,000 to three nonprofit organizations expanding leadership development, career readiness and entrepreneurship opportunities in Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area.

Our view:

"When people are empowered to learn, grow and pursue their goals, it opens doors for them and many others," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We're proud to help create pathways to success and give all Floridians the opportunity to reach their full potential while also strengthening the communities we serve and call home."

High-impact investments:

- The Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County will leverage a $25,000 grant to support year-round programming that expands leadership development, career readiness and community engagement opportunities throughout Orange County. Funding will help advance initiatives that recognize youth achievement, celebrate arts and culture and equip community leaders with tools to better serve their communities, including during emergencies and severe weather events.

- A $25,000 grant will allow the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando to expand its Next Gen Workforce Leadership Academy, a program that helps Central Florida college students build the skills, professional networks and confidence needed for career success. Through mentorship, leadership development, financial literacy and hands-on exposure to employers and community organizations, participants gain valuable real-world experience as they prepare to enter the workforce.

- With a $50,000 grant, Prospera Initiatives will provide small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with access to educational programs, technical assistance and financial tools that support long-term success. The funding will help these individuals overcome barriers to business growth, strengthen local economies and create new pathways to economic mobility across Florida, with a focus on the Greater Orlando and Tampa Bay areas.

Positive response:

- "When organizations, families, community leaders and champions like the Duke Energy Foundation unite behind our young people, we create greater opportunities, inspire brighter futures and build a stronger community for generations to come," said Yetzenia I. Negron, Hispanic Heritage Network of Orange County president. "We are deeply grateful for Duke Energy's continued belief in our mission and their unwavering investment in the next generation."

- "The Duke Energy Foundation's investment empowers us to expand opportunities, strengthen connections between education and career pathways and prepare the next generation of leaders to make a lasting impact," said Carolin Requiz Smith, Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando executive director. "It is truly an honor to partner with Duke Energy, and we are proud to share in their commitment to building stronger communities and a more skilled, empowered and prepared workforce."

- "The Duke Energy Foundation's generous investment helps entrepreneurs access the guidance and resources they need to strengthen their businesses and create greater economic opportunities for their families and employees," said Augusto Sanabria, Prospera Initiatives president and CEO. "Together, Duke Energy and Prospera are helping individuals leverage entrepreneurship as a pathway to greater economic mobility and financial independence, contributing to the prosperity of our communities."

Duke Energy Foundation

The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. 

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.

Contact: Aly Raschid

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

X: @DE_AlyRaschid

SOURCE Duke Energy

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DAVENPORT, Iowa, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of American Water Works Association's Annual Source Water Protection Week (September 27 to October 3), Iowa American Water is highlighting its commitment to providing customers with safe, clean, reliable water services.

"Protecting our source water is the first step in providing safe, clean, reliable drinking water," said Brad Nielsen, Iowa American Water President. "Keeping our rivers, lakes and groundwater free from pollution reduces potential risks that could negatively impact the water supply and keeps treatment costs down."

American Water's Source Water Protection Program provides a structured framework for assessing risks, engaging stakeholders and implementing proactive measures to safeguard drinking water supplies.

Iowa American Water's source water protection efforts include:

- Robust monitoring systems and application of the most advanced technology, equipment and filtration processes.

- Continued work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other state and local agencies to meet or surpass water quality standards and address emerging contaminants.

- Constant collaboration with local emergency management and industry leaders to ensure emergency response plans are in place to minimize potential impacts to our water sources.

- Working with water experts and utilities across the country to share ideas and best practices to protect drinking water in Iowa.

One example of source water protection in action is how Iowa American Water prepares for and responds to harmful algae blooms. These blooms can develop seasonally in rivers and may affect water quality if they are not addressed. Although they have historically been uncommon in the Mississippi River, Iowa American Water has identified several in recent years through routine monitoring at its Davenport water treatment plant. Because trained employees and response plans are already in place, the company can quickly adjust treatment as needed and continue providing customers with safe, high-quality water.

Additionally, American Water conducts nearly 1 million tests and measurements each year at the company's state-of-the-art research laboratories.

"Source water protection is a year-round effort that requires community collaboration," said Ted Kratschmer, Iowa American Water Source Water Protection Program Manager. "Source water protection at Iowa American Water is not just a plan sitting on a shelf. We take a proactive approach, engaging in regional efforts to help protect and improve our drinking water sources; however, we all play a role in safeguarding our water."

During Source Water Protection Week, Iowa American Water is encouraging individuals to take the following actions and incorporate them into their year-round practices:

- Plant landscaping around homes or businesses with more permeable surfaces, such as mulch, that allow water to soak into the ground.

- Do not over-apply chemicals to plants and avoid application immediately before it rains.

- Keep litter, pet waste and yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Pet waste contains bacteria that can find its way into waterways through runoff.

- Select non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to typical household products, such as cleaning agents.

- Dispose of pharmaceuticals by taking them to collection sites, where available. Don't flush them down the toilet!

- Use hazardous waste collection sites and services to dispose of items such as chemicals, paints, motor oil and batteries. Report any hazardous material spills, illegal dumping or suspicious activity to local or state authorities.

Learn more about how water is treated and how it makes it to your tap here.

Read more about how the company strengthens operational readiness, uses technology to stay ahead of water quality challenges, builds stronger communities through partnership and prepares for emerging issues through recent case studies in states across our service areas here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Iowa American Water

Iowa American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 90 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 225,000 people.

SOURCE American Water

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AI use hits 64% in IT, but infrastructure and governance constrain broader deployment; new tool helps institutions see where they stand

CARY, N.C., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As AI use proliferates in the SMB sector, small banks, credit unions and lenders have put banking on the AI leaderboard – ahead of similarly sized firms in insurance, government, health care and life sciences – according to a recent AI readiness study by SAS, with research and analysis by IDC. Even so, the findings suggest institution-wide AI remains elusive.

The study, AI for SMBs: Closing the Readiness‑Reality Gap, is based on a survey of 1,600 small and midsized business (SMB) leaders across 28 countries in five global regions. SMBs were defined as organizations with 100 to 999 employees in the U.S. and 100 to 499 employees in other markets.

Among five SMB industries examined, financial institutions show the strongest strategic alignment, most established governance practices and greatest integration of AI into day-to-day operations. Yet the study's banking AI readiness findings* also expose significant growing pains:

- AI use is concentrated in IT. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of small financial institutions use AI in IT. That's compared with 47% in finance and risk, 44% in marketing, 42% in customer service and 39% in product development.

- Infrastructure is often a bottleneck. About 2 in 5 respondents (39%) say their infrastructure is not ready, or is too costly, for broader AI deployment.

- Governance concerns loom large. Security, privacy and compliance concerns are the top barrier to scaling AI, cited by 40% of small financial institutions.

- Fragmentation creates another drag. One-third (33%) cite the lack of a unified data, analytics and AI platform among their AI challenges.

The findings arrive as SAS heads to Sibos, Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 in Miami, where its experts will lead discussions on AI readiness, trust, agentic AI, payments and financial crime. Attendees can connect with SAS at Booth I073 throughout the conference.

"For smaller financial institutions, scaling AI does not mean recreating the technology architecture of a global bank," said Chris Marshall, Vice President of Financial Services at IDC. "The smarter path is to focus internal resources where they create the most value and lean on technology and implementation partners to extend what the institution can accomplish on its own. The right ecosystem and the right collaborators can turn integration complexity into a manageable, even accelerated, path forward."

Where small-bank AI goes next

Banking respondents' top-cited near-term AI priorities show greater focus on practical capabilities than novelty:

- Automating and streamlining core business processes (30%).

- Reducing costs through efficiency and automation (30%).

- Improving data quality and integration (28%).

- Increasing product and service innovation (26%).

Banking also leads the SMB industries studied in moving beyond isolated AI pilots. The most advanced institutions aren't just adding more use cases but strengthening the foundations beneath.

"AI pilots often become islands of innovation," said Alex Kwiatkowski, Director of Global Financial Services at SAS. "One team builds a high-impact fraud use case. Another launches a sharper risk model. A third automates a process. Each initiative delivers tangible benefits, but they don't add up to an AI strategy.

"Real transformation requires organizations to bridge those islands – connecting siloed functions and decisioning capabilities through shared data, governance and infrastructure – so AI travels farther and faster across the organization."

AI's bigger payoff lies beyond IT, where it currently dominates. Expanding adoption across finance and risk, and into more customer-focused areas like marketing, customer service and product development, can compound isolated gains into more consequential, institution-wide returns – strengthening fraud and risk management, customer experience, product innovation and more.

On Oct. 16, SAS will host a webinar to further explore these issues. AI Readiness vs. Reality: Moving Beyond the Hype in Banking and Insurance will focus on practical, responsible strategies for turning AI ambition into business impact.

How AI-ready is your institution?

Small and midsized banks and credit unions can benchmark their own AI maturity with SAS' AI Readiness Calculator. The 11-question assessment, based on the SAS and IDC AI Readiness Index, evaluates organizations across planning, building, enabling and executing.

Each participant receives a personalized report highlighting strengths, readiness gaps and recommended next steps based on the institution's maturity stage, priorities and industry.

For more on applying AI across risk, fraud and customer experience, explore SAS' AI in Banking resources.

*Source: IDC Resource Map Document, sponsored by SAS, SMB AI Readiness, Doc. #EUR154930226 [May 2026].

About SAS

SAS is a global leader in data and AI, helping organizations make confident decisions with AI they can trust. For decades, SAS has set the standard for delivering software that drives meaningful impact, incorporating deep industry expertise, transparency and governance. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW®.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2026 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contact:

Danielle Bates

[email protected]

919-531-1959

sas.com/news

SOURCE SAS

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Aleut Federal (Aleut) has established a purpose-built audiovisual and video teleconferencing (AV/VTC) demonstration environment in Colorado Springs, giving government and industry stakeholders the opportunity to experience next-generation collaboration, room control, and video distribution technologies in a simulated secure environment.

The new space recreates an operationally representative AV/VTC environment where customers can explore how integrated technologies support secure, flexible, and mission-focused collaboration.

At the center of the installation is a Q-SYS VisionSuite-enabled architecture that brings advanced automation and intelligent video direction to the meeting experience. VisionSuite combines 17 points of biometric data with precise sound-positioning data from beamforming microphones to identify and frame individual speakers, automatically recall scenes, and dynamically control cameras as conversations unfold.

The result is a natural, professionally produced experience for remote participants, allowing them to follow interactions as though they were in the room without requiring manual camera operation or scene management.

"A major objective for us was to create something that goes beyond a showroom demonstration," said Rob Hogue, Program Manager at Aleut. "We wanted customers and industry partners to experience these technologies working together as an integrated system, whether they're in the room or joining remotely, and see firsthand how they can be applied to real-world requirements."

Located in Colorado Springs, the facility expands regional access to next-generation AV/VTC capabilities, providing organizations and technical teams with a dedicated space for demonstrations, technical evaluations, and industry collaboration.

Aleut's AV/VTC Systems Integration Group provides end-to-end capabilities spanning systems engineering, project management, installation, commissioning, logistics, and long-term user support. The Colorado Springs environment brings those disciplines together in a practical setting for testing, refining, and demonstrating these capabilities.

"Technology is evolving quickly, but introducing new capabilities into mission environments requires more than selecting the latest tools," said Michael Bates, Chief Information Officer at Aleut. "This space gives our teams a platform to evaluate emerging technologies, refine how they work together, and turn that knowledge into integrated solutions for our customers."

ABOUT ALEUT FEDERAL

Aleut Federal brings technology, innovation, and mission expertise together to solve complex challenges across the federal landscape. Our teams work at the intersection of emerging technology and real-world mission needs, delivering solutions across cybersecurity, data and AI, enterprise IT, digital modernization, and integrated technologies.

A subsidiary of The Aleut Corporation, one of 12 Alaska Native regional corporations established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Aleut Federal and its subsidiaries' success supports more than 5,000 Alaska Native shareholders and descendants and helps create lasting economic opportunity for Unangax̂ communities.

Through its SBA-certified 8(a) subsidiaries, Aleut Federal serves government customers across a range of mission areas. Learn more at aleutfederal.com/technology

Berlyn Martin

Aleut Federal, LLC

Phone: 571-560-0828

SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC

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DALLAS, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RMX Industries, Inc. ("RMX" or the "Company") (OTCQB: RMXI), an edge intelligence company delivering QuantrusX™, today announced it has signed a compute supply purchase order with Technologent for NVIDIA H200 GPU systems that will power QuantrusX™ deployments.

This order is expected to establish a dedicated supply line for high-performance GPU compute as RMX scales Real-World Intelligence (RWI) deployments across a growing base of customers and operational environments. RWI is the company's name for intelligence built at the physical edge.

"Compute is the foundation every intelligence deployment stands on," said Karl Kit, CEO of RMX. "This order puts proven NVIDIA H200 infrastructure behind QuantrusX™ as we scale."

About Technologent: Technologent is a women-owned WBENC-certified and global provider of Information Technology solutions and services for Fortune 1000 companies. Technologent powers businesses through a combination of foundational IT disciplines: Data, Artificial Intelligence, Security and Cloud. For more information visit www.technologent.com

About RMX: RMX Industries, Inc. (OTCQB: RMXI) is an edge intelligence company building physical-edge intelligence solutions for operational and mission-critical environments, drawing on a legacy in video optimization and data transfer technology. RMX is focused on platforms, such as its proprietary edge intelligence platform, QuantrusX™, that bring intelligence closer to the real world, supporting faster data interpretation, local response, and trusted decision-making where connectivity, time, and context matter. For more information, visit www.rmx.io.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, revenue and earnings growth, and business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical facts, particularly those that use terminology such as "intends," "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, including the risks described in the risk factors section of the reports and other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Investor Relations: [email protected] 

SOURCE RMX Industries, Inc.

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The new Plugin in ChatGPT and Connector for Claude expand Jobber's role as the operating system for businesses running at scale

TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jobber, the leading provider of software for home and commercial service businesses, today announced the new Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations that let Jobber bring a service pro's business context into ChatGPT and Claude.

Through the Jobber Plugin in ChatGPT and Jobber Connector for Claude, service pros can ask questions about their business, identify what needs attention, and complete everyday administrative work—all with the context of their own Jobber account data.

When other supported services are connected to ChatGPT or Claude, Jobber can draw information from them directly, so nothing needs to be re-entered manually. For example, a business owner could have a service inquiry in their email inbox, and the plugin in ChatGPT or connector for Claude can use that information to create a Client, Property, and Request in Jobber. The lead now lives in Jobber with automations, follow-ups, and reporting attached, ready to move forward.

"Jobber is in a unique position to help service pros get value from AI, both inside our products, and now, by making their business context available to the AI tools they use alongside Jobber," said Sam Pillar, CEO and co-founder of Jobber. "By bringing Jobber into ChatGPT and Claude we're helping make sure the service pros that are most eager to explore this new technology can get answers they can trust with frontier models and Jobber working together."

The Jobber Plugin in ChatGPT and Jobber Connector for Claude give service pros an automated way to bring trusted business context into both ChatGPT and Claude, including:

- Getting answers grounded in their business: Ask ChatGPT or Claude about clients, properties, jobs, quotes, invoices, requests, and visits, and receive answers informed by their actual Jobber account.

- Actioning administrative work in Jobber: Dictate or paste in updates from calls or jobs directly into ChatGPT or Claude, and the plugin or connector can update all relevant client, property, and request records within Jobber, ready to use with Jobber workflows.

- Catching revenue before it leaks: Ask ChatGPT or Claude to find money slipping through the cracks, like approved quotes that were never scheduled or completed jobs that were never invoiced, and get a prioritized list of unbilled work, ready to act on in Jobber.

Jobber remains the system of record, while service pros gain the flexibility to use the AI platform that best fits how they work.

"We're trying to grow quickly, and building the right systems to support that growth is even more important," said Jeremy Snavely, owner of Spray Foam by IOK. "What's exciting is that being able to connect Jobber with the AI tools I use gives me a new way to work with the information already in my business. I've used it to help plan upcoming work and manage leads, and I'm still finding new ways it could help as we grow."

The Jobber Plugin in ChatGPT and Jobber Connector for Claude are now available to all Jobber customers. In the Jobber App Marketplace service pros can connect Jobber to the tools they already use, and unlock new ones, through more than 130 integrations and Jobber's API. It's part of a growing set of AI tools purpose-built for home and commercial services, and a continued investment in supporting businesses operating at scale.

To learn more or connect a Jobber account, visit:

- Plugin in ChatGPT: https://secure.getjobber.com/app_marketplace/chatgpt

- Connector for Claude: https://secure.getjobber.com/app_marketplace/claude

About Jobber

Jobber is the award-winning platform that puts blue collar first. Built for service pros, Jobber streamlines and automates operations so crews can run more efficiently, increase profitability, and scale with confidence. More than 100,000 businesses and 400,000 service pros in over 50 industries—including landscaping, plumbing, cleaning, and contracting—use Jobber to serve over 34 million properties in more than 70 countries. Jobber continually ranks as one of Canada's fastest-growing and most innovative companies by The Globe and Mail, Fast Company, and Deloitte. For more information visit: jobber.com.

Sophie Tolsdorf

PAN Communications for Jobber

[email protected]

+1 571-970-8176

SOURCE Jobber

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