Looking backwards from the Future: Futurist Gerd Leonhard Presentation at Pathways 2013 – Video

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Looking backwards from the Future: Futurist Gerd Leonhard Presentation at Pathways 2013
This is the complete video of my talk at the White Bull Summit / Pathways 2013 event in Barcelona, on October 9, 2013, see http://whitebull.com/latest/pathwa...

By: Gerd Leonhard

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Looking backwards from the Future: Futurist Gerd Leonhard Presentation at Pathways 2013 - Video

Engler, Futurist Burrus To Keynote 2013 BLM CEO Summit

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DETROIT (WWJ) Former Michigan Gov. John Engler and noted futurist Daniel Burrus will provide the keynote speeches at Business Leaders for Michigans 2013 CEO Summit, set for Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.

BLM is the statewide CEO organization that succeeded Detroit Renaissance.

Engler is now president of the national CEO group Business Roundtable.

Burrus is the author of Flash Foresight: How to See the Invisible and Do the Impossible, and is a contributing writer on innovation and change for CNBC, Huffington Post and others. For the Michigan CEO Summit, Burrus share strategies for seeing hidden opportunities and creatively solving problems on the horizon.

The theme of the 2013 Michigan CEO Summit is Putting Michigan in the Winners Circle. This is the second annual Michigan CEO Summit presented by Business Leaders for Michigan.

In addition, attendees will get a preview of the 2013 Economic Competitiveness Benchmarking Report and hear how Michigan stacks up to its competitors national and globally.

Other speakers are to include Walbridge chairman and CEO John Rakolta Jr., Haworth Inc. chairman emeritus Richard Haworth, Meijer Inc. co-chairman and CEO Hank Meijer, La-Z;-Boy Inc. chairman, president and CEO Kurt Darrow, Two Men And A Truck International Inc. CEO Brig Sorber, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan president and CEO Daniel Loepp, Steelcase president and CEO James Hackett, Empowerment Plan founder and CEO Veronika Scott, Duo Security CEO Dug Song, Armune BioScience Inc. president and CEO Eli Thomssen, FirstMerit Michigan chairman and CEO Sandra Pierce, PVS Chemicals Inc. president and CEO James Nicholson, and BLM president and CEO Doug Rothwell.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost to attend is $125, which includes breakfast and lunch.

For additional speaker information, the full agenda and registration, visit http://www.businessleadersformichigan.com/events/.

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Engler, Futurist Burrus To Keynote 2013 BLM CEO Summit

Freedom of the Press Foundation Launches SecureDrop, an Open-Source Submission Platform for Whistleblowers

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Freedom of the Press Foundation Launches SecureDrop, an Open-Source Submission Platform for Whistleblowers

October 15, 2013

October 15, 2013 San Francisco, CA: Freedom of the Press Foundation has taken charge of the DeadDrop project, an open-source whistleblower submission system originally coded by the late transparency advocate Aaron Swartz. In the coming months, the Foundation will also provide on-site installation and technical support to news organizations that wish to run the system, which has been renamed SecureDrop.

By installing SecureDrop, news organizations around the world can securely accept documents from whistleblowers, while better protecting their sources anonymity. Although it is important to note that no security system can ever be 100 percent impenetrable, Freedom of the Press Foundation believes that this system is the strongest ever made available to media outlets. Several major news agencies have already signed up for installations, and they will be announced in the coming weeks.

Weve reached a time in America when the only way the press can assure the anonymity and safety of their sources is not to know who they are, said JP Barlow, co-founder and board member of Freedom of the Press Foundation. SecureDrop is where real news can be slipped quietly under the door.

Originally created by Swartz in partnership with investigative reporter Kevin Poulsen, SecureDrop is a Python application that accepts messages and documents from the web and encrypts them for secure storage. Each source who uses the platform is assigned a unique codename that lets the source establish a relationship with the news organization without having to reveal her real identity or resort to e-mail.

In addition to installation support, Freedom of the Press Foundation will provide media organizations with instruction on security best practices and long-term technical support. Small media organizations with significant financial need may also apply to Freedom of the Press Foundation for help obtaining hardware. The New Yorker, the first news organization to use the SecureDrop code, through its StrongBox project, will continue to operate its system.

Freedom of the Press Foundation is hiring computer-security specialist James Dolan to help maintain the SecureDrop code, install the system for media organizations, and teach journalists about information security. Dolan previously helped manage the New Yorkers installation of StrongBox, the magazines version of SecureDrop. He also originally reviewed and hardened the security architecture before the initial launch.

Journalists are starting to recognize that sophisticated communications security is a key element in the newsgathering process, Freedom of the Press Foundations Chief Technology Officer Micah Lee said. SecureDrop is the safest way we know for an anonymous source to send information to journalists while protecting their identity.

SecureDrops code has gone through a detailed security audit by a team of University of Washington researchers, led by Alexei Czeskis. Other authors of the audit include renowned security expert Bruce Schneier and Tor developer Jacob Appelbaum. Freedom of the Press Foundation has made a number of updates to SecureDrop based on these findings and will be making a significant investment in continually improving the system.

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Freedom of the Press Foundation Launches SecureDrop, an Open-Source Submission Platform for Whistleblowers

Wilcon Completes Acquisition of Freedom Dark Fiber Networks

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Wilcon, the premier west coast provider of best-in-class fiber optic and data center infrastructure, today announced it has closed its acquisition of Freedom Dark Fiber Networks, the leading high-capacity dark fiber provider in southern California.

With the completion of this acquisition, Wilcon is now one of the largest fiber optic networks in southern California. Wilcon has grown its fiber footprint by nearly 3,000 additional route miles, providing access to nearly 1,000 additional enterprise buildings, wireless communications sites, data centers and Internet hubs (map here). The new customer-centric network provides a powerful value proposition to the region's major industries by giving them access to connectivity into strategic submarkets not otherwise served by competitive providers.

Jon DeLuca, chief executive officer of Wilcon, states, "We are very pleased to complete this transaction, which enables us to provide unparalleled fiber access to our customers. By bringing together the most dense fiber and interconnection infrastructure in downtown Los Angeles and vast network reach throughout southern California, we are poised to deliver unmatched efficiencies in ultra-broadband performance for businesses, wireless carriers and other communications services providers.

Dave Daigle, senior vice president of corporate development for Wilcon and founder of Freedom Dark Fiber Networks, adds, With the close of this agreement, our combined organization is able to offer highly compelling solutions for the dynamic California economy. As a member of the executive team, I look forward to working closely with our customers to deploy leading solutions for their SoCal network needs.

As a result of the transaction, Freedom Dark Fiber Networks has been renamed Freedom Telecommunications. The combined company will offer a broad range of services, including dark fiber, Ethernet services and managed optical wavelengths.

The acquisition was backed by Pamlico Capital, which also led Wilcon's acquisition in 2012 of IX2, a leading data center and interconnection provider in downtown Los Angeles.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Wilcon

Founded in 1998, Wilcon is a leading provider of fiber optic network infrastructure in Southern California connecting major colocation facilities, data centers and enterprise locations. With unparalleled network density and connectivity across downtown Los Angeles' Internet and telecommunications corridor, the company offers both dark fiber and lit services to international and domestic carriers and enterprises.

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Wilcon Completes Acquisition of Freedom Dark Fiber Networks

DaVita Receives Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

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DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

DaVita, a division of DaVita Healthcare Partners Inc. (DVA) and a leading provider of kidney care services, has been awarded the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in honor of its commitment to supporting National Guard and Reserve employees. DaVita received the award at the 18th annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award ceremony on Sept. 26, 2013, in Washington, D.C.

Our commitment is to our community first and a critical part of that is making sure that we support our National Guard and Reserve teammates, said Kent Thiry, CEO of DaVita. I am honored that we were selected for this award but even prouder that these individuals choose to work for us.

The award ceremony was hosted at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) formally recognized 15 employers that have been named recipients of this years Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Previous award recipients and Department of Defense leadership were in attendance, in addition to trade associations and civilian government leaders.

This week, we honor members of the National Guard and Reserve who carry that legacy forward, said President Barack Obama. We thank the employers who support them; and we reaffirm our promise to provide our troops, our veterans and our military families with the opportunities they have earned.

The Freedom Award is the Department of Defenses highest honor for employer support of National Guard and Reserve employees. The 2013 award recipients represent large and small businesses, as well as public sector agencies. They have distinguished themselves from a field of nearly 2,900 nominations submitted by Reserve Component Service members. These employers have gone above and beyond their legal obligations to military employees, offering formal and informal initiatives that ensure service members and their families are taken care of throughout all types of military service. The recipients measures of support included creating special hiring programs; providing personal support to families, such as home maintenance; and continuing full benefits, salary and additional paid leave options during deployment.

About DaVita:

DaVita is the dialysis division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a Fortune 500 company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations throughout the United States and abroad. A leading provider of kidney care in the United States, DaVita delivers dialysis services to patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita strives to improve patients quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of June 30, 2013, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 2,010 outpatient dialysis centers located in the United States serving approximately 159,000 patients. The company also operated 48 outpatient dialysis centers located in ten countries outside the United States. DaVita supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. The companys leadership development initiatives and social responsibility efforts have been recognized by Fortune, Modern Healthcare, Newsweek and WorldBlu. For more information, please visit DaVita.com.

About ESGR:

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office established in 1972, develops and maintains employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR runs the annual Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award program. Created in 1996, the Freedom Award has been presented to 175 employers since its inception.

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DaVita Receives Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award

Sein Win, force for press freedom in Myanmar, dies

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YANGON, MyanmarSein Win, a renowned journalist in Myanmar who championed press freedom and endured three stints in prison as he chronicled several decades of his country's turbulent history, died Thursday at age 91.

His family said he died in a Yangon hospital after a long period of ill health.

His work won him international honors, but in his own country his accomplishments were rewarded with jail time and a quarter-century ban on foreign travel.

Sein Win was The Associated Press' correspondent in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, from 1969 to 1989. His daughter Aye Aye Win has held the job since then.

Sein Win began his journalism career after the 1942 Japanese invasion of what was then called Burma. He started as an unpaid translator at a Burmese-language newspaper, and later worked as an apprentice reporter, editor, publisher and foreign correspondent.

He worked under Japanese occupation, British colonialism, parliamentary democracy and military rule. He lived long enough to see censorship lifted, and the return this year of private daily newspapers under the elected government that took over from the military in 2011.

"In my experience as a journalist for over 40 years under various types of governments, I always find the independent press as a suspect and victim of the governments," he said in a 1989 speech to the International Press Institute in Berlin. "The colonial government regarded the independent press as a rebel. The national democratic governments treated us like their rival and the national autocratic regimes branded the free press as enemy."

The son of a junior civil servant, Sein Win was born Feb. 12, 1922, in Kyaunggon, a town west of Yangon, which at the time was the capital and known as Rangoon.

As the Japanese were defeated and the British returned, Sein Win was part of a tiny circle of educated Burmese that included the country's independence leaders. Most belonged to the Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League, the party of Gen. Aung San, father of the country's current opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sein Win recounted in a 2002 interview that he was one of the few reporters with a motorbike, and all but the top independence leaders would grab rides with him. Because he wore a respectable-looking U.S. Army surplus uniform, police waved him through checkpoints, so the AFPFL used him to carry sensitive material such as documents.

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Sein Win, force for press freedom in Myanmar, dies

Makorori possible option for freedom camping

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Freedom camping at Makorori Beach could be back on the table if there is enough support. Other sites at Rere and Motu are also being looked at as Council reviews its Freedom Camping Bylaw. Gisborne District Council is looking for feedback on summer freedom camping sites. Staff will be at the A&P Show this weekend - look out for them in the Department of Conservation tent. People will be asked to put pins on a map to show where they think they should be able to freedom camp and where they shouldnt be able to. A camera and whiteboard will be available so that peoples views on freedom camping can be recorded visually.

The Makorori foreshore was a popular spot for summer freedom camping until the late 1980s. Pohutukawa trees were planted to stabilise the sand dunes and provide shade in the summer. Freedom camping in the area was stopped to allow the trees to establish. This has now happened.

At community consultation meetings earlier in the year, support was shown to open up sites in Rere and Motu for freedom camping. With the popularity of the Rere Falls and Rockslide and the Motu Cycle Trail these areas are increasingly getting more visitors.

Council encourages freedom camping and it is a popular choice for summer holidays in the Gisborne district, says Council regulatory services Sarwan Kumar. "It makes absolute beach front summer holidays accessible to all - locals, national and international tourists. Council has used a permit system to manage freedom camping. A small fee is charged for the permit which covers the cost of rubbish collection and effluent disposal. This system has generally worked well which is why we are considering extended the number of locations."

Council will also be seeking feedback on another camping issue - overnight camping.

The 2011 Freedom Camping Act now allows overnight camping on any Council land. However, camping is not permitted on some parks and reserves because of management policies approved by Council.

International and domestic tourists travel through the district in motor homes or vans. This is a growing section of the tourism market that should be welcomed. However it is considered preferable that these campers are encouraged to stay in some areas and discouraged to stay in others. The act says that if Council bans overnight camping in some areas through its bylaw it must have a good reason to do so.

"We want feedback on what areas should be encouraged and if there are areas that people think overnight camping should be banned, why?"

"We are also interested in what conditions these campers should have to meet. For instance should only certified self-contained vehicles be able to camp overnight? How long should they be able to stay in one place - overnight or up to 3 nights? "

For those who dont make it to the show, the questionnaire is available on Councils website or request a copy at Customer Services in Fitzherbert Street or Te Puia Springs. Consultation will run until the end of December and Council will collate all feedback and use it to draft a new Freedom Camping Bylaw. The full bylaw will be available for consultation next year.

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Makorori possible option for freedom camping

Freedom Innovations Expands Management Team

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IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Innovations, an Irvine, California-based manufacturer of advanced technology prosthetic devices, announced today the expansion and reorganization of its senior management team. These additions and changes will support the companys continued growth, and will enhance Freedoms ability to achieve its significant product development and expansion plans. These moves will become effective November 1, and are designed to augment and complement the high-quality leadership team already in place at Freedom. They will also support and accelerate the Companys ongoing initiatives to maximize the meaningful growth opportunities in the advanced prosthetic market, as well as capitalize on Freedoms momentum from the three new products already released in 2013.

Senior healthcare executive Joe W. Martin will join the Freedom team as an instrumental element of this reorganizational initiative. Mr. Martin has been appointed to the newly created position of President & Chief Operating Officer. He most recently served as Senior Vice President & General Manager of BPH Therapy for American Medical Systems, Inc. and was previously President of the Diabetes Division of Bayer Healthcare.

Coincident with Mr. Martin joining Freedom in this new position, Maynard Carkhuff, currently Freedoms President and CEO, will assume the role of Chairman and CEO. "We are very excited to be able to announce these new organizational enhancements at Freedom and we are especially pleased that Joe will be joining our leadership team to oversee all operations," said Carkhuff. "Joe brings extensive experience in product development, manufacturing and supply chain processes, business development, and commercial execution strategies. His broad base of international experience and exceptional operational and process development skills will be tremendous assets for us. As Freedom continues to build on our strong foundation, as a high-growth, high-technology leader, we are vigilant in our commitment to continuously invest in additional strategic resources to accelerate the long-term growth of the business.

Freedom also announced today that Rob Cripe, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of North American Commercial Operations and Global Marketing. Mr. Cripe will assume additional responsibilities as head of Freedoms North American sales efforts, and will continue to lead Freedoms worldwide marketing organization. Mark Testerman, Vice President, Domestic Sales, will continue to focus on key account development and the management of the U.S. sales force. Claudia Gehrmann, General Manager for Europe, will also continue in her current role overseeing European Sales and Operations.

Freedom Innovations, LLC (www.freedom-innovations.com) designs, manufactures, and markets advanced technology lower extremity prosthetic devices that provide people with physical challenges the ability to reach their full potential. Based in Irvine, CA, Freedoms lower extremity prosthetics are distributed around the world.

Media: Interviews and photos are available upon request. Please contact Paul Williams at 949/916-6880 or via paul@medialinecommunications.com.

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Freedom Innovations Expands Management Team