Monthly Archives: August 2021

As Interfaith Awareness Week begins, a realization that we’re all one but not the same – The San Diego Union-Tribune

Posted: August 9, 2021 at 8:54 am

It must have been a remarkable sight. A dozen representatives from the worlds great religions, swathed in the dress of their faiths and their cultures, walked hand-in-hand into a Chicago hall on a late summer day 128 years ago as 4,000 participants looked on.

Even in a nation promising freedom of religion with some glimpses of diversity, the scenes from the 1893 World Parliament of Religions had to have been captivating.

There were Bahais and Jains and Zoroastrians and Muslims from faraway lands, along with followers of Confucius and Laotzu and something called yoga.

A Hindu swami from India, his head wrapped in a turban, dazzled the audience with his impassioned call for an end to religious bigotry and violence.

I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal, Swami Vivekananda intoned.

It was not a perfect meeting. There were complaints that Christians dominated it and that American Indian spirituality was largely ignored. But history would look back with at least one proclamation: the roots of the interfaith movement, with pledges from religions to work together in respect and harmony, had been planted.

This evening, as San Diego embarks on an annual, mostly virtual, Interfaith Awareness Week, it is a movement that remains a work in progress.

We havent all quite heard the bell toll, acknowledges Karen Koblentz, president of the San Dieguito Interfaith Ministerial Association.

Still, she adds, I think the strides we have made are enormously successful.

In San Diego County, and in many other parts of the country, there are a variety of interfaith coalitions working together to address such issues as hunger, homelessness, immigration, health care, equal rights and simply understanding each others faith.

And certainly, the religious landscape has changed dramatically.

Many of the religions that took the stage in Chicago now have houses of worship and other gathering places nestled under San Diegos palm trees, along city streets and in our canyons and hillsides. Christians still account for the majority 68 percent of the countys population, while other faiths constitute a respectable 5 percent. The ever-growing nones those with no official religious affiliation make up the rest.

But there also are deep divisions, from the religiously charged debates over homosexuality, abortion and racism to the elephant in the room segments of Christianity who believe their religion is the right one and others need to be converted.

The scenes of some rioters carrying Christian flags and banners exalting Jesus as they stormed the nations Capitol on Jan. 6 were a visceral reminder that our ongoing us-against-them polarization has spilled over into our faiths.

I think the consequences of not being inclusive is exactly what we have, says Koblentz, who is a member of Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas, which follows a metaphysical, multi-religious philosophy known as Science of Mind.

She suggests we dwell less on our differences and more on our common humanity.

We all want the same thing. We want peace, we want safety, food and shelter and freedom to worship as we choose without repercussion.

Interreligious unity doesnt mean giving up on your particular religion, she adds. It simply means respecting others as equals.

So how can we go about creating a template for this unity? Koblentz believes we already have one: the Golden Rule, an almost universally embraced directive to treat others the way we want to be treated. If we did that, she says, we would not do some of the things, we would not think some of the things, we would not say some of the things. We would honor others as ourselves.

When Bobo Elliott, a member of the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in San Diego, speaks at Monday evenings program about Domination Decoded, he will revisit what happens when followers of one religion impose themselves on the native inhabitants.

In his case: when European explorers began establishing Catholic missions and subduing the Indigenous people under the pretext of religious and national domination.

When the Spanish mission system got here and started imposing their beliefs onto our people, that was the problem, says Elliott. Centuries later, the damage is still being felt. It ripped and stole many people away from us, and now they dont want any part of us.

Elliott, who is the nephew of the late Leroy Elliott, who led the Manzanita people for 18 years until his passing in 2015, was attracted to the interfaith movement because of its commitment to respect all traditions without promoting one over the other.

We all come from the earth, says Elliott, who describes himself as more spiritual than religious. And unity is possible, he adds, if we can all realize that we are all one just in different shapes and sizes.

The Rev. J. Lee Hill, Jr., a United Church of Christ minister and a leader in the local interfaith movement, argues that weve become so diverse religiously that a fundamental literacy about these faiths is crucial.

What do you call a Sikh place of worship? Is it a good idea to invite your Muslim neighbor over for lunch during Ramadan? If a co-worker has a Shiva figurine on his desk, hes probably what religion? Answers: gurdwara, no, Hindu.

Being able to have arudimentary kind of understandingof faith, and different faith traditions, will help us build a more diverse and just society, says Hill, who is senior pastor of Christian Fellowship Congregational Church in San Diegos Emerald Hills community.

But can there be unity when some Christians feel they must convert others in order to to save their souls?

He answers by suggesting that we look at the Great Commission verse in the New Testament a little differently. Perhaps Jesus hope in calling for followers to make disciples of others also was about making converts dedicated to a loving and fair world.

And if each of us saw God in every person, regardless of creed, then wed see that we are all part of the human family, Hill adds. We have the same hopes and dreams and desires out of life. And when we come together in our diversity, we begin to do the hard work of bringing justice and healing into our world.

But traditional evangelicals remain leery.

Other religions do not believe in the same God, cautions the conservative values group Focus on the Family. As one pastor put it on that organizations website: Lets not forget what our call really is. If you dont share the truth of salvation, have you really loved your neighbor?

There have been six other Parliaments of the Worlds Religions, as they are now called, with an average attendance of about 8,000 people. The next one, scheduled for October, will be a virtual event because of COVID-19.

Koblentz, of the San Dieguito interfaith group, knows that some people dont want to participate and she says she respects their choice.

I think you allow them to walk away, she adds. You gather with those who are willing to have the experience. In politics and religion, I think we need to abandon the idea that unity means oneness.

Instead, when she envisions a healthy interfaith community, she thinks of a tapestry with all the hues and the bumps and the shadows.

Which brings us back to the notion of a work in progress.

We stand shoulder to shoulder for things we support collectively and respect those other things that we may not find resonance with us, Koblentz says. I think thats the only way we can do it.

Sponsored by the Poway Interfaith Team (POINT), the opening ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. today and events continue through Friday, mostly on Zoom. For details and links, or the World Interfaith Networks website.

Dolbee is the former religion and ethics editor of The San Diego Union-Tribune and former president of Religion News Association. Email: sandidolbeecolumns@gmail.com.

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As Interfaith Awareness Week begins, a realization that we're all one but not the same - The San Diego Union-Tribune

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One of the first rules of politics is to show up. Larry Elder broke it with the recall debate – Yahoo News

Posted: at 8:54 am

Republican gubernatorial candidates John Cox, Kevin Faulconer, Kevin Kiley and Doug Ose participate in a debate Aug. 4 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda. Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a Sept. 14 recall election that could remove him from office. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer looked and sounded like he could be an OK Republican governor. He could handle the job.

The three other Republican candidates competing in last weeks debate among gubernatorial wannabes also made some good policy points.

Two little-known Sacramento area contenders former Rep. Doug Ose and Assemblyman Kevin Kiley performed above most experts expectations, I suspect. Yes, it was a low bar. But both were articulate, to the point and clearly knowledgeable.

None of the candidates put on a clown show. Rancho Santa Fe businessman John Cox left his attention-grabbing campaign prop, a live Kodiak bear, at home.

Of course, if youre a true-blue Democrat who abhors the prospect of a Republican capturing the California governors office even if youre not wild about Gov. Gavin Newsom theres no GOP contender who will please you.

Democratic voters outnumber Republicans nearly 2 to 1 in California. And polls show they overwhelmingly oppose the GOP-led attempt to recall Newsom.

But that matters only if Democrats actually vote. And many dont give a rip about the Sept. 14 recall election, polls indicate. Republicans, meanwhile, are excited about the prospect of ousting a liberal Democratic governor and ending one-party rule in Sacramento.

Turnout is likely to be far higher among Republicans than Democrats and No Party Preference voters, reports Mark DiCamillo, poll director at the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Thats why a recent IGS poll found the contest to be surprisingly close among likely voters: 47% for the recall and 50% against, a statistical dead heat.

Newsom is still favored to win. But its no longer inconceivable that the Democrat could be dumped and a Republican would wind up as governor. Thats what made the low-profile GOP debate important.

The only loser in the face-off held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda was the replacement candidate leading in the polls: conservative Los Angeles-based radio talk show host Larry Elder. He refused to debate.

Story continues

One of the first rules of politics is to show up.

And to win a competitive contest, youve got to compete including in debates.

Elders excuse was that he wants to debate only Newsom not participate in a circular firing squad in which Republicans wound one another.

But virtually all bullets were fired at Newsom. The only significant shot at a Republican was Ose calling Faulconer a plastic man for his homelessness policy in San Diego.

Faulconer said he reduced street encampments by double digits and the city found shelter and treatment for many. Ose claimed many homeless people merely moved into nearby communities.

Pretty tame stuff.

Had Elder been onstage, he probably would have taken guff about his political inexperience. But celebrity governors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger deftly handled such attacks: They were citizen politicians running against the corrupt political establishment.

Elder missed a golden opportunity to distinguish himself from the other Republicans especially the moderate Faulconer and rally his conservative base, not only to his candidacy but to turn out en masse for the recall.

Elder may have lacked confidence in his knowledge of state issues at least the details compared with the four who debated. But details are overrated in campaign debates. Voters mostly just want to size up the candidates demeanor and positions.

Newsom also could have benefited from participating in the debate. He was invited but didnt respond.

Joining the debate would have violated conventional wisdom that says a political target doesnt voluntarily stand before a firing squad while also drawing more public attention to his opponents.

But Newsom could have touted his record, which the public seems confused about, and slapped down some of his opponents hyperbole and falsehoods. One example: Faulconers claim that Newsom supports the defund the police movement. He doesnt.

The debates best line was delivered by Ose. Asked how hed handle the huge backlog of jobless benefit claims at Newsoms troubled Employment Development Department, where frustrated applicants have been unable to reach civil servants, Ose replied:

Answer the phone. Just answer the damn phone.

The most insensitive comment was uttered by Cox. After asserting that people once infected by COVID-19 have antibodies and dont need to be vaccinated, he added:

This disease is an awful one. I had it very early on. But its 99.9% survivable by people who are in decent health who arent elderly.

Well, whoopee-do. What about the rest of us who arent in decent health or are elderly?

Everybody needs to get the shot.

But Cox also had one of the wiser observations: Climate change may or may not be causing wildfires, but weve got to deal with it.

Im sick of Newsom persistently blaming wildfires on climate change another version of not on my shift. Inept forest management by the state and federal governments also is a big culprit. They can deal with that a lot faster than reversing climate change.

Kiley had the most refreshing, good government promise. Asked whom hed appoint to replace 88-year-old Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein if she leaves office before her term expires in 2024, the legislator replied:

I wouldnt make an appointment at all. Id leave it up to the voters.

Of course, its highly likely that would lead to the election of a Democrat and probably Kileys recall by fellow Republicans.

Faulconer focused on denouncing Newsom and wisely avoided making grandiose commitments. For example, he wouldnt be pressed into promising to prevent schools from mandating student masks. Ill look into doing it, he said.

Faulconer quickly pivoted when asked whether he still supported former President Trump after voting for him last year.

What happened on Jan. 6 was abhorrent to our country, Faulconer replied, referring to the deadly Capitol insurrection inspired by Trump.

He immediately added: What Gavin Newsom wants to do is to make this all about Donald Trump.

Hes right.

Pressed whether he would welcome Trumps endorsement, Faulconer had a Reaganesque answer:

I would proudly take the support of any Republican or Democrat who wants to get rid of Gavin Newsom and make California a better state.

Voters need more debates with Elder competing.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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One of the first rules of politics is to show up. Larry Elder broke it with the recall debate - Yahoo News

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BurlCo Institute of Technology Named One of Seven ‘Lighthouse Schools’ in NJ – TAPinto.net

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BurlCo Institute of Technology Named One of Seven 'Lighthouse Schools' in NJ - TAPinto.net

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AgPhD Field Day draws crowds with top producers, seed technology and autonomous demonstrations – AG Week

Posted: at 8:53 am

The most popular sessions featured some of the top yielding farming operations in the United States. Kelly Garrett, a Denison, Iowa, farmer and the National Corn Growers Association Corn Yield Contest winner, said he continues to push corn and soybean yields on his farm through the use of foliar fertilizer applications, hybrid and varietal selection, use of plant growth regulators, seeding populations, as well as use of variable rate seeding. He said any of those alone wont produce results; its the combination that makes the difference.

Its very much attention to detail. There isnt one silver bullet at all," he said. "Theres 10 or 12 or 15 things that you need to do correctly.

When talking to other farmers, Garrett said some of the most common areas they overlook include the use of plant growth regulators, which have been a big plus in his operation because they direct the energy in the plant towards yield and not just the height of the plant.

A plant growth regulator makes the plant grow more efficiently, he said.

Garrett also recommends checking the pH of the water on the farm, because water that is too hard due to high levels of iron and magnesium can tie up herbicides, fungicides or foliar fertilizer applications, making them unavailable to the crop.

Specifically on seeding populations, Garrett said they have backed off their rates.

More plants dont equate to more yield. What equates to more yield is a healthier plant, a more viable plant that can produce more for you, he said.

Garrett also reminds farmers to make sure their planter is in good working order because proper seed establishment is critical in setting yield.

Farmers also travel for thousands of miles to see the newest technology in the AgPHD field trials at the Hefty Farm near Baltic. They displayed hundreds of plots in cooperation with nearly every major seed and crop protection company so farmers could make comparisons and see what is working the best under different field conditions.

Glenn Herz oversees research for Hefty Seed. He said the biggest area of growth has been with the biologicals especially with the major players in the industry.

Guys continue to improve soil health and soil fertility, and, you know, some of the things that in the Midwest we deal with. We may have organic matter and stuff but theres also times when we have nutrients that are tied up and thats where the biologicals come in, he said.

Another big growth area is fungicides, which Herz says has come about after the recent company mergers. That has allowed more dollars to be invested into research.

And fungicides continue to improve. The longevity of fungicides, and then different modes, multiple modes of action on fungicides, theyre really getting into that, he said.

He admits its difficult to put a number on the yield increase from using these fungicides, but especially in a drought year like 2021 in the northwestern Corn Belt, it is keeping the plant alive longer.

Herz said there are also some new tolerant crops to certain chemistries.

Weve got grain sorghum out here thats showing some tolerance to almost like a Clearfield grain sorghum, he said. According to Herz, that will allow some farmers to grow sorghum that hadnt in the past because of the weed pressure.

Attendees of AgPhD Field Day near Baltic, South Dakota, on July 29, 2021, got to see a demonstration of an autonomous tractor with a grain cart.Michelle Rook / Agweek

To watch that thing in operation and to be within inches of me and Im controlling where I want the grain cart to go and then all I do is push a button and it goes back to a staging area that was really neat to see, he said.

A new strip-till system from Environmental Tillage Systems Inc. was on display at the AgPhD Field Day near Baltic, South Dakota, on July 29, 2021. The SoilWarrior Edge platform is a three-point mounted strip-till system, which goes from eight rows up to 18 rows depending upon row spacing.Michelle Rook / Agweek

Its convertible from shank to coulter and back and forth. You can run a single coulter, a shank/knife and coulter or three coulters. And you can convert to any type of fertilizer system, he said.

He said strip tillage systems have been increasingly popular in the western Corn Belt for its environmental benefits and yield response.

Being able to get the fertilizer underground and getting into that zone right where the plant needs it both increases efficiency and it makes it available for the plant when it needs it, he said.

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AgPhD Field Day draws crowds with top producers, seed technology and autonomous demonstrations - AG Week

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IBM foresees faster emerging technology adoption in Malaysia – Tech Wire Asia

Posted: at 8:53 am

As industries accelerated their tech adoption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations were focused more on using emerging technology for business continuity at first. Plans for using technology to improve business efficiency and productivity were slowed down due to changes in the workplace.

Initially, most organizations began sourcing more remote working technologies, including improving the productivity of their remote workers as well as securing them. In the Asia Pacific, most organizations were not fully prepared to deal with long-term remote working, leading to some companies facing heavy losses.

In Malaysia, the negative economic impact of the pandemic is still felt as a high number of positive cases has led to extended lockdowns and a reduction in operations in non-essential industries. Despite the pandemic slowing down digital transformation, businesses are now realizing the potential achievable with emerging technologies to achieve IR4.0.

According to Catherine Lian, Managing Director of IBM Malaysia, businesses have become more trusting of what technology can do, and why they are pushing ahead with digital transformation. Businesses are rethinking competitive advantage for the COVID-19 recovery to include investment in technologies such as cloud, AI, IoT, and blockchain.

Catherine Lian, Managing Director, IBM Malaysia

Today, the mix of key technology adoption together with tech-enabled capabilities continues to be important in propelling businesses. The IBV Digital Acceleration Study indicates that cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and mobile are the essential technologies that will provide the greatest performance impact for organizations across industries.

Cloud and AI have become a more important performance differentiator in 11 out of 18 industries analyzed since the pandemic. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotic process automation are associated with higher performance in industries such as consumer products and electronics, said Catherine.

Catherine highlighted that part of Malaysias path to a successful digital transformation depends on coordinated efforts and effective collaboration as well as a common vision for digital integration.

IBM is delighted that the MyDigital initiative will give more room for the public and private partnership to create new business models and business resiliency whereby technology enhances the Malaysian business operation to be more efficient, productive and resulting in cost-savings and new revenue streams. Only by working together can we navigate the best route through the river of change ahead.

One example would be IBMs collaboration with SMART Modular Technologies (SMART), a global leader of specialty memory and storage solutions manufacturer based in Penang. SMART will deploy IBM Maximo Visual Inspection integrated with AI-powered collaborative robots (COBOTS) to develop innovative manufacturing solutions.

SMARTs memory components are embedded in systems that face some of the most demanding physical conditions from military and aviation to outer space applications where extreme quality is a truly critical performance benchmark. SMARTs inspectors examine memory chips under a microscope for defects such as cracked solder joints, damaged components, or any other kinds of defects in a traditional manufacturing process environment.

(Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)

Apart from that, in 2020, the City Council of Penang Island (MBPP) announced the continuation of its collaboration with IBM Malaysia in accelerating Penang smart city initiatives and enhancing State Government service delivery to the public and business sectors. IBM provides advisory, technical expertise, and consultation around four key technologies, namely Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT); that are related to MBPPs smart city implementations.

At the same time, Catherine pointed out the combination of 5G, edge computing and the hybrid cloud represents emerging technology in a new computing model capable of transforming and accelerating digitalization and automation in businesses across multiple industries in Malaysia. This includes helping people and machines to work closer together, improving flexibility in production, creating safer working environments, and enhance customer experience.

5G will enable the cutting-edge manufacturing concepts to be implemented and enables highly reliable, secure, and high-speed data transmission with short response times, making manufacturing more flexible, mobile, and productive. Therefore, 5G forms an essential prerequisite for the factory of the future, said Catherine.

As with any developing nation, access to a skilled workforce is still a problem for most. Increasing emerging technology adoption in ASEAN countries means Malaysia will also face a bigger shortage of digital talent.

Today, in almost every organization, be it large enterprises or small and medium businesses, the shortage of skilled employees, especially in IT has been seen as a contributing factor to why some organizations are still not fully implementing new technologies.

(Photo by Mohd RASFAN / AFP)

For Catherine, there is no quick and easy solution to closing the digital skills gap, especially with the growth of emerging technology. She said one way of reducing the shortage is by collaborating with higher learning institutes.

For that, IBM continues to invest and expand its belief in people by collaborating with the public and private sector to bridge the digital talent gap in Malaysia through our programs and platforms.

IBM partnered with Ministry of Education and MDEC to address the digital skills shortage and to prepare a future-ready workforce through P-TECH program. P-TECH (The Pathways in Technology) program is designed to break the cycle of inequity in education and to address skills gaps in the labor force by linking education and workforce development.

Through the P-TECH model, high schools, tertiary-level universities, and industry partners collaborate to enable students to earn recognized university-level credentials that provide a direct path to competitive, in-demand STEM careers in all industries.

At IBM, we believe that learners at all stages of the employment continuum need access to the skills that will allow them to compete in an ever-evolving economy. Our goal is to help everyone, no matter their circumstances, prepare themselves for the workforce of tomorrow, concluded Catherine.

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IBM foresees faster emerging technology adoption in Malaysia - Tech Wire Asia

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CCC Promotes John Goodson to Chief Technology Officer – Business Wire

Posted: at 8:53 am

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC), a leading SaaS platform for the P&C insurance economy, names John Goodson Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Goodson joined CCC in 2020 successfully driving innovation across the business, accelerating application of AI throughout solutions, and expanding industries served by the CCC Cloud platform which today serves 30,000 businesses. Goodson succeeds Pete Morowski who is retiring after eight years with the company.

As Chief Technology Officer, Goodson will lead research and development, product development, architecture, security, IT operations and infrastructure, business applications and data science. This will enable CCC to continue powering mission critical workflows, intelligent automation, and better experiences for clients and the millions of drivers they serve.

The announcement follows CCCs return to the public markets listing on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, August 2. The return to the public market will accelerate investments in innovation across the P&C insurance economy, including the recently announced plans to incorporate advanced AI into its CCC ONE collision repair platform, as well as full digitization of the estimating process for a portion of repairable claims with the launch of CCC Estimate - STP.

Johns depth of experience will serve CCC well as we enter our next phase of growth driving new innovation and applied AI that powers our customers digital transformation and their ability to improve experiences for the millions of drivers they serve," said CCC Chairman and CEO Githesh Ramamurthy. CCC will continue to deliver industry leading solutions expanding on the reputation Pete Morowski and our technology team earned CCC as a leading AI, SaaS, telematics, IoT provider to the industry. We thank Pete and wish him well in his retirement.

Goodson joined CCC following successful tenures at multi-billion-dollar technology companies. He has succeeded in advancing the companys global transformation objectives using AI and data to improve customer experiences. Goodson, who owns numerous technology patents, helped establish several industry standards, such as Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) and Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). He is also a published author (The Data Access Handbook).

Im excited to expand my role at CCC to and expand the impact our technology can have on the industry and on the lives of drivers, said Goodson. The CCC Cloud connects trillions of points of data, massive and micro businesses, and the latest technology to power mission critical workflows, improving response times, experiences, and how providers interact on behalf of their shared customers. It is an exciting time to be at CCC and to support an extremely talented team of data scientists, engineers, and leaders as we work together to transform the industry.

Learn more about CCC at http://www.cccis.com.

About CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (NYSE: CCCS) is a leading SaaS platform for the multi-trillion-dollar P&C insurance economy powering operations for insurers, repairers, automakers, part suppliers, lenders, and more. CCC cloud technology connects more than 30,000 businesses digitizing mission-critical workflows, commerce, and customer experiences. A trusted leader in AI, IoT, customer experience, network and workflow management, CCC delivers innovations that keep peoples lives moving forward when it matters most. Learn more about CCC at http://www.cccis.com.

CCC and the CCC logo are registered trademarks of CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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CCC Promotes John Goodson to Chief Technology Officer - Business Wire

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Pangiam Announces the Appointment of Iyad Hindiyeh as CEO of Pangiam Technologies – Johnson City Press (subscription)

Posted: at 8:53 am

TYSONS CORNER, Va., Aug. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pangiam, a technology-based security and travel services provider, announced the appointment of Iyad Hindiyeh, a tried and proven leader in aviation and technology, as CEO of a newly founded division of Pangiam that will provide innovative technology solutions focused on addressing all touchpoints in the traveler journey.

Former Aviation and Security Executives Join Pangiam to Deliver Technology to Augment the Traveler Journey

"We are delighted to welcome Iyad to the Pangiam family," said Kevin McAleenan, Pangiam's Chief Executive Officer. "He has remarkable experience in the global travel industry. We know that Iyad's expertise, particularly in the aviation and technology sectors, will be an asset to our business as we continue reinventing global travel."

Prior to joining Pangiam, Iyad served as the Senior Vice President for Strategy, Business development and Marketing at Amadeus IT Group, S.A., holding a worldwide responsibility across the Amadeus Airport business unit. Iyad is member of the ACI World Airport IT Strategic Committee (WAITSC) and has successfully directed and led multiple complex projects in the Aviation Sector worldwide. Additionally, he has held senior positions at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Smartworld and SITA. Iyad holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California.

Joining Iyad as Vice President of Sales for the Americas is DeMeakey Williams, Sr, who brings more than 20 years of experience in B2B sales and leadership in the aerospace and defense industries. DeMeakey joins Pangiam from The Crane Consulting Firm, an international consulting firm, where he served as Founder and CEO. During his tenure, he focused on market expansion and business development for large public organizations.Prior to The Crane Consulting Firm, DeMeakey served as Vice President of VMI Security from 2017 to 2019 and as Director of North America Sales for Smiths Detection from 2012 to 2018. DeMeakey will lead Pangiam's revenue generating activities across travel sectors.

About Pangiam

Pangiamis a public-private partnership company creating a network of industry partners aimed at revolutionizing the future of operations, security, and safety at airports, seaports, and land border crossings using emerging technologies. As a team of customs and security professionals with over 50 years of collective experience at senior levels of the U.S. Government, Pangiam has an intimate understanding of the security, facilitation, and disaster response challenges facing governments and industry leaders around the world.

About AE Industrial Partners

AE Industrial Partnersis a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power generation, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout its target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment.

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Pangiam Announces the Appointment of Iyad Hindiyeh as CEO of Pangiam Technologies - Johnson City Press (subscription)

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Kalispell reviewing use of drones, other technology – Daily Inter Lake

Posted: at 8:53 am

Kalispell city staff will break down some of the city's most advanced technology at a work session Monday evening with the City Council.

Jason Singleton is a specialist who works on numerous high-tech initiatives in several city departments. On Monday, he will give a presentation to the council about the city's use of drones and geographic information systems, or GIS mapping.

Various city departments use GIS to create, manage, analyze and map data. According to council meeting documents, benefits of the technology include streamlining workflow and increasing public access to data.

Last month, Kalispell added a GIS "hub" to the city's website to provide public access to all the city's GIS features in one place, including crime statistics, snow plow routes and building permits.

On Monday, city specialists will discuss GIS uses for internal staff operations and the public, as well as ways the technology might be utilized in the police, planning, public works, and parks and recreation departments.

GIS specialist Angie Thomas will go over topics like utilizing GIS data for utilities and other asset management programs; gaining access to real-time infrastructure data and record drawings; and providing public access to mapping resources.

The City Council also will learn how the city uses remote-controlled drones.

Kalispell set up its drone program in 2017. The city uses drones to collect mapping imagery, perform volume calculations, carry out 3D modeling and record video of city projects, such as the ongoing construction of the Parkline Trail.

The city periodically uploads videos that provide visual updates of the trail's progress.

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates when and where drones can be flown, as well as training and certification requirements. There are specific guidelines that pertain to flying drones above people and motor vehicles, all which Singleton will outline on Monday.

The work session will start at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Avenue East.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.

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Kalispell reviewing use of drones, other technology - Daily Inter Lake

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Technology: The Future of Agriculture | CMUnow – CMUnow

Posted: at 8:53 am

CMU/WCCC launch invaluable partnership with Violet Gro

The question around how technology will influence agriculture in the future will soon be explored by students in a 1,500 square foot greenhouse at Western Colorado Community College. Western Colorado is focused on becoming a national leader in unique agricultural practices that will push the industry forward thanks to a promising partnership with Violet Gro, a team of innovative thinkers who are developing technologies that will change the way we think about and grow our food.

With this invaluable partnership, we will be able to educate students and the community on the various indoor agricultural growing techniques, said Western Colorado Community College Vice President of Community College Affairs Brigitte Sundermann. I also want to thank Violet Gro Chief of Staff Ali McKenzie for working so diligently during the pandemic to bring this opportunity to her hometown. It started with two lights and a table in the back of a classroom and has evolved into a fully dedicated greenhouse research facility.

With this invaluable partnership, we will be able to educate students and the community on the various indoor agricultural growing techniques." - Western Colorado Community College Vice President of Community College Affairs Brigitte Sundermann

The Grand Valley established itself as an agricultural haven over a century ago, and its rich traditions have proven successful thanks to its adaptability. As land availability decreases, and land costs as well as demand for food increases, industry experts are being forced to look indoors to discover alternative ways to optimize plant growth or risk global food shortages in the future. Violet Gro, which is part of the Colorado Rural Jump-Start program, has been committed to advancing the science behind its LED grow lights through strategic research partnerships. Now, theyre collaborating with CMU and WCCC to research and explore the impact of lighting on plant yields, color, appearance, nutrition and flavor.

This project has the opportunity to truly advance the science of indoor agriculture, which can benefit growers throughout the region and world. That alone is tremendously rewarding, but to get to do it in my hometown, support the local academic and business community, and build on the rich history of Colorado is a real honor, said Violet Gro Chief of Staff Ali McKenzie.

Phase one of the partnership consists of building an educational greenhouse that will be led by a full-time program director where agricultural students as well as those in other fields can engage in hands-on research projects.

This research facility will not only allow us to build on the partnerships that first drew us to set up our headquarters in Grand Junction, but also to establish a world-class academic research facility that will advance our technology and product offerings, and contribute to the broader knowledge base for how to effectively grow plants indoors, said Terrance Berland, CEO of Violet Gro.

This research facility will not only allow us to build on the partnerships that first drew us to set up our headquarters in Grand Junction, but also to establish a world-class academic research facility that will advance our technology and product offerings, and contribute to the broader knowledge base for how to effectively grow plants indoors. - Terrance Berland, CEO of Violet Gro.

The second phase is making the facility a smart house, which will include alternative energy, sensors, automation, specialty imaging and a master control system which can enhance and compliment tried and true farming techniques, therefore expanding our ability to become sustainable.

Violet Gro is an excellent example of how the Rural Jump-Start program succeeds in fostering innovation and is helping to diversify the economy here in Mesa County. Violet Gro came here from Florida with a product not found elsewhere in the region and is now expanding, building local partnerships and investing back into the community, which in turn helps to grow our entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Grand Junction Economic Partnership Executive Director Robin Brown.

WCCC continues to open up alternative pathways for our students. Were thrilled about this partnership and are excited to see it flourish, said Mesa County Valley School District 51 College and Career Readiness Director Cheri Taylor.

WCCC continues to open up alternative pathways for our students. Were thrilled about this partnership and are excited to see it flourish. - Mesa County Valley School District 51 College and Career Readiness Director Cheri Taylor.

This partnership between WCCC, Violet Gro and the larger Grand Junction community aspires to further advance the knowledge, techniques and products used by the worlds top indoor growers.

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Technology: The Future of Agriculture | CMUnow - CMUnow

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Clean Science & Technology standalone net profit rises 30.27% in the June 2021 quarter – Business Standard

Posted: at 8:53 am

Sales rise 29.63% to Rs 146.31 crore

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First Published: Mon, August 09 2021. 15:38 IST

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Clean Science & Technology standalone net profit rises 30.27% in the June 2021 quarter - Business Standard

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