Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Investment Supports McWilliams & Son's Rapid Expansion Through Organic Growth and Strategic Acquisitions in the Growing, Resilient and Highly Fragmented Residential Services Market

SAN FRANCISCO and LUFKIN, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Percheron Capital ("Percheron"), a private equity firm focused on partnering with high-quality essential services businesses, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in McWilliams & Son ("McWilliams" or the "Company"), a leading residential HVAC and plumbing services platform. Following the transaction, McWilliams' Chief Executive Officer, Trey McWilliams, will remain a significant investor and continue to lead the Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1974 in Texas by the McWilliams family, McWilliams & Son offers residential HVAC and plumbing maintenance, repair and replacement services with a reputation for outstanding quality and customer service. The Company's people-first values focused on service, trust and reliability have resulted in industry-leading customer satisfaction scores and consistent growth for over 45 years. McWilliams' commitment to providing advanced training programs, innovative technology and equipment to its technicians has made the Company an employer of choice in the markets it operates.

Under Trey McWilliams' leadership, the Company has successfully expanded its reach through strong organic growth, new branch openings and acquisitions of high-quality, partnership-focused residential HVAC and plumbing businesses. With Percheron's strategic support and operational resources, McWilliams is well-positioned to further accelerate its growth in new and existing markets.

Trey McWilliams said, "I am proud of our exceptional team and the strong business we have built together. We attribute our success to our people-centric approach and unwavering commitment to our customers, team members and community. Percheron embodies our values and brings significant experience and a strong track record supporting high-growth, acquisitive services businesses. I am excited about the significant opportunities our partnership with Percheron creates for our team members as we continue executing on our vision of building the premier provider of residential HVAC and plumbing services in the country."

Chris Lawler, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Percheron, commented, "The residential HVAC and plumbing services market has been a thematic investment priority for Percheron given the industry's large size, non-discretionary services, strong and resilient growth and high fragmentation. We are thrilled to partner with Trey McWilliams and his team, who have built a rare platform with best-in-class operational and performance metrics, including leading customer service scores, technician productivity and retention. The Company is supported by advanced technology, systems and processes, and has a strong track record of growth through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. We look forward to leveraging Percheron's deep operational capabilities to support the next phase of McWilliams' rapid growth."

About McWilliams & Son

McWilliams & Son is a leading HVAC and plumbing services business founded in 1974 in Texas by the McWilliams family. For over 45 years, McWilliams & Son has proudly served customers with a reputation for outstanding quality and customer service. A hometown company with hometown values, McWilliams & Son puts its customers, employees and community first. McWilliams & Son invests heavily in its team members, including providing industry-leading training programs and advanced technology and equipment, to enable team members to achieve their full potential and better serve our valued customers. For more information, please visit http://www.mcwilliamsandson.com.

About Percheron Capital

Percheron Capital is a private equity firm focused on partnering with exceptional teams to build market-leading services businesses.The firm's purpose is to help high-quality businesses accelerate growth and enhance long-term value. Percheron has over $1 billion in assets under management and focuses on investing in strong services businesses in resilient end markets, including animal health, automotive, education, food & beverage, healthcare & wellness, and residential. For more information, please visit http://www.percheroncapital.com.

Media Contacts

Woomi Yun / Erik CarlsonJoele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher(212) 355-4449

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Percheron Capital Announces Partnership with McWilliams & Son, a Leading Provider of Residential HVAC and Plumbing Services - PR Newswire

EPB and the Tennessee Valley Authority have completed their 600th Home Uplift energy renovation for people in need and announced the investment of another $1,068,146 to keep the program going strong.Through Home Uplift, the EPB Energy ProsSM and TVA EnergyRight work with neighbors in need to provide substantial home energy upgrades at no charge to reduce their energy bills and improve the air quality. Both homeowners and renters can apply for the program.Through the Home Uplift partnership, the EPBs Energy Pros provided Joyce Threat with a new HVAC to replace her propane furnace along with complete insulation, air sealing throughout her home and more. According to Threat, the program saved her thousands of dollars when the price of propane spiked last winter, with the likelihood of even higher prices during the next cold season. I got my Home Uplift just in time, said Ms. Threat. Im very happy with the job they did and the service they gave me. My daughter has asthma, and she doesnt cough anymore when she visits me.Eligible Home Uplift participants may receive duct replacement, water heater and pipe insulation, wall insulation, HVAC clean and tune, windows and door replacement, and replacing heat pumps, water heaters and refrigerators. On average, EPBs Home Uplift participants save more than $400 on their energy costs each year with those who have the highest energy burden saving much more, officials said.Home Uplift participants understand that this program is about more than just energy efficiency, said Cindy Herron, vice president, TVA Energy Services & Programs. Were strengthening their quality of life by lowering their monthly power bills and improving home comfort, health and safety.As global forces drive up local energy bills, EPB is placing a priority on supporting our community through our EPB Energy Pros programs which include Home Uplift, free EPB Home Energy CheckupsSM for all EPB customers and other offerings designed to help our neighbors get the most value for the energy they use, said David Wade, president & CEO of EPB. In recent years, we have accelerated the number of Home Uplift energy renovations we complete each year while also providing free expert guidance from the EPB Energy Pros to all of our customers in-person, virtually, by phone, through our at Home with EPB Energy Pros video series and more.EPB and TVA first partnered in 2015 to provide high-impact home energy upgrades to qualified homeowners with the goal of helping them enhance the energy efficiency of their residence. Those who qualify receive home improvements at no cost to help them reduce their power bills. Since then, EPB, TVA, the City of Chattanooga and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation have invested a total of $7.4 million locally. Across the Tennessee Valley, TVA has invested more than $21.68 million in the program.Officials said, "Analyzing Smart Grid weather-normalized energy data, EPB found each of the 600 homes will save more than 4,000 kWh on average each year, for a total of two million kWh each year."Savings translate to approximately 1,800 metric tons of avoided greenhouse gas creation, an environmental impact that equals avoiding the use of 1.9 million pounds of coal or more than 4,000 barrels of oil."Some Hamilton County residents have to make difficult decisions about what bills they can afford to pay, a harsh reality for more people as energy costs remain high, said Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger. Home Uplift gives families the peace of mind and better quality of life that comes from being able to address their needs."By lowering energy bills for some of our most vulnerable residents, Home Uplift is helping people stay in their homes, while also improving their health and reducing our greenhouse-gas emissions, said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. As Chattanooga continues to grow, programs like Home Uplift are key to preserving affordable housing and ensuring a more sustainable future for our city.Officials said, "In addition to joining other partners in funding the program, EPB also staffs Home Uplift with EPB Energy Pros who work with eligible Home Uplift participants to identify the home energy renovations that will provide them with the best cost-savings on their monthly bills."The EPB Energy Pros provide free expertise and services that are available to all EPB customers. For example, they provide free EPB Home Energy Checkups, in-person assessments of customers homes and provide them with personalized recommendations about the most cost-effective ways to make their homes healthier and more energy efficient."EPB Energy Pros can also provide guidance to help customers plan solar installations, install EV chargers and make home energy renovations. Theyll even inspect the contractors work when the project is done to ensure optimal customer benefit. In addition, EPB Energy Pros are available for phone consultations on all home energy related topics from questions about buying major appliances, what kind of insulation will provide the most cost-effective savings, to whether its time to buy a new hot water heater."All of these services are available to both homeowners and renters at no charge to help them get the most value from the energy they use. Customers can call our EPB Energy Pros at 423-648-1372 or book an appointment at EPB.com/energypros."EPB, TVA, and the City of Chattanooga encourage neighbors in need to apply now for Home Uplift by going to: epb.com/homeuplift. Renters can also apply to the program with consent from their landlord."

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EPB & TVA Complete 600th Home Uplift Energy Renovation And Announce Additional Program Funding For People In Need - The Chattanoogan

Is your air conditioner ready for summers home stretch? Heres how to find out.

Its August in North Texas, and if youre not wearing out your air conditioner, youre a stronger person than I am. Even though the ber months are a mere two weeks away, round these parts we bust out the pumpkin spice long before we put away the sunscreen.

In this record-breaking heat, weve already suggested that yougive your AC a little extra TLC, but theres always room for more knowledge about a North Texan in Augusts best friend your AC.

If youve ever opened up your AC to find that its frozen solid, thats a thing you never forget. That can happen when the airflow gets blocked by a dirty filter, all that cold air gets trapped, and the coils freeze. During a hot summer like this one, its especially important to change your filters regularly.

When times are tough, head up to the attic and share a cold one with your AC unit OK, but remember to remove the evidence when youre done.

Heres why you need a home inspector. This unit was installed improperly, and no one would have noticed because the problem is tucked underneath the unit where no one can see it.

Dont you just hate that word? Mold loves it. And you know what happens when its 120 degrees in your attic and 75 in your living room? Moisture forms in between.

Keep an eye out for moisture forming on vents and the areas around them. If you see moisture, you likely have a leak somewhere that needs sealing. Call your AC company for a service appointment so your unit is working efficiently and youre not breathing mold.

September is coming, but your poor AC still has a long way to go, so change those filters, and if you havent done it in a while, have your system serviced. Maintenance is less expensive than repairs, and repairs are less expensive than replacement.

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Fall is on The Way, But Your Air Conditioner Can't Catch a Break Yet - CandysDirt.com - Candy's Dirt

Graphic via Inc. 5000

published on August 16, 2022 - 9:54 AMWritten by The Business Journal Staff

A quartet of local businesses have made the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the U.S.

Business magazine Inc. ranks participating private companies on three-year revenue growth from 2018 to 2021 for this years list. The minimum revenue required for 2018 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $2 million.

Inc. Special Projects Editor Eric Hagerman noted in strong terms the rate at which companies on the list grew revenue this year.

Theres rapid growth, and then theres the sort of rapid growth that can melt the enamel right off your damn teeth, Hagerman wrote. Surely thats what it felt like for the founders in this edition of our annual list of Americas fastest-growing private companies. For they have piloted their startups on an atmosphere-piercing ride the likes of which weve not seen before. Among the top 500, the median revenue growth rate over the past three years is 2,144 percent up from 1,820 percent for the 2021 list.

Fresno-based Balanced Comfort made the No. 511 spot on the list the highest of any local firm. The company led by Aaron Husak was founded in 2012 and provides HVAC, plumbing, energy audit and modeling services. Balanced Comfort reported 1,211% growth over the last three years, improving its position on the list from No. 817 in 2021.

Kuubix Global in Visalia made the No. 670 spot on the list with 939% growth over the last three years. The company, under the leadership of Josh Butt, designs and installs solar panel systems for residential and commercial use.

EKC Enterprises in Fresno earned the No. 2,920 spot on the list with 186% growth. Under the leadership of Chris Shafer, the company provides low-voltage integration services for schools, colleges, hospitals and more.

Fresno-based Lees Air, Plumbing & Heating came in at No. 4,469 on the list with three-year growth of 99%. Under the leadership of Thomas Howard, the HVAC company provides air, plumbing and heating maintenance repair and replacement for residential and commercial customers.

No. 1 on the Inc. 5000 list was New Jersey-based financial services company BlockFi, which according to Inc. bridges the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrency. It had three-year growth of 245,616%.

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Fresno, Visalia firms land on tooth-melting Inc. 5000 list - The Business Journal

Grant Morgan was baffled. It was March 2020, Covid was raging across the nation and one of the simplest ways to kill a virusblasting it with ultraviolet lightwas not being used in schools and nursing homes because hospital grade disinfection devices cost over $100,000. But the cofounder and CEO of R-Zero couldnt understand why: Thats a lightbulb on wheels with a timer. Theres no way it costs $100,000 to make, says Morgan, whod previously worked at Abbott and mobile phone repair startup iCracked. Its an artifact of our screwed-up healthcare system.

By April he and his cofoundersventure capitalist Ben Boyer and Eli Harris, whod worked at drone company DJI and cofounded battery startup EcoFlowwere struggling to build their own lower-cost disinfecting ultraviolet lights. Within months, R-Zero had lined up its first customers, leasing them a mobile device for $17/month that could zap a room clean within minutes. Today, the Salt Lake City-based startup sells ultraviolet-based hardware that disinfects, software and sensors that gauge how crowded a room is and a dashboard that provides analytics on how the devices are used.

You look at people starting companies and you think theres a formula. The dirty secret is no one knows what they are doing.

Last year, revenue reached $13 million; its expected to triple this year. With $170 million in equity funding from investors that include Silicon Valleys DBL Partners and the Mayo Clinic, R-Zero is now valued at $505 million. That fast growth helped it gain a spot on this years Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups list, one of 25 companies we think most likely to reach a $1 billion valuation.

With concern over the pandemic fading, Morgan now sees a far bigger opportunity beyond Covid. The same ultraviolet light disinfection technology that inactivates the coronavirus can also help lower the risk of transmission of other diseases, including influenza and noroviruseven monkeypox. Ultraviolet devices, which rely on a short wavelength of light known as UVC, work without toxic chemicals or massive energy use. Since they disinfect indoor environments and not the human body, they are not considered medical devicesmeaning the company doesnt need to spend time and money dealing with the FDA.

I think we can come out of Covid and build a safer, healthier, new normal, says Morgan. I think this is going to be baked into every physical space. It will be as ubiquitous as general lighting.

Morgan, 33, grew up in Folsom, California, the city made famous by Johnny Cashs Folsom Prison Blues. His father was an accountant; his mother ran a small business that sold printing forms and then became a school administrator. In high school, Morgan played drums in a jazz band (We went to Europe and opened for Carlos Santana), but opted to study mechanical engineering at California Polytechnic State University.

After a stint at Abbott and at a small medical device maker, he landed at iCracked in 2015 when his buddy AJ Forsythe, whod started the company in his Cal Poly dorm, called. You look at people starting companies and you think theres a formula. The dirty secret is no one knows what they are doing, he says. That was a really empowering thing for me early on in my career.

It also reinforced his preference for startups over big companies. When Allstate acquired iCracked in February 2019, he stayed just six months before going to another startup. I dont have an off switch, Morgan says. Its a blessing and a curse. I am, maybe, maladjusted. The status quo makes me uncomfortable.

The traditional chemical disinfection industry is highly inefficient. Itsineffective, its unsustainable, its dangerous and its labor intensive.

It was venture capitalist, Boyer, 46, cofounder of Tenaya Capital, who had the original germ of an idea to use ultraviolet light to fight Covid. Boyer would bring the connections and strategy, Morgan the leadership. Their third-cofounder, Harris, had experience making hardware and knew how to sell.

Harris, who is 29 and a Forbes Under 30 alum, had an unconventional upbringing on a shared property in Santa Barbara. His parents had spent many years overseashis mother on ashrams in India, his father in Kenyaand he studied Mandarin in college at Amherst. For a decade, he lived in China, working at drone company DJI in Shenzhen and then cofounding battery startup EcoFlow in 2016. He and Morgan had connected over a potential partnership for iCracked technicians to repair DJI drones that never panned out.

For scientific credibility, they connected with Richard Wade, a toxicology expert (and father of an iCracked employee) who came on as the companys chief scientist. At 76, Wade, who has a PhD in environmental health sciences from the University of Michigan, had worked in public health for decades, and, among other roles, had been the VP of environmental health at cruise lines Princess and Norwegian. He had, notably, written the protocol for decontamination of the Diamond Princess ship after its Covid-19 outbreak. My bias was UV because of it demonstrated efficacy, Wade says.

After briefly considering on-demand disinfection, they quickly shifted their idea to buildingand sellingthe ultraviolet devices themselves at a price that would work for restaurants, hotels and schools. I called Ben back and said, Youre going to think Im crazy, but were building lights. Hes like, You are crazy, but Im in, Morgan says.

It wasnt easy. The supply chain crunch meant that ultraviolet lightbulbs were tough to get. Morgan, who knew that manufacturers typically produce a few extra for every big order they get, went to LightSources, one of the biggest ultraviolet bulb makers, and asked to buy anything they could spare. We got the overrun bulbs, just five bulbs, he says. Then they scoured the Internet for more, eventually getting enough bulbs to work out a design.

By July, theyd built a prototype named Hope (as in hope this works) that was six and a-half feet tall, held together with duct tape and wire. They dragged it to Atelier Crenn, a Michelin-starred French restaurant in San Francisco and gained a first beta customer. Then they loaded it into a minivan, driving around Californiato a luxury dude ranch, to schools, to anyone who might be a customerto show it off. Helped by its relatively low price and the panic of many business owners over how to reopen safely, they started lining up customers.

The traditional chemical disinfection industry is highly inefficient, says Ira Ehrenpreis, managing partner at DBL Partners, an early investor in Tesla who led R-Zeros $15 million funding round in August of 2020. Its ineffective, its unsustainable, its dangerous and its labor intensive.

With the new funds, R-Zero placed a large order for ultraviolet lightbulbs, and focused on improving their design. They wanted a product that would not only disinfect safely, but also wouldnt look out of place in a restaurant or school. They hired Bould Design, a San Mateo, California-based shop that had designed Nests thermostats and Rokus streaming players, to come up with a streamlined look. It had to look safe, says William Dougherty, chief information security officer at digital healthcare firm Omada Health, which signed a deal with R-Zero when he reconfigured the companys space last year.

Today, in addition to Omada Health, customers include large school districts, like those in Clark County, Nevada, Fort Bend, Texas, and South San Francisco; sports teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Red Wings; senior care facilities including Trilogy Health Services, which operates 132 locations across the Midwest; and companies like electric vehicle startup Rivian and household products manufacturer Simple Green.

R-Zero switched from a pricing model of leasing its devices at ultra-low cost to a more sustainable model of selling them and charging a subscription of between $50 and $250 a month to cover things like software and replacement bulbs. The company now offers three devices. Its original, mobile Arc device is the most expensive at $28,000 and can only be used to disinfect an empty room due to the harmful impact of the wavelength of its UVC light (254 nanometers) on people. R-Zeros two newer devices are cheaper and designed to operate continuously in the background. Both came to market in November of 2021.

Beam ($5,000) is an LED-based, upper room disinfection device that uses 265-nanometer ultraviolet light to create a disinfection zone located above people in a room. Vive ($3,000), meanwhile, uses a wavelength known as far-UVC at 222-nanometers to inactivate harmful microorganisms in the air and on surfaces, even while people are present. While the Beam works in large open spaces, like classrooms and office lobbies, the Vive can be installed in smaller spaces, such as conference rooms and bathrooms.

What we have come to realize is that there is not one-size, fits-all for infection protection, Boyer says. What Arc competes with is some form of chemical intervention. For Beam and Vive, its HVAC upgrades.

In July 2021, R-Zero acquired a tiny outfit called CoWorkR that uses sensors to gauge how many people are in a room. That information, in turn, allows it to determine a rooms riska packed room is less safeand to automatically turn the disinfection devices on or off. The data also allows R-Zero to give its customers advice on whether meeting rooms are over capacity and how to space meetings out to lower infection risk.

Before the pandemic, people accepted as normal that illnesses like influenza and the common cold spread through offices and schools, Morgan says. Yet the technology that could reduce the risk of Covid-19 could also cut the transmission of these longstanding illnesses, a boon to both health and productivity. The vision long term is to sell a reduction in sick days, Morgan says. Were capitalists, but I want my gravestone to say, Grant helped eradicate the flu.

Header image of R-Zero founders Grant Morgan, Ben Boyer and Eli Harris with their UV-based disinfection devices.

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This Startup Wants To Bring Disinfecting UV Light Into Every Physical Space - Forbes

Research at The Ohio State University is on a roll.

As students continue to move in ahead of the start of autumn semester next week, university leadership had an opportunity Thursday to tout a spate of recent research wins to members of the board of trustees.

Whether its a national study about disaster preparedness that is helping to spur policy discussions or spearheading a new research center funded by the National Science Foundation, Ohio States commitment to research excellence is paying off.

We see our numbers increasing, we see more big wins, said Lou Von Thaer, chair of the boards Research, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships committee.

Grace Wang, executive vice president of research, innovation and knowledge, pointed to the research center announced last week as especially illustrative of Ohio States impact. Called the Hybrid Autonomous Manufacturing, Moving from Evolution to Revolution (HAMMER) Engineering Research Center, it will be one of the biggest research investments in recent Ohio State history if fully realized.

Its really, really exciting for Ohio State to have this milestone moment, said Wang, and to stay ahead of the curve in helping to bring back engineering and manufacturing in the United States.

The committee also heard an update on the Presidents Buckeye Accelerator, which university President Kristina M. Johnson created last year to help fund groups of entrepreneurial students. From this new program, Adithya Ramaswami, an aerospace engineering student, and his co-founder started a new company called Parawave, which aims to equip first responders with 360-degree views via drone technology.

Being part of a community of like-minded innovator students is invigorating and a safe space to grow and learn, he said. This first group of student teams finishes in spring 2023, and applications for a new cohort begin in the upcoming semester.

During the full board meeting, Johnson shared her excitement for the new academic year and important changes that come with it -- including the facilities that help improve the student experience. Johnson noted the opening of Jane E. Heminger Hall, which will expand the College of Nursing, and the Timashev Family Music Building in the Arts District.

How students learn is evolving with the start of fall semester, with the first major overhaul of the universitys general education, or gen-ed, curriculum in more than 30 years. The new program will reduce the number of required gen-ed credit courses, thus providing flexibility in scheduling while preparing Buckeyes for the world in which they will live and work after graduation, Johnson told trustees.

The following actions were also taken during the meeting:

Distinguished University Professorships namedThe board approved the following permanent honorifics of Distinguished University Professor to:

The Distinguished University Professor title is awarded to full professors who have exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and in service.

Textbook auto-adoption policy establishedThe board approved the establishment of a textbook auto-adoption policy that ensures that a decision about textbook and course materials for course use will be identified by the first day of registration for the autumn 2023 term.

Interim campus free speech policy and process establishedThe board approved the establishment of an interim campus free speech policy and process as required under Ohio law. The policy affirms principles of free speech and provides a process for university-affiliated people to submit a complaint about an alleged violation of the policy.

Digital textbook pass-through fees authorizedThe board approved digital textbook pass-through fees at all campuses for fiscal year 2023.

Professional services and construction contracts approvedThe board authorized the university to enter into or increase professional service and construction contracts for the following projects:

The project will construct a new 13,500-square-foot facility behind the Center for Automotive Research for a bus test center. It will house the new bus dynamometer systems, a bus prep area, hydrogen generation plant, conference spaces and more. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.5 million, to be paid for with grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration.

The project will design the replacement of 16 roof areas as part of a three-year, three-phase project. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.1 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide backup power to chillers, pumps and other equipment providing cooling in the hospital. Trustees approved professional services totaling $600,000, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide life safety communication coverage for first responders in campus hospital buildings to meet requirements for emergency response systems. Trustees approved professional services totaling $1.4 million, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project will provide upgrades to building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and the exterior envelope. Trustees approved an increase of $2.1 million in professional services and $16.5 million in construction with contingency to complete remaining general chemistry laboratories and support spaces (nine have already been constructed). Fundraising, university funds and state funds are the sources of funding.

The project will provide HVAC infrastructure upgrades for critical systems on certain floors. Trustees approved $500,000 for an increase in professional services and $1 million for construction with contingency, to be paid for with auxiliary funds.

The project is a new inpatient hospital tower with up to 820 private room beds and 60 bassinets. Trustees approved a $100,000 increase in professional services and $6 million in construction with contingency, to be paid for with university debt, fundraising, auxiliary funds and partner funds.

The project is creating a collaborative campus for inter-professional education throughout the health sciences. Trustees approved an increase of $1.1 million in construction with contingency to equip some classrooms with audio/visual equipment needed to make them distance-learning capable. It will be funded with fundraising, university funds, auxiliary funds and state funds.

Honorary degrees approvedThe board approved the awarding of the following honorary degrees:

Resolutions in Memoriam announced

Faculty personnel actions approvedThe board approved the following appointments:

Reappointments

Extensions

The board also approved appointments and reappointments of department chairs, faculty professional leave arrangements and emeritus titles.

Property sales, leases approvedTrustees approved ground lease arrangements for the following:

Trustees approved the sale of College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences property for the following:

Joint use agreement approvedThe board authorized a second joint use agreement between the university and the Knox County Regional Airport Authority. The university was previously allocated $900,000 in the state capital bill for use by the airport authority to construct a state-of-the-art training facility. A new allocation of $150,000 helps to offset rising construction costs.

University Foundation report approvedThe board approved the report as of June 30, 2022, which includes the establishment of: one endowed chair: the Jeffrey Schottenstein Endowed Chair of Psychiatry and Resilience; one endowed professorship: the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Professorship; one endowed professorship fund: The Daniel Tanner Foundation Endowed Professorship Fund in Curriculum Studies on Adolescence and Democracy; six scholarships as part of the Scarlet and Gray Advantage Endowed Matching Gift Program; one scholarship as part of the Joseph A. Alutto Global Leadership Initiative; 14 additional named endowed funds; and the revision of 14 named endowed funds.

Bylaw amendments approvedThe board approved revisions to the bylaws of the Ohio State board of trustees.

Naming of university spacesThe board approved the naming of the following university spaces at Jane E. Heminger Hall at 1577 Neil Ave. in acknowledgment of donors:

The board approved the naming of the following internal university spaces at Celeste Laboratory at 120 W. 18th Ave. in acknowledgment of donors:

The board approved the naming of Paul Hartman scoreboard at the Lacrosse Stadium at 630 Irving Schottenstein Drive in acknowledgement of John J. Schiff Jr.s philanthropic support. Trustees also approved the naming of the shooting room rooftop at the stadium as the Suz in acknowledgement of Susan and Grant Douglass support.

Trustees approved the naming of the fertigation room (Room 132) in the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex at 2515 Carmack Road. The room is named the General Hydroponics Fertigation Room in acknowledgment of significant support from Scotts Miracle-Gro.

The board approved the naming of the Center for Automotive Research facility at 930 Kinnear Road, which is currently referenced officially by its address.

Degrees and certificates for winter 2022 approvedThe board approved the issuance of degrees and certificates on Dec. 18, 2022, to those who have completed the necessary requirements.

Ohio State Energy Partners utility system capital improvements plan for fiscal year 2023 approvedTrustees approved Ohio State Energy Partners fiscal year 2023 plan to make capital improvements. Trustees also approved the change in cost of a previously approved project, for which the university will reimburse Ohio State Energy Partners.

Capital investment plan for fiscal year 2023 approvedTrustees authorized the capital investment plan for fiscal year 2023 ending June 30, 2023.

New charter approvedThe board approved the amended charter for the Internal Audit Department, which reports to the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee.

New board of trustees committees approvedThe board approved the Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance and Finance and Investment Committee charters effective Aug. 18, 2022.

Revision to facilities improvement projects, planning studies, and real estate transactions policy approvedThe board approved changes to the policy to clarify the review and approval review for all facilities improvement projects estimated to cost $200,000 or more.

Board committee appointments ratifiedThe board approved the ratification of committee appointments for fiscal year 2023-24 as follows:

Academic Affairs & Student LifeJeff M.S. Kaplan, ChairElizabeth A. Harsh, Vice ChairAbigail S. WexnerElizabeth P. KesslerReginald A. WilkinsonMichael KigginSusan E. Cole (faculty member)Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Finance & InvestmentTom B. Mitevski, ChairJames D. Klingbeil, Vice ChairJohn W. ZeigerGary R. HemingerLewis Von ThaerJeff M.S. KaplanMichael KigginTanner R. HuntAmy ChronisKent M. StahlHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Legal, Audit, Risk & ComplianceElizabeth P. Kessler, ChairMichael Kiggin, Vice ChairAlan A. StockmeisterJeff M.S. KaplanElizabeth A. HarshHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Master Planning & FacilitiesAlexander R. Fischer, ChairAlan A. Stockmeister, Vice ChairElizabeth A. HarshReginald A. WilkinsonJames D. KlingbeilRobert H. SchottensteinHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Research, Innovation & Strategic PartnershipsLewis Von Thaer, ChairReginald A. Wilkinson, Vice ChairAlexander R. FischerTanner R. HuntPhillip Popovich (faculty member)Hiroyuki Fujita (ex officio)

Talent, Compensation & GovernanceJohn W. Zeiger, ChairElizabeth P. Kessler, Vice ChairAbigail S. WexnerAlexander R. FischerGary R. HemingerLewis Von ThaerJeff M.S. KaplanTom B. MitevskiHiroyuki Fujita (Ex Officio)

Wexner Medical Center:Leslie H. Wexner, ChairAbigail S. WexnerAlan A. StockmeisterJohn W. ZeigerTom B. MitevskiTanner R. HuntStephen D. SteinourRobert H. SchottensteinW.G. JurgensenCindy HilsheimerAmy ChronisHiroyuki Fujita (ex officio, voting)Kristina M. Johnson (ex officio, voting)Melissa L. Gilliam (ex officio, voting)Michael Papadakis (ex officio, voting)Jay Anderson/Andrew Thomas (ex officio, voting)

Revisions to the rules of the Classified Civil Service approvedThe board approved revisions to certain chapters of the Ohio Administrative Code governing the universitys Classified Civil Service staff.

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As 2022-23 academic year begins, Ohio State's innovation continues hot streak - The Ohio State University News

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Bidens first Democratic challenger is a retired Jewish philosophy professor angry at the presidents treatment of Palestinians

If Jerome Segal comes knocking at your door, its because he wants to introduce himself. Hell chat and then hell ask you to put one of his lawn signs in your front yard. The Bronx native will tell you hes running to become the next president of the United States. The 2024 race has begun.

Mideast map: Segal has spent decades trying to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 1987, according to his website, he was part of the first Jewish-American delegation to go to Tunis to open dialogue with Arafat and the PLO. He is the founder of a group called the Jewish Peace Lobby, and has written extensively about the Middle East. During a visit to the region in July, President Biden said the ground is not ripe at this moment to restart negotiations, a statement Segal calls shameful.

Not new to politics: The 2024 presidential race is Segals fourth bid for public office. This summer he came in ninth in the 10-candidate Democratic primary for Maryland governor, with .67% of the vote. He challenged Maryland Sen. Benjamin Cardin in the 2018 Democratic primary, and ran in the 2020 U.S. presidential election as the candidate of the Bread and Roses Party, which he founded.

Senior moment: In a recent poll, one-third of Americans said they believe President Biden is too old to run for reelection. Segal is 78, just one year younger than Biden. When they speak of age, he said, it is not a question of chronological age, but creative capacity and whether or not someone has new responses that new challenges call for.

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Then and now: Paula Goldstein as a USO hostess during WWII and now, nearing 100. (Courtesy)

A century of memories, starting with the old Forward building: It was like the North Star of the Lower East Side, recalls Paula Goldstein, 99, who grew up buying our newspaper each day at the candy store on Market Street. Goldstein spent a recent afternoon recalling the highlights of the 20th century to her niece. They covered presidents (JFK was so impossibly handsome) and comedians (apparently, Don Rickles reminds her of Nikita Khrushchev), adventurers (Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh) and so much more (democracy, spies and famous relatives). Goldstein shows no sign of slowing down. Literally. On the day of our visit, she was wearing new sneakers. Yes, I wore my Pumas out. Read the story

She studies Torah and table tennis | Meet the 20-year-old Orthodox phenom angling for a spot at the Olympics: Estee Ackerman, a Yeshiva University senior, beat Rafael Nadal at pingpong as a preteen and is nationally ranked in her sport. But shes been making headlines recently off the court. Last month, the mother of her doubles partner yelled at her for being disgusting and unprofessional over her modest dress. The words stung, but Ackerman is focused on the future. Its my passion to inspire others, she said. Read the story

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WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

The graphic novel version of The Diary of Anne Frank, by writer Ari Folman and illustrator David Polonsky. (Getty)

The superintendent of the Texas school district that this week ordered the removal of Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation from its schools shelves said Thursday that he expected the book, along with the Bible and other books that were removed following parental challenges, will be on shelves very soon. No timeframe was given. (JTA)

A Russian court on Friday postponed its verdict in the countrys case against the Jewish Agency for a month in a move Israel hopes will give it more time to reach an agreement with Moscow and prevent the shuttering of the agencys offices in Russia. (Times of Israel)

On Gab, Truth Social and other platforms, antisemitic threats are continuing in the wake of the FBIs Mar-a-Lago search, with users going after the attorney general and the judge who ordered the search, both of whom are Jewish. I just think were in a particular dangerous time in this country, said the ADLs Oren Segal. (JTA)

Arkansas state Sen. Jason Rapert, the president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, will have to unblock his atheist constituents from his social media accounts as part of a settlement the organization American Atheists said it reached with the state. (Religion News Service)

Jesse Eisenbergs newest film directing project follows two estranged cousins who travel to Poland and learn about their grandmothers Holocaust story. Im trying to ask the question: Is modern pain valid against the backdrop of real historical trauma, said Eisenberg, who traces his Jewish family roots back to Poland and Ukraine. (JTA)

More than 4,000 people gathered at the Coney Island Amphitheater in Brooklyn for the first annual Chosen Comedy Festival, featuring Jewish comedians and musical acts. The event served as a benefit for the Ukrainian Emergency Performing Arts Fund. (Jewish Journal)

What were watching this weekend Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America, a special report on CNN, airs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. In the hour-long show, anchor Dana Bash visits Jewish communities still reeling from recent violence, including Poway, California, and Colleyville, Texas. Bash also gets a first look at a command center dedicated to tracking threats against Jews by monitoring the deepest corners of the dark web.

Long weekend reads Meet the Gandalf-like archivist of the frum world American Jews have not been spared the devastating fallout of opioid abuse Is David Langer the Jewish king of surfing?

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Slow down this weekend and enjoy the end of summer. Print out our end-of-the-week magazine in which youll find stories about: a Russian rabbi who is caught between a rock and a hard place, a tour of the Jewish Museums not-so-Jewish new exhibit, an explainer on why Hashem and Yiddish are trending on Twitter and, finally, an interview with God. Get your copy now

The Forward made this video in 2011, on the 20th anniversary of the Crown Heights riots.

On this day in history (1991): Riots broke out in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, after a Black child was struck and killed by a car in the entourage of the Lubavitcher rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. A rabbinical student was fatally stabbed in the melee that followed. The riots went on for three days. More than 200 people were injured, police cars and stores were damaged, and bottles were thrown at Mayor David Dinkins when he visited the area. Although efforts have since been made to repair the relationship between the Black and Jewish communities in Crown Heights, Molly Boigon wrote in the Forward in 2020 that these feelings of bitterness and trauma run so deep that they persist to this day. Read our account of insiders recalling the tense three days between the mayor and the Jewish community

In honor of National Soft Ice Cream Day (yes, its a thing), check out our recipe for no-dairy no-churn peach pie ice cream. Youre welcome.

On the eve of World War II, David Kurtz took his 16 mm camera and shot three minutes of home video of a vibrant Jewish community in a Polish town old men in yarmulkes, boys and girls playing, people pouring into a synagogue. The ephemeral footage ends abruptly and was lost for decades. Now its part of a 70-minute documentary being released today in theaters called Three Minutes: A Lengthening. Watch the trailer above.

Play todays Vertl puzzle, the Yiddish Wordle

Thanks to Samuel Breslow, Jordan Greene, Beth Harpaz, Lauren Markoe, Chana Pollack, and Talya Zax for contributing to todays newsletter. You can reach the Forwarding team at editorial@forward.com.

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Bidens first Democratic challenger is a Jewish philosopher angry at the presidents treatment of Palestinians - Forward

Martha Chavis of Camden AHEC talks about the dangers of fentanyl

Fentanyl is potentially deadly to casual and habitual drug users alike. Martha Chavis, a Camden health care provider, discusses harm reduction strategies.

Phaedra Trethan, Cherry Hill Courier-Post

SOMERVILLE Jackson Rannells knew the opioid epidemic in every American community, no matter whether it was rich or pool or in New Jersey or Wyoming, could not be swept under the rug and ignored.

The former Somerville High School student who lived in Branchburg had his own struggles with addiction. He made poor choices that propelled him on the path to addiction in his teen years and worsened in his 20s after being prescribed an opioid medication for an injury. He had too many friends and classmates who lost their battles.

In 2018, with the help of his father, Jack created a nonprofit organization, Not An Easy Fix, to honor the victims, heal the pain in communities and increase awareness of the epidemic that lies in waiting in every town. He also wanted to erase the stigma that too many attach to addiction, which would make it less difficult to seek and accept the resources necessary for recovery.

Jack planned to have the first community event on Division Street in Somerville in the summer of 2019, but his continuing struggle with addiction intervened.

He sought treatment and when the opportunity returned to hold the event, the country was struck with another epidemic, COVID-19, that just increased the loneliness and boredom that addiction feeds on.

Then, on Feb. 18, 2021, while the country was still struggling with COVID-19, Jackson had a relapse and fentanyl poisoning took his life at the age of 30.

Now his parents, Ellen and Jack Rannells, are continuing their son's mission to make a difference in the lives of others and communities.

Not An Easy Fix, billed as "A Night of Community, Honoring and Healing," will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday on the lawn of the Historic Courthouse on East Main Street.

Also see:Is alcohol considered a drug? Explaining its addictiveness and its effect on your body.

"We want to bring people together," Jack Rannells said, "not only to make them aware of the problem, but also aware of the resources available to them."

Ellen Rannells said her son believed in the adage that "it takes a village," and that was especially essential in the response to the opioid epidemic.

"We want to bring the community together," she emphasized, "because it's about the community."

The event will begin with a dozen area organizations presenting their resources at tables on the courthouse lawn. There will also be demonstrations how to administer Narcan, the medication that can revive an overdose victim.

At 7 p.m., the program will begin will an opening prayer by Father Ron Pollock of St. John's Episcopal Church in Somerville and welcoming remarks by Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson. Jack Rannells will give opening remarks.

Speakers will include former state Sen. Kip Bateman; Maiysha Ware of Somerset Treatment Services; Meg Isbitski, Somerset County's mental administrator; and Detective Stacey Kelly of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, who will speak on Operation Helping Hand where law enforcement officers, accompanied by recovery support specialists, engage residents in need by providing on-the-spot referrals to treatment and other resources.

There will also be a performance of "How Far We've Come," a special song written for the event. Rappers Craft Monroe and Loon will perform.

The evening will end with four speakers, two talking about their recovery and two talking about the loss of their loved ones to addiction.

Jack and Ellen Rannells thanked Somerset County and the Borough of Somerville for making the event possible. "They've been very helpful," Jack said.

Ellen said she hopes the rally will deliver the message that her son wanted to give about the insight he gained through his recovery efforts and spiritual journey. He wanted others to know about the transformational power of Jesus Christ and to help others resist the temptation of experimenting with dangerous substances and, she said, "surrounding yourself with the right people."

But Jack and Ellen say they hope the event will help people realize the prevalence of the problem and while there is no easy fix, recovery is possible.

"People have to deal with the issue," she said.

Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com

Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account

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Somerville event to heighten addiction awareness, share resources - My Central Jersey

Solo said her experience in treatment was "both awful and great," adding that the day before she entered the facility, she experienced her first panic attack. She said that the morning she left to begin her rehab stay, her twins "wavedgoodbye with Grandma on our front lawn."

She added, "Watching my kids wave, knowing they had no idea how long I would be gone, not understanding that I won't be returning that evening or the next day, broke my heart. I smiled and waved out the window, then bawled when I could no longer see them around the bend."

She and her husband made up a story for her children to explain their mother's absence."We had decided to tell the kids that Mama was going fishing," the athlete said. She added that she spoke to her family remotely while in treatment.

Solo said thatshe was one of eight women treatedatthe facility. As she checked in, shewas drug testedand her luggage was shifted through and thrown into a dryer. She said she broke down in tears at her first communal meal.

"Today," she said on her podcast, "I am grateful for my 30 days away to read, think, pray, mediate and learn."

Solo continued, "There is no shame if we struggle with alcohol or addiction. Thank you to the beautiful men and women who taught me this."

Read more:
Hope Solo Reflects on the "Biggest Mistake" of Her Life 4 Months After DWI Arrest - E! NEWS

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STEAM IT CLEAN

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Breathe easy, when the air is fresh - CNA