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Selling Caribbean Luxury Vacations

Selling Caribbean Luxury Vacations

A Lucrative Caribbean Luxury Travel Market Enterprising travel business owners are waking up to a healthy, promising business opportunity in the Caribbean market. Interest in the region as a destination grows due to the strength of the US dollar and as wealthy Americans experience financial growth in 2025. The U.S. luxury travel market is currently…

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Atlanta United Community Fund Names 10 Organizations as Latest GA 100 Grant Recipients

The Atlanta United Community Fund (AUCF) today announced it has awarded $865,000 in grants to create or refurbish 10 additional fields through its GA 100 initiative, a pitch-build program with a goal of constructing up to 100 mini-pitches in under-resourced communities across Georgia. The latest round of grants raises the total number of mini-pitches either completed or in-development to 40, while spanning 30 different non-profit organizations.

AUCF, an associate-led fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s leading community development support organization, will start accepting requests for proposals for the next phase of GA 100 on Feb. 15. Eligible organizations can apply for a matching grant of up to $100,000 per mini-pitch.

“These 10 new mini-pitches mark an exciting milestone in the momentum of GA 100,” said Skate Noftsinger, Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Atlanta United. “With 40 pitches now completed or in development, this program is reaching communities in every corner of Georgia and making an investment in the future by giving kids and families across the state a place to enjoy soccer and build lasting connections.”

To learn more about GA 100 including how to apply for a grant, visit atlutd.com/ga100.

The $865,000 in grants will be committed to the following organizations to build 10 mini-pitches across the state:

  • Stephens County School District – Toccoa, Georgia – grass field at Stephens County High School
  • Southern Crescent Soccer Foundation – McDonough, Georgia – turf field at Alexander Park
  • Irwin County Recreation Department – Ocilla, Georgia – grass field at Irwin County High School
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier – Mount Airy, Georgia – turf field at Tim Lee Club
  • The Clarkston Community Center Foundation, Inc. – Clarkston, Georgia – grass field at Milam Park
  • Atrium Health Floyd and the Town of Trion – Trion, Georgia – turf field at the Trion Recreation Department
  • Atrium Health Floyd and YMCA of Rome Floyd County – Rome, Georgia – turf field at YMCA of Rome Floyd County
  • Atrium Health Floyd and City of Rockmart – Rockmart, Georgia – turf field at Hogue Avenue Park
  • Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta – A. Worley Brown Club – Norcross, Georgia – turf field at A. Worley Brown Club
  • YMCA of Metro Atlanta – South Dekalb Family YMCA – Decatur, Georgia – grass field at South Dekalb Family YMCA

GA 100 launched in 2020 when AUCF awarded $1.6 million to LISC to lead installation of the first phase of mini-pitches across the state of Georgia. Seventeen organizations received grants to build the initial 20 pitches. In 2023, AUCF increased its investment in the project when it invested an additional $3.36 million to construct an additional 30 mini-pitches, committing funding toward building or restoring up to 50 mini-pitches throughout the state.

Select organizations that have demonstrated an ability to raise cash funds or in-kind support will be awarded the matching grant of up to $100,000. Organizations from all corners of Georgia have been awarded grants including Augusta, Brunswick, Cedartown, Gainesville, Hogansville, Rome, Savannah and more.

LISC – the nation’s leading community development support organization – identifies local, nonprofit and community-based agencies wishing to build or refurbish soccer mini-pitches at schools, neighborhood parks and other recreation spaces in Georgia neighborhoods. Once approved by AUCF, the local organizations receive financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of mini-pitches in their communities. The organizations then oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.

“No community is complete without public spaces where young people and adults can gather to play, talk and get to know each other,” said Beverly Smith, LISC’s vice president of Sports & Recreation. “The GA 100 initiative has a major role in creating those spaces in neighborhoods that need them.”

AUCF is led by a committee of Blank Family of Businesses associates who inform funding priorities, evaluate grant applications, conduct site visits and monitor the impact of their grants.

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Melvin McNamara Promoted to Chief Customer Growth Officer at Palladin Technologies

Palladin Technologies is thrilled to announce the promotion of Melvin McNamara from Executive Vice President to Chief Customer Growth Officer. In his new role, Melvin will lead the charge on innovative strategies that bolster customer engagement and drive sustainable growth, furthering Palladin’s remarkable rise within the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies list.

Melvin has been an integral part of Palladin’s leadership team since March 2023, serving as EVP of Strategy, Innovation, and Insights. During his tenure, he has demonstrated exceptional prowess in attracting many of the most seasoned industry veterans within the Salesforce ecosystem while overseeing strategic initiatives that have fueled the company’s trajectory in the highly competitive tech landscape. Under Melvin’s leadership, Palladin Technologies achieved triple-digit growth, solidifying its reputation as a leading force in the Salesforce ecosystem.

“Melvin’s deep understanding of customer needs combined with his strategic vision makes him the perfect fit for this critical role,” said Brandon Ward, CEO & Founder of Palladin Technologies. “We are excited to see him leverage our existing capabilities to unlock even greater value for our clients while driving our growth strategy to new heights. His strong track record in innovation, together with his unparalleled connections within the ecosystem, is exactly what we need to enhance our customer relationships and propel Palladin forward.”

“I’m incredibly honored to take on this new role at Palladin,” said Melvin McNamara. “This is an exciting opportunity to deepen our focus on the customer experience, guiding our team toward even more impactful initiatives. I look forward to working closely with our talented members to explore new avenues for growth and ensure we continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers.”

As Chief Customer Growth Officer, Melvin will spearhead customer engagement strategies, enhance client relationships, and support the expansion of Palladin’s innovative service offerings. His leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement focused on customer success. When customers succeed, Palladin Technologies succeed.

Please join us in congratulating Melvin McNamara on his well-deserved promotion and wishing him success in his new role.

About Palladin Technologies
Palladin Technologies, a Summit Salesforce partner, was founded in 2016 and specializes in Salesforce Implementation, Advisory, Optimization,and Managed Services. The company boasts a rapidly growing team of 140 full-time members with over 600 Salesforce certifications. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Palladin serves clients worldwide through its global locations, delivering cutting-edge solutions and exceptional customer service.

 

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Novelis Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Results

Q3 Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

  • Net income attributable to our common shareholder of $110 million, down 9% YoY; Net income attributable to our common shareholder excluding special items was $119 million, down 32% YoY

  • Adjusted EBITDA of $367 million, down 19% YoY

  • Rolled product shipments of 904 kilotonnes, down 1% YoY

  • Adjusted EBITDA per tonne shipped of $406, down 19% YoY

 

Novelis Inc., a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider and the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.

“We continue to see strong demand across our markets as customers increasingly ask for lower-carbon, higher-recycled-content aluminum solutions as a way to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Steve Fisher, president and CEO, Novelis Inc. “With a leading industry average of 63% recycled content in our products in our last fiscal year, Novelis has been a pioneer in using recycled inputs to drive down carbon emissions. As others have begun to follow suit, competition for scrap aluminum has intensified and is creating significant pressure on scrap pricing, which is impacting our financial results. We believe we are well-positioned to face these challenges and have operational and cost efficiency initiatives underway to offset some of the pressures. At the same time, we are also developing new technologies that will allow us to expand the types of scrap inputs we can purchase for use in our system.”

 

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Highlights

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 increased 4% versus the prior year period to $4.1 billion, mainly driven by higher average aluminum prices as total rolled product shipments of 904 kilotonnes are largely comparable to the prior year period. Continued strong demand for beverage packaging sheet was offset by lower automotive and specialty shipments.

Net income attributable to our common shareholder decreased 9% versus the prior year to $110 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. Net income attributable to our common shareholder, excluding special items, was down 32% year-over-year to $119 million and Adjusted EBITDA decreased 19% to $367 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025. The decreases in net income attributable to our common shareholder, excluding special items, and Adjusted EBITDA are primarily driven by higher aluminum scrap prices and unfavorable product mix. Adjusted EBITDA per tonne was down 19% year-over-year to $406.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $263 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025 compared to $420 million in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to lower net income and unfavorable changes in working capital. Adjusted free cash flow was an outflow of $915 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, higher than the prior year period outflow of $517 million due to higher capital expenditures and lower cash flow from operating activities. Total capital expenditures were $1.2 billion for the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, a 22% increase versus the prior year period, primarily attributed to strategic investments in new rolling and recycling capacity under construction, most notably in the U.S. for Bay Minette. The company had a net leverage ratio (Adjusted Net Debt / trailing twelve months (TTM) Adjusted EBITDA) of 2.9x at December 31, 2024

 

“Novelis is leading the industry in first-mover investments to capture growing market opportunities,” said Devinder Ahuja, executive vice president and CFO, Novelis Inc. “We intend to fund those investments largely through internally generated cash flow while maintaining balance sheet discipline to ensure we stay in a net leverage ratio of approximately 3.5x during this strategic investment cycle.”

The company had a total liquidity position of $1.6 billion, consisting of $791 million in cash and cash equivalents and $790 million in availability under committed credit facilities, as of December 31, 2024. In January, 2025, the company issued $750 million in senior unsecured notes due January 2030, with the proceeds primarily used to repay outstanding borrowings under our ABL revolver.

Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Earnings Conference Call

Novelis will discuss its third quarter fiscal year 2025 results via a live webcast and conference call for investors at 7:00 a.m. EST/5:30 p.m. IST on Monday, February 10, 2025. The webcast link, presentation materials and access information can also be found at novelis.com/investors. To view slides and listen to the live webcast, visit: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=jkklO5W7. To participate by telephone, participants are requested to register at: https://services.incommconferencing.com/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=13750593&linkSecurityString=1daa6802b2

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Clarion Signs Agreement to Provide Wholesale UC Services

Clarion Communications, LLC (“Clarion”) a leading cloud-based Unified Communications (UC) and Managed Service Provider (MSP) based in Atlanta, GA announced today that its IPitomy Communications (“IPitomy”) subsidiary signed an agreement to provide wholesale UC services to a U.S. based service provider. Additionally, Clarion is in active discussions regarding acquisition opportunities created by recent developments in the marketplace.

Recent consolidation in the UC network platform ecosystem has opened significant wholesale and acquisition opportunities for Clarion and IPitomy, which provides UC and MSP services to commercial customers throughout the U.S. IPitomy signed a wholesale agreement to provide UC services to a service provider located in the pacific northwest and Clarion is currently engaged in acquisition discussions with other service providers.

“We are in active acquisition discussions with several UC service providers, and we have a large funnel of additional wholesale UC service opportunities. We closed one wholesale service deal this month, and we anticipate closing more in 2025” said Clarion CEO, Vincent M. Oddo.

“Together, Clarion and IPitomy are uniquely positioned to either acquire or provide wholesale services to smaller operators affected by the changing UC network platform ecosystem,” said Vincent M. Oddo, President, CEO & Director of Clarion. “The IPitomy team, managed by Joseph Haines, Sr. as President & CEO, looks forward to closing more of these opportunities and growing our business together.”

“Clarion and its predecessor companies have completed more than 30 acquisitions in the past 20+ years,” said Oddo. “We are aggressively pursuing M&A growth through tuck-in acquisitions in this highly fragmented UC / MSP industry.”

 

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Prime Capital Financial Aligns with Sugarloaf Wealth Management

Prime Capital Financial has partnered with Sugarloaf Wealth Management (Sugarloaf), a full-service firm headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, with another office in Athens. The partnership marks Prime Capital Financial’s first expansion into the Atlanta metro area, further enhancing its capabilities with nearly $1 billion in assets under management/advisement (AUM/A) and a talented team of 13 professionals, including eight CFP Professionals®, two MBAs, a CPA, a CIMA®, and an AIF®.

Since its founding in 1989, Sugarloaf has built a strong reputation for delivering a wide range of services, including financial planning, investment management, risk management, retirement and tax strategies, insurance planning, and charitable giving. The firm also stands out with specialized service to college and professional athletes and coaches.

“Prime Capital Financial actively seeks firms that share our dedication to providing tailored financial solutions and exceptional service,” said Glenn Spencer, chief executive officer at Prime Capital Financial. “Sugarloaf’s rich history and specialized expertise make them an ideal partner. Together, we’re well-positioned to broaden our support to individuals and families across the Southeast region.”

Sugarloaf, in turn, will tap into Prime Capital Financial’s platform and wealth of expertise to support the client experience and individualized service that have defined its success.

“Becoming part of Prime Capital Financial allows us to build on the foundation we’ve spent decades creating while gaining access to enhanced resources and support,” said Jason Connolly at Sugarloaf Wealth Management. “This collaboration positions us to offer even greater benefits to those we serve while remaining true to the principles that define Sugarloaf.”

This latest partnership comes as Prime Capital Financial expands into key markets by aligning with high-quality firms that prioritize client success. Sugarloaf will strengthen Prime Capital Financial’s presence in the Southeast and reinforce its position as a leading provider of full-spectrum financial planning solutions across the United States. The transaction expects to close in early March and was advised by Houlihan Lokey.

To learn more about Sugarloaf Wealth Management please visit: swmllc.com

To learn more about Prime Capital Financial please visit: primefinancial.com

 

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Audience of One — Content Strategy

Audience of One — Content Strategy

Can A Travel Audience of One Work for You? If your travel content isn’t bringing in inquiries, bookings, or engagement, it’s likely your content and messaging isn’t suitable for your real audience. Your general content and messaging might be so general, it fails to click with anyone. The audience of one strategy might help you…

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Trends and Choices in Rental Housing Investment

Trends and Choices in Rental Housing Investment

Trending Cities and Opportunities in Rental Housing Investment A discussion of investing in rental housing is still an important one today. Investing in real property has rarely been a bad idea. Knowledgeble about trending factors in demographics, local economies, wages and employment stats, you’re ready to choose properties in the cities and towns you like…

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TA Digital Group Announces Senior Leadership Team

 

TA Digital Group LLC (TA Digital Group or TADG), the data center development arm of TA Realty LLC, formally announces its senior leadership appointments. Launched to address the growing demand for strategic digital infrastructure development across North America, TADG provides scalable and flexible solutions, including build-to-suit, turnkey, powered shell and fee development options. TADG’s solutions are tailored to meet the evolving needs of hyperscale and enterprise clients in a highly competitive market.

Led by Tim Shaheen, whose appointment was announced in 2024, the TADG senior leadership team includes: 

 

  • Ryan Day, SVP of Strategy and Finance, bringing more than 20 years of experience in financial planning, real estate development, and network acquisitions, including key roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft.

  • Chris Trotman, SVP of Development and Engineering, focusing on power systems and electrical engineering, with previously held senior roles at CloudHQ, Meta, and Rivian.

  • Steve Holland, SVP of Operations, with more than 15 years of experience and having previously led the data center solutions team at T5 Data Centers and been a Principal in Data Center Solutions at JLL. 

  • Adam Black, SVP of Design and Construction, drawing on his extensive expertise in infrastructure and construction management after having previously served as Distributed Control System (DCS) Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region at Google and managing Infrastructure Construction Special Projects at Facebook.

Shaheen previously held executive roles at Aligned Data Centers and EdgeConnex, with nearly 30 years of expertise in business development, strategy, and site development within the digital infrastructure sector. Together, this team brings a wealth of expertise across real estate, design, engineering, construction and operations, positioning TADG to be a trusted partner in the digital infrastructure sector.

“TA Digital Group is well-positioned to deliver innovative data center solutions in some of the most competitive markets,” said Shaheen. “Working alongside our colleagues at TA Realty, with the support of an exceptional team and a focus on strategic locations, we are ready to meet the growing demands of global hyperscale clients. Our approach integrates deep real estate expertise, cutting-edge technology and a commitment to operational excellence.”

Backed by TA Realty’s 40 years of experience in private equity real estate investing, TADG’s scope spans key North American markets, including Northern Virginia, Atlanta and Chicago, supporting more than 2.3GW of committed power. By offering sites optimized for both AI and cloud compute, TADG delivers critical infrastructure for hyperscale and enterprise operations. 

For more information about TA Digital Group and these leadership appointments, visit the newly launched website at tadigitalgroup.com

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CBRE Facilitates Sale and $69.9M Financing of 1.6 MSF Industrial Portfolio in Atlanta & Memphis

CBRE has facilitated the sale and $69.9 million acquisition financing of a two-building industrial portfolio totaling 1.6 million sq. ft. in Atlanta, GA and Memphis, Tenn. An undisclosed buyer purchased the portfolio from JW Mitchell Co.

Frank Fallon, Trey Barry, José Lobon, Royce Rose and George Fallon with CBRE National Partners Southeast, and Ryan Bain, Zach Graham, Bentley Smith with CBRE National Partners North Central represented the seller in the transaction. Brian LinnihanMike RyanRichard Henry and Taylor Crowder with CBRE Capital Markets’ Debt & Structured Finance team in Atlanta secured the loan from Wells Fargo on behalf of the buyer.

The portfolio’s facilities include:

  • A 613,440 sq.-ft. cross-dock warehouse located in Braselton, Ga. The facility was built in 2016 and is 100% occupied by a large e-commerce provider. It features 36 clear height, a 190’ to 200’ all concrete truck courts, and 136 dock-high doors, as well as 171 trailer- and 76 car-parking spaces.

  • A 1,013,500 sq.-ft. cross-dock warehouse located in Memphis, TN. The facility was built in 2021 and is 100% occupied by Medtronic, a global healthcare technology company. It features 40’ clear heights, 200’ truck court, and 180 dock-high doors, as well as 268 trailer- and 616 car-parking spaces.

“These Class A assets garnered interest from multiple buyers,” said Frank Fallon, a Vice Chairman with CBRE in Atlanta. “The buildings’ investment-grade tenants highlight the strong real estate fundamentals of each location, and the buyer stands to benefit from mark-to-market opportunities over its hold period.”

“We engaged in a highly collaborative effort with the National Partners team to bring this deal to fruition,” said Brian Linnihan, a Vice Chairman with CBRE in Atlanta. “The Sponsors’ track record as an investment manager with holdings across the country enabled us to secure financing that aligned with its overall investment strategy.”

The facilities are situated in Atlanta and Memphis’ key, in-demand logistics submarkets known for their ease of distribution. The portfolio includes a warehouse in Atlanta’s Northeast/I-85 industrial submarket, which saw 2.1 million sq. ft. of net absorption in Q4, according to CBRE Research. It also includes a building in Memphis’ Southeast industrial submarket, which provides quick access to I-55, I-240, Memphis International Airport, FedEx World Hub, and UPS Cargo Hub.

 

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