Christopher Simmons
Christopher Simmons (aka Christopher Laird Simmons) has been a working journalist since his first magazine sale in 1984. He has since written for wide variety of print and online publications covering lifestyle, tech and entertainment. He is an award-winning author, designer, photographer, and musician. He is a member of ASCAP and PRSA. He is the founder and CEO of Neotrope®, based in Temecula, CA, USA.
Calif. Gov. Newsom Announces Appointments for March 8, 2022 including to Office of Emergency Services
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the following appointments: First, Raymond C. Hitchcock, 51, of Carmichael, has been appointed Executive Secretary at the California Native American Heritage Commission.
Legacy Launch Pad Publishing Releases UNBOXED, a Book of Essays by Author Lauren Schwarzfeld
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is releasing "Unboxed: Essays on Learning to Trust Myself to Stop Doing the Things I Hate" (ISBN: 979-8985225327), the first book by coach Lauren Schwarzfeld. In the book, Schwarzfeld shares the diverse life experiences she earned by trying on various careers.
DocMagic Named One of the Top 100 Most Innovative Mortgage Companies for 2022
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of compliant loan document generation, automated regulatory compliance and comprehensive eMortgage services, announced that it earned a spot on HousingWire's coveted 2022 Tech100 list for the ninth straight year.
Beverage Industry Thought Leader Amanda Wittstrom Higgins Launches Full Cup Solutions
PASO ROBLES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Leveraging her knowledge of - and networks in - all aspects of the alcohol beverage space and propelled by a deep personal investment in the agricultural world, industry notable and business strategist Amanda Wittstrom Higgins recently launched Full Cup Solutions, a full-service firm specializing in results driven unconventional planning in the marketing, sales, operations, employee development sectors and beyond.
Game Prep Tech Firm, GamePlan powered by Stack Sports, helps lift Los Angeles Rams to first Super Bowl win since 1999
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A National Football League team based in Los Angeles, California recently won the 2021 Super Bowl LVI. While everyone watched them play, what they didn't see was their preparation using GamePlan - a mobile game preparation tool from Stack Sports - to win the championship.
Nomis Solutions announces strategic alliance with edtech non-profit Moneythink
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Nomis Solutions (Nomis), a global, industry-leading pricing and profitability management solutions provider, today announced it has established a philanthropic partnership with Moneythink, a national ed-tech nonprofit. Through the partnership, Nomis has pledged to make annual investments in the Moneythink platform and advise Moneythink on ways it can further empower historically marginalized students to achieve college success through informed financial decision-making.
California Ferret Owners Submit Ballot Initiative to Attorney General for Legal Opinion – AG Ignores Civil Code on Domestic Animals
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Non-profit Legalize Ferrets (legalizeferrets.org) announced today that we are disappointed that California Attorney General ignores Civil Code in Domestic Ferret Ballot Initiative. The ferret legalization grassroots organization, has repeatedly asked the California Attorney General for a legal opinion.
Lending Industry Tech Firm, Mortgage Coach lands on HousingWire 2022 Tech100 List
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, today announced it has been named to HousingWire's (HW) 2022 Tech100 Mortgage list.
NotaryCam listed as one of HousingWire’s Tech100 innovative mortgage technology companies for 2022
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- NotaryCam, a Stewart-owned company and a pioneering provider of remote online notarization and identity verification/authentication technology for real estate and legal transactions, today announced it has been named to the HousingWire Tech100 Mortgage list.
San Diego’s El Pollo Grill is THE Local Mexican Food Spot for Foodies in 2022
CHULA VISTA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The team at El Pollo Grill knows that a new year brings with it new opportunities for patrons to have wonderful culinary adventures at their 3 dining establishments (Lemon Grove, Otay Ranch, and Bonita Rd. in Chula Vista). Although the focus is on the future, El Pollo Grill has a rich history that continues to shape the business.
Mortgage Coach enhances integration with Surefire to support mortgage lenders, helping convert borrowers at scale
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, today announced an enhanced integration with Surefire, Black Knight's customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation software designed specifically for the mortgage lending industry.
Stacy Mayer’s New Book, ‘Promotions Made Easy’ Reveals How Corporate Women Get Promoted to The Executive Suite
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In 2018, less than 10% of senior executives at the world's largest Fortune 500 companies were women. But it wasn't from lack of trying. Women were becoming better managers, but still weren't getting promoted to executive leadership positions. Stacy Mayer took on this problem as a personal challenge. She vowed to change the way organizations did business from the C-Suite out and she set about doing it, one executive-level promotion at a time.
Pop R&B Singer-Songwriter and Actress JADE Debuts Celestial Original Dance Single ‘Lucky Stars’ Airing on MTV and BETJams
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Classy in style, massive in appeal and savvy beyond her years, singer/songwriter and actress JADE has taken her time to learn her craft and study the business before jumping into it. The strategy is set to pay off like triple-cherry jackpots with her vibrant debut single and video, "Lucky Stars" (dropping on the artist's own TS2 Records imprint).
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center Launches 2022 Prize Awarding $10K in Contest and Scholarship Money for Youth Poets of Color
VENICE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Beyond Baroque, one of the nation's leading literary arts centers, has announced that the Amanda Gorman Future Voices Poetry Prize is now actively accepting applications. The prize, created in honor of Beyond Baroque alumna and U.S. Presidential Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman, will accept applications until May 1, 2022.
EPIC Insurance Brokers’ Private Client Practice Appoints Steve Nelson as Chief Growth Officer
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants (EPIC), an independent insurance brokerage and consulting firm, announced today that they have appointed Steve Nelson as Chief Growth Officer of their Private Client Practice.
LoanMAPS LOS Now Integrated with DocMagic Eliminating Need for Disclosure Desk and Closing Department
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- DocMagic, Inc., the premier provider of fully-compliant loan document preparation, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive eMortgage services, is pleased to announce that it has integrated multiple digital lending solutions with Take Three Technologies' ("Take3") cloud-based and fully-integrated loan origination system (LOS), LoanMAPS™.
California Soul Food Cookout and Festival: 2-Day Event with Purpose and Celebrity Chef Milly
PLEASANTON, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Soul Food Cookout and Festival is an exclusive, two-day weekend event being held on September 17 and 18, 2022 at the Alameda Fairgrounds. In its 12th year, this year's lineup will feature some of the state's top food vendors, hottest R&B artists and gospel greats. What's more, Chef Milly, a celebrity chef from "Hell's Kitchen," is the food venue host at the heart of it all.
KROST CPAs Announce Greg Kniss as Chairman of the Board, Jason Melillo as CEO and Keith Hamasaki as Principal of Assurance...
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Los Angeles-based CPA Firm, KROST CPAs and Consultants announced that Greg Kniss has been appointed to Chairman of the Board, Jason Melillo promoted as the new CEO, and Keith Hamasaki to Principal of Assurance & Advisory services.
Bay Area Brewers Guild and Half Time Beverage Partner to Deliver Series of Mixed Packs, Starting with SF Beer Week Beers
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Bay Area Brewers Guild and Half Time Beverage have partnered to launch a series of unique guild-curated mixed packs to celebrate California craft beer and the robust Bay Area craft beer scene. This partnership with a national direct-to-consumer retailer means the Guild will be able to showcase its membership of independent and world-class craft breweries to beer lovers within and outside of the Bay Area.
Spring EQ Offers Home Equity Products to Brokers in the Lender Price Marketplace
PASADENA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Lender Price, a provider of mortgage loan pricing and origination technology, announced today that Spring EQ has joined the Lender Price Marketplace as the first home equity loan lender on the platform. Spring EQ, headquartered in Philadelphia, is one of the nation's largest lenders of home equity products.
Coalition For A Safe Environment to Distribute Free Personal Protection Equipment to Non-Profit Orgs and Public in So. Calif.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Coalition For A Safe Environment (CFASE), a 20-year old non-profit environmental justice organization headquartered in Wilmington, California, and its Community Emergency Preparedness Network will be distributing free Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to community non-profit organizations, public health service providers, churches and the public.
AmTrav launches guest travel planning solution, Gather
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- AmTrav, the one connected platform for business travel, announces Gather, the travel planning solution for today's guest traveler. Gather enables travel arrangers to quickly invite guest travelers to book their own travel within set itinerary parameters and travel policies, giving arrangers the controls they need and guests the travel choice they want.
Mortgage Coach and NAMMBA expand partnership to grow diversity, equity and inclusion in housing finance
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, has expanded its relationship with the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA).
EPIC Adds Joseph Freeman to Lead West Region Loss Control Team in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Joseph Freeman has joined the firm as Managing Principal. He will be based in Los Angeles.
Creative Blueprint Introduces the First Digital App of Connected, Arts-centered Learning for Kindergarteners
OAKLAND, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Creative Blueprint, launching 2/22/22, is the only EdTech company that connects art-based learning to the national education standards and measures students' progress. We address the problem of low student engagement by making arts-centered learning accessible to parents and teachers.
ReverseVision adds Marketing Expert Scott Shepherd to Help Elevate Brand
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision®, the leading national provider of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and private reverse mortgage sales and origination technology, announced that seasoned marketing executive Scott Shepherd has joined the company to head its marketing efforts. As head of marketing, he oversees ReverseVision's marketing department and is responsible for the design and implementation of its new marketing strategy.
A.I. and Segmentation Tech Firm, Fanplayr Continues its Global Expansion with New Office Location in Spain
PALO ALTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Fanplayr, a global leader for e-commerce intelligence solutions, continues to expand its presence in the European market with the opening of a new office in Spain, with the goal of promoting brands that operate in retail, tourism, telecommunications, automotive, banking, energy, insurance and entertainment.
Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform, unveils redesigned website
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, has announced the launch of a newly designed website. The website redesign offers visitors an enhanced user experience featuring immersive brand exploration opportunities and an enriched library of lender resources.
LANtelligence Acquired by Matrix Networks to Create a CX-Automation Powerhouse
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Matrix Networks announced its recent acquisition of LANtelligence to create a new business venture enabling a powerful combination of modern business technology. Having informally shared resources for more than 10 years, it just made sense for these two companies to come together in a more structured way.
Legacy Launch Pad Announces Fitness Book Addressing Ketogenic Bodybuilding by Robert Sikes
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is releasing "Ketogenic Bodybuilding: A Natural Athlete's Guide to Competitive Savagery" (ISBN: 978-1956955071), the first book by Robert Sikes. The book is the result of Sikes' experiences as a professional bodybuilder and fitness coach.
Legacy Launch Pad Brings Award-Winning Business Book by Victor Orlovski and Vladimir Korovkin to U.S.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Legacy Launch Pad Publishing is releasing an updated edition of "From Rhino to Unicorn: How Fortune 500 Companies Can Evolve for the Digital Era" (ISBN: 978-1951407995), an award-winning business book co-authored by Victor Orlovski and Vladimir Korovkin.
Timely New Drama, ‘The Narrow Bridge,’ about the War Between Russia and The West Over Ukraine, now on Amazon Prime
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- GI-Films announces: What is really going on in Eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine is the subject of a new movie "The Narrow Bridge" just released on Amazon Prime. Written and produced by Mirza Davitaia, and produced by GI-Films, "The Narrow Bridge" is about a young artist who must take up arms to defend Ukraine.
TMC Emerging Technology Fund LP recently participated in a $38M Series C investment round for AI Software, LLC dba Capacity
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), the nation's largest independent cooperative network serving the mortgage industry, announced today that the TMC Emerging Technology Fund LP (the "Fund") recently participated in a $38M Series C investment round for AI Software, LLC dba Capacity. Capacity is an AI-powered support automation platform.
KROST CPAs in Los Angeles Posts Record Year of M&A Advisory in 2021, Expects Trend to Continue in 2022
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- KROST CPAs and Consultants reported a record year of M&A advisory work in 2021 and expects to remain equally busy in 2022. "We were involved in 21 buy-side and sell-side transactions in 2021," said Paren Knadjian, Head of M&A and Capital Markets at KROST.
9th Annual Cursive is Cool Contest Adds More Prizes for Pandemic-Friendly Participation for 2022
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Cursive is Cool® contest will be held as usual this year after encouragement from teachers, parents, and students, announced the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation today, despite some schools in the USA and Canada operating remotely, or using a hybrid model with in-person learning. In person education is on again, off again, hit or miss these days. Yet, Cursive is Cool Contest is reliable.
Cal State LA announces 2022 launch of regional consortium as part of statewide #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Cal State LA has been selected to participate in the new statewide #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program that aims to engage undergraduate students in solving problems in their communities throughout California. Cal State LA will lead a regional consortium of local colleges and universities that will pair students with community-based organizations to address urgent community needs in the eastern region of Los Angeles County.
ReverseVision Announces Hiring of Mortgage Industry Veteran Steve Butler as Director of Business Development
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision®, the leading national provider of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and private reverse mortgage sales and origination technology, announced that it added long-time mortgage professional Steve Butler to the company's sales team, who brings more than 35 years of experience to the company. ReverseVision has been adding resources in key functional areas as part of its strategic expansion plan.
Nomis Solutions Names Fintech Veteran George Neal as Chief Product Officer, Promotes Prashant Balepur to SVP, Corporate Strategy
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Nomis Solutions (Nomis), a global, industry-leading pricing and profitability management solutions provider, recently announced the appointment of George Neal as chief product officer. In this role, Neal will oversee strategy and development for new and existing products across all Nomis industry verticals.
With LITA, Ghaben Partners Bring the Caribbean to the Bay Area with its New Miami-Inspired Restaurant
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Ghaben Partners is excited to announce the grand opening of LITA, a celebration of cultures and flavors influenced by the melting pot of Miami, slated to open January 20, 2022. While contemporary Caribbean cuisine is often overlooked in modern fine dining, LITA will prove that these flavors are undeniably decadent.
KJ Stephens Joins EPIC to Further Expand Employee Benefits Practice in California
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants (EPIC), a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that KJ Stephens has joined the firm as Vice President within its Employee Benefits Practice.
Trust Lending Leverages ReverseVision Fintech Platform to Grow Reverse Mortgage Wholesale Business
SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- ReverseVision®, the leading national provider of Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) and private reverse mortgage sales and origination technology, announced that Trust Lending, a national mortgage banker, has gone live with ReverseVision's Exchange (RVX) platform for its wholesale lending channel. The platform helped Trust Lending springboard its wholesale channel into easily and expeditiously originating loans for reverse mortgage products.
CA Gov. Newsom Releases California Blueprint to Take on the State’s Greatest Threats in 2022 and Build on Historic Progress
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday unveiled his 2022-23 state budget proposal – the California Blueprint, a bold plan building on the state’s ongoing work to confront California’s greatest existential threats, bolster our strong economic growth and make historic investments in California’s future.
CA Gov. Newsom Issues Emergency Proclamation to Support Recovery from California’s Winter Storms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a proclamation adding Trinity County to the state of emergency proclaimed last week to assist several California counties across the state impacted by recent winter storms.
CA Gov. Newsom Signs Executive Order to Prevent Price Gouging on At-Home COVID Tests in California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- As part of the state’s ongoing efforts to protect Californians amid the national surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant, Calif. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order establishing consumer protections against price gouging on at-home test kits.
CA Gov. Newsom Announces New $2.7B COVID-19 Emergency Response Package for California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Over the weekend, on Saturday, Jan. 8, Calif. Governor Newsom’s Administration unveiled a proposed $2.7 billion COVID-19 Emergency Response Package – including a $1.4 billion emergency appropriation request – to bolster testing capacity, accelerate vaccination and booster efforts, support frontline workers, strengthen the health care system and battle misinformation.
American Youth Soccer (AYSO) and Sports Connect Partnership for 2022 to Grow Participation in Youth Soccer
TORRANCE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) is pleased to announce that it has renewed its official partnership with Sports Connect, powered by Stack Sports, as the Exclusive Registration and Member Management Platform for an additional four years. This partnership is aimed to create a more simplified registration and back-office experience, allowing AYSO volunteers and staff to focus on growing the game of soccer in their local community.
Risk Management Innovator, Certa Integrates with EcoVadis to Help Company Reach its ESG Goals
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, the leading third-party risk management platform, Certa, announced its official partnership with the world's most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, EcoVadis. The integration will allow Certa customers to see the EcoVadis ratings of their third-party suppliers at a glance within one integrated platform.
Olea Kiosks Announces Promotion of Daniel Olea to Director of Sales, Accelerating its Strategic Focus
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Olea Kiosks®, Inc., a visionary provider of innovative self-service kiosk solutions, today announced the expanded role of Daniel Olea to Director of Sales. Olea Kiosks, is a self-service kiosk solution provider for the attractions and entertainment, healthcare and hospitality industries.
EPIC has acquired Oversea Insurance Agency trading as Oversea Yacht Insurance – Continues Expansion of its Specialty Offerings
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Edgewood Partners Insurance Center d.b.a. EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants (EPIC) announced today that it has acquired Oversea Insurance Agency trading as Oversea Yacht Insurance (Oversea). Oversea is based in San Diego, CA and Ft Lauderdale, FL.
Mortgage Coach promotes Jacob Gibbs to VP of Technology and Shannon Baldwin to VP of Marketing
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, announced the promotion of two of its department directors to vice president-level positions. Jacob Gibbs was promoted from Director of Technology to VP, Technology, and Shannon Baldwin was promoted from Director of Marketing to VP, Marketing.
