Month: February 2023

SANTA ROSA, Calif., February 22, 2023 /3BL Media/ – What: With 5G-Advanced on the horizon, the next generation of cellular technology will make huge improvements in bandwidth utilization, data delivery, and application enablement. Enhancements to 5G are being deployed globally while Open RAN technology adoption is also growing. Networks to enable newer use cases around space/satellites are being designed and deployed. At Mobile World Congress 2023, Keysight’s technical experts will highlight the advanced solutions that are helping customers accelerate the wireless evolution. With an end-to-end portfolio of product development solutions that quickly solve design, emulation, and precision measurement test challenges, Keysight is empowering devices and chipsets, enhancing network intelligence, improving energy efficiency, and shaping future technologies.

When: February 27-March 2, 2023

Where: Keysight Booth: Hall 5 Stand 5E12 
Fira de Barcelona Gran Via 
Barcelona, Spain

Keysight will present the following demonstrations that are accelerating the wireless evolution:

Accelerate 5G

Boost IoT with 5G RedCap: RedCap (Reduced Capability) 5G is a new optimized design for mid-tier use cases. Keysight’s IoT security solution combined with our 5G network emulator optimized for RedCap testing will demonstrate advanced security testing on a realistic RedCap network.Emulate Non-Terrestrial 5G: As tens of thousands of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, or “mega” constellations launch, companies require test solutions to characterize performance of their non-terrestrial networks (NTN). Keysight’s NTN testbed demonstration will apply timing and Doppler pre-compensation, use extended hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), and measure device-under-test block error ratio (BLER) and throughput.Test Metaverse Devices: Using Eggplant Intelligent Automation, Keysight will test a 5G-connected HoloLens augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device user interface (UI) and the user experience (UX). The device connects to a 5G Network Emulation Platform to validate application scenarios.Evolve Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Communications: Keysight will demonstrate how to run radio frequency (RF) and protocol tests to on-board unit (OBU) and road-side unit (RSU) certification for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC). The 5G Network Emulation Platform and C-V2X toolchain will create a complex scenario with congestion testing.

Advance Open RAN

Develop 5G Green Networks: Energy efficiency is a top network operator priority as networks grow in capacity and reach. Optimizing energy consumption without impacting the end-user experience requires cross-domain energy and performance KPIs, coupled with energy-saving mechanisms and intelligent control from RAN to core. Keysight and Analog Devices partner to showcase automated radio unit (RU) energy efficiency benchmarks and highlight gains using advanced energy saving mechanisms. Keysight will also demonstrate its O-RAN energy saving solution, which can reduce power consumption in a multi-vendor, cloudified ORAN system using intelligent control, telemetry, and power management features.Analyze O-RAN Massive MIMO: This demo showcases how to test downlink and uplink instantly, single-user and multi-user massive MIMO RF beam shape / weight measurements, or specific RF parametric measurements on multiple TR radios. Keysight will also demonstrate how to analyze the 5G New Radio (NR) air interface, including fronthaul signals and traffic in detail using WaveJudge.

Deploy Private Networks

Deploy & Optimize Private 5G: Keysight will demonstrate how to validate and diagnose 5G private networks, using a combination of Keysight solutions such as the new Nemo industry probe for active monitoring of Industry 4.0, FieldFox analyzer with its wide frequency and bandwidth coverage for field testing and site acceptance, and WaveJudge Wireless Analyzer for full-stack audit of the air interface.

Shape Future Technologies

Enabling early research in future technologies, including 6G: 

Network modeling spotlights how real-world data and behavior models can be achieved using digital twins to evaluate power consumption and analyze energy efficiency. Keysight will demonstrate the full potential of our network modeling solutions. 

Modeling future air interfaces demonstrates why the integration of machine learning (ML) technologies into the new air interface is essential for future wireless evolution. PathWave System Design Software simulates a model of a 5G physical layer and a 3GPP wireless channel, then estimates the channel. Using electronic design automation (EDA) software and real hardware connections, the demonstration will quantify the performance difference between traditional and new machine learning techniques.Sub-THz research: Frequency bands above 100GHz open new possibilities to deploy extreme data-rate communications and sensing. This demo showcases unprecedented bandwidth, data rate, and error vector magnitude (EVM) capability at 142GHz. Developed specifically for 6G, this proprietary technology and measurement science allows researchers to know exactly what is happening in their innovative designs.

Additional information about the event is available at: https://www.keysight.com/us/en/events/europe-middleeast-africa-india/tradeshows/mobile-world-congress.html

Media Activities 
Contact Geri LaCombe to schedule media briefings and solution demonstrations.

About Keysight Technologies 

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight’s dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow’s technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics markets. Keysight generated revenues of $5.4B in fiscal year 2022. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

MINNEAPOLIS, February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ — U.S. Bank announced it is teaming up with PGA Tour golfer Collin Morikawa to support Youth on Course through a special birdie challenge. For each birdie made during the 2023 PGA Tour regular season and playoffs, U.S. Bank will donate funds to cover the cost of five memberships to Youth on Course.

“This is a fun way to team up with U.S. Bank and support the future of golf,” Morikawa said. “It all starts with access and if we can do our part to support these young people and get them on a golf course, that is a win. I’ll be working hard to rack up the birdie total this season in hopes that we can get even more young people interested in this great game.”

Youth on Course is a nonprofit based in California that provides its members access to rounds of golf for $5 or less at nearly 2,000 participating courses nationwide. The organization also helps young people through its caddie program, paid high school internships and college scholarships.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of U.S. Bank and their investments in the communities we serve,” said Adam Heieck, Youth on Course Chief Executive Officer. “Together, we can create access to new opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise have existed.”

U.S. Bank will work with Youth on Course to find youth who will benefit the most from these memberships.

“We are excited to continue teaming up with Collin Morikawa on making a difference in our communities,” said Chris Lee, senior vice president of sponsorships for U.S. Bank. “This is certainly a unique opportunity to help more youth gain access to the game of golf in partnership with Youth on Course.”

Contact:
Susan Beatty, U.S. Bank Public Affairs and Communications

susan.beatty@usbank.com

About U.S. Bancorp:
U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $675 billion in assets as of December 31, 2022, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. MUFG Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. The company has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more at usbank.com/about.

About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course (YOC) is to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Headquartered in Monterey, CA, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, YOC has grown to 140,000 members throughout North America, playing for $5 or less at nearly 2,000 golf courses. Members also benefit from career opportunities through the caddie and internship program and have the opportunity to receive college scholarships. YOC members have played more than two million subsidized rounds of golf, each round representing a new opportunity for learning, growth and connection through affordable access to play.
 

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Anika Clement Wharton, Home Depot’s senior director of supply chain, is a fourth generation Atlanta native and a third generation Spelman College graduate. She has notable family members who dedicated their lives to civil rights, black voter registration and the integration of public schools, politics, music and more.

She’s built her career with The Home Depot for nearly 21 years using the same principle that she learned from her family: always strive to do the right thing.

Watch Anika’s story in the video above.

The Home Depot is proud to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the Retool Your School program. Established in 2009, Retool Your School has invested more than $5.2 million to support 184 campus improvement grants provided to 70 percent of the nation’s HBCUs.

To learn more about Retool Your School, visit RetoolYourSchool.com.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.

MORGES, Switzerland, February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton today announced its involvement in a pan-European research and innovation project to develop seamless IT infrastructure for energy storage systems.

Launched on January 1 and scheduled to run for three years, the InterSTORE project (“Interoperable open-source tools to enable the hybridization, utilization and monetization of storage flexibility”) is supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation program. Eaton joins 11 other members in the project consortium, which is coordinated by RWTH Aachen University and includes academic partners, as well as other companies, industry associations and standards organizations.

The mass adoption of energy storage is vital to enabling Europe’s energy transition, and this demands both standardization and interoperability. To maximize benefits for operators, vendors, suppliers and end users, energy storage equipment and systems must be able to communicate seamlessly, irrespective of their age or manufacturer. To this end, the InterSTORE project aims to achieve four key goals:

Provide four open-source software tools for assuring interoperability, flexibility and data standardization;Consider all relevant aspects of the flexible use of hybrid energy storage systems in four principal areas of application (electric vehicles, industrial, residential and commercial);Demonstrate seven high-impact use cases in four real-life laboratories;Deploy beyond state-of-the-art methods to enable hybridization, utilization and monetization of flexible storage, while also ensuring standardization across the data space.

“The sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow—so widespread energy storage is vital to Europe’s successful transition to renewables and the electrification of everything,” says Dominik Laska, director, Eaton European Innovation Center. “However, today’s solutions are very diverse and often incompatible. To enable widescale adoption, we need a unified approach to energy storage management. I’m delighted we’re joining forces with our expert InterSTORE partners to help develop an innovative and agnostic solution that can support third-party software or hardware and so deliver a significant real-world impact.”

Currently, Eaton’s Energy Management System (EMS) is designed to optimize GreenMotion EV chargers, xStorage Compact battery packs, and photovoltaic panels. As part of the InterSTORE consortium, Eaton will work with other EMS providers to identify differences and synergies between their solutions. Novel optimization concepts will then be developed and incorporated to enable the integration of different types of energy storage, such as heat pumps and electrolyzers. Eaton’s concepts and control algorithms will also be validated and demonstrated at the Forschungszentrum Jülich research institute.

“As a member of the InterSTORE project, our goal is to create seamless solutions that can support multiple types of energy storage, while also building a rock-solid commercial case for mass adoption,” says Anne Lillywhite, senior vice president and general manager, Energy Transition, Digital & Services, Electrical Sector, EMEA. “Our engineers will develop a toolkit for EMS interoperability, as well as a deeper understanding of user requirements and possible business models. In today’s environment of rising energy prices, tighter emissions regulation, and increasingly eco-conscious consumers, this is a fantastic opportunity to pioneer crucial new technologies that will contribute to decarbonization and a more sustainable future.”

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy, helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges, and doing what’s best for our stakeholders and all of society.

Founded in 1911, 2023 marks Eaton’s 100th anniversary of being listed on the New York Stock Exchange. We reported revenues of $20.8 billion in 2022 and serve customers in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Investment vehicle supports start-ups focused on the reduction of carbon emissions in aviation through sustainable aviation fuel research, technology and production

Fund starts with more than $100 million investment from United and its inaugural corporate partners like JPMorgan Chase, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, Air Canada, and Boeing

Customers can now see an estimate of each flight’s carbon footprint in their search on United’s website and app and can also contribute to supplement United’s investment in the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund when buying a ticket – first 10,000 people to add to the fund receive MileagePlus® miles as a thank-you

United has already invested in the future production of three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world*

CHICAGO, February 24, 2023 /3BL Media/ – In an effort to rally businesses and consumers, United launched the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund SM, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The fund starts with more than $100 million in investments from United and its inaugural partners** Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell. Through the fund, these and potentially additional corporate participants will invest alongside United in SAF technology and production start-ups identified by United. In the past two years alone, United Airlines Ventures has invested in start-ups such as Cemvita, Dimensional Energy, and NEXT Renewable Fuels.

And in a first among U.S. airlines, anyone who buys a ticket on the United website or app now has the option to contribute to supplement United’s investment in the fund. The first 10,000 people who choose to contribute will each receive 500 MileagePlus Miles as a thank-you.

SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that, on a lifecycle basis, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with air travel compared to conventional jet fuel alone. SAF, which currently must be blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements for use within the aircraft, is being made from used cooking oil and agricultural waste, and, in the future, could be made from other feedstocks including household trash or forest waste. To date, United has invested in the future production of over three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world.***

“Solving climate change is doable but it requires hard work and real leadership,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “This fund is unique. It’s not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we’re creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch. That’s the only way we can actually decarbonize aviation.”

UAV Sustainable Flight Fund

The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund is open to investment by corporations across industries and the fund will prioritize investment in new technology, advanced fuel sources and proven producers, all in an effort to scale the supply of SAF. Partners of the fund also have the potential to gain preferential access to environmental attributes associated with United’s supply of SAF.

Companies interested in joining the fund can visit united.com/ventures.

United has already made investments in or signed purchase agreements with companies using a variety of ingredients and technologies to produce SAF, including feedstocks like ethanol, animal byproducts, forestry and crop waste, and municipal waste, as well as early-stage, promising technologies like synthetic biology and power to liquids. United Airlines Ventures will move selected existing SAF investments to establish the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund portfolio.

Consumer Awareness and Call to Action

United is also educating consumers about their air travel carbon footprint and giving them the option to take action.

Starting today on United.com and the United app, United becomes the first U.S. airline to show customers an estimate of each flight’s carbon footprint in their search. Green shading will indicate a lower-carbon option on a per economy seat passenger basis in a customer’s chosen itinerary. A flight’s carbon footprint is measured in kg CO2e (kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent) and United’s estimates, which could differ from actual flight emissions, are based on aircraft type, flying time, seat capacity and the number of people and cargo on a given flight.

And consumers who book travel through United for travel within or from the U.S. will now see an option to contribute to supplement United’s investment in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund before check-out. Customers have the choice to contribute $1, $3.50 or $7.00.****

The default option for customer contributions is set at $3.50 to illustrate the potential impact of customer action at scale: if the 152 million people who flew on United in 2022 each contributed just $3.50 to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, that would be enough to design and build a SAF refinery capable of producing as much as 40 million gallons of alternative fuel annually.*****

The Federal Government Recognizes the Value of SAF

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act includes the largest governmental climate change investments in U.S. history – a new blender’s tax credit specifically for SAF along with other critical incentives for clean energy and carbon capture – that will help spur an increase in SAF infrastructure and supply while lowering costs for SAF consumers.

The U.S. military currently uses nearly five billion gallons of jet fuel annually and the Department of Defense will use a jet fuel blend containing at least 10% SAF by 2028 because of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.

And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the country’s vast feedstock resources are enough to meet the projected SAF demand of the entire U.S. aviation industry.

United’s Commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

United aims to be 100% green by reducing its GHG emissions 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In addition to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, United has launched a SAF purchasing program called the Eco-Skies Alliance and established a venture fund – United Airlines Ventures – to identify and invest in companies and technologies that can decarbonize air travel. These strategic investments include carbon capture, hydrogen-electric engines, electric regional aircraft and air taxis.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” From our U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers. United is bringing back our customers’ favorite destinations and adding new ones on its way to becoming the world’s best airline. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”. For further information about our environmental impact, review United’s Corporate Responsibility Report and Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at crreport.united.com and ir.united.com.

MileagePlus Footnote Regarding Miles Awarded for Customer Contributions

Must be a MileagePlus member to receive miles. MileagePlus membership is free.

United Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating to, among other things, plans and projections regarding the company’s financial position, results of operations, market position, capacity, fleet, product development and business strategy as well as the company’s ESG goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and related business and stakeholder impacts. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, plans, objectives, goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, any failure to meet stated ESG goals, targets, commitments, strategies and initiatives in the time frame expected or at all as a result of many factors, including changing societal, market, competitive, regulatory or stakeholder expectations; any delay or inability of United Airlines or the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the “SFF”) to realize the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, including from a delay or failure of any project to be fully developed or become operational or to produce sustainable aviation fuel or other ESG-related product in the amounts contemplated or at all, or from a delay or failure of any technology to be fully developed or become functional or marketable or to serve the purpose for which it was designed, or a failure of the SFF to achieve any return on an investment by the SFF, or a realization of a partial or total loss of any investment by the SFF. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect United’s business and market, particularly those identified in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections in United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Risks and uncertainties related to United’s environmental compliance, climate commitments and climate strategy are further described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of United’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022—”We are subject to many forms of environmental regulation and liability and risks associated with climate change and may incur substantial costs as a result. In addition, failure to achieve or demonstrate progress towards our climate goals may expose us to liability and reputational harm.”

The statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, United Airlines undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. In particular, United Airlines reserves the right to change, amend, supplement or abandon some or all of the statements regarding goals, targets, commitments, strategies, initiatives, intentions and other statements from time to time without notice.

In addition, some of our disclosures in this press release are estimates or based on assumptions due to inherent measurement uncertainties. For example, United’s statement that it has already invested in the future production than any airline in the world is based on publicly available future purchase agreements for SAF of certain airlines as of the date hereof.

* Based on publicly announced airline offtake agreements for future purchases of SAF 
** References to “partner” refer to UAV Sustainable Flight Fund “limited partners” 
*** Based on publicly announced airline offtake agreements for future purchases of SAF 
**** Customers will not have any interest in United’s investments made with customer contributions (which will be commingled with United’s other investments in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund), and customers will not participate in any gains or losses associated with United’s investments in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund. 
***** United derived these approximated figures based on an illustrative capital expenditure benchmark of $200,000 per barrel per day to build a SAF production facility.

International Olympic Committee news

While the Olympic Games have become more gender equal, with women accounting for 48 per cent of athletes at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 expected to reach full equality, the number of female coaches at elite level remains remarkably low. Through this series, the IOC is highlighting female coaches who have broken those barriers and are inspiring younger generations. Cecile Landi, Simone Biles’ coach, is one of them.

Gymnast Cecile Landi, who competed for France at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, now coaches Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history. Landi has seen progress for women in many areas in and through sport, and says that – apart from in gymnastics – men have always had more airtime on television, but that this is changing. Women are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve.

This progress has been helped by the IOC’s work on scheduling, which has enabled women’s events to have the same broadcast opportunities in terms of timings and audiences. Increasing the number of women’s events in prime time across key territories can make a real difference in raising the visibility and prominence of women’s sport.

Meanwhile, with athletes such as Serena Williams and Biles reaching new heights in their respective sports, audience perceptions are shifting. “I think it’s shifting in the right direction because women are breaking boundaries and records,” Landi said, adding that many women are also getting commercial sponsorship.

“It’s shifting,” she said. “But you know, it could always be better.” Stereotypes still exist, for example, that maybe women are not as strong as men, she said. “I think mentally we can handle a lot more than some of the guys around.”

Women coaches understand the pressures on young women

As a gymnast herself, Landi – whose maiden name was Cecile Canqueteau – competed for France in the 1994 and 1995 World Championships and then at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996. She retired from elite gymnastics in 1999 but competed for her club until 2002. She then spent four years coaching in France, before moving to the United States in 2004. In October 2017, she started coaching Biles along with her husband Laurent.

Landi says that, as a woman coach, she understands the pressures on young women, including diet and the changing body. Puberty helps male gymnasts, who become stronger, but can make life harder for the women. “And that is something that I had to go through, and I had to deal with, and it was not easy,” she says. “I think that’s why the girls can really relate to me a little bit more – that’s the female brain, the understanding.”

Safeguarding athletes and their mental health

Perceptions surrounding mental health have also changed dramatically over time. Mental health was not given much attention in the 1990s, but things have changed since then, says Landi. “Mental health was not real in the nineties for me. [If there was a problem] they would say to us things like: ‘you are lazy, you just don’t want to do it,’ or things like that,” she said.

Landi credits her French education with helping her to understand how negative comments can strongly impact children. The cases of abuse discovered in recent years have underscored the vital importance of safeguarding athletes and their mental health. “That’s when we saw that it did affect them [the gymnasts] way more than we ever thought,” she says. “Mental health became more and more [important].”

It was also another reminder of the very real risks facing athletes, especially women. The IOC’s 2021-2024 gender equality objectives place fresh emphasis on the safety of athletes. The IOC aims to ensure that athlete safeguarding is included at every stage of every Olympic Games.

“Talking with the girls [in my team], I think I just want to let them know that they can tell me anything,” says Landi, who says she watches the gymnasts’ body language a lot to understand how they are feeling, and talks with them if something looks off. “I don’t judge them,” she says. “[I tell them] if you need any help, I’ll go with you.”

HOUSTON, February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced Monday a $50 million investment to support Texas’ only Black-owned banking institution as part of its commitment to supplier diversification and advancement of racial equity through meaningful change across four key values – grow, collaborate, lead and care.

The investment, made through a $50 million deposit in J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Empower share class, will support Unity Bank of Houston, a Minority Depository Institution Program (MDI). The Empower share class, founded in 2021, aims to support institutions such as Unity Bank in delivering ongoing positive change to underserved communities. MDIs help promote the growth of Black-, Hispanic- and Latino-owned small businesses. A Black-owned bank needs customers to thrive; however, due to a lack of assets compared to larger banks, these banks have been on a decline in recent years. Baker Hughes has held its corporate headquarters in Houston for decades and is proud to support Unity National Bank of Houston, the only Black-owned banking institution in the state.

“We have a responsibility to improve and support the communities in which we live and work,” said Baker Hughes Chief Financial Officer Nancy Buese. “As part of our commitment to increase supplier diversity and create lasting and sustainable change, this investment will enable Unity Bank to increase its offerings and drive meaningful impact within the communities it serves.”

“Unity National Bank is honored and enthusiastic about our collaborative relationship with Baker Hughes via Empowering Change, facilitated and led by our mentor and shareholder, J.P. Morgan,” said Kwame Nkrumah Cain, head of Strategic Initiatives & General Counsel at Unity National Bank. “I believe that Empowering Change is transformative to Unity National Bank and is indicative of Baker Hughes’ and J.P. Morgan’s commitment to strengthen Unity National Bank’s foundations and scale. I truly believe that J.P. Morgan’s and Baker Hughes’ mentorship, guidance and partnership will assist us in transitioning our community development efforts for the next generation and enable us to enhance and support economic development in low- and moderate-income communities.”

“I’m proud of Baker Hughes for prioritizing supplier diversity and continuously seeking to conduct business with minority-owned businesses,” said Lynn Buckley, Baker Hughes’ Supplier Diversity & Business Development Sourcing leader. “In 2022, we nearly doubled utilization of small and diverse businesses across the organization, and we hope to continue this trend in 2023.”

In partnership with Baker Hughes’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Treasury, and Supplier Diversity teams, the investment furthers Baker Hughes’ strategy of supporting organizations with shared values, demonstrated leadership, evidence of impact, financial soundness, and the capacity to implement initiatives and evaluate their success. In 2022, the Baker Hughes Foundation announced $1 million in grants to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) for the 2022-23 academic year, part of the company’s long-running mission to promote education and opportunity in the communities where Baker Hughes employees live and work.

About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

###

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations

Adrienne M. Lynch
+1 713-906-8407
adrienne.lynch@bakerhughes.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 27, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Fifth Third Bank, National Association, recognizes the need for banking centers in Charlotte’s Historic West End and has made a long-term commitment to this community. In a continued effort to support the West End, the Bank has announced the location of a full-service banking center at 2340 Beatties Ford Road, which is expected to open in the summer of 2024.

“We want to be more than simply a corporate partner,” said Lee Fite, president, Fifth Third Bank, Carolinas Region. “While we have made great progress building relationships with those who call the Historic West End home, we want to continue to learn how we can be a real friend to the community and play a vital role in serving others to improve lives. The new branch on Beatties Ford Road is the next step in this partnership.”

The West End location will feature a drive-thru and the Bank’s Next Gen design. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall of this year with Charlotte-Based McFarland Construction serving as the general contractor. The project will also utilize local sub-contractors who are part of the Fifth Third supplier diversity program.

“At Fifth Third Bank, we value diversity and inclusion,” states Gloria Samuel, director of project and program management for Fifth Third Bank. “We live this value in many ways within Enterprise Workplace Services and specifically through selection of construction partners. It is important to our business to have diversity of thought and experiences to achieve success in the ever-changing world of labor shortages, product delays and increased demand. Our team is committed to ‘be the change you wish to see in the world’ as best stated by Ghandi.”

The neighborhood-focused approach is one that Fifth Third embraces across multiple markets. Fifth Third Bank, Fifth Third Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners have established a $180 million neighborhood program to support and revitalize nine majority-Black communities across seven states that have experienced disinvestment. The Historic West End is one of the communities where the Bank is focusing efforts.

“The primary need in the Historic West End community is financial advisement and guidance,” said J’Tanya Adams, executive director, Historic West End Partners. “Having a full-service branch that is welcoming to residents and business owners on the corridor will help further the opportunities for Fifth Third Bank to continue to be a true community partner.”

This Next Gen branch features:

Mobile bankers using technology that allows them to meet and serve customers in a variety of settings. Rather than having teller “windows,” the new space gives employees the freedom to move around the lobby. Tablet computers encourage a more direct and personal way of serving customers.A tech wall with a dynamic digital screen.Flexible meeting and seating areas, with layers of privacy that can adjust depending on the need and the type of conversation taking place.

“This location is representative of our growth in the Carolinas and how we engage with our clients,” said Senior Vice President Tommy Lloyd, retail executive of the Carolinas, Fifth Third Bank. “The branch design focuses on an open environment equipped with the latest technology aimed at delivering personal customer service to provide the best experience and advice for our clients.”

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Member FDIC.

CONTACT

Amber Darnell
Amber.Darnell@53.com | 704-808-5016