Month: August 2024

MILWAUKEE, August 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, is furthering its commitment to investing in high-quality education and funding more opportunities for teachers and students in Milwaukee by pledging $3.9 million to support more than 50 Milwaukee-based schools and nonprofits. This brings the company’s total investment in quality education to more than $67 million over the last 30 years.

As part of this pledge, 25 initiatives led by more than 50 teachers were awarded the Summer Teacher Project Grants. These grants were developed to both engage and retain talent by providing them with stipends during summer months that recognize their valuable contributions to their classrooms and assist them in assuring student success throughout the school year.

“Great teachers are fundamental to student success,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “We are excited to offer these grants to educators that share Northwestern Mutual’s commitment in wanting to ensure successful outcomes for Milwaukee students.”

Teachers across four schools have been included in these projects including Pilgrim Lutheran, St. Marcus, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy and Milwaukee Academy of Science.

“The teachers and leaders at St. Marcus are deeply appreciative of the work we can achieve through these grants from Northwestern Mutual. The supplemental resources allow our educators additional time to strengthen curriculums for our students and push them to their full potential,” said Henry Tyson, superintendent, St. Marcus.

Northwestern Mutual remains committed to investing in schools, teachers, and initiatives realizing success for students. In addition to the Summer Teacher Project Grants, the company will be directing over $1.9 million toward early childhood and K-12 education, including schools and nonprofit programs spanning from early childhood education to secondary completion. These contributions assist in funding additional support in one of three areas: academics, mental health, and family engagement. Examples include tutoring services, STEM programs, teacher pipeline programs, mentoring and more.

Learn more about the company’s support here: www.northwesternmutual-foundation.com.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $490 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $627 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Alexandria Mack, 1-800-323-7033, mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

MILWAUKEE, August 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, is furthering its commitment to investing in high-quality education and funding more opportunities for teachers and students in Milwaukee by pledging $3.9 million to support more than 50 Milwaukee-based schools and nonprofits. This brings the company’s total investment in quality education to more than $67 million over the last 30 years.

As part of this pledge, 25 initiatives led by more than 50 teachers were awarded the Summer Teacher Project Grants. These grants were developed to both engage and retain talent by providing them with stipends during summer months that recognize their valuable contributions to their classrooms and assist them in assuring student success throughout the school year.

“Great teachers are fundamental to student success,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “We are excited to offer these grants to educators that share Northwestern Mutual’s commitment in wanting to ensure successful outcomes for Milwaukee students.”

Teachers across four schools have been included in these projects including Pilgrim Lutheran, St. Marcus, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy and Milwaukee Academy of Science.

“The teachers and leaders at St. Marcus are deeply appreciative of the work we can achieve through these grants from Northwestern Mutual. The supplemental resources allow our educators additional time to strengthen curriculums for our students and push them to their full potential,” said Henry Tyson, superintendent, St. Marcus.

Northwestern Mutual remains committed to investing in schools, teachers, and initiatives realizing success for students. In addition to the Summer Teacher Project Grants, the company will be directing over $1.9 million toward early childhood and K-12 education, including schools and nonprofit programs spanning from early childhood education to secondary completion. These contributions assist in funding additional support in one of three areas: academics, mental health, and family engagement. Examples include tutoring services, STEM programs, teacher pipeline programs, mentoring and more.

Learn more about the company’s support here: www.northwesternmutual-foundation.com.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $490 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $627 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

Alexandria Mack, 1-800-323-7033, mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

Originally published in American Airlines’ 2023 Sustainability Report

Decarbonizing aviation requires near-term action to improve efficiency and significantly expand the use of SAF, but it also depends on technological advancements that enable next-generation aircraft that can be powered by new types of low- and no-carbon fuel sources. These fuel sources must overcome some key challenges. First, they must contain the energy needed to power aircraft engines that carry our passengers and cargo. Second, they need to be easily distributed to, and carried on, the commercial aircraft that will be coming into service in the next decade. Hydrogen can be a low-carbon source of energy when it is produced using renewable electricity. It offers the potential to play a central role in decarbonizing aviation, but major challenges remain.

How American is helping accelerate solutions

American is helping to catalyze the development of hydrogen-electric propulsion technology — through which hydrogen is used in fuel cells — as well as the future of hydrogen distribution logistics for aviation. We have made two strategic investments in ZeroAvia, a pioneer in hydrogen-electric aviation powertrains. In addition, in 2023 American joined Embraer’s Energia Advisory Group to help define performance and design requirements for its new family of low- and no-emissions aircraft. The Energia aircraft concepts range from nine- to 50-seat capacity and are powered by a mix of electric, hydrogen and hybrid propulsion systems.

American also continues to engage with our aircraft suppliers and other key players in the aviation sector to support the advancement of other next-generation aircraft technologies for reducing emissions.

The Potential

Nearly three times more energy per unit of weight than jet fuel, from the most abundant substance in the universeProduces only water vapor as a byproduct when combustedGreen hydrogen — produced using renewable energy — is a low-carbon fuelSafe and successful track record as a transportation fuel

Actions Needed

Investment by airframe and engine manufacturers to develop next-generation aircraft powered by hydrogenCollaboration among airports, airlines and hydrogen producers to develop infrastructureRegulatory approval of hydrogen propulsion and distribution technologies, applications and supportive public policies

The Challenges

Requires four times more volume on the aircraft than jet fuel, making it difficult to carry sufficient fuel for long-haul flightsTechnical and logistical difficulties delivering to airport and on board aircraftGreen hydrogen is not currently cost competitive relative to other fuel

Hydrogen electric engines for zero emissions flight

American has teamed up with ZeroAvia to advance development of hydrogen-powered regional jets. ZeroAvia is working to replace traditional engines on existing fixed-wing aircraft with its novel zero-emissions, hydrogen-electric powertrain. The powertrains use green hydrogen, which is stored in tanks and converted to electricity in flight using a fuel cell that then powers the electric motors. The green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis — powered by locally generated renewable energy — and stored at or near airports. The only emission in flight is water vapor.

ZeroAvia is working to retrofit and linefit its powertrains to existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified fixed-wing aircraft, which simplifies regulatory issues and reduces time to market. In early 2023, ZeroAvia flew the maiden flight of its 19seat Dornier 228 testbed aircraft, retrofitted with a full-size prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain on the left wing of the aircraft. Since then, it has completed 13 test flights and has an active certification application with the FAA for this powertrain in an aircraft with up to 20 seats.

ZeroAvia’s second engine class, which will ultimately power regional jets, is in active development, with ground testing of electric propulsion systems and advanced fuel cell technologies underway. Ultimately, the company hopes to scale the technology over the next decade to narrow-body aircraft.

In July 2024, American announced its conditional purchase agreement for 100 hydrogen-electric engines, intended to power regional jet aircraft, from ZeroAvia’s powertrain development program.

Advancing Other Critical Next-Gen Aircraft Technologies While hydrogen offers significant potential for decarbonizing aviation over the long term, achieving net zero by 2050 will depend on the development of other nearer-term and more scalable solutions.

American is collaborating with Boeing and NASA as a member of a coalition that is advising the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project and the development of the X-66A research aircraft. The X-plane is a full-scale demonstrator aircraft with extra-long, thin wings stabilized by diagonal struts, known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept. When combined with other advancements in propulsion systems, materials and systems architecture, the new design could result in up to 30% less fuel consumption and reduced emissions when compared with today’s best-in-class aircraft.3

In addition, American has invested in Vertical Aerospace Ltd., which is developing an emissions-free electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In 2023, Vertical made significant progress advancing its work, being one of a few eVTOL developers to have built and flown a full-scale, vectored-thrust electric aircraft. Vertical also opened a state-of-the-art battery facility, which is developing next-generation battery technology for aviation.

Vertical is the only developer to have active certification efforts with five regulators across the world and last year secured the first ever Design Organisation Approval issued to a listed eVTOL manufacturer from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. This is a prerequisite for the VX4 aircraft certification, which Vertical is targeting to receive by the end of 2026.

This year Vertical is finalizing the assembly of its more advanced VX4 prototype, which will undergo a robust flight test program.

Read more

3 See https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/next-generation-experimental-aircraft-becomes-nasas- newest-x-plane/ for more information.