Month: February 2026

National Assistance League Appoints Judy Zulfiqar as Executive Director

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Experienced nonprofit leader brings proven expertise to strengthen 100-year organization

BURBANK, Calif., Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National Assistance League announced the appointment of Judy Zulfiqar, MBA, as its new Executive Director. Zulfiqar brings more than 20 years of strategic leadership experience, including proven success in nonprofit organizational turnarounds, financial sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.

“After a comprehensive national search, we are thrilled to welcome Judy to National Assistance League,” said Andrea Goodman, Board Chair. “Her track record of revitalizing organizations, combined with her deep understanding of volunteer engagement and community impact, makes her the ideal leader to guide us into our next century of service. We are confident in her ability to strengthen our network of 95 chapters and position the organization for long-term growth and sustainability.”

Zulfiqar served as Chief Strategist at Watermark Associates from 2015 to 2026, advising clients across diverse industries. In this role, she provided strategic leadership in business planning, marketing, and organizational development while managing cross-functional teams and creating compelling fundraising initiatives that collectively raised millions of dollars for nonprofit clients and events. She also served as Executive Director of Outdoor Adventures by Boojum, where she led the organization’s complete recovery from a two-year COVID-19 shutdown. As Immediate Past District Governor for Rotary District 5330, she led 60 clubs and 1,848 members across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“I am honored to join National Assistance League at this pivotal moment in its history,” said Zulfiqar. “The organization’s 100-year legacy of compassionate community service, powered by dedicated volunteers, is remarkable. Together, we will strengthen this organization to serve communities for the next 100 years.”

Goodman also expressed gratitude to Stephanie Chaney Atkins, National Chief Executive Officer and board member, who served as Interim Executive Director during the leadership transition. “Stephanie’s dedicated service ensured continuity and stability for our chapters during this important period,” Goodman added.

About National Assistance League

Founded in 1919 in Los Angeles, CA, Assistance League is a nonprofit organization committed to engaging and empowering volunteers to strengthen communities nationwide. The League’s network of 95 independent chapters transforms the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals annually through philanthropic programs addressing education, nutrition, and basic human needs. To find information, visit a chapter or thrift shop near you, go to https://www.assistanceleague.org/

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-assistance-league-appoints-judy-zulfiqar-as-executive-director-302686880.html

SOURCE National Assistance League

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Local collaboration focuses on protecting children before tragedy strikes

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Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers partners with La Vega ISD to expand child passenger safety in Waco

WACO, Texas, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and La Vega Independent School District partnered to expand child passenger safety efforts in Waco, reinforcing a shared commitment to prevention and protecting children beyond the classroom.

La Vega ISD has prioritized booster seat safety following the loss of a student in a motor vehicle crash involving improper restraint. In response, the district strengthened its approach to child passenger safety by discouraging parents from picking up children without a booster seat properly installed.

“A few years ago, we lost a student in a tragic car accident because they were not secured properly,” said Heather Franks, principal at La Vega Primary. “That loss changed us. It’s been our mission to do everything we can to keep our students safe. So, partnering with Daniel Stark has made this opportunity a true blessing for our families.”

Recognizing that safety policies are most effective when families are supported, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers provided booster seats for students who needed them, helping remove barriers and ensuring families could meet safety expectations.

“When you see firsthand how a serious crash can affect someone physically, emotionally, and professionally, it reinforces why prevention has to be part of our mission,” said Spencer Smith, attorney at Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers. “If we can help prevent those injuries from ever happening, that’s an impact worth making.”

Smith emphasized the importance of addressing safety before a crash occurs.

“Children are one of the most vulnerable groups,” he added. “They can’t provide these safety tools for themselves, which is why partnerships like this matter. By working with schools that put students first, we can help protect kids before something goes wrong.”

The partnership also serves as an early safety message for students and families.

“We’re excited to work with Daniel Stark because safety is central to what they do,” Franks added. “It’s the perfect opportunity to reinforce for our youngest students just how important it is to stay safe when riding in the car with their families.”

The initiative highlights the role schools, families, and community partners play in child passenger safety. Through efforts like this, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers continues to invest in prevention-focused initiatives across Texas.

For more information about the firm and its community safety initiatives, please visit Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers.

About Daniel Stark: With a team of over 150 employees, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers is a Texas-based plaintiffs’ personal injury firm committed to providing remarkable legal representation and recovering full value for those impacted by others’ negligence. Founded by friends Danny Daniel and Jonathan Stark, the firm boasts a core purpose of protecting clients with heart and aggression. Daniel Stark operates offices in North and South Austin, Bryan/College Station, Killeen, Waco, and Tyler.


Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers partners with La Vega ISD to expand child passenger safety in Waco, Texas


Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers — Celebrating 25 years of protecting Texans and standing up to big insurance. (PRNewsfoto/Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-collaboration-focuses-on-protecting-children-before-tragedy-strikes-302686827.html

SOURCE Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers

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Local collaboration focuses on protecting children before tragedy strikes

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers partners with La Vega ISD to expand child passenger safety in Waco

WACO, Texas, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers and La Vega Independent School District partnered to expand child passenger safety efforts in Waco, reinforcing a shared commitment to prevention and protecting children beyond the classroom.

La Vega ISD has prioritized booster seat safety following the loss of a student in a motor vehicle crash involving improper restraint. In response, the district strengthened its approach to child passenger safety by discouraging parents from picking up children without a booster seat properly installed.

“A few years ago, we lost a student in a tragic car accident because they were not secured properly,” said Heather Franks, principal at La Vega Primary. “That loss changed us. It’s been our mission to do everything we can to keep our students safe. So, partnering with Daniel Stark has made this opportunity a true blessing for our families.”

Recognizing that safety policies are most effective when families are supported, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers provided booster seats for students who needed them, helping remove barriers and ensuring families could meet safety expectations.

“When you see firsthand how a serious crash can affect someone physically, emotionally, and professionally, it reinforces why prevention has to be part of our mission,” said Spencer Smith, attorney at Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers. “If we can help prevent those injuries from ever happening, that’s an impact worth making.”

Smith emphasized the importance of addressing safety before a crash occurs.

“Children are one of the most vulnerable groups,” he added. “They can’t provide these safety tools for themselves, which is why partnerships like this matter. By working with schools that put students first, we can help protect kids before something goes wrong.”

The partnership also serves as an early safety message for students and families.

“We’re excited to work with Daniel Stark because safety is central to what they do,” Franks added. “It’s the perfect opportunity to reinforce for our youngest students just how important it is to stay safe when riding in the car with their families.”

The initiative highlights the role schools, families, and community partners play in child passenger safety. Through efforts like this, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers continues to invest in prevention-focused initiatives across Texas.

For more information about the firm and its community safety initiatives, please visit Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers.

About Daniel Stark: With a team of over 150 employees, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers is a Texas-based plaintiffs’ personal injury firm committed to providing remarkable legal representation and recovering full value for those impacted by others’ negligence. Founded by friends Danny Daniel and Jonathan Stark, the firm boasts a core purpose of protecting clients with heart and aggression. Daniel Stark operates offices in North and South Austin, Bryan/College Station, Killeen, Waco, and Tyler.


Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers partners with La Vega ISD to expand child passenger safety in Waco, Texas


Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers — Celebrating 25 years of protecting Texans and standing up to big insurance. (PRNewsfoto/Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers)

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-collaboration-focuses-on-protecting-children-before-tragedy-strikes-302686827.html

SOURCE Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers

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Women in Science Helping Shape the Future of Spirits at Bacardi

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In honor of this year’s International Day of Women in Science, we’re shining a spotlight on just some of the brilliant women with scientific backgrounds who are pursuing exciting careers at Bacardi. 

From Innovation Engineers and Beverage Scientists to Production Managers and many more, they all play a critical role in crafting our portfolio.

Click above to meet some of the women making an impact, every day.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. 

Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

Women in Science Helping Shape the Future of Spirits at Bacardi

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

In honor of this year’s International Day of Women in Science, we’re shining a spotlight on just some of the brilliant women with scientific backgrounds who are pursuing exciting careers at Bacardi. 

From Innovation Engineers and Beverage Scientists to Production Managers and many more, they all play a critical role in crafting our portfolio.

Click above to meet some of the women making an impact, every day.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON’S® Scotch whisky, D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 163 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. 

Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

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Courts, Congress, and Statehouses: Where Sustainability Is Quietly Winning

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The loudest sustainability headlines these days tend to focus on what’s being rolled back at the federal level. But a closer look at what happened in the past few weeks tells a different story — one where carbon management secured bipartisan funding in Congress, a federal court drew a constitutional line against anti-ESG overreach, and state legislatures continued building new frameworks for corporate environmental accountability. The action may be quieter, but it is reshaping the sustainability landscape in ways that matter.

Start with the federal budget. When Congress passed the FY 2026 spending package last month, many in the climate sector expected the worst. In our Top Stories this issue, Carbon Herald reports that instead of cuts, the final appropriations preserved core funding for direct air capture hubs, carbon capture R&D, and the Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize — which received $45 million across at least four pathways.

Perhaps most notably, the package included language from the PROVE IT Act, directing the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory to study U.S. manufacturing’s carbon intensity relative to global peers — a move that positions American industry to respond credibly as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism takes hold. Carbon management, it turns out, is increasingly being justified in economic competitiveness terms, not just environmental ones.

Meanwhile, in a Texas courtroom, ESG News reports that a federal judge permanently struck down Senate Bill 13 — one of the most aggressive anti-ESG laws in the country. The 2021 law had blacklisted more than 300 companies and triggered billions in state pension divestments from firms deemed to be “boycotting” fossil fuels. Judge Alan Albright, a Trump appointee, ruled SB 13 unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, finding that it violated First and Fourteenth Amendment protections by penalizing companies for climate-related speech, advocacy, and association. With similar laws already blocked in Missouri and Oklahoma, the ruling sends a clear signal: states cannot weaponize economic policy to punish sustainability-minded investors without running into constitutional guardrails.

On the regulatory front, sustainability governance continues to build momentum at the state level. G&A Institute has released a new Resource Paper examining the rapid expansion across the U.S. of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging. Seven states have now enacted EPR legislation, with approximately 14 more actively considering similar measures. These laws are fundamentally shifting who pays for packaging waste management — from municipalities and taxpayers to the producers themselves — and are creating new compliance, reporting, and financial obligations that companies selling packaged products need to get ahead of now.

Taken together, these developments reinforce a theme G&A has been tracking throughout 2026: the sustainability agenda in the U.S. is not stalled, rather it is decentralizing. Companies waiting for a single federal signal before acting may find themselves behind the curve. The G&A team is available to help your company stay ahead of rapidly changing reporting requirements. Reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue

Posted in UncategorizedTagged

Courts, Congress, and Statehouses: Where Sustainability Is Quietly Winning

Posted on by sHq_LoGiNz

The loudest sustainability headlines these days tend to focus on what’s being rolled back at the federal level. But a closer look at what happened in the past few weeks tells a different story — one where carbon management secured bipartisan funding in Congress, a federal court drew a constitutional line against anti-ESG overreach, and state legislatures continued building new frameworks for corporate environmental accountability. The action may be quieter, but it is reshaping the sustainability landscape in ways that matter.

Start with the federal budget. When Congress passed the FY 2026 spending package last month, many in the climate sector expected the worst. In our Top Stories this issue, Carbon Herald reports that instead of cuts, the final appropriations preserved core funding for direct air capture hubs, carbon capture R&D, and the Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchase Pilot Prize — which received $45 million across at least four pathways.

Perhaps most notably, the package included language from the PROVE IT Act, directing the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory to study U.S. manufacturing’s carbon intensity relative to global peers — a move that positions American industry to respond credibly as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism takes hold. Carbon management, it turns out, is increasingly being justified in economic competitiveness terms, not just environmental ones.

Meanwhile, in a Texas courtroom, ESG News reports that a federal judge permanently struck down Senate Bill 13 — one of the most aggressive anti-ESG laws in the country. The 2021 law had blacklisted more than 300 companies and triggered billions in state pension divestments from firms deemed to be “boycotting” fossil fuels. Judge Alan Albright, a Trump appointee, ruled SB 13 unconstitutionally vague and overbroad, finding that it violated First and Fourteenth Amendment protections by penalizing companies for climate-related speech, advocacy, and association. With similar laws already blocked in Missouri and Oklahoma, the ruling sends a clear signal: states cannot weaponize economic policy to punish sustainability-minded investors without running into constitutional guardrails.

On the regulatory front, sustainability governance continues to build momentum at the state level. G&A Institute has released a new Resource Paper examining the rapid expansion across the U.S. of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging. Seven states have now enacted EPR legislation, with approximately 14 more actively considering similar measures. These laws are fundamentally shifting who pays for packaging waste management — from municipalities and taxpayers to the producers themselves — and are creating new compliance, reporting, and financial obligations that companies selling packaged products need to get ahead of now.

Taken together, these developments reinforce a theme G&A has been tracking throughout 2026: the sustainability agenda in the U.S. is not stalled, rather it is decentralizing. Companies waiting for a single federal signal before acting may find themselves behind the curve. The G&A team is available to help your company stay ahead of rapidly changing reporting requirements. Reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue

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JERA Announces Close of Haynesville Shale Gas Asset in Louisiana

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Key Milestone in Expanded Commitment Across Louisiana

TOKYO and HOUSTON, Feb. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — JERA Co. Inc., a global energy leader and Japan’s largest power generation company, today announced that through its subsidiary JERA Americas Inc., it has closed on its previously announced agreement with Williams and GEP Haynesville II, LLC to acquire 100% of their respective interests in the South Mansfield upstream asset located in the Haynesville Shale basin in western Louisiana.


JERA Americas logo (PRNewsfoto/JERA Americas, Inc)

The transaction, referred to as the Haynesville Acquisition, further expands JERA’s investment footprint across Louisiana, which spans natural gas, LNG, renewables, advanced fuels, and carbon reduction technologies. Collectively, these investments represent billions of dollars in capital deployment to support job creation, expand local tax bases, and stimulate long‑term economic activity.

Key Louisiana projects include:

  • Blue Point low‑carbon ammonia project in Ascension Parish, one of the world’s largest planned facilities of its kind. Developed in partnership with CF Industries and Mitsui & Co., Blue Point is designed to produce approximately 1.4 million tons of ammonia annually using natural gas as feedstock while incorporating carbon capture and storage technology.
  • Oxbow Solar Farm, a 300‑megawatt renewable project in Pointe Coupee Parish. The largest solar installation in Louisiana, the project has supported approximately 400 construction jobs over two years and continues to generate long‑term economic benefits for the local community.
  • LNG offtake agreements, including 1.2 million tons per annum from Cameron LNG and contracts for up to an additional 3 million tons per annum of future LNG offtake from Louisiana.
  • Carbon capture innovation, supported through JERA Ventures, JERA’s venture capital arm, which has partnered with Newlab New Orleans to support the development and commercialization of next‑generation carbon capture technologies targeting emissions from gas‑fired power generation.

“Louisiana is a strategic priority for JERA, and the Haynesville Acquisition — in addition to our other commitments across the state — and underscores our intention to be a long-term partner in Louisiana’s energy economy,” said John O’Brien, chief executive officer of JERA Americas. “We will approach Haynesville with the highest commitment to safety, operational excellence, and respect for the communities where we work, and we look forward to building lasting relationships as we continue expanding our presence here.”

O’Brien continued, “Our growing portfolio demonstrates a long‑term commitment to investing in the state, supporting communities, and strengthening a reliable, more sustainable energy system.”

As announced on October 23, 2025, the Haynesville Acquisition included an upfront investment of $1.5 billion, through which JERA Americas acquired full ownership of the South Mansfield upstream asset from Williams Upstream Holdings and GeoSouthern Energy Corp. The project benefits from proximity to Gulf Coast infrastructure and existing pipeline access, and development plans include capturing and sequestering associated carbon dioxide from production, aligning with JERA’s lower‑carbon strategy.

About JERA Americas
JERA Americas is a large-scale power generation company that provides sustainable, affordable, and stable energy across the United States. We are a leader in lower-carbon fuels projects, including LNG, clean hydrogen, and ammonia for the U.S. and global markets. Headquartered in Houston, JERA Americas is the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo-based JERA (Japan’s Energy for a New Era) which provides about 30 percent of Japan’s electricity. JERA is one of the largest energy providers and LNG buyers in the world. Read more at jeraamericas.com.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jera-announces-close-of-haynesville-shale-gas-asset-in-louisiana-302686796.html

SOURCE JERA Americas, Inc

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