Month: April 2026

Former Fortune 100 chief procurement officer recognized for leadership that strengthened the supply chain profession and the people who power it

DENVER, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Institute for Supply Management^® (ISM^®) named Farryn C. Melton, a former Fortune 100 chief procurement officer and enterprise transformation leader, as the 2026 J. Shipman Gold Medal Award recipient for her enduring contributions to the advancement of the supply chain profession and her commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.

Created in 1931, the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award is ISM’s most distinguished honor. It recognizes individuals whose sustained leadership, service and mentorship have shaped the profession and strengthened the global supply chain community.

Melton has served the procurement and supply chain community for nearly four decades, including 25 years as chief procurement officer across three global organizations: Novartis, Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). Her career spans aerospace, entertainment and pharmaceuticals, with leadership roles at Boeing, Sony, Pfizer, Novartis, Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb.

As senior vice president and chief procurement officer at BMS, Melton led a global organization managing more than $12 billion in spend and played a central role in delivering $1.5 billion in synergy savings following BMS’s acquisition of Celgene. Her work consistently positioned procurement as a strategic partner—connecting sourcing, supplier performance and enterprise risk management to business strategy and long-term resilience.

In addition to operational impact, Melton is widely respected for advancing inclusive leadership and supplier diversity. Under her leadership, BMS established a robust supplier diversity program and set a goal of $1 billion in annual spend with diverse suppliers by 2025, achieving that milestone in 2023—two years ahead of schedule. She also prioritized talent development, mentoring and succession planning, contributing to the advancement of more than 10 senior leaders, primarily from underrepresented backgrounds.

During periods of significant disruption, Melton championed supplier partnership models and third-party risk management strategies that supported continuity of supply. These approaches helped maintain access to critical medicines during crises such as Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic, reinforcing procurement’s role as a stabilizing force in times of uncertainty.

“Farryn is everything this award stands for,” said Debbie Fogel-Monnissen, ISM Interim Chief Executive Officer. “She leads with integrity, lifts others up and builds strength that lasts. I’m grateful for the impact she’s had on our profession, and on the people and communities she’s helped along the way.”

Since retiring from Bristol Myers Squibb in 2023, Melton has continued to invest in the profession through advisory and board service. She is the founder and CEO of Strategic Edge Advisories LLC, where she advises executive teams and boards on supply chain transformation, governance and enterprise strategy, and she serves as a strategic adviser to Accenture. She currently serves on the boards of Cambrex and SafeTouch Security and chairs the advisory board of ActOne Group.

Melton also founded the Chief Procurement Officers Alliance for Business Innovation (CABI), a nonprofit network focused on helping senior leaders strengthen supply chain resilience while expanding opportunity for small and midsize businesses. Her governance experience includes chairing the SAP/Ariba customer advisory board and service with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, the National Minority Supplier Development Council and the Howard University supply chain program.

“I am deeply honored to receive the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award,” Farryn Melton said. “My career has been shaped by mentors, teams and peers who believed in the importance of service, collaboration and developing others. This recognition affirms my belief that supply chain leadership is about stewardship—creating opportunity, strengthening resilience and leaving the profession better for the next generation.”

Melton was formally recognized during the 2026 ISM Awards Gala on April 27 at ISM World, ISM’s annual international supply chain conference.

About the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award
Johnson Shipman was a pioneer member of the New York affiliate of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, now Institute for Supply Management^®, well-known for giving generously of his time and counsel. The J. Shipman Gold Medal Award was created in 1931, and is presented to those individuals whose modest, unselfish, sincere, and persistent efforts have aided the advancement of the procurement and supply chain field. Those chosen for the award have also assisted and guided members of the profession in their endeavors. 

About Institute for Supply Management^®
Institute for Supply Management^® (ISM^®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 200,000 in more than 100 countries around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to connect and empower the global supply chain community to advance individual and organizational success. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM^® PMI^® Reports (formerly Report On Business^®), its highly-regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events and assessments. The ISM^® PMI^® Reports — Manufacturing and Services — are two of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.

Contact: Jessica Boyd, 480.752.6276, ext. 3085
jboyd@ismworld.org

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SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

Commissioning of Amelia Court House, VA facility marks the third RNG project completed under Vanguard Renewables’ joint venture and strategic partnership.

BOSTON, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vanguard Renewables today announced the completion of three renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities, marking a significant milestone in the company’s mission to transform food waste into a scalable solution for a more diversified energy future. The achievement reflects years of development, construction, and operational work across multiple states, and significantly expands the company’s operational scale.

“At a time when demand on America’s energy infrastructure has never been greater, food and agricultural waste represent one of the country’s most underutilized resources,” said Mike O’Laughlin, CEO of Vanguard Renewables. “These facilities are proof that the impact of our model compounds far beyond the energy produced, diverting organic waste from landfills, creating value for local communities, and building a lasting economic advantage for the United States.”

Vanguard Renewables developed three facilities—one in River Falls, WI, one in Eden, WI, and the latest in Amelia Court House, VA—through a joint venture with TotalEnergies. The partnership brought together Vanguard Renewables’ expertise in organics recycling and biomethane production with TotalEnergies’ global energy development capabilities.

“These three facilities demonstrate how strategic partnerships can accelerate the deployment of scalable, low carbon energy solutions in the U.S.,” said Marc de Lataillade, Vice President, Biogas at TotalEnergies. “By connecting renewable natural gas production with committed corporate demand, the project supports emissions reductions while delivering local benefits.”

Through a strategic partnership, the RNG produced at each facility supplies AstraZeneca’s research and manufacturing operations in the U.S. In 2025, the partnership delivered approximately 33 GWh of RNG and will continue to ramp up supply to support the company’s domestic footprint. The agreement is among the most significant corporate RNG offtake commitments in the country and extends beyond energy procurement to the co‑development of proprietary technology that improves facility throughput and environmental impact while lowering operating costs.

“The commissioning of the Amelia Court House facility brings to life the commitment we made when we first began our partnership with Vanguard Renewables in 2023 to collaborate at scale to deliver sustainable science and medicines,” said Jim Fox, Senior Vice President, Americas Supply Operations at AstraZeneca. “Renewable natural gas from these three facilities now helps power our U.S. research and manufacturing sites and is a tangible demonstration of our Ambition Zero Carbon program in action. We are proud that by decarbonizing our operations we are not only supporting the health of people and our planet, but also creating lasting benefits for farming communities and the broader ecosystem.”

The facilities collectively represent nearly 870,000 MMBtu of annual RNG production capacity, combining anaerobic digestion with advanced depackaging systems capable of handling a full range of food and beverage waste streams that would otherwise end up in landfills. The commissioning of the Amelia Court House facility, co‑located at the oldest continuously operated dairy farm in Virginia, brings the portfolio to full operational status. Together, the facilities will divert hundreds of thousands of tons of organic waste from landfills each year.

The relationship with Vanguard Renewables’ farm partners is central to what makes the company’s model work. The food, crop, and livestock waste generated across America’s agricultural communities represents an estimated 1,580 trillion Btu of potential RNG annually, more than eight times the size of the current domestic RNG market. Co-locating digesters on working farms creates a new, reliable revenue stream for landowners, returns valuable byproducts directly to the farm, and helps ensure that agricultural land stays in productive use for generations to come. Every facility Vanguard Renewables brings online is a step toward harnessing that untapped potential.

“This farm has been in our family for five generations, and we have always looked for ways to innovate,” said Jeremy Moyer, Co-Owner of Oakmulgee Dairy Farm. “This partnership strengthens our business and our community by providing an additional income stream and valuable byproducts that help reduce operating expenses for our farm and our neighbors. We’re proud to play a part in a system that turns food waste into fuel while returning value to the land we steward.”

As demand for domestic RNG continues to grow, driven by tightening global regulatory frameworks and voluntary corporate sustainability commitments, the infrastructure being built today positions Vanguard Renewables to meet that demand at scale across the country and beyond.

About Vanguard Renewables

Vanguard Renewables is a leading U.S. environmental services company and producer of biomethane from organic waste. Headquartered in Weston, Massachusetts, the company builds, owns, and operates on-farm anaerobic digesters that convert food, beverage, and agricultural waste into pipeline-ready renewable natural gas. Vanguard Renewables is rapidly scaling its footprint, operating sites across the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast while developing additional facilities nationwide. By diverting organic waste streams from landfills, the company is reducing greenhouse gas emissions at scale while supporting critical domestic energy infrastructure and regenerative agriculture for America’s farms. Vanguard Renewables is a portfolio company of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock. Learn more at www.vanguardrenewables.com

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SOURCE Vanguard Renewables

Recipients include four nonprofit organizations in the Commonwealth 

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and Virginia American Water, today announce that four organizations were awarded a 2026 Water and Environment grant by the Foundation, supporting communities served throughout Virginia.

“We are so proud to be a 2026 Water and Environment grant recipient,” stated Jerry Casagrande, Founder and Executive Director for Wilderness Kids. “Our team is deeply grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation and Virginia American Water for their continued partnership and commitment to our mission to give teenagers from under-resourced families and under-served communities the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits that nature brings. This grant will support our efforts to introduce young people to the Chesapeake Watershed and all it offers. Through swimming, paddling and sailing, they will build skills and develop a connection to nature and our waterways.”

The American Water Charitable Foundation awarded a combined $77,199 to the following: 

• Wilderness Kids Alexandria Inc
• Friendship Veterans Fire Association of Alexandria Virginia
• James River Association
• Jessica Ann Moore Foundation

“Virginia American Water is proud to celebrate these four outstanding organizations making a real difference in the communities we serve. From instilling environmental conservation skills in our youth to supporting firefighters, these grantees reflect the very best of what it means to invest in Virginia’s people, environment, and water resources,” noted Laura Runkle, President, Virginia American Water. “Water connects us all and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact this funding will have across the Commonwealth.”

The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, focusing on three pillars of giving: Water, People and Communities.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is delighted to support eligible non-profit organizations making a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “Funding for Water and Environment grants supports projects focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, climate variability, and water-based recreation.”

Learn more about Virginia American Water’s community impact, here.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. 

About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water, focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

About Virginia American Water
Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water company in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 384,000 people. For more information, visit www.virginiaamwater.com and join Virginia American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

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SOURCE American Water

HAMLET HOSTS A ‘BLOCK PARTY’ TO WRAP SEASON SIX OF ROCK THE BLOCK ON HGTV. THOUSANDS OF UTAHN’S ATTEND, RAISING MONEY TO HELP FIGHT HOMELESSNESS IN UTAH.

SALT LAKE CITY, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Season seven of Rock The Block is on its third week and is set in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rock The Block is HGTV’s highest rated show. Last year, season six was set in Utah and had HGTV’s highest rating yet, with over 14 million viewers. Utah’s Hamlet Homes was selected by HGTV as the official builder of all homes in season six. All episodes of season six were filmed in the Worthington Ranch community in Grantsville, Utah. The four homes on the show were built by Utah builder Hamlet Homes. During the show, the location of the four Rock The Block homes had to be kept secret and were surrounded by a locked gate. After over a year of being inaccessible, the Utah public was invited on May 30^th and 31^st, 2025 to tour the homes and help raise money for charity. Hamlet called the event a ‘Rock The Block’ party. The public was able to walk through the homes made famous by the show, enjoy onsite food, music and an auction. In the end, Hamlet raised $45,000 for HomeAid Utah. Because of HomeAid’s unique business plan, the funds stretched and an estimated 45-50 homeless Utahn’s are now in transitional housing.

“At Hamlet Homes, we’ve always believed that what we build should do more than fill a need, it should change lives” said Hamlet Owner, VP of Marketing & Design Tami Ostmark. “The opportunity to be part of HomeAid’s The Other Side Village was one of those moments when building homes and building a community came together in a meaningful way. This project aligns with who we are at our core, creating places where people feel safe, supported, and part of something bigger. A lot of people talk about solving homelessness. This project does something about it. As a builder, it was important for us to be part of a solution that focuses on long-term change, not just temporary fixes. The Other Side Village is about giving people a real shot at rebuilding their lives, and that’s something worth showing up for. I feel this on a personal level, as well, also being on the board of directors for HomeAid Utah, who we have partnered with to build out some of these Tiny Homes at The Other Side Village”, continued Ostmark.

The ‘Rock The Block Party, was attended by thousands of Utahn’s last May. Hamlet Homes Worthington Ranch community is their newest development. Worthington Ranch is located at 1167 W Blue Fox Drive in Grantsville, Utah 84029. To everyone’s surprise, thousands of Utahn’s drove over an hour to Grantsville to attend the ‘Block Party’. “It was like Field of Dreams” said Ostmark. “We really didn’t anticipate that so many people would come.” “People had to park a mile away in some cases and they just walked in”, continued Ostmark. The Rock The Block site is in a residentially zoned community, where there is not enough parking to accommodate all the cars. All 4 local TV stations sent reporters and camera crews out the event to cover the spectacle. Four radio stations broadcast live including FM100 (KSFI), 103.5 The Arrow (KRSP), News Radio (KSL), and Now 97.9 (KBZN). In the end, Hamlet raised over $45,000 for HomeAid, getting an estimated 45-50 homeless Utahn’s into transitional housing. There were more than 50 items in the silent auction. Items included notable memorabilia from the show seen during season six. Items like the signed sledgehammers from each design team, Johnathan and Jordan Knights ‘Goat House’, and more.

The $45,000 raised went directly to HomeAid. HomeAid is currently underway with their latest project called The Other Side Village with 56 homes already completed in phase one. “The goal is to reach full buildout (456 homes and full community infrastructure) within the next 3–5 years, assuming steady funding, approvals, and construction progress”, said Preston Cochrane, CEO of The Other Side Village. Hamlet is currently completing two homes in the project. These modern ‘tiny homes’ are fully equipped and will soon be a permanent home for two more homeless Utahn’s. “Our construction team and incredible trade partners have been out there doing the real work, donating time, getting their hands dirty, and building these homes from the ground up. For our superintendents especially, it became more than a project, it is a chance to step back into the craft and be part of something meaningful in a very hands-on way. That pride has carried throughout the company”, said Ostmark.

Soon, dozens of homeless Utahn’s will call The Other Side Village home. Some have already moved into the first phase of the project. Rachel, one of the residents had this to say, “From the moment I was accepted into The Other Side Village, every prayer was answered all at once.” Candace, another resident, added: “It all changed one day at the Village Prep School when I looked around and thought, Wow! I am finally happy to be alive!” The Other Side doesn’t just to help the homeless get off the streets, fighting chronic homelessness, but aids them in their healthy re-integration. Their mission is to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction community engagement, and education. “Most residents haven’t held a steady job in years. Once in the Village, they get connected to employment. Now they’re saving money, finding purpose, and feeling useful again.”, said Cochrane. “Some residents have been estranged from their family for years and are reconnecting with children and family members. Regular communication started because there was a stable, dignified place to rebuild from”, continued Cochrane. Lori, another resident shared, “The Other Side Village has enabled me to use my voice and be strong in who I am.” Nate, one of her neighbors in the Village said, “I have cultivated growth across all facets of being—mind, body, and spirit.”

Hamlet Homes is passionate about helping to fight homelessness in Utah. “Rock The Block gave us an opportunity to leverage the popularity of a great show to help us with a project that is near and dear to our hearts. Raising money for HomeAid was what really drove us during the show and at the Block Party”, said Ostmark. “We also made some really fun ‘behind the scenes’ videos that we are sharing now on our YouTube channel and website. We are excited to show a peek behind the curtain”, said Ostmark. “Really cool things that happened on the set that you did not see on the show. Birthday celebrations, a behind the scenes peak of the set, including the designers’ trailers and how the show is filmed and of course lots of drama. It’s exciting content that we are happy to finally be able to share”. The behind-the-scenes show can be viewed at www.hamlethomes.com/rtb or https://www.youtube.com/@Hamlet_Homes?app=desktop&ra=m

ABOUT HAMLET HOMES
Hamlet Homes (www.hamlethomes.com) crafts quality customer-oriented townhomes and single-family homes located in attractively designed communities in Utah and Idaho. Since the company’s founding in 1995, Hamlet has built over 5,000 homes in 80 communities. The company is a proud recipient of many awards on Sustainable Business & Design, Quality Builder Awards; recognized both locally and nationally. Named by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce as the ‘Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year, in 2019’. Hamlet has since been named several times to the Professional Builder’s Housing Giants List and annual HOME AWARDS Best Customer Experience. Most recently in 2026, Hamlet was named Utah’s ‘Best of State for Real Estate Development and Utah Businesses ‘Best Companies to Work For’ for the 6^th consecutive year.

Contact:
Nate Di Palma
nate@palmaconsultancy.com
435-640-3856 

Tami Ostmark
tostmark@hamlethomes.com
801-842-5360

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SOURCE Hamlet Homes Utah

CHICAGO, April 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Middle River Power (MRP) marks its 10-year anniversary, the company reflects on a decade defined by disciplined growth, strong execution, and a clear commitment to delivering reliable, affordable, and increasingly low-carbon power.

Founded in 2016 with a small team and a focused mandate, MRP has grown into a fully integrated independent power producer with more than 8.5 GW of generation owned or managed across critical U.S. markets. The company now supports a growing portfolio that includes approximately 1 GW of contracted battery energy storage near operation and an additional 7 GWh of co-located storage in development. Today, MRP has taken its place as a leading U.S. power generator featuring flexible, resilient, and responsibly decarbonized solutions.

MRP’s approach to the energy transition is grounded in pragmatism. From San Diego to San Jose, the company is demonstrating how battery storage and existing thermal assets can work together to deliver more flexible, lower-carbon power while maintaining reliability. Projects like the Border Energy Storage Project and the Henrietta Hybrid Energy Center reflect this approach in action. Rather than pursuing decarbonization at any cost, MRP focuses on solutions that balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability.

“Middle River Power has played an important role in advancing innovative energy solutions that align with our mission to provide clean, reliable, and affordable power,” said San Diego Community Power CEO Karin Burns. “Their work demonstrates how thoughtful development and strong partnerships can move the energy transition forward in a meaningful way.”

“From the beginning, our success has come down to how we work,” said Mark Kubow, CEO of Middle River Power. “We’ve built a team focused on execution, grounded in strong partnerships, and committed to delivering solutions that meet our customers where they are.”

This mindset has enabled MRP to consistently unlock value in complex assets and market conditions, targeting opportunities where operational improvements, commercial innovation, and capital optimization can drive meaningful growth. The company continues to focus on emerging opportunities across co-located renewable development, data center integration, and carbon capture, aligning its strategy with broader market needs and policy trends shaping the future of energy.

Today, with the support of Partners Group, MRP is well-positioned for its next phase of growth as it manages its national portfolio of power assets and expands its development pipeline. The company’s continued progress reflects a disciplined procurement strategy, an experienced development team, and a strong operating platform.

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SOURCE Middle River Power