Market Newsdesk

Gary, Indiana, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Methodist Hospitals, a not-for-profit, community-based healthcare system in Northwest Indiana, has selected Fiducius – a leading provider of student loan benefits – as its preferred partner of student loan benefits for its 3,500 employees and their family members.

Student loan debt is a significant source of financial stress for healthcare employees and a leading contributor to hospitals’ increasing challenge with recruiting and retention. To address these issues, effective April 5, 2021, Methodist Hospitals introduced the Loan Relief benefit as an integral part of its comprehensive benefits package. The Loan Relief benefit is the only solution of its kind, providing employees with personalized education and implementation support for all loan restructuring options, including forgiveness (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) and private refinancing.
“Patient care is the key to our success and of course it’s stressful.  We don’t want our valued staff members worrying about their student loans during these extra difficult times,” said Kurt Meyer, VP of Human Resources at Methodist Health. “Fiducius is the only vendor capable of meeting our requirements by integrating federal loan forgiveness into the Loan Relief benefit. Forgiveness will also be included in our future tuition assistance and contribution benefits, providing a completely unified program. Having worked with the team at Fiducius previously, I trust them to care for my staff, helping Methodist retain our valuable employees because we’ve improved their financial health.”

As part of the Loan Relief benefit, all employees and family members have unlimited access to the Student Loan Financial Planning process, a combination of proprietary technology and professional Advisors. This process provides each employee with the expert guidance needed to enable informed decisions and action.

“On average, healthcare workers spend almost $1,000 a month for their student loans. It’s no wonder that financial stress is an overwhelming issue for these employees,” said David Cross, EVP of Sales and Chief Marketing Officer at Fiducius. “Methodist Hospitals is tackling this issue head on, ensuring staff and family members have access to the resources they need to take control of their student loans. We’re honored that Kurt once again turned to Fiducius as the expert in providing student loan and education assistance benefits.”

About Methodist Hospitals

Methodist Hospitals is a community-based, not-for-profit health system with two full-service acute care facilities in Gary and Merrillville, Indiana, that has been leading the way to better health for residents of Northwest Indiana for almost 100 years. Methodist Hospitals offers a number of award-winning programs, including its Neuroscience, Oncology, Heart and Vascular Institutes and Breast Care Center. Its range of services also includes Women & Children’s Services, Bariatric Surgery Services, Emergency & Trauma Services, Immediate Care Centers, an Orthopedic & Spine Care Center, Sports Medicine, comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, and Behavioral Health and Home Health Services. It has earned Magnet® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital Accreditation.

To learn more about Methodist Hospitals, please visit www.methodisthospitals.org.

About Fiducius, LLC

Providing student loan and education assistance benefits since 2011, Fiducius enables employers to achieve recruiting, retention and productivity goals, while empowering employees to achieve financial wellness. Fiducius offers a complete range of voluntary and sponsored benefits, including Loan Relief, Loan Contribution, Tuition Reimbursement and Tuition Contribution (529 plans). Its proprietary Student Loan Financial Planning approach combines expert Advisors and advanced technology to ensure all employees receive the best option for their unique situations. Fiducius works with more than 2,500 employers, including more than 100 healthcare systems, hospitals and other providers. For more information, visit: www.getfiducius.com.

###

WALTHAM, MA, and MENLO PARK, CA, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — April 6, 2021 — Education Development Center (EDC) and SRI International (SRI) announce the release of their new research Mahsi’choo for the Info! Molly of Denali Teaches Children about Informational Text(1).

MOLLY OF DENALI is an award-winning animated series, produced by GBH Boston, that follows the adventures of curious and resourceful 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl who lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska. Recently renewed for a second season, it is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature a Native American lead character. MOLLY OF DENALI involves Alaska Native voices in all aspects of the production, both on screen and behind the scenes. Informational text, the underlying literacy curriculum, is integrated into the series’ episodes, games, app, website, and assets for educators, families, and kids. Informational text—oral, written, or visual text designed to inform—is essential to navigating daily life, and it includes activities such as reading a map, critically engaging with websites, and posing questions to an expert. 

Two separate rigorous studies found that children from low-income households who were given MOLLY OF DENALI videos, digital games, and activities were better able to solve problems using informational text. Most children have access to stories and other narrative texts but little to no access to informational text. Yet informational text is a fundamental part of literacy. Comprehending informational text paves the way for future learning, particularly in social studies and the sciences, and success in life.  

Key Findings
 

Two nine-week studies included 263 first-grade children from low-income households across the country. The study team randomly assigned each child to receive either a tablet loaded with MOLLY OF DENALI resources (treatment condition) or a tablet that blocked access to MOLLY OF DENALI resources (control condition). 

• P
  roblem
  –
  s
  olving
  :
   Access to MOLLY OF DENALI digital resources improved first-grade children’s ability to use informational text to solve problems, for example, choosing the right book or website to answer a question or using an index to find a topic in the book. 
• High return for minimal time investment: Children benefited from the MOLLY OF DENALI resources after using them for only about one hour per week, on average, over nine weeks—similar to the time that children might access educational media at home. Many educational programs require more time or engagement before learning benefits are seen.  
• More screen
   
  time = more learning: Children who used MOLLY OF DENALI resources for longer periods showed greater learning benefits. Findings demonstrate that more exposure to high-quality educational content results in greater learning gains. 
• The power of replication
  : The second study was a replication of the first study, adding further evidence of the impact of the MOLLY OF DENALI resources. Although replication is a critical part of the scientific process, few findings in education research are confirmed by conducting the same study a second time. 

MOLLY OF DENALI has received much critical acclaim, including a Peabody Award, a Television Critics Award and a Kidscreen Award, and has a television reach of over 42 million people(1) and over 450K users on PBS KIDS digital platforms each month(2). Now MOLLY OF DENALI also has the backing of two studies that demonstrate children’s learning. 

The studies were commissioned as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The Ready To Learn Initiative brings educational television and digital media resources to children ages 2–8 and aims to promote early science and literacy learning.  

The studies, conducted during the pandemic, pioneered innovations in remote data collection with families across the nation, providing evidence that research remains possible when in-person visits are not an option. The MOLLY OF DENALI content also provided a free resource to help develop children’s literacy skills to families experiencing pandemic-related disruptions in schooling. 

“Never before has there been a study of children’s media supporting young children’s use of informational text to solve problems,” said Shelley Pasnik, EDC senior vice president and principal investigator of the joint EDC-SRI research team. “That we were able to see positive results not once but twice during a year of great educational turmoil makes the case for providing all families with quality early learning opportunities.” 

“This research shows the power of well-designed educational media,” said Joy Lorenzo Kennedy, EDC’s lead author. “Not only does MOLLY OF DENALI have an engaging storyline and compelling cast of characters, it also embeds informational text in ways that improves children’s learning outcomes.”  

Claire Christensen, lead author for SRI, added, “This research comes at a critical time when parents and educators are searching for guidance about how best to support children’s learning when they can’t be in the classroom.” 

This study is one of a series of Ready To Learn Initiative studies demonstrating the impact of educational media on children’s learning. The full report is available online at edc.org/infotext 

About EDC
 

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, it has been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.  

About SRI International
 

SRI International is an independent, nonprofit research center that works with clients to take the most advanced R&D from the laboratory to the marketplace. For more than 70 years, SRI has led the discovery and design of groundbreaking products, technologies, and industries—from Siri and online banking to medical ultrasound, cancer treatments, and much more. 

About 
MOLLY OF DENALI
 
 

MOLLY OF DENALI is co-produced by GBH and its animation partner, Atomic Cartoons, in association with CBC Kids. Funding for MOLLY OF DENALI™ is provided by a Ready To Learn Grant from the U.S. Department of Education; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People; and by public television viewers. Additional funding made possible with the participation of the Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit. Corporate funding provided by the T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan and Target. Alaska Native collaborators: Adeline P. Raboff, Dewey Kk’ołeyo Hoffman, Luke Titus, Princess Daazhraii Johnson  and Rochelle Adams. Language Advisors: Adeline P. Raboff, Lance X’unei Twitchell, Lorraine David, Marie Meade and Marjorie Tahbone. Informational text advisor: Nell K. Duke, University of Michigan. 

About the
 
Ready 
To
 Learn Initiative
 

The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its general goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular interest in reaching children living in low-income households. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution of the programming, effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach, and research on educational effectiveness. 

### 

Contact
s:
 

Kim Elliott, EDC Communications 
(617) 618-2305 
[email protected] 

Kaleigh DeBias, SRI Communications 
(862) 222-4559 
[email protected] 

(1) Nielsen NPOWER L+7, 7/15/2019–7/12/2020, 50% unif, 1+ mins., P2+, K2-11 
(2) Google Analytics, January 2020–December 2020 

The contents of MOLLY OF DENALI were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The project is funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A150003, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Attachments

• EDC SRI Mahsi’choo for the Info! Summary
• EDC Square_301UBlue

WALTHAM, MA, and MENLO PARK, CA, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — April 6, 2021 — Education Development Center (EDC) and SRI International (SRI) announce the release of their new research Mahsi’choo for the Info! Molly of Denali Teaches Children about Informational Text(1).

MOLLY OF DENALI is an award-winning animated series, produced by GBH Boston, that follows the adventures of curious and resourceful 10-year-old Molly Mabray, an Alaska Native girl who lives in the fictional village of Qyah, Alaska. Recently renewed for a second season, it is the first nationally distributed children’s series to feature a Native American lead character. MOLLY OF DENALI involves Alaska Native voices in all aspects of the production, both on screen and behind the scenes. Informational text, the underlying literacy curriculum, is integrated into the series’ episodes, games, app, website, and assets for educators, families, and kids. Informational text—oral, written, or visual text designed to inform—is essential to navigating daily life, and it includes activities such as reading a map, critically engaging with websites, and posing questions to an expert.

Two separate rigorous studies found that children from low-income households who were given MOLLY OF DENALI videos, digital games, and activities were better able to solve problems using informational text. Most children have access to stories and other narrative texts but little to no access to informational text. Yet informational text is a fundamental part of literacy. Comprehending informational text paves the way for future learning, particularly in social studies and the sciences, and success in life.

Key Findings
Two nine-week studies included 263 first-grade children from low-income households across the country. The study team randomly assigned each child to receive either a tablet loaded with MOLLY OF DENALI resources (treatment condition) or a tablet that blocked access to MOLLY OF DENALI resources (control condition).

• Problem-solving: Access to MOLLY OF DENALI digital resources improved first-grade children’s ability to use informational text to solve problems, for example, choosing the right book or website to answer a question or using an index to find a topic in the book.
• High return for minimal time investment: Children benefited from the MOLLY OF DENALI resources after using them for only about one hour per week, on average, over nine weeks—similar to the time that children might access educational media at home. Many educational programs require more time or engagement before learning benefits are seen. 
• More screen time = more learning: Children who used MOLLY OF DENALI resources for longer periods showed greater learning benefits. Findings demonstrate that more exposure to high-quality educational content results in greater learning gains.

• The power of replication: The second study was a replication of the first study, adding further evidence of the impact of the MOLLY OF DENALI resources. Although replication is a critical part of the scientific process, few findings in education research are confirmed by conducting the same study a second time.

MOLLY OF DENALI has received much critical acclaim, including a Peabody Award, a Television Critics Award and a Kidscreen Award, and has a television reach of over 42 million people¹ and over 450K users on PBS KIDS digital platforms each month.² Now MOLLY OF DENALI also has the backing of two studies that demonstrate children’s learning. 

The studies were commissioned as part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS Ready To Learn Initiative, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The Ready To Learn Initiative brings educational television and digital media resources to children ages 2–8 and aims to promote early science and literacy learning. 

The studies, conducted during the pandemic, pioneered innovations in remote data collection with families across the nation, providing evidence that research remains possible when in-person visits are not an option. The MOLLY OF DENALI content also provided a free resource to help develop children’s literacy skills to families experiencing pandemic-related disruptions in schooling.

“Never before has there been a study of children’s media supporting young children’s use of informational text to solve problems,” said Shelley Pasnik, EDC senior vice president and principal investigator of the joint EDC-SRI research team. “That we were able to see positive results not once but twice during a year of great educational turmoil makes the case for providing all families with quality early learning opportunities.”

“This research shows the power of well-designed educational media,” said Joy Lorenzo Kennedy, EDC’s lead author. “Not only does MOLLY OF DENALI have an engaging storyline and compelling cast of characters, it also embeds informational text in ways that improves children’s learning outcomes.”

Claire Christensen, lead author for SRI, added, “This research comes at a critical time when parents and educators are searching for guidance about how best to support children’s learning when they can’t be in the classroom.”

This study is one of a series of Ready To Learn Initiative studies demonstrating the impact of educational media on children’s learning. The full report is available online at edc.org/infotext 

About EDC
 

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, it has been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.  

About SRI International
 

SRI
 International is an independent, nonprofit research center that works with clients to take the most advanced R&D from the laboratory to the marketplace. For more than 70 years, SRI has led the discovery and design of groundbreaking products, technologies, and industries—from Siri and online banking to medical ultrasound, cancer treatments, and much more. 

About 
MOLLY OF DENALI
 
 
MOLLY OF DENALI is co-produced by GBH and its animation partner, Atomic Cartoons, in association with CBC Kids. Funding for MOLLY OF DENALI™ is provided by a Ready To Learn Grant from the U.S. Department of Education; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People; and by public television viewers. Additional funding made possible with the participation of the Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit. Corporate funding provided by the T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan and Target. Alaska Native collaborators: Adeline P. Raboff, Dewey Kk’ołeyo Hoffman, Luke Titus, Princess Daazhraii Johnson  and Rochelle Adams. Language Advisors: Adeline P. Raboff, Lance X’unei Twitchell, Lorraine David, Marie Meade and Marjorie Tahbone. Informational text advisor: Nell K. Duke, University of Michigan. 

About the
 
Ready 
To
 Learn Initiative
 

The Ready To Learn Initiative is a cooperative agreement funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It supports the development of innovative educational television and digital media targeted to preschool and early elementary school children and their families. Its general goal is to promote early learning and school readiness, with a particular interest in reaching children living in low-income households. In addition to creating television and other media products, the program supports activities intended to promote national distribution of the programming, effective educational uses of the programming, community-based outreach, and research on educational effectiveness. 

### 

Contact
s: 
Kim Elliott, EDC Communications 
(617) 618-2305 
[email protected] 

Kaleigh DeBias, SRI Communications 
(862) 222-4559 
[email protected] 

1 Mahsi’choo (Mah-see-cho): “Thank You” in Gwich’in.
2 Nielsen NPOWER L+7, 7/15/2019–7/12/2020, 50% unif, 1+ mins., P2+, K2-11 
3 Google Analytics, January 2020–December 2020 

The contents of 
MOLLY OF DENALI
 were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. The project is funded by a Ready 
To
 Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A150003, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
 

Attachments

• EDC SRI Mahsi’choo for the Info! Summary
• EDC Square_301UBlue

SURREY, British Columbia, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DSG Global, Inc. (OTCQB: DSGT) (“DSGT” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce its Imperium Motor Corp. division signed a sales and service distributor agreement with NP Power International, Inc. (“NPP”), power supply manufacturer which specializes in high-quality batteries and power banks. It is anticipated that first sales and deliveries of these batteries will occur during the ninety days.

NPP is a power supply manufacturer which specializes in high-quality batteries and power banks and will soon supply Lithium-Ion batteries. Imperium Motors will also be assembling the Lithium-Ion battery packs at their facility in CA. The company currently has six large production facilities, including one in California.

“This is a monumental deal for us as this agreement will allow us to be a source of quality customized batteries for our dealers nationwide at a reasonable cost. As mentioned in numerous media outlets the large, expected growth of the U.S. electric vehicle market faces one major roadblock and that is that it is difficult for American automakers to get enough batteries to scale up production. We can help alleviate some of this issue while providing competitive advantages to our dealers,” commented Rick Curtis, President of Imperium Motor Corp.

“Based in Fullerton, California, NPP is just a short drive from our future production facility and will provide just-in-time delivery at no additional cost, shortening our supply line while lessening the risk of overseas shipping delays,” commented Rick Curtis, President of Imperium Motor. “NPP’s wide variety of batteries provides us with a secure source of one of the important components in golf carts, low-speed vehicles, and eventually lithium batteries for the high-speed Terra-E Truck in development as well as other high speed vehicles, at a significant price advantage over other suppliers.”

With the Biden administration pushing for a $174 Billion dollar investment in Electric Vehicle support, there may never be a better time to consider driving an EV. Imperium customers may also apply for the $7,500 Tax Credit program currently available for qualifying High-Speed Electric Vehicle sales of under 200,000 units sold from a single company.

According to research study, the global Lithium Ion Battery Market is expected to reach USD 80 billion by 2026. The global Lithium Ion Battery Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2020 to 2027.The global lead acid battery market size is expected to reach $93.04 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period, according to a new report published by Grand View Research, Inc. Lead acid batteries are expected to witness a significant rise in demand owing to their increasing usage in various industries including oil and gas, nuclear power, electricity generation, gas turbine, hospitality, transport infrastructure, manufacturing, construction, mining, and off-grid renewable. Moreover, advantages associated with these batteries, such as durability, high voltage capability, low-cost, and simple manufacturing processes are expected to increase the demand.

NPP operates an 80,000 square meter facility in California and is ISO9001, ISO14001, CE and UL certified.

About NP Power
International
, Inc.

NP Power International, Inc. (NPP) is a specialized battery manufacturer with NPP international producing an entire series of lithium and sealed lead-acid batteries, including general type, deep-cycle type, get type, etc. Our total investments add up to more than fifty-million dollars.

NPP focuses on quality control for our products, conducting strict product control every step of the manufacturing process. To ensure further quality control of our products, NPP has acquired an assortment of certifications from a multitude of associations.

NPP is aware of our social responsibility, particularly in regard to environmental protection, energy conservation, emission reduction, and waste reduction, and, from day one, we began to strive to uphold our environmental stewardship of developing sustainability and eco-friendliness.

NPP strives for the ultimate customer experience, pushing forward to achieve technical innovation, flawless quality control, and the ability to satisfy international diverse demands.

NP Power international Inc. attaches great attention to product quality control, from raw materials to finished products are strict quality checks to ensure that achieve high standards of quality and performance of each battery factory. Product certification complete, have passed the ISO9001 international quality management system certification, ISO14001 international environmental management system certification and the International Occupational Safety and Health Management System OHSAS18001 certification.

We have also adopted the British IEC International Electrotechnical Commission certification, UL certification, CE certification, Russia, China Gentile certification, and Golden Sun certification.

About DSG Global

DSG Global is an emerging global technology company with an array of interconnecting businesses in some of the fastest growing market sectors. With roots in the golf industry in which it specializes in fleet management with patented analytics, mobile touch screen engagement and electric golf carts under the Vantage Tag Systems (VTS) brand, the company is moving quickly with road-ready electric vehicles for sale in the first quarter of 2021 through its Imperium Motor Company subsidiary.

About Vantage Tag Systems

Vantage Tag Systems (VTS) provides patented electronic tracking systems and fleet management solutions to golf courses and other avenues that allow for remote management of the course’s fleet of golf carts, turf equipment and utility vehicles. Its clients use VTS’s unique technology to significantly reduce operational costs, improve the efficiency plus profitability of their fleet operations, increase safety, and enhance customer satisfaction. VTS has grown to become a leader in the category of Fleet Management in the golf industry, with their technology installed in over vehicles worldwide. VTS is now branching into several new streams of revenue, through programmatic advertising, licensing, and distribution, as well as expanding into Commercial Fleet Management, PACER single rider golf carts, and Agricultural applications. Additional information is available at http://vantage-tag.com/

About Imperium Motor Company

Imperium Motor Company (IMC) is an EV sales and marketing company that offers a wide variety of affordable vehicles equipped for the North American market with emphasis on great design, a green mindset, performance, and functionality. Vehicles will include high speed, mid-speed, and low speed electric vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, buses, and scooters. For additional information about Imperium Motors’ product lines, please visit www.imperiummotorcompany.com.

Company Contact:

Brokers and Analysts:
Chesapeake Group
+1-410-825-3930
[email protected]

Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Phone: (407) 491-4498
[email protected]

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipated”, “proposed”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “will”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this news release
includes but
is not limited to the Company’s ability to secure manufacturing facilities and supply chains, the benefits the Company expects to derive from existing and planned products, and the Company’s ability to achieve production and sales targets, generally.

Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: negative cash flow and future financing requirements to sustain operations, dilution, limited history of operations and revenues and no history of earnings or dividends, competition, economic changes, delays in the Company’s expansion plans, regulatory changes, and the impact of and risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including the risk of disruption at the Company’s facilities or in its supply and distribution channels. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are described under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2019 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Jacob Arlein named Chief Executive Officer;

Founder Matt Macko named Chief Strategy Officer

SAN FRANCISCO, April 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stok, a provider of sustainability and high-performance building services, announces the appointment of Jacob Arlein as Chief Executive Officer. Stok Founder and Managing Member Matt Macko will move to Chief Strategy Officer. The moves support the company’s plans for continued expansion and commitment to helping clients maximize the positive impact of their real estate on the environment and in their communities.

“This transition ensures we maintain the personal approach we are known for—both in our client service and company culture—while also supporting our continued growth,” said Macko. “The key to our success is and has always been our people, and as CEO, Jacob will continue to focus on their engagement and making Stok a great place to work. This is core to our value-add, which is the unique way our integrated team comes together to provide healthy, high-performance buildings that deliver on the bottom line and result in a radically better world for all.”

As CEO, Arlein leverages more than a decade of experience with Stok to execute the company’s strategic vision and ensure seamless day-to-day operations. His efforts concentrate on Stok’s culture, impact and growth. Arlein will also oversee talent attraction and the rollout of new services and solutions. As part of the firm’s strategic growth, Stok recently formed a Client Solutions team, led by new hires Christina Weber, Jeffrey Marshall, and Adam Guli. This team focuses on servicing global corporate and retail accounts, as well as on expanding offerings across the residential, life science, healthcare, mission critical, government, and education sectors, to provide strategically tailored solutions for clients’ unique needs.

“At Stok, we’ve been deeply committed to an organizational structure built on the principles of biomimicry, which draws on strategies in nature that promote autonomy and self-management. This has helped us build a unique culture and embed our core values into each client engagement, enabling us to deliver exceptional results,” said Arlein. “Our leadership transition allows us to scale these principles as we grow our impact, while ensuring that both our clients and internal teams continue to benefit from the visionary direction Matt has and will continue to provide as CSO. I am committed to the firm’s continued growth and providing our clients the high level of service they have come to rely on from Stok as a trusted partner.”

As Chief Strategy Officer, Macko will continue to focus on evolving the firm’s big picture business objectives and forward-thinking ideas. In this newly defined role, he will concentrate specifically on high-level, long-term planning, including setting direction on business and leadership goals. Macko will continue to work alongside the firm’s leadership team to ensure Stok’s business operations keep true to the firm’s purpose: to boldly catalyze an environmentally restorative and socially equitable world. Macko will continue to be heavily involved in the real estate industry through his roles within Urban Land Institute (ULI) and their Responsible Property Investing and Innovation Councils, as well as CoreNet Global.

Stok has experienced consistent growth throughout its 13 years in business and has been recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies seven of the past eight years. Stok’s steady expansion is largely attributed to its unique approach of applying deep financial analysis to uncover value in each engagement.

From defining ESG and climate impact goals, to incorporating sustainability, health and wellness into design and construction, and the ongoing implementation and reporting at a portfolio scale, Stok optimizes real estate at every phase of its lifecycle. Among the firm’s top clients are tech giants and institutional real estate owners and developers. High-profile projects include the Salesforce Tower, Golden State Warriors Arena & Campus, San Francisco International Airport and Park Tower; UC Irvine Campus Expansion and the County of San Diego NZE Portfolio Plan; and the City of Denver Net Zero Energy Communication Plan for Developers.

About Stok

Stok is reimagining the built environment. Founded in 2008, Stok provides sustainability consulting, energy and performance engineering, and real estate and workplace solutions. The firm works across sectors to balance financial performance with environmental goals, resulting in high-performance buildings and exceptional human environments. Leveraging interdisciplinary expertise and knowledge from involvement on 1000+ projects, Stok provides clients with strategy, management, and technical support through all phases of the project lifecycle—all under one roof. Stok serves 6 of the Forbes top 10 Most Valuable Brands, is a Certified B Corp, and is an ILFI Just organization. The firm services projects worldwide from offices in San Francisco, San Diego, and Denver. To learn more, visit stok.com or follow on LinkedIn.

Contacts:

Vicky Jay
Blattel Communications
415.413.4526
[email protected]