Latest news with #Bertram
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke stopping your workout? Planet Fitness opens doors this weekend
With Canadian wildfire smoke causing poor air quality across Michigan, Planet Fitness locations are opening to anyone wanting to exercise for free now through close of business on Sunday, June 8, the company said. 'With recent alerts due to the Canadian wildfires, we want to make sure those who normally exercise outdoors have a safe option to avoid unhealthy air quality levels,' said Keith Bertram, president of EPIC Fitness Group, one of the state's Planet Fitness franchisees. EPIC Fitness Group, Impact Fitness, Cambridge Investors and Red Mountain Companies own and operate more than 80 Planet Fitness locations in Michigan. 'Part of a healthy lifestyle is making fitness a part of your routine. We hope this free access gives everyone the opportunity to exercise safely and continue their healthy habits," Bertram said. Visitors will have no obligation to join Planet Fitness to take advantage of the opportunity, the company said. According to AirNow, which provides air quality measurements, nearly all of Michigan has "moderate" air quality as of 7 a.m. June 6. Moderate air quality means air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Readings across Michigan at 7 a.m. included: Kalamazoo: 101 Grand Rapids: 88 Bay City: 85 Sault Ste. Marie: 80 Lansing: 80 Flint: 72 Houghton Lake: 70 Marquette: 70 Houghton: 61 In southeast Michigan, including the Detroit area, air quality was worse at 7 a.m. — in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected, according to the AQI. Stations in Detroit and Ypsilanti measured readings of 118 at 7 a.m. Ann Arbor had a 129 reading and Manchester was at 139 on the AQI. There are over 80 Planet Fitness gyms located in Michigan. For address and hours of operations, visit All Planet Fitness locations feature cardio and strength equipment pieces, plate loaded strength equipment and functional training, as well as amenities such as full-service locker rooms, tanning, massage chairs and HydroMassage beds. Founded in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire, Planet Fitness is one of the largest franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations, the company said, with approximately 20.6 million members and more than 2,741 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain. More than 90% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Planet Fitness opens doors to non-members avoiding Canadian wildfire smoke
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EWR Digital Unveils U.S. Market Access Division to Fuel Growth for Nearshoring and Industrial Firms Across North America
HOUSTON, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a bold move aligned with the accelerating reshoring and nearshoring boom, EWR Digital, a Houston-based strategic growth consultancy and digital services execution partner, has launched a new division aimed at helping manufacturers, construction firms, and logistics providers expand into the U.S. market and compete at scale. With the global supply chain recalibrating and Mexico fast becoming the new China for North American manufacturing, EWR Digital is positioning itself not as a traditional international marketing agency, but as a U.S. market access partner for industrial and infrastructure firms navigating cross-border growth. "We're seeing a seismic shift. Nearshoring isn't just a logistics play—it's the front line of economic transformation," said Matt Bertram, Head of Strategy for EWR Digital. "Our mission is to make sure these companies don't just show up in the U.S.—they stand out and land new business." Bridging Two Economies: Digital Strategy Meets Cross-Border Commerce The newly formed division offers high-impact digital strategy, web infrastructure, and performance marketing tailored to complex B2B sales environments. But the deeper value lies in translating operational capability into market relevance. "We've sat across from CEOs of firms doing $100M+ in industrial sales who are ready to enter the they don't know where to start with digital," Bertram said. "We guide them through buyer behavior, compliance signals, channel strategy and how to win trust online." Nearshoring with U.S. Signal: Turning Proximity into Positioning For manufacturing and logistics firms riding the nearshoring wave, EWR Digital's U.S.-based strategy becomes an asset in itself. A localized web presence centered in Houston, TX, English-language marketing, and alignment with U.S. digital norms boost credibility with American buyers, procurement teams, and regulators in the gulf coast markets. "It's one thing to be in Mexico. It's another to look and feel like a trusted U.S. partner," said Bertram. "That's what we build—digitally, strategically, and visibly." EWR Digital's new division is purpose-built to address the unique challenges industrial B2B companies face in visibility, lead generation, and brand differentiation—delivering enterprise marketing services that align directly with their business objectives. For more information visit View original content: SOURCE EWR Digital/EXEC
Chicago Tribune
10-05-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin plans to replace lead water lines at another 1,000 homes this year
Over the last three years, the city of Elgin has replaced 2,500 lead water service lines going into residents' homes at a cost of more than $30 million. As the program heads into its fourth year in June, the city's goal is to tackle another 1,000 houses, the price of switching out lead lines for copper about $16.5 million, according to Elgin Water Director Nora Bertram. 'We've done a lot of work to get here. We are continuing full steam ahead,' Bertram said. Full steam ahead until the approximate 10,000 houses believed to have lead lines are addressed and the potential problem of lead leaching into the water eradicated. If they stay on course, the project could be finished by 2027, Bertram said. Houses built before the mid-1980s routinely used lead pipes, or service lines, in construction. The lines tap into the city's main water pipeline in the street and route water into homes. Typically there's little fear of lead contaminiation because of calcification, the process through which minerals in the water build up inside the pipes and form a layer over the lead, experts say. The problem comes when pipes are jarred through underground construction or other actions, which can result in lead particles being released into the water, causing serious health problems for people — especially children — who consume it. Officials stress the city's water supply does not contain lead, and only those houses with lead services lines have the potential for lead to be present. For that reason, the city has been providing free water filters to property owners with lead lines who request them. (Using the water for other purposes, such as bathing, does not pose a risk because lead cannot be absorbed through the skin.) The existence of residential lead service lines is not one that's limited to just the city of Elgin or even the state of Illinois. Federal and state mandates are requiring all lead service lines throughout the country be replaced by 2037. In Elgin, the city's been footing the replacement bill — estmated at $10,000 to $11,000 per home — with the help of state and federal grants and loans, including the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and money provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. The city has also sold bonds to help cover the costs and raised the city's water and sewer rates to generate more revenue for the work and for other water and sewer projects. Bertram said the water department is always looking for grant and loan opportunities to help offset the cost, but it can be tough to secure with so many municipalities vying for the money that's available. 'It's definitely becoming more competitive as more communities start implementing their programs,' she said. 'We still have been able to get the funding we've asked for.' Elgin has been trying to position itself to be more attractive as a grant recipient by making its program as efficient as possible, Bertram said. Line replacement began in 2018, before it became a state mandate, and the city has systematically been going neighborhood by neighborhood as a means of combining and reducing costs. An online website shows where construction will be done in the upcoming year. Property owners are notified when the program is starting in their area, and meetings are held with residents to ensure they understand what's going to happen and to answer questions, Bertram said. For the work to be done free of charge at their home, a property owner must sign up on the city's website and fill out required paperwork, including a temporary easement that allows construction crews to do work on private property. Filling out paperwork may be intimidating, but 'if people are nervous about signing it, we will talk them through it,' Bertram said. 'It does take some talking with people and making sure they are comfortable with it.' While there have been some property owners who haven't participated, 'we get a really good response rate,' she said. 'The number of people who have said no is a very low percentage.' Last year, Elgin started working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify and accelerate lead pipe replacement work through an initiative called Get the Lead Out (GLO). GLO has helped the city with public outreach by creating public outreach materials, including translating information into Spanish and Lao, Bertram said. Its consultants also help with filing federal grant applications, she said. Tiffany Reed, an EPA consultant, spoke at a recent Elgin City Council about GLO's efforts to promote the city's voluntary water testing program, identify areas where there are likely to be a high number of lead service lines, and verify the accuracy of historical records and visual inspections of lines. Community engagement is one of GLO's central missions, Reed said. Its representatives will be available to answer questions at the Downtown Elgin Farmers Market on May 30, June 27 and July 25, she said. The best marketing is word of mouth, Bertram said. People who've had their lines replaced should share their experience with friends and neighbors to explain how it works and to alleviate some of the fears, she said. Any property owner who has questions about the lead service line replacement program also can call 311, she added. 'We have a lot of staff who have been doing this for four years and are very well versed on any questions,' Bertram said.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Flashfood names its first woman CEO
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. Flashfood has appointed Jordan Schenck as CEO, effective immediately, the company said in an emailed announcement. Schenck, who is the food waste technology provider's first woman CEO, has served in various executive leadership roles for the company and most recently held the title of president and chief operating officer. Nicholas Bertram is passing the baton to Schenck at a time of significant growth for Flashfood and after years of working closely together, Schenck told Grocery Dive. Schenck plans to continue Flashfood's ambitious growth trajectory as she takes over the company's helm from Bertram, who served as CEO for just over a year. 'I get the [good] fortune of picking up a really, really solid plan strategy. It doesn't make the job easier, but you're going on a course that's working,' Schenck said, noting that she and Bertram codeveloped the company's strategy to date. Prior to joining Flashfood, Schenck served as co-founder and chief revenue officer for wellness brand Sunwink and has additional experience in consumer marketing and company expansion in the food industry, according to the press release. Schenck originally started as a board member for Flashfood, she said. In early 2023, Bertram recruited her to serve as the company's chief brand officer. She was promoted twice more to chief customer officer and then became president and COO in late 2024. 'There is, quite literally, not one function of the business that I have not been extremely close to over the past couple of years that I've been here,' Schenck said. Flashfood credits Schenck with leading many prominent growth initiatives, including its rebrand in January 2024, the launch of its updated consumer app and the debut of its platform for independent grocers, according to the press release. Since Flashfood's Series A fundraising round in 2022, the company has seen 200% revenue growth, per the announcement. This unfolded simultaneously with Flashfood achieving BCorp Certification, launching new products and replatforming its applications for expansion across the U.S. and Canada. Moving forward, Schenck said she is prepared to 'double down on growth,' primarily on two fronts: proliferation in North America and technology. Flashfood currently operates in 33 states, but has its sights set on all 50, Schenck said, adding that working with all types of grocers — larger chains and independents — also continues to be a growth focus. As the company looks to enter more markets, technology will be key to ensuring grocers can access and use the platform as seamlessly as possible and helping shoppers connect with their nearby store partners, Schenck said. Last year, Flashfood refreshed its technology team, hiring a head of product as well as new engineering leadership, according to Schenck. She added that Flashfood also brought on a new head of revenue. 'We've really shifted the team in terms of our ability to not only innovate and not only leverage what we currently have but make it so that our company [can make] AI a part of the servicing we do and we can get more products on the platform,' she said. 'All of those things are coming to fruition, and we've got a team that is now able to sell and mobilize it.' Schenck said Flashfood does not currently plan to make other executive changes. However, the company intends to continue building out teams in new markets and regions as it expands its operations, she said. As Flashfood's first woman CEO, Schenck commented on the lack of female leadership in the technology sector, noting that she is the first woman CEO many of her employees have ever worked under. 'I think it's a special moment for the company, but I also think it's great for the industry,' Schenck said. 'I just look forward to being able to be in this position and continuing to mentor and work with female leaders in our industry to show that it happens.' Recommended Reading Flashfood names new CEO, revamps brand identity Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ameren Illinois Employees volunteer at Dream Center Peoria
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Ameren Illinois employees are rolling up their sleeves to give back to local organizations during National Volunteer Month. Ameren employees volunteered at Dream Center Peoria for three hours. They cleaned windows and painted the community room at the shelter. Ruthie Bertram with Ameren Illinois said it feels good to pour into an organization that does so much for people in need. 'We're more than happy to do it. It shows that we care about the places that we live in, and we want to help make our community stronger and thrive. And the dream center does so much, I mean, if we're in here, just painting, it's the least we can do, right? And we're happy to do it, and Ameren is happy to do it to help them,' said Bertram. Ameren is focusing on giving back to non-profits that focus on food insecurity. April is National Volunteer Month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
