Latest news with #JMFamilyEnterprises
Business Journals
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Journals
AI revolution: Navigating the promises and perils of a new era
At electronic health records innovator ModMed, its proprietary artificial intelligence application, ModMed Scribe, has been trained on millions of patient encounters. It is improving how doctors interact with, diagnose, and care for patients to improve office workflow. JM Family Enterprises use AI-powered tools to help create and test new applications. This is improving the quality of software development and reducing the time required to produce requirements and test cases by approximately 30%. A contact center platform with AI capabilities at BankUnited is exploring how sentiment analysis can help bankers and customers find the solutions that best fit a given situation. Miami Dade College, in collaboration with Microsoft, is applying the technology company's 365 Copilot AI-powered productivity tool atop its suite of applications to drive staff and faculty efficiency. Since implementation, nearly one year ago, adoption is over 90%, which is impressive, understanding that it's a brand-new tool, according to Antonio Delgado, the school's VP of Innovation and Technology Partnerships. This is simply some novel large language (LLM) model application; it's facilitating efficiencies across the school's technology suite. 'The results that we see even before getting to a full year of implementation is an enormous number of hours saved by leveraging the tool,' Delgado said. 'We see greater satisfaction. We see the productivity. And at the end, the outcomes with our students are better communication and better sense of belonging.' AI's promises and potential perils were explored during the recent AI Revolution Roundtable. Held at the Miami offices of the South Florida Business Journal and moderated by Andrew Duffell, president of the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, leaders from some of the region's leading private and public sector employers discussed the challenges they're facing with artificial intelligence. Deploying AI in the workplace From the debut less than two years ago of generative AI applications like ChatGPT, companies today are turning to agentic AI. These systems can autonomously make decisions and act to achieve goals, often with minimal human intervention. Already, AI in all its forms is delivering a 'noticeable shift from prioritizing large, transformative use cases to simply understanding how to best integrate AI into routine tasks,' said John Damalas, group VP and CTO with JM Family Enterprises, the Deerfield Beach-based automotive distributor and services company. AI is creating an evolving narrative that positions it as a support tool for human-led activities, rather than a total replacement for cognitive work. JM Family's AI Center of Excellence has developed governance frameworks via its AI Council, a cross-functional team that promotes AI initiatives and ensures strategic alignment. It prioritizes responsible AI use with a 'formal process to review use cases for transparency and compliance with regulations, including monitoring proposed regulations in relevant jurisdictions,' Damalas said. Julio Jogaib, CIO with BankUnited, shared that employees must be trained on AI's best uses to advance their organization. This includes creating governance protocols to create standards and guardrails for proper AI usage by the workforce and organization. BankUnited's vendors are using AI in the applications they provide. Jogaib works to ensure the bank and its vendors 'have governance in place surrounding usage, data privacy, and other areas,' he said. It's especially important when client data is being used by vendors to train their systems. 'There is a lot of legal apparatus that needs to be in place and monitoring on what's being done by these platforms,' Jogaib said. 'They may say that they are not using our data. But you have to verify that.' As a health care technology company, ModMed works to ensure the company and its partners have the rights to use data or documents in the development of its platform, from widgets, chatbots, agents or generative AI. Daniel Cane, the company's co-founder and co-CEO, represented ModMed on the roundtable. 'They might have an asterisk by it now and say, 'if you use this new AI agent, we're collecting information to understand how our agent works and better train it in the future,'' Cane said. 'Be careful when you're using third party tools to understand how they're going to use your data.' Jogaib put it more fundamentally: 'You need to have people inside the company capable of thinking.' Training next-gen users Two cohorts of 'students' are emerging in the AI realm. One will be those traditional students in classrooms who are learning coursework to prepare them for future careers. Second are employees who are learning skills - including the use of AI - to serve their companies or future career opportunities. Technology has changed education delivery. Think back to the pandemic, when classrooms from grade school to higher education embraced portable devices and remote learning. AI is continuing that evolution. It's 'personalizing the education journey,' Delgado said. It can identify in-demand jobs, and the skills, degrees, or certificates needed to pursue them. The emergence of LLM applications, like ChatGPT, has students asking a question of the application, then copy/pasting the answer into their schoolwork. How do educators, or even employers, ensure students or workers actually learn and know the material? 'That's a big challenge that I see… the student is not doing the thinking anymore,' Delgado said. 'It's having the skills to embed AI in what you do and still add value, to defend the answer, to think about the abstract. We need to work on changing the way that academia is not only teaching but also assessing learning. Because if not, there is no learning happening.' JM Family invests in workforce development and views AI as an enhancement, not a replacement, for human capability. A critical part of its AI Center of Excellence is giving associates the tools and training needed to learn about AI and understand how to leverage it within their work. The roundtable's moderator, Andrew Duffell of Research Park at FAU, wondered how ModMed is encouraging employees to integrate their own knowledge with AI. Cane explained that the expectation is that employees are problem solvers and eager learners, and they arrive with a fundamental understanding of AI and its potential uses in the organization. Employees' natural curiosity must have them exploring how AI can be a tool to improve effectiveness, he emphasized. 'We are an employer that's using AI throughout our company, whether it's finance, accounting, marketing, software development,' Cane said. 'But we're also creating our AI to solve problems out in the wild.' AI's misperceptions, challenges and threats 'The belief that AI will automatically enhance processes and products can be inaccurate,' Damalas said. 'Similar to the digitization trend of the late 1990s and early 2000s, integrating AI into a business process with considerable inefficiencies may only heighten those inefficiencies, unless the process or product is carefully assessed concerning the specific outcomes or goals that AI is supposed to achieve within its context.' AI can create workplace challenges. According to Damalas, one involves managing change and promoting psychological safety for users as they adopt these technologies. He believes it is essential to address concerns that AI and other emerging technologies may replace jobs and instead encourage users to perceive them as enhancements to their skills and capabilities. Another will be how industries, such as health care, banking and financial services or education, for example, work with policy makers to enhance future regulations around AI. ModMed works with industry governing bodies to advocate for responsible AI applications and implementation. Internally, the company ensures its use of data complies with patient privacy laws, as well as emerging AI responsible-use and transparency guidelines. A company like ModMed's unique place as a developer and user of AI also gives it a role to play as advisor to governing bodies. 'Now is the time to be working with policy makers,' Cane said. 'It's essential that we bring policymakers and governing bodies up to speed on how this content and how this technology can be used in a way that can help people, and try to prevent people from getting hurt by it.' Where some may see regulators or governing bodies as 'the enemy,' Jogaib said the pace of industry innovation places developers and users in an important role as advisor. 'We call regulators our partners,' Jogaib said. 'We show them what they are doing, how we are doing it. We allow them to ask questions and through those questions they not only understand better how we are doing things, but they also take feedback. There must be this interaction, this exchange of experience.' As with any technology, strong internal policies can help thwart misuse and external threats. Companies must bolster and update their cybersecurity apparatus, Jogaib affirmed. Besides, as regulated industries, health care and banking, even education, face the prospect of government involvement - even suspension or revocation of licensure - should they not protect data or otherwise not meet regulations. Dispelling misperceptions Even as AI goes from headlines to frontline use in the workplace, developers and employers are still working to dispel fears and misperceptions that AI will replace workers. In physician practices, Cane said that AI won't replace doctors. Rather, its ModMed Scribe platform is helping doctors focus on practicing medicine, as opposed to rote tasks and administration 'and all of the back office overhead on billing and collecting and working on payers and all the things that happen in the middle where a doctor wants more than anything just to focus on the human being in front of them, the patient,' Cane said. 'It's not uncommon for doctors to spend two or three hours after work in what we call, 'pajama time,' catching up on their notes,' he said. His AI platform takes notes during the visit, writes prescriptions, orders and reviews labs, and handles other documentation - even following up with the patient to ensure compliance. From a more fundamental approach, Delgado noted that organizations need to educate their users - employees, customers, even students, in the case of educators - to ensure they're learning and using best practices. 'We need to really educate our constituents from that perspective about how to leverage it in a positive way, while still making sure they are open to including it as part of the journey,' he said. To Delgado, as business and society embrace agentic AI, or any AI applications for that matter, it still requires human intervention to supervise and hold AI accountable for its outcomes. 'Hallucinations' or incorrect responses remain a serious concern whose prevention requires human oversight. While future autonomous AI presents some dangers, the evolution brings tremendous promise. The embrace of AI 'is not an isolated event. It's a team sport,' Delgado said. 'Everybody, every function, no matter what type of company it is, has a place in the AI game, even if they don't know that yet.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NATIONAL CHARITY BE STRONG IS DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH WITH LAUNCH OF NEVER ALONE CAMPAIGN CHAMPIONED BY STUDENTS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a country, we struggle to tackle challenges facing young people and the statistics around bullying, hopelessness, suicide, mental health, and wellbeing of our youth are staggering. Heartbreakingly, one out of every five students across the US are bullied relentlessly. Forty two percent of students persistently feel sad and hopeless, with 29% of students struggling with mental illness (less than 50% get help). The data is enough to demand action. 2025 marks 10 years of impact at Be Strong, and the organization is just getting started. Naomi, a Be Strong Student Representative alumna boldly shares how the program has benefitted her own life. She said, "Finding Be Strong was like finding a missing puzzle piece to my story! I was super depressed, unmotivated and honestly really lost when I stumbled upon Be Strong and I'm so glad that I did. Through Be Strong, I found the empowerment, hope and help that I needed to truly 'be strong'. Not only for myself but for all of those that battle with difficulties around me." Naomi concluded, "My hope is that everyone can find their strength in Be Strong just like little me did!" Students, families, schools and communities never pay for help from Be Strong; the efforts are community funded. Over the last 10 years, the organization and volunteers have helped over 170,967 people in crisis with immediate and ongoing help, recruited, trained and supported 5,847 Be Strong Student Representatives and peer groups on school campuses, provided 1,491 schools/districts with the Be Strong Resilience Curriculum (featuring Jay Shetty), and educated over 5.2MM students in resilience through free community events. Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez, professor of applied psychology at NYU and Be Strong advisory board member, notes that, "Be Strong's highly innovative peer-to-peer approach builds squarely on the science of adolescent development. By putting resources directly into the hands of youth, Be Strong is preventing problems from escalating, ensuring that young people are accessing the help they need to thrive." Complex and complicated issues don't have simple solutions. As Be Strong focuses on simplifying messaging, the goal is to successfully mobilize people to get help and help others faster. This was the driving goal for the launch of the Never Alone Campaign, ensuring that young people know they are never alone and help is here. JM Family Enterprises, BetterHelp, Florida Power & Light Company, and Logitech G are early-stage sponsors to the Never Alone Campaign. "Giving back is an integral part of who we are at JM Family Enterprises, especially empowering children and families which is one of our core areas of giving," said Lisa Davis, JM Family's Director of Community Impact. "It's an honor to partner with Be Strong to play a small part in helping strengthen mental, emotional, and relational health and ensuring young people know they are never alone." Be Strong has a national footprint and focuses on rallying local corporate giants, small businesses, foundations, and donors to champion the change in their own communities and beyond. "At Florida Power & Light Company, we believe in powering strong communities, making Florida an even better place to live, work and raise a family," said Juliet Roulhac, FPL Director of External Affairs for the Broward and Southwest regions and NextEra Energy Inc. Director of Corporate Philanthropy. "That includes supporting organizations like Be Strong and their Never Alone Campaign which emphasizes the importance of community, support and standing together during challenging times. We want young people to feel empowered, supported and heard." The campaign involves a short-form interview series in which leaders lend their voices to spark impact and provide help to others hosted by Donovan Taylor Hall and guests Carolynn Shada, Kechi Okwuchi, Dr. Pamela Morris-Perez, Torarie Durden, Jesula Jeannot and others. The Never Alone Series shares real stories of courage, vulnerability and healing. The first installment, "The First to Speak," focuses on the powerful, often emotional moment when someone chooses to speak up for the first time. Erin Chin, Global Head of Brand Marketing at Logitech G and Be Strong advisory board member shared, "Every young person deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. The incredible work that Be Strong does, especially through its peer-to-peer model, helps young people build resilience and also creates a true sense of belonging." Chin continued, "The Never Alone campaign provides such a powerful message of connection and hope, and lets people know that no matter what they are going through, there's always someone ready to stand beside them. In a world where many young people are silently struggling, knowing they are never alone can make all the difference." "I strongly support Be Strong because of its youth-led approach. I believe that people respond better to a message when the source is relatable in some way; this has been my personal experience as a burns survivor that has had the opportunity to mentor fellow burn survivors," Kechi Okwuchi shared. "This ties into why the Be Strong Never Alone campaign resonates with me. One of my life's goals is to help as many burn/trauma survivors as possible feel less isolated in their experiences. I believe the Never Alone campaign seeks to send this same message." When people choose to speak up about the challenging moments in life, it's vital to get to the right help. Whether about mental health, bullying, self-harm, abuse, trauma, or self-worth, there is a weight of silence and freedom found when breaking it. As part of The Never Alone Campaign, BetterHelp has gifted Be Strong Student Reps and their families in need with free therapy services. "At BetterHelp, we believe that everyone deserves access to mental health support and to know they're never alone in their struggles," Said Ciara Kelly, BetterHelp's Program Manager of Social Impact. "That's why we're proud to support Be Strong and their Never Alone campaign, meeting young people where they are, with empathy & connection. Through this partnership, our hope is that every young person knows it's okay to ask for help—and that support is always within reach." "Talk therapy and the proper care plan saved my life," said Ashleigh Cromer, Be Strong's CEO & Chair of the Board. "As Be Strong is hyper focused on strengthening care, partners like BetterHelp are critical in that mission. Having survived the effects of abuse and navigating mental health, Be Strong's mission is personal for me. As we charge towards our goal to help young people who are looking for trusted help, support and healing, I'm deeply grateful for the generosity of all our donors and partners, and we need more at the table." Cromer shares, "our student leaders are the heartbeat of our organization and it's a powerful testimony to them to see that they are not alone and that there is help." For help anytime, anywhere in the US, download the free and anonymous Be Strong App from the Apple and Google Play stores. To join the movement and aid youth preparing for a strong summer, get involved here: Never Alone Student Fundraiser ABOUT BE STRONG Be Strong Be Strong is a leading national charity on mission to save and improve the lives of our youth using a peer-to-peer approach. From small towns to big cities, thousands of student volunteers are implementing Be Strong's proven impact model in half the counties across the US. Through educational events, on-campus student led initiatives, evidence-based curriculum and digital intervention tools such as emergency checklists and the Be Strong App, we are strengthening mental, emotional, and relational health, building resilience, helping the most vulnerable with basic needs, and preventing bullying – at no cost to students & families. Media Contact: media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Be Strong Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
14-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Home Franchise Concepts Announces Retirement of President and CEO, Andrew Skehan, and Appointment of New President and CEO, Corey Benish
Leading Home Services Franchisor Announces Leadership Changes IRVINE, Calif., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Franchise Concepts, a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, announced that Andrew Skehan, the brand's President and CEO, will be retiring in June 2025. Corey Benish, the current Chief Operating Officer of Information Technology for JM Family Enterprises, will be assuming the role of President of Home Franchise Concepts effective immediately, while Skehan remains Chief Executive Officer through his transition to retirement. Benish will assume the role of President and CEO effective July 1, 2025. 'Leading Home Franchise Concepts has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career,' said Skehan. 'I feel confident that we have laid the foundation on which a truly exceptional future can be built. As I retire, I look forward to watching Home Franchise Concepts continue to reach new heights.' Skehan has been an integral part of Home Franchise Concepts for nearly three years, driving growth with innovation and expanding the brand portfolio. During his time in the role, Skehan continued growth in system-wide sales and steered a variety of important initiatives, including the PIC software system implementation, the launch of Lightspeed Restoration® and the company's recent rebranding efforts. Stepping into the role, Benish, who has been with JM Family Entreprises since 2022, has more than 25 years of experience in franchising, business, technology and operations. Benish previously served in a diverse set of leadership roles at noted companies such as ABC Financial Services, Planet Fitness, National Dentex Corporation and AGA Medical Corporation. In his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer of Information Technology for JM Family Enterprises, Benish led his teams in creating value and delivering operational efficiency by aligning delivery and support services across the business. His combined experience across several industries will bring a wealth of knowledge and valuable understanding to this role. 'I'm thrilled to be joining this extraordinary organization,' said Benish. 'Home Franchise Concepts is one of the largest home services franchise networks and I believe its rich history, strong values and dynamic franchise community make it a true stand-out among its competitors.' To learn more about Home Franchise Concepts and franchise development opportunities, visit About Home Franchise Concepts Home Franchise Concepts® is a leader in growing inspired and successful franchise brands in the home services industry. The brand takes pride in enhancing lives and communities by providing their partners a trusted path to financial independence through franchising. Home Franchise Concepts offers a people-centric approach to its business model demonstrated by its commitment to innovation, growth and industry leadership. Unified in the goal of 'Building Futures Together,' the brand, its franchisees and its associates are successful in delivering exceptional services to customers and communities across North America. Home Franchise Concepts' brands, including AdvantaClean®, Aussie Pet Mobile®,Bath Tune-Up®,Budget Blinds®, Concrete Craft®, Kitchen Tune-Up®,Lightspeed Restoration®, PremierGarage®, The Tailored Closet™, and Two Maids®, are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by more than 2,600 franchise territories in the U.S. and Canada. For information on franchise opportunities, please visit About JM Family Enterprises JM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with more than $22 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates, ranking at No. 16 on the Forbes List of America's Top Private Companies. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance ), JM Lexus, Home Franchise Concepts ®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact: Jennifer Gordillo Fish 919 954-893-9150 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Home Franchise Concepts
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Home Franchise Concepts Announces Retirement of President and CEO, Andrew Skehan, and Appointment of New President and CEO, Corey Benish
Leading Home Services Franchisor Announces Leadership Changes IRVINE, Calif., April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Home Franchise Concepts, a subsidiary of JM Family Enterprises, announced that Andrew Skehan, the brand's President and CEO, will be retiring in June 2025. Corey Benish, the current Chief Operating Officer of Information Technology for JM Family Enterprises, will be assuming the role of President of Home Franchise Concepts effective immediately, while Skehan remains Chief Executive Officer through his transition to retirement. Benish will assume the role of President and CEO effective July 1, 2025. "Leading Home Franchise Concepts has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my career," said Skehan. "I feel confident that we have laid the foundation on which a truly exceptional future can be built. As I retire, I look forward to watching Home Franchise Concepts continue to reach new heights." Skehan has been an integral part of Home Franchise Concepts for nearly three years, driving growth with innovation and expanding the brand portfolio. During his time in the role, Skehan continued growth in system-wide sales and steered a variety of important initiatives, including the PIC software system implementation, the launch of Lightspeed Restoration® and the company's recent rebranding efforts. Stepping into the role, Benish, who has been with JM Family Entreprises since 2022, has more than 25 years of experience in franchising, business, technology and operations. Benish previously served in a diverse set of leadership roles at noted companies such as ABC Financial Services, Planet Fitness, National Dentex Corporation and AGA Medical Corporation. In his most recent role as Chief Operating Officer of Information Technology for JM Family Enterprises, Benish led his teams in creating value and delivering operational efficiency by aligning delivery and support services across the business. His combined experience across several industries will bring a wealth of knowledge and valuable understanding to this role. "I'm thrilled to be joining this extraordinary organization," said Benish. "Home Franchise Concepts is one of the largest home services franchise networks and I believe its rich history, strong values and dynamic franchise community make it a true stand-out among its competitors." To learn more about Home Franchise Concepts and franchise development opportunities, visit About Home Franchise ConceptsHome Franchise Concepts® is a leader in growing inspired and successful franchise brands in the home services industry. The brand takes pride in enhancing lives and communities by providing their partners a trusted path to financial independence through franchising. Home Franchise Concepts offers a people-centric approach to its business model demonstrated by its commitment to innovation, growth and industry leadership. Unified in the goal of "Building Futures Together," the brand, its franchisees and its associates are successful in delivering exceptional services to customers and communities across North America. Home Franchise Concepts' brands, including AdvantaClean®, Aussie Pet Mobile®, Bath Tune-Up®, Budget Blinds®, Concrete Craft®, Kitchen Tune-Up®, Lightspeed Restoration®, PremierGarage®, The Tailored Closet™, and Two Maids®, are consistently rated at the top of their categories and supported by more than 2,600 franchise territories in the U.S. and Canada. For information on franchise opportunities, please visit About JM Family EnterprisesJM Family Enterprises, Inc. was founded by automotive legend, Jim Moran in 1968. It is a privately held company with more than $22 billion in revenue and more than 5,000 associates, ranking at No. 16 on the Forbes List of America's Top Private Companies. Rooted in automotive and united in its strong culture and core values, JM Family is in the business of helping other businesses succeed. As a long-term partner, it is invested in its companies, associates and its communities. Driven by exceptional performance, current subsidiaries are in the automotive, financial services, franchising and specialty distribution industries. Its family of companies includes: Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM&A Group, World Omni Financial Corp. (dba Southeast Toyota Finance), JM Lexus, Home Franchise Concepts®, Futura Title & Escrow and Rollease Acmeda. Interact with JM Family on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Contact:Jennifer GordilloFish 919954-893-9150jgordillo@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Home Franchise Concepts Sign in to access your portfolio
