Latest news with #MikeAnderson
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
'Tradition' interdealer broker opens office in ADGM
Tradition, the interdealer broking arm of Compagnie Financière Tradition (CFT) and one of the world's largest interdealer brokers in over-the-counter financial and commodity related products, announced the opening of its first office in Abu Dhabi, becoming one of the first interdealer brokers to establish a presence within ADGM. The company secured Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Authority of ADGM and has opened a new office in Abu Dhabi's International Financial Centre (IFC). This strategic expansion strengthens Tradition's global footprint and enhances its ability to support clients seamlessly across all major macro markets. Located within ADGM, Tradition benefits from a world-class regulatory framework that combines strong governance with commercial pragmatism, as well as the advantages offered by its international financial free zone status. Mike Anderson, CEO Tradition, EMEA, said, 'Establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi is a significant milestone for Tradition and a natural progression of our EMEA strategy. ADGM offers a compelling environment for financial institutions, and we are confident this expansion will enhance our ability to serve clients with precision, insight, and proximity. Abu Dhabi's ambition aligns with our own—to be forward-looking, trusted, and at the forefront of global financial markets." Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer, ADGM, added, 'We are pleased to welcome Tradition to ADGM's dynamic ecosystem. Tradition's strategic expansion within the region as one of the first interdealer brokers to establish a presence in ADGM is a testament to continued interest of global firms choosing the IFC in Abu Dhabi. We look forward to seeing the value they bring to and to supporting their journey through ADGM's robust regulatory framework and growing ecosystem."
Business Upturn
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
THINK AGENT STANDARD LAUNCHES WITH SUPPORT FROM 70+ COMPANIES TO CHALLENGE BIG TECH'S AI MONOPOLY
SEATTLE, WA, May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — proud to announce the beta launch of the Think Agent Standard, a foundational framework for enabling millions of autonomous, on-chain AI agents to transact and communicate. Developed by the Think team in strategic partnership with the Independent AI Institute , a research collective of thought leaders and builders from more than 70 companies advancing decentralized AI, this new standard establishes a universal method for smart agents to interoperate across decentralized networks, unlocking new applications in compute, inference, and trusted execution environments. Just as the ERC-20 standard enabled the tokenized economy, the Think Agent Standard introduces a modular, permissionless, and composable system that allows AI agents to function as sovereign digital entities: owning wallets, interacting with smart contracts, and transacting seamlessly across every blockchain. In a world dominated by centralized AI systems controlled by major platforms, the Think Agent Standard represents a meaningful departure. It gives developers and users alike the tools to build intelligent agents they own and control with their data, identity, and intelligence intact. This isn't just open AI. It's owned AI. 'We're at a turning point,' said Mike Anderson, core contributor to 'In the same way that open-source software reshaped the internet, we believe the Think Agent Standard will set a new benchmark for AI. By creating a truly permissionless and composable standard, our team and partners are unlocking AI's full potential to become a first-class citizen of the blockchain economy.' Futureverse , the technology company partnering with the THINK Protocol, plays a foundational role in powering the infrastructure of Think AI agents. By integrating The Murmur Matrix , a novel AI memory system, Think AI agents gain long-term contextual awareness, adaptive learning, and cross-platform operability, unlocking powerful new use cases across AI-driven DAOs, generative media, trading systems, robotics, and Web3 gaming. Each Think AI agent is powered by Non-Fungible Intelligence™ (NFI), a digital identity layer that establishes ownership, memory, and authentication – with the core genome palette residing on The Root Network and subsequent layers deployed to any connected network natively. These agents are composed of three core elements: Soul (NFI): Provides a persistent, self-sovereign identity Provides a persistent, self-sovereign identity Mind: Governs behavior and decision-making Governs behavior and decision-making Body: Allows interaction across platforms and environments Together, these elements enable composable, adaptable, and interoperable agents designed to power the next chapter of the (decentralized) internet. The first platform built on the Think Agent Standard is SOULS , a personal AI agent that users can own, train, and customize. Developed on the THINK Protocol, SOULS connects to thousands of open-source applications and evolves over time by integrating the best available intelligence without compromising user privacy or ownership. As adoption grows, the Think Agent Standard is already gaining momentum across the decentralized ecosystem. Leading organizations in gaming, infrastructure, and generative AI, including Yuga Labs, Futureverse, Alchemy, Render, and Magic Eden, are actively integrating the standard into real-world applications, validating its potential across use cases. 'Partnering with Think Agents marks a key milestone in the evolution of intelligent infrastructure onchain. We believe AI agents will play a foundational role in web3, and we're proud to support the expansion of this technology on ApeChain.' – Cameron Kates, CEO, ApeCoin Foundation 'Our mission at Futureverse is to enable the open, interoperable intelligent metaverse. THINK is a cornerstone protocol to enable that outcome, providing a simple protocol to enable users to take their agent everywhere they go and to build the worlds they imagine.' – Aaron McDonald, CEO, Futureverse 'We believe the future of Web3 isn't just human—it's agentic. By partnering with Think Agents, we're helping to build infrastructure for autonomous software that can reason, transact, and scale across chains.' – Guillaume Poncin, CTO, Alchemy 'Think Agents would be able to interoperate with the Render Network's large, distributed network to run next-generation AI models. This partnership is an example of how interoperable AI systems are the future.' – Trevor Harries-Jones, of the Render Network Foundation's board of Directors 'We believe the next era of NFTs will be intelligent, evolving, and personalized. The Think Agent mint is a perfect example of what's possible when cutting-edge AI meets onchain ownership.' – Chris Akhavan, Chief Revenue Officer, Magic Eden 'The Think Agent Standard allows us to provide our agent tools like AI web search, generative images, and more to every agent using the standard. This is the future of interoperability.' – JW, CEO, Heurist 'Aethir is proud to partner with Think Agents to provide bare metal GPU infrastructure to decentralized agents.' – Kyle Okamoto, CTO, Aethir 'Spheron is partnering with Think Agents to provide trusted execution environments for independent AI agents.' – Prashant Maurya, CEO, Spheron 'The collaboration taking place in decentralized AI is a great sign of things to come. The Think Agent Standard is a great example of how permissionless innovation is growing out of the Morpheus Ecosystem.' – David Johnston, Morpheus Contributor The Think Agent Standard beta is now live – developers, enterprises, and Web3 communities are invited to experiment with the framework. The roadmap ahead includes the launch of the SOULS platform, the mainnet launch, the THINK token debut and expansion of the THINK ecosystem across new categories. To learn more, contribute to the standard, or participate in the beta, visit or follow along on X . Full documentation is available at . About is the team behind the Think Agent Standard, an open-source framework for building autonomous, on-chain AI agents that operate autonomously across decentralized networks. In partnership with the Independent AI Institute and powered by the THINK Protocol, the company is creating the foundation for a composable, interoperable AI ecosystem owned and controlled by its users. About Futureverse Futureverse is a technology company building the foundation for the next chapter of the internet. Its proprietary tools across AI, blockchain, digital identity, and virtual asset infrastructure power everything from avatars and collectibles to immersive games and expansive metaverse experiences. Futureverse enables brands, developers, and businesses to deepen consumer engagement, unlock new revenue streams, and future-proof their digital strategies. By making onboarding effortless and digital ownership seamless, Futureverse transforms once-complex technologies into simple, invisible experiences. The company partners with global leaders like Netflix, MLB, DC Comics, Reebok and Warner Bros. to redefine how people connect with brands in an open, interoperable digital world. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Inside Churchill Downs, From Millionaire's Row To The Paddock Club
The paddock area of Churchill Downs is one of the most picturesque sites at the Louisville track. Deep below the 2024-opened Woodford Reserve Paddock Club at Churchill Downs sits a bourbon-stocked speakeasy. It takes a special flick of a latch on a bourbon barrel to even open the door. While this speakeasy is a surprise, it's also reserved for one of the most exclusive spaces across the entire 175-acre Louisville racetrack and host of the Kentucky Derby. But it's just one of three private speakeasies across a stadium that likely has more premium seating than any other sporting venue. Opened with its first race in 1875 and now the longest continuously held sporting event in North America—also one of the largest single-day sporting events in the country—getting to know the unique premium offerings throughout Churchill Downs can be a lifetime endeavor. Mike Anderson, Churchill Downs Racetrack president, tells me he sees a socio-economic cycle occur at the Derby, with college-age fans attending the infield and then slowly moving up in premium amenity seating as they age, always aspiring for the next amenity level. 'As you progress in your profession, you move to that next section,' he says. 'You want to go higher, see the whole track.' Celebrities aplenty find a mixture of trackside seats and tucked-away suites the place to be for the ... More Kentucky Derby. But just where can you go? Each different space features a different amenity level. And a different price point. 'What is your experience quest you want to be on?' Anderson asks. Following a major overhaul that was ready for 2024, which included restoring the paddock back to its former glory, projects continue throughout the site. Let's explore a few of the must-know areas at Churchill Downs. Thanks to a bold move by a 24-year-old draftsman when Churchill Downs added its brick building in 1895, the Derby's home has twin spires, two hexagonal spires that rise as the prominent backdrop of the Derby grandstand. The 2024-ready renovations ahead of the 150th running of the race helped make the spires more visible. Views over both the paddock area and the track are popular spots for suites at Churchill Downs. The 2024-opened Spires Terrace and Suites—at somewhere between $15,000 to $17,000 per seat for a two-day ticket, Sarah Contardo, Churchill Downs senior vice president of sales and strategy, tells me—created outdoor luxury dining with a personal concierge for each guest. Situated under the iconic spires, the terrace has a rare 360-degree view of both the newly revamped paddock and the racetrack. This is the most expensive ticket at the Kentucky Derby ($22,000 face value) and the most private location on site. When opened in 2013 it was named The Mansion since it was designed to look like a southern mansion with expansive rooms (whether you agree with the interpretation is up to you). The Mansion Club is the most private location at Churchill Downs. Elevated over the finish line, The Mansion is about privacy and extravagance for the under 300 guests. Entry is through a nondescript wooden door amidst more general ticket holders, but the space is meant to impress with two show kitchens, made-to-order food all day and incredible views of the track. Considered the second-most premium ticket at the Derby, Contardo says, the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club opened in 2024 for 500 people. The club sits on the ground floor with views into the backside of the paddock and the walkway tunnel the horses take to move between the paddock and the track. One of the newest spaces at Churchill Downs offers views directly onto the paddock and some of the ... More best seats at the track. Guests enjoy those views, prime seats near the finish line and plenty of personal concierge services, including high-end amenities on race day. The area features a bourbon room and when guests go downstairs, they go past the secret speakeasy through a bourbon rickhouse tunnel and emerge into the paddock itself. A tunnel under the Paddock Club includes a speakeasy and access directly to the paddock area. The Paddock opened new 2024 and cleared room for fresh views of the twin spires. Depressing the paddock ring up to eight feet below grade allowed for more seating and more views of the horses and the jockeys meeting before the start of the race. 'It is where you want to be seen, celebrities want to be inside that circle,' Anderson says. 'It is the heartbeat of the track there and we expanded and opened that up.' On the track-facing side of the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club are the special near ground-level suites reserved for the owners of the horses running in the Oaks and the Derby. The owners have their own special seating, but also access those seats through the Paddock Club. A mirror of the Paddock Club situated on the other side of the walkway tunnel the horses take, this club doesn't have quite the level of amenities as the Paddock Club, but with all the same views. Still, this is no space to scoff at, with plenty of special touches reserved for guests. The Jockey Club and the Homestretch Club are two of the premium spaces situated between the Clubhouse and the starting gate. What gives the suites and terraces a special touch in the Homestretch Club is that it features the longest bar in Kentucky. There is also seating that brings guests right up against the track. The longest bar in Kentucky is within the Homestretch Club inside Churchill Downs. Opened in 2016 with an expanded balcony, the Turf Club is where up to 60% of celebrities sit. With seating along the main homestretch on the frontside of the track, the club amenities fall behind the seating. Whether presidents, the Queen of England (Queen Elizabeth II attended five race) or the modern-day celebrities, Anderson admits it is important for celebrities of all walks of life to attend the race and create buzz for the event, helping draw new generations of fans to the Kentucky Derby. 'It brings an excitement level for a new generation of customers,' he says. Located on the fourth floor of the Clubhouse and overlooking the finish line, this is a classic area for the Kentucky Derby. This club holds 850 people with balcony viewing of the track near the finish line, but despite its name it is no longer one of the most exclusive at the Kentucky Derby. Named after a former president of the track from the early 1900s that helped bring Churchill Downs into national prominence, the 320-person club along the main clubhouse space has a steakhouse feel. You can't even buy a ticket to Room 20. One of the three speakeasies on the property, this is an invite-only room near Matt Winn's—Winn had a similar room he'd bring prominent guests to in the early 1900s—that is still reserved for those with a special connection. An invite-only club at Churchill Downs, the door to Room 20 is located in a hallways off a separate ... More entrance. Built in 2016, this is a space dedicated to the horses of the Kentucky Derby. With an over-the-top bar shaped like the oval track as the central point of the space, the seats are near the finish line along the homestretch of the track. One of the oldest clubs at the track—it is scheduled for demolition and a complete rebuild—this 450-person club from the 1950s still boasts excellent views near the start of the first turn. Anderson says that with dozens of premium spaces at the track, guests will often bounce around locations from year to year to create new experiences for themselves. 'People appreciate that they can find what they want here,' he says. 'We do have so many different levels. They can be private, public, see celebrities, see the horses.'
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I-CAR 2025 LEADING FORWARD NATIONAL CONFERENCE CELEBRATES INNOVATION, INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP, AND MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS
Mike Anderson awarded I-CAR's 2025 Chairman's Award, joining an esteemed group of recipients who have had a remarkable impact on the collision repair industry HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The I-CAR 2025 Leading Forward National Conference wrapped up on Saturday, having brought together over 400 automotive and collision repair industry advocates for a three-day event focused on innovation, education, and collaboration. Held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown Houston, the conference featured a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions and industry milestones that underscored I-CAR's technical leadership and continued impact on advancing education, training, related industry credentialing, and workforce development. Recognizing Industry Leadership I-CAR CEO & President John Van Alstyne kicked off the conference with a warm welcome, setting the stage for a dynamic and inspiring event. As part of the conference's recognition of industry leadership, Mike Anderson, President of Collision Advice, was honored with the esteemed I-CAR Chairman's Award. Selected by the Executive Committee of the I-CAR Board of Directors, this award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to I-CAR's mission and the advancement of the collision repair industry. Anderson, a highly respected industry speaker, author, and consultant with over 40 years of experience, has been a steadfast advocate for training and education in the collision repair industry. Through his research and consulting business, Collision Advice, he has provided invaluable insights to professionals nationwide. The award was presented by Jennifer Goforth, Chair of the I-CAR Board of Directors, and Executive Director of North America Customer Care & Aftersales - Sales and Marketing at General Motors. During the Chairman's Awards ceremony, Van Alstyne was also recognized by the Board of Directors for his outstanding commitment and leadership in the industry with the I-CAR True North Visionary Award. This special honor celebrated Van Alstyne's tireless efforts in advancing I-CAR's vision and mission, and his dedication to strengthening the industry by advancing technical education, and industry collaboration. "I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the I-CAR Board of Directors," said Van Alstyne. "The progress we've made as an organization is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our entire I-CAR team, our partners, and the incredible professionals who make up this industry. Together, we continue to drive excellence and innovation, all directed to repairing cars right for the benefit of the consumer." Main Stage Highlights and Breakout Sessions Attendees engaged in insightful main stage sessions and specialized breakout tracks focused on the latest advancements in collision repair technology, business strategies, and industry trends. Former NASA Astronaut José Hernández shared his inspiring journey from migrant farmworker to NASA astronaut, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. Larry McReynolds, NASCAR crew chief and current racing analyst on Fox Sports, delivered an impactful session offering valuable insights into leadership, teamwork, and the keys to long-term success. Breakout sessions offered in-depth discussions on critical topics, including leveraging the I-CAR Gold Class designation, exploring the upcoming launch of I-CAR's Department of Labor Registered (National) Apprenticeship Program, utilizing I-CAR Academy's entry-level curriculum for success, providing expert guidance on navigating equipment needs in collision repair, and developing strategies to attract and retain top talent. Led by both I-CAR and industry experts, these sessions provided collision repair professionals with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in an evolving landscape. NABC Recycled Rides® Event: Giving Back to Those Who Serve A highlight of the conference was the NABC Recycled Rides® event, where a refurbished 2021 Chevy Trailblazer was presented to U.S. Navy veteran and single mother of four, Clydesley Shepherd. Made possible through the generosity of I-CAR, Travelers, Caliber Collision, and the NABC Recycled Rides® program, and other industry participants, the donation provides Shepherd with much-needed reliable transportation, allowing her to regain independence and stability for her family. The emotional vehicle presentation reinforced the collision repair industry's commitment to giving back to those in need and the important role reliable vehicle access plays in Americans' lives. Celebrating Volunteers and Instructors Saturday's events concluded with Volunteer, Instructor, and Assessors programming, tailored to the dedicated professionals who support I-CAR's mission of training the next generation of collision repair experts and building stronger schools. The capstone annual awards ceremony celebrated their invaluable contributions, acknowledging those who continue to elevate industry education, collaboration, and mentorship. I-CAR Gold Class Milestone: 10,000 Shops Strong During the event, I-CAR proudly announced that the organization has reached a significant industry milestone—10,000 Gold Class shops nationwide. This achievement highlights the increasing commitment of repair facilities to ongoing education, ensuring safe and quality repairs for today's complex vehicles. The Gold Class designation is the industry standard for collision repair training and consistent baseline expertise. As the conference came to a close, attendees left energized and equipped with new knowledge, connections, and inspiration to drive the industry forward. The I-CAR 2025 Leading Forward National Conference once again reinforced the power of education, innovation, and collaboration in shaping the future of collision repair. Learn more about I-CAR and how it's leading the collision repair industry by visiting About I-CAR: Founded in 1979, I-CAR is a not-for-profit education, knowledge, and solutions organization designed to support the evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. I-CAR, which is accredited by IACET (The International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training) is focused on improving the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of both the industry and the consumer. For more information, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE I-CAR Sign in to access your portfolio
