Latest news with #MikeThompson
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Great Hill Partners Appoints Stacey DeVoe as Head of Talent
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2025-- Great Hill Partners, a private equity firm that invests in high-growth, disruptive companies, today announced the appointment of Stacey DeVoe as Head of Talent. Great Hill's Growth Team is comprised of experienced executives who partner with CEOs and leadership teams to seek to drive priority growth vectors, including strategy, go-to-market, marketing, pricing, product, technology, AI, and talent. In her role, DeVoe will help build world-class leadership teams to support Great Hill's portfolio, overseeing executive hiring across the firm's portfolio companies. She will cultivate and continue to build Great Hill's network of talented executives and founders, many of whom have chosen to partner repeatedly with the firm over their careers. DeVoe will work closely with Mike Thompson, who was recently promoted to Managing Director and Head of Growth Team. DeVoe brings over 25 years of leadership experience in executive search, marketing, and people development strategy. DeVoe most recently served as Global Practice Leader for Executive Recruiting at Google, where she supported senior leadership teams across technology and go-to-market. Prior to Google, she was a Managing Director at Robert Half Executive Search and served as a Marketing Operator in the consumer goods and multi-unit retail industries where she held senior leadership positions at Nabisco, Nestle, and 24 Hour Fitness. 'Great Hill and its portfolio companies hire dozens of senior executives and hundreds of employees every year as we expand leadership teams and build organizations, and we recognize exceptional talent can have a compounding impact on a company's value over time,' said Thompson. 'As an expert in talent strategy with a track record of building strong leadership teams, Stacey will be a key resource for the firm and our portfolio of high-growth companies. We are thrilled to welcome her to Great Hill and look forward to the impact she will make.' 'I am excited to join Great Hill, a firm that prioritizes partnerships and understands the role that talent plays in building companies and creating value,' said DeVoe. 'As Great Hill continues to seek to scale both its team and portfolio, attracting and retaining the best, most qualified leaders is critical. I look forward to collaborating with the deal teams and portfolio company management to build on the firm's momentum and expand its extensive network of entrepreneurs, founders, and executives.' To promote growth and scale, many companies within the Great Hill portfolio continue to build out their teams and are seeking to recruit talented and driven professionals across industries. For more information, please visit About Great Hill Partners Founded in 1998, Great Hill Partners is a private equity firm targeting investments of $100 million to $500 million in high-growth companies across the software, financial services, healthcare, consumer, and business services sectors. With offices in Boston and London, Great Hill has raised over $12 billion of commitments and invested in more than 100 companies, establishing an extensive track record of building long-term partnerships with entrepreneurs and providing flexible resources to help middle-market companies scale. Great Hill has been recognized for its industry leadership, being ranked in the top five of HEC Paris-Dow Jones' Mid-Market and Large Buyout Performance Ranking lists from 2021-2024. For more information, including a list of all Great Hill investments, please visit View source version on CONTACT: Media FGS Global [email protected] (212) 687-8080 KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FINANCE BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ASSET MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES SOURCE: Great Hill Partners Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/02/2025 07:30 AM/DISC: 06/02/2025 07:28 AM
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Car owners urged to watch out for latest technique thieves are using
The alert arises as, in the last year, between 60% and 70% of stolen vehicles were keyless models Drivers are receiving an important alert to remain watchful. It has come to light that between 60% and 70% of the cars stolen in the past year were keyless models. This news coincides with an astonishing +5000% rise in online inquiries about 'how to prevent keyless car theft' in the last three months. According to the recently passed law, criminals found with devices like signal jammers may be sentenced to as much as five years in prison. The Crime and Policing Bill has rendered it unlawful to own, sell, or distribute electronic devices intended for theft, but cases of keyless car theft are still on the rise. Mike Thompson, the COO of Leasing Options, is urging drivers to understand how keyless car entry functions and the ways they can protect their vehicles. Along with providing tips on general vehicle security, he has pointed out three strategies to ensure cars remain safe. Explaining how thieves target keyless cars, he said: "When criminals are trying to steal a keyless car, they use sophisticated technology, which involves manipulating short-range radio waves, to transmit a signal from your key to the technology in your car. This can be done in a matter of seconds and means criminals can open your car door as normal, allowing them to enter and start the vehicle as normal." He also pointed out that there can be challenges for these criminals: "It is worth noting that sometimes this can fail, if there is no signal or if it is blocked for whatever reason, criminals can find a hard time entering. Depending on the car make and model, the car might also require a physical key to be inserted into the ignition to start it." Drivers have been given expert advice by Mike on how to avoid becoming victims of keyless car theft, with several practical steps to enhance security, reports Yorkshire Live. 1. Store your fob safely Mike advises: "When you are at home, try to store your key away from doors or windows. If you usually store your key in a bowl or on a hook near the front door, consider moving this upstairs to your bedroom. One of the best ways to store a keyless fob is in a Faraday pouch, a specialised bag designed to block electronic signals. These can typically be found online for less than £10 and come in a variety of sizes and styles." 2. Turn off wireless signals He also suggests: "If you rarely use your keyless features, some keys allow you to turn off the wireless technology. Before you do this, however, it might be worth practising without it for a few days to see if it is something you can truly live without. The keyless feature can also be difficult to reactivate in the future." 3. Consider additional safety features To keep your car safe from theft, it's important to take proactive steps such as consistently locking your vehicle, securing your keys, and utilising physical deterrents. You might want to think about installing a steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, or car alarm for added protection. Additionally, parking in well-lit spaces and ensuring that valuables are not left in plain sight can also be beneficial. Mike recommends traditional car safety measures. "Investing in a steering wheel lock is a common method for preventing car theft. They act as a physical deterrent to discourage car theft by making it more difficult to drive the car away. Since it is a visible feature, it is more likely to deter opportunistic thieves. Steering wheel locks also come in a variety of shapes to fit different types of cars." He further explained: "Devices like AirTags can help you track your vehicle should the worst happen and your car is stolen. A good place to hide them is in the lining of the back seats, as criminals are unlikely to check for any types of goods. "Residential parking posts are an ideal solution to ensuring nobody can get your vehicle off the driveway. They offer several benefits, including enhanced security by deterring theft and ram-raiding. They can also prevent unauthorised parking and potentially lower insurance premiums." Mike concluded: "As vehicle technology has continued to evolve, keyless theft is now one of the biggest risks to car owners. Despite this, there are practical steps drivers can take to reduce their risk. While the idea of keyless car theft might be scary, very few people in the country have had their cars stolen, and the police are taking more precautions to prevent it."
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers urged to watch out for latest 'relay hack' thieves are using
The warning comes as over the past 12 months, between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of cars stolen were keyless models Drivers are being given an urgent warning to stay vigilant. It has been revealed that between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of vehicles nicked over the past year were keyless models. This comes amid a staggering +5000% increase in online searches for 'how to stop keyless car theft' in just the last three months. Under newly enacted legislation, crooks caught with devices such as signal jammers could face up to five years in jail. The Crime and Policing Bill has made it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute electronic gadgets designed for theft, yet incidents of keyless vehicle theft continue to rise. Mike Thompson, COO at Leasing Options, is pressing drivers to comprehend the workings of keyless car entry and how they can safeguard their vehicles. In addition to furnishing advice on overall vehicle security, he has highlighted three methods to keep cars secure. In detailing how thieves target keyless cars, he explained: "When criminals are trying to steal a keyless car, they use sophisticated technology, which involves manipulating short-range radio waves, to transmit a signal from your key to the technology in your car. This can be done in a matter of seconds and means criminals can open your car door as normal, allowing them to enter and start the vehicle as normal." He also pointed out that there can be challenges for these criminals: "It is worth noting that sometimes this can fail, if there is no signal or if it is blocked for whatever reason, criminals can find a hard time entering. Depending on the car make and model, the car might also require a physical key to be inserted into the ignition to start it." Drivers have been given expert advice by Mike on how to avoid becoming victims of keyless car theft, with several practical steps to enhance security, reports Yorkshire Live. 1. Store your fob safely Mike advises: "When you are at home, try to store your key away from doors or windows. If you usually store your key in a bowl or on a hook near the front door, consider moving this upstairs to your bedroom. One of the best ways to store a keyless fob is in a Faraday pouch, a specialised bag designed to block electronic signals. These can typically be found online for less than £10 and come in a variety of sizes and styles." 2. Turn off wireless signals He also suggests: "If you rarely use your keyless features, some keys allow you to turn off the wireless technology. Before you do this, however, it might be worth practising without it for a few days to see if it is something you can truly live without. The keyless feature can also be difficult to reactivate in the future." 3. Consider additional safety features To keep your car safe from theft, it's important to take proactive steps such as consistently locking your vehicle, securing your keys, and utilising physical deterrents. You might want to think about installing a steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, or car alarm for added protection. Additionally, parking in well-lit spaces and ensuring that valuables are not left in plain sight can also be beneficial. Mike recommends traditional car safety measures. "Investing in a steering wheel lock is a common method for preventing car theft. They act as a physical deterrent to discourage car theft by making it more difficult to drive the car away. Since it is a visible feature, it is more likely to deter opportunistic thieves. Steering wheel locks also come in a variety of shapes to fit different types of cars." He further explained: "Devices like AirTags can help you track your vehicle should the worst happen and your car is stolen. A good place to hide them is in the lining of the back seats, as criminals are unlikely to check for any types of goods. "Residential parking posts are an ideal solution to ensuring nobody can get your vehicle off the driveway. They offer several benefits, including enhanced security by deterring theft and ram-raiding. They can also prevent unauthorised parking and potentially lower insurance premiums." Mike concluded: "As vehicle technology has continued to evolve, keyless theft is now one of the biggest risks to car owners. Despite this, there are practical steps drivers can take to reduce their risk. While the idea of keyless car theft might be scary, very few people in the country have had their cars stolen, and the police are taking more precautions to prevent it."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Talks underway to make deadly Foley intersection safer
FOLEY, Ala. (WKRG) — Talks are underway about transferring part of County Road 65 around Airport Road to the City of Foley. Mobile Fire Service driver dies in motorcycle crash Sunday night, two teenagers became the latest victims of a deadly crash near the intersection. The two teens were on an electric scooter when they were hit from behind by the driver of a pickup truck. According to the Foley Police Department, eight wrecks have been reported along this stretch of road in the last year. City administrator Mike Thompson said Foley already has some ideas of how to improve safety in the area. 'We have thought about potentially whether that intersection needs to be a four-way stop just to slow traffic down, maybe slow the speed limit some, possibly lighting up that intersection with more street lights,' Thompson said. 'We've thought about even putting a crosswalk out there.' Before any of that can happen, the county commission will have to vote to approve the transfer of a section of County Road 65 to the city. Mobile residents react to 10 Commandments bill, possibly allowing them in schools The city council will then have to vote to accept that transfer, and then improvements like those stop signs and lower speed limits could be implemented fairly quickly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GOP, Democrats blast Legislature for failure to meaningfully lower property taxes in 2025 session
Republican Sen. Mike Thompson, right, says the Kansas Legislature failed to deliver on a bipartisan promise to concentrate during the 2025 session on meaningful property tax reform. Here, Thompson speaks with Democratic Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau on the floor of the Kansas Senate in March. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly patted themselves on the back last June after placing into state law a compromise bill slashing income taxes an estimated $1.2 billion over three years. Senate Bill 1 had broad support with a mere six opponents among 159 legislators voting on the package negotiated by the Democratic governor, Republican Senate President Ty Masterson of Andover and GOP House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita. The focus of that bill was income taxes, but it did raise to $75,000 the exemption on the value of a residence when calculating a taxpayer's obligation to the state's property tax levy for public schools. While 2024 was viewed as the year of the income tax, promises were made by Republicans and Democrats to address property tax reform during the 2025 legislative session. The end of the annual session last week offered evidence the performance of lawmakers on property tax relief was again underwhelming. 'When it came time to lead, both the governor and leadership came up short,' said Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican candidate for governor, said Monday. He said state lawmakers this session delivered a paltry $25.88 property tax break for the owner of a $150,000 home. That's not enough to fill the gas tank in many vehicles, cover the cost of a couple sacks of groceries or pay someone to mow a lawn. Schwab encouraged 'every property owner' to respond by challenging their property tax valuation with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. 'Kansans expected leadership that would address runaway property tax increases, arrest out-of-control valuations and restore confidence that they can afford the homes they live in — not rent them from the government,' he said. The Senate did endorse an amendment to the Kansas Constitution imposing a 3% cap on residential property tax valuation increases. That won't be appearing on statewide ballots, however, because the amendment was never taken up in the House. 'We came here with a mandate,' said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican. 'I'm just disappointed that we end up at the end of this session with no real relief for those homeowners who are facing selling their home or paying their property tax. That's where we are.' Lenexa Sen. Dinah Sykes, who serves as Democratic leader of the Senate, drew the same conclusion with a partisan twist. She said progress on property tax reform was minimal, but reminded Kansans that Republicans held supermajorities in the House and Senate. Those two-thirds majorities meant the GOP could pass just about any bill it desired and had numbers to override the governor's vetoes and place constitutional amendments on the ballot. 'Kansans deserve better than what they got from their Legislature in 2025,' Sykes said. 'Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues refused to join us in that effort. Republicans promised Kansans they would deliver property tax relief, but they failed to make good on that promise.' Kansas voters were assured by sloganeering candidates during last year's August primary and November general elections that nothing would stand in the way of meaningful property tax reform in 2025. Voters made it clear they thought property taxes were too high, valuations were rising faster than paychecks and, incredibly, some people on fixed incomes who worked all their lives to have a home of their own were being forced out. As the legislative session began in January, another layer of political vows emerged about cutting property taxes. 'You expect us to put Kansans first, control the overreach of government and keep our promises — and that is exactly what we intend to do,' Masterson said. 'That must begin with property tax relief and reform.' When the dust settled in April, the Legislature barely scratched the surface on rolling back state property taxes. The governor signed Senate Bill 35, which used general state tax dollars to replace a 1.5-mill state property tax dedicated to government building projects. It was unanimously approved in the Senate and overwhelmingly endorsed in the House 96-26. The Legislature passed a bill renewing the state's 20-mill property tax, valued at about $875 million annually, to provide financial support to K-12 public schools. The Legislature could have earmarked state income or sales tax dollars to public schools and trimmed state property tax dedicated to that purpose. Instead, the Republican-controlled House and Senate placed emphasis on income tax reform by voting to override Kelly's veto of Senate Bill 269. This so-called income-tax-trigger bill was designed to methodically drop individual and corporate income tax rates to 4%. 'I have proposed and supported tax cuts when they are implemented responsibly and benefit the people of Kansas, especially those who need it most,' Kelly said. 'This bill ignores Kansas families at a time of rising costs and inflation in favor of hundreds of millions of dollars in giveaways to corporations and the wealthy.' The override vote on SB 269 was 87-37 in the House and 30-10 in the Senate. Instead of responding to Kansans' demands for gradual reduction of property taxes, the Legislature in 2025 ended up dedicating future state revenue surpluses to gradually reducing income taxes. The Senate did endorse a constitutional amendment that would have set a 3% cap on property taxes starting in 2027, but House GOP leaders said the necessary two-thirds majority to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603 before Kansas voters didn't exist in the House. Critics of the amendment had argued the limitation would cripple the ability of cities and counties to operate, because municipal government relied heavily on property and sales taxes. The state's revenue stream includes income, sales and property taxes. In January, the conservative Kansas Policy Institute highlighted for legislators an opinion poll conducted by SurveyUSA on behalf of the Wichita think tank. It showed 64% of participants were in favor of limits on annual increases in the appraised value of property rather than the current practice of annually resetting appraisals to fair market value. The poll showed majority support for restraint of property taxes existed in urban and rural regions of the state, said Dave Trabert, a lobbyist with Kansas Policy Institute. He said 70% of conservatives in the poll were supportive of steps to hold down property taxes, while 67% of moderates and 52% of liberals were on board. Eighteen percent were opposed and the same percentage was uncertain. 'Many homeowners have experienced double-digit property tax increases because local officials took advantage of valuation spikes,' Trabert said. Rep. Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat often distant from KPI's perspective on public policy issues, said it was folly to ignore will of the people. 'Our constituents are asking for property tax relief,' said Sawyer, who contended the income tax trigger law would prove to be an obstacle to property tax reform. 'We go to a rachet so all of our money above inflation in the future goes to cutting the income tax.' Some of the Senate's most right-wing members were convinced the Legislature did a belly flop on property taxes in 2025. Sen. Virgil Peck, a Republican from Havana, said it wasn't enough the Legislature worked on income tax policy and ditched the 1.5-mill property tax for building construction. 'I think we could do better when it comes to property tax reductions,' Peck said. Finally, Wichita GOP Sen. Renee Erickson, said the Legislature's approach to property tax issues didn't answer the public's call for relief. 'I'm very disappointed we did not do more for our constituents on property tax and I hope that we seriously are able to do something next session,' she said.
