Latest news with #RickWright
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Brandon's urban cattle auction mart shuts down after decades in operation
Social Sharing Manitoba's last urban cattle auction mart closed its gates this summer, marking the end of an era for Brandon's cattle community. Heartland Livestock Services, which operated the stockyards just north of the city's downtown, says it "made the difficult decision to close the Brandon location" in July. COO David Nilsson declined an interview with CBC. At its height, 100,000 head of cattle came through the yard, but that number has dwindled to around 25,000, said Rick Wright, Livestock Markets Association of Canada CEO. "It wasn't that many years ago and it was the crown jewel of the marketing system in Manitoba," said Wright. "It's unfortunate that … it has to close, but you know, it would be a business decision." Its close proximity to downtown made it unique and prime real estate, says Wright, who had managed the stockyards in the past. It was also complicated compared to more rural marts, as they needed to work with city bylaws and traffic. The closure of the Brandon auction mart underscores a broader crisis facing the livestock industry, amid dwindling herd numbers and fewer producers across Western Canada, he said. The number of cattle in Canada has reached its lowest levels since 1989, according to a 2024 report from Statistics Canada, even as cattle prices hit record highs. The shutdown reflects a deeper structural shift in agriculture where consolidation of herds, unpredictable costs and aging producers are reshaping how cattle are raised and sold, he said. That means auction marts are fighting for customers. Moving markets could cost producers Wright frequented Brandon's Tuesday sales regularly and now, like many other producers, he'll need to find a new market. He says that change of location could cost some producers. "The further you truck them, the more the cattle shrink. And we sell pounds," Wright said. "Shrinkage is less pounds to sell. That means less dollars in the producer's pocket." Matthew Atkinson, who farms north of Neepawa and is president of Manitoba Beef Producers, grew up attending the market with his dad and later hauled countless cattle through its sales barns. The decision not to relocate the market reflects the wider state of the industry: there are fewer cattle, high transport costs and shrinking margins for producers, he said. "It's expensive whether you're hauling yourself or custom hauling, it's expensive to move those cattle," he said. "We want to have a long-term relationship with the buyers in the auction mart as well as minimize our costs and get those cattle to those locations." Heartland Livestock Services runs a market in Virden, Man., and others in Saskatchewan. There are other markets still in operation near Brandon including in Gladstone, St. Rose, Melita and Killarney, but none are as central in Westman, Atkinson said. Economic impact Atkinson says Brandon's mart stood out as a rare rural holdout in an urban setting, offering a link between ranchers and city life that's becoming increasingly rare. "It's inevitable that, you know, an auction mart in the middle of Brandon where it was, couldn't remain doing what it was doing in the same location forever," Atkinson said. "But it is sad to see it closed." The trucks and trailers that visited the auction mart will now have fewer reasons to come into the city, and business will feel that economic loss, he said. Jennifer Ludwig, Brandon Chamber of Commerce president, says seeing a business closure is a loss and they want to learn from it. She wants to look at how the city is supporting agricultural-based businesses. "What could we do to maybe ... solve some of the problems so that if this opportunity ever brought itself to the forefront again, we would be ready for the taking," Ludwig said. "Brandon is a hub for our surrounding agricultural towns and so we are always working side by side." Wright remembers when the stockyards burned down in the early 1980s, and were closed for around two years. He said the economic impacts were immediate. He thinks that loss will be felt again now. "They're going to miss having the rural traffic coming in to the sales, and to the events that were held at the market," Wright said. Closure of Brandon auction marks end of an era for cattle producers 41 minutes ago At its height, 100,000 head of cattle came through the urban auction mart in downtown Brandon every year, but that number has dwindled to around 25,000, in part due to smaller herds and fewer producers.
Business Wire
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ServiceNow Consultancy CoreX Signals Next Phase of Enterprise Growth Through Rebrand
RADNOR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CoreX, a next-generation ServiceNow consultancy, is marking a strategic evolution reflecting the firm's transformation from a specialized boutique to a major global player in the enterprise ServiceNow consulting market. Today, the company, which now maintains offices on three continents, announced a global rebrand, coupled with brand sunsets of its two recent acquisitions, ITS Partners and Volteo Digital. "Enterprises want the depth of expertise they associate with major consultancies, but they also want the responsiveness and innovation they get from specialists. The CoreX brand represents our ability to deliver both." - Rick Wright, CEO, CoreX Share An Elite ServiceNow Partner, CoreX now sits as one of the top 5% of all ServiceNow partners for total certifications, platform capabilities, and innovative, industry-first offerings. The announcement timing reflects the company's confidence that its combination of strategic acquisitions and proven leadership has built a consultancy capable of delivering 'Big Four' firm capabilities, while maintaining the agility and specialized client focus that have driven its rapid growth, led by one of the most experienced ServiceNow leadership teams in the ecosystem. 'The new CoreX digital identity represents where we are today, and where we're heading,' said Meghan Lockwood, co-founder and Head of Marketing and People, CoreX. 'We've evolved from a specialized practice to a comprehensive ServiceNow consultancy that can compete on any engagement while maintaining the client intimacy and innovation that larger firms often struggle to deliver.' Proven Leadership Validates Market Position The firm's rebrand is supported by a leadership team (from the founders to newly acquired executives) with collective ServiceNow experience that spans the platform's entire evolution and reflects deep functional and industry expertise across global markets. CoreX's executive team includes some of the most respected names in the ecosystem, each bringing a unique perspective that has shaped the company's ability to deliver at scale while maintaining agility and innovation. CEO Rick Wright brings three decades of technology transformation experience, including deep involvement in ServiceNow's evolution from emerging platform to enterprise standard. At KPMG, he built the first Systems Integrator ServiceNow practice in 2010, and later served as global leader for ServiceNow's professional services and customer success organizations from 2018 through 2022. His reputation as a trusted advisor among CIOs and his ability to translate technical capabilities into clear business value have been central to CoreX's ability to secure and deliver complex, enterprise-scale engagements. Ross Rexer, Head of Service Delivery, brings a comprehensive understanding of both ServiceNow strategy and implementation. His background working at an executive level with ServiceNow partners since 2010 and serving as a global leader on ServiceNow's Customer Outcomes team has proven instrumental in acquisition integration and delivery scalability across the organization. Meghan Lockwood, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing and People, has established herself as a strategic force in ServiceNow practice development. Her operational excellence approach and experience scaling ServiceNow capabilities across Fortune 500 organizations provide the foundation for CoreX's ambitious growth plans. She previously served on the executive team at Acorio, where she helped lead a $7M to $50M growth trajectory and post-acquisition integration into a global IT leader. Steven Dabrowski, Co-Founder, Finance and Supply Chain Advisory, leads solution architecture for some of CoreX's most complex Source-to-Pay transformations. His technical insight and advisory experience position CoreX as a strategic partner to finance, procurement, and operations leaders tackling ERP modernization. Eric Jones, Head of Global Sales, brings a consultative, outcomes-driven approach to client relationships from his decade-plus in sales leadership across the ServiceNow ecosystem, including stints at KPMG and Cask. His leadership ensures strategic alignment between client needs, platform potential, and CoreX's unique delivery capabilities. Together with their new peers from recent acquisitions (listed below), this executive bench validates CoreX's position as a premier consultancy capable of delivering the capabilities of a global systems integrator while maintaining the innovation and client intimacy of a specialist firm. Strategic Acquisitions Drive Comprehensive Capabilities The CoreX rebrand follows a series of strategic acquisitions that have expanded the firm's ServiceNow disciplines while maintaining quality and cultural fit. Rather than pursuing scale through large acquisitions, the company has focused on targeted acquisitions that bring specific platform expertise and proven client relationships, and will continue to do so. This acquisition strategy has enabled CoreX to rapidly develop comprehensive ServiceNow capabilities across multiple business functions while avoiding the integration challenges that often diminish the value of consultancy mergers. Each acquired team maintains its specialized focus while contributing to the firm's broader transformation capabilities. Fritz Byam, Head of Industrial Solutions and former CEO of ITS Partners, brings deep expertise in manufacturing, operational technology, and asset management. His leadership is shaping CoreX's go-to-market strategy for industrial transformation, which is a growing focus area for global enterprises modernizing legacy operations. Fernando Gordoa, President and General Manager for Latin America & Iberia and former CEO of Volteo Digital, is leading CoreX's expansion into international markets and brings deep operational expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, strategic thinking, and a proven track record scaling ServiceNow delivery across global markets. Monica Hidalgo, Head of Global Center of Excellence and Managed Services (who was recently named one of the Top 50 Global Leaders in AI by Channel Insider), drives global delivery innovation, governance, and solution design, and orchestrates cross-functional teams dedicated to accelerating customer success through ServiceNow-powered digital transformations. Jay Wigard, Head of Innovation and AI Strategy, ensures technical alignment across the company's solution portfolio. His focus on modern architectures, innovation strategy, and cross-workflow enablement is critical to CoreX's ability to help clients scale the Now Platform enterprise-wide. Coming to CoreX through the acquisitions of Volteo and ITS Partners, these leaders now sit on the CoreX Global Leadership team and are influencing future acquisitions based on the CoreX portfolio. The firm's approach of identifying complementary capabilities rather than competitive overlaps has created a model for sustainable expansion in the specialized consulting market. Market Timing and Competitive Landscape The rebrand comes at a pivotal moment for the ServiceNow ecosystem, as enterprises accelerate AI-driven automation initiatives and seek consultancies capable of managing complex, multi-workload implementations. CoreX's positioning as a specialized firm with comprehensive capabilities addresses a growing market demand for alternatives to traditional large consultancy models. "Enterprises want the depth of expertise they associate with major consultancies, but they also want the responsiveness and innovation they get from specialists," Wright said. "The CoreX brand represents our ability to deliver both." The consulting landscape for ServiceNow has become increasingly sophisticated as the platform has evolved beyond ITSM into enterprise-wide business automation. CoreX's rebrand reflects its readiness to handle these complex transformations while maintaining the client relationships and cultural agility that have driven its growth. ServiceNow Ecosystem Impact The firm's combination of proven leadership, strategic acquisitions, and comprehensive capabilities creates a new model for how specialized consultancies can scale while maintaining their core advantages. The rebrand also signals CoreX's intention to play a larger role in ServiceNow ecosystem development, with the firm's leadership team actively contributing to platform evolution discussions and best practice development. About CoreX Founded in 2023 by ecosystem veterans, CoreX is a global ServiceNow consultancy specializing in business-focused transformation that unlocks hidden value from the Now Platform. Backed by unmatched industry leadership, extensive functional experience, and the most seasoned ServiceNow team in the ecosystem, CoreX delivers strategic guidance and AI-enabled innovation to power sustained success. Learn more at
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Supermarket heir, 62, dies of 'natural causes' at stunning $1.3m mansion
A local supermarket heir has died at just 62 years old from 'natural causes,' the grocery chain announced. Rick Wright, the CEO of Market of Choice, died in his mansion on Sunday in Eugene, Oregon, which is about two hours south of Portland. The company didn't elaborate on Wright's cause of death. A spokesperson for Market of Choice said that they didn't have any further details to share at this time. Wright spent his entire professional life in the grocery store industry, learning the ropes from his father and working at the store as a young adult. His father, Richard Wright Sr., launched the business in 1979, and Wright took the reins in 1997. The family operated four stores in the area, which later became Price Chopper locations before Wright took over the business. When the late CEO stepped into the position, he rebranded the chain to focus on locally grown food, instead of wholesale products. 'Wright is remembered for his visionary leadership of Market of Choice and his philanthropic efforts in Lane County, across Oregon and beyond,' the company said. In January, Wright spoke with Oregon Business about the growth of his company, telling the publication, 'There just aren't a lot of companies like Market of Choice that's willing to invest the money that it takes to keep it local and build local.' Under Wright's direction, the chain carried over 7,000 locally sourced products and employed almost 1,400 workers. The chain also implemented the MOJO Program, which gave new businesses a one-year guarantee on their shelves. Market of Choice prioritized local businesses for distribution, and supplied nearly 800 products from Oregon's small business community. He told Everyday Northwest in 2022 that the chain intended to stay in Oregon and prided itself on being family-owned. The company praised Wright as 'one of the most recognized faces in Oregon's grocery industry.' 'He helped redefine what a grocery store can be — not just a place to buy food, but a force for sustaining local economies, fostering innovation and nourishing the spirit of Oregon,' the company continued. 'At his core, Wright was a steward of good food, of local communities, and of people.' Wright and his wife, Debbie, had three children together, Zach, Staci, and Sydney. The CEO is also survived by his two grandchildren, three siblings, and his mother, Marsha.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Handsome supermarket heir, 62, dies of 'natural causes' at stunning $1.3m mansion
A handsome local supermarket heir has died at just 62 years old from 'natural causes,' the grocery chain announced. Rick Wright, the CEO of Market of Choice, died in his mansion on Sunday in Eugene, Oregon, which is about two hours south of Portland. The company didn't elaborate on Wright's cause of death. A spokesperson for Market of Choice said that they didn't have any further details to share at this time. Wright spent his entire professional life in the grocery store industry, learning the ropes from his father and working at the store as a young adult. His father, Richard Wright Sr., launched the business in 1979, and Wright took the reins in 1997. The family operated four stores in the area, which later became Price Chopper locations before Wright took over the business. When the late CEO stepped into the position, he rebranded the chain to focus on locally grown food, instead of wholesale products. 'Wright is remembered for his visionary leadership of Market of Choice and his philanthropic efforts in Lane County, across Oregon and beyond,' the company said. In January, Wright spoke with Oregon Business about the growth of his company, telling the publication, 'There just aren't a lot of companies like Market of Choice that's willing to invest the money that it takes to keep it local and build local.' Under Wright's direction, the chain carried over 7,000 locally sourced products and employed almost 1,400 workers. The chain also implemented the MOJO Program, which gave new businesses a one-year guarantee on their shelves. Market of Choice prioritized local businesses for distribution,and supplied nearly 800 products from Oregon's small business community. He told Everyday Northwest in 2022 that the chain intended to stay in Oregon and prided itself on being family-owned. The company praised Wright as 'one of the most recognized faces in Oregon's grocery industry.' 'He helped redefine what a grocery store can be — not just a place to buy food, but a force for sustaining local economies, fostering innovation and nourishing the spirit of Oregon,' the company continued. 'At his core, Wright was a steward of good food, of local communities, and of people.' Wright and his wife, Debbie, had three children together, Zach, Staci, and Sydney. The CEO is also survived by his two grandchildren, three siblings, and his mother, Marsha.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Pink Floyd's Classic Surges As Its Latest Release Begins To Fall
Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon charts on four U.K. rankings this week, even as At Pompeii ... More continues its slide from a strong No. 1 debut. CIRCA 1973: Pink Floyd (L-R: Rick Wright, Dave Gilmour, Roger Waters and Nick Mason pose for a publicity shot circa 1973. (Photo by Michael) For Pink Floyd, 2025 has been about At Pompeii - MCMLXXII. The beloved band's concert film was re-released to theaters earlier this year, and a live album was also spun off from that theatrical release. That project debuted at No. 1 on several charts in the United Kingdom and has been performing well in the nearly two months since it dropped. As that live collection continues to dip, the group's most famous work manages to climb. More than half a century after its release, The Dark Side of the Moon can be found on four charts in the U.K. this week. It rises on two tallies, returns to a third, and holds steady in an impressive position on the last. The Dark Side of the Moon Returns and Flies The Dark Side of the Moon reenters the Official Album Downloads chart at No. 83. At the same time, the project jumps more than 10 spaces to No. 72 on the Official Albums Sales ranking and moves nearly 10 spots higher on the Official Physical Albums list, where it settles at No. 75. The same frame sees The Dark Side of the Moon sitting at a lucky No. 13 on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart. At Pompeii Vs. The Dark Side of the Moon At Pompeii bests The Dark Side of the Moon in terms of placement, as it ranks higher than Pink Floyd's classic on each of the three tallies on which it appears. The live set, however, can only be found on a trio of rankings — and it's declining on all of them seven weeks into its lifespan. Four Pink Floyd Albums Chart This Week in the U.K. Pink Floyd fills four spaces on the Official Rock & Metal Albums chart this week. In addition to both At Pompeii and The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall and Wish You Were Here decline by more than 10 spaces each. The two titles appear right next to one another on the ranking of the bestselling full-lengths and EPs in those styles throughout the country, dropping to Nos. 35 and 36, respectively.
