Latest news with #TomKennedy
Axios
20-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Government contractors are lining up to work with DOGE
Security contractors are adapting to the Department of Government Efficiency's brutal cost-cutting regime — by pitching their tech as essential to its mission. Why it matters: As federal workforce cuts deepen, DOGE is expected to lean more heavily on third-party security vendors to help dismantle longstanding information silos — despite the national security risks that could come from its quest. Driving the news: In recent weeks, DOGE has quietly begun laying the groundwork for what privacy advocates long feared was its endgame: building a centralized database containing the personal information of millions of U.S. citizens and residents. Some reports also suggest DOGE is exploring ways to deploy AI agents to replace federal workers across agencies, fueling further alarm about the national security and privacy implications. Between the lines: Several companies are now marketing their tools directly to agencies as a way to survive DOGE's cost-cutting demands. ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott said in an earnings call last month that his company is benefiting from the shift. "In this moment, we're one of the rare companies that will grow 30% year over year in the public sector," he said. Wired reported this month that OpenAI has met with the Food and Drug Administration about a tool to evaluate new drugs. Two DOGE associates were also in attendance, according to the report. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the meetings to Axios, noting that OpenAI has shown clear interest in working specifically with the FDA in some capacity. However, no contracts have been signed yet. The intrigue: Many of these vendors have ramped up their lobbying power in recent months — particularly with Trump-aligned lobbying firms. So far in 2025, at least nine security and consulting firms, including Zscaler, Accenture, and Booz Allen Hamilton, have registered with Ballard Partners, according to congressional lobbying disclosures. Zoom in: Axonius, an Israeli cybersecurity startup with growing federal ambitions, told Axios it's started pitching itself to agencies as a tool that can help them dodge the most severe DOGE audits. The company's platform gives administrators full visibility into devices, software and users, aligning closely with DOGE's stated mission to streamline IT environments. Tom Kennedy, vice president of Axonius Federal Systems, told Axios that the company's tools can be "part of a great efficiency story" and that its technology usually gets through relevant DOGE audits. But Brian Meyer, field CTO at Axonius Federal Systems, added that the company's pitch doesn't endorse job cuts. "Even before the DOGE, there was a problem in the cybersecurity industry for full-time employees — they're already trying to do more with less," he said. "We've been telling that story for years: Based on what we have, you can do more with the resources that you have." The big picture: The federal cybersecurity ecosystem has been on edge during the early months of the second Trump administration, amid staff cuts in the federal cyber workforce and a pending Department of Justice investigation into former CISA director Chris Krebs. Several administration officials met with companies on the sidelines of the RSA Conference last month in the hopes of mending some of these relationships. Still, some executives say federal work has remained consistent. "We have been really privileged to have a strong relationship with every White House administration," Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince told Axios in an interview. "It feels like everything today is a partisan issue — but cybersecurity is on the less partisan side of that equation," he added. Yes, but: That hasn't spared vendors from fallout. Security research government contractor Mitre is laying off 442 employees, or nearly 5% of its workforce, in June due in part to contract cancellations. Deloitte has also shared plans to lay off staff, and other consulting firms have warned of declining U.S. federal revenues this year. "It's disruptive, there's no other way to put it," Kennedy said of DOGE's cuts to the federal cybersecurity workforce. "We were hoping that cybersecurity would be sheltered, and it has not been from a human side."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SIXT Named the Best Rental Car Company in USA TODAY 10Best Reader's Choice Awards
Premium mobility provider earns top recognition, adding to growing list of travel industry accolades FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SIXT, a global leader in premium mobility services, has been named the #1 Rental Car Company in the United States as part of the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The annual awards spotlight the best in travel and hospitality, as voted by readers. This year, SIXT took the top honor in the rental car category, earning praise for its elevated customer experience, premium fleet, and continued growth across North America since launching operations in 2011. This recognition underscores SIXT's commitment to delivering a modern, customer-first approach to car rental. Travelers continue to choose SIXT for its upscale vehicle selection, seamless booking experience, and best-in-class customer service at more than 100 branches across the U.S., including more than 50 U.S. airports. Tom Kennedy, President, SIXT North America: "We are honored to be named the #1 rental car company by USA TODAY readers. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team members who go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for our customers every day and motivates us to continue raising the bar on customer experience." The 10Best award adds to a growing list of recent industry recognition for SIXT, including: Earning the #2 spot in Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Rental-Car Companies of 2024, Voted Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company in the 2024 Wherever Awards, Selected Favorite Car Rental Company in Trazee Travel's 2024 The Trazees Awards. In just a little over a decade, the United States has become the most important growth market for SIXT. Today, SIXT operates more than 100 rental branches in 25 states, employs more than 2,000 team members, and now serves 51 of the most important airports across the country. In addition, by launching operations in Canada in 2022, SIXT is tapping into another billion-dollar market that also offers potential for synergies with its U.S. operations. Recent branch openings include Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL; Miami Dadeland Mall, New York City Brooklyn, New Orleans Downtown and Louis Armstrong International Airport, among others. Our team is committed to customer satisfaction. See how we performed in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study. About SIXT Sixt SE with its registered office in Pullach near Munich, is a leading international provider of high-quality mobility services. With its products SIXT rent, SIXT share, SIXT ride and SIXT+ the company offers a uniquely integrated premium mobility service across the fields of vehicle and commercial vehicle rental, car sharing, ride hailing and car subscriptions. The products can be booked, among others, through the SIXT App, which also contains the services of its renowned mobility partners. SIXT has a presence in more than 100 countries around the globe. The company offers its customers experiences that inspire and exceed their expectations – through a lived culture of innovation, a consistent premium offering in terms of fleet and service, and an attractive price-performance ratio. The Group achieved consolidated earnings before taxes of EUR 335.2 million in 2024 and a significant increase in consolidated revenue to reach for the first time EUR 4.00 billion. Sixt SE has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 1986 (ISIN ordinary share: DE0007231326, ISIN preference share: DE0007231334). For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Zimmerman PR, sixt@ Joseph Gerbino, SIXT, us-communications@ 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
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Wire
SIXT Named the Best Rental Car Company in USA TODAY 10Best Reader's Choice Awards
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SIXT, a global leader in premium mobility services, has been named the #1 Rental Car Company in the United States as part of the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The annual awards spotlight the best in travel and hospitality, as voted by readers. This year, SIXT took the top honor in the rental car category, earning praise for its elevated customer experience, premium fleet, and continued growth across North America since launching operations in 2011. This recognition underscores SIXT's commitment to delivering a modern, customer-first approach to car rental. Travelers continue to choose SIXT for its upscale vehicle selection, seamless booking experience, and best-in-class customer service at more than 100 branches across the U.S., including more than 50 U.S. airports. Tom Kennedy, President, SIXT North America: 'We are honored to be named the #1 rental car company by USA TODAY readers. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team members who go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for our customers every day and motivates us to continue raising the bar on customer experience.' The 10Best award adds to a growing list of recent industry recognition for SIXT, including: In just a little over a decade, the United States has become the most important growth market for SIXT. Today, SIXT operates more than 100 rental branches in 25 states, employs more than 2,000 team members, and now serves 51 of the most important airports across the country. In addition, by launching operations in Canada in 2022, SIXT is tapping into another billion-dollar market that also offers potential for synergies with its U.S. operations. Recent branch openings include Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL; Miami Dadeland Mall, New York City Brooklyn, New Orleans Downtown and Louis Armstrong International Airport, among others. Our team is committed to customer satisfaction. See how we performed in the J.D. Power 2024 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study. About SIXT Sixt SE with its registered office in Pullach near Munich, is a leading international provider of high-quality mobility services. With its products SIXT rent, SIXT share, SIXT ride and SIXT+ the company offers a uniquely integrated premium mobility service across the fields of vehicle and commercial vehicle rental, car sharing, ride hailing and car subscriptions. The products can be booked, among others, through the SIXT App, which also contains the services of its renowned mobility partners. SIXT has a presence in more than 100 countries around the globe. The company offers its customers experiences that inspire and exceed their expectations – through a lived culture of innovation, a consistent premium offering in terms of fleet and service, and an attractive price-performance ratio. The Group achieved consolidated earnings before taxes of EUR 335.2 million in 2024 and a significant increase in consolidated revenue to reach for the first time EUR 4.00 billion. Sixt SE has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 1986 (ISIN ordinary share: DE0007231326, ISIN preference share: DE0007231334). For more information, please visit
Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
Meet the man trying to bring professional ice hockey to Ireland
When the Rolling Stones headlined the Slane music festival in 1982, Tom Kennedy arrived in style, cycling from Dublin to the Boyne Valley with his sleeping bag tied to the back of his bike. More than four decades later, Kennedy reckons it will be an awful lot easier for patrons to find their way to the planned Dublin Arena, a €190 million venue slotted for Cherrywood in south Dublin. Prime Arena Holdings, a company chaired by Kennedy and headed by Dermot Rigley, a former commercial director at Pro14 Rugby, has unveiled plans for a multi-purpose venue that will include the Republic's first dedicated ice hockey arena. The plan is to attract an Elite Ice Hockey League franchise to Dublin, who will play at the 5,000-seater
BreakingNews.ie
25-04-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Plans unveiled for dedicated winter sports arena in Dublin
A planning application to build a dedicated winter sports and entertainment arena in Dublin is expected to be lodged later this year. It is hoped the 5,000 seater facility in Cherrywood would also act as a national hub for elite athletes and a concert venue, while also becoming the home of Dublin's first professional ice hockey franchise. Advertisement The company behind the project claim the arena could generate socio-economic impact of over €230 million annually. Dermot Rigley, chief executive of Prime Arena Holdings, called it a "defining moment" for Ireland. "Since 2021, we've been working quietly but relentlessly with an incredible team to bring this vision to life – and today, we're proud to finally share it with the Irish public. With the support of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Hines, we're building more than an arena – we're creating a national landmark that will open up winter sports to every corner of Irish society, empower our athletes, and give Ireland the platform it deserves to host world-class events." Tom Kennedy, chairman of Prime Arena Holdings said: "This isn't just an investment in infrastructure – it's a legacy for generations. We are deeply grateful to our incredible investor group and project team, whose belief and commitment have made this moment possible." Advertisement Jim O'Leary, cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: "I am delighted to welcome this announcement for Ireland's first dedicated winter sports and entertainment arena earmarked for development in our new town of Cherrywood. "This transformational arena will contribute significantly to our corporate goals in realising our sports, tourism and cultural ambitions and in supporting further economic growth and opportunities in our County for all who live, work and visit Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and the wider region."
