Latest news with #TomMcLean
Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Youth charity works with council to promote young voices
A youth charity has teamed up with South Oxfordshire District Council to deliver a number of projects this year. Didcot TRAIN is working with the council's Didcot Garden Town team to ensure young people have an influence on work being delivered in the town. Ben Drabble, CEO at Didcot TRAIN, said: "Our youth club's been buzzing. "Paint, plants, music, ideas flying everywhere. Our young people stepped up, got creative and left their mark on Didcot. "We're proud of what they've made and how they've made it happen. Big thanks to South Oxfordshire District Council for believing in the power of youth work." The partnership is supporting the Didcot Garden Party, a summer programme that highlights health, wellbeing, active lifestyles, and sustainability. As part of this programme, an artist has been commissioned to work with young people on a public art display at Cornerstone Arts Centre. Didcot TRAIN and Sustainable Didcot also helped to install recycled steel planters and reclaimed hardwood benches outside Cornerstone. The artwork in a window at Cornerstone (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) A Didcot TRAIN workshop with artist Tom McLean (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) Nine young people from Didcot recently embarked on a three-day sailing adventure across the Solent, accompanied by youth workers from TRAIN. The trip was funded through the district council's Councillor Community Grant Scheme. Councillor Tony Worgan, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "It's fantastic to see such creative and collaborative projects taking shape in Didcot. "By working closely with Didcot TRAIN and other local partners, we're not only investing in our public spaces but also empowering young people."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Armed Forces Bank Earns "Outstanding" Rating for its Community Reinvestment Act Performance
Armed Forces Bank recognized as a leader in providing community development loans designed to help low and moderate-income communities and military families Fewer than 10% of banks receive a CRA's top rating LEAVENWORTH, Kan., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Armed Forces Bank – a full-service military bank committed to serving those who serve since 1907 – received an overall rating of "Outstanding," the highest possible rating, on its most recent Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) performance evaluation from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This elite rating reflects Armed Forces Bank's longstanding commitment to the military communities it serves throughout the United States. Over the past 10 years, fewer than 10 percent of banks nationwide received a CRA rating of Outstanding. "Receiving an Outstanding rating from the OCC affirms our long-standing commitment to serving military families and the communities where they live and work. At Armed Forces Bank, community reinvestment is not just a regulatory requirement, it's a core part of who we are," Tom McLean, SVP/Military Regional Executive, Armed Forces Bank. "We are proud that our efforts to expand access to capital, support local development, and partner with community organizations are making a measurable difference. This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team and strengthens our resolve to build stronger, more resilient communities every day." Enacted in 1977, the CRA requires banks to help meet the credit needs of their local communities – especially low- and moderate-income individuals, neighborhoods, and small businesses. The OCC evaluates banks based on how effectively they fulfill these obligations. Armed Forces Bank Performance Highlights from the CRA Evaluation The OCC commended Armed Forces Bank for demonstrating "excellent responsiveness" to community development needs. Notable outcomes during the evaluation period included: $15.7 million in community development loans, supporting housing and services for elderly and disabled residents, revitalization efforts in moderate-income areas, and protective programs for low-income seniors in nursing homes. $17.1 million in investments directed toward affordable housing through community impact bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and Small Business Investment Company funds. $94,600 in donations to organizations supporting free legal services for veterans pursuing disability compensation claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, homeless outreach, and aging-in-place programs for seniors. 2,313 volunteer hours provided by Armed Forces Bank associates across 17 organizations – including financial literacy education at Newcomer Briefings for incoming soldiers. Steadfast Commitment to Military CommunitiesArmed Forces Bank maintains a steadfast commitment to meeting the unique needs of military service members and their families. That dedication has earned national recognition, including being named "Distinguished Bank of the Year" by the U.S. Military for its extraordinary contributions to financial well-being of military families and veterans. In addition, Armed Forces Bank was the only bank this year to earn the Veterans Saves "Community Impact Award," as well as one of only four banks nationally to be awarded the "Designation of Savings Excellence" – an honor Armed Forces Bank has received 10 times in the past 12 years. These two honors from the Consumer Federation of America are the nation's only awards focused on helping veterans improve financial stability. Most recently, Armed Forces Bank was named one of Kansas City's top five strongest banks. Introducing Heroes Roundup to Serve Homeless VeteransIn May 2025, Armed Forces Bank launched Heroes Round Up, a powerful new giving program that empowers anyone – military or civilian – to roundup their debit card purchases to support the Veterans Community Project – a nonprofit working to end veteran homelessness nationwide through innovative housing and support services. "Everything we do is about making life easier and better for service members, veterans and their families, no matter where they are stationed," adds McLean. "We believe we are uniquely qualified to do that, because 75% of our staff are military-affiliated, meaning they or someone they love has served." About Armed Forces BankArmed Forces Bank, founded and headquartered in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a full-service military bank committed to serving those who serve since 1907. Armed Forces Bank provides affordable, personal and convenient banking and financial services to both active and retired military, as well as civilian clients in all 50 states and around the world. Approximately 75% of Armed Forces Bank associates have some type of military affiliation either by spouse, retired themselves or their children. Armed Forces Bank has $1.4 billion in assets and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dickinson Financial Corporation, a $4.3 billion bank holding company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Armed Forces Bank's sister bank, Academy Bank, is a full-service community bank with over 70 branch locations in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Member FDIC. 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Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Simon & Schuster Teams with Thoughtworks to Revolutionize Language Learning for Greater Innovation and Business Alignment
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Thoughtworks, a global technology consultancy that integrates design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation, today announced a significant advance in its long term collaboration with Simon & Schuster, a globally recognized publishing leader. Together the companies have future-proofed the digital capabilities of Simon & Schuster's rapidly expanding Pimsleur Language Program to further enhance the learning experience for its global language learners. 'By continuously iterating to optimize performance and user experience, Thoughtworks helped us achieve significant growth in user volume and revenue,' said Tom McLean, SVP Pimsleur Language Programs. Since the partnership's inception in 2017, Thoughtworks and Simon & Schuster have strategically co-created a series of transformative digital enhancements across the Pimsleur digital experience. This includes the relaunch of even more intuitive mobile and web apps with improved accessibility and engagement features, alongside a scalable backend system for streamlined customer management, learning progress tracking, B2B sales and seamless platform integrations. Building on this robust foundation on AWS, AI-powered innovations like Voice Coach for pronunciation and engaging Mini Lessons have powerfully augmented the language-learning journey. 'By continuously iterating to optimize performance and user experience, Thoughtworks helped us achieve significant growth in user volume and revenue,' said Tom McLean, SVP Pimsleur Language Programs. 'For more than 50 years, Pimsleur Language Programs has remained true to the Pimsleur Method that has helped millions of people learn to speak a new language while also continuing to leverage digital platforms and innovative subscription models to meet the needs of modern learners,' said Craig Stanley, Executive Vice President, Thoughtworks Americas. 'We're excited to be partnering with Simon & Schuster as it continuously enhances, elevates and augments the value of its digital assets, such as the Pimsleur Mobile app, to drive tangible results while improving operational cost and efficiencies.' More recently, the integration of advanced Thoughtworks Digital Application Management and Operations (DAMO™) Services has begun to streamline processes and is showing early signs of enhanced collaboration between maintenance and delivery teams supporting the Pimsleur platform. This has initially resulted in seamless performance and efficient product updates, even as functionality and the Pimsleur user base continues to grow. These optimizations help ensure users receive faster, more accurate responses, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and engagement. Supporting resources: - ### - About Thoughtworks Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation. We are over 10,000 Thoughtworkers strong across 48 offices in 19 countries. For 30+ years, we've delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator.
