Latest news with #Witte
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about Workrise co-founder's plan to bring AI to insurance with new startup
Mike Witte has always loved relationship-based business. He built his career in the startup space by co-founding RigUp, a workforce management platform aimed at supporting smaller oil and gas companies. The company has since rebranded to Workrise and achieved unicorn status with a valuation of nearly $3 billion. Witte told the American-Statesman the crux of the business is services and relationships, which he says is the same for his new startup. That startup, Equal Parts, launched last month with $10 million in acquisition capital led by Equal Ventures and Max Ventures, and it plans to bring artificial intelligence to insurance. Witte said the insurance industry has a "technology ecosystem problem," with independent insurance agency owners being consumed by office tasks and using outdated technology systems. That's where Equal Parts comes in, with Witte wanting to improve speed and make the industry more innovative by using AI. "We believe that the future of insurance is equal parts innovation and relationships. It's equal parts technology and tradition," Witte told the American-Statesman. "Those things have to be bridged together, and we want to be that bridge." To do this, Witte's new startup plans to acquire smaller insurance agencies and supercharge them with AI, not to replace human agents, but to enhance the backend technologies and improve connection. On Wednesday, Equal Parts announced its first acquisition, Austin-based Lumen Insurance Technologies LLC. Lumen Insurance, which was founded by David Perez in 2016, is a commercial insurance agency focused on serving Austin's tech startup community. "Lumen is the epitome of what we were looking for," Witte said. "It was strong client relationships, very specialized. ... It's a great starting point for us. We get a phenomenal human being in David Perez, but we also back to the thesis. We've got a client base that he serves that's very tech forward, combined with a bunch of Austin businesses, and it just checked all the boxes for what we're looking to do in the Austin community." Witte emphasized that addressing the technology and connectivity issues in the insurance industry is crucial for its future. He described the current technological challenges as a "death by a thousand cuts." According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about half of the current insurance workforce is expected to retire over the next 15 years, leaving more than 400,000 positions unfulfilled. The industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is also seeing an unemployment rate nearly half the national average. Witte said this is, in large part, due to the lack of connectivity and innovation with the industry's necessary point-to-point management systems. With its first acquisition, Equal Parts plans to help Lumen build and scale a "highly connected back end" by linking point-to-point systems together. With this highly connected back end, Witte said Equal Parts plans to leverage AI to automate the systems, so agents can get back to "what they should be doing, which is talking to clients." "A lot of that, to me, is just the legacy nature of the business and how work gets done," Witte said. "It's not necessarily attractive and appealing to young folks that want to be in a more innovative environment. I do think that Equal Parts, we need to be a brand, a company and an employer that provides that avenue for younger folks to get into insurance, that want to be a part of the more innovative work environment. It's certainly what we what we hope to cultivate." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Workrise co-founder's new Austin startup acquires Lumen Insurance
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SAVE Act aims to eliminate non-citizen voting, critics say it could make registering to vote more difficult
The Brief The SAVE Act, recently passed by the U.S. House, would require in-person voter registration and documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, aiming to prevent non-citizen voting—though it's already illegal for non-citizens to vote. Critics warn the bill could disenfranchise millions by making registration harder, particularly for those who've changed their names, as certain common documents like marriage certificates are not clearly listed as acceptable ID. Under current Minnesota law, voter registration is more accessible, allowing online, DMV, or mail-in options with basic ID numbers, while the SAVE Act would mandate stricter, in-person processes at county offices. (FOX 9) - The U.S. House approved a measure that would require anyone registering to vote to provide documentary proof of citizenship. It's called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, and voting rights groups warn it could disenfranchise millions of Americans. What we know With the SAVE Act, voters would have to go in person to register to vote. This was a campaign promise by President Donald Trump to eliminate non-citizens voting. It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote. "This is critical to improving the integrity of our elections and also the trust that American citizens need to have in our electoral process," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The legislation would require anyone trying to register to vote to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. But Michelle Witte with the League of Women Voters Minnesota is urging the Senate to reject it, saying it would make registering to vote more difficult. "Everyone would have to physically appear before the county. And what kind of resources that would take is, is not common sense at all," said Witte. The differences In Minnesota, to register to vote, you must be a U.S. Citizen and have a Minnesota Driver's License or Identification Card Number or your Social Security Number. You can register online, at the DMV, at your polling place, or mail in a paper form. Under the SAVE Act, you'd have to register to vote in person at your county office. The name on your photo ID or passport has to match your birth certificate or military ID that lists your birthplace. Critics say that could cause a problem for those who change their name. "When you read the bill, the Save Act clearly does not list a marriage certificate as a form of ID. So you're going to have your birth certificate, and then there'll need to be a marriage certificate, and that isn't listed," said Witte. "The Democrats have been fearmongering about this bill. Have been saying that married woman, if their name has changed, they didn't change it on their identification, would not be able to vote. That is a complete fallacy. There are outlines in the bill about how to avoid that," said Leavitt. The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate, where its fate remains in question.
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Jeremy Witte Appointed CEO of Fast Track IT (BIDFTA.COM) as Former CEO Transitions to Board Role
CINCINNATI, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- a leading provider of reverse logistics services as a comprehensive, data-driven, and technology-enabled recommerce platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeremy Witte as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2025. Mr. Witte is a seasoned professional in the reverse supply chain industry, and military veteran, with more than 15 years of leadership experience. He has led the multi-billion dollar recommerce and reverse logistics businesses of Amazon, Best Buy, and GENCO/FedEx. Additionally, he has had entrepreneurial experience and success co-founding a cross-border trade company that was previously acquired by Pitney Bowes. Mr. Witte's appointment follows the announcement that Greg Konicki, the company's former President, will transition to a new role as a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Konicki has guided the company through a period of remarkable transformation, and the Board is eager to continue benefiting from his expertise and leadership in this new capacity. The reverse logistics industry is experiencing significant growth and transformation, and unique advantage as a comprehensive, scalable solution is invaluable to both its customers and suppliers. It simultaneously promotes sustainability and reduces landfill waste. Melissa Truong, a member of Board of Directors and Principal at ACON Investments, emphasized this value, commenting, 'Jeremy has a proven track record of success in the reverse logistics industry. His extensive and multifaceted experience in strategic partnerships and operational excellence will be a significant asset as we continue to build on the momentum established under Greg's leadership.' Mr. Konicki expressed his confidence in the transition and Mr. Witte's ability to guide the company into its next phase, remarking, 'I am immensely proud of accomplishments and am confident that the company will continue to thrive under Jeremy's strategic leadership. As I transition to the Board, I look forward to continuing to support the team and contribute to the company's future success.' 'I am honored and excited to assume the role of CEO at a company I have long admired as a pioneer of sustainable inventory recovery and a more circular economy,' said Mr. Witte. 'I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the team, the Board, and our valued partners to continue creating long-term value for our customers and stakeholders in the years to come.' About Founded in 2006, is a leader in reverse logistics offering full-service liquidation, tech-driven tools, and custom partnerships as well as the BidFTA online auctions. The company is dedicated to providing leading retailers with a complete solution for maximizing recovery of excess inventory and returned goods through a secure marketplace while promoting sustainability. The company's efficient, scalable, data-driven and customized client-first solutions simplifies the liquidation process, maximizes recovery and keeps products in circulation rather than in landfills. About ACON Investments, LLC ACON Investments, L.L.C. is a Washington, D.C.-based international private equity investment firm that manages private equity funds and special purpose partnerships that make investments in the United States, Latin America and Europe. With professionals in Washington, D.C., Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Bogotá, Madrid, Mexico City and São Paulo, ACON has managed $7.2 billion in assets since inception and has a 29-year track record. For more information, visit
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
International Harrington Prize Awarded to Dr. Owen Witte
2025 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine recognizes groundbreaking contributions in the creation of targeted cancer therapies CLEVELAND, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The twelfth annual Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine has been awarded to Owen N. Witte, MD, Distinguished University Professor and President's Chair in Developmental Immunology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. The award recognizes his foundational discoveries of targeted therapies that have transformed modern cancer treatment. The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, established in 2014 by the Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals and the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), honors physician-scientists who have moved science forward with achievements notable for innovation, creativity and potential for clinical application. Dr. Witte is internationally known for his contributions to the understanding of human leukemias and immune disorders. His work revealed the critical role of enzymes called tyrosine kinases in human disease. Dr. Witte discovered one of the first tyrosine kinases, the ABL oncoprotein, showing that its activity is responsible for causing chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)—a cancer of white blood cells. He predicted that drugs that inhibit the tyrosine kinase would have therapeutic benefit. Based on Dr. Witte's work, the drug imatinib, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase ABL, was developed as frontline therapy. Imatinib increases the 8-year survival rate for CML from 6% to 87%. Dr. Witte subsequently discovered Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). He provided evidence that BTK's tyrosine kinase activity was important for both normal immune function (loss of BTK led to immunodeficiency disease) and white blood cell cancers—ultimately spurring the development of the BTK inhibitor drug ibrutinib, now used to treat several types of lymphomas and leukemias. 'It is a great honor to present Dr. Witte with the Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine. His transformative contributions to cancer research have not only reshaped our understanding of leukemia, lymphoma, and epithelial cancers but have also revolutionized targeted therapies, directly impacting countless lives. His seminal contributions to the development of ABL and BTK inhibitors exemplifies the scientific creativity and impact this award stands for,' said Anna Greka, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Physician at Mass General Brigham, Core Institute Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and 2024-2025 ASCI President. 'Dr. Witte's remarkable work serves as a powerful illustration of how basic discovery can inform the development of life-saving therapies. His groundbreaking work has bridged the gap between the laboratory bench and the clinical bedside, extending human life,' said Jonathan S. Stamler, President & Co-Founder, Harrington Discovery Institute, Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Innovation, Distinguished University Professor, and Professor of Medicine and of Biochemistry at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University. A committee composed of members of the ASCI Council and the Harrington Discovery Institute Scientific Advisory Board reviewed nominations from leading academic medical centers from six countries before selecting the 2025 Harrington Prize recipient. In addition to receiving the Prize's $20,000 honorarium, Dr. Witte will deliver the Harrington Prize Lecture at the 2025 AAP/ASCI/APSA Joint Meeting on April 25-27, and he will be a featured speaker at the 2025 Harrington Scientific Symposium May 21-22 and is invited to publish an essay in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The Harrington Prize has recognized outstanding and diverse innovations in medicine since 2014: 2014: Harry Dietz, MD, Johns Hopkins University, for his contributions to the understanding of the biology and treatment of Marfan syndrome, a disorder leading to deadly aneurysms in children and adults. 2015: Douglas R. Lowy, MD, The National Cancer Institute, in recognition of his discoveries that led to the development of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. 2016: Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD, The Rockefeller University, for his discovery of leptin, which controls feeding behavior and is used to treat related clinical disorders. 2017: Jointly awarded to Daniel J. Drucker, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada, Joel F. Habener, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Jens J. Holst, MD, DMSc, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, for their discovery of incretin hormones and for the translation of these findings into transformative therapies for major metabolic diseases such as diabetes. 2018: Helen H. Hobbs, MD, UT Southwestern Medical Center, for the discovery of the link between a gene mutation (PCSK9) and lower levels of LDL, which has improved the treatment of high cholesterol. 2019: Carl H. June, MD, University of Pennsylvania, for advancing the clinical application of CAR T therapy for cancer treatment, and for his sustained contributions to the field of cellular immunology. 2020: Stuart H. Orkin, MD, Harvard University, for breakthrough discoveries on red blood cells that offer new treatments for patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, which are among the most common genetic disorders. 2021: Warren J. Leonard, MD, and John J. O'Shea, MD, NIH, for their respective contributions to the field of immunology, from fundamental discovery to therapeutic impact. 2022: James E. Crowe Jr., MD, Vanderbilt University, and Michel C. Nussenzweig, MD, PhD, The Rockefeller University, for their groundbreaking work, which has elucidated fundamental principles of the human immune response and enabled the use of human antibodies to treat COVID-19. 2023: Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, and Albert M. Maguire, MD, University of Pennsylvania, for their groundbreaking translational research to restore sight in inherited genetic diseases. 2024: Arlene H. Sharpe, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, for her breakthrough discoveries in immune regulation, which have led to new cancer therapies that act by boosting the immune response to cancer.
Los Angeles Times
07-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Redevelopment plan to be submitted for Neighborhood Congregational Church site in Laguna Beach
After years of discussion surrounding what the future of the Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach could look like, those close to the transformational project say they are prepared to submit an application for entitlements to the city. The planned mixed-use development would put a 44-unit affordable housing complex on the lot, which represents a reduction of nearly 40% from the original plan for 72 units. There will also be a new spiritual center of approximately 7,000 square feet and a subterranean parking structure. Bill Witte, the chairman and chief executive of Related California, said the project would likely be submitted to the city on Monday under the guidelines of California Senate Bill 4, legislation enacted in 2023 that streamlines housing development on certain sites, such as churches, and exempts them from environmental review. 'This applies to sites owned by either religious or educational institutions and that must be 100% affordable housing,' Witte said of the legislation. 'It basically calls for an approval process to take place within 90 days of submission of a complete entitlement package.' Critics of the project had expressed concerns over neighborhood compatibility. Keith Labus, the principal architect with KTGY, said the project was downsized in response to the community's input. 'After receiving feedback from the community, and specifically our adjacent neighbors through a combination of both public and private meetings, we arrived at this final design, which is 44 units and has removed the [earlier proposed] entire third floor of the residential footprint of the building,' Labus said. 'Also, to visually kind of reduce the scale of the building further, we've used three distinct architectural styles, so the building will appear to be three separate smaller developments.' The spiritual center will be given 'modern character,' Labus said, while a 'beach cottage style' has been planned for the residential building. Community outreach has included a hand-delivered letter to 60 neighbors, a project website, and more than a dozen meetings with neighbors and community groups. More than 200 people attended a community meeting on Oct. 7 after notice was given to households within 500 feet of the project. There would be one parking space per unit, plus spots for on-site management, Witte said. An additional 41 spaces on the premises could be sold to the city for permanently owned public parking. The target household income levels fall between $33,000 and $117,000, depending on family size, while rents will range from $800 to $2,500. Priority access to the affordable residential units would be given to people who work in Laguna Beach. Per the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, Laguna Beach must plan for 394 additional housing units in the current housing cycle that ends in 2029. 'From a planning point of view, it's almost a caricature of a perfect location because it's across the street from a supermarket, it's two blocks from the ocean, you can walk everywhere in town,' Witte said. 'The high school is nearby, also in walking distance. … To compete for these tax credits, you have to pass a threshold test of proximity to amenities.' If an application for tax credits is successful following the city's approval process, Witte said it is 'plausible' that construction could begin in April 2026. 'Most of the affordable housing in California, if not all, is funded with the help of low-income housing tax credits, which are administered by the state and for which there are competitive application processes a couple times a year,' Witte said. 'Tax credits would provide, by far, the biggest source of funds to build the affordable housing. In order to compete as a project eligible for families, at least half the units must have two- and three-bedroom units. Family projects are slightly easier to gain access to funding for than just senior projects.' Pastor Rodrick Echols of the Neighborhood Congregational Church said 'declining membership, dwindling financial resources, and aging structures' on the campus drove the institution to think about its future. Echols said church membership had three goals: to remain a spiritual community in Laguna Beach, to provide a community benefit that meets a need and to be financially stable. 'We've had this dream to create a place … in Laguna Beach focused on love and justice while also promoting economic equity,' Echols said. 'That commitment to economic equity placed us at a really interesting space, an ability even, to look at affordable housing with clear eyes, to see the need and to see how we might be able to help fulfill that need right here in our town. 'Laguna Beach needs more affordable housing, and it needs that housing for seniors, artists and many others who work low-wage jobs here in town.' Echols added that the spiritual center will not only allow for continued meetings of the congregation, but it will also provide greater flexibility for community groups looking to put on events. Alice Court, a 27-unit senior affordable housing development at 450 Glenneyre Street, was also a Related California project. It was completed in 2004.
