Market Newsdesk

Blue Planet Selected by BT to Enhance End User Digital Experience for Global Customers

Intelligent automation software from Blue Planet further enhances speed and reliability of BT’s cloud-based collaboration services for multinational customers

HANOVER, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Blue Planet, a division of Ciena (NYSE: CIEN), is providing BT with intelligent automation software as part of the global service provider’s drive to deliver market-leading user experience for its multinational enterprise customers. The software will help BT provide its customers with quicker and more reliable access to cloud-based collaboration tools, such as file sharing and messaging applications.

“People around the world are relying more heavily on digital applications to improve productivity wherever they work. With Ciena’s Blue Planet software, BT further establishes itself as a partner of choice for organizations looking to provide outstanding user experience for their people accessing virtual work environments. It’s a fantastic example of how we’re innovating with a new generation of technology providers to deliver fresh solutions and the best experience for customers,” said Hriday Ravindranath, Chief Technology and Information Officer, Global, BT.

Blue Planet software automates the design and activation of end-to-end network connectivity, helping BT to offer superior digital experience for its customers. Deployed in BT’s cloud, Blue Planet eliminates the need for manual processes to help optimize operations, reduce costs and ensure the network meets emerging digital demands.

“Service providers today need automation to realize the full potential of new services. With Blue Planet, BT is executing its digital-first vision and contributing to a more connected world,” said Rick Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Blue Planet, a division of Ciena.

About Blue Planet

Blue Planet, a division of Ciena (NYSE: CIEN), provides market-leading intelligent automation software and specialized professional services to help customers modernize their IT and network operations. Driven by policy and AI-based insights, Blue Planet delivers the closed-loop automation tools needed to align IT and networking processes—critical to facilitating digital transformation. For updates on Blue Planet, visit www.blueplanet.com.

Note to Ciena Investors

You are encouraged to review the Investors section of our website, where we routinely post press releases, SEC filings, recent news, financial results, and other announcements. From time to time we exclusively post material information to this website along with other disclosure channels that we use. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations, forecasts, information and assumptions. These statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those stated or implied, because of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in our most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies and can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” and “would” or similar words. Ciena assumes no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005308/en/

Press Contact:

Virginia Stratford

Ciena Corporation

+1 (410) 694-5761

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Gregg Lampf

Ciena Corporation

+1 (410) 694-5700

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Maryland North America United States Ireland United Kingdom Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Software Networks Internet Data Management Technology Mobile/Wireless Other Technology Security

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Maximus CEO Bruce Caswell Named Executive of the Year by the Greater Washington GovCon Awards

RESTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Maximus (NYSE: MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, today announced its CEO, Bruce Caswell, has received the Greater Washington GovCon Awards’ Executive of the Year for companies with more than $300 million in revenue. The prestigious GovCon Awards, hosted annually by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council (PSC), recognize the exceptional work of the leaders and businesses in the region’s government contracting sector.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the GovCon Awards,” said Caswell. “This is a testament to the commitment of every single Maximus employee to achieve our goal of helping government serve the people. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced tremendous challenges, such as moving to remote work and shifting requirements from our current customers. I’m proud that we were able to overcome these challenges and step-up to assist many citizens in new ways, whether through contact tracing or supporting applicants for unemployment benefits. I am grateful for being recognized and share this award with all of the Maximus team.”

Caswell was recognized for his contributions in reshaping Maximus into the government contracting powerhouse it is today. He led the $400M acquisition of citizen engagement center projects, spearheaded the Company’s support for federal and state governments with their pandemic response, and is positioning the Company to become a leader in delivering digital transformation and clinical health capabilities that enable governments to enhance delivery of services to citizens.

Caswell became CEO on April 1, 2018 and has served as President since 2014. Over his 16 years at Maximus, he has held several senior leadership roles overseeing key segments of the Company’s business. Caswell brings 30 years of public sector health and human services experience in the domains of management consulting, systems integration and operations related to the delivery of complex solutions to federal, state and provincial government clients.

About Maximus

Since 1975, Maximus has operated under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People^®, enabling citizens around the globe to successfully engage with their governments at all levels and across a variety of health and human services programs. Maximus delivers innovative business process management and technology solutions that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and higher levels of productivity, accuracy, accountability and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. With more than 30,000 employees worldwide, Maximus is a proud partner to government agencies in the United States, Australia, Canada, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit maximus.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005311/en/

Lisa Miles 703.251.8637

[email protected]

Blake Travis 703.712.4169

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Virginia United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Data Management Technology Other Technology Human Resources Software Consulting

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New State-of-the-Art Pipe Fabrication Facility Brings New Jobs and Nationwide Distribution

TRINITY, Ala.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Progressive Pipe Fabricators, a division of Shambaugh & Son L.P., celebrated the grand opening of their new Trinity, Alabama facility with a ribbon-cutting event that attracted a number of high-profile attendees from the State of Alabama and the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA). Shambaugh is currently the largest MEP construction services contractor in Indiana and ranked the third largest specialty contractor in the United States.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005320/en/

The new 82,000-square-foot fabrication facility, which has been under construction since January, will fabricate and deliver more than 20,000 individual sprinklers per week, and has the capacity to ship more than 1-million pounds of fabricated sprinkler pipe per week.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this new facility,” said Rob Vincent, Shambaugh’s chief operating officer, fire protection. “By expanding our fabrication capabilities throughout the United States, our new shop will now serve a much larger geographic area. What’s even more exciting is that while we’re expanding our reach, we’re simultaneously bolstering our sustainability efforts by reducing fuel consumption and improving speed to market.”

With the opening of this new facility, Progressive Pipe Fabricators has also created 60 new jobs in Lawrence County.

“Being able to support the local community as an employer is something that makes all of us at Progress Pipe Fabricators extremely proud,” said Vincent. “I’m happy to report that with support from the State of Alabama Department of Commerce AIDT Division, we’ve successfully filled nearly all of those jobs.”

The new facility is located at 2060 Cooperage Way, Trinity, AL 35673.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005320/en/

Progressive Pipe Fabricators

Rob Vincent

[email protected]

260.487.7873

KEYWORDS: Alabama United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Oil/Gas Energy

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Present at the PPF Ribbon Cutting Ceremony were: (from l.-r.) James Golinveaux, President and CEO, Viking Group; Rob Vincent, COO, National Fire Protection, Shambaugh; Griff Daughtridge President Nucor Sheet & Tubular; Shane Ray President National Fire Protection Association; Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, President, Alabama Public Service Commission; Jeremy Cooper Sales Manager Nucor Tubular; John Merrill, Alabama Secretary of State (Photo: Business Wire)

Central Garden & Pet Announces 2020 Investor Day

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) (“Central”), a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets, is pleased to announce its 2020 Investor Day on Thursday, December 3, 2020 beginning at 1 p.m. EST. The video event will feature presentations and a Q&A session with Central’s senior leadership team and is expected to conclude by approximately 3:30 pm EST.

The video event will be available on Central’s website at ir.central.com. Alternatively, to listen by telephone, dial +1 (201) 689-8345 (domestic and international) using conference ID# 13712432.

Questions may be submitted in advance through the webcast portal or the day of the event either through the webcast portal or by voice through the phone line.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON^®, and THE REBELS^®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON^®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO^®, SEVIN®, and OVER-N-OUT^®; fertilizer and the brands PENNINGTON^® and IRONITE^®; live plants from BELL NURSERY; outdoor cushions and pillows from ARDEN COMPANIES; and decorative outdoor patio products under the PENNINGTON^® brand. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS^™, COMFORT ZONE^®, FARNAM^®, HORSE HEALTH^™ and VITAFLEX^®; aquatics and reptile and the brands AQUEON^®, CORALIFE^®, SEGREST^™ and ZILLA^®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE^®, Forti-Diet^® and CRITTER TRAIL^®; and dog & cat and the brands TFH^™, NYLABONE^®, FOUR PAWS^®, IMS^®, CADET^®, DMC^™, and K&H Pet Products. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has over 6,000 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company’s SEC filings, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005335/en/

Investor Relations Contact:

Friederike Edelmann

(925) 948-3657

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: California United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Construction & Property Landscape Pets Consumer

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Moody’s Analytics Strengthens Core CRE Platform

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Moody’s Analytics has strengthened its core data and analytics platform for commercial real estate (CRE) with information on a building tenant’s creditworthiness, enabling industry professionals to examine the prospects of companies as tenants.

Customers of the Moody’s Analytics Real Estate Information Solutions (REIS®) platform will now be able to see a nonfinancial corporate tenant’s long term credit rating and outlook assigned by our sister company, Moody’s Investors Service (if available), alongside performance and fundamental property-level data, in the REIS platform.

Together, credit ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and granular, property-level information from the Moody’s Analytics REIS platform create a framework for comparing future risks and opportunities across property types. CRE market participants can more easily distinguish the tenants and properties that represent greater credit risk and identify those that are displaying relative resilience, which has become even more critical during the COVID-19 crisis. Downgrades in credit ratings for specific groupings of firms may serve as an early warning signal for how commercial real estate will perform at a neighborhood and property level.

“The power of combining traditional real estate data with tenant credit ratings lies in the nuance it brings to property analysis, enabling more informed decision-making,” said Cristina Pieretti, Managing Director of CRE Solutions at Moody’s Analytics. “It is the latest step on a journey of bringing together relevant capabilities from across the Moody’s organization to offer the CRE industry a distinctly powerful toolkit. We are committed to helping real estate industry participants navigate through shifting market dynamics with confidence.”

The REIS platform is a cornerstone of the growing suite of Moody’s Analytics technology-enabled CRE solutions for commercial lenders, real estate investors, brokers, and developers. Moody’s Analytics CRE solutions harness the expansive data and analytical expertise across the Moody’s organization to deliver integrated analysis of new and traditional metrics for better decision-making as the CRE marketplace evolves.

About Moody’s Analytics

Moody’s Analytics provides financial intelligence and analytical tools to help business leaders make better, faster decisions. Our deep risk expertise, expansive information resources, and innovative application of technology help our clients confidently navigate an evolving marketplace. We are known for our industry-leading and award-winning solutions, made up of research, data, software, and professional services, assembled to deliver a seamless customer experience. We create confidence in thousands of organizations worldwide, with our commitment to excellence, open mindset approach, and focus on meeting customer needs. For more information about Moody’s Analytics, visit our website or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Moody’s Analytics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO). Moody’s Corporation reported revenue of $4.8 billion in 2019, employs approximately 11,400 people worldwide and maintains a presence in more than 40 countries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005366/en/

KATERINA SOUMILOVA

Moody’s Analytics Communications

+1.212.553.1177

Moody’s Analytics Media Relations

moodysanalytics.com

twitter.com/moodysanalytics

linkedin.com/company/moodysanalytics

KEYWORDS: New York United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Other Construction & Property Commercial Building & Real Estate Finance Construction & Property REIT Banking

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Bank of Southern California Appoints Chief Risk Officer

Martin Liska Named Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Bank of Southern California, N.A. (OTC Pink: BCAL), a community business bank headquartered in San Diego, is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Liska as Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer. In this newly created role, he will lead all risk management functions including credit risk management, enterprise risk management, internal audit, regulatory compliance, and more. He will also be responsible for the design and execution of the Bank’s enterprise risk management program and practices, including establishing frameworks and methodologies to support effective risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and monitoring. Mr. Liska will also assume the role as the Bank’s BSA Officer.

Mr. Liska joins Bank of Southern California with nearly 30 years of industry experience often serving in leadership roles, each with increasing responsibility at leading financial institutions. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer for Preferred Bank. Prior to that, he was the Senior Vice President, BSA/AML Officer of California United Bank.

Ms. Liska earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne and is a United States Army veteran. An active member of the community, he served as an Executive Board Member, Secretary and founding member of the U.S.A. Southern California Chapter of the Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) for seven years.

“The addition of a Chief Risk Officer to our executive leadership team is an important step in strengthening our risk management program and preparing the company for future growth,” said Nathan Rogge, President and CEO. “Martin is an experienced senior leader with deep knowledge of risk management, regulatory and compliance frameworks, and we are excited to welcome him to the team,” concluded Rogge.

About Bank of Southern California

A growing community bank, established in 2001, Bank of Southern California, N.A., with headquarters in San Diego, CA, is locally owned and managed, and offers a range of financial products to individuals, professionals and small-to-medium sized businesses. The Bank’s solution-driven, relationship-based approach to banking provides accessibility to decision makers and enhances value through strong partnerships with its clients. The Bank currently operates branches in San Diego County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and the Coachella Valley in Riverside County. For more information, please visit https://www.banksocal.com or call 844.BNK.SOCAL.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005201/en/

Media Contact:

Amanda Conover

Bank of Southern California

[email protected]

858.847.4762

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Banking Professional Services Finance

MEDIA:

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Data I/O to Participate in Upcoming Investor Events

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Data I/O Corporation (NASDAQ: DAIO), the leading global provider of advanced security and data deployment solutions for microcontrollers, security ICs and memory devices, today announced that its management is scheduled to participate in upcoming virtual investor conferences.

Imperial Capital 17th Annual (1^st Virtual) Security Investor Conference (“SIC”) on December 2-3, 2020. The conference is being held over two days with a virtual presentation and virtual 1:1 meetings from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST on the first day and/or 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the second day. For additional information, please visit http://imperialcapital-sic.com/.

Needham 23^rd Annual Virtual Growth Conference on January 11, 2021. Data I/O will be presenting and conducting 1:1 meetings on a virtual basis.

Investors interested in meeting with management should contact the respective investment bank/brokerage firm representative or Jordan Darrow of Darrow Associates, IR for Data I/O, at [email protected].

Presentation materials will be made available on the morning of the conferences on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

About Data I/O Corporation

Since 1972 Data I/O has developed innovative solutions to enable the design and manufacture of electronic products for automotive, Internet-of-Things, medical, wireless, consumer electronics, industrial controls and other electronic devices. Today, our customers use Data I/O security deployment and programming solutions to reliably, securely, and cost-effectively bring innovative new products to life. These solutions are backed by a global network of Data I/O support and service professionals, ensuring success for our customers.

Learn more at dataio.com

Forward Looking Statement

Statements in this news release concerning economic outlook, expected revenue, expected margins, expected savings, expected results, orders, deliveries, backlog and financial positions, as well as any other statement that may be construed as a prediction of future performance or events are forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statement disclaimers also apply to the global COVID-19 pandemic, including the expected effects on the Company’s business from COVID-19, the duration and scope, impact on the demand for the Company’s products, and the pace of recovery for the COVID-19 pandemic to subside. These factors include uncertainties as to the ability to record revenues based upon the timing of product deliveries, installations and acceptance, accrual of expenses, coronavirus related business interruptions, changes in economic conditions and other risks including those described in the Company’s filings on Forms 10K and 10Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), press releases and other communications.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201117005380/en/

Joel Hatlen

Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Data I/O Corporation

6645 185^th Ave. NE, Suite 100

Redmond, WA 98052

(425) 881-6444

Darrow Associates, Inc.

Jordan Darrow

(512) 551-9296

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Washington United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Security Hardware Data Management Technology Software

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