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Operational Psychologist for U.S. Air Force Rescue Squadron Named 2025 National Staffing Employee of the Year

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ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Arora Group’s Amanda Alexander, Ph.D., a civilian operational psychologist for the U.S. Air Force 57th Rescue Squadron, has been named the 2025 National Staffing Employee of the Year, the American Staffing Association announced in a video today.

 

The announcement marks the beginning of National Staffing Employee Week, which runs this year from Sept. 9 to 15 and highlights the achievements of the millions of temporary and contract employees hired by U.S. staffing agencies each year.

In 2023, staffing agencies hired a total of 12.7 million temporary and contract employees nationwide.

“Dr. Alexander’s work preparing elite pararescuemen for life-saving missions exemplifies the wide array of career opportunities staffing agencies offer,” said Richard Wahlquist, chief executive officer of ASA. “Temporary and contract employees bring a diverse range of skills and perspectives to the workplace, and their contributions are essential to the success of both private and public sector organizations in the U.S. and throughout the world. We’re proud to shine a light on some of the most incredible stories of opportunity and excellence from the staffing world this year.”

Sponsored by StaffPro3, a division of PMC Insurance Group, the National Staffing Employee of the Year and All-Star awards honor current or former temporary or contract employees whose extraordinary stories of staffing success best exemplify one or more of the industry’s key messages of bridging into permanent employment, job flexibility, and access to a new career field. 

Alexander will be honored during a ceremony at Staffing World®, the ASA annual convention and expo, which this year takes place Oct. 22–24 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.

National Staffing Employee of the Year 

Health Care Sector All-Star
Amanda Alexander, Ph.D.
The Arora Group

Through staffing, Amanda Alexander has found an opportunity to challenge herself while doing meaningful work. She was working in private practice when a friend reached out about an opportunity to work as a civilian operational psychologist with the U.S. Air Force through the Arora Group.

“I really had no idea these types of opportunities existed, which I think really highlights the importance of [staffing] companies like the Arora Group,” Alexander said.

After discussing the opportunity with her spouse, Alexander relocated to Aviano Air Base in Italy, where she is embedded with the 57th Rescue Squadron, providing them with behavioral health support at both the team and individual levels.

National Staffing Employee All-Stars
ASA also named National Staffing All-Stars in four other industry sectors, in addition to Alexander as the health care sector All-Star and overall National Staffing Employee of the Year.

Engineering, Information Technology, and Scientific Sector All-Star
Celine Cang
Conexus MedStaff

Celine Cang, originally from the Philippines, is an experienced medical laboratory scientist who sought new career opportunities in the U.S. Through her employer, Conexus MedStaff, she secured her visa and began working in a hospital laboratory in Maryland. Recently named to Medical Laboratory Observer’s 55 under 55 list, Cang has thrived in her new role, establishing roots in the U.S. while contributing to solving the ongoing lab staffing shortage.

Industrial Sector All-Star
Jane Hockaday
Labor Finders International

Jane Hockaday is a retiree who enjoys the job flexibility that staffing provides. A mother of two grown children, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, Hockaday has worked in a number of different roles with Labor Finders, including landscaping, driving, and traffic safety flagging. While she has received multiple permanent job offers, Hockaday says she enjoys working for Labor Finders, which provides her the flexibility she needs to help support and care for her large family.

Office–Clerical and Administrative Sector All-Star
Dorina Olloni
Integrity Staffing Solutions

Dorina Olloni used the opportunity she gained through staffing to bridge to permanent employment. After starting her temporary seasonal assignment, Olloni’s stellar performance led to increased responsibilities and extended assignments. Soon she was recognized as a core associate and was entrusted with training new associates in the client’s data entry system, and eventually was offered a full-time permanent position with the client. Throughout her assignment, the close relationship between Olloni, her recruiter, and the client allowed her to navigate her transition to her permanent role while strengthening the relationship between the staffing agency and the client.

Professional–Managerial Sector All-Star
Myrtle Bell
Staffing One Inc.

Myrtle Bell uses staffing to supplement her pension while coordinating outreach with a major sporting event. Shortly after retiring, Bell began work with Staffing One as a contractor. She is a critical player on the team that coordinates the client company’s shareholder and officer meetings as well as their involvement with the PGA FedEx Cup TOUR Championship Golf Tournament. As a result, Bell is able to enjoy her retirement while working in a new role with flexibility.

About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net. 

Contact 
Megan Sweeney
American Staffing Association
703-253-1151
msweeney@americanstaffing.net  

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SOURCE American Staffing Association

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-group-relaunches-humanview-a-growth-intelligence-system-built-to-explain-why-customers-behave-the-way-they-do-302918557.html

SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephen-a-smith-addresses-white-house-dinner-attendance-reaffirms-commitment-to-hbcus-and-protecting-corporate-investment-in-black-education-302918547.html

SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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