Technology

J.S. Held Digital, Data & Technology Experts Address Evolving Business Risks & Opportunities

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

JERICHO, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global consulting firm J.S. Held, proudly celebrating 50 transformative years, announces a multidisciplinary team to address rapidly growing opportunities and risks associated with data, technology, and digital transformation.

J.S. Held experts present actionable strategies to thrive in a digital economy.

J.S. Held draws upon more than 1,500 technical, scientific, financial, and strategic experts across the globe with expertise in cyber security consulting and digital investigations; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) digital solutions; and information governance and data privacy consulting.

With trillions spent on digital transformation worldwide, data breaches costing $4.88M on average in 2024, and electronic discovery accounting for around 6.5M pages of data in a typical civil case, data is the energy source driving digital transformation. According to the latest estimates, 402.74M terabytes of data are created daily. Data flows are crucial to seamless communication and transactions between businesses, facilitating daily operations, innovation, and competitive advantage in a digital economy. According to International Chamber of Commerce statistics, data transfers contribute $2.8T to global GDP, outpacing the worldwide trade in goods, and is projected to reach $11T by 2025.

J.S. Held experts advise business executives, investors, government agencies, legal counsel, risk managers, and insurance professionals. Multidisciplinary experts help clients identify and mitigate risk, build resiliency, protect information, manage compliance, realize business value from their data and digital assets, process and analyze large volumes of information, conduct digital investigations, prevent and respond to cyber incidents, navigate litigation, and achieve successful digital transformation outcomes.

Cyber Security Consulting & Digital Investigations

J.S. Held experts equip clients with innovative solutions that prepare them for a cyber crisis and help them return to full operations after an incident. A global team of former federal law enforcement, network security experts, forensic accountants, former prosecutors, and investigators is engaged to respond to cyber incidents effectively; enhance implementation of incident response, remediation, and recovery efforts; innovate cyber security strategies to help clients become more resilient and manage risk; and advise in complex investigations and litigation. J.S. Held has specialized service lines in the areas of cloud security consulting, cyber risk and compliance, digital forensics, electronic discovery (eDiscovery), forensic data analytics, penetration testing, and virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO).

ESG & EHS Digital Solutions

The J.S. Held team draws on vast experience in diverse fields, including management consulting, regulatory compliance, information technology, and occupational health and safety, to provide ESG and EHS advisory and technology services globally. This diversity benefits clients and allows J.S. Held to offer a wide range of unique ESG and EHS solutions – from end-to-end software implementation to process optimization, management solutions, governance, and regulatory compliance consulting.

Information Governance & Data Privacy Consulting

J.S. Held data privacy and information governance experts work alongside clients to ensure the safe management, utilization, and disposal of information throughout their global ecosystem. Experts with technical expertise and investigative experience collaborate with clients to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data across their organization to minimize corporate risk, safeguard private information, and minimize exposure from non-compliance. As usable sources of information expand, the team conducts ongoing system reviews and offers innovative solutions, processes, and applications to address evolving regulatory compliance requirements.

Meet the Experts

J.S. Held has curated a collection of entrepreneurial experts who are leaders in their industry – visionaries who not only understand the intricacies of their fields but have also navigated the volatile waters of business themselves, ensuring the advice clients receive is not just theoretical but grounded in real-world experience and innovation.

Steven Andersen specializes in ESG & EHS Digital Solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the sustainability industry, Steven advises large multinational clients with diverse risk exposure across various geographies and operations. His efforts have supported many enterprises’ proactive management of ESG issues, improving compliance and sustainability outcomes.

Denis Calderone is a Cyber Security Consulting specialist with 25 years of helping a diverse client base that spans all market vertices. Denis’ broad experience is highlighted by his many years of proactive security service delivery and program development. He is a seasoned penetration tester with expertise in red teaming as well as black and white box penetration testing and purple teaming approaches. Denis and his team of highly experienced testers craft highly customized testing schemes targeting hardware, software, applications, and humans alike. Denis also performs the role of virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) for a diverse set of J.S. Held clients. He takes pride in delivering custom-tailored, forward-thinking strategies that align with each client’s unique threat profile. His skills extend across cyber security compliance frameworks, program and policy development, and infosec mentorship and training. Whether leading as a vCISO, conducting tabletop simulations, or developing security workflows, Denis’ preventive focus empowers organizations to strengthen their defenses in today’s complex cyber landscape.

With over 25 years of experience, Stephen O’Malley specializes in eDiscovery, digital forensic investigations, investigative data analytics, and cyber security consulting. His work encompasses some of the largest multinational investigations, providing critical evidence for litigation support, deploying advanced technology solutions, conducting major fraud and corruption investigations, and enhancing organizations’ legal and operational integrity. In addition to serving as a principal investigative consultant responsible for investigating components for the trustee in the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities liquidation at the direction of the SIPC Trustee’s counsel, he played a central role in the insider trading investigation and response to multiple SEC subpoenas related to GameStop short sale price spike in 2021-2022.

Specializing in electronic discovery, digital transformation, cyber risk advisory, and digital forensics, Simon Placks has led projects across many industries. Simon addresses the complex challenges faced by large enterprises, helping many companies manage risks associated with misconduct and crime, implement advanced technology solutions, and enhance their legal compliance.

J.S. Held is recognized as an industry leader in the Verdantix Green Quadrant for Sustainability & ESG Consulting and was recently acknowledged by Acquisition International Magazine as the Best Business Intelligence & Cyber Security Consulting Firm in New York for 2024.

As data, technology, and online activity play a more significant role in an increasingly digital world, J.S. Held presents comprehensive expertise to help organizations manage risk and capitalize on opportunities globally.

About J.S. Held

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.

More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 81% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 70% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (85% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 65% of the Fortune 100 Companies.

J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not law firms and do not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC, or Ocean Tomo Investment Group, LLC, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/ SIPC. All rights reserved.

Contact

Kristi L. Stathis | Global Public Relations | +1 786-833-4864 | Kristi.Stathis@jsheld.com

Find Your Expert.®

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SOURCE J.S. Held

Technology

Walmart Has 23.6% of U.S. Grocery Sales – But Costco Owns the AI Answer – 5W Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026

Published

2 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Walmart Owns 21% of U.S. Grocery — But Costco Owns the AI Answer

NEW YORK, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5WPR, the premier AI communications firm in the United States, today released the U.S. Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index 2026 — the 11th installment in 5W’s AI Visibility Index research series, and the first to rank American grocery retailers by how frequently they are cited inside AI-generated answers.

The headline finding rewrites the category league table.

Walmart, with approximately 21 percent of U.S. grocery market share — the largest in the country — ranks fourth in AI citation share. The retailer cited most often when American shoppers ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI Overviews where to buy their groceries is Costco. Trader Joe’s ranks second. Whole Foods ranks third. Aldi, H-E-B, and Wegmans are all punching far above what their physical footprint would predict.

“Market share is a lagging indicator. AI citation share is a leading indicator,” said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W. “The grocers who close that gap in 2026 will define the category in 2030. Most grocery CMOs we talk to are running 2019 playbooks against 2026 consumer behavior.”

5W researchers ran more than 80 consumer-intent queries across 12 sub-categories — best overall grocery store, cheapest, highest-quality produce, best private label, best organic, best meal planning, best bulk, best delivery, best customer service, best regional, and others — across the four leading consumer AI platforms. Each retailer was scored on citation frequency, position within the answer, sentiment, and sub-category dominance.

The top 10: Costco, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Walmart, Kroger, Aldi, H-E-B, Publix, Wegmans, and Target.

Key structural findings:

Market share no longer predicts AI citation share. Walmart’s roughly 21 percent share translates to an estimated 8 to 10 percent AI citation share across premium query categories. The decoupling is the single largest such gap in American retail.Private label is the highest-leverage citation asset a grocer owns. Kirkland, Trader Joe’s, 365, Good & Gather, and Great Value are cited directly by name in AI answers at rates that exceed most national CPG brands.Regional loyalty translates directly into regional AI dominance. Regional chains outperform national chains in their home markets by 3x or more.Reddit and TikTok are under-priced citation surfaces. Perplexity pulls a majority of its answers from community sources. ChatGPT and Claude weight Reddit heavily.

The report also identifies six 2026 dynamics reshaping the category, including the new GLP-1 grocery basket, Aldi’s expansion as a citation-compounding program, and Walmart’s CEO transition from Doug McMillon to John Furner — effective February 1, 2026 — as a brand-narrative inflection point.

The full Index, including ranks 11 through 25 and sub-category breakdowns, is available as a free download at 5wpr.com/research.

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm, building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen — ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews — alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research, helping clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research.

Founded more than 20 years ago, 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, and honored as a Top Place to Work in Communications in 2026 by Ragan. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors including Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit; B2B specialties including Corporate Communications and Reputation Management; as well as Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing, including Social Media, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO. 5W was also named to the Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list.

For more information, visit www.5wpr.com.

Media Contact
Chris Bergin
cbergin@5wpr.com

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SOURCE 5W Public Relations

Technology

ICAT Logistics Appoints Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer

Published

2 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Transportation and logistics finance leader joins as ICAT accelerates its next phase of growth

DALLAS, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICAT Logistics announces the appointment of Youssef Annali as Chief Financial Officer. Annali brings more than two decades of senior finance leadership across global logistics and supply chain businesses, and joins as the company scales its platform, team, and operational capabilities globally.

Annali joins ICAT from OIA Global, a $1.4 billion revenue supply chain management leader, where he served as CFO for four years overseeing Finance, Corporate Development, Strategy, Legal, Compliance, and Real Estate. Prior to OIA, he spent eleven years at CEVA Logistics—one of the world’s largest freight and logistics providers—rising to CFO & EVP Finance for North America, where he held financial accountability for a business generating over $4.5 billion in annual revenue and more than 14,000 employees. Earlier in his career, he served in senior finance roles at Abbott, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Annali has a consistent track record of building finance functions that support strategic growth and has deep experience across financial planning, M&A, treasury, and corporate restructuring. He holds a Post-Master’s in Finance and Control from the University of Amsterdam and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Groningen.

“Youssef has led high-performing finance teams at the highest levels of global logistics. He brings the operational depth and strategic mindset our platform demands as we enter the next phase of growth,” said Brad Stogner, CEO of ICAT Logistics.

“ICAT has built something genuinely differentiated—a specialized platform operating in verticals where precision and domain expertise are non-negotiable. The foundation is strong, and the opportunity ahead is significant. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate that momentum,” said Youssef Annali, Chief Financial Officer of ICAT Logistics.

About ICAT

ICAT is the world’s leading specialized logistics company, delivering customized solutions and deep vertical expertise to industries where failure is not an option. With 65 offices and operating capabilities in 190 countries, ICAT serves customers across Live Events, Luxury, Technology, Defense & Aerospace, Life Sciences, and Financial Institutions—sectors defined by uncompromising performance standards. ICAT’s proprietary, AI-powered technology platform provides end-to-end visibility and predictive intelligence, enabling precise execution for the most demanding operations.

ICAT is backed by New Atlas Capital following its acquisition of the Company in 2024.

Contact Information

ICAT Logistics, Inc.
8840 Cypress Waters Blvd, Ste 325,
Coppell, TX, 75019
marketing@icatlogistics.com

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SOURCE ICAT Logistics, Inc.

Technology

HelloNation Article Highlights Poughkeepsie’s Focus on Youth Investment, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse

Published

2 hours ago

May 7, 2026

The article examines how redevelopment projects and youth programs are reshaping community life across Poughkeepsie.

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What does long term community growth look like when a city invests in both people and public spaces? HelloNation has published a HelloNation article that provides the answer through a detailed look at how Poughkeepsie is combining youth investment, neighborhood improvements and adaptive reuse projects to support residents and strengthen the city’s future.

The article explains that Poughkeepsie is undergoing a period of reinvention centered on infrastructure upgrades, youth programming and redevelopment along the city’s Northside. According to the article, local and county leaders are working to create spaces where residents can learn, gather and build stronger community connections. The article notes that these efforts are intended to improve quality of life while helping the city grow in a more sustainable and inclusive way.

A major focus of the article is the planned Youth Opportunity Union, also known as the YOU, a large multipurpose youth facility backed by Dutchess County. The HelloNation article describes the project as a 19,000 square foot center that will include childcare services, wellness support, tutoring areas, teaching kitchens and both indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. The article explains that the project reflects a larger regional effort to increase opportunities for children and teenagers in underserved communities.

The article also highlights additional youth centered investments connected to sports, education and recreation. According to the article, Dutchess County has awarded grants to local organizations serving young people between the ages of 6 and 17. The article further explains that Poughkeepsie’s City Parks program has introduced mini grants designed to support renovations and activities in neighborhood parks, including Pershing Avenue and Malcolm X parks.

Beyond youth programs, the article details how the city is working to improve transportation and neighborhood infrastructure. The HelloNation article explains that Poughkeepsie launched its first five year paving plan in 2025, beginning with major roadway improvements on Main Street and other corridors. The article states that these upgrades are intended to improve safety, durability and daily conditions for residents while supporting broader redevelopment goals throughout the city.

Another important part of the article focuses on adaptive reuse and environmental redevelopment on the Northside. The article describes how Scenic Hudson plans to transform the former Standard Gage Factory into the Northside Hub, a redevelopment project designed to serve as both a nonprofit headquarters and a community gathering space. According to the article, the project will feature solar powered operations, office space, public parkland and community facilities near the Walkway Over the Hudson and Dutchess Rail Trail.

The article also explains that Poughkeepsie’s selection as the Mid Hudson winner in New York’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative adds additional momentum to current redevelopment efforts. The HelloNation article notes that the funding will support new downtown projects that build on existing investments in youth programs, infrastructure and adaptive reuse. Together, these efforts are presented as part of a broader strategy to create long term stability and opportunity for local residents.

The article concludes that Poughkeepsie’s emerging identity is closely tied to projects that strengthen neighborhoods while supporting future generations. Poughkeepsie Puts Youth, Neighborhood Parks and Sustainable Reuse at the Center of Renewal features insights from HelloNation Staff Writer, community development coverage of Poughkeepsie, New York, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused digital publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. HelloNation maintains partnerships with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United States First Responders Association.

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SOURCE HelloNation