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Our Rescue Withdraws No-Cost RFP Bid for Minneapolis Community Safety Center

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1 year ago

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Organization Remains Committed to Funding Collaborators to Combat Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitation in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is withdrawing its no-cost request for proposal (RFP) and commitment to help fund the Minneapolis Community Safety Center. The decision comes after some community groups were critical of the organization’s proposed partnership based on misinformation and past actions by the former CEO and founder. Our Rescue would not have received funding from the City of Minneapolis. Rather, as part of the RFP, Our Rescue planned to use its own funds to deliver $1 million in specialized training for law enforcement, community leaders and cross-sector professionals to bolster anti-trafficking efforts in Minneapolis. 

“Misinformation campaigns, attacks on the past, and politicizing this work for political gain is a distraction from the lifesaving work we are doing and will continue to do here with our cross-sector partners in law enforcement and survivor care,” said Tammy Lee, CEO of Our Rescue who led anti-human trafficking initiatives at Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies, Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines, and served on the White House Interagency Task force to Combat Trafficking in Persons. “While we have withdrawn our commitment to fund training and services at the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center, I told Mayor Frey that we remain committed to this community and will provide direct funds to police, firefighters, first responders and other nonprofits who are working together to end human trafficking and child exploitation.”  

New Leadership, New Organization
In less than a year under Lee’s leadership, Our Rescue has undergone a significant transformation, including the appointment of a new board of directors and leadership team. In April 2024, the organization re-incorporated as Our Rescue with a renewed commitment to support law enforcement with the tools, technology and training they need to remove sex trafficking and child exploitation victims from harm and partner with other nonprofits to provide trauma-informed survivor care. 

While undergoing this transformation, Lee said the organization equally was focused on its mission in 27 countries, including the U.S. The organization had been known for its work internationally and is now focused on expanding its support for law enforcement and survivor care domestically.  

In 2024 alone, Our Rescue’s support in the U.S. included: 

Funding 16 comprehensive, skills-based training sessions for over 1,500 police officers, increasing their capacity to investigate human trafficking cases and support survivors using trauma-informed approaches.Supporting police officers in identifying 274 victims of human trafficking.Providing 131 grants to fund digital forensics technology in support of law enforcement agencies, aiding in over 3,000 rescue missions.Sponsoring and placing 24 ESD K9s—trained to detect devices that store child sexual abuse material. This enables police to find digital evidence that helps them arrest and convict predators. Our Rescue has sponsored and placed 110 police K9s since 2017.Supporting 25 survivors through short- and long-term housing, food, transportation, medical care and therapeutic services, as well as educational and vocational training.

Commitment to Minnesota
Our Rescue relocated its headquarters to Minneapolis to work alongside local leaders to enhance current services and fill gaps, including funding to support training, ESD K9s and digital forensics equipment for police; online safety training to protect kids from predators; and more direct services for survivors. 

Recently, Our Rescue awarded a $50,000 grant to the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center in Minneapolis and $10,000 to Terebinth Refuge in St. Cloud to support at-risk women and youth and to enhance their survivor services.  

Our Rescue also is raising funds to expand survivor care services in Minneapolis, with plans to invest in additional shelter and support services for Minnesota survivors.    

“Collaboration, not competition, is essential,” said Derek Benner, Chief Mission Officer at Our Rescue and former head of Homeland Security Investigations. “We know the most effective way to drive lasting change is by linking arms and being inclusive in our collective efforts to end sex trafficking and child exploitation.” 

Sex trafficking remains one of the fastest growing crimes. In 2023, 8,611 CyberTipline reports of suspected child sexual exploitation were made available to law enforcement in Minnesota, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Globally, the International Labour Organization reports that forced commercial sexual exploitation generates $173 billion in illegal profits per year. 

“By working together, we can a force multiplier for good in Minnesota and around the world in the fight to end human trafficking and child exploitation,” added Lee. 

About Our Rescue
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Our Rescue is a global non-governmental organization on a mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation by empowering survivors to reclaim their lives and thrive on their healing journey. Founded in 2013, the organization focuses on education toward prevention, supports law enforcement in rescuing survivors and prosecuting perpetrators, and provides trauma-informed survivor care services. Our Rescue operates in the U.S. and 27 countries. 

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SOURCE Our Rescue

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XLCS Partners advises Concurrent Utility Services on sale to UniTek Global Services

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July 23, 2026

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent Utility Services LLC on its acquisition by UniTek Global Services, Inc., a portfolio company of New Mountain Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: NMFC) and its affiliates, and BTG Pactual Strategic Capital.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Concurrent is a licensed general and electrical contractor providing infrastructure development and maintenance services to electric utilities, telecom providers, and land developers throughout the Southeast United States. The company’s capabilities span overhead and underground utility construction, professional telecom services, emergency service restoration, in-building networks, environmental services, and data center development. Backed by a safety-first culture and an experienced workforce, Concurrent has built a strong regional platform and a reputation for quality across the markets it serves.

UniTek is a leading digital infrastructure services provider supporting the expansion of fiber and data center connectivity across the U.S. and Canada. With over 600 employees and 60 locations, UniTek delivers a full suite of infrastructure services. The acquisition of Concurrent accelerates UniTek’s Power Services Division, which launched in July 2025 to broaden the company’s maintenance, repair, upgrade, and new infrastructure development services for the power sector. Concurrent’s established Southeast footprint and power capabilities directly complement UniTek’s existing broadband and data center infrastructure platform, positioning the combined company to capitalize on growing demand for resilient, modernized power infrastructure. Concurrent will continue to operate under its established brand, maintaining uninterrupted service for its customers.

“Selling Concurrent was one of the biggest decisions of my career, and Anthony, Jay, and the XLCS team guided us through every step with professionalism and genuine care for our people,” said Steve Sarno, CEO of Concurrent. “They stayed fully engaged throughout, gave us honest and thoughtful advice, kept our best interests front and center, and delivered an outcome that exceeded our expectations. I would recommend them without hesitation to any owner considering a transaction.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent, and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner, and Jay Cremer, Vice President. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2026.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.

XLCS Partners is a leading global investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services. Visit www.xlcspartners.com for more information.

Media Contact: 
Kendra Span 
kspan@xlcspartners.com
615-379-7783

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xlcs-partners-advises-concurrent-utility-services-on-sale-to-unitek-global-services-302833542.html

SOURCE XLCS Partners, Inc.

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XLCS Partners advises Concurrent Utility Services on sale to UniTek Global Services

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4 minutes ago

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July 23, 2026

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XLCS Partners, Inc., a leading middle market investment bank, is pleased to announce that it served as exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent Utility Services LLC on its acquisition by UniTek Global Services, Inc., a portfolio company of New Mountain Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: NMFC) and its affiliates, and BTG Pactual Strategic Capital.

Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Concurrent is a licensed general and electrical contractor providing infrastructure development and maintenance services to electric utilities, telecom providers, and land developers throughout the Southeast United States. The company’s capabilities span overhead and underground utility construction, professional telecom services, emergency service restoration, in-building networks, environmental services, and data center development. Backed by a safety-first culture and an experienced workforce, Concurrent has built a strong regional platform and a reputation for quality across the markets it serves.

UniTek is a leading digital infrastructure services provider supporting the expansion of fiber and data center connectivity across the U.S. and Canada. With over 600 employees and 60 locations, UniTek delivers a full suite of infrastructure services. The acquisition of Concurrent accelerates UniTek’s Power Services Division, which launched in July 2025 to broaden the company’s maintenance, repair, upgrade, and new infrastructure development services for the power sector. Concurrent’s established Southeast footprint and power capabilities directly complement UniTek’s existing broadband and data center infrastructure platform, positioning the combined company to capitalize on growing demand for resilient, modernized power infrastructure. Concurrent will continue to operate under its established brand, maintaining uninterrupted service for its customers.

“Selling Concurrent was one of the biggest decisions of my career, and Anthony, Jay, and the XLCS team guided us through every step with professionalism and genuine care for our people,” said Steve Sarno, CEO of Concurrent. “They stayed fully engaged throughout, gave us honest and thoughtful advice, kept our best interests front and center, and delivered an outcome that exceeded our expectations. I would recommend them without hesitation to any owner considering a transaction.”

XLCS acted as the exclusive M&A advisor to Concurrent, and the transaction was led by Anthony Contaldo, Partner, and Jay Cremer, Vice President. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2026.

About XLCS Partners, Inc.

XLCS Partners is a leading global investment banking firm providing M&A advisory services. Visit www.xlcspartners.com for more information.

Media Contact: 
Kendra Span 
kspan@xlcspartners.com
615-379-7783

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xlcs-partners-advises-concurrent-utility-services-on-sale-to-unitek-global-services-302833542.html

SOURCE XLCS Partners, Inc.

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Fathom Applauds Introduction of the FRONTIER Act, the First Federal Blueprint for Independent AI Verification

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July 23, 2026

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Reps. Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) introduce a bill to build a competitive marketplace of independent verifiers for frontier AI models.

WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fathom welcomes the introduction of the FRONTIER Act, the most complete federal framework yet for independent, third-party verification of frontier AI. The legislation is built to earn public trust as AI technology continues to accelerate. As frontier systems begin to take autonomous action in the world, the gap between what these models can do and our ability to keep them in check is widening. FRONTIER is the starting point to close that gap.

“AI governance keeps running into the same wall. The technology is hard to measure and it moves faster than any law can keep up with,” said Andrew Freedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Fathom. “Trying to write the perfect rules and freezing them in place won’t work. What will work is a competitive market of independent verifiers who are accountable for real-world outcomes and who the government can actually count on. The FRONTIER Act shows we can move fast and still get this right.”

The bill gets the fundamentals correct. It sets one public standard – the adequate mitigation of catastrophic risk – and holds both the AI companies and their independent verifiers accountable to it. FRONTIER does not freeze a single testing method into statute. Instead, it licenses competing verification organizations, allows them to sharpen their methods, and gives the government the power to revoke a license when a verifier’s work does not hold up in the field. That is how you build a system that keeps pace with the science instead of falling behind it.

Fathom thanks Reps. Trahan and Obernolte for their leadership, and for their courage in releasing a discussion draft, inviting scrutiny, and incorporating substantive improvements from across the field. One priority improvement as the bill advances: giving the government a fuller range of tools to act upstream – for pushing companies to close identified gaps in risk mitigation early, rather than only once a catastrophe is imminent. We are committed to working with these sponsors, committees of jurisdiction, and Congressional leadership to continue refining the bill in the weeks and months ahead.

About Fathom
Fathom is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to build a governance architecture that helps society navigate the transition to a world with AI by fostering trust, safety, and innovation. Fathom has developed and championed the independent verification model for AI and works with policymakers across the country to put it into practice. Learn more at http://fathom.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fathom-applauds-introduction-of-the-frontier-act-the-first-federal-blueprint-for-independent-ai-verification-302833546.html

SOURCE Fathom AI Inc.

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