Serial Entrepreneurs Launch Firm to Disrupt FM Industry through Software Solutions and Highly Technical Trades

NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Serial entrepreneurs Joseph Scaretta and Moses Carrasco announce the launch of MasonMade Ventures, an operational holding company that invests in, acquires, and expands critical infrastructure businesses. The firm’s investment strategy aims to solve complex industry gaps with a focus on software solutions and highly technical infrastructure trades in underserved markets such as fire suppression, material handling and vertical transportation. 

MasonMade offers a unique co-CEO model that pairs industry experts with operations and business development specialists, providing portfolio companies with the autonomy to operate independently while benefiting from strategic guidance, operational efficiencies, and scalable growth opportunities. As self-made entrepreneurs with two successful private-equity exits, Scaretta and Carrasco believe in a people-first culture where the investors actively support leadership teams by strengthening core capabilities while supplementing with complimentary skills.

“At MasonMade, we are dedicated to creating an environment where the businesses we serve can thrive,” Carrasco, Co-CEO and founder, said. “We will be partners in the growth of each company in our portfolio – to empower and enable facilities management entrepreneurs who have built their own companies from the ground up.”

MasonMade is not your average holding company. It is founded on a legacy of success and with the entrepreneurial vision of Scaretta and Carrasco who have been pushing boundaries since they first joined the facilities management industry in 2003 with their start-up Empire Facilities.

“Our firm is built by founders for founders, together solving gaps within our industry,” Scaretta, who serves as Co-CEO and founder, added. “We are back to disrupt the facilities management industry once again by driving sustainable growth in our portfolio companies while setting new standards of excellence to shape the future of the industry.”

MasonMade offers extensive industry expertise, strategic financial guidance, and a people-first approach. The leadership team’s dedication to fostering a people-first culture was reflected by multiple appearances on the Inc. 5000 list. Their commitment to making a lasting social impact is evidenced through philanthropic initiatives including Pop Ups for Good and the Young Entrepreneur Challenge, which will be relaunched in 2026.

The team at MasonMade Ventures is strengthened by the leadership of Desiree Russo and Rob Baird. Russo, who has 20 years of operational experience and innovative leadership in facilities management, is a Partner and will serve as Senior Vice President of Portfolio Operations. Baird, who specializes in optimizing financial structures and driving operational efficiencies, is also a Partner and will serve as Chief Financial Officer.

For more information about MasonMade Ventures, please visit MasonMade.co.

About MasonMade Ventures
MasonMade Ventures is an operational holding company founded by Joseph Scaretta and Moses Carrasco. The firm focuses on investing in and expanding businesses that provide critical infrastructure support services. With a people-first philosophy, forward-looking vision, commitment to operational excellence and dedication to entrepreneurial success, MasonMade is redefining the facilities management industry.

Media Inquiries:
Joseph Scaretta
Co-CEO & Founder
MasonMade Ventures
media@masonmade.co

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SOURCE MasonMade Ventures

Collaboration to Address Global Staffing Shortages and Set a New Standard for Automated Diagnostic Blood Collection

CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Northwestern Medicine, Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, and Vitestro, a pioneer in autonomous robotic vascular access and diagnostic blood collection, today announced a multi-year collaboration to advance automation in phlebotomy and transform the patient experience.

As part of this collaboration, Northwestern Medicine will participate in a multicenter clinical trial validating the performance and safety of Vitestro’s Aletta™—the world’s first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™). The goal of the study is to generate key clinical evidence to support adoption of automated phlebotomy as a scalable solution for U.S. hospital and outpatient blood draw centers.

“At Northwestern Medicine, we are dedicated to pioneering innovations that elevate patient care and operational excellence,” said Gary A. Noskin, MD, senior vice president, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, and president, Northwestern Medical Group. “Our collaboration with Vitestro is a step forward in transforming diagnostic testing by automating venous blood collection. Through this relationship our goal is to improve efficiency, enhance sample integrity, and redefine the patient experience through cutting-edge technology.”

By automating and standardizing blood collection, this collaboration aims to:

Address critical phlebotomy workforce shortages by providing a scalable, automated solution.Enhance operational efficiency and patient throughput in high-volume hospital outpatient settings.Improve sample quality and integrity, reducing errors associated with manual venipuncture.Expand access to high-quality blood collection while enhancing patient comfort and overall care.

“We are privileged to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine in setting a new standard for laboratory automation,” said Brian Joseph, Co-founder of Vitestro. “Vitestro’s mission is to empower hospitals and laboratories with transformative robotic solutions that drive efficiency, improve clinical outcomes, and elevate the patient experience. This collaboration will further validate the role of automation in modernizing blood collection.”

As Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites.

“Phlebotomy remains one of the last manual processes in laboratory medicine, and automation presents a pivotal opportunity to transform it,” said Gregory S. Retzinger, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Pathology Clinical Services, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “This collaboration goes beyond evaluating autonomous robotic phlebotomy — it has the potential to solve urgent staffing challenges and redefining the future of laboratory medicine.

“We are proud to partner with Northwestern Medicine’s visionary leadership, who recognize the future in phlebotomy automation,” said Bob Gerberich, CCO of North America at Vitestro. “Their commitment, along with the work of our other U.S. clinical trial partners, will be instrumental in establishing a new standard in total laboratory workflow automation. This collaboration marks a defining moment in making autonomous blood collection an integral part of modern healthcare.”

About Northwestern Medicine
To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, please visit NM.org.

About Vitestro
Vitestro is a global leader in medical robotics, headquartered in the Netherlands, with deep expertise in engineering, robotics, and commercialization in both the U.S. and international markets. The company has developed and launched the world’s first and only CE-marked Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device™ (ARPD™), setting a new benchmark for diagnostic venous blood sampling. By integrating advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and imaging technology, Vitestro delivers precision, efficiency, and an enhanced patient experience. While Aletta has not yet received FDA approval, Vitestro is actively preparing for regulatory approval in the U.S. and global expansion.

For more information, visit vitestro.com. 

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Credit union selects Jack Henry for long-term stability and support

MONETT, Mo., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is pleased to announce that Capital Credit Union converted to Jack Henry’s Symitar® platform and complementary products to support its future growth. 

The credit union dates back to 1936, founded by state employees meeting in the North Dakota Capitol building with a mission to support financial well-being and provide reliable credit. Over the years, the credit union flourished, through organic growth and mergers to expand its reach and impact. Today, Capital Credit Union has over $800 million in assets, and it remains dedicated to supporting the financial success of its more than 32,000 members.

After experiencing eightfold growth in 18 years, the credit union’s existing core platform could no longer support its long-term growth objectives. It was crucial for Capital to find a provider that could enhance support and service while also positioning them to meet increased demands related to security and data encryption. The institution was impressed by Jack Henry’s strong reputation as the largest core provider for credit unions over $1 billion in assets and a leader in the $250 million to $1 billion asset segment. Capital Credit Union also valued Jack Henry’s dedication to, and reputation for, exceptional customer service and support.

“Our decision to convert to Jack Henry is an investment in the future of our organization and members,” said Kurt Schmidt, Chief Information Officer of Capital Credit Union. “We’re pleased with how thorough, responsive, and efficient the Jack Henry team has been, both from a technical and training perspective. While it’s still relatively early for us in the conversion process, Jack Henry’s user-friendly experience will empower more employees to work directly with the technology in areas important to us. This should help us with competitive differentiators while helping us free up resources that can be used to offer even stronger member benefits and service.”

The credit union moved to an outsourced core model, trusting Jack Henry’s comprehensive, broad-based system to maintain its technology while enabling employees to focus on meaningful differentiators and member service. For example, they’ve worked on increasing member security from a holistic perspective, along with additional workflow solutions and advanced reporting capabilities to improve their member experiences. By consolidating under one vendor, they gained integrated solutions and streamlined support, helping their technology and teams work more efficiently together. 

“We appreciate when credit unions like Capital Credit Union choose us for our innovation and service, which have been core to both our culture and success,” added Brynn Ammon, President of Credit Union Solutions at Jack Henry. “Capital Credit Union has been a cornerstone of its community for 90 years, and we are honored to be the technology provider of choice to help them continue that legacy.”

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.® 
Jack Henry™ (Nasdaq: JKHY) is a well-rounded financial technology company that strengthens connections between financial institutions and the people and businesses they serve. We are an S&P 500 company that prioritizes openness, collaboration, and user centricity – offering banks and credit unions a vibrant ecosystem of internally developed modern capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with leading fintechs. For more than 48 years, Jack Henry has provided technology solutions to enable clients to innovate faster, strategically differentiate, and successfully compete while serving the evolving needs of their accountholders. We empower approximately 7,500 clients with people-inspired innovation, personal service, and insight-driven solutions that help reduce the barriers to financial health. Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

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SOURCE Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.