Technology

SANCTUARY WEALTH WELCOMES VALEN PRIVATE CAPITAL AS A NEW PARTNER FIRM

Published

2 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Former wirehouse advisor managing $477 million launches independent firm serving ultra-high-net-worth families

MIAMI, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sanctuary Wealth (Sanctuary), an industry-leading hybrid RIA that helps elite financial advisors thrive with greater freedom, flexibility, control and choice, welcomes Valen Private Capital, LLC and its founder, John Durham, J.D., LL.M., as its latest Partner Firm. The former Merrill Lynch advisor joins Sanctuary after overseeing $477 million in total assets for a select group of families.

“John has spent decades building a highly specialized practice around the needs of an exclusive group of families,” said Vince Fertitta, President, Wealth Management, Sanctuary Wealth. “As he considered establishing his own firm and unlocking the asset he worked so hard to build, John’s top priority was a robust platform with UHNW capabilities that would enable him to fulfill his vision of expanded services and solutions for the families he serves. Free from the constraints of a wirehouse environment, he is now positioned to play an even more significant role in his clients’ lives and able to provide them with bespoke, holistic advice.”

Valen Private Capital was founded to serve a concentrated group of families, including many with substantial wealth, complex balance sheets and multi-generational planning needs. The firm combines investment management, planning coordination and high-touch service with a focus on helping families make thoughtful decisions about capital, responsibility and legacy. The firm aims to help families motivate the next generation to build something of their own beyond inherited wealth.

Durham is the latest former wirehouse advisor to join Sanctuary in pursuit of greater control over his business and client experience. Sanctuary’s model allows advisors to choose the affiliation structure that fits their goals while providing access to the investment, planning, technology and operational resources needed to support complex client relationships.

“As I evaluated independence, I wanted a partner that would allow me to build Valen Private Capital around my clients – not force my clients into someone else’s model,” said Durham. “Sanctuary offered the combination of flexibility, experienced support and UHNW resources I was looking for, while allowing me to retain control of the firm I am building. That was important to me, my family and the families we serve.”

Durham has more than 25 years of wealth management experience. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2004, where he developed personalized solutions for individuals and families of substantial wealth.

He earned his Juris Doctor from Delaware Law School and his Master of Laws in Taxation from the Villanova University School of Law. Durham also holds an Estate Planning Certificate from Villanova University School of Law.

Benjamin Durham, who was most recently a Wealth Management Specialist at Merrill Lynch in New York, joins Valen Private Capital as a Partner & Director of Financial Planning. Lisa Downey, who has worked with John Durham as an assistant for years, has also joined the new firm.

“Valen Private Capital reflects the kind of sophisticated advisor who continues to choose Sanctuary,” said Adam Malamed, CEO of Sanctuary Wealth. “John wanted more than a place to affiliate. He wanted a platform that would respect the business he built, strengthen the resources available to his clients and give him room to create value over time. We are excited to welcome John, Ben and Lisa to Sanctuary and look forward to supporting Valen Private Capital in this next phase.”

About Sanctuary Wealth
Sanctuary is a leading hybrid RIA that provides comprehensive wealth management solutions, platform partnerships and strategic capital investments to sophisticated independent wealth management firms.

Through its Partnered Independence model, Sanctuary helps advisors seeking greater freedom, flexibility, control and choice transition from large financial institutions and build enduring businesses of their own.

Sanctuary Wealth was built to serve elite wirehouse breakaway advisors. Today, Sanctuary supports a growing community of partner firms and business models with integrated technology, marketing, operations and a robust, open-architecture platform, enabling advisors to serve clients at the highest level while building long-term enterprise value.

Media Contact for Sanctuary Wealth:
Donald Cutler
Haven Tower Group
424-317-4864
dcutler@haventower.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sanctuary-wealth-welcomes-valen-private-capital-as-a-new-partner-firm-302792728.html

SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth

Technology

CRAY LAUNCHES “CRAY PROTECTED” VENUE SAFETY PROGRAM

Published

47 minutes ago

June 5, 2026

New program gives hospitality venues a visible, branded safety certification and physical toolkit to protect patrons from drink spiking and dating-related harm

TAMPA, Fla., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cray, the digital student safety platform behind CrayScore™ and SchemerScore™, today announced the launch of Cray Protected — a venue safety certification and physical materials program designed for bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and event venues that want to make patron safety a visible part of their brand.

Cray Protected gives participating venues a branded safety package that includes the official Cray Protected badge and window decals, NightCapIt drink cover stickers to prevent drink tampering, QR-coded branded coasters that connect patrons directly to the Cray safety app, venue safety posters for bathrooms and common areas, and branded shot glasses for behind the bar. Three tiered packages are available starting at $99, scaled to venue size and type, with consumable restocking available on a one-time or monthly auto-ship basis.

“A venue that makes safety visible doesn’t just do the right thing — it builds the kind of reputation that fills tables on a Friday night. Cray Protected gives hospitality operators a simple, affordable way to show their patrons that safety isn’t an afterthought.”

— Justin Smith, Founder and CEO, Cray

THE PROBLEM CRAY PROTECTED ADDRESSES

More than 11 million drinks are spiked in the United States every year. One in thirteen people report having their drink tampered with at a bar or event. Despite widespread awareness of the problem, most venues lack any structured response beyond after-the-fact incident management.

Cray Protected is designed to change that — putting prevention tools physically in the hands of staff and patrons before incidents occur, while giving venues a visible, recognizable marker of their commitment to patron safety.

THE CRAY PROTECTED PACKAGES

Venues choose from three setup kits based on venue type:

Restaurant Kit — $99

Window decals, posters, 50 coasters, 25 drink covers, 6 shot glasses, and the Cray Protected badge

Bar & Nightclub Kit — $149

Window decals, posters, 100 coasters, 100 drink covers, 6 shot glasses, and the Cray Protected badge

Event Venue Kit — $199

Window decals, posters, 150 coasters, 200 drink covers, 6 shot glasses, and the Cray Protected badge

All packages include free shipping and a listing on Cray’s growing map of Cray Protected venues. Consumable restocking — coasters and drink covers — is available as a one-time or monthly auto-ship order, with tiered pricing that reflects volume. Learn more at cray.app/protected.

THE NIGHTCAPIT PARTNERSHIP

Cray’s drink cover stickers are offered in partnership with NightCapIt, the anti-drink-spiking brand co-founded by Shirah Benarde. NightCapIt’s peel-and-stick covers are widely recognized in the bar safety space and are included in all Cray Protected venue packages.

ABOUT CRAY

Cray is a digital student safety tool available on iOS, Android, and web that helps users identify red flags, detect manipulation, and verify the identity of people they meet online before meeting in person. Cray’s product suite includes CrayScore™, SchemerScore™, BaeScore™, CatfishCheck, OffenderCheck, and VibeCheck — with core reports available free of charge. Cray also partners with universities, Title IX offices, and Greek life organizations through its campus partnership program.

Founded by Justin Smith in Tampa, Florida, Cray was built from a personal experience with deception in a long-term relationship — and a belief that informed trust is stronger trust.

cray.app | @cray.app

For venue inquiries, interview requests, or press assets, contact: hello@cray.app

For venue package information and ordering: cray.app/protected

Contact:
Justin Smith, Founder & CEO, Cray
hello@cray.app
cray.app/protected

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cray-launches-cray-protected-venue-safety-program-302792114.html

SOURCE Cray App, LLC

Technology

CIMA+ RECEIVES TWO DISTINCTIONS AT THE 2026 ITE CANADA DISTRICT AWARDS

Published

47 minutes ago

June 5, 2026

VICTORIA, BC, June 5, 2026 /CNW/ – CIMA+, one of Canada’s largest private consulting engineering firms, received two distinctions at the 2026 ITE Canada District Awards, recognizing both project excellence and leadership in the transportation industry. Presented during the ITE Canada District Awards Luncheon held on June 3 in Victoria, British Columbia, the awards highlight outstanding achievements and contributions within Canada’s transportation community.

CIMA+ received the ITE Transportation Achievement Award – Planning for its work with the City of Edmonton on the 2025 update of the Complete Streets Design and Construction Standards (CSDCS). This initiative modernizes the city’s street design standards by integrating best practices in active transportation, climate resilience and safety. Thanks to the enhanced standards, designers now have clearer guidance in the development of more accessible, sustainable and livable communities. The enhancements also serve as a benchmark for other cities, both in Alberta and across Canada.

In addition, Kelsey Waugh, Project Manager, Transportation Mobility at CIMA+, was recognized with the ITE Canada District Rising Star Award for her leadership, technical expertise and contributions to the transportation profession.

With more than a decade of experience in transportation planning and engineering, Kelsey has led complex multidisciplinary initiatives, including transportation studies, environmental assessments, road safety reviews and large-scale data collection programs. She is also actively involved in mentoring emerging professionals and fostering collaboration within teams and across the industry.

Her involvement with ITE spans both Section and District leadership roles, including currently serving as Treasurer for the ITE Canada District. Recognized as one of Canadian Consulting Engineer’s Top 10 Under 40, Kelsey continues to contribute to the advancement of the profession through industry engagement, knowledge sharing and leadership development.

About CIMA+

CIMA+ provides complete consulting engineering services in the areas of Energy and Resources, Infrastructure, Defence, Transportation, Buildings, Project Management, Operational and Digital Technologies (including Telecommunication Systems), and Earth and Environment. The search for excellence has been part of our DNA since our founding in 1990, and our teams draw on decades of experience acquired across Canada to deliver quality projects that meet our clients’ expectations. This commitment to excellence and quality has allowed CIMA+ to rank among the largest private consulting engineering firms in the country. Today, with over 45 offices across Canada, CIMA+ employs more than 3,700 people, most of whom share ownership in the company.

Our multidisciplinary team is driven by a shared passion to deliver sustainable solutions that make our world a better place.

From our Board of Directors to the communities we serve, our commitment to people is evident in our drive to innovate, in the projects we carry out and in every action we take.

For more information, visit cima.ca

SOURCE CIMA+

Technology

Tech hiring lifts national job growth, demonstrates rising demand for tech talent, CompTIA finds

Published

47 minutes ago

June 5, 2026

Major tech employment metrics show positive results in May

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — US employers expanded their technology workforces amid ongoing demand for tech talent, according to analysis by CompTIA, the leading global provider of vendor-neutral IT training and certifications.

Nearly 587,000 active job postings for technology occupations were listed by US employers last month.

Tech occupation employment, which includes technology professionals working in all industry sectors, increased by 69,000 workers in May, CompTIA’s analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) #JobsReport data shows.1 An estimated 5.9 million people work in tech occupations across the country

The unemployment rate for tech occupations is 3.1%, a drop from April’s 3.5% rate.

Tech industry employment increased by about 6,700 jobs in May.2 Job growth was led by new hiring in two categories – cloud infrastructure, data processing and hosting, and IT and custom software services and systems design.

“More than ever, business success relies on technology,” said Seth Robinson, vice president, industry research, CompTIA. “Our research has shown a desire to build capability in core operational functions, which then allows companies to build advanced practices in AI, data and cybersecurity.”

Nearly 587,000 active job postings for technology occupations were listed by employers last month.3 The total included almost 269,000 newly added job postings in May, an increase of about 4,000 from April.

By volume of job postings, positions for software developers and engineers, systems engineers and architects, tech support specialists and cybersecurity engineers and analysts were among those in highest demand. Positions for web developers, search engine optimization specialists and telecommunications engineering specialists saw the biggest month-over-month jumps on a percentage basis.

Tech job postings were widely dispersed geographically, with the New York, Washington and Dallas metropolitan areas having the highest numbers of openings.

The “CompTIA Tech Jobs Report” is available at https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/tech-jobs-report/.

About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.

Contact
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
sostrowski@comptia.org
630-678-8468

1 Monthly occupation level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tends to experience higher levels of variance and volatility.
2 Labor market data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and employer job postings from Lightcast may be subject to backward revisions.
3 Active job postings include new postings added by employers in the latest month and open postings carried over from previous months.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tech-hiring-lifts-national-job-growth-demonstrates-rising-demand-for-tech-talent-comptia-finds-302792781.html

SOURCE CompTIA