Technology

LERETA Names New Chief Technology Officer to Lead Platform Modernization

Published

1 minute ago

August 20, 2026

Khurram Malik, a 20-year technology leader with experience at CoStar Group, Capital Group, and Apple, joins LERETA as CTO.

POMONA, Calif., Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LERETA, a leading national provider of real estate tax and flood services for mortgage servicers, today announced that Khurram Malik has joined the company as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, Khurram will lead LERETA’s technology organization, with responsibility for platform modernization, cloud strategy and driving the company’s AI-enabled engineering initiatives.

Veteran technology leader to drive cloud, AI, and platform modernization at LERETA.

Khurram brings more than 20 years of technology leadership experience across global financial services and technology organizations. Throughout his career, he has led large-scale cloud transformations, modernized enterprise platforms, and built AI-driven engineering frameworks that measurably increased development speed and productivity, while managing global technology organizations of 300 or more professionals.

Most recently, Khurram served in a senior technology leadership role at CoStar Group, where he led a multidisciplinary engineering organization supporting LoopNet.com, the company’s flagship marketplace. There, he directed the migration of legacy platforms to the cloud and led the organization to adopt a multi-agent AI framework that increased engineering velocity and modernized the company’s data analytics pipeline.

Prior to CoStar, Khurram spent nearly nine years at Capital Group, a global asset manager, where he served as Vice President of Software Engineering and managed a technology organization of more than 300 professionals. In that role, he led enterprise-wide modernization and risk-remediation programs, directed the firm’s transition to cloud-native development on AWS, and provided technology leadership for several of the company’s most critical business units. Khurram also held technology leadership roles at Apple, Pacific Life and Openwave Systems earlier in his career. He is a CISSP-certified security professional and holds an MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University.

“Khurram will be a transformational addition to LERETA,” said Katie Brewer, CEO of LERETA. “He has led large technology organizations, delivered cloud transformations from legacy platforms, modernized enterprise platforms and developed AI frameworks that measurably increased engineering productivity. He has consistently been praised for his leadership style, his commitment to developing his teams and his ability to lead organizations through meaningful change.”

About LERETA

Since 1986, LERETA has provided the mortgage and insurance industries the fastest, most accurate and complete access to property tax data and flood hazard status information across the U.S. LERETA is committed to giving customers extraordinary service and cost-effective property tax and flood solutions. LERETA’s services are designed to increase efficiency, reduce penalties and liabilities, and improve processes for mortgage originators and servicers. LERETA’s dedicated teams of real estate tax and flood professionals along with LERETA’s experienced management team allow the company to lead the industry in service and technology.

Visit www.LERETA.com for more information.

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SOURCE LERETA, LLC

Technology

Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship Opens Applications for Aspiring Medical Students Nationwide

Published

1 minute ago

August 20, 2026

Scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing a future career in medicine and encourages a commitment to healthcare, research, and meaningful patient impact

DETROIT, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship for Medical Students announces the opening of applications for its upcoming scholarship cycle, providing undergraduate students with an opportunity to receive financial support as they pursue an education and future career in medicine.

The scholarship is open to eligible undergraduate students across the United States and is not restricted to applicants from any particular city or state. The program is designed for students who are on a pre-medical track or otherwise pursuing an academic path toward becoming a medical doctor, including an MD or DO.

The Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship for Medical Students provides a one-time $1,000 award to one selected undergraduate student.

As part of the application, students submit a 500–750-word essay addressing the prompt: “Dr. Wael Sakr has spent his career advancing medicine through research, mentorship, and a commitment to addressing healthcare disparities. What draws you to a career in medicine, and how do you hope to make a meaningful impact as a future physician?”

The selection process is structured to provide an independent review of applications. Applications are reviewed by an independent scholarship committee appointed by Dr. Wael Sakr.

“Dr. Wael Sakr” brings more than four decades of experience in pathology, medical education, and cancer research to the initiative. After completing medical training at the University of Damascus, he pursues postgraduate education in the United States, including an Anatomic Pathology residency and a Surgical Pathology fellowship.

Applications for the Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship for Medical Students are due April 15, 2027, with the scholarship winner scheduled to be announced on May 15, 2027. Interested undergraduate students can review eligibility requirements and application information through the official scholarship website.

About the Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship for Medical Students

The Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship for Medical Students is an independently reviewed scholarship funded by Dr. Wael Sakr for undergraduate students pursuing a pathway toward a career as a medical doctor.

Website: drwaelsakrscholarship.com
Application Deadline: April 15, 2027
Winner Announcement: May 15, 2027

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SOURCE Dr. Wael Sakr Scholarship

Technology

Strength From Within: A TORRAS Conversation with Tommy Caldwell

Published

1 minute ago

August 20, 2026

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Climbing icon Tommy Caldwell recently joined TORRAS for a father-son climb with his son Fitz on the Scimitar route near Lake Tahoe. Featuring TORRAS Q3 AIR PRO, the project opened into a candid conversation about resilience, fatherhood and the experiences that have shaped him over a lifetime of climbing.

Strength in Focus

For Tommy, who once saw climbing as the center of his life, losing a finger might have seemed like a nightmare. Yet even in that moment, he found a sense of possibility.

“I felt uncertainty and fear, but I also felt strangely liberated. There were no expectations anymore—neither from me nor from anyone else. I was starting from the bottom, and every time I proved I could still do something, it was uplifting and invigorating.”

Despite the extraordinary climbs he went on to achieve after that, Tommy has never seen himself as a naturally gifted climber.

“Over time, I realized that hard work could still take me to those places. I grew to love getting into the trench and digging a little every day. That process itself became fulfilling. I learned that I was good at focusing on something, being relentless, and moving steadily toward it—so I embraced that strength.”

Recording on His Own Terms

Tommy and Kevin Jorgeson’s historic Dawn Wall ascent brought their story to a global audience and changed the way Caldwell thought about sharing his experiences.

“I began to understand that sharing could be meaningful. But I also learned when to put the phone down. At one point I dropped my phone off the wall, and it reminded me that if you become too absorbed in what people are saying, you can stop experiencing the thing itself. The balance matters.”

Today, Caldwell also captures moments on his own terms. During the climb with Fitz, the TORRAS Q3 Air Pro made it easier to record along the way.

“I found myself belaying with one hand and recording with the other in a way I would not have felt comfortable doing before. I also clipped the ring to a carabiner on my rack, almost the same way I rack climbing gear. That was a pleasant surprise because it made the phone much faster to access than repeatedly sliding it in and out of a pocket.”

Passing on Confidence

Scimitar marked one of Fitz’s most challenging multi-pitch climbs yet. As he stays close to protect Fitz on the wall, Tommy takes an equally careful approach to fatherhood.

“I did not want to force him to climb, even though in the back of my mind I hoped he might eventually see what I see in it. The challenge for me is to contain my enthusiasm and let his interest grow naturally, without tying it to ego or to other people’s expectations of a professional climber’s child.”

Asked what he ultimately hopes for Fitz, Caldwell does not prescribe a destination.

“First of all, I want him to be his own person and find his own path. I know how to teach him to follow the path I took, but that is not necessarily the path he should take.

“I want him to be confident and joyful—to see the world as a wonderful place, to meet people from many places, to notice beauty, and to move through life with openness.”

For Caldwell, what gets passed on is not a path to follow, but the confidence to find one.

Shared Ground: Tommy Caldwell & TORRAS

The sense of focus Caldwell values is what he appreciates about TORRAS as a brand.

“I think the biggest difference between TORRAS and other brands I’ve worked with is that they put so much energy into making just a few products very well. It’s cool to see all that energy going into a few things and those things being really perfected.”

The connection feels even closer through a shared relationship with climbing.

“It was exciting to see TORRAS’s connection to climbing. There are people within the company who are climbers, and TORRAS supports climbing gyms. Anything close to the climbing world means a lot to me.”

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SOURCE TORRAS

Technology

Hyundai U.S. EV Owners to Receive Automatic 10% Discount at All IONNA Fast‑Charging Stations via App and Plug & Charge

Published

1 minute ago

August 20, 2026

Automatic 10% discount starts Aug. 19, 2026, available through Hyundai In‑App Charging and Plug & Charge technology on eligible Hyundai EVsHyundai EV owners receive an additional 10% bonus discount from IONNA on charging through Sept. 30, 2026, using Plug & Charge or the MyHyundai with Bluelink app

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor America announced today that eligible Hyundai EV owners will receive a 10% charging discounti on every charging session at all IONNA fast‑charging stations beginning Aug. 19, 2026. Hyundai is a founding partner in IONNA, the premiere high‑speed EV charging network created by leading global automakers to expand reliable, customer‑friendly public charging across the U.S. This special savings is a direct benefit of Hyundai’s participation in the IONNA charge network joint venture.

In addition to the ongoing 10% discount, IONNA is automatically giving eligible Hyundai electric vehicles an additional 10% bonus discount on charging sessions now through Sept. 30, 2026. IONNA’s stacked bonus discount brings the total charging discount to 20% for a limited time.

Automatic Discounts Applied Through Hyundai In‑App Charging or Plug & Charge Technology
Discounts are only applied automatically at IONNA chargers when customers initiate a charging session using Hyundai In‑App Charging or Plug & Charge functionality through the MyHyundai with Bluelink app. This ongoing 10% discount can also be combined with other IONNA promotional offers, e.g. limited‑time or holiday pricing.

Hyundai Expands Accessible Public Charging Through IONNA Partnership
“Range anxiety was never really only about the battery. It’s about trust in the system built around it. Automatic charging savings for Hyundai EV owners at IONNA stations across the U.S. is the benefit: no codes, no apps, no math at the charger, just immediate savings on fast, reliable public charging built into the ownership experience,” said Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy, Hyundai Motor North America. “Hyundai is working to build confidence in the charging ecosystem through reliable charging, seamless payments, trust, and simplicity. We are investing in that infrastructure addressing one friction point at a time.”

“The power of the partnership between IONNA and the automakers is not only in delivering seamless charging, but meaningful benefits for EV drivers, as well,” said Seth Cutler, CEO, IONNA. “We’re proud to provide Hyundai customers with a 10% discount across our 150+ locations, as the first initiative designed to enhance charging for Hyundai drivers.”

How the Hyundai IONNA Discount Works
Hyundai EV owners automatically receive the 10% IONNA discount when starting a charging session through eligible Hyundai charging features.

10% off charging at all U.S. IONNA fast‑charging stationsDiscount automatically applied when using Hyundai In‑App Charging through the MyHyundai app or Plug & ChargeCombinable with other IONNA limited-time promotions

Eligible Vehicles
Eligible vehicles include select Hyundai electric models equipped with In‑App Charging and/or Plug & Charge capability, including:

Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 2022 model year and newerHyundai IONIQ 5 N | 2025 model year and newerHyundai IONIQ 9 | 2026 model year and newerHyundai KONA Electric | 2025 model year and newer

More Hyundai EVs will be enabled as In‑App Charging functionality continues to roll out to additional models.

In addition to the above Hyundai nameplates, select Genesis EV models equipped with In-App Charging and/or Plug & Charge capability will also be eligible for this automatic 10% ongoing IONNA discount, including:

Genesis GV60 | 2026 model year and newerGenesis Electrified GV70 | 2026 model year and newer

IONNA’s additional limited-time bonus 10% charging discount is available now through Sept. 30. For more information on Hyundai’s electrification strategy and charging partnerships, visit www.hyundaiusa.com.

Key Facts

Benefit: 10% ongoing charging discountCharging Network: IONNAEligibility: Select Hyundai and Genesis EVsActivation: Hyundai In-App Charging or Plug & ChargeLimited-Time Bonus Offer: Additional 10% through Sept. 30, 2026Availability: United States

IONNA
IONNA is a rising joint venture founded by eight of the world’s biggest automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Stellantis and Toyota. Purpose-built to lead, innovate, create, and drive forward a redefinition of charging as an end-to-end integrated customer experience. Delivering this mission by developing and deploying a trailblazing nationwide network of stations with cutting-edge technology, retail integration, amenities, and unparalleled customer service. Enabling urban and long-distance EV mobility for all with over 30,000 ultra-fast-and-reliable charging points by 2030. IONNA will provide the coverage drivers need, the reliability they deserve, and the amenities they crave.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

i This discount is intended to continue indefinitely; however, Hyundai and Genesis Motor America and/or IONNA reserves the right to modify or terminate the offer at any time, with or without notice, at their sole discretion.

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America