40-year insurance industry veteran says Florida homeowners deserve a direct voice in who oversees the industry – and proposes putting the state’s $17 billion Catastrophe Fund to work for Floridians first

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Non-Party Affiliated candidate for Governor Frank Russo, joined by running mate Rachel Rodriguez, is challenging Republican candidate Byron Donalds and Congressman Jolly to a public debate over one of the biggest issues facing Florida families: who should be accountable for the state’s insurance system?

Russo, who spent 40 years in the insurance industry – including as an Allstate executive when Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992 – is calling for Florida to restore an elected Insurance Commissioner who answers directly to voters.

“Let’s talk facts, Byron. Let’s debate facts,” Russo said. “I’ve spent 40 years in this business. You cannot insure against Mother Nature. You prepare for it. And when families are paying thousands more to insure the same home, somebody should have to look those homeowners in the eye and answer for it.”

How Florida Homeowners Lost Their Voice
Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992 and fundamentally changed the state’s insurance market. Major carriers pulled back and non-renewed homeowners as the market struggled to absorb catastrophic risk.

Then, in 1998, Florida voters approved a constitutional restructuring that eliminated the elected offices of Insurance Commissioner and Treasurer. Those responsibilities ultimately moved into a system in which Florida’s Insurance Commissioner is appointed rather than directly elected by voters.

Russo believes Florida should reverse course.

“When the person overseeing insurance has to earn your vote, homeowners have a voice,” Russo said. “When that person is appointed, the accountability changes. After what Florida families have been through with premiums, non-renewals and carriers leaving the state, I think it’s time to give that power back to the people.”

Put Florida’s Safety Net to Work for Floridians
Russo is also calling for a fundamental rethinking of how Florida uses Citizens Property Insurance Corporation and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

The Catastrophe Fund has approximately $17 billion in statutory claims-paying capacity and serves as a reinsurance backstop for Florida insurers.

Russo’s question is simple: if Floridians ultimately stand behind the system, why shouldn’t Florida homeowners come first?

His plan includes:

Homeowners first – Explore a catastrophic homeowner coverage option of up to $500,000 that would give Florida residents first access to the protection provided by the state’s catastrophe infrastructure before private insurers rely on it as their backstop.Put the fund to work – Evaluate using a portion of the Catastrophe Fund to stabilize Florida’s insurance market, strengthen the underlying coverage available to homeowners and create conditions that encourage major national carriers to expand their presence in Florida again.Elect the Insurance Commissioner – Pursue a constitutional amendment restoring an independently elected Florida Insurance Commissioner within the first 100 days of a Russo-Rodriguez administration.

Russo emphasized that his proposal is not an attack on established insurers that have served Florida for decades.

“I know this industry. I know these companies. This isn’t about attacking Allstate, State Farm, Chubb or Hartford,” Russo said. “It’s about asking whether the system we built is actually working for the homeowner paying the bill. If it isn’t, we fix it. That’s Business 101.”

People Before Profits
Russo said Florida’s insurance crisis is one of the reasons he believes the state needs leadership independent of the two-party system.

“I left the Republican Party because somewhere along the way we forgot something very basic – people come before profits,” Russo said. “We are not going to tax Floridians out of their homes, and we are not going to insure them out of their homes either.”

Russo is also calling on Florida’s insurance professionals to join the conversation.

After decades in the industry, he said agents across Florida understand better than most what homeowners are experiencing – and can help Floridians understand how the system actually works.

“To my fellow insurance agents – our clients trust us to tell them the truth,” Russo said. “They deserve to understand where their money goes, who carries the risk and who is accountable when the system stops working for them. This is bigger than politics. This is about the people we spent our careers serving.”

Russo said Donalds and Jolly should be prepared to answer the same fundamental question in any gubernatorial debate:

Should Florida’s Insurance Commissioner answer directly to the people of Florida?

“If Byron and Jolly disagree with me, great – come debate me,” Russo said. “Tell Florida homeowners why the current system is better. But don’t hide behind talking points. Bring the facts, bring your plan and let the people decide.”

“Floridians ultimately stand behind Citizens and the Catastrophe Fund. It’s their money, their homes and their risk. It’s time we started treating them like the owners.”
– Frank Russo

Russo • Rodriguez 2026
The People’s Choice. The Caring Capitalists. Humanity Over the Dollar.

About Frank J. Russo:
Frank J. Russo is a lifelong Floridian, entrepreneur, insurance executive, real estate developer,  and humanitarian with more than 40 years of business leadership, including over 30 years in the  insurance industry. Based in New Smyrna Beach, Russo is running for Governor to restore  affordability, strengthen Florida’s economy, and build a government focused on practical  solutions that put Floridians first. For more information, or to volunteer or donate, visit  Russo2026.com.

Media Contact
Mary Elkordy
Press@russo2026.org

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SOURCE Frank J. Russo for Governor

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cuprum Metals (“Cuprum”), an industry leading copper extraction technology company, has been awarded the Grand Prix Scale-Up Award at the World Materials Forum (WMF) in Paris, France. The award, presented on September 4th, recognizes Cuprum’s technology for its potential to transform copper recovery from primary and secondary sulfides and other copper-bearing sources, addressing the growing global need for more efficient, sustainable, and reliable copper production.

The World Materials Forum Grand Prix is an international competition recognizing innovative companies developing breakthrough technologies that can transform how materials are produced, processed, used, recycled, or conserved. Companies selected as nominees gain valuable exposure to senior executives, investors, industry leaders, and technical experts from across the global materials ecosystem, while also having the opportunity to present their technology directly to the WMF jury and broader forum audience.

The award recognizes the Cuprum’s progress in unlocking copper from traditionally difficult to process ores, such as chalcopyrite, which has proven to be a technical constraint that has limited global supply.

Accepting the award, founder and CEO Roger Pettman said, “I am delighted to accept this award and deeply appreciate the recognition and support from the World Materials Forum. This is an extremely special accomplishment for Cuprum Metals and our technology, particularly given the highly accomplished and visionary entrepreneurs who were part of this competition. The Grand Prix is an incredible recognition of the work our team is doing to address one of the most important challenges facing the global economy: securing a more sustainable and reliable supply of copper. We’re incredibly proud to have our technology recognized alongside some of the most innovative companies in the materials sector, and we’re excited to use this opportunity to accelerate our mission and scale our solution in the market.”

With the continued support of its existing investors, including Lundin Family Office, BHP Ventures, and Woodline Partners, Cuprum Metals is advancing its technology toward full-scale commercial deployment. The company is focused on implementing the technology across two high-impact applications: improving copper recovery through heap leaching of copper ores and converting copper slag, a significant mining and metallurgical waste stream, into valuable copper metal. Together, these applications have the potential to unlock additional copper resources, improve recovery from existing operations, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient global copper supply chain. Cuprum is now focused on scaling its technology, progressing commercial applications, and working with industry partners to move from successful technology development toward broad market adoption.

About Cuprum Metals

Cuprum Metals is a technology company focused on transforming the way copper is recovered and produced, with the goal of enabling a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient global copper supply chain. The company has developed innovative technology designed to improve copper recovery from ores through heap leaching while also creating a pathway to convert copper slag and other metallurgical waste streams into valuable copper metal.

Cuprum’s technology has the potential to unlock traditionally difficult copper resources, improve the economics and efficiency of existing operations, and recover value from materials that are traditionally treated as waste. By addressing both primary copper recovery and the conversion of secondary waste into copper, Cuprum is developing solutions aimed at increasing the availability of this critical metal while reducing the environmental footprint associated with its production.

Backed by leading investors, including Lundin Family Office, BHP Ventures, and Woodline Partners, Cuprum is advancing its technology toward full commercialization and working with industry partners to implement its technology at scale. The company’s mission is to help meet growing global demand for copper by developing practical technologies that enable more copper to be recovered from existing resources and waste, using materials more efficiently and sustainably.

Media Contact

Roger Pettman, Chairman and CEO, E-Mail: roger.pettman@cuprummetals.com

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SOURCE Cuprum Metals

Following a period of rapid growth, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions USA invests in leadership and service transformation to scale alongside its customers.

WIXOM, Mich., Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions USA today announced a series of leadership and capability investments designed to support continued business growth and increased customer demand nationwide. The announcement reflects ZEISS’ continued investment in the people, infrastructure and regional support needed to increase capacity, strengthen responsiveness and provide customers with greater access to ZEISS expertise.

The announcement includes the appointment of Daniel Tagscherer as Vice President, Head of Finance & Business Operations. With more than 20 years at ZEISS, he has held leadership roles spanning finance, operations and business transformation, most recently serving as Global Head of Finance & Controlling for ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions. In his new role, Tagscherer will lead key business functions and strategic initiatives that support operational performance, organizational scalability and long-term growth.

“Our continued growth reflects the trust customers place in ZEISS and the value we deliver every day,” said Hendrie Viktor, President of ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions North America. “Daniel’s combination of financial, operational and transformational leadership will be instrumental in helping us build for the future. His experience and perspective will help ensure we continue to do so with the same focus on quality, innovation and customer commitment that defines ZEISS.”

The company has also appointed Al Chiasson as Vice President, Head of Services. An industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, including more than a decade at ZEISS, Chiasson will lead the company’s service organization, strengthening alignment between technical expertise and service delivery. His deep understanding of customer requirements, applications and operational execution will help further enhance customer experience as ZEISS continues to expand its service capabilities.

“Al has played an important role in building the technical expertise that differentiates ZEISS in the market. He understands our customers’ applications, challenges and long-term goals and has a proven track record leading customer-focused teams. We have tremendous confidence in his ability to scale our service organization while maintaining the high standards of expertise, responsiveness and partnership our customers expect from ZEISS,” Tagscherer said.

Building on these leadership appointments, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions USA is implementing an optimized organizational service structure designed to support long-term expansion and customer success. The model creates focused, highly specialized teams with dedicated regional ownership, helping the company stay closely connected to customer needs.

These investments follow a period of double-digit growth over the past three years, as the company continues to scale its capabilities to support customers nationwide. Recent investments include expanding its field service technician network by more than 30 percent, increasing service management resources and investing in regional support capabilities. The company also opened two new ZEISS Quality Excellence Centers in less than a year (Bloomfield, Connecticut, and Huntersville, North Carolina). Together, these steps strengthen access to ZEISS expertise, applications support and service in response to growing demand.

“Our focus is on delivering the world-class service and support our customers deserve. As quality requirements become increasingly complex, access to expertise and trusted partnership is more important than ever. We are committed to helping our customers solve challenges faster and achieve their goals with confidence,” said Chiasson.

To learn more about ZEISS, visit www.zeiss.com/metrology

About ZEISS

ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025).

For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world’s leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars.

With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company’s significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS’ technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 15 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.

With over 46,600 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide (September 30, 2025). Founded in 1846 in Jena, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of the largest foundations in Germany committed to the promotion of science, is the sole owner of the holding company, Carl Zeiss AG.

Further information at www.zeiss.com 

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions

ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is a leading manufacturer of multidimensional metrology solutions. These include coordinate measuring machines, optical and multisensor systems, microscopy systems for industrial quality assurance as well as metrology software for the automotive, aircraft, mechanical engineering, plastics and medical technology industries. Innovative technologies such as 3D X-ray metrology for quality inspection round off the portfolio. In addition, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions offers a broad global spectrum of customer services with ZEISS Quality Excellence Centers close to its customers. The company is headquartered in Oberkochen. Production and development sites outside Germany are located in Minneapolis in the USA, Shanghai (China) and Bangalore (India). ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions is part of the Industrial Quality & Research segment.

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SOURCE Carl Zeiss Industrial Quality Solutions, LLC