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NAPCO Reports Record Revenues, Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA* for Fiscal 2024

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-Net Sales for the Quarter Increase 13% to a Quarterly Record $50.3 Million

-Net Income for the Quarter Increases 28% to a Quarterly Record $13.5 Million

-Adjusted EBITDA* for the Quarter Increases 18% to $15.4 Million

-4th Quarter Recurring Service Revenues Increase 27% to $20.3 Million With a Gross Margin of 90%-

-Net Sales for the Year Increase 11% to $188.8 Million

-Net Income for the Year Increases 84% to $49.8 Million

-Adjusted EBITDA for the Year Increases 72% to $58.9 Million

-Board Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.125 per share-

AMITYVILLE, N.Y., Aug. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSSC), one of the leading manufacturers and designers of high-tech electronic security equipment, wireless communication devices for intrusion and fire alarm systems and the related recurring service revenues as well as a provider of school safety solutions, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Financial Highlights:

Net sales for the quarter increased 13% to $50.3 million (the highest quarterly sales in the Company’s history) as compared to $44.6 million for the same period last year, and net sales for the year increased 11% to a record $188.8 million as compared to $170.0 million for the same period last year.Recurring service revenue (“RSR”) for the quarter increased 27% to $20.3 million as compared to $16.1 million for the same period last year, and for the year increased 26% to $75.7 million as compared to $59.9 million last year. RSR had a prospective annual run rate of approximately $84 million based on July 2024 recurring service revenues.Gross margin for RSR increased to 90.4% and 90.5% for the quarter and the year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to 89% and 89%, respectively, for the same periods last year.Gross margin for equipment revenue was 31.4% and 29.4% for the quarter and year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to 30.5% and 18.0%, respectively for the same periods last year.Net income for the quarter increased 28% to a quarterly record $13.5 million as compared to $10.6 million for the same period a year ago. Net income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 84% to a twelve month record $49.8 million as compared to $27.1 million for the same period last year.Earnings per share (diluted) for the quarter increased 28% to $0.36 as compared to $0.28 for the same period a year ago. Earnings per share (diluted) for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 84% to $1.34 as compared to $0.73 for the same period last year.Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter increased 18% to $15.4 million as compared to $13.0 million for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA* for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 72% to a record $58.9 million as compared to $34.3 million for the same period last year.Adjusted EBITDA per share (diluted)* for the quarter increased 18% to $0.41 as compared to $0.35 for the same period a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA per share (diluted)* for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 71% to $1.59 per diluted share as compared to $0.93 for the same period last year.Cash and cash equivalents, other investments and marketable securities were $97.7 million at June 30, 2024 as compared to $66.7 million at June 30, 2023, a 46% increase. The Company had no debt as of June 30, 2024.Cash Provided by Operating Activities for the year ended June 30, 2024 was $45.4 million as compared to $24.7 million for the same period last year.Robust net income, Adjusted EBITDA, and growing cash reserves demonstrating strong financial health of our business, is allowing us to increase our quarterly dividend to $0.125 per share, representing a 25% sequential increase.  This next dividend will be paid on October 3, 2024 to shareholders of record on September 12, 2024.

Richard Soloway, Chairman and CEO, commented, “Fiscal 2024 concluded with record revenue and net income for both the 4th quarter and the full fiscal 2024 year ending June 30, 2024. The 4th quarter sales of $50.3 million was the fifteenth consecutive quarter of record sales for a quarterly reporting period. Our record quarterly net income of $13.5 million represents 27% of sales. Adjusted EBITDA was $15.4 million for Q4 and $58.9 million for the full fiscal year and equate to a 31% EBITDA margin. Equipment revenue grew at 5% for the quarter, with gross margins on such sales sequentially increasing to 31% as compared to 29% in each of the last two quarters. Recurring service revenues, which increased 27% in Q4, was a major contributor to the year-over-year overall sales and earnings growth and represents 40% of total revenue. Gross margin for recurring service revenues remained strong at 90% and when combined with gross margin on equipment revenues of 31%, the total gross margins for Q4 amounted to 55%, which compared to 52% for last year’s Q4.

We were also pleased with the increase in the recurring service revenues annual run rate, which increased to $84 million based on July 2024 recurring service revenues, compared to an annual run rate of $81 million based on April 2024 recurring service revenues.

Our balance sheet continues to get stronger, with cash and cash equivalents, other investments and marketable securities increasing 46% to $97.7 million as compared to $66.7 million at June 30, 2023, We have no debt and the net cash provided by operating activities for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024 was also strong, amounting to $45.4 million, an 84% increase over last year’s level of 24.7 million.

Our Alarm Lock and Marks locking hardware lines continue to see growth in school and classroom security, healthcare, and retail loss-prevention, as well as in multi-dwelling commercial and residential applications. Locking sales in Q4 grew approximately 21% compared to last year and approximately 8% compared to Q3 and represents 71% of hardware sales. We continue to remain focused on further penetrating each of these markets.

Our recent introduction of Prima by NAPCO, a new All-in-One Panel for security, fire, video and connected home with a 5-minute installation, remains a very important focus to the Company.  Our goal is for Prima to address an important mass segment of the security market, including residential and small business systems. With built-in Wi-Fi/cellular radio communications, customer alert notifications, and video and smart home subscription options for each installed system, the security dealer, as well as the Company, can add more recurring service revenue generating accounts.

NAPCO’s record results for Q4 and fiscal year 2024, was primarily the result of the continued growth and profitability from recurring service revenues as well as the strong sales from our Alarm Lock and Marks locking product lines. Radio sales were down 5% sequentially and 10% as compared to Q4 last year due to the continued effect of the sunsetting of 3G technology and existing radio inventory levels at some of our distributors.  Radios represent 59% of Intrusion and Access Alarm Products sales and we expect inventory levels at distributors to continue to reduce and radio sales to continue to be a key contributor to our hardware sales and lead to the continued growth of our highly profitable recurring service revenues.”

Mr. Soloway concluded, “Fiscal 2024 was an amazing record-breaking year where we generated net income of $49.8 million, Adjusted EBITDA* of $58.9 million and an Adjusted EBITDA* margin of 31%. But as I have said before, there is more work to be done.  While we continue to be encouraged with the gross margin for hardware sales of 31.4%, we believe this should improve further in fiscal 2025 and beyond. Our strong net income Adjusted EBITDA* and growing cash, indicate the financial strength of our business. As such, we are pleased to continue our dividend program and we will be increasing the quarterly dividend to $0.125 per share payable on September 24, 2024. As always, we will strive to accomplish our goal of continued financial strength, product innovation, technical superiority, and strong profitability, for fiscal 2025 and beyond”.

Financial Results

Net sales for the quarter increased 13% to $50.3 million (the highest quarterly sales in the Company’s history), as compared to $44.6 million for the same period one year ago. Net sales for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 11% to a twelve month record $188.8 million, as compared to $170 million for the same period one year ago. Research and development costs for the quarter increased 28% to $3.0 million, or 6% of net sales, as compared to $2.4 million or 5% of net sales for the same period a year ago. Research and development costs for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 15% to $10.8 million, or 6% of net sales, as compared to $9.3 million or 5% of net sales for the same period a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter increased 22% to $10.9 million or 22% of net sales, as compared to $8.9 million, or 20% of net sales for the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 11% to $37.1 million or 20% of net sales, as compared to $33.6 million, or 20% of net sales for the same period last year.

Operating income for the quarter increased 18% to $14.0 million as compared to $11.8 million for the same period last year. Operating income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 77% to $53.8 million as compared to $30.3 million for the same period last year. Net income for the quarter increased 28% to a quarterly record $13.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, as compared to $10.6 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the same period last year and represents 27% of net sales. Net income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 84% to a twelve month record of $49.8 million or $1.34 per diluted share as compared to $27.1 million or $0.73 per diluted share for the same period last year and represents 26% of net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA* for the quarter increased 18% to $15.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, as compared to $13.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the same period last year and equates to an Adjusted EBITDA* margin of 31%. Adjusted EBITDA* for the twelve months ended June 30, 2024 increased 72% to a record $58.9 million, or $1.59 per diluted share, as compared to $34.3 million, or $0.93 per diluted share for the same period last year and equates to an Adjusted EBITDA* margin of 31%.

Balance Sheet Summary

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $97.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, other investments and marketable securities as compared to $66.7 million as of June 30, 2023. Working capital (defined as current assets less current liabilities) was $146.5 million at June 30, 2024 as compared with working capital of $111.7 million at June 30, 2023. Current ratio (defined as current assets divided by current liabilities) was 7.6:1 at June 30, 2024, and 6.7:1 at June 30, 2023.

Conference Call Information

Management will conduct a conference call at 11 a.m. ET today, August 26, 2024, in order to participate please go to the Investor Relations section of Company’s website at https://investor.napcosecurity.com or the webcast URL use https://app.webinar.net/ZjmeNQvqWAQ.  Alternatively, interested parties may participate in the call by dialing, in the (US) 1-800-836-8184 or for international callers, 1-646-357-8785. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website.

About NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.

NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., is one of the leading manufacturers and designers of high-tech electronic security devices, wireless recurring communication services for intrusion and fire alarm systems as well as a provider of school safety solutions, The Company consists of four Divisions: NAPCO, plus three wholly owned subsidiaries: Alarm Lock, Continental Instruments, and Marks USA. Headquartered in Amityville, New York, its products are installed by tens of thousands of security professionals worldwide in commercial, industrial, institutional, residential and government applications. NAPCO products have earned a reputation for innovation, technical excellence and reliability, positioning the Company for growth in the multi-billion dollar and rapidly expanding electronic security market. For additional information on NAPCO, please visit the Company’s web site at http://www.napcosecurity.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections of future performance based on management’s judgment, beliefs, current trends, and anticipated product performance. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain challenges and developments; the growth of recurring service revenues and annual run rate; the strength of our balance sheet; our expectations regarding future results; the introduction of new access control and locking products; the opportunities for school security products; business trends , including the replacement of 3G radios, and our ability to execute our business strategies. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those risk factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

*Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Certain non-GAAP measures are included in this press release, including non-GAAP operating income, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA per share (diluted). We define Adjusted EBITDA as GAAP net income plus income tax expense, net interest expense, non-cash stock-based expense, non-recurring legal expense, other non-recurring income and depreciation and amortization expense. Non-GAAP operating income does not include amortization of intangibles or stock-based compensation expense. These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance the user’s overall understanding of our financial performance. By excluding these charges our non-GAAP results provide information to management and investors that is useful in assessing NAPCO’s core operating performance and in comparing our results of operations on a consistent basis from period to period. Our use of non-GAAP financial measures has certain limitations in that such non-GAAP financial measures may not be directly comparable to those reported by other companies. For example, the terms used in this press release, such as Adjusted EBITDA, do not have a standardized meaning. Other companies may use the same or similarly named measures, but exclude different items, which may not provide investors with a comparable view of our performance in relation to other companies. The presentation of this information is not meant to be a substitute for the corresponding financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures set forth above.

NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

June 30, 2024

June 30, 2023

(in thousands, except share data)

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents

$

65,341

$

35,955

Investments – other

26,980

25,660

Marketable securities

5,398

5,136

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $32 and $131 as of June 30, 2024
and June 30, 2023, respectively

31,898

26,069

Inventories

34,804

35,062

Income tax receivable

73

75

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

4,269

3,402

Total Current Assets

168,763

131,359

Inventories – non-current

15,109

13,287

Property, plant and equipment, net

9,077

9,308

Intangible assets, net

3,602

3,939

Deferred income taxes

5,428

2,652

Operating lease – Right-of-use asset

5,487

5,797

Other assets

286

312

TOTAL ASSETS

$

207,752

$

166,654

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

$

7,977

$

8,061

Accrued expenses

10,345

8,079

Accrued salaries and wages

3,907

3,546

Total Current Liabilities

22,229

19,686

Accrued income taxes

1,122

1,110

Operating lease liability

5,512

5,689

TOTAL LIABILITIES

28,863

26,485

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 14)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30,
2024 and June 30, 2023; 39,768,186 and 39,663,812 shares issued; and 36,874,471 and
36,770,097 shares outstanding, respectively.

398

397

Additional paid-in capital

23,712

21,553

Retained earnings

174,300

137,740

Less: Treasury Stock, at cost (2,893,715 shares)

(19,521)

(19,521)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

178,889

140,169

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

207,752

$

166,654

 

NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Three Months Ended June 30, 

2024

2023

2022

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)

Net sales:

Equipment revenues

$

29,938

$

28,551

$

30,532

Service revenues

20,392

16,107

12,697

50,330

44,658

43,229

Cost of sales:

Equipment-related expenses

20,530

19,856

22,394

Service-related expenses

1,955

1,768

1,611

22,485

21,624

24,005

Gross Profit

27,845

23,034

19,224

Operating expenses:

Research and development

3,027

2,364

2,106

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

10,854

8,861

8,924

Total Operating Expenses

13,881

11,225

11,030

Operating Income

13,964

11,809

8,194

Other income:

Interest and other income (expense), net

762

382

(181)

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

14,726

12,191

8,013

Provision for Income Taxes

1,192

1,626

476

Net Income

$

13,534

$

10,565

$

7,537

Income per share:

Basic

$

0.37

$

0.29

$

0.21

Diluted

$

0.36

$

0.28

$

0.20

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

Basic

36,939,000

36,827,000

36,760,000

Diluted

37,232,000

37,137,000

36,879,000

 

NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended June 30, 

2024

2023

2022

(in thousands, except for share and per share data)

Net sales:

Equipment revenues

$

113,071

$

110,062

$

97,612

Service revenues

75,749

59,935

45,981

188,820

169,997

143,593

Cost of sales:

Equipment-related expenses

79,862

90,197

78,471

Service-related expenses

7,204

6,567

5,966

87,066

96,764

84,437

Gross Profit

101,754

73,233

59,156

Operating expenses:

Research and development

10,763

9,328

8,024

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

37,173

33,580

32,907

Total Operating Expenses

47,936

42,908

40,931

Operating Income

53,818

30,325

18,225

Other income:

Interest and other income (expense), net

2,568

903

(283)

Gain on extinguishment of debt

3,904

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

56,386

31,228

21,846

Provision for Income Taxes

6,568

4,101

2,247

Net Income

$

49,818

$

27,127

$

19,599

Income per share:

Basic

$

1.35

$

0.74

$

0.53

Diluted

$

1.34

$

0.73

$

0.53

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

Basic

36,812,000

36,741,000

36,725,000

Diluted

37,066,000

37,005,000

36,867,000

 

NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Fiscal Year ended June 30, 

2024

2023

2022

(in thousands)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

$

49,818

$

27,127

$

19,599

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

2,163

1,930

1,771

Gain on disposal of fixed asset

(15)

Interest expense (income) on other investments

31

(470)

Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities

(56)

80

426

(Recovery of) Provision for credit losses

(99)

(112)

17

Change to inventory reserve

1,691

(445)

1,187

Deferred income taxes

(2,776)

(2,818)

(214)

Stock based compensation expense

1,733

1,464

1,649

Gain on extinguishment of debt

(3,904)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(5,730)

3,261

(1,154)

Inventories

(3,255)

1,883

(19,274)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

(867)

(564)

(430)

Income tax receivable

2

(75)

Other assets

25

35

(103)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, accrued salaries and wages, accrued income
taxes

2,688

(6,581)

8,762

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

45,368

24,700

8,332

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

(1,594)

(2,962)

(1,482)

Proceeds from disposal of fixed asset

38

Purchases of marketable securities

(206)

(148)

(81)

Purchases of other investments

(1,351)

(35,281)

Redemption of other investments

10,091

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(3,151)

(28,262)

(1,563)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from stock option exercises

427

85

155

Cash paid for dividend

(13,258)

(2,298)

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities    

(12,831)

(2,213)

155

Net increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

29,386

(5,775)

6,924

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – Beginning

35,955

41,730

34,806

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – Ending

$

65,341

$

35,955

$

41,730

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Interest paid

$

14

$

16

$

16

Income taxes paid

$

9,330

$

8,811

$

2,168

 

NAPCO SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NON-GAAP MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE* (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

3 months ended June 30,

12 months ended June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net income (GAAP)

$        13,534

$          10,565

$         49,818

$         27,127

Add back provision for income taxes

1,192

1,626

6,568

4,101

Interest and other (income), net

(762)

(382)

(2,568)

(903)

Operating Income (GAAP)

13,964

11,809

53,818

30,325

Adjustments for non-GAAP measures of performance:

   Add back amortization of acquisition-related intangibles

84

90

337

361

   Add back stock-based compensation expense

857

330

1,733

1,464

   Add back non-recurring legal expenses

58

373

1,220

576

Adjusted non-GAAP operating income

14,963

12,602

57,108

32,726

Add back depreciation and other amortization

452

442

1,826

1,569

Adjusted EBITDA* (earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization)

$         15,415

$         13,044

$         58,934

$         34,295

Adjusted EBITDA* per Diluted Share

$             0.41

$             0.35

$             1.59

$             0.93

Weighted average number of Diluted Shares outstanding

37,232,000

37,137,000

37,066,000

37,005,000

 

Contacts:
Francis J. Okoniewski
Vice President of Investor Relations
NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.
Office 800-645-9445 x 374
Mobile 516-404-3597
fokoniewski@napcosecurity.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/napco-reports-record-revenues-net-income-and-adjusted-ebitda-for-fiscal-2024-302229970.html

SOURCE NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc.

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Passage Preparation Wins 2026 CODiE Award for Best Professional Learning Platform

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Passage Preparation™, a division of K12 Coalition, has been named a 2026 CODiE Award Winner in the category Best Professional Learning Platform.

The CODiE Awards recognize the most innovative products, platforms and services across technology and education. Winners are selected through a rigorous evaluation process led by independent industry experts who assess each solution based on innovation, functionality, market impact, and overall value.

Selected from 228 finalists across 75 categories, the 2026 CODiE Award winners represent the solutions setting new standards for excellence and innovation.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the CODiE Awards,” said Nathan Estel, Managing Director of Passage Preparation. “This award reflects our team’s commitment to helping aspiring educators build the knowledge, confidence, and instructional expertise they need to succeed on their licensure exams. We remain dedicated to strengthening the educator pipeline through innovative learning experiences that prepare great teachers for the classroom.”

As schools across the country face persistent teacher shortages, Passage Preparation is helping accelerate the path from aspiring educator to licensed classroom teacher. The platform provides comprehensive licensure exam preparation tailored to state certification requirements and subject areas, ensuring candidates focus on the content most relevant to their certification pathway. Developed by experienced teachers and teacher educators, every course is aligned with both licensure standards and evidence-based instructional practices, equipping candidates with the skills they need to succeed on certification exams and in the classroom.

Unlike traditional test-preparation programs that emphasize memorization and test-taking strategies, Passage Preparation builds lasting content knowledge and teaching proficiency through engaging, interactive learning experiences. Candidates benefit from diagnostic assessments that identify strengths and areas for improvement, detailed progress reporting, practice assessments, and personalized study plans. Flexible self-paced learning is complemented by live virtual cohorts that provide instructor guidance, peer collaboration, and accountability, creating a supportive professional learning community for busy educators.

Designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind, Passage Preparation includes tools such as Immersive Reader, offering real-time translation in more than 100 languages, text-to-speech functionality, customizable display settings, and other features that support diverse learning needs. The platform has consistently helped improve certification exam pass rates, enabling many candidates to earn licensure on their first attempt, saving valuable time and costs. By preparing more educators to enter the profession successfully, Passage Preparation helps districts fill critical teaching positions faster and strengthens the educator workforce nationwide.

“The 2026 CODiE Award winners represent some of the most innovative and impactful solutions in the industry,” said Jennifer Baranowski, President of the CODiE Awards. “These organizations are solving meaningful challenges, delivering measurable outcomes, and helping shape the future of technology.”

A complete list of 2026 CODiE Award winners is available at https://codieawards.com/winners.

About K12 Coalition 

K12 Coalition is a collective of specialized education products and services with a common mission to provide a great education for every student in every classroom every day. The company offers deep expertise in solving five macro K-12 education challenges: teacher certification, professional learning, literacy and math curriculum, accelerated student learning through summer school, and district support, including strategic planning and consulting. Learn more at k12coalition.com.

About Passage Preparation

Passage Preparation specializes in providing comprehensive licensure assessment preparation resources designed to bolster teacher confidence and proficiency. These learning resources equip licensure candidates with the knowledge necessary for success on exams and instill in them best teaching practices using methodologies thoughtfully curated to be engaging and aligned precisely with the content covered on the licensure exams. Passage Preparation is part of K12 Coalition, a certified B Corporation helping schools and teachers thrive nationwide.

Media Contact:
Alex Fairchild
K12Coalition@finnpartners.com 

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SOURCE K12 Coalition

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Knox Systems Partners with Microsoft to Accelerate Secure Government Access to Commercial Innovation on Microsoft Azure

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Strategic collaboration helps software companies bring cutting-edge commercial technology to the U.S. Government faster through Microsoft Azure Government Cloud

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Knox Systems (Knox), the largest, longest-running federal managed cloud, today announced a collaboration with Microsoft to help commercial software companies deploy secure, mission-ready solutions on Microsoft Azure Government Cloud for U.S. Government customers.

As demand for modern AI, cybersecurity, data, and enterprise software continues to grow across the public sector, the partnership is designed to reduce the barriers that have historically prevented government agencies from accessing the same technologies already transforming the commercial market.

Knox enables software providers to achieve production-ready federal cloud environments in as little as 90 days through its pre-authorized Federal Managed Cloud. By inheriting a substantial portion of required security controls, companies can reduce the time, effort, cost, and compliance burden associated with deploying compliant government cloud solutions. Combined with Microsoft Azure’s trusted government cloud platform, the collaboration provides an accelerated path for innovative software companies seeking to serve federal civilian and defense customers.

“America’s greatest technology companies shouldn’t spend years navigating compliance before they can help solve government missions,” said Irina Denisenko, CEO of Knox Systems. “Microsoft has built one of the world’s most trusted cloud platforms for government. Knox removes the operational barriers that can keep innovative software companies from deploying secure, compliant solutions on Azure Government. Together, we’re making it dramatically faster for agencies to access the technologies they need, securely, compliantly, and at mission speed.”

The collaboration strengthens Microsoft’s ecosystem for independent software vendors (ISVs) pursuing government opportunities while expanding the pathway for AI-native, cybersecurity, enterprise software, and critical infrastructure companies to bring production workloads to Azure.

“Microsoft is committed to helping software companies innovate for government while meeting the highest standards for security and compliance,” said Jamie Harper, VP, Defense Industrial Base, Microsoft. “Our collaboration with Knox provides organizations with an accelerated path to deploy innovative solutions on Microsoft Azure Government Cloud, helping government agencies gain faster access to the technologies that support critical missions.”

Knox currently operates one of the industry’s largest FedRAMP-authorized managed cloud environments, supporting more than 70 software companies and maintaining 16 US Federal and Department of War Authorizations to Operate (ATOs). Customers including Adobe, Armis, Celonis, BigID, and other leading software providers rely on Knox to bring commercial innovation to government faster while maintaining rigorous security standards.

As AI adoption accelerates across government, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring agencies can securely leverage the same cutting-edge technologies already powering the commercial economy.

About Knox Systems

Knox Systems operates the largest managed federal cloud, trusted by top agencies and partners across defense and civilian sectors. Built for speed, resilience, and compliance, Knox delivers FedRAMP authorization in 90 days – turning the biggest bottleneck in government IT into the fastest path to modernization. Knox proudly serves Adobe, Celonis, OutSystems, Armis, BigID, and more AI and SaaS providers, accelerating secure innovation across the federal landscape. Learn more at knoxsystems.com.

Media Contact:
knox@w2comm.com

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SOURCE Knox Systems, Inc

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Oscar Chavez-Arrieta Joins Spektrum Labs to Lead Global Channel and MSP/MSSP Expansion

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Chavez-Arrieta joins to help MSPs and MSSPs turn Continuous Resilience Validation into a new, high-margin service line — with a select group of 10 partners activating in the next 30 days.

CARMEL, Ind., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Spektrum Labs, the company that built the first cyber resilience proof engine, today announced that Oscar Chavez-Arrieta has joined as senior vice president for global channel. Chavez-Arrieta brings a rare combination of deep cybersecurity credibility and extensive expertise building the partner channel across the Americas, honed through more than two decades at companies including SonicWall, Sophos, Symantec and Dell.

At Spektrum Labs, Chavez-Arrieta will lead channel strategy, drawing on the partner relationships he has built across the Americas to bring provable resilience to MSPs and MSSPs.

Managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security service providers (MSSPs) are at a pressure point. Their clients face audits, stringent cyber insurance requirements and new regulations, and that pressure flows straight to the provider. Insurers have started holding providers liable for the controls they manage, and core managed detection and response (MDR) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) offerings are commoditizing on price. Providers need to differentiate, defend themselves and improve margins — all on top of the stack they already sell.

Spektrum Labs built the first cyber resilience proof engine. Cyber resilience means three things: the safeguards a provider manages actually work and stay configured properly; backups are tested and ready to recover if those safeguards fail; and the promises made in a client’s insurance application are met with mathematically irrefutable evidence, so any dispute is about the policy, never about the facts.

Spektrum Labs proves all three through Continuous Resilience Validation: it connects via API to the tools a provider already manages, validates daily that they meet each client’s internal and external requirements, and seals every result as a Cyber Resilience Token in the Ledger — tamper-evident evidence the provider can hand a client, auditor or insurer as a Spektrum Passport. For an MSP or MSSP, that turns “trust us” into portable, machine-verified proof, delivered one-to-many across their entire book and billable as a new line of service.

The Spektrum Labs platform empowers channel partners with:

Insurability that closes and retains accounts. When a provider shares a client’s Spektrum Passport, more than 20 of the largest cyber insurance carriers accept it instead of their application form and return preferential pricing and terms, in writing — a direct reason for the client to stay with the provider that delivers it.Proof-of-performance that reduces liability exposure. As insurers begin holding providers liable for the controls they manage, Spektrum Labs captures tamper-evident evidence that those safeguards were active and working when an incident occurred — a direct defense when it matters most.A differentiated, high-margin line with less overhead. Provable resilience is a recurring, high-margin service that rides on the tools a provider already resells — not another cost center to manage.Proof of contractual alignment. Spektrum Labs shows that what a provider delivers matches what its contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs) promise, protecting renewals and defending the account.Continuous, scalable evidence across the entire book. Instead of logging into console after console per client, providers get daily validation across every system and client in one comparable view.A layer that complements, never competes. Spektrum Labs sits above the provider’s existing platform as an assurance layer, adding value without displacing what they already sell.

Oscar Chavez-Arrieta, senior vice president, global channel, Spektrum Labs, said: “For over two decades, I’ve helped partners across the Americas sell security. The question from their clients has changed from ‘What tools do you run?’ to ‘How can you prove they’re working?’ Spektrum Labs gives the channel continuous, verifiable proof across every client they manage, sitting above the partner’s own platform without competing with what they sell. It makes a partner’s services and margins stronger at the same time, and that is why I joined.”

Rob Driscoll, co-founder and chief revenue officer, Spektrum Labs, said: “The channel is the highest-leverage place to prove resilience, because one provider can deliver it to hundreds of clients at once. Oscar has spent his career building that channel across the Americas, and partners trust him. Bringing him on to lead our global channel lets us meet MSPs and MSSPs with proof instead of promises and scale the segment with someone the market already knows.”

About Spektrum Labs 

Spektrum Labs built the first cyber resilience proof engine, backed by a portfolio of 25 patents. Cyber resilience means safeguards work and stay configured, backups are tested and ready to recover, and insurance promises are met with mathematically irrefutable evidence. Through Continuous Resilience Validation, the Spektrum Fusion platform connects to an organization’s tools, validates them daily, and seals every result as tamper-evident proof in the Ledger — proof that boards, auditors, regulators and insurers accept. To learn more, visit spektrum.ai.

Spektrum Labs, Spektrum Fusion, Spektrum Passport and Cyber Resilience Token are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spektrum Labs.

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SOURCE Spektrum Labs

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