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EPC Group Celebrates Milestones of Over 5,200 SharePoint Implementations and 1,500 Microsoft Power BI Projects

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HOUSTON, Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EPC Group, the second oldest Microsoft Gold Partner in North America, proudly announces the successful completion of over 5,200 SharePoint implementations and 1,500 Microsoft Power BI projects worldwide. These significant milestones underscore the company’s unwavering commitment to delivering innovative Microsoft solutions and exceptional service to organizations across various industries.

 

EPC Group’s founder, Errin O’Connor, has been a driving force behind the firm’s success. As the author of four Microsoft Press best-sellers on SharePoint, Power BI, and Microsoft 365, including the official Microsoft Press book “Power BI Dashboards – Step by Step,” O’Connor’s influence on the BI landscape is well-known. His Power BI book, an Amazon best-seller, is often cited as a go-to resource for Power BI enthusiasts and professionals alike, reinforcing the statement that “EPC Group literally wrote the book on Microsoft Power BI.” Errin is also working on a new publication on Artificial Intelligence (AI) best practices and implementation services. In addition, O’Connor is launching a new 40+ hour YouTube AI Series, sharing his extensive knowledge on AI technologies, best practices, and implementation strategies.

O’Connor humorously reflects, “Intranets, content management systems, collaboration, extranets, custom on-prem SharePoint to SharePoint Online, upgrades from every single version of SharePoint, the dreaded ‘double or triple hop migrations’ as they’re called—we’ve been there. From SharePoint Designer, WSS, custom web parts, AvePoint, Nintex, custom K2 configurations, handling hundreds and hundreds of terabytes—we’ve tackled SharePoint projects at large corporations, small businesses, the FBI’s SharePoint migration, the NSA, NIH, the Continental Airlines and United Airlines merger, to a small dental practice down the road. We’ve seen and done it all.

“One of the most surreal experiences was working on a SharePoint project many years ago at the National Archives. After countless hours debating metadata strategies with one of the head archivists, I was given a private tour of the Preservation Vaults. Seeing the Emancipation Proclamation and the first draft of the Constitution felt like a moment frozen in time. Besides the birth of my sons, it’s one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

“On a lighter note, while working on implementing SharePoint at the seven main NASA centers, I got to suit up in attire that prevents contamination and saw one of the rovers from the Mars Rover program up close. It’s amazing how IT and these systems and getting to work with so many clients over the years on just a human level, allowed me to see some of the coolest things in person that I can tell my kids about.”

EPC Group’s journey with SharePoint began in 2000 when its founder, Errin O’Connor, was part of the SharePoint Beta Team during Microsoft’s Project Tahoe. This early involvement provided EPC Group with unique insights that have shaped their SharePoint solutions over the past two decades.

Further setting EPC Group apart, the company was also involved in the initial development stages of Power BI. In 2010, EPC Group participated as part of the Microsoft Power BI Beta team. Power BI, originally known under the code name “Project Crescent,” was envisioned as a replacement for Microsoft’s SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and was incorporated into SQL Server Codename Denali in July 2011. This early engagement allowed EPC Group to develop deep expertise in Power BI, benefiting clients with advanced business intelligence solutions.

Leading in AI Consulting: A Focus on Microsoft 365 Copilot and Beyond

As North America’s leading AI consulting firm, EPC Group is at the helm of AI innovation, offering services that span 14 of the top Artificial Intelligence solutions, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini, OpenAI, and many others. These AI-driven tools are transforming the way businesses operate, enabling organizations to streamline workflows, make data-driven decisions, and enhance enterprise efficiency. EPC Group’s consulting services focus on integrating AI into businesses’ existing infrastructures, ensuring they can leverage the full potential of AI technologies to drive growth and innovation.

Errin O’Connor remarked, “Our involvement with multiple AI solutions allows us to provide tailored strategies that meet the unique needs of each client. By integrating technologies like Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini, and OpenAI, we’re helping organizations harness the power of AI to transform their operations and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.”

John Cassidy, EPC Group’s Chief Revenue Officer, added, “As we enter the new age of artificial intelligence, the role of a Virtual Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (VCAIO) has become critical for businesses aiming to leverage AI effectively. Our VCAIO services provide strategic AI leadership, helping organizations navigate the complexities of AI integration and ensuring that their AI initiatives align with their overall business objectives. Given the limited talent pool capable of fulfilling this role, EPC Group’s VCAIOs are among the most skilled in North America, ready to guide businesses through their AI journey and ensure their Microsoft 365 Copilot initiatives are executed flawlessly.”

EPC Group’s Commitment to AI and VCAIO Services

Building on their legacy of innovation, EPC Group integrates advanced AI technologies into their SharePoint and Power BI efforts, enhancing collaboration, efficiency, and data analytics for their clients. By offering Virtual Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (VCAIO) services, EPC Group provides businesses with strategic AI leadership without the overhead of a full-time executive. Their VCAIOs specialize in AI, focusing on how AI can be integrated into every aspect of the business to drive growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Pioneering M&A Cloud Consolidation – “Tenant to Tenant Migrations”

EPC Group continues to dominate the AI space and pioneer M&A Cloud Consolidation through its proprietary tools and methodologies. The company specializes in consolidating on-premise, hybrid, and cloud systems—including G-Suite, Dropbox, on-premise file shares, disparate systems uncovered during M&A efforts that were previously unknown, and legacy infrastructures—into unified, secure Microsoft 365 tenants. With a focus on proper governance, encryption, and on-time delivery, EPC Group ensures seamless migrations that meet both regulatory and shareholder expectations. EPC Group has recently completed a 34-company acquisition and full migration into one centralized new company’s Microsoft 365 tenant.

“EPC Group’s industry-leading approach allows acquiring companies to centralize IT operations by securely migrating systems from various source environments into a new and compliant Microsoft 365 tenant,” said Errin O’Connor. “Our focus on proper governance, encryption, and on-time delivery ensures that businesses can innovate confidently while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance.”

Key Milestones and Recent Achievements:

Over 5,200 SharePoint Implementations: Demonstrating extensive experience and a proven track record in delivering SharePoint solutions.Over 1,500 Microsoft Power BI Projects: Showcasing deep expertise in business intelligence and data analytics.Authored Four Microsoft Press Best-Sellers: Including the official Microsoft Press book “Power BI Dashboards – Step by Step.”Launching a 40+ Hour YouTube AI Best Practices & Implementation Series: Sharing extensive knowledge on AI technologies, best practices, and implementation strategies.Early Contributor to Microsoft Technologies: Part of the original SharePoint Beta Team (Project Tahoe) and the Power BI Beta team (Project Crescent).Leading in AI Consulting: Offering services across 14 top AI solutions, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini, OpenAI, and more.Providing VCAIO Services: Offering Virtual Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer services to guide businesses through their AI journey.Pioneers in M&A Cloud Consolidation: Leading the industry with AI-driven tenant migrations and secure cloud consolidation.Second Oldest Microsoft Gold Partner in North America: Reflecting a longstanding partnership and deep expertise in Microsoft technologies.G2 Leader Recognition: Named a Leader in G2’s “Grid for Business Intelligence (BI) Consulting Providers – Fall 2024,” as one of the top Power BI consulting firms in North America.

About EPC Group

Founded in 1997, EPC Group is North America’s premier AI and business intelligence consulting firm with over 27 years of experience. As the second oldest Microsoft Gold Partner in North America, the company specializes in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Azure, Power BI, data warehouse, Fabric, advanced AI solutions, VCAIO services, and M&A cloud consolidation. EPC Group has completed thousands of SharePoint and Power BI engagements for a diverse range of clients—from small and mid-sized organizations to large-scale enterprise rollouts.

EPC Group’s team of experts is dedicated to empowering organizations through technology, enhancing productivity, and driving business growth. Their involvement with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Gemini, OpenAI, and other AI technologies positions EPC Group at the forefront of digital transformation. The firm’s Virtual Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer services provide strategic AI leadership, helping businesses navigate the complexities of AI integration and ensuring their AI initiatives align with their overall objectives.

For more information about EPC Group’s, visit www.epcgroup.net or Contact Us at contact@epcgroup.net.

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SOURCE EPC Group

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Barrel Energy Inc. Announces Full SEC Reporting Status, Strengthening Marketability and Positioning Company for Expansion in Renewable and Nutritional Energy Markets

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Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL) A fully reporting company. Accelerates Growth Across Energy, Hospitality, and Sustainable Ventures, Driving Scalable Opportunities Worldwide.

LAS VEGAS, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL), an emerging diversified energy company focused on renewable energy and nutritional energy initiatives, today announced that the Company is now a fully reporting company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), marking a major turning point in the Company’s long term growth strategy and public market development.

Barrel Energy Inc. Announces Full SEC Reporting Status, Strengthening Marketability and positioning for Expansion.

“Our transition to becoming a fully reporting SEC company represents a significant milestone for Barrel Energy and an important step toward increasing the overall marketability and visibility of our stock,” said Jarmin Kaltsas. “We believe today’s market increasingly rewards transparency and compliance, and becoming fully reporting positions us to engage a wider audience of investors, strategic partners, and acquisition opportunities as we continue executing our long term growth strategy under the BRLL trading symbol.”

Management further stated that the Company plans to aggressively pursue growth initiatives intended to expand revenues, strengthen market presence, and enhance shareholder value through strategic business combinations, operational expansion, and scalable energy focused ventures.

About Barrel Energy Inc.

Barrel Energy Inc. (OTC: BRLL) is a diversified energy company focused on opportunities in renewable energy, and nutritional energy initiatives. The Company seeks to leverage strategic acquisitions, public market growth, and innovative energy solutions to create long term shareholder value.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future development activities and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business and finances in general, including the ability to continue and manage its growth, competition, global economic conditions and other factors discussed in detail in the Company’s periodic filings with the Security and Exchange Commission.

Barrel Energy – 3859 S. Valley View Blvd, STE 2 #107, Las Vegas, NV, 89103 Tel- 888- 397-9114 Email- info@BRLLenergy.com Social Media-@BRLLenergy all platforms.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barrel-energy-inc-announces-full-sec-reporting-status-strengthening-marketability-and-positioning-company-for-expansion-in-renewable-and-nutritional-energy-markets-302768505.html

SOURCE Barrel Energy, Inc.

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Legacy Launches $1M Study Advancing At-Home Semen Collection for Assisted Reproduction Technology

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NEW YORK, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Legacy, the leading male fertility clinic and at-home sperm testing and cryopreservation platform, today announced the Sperm Study, a clinical research initiative backed by an R&D investment of over $1 million and designed to evaluate and optimize the use of at-home semen collection for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including IVF and IUI.

Prospectively enrolling up to 250 participants across two phases, this study represents one of the most comprehensive investigations to date into how specimen shipment, handling, and cryopreservation impact sperm quality and is expected to set a new benchmark for scientific rigor in the rapidly growing field of at-home fertility testing. This study is being conducted in collaboration with IVF Academy USA.

Raising the bar for clinical evidence in at-home fertility care

To date, validation work in at-home semen collection has been limited in important ways. Studies have largely enrolled normozoospermic men only, relied on courier-transported rather than real-world-shipped specimens, and focused on short-term motility and concentration as primary endpoints.

Critical questions remain unanswered, particularly around how samples with varying quality perform under genuine end-to-end shipping conditions, and how those samples hold up in the contexts that matter most clinically: IVF and IUI. The Sperm Study is designed to close those gaps.

This multi-phase study will evaluate key sperm quality parameters including motility, DNA fragmentation, and post-thaw viability, while also validating the use of computer-aided semen analysis (CASA) as an alternative to basic manual semen analysis in the setting of mail-in semen analysis.

“With the increased utilization of at-home semen testing and cryopreservation, there is a critical need to ensure these specimens will perform adequately when used for assisted reproduction,” said Legacy’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Lundy. “This study is designed to rigorously evaluate how at-home collection and transport impact sperm quality across a broad patient population and to translate those findings into improved protocols and optimized outcomes for both patients and providers.”

Sperm study design and scientific approach

The Sperm Study is a prospectively accruing cross-sectional study in which paired semen samples are analyzed across multiple timepoints and during the shipment process. Importantly, this study enrolls participants across a range of semen quality profiles — not solely normozoospermic men — and evaluates samples under genuine shipping conditions experienced by real specimens.

Key study components include direct comparison of CASA vs. manual analysis at baseline, evaluation of motility decline over time and in relation to shipment conditions, measurement of DNA fragmentation pre- and post-shipment and cryopreservation, assessment of post-thaw sperm viability and yield, and the development of predictive algorithms for IVF/IUI sample sufficiency.

The study will also examine how factors such as transit time, concentration, and storage conditions impact outcomes, with the goal of generating generalizable insights for clinical practice.

Multi-phase rollout

Phase 1 includes 100 participants and approximately 1,500 total assays, with expected completion in 2026. Phase 2, planned for later in 2026 and into 2027, will expand the study with additional participants, bringing the total to up to 250 to enable broader validation across a more diverse patient population.

Impact on clinical practice

Findings from the Sperm Study are expected to directly inform and improve specimen collection protocols for at-home use, shipping and handling standards for semen samples, cryopreservation practices, and clinical decision-making for IVF and IUI readiness.

By generating high-quality, controlled data across a clinically representative patient population, Legacy aims to provide fertility clinics, researchers, and patients with greater confidence in the use of mail-in semen testing and cryopreservation as part of standard reproductive care.

About Legacy

Legacy is the leading male fertility clinic in the United States, offering at-home semen analysis, sperm cryopreservation, and post-vasectomy testing. With a CLIA-certified, high-complexity andrology lab and one of the largest proprietary datasets in male reproductive health, Legacy is advancing access, data, and innovation in fertility care.

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SOURCE Give Legacy, Inc.

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Elks Award Nearly $5 Million in College Scholarships

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CHICAGO, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Elks National Foundation welcomed 900 students to the Elks family, awarding more than $4.9 million in scholarships to high school seniors. An Elks scholarship is more than financial aid; it’s an invitation to a network of service-minded peers and a promise that an Elks Lodge is always there with open arms.

Out of more than 23,000 applicants for the Most Valuable Student scholarship, the Top 20 scholars received $30,000 scholarships and an invitation to Chicago for the Leadership Weekend.

From April 30-May 3, the Leadership Weekend allowed scholars to get acquainted with their new Elks family through programming facilitated by current and former Elks scholars, team-building activities, and a service opportunity.

“Leadership Weekend is one of my greatest memories,” says Emily Cai, sponsored by Toccoa, Ga., Lodge No. 1820. “I had the privilege of meeting inspirational and disciplined individuals who motivated me to become the best version of myself. I am excited to see my future with the Elks family!”

A total of 480 runners-up received $4,000 Most Valuable Student scholarships.

Service is a tenet of the Elks, which is why it’s a requirement for recipients of the $6,000 Legacy Awards scholarship, which is exclusively for the children or grandchildren of Elks members. The new class of 400 scholars will serve with an Elks Lodge three times during the four years they receive the scholarship.

“This award means a great deal to me and my family,” says Kelly Butler, sponsored by Haverstraw, N.Y., Lodge No. 877. “Knowing that the Elks have invested in my future motivates me to continue working hard and striving toward my goals.”

To see a full list of the scholarship winners and to learn more about the Elks National Foundation’s scholarships, visit elks.org/scholars, follow the ENF on Instagram @ElksScholars, and like the ENF on Facebook @ElksNationalFoundation.

Contact: Elks National Foundation
Abbey Knupp | Manager, Communications
2750 N. Lakeview Ave. | Chicago, IL 60614-2256
773/755-4864 | AbbeyK@elks.org 

Helping Elks Build Stronger Communities

The Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, helps nearly 800,000 Elks and nearly 1,800 Lodges nationwide build stronger communities through programs that support youth, serve veterans, and meet needs in areas where Elks live and work. To learn more, visit elks.org/enf.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elks-award-nearly-5-million-in-college-scholarships-302768507.html

SOURCE ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

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