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Tony Van Heugten, CTO of e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., inducted in the 2024 Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

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Mr. Van Heugten , CTO of e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., joins the exclusive list of 77 inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame with colleagues collectively holding over 5,200 patents. He earned his recognition as an inventor who holds over 61 U.S. Patents to his name. As CTO for e-Vision Smart Optics, his talents have added to the company’s list of over 345 e-Vision Smart Optics patents.

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Anthony “Tony” Van Heugten, the Chief Technology Officer of e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc., became a 2024 Inductee in the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame.

“We are extremely proud of Mr. Van Heugten’s deserved induction into Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, an organization that recognizes Florida inventors whose achievements have significantly advanced the quality of life for all Americans,” Joel Zychick, CEO, of eVision Smart Optics, Inc.

Mr. Van Heugten is now on the exclusive list of 77 inductees to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame with colleagues collectively holding over 5,200 patents. He earned his recognition as an inventor who holds over 61 U.S. Patents to his name. As CTO for e-Vision Smart Optics, his talents have added to the company’s list of over 345 e-Vision Smart Optics patents.

He joins an impressive list of globally recognized inventors

Mr. Van Heugten was inducted in the Annual Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, October 25, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame includes globally recognized names like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone and many other inventors that have made positive impacts in our lives.

About Tony Van Heugten

Tony Van Heugten is the Chief Technology Officer of e-Vision and a principle inventor of its liquid crystal tunable lens technology. Prior to joining e-Vision in 2007, Mr. Van Heugten, co-founded WaveTec Vision Systems, Inc. (“WaveTec”) in 2000 serving as Chief Technology Officer, co-inventing the intra-operative wave front sensor that improves visual outcomes in eye surgery. In 2014, WaveTec was sold to Alcon*. Mr. Van Heugten has worked with many leaders in the ophthalmic community developing numerous successful products such as an instrument that creates stitch-less incisions for cataract surgery in one pass and an instrument to remove an implanted IOL through a 3mm incision.

Mr. Van Heugten has also managed other numerous successful technical projects both inside and outside of ophthalmology including the development of new products in interventional cardiology (MedClose), vascular access (Johnson & Johnson) and laser-vision-correction lasers (Summit Technology). He was a co-developer of

e-Vision’s electro-optic phoropter for performing vision examinations.

e-Vision Smart Optics – Company Overview

eVision is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida and a pioneer in electronic lens modulation with more than 18 years of experience designing and fabricating optics that control and shape light with no moving parts. “We are extremely proud of Mr. Van Heugten’s deserved induction into Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, an organization that recognizes Florida inventors whose achievements have significantly advanced the quality of life for all Americans.” Joel Zychick, CEO, of eVision Smart Optics, Inc. With ownership or control of over 440 issued or pending worldwide patents, e-Vision has significant protection for its intellectual property. This extensive patent portfolio is classified as follows:

e-Vision Intellectual Property

Optical Designs for Electronic Lenses: e-Vision’s patents cover its designs for electronic lenses and optics, including diffractive and pixelated diffractive optics, refractive optics, combination diffractive/refractive optics and adjustable fluidic optics.Electronics: Patents cover activating (focusing), powering and charging electronic optics remotely, wirelessly and/or anatomically with the electronics either imbedded in the optics or located outside the optics. Other patents cover memory and data transmission.Specific Applications for Electronic Lenses: The patent portfolio covers the application of Smart Focus Optics for eyecare (contact lenses, IOLs and spectacles), mobile media (optics for cameras, web cams, the “Internet of Things”), ophthalmic diagnostic devices (the electronic phoropter, for example) and more.Flexible Optics: e-Vision’s patents also cover the use of flexible (foldable) electronic lenses, optics and electronics for its eyecare applications.Support: e-Vision also has numerous additional patents on the processes and methods required to fabricate electronic lenses and optics.Wearables: The Internet of Things: Patents covering electronic wearable frames that encapsulate mobile media components including audio, video, microphones and wireless communication and the electronics (power and control) to drive such components.

e-Vision Smart Optics, Inc. is a privately held Delaware-based Corporation with its development facility and administrative offices located in Sarasota, Florida. The company was established in 1999 and its initial focus was technology licensing and transfer activities for lens-based and electronic wearable applications. In 2010, e-Vision created its own development platform to create tunable liquid crystal-based optics and wearable electronic frames. e-Vision believes that its technology will have a transformative influence on the complex lens systems required to bring what can be imagined to reality.

Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality, AR, VR and MR

Today there is a rush to develop products that interface with powerful computing advancements in Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality. e-Vision Smart Optics patents and development activities interface the sight and sound that is critical for the success of AR, VR and MR. e-Vision Smart Optics holds many other patents that are foundational to the development of reality-based products in both spectacle lens eyewear and the Electronic Contact Lens (ECL) contact technology.

About the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

By encouraging discovery, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame supports a culture of creativity that fuels innovation, drives economic growth, and encourages investment in Florida. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is a state-wide initiative dedicated to honoring and celebrating Florida inventors whose achievements have significantly advanced the quality of life for all Americans.

Florida consistently ranks among the top 10 states for most patents granted. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame recognizes these inventors, inspires the next generation of innovators, and works to bring attention to Florida, as a state where research, innovation and discovery thrive, and where great inventors have lived and worked.

*e-Vision has no affiliation with Alcon, the largest eye care devices company in the world.

Florida Inventors Hall of Fame • 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612 www.floridainvents.org

e-Vision™ Smart Optics, Inc. 1144 Tallevast Rd, Suites 113-115 Sarasota, FL 34243 www.evisionoptics.com

Media Contact

Joel Zycheck, e-Vision Smart Optics Inc., 1 9413514580, info@evisionoptics.com

www.evisionoptics.com

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SOURCE e-Vision Smart Optics Inc.

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The Inner Circle acknowledges Colleen Reilly as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence

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PORT ST. JOE, Fla., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Colleen Reilly is honored as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Transforming Catering and Event Services in Northwest Florida.

Since 2015, Colleen Reilly has served as founder and CEO of Catering Connections, a company that has redefined catering in Northwest Florida’s beach communities through innovation, collaboration, and community focus. Guided by her motto “Just one call feeds them all,” Ms. Reilly established a unique model by partnering with local restaurants to showcase their specialties, fostering unity among businesses while providing clients with one-of-a-kind event experiences.

With over 15 years of industry expertise, Ms. Reilly specializes in coordinating weddings, family reunions, and corporate events, managing every detail from client consultation to menu planning and flawless execution. Her dedication to service has earned Catering Connections multiple recognitions, including the Couples Choice Award from WeddingWire from 2021 to 2025, the Best of Florida Award from 2022 to 2024, and the Lux Life Hospitality and Catering Award in 2023 and 2024.

Ms. Reilly’s career foundation includes an associate degree in paralegal studies, magna cum laude, from Volunteer State College, a reflection of her meticulous approach to detail and commitment to excellence. Beyond her business, she serves her community as a board member of the Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership and as president of Friends of the Governor Stone Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving maritime heritage in Panama City. Her previous civic contributions include serving five years as a guardian ad litem, advocating for children within the legal system, and volunteering as a school chaperone for international student trips.

A leader who blends innovation with service, Ms. Reilly continues to grow Catering Connections while deepening her commitment to the local community. Looking ahead, she remains dedicated to expanding her company’s impact, bringing people together, and creating meaningful experiences through food and fellowship.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@continentalwhoswho.com

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SOURCE The Inner Circle

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Media Contributor Kianga Moore to Host Executive Media Roundtable On AI’s Transformational Impact in Retail

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Leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint, and New Nexus Group to Explore Real-Time Decision-Making, Resilience, and Growth in a Volatile Market

NEW YORK, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As retailers navigate ongoing economic uncertainty, supply chain volatility, and rapidly shifting consumer expectations, the upcoming convening of a high-level roundtable discussion will examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the retail landscape in real time.

Moderated by Media Contributor Kianga Moore, to be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 11h00am (EST), the roundtable will bring together senior leaders from AdFury.ai, Vendormint and New Nexus Group to discuss how modern enterprise platforms are leveraging AI to drive agility, efficiency, and long-term resilience across the retail ecosystem.

The discussion will additionally focus on how AI is enabling retailers to respond dynamically to changing demand signals, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen interoperability across increasingly complex vendor and marketplace networks.

“Retailers today are operating in a constant state of disruption”, stated Kianga Moore. “This roundtable will explore how AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but a strategic asset for anticipating change and building more resilient, adaptive American enterprise.”

Key discussion topics will include remarks on how, for example, enterprise AI platforms are helping retailers respond instantly to fluctuations in consumer demand, pricing pressures, and external supply chain disruptions and the role of AI in enhancing interoperability across vendors, partners, and marketplaces to create more agile and resilient retail infrastructures in 2026.

Rob Gonda, Chief Technical Officer at Vendormint, stated that, “Interoperability is the backbone of modern retail. AI enables seamless communication between platforms, vendors, and marketplaces—turning fragmented systems into cohesive, responsive ecosystems that can adapt under pressure.”

Discussion topics will also include machine learning’s ability to optimize ad spend, improving personalization, and delivering measurable ROI while maintaining brand trust and regulatory compliance.

Eric Howerton, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of AdFury.ai, added that,”AI is fundamentally changing how brands approach customer acquisition. By leveraging machine learning through fine-tuned, retail-specific agentic flows, we can not only optimize ad spend in real time, but we can also ensure messaging is personalized, compliant, and aligned with evolving consumer expectations.”

And indeed the roundtable will include discussions on how AI-powered predictive analytics can help businesses anticipate economic, technological, and geopolitical disruptions ahead—and plan accordingly.

Cheryl Yarbrough, Vice President of Partnerships at New Nexus Group added that, “Resilience in retail is no longer built in quarterly planning cycles-it’s built in real time. AI gives organizations the ability to identify disruptions before they cascade, pivot strategies before momentum is lost, and maintain continuity when the market moves faster than any human team can react alone.”

The roundtable will be held via Zoom TeleConference, with questions from the press and key stakeholders to follow opening remarks and a 30-minute Q&A between the moderator and the panelists.

For all media inquiries and to register to attend, please contact: Sam Amsterdam, Amsterdam Group Public Relations Inc. – Sam@AmsterdamGroup.net / +1 (202) 910-8349

Vendormint (https://vendormint.com)New Nexus Group (https://www.newnexusgroup.com)AdFury.ai (https://www.adfury.ai)

Samuel Amsterdam
Communications Counsel
Vendormint
samuelamsterdam@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/media-contributor-kianga-moore-to-host-executive-media-roundtable-on-ais-transformational-impact-in-retail-302753148.html

SOURCE Vendormint

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Fairway Home Mortgage Earns Prestigious USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award For 6th Consecutive Year

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Fairway CEO Steve Jacobson Named #1 Leadership Award Winner of Companies With 2500+ Employees

MADISON, Wis., April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fairway Home Mortgage announced that it has earned the prestigious 2026 USA TODAY Top Workplaces award. This is the sixth year in a row Fairway achieved this honor.

The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This year, more than 40,500 organizations were invited to participate. The winners are recognized for their commitment to fostering a workplace environment that values employee listening and engagement. USA TODAY showcased the winners at the National Awards Summit in Nashville. Watch the video of the event here.

“Being recognized with this award reflects Fairway’s commitment to bringing our people together face-to-face,” said Fairway’s CEO and Founder Steve Jacobson. “Companies are better when their people are around each other. People need each other and they learn from each other, and we’re very intentional about creating opportunities for in-person collaboration at Fairway.”

Jacobson demonstrated that in-person collaboration when he traveled to Knoxville this week with Fairway Senior Vice President Dan Richards to spend time with one of Fairway’s branches and their local real estate partners. “We engaged in real conversations about the market, discussed what people are seeing on the ground, and talked about how Fairway keeps showing up for clients,” said Richards. “It’s a reflection of the same hands-on approach that has defined Fairway’s culture for more than two decades.”

“To be named a Top Workplace for six consecutive years speaks to Fairway’s leadership, our mindset, and the empowerment of our staff,” said Fairway’s Chief People and Engagement Officer Julie Fry. “Our strength isn’t just what we offer employees. What sets a top workplace apart is the daily commitment to people—prioritizing connection, valuing contributions, and creating an environment where employees feel energized to serve because they feel valued first.”

The winners are determined by authentic employee feedback captured through a confidential survey conducted by Energage, the HR research and technology company behind the Top Workplaces program since 2006. The results are calculated based on employee responses to statements about Workplace Experience Themes, which are proven indicators of high performance.

“Earning a USA TODAY Top Workplaces award is a testament to an organization’s credibility and commitment to a people-first culture,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “This award, driven by real employee feedback, is more than just a recognition — it’s proof that your employees believe in the organization and its leadership. Job seekers and customers look for this trusted badge of credibility and excellence. It signals a company that values its people, and that kind of culture resonates in today’s competitive market”

About Fairway Home Mortgage
Madison, WI- and Carrollton, TX-based Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #2289) is a full-service mortgage lender licensed in all 50 states. Fairway is the #2 overall retail lender in the U.S.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 20 years of culture research and the results from 30 million employees surveyed across more than 80,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fairway-home-mortgage-earns-prestigious-usa-today-top-workplaces-award-for-6th-consecutive-year-302753183.html

SOURCE Fairway Home Mortgage

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