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Aprio Expands into Midwest with Acquisitions of KRD, Ltd. and Burkett & Beattie, Inc.

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The acquisition of two Chicago-based firms creates a new market for Aprio, reinforces commitment to expanding its position across the U.S.

ATLANTA, Dec. 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Aprio, the 25th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., announces the strategic acquisitions of two leading accounting firms, KRD, Ltd. and Burkett & Beattie, Inc. (B&B), both located in Chicago.

“We are pleased to expand our footprint into the greater Chicago area and tap into one of the country’s fastest-growing business hubs,” said Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio. “KRD and Burkett & Beattie have a proven track record as trusted business advisors across the Midwest. This strategic alignment underscores our commitment to investing in and scaling our business for the advancement of our valued clients and team members.”

KRD, Ltd. is a premier firm that provides financial, wealth planning, assurance, tax, consulting, and outsourced accounting services for high-net-worth families, businesses, and other organizations. The firm is led by Managing Partner Jon Segal and includes nearly 110 partners and professionals. Segal joins as Aprio’s Midwest regional leader and Chicago and Schaumburg office leader.

“By joining forces with Aprio, we gain access to a broader network of top talent, innovative technologies, and solutions, while preserving KRD’s unique qualities and personalized approach that has set us apart in the marketplace,” said Segal. “Over the past four years, Aprio has supported us with a wealth of services and knowledge, enabling us to better serve our clients. Our positive experiences and long-standing relationship with Aprio’s professionals made this the logical next step to strengthen and grow our firm.”

Jeffrey Kapelus, President of Capstone Search Solutions, advised Aprio and KRD on the transaction.

“Aprio’s forward-thinking leadership, breadth of specialized services, and proven growth trajectory set them apart as a trusted advisor. KRD’s alignment with these qualities makes this an ideal match,” said Kapelus. “By establishing a presence in Chicago, Aprio strengthens its capabilities and reinforces its commitment to providing clients with innovative, high-impact solutions tailored to their needs.”

Burkett & Beattie, Inc. provides full-service accounting and tax services with a concentration in small, growing businesses in a variety of industries, with a particular focus on health clubs, marketing research, and veterinary hospitals. The firm is led by Managing Partners Sandra Burkett and Christopher Beattie, with 10 professionals who have extensive experience with private client, small and emerging businesses, trusts, and individual tax consulting.

“This partnership is not just about expanding Burkett & Beattie’s unique service offerings, but also about growing together with Aprio,” said Burkett.

Beattie added, “Our team will have access to continued career growth, professional development opportunities, and the chance to work with a broader range of clients and industries. We are thrilled to be a part of the Aprio team.”

Russ Best, of Whitman Transition Advisors, served as an advisor on the Burkett & Beattie transaction.

Aprio is strengthening its footprint across the nation. The addition of KRD and Burkett & Beattie follows Aprio’s recent acquisitions of Kirsch Kohn & Bridge (KKB) in Los Angeles and Elite Tax & Accounting and Pontiff + Associates in Denver.

About Aprio

Aprio is the brand name under which Aprio, LLP, and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, deliver professional services. Since 1952, clients throughout the U.S. and across more than 50 countries have trusted Aprio for guidance on how to achieve what’s next. As a premier business advisory and accounting firm, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, delivers advisory, tax, managed, and private client services to build value, drive growth, manage risk, and protect wealth, and Aprio, LLP, provides audit and attest services. With proven experience and genuine care, Aprio serves individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, from promising startups to market leaders alike. Aprio has grown to 2,000+ team members providing solutions to clients in industries including Manufacturing and Distribution, Non-Profit and Education, Professional Services, Real Estate, Construction, Restaurant, Franchise & Hospitality, Government Contracting, and Technology and Blockchain. Aprio.com  

About KRD, Ltd.

KRD is a premier firm located in the Chicago market specializing in high net-worth families, businesses and other organizations. For more than 40 years, KRD has been providing a full range of business strategies and client services, audits, reviews and compilations, financial, retirement and estate planning, accounting and software consulting, tax strategies and preparation, and business valuation services with state-of-the-art technology resources. KRD is a value-oriented organization with high professional standards. The partners and professionals serve every client’s unique situation with passion, quality and integrity.

About Burkett & Beattie, Inc.

The partners and professionals at Burkett & Beattie, Inc. have been trusted advisors, providing full-service accounting and tax, service with a concentration on small, growing businesses in a variety of industries, with a particular focus in health clubs, marketing research, and veterinary hospitals. The firm was founded in 1998 and is now led by Managing Partners Sandra Burkett and Christopher Beattie.

Follow Aprio: 

Aprio Website: https://www.aprio.com/ 
Aprio Careers: https://www.careers.aprio.com/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aprio 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aprioadvisors 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AprioAdvisors 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprioadvisors/

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BCE reports results of Series S and T preferred share conversions

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October 19, 2026

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MONTRÉAL, Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ — BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced that 400 of its 4,798,333 fixed-rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series T (“Series T Preferred Shares”) have been tendered for conversion on November 2, 2026, on a one-for-one basis, into floating-rate Cumulative Redeemable First Preferred Shares, Series S (“Series S Preferred Shares”). In addition, 676,765 of its 1,866,877 Series S Preferred Shares have been tendered for conversion on November 2, 2026, on a one-for-one basis, into Series T Preferred Shares. Consequently, on November 2, 2026, BCE will have 5,474,698 Series T Preferred Shares and 1,190,512 Series S Preferred Shares issued and outstanding. The Series T Preferred Shares and the Series S Preferred Shares will continue to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols BCE.PR.T and BCE.PR.S, respectively.

The Series T Preferred Shares will pay on a quarterly basis, for the five-year period beginning on November 2, 2026, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE, a fixed cash dividend based on an annual fixed dividend rate of 5.523%.

The Series S Preferred Shares will continue to pay a monthly floating adjustable cash dividend for the five-year period beginning on November 2, 2026, as and when declared by the Board of Directors of BCE. The monthly floating adjustable dividend for any particular month will continue to be calculated based on the prime rate for such month and using the Designated Percentage for such month representing the sum of an adjustment factor (based on the market price of the Series S Preferred Shares in the preceding month) and the Designated Percentage for the preceding month.

About BCE
BCE is Canada’s largest communications company1, leading the way in advanced fibre and wireless networks, enterprise services and digital media. By delivering next-generation technology that leverages cloud-based and AI-driven solutions, we’re keeping customers connected, informed and entertained while enabling businesses to compete on the world stage. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.

Media inquiries:
Ellen Murphy
media@bell.ca

Investor inquiries:
Krishna Somers
krishna.somers@bell.ca

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bce-reports-results-of-series-s-and-t-preferred-share-conversions-302913268.html

SOURCE BCE Inc.

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3M announces collaboration with GSEO to advance Expanded Beam Optical manufacturing and development

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October 19, 2026

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ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 3M (NYSE: MMM) today announced a collaboration with Genius Electronic Optical Co., Ltd. (GSEO, Taiwan: 3406), an optical technology company, to advance technology development and manufacturing for 3M’s Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) solutions. In support of these efforts, 3M expects to make a strategic investment to acquire approximately 4.7% of GSEO’s common shares as part of the company’s private placement of newly issued shares, subject to customary closing conditions.

The collaboration brings together 3M’s EBO technology leadership, optical interconnect expertise, materials science, manufacturing scale and customer relationships with GSEO’s precision optics manufacturing capabilities and production scale. Together, the companies aim to support EBO commercialization and long-term capacity expansion to meet growing demand from hyperscale data centers and other advanced connectivity applications.

“3M is investing in capabilities and partnerships that can accelerate innovation for our customers,” said William Brown, 3M Chairman and CEO. “By selecting GSEO as a manufacturing partner and investing in the company, we are strengthening the path to scale next-generation optical connectivity solutions for high-performance data center infrastructure.”

GSEO’s existing precision optics manufacturing capabilities and technical development experience are expected to support manufacturing readiness for 3M’s EBO ferrules, co-packaged optics solutions and related optical interconnect applications. The collaboration is part of 3M’s broader EBO ecosystem strategy, which includes continued work with customers and partners across the optical interconnect market.

“GSEO is pleased to expand its relationship with 3M as we work together to advance optical interconnect solutions for next-generation data center infrastructure,” said Micro Kuo, GSEO CEO and President. “This collaboration brings together complementary technology and manufacturing strengths to support continued innovation and help meet the performance demands of high-growth connectivity markets.”

3M expects the strategic investment to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release are considered “forward-looking statements” under the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and are intended to enjoy the protection of those laws. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this release and are typically identified by the words “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “impact,” “initial,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “probable,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would,” and other words that are similar to, or have the opposite meanings of, those words. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, 3M assumes no duty to update those statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of those statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of 3M’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

Contacts
3M
Investor Contact:
Diane Farrow, 612-202-2449
Media Contact:
3MNews@mmm.com 

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SOURCE 3M Company

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Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers Announces Second Annual Operation Fur-Ever Home Pet Adoption Event at Lafreniere Park

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October 19, 2026

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NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is excited to announce the return of its second annual Operation Fur-Ever Home, a free community pet adoption event taking place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, Louisiana.

The free, family-friendly event will give attendees the opportunity to meet adoptable pets from local animal shelters, learn about responsible pet ownership, and potentially welcome a new furry companion into their homes. Those who preregister for the event will also be entered for a chance to win a Soundcore speaker and a free pet adoption.

“Last year’s event was everything we hoped it would be, and we are incredibly excited to bring Operation Fur-Ever Home back for a second year,” said David Vicknair, founding partner of Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers. “There is something special about watching a family meet a pet that could become part of their lives for years to come. We wanted to create another opportunity to make those connections while supporting the organizations that work tirelessly to care for animals in our community.”

Building on the success of the first event, this year’s event continues the firm’s commitment to supporting local animal shelters and creating meaningful opportunities for families throughout Southeast Louisiana.

“Giving back to our community has always been an important part of who we are as a firm,” said Vicknair. “Whether we are helping students prepare for school, recognizing deserving teachers, or supporting local animal shelters, our goal is to make a positive difference in the communities we serve.”

Operation Fur-Ever Home is free and open to the public. Families, animal lovers, and anyone interested in adopting a pet are encouraged to attend and preregister.

About Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers

Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is a New Orleans-based personal injury firm committed to providing exceptional legal representation while also investing in the communities it serves. Their experienced team of dedicated attorneys specializes in car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death cases in New Orleans. With diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they craft legal strategies tailored to each client’s specific case and needs.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scott-vicknair-personal-injury-lawyers-announces-second-annual-operation-fur-ever-home-pet-adoption-event-at-lafreniere-park-302913183.html

SOURCE Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers

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