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World Champions Crowned at Pearson’s Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist Competition

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HOBOKEN, N.J., July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) today announced the winners of the Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship, a global competition that recognizes students from around the world using Microsoft Office. Now in its 24th year, the championship highlights the value of Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in preparing learners for academic and career success.

This year’s event, held in Anaheim, CA, welcomed 135 finalists (ages 13–22) from 36 countries who qualified by passing Microsoft Word, Excel™, or PowerPoint™ certification exams, and won their respective country competitions. This year’s event, held in Anaheim, California, welcomed 135 finalists ages 13–22 from 36 countries.

The global competition celebrates excellence in Microsoft Office, helping students build confidence and develop essential digital skills for the future. Through their participation, students gain valuable real-world experience, preparing them to succeed in an economy increasingly shaped by new technologies.

The winners:

Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)
First: Sio Keng Nim, Macao, China Second: Lee Yuan Han, Taiwan Third: Flor Nathalia Pelaez Guerra, EcuadorMicrosoft Excel™ (Microsoft 365 Apps)
First: Nguyen Mai Chi, Vietnam Second: Aleksy Jakub Dobrodziej, Poland Third: Hoi Kiu Cheng, Hong Kong, ChinaMicrosoft PowerPoint™ (Microsoft 365 Apps)
First: Santiago Matteus Dardón Pinzón, Guatemala Second: Ung Man Kit, Macao, China Third: Nguyen Dinh Bao, VietnamMicrosoft Word (Office 2019)
First: Reem El Shafii, Lebanon Second: Valentina Ribatski Baldan, Brazil Third: Xiao Jun Ting, TaiwanMicrosoft Excel™ (Office 2019)
First: Zhong Tin Kin, Macao, China Second: Thanawit Thawonkan, Thailand Third: Do Le Tuan Kiet, VietnamMicrosoft PowerPoint™ (Office 2019)
First: Liang Xinzhi, Macao, China Second: Helena Bertozzi Pires, Brazil Third: Amar Azar, USA

Why it matters: “These students have not only earned a valuable credential, they have demonstrated the commitment, capability, and confidence needed to succeed in a fast-changing digital world. As certified Microsoft Office Specialists, they are building a strong foundation for academic achievement, career opportunity, and lifelong learning,” said Arthur Valentine, President of Assessment and Qualifications at Pearson. “Their initiative and adaptability show exactly the kind of future-ready talent employers need. By mastering essential digital skills, they are preparing to thrive in an AI-driven economy.”

What Microsoft said: “The Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship celebrates more than technical excellence. It highlights the power of digital skills and certifications,” said Jeana Jorgensen, Corporate Vice President, Global Skilling, Microsoft. “The students who take part in this competition demonstrate that their talent, dedication, and certification can open doors. These opportunities will also extend far beyond the event, creating pathways for success in the workforce.” 

The big picture: The Microsoft Office Specialist is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification program for validating Microsoft Office skills. Available in over 140 countries and 26 languages, MOS certifications serve as a powerful instrument for assessing students’ skills and preparing them for real-world application of their knowledge. They help them stand out in academic and professional settings while providing employers with a trusted measure of workplace readiness. Learn more about the Pearson Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship here.

Related Pearson News

The Certification Imperative: Empowering Young People to Bridge the Skills GapEmployers Use IT Certification to Close High Risk Skills Gaps and Gain Competitive Advantage, Pearson Study FindsNew Pearson and AWS Global research: 53% of Employers Struggle to Find AI-Ready Graduates 

About Pearson 

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c. 18,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s lifelong learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at plc.pearson.com.

Media Contact

Greg.Forbes@pearson.com 

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SOURCE Pearson

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Corporate Technologies Marks 45 Years as a Leading Managed IT and Cybersecurity Provider for U.S. Small Businesses

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The Eden Prairie, Minnesota MSP, a 2026 Channel Futures MSP 501 winner, now serves 2,000+ clients across 18 states and 21 markets.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Corporate Technologies, a managed service provider (MSP) founded in 1981, today announced it is celebrating 45 years of delivering managed IT services, cybersecurity, compliance, and cloud services to small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) across the United States.

Founded in 1981 in Fargo, North Dakota and now headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Corporate Technologies has grown from a regional IT provider into a national MSP serving 2,000+ clients across 18 states and 21 markets, all supported by a United States based, 24/7 help desk. The company was named a winner of the Channel Futures MSP 501, the industry’s most prestigious ranking of managed service providers, in 2026 and in prior years.

“When we started in 1981, technology was a back-office expense. Today it is the engine of every small business,” said Jim Griffith, CEO of Corporate Technologies. “Forty-five years in, our mission is the same: give every small and mid-sized business access to the same enterprise-grade IT and security that larger companies take for granted. What matters is the capability of your IT partner, not the size of your company.”

Corporate Technologies differentiates itself from the estimated tens of thousands of U.S. MSPs through dedicated service delivery teams, a 24/7 help desk that resolves roughly 93 percent of issues remotely, a dedicated account manager with monthly reporting and a technology roadmap, and a full stack of cybersecurity services and cloud services. Its flat-rate managed IT packages carry a 60-day money-back guarantee, and its local teams operate across 21 markets so clients can reach an engineer who can be on site.

The anniversary follows the company’s first quarterly SMB Technology and Cyber Resilience Index, published in 2026, which measures operational data across its managed client base. According to the Index, managed clients experienced roughly 80 percent lower modeled downtime cost and about four times fewer outages than the SMB average, and Corporate Technologies blocked 12,977 ransomware attempts across its client base in a single quarter while maintaining a 99.9 percent uptime SLA on its cloud services.

Corporate Technologies by the numbers:

Founded: 1981Headquarters: Eden Prairie, MinnesotaClients served: 2,000+Footprint: 18 states, 21 marketsRecognition: Channel Futures MSP 501, 2026 winnerServices: managed IT, cybersecurity, compliance, cloud, disaster recovery

About Corporate Technologies

Corporate Technologies is a managed service provider (MSP) founded in 1981 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The company provides managed IT, cybersecurity, compliance, cloud, and disaster recovery services to small and mid-sized businesses across 18 states and 21 U.S. markets, backed by a United States based 24/7 help desk. Corporate Technologies is a Channel Futures MSP 501 winner. Learn more at https://gocorptech.com

Media Contact:
Ugur Gulaydin, VP of Marketing, Corporate Technologies
1-866-363-4628
info@gocorptech.com
6210 Bury Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55346
https://gocorptech.com 

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SOURCE Corporate Technologies, LLC

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GTB Technologies to Highlight AI Governance and Enterprise Data Protection at Black Hat USA 2026 and AI Summit Las Vegas

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GTB Technologies today announced it will spotlight its latest AI data protection and governance capabilities during Black Hat USA 2026 and the AI Summit Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — GTB Technologies®, a leader in enterprise Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and data security, today announced it will spotlight its latest AI data protection and governance capabilities during Black Hat USA 2026 and the AI Summit Las Vegas.

Organizations shouldn’t have to choose between embracing AI and protecting their data,” said Daniel Jay, EVP of GTB Technologies. “Our focus is enabling organizations to adopt AI confidently while maintaining control over their most valuable information.

Organizations currently need consistent governance as they adopt multiple AI platforms, including Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and other enterprise AI services, for software development, document analysis, research, and everyday business tasks.

GTB™’s approach extends beyond traditional DLP by applying intelligent, accurate policy enforcement with Semantic Data Security™ to AI interactions before sensitive information leaves the organization.

Visitors during AI Summit and Black Hat will learn how GTB helps organizations:

Protect sensitive information before it is submitted to AI platforms.Control copy and paste, file uploads, and other data movement, for both structured and unstructured data into AI applications.Apply consistent enterprise security policies across approved and unapproved AI services.Protect intellectual property, source code, customer information, healthcare data, financial information, and other confidential business content.Strengthen enterprise AI governance with enforcement and auditing.

“Organizations shouldn’t have to choose between embracing AI and protecting their data,” said Daniel Jay, EVP of GTB Technologies. “AI is becoming part of everyday business operations. Our focus is enabling organizations to adopt AI confidently while maintaining control over their most valuable information.”

GTB will also discuss the evolution of AI governance during their AI Summit thought leadership presentation “The Birth of AI Governance. The AI honeymoon is over,” Tues, August 4, 1:30 PM local time, and why organizations are moving beyond traditional keyword-based data loss prevention toward more intelligent, accurate context-aware protection and Semantic Data Security™ for modern AI workflows.

Visit GTB Technologies at the AI Summit and Black Hat – Booth #5535 to learn how enterprises can securely accelerate AI adoption while maintaining compliance and protecting sensitive information.

About GTB Technologies

Founded in 2004, GTB Technologies® provides enterprise data security solutions that help organizations identify, monitor, and protect sensitive information across endpoints, networks, cloud platforms, and AI-driven workflows. GTB’s platform brings together Data Loss Prevention, data classification, cloud data security, insider threat protection, compliance support, and AI-aware controls to help enterprises protect their most important data.

Black Hat USA 2026

August 4–6, 2026

Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Visit GTB at Booth #5535

AI Summit Las Vegas

August 4, 2026

Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

For more information or to schedule a private meeting, go to Blackhat – AI Summit 2026 – GTB Technologies

Media Contact

Ashley R., GTB Technologies, Inc., 1 800.626.0557, info@gttb.com, gtb.ai

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SOURCE GTB Technologies, Inc.

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Sunwest Bank Completes Acquisition of Former MidWestOne and Bank of Denver, Colorado Branches from Nicolet National Bank

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SANDY, Utah and DENVER, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sunwest Bank today announced it has completed its acquisition of the former MidWestOne and Bank of Denver, Colorado branches from Nicolet National Bank.

The acquisition represents a major milestone in Sunwest Bank’s continued growth and significantly expands its presence across the Rocky Mountain region. By growing its branch network, Sunwest Bank is increasing its ability to serve entrepreneurs, businesses, and individuals with banking solutions, local decision-making, and exceptional client service.

Carson Lappetito, President & CEO of Sunwest Bank, said, “We are proud to officially welcome our new clients to Sunwest Bank as we complete this transaction. It reflects our long-term commitment to Colorado, and we look forward to building lasting relationships while delivering the personalized service, innovative solutions, and entrepreneurial spirit that define Sunwest Bank.”

Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank has earned a reputation for combining financial strength, innovative technology, and relationship-focused banking. The acquisition expands the ability to deliver a full suite of commercial, treasury management, lending, and banking solutions to clients throughout Colorado.

“This acquisition is part of our long-term strategy to grow in markets where relationship banking makes a meaningful difference. We believe this investment positions us for continued growth in Colorado while strengthening the communities we serve,” said Robert Faver, Chief Banking Officer at Sunwest Bank.

About Sunwest Bank

Founded in 1969, Sunwest Bank is a privately held commercial bank with over $4.0 billion in assets. With a growing presence throughout the United States, Sunwest is headquartered in Sandy, Utah, with offices across California, Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, and Florida. The bank partners with businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs nationwide to deliver leading banking services including technology forward treasury management, commercial and real estate lending products, and corporate financial solutions.

With a strong capital position and a commitment to innovation, Sunwest Bank continues to challenge traditional banking models through forward-thinking initiatives designed to support its clients’ growth and long-term success. Sunwest Bank operates with a Fortress Balance Sheet, long-term outlook, and has an impeccable track record of supporting their clients through all economic cycles.

Sunwest Bank provides:

Consistency and reliability – unwavering stability through economic cycles, mergers, and system transitions.Direct access to decision-makers – no call centers, just responsive, relationship-driven service all the way to the top of the organization.Financial strength and security – through prudent credit and balance sheet management, Sunwest Bank’s Fortress Balance Sheet and culture allow them to navigate all economic cycles.A conservative, forward-looking approach – ensuring that its strength continues to translate into opportunity for the businesses they serve.

Sunwest Bank remains strong, stable, and focused on its clients. Their entrepreneurial culture allows them to maintain the flexibility and responsiveness that other institutions often lose as they grow. Sunwest Bank believes strength begins with discipline, and their financial foundation reflects that philosophy.

For Entrepreneurs by Entrepreneurs, Sunwest Bank is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. More information can be found at www.sunwestbank.com.

To stay updated on Sunwest Bank’s continued Colorado expansion and the progress of this acquisition, please visit: www.sunwestbank.com/bank-of-denver-acquisition.

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SOURCE Sunwest Bank

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