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AAON Increases Board Size and Appoints Robert L. Buttermore III, and Patrick J. Jermain as Independent Directors

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Appointments add deep expertise in enterprise-scale operations, global manufacturing, capital allocation, and governance as AAON continues to scale its leadership position in HVAC and mission-critical cooling markets

TULSA, Okla., July 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AAON, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAON), a leader in high-performing, energy-efficient HVAC solutions that bring long-term value to customers and owners, today announced the appointment of Robert L. Buttermore III, and Patrick J. Jermain to its Board of Directors, effective July 28, 2026. AAON also announced that Mr. Buttermore will serve on the Compensation Committee and Mr. Jermain will serve on the Audit Committee. The appointments follow the Board’s ongoing succession and refreshment process, which focuses on aligning director experience with the Company’s evolving strategy, scale, and long-term growth opportunities.

“AAON has entered a period where the opportunities in front of us are larger than at any point in our history,” said A.H. “Chip” McElroy II, Independent Chairman of the Board. “As we continue scaling the business, investing in capacity, and strengthening our position in high-growth markets, it is important that our Board evolves alongside the enterprise. Bob and Pat each bring decades of leadership experience within highly respected public companies and add complementary capabilities that will help guide AAON through its next chapter of growth and value creation.”

“AAON has accomplished a great deal over the last several years, but we believe the opportunity ahead is even greater,” said, Matt Tobolski, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our focus is on building a company that continues to create value for customers while expanding our capabilities, scale, and leadership position in the markets we serve. As part of that effort, we are intentional about ensuring our Board continues to evolve alongside the business. Bob and Pat bring experience and perspective that strengthen an already strong Board and will help support our long-term strategy as we continue building for the future.”

With these appointments, AAON’s Board is even better positioned to support the Company’s long-term strategy as it continues scaling operations, investing in growth, and expanding its leadership position across commercial HVAC and mission-critical cooling markets. These appointments further strengthen the Board’s depth of experience across manufacturing, technology, finance, and governance and reinforce AAON’s commitment to disciplined growth, operational excellence, and long-term shareholder value creation.

About Robert Buttermore

Robert L. Buttermore III, serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Rockwell Automation, one of the world’s leading industrial automation and digital transformation companies. He is responsible for Rockwell’s global manufacturing, sourcing, logistics, customer care, and trade compliance operations. Prior to his current role, he served in a variety of leadership positions spanning general management, global business leadership, Asia-Pacific operations, and commercial growth initiatives. He previously led Rockwell’s Power Control business and oversaw strategic expansion initiatives supporting industrial, semiconductor, energy, HVAC, and data center customers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University.

About Patrick Jermain

Patrick J. Jermain recently retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Plexus Corporation, a global manufacturing services company. During his twelve-year tenure as CFO, he helped guide the company through significant growth, portfolio transformation, capital allocation decisions, and long-term value creation initiatives. He served as a strategic advisor to the Board and executive leadership team on financial strategy, risk management, M&A evaluation, investor relations, and governance matters. Prior to Plexus, Jermain held senior finance leadership roles across several public manufacturing companies and began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wake Forest University and a master of business administration degree from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

About AAON

Founded in 1988, AAON is a global leader in HVAC solutions for commercial, industrial and data center indoor environments. The company’s industry-leading approach to designing and manufacturing highly configurable and custom-made equipment to meet exact needs creates a premier ownership experience with greater efficiency, performance and long-term value. Its highly engineered equipment is sold under the AAON and BASX brands. AAON is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where its world-class innovation center and testing lab allows AAON engineers to continuously push boundaries and advance the industry. For more information, please visit www.aaon.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “should”, “will”, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligations to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include (1) the timing and extent of changes in raw material and component prices, (2) the effects of fluctuations in the commercial/industrial new construction market, (3) the timing and extent of changes in interest rates, as well as other competitive factors during the year, and (4) general economic, market or business conditions. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” in AAON’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, as may be revised and updated by AAON’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and AAON’s Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Contact Information
Joseph Mondillo
Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Strategy
Phone: (617) 877-6346
Email: joseph.mondillo@aaon.com

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SOURCE AAON

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Ondo Launches Intelligent Portfolios, Powered by BlackRock, Bringing Portfolio Strategies Onchain

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New Ondo Intelligent Portfolios will offer portfolio tokens based on portfolio strategies developed by BlackRock for Ondo, bringing professionally designed portfolios delivered as single onchain tokens for eligible investors outside the United States.

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ondo Finance today launched a new onchain product category: Ondo Intelligent Portfolios, curated portfolios delivered as single onchain transferable tokens. The three portfolio tokens launched today are based on portfolio strategies powered by BlackRock, developed by BlackRock for Ondo, marking the first time eligible onchain investors can access exposure to such strategies through a single token.

Diversified, professionally constructed strategies have historically required brokerage accounts and traditional fund structures. Now, delivered as peer-to-peer transferable tokens from Ondo, these onchain portfolios become accessible to eligible non-US investors in permitted jurisdictions through the wallets, exchanges, and DeFi applications they already use.

Distribution is only part of the story. Bringing portfolios onchain can unlock novel capabilities: rebalancing that executes automatically at the smart contract level, portfolios that are fully programmable and composable with the broader onchain economy, and the potential to combine asset classes within a single token. Ondo Intelligent Portfolios establishes the infrastructure to bring portfolios based on leading asset managers’ strategies onchain.

“Tokenization creates new ways for portfolio strategies to be delivered through digital infrastructure. Diversified portfolio strategies can be incorporated into tokenized investment products, enabling eligible investors to access diversified allocations through a single instrument. It shows how established portfolio construction approaches can be delivered through new channels and technologies.” – Lisa O’Connor is Global Head of the Model Portfolio Solutions team and the Co-CIO for Global Solutions within the Multi-Asset Strategies group at BlackRock

Three custom portfolio strategies addressing three specific needs are launched today across income, allocation, and thematic strategies:

BLKHIon: Ondo High Income Powered by BlackRockBLKDIGon: Ondo Diversified Growth Powered by BlackRockBLKGRWon: Ondo High Growth Powered by BlackRock

“Portfolios like these have never been available onchain. Now, they are made accessible onchain, transferable at any time, and usable across DeFi. This launch represents an important milestone in the development of onchain investment products. By incorporating strategies drawn on BlackRock’s longstanding portfolio construction experience into tokenized investment structures, eligible investors in supported jurisdictions can obtain exposure to diversified portfolio allocations through a single token. ” – Ian De Bode, Acting CEO and President, Ondo Finance

Holding a portfolio token provides economic exposure to the portfolio’s underlying basket. Each portfolio token is issued by Ondo Global Markets and tokenized by Ondo Finance. Investors mint or redeem a single token to hold a weighted basket of tokenized assets, without buying, weighting, or rebalancing individual positions themselves. Holdings, weights, and every rebalance are visible onchain, and the tokens are transferable peer-to-peer across wallets, exchanges, and DeFi protocols.

Ondo intends to expand the product line with additional onchain portfolios over time.

About Ondo Finance
Ondo Finance is a blockchain-based platform focused on tokenizing real-world assets and bringing institutional-quality financial products onchain. By bridging traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure, Ondo aims to make capital markets more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

About Ondo Global Markets
Ondo Global Markets is an issuance and redemption platform for tokenized publicly traded U.S. stocks and ETFs. It enables investors outside the United States to gain economic exposure to these assets by minting, transferring, and redeeming securities-backed tokens. Each token is fully backed by the corresponding stock or ETF (together with cash in transit).

About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate

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SOURCE Ondo Finance

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Upstate South Carolina Women4Women Giving Circle Announces 2026 Grant Winners

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Four local nonprofits receive $34,000 in grants supporting women, children and families

CLEMSON, S.C., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Women4Women (W4W), an Upstate South Carolina giving circle of the Community Foundation of Greater Clemson, has awarded $34,000 in grants to four local nonprofit organizations providing critical services to women, children and families.

The grants will support a range of needs, including temporary housing, education and training for survivors of domestic violence, safe spaces for children, and emergency assistance with essential household expenses.

The Susan Marie Foster Sharp Memorial Grant, W4W’s lead annual grant recognizing organizations making significant change for women, awarded $25,000 to The Hiding Place, which provides safe spaces where survivors of domestic violence and their children can heal, rebuild and thrive.

“It’s such an honor,” said The Hiding Place Co-Executive Director Breann Griffin. “This grant will help us establish The Monarch Center, a trauma-informed space where survivors can participate in educational programs and activities that foster connection and community, while providing children with a dedicated space to play.”

Since its founding in 2023, The Hiding Place has served more than 1,500 women and 750 children.

Three additional nonprofits received grants of $3,000 each:

MARYS House — supporting safety, advocacy, and independence for victims of domestic violence through faith-based family services.

Pickens County First Steps — supporting programs that engage families, caregivers, and community partners to help children enter school ready to reach their highest potential.

The Salvation Army of Oconee County— providing emergency funds for utilities and rent.

Giving circles are an increasingly prominent model in philanthropy, enabling people of varying financial means to pool resources and make charitable decisions collectively. Members engage with community needs and nonprofit organizations, allowing combined contributions to have a greater local impact.

“The W4W giving circle is just that—a close-knit community of women investing in other women and, in the process, enriching all of our lives,” said Cheryl J. Dye, Ph.D., W4W Chair. “When pooled together, relatively small individual donations can have a tremendous impact on these and other worthy organizations to change many lives.”

W4W members each contribute $300 or more annually, or $100 or more for student members.

Women4Women was the brainchild of the late Susan Sharp, former Executive Director of The Community Foundation of Greater Clemson. 

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SOURCE Women 4 Women

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GEP MAKES CLEAN SWEEP OF THE HACKETT GROUP’S FALL 2026 SOLUTIONMAP, ONLY PROVIDER NAMED ‘TOP TECH’ IN EVERY CATEGORY

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GEP earns 12 Top Tech badges, leading Source-to-Pay, Source-to-Contract and every procurement technology category evaluated Independent assessment of 500+ capabilities, mandatory product demonstrations and verified customer ratings validates GEP’s unmatched breadth

CLARK, N.J., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GEP®, a leading provider of AI-driven procurement and supply chain software, consulting and services for Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises worldwide, announced today that GEP QUANTUM INTELLIGENCE made a clean sweep of The Hackett Group’s Fall 2026 SolutionMap, becoming the only provider named Top Tech in every category evaluated. 

Go HERE to view the analyst report, detailing GEP’s 12 Top Tech badges, spanning Source-to-Pay (S2P), Source-to-Contract (S2C) and every individual procurement technology module evaluated. eProcurement, Procure-to-Pay, AP Automation, Contract Lifecycle Management, Sourcing, Supplier Management, Spend Analytics, Risk Management, Intake and Orchestration, and Carbon Management.

“Procurement technology decisions carry real organizational risk. When a provider appears in SolutionMap, it means they’ve earned their place through a process built on 500+ capability criteria, mandatory demonstrations and verified customer ratings — not marketing claims. Buyers can shortlist with confidence,” said Bryan DeGraw, Solution Intelligence Principal, The Hackett Group®.

The results reinforce GEP’s leadership as a comprehensive AI-native procurement platform, bringing together procurement data, embedded intelligence, AI-driven workflows and governance across a single platform. GEP achieved Top Tech recognition across:

Source-to-Pay (S2P) & Source-to-Contract (S2C) – Top Tech recognition across both major procurement suites

Intake & Orchestration – Recognized for AI-driven workflows, no-code configurability and end-to-end orchestration

Sourcing & Supplier Management – Advanced capabilities supporting sourcing and supplier management across the procurement lifecycle

Spend Analytics & Risk Management – Intelligence and visibility to help procurement teams identify opportunities and manage supplier risk

Procure-to-Pay (P2P), eProcurement & AP Automation – Integrated capabilities spanning requisitioning through payment

Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) – Top Tech recognition for contract management capabilities

Carbon Management – Advanced ESG tracking and decarbonization planning capabilities.

About The Hackett Group® SolutionMap

The Hackett Group’s SolutionMap provides an independent, data-driven assessment of procurement technology solutions. The Hackett Group’s SolutionMap evaluates procurement technology providers using 500+ capability criteria, mandatory product demonstrations and verified customer ratings, providing procurement leaders with an independent, evidence-based assessment of technology capabilities and customer value. The evaluation combines extensive capability assessments, mandatory demonstrations and verified customer ratings to help procurement leaders compare providers and identify solutions that meet their requirements.

About GEP

GEP® delivers AI-native procurement and supply chain Quantum Intelligence platform, consulting and services that help global enterprises become more agile and resilient, operate more efficiently and effectively, gain competitive advantage, boost profitability and increase shareholder value. Our customers are the world’s best companies, including more than 550 Fortune 500 and Global 2000 industry leaders who rely on GEP to meet ambitious strategic, financial and operational goals. A leader in multiple Gartner Magic Quadrants, GEP’s AI-native Quantum Intelligence platform consistently win awards and recognition from industry analysts, research firms and media outlets, including Gartner, Forrester, IDC, ISG, and Spend Matters. GEP is also regularly ranked a top procurement and supply chain consulting and strategy firm, and a leading managed services provider by ALM, Everest Group, NelsonHall, IDC, ISG and HFS, among others. Headquartered in Clark, New Jersey, GEP has offices and operations centers across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. To learn more, visit www.gep.com.

Media Contact
Derek Creevey
GEP
derek.creevey@gep.com

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SOURCE GEP

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