Mr. Caldwell is a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) who holds extensive experience in the mortgage industry operating in an executive-level sales capacity. He worked at Freddie Mac for 19 years where he was responsible for varying aspects of sales, business development, customer relations, account management and strategic solutions. Mr. Caldwell most recently worked for FNC, a provider of automated appraisal workflow solutions. In addition, Mr. Caldwell has experience at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.

“FirstClose has a unique service-centric model and technology solution offering that really sets it apart from the competition,” said Caldwell. “When I evaluated FirstClose’s model, I saw a great deal of opportunity to introduce its services and innovative solutions to lenders, which are proven to effectively manage all settlement services functions. I am very pleased to join the FirstClose team.”

“Recruiting Chip along with other recent additions of senior industry veterans has strategically positioned FirstClose to capture more market share in select regional parts of the county,” stated Doug Beaty, executive vice president and national sales director of FirstClose. “We look forward to the contributions that he will undoubtedly bring to FirstClose to assist in growing our business and servicing new customers.”

Mr. Caldwell earned a BBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and he attained the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation.

About FirstClose:
FirstClose is an Austin, Texas-based online service, owned and operated by First Lenders Data, Inc., a mortgage settlement service solution for lenders looking to improve efficiency and accuracy while lowering costs and turn-around time. FirstClose aggregates nationally recognized vendors and service providers into one easy-to-use online solution. FirstClose products and services include credit reports, flood certifications, AVMs and traditional valuation products, as well as income verification, tax tracking, title insurance, doc prep, closing and recording services. Additionally, FirstClose provides more progressive services, including hybrid and gap valuations and alternative lien reports. Learn more at: http://www.firstclose.com/ .

MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Bowerbank
Profundity Communications, Inc.
949.378.9685
jbowerbank@profunditymarketing.com.

NEWS SOURCE: FirstClose :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope® – Copr. © 2013. Syndication source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/FirstClose-Hires-Industry-Veteran-Chip-Caldwell-as-VP-Southeast-Region-Manager_2013-05-0517-001.shtml .

The PMA-350H is a three input, 24 volt, 50 Watt, plenum rated stereo mixer/amplifier. To provide priority override for a Public Address system, the amplifier senses P/A audio and mutes connected audio sources to ensure delivery of important messages. In addition, this amplifier is compatible with the optional Roemtech external wall volume control which utilizes an industry standard 10K analog pot. The 6.48 inches wide x 1.65 inches high x 4.02 inches deep chassis dimensions provide for an easier installation in classrooms with limited space.

The PMA-350H includes Auto-HummBuster technology. This novel, patent-pending technology automatically suppresses noise that sometimes infiltrates classroom audio systems. Roemtech developed algorithms that listen to the audio on each input. After analyzing all audio inputs with and without filters, the internal microprocessor intelligently determines the optimal settings and then stores them.

CEO and President, D. Thomas Emlinger states, “The PMA-350H is our most intelligent amplifier yet, delivering rich and clear audio, external volume control, and instant ground-loop elimination.”

The PlenumAmp PMA-350H is only available through authorized Roemtech audio-visual dealers. MSRP: $299.95, including a three-year warranty and a 60 Watt power supply.

For additional information about the PMA-350H, visit www.roemtech.com or contact James Belsher at james[at]roemtech.com or (972) 221-3030.

About Roemtech, LLC:
The audio company is owned by D. Thomas Emlinger. He and his associates have spent nearly nine years researching, developing and testing the PlenumAmp line. They currently have tens of thousands of units successfully installed in classrooms and conference rooms around the world with future products under development.

NEWS SOURCE: Roemtech, LLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope® – Copr. © 2013. Syndication source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Roemtech-LLC-Announces-its-Newly-Developed-PMA-350H-Mixer-Amplifier-with-Auto-Hummbuster-Technology_2013-05-0516-001.shtml .

Farris Law group is growing at lightning speeds and bringing on three veterans allows for the continued focus on customer service and technology to expand.

“I wanted to bring on a varsity team that is excited about the growth and knows the industry inside and out,” said Matt Farris principal of Farris Law Group. “These three new hires are going to create a lot of new business for Farris Law Group and we are all excited to see what happens next.”

Farris Law Group brought on Kortney Harward as the Senior Vice President of Business Development; Patrick Fitzgerald as Manager of the Loan Fulfillment Department and Ali Linthorst as Vice President of Marketing.

“I am excited for this new opportunity with Farris Law Group and the potential we have to succeed in providing Texas lenders with mortgage document solutions,” said Senior Vice President of Business Development Kortney Harward. “I am eager and excited to build new partnerships and business relationships to further the success we are already witnessing.”

Farris Law Group has seen the changes within the industry since 2000. The evolution of the firm and the different services offered allows them to focus on all aspects of real estate and mortgage transactions giving each customer personal service and knowledge that exceeds their expectations.

About Farris Law Group, PLLC:
Our mission is to provide superior legal and real estate closing services in Texas. To achieve this mission we provide exceptional customer service, experienced staff, and cutting-edge technology that keeps our clients in compliance every step of the way. Our focus is meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our clients. Your satisfaction is our goal. Giving you customized solutions that result in flexibility and ease-of-use allows you to generate more business while fulfilling your unique business needs. For more information visit http://www.farris-lawgroup.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Farris Law Group, PLLC :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Texas-Based-Farris-Law-Group-PLLC-Brings-On-Varsity-Team-to-Focus-on-Company-Growth-and-Expansion_2013-05-0509-004.shtml .

“The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business” delivers the “who, what, when, where, why, and how” of the steps musicians and bands have to take in order to succeed in music.

Written by music industry insider Loren Weisman, “The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business” provides a roadmap for the artist’s journey from passion to profession.

Weisman draws on over two decades of experience as a working musician and music business consultant to provide instruction, enlightenment, and sage counsel on such topics as: creating the best plan for a career; touring; booking gigs; performing; recording – from preproduction to postproduction and everything in between; branding a band; fundraising and working with investors; marketing and promotions; and more.

According to Weisman, “The music industry is in a state of chaos, and now more than ever, it’s crucial that artists get the most up-to-date and applicable advice on succeeding in the music business. I created ‘The Artist’s Guide’ as a way to use my 25 plus years of experience to assist and guide other artists as they navigate the wild waters and waves of the music industry of today.”

About the Author:
Loren Weisman is a consultant, producer and coach who works to helps independent artists, musicians, bands, labels and other businesses achieve sustainable success. Weisman has been a part of over 700 albums as a drummer and music producer and has recently been named the spokesperson and key industry advisor to Live Music Tutor.

For more information about Loren Weisman, visit http://lorenweisman.com/ or for more information about “The Artist’s Guide to Success in the Music Business,” visit http://tag2nd.com/.

Greenleaf Press (www.gbgpress.com) is an Austin, Texas-based independent publisher. For information, contact Maryglenn McCombs at 615-297-9875.

SOUNDCLOUD:

NEWS SOURCE: Loren Weisman :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/The-Artists-Guide-to-Success-in-the-Music-Business-by-Loren-Weisman-slated-for-national-release-in-August_2013-05-0508-001.shtml.

Orange Leap clients can now utilize give2gether’s platform to promote their cause by communicating with their constituents. give2gether’s unique approach to online fundraising helps non-profits monetize their social media interactions, grow their community of supporters and raise more funds. Acknowledgements and funds generated are distributed automatically alleviating additional work.

“Orange Leap’s non-profit clients can take advantage of give2gether’s powerful online fundraising technology coupled with their Orange Leap donor management system,” said Kent Hollrah, President of Orange Leap. “Our clients simply add a ‘donate now’ button to their website, or launch turn-key social fundraising campaigns throughout the year. By partnering with give2gether, clients can have all their fundraising needs met, including email, social sharing, cause related campaigns, walkathons and team events.”

Arnon Shafir, CEO and Co-founder of give2gether said “We created a ‘do-it-for-me now’ button to let nonprofits instantly create custom campaign pages that are compelling, simple to share, and generating better results. Our expertise in campaign optimization help nonprofits triple their donor conversion rates. Automated deployment takes less than 10 seconds to get started.”

About give2gether:
give2gether is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for nonprofits to triple donor conversion rates. give2gether’s platform help non-profits launch custom online fundraising campaigns, streamline their crowdfunding, grow communities of supporters and raise more funds. Founded in 2007, give2gether is based on ten years of behavioral research and years of live campaigns, bringing unique, breakthrough insights on why people give online and what makes them inspire, engage and involve others. give2gether improves people’s lives: those who receive, those who give and those who inspire their community to open their hearts for a cause. Learn more at: http://www.give2gether.com/ .

About Orange Leap:
Orange Leap helps nonprofits raise more money with fewer resources by streamlining the fundraising process with innovative technology solutions and collaborative support. A cloud-based, Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) technology solutions company, Orange Leap effectively manages donor and constituent relationships; processes donations and tracks gift history; and automates fundraising and marketing communications. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company works with nonprofits focused on reaching and engaging a wide range of missions and constituencies. Learn more at: http://www.orangeleap.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Orange Leap :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Orange-Leap-Announces-Partnership-with-give2gether-to-Expand-Online-Fundraising-into-Social_2013-05-0507-001.shtml .

Mueller strongly believes in giving back to struggling organizations that always give to others, whether it is a food bank facility, a volunteer firehouse, or maybe a senior citizen center.

Upon making the announcement, Mike Fry, director of marketing for Mueller said, “With a large amount of applications received annually for our Helping Hand contest, it is apparent that there are many struggling organizations right here in Texas. We are glad to help the recipient change lives – now and for many years to come.”

For the 5th straight year, Mueller is teaming up with the popular television series, “Texas Country Reporter” with Bob Phillips to publicize this offering. Viewers of the program representing non-profit organizations are invited to write in and explain why their organization is worthy of receiving a Mueller steel building. The winner will be announced on the television show this fall.

The non-profit Titus County Cares was awarded the first Mueller building. Titus County Cares serves hundreds of people by offering services such as a food bank, clothing, utility bill assistance and their unique “back-pack program” which provides weekend food for school-children of low-income families. The second recipient was the City of Buckholts and surrounding areas. The campaign built a new facility to house trucks and equipment for the Buckholts Volunteer Fire Department. The third recipient of the Mueller Helping Hand building was West Texas Gifts of Hope. This non-profit organization benefits cancer patients and their families in an enormous area of west Texas by providing free overnight accommodations for patients who must travel great distances to receive chemotherapy in Odessa, Texas. Last year’s recipient was the Scheib Center in San Marcos. This non-profit assists the community with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.

For complete contest rules and entry form visit www.texascountryreporter.com and click on “Helping Hand.” A complete listing of the days and times the show airs in cities across Texas is also on the program’s website.

For more information on the Helping Hand program visit: http://www.muellerinc.com/whats-new/helping-hand .

NEWS SOURCE: Mueller, Inc. :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/For-the-5th-Year-in-a-Row-Mueller-Offers-a-Metal-Building-to-a-Deserving-Texas-Non-Profit-Organization_2013-04-0429-004.shtml .

Cancer kills more children each year than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, asthma and AIDS combined, yet the National Cancer Institute allocates only three percent of its budget to pediatric cancer.

Ms. Cruse lost her son Connor to cancer at a young age. After his death, she founded the TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation as a resource for families with children battling cancer and as a force to raise money to fund vital research projects in hopes of ending many childhood cancers.

Cruse serves as the Foundations VP of Community Affairs, and is a member of the event’s organizing committee. Through her book, Hope Transformed, and through speaking engagements, Cruse inspires families across the globe to continue the fight to eradicate childhood cancer. She works diligently with doctors, families, donors, sponsors, partners and event organizers in a tireless effort to help fund and find a cure for childhood cancers.

The dinner will be followed by a charity golf tournament on May 6 at the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas.

For more information please visit: http://www.joycruse.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Joy Cruse :: This press release was issued on behalf of the “news source” by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source of this news item: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Author-and-Cancer-Advocate-Joy-Cruse-to-speak-at-III-Forks-Golf-Classic-Dinner-to-Benefit-Childhood-Cancer-Research_2013-04-0429-003.shtml .

According to recent studies, 1 in 6 Americans struggle to afford food, and 17 million American children go to bed hungry every night. In recent years, emergency food kitchens in major American cities have reported an increased demand for aid. In the past year, nearly all of these emergency kitchens have had to both reduce the portion size of their meals and turn people away without offering help. With the economic forecast uncertain, it is more than a remote possibility that these conditions will worsen and more hungry people will be turned away.

Federal food assistance programs go a long way, but they are not enough to solve the problem on their own. Responsible businesses like Victory Packaging are indispensable in supporting their communities, and the economic and social value of their generous contributions cannot be understated.

Adam Lowy, Executive Director of Move For Hunger, offers his praise: “Many companies help us in the fight against hunger, but Victory Packaging is going above and beyond. By putting the full weight of their company behind this food drive, they prove that helping their neighbors is not just their concern, but a core part of who they are.”

About Move For Hunger:
Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with relocation companies across North America to pick up unwanted, unopened food from those who are relocating and deliver it to local food banks. To date, Move For Hunger is working with over 500 movers in 47 states and has collected more than 1,280,000 pounds of food. For more information or to find out how you can help support Move For Hunger, visit http://www.MoveForHunger.org/ .

Move For Hunger, 1930 Heck Avenue, Bldg. 1, Ste. 1, Neptune, NJ 07753.

* Costs associated with dissemination of this news announcement were donated to Move For Hunger by Neotrope(R).

NEWS SOURCE: Move For Hunger :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://goo.gl/9ivB7.

Texas Representative Phil Stephenson, CPA, recently filed two bills affecting CPAs and small businesses in Texas. The first bill, H.B. 1756, exempts from the state’s mandatory peer review program, CPAs who only prepare financial statements for small businesses. The second bill, H.B. 1757, ensures sole practitioners are represented on the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Stephenson’s H.B. 1756 lessens the burden of participating in the State’s inspection program by removing compilation reports prepared for micro- or small-businesses from the state’s mandatory peer review program. “CPAs who prepare reports for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees and under six-million dollars in revenue do not present as great a risk for the public as those who prepare reports for large national businesses. Loosening this requirement will not harm the public’s interest,” said Stephenson.

John Furge, President of the TACPA, agrees. “The typical small business has stakeholders who are intimately involved with the business. They are on-site every day. There are no remote investors or pensions to protect. Even if there were to be an accounting failure, the consequences would affect very few people. The burden of inspection is simply not justified.”

The AICPA, (American Institute of CPAs), peer review program inspects financial reports issued by CPA firms ONLY for the purpose of insuring compliance with AICPA standards. It does NOT look for fraud. The Arthur Andersen CPA firm, for example, was peer-reviewed “without qualification” during the same period in which it reported on Enron. In the case of Enron, the reports were in compliance with AICPA standards, but the underlying accounting was rotten.

In 1999 The Texas legislature passed a law that provides for the AICPA peer review program to inspect the work product of Texas CPAs. Again, this was for the purpose of insuring compliance with AICPA professional standards.

To put the H.B.1756 in perspective, it does not affect audit reports, or review reports, only compilation reports.

The Texas State Board of Accountancy, however, interprets the AICPA program as being mandatory for any Texas CPA who performs any attest work, regardless of the size of the entity about which a financial report is prepared. The state of New York, in contrast, exempts unincorporated sole-practitioner firms and firms with two or fewer CPAs from its mandatory inspection program.

The Board’s insistence that these small reports be peer-reviewed has harmed the accountancy industry in Texas according to Furge. He points out that the Board of Accountancy’s own statistics indicate that “fifty-five percent of Texas CPA practice units have signed an affidavit stating they will no longer issue compilation reports. This is not good for the public.”

Not only that, said Furge, “If you have fewer CPAs performing these services, inevitably, the cost of obtaining these services must rise. This hurts small business!”

Stephenson’s introduction of H.B. 1757 is also directed at the local practitioner. This bill requires that at least two sole-practitioner CPAs be appointed to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

About TACPA:
The Texas Association of Certified Public Accountants is a Texas organization committed to representing local CPAs who practice public accountancy in their hometowns. More information: http://tacpa.net/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Texas Association of Certified Public Accountants :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/CPA-Legislator-Cuts-Red-Tape-on-Small-Business-in-Texas_2013-03-0314-001.shtml.

“We are very proud to have JMT Consulting Group as part of the Orange Leap channel,” said Kent Hollrah, President of Orange Leap. “Their dedication to nonprofits, their success with nonprofits and their reputation in the sector is second to none as evidenced by their client base of over 2,000 nonprofit organizations throughout the United States and beyond.”

“Adding Orange Leap to our solution portfolio allows us to offer nonprofits a robust, cloud-based constituent relationship management system that not only addresses the day-to-day tasks associated with fundraising and donor management, but also offers significant costs savings that come with implementing a cloud-based solution,” said JMT Consulting Group CEO Jacqueline M. Tiso.

JMT Consulting Group is authorized to sell and implement cloud-based Orange Leap as well as support nonprofits using the solution.

“When we begin working with a nonprofit, we want to be able to assess their needs and only then make a recommendation,” explained Tiso. “Orange Leap allows us to have an additional solution to offer to nonprofits as well as address the market demand for cloud-based technology.”

About JMT Consulting Group:
JMT Consulting Group ( http://www.jmtconsulting.com/ ) is a leading national provider of software and consulting services to charter schools, community healthcare organizations, nonprofits and governmental organizations. With over 2,000 clients across the country, JMT Consulting Group offers a variety of services including hosting, business process improvement, implementation, system selection and system integration as well as a broad portfolio of software solutions.

About Orange Leap:
Orange Leap helps nonprofits raise more money with fewer resources by streamlining the fundraising process with innovative technology solutions and collaborative support. A cloud-based, Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) technology solutions company, Orange Leap effectively manages donor and constituent relationships; processes donations and tracks gift history; and automates fundraising and marketing communications. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company works closely with nonprofits that are focused on reaching and engaging a wide range of missions and constituencies. More information: http://www.orangeleap.com/ .

NEWS SOURCE: Orange Leap :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/Orange-Leap-Signs-JMT-Consulting-Group-As-Authorized-Partner_2013-03-0312-002.shtml.