Former Goldman Sachs Exec Launches Hospitality Industry Asset Management and Transaction Advisory Firm

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 11, 2011

This morning, Steven M. Angel, a former Managing Director within Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division, announced the formation of Fulcrum Hospitality LLC (Fulcrum), an asset management and advisory services firm focused on the lodging and gaming industries.

Leveraging Mr. Angels 20-plus year background in the hospitality industry spanning principal investing, investment oversight, consulting, operations and equity research, Fulcrum will focus on assisting both institutional and individual investors in identifying and analyzing prospective hotel and casino investment opportunities, as well as maximizing the value of existing equity and debt portfolios.

As performance metrics improve across key markets globally and capital markets continue to ease, a clear opportunity exists for Fulcrum Hospitality to assist its clients in executing operational and investment strategies designed to enhance the performance and value of lodging and gaming assets, Mr. Angel stated. These same tactics can be leveraged during the diligence of potential transactions to recognize and exploit value opportunities amid highly competitive asset bidding processes.

Mr. Angels unique background positions him well to lead this venture, having played an integral leadership role in the acquisition and subsequent oversight of several billion dollars of hotel and casino investments both in his role at Goldman Sachs as well as his most recent post as a Principal at Highgate Hotels, a preeminent investment and management firm with which Fulcrum will maintain a strategic relationship. Mr. Angel also formerly served as a licensed gaming principal and Chairman of the Board of American Casino & Entertainment Properties, whose assets include the 2,400-room Stratosphere Las Vegas.

These accomplishments combined with Mr. Angels previous work in equity research at Lehman Brothers, as a Managing Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers and in hotel operations with dominant brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, suggest that Fulcrum is primed to become an industry leading advisor.

Contact: Steven M. Angel, 908-998-1400, sangel{at}fulcrumhospitality{dot}com

MyMathLab Finalist in 2011 Software & Information Industry Association CODiE Awards

Boston, MA (PRWEB) May 18, 2011

MyMathLab Algebra I and II is a finalist in the prestigious 2011 Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) CODiE Awards. Pearsons innovative online homework and assessment program is honored in the Best Mathematics Instructional Solution category.

Established in 1986, the CODiE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement across the software, digital information and education technology industries. Nominated products undergo an intensive review by subject matter experts, analysts, journalists and other respected authorities in education technology.

MyMathLab Algebra I and II features e-Courses by award-winning author Elayn Martin-Gay. Pearsons groundbreaking online math program provides a wealth of learning tools and resources for students of all levels, including personalized study plans; homework, quizzes and tests with immediate feedback; a fully interactive eText; more than 1,500 videos per course; and a Student Organizer for help with note-taking and practice.

We collaborated with Elayn Martin-Gay to develop MyMathLab Algebra I and II based on our shared belief that every student can succeed in mathematics, said Greg Tobin, President of Mathematics and Statistics at Pearson Higher Education. We are honored that the Software & Information Industry Association has recognized what college and universities around the country have been telling us: when students have personalized online learning, they are poised for success in college and careers.

MyMathLab is used by more than 3 million students and 60,000 educators at over 2,000 schools, colleges and universities. Last year alone, more than 97 million assignments were graded in MyMathLab. Colleges and universities using MyMathLab have improved student performance by up to 30 percent, while achieving cost savings of nearly 30 percent over traditional lecture courses. To watch a video about MyMathLab, click here.

For the second consecutive year, Pearson tops the list of companies with products named as CODiE finalists, with 15 innovative ed-tech and information management products earning recognition. All were developed based on the companys commitment to leveraging the power of technology and innovation to prepare todays students for success in college and careers. Pearson products earning finalist honors span the spectrum of todays breakthrough education and business technology products, such as mobile learning apps, educational games, technology-driven professional development and robust systems for managing information and data.

In addition to MyMathLab Algebra I and II, the companys products moving on to the next round of competition in this years CODiE Awards are Briggs/Cochran Calculus; enVisionMATH: Understanding Fractions; EQUELLA; Grammar Jammers Primary Edition; Hospitality and Tourism Interactive; MyLiteratureLab; MyMathTest; MyReadingLab; myWorld Geography; PowerSchool; PowerTeacher 2.0; SuccessMaker; SuccessMaker Collaborate; and Words Their Way Online Workshop.

MyMathLab Algebra I and II will be voted on by the entire SIIA membership, who determines the winner in each category. The CODiE Awards will be announced at the 2011 Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco on May 23.

About Pearson

Pearson, the worlds leading learning company, has global reach and market leading businesses in education, business and consumer publishing (NYSE: PSO).

For more information, press only:

Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications, 773-227-1049, lwolfe(at)lwolfe(dot)com

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Lucas Distribution Debuts Machine Industry Forum Ad Campaigns

Atlanta. GA (PRWEB) August 23, 2011

Lucas Distribution, the Atlanta-based supplier of office equipment and security hardware, currently has ad campaigns on two online machinery forums for its Dongle Lockbox products. Advertisements will appear on CNCZone.com and PracticalMachinist.com.

Lucas Distributions Dongle Lockbox product targets users of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software products. Lucas Distribution wanted to make the lockbox available on these machine industry forums that provide product discussions and exchanges for their visitors.

Many of the CAD/CAM software companies protect their software by requiring a USB dongle key to activate the software on each PC. The USB Dongle Lockbox is available as a single lockbox and duo lockbox that will secure two USB dongles. Without the dongle key plugged into the PCs USB port, the software will not operate properly. The lockbox protects the dongle key from theft or loss by enclosing the dongle in a locked container and securing the container to a fixed object such as a PC case, desk drawer handle, or an anchor point, which is provided by Lucas Distribution.

PracticalMachinist.com and CNCZone.com are both widely read by the machine tool community. Lucas Distributions Managing Partner, Gary Lucas, says, "We are proud to partner with PracticalMachinist.com and CNCZONE.com to inform their readers about our Dongle Lockbox products."

The Dongle Lockbox Kit by Lucas Distribution consists of a secure ABS plastic enclosure, six foot USB Extender, combination lock with steel locking cable, and the Flex Foot & Cable Nut to use as an anchor point. The kit comes with instructions and adhesive to secure the Flex Foot to a solid surface.

Lucas Distribution also offers printer paper tray locks, storage and file cabinet locks, laptop or notebook cable locks, refrigerator locks, tamper resistant RX paper and copier cabinets.

For more product information, visit http://papertraylock.com/.

About Lucas Distribution:

Lucas Distribution, LLC, is an Atlanta-based, worldwide distributor of office equipment and security hardware. Lucas Distribution is one of the largest distributors of paper tray locks in the world and one of the nations largest copier cabinet distributors for the Ricoh, Canon, and Toshiba product line. It is an expert at locking printers, copiers, and other types of office equipment with more than 39 years of combined experience between its partners. Beyond supplying high quality products at attractive prices, Lucas Distribution offer unparalleled customer service to all.

About CNCZone.com:

CNCZone is dedicated to the growing number of home DIY CNC machinists. At CNCzone, customers can join for free and discuss CAD/CAM software, professional machinery, electronics, mill conversions, lathe conversions and much more. CNCZone has a free classifieds for buying, selling and placing Ebay ads.

About PracticalMachinist.com:

Practical Machinist is the largest manufacturing technology online forum in the United States. With more than 225,000 unique monthly visitors viewing over 3 million page views, Practical Machinist is the most visited site on the web for metalworkers. Members and visitors utilize this site to research purchases, ask questions of peers or just connect and share ideas with people who share a common interest.

Contact:

Gary Lucas, Managing Partner

770-554-5560

Gary(at)papertraylock(dot)com

Dave Lucas, Sales and Marketing Manager

770-554-3560

Dave(at)papertraylock(dot)com

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Conditions Set to Improve in the UK Private Equity Industry

London, United Kingdom (PRWEB) October 31, 2011

Conditions in the UK Private Equity industry are forecast to improve over the next five years as debt markets improve, buyers return to the market and private equity firms exploit large cash balances and cheap valuations to add assets to their portfolios, according to latest report from IBISWorld, the UKs largest publisher of industry research. Industry revenue and profitability should grow moderately in line with this. Regulation poses a threat to the industry, with banking reforms and changes to takeover laws expected to increase borrowing costs and make it harder for private equity firms to engage in leveraged buyouts. IBISWorld forecasts industry revenue will increase at an average annualized rate of 4.0% over the next five years, reaching about