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Jim Davidson Keynotes NOCOM 2018

Posted by Brad Shannon on March 15, 2018 at 8:30am

Legendary mountaineer and Northern Colorado resident speaks on resilience and innovation in the manufacturing industry

Loveland, Colorado— Legendary mountaineer, expedition leader, inspirational professional speaker, and Fort Collins native Jim Davidson will keynote Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership’s NOCOM 2018 manufacturing trade show at 7:00 a.m. April 12, 2018 at The Ranch Event Center/Larimer County Fairgrounds. The breakfast, sponsored by BMA America, kicks off a day-long event showcasing Northern Colorado’s expanding manufacturing sector, connecting suppliers, manufacturers, capital, and services.

Davidson will speak about the theme of this year’s event: Creating Culture to Promote Innovation: “In my keynote, I share the epic tale of how I had to find a way to climb an overhanging ice wall alone to escape a deep glacial crevasse. I was short on resources, technique and time. Yet, I was able to overcome this challenge, just like manufacturers tackle challenges every day.”

Hear invigorating stories and lessons that help businesses employ innovation and resilience when facing challenges and opportunities. Short on resources, time, and technique? Resolve problematic challenges through adaptation and innovative thinking.

“As an advocate of both manufacturing and climbing, I’ve learned leadership is most vital in your darkest hours, not your finest moments, and Jim is a great example of this,” said Adam Papillion, director of operations for H2 Manufacturing Solutions. “Through many years of climbing and friendship with Jim, nothing has transferred more to my professional life than Jim’s lessons on resilience.”

Davidson will be on site after his talk at the show’s registration table signing copies of his New York Times best-selling book, The Ledge. As time permits, he will connect with individuals and organizations on the challenges they face in a competitive manufacturing world, and how they can solve them through resilience and innovation.

Jim has summitted the world’s tallest peaks, survived harrowing trials and extremely dangerous situations, and he shares the power of resilience to audiences around the world. Davison’s stories of survival help people face their own challenges and opportunities. With 36 years of adventures to draw from, he distills unique content for each audience to reveal how to adapt to profound change, overcome anxiety and uncertainty, and reach lofty goals.

Register for the 7:00 a.m. breakfast, full day of programming, and post-event B2B networking via the Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership website. Learn more about Davidson, view his videos and pictures, and read about his experiences on his website, speakingofadventure.com.

About the 4^th Annual NOCOM Trade Show

Date: Thursday, April 12^th, 2018

Time: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Kick-off Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. at the Budweiser Events Center (separate ticket required)

Sponsored by BMA America

B2B Networking Reception 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Sponsored by H2 Manufacturing Solutions and Manufacturer’s Edge

Major sponsors include Aerotek, Colorado Department of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), EKS&H, Flood & Peterson, Xcel Energy, and FirstBank. Other sponsors include Speaker Hall sponsor Northern Colorado Economic Alliance; Venue sponsor City of Loveland; and Coffee sponsor Noffsinger.

The event showcases Northern Colorado’s expanding manufacturing sector, connecting suppliers, manufacturers, capital, and services. Registration is now open at this link. Admission is $15 for pre-registered attendees (students are free) and $20 at the door, with post-event B2B networking event included, and $30 for the kickoff breakfast featuring keynote speaker Jim Davidson. Attendees can download the Yapp App from Yapp.us, Google play or Apple’s app store and enter the ID code NOCOM2018 for detailed information on the event.

The NOCOM 2018 kick-off breakfast is sponsored by BMA America, experts in plants for the production of fructose, sugar, and dextrose whether dealing with machinery, individual process steps, or entire factories. Visit BMA’s website for more information.

Admission to the post-show B2B networking reception, sponsored by H2 Manufacturing Solutions and Manufacturer’s Edge is included with registration for all attendees. H2 Manufacturing Solutions offers a broad range of services to help manufacturers navigate the daily challenges of the modern manufacturing world. Manufacturer’s Edge, Colorado’s statewide manufacturing assistance center through NISP’s MEP program, boosts the competitiveness of Colorado manufacturers through onsite technical assistance and support.

This year’s NOCOM Trade Show features more than 100 exhibitors, a speaker hall featuring several manufacturing industry leaders, manufacturing forums, and a B2B reception. Topics discussed will include: Get the best bang for the buck with healthcare; Navigate programs and grants targeted to grow Colorado manufacturing businesses; Learn insiders' secrets on the latest and greatest technology advances should be part of your strategy for this year . . . and beyond; and Navigate challenges that manufacturers face.

About BMA

The roots of BMA America in Greeley stem from 90 years old Brewer Steel, founded as a family business in Greeley, Colorado. Over the years, BMA's reputation as a reliable, quality fabricator grew, and the business expanded to include heavier products and fabrications. With the addition of specialized equipment and key personnel, BMA Americas custom fabrication today enjoys a reputation as one of the leading fabricators in the Rocky Mountain West, maintaining its reputation for quality and on-time delivery. In November 1994, Brewer Steel was purchased from the Brewer family by BMA Braunschweigische Maschinenbauanstalt AG enabling the company to grow further and develop new business fields. Next to custom fabrication for regional customers, today, BMA America can offer capital equipment and spare parts for the sugar industry, engineering, and other after sales services. Our long-standing customers include the cane and beet sugar industry in North-, Central- and South-America.

About Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership

The NoCo Manufacturing Partnership was formed in 2013 as a result of Governor Hickenlooper’s state Economic Development plan called the Colorado Blue Print. The Blue Print identified 11 key sectors of the economy in Colorado by region. Northern Colorado’s two main sectors identified were Health and Wellness and Advanced Manufacturing. Regions within the state were encouraged to form sector partnerships to provide more localized grass roots support to augment state efforts in each sector.

These would be industry specific, led by business, in partnership with economic development, education and workforce development. A collaboration arose as part of the Blue Print process involving people from each of these affiliations and the NoCo Manufacturing Partnership was born. It continues to be an all-volunteer, business led, FREE membership organization designed to support Northern Colorado manufacturers. It is served by a Board of Directors, representing each affiliation from private business to local government, as well as two active committees: Networking and Manufacturing Talent/Rocks! Find us on the web, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

A Look at Green Technology Predictions for 2012

Posted by Crystal T on January 24, 2012 at 11:00am

Where will green technology take us in 2012? Ecotech Institute is keeping a close eye on that very big question. We are constantly monitoring cleantech industry growth and innovation, and looking for ways to align our environmental sustainabilitycurriculum with employer and marketplace demands. Every day we read up on the latest research regarding solar power, wind energy, smart grid and other relevant industries. We want to make sure our students are up to speed when they graduate so their employers truly get the best, most knowledgeable employees.

In 2011, cleantech ventureinvestment had an incredible year. As a result of financial backing, we saw an infusion of green start-up companies, new jobs and a growing belief in the future of cleantech industries. However, the challenges of this relatively new space also came to light as some companies met very public criticism.

As the president of Ecotech Institute, it’s my job to take a hard look at opportunities in cleantech now and into the future. Our career services team needs to accurately predict where Ecotech graduates will be able to make a living and make a difference in the world. Frankly, there is a lot of enthusiasm as we enter 2012 with a promising outlook about environmental sustainability’s growing role in the world.

This is a very exciting year for Ecotech because we will graduate our first group of students in June. As we continue to prepare them for the workforce this year, we are collectively interested in what industry leaders are predicting.

Here are some predictions of note:

1. According to a December 28, 2011 article by Michael Kanellos on www.greenbiz.com, “Renewables will start to win over the jobs argument.”

He states, “The 2012 Presidential election will be only about one thing: jobs. In the energy and sustainability context, the debate boils down to whether you think more jobs can be created through pipelines and offshore drilling or through erecting solar farms and retrofitting buildings.”

“But here is where renewables win: they don't take years….Many fossil projects, meanwhile, are bogged down in land use hearings….If renewables get results quicker, they become the better solution.”

My takeaway: Green jobs will continue to grow and companies need educated people to fill them.

2. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says this year is going to be a big year for wind power, both in the field and in policy. The association notes that unlike the volatile prices of fossil fuels, wind power has a fixed fuel cost of zero, making it a very appealing form of energy. However, Congress needs to act quickly to protect the future of wind energyin the U.S. If lawmakers do not extend the Production Tax Credit that is due to expire at the end of this year, taxes on wind will go up and jobs could go overseas.

My takeaway: Wind energy will continue to grow this year, however Congress needs to take action to make sure that growth continues in 2013 and beyond. Please contact your lawmakers to let them know the importance of extending the Production Tax Credit.

3. According to predictions from www.EnvironmentalLeader.com, solar innovation will serve as a perennial driver.

“Investment into good old solar innovation and projects is still strong, and has remained so for years, while other clean technologies have risen and fallen in and out of investment fashion.”

My takeaway: As money continues to be filtered into solar power innovation, we must keep a close eye on how these technologies will be built and maintained.

4. Jesse Berst with gigaom.com listed top predictions based on his takeaways from a webinar offered by renowned research firm IDC. He stated the following, “Smart buildings will become important to utilities. 25 states have energy efficiency standards or targets. Smart buildings can help meet such goals. The building energy analytics market will double between 2012 and 2015, jumping from $193 billion to $402 billion.”

My takeaway: The growth of smart buildings requires savvy energy efficiency experts.

5. In “10 solar trends to watch for in 2012,” Ucilia Wang, another contributor to gigaom.com, discusses solar energy’s impact on the grid. The article states that, “The increase in solar energygeneration has nudged utilities and electric grid regulators to give more thought and investment to the impact of solar in their mission to deliver electricity reliably.”

“Since solar production can ebb and surge depending on the time of the day and the weather, new technologies and policies are cropping up to monitor solar energy production and minimize interruptions of power delivery.”

My takeaway: The marketplace needs educated professionals who understand the interplay between solar technology and the current energy grid system.

The green landscape will continue to shift and it is important to watch, learn and prepare future leaders. The excitement of clean technology innovation in 2012 and beyond ought to be celebrated by everyone who has a stake in making our world a better place to work, play and live.

Ecotech Institute’s First-Ever Graduating Class Takes the Stage June 21

Posted by Crystal T on June 14, 2012 at 10:35am

Ecotech Institute, the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in clean technology and sustainability, will hold its first graduation on Thursday, June 21, 2012. Forty-two students will receive their associate’s degrees, which prepares them for a career in the clean technology industry. The graduates will receive degrees in the following areas: Wind Energy Technology, Solar Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Technology and Electrical Engineering Technology. Former Governor Bill Ritter, who currently serves as the Director of the Colorado State University Center for the New Energy Economy, will deliver the commencement speech at the graduation.

"As Governor, I was proud when Ecotech Institute chose Colorado as the place to locate the country's first private technical institute devoted solely to preparing the workforce for the clean energy economy,” said Bill Ritter, Former Colorado Governor and current Director of the Colorado State University Center for the New Energy Economy. “It is a privilege to play a role in Ecotech's first commencement, and to see the efforts of the staff and faculty come to fruition."

Students in this first graduating class began classes in a temporary facility in June 2010 as Ecotech completed an overhaul of an existing vacant building. In January 2011, they moved to the current LEED gold-certified campus in Aurora, Colorado. Today, Ecotech has more than 500 students and continues to grow.

“This initial group of students are visionaries, as they signed up for classes before they were able to see the beautiful campus and cutting-edge labs,” said Mike Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “Now, a variety of clean tech companies are offering them excellent positions and their forward-thinking commitment is paying off. We applaud each of them and look forward to watching their success.”

At Ecotech all students develop soft skills (communication, workplace etiquette), and math and science basics and technology skills, but the educational emphasis is on hands-on, practical training. Ecotech’s prestigious national board of advisors, who all work in clean tech industries, helped design the school’s curriculum, providing coursework that reflects what the students will experience upon graduation. For a demographic breakdown of this first graduating class, please visit http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/pdf/ecotech-graduate-information.pdf.

“Ecotech is producing well-prepared graduates that are highly sought in industries such as ours,” said Jesse Masters, Recruiter from M-I SWACO, a Schlumberger Company. “Its curriculum and practical labs offer complete training that makes new employees ready to hit the ground running. We were very impressed with the interviews we conducted with students from this graduating class and are excited to have several of these graduates join our team.”

Ecotech’s campus is LEED-gold certified and supports a commitment to sustainable living. The school generates approximately 5-10 percent of its energy from on-site clean, renewable energy sources such as rooftop wind turbines, solar panels, integral thin solar technologies embedded into the glass of the building canopy, and solar trees.

Ecotech Institute, which is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers five highly practical associate’s degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us online at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in July and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

IAS Applying “Distressed” Methodology to Automated Real Estate Valuations

Posted by Erik Keith on May 20, 2009 at 10:56am

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, announced today the availability of a “distressed” valuation feature within the iValue suite of automated valuation products. This new feature is intended to help mortgage servicers around the country more accurately value distressed residential properties and loans associated with such collateral. Industry leaders anticipate an unprecedented volume of distressed properties and fluctuating loan-to-value ratios over the next several quarters as a flood of default and REO properties enter the market. “Financial institutions and mortgage servicers need a fast and affordable way to review their portfolios and make decisions for each individual loan,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “The distressed valuation feature is a way to individualize the value of each property according to the state of the local market and the property-specific factors that may negatively impact value.” iValue already delivers deeper business intelligence than any other single Automated Valuation Model (AVM) source in the market, reporting on subject value, median house price trends, and neighborhood intelligence. The new “distressed” feature extends the AVM to extract and weigh key data points that indicate whether a property is considered distressed within the iValue model. Other AVMs typically overlook a property’s state of distress; resulting in valuation error and greater portfolio risk. The iValue enhancement will identify and flag those properties that are in some state of distress, including notice of default, company-owned, abandoned and sheriff sale. The feature also applies neighborhood analytics to search and select area listings and sales that can be identified as distressed, enabling the AVM to utilize relevant comparables. The distressed methodology isolates and monitors price trends for distressed properties in a local market, allowing the model to accurately establish the spread between retail market value and distressed value. “An intelligent AVM is able to recognize a distressed property state, quantify the price pressure on a given market and value each asset accordingly,” said Ric Miles, CEO of IntelliReal, IAS’s technology partner. “Identifying the distressed value of a property within its local market will give servicers and mortgage traders the ability to more proactively strategize and manage portfolio risk.” iValue is one of several innovations introduced by IAS to assist financial institutions mitigate risk through a fast and low cost solution. The firm recently launched its monthly-reported IAS360 House Price Index last year. IAS’s high-tech and high-touch product lines (www.iasreo.com/iseries.html) offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. About Integrated Asset Services, LLC IAS (www.iasreo.com) is a privately-held Colorado-based corporation specializing in default mortgage services including valuation, reconciliation and full cycle REO disposition. The Company’s advanced valuation and volatility technology combined with its expert professional services help its clients reduce exposure while expediting the entire asset management process. Founded by REO industry experts, IAS provides services that go beyond industry expectations, from the level of integrity of its employees to the measurably better service it routinely provides.

Decline in U.S. House Prices Levels Off in April

Posted by Erik Keith on June 9, 2009 at 4:47pm

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its latest IAS360™ House Price Index. The benchmark for national house prices, based upon the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, moved up a fraction of a point in April. April’s report reflects the first non-declining numbers for the index in 10 months. The IAS360 had fallen more than 19% from its high-water mark in June of 2007. On a year-over-year basis, U.S. house prices are still down 13.0%, but the volatility of the trend line is less than the previous year, a critical point to industry analysts. More importantly, three of the four U.S. census regions were stable to positive for April. Only the South, which includes several particularly hard-hit Florida communities, was down for the month (0.3%), but there, too, the trend line was flattening. “It’s too soon to call this a turn in the housing market, particularly given all the political and regulatory uncertainties,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “I think that we’re still in for some difficult spells ahead, but we are seeing a certain kind of pricing equilibrium in several important markets. That’s encouraging for the long term.” Among metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), IAS360 reports that three of the country’s ten largest MSAs—Boston, Chicago, and San Diego—joined Denver, previously the only region in the nation showing gains, in positive territory in April. “Inventory levels are declining and sales are increasing in the lower priced markets through a combination of incentives and low interest rates creating a positive outlook for the entire market,” said Rick Foos, President of SRA Foos & Associates, Inc. “However, if we begin to see rising interest rates and an increase in foreclosures in tandem we could be experiencing a “false bottom”, but if neither materializes to a great degree then it does appear that the market may have bottomed.” IAS360 data also revealed certain evidence of normalization, or at least a return to seasonality, in California, arguably the first and foremost damaged state in the U.S. (six of the 10 hardest-hit counties in the country are in California.) Representative counties up and down the state, including Monterey, San Bernadino, Ventura, Riverside, Sacramento, Sonoma, and King, continue to report convincing upticks in housing prices. For its part, the aforementioned San Diego, down almost 24% from its high in 2007, has reported three straight months of stable prices. “We’re looking at daily information on more than 15,000 market segments across the country,” said McCarthy, “and we’re keeping a keen eye out for trends all the way down to the county and neighborhood level. With the benefit of our uniquely granular and timelier data, the IAS360 will report the turn in the market first.” The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which are rolled up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.

Denver’s IAS Announces Launch of Statebridge

Posted by Erik Keith on August 18, 2009 at 12:25pm

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, announced today the launch of Statebridge. The new company will provide custom, high-touch investor-focused servicing for the mortgage industry. Statebridge’s risk-based servicing will introduce a new adaptive approach designed to optimize investor success through tailored, high-touch servicing that maximizes return on performing and non-performing loans. This new approach to servicing was developed by the team that helped create the market for independent surveillance of mortgage securities. “Statebridge is defining a new category, “investor-focused servicing”, for the mortgage industry”, said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “In association with IAS’ valuation and REO capabilities, Statebridge will be the only servicing company to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for mortgage servicing that is intensely focused on the needs of investors that have grown out of this new mortgage environment.” Responding to changing industry expectations and demands, Statebridge was founded on the principle that a combination of technology, deep industry experience, custom borrower touch, and a contrarian view of servicing can make a significant difference in the performance of mortgage portfolios. Company executives created the firm’s servicing practices from the ground up, relying on years of experience in overseeing hundreds of servicers and roughly three trillion dollars worth of mortgages. “Statebridge is not a company that believes in doing things one way because that’s how they’ve always been done,” said Kevin Kanouff, President of Statebridge. “We work closely with our clients to create a servicing strategy unique to their investment philosophy for the greatest return. We treat borrowers with respect and our clients’ assets as if they were our own.” The company has been designed to provide custom special servicing of both distressed and non-distressed mortgages. In addition to unbiased service advice on existing mortgages, Statebridge experts are equipped to offer collateral analysis, fiduciary review, pool level analysis, and pricing advocacy for new investments in mortgages. With the Statebridge launch, the IAS suite of mortgage servicing products, which already includes REO management and disposition, collateral valuation, conditioned valuation, and mortgage due diligence, will effectively bridge the entire loan life cycle. “Our attitude is that there should always be a solution that is in the best interests of both the borrower and the investor,” said Kanouff. “We’re looking forward to our association with IAS and its “no excuses” philosophy to bring complete and exceptional solutions to the residential asset management industry.”

U.S. House Prices Up 1.6% in May According to IAS360 House Price Index

Posted by Erik Keith on July 14, 2009 at 12:17pm

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuations, today released its IAS360™ House Price Index (HPI). Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the benchmark index for national house prices gained 1.6% in May. The latest IAS report, which reflects the largest one-month increase in the IAS360 HPI since July of 2005, follows a fractional gain in April. The index had previously fallen more than 19% from its high-water mark in June of 2007. U.S. house prices are still down 10.5% year over year, but all four of the U.S. census regions reported positive numbers for May. In order of gains, the Northeast was up 3.2%, the Midwest 1.9%, the South 1.1%, and the West 0.9%. The South was the only census region down in April. “Two month's worth of positive data hardly signals a turn in the national housing market," said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services, “but we have to be encouraged by what we’re seeing in several important counties and neighborhoods.” In fact, the IAS360 HPI reported gains in May for nine of the nation’s 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), a notable turnaround from just two months ago when Denver was the only region in the nation with positive performance. For its part, Denver added another 0.4% in May, while Boston and Chicago followed solid April numbers with increases of 3.7% and 1.5%, respectively. The gains in the West, meanwhile, were particularly apparent with San Francisco up 3.0%, Los Angeles 2.8%, and San Diego 1.2%. Only the Las Vegas housing market continued to slide with a drop of 0.9% for the month. “We’re seeing a mix shift in home sales and that’s manifesting itself as increased pricing,” said John Burns, CEO of John Burns Real Estate Consulting. “For a while, the bulk of homes sales were distressed properties in declining neighborhoods. Home affordability combined with tax credits have proven compelling. Sales are shifting back to more traditional submarkets and neighborhoods. That said, there is still a lot of downward pressure on pricing due to foreclosures and recent changes in the appraisal process. We aren’t out of the woods yet.” “With all of the political and regulatory uncertainties combined with rising unemployment and foreclosure inventories, it’s too soon to speculate that a housing recovery is really here,” said McCarthy. “However, I’m confident that the IAS360 will be the first to report a turn in the markets when they start to occur.” The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 neighborhoods, that roll up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.

2009 Clean Tech Open Makes Final Call for Entries

Posted by Erik Keith on May 14, 2009 at 1:36pm

The Clean Tech Open (www.cleantechopen.com), the innovation catalyst that helps great ideas become viable clean tech businesses, announced the deadline for entering this year’s competition is Saturday, May 30. Entrepreneurs in the five-state Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, are encouraged to enroll soon in order to secure a place in the competition. Clean Tech start-ups from the region will compete against entrepreneurs from across the country for more than $1 million in prizes. “The Rocky Mountain region is rapidly becoming a clean tech hub, and a leader in turning good ideas into green collar jobs and sustainable businesses,” said Richard Franklin, co-chair of the Clean Tech Open, Rocky Mountain chapter, based in Denver. “We challenge clean tech entrepreneurs across the region to go from start-up to success with this competition.” A Proven Model As the leading clean tech business competition, the Clean Tech Open has already helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies—and subsequently raise over $125 million in external funding—since its inception in 2006. Early-stage startups in the Rocky Mountain region are invited to enter in the competition from a variety of clean tech categories, including renewable energy, transportation, smart power, energy efficiency, green building, and air/water/waste management. More information on the competition is here: http://www.cleantechopen.com/competition.php?page=home Rocky Mountain startups will first compete for three regional prizes of cash and services worth $50,000. Similar regional competitions will also take place in California and the Pacific Northwest. Twelve regional winners will then face off in a national competition, vying for the Grand Prize of $250,000 in cash and services. In addition, semifinalists will be invited to participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing and sustainability. The Clean Tech Open is made possible by the generous support provided by National Expansion Sponsor, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Platinum Sponsor, PG&E; Gold Sponsors The Cleantech Circle, Google, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati; Silver Sponsors Accretive Solutions and RoseRyan; and Program Sponsors California Clean Energy Fund, Ernst and Young, and Korn/Ferry International. The Clean Tech Open is also partnering with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest U.S. foundation that focuses on advancing entrepreneurship and innovation. About the Clean Tech Open Clean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation, and the impetus behind the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge. A non-profit organization founded in 2006, it provides today’s clean tech innovators with the tools, training and connections they need to become tomorrow's viable clean tech businesses. The core of Clean Tech Open is an annual business competition, supported by expert volunteers and mentors, that provides entrepreneurs with the crucial business training, services and insights they need to go to market successfully. The Clean Tech Open has assisted over 120 companies raise more than $125 million in external funding, and has spurred the creation of hundreds of jobs in California. Fueled by a network of over 400 volunteers and sponsors, the Clean Tech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America's clean tech sector a thriving economic engine. Past alumni successes include Adura Technologies, Cool Earth Solar and GreenVolts. To learn more, visit: www.cleantechopen.com. For More Information: Morrison Shafroth, Contact for general inquiries and Montana 720-470-3653 mshafroth@csg-pr.com Marie Rotter, Contact for Utah and New Mexico (303) 907-9826 marierotter@gmail.com Pam Peccolo, Contact for Colorado and Wyoming 303.521.8207 ppeccolo@aol.com

U.S. House Prices Keep Climbing with a 1.2% Rise in June

Posted by Erik Keith on August 11, 2009 at 10:41am

Integrated Asset Services(www.iasreo.com) today released its IAS360 House Price Index (HPI). Based upon the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the index for national house prices moved ahead another 1.2% in June. With June’s gains--the fourth consecutive positive month--the U.S. housing benchmark advanced 2.7% for full second quarter 2009, virtually offsetting the 2.6% decline across the first three months of the year. The IAS360 HPI is still down 16.7% from its high in June 2007. Like May, all four U.S. census regions reported positive numbers for the month and in like order. For June, the Northeast was up 1.9%, the Midwest 1.8%, the South 1.2%, and the West 0.4%. While values showed improvement in neighborhoods across the country, most upper end counties remained mired in a deep slump. In June, price declines continued to accelerate for Putnam County, NY, Morris County, NJ, and Howard County, MD. “I think that a lot of this valuation disparity reflects the immediate effects of Washington's housing-rescue plan,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “Everything so far has helped spur sales of lower-priced homes, which, at least in the short run, is producing winners and losers.” Among the nation’s 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported, only the Las Vegas housing market continued to slide with a drop of another 1.8% for the month. Boston and Chicago followed solid May numbers with increases of 2.9% and 1.3%, respectively, as did the big California MSAs, with Los Angeles gaining 2.2%, San Francisco up 1.7%, and San Diego 1.4%. “The improvement in the more traditional neighborhoods is encouraging, but it’s easy to think there may be trouble lurking further up the food chain,” said McCarthy. “If there is to be another decrease in home prices, my bet is it’s going to come from the top. One way or the other, the IAS360 will be the first to report it.” The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 neighborhoods, that roll up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.

IAS360 House Price Index Marks One-Year Anniversary

Posted by Erik Keith on June 30, 2009 at 9:57am

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, this month celebrated the first anniversary of its IAS360 House Price Index (http://www.iasreo.com/ias360_update.html). The IAS360 HPI remains the only index to track U.S. housing trends at a county level. The index tracks monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences in more than 15,000 “neighborhoods” across the U.S., then rolls the data up to 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The timeliness of the data, which is based on all arms-length transactions occurring in underlying neighborhoods, makes the IAS360 HPI a leading indicator for housing price trends in the U.S. The index was recently awarded Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine’s Editors’ Choice Award. “The granularity of the IAS360 HPI takes it deeper into U.S. housing data than other observational tools” said David McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “And given the timely monthly reporting, we’ll be the first to see the markets turn at the county level.” IAS’ methodology integrates multiple data sources beginning with familiar Census Block, most Multiple Listing Services, Bureau of Labor Statistics, HUD, and county recorder data. These feed to an automated valuation model for individual home value index designed to track housing prices for banks and investors. The IAS360 HPI measures median sales price trends at multiple areas within a county to report price performance within an individual market. The index covers only single-family homes, though IAS does provide a separate report on condos. IAS’s innovative methodology has been well-received by a demanding marketplace. With its timely and granular data, the IAS 360 has been receiving increasing press attention since its first appearance 12 months ago. In addition to its recognition by Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, the index has received increasing coverage by leading industry media outlets like The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, U.S. News &World Report, Business Week, Reuters, ABC News Radio, CBS News Radio, Housing Wire, Mortgage Banking Magazine, Mortgage Servicing News, and National Mortgage News. “The better housing price indexes are all useful at the Metropolitan Statistical Area level,” said McCarthy. “The IAS360 adds another level of information with its neighborhood data. That, plus the fact the index captures seasonality, makes it quite valuable to homebuyers, lenders, and investors.” For the financial services industry, the IAS360 HPI provides the logic to determine value, risk, and volatility for loss mitigation and short sale negotiations. This data gives lenders an indication of market movement and sets a median price range covering the previous six quarters. Regression testing of the IAS methodology has proven that the IAS360 HPI index and forecasts are extremely accurate.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Issues Governor’s Challenge to Support New Energy Economy

Posted by Erik Keith on June 22, 2009 at 3:35pm

Leaders of the Clean Tech Open (www.cleantechopen.com), the innovation catalyst that helps great ideas become viable clean tech businesses, today stood with Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, who called for governors from the Rocky Mountain region and across the country to embrace the New Energy Economy and support entrepreneurs participating in the $1 million Clean Tech Open business competition. The national business competition has helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies and subsequently raise more than $125 million in external funding since its inception in 2006.“Today I stand with 64 ecopreneurs whose optimism and innovation represent the future of Colorado and this nation’s economy,” said Ritter. “I call on governors from around the Rocky Mountain region to support this event that will help drive the creation of green collar jobs across the region.”The Clean Tech Open is a partner in Governor Ritter’s 21st Century strategy to lead Colorado forward and establish the state as a national and international leader in the New Energy Economy, attracting thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new companies as Colorado leads the country toward a new energy future.The 2009 Clean Tech Open competition includes more than a $1 million in total prizes and a “100K Jobs Challenge” to create 100,000 clean tech jobs in America over the next five years.“We are honored to have the support of Governor Ritter as we drive the development of a clean, sustainable economy in the Rocky Mountain West,” said Richard Franklin, co-chair of The Clean Tech Open, Rocky Mountain chapter. “Many of the participants are first-time entrepreneurs who rely on the influence of local and state leaders to sharpen the focus of our region’s venture capitalists, academic institutions and laboratories on the economic opportunities clean technology offers.”A total of 64 early-stage startups in the Rocky Mountain region participated in this year’s competition, from a variety of clean tech categories: companies as varied as creating biofuels from waste, to transportation companies working to create more efficient engines.Twelve regional semifinalists will be selected later this month to compete for three regional prizes of cash and services worth $50,000. Similar regional competitions will also take place in California and the Pacific Northwest. The regional winners will then face off in a national competition this fall, vying for the Grand Prize of $250,000 in cash and services.In addition, semifinalists will be invited to participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing and sustainability.

2009 Clean Tech Open Announces Rocky Mountain Sponsors

Posted by Erik Keith on May 27, 2009 at 12:54pm

The Rocky Mountain chapter of the Clean Tech Open (www.cleantechopen.com), the nation’s leading clean tech business competition, announced that it has received strong support from the region’s business community, but is seeking additional sponsors for the competition.The law firm of Faegre & Benson is the Rocky Mountain region’s lead Gold sponsor. EKS&H, Hein & Associates, Van Gilder Insurance, and KPMG have also pledged support. Additional local sponsors include:• South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce• CORE--Connected Organizations for Responsible EconomyCleanSpark Colorado• ICOSA• 9 News• Cultivator• CSG|PR“We are very honored to have the support of these companies as we drive the development of a clean, sustainable economy in the Rocky Mountain west,” said Richard Franklin, co-chair of The Clean Tech Open, Rocky Mountain chapter. “As the competition moves forward, we welcome the participation of other sponsors who wish to take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with some of the nation’s greatest thinkers in clean tech.”In addition to regional sponsors, Clean Tech Open is made possible by the generous support provided by National Expansion Sponsor, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Platinum Sponsor, PG&E; Gold Sponsors The Cleantech Circle, Google, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati; Silver Sponsors Accretive Solutions and RoseRyan; and Program Sponsors California Clean Energy Fund, Ernst & Young, and Korn/Ferry International.To help expand its reach, the Clean Tech Open is also partnering with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest U.S. foundation that focuses on advancing entrepreneurship and innovation.Clean Tech Contest Deadline ApproachingAs the leading clean tech business competition, the Clean Tech Open has already helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies—and subsequently raise over $125 million in external funding—since its inception in 2006.Early-stage startups in the Rocky Mountain region are invited to enter in the competition from a variety of clean tech categories, including renewable energy, transportation, smart power, energy efficiency, green building, and air/water/waste management. More information on the competition is here: http://www.cleantechopen.com/competition.php?page=homeRocky Mountain startups will first compete for three regional prizes of cash and services worth $50,000. Similar regional competitions will also take place in California and the Pacific Northwest. Twelve regional winners will then face off in a national competition, vying for the Grand Prize of $250,000 in cash and services.In addition, semifinalists will be invited to participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing and sustainability.Startups have until May 30, 2009 to submit entries. Semifinalists will be selected in each category and invited to participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing and sustainability.About the Clean Tech OpenClean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation, and the impetus behind the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge. A non-profit organization founded in 2006, it provides today’s clean tech innovators with the tools, training and connections they need to become tomorrow's viable clean tech businesses. The core of Clean Tech Open is an annual business competition, supported by expert volunteers and mentors, which provides entrepreneurs with the crucial business training, services and insights they need to go to market successfully. The Clean Tech Open has assisted over 120 companies raise more than $125 million in external funding, and has spurred the creation of hundreds of jobs in California. Fueled by a network of over 400 volunteers and sponsors, the Clean Tech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America's clean tech sector a thriving economic engine. Past alumni successes include Adura Technologies, Cool Earth Solar and GreenVolts. To learn more, visit: www.cleantechopen.com.

October Housing Market Down in Denver Metro Area 1.2%

Posted by Erik Keith on December 10, 2008 at 11:00am

Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS, www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its IAS360™ House Price Index for October 2008. The monthly report, which includes the most current and granular data available in the industry, showed a 1.7% decline in house prices on a national level in October, with an annual decline of 12.9% versus a 13.3% decline in September.Denver, MSA house prices were down 1.2% in October and 15.3% year-over-year. Adams County saw an uptick of 0.2% in October but continues to decline year-over-year at a rate of 20.3%. Denver County continued to add to an already weak housing market with a decline of 2.5% in October and 21.4% year-over-year (see table below for more Denver metro area counties).Housing prices at the national level continue to look bleak. At the census region level, results for October show all four U.S. Census regions experiencing declines in house prices, with the South and West experiencing double digit declines year-over-year of 10.2% and 18.7%, respectively. Compared to October of 2007; Midwestern, Northeastern and Western regions saw a slight improvement in the rate of decline during October 2008, posting 1.5 %, 1.8% and 1.4% declines in house prices respectively. Finally, the Southern region continued to fall amid a weakened housing market.During the month of October, all nine U.S. Census Divisions posted declines. Mountain, Pacific and South Atlantic census divisions posted double digit year-over-year declines of 12.4 %, 20.0% and 10.6%, respectively. East North Central and West South Central divisions continued to hold steady with slight annual declines of 2.4% and 1.7 %.“We’re continuing to see a decline in housing prices across the country and at the county level. That said, we’re also seeing some signs of strengthening in counties that are located in ground zero states of the housing crisis,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “With the IAS360 and the other granular Integrated Asset Services iMVI data, we are keeping a close eye on the counties within hard hit states, because it’s the counties that will be the harbinger of signs of a market recovery.”States that have been hard hit by the housing crisis, such as Arizona and Florida, are seeing some counties appreciate in house prices.The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which is rolled-up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.Leveraging real time data and nationwide resources, Integrated Asset Services' high-tech and high-touch product lines, (www.iasreo.com/risk.html), offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. IAS reports on "neighborhood" level house price trends, residential market climate and collateral valuation. Integrated Asset Services also provides traditional valuation products and full service REO Management and Disposition.

Falling House Prices in August Adds Pressure to an Already Volatile Economy

Posted by Erik Keith on October 14, 2008 at 4:00pm

Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS, www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its IAS360 House Price Index for August 2008. The monthly report, which includes the most current and granular data available in the industry, showed a 0.2 % decline in house prices on a national level in August, and an 11.6% decline from August 2007 to August 2008.The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data at a “neighborhood” level, which is then rolled up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.“As the economy continues to weaken everyone is watching the housing market for signs of a recovery,” says Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “The IAS360 HPI’s ability to gauge housing volatility on a granular level and in a timely manner makes it the most essential house price index available for investors, lenders and consumers during these tumultuous times.”At the broader census region level, results for August show three out of four U.S. Census regions experiencing declines in house prices, with only the Northeast region continuing to show a marked improvement, up 1.3%. Showing the most significant loss among the four census regions is the West with a year-over-year double-digit decline of 18 %.Results for the month of August at the census division level showed five out of nine U.S. Census Divisions posting gains during August. New England led the way with a 2.4% appreciation and Mountain, Middle Atlantic and West South Central posting 1.1%, 0.4% and 0.2% appreciation respectively. That said all nine census divisions posted declines year-over-year with Pacific and Mountain divisions maintaining double digit declines.

County Level IAS360 House Price Index Data Shows Promise Amid Worsening Housing Market in September

Posted by Erik Keith on November 12, 2008 at 9:30am

Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS, www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its IAS360™ House Price Index for September 2008. The monthly report, which includes the most current and granular data available in the industry, showed a 2.1% decline in house prices on a national level in September, with an annual decline of 13.3%. However, the data also shows bright spots at the individual county level with 75 of the 360 counties showing month to month improvement in September.“Housing prices at the national and MSA levels are still seeing declines, but we’re seeing positive signs at the county level, and even more encouraging signs at the neighborhood level,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “A review of the IAS360 House Price Index county level data, which is an aggregate of the 15,000 neighborhoods we track, provides insights into pockets of the country that may be showing signs of improvement.”The national picture continues to look challenging. At the census region level, results for September show all four U.S. Census regions experiencing declines in house prices, with the South and West experiencing double digit declines annually of -11.2% and -19.0%, respectively. Compared to September of 2007, Western and Midwestern housing prices improved slightly while Northeast and South continued to weaken.Results for the month of September at the census division level, all nine U.S. Census Divisions posted declines. West South Central led the way with a decline of 4.5% and New England, South Atlantic, Pacific posting declines of 3.0%, 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively.The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which is rolled-up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.Leveraging real time data and nationwide resources, IAS' high-tech and high-touch product lines offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. IAS reports on "neighborhood" level house price trends, residential market climate and collateral valuation. IAS also provides traditional valuation products and full service REO Management and Disposition.

Tailspin Continues for U.S. Housing Market

Posted by Erik Keith on March 10, 2009 at 1:17pm

Integrated Asset Services®, LLC (IAS®) (www.iasreo.com), a leader in default management and residential collateral valuation, today released its latest IAS360™ House Price Index. Based on the timeliest and most granular data available in the industry, the index showed a staggering 3.5% plunge in house prices for January, the worst single-month decline since its peak in November of 2006.January’s drop by itself represents more than $610 billion in reduced value of U.S. housing stock and brings the total loss from the start of the economic meltdown last September to roughly $2.4 trillion. Following a 1.1% decline in December, the national housing index has now fallen 24.7% from its peak in November of 2006.At the U.S. Census region level, the Midwest, which has been particularly impacted by the economic turmoil, fell another 4.5% in January bringing the region’s total decline since September 2008 to 12.4%. The other three census regions were down in line with the national drop of 3.5% for the month, though the West, not too surprisingly, far outpaces the rest of the country with what is now a 23.4% decline for the last 12 months.IAS 360’s granular data indicates the areas that experienced the largest gains during the housing bubble, California and Florida in particular, are continuing to be hit the hardest. Three counties in Florida—Charlotte (Punta Gorda), Hernando (Spring Hill), and Pasco (New Port Richey)—are now down more than 50% from their highs in 2006.The January IAS360 report also reveals the nation’s wealthiest counties have not at all been insulated from the national decline. Three Virginia counties—Loudoun, Stafford, and Prince William have each fallen more than 30% from their respective peaks.“These are unprecedented times to say the least,” said Dave McCarthy, President and CEO of Integrated Asset Services. “We’re seeing house prices plummet at a rapid pace throughout the country. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the data for signs of a bottoming out.”The IAS360 House Price Index is a comprehensive housing index tracking monthly change in the median sales price of detached single-family residences across the U.S. The index, based on all arms-length transactions, tracks data of 15,000 “neighborhoods”, which is rolled-up to report on the changes in 360 counties, nine census divisions, four regions, and the nation overall. The IAS360 House Price Index is delivered on a monthly basis.Leveraging real time data and nationwide resources, Integrated Asset Services' high-tech and high-touch product lines, (www.iasreo.com/iseries.html), offer an unmatched level of detail in a rapidly changing housing environment. IAS reports on "neighborhood" level house price trends, residential market climate and collateral valuation. Integrated Asset Services also provides traditional valuation products and full service REO Management and Disposition.Editor’s Note: Additional IAS360 data, charts and interviews are available upon request. Data for full year 2008, since the peak of 2006 at levels from national to MSA to neighborhood level are available.About Integrated Asset Services, LLCIAS (www.iasreo.com) is a privately-held Colorado-based corporation specializing in default mortgage services including valuation, reconciliation and full cycle REO disposition. The Company’s advanced valuation and volatility technology combined with its expert professional services help its clients reduce exposure while expediting the entire asset management process. Founded by REO industry experts, IAS provides services that go beyond industry expectations; from the level of integrity of its employees to the measurably better service it routinely provides.###This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future results of operations and market opportunities that are based on IntelliReal and IAS’ current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the company and its industry. Investors are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements as a result of the success of IAS’ branding and consumer awareness campaign and other marketing efforts; competition from existing and potential competitors; and IAS’s ability to continue to develop and integrate new products, services and technologies. Due to the timeliness of the data, the IAS360 House Price Index is subject to revisions on a monthly basis.

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Note: this page contains paid content.

Note: this page contains paid content.