Maine Media College, a leader in visual and media arts education, has posthumously honored renowned photographer Paul Caponigro with its 2025 Visionary Award. The award recognizes his extraordinary contributions to photography and the evolution of Maine Media College’s artistic community.

Highlights of the 2025 Visionary Award

• Award Recipient: Paul Caponigro, acclaimed photographer known for ethereal imagery of nature and ancient sites.

• Posthumous Recognition: Award will be accepted by his son, John Paul Caponigro.

• Legacy Impact: Celebrates Paul’s profound influence on photography and Maine Media since its inception.

Paul Caponigro’s Artistic Journey

• Began as a young artist blending photography and music.

• Known for work reflecting rhythm, harmony, light, form, and spiritual depth.

• Passed away on November 10, 2024, at age 91.

Event Details

• Exhibit: Paul Caponigro’s work on display at Haas Gallery, Maine Media campus (Sept 12–Nov 30, 2025).

• Reception: September 18, 5–6 PM.

• Public Celebration: September 19 at Union Hall, Rockport, ME.

• Visionary Awards Dinner: September 20 at Primo Restaurant, Rockland, ME, featuring the award presentation and Arnold Newman Prize announcement.

Quotes from Maine Media Leadership

• Michael Mansfield, Maine Media President:
  "Paul was a towering figure here at Maine Media... His presence will be felt for generations to come."

• Kari Wehrs, Photography Program Chair:
  "Paul’s photographs invite us to worlds within worlds... a profound emotional and intellectual journey."

Visionary Award

• Established in 2019 to honor extraordinary contributions to visual, media, and literary arts.

• Past recipients include Joyce Tenneson (2019), Teju Cole (2021), and Cig Harvey (2023).

For more information on the Visionary Award, sponsorships, and tickets, contact Beth Storey at bstorey@mainemedia.edu.

Berklee Online will host its annual Berklee Onsite conference on May 30–31, 2025, at the Berklee College of Music campus in Boston. This two-day event invites students and music professionals to engage in workshops, panels, performances, and networking opportunities focused on various music industry disciplines.

Conference Overview and Keynote

• Opening keynote by Kamilah Marshall, 2024 Berklee Online graduate, singer-songwriter, Broadway star, and Taylor Swift’s longtime backing vocalist and dancer.

• The conference strengthens the Berklee community, fostering lasting connections among students, faculty, and industry professionals worldwide.

Growth and Participation

• Past events attracted hundreds of attendees from nearly 30 countries and 40 U.S. states.

• Originally designed for Berklee Online students to meet instructors and advisors in person.

• Now open to all music enthusiasts, professionals, and educators.

Featured Sessions and Workshops

• The Art and Practice of Playback with Timo Preece, sound designer for Ariana Grande and Charli XCX.
  Explores playback’s role in live music production, combining technology and performance.

• The Billboard Hot 100 Is Your Toolbox with Prince Charles Alexander, recording engineer for artists like Mary J. Blige and Destiny’s Child.
  Analyzes evolving music production styles through Hot 100 hits.

• The F Word (Feminism): Sex & Equity in Songwriting with Valerie Orth, songwriter and Warner Chappell Music Publishing artist.
  Interactive workshop exploring feminism’s influence on songwriting and self-expression.

Registration and Additional Information

• Registration remains open until May 30, the conference’s first day.

• Visit www.berkleeonsite.com for session details and to register.

The Fort Myers housing market is shifting as home prices decline and sales pick up, driven by an oversupply of homes and condos. FortMyersAgent.com offers real-time access to more than 17,000 listings across Fort Myers and neighboring areas, providing buyers with insight into this changing landscape.

Market Trends and Pricing

• After a decade of steady price increases, including a pandemic-fueled double-digit surge, Fort Myers is experiencing a notable price correction.

• Home sales surged nearly 50% from February to April, marking two consecutive months of growth.

• The median home price dropped from a peak of $359,500 in October 2022 to $339,000 in April 2025.

• Fort Myers Beach saw some homes sell at 40-50% below original asking prices.

Condo Market Insights

• South Florida’s condo market remains challenged, offering a unique opportunity for buyers despite higher association fees.

• Potential buyers should research condo fees and market conditions carefully; FortMyersAgent.com provides updated news and analysis on this segment.

Factors Impacting the Market

• Historic low mortgage rates during the pandemic fueled demand, but rising inflation and Federal Reserve rate hikes pushed mortgage costs to 20-year highs.

• Recently stabilized mortgage rates are improving buyer purchasing power and encouraging renewed interest.

• Fort Myers continues to attract new residents, including resort and vacation buyers drawn to its scenic waterfronts and growing local economy.

Resources for Buyers and Sellers

• FortMyersAgent.com updates listings hourly, covering Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, and Naples.

• The site also publishes a monthly newsletter with the latest real estate market news and trends.

EBSCO Clinical Decisions has named Roy Ziegelstein, M.D., MACP, as the new Editor-in-Chief of DynaMed®, effective June 30, 2025. Dr. Ziegelstein brings over 30 years of leadership in medical education and healthcare, including his role as Vice Dean for Education at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Joining the DynaMed team marks an exciting new chapter for Dr. Ziegelstein, who looks forward to expanding his focus on medical education to a global clinical decision support platform. "The role of Editor-in-Chief at DynaMed will allow me to deliver evidence-based guidance to health professionals worldwide, collaborating with a diverse team to continuously push the boundaries of healthcare," he said.

Betsy Jones, EVP of EBSCO Clinical Decisions, praised Dr. Ziegelstein’s appointment as a transformative milestone, highlighting his expertise in medicine, education, and interdisciplinary research. As EBSCO advances its generative AI capabilities with Dyna AI, Dr. Ziegelstein’s leadership will be pivotal in enhancing the platform’s role as a trusted, reliable clinical resource.

EBSCO Clinical Decisions aims to improve patient care by providing clinicians with timely, evidence-based answers at the point of care. With Dr. Ziegelstein at the helm, DynaMed is set to further innovate in delivering clinical excellence powered by AI.

EBSCO Information Services is a global leader in online research content and search technologies, serving libraries, healthcare institutions, corporations, and governments. EBSCO’s AI-enabled solutions support clinical decision-making, research, and learning worldwide.

Technology leader, author, and advocate Nancy Ridge unveils her new memoir, A Channel for Change: How the Alliance of Channel Women (ACW) Took Root, documenting the transformation of a grassroots initiative into a national movement empowering women in the technology channel.

Through candid storytelling and contributions from her collaborators, Ridge blends personal experiences with a broader narrative on gender equity in tech. The memoir offers practical wisdom, leadership lessons, and motivation for women facing professional and personal challenges.

Cheryl O'Donoghue, founder of Aspire2STEAM, praises the book for its relatable lessons and inspirational impact. More than a memoir, A Channel for Change is a call to action for women professionals at every stage to claim their power and drive meaningful progress.

Why this book matters:

• For women in tech: Strategies and solidarity to overcome barriers.

• For professionals: Insights on leadership, advocacy, and building networks.

• For aspiring entrepreneurs: Courage to break boundaries and create impact.

Ideal for readers seeking inspiration, practical guidance, and a roadmap to personal and professional growth.

Barry Raber, a seasoned entrepreneur with three successful ventures and multiple accolades, has launched Real Simple Business (realsimplebusiness.org), a dynamic website dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and business leaders with actionable strategies and resources to elevate their ventures.

The site features over 30 concise, insightful articles originally published in top business magazines like Inc., Entrepreneur, and Forbes. Since its soft launch, Real Simple Business has garnered over 20,000 page views, reflecting strong interest from the entrepreneurial community.

Drawing on Raber’s 35 years of experience, the platform covers key areas such as business execution, effective meetings, core values, branding, strategic planning, customer acquisition, and cultivating a positive mindset. It also shares real-world entrepreneurial experiences and resources aimed at improving both business and life.

“I love nothing more than sharing experiences and business strategies with fellow entrepreneurs,” Raber said. “The launch of Real Simple Business is a culmination of 35 years of in-the-trenches aha moments shared in concise, short-read magazine articles.”

Barry Raber is president of Carefree Covered RV Storage in Portland and has earned honors including EO Portland Entrepreneur of the Year (2017), Top 10 Entrepreneurs to Watch (2024), and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 Mountain West finalist.

Concrete Mama, a podcast by Unincarcerated Productions, is reshaping the narrative around incarceration in America. Rising quickly in popularity, the series has secured a place among the Top Series on Apple Podcasts—peaking at #16 overall and #2 in the Documentary category. Featuring authentic voices from within the prison system, Concrete Mama explores the realities of incarceration through raw storytelling and personal experiences.

1. The Rise of Concrete Mama

• Recognized as a Top Series on Apple Podcasts.

• Reached #16 overall and #2 in the Documentary category.

• Featured on the cover of the Seattle Times, drawing national attention.

2. Voices from Within

• Hosted by Demar, Anthony, Red, and Cambo—individuals with firsthand experience of incarceration.

• Led by Vik, a former prisoner and co-founder of Unincarcerated Productions.

• Each episode offers deeply human narratives told by those who lived through the prison system.

3. The “Concrete Mama” Era

• Named after a failed reform effort in Washington State Penitentiary.

• Known for turning the prison into one of the most feared institutions in the country.

• The podcast revisits this era with honesty, emotion, and unflinching detail.

4. Breaking Stereotypes

• Challenges traditional portrayals of incarcerated individuals.

• Replaces sensationalism with authenticity and emotional depth.

• Shares stories filled with humor, trauma, resilience, and transformation.

5. Anthony’s Clemency Journey

• Listeners follow Anthony’s emotional path to clemency and life after incarceration.

• Offers a rare inside-out perspective on the justice system and reentry.

• Demonstrates the power of redemption and the complexity of second chances.

6. Humanizing the Incarcerated

• Vik emphasizes the importance of seeing incarcerated individuals as people with stories and dreams.

• The podcast aims to shift public perception by showcasing layered, human narratives.

• Encourages empathy, dialogue, and systemic awareness through storytelling.

Concrete Mama is more than a podcast—it is a cultural shift. By allowing those who have lived through incarceration to tell their stories, it challenges long-held perceptions and invites listeners to engage with the justice system on a deeper, more personal level. As the series continues to resonate with audiences and rise in popularity, it signals a broader change in how incarceration is discussed—and who gets to lead that conversation.

Tillo, a global leader in the rewards and incentives space, has announced a major leadership move with the appointment of Jason Silverstein as its new Group Chief Operating Officer (COO). With over 25 years of executive experience, Jason joins Tillo at a strategic time of expansion and transformation, particularly in the North American market. His appointment is poised to accelerate Tillo's global growth, operational excellence, and market leadership.

1. Jason Silverstein Joins Tillo as Group COO

• Brings over 25 years of leadership in scaling high-growth technology and fintech companies.

• Appointed as Tillo’s Group Chief Operating Officer to lead the next phase of the company’s expansion.

2. A Track Record of High-Impact Leadership

• Previously served as COO and President at Tango, a major digital rewards platform.

• Spearheaded Tango’s global expansion into over 80 countries.

• Transitioned Tango’s growth strategy from sales-led to product-led, boosting efficiency and results.

• Played a key role in Tango's acquisition by Blackhawk Network, marking a major industry milestone.

3. Vision for Tillo's Future

• Jason aims to partner with CEO Alex Preece and the broader leadership team to scale Tillo’s impact.

• He praises Tillo’s customer-first mindset, innovative solutions, and global vision.

• Sees significant opportunities to unlock customer value through operational excellence and strategic expansion.

4. Momentum Across Key Markets

• Jason’s appointment aligns with Tillo’s growing focus on the North American market.

• Comes after major recent achievements, including:

  • Launch of the market-leading StoreFront solution.

  • Acquisition of Jigsaw Business Solutions to strengthen capabilities.

  • Strategic partnership with private equity firm Tenzing to fuel growth.

5. Leadership Endorsement

• CEO Alex Preece describes Jason’s arrival as a milestone moment for the company.

• Highlights Jason’s operational expertise, strategic mindset, and values alignment.

• Emphasizes Jason’s role in accelerating growth across the U.S. and global markets.

Jason Silverstein’s appointment as Group COO marks a significant step forward in Tillo’s global journey. Backed by deep operational expertise and a proven track record, Jason is set to elevate Tillo’s market presence and scalability. As Tillo continues to evolve its platform and expand its footprint, this strategic hire reinforces the company’s commitment to innovation, growth, and leadership in the rewards and incentives space.