CyberNINES CEO Appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council

MADISON, WI, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2025 — CyberNINES CEO Scott Singer has been appointed Chair of The Cyber AB’s inaugural C3PAO Advisory Council.

The Cyber AB will leverage the Council as a primary source of advice and feedback, both for its role as an ISO/IEC 17011:2017-compliant accreditation body and to help shape the CMMC Ecosystem. The Council will provide insights on assessment methodologies, CMMC implementation, and emerging technologies relevant to the program.

As co-founder and CEO of CyberNINES, Scott brings more than 30 years of experience, including active duty and reserve service in the U.S. Navy. He has deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and government contracting, including FAR, DFARS, and NIST SP 800-171. Scott has testified before Congress on CMMC Implementation: What It Means for Small Businesses.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of The Cyber AB’s C3PAO Advisory Council at such a critical moment for the CMMC Program. Our goal is to ensure we are meeting the rigorous certification requirements while supporting our Defense Industrial Base (DIB). I look forward to working alongside my fellow Council members to provide guidance, promote best practices, and help strengthen cybersecurity across the entire CMMC Ecosystem.”
— Scott Singer, CEO, CyberNINES

Members of the C3PAO Advisory Council volunteer their time and serve in a non-compensatory capacity. Each member will serve a two-year term and oversee specialized committees on accreditation, assessment guidance, external services, and the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP).

About CyberNINES

As an authorized CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), CyberNINES provides COMPLIANCE WITHOUT COMPLEXITY^® delivering expert assessments, remediation, and full journey consulting to businesses nationwide. CyberNINES is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) focused on those supporting the U.S. Department of Defense. Their mission is to guide businesses through their entire cybersecurity journey, protecting critical systems and information from ever-evolving threats.

For more information, visit: https://cybernines.com.

Atmosphere Commercial Interiors announces new Worklab centrally located near downtown Madison

Atmosphere Commercial Interiors is excited to announce the opening of their new Worklab centrally located near downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The new space features Community-Based Design—an approach that is characterized by stimulating a feeling of community to help people and organizations flourish. It provides an environment where workers are more likely to have higher levels of engagement, productivity, wellbeing, and belonging which equates with better results.

Susan Enlow, Regional Vice President, describes the move as both a logistical and cultural shift. According to Susan, the former space that once served them well began to hold them back. Divided and disconnected zones made it difficult to communicate and work as a unified team. The move was driven by a clear purpose: to bring teams together. “We envisioned a space that would break down physical barriers and open new possibilities for connection, creativity, and focus…where productivity could thrive.” Potter Lawson was chosen to collaborate with Atmosphere on their new space. The interiors are designed to support individuals and teams with dedicated zones for focused work, collaboration, and rejuvenation with built-in flexibility for each team member to determine the best place to work for their needs throughout the day. The community spaces, including a café and adjoining training room, are now central for social connections, so vital to Atmosphere’s culture.

Equally important is the story told throughout the Worklab. Carlene Wilson, CEO and President of Atmosphere, defines the space as a “strategic asset.” “We are no different than the customers we serve. Our business results and success are predicated upon deeply engaged and inspired team members.” Together with Potter Lawson, Atmosphere used a methodical and analytical process to capture the elements that would reflect “who we are and what we do.” Carlene acknowledges she is “wowed” by the space. “It has a sophisticated, elevated vibe that highlights our energy and positivity.” Carlene is confident it will become a destination for clients and key influencers searching for new ideas to leverage their physical space and strengthen their culture.

Susan emphasizes they were fortunate to have strong partners that helped bring Atmosphere’s vision to fruition. CBRE found the “perfect space with the amenities that will attract and retain the talent we need.” Krupp General Contractors did an “outstanding job meeting critical timelines with crucial attention to detail.” Design firm Potter Lawson created a welcoming space that “sparks the hospitality we know our guests will feel the minute they walk through the door.” The feedback from employees has been rewarding. The words Susan uses to describe the emotions—“Joy. And a renewed sense of purpose and passion.”

In lieu of a formal grand opening, Atmosphere is arranging small, more focused personalized tours. “It’s an open invitation to any firm or organization interested in what we are learning about the changing landscape of work and how we applied it to our own space.”

About Atmosphere Commercial Interiors

Atmosphere Commercial Interiors is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with additional offices in Wisconsin, Illinois, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Atmosphere has a rich history in the office furniture industry, serving organizations of every size around the globe, from start-ups to Fortune 500, and across corporate, healthcare, education, and hospitality industries. Atmosphere is a multi-year recipient of the distinguished Steelcase Premier Partner award and part of the Omni Workspace portfolio of brands that provides commercial facility services and solutions to the design-build and contract interiors markets.

MMSD Determines to Maintain GPA System Following Comprehensive Review

MADISON, Wis.—Following an extensive review process during the 2024–25 school year, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has determined that it will maintain its current unweighted grade point average (GPA) system for high school students. 

Doing so allows MMSD to focus on two key objectives: strengthening advising systems that help students choose coursework aligned with their post-secondary goals, and enhancing support structures so that all students have the opportunity to excel.

“MMSD is committed to providing all students with challenging learning opportunities, while ensuring our systems remain fair and equitable,” said Mary Jankovich, MMSD’s executive director of college, career & community readiness. “Our decision to keep what’s currently in place reflects our belief in the importance of a system that supports equity, maintains transparency and reflects our community’s values.”

The district arrived at its decision after:

• Analyzing results from the 2025 Weighted Grades Survey, completed by students in grades 8–12, their families and staff.
• Reviewing policies and practices from more than 50 surrounding districts.
• Using current MMSD student data to explore the potential impact of different weighted GPA models.
• Examining how colleges, especially those most frequently attended by MMSD graduates, evaluate student transcripts.
• Consulting with the MMSD Advanced Learning Department and representatives from each of the district’s high schools.

Weighted GPAs, which assign higher point values to advanced courses such as Advanced Placement (AP) dual-credit and honors classes, are used in some districts to recognize the rigor of those courses. MMSD’s decision to retain its unweighted system reflects a balance between acknowledging course rigor and maintaining equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of the courses available to them.

For questions or additional information, families and community members can reach out through the district’s Let’s Talk platform.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Vote for Verona Fall Fest in USA Today’s Best Fall Festival Poll

Fall festivals are a great way to mark the changing of the seasons, celebrate the harvest, enjoy the outdoors, and have some fun with friends and family. And there’s something magical about being surrounded by colorful leaves as the sounds of merriment fill the crisp air. 

USA Today put together a list of 20 of the country’s best fall festivals — nominated by an expert panel — including Verona’s Fall Fest. You can vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, September 8 at noon ET. The 10 winning festivals will be announced on Wednesday, September 17.

Learn more and cast your votes here.

MMSD Engages Improve Your Tomorrow to Support College-Focused, Historically Underserved High School Students

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has contracted with Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT), a national educational nonprofit that specializes in supporting young men of color on their journey to and through college, to provide mentoring, academic supports and culturally responsive programming in select MMSD schools for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years.

The organization’s mission is to dramatically increase the number of Black male students who graduate from college. The organization’s model is rooted in building long-term, trusting relationships with students, strengthening their connection to school and helping them see themselves as college-bound and career-ready. 

“We see this as a direct investment in a demographic of our high school students who have historically been underserved,” said Mary Jankovich, MMSD’s executive director of college, career and community readiness. “IYT’s approach provides the mentorship and support that help students envision themselves as college graduates and leaders in their communities.”

Through its College Academy program, the nonprofit works with students across multiple years to build a foundation for success. Year one emphasizes relationships and belonging; year two focuses on improved attendance and positive behavior; and year three highlights measurable academic growth. This staged approach helps schools and districts track progress over time and ensures that the work leads to sustainable outcomes.

“We know that students thrive when they feel connected, affirmed and supported,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD’s assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “IYT’s programming is designed to create those conditions while also addressing key drivers of student success, from attendance to academics. It’s a holistic model that aligns with our district’s goals.”

In addition to mentoring and academic support, IYT also provides enrichment opportunities designed to expose students to college campuses, career pathways and leadership development. These experiences help students build confidence, expand their networks and prepare for life after high school.

The district selected IYT after reviewing its proven success in other districts, where participants demonstrated higher levels of engagement, improved graduation rates, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education. MMSD will work closely with IYT to track outcomes and ensure that the program is meeting the needs of Madison students. All services will be provided at no cost to families, and outcomes will be reviewed annually to guide future improvements. 

To learn more about the opportunities available to MMSD high school, including its early college academies, please visit the MMSD website. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.