Per Mar Security Services Launches New Website

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned website, a step forward in its commitment to leveraging technology for a seamless customer experience. The new platform, found at the same website address, permarsecurity.com, offers an intuitive interface optimized for all devices.

Designed with a user-first approach, the updated site makes it easier for both potential and current customers to find the information and support they need efficiently. The new homepage now features a security quiz to help site visitors make an informed decision about their security needs, whether for their home and/or business.

In addition, the support page is now streamlined to prioritize items that visitors engage with the most. Users have quick access to guides, manuals, and YouTube videos for equipment, as well as account management tools.

Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of Per Mar, commented on the launch: “We’re excited for the launch of our new website. The site was designed for an improved user experience, so customers have easy access to self-service tools and resources to find the support and information they need.”

Beyond services and support, the new website provides insight into Per Mar’s 70+ years of history, offers information on career opportunities, and features the latest company news and valuable safety tips for both homes and businesses.

About Per Mar Security Services

Established in 1953, Per Mar Security Services is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 3,000 team members, operating in 27 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including live video monitoring, security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Dupaco Maximizes Mortgage Rate Relief Program to Support Homebuyers

Dubuque, Iowa – Dupaco Credit Union has successfully concluded its participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Mortgage Rate Relief Program, ensuring funds allocated to the credit union were used to make homeownership more affordable for eligible buyers. 

Through this initiative, Dupaco provided permanent mortgage rate reductions to qualifying homebuyers, helping them achieve long-term savings and greater financial stability. The program reflects Dupaco’s ongoing commitment to improving members’ financial well-being and supporting sustainable homeownership across the communities it serves. 

“This program was about more than just lowering rates—it was about opening doors,” said Krystal Frederick, AVP Mortgage Lending at Dupaco. “We’re proud to have helped so many members take that important step toward homeownership, and we remain committed to finding new ways to make those dreams a reality.” 

While the special Mortgage Rate Relief program has ended, Dupaco continues to support homebuyers with personalized guidance and affordable financing options. This includes fixed-rate mortgages, VA loans, first-time homebuyer programs, construction and lot loans and investment property financing. Dupaco’s mortgage team is available to find the right fit for your home, budget and goals. 

For more information on Dupaco’s home loan programs, visit http://www.dupaco.com/HomeLoans. 

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 175,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

ABOUT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement. FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com. 

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.