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Looks Like One More Once for California  SB 1235
to Put Financial Disclosures on Commercial Transactions

SB 1235 was signed and headlined "Governor signs nation’s first truth-in-lending bill for small business owners."

SACRAMENTO – California will become the first state in the nation to give small business owners the same protections that Truth in Lending laws have given consumer borrowers for more than half a century, under legislation signed Sunday by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

"Senate Bill 1235 by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, will require lenders and other finance companies to provide clear and consistent disclosures to small business owners when they offer them financing and when they close a deal.

"The bill was aimed at solving a growing problem in the rapidly evolving small business finance market, where fast-moving online lenders are replacing traditional banks in a largely unregulated world of loans and more innovative financing options."
(1)

The bill was introduced February 14, 2018. It did not take New York, and now Connecticut, long to introduce, pass the bill, and in New York's case, the Governor to sign into law (although there are amendments to be worked out). (2) There were several questionnaires since then, a count of five, with the last one to end April 26, 2021, which the DFPI sent out a press yesterday:

"On September 11, 2020, the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation (Commissioner) published a Notice of Rulemaking Action to adopt regulations under Division 9.5 of the California Financial Code to implement SB 1235 (Chapter 1011, Statutes of 2018). After reviewing comments submitted in response to the notice, the Commissioner has decided to propose revisions to the draft regulation text. "

This means that the DFPI, after receiving the public comments it invited after it issued its proposed rules on 9/11/20, has made revisions to those rules. It has sought further public comment through 4/26/21, at which time it will presumably issue final rules.

"Any interested person may submit written comments regarding these modifications by written communication addressed as follows:

Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation
Attn: Sandra Sandoval, Regulations Coordinator
300 South Spring Street, 15th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90013

"Written comments may also be sent by electronic mail to regulations@dfpi.ca.gov with a copy to jesse.mattson@dfpi.ca.gov and charles.carriere@dfpi.ca.gov.

"Comments will be received from April 8, 2021 through April 26, 2021. The last day to submit comments is April 26, 2021. Comments received after April 26, 2021 will not be considered. Please note that the proposed modifications are not yet effective and will not be effective until approved by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State in accordance with Government Code section 11349.3."

Perhaps that is why people think what they do of California. Any why many companies refuse to do business here.

The big companies can afford the fees, and the legal costs. The smaller brokers can't.

Revised Text Here (52 pages)
https://dfpi.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/337/2021/04/2021-04-07-SB-1235-With-Redlines-FINAL-for-Publication.pdf

DFPI Full Notice:
https://dfpi.ca.gov/regulations-rulemaking-division-of-corporations/regulations-legislation-opinions-releases/

(1)  Bill Signing Announcement
http://leasingnews.org/Pages/sb1235.html

(2) History Timeline of SB 1235
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB1235

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

 

Amanda Aceves was hired as Accounts Payable Specialist, Balboa Capital, Costa Mesa, California.  Previously, she was Trust Administrative Assistant, First Foundation (August, 2020 - April, 2021); Estate Accountant, OC Elder Law (August, 2019 - January, 2020).  She joined QuickBridge September, 2015, as Administrative Assistant; promoted June, 2016, Accounting Assistant. Education: Associate's degree, Business Administration and Management, General, Fullerton College. https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-aceves/

Greg Funk was hired as Senior Account Manager, Affiliated Financial Services, British Columbia, Canada. He joined CLE Capital, a Subsidiary of the Hitachi Capital Group, February, 2013, as Account Manager; promoted October, 2018, Account Manager, Intermediary Relations; Corporate Sales Manager, Simply Computing Inc. (February, 2012 - February, 2013); Lease Consultant, Zeemac Vehicle Lease (January, 2010 - March, 2012); Senior  Consultant, David Aplin Recruiting (November, 2008 - October, 2009 ); Account Manager, National Leasing (April, 2004 - November, 2008); Western Regional Manager, Textron Financial Corporation, Canada (1997 - 1999). https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-funk-811bb0b/

Barry Hart was hired as Vice President, Relationship Manager, Verdant Commercial Capital, LLC, Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  Previously, he was Vice President, Territory Manager, Wells Fargo (November, 2017 - February, 2021); Strategic Account Executive, Penske Truck Leasing (April, 2016 - November, 2017); Vice President, Element Fleet Management (April, 2011 - April, 2016); Vice President, TCF Bank (March, 2010 - April, 2011). He joined GE Capital March, 2007, Vice President, Transportation Finance; promoted September, 2008, Vice President, Southwest Region); Lease Account Manager, Rollins Leasing Corporation (March, 1994 - March, 1988). Licenses: Six Sigma Greenbelt. Education: Arkansas State University, Bachelor of Science, Marketing. Activities and Societies: Sigma Phi Epsilon. Harding University, Finance.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/barryhart1/

Ben Klang was hired as Vice President, Verdant Commercial Capital, Cincinnati, Ohio.  He is located in the Greater Minneapolis, St. Paul Area. Previously, he was Account Manager, Wells Fargo (March, 2018 - March, 2021); Fleet Management Solutions Specialist, Element Finance Corporation (September, 2014 -March, 2018); Fleet Management Solutions Specialist, GE Capital (February, 2015 - September, 2015). He joined Hertz, May, 2010, as Branch Manager; promoted April, 2014, Minnesota Fleet Manager;  Sales Associate, NAPA Auto Parts (May, 2008 - September, 2008); Lab Consultant, St. Cloud State University (August, 2006 - May, 2008); Sales Associate/Machine-Shop Worker, NAPA Auto Parks (March, 2004 - March, 2008). Sales Associate/Machine-Shop Worker, NAPA Auto Parts (March, 2004 - March, 2008).  Education: St. Cloud State University, Master of Business Administration (MBA) (2012 - 2014). St. Cloud University, Herberger Business School, Marketing Minor, Accounting (2006 -2010). https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-klang-71006719/

Geoff Minsky was hired as Executive Vice President, Sheridan Lease Partners, New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. He is located in Palm Beach, Florida. Previously, he was Vice President, Wheeler Financial (January, 2020 - July, 2020); Managing Director, Pelagic Capital Corporation (April, 2014 - January, 2020); Senior Vice President, North Mill Equipment Finance, LLC (fka Equilease Financial Services, Inc. ) (June, 2002 - April, 2014); Director of Real Estate Development, Sonic Drive-In (January, 2000 - April, 2002); Manager, Strategic Development, Real Estate, Payless ShoeSource (July, 1997 - December, 1999); Operations Business Analyst, Boston Market (September, 1993 - 1997);  Manager,  PepsiCo (August, 1992 - 1993); Member, Commodities Arbitrage Group, Merrill Lynch Futures (August, 1991 - August, 1992). Education: University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, BSBA, Finance and Marketing (1988 -1991). https://www.linkedin.com/in/gmm0a309b8/

Peter Nguyen was hired as Senior Vice President, Business Development, MAZO Capital Solutions, subsidiary of Strada Capital Solutions, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.  He is located in the San Francisco, California, Bay Area. Previously, he was Managing Member, Catapult Group, LLC (September, 2016 - April, 2018). He joined Balboa Capital, October, 2000, as Account Executive; promoted January, 2005, Sales Manager; promoted January, 2008, Branch Manager.  Volunteer: Head Football Coach, California Football Academy (March, 2017 - President).  Volunteer, Danville Sea Devils (April, 20017 - Present). Education: California State University, Long Beach, Marketing, Business Administration and Management; General Activities and Societies: Zeta Epsilon Tau, American Marketing Association.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/petertn829/

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

 

Sales Make it Happen

"What else can you do for me?"

After spending time and money cultivating relationships with a client, closing the deal, if you listen, you client will then be asking, "What else can you do for me?"

It should be standard to add the person to your "follow-up" list, plus keep them in mind for a birthday card, or an excuse to contact them regarding any event that you know about from conversations you have had with your client.

If you are really doing your job about forming a "relationship," you should bring them into your "business family" as soon as possible. You can not only generate referrals from such a network, but also additional financial rewards.

Make a list of things you can do for your client:
Accounts Receivable Financing and Factoring - Many cash starved manufacturers and distributors regularly borrow against committed invoice payments. A number of companies provide these services and some are willing to pay your ongoing royalties for referrals.

Inventory Financing - Retailers of expensive equipment must tie up a lot of money in inventory - auto dealers, truck dealers and sellers of construction or manufacturing equipment generally fall in this category. Lenders will loan against these assets until they are resold.

Commercial & Residential Mortgages - More and more companies are considering real estate acquisitions either for facilities they will use, or for investment. In fact, we encourage clients to invest in such appreciating assets while leasing their equipment. Create a relationship with a mortgage company or broker for mutual fee or referral opportunities.

Insurance - We require insurance on the equipment we lease. Not every customer has a relationship with a good commercial insurance agent. Why not recommend someone who will be a revenue and/or referral source for you.

Accounting and Bookkeeping Services - Not everyone has such a professional on retainer. Especially where we are asking them to provide more detailed financial information then they have on hand, referring someone into the situation makes sense.

Vehicle Leasing - Cars, and often trucks, are specialized opportunities. You're not going to a two-year lease on a car and bet on getting a 55% residual, nor are you (usually) in the business of doing a full service (maintenance included) lease on a truck, so why not refer the prospect to someone who will?

Better Bank --- Particularly one that won't compete with you in the near future. Working capital, accounts receivable, and most important in today's world, personal attention, not just a FICO number.

Out Of The Box Thinking - Don't stop with this list. Almost anyone who seeks to do business with your clients and prospects is a potential source of referrals and/or fee income. That includes lawyers, office supply companies, furniture sellers, sales consultants and trainers (shameless plug) and a lot more. Look for joint marketing opportunities as well. Everything doesn't have to involve cash payments.

When the client things about money and who can help them, hopefully you will be on the top of the list---to either provide it directly or introduce them to someone you both will trust to perform.

Originally written by Ken Goodman, one of the original certified lease professionals.

 

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Academy for Certified Lease & Finance Professionals
Two Public Virtual Three Day Events in May 2021

The Academy for Lease and Finance Professionals (ALFP) is a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already self-studied.

During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth and on the third day, the exam is offered, but not mandatory.

Students are strongly advised to have read and studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook prior to attending the class in order to ensure success.

Certified Lease & Professional Handbookhttps://smile.amazon.com/Certified-Lease-Finance-Professionals-Handbook/dp/B0863QD9TH

Academy Days Open

US Bank ALFP
May 3 – May 5
Monday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 9:00am – 4:00pm
Exam is proctored online, therefore, it may be taken at any time.
https://clfpfoundation.org/academy-for-lease-and-finance-professionals/2021-us-bank-online-alfp/

Oakmont Capital ALFP
May 6 – May 7
Thursday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exam is proctored online, therefore, it may be taken at any time. https://clfpfoundation.org/academy-for-lease-and-finance-professionals/2021-oakmont-capital-online-alfp/

About Academy
https://clfpfoundation.org/academy-for-lease-and-finance-professionals/

If you are interested in attending, please contact Reid Raykovich, Executive Director: Reid@clfpfoundation.org

 

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Merchants Bank Equipment Finance recognized
for 30 years of membership

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has recognized Merchants Bank Equipment Finance (MBEF) for 30 years of membership in the organization. ELFA represents companies in the nearly $1 trillion equipment finance sector.

“We are proud to be recognized for our 30 years of membership in ELFA, said Rick Barry, President of Merchants Bank Equipment Finance, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a press release. “As a division of a regional community bank, we are committed to delivering equipment financing solutions tailored to the needs of our clients across the country and that has been strengthened by our active involvement in ELFA. From serving on committees to being involved in shaping legislation, we work together as an advocate for clients and the industry. We take pride in helping grow “Main Street,” and ELFA has been a tremendous resource.”

As a member of ELFA, Merchants Bank Equipment Finance reportedly joins other leading companies in the equipment finance sector.

"ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation across the U.S.," the release states. "The association’s 575 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. ELFA exists to provide member companies a platform to promote and advocate for the industry, including attracting and developing new and diverse talent; a forum for professional development and training; and a resource that develops information about, and for, the industry."

In the release, ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta congratulated Merchants Bank Equipment Finance on achieving 30 years of membership and thanked the company.

“Since its founding in 1961, ELFA has united the equipment finance industry under one umbrella: to learn, do business and advocate for equipment finance and its important role in the U.S. economy,” Petta said in the release. “Over the years, member companies have evolved and innovated to meet changing customer needs. This speaks to the strength and resilience of our industry as it equips American businesses to succeed and prosper. We congratulate all the companies celebrating milestone membership anniversaries in 2021, which also happens to be ELFA’s 60th anniversary.”

Source: Northfield News

Legislators in Nebraska Approve Medical Cannabis
Legalization Bill

The bill, sponsored by Senator Anna Wishart, would permit patients living with various conditions that make them eligible for the medical cannabis program to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana from licensed dispensaries in the state. However, it would not permit patients to smoke cannabis.

Members of the Judiciary Committee passed the legislation in a 5 to 2 vote, which allowed them to advance the measure to the legislature for consideration.

Sen. Adam Morfeld and Sen. Wishart have been champions of marijuana reform for quite a while now. Last year, the two senators announced that while this legislation was a fairly limited measure to legalize medical cannabis in the state, they would continue working on putting the question of legalization of adult use marijuana before voters in the state in 2021.

The pair’s campaign, dubbed Nebraskans for Medical Cannabis, is also gathering signatures for a medical marijuana legalization measure that they plan to place on next year’s ballot. This will not be the first time the group has attempts this. Last year, the group qualified a proposal to legalize medical cannabis on the 2020 ballot. However, the state’s Supreme Court hindered the proposal’s progression, citing concerns with a single-subject issue.

Steve Lathrop, chair of the Judiciary Committee, voted in favor of the latest medical marijuana legislation, noting that it was a superior vehicle for marijuana reform in comparison with the measure that would be placed on the voter’s ballot.

If reform activists gather enough signatures to qualify either the recreational or medical marijuana measure, they could still face problems at the polls, as mid-terms voting generally has lower turnouts in comparison with presidential elections.

In spite of this, the driving momentum for reform through the voter’s ballot may encourage legislators to pass medical marijuana legislations such as Wishart’s measure for the time being.

Source: cannabiswire.com

 

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#### Press Release ####################

Chesswood Announces the Merger of its Blue Chip Leasing
Subsidiary with Vault Credit Corporation

TORONTO  CNW/ - Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood" or the "Company") (TSX: CHW), a North American commercial equipment finance provider for small and medium-sized businesses, today announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to merge its subsidiary Blue Chip Leasing Corporation with Vault Credit Corporation (Vault Group of Companies' leasing division), increasing the scale of its equipment finance business in Canada. The combined entity will be managed by Daniel Wittlin and Vault's senior management team. The merger will result in Chesswood holding a controlling 51% ownership interest in a newly created corporation which wholly-owns each of Blue Chip and Vault.

Ryan Marr, Chesswood's President and CEO, said, "The merger of Blue Chip and Vault is immediately accretive to earnings and increases Chesswood's net receivables portfolio in Canada to an estimated $270 million. This combination will leverage our fixed cost base for new originations and allow us to better serve our customers and origination partners with technology to grow in the Canadian marketplace."

Vault's CEO Daniel Wittlin commented: "I am excited to be working with Chesswood again to continue the expansion of its Canadian equipment leasing operations. We began six years ago with the Blue Chip brand and have further enhanced the operating model with Vault. Partnering with Chesswood combines Vault's origination capability with Chesswood's strong balance sheet."

The proposed Vault merger is expected to close early in the second quarter and is subject to final consent from Chesswood's syndicate of lenders. In addition to Vault's beneficial shareholders receiving 49% ownership in the newly formed holding company, they will also be granted 1,600,000 special warrants that are exchangeable into Chesswood common shares, vesting quarterly over three years.

A beneficial shareholder of Vault holds more than 10% of the outstanding common shares of Chesswood. As a result, the proposed Blue Chip – Vault merger is a related party transaction for purposes of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security holders in Special Transactions. The proposed merger is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of such Multilateral Instrument because the value of the transaction and the transaction consideration in respect of such beneficial shareholder are below 25% of Chesswood's market capitalization. The proposed merger was unanimously approved by Chesswood's directors (each of whom is unrelated to Vault and its beneficial shareholders).

Under the merger, the shares of Blue Chip and the shares of the corporation which owns Vault will be acquired by the new holding corporation. Closing of the proposed merger is subject to approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange for the granting of the special warrants and the settlement of definitive amendments with Chesswood's lenders.

ABOUT VAULT CREDIT CORPORATION
Vault is a financial services company dedicated to delivering a variety of credit products to meet the diverse needs of its originator partners and borrowers. Vault, which is one of the companies in the Vault Group of Companies, specializes in equipment leases and commercial loans allowing for customizable financing solutions. Vault serves small to medium businesses across Canada and caters to a wide spectrum of credit tiers, equipment types and industries. Vault has industry-leading service levels with experienced underwriters and account administrators. Vault is led by an experienced management team overseen by Daniel Wittlin with a growing net receivables portfolio of more than $160MM.

ABOUT CHESSWOOD
Through three wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada, Chesswood Group Limited is North America's only publicly-traded commercial equipment finance company focused on small and medium-sized businesses. Our Colorado-based Pawnee Leasing Corporation, founded in 1982, finances a highly diversified portfolio of commercial equipment leases and loans through relationships with over 600 independent brokers in the U.S. Based in Houston, Texas, Tandem Finance Inc. provides equipment financing to small and medium-sized businesses in the U.S. through the equipment vendor channel. In Canada, Blue Chip Leasing Corporation has been originating and servicing commercial equipment leases and loans since 1996, and today operates through a nationwide network of more than 50 independent brokers. Based in Toronto, Canada, Chesswood's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CHW.

Learn more at: www.Chesswoodgroup.com www.PawneeLeasing.com www.TandemFinance.com and www.BlueChipLeasing.com

#### Press Release ###########################

 

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Watch at Home:
Fernando's Reviews

Romantic comedies, emotional dramas and fantasy worlds abound in the latest batch of restored classics from the dedicated folks at Criterion. Revisit them, or discover them for the first time.

Celine and Julie Go Boating (Jacques Rivette, 1974): One of the most unique and delightful of all movies, this comic fantasy from the great French filmmaker Jacques Rivette is at long last available for home viewing. Celine (Julie Berto) and Julie (Dominique Labourier) are young Parisian kooks who strike an impulsive friendship that finds them trying on new identities like eccentric hats. Stepping in a fantastic realm of their own, they envision a supposedly haunted house with a young girl kept prisoner within, and take it upon themselves to rescue her. A simple synopsis doesn’t do justice to the film’s unpredictable shifts in tone and disarming blend of the quotidian and the fanciful. Though a sprawling watch at over three hours, Rivette’s sublime, genre-blurring masterpiece flies by. With subtitles.

Defending Your Life (Albert Brooks, 1991): Celebrated for his acerbic wit, writer-director Albert Brooks (“Lost in America”) dives into romantic territory with this clever celestial comedy. Brooks stars as Daniel Miller, an advertising executive who meets the fatal end of a bus on his 39th birthday and finds himself in Judgment City, an unearthly realm where his past actions are judged while scenes from his life are screened. He’s defended by Bob Diamond (Rip Torn, in a scene-stealing turn), who scans his client’s life in vain for evidence of courage. While waiting for his trial, Daniel falls for another recently departed soul, Julia (Meryl Streep), who seems to be headed the opposite direction from him. Serving his wry philosophy in a more crowd-pleasing plot, this is one of Brooks’ warmest films.

History Is Made at Night (Frank Borzage, 1937): “Souls are made great through love and adversity.” So liked to say Frank Borzage, one of the screen’s pioneering romantics and director of this dazzling blend of melodrama, comedy, and lyricism. While trying to get away from her dour ex-husband, Irene (Jean Arthur) meets Paul (Charles Boyer), the elegant headwaiter at a Parisian restaurant. They fall madly in love, but Irene’s jealous former flame (Colin Clive) is ready to go to murderous extremes to ensure that she remains by his side. Building up to a climax that pits the couple’s love against a shipwreck and clearly influenced “Titanic,” this is a one-of-a-kind, unfairly forgotten gem that should remind modern viewers why Hollywood was originally known as the Dream Factory.

Secrets & Lies (Mike Leigh, 1996): Always a masterful chronicler of human lives, British director Mike Leigh reached one of his artistic pinnacles with this piercing mosaic of interlocked relationships. Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is a Black optometrist who, in the wake of her adopted parents’ death, sets out to track down her real mother. Her search leads to Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn), a white factory worker who at first denies the claim but eventually admits the truth as the two women get to know each other. Bringing Hortense into the family proves to be a painful process, especially as it opens up wounds in an already fragile clan. With a confident touch that accumulates poignancy as well as tension, Leigh and his superb cast fill the screen with complex, three-dimension characters.

World of Wong Kar-Wai: A master of cinema, Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai has an unmistakable style of sinuous rhythms, lush hues, immaculate soundtracks, and tangible sensuality. Seven of his best works are included in this deluxe Criterion set, starting with his kinetic 1988 debut “As Tears Go By.” Both it and “Days of Being Wild” (1990) are underworld sagas displaying an intense romanticism, a romanticism amply evident in his 1994 international breakthrough, “Chungking Express.” The follow-ups, “Fallen Angels” (1995) and “Happy Together” (1997), build on his blend of giddiness and melancholy. That blend reaches its apotheosis in “In the Mood for Love” (2000) and “2046” (2004), masterful ruminations on romance and memory. In a time when too many films settle for grayness, take a dive into Wong’s ripe cinematic colors. With subtitles.

Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler & Pointer Mix
Lincoln, Nebraska   Adopt-a-Dog

Monna

Female
10 months old
38 lbs.
Vaccinations Up to Date
Spayed
Prefers a Home without Children
Adoption Fee: $100.00

Honna is such a cutie. She is a sweet girl that is looking for an experienced owner that is familiar with cattle dogs. Honna is a very active pup that will need daily exercise to wear her out so that she does not become destructive. Honna is a very vocal dog that loves to voice her opinion so she would not do well in an apartment setting. Honna was surrendered to the shelter because she was nipping at people. This is a typical heeler trait but can be controlled through training. We ask that she goes to a home with no kids. When meeting another dog her size, Honna was very playful but played rough. We ask that she meets all dogs prior to adoption but would do best with a larger dog that she could wrestle with.

We are also asking for possible adopters to find an IN-HOME trainer as she has some behavioral quirks she expresses once in a home. Primary Color: Brown Secondary Color: White Weight. 38 lbs., 10 months Age. Animal has been Spayed.

Honna - Call 402-441-4490 to Make an Appointment

Capital Humane Society
Pieloch Pet Adoption Center
6500 S. 70th Street Lincoln, NE 68516
 (402) 441-4488 ext.1

Monday: 3:00-7:30 pm
Tuesday-Friday: 11:30 am-7:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 am-5:30 pm
(Animal interactions end 1/2 hour before close)

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Ken Lubin Podcast : Tech Interview
Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA

Tech Series
A Conversation with Barbara Humpton
Chief Executive Officer
Siemens, USA

In this episode of the Tech Series podcast, Ken Lubin talks with Siemens USA's CEO, Barbara Humpton. Among other topics, they discuss how Siemens views the process of digital transformation and how to move to a data-driven footing in any industry. While COVID-19 has undoubtedly meant loss throughout much of the world, she talks about how it forced Siemens to think more locally and flexibly and may have even ushered in a new era of empowerment. Humpton shares her thoughts on how data can change how you conceive of your business, whether that's manufacturing, engineering, or logistics solutions. She shares how her team balances big-picture problems like climate change with near-term requirements like quarterly earnings and tells Ken why her team no longer goes through the "business theater" of annual performance reviews but stays focused on growth instead.

Podcast link:
https://www.theultimatehire.com/post/tech-interview-series-barbara-humpton-ceo-of-siemens-usa

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin

News Briefs---

Bezos supports Biden's infrastructure push,
    backs corporate tax rate hike
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/bezos-supports-biden-s-infrastructure-push-backs-corporate-tax-rate-n1263220

Jamie Dimon annual letter: How remote work
    will change JPMorgan Chase, for better or worse
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/07/jamie-dimon-letter-how-remote-work-will-change-jpmorgan.html

Ontario issues stay-at-home order
    for 14M residents
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/04/07/ontario-issues-stay-at-home-order-for-14m-residents/

Aaron Rodgers has a crazy plan: QB explains how
    he could host 'Jeopardy!' full-time while still playing in NFL
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-has-a-crazy-plan-qb-explains-how-he-could-host-jeopardy-full-time-while-still-playing-in-nfl/

A tight housing market is getting even tighter
    Higher prices and fiercer bidding wars will likely follow
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/tight-housing-market-getting-even-tighter

 

 

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You May Have Missed---

 

 

Shorter version
https://twitter.com/i/status/1379182366007160837

 

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Sports Briefs---

Tiger Woods was driving over 80 mph,
    nearly twice the speed limit, before he crashed
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-07/la-county-sherriff-says-speeding-caused-tiger-woods-crash

U.S. considering boycott of 2022 Beijing Olympics
    over China’s human rights abuses
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2021-04-06/us-considers-boycott-2022-olympics?utm_id=26771&sfmc_id=1646692

NFL power rankings: 2021 offseason post-free agency edition
https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/2021/04/01/nfl-power-rankings-2021-post-free-agency-edition/4830703001/

San Francisco 49ers sign Modesto native
     Nate Sudfeld to join quarterback room
https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article250505344.html#storylink=topdigest_latest

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California Nuts Briefs---

Governor Newsom Outlines the State’s Next Step in the
    COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery, Moving Beyond the Blueprint
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/04/06/governor-newsom-outlines-the-states-next-step-in-the-covid-19-pandemic-recovery-moving-beyond-the-blueprint/

California to Test Whether Big Batteries
    Can Stop Summer Blackouts
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-01/to-avoid-blackouts-california-s-installing-more-big-batteries-than-all-of-china

COVID economy: Fairmont San Jose owners
     gain court wins, hotel case moves ahead
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/04/07/covid-economy-fairmont-san-jose-bankrupt-hotel-court-wins-real-estate/

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“Gimme that Wine”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Launches
     the California Zinfandel Trail
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=243811

Bollinger Champagne Owners Buy Oregon's Ponzi Vineyards
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/bollinger-champagne-owners-buy-oregons-ponzi-vineyards

Wine Bar Owner Is Santa Barbara County’s
   First COVID-19 Defier to Be Criminally Charged
https://www.independent.com/2021/04/06/wine-bar-owner-is-first-person-in-santa-barbara-county-to-be-criminally-charged-for-covid-19-violations/

Free Wine App
https://www.nataliemaclean.com/mobileapp/

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
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This Day in History

      1726 – Birthday of Lewis Morris (d. 1798) at Westchester County, NY.  Signer of the Declaration of Independence.  He purchased the first tract of land in The Bronx that became the basis for his Morrisania Manor, much of which is still the Morrisania section of The Bronx.  All of the Morris property and nearly all of his wealth had been destroyed in the Revolution.  Morris should have left Congress to ward off an impending British attack on New York which, by the end of June, had not occurred. Instead, Morris was on hand to sign the Declaration, even though he knew that a large British army had landed within a few miles of his estate, that their armed ships were lying within cannon shot of his homestead, and that his extensive possessions would probably be pillaged. "Damn the consequences, give me the pen," Morris is said to have shouted. Soon after, more than a thousand acres of woodland, all located on navigable water, were burned, his house was ransacked, his family driven away, his livestock captured, his domestics and tenants dispersed, and the entire property laid to waste and ruined. For the next six years, he and his family suffered many privations, until the evacuation of New York City. Early in 1777, he relinquished his seat in Congress to his half-brother, Gouverneur, on which occasion that body passed a resolution complimenting him and his colleagues "for their long and faithful services." http:www.lewismorris.com/
    1731 - William Williams (d. 1811) was born at Lebanon, CT.  Signer of the Declaration of Independence.  http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/williams.htm
    1823 - Marines chased pirates east of Havana, Cuba.
    1832 - Some 300 American troops of the 6th Infantry left Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, to confront the Sauk Indians in what would become known as the Black Hawk War.
    1834 - Previously, mayors had been chosen by a board of the Common Council but the first city mayor was elected in New York City when Cornelius Van Wyck Lawrence, a Democrat, defeated Gulian Crommelin Verplanack, a Whig, in the three-day election which ended April 10.  There were 34,988 votes cast, of which 17,573 were for Lawrence, 17,393 for Verplanck, and 22 for others.  Seven other municipal officers were also elected.
    1855 - Stonemasons were laying the foundation of Ft. Point in San Francisco. Massive granite blocks were coming from Monterey for the construction. A top tourist destination today.
    1865 - General Robert E. Lee's retreat was cut off near Appomattox Court House. Lee requested to meet with General Ulysses Grant to discuss possible surrender.
    1872 - The "Father of Canadian Rodeo," O. Raymond Knight (d. 1947) was born at Payson, UT. His father, the Utah mining magnate Jesse Knight, founded the town of Raymond, Alberta in 1901. In 1902, Raymond produced Canada's first rodeo, "Raymond Stampede." He also built rodeo's first grandstand and first chute in 1903.
    1873 - Alfred Paraf of New York City, who organized the Oleo-Margarine Manufacturing Company, obtained a patent on his process for purifying and separating fats.  In 1886, Congress imposed a tax regarding the manufacturer, importing and exporting of oleomargarine.  In 1877, New York enacted “an act for protection of dairymen and to prevent deception in sales of butter.”
    1886 - Alice Throckmorton McLean (d. 1968) was born in NYC.  She was president of the American Women's Voluntary Services in World War II with a working membership of more than 325,000 who did everything from selling bonds to teaching, to mechanical work, to air raid defense management.  Her mother was one of the founders of the day nursery school movement. (Studied the British, Finnish, and Swiss volunteer organizations and founded the AWVS in 1940 as a private organization.)  At first, no one knew what to do with the organization since the U.S. was still at peace, there was a prevailing belief of isolationism among many politicians, and, of course, women were thought to be worthless except as mothers and housekeepers. The AWVS gave first aid classes and women joined by the thousands. They were involved in defense photography, map reading, child care, workshop, conservation, salvage, canteens, rehabilitation and motor transport, even fruit pickers. They sold a billion dollars’ worth of War Bonds. They took photographs of men and women in the service for their families back home, made and reconditioned clothing for children and babies, and chauffeured almost 400 military cars. They knew what to do even if the politicians didn't.  
    1892 – “America’s Sweetheart,” Mary Pickford (d. 1979) was born in Toronto, Canada.  She is widely recognized as the world’s first movie star and acted in such films as “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” “Pollyanna,” and “Poor Little Rich Girl.”  With Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Griffith and her second husband, Douglas Fairbanks, she founded United Artists.  She was also one of the original 39 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  She was awarded the Oscar for Best Actress, the second ever, for “Coquette” (1929).
    1904 - Hirsch Jacobs (d. 1970), thoroughbred trainer and owner, was born at New York, New York.  Jacobs became a trainer in 1923 and was particularly adept at selecting horses in claiming races.  He saddled 3,596 winners and earned $15,340,354.  In 1958, Hirsch Jacobs was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.  
    1909 - Birthday of novelist John Fante (d. 1983) in Denver.
http://www.canongate.net/people/pep.taf?_p=2154
    1912 - Sonja Henie (d. 1969), Olympic gold medal figure skater, was born at Oslo, Norway. Henie competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics when she was just 11 but finished last in ladies' singles. She won gold medals at the Winter Games of 1928, 1932 and 1936. She became a professional skater and an actress “Sun Valley Serenade.”
    1913 – The 17th Amendment was ratified and established the popular election of Senators by the people of the states. The amendment supersedes Article 1, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures. It also alters the procedure for filling vacancies in the Senate, allowing for state legislatures to permit their governors to make temporary appointments until a special election can be held. The advent and popularity of primary elections during the last decade of the 19th century and the early 20th century, and a string of senatorial scandals, most notably involving William Lorimer, an Illinois political boss in 1909, forced the Senate to end its resistance to a constitutional amendment requiring direct popular election of senators.
    1918 - A big spring snowstorm buried the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia with 34 inches of snow at Wardensville, 30 inches at Moorefield, and 29 inches at Romney.
    1918 – Former First Lady, Betty Ford, was born Elizabeth Ann Bloomer (d. 2011), Chicago.  The wife of the 38th President, Gerald Ford, she spoke out openly on social issues, was a strong women’s advocate and supported legalized abortion.  She used her 1974 mastectomy to educate women on breast cancer and, after her struggles with alcohol and prescription drug addictions, she opened an addiction center for treatment.  The Betty Ford Center opened in 1982 and remains one of the nation’s premier treatment centers.
    1919 - A tornado swarm in northern Texas resulted in the deaths of 64 persons
    1921 - Guitarist Leroy Holmes born Woodbine, FL
    1922 - Singer Carmen McRae (d. 1994) birthday, Harlem.  Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable.  McRae drew inspiration from Billie Holiday but established her own distinctive voice. She went on to record more than 60 albums, enjoying a rich musical career, performing and recording in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
http://www.ddg.com/LIS/InfoDesignF96/Ismael/jazz/1950/McRae.html
http://www.gallery41.com/JazzArtists/CarmenMcRae.htm
    1926 - The lightning-set oil depot fire near San Luis Obispo, CA boiled over and engulfed 900 acres. Many tornado vortices resulted from the intense heat of the fire. One such tornado traveled 1000 yards, picked up a house and carried it 150 feet, killing the two occupants inside.
    1933 - Broadway lyricist Fred Ebb (d. 2004) was born in NYC. He is best known for the musical "Cabaret," which opened in New York in November, 1966 and ran for 1,166 performances. The original cast included Joel Grey, Jill Haworth and Lotte Lenya. Grey reprised his role in the 1972 film version of "Cabaret," which also starred Liza Minelli. The film won a number of Oscars.
    1935 - Congress approved the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help relieve the economic hardship of the Great depression.   http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr08.html
    1939 - The first Intercollegiate Rodeo was held at historic Godshall Ranch, Apple Valley, CA. The student cowboys and cowgirls, who hailed from California and Arizona colleges and universities, were assisted by world champion professional cowboys including Harry Carey, Dick Foran, Curley Fletcher, Tex Ritter and Errol Flynn from Hollywood. Collegiate rodeos had been held since 1919 at Texas A&M University. College cowboys and cowgirls organized a national association in Texas in 1949 named National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, which continues today as the only national college rodeo organization.
    1943 - Wendell Willkie’s "One World" was published for the first time. In less than two months, sales reached a million copies.  In 1940, he lost the presidential race to Franklin D. Roosevelt by almost five million votes.
    1945 - CREWS, JOHN R., Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company F, 253d Infantry, 63d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Lobenbacherhof, Germany, 8 April 1945. Entered service at: Bowlegs, Okla. Birth: Golden, Okla. Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 8 April 1945 near Lobenbacherhof, Germany. As his company was advancing toward the village under heavy fire, an enemy machinegun and automatic rifle with rifle support opened upon it from a hill on the right flank. Seeing that his platoon leader had been wounded by their fire, S/Sgt. Crews, acting on his own initiative, rushed the strongpoint with 2 men of his platoon. Despite the fact that 1 of these men was killed and the other was badly wounded, he continued his advance up the hill in the face of terrific enemy fire. Storming the well-dug-in position single-handedly, he killed 2 of the crew of the machinegun at pointblank range with his M 1 rifle and wrested the gun from the hands of the German whom he had already wounded. He then with his rifle charged the strongly emplaced automatic rifle. Although badly wounded in the thigh by crossfire from the remaining enemy, he kept on and silenced the entire position with his accurate and deadly rifle fire. His actions so unnerved the remaining enemy soldiers that 7 of them surrendered and the others fled. His heroism caused the enemy to concentrate on him and permitted the company to move forward into the village.
    1946 - James Augustus ("Catfish") Hunter (d. 1999), Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, born at Hertford, NC.   Hunter was the first pitcher since 1915 to win 200 career games by the age of 31.  He was also considered the first big-name free agent. After a contract violation on an annuity by Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley in 1974, Hunter won arbitration in December and he was allowed to leave the Athletics as a free agent.  Hunter's statistics while he was with the Athletics were impressive: four consecutive years with at least 20 wins, and four World Series wins without a loss.  Two weeks after he won his arbitration, Hunter became the highest-paid player in baseball when he signed a five-year contract with the New York Yankees, worth $3.35 million.  For his career, he was a member of five World Series champions.  He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in his early 50s. He died of the disease about a year after his diagnosis.
    1949 - What television does today, radio did in 1949, drawing our full attention to three-year-old Kathy Fiscus of San Marino, CA.  While playing, she fell into an abandoned well pipe 14 inches wide and 120 feet deep. Rescue workers toiled for two days while national attention was focused on the tragedy. Her body was recovered Apr 10, 1949. An alarmed nation suddenly became attentive to other abandoned wells and similar hazards, and "Kathy Fiscus laws" were enacted in a number of places requiring new safety measures to prevent recurrence of such an accident.
    1950 - J.D. Salinger's story “For Esme—For Love and Squalor” appears in the New Yorker magazine.
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/salinger.htm
    1952 - President Harry S. Truman seized control of the nation's steel mills by presidential order in an attempt to prevent a shutdown by strikers. On Apr 29, a US District Court declared the seizure unconstitutional and workers immediately walked out. Production dropped from 300,000 tons a day to less than 20,000. After 53 days the strike ended on July 24, with steelworkers receiving a 16¢ hourly wage raise plus a 5.4¢ hourly increase in fringe benefits.
    1954 - Top Hits
“Wanted” - Perry Como
“Cross Over the Bridge” - Patti Page
“A Girl, A Girl” - Eddie Fisher
“Slowly” - Webb Pierce
    1955 - The first Medal of Honor to a helicopter pilot was conferred posthumously upon Lieutenant (j.g.) John Kelvin Koelsch of Hudson, NY.   On July 3, 1951, Koelsch and Aviation Machinist Mate George M. Neal volunteered to rescue James V. Wilkins from North Korea.  They took off in a helicopter without fighter escort.  The helicopter was shot down and the three men were captured a few days later.  Koelsch died of malnutrition and dysentery in a Korean prisoner-of-war camp on October 16, 1951.
    1956 - The Johnny Burnette Trio makes its TV debut, performing "Train Kept A-Rollin'," on ABC's Ted Mack's Amateur Hour. They will appear two more times on the show, but never win.
    1957 - Buddy Holly records "Words of Love," "Mailman, Bring Me No More Blues."
    1962 - Top Hits
“Johnny Angel” - Shelley Fabares
“Good Luck Charm” - Elvis Presley
“Slow Twistin'” - Chubby Checker
“She's Got You” - Patsy Cline
    1963 - Steve Brooks became only the fifth race jockey to ride 4,000 career winners.
    1963 - The 35th Annual Academy Awards at Santa Monica's Civic Auditorium (Los Angeles). Frank Sinatra hosted.  Seven Oscars including the #1 award for Best Picture went to "Lawrence of Arabia" (Sam Spiegel, producer).  The epic production earned Oscars for David Lean (Best Director); Freddie Young (Best Cinematography/Color); John Box, John Stoll, and Dario Simoni (Best Art Direction/Set Decoration/Color); John Cox with Shepperton SSD (Best Sound); Anne V. Coates (Best Film Editing); Maurice Jarre (Best Music/Score - Substantially Original).  Films of 1962 included "The Manchurian Candidate,” "Mutiny on the Bounty," "Walk on the Wild Side," "The Longest Day," "The Music Man," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," "Birdman of Alcatraz," and "Taras Bulba." Those that won the top awards other than "Lawrence of Arabia" were "To Kill a Mockingbird" (Best Actor - Gregory Peck; Best Art Direction/Set Decoration/Black-and-White - Alexander Golitzen, Henry Bumstead, Oliver Emert; Best Writing/Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium - Horton Foote); "The Miracle Worker" (Best Actress - Anne Bancroft, Best Supporting Actress - Patty Duke); "Sweet Bird of Youth" (Best Supporting Actor - Ed Begley); and "Days of Wine and Roses" [title song] (Best Music/Song: - Henry Mancini (music), Johnny Mercer lyrics). http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0148906.html
    1963 - John and Cynthia Lennon become the proud parents of a baby boy who they name Julian, after John's late mother, Julia. The lad would grow up to have a music career of his own, scoring Top Ten hits with "Valotte" (#9 in 1984) and "Too Late for Goodbyes" (#5 in 1985).
    1964 - The Supremes record "Where Did Our Love Go."
    1965 – Sixteen-year-old Lawrence Bradford of NYC became the first black page appointed by the Senate.
    1966 - In the last of a series of moves to abolish poll taxes, a three-judge federal court at Jackson, MS, outlawed Mississippi's $2 poll tax as a voting requirement for state and local elections.
    1966 - At the Astrodome, the Astros and Dodgers play baseball's first game on synthetic grass. Thanks to the Monsanto chemical company, who proposed using an experimental playing surface of nylon grass, the plan to play on an all-dirt field, necessitated by the need to paint the dome's glass panes to reduce the glare which prevented natural grass from growing, was alleviated by the use of 'Astro Turf.'
    1966 - The Beatles, "Got To Get You into My Life.”
    1966 - In San Francisco, The Jefferson Airplane opened at California Hall on Polk Street.
    1967 - *MICHAEL, DON LESLIE, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 1 73d Airborne Brigade.  Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 April 1967. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 31 July 1947, Florence, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Michael, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. Sp4c. Michael was part of a platoon which was moving through an area of suspected enemy activity. While the rest of the platoon stopped to provide security, the squad to which Sp4c. Michael was assigned moved forward to investigate signs of recent enemy activity. After moving approximately 125 meters, the squad encountered a single Viet Cong soldier. When he was fired upon by the squad's machine gunner, other Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons from a well-concealed bunker to the squad's right front. The volume of enemy fire was so withering as to pin down the entire squad and halt all forward movement. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sp4c. Michael exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, but failed to eliminate the enemy position. From his position on the left flank, Sp4c. Michael maneuvered forward with 2 more grenades until he was within 20 meters of the enemy bunkers, when he again exposed himself to throw 2 grenades, which failed to detonate. Undaunted, Sp4c. Michael made his way back to the friendly positions to obtain more grenades. With 2 grenades in hand, he again started his perilous move towards the enemy bunker, which by this time was under intense artillery fire from friendly positions. As he neared the bunker, an enemy soldier attacked him from a concealed position. Sp4c. Michael killed him with his rifle and, in spite of the enemy fire and the exploding artillery rounds, was successful in destroying the enemy positions. Sp4c. Michael took up pursuit of the remnants of the retreating enemy. When his comrades reached Sp4c. Michael, he had been mortally wounded. His inspiring display of determination and courage saved the lives of many of his comrades and successfully eliminated a destructive enemy force. Sp4c. Michael's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
    1968 - The Beatles went gold again, receiving a gold record for the single, "Lady Madonna."
    1968 - Petula Clark's first (and only) TV special, entitled simply “Petula,” airs on NBC, featuring guest star Harry Belafonte performing a duet on an antiwar song she'd written called "On The Path Of Glory." During taping, Clark had reached out to touch Belafonte's arm in a spontaneous gesture, causing the show's sponsor Chrysler to protest, fearing the interracial contact would upset viewers in the American south. As a result, the show is infamous even before it airs: Petula and the show's executive producer, her husband Claude Wolff, respond to the pressure by having all other takes of the duet destroyed so that the gesture would have to be aired. It was, historically, the first interracial contact to be broadcast on American television. (Director Steve Binder would go on to helm Elvis Presley's "'68 Comeback Special" later that year.)
    1969 – The Montreal Expos, a National League expansion team, played their first regular season game, beating the New York Mets, 10-9, at NY's Shea Stadium.  The Expos finished the year in sixth place in the NL East with a record of 52-110. They won their first division title in the strike-shortened 1994 season.  The aftermath of the 1994 strike, during which season the Expos were in first place, initiated a downward spiral as the Expos chose to sell off their best players, and attendance and interest in the team declined.  Major League Baseball purchased the team prior to the 2002 season after the club failed to secure funding for a new ballpark. In their final two seasons, the team played 22 home games each year in Puerto Rico. On September 29, 2004, MLB announced the franchise would relocate to Washington, D.C. for the 2005 season, becoming the Nationals, and the Expos played their final home game in Montreal.   
    1969 - Neil Diamond becomes the first performer to sell out the Forum in Los Angeles for nine nights consecutively.
    1970 - LITTRELL, GARY LEE, Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Advisory Team 21, 11 Corps Advisory Group. place and date: Kontum province, Republic of Vietnam, 4-8 April 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 26 October 1944, Henderson, Ky. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SFC. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except SFC. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, SFC Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by SFC. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. SFC. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by SFC. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.
    1970 - Top Hits
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” - Simon & Garfunkel
“Let It Be” - The Beatles
“Instant Karma (We All Shine On)” - John Ono Lennon
“Tennessee Bird Walk” - Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan
    1971 - New York City changed the “Sport of Kings” irrevocably by opening the nation's first off-track betting system.  Horseplayers were now able to patronize OTB parlors throughout the five boroughs instead of going to the track to place their wagers.
    1971 – “Chicago” became the first rock group to play Carnegie Hall in New York City. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Chicago scored big with these hits: "Make Me Smile," "25 or 6 to 4," "Saturday in the Park," "Old Days," "Baby, What a Big Surprise," "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and many others.
    1973 - Gilbert O'Sullivan scored his second UK #1 with "Get Down." It reached #7 in the US.
    1974 - Henry (“Hammerin' Hank”) Aaron hit the 715th home run of his career, breaking the Major League record set by Babe Ruth. Playing for the Atlanta Braves, Aaron broke the record at Atlanta in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his career in 1976 with a total of 755 home runs. This record remains unbroken, save for the PED-enhanced record of Barry Bonds. At the time of his retirement, Aaron also held records for first in RBIs, second in at-bats and runs scored and third in base hits.
    1974 - Elton John earns another gold record. "Bennie and the Jets" has John smiling even more as it's a big hit on the R&B charts as well.
    1975 - After a weeklong mission to South Vietnam, Gen. Frederick Weyand, U.S. Army Chief of Staff and former Vietnam commander, reports to Congress that South Vietnam cannot survive without additional military aid.
    1975 - Frank Robinson became the manager of the Cleveland Indians and the first Black manager of a Major League team.  Robinson hit a home run in his first at bat as the Indians' designed hitter, and Cleveland beat the New York Yankees 5-3.
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cle/history/cle_history_ti
meline.jsp?period=4
http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/rob
inson_frank.htm
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/mgrtmci.shtml
    1975 - Minnie Riperton receives her only gold record for "Lovin' You," her recent Number One record.
    1975 - "The Godfather: Part II" won half of the top six awards at the 47th Annual Academy Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. It won for Best Picture: (Francis Ford Coppola, Gray Frederickson, Fred Roos, producers); Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola); and Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro); plus Best Writing/Screenplay Adapted from Other Material (Francis Coppola, Mario Puzo); Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Dean Tavoularis, Angelo P. Graham, George Nelson; and Best Music/Original Dramatic Score (Nino Rota, Carmine Coppola). The other three crowd- pleaser awards went to Best Actor Art Carney for his "Harry and Tonto" role; Best Actress Ellen Burstyn for her part in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore;" Ingrid Bergman as Best Supporting Actress in "Murder on the Orient Express." Hosts Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, and Frank Sinatra livened up the party, even though murder, intrigue and disaster were in the run. The award for Best Music/Song went to Al Kasha & Joel Hirschhorn for "We May Never Love Like This Again" from the "Towering Inferno." "Inferno" also won for Best Cinematography (Fred J. Koenekamp, Joseph F. Biroc) and Best Film Editing (Harold F. Kress & Carl Kress); while Best Sound went to "Earthquake" (Ronald Pierce and Melvin M. Metcalfe, Sr.) and Robert Towne's "Chinatown" won for Best Writing/Original Screenplay.http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0149298.html
    1978 - Top Hits
“Night Fever” - Bee Gees
“Stayin' Alive” - Bee Gees
“Lay Down Sally” - Eric Clapton
“Ready for the Times to Get Better” - Crystal Gayle
    1982 - An act of heroism was credited with holding the death toll to seven in the firestorm that engulfed the Caldecott Tunnel in the Oakland hills. When an AC Transit bus collided with a truck what was towing two trailers of gasoline in the westbound lanes, Steve Rutledge ran back to the tunnel entrance, stopping cars that would otherwise have driven into the fire. Rutledge's mother, June M. Ruthledge, tried to call for help from an emergency phone inside the tunnel and was consumed by the explosion and flames.
    1985 - The Ellie Greenwich tribute musical “Leader of the Pack” opens on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre.
    1986 - Facing Nolan Ryan of the Astros, Giant rookie Will Clark homers in his first Major League at bat.
    1986 - Top Hits
“Rock Me Amadeus” - Falco
“R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” - John Cougar Mellencamp
“Kiss” - Prince & The Revolution
“100% Chance of Rain” - Gary Morris
    1986 - It took 18 years of singing the U.S. national anthem, but on this day, at long last, baritone Robert Merrill of the Metropolitan Opera became the first person to both sing the anthem and throw out the first ball at Yankee Stadium for the Yanks’ home opener.
    1987 - For the first time in modern Major League history, two 300-game winners pitched for the same team in the same game. Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton combined their pitching talents to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 14-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.  Niekro started for the Indians and earned his 312th career victory. Carlton pitched four shutout innings of relief.
    1989 - 26-year-old David Hirsch replaced 59-year-old Dick Clark on "American Bandstand." His debut also marked "Bandstand's" move to the USA cable network from national syndication. Clark had been the host of the program for 33 years, introducing teenagers to Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five and Madonna, as well as to such dance crazes as the Twist and the Jerk. The program debuted on a Philadelphia TV station in 1952, and Clark took over in 1956, the year before "Bandstand" went on the ABC network.
    1989 - Two dozen cities in the southwest reported new record high temperatures for the date. Phoenix, Arizona hit 104 degrees which tied its record for the month of April set only the day before.
    1990 - While we celebrate birthdays, it is perhaps fitting to remember Ryan White today. This young man, born Dec 6, 1971, at Kokomo, IN, put the face of a child with AIDS and helped promote greater understanding of the disease. Ryan, a hemophiliac, contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. Banned from the public school system in Central Indiana at the age of 10, he moved with his mother and sister to Cicero, IN, where he was accepted by students and faculty alike. Ryan once stated that he only wanted to be treated as a normal teenager, but that was not to be as media attention made him a celebrity. A few days after attending the Academy Awards in 1990, 18-year-old Ryan was hospitalized and on Palm Sunday, lost his valiant fight at Indianapolis, IN. His funeral was attended by many celebrities who wanted to honor him.
    1990 - Twenty-two cities reported record low temperatures for the date as readings dipped into the 20s and 30s across much of the eastern U.S. Freezing temperatures severely damaged peach and apple orchards in West Virginia, where prolonged mild weather since January had caused an early blooming of spring vegetation. State and Federal agencies estimated a 50 percent loss in production for peaches and "Delicious Red Apples".
    1996 - The first of two late season heavy snowfalls in only three days over the northeast dumped 12 inches of snow at Slide Mountain, New York, 10.2 inches, at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and 7 inches at Falmouth, Massachusetts. The 6.1 inches at Binghamton, New York brought its seasonal snowfall total to 131.8 inches -- its snowiest winter ever.
    2000 - Santana performs at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium with people who collaborated with him on his Supernatural album including Dave Matthews, Lauryn Hill and Everlast.
    2003 - In a frigid 35-degree home opener, with the fans chanting his name, Hideki Matsui hit his first Major League home run, a grand slam into the right field bleachers. After being greeted with a warm reception in the pre-game ceremonies and a standing ovation after making a great defensive play, Godzilla receives a thunderous applause and curtain call from the sold-out Yankee Stadium crowd after his fifth inning bases-full poke against the Twins.
    2011 – The Obama Justice Department admitted and defended its probe of Wikileaks-related Twitter accounts, dismissing privacy and freedom of speech concerns.      
    2013 - Wikileaks released 1.7 million diplomatic and intelligence documents from 1973-76 when Henry Kissinger was Secretary of State.  Julian Assange worked on the project while he was inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London.
    2015 – The world’s oldest living person, Gertrude Weaver of the US dies at age 116 just five days after the death of the previous record holder, Misao Okawa of Japan, 117.

Stanley Cup Champions:
    1943 - Detroit Red Wings.