LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Valley Beth Shalom (VBS), one of the largest and most vibrant synagogues and Jewish schools in Los Angeles, has nearly completed the installation of an approximately $1.24 million solar energy project, marking a historic achievement as what could be currently considered the largest synagogue solar project in the United States. This transformative initiative underscores VBS’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and Jewish values of environmental stewardship.

A Major Step Toward Sustainability

VBS’s solar project, which includes the installation of more than 850 Q Cell rooftop solar panels by Sunistics Group, is expected to generate almost 615,000 kWh annually, reducing carbon emissions and yielding an anticipated savings of $180,000 per year. This new system is expected to offset more than 75% of VBS’s historical DWP kWh usage with a payback period of less than five years. This bold investment in clean energy aligns with the synagogue’s mission to be a leader in environmental responsibility while ensuring long-term financial sustainability for its community.

This initiative is made possible through a combination of funding sources, including a $50,000 grant from the Jewish Solar Challenge, generous individual donations, an interest-free loan from Adamah‘s Climate Action Fund, significant incentives and rebates provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for nonprofit organizations, and financing by Beneficial State Bank. These sources allowed VBS to advance this project and set a powerful example for other religious and community institutions.

A Commitment to Jewish Values and Education

VBS has long embraced the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, the responsibility to repair and protect the world. The solar panel installation not only reflects this commitment but also serves as a valuable educational tool. The VBS Early Childhood Center, Harold M. Schulweis Day School and Etz Chaim Learning Center, Valley Beth Shalom’s preeminent school offerings, will be incorporating sustainability and climate-conscious initiatives into its curriculum, ensuring that students gain a deep understanding of their role in preserving the planet for future generations. Through hands-on learning and engagement with the solar project, VBS is fostering a culture of environmental awareness and action among its youngest members.

A Model for Faith-Based Sustainability

“This solar project is a testament to VBS’s proactive leadership and dedication to sustainability,” said Matthew Weintraub, Executive Director of Valley Beth Shalom. “By harnessing solar energy, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also securing long-term financial benefits that allow us to invest more in our community, education, and religious programs. Thanks to the support of our Board of Directors, individual donors, Jewish Solar Challenge, and Adamah’s Jewish Leadership Climate Coalition, we are proud to be at the forefront of sustainable transformation in the Jewish community.”

Lifelong environmentalist and philanthropist Mitchell Schwartz, of the Jewish Solar Challenge, remarks, “Valley Beth Shalom is a forward-thinking institution. Their deep understanding and commitment to sustainable practices have made VBS a leader in the Jewish communities’ efforts to tackle climate change. We at the Jewish Solar Challenge could not find a better recipient of our grant money than Valley Beth Shalom.”

As one of the largest synagogues in the country, Valley Beth Shalom’s solar initiative sets a precedent for other faith-based organizations looking to implement sustainable energy solutions. By investing in solar power, VBS is ensuring that its campus remains a beacon of environmental consciousness, financial responsibility, and Jewish leadership for years to come.

Learn more about Valley Beth Shalom at www.vbs.org.

About the Valley Beth Shalom Synagogue in Los Angeles

VBS is a premier Conservative synagogue located at the heart of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California. Known for its commitment to fostering Jewish excellence, its tight-knit community, and renowned Jewish entertainment, VBS boasts one of the largest synagogue memberships in the country. VBS has a strong commitment to Jewish education, culture, and social action. We welcome you to learn more and become part of this special community.

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SOURCE Valley Beth Shalom (VBS)

CHICAGO, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ryerson Holding Corporation (NYSE: RYI) (“Ryerson“), a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals, announced today the election of Lt. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford, U.S. Army (Ret.), to the Ryerson Board of Directors (“Board”).

Steve Larson, Chair of the Board and the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bruce Crawford to the Ryerson Board. At Ryerson, we are committed to regularly evaluating our Board’s composition to ensure we have the right mix of backgrounds, skills, and experiences. We are confident Bruce will provide valuable perspectives as Ryerson advances on its next stage operational and financial performance targets.”

Eddie Lehner, President, CEO and Director of Ryerson, noted, “It is my pleasure to welcome Bruce to the Board. Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, and operations that, combined with his strategic expertise, will be invaluable as we continue optimizing our investments toward further improving Ryerson’s next-stage operating model and customer experience.”

Prior to joining Ryerson, General Crawford retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of Lieutenant General after serving for 34 years, culminating as the U.S. Army’s Chief Information Officer and principal enterprise IT and cybersecurity policy advisor to the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff. Before that, General Crawford served in various operational, strategic, and tactical positions in the U.S., Europe, the Pacific, and Southwest Asia. Following his transition from the Army, General Crawford served as the Chief of Innovation, Chair of the Digital Advisory Group, Director of the Global Digital Center of Excellence, and Senior Vice President for Strategic Development, Growth and Sales in the $5 billion government-focused Critical Mission Solutions division at Jacobs Solutions Inc., a provider of engineering, technical, professional, and construction services. General Crawford earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from South Carolina State University. He also holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from South Carolina State University. General Crawford serves on the Board of Directors of Foundation Risk Partners, Comtech Telecommunications Corp, the George C. Marshall International Center, and the Executive Committee of AFCEA International. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of Avalara, Inc.

About Ryerson

Ryerson is a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals, with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. Founded in 1842, Ryerson has around 4,300 employees in over 110 locations. Visit Ryerson at www.ryerson.com.

Safe Harbor Provision

Certain statements made in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, objectives, or projections relating to the future. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “objectives,” “goals,” “preliminary,” “range,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “estimates,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. The Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve significant risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Among the factors that significantly impact our business are: the cyclicality of our business; the highly competitive, volatile, and fragmented metals industry in which we operate; the impact of geopolitical events; fluctuating metal prices; our indebtedness and the covenants in instruments governing such indebtedness; the integration of acquired operations; regulatory and other operational risks associated with our operations located inside and outside of the United States; the influence of a single investor group over our policies and procedures; work stoppages; obligations under certain employee retirement benefit plans; currency fluctuations; and consolidation in the metals industry. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth above and those set forth under “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, we caution against placing undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date they were made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, new information or otherwise.

Manager – Investor Relations:

Pratham Dear 312.292.5033

investorinfo@ryerson.com

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SOURCE Ryerson Holding Corporation

ATLANTA, April 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an era where diversity initiatives face increasing challenges, the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) continues to exemplify a steadfast commitment to cultivating diverse talent in STEM fields. The AUCC’s Dual Degree Engineering Program (DDEP) stands as a beacon of this commitment, celebrating its 48th Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 26, 2025. This event honors the academic achievements and leadership of dual-degree engineering scholars from Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, highlighting their preparedness to lead in the engineering profession.

A significant highlight of the ceremony will be the awarding of over $1 million in scholarships and internships, made possible through partnerships with corporate sponsors and the organization’s nine partnering engineering institutions in Georgia and around the country. This substantial investment underscores the AUCC’s dedication to increasing diversity within the engineering field, having graduated more than 3,000 students through the DDEP since its inception nearly 60 years ago.

In 2025, the AUCC DDEP plans to continue highlighting its commitment to diversity through various initiatives:

Strengthening Corporate Partnerships: Expanding collaborations with industry leaders to provide more scholarships and internship opportunities, thereby enhancing the pipeline of diverse engineering talent.Community Engagement: Continuing organizing events and workshops that foster early interest and participation in engineering disciplines.

“Each year I am honored to have the opportunity to help prepare the mindset of future leaders in STEM, specifically, engineering. Our students continue to be among the best and brightest and it brings me joy to be able to share the academic accomplishments of our students with others at this annual event,” said Dr. Christoper G. Ellis, AUCC Senior Director, Institute for Dual Degree Engineering Advancement (IDEA).

Through these efforts, the AUCC reaffirms its unwavering dedication to nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers future leaders in engineering and beyond.

WHO: The Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Engineering Program

WHAT: 48th Annual Dual Degree Engineering Program

WHEN: Saturday, April 26th, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

WHERE: The West Venue, 1710 Defoor Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

HOW: Join our Awards Ceremony for student interviews and award presentations from our corporate sponsors and scholarship awards from our partner institutions.

Press Contact: Teresa D. Southern

Atlanta University Center Consortium- Manager of Communications, Marketing & Events

Tsouthern@aucenter.edu, 478-320-7753

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SOURCE Atlanta University Center Consortium