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Newmont's EVP Peter Toth sells $124,770 in common stockNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. People are also reading... The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Be the first to know
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Celebrity documentaries are commanding lofty price tags at the moment, even though “star power” itself seems to be losing its sizzle. The facts are nasty: Superstar endorsements carried zero clout in the presidential elections. Further, studios have lost their zeal for the once pivotal pre-opening star interview circuit. Superstar vehicles like Wolfs (George Clooney and Brad Pitt) drifted before audiences with limited exposure to blurbdom. Sequel numbers ( Moana 2, Gladiator II ) carry greater weight than festival fervor. Defying this algorithmic blur, Apple TV still felt its Billie Eilish caper was worth $27 million, and Disney forked out $32 million for Elton John: Never Too Late . Disney also paid handsomely for a new/old doc titled Beatles ’64 from Paul McCartney, premiering this week. Could Taylor Swift be far behind? Intriguingly, audiences still register an appetite for docs about past legends like Humphrey Bogart as well as semi-present ones like Bob Dylan — even litigating about their validity. Martha Stewart claims that director R.J. Cutler didn’t respect her “notes” on her doc Martha , for which Netflix paid seven figures. So are docs credible? Are they really “documentaries” at all? The mainstream stars of the past have always been skilled at re-invention. Famed “tough guys” like Bogart or Lee Marvin erased their true backgrounds as heirs to blue blood families, exchanging their smile for a snarl. They’ve thus managed to control their narratives. “When a star is involved in the making of their films, is it a sellout?” asks Sheila Nevins, who as HBO’s former chief of docs won myriad awards for her work. It depends on who’s in charge. An increasing number of docs rely initially on private funding, and thus usually exercise control of their facts. Matt Tyrnauer followed that route with Carville , telling a vivid personal and political story that triggered competitive bidding from distributors: CNN won over Netflix. Private funding for a doc on Kim Novak is being assembled by Sue Cameron, a credentialed columnist and producer working with director Alexander Philippe, who did a doc on Billy Friedkin. Now a gifted painter, Novak’s hits inclcuded Vertigo (1958) and Picnic (1955) and she wants to tell her own story. All this can create peril for doc directors. Cutler’s work has ranged from Marlon Brando to Anna Wintour, and he worked hard to accommodate Stewart, who has a lot to say about everything. Despite Martha’s peeves, “The lens figuratively and literally remains mine,” he insists. While celebrity docs proliferate, the market for celebrity interviews has become marginalized. Superstars are understandably confused whether their projects will play theatrically or in streamerville. The podcast and late-night TV route can be frustrating and time-consuming: Mark Ruffalo said he once spent five months promoting a film on which he’d worked five days. Actors often face contradictory demands on the interview circuit, their interviews contradicting the characters they play. Kieran Culkin ’s character is excruciatingly obnoxious in A Real Pain opposite Jesse Eisenberg, who also directs, but he’s all charm for interviews on the film, and may even nab a nomination. Bogart’s crusty personality is clearly registered in his interviews for the new doc Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes ... . It’s also key to his on-screen persona in movies like To Have and Have Not (1944). “I don’t trust any bastard who doesn’t drink — people who don’t drink are afraid of revealing themselves,” Bogart declares in the doc. Yet Kathryn Ferguson, the doc’s director, also reveals the star’s gentler and more patrician side: He married co-star Lauren Bacall after completing Have Not . A doc built around another legendary star will premiere this week. Ken Burns calls Leonardo da Vinci ”the person of the millennium” in his riveting PBS tribute. That title may be disputed when a new doc about Swift makes its debut. It has not as yet been scheduled.Share Tweet Share Share Email Mustafa Shaheen has built a 30-person development company bridging Pakistan’s tech talent with U.S. markets. Starting as a college student seeking to pay tuition through freelance work, Shaheen rejected traditional career paths to build Coder Crew, a company specializing in AI, blockchain, and full-stack development. His journey from solo developer to managing cross-cultural teams offers insights into global tech entrepreneurship, remote work innovation, and leveraging emerging market talent. In this interview, Shaheen discusses building client trust across time zones, integrating AI into enterprise solutions, and creating opportunities for tech talent in Pakistan. Mustafa Shaheen What motivated you to choose entrepreneurship over a traditional career path, especially during your college years? Growing up in a family that valued creating opportunities, I was inspired to think differently about work and success. I was taught to think about building something meaningful that could create value for others. Pakistan is a country filled with talented individuals who often face limited opportunities to showcase their skills on a global scale. This gap became clear to me during my college years, and I realized that I wanted to play a role in bridging it. A traditional 9-to-5 job or the dream of leaving Pakistan for better opportunities didn’t excite me. I felt there was so much potential right here that just needed the right direction and platform. Entrepreneurship gave me the freedom to explore ideas, collaborate with incredible talent, and make an impact that extends beyond borders. It wasn’t just about building a career—it was about creating something that could open doors for others, empower local talent, and prove that we can achieve global success while staying rooted in our community. Can you describe the specific turning points that helped transform your freelancing work into a 30-person company? Building my business from a part-time freelancing gig into a 30-person company didn’t happen overnight. It was a journey that unfolded over ten plus years, with key moments shaping the path. One turning point was realizing that delivering great results wasn’t just about completing a project—it was about building trust and relationships. When clients saw the quality of my work, they naturally referred me to others. This opened doors to bigger opportunities, allowing me to move from small $10,000 projects to jobs worth $100,000 and even million-dollar ventures. Another important shift was understanding the value of growing alongside my customers. Many of the businesses I worked with were scaling up, and by evolving with them, I became their go-to partner for more advanced solutions. This approach created a steady, sustainable path to success. Instead of chasing new clients constantly, I focused on building long-term partnerships. That mindset not only expanded my team but also allowed us to take on bigger challenges and deliver innovative projects. How do you maintain team cohesion and client satisfaction while managing a Pakistan-based team serving primarily US clients? Keeping my team cohesive and my clients happy comes down to a mix of good communication and consistent results. I focus on delivering high-quality work on time while being fully transparent with clients about progress. Clear updates, honest timelines, and regular check-ins ensure everyone stays on the same page. When clients see that we meet their expectations, it builds trust and confidence, which is key to long-term relationships. Communication is another big part of how we work. I often overlap my working hours with my US clients so they can reach me whenever they need. This makes a huge difference in solving problems quickly and keeping everything running smoothly. On top of that, I make occasional in-person visits to build stronger bonds. Meeting face-to-face, even if it’s not often, adds a personal touch to our relationships and shows clients how much we care about their success. What specific AI projects has your company developed, and how do you see AI transforming software development? Our team has been developing AI & ML based features for our client long before the hype of LLMs. Since late 2023, most of our newer requests have been around improving workflows and enhancing our customer’s tasks using AI. If we talk about LLM based products. Our team has developed several LLM-driven projects that showcase our commitment to innovation. One example is a platform that transforms webinars into comprehensive marketing content, streamlining the content creation process for businesses. Another project focuses on enhancing LinkedIn engagement by providing AI-powered tools to boost users’ presence on the platform. Additionally, we’ve collaborated with clients across various industries, including a law firm, to integrate AI solutions that improve their operations. (Names & websites redacted due to privacy of our customers, references can be provided on request) Many companies are hesitant about outsourcing development work. How do you address these concerns and demonstrate value? Outsourcing development work can feel challenging, but we address concerns with transparency, strong communication, and a focus on results. Here’s how we build trust and demonstrate value: Clear Communication: We provide detailed project roadmaps with timelines, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring clients stay informed. Data Security: Strict protocols, including end-to-end encryption and secure storage, protect sensitive information throughout the project. Regular Updates: Real-time collaboration tools and consistent check-ins keep the process smooth and responsive to client needs. High-Quality Deliverables: Our experienced team uses the latest technologies to create tailored solutions that align with client goals. Measurable Results: We focus on delivering outcomes that drive efficiency, enhance user experiences, and boost revenue, proving outsourcing can be reliable and effective. Could you share a challenging project that tested your leadership abilities and what you learned from it? One of the most challenging yet rewarding projects I worked on was with a US-based medical hospital, specifically collaborating with doctors from a leading center in Nebraska ( redacted ). The project started as a mobile app for gathering research data in the field of neurology, particularly focusing on movement disorders and strokes. Over time, the scope expanded into creating a commercial app with advanced bioinformatics capabilities. This evolution tested my leadership abilities, as the shifting vision required constant adaptation and alignment among diverse stakeholders. The main challenges included the ever-changing scope of the project and the complexities of working in a highly specialized field like Parkinson’s and tremor-related disorders. Leading a team while also guiding brilliant but non-technical clients was critical. I focused on “coaching outward,” helping the doctors understand the app development process while translating their innovative ideas into practical solutions. By learning how to mentor 360 degree, I was able to create a successful relationship that long-term partnership that led to the development of several apps. This experience taught me that leadership is about adaptability, clear communication, and fostering trust both within the team and with the client. How do you ensure effective communication and project management across different time zones? Managing projects across different time zones effectively requires clear processes and strong communication. Here’s how I handle it: Detailed Planning: Create project plans with well-defined milestones and deadlines to ensure everyone stays aligned. Project Management Tools: Use tools like shared calendars and project management software to track progress and avoid confusion. Regular Check-Ins: Schedule updates and meetings to keep everyone connected and informed about the work. Time Zone Overlap: Adjust working hours to overlap with team members or clients in different regions for real-time discussions. Messaging and Dashboards: Use messaging apps and shared dashboards for quick updates and seamless collaboration. Proactive Communication: Ensure everyone knows what’s happening and address issues promptly, regardless of location. What advantages does your company offer that distinguish it from both US-based development teams and other overseas providers? AI-Driven Solutions: We don’t just create simple wrappers for tools like ChatGPT. We build fully integrated, AI-powered solutions tailored to your product’s needs. Purposeful AI Integration: AI isn’t added for the sake of it. We focus on features that align with your business goals and enhance your product’s value. Expertise Across Technologies: Our experience spans web3, blockchain, LLMs, AI, and machine learning, allowing us to tackle a wide range of advanced projects. Proven Track Record: We’ve delivered multi-million-dollar projects, showcasing our ability to manage and execute complex, large-scale work. Dedicated Development Teams: Every client gets a dedicated team of developers, ensuring full focus and personalized attention. Value-Based Billing: We charge based on the value we deliver, not hourly rates, so you only pay for results that drive your success. By combining cutting-edge technology expertise with a client-first approach, we’ve built a reputation for delivering impactful solutions. Our commitment to quality, transparency, and measurable value sets us apart, making us a trusted partner for businesses looking to innovate and scale. How has your approach to client relationships evolved since your early freelancing days? My approach to client relationships has changed a lot since my freelancing days. Back then, it was more of a straightforward developer and client dynamic—getting tasks done and delivering projects on time. Over the years, as I worked with clients and saw their businesses grow, these relationships evolved into something deeper. Out of my first ten clients, three are still with me today. They’ve grown into full-fledged companies with teams of their own, but they still trust us with critical work. It’s not just about delivering projects anymore; it’s about being a mentor, helping guide their vision while using our skills to bring it to life. One thing that hasn’t changed is how accessible I am to my clients. No matter how much my business has grown, I’ve always stayed just a phone call away. This direct connection builds trust and ensures that they feel supported, whether it’s for a small update or a major project. For me, it’s about maintaining that personal touch, showing that even as we scale, the relationship remains as important as the work itself. What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to build global tech companies from emerging markets? For entrepreneurs looking to build global tech companies from emerging markets, my first piece of advice is to believe in yourself and your vision. Coming from an emerging market can feel challenging, but it also gives you unique strengths and perspectives. Trust your abilities and focus on creating solutions that solve real problems. The journey won’t always be easy, but confidence and persistence will help you navigate the ups and downs. Another important lesson I’ve learned is that growth happens in stages. Leading a 5-person team is different from leading 25 people. As your team grows, you’ll need to bring in more structure and organization to keep things running smoothly. Don’t rush the process—focus on building skills and systems step by step. Embrace the learning curve, and remember that every stage prepares you for the next one. Success in the global tech world is about staying adaptable and always being open to learning. 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Blame it on the food and drink?NoneS&P/TSX composite up on shorter Christmas Eve session, U.S. markets also riseNone
We will soon put 2024 in the history books, and what a year it was for the stock market. So far, the S&P 500 index has reached a new all-time high a whopping 50 times. There are multiple reasons for the rise, like a resilient economy and expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep lowering interest rates. However, perhaps the largest reason is artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiasm. Some believe that the stock market is in a bubble, or at least overextended, and there are definitely stocks that appear overvalued. However, the AI market is massive and expanding quickly, as shown below. The AI market could more than quadruple 2024 revenues by 2030, so companies (and investors) are scrambling for a piece of it. AI covers a lot of different applications, one of which is voice recognition technology. This tech communicates with people conversationally and has many applications. One of the leading companies in the field is SoundHound AI ( SOUN 12.60% ) , whose stock has rocketed 578% in 2024 as of this writing. Will this continue in 2025? SoundHound's market opportunity The financial implications of conversational speech recognition are gigantic. Order-taking at drive-thru restaurants and automated customer service will save companies vast sums of money on employee costs. Well-known companies like White Castle, Papa John's , Applebee's, and many more are testing or deploying SoundHound's tech. SoundHound just reported that Torchy's Tacos rolled out the tech at their locations. Automotive is another massive market using SoundHound. The tech accesses a vast database to answer questions like "What's the most scenic route?" "What will the weather be like in Detroit this weekend?" or "Where is a nearby Italian restaurant, and what is the fastest way to get there?" This is a significant advancement from the days of "call so and so" and "play music." I believe that voice recognition tech like this will soon be the standard at drive-thrus and automobiles. Statista predicts the market will more than double by 2030, as you can see below. Revenue is growing faster than the market for SoundHound. Is SoundHound stock a buy now? SoundHound reported an 89% year-over-year increase in revenue to $25 million in the third quarter. It also expanded its customer base significantly in 2024. The company expects sales of $82 million to $85 million for 2024, potentially doubling sales with $165 million as the guidance midpoint of 2025. The revenue growth is incredible; however, investors should note that the company is not profitable and does not produce positive cash flow from operations. This makes the stock riskier than profitable companies. SoundHound's valuation is in question after its recent epic run that saw the stock soar 171% over the past 30 days. The company trades for 33 times its potential $165 million in sales for 2025 based on its $5.5 billion market cap at the time of this writing. That is quite high for any company, let alone one that isn't profitable. Analysts put an average price target on SoundHound of $8.07, well below the current price of $14.62. I am enthusiastic about SoundHound's future and was recently high on the stock; however, investors should consider waiting for a pullback after this run.
Green is poised to help scale Mechanized AI's revolutionary technology and drive operational excellence as the company enters a phase of rapid growth. ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanized AI , a pioneer in the enterprise AI and application modernization space, proudly announces the designation of Amy Green as its new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of industry experience, Green brings a wealth of expertise in operations, professional services and technology product marketing to the trailblazing enterprise AI and application transformation startup. Her appointment underscores Mechanized AI's commitment to combining groundbreaking technology with top-tier leadership to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace. Based in Dallas , Green joins the team with an extensive background in operational management and strategic execution at Deloitte Consulting, where she built and grew the Product Engineering group within their Application Modernization & Innovation practice with Charles Wright , CEO of Mechanized AI. Prior to this, Green served on Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team, where she advised teams across the global network on bringing technology products to market and driving scalable growth. A former Executive Search Consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, Green has advised Fortune 100 clients on complex leadership challenges and recruited top executives to lead transformation at public and private organizations. Previously, Green also served as Strategic Engagement Director at AIG within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Green obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management. "Amy's deep expertise in managing world-class organizations will be critical to ensure we have the people, processes and technology in the right places to drive our operations forward," says Wright. "Her mastery of leading companies through transformation journeys and category creations will be invaluable as we roll out new products and strengthen our collaboration with strategic partners. Amy has already hit the ground running as COO and she will be a crucial asset in building a client-centric business as we position ourselves for sustainable growth." As COO, Green will oversee delivery and customer success, human resources, operations and marketing—key areas vital to Mechanized AI's ongoing success and ambitious growth objectives. She joins a veteran team of startup and consulting executives, including Aditya Muralidhar (Chief AI Officer), Matias Kreder (CTO), Ian Easton (CCO) and recently, Jenny Allen (CMO). "I'm honored to join Mechanized AI as COO and to collaborate with such a talented, passionate team in the rapidly evolving AI space," Green remarked. "Having had the privilege of working with Charles in the past, I'm confident in his ability to drive the company's vision and direction. Mechanized AI is uniquely positioned for growth and innovation, so I'm excited to help scale the organization and deliver impactful solutions that drive transformation for our clients." Launched in 2023, Mechanized AI has grown its team of experts by over 50 percent in 2024 and has locations throughout the U.S. and South America . Green's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mechanized AI expands its global operations and scales its enterprise AI and application modernization solutions across industries. About Mechanized AI: Mechanized AI was launched in 2023 to help companies unlock the power of enterprise AI and accelerate their application modernization journeys. Built and backed by a team with over four decades of combined AI/ML experience, the product suite enables end-to-end AI development and deployment and transforms traditional modernization workflows by automating complex, manual processes. The AI Factory platform is a turnkey solution to build Fortune 500-quality production AI for both enterprise and mid-market businesses. The mAI Modernize suite of products provides AI-powered code modernization for any tech stack, empowering clients to understand and modernize legacy code in hours versus months. For more information, set up a demo at Mechanized.ai , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and view open positions on our Careers page . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanized-ai-announces-expansion-of-executive-team-with-appointment-of-amy-green-as-coo-302330807.html SOURCE Mechanized AI
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