Combat Veteran and Global Rescue Expert Bryan Stern to Keynote 38th Annual Safety in Action® Conference
The Safety in Action® Conference announces Bryan Stern, Chairman and Founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation and a decorated combat veteran, as the keynote speaker for this year's premier safety event. A seasoned intelligence and special operations leader, Stern brings over 27 years of service, specializing in hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, emergency management, and crisis response. A Purple Heart recipient and 9/11 first responder, he has executed over 700 high-stakes missions across Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Haiti, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, Israel, and the United States, personally leading the rescue of more than 7,100 Americans and allies with his nonprofit.
Stern's frontline experience spans some of the world's most dangerous environments, from war zones to natural disasters, including missions during the Maui wildfires, Hurricane Ian, and the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in North Carolina and Florida and just recently the wildfires in California. His expertise in high-pressure decision-making, rapid response coordination, and operational leadership provides an unparalleled perspective on safety, resilience, and mission success—principles that directly translate to industrial safety environments.
'Our commitment to our attendees is to always bring fresh, transformative perspectives to workplace safety, and Bryan Stern embodies that,' says Ryan Gallagher, Senior Vice President at DEKRA North America and Executive Sponsor for the Safety in Action Conference. 'His extensive experience leading high-stakes rescue missions showcases the ultimate importance of safety protocols, team collaboration, and authentic leadership – elements that are crucial in improving safety performance.'
The 38th Annual Safety in Action Conference, designed by safety professionals for safety professionals, provides attendees with practical, actionable strategies for improving workplace safety. Stern's keynote will highlight the critical connection between leadership and team trust.
'In the most extreme environments—combat zones, disaster areas, and other high-risk operations — hazards are ever present. Safety isn't about checklists; it's about a mindset, discipline, and execution. The safety of my team and the safety of the people we rescue is paramount to our operations and success under all conditions and environments. I look forward to bringing battlefield-tested strategies to this conference to help organizations build a culture of readiness, safety, and leadership,' says Stern.
The conference continues its tradition of bringing safety enthusiasts from various industries together to network, share best practices, and learn cutting-edge solutions for today's most pressing safety challenges. For registration and additional information about the 38th Annual Safety in Action Conference, visit safetyinaction.com.
DEKRA North America protects people, assets, and our community by providing comprehensive testing, inspection, certification, and consulting services around the globe. DEKRA NORTH AMERICA is a service unit of DEKRA S.E., a global leader in safety since 1925, with nearly 48,000 employees in 60 countries across six continents.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Owners claim Maui residents can't afford converted vacation rentals, UH study says otherwise
Owners and managers of Maui short-term vacation rentals have argued during two days of public hearings that local residents cannot afford the rent if 6, 100 units are converted into long-term housing, as proposed by Mayor Richard Bissen. Residents who also testified before the Maui County Council last week in support of Bill 9 repeatedly have called the claim offensive. An economic analysis by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization backs up the residents' testimony. The analysis shows that over 11, 600 Maui households—or 21 % of all households on the island—already use 30 % of their incomes to pay for housing and could afford to move into converted units because the owners would see their tax rate fall to Maui County's lowest rate as the value of their homes continues to drop. The pool of Maui residents already paying even more of their incomes for housing is even greater. An additional 15, 500 Maui households use 30 % to 50 % of their incomes toward housing, according to the UHERO analysis, and they also could afford to rent converted vacation rentals, meaning long-term housing for a total of over 27, 100 Maui households. Matt Jachowski, one of Bissen's executive assistants, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 'Many of our households already spend that range of money on housing.' Some '27 % of all renters in the county are already cost-burdened, ' Jachowski said. 'So it's obtainable.' The Maui County Council's Housing and Land Use Committee will have to vet the competing claims when it resumes hearings all day Monday and again Tuesday night. All nine members of the Council serve on the committee, so the committee vote on Bill 9 will provide a strong indicator of how the full Council will act on the measure. If approved, Bill 9 would take effect in West Maui by July 1, 2028. The units in question represent less than half of Maui's estimated 13, 000 legal short-term vacation rentals, and Bissen previously told the Star-Advertiser that tourists remain welcome on Maui. Bissen said he wants to free up housing for local residents and bring better balance to the proportion of vacation rentals on Maui, which has more short-term vacation rentals than even Oahu. On Maui, temporary vacation rentals make up 21 % of the housing inventory. 'Maui is this complete outlier in how many TVRs we have, ' said Jachowski, noting the figure is only 3 % for London, which has the highest percentage of housing dedicated to transient vacation rentals compared to Los Angeles, Boston and Barcelona. UHERO ALSO reported that the total monthly cost of housing for Maui residents to move into a converted short-term vacation rental also would fall, from $5, 829 to $4, 601, because of declining property values and taxes. Maui County witnessed eight consecutive years of increased condo sales prices, from $402, 000 in 2016 to $900, 500 in 2024. But prices dropped for the first time since 2016 after Bissen introduced Bill 9. In the first five months of 2025, the average sales price has fallen from $900, 500 to $760, 000. Several owners of short-term rentals and their property managers have testified that no one wants to buy on Maui since Bill 9 was introduced, especially potential out-of-state investors who would be barred from renting them to tourists for their vacations. Owners' monthly cost for a vacation rental, including mortgage, insurance, association fees and other expenses, were running at $5, 800 per month, Jachowski said. Now, with Bill 9 on the table, the costs have fallen to $4, 601 per month, putting the lower price within reach of the 27, 100 Maui residents who already pay that much, he said. UHERO looked at other cities that now restrict 1 % of their short-term vacation rentals and found that housing prices and rents fell by 4 % in Los Angeles and London and by lesser amounts in Barcelona and Boston. Bill 9 would 'revert ' all apartment district properties to long-term residential use and remove the exception for transient vacation rental units built or approved before 1989. For Maui residents who can afford to buy one of the converted units, the tax rates would plummet from $12.50 per $1, 000 of value to just $5 for an owner-occupied unit, Jachowski said. BISSEN spokesperson Laksmi Abraham acknowledged UHERO's expectation of job losses in Maui's short-term vacation rental industry but said there will still be a need for workers in the nearly 9, 000 remaining vacation rentals, including plumbers, electricians and others to work on the units that convert to long-term housing. Short-term rentals average only 53 % occupancy annually, and Abraham said those that remain for tourists 'will see an uptick in their occupancy and they're still going to need somebody to manage a lot of these units. There will be impact, but the transition won't be as drastic as UHERO paints it to be.' At the same time, Ja chow ski noted that UHERO said that as the 'affordability of housing improves, housing costs are also going down, and that's important.' Maui short-term vacation rental owners and their property managers also have repeatedly argued that local residents do not want to live in their one-and two-bedroom units—a claim residents also called offensive. Data compiled in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire that destroyed 3, 500 homes in Lahaina backs up local renters. Many of them have scrambled over the last two years to find and afford increasingly expensive long-term housing. Before the disaster, many survivors were living in large multigenerational homes that were destroyed. Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement had the highest demand for one-and two-bedroom units as individual, smaller family units that used to live in multigenerational homes searched for housing for themselves, Jachowski said. 'The data clearly shows we have a lot of households that are smaller and could benefit from smaller homes, ' he said. IN 2024, Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2919 into law clarifying that each county has the authority to determine what to do with transient vacation rentals as the state faced an ongoing shortage of 50, 000 homes. Bissen was the first to respond with Bill 9. Bissen and Green have repeatedly said Maui and the state cannot build their way out of the lack of housing. To them, converting vacation rentals into long-term housing represents the most logical path forward. State Rep. Luke Evslin (D, Wailua-Lihue ), who chairs the House Committee on Housing, has been working on ideas ahead of the next legislative session to create more housing but said the counties now control the future of their own short-term vacation rentals. 'We've done all we can do on the short-term vacation issue, ' Evslin said. 'At this point, it's up to them.' Several members of the Honolulu City Council's Housing, Homelessness and Parks Committee did not respond to Star-Advertiser requests for comment on what they might do about converting Oahu's short-term vacation rentals. Matt Weyer, who serves on the housing committee, said he's more interested in cracking down on the estimated 118 to 120 illegal short-term rental units in his district, especially in residential and rural areas around Turtle Bay Resort. Weyer's Council district stretches across the North Shore down to the upper Windward side and as far south as Mililani. In the North Shore alone, Weyer said, there are about 262 legal short-term rentals, and he has not heard an outcry from residents to convert them into long-term housing. 'I wouldn't say phasing them out would solve the problems we're facing, ' he said. 'We're looking at how we can best target illegal vacation rentals … by enforcing the existing laws. That's the struggle. We want to ensure that folks that are doing it illegally are doing it legally. That really creates the biggest impact.' U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, whose district includes rural Oahu and the neighbor islands, said that converting Maui's 6, 100 short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing might help the island's housing shortage and stem the exodus of local residents to the mainland. 'We've got to do something, ' Tokuda said. 'It's going to require some bold, pretty bold action to keep people here and to free up available units for local families. If not, they're going to keep leaving.'
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Another Fed official reveals when you might expect interest rate cuts
There's been a bit of a kerfuffle among Federal Reserve Board officials over the forecast for interest rate cuts. These are the same rate cuts that rattle and roll every aspect of the U.S. economy right down to your household. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter These interest rates are having a moment from consumer wallets and price increases to mortgage rates and housing starts to Treasury bonds and investments. Related: Fed official sends shocking message on interest rate cuts Millions of Americans – including President Donald Trump – want immediate relief. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell urges patience as the full impact of Trump's tariffs and trade wars pass through inflation and employment numbers over the next three months. Hours after a Fed governor called for more immediate action in a move that gobsmacked Fed and market watchers, another Fed official chimed in with an the sixth month in a row, the central bank opted to hold the Federal Funds Rate steady at 4.25%-4.50% at its June meeting last week. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the expected lagging impact of tariff inflation on the economy's supply chain, while likely short term, led to the prudent waiting period. Trump's proposed tariffs – essentially an external sales tax to U.S. trading partners that we pay one way or another – face a July 9 deadline. Data shows the overall U.S. economy is "solid,'' Powell said at the June meeting. The Fed's biannual Monetary Policy Report to Congress, released June 20, supports this assertion. "Growth in private domestic final demand was moderate, reflecting a modest increase in consumer spending and a jump in capital spending,'' the report said. "However, measures of household and business sentiment have declined this year amid concerns about the effects of higher tariffs on inflation and employment as well as heightened uncertainty about the economic outlook.'' The Fed's dual mandate: prudent monetary policy that keeps both inflation and unemployment relatively stable to avoid a recession or worse. The Federal Open Meeting Committee controls the Federal Funds Rate, which banks charge each other overnight to borrow money. The funds rate is tied to the cost of borrowing money for consumers, investors and businesses. Related: Forget tariffs, Fed interest rate cuts may hinge on another problem The Federal Open Meeting Committee said July 18 it would keep the Federal Funds Rate at 4.25% to 4.50% for June. Data over the next few months will indicate if the Fed will decide on two or fewer rate cuts in 2025, portfolio manager Chris Versace said in a TheStreet Pro post after the FOMC released its quarterly "dot plot" on July 18. The Fed continues "to telegraph that two 25-basis point rate cuts remain on the table for this year,'' Versace wrote. Both Fed and market watchers forecast the next probable rate cut could appear at the September FOMC meeting. San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Mary Daly concurred with the FOMC and Powell. In a July 20 interview with CNBC, Daly said monetary policy is in "a good place." Inflation is coming down, which is "great news for American families." Daly took the long walk with Powell's slower stance. "Rate cuts might be necessary in the fall,'' Daly said. The FOMC meets in September. In a contrarian viewpoint, Fed Governor Christopher Waller, a Trump appointee, said the same day that a cut could come as early as July. The current economic data "has been fine" and the tariff inflation bump may follow historical trends to prove transitory in the short term, Waller said in a CNBC interview. "I don't think it's going to be very big," Waller said. His July forecast shocked Fed and market watchers. Both he and Daly agreed attention must be paid to the tariff impact on the jobs market. More Federal Reserve: Fed interest rate cut decision resets forecasts for the rest of this yearFederal Reserve prepares strong message on long-term interest ratesFed official revamps interest-rate cut forecast for this year "Additional softening could turn into weakening. We don't want to see that," Daly said. If it does, Waller said the Fed could pause the rate cut process. "We'll be very interested in the inflation commentary contained in Monday's Flash June PMI data from S&P Global,'' Versace wrote in his TheStreet Weekly Roundup. "Should those comments for input and output prices show rising pressures compared to April and May, they would support Powell's assertion for what's to come.'' The widely watched CME FedWatch tool puts the likelihood of a July cut in the Federal Funds Rate at 10.3% The Fed last cut the Federal Funds Rate in December 2024. The FOMC's next meeting is July 29-30, 2025. Related: Fed official revamps interest-rate cut forecast for rest of this year The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Why More Boomers Are Deciding to Rent
Baby boomers are redefining the rental market, a new study has found, with millions more older Americans now renting homes than was the case a decade ago. Over the past 10 years, the number of renters aged 65 and older has surged by nearly 30 percent, adding 2.4 million senior renters across the country-by far the largest growth of any age group, according to new research conducted by Point2Homes. While the number of renters declined in other age groups, particularly those aged 18 to 54, the number of seniors opting to rent has boomed. Past generations viewed homeownership as a hallmark of independence, but today's older adults are embracing the flexibility of renting. Downsizing, relocating to warmer climates, and avoiding the burdens of home maintenance are just a few of the more positive reasons behind the trend. But rising housing costs, inflation, and limited affordable inventory also play a critical role. As more seniors navigate retirement on fixed incomes, renting is becoming not only a practical alternative, but in many cases, a financially imperative one. The reasons behind the growing number of senior renters are varied, a mix of both lifestyle choices and financial necessity. "Seniors value the flexibility renting provides, which can allow them to downsize, move to better locations, or avoid the responsibility that comes with owning a home and its expenses," Alexei Morgado, a Florida realtor and CEO of Lexawise Real Estate Exam Preparation, told Newsweek. "Owning a home can take a lot of physical energy and money. When renting, you can simply enjoy life without worrying about major repairs, the uncertainty of property taxes, or if your home will lose value or be hard to sell." Shifting cultural attitudes toward aging and independence are also influencing this trend. "In the past, homeownership was viewed as a key indicator of independence in retirement," says Morgado. "The cultural shift in the thinking surrounding aging has moved rapidly, however, and seniors no longer feel as though homeownership is a mainstay of independence and a comfortable life in retirement." He notes that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this rethinking. "Seniors began to focus on flexibility and ease rather than stability and predictability, which is often associated with homeownership," Morgado said. "Many seniors have begun seeking smaller properties or apartments in more desirable areas away from their long-time homes and may prefer urban and suburban environments even if there is additional cost or a long-term rental lease. "In this way, renting allows for added freedom of movement if they feel they need to move or relocate." The study found that many senior renters are relocating to warmer climates, particularly in Florida, which is well-known for its large retirement community. Other southern states, such as Louisiana and Texas, are also experiencing an increase in the number of graying renters. In Baton Rouge, the percentage of properties rented by older Americans has boomed by 88.7 percent over the last ten years. Similar numbers are reported in Jacksonville, Florida, and Round Rock, near Austin, Texas. But for many, the switch to renting isn't just a matter of lifestyle-it's a financial necessity, Morgado explained. "The gap between owning and renting is widening, especially for seniors who rely on a fixed income. Home prices have skyrocketed in many parts of the country over the last 10 years with continued high mortgage interest rates," he said. "Rapid changes in housing demand mean that local areas with very limited affordable housing options have both renters and former homeowners looking for an affordable lifestyle. Seniors that once owned homes are now renting for value." Steve Sexton, CEO of Sexton Advisory Group, agrees. "This trend is fueled by both convenience and necessity; however recent economic uncertainty is the more likely driver of seniors renting in retirement," Sexton told Newsweek, noting that many retirees live on fixed incomes that have failed to keep pace with rising housing costs and inflation. "Utilities, insurance, property taxes, and maintenance costs associated with owning a home continue to increase, while Social Security and pensions struggle to keep up," he said. This is exacerbated by a lack of affordable homes on the market, even for those who may prefer to own, Sexton said, a problem that is getting worse over time. As a result, "for many seniors, renting offers a more predictable and/or simplified budget in which they don't have to account for repairs and certain housing expenses." Yet the underlying issue of housing affordability remains a serious concern. A 2024 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies found that more than 40 percent of renters aged 65 and older spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, the threshold at which the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development considers a household "cost burdened." "The availability of affordable housing, however, is a glaring reality for many seniors," Morgado said, noting that it's "a barrier obstacle to seniors maintaining their independence." Boomers having to rent out of financial necessity is likely to continue. For now, most adults aged 65 and older are homeowners, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. However, more than one in five older households, some 7 million, choose to rent, according to the 2023 Housing America's Older Adults study by JCHS. Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker at Echo Fine Properties, said the trend "will get worse in the next decade," with "inflation being the main culprit." "With increased costs coming from tariffs and with cuts in the new bill and from DOGE, it puts seniors in a tough situation," he told Newsweek. "In the next decade, there will be an explosion of baby boomers in that age group. As one loses a spouse or looks at financing, there should be more of a need to rent." Related Articles Gen Z Is Significantly More Afraid of This Trend Than Older GenerationsSocial Security Claims SkyrocketIt's Not Gold-Digging, but Gen Z Will Marry for Money, Predicts ExpertGen Z's Trauma Therapy Compared to Millennials, Boomers 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
