Sale of Pacific Construction to BlockPoint LLC

SALE OF PACIFIC CONSTRUCTION

TO BLOCKPOINT LLC

(Picone acted as Corporate Advisor and General Counsel)

 ELMHURST, ILLINOIS, June 1st, 2020– Picone Advisory Group, LLC (“Picone”) President Christopher L. Picone is pleased to announce the acquisition of Pacific Construction Services, Inc. (“Pacific”), by Picone client BlockPoint LLC (“BlockPoint”).

Pacific is a Chicago based general contractor that has been in business for almost thirty (30) years. The company has built many notable projects in Chicago and the nearby suburbs such as the highly praised addition to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, the Fermilab Research and Development Facility in Batavia, IL, the Elmhurst Public Library in Elmhurst, IL, the Fort Sheridan Training Center in Fort Sheridan, IL and the Starbucks in Glenview to name just a few.

“We are pleased to add the Pacific team to our growing platform of real estate related companies,” said Bart Friedman Principal of BlockPoint.  “The addition of a full service general contracting firm will provide great synergies with our expanding real estate development business.”

“We are grateful to Picone for bringing this opportunity to our attention and guiding us through the entire process from negotiating the letter of intent to contract negotiations and due diligence through closing,” said Steve Bykowski, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Pacific.  “We could not have done this without Picone’s industry knowledge, transactional expertise and good counsel.”

The new business will be called Pacific Construction, a BlockPoint Company and will continue to be headquartered at 5511 N. Cumberland Avenue, Suite 608, Chicago, IL  60656.  The Company’s website address is www.pacificconstructionus.com.

Picone Advisory Group provides consulting services to an international client base in a wide variety of industry settings including: financial services, professional services, manufacturing, aerospace, building and construction, food and food service, homeland security and first response, healthcare, energy, real estate, wholesale and retail services, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

For more information on Pacific Construction or the BlockPoint Companies, please call or email Bart Friedman at 773-290-1600 or Bart@PacificConstructionus.com.   

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For more information about this topic or Picone Advisory Group, contact Christopher L. Picone at CPicone@PiconeAdvisoryGroup.com.

Winnetka Dental Group Featured on WGN News

PICONE ADVISORY GROUP CLIENT

WINNETKA DENTAL GROUP FEATURED ON WGN NEWS

May 12, 2020, Elmhurst, Illinois.  Picone Advisory Group client Winnetka Dental Group was recently featured on WGN News for its efforts to use new technology to help protect patients from the COVID-19 virus.

When news of the COVID-19 virus shutting down China began to surface in the United States, Dr. Michael Czarkowski, President of Winnetka Dental Group, Ltd., located in Winnetka, Illinois began to do extensive research to figure out better ways to protect his patients, his team and his family.

In order to provide enhanced protection from the virus, Dr. Czarkowski utilizes an air filtration system bathed in UV light to clean particles from the air.  His dental office also has a completely independent heating and ventilation system.  “We can control the air coming in so we have a kind of positive pressure system you’d see in a hospital operating room”, Dr. Czarkowski said.

Dr. Czarkowski also installed a medical grade air filtration system that filters aerosolized droplets to eliminate virus bacteria and mold particles and then vents the filtered air directly out of the building.  These filtration units totally rotate and clean the air 16 times per hour.

“We have worked with Dr. Czarkowski for many years and he has always been proactive in implementing new technology and procedures to enhance the safety and comfort of his patients” said Christopher L. Picone of Picone Advisory Group.  This is another example of the patient driven philosophy that has made Dr. Czarkowski one of the country’s leading dentists.

To see the entire WGN interview, click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIq725IFrnQ

For more information on Dr. Czarkowski and Winnetka Dental Group, Ltd, please visit www.mczarkowskidds.com or call Dr. Czarkowski at 847-441-5939.

Picone Advisory Group provides consulting services to an international client base in a wide variety of industry settings including: financial services, professional services, manufacturing, aerospace, building and construction, food and food service, homeland security and first response, healthcare, energy, real estate, wholesale and retail services, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

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For more information about this topic or Picone Advisory Group, contact

Christopher L. Picone at CPicone@PiconeAdvisoryGroup.com.

COVID-19 UPDATE

TO OUR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS:

We hope this email finds you, your employees and your respective families and friends safe and healthy.

With the extension of shelter in place orders for most states through the end of May, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives and businesses continues and will certainly have a lasting impact on the United States and the world.  We want to thank all those healthcare providers, first responders, military personnel, food service workers and others that are working tirelessly to fight this pandemic.  Their heroic efforts on our behalf remind us of what it means to be a great American.  We encourage everyone to do whatever you can to help your neighbors and communities during this crisis.  Simple acts like donating blood, helping seniors or others in need, providing food for those in need, donating masks and other PPE to local hospitals, police and fire departments all help in the fight against this terrible virus.

Our office remains open and ready to help you deal with the impact of this pandemic on your business.  Our years of experience dealing with significant economic downturns and our crisis management skills make us a valuable resource for businesses struggling to adapt to the adverse economic impact caused by the COVID-19 virus.  Should you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us for help.

In the meantime, please continue to take appropriate measures to keep safe and healthy.  Together we will get through this difficult time.

Your friends at Picone Advisory Group, LLC

SALE OF AMERICA’S FOOD TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, January 7, 2020– Picone Advisory Group President, Christopher L. Picone is pleased to announce the sale of long time Picone Advisory Group client, America’s Food Technologies, Inc. (“AMFOTEK”) to Sunny Sky Products (“Sunny Sky”) based in Houston, Texas.

AMFOTEK, based in Tinley Park, IL is one of the leading specialty dispensed beverage manufacturers in the country.  AMFOTEK has been a Picone client since its founding over twenty-two (22) years ago.  Picone served as a Corporate Advisor and General Counsel to AMFOTEK.

“I believe it is a picture perfect union of two great companies with the same passionate focus on product quality and customer service,” said Ellen M. Jordan, AMFOTEK Founder and CEO, “and is truly gestalt given Sunny Sky’s leadership in the liquid and frozen products area.  They are also acquiring our 101,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and our talented team.”

The transaction closed on December 31, 2019.

Picone Advisory Group provides consulting services to an international client base in a wide variety of industry settings including: financial services, professional services, manufacturing, aerospace, building and construction, food and food service, homeland security and first response, healthcare, energy, real estate, wholesale and retail services, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

Picone Advisory Group Client / Astrocast Successfully Launches Second Test Nanosatellite

Astrocast Launches Mission Hawaii (Graphic: Business Wire)

April 01, 2019 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LAUSANNE, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Astrocast announced today the successful launch of its second IoT Nanosatellite. The launch, piloted by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), took place yesterday from the Satish Dhawan Space Center. This second mission will offer more opportunities to customers interested in testing the Astrocast IoT communication services. This mission will also focus on a set of propulsion technologies designed for separation, collision avoidance and de-orbiting.

Astrocast Announces Successful Launch of Second Test Nanosatellite

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“It is very important that companies think about the entire lifecycle of their nanosatellites. As a Swiss company, we will lead by example and do everything we can to keep space clean. Using a set of reliable and flight proven technologies, Astrocast is building the ability to control, maneuver and ultimately de-orbit its satellites,” said Fabien Jordan, CEO of Astrocast. “We can avoid collisions from other satellites, easily de-orbit and re-deploy satellites for technology upgrades, and reduce the amount of space debris left at the end of a satellite’s lifecycle. This nanosatellite represents the first of many technology advances we aim to develop toward the security and longevity of our network.”

The ability to control, reposition and de-orbit nanosatellites is key to lessening the amount of space debris that is currently plaguing low-earth orbit missions. Collision avoidance is an ongoing battle. Astrocast is the first to test a series of technologies that will allow them to have greater control and maneuverability of their network once it is launched. These technologies include:

  • Gas propulsion
  • Electric propulsion
  • Automatic de-orbiting
  • Backup communications

“It is important that companies begin to think long term about the nanosatellites they launch into orbit. Clean nanosatellite technology is possible, and we are taking some of the first steps toward this,” Jordan said.

This is the second test of the Astrocast IoT Nanosatellite network. The first test, launched in December, is fully stabilized with a working payload and is operating nominally. Astrocast is a nanosatellite network of 64 CubeSats specifically designed to transmit and receive low bandwidth data from IoT devices. Astrocast will be the first nanosatellite solution to deliver all of these features:

  • 100% coverage of the globe including remote areas
  • Lowest latency low earth orbit network
  • Two-way communications
  • L-Band and S-Band frequencies
  • Communication module smaller than a credit card designed in partnership with Airbus
  • 256 bit encryption with multi-level security
  • Patented data protocol developed and optimized for satellite IoT
  • Low-cost and ultra-low power chipset optimized for Astrocast
  • Miniaturized antenna
  • Low-cost data plans
  • Web application for monitoring assets and subscription plan.

About Astrocast

Astrocast SA, in partnership with the European Space Agency, Airbus, and Thuraya, is developing an advanced nanosatellite network for the Internet of things (IoT). Airbus and Astrocast have developed a low-cost ASIC and module that provides the most power efficient satellite modem for IoT applications. The constellation will consist of 64 CubeSat satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will provide low latency global coverage. Astrocast was founded in 2014 by the developers of SwissCube, one of the longest lasting, operational nanosatellites in space. For more information visit www.astrocast.com.

Picone Advisory Group Facilitates the Sale of Queen of Peace High School

(Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois)- Picone Advisory Group has successfully negotiated and closed on the sale of the Queen of Peace High School property located at 7659 Linder Avenue, Burbank, Illinois (the “Property”).  The approximately 13 acre campus had been owned by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters since 1962.  The Property was sold to A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative (“A.E.R.O.”).  The closing occurred on August 27, 2018.

A.E.R.O. provides special education services to students from 11 member public school districts in the southwest suburbs serving Argo, Evergreen Park, Reavis and Oak Lawn High Schools along with 7 of their feeder elementary districts.  Since 1963, A.E.R.O. has provided special education programming and an array of related services to students with physical and intellectual disabilities residing in the 11 member school districts.  The acquisition of the Property will afford A.E.R.O. the option to centralize its operations in educating hundreds of students from pre-K through 12th grade as well as young adults through age 22.

The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters opened Queen of Peace High School in 1962 and closed it at the completion of the 2017 school year.  The Catholic, all-girl, college preparatory school educated more than 15,000 women over 55 years and had been dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women in an environment that inspired academic excellence in nurturing a culture grounded in the Dominican values of truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.

“This was a very complicated and challenging project”, said Christopher L. Picone, president of Picone Advisory Group.  “It is rewarding to see the Property will continue to be used to provide educational services to some of the most vulnerable students in these communities”.

Based in Chicago’s western suburbs, Picone Advisory Group provides consulting services to an international client base in a wide variety of industry settings including: real estate, financial services, manufacturing, aerospace, building and construction, food and food service, homeland security and first response, healthcare, energy, wholesale and retail services, technology, telecommunications, and transportation.

 

AERO and Queen of Peace Reach Agreement on Sale of Burbank Campus

BURBANK, IL.—The A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative (A.E.R.O.) and The Queen of Peace Board of Directors, Sinsinawa Dominican Sponsors Council, and Corporate Members of Queen of Peace, Inc., have reached an agreement in principle for A.E.R.O. to acquire the former Queen of Peace High School campus located at 7659 South Linder Ave., Burbank, IL.  The negotiated price of the sale of the property is $3.25 million. Picone Advisory Group aided in the negotiation of the sale on behalf of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters.

A.E.R.O. provides special education services to students from 11 member public school districts in the southwest suburbs serving Argo, Evergreen Park, Reavis and Oak Lawn High Schools along with 7 of their feeder elementary districts.  Since 1963, A.E.R.O. has provided special education programming and an array of related services to students with physical and intellectual disabilities residing in the 11 member school districts. The member districts have joined together to maximize their resources and provide a full continuum of special education services.  Currently, A.E.R.O. owns a building in Burbank and leases a school building and classrooms across the cooperative.  The approximately 13-acre campus which includes two buildings, a parking lot and athletic fields, and green space, will afford A.E.R.O. the option to centralize its operations in educating hundreds of students from pre-K through 12th grade as well as young adults through age 22.  The purchase of The Queen of Peace School property allows A.E.R.O. to enhance the services that it delivers to the most vulnerable students in its communities.

The Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters opened Queen of Peace High School in 1962 and closed it at the completion of the 2017 school year. The Catholic, all-girl, college preparatory school educated more than 15,000 women over 55 years and had been dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women in an environment that inspired academic excellence in nurturing a culture grounded in the Dominican values of truth, compassion, justice, partnership, and community.

Today, more than 400 Sinsinawa Dominicans continue to preach and teach the Gospel in word and deed as members of the Order of Preachers. Their worldwide Dominican family includes thousands of sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates, and laity ministering in more than 100 countries around the globe for more than 800 years.

IBVM Dedication Ceremony

Pulte Homes honors Picone Advisory Group client, The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (“IBVM”) with a plaque at the Loretto Club memorializing 70 years of IBVM religious service at the Wheaton campus.  The Loretto Club campus was purchased by Pulte Homes and is now being developed into a subdivision of 50 new homes.

 

To read the full article, click the link below:

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180612/pulte-developers-honor-legacy-of-nuns-at-former-wheaton-convent-

Sale of Sea Launch

(Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois)—Christopher L. Picone, President and General Counsel of Picone Advisory Group, LLC is pleased to announce the sale of Sea Launch, SA (“Sea Launch”) to CJSC S7 Group (“S7”), Russia’s largest private aviation holding company.  Sea Launch has been a long standing client of Picone Advisory Group and Chris Picone also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Sea Launch.  Prior to the sale, Sea Launch was owned by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, Russia’s premier aerospace company.

The sale was originally announced in September 2016 but required the approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) before the sale could be completed.  CFIUS approval of the transaction was granted earlier this year.  As part of the transaction, S7 receives ownership of the Odyssey, a mobile sea-fairing rocket launch platform, the Commander support ship and certain additional equipment and intellectual property. S7 is planning on re- establishing the Sea Launch business under the new name of SL Aerospace.

Sea Launch is a heavy lift commercial telecommunications satellite launch company located in Long Beach, CA.

Kurt Johnson Book Award

Picone Advisory Group, LLC is proud to announce that our client and author Kurt Johnson has won the 2017 Moonbeam Silver Award for Best First Book.  Entries for this award are submitted from the United States, Canada and six international countries.  The science fiction fantasy novel, Raystar of Terra: Peace. Love. Family. War, was originally published in December of 2016.  The book chronicles the adventures of Raystar, a 13-year-old resident of the sleepy agricultural planet Nem.  Raystar leads a near picture perfect existence until her world radically changes when the pan-Galactic conflict that everyone thought was long over shows up on her doorstep.  The Moonbeam Awards were created in 2006 and are presented by Jenkins Group Inc. located in Traverse City, Michigan.  Jenkins Group has been involved in packaging, marketing, and distributing books since 1988.  We congratulate Kurt on being selected for this prestigious award.