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Veteran Journalist and Former Federal Official Releases Powerful Memoir on Race, Power, and the Trump Years

ATLANTAThe Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed in the Trump Administration, Offers an Unprecedented Inside Account of One of America’s Most Turbulent Presidencies Deric A. Gilliard, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), award-winning journalist, and former communications director for […]

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The Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed in the Trump Administration, Offers an Unprecedented Inside Account of One of America’s Most Turbulent Presidencies

TLFY 15 1 page 0001 Veteran Journalist and Former Federal Official Releases Powerful Memoir on Race, Power, and the Trump Years

Deric A. Gilliard, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), award-winning journalist, and former communications director for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), has released his highly anticipated political memoir, The Longest Four Years of My Life: A View from the Field by a Black Fed in the Trump Administration. The book provides a compelling, ground-level account of the Trump presidency as witnessed by a Black Christian federal employee navigating race, justice, and faith, at the intersection of policy and power.

Bookclub Thumbnail Template 2 1 Veteran Journalist and Former Federal Official Releases Powerful Memoir on Race, Power, and the Trump Years

Serving as the public affairs advisor to HHS regional directors across eight southeastern states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, Gilliard witnessed firsthand how Trump administration policies disproportionately impacted Black, brown, and low-income communities in the South. His book chronicles the administration’s systematic efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the racial and ethnic animosity that defined the era.

“The Trump Administration was undoubtedly the most divisive, disruptive administration of my adult lifetime,” said Gilliard, who also advised appointees in the Clinton, Bush, Obama and Biden Administrations. “Our team carried out our responsibilities while frequently navigating policies that actively undermined the communities we served.”

The memoir also details Gilliard’s all-black staff’s struggle to remain hopeful as  Trump repeatedly mischaracterized the Black Lives Matter movement and the justice marches that erupted in 2020 following the killings of unarmed Black men. Additionally, Gilliard examines the administration’s role in separating immigrant children from their families at the border. His team was tasked with vetting and staffing Unaccompanied Children Centers (UACs), and agonized over the long-term damage inflicted on the nation’s safety nets and democratic institutions. He also forecasts the implementation of Project 2025 and its devastating consequences for America’s most vulnerable populations.  

About the Author

Deric A. Gilliard retired in 2022 after 25 years of federal service, having worked under political appointees across five administrations: Clinton, Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden. Equipped with a University of Kansas B.A. in journalism graduate and an M.A. in African American Studies from Georgia State University, Gilliard has written for USA Today, Time, and the Wichita Eagle-Beacon, and served as an editor at the Atlanta Daily World. He was the first keynote speaker at the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, and served as the principal non-Muslim promoter of the Million Man March. He also facilitates annual racial righteousness and justice immersion initiatives and served as an outreach and engagement and historian consultant for the creation of phase one of the DOI/NPS national monument to the 1961 Freedom Riders in Calhoun, AL.

IMG 0989 Veteran Journalist and Former Federal Official Releases Powerful Memoir on Race, Power, and the Trump Years

His first book, Living in the Shadows of a Legend: Unsung Heroes and ‘Sheroes’ who Marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., profiles 20 lesser-known contributors to Dr. King’s movement. As a historian and lecturer, Gilliard examines the throughline between the hard-fought gains of King’s nonviolent civil rights movement to today’s regressive environment where voting rights, democracy and black history are being clawed back and attacked. Gilliard is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the SCLC and NAACP, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

The Longest Four Years of My Life is available at www.DericGilliard.com and across multiple online platforms.

June 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

Name: Deric Gilliard

Email: [email protected]

Phone no: (770) 685-8501

Website: www.DericGilliard.com

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Guardian Fire Services Completes Acquisition of Houston Fire & Security

Nashville, TN  Guardian Fire Services, a national leader in fire and life safety services, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Houston Fire & Security, a provider of commercial fire protection and security systems and services to Houston and the surrounding area. Founded in 2000, Houston Fire & Security has forged a reputation as […]

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Guardian Fire Services, a national leader in fire and life safety services, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Houston Fire & Security, a provider of commercial fire protection and security systems and services to Houston and the surrounding area.

Founded in 2000, Houston Fire & Security has forged a reputation as a trusted provider of life safety services to local customers, founded in reliability and local expertise.

The investment marks Guardian’s expansion into Texas and strengthens its position as a leading comprehensive fire protection and life safety services nationally. The investment will complement Guardian’s existing services, by incorporating Houston Fire & Security’s suite of fire alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher, and kitchen hood services into its offering.

Ray Misfeldt, CEO of Guardian Fire Services, said:

“At Guardian, we believe the best way to serve our customers is by partnering with exceptional local companies that share our commitment to quality, safety, and service. The acquisitions of Houston Fire & Security and Midwest Protection Services expand our presence in two important markets and strengthen our ability to deliver world-class fire and life safety solutions. By combining trusted local relationships with Guardian’s investment in people, technology, and operational excellence, we are building a national platform that sets a new standard for our industry. We look forward to continuing this growth with the support of Investcorp.”

Guardian’s investment in Houston Fire & Security is its third add-on investment since Investcorp’s North America Private Equity acquisition of the business in December 2025.

Vincent Bonoan, Founder of Houston Fire & Security, also added:

“After 26 years of building this company, choosing the right partner for its next chapter was deeply important to me. Guardian Fire Services stood out through their leadership, integrity, and genuine respect for our people. I’m confident our employees, customers, and legacy are in trusted hands, and I’m excited about what the future holds as part of the Guardian Fire Services family.”

Notably, earlier in July of this year, Guardian also acquired Midwest Protection Services guardianfireholdings.com , a leading Omaha, Nebraska-based provider of fire and life safety solutions for commercial customers. That acquisition also strengthened Guardian’s presence in the Midwest and expanded its ability to deliver comprehensive fire and life safety coverage to customers throughout the greater Omaha region.

Tim Rozmajzl, Co-Founder, Midwest Protection Services also stated:

“Guardian Fire Services is the right partner for Midwest Protection Services. Their commitment to quality, customer service, employees, and long-term relationships aligns closely with the values that have guided our business for more than 20 years. Together, we can build on the trusted local service our customers expect while leveraging Guardian’s resources to support continued growth and an even stronger future.”

 

1 3 Guardian Fire Services Completes Acquisition of Houston Fire & Security

 

About Guardian Fire Services

Guardian Fire Services provides nationwide fire and life safety solutions, including system installation, inspections, testing, monitoring, maintenance, and emergency support. Guided by its philosophy of National Fire and Life Safety. Local Expertise, Guardian Fire Services operates through a growing network of local partner companies, each maintaining deep community relationships and technical proficiency while benefiting from the scale and support of a national platform. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Guardian Fire Services serves commercial, industrial, healthcare, and educational customers across the United States, 24/7.

For more information, visit guardianfireholdings.com

Media Contact Details
William Lockhart
Corporate Marketing Manager
Email: Send Email
Phone: +16159813006
Website: guardianfireholdings.com

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Puppy Playground Named “Versatile Product of the Year” in the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

Alexandria, VirginiaThe Alexandria company’s modular dog play system earns recognition for adaptable, commercial-grade design trusted in more than 12,000 facilities worldwide

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The Alexandria company's modular dog play system earns recognition for adaptable, commercial-grade design trusted in more than 12,000 facilities worldwide

Puppy Playground, the maker of modular dog playground equipment used in more than 12,000 facilities worldwide, has been named Versatile Product of the Year in the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards.

The award, presented by the Independent Innovation Awards, recognizes products across the pet care industry for creativity, usability, safety, and real-world impact. Puppy Playground took its category for one idea it has refined since 1994. Play equipment should bend to fit the dog and the space, not the other way around.

 

Puppy Playground 2026 Pet Innovation Award Press Release 2 Puppy Playground Named "Versatile Product of the Year" in the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

 

Every piece connects through the company’s Bone Connector system. Staff set each ramp, stair, tabletop, or platform onto hidden plastic connectors that lock them together. The pieces release in seconds. A full layout can come apart, get cleaned, and go back together as something new in minutes, which is exactly what a busy daycare floor needs when turnover and sanitation never let up.

The equipment is molded from commercial-grade polyethylene, with rounded edges, non-slip surfaces, and non-porous finishes that resist bacteria and withstand years of weather and daily use. The system is made to order in the USA and scales from the Mini Series for puppies and small dogs to the PRO Series for large breeds.

Because the Mini and PRO lines share the same connectors, a facility can start with a few pieces and expand to dozens without replacing what it already owns.

 

Puppy Playground 2026 Pet Innovation Award Press Release Puppy Playground Named "Versatile Product of the Year" in the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

 

The company’s story goes back to 1988, when the Bessette family bought a run-down boarding kennel in Ormond Beach. Six years in, they had traced most of the behavior problems they saw to two causes: too much unspent energy and too little socialization. The group play areas they built to solve both became the foundation of the business Puppy Playground is today.

About Puppy Playground

Puppy Playground has designed and manufactured commercial-grade dog playground equipment since 1994. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, the company builds modular, made-in-USA play systems that support exercise, confidence, and socialization for dogs in daycares, boarding facilities, shelters, and homes worldwide. Learn more at Puppy Playground.

Media Contact Details
Jennifer Villa
MJI Marketing Agency
Email: Send Email
Website: mjimarketing.com

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Valtorc International is proud to offer our USA fabricated METAL SEATED 3 WAY BALL VALVES

Kennesaw, Georgia  Valtorc International : USA Manufacturing Operations Valtorc international USA manufacturing operations has announced the completion of their new High Performance 3 Way all 316     Stainless Steel METAL SEATED ball valves.S372M series. These High performance 3 way ball valve packages, are being used in various industries worldwide. Chemical plant operations, Oil and Gas […]

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Valtorc International : USA Manufacturing Operations

Valtorc international USA manufacturing operations has announced the completion of their new High Performance 3 Way all 316

 

valtorc international is proud to offer our usa fabricated metal seated 3 way ball valves Cl6F1Z Valtorc International is proud to offer our USA fabricated METAL SEATED 3 WAY BALL VALVES

 

Stainless Steel METAL SEATED ball valves.S372M series. These High performance 3 way ball valve packages, are being used in various industries worldwide. Chemical plant operations, Oil and Gas refineries, Food Processing plants, Water treatment facilities , and many other manufacturing plants worldwide. We are very proud of our engineering team, for the production and implementation, and fabrication of this high performance package. These packages are available in sizes from 1/2″” to 2″, in all stainless steel material, All packages are available with Pneumatic or Electric automation. Or can be used manually if required. We are very excited to promote these High quality packages, and are looking for qualified customers and distributors worldwide to help us promote these packages …

Valtorc International P.O. Box 1928 Kennesaw Georgia 30156

Call us. 770-423-7100

A J Bental

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.valtorc.com

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