Harvard-Certified Disruptive Strategist Who Studied Under the Late Clayton Christensen Brings Battle-Tested Principles of Disruptive Strategy Into the AI Era

Miami, FL

As artificial intelligence transforms industries at extraordinary speed, author, strategist, and veteran executive Richard B. Alman today announced the release of his new book, The Innovator’s Synthesis: Disruptive Strategy and the Human Moat in the Age of AI. Recently recognized among MSN’s “Inspiring Men,” Alman addresses how organizations can embrace AI while preserving the distinctly human capabilities that contribute to long-term competitive advantage.

The book brings the battle-tested principles of the late Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen’s Disruptive Innovation framework into the AI era, examining how executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations can recognize disruption, respond intelligently to technological change, and build competitive advantages that artificial intelligence alone cannot replicate.

Alman is a Harvard-certified Disruptive Strategist who studied under the late Clayton Christensen, whose pioneering work fundamentally changed the way business leaders understand innovation and disruption.

Rather than treating artificial intelligence simply as another technology revolution, Alman argues that AI requires leaders to rethink the relationship between technological capability, organizational strategy, and human intelligence.

At the center of the book is what Alman calls the “Human Moat”—the combination of judgment, creativity, intuition, trust, leadership, experience, empathy, and contextual intelligence that can distinguish people and organizations in a world where increasingly powerful AI tools are widely available.

The result is a strategic synthesis: organizations should aggressively harness AI where it creates leverage and efficiency while simultaneously strengthening the human capabilities that remain essential to leadership, innovation, and sustainable competitive advantage.

Building on AI vs. HI

The Innovator’s Synthesis expands upon ideas Alman explored in his previous book, AI vs. HI: Why AI Won’t Replace Human Intelligence.

In AI vs. HI, Alman challenged the assumption that increasingly capable artificial intelligence inevitably makes human intelligence obsolete. Instead, he examined the characteristics of human intelligence that technology can augment but does not necessarily replace.

The Innovator’s Synthesis takes that argument into the executive suite.

The new book asks what the distinction between AI and human intelligence means for strategy, disruption, innovation, organizational design, and competitive advantage.

Together, the two books present a broader thesis for the AI era: the winners may not be the organizations that simply deploy the most artificial intelligence, but those that learn how to combine powerful technology with exceptional human intelligence.

“AI changes the tools available to us, but it does not eliminate the need for judgment, leadership, creativity or strategic thinking,” Alman said. “The competitive challenge is no longer simply AI versus human intelligence. The opportunity is to create a synthesis between them—and to understand where human capability becomes the moat.”

Disruptive Strategy for a New Era

Drawing upon disruptive strategy as well as decades of frontline executive and advisory experience, Alman examines AI through the lens of a strategist rather than solely through the lens of a technologist.

That distinction is increasingly important.

Transformative technologies can create enormous opportunities, but history repeatedly demonstrates that established organizations can misunderstand disruption—even when they possess substantial resources, talented leadership, and sophisticated technology.

The Innovator’s Synthesis applies disruptive thinking to the emerging AI economy and explores how leaders can distinguish technological excitement from genuine strategic transformation.

The book is designed for executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and professionals attempting to understand not merely what AI can do, but what organizations should do because AI exists.

About Richard B. Alman

Richard B. Alman is a C-Suite Advisor, innovator, strategist, veteran executive, and published author with more than 33 years of experience driving transformational growth and operational excellence across multiple industries. He was recently featured by USA News and recognized among MSN’s “Inspiring Men.”

A Harvard-certified Disruptive Strategist who studied under the late Clayton Christensen, Alman has built his career around identifying disruption, challenging conventional assumptions, and helping organizations navigate complex periods of change.

His executive experience includes serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of Isaco International Corporation, a global manufacturer, where he oversaw operational functions and strategy. His broader consulting and leadership experience spans technology, financial services, real estate, human resources, media, and entertainment, and includes work involving major organizations such as General Motors and UBS.

Alman has also advised on complex business, governmental, political, and economic strategy.

He is the author of six published books spanning business strategy, artificial intelligence, economics, and fiction. His nonfiction works include AI vs. HI: Why AI Won’t Replace Human Intelligence, The Innovator’s Synthesis: Disruptive Strategy and the Human Moat in the Age of AI, and North American Unity Plan (NAUP).

Across his work, Alman focuses on a common theme: understanding disruption before disruption determines the outcome.

Book & Speaker Information

• Title: The Innovator’s Synthesis: Disruptive Strategy and the Human Moat in the Age of AI
• Author: Richard B. Alman
• Subject: Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive Strategy, Innovation, Leadership, and Competitive Advantage
• Previous AI Book: AI vs. HI: Why AI Won’t Replace Human Intelligence
• Amazon Author Page & Books: amazon.com/author/richard-b-alman
• Speaking Engagements (Salem Speakers Bureau): salemspeakers.com/richard-b-alman

Salem Speakers Bureau Profile: salemspeakers.com/richard-b-alman

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/richard-b-alman

Author,C-Suite Advisor, and Harvard-Certified Disruptive Strategist

Media Contact Details
Richard B. Alman
RecruiterNetworks.com
Email: Send Email
Phone: 3057939225
Website: www.recruiternetworks.com

Fort Lauderdale, FL

 AD Mortgage, a wholesale lender, today announced higher loan limits for its Conventional lending programs across eligible one- to four-unit properties, giving mortgage professionals more flexibility to finance larger loan amounts. The new standard limit for one-unit properties is $845,000, with a limit of $1,267,500 in Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Effective October 7, for new submissions, the expanded limits will help partners serve borrowers whose financing needs exceed AD Mortgage’s previous program limits and create additional opportunities to keep eligible loans within its Conventional programs.

AD Mortgage’s newly increase Conventional program limits are:

• One unit: $845,000 standard; $1,267,500 in Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Two units: $1,081,950 standard; $1,622,925 in Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Three units: $1,307,800 standard; $1,961,700 in Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Four units: $1,625,350 standard; $2,438,025 in Alaska and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The update gives partners more room to evaluate Conventional financing for borrowers purchasing or refinancing higher-priced properties, subject to applicable program requirements. The expanded loan amounts can help mortgage professionals address a broader range of financing needs as they work with borrowers in their local markets.

The amounts above reflect AD Mortgage program limits. Loan eligibility remains subject to applicable underwriting and program requirements.

Mortgage professionals can review program details and submit their next Conventional loan through AD Mortgage’s Conventional Loans page.

About AD Mortgage

As a premier direct mortgage lender, AD Mortgage offers a full spectrum of Conventional, Government, and Non-QM loan products with turnaround times as fast as 24-hours and some of the most competitive rates in the industry. In addition to their AD Power Jumbo loan product, AD Mortgage offers programs for Prime borrowers, Foreign National borrowers, as well as borrowers with imperfect credit histories. Programs with no income verification are also offered for investment property loans.

The company offers free concierge services, bank statement reviews, marketing tools and resources, and more to support the brokers they serve. In 2025, AD Mortgage received several prestigious industry awards, including HousingWire Vanguard Award, PROGRESS in Lending’s Lending Luminary Award, National Mortgage Professional’s Legend of Lending Award, HousingWire Industry Titan Award. This year, the company was also featured in CBS, Bloomberg, and Inc., underscoring its growing influence and leadership in the mortgage industry.

AD Mortgage is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS ID #958660. 899 W Cypress Creek Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. For important disclosures and state licensing information:
https://admortgage.com/important-disclosures/

Media Contact Details
Andy Restrepo
AD Mortgage, LLC
Email: Send Email
Phone: (645) 240-2300
Website: admortgage.com

Italian wine brand puts a playful, nostalgic twist on Halloween as Americans prepare to spend $13.5 billion celebrating one of fall's biggest adult entertaining occasions

Miami, FL

This Halloween, the candy bowl isn’t the only place to find candy corn. Castello del Poggio, the Italian wine brand known for celebrating the sweeter side of La Dolce Vita, today announced the US launch of Castello del Poggio Candy Corn, a limited-edition Italian wine inspired by one of Halloween’s most recognizable flavors and created expressly for grown-up seasonal entertaining.

As Halloween continues to evolve beyond a single night of trick-or-treating into a seminal fall occasion for entertaining, decorating and celebrating, Castello del Poggio is giving grown-ups a treat of their own. The National Retail Federation (NRF) projects Americans will spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, with 74% of consumers planning to celebrate. Halloween’s appeal also extends decisively into adulthood with NRF reporting that three-quarters of American adults participate in Halloween activities, while nearly one-third of consumers plan to either host or attend a Halloween party.

America’s quintessential candy holiday has become an adult entertaining occasion – and Castello del Poggio is reimagining one of Halloween’s most nostalgic flavors through Italian wine.

“We are excited to reveal this decorative spirit of an adult Halloween gathering,” said Rob Gelwicks, Managing Director, Americas, ZONIN1821. “Candy corn has a wonderful sense of nostalgia about it – and is one of those unmistakable flavors that immediately takes people back to Halloweens past. We loved the idea of taking something so familiar and completely reimagining it in an unexpected way through Italian wine. Castello del Poggio has always celebrated the sweeter side of La Dolce Vita, and our limited-edition Candy Corn offering gives adults a playful new way to bring a little Italian flair to their Halloween festivities.”

Where Halloween Meets Wine Innovation

The launch comes as consumers continue to demonstrate an appetite for flavor-forward wine beverages, even against a challenging backdrop for the broader still wine category. According to NielsenIQ (NIQ) data, flavored wine beverages increased +1.9% in value over the latest 26 weeks and +2.7% over the latest 13 weeks, demonstrating continued consumer interest in flavor-led wine innovation.

The opportunity also extends beyond any single holiday. Across beverage alcohol, seasonal and limited-edition innovations increasingly allow brands to tap into specific consumer occasions – from Valentine’s Day and summer entertaining to Halloween and year-end holidays – creating new reasons for discovery while generating excitement and urgency around the celebration itself.

Castello del Poggio Candy Corn brings that occasion-led thinking to wine, combining the equity of a storied Italian wine brand with a flavor virtually synonymous with Halloween.

An Italian Wine with an Unexpected Halloween Twist

Crafted in Piedmont, Italy, and finished in the US, Castello del Poggio Candy Corn begins with an Italian white wine blend made primarily from Moscato, which is then brought to the US and masterfully blended with natural flavors inspired by classic candy corn.

Upon tasting, the wine immediately captures the familiar confectionery character of the Halloween favorite with notes of marshmallow, vanilla and warm honey, creating a rich yet balanced flavor profile complemented by the natural fruit character of the wine. At 12% alcohol by volume (ABV), Candy Corn is offered in a 750ml bottle format that is best served chilled at 46 – 49°F.

The limited-edition package is every bit as distinctive as the wine inside. Drawing inspiration from candy corn’s instantly recognizable orange, yellow and white palette, the bottle incorporates playful Halloween imagery designed to stand apart on shelf, while adding playfully to the decorative spirit of an adult Halloween gathering.

Candy Corn Brings the Sweet. You Bring the Salty.

With Candy Corn already providing the sweeter side of the equation, the trick to pairing it lies in contrasting the rich flavor profile rather than adding more sweetness. For an easy Halloween aperitivo, serve Castello del Poggio Candy Corn chilled alongside sharp white cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salted nuts, briny olives or other salty and savory bites, where salt, acidity and umami can counterbalance the wine’s confectionery notes of marshmallow, vanilla and honey.

Conjure Up a Signature Halloween Pour

For those looking to bring a little cocktail magic to the party, Castello del Poggio Candy Corn can also become the foundation for The Witching Hour, a simple signature Halloween tri-layered serve inspired by candy corn’s iconic three-color palette.

The Witching Hour

Ingredients

• 4 oz Castello del Poggio Candy Corn
• Teaspoon Aperol
• Vanilla-citrus aquafaba foam
• 1 candy corn garnish

White Foam

• 1 oz aquafaba (liquid drained from canned chickpeas)
• ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
• 1-2 drops vanilla extract

Note: Shake the aquafaba, lemon and vanilla vigorously (without ice) in a shaker until a dense, ‘spoonable’ white foam forms

Build

1. Pour 4 oz Castello del Poggio Candy Corn wine into a clear stemmed cocktail glass to establish the yellow base (pour over ice chips if desired).
2. Gently spoon ½ inch of aquafaba foam across the surface to create the white crown.
3. Very slowly, introduce a teaspoon of Aperol over the back of a spoon in the center of the white crown, creating an orange layer or gradient above the wine, rather than allowing the two to fully combine.
4. Top off the cocktail with enough aquafaba foam to cover where the Aperol was added to create 3 distinct colored rings.
5. Simply garnish with a single candy corn on the rim or cocktail prick.

The goal with this cocktail is to be as visually striking as it is flavorful: a cocktail evoking candy corn’s distinctive yellow, orange and white progression, while introducing acidity and effervescence to balance the wine’s sweeter confectionery profile.

A Treat Available for a Limited Time

Castello del Poggio Candy Corn is immediately available at a suggested retail price of $12.99 per 750ml bottle, while supplies last. The limited-edition release will be featured at major retailers including Meijer, HEB and SPECs in select markets nationwide. Only 3,000 cases representing 36,000 bottles have been crafted and released exclusively for Halloween 2026.

For more info, visit Castello del Poggio and follow @CastelloDelPoggio on social media.

About Castello del Poggio

Located in Asti in Italy’s Piedmont region, Castello del Poggio takes its name from an historic medieval fortress whose origins date back to the 12th century. Today, the estate brings that centuries-old heritage to a decidedly approachable and contemporary expression of Italian wine, with a portfolio known particularly for aromatic, fruit-forward wines that celebrate the sweeter, more playful side of La Dolce Vita.

About ZONIN1821

Founded in 1821, ZONIN1821 is Italy’s largest family-owned wine company, guided by seven generations of family ownership and more than two centuries of winemaking heritage. The company combines a deep respect for tradition with sustainable viticulture, modern winemaking and a commitment to producing wines that authentically express the character of their origins, while bringing the scale, consistency and operational expertise required to serve leading retailers, distributors and hospitality organizations around the world.

ZONIN1821’s award-winning portfolio spans brands including Zonin, Castello di Albola, Ca’ Bolani, Castello del Poggio, Rocca di Montemassi, Oltrenero, Masseria Altemura, Principi di Butera and Bocelli 1831 – bringing the diversity, craftsmanship and authenticity of Italian winemaking to consumers around the world.

For more on Zonin 1821, visit us at https://www.zonin1821.com/

Media Contact Details
Stuart Kirby
Email: Send Email