Three Madison Businesses Recognized at 2017 Business Excellence Forum

CONTACT:
Susan Thomson, CEO
ActionCOACH of Madison
susanthomson@actioncoach.com
608-441-5374

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three Madison Businesses Recognized at 2017 Business Excellence Forum

Be Inspired Salon Inc, wins Best Overall Marketing Program Award

MADISON, WI and HOUSTON, TX – Kati Whitledge, founder of Be Inspired Salon Inc. (www.beinspiredsalon.com), was named the winner for the Best Overall Marketing Program – Americas at the 2017 Business Excellence Awards, which was held at The Westin in Houston, Texas on February 20, 2017.

The Business Excellence Awards – which was hosted by ActionCOACH, the top international business coaching firm – honor the “best of the best” in small and medium sized businesses from around the world, and uses the event to showcase exceptional results achieved by business owners, entrepreneurs, their teams and their companies.

Whitledge and her company received the highest honor in the Best Overall Marketing Program category. Be Inspired Salon Inc. has carved out a niche in marketing for salon owners in all of the US.

“Since joining Mike McKay at ActionCOACH of Madison in 2012, I’ve expanded my salon and doubled our revenue. It’s allowed me the flexibility and freedom to simultaneously start three unique businesses while maintaining a standard of excellence within our salon,” Whiledge said. “This event gave me the opportunity to meet the best leaders in business from across the globe. When you sign up to work with ActionCOACH, you’re tapping into the success of your coach as well as the success of everyone they’re associated with. I’m grateful for every lesson, resource, and opportunity Mike has given me.”

ActionCOACH of Madison also had other clients who were recognized at the 2017 Business Excellence Forum and Awards as finalists in three additional categories:

–Peterson Technology Group (www.petersontechgroup.com), founded by Kevin Peterson, was a finalist in the Best Service Business with Less Than 10 People category.

–Kati Merical and Todd Hultman of Cabinet Masters (www.lifekitchens.com) were a finalist in the Fastest Growing Business category.

–In addition to winning the Best Overall Marketing Program award, Whitledge was a finalist in the Young CEO of the Year category

The 2017 Business Excellence Forums and Awards are part of ActionCOACH’s ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence and business re-education for owners and teams who operate and work in small-and-medium sized businesses. In addition to the awards ceremony, the Business Excellence Forum featured seminars with top speakers in the world of business, including Keith Cunningham, Ivan Misner, Tim Brown, Richard Maloney, Paul Dunn and ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars.

About ActionCOACH of Madison
ActionCOACH is the world’s number one business and executive coaching firm (Entrepreneur Magazine, 2005-2010), with more than 1,000 offices in 32 countries. ActionCOACH has been recognized locally as a finalist by InBusiness Magazine’s Executive Choice participants three consecutive years (2009-2011), and is a Global Top 100 performing firm.

First Business’ Enterprising Nonprofits Event to Take Place in Madison June 2, 2017

MADISON, WI – March 14, 2017 – First Business is pleased to partner with United Way of Dane County to bring Enterprising NONPROFITS to Madison. Enterprising NONPROFITS is an annual all-day interactive conference that allows for-profit and nonprofit business leaders, executive directors, business development directors and volunteer coordinators to collaborate and share best practices. The concept of this event has been proven for the last three years in Appleton, Wisconsin, drawing over 1,000 attendees.

As popularity grew, an interest sparked for the event to be hosted in Madison to serve South Central Wisconsin nonprofits and trade associations. “We approached United Way of Dane County about the value of doing this conference. I was delighted to find they were 100% behind this idea. Our mutual goal is to help build a stronger community through providing education and opportunities for collaboration among the many Non-Profits and Trade Associations of South Central Wisconsin” stated Beth Korth, Senior Vice President at First Business Bank.

“We are thrilled to partner with First Business on this endeavor to facilitate a conversation about innovation and the future of nonprofits, and to create another intersection between local nonprofits and businesses.   This conference is an opportunity for all of us to be inspired, educated and connected and we appreciate that First Business recognizes United Way’s role as the intersection where the community meets to change lives.” commented Renee Moe, President and CEO at United Way of Dane County.

The event will take place June 2, 2017 at The Madison Concourse Hotel, located at 1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703. Local for-profit and nonprofit leaders can find out more about the event at www.enterprisingnonprofits.org.

About First Business
First Business Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIZ) is a Wisconsin-based bank holding company, focused on the unique needs of businesses, business executives, and high net worth individuals. First Business offers commercial banking, specialty finance, and private wealth management solutions, and because of its niche focus, is able to provide its clients with unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness.

Member FDIC, First Business’ corporate headquarters are at 401 Charmany Drive in Madison, WI. For additional information, visit www.firstbusiness.com or call 608-238-8008.

The First Business logo is available at http://www.firstbusiness.com/logo/.

United Way of Dane County fights for the education, financial stability, and health of everyone in Dane County.

Through strategic partnerships and collaborative work, United Way brings the many voices of Dane County together to find common ground, develop a strategic architecture for change, and make measurable progress, while engaging organizations and individuals with the opportunity to give, advocate and volunteer to change lives in Dane County.

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Contacts:
Angela Roidt
Communications Coordinator
First Business Financial Services, Inc.
Phone 608-238-8008
aroidt@firstbusiness.com  

Jocelyn Harmon
EVP of Community Engagement and Marketing
United Way of Dane County
(608) 246-4366
Jocelyn.harmon@uwdc.org

WPS is named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies

WPS Health Solutions again is being recognized by the Ethisphere^® Institute as a World’s Most Ethical Company^®. This is the eighth time that WPS has received the award, which recognizes companies that continue to raise the bar on ethical leadership and corporate behavior.

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) is one of 124 companies recognized this year.

“WPS is honored to again be recognized for having a comprehensive compliance program that fosters a culture of ethics in our work environment,” said Jane Keller-Allen, WPS Vice President of Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk. “The Ethisphere award is a testament to our commitment to good corporate citizenship, effective leadership, and solid governance.”

The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient^® framework. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%).

The full list can be found at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans and their families. In 2017, the international Ethisphere^® Institute named WPS one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for the eighth straight year. For more information, please visit www.wpsic.com.

NGL posts record 2016 sales results

Madison-based mutual life insurance company National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) and its affiliates, Settlers Life Insurance Company located in Bristol, Va. and Commercial Travelers Mutual Insurance Company located in Utica, N.Y., reported a record sales year of $732 million in 2016. Additionally, in the last eight years NGL has doubled its consolidated asset size. This is a reflection on NGL’s 107-year commitment to stability and offering high-quality products.

“There are many people who contributed to NGL’s 2016 results, including our dedicated employees, marketing partners, and the thousands of agents who sell our products. But most importantly, NGL is privileged to serve each of our 1.2 million policyholders,” said Mark L. Solverud, President and Chief Executive Officer at NGL.

The 2016 sales results contributed to the growth of the consolidated statutory assets to $4.1 billion. On a consolidated statutory basis, NGL achieved a net gain of $24.9 million which was very positive given the pressure that the unprecedented low investment rate environment continues to place on operating performance.

These key performance indicators reflect a financially strong company, as does NGL’s A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best Company, the leading provider of ratings and financial data for the insurance industry.

A complete 2016 Annual Report is located at: nglic.com/annualreport.

About NGL

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products including specialty and student insurance. Additional information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company

Financials current as of 12/31/16. Ratings current as of 12/9/16.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Overture’s Local Legends 2017 Include Exact Sciences, Local Couples Continue Pledge of Half Million Dollars to Match Community Gifts

For immediate release: Monday, March 13, 2017
Contact: Lex Poppens, VP of Marketing and Sales, 608.258.4147 | lpoppens@overture.org

Sarah Knab, Communications Manager, 608.258.4438 | sknab@overture.org

Click here for group photo.

Overture’s Local Legends 2017 Include Exact Sciences, Local Couples Continue Pledge of Half Million Dollars to Match Community Gifts

Second Year of Largest-ever Challenge Grant Will Match Donations Until June 15, up to $500,000

Madison, Wis. — Ted DeDee, President and CEO of Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts, and the Overture Center Foundation (OCF) Board of Directors, announced today the list of Overture’s Local Legends for 2017. These are local companies, couples or individuals who’ve pledged $100,000 to challenge area residents and businesses to support the arts at Overture as part of the Spring Match Campaign.

• Exact Sciences Corporation

“Overture is a world-class facility, one of the best performing arts venues in the country, and truly makes a major impact on our community.  But it can’t survive without our community’s support,” commented Kevin Conroy, Chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. Exact Sciences became a Local Legend this year after having long supported Overture by sponsoring its National Geographic Live! series. “Madison continues to become a more dynamic community economically, entrepreneurially, and culturally. As a cornerstone of our region, Overture helps make Madison one of the best cities in America to live, work, and start a business.”

• Judith and Nick Topitzes

“We became a Local Legend to help increase the programming of Overture to as many people as possible in Madison and surrounding communities,” said Judith Topitzes.  She joins the Local Legends with her husband Nick, founder and former owner of pc/nametag. “The arts contribute to the culture, health and balance of individuals. Overture has contributed to a downtown that other cities can only be envious of. But most importantly, we wanted to help make Overture free of politics and open to more Madisonians and south central Wisconsin residents.”

• Sandy and Jun Lee

“The arts are so vital for our community, and for our children,” said Sandy Lee, who, with her fellow-UW alum husband Jun, join Overture’s Local Legends this year. “By supporting Overture Center, we are helping to fuel the creativity required for our children to grow and flourish. Through Overture’s free and low-cost programming, including the OnStage Field Trip program, children have the opportunity to experience the arts first-hand.  Seeing a program and the excitement in the children’s eyes, we knew we had had invest in it.”

• Two couples who prefer to remain anonymous

“We made the decision to give this gift in honor of Glenda Noel-Ney, Overture’s VP of Advancement, and Tim Sauers, VP of Programming and Community Engagement, for their dedication to the arts throughout their careers, and their tremendous influence on making Overture this wonderful place to be introduced to, experience and enjoy the arts,” commented the anonymous couple who donated in the names of Noel-Ney and Sauers. “It is vital to the well-being of a community to ensure the arts are accessible to as many people as possible, and Glenda and Tim work tirelessly towards this at Overture, through outreach, engagement and arts programming in diverse forms and for all ages. As we see it, they are the legends – not us.”

“The main reason we made the donation is that we were able to at this moment in our lives and we think the Overture is a beautiful space that everyone should be able to enjoy,” commented one of this year’s Local Legends couples, who will remain anonymous. “We are hoping our donation will make it possible for those that might otherwise not have the opportunity, to be able to do so.”

The campaign grew last season with last year’s five Local Legends – Jim and Sue Bakke, Diane Ballweg, Jim Imhoff and Kitty Kuhl, Jonathan and Susan Lipp and Tom and Peggy Pyle – who challenged Overture’s fundraising efforts with a $500,000 total match of individual and corporate philanthropic gifts.

Previous Years’ Local Legends:

• 2015 – Ron and Deborah Krantz and an anonymous donor in honor of Ted & Gail DeDee
• 2014 – Joe and Mary Ellyn Sensenbrenner and Bea and Lau Christensen
• 2013 – MG&E Foundation, Kelly Family Foundation and Dianne Christensen

“The Local Legends program, now in its fifth year, is part of Overture’s Spring fundraising program where generous individuals, families and corporations have each pledged $100,000 as a match to contributions of any denomination from the Madison area community,” said Ted DeDee, Overture’s President and CEO. “All money raised in this Local Legends Match campaign, which runs through June 15th, supports Overture’s free and low-cost programs throughout the year. To date, twelve Local Legends have made this significant commitment. And now, five new Local Legends have just pledged their extremely powerful financial support in order that the contributions of others are doubled.”  DeDee concluded, “We couldn’t be more grateful for the meaningful gifts of our Local Legends and the resounding response of our entire community.”

To qualify for the match, gifts may be made by individuals or businesses and designated to the Overture Annual Fund or in support of a community program. Performance or program sponsorships will not be counted toward the match.

In 2012, Overture Center became a private non-profit organization, continuing its mission to engage the community in the arts and ensure access to the arts for all, regardless of their social or economic standing.

OVERTURE CENTER FOR THE ARTS in Madison, Wisconsin features seven state-of-the-art performance spaces and five galleries where national and international touring artists, ten resident companies and hundreds of local artists engage people in nearly seven hundred thousand educational and artistic experiences each year. Overture.org  

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