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Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS Charitable Foundation helps raise money for Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Charitable Foundation helps raise money for Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down Madison

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 10, 2021—WPS Charitable Foundation is a Diamond-level sponsor and the hole-in-one sponsor for Stand Down Madison’s inaugural golf outing on Saturday, Aug. 14. The fundraising event takes place at Bridges Golf Course, 2702 Shopko Drive, Madison. Shotgun start is at 9 a.m.

“Stand Down Madison’s mission to provide relief to veterans experiencing homelessness and its success is dependent upon its relationships with community partners,” Angie Nickels, President of Stand Down Madison, said. “We are grateful for the continued support of WPS Health Solutions.”

The funds raised at this event will help provide relief to Wisconsin’s veterans who are experiencing homelessness. There is still time to sign up to participate in the Stand Down Madison golf tournament.

“At WPS, we seek to partner with organizations that have a strong affinity to our mission of helping veterans get needed health care,” said Scott Kowalski, WPS’ Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications. “Stand Down Madison’s compassionate care of veterans experiencing homelessness is a cause we are proud to support.”

The main Stand Down Madison event is Oct. 9, 2021. Vendors can register online at standdownmadison.org/become-a-vendor. Volunteers can sign up to help at standdownmadison.org/volunteer.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world.

WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 3,100 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits.

About the WPS Charitable Foundation

The WPS Charitable Foundation was formed in 1986 to honor WPS’ first president, Ray Koenig. The Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization separate from WPS Health Solutions and its subsidiaries.

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Photo caption:
WPS Charitable Foundation presents a $5,000 check to Stand Down Madison. Pictured (l. to r.) are: Scott Kowalski, WPS Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, and Stand Down Madison representatives Angie Nickels, President, Angie Chesna, Vice President, Sheila Frye, Secretary, and Ted Bendler, Treasurer.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

Brooklyn Hilton Promoted to Account Executive at M3

Brooklyn Hilton has been promoted to account executive at M3 Insurance. Specializing in construction and real estate, Hilton builds comprehensive insurance and risk management solutions and evaluates contractual risk transfer provisions to protect clients from unforeseen loss or liability.

Hilton first joined M3 as a summer intern in 2017 and moved to a full-time position in the M3You Program after graduating from Illinois State University in 2018. She most recently worked as an account manager in the senior living and social services industry practice group.

Throughout her time with M3, Hilton has grown her insurance knowledge and sales acumen through internal partnerships and external educational opportunities. She is currently pursuing her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations.


About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work.

Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces®

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces®

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 5, 2021—WPS Health Solutions has been recognized as one of the recipients of the 2021 Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards. This annual award recognizes top employers that display leadership and innovation in engaging their workplaces.

“The COVID-19 pandemic presented a myriad of challenges for businesses and their workforce. But these unprecedented times also offered an opportunity for organizations to support their people. Companies that prioritized employee experience, recognition and employee voice have seen increased productivity, higher employee engagement and stronger loyalty,” said Jeff Cates, CEO and president at Achievers. “This year’s 50 Most Engaged winners embody what it means to be a ‘people-first’ business and have proven how the prioritization of employee experience can help an organization withstand even the most difficult of times.”

A panel of 15 judges comprised of employee engagement academics, industry analysts, thought leaders, journalists and influencers evaluated the applicants. Winners were selected based on Achievers’ Eight Elements of Employee Engagement®: Accountability & Performance; Belonging, Equity & Inclusion; Culture Alignment; Manager Empowerment; Professional & Personal Growth; Purpose & Leadership; Recognition & Rewards; and Well-being.

“Being recognized for this award is meaningful because it symbolizes the progress we’ve made in our culture journey and inspires us to continue our focus on creating an exceptional employee experience at WPS,” said Moira Klos, Human Resources Senior Vice President.

For more information about Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces, visit achievers.com/engaged. Follow the conversations on Twitter at @Achievers or use the hashtag #Achievers50.

About Achievers

Achievers’ employee voice and recognition solutions bring your organization’s values and strategy to life by activating employee participation and accelerating a culture of performance. Achievers leverages the science behind behavior change, so your people and your organization can experience sustainable, data-driven business results. Visit us at www.achievers.com.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation uses “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to its entire enterprise. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions, including WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has more than 3,100 employees and has been based in Wisconsin for 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

Wisconsin Bank & Trust Announces Key Leadership Changes and Additions; Doug Kohlbeck Named President

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Shawn Kesler
Vice President Marketing
414.394.5946
SKesler@htlf.com

WISCONSIN BANK & TRUST ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES AND ADDITIONS; DOUG KOHLBECK NAMED PRESIDENT

August 4, 2021 — MADISON, WI — Wisconsin Bank & Trust (WBT), a member of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF) that operates under the brand name HTLF, has announced several key leadership changes and additions to the team as Doug Kohlbeck is named President and John Hintze has been hired as Senior Vice President, Director of Middle Market.

Doug Kohlbeck has been promoted to President of WBT and will serve on the bank’s Board of Directors.  Kohlbeck joined WBT in July of 2020 as EVP of Commercial Banking. This promotion reflects his hands-on leadership and as president, Doug will continue to strategically align the commercial team for growth and help WBT grow across the state. Doug has served as a leader in the commercial and business banking space for over 25 years at various financial institutions.

“We are fortunate to have Doug Kohlbeck take over as President at Wisconsin Bank & Trust,” said Steve Ward, CEO of Wisconsin Bank & Trust.  “Doug has an unwavering commitment to serving customers and dedication to community involvement. His customer-focused leadership approach makes him perfectly suited to lead Wisconsin Bank & Trust into the future,” Ward concluded.

WBT has also added key talent with John Hintze joining the organization. John brings over 20 years of commercial banking experience and will serve as the Senior Vice President, Director of Wisconsin Middle Market, assisting middle market companies with their growth objectives.

John most recently served as the Senior Vice President in Middle Market Banking at U.S. Bank in Madison.  He is a UW-Green Bay graduate and currently serves on various boards in the Madison area including the Madison Children’s Museum, American Heart Association and Capital Off-Road Pathfinders.  John also serves on the board of directors for My Choice Wisconsin located in Milwaukee.

“John is a very experienced commercial banker with a demonstrated and proven track record in the banking industry,” said Doug Kohlbeck, President, Wisconsin Bank & Trust. “We’re excited to continue to expand our commercial banking team in Wisconsin as John brings deep industry knowledge and a skillset that matches our core strategy to bring meaningful tangible value to our clients that is even more important today given the rapidly changing business environment.”

WBT is a member bank of HTLF, an $18 billion holding company with locations in 12 states. HTLF’s strength and resources match those of regional and national banks, but with strong local leadership and local decision making.  WBT offers advanced lending, treasury and payment solutions, retirement planning services and more, including high touch private banking with advanced technology offerings.

About Wisconsin Bank & Trust

Wisconsin Bank & Trust (WBT), a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., (NASDAQ: HTLF), is a business-focused community bank with assets of more than $1.2 billion. With 13 banking centers and one loan processing office, Wisconsin Bank & Trust serves customers in the Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Monroe and southwest areas of Wisconsin. WBT offers a wide range of personal and business banking, private client and mortgage lending services. For more information, visit   or call 608.203.1214. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc., operating under the brand name HTLF, is a financial services company with assets of approximately $18.4 billion. HTLF’s banks serve communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Texas and Wisconsin. HTLF is committed to its core commercial business, supported by a strong retail operation, and provides a diversified line of financial services including treasury management, residential mortgage, wealth management, investment and insurance. Additional information is available at htlf.com.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

In-Person Wisconsin Union Theater Events Return With 3rd Annual Black Arts Matter Festival, 102nd Annual Classical Music Series, Jazz and More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 3, 2021

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
Phone: (608) 262-8862

IN-PERSON WISCONSIN UNION THEATER EVENTS RETURN WITH 3RD ANNUAL BLACK ARTS MATTER FESTIVAL, 102ND ANNUAL CLASSICAL MUSIC SERIES, JAZZ AND MORE 

Wisconsin Union Theater team releases full 2021-22 season lineup

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union Theater team’s 2021-22 season will include jazz, classical music, R&B music, the return of the Black Arts Matter Festival, and more and will begin in September with in-person performances and some virtual attendance options. 

The Theater team held a mostly virtual 2020-21 season with the exceptions of two outdoor Madison Jazz Festival performances on the Memorial Union Terrace in June 2021. Despite all of the challenges presented by the pandemic, the Theater held more than 30 online events and supported artists, thanks in part to support from donations and patrons’ ticket purchases. 

The Theater team hosted a small number of performers for livestreamed and recorded performances in Shannon Hall, but the rows of patrons’ seats remained empty due to COVID-19.

The team looks forward to its upcoming season during which patrons can again enjoy programming in-person as well as all that Memorial Union offers, including dining at multiple on-site restaurants that guests can enjoy before performances. 

The series includes the return of the Theater’s classical music series, called the Concert Series, and the 3rd annual Black Arts Matter Festival, which builds community around Black culture and art.

The full lineup is as follows:

Patrons can currently purchase subscriptions to the Concert Series, including a subscription with or without the Fleming recital as well as a subscription for only fall Concert Series performances. The following are available for subscribers to purchase as discounted add-ons to their purchases: Arun Luthra’s Konnakol Jazz Project, Phony Ppl, The Vijay Iyer Trio, and ABSENCE: Terence Blanchard. 

Concert Series subscribers’ benefits include no order fee and the opportunity to be the first to purchase tickets to Fleming’s recital and other Series performances. Additional subscription benefits include the option to be among the first to purchase tickets to Luthra’s Konnakol Jazz Project, Phony Ppl, The Vijay Iyer Trio, and ABSENCE: Terence Blanchard. 

Patrons can purchase single tickets for all 2021-22 Theater season events starting Aug. 24 with the exception of Fleming’s recital. Pending availability, single tickets for Fleming’s performance will go on sale in early 2022.

Patrons can purchase tickets online or in-person at the Memorial Union Box Office. Ticket prices vary by event. University of Wisconsin-Madison students, staff and faculty and Wisconsin Union members are eligible for ticket discounts.  

“We’ve missed our patrons and the opportunities to greet them and witness their enjoyment of performances,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “We enter this new season with excitement and acknowledgment that we’re not going back to how it’s always been. The pre-pandemic ‘normal’ wasn’t great for everyone, and this is a chance to rethink how we do things. Our hybrid model of in-person and livestreamed programming is designed to increase flexibility and accessibility for our audiences. From programming to operations, we’re prioritizing health, safety, and belonging for all.”

The Wisconsin Union Theater began in 1939. The Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a non-profit organization with a vision of serving as the social heart of UW–Madison, where all belong. The Theater team has been committed to artistic excellence throughout its more than 80 years of serving its patrons. It also presents diverse forms of art in its seasons and works to create inclusive spaces. 

This season is made possible in part due to donations. The events featuring Gil Shaham and Akira Eguchi and the Brentano String Quartet are part of the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music series supported by the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music Fund. The performance by Fleming is supported in part with gifts from Bob and Linda Graebner and Stephen Morton. The entire season is presented with support from the Wisconsin Arts Board. 

The Wisconsin Union team employs numerous health and safety measures to help provide safe enjoyment of Union experiences, including the frequent cleaning of shared spaces and the providing of hand sanitizer stations.

For more information about the 2021-22 Wisconsin Union Theater season, visit union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is committed to social justice and continues to work towards creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive place for all who engage with the Theater’s programming, events, and activities. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends learning and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/season-2021-22.