Overture Center announces preservation plans

Madison, Wis. — The COVID-19 pandemic has had a worldwide impact on businesses and individuals. The arts industry thrives on bringing people together through the arts. Closures were necessary to protect public health, and while state economies are reopening, the entertainment and hospitality sectors are expected to be the last to recover.

The pandemic has seriously impacted Overture Center financially. The financial impact of the pandemic for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 will be in the millions.

The Executive Leadership Team has evaluated several options aimed at financial preservation. As we created this framework for the future, it was critical to support all the people involved, from our employees to our patrons. We also considered how to best address the needs of our building and our resident arts companies while recognizing their independence. The framework for our plan to move forward was approved by Overture’s Board of Directors.

Overture Center Board Chair, Betty Harris Custer, said, “The uncertainty of this pandemic means that we need to consider several short- and long-term scenarios as we make our plans. We need to be nimble, yet we must be positioned for success. We are doing everything we can to secure a positive future for Overture and our employees.”

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WPS Health Solutions honors commitment to 29 summer interns—virtually

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions honors commitment to 29 summer interns—virtually

MADISON, Wis.—June 23, 2020—With many businesses around the nation canceling, postponing, or shortening their internship programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program at WPS Health Solutions has continued forward—virtually.

The WPS summer intern class of 2020 at WPS is comprised of 29 interns working remotely across nine states. The interns are getting a unique chance to see what business is like when it isn’t business as usual.

The program is being led by Corporate Recruiter Devon Witt and Talent Acquisition Director Tina Wallace. Although the goals of the program remain steadfast, the way it looks this year is very different.

Witt adjusted the program so interns can still gain the opportunities they need to advance their education and careers.

“Many schools were still requiring that the student complete an internship to graduate next year, so I’m proud of WPS and the managers for honoring the commitment made to the interns,” she said. “We had one intern who had multiple internships cancel on her for this summer, but she finally found a home at WPS.”

After finishing their spring semester of classes online, collaborating in a virtual environment isn’t anything new for these interns. WPS was equally as equipped and ready to move onboarding, training, team-building activities, and project work to a remote environment. At its peak, approximately 93% of all WPS employees were working remotely during the pandemic; a voluntary return-to-office program currently is underway.

Managers and the technology team worked together to identify equipment needs for each intern and coordinated the shipments. WPS technology experts then helped the interns resolve any issues with setting up their computers and programs.

In addition to equipment, Witt took extra steps to make sure the interns felt welcomed and connected.

“Starting in March, every other week, I would email them updates on the exciting happenings at WPS. We also mailed a ‘Final Exam Gift,’ which included a 2020 intern T-shirt (designed by last year’s intern class), a gift card, and a personalized note to each intern before kicking things off this summer.”

The Talent Development team conducted the onboarding in two sessions. This is the largest intern class to date, almost twice as large as last year.

Each intern will focus on four main components through the internship program:

• Gaining skills in their functional area of study.
• Gaining exposure to a corporate culture through professional development trainings hosted by the Talent Development team, Executive Speaker Series, as well as day-to-day meetings.
• Gaining project-management and team-building skills by working on the Pay-it-Forward project. The collaborative effort will give next year’s interns new resources based on best practices from the 2020 class.
• Gaining public speaking and leadership skills by presenting their Pay-it-Forward project and everything they have learned to their managers and the executive team.

“All of the interns had a great attitude and outlook coming into the program, so I’m excited to see where the summer takes us,” Witt said.

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. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

DeWitt Law Firm Pledges $100,000 to Increase Access to the Justice System

CONTACT: 
Michelle M. Friedman
262-754-2877 | mmf@dewittllp.com

DeWitt Law Firm Pledges $100,000 to Increase Access to the Justice System

MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – DeWitt LLP announced today it is donating $100,000 towards assisting with the pursuit of greater access to justice for communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The law firm is committing $20,000 annually for the next five years to organizations that assist individuals who have historically been under-represented in the justice system. DeWitt’s pledge is a commitment to support local communities and an acknowledgement of today’s powerful call for change, equality, and justice.   

As a law firm, DeWitt recognizes that among the inequities that exist in our society today are the injustices suffered by those who cannot access the legal system, which often prevents equal justice from being realized. The justice system favors those who are represented, and justice for those without representation is a fleeting hope.      

“While DeWitt has long volunteered time through various non-profits to offer citizens legal assistance in the pursuit of justice, we feel it is imperative to further the cause, especially now, by lending our financial support,” said Bradley C. Fulton, President & Managing Partner at DeWitt. “As a law firm, we understand that not everyone has access to justice and this pledge aligns well with our commitment to respect the law, while helping to pursue true equality within our justice system. It is our hope this donation is a small step towards supporting the system’s much needed transformation,” he added.

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has nearly 140 attorneys practicing in Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a variety of legal areas and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in several areas, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, civil rights litigation, construction litigation, corporate law, employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family law, government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law. More information is available at dewittllp.com.

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Stacey Gibson Joins Oak Bank as Director of First Impressions

Contact
Diana Henry
Rippe Keane Marketing
diana@rippekeane.com
6082779097

Oak Bank, Fitchburg’s community bank since 2000, is pleased to welcome Stacey Gibson to the team as Director of First Impressions.

As Director of First Impressions, Stacey is the first person our clients encounter – in person and over the phone. This position reflects our company culture and character and that makes it a very important role for the bank.

“A client’s experience with us is top priority,” said Terry Taylor, Oak Bank President. “When a client walks into our lobby, we want them to feel like they are walking into a friend’s home. When a client calls on the phone, we want clients to feel like they are calling a friend. We want everyone to feel like they are a member of the Oak Bank family. Our Director of First Impressions is one of the ways we make that happen.”

“I’m excited to join Oak Bank after being a client myself for many years,” said Stacey. “I look forward to providing the same friendly, caring client service my family has always received from the wonderful group at Oak Bank.”

Stacey was born and raised in Rhinelander and lives in Stoughton with her husband Josh, two daughters and their two dogs. She graduated from UW-Stout and spent the last 10 years teaching at Sandhill Elementary. Stacey enjoys spending time with family, hiking, visiting craft breweries and working on home renovation projects.

Company Background
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 20 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers and unique solutions, all while supporting over 100 local nonprofits each year. Visit oakbankonline.com to learn more.

DeWitt’s Intellectual Property Practice Group Recommended by IAM Patent 1000 and Managing Intellectual Property Magazine

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman   
262-754-2877 / mmf@dewittllp.com

DeWitt’s Intellectual Property Practice Group Recommended by IAM Patent 1000 and Managing Intellectual Property Magazine

MADISON/MILWAUKEE/MINNEAPOLIS – DeWitt LLP announced its inclusion in the world’s leading resource to Patent Professionals, the 2020 IAM Patent 1000 guide. The guide recommends the Intellectual Property (IP) practice of the firm and its attorneys Eric Chadwick, Joseph Leone, Joseph Miotke, Charles Sara, and Christopher Scherer as top patent practitioners. In addition to IAM’s recognition, Miotke, Sara and Scherer were recently designated as 2020 “IP Stars” by Managing Intellectual Property Magazine, the definitive guide to leading IP firms and lawyers.

IAM is known as the definitive ‘go-to’ resource for those seeking to identify world-class, private practice patent expertise and leading expert witnesses in the US. It recognized DeWitt in its listing, describing the firm as turning matters around quickly and efficiently while deploying a high-level of strategic insight. IAM further described DeWitt as “… Madison’s top commercial firm, DeWitt takes intellectual property seriously and has invested in a sophisticated patent practice with depth in life sciences, medical devices, the chemical arts and, increasingly, software. On behalf of an incredibly diverse group of clients – including non-profits, universities, multinational corporations and individuals…” 

IAM on Joseph Leone, Joseph Miotke, Charles Sara and Christopher Scherer (Wisconsin): 

“Joseph Leone, Chris Scherer, Charles Sara and Joseph Miotke turn matters around quickly and efficiently, and deploy high-level strategic insight to superb effect. With Leone and Scherer newly minted as co-chairs of the practice, the firm has built up a lot of momentum. Leone is as versatile as they come, being schooled in prosecution and litigation in all areas of intellectual property. Drawing on his chemistry background, he tackles technically complex matters with relish for discerning clients such as the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). Judging by the extensive and vocal praise directed his way, electrical engineer Scherer is doing extraordinary things right now. “Flexible, responsive, technically adept and competitively priced, Chris is simply awesome and one of the best-rounded US patent practitioners. He gives extremely well-thought-out advice, but is unfailingly practical and to the point at the same time. He has built up a first-class team at DeWitt, which shows in the quality of the overall service.” Sara has his finger on the pulse of developments in the biotechnology space, in which he litigates and closes deals. As an attorney, Miotke is “brilliant at aligning patent approaches with business needs to ensure you protect what matters most while spending resources wisely”. More broadly, he is gifted at opening innovation and entrepreneurship pathways for those with limited access; the effort he puts into developing talent from underprivileged backgrounds is truly laudable.”

IAM on Eric Chadwick (Minnesota): 

“DeWitt upped its trial capabilities by hiring Eric Chadwick in September 2019; the former Patterson Thuente IP partner is a practiced IP and commercial litigator.”

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota.  It has nearly 140 attorneys practicing in Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a variety of legal areas and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in several areas, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, corporate law, commercial litigation, employment, environmental, employee benefits, government relations, immigration, international, litigation, real estate, tax, estate planning and family law. More information is available at https://dewittllp.com.