Carl Bernstein, Jamie Raskin Announced as Cap Times Idea Fest Speakers, Tickets Now on Sale

MADISON, Wis. –– A few months back the Cap Times announced that the sixth annual Cap
Times Idea Fest will once again be a hybrid of virtual and in-person events from Sept. 12-17
across Madison. This morning, Cap Times publisher Paul Fanlund announced speakers
including Carl Bernstein and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, and session topics ranging from the
election to climate change.

Read more here

McAllen Properties: 2nd Annual Barks, Beats & Brews Fundraiser

Local Businesses plan 2^nd Annual Barks, Beats & Brews Fundraiser to benefit Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin on September 10, 2022

Madison, WI, July 28, 2022: Kessenich’s, Rusty Dog Coffee, Working Draft Beer Company, McAllen Properties, and AdMadison have joined forces once again this year to host Barks, Beats & Brews 2022 in the common area outside the Kessenich’s and Rusty Dog Coffee office building, at 3226 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716., from 11 am – 4 pm.

This will be a fun Saturday afternoon with two live bands (Straight Skinny and Taylor Schereck), 4 Food Trucks (Freeman Brothers BBQ, Chocolatte Shoppe, Jason’s Jerk, and Tortillas Los Angeles), a Rusty Dog Coffee Stand, a Working Draft Beer Stand, and Underdog Pet Rescue will be on site with adoptable animals ready to meet and greet. There will be no same-day adoptions, but the process can be started at the event.

Event T’s will be given out to anyone making a donation of their choice to Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin at the event while they last! In addition, Rusty Dog and Working Draft Beer will donate a portion of their sales from the event directly to Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin.

It’s a great family event with plenty of free parking, tents, tables, and chairs and lots of room to enjoy the music, food, and other treat.

Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin is a 501©3 all-breed companion animal rescue based out of Dane County, WI. They offer veterinary services at their Fair Oaks Avenue building 4 days a week by appointment. Underdog is currently raising funds to secure a larger building with the intent to help even more local homeless companion pets.

A Facebook Event Page has been set up: https://www.facebook.com/events/580748836796597

www.kessenichs.com, www.rustydogcoffee.com, www.workingdraftbeer.com, www.mcallenproperties.com, www.admadison.com

WPS Health Solutions President and CEO Mike Hamerlik to retire in 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions President and CEO Mike Hamerlik to retire in 2023

MADISON, Wis.—Aug. 1, 2022—WPS Health Solutions announces the planned retirement of its President and CEO, Mike Hamerlik. The WPS Board of Directors will identify WPS’ next president and CEO following an established succession and transition plan. A board-appointed transition committee is ready to begin the process.

“I’ve long said that my tenure at WPS would be a maximum of 10 years given the stage of my career. I intend to retire by this time next year,” Hamerlik said. “Change is good for organizations and provides new leaders opportunities.”

The WPS Board has ample time to identify a successor and complete a seamless transition over the next 12 months.

“Mike has been an exceptional leader at WPS for the past 10 years,” WPS Board Chair Kristine Euclide said. “Now, our job is to identify his successor and allow him time to lead the transition, so WPS can continue its tradition of providing exceptional customer care within a nationally recognized top workplace.”

Hamerlik has been at the helm of WPS since 2012. He serves on the boards of Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation; WPS Health Plan, Inc.; The EPIC Life Insurance Company; and the WPS Charitable Foundation, Inc.

Mike is also a board member of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and is the Immediate Past Chair of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves on the boards of the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the UW-Madison La Follette School Board of Visitors, and the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and Foundation. He is a member and past president of the Alliance of Health Insurers, U.A., Wisconsin, a state health insurance industry and consumer group. He is also a member of the Chi-Matic, Inc. Advisory Board. Mike previously served on the board of United Way of Dane County.

During Mike’s tenure, WPS Health Solutions received numerous awards, including being named a Top Workplace by the Wisconsin State Journal, making the Achievers’ 50 Most Engaged Workplaces list and its Elite 8 in the category of Culture Alignment, and winning Top Workplaces’ Culture Excellence Awards for Work-Life Flexibility and Remote Work.

In 2021, he joined approximately 2,000 CEOs across the nation to pledge action on supporting a more inclusive workplace for employees, communities, and society at large. He proactively champions pledge commitments by co-chairing the WPS Health Solutions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Executive Council.

Prior to joining WPS, Mike was President and CEO of Noridian Administrative Services. He previously was Executive Vice President of Government and Corporate Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, where he began as Associate General Counsel. Prior to working at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, he practiced law with Lewis and Roca in Phoenix, Ariz. He also served as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives for six years.

Mike graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, majoring in marketing. He earned his law degree at the University of North Dakota School of Law. His hobbies include classical music, aviation, collecting antiques, and classic car restoration, which he intends to enjoy a lot more of during his retirement.

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 2,700 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. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Equity Strategic Action Plan on Student Leadership and Involvement Launches at University of Wisconsin–Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2022

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

EQUITY STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ON STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT LAUNCHES AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON

MADISON – An equity action plan more than a year in the making, called the Equity Strategic Action Plan (ESAP), will kick off soon with campus stakeholders’ feedback driving the actionable ways the University of Wisconsin–Madison Center for Leadership & Involvement (CfLI) will work to further improve policies, practices and support of marginalized campus community members.

CfLI engaged in an in-depth organizational review of student leadership and student organization programs, resources, and services through a social justice lens in partnership with the diversity, inclusion and equity firm CultureBrokers. The teams conducted the review with multiple goals in mind, including further improving the accessibility of CfLI’s leadership and student organization resources and ensuring they are meeting the needs of marginalized communities.

The review included surveying more than 300 UW–Madison students, staff, faculty, and alumni as well as holding several focus groups. 

CfLI and CultureBrokers used the information to identify areas for improvement and to create CfLI’s inaugural ESAP.

Throughout the next year, the CfLI team will implement ESAP and share notable progress as it works toward achieving the plan’s goals, such as identifying additional programs, services and outreach that are needed for diverse students, faculty and staff.  

“We appreciate the insightful feedback provided by our campus community, and we are committed to meeting the needs of all students – especially those most marginalized,” CfLI Director Mark Kueppers said. “The Center for Leadership & Involvement team recognizes the critical need to address racism and dismantle systems of oppression. The Equity Strategic Action Plan serves as a key resource in this effort.”

CfLI helps more than 16,000 UW–Madison students in connecting with the far-ranging leadership and involvement opportunities on campus. UW–Madison’s current leadership opportunities include both in and out-of-the-classroom experiences, such as registered student organizations, Willis L. Jones Leadership Center experiential learning, the Leadership Certificate Program, Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) adventure-based workshops, and the Student Leadership Program (SLP). Additionally, CfLI is responsible for registering and advising more than 900 student organizations each year.

Those with questions about the ESAP or campus leadership and involvement opportunities can contact the CfLI team at cfli@studentlife.wisc.edu. 

Those interested in learning more about this effort and reading ESAP can visit cfli.wisc.edu/esap.

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About the Center for Leadership and Involvement

The Center for Leadership & Involvement (CfLI) assists University of Wisconsin–Madison students in intentionally connecting with the far-ranging leadership opportunities throughout campus, including student organizations. The Center supports students in making meaning of their leadership experiences and in developing leadership capacity and the ability to affect positive change. Learn more about CfLI at cfli.wisc.edu. 

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/esap-2022.

Larry Van Epps Joins Oak Bank as Business Banking Vice President

For Immediate Release
Contact: Karen Virnoche, 608.441.6000
kvirnoche@oakbankonline.com

Larry Van Epps Joins Oak Bank as Business Banking Vice President

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank, Fitchburg’s community bank since 2000, welcomes Larry Van Epps to the team as a Business Banking Vice President.

“Larry possesses the ability to really connect with people and brings enthusiasm and humor to the office each day,” said Terry Taylor, Oak Bank President. “He is a strong advocate for his clients and earns their trust and loyalty. Culturally, he is a perfect fit for our organization, and we are fortunate to have him on our team.”

Van Epps brings over 27 years of local business banking experience to Oak Bank. As a business banking VP, he’ll work with area business owners on their financial needs and expansion goals, as a trusted advisor.

“Oak Bank approaches each client with a unique experience customized to their needs,” said Van Epps. “I’m excited to bring a simpler way of banking and 27 years of experience to my clients.”

Van Epps has lived in the Madison area his entire life. He and his family (his wife, five kids, four grandkids, a dog, and a cat) call Waunakee home. Van Epps graduated with a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and has sponsored a child through compassion.com for over 8 years.

About Oak Bank
Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 22 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and unique solutions, all while supporting over 125 local nonprofits each year. Visit oakbankonline.com to learn more.

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