Join Login

Month: July 2017

Photo by Richard Hurd

Savant Recognized Nationally as a Top Investment and Accounting Leader

 Industry trade publications release 2017 rankings of top RIA and CPA firms 

Savant Capital Management, a nationally-recognized fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, IL, with offices in Madison and Park Falls, WI; Chicago, Freeport, Geneva, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Peoria, Sterling, and Wilmette, IL; and McLean, VA, has been recognized by Financial Advisor, Financial Times and InvestmentNews as one of the leading Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) in the nation and by Accounting Today magazine as one of the nation’s leading CPA firms by assets under management (AUM).

For the ninth straight year, Financial Advisor magazine has ranked Savant in its annual list of top RIA firms. The 2017 ranking includes nearly 650 RIAs from across the nation and is based on a survey of the firms’ discretionary AUM. Savant was named #53. To view the complete list, click here.

Savant has also been named to the Financial Times’ “FT 300: Top Registered Investment Advisers” list for the fourth year in a row. Savant is one of 20 Illinois RIA firms to be recognized. The results of the list were based on AUM, asset growth rate, the firm’s longevity, compliance record, industry certifications, and online accessibility. Click here to view the complete list.

Financial trade publication InvestmentNews recently released the results of its 2017 nationwide ranking of leading RIA firms, naming Savant #43 – jumping two spots from 2016. The list is based on total AUM and is the tenth time Savant has been in included in the list. To view the full list, click here.

For the fifth time, Savant has landed a top spot on the “Top Wealth Magnet” list by Accounting Today magazine. Ranked fifth out of 150 top CPA Financial Planning firms in the United States, Savant is part of the “Billion Dollar Club” category based on AUM. Today, the firm manages $5 billion in assets for its clients. According to the magazine, firms on this list pay close attention to the news and markets, seeking out or developing new investment vehicles, and closely monitoring and carefully tweaking their strategies to keep their clients’ financial plans on task. Click here for the complete list.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our dedication to our industry recognized nationally,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. “We have provided independent, unbiased advice that we believe is truly in the best interest of our clients. Serving others as a fiduciary is what we have done for more than 30 years and is what allows Savant to pursue its vision of building ideal futures for our clients, our team, and the communities we serve.” 

About Savant Capital Management
Savant Capital Management is a leading independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only firm, serving clients for 30 years with $5 billion in assets under management. As a trusted advisor, Savant Capital Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.

Savant is regularly recognized among the top wealth managers in the United States. Savant was the recipient of the 2015 Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program to recognize excellence in the business of independent financial advice. Savant has consistently received other industry recognitions including recently being included on the Forbes top 200 financial advisors list, the Barron’s top 20 independent advisory firms list, being named the #9 rated RIA firm by Financial Planning magazine, and included in additional top advisors lists by Financial Advisor magazine and InvestmentNews.

Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant’s marketing material should not be construed by any existing or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage Savant’s services and may include lists or rankings published by magazines and other sources which are generally based exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized advisor. For more information about Savant or to view our Important Disclosures, go to www.savantcapital.com/landing-pages/important-disclosures.

Savant Capital Management and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Savant Capital Management. The Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™ is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Savant Capital Management with respect to its investment advisory and other services.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Jeff Mack Joins Park Bank as First Vice President – Private Banking

Park Bank is pleased to announce that Jeff Mack has joined the bank as First Vice President – Private Banking. Mack brings nearly 15 years of demonstrated and award-winning experience in the financial services industry, including ranking as the top mortgage lender for five years at a nationwide bank. In Mack’s role at Park Bank, he will be applying his vast experience in analyzing personal financial portfolios for his clients towards mortgages, personal loans, and financial products and services to best fit their needs now and well into the future. Mack’s commitment to excellence, integrity and leadership is evident from his background as a former University of Wisconsin football team captain and Academic All-American. Today, Mack applies that passion to giving back to the Dane County community. Mack is a Board Member for the Overture Center for the Arts, program committee member at the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, and an advisor for the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development. Mack will be located at Park Bank’s central office at 1815 Greenway Cross in Madison. His contact information is 608-278-2811, cell 608-345-2579, jmack@parkbank.com and jeff.parkbank.com.

Founded over fifty years ago in 1966, Park Bank is one of Madison’s longest serving community banks with 175 employees and $830 million in assets. Park Bank provides financial services to Dane County residents and businesses that help them achieve their dream – whether it’s a new home or a start-up business. Each year, Park Bank contributes to over 50 local organizations, as well as provides hundreds of hours of employee volunteer time, as a re-investment in our communities.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Axley Welcomes New Attorneys to Business Practice Group

Axley is pleased to announce the addition of attorneys Conor Leedom, William Foley and Tracy Murn to Axley’s Business Practice Group.

Conor Leedom – Axley Waukesha

Attorney Conor Leedom is an associate attorney focusing his practice on contract negotiations; business organization and formation; mergers and acquisitions; and real estate transactions including sales and acquisitions, leasing, and development; and land use matters. He joins Axley after working as a commercial contracts attorney for General Electric Healthcare. Mr. Leedom works out of Axley’s Waukesha office.

William Foley – Axley Madison

Attorney William Foley is an associate attorney focusing his practice in tax, estate planning, and general business matters. Mr. Foley joins Axley after working as a Senior Tax Consultant with Deloitte Tax, a Big Four accounting firm. While with Deloitte, Mr. Foley’s work focused on tax planning opportunities and employer-compliance from both a US and global perspective. Mr. Foley works out of Axley’s Madison office.

Tracy Murn – Axley Madison, Axley Waukesha

Attorney Tracy Murn focuses her practice primarily on real estate, estate planning, and environmental law. She is transitioning to her role as associate after serving as a law clerk with Axley for the last two years. Ms. Murn is a recent graduate of Marquette University Law School where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu honors society and graduated cum laude. Ms. Murn will be working from both Axley’s Madison and Waukesha offices.

Photo by Richard Hurd

Chamber Announces Pressure Chamber Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (July 31, 2017)

Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)

MADISON – Today the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced the five finalists competing in this year’s Pressure Chamber startup pitch event, which will take place Aug. 21 at the Overture Center during the Forward Festival, an eight-day celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Madison. In its three years, participating Pressure Chamber companies have gone on to raise more than $105 million from investors.

Pressure Chamber is a “Shark Tank”-style contest in which emerging companies will pitch in front of a panel of regional investors, business executives and a live audience. The winning company is decided based on a combination of judges’ scoring and audience votes.

The 2017 Pressure Chamber finalists are:

  • Cardigan – The business card of the future, an app that enables you to more easily access, update and share your business card information with your connections.
  • Curate – Scans public meeting data using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify cutting-edge marketing intelligence for construction firms and vendors, including early, reliable information about new manufacturing facilities, wastewater plant upgrades and renovations to city hall.
  • DotCom Therapy – Answers the shortage of speech-language pathologists by providing therapy services to children across the country and around the world through live videoconferencing.
  • SimpleMachines – Combines big-data analytics, AI and unstructured data processing into one chip and software framework to develop next-generation programmable chips for the AI era initially targeting the multi-billion data center industry.
  • ThirdSpace – Software to help solve core business problems around employee engagement, onboarding and capturing workplace knowledge, all while delivering “Epic culture.”

“With talented startups like these dedicated to solving global challenges, the future of Greater Madison business looks very bright,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “These companies are great examples of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that are flourishing in our region, and we are excited to see what they have in store at Pressure Chamber.”

In addition to receiving the coveted “golden suitcase,” the winning company will also receive an all-expenses paid spot on the Chamber’s exclusive Madison-area startup delegation to San Francisco this October for meetings with top Silicon Valley investment firms. In its first three years, each Pressure Chamber winner – Fishidy, bluDiagnostics and POLCO – has credited the initiative for helping their company close successful funding rounds. Additionally, Pressure Chamber has been recognized by both the International Economic Development Council and Steve Case’s Rise of the Rest Summit as an entrepreneurship and economic development best practice.

Pressure Chamber returns this year as part of neXXpo, a showcase of some of Greater Madison’s most exciting companies that includes attendee voting for the second annual Most Innovative Company (MIC) award. To register for these events, visit http://greatermadisonchamber.com/programs-events/nexxpo/

Pressure Chamber is presented by Michael Best & Friedrich, with support from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, American Family Ventures, Baird Capital, 4490 Ventures, HealthX Ventures, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Rock River Capital Partners and Wisconsin Investment Partners.

Pressure Chamber finalists are available for interviews upon request.

For more information about Forward Fest, please visit http://www.forwardfest.org/

About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.

###

Photo by Richard Hurd

CEC Announces Addition to Executive Leadership Team

Hiawatha, IA (July 31, 2017) – CEC, a nationally recognized systems and technology integrator, announces that Paul Novak has joined its leadership team as vice president of sales and marketing.

“We had an overwhelming response to this open position, and are very fortunate to have Paul join our team,” says Matt Dlouhy, CEC CEO. “Paul comes to CEC with decades of industry experience in three out of the five CEC technology suites (AV, IT, and safety/security), as well as a proven record of sales management success.”

“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with several IT, video, safety, and unified communications technologies,” says Paul Novak, CEC vice president of sales and marketing. “This new position is a great way for me to bring my experiences together into one role that supports CEC’s customers, sales teams, and technology suites.”

Paul has been in the systems integration industry since 1986, most recently with BT Conferencing, serving as regional vice president of sales. Prior to BT Conferencing, Paul served in roles for Pelco and NCR Corporation, leading sales teams nationally and globally.

Paul will work from CEC’s Green Bay office, expanding CEC’s executive leadership presence in Wisconsin.

About CEC

With offices in the Midwest serving local and national customers, CEC offers solution design, integration, and technical services specializing in audio/video, safety and security, IT, structured cabling, and two-way communications. Focused on the customer experience, the CEC teams partner with clients to understand their business, tailor solutions, and plan for future technology needs. To learn more, visit www.cecinfo.com or contact CEC at 800.377.0721.

###

 

For more information:

Melissa Henderson, Director, Marketing & Business Development

mhenderson@cecinfo.com or 319-294-9000