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Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.

Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS restructures organization for growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Corporate Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS restructures organization for growth
New holding company structure allows development of new opportunities

MADISON, Wis.—March 20, 2024—Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation’s (WPS) corporate structure has recently been expanded to add a new parent holding company called WPS Holdings, Inc. The corporate restructure provides greater enterprise flexibility and enables new growth opportunities. 

“We are on a growth trajectory and the new structure will serve that growth. I want to be clear that WPS remains fully committed our health insurance business and the markets we serve,” says Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Frank Gumina. “There are no plans to sell or otherwise divest any part of our business.” 

The new WPS Holdings, Inc. is set up as a nonstock corporation with no shareholders or owners. WPS Holdings, Inc. is the sole member of Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. The new structure will allow the enterprise more flexibility to expand and grow into lines of business outside of insurance, while continuing its full commitment to WPS Health Insurance customers, beneficiaries, business partners, and agents. 

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, Wisconsin, has more than 2,600 employees. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

Edgington and Versluys Appointed One Community Bank Advisory Board Ambassadors

March 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Edgington and Versluys Appointed One Community Bank Advisory Board Ambassadors

(March 2024) – One Community Bank is proud to announce the addition of Shelley Edgington, SVP – Retail Banking, and Jeff Versluys, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer, as Ambassadors to the One Community Bank (OCB) Advisory Board. With enthusiasm, they step into the roles previously held by Liz Deihs, Chief Experience Officer, and Shauna Gnorksi, EVP and Chief Financial Officer. Jeff and Shelley will contribute to the board’s endeavors and bring valuable perspectives.

“Liz and Shauna were the inaugural members of the OCB Advisory Board and played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork and assembling the initial board members. Their dedication and service have been invaluable in shaping the foundation of the board. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Liz and Shauna for their exceptional commitment and contributions,” said Steve Peotter, President and CEO.

The OCB Advisory Board is comprised of OCB’s President and CEO, Steve Peotter, Jim Walker, retired OCB Colleague as Independent Chair, and a cohort of industry experts. Among these notable individuals are Mike Kriefski, Dave Martin, Valerie Renk, Dr. Katie Schmitt, and Isaac Showaki, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in their respective fields.

“I am thrilled to welcome Shelley Edgington and Jeff Versluys to the One Community Bank Advisory Board. Their remarkable expertise in retail banking and proven track record of spearheading expansion efforts at One Community Bank bring invaluable insights to our team. With their wealth of experience and strategic vision, I am confident that together, we will navigate through changes in the financial industry,” said Jim Walker.

“I am excited to be an appointed member of the OCB Advisory Board. I look forward to contributing my knowledge to the board while also learning from esteemed members of the community. As One Community Bank continues to expand, the ever-evolving landscape provides a constant opportunity for personal and collective growth. I look forward to the journey ahead,” said Shelley Edgington.

“I am truly honored to serve on the OCB Advisory Board. As a group, the board members are top-notch leaders in a variety of industries. They are offering valuable insights to help OCB aspire to our vision of being the best billion-dollar bank in the world. I’m excited to be a part of this, and look forward to sharing my perspectives which are shaped by over 30 years in banking,” said Jeff Versluys.


One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 15 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

Photo by Richard Hurd

CNN Underscored Names Savant Wealth Management a Top 10 Financial Advisor Firm

Savant Wealth Management, a nationally recognized, fee-only registered investment adviser (RIA) located in Madison, is pleased to announce it was named to CNN Underscored’s list of the 10 Best Financial Advisors of March 2024.

To determine the top financial advisors, CNN Underscored’s editors screened over 700 RIA firms headquartered in the U.S. with more than $1 billion total assets under management (AUM) and who had filed the latest Form ADV on or after March 31, 2023. To be considered, the firms must provide financial services, not receive commissions, and not employ registered broker-dealer representatives, insurance companies or agencies, among others. Additionally, the AUM had to meet specific criteria, and the firm had to have no disclosures against it that would preclude its inclusion on the list. Savant did not pay a fee to be included on this list, which was announced Jan. 30.

“It’s an honor to be named by CNN Underscored as one of the top 10 RIA firms in the country,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. “Although the list contained several very large RIAs, it was nice to see an employee-owned firm like ours recognized for the comprehensive work we do for clients, including tax and estate planning, as well as financial planning, retirement planning, and investment management.”

In 2023, Savant completed 11 acquisitions – a historic number of deals for the firm. However, we believe Savant’s approach to growth differs from typical aggregators or financial buyers, in that it seeks partners who can help provide a better client experience, a deep bench of specialists, and a wide variety of services. Savant’s investors bring “patient” capital, seeking solid, long-term growth instead of a quick return on their investment.

2024 CNN Underscored 10 Best Financial Advisors of March 2024: This rating published in March 2024 by CNN Underscored is based on assets under management of at least $1 billion and latest ADV filing date of 3/31/23 or later. Savant did not pay a fee to be included in this rating.

For more information about Savant Wealth Management, visit savantwealth.com.

About Savant Wealth Management

Savant Wealth Management is a leading independent, nationally recognized, fee-only firm serving clients for over 30 years with approximately $25.5 billion in assets under management and assets under advisement (as of 12/31/2023). As a trusted advisor, Savant Wealth 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, and estate planning document preparation and other legal services through its affiliated law firm, Savant Legal LLP.

Savant is a registered Investment advisor. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Neither rankings and/or recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if Savant is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Please read our Important Disclosures at savantwealth.com.

Photo by Richard Hurd

WPS Awarded Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Corporate Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Awarded Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health
Mental Health America certification recognizes mental health work

MADISON, Wis.—March 19, 2024—WPS Health Solutions received the highest Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health award possible from Mental Health America. The Bell Seal award certification recognizes employers committed to creating mentally healthy workplaces.

“We are grateful to be recognized for the efforts our company is making for our employees,” Chief People Officer Moira Klos said. “Among the most important work is alleviating the stigma around asking for help and providing the resources to get that help for our employees and our customers.”

Led by Mental Health America’s rich history in research and advocacy, the Bell Seal’s holistic evaluation of employer practices considers the entire employee experience. The Mental Health America award recognizes organizations at four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. WPS earned a Platinum-level award.

“Your organization is certified as a 2024 Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health recipient by Mental Health America,” read a note sent by Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America. “Only 1 in 4 employers meet the Bell Seal certification standards.”

Mental Health America is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Their work is informed, designed, and led by the lived experience of those most affected. Find out more at mhanational.org.

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, Wisconsin, has more than 2,600 employees. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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Photo by Richard Hurd

DeWitt Relocates to New Office in Madison

MADISON, Wis. (March 18, 2024) – DeWitt LLP today announced it has relocated to a new office in Madison located at 25 W. Main Street, Suite 800.

The new office is conveniently located across the street from the Wisconsin State Capitol and is minutes away from the Supreme Court, the Dane County Circuit Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Federal Courthouse.

“We are thrilled to have our new office right in the heart of Madison, not too far from our previous one downtown where we have proudly served clients for decades. Our team will have a more contemporary space and the location provides convenient access for our clients,” said Michele Perreault, DeWitt’s Madison Office Managing Partner. The new office provides additional functional space to DeWitt’s team in Madison, which is home to more than 100 attorneys and staff.

DeWitt, recently honored as a Top Workplace award winner in Madison from 2022 through 2024, is Madison’s largest law firm, with attorneys who provide services for individuals and businesses on a local, statewide, and national basis.

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP was founded in 1903 and is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has more than 130 attorneys practicing in Madison, Green Bay, and Greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Its attorneys have the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. DeWitt is known for its work in a variety of legal areas.

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