Spherion Staffing and Recruiting in Madison Presented With Service Excellence Award

Local Staffing and Recruiting Company Recognized with Prestigious National Honor

MADISON, Wis. – Spherion Staffing and Recruiting (Spherion) South Central Wisconsin and Northern Illinois announced today that President and Franchise Owner Austin Kassner was presented with the Service Excellence Award during the company’s annual National Meeting.

Given to the office that consistently delivers exceptional service to its partners, Kassner’s commitment to continual improvement earned both of his offices praise with a quality assurance score of 93.5% and an average Google rating of nearly five stars. Kassner was also recently recognized for his community impact by In Business Madison as part of the publication’s “Forty Under 40 Class of 2025” and as a “Millennial Franchise Rockstar” by Franchise Business Review in 2024. His dedication to the community shines through in partnerships with organizations such as The River Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank and Rockford Promise.

“Building strong teams and creating opportunities is what we do—but it’s the relationships we build that truly make the difference,” said Kassner. “We continue to challenge ourselves to be better, to show up for our partners in ways that matter. This award is a reflection of our team’s drive, passion, and commitment to the communities we call home.”

The 2025 Spherion National Meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, from February 27 to March 1. This annual event gives franchisees a chance to build connections with peers and corporate team members while attending educational workshops. During this gathering, Spherion partnered with San Antonio-based non-profit Soldiers’ Angels, making 45 no-sew blankets for active military members, veterans and their families. This effort further emphasizes Spherion’s commitment to making a positive impact in every community it serves.

“Reflecting on 2024, I am incredibly grateful for the passion and dedication of our Spherion community,” said Kathy George, President of Spherion. “Gathering in San Antonio reinforced just how much our franchisees shape careers, support businesses, and uplift their communities in lasting ways. Austin and the South Central Wisconsin and Northern Illinois teams are a shining example of what makes Spherion exceptional—leading with integrity, fostering strong partnerships with candidates and clients, and setting the standard for excellence in our franchise community. Their unwavering commitment to creating opportunities and driving meaningful change makes a lasting impact, not just within Spherion but in the communities they serve. We are honored to celebrate their achievements and the difference they make every day.”

Spherion brandishes the power of local through a network of independent and empowered franchisees like Kassner. Each Spherion franchisee enriches their community through connecting and facilitating employment opportunities—and when they’re successful together, their investments flow back into the neighborhoods where they live and work. The power of Spherion is in its local roots.

To learn more about Spherion Madison, visit www.spherion.com/madison.

Iconica Named a 2025 Top Workplace for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Iconica is honored to announce its fourth consecutive recognition as a 2025 Top Workplace by the Wisconsin State Journal. This award is based on employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey conducted by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The survey evaluates key aspects of workplace culture, including employees feeling respected & supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute.

A Workplace Culture That Drives Success
Receiving this award for four years in a row is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our incredible team. We believe that a strong workplace culture drives success for our employees and the clients and communities we serve.

“It makes it easier to come into work knowing that they care about me, they care about my health, they care about my work-life balance. So, I want to give back to them and make sure that the company really succeeds.” — Rose, Architectural Designer at Iconica

As a full-service design-build firm, Iconica integrates architecture, engineering, and construction professionals under one roof. With a team of over 60 talented individuals, each person plays a crucial role in shaping our identity and fostering a collaborative, innovative environment.

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into valuable business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 19 years of culture research and insights from 27 million employees across over 70,000 organizations, Energage provides the most accurate competitive benchmark. Their survey measures workplace culture, focusing on employee engagement, satisfaction, and overall experience.

We remain committed to empowering our employees, providing opportunities for growth, and maintaining a workplace where everyone feels valued. Thank you to our amazing team for making Iconica a great place to work — One Revolution At a Time.

Bank of Sun Prairie Named 2024 WBF Financial Education Innovation Award Winner

Wisconsin Bankers Foundation Recognizes Initiative of Bank of Sun Prairie and St. Vincent de Paul 

The Wisconsin Bankers Foundation (WBF) is pleased to announce that Bank of Sun Prairie has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Financial Education Innovation Award. The award was presented on February 6, 2025, at the largest banking industry event in the state, the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) Bank Executives Conference, in Milwaukee.

“It is important to raise awareness that when unexpected expenses hit, banks offer much better alternatives to high-interest payday loans,” said Rose Oswald Poels, WBF chair and WBA president and CEO. “Bank of Sun Prairie’s partnership with St. Vincent de Paul is an outstanding program that connects people who are experiencing financial hardship with resources to get them back on solid financial footing.”

Bank of Sun Prairie has created a unique partnership with St. Vincent de Paul in Madison to provide microloans of around $500–$2,500. The program not only helps borrowers avoid costly payday or title loans, it also comes with financial literacy support. Participants are coached each month to help them find ways to make the minimum payment. One recipient, Terri, was able to pay off her car title loan and secure a low-interest loan with the bank. Terri’s monthly payment dropped from $437/month at 305% interest to $74/month at 5% interest, and she could afford to stay in her new apartment rather than become unhoused. The program also connects people with the bank’s Fresh Start Checking Accounts, which can help those who have had challenges with using and keeping a checking account in the past to move forward.

The WBF Financial Education Innovation Award is a prestigious category of the WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards. Submissions for the 2024 WBF Excellence in Financial Education Awards encompassed over 900 financial education presentations — including Teach Children to Save Day presentations, homeownership workshops, and elder financial abuse prevention seminars, among other initiatives — given by more than 400 Wisconsin bank employees, reaching approximately 30,000 Wisconsin community members.

Capitol Bank: Ken Thompson Honored as 2024 Wisconsin Banker of the Year

Capitol Bank is delighted to announce that Executive Chairman of the Board Ken Thompson has been named the 2024 Wisconsin Banker’s Association Banker of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the banking profession and supporting the communities served by banks. Recipients are individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to their institutions, fostered growth, and resilience in their organizations, and upheld the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. The award also highlights the recipient’s commitment to community involvement, their role in driving economic development, philanthropic efforts, and fostering financial literacy.

“Ken Thompson is a true community banker at heart”, said Justin Hart, CEO of Capitol Bank. “He has played an instrumental leadership role in the business growth and expansion of the Bank’s footprint. In his 29 years at Capitol Bank, he has worked tirelessly to develop relationships and bring in new customers to grow the Bank.”

“Ken’s unwavering commitment to the banking industry, coupled with his extensive non-profit involvement in the greater Madison area, make him an exemplary recipient of this award”, said Ami Myrland, President and CFO of Capitol Bank. “His contributions through the WBA and his tireless work in the community have significantly impacted local businesses, enhanced economic growth, and strengthened the financial wellness of his fellow Wisconsinites.”

Ken was honored at the 2025 WBA Executive Conference on February 6, 2025, in Milwaukee.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally owned and operated, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work, and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses, and individuals in the Greater Madison area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Summit Credit Union Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2025

Media Contact:
Mary Fanning-Penny
Vice President Communications
(608) 243-5000 ext. 9662
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com

Summit Credit Union Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2025 

Madison, Wisc. – Summit Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative, announced today that it is recognized, for the second consecutive year, as one of America’s Best Credit Unions 2025 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. America’s Best honor is awarded to financial institutions that have demonstrated financial health, operational performance, and metrics pointing toward long-term stability. 

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as one of the best credit unions in the country,” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “We are particularly dedicated to helping women and their families secure a strong future through a dedicated team delivering proven financial wellness techniques, value and earning our members’ trust.”

Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognized top regional banks and credit unions in the United States, by conducting a large-scale study based on the analysis of over 9,000 institutions, more than 70,000 customer surveys and millions of social media reviews.

“Regional banks and credit unions are the financial backbone of communities nationwide as they support small businesses, fund local projects and ensure easy access to essential banking services. Newsweek and market-data research firm Plant-A Insights are proud to introduce ‘America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2025,’ highlighting companies utilizing a community and customer-centric approach to make a big financial impact in their neighborhoods,” said Newsweek Global Editor in Chief Nancy Cooper. 

For more information, visit SummitCreditUnion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560.  

About Summit Credit Union  

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $7.7billion in assets and has more than 265,860 members and 952 employees across 58 locations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union. 

In 2024, Summit was recognized for continued excellence in employee engagement as a Top Workplace USA by USA Today for the fourth consecutive year and a Top Workplace in the Madison area by the Wisconsin State Journal the fifth year in a row. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named Summit a Top Workplace in Milwaukee in both 2023 and 2024. Additionally, and representative of its focus on financial education, Summit received the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award in 2010, 2014, and 2016 and the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award – Legacy in 2019.   

For additional media information, visit summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook and Instagram.