Blain’s Farm & Fleet shines for the 5th year in a row

Blain’s is Recognized by Forbes As One of America’s Best Employers for Fifth Year

Blain’s Farm & Fleet has been named by Forbes magazine as one of “America’s Best Mid-Size Employers” for the fifth year in a row.  This year, Blain’s Farm & Fleet was ranked as the #1 Wisconsin based Retail and Wholesale company.  This title reinforces Blain’s reputation on a national level as a company that provides excellent employment opportunities. Being honored for a fifth year in a row places Blain’s Farm & Fleet in an elite group of companies that consistently demonstrate excellence in their commitment to their employees.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition for the fifth year running,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson, President and CEO of Blain’s Farm & Fleet. “As a family-owned company, we’ve fostered an environment where we treat our associates like family and our customers like neighbors. We all work together to ensure we have the kind of culture that is conducive to people’s sense of belonging within our family.”

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to select America’s Best Employers 2023 through an independent survey of approximately 45,000 American employees. Across 25 industry sectors, nationwide the top 500 midsize employers were awarded, with Blain’s ranking #277. The ranking was based on evaluations from employees who were asked to rate their employers on topics such as working conditions, company image, salary, potential for development and their willingness to recommend their employers to friends and family.

“Of all of the awards that we have been given, this is the one that means the most,” says Jane Blain Gilbertson, “because it comes from the endorsement of our own associate family.  It is a direct acknowledgement that they feel valued, they can be successful and they are proud to take care of our neighbors.  That means everything to us.”

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Founded in 1955, Blain’s Farm & Fleet is The Modern General Store® with 44 locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan and a thriving online store at FarmandFleet.com. 

In addition to high-quality products with the Blain’s Farm & Fleet brand name, they carry top-rated brands, including:

• Clothing: Carhartt, Dickies, Under Armour, Columbia, Levi’s, Lee, Life is Good, WorkNSport
• Footwear: Skechers, Puma, Keen, Asics, New Balance, CAT, Carhartt, Hey Dude, Sorel, TimberlandPro, Crocs
• Tools & Hardware: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Stanley, Craftsman, Hobart
• Paint & Supplies: Benjamin Moore, Valspar, MinWax, Rustoleum, Graco, Purdy
• Automotive: Pennzoil, Valvoline, Mobil 1, Mystik, Fram, Prestone, Sea Foam, Meguiar’s
• Tire & Auto Repair Service: Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper 
• Sporting Goods: Realtree, Scent Blocker, Yeti, Coleman, Rapala, Plano, St. Croix, Browning, Winchester
• Home & Housewares: KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Keurig, T-Fal, Lodge, Dyson, Calphalon, DeLonghi
• Pet Department: Purina, Blue Buffalo, Hill’s Science Diet, Iams, Canidae, Taste of the Wild, Kong, Greenies, Diamond, Eukanuba
• Agriculture: King Kutter, Nutrena, Behrens, Guardian, Manna Pro, Ware, Weaver Leather, Agrimaster
• Lawn & Garden: Scotts, Miracle-Gro, RoundUp, Fiskars, Weber, Char-Broil, Estate
• Outdoor Power Equipment: Troy-Bilt, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton

WPS Health Solutions named a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award winner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions named a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award winner

MADISON, Wis.—Feb. 3, 2023—WPS Health Solutions has earned the 2023 Top Workplaces USA award issued by Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces program has a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards.

“In a remote-first work environment, feeling seen over being seen is more important than ever.  We work daily to drive a culture of connectedness by showing appreciation, focusing on mental health and well-being, and fostering an inclusive and empowering employee experience,” said Moira Klos, WPS Chief People Officer. “Making health care easier for the people we serve is at the heart of what we do at WPS. When we take care of our people, they are able to take care of our customers and beneficiaries in meaningful ways.”

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey. The award selection is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an employee engagement survey, issued by Energage.

Results are calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 culture drivers proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” Energage CEO Eric Rubino said. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

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 2,600 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.  

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.^™
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 14 years of culture research and the results from 23 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

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Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin Receives Anticoagulation Center of Excellence Designation

MADISON, WISCONSIN – Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) is honored to announce it has received the Anticoagulation Center of Excellence designation. The three-year designation illustrates GHC-SCW’s commitment to providing the highest level of care to patients taking antithrombotic medications.

What is Anticoagulation Care?

Anticoagulation Care is also known as blood thinner therapy. It is important for treating blood clots and preventing strokes caused by a heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. Blood thinners need more attention than some other drug therapies to keep the risk of clots balanced with the risk of bleeding. It needs special management around the time of surgeries.

The Anticoagulation Forum awards organizations the classification if it meets all criteria associated with five pillars, including drug therapy management, disease state management, transitions and coordination of care, service operational performance, and patient and family education.

“We are honored to receive the Anticoagulation Center of Excellence designation because it reaffirms GHC-SCW’s commitment to provide our patients with a high level of care and also to continuous improvement,” said Jillian Dougherty, GHC-SCW’s Anticoagulation Team Lead. “There’s always new information coming out that may help a patient, so it’s important for providers to be at the forefront of the most up-to-date research and drug therapy practices.”

In addition to recognizing the work already done, the Anticoagulation Center of Excellence aids organizations and health care providers in staying up to date on the latest research and best practices through a resource center that contains the most current comprehensive set of standards and workflows.

“Our primary purpose is to provide education and be a resource to patients and providers,” adds Dougherty. “We often form strong relationships with our patients as we work closely with them on their anticoagulation care. It’s one of my favorite parts of my role here at GHC-SCW.”

About Anticoagulation Forum

The Anticoagulation Forum is a multidisciplinary non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of care for patients taking antithrombotic medications. The AC Forum promotes the clinical application of evidence-based practices and provides education and networking opportunities for health care professionals. To learn more about the program, visit acforum.org

About GHC-SCW

Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) is Wisconsin’s first and Dane County’s only member-owned, non-profit health care cooperative. With the largest primary care network in Dane County, the Cooperative has more than 83,000 members and serves the greater Dane County area and the South Central Wisconsin region with insurance and clinical services. GHC-SCW is the first health plan in Wisconsin to offer patients a money-back guarantee if they are not satisfied with their experience at a GHC-SCW clinic. GHC-SCW is perennially a national leader for quality. In 2022, GHC-SCW achieved a rating of 4.5 out of 5 rating among commercial plans; no other health plan in Wisconsin scored higher, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance. To learn more about GHC-SCW, visit ghcscw.com. 

Media Contact
Katelyn McLaughlin
Marketing and Communications Manager
608-251-4156 Ext. 4453
kmclaughlin@ghcscw.com

Per Mar Security Services Named Critical Infrastructure Partner of the Year

Contact:
Denielle Reeves, Per Mar Security Services
563-441-7481

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2022

Per Mar Security Services Named Critical Infrastructure Partner of the Year

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions for residential and commercial clients based in Davenport, IA, was named Critical Infrastructure Partner of the Year by Axis Communications. The award was presented to Kevin Link, senior manager of technical services and Shaun Guidebeck, product coordinator, at the ACCC Awards night in Phoenix, Arizona. “On behalf of Axis, I’d like to congratulate Per Mar for receiving this year’s Critical Infrastructure Partner of the Year. It was truly a pleasure to recognize them for their accomplishments, as well as personally express our appreciation for their partnership, at this year’s ACCC event,” said Larry Newman, senior director of sales, Axis Communications, Inc. “Successful business is built on trust, collaboration and excellence, and we’re fortunate to have partners who exemplify these qualities—they’re a true asset to Axis, the industry and the customers that we all serve.”

The recipient of the Critical Infrastructure Partner of the Year award was determined by members of Axis Communications’ sales leadership along with the company’s senior management team in the Americas. Per Mar was selected for the award for continued growth and always making sure its clients have the best solutions now and in the future. “We are honored to be recognized by Axis for this award. Video, and specifically live video monitoring, has been increasingly popular with our customers and has been a significant driver of growth for us,” said Chris Edwards, president of electronic security for Per Mar.

About Per Mar Security Services

Established in 1953, Per Mar Security Services is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 2,800 team members, operating in 25 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Shine United Named Best Place to Work in 2022 by Outside Magazine

Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Focus: Advertising, public relations, and marketing
Number of employees: 47
Average salary: Unspecified
Vacation time: Ten days of PTO to start

Perks: Half-day summer Fridays, free lunches, a full bar for “beer-30s,” flexible work hours and hybrid work-from home schedule, annual all-expenses-paid company gatherings, 100 percent of health insurance covered, an outdoor adventure incentive program, unlimited sick time, and a paid weeklong-plus sabbatical after 10 years that covers up to $10,000

What makes it great: “We live what we work. Anything that feeds that passion is encouraged, celebrated, revered. Need a coffee shop hangout to change up the scenery? Done. Need an afternoon hike in the big outdoors to get those creative juices flowing? See you later. Need an offsite collaborative get-together with your team? Make it happen. Shiners not only get paid to work on awesome outdoor brands but get paid to go be in the outdoors! You truly can’t beat that.”

Read the full article here