Boardman Clark Attorney Dan Gartzke Elected President-Elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Boardman Clark Attorney Dan Gartzke has been elected president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is a professional association of attorneys that provides its 25,000 members with educational, career development, and other services. It also provides services to the public, including attorney referrals, public education, and reduced-fee legal assistance for low-income state residents.

Dan will serve as president-elect until July 1, 2025, when he will begin his one-year term as president. As president of the State Bar, Dan will assist in overseeing the policy-making, operations, and strategic planning of the association. One of Dan’s main goals as president will be to focus on attorney mentoring to aid the next generation of lawyers in improving their professional skills and civility both in and out of the courtroom.

In his 38 years as an attorney, Dan has practiced in both cities and small towns and has experience in a variety of legal fields, including criminal defense, worker’s compensation, and personal injury. His practice has spanned Wisconsin, and he has appeared in over a third of the state’s 72 counties. Since joining Boardman Clark in 2016, Dan has focused his practice on family law. He works on various matters like divorce, child custody, and property division. Dan has served his local legal communities in leadership roles as the Dane County Bar Association’s president from 2009-2010 and Green County Bar president in 2001, and is a Life Fellow with the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

Outside of his practice, Dan is active in his communities. Among other things, he’s the Bayview Foundation’s legal advisor, a member of Green County’s Forestry Education Center, treasurer of the Green’s Prairie Cemetery Association, and coached the New Glarus High School Mock Trial team for nearly 20 years. He and his wife Tracey Schwalbe have three adult children, and they live on their 15-acre farmette in rural New Glarus where they enjoy prairie restoration, sheepherding and woodlot management.

Boardman Clark Attorney Michelle Behnke, who previously served as the president of the State Bar of Wisconsin from 2004-2005, was also named president-elect of the American Bar Association earlier this year.

Boardman Clark is one of Madison’s largest and longest-standing law firms. The firm serves individuals, businesses, school districts, and local governments. Its areas of service include litigation, franchise and dealership law, business law, taxation, estate planning and probate, intellectual property, family law, municipal law, banking, labor and employment, land use, elder services, real estate, and school law.

More Than 8 Tons Shredded at Summit Credit Union’s ShredFest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2024

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

More Than 8 Tons Shredded at Summit Credit Union’s ShredFest

Madison, Wisc. – Summit Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative, hosted its annual ShredFest on September 28. Held in partnership with the Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin and Pellitteri Waste Systems, the free event helps protect citizens and Summit’s members against identify theft by shredding paperwork that contains personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, banking information, bills, credit card statements, documents that include signatures and more.

More than 350 vehicles pulled through Summit’s headquarters in Cottage Grove to drop-off up to three boxes of material for shredding. Two shred trucks were on hand and 8.3 tons was shredded and recycled.

“ShredFest is another example of Summit’s commitment to keeping our members’ information safe. When people take care to shred documents containing sensitive information, they stop fraudsters in their tracks,” said Summit Credit Union CEO & President Kim Sponem. “We value this partnership with The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin and Pellitteri Waste Systems and wish to thank all the volunteers who made another successful ShredFest possible.”

To learn more about how to prevent identify theft, visit summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. To download photos from ShredFest, click here.

About Summit Credit Union  

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $7.4 billion in assets and has more than 262,100 members and 932 employees across 60 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.

About The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin
The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance marketplace trust by creating a marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other. We provide balance by calling out substandard business behavior (scams, fraud, etc.) and recognizing ethical, trustworthy businesses through the BBB Accreditation program. The BBB of Wisconsin Foundation supports local programs such as the BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship, BBB Torch Awards for Ethics and BBB Spark Awards. Go to ethicsawards.org for more.

About Pellitteri Waste Systems
Pellitteri Waste Systems is a Madison-based, family-owned, and state-of-the-art waste disposal and recycling business focused on outstanding customer service. With the Pellitteri tradition of service that has endured for more than 80 years, you can rest assured that you will receive the professional and high-quality level of service that has kept us in business all that time. We provide trash pickup, recycling, temporary dumpsters, compactor systems and confidential paper shredding services to Residential and Commercial customers in the Greater Madison Area and throughout Southern Wisconsin. We are always looking for better ways to meet the needs of our customers.

From 1994 to 2024: SupraNet’s 30-Year Mission to Help Everyone Do More on the Internet

Madison, WI (September 24, 2024) – SupraNet Communications, Inc., a Madison-born and based Internet service provider (ISP), celebrates their 30th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its journey of connecting the city to the ever-evolving world of the Internet. 

Founded in 1994, SupraNet witnessed firsthand the transformational power of the Internet, growing alongside its users as the online landscape exploded from its infancy to the ubiquitous presence it is today.

A Look Back at 30 Years of Internet History

Established the same year as the release of the first web browser, Mosaic, SupraNet connected Madison businesses to the Internet with dial-up connections and witnessed the start of early websites like Yahoo! and Amazon. Dial up Internet cost $30/month back in 1994. See more Internet history and nostalgia here on our interactive “vintage” Internet timeline.

Celebrating 30 Years and Looking Ahead

Fast forward to the present, SupraNet now offers fiber-optic Internet plans to multifamily developments and businesses with speeds exceeding one gigabit per second, a far cry from the early days. The cost of Internet access has also decreased dramatically, with SupraNet offering competitive plans that make broadband available to a wider audience. An ongoing project includes the high-profile Bayview development, now in Phase 3.

“The support provided to our residents by SupraNet has been exceptional. Many of our residents are experiencing Wi-Fi for the first time, allowing them to connect with the world and communicate in ways they couldn’t before,” said Xong Vang, Bayview Housing Coordinator. 

As SupraNet celebrates three decades in business, the company remains committed to providing not just fast and reliable Internet, but also offering affordable options that enable individuals and communities to thrive in the digital age. SupraNet actively participates in programs that bridge the digital divide and advocates for policies that promote universal access to the Internet.

Affordable Internet Access: A Gateway to Opportunity

In today’s digital world, access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. From searching and applying for jobs to completing online coursework and participating in virtual classrooms, an affordable Internet connection unlocks a multitude of opportunities for individuals and communities. 

Research from pewtrust.org indicates that Internet access significantly enhances student performance and health outcomes, while also providing essential educational opportunities and promoting healthy aging. The opportunity for broadband connections that SupraNet provides to low-income developments is crucial. It equals the playing field by connecting residents to job opportunities. Connection to broadband has proven to increase employment rates in affordable housing properties.

“SupraNet was born out of a passion for technology and a belief in the democratizing potential of the Internet,” says Bryan Chan, Founder and CEO of SupraNet Communications. “Over the past three decades, we’ve seen the Internet evolve from a niche tool for academics and tech enthusiasts to an essential part of everyday life for individuals, businesses, and communities alike.”

About SupraNet Communications

SupraNet Communications is a locally owned and operated Internet service provider headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. Since 1994, Supranet has been providing businesses and residents with reliable and affordable Internet access, starting with dial-up services, transitioning to wireless Internet and now operates its own local fiber-optic network. Supranet is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and supporting the local community.

Madison Metropolitan School District: A Special Message from Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard

We are excited to unveil the community’s new future-ready learning environments at our high schools. Please join me on Aug. 30, 2024 to celebrate the completion of the 2020 Facilities Referendum. We will hold ceremonial ribbon cutting events, host guided tours and our schools will be open for you to explore these incredible new spaces.

Celebration Schedule:

Robert M. La Follette High School – Aug. 30, 2024

Open house: 10 a.m. to noon • Ribbon cutting event: 10:30 a.m.

Guided 30-minute tours: 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., hosted by Findorff and MMSD students

East High School – Aug. 30, 2024

Open house: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Ribbon cutting event: 11:45 a.m.

Guided 30-minutes tours: 11 a.m and 12:30 p.m., hosted by Findorff and MMSD students 

West High School – Aug. 30, 2024

Open house: Noon to 2 p.m. • Ribbon cutting event: 1 p.m.

Guided 30-minute tours: Noon and 1:30 p.m., hosted by Findorff and MMSD students

Vel Phillips Memorial High School – Aug. 30, 2024

Open house 1-3 p.m. • Ribbon cutting and renaming event: 2:15 p.m.

Guided 30-minute tours: 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., hosted by Findorff and MMSD students

I am proud to be back in my hometown as the superintendent of MMSD. Our community believes in the value of providing an exceptional educational experience for our students in facilities that meet their needs while also providing buildings where educators can teach. Simply put, we care about the education kids receive in Madison. This is one of the reasons why Madison can be a destination school district. 

The transformation of our four comprehensive high schools is complete. The facility improvements at East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools have a big impact on not only our students and staff, but our entire city. These remarkable upgrades were made possible through the generous support of Referenda 2020 and the unwavering commitment of our Madison taxpayers. Thank you, Madison community! 

Event Highlights:

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies: Mark the official opening of our newly upgraded facilities with ceremonial ribbon cuttings at each high school.
• Open House Format: Explore the new and improved learning spaces at your own pace, discovering the enhancements designed to support a dynamic and engaging educational experience.
• Guided Tours: Participate in guided tours to gain insights into the features and benefits of the new facilities.

We look forward to celebrating with you! This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with alumni, engage with current students and see firsthand the advancements in our schools that will benefit our community for years to come.

Please RSVP by Monday, Aug. 26 HERE. For more information about the event or the new facilities, visit mmsd.org/about/referendum.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe Gothard
MMSD Superintendent

McClone Insurance Celebrates 75th Anniversary

Menasha, WI — August 6, 2024 — McClone Insurance, a leader in risk management and insurance, proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary. What began in 1949 with Ralph “Cyclone” McClone selling life insurance from his kitchen table has evolved into a thriving business embodying people, passion, and purpose.

From its modest beginnings, McClone has grown to over 130 team members, serving clients nationwide and maintaining multiple locations throughout Wisconsin. Ralph McClone’s leadership laid the groundwork for a company culture centered on caring, empathy, and respect.

“When in doubt, do the right thing. The rest will take care of itself.” This guiding principle from former CEO Mike McClone, who ran the business from 1989 to 2018, is proudly displayed in the conference room as a daily reminder.

“Our journey over the past 75 years has been remarkable, and we owe our success to our dedicated team, loyal clients, and supportive community,” said Dustin McClone, president and CEO of McClone. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are excited about the future and our continued commitment to providing exceptional service and leveraging our tools, talent, and technology to drive growth.”

Building strong, connected communities is a cornerstone of McClone’s identity. Through the M.A.D.E. (Make A Difference Every Day) program, team members are encouraged to give back in meaningful ways, whether through donating their time, talents, or resources. Activities encompass a wide range of community support, from staffing a monthly shelter meal program and supporting an employee’s cancer foundation to providing staffing and services for non-profits to help them reopen after COVID. Additionally, the company takes pride in leading developments that contribute to the revitalization of communities and has made significant contributions to new facilities for various non-profit organizations, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing community infrastructure.

“Community support is essential for a thriving society. We aim to be a net giver in the communities where our team members live, work, and play. By investing in our communities, we enhance the quality of life and build a stronger foundation for future generations.” said McClone.

In addition to McClone’s passion for community support, the company has solidified its industry presence with its proprietary RiskMAP™ process. This proactive and systematic approach to risk management distinguishes McClone by prioritizing an understanding of each client’s unique needs to develop tailored solutions. RiskMAP™ has been a key driver of the company’s growth, safeguarding clients’ interests by ensuring strategies are customized to protect what matters most.

As McClone celebrates this milestone, the focus remains on the future. “Our success has been built on protecting our clients’ legacies,” McClone said. “As we look ahead, our vision is to continue that mission with passion and purpose, innovating to meet the changing needs of our clients while staying true to our core values.”

For more information, please contact:

Ashley Rothmann
pr@mcclone.com

About McClone Insurance

McClone Insurance is a leading provider of comprehensive risk management and insurance solutions. With headquarters in Menasha, Wisconsin, and regional offices in Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and Fond du Lac, McClone serves clients nationwide. The company offers a wide range of services including business insurance, employee benefits, HR outsourcing, 401(k) solutions, and personal insurance. Founded in 1949, McClone is driven by its commitment to people-oriented values, community involvement, and exceptional service. The company’s proprietary RiskMAP™ process ensures tailored, proactive protection for its clients, and through its M.A.D.E. program, McClone empowers team members to contribute to their communities, reinforcing its belief in making a meaningful impact.