Category: Accomplishments
Photo by Richard Hurd
ZEBRADOG Receives National Recognition, Featured in Washington, DC Exhibition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: 3/22/2017
CONTACT: Chris Moore
PHONE: 608-257-8400
EMAIL: chris@zebradog.com
ZEBRADOG Receives National Recognition, Featured in Washington, DC Exhibition
Experiential Design firm ZEBRADOG of Madison, WI, has recently received national award recognition by CODAworx, for their “Story of Livsreise” video production which features the collaborative design and storytelling efforts orchestrated by ZEBRADOG to create Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
https://www.codaworx.com/project/livsreise-life-s-journey-the-bryant-foundation-55f9c8fdab216
As a “2016 CODAvideo: Collaboration” finalist, ZEBRADOG’s video will be featured in the famous Octagon Museum, 1799 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC. Designed by the first architect of the United States Capitol, William Thornton, the Octagon Museum is now the home to the Architects Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), whose mission is to demonstrate the value of architecture through actionable programs in resilience, health, education, and preservation. The best videos in this CODAvideo category celebrate the art and design project teams and their collaborative working relationship.
The video will be on display as a part of the “The CODAworx CODAawards Exhibition” which is free and open to the public from March 23 – October 31, 2017.
More information can be found here on the exhibition: https://www.codaworx.com/exhibition
More information can be found here on the “2016 CODAvideo Collaboration Awards”: https://www.codaworx.com/awards/video/2015/categories
ZEBRADOG, founded in 1994 by Creative Director Mark Schmitz, is a multi-disciplinary Experiential Graphic Design firm specializing in the creation of visitor and guest experience programs for private and public spaces worldwide. ZEBRADOG is located in the historic Sixth Ward Carnegie Library at 1249 Williamson Street, Madison, WI (608) 257-8400.
ZEBRADOG has been recognized internationally for over two decades for their specialized approach to authentic storytelling within the built environments of their clients.
CODAworx was formed in 2012 by Toni Sikes and Terry Maxwell as a global platform to showcase design projects that feature commissioned artwork in interior, architectural, and public spaces.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Savant Capital Management Reaches Important Milestone
Savant Capital Management, a nationally recognized fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, IL, with 12 offices in three states, including Madison and Park Falls, has hit another important milestone in the firm’s 30-year history. Today, the firm announced it has reached $5 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Savant set a goal to achieve $5 billion in AUM ten years ago, when the firm reached the $1 billion milestone. The firm accomplished that goal by growing 400 percent over the past ten years. During that time, Savant significantly expanded its team, added new capabilities, locations and clients with five merger & acquisition (M&A) transactions, and has expanded its ownership to 47 employees.
More milestones are expected to take place soon, as the firm intends to grow its national footprint even further through future M&A opportunities.
“Team Savant accomplished this goal together, despite the challenges of the financial crisis and other curve balls along the way,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. “We believe our persistence in being innovative, making smart decisions and driving forward, has helped create significant value for countless families in the process. Along the way, we have become one of the nation’s largest wealth management firms. I am immensely proud of what our team has accomplished.”
Savant employs more than 140 team members. Headquartered in Rockford, IL, Savant also has offices in the following locations: Chicago, IL; Freeport, IL; Geneva, IL; Hoffman Estates, IL; Naperville, IL; Peoria, IL; Sterling, IL; Wilmette, IL; McLean, VA; Madison, WI; and Park Falls, WI. For more information, visit savantcapital.com.
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.
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.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS is named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies
WPS Health Solutions again is being recognized by the Ethisphere® Institute as a World’s Most Ethical Company®. This is the eighth time that WPS has received the award, which recognizes companies that continue to raise the bar on ethical leadership and corporate behavior.
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) is one of 124 companies recognized this year.
“WPS is honored to again be recognized for having a comprehensive compliance program that fosters a culture of ethics in our work environment,” said Jane Keller-Allen, WPS Vice President of Internal Audit, Compliance and Risk. “The Ethisphere award is a testament to our commitment to good corporate citizenship, effective leadership, and solid governance.”
The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient® framework. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%).
The full list can be found at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees.
About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans and their families. In 2017, the international Ethisphere® Institute named WPS one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® for the eighth straight year. For more information, please visit www.wpsic.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
NGL posts record 2016 sales results
Madison-based mutual life insurance company National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) and its affiliates, Settlers Life Insurance Company located in Bristol, Va. and Commercial Travelers Mutual Insurance Company located in Utica, N.Y., reported a record sales year of $732 million in 2016. Additionally, in the last eight years NGL has doubled its consolidated asset size. This is a reflection on NGL’s 107-year commitment to stability and offering high-quality products.
“There are many people who contributed to NGL’s 2016 results, including our dedicated employees, marketing partners, and the thousands of agents who sell our products. But most importantly, NGL is privileged to serve each of our 1.2 million policyholders,” said Mark L. Solverud, President and Chief Executive Officer at NGL.
The 2016 sales results contributed to the growth of the consolidated statutory assets to $4.1 billion. On a consolidated statutory basis, NGL achieved a net gain of $24.9 million which was very positive given the pressure that the unprecedented low investment rate environment continues to place on operating performance.
These key performance indicators reflect a financially strong company, as does NGL’s A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best Company, the leading provider of ratings and financial data for the insurance industry.
A complete 2016 Annual Report is located at: nglic.com/annualreport.
About NGL
Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products including specialty and student insurance. Additional information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company
Financials current as of 12/31/16. Ratings current as of 12/9/16.
National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Urban safety improvements achieve engineering excellence
Mead & Hunt received an Engineering Excellence Award for their role on the $10 million, environmentally-sensitive roadway reconstruction of USH 14 in the Village of Cross Plains. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin’s Engineering Excellence Awards competition honors outstanding engineering design and pays tribute to exemplary achievements around the state.
This highly-traveled 1.2-mile segment of USH 14 needed major repairs. Mead & Hunt enhanced the natural environment using innovative engineering techniques and made safety upgrades.
Mead & Hunt’s public involvement and stakeholder coordination efforts sought to understand issues and concerns before proposing solutions. The USH 14 project involved collaboration between multiple government agencies and the public. The highway is owned by Wisconsin Department of Transportation but recognized locally as Main Street by the citizens of Cross Plains. As a result, Mead & Hunt worked closely with these entities to coordinate concerns and design a roadway that best fit their needs.
This project required comprehensive environmental documentation. Black Earth Creek is located near USH 14 on federally-funded and protected conservation lands. It is a Class 1 cold water fishery considered to be one of the best trout streams in Wisconsin. As Mead & Hunt completed the environmental document and project plans, the firm understood the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needed to be deeply involved in this phase.
The unique stormwater detention basin design mitigates the environmental impacts. The new basin keeps the creek’s temperature low to create a more sustainable environment for trout to flourish. It accommodates a cold water environment essential to a healthy trout ecosystem. The underground rock cribs eliminate costly and time-consuming repairs.
The cohesive design evolved from a coordinated collaboration with WisDOT, Dane County, Village of Cross Plains, WDNR, private businesses and the public. Infrastructure upgrades to USH 14 include new intersections with added traffic signals to improve safety and operations, and the removal of numerous access points to steady traffic flow. Further improvements eliminated on-street parking to increase pedestrian and vehicular visibility. Final upgrades involved replacing two bridges over the Black Earth Creek and Brewery Creek that were in severe disrepair, and reconstructed sewer and water utilities located under Main Street.
Through five public meetings, a public hearing, site visits, business walks and attendance at village board meetings, Mead & Hunt gained an understanding of the community this project serves. By working closely with the business community, Mead & Hunt aligned project goals with the Village’s vision for economic and community development along this corridor. The project team was able to keep existing businesses open during construction and help the village create redevelopment areas along their Main Street, attracting new businesses, which increased their tax base by $10 million.
Mead & Hunt is an employee-owned engineering and architectural firm with more than 525 staff, who provide professional consulting services to clients nationwide. Mead & Hunt is ranked as one of the top 150 consulting firms in the country by Engineering News Record.
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Contact: Scott Hasburgh, Project Manager, 608-443-0436, scott.hasburgh@meadhunt.com
High resolution project photos and a short video are available. Contact Brittany Williams with how you would like those delivered. Brittany Williams, Marketing & Communications, 803-520-2993, brittany.williams@meadhunt.com
