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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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

Wisconsin Aviation Flight School Reaches 100 Flight Students

Wisconsin Aviation has recently enrolled their 100th flight student.

Wisconsin Aviation continues to recognize the pilot shortage here in the USA. Airlines and other aircraft operators are having a hard time finding qualified pilots. Wisconsin Aviation continues to hire FAA Certified Flight Instructors to meet the demand.

Wisconsin Aviation offers anyone interested in exploring becoming a pilot an introductory lesson for one hour, at each of their locations. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a pilot for a career or for recreation, please contact us.

Wisconsin Aviation has operations at Dane County Regional Airport (Madison, WI), the Watertown Municipal Airport (Watertown, WI) and Dodge County Airport (Juneau, WI). It is the largest full-service general aviation services provider in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Aviation is proudly celebrating 35 years in business.

Web: www.wisconsinaviation.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wisav
Twitter: Wisconsinaviation@WisconsinAviat1
Phone: Trevor Janz – 920-261-4567
trevorj@wisav.com

Madison Ballet’s Nutcracker Breaks Revenue Record

(Madison, WI – January 12, 2017)—Madison Ballet’s annual December performances of The Nutcracker grossed the highest ticket and concession sales in the 35-year history of the organization.

Artistic Director W. Earle Smith’s production was the culmination of the work of hundreds of local cast and crew members, musicians, volunteers, staff and designers, and is arguably the largest holiday production in the area. The 2016 performances once again featured live music from the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Andrew Sewell, and cast members from over 18 local dance studios, all performing alongside the Ballet’s company of 12 dancers, who came together to mount the largest holiday production in the area. With over 12,000 audience members in attendance, the success of this year’s Nutcracker marks a significant achievement, following a difficult year for the Ballet, in which the company’s season was cut short due to financial challenges.

Of the achievement, Smith said: 

“I am so proud of everyone who helped to make this year’s production a success. From the dancers onstage to the musicians, volunteers, and crew backstage the magic begins with our partners in the community. The Nutcracker could not continue without the generous spirit of the people of the Madison area. With that support, Madison Ballet will continue to provide the highest level of artistry, education and opportunities to the community for decades to come.”

That being said, while Development Director Alicia Kopp marks this success with optimism, she is quick to point out that ticket revenue is just a small part of what is needed to sustain Madison Ballet’s extraordinary organization. “Ticket sales amount to less than half of our annual income. The contributions and sponsorships that we receive are a crucial part of our success.  As we move into the new year and further exceptional programming, we continue to seek new funding opportunities in support of our world-class local artists and programs.”

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Bare – Repertory Program

Bartell Theatre

February 3 – 4, 2017

Primavera – Repertory Program

*Featuring Two World Premieres

Bartell Theatre

March 31 – April 1, 2017

ABOUT MADISON BALLET

Founded in 1981, Madison Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization based, led by Artistic Director W. Earle Smith. Its mission is to promote appreciation of and access to ballet by providing training and performing opportunities through public performances and educational initiatives.

Now in its 35^th year, Madison Ballet is the second-largest dance organization in Wisconsin. Over 12,000 people attend Madison Ballet’s original production of The Nutcracker each year. In addition, Madison Ballet presents a varied repertoire of other performances each season, from intimate mixed-bill programs to elaborate full-length productions. Community outreach programs such as Madison Ballet: Offstage & Personal and Behind the Curtains bring the magic of Madison Ballet to both the young and young-at-heart, providing new perspectives on this timeless art form.

The School of Madison Ballet (SMB) opened in September 2005 and has become one of the most highly respected dance education programs in the Midwest. SMB provides classes and pre-professional training for over 450 students from children to adults. Alumni of the school and studio company have gone on to a number of prestigious companies and schools, such as Sacramento Ballet, Miami City Ballet, School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and Ballet Chicago.

For more information, please contact: 

Gretchen Bourg, General Manager

Madison Ballet

gretchen@madisonballet.org

608-278-7990 x672 

A.M. Best Reaffirms A- Excellent Rating of NGL

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce that A.M. Best has recently reaffirmed its A- (Excellent) rating. This rating reflects the excellent ability of NGL to meet its ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations and further attests to its financial strength.

“The A- Excellent rating further demonstrates our commitment to over 1.2 million policyholders and 28,000 independent agents who depend on NGL as a strong and reliable insurance company. NGL has the financial strength to be there when needed,” said Brian Hogan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at NGL.

A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating information source. The financial strength rating is based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company’s balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.

As a longtime leader in the insurance industry, NGL is dedicated to serving policyholders and partners by offering high-quality products that are among the safest and most stable in the industry.

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

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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