Per Mar Security Services Awards Academic Scholarships to Ten Students

Contact: Jennifer VanGenderen, Per Mar Security Services, 563-344-7313

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2017

Per Mar Security Services Awards Academic Scholarships to Ten Students

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security Services, a leading provider of total security solutions for residential and commercial clients based in Davenport, IA, is pleased to announce it has awarded ten $500 scholarship awards for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Earlier in 2017, Per Mar introduced a new scholarship program that was created to benefit the children of Per Mar Security Services or Midwest Alarm Services employees. Children of employees at Per Mar or Midwest could apply for the scholarships to be used towards higher education. “Per Mar and the Duffy family strongly believe in the value of education, so we are excited to be able to award scholarships to some very deserving students.”,said Brian Duffy, President of Electronics Division.

Congratulations to all of the recipients of Per Mar’s Scholarship Program for the 2017-2018 school year.

• Joneise Ross is the daughter of Toi Owens, Central Station Supervisor for 3^rd Shift at Per Mar Centre. After graduating from Davenport North High School in 2016, Joneise worked part-time in the Data Entry department at Per Mar Centre until beginning her freshman year of college in the fall. Joneise is studying psychology at the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Cal Giese is the son of Craig Giese, Sales Consultant for our Wausau, WI branch. Cal graduated from Stevens Point Area High School in 2014 and is attending St. Cloud State University. Cal is a pitcher for the St. Cloud State University baseball team, where he has earned numerous region honors. Cal is pursuing an Accounting Major and a minor in Information Technology.
• Madison Campbell is the daughter of Kevin Campbell, Electronics Operations Manager for our South Bend and Griffith branches. Madison attended Mishawaka High School and graduated in June of 2017. She spent 4 years playing on the Varsity Soccer team, two of those years as their Team Captain. Madison is attending Indiana University in South Bend, Indiana.
• Steven Beda is the son of Mark Beda, Sales Consultant for our Wausau, WI branch. Steven graduated from DC Everest High School in 2016. This summer he worked for Per Mar as a full-time security officer. Steven is a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Music Education, where he plans to become a university professor teaching Trombone studies.
• Sara Mulder is the daughter of Randy and Donna Mulder from our Des Moines, IA branch. Sara graduated from East High School in 2016 where she was involved with the Ambassadors program, the dance team and also the yearbook committee. Sara is attending Grand View University in Des Moines where she is studying Elementary Education.
• Allison Blaisdell is the daughter of Michael Blaisdell, Sales Consultant for our Rockford, IL branch. Allison graduated from Hononegah High School in 2014 and is enrolled in the Accounting Program at Augustana College. She has had numerous internship opportunities, including with the Quad City Symphony, the Communications and Marketing Department at Augustana, and completing the United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
• Jessica Dvorak is the daughter of Rob Dvorak, Operations Manager of Electronic Security for our Quad Cities and Des Moines branch. Jessica graduated in May of 2017 from the University of Dubuque with her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is now attending the graduate program for Applied Clinical Psychology at Loras College, where she intends to earn her Ph.D. and become a doctor of clinical psychology.
• Jacob Osterman is the son of Bob Osterman, General Manager for Security Officer Services for our Omaha, NE branch. Jacob graduated from Millard South High School in 2016. He is now in his second year at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln where he is studying Journalism. Jacob also belongs to Sigma Phi Epsilon and one of their missions as a Greek community chapter is to fight human trafficking.
• Taylor Melk is the daughter of Matt Melk, District Operations Manager for Electronics for our Wausau, WI branch. Taylor graduated from D.C. Everest Senior High School in 2016, and is attending Greenville Technical College in Greenville, South Carolina. She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Young Childhood Education.
• Tiana Wilmington is the daughter of Marilyn Wilmington, Central Station Supervisor for 1^st shift at Per Mar Centre. Tiana graduated from Davenport North High School in 2017 where she played basketball, volleyball and volunteered at sports camps. She is attending the University of Iowa where she is studying Anesthesiology.

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 2,400 team members, operating in 23 branch locations and 18 satellite 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.

25 NGL employees volunteer for United Way of Dane County Seasons of Caring

Employees at National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) proudly participated in the 2017 Seasons of Caring event through United Way of Dane County. This year, 25 NGL employees volunteered for a variety of projects at local nonprofits, including Agrace, Independent Living, Inc., Lussier Community Education Center, The River Food Pantry, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, UW Arboretum, YWCA Madison and Dane County Humane Society.

NGL strongly believes in giving back to the community both financially and through volunteerism. Each year, employees are offered eight paid workday hours to volunteer at a nonprofit of their choice. Many employees use this time to participate in Seasons of Caring projects through United Way of Dane County.

Seasons of Caring offers an opportunity for people to give back to nonprofits that are meaningful to them. When Niki Wagner, Senior Production Assistant at NGL, noticed that Agrace needed volunteers to clean the family kitchens, she knew that was the volunteer task for her. “I like giving back to the place where my mom lived her remaining last few months. Everyone at Agrace was wonderful to not only my mom, but to all of us,” shared Niki.

Below are a few highlights of NGL employee volunteer projects.

Cookout for Seniors at Independent Living, Inc.

Three NGL employees volunteered for the Independent Living, Inc. cookout to celebrate the senior residents. They helped set up and serve grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and salads. The most enjoyable part about the volunteer opportunity was mingling and spending time with the seniors. One resident even entertained them with her lovely singing voice.

Preparing meals at The River Food Pantry

Two NGL employees volunteered at The River Food Pantry to prepare lunches for people in our community. In just three short hours, they prepared hundreds of lunches that will be distributed to people in need.

Felicia McKenzie, New Business Representative at NGL shared her experience, “I really enjoyed meeting people from other Madison companies who were also volunteering. It’s inspiring to see that we live in such a caring community!”

Mulching for Mutts at Dane County Humane Society

There were eight NGL employees who rolled up their sleeves to spread mulch and help maintain the dog walking trails at the Dane County Humane Society. They trimmed bushes and vines and blanketed the trails with fresh wood chips.

Kendra Wotring, Multi-Line Claims Representative at NGL, shared what she liked most about volunteering for the Dane County Humane Society, “It was fun working with other companies who shared the same interest in not only helping the humane society build the paths but helping each other. I enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and seeing the finished project – the trails are so beautiful. I look forward to volunteering again!”

About United Way of Dane County

United Way of Dane County engages the community, mobilizes volunteers and strengthens local nonprofits to achieve measurable results and change lives. To learn more, visit UnitedWayDaneCounty.org.

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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Annual Heat’s On Project Seeks Dane County Veteran Homeowners to Receive a Free Furnace Maintenance

Madison, Wis. August 23, 2017 — Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Steamfitters Local 601 are seeking requests for veteran homeowners in Dane County area to receive free furnace maintenance. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, more than 50 area steamfitters will volunteer a day of labor to inspect and service heating systems in qualifying veterans’ homes. Trucks and equipment used for the day are donated by local heating contractors and replacement parts are donated by area suppliers.

“Serving veterans during Heat’s On really makes our day. I’m proud our team makes a volunteer commitment to help those who have served our country,” says Kendall Richards, President of All Comfort Services, a heating, cooling, plumbing, and electric contractor in Madison.

Criteria to receive free maintenance:

• Veteran home owner, or surviving spouse
• Dane County Resident
• Gas Furnace

Homeowners who don’t meet the criteria but would like to have their heating systems serviced, can contact the MSC at 608-288-1414 for a union contractor referral.

Contact one of these sponsoring organizations by September 29 to be considered for free furnace maintenance:

• Julie Walsh, Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association, phone: 608-288-1414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org

• Dane County Veteran Service Office (CVSO), phone: 608-266-4158

• Veterans Health Administration (VHA), phone: 608-256-1901

The Heat’s On project has been serving Dane County residents since 1987. The purpose of Heat’s On is to reduce the occurrence of residents going without heat or facing other life threatening emergencies associated with home heating systems.  “Lack of maintenance and dirty filters can shorten the life of furnace. Something this simple can save not only hundreds of dollars in fuel costs, but it can save a life,” says Brad Werlein, President of General Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., a commercial and residential heating and cooling contractor in Madison.

About MSC:

The MSC is a non-profit contractor association representing contractors in the heating, piping, air conditioning and sheet metal industry. Their members are dedicated professionals who provide high-quality, cost efficient products and services with a commitment to safety.

About Steamfitters Local 601:

Steamfitters Local 601 is comprised of approximately 2,400 members, and represents a fourteen county area in southeastern Wisconsin. While the majority of membership is comprised of Steamfitters and Refrigeration/Service Fitters, they also represent other classifications such as gas distribution, helpers and welders. Their members work on a variety of jobsites including residential and commercial heating and cooling systems, breweries and power plants.

Participating Contractors (Madison):

• All Comfort Services, President Kendall Richards, phone: 608-838-7300
• Bassett Mechanical, Service Manager Chad Warnecke, phone: 608-838-6362
• Commercial Air, Service Manager Tami Schultz, phone: 608-221-8886
• General Heating & Air Conditioning, Labor Manager Mike Polster, phone: 608-271-3900
• H & H Industries, Owner Paul Christensen, phone: 608-273-3434

Participating Contractors (Milwaukee):

• Butters-Fetting Co.
• J.M. Brennan, Inc.

Participating Supply Houses:

• Design Air, Branch Manager Barb Verbitsky, phone: 608-226-0344
• First Supply, Sales Manager Scott Stritzke, phone: 608-222-7799
• Gustave A. Larson, Store Manager Aaron Demuth, phone: 608-628-0209
• Industrial Control, Owner Mike Stoffel, phone: 608-273-1717
• Johnston Supply, Owner Dan Kunze, phone: 608-223-1499
• Temperature Systems, Sales & Refrigeration, Roy Kempfer, phone: 608-327-2345

For more information, please contact Julie Walsh, Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association at 608-2881414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org

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GFC Partners With Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin To Make Azman’s Wish A Reality

Milwaukee, WI, July 24, 2017 — The Gordon Flesch Company (GFC) partnered with the Make-A-Wish® Wisconsin to help make Azman’s wish come true. Azman, an 11 year-old boy with a life-threatening illness, wanted nothing more than a computer to play the latest video games on. While his mother loved seeing the happiness video games brought Azman, she wanted to ensure he had all the tools necessary to succeed in school. Nick Clark, a Managed IT Support Specialist for GFC, helped strike that perfect balance of fun and learning.

Azman received the latest Asus i7 laptop computer, along with an Epson small-in-one wireless printer, a desk and other peripherals from Make-A-Wish Wisconsin while GFC installed the newest updates, Microsoft Office 365 and the latest games Azman couldn’t wait to play. Despite the language barrier, as Azman and his family speak Burmese, Nick and Azman were able to forgo the interpreter and communicate wonderfully, and before long were laughing and high fiving each while playing games.

Nick had an amazing time enhancing Azman’s wish by providing the latest technology in games and educational software. “This was an honor, and I was ecstatic to be a part of something so special!” Nick said. The moments they shared together will last a lifetime for Azman, his family and everyone involved. The Gordon Flesch company is proud to support such an amazing cause and help enhance Azman’s wish.

About The Gordon Flesch Company

The Gordon Flesch Company is one of the largest independent providers of office technology solutions in the nation. Family-owned since 1956, the Gordon Flesch Company employs more than 600 people throughout 23 offices in the Midwest, with their corporate office in Madison, Wisconsin. GFC delivers unique business process expertise to solve challenging problems and help achieve organizational goals. This includes integrating industry-leading software and hardware to build custom solutions that are supported by technical expertise, customer service and flexible, in-house financial services. Follow us on Twitter at @GordonFlesch.

About Make-A-Wish Wisconsin

Make-A-Wish Wisconsin grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Wishes are a special type of medicine that give children a break from doctors’ visits, hospital stays and treatments and provide them something positive with which to look forward.

Since the Wisconsin chapter was founded in 1984, more than 6,000 families statewide can attest to the power of a wish. Last year, the chapter granted a record-breaking 378 wishes, and currently more than 350 Wisconsin children are in the process of having their special wishes granted. For more information about Make-A-Wish Wisconsin or to learn how you can make a difference, please call 800.236.WISH or visit www.wisconsin.wish.org.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust Presents Over $25,000 Donation to Madison-Based Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc.

Wisconsin Bank & Trust presented a donation of $25,388.05 to Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc. as a result of the bank’s Pink Ribbon Debit Card Program. The donation, made earlier this month, is the bank’s fifth annual donation to Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, a Wisconsin-based non-profit that supports women at all stages of breast cancer through retreat programs and education held throughout the state. Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation recently celebrated its 20^th year in operation.

Since the Pink Ribbon Debit Card program launched in 2012, Wisconsin Bank & Trust’s customers have made millions of “swipes” of their debit cards, each time generating a donation. This year’s donation is the largest yet, as a result of more customers selecting and using Pink Ribbon Debit cards, which are available free with all Wisconsin Bank & Trust checking accounts. There is no cost to customers.

“We’ve been honored to support Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation since the inception of this innovative program,” said Jill Mack, a Private Banker with Wisconsin Bank & Trust, who also volunteers her time as board chair of Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc. “I am honored to have a special perspective as both a board member at Breast Cancer Recovery and also a member of the Wisconsin Bank & Trust staff. The message I’d most like to deliver to the bank’s customers is how incredibly appreciated—and needed—these donations are.”

Megan Purtell, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc., said, “We cannot thank Wisconsin Bank & Trust and its customers enough. Over the past five years—including this year’s record-breaking contribution—we have been fortunate to receive over $69,000 in donations thanks to the Pink Ribbon Debit Card program. We are enormously grateful to put those dollars to work to benefit women in need. We also thank Wisconsin Bank & Trust’s executive team and staff for their support.”

Wisconsin Bank & Trust staff presented this year’s donation to Breast Cancer Recovery during the organization’s annual “Party on the Pier” fundraiser held at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison. Pictured below are Kevin Tenpas, CEO and President of Wisconsin Bank & Trust; Erin Jacobson, Madison Banking Center Manager; Jill Mack, Private Client Services and Chairman of the Board of Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation; and Megan Purtell, Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation Executive Director.

About Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation
Breast Cancer Recovery’s flagship program, Infinite Boundaries® retreats, are based on the belief that the journey to recovery and healing involve s the whole woman, mind and body. Retreats are designed to help women find inner strength and experience the hope needed to live each day beyond the boundaries of breast cancer. Survivors have the opportunity to discuss the issues surrounding their breast cancer, gather information, and experience and enjoy the company of new-found “sisters” in healing environments. Special care is taken in choosing scenic, natural settings because we believe that healing can be found in nature. Please visit our website to find more information: www.bcrecovery.org.

About Wisconsin Bank & Trust
Wisconsin Bank & Trust (WBT), a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., (NASDAQ: HTLF), is a business-focused community bank with assets of more than $1 billion. With eighteen banking centers and one mortgage loan origination office, Wisconsin Bank & Trust serves customers in the Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Monroe and southwest areas of Wisconsin. WBT offers a wide range of personal and business banking, private client and mortgage lending services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinbankandtrust.com or call 608.203.1214. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with assets exceeding $8 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment, treasury management, card services, insurance, and consumer finance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 109 banking locations serving 87 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at www.htlf.com.