Trox and Tierney Unite to Broaden Opportunities to Expand Educational Access and Improve Learning Outcomes

MERGER ESTABLISHES THE MOST EXPERIENCED EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PROVIDER IN NORTH AMERICA

Education is a powerful agent of change and access is key. That’s the vision that is uniting Trox and Tierney as they announced a merger of the two companies today. The merger positions the joint organization as the most prominent and experienced education technology solutions provider in North America.

With over 80 years of collective experience in the education sector and more than 750 talented associates, Trox + Tierney will be primarily focused on providing technology to the K-12 market and addressing some of K-12’s most pressing challenges – providing access to learning for students and easing the burden on educators and students when it comes to effectively communicating and collaborating in any setting. The combined organization will be led by Erez Pikar, CEO of Trox. Rob Gag, CEO, Tierney, will lead its sales organization.

“We were looking for a partner to help us better address the new and future challenges faced by educators and students and Tierney was the ideal choice,” said Erez Pikar, CEO, Trox. “As a joint company with unparalleled scale, Trox + Tierney will be able to offer new skills, greater value, and improved purchasing efficiencies to districts and other organizations, as well as access to a larger network of vendors, products, and geographies.”

Given the complementary geographic footprints between Trox and Tierney, the combined organization can now cover the entire U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada to better serve the education sector. Its comprehensive portfolio of products and services will provide greater selection, service and convenience in support of educators in K-12 and higher ed.

“Both Trox and Tierney share strong, values-driven cultures, which we will build upon as a unified organization,” said Rob Gag, CEO, Tierney. “Our customer-first approach and deep market knowledge will enable us to bring new and innovative services and offerings to market faster, helping our customers better leverage technology to address their toughest challenges.”

The Trox + Tierney merger combines two formidable and complementary technology portfolios and creates a complete suite of education-specific services, including design and installation, IT asset disposition (ITAD) and product lifecycle management, professional development, and pre- and post-deployment technical support.

Pikar said, “Together, we will make the process of operating a district or school considerably easier and enable educators to focus on what they do best – providing all students with an opportunity to succeed.”

For more information about Trox, visit www.trox.com. For more information about Tierney, visit www.tierney.com.

ABOUT TROX

For nearly 40 years, Trox has championed the use of technology to broaden access and improve learning. As North America’s leading education technology provider, the company empowers educators to confidently purchase, implement, use, and manage technology resources by using technology to address their challenges and improve the learning landscape. Trox’s expansive product portfolio, combined with its deep understanding of how technology can be used to manage, teach, and learn, makes the company a beloved partner to tens of thousands of districts across the U.S. and Canada. Providing technology that is in use by over 20 million students daily, Trox is committed to driving transformative change in education by enabling learning without limits. Learn more at www.trox.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

ABOUT TIERNEY

Tierney has been a leading provider of technology solutions for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, government organizations, and corporate businesses for over 40 years. With a focus on the customer, helping teachers teach, students learn and workers work, Tierney provides a line of products and services to support projects of any size from start to finish. Learn more at www.tierney.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Media Contact
Jenni Ottum
Public Relations and Communications Manager
O: 602-437-7420, x1709
C: 480-231-4887
Jenni.ottum@trox.com

Derek Burns
Chief Marketing Officer
Phone: 612-455-3606
dburns@tierney.com

Capitol Bank Announces Plans for East Madison Location in American Center

Capitol Bank has announced plans to open a third location, which will be on Madison’s East side in the American Center, at the intersection of American Parkway and Eastpark Boulevard. Construction on Capitol Bank East will commence in May 2021, with an anticipated grand opening in late 2021.

“While many customers utilize digital banking channels, we know that people still tend to bank close to where they live or work,” said Ken Thompson, President and CEO of Capitol Bank.

The strategic location on Madison’s East side will allow for nearly anyone in Dane County to be within 15 minutes of a Capitol Bank location.

“No matter how many banking transactions we can conduct from our smartphones, there will always be a need for bankers to be accessible to customers. We’ve seen the desire for face-to-face interactions even amidst the pandemic,” said Thompson.

Capitol Bank’s main location will remain at 710 N. High Point Road on the West side of Madison, where it has been located since the Bank was founded in 1995. Capitol Bank Verona, which opened in 2006, is located at 108 E. Verona Avenue. Capitol Bank specializes in commercial lending, treasury management, mortgage lending, personal banking and private banking.

To follow along with construction progress and other updates related to Capitol Bank East, visit Capitol Bank’s website: www.CapitolBank.com/east2021. The Capitol Bank East project team includes OPN Architects, Inc. as building architect and JP Cullen as general contractor.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally-owned and operated since 1995, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in the Dane County area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

Contact: Natalie Gregerson
Director of Marketing/Officer
Capitol Bank
710 N. High Point Road
Madison, WI 53717
608.836.1616

Green Bay-Based Gerbers Law to Combine Practice with DeWitt LLP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2021

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman
mmf@dewittllp.com / 262-754-2877

Green Bay-Based Gerbers Law to Combine Practice with DeWitt LLP

GREEN BAY | MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – Today DeWitt LLP law firm announced Gerbers Law, S.C., combined its practice with DeWitt LLP and began operations as DeWitt LLP in Green Bay, Wisconsin, effective April 1, 2021.

Gerbers Law was established in 1993 by Attorney Terry J. Gerbers. Its attorneys practice primarily in the areas of commercial and business law, real estate, civil litigation, banking, probate, estate and business succession planning.  It will continue its tradition of excellent legal services as it transitions to DeWitt.

According to Timothy L. Stewart, President and Managing Partner of DeWitt, “The expansion of DeWitt into the Northeastern Wisconsin area broadens our geographic footprint and is a tremendous opportunity for both of our firms to offer even more to our clients.  We’re excited to combine with a firm that is closely aligned with our core values and one which shares a similar business structure, strong financial health, close attorney relationships and a compatible approach to delivering top-notch legal services.”

Terry J. Gerbers, President of Gerbers Law adds, “We recognized the opportunity to expand the legal services we provide to our clients by combining with DeWitt. Both firms share similar philosophies and a strong emphasis on client service.”

Throughout the years the two firms have attracted highly skilled, committed attorneys and professionals, and have invested in their training, development, and growth. As a result of those efforts, the firms have been able to deliver exceptional legal services to their clients. The combination of firms will enhance DeWitt’s ability to continue to attract top legal talent in its respective regions so it may continue to offer outstanding legal services to its clients.

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP was founded in 1903 and is one of the 10 largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has more than 120 attorneys practicing in Green Bay, Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in a variety of legal areas including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, construction litigation, corporate law, employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family business, family law, government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law.  More information is available at dewittllp.com.

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CUNA Mutual Group to Acquire Assurant’s Global Prearranged Funeral and Final Expense Business

Acquisition Will Expand Company’s Middle Market Consumer Reach

CUNA Mutual Group, a broad financial services provider, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Assurant’s prearranged funeral insurance and final expense business in the U.S. and Canada, serving more than 2 million consumers – for approximately $1.3 billion. This investment will enhance CUNA Mutual Group’s ability to help ensure middle market consumers have access to solutions that help build financial stability.

Prearranged funeral insurance, also known as preneed, and senior lifestyle protection solutions are designed to help ease the emotional and financial burdens of consumers and their families related to planning for the later chapters of life. Acquiring Assurant’s best-in-class prearranged funeral insurance and final expense solutions business enables CUNA Mutual Group to further serve the growing middle market.

“This acquisition allows us to expand the ways we reach middle-market consumers, helping more people make financial decisions that work for them and their situation,” said Robert N. Trunzo, president and CEO, CUNA Mutual Group. “We will continue to build, buy and create partnerships to bring additional insurance, investment, and technology solutions into our portfolio to support our strategic priorities, protect even more consumers and augment our resources and financial strength.”

Like CUNA Mutual Group, Assurant’s preneed business is focused on protecting consumers and their families with simple, easy to understand products. The preneed business will operate with autonomy at its Rapid City, South Dakota location with limited integration into CUNA Mutual Group’s other business lines or operations. Since preneed solutions are provided to consumers primarily through funeral homes, the company has no plans at this time to offer these services through financial institutions, such as credit unions and banks.

The acquisition provides the opportunity to add a business already at scale as CUNA Mutual Group enters new markets to protect even more consumers. The business brings $6.5 billion of face value in-force. Assurant’s distribution model for preneed and final expense solutions includes a longstanding partnership with the largest funeral home provider in North America and many other funeral home partners and distributors across the U.S. and Canada.

The agreement includes a multiyear extension of the 23-year automobile mechanical repair coverage partnership between the companies.

Assurant President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Colberg said, “Today’s announcement represents a positive outcome for all of our stakeholders and importantly, for our Preneed employees, customers and policyholders. I am also excited to continue to further strengthen our longtime partnership with CUNA Mutual Group, built upon shared values and aligned culture and commitment to customer excellence.”

Trunzo added, “CUNA Mutual Group remains committed to helping credit unions and other strategic partners excel at reaching and addressing consumers’ needs. Ultimately, we are working to ensure a brighter financial future is accessible to everyone.”

The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the third quarter, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Perella Weinberg Partners LP is acting as financial advisor to CUNA Mutual Group, and Foley & Lardner LLP is acting as its legal counsel.

About CUNA Mutual Group

Built on the principle of “people helping people,” CUNA Mutual Group is a financially strong insurance, investment and financial services company that believes a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone. Through our company culture, community engagement, and products and solutions, we are working to create a more equitable financial system that helps to improve the lives of those we serve and our society. For more information, visit cunamutual.com.

About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global provider of lifestyle and housing solutions that support, protect and connect major consumer purchases. Anticipating the evolving needs of consumers, Assurant partners with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative products and services and to deliver an enhanced customer experience. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant offers mobile device solutions; extended service contracts; vehicle protection services; pre-funded funeral insurance; renters insurance; lender-placed insurance products; and other specialty products. The Assurant Foundation strengthens communities by supporting charitable partners that help protect where people live and can thrive, connect with local resources, inspire inclusion and prepare leaders of the future.

Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.

Aldevron to Host Virtual Ribbon Cutting for Madison Site

Aldevron recently announced its upcoming virtual ribbon cutting event, which will take place on Wednesday, February 10 at 12:00 PM CST. Its focus will be the company’s investments in key areas, expanding Aldevron’s ability to enable clients’ breakthroughs in the emerging field of genetic medicine, further impacting patients and achieving the company’s mission.