Category: Expansions/Relocations
Photo by Richard Hurd
Two Community Banks Officially Merge
For Immediate Release
Contact:
SBCP Bancorp, Inc.: Jim Tubbs, (608) 798-3961
Union Bancorp of Evansville, Inc.: Steve Eager, (608) 490-2251
Two Community Banks Officially Merge
State Bank of Cross Plains Grows to 15 Locations in Three Counties
JUNE 1, 2019, MADISON, Wisconsin – With the merger closing on May 31, State Bank of Cross Plains (SBCP) and Union Bank & Trust Company (UB&T) officially begin operating as one organization on June 1. The merged financial institutions will expand SBCP’s presence from 10 locations in Dane County to a combined 15 locations operating in Dane, Rock, and Green counties, with total assets topping $1.25 billion.
“It became clear early on in the process that both banks shared the same set of core values and priorities, with a strong focus on putting people first,” said Jim Tubbs, President & CEO of State Bank of Cross Plains. “Every decision attempted to improve circumstances for our customers and the employees who assist those customers. Our shared philosophies helped fuel our enthusiasm as we did the hard work behind the scenes to merge both operations and our bank families in a way designed to make this transition seamless to the people we serve.”
Indeed, SBCP’s Tubbs and former UB&T President Steve Eager report very little disruption to the customers and the communities familiar with both banks:
- No layoffs.
- 15 of the merged 16 locations stay open. Both organizations had branch offices in Oregon less than a quarter mile apart. Staff will eventually combine into the former UB&T location at 883 N. Main Street. The SBCP location at 744 N. Main in Oregon will close in July.
- Nothing changes regarding loans. Existing loans will not be sold. Customers keep the same loan terms and continue to work with the same local lender. However, combined capital will enable more opportunities for business and personal loans from the now larger State Bank of Cross Plains.
- Relationships handled by either bank’s Wealth Management group will continue to be handled in the same professional manner as always. This applies to investment management, comprehensive financial planning services, and our most important role as a trusted fiduciary. In addition, clients will have an opportunity to continue working with their same Trust Officer/Wealth Manager team of choice.
- The Ag Services division has grown. More people were added to this team to support existing crop insurance contracts and local lending as this product grows more fully into Dane County, led by Steve Eager.
- Actual changes? Routing numbers for former UB&T checking and savings accounts will be updated as they get incorporated into the SBCP system in September. At that time, the bank will replace debit cards and offer the opportunity to order new checks.
“I’ve known the leaders at State Bank of Cross Plains for decades and have always respected them,” shares Eager. “When my family chose to reduce our level of involvement at UB&T, it gave us all peace of mind to know we could hand the reins over to another bank who also believes in growing local businesses and truly cares about helping the people and families who live and work in these communities.”
State Bank of Cross Plains offers a full range of business, agricultural, and personal financial services, including business, real estate, ag, and consumer lending; crop insurance; wealth management; and financial advisory services.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
CEC announces acquisition of Select Sound Service
Hiawatha, IA, May 16, 2019 – Communications Engineering Company (CEC), a nationally recognized technology systems integrator, today announced the acquisition of Select Sound Service Inc.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, Select Sound Service has over 60 years of experience in deploying and integrating technology and sound solutions for hospitals, long-term care facilities, and education systems.
With the two organizations having tightly aligned product portfolios and company visions, in addition to a combined 130+ years of experience, this strategic investment will position CEC to offer a wider selection of technology solutions and enhanced customer service experiences to its clients in Iowa and the southern half of Wisconsin.
“Bringing CEC and Select Sound Service together made sense, and the positive impact on our employees and our customers is extremely exciting,” says Matt Dlouhy, CEO at CEC. “Both companies value the quality of employees we have and focus on delivering the very best to our customers. Together, our force has increased in size and quality, as well as in the technology tools we leverage in achieving our customers’ business objectives.”
Dennis Sanford, CEO at Select Sound Service, says, “The impact that our customers and employees will realize from this merger is phenomenal. The vision that both companies have for our customers, employees, and the future of the industry will now be tremendously enhanced.”
Both organizations are authorized Rauland (a division of Ametek) resellers. Combining their manpower brings the healthcare market’s industry-leading Responder nurse call system to hospitals throughout this multi-state territory. Standardized care continues to be a key focus for healthcare’s integrated delivery networks, and the ability to provide a consistent experience for staff and patients across multiple facilities via the technologies utilized will be vastly improved with both companies operating as one.
About CEC
Established in 1946, CEC has evolved from a small two-way radio shop into a nationally recognized technology integrator with eight offices across Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Its success is driven by its mission: to make technology simple for its customers. It combines alignment with manufacturers that offer the best solutions in the industry along with in-house experts on staff who effectively lead technical and custom integrations. CEC specializes in finding creative solutions to meet its customers’ business objectives through solution design, integration, installation, and preventative maintenance. The company has five core areas of focus: audio/video, fire & security, healthcare communications, information technology, and two-way radio communications. To learn more, visit www.cecinfo.com.
About Select Sound Service
Select Sound Service Inc. was founded by Robert Paquette Sr. in 1958 in the basement of his Milwaukee, WI, home prior to moving all operations to its current Milwaukee and Madison offices. After many years of successfully providing and managing sound and audio equipment for musical acts throughout the Milwaukee area as the lifeblood of this family-owned and family-operated company, leadership saw a unique opportunity in the evolving healthcare market. Select Sound became a Rauland distributor in 1984. For the last 35 years, its team hasn’t looked back. While audio and sound are still areas of expertise and a significant revenue stream, the backbone of the company is installing and supporting Rauland nurse call systems throughout the lower half of Wisconsin. To learn more, visit www.selectsoundservice.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Thysse Groundbreaking Scheduled
For Immediate Release
Brooke Barney
Thysse
608.249.6951
Rendering of Thysse’s new headquarters, a 95,500 square-foot building being developed by Newcomb Construction, OPN Architects and Thysse Design. Rendering by Thysse Design
OREGON, WI, May 7, 2019— Thysse, a third-generation design, printing and manufacturing company, will break ground on its new location at 1:00 pm, June 4, 2019. The groundbreaking ceremony will feature staff and family members, government and local business leaders, the general contractor, and architect team.
“Thysse was originally recruited to move to the Village of Oregon’s Business Park in 2012,” Jason Thysse shared. “We moved here with 13 employees and we plan to move into the new building with over 100 employees. Our company has grown exponentially in the seven years we have been here. We wanted to exhaust all efforts to stay in Oregon and the Village Staff, Board and Chamber of Commerce helped make that happen.”
The new, two-story, 95,500 square foot project will be the third expansion for the company within the last seven years. The move will bring all employees back under one roof from their current two locations, with room to grow. Newcomb Construction will be creating the building using their tilt-up concrete process. 100 insulated wall panels will be fabricated onsite using Lycon concrete from just two blocks away.
Highlights of the new building include:
• Two-story lobby with prominent out-of-doors views
• Large employee breakroom with fireplace lounge and sliding glass partition to walk-out patio
• Second floor gathering room with balcony and open bridge to gallery space
• Lots of natural light, LED lighting and in floor radiant heating to provide comfortable office environment
The building is projected to be completed by July 2020.
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About Thysse
Thysse is a third-generation, innovative company in Oregon, WI, specializing in visual communication. We are
a design, printing and manufacturing company that hires architects, and we have the imagination and tools
to customize projects, whatever they may be. We think about how your story is being told through your
direct mail, your catalog, your fleet vehicles, your apparel, the sign outside your door, and the design of the
lobby inside your door. We call it where you go with your brand. For more information about Thysse, please
visit www.thysse.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Scientific Survey Research Firm Merges with Civic Engagement Technology Company
NRC and Polco merger offers local governments the best in performance management research and civic engagement services.
Digital engagement platform Polco and survey research firm National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) are pleased to announce their merger. Together, NRC and Polco offer the best in civic engagement through resident surveys and communication technology to local governments and other public sector entities.
“Community leaders need good data, both to make immediate decisions and to measure performance over time. We are bringing together two companies, under one roof, that have each defined public engagement,” said CEO Nick Mastronardi. “It’s time to expand the ways organizations communicate with their stakeholders and serve their needs.”
NRC and Polco have combined at a pivotal time. Shoehorning tech platforms into civic applications they were not designed for has led to increased polarization and fractured communications. “Now, more than ever, local government officials must understand residents’ needs,” said Tom Miller, current Polco Board Director and Founder of NRC. “City staff have become more tech savvy and reliant on data. They need better and more accessible information to succeed in creating the livable communities that residents deserve and expect.”
Mastronardi agrees that Polco and NRC’s joint services are essential for today’s decision-makers. “Well designed platforms, structured communications, and quality data can bring communities back together and also highlight new opportunities for cities to increase resident satisfaction and quality of life. There are a lot of thoughtful people who are busy and can’t always make it to a town hall or city council meeting. But now they can lend their voices in a civil, organized way.”
About National Research Center, Inc. (NRC)
Both companies share the mission to help communities move forward through resident input, which has motivated National Research Center over the last 25 years. NRC has become a thought-leader in the survey industry and the gold standard for public opinion research and evaluation methodology.
NRC staff are leading experts and experienced practitioners. They are authors of numerous articles and books, and public speakers who present research findings and facilitate trainings for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the American Evaluation Association (AEA), and National League of Cities (NLC), to name a few.
Hundreds of public-sector organizations across the country use NRC surveys for performance measurement, budgeting, strategic planning, and decision-making. NRC’s nationwide, benchmark database holds hundreds of thousands of resident opinions – making it the largest of its kind.
NRC is also a long-standing Strategic Partner of ICMA, a charter member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Transparency Initiative, a Corporate Partner of the Alliance for Innovation (AFI), and has been named a Top Local Government Vendor by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL).
The firm will continue to provide clients with top-quality survey research, consulting, and benchmark comparisons. Now the merger creates new opportunities for NRC to produce actionable results in convenient and innovative ways.
About Polco
Polco represents the next generation of civic engagement and communication technology. The four-year-old technology company tripled in size over the last two years. They have worked with cities in more than 23 states.
Polco’s online platform takes policy polling to the next level. Their unique verification capabilities and key design features add reliability to results and foster civility. Polco produces organized data, dashboards, and maps in real-time for city officials. The platform is especially useful for clients with immediate decision-making needs, including local and state governments, special districts, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations.
Polco also takes special measures to preserve respondent privacy. After verifying respondents, Polco only shares aggregated, de-identified results with city officials. Individual level data are never shared with the city or any third party.
This award-winning civic engagement platform has been profiled in numerous publications, including Governing Magazine. Polco is also the only technology firm ever to be named a Savings and Solutions Enterprise Partner for the National League of Cities (NLC).
Polco staff have strong backgrounds in city management, public policy, communications technology, data, and software engineering. The team itself has been a major component to Polco’s ingenuity and fast-growing success. “We are committed to continue working hard to put the best products, technologies, and services into the hands of city officials. We truly want to give them and their residents a great experience, and to empower communities to take next steps confidently,” Mastronardi expressed.
NRC and Polco: Merger for the Future of Civic Engagement
Moving ahead, National Research Center and Polco will continue to provide the staple services and features they are known for. Current surveys being conducted by NRC will remain unchanged, and clients will keep the same access to the Polco platform.
Now NRC and Polco are looking toward the future. Their combined R&D team is already working on digital reports, interactive dashboards, new uses of Polco’s online engagement tool, and other innovations.
Miller observed, “Both companies saw clearly the synergies of merging, as the world of survey research and resident engagement are melding. Rapid policy sounding and long-term performance trends are equally essential to the success of our public-sector clients.”
Polco and NRC plan for new and expanded services to make surveys and polls easier to administer, promote faster feedback, and produce deeper analytics. Cities, towns, and counties may also be able to host two-way communications more frequently.
As the technology and survey industries evolve, Polco and NRC promise to move forward with the needs of their public-sector and non-profit clients first in mind.
“Some of these changes are inevitable,” said Mastronardi. “We are committed to doing it the right way that’s best for cities and residents.”
For more information about Polco and National Research Center, Inc. (NRC), visit them online at www.polco.us and www.n-r-c.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace to Undergo Full Renovation
MILWAUKEE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apr. 23, 2019– Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), today announced extensive renovations are underway at the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, in Madison, Wis. to be completed in time for the busy 2019 summer travel season. The Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is owned and operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190423005127/en/
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace to renovate all rooms and suites (Photo: Business Wire)
“Since its opening in 2001, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace has been the city’s first choice for business and leisure travelers. The current changes underway will provide guests with more amenities and conveniences to make their travel experience easy and fun, while offering high-level service guests expect when staying at our hotel. We are very thankful to be a part of the community and downtown Madison, and we look forward to continuing to maintain our excellent reputation as Madison’s leading hotel,” said Skip Harless, general manager.
All 240 spacious guest rooms and suites will be renovated with a fresh new design, inspired by the vibrant university community. New features and amenities include brand-new bedding, stone-topped furniture, and state of the art 55” smart TVs. All double rooms will be converted to two queen beds, and king rooms will be updated with rejuvenating walk-in showers. All rooms will receive exquisite new tile surrounds and double headed showers for a soothing and calming wellness experience.
The lobby will be completely transformed to include a free-standing services desk for a more personalized check-in experience. Additionally, a grab-n-go option will be available for busy travelers to enjoy a quick caffeine boost from the Starbucks® coffee kiosk or travel friendly foods to cure hunger day or night.
Harless said the renovations also include reimagining the hotel’s food and beverage options to better meet travelers diverse dining preferences. “In late April, we will say farewell to the longstanding Capitol ChopHouse. In its place, we will create the city’s most unique, one-of-a-kind private event space. To be called The Liberty Room, the event space features the historic façade of the Madison Catholic Diocese building first established in 1938, and will serve as a gracious and elegant gathering space for weddings, private events and important meetings. We are very excited to unveil this intimate and exclusive meeting and event space at a key location in the heart of Madison’s busy capital city center.”
The Liberty Room will feature a seasonal outside patio, 1,900 square feet of event space to accommodate up to 125 guests, a pre-function area, and private street entrance with valet and self-parking available. An exciting array of culinary selections will be available, ranging from interactive food stations to elegant, customized four-course meals using only the highest quality local ingredients. The Liberty Room is expected to open by August 1, 2019 and the Hilton Sales Team is already accepting reservations at 608-260-2363.
Additional food and beverage renovations include reconfiguring Olive Lounge into The Audrey Kitchen & Bar. Named after Audrey Munson, who modeled for the statue on the dome atop the State Capitol building, the new restaurant will offer a collection of classic and progressive cocktails, alongside a menu of lighter fare, tasty shareables and after-five entrees. Executive Chef Jeff Orr has designed a diverse menu of comfortable favorites infusing world flavors.
Additional renovations include maximizing the event space in the 14th floor Capitol Club and the Hilton Honors members’ lounge, as well as updates to the pool and fitness areas.
“For over 18 years, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace has always been one of the preferred destinations for guests visiting Madison. As time evolves, so do travelers’ preferences. With these renovations, we are excited to create new and fresh experiences for our guests and local residents to explore,” said Gregory S. Marcus, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. “This hotel has played a meaningful role in the evolution of the state’s capital city. We are proud of our history in Madison and look forward to contributing to its growth and visibility as a desirable destination with so much to offer.”
Located in the heart of Madison’s busy capital, and overlooking the shimmering shores of Lake Monona, the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace is connected via a climate-controlled skywalk to the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired, Gold LEED certified Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, and is just blocks away from the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and Madison’s dining, shopping, entertainment, art and theatre districts. The hotel offers complimentary transportation to and from Dane County Airport, has a fully-equipped fitness center, indoor pool and whirlpool, and offers self and valet covered parking. The hotel will remain pet-friendly for furry Fido travelers as well.
Since its opening in 2001, the Hilton Madison has earned numerous hospitality and dining awards including the TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence Award, Best Hotel by Madison Magazine, AAA Executive Choice Award, Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and numerous best meetings awards.
For more information on the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace or to make reservations, please visit: www.hiltonmadison.com. For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com.
About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 22 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning. This includes hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse, Miller Time Pub & Grill and SafeHouse Restaurants. For more information, please visit: http://www.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter(@MarcusHotels).
About The Marcus Corporation
Headquartered in Milwaukee, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets. In addition to its lodging division, its theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 1,098 screens at 90 locations in 17 states. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.marcuscorp.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190423005127/en/
Source: Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Jessica Huebner
jessica@reputationpartners.com
(414) 376-2348