Category: Expansions/Relocations
Photo by Richard Hurd
NGL and Alliant Energy are building futures together
On a hot and steamy nearly 90 degree day, 120 employees from Alliant Energy and National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) traded in their desk jobs for hard hats and hammers to build two Habitat for Humanity of Dane County homes that will eventually be located in Fitchburg and Sun Prairie.
On June 15, the volunteers worked with the future homeowners to build the interior and exterior walls. It was exciting for Luz and her son, Omar, to build the panels for their future home that they will share with Luz’s mother on Sweet Grass Drive in Sun Prairie. Before the family can move into their home, they will learn about house maintenance, finance and put in 375 sweat equity hours, including volunteering at the Habitat ReStore, participating in builds and home ownership educational classes. Their anticipated move in date is April 2018.
Alliant Energy hosted the frame up and worked the first shift of the day. NGL arrived for the second shift with the mission to finish building the panels and assemble the walls. Within no time, the walls were constructed for both homes.
“This is our second year participating in a Habitat frame up and it’s become a volunteer opportunity that so many employees look forward to,” said Elizabeth Kirchstein, NGL corporate giving administrator. “NGL and our employees are very involved in the community both through volunteerism and financial support. Partnering with Alliant to build a Habitat home lets our employees give back and feel connected to the community. It’s a remarkable experience watching and being a part of someone’s new home as it takes shape.”
A focus of Alliant Energy Foundation is to improve the quality of life for people in its communities. “We are so glad to have an opportunity to host the Habitat for Humanity frame ups the last few years,” said Julie Bauer, executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation. “Working alongside the family that will live in the house means a lot to our employees and makes for a great day.”
At the end of the build, everyone walked through the home to see where the living room, kitchen, bedrooms are located. Volunteers signed their well wishes on the panels and then loaded the completed panels onto a truck destined for their future home sites.
“A huge thank you to National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Alliant Energy for representing the heart, soul and muscle behind Habitat’s work,” said Valerie Johnson, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County CEO. “We’re deeply grateful for every volunteer who shares our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, Habitat homeowners are required to put in 325-375 hours in sweat equity toward the building of their home. Habitat homes are more affordable because they are financed with affordable, no interest loans.
About Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc.
For 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County has partnered with more than 260 families to build decent, affordable homes in Dane County. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity builds with people in need regardless of race or religion and welcomes all volunteers and supporters. Learn more by calling 608.255.1549 or visit www.habitatdane.org.
About Alliant Energy
Alliant Energy serves approximately 950,000 electric customers and 410,000 natural gas customers. The mission is to deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service that customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Learn more at www.alliantenergy.com.
About National Guardian Life Insurance Company
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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Photo by Richard Hurd
Midwest Home Care Announces Move
Midwest Home Care is excited to announce its plans to move from 2800 Royal Avenue to 4916 East Broadway, Suite A, in Madison, WI on June 30th. With additional space to accommodate our organizational growth, we will be able to better provide employees with the tools they need to continue to grow successfully in their career as a caregiver. In addition, it will also allow space for collaborative efforts within the organization or outside the organization. The new office is located in the Facility Gateway Corporation building, approximately 4 miles from our current location, just down the road from the Stoughton Road Park and Ride. The office will be temporarily closed from June 30-July 3 to accommodate our move. We will re-open for business on July 5th at the new location.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Latino Chamber Of Commerce of Dane County Board of Directors Approves Latino Professionals Association as an Independent Organization
June 15, 2017
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jana Moore
Dr. Nestor Rodriguez
Latino Chamber Of Commerce of Dane County Board of Directors Approves Latino Professionals Association as an Independent Organization
The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County (LCC) is pleased to announce the board approval of the Latino Professionals Association of Greater Madison (LPA) as an independent organization. LPA born out of the Latino Chamber of Commerce was formed to enhance the lives of Latino professionals through community engagement and professional development.
“Recognizing a real need to develop Latino professionals, the Board of Directors of the LCC originally created LPA, under the LCC umbrella, in 2013” said Juan José López, LCC Vice President. At its inception, LPA had 55 members. At the end of 2016, their membership exceeded 200 members. He adds, “This is a logical next step.”
LPA President Tania Ibarra noted, “The vision of LPA is to cultivate a community that inspires, develops, and empowers Latino Professionals to achieve success. In the past year, we have developed the LPA Excel Building Capacity Model in order to implement our mission. The model has four pillars: 1) leadership development, 2) career growth, 3) civic and public engagement and 4) personal enrichment.”
“We are excited for this ensuing phase of LPA”, stated Jessica Cavazos, Executive Director of the Latino Chamber. “More so now, with the growing population of Latinos in Wisconsin– the importance of cultivating the next generation of our workforce through professional development and career growth is important.” As independent organizations, it will be LCC’s mission to continue empowering and collaborating with organizations that build and strengthen the communities we serve and impact.”
Dr. Nestor Rodriguez, VP of Programs for the LPA, states “The LPA independence allows the Chamber and the LPA to focus on their respective missions and through their collective impact improve Latino economic growth.”
Founded in 2013, The Latino Professionals Association vision is to cultivate a community that inspires, develops, empowers Latino Professionals to pursue success. The Latino Professionals Association mission is to enhance and recognize the lives of Latino Professionals through leadership development, professional growth, public and civic engagement and personal enrichment.
Founded in 2003, the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County is a non-profit organization that represents the Latino and non-Latino business community in the greater Madison area to assist and promote the interests of its members and community through advocacy and programs that make an overall impact to Dane County’s economic growth.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Kraus-Anderson completes Cabela’s new store in Chesterfield Township, Mich.
MADISON, Wis. (June 2017) – The Madison office of Kraus-Anderson Construction Company (KA), one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers, has completed the construction of Cabela’s new store in Chesterfield, Mich. — the 27th Cabela’s store built by Kraus-Anderson.
The 88,327-square-foot store is located at 45959 Towne Center Blvd. in MaComb County’s Chesterfield Township 30 miles northeast of Detroit near Lake St. Clair. The new store is scheduled to open this fall.
The building’s exterior will reflect Cabela’s popular store model with wood construction, stonework, and metal roofing. A large glass storefront will allow customers to view much of the store’s interior as they approach the building.
The store’s interior will be built in Cabela’s new layout designed to surround customers in an outdoor-like experience, featuring a large mountain replica and wildlife display, archery and firearm tech room, indoor archery range and Bargain Cave.
Chesterfield Township is the fourth Cabela’s location in Michigan joining the Dundee, Saginaw and Grandville stores.
About Cabela’s Incorporated
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s® has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter®.
About Kraus-Anderson
Kraus-Anderson® Construction Company (www.krausanderson.com) is one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.
Photo by Richard Hurd
NGL acquisition of Commercial Travelers approved by policyholders with demutualization
During a special meeting of Commercial Travelers Insurance Company (CT) (formerly Commercial Travelers Mutual Insurance Company) held on April 25 in Utica, N.Y., policyholders approved the demutualization of Commercial Travelers and subsequent acquisition by National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL).
“The demutualization is an important step for NGL and CT. NGL entered into an affiliation with CT in April 2012. The 5-year transition to full ownership has involved the dedication and efforts of many people. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone at CT and NGL who have contributed to the acquisition and demutualization process. We look forward to continued growth and success of CT now as our New York based subsidiary,” said Mark Solverud, NGL President and CEO.
“CT is proud of our 134-year history in the Utica community. Joining NGL, another century old insurance company, offers stability to our policyholders and new opportunities for growth in the future,” said Philip Grece, Vice President and Director of Student Health at NGL.
Following the demutualization of CT, A.M. Best upgraded its Financial Strength Rating to A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a-.” According to a news release from A.M. Best, the rating upgrades also reflect CT’s high level of integration with NGL, including an ongoing intercompany reinsurance agreement, common management and a variety of shared resources.
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.
“This allows the NGL group of companies to market its products through CT in New York with the same “A-” rating held by NGL and its subsidiary, Settlers Life Insurance Company. Both NGL and Settlers are licensed in all states except New York,” said Brian Hogan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at NGL.
About Commercial Travelers Insurance Company
Since 1883, Commercial Travelers has provided coverage for student accident, health and special risk markets to students in K-12 through college, school sports, and special risk coverage. Located in Utica, N.Y., NGL entered into an affiliation with Commercial Travelers in 2012. For more information, visit www.commercialtravelers.com.
About Settlers Life Insurance Company
A member of NGL group of companies since 1999, Settlers Life Insurance Company is located in Bristol, Va. Settlers Life specializes in simplified issue, final expense, and whole life insurance coverage for ages 15 days to 85 years. Additional information about Settlers Life can be found at www.settlerslife.com.
About National Guardian Life Insurance Company
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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