National Guardian Life Insurance Company: Nominations now open for National Funeral Directors Association’s second annual Inspiration Award

Following a motivational inaugural year, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to once again sponsor National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) second annual Inspiration Award. Nominations are now open with NFDA accepting submissions through February 16 in recognition of an exceptional woman who has made noteworthy professional contributions to the funeral service industry or related fields.

“I’m excited and honored to be part of the annual Inspiration Award through NGL’s sponsorship. There are many outstanding women in the profession who deserve to be recognized for their successes and have their story shared. I look forward to learning who the next exceptional female that has elevated the funeral service will be,” said Jennifer Kaset, Vice President, Sales and Business Development at NGL.

The 2024 Inspiration Award recipient will be announced during the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference in Savannah, Ga, April 28-30, 2024.

Last year, Kaset had the privilege of presenting the 2023 NFDA Inspiration Award to Ellen Wynn McBrayer. Ellen is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Certified Celebrant, Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, Certified Preplanning Consultant and is the President and Chief Financial Officer of Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes and Crematory, a third-generation family business.

Click here to learn more, including criteria and guidelines about the NFDA 2024 Inspiration Award.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered 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. 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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Connie Perry, PharmD, Joins M3 Insurance as Managing Director of Pharmacy Solutions

Connie Perry has joined M3 Insurance as the managing director of pharmacy solutions, bringing a new level of expertise, specialization, and service to M3 clients.

In her role, Perry will lead M3’s pharmacy solutions team, using her clinical background as a PharmD and decades of experience in the PBM space to create a comprehensive pharmacy solutions stack for employers and pair it with the transparent and independent approach that has become a signature of M3.

Perry has over 25 years of industry experience and a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, specializing in critical care during her residency. Her experience spans across various sectors including clinical roles in hospitals, academia and a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) (Walgreens Health Initiatives).

Perry was a lead consultant for national insurance brokers before joining M3. As a seasoned leader, she has successfully led national pharmacy practices and played a pivotal role in launching a pharmacy coalition tailored for mid-market employers.

M3 is excited to welcome Connie Perry, launch our pharmacy solutions specialization, and provide our clients with expanded resources and leverage to strategically manage their pharmacy benefits.

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About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work.

One Community Bank: Austin Zellner Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

January 22, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Austin Zellner Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

(January 2024) – One Community Bank is excited to announce the promotion of Austin Zellner to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer at its Oregon location.

“Austin has done a tremendous job assisting current clients and developing new business relationships. He has become a key contributor to our commercial PACE program. His primary focus will continue to be establishing and developing relationships with business owners in the community by providing a wide range of financial products and knowledge. We are excited for Austin to take the next step in his career at One Community Bank,” said Dan Carey, Chief Commercial Officer.

“I am thrilled to continue to grow at One Community Bank. I am grateful to be a part of such a client focused, dynamic, and forward-looking team. I look forward to continuing to expand my
business relationship network, and embracing new challenges and opportunities that come,” exclaimed Austin.

Austin has been with One Community Bank for over seven years and started as a Bank Teller.

Over time, he grew a strong passion for commercial banking. He enjoys assisting clients with financing their projects.

In his personal life, he enjoys traveling, watching Wisconsin athletics, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Claire, and their dog.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 15 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams,
Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.
Austin Zellner NMLS #2175576. OCB NMLS #4106989.

Bank of Sun Prairie’s Customer Just for Me Family Center Awarded $25,000 Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2024

Contact: Jimmy Kauffman, President and CEO
608.837.4511 ● jimmy.kauffman@bankofsunprairie.com

Bank of Sun Prairie’s Customer Just for Me Family Center Awarded $25,000 Grant
FHLBank of Chicago’s Community First Accelerate Grant Benefits Local Small Business

Sun Prairie, Wis. bankofsunprairie.com — Just for Me Family Center based in Sun Prairie was awarded a $25,000 Community First Accelerate Grant for Small Business by the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) of Chicago offered to Bank of Sun Prairie small business customers.

Established in 2005, Just for Me Family Center is a family-oriented childcare center and pre-school with specialization in early childhood and infant care. Just for Me Family Center Owner Melissa Wayland intends to use the funds for building new fencing structures in the outdoor play area and making additional upgrades and repairs inside the building constructed in 1974. Wayland shared, “Bank of Sun Prairie is a real partner who stands by your side. This grant award would not have happened without them. We are eternally grateful to Bank of Sun Prairie and FHLBank for these critically needed dollars. Our kids will benefit in the end.”

“It is wonderful Just for Me Family Center received this grant award from FHLBank of Chicago,” shared Chris Cox, Bank of Sun Prairie’s senior vice president, chief business banking officer. “Bank of Sun Prairie values our membership in the FHLBank of Chicago. Their focus on strengthening small businesses and lifting up our local communities directly aligns with our tireless work to do the same right here in our backyard.”

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions, and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.

About Bank of Sun Prairie

Bank of Sun Prairie is a locally owned, full-service community bank with $719.3 million in assets and five locations in Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove, Wis. Its mission is to be trusted advisor for families, businesses and communities offering a complete range of services, while delivering fair returns for stockholders. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

Photograph: Bank of Sun Prairie’s Rob Stelzer and son; and Just for Me Family Center Owner Melissa Wayland.

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Level Set by StartingBlock: Validate Your Business Model

Don’t navigate the startup world alone. StartingBlock’s Level Set program is an intense 6 week program designed to help you explore and validate a business model.  Offered 6x per year, we help you explore the pros and cons of different business models, model revenue and get real world feedback on your business ideas.

This program is for you if you:
— want to explore a business idea
— are thinking about starting a company
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— are thinking about quitting your day job and going out on your own
— are a student with a great business idea
— a faculty member who has never thought about running a business

SCHEDULE FOR 2024
— February 21 – Mar 27 StartingBlock Wednesday 6pm – 7:30pm
— April 10 – May 15 Virtual Wednesday 6pm – 7.30pm
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Apply here