WPS Health Solutions honored as a 2023 VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Contact: 
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Solutions honored as a 2023 VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer

MADISON, Wis.—April 13, 2023—WPS Health Solutions has earned the VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer designation in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards. The award recognizes the organization’s commitment to recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing, and supporting veterans and the military-connected community.

“WPS Health Solutions stands out from the pack as one of the best employers nationwide for veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses,” said George Altman, managing director of VETS Indexes. “As more and more employers recognize the cutting-edge technical skills and soft skills veterans bring to the workplace, the race to attract military-connected talent gets increasingly competitive. The number of organizations participating in the 2023 VETS Indexes Employer Awards more than doubled since last year—but even in this highly competitive environment, WPS Health Solutions distinguished itself as a leader among veteran employers and should be commended,” Altman said.

This year, a record number of 239 organizations participated in the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, more than double the 118 participants in 2022. Of those, VETS Indexes recognized 200 organizations across the following award levels: 5 Star Employer, 4 Star Employer, 3 Star Employer, and Recognized Employer. Not every responding organization made the cut—only those that demonstrated a strong commitment to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and military spouses. Participating organizations included companies large and small, government agencies and departments, nonprofit groups, colleges, and universities.

As the most objective and comprehensive evaluation of veteran employers, the VETS Indexes Employer Awards program has set a new standard in veteran employment data. These results have been featured on CNBC as well as military-specific outlets, including military.com. This in-depth survey and recognition program analyzes employers’ policies, practices, and outcomes in detail, across the following five categories:

• Veteran job candidate recruiting and hiring
• Veteran employee development and retention
• Veteran-inclusive policies and culture
• Support for members of the National Guard and Reserves
• Military spouse/family support

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has more than 2,700 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Health Administrators, WPS Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.  

About VETS Indexes

VETS Indexes is a leading voice on veteran employment issues, overseeing the VETS Indexes Employer Awards, hosting the twice-yearly Employing U.S. Vets Conference, unearthing unique and unprecedented data on veteran employment through the Veteran Employment Benchmarking Service, and developing custom indexes, linked to financial products, that track the performance of the publicly traded companies that have established themselves as the best employers for veterans. 

The VETSX and VTRNIX indexes were created on the premise that the companies that make the best use of the highly talented, yet under-valued, talent pool that veterans represent will ultimately see a benefit to their bottom lines. The performance of the indexes has emphatically confirmed that thesis, outpacing the S&P 500.   

As the world’s first resource for U.S. veteran themed indexes, our mission is to provide innovative solutions that recognize the value created by the mission-critical mindset, unique skills, and specialized training that veterans bring to the workplace. Our mission also includes a commitment to always donate a significant portion (target of 20% and no less than 5%) of our net profits to charitable organizations that support veterans and their families.  

“SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED” – VETS Indexes provides a social and governance impact via those public companies that support the hiring and professional development of our military veterans.

Learn more about us at VETSIndexes.com and follow us on social media channels via LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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MSCR Day Trip to Milwaukee: Tour the Burgers & Custard Capital of the World

April 14, 2023

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Graper at ngraper@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3017

MSCR Day Trip to Milwaukee: Tour the Burgers & Custard Capital of the World

Join MSCR on Saturday, May 6, as we team up with Milwaukee Food Tours for the “Burgers & Custard Capital of the World” Food and History Tour. Start the day at the Milwaukee County Historical Society in the historic Brewers Bank building and learn about its role in popular television shows and films. Explore the exhibits, gift shop and purchase a beer to enjoy. (The legends – Pabst, Blatz, Schlitz or a Miller). Take a short stroll and give two thumbs up with a visit and photo opportunity with Fonzie along the Milwaukee RiverWalk. “Ayyyyy…”

Enjoy a hamburger and fries lunch at a classic Milwaukee diner, Miss Katie’s. Delve into a “custard crawl” with stops at two historic custard stands, Leon’s Frozen Custard and, the oldest in Wisconsin, Gilles Frozen Custard Stand.

Fee covers narrated, guided city tour, lunch, custard and motorcoach transportation. Tour includes minimal walking; must be able to enter / exit the bus multiple times during the day. Bus loads at 8:15am on Pflaum Rd in front of LaFollette High School. The registration deadline is April 26, 2023.

Register now at mscr.org

MSCR is Madison’s public recreation department, offering a variety of activities for all ages including arts, enrichment, fitness, outdoors, sports and more. Go to mscr.org for more information.

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Associated Bank welcomes Dennis Haefer as business banking team leader for Madison

MADISON, Wis. – April 11, 2023 – Dennis Haefer has joined Associated Bank as senior vice president & business banking team leader for all of Dane County.

Haefer brings 35 years of business banking leadership and relationship management experience to Associated Bank. He has extensive experience assisting business owners in almost every industry, with an incredible understanding of the Dane County business community. 

“Supporting local entrepreneurs, helping them grow and succeed, is my passion and part of my DNA,” said Haefer. “I enjoy helping our business customers with their banking needs, serving as their point of contact here at the bank.”

Haefer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and mathematics from UW-Madison. In the community, he participates in various committees and boards.

He is located at 7722 Mineral Point Rd.

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ABOUT ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE: ASB) has total assets of $39 billion and is the largest bank holding company based in Wisconsin. Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Associated is a leading Midwest banking franchise, offering a full range of financial products and services from more than 200 banking locations serving more than 100 communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The company also operates loan production offices in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio and Texas. Associated Bank, N.A. is an Equal Housing Lender, Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. More information about Associated Banc-Corp is available at www.associatedbank.com.

WPS Health Insurance adds new maternity program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Insurance adds new maternity program
Additional case management services help pregnant customers

MADISON, Wis.—April 10, 2023— WPS Health Insurance introduces a new case management program for pregnant customers. Because of the strong relationship between parents’ health and their infants’ health, the maternity program is designed to support customers during and after pregnancy with the goal of improved health outcomes for parents and their infants.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 babies are born too early in the United States. By providing access to health care resources and identifying the risks for preterm births (labor that happens before 37 weeks of pregnancy), these risks can be reduced.  

By helping customers manage preexisting conditions that could cause pregnancy complications, WPS can help parents and babies be healthier. The Maternity Program can: 

• Help customers understand their health care benefits 
• Help customers better manage their personal health care needs and risk factors during pregnancy and following delivery 
• Inform customers about community and technical resources that can help meet their individual needs 
• Support optimal maternal and infant outcomes by promoting evidence-based perinatal care 
• Reduce preterm births by lowering risk factors and providing access to educational tools for perinatal care
• Reduce neonatal intensive care (NICU) admissions for infants 
• Eliminate barriers for receiving health care 

Kimberlee Alton, R.N., and Debra Hartwig, R.N., are WPS Nurse Care Managers who support and educate customers to manage their health care needs and conditions. Through the Maternity Program, they are working hand in hand with the customers enrolled. They are available to provide perinatal education, community resources, clarity, and understanding around health insurance benefits, as well as to support optimal maternal and infant outcomes by promoting evidence-based perinatal care. 

“Many of our customers have expressed appreciation for the Maternity Program. They find it beneficial to form a relationship with a nurse case manager throughout their pregnancy and can continue with this program after their baby is born. Customers can also opt-out of the program at any time,” Kimberlee said.

Pregnant members of any WPS individual or group health plan that includes Case Management services may participate in the Maternity Program at no extra cost. Customers can confirm if their plan includes this benefit by calling the number on their WPS ID card.   

Customers interested in learning more or enrolling can contact 800-333-5003 or visit wps.health/maternity.

About WPS Health Insurance^®

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) offers a variety of services and coverage with Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., and with employees throughout the state, WPS Health Insurance is deeply committed to Wisconsin and its residents. Visit wpshealth.com for more information.

About WPS Health Plan^®

WPS Health Plan, Inc. (WPS Health Plan) is a local, customer-focused choice in a crowd of national health insurance giants. Based in Green Bay, Wis., WPS Health Plan continues its tradition of Wisconsin-based service and is always looking for ways to make owning and using health insurance easier. WPS Health Plan offers Health Maintenance Organization and Point-of-Service plans to the group and individual markets in eastern and north-central Wisconsin, plus third-party administrator services. Visit wpshealth.com/healthplan for more information.

SuiteDynamics COO Ben Sherman on Making an Impact as One of the Country’s Top NetSuite Solution Companies

Before joining this company, Ben Sherman made a career of streamlining and expanding businesses. Now, he plans to establish SuiteDynamics as the #1 source for honest and experienced NetSuite consultants.

More than anything else, Ben Sherman has life experience.

He was born in Sweden and spent much of his early life in Israel. He pursued higher education in the USA and Sweden. He speaks four languages (three fluently). And he has started or led multiple companies in a career that has spanned over 20 years. Now, he plans to use that varied background to help SuiteDynamics impact the ERP consulting industry.

As a co-owner and the new COO, Ben aims to streamline business operations and help cement SuiteDynamics’ place as one of the top NetSuite solution companies.

“I’ve always just been interested in improving the organizations I’ve been with, coming up with new business and marketing strategies,” he says. “Perhaps that just comes from growing up in an entrepreneurial, innovative culture. And I feel like I bring that innovation and entrepreneurship to every role.”

And Ben believes he’s working with plenty of potential at SuiteDynamics. He describes the business as a group of fresh-faced tech experts and NetSuite consultants driven to see their company thrive.

“They’re a super talented group of individuals who are loyal to the company and passionate about supporting our customer base,” he says. “They go out of their way to help customers when they’re having specific issues or about to go live. They’re new and flexible, adapting to whatever a situation requires.”

He also feels strongly that those qualities can do more than perform efficient ERP implementations, customizations, consultations, and training. Instead, they can change how clients see NetSuite solution providers and help them view implementers as long-term business partners instead of one-time service providers.

Making an Impact as NetSuite Consultants

After building businesses for over two decades, Ben has become fascinated with a company’s potential to impact society. So, in 2003, he established Outfit Ltd. This Jerusalem-based tech company employed staff and served clients from Israel and Palestine. He wanted to see if business could bring cultural enemies together.

“I quickly realized that I was able to build more genuine relationships between the two sides of the conflict through a company on a local business, grassroots level than perhaps I would have been able to do through political efforts,” he explains.

That experiment constituted Ben’s first foray into the business world. Since then, he has undertaken various leadership roles to help shape other companies into efficient teams. Along the way, he has also looked for more opportunities to make a difference through business.

For example, he helped a friend start a pizzeria and bakery in a small Panamanian village. The enterprise gave locals fresh opportunities to earn income and learn new skills. One worker, Ben says, even put his wife through college using his bakery income.

This endeavor showed Ben that business is about more than making money. It’s about improving life for employees, clients, and society. Now, he can prove this idea with SuiteDynamics and help shape a new type of NetSuite consultant.

Ranking Among the Top NetSuite Solution Companies

Ben has been interested in SuiteDynamics ever since CEO Jake Kleiner explained the company mission—to become one of the top NetSuite solution companies through the simple concepts of integrity and transparency. As COO, Ben wants to help establish an honest, hard-working NetSuite solution provider in a field where many clients feel disappointed with service.

And as a bonus, he can help several businesses grow at once.

“There is a massive demand for NetSuite implementation and NetSuite consultants in multiple industries and insufficient skilled resources to fill the need,” Ben says. “Industries have a critical need today for a single modern platform to manage their operations. And they need a true partner with the expertise to help them customize and implement an ERP platform.”

He plans for that partner to be SuiteDynamics.

To start, Ben will focus on shepherding the company through its current season of growth and scaling operations to continue meeting client needs. He has helped multiple businesses expand in the past and plans to use the same principles to guide SuiteDynamics. He also enjoys mentoring leaders and building teams, helping them identify and bolster their strengths.

And he expects to guide the company through many exciting developments in the next five to ten years.

“I believe that SuiteDynamics can not only become a leader within the ERP consultation space but can also build advanced products that support organizations,” he says. “I’m excited to be a part of solutions in the coming months and years.”

As his staff, we’re excited about that, too.

SuiteDynamics is one of the top NetSuite solution companies specializing in custom ERP implementations. Our experts can help your company determine what kind of system you want and customize a NetSuite ERP program to meet your needs. Contact us to schedule a free demo.