Executive promotions announced at National Guardian Life Insurance Company

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a Madison-based mutual life insurance company is pleased to announce a number of executive promotions recently approved by the NGL Board of Directors.

NGL’s Sales, Marketing and Product teams are aligned under Jeremy Ragsdale, who was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. He leads Marketing, Strategic Partner Development, Sales and Business Development, Emerging Markets and Product. Ragsdale has more than 25 years of leadership expertise encompassing all aspects of a life insurance company, including advanced markets, distribution, executive leadership, IT, marketing, new business, operations, product, project and risk. With Ragsdale’s experience he will bring these teams together to strengthen and grow our position in markets where we strive to be number one.

Jessica Grann was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Culture and Communications Officer. She has more than 20 years of broad marketing experience encompassing strategic planning, creative design, media planning and purchasing, direct marketing, public relations and sales promotions. Grann focuses on all aspects of the NGL brand as she advances culture through human resources, benefits and payroll, talent development, corporate communications and buildings and grounds.

Taking an expanded leadership role, John Horbal was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Joining NGL in 2020 he has been responsible for leading finance from an accounting, financial planning and analysis and corporate development perspective. Horbal has been instrumental in continuing to build on NGL’s historical financial strength helping to achieve the highest level of capital and surplus in the history of the company and an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of Commercial Travelers Life Insurance Company where NGL launched a dental and vision business “BrightBenefits” and subsequently acquired PrimeCare, LLC. He is approaching 20 years of broad financial management experience with a focus in financial services, insurance and asset management industries at American Express, TIAA, and Foresters Financial. Horbal will continue to lead finance, as well as actuarial and investments as we bring these teams together to support our long-term financial goals.

Nancy Stoddard was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. In this role she will lead the information technology and service operations teams. Aligning these areas under Stoddard allows for a clear vision for operational excellence, helps to drive operational efficiencies, and collaboration of strategic initiatives to provide excellent customer service for both internal and external customer needs. Stoddard joined NGL in 2018 as Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary She has 40 years of experience in the insurance industry in various roles including leading Actuarial, Finance and Operations.

Stacie Govier was promoted to Vice President, Technology. Govier spent the past two years leading NGL’s strategic delivery and application development teams and will be expanding her role to include NGL’s infrastructure and help desk teams. Her passion is aligning teams to build better customer-centric solutions, while continuously improving how technology is maintained and supported. She began her career with NGL in 2014 and has more than thirteen years of experience in project and agile delivery.

Dwayne Maddox was promoted to Vice President, Marketing. Maddox manages the day-to-day operations of the marketing team, including the coordination of marketing campaigns and strategies related to NGL’s preneed and specialty insurance products. Maddox has nearly 15 years of insurance experience and strategically aligning culture, purpose and brand while driving product awareness and business growth.

Scott Michels was promoted to Vice President and Appointed Actuary. Michels has 23 years of experience in the financial services industry, primarily as an actuary. In his role Michels directs and manages the valuation area of the actuarial financial reporting team. Additionally, he serves as the Appointed Actuary for the NGL Insurance Group of companies and is responsible for reserve adequacy, asset/liability analysis, valuation, forecasting and other various actuarial related matters.

David Puckett was promoted to Vice President, Investment Services. Puckett joined NGL in 2020 and has 28 years of experience managing insurance company assets. In this role, he works closely with the Chief Investment Officer in managing NGL’s investment portfolios and external manager relationships, as well as providing support for various NGL strategic initiatives.

Andrea Rouleau has been promoted to Vice President, Actuary. In this role, Rouleau oversees all new product pricing, product development, and in force management. She will continue to collaborate with the service operations, legal/compliance, and marketing/sales teams to set and implement product strategy. Additionally, she serves as the Illustration Actuary for NGL. Rouleau joined NGL in 2011 and has nearly 18 years of insurance experience that includes pricing, product development, in force management, sales, distribution and marketing in a variety of life, annuity, and health products.

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.

Ratings current as of 3/24/21. 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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M3 Insurance: Kevin Miller Named Director of Education & Government Practice

Kevin Miller has been named co-director of education and government practice at M3 Insurance. In this capacity, he serves as a subject matter expert, strategist, thought leader, and is responsible for sharing information on trends and issues that specifically impact education and municipalities. He will also focus on new business opportunities and growth strategies.

Miller joined M3 in 2010 and became a partner in 2019. He has earned a variety of designations including: Certified School Risk Manager, Associate in Risk Management-Public Entity, National Alliance Instructor for the Certified School Risk Manager courses, Certified Insurance Counselor, and more.

He will work alongside Marty Malloy, co-director of education and government, to supplement Malloy’s strong leadership.

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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.Share ArticleShare on Facebook 

Wisconsin State Journal Names Iconica a Winner of Madison, WI Top Workplaces 2022 Award

Media Contact:
Blake Sabatke
Digital Marketing Manager
blake.sabatke@iconicacreates.com
608.664.3533

For Immediate Release:

Wisconsin State Journal Names Iconica a Winner of Madison, WI Top Workplaces 2022 Award

Madison, Wisconsin, March 29, 2022 – Iconica has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2022 honor by the Wisconsin State Journal. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The survey measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization including alignment, execution, and connection.

“This is a great accomplishment for Iconica,” said Jim Pientka, President and CEO of Iconica. “We have created a culture that people want to be a part of. To me, that is what this business is all about. It’s about connecting people with similar values and doing the right thing for our customers.”

With over 60 professionals (and growing), what makes Iconica stand out that each person on the team plays a critical role in the way the company moves forward. Iconica is a full service, integrated team where architecture, engineering, and construction professionals work together under one roof. Collaborative teams are empowered to make decisions, have their voices heard, and hold each other accountable for the work that needs to be done. Iconica provides employees the opportunity to excel in a challenging, yet fun work environment.

“Iconica is committed to continuing to focus on building a culture where employees are excited to come to work every day, feel valued and supported, and have opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference,” said Mike Walters, Executive Vice President.

About Iconica:

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Iconica provides full-service architecture, engineering, and general contracting in a fully integrated solution or as separate services. Iconica has worked to perfect a process that takes the uncertainty and headaches out of commercial building: the delays, the finger-pointing, and the cost overruns. Whether tasked with a small remodel or a large commercial complex, Iconica works closely with clients, subcontractors, and vendors to provide results to support project goals. We take every lesson learned on the job and apply it to the next, providing a real impact on each client’s business, one revolution at a time. 

To learn more about Iconica head to www.iconicacreates.com.

WPS partners with Hearing Care Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS partners with Hearing Care Solutions

MADISON, Wis.— March 25, 2022—WPS Health Insurance and WPS Health Plan (collectively WPS) have selected, effective January 2022, Hearing Care Solutions as their new hearing program vendor. The program will be available to all our customers who are covered by our senior, group, and individual health insurance product lines.

WPS recognizes the importance of hearing care and the impacts of hearing loss on the overall quality of life, as well as the implications of having multiple diseases or conditions when hearing loss is one of them.

“As we age, hearing naturally diminishes, but correcting it can be far easier than some of the problems hearing loss may be related to,” said Tiffany Bauer McDonald, WPS Director of Insurance Product Development and Innovation. “We know that hearing loss is linked to a higher risk of falls, accelerated rate of cognitive decline, greater social isolation, greater risk of dementia, and more. Partnering with Hearing Care Solutions allows us to provide fixed, discounted pricing for high-quality hearing care product services.”

Through our hearing program, all WPS customers receive:

• Comprehensive hearing exam at no charge
• Hearing aid evaluation at no charge
• Fixed, discounted pricing at multiple levels of hearing aid technology
• Choice of up to nine major manufacturers
• Access to Hearing Care Solutions doctor of audiology and product specialists to respond to questions
• Customer service concierge team that helps ensure high-quality care and support
• Choice of more than 5,000 locations nationwide

All hearing aids purchased through the hearing program include:

• Hearing aid fitting at no charge
• 60-day evaluation period
• Three-year supply of batteries (up to 64 cells per ear, per year for nonrechargeable devices)
• One year of follow-up care at no charge, with original provider
• 12-month, interest-free financing available to qualified applicants

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Hearing instruments purchased through the hearing program include features such as:

• Direct to iPhone and Android connectivity
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Smartphone apps
• Rechargeability with lithium-ion technology (charger included with many devices)
• Remote-access adjustments and telehealth capabilities
• Accessories for TV and phone connectivity

About WPS Health Insurance

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) remains not-for-profit and offers high-quality health plans to the public and private sectors. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., WPS Health Insurance has more than 2,700 employees. WPS Health Insurance offers Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, and Medicare supplement plans. Visit wpshealth.com for more information.

About WPS Health Plan

WPS Health Plan, Inc. (WPS Health Plan) is a fresh choice in a crowd of big, impersonal, national health insurance giants. 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.

The hearing program made available to all individual and group health insurance product lines is a discount program that is independent and separate from the coverage that may be available to customers through their WPS health benefit plan. If customers have questions, they should reach out to the customer service number located on their WPS ID card.

The intent of this advertisement is solicitation of insurance, and contact may be made by the insurer or a licensed agent. Neither Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation, nor its agents, nor products are connected with the federal Medicare program. Hearing program is not part of the insurance policy, is offered at no additional charge, and can be changed or discontinued at any time.

Community Action Coalition: Attend Drag Brunch Extravaganza to Push Back on Poverty

You are invited to join Community Action Coalition in making a mark on South Central Wisconsin for Drag Brunch Extravaganza! This one-of-a-kind gala fundraiser on April 10^th at Garver Feedmill will set the tone for a new approach to ending poverty- one that champions flexibility rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution. It is the largest event ever held at Garver featuring performances by four local drag queens, brunch and a fashion show!

Tickets, tables and more information are available at www.cacscw.org/gala.