Madison Ballet Partners with American Heart Association to Bring Life-Saving Resources to Their Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2021

Madison Ballet Partners with American Heart Association to Bring Life-Saving Resources to Their Facility

Madison, WI – Madison Ballet and the American Heart Association (AHA) are partnering to provide life-saving CPR/AED training to Madison Ballet’s faculty and staff. This partnership coincides with the local nonprofit acquiring their first on-site automated external defibrillator (AED) earlier this month.

Madison Ballet has students of all ages practicing and performing high-impact athletics in their facility. It makes both common and scientific sense to have their faculty trained in CPR, with an AED on site so that they are optimally equipped to respond to emergencies. Implementing additional safety measures is appropriate given the raised health and safety risks as a result of COVID-19.

“COVID has brought with it increased numbers of pediatric patients with abnormal heart rhythms, recovering from varying degrees of cardiac inflammation,” says Dr. Andrea Rock, Pediatric Cardiology Specialist, SSM Health. “Fortunately, the impact of the inflammatory reactions in the heart has been reduced by vaccinating young adults, but the true incidence and long-term impact are still unknown. With so many people affected, there has never been a better time to be conscientious about the safety of the settings where our families are learning and being active.”

Currently, less than 12% of victims survive sudden cardiac arrest, but effective bystander CPR and AED defibrillation provided immediately after cardiac arrest can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival.

“CPR and particularly AED-assisted CPR saves lives. As a pediatric cardiologist, I have witnessed this more times than I ever wanted to. I have seen children and young adults who survived sudden cardiac arrest, and I have worked hard to try to help families find answers after one of their children did not survive. These events happen to physically active, fit people when they are exerting themselves. I have seen cardiac arrests at every age. The most important factor in giving a person a chance at survival is early effective AED-assisted CPR.”, says Dr. Rock.

“We are always grateful for additional resources to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community, a need that has drastically increased with the pandemic,” says Madison Ballet CEO, Jonathan Solari. “The American Heart Association has been an incredible resource as we continue to increase the safety of all those who work, learn, create and inspirein our studios,” says Solari.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 10,000 cardiac arrests happen in the workplace annually. Knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED is a matter of life or death.

“We applaud Madison Ballet for making the health and safety of the community, their performers, and their staff a priority. The addition of AEDs and CPR trainings in organizations and workplaces is an integral part of ensuring successful outcomes should a cardiac arrest occur,” says AHA Executive Director, Carrie Nevins.

Dean Health will be administering the American Heart Association CPR/AED training course for Madison Ballet faculty and staff on November 1st, 1-3:30 pm, and November 5th, 7-9:30 pm. This training will be open to a limited number of journalists. Please contact Lexi Janssen at lexi@madisonballet.org to secure your attendance.

Contact: Lexi Janssen, Madison Ballet Marketing Manager

Phone: (262) 402-2358

Email: lexi@madisonballet.org

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Tom Olson named ESPN Madison Market Manager

MADISON, WI. (October 26, 2021) – Good Karma Brands (GKB) and ESPN Madison are excited to announce Tom Olson as the new Market Manager of ESPN Madison, effective November 1, 2021. As Market Manager, Olson will be responsible for overseeing the station’s sales, marketing and content strategy and execution. Olson steps into this role as Keith Williams, Vice President and current ESPN Madison Market Manager, segues to ESPN 1000 in Chicago.

Tom Olson has held a variety of roles throughout his career at Good Karma Brands, including managing the company’s business development team, and most recently as the Director of Sales & Marketing at ESPN Madison.

“I’m excited to lead one of Good Karma Brands’ heritage markets,” said Tom Olson, new Market Manager of ESPN Madison. “Madison is an incredible sports town, and I’m looking forward to working with our talented team, as well as local businesses and marketing partners as we build on our years of serving the passionate sports fans.”

“Tom is an exemplary model of a Good Karma Brands teammate who embodies our six core values,” said Keith Williams, ESPN 1000 Market Manager. “His experience in developing teammates, passion for the organization, and commitment to the community make him an ideal candidate for the role.”

Tom began his career with Good Karma Brands in 2011 as an intern and quickly ascended to the leadership team. He is involved in various organizations and committees, including SHARP Literacy’s Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board where he served as President, and a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

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About Good Karma Brands

Good Karma Brands, LLC (GKB) is a media and marketing company with expertise in leveraging the power of sports and local news to build brands through radio, digital, events, and TV assets. Radio assets include Newsradio 620 WTMJ and 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee, Wis., seven ESPN affiliated radio stations in Chicago, Cleveland, Madison, Milwaukee and West Palm Beach, and two stations in Beaver Dam, Wis. In partnership with ESPN, GKB also offers local marketing partners geo-targeted advertising on ESPN’s digital platforms. In addition to its radio assets, GKB boasts a number of premium brands, including an events division that produces the Wisconsin Sports Awards, Tundra Trio hospitality houses in Green Bay, Wis., and the Boca Raton Bowl; and a home furnishings and interior decorating business, The Home Market. For more information, please visit www.goodkarmabrands.com. ​

Core Endeavors Coaching & Consulting: Being to Becoming: Your Personal Development Pathway

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards ‘Elite 8’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Health Solutions recognized as one of the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Awards ‘Elite 8’

MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 22, 2021—WPS Health Solutions today announced its recognition as one of the “Elite 8” companies within the 2021 Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Awards, which celebrate the top 50 employers that make engagement, alignment, and recognition central to the employee experience.

The coveted Elite 8 recognition is given to the companies that most exemplify one of Achievers’ Eight Elements of Employee Engagement^™ used to evaluate the most engaged workplaces: Accountability & Performance, Belonging, Equity & Inclusion, Culture Alignment, Manager Empowerment, Professional & Personal Growth, Purpose & Leadership, Recognition & Rewards, and Wellbeing.

“With employee resignations and labor shortages plaguing the workforce, it has never been more important for companies to commit to improving the employee experience,” said Jeff Cates, CEO and president at Achievers. “The number of submissions we received for the Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards proved not only that employers understand this need, but also shows their willingness to put people first during a crisis. The Elite 8 have exemplified what it looks like to be an employee-first company, and I want to congratulate them on both the well-deserved award and their dedication to their employees.”

Sara Siekierski, Talent Development Manager, said, “This award is affirmation of the effort and attention we’ve placed on our culture over the last several years. Our performance-based culture fosters an empowering employee experience where employees contribute to their highest ability and results in a meaningful impact on our business.”

The Elite 8 and Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces^® Award winners were officially recognized during the annual awards gala held virtually on Oct. 21, 2021.

The full list of 2021 Elite 8 winners are:

• Insight Enterprises for Accountability & Performance
• Cadillac Fairview Corporation for Belonging, Equity & Inclusion
• WPS Health Solutions for Culture Alignment
• Herbalife Nutrition for Manager Empowerment
• Discover for Professional & Personal Growth
• Air Canada for Purpose & Leadership
• Meijer for Recognition & Rewards
• Lloyds Banking Group for Wellbeing

For more information about Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces® Awards, please visit achievers.com/engaged. Follow the conversations on Twitter at @Achievers or use the hashtags #Achievers50.

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 2,800 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 Achievers

Achievers’ employee voice and recognition solutions bring your organization’s values and strategy to life by activating employee participation and accelerating a culture of performance. Achievers leverages the science behind behavior change, so your people and your organization can experience sustainable, data-driven business results. Visit us at www.achievers.com.

©2021 Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Portillo’s Set to Open in West Madison in November

Oak Brook, Ill. – Fast-casual chain Portillo’s is excited to announce that it will host the grand opening for its new restaurant, located at 7230 West Towne Way in Madison, Wisc., on November 30, 2021. The restaurant is the second location in the Madison area. It officially opens to the public at 10:30am.

Portillo’s has always been known for its fast and efficient drive-thru. To cater to the increase in takeout and delivery business, the new restaurant will feature Portillo’s first-ever three-lane drive-thru, with the third lane dedicated to delivery drivers and pickup for online orders.

Portillo’s is now hiring in anticipation of the opening. On average, Portillo’s hires approximately 150 people for new restaurants. The restaurant is looking to fill a variety of hourly and shift leader positions. Applicants can apply online; the brand is also conducting walk-in interviews on site. Details can be found at portillos.com/careers.

Once open, guests can expect to enjoy Portillo’s signature menu items like Chicago-Style Hot Dogs, Famous Italian Beef Sandwiches, Char-Grilled Burgers and Portillo’s Famous Chocolate Cake. The 7,800-square-foot restaurant features seating for more than 180 guests inside as well as a seasonal outdoor patio. The interior features a diner theme, drawing inspiration from the 1950s and 1960s.

To help launch the new restaurant, Portillo’s designed a limited-edition t-shirt for this location. Guests are invited to sign up for Portillo’s Birthday Club to receive one of these shirts on opening day, while supplies last. Fans who sign up also receive a slice of Portillo’s homemade chocolate cake on their birthday.

Fans are invited to register for a chance to attend a sneak peek training meal prior to opening and receive updates on the Portillo’s Westfield location by signing up at portillos.com/west-madison.

For more information on this restaurant and others, please visit portillos.com or follow Portillo’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ABOUT PORTILLO’S HOT DOGS
In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called “The Dog House.” Years later, Portillo’s has grown to include restaurants in more than 60 locations across several states. Portillo’s is best known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and famous chocolate cake. Portillo’s ships food to all 50 states via Portillos.com. Portillo’s Home Kitchen is the company’s fast-growing catering business.

MEDIA CONTACT
ICR
PortillosPR@icrinc.com

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