Brian Duffy Named CEO of Per Mar Security Services

Contact:
Cassondra Billingsley, Per Mar Security Services
563-549-6635

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2021

Brian Duffy Named CEO of Per Mar Security Services

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security Services, the largest family owned full service security company in the Midwest, is pleased to announce that Brian Duffy has been promoted from Chief Operating Officer of Per Mar to President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2021. Brian Duffy becomes the third generation of the Duffy family to lead Per Mar. The company was founded by John and Eleanor Duffy in Davenport, Iowa in 1953. Michael Duffy will continue with the company as Chairman of the Board.

“I’m very proud to have Brian be the third generation of the Duffy family to lead Per Mar,” said Michael Duffy, chairman of the board. “I have total confidence in Brian’s judgement and his ability to make the right decisions in addressing any challenge that would face our company. Making the right judgement or solving a problem is never difficult if you have the best interest of our team members and customers at heart, which he does. He understands that while we may be confronted with short-term challenges or issues, we will never make a decision that benefits our company at the expense of team members or customers. Taking care of our team and customers short-term is what drives our long-term success and he understands that fact.” 

In his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Duffy will assume responsibility for the long term vision and ongoing strategic plan ensuring the viability and success of the organization. He will continue to be responsible for all operations in the company, and be working closely with the division heads and support groups.

Brian Duffy joined Per Mar full-time in 2012 as General Manager of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa branch.  Previously he worked for Capital One Financial in Richmond, Virginia. Since joining Per Mar, he has taken on new roles and responsibility including President of the Electronic Security Division and most recently Chief Operating Officer.

Brian Duffy is an active member of numerous security associations locally and nationally. He serves on the board for NetOne and Junior Achievement of the Heartland. In addition, he is active in the North Scott Rotary Club and the Notre Dame Club of the Quad Cities. A native of Davenport, Iowa, Brian Duffy graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

About Per Mar Security Services

Established in 1953, Per Mar Security Services is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 2,500 team members, operating in 25 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Jihan Bekiri joins WPS Health Solutions as new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Jihan Bekiri joins WPS Health Solutions as new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MADISON, Wis.—Jan. 12, 2021—WPS Health Solutions announces Jihan Bekiri (she/her/hers) has been hired as the new vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The new VP-level position will lead the company’s efforts to create a more inclusive workplace.

“Over the past 10 months, WPS has been on a journey to build a sustainable and effective diversity, equity, and inclusion program,” says WPS President and CEO Mike Hamerlik. “We’ve made great strides and are now positioned to continue forward with a strong, experienced leader. We created this new role to demonstrate our commitment to building a culturally aware and inclusive workplace.”

Bekiri began her role on Jan. 11. She arrives at WPS after focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion at American Family Insurance and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in Madison. She graduated with honors from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, followed by earning a Master of Science in International Development from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom with distinction. Bekiri is also a certified diversity executive and practitioner from the Institute for Diversity Certification.

“I’m honored to be selected as the first VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WPS. The creation of this position speaks volumes to the commitment WPS has in this important focus area. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team and employees alike to continue the work they have started,” adds Bekiri.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Alliant Energy named to Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021 List

Media Contact:
Cindy Tomlinson, Manager of External Relations
cindytomlinson@alliantenergy.com
(608) 458-3869

Alliant Energy named to Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021 List

MADISON, Wis. (January 8, 2021) – Alliant Energy has been named to Newsweek’s 2021 list of America’s Most Responsible Companies. This prestigious list is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The list, which spans 14 industries, recognizes the top 400 most responsible companies in the United States.

“We are pleased to be recognized as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies,” said John Larsen, Chairman, President and CEO of Alliant Energy. “Guided by our purpose-driven strategy to serve customers and build stronger communities, we are generating cleaner energy while ensuring it’s affordable, safe and reliable. We act today for a better tomorrow.”

To successfully create a better tomorrow, Alliant Energy follows the roadmap outlined in their Clean Energy Blueprint. It’s coupled with their sustainable energy plan, aspirational net-zero emissions goals for the energy they generate and actions to help build equitable, respectful and resilient communities – key elements featured in the company’s Corporate Responsibility Report.

It’s these publicly available key performance indicators, derived from CSR Reports, Sustainability Reports and Corporate Citizenship Reports as well as an independent survey that were the basis of Newsweek’s America’s Most Responsible Companies List. The detailed analysis covered three areas of Corporate Responsibility – environmental, social and corporate governance – while the independent survey asked U.S. citizens about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility. To view the complete list, visit newsweek.com/americas-most-responsible-companies-2021.

American Provenance Chosen By Nation’s 1st Consumer Products Accelerator for 9th Austin Cohort

Founder of egg giant Vital Farms will kick off the 12-week program

AUSTIN (Jan. 6, 2021) – SKU, the nation’s first accelerator for consumer packaged goods (CPGs), has selected the seven companies that will participate in the ninth track of the Austin program. The companies represent a wide range of categories, including allergy-free ice cream sandwiches, Ayurvedic hair care and better-for-you agua fresca. They each were selected based on the innovation of their products, their traction in the market and the passion of their founders.

The Track 9 companies are Agua Bonita,  American Provenance, Bee Free, Green Girl Bakeshop, Macro Snacks, Shaz & Kiks and Waka Coffee.

“We had one of the most competitive applicant pools ever with brands from around the country, and these seven companies and their founders really stood out,” says SKU Managing Director Kirstin Ross. “It continues to amaze me the level of creativity and commitment these founders have. They draw on their own personal experiences to create products that bring something really new and special to the market.”

SKU Track 9 kicks off Jan. 29 and runs through mid-May. Over the course of 12 weeks, the founders will participate in a proven program that combines best-in-class CPG curriculum with mentoring. The program culminates in a showcase virtual pitch event on May 18, which provides founders with a chance to present their brands to a national audience of CPG leaders and investors.

SKU’s blue chip mentors are at the core of the program. The mentor community includes CPG founders, industry executives and investors from some of the nation’s most successful consumer-product companies, including Deep Eddy Vodka, Amplify Snack Brands (Skinny Pop, Pirate’s Booty) and Vital Farms. The SKU founders are guided through the intense program by a hand-picked team of mentors, all focused on helping them scale their businesses.

Vital Farms founder and longtime SKU mentor Matt O’Hayer will kick off Track 9, sharing his own entrepreneurial journey and tips for success. He started the egg company in 2007 with a quest to prove it is possible to produce high-quality food in an environmentally responsible manner. With his wife, Catherine, and 20 Rhode Island Red hens on 27 acres in Austin, O’Hayer built Vital Farms into the #1 pasture-raised egg and butter brand in the United States and the #2 egg brand in retail dollar sales with products in 13,000 stores. Vital Farms went public in summer 2020. “The SKU Consumer Products Accelerator is an invaluable resource to founders of emerging CPG brands,” says O’Hayer. “The program is thorough and comprehensive, guiding emerging business leaders on the many aspects of building and scaling a CPG company through a dynamic mentorship network.”                                                           

MSCR Winter Program Guide – Enjoy a variety of fun programs for all ages

January 7, 2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Graper at ngraper@madison.k12.wi.us

MSCR Winter 2021 Program Guide
Enjoy a variety of recreation opportunities for all ages held Indoor, Outdoor and Online.

The Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) Winter 2021 Program Guide is available at mscr.org.

The guide is filled with a variety of recreation activities for all ages including arts & enrichment, fitness, 50+ fitness, skiing, sports, family events and more. Programs are adapted to be held safely indoor, outdoor and online. Indoor programs begin the week of January 25, following these Health & Safety Policies.

Registration is open for residents and registration opens on January 19 at 8 am for non-residents. Fee assistance is available for those who qualify.

Winter Program Guide Highlights:

• New Special Events – Join MSCR for fun programs like Parking Lot Bingo, Winter Fun in the Park and Screen Free Boredom Busters.
• Outdoors Pursuits – Explore and learn about local, natural beauty in programs like Sunset Snowshoe Hike and Orienteering at the School Forest and Winter Survival Skills.
• Adult Arts & Enrichment – express your creative side in these engaging classes: ArtChats, SoulCollage ©, Painting with the Impressionists and Textile Jewelry.
• Youth Arts & Enrichment – Plenty of ways to keep children busy with indoor and virtual dance classes, Polymer Clay Creations and virtual guitar.
• Fitness – Start the new year on the right foot with exciting virtual fitness classes like HIIT, Hatha Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation and more. Virtual fitness begins this week and a wide range of indoor fitness classes begin January 25.
• Outdoor Sports – Adults can enjoy Ice Skating and Kubb. Shuffleboard Mini-Golf (SHOLF), a fun new program, is open to all ages.

A Spanish edition of the program guide is available at mscr.org or please email mcanicoba@madison.k12.wi.us for assistance.

Register at mscr.org.  Please call 608-204-3000 for more information.

MSCR is a department of the Madison School district and offers many recreation programs for all ages at affordable prices.

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