Wisconsin Bank & Trust Donates $20,000 to Toki Middle School

Contact:
Allison Lindorfer
Marketing Specialist
715.781.2665
alindorfer@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

Brent Giles
President & CEO
608.203.1224
bgiles@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

Wisconsin Bank & Trust Donates $20,000 to Toki Middle School

October 7, 2020 — Madison, WI — Wisconsin Bank & Trust announced today it will donate $20,000 to Toki Middle School.

“This week we celebrated World Teachers’ Day, a day dedicated to recognizing teachers for the important work they do to help our children learn, grow and succeed,” said Brent Giles, Wisconsin Bank & Trust’s President & CEO. “It also serves as a reminder that this is a particularly challenging year for many of our K-12 schools, teachers and students.”

Through its partnership with the national non-profit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org, the funds are intended for the school to purchase much-needed tools and materials, so they can successfully and safely continue to operate.

“Whether school is taking place in the classroom or remotely from home, the need for additional school supplies, especially personal protective equipment (PPE) and technology is significant,” said Giles. “Our hope is that these funds will give students access to the resources they need.”

Wisconsin Bank & Trust’s mission is to enrich lives in the communities it serves. Earlier this year Wisconsin Bank & Trust contributed $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation,  Green County Emergency Medical Services, Sheboygan County Food Bank and UW-Platteville in support of their response to challenges created by COVID-19. 

About Wisconsin Bank & Trust

Wisconsin Bank & Trust (WBT), a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., (NASDAQ: HTLF), is a business-focused community bank with assets of more than $1 billion. With fourteen banking centers, Wisconsin Bank & Trust serves customers in the Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Monroe and southwest areas of Wisconsin. WBT offers a wide range of personal and business banking, private client and mortgage lending services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinbankandtrust.com or call 608.203.1214. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is a diversified financial services company with assets of $15 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment and insurance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 113 banking locations serving 82 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland Financial USA, Inc. is available at www.htlf.com.

About AdoptAClassroom.org

We are a national, award-winning nonprofit that provides the most flexible and accountable funding for K-12 teachers and schools throughout the U.S. Our proprietary, easy-to-use education fundraising platform helps teachers, principals, and administrators give every child the tools they deserve to succeed in school. Since 1998, we have raised $39 million and supported 5.4 million students. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we hold a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a platinum rating of transparency from Guidestar. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

One City Schools Hires New Preschool Director

Mr. Bryce Pickett to lead One City Preschool’s Growth and Expansion

October 2, 2020

Dear Greater Madison and One City Community,

I am very excited to share with you this morning that Bryce Pickett of Orfordville, Wisconsin has accepted our offer to be the next Preschool Director for One City Schools! He will begin serving in this new role on Monday, October 5, 2020; however, he will make a slow transition into the director position as we work to fill the 4K lead teacher position he currently holds with One City Preschool. 

Bryce is One City’s longest tenured educator. He began his tenure as a 4K teacher with us in September 2015 when we first opened our preschool. He then worked as a 5K teacher during the first year we launched EL as our elementary school program. Prior to joining One City, Bryce taught for six years at Albany Middle School in the School District of Albany (WI). He also served as the head coach of the Albany girls varsity basketball team at Albany High School (2010-2013), and as a little league baseball coach, T-ball coach, volleyball coach and community basketball referee. He was also a member of the Albany School District’ Leadership Team. Bryce holds the distinction of having completed part of his practicum teaching experience as a preservice student teacher (in 2007) in our preschool building when it was formally owned and operated by Child Development Incorporated, the first free-standing early childhood education center in Dane County.

We are fortunate to have a capable leader like Bryce assume the leadership of our preschool. He truly understands, and is dedicated to, One City’s mission, vision, children and school community. We are also thankful to Ms. Linda Allen and Ms. Christine Hodge, who have served as co-directors of our preschool for the last 12 months, for guiding the search process for our director and other staff positions. They will both support Bryce during his transition and will continue to serve as leadership coaches and members of the executive team with One City Schools.

Bryce was hired after a lengthy search that began in February 2020. We fielded more than 100 applications and vetted 70 applicants for the position. Our rigorous hiring process included a pre-qualification interview with our Chief Operating Officer (David Stephan) and co-interim Preschool Director (Ms. Linda Allen), staff interviews, parent interviews and a final interview with our CEO and Ms. Hodge.

Please join me in welcoming Bryce as our new Preschool Director!

Onward.

Kaleem Caire
Founder and CEO
One City Schools
Email: kcaire@onecityschools.org

Director’s Contact Information:
Bryce Pickett
Preschool Director
One City Schools
Phone: (608) 268-8004
Email: bpickett@onecityschools.org

Savant Announces Katie Calagui as Chief People Officer

Newly formed position created to assist in the strategic direction of the firm, talent expansion and development

To continue building a best-in-class advisory and support team, Savant Wealth Management (formerly Savant Capital Management), a nationally recognized, fee-only advisory firm headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, with locations also in Madison and Park Falls, today announced that Katie Calagui has joined its team as chief people officer (CPO). As a newly formed and important position for Savant, the CPO will lead talent recruitment, retention, leadership development and training, and other initiatives to meet client needs, and support Savant’s overall business plan and strategic direction.

Calagui has more than 10 years of experience in the wealth management industry, serving in various roles such as financial advisor, director of corporate strategies, chief executive officer, and most recently, chief talent officer at Wipfli Financial. While at Wipfli, Calagui led the talent department and its overall strategy and organizational structure. In her role, she also was responsible for managing the firm’s recruitment, hiring, and learning and development initiatives, and enhancing employee experience.

As CPO with Savant, Calagui will focus on meeting and supporting the ever-changing needs of clients by recruiting, retaining, and developing staff, in addition to focusing on Savant’s firmwide culture and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Calagui will serve as a key contributor on the Executive Team, lead the Savant Human Capital Committee, and participate in the firm’s Advisory Leadership Team. She also will oversee Savant’s human resource department.

The CPO role will be especially important as Savant continues to grow via its M&A strategy. As the HR and talent development responsibilities evolve and continue to expand, Calagui will help ensure the team – new and existing – has the support to best serve clients.

“We are thrilled to announce Katie has joined Team Savant as chief people officer,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant. “As we continue to hire the best and brightest talent, Katie will be a strategic partner in how we recruit and develop talent and will serve as a mentor and trusted partner within the firm. Her expertise, mindset, and people skills will help enhance the strategic direction in which we are headed.”

“I am very excited to be part of the Savant team,” said Calagui. “I believe in Savant’s values, vision, and growth strategies and look forward to helping to continue to build a best-in-class team.”

As Calagui leads advisor recruitment efforts and creates exceptional onboarding and development experiences for newly hired advisors, she also will promote lifelong learning and opportunities for staff to develop and grow.

Calagui joined Team Savant on Oct. 1. For more information about Savant Wealth Management, visit savantwealth.com.

About Savant Wealth Management

Savant Wealth Management, formerly known as Savant Capital Management, is a leading independent, fee-only firm serving clients for 30 years with more than $8.3 billion in assets under management. Savant Wealth Management offers investment management, financial planning, retirement plan, and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation, payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.

Savant is headquartered in Rockford, with locations in Bloomington, Chicago, Downers Grove, Freeport, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnshire, Naperville, Peoria, St. Charles, Sterling, and Wilmette, IL; Phoenix, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Madison and Park Falls, WI; and McLean, VA. Please see Important Disclosures at savantwealth.com.

Goodman Center to open registration for annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive

PRESS RELEASE, for immediate release 

Contact:
Amie Hoag, Asst. Dir. of Communications
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa Street | Madison, WI 53704
920-737-2445 | amie@goodmancenter.org 

Goodman Center to open registration for annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive
The Center is expecting higher demand this year than any year before 

Madison, WI  Oct. 6, 2020 – The Goodman Community Center has announced the registration period for their annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive: Oct. 12-23. This will be the 32nd year that the Center has provided the fixings for families to make full Thanksgiving meals at home, and they’ve set their goal at 4,000 meals distributed this year. 

“We’re expecting demand to be higher this year than any other year before, so we’ve set a goal of 4,000 meals,” said GCC Food Pantry Coordinator Francesca Frisque. “Though families probably won’t be able to gather in the large groups they’re used to, we hope these meals will bring them a little comfort and familiarity in these unprecedented times.” 

The Goodman Center’s Fritz Food Pantry saw a 300% increase in demand in the weeks following the coronavirus coming to Wisconsin, and that demand has not slowed down in the months that followed. Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves food pantries across the country, issued a report that predicted a 60% increase in food insecurity nationwide.  

“We’re seeing a lot of new faces at the pantry each week, people who never thought they’d need to use a service like ours,” said Frisque. “We have every reason to believe more people will be in need of help this season, and we’ll need our community to help us achieve this lofty goal.” 

Community members who would like to help can make financial donations online at goodmancenter.org, host a food drive or volunteer to help with food sorting and distribution. Find more information at goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving.

How to register for a basket: 

Registration is open to Dane County residents from Monday, Oct. 12, through Friday, Oct. 23. 

• Register online: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving 
• Register by phone: 608-204-8018, Mon. – Fri., 12:30 – 6pm.  

How to help: 

• Host a food drive (in person or virtual): GCC has provided photos, posters, grocery lists and helpful tips to make your drive successful. Downloadable files are available on their website: goodmancenter.org/thanksgiving. 
• Make a financial gift: Funds raised are used to purchase turkeys, perishable items and items needed to completely fill baskets. Donate online at goodmancenter.org/donate 
• Volunteer your time: Many volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Contact GCC Volunteer Manager Mai Lor Yang for more information: mailor@goodmandenter.org or 608-204-8056. 

About the Goodman Community Center 

The Goodman Community Center is the largest community center in Dane County. The center offers many programs to strengthen the lives of preschoolers through teens, meals and social activities for older adults, a food pantry, a gymnasium and fitness center, catering services and community space. For more information about the Center, visit goodmancenter.org. 

Find Goodman Community Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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Four Recipients Win The Alliance 2020 Health Transformation Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Leanne Ketterhagen, Senior Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 608.210.6638
E-mail: lketterhagen@the-alliance.org
www.the-alliance.org/press

FOUR RECIPIENTS WIN THE ALLIANCE 2020 HEALTH TRANSFORMATION AWARDS

MADISON, WI (October 1, 2020) – Today, at The Alliance Fall Symposium & Annual Meeting, four awards were handed out to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to transforming health care in their community.

This year’s award recipients are:

– Matt Ohrt, VP of HR and Medical Services at Merrill Steel, Schofield, WI, has greatly improved high-value health care accessibility and delivery at Merrill Steel through implementing an on-site clinic, a company-sponsored mobile clinic, and encouraging and supporting his workforce to engage in their health benefits programs – all while saving his organization $4 million in health care costs over four years. In addition to no-cost prescription fulfillment and physical therapy, the clinic offers MRI’s for just $100. Ohrt also started a Local Best Practices group to help bring employers together and learn from one another.

– Tena Hoag, CFO at Advanced Laser, Chippewa Falls, WI, has greatly expanded her 160 employees’ access to high-value health care through no and low-cost solutions – including physical therapy, behavioral health, and primary care – using a shared near-site clinic that she championed. Additionally, Hoag has continually supported and educated other employers and local government entities through speaking engagements, radio segments, and other hosted events. In January, she spoke to Governor Evers’ Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drugs to influence change on issues that negatively affect employee health and prescription spend.

– Wisconsin Health Information Organization (WHIO), in Fitchburg, WI., was recognized for providing transparency in health care by sharing important data and informational insights used to standardize industry measurements and improve the value of care. The WHIO information system obtains claims data from commercial health plans, self-funded employers, Medicare and Medicaid, cleans and integrates the data, and then organizes it into high-quality, accessible, and user-friendly products. The WHIO data and information is used by health systems to benchmark and improve the care they deliver. It also helps health plans and employers identify high-value providers to include in networks and feature in benefit plans.

– Traci Rothenburger, Clinic Manager at Nordic PrivateCare, Baraboo, WI, has been pioneering health care transformation for three decades by creating high-value health care programs and clinics throughout her career. At Nordic PrivateCare, she’s made health care more affordable and accessible by offering medical, prescription, chiropractic, massage therapy, physical therapy, and mental health services in an on-site clinic setting. Additionally, the success of her clinic has significantly reduced health care spending through an overall reduction in emergency and specialty care.

The Alliance presented the Health Transformation Awards during its 30^th anniversary celebration of their Fall Symposium & Annual Meeting, where innovative health care leaders shared their expertise on health care topics, including payment reform, transparency, and benefit plan design. The event annually attracts an audience of employers and health care providers as well as brokers, agents, and other professionals who support employers that self-fund their health benefits.

Health Transformation Award recipients must demonstrate their commitment to promoting change in the health care marketplace based on one or more of the following criteria:

High-Value Health Care

Is taking action to significantly improve the quality and/or affordability of health care

Transparency

Is achieving significant gains in the availability and/or use of meaningful information to compare price and quality

Payment Reform

Is developing, testing or implementing value-based payment approaches to encourage high-quality, affordable care

Provider Network Design

Is developing, testing or implementing approaches to make high-value health care providers easily accessible to employees

Benefit Plan Design

Is developing, testing or implementing approaches to support the appropriate use of high-value providers and treatments by consumers

The Alliance serves as the voice for self-funded employers who want more control over their costs by providing transparent, creative approaches to network and benefit plan design to unlock savings where others can’t – or won’t – using Smarter Networks^SM and sophisticated data mining and analysis.

Celebrating 30 years as a mission-driven, not-for-profit cooperative, The Alliance is employer-owned and remains a trusted, objective partner for employers and their brokers who seek improved access to high-quality healthcare, working with more than 275 employers across the Midwest, and contracting with over 34,000 health care providers and specialists in the region.

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We can connect journalists with award winners, CEO/President, and The Alliance Board of Directors upon request.