WPS Health Solutions’ Scott Kowalski appointed to American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Scott Kowalski appointed to American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate Board

MADISON, Wis.—July 1, 2020—Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, has been appointed to the American Heart Association’s Midwest Region Board of Directors for a two-year term. The American Heart Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease.

Kevin Harker, Executive Vice President of the Midwest Region, said, “Scott will be a tremendous asset to our Board. He has a wealth of knowledge to lend our organization, and I look forward to working with him to advance the mission of the American Heart Association and improve the lives of people across the Midwest.”

Kowalski will serve on the Corporate Operations Committee, which oversees the budget, fundraising, staffing, real estate (AHA offices), and employee engagement. The Midwest Region is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

After fully recovering from a stroke in May 2014, Kowalski joined the Madison Board of Directors. In June, he concluded a two-year term as Board Chair.

“My co-workers and fellow executives at WPS Health Solutions know about my passion for heart health and stroke prevention, and I appreciate their ongoing support,” Kowalski said. “The Heart Walks and CycleNation events that I have had the privilege of leading are important sources of funding for the American Heart Association, but they also serve as a reminder that developing a heart-healthy lifestyle should be a year-round commitment.”

Kowalski joined WPS in May 2013, serving as Executive Vice President of Health Insurance and Chief Operating Officer of Arise Health Plan. In early 2018, he moved into his current role as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and is responsible for marketing, corporate communications, public relations, and community affairs. In addition, he is the Vice President of the WPS Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the WPS Political Action Committee.

He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a law degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago—John Marshall Law School.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.  

For media inquiries: Liz Jirschele: 608-709-4934; liz.jirschele@heart.org

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

Nezih Hasanoglu Jr. Named Executive Vice President of Business Development at M3

Nezih Hasanoglu Jr. has been promoted to executive vice president of business development and a member of the executive operating committee at M3 Insurance, effective July 1, 2020. Nezih joined M3 on October 1, 2004, as a business development executive with a focus on new business acquisition. Since that time he has successfully served in a variety of sales and leadership roles at M3. In this new role Nezih is responsible for the overall direction, strategy, long-term planning and performance of M3’s business development, marketing and mergers & acquisitions teams. Nezih was named partner on January 1, 2013.

Nezih earned his MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013, and completed his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University in 2002 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He was also a member of the Vanderbilt football team from 1998-2002. Currently, Nezih serves on the Zoological Society of Milwaukee Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Leadership Board for the American Lung Association.

M3’s evolving leadership structure represents continued agency growth and a commitment to building a strong infrastructure from which to serve M3’s clients while remaining independent and privately owned.

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About M3

M3 is a top 50 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.

DeWitt Attorney Jeff Goldman Elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and as a Fellow of ACTEC

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Michelle M. Friedman   
262-754-2877 | mmf@dewittllp.com

Attorney Jeff Goldman Elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and as a Fellow of ACTEC

MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – DeWitt LLP law firm announced today attorney Jeff Goldman was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and was also elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estates Council (ACTEC). ACTEC is a group of peer-elected trust and estate attorneys across the US and abroad. Fellows must have more than 10 years of experience in the active practice of probate and trust law or estate planning, and are elected based on their outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and substantial contributions to the field by lecturing, writing, teaching and participating in bar activities. It is their aim to improve and reform probate, trust and tax laws, procedures, and professional responsibility.

Goldman is the Chair of the DeWitt’s Trust & Estates Group and focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration and trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation. His clients include everyday people in need of estate planning; beneficiaries of estates or trusts; personal representatives and trustees; banks and trust companies; businesses and individuals needing representation in disputes; and charitable entities looking to achieve tax-exempt status and maintain federal and state compliance.

He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin Law School where he has taught estate and trust administration and dispute resolution. Goldman earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington. He is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, Wisconsin State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association (inactive). He is a Board Member of Breast Cancer Recovery and a former President of the Madison Estate Council. Goldman is a resident of Sun Prairie.

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has nearly 140 attorneys practicing in Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a variety of legal areas and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in several areas, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, civil rights litigation, construction litigation, corporate law, employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family law, government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law.  More information is available at dewittllp.com.

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Wisconsin Bank & Trust’s Commercial Card Nationally Ranked Fifth Year in a Row

CONTACT:
Shawn Kesler
Regional Marketing Officer, VP 414.394.5946
SKesler@htlf.com

Brent Giles President and CEO 608.203.1224
BGiles@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

WISCONSIN BANK & TRUST’S COMMERCIAL CARD NATIONALLY RANKED FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW

JUNE 29, 2020 — MADISON, WI – Wisconsin Bank & Trust, a member of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTLF), announced today that for the fifth year in a row it has been ranked among the top U.S. commercial credit card issuers for purchase volume growth.

The Nilson Report ranked Heartland’s commercial credit card program among the top 35 Purchasing Card programs, with over $453 million in purchasing card volume in 2019, a growth of 53.9 percent over the previous year. The Nilson Report is a leading publication covering payment systems worldwide for 50 years. Earlier this year, Heartland Financial USA, Inc. was also named by Forbes as the 40th best bank in America.

“Today, more than ever, we understand the importance for our clients to manage cash flow, maintain relationships with vendors, and negotiate favorable terms. It is an honor to be recognized as a leader in the commercial credit card space as we provide solutions that meet the needs of our clients, and the marketplace,” said Brent Giles, President and CEO. “We’re grateful to our clients for choosing Wisconsin Bank & Trust as their partner, and we remain committed to innovating solutions for today’s dynamic environment.”

Even before the pandemic, the Association of Financial Professionals 2019 Electronic Payments Survey shared that 47 percent of companies surveyed said “Cost Savings” is a top benefit of sending electronic payments, and 53 percent of companies surveyed said “Speed of Settlement” is a top benefit of receiving electronic payments. With this method of payment rapidly becoming more common, Wisconsin Bank and Trust is helping clients reduce operating costs, increase fraud protection and provide more streamlined payments processes.

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 fifteen 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

$13.2 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment and insurance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 114 banking locations serving 83 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.

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WPS Military Salute Award winners announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

WPS Military Salute Award winners announced

MADISON, Wis.—June 25, 2020—WPS Health Solutions announces two winners of the WPS Military Salute Award who have helped their communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Each winner will receive a $1,000 prize to be donated to the winner’s charity of choice that is assisting in the fight against COVID-19. In addition, each winner will receive $500.

The winners are Army veteran JD Engelhardt of Madison and Beau Alan Krostag of Pittsville. Krostag is a Sergeant First Class in the Wisconsin National Guard.

WPS established the award to recognize active-duty military and veteran doctors, nurses, public safety professionals, and others who are helping their communities get through the pandemic.

Nominations were accepted through June 1 and the winners were determined by a committee of WPS employees.

About the winners:

With unwavering commitment to the health and welfare of the people in his community, Engelhardt’s leadership and volunteer efforts made a huge impact, according to Will Atkinson, who submitted the nomination.

An employee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County and described as a “linchpin” in Dane County and surrounding communities, Engelhardt leveraged his personal and professional networks to help his neighbors in need. He immediately started connecting people and organizations with available resources.

One of these initiatives was when the Medical College of Wisconsin had raw materials to make medical-grade masks, but no longer had the volunteer force to put them together for distribution. Engelhardt had the supplies—enough to make 3,500 masks—sent to him. In a span of two weeks, he worked with multiple organizations to mobilize volunteers to assemble the masks.

“I try to do what I can to make my community a better place and to that end try to build a network to help support different nonprofits, groups, and people around me,” Engelhardt said.

Engelhardt’s $1,000 donation will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County.

Krostag’s support and dedication to the electoral process during a global pandemic strengthened the democratic election process for the people in Wood County.

Krostag was among members of the Wisconsin National Guard assigned to check IDs, register voters, and clean and sanitize voting polls during the April election.

“Thanks to the efforts led by SFC Krostag, the people of Wood County, Wisconsin, were able to exercise their right to vote,” Amy Callender, wrote in her nomination.

His $1,000 donation will go to the Pittsville Area Neighbors Shelf, the food pantry in his hometown.

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.