Category: Member News
Learn who’s growing, changing, moving and more! Stay on top of what’s new with your neighboring businesses. We share news releases and announcements from your peers in the Madison area. Want to toot your own horn? Use our Submit Member News form to share your own stories.
Photo by Richard Hurd
A Journey Around the World: ‘Sailing into Oblivion’ With Jerome Rand
Contact Information: Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Office: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu
MADISON – For Jerome Rand, what began as daydreams and seemingly fanciful imaginings became a real life adventure sailing solo unassisted and nonstop around the world. The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series (DLS) Committee and the Hoofer Sailing Club invite the community and visitors to learn about Rand’s adventure from Rand, himself, and to take with them inspiration to achieve their dreams.
Rand will speak Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Play Circle Theater at Memorial Union for a lecture called, “Sailing into Oblivion.” He will take guests along his journey as he forewent modern-day conveniences on his 29,805-mile nine-month journey and through lessons learned about endurance, challenging the mind and body, and self-reliance.
“Jerome Rand challenged what people said was impossible to go on the adventure of a lifetime,” said WUD DLS Associate Director of Marketing and Outreach Evanka Annyapu. “Guests will leave Jerome’s lecture inspired to pursue the dreams they’ve convinced themselves are impossible.”
Additional WUD DLS free lecture opportunities include science writer Rebecca Skloot on March 4, civic engagement activist Tiana Epps Johnson on April 23, as well as a presidential candidates forum March 30 and 31.
The WUD DLS Committee brings engaging and influential people to the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to encourage thought-provoking conversations. WUD includes 10 committees and six Wisconsin Hoofers clubs that program thousands of events each year.
The DLS Committee’s event partner the Hoofer Sailing Club provides affordable, accessible sailing equipment and instruction to more than 1,000 members. The Club offers lessons in everything from wind surfing to dinghy and keelboat sailing.
More information about upcoming DLS events is available at union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/dls.
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About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee
The Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee contributes to the educational experience of University of Wisconsin–Madison students, Wisconsin Union members and community members by bringing engaging and influential people to campus. Founded in 1987, the series aims to expose the campus community to a diverse and vibrant array of people, backgrounds, and ideas. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/dls.
About the Hoofer Sailing Club
The Hoofer Sailing Club promotes sailing at UW-Madison by providing recreational and competitive sailing instruction and equipment. Since 1939, the Club has operated under the Wisconsin Union to provide affordable, accessible sailing programs to the campus and community. Learn more about the Club: hoofersailing.org.
[Note to the editor: Click here to download a photo of Jerome Rand. Photo by Andy Noël.]
To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/jerome-rand.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Oak Bank Hiring Director of First Impressions
Department: Client Service
Type of Position: Full-time
Location: Fitchburg, WI
Date Generated: January 31, 2020
Position Summary
The Director of First Impressions serves as the first point of contact for clients of Oak Bank in person and through telephone contact. The Director of First Impressions must be well organized, flexible and have multi-tasking ability. He or she must display a high level of professionalism and courteousness at all times to clients and associates.
Position Responsibilities:
- Project a courteous, professional and service-oriented image to all clients, vendors, visitors, and associates
- Operate a multi-line telephone and receptionist software to ensure calls are directed to appropriate departments in a courteous and timely manor
- Exhibit confidence and maintain confidentiality
- Ensure the daily functions of the lobby area run smoothly and provide administrative support to the CEO, President and other Oak Bank associates
- Assist Executive Assistant with various projects by creating and maintaining documents using MS Office Suite and other database or web-based applications
- Assist with board meeting preparations and conference room set up for meetings
- Assist Executive Assistant with Oak Financial Inc. shareholder records and stock transactions
- Issue timely communications with detail and accuracy
- Maintain kitchen / client refreshment areas to ensure cleanliness and good order
- Manage inventory of office, kitchen, and client refreshment supplies
- Operate postage meter for outgoing mail and distribute incoming mail and faxes
- Assist with and attend special bank functions as needed
- Demonstrate reliable attendance
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications (Education, Work Experience, Skills):
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Strong interpersonal etiquette and written communications
- Experience as receptionist/administrative assistant preferred
- Proficient knowledge of MS Office Suite
- Friendly, positive attitude and sense of humor
Contact Human Resources at 608.441.6000 for information on current openings or email us at hr@oakbankonline.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Patrick Rees Joins Capitol Bank as Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending
Madison, WI: Ken Thompson, President and CEO of Capitol Bank, is pleased to announce the hiring of Patrick Rees as Assistant Vice President Commercial Lending. He comes to Capitol Bank with 11 years of banking experience, 7 of which he has specialized in business banking. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
“Early in his career, Patrick has proven himself as a Commercial Lender. We are excited to add his talent to an already strong and diverse team,” said Thompson.
Currently, Patrick serves as the Community Board Chair of the Rotary Club of Madison West Towne-Middleton. He also serves as a SCORE Mentor and was formerly a United Way campaign director.
Patrick and his wife live in Middleton with their two-year-old son and two Boston Terriers. His hobbies include gardening, cooking, bowling and following all Badger sports.

About Capitol Bank: Capitol Bank, locally owned and operated since 1995, is committed to serving the communities in which we live, work and do business. We are proud of the partnerships we have established with organizations, businesses and individuals in the Dane County area. Our philosophy of community support is demonstrated at the corporate level, as well as in the time and energy our employees devote to our community each year. Capitol Bank is Member FDIC.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Tonia Gregg Promoted to Account Executive
Madison, WI – Tonia Gregg was recently promoted to account executive at M3 Insurance. Specializing in employee benefits, Tonia’s evolving role at M3 will include consulting with and advising clients on the design, implementation and management of their benefit programs based on their current and future organizational goals.
Tonia joined M3 in December of 2017 as a senior account manager, bringing with her over 15 years of experience in the health insurance industry, particularly in the area of self-funding.
In her free time, Tonia enjoys volunteering for Dodgeville area schools as a coach for her two sons’ soccer teams.

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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.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Apply to Leadership Greater Madison
Build your personal capacity, grow your leadership skills and learn how to become more connected to your community. Apply now to Leadership Greater Madison (LGM). The civic education and leadership training program kicks off on February 25th.
LGM provides behind-the-scenes and hands-on opportunities to learn from community leaders and subject matter experts about topics such as equity, workforce development, education, public safety, taxes, sustainability and more.
The LGM online application can be found here. To learn more, contact Lynn Wood, LGM Program Director at lwood@wcgpr.com. LGM is a joint effort of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and Wood Communications Group