Mary Lynch Graduates from Cannon Financial Institute as an Honor Graduate

CONTACT:
Catherine Povalitis
Chartwell Agency
cpovalitis@chartwell-agency.com
(779) 537-1282
Mary Lynch Graduates from Cannon Financial Institute as an Honor Graduate
MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 15, 2018) – Mary Lynch, a financial planner with Savant Capital Management, an independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only wealth management firm located in Madison and Park Falls, earned the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor™ (CTFA™) designation from the Cannon Financial Institute, and successfully completed the program with the Honor Graduate award, Cannon’s highest academic distinction.
The CTFA™ designation is a recognizable standard of knowledge and competency for the trust and wealth advisory field, specifically in the areas of taxes, investments, financial planning, trusts, and estates. The CTFA™ designation formally recognizes those professionals who meet these standards. Cannon’s Honor Graduate award is given to those students who complete each level of the course with a 90 or above on each of the comprehensive exams given at the conclusion of each class.
Lynch is a member of Savant’s Planning Team and works closely with the Advisory Team to prepare client financial plans and develop tax strategies for clients. She also is responsible for gathering, organizing, and synthesizing client data to support financial advisors in developing planning and investment strategies.
About Cannon Financial Institute
Cannon is a 50-year-old financial training institution that offers a three-year General Trust School and more than 52 specialized schools and seminars for the financial services industry. Several hundred students attend these sessions which are offered at the following four locations around the country: The Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head, SC; Boston University, Boston, MA; The University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN; and Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. Over the years, Cannon Financial Institute has earned a national reputation for setting the benchmark in practical and relevant training for the financial services industry.
About Savant Capital Management
Savant Capital Management is a leading independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only firm serving clients for 30 years with over $6 billion in assets under management. As a trusted advisor, Savant Capital 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 regularly recognized among the top wealth managers in the United States. Savant was the recipient of the 2015 Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program to
recognize excellence in the business of independent financial advice. Savant has consistently received other industry recognitions including recently being featured on the Forbes’ top 200 financial advisors list, the Barron’s top 20 independent advisory firms list, being named the #9 rated RIA firm by Financial
Planning magazine, and included in additional top advisors lists by Financial Advisor magazine and InvestmentNews.
Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant’s marketing material should not be construed by any existing or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage Savant’s services and may include lists or rankings published by magazines and other sources which are generally based exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized advisor. Click here for more information about Savant or to view our Important Disclosures.
Savant Capital Management and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Savant Capital Management. The Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™ is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Savant Capital Management with respect to its investment advisory and other services.
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Allianz Life and Securian Financial team up with gener8tor to invest in, accelerate insurance innovation

New “OnRamp Insurance Accelerator” invests in tech startups, and annual “OnRamp Insurance Conference” coming to Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, Minn.–To invest in the next generation of insurance technology and innovation, Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, and Securian Financial have joined forces with nationally ranked startup accelerator, gener8tor, to establish the OnRamp Insurance Accelerator.
Each year, five startups will be accepted into the three-month, concierge accelerator program in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Each will receive a cash investment of $100,000, office space and access to gener8tor’s global network of mentors and investors. Applications are now open for the first OnRamp Insurance Accelerator cohort. Startups may apply at onrampinsuranceaccelerator.com/apply.
“We are very excited to bring some of the brightest minds in insurtech to the Twin Cities through this new collaboration,” said Chris Hilger, Securian Financial’s chairman, president and CEO. “We are in the midst of a complete digital and technical transformation at Securian Financial, and our investment in the accelerator will give us further opportunities to collaborate with and learn from entrepreneurs developing the next generation of technology that will reshape our industry. We also feel that this is a great economic development opportunity for the Twin Cities, as startups from all over the country will get to see first-hand why the Twin Cities is such a wonderful place to live and build a business.”
“We are pleased to partner with gener8tor to support the insurance tech startups that are developing the tools and technology for tomorrow’s insurance industry,” said Walter White, president and chief executive officer of Allianz Life. “We have a common vision of the potential of new technologies, and a commitment to finding new, innovative and efficient ways to serve our contract and policyholders both today and for years to come.”
The creation of the OnRamp Insurance Accelerator builds off the success of the industry-leading OnRamp Insurance Conference. As part of the new Allianz Life Ventures, Securian Financial and gener8tor relationship, the annual OnRamp Insurance Conference will be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul. The 2019 OnRamp Insurance Conference will take place on April 11, 2019 at Target Center.
Started by gener8tor in 2016, the OnRamp Insurance Conference brings together the insurance industry’s leading corporations, investors and startups. The event specifically focuses on connecting insurance startups and investors with insurance executives in corporate venture capital, innovation, M&A and strategy. The conference highlights innovations disrupting the insurance industry, the leaders making such innovations possible and how new technologies and business models will reinvent the industry. The one-day event, which always takes place in a sports stadium, includes a full day of programming.
“The OnRamp Insurance Conference will bring thousands of insurance executives, investors and startups to the Twin Cities. To build off of those relationships, we are thrilled to team up with two of the best carriers in the business to invest in the best insurtech startups via the OnRamp
Insurance Accelerator,” said Troy Vosseller, co-founder of gener8tor.
About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2018, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. In 2017, Allianz Life provided a total of $2.7 billion in benefit payments that supported policyholders’ financial objectives. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.
About Allianz Life Ventures
Allianz Life Ventures, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), makes investments in North American companies with potential market traction and a demonstrated ability to drive innovation. Allianz Life Ventures is uniquely positioned to leverage the financial strength and in-house expertise of Allianz Life to help our partners succeed. Active in all investment stages from seed and early stage to growth, current partners include: Core Innovation Capital, blooom, tomorrow, LifeYield, Gainfully, Vestwell, Ladder, and Covr.
About Securian Financial
At Securian Financial, we’re here for family. And we’re here because of it. We’re guided by our purpose: helping customers build secure tomorrows. Since 1880, we’ve been building a uniquely diversified company that has outlasted economic ups and downs while staying true to our customers. We’re committed to the markets we serve, providing insurance, investment and retirement solutions that give families the confidence to focus on what’s truly valuable: banking memories with those who matter most.
About OnRamp Insurance Accelerator
Each year, the OnRamp Insurance Accelerator, with Allianz Life and Securian Financial, invests in five insurtech startups who participate in a three-month, concierge accelerator program in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Each startup receives a cash investment of $100,000, office space and access to gener8tor’s global network of mentors and investors.
About OnRamp Insurance Conference
The OnRamp Insurance Conference brings together the insurance industry’s leading corporations, investors and startups. The event specifically focuses on connecting insurance startups and investors with insurance executives in corporate venture capital, innovation, M&A and strategy. The conference highlights innovations disrupting the insurance industry, the leaders making such innovations possible and how new technologies and business models will reinvent the industry.
About gener8tor
gener8tor is a turnkey platform for the creative economy that connects startups, entrepreneurs, artists, investors, universities and corporations. The gener8tor platform includes pre-accelerators, accelerators, corporate programming, conferences and fellowships focused on entrepreneurs, artists and musicians. gener8tor is a nationally ranked, GOLD-tier accelerator in the U.S. as ranked by the Seed Accelerator Rankings Project.
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Securian Financial is the marketing name for Securian Financial Group, Inc., and its affiliates. Insurance products are issued by its affiliated insurance companies, including Minnesota Life Insurance Company and Securian Life Insurance Company, a New York authorized insurer. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Securian Financial Services, Inc., registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.
Contacts:
Securian Financial
Jeff Bakken, Media Relations
651-665-7558 jeff.bakken@securian.com
Allianz Life
Brett Weinberg, Media Relations
763-765-7160 brett.weinberg@allianzlife.com
gener8tor
Troy Vosseller
608-354-6606 troy@gener8tor.com

That’s a Fine Idea! State Bar Reveals 2018 Top Legal Innovators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOV. 9, 2018
Contact:
Kristen Durst
(608) 250-6025
kdurst@wisbar.org
That’s a Fine Idea! State Bar Reveals 2018 Top Legal Innovators
Madison, WI – For the fifth year, the State Bar of Wisconsin is honoring the state’s top legal innovators through the organization’s “That’s a Fine Idea: Legal Innovation Wisconsin” initiative. This year the State Bar honors six legal innovator big ideas, including one lifetime-award winner.
–Lifetime Innovator Emerly Harlan: Champion of Diversity
Diversity in the legal profession is a challenge that might never be solved outright, but Milwaukee attorney Emery K. Harlan, a partner with MWH Law Group LLP, is doing his part to help. Harlan’s current firm has 16 attorneys, including eight African Americans, one Hispanic, and 10 females. Harlan was a founder of the National Association of Women and Minority Owned Law Firms, created in 2001 to promote diversity by fostering successful relationships between diverse attorneys and both private and public legal clients. During the past couple years at MWH and for many years before that at his previous firm, Gonzalez, Saggio & Harlan, Harlan worked to hire and promote minority and female attorneys.
–Sheila Sullivan and Team: Standing Up for Crime Victims
The state’s Legal Services Corporation-funded civil legal aid providers, Legal Action of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Judicare, have established a victim rights project aimed at helping those who have survived crimes, particularly domestic violence and sexual assault. The pilot project began in fall 2017 with funding and support from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Crime Victim Services, and thanks to a partnership with Wisconsin Judicare, the services are available statewide. The team includes project supervisor Sheila Sullivan and project attorneys Ann Rufo, Becca Donaldson, Kori Ashley, Susan Lund, and Rachel Sattler of Legal Action Wisconsin as well as attorneys William Baynard and Amanda Rabe and supervising attorney Beth Ann Richlen of Judicare. More than 200 people from nearly half of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have received information, advice, or full legal representation since last December, and 91 cases were open as of mid-September.
–Abby Churchill: Helping Transgender Clients
Transgender people face unique legal challenges, and Abby Churchill founded the nonprofit law center Trans Law Help Wisconsin to assist. The Trans Law Help Team has held six clinics to provide general legal information about the name and gender change process, which is more complicated than most clients think. The Trans Law Help team also is developing a statewide attorney referral network, with an eye toward developing resources outside of Madison and Milwaukee. The issue of inaccurate documents such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and passports can affect transgender people in any number of realms, from obtaining employment, to securing a loan, to providing proof of identity to law enforcement.
–Heidi Wegleitner, Rebeka Pritchett, Raphael Ramos, Don Tolbert, Maggie Niebler-Brown, and Sofia Ascorbe: Eviction Defense for Low-Income Tenants
Tenants facing eviction, most of whom typically self-represent and lose their cases, have a better chance of gaining legal help in the Milwaukee and Madison areas thanks to the efforts of the respective local offices of Legal Action of Wisconsin, which have launched twin Eviction Defense Projects during the past couple of years. The Milwaukee County effort, staffed by project director Raphael Ramos, staff attorney Sofia Ascorbe, and paralegal Don Tolbert, has served 966 clients since early 2017 with help from 73 volunteer attorneys and 25 Marquette University Law School students. The Dane County project, begun in early 2018 and run by attorney Heidi Wegleitner and paralegal Rebeka Pritchett, has served 210 clients with 361 hours from 16 active pro bono attorneys and more than 100 hours of student help. Attorney Maggie Niebler-Brown coordinates the organization’s overall Volunteer Lawyers Project, while Deedee Peterson supervises its development.
–Collin Schaefer, Anne Smith, Eric Englund, and Louis Condon: Seeding Success for Startups
Entrepreneurs starting companies often focus on their product or service ideas and the funding they need to birth those ideas. But they’re sometimes less mindful of careful planning around corporate governance, such as formation of necessary advisory and governance boards and the completion of proper legal forms. Madison-area attorneys Anne Smith, Eric Englund, and Louis Condon and angel investor and entrepreneur Terry Sivesind founded an organization called Madison Seed Accelerator, Inc. (aka Madworks) in 2014 that has evolved to tackle this set of governance challenges, prompted by the need they saw and encouragement from the entrepreneurial community. Madworks has since worked with several dozen startup companies to ensure they build a solid foundation. Program manager Collin Schaefer, who is also an attorney, says the goal of the pro bono program is to build companies that last.
–Karen Renee: Creating a One-stop Shop for Finding Court Reporters
Karen Renee has been a court reporter in the Milwaukee area for about a decade and has owned Milwaukee Court Reporters for the past five years. She created eCourtReporters.com to provide a platform where attorneys and paralegals can, with the click of a few buttons, choose court reporters and videographers based on their qualifications, certifications, years of experience, pricing, availability, and customer ratings. The database now has nearly 7,000 entries in almost all 50 states.
More information about our 2018 Wisconsin Legal Innovators and their work is available here.
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The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 25,000 members, the State Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides continuing legal education for its members to help them maintain their expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out community service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the value of lawyers. For more information, visit www.wisbar.org.

Jeff Patterson of JP Hair Design to Receive Chamber’s 2018 “Ground Floor Award” for Small Business Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Nov. 6, 2018)
Contact: Erik Greenfield, Communications Manager, 608-443-1952 (office), 608-669-7884 (cell)
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today that Jeff “JP” Patterson, owner of JP Hair Design in Madison – which houses the Men’s Health and Education Center – will receive the Chamber’s third annual Ground Floor Award for Small Business Leadership.
The award, which recognizes true champions for small business both within their business and in the community, will be presented during a special nex7 Stage event Nov. 13 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA). Previous recipients include Jim Garner of Sergenian’s Floor Coverings and Susan Bulgrin of Culver’s on Todd Drive and Echo Tap & Grill.
“JP’s work with everyone from students to at-risk populations to entrepreneurs, not to mention his considerable skills as a business owner and barber, have made an immeasurable impact on Greater Madison,” said Chamber President Zach Brandon. “His leadership, passion and commitment to giving back to our community make him the ideal recipient of this year’s Ground Floor Award, and we look forward to honoring him on the nex7 Stage.”
Patterson opened JP Hair Design in 1998, ultimately moving the business to its current westside location and expanding to a full-service barbershop with 10 chairs. He has served on the state Cosmetology Examining Board, as well as the state Barbering Advisory Committee, where he served as chair. He has also taught Men’s Haircutting, State Laws and Sales and Marketing at Madison College.
In the community, Patterson coaches football in the Madison Memorial youth program and speaks to middle and high school students about entrepreneurship and creditability during the YMCA of Dane County’s “Friday Nights at the Y” summer events. At JP Hair Design, Patterson and his team provide free haircuts, compensation and mentoring through their “Kids Cleaning Crew” program for kids grades four to 10 that work at the shop. JP Hair Design’s biggest community campaign is the Back to School Event, which has reached 12 years of serving the community with back-to-school haircuts.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce for the Ground Floor Award. This award is a tribute to our wonderful team of barbers and our partnership with Aaron Perry of the Men’s Health and Education Center,” said Patterson. “As the leader of the company, an award like this creates accountability, creditability and great exposure. We will continue to be mentors, advocates and contributors to our community.”
In addition to the presentation of the Ground Floor Award, nex7 will also feature compelling pitches from the seven finalists for the Chamber’s third annual Most Innovative Company (MIC) award. The MIC finalists represent a diverse cross-section of industries, missions and locations across Greater Madison. The winner will be determined by audience vote.
To register for this free event, visit: www.greatermadisonchamber.com.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with nearly 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 10,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.
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Mead & Hunt announces change in top leadership: Marconnet and Mason named Group Leaders

Greg Marconnet and Jeff Mason, PE, were promoted to Group Leaders on October 1st. These corporate vice president roles will lead the marketing, sales and operations teams of these two high growth markets for Mead & Hunt.
Marconnet was selected to be the Group Leader for the newly created Food & Beverage Group. Mason will be taking the helm as Group Leader for the Architecture & Building Engineering Group.
“The time was ripe to transition our Food & Beverage team into a stand-alone group. They are bringing in new clients and projects at an ever-increasing rate. The addition of the Fenton, MO, engineering team last year has pushed the growth even faster,” said Andy Platz, CEO/President of Mead & Hunt. “Greg brings a wealth of industry knowledge after a long career with Kraft Foods and his current role as Business Unit Leader for our Food & Beverage team.”
Prior to his promotion to Group Leader, Mason was the Western Business Unit Leader within the Architecture & Building Engineering Group. He has been with Mead & Hunt for more than 20 years. The Architecture & Building Engineering Group focuses on aviation, military and other public and government facilities.
“Jeff is client-focused and strategic making him the perfect fit for the large and diverse Architecture & Building Engineering Group. The breadth of this group’s capabilities is increasing more and more. We need a leader who embraces the Mead & Hunt culture and will help this group continue to evolve and grow,” said Platz. “We anticipate continued growth and expansion of these markets under the new leadership.”
Platz continued that Jeff and Greg are a united front, prepared to deliver what our clients want and support our employees’ careers, adding that Mead & Hunt is wrapping up a very successful 2018 and looking forward to a promising 2019.

Marconnet

Mason

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Media Contacts:
Andy Platz, CEO and President, andy.platz@meadhunt.com 608-443-0600
Greg Marconnet, Vice President and Food & Beverage Group Leader, greg.marconnet@meadhunt.com 608-443-0550
Jeff Mason, Vice President and Architecture & Building Engineering Group Leader, jeff.mason@meadhunt.com 971-717-6504
Kary Beck, Corporate Communications, kary.beck@meadhunt.com 608-443-0370