Joanna Trygstad joins NGL as Vice President, Policy Administration

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to welcome Joanna K. Trygstad to the team as Vice President, Policy Administration. Trygstad oversees the policy administration services, claims, underwriting, agent support and customer services.

“Joanna is a results-driven collaborative leader who empowers the people on her teams to focus on customer service excellence. Her background in the insurance industry and ability to inspire her teams will help guide our company as we focus on growing and transforming our preneed line of business,” said David M. Anderson, NGL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Most recently, Trygstad was Vice President, Business Transformation at Thrivent Financial. She spent 12 years at the organization in a variety of operations, human resources and strategy leadership roles, with a focus on organizational and operational effectiveness initiatives to continuously improve business alignment and performance.

Prior to joining Thrivent, she served in an operations management role at an online university dedicated to providing equal access for higher education. Additionally, Trygstad is an experienced international corporate and executive coach for all management levels.

“I’m excited to join NGL. I look forward to collaborating across all teams to further strengthen our top-notch customer service for agents and policyholders,” said Trygstad.

Trygstad holds a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance and International Business from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and German from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn. Trygstad participated in exchange programs during both undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Freiburg in Germany and University of Sankt Gallen in Switzerland, respectively. Trygstad earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in 2011.

Growing up in the mountains of Northern California, Trygstad is passionate about conservation and global resiliency. Trygstad has been active with various organizations engaged in the development and deployment of micro-insurance solutions in emerging markets, and she has volunteered multiple times internationally with Habitat for Humanity. She currently lives in Appleton, Wis. with her husband, Andy, and two sons.

About NGL

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

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Registration Open for Wilderness First Aid Courses

Contact Information: Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Office: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR WILDERNESS FIRST AID COURSES

Outdoor UW to host first aid courses by world-renowned wilderness school

MADISON – The Outdoor UW team is currently accepting registrations for the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course taking place Nov. 2-3 through the industry-leading, global wilderness school National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) Wilderness Medicine Institute. 

This two-day, 16-hour course will prepare trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations for a variety of first aid scenarios, from falling ill to incurring injuries. Seasoned NOLS instructors will teach this course 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Memorial Union. 

The course will combine classroom lectures and demonstrations with hands-on, realistic scenarios. At the end of the WFA course, participants will have the knowledge and skills to provide effective first aid and make sound decisions in emergency situations. 

“Whether you work for a ski resort, are a wilderness trip guide or are an outdoor enthusiast, you and those around you will benefit from the knowledge and skills you will gain from Wilderness First Aid,” Outdoor UW Director Joseph Webb said. “Being safe in the outdoors means being prepared for emergencies. You always hope to never need to use the first aid skills you’ll gain, but, if you do need them, you’ll be glad you enrolled in Wilderness First Aid.”

Participants can expect learning to take place indoors and outdoors. The Outdoor UW team encourages registrants to read each day’s weather forecast and dress to spend time in the outdoors. 

The course is open to the public. Those who are not Wisconsin Hoofers members can take this course for $250. Current UW-Madison students, who are also Wisconsin Hoofers members, are eligible for $50 off the course.  

Wisconsin Hoofers club members are encouraged to inquire with their club presidents about WFA scholarship opportunities. 

Those interested can register by visiting union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/event-calendar/event/nols-wilderness-first-aid-course, calling the Outdoor UW office at (608) 262-1630, or visiting the Outdoor UW office on the lower level of Memorial Union. 

Outdoor UW will hold additional two-day WFA courses March 7-8 and April 18-19. Registration for these courses is also open. 

For those seeking more in-depth first aid knowledge and training, Outdoor UW will also offer an 80-hour Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course Jan. 10-19. Taught by NOLS instructors, WFR is regarded as the industry-standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies. NOLS recommends this more intensive training to those traveling to remote wilderness locations. 

Individuals who successfully complete the WFR course and pass WFR written and practical exams will earn Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) Adult and Child CPR certification and a WMI Wilderness First Responder certification. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will earn a Wilderness EMT certification.

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About the Wisconsin Union

The Wisconsin Union enhances the lives of members and visitors through recreational, cultural, educational and social opportunities. Formed in 1907, the Wisconsin Union is a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Union and its tradition of providing experiences for a lifetime: union.wisc.edu.  

[Note to the editor: Click here to download a photo of UW-Madison students in the outdoors, using Outdoor UW camping equipment. Photo provided by the Wisconsin Union. Photo by Andy Manis.]

To read this release online, visit https://union.wisc.edu/about/news/wilderness-first-aid/.

VanBuskirk Joins M3 as Account Executive

Madison, WI – James VanBuskirk recently joined M3 Insurance as a property and casualty account executive. In this role, consults with and advises small market clients on the design, implementation and management of their business insurance coverage.

James is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent in Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Prior to joining M3, James developed and managed a start-up insurance agency in the Washington, D.C. area which focused on commercial insurance for small businesses and personal coverage for high net worth individuals.  In June 2018, James sold his agency in preparation to move to Wisconsin. He is currently enrolled in the Executive MBA (Master of Business Administration) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In his free time, James enjoys spending time with his wife and giving back to our community by delivering meals to elderly and home-bound individuals with Independent Living’s Evening Meals on Wheels program. He is also an active volunteer with the Ironman Wisconsin event as well as Catholic Charities of Chicago and is a member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association.

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About M3

M3 is the largest insurance broker and risk management firm in the state of Wisconsin. As a top 50 broker 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.

Christa Schonscheck Joins State Bank of Cross Plains as In-House Portfolio Manager and Trust Officer

October 21, 2019, MADISON, Wisconsin— State Bank of Cross Plains (SBCP) welcomes Christa Schonscheck, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC®, CLTC® as an in-house investment portfolio manager and trust officer.

Schonscheck works in collaboration with the bank’s entire wealth management team to help customize the investing experience and provide local management of funds. In this unique melding of roles, she serves customers both behind-the-scenes through research and fund management and face-to-face through client meetings to answer questions about why specific funds are chosen for individual portfolios.

“I’m very passionate about financial literacy,” explains Schonscheck. “Financial planning requires a dialogue. Everyone at every stage of investing should feel welcome to ask questions and fully understand how the process works. My goal is to analyze the complexities of each unique financial situation, create a strategy, and have a collaborative conversation about the next steps. I want everyone to feel comfortable, included, and empowered regarding their finances.”

Schonscheck not only brings seven years of experience in all areas of wealth management, she has also worked diligently to advance her financial education, recognized as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA®), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), and Certification in Long-Term Care (CLTC®) professional.

In addition to her work at State Bank of Cross Plains, Schonscheck and her husband own a small business providing pet boarding. She also serves as a volunteer for Lucky Mutts Rescue and competes with her Australian Shepherd in conformation in American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, and Australian Shepherd Club of America.

“Christa has a great combination of experience, accreditation, and technical ability to perform all the day-to-day back-office work paired with the personality to provide great customer service during interactions with our clients,” shares Mark Drachenberg, CFP®, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager for SBCP’s Wealth Management Division. “I’m excited to have someone with her impressive experience and ability on our team!”

The Wealth Management Division at State Bank of Cross Plains is headquartered in the Madison office and provides a full spectrum of business and personal financial services, including:

• Comprehensive financial planning services
• Retirement income management
• Risk management (insurance)
• Education funding
• In-house investment portfolio managers
• Trust and Estate Administration
• Business Continuation and Succession Planning

Anyone can work with the wealth management team at State Bank of Cross Plains. Specifically, customers do NOT need to bank at SBCP or live or work in the bank’s service area. For more information about the financial planning and trust services available through the SBCP Wealth Management Division, visit sbcp.bank or call (608) 826-3570.

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State Bank of Cross Plains is known for our modern, progressive approach to supporting businesses and consumers by offering services more typical of larger financial institutions in an environment that values one-on-one personal relationships and community involvement. Thanks to our recent merger, State Bank of Cross Plains is a $1.3 billion institution, offering a full range of business and personal financial services including business, real estate, and consumer lending, as well as wealth management and financial advisory services. We now also provide Crop Insurance and Ag Lending Services. SBCP has 15 convenient locations in Dane, Rock, and Green Counties. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.

For additional information, please visit sbcp.bank or contact VP-Marketing Director Darin Tessier at 608-826-3514.

Wisconsin Union Theater Presents World Premiere of The Seldoms’ Dance Theater Work ‘Floe’ Jan. 22-24

Contact Information: Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Office: (608) 262-8862
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu

WISCONSIN UNION THEATER PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE OF THE SELDOMS’ DANCE THEATER WORK ‘FLOE’ JAN. 22-24

‘Floe’ to tell story of fragmented global conversation on climate change

MADISON – The Wisconsin Union Theater will present the world premiere of “Floe,” a new dance theater work about climate change by Chicago-based dance company The Seldoms Jan. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Union.

“Floe,” created and directed by The Seldoms Artistic Director Carrie Hanson in collaboration with playwright Seth Bockley, tells the story of the fragmentation of the global conversation on climate change, including the impact of global warming on communities from the Gulf Coast to the Arctic Circle.

The Seldoms’ work combines movement, images, sound, text and site-specific exploration to bring an embodied response to social, political and cultural complexities. Pieces presented at the Wisconsin Union Theater have also incorporated a community cast of students and other community members, who have worked with the professional company members and performed alongside them. 

Each “Floe” performance will guide patrons to move between Memorial Union’s Shannon Hall and the Play Circle Theater as Seldoms’ artists and local collaborators navigate the narratives surrounding climate change.

“The Seldoms taps into this energy field. Its performers work with art: music, dance, theater to instill a message to their audience,” Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee Director Keerthana Sreenivasan said. “‘Floe’ is not only a show or concert; it’s an experience, a learning experience to be more specific.”

The work includes projected images by designer Liviu Pasare of a changing Arctic and a flooded Houston on two inflatable icebergs created by visual artist Bob Faust. Sound design by Mikhail Fiksel includes voices from the Arctic region to the Gulf of Mexico, such as segments of interviews with Hurricane Harvey survivors and civilian rescuers.

Performing this work are Seldoms ensemble members Solomon Bowser, Philip Elson, Sarah Gonsiorowski, Damon D. Green and Maggie Vannucci under the direction of Hanson, who also serves as the fall 2019 interdisciplinary artist-in-residence in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of the Arts’ Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program.

This is the third time The Seldoms has performed as part of the Wisconsin Union Theater season. Previous works have included “Power Goes” presented in 2017, a piece exploring presidential power through the lens of the Lyndon Johnson administration, and “RockCitizen” presented in 2018, which unpacked the counter-cultural movements of the 1960s.

Tickets are currently available for purchase online and at the Memorial Union Box Office. Tickets are $10 for UW-Madison students, $20 for patrons under 18, $31 for Wisconsin Union members, $33 for staff and faculty, and $35 for the general public.

More information about “Floe” is available at union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/event-calendar/event/the-seldoms-floe.

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About the Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee plans and promotes events for the historic Wisconsin Union Theater stages. The student-led committee programs a variety of events to provide a diverse and cultural experience for students, faculty, alumni, community members and visitors. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/get-involved/wud/performing-arts.

About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more about the Theater: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

[Note to the editor: Click here to download a photo of The Seldoms performing “Floe.” Photo by Ashley Deran of A.Deran Photography.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/about/news/floe.