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
Bank of Sun Prairie Awarded Cottage Grove’s Best Financial Institution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2023
Contact: Jimmy Kauffman, President and CEO,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Bank of Sun Prairie
608.837.4511 ● jimmy.kauffman@bankofsunprairie.com
www.bankofsunprairie.com
Bank of Sun Prairie Awarded Cottage Grove’s Best Financial Institution
In Cottage Grove for 24+ Years, Bank of Sun Prairie Recognized by the Community
Cottage Grove, Wis.— Bank of Sun Prairie won Best Financial Institution in the 2023 Best of Cottage Grove Awards conducted by The Herald Independent. Luke McElhenie was also named Best Financial Advisor* as part of the bank’s Sun Prairie Financial Services. Bank of Sun Prairie offers personal, digital, and business banking, mortgage, and wealth management services.
Bank of Sun Prairie has been in Cottage Grove for more than 24 years. Its dedication to Cottage Grove area residents, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations is unmatched. Last year, the bank’s employees volunteered 4,200 hours and Bank of Sun Prairie supported more than 100 organizations, many based in Cottage Grove. The bank’s strong commitment to improving financial literacy through their Financial Fitness Center offering 50+ digital courses and workshops in English and Spanish for schools, businesses and nonprofits is expanding.
“Thank you for recognizing Bank of Sun Prairie and our thriving team in Cottage Grove. The community of Cottage Grove has been very important to us over the past few decades, and we are happy to be an integral part of the community. This is a wonderful honor! We promise to continue to deliver our high level of excellent service and dedication to Cottage Grove as it continues to grow.” shared Jimmy Kauffman, Bank of Sun Prairie’s president and CEO.
Bank of Sun Prairie is a locally owned, full-service community bank with $719.3 million in assets and five locations in Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove, Wis. Its mission is to be trusted advisor for families, businesses and communities offering a complete range of services, while delivering fair returns for stockholders. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.
*Not insured by FDIC or other federal government agency. Not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, any bank or their affiliates. Subject to risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Summit Credit Union Celebrating 10th Cash Boomerang
Media Contact:
Jason Waller
Cell: 608-698-5948
Work: (608) 243-5000, ext. 6862
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com
Summit Credit Union Celebrating 10th Cash Boomerang
Summit giving back $2.66 million to members in 10th year of annual member giveback bringing total money provided to eligible members to $22.3 million.
Madison, Wisconsin — Summit Credit Union announced an annual patronage dividend, called Cash Boomerang, of $2.66 million to its members. The giveback is based on the cooperative’s financial success and on a member’s use of Summit’s checking, savings, borrowing services, as well as their length of membership.
The annual program will send a cash payout to 75,900 members. This is the 10th year of Cash Boomerang, which has paid out $22.6 million to Summit members in the last decade.
“The more business our members do with us, the better we do as their financial cooperative, and the more they’ll get back in a Cash Boomerang,” said Kim Sponem, CEO and President. “Cash Boomerang is one way we show our commitment to delivering significant savings and value to our members, along with education, tools, and guidance to reach their financial goals.”
Sponem shared that the timing of the payout, right before the holiday season, is intentional. “We hear from members that they like to do something fun with their Cash Boomerang since they weren’t expecting it, or that it gives them just enough cushion to relieve some stress at this time of year,” said Sponem. “We love to hear the stories from members of the unexpected boost right before the holidays. The delight that it brings members makes it a favorite time of year for our team, too.”
Members can redeem their cash payout via online or mobile banking, and deposit it into any Summit account they choose. Cash Boomerang payouts not claimed are deposited into members’ accounts in early December.
“As a financial cooperative, our success is our members’ success,” said Sponem. “This is a rewarding way to share it.” For more information about Cash Boomerang, visit www.SummitCreditUnion.com/cash-boomerang.
Summit Credit Union background
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.8 billion in assets and has more than 252,000 members and 967 employees across 57 locations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.
Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, in 2021, 2022 and 2023 Summit was named both a Top Workplace in the USA by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area by the Wisconsin State Journal. In 2023 it has added a Top Workplace award in Milwaukee by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560.
For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Fenrici’s Special Offer: Satin Pillowcase Sets for Holiday Employee Gifts
With the holiday season fast approaching, the Madison-based Fenrici Brands is excited to extend an exclusive offer to local businesses seeking thoughtful and beneficial gifts for their staff. Our Satin Pillowcase Gift Sets are not just a symbol of appreciation; they are a gift of better sleep, wellness, and daily rejuvenation.
Crafted from premium satin, these pillowcases help to minimize friction, allowing skin and hair to glide smoothly across the surface, reducing the chance of sleep wrinkles and hair breakage. The gentle interaction with the skin also helps to maintain hydration, combating dryness and leaving a feeling of freshness upon waking. This attention to detail ensures that your staff can enjoy the subtle luxury of a good night’s sleep, returning to work feeling well-rested and cared for.
To enhance your corporate gifting this season, Fenrici is offering these sumptuous Satin Pillowcase Gift Sets at an attractive 40% off retail price exclusively for chamber members. It’s an opportunity to not only reward your employees but also to invest in their sleep health—a critical component of overall well-being.
We invite you to browse our selection and secure your holiday appreciation gifts at https://amzn.to/40x6XML. To access the exclusive 40% corporate discount, please email us directly at chamberoffer@fenricibrands.com with your order inquiry. This special offer is tailored for corporate gifting and requires a minimum purchase of 10 sets to ensure all your valued employees can enjoy this token of appreciation.
Choose Fenrici this holiday season to celebrate and honor the relentless dedication of your team. Let’s make their rest as productive as their workdays.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Meet the Fellows for the 2023 Summit Credit Union Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs
StartingBlock, Summit Credit Union and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announce seven participating companies for 2023 Cohort of the “Summit Credit Union Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs”
StartingBlock, Madison’s startup hub and Summit Credit Union, one of the leading credit unions in Wisconsin welcome seven women entrepreneurs into the 2023 cohort of the “Summit Credit Union Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs,” an initiative designed to support, empower, and catalyze the growth of women entrepreneurs in the region.
“We are thrilled to welcome seven amazing entrepreneurs to the StartingBlock family of companies” said Scott Mosley, Executive Director of StartingBlock Madison. “The Summit Credit Union Fellowship is an amazing opportunity to support women as they pursue their entrepreneurial endeavor. We are thrilled to work with Summit to offer this experience to this year’s cohort.”
Meet the 2023 Summit Credit Union Fellows:
- Aundrea Booker / Tre-Azure / https://www.Tre-Azure.com
- Amy Calder / Golden Innovation Group / https://www.goldeninnovationgroup.com
- Padmini Chintakayala / Nommli / https://www.nommli.com
- Sara Kraemer / Blueprint for Engineering / https://www.blueprintforengineering.org/
- Shelby Olstad / Miggy’s Bakes / https://miggysbakes.com
- Nicole Vafadari / Doret Consulting / https://www.doretconsulting.com
- Jerina Vincent / JNJ Gifts and More / https://jnjgiftsandmore.com
“We want to encourage women to grow their businesses as they build their own financial security,” said Summit CEO & President Kim Sponem. “In this fellowship, we’re partnering with an amazing group of women to take their businesses to the next level by providing guidance beyond their financial needs. Whether they need help with accounting, marketing, community networking, or business plan development, we will be with them every step of the way.”
The Fellowship began on Nov 1, 2023 and runs through Oct 31, 2024. During the year at StartingBlock, Fellows will receive mentorship and coaching about multiple components of their businesses from both StartingBlock staff and Summit Credit Union Executives.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is a generous supporter of the Summit Credit Union Fellowship for Women Entrepreneurs.
About Summit Credit Union:
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds 6.8 billion in assets and has more than 252,000 members and 967 employees across 57 locations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.
Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, in 2021, 2022 and 2023 Summit was named both a Top Workplace in the USA by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area by the Wisconsin State Journal. In 2023 it has added a Top Workplace award in Milwaukee by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook and Instagram.
About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation:
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is the State of Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency.
About StartingBlock Madison:
StartingBlock – Madison’s Startup Hub is the epicenter for entrepreneurship in Madison, Wisconsin. With a mission to support startups, foster innovation, and drive economic growth, it offers state-of-the-art workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities and resources to emerging businesses.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Bridget Travnick Oberfoell Joins Bank of Sun Prairie as Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources and Training
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2023
Contact: Jimmy Kauffman, President and CEO,
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Bank of Sun Prairie
608.837.4511 ● jimmy.kauffman@bankofsunprairie.com
www.bankofsunprairie.com
Bridget Travnick Oberfoell Joins Bank of Sun Prairie as Senior Vice President, Director of Human Resources and Training
Now at Five Locations and 100+ Employees, Bank of Sun Prairie Continues to Grow
Sun Prairie, Wis.— Bank of Sun Prairie welcomes Bridget Travnick Oberfoell, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, as new senior vice president, director of human resources and training and member of the leadership team.
Travnick Oberfoell has worked in human resources for more than 23 years most recently as deputy director of human resources with the Wisconsin Department of Justice and prior with Shared Medical Services and The QTI Group among other companies in Madison and Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from Cardinal Stritch University. Travnick Oberfoell is active in the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and in causes focused on animal welfare and rescue, child advocacy, environmental protections, and arts and culture.
“We are excited Bridget has joined our team. She brings the perfect blend of human resources leadership, a strong benefits background and passion for training and development.” shared Jimmy Kauffman, Bank of Sun Prairie’s president and CEO. “She will help drive Bank of Sun Prairie as a leading financial services institution serving Dane County and beyond.”

Travnick Oberfoell is based in the bank’s Main Street headquarters in Sun Prairie. Bank of Sun Prairie is a locally owned, full-service community bank with $719.3 million in assets and five branches in Sun Prairie and Cottage Grove, Wis. Its mission is to be trusted advisor for families, businesses and communities offering a complete range of services, while delivering fair returns for stockholders. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.
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