Vierbicher Again Recognized as a Top Firm to Work For

Vierbicher Honored Again with Zweig Group’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For and Hot Firm Awards

REEDSBURG, WI – Vierbicher, a trusted leader in engineering, planning and surveying, is proud to announce that it has once again been recognized by the Zweig Group with two of the industry’s most distinguished honors: the 2025 Best Firms to Work For Award and the 2025 Hot Firm Award.

This marks the third time Vierbicher has earned the Best Firms to Work For recognition and the second time being named a Hot Firm — an affirmation of the company’s ongoing commitment to creating an outstanding workplace culture and driving strategic growth.

The Best Firms to Work For Award highlights architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms that prioritize employee experience, professional development and workplace satisfaction. Vierbicher’s people-first culture, strong values and collaborative approach continue to set it apart.

The Hot Firm Award celebrates the 100 fastest-growing AEC firms in the United States and Canada. Vierbicher’s inclusion on this list for a second time reflects its sustained momentum and leadership in the industry.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Zweig Group again this year,” said Rod Zubella, CEO of Vierbicher. “These awards are a testament to our team’s dedication, energy and shared vision. At Vierbicher, we believe that when we invest in our people and culture, excellence follows — for our clients, each other and the communities we serve.”

Vierbicher’s continued success stems from its strong internal culture, emphasis on growth and innovation, and its unwavering focus on delivering high-quality, client-centered solutions. With offices across Wisconsin, the firm remains deeply committed to making a lasting impact through thoughtful planning, design and collaboration.

Badger Football Season Parking Passes Available from RMHC-Madison

If you, your friends, or your company hold season pass tickets for Badger football, and are in search of parking to complement them, look no further! Ronald McDonald House Madison is once again partnering with the McDonald’s on Regent Street to offer Parking with a Purpose.

For just $350 you can reserve a prime parking spot for every home game during the 2025 football season AND help families stay close to their seriously ill children. Learn more by reaching out to Tiyanna Boyd with any questions at tboyd@rmhcmadison.org.

Ready, set, save! Registration now open for Dupaco’s 21-day Sprint to Savings Challenge

Dupaco Credit Union invites individuals of all financial fitness levels to join its Sprint to Savings Challenge, a 21-day journey that will help participants build stronger saving habits. Credit union membership is not required to participate.  

The three-week challenge will help participants take control of their finances, build momentum toward their savings goals and have a chance to win cash prizes along the way.  

During the challenge, participants will: 

• Build learning habits with simple strategies to grow their savings.  
• Stay motivated with regular check-ins to help stay on track and celebrate progress. 
• Get rewarded with weekly cash prize opportunities and the chance to win the $500 grand prize.  

“While this challenge is a sprint, it’s really about preparing for the bigger picture — each participant’s savings marathon,” said Tara McDermott, Senior Marketing Communication Specialist at Dupaco. “The goal is to help build confidence through small, repeatable actions that lead to long-term financial changes. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your strategy, this challenge offers a supportive way to move closer to reaching your savings goals and dreams.” 

Registration is open now through May 30. The challenge officially kicks off June 2.  

Those interested in registering for Dupaco’s 21-day Sprint to Savings Challenge and learning about all the contest details can visit dupaco.com/sprint-to-savings-challenge.  

###

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 173,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com

New “Climate Action Playbook” Offers Groundbreaking Framework for Nurturing Climate-Resilient Children

(Madison, Wis.) —In an era marked by a rapidly changing climate, the newly published Climate Action Playbook is a vital resource for museum professionals, educators, caregivers, and others who work with children from birth to age eight.

The Climate Action Playbook addresses a critical gap in existing climate resources by focusing on the developmental needs of early learners.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, developed this innovative, holistic approach to preparing young children for a changing world while fostering compassion, excitement about the natural world, agency, and hope for a bright climate future.

Children’s museums are leading on the issue because the well-being and healthy development of children are their top concern.

“Our approach to early learning climate education is to center our work on cultivating curiosity, agency, empathy, hope, and deep connections with nature, rather than burdening young children with problems they are too young to solve,” says Brenda Baker, the Caretakers of Wonder project manager and vice president of exhibits, facilities & strategic initiatives at Madison Children’s Museum. “We’re equipping adults to be effective role models who can help grow resilient children capable of flourishing in a warming world.”

David Sobel, children’s environmental education expert and advisor to the Playbook, sums up the approach succinctly. “If we want children to flourish… then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it.”

Developed through a collaborative effort between nine children’s museums and science centers, along with experts in neuroscience, climate psychology, early childhood education, climate science, and equity, the Playbook offers practical tools to improve the lives of young children and families:

• Creating norms of self-care and connection
• Cultivating children’s well-being and capacity to flourish
• Establishing enduring relationships with Earth’s living beings and systems
• Building capacity for hope through action 

The Playbook is divided into two sections: one for Museum Visitors and one for Museum Professionals. Each section divides the content into age bands: birth to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 8 years old. Content is subdivided into three areas of emphasis: Nature & Well-being; Empathy & Resilience, and Hope & Collective Action. The Playbook also includes a comprehensive literature review of published pieces at the intersection of children and climate change.

The timing of this resource is particularly significant, as data from the World Health Organization shows that children are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts. An overwhelming 88% of the disease burden attributable to climate change afflicts children under five years of age, and studies show these impacts are felt the hardest by Black and brown children. In addition, recent research shows that over half of children feel “eco-anxiety” and many “feel sadness, anxiety, anger, helplessness, and guilt all at once.”

Consequently, adults who care for young children need guidance on what to do and say so their kids feel safe and hopeful. The Playbook provides the practical guidance these concerned adults need.

“Continue to foster a love of nature with young children,” advises the Playbook. “Catch fireflies, collect dandelions, and ford streams. You’re sowing the seeds of good stewardship and future action.”

The Climate Action Playbook is available now for museums, educators, and caregivers committed to nurturing the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens. Visit www.caretakersofwonder.org to learn more.

Caretakers of Wonder, a consortium of children’s museums led by Madison Children’s Museum in partnership with Environment & Culture Partners, the Association of Children’s Museums, and Verdis Group, was launched in 2022 with a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services MG 252083-OMS-22. Nine museums participated in the project’s first two years. That grant has been terminated by the federal government, though all promised funds have been received and the grant work is mostly complete. 

Phase II of Caretakers of Wonder was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Climate Smart grant. That grant has also since been terminated—with no money disbursed. Madison Children’s Museum and partners remain committed to the coalition and the work.

M3 Expands Surety Expertise with the Addition of Babcock Solutions

M3 is pleased to announce we have joined forces with Babcock Solutions, strengthening our surety expertise and our commitment to delivering best-in-class surety solutions. This partnership aligns with M3’s focus on providing comprehensive risk management backed by deep industry knowledge and a client-first approach.

“We are excited to join M3 and look forward to working with the M3 Surety team to continue building trusted relationships and best-in-class surety services for our current and future clients,” said Brad Babcock, founder of Babcock Solutions and now managing director of M3 Surety. “I believe joining with M3 allows us expand our team and reach throughout Wisconsin, Rockford, and the Upper Peninsula.”

Since 2012, Babcock Solutions has been a trusted provider of surety bonds. Brad Babcock and team are known for their dedication to client success and personalized service. By integrating their expertise with M3’s broad capabilities, clients will benefit from an even stronger foundation of resources, industry insight, and tailored surety solutions.

“Welcoming Babcock Solutions to M3 is pivotal for our surety practice,” said Mike Victorson, CEO and partner at M3. “Their legacy of trusted relationships and expertise aligns with our promise to deliver unmatched value to clients. Together, we’re not just expanding services, we’re raising the bar for what’s possible for our clients.”

Babcock Solutions’ clients will continue to receive the same high level of service they have come to expect. In the coming months, all services will be fully integrated under the M3 brand, providing a seamless experience with expanded support and solutions.
For more information about this transition and how it benefits our clients, please visit m3ins.com/surety.

About M3
M3 is a top 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. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.