New Chief Information Security Officer chosen at WPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

New Chief Information Security Officer chosen at WPS
Chad Joranlien promoted to leadership team

MADISON, Wis.—Dec. 6, 2023—Chad Joranlien has been selected as the new WPS Health Solutions Chief Information Security Officer. Joranlien has been with WPS since 2021, serving as Deputy CISO. The CISO position oversees all aspects of cybersecurity and IT security compliance.

“I am excited for the opportunity and energized to lead the cybersecurity efforts at WPS during the next stage of growth,” Joranlien said.

Prior to his work at WPS, Joranlien worked as the Director of IT Security at Fiserv Corporation. He also held information security leadership positions at TSYS Corporation and Promega Corporation.

“Chad has strong leadership skills and is well suited to step into this vital role,” WPS Chief Information and Digital Officer Bruce Gray said.

About WPS Health Solutions^®

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions), founded in 1946, is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. WPS Health Solutions serves active-duty and retired military personnel, seniors, individuals, and families in Wisconsin, across the U.S., and around the world. WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, has more than 2,800 employees. Within the enterprise, there are three divisions: WPS Government Business, WPS Health Insurance, and WPS Data Logistics. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

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WESLI (Wisconsin English Second Language Institute): Seeking an International Student Recruiter

WESLI is seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated and results-driven International Student Recruiter. This a full-time position at Wisconsin ESL Institute (WESLI) and this employee will work under the direct supervision of the Co-Director of Engagement and Student Services. The International Student Recruiter will work with the Co-Director to develop, plan and implement a sales and marketing strategy for all WESLI programs targeted towards increasing enrollments in existing and new markets.

Candidates should be independent problem solvers who enjoy finding creative solutions and possess the ability to work with cultural sensitivity across language and cultural barriers. The ideal candidate will be collaborative, highly motivated, and have excellent communication skills. Excellent candidates will have experience in marketing, communications, and sales, plus an interest in international education. Previous experience working in international education is preferred but not required. We are looking for a dynamic, energetic, and highly motivated individual to deliver strong enrollment growth and excellent customer experiences.

The candidate must be comfortable with doing what is necessary to get the job done and to be prepared to work with the leadership team to determine what needs to be accomplished. We are planning to build up a successful marketing plan with the end goal of increasing student enrollment quickly and sustainably.

Resumes and Cover Letters can be sent to hannah.leduc@wesli.com. 

Job posted November 15, 2023. It will be open until filled. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Great Lakes Roofing: Enhancing Employee Well-Being through Nature

In today’s work environment, where stress and burnout are common, a top priority for businesses must be prioritizing the well-being of their employees. Offering benefits that promote employee well-being can be a game-changer for a business’s employment strategy, helping retain and recruit. Increased physical health directly correlates to improved workplace production and efficiency as well. Launching a company-wide wellness program may seem like a daunting task. Still, one Wisconsin small business is leading the charge for change with a simple, yet effective program based on the State’s beloved state parks and natural resources.

The Benefits of Spending Time in Nature for Employee Well-Being

It’s true that no two employee wellness programs look the same. Some focus on perks provided through their health insurance provider; others look to healthy breakroom snacks, in-office flu shots, gym membership reimbursements, or mental health counseling. Many of these programs require employees to jump through invisible hoops or are not available to all household members, leading to lack of employee participation and wasted company resources.  

Great Lakes Roofing Corporation (GLRC) President, Chris Lampien, noted the number of outdoor enthusiasts on staff and decided to kick off 2023 with a gift that he knew all his employees would appreciate and utilize; a Wisconsin state Park Pass. Research consistently shows that spending time in nature significantly benefits mental and physical health, which makes time in the Wisconsin State Parks well spent. The serene environment and fresh air offer a much-needed break from the daily grind. “This is a wellness benefit the entire family can enjoy, which also promotes work-life balance within our company. We encourage everyone to go out and enjoy the State Parks as often as they can,” said Lampien.

To kick off their incentive and show appreciation to their hardworking staff, GLRC executives decided to capture the essence of the great outdoors by making a heartfelt video while immersed in nature. In the video, Lampien and his family enthusiastically announced that GLRC would be gifting each employee a Wisconsin State Park Pass through the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP), a non-profit organization of volunteers who care for the state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. 

Encouraging the GLRC team to explore and enjoy the state parks emphasizes the importance of work-life balance. Spending time in nature can positively impact the overall well-being of the staff. This thoughtful act enhances employee morale and engagement and reinforces a strong sense of appreciation and unity within the company.

The Resources Offered by State Park Websites

State Park websites offer many resources for individuals seeking outdoor adventures. These websites often provide printable and downloadable activities, maps, and lists that can significantly enhance the experience. Whether exploring hiking trails, spotting wildlife, or discovering hidden gems within the park, these resources prove invaluable. With the convenience of having these materials accessible online, visitors can easily plan and customize their outdoor activities, ensuring a fun and engaging adventure in nature.

To layer in additional activities and promote new adventures, the FWSP promotes seasonal challenges each year involving outdoor activities like documenting plants and animals, camping, biking, photography, and more. “These challenges have been an amazing way to encourage our staff to opt outdoors more and think of new ways to get active,” said Kris Moran, marketing director at GLRC.

State Park Passes and Work-Life Balance

State Park Passes also foster team building within the organization. When employees venture out into nature together, they can bond, share experiences, and create lasting memories. Moran said, “We’ve encouraged the team to share pictures and to post them in their crew rooms and to come in and tell us their stories. We’re also very competitive at work and have had fun reporting on everyone’s progress in the FWSP challenges and seeing if we can have a member of GLRC visit each of the state parks and capture a picture as a “we were there” checklist.” Team-building activities in natural settings can enhance collaboration, communication, and trust among team members. By exploring Wisconsin’s beautiful state Parks, Great Lakes Roofing Corporation’s employees strengthened their connections, built camaraderie, and cultivated a supportive and collaborative work culture.

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:

1. Aundrea Booker / Tre-Azure / https://www.Tre-Azure.com
2. Amy Calder / Golden Innovation Group / https://www.goldeninnovationgroup.com
3. Padmini Chintakayala / Nommli / https://www.nommli.com
4. Sara Kraemer / Blueprint for Engineering / https://www.blueprintforengineering.org/
5. Shelby Olstad / Miggy’s Bakes / https://miggysbakes.com
6. Nicole Vafadari / Doret Consulting / https://www.doretconsulting.com
7. 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.

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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