Patrick Flesch Promoted to CEO at Gordon Flesch Company

MADISON, WI – Patrick Flesch, President of Gordon Flesch Company (GFC) was unanimously elected at the recent Board of Directors meeting as the company’s new CEO. He will now carry the dual title of President and CEO.

As a part of this change, former CEO Tom Flesch will retain the title of Chairman and will continue to be involved in the strategic direction of the company. Bill Flesch will retain his title of Chief Development Officer and Mark Flesch will retain his title of Chief Operating Officer.

In addition, Brad Samuel, Vice President of Service and Logistics has been unanimously elected to the Board of Directors at the annual GFC shareholders meeting.

“These changes are in the best interest of our family and our business,” says Tom Flesch, Chairman at GFC. “I have been with GFC for 45 years and have been honored to serve as President or CEO for the past 36 years. Both Mark and Patrick have proven their leadership and dedication to the business and the industry. We look forward to their leadership in the years to come.”

About Gordon Flesch Company

The Gordon Flesch Company is one of the largest independent providers of office technology solutions in the nation. Family-owned since 1956, the Gordon Flesch Company employs more than 650 people throughout 32 offices in the Midwest, with their corporate office in Madison, Wisconsin. They deliver unique business process expertise to solve challenging problems and achieve organizational goals. This includes integrating industry-leading software and hardware to build custom solutions that are supported by technical expertise, customer service and flexible, in-house financial services. Follow us on Twitter at @GordonFlesch.

Total Awards & Promotions: The Nationwide Trophy Recycling Program is looking for volunteers

Total Awards & Promotions in Madison, Wisconsin has been recycling trophies for over 30 years. The program went nationwide in 2007 where it has been giving FREE rebuilt trophies to 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the country.

During Covid, when people were at home cleaning their attics and basements, the trophies came in by the thousands, filling up all the extra space they had. They needed to make it into a nonprofit and move it into a space where volunteers could come in and recycle.

The new space for the non-profit is at 6670 Odana Rd. in Market Square. And they are in great need of volunteers to help open the boxes, recycle the parts and make new trophies to donate back to non profits.

If you know of anyone in your organization that is interested in Paying it Forward to nonprofits around the country by volunteering to recycle, please contact Janet at Total Awards & Promotions 608-833-1716 or totalawards@gmail.com.

Telisa Yancy named president of American Family Group

Yancy, president of American Family Direct, begins the new position on Jan. 1, 2023

Telisa Yancy, president of American Family Insurance Direct, has been named president of the American Family Insurance Group of companies. Yancy’s appointment reflects the organization’s ongoing focus on growth, innovation and customer preference.

This position was previously held by CEO and President Bill Westrate who succeeded Jack Salzwedel upon Salzwedel’s retirement at the end of 2021. Naming Yancy to this position is a return a structure the company has had before. Westrate served as president beginning in 2017, before moving into the CEO role in 2022.

Yancy joined the organization as a marketing director in 2009, leading a major rebranding effort for American Family Insurance and subsequently becoming Marketing Vice President and then Chief Marketing Officer. In 2019, Yancy was named Chief Operating Officer, and in 2021, she became president of the organization’s direct sales channels, which include insurance companies CONNECT, Homesite and The General.

Yancy has been recognized for her leadership skills, marketing expertise and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. These honors include a Silver EFFIE, Ebony Magazine Power 100, AdAge Woman to Watch, GlobalMindeED Inclusive Leader Award and multiple inclusions in Savoy Magazine’s most influential Black Executives. She serves on the boards of directors for National Public Radio and Deluxe Corp. Yancy is a graduate of the University of Illinois and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business.

Yancy brings her vast experience to this new role, in which she will oversee the group’s direct and agency business operations. In addition to the direct sales companies, American Family Group includes American Family Insurance and Main Street America Insurance which sell and service products through exclusive and independent agency owners, respectively.

“Telisa’s strong focus on evolving customer preferences, combined with her broad and deep organizational experience, position her to lead operations across the diverse American Family Insurance Group,” said Westrate. “She’s built strong relationships with our agency owners and distribution partners, and has clearly demonstrated the flexibility, resilience and innovative thinking needed to lead during an ever-changing business and economic landscape.”

Yancy’s new role will begin Jan. 1, 2023. Westrate will remain CEO.

About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 251 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,000 employees nationwide.

One City Scholars to Tour Microsoft Corporation & Starbucks

Will Explore Careers in STEM Fields and Entrepreneurship

This week, 12 One City Scholars enrolled in One City Preparatory Academy will fly to Washington state with our Founder and CEO, Kaleem Caire, to tour Microsoft Corporation and Starbucks. They will also meet with some amazing leaders in the fields of Technology, Education and Philanthropy, and tour the University of Washington as well. Specifically, our Scholars will:

• Learn about careers at one of some World’s leading STEM and Growth Companies 
• Learn about the interests and programs of major philanthropy
• Connect with some of the nation’s leaders in educational technology and education reform 
• Tour one of the world’s leading universities and model cities 
• Broaden our Scholars’ geo-cultural experiences through visits to cultural and national landmarks 

Products of the Trip:

• Each Scholar will write a 3-5 page paper about their experience, what they learned, and new thoughts they have about possible career opportunities for themselves. They will also share how each company they have visited, and each leader they have met with, are having a positive social impact in the United States and/or globally. 
• Scholars attending will host a presentation about their trip to other One City Scholars, staff and families.
• Each Scholar will earn credit for completing a Field Expedition through One City’s Mastery Transcript.

We are so grateful for our local sponsors, Jaeckle Distributors, American Family Insurance Corporation, American Family Dreams Foundation, Summit Credit Union and Starion Bank, for their financial support of this important Career Expedition.

We are also thankful for Mr. Raghu Ramakrishnan, the CTO of Data at Microsoft Corporation, who also serves as a Board member of One City Schools Foundation, and Ms. Tyra Mariani, the President of the Schultz Family Foundation, and their team members, for their support in helping us arrange this trip. We are still looking for additional local sponsors to cover the cost of each Scholar taking this trip: it costs $2,100 per Scholar for flight, lodging and meals from November 9 – 12, 2022.

If you or your business/organization can help us, please email Eliza Waters at ewaters@onecityschools.org. You can also click the “Donate” button below to make your contribution online. Additionally, if our Scholars can take a tour of your business or organization, please email Gail Wiseman at gwiseman@onecityschools.org.

About One City Schools

One City Schools is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization that provides high quality educational opportunities for young children. Our mission is to seed a new model of public education that ensures young children are on track to succeed in a college or career preparatory program from birth through high school graduation. We currently operate three schools: a tuition-based independent preschool that serves 2 and 3-year-olds, and two tuition-free public charter schools, authorized by the University of Wisconsin System, that presently enroll children in 4K through 10th grade. We will eventually enroll 926 children from age 2 through through 12th grade and serve as a national model for the transformation of PK-12 education in the United States. 

Award Winning Journalist and Anchor Joins Creative Company

FMI: Laura Gallagher
608.442.6336
laura@thecreativecompany.com

Award Winning Journalist and Anchor Joins Creative Company

MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 3, 2022) — The Creative Company is thrilled to welcome Cassandra Bretl, an award-winning journalist, to our team. Cassandra will support public relations services at The Creative Company as a Public Relations Media Specialist.

For the last three years, Cassandra has appeared in the homes of thousands of people as an on-air anchor and multi-media journalist at 13 WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois. Cassandra’s efforts helped bring home a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for coverage of racial injustice protests and a 2022 Upper Midwest Emmy nomination for coverage of a local chemical plant fire. 

Her delivery of thorough and accurate information has given her trusted credibility that she will use at The Creative Company to move clients forward in their goals. 

“We’re excited to have Cassandra join our team. Her experience as a journalist and storyteller shows she knows how to create award-winning and impactful work. She will continue that work here in partnership with our clients, expanding their reach through public relations and communications,” President of The Creative Company, Laura Gallagher, said.

Cassandra holds her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies. She also has a certificate in Digital Arts and Culture and is proficient in American Sign Language. 

About The Creative Company, Inc.

The Creative Company is a leading PR and Digital Agency that represents top nonprofits, businesses, and cooperatives helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. The Creative Company is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise by the State of Wisconsin and the 2022 Dane County Small Business of the Year Winner. Visit thecreativecompany.com for more information.