M3 Insurance: Kevin Miller Named Director of Education & Government Practice

Kevin Miller has been named co-director of education and government practice at M3 Insurance. In this capacity, he serves as a subject matter expert, strategist, thought leader, and is responsible for sharing information on trends and issues that specifically impact education and municipalities. He will also focus on new business opportunities and growth strategies.

Miller joined M3 in 2010 and became a partner in 2019. He has earned a variety of designations including: Certified School Risk Manager, Associate in Risk Management-Public Entity, National Alliance Instructor for the Certified School Risk Manager courses, Certified Insurance Counselor, and more.

He will work alongside Marty Malloy, co-director of education and government, to supplement Malloy’s strong leadership.

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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.Share ArticleShare on Facebook 

Andrew Buss Joins M3 as Account Executive

Andrew Buss recently joined M3 Insurance as an employee benefits account executive. Buss’s primary role is to advise on the design, implementation, and management of employer-sponsored benefit programs. He works with clients to manage their risk and maintain comfortable levels of coverage to meet their changing business needs.

Prior to joining M3, Buss gained experience through high-level sales and operational roles within insurance, healthcare, and IT. Most recently, Buss served as a senior program performance manager with WPS Health Insurance where he specialized in governmental business and working with federal contracts.

Buss is a skilled-communicator and thrives in dynamic work environments, making him a great addition to the M3 employee benefits team.

“I have had the fortune of meeting with Andrew several times during the hiring process. I am very excited at the experience and outlook he brings to M3. I believe that Andrew will be very successful as well as a great culture fit to our EB team.”
— Jeff Ireland, Director of Employee Benefits – Southcentral WI

Key Takeaways

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.

Madison Ballet names Artistic Director from NY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Jonathan Solari
920-728-6217
jonathan@madisonballet.org

Melanie Kranz Share
608-206-3647
melkranz@gmail.com

Madison Ballet names Artistic Director from NY
Ja’ Malik known for unique perspective in dance, choreography

MADISON, WIS. (March 21, 2022)—Madison Ballet announced today that Ja’ Malik, a nationally known dancer and choreographer based in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood, will join the organization full-time as artistic director in July.

He is currently in Madison choreographing part of “Turning Pointe,” Madison Ballet’s coming performance at the Overture Center March 25 to April 3.

Ja’ Malik, an advocate for artists of color, brings to Madison his exceptional and diverse experience as dancer and choreographer. He is director and founder of the all-male Ballet Boy Productions. He worked with Tony-nominated Camille A. Brown on The Public Theater’s 2019 production of Ntozake Shange’s, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow is Enuf”. In 2003 he graduated from the first class of Joffrey Ballet School, and New School University, BFA program.

“Madison Ballet offers a national platform for me to share my vision to create a company that reflects the diverse world we live in,” Ja’ Malik said.

Jonathan Solari, chief executive officer of Madison Ballet, said he urges Madison residents to attend Turning Pointe as a show of support for the new artistic director.

“As an arts organization, Madison Ballet helps define beauty through the art we present on this community’s stages. We take that role seriously and recognize our obligation to challenge what ballet is and who it is for,” said Solari. “Ja’ Malik’s clear and energizing vision will honor our 40-year history while bringing progress to this organization, this city, and this art form. It is apt that he is making his debut during Turning Pointe.”

Pamela Squires of The Washington Post said Ja’ Malik is “a choreographer who shows a fine eye.” Roslyn Sulcas of The New York Times named him a “Choreographer to Watch.” He has been featured in Dance magazine.

He is a former member of Cleveland Ballet, Oakland Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Nathan Trice Rituals, City Dance Ensemble, Ballet Hispanico, and Philadelphia’s BalletX.

“Turning Pointe” begins this Friday and runs through Sunday, April 3. Tickets are $18 to $32 and for sale at the Overture Center Ticket Office in person, by mail or online.

About Madison Ballet: Madison Ballet is a 40-year-old arts organization in Madison, Wis. It features the 150-student School of Madison Ballet.Since 1981, Madison Ballet has been an integral part of the vibrant Dane County arts community. It offers full-scale productions of inspiring traditional ballets, innovative contemporary performances, and the timeless holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” in Madison’s renowned Overture Center for the Arts. The School of Madison Ballet empowers students of all ages and skill levels with the poise, confidence, discipline, and life skills intrinsic to the study of dance. Outreach programming, presented in partnership with dozens of local school and community groups, enriches thousands of young people’s lives by introducing them to the joy of dance.

For more information, go to madison ballet.org.

Strang’s First Female Board Member

STRANG, Inc. Names Erica Ostendorf Mullins to Firm’s Board of Directors
First Woman Board Member in The Firm’s 87 Year History

MADISON, WI. March 15, 2022 – – – Strang, Inc, proudly announces that Erica Ostendorf Mullins, NCIDQ, WRID, has been appointed to the firm’s highest level of leadership, the Board of Directors. This appointment is effective immediately. Ms. Ostendorf Mullins will continue in her responsibility as Senior Vice President, Director of Interior Design.

Since joining Strang in 2014, Erica has contributed to client success and satisfaction by sharing strikingly creative, cohesive designs which are remarkable to behold and engaging to occupy. Clients tell us that Erica’s award-winning designs inspire, empower, and excite those within. From healthcare to hospitality or corporate to cultural spaces, Erica applies her passion for design across a myriad number of sectors.

Additionally, Erica provides expert guidance, direction and mentorship throughout the Interior Design Group and the entire firm. For example, Erica is responsible for guiding Strang’s strategic business planning across all aspects of the firm. Her leadership style is pronounced by listening with respect, empowering confidence around her and responding with resolve.

According to Larry Barton, Strang’s President and CEO, “Our current Board of Directors unanimously believes that Erica will be a significant contributor to the next chapter of our continued growth and success. She possesses a natural talent for inspiring colleagues and clients alike through her imagination, leadership, rigor and accountability. Erica constantly delivers for our clients through design counsel that is creative, resourceful, respectful and on task. We are excited to have Erica join our Senior Leadership Team”.

Erica earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2010. She is a Wisconsin Registered Interior Designer, a member of National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

About Strang

Established in 1935, Strang is an award-winning architecture, engineering, and interior design firm with offices in Madison and Waukesha, Wisconsin.

We champion a highly collaborative, vertically integrated approach entitled, Design Synchronicity. This proven process galvanizes our ability to safeguard a client’s financial, human, and environmental resources. We most often apply this approach within the science and technology, commercial/corporate, higher education, performing arts, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Strang has earned the Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplace Award for 2021 and 2022.

Strang has also been voted Number ONE Commercial Architectural Firm in Madison for nine consecutive years (2013-2021) by the readers of InBusiness Magazine!

Luminex Corporation: Women’s History Month Employee Spotlight

At DiaSorin North America we are honored to be part of an organization that recognizes women leaders. Last year during Women’s History Month, we acknowledged the women of DiaSorin Inc. and DiaSorin Molecular. This month we are recognizing the Women of Luminex! Over the course of the month we will highlight a woman in Madison, Chicago, Seattle, and Toronto. We will learn about who inspires them, the drive behind what they do everyday, and take away some words of wisdom. Featured Employee: Amanda Seyfert Our first featured employee, Amanda Seyfert, has worked for Luminex for 11 ½ years. As Director of Assay R&D, she oversees the development of new products and a team of assay development scientists at the Madison location.  She holds a Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences from the University of Wisconsin Madison. At work, her focus is to overcome technical challenges to develop quality products and lead a team of exceptionally talented scientists. Outside of work, she spends her time with her husband and two young daughters enjoying the outdoors (even in snow!), fixing up their older home, and being a part of the vibrant community found in Madison. She also loves to talk about her giant excitable dog and grumpy old cat.     Who is a woman (or women) from your life that have inspired and/or encouraged you? I feel fortunate to have encouragement and inspiration from a lot of sources. Choosing just a couple is challenging! I can’t answer this question without mentioning at least some notable women in STEM that I admire. My favorites include Rosalind Franklin, Mae Jemison, and Katherine Johnson. Each has made meaningful scientific contributions and I admire their courage to build successful careers despite being underrepresented and sometimes unwelcomed. But the women I find most inspiring and encouraging in my day-to-day life are family members, friends, and coworkers who are able to continuously develop their careers and maintain a good work/life balance. I’m inspired by my mother, an entrepreneur, who consistently challenged me to get out of my comfort zone to grow in my career. I’m encouraged by other friends and coworkers with young kids who spend nights being caretakers and days being leaders in their field. It clearly takes hard work and prioritization but I see other women who are able to juggle advancing their careers, taking personal time, and being a dedicated parents. To me, that is inspiring! What are memorable words that have inspired you, perhaps that have helped you when working through a challenge? “Why not?” If I hit a roadblock, I try to reflect on why I can’t move forward. Asking “Why not?” helps me to remove any doubt I have in my own abilities, gives me courage to step outside of the box, and motivates me to try new things. What is the most exciting thing about your work at Luminex?  Problem solving. It can be helping the team find a solution to improve performance of an assay or figuring out a creative way to get things done more efficiently. It is also incredibly rewarding to help individuals on my team develop their careers. It brings me a lot of joy to foster their success and growth! What advice do you have for the next generation of women who want to get into a job like yours?  Seek out people to help open up new opportunities for you and tell them what you want. It is hard. It can be awkward. But it is always worth it. Be courageous because opportunities are not always given away.     Luminex Corporation, a DiaSorin company, is extremely proud to have leaders like Amanda Seyfert. Help us celebrate Women’s History Month by thanking a woman that inspires you.