DeWitt’s Heather L. Kierzek Admitted to Practice in Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2021          

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman
mmf@dewittllp.com / 262-754-2877

DeWitt’s Heather L. Kierzek Admitted to Practice in Illinois

MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – Today DeWitt LLP announced associate Heather L.  Kierzek was admitted to practice law in Illinois on January 14, 2021 during a swearing in ceremony with Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman presiding.  Kierzek is the newest member of DeWitt’s growing Intellectual Property group.

Kierzek is an attorney who earned her Juris Doctor from University of Illinois – Chicago John Marshall Law School and a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Marquette University. She began as a summer associate at DeWitt during the summer of 2019.  She drafts patent applications and responses to the USPTO office actions for patent and trademark applications.  She also conducts legal research for patent, copyright, and trademark litigation.

Prior to joining DeWitt, Kierzek gained valuable experience as an Electrical Engineer with a worldwide leader in thermal management where she specified components and designed control panels including component placement and wire routing configurations for commercial-sized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.  Additionally, she managed and maintained a wiring diagram software for current and new product development.  Further, she researched and compiled a condensed 46-page customized technical electrical standard for department-wide use and researched components for alternative solutions while maintaining product quality​.

While working as a Powertrain Electronics and Controls Engineering Intern with an internationally recognized truck and diesel engine manufacturer, Kierzek developed and validated controls software for diesel engine emissions aftertreatment system to meet government EPA emissions standards, a tri-state input signal processing system for various circuit configurations, exhaust gas temperature monitor to protect diesel engine from overheating, and created a system design proposal and validation requirements for diesel engine intake air heater controls.

About DeWitt

DeWitt LLP was founded in 1903 and is one of the ten largest law firms based in Wisconsin, with an additional presence in Minnesota. It has nearly 140 attorneys practicing in Madison and Metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a variety of legal areas and has the experience to service clients of all scopes and sizes. The firm is known for its work in several areas, including intellectual property, patents, trademarks and copyright law, construction litigation, corporate law, employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family business, family law, government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law.  More information is available at dewittllp.com.

###

M3 Insurance Adds Six New Shareholders

M3 Insurance recently announced six new company shareholders:  Alicia Kiser, Vice President of Human Resources; Brandon Veit, Senior Account Executive; Breanna Hellenbrand, Senior Account Executive; Jamie MacDonald, Senior Account Executive; Jennifer Vanderlip, Senior Private Client Risk Executive; and Marty Malloy, Director of Education & Government Practice.

Kiser is responsible for the direction, performance, and strategy of the human resources department with company-wide focus on strategic human resource initiatives, talent management and development, compensation and benefits design, and employee relations. She joined M3 in 2011.

Veit consults with and advises clients about the design and implementation of their employee benefit programs and continues to work with them to ensure that their programs meet their needs. He joined M3 in 2002.

Hellenbrand joined M3 in 2004. She supports the agency’s efforts to gain new business and build lasting client relationships through working with employee benefit client on program design and risk management.

MacDonald specializes in employee benefits, consulting with clients on the design, implementation, and management of their benefit programs. She coordinates ongoing service for clients to ensure that their coverage meets their needs. She joined M3 in 2009.

Vanderlip specializes in personal insurance planning and wealth preservation strategies for M3’s private client group. She joined M3 in 2011, coming to the agency with more than 11 years of previous personal lines experience.

Malloy serves as a subject matter expert, strategist, and thought leader for M3’s education and government practice. He serves the property & casualty need of clients within this industry sector, drawing on his more than 30 years of insurance and risk management experience working with Wisconsin public entities. He joined M3 in 2014.

Each of M3’s 44 shareholder partners is a current employee who is actively involved in our business and must sell his or her shares prior to retirement. This ownership structure ensures engagement while aligning with M3’s commitment to remain privately held. 

---

About M3

M3 is a top 50 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.

Greskelly Diaz Penaranda Joins EXIT Realty HGM in Madison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Susan Harrison
Senior Vice President
EXIT Realty Corp. International
sharrison@exitrealty.com
888-668-3948

Greskelly Diaz Penaranda Joins EXIT Realty HGM in Madison

Madison, WI (Grassroots Newswire) January 12, 2021 – EXIT Realty HGM is pleased to announce that Greskelly Diaz Penaranda has joined its growing team of dedicated real estate sales professionals.

EXIT Realty HGM, located at 4211 W. Beltline Hwy, Madison, Wisconsin is a proud member of EXIT Realty Upper Midwest’s rapidly expanding network of independently owned and operated brokerages across the region.

About EXIT Realty: EXIT Realty is a company founded and built on human potential. A full service, forward-thinking, real estate franchisor with offices across North America, EXIT has to-date paid out more than a half a billion dollars in single-level residual income to its associates. The Expert Marketing Suite™ including geolocation Smart Sign™ technology gives sellers an edge in a competitive marketplace. The Focus on Good Health blog promotes wellness at work and home. A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. To-date, more than $6 million has been pledged to charity. For more information, please visit www.exitrealty.com and www.joinexitrealty.com.

# # #

Brian Duffy Named CEO of Per Mar Security Services

Contact:
Cassondra Billingsley, Per Mar Security Services
563-549-6635

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2021

Brian Duffy Named CEO of Per Mar Security Services

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Per Mar Security Services, the largest family owned full service security company in the Midwest, is pleased to announce that Brian Duffy has been promoted from Chief Operating Officer of Per Mar to President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2021. Brian Duffy becomes the third generation of the Duffy family to lead Per Mar. The company was founded by John and Eleanor Duffy in Davenport, Iowa in 1953. Michael Duffy will continue with the company as Chairman of the Board.

“I’m very proud to have Brian be the third generation of the Duffy family to lead Per Mar,” said Michael Duffy, chairman of the board. “I have total confidence in Brian’s judgement and his ability to make the right decisions in addressing any challenge that would face our company. Making the right judgement or solving a problem is never difficult if you have the best interest of our team members and customers at heart, which he does. He understands that while we may be confronted with short-term challenges or issues, we will never make a decision that benefits our company at the expense of team members or customers. Taking care of our team and customers short-term is what drives our long-term success and he understands that fact.” 

In his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, Brian Duffy will assume responsibility for the long term vision and ongoing strategic plan ensuring the viability and success of the organization. He will continue to be responsible for all operations in the company, and be working closely with the division heads and support groups.

Brian Duffy joined Per Mar full-time in 2012 as General Manager of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa branch.  Previously he worked for Capital One Financial in Richmond, Virginia. Since joining Per Mar, he has taken on new roles and responsibility including President of the Electronic Security Division and most recently Chief Operating Officer.

Brian Duffy is an active member of numerous security associations locally and nationally. He serves on the board for NetOne and Junior Achievement of the Heartland. In addition, he is active in the North Scott Rotary Club and the Notre Dame Club of the Quad Cities. A native of Davenport, Iowa, Brian Duffy graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

About Per Mar Security Services

Established in 1953, Per Mar Security Services is the largest, family-owned, full-service security company in the Midwest with more than 2,500 team members, operating in 25 branch locations. The company provides full-service security solutions for homes and businesses including security officer services, smart home automation, burglar and fire alarms, access control, security cameras, alarm monitoring, investigative services and background checks. For more information about Per Mar Security Services, please visit permarsecurity.com.

Jihan Bekiri joins WPS Health Solutions as new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

Jihan Bekiri joins WPS Health Solutions as new Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MADISON, Wis.—Jan. 12, 2021—WPS Health Solutions announces Jihan Bekiri (she/her/hers) has been hired as the new vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The new VP-level position will lead the company’s efforts to create a more inclusive workplace.

“Over the past 10 months, WPS has been on a journey to build a sustainable and effective diversity, equity, and inclusion program,” says WPS President and CEO Mike Hamerlik. “We’ve made great strides and are now positioned to continue forward with a strong, experienced leader. We created this new role to demonstrate our commitment to building a culturally aware and inclusive workplace.”

Bekiri began her role on Jan. 11. She arrives at WPS after focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion at American Family Insurance and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in Madison. She graduated with honors from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, followed by earning a Master of Science in International Development from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom with distinction. Bekiri is also a certified diversity executive and practitioner from the Institute for Diversity Certification.

“I’m honored to be selected as the first VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at WPS. The creation of this position speaks volumes to the commitment WPS has in this important focus area. I look forward to working alongside the leadership team and employees alike to continue the work they have started,” adds Bekiri.

About WPS Health Solutions

Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.