Category: Talent
Photo by Richard Hurd
Bridgett Boucher, Thomas Spelsberg selected for new leadership positions at WPS Health Insurance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
Bridgett Boucher, Thomas Spelsberg selected for new leadership positions at WPS Health Insurance
MADISON, Wis.—July 6, 2020—Jim Baird, Executive Vice President of WPS Health Insurance, announces two new leadership roles on his team. Bridgett Boucher becomes Chief Actuary and Thomas Spelsberg succeeds her as Vice President of Medicare Market Solutions. Spelsberg previously was Vice President of Business Unit Services at WPS Health Solutions.
“I am excited to have Bridgett take on this very important role for WPS,” Baird said. “She has both the required actuarial credentials and the experience to do this job extremely well.”
Boucher started her career at WPS as an actuary in June 2002, right out of college. She is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA designation) and a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA designation).
She was promoted to Vice President of Medicare Market Solutions in July 2018.
In her new role, Boucher oversees the actuarial, underwriting, and reporting teams. As the Chief Actuary, she will sign off on rate filings and other actuarial requirements across all product lines.
Spelsberg has responsibility for all aspects of the senior market business, including claims, customer support, sales, product management, and regulatory support.
“Thomas brings a wealth of knowledge to the Health Insurance team, as well as an understanding of how to continue to build on the excellent culture in Medicare Market Solutions with his great leadership skills,” Baird said.
Spelsberg joined WPS in December 2016 as Director of the Project Management Office (PMO). He was promoted to VP of PMO in 2019. In early 2020, he was promoted to VP of Business Unit Services, covering the PMO, Operational Training, Operational Quality Assurance, Business Analysis, and Operational EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and Imaging.
About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS Health Solutions’ Scott Kowalski appointed to American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
Scott Kowalski appointed to American Heart Association’s Midwest Affiliate Board
MADISON, Wis.—July 1, 2020—Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WPS Health Solutions, headquartered in Madison, has been appointed to the American Heart Association’s Midwest Region Board of Directors for a two-year term. The American Heart Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease.
Kevin Harker, Executive Vice President of the Midwest Region, said, “Scott will be a tremendous asset to our Board. He has a wealth of knowledge to lend our organization, and I look forward to working with him to advance the mission of the American Heart Association and improve the lives of people across the Midwest.”
Kowalski will serve on the Corporate Operations Committee, which oversees the budget, fundraising, staffing, real estate (AHA offices), and employee engagement. The Midwest Region is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
After fully recovering from a stroke in May 2014, Kowalski joined the Madison Board of Directors. In June, he concluded a two-year term as Board Chair.
“My co-workers and fellow executives at WPS Health Solutions know about my passion for heart health and stroke prevention, and I appreciate their ongoing support,” Kowalski said. “The Heart Walks and CycleNation events that I have had the privilege of leading are important sources of funding for the American Heart Association, but they also serve as a reminder that developing a heart-healthy lifestyle should be a year-round commitment.”
Kowalski joined WPS in May 2013, serving as Executive Vice President of Health Insurance and Chief Operating Officer of Arise Health Plan. In early 2018, he moved into his current role as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, and is responsible for marketing, corporate communications, public relations, and community affairs. In addition, he is the Vice President of the WPS Charitable Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the WPS Political Action Committee.
He earned an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a law degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago—John Marshall Law School.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For media inquiries: Liz Jirschele: 608-709-4934; liz.jirschele@heart.org
About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Nezih Hasanoglu Jr. Named Executive Vice President of Business Development at M3
Nezih Hasanoglu Jr. has been promoted to executive vice president of business development and a member of the executive operating committee at M3 Insurance, effective July 1, 2020. Nezih joined M3 on October 1, 2004, as a business development executive with a focus on new business acquisition. Since that time he has successfully served in a variety of sales and leadership roles at M3. In this new role Nezih is responsible for the overall direction, strategy, long-term planning and performance of M3’s business development, marketing and mergers & acquisitions teams. Nezih was named partner on January 1, 2013.
Nezih earned his MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013, and completed his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University in 2002 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He was also a member of the Vanderbilt football team from 1998-2002. Currently, Nezih serves on the Zoological Society of Milwaukee Board of Directors and the Wisconsin Leadership Board for the American Lung Association.
M3’s evolving leadership structure represents continued agency growth and a commitment to building a strong infrastructure from which to serve M3’s clients while remaining independent and privately owned.
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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.
Photo by Richard Hurd
DeWitt Attorney Jeff Goldman Elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and as a Fellow of ACTEC
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle M. Friedman
262-754-2877 | mmf@dewittllp.com
Attorney Jeff Goldman Elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and as a Fellow of ACTEC
MADISON | MILWAUKEE | MINNEAPOLIS – DeWitt LLP law firm announced today attorney Jeff Goldman was recently elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin and was also elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estates Council (ACTEC). ACTEC is a group of peer-elected trust and estate attorneys across the US and abroad. Fellows must have more than 10 years of experience in the active practice of probate and trust law or estate planning, and are elected based on their outstanding reputation, exceptional skill, and substantial contributions to the field by lecturing, writing, teaching and participating in bar activities. It is their aim to improve and reform probate, trust and tax laws, procedures, and professional responsibility.
Goldman is the Chair of the DeWitt’s Trust & Estates Group and focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration and trust, estate, and fiduciary litigation. His clients include everyday people in need of estate planning; beneficiaries of estates or trusts; personal representatives and trustees; banks and trust companies; businesses and individuals needing representation in disputes; and charitable entities looking to achieve tax-exempt status and maintain federal and state compliance.
He has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin Law School where he has taught estate and trust administration and dispute resolution. Goldman earned his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington. He is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, Wisconsin State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association (inactive). He is a Board Member of Breast Cancer Recovery and a former President of the Madison Estate Council. Goldman is a resident of Sun Prairie.
About DeWitt
DeWitt LLP 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, civil rights litigation, construction litigation, corporate law, employment, environmental, employee benefits, estate planning, family law, government relations, health care, litigation, real estate, and tax law. More information is available at dewittllp.com.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS Health Solutions honors commitment to 29 summer interns—virtually
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
DeAnne Boegli, Director of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
WPS Health Solutions honors commitment to 29 summer interns—virtually
MADISON, Wis.—June 23, 2020—With many businesses around the nation canceling, postponing, or shortening their internship programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program at WPS Health Solutions has continued forward—virtually.
The WPS summer intern class of 2020 at WPS is comprised of 29 interns working remotely across nine states. The interns are getting a unique chance to see what business is like when it isn’t business as usual.
The program is being led by Corporate Recruiter Devon Witt and Talent Acquisition Director Tina Wallace. Although the goals of the program remain steadfast, the way it looks this year is very different.
Witt adjusted the program so interns can still gain the opportunities they need to advance their education and careers.
“Many schools were still requiring that the student complete an internship to graduate next year, so I’m proud of WPS and the managers for honoring the commitment made to the interns,” she said. “We had one intern who had multiple internships cancel on her for this summer, but she finally found a home at WPS.”
After finishing their spring semester of classes online, collaborating in a virtual environment isn’t anything new for these interns. WPS was equally as equipped and ready to move onboarding, training, team-building activities, and project work to a remote environment. At its peak, approximately 93% of all WPS employees were working remotely during the pandemic; a voluntary return-to-office program currently is underway.
Managers and the technology team worked together to identify equipment needs for each intern and coordinated the shipments. WPS technology experts then helped the interns resolve any issues with setting up their computers and programs.
In addition to equipment, Witt took extra steps to make sure the interns felt welcomed and connected.
“Starting in March, every other week, I would email them updates on the exciting happenings at WPS. We also mailed a ‘Final Exam Gift,’ which included a 2020 intern T-shirt (designed by last year’s intern class), a gift card, and a personalized note to each intern before kicking things off this summer.”
The Talent Development team conducted the onboarding in two sessions. This is the largest intern class to date, almost twice as large as last year.
Each intern will focus on four main components through the internship program:
- Gaining skills in their functional area of study.
- Gaining exposure to a corporate culture through professional development trainings hosted by the Talent Development team, Executive Speaker Series, as well as day-to-day meetings.
- Gaining project-management and team-building skills by working on the Pay-it-Forward project. The collaborative effort will give next year’s interns new resources based on best practices from the 2020 class.
- Gaining public speaking and leadership skills by presenting their Pay-it-Forward project and everything they have learned to their managers and the executive team.
“All of the interns had a great attitude and outlook coming into the program, so I’m excited to see where the summer takes us,” Witt said.
About WPS Health Solutions
WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.