Jodi Lyon-Grams Brings More Than 20 Years of Experience to The Creative Company

MADISON, WI – The Creative Company welcomes Producer and Publicist Jodi Lyon-Grams to the team. As a former TV news correspondent and producer, Jodi’s work has been on Lifetime, Big Ten Network and numerous PBS affiliates across the country. She has specialized in medical news and health & wellness content as well as travel stories for broadcast and web. Effective media pitching is all about finding the right news hook and Jodi’s experience helps our clients get the media placements they need to move their projects forward.

“Jodi’s decision to join us is a huge boost to The Creative Company. She provides senior-level counseling and expertise that our clients have come to expect,” said Laura Gallagher. “The addition of Jodi to the team strengthens our public affairs team securing our position to help clients achieve their communication and business goals.”

Previously, Jodi worked as a producer for America’s longest-running travel show, Discover Wisconsin, a freelance video producer and editor for regional corporate clients, an on-air reporter for local tv news and a freelance host/producer at Milwaukee Public Television. She’s also produced numerous video news releases for major pharmaceutical companies nationwide.

“I’m thrilled to be working at The Creative Company with a team of wonderfully talented people who serve our clients so well,” said Jodi. “Whether it’s helping a business build a brand or manage a crisis, The Creative Company is a rewarding place to work.”

About The Creative Company, Inc.

The Creative Company is a Public Relations, Web Development, Interactive Digital Media and Marketing Agency located in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1989, The Creative Company is an award-winning team of senior-level, award-winning, branding strategists, designers, artists, digital developers, and PR pros, led by company founder and State of Wisconsin Trailblazer, Laura Gallagher.

Nolin Joins Alliance Board

Contact: Peggy Rynearson, Sr. Public Relations and Events Specialist

608.210.6658; prynearson@the-alliance.org, www.the-alliance.org/news-and-press

NOLIN JOINS ALLIANCE BOARD

MADISON, Wis. (November 13, 2019) ─ Jake Nolin, Director of Human Resources at Rice Lake Weighing Systems, has been appointed to The Alliance Board of Directors effective January 1, 2020.

Among his many duties at Rice Lake Weighing Systems, Jake is leading the charge to provide high-value health care at his company. He said, “Six years ago it became clear that the cost of fully insured health plans is unsustainable for our business, employees and their families. Since then, we have been able to offer better healthcare benefits at a lower cost.” Rice Lake Weighing Systems credits much of its success to its like-minded partners at The Alliance for access to contracted care, Alithias for healthcare pricing transparency and advocacy, and Neopath Health to run Cedar Ridge, a no-cost direct primary care Health Center for their members. Jake says, “once we had the basic tools in place, the most important part became educating and incentivizing our Take Control of Your Health Plan members to be smart healthcare consumers.”

Prior to joining Rice Lake Weighing Systems in 2011, Nolin held human resources leadership positions at Fortune Brands, Newell-Rubbermaid, and GKN. Jake was also a partner at Competitive Dynamics International and a Project Director at The Pacific Institute.

Jake graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. Jake earned an M.B.A. in Human Resource Management and a master’s degree in Business Law with honors from the University of Miami, Florida. Jake is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, a Master Trainer for Mission Directed Work Teams, and a Master Facilitator for Investment In Excellence and Thought Patterns for High Performance.

The Alliance board also includes:

• Richard Campbell, head of human resources, ABS Global, a division of Genus PLC
• Diana Clark, benefits manager, Promega Corporation, Madison, Wis.
• Wendy Culver, chief human resources officer, Mead & Hunt, Madison, Wis.
• Mick Gronewold, owner, Fehr Graham, Rockford, Ill.
• Lisa Henke, risk/benefits manager, County of Walworth, Elkhorn, Wis.
• Brad Olm, vice president of human resources, Gordon Flesch Company, Inc., Madison, Wis.
• Craig Parsons, president, Palmer Johnson Power Systems, Sun Prairie, Wis.
• Kyle Reading, president, Spuncast, Watertown, Wis.
• Larry Pribyl, chief financial officer, Trachte Building Systems, Sun Prairie, Wis.
• Shirley Reif, secretary-treasurer, Crest Foods Company, Inc., Ashton, Ill.

The Alliance Board of Directors works together with staff to set the direction for The Alliance. The Alliance is a not-for-profit cooperative that moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality, and engaging individuals in their health. Members include more than 250 self-funded employers, and multiemployer plans in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

To learn more about The Alliance Board, including biographies, visit: https://the-alliance.org/about-the-alliance/board-of-directors

Beth Dettman Joins M3 Insurance as Chief Financial Officer

Stacy Paré, Marketing Communications Specialist, M3 Insurance
608.288.2779, stacy.pare@m3ins.com

Madison, WI – Beth Dettman has joined M3 Insurance as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and a member of M3’s Executive Operating Committee.  In this role, Beth is responsible for developing initiatives to achieve strategic organizational plans with an emphasis in areas of finance, tax, mergers & acquisitions, and stakeholder alignment. She is committed to fostering key client, community, and professional services relationships on behalf of M3.

Beth has extensive experience in senior management and strategic visioning. Prior to joining M3, she served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Madison Investment Advisors, based in Madison, WI, leading operations, information technology, and cyber security as well as equity and compensation incentive programs. She was with the firm for 23 years, serving as CFO prior to transitioning to COO in 2018.  Beth is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BA in Accounting from Valparaiso University.

“M3’s vibrant history, culture, and community involvement resonate with me professionally and personally,” Beth said. “I look forward to actively participating in the agency’s vision for exemplary client experiences, company growth, and making an impact on our communities.”

M3’s president and CEO, Mike Victorson said, “Beth’s experience, smarts, personality and culture fit make her the ideal person to step into this role. She will be integral to M3’s growth and ability to be a top private and independent agency in the country.”

Beth is an active member of the Madison CFO Roundtable, Middleton Outreach Ministries Resource Development Committee, Food Fight Inc. Board, and Madison Symphony Orchestra Foundation Board. She is a member of the United Way of Dane County’s Women United and Key Club and enjoys volunteering at her church.

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About M3

M3 is the largest insurance broker and risk management firm in the state of Wisconsin. As a top 50 broker 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.

Joshua Murphy Named Commercial Banker, VP at Wisconsin Bank & Trust

CONTACT: Curtis Chrystal
President & CEO
608.203.1224
CChrystal@wisconsinbankandtrust.com

Beth Rowe
Marketing and Public Relations Director, VP
563.589.2059
BRowe@dubuquebank.com 

JOSHUA MURPHY NAMED COMMERCIAL BANKER, VP AT WISCONSIN BANK & TRUST

October 31, 2019 — MADISON, WI — Wisconsin Bank & Trust is pleased to announce that Joshua Murphy has joined the organization as a Commercial Banker, Vice President. Joshua will primarily be responsible for providing customized, consultative commercial banking, treasury management and payment solutions that will help business clients achieve their financial goals. He has over 10 years of experience within the banking industry, which consists of consumer lending, retail management and Treasury Management/Commercial Banking.

“Joshua is an experienced Commercial Banker with a demonstrated history of providing business clients with solutions that accelerate growth, build efficiencies and much more,” said Curtis Chrystal, President and CEO of Wisconsin Bank & Trust. “We are happy to have him help deliver financial expertise and experience to our clients.”

Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management & Finance from Maranatha Baptist University (MBU) in Watertown, Wisconsin. He currently serves as Vice President for a local business networking group, is an active member of the First Tee of South Central Wisconsin’s Young Professional Advisory Council as well as the Monona East Side Business Alliance (MESBA). He is also involved with a local non-profit, Affordable Health Care.

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About Wisconsin Bank and Trust Company

Wisconsin Bank and Trust Company (WBT), a subsidiary of Heartland Financial USA, Inc., (NASDAQ: HTLF), is a state chartered bank with more than $1.031 billion in assets and serving customers throughout our 14 different branches within Wisconsin. The bank specializes in business lending and deposit services, and provides a wide variety of personal credit and deposit services along with complete electronic banking programs. For more information visit www.wisconsinbankandtrust.com or call 877.280.1855. Wisconsin Bank & Trust is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and an Equal Housing Lender.

About Heartland Financial USA, Inc.
Heartland is a diversified financial services company with assets of approximately $12 billion. The company provides banking, mortgage, private client, investment, treasury management, card services, insurance, and consumer finance services to individuals and businesses. Heartland currently has 115 banking locations serving 84 communities in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Texas and California. Additional information about Heartland is available at www.htlf.com.

Joanna Trygstad joins NGL as Vice President, Policy Administration

National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to welcome Joanna K. Trygstad to the team as Vice President, Policy Administration. Trygstad oversees the policy administration services, claims, underwriting, agent support and customer services.

“Joanna is a results-driven collaborative leader who empowers the people on her teams to focus on customer service excellence. Her background in the insurance industry and ability to inspire her teams will help guide our company as we focus on growing and transforming our preneed line of business,” said David M. Anderson, NGL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Most recently, Trygstad was Vice President, Business Transformation at Thrivent Financial. She spent 12 years at the organization in a variety of operations, human resources and strategy leadership roles, with a focus on organizational and operational effectiveness initiatives to continuously improve business alignment and performance.

Prior to joining Thrivent, she served in an operations management role at an online university dedicated to providing equal access for higher education. Additionally, Trygstad is an experienced international corporate and executive coach for all management levels.

“I’m excited to join NGL. I look forward to collaborating across all teams to further strengthen our top-notch customer service for agents and policyholders,” said Trygstad.

Trygstad holds a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance and International Business from University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and German from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn. Trygstad participated in exchange programs during both undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Freiburg in Germany and University of Sankt Gallen in Switzerland, respectively. Trygstad earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt in 2011.

Growing up in the mountains of Northern California, Trygstad is passionate about conservation and global resiliency. Trygstad has been active with various organizations engaged in the development and deployment of micro-insurance solutions in emerging markets, and she has volunteered multiple times internationally with Habitat for Humanity. She currently lives in Appleton, Wis. with her husband, Andy, and two sons.

About NGL

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

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