MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Sheboygan, WI (3/3/22) - Acuity is named a Top Entry Level Employer for 2022 by CollegeGrad.com, ranked at 178 out of 500 companies on the list. The insurer plans to hire 130 employees this year.

“Based on the ‘normal’ of today, we are continuing to expand our hybrid, flexible work policy with our expanded geographical recruiting throughout our operating territory,” said Joan Ravanelli Miller, Acuity General Counsel and Vice President - Human Resources.

“Acuity’s staff expansion is an investment in our future,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. “Our continued growth means that not only are we able to provide rewarding jobs to new hires, but also to offer tremendous advancement potential for employees who seek it.”

The insurer will hire staff across all areas of its operations, including processors, underwriters, programmers, technical support staff, analysts, claims professionals, loss control representatives, field staff, maintenance staff, and others. For more information, visit www.acuity.com/careers.

Acuity has earned multiple awards as a great place to work, including being named to Forbes’ America’s Best Midsize Employers list (ranked at #26 in the nation out of 500 companies on the list), named to Forbes’ lists of America’s Best-in-State Employers, and ranked #1 in the nation among Glassdoor’s 20 Highest Rated Companies for Work/Life Balance During COVID-19 for two consecutive years.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 30 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,500 people.

West Bend, WI (3/10/22) - Kathleen M. Creighton has been elected to the board of directors of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company in West Bend. Creighton recently transitioned from the U.S. Navy after a 33-year career, including six years as a Rear Admiral. She was one of a few Information Warfare Community Flag Officers specializing in cybersecurity, information technology (IT) solutions, network operations, and C4ISR capabilities. Creighton has led large organizations with global footprints for the past six years. These include Director, Command, Control, and Communications and Computers at U.S. Indo Pacific Command, where she directed cyberspace operations and enabled assured communications for 375,000 U.S. forces in theater.

Creighton brings communications, cybersecurity, IT, and cloud strategy policy and governance expertise to West Bend’s board. “Kathleen’s exceptional leadership and prestigious career within the U.S. Navy will bring a truly unique perspective to our already talented board. We’re pleased Kathleen has joined this impressive group,” stated Kevin Steiner, West Bend president, and CEO.

Creighton is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program, where she graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a Master of Science in Information Technology Management.

Fond du Lac, WI (3/11/22) - Kent Erickson, Bonnie Narance and Steph Schweitzer are the latest recipients ofthe Society Insurance Customer ExperienceAward. This award is presented to employees nominated by their colleagues for exceptional efforts in serving Society Insurance policyholders.

Erickson is a senior commercial underwriter who has built a trusted relationship with Society’s largest agency partner. His honest, fair and consistent approach is mutually beneficial for the agency and Society Insurance.

The co-worker who nominated Erickson noted that “No other underwriter at Society – nor any other company that I can think of – has developed a relationship as strong. ”In addition to producing top results for total premium, new premium and underwriting profit, Erickson prioritizes mentoring and developing his fellow underwriters. Neenah, WI (3/21/22) -Sarah Krause was named as SECURA Insurance’s new Vice President – Human Resources.

In her role as a trainer – support specialist with Society’s finance team, Narance delivers a positive experience for customers with billing transactions or questions. Her daily responsibilities include resolving customer billing issues, reviewing invoices, notices and reinstatements, coordinating tasks and serving as a subjectmatter expert for best practice guides and complex questions. Narance’s cheerful customer-first approach has fostered many enduring relationships with Society’s agents.

Schweitzer, a staff underwriting specialist, plays a critical role in designing the customer underwriting experience for businesses in Society’s new expansion states while also maintaining the legacy systems utilized by other states. Her work on the straightthrough processing functionality in Society’s agent portal is a key piece of the company’s business transformation. Schweitzer possesses a unique ability to consistently put the customer’s concerns first while preserving a balance between internal and external business needs.

In recognition of these Customer Experience Awards, Society has donated $250 to each winner’s charity of choice. Erickson and Narance chose the Fond du Lac Humane Society; Schweitzer chose the Fondy Food Pantry. Krause returns to SECURA from Integrity Insurance Company, where most recently she served as AVP Enterprise Transformation Operations, leading the selection and execution of new strategic partnerships to co-create solutions that would accelerate business transformation. Prior to this, Krause was AVP Talent Management and Operations with responsibility for all functions of human resources, facilities, and support services. During her tenure, she successfully led the merger of people, practices, and policies across sister companies Grange and Integrity.

Previously, Krause worked for SECURA as a Commercial Underwriting Director. She also held roles with Jewelers Mutual and AFLAC. Krause holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in risk management and insurance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and has her CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), ARM (Associate in Risk Management), AU (Associate in Underwriting), and ARe (Associate in Reinsurance) designations. She serves on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin.

“We’re excited to welcome Sarah back to SECURA” said Marty Arnold, SVP and Chief Underwriting Officer. “Her strong operational knowledge combined with her passion for helping people succeed will help us maintain We’re invested in the long-term success of our associates, clients and communities our genuine culture as we continue to grow profitably.”

If you’re looking to join an organization who is truly invested in your long-term success, visit johnsonfinancialgroup.com/join-insurance to learn more.