Members In The News

GREEN BAY INSURANCE AGENCY JOINS VIZANCE

Vizance vice president Dimas Ocampo and president Jeff Cardenas. Courtesy of Vizance

(January 6, 2020) — Green Bay-based Hornick Insurance Services joined Vizance, a Hartland-based independent insurance agency.

Hornick, which specializes in auto, farm and health insurance, will continue to operate under the same name from its office in Green Bay, according to a press release.

“We are excited to join one of the fastest-growing insurance agencies in the state and to be able to provide additional tools and resources that are available with Vizance,” said Ken Hornick, owner of Hornick Insurance Services.

Hornick’s team of six will join Vizance, which has a total of 130 employees.

Founded in 1978, Vizance is a privately-held independent agency that offers a broad portfolio of insurance, risk management, employee benefits and financial services for businesses and individuals.

Vizance intends to hire more team members to the Hornick Insurance Services team, said Jeff Cardenas, president of Vizance. The addition of Hornick is an example of the company’s strategic expansion across Wisconsin, Cardenas added.

“I think it’s really just continuing to expand our geographic presence in Wisconsin,” said Jeff Cardenas, Vizance president “This now takes us from Kenosha to Green Bay.”

Vizance has merged with several other Wisconsin-based independent agencies, including Valley Insurance Associates in 2017, Sparks insurance in 2018 and Diedrich Agency in 2019. Despite merging with Vizance, many of the companies have retained their identity.

“There’s so much brand equity these companies have built in their communities,” Cardenas said. “That’s important to us and in line with who we are as a company, with our culture and our focus on local communities.”

JAKE HUBER JOINS INTEGRITY AS TERRITORY SALES MANAGER

APPLETON, WI (January 14, 2020) — Integrity Insurance, a property & casualty carrier headquartered in Appleton, WI, is pleased to announce Jake Huber has joined the company as Territory Sales Manager for Minnesota.

Based in Minnesota, Huber will be responsible for developing and implementing sales action plans with agency partners to drive new business while supporting retention and profitability, as well as, increase Integrity’s presence in Minnesota.

“Jake brings extensive knowledge of the independent agency channel, industry experience and the drive to help our agency partners succeed”, said Integrity’s District Sales Manager Cathy Colón. “His experience in the industry will make a valuable contribution to the Integrity sales team.”

Prior to joining Integrity, Huber was a Field Sales Specialist with CNA Insurance in Minneapolis. Huber holds more than 10 years of experience in the insurance industry from both the carrier and agent aspect.

About Integrity Insurance Integrity Insurance was established in 1933 and headquartered in Appleton, WI. Integrity offers auto, home, business and life insurance protection through a network of independent agents throughout Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. With partner Grange Insurance based in Columbus, Ohio — the 13-state Grange Enterprise has nearly $3 billion in assets and $1.2 billion in annual revenue and holds an A.M. Best rating of “A” (Excellent). For more information, visit integrityinsurance.com.

ACUITY’S REVENUE EXCEEDED $1.6 BILLION IN 2019

Sheboygan, WI (January 20, 2020) — Sheboygan-based property

and casualty insurer Acuity announced that it reached a new business and new annual revenue record in 2019.

The company had revenue of $1.66 billion 2019 while revenue in 2018 was $1.54 billion. Acuity also attracted a total of $277.5 million in new business last year.

“Our growth shows that Acuity is trusted wholeheartedly by more individual families and businesses than ever before to protect what matters,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity president and chief executive officer.

Acuity attributes its 10th consecutive year of premium expansion to “balanced growth across personal and commercial lines and throughout its entire operating territory.”

In personal lines, Acuity reached $410 million in written premium and achieved its 23rd consecutive year of growth. The company also set a record in a written premium for commercial lines at $1.25 billion and for quote requests at or 87,000.

Th insurer has hired 900 employees over the past five years and nearly 200 in 2019, the company said in a statement.

Acuity operates in 27 states and insures more than 100,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos. It has more than 1,300 employees.

“Thank you to our dedicated agents and employees who provide the driving force behind our growth,” Salzmann said. “We are starting 2020 with remarkable momentum and look forward to the years ahead.”

Acuity’s headquarters in Sheboygan has a 2,000-person theater-in-the-round.

PATTI BLASCHKA WINS 1ST ANNUAL JACK RYAN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

January 2020 (Milwaukee, WI) Robertson Ryan & Associates presented their 1st Annual Jack Ryan Community Service Award during their Holiday Luncheon in December. The award is established in honor of one of our illustrious founders, Jack Ryan, whose inclusive vision is one we carry on today. At Robertson Ryan we make it a priority to volunteer and donate to local non-profits. Collectively we recognize our business is about people and the communities we serve. It is our shared goal to make wide reaching and positive impacts where we live and work.

Milwaukee-based Agent, Patti Blaschka, is the inaugural winner. The Jack Ryan Community Service Award recognizes Patti for her excellence in the community. Patti’s dedication to animal welfare, both locally and nationally, as well as her commitment to the commercial real estate industry and her overall support of community, non-profits and people in general have earned her this badge. Patti received multiple nominations from her peers.

”My volunteer work is extremely rewarding, especially supporting the staff and people who work in the animal community every day. They have a high rate of compassion fatigue, given what they see and do every day. I want to be a bright spot to all of their work and remind them why they are doing what they do. Being able to give back monetarily relieves some of the budgetary pressure they also have to deal with,” said Patti Blaschka. Some of Patti’s community service endeavors include:

• Elmbrook Humane Society, Annual Wagfest Fundraiser Committee – (2007 - Present) Patti was one of the founding members of this event in 2006. It is now Elmbrook’s largest annual fundraiser.

• Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies Board of Directors – (2012 - Present) This is animal welfare organization serving animal shelters and rescue groups in the State of Wisconsin providing resources and educational opportunities to the members as well as promoting and advancing humane care of all animals. In 2020, Patti is cochairing their annual 2-day conference.

• Washington County Humane Society Board of Directors – (2019 – Present)

• Urban Ecology Center’s Development Committee – (2018 – Present) Robertson Ryan via Patti is an annual sponsor for their Summer Solstice and Hike Milwaukee events.

• WCREW- Annual Showcase Commercial Real Estate Awards Committee/Judge Liaison – (2017 – Present)

• RRA Community Service Day at Elmbrook Humane Society – (2018 - Present)

• Monetary contributions to low cost spay/neuter clinics and medical need funds directed to families that cannot otherwise afford these services

Robertson Ryan & Associates and their industry partners United Heartland and Accident Fund donated $2,000 to Patti’s charity of choice, which she graciously matched.