Members in the News

ACUITY’S 2020 FINANCIAL RESULTS HIGHLIGHT Members in the N ws e STRENGTH, CONSISTENCY

Sheboygan, WI (February 2, 2021) - Acuity released its 2020 financial results, which demonstrated the insurer’s continued strength, stability, and growth.

In 2020, Acuity grew its policyholders’ surplus—essential for fulfilling its promise of financial protection to customers—to nearly $3 billion, finishing the year at $2.929 billion (GAAP). Additionally, assets climbed nearly 13 percent to $5.8 billion (GAAP).

“Throughout the challenges of COVID-19, Acuity didn’t skip a beat,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. “When the world paused, Acuity didn’t. We were always open for business, serving customers and writing new business. And despite providing millions of dollars in rate relief to personal auto customers impacted by COVID-19, we emerged from 2020 stronger than ever.”

In 2020, Acuity also combined outstanding financial performance with strong revenue growth. With a company record-setting $319.9 million in new business in 2020, Acuity reached an all-time high in written premium in 2020 of $1.781 billion, an increase of more than $122 million over 2019.

“We will continue to build on our foundation of financial strength as we deliver consistent performance our customers depend on,” Salzmann said. “We are starting 2021 with remarkable momentum and look forward to the years ahead.”

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 29 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,400 people.

ROBERTSON RYAN WELCOMES TWO NEW SHAREHOLDERS

Milwaukee, WI (February 3, 2021) - Robertson Ryan continues to be very proud of our unique operating model, very different from the traditional corporate or family owned agency set-up. Our Agent Owner concept was radically different when founded 60 years ago and it proudly remains so today. Jack Ryan, one of our founders, preferred to think of the agency as a collection of insurance professionals who exhibited rugged individualism and entrepreneurialism who all share in the success of the firm together. Robertson Ryan & Associates is happy to announce their two newest Robertson Ryan Shareholders.

We’re very proud to welcome Patti Blaschka and Pat Skaar to the Shareholder Group. They have both demonstrated industry sales success, community involvement and a strong commitment to our agency.

Patti started her insurance career in claims management at Wausau Insurance Company shortly after graduating from UW Stevens Point. She eventually moved to Chubb Insurance in Milwaukee as an underwriter specializing in commercial and international risk underwriting. In 2006 Patti began a new journey as a licensed independent agent with Veitenhaus Insurance Services, eventually becoming partner/owner before joining the Robertson Ryan team in 2016.

Patti specializes in both commercial and personal insurance products, working with a variety of industry segments and risk of all sizes. Her niche areas include manufacturing, marina-related programs for yacht clubs, marinas, boat dealers, boat rental operations, dinner cruises as well as products for the pet industry including veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, kennels, dog day cares and animal welfare organizations. Patti is passionate about animals, and very active in supporting humane societies and various animal rescue groups. She currently serves on the state level board of directors for the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies and serves locally on the board for Washington County Humane. Patti and her husband Todd live in Glendale, WI.

Pat has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years and holds the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). He joined Robertson Ryan & Associates in 2006 when the agency he was with, Grade Schaller Insurance, joined Robertson Ryan. He looks at the last 10+ years as an amazing opportunity to be part of a Top 100 US Agency that is Wisconsin based. Dating back to his childhood, he has fond memories of a good friend’s dad who was an Independent Insurance Agent in their town and remembers him as a successful, well respected member of the community. While attending UW-Stevens Point Pat worked part-time for Sentry Insurance in sales support and was able to learn a lot about the industry before making a successful career of it for himself. Pat’s primary focus is working with commercial clients. He enjoys the many moving pieces, asking questions, listening to concerns and needs, and ultimately tailoring an insurance program for them. He has expansive experience working with many different types of clients ranging from contractors, trucking, manufacturing (from machine shops to food manufacturing), habitational/apartments, home health care and many more. Pat and his wife, Anne, live in West Salem, WI. They enjoy outdoor activities and living an active lifestyle in scenic Western Wisconsin with their son & two daughters.

SECURA INSURANCE ANNOUNCED ITS LEADING AGENCIES FOR 2020 -

Coverra Insurance Services, Inc. and North Risk Partners, LLC Take Home Top Awards

Neenah, Wis. (Feb. 10, 2021) – SECURA Insurance announced its leading agencies for 2020, naming Coverra Insurance Services, Inc. and North Risk Partners, LLC as the TopPerforming Agencies.

The awards were presented at a virtual ceremony earlier this month during the company’s annual Premier Agent Professional Development Conference. Coverra Insurance Services, Inc is headquartered in Sparta, Wis. North Risk Partners, LLC is headquartered in St. Cloud, Minn.

To earn this prestigious recognition, independent agencies met specific criteria based on their premium volume, profitability, growth, retention, and loss history with the insurance carrier. “Each year we look forward to recognizing our top agents at our annual Premier Conference,” said Tim Heyroth, SECURA Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. “Although this year’s conference looked different in a virtual format instead of in person, we still wanted to recognize our agents’ successes. Our independent agents allow us to serve their best customers, our policyholders, and this recognition is a celebration of our shared success.”

Four additional agencies received top-performing agency awards: • AssuredPartners of Minnesota of St. Paul, Minn. • United Agents of Arizona of Gilbert, Ariz. • Van Wyk Risk Solutions of Grand Rapids, Mich. • Vaaler Insurance, Inc. of Grand Forks, N.D.

ABOUT SECURA INSURANCE SECURA Insurance is headquartered in Neenah, Wis. Approximately 550 independent insurance agencies in 12 states represent the company, which provides a broad range of competitive commercial, personal, farm, nonprofit, and special events products. It is known for providing exceptional service to its agents and policyholders since 1900, and is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best for its excellent ability to meet policyholder obligations. The carrier is a Ward’s Top 50 company for outstanding results in financial performance and consistency over a five-year period, and it is a certified Great Place to Work. Visit secura.net to learn more.

WEST BEND NAMED ONE OF AMERICA’S BEST MIDSIZE EMPLOYERS

recognized on Forbes’ annual list of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2021. The company ranked 74th of 500 the companies named to the list.

Forbes and Statista selected America’s Best Midsize Employers based on an independent survey of approximately 38,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations. The surveys were administered using a series of online panels and provide a representative sample of the U.S. workforce. All surveys were anonymous, and respondents were asked to rate how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others. In addition, respondents nominated other organizations, as well as identified organizations they would not recommend.

“West Bend has repeatedly been recognized for our outstanding culture,” said Kevin Steiner, president and CEO. “In the past several years, we’ve received numerous awards for being one of America’s best employers.

“At West Bend we know our greatest asset is our associates. With them, we’ve created a collaborative work environment that has really become the foundation of our culture. While being together is key to collaboration, we also understand it’s important to provide our associates with flexibility in their work schedules. We’ve always worked hard, and will continue to work hard, to create a workplace that’s a destination for our associates.”

Other companies on this national list include Carvana in Tempe, Arizona; Serta in Doraville, Georgia; Portillo’s Restaurants in Oak Brook, Illinois; Hasbro in Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and Dropbox in San Francisco.

WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

WEST BEND, WI (February 16, 2021) – West Bend Mutual Insurance Company recently announced two promotions.

Tammy Muckerheide has been promoted to assistant vice president- Commercial Underwriting. Muckerheide has been with West Bend for 35 years, serving in a variety of roles within the Commercial Lines division, including director of Commercial Underwriting.

Marc Emery has been promoted to assistant vice president- Commercial Underwriting. Emery joined West Bend in 2015 with a combined 15 years of management and agency experience. He previously served as director of Commercial Underwriting.