Sarah Ocampo, Author at Vizance

Vizance recently announced that Kenosha-based Valeri Agency, Inc. will join Vizance, Inc. effective July 1, 2021. Valeri Agency has been a leader in the insurance industry since 1959, offering business insurance, employee benefits, and personal lines insurance to their valued clients. Valeri Agency believes that insurance is a profession as well as a business, so their associates are always on the leading edge of insurance trends and technology in order to provide the best service for their clients’ needs. Jeff Valeri, an owner of Valeri Agency, said: “There were other routes we could have gone when deciding who to partner with, but we chose Vizance because of their alignment in philosophy and way of doing business. Vizance is a community agency, and over the past few years have become a great option for other community agencies to join with them. They realize the importance of continuing our presence in the Kenosha community, and look to support and grow the integral relationships we’ve built and developed over the years.” Vizance, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Hartland, Wisconsin, is a privately-held independent agency offering a broad portfolio of insurance, including risk management, employee benefits, and financial service solutions for businesses and individuals. The agency has been named as one of the area’s “Top Workplaces,” “Fastest Growing Firms,” and “Best Places to Work” by local media sources. Vizance has joined with several

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently released its annual list of Top Workplaces, and Vizance is listed as #18 on the “Small Companies” list. Vizance was one of a very small number of independent insurance agencies on the list. Additionally, the Milwaukee Business Journal published its annual list of Largest Area Independent Insurance Agencies today. Vizance is number 6 on the list, up from number 7 last year. This list includes our locations in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties. Vizance was also recognized in the top five insurance agencies that have the most offices in the seven-county Milwaukee area.

Vizance was recently honored to be featured in Donegal's newsletter. Donegal is carrier partner of Vizance's, and the article highlights some of the key points in Vizance's history. Donegal Article about Vizance

Vizance recently announced that Racine-based David Insurance Agency, Inc. will join Vizance effective January 1, 2021. Founded in 1950, David Insurance has focused on providing businesses and individuals with exceptional service and expert advice for 70 years. The David Insurance team of associates will continue to operate under the David name from their offices in Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Sister Bay. Agency Principals Chris Antonneau, Jon Antonneau, Dan Antonneau, and Steve Chomeau will continue with the organization as partners in the new entity. “By partnering with Vizance, we are joining an agency with the foundation of a firm built to last and committed to being leaders in associate loyalty and client relationships. As our team evaluated a partnership, it was extremely important that a partner not only brought additional resources for clients but was also singularly focused on and committed to the insurance business with an operating model of regional leadership. We are very excited that we are joining a firm incredibly well positioned for the future,” said David Insurance President Chris Antonneau. Vizance has joined with several other Wisconsin-based independent agencies, including Valley Insurance Associates in 2017, Sparks Insurance in 2018, the Diedrich Agency in 2019, Hornick Insurance Services in 2020, and Risk Management, LLC in 2020. “We have known and admired the team at David Insurance for many years, and we are excited about the prosp

Earlier this year, the Department of Labor and Treasury Department (the “Departments”) issued a Final Regulation extending certain due dates under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The guidance, intended to provide relief for participants impacted by COVID-19, essentially suspends the COBRA election and payment deadlines during the declared National Emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic. The guidance issued by the Departments and the administrative considerations for employers in complying with the extension of the COBRA due dates can be found here.

The Department of Labor has issued a revised final rule (the “Revised Rule”) under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The Revised Rule, issued in response to a recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, reaffirms, clarifies and revises parts of the Department’s August 1, 2020, rule interpreting the paid leave provisions of the FFCRA. Click here for more information.

As September approaches school districts throughout Wisconsin are announcing their re-opening plans. The plans, which vary widely across counties and even among school districts within the same county, range from fully virtual to all students physically present to hybrid plans combining in-person and virtual learning. Employers should understand how these different re-opening plans affect the employers’ obligations and employees’ rights to paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Read here for more information.

Vizance was recently named to two highly-regarded Milwaukee-area lists: Top Workplaces and Fastest Growing Firms. The Top Workplaces list is based upon associate feedback, and recognizes organizations that demonstrate drivers of associate-focused cultures. The Fastest Growing Firms list recognizes a limited number of organizations that have recorded high percentages of growth over the previous three years. Vizance is extremely appreciative of our associates and clients for their loyalty and dedication. Thank you for your support!

Tom Schaetz has joined Vizance as a Shareholder and Director of Strategy and Growth. Prior to joining Vizance, Tom held various leadership positions at Top 100 insurance firms. Tom began his career at Price Waterhouse Coopers, and later consulted with hundreds of insurance firms during his time as Senior Vice President at MarshBerry. His specialties include assisting agencies with their growth goals and objectives, implementing best practices, and assembling strong teams. Tom holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and is a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). "Vizance's culture of putting associates first, a focus on continuous improvement, and a strong commitment to growth with the underpinnings of a firm built to last, attracted me to Vizance. Those are concepts that are often claimed, but very rarely executed upon, and I'm excited to join Vizance on this journey," said Tom. Jeff Cardenas, President of Vizance, reiterated Tom's comments. "The last several years have brought sustained growth and the development of a strong and deep foundation upon which Vizance will continue to grow. Tom's unique background and depth of experiences will allow us to calibrate our organization, both structurally and operationally, in order to continue improving that foundation and further accelerate our growth."

Vizance recently announced that New Berlin-based Risk Management, LLC joined Vizance on April 1, 2020. Since 2005, Risk Management, LLC has been focusing on offering business insurance, personal insurance, and health insurance. Owners Jim and Carla Hageny and Steve Young will continue with the organization, along with other members of the Risk Management team. “We are elated to join forces with Vizance, which operates with the same values as we do. Our clients will continue to enjoy the same level of unmatched service but with the benefit of additional resources,” said Jim Hageny. “Jim and Carla, together with their team, have earned a reputation based on outstanding service and expertise that we are proud to add to the Vizance family,” said Vizance President Jeff Cardenas. “This partnership will provide clients access to even greater service offerings.” Risk Management, LLC specializes in business insurance, personal insurance, and health insurance. The agency is located at 21420 W. Greenfield Avenue, Suite 100, New Berlin, Wisconsin.

Author: Sarah Ocampo

Valeri Agency Joins Vizance

Vizance Recognized as Top Workplace and One of Area’s Largest Independent Insurance Agencies

Vizance Highlighted in Donegal Newsletter

David Insurance Agency Joins Vizance

COVID-19 Relief: Extension of COBRA Due Dates

DOL Revises FFCRA Paid Leave Rules

School ReOpening and FFCRA Paid Leave

Top Workplaces and Fastest Growing Firms

Tom Schaetz Joins Vizance as Director of Strategy and Growth

Risk Management, LLC Joins Vizance