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
COVID-19 Relief: Extension of COBRA Due Dates
Oct
01
2020
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.
DOL Revises FFCRA Paid Leave Rules
Sep
18
2020
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.
School ReOpening and FFCRA Paid Leave
Sep
18
2020
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.
Top Workplaces and Fastest Growing Firms
Jul
27
2020
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 Joins Vizance as Director of Strategy and Growth
May
06
2020
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."
Risk Management, LLC Joins Vizance
Apr
15
2020
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.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed Into Law
Mar
19
2020
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. The Act includes several provisions to protect American workers and assist employers in providing emergency paid sick leave, as well as paid family leave in the case of school closures, for working families impacted by COVID-19.
The Vizance Coronavirus Resources Page contains more information, including tabs for “Client Resources” and “Useful Links.”
Coronavirus Update
Mar
12
2020
While the number of reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rise, employers are faced with difficult decisions regarding their business practices. Vizance is constantly monitoring the situation and assisting our clients in these decisions. Please reference our Coronavirus Resources Page for more information, including tabs for “Client Resources” and “Useful Links.”
Vizance Adds Green Bay-based Hornick Insurance Services
Jan
06
2020
Vizance recently announced that Green Bay-based Hornick Insurance Services, Inc. joined Vizance on January 1, 2020.
Founded in 1969, Hornick Insurance Services offers business insurance, home and auto insurance, farm insurance, and health insurance. Hornick Insurance Services will continue to operate under that name from its office location in Green Bay. The organization will offer its clients the same trusted advice and excellent service for which it has always been known, now backed by the broad resources of Vizance. Founder and owner Ken Hornick, along with other Hornick family members, will continue with the organization.
"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. His daughter Luanna Hornick, who has been with Hornick Insurance Services for nearly 24 years and will continue to hold a significant role within the agency, added, "For over 50 years, we have been helping our clients manage risk with an extremely high level of service. By joining Vizance, we are pleased to be able to maintain this unprecedented level of customer service while increasing our service offerings."
Vizance, founded in 1978 and based in Hartland, Wisconsin, is a privately-held independent agency offering a broad portfolio of insurance, risk management, employee benefits, and financial service solutions for b
