More than 70 associates joined company President Rob Jacques for a walk around the West Bend prairie during the inaugural Jacques Jaunt supporting the American Heart Association. Thanks to all the associates who joined us to support healthy hearts and the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.

Over 1,300 attended West Bend’s second Silver Lining Summit. The week wrapped up on Thursday with an All-Associate Conference and block party. The event brought together associates from 22 states for four days to attend department conferences, participate in professional development workshops, and build relationships through social activities. Culture is important at West Bend, and this opportunity allowed colleagues to engage face-to-face and develop relationships - which, in the end, benefits the independent agents and policyholders the company serves. 

West Bend was recently honored with inclusion on two lists of exemplary workplaces! We’re thrilled to have been named a top 2023 employer on these lists:

• Business Insurance and the Best Companies Group: Best Places to Work in Insurance
• Great Place to Work® and Fortune Magazine: Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™

Inclusion on these lists is based on anonymous feedback on employee surveys. We’re excited to be recognized for having high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction and thank our associates for continuing to make West Bend a special place to work.

At West Bend, we have many associate interest groups you can join when you come aboard our team, such as the Swines and Bovines club. At our July 4th celebration this year, we soaked up the sun on our patio while enjoying a wide assortment of delicious cuisine from our very own BBQ pitmasters, Swines and Bovines! The celebration also featured yard games and various summer raffle prizes to win!

West Bend was announced as the first-place winner in the large company category for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Top Workplaces in Southeast Wisconsin. We continue to be thankful for our dedicated employees who help make West Bend a positive and rewarding place to work. 

In addition to the top workplace award, Kevin Steiner, CEO of West Bend, was honored with the Leadership Award as the result of the top workplace survey. 

We had a blast yesterday celebrating Cinco De Mayo at our home office in West Bend. It was a great opportunity for us to come together as a team and enjoy some delicious food and drinks. There was even a chance to win a piñata for your department! We're proud to work for a company that values both hard work and a good time!

Our Madison location was named a top place to work again! Thank you to our associates for all your hard work, dedication and positive attitudes. 

Last Thursday, we ended our workday with celebrating St. Patrick's Day at the office! Our festivities kicked off with another Jammin' Jim's Strategy Spotlight show followed by a performance from our company band, Bending West. 

Our Personal Lines team showed off their creativity as they decked out their rows with fun and amusing Christmas decorations. Each row came up with a different holiday theme, and the teams worked together to bring their ideas to life while spreading Christmas cheer throughout our halls and campus! 

The beautiful snowflakes covered our ground and buildings today! It was fun to take a little afternoon break, grab some complimentary hot popcorn, and watch the snowfall!