Associate Joyce Seib comments about enjoying her reserved parking spot on a cold Wisconsin day. Seib won the parking spot in a raffle drawing for associates who donated to the United Way.

"So excited to arrive at work on a very cold winter morning and be able to park soooooo close to the door.  I was sure, with my  luck, the weather as of February 1, 2014 would have improved to at least 30+ degrees!

Sorry my fellow co-workers but I am going to enjoy at least one week of this and then I will be happy to see it warm up!"

YUM! A variety of cupcakes were enjoyed by associates as a celebratory treat for making West Bend a Top Workplace in 2013!

Pathfinder team-building meets Art Month at West Bend

The Pathfinder Program welcomes new associates to West Bend by matching them with an established associate to learn more about West Bend’s environment and culture. As a team-building exercise, Stacie, from Uptown Art of Sussex, instructed the group in creating a beautiful painting on canvas. Some of the pieces were on display in the Terrace after the event. The inspiration for the painting is the sculpture of the tree with one acorn near the main entrance; the detail of the clouds represents The Silver Lining®.

Hank hits a home run at West Bend

Hundreds of West Bend associates lined up Monday afternoon to meet and have their pictures taken with Hank the dog, the Milwaukee Brewers’ unofficial mascot. He didn’t disappoint.

Hank, a Bichon mix, was escorted by Brewers executives and joined associates in the Terrace for the hour-long event. After greeting the audience with a few barks, Hank was seated on a table where he was photographed with associates. He was the perfect gentleman ... no growls, no accidents.

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West Bend Mutual Insurance Company is the Number One Best Place to Work in Southeast Wisconsin!

West Bend ranked first on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s list of 2014 Top Workplaces in the large company category, moving up from second place in 2013! This honor was announced Friday, June 6 when the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel hosted the fifth annual Top Workplaces awards breakfast. A record number of employers in southeastern Wisconsin participated this year, so 150 Top Workplaces were actually recognized.

“At West Bend, we always strive to be a winning organization and we’ve made tremendous strides in accomplishing this,” said Kevin Steiner, president and CEO. “We went from the third-best company in 2012 to the second-best in 2013. Our number-one ranking this year is evidence of the great work our 1,100 associates are doing to be that winning organization. I’m very proud of every one of our associates and their commitment to excellence.” The rankings are based solely on an associate survey that was completed last December. We’re honored to have been selected for the award, especially since our associates were the judges!

Associates celebrated West Bend's number one spot with yummy treats from Kelley's Country Creamery of Fond du Lac.

Associates were also given the special privilege to dress casually the entire month of June! Jeans, flip-flops, t-shirts, and tennis shoes were all given the "green light." Below, Kevin Steiner, Nel Smith, Tiffany Hildebrandt, and Tracey Berg show their summer spirit with brightly colored flip-flops! 

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4th Annual DogJog Fundraiser

Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club’s Famous Racing Sausages™ made an appearance at the 4th DogJog and Picnic (formerly known as Brat Trot and Brat Fry) on Monday, June 16! West Bend officers were paired with a Racing Sausage to compete in some fun events, including a three-legged race! Associates also enjoyed a tailgate lunch of hot dogs and root beer floats. All proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Christmas Families from Chix for a Cause.

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2014 WBMIC scholarships awarded to local students

We’re happy to announce the 2014 West Bend Mutual Insurance Company
scholarship winners!

• Katherine Von Bank – winner of the WBMI Associates’ Children Scholarship
• Zach Galante – winner of the WBMI Columns Scholarship
• Samuel Blawat – winner of the WBMI KEYS Scholarship
• Jessa Ehlinger – winner of the WBMI Honours Scholarship

Katherine Von Bank is the daughter of Terry and Kevin Von Bank. Terry is an IT manager at West Bend. Katherine attends Menomonee Falls High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Health Care Academy, Student Council, and Living the Life of an Athlete. Katherine played four years of high school volleyball and more than four years for the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club. She was named to the Second Team All Conference two years in a row. She was also co-captain of the team when she and her teammates won the State Championship in 2013. Katherine enjoys volunteering for the Special Olympics, working with physically-disabled young children at volleyball camps. Katherine will attend the University of Madison where she plans to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences.

Zach Galante attends West Bend East High School. He’s the son of Kurt and Michelle Galante. Zach is an Eagle Scout, a Vigil Honor Member, and has been on the French Exchange through the high schools. He’s been involved in Key Club, performed in six musicals, and has logged more than 400 hours of volunteer work. Zach will attend the University of St. Thomas where he’ll study business administration and Catholic studies with a minor in French.

Samuel Blawat, the son of Michael and Ruth Blawat, attends Kewaskum High School. He plans to go to Wisconsin Lutheran College and major in biology and psychology.

Slinger High School senior, Jessa Ehlinger, was selected for Badger Girls State and was the Rotary Academic Student of the Month in November. She’s won many first- and second-place trophies for forensics and has won a myriad of “starred first” awards (the highest honor) at solo and ensemble for singing and playing the cello. Jessa is a tutor for dyslexic and ADHD children, as well as a member of the Human Rights and Diversity Clubs. She plans to attend Wisconsin Lutheran College and major in biology with a minor in Spanish. She would like to become a veterinarian.

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