Bubbler Executive Appointments and Awards

Acuity adds Trescott to board of directors
Cedarburg resident and retired Acuity Insurance executive Harold “Hal” Trescott has been named to the company’s board of directors.
Trescott had served on Acuity’s staff for nearly 35 years before retiring in 2003 as the company’s senior vice president of finance and treasurer.
Since his retirement, Trescott has remained connected to ACUITY. For the past three years, he has served as a financial consultant, working with the board’s audit committee and officer audit committee.
Acuity, headquartered in Sheboygan, is a property and casualty insurer that operates in 19 states, writes $750 million in premium through more than 900 independent agencies, and manages more than $2 billion in assets.

Haney to retire from WMC
James Haney announced he will retire as president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the state’s largest business association.
Thomas Howatt, president and CEO of Wausau Paper, Mosinee, and WMC board chair, informed the WMC board of directors at its meeting in Spring Green today that he had received notice that Haney intends to retire in 2011.
Haney, 65, joined WMC in 1984 as executive vice president and became president in 1985.
Howatt announced that a WMC leadership transition plan had been approved by the board’s executive committee and that a search committee will be appointed to direct the succession process, with the intention of naming Haney’s successor by the second quarter of 2011.
"Under Jim Haney’s leadership, WMC has become the leading voice of business in Wisconsin," Howatt said.  "Jim has worked tirelessly on behalf of business and job creation in our state and his efforts have made Wisconsin a better place to live and work."
In brief remarks to the board, Haney noted WMC will celebrate its first 100 years in 2011.
"I will have had the privilege of leading this great organization for 26 of those years – with the support of the finest and most dedicated business association staff anyone could want," Haney said.  "As we start our next 100 years as the Voice of Wisconsin Business, it feels like the right time to hand the reins to new leadership."

Catholic Knights board elects Cardinal Stritch CFO as its new chairman
Milwaukee-based Catholic Knights/Catholic Family announced that Thomas VanHimbergen has been elected chairman of its board of directors.
“I am extremely humbled to have been elected by my peers to this key leadership position for the new society,” said VanHimbergen. “I look forward to working closely with the 18 board members in concert with the president/CEO.”
VanHimbergen currently serves as executive vice president for administration and chief financial officer for Cardinal Stritch University.
He has served on the Catholic Knights Board of Directors since 2004 and the executive, audit, finance and technology, investments and compensation committees over the past six years.
“Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position” said president and CEO Bill O’Toole. “His 39 years of corporate and non-profit leadership make him an excellent choice to help lead the Catholic Knights/Catholic Family Board of Directors.”

Associated Bank expands commercial team in Chicago

Associated Bank announced it is building its commercial banking presence in the Chicago market with the addition of several senior level managers.
“The addition of these industry leaders is in keeping with our plans to grow and expand in the Chicago and Illinois markets,” said executive vice president Mark Sander, who joined Associated Bank in September 2009 and leads commercial banking for the company.
Donna Smith has been named executive vice president and commercial banking director for the south region. Smith brings more than 30 years of commercial banking experience to Associated Bank. Most recently, she held the position of global commercial banking market executive within the Midwest region of Bank of America.
Robert Swanson has been named commercial banking regional manager for the bank’s south region. Swanson has more than 30 years of commercial banking experience in the Chicago market. Most recently, he served as senior vice president, group head for Fifth Third Bank.
Rod Murray joins Associated Bank as commercial banking middle market manager, Illinois. Murray comes to Associated from The PrivateBank, Chicago, where he was managing director and division head for a middle market commercial lending team.
“We are very pleased to welcome this group of talented, seasoned bankers to Associated,” Sander said. “We are excited about the experience and expertise they bring to our customers and our commercial banking team.  We look forward to their contributions as we continue to grow our commercial banking business.”
Associated Bank also announced it has created a national Specialized Financial Services Group to capitalize on opportunities in targeted industry segments.
John Utz has been named executive vice president and specialized financial services director. Utz will be based in Milwaukee and will oversee the development of the national Specialized Financial Services Group. Utz recently joined Associated Bank from Union Bank in Los Angeles.
Peter Bulandr has joined the company as specialized financial services market manager. He will be based in Chicago. He joins the company from Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Christopher O’Brien has also been named specialized financial services market manager. O’Brien, who will be based in Chicago, will manage a team focused on secondary education. Prior to joining Associated, he held the position of senior vice president and senior client manager, middle market banking group at Bank of America.  Associated Bank is part of Green Bay-based Associated Banc-Corp.

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