insurance

A Special Press Release for a Special Client

An annual report and save-the-date postcards are spring projects I enjoy doing for my client Forward Mutual Insurance Company. This year is special. Forward’s president and CEO is retiring after 33 years of defining leadership and the company is honoring him with great hoopla. Normally, Forward does a news release after the meeting, however this year I suggested we run an advance article as well. The committed president of a successful mutual is newsworthy indeed and I’m honored for the opportunity to write this story.

Howard Wiedenhoeft, Forward Mutual Insurance Company, Ixonia, Wisconsin

Chairman of the board Stephen Zillmer recently represented Forward Mutual Insurance Company in expressing gratitude to President and CEO Howard Wiedenhoeft, left, for his many years of service. Wiedenhoeft will be retiring at the end of March after managing the company for 33 years. 

 

WIEDENHOEFT TO BE HONORED FOR HIS SERVICE TO INSURANCE FIRM

IXONIA, WI – Forward Mutual Insurance Company will recognize the retirement of Howard Wiedenhoeft at its annual policyholders meeting on March 22 in Ixonia. Wiedenhoeft has managed the company for 33 years.

In 1981, when Wiedenhoeft agreed to serve as secretary-treasurer of the board for Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company, he did so on two conditions—that the company acquire a permanent address and its own phone number.

“At that time, the secretary-treasurer managed the company and he did so out of his home, with the company using his address and phone number,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I felt it was important the company get its own post office box and phone number.”

The mutual company did that and more under Wiedenhoeft’s leadership. Since 1981 it’s moved from using typewriters to computers, from $66 million to $977 million of insurance in force, and from Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company to Forward Mutual Insurance Company.

Wiedenhoeft was well-qualified for managing a rural mutual insurance company. As a fifth generation farmer on his family’s rural Ixonia dairy farm, he understood the agricultural industry that at that time made up a majority of the mutual’s customer base. Wiedenhoeft also was experienced in the insurance industry, having founded Ixonia Insurance Agency in 1974.

Throughout his career Wiedenhoeft has been an innovative visionary for the mutual. In 1990 he began the application process for A.M. Best Ratings, a proprietary rating system of creditworthiness. By 1994, the company was awarded a B+ and since 2002 has maintained an A-.

In 1995, after 120 years of residing in a manager’s home, Ixonia Mutual built a 1,500-square-foot office in Ixonia. In 2011 the company doubled the size of the building.

Perhaps the most noteworthy change Wiedenhoeft brought to Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company was its merge with Watertown Mutual Insurance Company. In 2010 the two companies joined to form Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Now, four years later, Forward Mutual is represented by 80 agents in 16 agencies, and writes policies in 16 counties throughout Wisconsin.

Wiedenhoeft is professionally involved outside Forward Mutual as well. He served on the NAMIC Farm Conference Committee from 1993-1999, serving as chairman in 1997. He served as a board member for WAMIC from 1992–1998, serving as president in 1996. He was named WAMIC’s person of the year in 2013. Currently, Wiedenhoeft is serving on the Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Property and Casualty Advisor Committee, is a member of NAMIC’s Merit Society and maintains his Professional Farm Mutual Manager designation.

Outside the insurance world, Wiedenhoeft has been active on various church boards. He was a 4-H leader for 15 years and served as the Jefferson County Fair beef superintendent. He served on the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors for eight years.

When asked who has been the most important person he’s worked with in his career, Wiedenhoeft immediately says his wife, Lois.

“Lois actually started working for Ixonia Mutual the year before I did. She worked part-time as a policy processor,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I wouldn’t have taken the job without Lois. We’ve worked together every day all these years. We’ve never fought about money or kids, but once in a while we have about insurance.”

Although he’s no longer running his acreage, Wiedenhoeft and Lois continue to live on their family farm. They have three children; Lisa, Laura and Michael, and five grandchildren.

“When I took the position for Ixonia Mutual in 1981, I vowed I would never resist change. Change is necessary to move forward into the future,” says Wiedenhoeft. “I’ve now come to the age where change is harder to do. My goal was to leave the mutual as strong and vibrant as it was when I started. I think it is.”

The annual policyholders’ meeting for Forward Mutual Insurance Company will take place on Saturday, March 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Ixonia Fireman’s Hall. A luncheon to honor Wiedenhoeft will be held before the meeting, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Article as published in the Watertown Daily Times

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Keeping My Clients in the News

Every March Forward Mutual Insurance Company hosts its policyholders’ meeting at the Ixonia Fireman’s Hall. Yes, the company presents its annual report, but probably even more important to this faithful crowd of mutual supporters are the door prizes, tasty luncheon and gathering together with longtime friends. It’s so very Wisconsin; I love writing such news! 

Interestingly, in an era when “online content marketing” is all the buzz, sometimes an old-fashioned press release in the local newspaper is still the best. For Forward Mutual, this is one of those times.

Howard Wiedenhoeft congratulations Donald Bohn, Ixonia, WI

President and CEO Howard Wiedenhoeft represented Forward Mutual Insurance Company in expressing gratitude to Donald Bohn for his years of service as treasurer of the board of directors. Bohn announced his retirement at the company’s 138th annual policyholders’ meeting.

 

BOHN RETIRES FROM FORWARD MUTUAL, NEW BOARD ELECTED

IXONIA, WI, (March 25, 2013) – Director Donald Bohn announced his retirement as a board member of Forward Mutual Insurance Company at its recent annual policyholders’ meeting. Bohn has served as treasurer for the Ixonia company since 2010.

“Don has been a strong leader for our mutual,” says Stephen Zillmer, Forward chairman of the board. “He is a quiet man, but when he speaks he has something meaningful to say. He is conservative, in that he’s careful to do what’s good and safe for the company. Yet he’s progressive, in that he supports moving into the future when he knows its best. We’re going to miss him here at Forward.”

Bohn began serving on mutual boards in 1984, when he was elected as a board of director for Watertown Mutual Insurance Company. He served as its secretary/treasurer for 12 years. In 2006, he guided Watertown Mutual through a merger with Concord Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

In 2009, Bohn once again guided Watertown Mutual through merger agreements, this time with Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company. On January 1, 2010, the two companies joined together and formally adopted the new name of Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Bohn was elected to serve as treasurer for the board.

Bohn has been a lifelong dairyman in the Watertown community and involved in local farm cooperatives. He is now retired from milking and enjoys working for Glacier Rock Farms in Lebanon, where he gives tractor rides to children visiting the farm.

Also at the meeting, policyholders re-elected David Blank, Randall Wegner and Dale Wolf to serve as board members. Other members of the board are Roger Degner, David Flood, Mark Mallow, Donald Reese, Robert Salov, Dale Zastrow and Stephen Zillmer. Zillmer serves as chairman of the board, Degner serves as vice-chairman and Reese will serve as secretary/treasurer.

Forward Mutual Insurance Company provides insurance to home and farm owners in 16 counties throughout southeast Wisconsin. It maintains a policyholders’ surplus of $5.2 million and an A.M. Best rating of A minus.

“Forward Mutual is the only town mutual in Wisconsin to have an A.M. Best rating,” says Wiedenhoeft. “As our organization grows in many ways, we’re confident about the future and await the challenges that lay ahead.”

 

Putting My Clients in the News

Does social media make promotional benefits of the newspaper press release a thing of the past? Of course not. Especially in small town chronicles where local items make up a majority of the news. Adunate’s recent copywriting project was this release for Forward Mutual Insurance Company—a strong, innovative company befitting of its name.

 

Charles Crave retirement from Forward Mutual board

Forward Mutual Insurance Company and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company recently presented Charles Crave with appreciation for his leadership and contribution to the mutual insurance industry. From left, Howard Wiedenhoeft, president and CEO, Forward Mutual Insurance Company; Charles Crave, retiring chairman and director, Forward Mutual Insurance Company; and Curt Capper, regional marketing manager, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company.

CRAVE RETIRES, FORWARD ELECTS NEW BOARD

IXONIA, WI, (March 24, 2012) – Chairman Charles Crave announced his decision to retire as a board member of Forward Mutual Insurance Company at its recent annual policyholders’ meeting. Crave, who has headed the Ixonia company since 2010, wishes to devote more time to his farm and family.

“Chuck has been a guiding force for our mutual,” says Howard Wiedenhoeft, president and CEO. “Two years ago, his leadership made the merger of Watertown Mutual and Ixonia Mutual possible and made us the strong organization we are today. We’re going to miss him here at Forward.”

Crave has been involved in the insurance industry since 1996, when he began serving as a director for Watertown Mutual. He was elected to serve as the company’s president the following year. In 2006, he was instrumental in the merger of Watertown Mutual Insurance Company and Concord Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

In 2009, Crave once again guided Watertown Mutual through merger agreements, this time with Ixonia Mutual Insurance Company. On January 1, 2010, the two companies joined together and formally adopted the new name of Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Crave was elected chairman of the board.

Crave, together with his three brothers, owns Crave Brothers Farm and produces Crave Brothers Farmstead Classics specialty cheeses.

Also at the annual meeting, policyholders re-elected Mark Mallow, Robert Salov and Dale Zastrow to serve as board members. Other members of the board are David Blank, Donald Bohn, Roger Degner, David Flood, Donald Reese, Randall Wegner, Dale Wolf and Stephen Zillmer. Stephen Zillmer was elected to serve as chairman of the board and Roger Degner was elected to serve as vice-chairman.

In the fall of 2011, the mutual began construction on a 1500 square foot addition to its office building, located at W1202 Glenview Ave., in Ixonia. The project will be completed in spring and an open house is scheduled for Friday, May 18, from 2 to 6 p.m. All policyholders and the public are invited.

Forward Mutual Insurance Company provides insurance to home and farm owners in 16 counties throughout southeast Wisconsin. It maintains a policyholders’ surplus of $5.1 million and an A.M. Best rating of A minus.

“Forward Mutual is the only town mutual in Wisconsin to have an A.M. Best rating,” says Wiedenhoeft. “As our organization grows in many ways, we’re confident about the future and await the challenges that lay ahead.”

Forward Mutual Insurance Company officers

Serving as officers for Forward Mutual Insurance Company are, from left, Donald Bohn, treasurer; Roger Degner, vice-chairman; Stephen Zillmer, chairman; and Donald Reese, secretary. 

It’s Time for Annual Reports

Forward Mutual Insurance Company 2010 Annual Report

As sure as tax time rolls around each year, so do company meetings and annual reports. This year, Forward Mutual and I got a head start because we both planned to be out of the office during portions of March.

Project started: February 17. Finished product in hand: March 15. Annual meeting: March 26.

Planning ahead is such a good thing!

Need help organizing your project? Drop me a line!

Celebrating History, Moving Forward with Change

Last month Forward Mutual Insurance Company held its first annual policyholders’ meeting. It was history in the making, even though the people present have long been gathering for annual meetings. This is because Forward Mutual is the merging of two longtime companies with very interesting histories.

Howard Wiedenhoeft, Forward Mutual
Howard Wiedenhoeft, Forward Mutual

As Forward’s staff and I worked together on their annual report, we decided it should be a record of where the two companies came from individually and where they’re going together. Forward’s attitude is definitely towards the future, but it also was important to celebrate one last time the two companies that formed it—Ixonia Mutual and Watertown Mutual.

One of the interesting things we noted in the annual report was the change in communication over the years. Both companies were formed in the 1870s and back then they wrote all their policies and records by hand. In fact, up until 1919, Watertown Mutual wrote its records in German. Picturing this, along with an area family photo, added historical interest to the annual report.

The topic of communication and change came up during the meeting as well. President Howard Wiedenhoeft spoke of announcing the upcoming annual meeting with letters and newspaper advertisements. He suggested that in today’s world, maybe they need to change the way they do this.

Perhaps Dorothy Henderson said it best during her welcome to the new mutual. Dorothy is the senior reinsurance marketing representative for Grinnell Mutual, the reinsurance company to Forward Mutual. She made insightful comments regarding change.

Dorothy Henderson, Grinnell Mutual
Dorothy Henderson, Grinnell Mutual

“As we grow and mature, we realize the one thing that is constant is change. There are three basic responses to change:

IGNORE
We can choose to ignore change and thereby resist it by continuing to work and relate as we have in the past.

I have two sons that live out of state. I resisted using text messaging and eventually the frequency of our communications drastically decreased. They would text me and I would call them back. I disrupted the flow. Once I started responding to their text messages, via texting, the frequency of our communications increased.

REACTIVE
Many of us react to change. First we ignore it, but once we realize the trend is not a fad, we react either positively or negatively. This often puts us behind the curve and the delay might have caused us to miss opportunities.

PROACTIVE
There are a few individuals and companies that embrace change. These people recognize that change is inevitable, and decide to lead it rather than follow it.

Forward Mutual is one such company. The management and boards of directors of Ixonia Mutual and Watertown Mutual recognized the economic trends of today, but looked to the future to decide what would be in the best interest of their policyholders.”

Thanks, Dorothy, for these wise words.

And congratulations to Forward Mutual on your first annual meeting. Best wishes as you move forward into the future in the tradition of “neighbor helping neighbor.”

Forward Mutual Insurance Company

ForwardLike any other industry, progress is a must for insurance mutuals. Therefore, as of Jan. 1, Ixonia Mutual Insurance Co. and Watertown Mutual Insurance Co. will merge to become one.

Both companies are strong, long-standing and trusted organizations in this rural area of southern Wisconsin. They’ve served policyholders in 16 counties for 135 years or more. As they join together, they’ve begun the intriguing venture of branding their new company, Forward Mutual Insurance Co.

I’m thrilled to be part of the process.

According to Howard Wiedenhoeft, Forward Mutual’s president and CEO, farm and home owners are the “bread and butter” of the original companies. Forward Mutual seeks to retain these traditional policyholders, yet reach out to a new generation as well. With this in mind, they formulated an initial logo concept and asked me to provide further refinements.

Together, we’ve taken a great step in branding this exciting, new company as they, to quote Howard, “move forward succesfully into the future.”