Each of these dedicated associates earned an insurance designation this past year! Congratulations!

 

We celebrated our Key Recognition winners from the past 6 months. Associates can nominate another associate or team for key accomplishments and actions taken that go above and beyond. This time we had a game show style celebration with associates picking either the envelope or what's in the box. Some fun gifts were handed out and lots of laughter ensued. Congratulations to all of the Key Recognition nominees and winners! You are what makes West Bend great!

I started in West Bend’s Accounts Receivable Department in 1993 as a high school co-op student operating the switchboard for all billing-related incoming phone calls. I also posted all of the payments received at the home office. After I was hired full time, I held several billing positions that serviced Personal Lines and Commercial Lines customers across various territories. Eventually I moved into a financial analyst role which allowed me to be part of various A/R projects, analysis, process improvement, and reporting of all A/R receipt processing. In 2012, I moved over to the PAS/Billing program, where I was given the opportunity to participate in the implementation of our new policy and billing system. A few short months after West Bend went live with WBConnect PAS/Billing, I moved into the role of accounts receivable manager, overseeing the staff of personal lines, commercial lines, direct and agency bill commissions, cash balancing, and collections.

 Congratulations to Jean, Imaging Services Technician, who retired after 10 years with West Bend!  Thank you for your dedication over the years.  Here's tot he start of your new chapter in life!  Enjoy and have fun!

Every month we celebrate a different culture.  This month was India.  The associates had the opportunity to play chess, learn facts about India, the people and the country, get a henna tattoo and try an Indian sweet treat.  

Some of our associates brought in beautiful clothing and other items from India to share.  

West Bend associates volunteered at the United Way of Wahington County's kick-off event at Washington County Fair Park.  Approximately 400 volunteers assembled more than 2500 school readiness bags!  

Yesterday we kicked off our Annual United Way Of Washington County campaign. One of the agencies that benefits from the United Way is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, WI. Heidi shared their mission and several personal stories about mentors and what they mean in the life of a child. We're proud to share that many of our associates are "Bigs." Here is Jake sharing his personal experience over the last two years. Be sure to watch - it's both touching and hysterical.

 

West Bend was thrilled to receive the 2016 Professional Insurance Agesnts (PIA) National Company Award of Excellence.  The Award of Excellence honors West Bend for its dedicated support of the American independent agency system by providing outstanding service to agents, furthering the interests of agents, and actively supporting the company’s efforts to create a better business environment for professional, independent insurance agents. West Bend was presented with the award at a luncheon ceremony Friday, September 23, 2016, held in conjunction with the association's Fall Governance Meetings in Omaha, Nebraska.

Several West Bend associates volunteered the week of September 19th to help a single mom build her new home with Habitat for Humanity.  Each year West Bend associates have the opportunity to help a family in need and have paid time off from the company to do so.