Acuity Keynote Speakers

 Benjamin M. Salzmann
 President & CEO | Acuity Insurance

 Topics
 “Howdy” & Corporate Culture & Leadership - Acuity Style         
 Biography
 Ben Salzmann is in his 28th year with Sheboygan-based Acuity   Insurance, serving the last 18 years as its President and CEO. Acuity   currently writes property and casualty insurance across 26 states,   with over $4.4 billion in assets.
Acuity has consistently been ranked as a top employer by Forbes Magazine, Fortune magazine, & by the American Business Awards. People Magazine named Acuity to their 2017 list of “Companies That Care”, & Payscale recognized Acuity as one of the top three Coolest Offices in the U.S. Acuity has been featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal for innovations in recruiting & employment, and maintains an average voluntary turnover rate of 2%.

Ben has over 37 years of experience in the insurance industry, having started his career at Foremost Insurance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, prior to joining Acuity. He was part of early development efforts utilizing artificial intelligence in underwriting risk selection and fraud detection.

Biography
 Lisa Mauer
 Board Member | Rickert Industries

 The former owner of three companies serving the metalworking   industry, Lisa spent 33 years in the industrial distribution,   manufacturing & related services markets. In 1982, she joined a   family-owned business in an industry where few women served in   non-traditional roles. In 1998 & 2000 she navigated the buy-out of   family interests. Over the course of the next 11 years, the Rickert   Family of companies, Tool Service Corporation, Tool Fabrication   Corporation & Fluid Service Corporation grew organically as well as through strategic acquisitions. She sold the companies in late 2011 as part of her personal strategy to pursue her “next chapter”.

Lisa currently serves on the board of Acuity Insurance, Reinders Inc., G3 Industries, the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin, Pathways High and is chairman of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Board. Until their recent acquisition, Lisa also served on the Bank Mutual board.

Biography

 Sheri Murphy  
 Vice President - Services & Administration | Acuity     Insurance

 Sheri began her career at Acuity in 1989. She has held progressively   responsible positions in Underwriting, Marketing, and Methods &   Procedures before becoming the Manager - Services in 1993. She   was promoted to her current officer position in 1999.

Biography
 Joan Ravanelli-Miller, J.D. Ph.D.
 Vice President - Human Resources & General Counsel |   Acuity Insurance

 Joan served as House Counsel at Acuity from 1989 to 1994 when   she was promoted to General Counsel/Governmental Affairs. She   served in that capacity until 1995 when she left to pursue her   master’s degree & Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She spent eight   years as a psychologist & Training Coordinator at the Marquette   University Counseling Center. Joan returned to Acuiy in 2013. 

 Prior to her initial tenure at Acuity, she was a partner in the law firm of   Nash, Spindler, Dean & Grimstad in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Biography
 Wendy Schuler
 Vice President - Finance & Treasurer | Acuity Insurance

 At Acuity, Wendy is responsible for financial & tax reporting,   investment portfolio oversight and banking relationships. She chairs   the Officer Investment, Enterprise Risk Management & Budget   committees. She also co-chairs the Acuity 401(k) Plan Committee   and is a member of the Acuity Charitable Foundation, Inc.

 Schuler joined the company in June 1988 as a staff accountant in the   Accounting department. In May 1993, she became a certified public   accountant. Over the years, she has held various positions at Acuity   including Controller - Subsidiaries, Director - Internal Audit, & Controller before being named Vice President - Finance and Treasurer in December 2003.

Professional Development Session - Part 1
Presented by Wipfli
Topic: Individual Estate and Financial Planning After Tax Reform

Summary
Mark and Ryan will be covering income tax changes and strategies under the new tax law. This includes standard vs. itemized deductions, qualified charitable distributions, donor-advised funds, kiddie tax, 529 college savings plans, and fiduciary income tax.

Presenters

 Mark Albers
 Principal, Senior Financial Advisor | Wipfli Financial       Advisors, LLC

 Ryan Laughlin, CPA, MST, JD  
 Partner | Wipfli

 With over 15 years of professional experience with regional,   national, & global public accounting firms, Ryan Laughlin is a   partner in Wipfli LLP’s tax practice.  He utilizes a unique blend of   accounting, tax, & legal expertise to provide tax & transactional   planning to business owners, individuals, and families.


Ryan manages multiple consultative planning projects & assists with client engagements for Wipfli associates & partners throughout the firm.

Professional Development Session – Part 2
Presented by Schenck
Topic: Tax Cuts & Jobs Act: Personal Tax Strategies

Summary
Ron will be covering estate planning strategies under the new tax law. These include using the higher gift tax exemption for wealth transfers, examples of why it is very important to review estate planning documents to be sure they still operate as intended given the increased estate tax exemption, and planning for step-up in basis. Dave Isaacson, chief investment officer with Schenck Investment Solutions, will share how tax legislation might influence economic conditions. His presentation will dive into the investment impact of tax reform and other hot topics in the investment arena.

Presenters

 Ron Altenburg, CPA
 Shareholder | Schenck

 Dave Isaacson
 Chief Investment Officer | Schenck Investment Solutions

 Dave has more than 25 years of experience providing wealth   management & financial consulting services. He is skilled in   portfolio & asset management, financial analysis, & market trend   analysis.

 As CIO of Schenck Investment Solutions, Dave drives the   investment performance delivery model & then communicates investment results & economic trends to business partners & clients. He is responsible for managing the firm’s investment management platforms & portfolios, including review of capital market expectations & strategy, manager selection and monitoring, & portfolio construction.

Financial Executives International (FEI) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.