Insurance
President and CEO
Acuity | Sheboygan
Ben Salzmann has led Sheboygan-based property and casualty insurer Acuity since 1999, growing it from under $250 million to nearly $2 billion in written premium (revenue) during his tenure. The company insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private-passenger autos. It is one of the largest employers in Sheboygan County, with over 1,500 employees. The company has hired at a rapid rate in recent years, announcing plans to hire 100 or more employees for years on end. It hired 144 employees in 2021 and announced plans earlier this year to hire another 130. Acuity has been recognized as a top employer by various publications, including Forbes’ America’s Best Midsize Employers list, where it ranked No. 26 nationally. It’s also reported impressive year-over-year growth, including an all-time record in 2021 when it surpassed both the $3 billion surplus and $6 billion asset milestones.
It moved up from No. 21 to No. 16 on the Deloitte Wisconsin 75 list from 2021 to 2022.
Under Salzmann’s leadership, Acuity has also garnered attention for its massive headquarters, located off of I-43. The 1.2-million-square-foot campus, which has capacity for 4,000 employees, includes such features as a 400-foot flagpole (flying a 140-by-70-foot American flag), 2,000-person theater, 65-foot Ferris wheel, and ceramic carousel horse.
Thirty-two of Salzmann’s 42 years in the insurance industry have been with Acuity. Prior to becoming president and CEO, he was chief information officer at the company.