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Mike Derdzinski '76, Modernization Processes (Economics)
President, Johnson Insurance-South
Family: Wife Karen (Hesselbein) '77, children Marie (24), Jane (21), and Michele (17)



Dean VanderPlas '91, Communication Processes
President, Johnson Insurance-North
Family: Wife Mary (Banker) '91, children Taylor (13), Samuel (11) and Bennett (9)





North and south, presidents work to insure success
Dean Vander Plas ’91 and Mike Derdzinski ’76 share the title of ‘president’ for Johnson Insurance. They also share an aptitude for business, a propensity for service, and a deep affection for their alma mater, UW-Green Bay.
      Vander Plas heads Johnson Insurance-North Division and Derdzinski leads Johnson Insurance-South Division. While Vander Plas makes his home in Ripon and splits time in an office there and in Green Bay, Derdzinski lives in Elm Grove and works at the home office in Racine.
      Together they lead Johnson Insurance, one of Wisconsin’s largest independent insurance companies. Day-to-day they work on managing the regional branches, tailoring their offerings to meet the needs of business and individual clients, and acquiring agencies that fit the Johnson mold.
      They graduated nearly two decades apart but have a mutual fondness for their alma mater. For Vander Plas, who was a bit of a celebrity as a member of the Phoenix basketball team, having an office in Green Bay is like a homecoming.
      “That’s been one of the most enjoyable things… it’s not just about business but about reconnecting with people I cared about. There is an energy about UW-Green Bay that will always hold a great part of my heart.”
      Derdzinski concurs. “I think we’re both proud of the Fighting Phoenix,” he said. “You look at a guy like Dean, for example, and see that UW-Green Bay alumni do very well. In general, I think the school did a great job of preparing people to be successful in the workforce.”
      The two presidents value their weekly meetings to share ideas and discuss strategy. “Dean is a great resource to push the envelope about what we can profile, new products and services,” Derdzinski says. Responds Vander Plas, “Mike is one of the true success stories of UWGB alumni.”
      Both extol the virtues of the company they work for, and a culture and work ethic the Midwest and Wisconsin are known for.
      Says Derdzinski, “It doesn’t take very long to see that the people that are hired to work in this company have values that tend to be comparable. We strive hard to be a workplace of choice and to do that we have to be a customer-intimate organization… It’s the old adage, treat people they way you want to be treated.”

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