Rick Cass, CLU, ChFC, REBC, RHU, REBC, Executive Vice President, EOI Service Company

Rick began his career with Equitable in Chicago, joining EOI in 1983. He has developed EOI's process of high touch client service, making EOI Service Company the industry leader in maintaining long-term voluntary benefits enrollment relationships. As one of the principals of EOI, Rick is responsible for Client Relationship Management, the recruiting, training and management of the entire enrollment team. Rick resides in Chicago, where he manages EOI's Midwest office.

Ron Kleiman, President, BenefitVision

Ron Kleiman is president of BenefitVision, Inc., a firm specializing in the communication and enrollment of employee benefits.  BenefitVision has developed unique enrollment methods for providing personal benefit orientations with no work interruptions, enrollments available every working day of the year.  These methods include both “tele-enrollment” and Internet enrollment featuring live interaction with trained benefit representatives. 

Before forming BenefitVision in December 1994, Ron was President of Employee Benefit Services, the firm that pioneered the concept of using laptop computer presentations to bring about effective benefit communication. 

Ron’s transition into this unique area of benefit communication was a natural progression from his position as Chairman of the National Communication Practice Group for Mercer (the world’s largest benefit consulting company).  Before Mercer, he had been Vice President and National Director of Communication for the consulting firm of A. S. Hansen, and before that, Ron managed a communication unit for Hewitt Associates, a consulting firm nationally recognized for high quality benefit communication.  In addition to 14 years with national benefit consulting firms, Ron was Manager of Communication at General Electric’s Corporate Headquarters, was in employee communication at Ford, and had been a TV reporter for the ABC affiliate in Dallas.  His degree is in Journalism from Southern Methodist University. 

BenefitVision’s headquarters is in Long Grove, Ill.  The company has call centers/enrollment offices in Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, and Harrisburg.  Learn more about BenefitVision on the web at www.benefitvision.com.

William A. (Tinker) Kelly is President and CEO of Voluntary Employee Benefits Advisors (VEBA).  The company has offices in Nashville, Atlanta and call center operations in New Albany, IN (just outside of Louisville, KY). VEBA provides consulting and enrollment services in the voluntary benefit field for companies, organizations, associations and insurance companies. Kelly has spent the past 23 years advising, designing, communicating, and enrolling employer-sponsored voluntary benefits.  On numerous occasions, he has been the top national producer for a variety of insurance carriers in the voluntary benefits arena.

Kelly’s understanding of human resource challenges, insight to effective communication platforms, and broad knowledge of employee-oriented financial products allows him to provide his clients with a complete understanding of the options available to insurance carriers, major employers and large organizations.

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT      

• Member of the board of MI2, the Mass Marketing Insurance Institute 1999 – 2005.

• Judge on the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary.  Was appointed to the state judicial position in 1999 and reappointed in 2003.  Named presiding Judge Pro Tem in August 2006.  The Court of Judiciary reviews and oversees alleged judicial misconduct allegations. 

• Recently re-elected President of the Tennessee Business Roundtable (2004-present).  The Roundtable in recent years has primarly focused on impacting the math and science crisis in Tennessee public schools. 

• Appointed by the Governor in 2005 to the board of Tennessee Tomorrow.  Tennessee Tomorrow’s focus is to positively impact economic development in financially “distressed” cities and counties in Tennessee.

• Member of Board of Directors of local Boy Scouts of America chapter for the last 15 years.

• Active in business and civic affairs in Tennessee having served as chairman of a task force examining efficiency issues in the delivery of water service to the citizens of Nashville.

Before she initiated the newsletter she worked as a Case Manager for The Falco Companies specializing in Worksite Marketing. Her primary role was managing the field team.  She then transitioned into Enrollment Management. This is where she would recruit enrollers, case managers and schedulers, strategize the most profitable way to complete the enrollment and arrange training and housing if needed. Since 1998, Susan has successfully completed enrollments for large industries with 1,000 to 30,000 employees.  Her extensive knowledge and experience in the insurance industry helped to generate 10 million in sales in one year.  Susan exhibits honesty and integrity with every client. Her support and motivation continues to provide guidance to the enrollment team. She is a strong believer in a “hands on” approach with enrollers and clients. 

In her spare time, she assists The Exchange Club a non-profit organization that helps prevent child abuse.

If you would like further information Susan can be reached at Sue0849@aol.com or 312-282-5074.