Bud Russell
Chairman, President & CEOA client of the firm for several years, Bud Russell joined Balser Companies in 1991, was named President in 1999, and became Chairman, President & CEO in 2007. Bud started his career in financial services with Citizens & Southern National Bank in the 1970s and ultimately became Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of super-regional bank Hibernia.
Read MoreHis responsibilities included legal counsel, investor relations, public relations, information technology, administration, real estate, marketing, advertising and human resources. Bud retained Balser Companies in the 1980s to implement several executive plans and, as an executive participant, witnessed Balser signature service first-hand. Bud is involved in numerous organizations as an advisor, including projects for National Financial Partners. Bud graduated from the University of Alabama and is a Fellow of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Bill Folan, JD
EVP & Principal Managing DirectorBill Folan joined the firm in 1989, was named VP & Managing Director in 1994, promoted to SVP in 2001, and recently became EVP & Principal Managing Director in 2007, specializing in deferred compensation arrangements, executive life insurance, SERP benefits, and other nonqualified and supplemental benefits with particular expertise in liability funding for institutional clients.
Read MoreFrom 1998 to 2001, Bill served Goldman Sachs in New York as VP of Executive Benefit Services under a joint venture relationship through which Balser Companies advises Goldman's clients regarding nonqualified benefits. Prior to joining Balser Companies, he worked for the Equitable Financial Companies. Bill holds a BS in Finance/Management from the University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce and a JD from the College of Law at Georgia State University.
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Fred Hill
EVP & Principal Managing DirectorFred Hill joined Balser Companies in 1998 as VP & Managing Director with the idea of rethinking much of the insurance coverage being offered to executives. He immediately expanded Balser's custom executive benefit solutions to include corporate-sponsored employee income protections programs using insurance that focused on preserving wealth for individuals and families. Fred was named SVP of the firm in 2000 and EVP & Principal Managing Director in 2007.
Read MoreHis vision ushered in higher touch services and online innovations that have allowed Balser to leap-frog other TPAs in better serving clients. Prior to joining Balser Companies, Fred served a predecessor of UnumProvident in management and new business development, emphasizing unique concepts in disability income plans. Fred serves on industry advisory boards for disability protection and long-term care insurance. Fred earned a BBS degree in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia, and continues to coach students through his involvement at the satellite Atlanta campus.
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Richard Wehmeier, JD
EVP & Principal Managing DirectorH. Richard Wehmeier specialized in pensions, nonqualified benefit plans and business insurance with a national insurance carrier in the 1970s and was widely recognized as an authority in insurable interest, constructive receipt and other issues. Rik joined the firm more than 20 years ago in 1986 as VP & Managing Director of executive benefit plans, was promoted to SVP in 2001, and most recently became EVP & Principal Managing Director in 2007.
Read MoreFor mainly large employers, Rik specializes in innovative deferred compensation arrangements, executive life insurance plans, SERP benefits, benefit security, funding and executive benefit audits. He most recently served as 409A specialist at the Southern Employee Benefits Conference. Rik graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and later graduated from the University of Texas School of Law, Austin.
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Ken Felts
SVP, CAO & CFOKen Felts joined Balser Companies corporate area in 1998, became VP & Director of Finance & Accounting in 2000, CFO in 2005 and SVP, CAO & CFO in 2007. His responsibilities include corporate finance, human resources, general administration, policy, real estate, and legal agreements with vendors, suppliers, insurance carriers and other providers.
Read MoreIn over a decade of service, Ken restructured corporate administration to better serve the client services and operating areas of the firm. Prior to joining Balser Companies, Ken served Flagstar Bank as regional manager in the Southeast. Ken earned BS degrees in Economics and Political Science from the University of Tennessee.
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Laura Balser
SVP & Principal Managing DirectorLaura Balser assists employers in implementing solutions for highly compensated employees, including nonqualified deferred compensation plans and other company-sponsored arrangements that provide in-service tax-deferred savings, retirement income or customized insurance benefits. Laura joined Balser Companies in 2004, was named VP & Director in 2005, became SVP & Chief Client Relationship Officer in 2007, and was named SVP & Principal Managing Director in 2008.
Read MoreShe earned a BBA in Finance and an MBA in Organization and Management from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. Laura serves on the regional board of the Anti-Defamation League, the Wharton Executive Education advisory board and the board of Executive Women of Goizueta. Laura is the daughter of Ron Balser and Barbara Balser who founded the firm and inspired its work for nearly four decades.
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Eric Martin
SVP & CTOEric Martin first worked with Balser Companies 1996-98, and rejoined the firm in 2000 as VP & Director of its corporate technology strategies after completing a 3-year opportunity in Paris, France working with a global software company. He was later named Chief Technology Officer, and promoted to SVP & CTO in 2007.
Read MoreToday Eric directs strategic technology initiatives that facilitate client and partner collaboration-- responsible for I.T. connectivity, reliability, security, scalability and disaster recovery /business continuity plan and operations. Eric continually monitors emerging technologies and explores new market opportunities. Eric was a HayGroup compensation and benefits consultant. Eric earned a BBA from Emory University with a major in accounting, an MBA in sales and marketing from The University of Georgia, and is an Executive Fellow of The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Robin Schmerler, JD
VP & Managing DirectorRobin Schmerler joined Balser Companies in 2003 to connect large employers with Balser's innovative concepts in supplemental plans suited for executive employees. Robin specializes in human resource issues that affect retirement income, disability income protection, and long-term care for both public and private companies.
Read MoreShe has played a role in re-organizing benefits due to mergers, creating voluntary programs, and carving our certain employees from group plans to match them with better-suited products. Robin earned her BA from Emory University in Atlanta, and her JD from Emory Law School. She is an active member of the Georgia Bar Association.
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Kent Davis
VP & Managing Director, Financial ServicesKent Davis joined the firm in 1994 as an analyst in the area of plan design and funding strategies, bringing the experience he gained in corporate owned life insurance at Confederation Life Insurance Company.
Read MoreKent analyzes insurance products, managed investment portfolios and other funding mechanisms as they apply to executive life insurance plans, deferred compensation plans and other corporate benefits. Kent earned a BS from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University.
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John Joy, CPA
VP & Managing Director, Financial ServicesJohn Joy joined the firm in 1990 in benefit funding strategies. Prior to joining the firm, he served as assistant controller at telecommunications company Contel, a predecessor of Verizon.
Read MoreJohn was also a manager of financial planning and a corporate internal auditor, analyzing split-dollar programs and other benefit arrangements. John earned a BS from the University of Maryland.
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Edward Kroell
VP, Compliance Officer & Director, Financial ServicesEdward Kroell joined Balser Companies in 1997 as a plan manager in insurance services, concentrating on the administration of executive life insurance and corporate-owned life insurance programs. With his NASD Series 6, 7, 24, 63, and 65 registrations, Ed was soon appointed compliance officer.
Read MoreToday he monitors sophisticated benefit cost-recovery financial analysis, the performance of informal funding strategies, reserved asset/aggregate liability comparisons, policy cash values, asset investment allocation and the influences of participant accounts on the plan's future obligation and security.
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Bonnie Petersen
VP & Director, Client ServicesBonnie Petersen joined Balser Companies in 1996 as a plan manager in insurance services, was named Assistant Director in 1998, VP & Director in 1999, and VP & Director of Client Services in 2001. Prior to joining Balser, she served Georgia Gulf Corporation as an in-house HR benefit manager for several employee benefit programs, including pensions, matching gifts, group health insurance, disability insurance and life insurance.
Read MoreBonnie earned a BBA in Risk Management and Insurance from Georgia State University and a BS from the University of Georgia.
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William Schmitz
VP & Director, RKS DevelopmentBill Schmitz joined Balser Companies in 2001 as a Director in deferred compensation plan administrative systems, where his responsibilities encompassed the deferral account website, account recordkeeping, reporting, and supporting databases.
Read MoreBill worked with plan sponsors to implement new plans, annual and special enrollments, custom reporting and more. Designated to identifying possible system enhancements that increase account management efficiencies, Bill was named VP & Director, RKS development in 2006. Bill earned a BS in Business Management from Kansas State University.
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Kaari Miller
VP & Director, Quality AssuranceKaari Miller joined Balser in 2001, and provides leadership in systems, methods and procedures that support Balser's Balanced Scorecard initiatives and practices. Kaari offers clients nearly 10 years of experience in servicing specialized programs for highly compensated employees, including those funded informally through mutual funds or insurance products.
Read MoreShe received a BS from the University of Wisconsin in 1992. Kaari was formerly Senior New Business Administrator with Marsh Financial Services/National Benefits Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Ron Richard
VP & Director, Marketing & CommunicationsRon Richard joined the firm in 1996. He assists the firm's advisors and partners meet their employee needs and present proposals for new benefit solutions.
Read MoreHe is responsible for corporate identity, and in an expanded role, facilitates Balser's customer service education program, Signature Service. Ron earned his BA from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
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Marykay Antenen
Director, Strategic Client SolutionsMarykay Antenen joined the firm in 2006. Marykay was formerly a benefit services manager at Hewitt Associates, managing client relationships and integrated service delivery for qualified and nonqualified plans, as well as retiree health and welfare plans.
Read MoreFor more than five years Marykay managed numerous mission critical technology projects for MetLife subsidiary, Benefit Services Corporation, including internal and external interfaces and communications, and special assignments for large plan clients. Marykay provides leadership in human resource systems applications to all plan recordkeeping and benefits administrative services. Marykay studied applied physics at Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) and computer science at Georgia State University.
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Peter WhiteFredette, CISSP
Director, Network EngineeringPeter joined Balser Companies in 1998 and is responsible for maintaining the firm's voice and data infrastructure, as well as the evaluation, implementation and maintenance of network security and business continuity measures.
Read MorePreviously, Peter managed technical services for the processing division of National City Bank,offering 12 years experience in hardware and software support, and implementing an imaging and remote data entry system to facilitate the company's remittance processing. Peter graduated with high honors from Massasoit College in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1985,earning an Associate Degree in Science, Electronic Engineering Technology.
In 2003, Peter graduated summa cum laude earning his BBA from Mercer University's Stetson School of Business, where he was recognized with the Aprile M. Holland Outstanding Student award, and cited for his course work, described as among the best the school had ever seen. Peter has also completed technology training with First Data Resources Management and the Computer Technologies Institute. He has achieved his Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential, a globally recognized standard that demonstrates competence in the 10 domains defined by the ISC.
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Stephanie Seligman
Assistant Director, Technology for Benefit Plan ServicesStephanie Seligman joined the firm in 2002. Stephanie has 10 years of experience in recordkeeping employer-sponsored retirement plans, with focus on account management, plan conversions, systems support, and technology development.
Read MoreStephanie provides leadership in supporting clients on the RKS platform, including plan design/setup, conversions, enrollments, reporting, gathering requirements for customized web development, and other technology services. Received a BS in Bioengineering from Texas A&M University, and an MS in Health Systems from Georgia Institute of Technology.
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Derek Clifton
Assistant Director, Benefit Plan ServicesDerek Clifton,Assistant Director, Technology for Benefit Plan Services who provides client companies with administrative services that help employees and retirees manage their online accounts for retirement and wealth accumulation benefit plans. He serves as the primary liaison for several Fortune 500 clients.
Read MorePrior to joining the firm in 2001, Derek served as a project manager for an online insurance agency, assisting in marketing, communications, distribution and other services. He earned a BBA in Risk Management and Insurance from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Mercer University.
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Elizabeth Trenary
Assistant Director, Insurance ServicesElizabeth Trenary manages the administration of executive income protection programs, including life, disability, and long term care insurance. Elizabeth joined the firm in 1997 as a plan manager, specifically dedicated to executive life insurance plans. She works directly with Fortune 500 executives and their corporate HR teams on various benefit arrangements including corporate owned life insurance (COLI) administration.
Read MoreElizabeth is a Chartered Life Underwriter. She earned a BSBA in Marketing from the University of Alabama.
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