America's Benefit Specialist August/September 2023

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE The International Awards Associate and the TITAN Women in Business Awards have made an impact on the global business landscape as they wrap up the first season for 2023. This esteemed competition has captured the attention of the international community with over hundreds of exception al entries from more than 25 countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Canada, China and many others. After reviewing numerous entries, the competition’s judg es deemed Christine Cooper , founder and CEO, aequum Health LLC, to be deserving of the Gold TITAN Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Woman Leadership of the Year (Business < 5 Years) category. Cooper says, “It is a distinct honor to be selected from among so many deserving and accomplished women nom inated for this prestigious award. I am immensely proud of the aequum team, what we have achieved together and our collective capabilities to impact stakeholders in the self-in sured industry.” The TITAN Women in Business Awards honors and cele brates all who are making a significant impact in various in dustries and professions, while recognizing the outstanding achievements of women, from accomplished executives to rising entrepreneurs, who demonstrate exceptional innova tion, excellence and leadership in their respective fields.

Boston Mutual has also appointed Barry Parks as regional sales director for Kansas, Colorado and Missouri in its Distribution and Business Development department. In his new role, Parks will be responsible for workplace sales in those three states for the life insurance carrier. Parks brings 10 years of experience in the

insurance industry, including expertise from leadership roles as a multi-line insurance broker and agency manager. Prior to joining Boston Mutual, he worked as an agency manager at the Harvard Group. Previously, he served in roles at Parks Enterprises and KGB USA (formerly Infonxx). Parks holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and administra tion from Friends University and is working toward a master’s degree from Colorado Technical University.

UMB Financial Corporation has announced the appoint ment of Phil Mason to the role of president, Institutional Banking. Brian Hutchin has been promoted to fill Mason’s prior role of director of UMB Healthcare Services.

As president, Institutional Banking, Mason oversees UMB’s activities across corporate trust and agency services, insti tutional custody, fund services, the capital markets division, investor banking services and healthcare services. Mason, an 18-year veteran of UMB, has worked closely with all members of the Institutional Banking leadership team for multiple years, providing him with deep knowledge, exper tise and client relationships. Like Mason, Hutchin is a longtime UMB employee. He’s held multiple leadership roles in commercial banking and institutional banking during the past 16 years. Most recently, Hutchin worked closely with Mason as UMB Healthcare Ser vices’ director of national sales and strategy.

Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company has announced the appointment of Daniel King as regional sales director for Western New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in its Distribution and Business Development department. In his new role, King will be

responsible for workplace sales in those three states for the life insurance carrier. In New York, coverage is available via its wholly owned subsidiary, Life Insurance Company of Boston & New York. King brings more than 14 years of experience in the insur ance and finance industries. Prior to joining Boston Mutual, he worked as a regional sales director at Triada Health LLC, and an independent insurance broker at Bridge Insurance Group. Previously, he served in multiple roles at Combined Insurance, with a focus in the company’s Worksite Solutions area. King holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University. He is active in his community and serves as a volunteer with the Mercer Memorial Day Parade and a Board Member for the Mercer Citizens Cemetery, both in Mercer, Pennsylvania, as well as a worship leader with the South Py matuning Community Church in Pennsylvania.

Better Health Group has announced that Meghan Speidel has joined the organization as chief growth officer. Speidel will be a member of Better Health Group’s Executive Leadership Team, leading the organization’s Business Development, Marketing, and Clinic Expansion teams and reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Mike Polen.

Speidel has worked in healthcare for over 15 years and brings a wealth of relevant experience and strong strategic

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