America's Benefit Specialist December 2023

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Warner Pacific, a health insurance general agency supporting healthcare brokers in California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Florida, is pleased to announce that Janet Trautwein is joining the company as its compliance and government affairs executive. Trautwein’s appointment to Warner Pacific will open new opportuni ties for the general agency’s employees, brokers, carrier partners and more. Trautwein has a distinguished career in the insurance industry, spanning 35 years. Having served at the helm of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Profes sionals (formerly NAHU) since 2005, Trautwein brings with her an extensive network of broker professional associa tions and is highly respected for her in-depth understand ing of legislative and regulatory matters from an insider’s point of view. In her role as CEO for NABIP, Trautwein acted as prima ry representation for the association, worked with mem bers of Congress, senior government officials, governors and state legislators to direct government and political affairs of the organization, and provided oversight of its political action committee. Trautwein is a sought-after speaker, frequently speaking to groups from 50 to 2,000 members on health policy and health-reform issues and is an approved instructor for continuing education for health insurance and human resources professionals in all 50 U.S. states. As Warner Pacific’s compliance and government affairs executive, Trautwein will serve as a critical resource for the agency’s broker partners in compliance-related matters, providing hands-on guidance and insight to support bro kers in navigating policies that impact the industry. “One of the key benefits of Janet joining the Warner Pacific team is that our brokers will have access to her ex tensive inside knowledge of health insurance compliance, empowering them to better serve their clients,” said John Nelson, co-CEO of Warner Pacific. “Janet has been on the inside and will bring an unprecedented understanding of future trends and a unique perspective of the industry.” “I’m honored to join Warner Pacific. I have long ad mired their commitment to outstanding service and their reputation for being an excellent partner to their bro kers,” Janet Trautwein said. “I share their commitment to high-quality, innovative products and services, and I am

excited to collaborate closely in their mission to make a difference in our industry.”

Medica’s Board of Directors named Lisa Erickson pres ident and chief executive officer effective November 1. Medica operates in 12 states under Medica, Dean Health Plan and Prevea360 Health Plan brands. Prior to being named president and CEO, Erickson served as an executive in several national organizations in industries including healthcare, retail and consumer products. Erickson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Finance and Marketing from the Univer sity of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Animal Humane Society and previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Academy of Holy Angels, where she served as Finance Committee chair.

Insurance Office of America is pleased to welcome Adam Balas to its employee benefits team as IOA continues to expand its Florida Division marketplace. Before joining IOA, Balas spent more than a decade working with two large national brokerage firms where he was responsible for overseeing and managing

his clients’ employee benefits programs. His industry spe cializations include construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofit/not-for-profit and technology. Balas creates bespoke programs utilizing data analytics, self-funding, care-coordination models and high-perfor mance networks with the goal of reducing healthcare spend and improving quality of care and outcomes. Balas earned his Bachelor of Science degree in finance and financial management services from Fitchburg State University. He is a frequent featured speaker at professional events, addressing the topics of compliance, employee education and self-funding.

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