Our Service Model | Meet Our Staff
We recognize it is impossible for any one person to be an expert in all aspects of employee benefit plans. In response to this, Hill, Chesson & Woody has torn down the silos of conventional customer service and developed a more practical and efficient service model that works for our clients. While our model still recognizes the need for client-specific accountability, we developed the model to leverage people with expertise in different areas to impact our clients in ways that result in a higher level of satisfaction.
This service model evolved from client focus group meetings as a strategy to overcome what is perceived as a major weakness of others in our industry: that only one person is responsible for all tasks associated with a client. Our objective is to have a team of experts in diverse roles that can collaborate to produce results that are superior to the results produced by one individual.
Service Model
Our Health & Welfare Consultants are responsible for developing a benefit strategy for each client, guiding clients through decision-making processes and leading the efforts of the benefits team.
The purpose of our Client Coordinators is to execute the benefit strategy and utilize the firm’s resources and specialists in order to provide you with optimized service.
Members of our Service Team are always available for our customers. Their priority is to support you by handling a variety of issues including billing, claims and administrative concerns.
Our Underwriting/Risk Management group is responsible for working with your consultant to compile and analyze financial and utilization data on your benefit programs to allow for better decision making.
The main purpose of the Communications Specialist is to develop communication tools and programs to illustrate the value of your benefit program and build its perception with your employees.
In order to address the need for employers to reduce healthcare costs without reducing benefit design, our Medical Management Officer works with clients to promote and oversee wellness programs and health initiatives, utilization management, case management, disease management and other projects designed to help reduce claims costs.
HCW employs an in-house Compliance Officer with a thorough knowledge of benefit regulations including COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and the areas of tax code that impact employee benefits to help identify compliance concerns for clients and make recommendations to maintain their compliance.
The Partners
Consulting
 |
Joy Binkley serves as a Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant, working with clients to develop a benefits strategy that best fits their needs. Joy’s extensive experience, attention to detail, and effervescent personality make her a valuable part of the HCW consulting team.
 |
 |
Joanne Forbes, MBA, FLMI, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant, works with clients to analyze their benefit plan and then design a plan of action to support their objectives for recruiting and retaining employees. Joanne is a well-respected veteran with over 20 years of experience in the fields of employee benefits, business development and business consulting.
|
 |
Rob Krieg, JD, CEBS, is a valuable member of the HCW consulting team. As Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant, Rob works with clients to develop the benefit program that best matches their needs. Rob’s strong drive, keen business mind and friendly demeanor are the secrets to his success.
|
 |
Ellen Tucker, CMCE, is a Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant on our consulting team. Ellen’s expertise in the areas of underwriting, product development, financial analysis, provider relations, market research, strategic planning and benefit administration make her one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the healthcare industry today.
|
 |
Steve Byrd plays a key role within HCW serving as Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant in HCW's Small Business Unit. Steve’s high integrity, diligent and conscientious manner is his key to providing our clients with exceptional service and exciting results.
|
 |
Jay Lowe, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant, leverages our resources and provides expert consultation in the area of benefit plan design and development for clients in the 25-50 employee market segment. Jay’s energetic and positive outlook makes him a great add to the HCW team.
|
 |
Dax Hill, Principal, Health & Welfare Consultant, brings a wealth of knowledge with him to HCW which helps his clients succeed in the strategic planning and implementation of their benefits plans. Always honest and dependable, Dax can be counted on as an advocate for those he serves.
|
 |
Jennifer Hargiss, Consultant Associate, brings over 15 years of benefits experience to the HCW consulting team. Jenn’s knowledge, drive, creativity, and determination set the bar for others in the field. She is an excellent resource for our customers as well as internal staff.
|
Business Development
 |
Jonathan Knaus, HCW's East Regional Manager, is responsible for company growth in Eastern North Carolina and contributing to the company's strategic plan and long-range organizational goals. Jonathan’s entrepreneurial drive and broad skill set make him a great addition to the our team.
|
 |
Renata Brophy, Triad Regional Manager, serves as a liaison to HCW's endeavors in the Triad area. Renata prides herself on accurately pairing prospective clients with the best resource for their organizational needs and goals. Renata works in tandem with HCW's subject matter experts to find the BEST solution for potential clients, ensuring their satisfaction.
|
 |
Rich Walters serves HCW as the Triangle Regional Manager. Rich is focused on expanding awareness of the HCW brand and services while developing new business opportunities in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Rich is focused on creating win-win outcomes and is excited to know and understand the needs of organizations within the Triangle area.
|
 |
Zach Nichols, Triad Regional Manager, brings excitement and expertise to the Triad. A High Point native, Zach’s background in banking, payroll and complimentary business services positions him well to understand the challenges and needs of mid-market employers. Zach focuses on companies across all industries who take a proactive approach to managing their employee benefits programs. A fierce competitor who likes to win, Zach has been recognized as a top performer. His goal in the Triad is to help companies win through a mutually-beneficial relationship with HCW.
|
Client Services
 |
Sheila Colosimo, Vice President of Client Service Operations, oversees all client service activities – from managing our service and client coordinator teams to overseeing our compliance and medical management platforms. Sheila’s vast field experience, strong organizational skills and powerful interpersonal qualities have helped greatly in building our rapidly-expanding client base over the past few years.
|
 |
Rebecca Sheaffer, Client Coordinator, works in tandem with the HCW consultants to make certain the action items outlined in our clients’ benefit strategy & renewal meetings are executed. Rebecca is considered one of the most charismatic members of the HCW staff and a valuable resource to our client coordinator team.
|
 |
Jennifer Craven serves as one of HCW’s Client Coordinators responsible for managing company resources to effectively address client issues. Jennifer brings an impressive skill set to HCW, with proficiencies in benefit administration, client relationship management, communications and strategy implementation and is very fastidious and thorough in everything she does.
|
 |
Brigid King, PHR, Client Coordinator, works with our consultants and helps execute benefit strategies for client employers. Brigid’s extensive HR background, thoroughness, and reputation for outstanding service and commitment to building effective relationships make her a perfect fit for HCW.
|
 |
Heather Moore functions as the HCW Client Coordinator Team Lead bringing great depth of knowledge to her team. Her detailed and precise nature is the key to her success as she works hard to assist the HCW consultants and our clients with strategy implementation. Heather’s strong sense of direction and ability to understand the whole picture, summarize and communicate back to the client, is a large strength of hers.
|
 |
Rachel Seither, Client Coordinator, exemplifies HCWs desire to be proactive for our clients. As a front line client contact, with Rachel’s strong planning, organizing and monitoring abilities, she is always on top of following up on issues and keeping clients in the know - making sure they know what to do and when to do it.
|
 |
Angela Wilson, CEBS, brings 15 years of experience in the group benefits field, mostly in client relationship management, to her role of client coordinator. Angie's wittiness always puts a smile on our faces and her strong dedication to building effective relationships is paramount.
|
 |
Kylelyn Wildes, Client Coordinator, has spent several years in the employee benefits industry, serving both fully-insured and self-funded companies with 2-500 employees. At HCW, Kylelyn is quick to respond to her clients’ needs to gain trust and truly loves guiding people to the proper utilization of their employee benefits packages.
|
 |
Christy Kim joined HCW as a Client Coordinator in 2012, bringing with her a wealth of experience in the employee benefits consulting industry. While Christy possesses a strong background in health and welfare plans, her true passion is service. Christy’s conscientious attention to our clients makes her a valuable benefit to them as well as the client services team.
|
 |
Client Coordinator I - (Position Available) The Client Coordinator I supports the Consultant in servicing clients in many aspects of the firm’s employee benefit plan services. The position has some external client contact under the guidance of the Consultant, and is expected to bring a level of professionalism to the client’s service. The Client Coordinator I works with internal teams with support from the Consultant and more senior Client Coordinators. This position handles smaller clients with fewer product offerings and less complexity. View Full Requirements & Responsibilities » |
 |
Deborah Hammond serves as Client Service Specialist. Her vast experience has made her a valuable member of our staff as she is very effective at implementing the benefit programs for clients within our small business unit.
|
 |
Rebecca Wade, Client Service Specialist, is a go-to person for the execution of benefits programs in our small business unit. Always ready to support and manage the various daily challenges, Rebecca’s experience and responsiveness serves everyone well.
|
 |
Vicki Miller, Client Services Team Lead, works as a liaison between the client and carrier for escalated claims, billing, service and administrative issues. Vicki has the type of warm personality and strong work ethic that our clients have come to expect from our service team and HCW as a whole.
|
 |
Sarah Purcell, GBA, Client Service Representative, exemplifies complete focus on the customer every day as she tackles benefit plan questions with dedication and ease. Sarah's genuine and gentle nature is perfect for putting clients at ease and makes her a great asset to HCW's service team.
|
 |
Katherine Fernandes, Client Service Representative, started her HCW career greeting callers with a friendly voice and visitors with a smile. Katherine has since joined our service team and applies her same cheerful demeanor to assiting customers and resolving problems they may encounter with their benefit plan.
|
Compliance
 |
Laura Bibb, JD, GBA serves as HCW’s Compliance Officer, specializing in regulation compliance for health and welfare benefit plans, including all laws and regulations that impact employee benefits. With a finger on the pulse of ever-changing rules and regulations, along with her keen eye for details and meticulous research abilities, Laura works hard to keep all of our clients safe!
|
Medical Management
 |
Twyla Hutchins, RN, BSN, COHN-S, is a member of our client services team functioning as HCW's Medical Management Officer. With over 23 years of overall healthcare and occupational health program experience, coupled with her energetic personality, Twyla is committed to helping as many people as she can live a healthy life!
|
Underwriting & Risk Management
 |
Hue Sheahan, Vice President, Underwriting and Risk Management, leads her team to help manage the risk of all clients. Hue and her team work closely with the HCW consultants to compile and analyze financial and utilization data of our clients. Hue’s driven nature is evidenced by her desire to continuously build new tools and methodologies to help clients apply the most cost effective solution to their benefit plans.
|
 |
Amanda Oakes, serves as an Underwriting Risk Analyst. Amanda works closely with our consultants in the development of plan strategies and negotiation of renewals. Amanda’s sharp analytical skills make her an integral part of the HCW family. |
 |
Christine Laiewski, Underwriting Risk Analyst, provides valuable support to our clients helping them to keep a pulse on the performance of their plan so that there are no surprises at renewal. Christine’s sincere dedication and industry knowledge yields yet another great fit to the HCW team.
|
 |
McKenzie Watts, Benefits Analyst, works on our Underwriting and Risk Management team and is responsible for collecting and summarizing plan data from carriers and clients. McKenzie’s vivacious personality and cheerful outlook are just a couple of the qualities she possess and are fundamental in her ability to build relationships with internal and external customers.
|
 |
Caroline Niles, Benefits Analyst, completes renewal plan and cost summary exhibits for all products, working directly with clients to gather risk information as well as organizes, manages, and completes the renewal process with carriers. Caroline’s keen eye for details and desire to do a great job are always evident.
|
 |
Courtney Justice joined Hill, Chesson & Woody in April 2011 as a benefits analyst after a successful career in banking. Her detail-oriented nature earns her the trust of her coworkers and HCW’s clients which is crucial in her role creating healthcare renewal exhibits. Courtney also works with the HCW consulting team to help find the best benefit plans based on richness of benefits and cost, as well as preparing benchmarking data for clients. |
 |
Stephen Hungate quickly learned about life at HCW during his stint as Administrative Assistant. Now serving as a Benefits Analyst, Stephen applies the same energy and can-do attitude to helping our consulting team on a daily basis. Stephen collects plan data from carriers and creates summary exhibits to ensure our clients have the information they need for their renewal process.
|
Marketing & Communications
 |
Vicki Norris, Director, Marketing & Communications, oversees the design, implementation, and management of HCW’s robust marketing and corporate communications programs to support the growth and expansion of our company. Vicki’s strong background in market strategy development and project management consistently keeps HCW in front of all the right people.
|
 |
Chris Tutino, Communications Specialist, is responsible for all external messaging to the public, clients and their employees, as well as works directly with clients to develop communications plans. Chris’ adaptable writing style and diverse public relations background ensure HCW is targeting the right audience with the proper message.
|
 |
Stephanie Clark, Marketing Specialist, is responsible for designing, delivering and tracking HCW’s lead generation campaigns to build our brand identity. Stephanie is also responsible for organizing our many special event activities to build our brand awareness. With her zealous eye for design, Stephanie always makes us look good!
|
Operations & Administrative
 |
Carol Wagoner, SPHR, serves as Vice President of Administration focusing on the design, operation and improvement of HCW internal systems that create and deliver the HCW experience. Carol’s extensive experience and passion leading people, coupled with her results-oriented leadership style, keep HCW running like a well-oiled machine.
|
 |
Mandy Sanders, Accountant, is a tenured HCW team member who not only manages the company’s accounting function but is the go-to person for all HCW employees! Mandy’s unvarying attention to detail and accuracy ensures she is always doing an efficient and effective job safeguarding the company’s assets. |
|
For most, Elizabeth Williams is the friendly, first point of contact at the HCW office. As Adminstrative Assistant, Elizabeth diligently coordinates HCW office activities and assists staff in their day-to-day activities. With her energetic, helpful nature, she is a true asset to the HCW team.
|
