Why Clients Choose Us
Since launching in 2002, we’ve built a next-generation system that can integrate any type of employee benefit from any carrier – core, supplemental, or voluntary, group or individual – and seamlessly manage the benefits administration. Our proprietary technology is not only highly robust, efficient, and scalable but it also eliminates enrollment and timing errors associated with voluntary products. The end result is that employees, employers, and carriers are united.
The Benefit Harbor Advantage
Clients choose Benefit Harbor because our unique proprietary technology offers a robust ecosystem with seamless integration that allows them to better attract, retain and grow their employee population. We continually exceed client expectations by offering an engaging digital experience for employees through our intuitive and easy to use employee benefits platform while also offering an executive suite of HR tools.
Committed to Our Values
Agile – Nimble and responsive, we anticipate the needs of our clients and partners and we can change directions quickly as needed.
Reliable – Clients trust us to build things that work and we take that seriously. Our team will overcome obstacles, find solutions and deliver results.
Genuine – We operate with transparency, integrity and honesty.
Collaborative – Working together with our clients and partners to focus on successful outcomes for all.
Innovative – Our passion challenges us to constantly develop solutions to complex and evolving problems.
Knowledgeable – We provide relevant and meaningful information to employees, improving their financial protection and well being through technology.
Leadership
Mike Lester was named CEO of Benefit Harbor in 2000. His responsibility is to set the long-term strategy, initiate strategic opportunities, and manage outside financial resources.
Mike has substantial experience in the financial services industry including retail and wholesale investment management, investment banking, private equity and investment management. He began his career in 1983 as a securities broker with Prudential-Bache Securities serving institutional clients and large retail clients through the Ft. Worth, Texas office. In 1997, Mike formed a Registered Investment Advisor, Bledsoe Lester Corporation, which eventually became Summit Advisor Solutions and was sold to a publicly held investment management company in 2016. From 1999 to 2015, he was the President and COO of Summit Alliance Financial, LLP, which grew to become one of the largest life insurance general agency in the country.
Mr. Lester was born in Peoria, Illinois and graduated with a B.S. in Business from Bradley University in 1983. He holds a Series 3, Series 7, Series 24, Series 27 and Series 63 license and registration with FINRA and the Texas State Securities Board. He also currently holds a Group I life and health insurance license in all 50 states.
Bill was named President of Benefit Harbor in December 2000. He’s responsible for setting the company’s overall strategy, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering compelling services that meet the needs of Benefit Harbor’s current and future customers.
Bill has extensive business experience working in private and public companies, focusing on the healthcare, insurance, and financial industries. Before joining Benefit Harbor, Bill worked on large emerging technology projects for Southwest Airlines, where he led project teams that focused on security initiatives, on-time performance, and flight schedule optimization. He had previously worked for Bank One Capital Partners, where he was responsible for analyzing business plans for mezzanine investments.
Bill holds a Master of Arts degree in applied economics from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Texas Christian University.
Yaser joined Benefit Harbor as Chief Technology Officer in November 2000. He oversees all of Benefit Harbor’s systems engineering, architecture, and e-commerce initiatives.
Yaser has a broad range of experience in software development languages and environments. Before joining Benefit Harbor, he led enterprise-scale development teams at companies including IBM, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, MCI, Southwest Airlines, Federal Express, and Sabre. While at Sabre, Yaser participated in the design and implementation of AAcorn, a product that allowed agents to complete a number of transactions simultaneously, increasing customer satisfaction and saving American Airlines time and money. At Southwest Airlines, he designed and implemented Web-based applications. At Barrett Burke Wilson, Yaser designed and implemented an Oracle-based system for lawyers to track bankruptcies and litigation cases.
Yaser received a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer sciences from the University of North Texas. He has received special training in EJB, Java, UML, Sybase System 11, and SilverStream.
Mary Anne joined the Benefit Harbor team in September 2009. Mary Anne has held several key positions at Benefit Harbor including roles requiring implementation of new strategic business initiatives from the ground floor. Mary Anne’s hands on experience in several roles over her tenure at Benefit Harbor has afforded her the ability to streamline and improve processes at the team level as well as the overall organization. Mary Anne built several teams within the organization enabling the company to grow and continually service our clients.
As COO, Mary Anne is responsible for overseeing the operations team which includes: benefit administration, implementation, auditing, data transmissions, training, call center enrollment and customer service. Mary Anne and her team have enhanced the productivity of the operations department by working closely with sales and the information technology department to optimize Benefit Harbor’s processes. Mary Anne will provide continued leadership, management and vision, as she helps guide Benefit Harbor in the execution of growth-focused strategies
Mary Anne brings with her over 20 years of benefit administration experience as well as general human resources experience. Mary Anne has worked for large privately held companies as well as large corporate entities.
Mary Anne holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Widener University in Chester Pennsylvania.
Mark Richison was named Chief Financial Officer of Benefit Harbor in 2012. His responsibility is to direct the accounting/reporting, treasury, economic strategy and forecasting, as well as the legal and human capital aspects of the company.
Mark has extensive accounting, finance, and tax experience working in private and international public companies. Prior to joining Benefit Harbor, Mark was Director of Finance for Nice Systems, LTD where he led the accounting and finance functions for the Workforce Management Division as well as the Central and Latin America region. Previously, he worked for Insight Enterprises, Inc. where he held various roles in accounting and corporate tax. Mark also has controllership experience with private companies in the manufacturing and oil and gas industries.
Mark holds a Master of Science degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Mark is a Certified Public Accountant.
Since joining Benefit Harbor in 2010, Austin has held several key positions that have allowed him to create new sales distribution methods and implement strategies that have positively impacted Benefit Harbor’s standard processes. The impact of his ingenuity and leadership has been felt not only in his department, but has expanded and improved efficiencies across the entire organization.
As EVP of Sales and Service, Austin oversees all aspects of the sales team’s daily activities as well as maintaining our client relationships. His amazing ability to motivate his team and to consistently generate unmitigated results makes him an outstanding leader.
Austin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Southern Methodist University.
Careers at Benefit Harbor
You are hardworking, creative and bold. You are looking for a company to apply your unique skills while being surrounding by an inspiring group of innovators. You should apply at Benefit Harbor.
Job Openings
Summary/Objective
The Client Manager is directly responsible for managing the Service Team and ensuring that Benefit Harbor exceeds expectations by supporting clients with their benefit administration. The Client Manager is responsible for implementation and ongoing administration for a book of clients. This includes initial plan documentation, project management, and day to day operations. The Client Manager will work closely with EDI teams and management to research and resolve issues and escalations.
- The Client Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for clients and lead a team of Benefit Administrators and EDI Analysts.
- Maintain requirements documents for system build and self-service sites (this includes benefit class grids, rates, site verbiage and documents, system access, plan "rules" and action/agenda logs).
- Work directly with carriers and brokers to confirm benefit plans details and rules for system functionality.
- Monitor progress of initial system and renewal builds, including administrative sites, self-service, and EDI Files.
- Test administrative and self-service sites, track and monitor changes, and present finalized product to the client and broker.
- Determine, document, and execute processes necessary to meet all deliverables presented in the scope of service.
- Present, demonstrate, and train both internal and external customers on administrative and self-service site for open enrollment demos and new functionality changes.
- Analyze escalations; research and troubleshoot from initial contact, sourcing internal partners as needed, and maintain ownership through resolution.
- Lead client and carrier calls, complete and follow agenda items, and provide meeting minutes and updates on outstanding items.
- Continuously look for process improvements for clients and the organization such as automation and functionality enhancements.
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Benefit Administrators and EDI Analysts.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Required Qualifications:
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General Knowledge, Experience, Technical, and Problem-Solving Skills
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Must be proficient in Excel (VLOOKUP, Basic Functionality)
- Must have health and welfare knowledge
- Strong analytical skill-set and ability to use data to define and resolve issues
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Communication Proficiency:
- Strong Written and Verbal Communication Skills with the ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical personnel; ability to listen, clarify and respond well to questions
- Excellent listening skills and the ability to ask probing questions, understand concerns and overcome objections
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Customer/ Focus
- Demonstrated ability to provide superior Customer Service
- Present solutions in a well-organized and clear fashion
- Must possess strong follow up and follow through skills with a sense of urgency and attention
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Leadership
- Experience in working collaboratively and building teams
- Strong work ethic and self-starter, able to effectively manage multiple clients and adapt to change within a fast-paced high-intensity business setting
- Must possess integrity, reliability, responsibility, strong organization skills and high attention to detail.
Other Positional Details
- Minimum Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or related experience in business, preferably in Service Management
- 5+ years demonstrated management experience with complex projects in the benefits industry (preferably Health & Welfare), or other related experience
- Work Environment
- The work is typically performed in a normal office environment on site at Benefit Harbor or in a remote home office. Some travel and extended hours may be required.
Suggested Schedule
This is a full-time exempt position. General hours of operation are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm with some flexibility to support clients throughout the continental US. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required during peak periods.
Send resume to support@benefitharbor.com
