Tag Archives: employee benefits consulting

Strategic Benefits Advisors holds steady as Atlanta’s benefits consultant market shrinks 17%

Firm named one of Atlanta's largest employee benefits companies for eighth consecutive year and adds Operations and People Development Officer Kendra Jeffreys to support continued growth

ATLANTA, Ga., Sept. 23, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) has been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s largest employee benefits and compensation companies of 2026. This is the eighth consecutive year SBA has made the Chronicle’s annual list highlighting benefits consultants and brokers. Even as the number of benefits consultants and brokers in Atlanta fell 17% in 2026, according to the Chronicle, SBA held its position and is ensuring readiness for growth with the recent addition of Operations and People Development Officer Kendra Jeffreys.

Image caption: Kendra Jeffreys of Strategic Benefits Advisors.

Jeffreys joined SBA in April to lead the design and scaling of the internal systems, processes and talent infrastructure that support SBA’s growth. On the operational side, she guides how SBA deploys AI and automation to improve efficiency while maintaining the judgment, accuracy and client stewardship central to its consulting approach. She also oversees the recruiting, onboarding and leadership development programs that help SBA attract and grow talent.

“The contraction in Atlanta’s benefits consulting market reflects a broader period of consolidation across the industry,” said SBA Founding Principal Mindy Zatto. “Against that backdrop, SBA has continued to grow because our clients across the country value experienced, independent consultants who stay close to the work and can help them navigate increasingly complex benefits decisions. That kind of continuity matters, especially when the market around you is changing.”

“As SBA grows, we also have to be deliberate about how we build the firm behind the client work,” Zatto added. “Kendra is the right person to help us strengthen the systems, processes and talent development practices that support our people today and position SBA for thoughtful, sustainable growth.”

Jeffreys brings more than 20 years of experience in organizational effectiveness, enterprise transformation, project management and people development. Before joining SBA, she held senior operational leadership roles with national and global organizations, where she led large-scale transformation initiatives, systems implementations, process improvement efforts and staff development programs. She earned her master’s degree in public health from Georgia State University and her bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from Emory University.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of more than 20 years in the field, SBA’s team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

NEWS SOURCE: Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/strategic-benefits-advisors-holds-steady-as-atlantas-benefits-consultant-market-shrinks-17/

Strategic Benefits Advisors outlines what plan sponsors need to know about the One Big Beautiful Bill

ATLANTA, Ga., July 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today released a practical summary of the employee benefits provisions contained in the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. While the legislation spans a wide range of tax and policy changes, SBA’s summary highlights the bill’s most significant impacts on employer-sponsored retirement plans, health and welfare benefits and payroll operations.

Image caption: Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) logo.

“Ever since the Affordable Care Act, employer-sponsored benefits have remained in flux, with each new piece of legislation adding another layer of complexity,” said SBA Director and Senior Benefits Consultant Andy Clonts. “The One Big Beautiful Bill is no different. It introduces helpful flexibilities around HSA eligibility and indexes to inflation certain limits that have been stagnant for many years. At the same time, it creates new operational and compliance challenges that plan sponsors will need to navigate.”

“Some provisions are optional, others automatic and several require careful coordination between HR, payroll and third-party vendors,” Clonts added. “Our goal is to help plan sponsors cut through the noise and quickly understand which provisions affect them so they can prioritize what to address now versus what may require longer-term planning.”

RETIREMENT PLAN IMPACTS:

New Trump accounts for employees and dependents: OBBB creates a new tax-advantaged savings vehicle, referred to as a Trump account. Beginning in 2026, employers may contribute up to $2,500 per year (indexed for inflation) on a tax-free basis to accounts owned by employees or their dependents. These accounts function similarly to IRAs and are intended to support long-term savings goals.

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN IMPACTS:

Dependent Care FSA limit increased: Beginning in 2026, the dependent care FSA contribution limit increases from $5,000 to $7,500 per household ($3,750 if married filing separately). The new cap is not indexed for inflation.
Expanded HSA eligibility:
- First-dollar telehealth coverage: OBBB makes permanent a pandemic-era exception that allows HDHPs to offer pre-deductible telehealth benefits without jeopardizing HSA eligibility.
- Direct Primary Care (DPC): DPC arrangements are no longer considered disqualifying coverage, and associated fees (up to $150 per month for individuals or $300 per month for families) are now reimbursable from HSAs.
- Bronze and catastrophic plans: All bronze and catastrophic plans purchased on the individual Exchange now count as HDHPs for HSA eligibility purposes.
Student loan repayment programs made permanent: OBBB makes permanent the ability for employers to provide up to $5,250 annually in tax-free educational assistance, including student loan repayments. Starting in 2026, this limit will be indexed for inflation.
PFML tax credit expanded: The Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) tax credit is now permanent, is available in all states, features reduced service requirements (six months instead of one year) and applies even when employers fund leave through insurance premiums.
Enhanced employer-provided child care credit: The maximum employer-provided child care credit increases to $500,000 (or $600,000 for qualifying small businesses), with a higher reimbursement percentage, new allowances for pooling resources and using third-party intermediaries and indexing for inflation beginning in 2026.
Elimination of bicycle commuting reimbursement: OBBB makes permanent the repeal of a fringe benefit that allowed employers to reimburse up to $20 per month in qualified bicycle commuting expenses on a tax-free basis. Most employers did not offer it, but those that did will no longer be able to provide this reimbursement on a tax-advantaged basis starting in 2026.

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION IMPACTS:

Tips and overtime earnings excluded from income tax: For tax years 2025–2028, employees may deduct qualified tips and overtime premium pay from their federal taxable income when filing their annual tax return. While payroll withholding practices remain unchanged, payroll teams should ensure proper earnings breakout reporting and anticipate employee questions. Employees must continue reporting tips to their employers, and employers must treat tips and overtime as taxable income for withholding purposes and include them on employees’ W-2s.

This summary is intended to provide general information and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. For help assessing the impact of these changes on your plan and workforce, reach out to your Strategic Benefits Advisors consultant.

ABOUT STRATEGIC BENEFITS ADVISORS:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to more than 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of more than 20 years in the field, SBA’s team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

Tags: #OBBB #employeebenefits #retirement #healthcare

NEWS SOURCE: Strategic Benefits Advisors Inc.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/strategic-benefits-advisors-outlines-what-plan-sponsors-need-to-know-about-the-one-big-beautiful-bill/

Strategic Benefits Advisors offers guidance for plan sponsors as they seek to comply with landmark SECURE 2.0 retirement legislation

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) issued a statement today outlining provisions of the newly enacted SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) that are likely to affect most medium to large retirement plan sponsors.

"Employers are still getting their arms around the scope of change represented by SECURE 2.0," said SBA Principal Andy Adams. "We've created an outline that trims the Senate Finance Committee summary down to those provisions most relevant to defined contribution plans without taking all the meat off the bones. Our goal is to give plan sponsors an approachable entry point for understanding where the rubber meets the road."

Hailed as landmark retirement reform, SECURE 2.0 builds on the SECURE Act of 2019 to enhance the long-term financial security of millions of Americans by providing wider access to retirement savings. President Biden signed SECURE 2.0 into law on December 29, 2022, as part of a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill that also includes funds for national defense, medical research, safety, veteran health care and disaster recovery.

While most provisions within the 358-page SECURE 2.0 package apply to plan years beginning January 1, 2024, or later, certain provisions apply for the 2023 plan year. According to Adams and fellow SBA Principal Lynn Bullard, SECURE 2.0 provisions that will affect a majority of large and mid-sized defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors can be summarized as follows.

Mandatory changes to required minimum distribution (RMD) rules:

* Effective December 29, 2022, expands the amount that can be excluded from RMD rules if used to purchase qualified longevity annuity contracts.

* Effective January 1, 2023, raises the RMD age (the age at which participants must begin withdrawing from their retirement accounts) from 72 to 73, with a subsequent increase to 75 effective January 1, 2033.

* Effective January 1, 2023, reduces the individual tax penalty for failure to take the RMD.

* Effective January 1, 2023, provides more flexibility in the allowable timing, amounts and features of life annuities to satisfy RMD requirements by removing an existing actuarial test.

* Effective January 1, 2024, allows the surviving spouse of a participant who dies before commencing RMDs to elect to be treated as the employee for RMD purposes.

* Effective January 1, 2024, eliminates RMD requirements on Roth accounts prior to a participant's death.

Other changes to retirement plan distributions:

* Effective for federally declared disasters occurring on or after January 26, 2021, provides permanent rules related to the permitted use of retirement funds by affected individuals including penalty-free withdrawals of up to $22,000, taxation over three years, repayment provisions and special loan considerations.

* Effective December 29, 2022, eliminates the 10% early withdrawal penalty on distributions to terminally ill participants.

* Effective December 29, 2022, limits the repayment period for distributions taken for qualified birth or adoption expenses to three years.

* Effective January 1, 2023, permits employers to rely on employee self-certification of an event that constitutes a hardship.

* Effective January 1, 2024, eliminates the 10% early withdrawal penalty on amounts up to $1,000 in a year for personal or family emergencies. No other such emergency distribution may be made within three years unless the initial distribution is repaid.

* Effective January 1, 2024, creates a new, penalty-free withdrawal for victims of domestic abuse. Income taxes will be refunded to the participant for distributions repaid within three years.

* Effective January 1, 2024, increases the mandatory distribution cap to $7,000 (formerly $5,000).

* Effective December 29, 2025, permits distributions of up to $2,500 to pay for long-term care insurance premiums with no early withdrawal penalty.

Additional operational changes:

* Effective December 29, 2022, allows employers to give DC plan participants the option to receive employer matching contributions on a Roth (after-tax) basis.

* Effective January 1, 2023, allows employers to offer de minimis, immediate financial incentives (such as gift cards) to encourage employees to join retirement plans.

* Effective January 1, 2023, limits the types of plan disclosures required to those who have not elected to participate.

* Effective January 1, 2024, requires that all catch-up contributions to qualified retirement plans by highly paid participants be made on a Roth (after-tax) basis.

* Effective January 1, 2024, allows employers to offer individuals the option to pay down a student loan instead of contributing to a 401(k) plan and still receive an employer match in their retirement plan. Plan sponsors may conduct separate non-discrimination testing for these individuals.

* Effective January 1, 2024, allows plan sponsors to offer non-highly compensated employees an emergency savings account. Employers may auto-enroll employees at no more than 3% of compensation. Contributions are capped at $2,500, after which time contributions must be stopped or directed to an employee's Roth IRA until the balance falls below the cap.

* Effective January 1, 2024, modifies top-heavy testing so that a plan sponsor may test non-excludable and excludable employees separately.

* Effective December 29, 2023, allows plan providers to offer the ability to automatically deposit a participant's default IRA from a previous employer into a new employer's qualified plan.

* Instructs the Department of Labor to issue new guidance by December 29, 2024, on benchmarking target date funds against appropriate indices.

* Instructs the Department of Labor to create a central data repository (the 'Retirement Savings Lost and Found') by December 29, 2024, for participants to search for their plan administrator's contact information.

* Effective January 1, 2025, requires new 401(k) and 403(b) plans to automatically enroll employees unless they specifically opt out.

* Effective January 1, 2025, creates new, higher catch-up contribution limits for those ages 60 through 63 who participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans.

* Effective January 1, 2025, requires plan sponsors to allow part-time employees who work at least 500 hours a year for two consecutive years (not three years, as under current law) to participate in company 401(k) plans.

* Effective January 1, 2026, requires plan sponsors to provide participants with at least one paper account statement per year, unless the participant elects otherwise.

Updates to plan correction methods:

* Effective December 29, 2022, expands the IRS' Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) by allowing more errors to be corrected through self-correction, extending applicability to inadvertent IRA errors and exempting certain RMD failures from excise taxes.

* Effective December 29, 2022, limits the degree to which plans may seek to recoup excess retirement plan payments from participants and gives plan sponsors the ability to choose not to recoup overpayments.

* Effective January 1, 2024, allows for correction of reasonable errors in administration of automatic enrollment and automatic escalation within 91/2 months after the end of the plan year in which the mistakes occurred (alleviating concern over the existing safe harbor correction method under EPCRS that expires December 31, 2023).

This list is not exhaustive. The full text of SECURE 2.0, including provisions that affect pension and cash-balance plans, may be found on pages 2046-2404 of the omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

The Senate Financial Committee's 19-page summary of SECURE 2.0 may be found here (PDF): https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Secure%202.0_Section%20by%20Section%20Summary%2012-19-22%20FINAL.pdf

"For retirement plan sponsors, the question is not whether SECURE 2.0 impacts them, it's which of the more than 90 provisions apply to them and when do they take effect," said Bullard. "Determining the portions of the law relevant to each plan's unique situation is the first step in building a comprehensive plan of action that will keep employers in compliance with minimal disruption to participants and administrative teams."

For help bringing your plan into compliance with SECURE 2.0, talk to your SBA consultant or email info@sba-inc.com to connect with SBA's experienced team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 25 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry.

For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

RELATED LINKS:

https://www.sba-inc.com/new-bill-targets-employer-sponsored-retirement-plans/

https://www.napa-net.org/sites/napa-net.org/files/SECURE%20Act%202.0%20Final%20Text_122022.PDF

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) issued a statement today outlining provisions of the newly enacted SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) that are likely to affect most medium to large retirement plan sponsors.

Related link: https://www.sba-inc.com/

Chris Lorino Returns to Strategic Benefits Advisors as Defined Benefit Administration Team Leader

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today welcomed retirement plan consultant Chris Lorino as leader of the firm's defined benefit (DB) administration team. Lorino possesses 30 years' experience providing benefits consulting, trust administration and relationship management services to DB and defined contribution (DC) plan providers.

Lorino served as a benefits consultant within SBA's DC practice ten years ago. Most recently, he was a senior client relationship executive at TriNet (NYSE: TNET), where he managed some of the organization's largest and most complex client relationships. Previously, he served as senior client relationship manager at Newport Group, where he assisted plan sponsors in the management of fiduciary responsibilities, developing and managing business plans tailored to each client's specific business objectives. Lorino has also held senior management positions at Aon Hewitt (NYSE: AON) predecessor Hewitt Associates.

"I am pleased to welcome Chris back to the SBA team, where he will assume leadership of our DB administration group," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Mindy Zatto. "His well-honed client servicing skills and expansive plan administration expertise will figure prominently in guiding our clients' success."

Lorino holds a bachelor's degree in corporate finance and investment banking from the University of Alabama.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits challenges for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

Tags: @StrategicBenefitsAdvisors #EmployeeBenefits #peoplemovers #benefitsconsulting #definedbenefits

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today welcomed retirement plan consultant Chris Lorino as leader of the firm's defined benefit (DB) administration team. Lorino possesses 30 years' experience providing benefits consulting, trust administration and relationship management services to DB and defined contribution (DC) plan providers.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

Strategic Benefits Advisors Urges 401(k) Plan Sponsors to Review Payroll Procedures Before Year’s End to Ensure SECURE Act Readiness

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today issued guidance urging 401(k) plan sponsors to review their payroll systems and procedures in advance of January 1, 2021, to ensure compliance with the federal Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act.

The SECURE Act includes a mandatory requirement for plan sponsors to allow long-term, part-time employees to participate in 401(k) plans alongside full-time employees. Starting January 1, 2021, plan sponsors must begin counting hours for part-time employees who work at least 500 hours a year. Employees who work 500 hours for three consecutive years must be offered the opportunity to participate in their organization's 401(k) plan beginning in 2024.

"Plan sponsors who don't move fast will be hard-pressed to make necessary changes in just 60 days," said SBA Founding Principal Andy Adams. "Changes involving payroll providers and HRIS systems are notoriously time-consuming, so a sense of urgency is called for to ensure effective processes for counting hours are in place by January 1."

Historically, many retirement plan sponsors have only tracked hours for part-time employees who work 1,000 or more hours per year. Others have simplified timekeeping by crediting part-time employees a fixed number of hours for each day or pay period worked. Regardless of their approach for tracking hours or using equivalencies, plan sponsors will need to coordinate with their recordkeepers, payroll providers and HR information system (HRIS) providers to make a plan for crediting part-time employees who work 500 hours or more.

Counting hours for part-time employees is not always straightforward. To relieve themselves of the administrative burden of counting hours, some plan sponsors may decide to extend eligibility to all part-time employees, regardless of hours worked.

"The calculus behind the decision to extend eligibility to every part-time employee will vary greatly from one plan sponsor to the next depending on the size and nature of its workforce and its available resources," said Adams. "Plan sponsors will also need to decide whether newly eligible part-time employees should be allowed to share in employer contributions, as the SECURE Act leaves this decision entirely in employers' hands."

SBA recommends plan sponsors seek expert advice on how best to determine part-time employees' hours. The SECURE Act represents the most significant changes to employer-sponsored retirement plans in over a decade. SBA published a summary of the law's provisions in April 2019.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits challenges for clients ranging from 1,000 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 25 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

@AtlBizChron #EmployeeBenefits #BenefitsConsulting #Top20Companies

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) today issued guidance urging 401(k) plan sponsors to review their payroll systems and procedures in advance of January 1, 2021, to ensure compliance with the federal Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

Strategic Benefits Advisors Makes List of Atlanta’s Top Employee Benefits and Compensation Companies for Second Year

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- For a second consecutive year, independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) has been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle's list of the top 20 employee benefits and compensation companies in Atlanta.

SBA was recognized for being one of the Atlanta metro area's largest employers of benefits consultants. A trusted provider of benefits administration, implementation, re-engineering and consulting services for nearly two decades, SBA supports Fortune 500 companies and other mid- to large-sized organizations across North America with services ranging from plan design and administration to vendor searches to actuarial valuation. The firm's consultants average over 25 years of experience in the field.

"We are proud of SBA's consistent recognition as a top provider of employee benefits consulting," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Andy Adams. "When large and mid-sized organizations need to fix problems, make changes or better manage their employee benefit programs, Strategic Benefits Advisors is the objective consultant they rely on to devise and implement practical solutions."

About Strategic Benefits Advisors

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits challenges for clients ranging from 500 to over 300,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 25 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry. For more information, visit https://www.sba-inc.com/.

@AtlBizChron #EmployeeBenefits #BenefitsConsulting #Top20Companies

For a second consecutive year, independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) has been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle's list of the top 20 employee benefits and compensation companies in Atlanta.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

EPIC Adds Matthew Marmorek as National Practice Leader, Global (Non-U.S.) Employee Benefits

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Matthew Marmorek has joined the firm as National Practice Leader, Global (Non-U.S.) Employee Benefits.

Marmorek has worked in the international employee benefits industry for almost two decades. He specializes in developing innovative solutions to help multinational organizations meet their global employee benefit needs. He has extensive experience guiding clients through the implementation of financing vehicles such as multinational pooling, global underwriting, and captive arrangements, both on and off-shore including medical, non-medical and pension coverage.

Marmorek brings deep carrier relations and has worked with a network of international brokers to assist with ex-patriate, third country and local national population placements. His expertise will bring a new level of strength to the Employee Benefits team within EPIC.

At the start of his international benefits career, Marmorek grew and managed a large customer portfolio within the multinational benefits unit of a major U.S. based global insurer providing solutions in over 100 countries. Prior to joining EPIC, Marmorek was with Zurich Insurance Group. While there he assisted in the launch of their US based Expatriate Solutions Unit, oversaw new business development and acted as a liaison for key external partnerships. His experience provides him with a unique and specialized understanding of the global employee benefits landscape.

Marmorek earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a licensed life and health underwriter.

Said Craig Hasday, President, National Employee Benefits Practice, "Early in my career, I worked with Matt on a global pooling arrangement for one of my first global clients and was very impressed with his knowledge and professionalism. Our organization needs world-class talent to provide our clients and consultants with the most innovative and cost-effective solutions in this unique space. Matt brings to EPIC the necessary skills, knowledge and commitment and I am pleased to welcome him to EPIC."

Matthew Marmorek can be reached at:
matthew.marmorek[at]epicbrokers.com
646.515.7600(m)

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent overseeing investments across the entire EPIC platform. The firm's core retail insurance brokerage business, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, now has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0317s2p-EPIC-Marmorek-300dpi.jpg

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Matthew Marmorek has joined the firm as National Practice Leader, Global (Non-U.S.) Employee Benefits.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC’s Tom Mackey Recognized as 2019 ‘Young Gun’ by Insurance Business America

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Tom Mackey, Risk Management Consultant has been named a 2019 Insurance Industry "Young Gun" by Insurance Business America (IBA).

According to IBA, this recognition represents, "an annual look at the young insurance professionals who are inspiring their peers with their expertise and passion for the industry - individuals who have managed to stand out in a competitive pool of talent, some with only a few years' experience in the business." All those being recognized are under the age of 35.

Mackey began his insurance industry career in 2014, following his nearly 4 years with Cambridge Associates. Mackey earned a Bachelor's Degree, International Business Administration & Finance from Elon University.

Said Jeff McCart, President, Southeast Region for EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, "Tom has been an excellent addition and has made significant contributions to our team since he joined our firm in 2014 and we are both pleased and proud to see him recognized by IBA in this way. His risk management expertise and passion for our business are motivating to all he works with, other EPIC team members and our clients, alike."

Tom Mackey can be reached in Atlanta at (678) 475-5758 or tom.mackey@epicbrokers.com.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 70 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $730 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/19-1031s2p-tom-mackey-300dpi.jpg
*Photo caption: Tom Mackey, Risk Management Consultant at EPIC.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Tom Mackey, Risk Management Consultant has been named a 2019 Insurance Industry "Young Gun" by Insurance Business America (IBA).

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC’s Kamran Khaliq Recognized as 2019 ‘Young Gun’ by Insurance Business America

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Kamran Khaliq, Vice President, Private Equity and M&A, has been named a 2019 Insurance Industry "Young Gun" by Insurance Business America (IBA).

According to IBA, this recognition represents, "an annual look at the young insurance professionals who are inspiring their peers with their expertise and passion for the industry - individuals who have managed to stand out in a competitive pool of talent, some with only a few years' experience in the business." All those being recognized are under the age of 35.

Khaliq began his insurance industry career in 2014, following his graduation from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree, Cum Laude, with a Double Major in Economics and Political Science and a Minor in Sociology.

Said Marc Kunney, President, Risk Management for EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, "Kamran has been an absolute standout since joining our firm in 2017 and we are both pleased and proud to see him recognized by IBA in this way. His expertise and passion for our business are motivating to all he works with, other EPIC team members and our clients, alike."

Kamran Khaliq can be reached in New York at (212) 295-5590 or kamran.khaliq@epicbrokers.com.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 2,000 team members operating from more than 70 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $600 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

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EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Kamran Khaliq, Vice President, Private Equity and M&A, has been named a 2019 Insurance Industry "Young Gun" by Insurance Business America (IBA).

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC adds Cecille Feliciano in Los Angeles CA

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Cecille Feliciano has joined the firm as Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits.

Feliciano will be based in EPIC's Los Angeles, Calif. office and report to Jim Gillette, President of EPIC's Pacific South Region, and Tiffany McClellan, Regional Director, Employee Benefits.

In her new position, Feliciano will have responsibility for new business development and for the design, implementation, and management of Employee Benefits programs, focusing on the needs of middle-market companies across a wide range of business and industry, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and technology.

Feliciano joins EPIC from Crystal & Company in Los Angeles, where she spent the past five years as Managing Director, Employee Benefit Services. She previously spent six years with Heffernan Insurance Brokers in Los Angeles as Managing Vice President, Employee Benefits, focusing on new business development and the strategic design and implementation of Employee Benefits programs.

"We are thrilled to continue the growth of our Employee Benefits Consulting operations in Southern California with Cecille's addition," said EPIC's Jim Gillette. "She is a well-respected, highly consultative employee benefits professional who will deliver great value to our clients and to other EPIC team members. I could not be more excited to have Cecille join our EPIC team."

Cecille Feliciano can be reached at cecille.feliciano@epicbrokers.com or (213) 629-8904.

About EPIC

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,800 team members operating from 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $575 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. Backed and sponsored by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Cecille Feliciano has joined the firm as Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

New Bill Targets Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) issued a statement today informing employers that bipartisan legislation currently pending could significantly revise the rules for employer-sponsored retirement plans.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 on April 2, the same day the Senate reintroduced its latest version of the Retirement Enhancement Savings Act (RESA) of 2019. The bills provide some administrative relief to employers and incentivize them to offer more savings plan opportunities and retirement income security to workers. A reconciled version of the two bills is expected to become law.

According to SBA Principal Mindy Zatto, the proposed legislation stands to benefit both employers and employees.

The SECURE bill includes provisions for employer-sponsored retirement plans which would:
* Relieve nondiscrimination testing requirements for closed defined benefit (DB) plans
* Delay the required minimum distribution starting age from 701/2 to 72
* Provide more time to retroactively adopt certain retirement plans
* Simplify rules and notice requirements related to qualified nonelective contributions in safe harbor 401(k) plans
* Increase the cap on auto-escalation of contributions for safe harbor 401(k) plans from 10% to 15% of pay
* Allow employers of all sizes to join together and create "open" multiple-employer plans (MEPs) to make defined contribution (DC) plans more affordable
* Encourage lifetime income options in DC plans through new participant disclosures, new provider selection rules and new ways to increase the portability of lifetime income investments
* Offer consolidated Form 5500 for certain DC plans to reduce administrative costs
* Allow long-term, part-time workers to participate in employer 401(k) plans
* Increase penalties for failure to file retirement plan returns (such as Forms 5500), required notifications of changes and required withholding notices
* Prohibit DC plans from extending loans to participants via credit cards
* Reduce payout period for nonspouse beneficiaries of DC plans (and IRAs) to 10 years after the participant's (owner's) death
* Convert custodial accounts from terminated 403(b) plans into IRAs
* Increase or create tax credits for small employers that start new retirement plans or automatically enroll workers into new 401(k) savings plans
* Reduce premiums for cooperative and small-employer charity (CSEC) plans
* Provide funding relief for community newspaper pension plans and clarify church plan requirements

Other provisions of the SECURE Act specifically for individuals are designed to:
* Eliminate the current age 701/2 limit for contributing to an IRA
* Allow graduate students to count stipends and non-tuition fellowship payments as compensation for IRA contribution purposes
* Permit penalty-free withdrawals of up to $5,000 from qualified retirement savings plans to help pay for childbirth or adoption expenses (with repayment permitted)
* Expand allowable expenses for 529 college savings plans to include apprenticeships, homeschooling, private school costs or up to $10,000 of qualified student loan repayments
* Increase penalties for individuals who fail to file tax returns.

"Employers that offer retirement programs should take the opportunity now to evaluate options for their current and future plans under the SECURE Act," said Zatto. "The proposed bill includes features that can be substantially beneficial for both plan sponsors and participants who want to increase retirement income security."

A summary of the SECURE Act's provisions can be found here (PDF): https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/documents/SECURE%20Act%20section%20by%20section_0.pdf.

A summary of the similar RESA can be found here (PDF): https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/RESA%20Summary%204.1.19-banner-converted.pdf.

To speak with Strategic Benefits Advisors' experienced team of benefits consultants about the potential impact of these bills on your plans, call 770-551-8989.

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:

Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to over 250,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition. With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry.

For more information, visit http://www.sba-inc.com/.

Twitter: #StrategicBenefitsAdvisors #EmployeeBenefits #HR1993 #SECUREACT #RetirementPlans

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) issued a statement today informing employers that bipartisan legislation currently pending could significantly revise the rules for employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

Strategic Benefits Advisors Promotes Three Consultants to Director Level

ATLANTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) today announced the advancement of retirement plan consultants Kim Shumate, David Runsick and Harry Souder to the role of director. Shumate, Runsick and Souder were promoted in recognition of their sustained contributions to SBA, including their proven success leading complex projects to high-value outcomes and fostering strong client relationships.

Kim Shumate
Shumate joined SBA as a senior benefits consultant in 2011, bringing with her over 28 years' experience as a retirement plan consultant. Since joining SBA, she has spearheaded numerous key projects, including the recent transitions of a Fortune 500 plan sponsor's defined contribution (DC), defined benefit (DB), health and welfare and non-qualified plans to new outsourcing providers.

David Runsick, Q.P.A.
Runsick joined SBA in 2005 as a senior benefits consultant. He possesses over 20 years of benefits industry experience specializing in DC plans. David is expert in many areas including complex error correction and compliance issues.

Harry Souder
Souder has been a benefits consultant at SBA since 2003. A nearly 30-year practitioner of actuarial and outsourcing consulting, he has extensive experience working with both DB and DC plans of all sizes. Harry is exceptional at large-scale data projects and complex benefit calculations.

"Strategic Benefits Advisors works hard to cultivate a team of deeply knowledgeable and effective leaders in employee benefits consulting," said SBA Co-Founder and Principal Mindy Zatto. "We are pleased to elevate Kim, David and Harry to the director level and look forward to their continued contributions to the success of SBA and our clients."

About Strategic Benefits Advisors:
Strategic Benefits Advisors, Inc. (SBA) is an independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm focused on creatively and effectively solving complex benefits issues for clients ranging from 500 to over 250,000 employees. Founded in 2002 by veteran consultants Mindy Zatto and Andy Adams, SBA provides practical consulting recommendations and expert implementation of solutions for all types of employee benefits programs, including retirement, health and welfare, financial wellness and employee recognition.

With an average of over 20 years in the field, SBA's team of actuaries, consultants and systems specialists is among the most experienced in the industry.

For more information, visit http://www.sba-inc.com/.

Independent, full-service employee benefits consulting firm Strategic Benefits Advisors (SBA) today announced the advancement of retirement plan consultants Kim Shumate, David Runsick and Harry Souder to the role of director. Shumate, Runsick and Souder were promoted in recognition of their sustained contributions to SBA, including their proven success leading complex projects to high-value outcomes and fostering strong client relationships.

Related link: http://www.sba-inc.com/

Bob Simpson Joins EPIC Insurance Brokers in Houston TX

HOUSTON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that veteran communications professional Bob Simpson has joined the firm as Director, Communications and Engagement (C&E) to lead EPIC's C&E practice nationally.

Simpson will be based in EPIC's Houston, TX office and report to John Gaffney, Vice President, National Benefits Operations.

Simpson's responsibilities will include providing strategic and tactical direction for all employee benefits client communication engagements. Simpson will further expand EPIC's offerings related to strategic consulting, writing, and creative/design services, and broaden the scope of existing communications services related to HR, change management, and engagement initiatives.

Prior to joining EPIC, Simpson spent three years in the Houston office of Willis Towers Watson, where he was Director of Change Management and Communication. He managed a national team of writers and consultants and was responsible for sales and client project management for the West Region.

Said John Gaffney, "Bob is an experienced project manager who understands the value of effective communications in the success of any endeavor. He has significant knowledge of strategic communication planning, stakeholder and environmental analysis, messaging strategies, and project planning and tracking. His communications skills and ability have significantly reduced project delivery times and costs, as well as minimizing resistance to change. We are very excited to add Bob to our EPIC team. "

Academically, Simpson attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Communication before continuing at the University of Southern California to earn a Master's Degree in Communication Management. Professionally, Simpson has been a member of the International Association of Business Communicators since 2015.

Bob Simpson can be reached at bob.simpson@epicbrokers.com or 832-675-9058.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has nearly 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 40,000 clients

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that veteran communications professional Bob Simpson has joined the firm as Director, Communications and Engagement (C&E) to lead EPIC's C&E practice nationally.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Iron Cove, a division of EPIC, again Named Best U.S. Insurance Provider by Hedgeweek

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that Iron Cove, a division of EPIC, was named Best US Insurance Provider by Hedgeweek, a Global Fund Media publication, which reaches over 98,000 financial services executives globally.

Principal Louis D'Agostino attended the Hedgeweek recognition event at the Intercontinental Hotel in NYC to accept the award on behalf of the Iron Cove team.

The winner of the prestigious award is determined by Hedgeweek readers, consisting of investors, managers, and industry professionals, who cast their ballots to determine which firms are the "best of the best" in their respective categories, making this a truly peer-reviewed accolade.

"Winning the US award for a second year in a row confirms our long-term commitment to the asset management industry," D'Agostino said. "After winning Hedgeweek's Best Global Insurance Provider Award earlier this year, and given our team's continuing growth as a division of EPIC, we are very excited about our future."

Iron Cove Partners currently serves many of the world's most prominent financial institutions. As Principal, D'Agostino is responsible for the oversight and management of the Iron Cove Financial Services Practice, which provides its expertise and experience to hedge funds, registered advisers, private equity funds, and broker-dealers.

"Receiving votes from your clients and industry peers acknowledging the quality and value of your work is a great feeling," D'Agostino said. "It never gets old!"

About Iron Cove - a division of EPIC:

Iron Cove, a division of EPIC is a leading full-service insurance brokerage business serving the financial services industry from its headquarters in New York City. A trusted adviser with decades of experience and over 150 Hedge Funds as clients, Iron Cove provides cutting edge brokerage and consulting services to some of the world's largest financial institutions, including Employee Benefits Consulting, Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance, Transactional M&A Insurance as well as Private Client, Life Insurance, and Estate Planning services.

For more information, contact Louis D'Agostino, Principal at louisd@ironcoveins.com or (646) 452-4031.

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence.

EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,400 team members operating from 50 offices across the U.S., providing Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With run rate revenues greater than $400 million, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by Oak Hill Capital Partners, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country.

For additional information, please visit https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that Iron Cove, a division of EPIC, was named Best U.S. Insurance Provider by Hedgeweek, a Global Fund Media publication, which reaches over 98,000 financial services executives globally.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Northeast’s Largest Independent Insurance Broker The Capacity Group Joins EPIC

MAHWAH, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Capacity Group of Companies and EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that they have joined forces.

Established in 1990, The Capacity Group has grown to become one of the largest full-service independent insurance brokerage groups in the nation. Operating multiple brands from 15 locations across the country, The Capacity Group has assembled some of the world's top-rated providers of specialty insurance and financial services solutions. Today, they are a nationally recognized industry leader and one of the nation's fastest-growing full-service insurance brokerage groups.

EPIC, founded in 2007, is already one of the 20 largest U.S. retail insurance brokers and ranks #26 among the top commercial insurance broker/consultants globally, with a belief in and reputation for service excellence, innovation, community, collaboration and having fun - all in the interest of being a "people first" (clients and team members) organization.

"The Capacity Group has been delivering strategic guidance and service around the risk management, insurance and benefit consulting needs of our clients for more than 25 years," said The Capacity Group's President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Lull. "We believe the decision to join EPIC will help us deliver an even broader and deeper set of capabilities and added value to our clients, with the same commitment to service delivery excellence that has always been a hallmark of our firm. We are thrilled to join forces with a unique and successful company like EPIC."

As part of EPIC, the firm will now operate as The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company, and the Capacity Group's leadership team will continue to play vital roles within the larger EPIC organization.

Said EPIC CEO, John Hahn, "We found a strong cultural partner in The Capacity Group, in an important and highly desirable region where we have wanted to be an even larger partner in the community and see strong opportunities for growth. The Capacity Group, under the leadership of their executive team alongside their impressive team of owner-operators, will add significant value to our clients across the country and create further opportunities for our employees' long-term growth and career success."

EPIC Northeast Region President Thomas O'Neil added, "In addition to the integration and expansion of our respective capabilities, The Capacity Group provides a strong platform in the Northeast to extend our risk management, property casualty insurance, employee benefits consulting, program solutions and private client services to companies across the region and nationally."

The addition of The Capacity Group significantly expands EPIC's capabilities, adding more than 280 top professionals in an additional 15 locations and a strong client base centered in the Northeast.

About The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company:
The Capacity Group - an EPIC Company offers an expansive range of standard and customized insurance and financial products, while providing superior customer service for all types of businesses, industries, and individuals. It has a diversified insurance distribution and product platform in Retail, Wholesale and Specialty Program business, as well as all types of personal, commercial, specialty and benefits lines of business. Headquartered in Mahwah, N.J. the firm has grown organically and through a series of acquisitions and strategic partnerships to become one of the 100 largest insurance brokerage firms in the U.S. It is currently ranked number 39 by Business Insurance magazine, and is among the Top 25 privately held brokerage firms in the U.S. according to Insurance Journal Magazine. For additional information, please visit https://capcoverage.com/

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions across California and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 1,000 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 20,000 clients.

With more than $250 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650.295.4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
408.295.4309 x104
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

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The Capacity Group of Companies and EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a unique and innovative national retail insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that they have joined forces. Established in 1990, The Capacity Group has grown to become one of the largest full-service independent insurance brokerage groups in the nation.

EPIC Adds Senior Communications Consultant Liz Miller in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 12, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants (EPIC), a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consulting firm, announced today that Liz Miller has joined the organization's employee benefits division as a senior communications consultant. Miller will be based in EPIC's San Francisco headquarters and report to John Gaffney, director of national benefits operations.

In her new role at EPIC, Miller will be responsible for leading and expanding the company's communications practice, developing impactful campaigns to encourage positive benefits usage across client workforces and supporting new business growth through the development of sales and marketing collateral.

Miller joins EPIC from Zenefits, where as a benefits advisor she provided health and benefits consulting to clients nationwide. Miller previously worked for Aon Hewitt, where as a health and benefits consultant she developed and implemented supportive communication strategies. She also assisted HR teams with adopting consistent and effective practices that helped clients become more efficient and improve their employee services.

Before beginning her health and benefits career, Miller was a business owner providing health instruction and fitness education to the community. She also spent eight years working as a behavioral therapist, helping people increase their productivity in society.

"Liz is a disciplined, results-oriented individual and gifted communicator with a passion for service excellence," said John Gaffney. "Her diverse experience as a health services provider, entrepreneur and benefits consultant gives her a unique perspective on the needs of those she serves. We are very excited to have Liz take on a senior role within our national employee benefits communications consulting team."

Miller earned a bachelor's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University as well as a master's degree in expressive therapy from Lesley University.

Liz Miller can be reached at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Mobile 415-852-0689
Office 415-356-4803
liz.miller[at]epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:
EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

*PHOTO for media: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0512-Liz-Miller-300dpi.jpg

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Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-adds-senior-communications-consultant-liz-miller-in-san-francisco-2016-0512-01.shtml.

NEWS SOURCE EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2016 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

EPIC adds Employee Benefits Consultant Penny Miller in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., April 6, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants (EPIC), a retail property, casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Penny Miller has joined the firm's Employee Benefits Consulting team. She will be based in San Francisco and report to David Wiesner, Regional Director Employee Benefits.

Joining as a Vice President, Miller brings 25 years of employee benefits experience to EPIC. She was previously a principal at Mercer in San Francisco with a focus on client relationship management, benefits program strategy, and business development. Miller's expertise in resolving client issues, managing client teams, and conducting financial analyses provided her the opportunity to serve clients of varying size in a wide range of industries, including growth companies converting from fully-insured programs to self-funding.

As a consultant for EPIC's Employee Benefits practice, Miller will provide service leadership to EPIC clients; including overall strategy, relationship management and plan management. She will also develop new business opportunities.

"Penny is a disciplined, results oriented individual, with a passion for service excellence and the delivery of value," said John Connell, President, Employee Benefits of California. "She is well respected in our business and her principles and ability are highly aligned with EPIC's core values surrounding client advocacy, collaboration, and putting 'people first.' We are excited to have Penny join our growing operations in Northern California and the across the country."

Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Santa Clara University in California.

Penny Miller can be reached at:
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Office: 415-356-3981
Mobile: 415-652-0699
penny.miller[at]epicbrokers.com

About EPIC:

EPIC is a unique and innovative retail property & casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and consulting firm. EPIC has created a values-based, client-focused culture that attracts and retains top talent, fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty and sustains a high level of customer service excellence. EPIC team members have consistently recognized their company as a "Best Place to Work" in multiple regions and as a "Best Place to Work in the Insurance Industry" nationally.

EPIC now has more than 850 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs and Private Client solutions to more than 13,000 clients.

With more than $200 million in revenues, EPIC ranks among the top 20 retail insurance brokers in the United States. Backed by the Carlyle Group, the company continues to expand organically and through strategic acquisitions across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.epicbrokers.com/.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dave Hock, of EPIC
650-295-4608
dave.hock@epicbrokers.com

Nicole Conley
650-422-3156
nicole.conley@taniscomm.com

*PHOTO: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/16-0406-Penny-Miller-300dpi.jpg

Twitter: @EPIC_Insurance #EmployeeBenefits

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/epic-adds-employee-benefits-consultant-penny-miller-in-san-francisco-2016-0406-01.shtml.