UBA is excited that a number of outstanding employee benefits advisory firms have recently become Partners. We continue to highlight our newest Firms and hope you'll extend a warm welcome. Featured in this issue of ThoughtWaves are Montridge Advisory Group, IMG, and Athens Insurance Agency.

Montridge Advisory Group

Technically-minded Montridge Advisory Group provides outstanding and accessible service to their clients. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Montridge listens carefully, using a comprehensive view of each company they work with to create a plan that takes everything from corporate culture to wellness into account.

Montridge supports their clients’ HR teams, helping them save time and money by acting as a single source of experience and knowledge. Their focused approach to service allows them to spend time learning about each and every client, tailoring benefits, and minimizing liabilities. When their clients are seen as companies of choice—in part because of a thoughtful benefits strategy—it helps attract and keep top talent in their respective industries.

UBA President Peter Weber, M.S., CAE. says, “Montridge is an accomplished employee benefits firm providing their clients exemplary service. Their professionalism and unique viewpoint as a Canadian firm working with American clients is an important asset to UBA’s shared knowledge and wisdom. We believe they will fit in beautifully with UBA’s Partner service model and contribute generously to the UBA community.”

“Montridge Advisory Group is excited to join United Benefit Advisors. As a Canadian-based advisory firm that works with many US-based employers, we are a rarity to the UBA Partnership. We bring a unique perspective and skill set to UBA’s Partner Firms and look forward to becoming a resource for those Partners and their clients with Canadian employees. We are also excited for our Canadian clients with US-based employees to benefit from the expansive resources and strategic partnerships that our UBA membership provides,” said Kandrice (Kandy) Cantwell, Partner, Montridge Advisory Group.

Montridge Advisory Group not only provides next-level service to our clients, but we take an active role in protecting the environment and giving back to the local community. Dedication to learning about our clients' culture and goals allows Montridge to empower our clients to feel informed and confident in the decisions they're making. Montridge thoughtfully tailors each benefits strategy to the needs of the customer. For more information, visit www.montridge.com.

Insurance Management Group

Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, IMG is a full-service insurance brokerage with more than 150 years of combined industry experience.

The IMG team of specialists understands that insurance coverage can be complicated and is focused on taking the burden of navigating the health care landscape off their client’s plate. They negotiate with carriers and providers to get high-quality, affordable insurance solutions that are the right fit for each client they serve. Crafting affordable benefits programs designed to help employers attract and retain top employees and providing employees with trusted health and wealth security, in turn contributes to their clients’ long-term success.

Peter Weber, UBA President says, “IMG has experienced tremendous organic growth as a result of their team’s passion for serving people. Mark and his team of professionals have very high ethical standards, demonstrated by genuine relationships they have formed with each customer. We are pleased to have the Insurance Management Group team as part of our exclusive family.”

“The foundation of our agency is providing our clients with superior service. This starts with great employees, includes staying current with technology, and as consultants, constantly expanding our industry knowledge. UBA offers our agency all of this: training programs for our employees, excellent vendor programs, and best of all, collaboration with the best minds in the industry. Partnership with UBA will enhance our ability to serve our clients,” said Mark Ackerman, President of IMG.

IMG is an independent full-service insurance agency providing employee benefits and commercial insurance for business, and home, auto, travel, dental, and life insurance for individuals. IMG provides thought leadership and resources for healthcare reform, Medicare, disability insurance, long term care, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, Section 125 plans, and wellness programs. For more information, visit www.imgsc.com.

Athens Insurance Agency

Athens Insurance Agency provides affordable personal, commercial, and employee benefits coverage. Located in Athens, Tennessee, their team of professionals provide unparalleled service. Since their founding in 1931, Athens Insurance Agency has grown from serving the Southeastern United States to providing coverage to clients across the country.

In recent years, Athens Insurance Agency has continued to grow, in part because of an enhanced focus on their employee benefits business. They are looking to continue to expand their employee benefits department by establishing new partnerships and cultivating relationships with their current and new clients. Under the leadership of owner Allen F. Carter, Athens Insurance Agency maintains a sterling reputation for excellence.

“By providing superior service to their customers, Athens Insurance Agency has a client-focused business that will fit well within UBA’s culture and further our mission. Their expertise and excellent reputation in the industry makes them an invaluable resource both to their clients and to UBA,” said UBA President Peter Weber, M.S., CAE. “Athens Insurance exemplifies the UBA Partner service model.”

“We believe that becoming a UBA partner is the key to unlocking future success. The information, relationships, and support that UBA would provide is a great step for the future growth of Athens Insurance. Athens Insurance looks forward to sharing our expertise and knowledge with other UBA partners when called upon,” said Allen Carter, Owner of Athens Insurance Agency.

Athens Insurance Agency provides a full range of tailored insurance solutions to clients across the U.S. from their office in Athens, Tennessee. Recently expanding into the employee benefits business, Athens continues to maintain the level of integrity and service they provide in the personal and commercial insurance to their newest department. The solid relationships they‘ve built, and their excellent reputation allows them to provide a variety of resources to their clients with integrity and professionalism. For more information, visit www.athensins.com.

Departing Partner Firms

Unfortunately, along with the additions to the Partnership have come several departures. UBA has received notification from several Partner Firms choosing an alternative course for their organization, requiring those firms to discontinue their partnership with UBA.

McDermott Company & Associates had short tenure with UBA and was unable to find value and engage in the culture. Cherry Creek Benefits was active in several UBA programs and committees, but was recently acquired by OneDigital. Benefit Alliance Insurance Services, which had been a UBA Partner for two years, chose not to purchase stock as required by the UBA Partner Firm Agreement, and as a result was unable to continue as a Partner.

UBA will miss the contributions from these firms and their staff, and we are fortunate to have been able to contribute to their growth. We wish all these firms continued success and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

Please continue to be on the lookout for quality firms in your market to help us continue to grow in 2019.