Northern Benefits was founded in 1999 when health insurers in Vermont were leaving the state. All employees at Northern Benefits come from working directly for insurance companies which offers a unique insight into practices and policies at the carrier level.

As health benefit costs increase and availability of funding becomes tighter, new solutions are required. The leadership of our group brings practical experience from a provider, employer and practitioner perspective. We support your organization with education on the rating process; plan design strategies and other creative business solutions.

Northern Benefits has grown employing nine professionals with over 1000 clients. Our goal is to educate our team and our clients on successful strategies for new products and offerings. We are continually searching for new products and better ways to offer a successful benefits program. Listed below is a brief biography of each employee and the expertise they hold.

Allen Nassif, RPH., a pharmacist, has worked as a provider of health care as well as a senior administrator for both regional and national health care insurers. Allen's past experience includes working in collaboration with national consulting firms including Towers Perrin, Segal & Company, Wyatt & Associates and Marsh. Locally, Allen serves on the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce's Health Care Policy Board and the VT Businesses for Social Responsibility membership committee. Allen's commitment and contributions to the health care system and regional system have brought him to the forefront of leadership discussion and change. Allen's expertise involves the total solution for an organization, including compliance, as well as benefits. "Providing solutions is what I do best for my clients. Each client is different and so are the solutions."

Jon Guyette was born and raised in Burlington, Vermont. Jon has been involved in the benefit arena for over 12 years. His experience includes working on behalf of organizations that are new to business as well as long established businesses that have multi locations. Working for several regional insurance carriers in the past offers his clients a perspective that few benefits professionals in Vermont possess. Jon's current professional scope of expertise has focused on providing a total wrap around approach to employee benefits. This approach includes providing all aspects of an organization's employee benefit needs. Jon's philosophy is to provide "the total solution for his clients."

Carolyn Smith has worked in the benefits industry for almost a decade. She has experience with groups that range in size from self employed individuals to groups with 100+ employees. Carolyn believes that education for both her employer clients and their employees is the key to gaining the desired value from their benefit program. She serves on the ambassador committee and the new membership committee of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her involvement with the chamber provides a method of giving back to the community while enhancing business relationships. Carolyn's individualized approaches to benefit packages have provided solutions for business owners and human resource professionals facing the financial difficulty resulting from the costs of offering their employee benefits.

Adam G. Sturtevant, Vice President Employee Benefits - Adam has opened the Maine division of Northern Benefits bringing twenty years experience to clients. He began his benefits career with UNUM in 1983, working in the group LTD division in Client Service, Accounting and Field Office Support. Adam then transitioned to Benefit Management of Maine, a third party administrator, working in claims administration and as a flexible benefits specialist. After Blue Cross purchased Benefit Management, Adam worked designing, implementing and administering full cafeteria plans, designing and implementing direct marketing communication campaigns, sales and education of Medicare Supplements, and direct sales and training of brokers on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield product portfolio. He worked also as a community relations project manager, traveling the state and speaking about Medicare Risk. He has been trained in field underwriting both at UNUM and Blue Cross. Since transitioning to the brokerage community, Adam’s role has been to develop, market, implement, and communicate benefits plans for the merit rated group market in Northern New England. Adam is a licensed life and health producer in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, currently studying for his consultants test; a member of the Maine Employee Benefits Council, Certified Corporate Wellness Facilitator, member of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce Health Policy Committee, and a board member for the Children’s Dream Factory of Maine.

Lori Lape has worked in the employee benefits industry since 1996.  Her experience includes sales and customer service positions with insurance carriers as well as insurance agencies.  Lori’s background in both service and sales enables her to take a unique approach with her clients.  Her relationships vary depending on the customer’s needs.   Her focus is to become a part of the organization, helping out in a variety of HR functions as well as managing the employee benefit program for the client.  Lori‘s approach to employee benefits has provided solutions for business owners and results in helping them to recruit and retain the best employees in their industry.  Lori is experienced in dealing with groups of all sizes, from sole proprietors to large associations with over 1500 enrolled. 

Connie Berno was born and raised in Northfield, Vermont. Connie has over 14 years of experience in the health insurance industry. Most recently during Connie's tenure at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont she gained expertise in claims, workers' compensation, subrogation and marketing. Her knowledge inside has helped both employers and employees navigate the health insurance world. Connie works hard to educate her clients in all aspects of benefit offerings. "Simple benefit communciation programs give an employer a wonderful benefit showcase. This program will feature all the elements that an individual employer offers their employees." Connie serves on both the activity committee and the new membership committee of the Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

Hilary F. Cooke, has been a resident of Windham County since 1978. Hilary has been very active in his community having been a former Dover Planning Commission Chair during the mid 1980's and served on the Newfane School Board during the late 1990's. Hilary has been in the insurance industry since 1990. He managed an insurance carrier sales force for three years prior to joining Norhern Benefits, Ltd. His primary concentration has been in voluntary benefits and marketing in the worksite environment. He clearly understands the needs and concerns of the employer and employee when designing a worksite marketing plan.

Mary Rita Batesole, joined Northern Benefits as a benefit specialist in 2002. During her tenure she has focused on compliance issues as they relate to the provision of benefits. Previously Mary Rita has worked in both industry and national level competitive sports administration. Mary Rita's background provides employers with valuable on the job experience with dealing with employees' benefits and their administration. "Benefit taxability, tax law compliance and employee communciations are the part of the value that I bring to employers", says Batesole. Mary Rita resides in Ludlow, Vermont. She is a trainer for CPR and water safety and skis both on water and snow during her spare time.

Dennis Waite, born and raised in Ohio, and has lived in Vermont for over 30 years. Dennis has taught public school in NY, financed and serviced accounts for a major international manufacturer and worked 21 years as both an Account Executive and New England District manager in commercial and casualty insurance. Most recently, Dennis worked as an Account Executive in Vermont for MVP Healthcare for over five years. While at MVP Dennis sold fully insured and self funded health insurance solutions to groups ranging in size from one to over 500 employees. His long term successes are due to ongoing personal service. Dennis has always worked under the assumption that; "I never ask for the business unless I know that I can improve their business." Giving back to his community has always been important. Dennis has been in the Lions Club for 18 years, volunteered for local American Diabetes Association events and had recently been a board member for the American Red Cross.

Heather Smith, born and raised in Vermont. She has joined Northern Benefits, LTD as a Senior Account Representative. Heather worked with MVP Health Care for 5 years in the sales department, and before that she worked in the billing department at Fletcher Allen Health Care. With the experience from those positions Heather can understand both sides of the insurance world.

Lisa Bodette, was born and raised in Vermont. She has worked for MVP, CHP and Kaiser Permanante. Lisa’s expertise is dealing with creative funding options, cost savings utilizing tax favored status as well as the design and implementation of total employee benefit platforms.  Lisa has been involved with many large employers in New England and New York including; Ben & Jerry’s, Mack Molding, Central Vermont Medical Center and Northwest Counseling Service.  Lisa has joined Northern Benefits as a specialist in cost containment and employee communications. Lisa is involved with the Northern Benefit employee web communications portal. While at a previous health insurer Lisa was recognized as “the customer focused person of the year”. She has been involved in various Chittenden County non profit organizations and board of directors.