Our Broker of the Year awards give us a chance to provide much deserved attention to benefits advisors who are doing things right.

This year's finalists offer a snapshot of some exciting developments occurring in benefits. They are adapting to the sweeping changes taking place in our country and the subtle nuances in their unique local markets.

• Kareim Cade grew up in the benefits world. He even worked at his mom's brokerage before, well, she fired him. Cade taught school for a few years before returning to benefits. “I learned how to listen in the classroom,” he says. Cade works to adapt and find solutions for his clients, largely in the public sector and labor unions. “Those organizations have a fiduciary responsibility to look at all the options,” he says. Luckily, Cade knows a thing or two about education.

• Seth Denson's outside-the-box thinking doesn't go over well with everyone, but it serves him perfectly as he rethinks health insurance. He has a podcast and is a regular commentator in the national media. “Health isn't based on political opinion,” he says. “Until we understand that and work together, we aren't gonna fix it.”

• When Tim Doherty saw change sweeping through the industry, he made a decision. “We spent a lot of time reimagining the role of the broker and what the marketplace needed,” he says. Doherty noticed that CFOs make data-driven decisions in all areas but one: benefits. “They don't know what the big cost drivers are.” As Amazon and other outside disruptors eye health care, Doherty embraces the change. “There's a huge opportunity for those who want to disrupt. So to survive, we need to be able to adapt.”

• Doug Hetherington asks a lot of his clients. “If you want me as your fully insured broker, you will hate me,” he says. “My role is to educate my clients as an advisor.” Using a unique reference-based pricing captive model, he has helped clients achieve very impressive results and recently launched a venture to teach other advisors. Interested? He's only looking for those “who want to solve the problem.”

• By finding the perfect niche and taking advantage of change, Wanza Schweiger has helped her brokerage remain innovative and nimble. She says innovation comes “from not being afraid to share information and collaborate with others.” Daughter Danielle is an “up-and-coming broker” in her own right, ensuring the family's positive impact on the industry will carry on.

Meet some of our previous Brokers of the Year:

Instant Insights /

Doing things the right way(s)

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