WARD SERVICES - Key Persons
David brings 30 years of experience in the voluntary benefit business, initiating agreements with national companies and maintaining excellent relationships with those accounts for decades. With a background in traditional enrollment approaches, David recognizes the value, the need and the appreciation for the personal interaction that employee engagement at the worksite brings. David earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from William Jewell College in Kansas City, Missouri. He went on to obtain a master's of theology from New Orleans Seminary, serving as a youth minister for ten years with Young Life. David's office is in Birmingham, AL where he resides with his lovely wife and family.
Job Titles:
- Case Planning & Technology Director
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Greg has been with Ward Services since 2007. Prior to joining Ward, Greg was a project manager for Spirit Telecom. During his time with Ward, Greg has been involved in many aspects of the company's operation from sales and implementation, improving internal process flow, to troubleshooting and solving technical issues. In his role at Ward, Greg is responsible for the oversight of day-to-day operations as it relates to customer service and case planning. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Greg prides himself on being available to resolve any issues or questions for Ward clients and enjoys the challenges that come with the job.
Jeff began working for Ward Services nearly 30 years ago as a benefit counselor during his undergrad years at Davidson College. Upon graduation, Jeff was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and deployed to the Middle East during the First Gulf War with the XVIII Airborne Corps where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in a combat zone. He joined the family business full time in 1992, upon completion of his military commitment. As the COO, Jeff is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Ward Services, business development, client relations, and strategic planning for the future of the company. Jeff is involved with several non-profit causes including Tuesday's Children, Friends of Fisher House Columbia and Saint Joseph Catholic School. Jeff and his wife, Lisa, are the proud parents of Jeffrey, Jr. and Audrey.
Jim began his education at Princeton University before transferring to the US Military Academy at West Point. After graduation Jim served in the U.S. Army and worked as a financial consultant and CFP. In 1981, Jim and his wife Patty started Ward Services. Under Jim's guidance, Ward has grown from a two-person operation to a national company employing over 100 people throughout the United States. As the founder of Ward Services, Jim has participated in every role in the company during their 30-plus years of business. In recognition of his contributions to the benefits enrollment industry, Jim was inducted into the Worksite Benefits Hall of Fame. Jim currently heads up sales for Ward Services and continues to grow the company's client list. An avid handball player, Jim has won several national titles and continues to play.
As director of business development for Ward Services, Michael works directly with insurance sales executives and insurance carriers to provide the best enrollment and communication services to each employer group. Before joining Ward Services in 2013, for 24 years Michael was a principal and chairman/CEO of SPM Resorts, Inc., a professional resort management company. Under Michael's leadership, SPM Resorts grew to over 40 locations in 6 States with 1000 employees. In his role at Ward Services Michael brings the experience and understanding of the challenges employers face communicating with many employees at multiple locations.
As the vice president of operations for Ward Services since 2015, Mike is responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient execution of benefit enrollment operations. Mike received his MBA from the University of Denver. He also has a bachelors degree in Industrial Design from Northern Illinois University. Prior to joining Ward Services, Mike held various leadership roles in operations and supply chain management with several multi-national manufacturing firms including Apex Tool Group, Kaydon and Emerson Industrial Automation. At Ward, Mike is involved in a variety of different aspects of the business, working with our team to deliver enrollments focused on what is best for the client. While not at work he enjoys power boating, golfing, and family travel.
Job Titles:
- Client - Broker Relations
After studying at the University of Toledo and serving in the U.S. Air Force, Mike began a career in the insurance industry. With over 35 years of experience, Mike has been working in sales for Ward Services since 2010 and understands the mutual needs of carriers, brokers and employer groups. Mike works to ensure all three parties can achieve their goals through the successful delivery of a Ward Services enrollment. Mike enjoys the satisfaction at the end of an enrollment having helped employees better understand their insurance options and introduced them to products to keep themselves and their families secure.
Job Titles:
- Enrollment Systems Manager
A member of the Ward Services team since 2011, Randy joined Ward after retiring from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board (SCB&CB) with 28 years of service. Randy began his career in IT with SCB&CB in 1983 after graduating from Midlands Technical College. Randy's work eventually focused on the state insurance benefits systems, where he was the IT Manager. During this time he oversaw the development of Employee Benefits Services (EBS), the state's benefits administrator portal. Randy next oversaw the creation of MyBenefits, an online enrollment portal for state employees. In his role at Ward, Randy is responsible for managing the systems used to enroll clients' core and voluntary benefits, as well as overseeing the development of training materials for benefit counselors and the case planning needed to execute a successful enrollment.
Tim has been in the worksite voluntary benefits communication business since 1987 when he joined Ward Services, Inc. as a benefits counselor. Since then he has learned all aspects of the enrollment business, from landing new clients to handling the case planning for large corporate customers. Tim currently is involved in sales and new business development. Tim graduated from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. In his free time, Tim and his wife Jennifer are kept busy with their three children: Jacob, Jillian and Jenna.