Mark D. Isley, President

Mark is President of Group Benefit Specialists, Inc. and oversees all operations of the company, including new business production and the pursuit of future growth opportunities. Mark formed GBS in December 2003 through acquisition of the Employee Benefits Division of Manning & Smith Insurance. He had been with the Wichita based firm of Manning & Smith Insurance since 1992, most recently serving as Vice President of Employee Benefits. Since 1985, he has had an extensive insurance career with companies including Reserve National, New York Life, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

He consistently monitors and builds working relationships with insurance carriers and industry vendors with the ultimate desire of providing GBS clients with the best possible products for the best value possible. The relationship GBS has with the vendors is critical in meeting that objective. Ultimately, Mark wants all GBS clients to receive a level of service that is unsurpassed in the industry. Providing clients with long term benefit plan solutions and superior service is the goal upon which Mark formed GBS.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting from Benedictine College and is an active member in the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Health Underwriters.

Email: misley@group-benefit.com

Joe Russell, Account Executive

Joe brings 19 years of experience in the employee benefits field to the Group Benefit Specialists team. He has maintained a long term working relationship with Mr. Isley throughout past insurance employment with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Manning & Smith Insurance, and since the inception of Group Benefit Specialists. As an Account Executive, Joe’s primary goal is to develop strong relationships with employers and their employees. His knowledge of the marketplace and the insurance industry brings a level of service and expertise that results in long term, successful relationships. Joe is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and several Chamber of Commerce organizations.

Email: jrussell@group-benefit.com

Karol Roadhouse, Account Executive

Karol is an account executive with GBS based in our Osborne, Kansas location. Her practice focuses exclusively on health and welfare benefits. She began her insurance career in 1985 with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield organization. She joined forces with fellow GBS employees at Manning & Smith Insurance in 1995.

She provides consulting services to numerous clients and encourages and assists with the committee approach to benefits management. Karol has extensive experience with both self-insured and fully-insured arrangements for the public and private sectors. Her strengths lie in researching, analyzing, and making understandable presentations of her findings so the client can make informed decisions.

Email: kroadhouse@group-benefit.com

Cheryl Laughary, Account Manager

Cheryl brings nearly twenty years of extensive benefits experience to GBS. Serving insurance brokers since 1986 in a variety of roles, she has built expertise in identifying the specific needs of each employer group and placing the right insurance products and/or services to address their concerns. Her ability to ‘understand the customer’ results in a long term partnership between GBS and the employer which ultimately enhances the relationship employers build with their employees.

Every successful company has at least one employee behind the scenes that makes the business run. Cheryl is that employee for GBS. As Account Manager, she is currently working directly with a number of GBS’ largest clients. She provides the GBS Account Management team and her assigned clients with knowledgeable guidance on any and every type of benefit-related question or issue that arises.

Email: claughary@group-benefit.com

Angela Taylor, Account Manager

As Account Manager, Angela will provide invaluable support to you, our client, as well as to the GBS Account Executive handling your package. She has extensive experience in the marketing of all types of benefit plans and in the preparation of the results for your understanding. Once in place, she will also be your advocate in resolving any carrier issues that might arise. She was a member of the Manning & Smith Insurance team since 2002 prior to making the move to Group Benefit Specialists.

Angela received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Wichita State University and was a Benefits Manager for a large restaurant franchise for six years prior to entering the insurance industry. Your staff will benefit working with Angela with this valuable combination of work experience and education. What more could your benefits team ask for?

Email: ataylor@group-benefit.com

Deanne Ballard, Account Manager

Rounding out the GBS Account Management team, is Deanne (pronounced Dean Ann). Deanne brings tremendous insurance expertise to our team. Prior to joining GBS in January 2004, she spent fourteen years with a regional Third Party Administrator and experienced virtually all aspects of the TPA industry. She was the Flexible Benefit Plan Administrator for numerous clients, Administrative Assistant to the VP of Operations, Assistant to the Director of Operations, was the Administrative Marketing Manager, and assumed many other responsibilities during her tenure. This experience will provide a vast pool of knowledge and information for our clients to take advantage of.

Her involvement with your account can only help strengthen our ability to negotiate on your behalf and build the best possible benefit package for your group. She will assist in the initial establishment of your package as well as provide ongoing support throughout the plan year. Her cheerful outlook and eagerness to address your concerns will cause you to rely on her assistance as you manage the daily requirements of your benefits package.

Email: dballard@group-benefit.com