Our Team

Not many benefit consulting firms focused on the small and mid-market employer can provide immediate access to a former carrier Medical Director, a CEO and an Underwriter as part of your account team…we can.

Our Principals and Consultants have nearly 300 years of cumulative experience in employee benefits. We have purposely assembled a diverse and experienced team. As a Dominion Benefits’ client, you will have access to your client management team and strategic resources within the firm. Our Principals are directly involved in all aspects of the client relationship and we value, and encourage, solving client issues as a team.

Principals
Ron Bargatze, Principal Ron Bargatze is a Principal of Dominion Benefits and is responsible for the firm’s strategic consulting services and business development initiatives. He oversees client development initiatives related to strategic analysis and risk management. Ron collaborates with consultants and the analytic team to provide clients with valuable insight on contribution strategies and future trends in benefit delivery. Previously, Ron was the Chief Operating Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Colorado and Nevada. He was also Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Health Services Medical Specialty Division. Ron also held executive positions with Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield and was Executive Vice President leading to the Trigon’s initial public offering in 1996. Ron has a broad range of corporate experience and led the financial turnaround of several businesses throughout his career. Ron has an MBA from the University of Richmond and a B.S. from the University of South Carolina. Ron can be reached directly at rbargatze@dominionbenefits.com. 
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David L. Blanchard, Principal David Blanchard is a Principal and lead consultant for multiple accounts, focusing on strategic account management, market evaluation, and the development of new client relationships. His benefits experience includes account management, claims resolution, funding analysis, cash flow strategies, and claims forecasting, in both the insurance carrier and consulting arenas.  David’s experience includes numerous successes across a variety of industries as a result of proactive account management in instances of significant cost challenges, educational difficulties, and budget forecasting needs.  David has been in the employee benefits industry since 2001, with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Richmond before joining Dominion Benefits in July 2006. Prior to Anthem, David managed accounts for the United Way of Greater Richmond during their 2001 annual giving campaign.  David received his B.A. from the University of Virginia and attended the McIntire Business Institute at UVA upon graduation. David can be reached directly at dblanchard@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Larry Colley, M.D., Principal Dr. Larry Colley is Principal of Dominion Benefits and is primarily responsible for the research, development, and application of BENEFIT SELECT®, Dominion Benefits’ proprietary suite of analytic and decision-support tools. Dr. Colley interacts with clientsto provide a thorough understanding of results and recommendations. Prior to the founding of Dominion Benefits, Dr. Colley was Vice President, Medical Policy with Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield from 1988-2000. For 12 years, Dr. Colley was a member of the Medical Advisory Panel to the BCBS Association’s Technology Evaluation Center (TEC). TEC is one of the world’s foremost technology assessment organizations, and has a profound influence on carriers’ medical policies across the USA and beyond. While he was at Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dr. Colley was responsible for various research, analysis and reporting functions. His experience in Health Services Research, Outcomes Research, and related applications (e.g., to benefit design) is now applied to the development of Dominion Benefits’ unique decision-support tools. His health insurance industry experience began at Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania (1986-1988), where he was Corporate Medical Director. Larry is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Medicine, with post-graduate training at St. Francis Medical Center (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) and Mercy Hospital (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). Larry can be reached directly at lcolley@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Cathy Fulwider, Principal and Director of Client Services Cathy Fulwider was named Principal in April 2007. Cathy is Dominion Benefits’ Director of Client Services and manages Dominion Benefits’ team of client managers and service coordinators to ensure excellent service standards are consistently maintained. She also manages multiple long-term client accounts, as well as the services provided to the firm’s professional association business, including the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Society of CPAs. Cathy also manages ongoing communications with carriers and clients. She has years of experience in all areas of health and welfare administration, including plan quoting, carrier relations, billing, claims service, compliance, and enrollment – her deep experience in employee benefits administration is a huge asset to Dominion Benefits. Cathy started her career with Tabb, Brokenbrough & Ragland in 1980. Cathy can be reached directly at cfulwider@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Jim Gordon, Principal Jim Gordon was named Principal with Dominion Benefits in November 2004 and is responsible for account management and development of new client relationships. Jim manages a number of strategic accounts across a variety of industries, including professional, retail, manufacturing, and education, with a strong focus on strategic analysis and market evaluation. He has been in the employee benefits business for over 15 years, first with US Healthcare and then with Aetna. Jim managed the new sales and broker relations area for Aetna and was the District Manager for sales and account service. Jim started in the benefits consulting business with USI-Insurance before moving to Dominion Benefits in 2002. He attended George Mason University and earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Jim can be reached directly at jgordon@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Jon Kennedy, Principal Jon Kennedy is a Principal with Dominion Benefits and is responsible for sales and account management for a number of notable clients. Jon is recognized in Virginia as a leading employee benefits consultant, with particular expertise in client service, carrier negotiation and employee communications. He also provides a wealth of experience to Dominion Benefits’ clients in ancillary welfare benefits, such as disability, life, long-term care and dental programs. Jon has worked in the employee benefits industry since the 1970’s, working with both Home Life and the benefits consulting firm of Tabb, Brokenbrough & Ragland. In 1984, Jon established his own business, which became the very successful firm, Kennedy, Partridge and Associates. Kennedy, Partridge and Associates merged with Dominion Benefits in 2002 to make available to clients and prospects the proprietary analytic tools and expertise they had to offer. Jon received a B.A. in English from the University of Richmond. Jon can be reached directly at jkennedy@dominionbenefits.com.
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Brian Marks, CEBS, Principal; VSCPA Insurance Service Center, Executive Director Brian Marks is a Principal with Dominion Benefits and directs the efforts of the Virginia Society of CPAs Insurance Service Center, which currently advises and provides benefit solutions to many VSCPA members and their organizations throughout the state.  He also manages a number of strategic accounts across a variety of industries and is responsible for developing new client relationships. Brian has over 19 years of broad-based experience in the health insurance and employee benefits fields. He began his career with Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he held a variety of sales, marketing and account management positions before moving to UnitedHealthcare. Brian holds a B.A.from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Brian has earned a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation and achieved fellow status in 2003. Brian can be reached directly at bmarks@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Tim O’Shea, Principal Tim O’Shea is a Principal with Dominion Benefits and is primarily responsible for the management of the organization’s operations and client relationships. Tim functions as the firm’s Managing Principal and is also the lead executive on several strategic accounts. He has years of diverse health insurance and employee benefits experience and is an expert in benefits planning, plan analysis and employee education. Tim has held executive positions in health care financing and administration for over 20 years. Previously, he was the President / CEO of UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. He also spent 13 years with Trigon  (BCBS) with varied divisional leadership responsibilities, including medical management, national accounts and provider network development. He left Trigon in 1997 as COO of the Central Virginia business unit, with profit and loss accountability for the company’s largest market. Tim has an MBA from the Darden School and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia. Tim can be reached directly at toshea@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Philip Saul, Principal Philip Saul was named Principal in April 2005 and is the executive lead for strategic client management practices.  He is also the lead consultant on a number of strategic accounts. Philip has over 20 years of health and welfare experience in underwriting, sales and client management on the carrier and consulting sides. He spent 15 years at Aetna in various positions, ranging from middle market account underwriting to sales and client management. After teaching in Japan for two years, he started his benefits career in 1986 as a middle-market underwriter in Aetna’s Connecticut home office. Following a two year period as a national accounts new business underwriter, he held several sales management jobs with the company in several of their markets in Florida, Virginia and Maryland/DC. Prior to his departure from Aetna, Philip was a District Manager with client sales and service responsibilities for Virginia and West Virginia. He served as an independent consultant until moving to Dominion Benefits in 2003. Philip has a B.A. from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Philip can be reached directly at psaul@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Senior Consultants
Sam Smith, Senior Consultant Sam Smith is a Senior Consultant specializing in Small Group sales and account management and is an expert in the administration of small employer benefit plans. Sam is a former retail business owner who entered the employee benefits business in 1992. Sam is a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant. He is a lifetime resident of Goochland County and remains active in Goochland civic affairs. Sam is the former President of the Goochland Rotary Club. Sam can be reached directly at ssmith@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Bob Spicknall, CEBS, Senior Consultant; VSB Members Insurance Center (VSBMIC), President Bob Spicknall is a Senior Consultant with Dominion Benefits also serves as President of the Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center. VSBMIC is an affiliate of Dominion Benefits and is endorsed by the Virginia State Bar. Bob brings over 25 years of employee benefits experience to Dominion Benefits. He has managed association benefit programs for the Virginia State Bar, the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, while working at the Medical Society of Virginia Insurance Center and The Reciprocal Insurance Agency. Prior to this, Bob was with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia and Mercer. Bob received his MBA from the College of William and Mary and earned his undergraduate degree at Lynchburg College. In addition, he holds the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. Bob can be reached directly at bspicknall@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Kelley Whitaker, Senior Consultant Kelley Whitaker is a Senior Consultant responsible for account management and development of new client relationships. Kelley brings over 16 years of employee benefits experience to Dominion Benefits, where she focuses on the southwest and central Virginia markets. She was formerly with Southern Health developing the Southwest Virginia market and leading new sales efforts throughout Virginia. Prior to Southern Health, Kelley was with Carilion Health Plans in Roanoke and MAMSI (now UnitedHealthcare) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Roanoke, Virginia. As an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, Kelley has served on the board of the Southwest chapter and currently serves on the board of the Central Virginia chapter. Kelley can be reached directly at kwhitaker@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Senior Client Managers
Carrie Bartlett, Senior Client Manager Carrie Bartlett is a Senior Client Manager and provides strategic account development and support for large group clients. Carrie ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications.  She manages internal and external resources to assist with client needs, such as enrollments, billing, claims and carrier issues.  Carrie prepares detailed plan design analysis of various benefits to aid clients in making informed decisions regarding their benefits package.  She facilitates and conducts open enrollment meetings through the development of employee communication materials and carrier coordination.  Carrie joined Dominion Benefits in 2008, following several years of experience with both a regional healthcare vendor and a global insurance broker. She is currently pursuing a B.B.A. from Averett University. Carrie can be reached directly at cbartlett@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Meghan Remige, Senior Client Manager Meghan Remige is a Senior Client Manager and provides strategic account development and support for large group clients. Meghan ensures retention of clients by establishing strong relationships and managing daily communications.  She manages internal and external resources to assist with client needs, such as enrollments, billing, claims and carrier issues.  Meghan prepares detailed plan design analysis of various benefits to aid clients in making informed decisions regarding their benefits package.  She facilitates and conducts open enrollment meetings through employee communication materials and carrier coordination.  Meghan joined Dominion Benefits in 2005. She was formerly the Financial Development Services Director for the YMCA of Greater Richmond. Meghan has a B.A. in Marketing from Radford University. Meghan can be reached directly at mremige@dominionbenefits.com.
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 Michelle Trimmer, Senior Client Manager Michelle Trimmer is a Senior Client Manager with responsibility for Key Accounts, typically ranging in size from 15-99 employees.  Michelle’s primary focus is on relationship building with clients and their employees, problem resolution, and coordination of internal and external resources to meet their needs and expectations.  She has been in the insurance industry since 1996, with her primary focus being account management and retention.  Michelle has valuable experience with both carriers and broker/consulting firms in the central Virginia market. Michelle can be reached directly at mtrimmer@dominionbenefits.com.
 
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Client Managers
Lisa Barnett, Client Manager  Lisa Barnett is a Client Manager with primary responsibility for small group clients, supporting both sales and service. She manages and services a variety of clients, ranging in size from 2-15 employees.  Lisa’s primary focus is on relationship building with clients and their employees, problem resolution, and coordination of internal and external resources to meet their needs and expectations.  Lisa has been in the insurance industry since 2000 and has experience with both carriers and broker/consulting firms in the Central Virginia market. Lisa joined Dominion Benefits in February of 2009. Lisa can be reached directly at lbarnett@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Tina Hall, Client Manager Tina Hall is a Client Manager with primary responsibility for group clients, supporting both sales and service. She manages and services a variety of clients, ranging in size from 2-15 employees.  Tina’s primary focus is on relationship building with clients and their employees, problem resolution, and coordination of internal and external resources to meet their needs and expectations.  Tina has been working in the insurance industry for nearly 25 years, most recently with Southern Health, where she had experience ranging from customer service to marketing and enrollment support. Tina can be reached directly at thall@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Client Service Center
Vicki Skinarakis, Enrollment & Service Specialist Vicki Skinarakis is an Enrollment & Service Specialist and assists clients with billing and enrollment issues. Vicki researches, reviews and resolves enrollment issues promptly and offers valuable support for clients’ group administrators and human resources departments. She trouble-shoots benefit enrollment issues and assists as liaison with outside carriers. Vicki joined Dominion Benefits in 2004. She was with Fairfax County Schools prior to joining Dominion Benefits and has extensive small business ownership and management experience, especially in the food service industry. Vicki can be reached directly at vskinarakis@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Bonnie Templeman, Client Advocate Bonnie Templeman is a Client Advocate, servicing both large and small groups. She researches and resolves complex healthcare claims and service issues for Dominion Benefits’ clients and works directly with their employees.  Bonnie is an advocate for clients to ensure accurate resolution of claims inquiries.  She acts as a liaison with providers, carriers, and insurance regulators regarding claims errors and consequent adjustments indicated.  Bonnie has been working in insurance for over 15 years. Prior to joining Dominion Benefits, she worked with a local employee benefits agency to support administration, service and client management functions. Bonnie also spent several years managing and supervising administrative operations for Essex Insurance Company, where she provided oversight for the support staff and service personnel. Bonnie can be reached directly at btempleman@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Peggy Wadlington, First Impressions Coordinator Peggy Wadlington is responsible for ensuring that our office runs smoothly through administrative support, meeting planning and special projects. She also greets our visitors. Peggy has significant work experience, including various positions related to marketing, web development and office administration. Peggy joined Dominion Benefits in 2008. Peggy can be reached directly at pwadlington@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Senior Analysts
Kendal Kruse, Senior Analyst Kendal Kruse is a Senior Analyst. She works with Dr. Colley in data analysis, using the <BENEFIT SELECT®> suite of analytic tools to evaluate various benefit plan options and recommend solutions.  She prepares reports for strategic accounts and works with consultants to examine results of analytics. Kendal also provides support to consultants for customized or ad hoc reporting requests.  In her current role, she collaborates with a variety of insurance carriers to stay abreast of market trends and current benefits being offered.  Kendal has been working in the insurance industry for over 17 years. She was a Client Manager with UnitedHealthcare with responsibility for managing both small and mid-market accounts. She was formerly with the Medical Society of Virginia and Trigon BSBC. Kendal has a B.S. in Business Administration from Mary Washington College. Kendal can be reached directly at kkruse@dominionbenefits.com. 
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John Vick, Senior Analyst John Vick is a Senior Analyst. He works with Dr. Colley in data analysis, using the BENEFIT SELECT® suite of analytic tools to evaluate various benefit plan options and recommend solutions.  John prepares quarterly reports for strategic accounts and works with consultants to examine results of analytics.  In his current role, he provides personalized explanations to clients concerning their own health care experience and plan designs through conference calls and quarterly update meetings.  He designs effective and concise presentations for decision makers on the potential implications of their decisions. John relies on experience and research to address human resource issues that clients encounter on a daily basis.    Prior to joining Dominion benefits, John held various accounting and financial analyst roles in both publicly and privately held companies.  Most recently, he served as compensation and benefits manager for Saxon Capital, a publicly traded Real Estate Investment trust with 1500 employees. John has a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Richmond.  He is also a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Virginia. John can be reached directly at jvick@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Operations/Administration Support
Kathy Whitfield, Controller and Business Manager Kathy Whitfield was formerly with Reynolds Metals and more recently the Financial Analyst for Richmond Corrugated. Kathy is a graduate of the University of Virginia. Kathy can be reached directly at kwhitfield@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Market Development
Cindy Blackley, Director Cindy Blackley joined Dominion Benefits in February of 2009 and is Director, Business Development. She is responsible for new business growth through the development of key prospect activity and the enhancement of supportive communications and marketing initiatives. Most recently, Cindy held a similar position in the Virginia market with a full service global insurance broker. Prior to this, she worked as Marketing and Communications Manager for UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic. Cindy also worked for a number of years as an internal Employee Benefits Consultant with Reynolds Metals Company (currently Alcoa). She has a B.A. from the University of Virginia. Cindy can be reached directly at cblackley@dominionbenefits.com. 
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VSCPA Insurance Service Center (VSCPAISC)

Brian Marks, CEBS, Executive DirectorBrian Marks is a Principal with Dominion Benefits and directs the efforts of the Virginia Society of CPAs Insurance Service Center, which currently advises and provides benefit solutions to many VSCPA members and their organizations throughout the state.  He also manages a number of strategic accounts across a variety of industries and is responsible for developing new client relationships. Brian has over 19 years of broad-based experience in the health insurance and employee benefits fields. He began his career with Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he held a variety of sales, marketing and account management positions before moving to UnitedHealthcare. Brian holds a B.A.from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. Brian has earned a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation and achieved fellow status in 2003. Brian can be reached directly at bmarks@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Page Gordon, Consultant Page Gordon is a Consultant with responsibility for the Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center and the VSCPA Insurance Service Center, supporting both sales and service. In her current role, Page advises and provides benefit solutions to many VSB members and their organizations throughout the state of Virginia.  She brings 14 years of employee benefits experience to Dominion Benefits and has worked in a consulting role with small employers, most recently as Assistant Vice President with BB&T Insurance Services, Inc. Prior to this position, Page was with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Group Division. She is a member of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters and National Association of Health Underwriters. Page can be reached directly at pgordon@dominionbenefits.com. Back to top

Kim Wilson, Client Manager Kim Wilson is an Association Client Manager with responsibilities for supporting the service of VSCPA Insurance Service Center clients, as well as Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center clients. Kim’s primary focus is on relationship building with VSCPA and VSB clients, problem resolution, and coordination of internal and external resources to meet their needs and expectations. She serves as the primary point of contact for clients in processing enrollments, product changes, billing/claims issues and answering benefits coverage questions.  Kim brings over six years of employee benefits experience to the VSCPAISC and the VSBMIC. Over the years she has worked with small, mid, and large employer groups throughout the state of Virginia, most recently with Southern Health as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Kim joined Dominion Benefits in 2007. She has a B.S. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Kim can be reached directly at kwilson@dominionbenefits.com. 
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VSB Members Insurance Center (VSBMIC)

Bob Spicknall, CEBS, PresidentBob Spicknall is a Senior Consultant with Dominion Benefits also serves as President of the Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center. VSBMIC is an affiliate of Dominion Benefits and is endorsed by the Virginia State Bar. Bob brings over 25 years of employee benefits experience to Dominion Benefits. He has managed association benefit programs for the Virginia State Bar, the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, while working at the Medical Society of Virginia Insurance Center and The Reciprocal Insurance Agency. Prior to this, Bob was with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia and Mercer. Bob received his MBA from the College of William and Mary and earned his undergraduate degree at Lynchburg College. In addition, he holds the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. Bob can be reached directly at bspicknall@dominionbenefits.com.
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Page Gordon, Consultant Page Gordon is a Consultant with responsibility for the Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center and the VSCPA Insurance Service Center, supporting both sales and service. In her current role, Page advises and provides benefit solutions to many VSB members and their organizations throughout the state of Virginia.  She brings 14 years of employee benefits experience to Dominion Benefits and has worked in a consulting role with small employers, most recently as Assistant Vice President with BB&T Insurance Services, Inc. Prior to this position, Page was with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Group Division. She is a member of the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters and National Association of Health Underwriters. Page can be reached directly at pgordon@dominionbenefits.com. 
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Kim Wilson, Client Manager Kim Wilson is an Association Client Manager with responsibilities for supporting the service of VSCPA Insurance Service Center clients, as well as Virginia State Bar Members’ Insurance Center clients. Kim’s primary focus is on relationship building with VSCPA and VSB clients, problem resolution, and coordination of internal and external resources to meet their needs and expectations. She serves as the primary point of contact for clients in processing enrollments, product changes, billing/claims issues and answering benefits coverage questions.  Kim brings over six years of employee benefits experience to the VSCPAISC and the VSBMIC. Over the years she has worked with small, mid, and large employer groups throughout the state of Virginia, most recently with Southern Health as a Sales and Marketing Coordinator. Kim joined Dominion Benefits in 2007. She has a B.S. in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Kim can be reached directly at kwilson@dominionbenefits.com. 
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