| The International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists |
| Education Integrity Excellence |
Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Past President, Rick Fitzpatrick, CEBS Fellow
President, Jennifer Johnson, CEBS, PHR
Vice President, Elaine Grittner, CEBS Fellow
Rick Fitzpatrick is an attorney practicing workers' compensation defense as
well as benefits and compensation law. He has compiled 25 years of
experience in the delivery of employee benefits programs in the Twin Cities
area. From 1998 until 2006, he served as the Benefits Manager for
Patterson Companies, Inc.-overseeing their health/welfare, 401(k), ESOP,
ESPP, as well as various non-qualified deferred compensation programs.
His duties included managing US, Canada and UK benefit programs. From
1984 to 1998, he worked for Aetna in a variety of roles in their health care
and life/disability operations and sales/service divisions. He has also
served as a consulting contractor on benefits and compensation projects;
working for employers like American Express, Excel Energy and Patterson
Companies. Rick received a J.D. from Hamline University Law School, a
B.A. in Political Science and Economics from McGill University (Montreal),
and is a Fellow in the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit
Specialists. He obtained his CEBS in 1999.
well as benefits and compensation law. He has compiled 25 years of
experience in the delivery of employee benefits programs in the Twin Cities
area. From 1998 until 2006, he served as the Benefits Manager for
Patterson Companies, Inc.-overseeing their health/welfare, 401(k), ESOP,
ESPP, as well as various non-qualified deferred compensation programs.
His duties included managing US, Canada and UK benefit programs. From
1984 to 1998, he worked for Aetna in a variety of roles in their health care
and life/disability operations and sales/service divisions. He has also
served as a consulting contractor on benefits and compensation projects;
working for employers like American Express, Excel Energy and Patterson
Companies. Rick received a J.D. from Hamline University Law School, a
B.A. in Political Science and Economics from McGill University (Montreal),
and is a Fellow in the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit
Specialists. He obtained his CEBS in 1999.
| Email: elaine.grittner@comcast.net |
Treasurer, Michael Deffner, CEBS
Jennifer currently is a Human Resource Consultant for Medtronic Structural
Heart division. Previously, she worked for six years in Medtronic's
Corporate Benefits department. She had responsibility for Medtronic's
welfare benefits, disability management, vendor management and a variety
of projects, including implementation of the Definity Health plan in 2000,
HIPAA Privacy initiatives, and Medicare, Part D. Prior to Medtronic, Jennifer
previously worked at United Health Group, University of Minnesota and
Marriott Hotels in the areas of employee training, recruiting, payroll and
benefits.
Jennifer has a B.S. degree in International Business and Finance from St.
Cloud State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the
University of St. Thomas. Jennifer has the Professional of Human Resource
and obtained the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
designation in 2002. She has served on the education and seminar
committees where she chaired the Seminar Committee since 2005-2009.
Heart division. Previously, she worked for six years in Medtronic's
Corporate Benefits department. She had responsibility for Medtronic's
welfare benefits, disability management, vendor management and a variety
of projects, including implementation of the Definity Health plan in 2000,
HIPAA Privacy initiatives, and Medicare, Part D. Prior to Medtronic, Jennifer
previously worked at United Health Group, University of Minnesota and
Marriott Hotels in the areas of employee training, recruiting, payroll and
benefits.
Jennifer has a B.S. degree in International Business and Finance from St.
Cloud State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the
University of St. Thomas. Jennifer has the Professional of Human Resource
and obtained the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
designation in 2002. She has served on the education and seminar
committees where she chaired the Seminar Committee since 2005-2009.
Secretary, Terri Urbaniak, CEBS Fellow
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Board Member (2014), Jim Vetter, CEBS
Mike Deffner is a seasoned insurance/healthcare/financial professional
with over 18 years of project management, lead, and general management
experience. His last 16 years has been with Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Minnesota in management of agency development, technology,
compensation, project management, and analytics/analysis. Mike is a
graduate of the Carlson School of Management University of Minnesota with
master concentrations in Finance and MIS. He also attended the University
of Wisconsin where he quadrupled majored in Accounting, Marketing,
Human Resources, as well as Real Estate and Urban Land Economics.
He is CEBS, GBA, RPA, CMA and CFM certified. Mike has held numerous
leadership roles in volunteer organizations including board member and
membership chair of the Minneapolis chapter of CEBS. He also served as
the financial advisor/mentor to the Boy Scout/Explorers Eagan computer
post. In addition, Mike has served on the board of directors for the
BlueStone Federal Credit Union for nearly 10 years.
with over 18 years of project management, lead, and general management
experience. His last 16 years has been with Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Minnesota in management of agency development, technology,
compensation, project management, and analytics/analysis. Mike is a
graduate of the Carlson School of Management University of Minnesota with
master concentrations in Finance and MIS. He also attended the University
of Wisconsin where he quadrupled majored in Accounting, Marketing,
Human Resources, as well as Real Estate and Urban Land Economics.
He is CEBS, GBA, RPA, CMA and CFM certified. Mike has held numerous
leadership roles in volunteer organizations including board member and
membership chair of the Minneapolis chapter of CEBS. He also served as
the financial advisor/mentor to the Boy Scout/Explorers Eagan computer
post. In addition, Mike has served on the board of directors for the
BlueStone Federal Credit Union for nearly 10 years.
Board Member (2012), Yvonne Lutz, CEBS
Terri Urbaniak is an experienced benefits professional, with over 20 years'
experience in benefits program design, management and administration.
Terri has managed HR benefits administration and strategic planning and
design functions, and has also held management positions with local
insurers and TPA's. In addition to her CEBS designation, Terri maintains a
current Fellow status, earned the IFEBP's Certificate in Global Benefits
Management in 2008, and holds various insurance designations including
the FLMI. Terri earned a BA in Management from Metropolitan State
University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from St Catherine
University. Along with Mike Deffner, Terri co-chairs the TCISCEBS
Membership Committee.
experience in benefits program design, management and administration.
Terri has managed HR benefits administration and strategic planning and
design functions, and has also held management positions with local
insurers and TPA's. In addition to her CEBS designation, Terri maintains a
current Fellow status, earned the IFEBP's Certificate in Global Benefits
Management in 2008, and holds various insurance designations including
the FLMI. Terri earned a BA in Management from Metropolitan State
University and an MA in Organizational Leadership from St Catherine
University. Along with Mike Deffner, Terri co-chairs the TCISCEBS
Membership Committee.
Email: terri.urbaniak@gmail.com
Board Member (2014), Phillip Wismar, CEBS
Email: ylutz@scoular.com
Email: phillip.wismar@target.com
Yvonne S Lutz is the Director of Human Resources for The Scoular
Company. She has a strong generalist background which supports her
leadership responsibilities in health and welfare, employee relations,
relocation and project management. Prior to coming to Scoular in 2001,
she worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, uniform and
textile rental, real estate management and education. Leading the
employee benefits function has given her ample opportunities to utilize the
CEBS designation she earned in 2005. She is a SPHR, HR mentor at the
University of Minnesota and serves on the Membership Committee of the
Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS. She graduated from the U of MN with a B.A.
in Psychology, Dental Hygiene and a Masters of Industrial Relations from
the Carlson School of Management.
Company. She has a strong generalist background which supports her
leadership responsibilities in health and welfare, employee relations,
relocation and project management. Prior to coming to Scoular in 2001,
she worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, uniform and
textile rental, real estate management and education. Leading the
employee benefits function has given her ample opportunities to utilize the
CEBS designation she earned in 2005. She is a SPHR, HR mentor at the
University of Minnesota and serves on the Membership Committee of the
Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS. She graduated from the U of MN with a B.A.
in Psychology, Dental Hygiene and a Masters of Industrial Relations from
the Carlson School of Management.
Email: jvetter@hayscompanies.com
