| The International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists |
| Education Integrity Excellence |
Twin Cities Chapter of ISCEBS
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Past President, Jennifer Eager, CEBS
Jennifer Eager is a Benefits Consultant for Wells Fargo & Company working
with qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for Wells Fargo
employees. Wells Fargo maintains a Defined Benefit Cash Balance Plan
and a 401(k) Plan. In addition, Jennifer works with maintaining and
integrating other retirement plans acquired by Wells Fargo. Prior to joining
Wells Fargo, Jennifer held retirement administration positions at William M.
Mercer and Harley Davidson. Jennifer obtained her CEBS designation in
2004.
with qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for Wells Fargo
employees. Wells Fargo maintains a Defined Benefit Cash Balance Plan
and a 401(k) Plan. In addition, Jennifer works with maintaining and
integrating other retirement plans acquired by Wells Fargo. Prior to joining
Wells Fargo, Jennifer held retirement administration positions at William M.
Mercer and Harley Davidson. Jennifer obtained her CEBS designation in
2004.
President, Janis Koltun, CEBS Fellow
Janis Koltun is a consultant for Aon Consulting and has more than 20 years
experience in a broad range of employee benefits responsibilities. Prior to
becoming a consultant in 2002, Janis held employee benefit management
positions in companies ranging from 3400 employees to 30,000 across
several industries. Janis earned her CEBS designation in 1985, the Fellow
standing in 1997, and has maintained her Fellow designation since that
time. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a business degree in
Industrial Relations and Human Resources. In addition, she is a licensed
insurance broker in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. Janis is currently a
co-chair of the Twin Cities Chapter Seminar Committee.
experience in a broad range of employee benefits responsibilities. Prior to
becoming a consultant in 2002, Janis held employee benefit management
positions in companies ranging from 3400 employees to 30,000 across
several industries. Janis earned her CEBS designation in 1985, the Fellow
standing in 1997, and has maintained her Fellow designation since that
time. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a business degree in
Industrial Relations and Human Resources. In addition, she is a licensed
insurance broker in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa. Janis is currently a
co-chair of the Twin Cities Chapter Seminar Committee.
| Email: Janis_Koltun@aon.com |
Vice President, Rick Fitzpatrick, CEBS Fellow
Rick is currently a part-time student at the Hamline University School of
Law. In addition to his studies, he also serves as a consulting contractor
on benefits and compensation projects, working for employers like
American Express, Xcel Energy and Patterson Companies. From 1998 to
2006, Rick served as the Benefits Manager for Patterson Companies, Inc. -
overseeing their health/welfare, 401(k), ESOP, ESPP, as well as certain
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 operations and sales/service
divisions. Rick received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from
McGill University, and is a Fellow in the International Society of Certified
Employee Benefit Specialists.
Law. In addition to his studies, he also serves as a consulting contractor
on benefits and compensation projects, working for employers like
American Express, Xcel Energy and Patterson Companies. From 1998 to
2006, Rick served as the Benefits Manager for Patterson Companies, Inc. -
overseeing their health/welfare, 401(k), ESOP, ESPP, as well as certain
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 operations and sales/service
divisions. Rick received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from
McGill University, and is a Fellow in the International Society of Certified
Employee Benefit Specialists.
| Email: rickfitzpatrick790@msn.com |
Treasurer, Jennifer Johnson, CEBS, PHR
Jennifer currently is a HR Manager for Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm Disease
Management division, and worked at Medtronic for six years in Medtronic's
Corporate Benefits department. She had responsibility for Medtronic's
welfare benefits, vendor management and a variety of projects, including
implementation of the Definity Health plan in 2000, HIPAA Privacy initiatives,
and Medicare, Part D. She managed the disability programs including the
implementation of new vendor administration. 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 at the
University of St. Thomas. Jennifer has the Professional of Human Resource
and obtained the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
designation in 2002 and has chaired the Seminar Committee since 2005.
Management division, and worked at Medtronic for six years in Medtronic's
Corporate Benefits department. She had responsibility for Medtronic's
welfare benefits, vendor management and a variety of projects, including
implementation of the Definity Health plan in 2000, HIPAA Privacy initiatives,
and Medicare, Part D. She managed the disability programs including the
implementation of new vendor administration. 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 at the
University of St. Thomas. Jennifer has the Professional of Human Resource
and obtained the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)
designation in 2002 and has chaired the Seminar Committee since 2005.
Secretary, Todd Mestad, CEBS
Todd Mestad is the Benefits and Service Center Manager for the University
of Minnesota Physicians. Prior to joining UM Physicians, Todd directed the
employee benefits function at H.B. Fuller, and also worked as a claim
manager for a major insurance company. He has over 22 years of
experience in total reward programs for employees and executives. Todd
attained the CEBS designation in 2004. He holds a BS in Business
Administration from Winona State University.
of Minnesota Physicians. Prior to joining UM Physicians, Todd directed the
employee benefits function at H.B. Fuller, and also worked as a claim
manager for a major insurance company. He has over 22 years of
experience in total reward programs for employees and executives. Todd
attained the CEBS designation in 2004. He holds a BS in Business
Administration from Winona State University.
| Email: tmestad@umphysicians.umn.edu |
Board Member (2010), Marilyn Nipp, CEBS Fellow
Marilyn Nipp, CEBS, is the Senior Benefits & Systems Specialist for St. Jude
Medical, Inc. in St. Paul. She is responsible for overall benefits
administration and HRIS system for th health and welfare and pension
programs for over 8,000 employees throughout the US. She has over 15
years of experience in the benefits field with an emphasis on health and
welfare plans. Prior to joining St. Jude Medical, Marilyn has held various
benefits positions with Nuclear Management Company, DSI Employer
Services and UFE, Inc. Marilyn obtained her CEBS, CMS, and Fellow in
2003, and holds the GBA designation. She renewed her Fellow status in
2007. Marilyn also holds a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of
Minnesota.
Medical, Inc. in St. Paul. She is responsible for overall benefits
administration and HRIS system for th health and welfare and pension
programs for over 8,000 employees throughout the US. She has over 15
years of experience in the benefits field with an emphasis on health and
welfare plans. Prior to joining St. Jude Medical, Marilyn has held various
benefits positions with Nuclear Management Company, DSI Employer
Services and UFE, Inc. Marilyn obtained her CEBS, CMS, and Fellow in
2003, and holds the GBA designation. She renewed her Fellow status in
2007. Marilyn also holds a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of
Minnesota.
| Email: MNipp@sjm.com |
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Board Member (2011), Michael Deffner, CEBS
Mike Deffner is a seasoned insurance/healthcare/financial professional
with over 16 years of project management, lead, and general management
experience. His last 14 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 16 years of project management, lead, and general management
experience. His last 14 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), Terri Urbaniak, CEBS Fellow
Terri Urbaniak, CEBS, is currently the Sr. Benefits Analyst at Graco Inc. in
Minneapolis. At Graco, Terri specializes in benefits systems, project
management for major benefits initiatives and international benefits
administration. Terri has over 20 years’ experience as a benefits
professional, with a focus on health and welfare benefits. Prior to her
current position, 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.
Minneapolis. At Graco, Terri specializes in benefits systems, project
management for major benefits initiatives and international benefits
administration. Terri has over 20 years’ experience as a benefits
professional, with a focus on health and welfare benefits. Prior to her
current position, 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: Theresa_M_Urbaniak@graco.com
