BEN
BELUR
PARTNER
Email: ben@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551 ext. 701
Ben was born and raised in Issaquah WA where he now resides with his family. He attended WSU where he met his wife Brittany and married back in 2011. They are a family of five with two daughters and a son, who keep them very busy! Ben has spent his entire working career in the employee benefits space where he was formerly VP of Sales overseeing sales & distribution for 15+ years. He couldn’t be more thrilled to use that experience gained in joining forces with two of his most trusted friends and business associates in starting their new agency together, BTG Benefits.
Ben’s primary duties consist of helping strategize with companies to find them the most affordable and comprehensive benefit packages for their employees. Trying to find the appropriate level of coverage can be a challenge in today’s health insurance world and that is where Ben’s innovative ideas, with an emphasis on controlling costs, provides value to his clients and prospects. His belief that this business still revolves around relationships and trust is reflected in his approach and interactions with clients. His informal but informative style resonates with employees as he is able to relate to them and present in a way that is easy to understand. His biggest sense of purpose and meaning is when you feel as though you’ve accomplished your company goals while meeting the benefit and financial needs of your staff. He’s here to help make this process simple, fun, and affordable for all involved!
JEREMY
BRIGHT
PARTNER
Email: jeremy@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551 ext. 702
Originally from the east side of the state, Jeremy attended Washington State University and chased his now wife, Heidi, to the west side of the state (best decision of his life!).
Newcastle, WA is the place they’ve called home for the past 11 years with their two daughters, and dog. The Bright family takes pride in their community and you can find them at their local YMCA, hiking trails, church and parks. Jeremy also has a passion for all sports and recently has found great joy in coaching!
As an employee benefit consultant over the past 10 years, Jeremy places great value in earning the trust and confidence of his clients as he recognizes a lasting partnership cannot exist without this foundation. Each client is unique, and Jeremy understands the complexities and challenges employers face with regards to selecting the appropriate benefit package. His emphasis is in his consultative and creative approach as it is his goal to find a solution that meets both the budgetary needs of his clients and the needs of their employees.
Jeremy looks to maintain the value of his service and client’s interests to create a partnership that will prosper for years.
What is important to you, your business, and employees
is important to Jeremy & BTG Benefits!
MEET THE
team
TIM
HIRSHBERG
PARTNER
Email: Tim@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551 ext. 700
Tim is a long time local to the Seattle area and is proud to have made the Pacific Northwest the home to his family. When he’s not working as a conduit for his clients, he stays plenty busy with his wife Melissa (where they met at their alma mater, The University of Arizona), son Charlie, dog Trip, and his soon to be second child on the way! Tim has spent most of his career in the employee benefit space, where he started alongside his two partners over 10 years ago. He is extremely excited to have
co-founded BTG Benefits with two people that he’s worked with from the beginning, and trusts and respects so deeply.
As a consultant to his clients, Tim works diligently to create a strategic approach, focusing on value driven benefits, without the compromise of the employee “benefit.” Clearly, in today’s embattled healthcare landscape, this provides meaningful challenges, but with his established carrier partners, and unique approach, Tim and BTG welcome this opportunity. He works diligently to make every encounter a contact to remember. He looks forward to your connection with the goal of being the “bridge” between your team and the best value in benefits!
SHERI
SCHULTZ
VP operations
Email: Sheri@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551
Sheri Schultz is a Washington native, born and raised in North Seattle. A mother of an active 12 year old daughter, you can often find Sheri catching her daughters volleyball games, volunteering at school, messing around at the driving range or golf course as a newbie to the sport, or spending time with her family at her favorite getaway in Chelan, WA.
With this role Sheri is responsible for day-to-day operations as well as help with marketing, sales, ancillary lines, administration and service.
Sheri has been in group benefits for over 20 years. She believes that every company needs a trusted advisor that will take the time to learn about their group and guide them to a benefits package that is right for their employees. With a strong background in ancillary lines, Sheri will help you round out your benefits package with the extras that will help you compete for and retain the best employees in your market. Sheri specializes in creating genuine and meaningful relationships with each and every client she gets to work with.
MICHELLE
DAVIS
senior BENEFITS ANALYST
Email: Michelle@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551
Michelle was born and raised in Seattle WA where she raised her daughter Alyssa. They both moved to Dallas TX 7 years ago but are true Washingtonians at heart!
In her spare time she loves to travel, especially back home to Seattle to spend quality time with her parents and two sisters. She enjoys boating on Lake Washington, wine tasting, exploring the beautiful Evergreen State and finding some good Texas BBQ.
Michelle brings over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She is excited to join the BTG Benefits Team where she finds purpose and value in building long lasting client relationships.
KIM
PANKOW
senior BENEFITS ANALYST
Email: Kim@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551
Kim is a lifelong resident of Washington state, having grown up in Eastern Washington
and moving to the Pacific Northwest just after high school. She and her husband,
Jason, were married in 2015 in Maui ~ their favorite place on earth! They have made
their home in Burien with their two active boys, Desmond and Owen. You can usually
find them in their backyard playing with their crazy bernedoodle puppy or scheming their
next home improvement project.
With a 15-year history in insurance account management and customer service, Kim is
passionate about getting to know every client, no matter their size, to cultivate a unique
experience dependent on their needs. Her primary role is evaluating proposed benefit
contracts and creating comparison tools by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing
employee benefit data and trends.
Having worked with the partners of BTG in the past, Kim couldn't be more thrilled to join
this dream team.
SHAWNA
KONO
senior BENEFITS ANALYST
Born and raised in Washington state. Shawna and her husband Michael made their home in Renton when they were married in 2009. They are overjoyed to have recently expanded their family with the addition of their little fur baby Rain.
Shawna started her benefits career back in 2010, all of which was spent working with the three partners. She couldn’t be more excited to start this next chapter at BTG Benefits.
PARIS
JACKSON
communication strategist
Email: Paris@btgbenefits.com
Work: (206) 607-2551
Paris Jackson is eager to join BTG Benefits as Communications Strategist. Given creative reign she’ll produce and develop the marketing, public relations, and social media strategy.
Raised in Tacoma – she is a two-time Emmy Award winning Journalist. Most recognized locally from her role with the KOMO 4 Morning News team as an Anchor & Reporter. For seven years, she was an integral member of the often No.1 morning show in the Seattle/Tacoma television market.
A graduate of Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication and double majored in Broadcast News and African American Studies. There, she met her college sweetheart, Chris, and married in 2014. Paris’ more than decade long broadcast career spanned newsrooms in Eugene, Oregon, Birmingham, Alabama and Seattle, Washington.
Her one-year-old daughter and five-year-old son make life deliciously exciting and quite a ride. When possible, she lends her voice to emcee non-profit events around Western Washington. Her family resides in Renton.
