Meet The Team

Ben Belur

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 are now loving raising their two daughters and son. Ben has spent his entire working career in the employee benefits space and couldn’t be more thrilled to use that experience gained to join forces with two of his most trusted friends and business associates in starting their agency together, BTG Benefits.  

Ben’s primary goal is to help strategize with companies to find them the most affordable and comprehensive benefits for their employees. He brings an outside of the box approach and introduces innovative ideas to his clients so they are equipped with what’s relevant in today’s benefits world. Most importantly, Ben listens to what his clients want to accomplish and develops a custom plan to meet their specific needs. His belief that this business still revolves around relationships and trust is reflected in his approach and interactions with clients. He’s here to help make this process simple, fun, and affordable for all involved.

Jeremy Bright

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. Newcastle, WA is the place they call home, with their two daughters. Jeremy has a passion for all sports and loves watching his girls follow in his footsteps!
 
As an employee benefit consultant for most of his career, 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. ​​

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Tim Hirshberg

Tim is a long time local to the Seattle area and is proud to have made the Pacific Northwest the home to his family. He and his wife Melissa met at their alma mater, The University of Arizona, and have two sons, a daughter and a dog. 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.” In today’s embattled healthcare landscape, this provides meaningful challenges, but with his established carrier partners, and unique approach, Tim welcomes this opportunity. He works diligently to make every encounter a contact to remember and looks forward to being the “bridge” between your team and the best value in benefits.​

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Calvin Cooper (Cooper)

Cooper was born in Germany but has lived in Washington state since he was young. Cooper and his husband, Billy, have 2 outstanding children, Nella and Dorian (twins) both of which have started high school this year. Cooper began his career in insurance at Premera Blue Cross and has ventured out in employee benefits technical support for an HRIS system and has been in the broker world role for a few years now. In his free time, Cooper likes to keep up with one of his favorite passions, baking.

He is thrilled about being part of the BTG Team and looks forward to spending his years to come with a company that genuinely cares about their employees. He is excited about being able to utilize his expertise to add value for his clients.

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Lisa Deese

Lisa has been the bookkeeper for BTG since June 2020. She brings a strong background to BTG having spent over 20 years of her career in the payroll administration and bookkeeping space. Her personal philosophy regarding her profession is that trust is number one, and it is her goal to do whatever she can to contribute to BTG and out client’s success. 

Lisa lives in Bonney Lake with her husband and is surrounded by her blended family of six! An interesting fact about Lisa is for many years she was a lead singer/vocalist in various bands and still loves to sing karaoke whenever she gets the chance. In her free time, she loves hanging out with family and friends, and in the summer months enjoys boating and an occasional game of tennis with the kiddos. 

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Kris Dizon

Kris is a healthcare operations professional with more than 19 years of experience spanning hospital-based insurance coordination, healthcare support services, data analysis, and customer service. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in insurance processing, claims management, patient account coordination, data management, reporting, and process improvement.

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Known for her analytical mindset and commitment to service excellence, Kris brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to supporting clients and delivering accurate, efficient results.

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Outside of work, Kris enjoys cooking, discovering new destinations, spending time at the beach, and exploring different cuisines with family and friends.

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Erin Fawcett

Erin was born and raised in the Bay Area of California and moved to the Seattle area to attend the University of Washington. She has lived in the greater Seattle area ever since. Erin has 2 amazing daughters who keep her very busy with their various activities! When she finds free time, she loves camping and fishing.

Erin brings almost 20 years of experience in the Employee Benefits Field. She is excited to be part of the BTG team and looks forward to bringing value to the organization and our clients through her attention to detail and strong client relations skills.

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Lita Gill

Lita joined BTG in 2023 as an Account Manager with 14 years in healthcare experience which includes accounting, decision support, process improvement, and informatics. She brings her experience and spirit of service to support BTG clients in navigating their employee benefits needs with confidence, clarity, and trust. Lita's happiest when she's watching her two sons play sports, enjoying the PNW outdoors, reading a good book with a cup of coffee nearby, and travelling to some place new with her family.

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Alex (AJ) Johnson

Alex is a Washington native having grown up in Bellevue, WA and is extremely proud to call the Pacific Northwest home to his family. Alex, Malia their two kids and dog live in Kirkland WA. In his free time Alex enjoys spending valuable time with his family and friends 

With over 15 years of experience in consulting, owning and operating small businesses, Alex has real life experience and can offer a unique perspective to the clients that he serves. He remains committed to helping clients and their employees navigate the complex world of healthcare and ultimately improve the employee experience. He is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the BTG Team and takes pride in offering expert insight and guidance to clients.

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Liz Kroshko

Liz, the youngest of 4 children raised by her Ukrainian immigrant parents, was born and raised in Washington state. A brief 5-year stint relocated her to her husband’s first duty station – North Carolina. There, Liz and her husband took up many new hobbies, some of which include hiking, rock climbing, backpacking and camping! In March of 2020, Liz and her husband decided to move back to Washington to both pursue new careers and explore a new chapter of their lives.

In 2023, Liz joined the BTG team and said that on her first day, she felt like she was walking into her work family and knew immediately these were her people. She is so grateful for the opportunity to work with the BTG team, and while new to the insurance field, she looks forward to learning all the ins and outs while applying her 10 years of customer service experience to the job!

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Karras Miller

Karras is a proud resident of the Pacific Northwest for most of her life. While  not originally from Washington, Karras' connection to Washington runs deep, particularly through her academic journey at the University of Washington. Her heart belongs to her family and cherishing moments with her husband, two wonderful daughters, family, and friends. When free time allows, Karras enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams, attending concerts, and hitting the links for a round of golf.

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Professionally, Karras has dedicated over 15 years to the dynamic field of Employee Benefits, honing her skills across various roles, including customer service, account management, and providing cost containment solutions while building and maintaining long-term client relationships. Throughout her career, her primary focus has always been on putting clients first while maintaining a focus on team collaboration and organizational success. This philosophy drives every aspect of her work, from initial consultations to ongoing support. Karras understands the importance of tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring their satisfaction and success.

Donna Olmsted

​Originally from sunny California, Donna found her true home in the Pacific Northwest after moving to Washington as a teenager. Now a proud Washingtonian, she and her husband Fred share a vibrant, blended family of six children, several grandchildren, and their energetic Jack Russell Terrier, Ginger. Whether they’re cheering on the Mariners, island-hopping around the San Juans, or taking scenic day trips with the grandkids to favorite spots like Deception Pass and Joseph Whidbey State Parks, Donna embraces the beauty and adventure Washington has to offer—especially during the colorful tulip season in Skagit County each April.

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With over 16 years of experience in the employee benefits field, Donna brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and heart to BTG Benefits. She’s known for building lasting relationships with her clients and delivering top-notch service through her strong account management skills. Donna is excited to be part of the BTG team, where she continues doing what she loves: helping people and making a meaningful impact every day.

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Mary Ann Niña Peralta

Mary is a Data Analyst with more than 10 years of experience in healthcare operations and customer service. She is known for her strong attention to detail, analytical mindset, and commitment to delivering exceptional client support. In her role, Mary works closely with account managers to help ensure accurate, timely, and high-quality client deliverables.

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She enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and contributing to a positive experience for both colleagues and clients.

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Outside of work, Mary enjoys baking, spending quality time with her family, and exploring new destinations on road trips.

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Tye Thompson

Tye is an Employee Benefits Consultant at BTG Benefits, bringing a background in employee benefits, payroll/HCM, business development, and client relationship management. He has worked with employers across industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, veterinary, automotive, professional services, and other service-based businesses.

Tye focuses on listening first, understanding what each employer is trying to accomplish, and helping build benefit strategies that are practical, competitive, and mindful of both budget and employee needs.

Outside of work, Tye enjoys spending time on the saltwater, salmon fishing around the Puget Sound, playing guitar, yoga, singing, and the occasional karaoke night.  On rainy days he loves documentaries about archaeology, ancient technology, and underwater treasure hunters.

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Colleen Wharton

​Colleen brings 14 years of experience in Employee Benefits, with a background spanning both service and management roles. She has built her career around delivering customized solutions that align with client goals while fostering collaboration, innovation, and long‑term partnerships. Prior to entering the insurance industry, she served as a Parole and Probation Officer, an experience that strengthened her ability to approach challenges with empathy, precision, and adaptability. Colleen is driven by a passion for meaningful connection, creative problem‑solving, and achieving results that make a measurable impact.

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She and her family relocated to Connecticut from Seattle for her husband’s new job. They have a daughter who recently graduated from college, and in their free time, Colleen and her husband enjoy traveling and attending sporting events. She is excited to join the BTG team and being back in the Washington market.

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