How Brokers Can Prepare for Possible ACA Changes

Eddie Larned is a ten-year veteran of the employee benefits industry. He has a strong track record of selling pre-tax consumer benefits and benefits administration technology while building a significant network of partners in the industry.

After graduating from Iona College in 2011, he started his career as a Sales and Enrollment Specialist at Choice Strategies, a consumer benefits TPA based out of Waterbury Center, VT. Working in the New York metropolitan area, he supported the sales team. He quickly learned the ins and outs of the industry by working with employers, brokers, and general agents. After WageWorks acquired choice Strategies, he was promoted to Account Executive and served as the Sales Representative for Northern New Jersey and New York.

In 2016, Eddie left WageWorks to join Beneflex, which soon rebranded to Clarity Benefit Solutions. As a Regional Sales Manager, he was responsible for growing sales in New York, selling primarily through broker and general agent partners and has been a major contributor to the significant organic growth that Clarity has experienced over the past five years. In 2021 Eddie was promoted to Vice President of Broker Sales at Clarity and manages a team of experienced Sales representatives in other parts of the country.

Eddie currently resides in Westchester County, NY, with his wife and kids. Outside the office, he enjoys sports, traveling and spending time with his family.

Liz O’Colmain brings with her over 30 years of employee benefits experience. Originally from Dublin Ireland, Liz is a graduate of Loyola University in Baltimore, where she has spent her entire career selling a variety of employee benefits and technology solutions to clients of her Broker and Consultant network. She has achieved multiple Awards including Top Sales Performer at UnitedHealthcare during her 12 year tenure in National Accounts. During her time at UHC, Liz was responsible for selling over $75 million in ancillary products (Vision/Dental/Life & Worksite solutions) to large employers, municipalities and union groups.

In 2016, Liz decided to pivot to the technology side of employee benefits by joining Paychex to market their online Ben-Admin solution Benetrac. Clarity recruited Liz in 2018 as an Enterprise Regional Sales Manager to expand the Mid-Atlantic market. She is responsible for growing sales and our Elite Broker Program in DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware and Ohio. Liz is licensed in Life & Health and Certified in Flexible Compensation (CFC).

Liz currently resides in Gaithersburg, MD with her family. Outside of the office she enjoys traveling abroad, gardening and the theatre.

In this role, Becky develops existing partner relationships, leads our internal Account Management, Sales, Program Management and Client Strategy teams in order to deliver the most value for our customers. Additionally, for the past three years, Becky has taken on the role of speaking in Clarity's Continuing Education seminars. She has educated thousands of brokers and employers about employee benefits and continues to work alongside her colleagues to promote continuing education in the industry. She has been working in the Benefits and insurance industry for more than ten years. Prior to working with Clarity, Becky was a business sales leader in the telecom industry. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Management from Southern Wesleyan University, and lives in Columbia, South Carolina.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, weekends on the lake, and caring for the plants and flowers in her greenhouse.
 

Born and raised in Colorado, Carter Lynch spent 4 years at the University of Florida, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Prior to joining Clarity, Carter worked at Benefitexpress and WEX. Most recently, Carter ran the business development team at Elevate inc.

Carter grew up in the industry watching his father, Jim Lynch, lead sales in this space and even run his own TPA.

When asked what he loves most about selling employee benefits, Carter said, "I love providing employers and their employees with holistic solutions to improve their daily lives by reducing financial stress and navigating the healthcare landscape. I also enjoy working with a great team who all push each other to improve."

Carter's territory is Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. On his time off, he enjoys golfing, working out, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family!

Meet Taylor Frates, Clarity’s newest Inside Sales Consultant. Taylor has a passion for helping people understand their benefits and how to best utilize them. With 1 year of experience in sales and the industry, this Berkeley, CA resident is making a splash in the employee benefits field. 

Before joining Clarity, Taylor worked for CalCPA Health as an Employee Benefits Account Coordinator, gaining experience on the Benefits Administration side. Prior to that, she spent 10 years in childcare, where she honed her communication and interpersonal skills. 

Taylor holds her Associate's Degree in Interpersonal Communication and is currently attending American Public University, pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.  Taylor is committed to making an impact and helping people understand the value of employee benefits. 

When not helping clients, she can be found spending quality time with loved ones, hiking, taking photographs, playing guitar, or doing anything outdoors. Fun fact about Taylor - she has lived in Kuwait, Canada, Arizona and now back to her birthplace of California.

Mark Sparber, our Regional Sales Manager at Clarity Benefit Solutions, has an impressive track record of over two decades in the employee benefits industry. With his extensive experience, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team.

Before joining Clarity, Mark served as the Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast region at GIS Benefits, where he played a pivotal role in driving sales of their Ben Admin and communication capabilities. He cultivated strong relationships with partner brokers and carriers, effectively introducing companies to innovative solutions while boosting premiums. Before his tenure at GIS Benefits, Mark spent an impressive 18 years at MetLife, where he was instrumental in founding and developing their Financial Wellness platform, which set an industry standard.

 In his current role at Clarity, Mark focuses on sales in the New York and New England regions. What fuels his passion for this industry is its profound impact on people's lives. Mark takes pride in providing solutions that empower employees to lead better, more fulfilling lives.

Mark resides in the picturesque town of Port Washington on Long Island. He holds a degree from SUNY Albany and an MBA in Marketing from Pace University. Mark's enthusiasm for sports shines through in his spare time while playing basketball, golf, tennis, and running. He's an avid reader, particularly fond of historical fiction, and a dedicated fan of New York sports teams. Most importantly, Mark cherishes spending quality time on vacations with his beloved family.

I’m a benefits connoisseur and I exist first and foremost, to help you navigate benefits. Along the way I’ll share insights on Clarity’s mission and bring some much needed simplicity and humanity to the world of benefits.

Clarity is so much more than a third-party benefits administrator. At our core, we truly believe that life is a journey, one that should be lived well. Offering elevated benefits can make a profound impact on physical, emotional, social and financial health.

My job is to take that vision, match it up with my goals, motivations and frustrations, which are a reflection of your own, and bring a friendly face to the benefits landscape so that you have all the resources you need to live well! I’m here to answer questions, guide discussions and (most of all) to help employees to celebrate the joys of life at work and home and keep the stress of benefits at bay.

At the end of the day… I exist for YOU! And I’m so excited to assist you in your benefits journey!