News

The Annual SBEN Educational Conference Returns with In-Person Learning in Atlanta September 22-24

ATLANTA, September 14, 2021 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network’s (SBEN) Annual Educational Conference will take place September 22-24, at the Le Meridien, Atlanta Perimeter, Georgia.  This year’s theme is “The Future of Benefits is Here.”  The conference will bring together human resources, retirement, and benefits professionals from states across the southeast.  

“The benefits industry has experienced a drastic amount of change.  Many benefits professionals had five-year plans to incorporate benefits that they had to implement within weeks because of COVID-19.  Truly ‘The Future of Benefits is Here.’  This event will showcase important topics that include litigation issues for retirement plans, technology advancement, drug and healthcare best practices.” explained Jonathan Gomes, president of SBEN.  “Our goal is to inform and educate to make positive impacts on today’s workforce and the benefits industry.”

Topics Include:

• The Latest Regulatory and Legislative Benefit Updates
• Communication Strategies for the Post Pandemic World - A Case Study
• Audits, Investigations and the Latest Updates from The Dept. of Labor, EBSA
• The Evolving Workscape 2021 - Insights from the MIT AgeLab
• The Next Phase of Total Wellbeing
• And more

Tickets are available through the organization’s website (sben.org). 

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is an intra-disciplinary organization which accepts as members practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust as well as many other disciplines as the industry evolves.

To schedule an interview with one of the speakers, contact Michelle Raczynski (817-235-5280, michelle@southwestmanagementllc.com). 

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SBEN Premier Sponsors:

Event Sponsors:

For Immediate Release

Southeast Benefits Education Network Announces 
New 2021 Board of Director Members

ATLANTA, January 26, 2021 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network, SBEN, announces the 2021 Board of Directors, including five new members.  The Board will help fill the mission of the organization and offer support to the organization’s stakeholders, supporters and most important, members. 

“We know that leadership is key to the success of any organization, and we know our board members will contribute greatly to our success.  This will allow us to build on a solid foundation for future development.” noted SBEN President, Jonathan Gomes. 

Southeast Benefits Education Network 2021 Board of Directors

President: Jonathan Gomes with Nationwide Retirement Plans Distribution
Vice President:  Johnny Wentzell with Jackson Lewis P.C.
Treasurer:  Terri McNaughton with Elliott Davis
Secretary: Lisa Logan with InterContinental Hotels Group
Past President:  Eric Rioux with Lockton

Directors:            Charleen Barnwell with Empower Retirement
                              Amanda Dansby with Truist
                              Misty Guinn with Benefitfocus (new) 
                              David Hall with Hall Benefits Law
                              Anne Morris with Windham Brannon (new)
                              Patricia Hafer-Plunkett with Community Health Centers (new)
                              Rachel Robinson with FTI Consulting
                              Tom Simonson with Lockton  
                              Randy Vogenberg with Healthcare Institute for Integrated Healthcare (new)
                              Scott Wagner with Morris with Manning & Martin
                              Blake Watts (new)

“Looking forward to 2021, as a benefits professional in the hospitality industry, I know personally how important education and specifically benefits education can be.  Participating in the SBEN board allows me an outlet to have a positive impact,” said, Lisa Logan with InterContinental Hotels Group.

The organization’s Board is expanding the current SBEN offerings to include additional educational opportunities.  For more information visit: SBEN.org

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is a membership organization of intra-disciplinary practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust. 

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For Immediate Release

SBEN Returns to Birmingham for their Regional Benefits Forum
SBEN “Tackles the Biggest Benefits Challenges” on February 27 – Agenda Released

ATLANTA, February 5, 2020 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network (SBEN) announced the topics and agenda for the Regional Benefits Forum returning to Birmingham Alabama on February 27 to the Harbert Center.

“Our mission is about education and we are excited to return to Birmingham. The lineup of topics is impressive. More when Benefits Professionals and Human Resource Professionals attend this event they will gain real-world knowledge that could impact their current organizations. From the legal and compliance elements to cybersecurity this event will inform,” said Eric Rioux, President of SBEN.

Agenda and Speakers:

• The Latest Legislative, Regulatory and Compliance Issues in Employee Benefits
  Speaker: Logan Hinkle, Partner, Burr and Forman LLP
• Welfare Strategies and Hot Topics in Wellness, Disease Management and Benefits Design
  Speaker: Mark Johnson, CEO/President, Creative Benefit Solutions, LLC
• Tips and Traps for Cybersecurity and Employee Benefits
  Speaker: Paul M. Perry, FHFMA, CISM, CITP, CPABD, Warren Averett
• Emerging Issues for Form 5500, Avoiding Investigations, EBSA projects and related ERISA Regulations
  Speaker: Jodi Green, ERISA Compliance Counsel, Tatum Hillman & Powell, LLP
• The SECURE Act and Changes Impacting Retirement Plans
  Speaker: William Presson, Executive Vice President, Economic Group Pension Services

“We enjoy hosting this event in Birmingham and look forward to a great forum. We encourage employers throughout the area to join us. They will come away with a great appreciation,” Added Rioux

More information and registration is available on the organization’s website: sben.org

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For Immediate Release                                              

SBEN Announces 2020 Board of Directors

ATLANTA, January 22, 2020 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network Announces 2020 Board of Directors.  With a positive outlook on 2020, the goal of the Board is to further the organization’s mission and education.

“The Southeast Benefits Education Network is excited to welcome Scott Wagner, Lisa Logan, Amanda Dansby and Johnny Wentzell to our Board of Directors. SBEN is a community of benefits professionals dedicated to ongoing education, networking opportunities, the cultivation of relationships and the pursuit of personal and professional development. With members in the Southeastern United States, SBEN provides a forum for Benefits Professionals of all disciplines to share information, learn, grow and succeed. Our new Directors will help further our mission as we continue to make a positive impact on the benefits community in the Southeast. We appreciate their commitment SBEN and are excited about our future,” said Eric Rioux, President of SBEN.

2020 SBEN Board

• President: Eric Rioux, Lockton
• Vice President: Jonathan Gomes, Nationwide Retirement Plans
• Treasurer: Susan Powers, AssetGrade Registered Investment Advisors
• Secretary: Malika Terry, UPS
• Past President: Alanna Tanner, Amick Farms

Directors:

• Charleen Barnwell, Hall Benefits Law
• Mandy Hardin, Chick-Fil-A Corporate
• Terri McNaughton, Elliott Davis
• Kimberly Mitchell, Wencor Group
• Rachel Robinson, FTI Consulting
• Tom Simonson, Lockton
• Teresa Truelove, Sonepar USA
• David Hall, Hall Benefits Law

New Members:

• Amanda Dansby, Truist
• Lisa Logan, IHG
• Scott Wagner, Morris, Manning & Martin LLP
• Johnny Wentzell, Jackson Lewis

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For Immediate Release                                   Contact:   Michelle Raczynski

“Beneficial Education” Comes Back to Charlotte

The Southeast Benefits Education Network Announces the Lineup for the
Regional Benefits Forum - Charlotte

ATLANTA, September 5, 2019 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network (SBEN) will return to Charlotte, NC, hosting their Regional Benefits Forum – Charlotte on September 24, 2019 at the Dimensional Funds Advisor’s office. 

“Our mission is to offer timely and insightful education to employee benefit professionals from around the region. As the benefits landscape evolves, our network within the southeast continues to grow. Charlotte has always been a great city to SBEN, so we look forward to coming back,” explained SBEN President, Eric Rioux. 

Topics for the Event Include:

• -  Benefits 2020:  A Legislative/Compliance and Regulatory Update
• -  What to Expect from a EBSA Investigation
• -  Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Investing (ESG)
• -  Healthcare in 2030 - What will the Future Look Like
• -  The Team Approach to Obtaining Successful Retirement Plan Outcomes
• -  Supply Chain Management Approach to Healthcare
• 
  
• The event includes HRCI and SHRM educational credits.  Registration is available by clicking here.  

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is an intra-disciplinary organization which accepts as members practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust as well as many other disciplines as the industry evolves.

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For Immediate Release           Contact: Michelle Raczynski

The Annual SBEN Educational Conference Gets Serious with Beneficial Benefits Education!

ATLANTA, April 18, 2019 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network’s (SBEN) Annual Educational Conference will take place May 2-3, at The W Hotel in Buckhead, Georgia.  The conference will bring together human resources and benefits professionals from states across the southeast.  

“The world of benefits is constantly changing.  A benefits professional must be educated on the challenges today that include litigation issues for retirement plans, technology advancement, drug and healthcare best practices.” explained Marc Chappell, executive director of SBEN.  “Our goal is to inform and educate to make positive impacts on today’s workforce and the benefits industry.”

Topics Include:

• ·        What’s Up in Washington? Legal & Employer Perspectives on Regulatory & Compliance Issues
• ·        Managing Health Care Costs and Strategies for Chronic Conditions
• ·        Workplace Financial Wellness
• ·        Using Data to Create Targeted, Tactical Communications
• ·        Chaos, Confusion, Mergers and Acquisitions: Navigating the Evolving Healthcare Market
• ·        Litigation Issues for Retirement Plan Sponsors
• ·        And more

Tickets are available through the organization’s website (sben.org). 

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is an intra-disciplinary organization which accepts as members practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust as well as many other disciplines as the industry evolves.

To schedule an interview on the above topics, contact Michelle Raczynski (817-235-5280, michelle@southwestmanagementllc.com). 

For Immediate Release:  February 7, 2019     Contact: Michelle Raczynski

SBEN Announces New 2019 Board of Director Members

ATLANTA, February 6, 2019 – The Southeast Benefits Education Network Announces new 2019 Board of Directors.  With a positive outlook on 2019, the goal of the Board is to further the organization’s mission and to drive education. 

“It’s exciting times for SBEN and we’re thrilled to welcome Susan Powers, Terri McNaughton, Kim Mitchell & Johnathan Gomes to the Board of Directors. They each bring their unique backgrounds and common passion for spreading employee benefits education and networking throughout the southeast. We have a great calendar for 2019 with events spanning Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina. With their support we’re looking forward to many great years ahead,” noted SBEN President, Eric Rioux. 

Southeast Benefits Education Network 2019 Board of Directors

President: Eric Rioux with Lockton

Treasurer:  Susan Powers, Partner, AssetGrade Registered Investment Advisors (New)

Past President:  Alanna Tanner with Amick Farms

Directors:           Charleen Barnwell with Hall Benefits Law 

Jonathan Gomes with Lincoln Financial Group

David Hall with Hall Benefits Law

Mandy Hardin with Chick-Fil-A Corporate

Terri McNaughton with Elliott Davis (New)

Kimberly Mitchell, Compensation and Benefits at Wencor Group (New)

Colleen Pappas with  Alight

 Rachel Robinson with Caraustar

 Tom Simonson with Lockton  

 Teresa Truelove with Sonepar USA

The organization’s Board capitalizing on a successful 2018 and looking to increase the positive momentum for the new year’s efforts.   For more information visit: SBEN.org

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is a membership organization of  intra-disciplinary practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust. 

For Immediate Release
December 4, 2018

SBEN Announces 2019 WorldatWork Classes

ATLANTA, December 4, 2018 –  The Southeast Benefits Education Network (SBEN) has announced the WorldatWork classes it will host in 2019. All classes will be held at Hall Benefits Law, in partnership with SBEN, at its 270 Carpenter Drive office.     

“WorldatWork’s quality skills-training classes deliver tremendous value to benefits professionals, as do the association’s highly-respected professional certification programs. The 2019 classes enable us to offer timely, relevant information to our members,” noted Alanna Tanner, SBEN’s President and Director of Employee Benefits at Amick Farms LLC.

SBEN 2019 WorldatWork Lineup:

• Regulatory Environments for Benefits Program:  April 8-9, 2019
• Retirement Plans – Design Consideration and Administration:  June 10-11, 2019
• Health and Welfare Plans – Plan Types and Administration:  August 19-20, 2019
• Total Rewards Management:  October 14-15, 2019

“Local networks, like SBEN, play a critical role in the WorldatWork family,” said Scott Cawood, President and CEO of WorldatWork. “Local networks enable us to share our in-person classes with a much wider audience. We produce exceptional online skills training and other educational offerings, but we also recognize the value of face-to-face experiences and the networking benefits inherent to the classroom setting. We appreciate SBEN and Hall Benefits Law helping us reach HR professionals in the Southeast region.”

All events will take place at Hall Benefits Law, 270 Carpenter Dr Ste 325, Atlanta, GA 30328. 

Benefits and HR professionals may check out all of SBEN’s events at www.sben.org/events.

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is an intra-disciplinary organization which accepts as members practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust as well as many other disciplines as the industry evolves.

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Thank you to our Premier Sponsors

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2018

The SBEN Holiday Educational Forum and Social will feature the topic
“2019 for Benefits Professionals”

ATLANTA, November 13, 2018 – Election day had an impact on 2019, and the Southeast Benefits Education Network’s (SBEN) Annual Educational Conference announced the topic and speaker for their Holiday Educational Forum and Social.  The topic, “2019 for Benefits Professionals,” will feature speaker, Nicole Bogard, partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

“This is an important topic, especially for professionals in benefits and human resources.,” noted SBEN’s President and Director of Employee Benefits with Amick Farms LLC, Alanna Tanner. “Truly, no matter what color the wave might be, there will be impacts to our industry and we have to be ready. And while we will be learning, it is important to also enjoy professional networking.  This event will feature ‘Great content, great connections and great cider.’”

Event Details

• Date:  November 29, 2018
  
• Time:  2:30 – 6:00 pm (with connecting and cider starting at 4:00 pm)
  
• Location:  Urban Tree Cidery (Atlanta, GA)
  

The Holiday Educational Forum and Social, features a theme of “Great content, great connections and great cider.“

Benefits and HR professionals may register at https://sben.org/event-2945477

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is an intra-disciplinary organization which accepts as members practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust as well as many other disciplines as the industry evolves.

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Thank you to our Premier Sponsors

Event Sponsors

      

For Immediate Release 
August 1, 2018                                                                       

Topics Announced  for SBEN’s Regional Benefits Forum - Charlotte

ATLANTA, August 1, 2018  – The Southeast Benefits Education Network (SBEN) Announces topics for SBEN’s Regional Benefits Forum - Charlotte, a forum created specifically for professionals in benefits and human resources.  The forum will be on September 21, 2018, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Renaissance Southpark.    

“Education is our main mission.  We believe strongly that educating the industry on important topics will assist our members and other professionals in developing programs and an environment that is crucial to a healthy workforce and ‘happy’ employees,” noted Alanna Tanner, president of SBEN. 

Topics Include:

• Legislative/Compliance and Regulatory Update
• Trends in Pharmacy Cost Management
• HSA’s: Evolving from “Spending” to “Savings”
• The Future of Work: Insights from the MIT AgeLab
• What’s Your Definition of Financial Wellness?
• Technology that Works for Benefits Communication

“These topics will address some of the most challenging situations that professionals face today,” Tanner added. 

The event is open to human resource and benefits professionals.  Tickets start at $125 for members and $175 for non-members.  The venue does offer a discounted hotel rate.   For more information or to purchase tickets visit: SBEN.org.  This program is presented in partnership with Charlotte Benefits Forum.

The Southeast Benefits Education Network is a membership organization of  intra-disciplinary practitioners from the following fields: Employers/Plan Sponsors, Accounting, Administration, Actuarial and Benefits consulting, Insurance, Investment Counseling, Investment Services, Legal, and trust. 

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