Sales Customer Service

neil a. baxter, cebs, rhu, rebc, clu

*** **** ***** ***** ****: 248-***-****

Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309 abmpks@r.postjobfree.com

group insurance sales leader

Developing Strategy ( Team Building ( Selling

Health, Life, Disability, Dental, Vision

Highly motivated and independent sales professional with extensive

knowledge in group insurance products including Health, Life, Disability

and Dental insurance. Broad experience in employee benefit consulting

providing unique solutions to solve corporate needs and developing

partnerships with producing agents and agencies consistently leading to

increased sales and client retention. Well known and highly respected

industry expert with ready access to influencers across the industry.

Dynamic team leader with high ethical standards and a strong commitment to

excellence and employee development.

Proven ability to:

. Use extensive knowledge of insurance products, regional market

conditions and funding strategies to help companies with finite

resources to create cost effect solutions that meet the needs of the

company and their employees.

. Develop partnerships with insurance company representatives as well as

agents and agencies that increase opportunities and sales.

. Develop sales and marketing strategies that build brand and market

awareness leading to growth in revenue and profits.

. Build and develop highly focused and successful teams using strong

leadership and motivational skills as well as a commitment to

mentoring individuals for future growth.

. Effectively manage expenses to meet budgets and build profits.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 2008-2010

Leading Global Financial Company.

Vice president of medical sales - group benefits

Spearhead the development and implementation of marketing strategies to

enhance brand awareness, generate new sales opportunities with key health

insurance agencies and deploy an effective client retention strategy for

group health insurance in the state of Michigan. Evaluate and lead a team

of three sales representatives and two account managers to meet sales and

retention goals.

. Increased sales by 65% and activity by 26% over prior year with

primary group of brokers.

. Led Michigan sales team to a 1st quarter sales increase of 56% and

annual increase of 21% over prior year.

. Selected by corporate leaders to participate in a client retention

task force. Implemented new strategies that achieved client retention

goal of 70% in a turbulent economic environment.

. Selected by boards of peers to present continuing education classes

for Michigan Association of Health Underwriters, Western Michigan

Association of Health Underwriters and Metro Detroit Association of

Health Underwriters.

. Negotiated and obtained a new sales agreement for PFG with Lakeland

Healthcare.

Strategic Employee Benefit Services of Michigan, Troy, MI

A marketing program of Northwestern Mutual providing comprehensive employee

benefit programs exclusively through The Northwestern Mutual Financial

Network.

employee benefit specialist (1991-2008)

Led the employee benefit division for the Southeastern Michigan network

office to provide a highly ethical and effective resource to enhance the

credibility of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and its financial

representatives. Create partnerships with financial representatives to

develop new sales opportunities with small and large businesses solving

employee benefit needs and providing excellent customer services. Led a

team of two service representatives and up to three marketing assistants.

New Business

. Increased gross revenue from $200 thousand to $1.5 million dollars.

. Doubled the number of financial representatives earning commissions.

. Earned top 10 sales honors in Strategic Employee Benefit Services

national program.

. Earned sales honors from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for four

consecutive years.

Team Development

. Grew a highly effective service and administration team from two

members to five members.

. Achieved in excess of 90% client retention on a consistent basis with

a highly motivated team providing outstanding customer service.

Industry Leadership

. Selected to serve on a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan advisory

board

. Selected to serve as programs and education chair for Metro Detroit

Association of Health Underwriters.

. Elected to serve on Strategic Employee Benefit Services national

advisory board.

Financial representative (1988-1991)

Selling Northwestern Mutual Life insurance products and services

. Achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold status in first three years for

meeting lives and premium goals.

EDUCATION

Certified Employee Benefit Specialist,

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Registered Health Underwriter

Registered Employee Benefit Consultant

Chartered Life Underwriter

The American College

RECENT TRAINING

Adaptive Leadership

Learn Associates

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

National Association of Health Underwriters

International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists

Contact this candidate