Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits Solutions
GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE
Group health insurance is a very large expense for a business. However, it’s also a great way to attract and retain employees. We’ll help you pick the right plan for your team.
Self – Funding
We can help you implement a safe, simple structure—including captive medical plans that allow you to join a group of like-minded companies working together to reduce the overall cost of healthcare benefits while maintaining strong coverage.
Spending Accounts
Whether you offer a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), and/or health reimbursement account (HRA), health S reimbursement options help cut medial costs. This is beneficial for both.
BENCHMARKING
Benefits benchmarking analyzes how your employee benefits compare to other companies in your industry.
EXECUTIVE BENEFITS
Unlock unparalleled financial security for owners, executives and high earners with a comprehensive suite of Executive Benefits.
Life & Disability
Short-term and long-term disability insurance provide income protection if an employee is unable to work, while life insurance offers financial security for their families in the event of the unthinkable.
BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION PORTALS
Keep all of your employee benefits materials in one online portal that we build and maintain for you and your employees.
DENTAL & Vision INSURANCE
Choosing the right coverage at the best price can feel overwhelming. We’ll work with you to design dental and vision plans that provide the protection your employees need—while fitting your team and your budget perfectly.
OTHER SERVICES
Population Health Management | Pharmacy Benefit Consultation | 5500 Filing Assistance | Employee Assistance Program | Telemedicine Services | Human Resource Support | Plan Document Services | Claims Concierge and Patient Advocacy | Compliance Solutions | Claims Analytics | Claims and Census Auditing | Cost Containment Solutions | Employee Communication Tools | Interactive Employee Open Enrollment Videos | Financial Wellness Education Solutions
Our large assortment of measurable solutions focuses on key areas such as:
Employee Communication and Engagement
By educating your workforce on healthcare best practices, we train your employees to be a partner in controlling healthcare expenses.
Claims Cost Containment
Using a mix of data analytics, education, wellness strategies, disease management, and pharmacy consulting, we have a proven track record of reducing healthcare expenses.
Human Resource Administration Support
We provide benefit administration platforms, dedicated service teams, and automated service calendars to reduce the burden on your HR team.
UBA Partner Firm
We are proud to be a Partner Firm of United Benefit Advisors (UBA). UBA partners are held to high standards of professionalism, integrity, and business ethics. The UBA community consists of over 130 elite employee benefits agencies who come together to share their knowledge and resources. This leads to the creation of practical, cost-effective employee benefits solutions that better fulfill the needs of their clients.
We foster a culture of collaboration, service, and continuous learning. Our team members bring passion and professionalism that strengthens our client relationships every day.
United Benefit Advisors (UBA)
Partner Firm
See what current clients are saying about their partnership with us!
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Employee Benefits Insurance Team
Chapin F. Collins, CIC, Licensed Life & Health Consultant
Director of Employee Benefits
Chapin F. Collins is a licensed agent, licensed Life and Health Consultant in Kentucky, a Certified Self-Funded Specialist and a Certified Insurance Counselor. After graduating from Miami University (OH) in 1990, Chapin began his insurance career with Humana. He became an independent agent in 1994, specializing in employee benefits. Chapin joined Sterling Thompson Company in 1998 and is currently a partner, Board of Trustees member, and Director of Employee Benefits Department.
Throughout his career, he has sat on broker advisory councils for several national and regional insurance carriers. Chapin has served on the board of directors of the Greater Louisville Association of Health Underwriters (GLAHU) and the Kentucky Association of Health Underwriters (KAHU) in numerous capacities. He served as President of KAHU in 2003 and 2015, providing leadership during times of great change to the health insurance industry. Chapin makes regular trips to Washington, D.C. and Frankfort, KY to meet with our elected officials in an ongoing effort to shape the political landscape as it relates to healthcare in the Commonwealth and the United States.
JAMIE BEAVEN, MSLS
Employee Benefits Account Manager
Jamie Beaven is a licensed life and health agent in Kentucky, who joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2021. Jamie came from outside of the Insurance Industry and worked as a local Librarian for almost 8 years. This experience gave her a strong background in customer service and a passion for working with the community.
Jamie was born and raised in Louisville and loves exploring the attractions this city has to offer. In her free time, she also likes spending time with her family and friends, reading, and playing with her dogs.
Karen bickel, REBC
Employee Benefits Select Group Practice Leader
Karen Bickel is a licensed Life and Health insurance agent in Indiana and Kentucky and has been with Sterling Thompson Company since 2006. She joined the agency as an Account Manager and currently serves as the Select Group Practice Leader.
Prior to joining Sterling Thompson Company, Karen worked at UnitedHealthcare, where she held roles as a Health Plan Installation Coordinator and an Account Service Consultant supporting large group accounts. Earlier in her career, she spent 16 years with Aetna in the employee benefits marketing department, holding a variety of positions throughout her tenure.
With over 40 years of experience in the employee benefits industry, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her clients. She is an active member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) and its local chapter. Karen holds the Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) designation through NABIP and is certified in Consumer-Driven Healthcare products. She is also actively involved in NABIP through volunteering on various committees.
Will Hadden
Employee Benefits Account Executive
Will Hadden joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2024 with over six years of experience as a Senior Financial Analyst for an independent employee benefits company in Indianapolis. Will has experience working with large self-funded employers and solving some of the issues these employers face. Will is equipped with expertise in claims analytics, budget forecasting, and a vast knowledge of employee benefits plans. He is certified in Self-Funding and Pharmacy Benefit Managers from the National Association of Business Insurance Professionals. Will wants to help clients put together and maintain benefit plans that create a healthier employee population while managing employers’ costs.
Will grew up in the Indianapolis area and now resides in Lakewood, CO. He is a graduate of Ball State University. In his free time, Will enjoys golfing, rock climbing, and spending time in the outdoors with his wife, Rachel.
Rob Harring, REBC
Employee Benefits Advisor
Rob Harring has been an Employee Benefits Advisor with Sterling Thompson Company since 2018. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 2004, Rob spent years in the yacht sales and racing industry, assisting with million-dollar purchases and training owners and crews in teamwork and communication.
Rob helps companies maximize the dollars they spend on health insurance and gives their employees the information they need to understand and efficiently use their benefits. He has helped many companies make the decision to move from fully-insured to a partially self-funded arrangement and take control of their health plan costs with data. This allows the health plan to save money while getting their employees high quality, low cost care.
Rob is active in United Benefit Advisors, an alliance of independent employee benefit agencies, and is co-chair of the Nextgen committee. Outside of work, you can find Rob coaching his three children in soccer, volleyball, and baseball; or on the river sailing or motorboating with his wife, Lee, and the kids.
Allison Jenkins
Employee Benefits Analyst
Allison Jenkins joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2023 as an Employee Benefits Analyst. She made the transition to insurance from a prior career as a direct healthcare provider. Allison is equipped with extensive healthcare knowledge and experience that translates into aiding companies in providing well-rounded and useful benefits to optimize the healthcare experience for their employees.
Allison is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s in Health Sciences and the University of Louisville with a master’s in Communicative Sciences and Disorder where she was awarded most outstanding thesis for her research accomplishments. Allison is also a retired NCAA Division 1 athlete. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs, traveling, and attending UK football and Louisville City FC games.
Katelyn Payne
Employee Benefits Service Specialist
Katelyn was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Following her undergraduate studies, Katelyn began her career with Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) in Library Media Services while earning her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University.
In April 2026, Katelyn joined Sterling Thompson Company as an Employee Benefits Service Specialist. She enjoys expanding her knowledge of the insurance industry and brings a strong commitment to collaboration, honesty, and attention to detail to her work. Her favorite part about working at Sterling Thompson is the welcoming community and the many opportunities for growth and learning.
Outside of work, Katelyn enjoys reading romance novels, listening to music, cross-stitching, and spending time with her niece.
Kimberly Payne
Employee Benefits Account Manager
Kimberly Payne joined Sterling Thompson Company in August 2023 as an Employee Benefits Service Specialist and now serves as an Employee Benefits Account Manager. Prior to joining, she worked in the field of Intellectual Property Insurance. This experience allowed Kimberly to showcase her customer service skills. It also taught her how to be an integral member of a team working towards company goals and develop processes to assist with business growth and development. She hopes to continue applying these skills at Sterling Thompson Company while serving her clients and fellow associates.
Kimberly was raised in Illinois where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising. Since 2015, she has lived in Louisville where she met her husband, Jeremy (who is in a constant beard growing competition with his twin, Jason). They have four children: Jayme, Kason, Aspyn, and Lindon. She enjoys spending weekends with her family, traveling to new places (like everywhere the military sends her sister), and loves a good true crime podcast.
Holly Roberts, REBC
Employee Benefits Team Leader
Holly Roberts is the Employee Benefits Team Leader at Sterling Thompson Company, where she began her insurance career in October 2015 and has steadily advanced within the organization.
Holly earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from Indiana University Southeast, with concentrations in Marketing and Management. She holds the Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) designation and is a licensed life and health agent in both Indiana and Kentucky.
In her free time, Holly enjoys spending time with her family – her husband, James, and their children, Isaac and Leonardo.
Amber Roy
Employee Benefits Service Specialist
Amber joined Sterling Thompson Company in February 2025, bringing a fresh perspective and a strong eye for detail to the employee benefits space. In her role, Amber supports clients by managing employee data entry and enrollment. She also helps streamline administrative processes and ensures timely communication. With a proactive mindset and a commitment to learning, Amber is excited to learn the insurance industry and make an impact at SGT.
Amber is a Louisville native, having moved back to the area after living in Lexington for 7 years. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a degree in Arts Administration. She recently relocated to Indiana, where she lives with her husband, JT, and their cat named Mouse.
Greg Schell, PPACA Certified
Employee Benefits Advisor
From 1995-2002, Greg Schell was an Executive Assistant in both the Jefferson County Fiscal Court/“A” District Commissioners office in Louisville and the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor in Frankfort. While working in the office of the Governor and Lt. Governor, Greg also served as the liaison to labor unions, police and fire departments, local governments, and the Kentucky General Assembly. After leaving state government and before joining the Employee Benefits field in August of 2007, Greg worked as a contract lobbyist and political consultant. He ran campaigns for the U.S. Senate and a Kentucky Gubernatorial race. Greg joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2016, where he serves as an Employee Benefits Advisor.
Greg has served as president of the Greater Louisville Association of Health Underwriters (GLAHU), as well as chair of both legislative and media relations committees. He is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) and has been on the National Legislative Council. Greg served four terms as the legislative chair for the Kentucky Association of Health Underwriters. Greg is ACA (Affordable Care Act) certified through the Health Underwriters Association. He is a 30-year board member of The Future Fund, Inc., a land preservation trust, and serves on the Kentucky Prostate Cancer Coalition board of directors.
Trena Sullivan
Employee Benefits Large Group Practice Leader
Trena Sullivan is a licensed life and health agent in Indiana and Kentucky who joined Sterling Thompson Company in 2020. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the employee benefits industry, with a focus on large group strategy and delivering practical solutions for employers and their employees. In her role, Trena works closely with advisors and service teams to ensure consistency, strong execution, and a high level of support for large group clients.
Outside of work, Trena enjoys Broadway plays, live music, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
Melissa Wiseheart
Compliance and Benefit Administration Specialist
Melissa Wiseheart is a licensed life and health agent in Kentucky and joined Sterling Thompson Company in October 2021. Melissa came from outside of the Insurance Industry and worked as a local librarian for thirteen years. This experience gave her a strong background in customer service, as well as a desire to serve the community.
Melissa was born and raised in New Albany, Indiana and has a passion for learning about the city’s history. She received her Bachelor of General Studies from Indiana University Southeast in 2018. In her free time, Melissa enjoys journaling, reading, painting, and researching her family history.
