Benefits and retirement newsmakers: AHIP, Benefitfocus, CFP Board, FARE, Groom Law Group

The flip side of “The Great Resignation” could be “The Great Hire,” as people in the benefits, insurance and retirement industry find new opportunities to use their talents. Let’s catch up on some new appointments and promotions in our newsmakers roundup, as well as some significant mergers & acquisitions:

Sun Life Financial recently entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DentaQuest, for US$2.475 billion (approximately C$3.1 billion). Founded in 2001, DentaQuest provides Medicaid dental benefits in the U.S. along with growing Medicare Advantage, commercial and U.S. Affordable Care Act exchange businesses. It currently has more than 33 million members in 36 states.

Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company announced it has agreed to acquire Dentist Direct, a dental and vision insurance carrier, and its affiliate Direct Access, a discount dental plan provider. Founded in 2005, Dentist Direct now serves more than 60,000 members. Dentist Direct will continue to operate with its team, and its proprietary local dental network will remain in place.

Portfolio Evaluations, an institutional investment and retirement plan consulting firm, announced the addition of Senior Fiduciary Consultant Caroline Macomber, CRPS, AIF to the team. She brings over 17 years of experience in the retirement plans industry, working with 401(k), 403(b), 457, profit sharing, combo and cash balance plans. She joins PEI after 11 years with Nationwide.

The Hilb Group has acquired Clarus & Co., an employee benefits and HR services firm. Clarus & Co. joins The Hilb Group’s Central Region, which includes Michigan, Indiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas. Cary Goss, founder and owner of Clarus & Co., along with his team members, will continue to operate as Clarus & Co., under The Hilb Group umbrella.

Groom Law Group announced Christine L. Keller as the firm’s next Executive Principal. Keller assumes the role on January 1, 2022 making her the first female to lead the law firm. Christine joined Groom in 2001 after spending six years in the Office of Chief Counsel Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Division at the IRS.

The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning announced it will join the Financial Alliance for Racial Equity (FARE), a partnership between leading financial services organizations, associations and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). FARE was formed in late 2020 by a group of leading financial services firms and HBCUs to address barriers to entry faced by Black advisors and financial professionals. In Spring 2022, FARE will fund and launch a scholarship to remove financial barriers for people of color to earn the CFP certification.

Benefitfocus, a benefits technology platform, announced it has acquired Tango Health, a software and services company offering Affordable Care Act compliance and benefit decision support solutions. Existing Tango Health and Benefitfocus customers can expect continuity and for the two organizations to operate business as usual in delivering services to their customers.

AHIP’s Board of Directors has elected its new Board Chair. David L. Holmberg, President and CEO of Highmark Health will take the helm from Bruce D. Broussard, President and CEO of Humana Inc., who is serving as AHIP Board Chair through 2021. The AHIP Board also welcomed the following new members:

• Cain A. Hayes, President and CEO, Point32Health
• Eric C. Hunter, President and CEO, CareOregon