Amanda Brewton
Owner, Medicare Answers Now
Amanda Brewton, founder of the Cleveland-based Field Marketing Organization Medicare Answers Now, has built a career supporting insurance agents and advocating for Medicare beneficiaries. With a strong focus on education, mentorship, and advocacy, she wants to reshape how brokers approach the Medicare insurance sector. Brewton believes that successful brokers need to combine technical knowledge with empathy and communication skills.
Creator of 2 national conferences, Ms. Medicare in Cleveland and Medicare & Margaritas in Orange Beach, Alabama, have become vital platforms for networking and learning. Amanda is also the partner & creative director for the Agent Symposium at the Medicarians: The Future of Senior Health, Retirees, and AgeTech Conference in Las Vegas, which is the industry’s largest event with over 4,000 of the Who’s Who attending.
Over nearly 20 years as a member of NABIP and through two stints on the Medicare Advisory Group, where she is still a member, Brewton collaborated directly with policymakers to address industry concerns. Looking ahead, Brewton’s vision for the Medicare industry includes reshaping public perceptions of brokers and expanding access to resources for beneficiaries. “I want to change the stereotype of what a good insurance agent or broker is,” she says. “Right now, the beneficiaries don’t have enough help around to answer the questions they have concerning their healthcare needs. The way to do that is to have that help and that education come through the insurance broker.”
Malia Rodgers
MediGap Pros LLC
Malia Rogers is the founder of MediGap Pros LLC and holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Her entrepreneurial drive and innovative strategies have propelled her business to grow organically, serving thousands of families nationwide. She currently mentors insurance agents nationwide and her insights have earned her features in national publications, appearances on podcasts and invitations to speak at conferences. Malia published an Amazon Best Selling Book called, Magnetic Allure: The Blueprint to Building a Network of Referral Partners. Malia serves on the local and state board of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals and resides in North Idaho with her husband and two daughters.
Jessica Brooks-Woods
NABIP Chief Executive Officer
Jessica Brooks-Woods is the chief executive officer of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP), the preeminent organization for health insurance and employee benefits professionals, working diligently to ensure all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and related benefits. Jessica is also the president of NABIP’s Education Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that assists consumers and communities with access to affordable, high-quality healthcare through educational programs, targeted contributions and online tools.
Brooks-Woods is a respected leader in the healthcare industry and has built a reputation as an engaged and inclusive leader. As NABIP’s CEO, she is focused on shaping the future of healthcare by driving affordability and equity for all.
Brooks-Woods has more than two decades of business and healthcare experience, including president and chief executive officer of the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, where she led the effort to redefine and advance the discussion around healthcare value, access and quality on behalf of employers. She also co-founded the Executive Action Response Network (EARN) and launched EARN Staffing Solutions as a crucial resource for the business community to advance the culture, procedures, policies and practices to lead sustainable economic empowerment for the African-American workforce and community.
As a prominent and innovative leader in the industry, Brooks-Woods is a recipient of the 2019 Pittsburgh Women of Influence Award and led the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health for its recognition as a Healthcare Purchasing Collaborative Award winner, sponsored by the Validation Institute and the World Healthcare Congress. She serves on the board of governors for the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence, Adagio Health, the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative and the Patient Health Action Network, and as an appointee to the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange.
Brooks-Woods has been published in many major news outlets and appeared on numerous radio and TV stations across the country. She was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a Fast Tracker and named to the 2015 Smart 50 class by Smart Business Magazine. Brooks-Woods is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and Carnegie Mellon University, where she received her master’s degree in public management.
Gaylan Hendricks
Senior Security Benefits
Dr. Timothy R. King Ph.D., P.C.C.-S
Professional clinical counselor and life coach
Dr. Tim was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and has spent over 30 years in the people helping profession. He has completed a bachelor of science degree in psychology and a master of arts degree in clinical counseling. Dr. Tim is licensed in the state of Ohio as a licensed professional clinical counselor and supervisor. Dr. Tim earned and received his doctorate (Ph.D. in clinical counseling) from Liberty University 2014 . Dr. Tim also has extensive training in marriage and family, conflict resolution, addictions, parenting, life coaching, and grief issues. He has also completed course work from the University of Akron and Kent State University as well.
Dr. Tim is the founder of Family Care Counseling Centers and Coaching 4 Living. He has hosted live call-in radio shows and has appeared on several radio and local television programs. He has been a guest lecture at colleges and universities and has spoken to audiences of thousands throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Tim has consulted with numerous school systems and businesses.
Dr. Tim has a passion to see individuals, families, organizational leaders and businesses leaders grow to reach their full potential by living emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally healthy lives.
Dr. Tim enjoys being in the outdoors hunting, fishing, playing baseball, and spending time with his family.
Dr. Tim has been married to Stacy for over 35 years and is the father of three children Kyler (Kourtney), McKala (Stephen), Kaleigh(11/26/2000-8/17/2020). four grandchildren, Rylan, Charlie, Shepherd, and Bryson. Dr. Tim’s family is active at New Pointe Community Church and resides in Uniontown Ohio.
Buffie Bain
Independent Insurance Agent
Buffie is an independent insurance agent from Greenwood, South Carolina. She has held her Certified Pharmacy Technician License for 28 years. Working in retail pharmacies she was passionate about helping patients find ways to afford expensive medications. Buffie was a liaison for Bridges to access and spent time off researching programs and grants to help her clients. In 2017 she took her Life and Health insurance exam and began helping people with their Medicare. Understanding how insurance works on both sides of the counter has not only been an asset to her client base, but also enabled Buffie to build important referral relationships. Her Business has flourished based on referrals and grassroots marketing.
Jacquie Walters
Translating Insurance Agency
With an MBA, a Bachelors in Business & Finance, 20 Years of Customer Service Experience, and a BIG HEART, Jacquie has met her client’s needs with Exceptional Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans, and Individual Health Insurance Solutions. She founded Translating Insurance Agency in 2019 and has now added new agents to help grow the business.
Located in the Portland Metro area, Jacquie specializes in insurance for Medicare Beneficiaries and Individual and Family Health Insurance throughout Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Texas. As an Independent Broker, she represents companies like United Healthcare, Kaiser, Aetna, Providence, Regence, Moda, Pacificsource and Humana to name a few of the many insurance carriers. She also has amazing Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Accident, Cancer and Term Life Insurance Policies. Jacquie is a mom to 5 amazing kids and works from home to be there for them when they need her. Her husband, Brandon Walter, has worked for Translating Insurance as their Chief Technology Officer and has now founded a spin-off business called The Tech Agent to help other insurance agents connect their platforms, streamline their business and use automation to be more efficient.
