ABOUT US

 

Alan R. Zalewski, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, President Alan, after completing 4 years active duty in the U.S. Army as an Infantry officer in Germany, Panama, and Vietnam,  has been an independent insurance agent specializing in small business issues, group and individual life and medical insurance, and business planning since 1975.  Among his many accomplishments he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Washington to an 11-member task force in 1996 to design the Long Term Care Program offered to all State of Washington employees and their dependents; he

chaired the Underwriting and Eligibility Committee of that group. He has also served on the Washington State Business Advisory Committee for the Basic Health Plan and the State of Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Task Force on the Long Term Care Public / Private Partnership Plan. Alan has also been recognized by his peers in his profession, having been elected President of the Washington State Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors in 1999, the Tacoma Estate Planning Council in 1993-1995, and the Southwest Washington Chapter of Financial Service Professionals in 1995.   Alan holds a degree from Fordham University and has also received the Chartered Life Underwriter, and the Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.  Alan regularly teaches continuing education courses on retirement plans, group insurance, long term care, and business succession planning.   Alan has been published numerous times in local and state professional journals and has been published nationally in “Focus” magazine on the “Impact of Health Reforms as seen in the Washington State Experience”.

Frank Satter, Chairman Group Services Northwest Chairman Frank J. Satter started his insurance career on the inside of a major health insurance company as a district manager for over 10 years.  His inside knowledge of the industry and his understanding of rating methods, large case underwriting, and self funding, has benefited Group Services Northwest clients since 1980. Frank has special facility with Health Savings Accounts,

Health Reimbursement Accounts, and Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts.  Frank emphasizes the practical, real-world results, and he has a unique ability to communicate these complex concepts into easily understood initiatives.

Martin C. Frazier, Senior Account Executive   Marty is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY.  He has over twenty years experience in the insurance and financial services industry at various levels of responsibility.  He is a past President of the Seattle chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and has been published on a variety of topics in industry press. Prior to joining the firm Marty specialized in the areas of

small business succession planning, disability salary continuation plans, and disability replacement income insurance on the group, individual, and voluntary worksite platforms, advising other agents as well as assisting clients.  He has unique expertise in these areas and executive benefit planning.

 Front: L-R Cyndi, Cheri; Back L-R Karen, Mary, Justine

Cynthia L. Martinson, Senior Account Administrator

Cyndi has been with the firm for over 11 years, earning the position of Senior Account Administrator.  Prior to joining Group Services Northwest she worked for four years coordinating patient care with physicians and staff at a major cancer care clinic in the Northwest.  As such, she brings special compassion to her work with clients, assisting in administration and claims.

Cheryl A. Starkey, Senior Account Administrator

Cheri Starkey, a native of Washington State, has for the past 13 years served as a Benefit Services Coordinator for the company.

Cheri has over 19 years of experience in the insurance industry.  In 1980 she started with United Pacific Insurance Company in Federal Way as a Group Insurance Clerk.  She was promoted to Supervisor for the Commission Accounting and Disbursement Units, over seeing of the mailing of over 7,000 checks. 

Cheri acts as a liaison between and advocate for our clients: problem solving everything from routine administrative issues and changes to claims negotiations with various medical carriers.  

 

Karen Nicholson, Senior Account Administrator

Karen joined Group Services Northwest, Inc. in January 1996.  Her previous work experience includes 17 years of management in operations at a major financial institution.  Her strengths in customer service and problem solving result in high customer retention and satisfaction that is unsurpassed and highly recognized in the industry. 
 

Justine Manke, Group Service Specialist

Justine recently graduated cum laude from California Lutheran University with a degree in Business/Marketing.  While attending school, she also gained experience about the insurance industry while working for a property and casualty broker.  She returned to Washington in May, working for a major retailer before joining Group Services Northwest, Inc. in February 2007.  She assists on case preparation and claims.

Mary E. Gustin, Life Service Specialist

Mary Gustin brings over twenty years of experience and quality service delivery to her position as a Life, Disability, and Long Term Care Specialist. 

She started as a receptionist and claims clerk in Portland in 1981.  With experience in Property and Casualty, Pension and Workman’s Compensation claims administration, she has held positions in marketing, administration and claims, culminating in the management of a branch office for a regional insurance firm.

Mary joined our firm in 2005.  She has a wealth of knowledge in quoting the appropriate individual insurance, ancillary group, and voluntary group products for each client’s particular needs and circumstances.

Burnley H. Wilson – In Memoriam

Burnley Wilson began his career in the Insurance business in 1946 after serving in W.W.II in the Army Air Force as a B-25 pilot in the Pacific.  He married his childhood sweetheart Jean and settled in Portland in 1946.  In 1951 he took the position of General Agent for Aetna Life and Casualty in Tacoma, Washington.  While only relatively new in the insurance business, he was able to win the Aetna’s President’s Cup as the Most Outstanding General Agency in the country on two different occasions. 

Burnley recruited and trained numerous young men and women into the financial services business, with over a dozen becoming General Agents for Aetna, Transamerica, and other fine companies while one became a Senior Vice President of Aetna.  Burnley recruited and trained Al Zalewski and worked closely with Frank Satter over the years.  He continued on to serve clients for over 52 years.  His example of honesty, integrity, hard work, and superlative client service live on in our memory and our commitment to you.