The Lawley Benefits Group Team

Chuck has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience.  He joined Lawley Benefits Group in 2001 as a consulting partner.  Chuck excels in medical and group benefits plan design, plan modeling and the implementation and development of employee benefits communication campaigns.  With more than 10 years of previous experience at a third party administrator, Chuck possesses expertise in the design and implementation of cafeteria plans.

Chuck has actively participated in numerous fundraising activities including The Food Bank of WNY, People Inc, Summit Educational Resources and Autistic Services.  He is a board member for the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, a health insurance broker advisory board member and a past foundation board member for Heritage Centers.  Additionally, Chuck is a member of the Emerging Leaders Program of the United Way.

Chuck is a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and obtained his Group Benefits Associate (GBA) degree.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Allegheny College.

John Berger, Jr. joined Lawley Benefits Group as a partner in August 2009.  John has more than 21 years of experience in insurance, risk management and employee benefits consulting. 

John possesses extensive industry experience.  He founded CIC Benefits Group where he was an owner and partner responsible for managing strategic initiatives and client service.  He was executive vice president of Brown and Brown and chief operating officer of Niagara Insurance Group.  He is the former chief executive officer and president of East3, Ltd., a Richmond, Virginia based early stage technology group.  John was also senior vice president of Marsh & McLennan where he was responsible for the operations of the risk management and employee benefit consulting practices.

John is responsible for leading Lawley Benefits Group’s financial, underwriting and reporting unit where he provides expertise in trending, funding, contribution and prescription drug carve-out analyses.  His technical expertise includes the development and implementation of risk financing, prevention and claims management for both private and public entities.  And, his “blueprint” approach has helped numerous organizations in facilitating successful outcomes. 

John holds a BBA in Finance from St. Bonaventure University and Associate in Risk Management designation.  He is on the board of directors for St. Bonaventure University and participated on the board of directors for many Virginia based non-profit organizations.

With more than 14 years of industry experience, Brian excels in the development of long-term strategies, resulting in administrative efficiencies and the most cost-effective benefit alternatives. Brian’s intuitiveness led to the implementation of a health management initiative that helps to control risks, improve health and control healthcare costs.

As a partner, Brian manages the strategic planning of Lawley Benefits Group. In addition, he oversees the third party administration company of Lawley Benefits Group – providing clients with Flexible Spending Account and Health Reimbursement Arrangement administration, COBRA administration and 5500 filing preparation, online enrollment, billing consolidation and an employee benefits web portal.

Brian’s expertise has led to years of speaking engagements and appearances at tradeshows, radio and cable access television shows as well as interviews with print publications.  Brian shares his expertise in the areas of industry trends, consumer-driven plans, wellness and health management programs, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Health Savings Accounts. And, as an active member of RiskProNet, the fifth largest broker organization in the United States, Brian understands the latest industry trends to bring a high-level of consultative services to his clients.

Brian received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Canisius College and has earned his New York State Life, Accident and Health license. Before joining Lawley Benefits Group, Brian was an employee benefits consultant specializing in cafeteria and flex plan design and implementation. He is actively involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County, Emerging Leaders Program of the United Way and Leadership Buffalo.

Jamie has more than 25 years of industry experience with Lawley, the regional insurance firm.  He is a directing manager for Lawley Courier Advisors and a consulting partner with Lawley Benefits Group, a division of Lawley.  He provides expertise in all aspects of employee benefits programs and pension consulting for employers.

In addition to his role as partner, Jamie has been the co-manager of the pension consulting practice since 1993.  His consulting expertise are focused in the areas of 401(k) plans, profit sharing plans (integrated and comparability plan designs), defined benefit plans and deferred compensation programs. He provides an unbiased analysis of product vendors and third party administrators.

Jamie has been a member of the Society of Financial Professionals for 20 years.  He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC). 

Jamie is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.  He is a board member of Heritage Centers and also for Challenge Manufacturing Company.  Jamie is an active participant in fundraising events for Gilda’s Club and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and a former board member of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

T.J. is the managing partner of Lawley Benefits Group, which he helped to form in December 1999.  He is responsible for the growth and development of Lawley Benefits Group where he provides leadership and cultivates strong business relationships with clients and strategic partners.   

T.J. has more than 15 years of experience in the financial and benefits industry.  He works with regional, national and international businesses and provides comprehensive employee benefits consulting services including strategic planning, market analyses and innovative strategic initiatives to help control costs.

Prior to forming Lawley Benefits Group in 1999, T.J. worked with Northwestern Mutual & Guardian Life in the area of business succession and estate planning before creating and managing his own employee benefits company, TJR Benefits, Inc.

T.J. is a broker advisory board member for a local health insurance carrier and a past division board member for the United Way.  He has participated in the Variety Club Telethon and various fund-raisers for Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.  T.J. is a graduate of Niagara University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.

Owen has been in the employee benefits industry since 1982.  As a consulting partner, Owen’s responsibilities include new business acquisition and client relationship management for the firm’s key client segment.  Owen’s expertise in retirement plans and medical plans provides local, national and international businesses with high quality strategic consulting. 

Owen joined Lawley in 1999 and helped form Lawley Benefits Group.  He has written several industry-specific articles for print publications on topics including health care trends, retirement plans and wellness.  

Prior to joining Lawley, Owen held regional sales and client management positions with the Burke Group, Cigna Retirement Services and Mass Mutual Benefit Services. He was responsible for new business acquisition and retention in the large client segment. 

Owen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Marketing from the State University of New York at Fredonia.  He actively volunteers as a board member at Sister’s of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, Western New York Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, United Way of Greater Buffalo Emerging Leaders Program, Northeast YMCA of Greater Buffalo and the Kids Escaping Drugs Foundation.  In addition, Owen has actively participated in fundraising events for the youth baseball volunteer coaches in Amherst, New York for more than 10 years.

As the former president and chief executive officer of Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Mary possesses the skills and expertise to design and implement strategic initiatives to help control health care costs. Mary has more than 20 years experience in health care and hospital operations. Her extensive experience includes managing compensation, consolidating health plans and developing a centralized risk and claims management program.

Mary’s in-depth understanding of organizational dynamics helps her develop successful health and productivity strategies for clients. She uses her strong analytic skills to identify utilization trends, and provides clients with medical management and health and productivity programs to help control their medical costs.

Mary examines claims data, disease and case management outcomes, and provides critical analyses to clients. She is a registered nurse and has strong clinical, wellness, financial, claims and management experience.

Mary possesses professional affiliations with the Niagara University Board of Advisors and the University at Buffalo Dean’s Council. She is a past member of the Catholic Health System Long Term Care Board, Western New York Healthcare Executive Forum and the Town of Tonawanda Economic Development Corporation Board. And, Mary will be a 2011 graduate of Leadership Buffalo.

Mary earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Niagara University and her Master of Business Administration degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Andy has more than 5 years of operations and management experience. He is responsible for managing Lawley Benefits Group’s third party administrative company. He oversees services including Flexible Spending Account administration, Health Reimbursement Arrangement administration, COBRA administration, employee benefits web portal, online enrollment, billing consolidation and 5500 filing preparation.

Andy oversees the firm’s budget and financial reporting process. In addition, he develops and implements strategic initiatives to meet corporate goals and objectives.

Prior to joining Lawley Benefits Group, Andy was the profitability manager and credit analyst for Greater Buffalo Savings Bank. Andy holds a New York State Life, Accident and Health license and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Alfred University.