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Wendy Hart Joins Benefit Advisors Network to Develop the Vertical Market Initiative
Three Markets Currently Identified: Hospitals, Law Firms, and Public Sector

CLEVELAND, OH (11/5/10) --- Benefit Advisors Network (BAN) – the premier national network of independent benefit advisory and consulting companies – today announced that Wendy Skoch Hart has joined BAN as the Vertical Marketing Coordinator. In this newly created role, Hart will further develop and manage the association’s new vertical market initiative. It is designed to facilitate sharing of member firms’ wisdom and expertise specific to the needs of select industry sectors.

With 11 key vertical markets currently identified, BAN is drawing upon the expertise of members who have long-term experience with a particular market and therefore understand the unique needs and culture.  These subject matter experts (SME) further identify and develop the marketing initiative for other members of BAN who are relatively new to that vertical market. While 11 verticals have been identified for the long term, BAN is starting the initiative in three vertical markets.   They are hospitals, law firms, and public sector entities.

“We really see the vertical market initiative as a natural progression of the collaboration between our members.  They have always shared information, resources and expertise,” said Deane Elek, Director for BAN.  “Bringing that collaboration into focus within specific markets just makes sense."

Elek continues, “BAN selects members because of their excellence and expertise within the benefits industry, coupled with a highly ethical and visionary approach.  The vertical market initiative simply hones that to focus unique services for a unique sector.  This is clearly one more powerful differentiator our members can provide to their clients."

Hart was selected to head up the initiative because of her extensive 15 years in the marketing and insurance industries. “This newly created position emphasizes BAN’s commitment to strengthening member firms through the vertical market focus,” said Elek.

As the Sr. Direct Marketing Specialist at The A.M. Best Company, Hart built their Direct Marketing program while learning the ratings side of the business. Additionally, she was on the carrier end of the industry at MetLife for the last 12 years working with all sizes of customers, including National Accounts. Wendy developed her expertise as a Marketer and Account Executive while working on several different Voluntary Products.  She is a graduate of Purdue University, spending the last 15 years in New Jersey, and recently returning to her native Ohio.

About BAN

Founded in 2002 by five agencies, BAN is now the exclusive, premier, national credentialed network of independent, employee benefit brokerage and consulting companies. BAN delivers industry leading tools, technology, and expertise to member firms so that they can deliver optimum results to their employee benefit customers.  BAN’s members, known as Smart Partners® partly because of their highly collaborative interactions, are screened prior to being granted membership to ensure they distinguish themselves from their competitors through their knowledge of the industry, their ethical approach, their business acumen, and their strategic vision.

To preserve and enhance the intimate level of sharing between the Smart Partners®, BAN turns away more candidates than they accept - ensuring its member firms are the best of the best in their market – and are peers with the most progressive and innovative employee benefit consultants and brokers from throughout the entire country.

For more information about Benefit Advisors Network, call 440-528-0301 or visit www.WhySmartPartners.com.