About Us | Advantage Benefits Group

Robert L. Hughes, REBC, RHU, LUTCF, AIF®; Employee Benefits Specialist: Robert, a graduate from Michigan State University, has over 21 years of experience as an Independent agent. Before forming Advantage Benefits Group, Robert was head of Grand Rapids Holland Insurance Agency’s employee benefits division and was also past president of The Grand Rapids Association of Life Underwriters. Robert has spoken internationally on employee benefit issues. Robert also serves on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Advisory Board and is a member of The Million Dollar Round Table. Robert is currently and consistently a qualifier for the top of the table. Robert is on the board of the West Michigan Sports Council and is proud to be a Junior Achievement Instructor. Bob also currently chairs the Grand Rapids Chambers Committee for Health Care and Human Resources
Kurt B. Swardenski, REBC, RHU; Employee Benefits Specialist: Kurt joined Advantage Benefits Group in 2002 after 15 years with The Travelers and Aetna. He has twenty years of experience designing and implementing cost effective benefit packages for employers of all sizes. As Director of Sales and Customer Relations, Kurt led both local and regional teams managing the benefit programs for 75 large, key account customers. Kurt spends his leisure time with his wife and three sons playing golf, hockey, and coaching soccer.
Toby D. Tucker, CMFC: Employee Benefits Specialist: Before joining Advantage Benefits Group in 2006, Toby was the head of a local agency’s Employee Benefits Division. Toby has over 6 years of experience specializing in investment and financial analysis for both individuals, and employer sponsored plans. Toby is the President-Elect of Lansing-National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Toby is also a qualifying member of The Million Dollar Round Table.
Michael J. Cutlip, CEBS; Employee Benefits Specialist: Providing creative, competitive employee benefit programs designed for long term success has been Mike’s focus for over 20 years. Using his self funding, underwriting and communication skills, he develops programs that help his clients effectively manage cost. By assisting employees in making the best plan decisions through one-on-one counseling, he adds value by increasing employee appreciation and value in their benefit program. Mike is highly experienced in plan designs for health plans that use multiple employee options, provide employees with real choices and have the logistical complications of employees in multiple locations. His passion is educating client employees about the value and use of plans with Health Savings Accounts and saving for retirement in their 401(k); making ABG clients leaders in HSA satisfaction and cost savings. Mike has worked on projects for clients with as few as 10 and as many as 15,000 employees. A graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Finance and an emphasis in mathematics, Mike is also a member of the Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, coaching, playing softball, water skiing, cross country skiing and MSU sports.
Char Pearson, Account Manager: Char joined Advantage Benefits Group in early 1998, with over 13 years of experience in the areas of human resources and employee benefits from Structural Concepts Corporation and Horizon Group Properties in Muskegon. Char works as an advocate for our clients and their employees whenever assistance is needed. This includes questions or issues regarding their dental, life, disability plans or the groups retirement plan. Char, lives in Muskegon and enjoys reading, travel, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Heather Opacki, Senior Account Manager: A proud Spartan, Heather graduated from Michigan State University where she earned a major in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. After working for a local public school system managing two school-based programs, she decided to try insurance at the urging of several industry friends. Seven years later, Heather has been promoted from Client Service Representative to Account Manager and most recently, Senior Account Manager. During her time at ABG, she has worked with both fully insured and self funded clients specifically in regard to health insurance benefits. Heather is mainly responsible for helping our clients navigate through the complex health insurance marketplace; whatever the task may entail. In addition, Heather is also actively engaged in ensuring client satisfaction by providing quicker-than-expected responses and continually striving to exceed expectations. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her fiancé Karl “Ten Men” Menzies and their faithful Labrador companion, Winston.
Jessie Estep, Senior Account Manager: Jessie started with Advantage Benefits Group in January 2006, after graduating from Grand Valley State University. While at GVSU, she worked directly with the Human Resource Director formulating, developing and helping to implement GVSU's benefits plans. In her current role at Advantage Benefits Group, Jessie handles both self-funded and fully-insured medical groups. This includes implementation, and renewals. She also assists with solving day to day claim or billing concerns and employee meetings. Jessie strives to give her clients a direct, one-point contact for their medical plan questions and needs. Recently married, Jessie enjoys spending time with her husband and is looking forward to expanding her family. Outside of work, Jessie spends her time drawing, reading, running, and watching movies.
Misty Cabrera, Account Manager: Misty has joined Advantage Benefits Group in February of 2010 after her recent graduation from Grand Valley State University with a double Major in Finance and Management (emphasis on Human Resources). While attending college she worked for two years in the Human Resources Benefits Office at GVSU. While working in the Benefits Office, Misty was responsible for answering coverage questions, processing enrollments and resolving claim issues. At Advantage Benefits Group, Misty handles medical renewals for small, fully insured clients and acts as an extension to human resources departments in resolution of their employee’s claims, enrollments and eligibility questions. Her goal is to provide service to clients that add value to their company and benefits plans while promoting utilization of all that Advantage Benefits Group has to offer! Misty enjoys spending time with family, watching movies and going for walks.
Jessica Bingham, Wellness and Client Services: A new addition to Advantage Benefits Group, Jessica started in December, 2009. After graduating from Western Michigan University in 2006, Jessica moved to Oregon and became a Wellness Event Coordinator for a company that organized Corporate Health and Wellness Events. Her responsibilities as an event coordinator included; organizing, managing and hosting wellness events for employees from companies such as Wrigley and The City of Portland. Her goal as the Wellness and Client Services Coordinator is to promote health awareness and educate clients about the importance of implementing wellness programs to their employees to; raise morale, reduce illness related absence, support employee retention and reduce the cost of health care premiums. Jessica’s responsibilities at ABG include; generating the monthly wellness newsletter, creating and managing client Benergy websites, designing flyers to promote wellness, and producing monthly 401(k) reports for clients. Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, camping, traveling, running, cooking and being outdoors.