Jeff Garber resigns as director of Employee Benefit Plans for Brethren Benefit Trust.

Jeff Garber has resigned as Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) director of Employee Benefit Plans, effective April 3. He has worked with the insurance plans of BBT for more than 10 years.

Also effective April 3, Randy Yoder of Huntingdon, Pa., will begin serving as interim director of the Brethren Insurance Plans. Wil Nolen, BBT president, will serve as director of the Brethren Pension Plan and Church Workers' Assistance Plan until new leadership of these plans is in place.

Garber joined BBT in Aug. 1995 as director of Insurance Plans, a position he held until his responsibilities were expanded this January. Prior to joining BBT, he worked for a for-profit insurance company and for a denominational insurance ministry.

"Jeff has provided BBT with strong leadership during some difficult and unsettling years in the Brethren Medical Plan," said Nolen. "With health care costs continuing to escalate rapidly, Jeff has worked tirelessly to secure affordable health care solutions for all active and retired Brethren pastors and employees. His concern for and advocacy on behalf of all plan members will be missed."

Yoder has served as a BBT field staff representative for 14 months, with most of his work focused on the Brethren Medical Plan and the Brethren Foundation. In 2005, he helped establish the Brethren Medical Plan District Advocate Network and facilitated many insurance-related meetings throughout the denomination. Prior to joining BBT, he served for 20 years as district executive minister for Middle Pennsylvania District.

The leadership transition comes at a time when the longterm viability of the Brethren Medical Plan is being examined by an Annual Conference study committee. The committee formed in July 2005 is expected to hold a hearing and give a report at the 2006 Annual Conference. It also is expected to ask for an additional year of study. Yoder will represent the Brethren Medical Plan at the Conference and help present related insight sessions.

Brethren Insurance Plan members who have questions may contact Lori Domich at 800-746-105 or ldomich_bbt@brethren.org. Brethren Pension Plan members who have questions may contact Peggy Bruell at 800-746-1505 or pbruell_bbt@brethren.org.

Source: 3/1/2006 Newsline
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