BBT announces personnel changes and restructuring.

Five Brethren Benefit Trust (BBT) colleagues will end their responsibilities with the organization effective Dec. 16 due to budgetary and economic factors.

Cindy Benthusen, general office services representative, began her employment on April 17, 2000. She has been the first point of contact for many BBT members and clients, serving as receptionist. She also has provided support to the president’s office, led mailing projects, provided ancillary services to each BBT department, and kept the office supplies stocked. She and her son live in Elgin, Ill.

Cindy Bravos began serving in BBT’s Communications department on May 3, 2007, when she was hired as the Congregational Contact Network coordinator. More recently, she has served as the organization’s marketing coordinator. Her work focused on promoting BBT’s ministries in the denomination and at Brethren-affiliated organizations. She also produced the annual Memorial Tribute video for the past three years. She lives with her family in St. Charles, Ill.

Willie Hisey Pierson began serving BBT as the director of Insurance Services on Sept. 21, 2010, and has helped increase the number of client groups serviced by that ministry. He brought a plethora of insurance knowledge to BBT after gaining more than 16 years of experience working in the industry. He and his family live in Plainfield, Ill.

Lauryn Klotzbach has served as production coordinator since June 1, 2004. She has been key in developing the look of BBT’s marketing materials and publications. She also served as the lead administrator of the organization’s customer relations management system. Prior to her BBT tenure, she worked for Church of the Brethren General Board for four years. She and her husband live in Elgin, Ill.

Diana Seymour joined the insurance team on Jan. 4, 2010, to help grow that ministry’s medical and ancillary business. She spent 24 years in the insurance industry before working at BBT, including positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and The Plexus Groupe. She and her husband live in Bartlett, Ill.

These staff will complete their duties in mid-December, but will receive salary and benefits through March 31, 2012. They also will receive consulting services to assist them in finding employment.

Please hold these people in prayer as they search for new employment. To honor the service of these staff members, BBT has scheduled a farewell gathering on Dec. 15 when the General Offices community will have an opportunity to say goodbye.

Additionally, in the restructuring process, Randy Yoder will end his employment with BBT on
Dec. 31, 2011, but maintain a role with BBT as an individual contractor selling Long-Term Care insurance. Patrice Nightingale will shift to the manager of production position effective Jan. 1, 2012, to reflect the changing level of demand on BBT’s Communications department. Also, on Jan. 1, Scott Douglas will become the director of Employee Benefits and provide leadership for insurance services in addition to continuing to provide oversight for the Pension Plan.

Effective Jan. 1, 2012, BBT will restructure according to the following chart:

Administration:

Nevin Dulabaum, President
Donna March, Director of Office Operations
Diane Parrott, Administrative Office Assistant
Eric Thompson, Director of Operations for Information Technology
German Gongora, Programmer Analyst & Technology Support Specialist
Patrice Nightingale, Manager of Production
Loyce Swartz Borgmann, Manager of Client Relations
Brian Solem, Coordinator of Publications

Finance:

John McGough, Chief Financial Officer
Sandy Schild, Director of Financial Operations
Ovidiu Catanescu, Accounting Manager
Veronica Aragon, Systems Specialist

Employee Benefits (includes Pension and Insurance):

Scott Douglas, Director of Employee Benefits
John Carroll, Manager of Pension Operation
Lori Domich, Member Services Representative, Pension
Jill Olson, Member Services Representative, Pension
Tammy Chudy, Manager of Insurance Operations
Connie Sandman, Member Services Representative, Insurance

Foundation:

Steve Mason, Director of Brethren Foundation
Steve Lipinski, Manager of Operations

-- Donna March is director of Office Operations for Brethren Benefit Trust.

Source:11/30/2011 Newsline