Dave Woodruff, Managing Partner
Dave Woodruff is the founding partner of The A.I. Group. In 1989, he established an Employee Benefits Division for AI Insurance. The division saw years of solid growth, and Dave, along with partner Dan Murphy, saw opportunity. On January 1, 2000, they bought out this division and rebranded it The A.I. Group. Prior to working with AI Insurance, Dave was with Great-West Life. He spent four years in the Atlanta office, from 1981 to 1985, before being promoted and transferred to the Chicago office. Here, he excelled in sales and customer service, achieving a promotion to Assistant Manager for his efforts.
In 1989, Dave returned to the Atlanta office, now with extensive knowledge in underwriting, claims projections, plan and contract review, as well as all areas of self-funding. His vast expertise in employee benefits includes the medical arena, ancillary products, and specialty products from captives to multi-national pooling for international companies.
Dave earned a degree in Risk Management (Insurance) from the University of Georgia in 1981. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the prestigious Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations, as well as a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license. In addition, Dave completed Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. Dave enjoys giving back to his alma mater as a guest lecturer for both undergraduate and graduate level courses on numerous topics of group insurance, and in 2006, he was recruited to teach UGA’s fall semester Employee Benefit course.
Dan Murphy, Managing Partner
In 1989, Dan Murphy joined the Employee Benefits Division of AI Insurance. Following years of steady growth, Dan, along with partner Dave Woodruff, bought out this division on January 1, 2000, rebranding it The A.I. Group. Dan started his career in 1985 at Great-West Life & Annuity, earning sales recognitions, employee awards, and eventually a promotion that took him to the Atlanta Group Sales office. Here, he served as Assistant Manager and later Regional Manager until 1989. Under Dan’s direction, the office won awards for New Case Sales, Overall Production Revenue, and Best General Performance.
Throughout the course of his career, Dan has acquired extensive knowledge of the group benefits marketplace, particularly in the areas of underwriting, claims projections, plan and contract review, stop loss contracts, and self-funded arrangements. His expertise extends from the medical segment to the many ancillary products that make up employee benefits portfolios, including defined contribution, defined benefit, and deferred compensation plans.
Dan graduated from the University of Georgia in 1985 with a B.B.A. degree in economics and finance. He also holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license as well as NASD Series 6 and Series 63 securities licenses, serving as a supervising principal for the Atlanta market. Dan was also involved in the organization and implementation of One Health Plan of Georgia, an HMO that began operating in Georgia in 1997.
Todd Dyleski, Senior Benefits Consultant
Todd Dyleski joined The A.I. Group as a Senior Benefits Consultant in 2003, following a 16-year career with Mutual of Omaha. There, he obtained a strong background in underwriting and finance. Todd also has a vast amount of experience designing and implementing medical, dental, disability, life, and retirement plans for companies of all sizes. He leverages that experience to negotiate and find the most desirable solutions for his clients. Todd is a graduate of Baylor University and has earned both the Health Insurance Associate (HIA) and Managed Health Care Professional (MHP) designations. In addition, he holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Billy Presnell, Senior Benefits Consultant
In 1992, Billy Presnell joined The A.I. Group as a Senior Benefits Consultant. Originally, his main focus was small groups, specifically companies with 10 – 50 employees. Over the years, this range has expanded to include groups of 10 – 100 employees. Prior to joining The A.I. Group, Billy was a high school teacher and coach. His passion for education has carried over into how he shares his insights into employee benefit plans, especially in the way he provides clients with the information necessary to make sound decisions for their company and employees. Billy earned his Bachelor of Education degree in 1970 and his Master of Education degree in 1971, both from the University of Georgia. He also holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Curtis Sprung, Senior Benefits Consultant
Curtis Sprung became a member of The A.I. Group team in 2007 as a Senior Benefits Consultant. His main responsibilities include developing new accounts and supporting current customers. Using a consultative approach, Curtis and his team evaluate a client’s objectives and long-term goals to assist in designing and implementing a benefit programs to fit their individual needs. Curtis began his insurance career working in the Managing General Agency Business in Atlanta. There, he developed multiple distribution channels for major insurance carriers, including Mutual of Omaha and Aetna. Curtis’s career also includes tenures as a New Business Manager at CIGNA Healthcare and as an Employee Benefits Consultant with a national risk management and insurance brokerage firm. Curtis is a graduate of the University of Florida and holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license. He has also been a seminar speaker for “Consumer Driven Healthcare.”
Jennifer Stucky, Senior Benefits Consultant
In 2003, Jennifer Stucky became a Senior Benefits Consultant for The A.I. Group. Her career began as an Account Executive at Great-West Life, where she worked to provide clients and brokers with unique and creative employee benefit products. This experience provided Jennifer with knowledge in many areas of group benefits including health plans, managed care, alternative funding, stop loss contracts, 401(k) plans, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability products. Now, at The A.I. Group, her focus is on providing human resource professionals with additional resources to assist them in the administration of their benefit plans, offering them innovative consulting, products, and services. Jennifer graduated in 1995 from the University of Georgia with a degree in Risk Management (Insurance) and holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license. She is also a member of The Society of Human Resource Management and the Atlanta Association of Health Underwriters.
Laurel Alberty, Certified Financial Planner
Laurel Alberty brings nearly 20 years of experience in asset management and financial and estate planning to The A.I. Group. She received her undergraduate degree in International Business from the University of Georgia before beginning her career in the life and long-term care insurance industry. In 1998, Laurel transitioned into financial planning as an advisor and CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) for Wachovia Securities, Merrill Lynch, and Smith Barney. Drawing on this depth of experience, Laurel is committed to providing custom financial planning services for individuals and families. Formerly president of Alberty Financial and now at the helm of the financial planning division at The A.I. Group, she established and continues to adhere to a fee-based and commission-free policy in order to best steward the financial resources of clients and build trusting and enduring relationships.
Elizabeth Carmichael, Account Manager/Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Carmichael joined The A.I. Group in 2002 as the Athens office Marketing Coordinator. She has expert knowledge of health and disability programs in both the fully insured and self-funded arenas. Elizabeth’s prior experience includes a combined 12 years with a national healthcare technology consulting company developing product-focused marketing, a multi-national hospitality group managing the regional capital renovation budget, and one of the “Big 5” accounting firms serving as a market analyst. Elizabeth holds a BBA from the University of Georgia and a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Kathy Crane, Senior Account Executive
In 2000, Kathy Crane joined The A.I. Group as a Senior Account Executive. Kathy works with the small group market segment and assists clients with their group insurance needs, such as employee enrollment meetings, eligibility issues, plan administration, customer service, and claims issues. Her knowledge and understanding of smaller employer needs results from her extensive insurance background, including 19 years on the carrier side. Kathy has successfully completed industry courses such as LOMA, HIAA, and ICA, and has earned HIA (Health Insurance Associate) and MHP (Managed Healthcare Professional) designations. She also holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Erin Dudley, Senior Account Executive
Erin Dudley came on board with The A.I. Group in 2004 as a Senior Account Executive. She takes an active role in assisting her employer groups and their employees of 10 – 3,000 with matters such as employee communications, plan administration, new plan implementation, wellness programs, and problem resolution. Erin has over 30 years of insurance industry experience, starting out as a medical claims examiner for Transamerica. From there, she moved to sales, where she gained valuable experience in rating systems and the installation of new business cases. She then worked as an Account Executive for Provident Life & Accident and later at Great-West Life, where she deepened her knowledge of self-funding and 401(k) retirement plans. Erin holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Ann Hairston, Senior Account Executive
Ann Hairston joined The A.I. Group in 1999 as a Senior Account Executive and works on-site for a client headquartered in Duluth, Georgia. She is responsible for the self-insured and fully-insured health and welfare insurance programs of multiple locations, both domestic and international, covering some 8,000 active employees, in addition to handling numerous retiree benefit plans for the client. Ann’s expert knowledge in the areas of COBRA, workers’ compensation, and property & casualty insurance come from her 28 years of experience working in public and private insurance sectors. She earned a Business Degree from Truett-McConnell College and completed the Management Development Program at the University of Georgia.
Betsy Holmes, Senior Account Executive
In 1999, Betsy joined The A.I. Group as a Senior Account Executive. She works with employers of all sizes and is proficient in both self-funded and fully insured funding arrangements. In her role, Betsy communicates with clients, carriers, and employees in dealing with renewals and new group implementation. With 15 years of employee benefits expertise, Betsy offers tremendous insight to her clients. She graduated Cum Laude from Georgia State University and holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license. Betsy has also successfully completed the WellFit® Advantage Academy program.
Pat Holt, Senior Account Executive
Pat Holt joined The A.I. Group in 2001 as a Senior Account Executive. Her 30 years of experience in the group insurance industry and her extensive knowledge in all aspects of the employee benefits arena support her management of accounts ranging from 50 – 3000 employees. Pat actively assists her clients with employee communications, plan administration, new plan implementation, wellness programs, and problem resolution for both the employer and their employees. She holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license and is working toward her Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation. Pat is also a member of the Worldwide Employee Benefits Network (WEB) and volunteers her time at the RUMC Job Networking group meetings twice monthly.
Susan Morris, Senior Account Executive
Since 2002, in her role as Senior Account Executive, Susan Morris has been working with a variety of clients on matters such as employee communication and education, presentations, wellness programs, eligibility and claim issues, plan design, administration, COBRA, and other regulatory issues. She has 25 years of insurance and benefits experience, during which time she serviced her clients in all aspects of the benefits arena, including all lines of health and welfare plans. Susan holds both a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance and a Colorado Non-Resident Agent Insurance license and takes continuing education courses annually.
Emily Prine, Account Executive
Emily Prine joined The A.I. Group in 2009. In her current role as an Account Executive, Emily assists clients with employee communications, plan administration, new plan implementation, eligibility, and problem resolutions. She also plays an integral role in updating and maintaining our company website. Emily graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She also holds a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license.
Cord Brattain, Controller
In 2001, Cord Brattain joined The A.I. Group as the company’s controller. He is responsible for the firm’s finances, budgeting, payroll, and day to day expenses. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Business with emphasis in the areas of International Business, Marketing, and Productions/Operations Management.
Christina Biddle, Creative Director
Christina Biddle joined The A.I. Group in 2007. As the firm’s Creative Director, Christina’s responsibilities include building and maintaining client HRconnection sites, creating and distributing external newsletters and important legislative updates, designing employee communication pieces and open enrollment materials, designing and distributing electronic enrollment packages, and creating custom solutions to our clients’ communication needs. In addition, Christina most recently managed the development of The A.I. Group’s BeneTouch™ smart phone application. Prior to coming on board with The A.I. Group, Christina worked in the mortgage arena as an account executive for a national lender. She attended Clark College, is a licensed insurance agent, and holds numerous certificates of completion for various layout design and technical programs.
Renee Chester, Human Resources Specialist/Internal Account Executive
In 2007, Renee Chester joined The A.I. Group as an HR Specialist/Internal Account Executive.
In this role, she utilizes her background in HR to provide guidance to clients on human resource related issues, assists clients with their benefit administration needs, and is an internal support to our senior account executives. Prior to joining The A.I. Group, Renee served for 13 years as the Human Resources Manager for an engineering firm headquartered in Atlanta, supporting approximately 1,000 employees in 24 states. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, a Georgia Resident Agent Insurance license, and is currently working towards CEBS’ Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation. Renee is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management.
Karen Yankee, Manager- Benefits Outsourcing Services
In 2009, Karen Yankee became part of the team at The A.I. Group. In her current role as Manager – Benefits Outsourcing Services, Karen oversees the Benefits Outsourcing staff and assists clients with database administration, employee benefit eligibility, COBRA administration, billing and payroll reconciliation, and monthly reporting. Prior to joining The A.I. Group, Karen served as the Human Resources Director for an Atlanta-based hospitality management corporation. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Kennesaw State University and holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
