About Us
ChoiceBuilder® gives employers with 2 - 500 employees access to some of the nations premier dental, vision, chiropractic and life carriers - all in ONE program.
Whether you're already offering optional benefits, or looking to add them for the first time, with ChoiceBuilder you can pick and choose the benefits you like best and build a program that makes sense for your business, your budget and your employees.
And, ChoiceBuilder offers both voluntary and employer sponsored benefits so it fits into any budget.
Advantages to Building Choice
Employer advantages
Whether you're already offering optional benefits to your employees, or looking to add them for the first time, ChoiceBuilder helps you build the right program for your business, your budget and your employees.
You get:
- Access to the nation's premier dental, vision, chiropractic and life carriers in the nation
- Guaranteed rates for 12 months
- Employer Sponsored & Voluntary benefit plan options
- One consolidated monthly bill
- One contact for all of your questions
- One website where you can manage all of your ChoiceBuilder benefits
CLICK HERE for more information! Employee advantages
With ChoiceBuilder you have the power to choose the benefits that make sense for you and your family.
You Get:
- The freedom to choose the carrier(s) and benefits you like best
- One enrollment form for all of your ChoiceBuilder benefits
- One contact for all of your questions
- One website where you can access all of your benefits
Broker advantages
ChoiceBuilder offers you a program that makes offering ancillary benefits to your clients a snap.
You get:
- Access to the nation's premier ancillary carriers in one program
- 10% commission on all ancillary products
- One quote that includes, dental, vision, chiro/acupuncture and life
- One enrollment application for all ChoiceBuilder benefits
- One consolidated monthly bill for your clients
- One contact for you, your clients and their employees
- One website where you can quote and manage your block of business
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John M. Word III |
Co-Founder |
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John M. Word III is renowned for transforming the California insurance broker’s role in the small group health benefits marketplace through his pioneering technological and marketing advances since 1972.
Together with Edward J. “Rusty” Brown Jr., John founded the Word & Brown General Agency in 1984 to market and distribute health plans through California’s huge brokerage community; by 1986, the company was recognized as the largest independent small group health distributor in the nation. That same year, the company launched the nation’s first COBRA administration operation, sensing that employers needed assistance and qualified support with federal COBRA laws. CaliforniaChoice®, a groundbreaking enterprise empowering small business employees to select from multiple health plans within one program, was launched in 1996.
A highly sought-after speaker and collaborator, John has written numerous articles, conducted classes, and delivered keynote addresses to vast audiences. His credentials include Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), and Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC).
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Edward J. "Rusty" Brown, Jr. |
Co-Founder |
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Edward J. “Rusty” Brown Jr. is highly respected throughout the health care insurance industry for establishing and delivering standards of performance and service designed to exceed all customers’ expectations, and for enhancing California health insurance brokers’ ability to serve their clients’ needs and best interests.
Rusty began his career in the early 1970s as an agent for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in upstate New York, where he was the youngest producer to be honored with entry into the President’s Honors Club.
In 1980, Rusty transferred to the West Coast to assume the role of Sales Manager for Hancock’s Newport Beach, California, office. There, he built strong and long-lasting relationships by focusing on delivering a superior level of service. Rusty’s office quickly emerged as the company’s top-producing employee benefits agency in the nation.
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Michael Close |
Chief Executive Officer |
CHOICE Administrators® |
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Michael L. Close is the Chief Executive Officer of CHOICE Administrators where he is responsible for two health insurance programs: America’s longest standing, state-approved private multi-carrier health insurance exchange, CaliforniaChoice, and the nation’s first ancillary benefits exchange, ChoiceBuilder.
Michael previously served as the Chief Operating Officer where he oversaw information technology, marketing, and strategic business development. Michael worked closely with all of the Word & Brown Companies to ensure strategic alignment between corporate short-term and long-term strategic goals.
Michael was President of Quotit Corp and HealthCompare, two national health insurance distribution platforms, before their acquisition by National General Holdings Corp. in early 2017. Michael was also President of CONEXIS, a leading benefits administration company, before its acquisition by WageWorks in 2014. Michael joined The Word & Brown Companies in 2003.
Michael’s professional background makes him uniquely suited to lead CHOICE Administrators. He has an impressive career spanning more than 25 years in employee benefits and health care. Prior to joining The Word & Brown Companies, he held senior executive positions with Health Net of California, including Vice President and General Manager for a $200 million business unit, and Senior Vice President of a $2 billion sales organization, where he managed 600 employees. He also served as chief sales and marketing officer at American Specialty Health, one of the country's leading complimentary care organizations.
Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University. He is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU).
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Adam Roye |
Senior Vice President/Executive Director |
CHOICE Administrators |
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Adam Roye leads enterprise strategy and program operations for CHOICE Administrators, the parent organization of the CaliforniaChoice private health insurance exchange and ChoiceBuilder ancillary benefits exchange.
Prior to joining CHOICE Administrators in July 2017, Adam held a similar role for nearly four years at The Word & Brown Companies, where he designed and implemented the organization's corporate-wide Enterprise Project Management Office for multiple insurance-related business units. His role included strategic planning, process improvement, and oversight of the enterprise project portfolio.
Adam's previous experience includes a decade in management consulting (KPMG and Booz Allen Hamilton) and nearly five years with the United States Government Accountability Office. He earned his Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from Georgetown University and his Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He holds Project Management Professional (PMP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications.
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Steve Huynh |
Senior Vice President |
CHOICE Administrators |
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Steve Huynh joined CHOICE Administrators in 1998 after serving in the United States Marine Corps where he earned designations in team collaboration and practical leadership. He is responsible for all aspects of operations for the organization’s CaliforniaChoice small group private health exchange and ChoiceBuilder ancillary benefits exchange.
Steve leads the day- to-day operations to support the organization’s growth and ongoing service delivery to customers, general agencies, brokers, vendors, and CHOICE Administrators’ employees. His responsibilities include underwriting, eligibility and enrollment processing, billing services, commission’s management, shared services, COBRA administration, training, development, and business intelligence.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton – Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.
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Tamra MacPherson |
Senior Vice President |
CHOICE Administrators |
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Tamra MacPherson is responsible for the development and implementation of procedures and processes to ensure a positive customer experience. She and her team focus on delivering the highest levels of support to CaliforniaChoice and ChoiceBuilder customers, as well as carrier partners. Tamra leads the organization’s customer success strategy and directs employee performance management, establishing goals to help staff meet elevated standards of service and achieve professional growth.
Tamra began her professional career at CHOICE Administrators and has experience in an array of disciplines including Underwriting, Client Services, and Customer Service, being named to her current role in 2013. Tamra attended La Sierra University in Riverside, California.
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Michael Payton |
Senior Vice President |
CHOICE Administrators |
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Michael Payton is a seasoned employee benefits and business development executive with 20 years of experience working with business owners, executives, brokers, general agents, carriers, and consultants. Michael oversees sales and underwriting and is responsible for all products and distribution for the CaliforniaChoice and ChoiceBuilder private exchanges.
Michael leads the development of strategic business plans to increase revenue and persistency, enhance relationships with distributors and customers, and achieve sustained, profitable growth.
Before joining CHOICE Administrators in 2012, Michael owned an employee benefits consulting, spent six years as Vice President of Sales in the small business division of UnitedHealthcare, and worked for a third-party benefits administrator. Michael attended Arizona State University.
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