Our Team

Phil Waniorek

President / Owner

Phil has been in the insurance industry since November of 1979. He has worked with a number of quality insurance companies for the last 39 years. He started Benefits, Inc. in 1998. He needed a TPA (Third Party Administrator) that could get the job done for his clients and do it with the kind of service that they deserved. Since he couldn’t find one, he decided to start one. This has worked very well for his clients and has made it easier to bring on new clients. Phil is proud to say “We are nowhere close to the biggest TPA in the Midwest, but we do deliver on service and getting the job done. “

He considers himself more of a Risk Manager than an agent. His job is to find ways for our clients to continue to offer the benefits that they want but do it in a way to keep it in the budget. He has had years of experience working with Wellmark (BCBS) and other companies as an agent and benefit consultant. That gives him the ability to help our clients with issues that can come up from time to time. He has clients that are fully insured, partially self-funded and self-funded.

He can help you with your employee benefits. If you have questions or concerns, you can give us a call and we will have an answer for you or we will know where to get it.

Dana Carolan

Chief Operating Officer

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Sara Riehle

Partially Self-Funded Claims Processor

Michael Waniorek

Agent/IT Specialist

Michael started with Benefits, Inc. in the fall of 2016 full time. He started with our company with aspirations to become an agent. He has worked behind the scenes on multiple projects increasing our security, integrating our in office software, and increasing our digital footprint to bring a larger spectrum of electronic services. He passed his state exams to become a licensed agent in December of 2018, and received his State of Iowa license on 01/15/2019. Licensed in both Accident and Health, and Life Insurances he plans to learn what he can from the experience he is surrounded with.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wife Megan, my son Tanner, as well as my two dogs, Tank and Kita. "I'm just a small town country boy with a mission to help anyone in anyway I can."

Brenda Rix

Partially Self-Funded Claims Processor

Pat Waniorek

Receptionist /

Flex Processor

Pat is Phil’s wife and has been with the companies ever since they were started by Phil. She is responsible for getting callers to the person that can help them and to do it with a smile and a very good attitude. If you are not sure who you should talk to, ask for Pat and she will help you or get you to the right person. She is also one of the day-to-day contacts for questions concerning Flexible Benefit Plans.

Kia Burreson

Administrative Assistant

Kia Burreson joined the team in October 2018 as an Administrative Assistant. A graduate of Luther College and the University of Nottingham, UK, she relocated back to the US after several years abroad and has enjoyed reconnecting with Decorah and all it has to offer. While she has enjoyed the learning experiences that have come with the new job, she also enjoys reading and baking in her spare time.

Megan Rude

Receptionist /

Flex Processor

Megan joined the team in spring of 2017 as a receptionist and flex claim processor. Megan is Michael's wife and she is responsible with answering the phones and assisting with flex questions or flex claim issues. Always has a smile on her face while she's here, she also enjoys spending time with her family and their two dogs. Away from the office in her spare time she enjoys the wonders of being a mom, as well as always finding a reason to laugh.