Meet the Staff

How May We Help You?

The staff at Midwest Group Benefits is dedicated to personal customer service. Get to know us and we look forward to the opportunity to get to know you.

Sara Hotvedt | Chief Operating Officer |Pension/Retirement

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 108 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 108 | Email Sara
Sara has been the Chief Operating Officer since 2008 at Midwest Group Benefits and has worked with retirement planning since 1998. She is a Luther College graduate with a BA Degree in Accounting and also earned her APA designation in 2002 from the National Institute of Pension Administrators.

Rachel Narum | Group Health/Consulting

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 103 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 103 | Email Rachel
Rachel is a CPA, and Licensed Insurance Agent.  She has been employed with Midwest Group Benefits, Inc. since 1999.  Her duties include Benefits Administrator, Consultant and Marketing for group health clients.

Pam DePuew | Group Health/Claims/TPA Admin

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 105 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 105 | Email Pam
Pam has been employed by Midwest Group Benefits since August 2009.  She has 15 years combined experience in the insurance, claims processing, account review, and customer service business.  Pam is a Licensed Agent for in P & C, and Life & Health.

Brian Huinker | Benefit Consulting/Business Development

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 114 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 114 | Email Brian
Brian's primary focus at Midwest Group Benefits is in Employee Benefits Consulting and Business Development.  Brian is a '00 graduate of Central College and received a Master's Degree in 2005 from Minnesota State - Mankato.  Prior to beginning his career in employee benefits, he was the tennis coach and HPE instructor at Luther College.  Brian has been employed with Midwest Group Benefits since March 2012 and is a licensed insurance agent.

Jeanette Ruegnitz | Group Health/Prescription/Individual Health/Medicare Supplements

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 106 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 106 | Email Jeanette
Jeanette has 20+ years of insurance experience and is a Licensed Agent in Life & Health and P&C.  Jeanette has been with Midwest Group Benefits since 2002 working in the group and individual health markets in sales and service.

Kelly Elsbernd | Pension/Retirement/Accounting

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 109 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 109 | Email Kelly
Kelly has been employed at Midwest Group Benefits since 2007.  She has a degree in Business Management and earned her APA (Accredited Pension Administrator) designation in 2012.

Nancy Hager | Flex/HRA/HSA Department

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 112 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 112 | Email Nancy
Nancy has been employed at Midwest Group Benefits since 2008.
She has over 20 years experience in the HR/Benefits industry and in 1998 received the Franciscan Skemp Wellness Award on behalf of her company.

Barb Moore | Medical Claims Department

Phone:  563.382.9611  x 111    | Toll Free:  800.344.3766 x 111  | Email Barb
Barb has been employed with Midwest Group Benefits since June 2011.  She earned her Associate of Applied Science and Coding Specialist Diploma from NICC in May 2011.

Paulette Doubek | Receptionist

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 101 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 101 | Email Paulette
Paulette has been employed in the Investment business for most of her career.  Customer Service has always been a major part of her responsibility.  Paulette enjoys working with people and has been with Midwest Group Benefits since early 2009.

Deb Decker | Medical Claims Department

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 113 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 113 | Email Deb
Deb has worked with Midwest Group Benefits since 2000.  She processes claims and is the stop/loss coordinator.

Loren Kiel | Consulting

Phone: 563.382.9611 x 107 | Toll Free: 800.344.3766 x 107 | Email Loren
Loren was the founder of Midwest Benefits, Inc. and Group Benefits Consultants, Inc., now collectively known as Midwest Group Benefits, Inc.   He is employed as a Licensed Insurance Agent at Midwest Group Benefits. Loren has a Master's Degree in Business Administration. He consults and has expertise in the benefits/insurance industry.