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President 

James Smallwood







Contact James-Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield

W. James Smallwood Jr. has been in the Health Insurance and Employee Benefits industry for 14 years. James joined Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska in 2019. He is currently part of the Account Management team, and he manages both small and large group customers in the Alaska market. James grew up in the Anchorage area and is an active member of his community. James and his lovely wife have been married for 16 years and they have three sons and one daughter. One of his favorite activities is attending College Football games. 

Immediate Past President & NABIP PAC Chair

                   Amanda Hesser

 

Contact Amanda 

(907) 865-6837




Amanda is a true Alaskan at heart! Since stepping into the insurance industry in 2023, she’s worked as an Account Manager, focusing on midsize groups. Though she's new to this field, Amanda brings nearly a decade of expertise from her time in Human Resources, where she honed her skills in compensation, benefits, and corporate wellness.

Amanda's commitment to well-being is reflected in her credentials, including certifications as a Corporate Wellness Specialist and Work-Life Certified Professional, along with Faculty Status from the Wellness Council of America. With a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology, she blends passion with knowledge to create impactful solutions for her clients.

But Amanda’s contributions extend far beyond the office. She’s an active community member, serving on the boards of several local non-profits. Her heart shines through in her passion project—a monthly mobile food pantry that she organizes in collaboration with her Rotary Club, Anchorage East, and the Food Bank of Alaska.

In addition to her community efforts, Amanda empowers others through a women's self-defense course with RAD Systems, where she proudly serves as Alaska State Director.

When she’s not making a difference in the community, you can find Amanda enjoying aerial silks, spending quality time with her family and pets, or diving into her favorite podcasts

Co-Treasurers










Kelli Lee

Kelli Lee has over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry.  Kelli currently works as an account manager for Moda Health in the Alaska market. She has been a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP) since 2014 serving in       various Alaska State NABIP positions over the years and is currently serving as the treasurer for the Alaska chapter.


 Contact Kelli-Account Manager, Moda Health

(907) 278-2638

  

Shirley Kelly

Shirley Kelly is a lifelong Alaskan and with more than 20 years of experience in employee benefits and human resources administration in the Anchorage area, she is dedicated to helping employers create healthier, more supportive workplaces while guiding individuals toward better health and holistic well-being.

Passionate about wellness and empowering women, Shirley actively supports community health initiatives and participates in events such as the Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon. She is deeply committed to volunteerism and leadership, serving on community boards and committees that strengthen connections across Alaska.

Contact Shirley Kelly, IMA Corp 

Co-Secretaries


Bobby Johnson

Robert (Bobby) Johnson has spent five years in the insurance industry, working for Alaska Employee Benefits Inc. in Fairbanks. He serves as Co-Secretary of the NABIP Alaska Chapter, where he enjoys supporting fellow insurance professionals and staying engaged with Alaska’s benefits community. Outside of work, Bobby is happily married to his beautiful wife and enjoys painting and reading in his free time.

bobby@akeebenefits.net

Shannon Mahan

Shannon.Mahan@imacorp.com

Members at large & Co-Awards Chairs
Aimee Johnson







Contact Aimee-Employee Benefits Account Executive

(907) 263-1410

Jessica Carlson

jcarlson@acrisure.com

Legislative Co-Chairs


Shayla Teague

Shayla Teague has worked in the health insurance industry since 2019 and is an independent health insurance broker and Alaska Area Director with Ark Insurance Solutions. She specializes in individual health insurance and employee benefits for small- to mid-sized employers, including both fully insured and level-funded markets. As part of the Ark team, Shayla is passionate about helping Alaskan families and businesses navigate an increasingly complex health insurance landscape and understand the options available to them.

Shayla has been a NABIP member since 2019 and currently serves as Legislative Co-Chair for the NABIP Alaska chapter. She has earned recognition through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Marketplace Elite Circle of Champions program since 2019 and serves on the CMS Agent/Broker Working Group, where she has the opportunity to provide feedback and bring an Alaska agent perspective to conversations surrounding the federal Marketplace.

Outside of the insurance industry, Shayla serves as President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 and enjoys staying involved in her community. A lifelong Alaskan, she enjoys playing darts, competing in fantasy football, spending time with her dogs, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Contact Shayla

(907) 318-1092

Ashley Snodgrass

Contact Ashley 

(907) 865-6804

 

Membership Chair

Madasin Jennings

Madasin.Jennings@PREMERA.com


Communications Chair


Brittany Rimgale

Brittany Rimgale is the Director of Business Development for Alaska Regional Hospital. Brittany has been with Alaska Regional Hospital for two years and prior to that worked for their parent company, HCA, for nine years at their local outpatient surgery centers. Brittany has her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Metropolitan State University of Denver as well as her Master of Business Administration through Southern New Hampshire University. Brittany has spent much of her career managing the revenue cycle however her true passion (and now career) is engaging with the community and key stakeholders that also serve the Anchorage and Alaska population. She is the proud mom to two girls, and wife to her husband of 12 years, Alaska has been their chosen home for 13 years. When she isn’t working, Brittany and her family love exploring the great outdoors while hiking or out on the Prince William Sound on the water. When it’s too cold to explore, you can find Brittany with a good book or cooking cozy meals enjoying the Alaska views from the inside.

Brittany.Rimgale@Mountainstarhealth.com

Professional Development Co-Chairs

Ellen Izer

Ellen.Izer@PREMERA.com

Tonya Mott

tmott@acrisure.com




Upcoming events

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The NABIP - Alaska Chapter proudly represents over 100 members.  We encourage you to become a member today!

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