Pub. 1 2021 Issue 2

15 JACQUELYN GOMES Q&A Q: Tell us about your company. A: My company is brand-new, but I have dreamed about starting it for more than 10 years. It is set up specifical ly to work with the MTADA trust. In the recent past, I’ve supported MTADA from the carrier side. My work taught me the ins and outs of how the carrier industry runs. I have also worked for years with multiple employer welfare associations (MEWAs). Bruce and I have worked together, off and on, since 2009. I respect everything he does. He approached me about the trust because I have worked in the insurance industry for 15 years, and I come with a strong background in the financial side. The trust gives me the perfect opportunity to support the MTADA dealers as an independent consultant. Q: How did you get involved in the insurance industry? A: I worked as a finance manager for a dealership in California before I moved to Montana. However, I wanted a better schedule, and Blue Cross Blue Shield was hiring. After I started working for them, I realized I had found my cal ling, and I couldn’t think of doing anything else. Q: You will be working with the insurance trust for MTADA. How do you feel about working with MTADA members? A: I’m excited to be working with the auto dealers because it means I have come ful l circle back to the dealership industry. Q: Would you explain the trust? What makes it unusual, and why is it a great solution for dealerships? A: The trustees are al l dealers, so the trust is being managed by people within the industry. Their decisions are made with the needs and chal lenges of the industry in mind. The trust’s focus is on quality benefits and high-touch support and services. Q: What would you say to dealers who are hesitant about using the trust? A: I would stress that MTADA exists to support the many unique needs of dealerships, and the group benefits trust is no different. It was developed for and is still maintained to provide an alternative solution in the market that is designed for and only available to dealerships. When you actually dig into the trust program, here is what you’ll find: 1. A fantastic package that works to tackle the cost of care for members and the dealerships 2. Advocacy and high touch resources to help members navigate the complex health care system, before, during and after 3. A ful l suite of benefits that are available to meet the varied needs of and provide additional protection to employees 4. One on one, personal, on-sight open enrollment education and support 5. And last but not least, comradery. From my experience, you can’t beat the value realized when like-minded companies come together. For our dealerships, the group benefits trust combats the financial instability often seen in the insurance industry. The program is also always evolving, and at the heart of plan modifications, is the feedback and needs of … you guessed it. Our dealerships! Another benefit of being focused on dealers but still independent is the goal to help the dealerships and members navigate this complex industry. We want dealers to have the best possible outcomes, so our approach is a one-on- one strategic partnership. We sit down to craft the best solution to address your dealership’s individual needs. While we know the trust program is a great solution, if for some reason it is not the perfect fit, all options will be evaluated, presented, and supported with the same attention to detail and personal touch. I wholeheartedly believe that we can do a better job than what has been done historical ly. The trust has an amazing program, and I am thril led to be part of the solutions MTADA has worked hard to provide. Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What would you like members to know about you? A: I am incredibly passionate about what I do. The trust will bring personalized and high-touch support to our members. I’ve been in this space long enough to recognize the failures of our industry, but I am excited to be part of this group. It has the potential to solve problems and help dealership employees have better lives.