Executive Profiles
Brian W. Cruden
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brian Cruden has done more than dedicate his career to the employee benefits industry. He’s also helped define it. In fact, many of the philosophies used in the large group sector today are the result of breakthroughs Brian has had throughout his career.
That career spans more than three decades. Over that time, he has served in several executive capacities, most notably as Vice President of Nevada’s largest insurance company. He founded Insurcorp on the heels of that essential experience, and today the company he started is the defining force in the employee benefit industry.
Brian’s acumen is much sought-after, even beyond his client base. He has served as Board Trustee for Nevada’s largest community bank, and he has served as Board Trustee for the Nevada Community Foundation and the Trinity Schools Foundation. He is also the Chairman of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and he has been a founding member of the Board of Trustees for HCA/Columbia-Southern Hills Hospital. Brian was the Chairman of Youths for Responsible Government, and the founder and past president of Las Vegas West Rotary.
For his pioneering work in the insurance industry, Brian has been recognized by United Healthcare as a Platinum Level Broker and Consultant and is a member of United Healthcare’s Echelon, a prestigious group of United Healthcare Top Level National Producers. He has a degree in business management and maintains active designation as a Chartered Health Underwriter.
Throughout his career, Brian has done more than build a reputation. He has also helped build the industry – an effort that continues every day, with every client.
Steve Polott
Executive Vice President
As one of the founders of Insurcorp, it’s only fitting that many of Steve’s characteristic are reflected in the company itself: knowledge, commitment, and a dedication to exploring the possibilities of what a benefits consultancy can do for its clients.
Before co-founding Insurcorp, Steve honed his leadership in a big way – with key executive positions in two of Nevada’s largest companies. Yet his commitment reaches beyond leadership of corporations and extends into leadership in the community, with positions on the board of many worthwhile organizations, including the Nevada Diabetes Association.
A member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, Steve’s 30 years of experience in health care and insurance is backed by a degree from York College, a division of the City University of New York.
Clara S. Cruden
Vice President of Client Relations
Insurcorp has long been defined by the strength of its Client Relations Department. And to a large degree, that strength is the product of Clara’s extensive efforts with the company.
Clara spearheads many of the initiatives that help set Insurcorp apart. She is the architect of our highly choreographed benefit enrollment strategies. She leads a department that is responsible for the company’s large case benefit administrative platforms and multi-lingual mass employee orientation models. And she leads the team that deploys our unique Virtual Benefit Communication System.
Clara’s breadth of expertise is matched by her depth of experience. She has worked in the benefits industry for more than 26 years. Prior to joining Insurcorp in 1999, she spent 15 years with the largest employee benefit health insurance company in the state. In that role, she educated more than 5,000 industry professionals in the areas of client relations and customer protocol. During this time, she was also recognized for her award-winning training efforts.
Clara’s additional accolades include Who’s Who Las Vegas, Who’s Who Continentaland has been honored by In Business Magazine as one of Southern Nevada’s Most Influential Business Women.
Born in Cuba, Clara is a native Spanish speaker. Her bilingual capabilities enable her to reach a broader range of employees – with greater accuracy and effectiveness.
As an authority in employee benefit client relations and services, Clara’s expertise is complemented with extensive knowledge of pharmacy procedures, thanks to her early career as a certified pharmacy technician. She is also extremely knowledgeable on core employee benefits and worksite marketing.
Clara is a member of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. When she’s not working on behalf of Insurcorp’s clients, she dedicates herself to work with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. In other words, not only is she a leader within the company – she is also a leader in her community.
Jeri Muntis
Director of Finance, Corporate Controller
With more than 26 years of managerial accounting experience in the construction, manufacturing, retail, gaming and insurance industries, Jeri is able to navigate her many responsibilities at Insurcorp – and make it look easy in the process.
She joined the company in 2001, and since that time her role has expanded to include responsibility for the day to day financial management of the company, including overseeing all forecast, budgeting and audit processes. She also leverages her considerable experience in benefits administration, bill reconciliation and client care services.
Jeri graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University, and she is also a member of the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society.
Grace Taylor
Account Director – Consultant/Agent
Some agents serve accounts. For Grace, it’s more about helping people. This client-focused approach is one she has honed over the course of 18 years in the industry.
One of Grace’s biggest assets is her face-to-face work with policyholders themselves. During her time working at one of Nevada’s largest Insurance Companies, Grace served as the lead grievance specialist, patient advocate, and account executive for self-funded and fully-insured large group accounts.
Grace’s efforts in the field have not gone unrecognized. In 1999, she received one of Sierra Health Service’s highest honors: the Customer Service Award. But her commitment to the well-being of the customers doesn’t stop there – she’s also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and serves on the National Employee Benefits Advisory Forum.
Her career achievements are matched by her educational background. Boasting a bachelor's degree in business management with an emphasis in Human Resources (for which she graduated with honors), Grace was also a member of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society. She also has advanced training in customer service and relations, quality improvement, and negotiation and thinking skills.
Grace’s philosophy is that it’s about individuals, not accounts. Talk to her clients and they’ll tell you this is a philosophy she puts to work every day.
Phillip "Ted" Henderson
Account Director – Consultant/Agent
Ted’s career is defined by one word: leadership. Over the past three decades, he has served in a variety of executive positions, including as the executive director of The Employers Association of Southern Nevada, credit manager for the Nevada Ready Mix Corporation, and president of Las Vegas Building Materials. As an Agent with Insurcorp, he leverages this high-level experience toward consultation services that are forward-thinking and strategically solid.
A native of Las Vegas, Ted is a member of both the National Association of Health Underwriters and the Clark County Health Underwriters. His specialties include COBRA law, HIPPA issues, and FMLA compliance. His acumen has proven particularly advantageous when it comes to assessing the potential impacts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on our clients.
A graduate of California’s University of Redlands, Ted received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International. Not one to rest on his laurels, Ted’s leadership has extended beyond the boardroom, and directly into the community, having served as Rotary Club President of Las Vegas University, District 5300’s Assistant District Governor, and on UNLV President’s Associates.
While others may follow, Ted has been the leader – the type of leader whose keen understanding of the industry, and the individual clients themselves, ensure optimal results, every time.
Robb Richardson
Account Director – Consultant/Agent
Robb isn’t just a veteran of the financial and employee benefits industry – he’s a builder. And after seventeen years of experience, he has built an impressive resume.
After starting out at Sun Financial Group, Robb was ready to step up and take his career – and the employee benefits industry – to new heights. And with that, Robb founded and operated Preferred Benefits of Nevada for over six years. His company merged with Insurcorp in 2000. Since then, Robb has been instrumental in helping to create the progressive, forward-thinking corporate culture that defines the company today.
Hailing from Las Vegas, Robb received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in financial services, from UNLV.
For Robb, being a driving force in the employee benefits industry isn’t just part of his past experience – it’s also his present and his future.
Scott Ruthe
Account Director – Consultant/Agent
Scott is defined by commitment –both to his profession and to his community.
For more than 15 years, he has worked as an Account Director with Insurcorp, specializing in the in-demand area of employee benefits brokerage and consulting services. His approach is colored by a diverse executive background. Prior to joining Insurcorp, Scott worked extensively in real estate investing. As President of one of Southern Nevada’s highly regarded real estate firms, Scott’s sought-after expertise was put to maximum effect, providing location and political affairs consulting to several large Gaming and Hospitality conglomerates.
Scott’s community commitment is equally diverse. He has served as Chairman of the Boulder Dam Area Council Boy Scouts of America “Friends of Scouting” major giving campaign, President of the Las Vegas West Rotary Club, Chairman of the Transitional Board for the American Cancer Society and past Board Director of the Nevada Community Foundation.
Scott earned a degree in organizational communications from the University of Utah.
Allen Vogel
Account Director – Consultant/Agent
As a retired attorney, Allen Vogel brings a keen analytic mind to Insurcorp – along with the valued insight that comes along with 50 years of experience in law and insurance. Over that time, he’s architected thousands of portfolios – and heard just about every lawyer joke there is.
Before joining Insurcorp, Allen owned and operated thriving insurance agencies in Palos Verdes, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. This ownership experience gives him a deeper understanding of the challenges his clients face every day – and how intelligent benefit portfolio strategies can help address them.
Allen is the past chair of the advisory board for the Institute of Insurance and Risk Management at the UNLV Business College. He has also served as president of the Individual Insurance Agents of Southern Nevada, president of Variety Children’s Charity, chairman of the Las Vegas Firefighters Health and Welfare Trust, and president of the Palos Verdes and Las Vegas – University Rotary clubs. Additionally, he was a member of the Variety Day Home Board of Trustees, an organization for which he also served as Chairman for five years. In other words, Allen’s breadth of experience is matched by a depth of commitment to his community – and that’s certainly no joke.