NAHU Wellness Instructors

Meet the Instructors

Troy Cook - Instructor

Troy currently serves as Regional Vice President for the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) and is a member of the NAHU Board of Trustees. As a past National Legislative Council Chair for NAHU, he has had a front-row seat to many of the proposals and reforms currently swirling around the issue of health care. He has written on his philosophies and views in a number of publications.

Troy has been frequently recognized for his performance in both the industry and the community. He is a four time member of NAHU's Golden Eagle Leading Producers Round Table and received the Regional Distinguished Service Award from NAHU in 2008.

Kira Coopersmith - Instructor

Kira Coopersmith founded Benefits Management Group in 1999 as an effort to bring the human touch to human resources and health insurance. She is currently President and head of New Business Sales for the company. In 2009 Kira completed the Chapman Institute Wellness program at the National Wellness Institute in Stevens Point WI with the designation of Certified Wellness Program Director and now actively markets cost saving benefit designs that include company sponsored wellness programs in New York, Massachusetts, Washington and several other States. Kira began her career in insurance with Aetna in 1995 and has been a broker since 1999.

Steve Dodder - Instructor

Steve Dodder, CLU, NAHU Certified Wellness Instructor is the Regional Sales Director for Assurant Health for AK, CO, ID, MT, WA and WY. Steve is a Past President of the Colorado State Wide AHU, 1999-2000 and 2009-10, and he is a past Region VII RVP.

Kyle Hodges - Instructor

Kyle Hodges started in the insurance industry in 1986 and quickly determined the advantages of being self employed and owning an employee benefits agency. In his first membership year, Kyle was NAHU's number-one new member recruiter. Kyle has held many positions with NAHU, including President of West Michigan AHU, Region 2 Legislative Chair, Member of NAHU's Nominations Committee, Region 3 RVP and NAHU Distinguished Service Award winner. Kyle sold his benefits agency and began his career in Wellness. Kyle's proudest moment with NAHU was being recognized with the Kentucky Colonel Award for his involvement in getting positive health care legislation passed in Kentucky during a time of crisis.

Stephen Honig - Reviewer/Instructor

Stephen Honig started his career in employee benefits over 20 years ago, and he currently serves as President of O.C.A. Benefit Services. Through a combination of communication techniques and cutting-edge plan designs utilizing health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts, Steve and his team have earned a nationwide reputation for reducing health care costs while at the same time improving the quality of the health care delivered.

Scott Leavitt - Instructor

Scott Leavitt started in the insurance industry in 1992 and is the President of My Wellchoice+, a wellness company that provides wellness services to employers and TPAs. Scott was the 2008-2009 NAHU President, is a frequent speaker at events across the country and has served in leadership positions for the past 15 years. Scott has been quoted widely on health care, insurance and wellness, including The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, INC Magazine, FOX Business, Kiplingers Personal Finance, Business Week, Benefits Selling, Employee Benefit Advisor, Health Plan Weekly, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Money magazine and has appeared on television and National Public Radio.

Susan Rider - Instructor

Susan Rider is an Account Executive in the Employee Benefits Department for Gregory & Appel. With 10 years of experience in employee benefits, Susan has worked both on the broker side and corporate side of the business. Susan serves on Gregory & Appel’s compliance committee.

Susan has strong knowledge in medical terminology and claims analysis experience and has interfaced with a variety of employee benefits companies, both locally and nationally.

David C. Smith - Lead Author/Reviewer/Instructor

David C. Smith is Vice President of Ebenconcepts, one of the Southeast's largest benefits consulting firms. He has nearly 20 years of experience in employee benefits, with regulatory, business and industry perspectives. David has spoken extensively about wellness and its nuances and is always highly rated as a speaker before diverse audiences.

To recruit a wellness expert for your chapter meeting, contact Yashica Joyner, NAHU Manager of Education Programs, or (202) 595-0798. We are happy to assist you in setting up the classes that will be of the most benefit for your chapter's needs.