bio
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- July, 2015
Bio – Sheri Cwagenberg
Sheri started with Schechter Benefits in October 2011 to provide administrative assistance to the SBA team. She handles a variety of duties to support the Lead Account Managers including auditing client invoices, the preparation and distribution of benefit support materials for employer presentations and employee open enrollment meetings, assisting Rate Analysts in the client quoting process, and other internal support responsibilities.
Sheri’s prior work experience was in the banking industry as a Product Manager of Fee Based and Small Business lines of business for a large regional bank. Immediately prior to joining Schechter, she devoted her time to volunteering for a variety of school-related activities. She is still an active volunteer in numerous organizations. She is a proud graduate of Michigan State University.
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Bio – JEFF BAKER
Jeff Baker joined Schechter Benefits Group as an Account Director in 2005. His focus is on developing group benefit programs to help control health care costs for potential and present clients while exceeding client expectations. Mr. Baker brings more than 30 years of sales and management experience along with a background as an Agent Relations Manager for the largest managing agency of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
In his spare time, Mr. Baker partakes in many community service functions and is involved in several non-profit organizations. Mr. Baker received his B.A. from Western Michigan University.
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- February, 2015
Bio – Clune J. Walsh, III
Clune Walsh has 25+ years of experience working with and advising high net worth individuals’ family offices, business owners, corporations, attorneys, CPAs, and money managers to find the right solutions to achieve financial objectives such as wealth accumulation, tax and estate planning, wealth transfer strategies and charitable giving. Clune works with prominent families in Detroit, Harbor Springs, New York and the Palm Beach areas.
Prior to joining Schechter, Clune was in a similar role as a partner at Walsh Financial Group where he advised his clients regarding estate planning, wealth transfer, corporately-owned life insurance and non-qualified executive programs. Walsh Financial is a member of M Financial Group, a network of 140 independent financial services organizations.
Clune started his career at The Equitable in Chicago, IL, where he was a National Account Representative of Group Operations. During his time there, Clune oversaw all facets of life insurance processes, including underwriting and rate analysis for large group policies. He also managed large case installations and handled the accounts of various clients such as Miller Brewing and Interco.
Clune resides in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. In the summer, he spends time with his three kids, Sloane, Clare and Clune, IV in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Clune is a competitive sailor, where he has logged over 10,000 open ocean racing miles, and participates in grand prix racing events internationally.
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- May, 2014
Bio – Tammy Leichtnam
Tammy Leichtnam assists the accounting team in all aspects, including accounts payable and cash receipts.
She also assists the Human Resources department manager with a myriad of tasks.
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Bio – Christine Belcher
Chris Belcher is responsible for supporting Schechter senior executives and management to ensure all administrative details are handled efficiently and effectively. She plays a vital role in preparing sales reports and client presentation materials, combining and formatting the information used to illustrate strategies and concepts. Christine also assists our firm’s marketing team with sponsorship advertisements. Her responsibilities include in-house systems maintenance to help ensure that Schechter’s operational fundamentals are successfully achieved.
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Bio – PAUL SNIDER
Paul Snider has served as Managing Director and President of Schechter Benefits Advisors since 1994. His vast knowledge of the employee benefits marketplace and health care legislation has enabled him to manage the health care costs for hundreds of organizations. In addition, he has built a broad knowledge base in the life insurance, disability insurance and 401K arena.
Paul has been a member of the largest Blue Cross Managing Agency’s Agent Council group since 1996 and belongs to numerous other insurance council groups. Prior to joining our firm, he worked with the CPA firm of Kirschner, Hutton, and Shevin. He received his Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in accounting and finance from Michigan State University in 1987.
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Bio – Ilana K. Liss
Ilana Liss is instrumental in the development, presentation and execution of our custom solutions. Her extensive knowledge and skill has earned the respect of clients and helped forge strong relationships with them. She provides counseling and concierge service for our clients throughout the Solution Design process, and she communicates regularly with clients and their advisors throughout the strategy development and execution process. Ilana also directs the underwriting and customer service staff which makes her responsible for our complete client experience.
Prior to joining our firm, Ilana worked as a client service advisor at a hedge fund located in Chicago, Illinois. She is a graduate of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
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Bio – Marc Schechter
Marc Schechter, Senior Managing Director brings an entrepreneurial background, drive and focus to Schechter. Marc guides the firm in its goal to provide extraordinary financial counsel and service to high net worth families while becoming one of the most well-respected investment advisory firms in the country.
Marc is active in sourcing and due diligence of many direct investments being considered and made by Schechter Private Capital (SPC). He is also active in identifying many of the alternative funds allocated to by Schechter Investment Advisors (RIA) on behalf of clients. Marc sits on the board of Industrious, an SPC investment in a co-working business changing the way corporate real estate is managed.
Marc is a technical expert in the life insurance space and has been a catalyst for Schechter’s creative uses of life insurance that go well beyond traditional insurance for estate tax and protection purposes. Marc spends a significant amount time educating and partnering with investment advisors, banks, and insurance agents around the country to distribute Schechter capabilities and solutions broadly. Marc has been invited to speak to numerous groups of financial professionals, CPAs, and attorneys.
Mr. Schechter has been actively involved with many professional organizations throughout his career, including the Financial and Estate Planning Council of SE Michigan, NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors), and AALU (Association for Advanced Life Underwriting. He served on the Partners Financial Advisory Board, an NFP-owned company.
Marc plays an active role in many community organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit, the University of Michigan Greater Detroit Campaign Leadership Council, and the University of Michigan Pancreatic Center Advisory Board.
Marc came to Schechter in 2002 with fifteen years of leadership, management, marketing and general business skills developed throughout his role as founder and CEO of Star Trax Meetings and Events and pulse220, a premiere corporate meeting and event management firm. Mr. Schechter’s vision, and passion, catapulted pulse220 into becoming one of the country’s 500 fastest growing firms as recognized by INC. Magazine and he stayed active with the firm as a member of the board until the firm was recently acquired by global events firm George P. Johnson.
Marc is a graduate of the University of Michigan and lives in Birmingham, Michigan with his wife Susie.
Schechter Benefits Advisors brought creative solutions to our corporate insurance programs. I've known these guys for over 40 years and I trust the Schechter name implicitly.