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March 21, 2006
Bethpage, NY
Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. (Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc., Bethpage, NY; Plainview, NY; East Hampton, NY and Fair Lawn, NJ), a leading provider of commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits, and risk advisory services, announced today that the firm has been named the exclusive Long Island broker for United Benefit Advisors (UBA, Indianapolis, IN), an alliance of the nation’s premier independent benefit advisory firms. With the UBA affiliation, Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. is further positioned to assist employers and their employees to gain access to the optimum benefit plans.
This latest announcement from Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. comes on the heels of the firm’s recent participation in a national meeting of UBA member firms to launch an innovative educational concept named, “UBA University.” The meeting was held in Palm Desert, CA and was attended by over 250 employee benefits professionals. UBA University will harvest the experience and wisdom of the nation’s top employee benefit advisors and use their knowledge to create curriculum to teach current and future advisors.
UBA conducted research with member firms, insurance providers, and educational organizations regarding the need for continuing education in the employee benefits industry. The results of that research clearly indicates that there’s an acute need for standardized training and education, as well as capturing the knowledge experience advisors have gained from years of consulting.
“We want to supplement the coursework available in print and on the internet with practical “how to” material that spells the difference between merely good advisors and great advisors”, said Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. Managing Director Kevin Arnstein. “There’s a need to harvest the wisdom of veteran advisors in order to train new hires in best practices. The employee benefit advisor is one of the most important advisors to employers AND their employees. Since Americans depend upon their employee benefits as the foundation of their personal financial plans, we want our advisors to be knowledgeable and able to provide the most sound and accurate advice to clients.”
UBA commissioned an educational consultant who surveyed member firms about their needs and aspirations. UBA’s strategic partner insurers were also consulted and added their expertise and viewpoints on the development of “UBA University” (UBA-U). The first classes of UBA University are set to be rolled out in conjunction with UBA’s summer meeting in August, and Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. will participate fully to insure that their advisors and support staff are there to take advantage of the curriculum.
About Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc.
Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. is one of the New York-Metropolitan’s region’s largest and fastest-growing insurance, employee benefits and risk management resources. Nationally, Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. is ranked among the top 100 closely-held insurance brokerage firms. From its strategically-located offices on Long Island and in New Jersey, Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. provides a full spectrum of insurance products and services, from commercial insurance including property and casualty coverage and surety bonds, to personal coverage (e.g., homeowners, automobile, boat, etc.) and employee benefits (i.e., group health, dental, disability income, etc.). Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. distinguishes itself with its application of leading-edge technologies that advance the highest level of customer service. The firm maintains longstanding relationships with leading carriers enabling it to provide businesses and associations in diverse industries, as well as non-profit organizations and individuals the optimum insurance, benefits and risk management programs. For additional information, visit: www.chhins.com or call: Cook, Hall & Hyde, Inc. headquarters at: 516-349-1600.
About United Benefit Advisors (UBA)
UBA, (http://benefits.com), is an alliance of the nation's premier independent benefit advisory firms. By working collaboratively, UBA members are better positioned to help employers and employees respond more efficiently and effectively to the challenges of an ever-changing employee benefits marketplace.