My Story
I played college basketball at Calvin University before competing professionally overseas. That experience taught me something I still carry into every client conversation: preparation matters, process matters, and how you show up matters more than the final score.
After basketball, I spent nearly a decade in the college recruiting industry — building relationships, managing large accounts across many disciplines, and delivering world-class client service. Learning to communicate with people facing high-stakes decisions in that world is closer to benefits consulting than most people would expect.
I grew up in Jenison, so West Michigan has always been home. My family and my faith are what motivate me to grow my business and serve my clients with a servant-minded approach every day. When I joined Nexus, it was a deliberate choice — the model lets me keep a focused book of clients, collaborate with senior advisors just down the hall, and invest my time in relationships rather than paperwork. The people I serve are people I know, and that means something to me.
What drives me is genuine care — for my clients, and for the relationships we build together. My faith in God is central to who I am, and it's what motivates me to serve others well — including a deep passion for supporting churches and non-profits through effective benefits strategy. I remember what it feels like to not understand your benefits — most people feel the same way, they just don't say it out loud. So I slow down. I make sure my clients understand all of their available options, walk them through everything in plain language, and make sure they feel confident before making a decision. I'm not here to sell a plan. I'm here to help people understand what they're choosing and why it matters.
Built to Grow
I chose a firm that invests in its people. These two principles guide how I work.
Preparation Over Shortcuts
The work before the meeting determines the result
I spent years in competitive environments where the work you do before you show up determines how you perform. Before I sit down with a client, I've studied their current plan, run the numbers, and mapped out the options. At Nexus, I have senior advisors right down the hall and technology that handles administrative complexity so I can focus on understanding your business.
- Every client meeting starts with thorough preparation and analysis
- Backed by senior advisors with decades of combined experience
- Technology handles the complexity so I can focus on your business
Make It Make Sense
Plain language, informed decisions
Most people don't understand their benefits—and that's the industry's fault, not theirs. Benefits are explained in jargon, buried in plan documents, and presented in a way that assumes everyone already knows how it works. I take the time to walk employees and business owners through their options in plain language, explaining what they're buying, what it costs, and what it actually means for their families.
- Benefits explained in plain language, not industry jargon
- Employee education and enrollment support built into every engagement
- The goal is informed decisions, not fast signatures
Why I Chose Nexus
I chose Nexus because I wanted to do this work the right way. Not by managing a hundred accounts and hoping for the best, but by carrying a focused book, working alongside people who've done this for decades, and having the time to actually know my clients. I lead day-to-day account management for selected client groups with Ken and Jason, helping provide continuity in client service while continuing my professional development. The model here is built to develop people, not just produce numbers. That's why I'm here.
Areas of Expertise
- Small business benefits strategy and plan selection
- ICHRA and individual marketplace enrollment
- Employee benefits education and communication
- Open enrollment management and support
- Nonprofit and ministry benefits consulting
- New employer group setup and onboarding
Who We Work With
- Small businesses in the Lakeshore and West Michigan communities
- Nonprofits and churches navigating benefits for the first time
- Employers looking for an advisor who takes time to explain the options
- Organizations where employee education is part of the benefits strategy
- Business owners who want a long-term advisory relationship, not a transaction
Accomplishments & Recognition
- Advisor Partner & Account Management Leader at Nexus Benefit Solutions
- Calvin University, B.A. in Sports Management
- Central Michigan University, M.A. in Sport Administration
- Former professional basketball player — competed overseas after college
- Nearly a decade of relationship management and strategic engagement at NCSA College Recruiting
- Deep community network across the Lakeshore and West Michigan
- Active coach, mentor, and volunteer in the Holland and Grand Rapids communities
Beyond the Office
My wife Megan and I are raising our two kids, Haven and Koen, here on the Lakeshore — and life outside the office is full. Megan works in HR, which means benefits conversations don’t stop when I get home, and it keeps me grounded in what the process actually feels like from the other side.
Basketball is still a huge part of my life. I played at Calvin University and then professionally overseas, and that passion for the game never left. These days you’ll find me coaching high school basketball, using everything the game taught me to help develop young men in this community.
Faith is at the center of everything I do. I’m active in kids ministry at our church, and I’ve volunteered as a mentor through Bethany Christian Services. That same faith is what drives my commitment to serving churches and non-profits — organizations doing meaningful work deserve benefits strategies that actually work for them.
West Michigan isn’t just where I live — it’s home. I grew up in Jenison, and after five years in Chicago, Megan and I chose to plant our roots here in Holland. If something is happening in this community, there’s a good chance I’m there.
Outside of Work
Meet the Nexus Team
Our advisors share a commitment to doing right by clients. Meet the rest of the team.