Never change things by fighting the existing reality...to change something build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete
Elite - VB LLC Agency Owner, Pamela Whitfield
With close to 30 years of experience/agency leadership with top carriers nationwide, my goal has always been to help others obtain the valuable coverage they need to protect themselves and their families.
Experience: Aflac (District Manager) from 1995-1999 in Bellevue, WA, Colonial Life (District Mgr) from 2002 to 2012 in Bellevue, WA and 2013 to 2020 in Anchorage, AK). Shifted to broker in 2019 with Elite-VB LLC and moved to Oahu in 2021. Over $17 million of premium written over those years winning numerous awards for helping others succeed.
Certifications: Recently earned the designation of “Certified Voluntary Benefit Specialist” (CVBS) which is the designation for being knowledgeable with all aspects of Voluntary Benefit principles and practices. Only one of 500 agents nationwide hold this designation and I am the only broker to hold this designation in Alaska and Hawaii.
Continuing Education (CE) Course Instructor: Teaching other industry professionals is one of my passions. Recently taught over 80 agents/brokers in Hawaii “The Workplace Post-Omicron: Leveraging Voluntary Benefits to aid in Recruiting and Retention” as well as SHRM (Society for Human Resource Managers) CE:” Workplace 2022: Leveraging Voluntary to aid in Recruiting & Retention” (nationwide). Over nine CE classes authored and taught over my 27 years in the industry.
Award Winning Sales Manager: As agency owner of Whitfield Benefit Solutions, Inc., earned over 83 management awards with Colonial Life over 17 years. , While many were based on production, I am most product of recruiting and developing the agents in my agency. Many went on to management positions. Developing talent and making the world a better place is beyond rewarding.
BBB Torch Award for Ethics: In 2016 (after 3 short years in Alaska), I was very proud that my agency won this prestigious award as the #1 business in Alaska, especially as a woman-owned business.
CVBS Course co-instructor: My course to Hawaii brokers/agents in April caught the attention of the Voluntary Benefit Association and I’ve honored to be updating the actual course material in June. I will be writing the section around how Covid affected the workplace, updates in product offering, virtual solutions and more.
Virtual Voluntary Broker (Oahu based – Alaska Satellite): Oahu is my happy place, Alaska is my second home and because I specialize in virtual solutions, we will work with any broker nationwide that wants a fresh voluntary approach for their clients.
Mahalo
What We Believe
- “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world” (Nelson Mandela): Our agency gives away what we know to be true: educating brokers, educating HR/C Suite Officers and educating employees. It’s what we do
- “The Creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition” (Alan Alda): every piece of deliverables we create is unique. We believe enrollments can be a masterpiece and strive for this objective as…why not?
- We are Optimists as “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or open a new heaven to the horizon of the spirit” (Helen Keller). I am known for never understanding why people put limitations on anything. I “raise the bar” because to live in limitation never accomplished anything.
- “Integrity, the choice between what’s convenient and what’s right” (Tony Dungy). That’s about sums that up…it’s all about integrity.
Quite the journey...
I’ve had an amazing career and life and must thank my Father and Step-Mother for allowing me to live, work and play in beautiful Oahu. They came to the North Shore over 25 years ago, where my Dad started each day at dawn on Sunset Beach with his orange helmet and fins as a body surfing enthusiast. His passing over 10 years ago and the sale of the Pupkea house in Sept of 2020 allowed me to transition from Alaska (prior to that, 30 years in Puget Sound, WA). Watching my children grow up visiting the grandparents will always be my favorite memories (they are now 31 and 29 – Alexis and Marshall).
Adventure is my middle name. I’m curious about new cultures (loving learning about Hawaii and always back in Alaska), meeting new people and wondering what makes something “tick”, new trends – basically a champion for change. Being open to new ideas, learning/growing and teaching others has been a constant theme in my life.
I am settled in Kailua Town (a mere 25 minute drive to Honolulu) and am immensely happy. Living in such beauty, it has brought out the creative in me. Creating videos, websites, digital materials are what I love to do…creating “story”. I have created my “life-work balance” and it is deeply rewarding.
Contributing with beach cleanup and volunteering at the Kailua Chamber allows me to connect with community. I have friends all over the island and almost every Friday afternoon you will find me at Waimanalo Beach…my “church”, talking story with Dale. I have many passions whether it be riding my beach cruiser in Enchanted Lake, Pilates, golfing up at Mid-Pac GCC, enjoying new restaurants and day trips around the island. Gardening is one of my passions (as well as an “art form” of mine) as well as living a healthy lifestyle (big “walker”). Let’s change lives and enjoy the heck out of the process along the way…that’s my motto!
Bottom Line
I believe every policy written is like a little “bucket of compassion”. I know this to be true. When we launch an enrollment, I expect 100% of the employees to be able to “get the message” and make an election. Never 90%…always 100% as every employee deserves the right to make elections for programs that make a difference in their lives…period