Leadership

Keith Lemer is on the frontlines of rethinking how businesses can manage their health insurance costs in a system that needs reforming. He can identify what’s wrong with the current system and discuss changes that should be made to improve cost and quality of care.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Lemer leads privately held and disruptive health insurance company delivering immediate, lower-cost, health insurance plans to businesses around the nation. Lemer holds a patent for a network-based healthcare management system, and is also founder of Healthcare Interactive, a software development firm that builds applications to control and consolidate healthcare management within a single environment. He lobbies extensively on Capitol Hill for health care reform and sits on the board of directors of The Economic Club of Washington, D.C., is a Trustee of The Federal City Council and is a member of The Young Presidents Organization’s (YPO) Washington, D.C. chapter.

Lemer was named to Washington Life Magazine’s 2019 Tech 25, a list of entrepreneurs leading the charge on national and global innovation, InTheCapital’s 2013’s 50 on Fire and Washington Business Journal’s 2011, 40 under 40. Lemer is also the Chairman of The Board of Unsung Heroes, a university system platform that enhances workforce development and entrepreneurship opportunities for those employees that keep the nation’s colleges running behind the scenes, though often go unrecognized.

Jason Kovar is Chief Executive Officer of WellNet Healthcare Administrators and a member of the board of directors. Jason oversees all aspects of WellNet’s self-funded medical program, which he started after graduating Columbia Business School in 2009. His focus on innovation, improved operational efficiently, and execution has led to hyper growth for WellNet’s largest revenue generating product.

Jason started his career at Lehman Brothers where he became series 7 and series 63 licensed as an equity trader. He later moved to Fortress Investment Group where he worked as an analyst for the banking/financial sector team. Jason received his Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University. He later earned his MBA from Columbia University.

Fun Fact: Jason has gone sky diving….twice

Kathy Samanns serves as Chief Operating Officer at WellNet; Kathy leverages her broad experience in the third party administration of self-insured health plans to propel WellNet operations into a premier service model that is knowledgeable, consultative, and focused on customer needs.

Prior to joining the WellNet Team in 2013, Kathy served as the Executive Director of Strategic Business Development for a large, Blue Cross-owned third party administrator servicing clients on a national scale and successfully drove business expansion into a new marketplace through innovation and collaboration with key partners.

Kathy has proven expertise developing skills, staying abreast of current health care trends and monitoring the regulatory environment through active participation in respected organizations such as Self Insured Institute of America (SIIA), Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), and International Foundation of Employee Benefits (IFEB).

Fun fact: Kathy enjoys family time at the beach, riding roller coasters with her grandchildren, and participating in various community outreach programs.

Dave Earle is a 30+ years employee benefits and healthcare solutions veteran – coaching teams in sales, account management, HR and operations across multiple industries.

Prior to joining WellNet Healthcare as Chief Revenue Officer, Dave built his career with a relentless passion to innovate. Always searching for a better way, Dave’s industry expertise, killer instincts and ambition to exceed sales goals has supported both Fortune 100 companies and growing start-ups.

While at his previous role in the TPA space, Dave drove 300% growth in the self-insured client-base for two consecutive years and contributed to the company’s $155m acquisition in 2018.

Dave always brings such a positive energy to his teams and adviser relationships – building long-lasting, strategic partnerships that impact real change for brokers, companies and their people. When he’s not solving healthcare challenges, Dave is happiest spending time with his wife (whom he still loving refers to as his bride) and three boys.

Fun Fact: A native North Carolinian with an affinity for playing golf, riding bikes and walking beautiful beaches, you’ll quickly pick up on his southern accent – a true testament to his roots and a person of his word.

Ryan Zupa is a Senior Associate managing the new business division of the Quotes Team at WellNet. His primary responsibility is working directly with our internal business development executives and external stop loss carriers in order to negotiate pricing for prospective clients. Other responsibilities include assisting account managers with contractual issues and managing our online underwriting portal.

Ryan graduated with a BSE in Community Health from The University of Kansas.

Fun fact: Die hard Kansas Jayhawks fan… Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

John Augustine is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for WellNet where he is responsible for delivering level and self-funded health plans, stand-alone pharmacy benefits and workplace wellness solutions.

Prior to joining WellNet, John worked for eight years as a regional sales director for Philadelphia-based Brokerage Concepts, a third-party administrator owned by HealthNow, which also owns Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York. John is also an instructor for continuing education in the self-insurance field and an expert in the medical insurance field, specifically self-insurance, medical-management, and cost-containment strategies where his passion is helping people to think about healthcare cost containment from a whole new perspective.

John has been a member of the Greater Philadelphia chapter of NAHU since 2006. John graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Millersville University in 1999.

Fun fact: John is an avid ping pong player, has a large organic vegetable garden, is a great cook, and enjoys golf.

Rose Hughes joined WellNet in 2015 as the Director of Finance responsible for managing overseeing financial functions and developing processes.
Prior to joining the WellNet team, Rose worked at a large third-party administrator for 17 years in the (Fully insured and Self-insured) insurance industry. Throughout her career, Rose progressed into leadership roles which included managing and developing processes for HRA, FSA, COBRA administration, client billing and fund account reconciliation. Rose has completed several certifications including Team Building, HIPAA Training and Leadership Development and earned the distinguished Best in Class Award from for outstanding job performance.

Fun fact: Rose enjoys hanging out at family gatherings with her 10 brothers and sisters, along with many nieces and nephews. She enjoys watching and playing sports, but finds most enjoyment out of watching her three children compete.

Megan Chiarello is a versatile marketing leader who works with growing organizations to shape brand identify and craft profitable go-to-market strategies. Prior to joining WellNet Healthcare, Megan led the marketing team at benefitExpress (now WEX) and consulted for brokerage firms, PBMs & employee benefits start-ups.

Megan’s vast experience extends across sales and marketing roles in the employer healthcare industry. With expertise in product launches, campaign development, event management and content marketing, Megan develops integrated strategies for demand generation. During her tenure in the benefits technology space, Megan sat on the leadership team responsible for a highly successful acquisition in 2016.

As the Vice President of Marketing at WellNet, Megan leads the overall marketing strategy: day-to-day operations, client engagement, social takeover, customer acquisition, event programming and communications.

Megan graduated from the University of North Florida with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a double minor in Communications and English.

Fun Fact: Megan is a past Vanguard Council Chair for the National Association of Health Underwriters and a coffee lover who gets her inspiration from the bottom of a Starbucks cup.

Evi Peart joined WellNet Healthcare in 2015 as a Client Service Team Manager and is responsible for client servicing operations and client satisfaction across all of WellNet’s product lines. Evi has been in the self-insured arena for 27 years holding a number of positions with Amerihealth Administrators and Brokerage Concepts, a third-party administrator owned by HealthNow, which also owns Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Western New York. She has completed several certifications including Health Insurance Associate, Healthcare Anti-Fraud Associate and Leadership Development.

Fun Fact: Evi is a classic car enthusiast where she enjoys driving her classic cars as well as attending and entering them in car shows.

Christina Miller is the Implementation Team Lead at WellNet Healthcare. Christina has been in the self-insured field for 13 years, joining the WellNet Healthcare Team in March of 2013. Christina’s main roles were supporting the Account Management Team, managing eligibility and handling claims issues.

In 2014, Christina helped to develop the Implementation Team, creating a comprehensive process that assures clients have a smooth transition to WellNet Healthcare.

Fun fact: Christina enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends, especially her seven nieces and nephews.

Kara Franz is the Member Services Manager at WellNet Healthcare. Kara joined WellNet in 2010. Prior to WellNet, Kara led a member service group for a national Property & Casualty firm. Kara is a graduate of Central Bucks West.

Fun fact: Enjoys riding any thrill ride that will make her stomach drop and being with her three young children.