Greg Helbling – Owner/Broker

Greg has served as an all-lines Insurance Agent, Broker, and Insurance Consultant in Idaho for 27 years including nine years as District Manager for Blue Cross. He began his insurance career with five years in an independent agency in Lewiston, Idaho after serving as an educator in Colorado and corporate training in the Seattle area.

He has managed employee benefits for over 25 Idaho schools and colleges, in addition to many hospitals, cities, counties and private employers of all sizes throughout northern and southern Idaho.

Greg is trusted in the industry for his comprehensive understanding of employee benefits for private and public employers of all sizes, enjoying a unique art for blending local and national resources with innovation to create cost savings by incorporating network intelligence, wellness strategies, customer education and caring service. As a lifetime learner and graduate of the University of Idaho, his years of experience have developed his skills for listening to the needs of customers, insurance committees, unions, CEO’s, CFO’s, and HR Directors.

As a community leader, Greg has been honored as the 2007 Boss of the Year, Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club President, Life Underwriters President, Co-Founder of Holy Family School, Salvation Army Kroc Center Advisory Board member, TESH Resource Development Committee member, KMC Health Taskforce Committee member, Chamber of Commerce member, National Association of Health Underwriters member and serves on various insurance carrier advisory boards. Greg also serves as a Board member of Coeur d’Alene Homes and Heritage Place.

Greg enjoys community involvement, skiing, mountain and road biking, snowshoeing, and keeping up with his wife, Kathy, and their teen sons, Brett and Brandon.

Email Greg  (ghelblinghelblingbenefitscom)  

Chad Murray – Partner/Broker

Chad is an Idaho native and graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems. Chad has eleven years experience in the insurance industry working for a large national insurance carrier for seven years and the last four with Helbling Employee Benefits. At Helbling Employee Benefits, Chad specializes in bringing our clients the most comprehensive employee benefit package available. Chad also has extensive training in long-term and short-term disability, earning his National Health Underwriters Group Benefits Disability Specialist Designation in April, 2008.

Active in the community, Chad is a 2007 Leadership Coeur d’Alene graduate, Sunrise Rotarian, serves on the TESH Inc., Board of Directors and Resource Development Committee, and is a member of the North Idaho Association of Health Underwriters.

Chad enjoys community involvement, biking, skiing, the outdoors, and spending time with his wife, Colette, and children, Katelyn and Ben.

Email Chad  (cmurrayhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Mark Woodworth, RHU – Broker

Mark has been in the Medical, Life and Disability industry for over 16 years in Idaho and Washington. During that time, he most recently spent five years as a Senior Sales Executive with Regence BlueShield of Idaho and four years as a Sales Representative with Northwestern Mutual Life.  Mark also spent several years working with an Association Health Plan (AHP) program throughout the Northwest.

As one of only 25,000 Registered Health Underwriter’s (RHU) in a field over one million insurance professionals throughout the United States, Mark has received formal college level benefits training in the insurance industry. Mark continually climbs to the top of his profession and has earned numerous Sales Executive and Presidents’ Awards throughout his career. Mark has extensive insurance and negotiating experience from small groups to large multi-million dollar accounts and brings comprehensive insurance knowledge to Helbling Employee Benefits.

Mark currently serves on the board of the North Idaho Association of Health Underwriters (NIAHU), is involved in leadership through his community church and mentors high school students.  Mark enjoys volunteering for Ironman and has helped establish an annual Christmas Charity fund for the Kootenai Health Pediatric Behavioral Health unit through NIAHU.

Mark enjoys community involvement, the outdoors, running, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Email Mark  (mwoodworthhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Nellie Armstrong – Account Manager

Nellie comes to Helbling Employee Benefits with several years experience in medical office administration and has the proven skills and dedication we count on to ensure consistently great service for you, our valued customer. Her main focus includes servicing hospitals, school districts, municipalities, and medical clinics.

Nellie is currently serving as the class president for the Post Falls Chamber 2011 River City Leadership program. She is also serving as committee chair for the Kootenai Health Foundation’s Festival of Trees. Nellie is continuing her education in the insurance/benefits industry.

She enjoys camping, cooking, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family.

Email Nellie  (narmstronghelblingbenefitscom)  

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Beth Edwards – Agent/Account Manager

Beth joined Helbling Employee Benefits with ten years of claims and benefits experience most recently with the Group Health Cooperative of Spokane, Washington. As a customer relations professional, Beth is prepared to respond to your inquires for benefit orientation, education, service complaints, policy interpretation, and facilitation of problem resolution.

Beth is a member of the North Idaho Association of Health Underwriters and is a 2009-2010 River City Leadership Academy graduate.

She enjoys boating, snow skiing and spending time with her husband and two children.

Email Beth  (bedwardshelblingbenefitscom)  

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Nancy Shepherd – Agent/Account Manager

Nancy comes to Helbling with a broad range of skills. Prior to joining the Helbling team, she was the human resources/payroll clerk for St. Maries School District and the advertising manager at St. Maries Gazette. She is an Idaho native and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Idaho. Understanding the needs of the client is Nancy’s strength and she works hard to provide the highest level of professionalism and customer service. Nancy is continuing her education in the insurance and employee benefits industry.

Nancy has served on the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as the finance officer for the St. Maries Foundation for Education. She has also coached high school and club volleyball.

She enjoys spending time with her son, Reid. She is passionate about fitness, especially running. She also enjoys reading, golfing, hiking and is currently tackling the art of fly fishing.

Email Nancy  (nshepherdhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Kelly Berdar – Agent/Account Manager

Kelly brings over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with expertise in group benefits.  Prior to joining the Helbling Benefits team, Kelly invested five years as an account manager for a large brokerage firm in Spokane, Washington.  Kelly has experience working with employers of all sizes in both Group Benefits and Property and Casualty lines.  Kelly offers value to our clients with her strong background in system implementation and process work flows.  Kelly’s desire to bring consistent and excellent service to our clients makes her an ideal addition to the Helbling team.

Kelly is a member of the Harley Owners Group and enjoys crafts when not riding her Harley Davidson.

Email Kelly  (kberdarhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Holly Bruner – COBRA Specialist

Holly joins the Helbling team with 18 years of customer service experience. Prior to joining Helbling, Holly held the position of Client Service Specialist in COBRA Administration and Enrollment of FSA, HRA and HSA benefits. Holly’s passion for providing exceptional customer service is apparent with her willingness to help others understand exactly who is entitled to benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

Holly enjoys spending time with her husband, Brad and their children Ashley, Cassi and Jessi. She also takes time to enjoy all that beautiful North Idaho has to offer, camping, ATV four-wheeling and scenic drives.

Email Holly  (hbrunerhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Charity Mathenia – Receptionist & Office Assistant

Charity comes to Helbling Employee Benefits with many years of experience as an Emergency Medical Claims processor. She is passionate about helping others and provides understanding and a willingness to help with questions. Charity knows the importance of providing exceptional customer service. She plans on continuing her education in the insurance industry so she may provide the highest level of satisfaction to our customers.

Charity is very active in our community and volunteers at many events. She also creates the newsletter and graphic designs for a local ATV club and enjoys volunteering at Lake City High School.  She enjoys camping, ATV riding, swimming, fishing, cooking, reading, skiing and spending time with her family.

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Natalie Eckstein – Assistant to Account Managers

Natalie comes to Helbling with over ten years of experience in the hospitality industry. Natalie understands the importance of friendly, courteous and exceptional customer service.

Natalie works closely with other account managers/agents and is always available to answer any questions you may have about your benefits. She also provides assistance with claims resolution and group websites. You can rely on her delightful and caring personality when calling or visiting our office.

Natalie is continuing her education in the employee benefits industry and looks forward to becoming a licensed agent.

She enjoys the great outdoors, cooking, reading, swimming, and spending time with family and friends.

Email Natalie  (necksteinhelblingbenefitscom)  

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Carla Redline – CPA/Bookkeeper

Carla comes to Helbling with over 27 years of experience in public accounting, the forest products industry and not-for-profits. She received her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Idaho. Carla has been involved with Holy Family Catholic School since its inception. She is also a board member and treasurer for Birthright of Coeur d'Alene.

She enjoys camping, gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with her husband, Dan, and their children, Libby, Charlie, Jackson and Sam.

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