Niko Washington

About Niko Washington

I have over 30 years in the employee benefits industry. I started my career in pharmaceutical sales and worked for two large insurance carriers, UHC and Cigna. I have been with Johnson & Dugan for over 25 years providing technical counsel to clients on financial, regulatory, and market trends.There are several things I enjoy about my position but I will only list two that I enjoy the most. The first thing would be assisting my clients in meeting their overall goals for their employee benefits package. I want my clients to be confident that their employee benefits package is competitive and they are getting the lowest bottom line and all the value available in the marketplace. It is important I am proactive for my clients and I do this by developing a Blueprint. The process in establishing the Blueprint involves helping companies understand their current situation and assist in creating a vision for their future. I identify the roadblocks standing in their way, develop strategies to overcome them, and review all of the tools available to help them achieve their vision. Seems like a lot of work but all the work is really mine. It will give a prospective client a good idea of how I work.The second most important thing would be something I doubt most people in my industry would say. I actually enjoy understanding a new legislation and being an expert in educating my clients and peers on how new legislation impacts an organization. ACA and CAA has actually been a challenge but at the same time I enjoy researching and learning all the details. This challenges me to build a strategic plan for my clients to ensure they are not hit negatively by the regulation.My Specialities are:Group employee benefits plan designFinancial analysisStrategic PlanningCompliance

Experience

1. Vice President, Employee Benefits Practice

   Johnson & Dugan Insurance Services, Inc

   Jan 2000 — Present

   As Vice President, Employee Benefits Practice, I am responsible for assisting clients in defining and achieving their strategic goals for their employee benefits program. A majority of my clients are headquartered in Northern California with employees across the US and internationally. I am proficient in all areas of group benefit programs and specialize in strategic planning, benefits technology, benefit financing, employee communication and Health and Welfare legislation.

Education

• California State University, Chico

  Political Science/Public Administration

  1987 — 1989

• San José State University

  BA, Political Science/Public Administration

  1989 — 1992

Skills

• Underwriting
• Leadership
• Life Insurance
• Employee Benefits
• Human Resources
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Mergers
• Disability Insurance
• Health Care Reform
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Communications
• Benefits Administration
• Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Benefits Design
• Strategy
• Business Planning
• Health Insurance
• Brokers
• Insurance