About Us
Since 1977, we have been helping businesses maximize their investment in human capital by partnering with client companies to deliver Benefits Consulting and Brokerage Services that not only enhance employees’ lives, but also improve efficiencies and client company profits.
As a trusted consultant, CPI-HR partners with your Human Resource Department to support the management of your most valuable asset…your people. CPI-HR provides strategic and tactical solutions that help you attract, retain and empower your workforce. Whether it’s on a stand-alone basis or a more integrated employee benefit, payroll/HR, and benefits administration solution, we ensure that our services meet your goals and objectives.
Meet Our Team
People you can count on. People you can trust.
Jim Hopkins
President![Jim Hopkins](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-05/3.jpg)
Jim Hopkins founded Corporate Plans, Inc. (CPI-HR) in 1998 and has built it into one of the larger employee benefits firms in Ohio. Jim is the President of CPI-HR and under his direction CPI-HR has expanded to offer Payroll/HR, Benefit Administration and HR services to clients not only in Ohio but throughout the U.S. CPI-HR has grown significantly under his leadership and has been awarded the prestigious Best Places to Work by for the past several years.
Jim is also a founding member and President of Benefit Advisors Network (BAN), the premier national, credentialed network of independent benefit advisory and consulting companies.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Jim graduated from University School and earned a BSBA in Finance from John Carroll University in 1985. Immediately after college he entered the insurance business with Guardian Life, and then grew a benefits practice within a small property and casualty company. He founded Corporate Plans Inc. in 1998, Benefit Advisors Network in 2002, Corporate Payroll, Inc. in 2004, the National Benefit Center in 2011 and was instrumental in the formation of Alera in 2016.
Meredith Korner, CEBS, PHR
Vice President of Operations![Meredith Korner, CEBS, PHR](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-05/Meredith-2.jpg)
Meredith Korner has over 15 years of industry experience in the group benefits and consulting space. As Vice President of Operations for CPI-HR, Meredith provides leadership for the overall operating performance of the company. Meredith is responsible for managing people and resources to deliver solutions tailored to individual client needs.
Meredith has a concentration on health and welfare compliance and has continued to sharpen her focus by actively serving on the national compliance committee for Benefit Advisors Network, speaking about ERISA and ACA compliance throughout NE Ohio and participating in conferences across the country.
Meredith was selected by Employee Benefit Adviser as one of the most Influential Women in Benefit Advising in 2014 and 2015 and holds her CEBS, PHR and PPACA certifications as well as her Ohio Life, Accident & Health license.
Meredith has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing from Miami University and is a current member of the Society for Human Resource Management and National Association of Health Underwriters.
Joe Daugherty
Vice President![Joe Daugherty](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-05/5-250x250.jpg)
Joe was one of the founding members of CPI-HR in 1998. As a Principal, Joe helped CPI-HR grow into one of the larger employee benefits firms in Ohio. Joe’s main concentration has been on the growth of the benefits practice. Through his leadership and innovative strategies CPI-HR has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years.
Born and raised in Lakewood Ohio, Joe earned a BSBA in Finance from The Ohio State University in 1993. Immediately after college he entered the employee benefits world with Prudential Securities specializing in the sales, administration and service of Prudential’s 401(k) plans. After five years with Prudential, Joe joined Aetna Health Plans specializing in group sales and the underwriting of their health and life benefit packages.
At CPI-HR, Joe specializes in designing cost effective benefit designs and carrier negotiations on behalf of his clients.
Tom Wirbel
Vice President![Tom Wirbel](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-05/Tom-Wirbel-CPI-HR-250x250.png)
A native of Cleveland, Tom graduated from John Carroll University with a BSBA in 1991 and received an MBA from Cleveland State in 1996. Tom has worked in the discipline of Human Resources since 1997. Before joining CPI-HR in 2003, Tom acted as an HR Consultant to small and medium-sized businesses.
Tom's responsibilities with CPI-HR have been focused on helping clients manage their employee benefits plans. He has achieved notable success in helping client companies address the escalating costs of health insurance through a series of proactive and innovative strategies.
In 2008 Crain's Cleveland Business recognized Tom as one of Cleveland's business leaders by awarding him a 40 Under 40 award. Tom has shared his expertise with thousands of local HR, Finance, and Management professionals through speaking engagements with the HR Star Conference, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, the Benefit Advisors Network, Institute of Management Accounts, EDGE, Maingate Business Development, and others. Tom has also embraced opportunities to help the local community through volunteer engagements with the American Heart Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Junior Achievement and the Chagrin Athletic Association.
Tom lives in Chagrin Falls with his wife and three children.
Resources
Our Community
CPI-HR believes in being contributing members of the communities we serve. We are proud to support our clients and our community.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Collaborative Conversations: 2025 - What to Expect and What You Need to Know
Save the date for a conversation in September where we will discuss the impending PLO changes by BOLI and the Employment Department, their impacts, and other critical considerations.
September 12, 2024 at 08:30 am PT | Virtual
Sign Up![Image that reads webinar](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2024-06/WSG-DigitalThumbnails_Webinars-110723-4.png)
Employee Benefits
Is Tech-Enabled Brokerage Right for You?
Our experts will lay out what tech-enabled brokerage is, how it works and why it makes sense for the right organizations.
September 19, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign Up![Webinar graphic - Alera Engage](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2023-12/WBI-692x434-Webinar-Engage_6.jpg)
Employee Benefits
Meeting the Needs of an Aging Workforce
Our experts will provide tips and insights about how to incorporate Medicare, menopause benefits, retirement, communications best practices and other hot topics for older workers into your program successfully and without breaking the bank.
October 17, 2024 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
Sign Up![Webinar Graphic - Alera Engage](/sites/g/files/sujchg151/files/2023-12/WBI-692x434-Webinar-Engage_7.jpg)
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
Preparing for 2025: Creditable Coverage, Enrolling in Medicare and HSA Contributions
With significant changes coming in 2025 to creditable coverage determinations, employers and employees may have questions on what that means for them, whether they make the decision to enroll in Medicare Part D or continue to have coverage under their group health plan.
September 5, 2024
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Webinar: Better Benefits Administration and Lower Costs
If you don’t have expert assistance to guide you and your organization in the in using a sophisticated benefits portal, you’re wasting a lot of the money your business has invested — and probably frustrating the employees you mean to serve. Working with a brokerage that offers not only a leading-edge benefits portal but also year-round support and services enables your employees to seamlessly access, understand and navigate the portal, creating a positive benefits experience.
September 5, 2024
Find out moreEmployee Benefits
Medicare Part D Credibility Determinations for Non-Calendar Year Plans
In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) added a voluntary prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program. The benefit, known as Medicare Part D or “Part D,” is an optional program for Medicare beneficiaries to access covered prescription drugs at a lower cost. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed and set into motion changes to Part D benefits, with additional impact on employers in 2024 and 2025.
September 5, 2024
Find out moreProperty and Casualty
Workers’ Compensation: Stable market with emerging challenges from mental health claims
Despite pressure from medical inflation, increases in fee schedules on medical procedures and wage inflation affecting premiums and benefits, Workers’ Compensation remains a stable and profitable line for insurers. This stability allows buyers favorable conditions, such as ample capacity and stable rates. However, a new trend is emerging: the inclusion of mental health claims as compensable workers’ compensation.
August 28, 2024
Find out more