About Us

    Our Firm

    Founded by John Davidson in 1983, our firm offers customized employee benefit solutions and consulting services built around our clients’ goals and objectives. We specialize in creative benefit solutions, strategic planning and easing the benefits burden on HR. We exclusively work on large group (> 100 employees) employee benefits. Our leading goal is to practice with the best principles always in mind. Making a difference in everything we touch is what we live and breathe each day.

    Formerly known as Davidson Benefits Planning, we are a fully-owned division of Alera Group based in Tigard, Oregon. 

    Our Philosophy and Culture

    We value of integrity, hard work, and professionalism. We are committed to innovation and creative employee benefits, risk management and insurance solutions. This is accomplished through our philosophy which is to:

    • Expect far more from ourselves than we do from others
    • Inspire excellence and success
    • Lead with integrity and wisdom
    • Provide fanatical attention to service, consistency and detail

    Our promise is to partner with our clients to offer exceptional customer service, support, solutions and resources in every touchpoint we have with them. We are committed to recommending ideas, programs, products and services that will maximize the value and ensure the success of cost-effective benefit plans for each and every client.

    Well known in the community for our culture, we make concerted efforts to be inclusive, open to everyone’s perspectives and to be optimistic and engage the mind and spirit. Culture development comes from our entire staff.  Our culture committee coordinates a variety of events including community volunteer activities to have fun together and invigorate staff.

    Part of our culture is also to practice The Collaborative Way which emphasizes Speaking Straight, Being There for Each Other, Listening Generously, Acknowledge & Appreciation and Honoring Commitments. We have ongoing training and support for our employees. The training and message has been extremely well received.

    As a result, we have very happy and appreciative employees and outstanding performance for our clients.  Our firm achieved Top 100 Employer to Work for in Oregon for the 16th year in a row.

    Meet Our Team

    People you can count on. People you can trust.

    Brenda Bassett

    Executive Director, Employee Benefit Operations
    Brenda Bassett

    Brenda Bassett primarily serves as our agency Senior Vice President of Internal Operations and Human Resources, secondarily as a Benefits Consultant.  She is focused on delivering an exception experience to DBP’s clients by supporting the operational infrastructure, which includes leading the Account Management and Sales Support team.   She began her career with DBP in 2006, and has over 30 years of experience in account management, compliance, product development, health plan and benefit administration/operations, business operations and human resources.

     

    She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the University of Oregon.

    Bethany Bin Daar

    Account Manager
    Bethany Bin Daar

    Bethany Bin Daar has been an integral part of Davidson Benefits Planning since 2019, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as an Account Manager. With her Life and Health License and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University, Bethany is dedicated to providing exceptional service to clients in the employee benefits insurance industry.

     

    In her position, Bethany serves as the day-to-day expert on a book of business, ensuring the seamless implementation and performance of benefits programs. Bethany's passion for clear communication and documentation, coupled with her innovative problem-solving skills, allows her to deliver prompt support to clients while finding advantageous solutions for all parties involved. Her self-motivation and ability to prioritize tasks ensure that deadlines are consistently met, further enhancing the client experience.

     

    Outside of work, Bethany cherishes time with her family, including her two boys and dogs. She enjoys expressing her creativity, going on road trips, and exploring new places, though the beach is her always favorite destination. Bethany's friendly demeanor and dedication to client satisfaction make her an invaluable asset to the Davidson Benefits Planning team.

    Katie Burdick

    Account Manager
    Katie Burdick

    Katie Burdick  has 15 years of experience in the health insurance industry. She was previously with a local insurance carrier where she specialized in individual and group membership and most recently large group sales operations where she supported 26 101+ size employer groups consisting of fully insured and self-funded. Katie enjoy helping folks understand insurance and providing excellent customer service.

     

    In her free time, she enjoy spending time outdoors with her husband and our dog, hiking, kayaking, camping and exploring parts of Oregon they have never explored before. Her most recent passion is kickboxing.

    Deby Butzer

    Account Manager
    Deby Butzer

    Deby Butzer’s first interest in health insurance began when she started working as a Customer Service Representative at a local health insurance carrier.  This progressed into several years working for local carriers as a Claims Examiner, Claims Auditor, Claims Trainer and Systems Administrator.  Then, she moved onto the brokerage side of the business as an Account Manager and Benefit Consultant where she had the pleasure of working directly with her clients to provide health plan solutions.  Now, after over 20 years working at brokerage firms, Deby remains committed to helping her clients understand the mechanics of health insurance today.

     

    Deby earned the designation of Health Care Anti-Fraud Associate and continues to learn about the cost impact of health care fraud on our health care system.

     

    Deby enjoys gardening and volunteering in her local community.  She and her husband of over 35 years spend much of their time at home enjoying home projects and sharing laughs every day.

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    Property and Casualty

    2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook

    Join our property and casualty experts for an exclusive look at the trends and challenges shaping the insurance landscape in 2025.

    January 15, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Employee Benefits

    Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook

    Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s "2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook" and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.

    January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    Employee Benefits

    The Value of Voluntary Benefits

    In this session, our experts will showcase the value of voluntary benefits, from financial savings to improved retention to addressing the specific needs of their employees.

    March 20, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Webinar Graphic
    They provide top level support and knowledgeable answers

    After a rough renewal with a previous broker, we knew it was time for a change. In walked Davidson Benefits Planning and they offered a lot more than most. Sometimes it’s hard to make the decision to change, to take on the risk and it’s hard to trust that the change will be good thing. Davidson quickly proved themselves to be a great change! The benefit consultants are not only knowledgeable in benefit administration, but they are thoroughly versed in human resource matters. They understand that benefits and human resources often go hand in hand. Davidson provides top notch customer service and support. They consistently respond to my needs within minutes and provide what I deem to be excellent service and support. Not only do they provide top level support and knowledgeable answers to my questions, but they also go to bat in negotiating fair and equitable renewals with our carriers. They bring fresh new ideas to the table. We are so glad that we teamed up with Davidson. In addition, over the last three years they have shown me that they are a generous caring company within the community and their entire team (starting with Mr. Davidson) genuinely express their appreciation for their clients.
    IssPro
    IssPro
    They are always working for our best interests
    They are smart, articulate, driven and focused. They are committed to us, always available and prompt in their assistance. We can trust they are always working for our best interests.
    Resers
    Reser’s Fine Foods
    Team of knowledgeable, professional, hard-working people

    We have had the privilege of having the skilled DBP team working as our benefits broker for several years. John Davidson and the DBP team are fabulous! Without exception, the staff at DBP are a team of knowledgeable, professional, hard-working people that set high standards for performance and hold themselves to even higher standards of integrity. They have professionally guided us through the renewal process, recommended and assisted in making plan design changes, and negotiated hard for the best possible pricing for premiums. Throughout the year, they are available to provide support and assistance with any issues that may arise. They provide a high level of customer service that makes us feel that we are highly valued by them. The DBP team worked hard initially to earn our business — and work even harder to keep it year after year.
    Vtech Inc.
    Vtech Inc.
    An extension of our HR team

    The DBP team is an extremely talented group of professionals. Columbia Distributing greatly values their partnership and considers them an extension of our HR team. They understand the drivers of our business and have proven to be consummate business partners.
    Columbia Distributing
    Columbia Distributing
    Always available, proactive and knowledgeable

    We have happily worked with DBP since 2000. They have proven to be an invaluable partner in helping us administer our benefit plan. They are always available, proactive and knowledgeable. We feel fortunate to have such a great team on our side. They are wonderful people that we love working with and would recommend them to anyone.
    McMenamins
    McMenamins
    Knowledgeable, responsive, trustworthy, resourceful, and provide a personal touch that is rare in this digital age

    I am extremely satisfied with the service and support I get from the team at Davidson Benefits Planning. They are an essential partner in the effort to manage the costs and complexities of our health and welfare programs. Their efforts to work on our behalf are as good as any I have experienced in my long career. They are knowledgeable, responsive, trustworthy, resourceful, and provide a personal touch that is rare in this digital age. They have my admiration and I fully recommend them without reservation.
    Columbia Cascade Company
    Columbia Cascade Company
    DBP listens to our needs, then provides a customized and informative plan for success

    We have enjoyed working with the phenomenal team at Davidson Benefits Planning. Over the years, we have found DBP listens to our needs, then provides a customized and informative plan for success. In addition, we have enjoyed top tier customer service from all team members at DBP. This is a company that promises to go the extra mile, and then actually follows through!
    Hawthorn Senior Living
    Hawthorn Senior Living
    They are great to work with and all-around enjoyable teammates in the benefits space

    The team at Davidson Benefits Planning are wonderful! We continue to choose Davidson Benefits for several reasons. Not only are they knowledgeable in the world of benefits and compliance, but they really are an extension of our Human Resources team – updating us and making sure we are in the loop on the latest benefit news/legislation. They also maintain a high standard when it comes to vendors, they vet and research each TPA, vendor and product before even suggesting them and can easily give us info on vendors they suggest and why. They are also very personable, have excellent customer service and response time. They are great to work with and all-around enjoyable teammates in the benefits space.
    Walsh Construction Co.
    Walsh Construction Co.
    They truly have set the standard for amazing service

    The DBP team are not only excellent to work with, but they truly have set the standard for amazing service. DBP go above and beyond to make themselves available to us at any time to answer questions and educate our team, ensure that we are compliant and ensure that we are getting the best rates and service possible, all while being professional, timely, helpful and kind.

    We value the relationship with our team at DBP and given the exceptional service that we continue to receive, would highly recommend working with the amazing team at DBP.
    Coos Curry Electric
    Coos Curry Electric

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    Employee Benefits

    State of the Market for Employee Benefits in 2025

    What are the needs and priorities of those in the workforce and the employment market? What are rival businesses offering to attract and retain the best the market has to offer? And what shifts are taking place in the market that employers should anticipate and prepare for? Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook, scheduled for release on January 16, provides answers to those essential questions.

    December 19, 2024

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    Property and Casualty

    It’s Here! — Alera Group’s Fifth Annual 'Property and Casualty Market Outlook'

    Alera Group's "2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook" is your guide to making informed decisions regarding your business and personal insurance coverage.

    December 12, 2024

    Find out more

    Employee Benefits

    Don’t Forget About Your Gag Clause Attestations

    When the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was enacted on December 27, 2020, it included a provision that prohibits group health plans and health insurance carriers from entering into certain agreements that, either directly or indirectly, restrict the release of certain information related to provider networks and de-identified encounter data, among other things. Such restrictions are commonly referred to as “gag clauses.” The CAA also requires plans and carriers to attest annually that their agreements do not include such impermissible gag clauses.

    November 20, 2024

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    Employee Benefits

    Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim

    Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.

    November 19, 2024

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