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.
Betsy Volm
Benefits Consultant
Betsy Volm is a Benefits Consultant with Davidson Benefits Planning. Prior to consulting Betsy spent over 20 years in various HR leadership positions. Her experience spans several industries including manufacturing, professional services and healthcare services. Betsy’s collaborative and strategic work-style has been extremely well received by her clients. Her unique perspective enables her to see the bigger picture as she helps guide clients to find the best and most cost-effective benefit product mix to match the culture of the company. Betsy thrives on new challenges and finding unique solutions to bring back the value of benefits to both plan members and employers. Betsy’s earned a SHRM-SCP certification and is a licensed life and health producer.
Outside of work Betsy is an avid reader, enjoys her lab, traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Western Washington University
Responsibilities: Strategic Planning, customer service, collaboration, benefit communication, creative solutions, compliance.
Kelly Walker
Strategic Partnership Consultant
Kelly Walker is a Strategic Partnership Consultant joining Davidson Benefits Planning in 2021. She brings with her 20+ years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in the healthcare industry. Kelly previously spent more than 15 years at a progressive health insurer specializing in both large and small group with various funding arrangements, individual and Medicare lines. These roles allowed her to consult and speak to a wide array of audiences, both public and private organizations, about topics ranging from advanced healthcare strategies to population health.
Kelly’s diverse background and ability to connect with one person or a room of folks positions her well to listen, moderate and then help pinpoint strategies for a particular need or situation. She loves a good challenge! This skill set then transitions well into her commitment to doing the right thing by and for the client. Kelly enjoys collaborating with the rest of the Davidson team to identify or develop creative solutions that serve all parties.
Kelly has also held roles in both Sales and Account Management with local and national employee assistance, work-life, wellness, and coaching companies. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. While this education by no means positions her as an armchair therapist, these degrees seem to come in handy!
While you will see Kelly’s passion for her work and business constituents, she is equally driven in her role as a mom to three kiddos. Weekends are spent traveling to different kid’s sporting or music events, while she fits in a bit of reading and time with her husband, family and close friends.
Shena Wallis
Senior Account Manager
Shena Wallis brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in the benefits industry to her role as a Senior Account Manager. Shena’s history includes 9 years with a national actuarial firm, benefits positions with one of the largest private employers in the Northwest, and experience with one of the largest insurers in the Northwest. Shena has a lengthy background in Customer Service and is a natural “people person.” Since March 2016, she has been a valuable asset at Alera, where she excels in managing a diverse book of business catering to clients ranging from 50 to 500-plus employees. In her role, she demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of clients' needs, working with Fully Insured, Self-Funded, and Level Funded clients to recommend tailored products and services that maximize value for their employees. She is driven by a passion for client satisfaction and excellence in service delivery.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Shena finds solace and delight in the great outdoors alongside her husband and two dogs. Whether it's exploring scenic hiking trails, biking along picturesque routes, riding ATV’s, or camping under the starry night sky, she fully immerses herself in the serenity of outdoor adventures, finding a harmonious balance and rejuvenation amidst the beauty of nature.
Resources
Pocketpal Video - App for Employee Benefits Portal (Touchpoints)
* Access requires credentials, please email info@jjdavidson.com for access information
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Employee Benefits
Q4 Compliance Update
Alera Group's quarterly employee benefits compliance roundup will help you stay current on the latest national regulatory developments impacting employers.
December 3, 2024 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 Report 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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Wealth Services
State of the Markets
Join us as we unveil the factors that drive the nation's financial pulse and how they may impact your personal finances.
January 22, 2025 at 12:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
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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Employee Benefits
Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.
November 15, 2024
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Spotlight on 2025 Benefit Limits
The IRS has released the 2025 benefit plan limits. The following chart shows some of the key limits for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 tax years.
November 15, 2024
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Courts Ablaze with Tobacco Surcharge Class Action Lawsuits
Tobacco surcharges, or an increase in premiums for employees who use tobacco products, are attractive to employers looking to keep their employee population healthy and lower their healthcare costs. But they can go too far, and many employers might not be aware of the limitations.
November 15, 2024
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