EBS
Advantage
EBS Offers Full-Service Plan Design, Implementation and Ongoing Service
EBS has near 100% client retention. Due to our attention to details, excellent client service, and the quality of life insurance products provided to clients.
Innovative Solutions. Outstanding Service.
EBS has an in-house attorney as well as seven in-house CPAs available to meet the Bank’s service needs and BOLI reporting requirements. Summary resumes are provided in our presentation materials. All of our personnel come from accounting or customer service backgrounds. The vendor’s commitment to investing in the operational infrastructure necessary to support BOLI is a key consideration in vendor selection.
Independent accountants have completed a SOC 1 and SOC 2 audit of EBS resulting in a clean opinion of the firm’s BOLI Policies and Procedures and Privacy Standards.
EBS is the Endorsed BOLI Vendor of several banking associations including the Alabama Bankers Association (ABA), Community Bankers Association of Ohio (CBAO), Community Bankers of Michigan (CBM), and Georgia Bankers Association (GBA).
EBS has taken over numerous clients from other vendors. We will be pleased to provide specific references from the clients that switched to EBS.
The financial representatives of EBS have selling agreements with the top mutual carriers including: Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, Mass Mutual and Guardian. We also have extensive knowledge and access to other scalable life insurance products from many other insurance carriers.
EBS does not typically charge for administration of life insurance policies.
Organization & Background
EBS provides its comprehensive services through a team of qualified professionals with vast experience in insurance and public accounting. Each client has a specific service team that is supported by extensive back office support. Professional designations held include CPA, JD, CLU, MSFS, MBA, CFP, ChFC and others. There are five offices located throughout the country, including the EBS headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, to ensure coordinated service delivery. As financial representatives, EBS members are supported by insurance attorneys, actuaries, and advanced underwriters.
Since its founding in 1998, EBS has implemented well over 300 BOLI and COLI transactions in thirty-nine states. These transactions have resulted in purchases of billions of dollars of face value placed with highly rated insurance carriers offering institutional pricing. Our informal funding recommendations are built on sound economic foundations and are conservatively structured from a tax perspective. We welcome interested parties to contact our references regarding our services and regulatory compliance.
Members
Russell H. Vandevelde , IV
Birmingham, Alabama
Russell is a nationally known expert in the product design and implementation of Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) programs as well as Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI) programs. Russell has worked as a specialist since 1986 covering all 50 states. In addition to BOLI consulting, Russell also assists banks with Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans.
Russell is a past Board Member of the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (now FINSECA). He is a frequent speaker at industry and company meetings on the topic of BOLI as well as Nonqualified Executive Benefit Plans. Russell was also a founding board member for National Bank of Commerce and served as Chairman of the Board. He is a member of Leadership Alabama and is active with United Way, YPO, Rotary and as a board member of Restoration Academy.
Russell double majored in Mathematics and Sociology and received a B.S. degree from Vanderbilt University.
Main Office: (877) 242-9751
Direct: (205) 271-7021
Email: russellv@ebscomp.com
Jim Foyt , (CPA : Inactive)
Birmingham, Alabama
Jim is a founding partner and the President and Managing Partner of EBS. Jim is a highly specialized BOLI consultant working closely with businesses across the country on their executive benefit plans, executive compensation planning, BOLI consulting, regulatory compliance, and ongoing service needs. Jim has implemented hundreds of BOLI and executive benefit plans and is a frequent speaker at industry meetings on BOLI and COLI related topics.
Prior to joining EBS in 1998, Jim worked twelve years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen assisting large public and private companies, including several regional financial institutions. As part of his responsibilities managing the Birmingham tax practice, Jim worked with many clients to implement executive benefit plans.
He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU). Jim is an active member of the United Way Tocqueville Society. He is the current chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Health System. Jim is a past member of the Auburn University Accounting Advisory Board and the Board of Directors of the Georgia Bankers Association. Jim earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Auburn University. He holds the FINRA Series 6 and 63 securities registrations and is a licensed insurance agent.
Main Office: (877) 242-9751
Direct: (205) 271-7024
Email: jfoyt@ebscomp.com
Jeffrey P. Peterson , CLU, ChFC
San Francisco, California
Jeff has spent over 30 years in executive benefit consulting for private and public sector corporations as well as consulting with their top executives. He has worked with several industries but has focused on the banking, technology and service industries, and his practice emphasizes all areas of executive benefit planning and informal funding.
As the Managing Partner in the San Francisco office, Jeff oversees client services for the entire western region. He specializes in helping firms to attract, retain and reward their leadership teams. He is a frequent national speaker on the topic of Nonqualified Plans.
Jeff is a past president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Society of Financial Service Professionals in San Francisco. He is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, Top of the Table, and multiple recipient of the highly coveted National Quality Award. He is also a member and ambassador of Finseca and Treasurer on the Board of the Tahoe Maritime Foundation.
Jeff received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of the Pacific and holds two advanced degrees from the American College.
Main Office: (877) 242-9751
Direct: (415) 733-6540
Email: jpeterson@ebscomp.com
Phillip A. Pickett , (CPA : Inactive)
Birmingham, Alabama
Phil works closely with corporations and financial institutions across the country on the design, implementation and administration of Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) and Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI) programs. Phil also assists companies with the design and implementation of Nonqualified Executive Benefit Plans and Deferred Compensation Plans to help companies attract, retain and reward their talent.
Phil is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Million Dollar Round Table (Top of the Table). He is also an Ambassador of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU)) and a former member of AALU’s Nonqualified Plans committee.
Phil was a tax manager for an international accounting firm prior to joining EBS in 2003. During his ten years in public accounting, Phil specialized in tax consulting and implementation services for a variety of corporate clients, executives and high-wealth individuals. Phil received his M.B.A. from the University of Alabama and his B.S. in Accounting from Florida State University.
Main Office: (877) 242-9751
Direct: (205) 803-7341
Email: ppickett@ebscomp.com
Michael Pounds
Birmingham, Alabama
Michael works closely with banks, private and publicly held corporations, and high net worth individuals providing consultation and analysis in estate planning services. Michael is an active member in his community serving on Restoration Academy Advisory Board and serves as Co-Chair to the Tocqueville New Member Team for United Way of Central Alabama.
Michael holds his FINRA Series 6 and 63 as well as state Life and Health licenses. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and is an Ambassador of Finseca (formerly the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU)). Michael received his B.S. in Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama.
Main Office: (877) 242-9751
Direct: (205) 949-4067
Email: mpounds@ebscomp.com
Associates
Kirk Anderson
Troy, MI
Kirk Anderson has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since 2001, Kirk has worked closely with banks in the Midwest — designing, implementing and servicing Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI) programs. Kirk is a specialist in helping banks design Nonqualified Executive Benefit Plans, which enables banks to recruit, reward and retain the best people. Prior to working with banks, Kirk was a senior executive with a large Michigan-based life insurance company.
Kirk has been a featured speaker at various banking events and has written a variety of articles for banking publications. Kirk is well known in Michigan banking circles for his leadership and support of the industry. He supports many charitable efforts, especially Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Andrew M. Achary
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Andrew is an associate partner with EBS. He is a specialized BOLI/COLI consultant working closely with businesses across the gulf south on their executive benefit plans, executive compensation planning, BOLI consulting, regulatory compliance, and ongoing service needs.
Andrew is an active member in his community and a member at St. Jude Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, LA. He received his B.S. from Louisiana State University. He holds his FINRA Series 6 and 63 as well as state Life and Health licenses. Andrew is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT).
Hap Arnold
Birmingham, Alabama
Hap is an associate with EBS and works closely with banks, privately and publicly held companies, and individuals with their personal financial planning needs. Hap also assists with the preparation of BOLI sales proposals as well as identifying target prospects throughout the country.
Hap received his B.S. in Finance with a specialization in Insurance Planning from the University of Alabama. He currently holds his FINRA Series 6 and 63 as well as his state Life, Health, and Long Term Care Licenses.
CLIENT SERVICE TEAM LEADERS
Bryan S. Gunn , JD, CPA
COO/CFO
Birmingham, Alabama
Bryan oversees EBS corporate operations, coordinates client services, and works with clients in designing and implementing nonqualified executive plans.
Bryan has 30 combined years of experience in public accounting, private practice of law, and executive management. Bryan received his B.A. in Accounting from the University of South Florida and his J.D. from the Mercer University School of Law.
Bryan’s accounting experience includes all aspects of audit and tax services for public and private companies while at Pender Newkirk & Company (now Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors) and tax compliance and employee benefit issues at KPMG. His legal experience includes employee benefits, taxation, estate planning, probate, and transactions. His management experience includes serving as EVP/CFO and General Counsel as well as responsibility for human relations, information technology, development, and communications.
Cindy J. Willis , CPA
Director of Plan Services
Birmingham, Alabama
Cindy is the Director of Plan Services for financial institutions. Her responsibilities include the preparation of journal entries, Administration Manual updates, preparation of annual death benefit and cash value reports, and the preparation of auditor confirmation reports. Cindy also is responsible for assisting clients with their annual BOLI board reporting packages. Cindy previously worked for 9 years for Arthur Andersen as a tax manager, where she provided consulting and tax services to public and private companies, individuals, and trusts. Cindy received her B.S. in Accounting from the University of Alabama and holds the CPA designation.
Rebecca M. Michael , CPA, CMA
Plan Services Manager
Birmingham, Alabama
Rebecca is a Plan Services Manager. She has 11 years of public accounting experience having worked with Ernst & Young, Arthur Andersen, and Warren, Averett, Kimbrough, & Marino. In addition, Rebecca has served at private and publicly-held corporations for 17 years. She is responsible for assisting financial institution clients with ongoing service needs. Rebecca received her B.S. in Accounting and MBA from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She also holds the CPA and CMA designations.
Leisa S. Kizer , CPA
Plan Services Manager
Birmingham, Alabama
Leisa is a Plan Services Manager. She has 28 years of experience working in public accounting, private company management and as the Vice President and Director of Tax for CVS Caremark Corporation (publicly held). Leisa received her B.S. in Accounting from Auburn University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Thomas E. Walker, Jr. , CPA
Director of Executive Compensation and Plan Implementation
Birmingham, Alabama
Tom is primarily involved in the implementation of BOLI programs specializing in regulatory compliance matters and non-qualified executive plan design, documentation, and service. Having 8 years in public accounting with Arthur Andersen as a senior audit manager and 22 years experience as Chief Financial Officer in various financial service companies, he is well equipped to assist EBS clients and their professionals with accounting and tax issues. Tom received his B.S. degree from Auburn University and holds the CPA designation.
Mark H. Williams , CFP®, CLU, ChFC
Director of Marketing
Birmingham, Alabama
Mark Williamsis the Director of Marketing for EBS. He has worked in the financial services industry for sixteen years. He is responsible for the preparation of BOLI, COLI and nonqualified benefit plan sales proposals, bank peer group compensation studies and overall company marketing efforts.
Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Alabama. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) professional designations from the American College.
Jennifer Underwood
Director of Underwriting and Technology
Birmingham, Alabama
Jennifer joined EBS in 2001 and is the Director of Underwriting for EBS. In this role, she works with clients to ensure that all requirements are met for underwriting. Jennifer also manages the employee consent process and case application. As a Plan Implementation Manager, Jennifer works closely with insurance carriers to implement BOLI and COLI programs. Jennifer also assists with premium allocation and case sizing.
In addition to Plan Implementation and Underwriting, Jennifer manages EBS’s Service Organization Control initiatives for SOC I and SOC II.
Our process
