Our 7 Step Elevate Process
At Next Level Insurance Agency we pride ourselves in working with our clients to help elevate their people and business. After decades of experience, we know this just doesn’t happen, it takes intentionality and strategy to get results. Our Elevate Process takes a deep dive into your industry, culture, market, claims, and technology, and looks for emerging benefit solutions to address your unique needs.
Our elevate process provides clients an upper hand in their respective industries. Next Level clients not only achieve higher results with a more efficient benefit offering but also see better outcomes for their employees and improved employee satisfaction.
While our competitors typically wait until the last minute to start working on your renewal, we begin months prior to proactively work with underwriters and your leadership to yield better results. With all these factors Next Level can deliver the right custom solution to Elevate your Benefits, Elevate your People, and Elevate your Business!
STEP 1
Discovery &
Planning
Learn what you’re doing today, where you want to go and how we can get you there.
STEP 2
Data
Gather
Our due diligence process to gather all pertinent information about your business and employees.
STEP 3
Market Analysis
& Negotiation
Develop a relevant plan. Negotiate terms and rates. Build client-specific solutions.
STEP 4
Solution
Presentation
Present solutions based on client needs and competitive market. Educate on variances. Discuss client decision.
STEP 5
Finalize
Underwriting
Provide revised information to underwriters. Negotiate final rates and terms. Obtain client agreement.
STEP 6
Strategy
Implementation
Create materials. Educate employees. Integrate technologies. Capture data and install.
STEP 7
Ongoing
Management
Monitor. Review results. Implement tactics. Manage compliance. Provide client and employee advocacy. Manage employee transitions.
Our passion is to make a difference by elevating the employee benefits experience.
Our Story
Founded in 2016, after a decade of working in the industry, our team recognized all too often that benefits agents’ incentives were not aligned to the long-term success of their clients. Benefits agencies would pay the advisor to get a client in the door and then hand the client off to a service person who was extremely limited in their scope. In fact, most large agencies can take years to innovate as they have to lose enough business before they start entertaining the idea of innovation.
Additionally, even if you found a great agent, most of the time the agency would not invest in employee growth and development. We are on a mission to change that; we want our entire team trained the same way so everyone can grow, excel, and deliver an elevated client experience! This process allows our staff to train with our agents, so they are up to date on emerging market solutions. We are so committed to our employee development and growth we even filed our company training with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for continuing education credit!
By looking at emerging trends we can truly be an innovator and early adapter in the benefit space compared to an out-of-date industry laggard who only changes when they lose clients. We know our strength in building and maintaining life-long relationships and we invest heavily to deliver on that promise.
Another cornerstone belief has been to go where our clients need us instead of trying to get our clients to change or fit into our limited solution. Our clients benefit from our:
- innovative benefits strategies our competition doesn’t offer,
- human resources support,
- employee advocacy, and
- technology solutions to improve the quality of your overall experience.
We design and deliver solutions that help employers manage risk and optimize benefits, all while strengthening their business through educated and engaged employees, and a healthier bottom line.
Our commitment to our clients does not stop when you sign off on your benefits package. Rather, we are just getting started with our proactive strategic planning and we commit to being more than just your benefits broker, but your partner — always in your corner and looking ahead to make benefits choices that make sense for your business.
Core Values
Accountability
Being Nimble
Creativity
Commitment to Excellence
Advocate
Sense of Urgency
Positivity
Education
I appreciate Next Level team for being so patient and quick to respond! We have big plans ahead and feel lucky we get to partner with you all!
Meet Our Team
Kate O’Connell
Owner
koconnell@nextlevel.agency
Kate literally “grew up” in the employee benefits business. At the age of 13 she started working summers and helping in her family’s insurance agency. During that time, she aided in the transition into a full-service employee benefits business where educating clients was a priority. Kate, being a lifelong advocate for education earned a BS in Early Childhood Development at Texas A&M University and later her Masters degree in Learning Therapy from SMU. As a schoolteacher, she would moonlight in her family’s agency and was often nicknamed “FEMA” for anytime an employee left she was brought in to fill the gap, do the hiring, training and set up the person for success.
In 2006 she married her husband who has a degree in Finance, a MBA, and has taught as an adjunct professor. Sharing a love of education and creativity she brought him into the business to help innovate meaningful solutions for people and companies.
Since 2016 they built a team which has a national scope driven to make a difference. Kate is proud Next Level has helped hundreds of employers and tens of thousands of employees to achieve better outcomes to health, wellbeing, and reduce their spend. This focus has driven a higher overall employee satisfaction for their employer clients and helps guide the culture of Next Level Insurance Agency.
In her spare time Kate loves to travel, spend time with her 4 children, and root for her Aggies & Dallas Cowboys!
Ashley Mihelich
Director of Operations
amihelich@nextlevel.agency
Ashley Mihelich, Director of Operations at Next Level Insurance, is committed to creating a seamless onboarding and renewal process for every client. Born in Plano, Texas, Ashley graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in Finance and a minor in Financial Planning from the University of North Texas in 2003. Ashley has worked in the industry of financial operations since 2008 and has successfully operated and grown three companies.
Her hobbies include sewing and ballet. Ashley is a member of SHRM® and her expertise lies in process creation, time management and financial oversight.
I chose to join Next Level because I enjoy working within a high-achieving, hard-working team. My job at Next Level affords me the opportunity to play a role in all aspects of small business management, while being focused on growth and creating new ideas and solutions. I feel appreciated, valued and cared about as an individual at Next Level.
Hollie Harris
Business Development
hharris@nextlevel.agency
Hollie Harris, Business Development, is committed to bringing intentional and creative solutions to employers for one of their largest expenses, employee benefits.
Born in Dallas, TX and now residing in St. Augustine, FL, Hollie is a licensed sales professional and has been in the employee benefits industry for almost a decade.
Her hobbies include spending time with her husband and kids, reading, volunteering for local non-profit organizations, and going to the beach.
Hollie’s expertise lies in employer and consumer education and enhancing the overall benefits experience for both employers and employees.
I chose to work at Next Level because our agency makes an intentional effort to be part of the change for a better future in benefits. We have a unique approach that you cannot find replicated most anywhere else. We truly care about our clients and doing what is best for them above all else. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of such an amazing and hardworking team!
Maribel Velazquez
Benefits Specialist
mvelazquez@nextlevel.agency
One of the many reasons that I enjoy working for Next Level is knowing that we strive to help our clients find the best benefits options for their employees. By working hand in hand with our carrier representatives, we are able to negotiate rates, renewals, etc., making it possible to offer greater savings to our clients.
Regina Rodriguez
Quoting Specialist
rrodriguez@nextlevel.agency
Being a part of Next Level has given me the opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge of the insurance business. I enjoy having the opportunity to assist our clients everyday to accurately process renewals and answer questions regarding their benefits. Being a part of a great team and working hand in hand from beginning to end with our clients has been an amazing experience.
Sierra Hill
Quoting Specialist
shill@nextlevel.agency
Sierra Hill Account Manager, is committed to assisting clients and prospects in obtaining the best benefits package for their company. Born in raised in Fort Worth, TX, Sierra graduated with a BS in Political Science. She then went on to pursue a Master’s degree and in 2018 and obtained her MBA from Capella University. Sierra has worked as an account manager in employee benefits since 2015. Her hobbies include traveling the world, reading, working out, and spending time with family, friends, and her two pups! Sierra’s expertise lies in her extensive knowledge in employee benefits and creating a detailed market analysis for middle and large groups while providing an exceptional customer service.
Tiffiney Barlow
Benefits Specialist
tbarlow@nextlevel.agency
Tiffiney Barlow, Account Coordinator, is committed to our company’s principles of providing exceptional customer service, a seamless renewal process, and presentations of projects with integrity. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Tiffiney has no intention of becoming a Cowboys fan. Tiffiney has worked in the insurance industry and is a licensed Sales Professional since 2022. Her hobbies include finding new restaurants to try, spending time with her family, shopping, and exploring the Metroplex. Tiffiney’s expertise lies in customer service, renewal experience, and educating clients during and after open enrollment.
I love working for Next Level because not only do I work with an amazing team on a daily basis, I also get to interact with my clients on a level that allows me to build strong relationships with them and be able to assist them with anything they need. Every day is a learning experience, and I am grateful to be a part of a company that values educating and uplifting their team!
Kelsy Brantner
Benefits Specialist
kbrantner@nextlevel.agency
Kelsy Brantner, Account Coordinator, is committed to embodying our company’s principles through her work by providing exceptional customer service, a seamless renewal process, and thoughtful consideration of clients’ needs. Born in the small town of Franklin, Texas, Kelsy graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University, and later obtained her Master’s degree in Public Health. Kelsy’s expertise lies in customer service, renewal experience, and educating clients during and after open enrollment. Her hobbies include spending time with her friends and family, running, spoiling her dog, Zeus, and her 25-pound cat, Thor, and watching thriller/mystery shows.
I chose to join Next Level because of their commitment to optimize benefits for the success of each client. My professional goals have always been driven by the desire to improve the health of my community. I am able to fulfill these goals at Next Level by being a part of a team that is diligently working to provide an essential component of access to health care—insurance coverage. I am so excited to be a part of the Next Level team, and to work alongside my dedicated and hard-working colleagues!
Beth Toler
Benefits Specialist
btoler@nextlevel.agency
Beth Toler, Account Coordinator, is committed to our company’s principles of truly understanding our clients’ needs, providing customized solutions, and delivering ongoing exceptional customer service. Beth is a Pennsylvania farm girl who moved to Texas over 20 years ago. She has a B.S. in Biology from Carlow University. (Fun fact she interned with the Forest Service in College!) She entered the Insurance Industry in 2014 to help people find the best solutions to their unique needs.
After years of raising two children and spending all her free time volunteering – Scout Leader, PTA parent, and classroom volunteer – she’s rediscovering her interests. So far these include, permaculture gardening, cooking, jewelry making, and spoiling her two giant dogs. She loves spending time in nature and visiting every National Park is on her bucket list.
One of the many reasons I love working at Next Level is because we treat our clients the way we want our loved ones to be treated. Doing what’s in the clients’ best interest isn’t just a saying at Next Level, it’s the foundation of our process. Our team is very positive and upbeat. It’s refreshing to be in an environment where everyone leads with kindness.
Dana Call
Medicare
dana@dacinsurancesvs.com
Dana Call spent several years as a Medicare Advantage healthcare consultant before becoming a Medicare insurance agent. She is a business partner of Next Level Insurance Agency who offers Medicare support to clients and employees. Working as an independent Broker/Agent, Dana is contracted with most major healthcare insurance carriers which allows her to focus on recommending the most appropriate Medicare solution for each person. Previously, she spent over 30 years in the corporate business world, in numerous leading industries, in both executive and consultant positions. Not affiliated with Medicare, CMS, or the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).
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