From our Clients
"I've been doing business with Tom since 1984. I have complete faith in his organization's ability to advise our company."
-Gary S. Farmer
President of Heritage Title Company of Austin: A loyal client of Tom Ball for over 25 years.
“I've known Danny for almost five years now and he's handled our company's benefits package since we met. He's been able to control our insurance costs, and yet still expand our offerings to our staff every year. Danny introduced us to HSAs before they were the popular thing to do, he's been able to keep our rates reasonable without losing benefits, and he's become a trusted advisor to our business. I'm also lucky to count Danny as a friend - I highly recommend him!”
-Clint Greenleaf
CEO of Greenleaf Book Group
"Four years ago, Ball Peoples created a Self-Insured Employee Health Benefits Program for The Hospital at The Westlake Medical Center, which employs approximately 200 insured workers. Tom and Danny worked diligently to provide the Hospital with the proper information in order for The Hospital to establish a self-insured health program for its employees. Tom and Danny excel in organizational and communication skills which were beneficial in designing the right health plan for our employees. Ball Peoples have continued to be a great resource for keeping us apprised of the ever changing benefit laws.
I, unequivocally, recommend the services of Ball Peoples to any prospective company looking for the best Employee Benefits Program for their employees."
-Rip Miller
CEO of The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center
"I am so happy that we selected Ball Peoples to handle our health benefits. They have been extremely helpful during our recent enrollments and have made the process of changing carriers as painless as possible. Our employees tell me they appreciate having a contact person who can answer any questions and provide guidance with their claims, etc. Their service team has been a delight to work with and a constant resource for me personally. They helped sign up for COBRA, referred me to supplementary insurance providers when some employees wanted to enroll, and assisted with countless other requests. Ball Peoples turned out to be everything they said they were and more. I would not hesitate to refer their services to anyone who has a benefits need."
-Elaine C. Van Norman
Operations Manager of MyEdu Corporation
| Meet our employees | | Print | |
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Brandon Gassner- Account Manager Heather Lehman- Controller/Compliance Officer Mark Meroney- Individual Client Specialist Julie Mendoza- Administrative Assistant
Tom Ball
Partner Tom Ball III grew up in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Lamar High School before heading off to Austin to attend the University of Texas. Tom was a four-year letterman on the Longhorn baseball team and was President of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. After graduating with a degree in finance, Tom began his career with New York Life, one of the nation's largest and most well-respected life insurance companies. It was in his early years that he built his reputation as an excellent financial adviser whose business revolves around close personal relationships. Tom has been a Life and Qualifying Member of the prestigious, "Million Dollar Round Table" since 1975. Tom has over thirty years of experience in the insurance world. He founded Ball Associates in 1975 and ultimately formed Ball Peoples with Danny Peoples in 2003. Tom specializes in intense carrier negotiation and plan design. He helps service clients in industries ranging from professional services, manufacturing, technology, retail, industrial, and medical. Licenses: Group 1
Danny Peoples
Partner Danny Peoples is a native Austinite. He graduated from Round Rock High School before attending the University of Texas as an economics major and playing first base on the Longhorn baseball team. After spending five years in the Cleveland Indians professional baseball organization, Danny retired to partner with Tom Ball and form Ball Peoples. Danny specializes in creative plan design and audit, consumer driven initiatives, and wellness strategies designed to curb the rising cost of employer sponsored benefit plans. His clients hail from Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, and everywhere in between. Licenses: Group 1
Kay Robinson
Group Account Manager Kay is a native Iowan, born in Cedar Rapids. She graduated with a B.S. in Business from Mount Mercy College where she was also a member of the Golf team. Kay has been in the service industry since 1980. She was Manager of a financial institution, Northwest Bank and Trust in Davenport, IA from 1990 through 1994. She also worked as a service representative for her husband’s commodity brokerage business for six years. She has been a part of the Ball Peoples team for ten years now where she acts as Group Account Manager. Her responsibilities include servicing key accounts, working one-on-one with HR directors in implementing their policies, problem solving, claims, billing, working directly with carriers in the bidding process, PDO packet presentations, and assisting with employee meetings. She is an all-around, very knowledgeable service representative who can help your HR people with anything they need. Outside the office, Kay enjoys playing golf. She was recently awarded the Healthcare Heroes award by the Austin Business Journal in August of 2009. Licenses: Group 1
Loren Seaman
Group Account Manager Loren joins our team with over twenty years of industry experience including roles in Sales/Service on the carrier side, Account Management on the broker side and Human Resources/Benefits Administration on the employer side. She works as a liaison between clients and carriers, to ensure that each client has the support they need. Loren's experience is a perfect fit for our clients and our team. Licenses: Group 1
Brandon Gassner
Group Account Manager Brandon was born and raised in Victoria, TX, where he attended Industrial High School. He went on to attend Texas State University where he graduated with a BBA in Finance. He spent five years during and after college working in Austin in the banking business before bringing his financial expertise to Ball Peoples in 2006. Brandon is one of our Group Account Managers and his responsibilities include working closely with a variety of carriers in sending out requests for proposals, negotiations, and plan design. Brandon also consults directly with our clients, assisting them in their day to day needs. Outside the office, Brandon enjoys golf, hunting, and boating. Licenses: Group 1
Heather Lehman
Controller/Compliance Officer Austin native Heather joined Ball Peoples as Controller in 2006. Heather brings with her eighteen years of financial and administrative experience. Her history working with small businesses to large corporations has given her the understanding of what goals companies need to achieve to stay competitive in today's evolving business world. Previous work experience includes CSC Financial Services Group, APW Manufacturing along with continuing self-employment in audit and finance management.
Erick Smart
Benefits Advisor
Erick is a Benefits Advisor for Ball Peoples. He specializes in group sales, and advises his clients on the ever-changing landscape of insurance trends, laws and regulations. Erick grew up in Austin and graduated from Westlake High School. He began his collegiate career playing football at Texas Tech University and later transferred to St. Edwards University majoring in organizational communications. Being a native Austinite, Erick is very familiar with the needs of Central Texas businesses. His clients make up a wide variety of industries, from environmental, technology, and business services to professional and medical offices. On his off time, Erick also works as a stunt double. Erick is a founder of the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce, and is involved with several Austin associations including: Young Men’s Business League, Choose Austin First, Elizabeth Toon Charities (committee member), and he coaches at Western Hills Little League. Through the Austin Young Chamber, Erick has enjoyed working with non-profits that specialize in helping children and young adults. Licenses: Group 1
Trey Axe
Benefits Advisor Trey was born and raised in Austin, graduating from St. Andrew's in 2005. He went on to attend the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and player on the baseball team. He obtained a degree in economics and returned to Austin in May of 2009. He worked with Ball Peoples the summers after his sophomore and junior years, and has returned after his graduation to join our team as a Benefits Advisor. Licenses: Group 1
Mark Meroney
Individual Client Specialist Mark was born in Beaumont, TX, but moved to Austin at a very early age and graduated from Westlake High School. He proceeded to move to Seattle where he attended the University of Washington and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated with a degree in the Liberal Arts in 2007. Newly graduated, he returned to Austin and entered the financial world with John Hancock selling individual insurance and investment products. He brought his valuable expertise to Ball Peoples in December of 2008. He is the Individual Accounts Representative on our team and manages individual account services and new business quoting for life, health, long term care and disability income insurance. He can accommodate all of our firm’s individual client needs as well as continue to develop our individual clientele. Outside the office, Mark enjoys golf, live music, and both UT and UW athletics. He also spends time volunteering for the Komen Race for the Cure Foundation. Licenses: Group 1
Julie Mendoza
Administrative Assistant Julie is an Austin native with over five years of administrative and customer relations management experience for both national and local corporations. She attended Del Valle High School and will soon graduate from college with two associate degrees, one in Business Administration, and one in Accounting. Julie worked with the Austin Airport Hilton for three years as a lead front desk agent. She also worked for Commercial Texas as an Administrative Assistant and for Sterling Acura of Austin as a Customer Relations Manager and Executive Assistant to the Owner and the General Manager. Julie's goal is to provide administrative support in order for Ball Peoples to give the best of customer service for our clientele. When she is not in the office, Julie enjoys volunteering with the Humane Society. She also assists with Coats for Kids as a bi-lingual distributor.
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