Benefits Network Leadership

The credentials of the leaders of Benefits Network are unmatched. At Benefits Network, we believe that assembling the right team of people is critical to a successful business. Below is a profile of key team members:

David Straight
President and CEO

As the founder of Benefits Network, David Straight turned an idea into one of the region’s premier employee benefits agencies and consulting firms.

Prior to forming Benefits Network, David served as Vice President of Marketing & Sales for HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance. During his six-year tenure, the plan experienced record growth, increasing revenue from $150 million to more than one-half billion dollars. In an unprecedented collaboration with business leaders, providers and organized labor, he helped form two prominent business coalitions. He was also instrumental in introducing the region’s first point-of-service (POS) plan and created the Small Business Solution product to benefit small employers.

As chief marketing officer for Aetna in Cleveland, Ohio from 1986 through 1991, David helped turn a struggling 7,000 member HMO into a profitable 55,000 member managed care plan. David also helped to establish a Cleveland-based health care cost-containment/consulting company.

He spent five years in the hospital business with Akron General Medical Center, which culminated in 1982, when he played a prominent role in forming a subsidiary that developed, sold and brokered health education and cost-containment products, distributorships and franchises throughout the U.S.

David is known throughout the industry as a strategic thinker and a solid leader with the uncanny ability to conceive an idea, develop a plan to bring the idea to life, and then implement the plan.

John Mueller
Vice President, Consulting Services

John Mueller has a 12 year track record as an experienced group insurance executive. He joined Benefits Network in the spring of 1998 as Regional Director and was soon promoted to Vice President based upon his performance, including feedback from Customer Satisfaction Survey results.

John has a wide-ranging background in insurance, health care, and customer service. Beyond his successful tenure with Benefits Network, he served as market manager and sales executive for HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance, where he was responsible for marketing managed care plans and servicing employers.

Dave Straight and John were colleagues at HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance, and Dave recruited John because of his honesty, integrity, work ethic, and industry and product knowledge.

Michelle Efremenko
Vice President, Consulting Services

Michelle Efremenko is best known among Benefits Network customers and sub-producing brokers for her conscientious style and high level of competency.

She has established herself as an expert in the employee benefits field with more than 12 years experience, including past tenures in key marketing and service roles with both UPMC Health Plan and HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance. Michelle also has experience in the telecommunications field. She joined Benefits Network in 1999 as Director of Client Service and was promoted to vice president in 2005.

Michelle and Dave Straight were colleagues at HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance. She was handpicked to lead the service effort at Benefits Network because of her unsurpassed product knowledge, service orientation, intense desire to please her customers, thoroughness and follow-through, and professionalism.

Mike Pasterick

Director, Marketing Operation

As Director, Marketing Operations, Mike Pasterick is responsible for a wide range of business initiatives including product development and training, client communications, strategic planning, and business/financial analysis.  He was promoted to this key role in 2008.   Previously, Mike served as Regional Director for Benefits Network, where he was accountable for new business development and customer service.  He joined Benefits Network in 2006 as Prospecting Specialist.

Prior to joining Benefits Network, Mike served in a variety of marketing and leadership roles with Market Insight, Inc.  He also has extensive international marketing experience and speaks fluent German.  Mike is a strategic thinker with the rare ability to take ideas and bring them to life.

Aleyne Secor

Director of Service

Aleyne Secor joined Benefits Network in 2006 as Director of Service.  In this role, she is responsible for providing high level service to key accounts. 

She has extensive experience in the health care and insurance industry.  Her credentials include an eight-year track record of success with HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance where she served in various sales, service, and management roles, most recently as Manager, Client Service.

She also served as a pharmaceutical representative for Key Specialty, a division of Schering-Plough, where she marketed Claritin and a line of respiratory and cardiovascular products. 

Arlene Pushcar
Director, Individual and Small Group Marketing

As Director, Individual and Small Group Marketing for Benefits Network, Arlene has earned the reputation as an expert in individual products, Medicare plans, and small group insurance. 

Arlene Pushcar joined Benefits Network in 1998. A former entrepreneur, she spent 12 years as co-owner of a successful technology company that provided sophisticated computer services and support to businesses.

Matt Montgomery
Regional Director

Matt Montgomery joined Benefits Network in 2008.  He is an expert in Medicare Advantage Plans and a host of services for seniors.  He is also an expert in group benefits and insurance. 

Prior to joining Benefits Network, Matt was an entrepreneur, running an independent insurance agency.

Cheranne Nock
Director of Producer Services

Cheranne Nock serves as Director of Producer Services for Benefits Network. In this role, she is responsible for providing service to BNGA sub-producing brokers and to Benefits Network producers.  She joined Benefits Network in 2005 to generate sales leads through a variety of prospecting initiatives.

Previously, she supported the Chamber of Commerce and Pittsburgh Builders Exchange benefits programs during tenures with Hilb Rogal & Hamilton and Martin & Nettrour, Inc., She also worked as a sales consultant in the wellness/fitness business.

Diane McGann
Business Manager

Diane McGann is the Business Manager for Benefits Network. She came to Benefits Network from HealthAmerica/HealthAssurance, where during a 12 year period, she served in various marketing support roles. Her employee benefits experience spans more than 18 years. She is well respected in the industry for her level of expertise, competency, and responsiveness.

Like so many of the Benefits Network team, she was recruited by Dave Straight who had worked with her for many years and wanted to bring her many talents to the organization.

Martha Trocano
Prospecting Specialist

Martha Trocano joined Benefits Network in 2008 as Prospecting Specialist.  In her role, she is responsible for generating leads for Benefits Network producers. 

Prior to joining Benefits Network, Martha had a successful career as a school teacher. 

Patrick Mercier
Investor, Secretary/Treasurer, Benefits Network Board of Directors

Patrick Mercier is a major investor and minority owner of Benefits Network.  He is an entrepreneur and investor in many business enterprises in the U.S. and abroad.

Patrick also served as president and CEO of BEA, the leader in the development, manufacturing and distribution of sensors for automatic doors around the world. During his tenure at BEA, the organization grew by about 25% per year, and held market shares of 60% in Europe and 80% in the United States.

A Belgium native, Patrick moved to the U.S. in 1987 to evaluate the potential opportunity for expansion of BEA into the North American market. His work led to the opening of a BEA division in the U.S., which ultimately grew to become the largest division of the rapidly growing enterprise.

Beyond Patrick’s financial commitment to Benefits Network, he has been an invaluable resource through his entrepreneurial spirit, marketing expertise, and business savvy.