Jeff Smedsrud is president of IHC Health Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the IHC Group. He is also senior vice president and chief marketing and strategy officer for IHC, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) and its operating subsidiaries. With more than $1.3 billion in assets, the IHC Group serves over one million customers.

Jeff was previously the owner of CA Marketing and Management, LLC, a health insurance marketing agency that principally sold through career agents in rural communities, and through Community America Insurance Services, LLC, a telesales health agency. Both companies were acquired by IHC.

Before starting IHC Health Solutions, Jeff was managing partner of CORE Marketing, a diversified Dallas-based direct marketing and association management company. Under his leadership, the company grew from less than 20 employees and $5 million in revenue to about 400 employees and $50 million. CORE was sold to a NYSE traded company in August 1998.

Prior to joining CORE, Jeff operated his own public affairs consulting company, focusing on issues related to the insurance industry, and management of grassroots programs for non-profits and trade associations.

Jeff worked on the White House Health Care Task Force, and has testified more than 100 times on insurance and health care issues before state and federal legislative committees. He has also been a featured speaker at numerous direct marketing seminars.

He is married, with four children, and is an active marathon runner.

Brian Dow joined the staff in July 2004. His responsibilities include finance, administration, developing operational efficiencies and new business ventures.

Previous to joining the IHC Health Solutions team, Brian spent ten years working for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, most recently as sales manager in small group and individual sales. Brian began working in sales and marketing as a principal analyst responsible for developing and implementing marketing, sales and operational plans. Other experiences include financial planning for a national specialty retailer.

Brian received his B.S. in Finance from St. Cloud State University in 1989 and an M.B.A. in Venture Management from the University of St. Thomas in 2001. Brian is also a volunteer and past board member for Courage Alpine Skiers, the nation's oldest and largest adaptive ski program.

Carol Cooksley joined IHC Health Solutions June 2004 to oversee the financial operations of the company, bringing more than 20 years of agency and consulting experience to the firm.

With an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Saint Thomas, Carol has extensive agency management operations experience. She was most recently the Operations Officer at BlueFire Partners in Minneapolis, after positions as Vice President of Operations at Words At Work, (a Minneapolis-based marketing firm) and as Director of Administration and Human Resources at Mona, Meyer, McGrath and Gavin (now Weber Shandwick Worldwide).

Carol, a resident of Saint Paul, is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and the Twin Cities Human Resources Association.
 

Brady Bizal is senior vice president of business development and is responsible for new business ventures for IHC Health Solutions.

Brady has twenty years of experience in the reinsurance and insurance industry, most recently as the marketing and sales leader at Independence Care, a sister company which is owned by the IHC Group. Prior to joining IHC Health Solutions in April 2007, Brady was responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining the organizations marketing plans and distribution networks for employer stop loss, HMO reinsurance and provider excess loss insurance products at Independence Care. He was also responsible for marketing and underwriting new and renewal business. Brady’s prior experience includes serving as director of underwriting and marketing for ReliaStar Reinsurance Group – Managed Care Unit. Brady began his career as a property, casualty and accident health agent for both a Minneapolis brokerage firm and Federated Insurance Companies.

John began his insurance career in 1981 as a career agent with Equitable Life of Iowa, after attending the University of Minnesota.

From 1986 until the time John joined IHC Health Solutions in 2003, he built programs in sales/marketing, agent support, and product development and implementation with MidAmerica Mutual Life (later World Insurance Company).

Michael Dibben
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
E-mail Michael Dibben

Mike Dibben attended Boise State University, and later started his career in the office machines industry, where he spent 11 years working in various capacities for Ricoh and Xerox. In 1990 Mike joined Great American Opportunities as a Motivational Speaker and Fundraising Consultant. He later went out on his own and started his own company, All Star Marketing.

In 2000 Mike began a new career with CBSA as a Manager for their Boise telemarketing office. In 2002 he was promoted to Vice President of National Sales for the telemarketing division and moved to CBSA's home office in Minnesota. During his time with CBSA he was responsible for finding and growing new sales channels, development and implementation of sales training programs as well as marketing and product development.

Mike and his wife live in a Minneapolis suburb, where he enjoys spending time with his four children and participating in various sports. His main sporting interest is golf, and he specializes in assembling his own golf equipment.

Al received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in History from the University of South Dakota (USD) in 1991 and his Master's degree (M.A.) in History and Economics from USD in 1995. Al began his insurance career in Chicago with positions at New York Life Insurance Company and Aetna/US Healthcare. Al was a member of both company's Midwest Region sales staff which supported sales and marketing efforts in eight states. After leaving Aetna in 1999 Al became the Midwest Regional Manager for a national PPO network where he developed sales distribution channels in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

In 2001, Al began working for Corporate Benefit Services of America (CBSA) where he held various management positions. In 2004 Al was promoted to Director of National Sales where he was responsible for overseeing sales distribution channels in the Eastern United States as well as managing telesales offices in Minneapolis and Boise, Idaho. At CBSA, Al was responsible for product development, developing new geographical sales territories, sales training, and growing new sales.

Al and his wife Christine live in Plymouth, Minnesota. Al is an avid reader and amateur book scout. When not reading or trying to find books he focuses on his other passion - golf.

Annie joined the IHC Health Solutions team in 2002. As director of agent resources, Annie works with marketing materials, quoting software, applications, agent communications, and much more.

Following graduation from Iowa State University in 1997, Annie began her professional career with Life Investors Insurance Company of America in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While at Life Investors, Annie worked in the Marketing department with both the individual and group health products. She was able to develop relationships with the agents and general agents through product training, sales assistance, and contests. In 2001, Annie moved to underwriting and reviewed the eligibility of life and disability insurance applications. 
 
 

Colleen McGuire has worked in marketing communications for IHC Health Solutions since 1999. She serves as the primary director and writer of both public and inner-company communications, and oversees all printed and online material. Colleen also directs public relations initiatives, creative strategy and strategic development for IHC Health Solutions and other companies within the IHC Group.

Prior to joining IHC Health Solutions, Colleen was the director of marketing and special events at her alma mater, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1995 with a double emphasis Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and writing.

Colleen is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). She also sits on the executive board of the Saint Paul Camera Club.