Q: What do you do here at Sargent? What are your main responsibilities?
A: As the Benefits Manager, I am responsible for the overall strategy, administration, and compliance of the company’s benefit and leave programs, including health, dental, vision, life, retirement, and FMLA. My role is to ensure our benefits are accurate, competitive, and compliant while providing a positive experience to our employee-owners. I partner with payroll, our insurance carriers, and benefit vendors to ensure employee-owners have the best possible experience. My goal is to help employee-owners maximize the value of their benefits while ensuring Sargent administers those programs accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: One of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the ever-changing regulatory landscape and making sure our programs remain competitive and cost-effective. Healthcare, retirement, and leave laws evolve constantly, so it’s important to stay proactive and make thoughtful adjustments.
Q: What were you up to in your career before joining Sargent?
A: Before joining Sargent, I spent 20 years in public sector HR, most recently with Penobscot County as their HR Director. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work in employee relations, benefits, labor relations, compliance, policy development, and leadership. Those experiences provided a strong foundation for my current role and reinforced my passion for supporting employees and creating positive workplace experiences.
Q: What do you enjoy about your job?
A: What I enjoy most is helping people navigate some of life’s biggest moments. Whether enrolling in benefits for the first time, planning for retirement, welcoming a new child, or facing a medical challenge, I enjoy being a trusted resource.
Q: What is it about Sargent that makes this such a great place to work?
A: From my first day, I could tell Sargent has a culture based on teamwork, respect, and care for its employees. Being part of an employee-owned company creates such a sense of pride and purpose. One of the first things I noticed was how much people genuinely care- not only about the quality of work but about supporting one another.
Q: Is there any aspect of your job that you’re especially proud of?
A: I’m most proud of building trust with employee-owners. Benefits and leave programs can be daunting and complex. I really enjoy helping them understand their options so they can make informed decisions.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Outside of work, my favorite place is with my family. During the summer, we are usually at camp-relaxing by the water, fishing, having cookouts, and campfire evenings. I also love cheering my son on during the school year at his sporting and school events. My boyfriend and I enjoy finding local breweries and small out-of-the-way places to eat. We try to enjoy 1 or 2 vacations each year and really like to go on road trips or take a cruise.
