Blake D. Prewit, Chief Executive Officer
Blake brings a wealth of health insurance industry experience to Altamira Benefit Advisors. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, he began his career with Travelers Insurance and went on to spend 22 years working with United Healthcare. During his time with United, Blake led the country in group sales and regularly developed innovative ways to market to potential clients. Blake later went on to serve as the Marketing Director for Community First Health Plans where he developed new plan designs, oversaw new rate development and doubled the commercial client volume. In 2010, recognizing the changes coming to the insurance industry as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Blake transitioned into the role of insurance agent. He has served on numerous boards and healthcare think tanks and has met with legislators to provide input on the effects of the PPACA on the healthcare industry. He is passionate about helping clients understand how health reform impacts them and focuses on implementing benefit plans and insurance solutions specifically tailored to meet their needs. Blake founded Altamira Benefit Advisors with the intent to bring client-specific solutions to businesses throughout Texas.
Richard D. Garrett, Senior Consultant
Richard has over 30 years of marketing and management experience in the employee benefits industry including service with major insurance carriers, third party administrators and managed care organizations. He specializes in the many facets of the large employer marketplace such as plan design, funding alternatives, vendor analysis, communications and compliance. Richard is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He is a past president of the San Antonio Association of Health Underwriters and holds the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designation.
Teresa Prewit, Agency Coordinator
Teresa is committed to helping clients succeed and is a valuable member of the Altamira team with her experience coordinating special projects and delivering top notch customer service. She spent over 12 years with American Payroll Association, the nation’s leader in payroll education, publications, and training. As the Speaker Administration Manager at APA, Teresa assisted with coordinating training conferences and seminars throughout the United States and abroad. In that role, she was responsible for identifying, vetting, credentialing, and assigning speakers that were subject matter experts in the areas of payroll education, and compliance to facilitate and present at APA conferences, workshops, classes and other client enrichment events. To stay abreast of the ever changing health care industry, technology and needs of our clients, Teresa coordinates various projects with the Altamira team to advance our vision of improving the health care and wellness experience of our clients. As a Medicare agent, she is passionate about helping people navigate the Medicare journey and find the plan that best suits their needs. As a certified Zumba instructor, she teaches people to have fun and enjoy their fitness workout.
Cathy Hosek, Account Manager
Cathy has worked in the insurance industry for more than 15 years and consistently delivers first-class service to her clients. She began her career at USAA and went on to fill various roles on the insurance agency side of the industry. Her expertise includes claims research, COBRA administration, and group account management. Cathy holds a certified Associate PHR professional designation. She has managed both large and small group clients with the same hands on approach and attention to detail. She has extensive experience working with carriers to secure competitive quotes and install benefit plans for clients. She has also assisted clients with enrollment audits, claims and billing issues, and wellness plan implementation. As health reform has changed the way benefit plans are structured and offered, Cathy is an excellent resource for clients helping to research how the law will affect them and what they need to do to stay compliant. She enjoys the variety that comes with working with different clients and takes pride in identifying and meeting their unique needs.
Carissa Martinez, Account Manager
Carissa has experience from the carrier and agency perspective and has worked with both government and commercial insurance products. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rice University as well as a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from St. Mary’s University. While she completed her studies, Carissa spent several years working with the CHIP and Children’s Medicaid programs In Bexar and the surrounding counties. She then moved into the commercial marketing arena at Community First Health Plans where she helped develop new plan designs and managed client enrollment activities. She has experience coordinating special projects including vendor relations, large client RFP responses, ID card redesigns and the development of member materials and client specific web portal content. As an agency account manager, she has worked closely with large and small employer clients and carriers to implement and administer employee benefit plans. Clients can count on Carissa to focus on their best interest, provide sound advice and address their needs thoroughly.