Meet Angie Richards, vice president at California-based Poms & Associates, who specializes in crafting top-tier employee benefit programs at the intersection of financial responsibility and company culture. Her passion for her work in benefits is underscored by her passion for wellness, and she augments her benefits market expertise with her lifelong commitment to health and well-being.
“My aim is to always stay under budget while introducing new carrier partners, plans, and funding options—negotiating secure contracts that meet the needs of our clients,” said Richards.
According to clients and colleagues, what sets Richards apart is her approach to “looking out for the fiscal health of her clients regardless of their budgets.” She strives to surpass expectations and bring innovative options to the table.
With each client, Richards said, “I look at our partnership not as a one-year contract but a long term relationship.”
Starting her career on the carrier side, Richards honed her client-centered approach in every phone call, assisting countless individuals with a caring and empathetic spirit that characterizes her so well. Transitioning to the broker side — where being bilingual made her an asset to and advocate for her clients’ employees — she transformed the benefits approach for a number of large hotel properties.
Moving on, Richards became known for her “boots on the ground” assistance, often driving to job sites like wind turbines and manufacturing companies where employees had never used a laptop before, and helping them on a personal level to enroll in benefits.
“Sometimes my clients would worry because they could only afford benefits plans that were at-best like a car with a manual transmission,” she said. “I would tell them ‘I’m going to teach you how to drive it like a Ferrari.”
Richards collaborates with businesses of all sizes to design, negotiate, and implement customized benefit packages tailored to their unique needs. Her dedication to employee wellness education is described by her colleagues as “unparalleled,” and she’s known for organizing health fairs, prevention checks, nutrition programs, and fitness initiatives. Richards’ energy comes from empowering individuals, planting seeds of knowledge that foster personal growth and well-being, including mental health for which she is a powerful advocate.
Learn more at pomsassoc.com.