Meet the Consulting Experts
Laurie Miller and Mary Lou Buettner founded Miller Buettner & Parrott Inc,. in 1998 to offer employers a heightened level of employee benefits consulting services. “Service and Integrity” are the forefront of every client interaction, and through this business approach, Miller Buettner & Parrott Inc., has quickly grown to become one of the area’s largest full-service employee benefits firms.
Laurie S. Miller, MBA
Laurie has been helping area employers improve their benefits offerings since 1991. Having worked for two of the area health systems, an employer-based health plan, and a benefits consulting firm, Laurie provides clients with a well-rounded approach to plan design, negotiation, and implementation.
Laurie’s background in organizational communications gives her an edge in helping employers implement new benefit programs. Her experience has proven that successful enrollments and ongoing communication are key to controlling costs and elevating employee satisfaction.
Laurie was awarded a Master of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University in 1991. She has been a licensed broker for Life, Accident & Health since 1991.
Mary Lou Buettner
Mary Lou offers the clients of Miller Buettner & Parrott Inc., over 40 years of experience in the insurance industry thus enabling her to assist employers of all sizes by reviewing, researching, and recommending employee benefit programs that help them realize their cost-containment and employee satisfaction goals.
Mary Lou began her career in the insurance industry working for Aetna Life and Casualty Employee Benefits Sales Department. During her 17 years of employment, she serviced group insurance and pension accounts of all premium and employee sizes.
During her 6 years as Group Sales Manager for a benefits consulting firm, Mary Lou gained a deep understanding of the insurance market and customer service standards by consulting with employers of all sizes and locations.
Mary Lou served five years as Senior Account Executive for an hospital-based health plan. Here she gained extensive experience in designing and servicing fully insured and self-insured health insurance programs.
Mary Lou was awarded an associate’s degree in business from Rock Valley College in 1981. She passed Part A, B & C of the Health Insurance Association of America accreditation exam in 1985, and received her broker’s license for Life, Accident & Health in 1987. Mary Lou also completed a Dale Carnegie Course in 1993.
Mike Parrott
Mike Parrott joined Miller Buettner & Parrott Inc., after spending over 21 years in the education field, the last six as Superintendent of Pecatonica School District. As of October 2009, Mike became a partner of the firm.
While superintendent, Mike also served as a Trustee on the executive board of the Blackhawk Insurance Cooperative. One of the few financially stable health care purchasing co-ops in the state, the Superintendents who served on the Board of Trustees were instrumental in developing and implementing compliance strategies, policies and procedures, increasing annual premiums when appropriate, and maintaining a healthy reserve.
Mike’s background in dealing with the multi-faceted day-to-day operations as a rural school district administrator will also serve him well in meeting the needs of Miller Buettner & Parrott clients. Mike’s experience with contract negotiations, conflict resolution, open communication, and other human resource area functions will be “at the ready” as client needs dictate.
Mike was awarded his undergraduate degree from Rockford College in 1982, followed by a Master degree in Educational Administration in 1991, and his Educational Specialists (Ed. S.) degree in 1996. He has been a licensed broker for Life, Accident & Health since 2004.
Dr. Bill Mattingly
Dr. Bill Mattingly is a 35-year veteran of education of which he spent 23 years as a Superintendent. As a superintendent, Bill was involved with employee benefits including annual health insurance renewals. He has worked with unions, school boards and insurance committees to resolve high health insurance renewals while maintaining the integrity of the plan.
Bill’s accomplishments as a superintendent are evident from his documented academic and test scores gains as well as his financial turnaround in each district. He has extensive union contract negotiation skills as well as human resources experience with schools.
Bill was awarded his undergraduate degree from Illinois College and his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois-Springfield). He received his Doctorate in Curriculum and Supervision from Northern Illinois University. He became a licensed broker for Life, Accident & Health in 2011.
