Chris Matz, CEBS, CPSP, RPA, GBA, Licensed TX Ins. Agent

Benefits Manager at COCA-COLA SOUTHWEST BEVERAGES, LLC

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

About

I've been working with employee benefits for over 25+ years now, doing plan design and taking a 50,000 foot view while still keeping the end user's concerns front of mind. I stay in employee benefits because I love it. I love helping clients and employees understand how to use the benefits they have. Being able to provide needed benefits to participants while keeping the company happy with the cost and strategy is always challenge, but one that I welcome. Whether it's meeting with clients to understand their needs, culling through data to decipher what the client and employees really need, or designing a new program to fit all those needs, this field allows me to be the analytical geek I am, while allowing me to help and educate others. AKA - Christian Matz Specialties: Employee Benefits, CEBS, open enrollment, vendor relations, benefit plan design, employee education, client education, customer service, compliance, insurance, 401(k), Section 125, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, FSA, HSA, HRA, HDHP, ERISA, collective bargaining, union, human resources, strategic partnerships, vendor management, government regulations, performance metrics, KPI, IPO, labor relations, finance, actuary, consultants, broker, self-insured, fully insured, disability, leave administration

Experience

  • Benefits Manager at Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
    May 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 2 mos

    Managing employee benefits for our 9,000+ employees at 37 facilities across 5 states with a self-funded benefits plan and a 401k plan.

  • Director of Benefits at Employer Flexible
    Apr 2014 - Nov 2016 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Managed the day to day employee benefit operations for a PEO with 6,000 employees at over 160 different worksites with a staff of 11. Responsible for medical, dental, vision, life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA, HRA, COBRA, and 401(k) plans for insured and self-insured, large and small groups, including leading all open enrollment activities. • Instituted auditing procedures to find the root cause of errors and revised internal processing procedures; Saved over $80k per month in errors • Increased compliance by rewriting Plan Documents and Wrap Documents • Added $20k per month to profitability by requoting life, STD & LTD and reducing costs • Benchmarked salaries adding structure to department using BLS and other surveys

  • Owner at CoolBeans Media Group, LLC
    Jun 2011 - Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    A live event management company which handled concerts, theatrical tours, corporate events, conventions, and trade shows. Managed all aspects of operating a show or tour including marketing, logistics and transportation. • Developed turn-key solution of a movie and an actor Q&A giving clients access and studios exposure • Aided clients in design/build of celebrations/meetings/press events

  • Director of Employee Benefits & Trustee at Sequent
    Jul 2006 - May 2011 · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Trustee of health fund responsible for all operational activity including financial, regulatory, plan documentation, HIPAA, COBRA, appeal processes, and open enrollment. Supervised staff of 4 full-time and project teams of up to 30 individuals; led project teams of actuaries, auditors, finance, marketing & IT staff; • Led RFP process & negotiated national health, dental, vision, life, disability, EAP, FSA and HSA contracts for 10,000 employees at 300 different worksites across the country • Re-wrote Plan Documents providing increased compliance; wrote SARs, SPDs, SMMs, HIPAA notices, Plan Documents, Trust Documents, and benefit summaries; • Worked through a DOL criminal investigation of prior management’s practices; handled mergers & acquisitions • Led open enrollment each year including printed matter, on-site and off-site meetings, and web presentations detailing new features and plan options for a nationwide workforce

  • Asst. to the Administrator / Special Projects Coordinator at UFCW Unions and Employers Health and Pension Benefit Funds
    Oct 1993 - Jul 2006 · 12 yrs 10 mos

    Managed all legal proceedings including subrogation of claims for 25,000 members, filing liens, negotiating settlements; supervision of 2 subrogation processors; head of customer service department with one supervisor and 8 agents • Presented and led Board meetings as well as responsible for minutes and organizing meetings; worked with investment managers and initiated investment trades for Board; part of management’s union negotiating team; led Appeals Committee and wrote appeal responses • Benchmarked pay structure for union negotiations using BLS and salary surveys every three years; responded to salary surveys • Projects completed: o launched 401(k) plan, its committee and continuing monitoring and improvements; o created appeal process and led quarterly meetings; installed second opinion process; o created and compiled customer satisfaction surveys and stats; o made numerous revisions to health, dental, and vision plans including plan document changes and payment schedules to increase compliance and institute cost saving measures; o data mined to find cost saving measures, initiate Plan Document changes, and improve process efficiency to remove department backlogs o imaging, mainframe, LAN, phone system upgrades and purchases; sold & moved company offices with full build out of new rental space