Our team of experienced insurance professionals is here to serve you.

CLU, REBC, RHU,…what does all this mean? The bottom line is, our credentials paired with our real life experience in Insurance, Accounting and Corporate Business means that our team is qualified to advise our clients.

But beyond our qualifications, we are people serving people – business owners and executives, parents and aspiring professionals. While our individual talents vary, we are unified in our commitment to serve – to be responsive, diligent and caring in all that we do.

Susan E. Payne, CLU, REBC, RHU – Founder and President
Susan began her insurance career in 1986. She quickly realized that she had a knack for the profession and she saw a market need – businesses wanted to rely on one contact to advise them - to shop for, implement and service their employee benefits. So she embarked on a mission to become a group insurance subject matter expert.

In 1993, Susan founded Susan E. Payne & Associates with a vision of providing personalized service to businesses. Susan’s goal was to build a team that would combine their unique talents to handle all areas of employee benefits, including communications, claims problems and administrative issues. She knew that most businesses did not want to expend their energy in these areas, but instead, wanted to focus on their core business strategy and operations.

Susan continually challenges herself and her team to find new and better ways to serve their clients and to expand their skills. She has attended the comprehensive Strategic Coach Program (a study and planning group for entrepreneurs) for eleven years, where she is continually inspired with new concepts and approaches to share with her team.

Client feedback tells us that Susan is a “very honest, compassionate, thorough and dedicated person, with a ‘never give up’ spirit when fighting for what is right.” She is well respected because of her knowledge, her sincerity and her integrity.

On the personal side, Susan has been a resident of Bergen County for more than 40 years. She and her late husband Tom have four daughters and seven grandchildren. She enjoys volunteering and supporting her community, and with the SPA team has raised  many thousands of dollars for th Family Promise of Bergen County by sponsoring and coordinating their annual Tennis Benefit.

Carol Krass, Office Administrator

Carol has extensive experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining SPA, Carol supported Sales Representatives across 3 states with Dearborn National Life Insurance Company. She holds her Producer license in Health, Life and Accident insurances. Here at SPA, Carol coordinates with insurance carriers, administers proposals and renewals, maintains office records and most importantly, responds to client inquiries. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Carol lives in the Ringwood area with her husband and two children.

Kathy Burns

Kathy has been serving SPA clients since 2001. Prior, Kathy worked for several years in a corporate Accounting department, where she honed her administrative and software application skills. Now Kathy prepares proposals and spreadsheets, handles mailings, letters and other correspondence. She keeps track of Susan’s activities (no small feat!) and maintains the office database and files.

Kathy and her husband enjoy three children and two grandchildren. When she’s not at the office, she enjoys crocheting and cross-stitch, golfing, dancing, visiting the beach and playing with the grandchildren.

Feedback on Kathy paints a picture of a caring and compassionate person, who is reliable and trustworthy. While Kathy is known for her dependability and calmness under pressure, “there is that laugh and the fun side” of Kathy that can light a room and brighten a gloomy day.

Erin Miller - Director of Marketing

Erin joined the firm in 2006. She brings with her several years of college study, Paralegal experience and a Paralegal Certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and more than 10 years of community swim coaching experience from which she has won several awards at the state level. Erin is a business owner and director for SwimAmerica, and serves on the St. Anne Stages board. Erin works to expand the SPA business reach, handles large group enrollments, supports client and employee communications, and provides customer service as needed. She is a licensed Life Insurance Producer is currently in the process of attaining her Health Insurance license.

Sonia Bermudez

Sonia has been handling SPA’s bookkeeping needs for seven years. With two years of college majoring in business and more than ten years of work experience, Sonia is a very well-rounded business professional. She currently handles accounting and payroll for several small organizations, including her husband’s commercial real estate development firm. She is therefore quite familiar with the challenges and opportunities that come with business ownership!

Sonia is a long time resident of Bergen County with her husband and two teen-aged daughters.

* CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter. REBC - Registered Employee Benefits Consultant. RHU – Registered Health Underwriter.