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

CLU, REBC, RHU, LPN*… what does all this mean? The bottom line is, our credentials paired with our real life experience in Insurance, Accounting, Nursing 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 career in the insurance business in 1986. She realized early on 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, implement and service their 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 employee 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 of doing things and to expand their skills. She has attended the comprehensive Strategic Coach Program (a study and planning group for entrepreneurs) for the last seven years, where she finds inspiration, 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 by her clients because of her knowledge, her sincerity and her ethics.

On the personal side, Susan has been a resident of Bergen County for 35 years. She and her husband Tom have four daughters and six grandchildren. She supports her community and volunteers at the Inter Religious Fellowship for the Homeless, providing special celebrations and holiday events, often with Tom, other family and friends. Each year, SPA sponsors a Tennis Benefit to raise money for the IRF.

Kathleen Wise, LPN, Licensed Insurance Producer

Kathleen joined SPA in 1998 and received her insurance license two years later. The combination of her insurance and medical training has served her well. Much of her time is spent assisting clients with medical claims and questions, attaining treatment authorizations from insurance providers and working with physicians, attorneys and collection agencies to clear up disputed medical claims. In addition, Kathleen prepares forms and contracts, negotiates with insurance carriers, and assembles detailed, technical and sometimes tedious data into meaningful client presentations.

Kathleen resides in Bergen County with her three sons and daughter.

Clients have noted that Kathleen is a warm, capable and diligent professional. “I trust her to give me the best available information... without any question, she has gone far beyond what one can reasonably expect and for that I will always be in her debt.” Kathleen’s wit and sense of humor have also been highlighted by the clients that she serves, as well as her communication skills. One client wrote “… your sense of style and clarity …parts company from most of the people in your profession.”

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.

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. At least one of those daughters is already following her mother’s example – she has been accepted to Cornell and will pursue a degree in business in 2005.

Erin Miller - Director of Marketing

* CLU – Chartered Life Underwriter. REBC - Registered Employee Benefits Consultant. RHU – Registered Health Underwriter. LPN – Licensed Practical Nurse.