"EBMS is a Major League team in the professional league of healthcare, who's goal is to be in--and win--the World Series every year, through technology, data, professionalism and their great people."
--Director of Human Resources, Hospital in WA 

F.H. (Rick) Larson

CEO - executive committee member

Rick has been a pioneer in the self-funding and Third-Party Administration (TPA) industry for over twenty-five years.  He co-founded EBMS in 1980 to administer a self-funded health insurance plan he had designed for a Montana manufacturer — thus launching one of the northwest's first and most successful TPA companies.   Rick has continued to innovate by promoting measures for cost control, quality management, and customer service at EBMS and within the industry.   He is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on the topic of self-funding and has chaired the 400-member Society of Professional Benefit Administrators and the National Association of Employee Benefit Administrators (representing more than 4 million U.S. employees).     

Nicki Larson

President - executive committee member

An EBMS co-founder, Nicki plays a key role in daily accounting and software operations.  She previously was the executive director of information and accounting services and has been a key player in development and expansion of these departments.  As an industry activist, Nicki has led studies and moderated national programs for the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators and has been active in user groups advocating for industry software enhancements.   Currently, she is Secretary of the National User Advisory Board for our GBAS administrative software.  Nicki also serves on several non-profit boards including Ronald McDonald House of Billings (President 2004), Ronald McDonald Charities of Montana, Billings Symphony Society (Vice President 2004) and Western Heritage Center (Treasurer 2004). 

Kevin Larson

Senior Vice President - executive committee member

Kevin began his career with EBMS in 1993 as an Accounting Assistant. He moved into the Marketing/Account Management Department in 1994 where he held the positions of Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, and Senior Account Manager. Kevin was promoted to Director of Operations (2003) and Director of Account Management Department (2005). In July 2006, Kevin assumed new responsibilities for EBMS as Senior Vice President. In this current role, Kevin manages the day-to-day operations of EBMS, chairs EBMS’ nine member Executive Committee & twenty-two member Management Team, and acts as a conduit between EBMS’ operational management and Ownership Council. Kevin is actively involved with the Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA), serving as a member of their Board (Treasurer), Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (SBPA), and QUBIC, Inc. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and is a Licensed Life and Disability Producer.

Vice President, IS & Provider Services - executive committee member

Kirsten has been with EBMS since 1995. Her management responsibilities with EBMS began in 2001 when she was named Director of Accounting Services. Since that time, Kirsten's responsibilities have varied, where she has assumed a leadership role in client accounting, systems integration, and the Provider Services department. In July, 2006, Kirsten was promoted to Vice President, IS & Provider Services. This current position has oversight of provider relations, provider contracting and IS initiatives, including reporting and EDI. Kirsten is a member of the EBMS Board of Directors, EBMS Executive Committee, on the YWCA Board of Directors, and is active in industry study groups including QUBIC, Inc. and the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators.

Marilyn Bartlett

Chief Financial Officer - executive committee member

Marilyn is new to EBMS, joining the team as the Chief Financial Officer in October 2007.  Marilyn has served in financial management positions for over 20 years, with the Montana Power Company, Golden Sunlight MInes, Inc., Anderson ZurHuehlen CPAs, LLC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana.  She has been active in the financial profession as past president of the Montana Society of CPAs and current member of the Board of Directors.  Marilyn has also been active in nonprofit organizations, and most recently held the position of treasurer for both the Foundation for Animals and the Pad for Paws Foundation.  She is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno and attended MSU Billings.  She holds professional certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and Certified in Financial Management (CFM). 

Cori Cook, JD

Vice President & General Counsel - executive committee member

Cori joined EBMS is January of 2003 as a HIPAA Privacy Consultant, assisting corporations throughout the U.S. with HIPAA Privacy compliance and enforcement. In March of 2004 Cori became Corporate Counsel for EBMS, overseeing the EBMS Legal Department, and in July of 2006 Cori became Vice President & General Counsel for EBMS overseeing the Legal, Eligibility and Human Resources Departments.  She now oversees Claims, Client Services, Legal, Eligibility and Human Resources.  Prior to joining EBMS Cori was in private practice specializing in corporate and insurance defense. Cori holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paralegal Studies, a Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University, and is licensed to practice law in the State of Montana.

Rod Kastelitz

Vice President, Sales & Marketing - executive committee member

Rod joined EBMS in December 1991 as an Account Manager. Prior to being promoted to Vice President, Sales & Marketing in July, 2006, Rod held other management positions in the company, including Director of Account Management and Director of Account Management & Sales. In his current role, Rod oversees the strategic marketing efforts for EBMS, as well as all aspects of new business sales. He is a member of the EBMS Executive Committee and is actively involved with the Health Care Administrators Association (HCAA), Society of Professional Benefit Administrators (SPBA), Self Insurance Institute of America (SIIA) and the Industry Study Group. Rod holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Management from Rocky Mountain College and is a licensed Life and Disability producer.

Luanne Ricks, RN, CCM, CPUR

Vice President, Care Management - executive committee member

As Vice President of Care Management, Luanne oversees EBMS’ role as an advocate for appropriate and necessary patient care through Utilization Review, Case Management and Health Management programs. A Registered Nurse with more than 30 years of experience in multiple medical care settings, she joined EBMS as a Medical Case Manager in 1992. Prior to joining EBMS she worked with a physician in his private practice and performed hospital utilization review, quality assurance, infection control, tumor registry, and discharge planning at a community hospital. Luanne is recognized within the industry as a Certified Case Manager and Certified Professional in Utilization Review. In recent years, she has played a key role in the development of new CARE LINK programs for empowering employees, including Priority Maternity Care, Disease Management, and an enhanced Utilization Review program, Coordinated Care and the implementation of Health Impact, a “Total Health Management Program”.

Director of Quality Assurance

Vikki joined EBMS in 2005 as Director of Quality Assurance.  She is responsible for developing and maintaining EBMS’s internal quality assurance program. She has more than 15 years experience in manufacturing and quality including chemical and FDA regulated quality control at food and medical manufacturing sites. Vikki holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University – Bozeman.

Stacy Gleinig

Director of Provider Services

Stacy joined EBMS in 2007 as Director of Provider Services.  She is responsible for developing and nurturing EBMS' relationships with network and non-network providers in varying communities.  This includes: assisting providers with educating their staff on EBMS' services and clientele; developing and maintaining positive business relationships with community providers to better serve our clients' members; providing prompt responses to provider inquiries; enhancing our existing provider network by recruiting and contracting with new providers; assisting clients with employee education relative to network utilization; and responding to client and member inquiries relating to community providers.  Stacy's extensive knowledge of Health Benefits and Managed Healthcare come from her diverse experiences in the industry.  Prior to joining EBMS, she did multi-state network development for several organizations including PPO's and TPA's;  managed care (network) contracting on behalf of hospitals, physicians, IPAs, and PHOs which included global, packaged pricing for specific procedures; sold Health and Life Insurance products to both individuals and employer groups; and has worked with large employers to educate their members on the benefits of PPO network utilization.

Shane Heigis

Director of Account Management

Shane began his career with EBMS in 1998 as an Account Manager. Within the Account Management department, he has served in such positions as Senior Account Manager, Senior Benefit Consultant and Account Executive. Shane was promoted to Director of Account Management in July, 2006. In his current role, Shane assists the Account Management team in providing on-going customer support and service of EBMS' clientele. This support includes: the implementation of new EBMS clients; educating and supporting the other EBMS team members on specific client's needs; building and maintaining positive business relationships with clients and brokers; providing prompt and accurate responses to client inquiries; assisting clients with employee education; providing support on client and broker reporting requests; and providing renewal information. Prior to joining EBMS, Shane was a supervisor for United Parcel Service. Shane attended the University of Montana and is a Licensed Life and Disability Producer.

LynAnn Henderson  

Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Tom Otis

Director of Prescription and Support Services

Tom manages our EBMS Rx Preferred Prescriptions program, mail department, and check printing operation.  Tom has been instrumental in implementing front-end scanning for claims, along with the electronic storage of documents for other departments.  In tandem with these duties, Tom is also in charge of maintenance for EBMS facilities.  In 2001, he managed construction of our newest building, a 20,000 square-foot standalone addition to our 30,000 square-foot headquarters.  Tom identifies building needs, coordinates with outside vendors and contractors, and oversees all facility work to ensure comfort and quality.  Before joining EBMS in March of 2000, Tom worked for 8 years as a hub employee supervisor with United Parcel Service.  He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing.

Janet Rubich, RN, CCM, CPUR

Director of CareLink

As Director of CareLink, Janet oversees EBMS’ role as an advocate for appropriate and necessary patient care. A Registered Nurse with more than 27 years of clinical, Public Health, Utilization and Medical Review in medical settings, she joined EBMS as a Medical Case Manager in 1999. Previously, she has worked in the acute hospital care setting in both surgical pre- and post-care and NICU; high risk maternity and child programs through Public Health; and worked extensively developing medical review policy and providing utilization review services for a large insurance company. Janet is recognized within the industry as a Certified Case Manager and Certified Professional in Utilization Review.

Mark Smidt

Director of EBMS Re

Mark manages the day to day operation of EBMS' stop loss product, EBMS Re. All facets of underwriting, sales, policy issuance, plan costing and analysis, re-insurance relationships, and administrative efforts within EBMS' Captive Insurance Division are under Mark's direction. Prior to joining EBMS in 2000, Mark worked within the stop-loss industry for several firms in multiple capacities; Director of Marketing, which encompassed sales within all states west of the Mississippi River, Junior and Senior Staff Underwriter, as well as a Relationship Manager. Mark has earned an undergraduate degree in Construction Management from Mesa University in San Diego, CA. Mark works from an office in Boise, ID.

Jeff Tochihara

Director of Claims

Joining the EBMS team in March of 2009, Jeff is able to transfer the skills he learned as HR Director for Stillwater Mining Company and Plan Sponsor to leading his team in focusing on delivering value added service to our clients and members. Jeff received his degree from Montana Tech and has also worked for Montana Power as a Benefit Analyst. Jeff has been active in many state and community organizations. He was a Trustee of the Stillwater Community Hospital and Foundation, a Trustee on the Montanan Workers Compensation Self-Insurers Association, a Board Member for the Montana State Workforce Investment Board, and Advisor for MSUB Career Services and Participated on the Advisory Board of the Billings Clinic Employer Occupational Health Services.

Lori Trafford

Director of Eligibility

Lori joined EBMS in 1998 as our Director of Human Resources.  She has developed all policies and procedures for the department.  Lori’s extensive business experience includes 5 years as the business/HR manager for a 30-employee presort mailing bureau, 3 years as a personnel assistant for a 450-employee, nationwide distributor of car parts, and 8 years in administrative and client services in a major regional bank.  She holds an Associate Degree in Mid-Management, Finance, and Credit.