Who We Are
Worldwide Benefit Services (WBS) was established in 1999 by three experienced insurance executives as a company that specializes in creating and wholesaling non-insurance service products. After building the company through the placement of travel assistance programs with a variety of organizations, in 2004, WBS created ID Theft Assist, a comprehensive restoration service for identity theft victims that is now part of the largest identity theft program in the country. In 2009 WBS expanded its product line to further its goal of being the country’s leader in providing affordable and timely service plans for both business and consumer markets. Today, WBS continues to serve an esteemed group of clients, including Nationwide, USI Affinity, 3 Mark Financial, Trion, Genworth, and Forrest T. Jones.
The principals behind WBS are all experienced insurance executives who saw a need for affordable, non-insurance based plans for their respective clientele. By coming together to form WBS, these leaders have helped their industry look at benefits from an angle previously overlooked by most.
Gregg Brooks-Principal:
Mr. Brooks is an independent insurance provider and consultant who has over 30 years of experience and has been instrumental in the growth of WBS’s book of business through cultivation of WBS’s distributor network and direct sales. Mr. Brooks formally was Sr. Vice President of National Insurance Agency, Inc. and is past President of the Central Kentucky Life Underwriters Association, an instructor for the Life Underwriters Training Council, and a member of the Kentucky and National Associations of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Steve Harris-Principal:
Mr. Harris recently retired as Chief Executive Officer of National Insurance Agency, Inc. an organization that specializes in professional association insurance sales and administration. His clients included the Kentucky Bar Association, Kentucky Society of CPA's, Kentucky Medical Association and the Kentucky Dental Association. Mr. Harris has been in the insurance business for over 25 years and is past president of Mid American Association Group Administrators and American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Agents.
Chris Ward-Principal:
Mr. Ward is an independent insurance producer and consultant with over 15 years of experience. He developed and maintains the administrative, IT, and broker programs currently used by ID Theft Assist, which is part of the largest identity theft program in the country. Mr. Ward was formally Vice President of MRW Holdings, Inc. where he created one of the largest direct mail affinity group Long Term Care programs in the country. He currently is a member of The American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators.
Michael Ward-Principal:
Until his untimely death in 2008, Mr. Ward was President and CEO of MRW Holdings, Inc. MRW’s Insurance Division specializes as a wholesaler and think tank for unique insurance products for unique times. Some of the various insurance companies Mr. Ward had worked with in product development are GE Capital Financial Assurance, Lloyds of London, and AUL Reinsurance Services (formerly Duncanson & Holt). MRW’s client list also includes many governmental agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of the Interior, and Department of Treasury. Mr. Ward had been in the insurance business for over 35 years and was an honorary member of the Society of Actuaries, was past president of The American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators, and served on the Washington, DC Insurance Regulatory Commission.