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John M. Word III, CLU, RHU, REBC, is renowned for transforming the California insurance broker's role in the small group health benefits marketplace through his pioneering technological and marketing advances since 1972. Word's belief that benefits administration and underwriting need to be simplified and streamlined for all consumers underscores his continued effort today to find the next solution, the next innovation and the next market niche for the companies' expertise. Together with Edward J. "Rusty" Brown, Jr., Word founded the Word & Brown General Agency to market and distribute health plans through California's huge brokerage community; and by 1986, the company was recognized as the largest independent small group health distributor in the nation. Sensing that employers needed assistance and qualified service with Federal COBRA laws, the company launched the nation's first COBRA administration operation. In 1996, Word & Brown launched CaliforniaChoice, a groundbreaking enterprise that enables employees in small groups to select from several health plans and benefit levels within one program. By empowering consumers with true choice for their healthcare, Word created a platform that encourages health plans to compete on quality and value. A highly sought after speaker and collaborator, Word has written numerous articles, conducted classes and delivered keynote addresses to vast audiences. Word's professional credentials include Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) and Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) designations. He has served as President of the California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU), President of the Orange County Association of Health Underwriters, and Chairman of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) Leading Producers Roundtable program. Word is a graduate of William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri. | 