About Us

EBPA was originally founded in Hampton, New Hampshire in June 1963, where it began marketing and administering medical plans.

With rapid and continued growth, EBPA began expanding its product lines to a suite of reimbursement accounts and business solutions including; COBRA, Retiree Billing, Flexible Spending Accounts, HRAs, Parking/Transit, and Tuition and by 1988 EBPA was a full-service TPA for ancillary and reimbursement accounts.

Through the years, EBPA has maintained an excellent reputation in the marketplace and is known for its unparalleled dedication to customer service. As a one stop shop TPA, EBPA is more than an administrator, but a one roof benefit solution for all your healthcare and benefit needs.

 

Our Team

William J. Meehan – President

Mr. Meehan joined EBPA with more than 25 years of employee benefit and healthcare innovation experience, including ten years with high-growth private equity and venture capital-backed healthcare innovation companies specializing in member engagement, digital Medicare distribution, and virtual care. Earlier in his career, Mr. Meehan worked in employee benefits, spending eight years with Cigna in the Middle Market segment, and eight years with Aetna National Accounts.  

Mr. Meehan was raised in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and graduated from Providence College in Providence, R.I. with B.S. in Political Science. Bill currently lives in Massachusetts with his wife and twin sons.

 

Jim Allen – Chief Financial Officer

Jim Allen joined EBPA as Chief Financial Officer in March 2009.  In this position, Jim is responsible for overall financial strategy at EBPA.  In finance, he is responsible for and guides financial operations, controllership, and treasury functions to meet our clients’ and owners’ expectations.

Prior to joining EBPA, Jim has served as chief financial and administrative officer in businesses covering a range of industries including private equity, manufacturing, distribution, and commercial finance.  Jim began his career in the audit and assurance practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers during which he earned his CPA certification.  

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Manhattan College.

 

Matt Ferguson – Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer

After holding a variety of positions within the organization since 1997 (Customer Service Supervisor, Claims Manager, Director of Implementation/Product Development, and VP of Core Services and Strategy), Matt currently serves as the company’s SVP and Chief Operating Officer. Possessing a solid understanding of the environment in which TPAs operate, as well as the structure and functions of the competitive health insurance landscape, he plays a key role in the development of the firm’s organizational efficiency and strategic planning efforts. 

Matt holds an undergraduate certificate in Management, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration w/conc.  Organizational Leadership (Summa Cum Laude) from Southern New Hampshire University, and an executive miniMBA™ from Bentley University.

 

Jim Brown – Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy

Jim brings over 30 years of healthcare technology experience to EBPA.  He successfully transforms strategies into solutions and services that drive customer loyalty and top-line growth.  Recently he was Vice President of Technology Sales at AMN Healthcare where had responsibility for sales for the Language Services division as well as a Division Leader for the Physician Credentialing solution.

Jim held several other Sales leadership positions with other healthcare technology companies and had responsibility for the largest clients.  Early in his career, he had technology and corporate planning leadership roles with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare.

Jim received a BA from Stonehill College and an MBA with a concentration in Strategic Planning from Suffolk University.  He enjoys spending time golfing, skiing, reading, and with his family. 

 

Chris Cassino – Vice President of Information Technology/Chief Information Security Officer

Chris joined EBPA in 2019 as IT Manager of Infrastructure and Security. Chris brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare IT operations, including systems, networking, strategic planning, process improvement, leadership, and security.

He was promoted to Vice President of IT Chief Information Security Officer in early 2021.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys relaxing with his family, vintage automobiles, and outdoor activities.

 

Jim Fricchione – Vice President of Sales & Client Services 

Jim was brought in to run both sales and client services for EBPA. He’s been in various leadership positions with national insurers for over 20 years.  During that time, he led teams through dramatic market expansions in Massachusetts, California, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and now New Hampshire. 

He earned his B.S. degree from Westfield College in Psychology and Business and was awarded a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) certification.

In his spare time, Jim volunteers on several local town boards, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Windham Academy Public Charter School. 

He currently lives in Windham, NH with his wife and three young children.

 

Jessica Hier – Vice President Controller 

Dedicated, passionate, and dependable are three things that help define Jessica Hier, VP Controller at EBPA. Mother, Master of Business Administration, Coach, and wife are just a few other monikers that Jess is known by.  

Acquiring a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Professional Accounting in 2009 and beginning her career with EBPA in 2010, Jessica quickly excelled through the ranks. She expanded her knowledge by then working towards her master’s degree while holding down her teams both at work and at home where she has a caring, supportive husband and two beautiful children.  

The work-life balance would not be complete with a little fun time. After being a varsity cheerleader for Essex High School (Go Hornets!), Jessica went back to help coach her alma mater to a state championship title. Interesting side note: she currently holds an NFHS Level 1 National Certification for coaching and still volunteers her time with a cheer team at her local high school. 

In any spare time, she is able to find, Jessica can be found skiing down Lincoln Peak, getting fit with a Zumba class, or relaxing with a good book or some yoga.

 

Brenda Cubit – Director of Claims & Customer Service

Prior to employment with EBPA, Brenda worked as a Medical Office Assistant, holding an Associate of Science Degree in that field.  

Brenda joined EBPA in October 1998 as a Claims Examiner. After mastering that task, Brenda was promoted to Claims Auditor at which time, she then attended a “Coding Training Bootcamp” where upon successful completion of the exam, became a Certified Professional Coder.  

As EBPA expanded, Brenda was tasked with training new employees and implemented a training program as the company’s Training Coordinator.  From there, Brenda was promoted to Claims Supervisor and eventually Claims Manager. 

After a short leave, Brenda returned to EBPA and continued working on multiple operational projects and moved into the position of Project Manager. Continuing to be heavily involved in implementation and operational projects, Brenda quickly became a resource for all departments.  As EBPA grew further, Brenda was promoted to Director of Claims and Customer Service.

 

Kelly Merrill – Director of Stop Loss 

Prior to EBPA, Kelly worked with Stella Foods, Dynapower and other VT employers, working in HR and Benefit management.  

Joining our team in 1995, Kelly held various positions in the sales and marketing department before coordinating the development of our Stop Loss Marketing team where she organized the underwriting of Excess Loss coverage with preferred markets as our Marketing Manager. 

After serving as Manager through this major growth period, Kelly was promoted to Director of the Stop Loss and Marketing in 2016. 

Kelly earned her AS in Business Management at Champlain College.