Revolutionary thinkers with real experience

Integrity. That’s the trait Kathleen Dillon most admires in others, and it’s the common thread she and her team have woven into herronpalmer.

“You can’t accomplish anything without a foundation of trust and principled behavior.”

As leader of the firm, Kathleen nurtures a culture where honest, forthright communication is the rule.

“We don’t tell anyone what they want to hear simply to keep them happy with us. We tell the truth.”

As a result, herronpalmer clients know to expect transparency and unbiased advice. The firm’s consultants ensure their clients choose solutions that are the right fit—with eyes wide open to the benefits and the risks.

Service providers, too, know herronpalmer will tell it like it is.

“Win or lose, we give every service provider candid, detailed feedback. We want them to evolve for the better—and bring the market forward with them.”

Kathleen values the pragmatism and process that are hallmarks of every herronpalmer engagement.

“We won’t leave you with analysis you can’t or don’t know how to use, and we won’t apply an army to a task that takes a few good soldiers. Our process is flexible yet templated, with a defined beginning, middle, and end. We don’t slip into analysis paralysis, and we don’t believe in cycling just to keep ourselves engaged.”

And how does Kathleen herself engage? Like a bridge from where you are to where you want to be, she’s a connector. Whatever the challenge or problem, she has the HR and benefits insights, experience, and creativity to connect clients with the technology and/or service solution that will meet both business needs and employee expectations. She has over 27 years of experience consulting with clients to align provider solutions to business needs.

Kathleen entered the HR/benefits industry via Towers Perrin (now known as WTW), where she led a cross-functional team in drafting the firm’s first end-to-end implementation methodology, ultimately becoming a Principal in the firm’s outsourcing business. In time, she moved to ExcellerateHRO and then Xerox HR Services, where she led Product Marketing and was a member of the firm’s HR Services Innovation Council. Visit LinkedIn to see the career path she’s traveled. As if it were all a foundation for her current role, Kathleen has:

• Consulted with clients, advocating for their interests in the development and delivery of HR/benefits outsourcing services
• Ensured that design and development of self-service capabilities reflected client and market input
• Collaborated with industry vertical sales and account management teams to align multi-process HRO and benefits capabilities to industry-vertical needs
• Built and managed several sales support organizations, including RFP response teams, for Total Benefits Outsourcing and HR Outsourcing providers

A personal connection to the world of benefits …

“I am a breast cancer survivor, proudly standing with survivor sisters—literal and figurative—among my family, friends, and colleagues.”

When Kathleen received her diagnosis, she was grateful for the infrastructure of support that came from her employer’s benefit programs, not just for medical care coverage, but for peace of mind.

“Rather than worry about how to find or pay for care, I was able to concentrate on the ‘project management’ of meeting with doctors and surgeons, undergoing surgery, healing and recovering, and taking the medications I needed to get and stay well.

Kathleen’s first experience as an employee …

Kathleen’s first job was as secretary at a small law firm in Red Bank, New Jersey. She marveled that lawyers keep a staggering number of books.

“But then I went on to read and own my fair share of books.”

As an undergrad, Kathleen double majored in English and French literature. Ultimately, she earned a PhD in English literature and critical theory. Before entering the HR/benefits industry, she taught literature, composition, and technical writing at the college level.

What does Kathleen want to be when she grows up?

“Why grow up? This is pretty fun!”

Tony Herron is a straight shooter and tells you how it is. Tony is known for his straightforward approach, which he consistently brings to his work with the team, fostering clear communication and effective collaboration.

“We provide pragmatic, effective solutions, not a bunch of theoretical, academic pontificating.”

As one of the firm’s founders, Tony takes great pride in herronpalmer’s people, the game-changing work they do with clients, and the ripple effects of their efforts.

“We help our clients succeed. And this leads to better outcomes for their plan participants.”

One reason for herronpalmer’s success is Tony’s ultra-selective approach to talent. The qualities he admires most in a person are reliability and ability to figure things out and deliver a great solution. The herronpalmer team is rich in these aptitudes — plus a wealth of expertise. On average, the firm’s consultants have 25 years of real-world experience managing HR and benefit programs.

“They use this experience to help clients solve and/or avoid complicated challenges in an efficient and practical way.”

Ask Tony about his own career experience, and you may want to pull up a chair. He’s one of the most experienced advisors in the industry. Tony has:

• Engaged in more than 500 RFP projects across the full range of benefits, with experience on both sides of the table — as sourcing advisor and as service provider
• Co-launched one of the world’s first full-service employee benefit outsourcing providers
• Managed dozens of benchmarking, renewal negotiation, and contracting projects
• Advised private equity firms, hedge funds, and other investors interested in entering the pension and/or health and welfare administration business

You’ll find more of Tony’s career story on LinkedIn. Highlights include six years as partner with ISG, and more than a decade in senior management with organizations such as WTW and Wellspring Resources (now known as Voya). His finance degree is from Ball State University.

Tony’s first experience as an employee …

Tony’s earliest business lessons came from his first paying job: a morning paper route that cleared about $12 a week. He was in sixth grade.

“You had to pay for the newspapers, and if you didn’t sell all of them you took the loss. And if you didn’t collect from all your customers, you took a hit to your bottom line. So, I was managing accounts receivables at age 12!”

Here’s what Tony learned from this early experience:

1. “Extra effort matters.” Patrons appreciated when Tony took time to put their paper inside the screen door, rather than tossing it on the porch to blow away. They rewarded him with tips throughout the year and at Christmastime.
2. “Sometimes the revenue isn’t worth the effort.” The last house on his route was about a mile out of the way. The family only took the Sunday paper, and they were never home when he tried to collect, so Tony learned that walking to their house and back to collect the $.35 subscription fee was a waste of time. Basically, they got a free Sunday newspaper.
3. “I’m more of a night owl.” Getting up extra early to deliver the paper before school was a grind. He should have picked up an afternoon paper route!

What does Tony want to be when he grows up?

“I am what I want to be when I grow up. I love helping clients and solving their problems. I look at our reputation, our client list, our financial success, the way employees feel about working here, and I have to pinch myself all the time to see if this is real.”

Greg Brooks is the level-headed, experienced navigator you want beside you on a long, challenging voyage. Like, say, implementation of a large-scale benefits outsourcing operation.

“I serve as a sounding board (and sometimes therapist) for our key client contacts.”

Greg’s first-hand experience makes him a natural fit for this consulting role. Thanks to his diligent project management approach and extensive background as leader of complex implementations, he’s a source of assurance for executives and benefit analysts alike. He’s the partner clients can depend on throughout the entire process of considering, implementing, and managing a benefits administration provider.

Before joining herronpalmer, Greg worked in the benefits administration and consulting businesses of CitiStreet (now known as Voya), Chicago Consulting Actuaries, and Convergys, where he accumulated more than 20 years of experience building HR/benefits solutions, managing large client relationships, implementations, and consulting for employee benefit plans. He also worked as a benefits manager inside two large enterprises: Mead Corporation and Federated Department Stores. His experience includes:

• Managing delivery of end-to-end benefits and HR services for clients across North America, EMEA, APAC and LATAM
• Leading a team of more than 100 employees—dispersed across North America, Canada, Hungary, Spain, and Brazil—in delivering services to more than two million client employees, dependents, and retirees
• Managing client implementations and ongoing benefit operations for clients

Greg holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Global Benefits Certification from the IBF. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.

Now, he’s proud to be part of herronpalmer, where he appreciates the colleagues, clients, and culture.

“The people we have on our teams are incredible and great to work with. It is amazing what we have accomplished. And the integrity! We’re focused on doing the right thing all the time, and we have leadership that represents and excels in demonstrating this quality.”

Greg’s first experience as an employee …

“I was a golf caddie for $20 a round (with tip).”

Greg’s happy place …

“I’m most happy to be anywhere with my two grandsons. I also love to be on the water fishing with whoever I can convince to go out with me.”

Some proud moments for Greg …

“Probably the toughest and most rewarding thing I accomplished as a child was joining a wrestling team and learning the sport. As a professional, I’m proud that my colleagues recognized me with the herronpalmer Excellence Award. That meant a lot to me!”

Greg’s career that might have been …

“When I was young, I wanted to drive Indy race cars. But now, the thought of crashing at 180 mph in an open wheel car makes me pretty happy with my career choices.”

Because herronpalmer provides services few others are qualified to offer, the firm’s client list is a who’s who of powerful brands. Glenn Dill takes pride in supporting benefits professionals who practically make the world go ‘round.

“I am always struck by the significance of our client list. In just one week, I can speak to team leads from many of the world’s best-known brands.”

Glenn’s focus is employee benefits service. If you work in the field, you have an inkling of what that means. If not, Glenn offers a useful comparison. Just substitute “benefits service” for the word “house” as he explains:

“I’m kind of like a real estate agent, except instead of houses we deal in benefits service. I don’t build or sell the house. But I get to know the buyer so well that I can understand what they want and help them select the best house for their money.”

Like every member of the herronpalmer team, Glenn is obsessed with helping clients do their jobs. The needs and solutions change with every project, and no two days are alike.

“That keeps the work fresh and interesting. I just love coming to work and being a part of the client’s team to help them address their problems.”

At herronpalmer, Glenn has been involved in more than a hundred projects — leading and supporting business case development, RFP management, contract negotiations, implementation/conversion project management, and related advisory services for large-market plan sponsors.

Previously, Glenn has had leadership roles with four of the major benefit outsourcing providers, including Hewitt Associates (now known as Alight), Towers Watson (now known as WTW), Fidelity Investments and Mercer. With more than three decades of first-hand experience, he has the know-how to interact and consult with every level of the client organization.

You can walk through Glenn’s full career on LinkedIn, all the way back to his bachelor’s degree in computational mathematics from DePauw University in Indiana.

A sticky situation Glenn helped to navigate …

“One of my client contacts was trying to convince her associates to outsource benefits. The finance, procurement, technology, and benefits teams all had different goals. I worked with them to develop a business case, sell it internally, conduct an RFP process to find the right solution, negotiate the contract, and agree on a workable timeline.”

Glenn’s first experience as an employee …

As a teen, Glenn painted houses. He was paid by the job, with an income that worked out to be about $10 to $15 per hour. Hot days on a ladder taught Glenn how to stick to something for hours on end. He also learned to take responsibility for quality.

“I really hated when a customer pointed out things we missed when walking around the property at the end of the job. Each flaw was a signal for me to pay even greater attention to detail.”

Glenn admires people who demonstrate …

“Patience and understanding. Some people seem to have an endless supply of both.  I aspire to this and push myself at every opportunity to listen and wait patiently.”

When Glenn grows up …

“I want to be the happy grandpa who has his family nearby, tinkers on his boat, advises his children (when asked), and spends time traveling with his wife. I’ve already brought most of my kids (and their kids) to live with us on our 25-acre farm in Vermont. Working at herronpalmer is a perfect complement to this lifestyle with the ability to work remotely but be connected to my clients every day. I live this dream already.”

What might surprise you about Glenn?

“I was the lead singer in a rock band in college.”

Brad Flippo has worked with some talented teams in the past, but he’s found that herronpalmer takes expertise, diligence, and camaraderie to greater heights.

“Everyone here is a top-tier professional and genuinely good person. We’re all trying to help each other and our clients succeed. The organization behaves as a family in how we care for clients and teammates.”

What Brad does for clients—guiding decision-makers through service provider selection and contracting—is like buying a car.

“Our market is diverse like the auto industry, with many strong service providers who offer varying capabilities and price points. Recognizing that each provider is like a different brand of car, my goal is to find the best fit specifically for that unique client. First, we identify the right firm (make and model), and then zero in on all the colors and options.”

Brad brings valuable experience to the search—with wide-ranging expertise in service delivery, continuous improvement, and employer insights—ensuring that his clients not only find a long-term partner who will consistently get them from point A to point B, but also avoid the distractions of shiny objects and sales techniques.

Brad helps organizations forge multi-year relationships, and that’s not something to be taken lightly. He admires the courage and perseverance his clients bring to the process when changing service providers.

“I enjoy working with leaders who are willing to be a change agent when required and are comfortable being accountable for their decisions. It is a career-defining decision to change service providers or consultants. You must be strong to take that step, deal with the challenges, and know you’re improving your organization in the long run.”

Connect with Brad on LinkedIn, where you can trace his career back through roles at Conduent and its legacy organizations, ACS, Xerox, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Kwasha Lipton, and more. He’s been responsible for outsourcing benefits delivery to some of the world’s largest and most complex companies. At Conduent, he served his clients as a Client Group Vice President and was appointed to the firm’s Client Technology Advisory Group due to his expertise and passion for caring for clients.

Brad’s finance degree is from Eastern Michigan University.

Brad’s first experience as an employee …

When he was 14, Brad spent a summer cleaning chalets at a resort on Lake Michigan. He rode his bicycle three miles each way to and from the resort, made about $130 for his best week, and had no control over his work assignments.

“It was the luck of the draw. You might get a nice chalet with renters who cared and respected the rental. Or you might find the place completely trashed after a party. Either way, I had to clean my assigned chalet.”

In this uneven experience, Brad learned that he could choose his response to each situation.

“Even if we had to clean unknown substances off the floors and tables, we could still make it a fun experience and leave the chalet looking like new, ready for the next renters to have a good time and a nice place to stay.”

To this day, Brad tries to look on the bright side and keep a positive attitude, even if he occasionally finds himself scraping stuff off the floor.

When Brad’s not working …

“I’ve been working on my golf game. Even though I’m not a good player, I thoroughly enjoy being outside at scenic places where I can take in the views and nature. I also like to see how people play the game. Are they honest? Do they cheer on their competition? Do they yell and scream or take it all in stride? It’s a great show of character.”

A proud moment for Brad …

“I worked my way through college and became first in my entire family (parents, brother, cousins, etc.) to graduate. It was a proud moment for me to receive my diploma, debt-free, and know that I was blazing a bit of a trail for my family.”

Julie Fernandez joined herronpalmer to help grow a people-first organization that shares her passion for helping others navigate the many ways to combine technology and services in HR.

“You can’t fake a people-first culture, and herronpalmer has it. This is something HR leaders around the globe are trying to create in their own workforce. It is more than the technologies we choose.”

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in HR technology, outsourcing, and operating models, Julie is recognized globally as a top advisor leading HR transformation with and for her clients. She links people, technology, and process together in new and better ways.

“Every HR transformation is a story in the making. Connecting HR professionals to those stories and to each other is at the core of what I get to do every day.”

Julie particularly admires HR innovations such as pay-on-demand, process automation, and talent mobility solutions tailored for today’s “digital nomad.” She believes that every business challenge warrants a case for change, aiming for genuine efficiencies, savings, and achievable outcomes.

“Innovation without an actionable business case is just a lot of noise and snake oil.  No matter the size, I would rather be right in the thick of turning vision into reality.”

In her clients and colleagues, Julie admires candor. She strives to demonstrate this admirable quality in her own work.

“Being truthful, direct, and forthright comes easy when things are rosy and those nearest are likeminded. Having the strength to be authentic with difficult times and messages is something I aspire to bring to the table every day.”

As a thought leader and relentless creator, Julie speaks, writes, and podcasts about HR technology and experience, shared services, global HR and payroll provider markets, and more. You can learn more about her career and follow her frequent and super-useful updates on LinkedIn.

Julie’s first experience as an employee …

“I spent more than a decade waiting tables in a local diner, treating it as a training ground for my own people skills. An introvert by nature, I learned that teamwork and relationships can increase my personal success and that every conversation follows its own path. I loved it so much; I continued moonlighting on weekends well after starting my first consulting job.”

When Julie’s not working …

“I am happiest with family or on an adventure. So, putting the two together creates experiences that energize me. Road trips and world travel have been a special part of finding love, raising kids, and making memories.”

A proud moment for Julie …

“Going from classroom French to a college year in Paris was my first experience with speaking another language fluently and creating a life for myself that was different from how I was raised. That was so rewarding, I took on Spanish in my adult years, raising my kids bilingual and full of Mexican culture.”

What does Julie want to be when she grows up?

Like most of us, she’d like to be retired, but …

“Frankly, I’m too young and what we do is still too much fun!”

Something cool about Julie’s approach to life …

She and her husband Mike had both been married before. Just once. Now, the two of them marry one another again and again, renewing their vows every year and always in a new place.

“My favorite was on the beach in Aruba for the Caribbean’s largest renewal of vows event. You might say I’m a 12-time bride with a track record for 11 successful marriages!”

Rich VanThournout begins each workday looking forward to what’s ahead, and he leaves with a smile, knowing the herronpalmer team makes a positive difference. This is a departure from his experience with other organizations, colleagues, and clients.

“The difference at herronpalmer is the type of work. In prior positions, we seemed to be solving client issues and people issues to dig out of a hole and get back to even. Here, we’re working together to rise above even. Every day involves a thank you and asking for additional assistance.”

Rich thinks of his consulting role as a sort of referral service. You need something? Rich can probably connect you with the right resource, service, or expertise.

“If a client, team member, or provider needs something, our team will find a way to get it done using our extended teams, relationships, influence, and hard work. You need something? I gotta guy.”

Rich is, himself, a guy you might want on speed dial. He advises clients on all aspects of HR and benefits service offerings—including administration, consulting, product strategy, ongoing compliance, governance, and provider relations. Think of him as your go-to advisor for:

• annual planning
• contract adherence and negotiations
• administration completeness and efficiency
• new service offering and reviews
• remediation consulting
• enhancing provider relationships

As preparation for his position at herronpalmer, Rich invested 35 years in challenging and rewarding roles in HR/benefits administration. Working for industry greats such as Hewitt Associates (now known as Alight), Mercer, and Lifeworks (now known as TELUS Health), Rich has contributed to every aspect of implementation, ongoing administration, and business leadership. For 20+ years, he led the relationship management teams that provided service across defined benefit, defined contribution, health & welfare, and HR plans to hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies.

Rich’s degree in mathematics and computer sciences is from the University of Notre Dame, where he also played baseball and served as team captain. For this and other fun facts, please look him up on LinkedIn.

How can you earn Rich’s admiration?

“Demonstrate integrity. People with integrity can rely on that quality to help them through key decisions in their personal and professional lives. If you have proven to me that you have integrity, I always know I can trust your actions and words, regardless of whether I personally agree.”

Rich’s first experience as an employee …

At age 11 or 12, Rich took his first paid job at the ballpark, working as umpire/pitcher for little league baseball in his hometown. As a ballplayer himself, this job gave Rich a chance to be extra-involved in a sport he loved. He made $5 per game and learned that he could make more money by being reliable.

“When an ump didn’t show, the game didn’t start, and the league scrambled to find a sub. I always showed up and stuck around because I knew others wouldn’t. I picked up many extra games that way. I learned that living up to your commitments pays off.”

When Rich is not working …

“I love to be outdoors, especially on the golf course, where I can be alone, with friends, or with family. Golf challenges me individually, allows me to spend quality time with friends and family, and reminds me how lucky I’ve been to have the opportunities I’ve had.”

Something to make you say “wow” …

“When I was a freshman in high school, I was one of the smallest — if not the smallest kid — in a school of 2,400 students. I was 4’10” and 90 pounds.”

Sam Maranto is a critical thinker at heart. Having invested 30+ years transforming and modernizing HR, he’s happy to be with herronplamer, where every team member is an industry veteran who knows client challenges, provider capabilities, and creative solutions.

“Clients turn to us because we apply an insider’s insight, an outsider’s perspective, and a veteran’s experience to every engagement.”

Sam and his Fortune 100 clients have achieved success in HR, benefits, outsourcing, business process optimization, and general business management. Among his consulting specialties are problem identification, opportunity assessment, business case development, and technology assessment and selection.

In addition to providing advice and counsel to his clients and their companies, Sam takes pride in helping individuals rise to their professional potential.

“I’m pleased to have mentored several talented colleagues who have developed into consequential leaders.”

Those leaders—and others Sam admires—demonstrate personal and professional integrity. That’s the quality Sam values most, particularly in the specialized realm of HR and benefits.

“Ours is a small industry. Roles change, but integrity is a constant.”

Before joining herronpalmer, Sam was a Strategic Account Executive at Alight Solutions, developing and implementing HR and benefits outsourcing services for some of the world’s largest organizations, across retirement, health, and HR. He served in similar roles at The Vanguard Group and Fidelity Investments, where in addition to his Six Sigma Green Belt, he earned NASD Series 6, 63, 7 licenses, plus Supervisory Principal Series 24.

You can visit LinkedIn to see the trajectory of Sam’s career, from Towson University-trained technologist to HR and benefits consultant.

Sam’s first experience as an employee …

As a waiter at a lifetime care community, Sam learned to listen to the residents. And listening is a consulting/client service skill he uses to this day.

“Every customer has a story and a lifetime of experience. That can be easy to overlook but far too valuable to miss.”

Sam’s critical thinking has transformed more than HR …

“Through process analysis and optimization, I helped modernize the inventory control system for a major department store.”

When Sam grows up …

Naturally, he wants to be Dave Grohl. So, why hasn’t he realized this dream?

“For the same reason that I am not an internationally renowned opera singer: a lack of natural ability.”

Sam can be persuasive …

“My first date with my wife was in 1983. My proudest personal accomplishment has been convincing her that was a good idea.”

When Sam isn’t working …

“There is an isolated beach on Cape Cod that I’ve taken upon myself to name Bennett’s Cove, after my grandson. We are on a quest to find the world’s largest Moon Snail.”

What might surprise you about Sam?

“I once landed a plane.”