About Us
Rooted in Salem : Your Local Employee Benefits Consultants | Business Solutions
Figuring out what benefits you have or which plans are best for you is already a tricky process without knowing who you're working with.
We think it’s important for you to meet the team behind Business Solutions; we are a local, service-oriented, and dedicated firm in the Roanoke Valley area. We work very hard to remain a trusted, local employee benefits consultant in Salem, VA, helping those who need assistance most.
Our Mission
We make it our top priority to provide hands-on, innovative, and personal service to everyone. We are an independent insurance broker in Roanoke, VA, and our service-oriented staff is committed to providing the best care. We are a reliable, confident Virginia employee benefits team that doesn't compromise on your health and insurance.
We add a touch of personality to our work because employee benefits are often overlooked or seem boring. We do everything in our power to deliver the best possible rates and are proud to provide these services to businesses of all sizes.How We Started
Our team has been in the employee benefits business for over 25 years, beginning in 1999. We hold benefit meetings in person or via Zoom, depending on what's easiest for you. Our account management team goes above and beyond for every client, handling business professionally. Our ability to sell our services with a personal touch is what sets us apart. We want our customers to be confident that we explored every possible option to find the best solution for both employers and employees. Additionally, we want to reassure them that they are in the best hands with our account managers post-sale.
Meet the Team
Becky Pollard started Business Solutions with a passion for positive change.
Later her son, Drew Pollard, joined the team, doing odds and ends throughout his high school years. He officially joined the team in 2003, taking over and helping to create the wonderful company you see today.
Becky cofounded Healing Wheels with Jolee Preston, a licensed Adult Nurse Practitioner, whom she met at Blue Ridge Cancer Center. Healing Wheels is a lean operation with an all-volunteer board. One hundred percent of their donations go to providing taxis, Uber, Lyft, and gas cards to ensure every patient can get to and from their BRCC cancer treatment.
Together, they created a fantastic benefits agency in Salem, VA, and Drew continues to do great work for local businesses to this day. With Drew at the helm, the team continues to work hard for their community every day, so you never have to worry about what your benefits are or how to access them
Our Team
Our team of experienced professionals has years of expertise
Drew Pollard
President
Drew is a graduate of Radford University with a major in Business Administration and Marketing. He has previously served as an Account Manager for our clients and hold a license not only in Life & Health, but also Property & Casualty. Drew specializes in group health benefits, individual health insurance, property & casualty, and has well over 15 years experience in the insurance field. Drew is an active member in the National Association of Health Underwriters, Virginia Association of Health Underwriters, Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council.
Tracy Hale
PHR, SHRM-CP, Benefits & Human Resource Specialist
Tracy joined Business Solutions in February of 2016. Tracy Hale is a 2002 graduate of Emory & Henry College holding a Bachelors degree in Communications. Tracy previously served at Virginia Lutheran Homes since July of 2006 as the Director of Human Resources, and has nearly 15 years of Human Resources experience. Prior to joining VLH, Tracy served as a Corporate & Retail Recruiter for SunTrust Bank, overseeing territories throughout SW Virginia and West Virginia. Tracy has served in multiple capacities on the Board for the Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management, including President, and currently as the Marketing Chair. She has served as a member of the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board and as a co-chair for the Jill’s Buddy Camp Golf Tournament, raising funds to help partner high school students with children that are developmentally delayed. She is currently serving on the board for the Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry. While serving as the Director of Human Resources at Virginia Lutheran Homes, Tracy specialized in employee engagement, retention, Workers Compensation, legal and regulatory compliance and, as a member of executive leadership, negotiated annual insurance premiums to ensure a manageable employee cost.
Lila Dickerson
Consultant
Lila Dickerson is a licensed broker and consultant who began her professional career as an educator in a vocational high school. Her background includes business administration for a local benefit consulting firm and then employee training and benefits administration for a large Roanoke employer. She has been working in her current broker/consultant role for 20 years. Lila uses all of her past experiences and expertise to help her clients. Lila really enjoys finding creative solutions for her groups and helping employees understand their benefits. Lila is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and has served on the local and state boards. She is Past President and current member of the Glenvar Rotary Club and has served on the New Vision board for over 20 years. She also serves as an Ambassador and volunteer for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
Emmy Kibler
Administrative Assistant
Emma is our Administrative Assistant and the backbone of our agency. She has over 10 years experience in customer service and 5 years as an Employee Benefits Analyst. She is a 2008 graduate of Lynchburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, holds a Life & Health License, and she earned her Benefits Account Manager Certification through NAHU in 2017. She brings her creativity and experiences to her work. She understands the importance of the of client relationship and can be detail oriented while also managing her time and prioritizing important tasks to best serve our clients.
Phoebe McAnallen
Senior Accounts Executive
Phoebe McAnallen joined our staff as licensed benefits specialist with an extensive service background. She wanted to return to her hometown of Salem to work with people on a more personal level and she brought home plenty of experience. Phoebe spent 30 years in Atlanta, Georgia as a hardware and software industry professional — implementing new projects, directing teams of consultants and managing accounts for large corporations in the US and abroad. Her customer service experience is with large and small clients with a focus on problem resolution and customer satisfaction. As a Medicare consultant Phoebe has extensive knowledge in senior products including Medicare Supplements and prescription drug plans. She can expertly guide you through the retiree maze of Medicare. Contact Phoebe if you require assistance with your benefits or claims questions.
Lorrie Wilson
Account Executive
Lorrie Wilson started with Business Solutions in 2015 as an administrative Assistant and now serves as Account Executive. Lorrie currently holds Life & Health Licenese. Prior to joining Business Solutions, Lorrie worked for Roanoke County Schools for more than 14 years. Lorrie values the importance of working effectively and efficiently with clients.
David Via
Benefits Specialist
David is a graduate of James Madison University and has been in the insurance industry since 1989. Originally, he worked with the Allstate Operations Center, where he obtained his Property & Casualty and Life & Health Licenses. In 2009, David decided to become an independent P&C agent to allow more opportunity for his clients by having multiple carriers for various lines of insurance. David joined Business Solutions in 2023, where he shifted his focus to Individual and Small Group Employee Benefits. He is always looking to provide the best value for his clients. He is married to his lovely wife, and they have 2 amazing children. He enjoys spending time with his family, refereeing, and learning. David believes in the “golden rule” and tries to live by that each day. He truly enjoys helping others succeed in life. David serves on the program and special events committee for RVAR, and delivers “Meals on Wheels” for the Local Office on Aging.
Lori Hurt
Benefits Specialist
Lori Hurt is a licensed Benefits Specialist with Business Solutions. She brings to the table a diverse background which includes Medical Practice Management. Her multi faceted work experience with a nationally known health insurance company has provided her with a depth of knowledge regarding the current insurance markets, employee benefit products, the entire claims process; as well as, how the insurance company develops and maintains a provider network. Lori began her career in 1989 as the Office Manager for a new, single doctor family practice near Smith Mountain Lake. The practice soon grew to two doctors and then expanded into a new building. In 1996 she moved on to the lead position in the Customer Service department for the Roanoke Regional office of John Deere Health Care. During her tenure with John Deere she also managed the local Provider Relations department and was the Small Group Representative for the Marketing Department where her career as a Benefits Specialist began. Lori has been working as an independent Benefits Specialist since 2000 and fondly looks back across her past experiences as having provided her with a “well rounded education” when it comes to insurance and employee benefits. This education has proved to be an extremely valuable asset to her clients, but more importantly she enjoys working with her clients to service their needs and in developing a one on one relationships with them. Lori is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She enjoys volunteering and serving in her church has filled many leadership roles there, including Worship Team Chairperson and Pastor Search Committee Chairperson.
Wendy Epperly
Account Manager
Wendy is a licensed Health & Life Insurance Agent from the New River Valley. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she has followed the Affordable Care Act since the inception, performing the IRS reporting function for Applicable Large Employers since 2015. In addition to benefits, she has served in roles of finance, human resources, and management, with a focus in the restaurant industry. Wendy has joined Business Solutions because she values their philosophy of a hands on approach to helping people with their benefits. Whether an individual or a company, Wendy is dedicated to finding the best solution for the situation. Contact Wendy for individual policies, employer benefits, claims questions, or questions about the Affordable Care Act.
What We Deliver
We will rely heavily on clear communication and strong service after the case is sold to help us stand out in the industry. Our health, life, and dental insurance are part of our line of top-quality services. links.
Being a personable, local employee benefits consultant in Roanoke is of the utmost importance to us. We value your time and community involvement – making Business Solutions a valuable resource for those who need it most. If you need