Linda Skoglund

Managing Partner | President

Linda Skoglund is the Managing Partner of JA Counter, an Alera Group Company. An insurance industry leader, Linda is responsible for the agency's strategic direction and continued growth. While focused on all aspects of the business, she oversees JA Counter's employee benefit and consulting practice while managing the organization's vision, direction and client relationships. Linda has specialized expertise in areas of benefits consulting, regulatory compliance, benefits administration and insurance product design. She is the lead Benefit Consultant for large employer groups, specializing in public sector. Linda began her career in the insurance industry in 1990. In 2001 she acquired all shares of JA Counter from its founder, James Counter. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Communication from the University of Minnesota as well as having earned the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter), ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) and RHU (Registered Health Underwriter) designations from the American College. She is NAHU Certified as a Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional. Linda is active in both her business and local communities. She has served on the Broker Advisory Board of Medica and HealthPartners and is an active member of the Benefit Advisors Network (BAN). She has served locally on the board of the New Richmond Vitality initiative and actively supports Family Means and the Leadership Trust Initiative through the New Richmond Area Community Foundation. She is currently on the Board of the St. Croix Valley Foundation on the Donor Services Committee. She is an active member and past board member of the local chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Health Underwriters (WAHU) and served as past president of the local life underwriters’ chapter (BRAIFA). Linda is highly regarded within Alera Group as a female business leader and actively participates in the Diversity and Inclusion sector.

Perry Braun

Executive Director

Perry S. Braun has more than 25 years of experience in the employee benefits and healthcare industry. As Executive Director of Benefit Advisors Network (BAN), Perry is responsible for assisting private employee benefit brokerage firms with improving their performance and profitability through best practice learning, knowledge sharing, proven growth strategies, and enhanced operating efficiencies. Perry also serves as Executive Director of the National Benefit Center, the sister organization to BAN. While BAN maximizes intellectual capital and collaboration among member agencies, the National Benefit Center focuses on product development. Perry serves as the head of both organizations to leverage the collective influence among members, and to ensure continuity between strategic planning and product outcomes. Prior to his current positions, Perry was Vice President of Sales and Customer Relations at Medical Mutual of Ohio and served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Consortium Health Plans. He also held senior-level positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio. Perry studied International Business with a concentration in Economics at Bowling Green State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He later received his master’s degree in Business Administration, also from Bowling Green State University. Perry is an accomplished and highly regarded professional with a proven record of identifying and closing market opportunities that lead to increased revenue and market share. He is a strategic thinker with the ability to forecast market needs, develop new products, find new distribution channels, increase sales, and extend market penetration. If you don’t find him serving members and clients, you’ll probably find him in his kitchen cooking up something creative, fresh, and delicious!