Staff Bios

Robert L. Cummings CFP. REBC, CLU, CEO and Managing Principal
Bob founded American Benefits Group in 1986 and has led the company’s growth as a best of breed national employee benefits administrator. A recognized expert in the field of employee benefits and flexible compensation, he serves on the board of the National Association of Professional Benefits Administrators.

Bob is a founding member of NFP Benefits Partners, one of the nation’s leading employee benefits brokerage, consulting and administrative service organizations. As a result of Bob’s leadership, American Benefits serves as the Platform Partner for Consumer Reimbursement Account administration for NFP Benefits affiliated firms nationwide.

Rich Sormanti, CCA, CCPA, FLMI – Director, Sales & Marketing
Rich joined American Benefits Group in 2010.  Prior to joining us, Rich worked for 25 years at MassMutual and for 5 years with Wellpoint/Unicare. Rich has an extensive operations management and project management background in the group life & health and defined benefits fields.  While with MassMutual, Rich was responsible for starting their COBRA administration and Flexible Spending service teams in the late 1980’s, as well as their EDI membership operations organization.

Herbert Mayer Jr., CCA, CCPA - Director, Operations and Administrative Services 
Herb has been with American Benefits Group since 1996, prior to which he operated his own business for twelve years and managed his family’s business for five years. Due to his extensive experience as a business owner and manager, Herb has been able to contribute to every aspect of American Benefits Group’s operations, from Sales & Marketing, to Human Resources, to Accounting and Administration. He currently heads up operations and oversees the Flexible Spending Accounts, Group Billing and COBRA departments.

Clodagh Parker, CCA, CCPA - Director, Flexible Compensation Services
Clodagh has worked for American Benefits Group since 2004. A native of Ireland, Clodagh started out working in investment banking, and worked for a short period of time at Nat West Finance in Melbourne, Australia. She received her BA degree from Mount Holyoke College and continues to volunteer for their admissions department. She is also President of the board of Northampton Community Television (NCTV).

Janna C. Barcomb, CCA, CCPA – COBRA Senior Account Manager
Janna joined American Benefits Group in 2001 after 20 years in the financial services industry. She is a COBRA Certified Administrator and manages the COBRA System and Group Benefits Administration for our key clients.

Cynthia Miller, CCA, CCPA – COBRA Administrative Accounts Manager
Cyndi is a dedicated administrative account manager for our COBRA support services who came to American Benefits Group with over 20 years business experience working as a Human Resources Generalist and Health Services Compliance Specialist and Educator. She is a COBRA certified administrator and credentialed paralegal.

Clay Cummings, CCA, CCPA - Customer Service Manager
Clay joined American Benefits Group in 2005, working in accounting and eventually becoming the Accounting and Billing Manager. He also worked with the Flexible Spending Department, providing customer support, and in 2009 he transitioned from Accounting to the Flexible Spending Department and is currently the Customer Service Manager. He oversees customer service for the Flexible Spending Department and manages the support@amben.com email support team. Clay lives in South Deerfield, with his fiancée, their cat Jack and their new baby Clay Jr.

Alan Taylor, CCA, CCPA – Claims Manager
Alan joined American Benefits Group in 2007 following a tour of duty in the United States Navy. He manages our claims department overseeing claims processing for all of the various benefits that we offer. He also works with customer service in assisting both participants and their human resource administrators. Alan is working on his Bachelors degree for business administration at Westfield State College. 

Ian Michael - Director, IT
American Benefits Group acquired Ian in 2009 to help streamline all of our information technology systems. He currently employs state-of-the-art software, allowing us to accommodate virtually any file specification. Ian has trained in both interactive design and software development, and is a technology resource. From building database systems, to helping improve your online experience, Ian is working with our team to bring you the best TPA experience possible.

Donna Abel, Finance and Accounting Manager
Donna joined American Benefits Group in 2009 with many years of business experience including Full Charge bookkeeping and Human Resource Management . She is currently the Accounting Manager and assists in the Flexible Spending Department.  In her free time Donna enjoys training and riding her Morgan horse and showing in the New England area.

Chris Bowen, CCA, CCPA – Senior Claims Administrator
Chris is a former engineer and property assessment data collector who has found a new life administering FSA and HRA claims for American Benefits Group. He, his wife and his daughter make their home in Southampton, Massachusetts.

Sakhon Poy, CCA, CCPA - Group Benefits Manager
Sakhon Poy began her insurance career in 2006 as an Employee Benefits Specialists at The Nathan Agencies. She is a licensed insurance broker in Life, Health, Property and Casualty Insurance. Sakhon has been serving employers and individuals by providing them with efficient and effective options for their health plans, life insurance, dental coverage, disability income, and many other benefit plans. She holds a Bachelors Degree in International Politics from Mount Holyoke College.

Ashely Ann Schwartz, CCA, CCPA - Client Support Administrative Services
Ashely joined American Benefits Group in 2008, in her current role, Ashely provides administrative and customer support for the FSA business and Delta Dental Chamber plan. She studied at the University of Hartford, Barney School of Business for four years. Ashely and her husband live in Chicopee, MA and volunteer together as Special Olympics Soccer Coaches for the Greater Springfield chapter for Massachusetts.