|
 Here is a picture of the Viren Team. Please click on any name to visit the associate’s biography.  Retouched ~002.jpg)
Katie Willenbrock Jim O'Connell Gwen Giddens Beth Viren Paul Viren Lora Morgan Not Pictured Above: Laura Foedisch Erica Cruz Paul Viren.jpg) Paul’s journey in working with clients began in 1994 after a six year stint as Senior Director of Development at Whitworth College where he developed his passion for financial and estate planning. Advising individuals and businesses in all walks of life, it is his goal to help clients achieve their financial goals, protect their assets and reduce income and estate taxes. Paul is a graduate of Whitworth University and received his post graduate credentials from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA where he earned his designation as a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). He is also registered as an Independent Advisor Representative with Strategic Wealth Advisors Group hold FINRA registrations Series 7, 66 and 24 through LPL Financial. In 2005 his wife, Beth, joined Paul in their practice and together they have formed a unique practice providing clients with a wide range of services, investment and insurance products. An avid runner Paul has completed three marathons, loves to water ski and boat, enjoys woodworking, church involvement and takes great pleasure in his family and their home retreat on the Pend Oreille River in North Idaho. Paul is also an active member of Rotary 21. Return to Top Beth Viren  Beth works with business owners to assist them in their search for excellent employee benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, long & short term disability, voluntary benefits, flexible benefit plans, spending accounts and “premium only” plan set-up). A licensed insurance agent since 1997, Beth also brings a wealth of experience to this role due to her 25 year career as a Human Resources executive with Providence Services in Spokane, including Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital. Because of her background in HR, she brings a unique perspective from the employer’s point of view to her role as an insurance broker. She prides herself in providing superior customer service and acting as a team member with her employer groups to find top quality employee benefits while meeting the employer’s company goals and budgeting concerns. Return to Top Jim O'Connell  Jim graduated from Gonzaga University in 1965 with a Bachelor of Education degree. Shortly after graduating he joined Aetna Life & Casualty as a career agent. In 1978 after becoming one of Aetna’s leading agents, Jim decided to establish his own independent life and health insurance firm. James F. O’Connell & Associates, Inc. was formed based upon the premise that it was in the best interest of his clients to act as a broker, representing many different insurance companies. This philosophy formed the foundation of his practice to this day and is shared by Paul Viren. Jim has served as Chairman of Gonzaga University’s Presidents Council, has been a member of Gonzaga’s Board of Regents and currently serves as a member of Gonzaga’s Development Committee. He is past president of the Spokane Life Underwriter’s Association and Washington State Life Underwriter’s Association, the Spokane Chapters of CLU, ChFC and the Spokane Estate Planning Council. He is a life member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. He has also served on many charitable boards, most notably, 15 years as a member of the Spokane Guilds School Foundation. Jim and Sharon have been married 45 years, have three children, and have nine grandchildren. Jim is an avid fly fisherman, runner and mountain bike enthusiast. Return to Top Katie Willenbrock  Katie has been a part of the Viren Team since 2007. She works closely with Paul to accommodate various needs and requests clients may have. This includes customer relations specifically related to investment advisory clients, 401(k) plans and general investment accounts. Her skills include working as a liaison for clients, answering common questions and responding to various service needs. She assists Paul and our clients in creating personal financial and retirement plans.
Katie is FINRA registered with her Series 6 & 63 Securities registrations through LPL Financial and also her Life & Health Insurance License in Washington State. Katie is proud to say she is a Spokane native and graduated from Washington State University in 2005. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, scrapbooking and watching sports. Return to Top Gwen Giddens  Gwen has been part of the Viren team since January 2009 after working for Jim O’Connell for 23 years. Gwen holds insurance licenses and uses her wealth of experience to guide clients through the insurance process. Gwen is also a youth soccer coach. In her free time, she also enjoys spending time with family, entertaining, reading and watching sports. Return to Top Lora Morgan .jpg) Lora joined the Viren Team in July 2009 when a move brought her from Sandpoint, Idaho to Spokane. In April of 2010, she gained her insurance license in life, health and disability and brings to the team a variety of job experience gained over 10 years working in customer service, marketing and administrative support. Today she assists our clients with their life insurance and annuity contract service needs. Lora also works part time as a Tasting Room hostess for a local Spokane winery. In her spare time she supports local and Texas Country musicians as well as participates in many outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, and biking. Return to Top Erica Cruz Erica joined the Viren team in April 2011 after moving to Spokane from Pullman, Washington. Erica works as the administrative assistant for the Viren office which includes scheduling, responding to any questions, customer inquiries or challenges that may arise. She also works closely with Beth Viren assisting with employee benefits and customer service. She attended Washington State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication in 2010. Erica worked as a licensed cosmetologist from 2004 to 2010 and still does hair in her free time. She is a mother of a handsome seven year old boy and enjoys watching his sporting events. Her other interests include nutrition and fitness, music, and traveling. Return to Top Laura Foedisch  Laura was introduced to the life insurance industry in 1974 through a life insurance brokerage agency in Spokane. It was during this time she became aware of Jim O’Connell’s highly-active involvement in the insurance industry in the Spokane area. In 1978, shortly after Jim established James F. O’Connell & Associates, Inc., Laura was hired as Jim’s sales & customer support assistant. As Jim’s business rapidly grew, she acquired responsibilities as his office manager, and with the expertise provided by Terri Phillips and Gwen Giddens; they all took pride in striving to provide excellent customer service to Jim’s clientele. After 30 years of working closely with Jim, Laura is proud to continue as Jim’s personal assistant while Jim and Paul continue to provide quality life insurance, estate planning and financial planning services to their clients. Laura’s creative endeavors include gardening, reading, cooking, paper arts and enjoys creating gift baskets for fundraising events in the community. Over the past 10 years she has been enthusiastic about hosting a craft club gathering at her home each month. Laura considers time spent with her husband, daughters, grandchild, extended family and friends a top priority in her life. Return to Top Beth Viren, Gwen Giddens, and Lora Morgan are independant insurance associates and are not affiliated with, nor endorsed by LPL Financial.
|
