Trent D. Bryson, CFP, AIF
CEO
12 Years of Benefits Insurance Experience

Trent Bryson has proven to be one of the area's leading benefits brokers/consultants. Over the last several years, Trent's innovation, diligence, and determined pursuit of excellence have fostered Bryson Financial Group’s local and regional success. Capitalizing on his leadership responsibilities, Trent brings an expert knowledge of the insurance and financial industry's complexities as it pertains to legislative policy. This allows for cutting edge forecasting and unparalleled negotiation skills.  Trent is a past president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Long Beach, currently serves on the State Board and serves as a National Taskforce leader for the 70,000-member association.  Moreover, he has noteworthy skills in recruiting top talent and superior knowledge to motivate this talent,
constantly striving to create protocols that cater to the exclusive needs of each of his clients.

Trent began his career at Bryson Financial Group in the benefits insurance department before leaving to join Merrill Lynch’s Wealth Management division.  At Merrill Lynch his formal training included: distribution of IPO shares, research analysis of stocks, and new agent recruiting. 

In 2001, Trent rejoined Bryson Financial Group with a strategic plan to improve employee benefits consulting.  With Trent's leadership and vision, Bryson Financial Group was recently celebrated by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, earning the Business Achievement Award. Additionally, Spirit Magazine recognizes Bryson Financial Group as the "Most Dependable Wealth Managers of Southern California".  You can also find Trent recently written about in Entrepreneur Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Benefits Selling, and the Long Beach Business Journal. After reading these periodicals, it is clear that he is dedicated to creating an exceptional relationship with his clients.

Trent holds a Bachelor of Science in Business-Economics from University of California at Santa Barbara, where he excelled in Track and Field, ultimately serving as President of Student Athlete Board. He carries a Certified Financial Planner designation from the American College and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies


Rick Bryson
Richard W. Bryson, C.L.U., ChFC.
President
44 years of industry experience

After Graduating from Long Beach State University with a Masters Degree in Finance, Rick entered the Life Insurance business in 1969 establishing Bryson Financial Group. His continuing education includes industry degrees from Bryn Mawr University in Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan , the University of Notre Dame. His professional designations and licenses include Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and is licensed as a Life Underwriter and a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Through Rick's leadership, Bryson Financial Group has become a cornerstone in financial services.

Rick is Director Emeritus with the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, a Member of the Long Beach State Hall of Fame for his Baseball and Football accomplishments, Past Chairman of the 49ers' annual drive, Past President of NAIFA-Long Beach, and currently serves as President of Virginia Country Club.


Janeen Freije
Janeen K. Freije, APA
Vice President, B&B Benefits Administration
32 years of industry experience

Janeen has tremendous experience in the successful marketing of retirement plans and related administrative services. Extensive technical knowledge of ERISA & IRS regulations and proven success in their application to the design and administration of qualified retirement plans. Outstanding communication skills include clear presentation of technical data, perceptive listening and ability to influence people of all levels. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a Major in Finance and Management and holds an Employee Benefit Specialist designation from the Wharton School of Business. Janeen began her professional career in 1983 and joined B & B Benefits Administration in 2000, and is truly an asset to our team.

Janeen is also a member of the National Institute of Pension Administrators and the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.


Katrina Bulmer
Vice President, Employee Benefits Division
20 Years of Health Insurance Plan Management Experience

Katrina Bulmer joined Bryson Financial Group in 2006, fulfilling BFG's need to complement their management team in the area of self-funded health plans.  Her extensive knowledge of the self-insured marketplace, wellness programs, and case management help BFG's clients to design innovative approaches to their employees’ health and fitness levels.  

Katrina has spent the last 15 years of her career in the stop loss and self-funded divisions for AIG, PacifiCare, and BEST Life. Katrina was utilized in positions involving: evaluating and underwriting medical risk, claim auditing, medical case management, and provider negotiation for their specific and aggregate products as well as their Administrative Service Organization (ASO) accounts. 

Prior to this, Katrina received her formal training working for industry leaders such as Blue Cross, MetLife and FHP as a claims examiner, auditor and trainer for their medical and dental products.  She then progressed to working with their specialty divisions such as overpayment and recovery, subrogation/third party liability and appeals/adjustment departments.  She was also a key member of the team involved in the implementation and training for the customer service unit for the American Airlines account while at MetLife. 


BRETT H. HLISTA
Vice President, Property & Casualty Division
8 Years of Property & Casualty Insurance Experience

Brett Hlista began his insurance career in 2001 and has proven to be a success in each of the phases of his insurance career ever since. A Southern California local, Mr. Hlista accepted a direct/captive sales position in 2001 for Federated Mutual, a leading, national insurance carrier, and moved to their home offices in Minnesota to spend 10 months studying coverage forms and specific industry needs. Mr. Hlista was relocated back to Southern California in 2002 to take over an Orange County territory selling business insurance, including life & disability insurance, to mid-sized businesses and executives in his territory.

Mr. Hlista earned Federated’s top honor as a President Council member in each of his two years with Federated Insurance. In 2004, seeing an opportunity to widen his potential, Mr. Hlista moved to Complete Insurance of Irvine, CA where he became a property & casualty broker working with all major and specialty insurance carriers. With his knowledge of policy forms and coverage’s along with his insurance carrier relationships Mr. Hlista was quick to build a diverse list of clientele who respected his risk management approach and his consistent service detail. With this success as both a captive agent and retail broker Mr. Hlista felt it was time to bring his insurance knowledge, experiences and successes to an established agency that could use is expertise. In 2008 Mr. Hlista co-founded Bryson Casualty Insurance Services, Inc. as the property & casualty arm of the Bryson Financial Group. Mr. Hlista has again found success in his role as the leader of the property & casualty division of Bryson Financial.

Mr. Hlista holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee, where he excelled as an NCAA, All South defensive back for the DII Tusculum Pioneers. Mr. Hlista is currently a member of the National Association of Insurance Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Long Beach and moving towards being a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Life In Leadership (LILI) graduate. 



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