The Simple Dollar Contributors

Frank Addessi

Frank Addessi HeadshotBorn and raised in Brooklyn, NY and currently residing in the hills of northeast Pennsylvania, Frank Addessi began in the life insurance industry in 1982. Today he is an agent with Metropolitan Life, while also owning his own business: CPA Insurance, an independent insurance agency. He attended St. Francis College and studied English and Secondary Education. Frank firmly believes that knowledge is power and works to share his knowledge with as wide an audience as possible. As you can imagine, he loves joining The Simple Dollar. The adage that an educated consumer makes the best customer is at the core of his business philosophy.

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Karla Lant

Karla Lant HeadshotKarla Lant is a life insurance writer for The Simple Dollar. She helps everyday people understand and master life insurance issues and questions! Lant has dealt with related regulatory issues in her work as an attorney and has researched and published on life insurance and estate planning. She has also taught subjects related to life insurance as an adjunct professor – she is currently an adjunct at Northern Arizona University. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Lant was a trial attorney for nine years. During that time, she dealt with major felony defense in criminal cases with a focus on forensic science, medical evidence and other technical issues.

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Jennifer McCarthy

Jennifer McCarthy HeadshotA born and bred Southerner, Jennifer currently lives in the Midwest with her three teenaged daughters. Always a writer by nature, her professional background includes editorial, marketing and product management positions in publishing. A graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, the many adventures of her life to date have resulted in hands-on experience with the inside world of health insurance, its foibles, and how to successfully navigate the system to manage the health of your family. Jenny’s ability to explain the health insurance industry in an upfront manner makes her a welcome addition to The Simple Dollar team.

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Jeff Rieger

Jeff Rieger HeadshotOver the past several years, Jeff has worked alongside some of the most experienced body shop managers and personal injury attorneys in Seattle. Jeff has learned a great deal on how to manage and navigate auto insurance claims from the consumer’s perspective. In addition, his years working at a body shop have taught him a great deal about car maintenance, repair, general ownership and upkeep for vehicles of all styles and vintages. In his current position as a national vehicle buyer, Jeff has gained insight into the market for virtually every kind of used vehicle. Jeff’s road tested reputation means The Simple Dollar’s car insurance advice is as sound as it gets.

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Mike Valles

Mike Valles HeadshotMike Valles has been writing about health insurance for about seven years. He enjoys conveying practical information that will help people find the health insurance solutions that meet the needs of the whole family. He also makes a point of explaining some of the complex aspects of this industry in a digestible fashion. As a freelance writer, he has written many articles about health insurance, and some eBooks as well – both in his own name and for clients. Mike is thrilled to join on to The Simple Dollar and make health insurance a little easier for all of us!

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Randy Woods

Randy Woods HeadshotRandy Woods is a writer and editor with 20+ years of experience in the business publishing world. A former editor of Seattle-based Claims magazine, he has written extensively about claims adjusting issues in the property and casualty insurance industries. He has also written and edited for Seattle Business, iSixSigma and Waste Age magazines, covering topics such as insurance, commercial real estate, entrepreneurism, process improvement and garbage hauling (yes, really). He also contributes to the Career Center Blog for The Seattle Times and is Green Building Editor of the clean-tech website EarthTechling.com. Randy’s home insurance expertise makes him a key member of The Simple Dollar insurance team.

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