Our quarterly meeting is set for September 20, 2023 from 1 - 4:30 PM. Parking is available in the front parking lot or the parking ramp.

Our speakers will be Ben Renner and Jim Edman. Ben will be speaking on employee benefit funding options (fully insured, self-funded, level/simple funded and captive). Jim is the Cybersecurity Coordinator with the Department of Homeland Security and will be presenting over cybersecurity issues.

12:45 Registration

1:00-2:15 – Jim Edman, Topic: Current state of cybersecurity

2:15 – 2:45 – Break/ Business Meeting

2:45 – 4:30 Ben Renner: Holmes Murphy

4:30 – Social – Join us for drinks/appetizers on the conference room patio at Cherapa Place.

Ben Renner joined Innovative Captive Strategies (ICS) in 2022. As Captive Consultant, Renner is responsible for growth and strategy of ICS Employee Benefits group captives. With over 4 years of Employee Benefits experience, he specializes in self-insurance, underwriting, cost and risk management. Renner uses his expertise to provide captive owners with a way to finance medical costs and manage their population health risk to reduce claim costs and retain underwriting profits which ultimately leads to greater stability and predictability for their business. Renner earned his B.A. from the University of Iowa where he studied Communication Studies and Entrepreneurial Management. He is licensed in Life and Health Insurance and holds his Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation. Outside of work, Renner enjoys spending time with his wife, Ellen, and traveling to new places. 

Jim Edman is the Cybersecurity Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in South Dakota. As Cybersecurity Advisor, Jim works with critical industry sectors across the state on cyber risk management and improved cybersecurity hygiene.

Prior to joining CISA in 2021, Jim worked with South Dakota state government in the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) with experience in applications development and networking technologies for state government, K-12 and Higher Education. Jim served as Chief Information Security Officer for 13 years. Establishing operational, strategic, and collaborative platforms to successfully safeguard constituent and government data. He also served as the Broadband Manager for the ConnectSD project to bring high speed broadband to every South Dakotan. Other positions include Deputy Chief Information Officer and acting Chief Information Officer.

He enjoys reading, hunting pheasants, playing basketball, golf and doing all sorts of family activities.