Meet The Team - Creative Benefits

Our friendly & knowledgeable team is here to to help you. We take a team approach to Employee Benefits, providing the knowledge & experience needed to deliver sound, objective advice. It is our goal to help you make educated informed decisions about issues that affect your programs.

Our people is what makes Creative Benefits unique. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our clients. Our benefits advisors have over 100 years of combined experience in helping solve the issues keeping our clients up at night.

We are energetic about supporting and educating our clients in every aspect of their Benefits choices. Our clients’ business is our top priority! We’re passionate about making an impact in every area of our business.

Ready to work with one of our experts? Contact Creative Benefits today to find out how we can help you achieve your business goals.

Our All Star Team

Christopher Furrule, LUTCF Christopher P. Furrule, Managing Partner

Chris graduated from Wesley College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1993 and is a 2009 Wesley Football Hall of Fame Inductee. He began his financial services career with John Hancock in 1994 as a Financial Representative and was promoted to a Managing Associate in 1997. In 2000, Chris was recruited by MetLife Premier Client Group of NJ, where he eventually earned Manager of the Year honors from 2000-2003.

In 2004, Chris became a joint Managing Partner at MPCGNJ. He is credited with creating and implementing the firm’s first Senior Partner Executive Team, The Women’s Advisory Council, and Mentorship Teams for the firm. Chris became sole Managing Partner (President) in 2008. Along with being featured in the August 2010 issued of “Forbes Magazine” for his outstanding leadership abilities, Chris’s firm was named 2011 Leaders Firm of the Year under New England Financial.

Chris resides in Barnegat, New Jersey with his wife Dawn, and their three children, Jake, Alexis, and Mackenzie, where he enjoys coaching, softball, fishing, and golfing.

Keith R. Soltis, Managing Partner

As a Managing Partner for Creative Benefits, Keith’s responsibilities include the development and management of his benefits team. He also plays a pivotal part in the professional development, advancement and training of each agent. Creative Benefits is one of the largest and most well respected planning firms in the region.

Keith has been practicing, and teaching personal finance and economic lessons for over 24 years. He has worked with corporations, business owners, corporate executives, accountants, attorneys, professional athletes, entertainers, labor unions, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to develop and coordinate their benefits strategies.

Keith Soltis received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Management and Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He played linebacker on 2 Ivy League Championship Teams. He is active in the Wharton Alumni Association and a member of the Penn Club of NYC. Keith is a member of both NYCAIFA and the Monmouth County chapter of NAIFA. Keith and his wife, Barbara, and their son reside in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Keith is the author of the the book, “Ivy League Weath Secrets,” published in 2012. He is a frequent public speaker on matters of personal finance. Keith can be reached for speaking engagements or training seminars at KSoltis@financialguide.com

Jamie Betar, Benefits Director

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES: As the Benefits Director, my purpose is to collaborate with firm management to provide specialty services, which support the firm’s business plans and objectives. I educate and train producers on the group products and provide assistance in planning benefit designs including preparing and presenting proposals. I also process new and renewal business applications along with all aspects of producer licensing. Providing policyholder services request such as claims, billing, and enrollment. Maintain monthly sales activity containing new, renewal and quoted business and facilitate the relationships between carrier representatives and master general agents with our local firm.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY: My goal is to work with business owners and their employees to design and implement a personalized plan design that is beneficial to them. Also to effectively communicate the benefit programs to the employees. I have the skills, knowledge and experience required to help meet my client’s established goals.

Employee Benefits Planning: Creative has been providing access to quality financial products and services for over 55 years. Our Group Benefits team understands that the employee benefits market is constantly changing. We recognize employers are looking for new ways to provide the best possible coverage to attract and retain employees. With the wide variety of benefit plans offered today, we will analyze the present needs of your business to assist you in implementing the plan design which benefits you and your business most.

Ronald Carr, CFP, ChFC, CLU

Employee Benefits Specialist

“I have built long-term relationships with many of my clients, knowing that as their adviser, it is my responsibility to ask, listen and adapt to their changing needs.”

Ronald H. Carr, Jr. CFP^®, CLU^®, ChFC^®, has been practicing for over 34 years as a financial professional. He specializes in insurance and employee and executive benefits. These services are designed to help minimize tax burdens and enhance wealth accumulation strategies.

Ron graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. degree in Economics, and has passed the requirements for some of the industry’s top designations, which include Certified Financial Planner^® (CFP) professional, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).

Ron recognizes the individuality of each client‘s situation, anticipates future needs and provides unbiased, clear solutions on a continued basis. This includes business succession planning, employee benefits and estate conservation strategies.

Charles S. Marisca, CFP

Employee Benefits Specialist

“I am dedicated to continuously providing the knowledge and expertise to guide you towards financial success.”

As a Benefits Specialist, it is important ot me that you understand the value of preparing now for your financial future. I offer educational services that can help you make informed decisions in choosing the appropriate products and services to fit your needs.

Currently, I work alongside a team of experienced financial professionals with training in various business backgrounds. A team approach allows me to provide my clients with a customized financial strategy based on their current situation.

Tory Principe

Employee Benefits Specialist

Tory works jointly with business owners to help them administer their group benefits for the company and strivesto provide them and their employees exceptional service. He works closely with a team of senior advisors who respectively have over 25 years each of experience in the industry.

Tory is a graduate of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a Finance track along with a minor in Mathematics. He comes from a family of educators, as both of his parents have been high school teachers for over 20 years. In addition, he currently is the head Junior Varsity and Assistant Varsity Baseball coach at Red Bank Regional High School.

Michael Abrams

Senior Benefits Consultant

As a senior benefits consultant, Mike brings over 20 years of knowledge and experience to helping his clients create customied benefits solutions. Craig takes great pride in going above and beyond expectations to deliver a top quality service experience to his clients. Mike also brings expertise in the area of Senior Services & Medicare Planning.

Jeffrey A. Shapiro CLU, ChFC, RHU, CLTC

Senior Benefits Consultant

I provide families and business owners with assistance in building their financial freedom. I have the skills, knowledge and experience required to help meet my client’s meet their goals.

Jeff graduated from Rider College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. He started with the firm that would become Creative Financial Strategies LLC in 1987. Jeff has won many industry awards throughout his 32 year career. He has qualified and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Jeff has also qualified for New England Financial Chairman’s Council (2005), Life Member of Leader’s Conference (1988-2017) as well as Platinum Conference (2000-2015). Jeff has also qualified for Blue Chip Council (2017) as well as Leader’s Conference at MassMutual (2016-2017)

Jeff has completed his studies to earn his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), and Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC).

He has two boys and resides in Belmar, NJ.

Craig Seminara, ChFC

Senior Benefits Consultant

As a senior benefits consultant, Craig brings over 20 years of knowledge and experience to helping his clients create customied benefits solutions. Craig takes great pride in going above and beyond expectations to deliver a top quality service experience to his clients.

Dave Waverczak

Senior Benefits Consultant

As a senior benefits consultant, Dave brings over 20 years of knowledge and experience to helping his clients create customied benefits solutions. Craig takes great pride in going above and beyond expectations to deliver a top quality service experience to his clients.

Benefits Associate

Claims Management

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