Edward J. “Rusty” Brown Jr. is highly respected throughout the health care insurance industry for establishing and delivering standards of performance and service designed to exceed all customers’ expectations, and for enhancing California health insurance brokers’ ability to serve their clients’ needs and best interests.

Rusty began his career in the early 1970s as an agent for the John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company in upstate New York, where he was the youngest producer to be honored with entry into the President’s Honors Club.

In 1980, Rusty transferred to the West Coast to assume the role of Sales Manager for Hancock’s Newport Beach, California, office. There, he built strong and long-lasting relationships by focusing on delivering a superior level of service. Rusty’s office quickly emerged as the company’s top-producing employee benefits agency in the nation.

Michael L. Close is the Chief Executive Officer of CHOICE Administrators where he is responsible for two health insurance programs: America’s longest standing, state-approved private multi-carrier health insurance exchange, CaliforniaChoice, and the nation’s first ancillary benefits exchange, ChoiceBuilder.

Michael previously served as the Chief Operating Officer where he oversaw information technology, marketing, and strategic business development. Michael worked closely with all of the Word & Brown Companies to ensure strategic alignment between corporate short-term and long-term strategic goals.

Michael was President of Quotit Corp and HealthCompare, two national health insurance distribution platforms, before their acquisition by National General Holdings Corp. in early 2017. Michael was also President of CONEXIS, a leading benefits administration company, before its acquisition by WageWorks in 2014. Michael joined The Word & Brown Companies in 2003.

Michael’s professional background makes him uniquely suited to lead CHOICE Administrators. He has an impressive career spanning more than 35 years in employee benefits and health care. Prior to joining the Word & Brown Companies, he held senior executive positions with Health Net of California, including Vice President and General Manager for a $200 million business unit, and Senior Vice President of a $2 billion sales organization, where he managed 600 employees. He has also served as chief sales and marketing officer at American Specialty Health, one of the country's leading complimentary care organizations.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University. He is an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU).

Adam Roye leads enterprise strategy and program operations for Choice Administrators, the parent organization of the CaliforniaChoice private health insurance exchange and ChoiceBuilder ancillary benefits exchange. 

Prior to joining CHOICE Administrators in July 2017, Adam held a similar role for nearly four years at The Word & Brown Companies, where he designed and implemented the organization’s corporate-wide Enterprise Project Management Office for multiple insurance-related business units. His role included strategic planning, process improvement, and oversight of the enterprise project portfolio.

Adam’s previous experience includes a decade in management consulting (KPMG and Booz Allen Hamilton) and nearly five years with the United States Government Accountability Office. He earned his Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from Georgetown University and his Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He holds Project Management Professional (PMP) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certifications.

Steve Huynh joined CHOICE Administrators in 1998 after serving in the United States Marine Corps where he earned designations in team collaboration and practical leadership. He is responsible for all aspects of operations for the organization’s CaliforniaChoice small group private health exchange and ChoiceBuilder ancillary benefits exchange. 

Steve leads the day- to-day operations to support the organization’s growth and ongoing service delivery to customers, general agencies, brokers, vendors, and CHOICE Administrators’ employees. His responsibilities include underwriting, eligibility and enrollment processing, billing services, commission’s management, shared services, COBRA administration, training, development, and business intelligence. 

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton – Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.

Tamra MacPherson is responsible for the development and implementation of procedures and processes to ensure a positive customer experience. She and her team focus on delivering the highest levels of support to CaliforniaChoice and ChoiceBuilder customers, as well as carrier partners. Tamra leads the organization’s customer success strategy and directs employee performance management, establishing goals to help staff meet elevated standards of service and achieve professional growth. 

Tamra began her professional career at CHOICE Administrators and has experience in an array of disciplines including Underwriting, Client Services, and Customer Service, being named to her current role in 2013. Tamra attended La Sierra University in Riverside, California.