About Us

Business Solutions, founded in 1999, is an independent brokerage and consulting firm located in Salem, Virginia. We started our business to fill a niche in the employee benefits marketplace. We level the playing field for employers by simplifying the complex world of health care, and delivering the same services to all clients regardless of size.

The costs and complexities of managed care products present challenges to large and small employers. Business Solutions’ mission is to assist employers and at the same time keep our educational and service standards up to speed in this fast paced and ever-changing business.

At Business Solutions, it’s not enough to call ourselves an insurance broker or human resources consultant. We are friends, counselors, confidants, crusaders and experts in our fields.

Our team can also be defined as:

Proactive, Not Reactive

We have multiple touch-points with our clients throughout the year to make sure they and their employees are taken care of. We can provide proactive solutions as each business and their needs grow.

Active in Our Community

Our philosophy is to serve our clients but also our Virginia community. We proudly support and sponsor many local community events. Our Business Solutions staff serves on numerous boards and volunteer many hours with area non-profits.

Research Specialists

It’s our job to stay on top of the ever changing market place of healthcare and benefits. In order to stay ahead of the curve, we consider ourselves research specialists who can simplify the complex changes to continue to serve our clients the very best options.

Setting the Bar

When it comes to the knowledge, products and services that we deliver, we set the bar high. Through our detailed research, deep client relationships and connection to the community, we are able to go beyond our solutions and become true partners.

Our Philosophy

Hands On Approach

Our philosophy has always been to approach things a bit differently than our competitors. From the very beginning, we set out to be everything that the big, out-of-town brokerage firms are not. No matter the size of your company, we look at your specific needs from every angle to find the best benefits packages available. We handle every problem and every phone call personally. And we do it all right here in southwest Virginia.

Our Team

Drew Pollard, President

Drew is a graduate of Radford University with a major in Business Administration and Marketing. He has previously served as an Account Manager for our clients and hold a license not only in Life & Health, but also Property & Casualty. Drew specializes in group health benefits, individual health insurance, property & casualty, and has well over 15 years experience in the insurance field.

Drew is an active member in the National Association of Health Underwriters, Virginia Association of Health Underwriters, Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council.

Lila Dickerson, Consultant

Lila Dickerson is a licensed broker and consultant who began her professional career as an educator in a vocational high school. Her background includes business administration for a local benefit consulting firm and then employee training and benefits administration for a large Roanoke employer. She has been working in her current broker/consultant role for 20 years. Lila uses all of her past experiences and expertise to help her clients. Lila really enjoys finding creative solutions for her groups and helping employees understand their benefits. Lila is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and has served on the local and state boards. She is Past President and current member of the Glenvar Rotary Club and has served on the New Vision board for over 20 years. She also serves as an Ambassador and volunteer for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys.

Phoebe McAnallen, Senior Accounts Executive

Phoebe McAnallen joined our staff as licensed benefits specialist with an extensive service background. She wanted to return to her hometown of Salem to work with people on a more personal level and she brought home plenty of experience.

Phoebe spent 30 years in Atlanta, Georgia as a hardware and software industry professional — implementing new projects, directing teams of consultants and managing accounts for large corporations in the US and abroad. Her customer service experience is with large and small clients with a focus on problem resolution and customer satisfaction.

As a Medicare consultant Phoebe has extensive knowledge in senior products including Medicare Supplements and prescription drug plans. She can expertly guide you through the retiree maze of Medicare.

Contact Phoebe if you require assistance with your benefits or claims questions.

Lori Hurt, Benefits Specialist

Lori Hurt is a licensed Benefits Specialist with Business Solutions. She brings to the table a diverse background which includes Medical Practice Management. Her multi faceted work experience with a nationally known health insurance company has provided her with a depth of knowledge regarding the current insurance markets, employee benefit products, the entire claims process; as well as, how the insurance company develops and maintains a provider network.

Lori began her career in 1989 as the Office Manager for a new, single doctor family practice near Smith Mountain Lake. The practice soon grew to two doctors and then expanded into a new building. In 1996 she moved on to the lead position in the Customer Service department for the Roanoke Regional office of John Deere Health Care. During her tenure with John Deere she also managed the local Provider Relations department and was the Small Group Representative for the Marketing Department where her career as a Benefits Specialist began.

Lori has been working as an independent Benefits Specialist since 2000 and fondly looks back across her past experiences as having provided her with a “well rounded education” when it comes to insurance and employee benefits. This education has proved to be an extremely valuable asset to her clients, but more importantly she enjoys working with her clients to service their needs and in developing a one on one relationships with them.

Lori is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She enjoys volunteering and serving in her church has filled many leadership roles there, including Worship Team Chairperson and Pastor Search Committee Chairperson.

Tracy Hale, PHR, SHRM-CP, Benefits & Human Resource Specialist

Tracy joined Business Solutions in February of 2016. Tracy Hale is a 2002 graduate of Emory & Henry College holding a Bachelors degree in Communications. Tracy previously served at Virginia Lutheran Homes since July of 2006 as the Director of Human Resources, and has nearly 15 years of Human Resources experience. Prior to joining VLH, Tracy served as a Corporate & Retail Recruiter for SunTrust Bank, overseeing territories throughout SW Virginia and West Virginia. Tracy has served in multiple capacities on the Board for the Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management, including President, and currently as the Marketing Chair. She has served as a member of the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board and as a co-chair for the Jill’s Buddy Camp Golf Tournament, raising funds to help partner high school students with children that are developmentally delayed. She is currently serving on the board for the Salem Roanoke County Food Pantry.

While serving as the Director of Human Resources at Virginia Lutheran Homes, Tracy specialized in employee engagement, retention, Workers Compensation, legal and regulatory compliance and, as a member of executive leadership, negotiated annual insurance premiums to ensure a manageable employee cost.

Emmy Kibler, Administrative Assistant

Emma is our Administrative Assistant and the backbone of our agency. She has over 10 years experience in customer service and 5 years as an Employee Benefits Analyst. She is a 2008 graduate of Lynchburg College with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, holds a Life & Health License, and she earned her Benefits Account Manager Certification through NAHU in 2017. She brings her creativity and experiences to her work. She understands the importance of the of client relationship and can be detail oriented while also managing her time and prioritizing important tasks to best serve our clients.

Lorrie Wilson, Account Executive

Lorrie Wilson started with Business Solutions in 2015 as an administrative Assistant and now serves as Account Executive. Lorrie currently holds Life & Health Licenese. Prior to joining Business Solutions, Lorrie worked for Roanoke County Schools for more than 14 years. Lorrie values the importance of working effectively and efficiently with clients.

Wendy Epperly, Account Manager

Wendy is a licensed Health & Life Insurance Agent from the New River Valley. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she has followed the Affordable Care Act since the inception, performing the IRS reporting function for Applicable Large Employers since 2015. In addition to benefits, she has served in roles of finance, human resources, and management, with a focus in the restaurant industry.

Wendy has joined Business Solutions because she values their philosophy of a hands on approach to helping people with their benefits. Whether an individual or a company, Wendy is dedicated to finding the best solution for the situation. Contact Wendy for individual policies, employer benefits, claims questions, or questions about the Affordable Care Act.

David Via, Benefits Specialist

David is a graduate of James Madison University and has been in the insurance industry since 1989. Originally, he worked with the Allstate Operations Center, where he obtained his Property & Casualty and Life & Health Licenses. In 2009, David decided to become an independent P&C agent to allow more opportunity for his clients by having multiple carriers for various lines of insurance. David joined Business Solutions in 2023, where he shifted his focus to Individual and Small Group Employee Benefits. He is always looking to provide the best value for his clients.

He is married to his lovely wife, and they have 2 amazing children. He enjoys spending time with his family, refereeing, and learning. David believes in the “golden rule” and tries to live by that each day. He truly enjoys helping others succeed in life. David serves on the program and special events committee for RVAR, and delivers “Meals on Wheels” for the Local Office on Aging.

Client Testimonials

Blue Eagle Credit Union (formerly Roanoke Postal Employees’ FCU) has had the privilege of working with Business Solutions for well over 15 years. I have no doubt that they work to build a strong relationship with each of their clients as they have with us, always being available not only to management, but to individual staff members as well. Their expertise extends far beyond traditional benefits, providing employers with solutions and support for day-to-day HR activities and required reporting. We always know that they place extreme emphasis not only what’s best for the employer, but also what’s best for the employees. These are just a few of the reasons that we continue to depend on and trust Business Solutions as a true business partner.

Jeff Thompson

CEO, Blue Eagle Credit Union

I have told you personally, but wanted to put it in writing, that you and your people are the most knowledgeable, hard working and easy to deal with firm, in your specialty, that I have dealt with. I don’t know what your hours are but I have received emails from you both before and after normal business hours and several while you were on vacation. While I personally like to deal with you, I have found your other people are well trained and knowledgably and easily fill in for you when you are unavailable. I have been impressed also with the fact that when we ask you for help outside your expertise, you always are able to point us in the direction of other people, who through experience you trust. You and your firm are a valuable resource to Blue Ridge Copier.I know you have hundreds of customers but in handling our account, you make us feel we are the most important account you have.I am very glad that we chose your company.

Paul H. Story Sr.

CFO, Ethos Technologies