Frank Pitera decided to break free from the corporate world in early 2008 and pursue his passion of connecting with people. At the recommendation of a colleague, he began a new career as a Benefits Consultant for Health Markets in the Richmond, Virginia area. Health Markets specializes in health insurance for individuals not covered under corporate health plans like Small Business owners, independent contractors, realtors and sales professionals. Frank enjoys building relationships with his clients and customizing health packages to suit each client's needs and budget.

In the current economy, Frank has found that his customers are savvier and often come to the table with competitive knowledge - mostly from internet-based companies. He commends his clients for being self-educated, but points out that all health plans aren't what they seem to be. He cautions consumers to investigate all options before committing to a provider and ensuring that they've chosen a reputable insurance company.

Frank is enjoying the independence that being self-employed has brought him and he plans to continue growing his client base and serving the central Virginia market. If you're in the Richmond area, be on the lookout for Frank's weekly networking sessions where you can mix and mingle with other slingshot members.