Koontz joins Alliant's employee benefits leadership
She will steer plan designs and strategies for clients
Koontz joins Alliant's employee benefits leadership
INSURANCE NEWS
By Jonalyn Cueto
13 Oct 2025

Alliant Insurance Services has appointed Melissa Koontz as senior vice president in its employee benefits group, expanding its team in the Pacific Northwest. 

Koontz will be based in Spokane, Washington. In her new role, she will work with a national client base, providing employee benefits solutions that align organizational and workforce objectives. 

“Melissa has a unique ability to connect the goals of finance and HR, ensuring benefits strategies meet both organizational and employee objectives,” said Kevin Overbey, president of Alliant Employee Benefits. “Her deep knowledge in self-funding, M&A, and complex organizational transitions makes her an invaluable resource for employers navigating today’s evolving healthcare landscape.” 

The company said Koontz’s work will focus on self-funded benefits strategies, including bundled and unbundled approaches that aim to provide flexibility in benefits design. She has been described as an expert in supporting organizations through mergers and acquisitions, ownership transitions, and engagements with unions and public entities. Her clients span industries such as financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing. 

Before joining Alliant, Koontz was senior vice president at a global insurance brokerage and employee benefits firm. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and human resources from Gonzaga University and holds the Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designation from the Society for Human Resource Management. She also serves as programs director for the Inland Northwest Society for Human Resource Management (INSHRM). 

The announcement follows recent moves in the employee benefits sector. In April, the company added two executives to the employee benefits group. 

In June, the firm appointed a new vice president to its employee benefits group and acquired Johnson Benefit Planning in Oregon, integrating the team into its employee benefits operations. The company said the acquisition is part of its strategy to expand its presence in the Pacific Northwest. 

What are your thoughts on the recent appointment? Share your insights in the comments below. 

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