The Partners Group

Shafer will be using his nine years of experience to oversee The Partners Group’s financial and accounting functions. He will also be responsible for leading the business development initiatives within the company.

Shafer received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Economics from Eastern Oregon University in 1999. He also received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Finance from Portland State in 2005.

Prior to joining The Partners Group team in 2005, Shafer worked with a local insurance/financial services agency at a multitude of positions, including Director of Finance.

"Jake was a great addition to our team in 2005 and has truly been dedicated to the company’s objectives and goals," said Rod Cruickshank, president of TPG. "His extensive experience combined with his outstanding work ethic will make him a perfect fit for this position. I have no doubt of Jake’s success at his new capacity."

Shafer enjoys outdoor activities and currently resides in Beaverton, Ore. with his wife Marilee and young children.

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent employee benefits services, financial advisory and human resource consulting agency. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been on the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for List for the last four consecutive years. The firm recently moved its corporate headquarters to a new building which is jointly owned with the Oregon Medical Association off of I-5 at the Haines Street exit.

Currently, TPG serves over 12,000 individuals in Central Oregon through its Employee Benefits Services, Individual Planning, and Human Resource Consulting Practices. This makes TPG one of the largest benefits providers in Central Oregon. The Portland-based financial services group is the market leader in Employee Benefits Services, Individual Financial Planning and Human Resources Consulting and is now pleased to call 231 Scalehouse Loop, Suite 204, Bend, OR 97701 new Central Oregon headquarters.

"The Partners Groups has grown substantially over the past several years in Central Oregon and the new office will allow us to keep growing and serve our current clients more efficiently,” said Leslie Weaver, the Area Account Manager for TPG. “We will continue to add new staff to accommodate our growth. We are committed Central Oregon for the long term and are excited about strengthening our presence through partnerships in the community."

In its 13 years in Central Oregon, TPG has been very active in the community. The firm participates in several Central Oregon charities and community organizations including St. Charles Foundation, The Center Foundation and the Chambers of Commerce of Bend and Redmond and the Rotary Clubs of Bend and Redmond.

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent employee benefits services, financial advisory and human resource consulting agency. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been on the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for List for the last four consecutive years. The firm recently moved its corporate headquarters to a new building which is jointly owned with the Oregon Medical Association off of I-5 at the Haines Street exit.

Before joining The Partners Group, Sarah worked for 11 years with one of Oregon’s leading health plans in a variety of sales, operation and key management positions. Sarah has a wealth of healthcare experience working with large employers. Friend is a graduate of Western Oregon University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in communications.

An active member of the community, Friend serves on the board for the American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter and volunteers for a variety of non-profit organizations.

“Sarah’s knowledge, industry experience and genuine commitment to service make her an asset to The Partners Group and its clients,” said Rod Cruickshank, president of The Partners Group. “We feel fortunate to have Sarah join our team.”

The Partners Group is a locally-owned, independent financial advisory, employee benefits and insurance brokerage firm. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been on the Oregon Business Magazine’s Top 100 Best Companies to Work for List for a total of four years. The Partners Group recently relocated its corporate headquarters to a new building in Tigard, Oregon off of I-5 at the Haines Rd. exit. The Partners Group also has offices in Eugene and Bend.

Coble graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in business/economics and marketing. She most recently worked for PacifiCare as Director of Business Development where she oversaw NW financial practices, directed the NW financial strategy, and spearheaded business development initiatives. Coble also has led corporate-wide initiatives, developed key market strategies for the health care consumer market, and spent several years as a group underwriting manager.

“Sandra brings the experience needed to better leverage our growing book of self-funded and managed healthcare business to deliver measurable results to our corporate clients,” said Rod Cruickshank, president of The Partners Group. “Sandra will lead the expansion of our already experienced team.”

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent financial advisory, employee benefits and insurance brokerage firm. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been on the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for List for a total of four years. The firm just moved its corporate headquarters to a new building off of I-5 at the Haines Road exit.

Teensurance includes a set of online tools based on an on-board GPS and notification technology called the Safety BeaconTM, and provides real-world services to give parents peace of mind and help keep teens safe on the road. This new bundle of tools enables families to take proactive steps to monitor their teen’s behavior behind the wheel. Parents can set speed, distance and curfew limitations and affords them access to their teens’ vehicles with real-time notification so they will know if their teen drivers are in danger. With Teensurance parents and teens can also:

• Set “safe driving” zones to gradually ease new drivers into the driving scene as they gain experience;

• Unlock a car door remotely, in seconds, using a simple code;

• Access roadside assistance, 24/7, in case of car trouble;

• Gain insights into teen driving attitudes via the TeenDash survey;

• Download a parent/teen contract and educational materials

“Teensurance is a proactive solution to help parents around the Pacific Northwest keep their families safe on the road, and the first in a series of Safeco innovations that push beyond traditional insurance to impact our customers on a broad scale,” said Michelle Elliott, Personal Lines Account Representative.

“Before [Teensurance], parents had to rely on hope and worry to mitigate this stressful time. Now, parents have the ability to guide frank conversations about what is acceptable behind the wheel, as well as the peace of mind that comes with knowing what actually happens on the road.”

Teensurance is available to customers with Safeco auto insurance policies. Those customers are eligible to receive the product for a limited-time introductory price of $14.99/month. The price includes free installation of the Safety Beacon, and is guaranteed for two years.

For more information about Teensurance, contact The Partners Group at (503) 726-9550 or visit www.teensurance.com.

About Safeco

Safeco, in business since 1923, is a Fortune 500 property and casualty insurance company based in Seattle. The company sells insurance to drivers, homeowners and owners of small- and mid-sized businesses principally through a national network of independent distribution partners. For more information, visit www.safeco.com.

About The Partners Group

The Partners Group, a financial and insurance advisory firm serving successful individuals and businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Collectively, our partners specialize in educating clients on the most efficient and effective ways to protect assets, grow wealth, and maximize employee benefit programs. The Partners Group is one of the fastest growing financial services firms in the Northwest and has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Oregon.

Schaerer earned a business degree from the University of Oregon and has worked for a variety of financial firms in the Portland area. Most recently, Scott was a senior defined contribution plan advisor at Mercer Defined Contribution Advisors, where he was responsible for delivering consulting services to retirement plan sponsors with 100 to 20,000+ employees and $2 to $100million+ in assets.

“We’re thrilled to be able to expand our corporate retirement plan capabilities. Scott brings a lot of valuable experience and knowledge to the table and we look forward to working with him and seeing him excel here.” said Rod Cruickshank, president of The Partners Group. “Corporate Retirement planning is a major part of our benefit consulting strategy, most employers would rather work with one firm when dealing with their Health, Welfare, and Retirement needs. With the addition of Scott, we are better positioned to deliver this type of service while also growing our financial advisory business,” he adds.

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent financial advisory, employee benefits and insurance brokerage firm. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been named four times to the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon. The firm just moved its corporate headquarters to a new building which is jointly owned with the OMA off of I-5 at the Haines Road exit.

McHale earned a degree in finance from Portland State University. Most recently, she was the administrative manager at UBS Financial Services where she was responsible for all areas of administration, operations and human resources for the Portland area office. McHale has extended training and was a participant in the 2005-2006 Emerging Leaders in Action Program, a 12- month program designed to accelerate the career development of high potential associate managers and lead associates.

“Carrie is great example of the high caliber people that work for TPG,” said Rod Cruickshank, president of The Partners Group. “Deep experience at running the operations and compliance for one of the regions’ largest and most respected firms, she will help grow our advisory services at the level our clients have come to expect.”

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent financial advisory, employee benefits and insurance brokerage firm. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been named four times to the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon. The firm just moved its corporate headquarters to a new building which is jointly owned with the OMA off of I-5 at the Haines Road exit.

Farruggia earned a degree in business administration from Portland State University. She is a licensed Health Insurance Agent in Oregon and has worked for a variety of health insurance and carrier firms in the Pacific Northwest, including PacifiCare and Clear Choice Health Plans. In her spare time, Liz spends her time volunteering in the Redmond community, participating in organizations such as the Rotary Club, Ronald McDonald House and is a graduate of the 2006 Chamber of Commerce leadership class.

“Being an area account manager requires a unique skill set of being organized, smart, and service oriented,” Rod Cruickshank, president of The Partners Group. “Liz excels at each of these things, and we look forward to providing an even higher level of service to our clients in the Central and Eastern Oregon region.”

The Partners Group is a locally owned independent financial advisory, employee benefits and insurance brokerage firm. The firm specializes in finding innovative solutions for employer groups, individuals and families. The Partners Group has been named four times to the Oregon Business Magazine Top 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon. The firm just moved its corporate headquarters to a new building which is jointly owned with the OMA off of I-5 at the Haines Road exit.