Open To Work
J. ERLE HOFFMAN
Bellflower,CA
Summary
Bilingual licensed insurance professional with expertise in benefits counseling and consultative selling. Specializes in educating individuals and small businesses on diverse insurance options while fostering long-term client relationships. Known for delivering personalized service and achieving client satisfaction through effective communication.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Independent Agent — Benefits Counselor
Colonial Life
12.2019 - Current
- Consult with small business owners, individuals, employees, and families on supplemental insurance benefits designed to protect income, health, and financial stability.
- Educate clients on disability, cancer protection, accident, critical illness, dental and vision riders, medical bridge/hospital confinement, and life insurance solutions.
- Focused on business-to-business sales, guiding small business owners on supplemental benefits to enhance employee support and business operations.
- Built and maintained a client network through self-generated leads, phone consultations, business visits, and presentations, both in-office and virtual.
- Perform one-on-one enrollments with business staff both in person and virtually.
- Maintain client profiles and follow up through phone, email, and in-person communication to support long-term client satisfaction.
- Conducted field underwriting to identify suitable coverage for clients with preexisting conditions while ensuring options remained within budget.
Benefits Counselor — Call Center
Benefit Communications, Inc. | The Hartford Insurance Company
09.2022 - 12.2025
- Facilitated benefits enrollment for employees in high-volume call center, providing personalized service to enhance user experience.
- Guided employees on core benefits options, ensuring comprehensive understanding of medical, dental, vision, disability, pharmacy, life, HSA, and FSA benefits.
- Informed employees about ancillary benefits, promoting awareness of cancer protection, accident, critical illness, medical bridge, life insurance, long-term care, wellness programs, pet insurance, legal assistance, and employee assistance.
- Assisted employees with benefit questions, claims procedures, Evidence of Insurability, and qualifying life events.
- Supported thousands of employees from 350+ companies using multiple CRM platforms and enrollment systems.
- Followed HIPAA and PHI security procedures to protect sensitive employee and health information.
VP of Sales and Marketing
Ararat Group USA, Inc.
, California
11.2017 - 12.2020
- Built and expanded business through a grassroots sales approach using established relationships with 7-Eleven, key independent accounts, and newly developed accounts.
- Executed tradeshow strategies that maximized product visibility and generated account interest, driving sales results.
- Secured product placement and highly visible displays with multiple points of sale throughout accounts.
- Cultivated relationships with Store Directors, Price Integrity teams, and receivers to secure ongoing product support.
- Played a key role in developing and growing test market accounts with Ralphs Supermarket.
- Worked closely with distributor account managers, district managers, and sales teams to grow the customer base and increase product distribution.
- Created sales meeting agendas, developed sales campaigns, and presented strategies to the sales team.
- Trained sales representatives on brand knowledge, product placement, and objection handling, enhancing promotional execution and sales effectiveness.
- Delivered product presentations to FOA Board Members with audiences of up to 400 members.
Territory Manager
VPX Sports / Bang Energy
, Southern California
07.2016 - 11.2017
- Drove territory growth through cold calling, grassroots sales, and strategic account development.
- Ranked as a top performer in sales and KPIs month over month.
- Launched new products, enhancing BANG Energy brand presence across assigned accounts.
- Opened new accounts and expanded existing accounts by securing additional distribution points with every visit.
- Managed van sales throughout Orange County, servicing independent convenience accounts, 7-Eleven locations, and gas convenience accounts.
- Selected as the only Territory Manager asked to participate in tradeshows and special events to promote the brand.
- Built strong relationships with key FOA board members.
- Oversaw operations in Southern California
Sales Representative
Haralambos Beverage Company
Orange County
07.2015 - 07.2016
- Opened new accounts and expanded existing accounts by adding distribution points, increasing product availability during each visit.
- Achieved 100% execution with advertising activity and sales programs.
- Ranked as a top performer in sales incentives.
- Managed route sales across mass merchandise, grocery chain, independent convenience, on/off premise, gas convenience accounts to maximize market coverage.
- Managed sales operations in Orange County
Sales Executive
Statewide Beverage Company
Los Angeles
04.2013 - 07.2015
- Developed assigned route into top-producing territory, driving significant revenue growth.
- Opened new accounts and expanded growth within existing accounts, enhancing overall sales performance.
- Managed route sales throughout Long Beach, South Bay, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles.
- Trained new Sales Executives on route management and sales execution, improving team effectiveness in account development.
- Los Angeles
Territory Market Manager
Xyience, Inc.
Southern California
06.2007 - 04.2013
- Worked closely with distributor management and sales teams to grow distribution, execute sales incentive programs, and support chain activity.
- Focused heavily on chain convenience and chain grocery channels.
- Led distributor execution through field support, sales meetings, and crew drives, ensuring effective account-level implementation.
- Trained sales representatives on product knowledge, objection handling, product placement, price management, and chain program execution.
- Implemented pricing calendars aligned with sales forecasting and promotional programs, optimizing pricing strategy.
- Developed incentive programs for sales and management teams, enhancing sales engagement and profitability.
- Communicated with chain buyers and designated liaisons regarding chain-specific locations and programs.
- Oversaw distributor activities in Southern California.
- Scheduled monthly sampling calendars for up to 80 samplings and special events per month.
Trade Development Manager
Seven Up Bottling Group
Los Angeles
07.2006 - 06.2007
- Expanded distribution within existing accounts and developed new accounts to enhance market reach.
- Coordinated resets following new account acquisitions to optimize product placement.
- Facilitated contracted authorizations for cold equipment placements, ensuring compliance and operational readiness.
- Managed operations in Los Angeles
Sales Representative
Pacific Snapple
Los Angeles
06.2002 - 07.2006
- Earned a dedicated South Bay territory two months later and grew it into one of the company’s top-producing volume territories.
- Ranked consistently among top performers in sales incentives and spiffs, reflecting commitment to exceeding sales targets.
- Managed route sales in Long Beach and South Bay, driving revenue growth in the region.
- Promoted from Merchandiser to Sales Relief within three months, demonstrating strong sales skills and adaptability.
- Los Angeles
Security
Calvary Chapel Christian School
Downey, CA
09.2001 - 06.2002
- Screened visitors for identification and escorted unauthorized individuals from campus to uphold security.
- Patrolled school campus and surrounding areas, ensuring safety in unsupervised locations.
- Maintained student safety by intervening in potentially dangerous activities.
- Assisted with student arrival, dismissal, breakfast, lunch periods, hallway traffic, and class transitions.
- Served as bodyguard for an international Christian music artist during the Freedom Celebration Event at Cerritos College Football Field.
- Downey, CA
Sales Representative
Core-Mark International
Los Angeles
02.1996 - 06.2001
- Expanded low-volume sales route from $90,000 to over $300,000 monthly through targeted strategies.
- Ranked consistently among top performers in sales incentives and spiffs, demonstrating commitment to excellence.
- Awarded Salesperson of the Year in 1999.
- Named Runner-Up Salesperson of the Year in 1998 and 2000.
- Managed route sales across South Bay market, fostering relationships with key clients.
- Recognized as Accounts Receivable Collector of the Year in 1997, 1998, and 1999 with 98% collected.
- Worked in Los Angeles market
General Manager
SEI / 7-Eleven Inc.
South Gate, CA
08.1988 - 08.2016
- Oversaw daily store operations, including staffing, inventory management, vendor relations, merchandising, sales performance, and customer service to enhance overall store efficiency.
- Recruited, trained, and developed staff to align with operational needs and elevate guest satisfaction.
- Maximized sales and profitability by identifying and resolving sales obstacles.
- Cultivated strong vendor relationships and actively promoted 7-Eleven to strengthen community presence.
- Maintained proper inventory levels and internal controls.
- Maintained a clean, properly stocked, and well-merchandised store environment.
- Managed store operations in South Gate, CA
Education
General Education - Administration of Justice
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA06-1990
Skills
- Benefits enrollment
- Insurance planning
- Client relationship management
- Benefits consultation
- Policy education
- Consultative selling
- B2B sales
- Lead generation
- Account management
- Field underwriting
- CRM systems
- Territory growth
- Presentation skills
- Negotiation
- Customer service
- Team training
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Bilingual English/Spanish communication
- Call center certification
- HIPAA and PHI compliance
- Client education
- Conflict resolution
- Customer complaint resolution
- Relationship building
- Problem-solving skills
- Business development
- Customer needs determination
- Customer service and care
- Documenting information
Certification
- FFM Certification (Federally Facilitated Marketplace)
- Long-Term Care
- Anti-Money Laundering
Affiliations And Volunteer Work
- BellOne CRC, Member, 08/2022, Present
- BellOne CRC Council, Elected Assistant Treasurer
- BellOne CRC, Deacon of Benevolence
- Calvary Chapel of Downey, Member, 06/1997, 08/2022
Licenses And Credentials
- NPN, 5335083
- California Insurance License, #0D35349
- Licensed in All 50 States & Washington, D.C.
- FFM Certification, (Federally Facilitated Marketplace)
Professional Accomplishments
- Successfully completed initial licensing and training program in record time.
- Surpassed the company average for policy closings among new hires during the first three months by securing 18 new client policies.
- As a result, earning ‘Rookie of the Year” Honors.
- Assisted thousands of employees across 350+ companies with benefits enrollment, coverage questions, claims procedures, EOI, and qualifying life events.
- Grew a low-volume sales route from $90,000 per month to more than $300,000 per month.
- Earned Salesperson of the Year in 1999 and Runner-Up Salesperson of the Year in 1998 and 2000.
- Recognized multiple years as Accounts Receivable Collector of the Year with 98% collected.
Timeline
Benefits Counselor — Call Center
Benefit Communications, Inc. | The Hartford Insurance Company
09.2022 - 12.2025
Independent Agent — Benefits Counselor
Colonial Life
12.2019 - Current
VP of Sales and Marketing
Ararat Group USA, Inc.
11.2017 - 12.2020
Territory Manager
VPX Sports / Bang Energy
07.2016 - 11.2017
Sales Representative
Haralambos Beverage Company
07.2015 - 07.2016
Sales Executive
Statewide Beverage Company
04.2013 - 07.2015
Territory Market Manager
Xyience, Inc.
06.2007 - 04.2013
Trade Development Manager
Seven Up Bottling Group
07.2006 - 06.2007
Sales Representative
Pacific Snapple
06.2002 - 07.2006
Security
Calvary Chapel Christian School
09.2001 - 06.2002
Sales Representative
Core-Mark International
02.1996 - 06.2001
General Manager
SEI / 7-Eleven Inc.
08.1988 - 08.2016
General Education - Administration of Justice
Cerritos College