About Us
About Us
High-Touch Benefits Consulting for Businesses of All Sizes
Employee benefits are one of the most significant investments a business makes in its people. Getting them right takes more than a carrier comparison and an annual check-in. United Professional Benefits was founded on the conviction that businesses deserve a partner who stays engaged, thinks strategically, and treats every client relationship as something worth protecting.
We Work Differently
Most companies hear from their benefits broker at renewal and not much otherwise. That is not how we operate. We build close, ongoing relationships with every client, grounded in regular communication and a thorough understanding of each business we serve. One-on-one meetings are central to how we work because no spreadsheet captures what a conversation does. When we know a business well, we advise it better.
Tailored to the Business, Not the Other Way Around
A benefits program should reflect the workforce it serves. The priorities of a 12-person manufacturing company are not the same as those of a 200-person professional services firm, and we do not treat them as if they are. Every engagement begins with listening. From there, we design a strategy that fits the organization as it exists today and has room to evolve as it grows.
Ahead of What's Coming
Compliance requirements shift. Carrier offerings change. New regulations create new obligations for employers who may not even know they apply. Staying current is not something we do occasionally; it is a core part of the service. Our team monitors regulatory developments and industry trends continuously so that clients are informed, prepared, and never caught off guard.
Rooted in Upstate New York
We have spent decades building relationships with businesses across Upstate New York, and that regional familiarity shapes how we work. We understand the employers here, the communities they operate in, and the workforce they are trying to support. That context is not incidental. It makes us better at what we do.

Meet Your Team
Zach Allen, LUTCF
Managing Partner
Kim Allen, Certified Financial Fiduciary
Founding Partner, UPA
Brett Shippee
Managing Partner
Emily Eiss-Sigel
Chief Operating Officer
Brennon Shippee
Executive Assistant
Katelyn VanBrocklin
Account Executive
MaryAllyn Baeslack
VP, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Commission Tracking
Andrew Marks
Insurance Broker, Benefits Specialist, Account Manager
Rich Miles
Insurance Broker
Samantha Robbins
Director of Risk Management
Hayden Freeman
Insurance Broker
Coltan Goodwine
Managing Director of Financial Planning
Neil Freeman
Insurance Broker
Behavioral Finance
Should You Tap Retirement Savings to Fund College?
Should You Ever Retire?
We Want to
Hear From You
Whether you have a specific question or just want to explore what working together looks like, a conversation is a good place to start. Schedule a call and let's talk.