MZQ may sound like any other business with last name initials, but in truth, the letters aren’t initials at all. In fact, there’s so much more to it. MZQ, at its heart, is a family business. At its inception, the whole family got involved, except for Emily (Emmsie Q). Living abroad and with a career of her own, she wasn’t able to be part of the new business. Wanting to find a way to include her somehow, they named the business after her…and MZQ was born.
MZQ Consulting was founded in 2014 by a daughter and father team - ERISA attorney Jennifer Spiegel Berman and systems engineer Jim Spiegel. Jen’s compliance expertise and Jim’s technical know-how provided the brains and brawn to form our unique company.
MZQ was originally formed as an Affordable Care Act reporting agency, but we quickly expanded to encompass a breadth of benefits compliance needs. Through our distinct industry expertise and proprietary software developed in-house, we've become leaders in the evolving compliance landscape. We call our distinctly client-first approach to our industry the MZQ Advantage.
Jen Berman is an employee benefits attorney and entrepreneur. She is a leader in analyzing health care reform developments and frequently serves as a speaker and commentator on a wide variety of health care reform and employee benefits issues. In addition to her work leading MZQ, she is a member of Holder Law Group LLC. Jen graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law. Jen also completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating magna cum laude. She is an avid lover of textile arts, frequently wearing stunning pieces she hand-crafted herself.
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Jim is both the CIIO and the data processing software developer of MZQ Consulting, and is entirely responsible for designing our custom programming efforts. Jim has over 30 years of experience programming computers, having enjoyed an extensive career as a systems engineer before founding MZQ. His early career was spent supporting NASA projects, including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Jim earned both his undergraduate and advanced degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering; graduating with an M.Sc.(Eng) in Systems Engineering and cum laude with a B.S. in Systems Science and Engineering. Jim’s hobbies include stunt-kite flying and candle making.
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Jennifer is a well-rounded HR/Payroll professional with over 15 years of experience. Before joining MZQ, Jennifer led a variety of teams, including payroll operations at ADP and HRIS/benefits at Maxim Healthcare Services. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree from Towson University, graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration. Jennifer also has extensive certification in her field, having earned the title of Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) from the American Payroll Association (APA), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), and SHRM-CP certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
As CSO, David is responsible for developing and executing MZQ’s long-term strategies and working with other key stakeholders to ensure the company’s growth and success. David is a 40-year veteran in the insurance industry. The first half of his career was focused on individual production. After his term as President of NABIP (then known as The National Association of Health Underwriters), he became President of one of the oldest TPAs in the nation. After selling the TPA, he became Humana's Southeast Regional Director of Consumerism. He served as part of the senior management team at an insurer owned by Medical Mutual of Ohio. During his career, he spent 25 years as a monthly health and benefits columnist for Life Insurance Selling and National Underwriter Life & Health. He hosts the award-winning “The ShiftShapers Podcast,” the longest-running healthcare-oriented podcast in the industry. He is also an author of the Amazon #1 Bestseller “Benefits Revolution – The Next Generation of Employer-sponsored Healthcare” (2023). He was a guest lecturer at the University of Miami’s MBA program for healthcare professionals, a facilitator for the exclusive Platinum Benefits Series, and on the faculty of the National Consumer Directed Health Care Conference and The Employer Health Care Congress. He was also an original faculty member of the Platinum Advisor Training Council. David is the 2003 recipient of NAHU’s Harold R. Gordon Memorial Award and is a founding member of the NAHU All-Star Band. With deep roots in management, strategic planning, team building, and comprehensive industry knowledge, David is an asset to MZQ’s senior management team.
Lee joined MZQ Consulting in 2017 and now serves as our Director of Compliance. Prior to joining MZQ, she spent over 25 years as a practicing paralegal. She is a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associates (NFPA), a member of the Maryland Association of Paralegals (MAP), and a former chairman of the University of Maryland Paralegal Studies Advisory Board. Lee earned her bachelor’s degree and certificate in Paralegal Studies from the University of Maryland. She is an active volunteer with the National Kidney Foundation, focusing her efforts in the area of patient education.
Alan Klein is the Director of Technical Implementation and our resident data wizard. He joined MZQ in 2015 as a Data Processing Manager and was quickly promoted to his current position. Before working for MZQ, Alan spent 10 years as a Marketing Manager for several magazine publishers in New York, including Primedia and InterMedia Outdoors. Alan earned a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, with concentrations in Operations & Information Management, as well as Marketing. He lives with his wife and children in New Jersey.
Josh Berman has over 20 years of experience in system development, internet technologies and customer support. Josh joined MZQ at our firm's very beginning to develop our Cloud environment, and has securely maintained our Cloud infrastructure ever since. Prior to MZQ, Josh worked at Roadnet Technologies (formerly UPS Logistics Technologies), where he led a team of support specialists and handled web service integrations. Josh earned his B.S. in Computer and Information Science from the University of Delaware with a concentration in Systems Administration. He lives with his wife and children in Baltimore, and is a huge Ravens fan.
Beverly joined MZQ in 2021 as the Director of Operations. Beverly is a well-rounded Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience and is considered a subject-matter expert in Benefits and Leave of Absence compliance. Before joining MZQ, Beverly managed the Benefits and Leave of Absence teams for 15 years at Maxim Healthcare Services, a leader in the staffing and home healthcare industry. Prior to Maxim, she worked in Human Resources at a technology company that handled computer and network security for government contracts, a financial firm that handled underwriting mortgage loans, and a technology company that handled computer software development. Beverly studied Business Administration at Carroll College. When Beverly is not working, she spends her time with her son, family, and friends. Beverly’s true passion is being a mother, and she enjoys traveling.
Theodore has over twenty-five years of experience architecting, developing and implementing custom software solutions. Prior to joining MZQ, T.J. has worked for a diverse set of companies in public, private and government sectors over his career, and brings that wealth of experience to the team. T.J. earned his bachelor's degree in Applied Information Technology at the University of Baltimore. He lives with his wife and children in Baltimore, and when he's not behind his keyboard, he's most often found on the ice as a semi-competitive curler.
David Mordo is a Senior Compliance Officer at MZQ. As a subject matter expert, he works across various compliance disciplines and augments the team with his knowledge and written content. David Mordo began his insurance career as a sales representative in 1980. 1985 he founded D. Mordo & Associates LLC in New York City. After selling his agency in 1994, he worked with Colburn Insurance and, in 2000, became the Director of Small Group Operations for Walsh Benefits, ultimately being named Vice President of Education, Compliance, & Medicare Operations, working with brokers to prepare them for changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, he became Director of Compliance and Broker Education at Slattery GA, an Arthur J. Gallagher & Co subsidiary. When BenefitMall acquired Slattery in 2018, he took on the role of Senior Compliance Analyst and was also the BenefitMall School of Insurance Director, educating brokers nationwide. His focus on consulting with advisors and employers in ERISA, HIPAA, PPACA, and other issues has often taken him to Washington, D.C., where he speaks with state and federal legislators and regulators. He has served NABIP (NAHU) in various capacities and is currently Region 2 Vice President. He is an instructor with the association’s Online Learning Institute and teaches courses on single-payer, compliance, prescription drugs, the ACA, and other industry topics.
