TORCH Insurance Program Management Team
Brant Couch, CPA, CIC
Brant leads business development, programs, and strategic account management in the Austin Office. Their office is one of the largest specialized insurance brokerage and consulting groups in the US, serving over 130 hospitals. For over twenty years, he has worked closely with healthcare clients and essential groups such as the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), the Texas Hospital Association (THA), and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to develop new and better ways to ensure the success of healthcare providers. He specializes in building captive and group purchasing programs to drive economic efficiencies for all types of hospitals across the country.
Frequently published and a popular speaker, Brant previously served as a recognized business development leader and auditor at Ernst & Young for eight years, specializing in working with healthcare and emerging growth companies nationwide. Prior to that, he held several positions with Central Texas Medical Center and the Texas State Senate. He holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas State University, is a CPA, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Brant serves on the Dell Seton Medical Center Community Leadership Council, whose mission is to change healthcare and the economic future of Central Texas. He recently served on the advisory board of Concordia University’s Healthcare Administration Program.
Jennifer Fudge, RPLU Senior Partner
Jennifer has spent most of her life in the insurance business; you could say it runs in the family, as she is a third-generation insurance agent. Jennifer started her career with Hobbs Group, specializing in large construction accounts. She then spent 14 years with Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, managing their professional liability division. After IIAT, Jennifer joined the HealthSure team in 2013. Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in finance. She also has her Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU) designation. Jennifer has been a speaker on both professional liability topics and organizational management. Jennifer has also written articles on new professional liability products and market trends.
Krista Adamson CIC, CISR COMMERCIAL INSURANCE Team Lead
Krista leads the P&C service team in serving the unique and evolving needs of our healthcare clients. She has more than 15 years of experience in commercial lines insurance and customer service. Krista is committed to delivering exceptional client experience through leadership, relationships, and creativity. As your insurance and risk management advocate, she is skilled in developing and delivering innovative solutions to exceed the expectations of hospital and physician group leaders. Krista has attained professional designations as a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC).
Jessica Martinez, Employee Benefits Team Lead
With over 20 years of experience in Employee Benefits, Jessica specializes in strategic account management, business development, risk management, and client relations. She delivers tailored healthcare solutions that enhance talent acquisition and retention while ensuring compliance with complex healthcare regulations.
Passionate about holistic wellness, Jessica integrates mental, physical, and financial well-being into benefits programs to deliver value to clients and their workforces. Her collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholders ensures superior outcomes and long-term success.
Daniel Warden, Sales Team Lead
Dan leads our team with over 20 years of experience driving growth and leading high-performing teams in HR, compliance, and workforce management. As Sales Leader at Alera Group, he delivers innovative, scalable solutions for enterprise clients. Previously, Daniel held senior roles at Safeguard Global, including National Director of Large Enterprise Sales and VP of Global Sales, where he led international strategy and consistently exceeded revenue goals. Earlier, he contributed to the success of Workplace Answers, Empower, AonHewitt, and Paychex, building long-term client relationships and expanding market presence. Known for his strategic vision and collaborative leadership, Daniel is passionate about helping organizations solve complex challenges with tech-enabled solutions.
Heidi Hughes, Risk Consultant
Heidi is passionate about building strong client relationships. With over 16 years of experience, she combines creative problem-solving with a commitment to exceeding expectations. At Alera Group, Heidi has been instrumental in driving nationwide growth. A skilled presenter and facilitator, she brings clarity and value to every engagement. Her success is rooted in prior business development roles at leading payroll and service firms and her B.S. in Business Administration from San Diego State University.
Jesse Garcia, Risk Consultant
Jesse lives by the motto “Always Be Learning Everywhere (ABLE).” With over 10 years of experience in Benefits, HR, Payroll, and Staffing, he helps small businesses and rural hospitals thrive by offering tailored solutions. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development, Jesse is passionate about supporting rural communities and building long-term client relationships through innovative problem-solving and research.
Austin York, Risk/Benefits Consultant
Austin helps organizations move beyond “good enough” to strategic benefits planning. With expertise in Employee Benefits, HR, and Total Rewards, Austin delivers solutions that maximize savings, improve employee engagement, and drive measurable ROI. He is passionate about tackling complex challenges, thinking outside the box, and aligning strategies that help clients grow and thrive.