About Us

Empathetic and honest are two words most people use to describe Frank. These attributes have served him well over the years in dealing with clients and friends alike. A good listener, he is able to discern people’s needs and desires and to utilize that to help build clients’ insurance programs.

Born on Long Island, NY in the late 40’s, he has a blue-collar background and has worked in the US Post Office and served in security as a Dog Handler in the US Air Force during Vietnam. After serving 8 years, he went on to work at Metropolitan Life Insurance for 4 years, and moved on to varying positions in Property and Casualty Insurance agencies as their in-house Life and Health Insurance Manager, having received various designations from the industry. During this time, he served on the Board of Directors for Lion’s Club in North Berwick for several years. In 1996, Frank started his own company called Employer Group Insurance Services, serving the needs of small business people. In 1997, he began serving on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire chapter of the Health Underwriters Association. He was later elected to Region I Vice President of the National Association of Health Underwriters, where he served for four years covering 13 states, earning kudos for helping to rejuvenate a sagging region.

Often during this period, he was called upon to speak to interested groups and state and federal legislators about the various concerns affecting the state of health insurance in this country. He has written numerous articles regarding health insurance on both a national and local level.

In 2000, he renamed his company Advanced Benefit Design to better reflect the changing nature of what he does. Also at that time, he took on a partner, Sonia Arnone, who was later to become his wife. Since then they have had a daughter together.

ABD has grown and specializes in helping groups under 400 lives find value-oriented solutions to their employee benefit concerns. Frank understands well the needs of the business owner and the pressure they are under to maintain the bottom line.

Sonia entered the insurance world almost 25 years ago. Her experience comes from having worked in sales and service for companies such as Commercial Union, Employers Reinsurance Corporation, New York Life, MassMutual and as an associate of The Baldwin & Clarke Companies, a Guardian General Agency. She has a vast knowledge of traditional insurance and the more complex self-funded, H.S.A. and H.R.A. options.

From 1994 to 2001, she served as a board member of the New Hampshire Association of Health Underwriters and served as president from 2000-2001. From 2001-2002, she re-chartered the Massachusetts Association of Health Underwriters. She is a founding member of the NH Coalition for Better Health Insurance. From time to time, she serves on the Commissioner’s Advisory Board.

In April 2000, she and her now husband, Frank Pearsall, formed Advanced Benefit Design. She continues to serve as the “health expert” for The Baldwin & Clarke Companies and she is a benefits resource for many life insurance agents throughout New Hampshire.

In this ever-changing health insurance market, she works with all size business owners helping them move through the muddy waters known as medical insurance. As a small business owner, she understands that you do not have time to read and decipher all the technical insurance literature. Your job is to make money and create a competitive environment for your employees. Sonia works for you. She will help you make sure you offer the most competitive benefits package for your employees and that you use your benefits dollars wisely.

In the individual market, she will make sure that clients understand their health insurance choices and the many benefits available to them. She will take the stress and anxiety out of choosing a plan and will help her clients obtain subsidies to help pay their premiums.