Cook & Associates has been in the employee benefit business for over 30 years, serving clients throughout the North Bay.  Our business was founded based on the premise that we will provide superior customer service at all levels of the employee benefit plan for small and large employers.

The quality of service begins with the development of service objectives and service standards.  A mutual understanding of the objectives paves the way for a solid working relationship.  Our staff has considerable experience in all facets of employee benefits.

Our Staff

Principal Consultant/Owner:  Gardner G. Cook

With 23 years of experience designing health & welfare programs, Gardner is the Principal Consultant and Owner of Cook & Associates. He is an expert in the employee benefits field. Gardner’s experience demonstrates his ability to work with many different clients in providing cost effective benefit programs.  As the Principal Consultant and Owner of Cook & Associates, Gardner focuses his efforts on managing his firm & creating a positive work environment with an emphasis on being your employee benefits consultant & advocate for he believes in providing the very best to his clients. Among other areas, Gardner focuses on maintaining & enhancing client relationships, managing & offering his bi-lingual service team, and promoting the educational aspects of benefits planning. His specialties include self funded programs, HRA administration, voluntary benefits, cost reduction, and benefits research. His company has specialized in serving the winery community since its inception.   

Prior to joining Cook & Associates, Gardner began his career at Travelers Insurance Company as a Senior Sales Executive after attending a three month certification course to become an employee benefits specialist. After 5 years with Travelers, Gardner became a Senior Consultant serving large group clients over 100 employees at New York Life.

Gardner has a BA from Lake Forest College.

Principal Consultant: Jack C. Cook

Jack Cook has been in the insurance business for over 50 years. His employee benefits expertise is unparalleled in the Napa Valley area. Jack started his career when there were no other benefits companies in the Napa Valley, and he has been serving the needs of many wineries ever since. Jack created the Wine Growers Pool with a group of insurance carriers. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter & Certified Financial Planner as well as a member of numerous Estate Planning Councils throughout US.

Benefits Specialist:  Roxanne Barnett

Roxanne currently handles all renewal and new group installations and assists with Medicare eligible employees. She  closely assists many employees with their personal needs related to healthcare specializing in claims and Medicare. Many of our client’s employees know her on a first name basis due to her friendly easy going manner and consistent availability by phone, email and in person over the years. Her background includes 25+ years in Human Resource Management, and she is a Benefits Administrator for several companies, ranging from 30-150 employees. Roxanne currently holds a PHR certification.

Benefits Specialist / Spanish Liaison: Rosario Avila

Rosario has over 15 years of customer service experience and specializes in servicing the health care industry. Rosario leads our bi-lingual service team. With her knowledge and experience she is able to work closely with employees and managers to resolve questions or concerns by explaining benefit policies and procedures on an individual basis. She coordinates annual benefit enrollment activities and conducts informational meetings in both English and Spanish. Rosario uses creative and personalized tools to assist employees in their benefit selection and understanding so they can make informed decisions. She knows the employee benefit industry and stays current with the industry’s changes. This understanding gives her the ability to effectively communicate the employee benefit sphere to your company's management and workforce. She also keeps abreast of Federal and State regulations and legislation changes that impact employee benefits.  She is a member of the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Benefits Support Specialist/ Spanish Liaison: Maria Caballero

Maria has over 3 years of employee benefits customer service experience.  With her knowledge she is able to work with employees to resolve questions related to claims and administration.  She fields numerous inquiries from employees and works closely with all insurance carriers to ensure accurate and timely processing of enrollments, changes and terminations.  Maria is a valuable asset to the bi-lingual service team.  Maria also coordinates our social media, web presence and webinars.  She is a member of the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.