D&S Agency

Employee Benefit Advisors

WHO WE ARE

D & S Life Agency, Inc. provides solutions and multi year benefit plans to improve client health and to better leverage health insurance costs. Constantly monitoring a variety of resources, we partner with employers to implement strategies to effectively and efficiently manage benefit plans. It’s just part of doing business with us.

Our focus emphasizes communication, design and funding options for our clients in the constantly changing benefit business.

Our goal is to help clients and their employees purchase the right coverages using a well planned strategy. Below are some of the individual and employee benefit services that we offer.

Our Team

William L. Kite, Jr

Principal

Founder and a principal of D&S Agency; Bill entered the employee benefits business in 1976 after graduating with a B.A. in English from Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia. Bill holds Virginia licenses in life, health, annuities and consulting and non-resident licenses in many other states. In response to PPACA and continuous legislative changes, the D&S Agency team designed and constructed a self-funding health insurance option for businesses that has consistently outperformed carrier trends! The Cherry Tree Collaborative provides the safety of a larger number of enrollees with the education and management of specialty vendors to improve employee and dependent health as well as access to appropriate levels of care.

Bill is a contributing member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) that actively advocates on behalf of businesses in Washington, D.C., and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Giving back to the community through numerous nonprofit organizations has been a major focal point.  Bill also served eight years on the Society of Alumni Board at his alma mater. Bill with his wife Karen have five daughters and six grandchildren.  Golf, hunting and fishing are his occasional distractions.

Amanda Dammann

Principal

I am a licensed life and health agent with over 20 years of program and operation management experience and 9 years of individual and group insurance education and sales know-how. I am a graduate of Liberty University, with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Go Flames! My husband and I have been married for 16 wonderful years and have two amazing kiddos. In our free time, you will find us camping, hiking or watching live music.

Karen Kite

Executive Administrative Assistant

I am a licensed life and health advisor who has worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years.  I am a National Association of Health Underwriters member at both the Commonwealth of Virginia and National levels. I currently support our D&S team by marketing plans for both current group and prospective group clients.  I communicate with carrier partners and D&S clients.

Kaleigh Fanning

Medicare Specialist | Account Data Specialist

I took on the role of Medicare Specialist in 2023 and am now aiding our clients with Medicare enrollment specialties.  Whether turning 65 or experiencing a disability for 24 months, I can help you navigate the cumbersome world of Medicare.

I joined D&S Agency in 2015 as the Account Data Specialist. Supporting all our staff and clients, aiding with compliance, reporting, claims and enrollment specialties. I look forward to growing my knowledge and getting to know our clients more.

I graduated from Franklin County High school and still reside in Franklin County. Later attended Virginia Western Community College for accounting and business management. I started my career in the insurance field handling claims for a local dental office before joining D&S Agency. It was an honor to join such an amazing team as a licensed life and health agent.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two children. You will most likely find us outdoors enjoying nature or hanging out with friends and family.

Glenda Simmons

Medicare & Marketplace Specialist

I am a licensed broker and consultant. A National Business College graduate, I began my insurance career at D&S Agency in 1989. I bring 30+ years of experience and a personal outlook to help my clients with strategic solutions that fit their lifestyle and needs. I provide individual health and Medicare supplement sales and services.

Renae Lambert

Account Manager

Here at D&S we speak your language! In 2016 the owner of D&S Agency found out I was a Spanish teacher and asked if I would like a part time job translating employee meetings and documents for our clients. After translating one of my first meetings an employee told his HR that he felt like it was the first time he had ever been to an employee meeting.

About three years later I began working full time for D&S Agency as a licensed insurance agent! Whether I am explaining benefits or helping someone find discounts on expensive medications…my favorite thing about working here is being able to help folks! Insurance can be complicated, so my teaching skills and patience are very useful during employee meetings and phone calls.

My husband and I met while I was a student at Virginia Tech. We love to travel and have three grown children who are our whole world. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, going to concerts, and floating on the river.

Keri

Claims Specialist

I am a Franklin County native, joining the D&S team in 2022.

I graduated from American Military University with certification in Human Resource Management, a Bachelors in Human Resources and I plan to obtain my Master’s Degree this fall. I also have 20+ years of experience as an licensed and certified pharmacy technician.

I love that I am able to utilize my broad work experience with my current position as Claims Specialist.

My husband and I have two children. In our free time you can find us attending their school functions, riding our boat, traveling, entertaining guests at our home or our newest hobby…. camping in our RV.

Blake Ford

Administrative Assistant

I started my career at D&S Agency in January of 2024 and am currently working as an administrative assistant. I am in the process of getting licensed to further my abilities.
I am a team player who tries to help out wherever it is needed.

I graduated from Virginia Western in 2021 with an associate in Business Administration. Since then, I have worked in customer service helping to improve the experiences of others.

I am learning a lot every day and look forward to being better equipped to serve our clients in the future.

Flor Cruz

Administrative Assistant

My name is Flor Cruz, and I am an Administrative Assistant at D&S Agency. I graduated from Valencia College in Orlando, FL, with an associate’s degree in computer science. At D&S Agency, we are dedicated to helping others and striving to do our best, which is one of the reasons I love working here! Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, music, and spending time with my family.

Photos by I Snap Joy Photography

SERVICES

D&S Agency has the experience and dedication to creating for each of our clients a custom benefit plan offering that fits their strategic goals and budget. We bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for the work we do to create a long lasting relationship with employer groups.

– Employee Benefits 

– Level and Self Funded Health Plans 

– Cost and Disease Management 

– ACA Compliance 

– Streamlined Enrollment 

CHERRY TREE

A Healthcare Collaborative

Powered by D&S Agency, the Cherry Tree Collaborative is an exclusive alliance of ERISA self funded health plans.

Cherry Tree is an employer health insurance initiative that funnels the power of many employers into a single source negotiation that results in the same purchasing advantages experienced by large employers. The broad goal of this initiative is to take back control from the carrier for pricing, design, renewal, and other financial parameters of your health insurance program. In our model, we invite our stop loss carrier to be a partner in achieving the goals of our employer customers by serving employer needs as opposed to following the traditional approach that is in the insurance company’s interest.