Past
Pace Thomas Benefit Services
More than 30 years of benefits work carried by Pace Thomas Benefit Services — the experience foundation SSGI would later build on.
A Decker Family Company
Family-owned benefits guidance, built for what comes next.
Strategic Sequoia Group Inc. is a Decker family company. SSGI Benefits is its employee-benefits division — independent brokerage, direct accountability, and modern operations for small and growing employers, with the capability to keep supporting you as your organization grows or becomes more complex.
How we work
Three operating principles
These are the commitments you'll experience working with us — the way the business actually runs day to day.
- 01
Independent guidance
We help employers evaluate available options around workforce needs, plan goals, and budget — without allegiance to any one carrier. Year-round, we're reachable for the questions, changes, and issues that come up between renewals, not just at signing.
- 02
Accountable ownership
SSGI is a Decker family company. The people who own the business are the people you talk to — not a faceless parent corporation. Clients have a clear SSGI point of contact, with a practical path to the person coordinating the issue.
- 03
Modern operations
AI-first operations with human accountability. Modern tooling for speed, real people for judgment — backed by eligibility, enrollment, and compliance support and coordination so your team isn't left holding the administrative bag.
Our story
Family-owned. Built on experience. Designed for what comes next.
2020
Decker family ownership
In 2020, SSGI acquired Pace Thomas Benefit Services, carrying forward more than 30 years of benefits experience into a family-owned, technology-enabled firm.
Next
AI-enabled, human-accountable
Modern AI-enabled operations with human accountability — faster tooling for the work, real people for the judgment that benefits decisions require.
Heritage
Maryland roots, from the beginning
Andrew Decker can trace his Maryland family roots to the first colonists of St. Mary's City, Maryland's first colonial capital, founded in 1634.
Our leadership
The people behind SSGI
The Decker family owns and runs the business. These are the people you'll work with directly.
Laura Decker
Vice President, Strategic Sequoia Group Inc.
Laura Decker leads the SSGI Benefits division, overseeing sales and client success, and serves as Vice President of Strategic Sequoia Group Inc. Her experience spans small teams of two through organizations with more than 1,000 employees.
Andrew Decker
President, Strategic Sequoia Group Inc.
Andrew Decker runs SSGI Benefits operations and strategic direction and serves as President of Strategic Sequoia Group Inc.
Brokers & partners
Let's connect
Brokers and partners are welcome to reach out. Start a conversation about how we can work together.
Email adecker@ssgibenefits.com to reach the team directly. If you'd like to refer an employer or partner to us, see our referrals page for how that works.
Start a practical conversation
Request a benefits review to talk through your goals, current plan, and workload — with the people who own the business.