Roman
McDonald
Roman McDonald
Chief Executive Officer, BRM Specialty Markets
Roman McDonald, Sr., Prior to co-founding BRM Specialty Markets in 2019, was the Founder and CEO of First Genesis Benefits Consulting (dba Benefyx), a division of First Genesis Holdings, Inc. Roman McDonald has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. First Genesis holdings had a suite of complimentary companies that concentrated in the Insurance and Financial Services industries, First Genesis Financial Group, First Genesis Benefits Consulting (dba, Benefyx), and First Genesis Risk Management.
Prior to establishing First Genesis Holdings
Roman McDonald’s passion and enthusiasm towards insurance and financial services has remained consistent throughout the changes within these industries. This passion led him to identify a void in the marketplace after working exclusively with small to mid-size companies during his year tenure with Creative Financial Group, one of the largest distribution companies for the MetLife Enterprise. It was there where Roman developed a business model that supports the financial services and insurance needs of small to mid-size companies, ultimately evolving into First Genesis Holdings, Inc.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Lehigh University, Roman began his career in the investment arena while working on the trading desk for DLJ Direct, the online division of Donaldson, Lufkin, and Jenrette. As an advocate for helping individuals and businesses meet their financial goals and objectives; Roman has been able to transform his practice from a trusted and respected resource for his community and client base, to a regional based trusted and respected brand of companies within the industry. His passion and enthusiasm for helping others continues to place him in demand as a speaker throughout the country. Roman McDonald has been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the Top 40 Business Leaders under the age of 40 in 2009 and was featured in August 2015 issue of Smart CEO Magazine.
He currently is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, and The Greater Philadelphia Association of Health Underwriters. Roman is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the National Association of Guardsmen Inc. Roman resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife Dr. Elana O. McDonald and their two children.
fun facts for Roman McDonald
Revlon Corporation
Mr. Ford is extremely knowledgeable in risk management, underwriting, plan designs, funding arrangements, and compliance requirements under the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care). He has participated as an advisor or information resource during labor negotiation with several of his clients, including Revlon Corporation and the City of Newark.
Mr. Ford’s reputation in the industry is well known. In 2002 he was asked to sit on the Aetna US Healthcare producer advisory board and received a US Senate Citation for providing excellence in professional achievement. Mr. Ford has served on the Board of the Regional Business Partnership in Newark, Chaired the Fund Development committee on the Board of Director of the Girl Scout Council of Greater Essex and Hudson Counties. Mr. Ford is a current member of the African American Chamber of Commerce and on the Advisory Board for “Preserve our Legacy”, and a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters..
As a member of the US Air-Force Reserves, Mr. Ford has served his country in support of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After completing 27 years of honorable service, Mr. Ford retired from the Air Force Reserves in May of 2006.
