Leadership

	James Leitner President \| Chief Executive Officer jleitner@southlandbenefit.com James E. Leitner is President and Chief Executive Officer of Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. Mr. Leitner was previously the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Southland National Insurance Corporation, one of the nation’s leading Pre-Need insurance companies. Mr. Leitner currently serves on the Southland National’s Board of Directors, where he is a member of Southland National’s Investment and Audit Committees. Mr. Leitner is a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa, serves on the Board of Directors of Easter Seals of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa Rotary club as Treasurer and is active in numerous professional and civic organizations.
	Robert H. (Bob) Rust Managing Director brust@southlandbenefit.com Robert H. Rust currently serves as Managing Director of Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. He joined Southland National in 1977 in the underwriting department; previously he served as Division President and currently serves on the Board of Southland National. Mr. Rust has been active in civic organizations since moving to Northport, was elected Northport's Citizen of the Year, and has served as President of the Northport City Council, and Chairman of both the Northport and Tuscaloosa Chambers of Commerce.
	Robbi Earley Vice President, Operations rearley@southlandbenefit.com Robbi Earley currently serves as Vice President of Operations for Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. She has been with Southland National and the Collateral Family of Companies for 19 years. Ms. Earley has an extensive background in administration of life and supplemental health insurance systems.
	Debbi Besant Vice President, Finance dbesant@southlandbenefit.com Debbi Besant currently serves as Vice President, Finance, of Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. Prior to her arrival at Southland in January, she served as CFO for Strategic Metrics, Inc. in Tuscaloosa. Ms. Besant is a CPA, a member of the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club, the Alabama Society of CPAs, and the Institute of Management Accountants, where she is currently serving as both Chapter President and Regional Director for the Southeast Council.
	Andy Gardino Information Systems Manager agardino@southlandbenefit.com Andy Gardino currently serves as Computer and Information Systems Manager for Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. He has worked at Southland in Information Systems for 13 years. Before joining Southland, Mr. Gardino was a Systems Analyst for Associated Computer Services.
	Joanna S. Jungen Sales Operations Manager jjungen@southlandbenefit.com Joanna S. Jungen currently serves as Sales Operations Manager for Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC. Ms. Jungen has been with Southland National since 2005, previously serving as Broker Manager. Ms. Jungen has 15 years experience in the Insurance and Accounting industries.
	Dan Leavell Regional Manager dleavell@southlandbenefit.com Dan Leavell currently serves as Regional Manager for Southland Benefit Solutions, LLC., focusing on marketing and business development throughout the Southeast. Prior to joining Southland, Mr. Leavell spent 10 years with Luxottica Retail as a multi location manager, area recruiter/trainer and served as the Regional Gift of Sight captain for the Southeast.
	Glynda Simpson Customer Service Manager gsimpson@southlandbenefit.com Glynda Simpson has been employed by Southland for 22 years, serving 10 of those years as Assistant Supervisor, Customer Service. She was promoted to Customer Service Manager in 2005 and is also a recruiter for Southland's DentaNet Network.