Dedicated to providing a Superior Customer Service experience to our Valued Clients.
Established in 1997, Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI), an Independent, Authorized Senior General Agent for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois located in Riverwoods, provides thier clients with exemplary service and quality insurance solutions.
Scott Loochtan, the president of SSI, started the company with a phone, a computer and a desk in an office in his father’s candy factory with two of his friends. Over the years, that single office turned into a three suite, multiple office space that houses dozens of licensed education specialists and administrative staff.
SSI’s education specialists personally guide individuals through the insurance education process to ensure proper understanding. Many of our clients are comforted in knowing that all of SSI’s licensed specialists are certified each year with the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services to be able to provide Medicare-related coverage to Medicare eligible beneficiaries.
SSI and its staff stays on top of issues that are important to its clients like the changes and reforms within the insurance and health care industry. We take ourselves seriously as well as the interests of our clients and potential clients.
SSI representatives have years of experience in the following areas:
● Illinois Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap Plans)
● Illinois Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans
● Illinois Long Term Care Insurance
● Illinois Individual Health Insurance Plans
● Illinois Temporary Health Insurance (Short Term)
● Illinois Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Contact us at 1-800.806.1220 and allow one of our dedicated representatives to assist you in finding the most appropriate options for you and your family.
Scott Loochtan
CEO, Managing Partner
Scott Loochtan has been been providing insurance solutions to individuals since 1987, the year he became licensed and started his first agency. He has been involved in insurance in one form or another his whole life. Scott started his next agency in 1991 with two of his friends, both of whom are still with him today–one of whom is now his brother-in-law. The office, was just that, one office, located in his father’s candy factory that had one desk, one phone and one computer.
In 1997, Scott’s agency changed its name to Senior Services of Illinois, Inc., which is an Independent, Authorized Senior General Agent for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. A distinction that only four other agencies in the state of Illinois hold. Scott is the President and the company specializes in health and Medicare-related coverage.
Scott DeGrenier, Regional Vice President
New Business Development Manager
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I have been in insurance for some time now and I still love what I do. Being able to help & protect people brings a sense of purpose and meaning to my life”.
Scott DeGrenier joined Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI) at the beginning of 2010, to serve as its new business development manager. Scott oversees the day-to-day management of the SSI education specialists and administrative team. He also is involved with the marketing and technological application/sales processes for the office.
Scott started his insurance career in 1998 and has worked with such top financial firms as Chase, Oak Brook Bank and Northwestern Mutual. He is actively involved in community and school organizations and served as President of the Goddard School Parent Teacher Organization.
He is a published poet and avid Bears fan and knows his way around a grill. Scott has three children and is married and lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
George Vida, Jr.
State Manager
“I know that every day I wake up that I am going to positively impact people’s lives by protecting their health needs and helping provide a legacy for their family”.
George Vida, Jr. has been in the insurance industry since 1986, which started with New York Life and currently serves as State Manager of Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI). Vida is responsible for the development of internal and external representatives.
George is a sought after speaker, has conducted numerous Medicare and Medicare Part D training seminars and has trained numerous successful insurance representatives.
His areas of expertise include:
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Fixed Annuities
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance
- Medicare Part D
- Life Insurance
- Group & Individual Health
When not in the office, he enjoys cooking, golf, bowling, watching sporting events and listening to live music.
George received his bachelor’s degree in Management in 1981 from the Bowling Green State University (OH). George lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with his wife of over 27 years, Lilly and their four daughters. He is actively involved in his community with youth organizations as a coach and fundraiser.
Phil Coelho
Education Specialist
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I truly enjoy what I do, because I have the ability to really help people get through times of uncertainty. Whether it’s helping people prepare for retirement or making sure that their basic health insurance needs are taken care of, I know that I put their minds at ease”.
Phil Coelho is a licensed education specialist that has been involved in the insurance industry since 1996. He holds licenses in life, health and property and casualty. Phil has been part of Senior Services of Illinois (SSI) for nine years as an outside agent primarily providing health and Medicare-related insurance solutions to his growing list of clients.
Prior to joining SSI, Phil was with Allstate for six years writing home and auto insurance. Outside of the office, he is an avid golfer and skiier and enjoys Ohio State football and NASCAR.
Phil graduated from Denison University in Granville, OH with a degree in Economics and lives in the Chicagoland area with his wife and young daughter.
Don Stefano
Education Specialist
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I enjoy coming to work everyday and assisting people make educated decisions about their insurance options and being there for them every step of the way”.
Don Stefano has been an integral part of the SSI family since 2005. Originally, he started as phone support staff then made the decision to obtain his life and health license in 2006, which he then started providing solutions to people who were in need of proper coverage.
Don’s booming distinctive voice has dubbed him “the radio voice of the office”. His upbeat attitude always keep the office light and loose.
When not in the office, Don enjoys spending time with his family and going to Bears games, not to mention being a marksman with the pub darts. Don lives in the Chicagoland area with his fiancé.
Darryl Feder
Education Specialist
“To share my experience with other seniors in order to make their retirement process easier”.
Darryl Feder has found a second career with Senior Services of Illinois (SSI). A retired engineer, Darryl decided to come out of retirement seven years ago to obtain his health and life insurance licenses. He admits that he did not know much about gardening so the local gardening super center did not appeal to him.
Darryl shares many commonalities with the individuals that he helps on a daily basis – one of them being his personal experience with being on Medicare. He is an education specialist that assists people in finding the best options in health and Medicare-related coverage.
Darryl graduate from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma with a bachelor of science in engineering. In his spare time, Darryl enjoys reading, cooking and trying new restaurants. He lives in the Chicagoland area with his wife of 48 years and has three children.
Lilly Vida
Education Specialist
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It doesn’t feel like work when you love what you are doing”.
Lilly Vida puts the ILL in Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI). Lilly is an outside agent and education specialist that has been assisting individuals with insurance options since 2005. She has been closely associated with insurance since 1986, seeing that her husband George is SSI’s state manager. SSI is truly a family affair for Lilly.
Prior to joining SSI, Lilly was the owner of Northwest Electrology. When not explaining the nuances of Medicare and Medicare Part D, Lilly is involved in arts and loves to garden and travel – not to mention she speaks Icelandic.
Lilly lives in the Northwest Suburbs with her husband George and their four daughters.
Brian Marsh
Education Specialist
“Providing exemplary service along with the best products to my clients makes this all worthwhile”.
Brian Marsh has been providing insurance solutions for his clients since 1986. He joined Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI) in 2008 after working for such companies as Metropolitan Life Insurance, AON and AAA Chicago Motor Club.
Prior to joining SSI, Brian was the top-producing agent for AFLAC in the state of Illinois for multiple years. He has his health, life and property & casualty licenses as well as long term care certification.
A valued asset for SSI, Brian’s motto is “you will not find a better insurance plan, better price or better client service” than what he can provide.
An accomplished percussionist, Brian prides himself in being accessible for his clients 24/7, but still finds time for his children and the occasional family camping trip.
Brian attended Benedictine College in Lisle, IL. He has two children and lives in the Chicagoland area.
Linda Berry
Senior Administrator
“When I come to work everyday, I enjoy knowing there is always a new challenge to address and new people to assist”.
Linda Berry, senior administrator, has been with Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI) since 2008. She is SSI’s jack-of-all-trades. That means that she steers the ship. Her responsibilities are numerous, from overseeing all processing of applications to systems control, Linda has the know-how, smarts and fortitude to handle it.
Prior to joining SSI, Linda was the tournament/office manager at one of the country’s largest Croquet Centers in West Palm Beach, FL.
When Linda is not navigating the SSI ship she is spending time with her family bike riding. Linda lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband and has three children.
Mary Shipley
Client Service Manager
“I really enjoy helping and educating people regarding Medicare and what their options are. I feel good each day knowing that I am someone’s advisor and that they trust my guidance”.
Mary Shipley is the client service manager for Senior Services of Illinois (SSI) as well as an inside agent representative. Along with her friendly demeanor and wonderful organizational skills, Mary handles client service calls, ensures that all the SSI education specialists are providing exemplary service to our clients and maintaining a base of her own clients.
Prior to joining SSI a little over two years ago, Mary worked for Mature Health Services and was a residential real estate broker for over 12 years.
Mary is a skilled figure skater and classical music flutist who also loves to read, rollerblade and play volleyball. She lives with her son in the North Suburbs of Chicago.
Jason Vida
Education Specialist
“The opportunity to educate and assist people on a daily basis by securing their well-being and providing peace of mind wakes me up each morning”.
Jason Vida joined Senior Services of Illinois in 2009, the same year he transitioned his career into insurance. He is not only an education specialist but serves as the in-house communication manager that oversees and manages many aspects of the marketing for SSI. Jason honed his skills as a public relation practitioner in New York City, working at three of the largest public relation firms in the world.
Prior to joining SSI, Vida was the director of public relations for an advertising agency in Fort Wayne, IN. In his spare time, Jason enjoys music, reading, cooking, writing and golf.
Jason received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a specialization in Public Relations from The University of Toledo (OH). He lives in the Chicagoland area.
Debra Airhart, ACS, AIAA, AIRC
Education Specialist
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Specialist – One who provides quality service without being asked, takes time to listen and discover individual needs and utilization, has complete knowledge of product and technical innovations to suit you and your family”.
Debra Airhart is an education specialist that has been with Senior Services of Illinois, Inc. (SSI) since 2010. She brings over 30 years of health insurance experience and is the go-to person in the office when it comes to information and compliance.
She has her licenses in life, health and property/casualty and is certified for long term care.
Outside of SSI, Debra has served as President of BEBC Health League Ministry for over five years and coordinates annual community preventative health fairs and workshops.
Debra lives in the Chicagoland area.
