About Us
Why we’ve been the Culinary Union’s partner for over 20 years.
Our History
Since 2004 our agency has been providing voluntary insurance programs for both the Culinary and Bartenders Union with exclusive products from Boston Mutual, an “A” rated insurance company founded in 1891.
The first program initially offered Life Insurance and Disability coverages. In 2008 a critical illness program was introduced, protecting employees from the financial impact of serious illnesses, and an accident policy was added in 2012.
We are honored to be of service to a union that is known throughout the country for its tireless advocacy for its members, and we try to emulate that same passion when we advocate for our valued clients.
While we typically have benefit counselors on site during the year in various casinos and other union venues, we also take quite seriously our obligation to assist employees with service issues including filing claims.
Since the plan’s inception, we have facilitated tens of millions of dollars in claims paid to policyholders, on over 100,000 policies. We take our responsibility to be there in times of need quite seriously and have an office staff dedicated to assisting clients with the paperwork needed to secure the benefits they are entitled to.
This approach differs from the typical industry approach of merely enrolling participants in programs, with little if any afterthought as to assisting with claims. You are never without a valued ally when you need to navigate the sometimes-complicated process of interacting with an insurance carrier to secure benefits for which you are entitled.
You will find our experienced staff eager to assist, many of whom have decades of insurance experience upon which to draw.
All of our public facing staff are bilingual to help assist members whether their native language is Spanish or English, and we have the capacity to assist members with other languages as well.
We have always been housed at the Culinary building, initially on Commerce St, where we occupied Building F and had a representative in the E section, but also most recently in the new Spring Mountain facility, where we are open from 8-4 Monday-Saturday to serve members.
A little secret, we are oftentimes available for additional hours after 4 PM. Please contact us for availability.
We hope you will find our website a useful tool to assist you in managing your insurance program. Feel free to reach out to us or stop by for a visit, and know we are only a phone call away.
We are eager to help and take great pride in serving the members of the Union for more than two decades. We are always looking for ways to improve, so please feel free to email us with any comments that will help us better serve you.
The Team
Our team of benefits specialists is here to help. We are not employees of the insurance company. We’re here to help you get the most out of your policies! Our team members are listed by where they serve you. All our team members speak both English and Spanish.
Culinary HQ Team
These friendly folks are here to help at the Culinary Union’s headquarters on Spring Mountain Road. We’re in the office Monday-Saturday, 9 AM-4 PM.
Steve Grossman
President
Steve has been in the insurance business for over 45 years, working with industry giants Marsh and Willis. He specializes in voluntary benefits for organizations ranging from 50 to 60,000 employees.
He has been with the firm in managerial capacity since 2023 and has been among Boston Mutual’s most productive agencies since 1989.
His hobbies include skiing and writing. He is a published author working on his second book.
Jim Passas
Founder
Over two decades ago Jim Passas worked closely with the Culinary and Bartenders Union to create a proprietary program enabling members to address gaps in insurance coverages, and to supplement the Union’s extensive benefits program. After an extensive search, and in tandem with the Union’s executive committee, he crafted the nucleus of the program that members now enjoy through Boston Mutual.
A resident of Florida, he remains active in the business, and is a frequent visitor to Las Vegas where he interacts with many of the Union officials who were so instrumental in helping to make the program an integral part of the Union’s benefit offerings.
Maria Murillo
Office Manager
Maria Murillo has been a licensed agent since 2004. She has worked with supplemental insurance companies most of her career. She started with the Culinary Union group in January 2015, relocating her family from California in 2017. She loves what she does and it shows. She enjoys working with the membership and facilitating their communication and claim process with Boston Mutual.
Araceli Avila
Service Representative
With over 20 years of insurance experience, Araceli is passionate about helping the public navigate their healthcare options with confidence and care. She believes in making complex information simple and accessible, always aiming to serve with patience, clarity and heart.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, reading, practicing yoga and dreaming of her own yoga space where wellness and community come together.
Joe Lopez
Service Representative
Joe is a seasoned insurance professional with over a decade of expertise navigatng policies, claims, and client needs—building on a foundation in real estate and mortgage financing. By day, he’s decoding coverage complexties; in his spare time he enjoys conquering rugged trails in his Jeep Cherokee, pitching tents under starlit skies and chasing summit views on epic hikes.
Lizbeth Juarez de Santiago
Assistant Service Representative
Lizbeth has a background in the medical field. She takes great pride in keeping daily operations running smoothly and supporting both her team and clients with professionalism and care. Transitioning into insurance has allowed her to combine her attention to detail with her passion for helping others. Outside of work, family is her top priority, and she enjoys spending her free
time horseback riding and enjoying the outdoors.
On-Site Benefit Counselors
Meet the team that attends registration events on your property. These may be the first faces you meet!
Camelia Lopez
Benefit Counselor
Camelia has been a licensed insurance agent for over 25 yrs, she believes in putting the client first. She has been here since the program’s inception and enjoys helping clients find benefits that provide peace of mind. Hobbies include cooking, shopping, gardening, daily walks with her dog.
Andrea Arrue
Benefit Counselor
After working in veterinary medicine for over 10 years, Andrea started working with
the Culinary Union Voluntary Benefits office in 2018. She has two amazing fur babies, is an avid reader and a huge Taylor Swift fan. She is also currently training for her first marathon in 2026.
Jorge Vargas
Benefit Counselor
Jorge has been with the for over a decade and has a passion for helping hard-working service industry employees implement and have a deep and broad understanding of their benefits. He is an avid hiker and loves tennis, national parks, ancient archeology, museums, historical places and anything and everything to do with NASA and space travel.
Gloria Leon
Benefit Counselor
Gloria has been working with the Culinary Union Voluntary Benefits office for the last 10 years. When not working, she loves to bake, garden, watch her favorite show Naked and Afraid, and spend time with her daughter and two grand-fur babies Meg and Darcy.
Our Remote Team
Our remote team keeps your claims running smoothly behind the scenes.
Judith Johnson
Manager Remote Accounting Office
Heather Barrows
Assistant Manager Remote Accounting Office
Heather Barrows started her career with the firm in 2021. Prior to that, she worked in customer service in the banking industry for 11 years. Her hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with her family.
Marcy Hernandez
Benefit Counselor
With 20 years of dedicated service in Employee Benefits, Marcy helps drive successful outcomes for clients. Her extensive background spans critical functions, from hands-on Enrollment Counseling to large-scale Project
Management. This varied experience allows Marcy to anticipate challenges, streamline complex processes, and develop tailored benefits strategies that meet specific business objectives while
enhancing the employee experience.
Sarah Cohen
Operations
Assistant
Sarah has been a proud member of the United Capitol Solutions & Integrated Benefits Planning team since 2013, working closely with Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Culinary Union of Las Vegas. Sarah is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother—blessed with three children and five wonderful grandchildren. A true Floridian at heart, she loves God, family, cooking, and all things Florida—from beaches and swamps to airboats and hunting adventures.
Jessica Barrows
Accounting Service Representative
Jessica started with the firm in January of 2025 . She is active in her church, and devoted Christian devoted to her faith. She spent
five years in the banking industry and loves caring for the animals on her mini farm.
Serving Culinary and Bartender Unions' Members
