Dan Barrett
President/Owner
Dan Barrett offers more than 44 years of executive-level experience in the insurance industry, with deep expertise in property and casualty, surety bonds, and life and health benefits. He holds a bachelor’s degree in administration and management from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has held leadership roles at some of the nation’s top insurance firms, including Marsh Inc. and McGriff, Seibels & Williams.
Dan has been appointed with major insurance carriers for over four decades and is frequently consulted by insurance companies to assist in the development of innovative insurance products. He has a proven track record of delivering customized insurance and risk management solutions to a diverse clientele—including municipalities, school districts, and privately held businesses.
He holds a Property & Casualty License and a General Lines License with authority to write Surety Bonds. Dan also serves as Chairman of the Mental Health Authority in San Antonio, where he oversees a $300 million budget for the Center for Health Care Services. In this role, he ensures compliance with evolving federal and state regulations and proactively communicates relevant legislative changes to all stakeholders.
Dan’s leadership ensures that our firm remains responsive, compliant, and strategically aligned with our clients’ evolving needs.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Dan is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and outdoor cooking. A talented chef, he often prepares meals for family and friends and remains closely connected with his parents—frequently brightening his Father’s Day with visits. He also enjoys spending time with his two adult children and grandchildren. Dan is also actively involved in the community and supports numerous charitable causes.
Sonya Cardenas
Chief Operating Officer/Account Executive
Sonya Cardenas is a retired school principal with over 34 years of experience in public education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Certification in Administration. With a diverse background in both the brokerage/account management and carrier sides of the employee benefits industry, Sonya brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the insurance business. Her expertise in customer service and community relations enhances her ability to provide exceptional service to clients and contributes meaningfully to business operations.
Sonya is a licensed Life and Health Agent and plays a key role in developing strategies, planning, and guiding clients through their employee benefits offerings. She is responsible for managing the relationships between clients and insurance carriers, ensuring seamless communication and alignment of interests.
In her operational capacity, Sonya oversees all aspects of the enrollment process, from scheduling information sessions and conducting onsite enrollments to managing new hire enrollments and removing terminated employees from the system. Her exceptional ability to remember and recognize each individual she meets helps foster strong, personal relationships. She regularly holds roundtable discussions with leadership to gather feedback on enrollment experiences, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring greater satisfaction with enrollment products, physician searches, family practice alignment, and overall service delivery.
Sonya is committed to dedicating time and resources to clients, maintaining an in-person presence when needed, and ensuring that all transitions are managed efficiently, timely, and effectively.
On a personal level, Sonya’s family is her greatest passion. She is the proud mother of three grown daughters, grandmother to one, and enjoys spending quality time with her extended family and friends. Her spiritual life plays an important role in her daily life, as she volunteers at her church and teaches religious education. Sonya lives by the motto, “People First,” and strives to incorporate this philosophy into both her professional and personal life.
Daniel Barrett
Sales Manager
Daniel Barrett is a seasoned Life and Health Insurance professional with over 12 years of experience guiding individuals and families in selecting coverage that aligns with their unique needs and goals. As a Sales Manager, he is recognized for his integrity, client-first approach, and deep understanding of insurance products and regulations.
Daniel’s ability to build lasting client relationships stems from his honest communication style, strong product knowledge, and commitment to delivering tailored, value-driven solutions. His expertise has made him a trusted advisor to a wide range of clients, from first-time buyers to those navigating complex healthcare needs.
Outside the office, Daniel is an avid golfer who enjoys spending quality time with his wife and caring for a lively group of pets—including both cats and dogs. His approachable nature and dedication to others carry over into every aspect of his personal and professional life.
William Grissmer
Account Executive
Will is an accomplished Account Executive and Compliance Manager at Barrett Insurance Services, where he serves as a trusted advisor to clients—building strong relationships, ensuring seamless service delivery, and resolving issues with a proactive, solutions-focused approach. He brings a unique combination of leadership, operational expertise, and client service excellence to every engagement.
With over 15 years of experience in compliance, risk management, and project leadership, Will has developed a strong foundation in managing complex, client-facing initiatives. His background includes 12 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army, where he held key leadership roles such as Regional Supply Chain Manager (Texas), European Regional Procurement Manager, General Manager of Maintenance, and Training Supervisor. These roles honed his ability to lead diverse teams, manage logistics across multiple geographies, and execute evolving strategies under pressure.
At Barrett Insurance Services, Will applies this experience to ensure operational efficiency, strategic alignment, and client satisfaction. He leads efforts around onboarding, communication, and service execution, always with a focus on delivering value and long-term results.
Will holds an MBA from Texas A&M University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), underscoring his ability to manage complex initiatives with precision and accountability.
Outside of work, Will enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, Amelia. He brings the same level of commitment and care to his personal life as he does to the clients he serves.
Matthew Aguilera
Director of Information Technology
Matthew Aguilera holds a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University and brings 8 years of experience in the technology industry, along with 2 years in the insurance sector. He is a licensed Life and Health Agent, certified to sell both ACA and Medicare plans.
As Director of Information Technology, Matthew leads the design, integration, and management of all client systems within the licensed enrollment platform, Employee Navigator. He ensures that all systems function efficiently, securely, and with a high level of data accuracy. Whether building a new system from the ground up or integrating with an existing platform, Matthew provides end-to-end support to ensure a seamless enrollment process for the district.
He is responsible for delivering all technology-related services, including report generation, census data, software management, and system integrations with carriers. He also supports clients with 1094/1095 reporting and reconciliation processes. In addition, Matthew offers personalized, on-site training for administrative staff, ensuring they can access and utilize key reporting tools effectively.
Outside of work, Matthew enjoys exploring new recipes in the kitchen and is an accomplished pianist, offering private lessons to students of all ages. He is also an avid reader who regularly visits the library to explore a wide range of genres. Health and fitness are important to him, and he maintains an active lifestyle in his free time.
Elizabeth Grismer
Account Executive
As an Account Executive for Barrett Insurance Services, Elizabeth Grismer leverages her unique blend of education and experience in both healthcare and insurance to build and maintain strong, lasting relationships with clients. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Texas A&M, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas, and an MBA from Texas A&M, Elizabeth brings a comprehensive understanding of business, healthcare, and insurance. She is dedicated to ensuring client satisfaction, addressing concerns, and meeting their needs at every stage of the client journey.
Prior to her current role, Elizabeth worked as a nurse, where she gained invaluable experience in the healthcare system and developed a deep understanding of patient needs. This background allows her to identify gaps in insurance coverage from both the client and employee perspectives, enhancing her ability to deliver tailored, effective solutions.
With 10 years of experience in insurance brokerage and risk management, Elizabeth excels in client relationship management, risk mitigation, and providing strategic solutions that deliver value. Her healthcare expertise enables her to bridge the gap between the two industries, ensuring clients receive the best possible coverage for their needs.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending quality time with her husband and daughter, as well as indulging in reality television shows. She values family time and enjoys connecting with those around her in a meaningful way.
Victoria Martinez
Executive Administrative Assistant
Victoria Martinez has over 19 years of experience in the public-school sector and now serves as both Administrative Assistant and Marketing Manager at Barrett Insurance Services. With a strong background in education and communication, she plays a vital role in supporting day-today operations while leading creative efforts to enhance employee engagement and benefits communication.
Victoria holds a Degree in Education and is a licensed Life and Health Agent, certified to sell both ACA and Medicare products. She excels in managing the production and distribution of benefits communication materials, ensuring that content is clear, accessible, and aligned with client goals. From creating social media campaigns and email/text alerts to designing employee guidebooks, posters, and postcards, Victoria ensures that every piece of content is both visually appealing and informative.
She coordinates enrollment communications, manages messaging calendars, and works directly with department leaders to keep employees informed and engaged. Victoria also fields incoming calls, triages issues, and ensures elevated concerns are addressed promptly—with a two-hour response and 24-hour resolution standard. Known for her positive energy, strong communication skills, and creative problem-solving, Victoria is often described as the “Go-Getter” of the office, someone who takes initiative, solves challenges with grace, and inspires those around her.
Outside of work, Victoria is deeply devoted to her family. She enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with her one son and three grown daughters and tackling home improvement projects—often guided by her favorite YouTube tutorials. Whether at work or at home, Victoria brings passion, precision, and positivity to everything she does.