Our Medicare Team

Mark Ziemba

716-508-0110

Mark R. Ziemba II, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ founded Thoughtful Insurance to help his wealth management clients navigate the ever-changing Medicare Insurance landscape. The firm is founded on the principle that no single insurance company can provide the right answer for every person, therefore we represent almost all of them. 

As a proud veteran of the US Army serving as a Sergeant and Unit Leader in Iraq, Mark developed key skills including leadership, staying calm under pressure, prioritizing goals and an appreciation for cherishing what is truly important in life. Coming from modest means and time spent with his great-grandparents helped develop who Mark is today. His success, personally and professionally, has come from hard work, dedication, and a simple moral code.

Mark earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from SUNY Buffalo and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. His credentials closely align with his belief that effective relationships between insurance clients and their advisors are built on trust and in acting in the client’s best interests.

His areas of focus include Medicare insurance guidance, investment management, trust management, estate planning, retirement savings and income strategies, along with budgeting and debt reduction strategies. he is also a 3(38) – Full Discretion, 401 (K) advisor through Private Advisor Group and is experienced in plan design, administration, participant education, and due diligence.

As a native of Western New York, Mark is also a proud supporter of his hometown.  He frequently hosts financial literacy forums, is an active speaker and writer on financial topics and has dedicated a portion of profits from Thoughtful Insurance for investment in local community organizations that serve WNY.

Vicki Pollock

716-376-0129

In 2021 Vicki Pollock marks her 9th year as a Medicare Benefit Consultant, and her 15th in Employee Benefits. “Since I love what I do, it never feels as though I am ‘working’.” …and that has been her consistent mantra.  For most people, approaching age 65, preparing for retirement, and anticipating the need to  understand  Medicare is intimidating.  What to do, who to call, where to go?  Those are the very questions Vicki embraces as she assists people, sifting through the complexities, listening to their needs, and ultimately guiding them to the right carrier and the best plan.   It is said that even Annual Open Enrollment’s barrage of mail can leave a person feeling overwhelmed and confused.  The ability to provide these people peace of mind …its priceless.

 With a combination of 28 years in the health insurance industry and nearly 20 years of medical office management experience, Vicki has excellent insight into administration, management.  She served as Customer Service Supervisor and later was promoted to Senior Account Executive for BlueCross BlueShield of WNY. She currently works as an independent Employee Benefit Consultant for commercial employer groups as well as Consultant for individual Medicare sales.  Vicki earned multiple sales awards with BCBS of WNY.  She is an alum and past member of Leadership Cattaraugus Board of Directors, as well as past chairman of its Marketing and Public Relations Committee.   She has been a loyal Southern Tier community member and currently serves an active volunteer for the YMCA Annual Campaign, as well as a member of the Advisory Board of Directors for the Olean YMCA branch of the Twin Tiers 

John Koller

716-431-5292

John considers himself a “people person” and loves to work with and talk to people from all walks of life. After spending almost thirty years with a large cargo airline, John retired “young” from his supervisory position in 2015 and started his new career in Medicare Insurance Sales soon thereafter. While vastly different from his previous career, John loves his new profession and the importance of the work he does. While helping people to understand Medicare and finding them the plan that best fits their needs, John has built a reputation of being honest and ethical with his clientele. John has served the youth in his community for many years until his recent retirement from hockey coaching and refereeing. A father of three adult children, he has been a resident of Grand Island for the past 32 years and currently resides there with his wife Kathy and their dog Bailey.

Cheryl Smith

716-379-3174

Cheryl believes that personal service should be tailored to meet a person’s individual circumstance.  Her empathetic listening, together with her knowledge and expertise, assist in navigating the confusing Medicare world and ensuring that each person’s needs are best met.

Cheryl has been continuously working in the health insurance field since 1994.  She served as Risk & Benefits Manager for both Cattaraugus County and Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, where she managed the health insurance needs of 23 school districts.  Following her retirement from BOCES in 2011, Cheryl became a licensed health agent through New York State and was certified as a Medicare Specialist with Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY.  In 2019, Cheryl joined with Thoughtful Insurance to continue to assist Allegany and Cattaraugus County residents in understanding their Medicare choices, by comparing and offering options from various health insurance companies.

For the past 30 years, Cheryl and her husband Joe have resided in the Olean area, where she finds great joy in her family, quilting, and gardening.