Our Story:
Plotting a Course to Your Peace of Mind
At Bright Harbor Benefits, we believe life's journey deserves a clear, confident plan. With trusted guidance and personalized care, we help you plot a course toward financial security — and true peace of mind.
Our Story
Bright Harbor Benefits was born out of a shared belief: that families and agents deserve better guidance, better support, and a better experience.
Corey Bell first entered the insurance space through his own agency, Bell Benefits Group, after more than 15 years in education leadership as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. In building Bell Benefits Group, Corey quickly realized that agents needed stronger tools to succeed — not just better leads, but better systems. That’s what inspired him to create Lead2Client CRM: a platform designed to serve agents with real-world solutions, built from personal experience in the field.
During that time, Corey met Tony Gilliam — a highly respected sales leader with decades of success, strong ties to industry decision-makers, and a high-performing team of his own. As a client of Lead2Client, Tony quickly became more than just a user — he became a trusted collaborator. They found themselves constantly aligned in their vision of how agents should be supported, trained, and led. Through Tony’s deep connections and experience, and Corey and Julie Bell’s operational and business expertise, the foundation for Bright Harbor Benefits came together naturally.
Today, Bright Harbor is a reflection of those combined experiences: a steady, reliable guide helping families and agents plot a clear course toward peace of mind. With backgrounds in education, business leadership, and high-performance sales, we’re proud to offer more than policies — we offer partnership, trust, and a clear path forward.
Our Mission
At Bright Harbor Benefits, our mission is to guide individuals and families toward peace of mind through personalized insurance and wealth management solutions. We believe that everyone's journey to a secure future should be supported with integrity, expertise, and a deep understanding of their unique needs.
Our Vision
Our core values are the foundation of our service. We prioritize integrity, trust, and client-centricity, ensuring that every interaction is transparent, reliable, and focused on the long-term success of our clients. We continuously seek innovative ways to enhance our offerings, staying ahead in the industry to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Our Values
Looking to the future, our vision is to be a trusted partner in financial security for all our clients, helping them navigate life's uncertainties with confidence. We are committed to expanding our reach, embracing new technologies, and refining our solutions to meet the evolving needs of those we serve, always with the goal of securing brighter futures for generations to come.
Corey Bell
Managing Partner
With a deep background in education, leadership, and entrepreneurship, Corey Bell brings a unique perspective to the insurance industry. Before co-founding Bright Harbor Benefits, Corey spent 15 years in education, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. His passion for mentoring and developing others during those years laid the foundation for his approach to supporting agents today.
Corey holds degrees from Western Illinois University and Texas Woman's University and pursued additional graduate studies at the University of North Texas. His dedication to growth — both personally and professionally — continues to shape the culture at Bright Harbor.
Beyond education, Corey is also an accomplished musician. He currently performs as a saxophonist at the Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach, blending creativity and discipline — two values that have always guided his work.
His journey into insurance began with the launch of Bell Benefits Group, an agency built on the principles of clarity, service, and trust. Alongside his wife, Julie Bell, Corey also co-founded Lead2Client CRM, a platform designed to help agents and agencies grow with better tools and better systems.
Today, Corey lives in Myrtle Beach with Julie and their Shih Tzu, Scarlett. He remains deeply committed to helping agents succeed, combining his passion for mentorship, his love of leadership, and his belief that every journey deserves a clear and confident course.
Tony Gilliam
Managing Partner
With a career spanning nearly 35 years, Tony Gilliam has built his life around leadership, relationship-building, and a true passion for helping others succeed. His journey began at Coastal Carolina University, where he studied Business Management and played collegiate football, learning early the value of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance — traits that would shape his career for decades to come.
Tony’s professional background is rooted in sales leadership, where he quickly established himself as a top performer and trusted mentor. Over the years, he has built, trained, and led high-performing sales teams across a wide variety of businesses, from small mom-and-pop companies to some of the nation's largest Fortune 500 firms. His ability to inspire and develop people has earned him widespread respect in every industry he has touched.
Fifteen years ago, Tony transitioned his focus exclusively to the insurance industry, where he found a natural fit for his skills in leadership, mentorship, and client service. His commitment to building strong agent relationships and creating lasting impact led him to collaborate with like-minded leaders — ultimately helping to shape the foundation of Bright Harbor Benefits.
Tony and his wife, Melissa, live just outside of Greenville, South Carolina, with their three children, Zac, Izzy, and Zander. Outside of work, Tony loves to travel with his family, explore new destinations, and create lasting memories. His passion for adventure and discovery mirrors his professional approach: always moving forward, always charting a course toward success.
Julie Bell
Managing Partner
A lifelong passion for business, innovation, and supporting others has shaped Julie Bell’s professional journey. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Business, Julie built a career grounded in operational excellence and leadership. Her ability to create efficient, scalable systems — while always keeping the human side of business in focus — has made her an invaluable leader across multiple ventures.
Julie played a crucial role in the success of Bell Benefits Group, where she helped design and refine processes that empowered agents to work smarter and serve clients more effectively. Recognizing the broader need for better tools in the industry, she went on to co-found Lead2Client CRM alongside her husband, Corey Bell. Together, they developed a platform specifically aimed at helping independent agents and agencies scale their operations, automate key processes, and maintain stronger relationships with their clients.
Today, Julie brings that same spirit of innovation, leadership, and compassion to Bright Harbor Benefits. Her work behind the scenes ensures that agents have the support, tools, and guidance they need to succeed — and that every client interaction reflects the care and professionalism Bright Harbor stands for.
Outside of work, Julie finds balance through daily long walks, which give her time for reflection, creativity, and personal growth. She and Corey live in Myrtle Beach with their Shih Tzu, Scarlett, where they continue to build businesses — and lives — centered around helping others chart a clear course toward success and peace of mind.