Employee benefits exec retires, partners on new business venture in Springdale

After almost 25 years of helping companies large and small navigate the complex world of employee benefits, Raymond Raphael has retired.

Raphael, 52, spent the past three years working for Georgia-based OneDigital Health and Benefits, the nation’s largest employee benefits-only company. In July 2017, OneDigital acquired the employee benefits business of Legacy Capital Group, with three Arkansas locations in Little Rock, Johnson and Fort Smith.

Raphael, who lives in Rogers, was the head of Legacy’s employee benefits division. After the acquisition, he became head of OneDigital’s operations in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

“I decided to retire from the employee benefits business after 24 years after much prayer and discussion with my family to be able to spend more time with my wife and to start a new company in a new industry,” Raphael said in a statement to the Business Journal. “I felt called to make these changes in my life and am blessed to be in a position to do so.”

The new company is Iron Shield Roofing & Restoration. Raphael (CFO) and Lazaro Torres (CEO) are the owners. Raphael said the buildout of the company’s office at 809 E. Emma Ave. in downtown Springdale is nearing completion, and the company will start with four employees.

“Our service area is starting as within a 75-mile radius of Springdale and will expand as we grow,” Raphael said. “Sanitization for both homes and businesses is included in our services for COVID-19, as well as a variety of other things. We believe this will be a good part of our business.”