Our Team

Andew Gremel

Andrew Gremel, better known as Andy, has over 40 years of experience designing employee benefit programs for small, medium, and large businesses, as well as tailoring individual insurance, financial, estate  and succession plans.

As a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Andy uses his experience and knowledge to design salary continuation arrangements; executive compensation programs; retirement packages; business succession plans; and long-term care programs. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan. However, Andy utilizes his legal knowledge and continuing education commitment to better advise clients when buying health, life, disability income, long term care and accident insurance.

Andy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Wayne State University. He is the past president of the Grand Rapids Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and was a founder of their charitable foundation whose primary beneficiary is the Widowed Persons Service of West Michigan.  Andy is a member of the Probate and Estate Planning and Health Care Sections of the State Bar of Michigan, as well as the National Association of Health Underwriters.

In addition to his industry expertise and leadership roles, Andy is best known for his commitment to his business clients, their employees and families.  His word is his oath, and he is passionate about building trust and decades-long relationships with his clients, who place their confidence – and future – in his hands. Clients enjoy his curiosity, perspective, and counsel on the intricacies of their business.

Throughout his career, Andy has been an engaged contributor to numerous Michigan-based organizations, at both a corporate and personal level.  He believes to the core that the health and well-being of one’s community are the building blocks to a successful future. He leads by example, investing his time and resources in youth development, critical financial services, health and wellness, leadership training, and numerous conservation efforts.

Earlier in his career, Andy also played a transformational role in the economic development of downtown Rockford, Michigan, redeveloping the Rogue riverside through the eco-friendly construction of award-winning buildings, destination dining, shopping, and an ever popular brew pub.

Andy and his wife love spending time in the woods with their English Setter bird dog, traversing trout streams and ski hills, cruising to music festivals and antique shows in their restored 1977 VW Microbus, meeting new friends, and connecting with their two daughters and their families.

Ashley Hasko-Gray

Director of Client Services 

Ashley joined our team in February of 2022 as an Account Manager. In her current role, Ashley oversees internal operations and financial systems as well as external client deliverables. She combines her excellent communications skills and results-oriented project management multi-tasking with her love for delivering exceptional client service. Ashley is responsible for analyzing and presenting complex insurance and benefits concepts, relevant options, and proactive solutions. She also cultivates carrier and vendor relationships, drives efficiencies and outcomes with leading industry technologies, and guides clients through in-person and online benefits training and enrollment, claims resolution, and HR and compliance complexities.

Prior to joining the agency, Ashley worked for three years in increasing client services roles with GIS Benefits, a national benefits technology and enrollment solutions firm. She invested the first five years of her career serving as legal and administrative assistant for two Illinois-based law firms.

Ashley’s curiosity and passion for learning fuel her work/life balance, whether traveling the globe to explore different cultures, food, architecture and history; or poking around museums and historical sites. She loves the outdoors and is always game for fishing, canoeing, boating and gardening. Her family and pets are often along for the fun.

Kim Ditmar

Account Executive

Kim is a 30-year licensed insurance veteran with a line of sight into nearly all aspects of individual and group insurance.  She began her career with West-Michigan based Graves & Company and over the course of 25 years, wore many hats – from key account administration, accounting, and agency operations to team manager, mentor, and trusted advisor.  Most recently, Kim has specialized in executive benefits and succession planning for business owners and key leaders.

As a part of The Gremel Group team, Kim evaluates executive benefit programs designed for business owners to recruit and retain top talent. She also is instrumental in ensuring the agency’s investments in technology streamline operations and enhance communications with clients and carriers. Kim also plays a key role in mentoring younger team members.

Kim is steadfast on the importance relationships play to exceed clients’ expectations, optimize internal operations, and drive alignment with carriers.

Kim is a West Michigan native, along with her husband of over 32 years.  She balances her career with enjoying time with their three adult children, family and friends. Kim loves to hike and relax outdoors at their lake cottage.  Kim also supports her community through volunteering with Safe Haven Ministries, an organization that provides resources for victims of abuse or domestic violence, as well as the New Growth Project which creates inclusive employment opportunities for neuro-diverse individuals.

Abby Ditmar

Client Services Specialist

Abby joined The Gremel team in March of 2025 to assist in streamlining operations and enhancing client and carrier services.  Abby holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising & Public Relations from Grand Valley State University, with a minor in Studio Art. She is a skilled researcher and excels in analyzing data to assist clients in understanding their options.  She is proficient in a wide range of digital technologies including The Gremel Group Client Relationship Management CRM system, our online benefit administration system, and multiple art mediums to enhance communications. 

As a part of The Gremel Group team, Abby supports Ashely Hasko-Gray, Director of Client Services, and works with the full team on special projects.

Abby’s love of art, storytelling, and creative writing extends to her many interests outside of the office, including reading, playing the ukulele, and painting.  

Meredith Gremel

Consultant

In addition to being Andy’s life partner for over four decades, Meredith advises The Gremel Group clients on employee engagement and retention strategies, communications, and corporate responsibility initiatives. Clients understand that competition for attracting, developing, and retaining top talent is fierce. Recruiting and training costs are on the rise, and turnover rates are impacting the company bottom line like never before. Candidates of all ages and stages of their career are looking beyond a job description, salary and company’s benefits package when considering job offers or investing further with their employer.  Growth and development opportunities, company culture, transparent communications, accountability and feedback, recognition for top performers, remote/hybrid or flexible work schedules, and a company’s commitment to one’s community and environment all factor into cultivating an engaged work team.

Meredith has over forty years of experience advising businesses on business, consumer and digital marketing; brand development; internal, external and M&A communications; media relations; corporate giving and sustainability initiatives; and public-private partnerships.  She has worked with small and medium sized businesses, served as an executive with a Fortune 350 international distributor, and consulted with military suppliers, school systems, community and private foundations, municipalities and downtown development authorities and 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

When not advising clients or spending time with Andy and their daughters and large, extended family, Meredith loves getting her gardening hands dirty, adventuring with her girlfriends at a favorite lakeshore or theater, traveling, devouring library books, or following her favorite University of Michigan’ and Green Bay Packers’ football teams.

Krista Davis

Account Executive

Krista is a veteran insurance professional with substantial experience in helping small and large employers develop and implement their employee benefits strategies and programs. She worked for Priority Health for over 23 years before joining the independent agent community in 2010 and has been employed at The Gremel Group since 2016.  While Krista’s primary focus is new business development, she has been instrumental in helping our clients deliver innovative and creative ideas to improve costs and profitability, engage employees in fully understanding their benefit options and wellness tools, and leverage clients’ benefits investment to attract and retain talented team members.

While at Priority Health Krista advanced through various roles in the new business sales and existing client service departments. She started working with businesses as small as two employees and at the end of her tenure with the organization she was responsible for the service and retention of numerous key employers, each with several thousand employees in the Grand Rapids area. In her role as Key Account Manager, she was responsible for working with Human Resources professionals and C-suite executives to identify and implement strategies for their employee benefits programs.

Krista obtained her health insurance agent’s license in 1991 and earned her bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College with a dual major in Business Administration and Communications. She has been a member of the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals (NABIP) since the early 90’s and has held a variety of roles on the local West Michigan board since 2001 including serving as President in 2012. Krista has held various positions on the State of Michigan’s NABIP board including becoming President in 2016 and she earned the NAHU Benefit Account Manager Certification in 2018.

Krista and her husband are originally from Connecticut, and they enjoy cooking and lake living at their home in Belding. Krista also loves attending area art shows, concerts, and theater performances. She is a long-time member and supporter of the Grand Rapids Civic Theater.

Craig Graves

Advisor Emeritus

Craig joined The Gremel Group team in June of 2026 to serve as an advisor and consultant on complicated executive compensation and succession planning situations.  His relationship with Andy Gremel spans over forty years, having served as a mentor and friend from Andy’s earliest days in the business.

Craig founded Graves & Company in 1984, growing year-over-year to provide benefits planning and life, disability, retirement planning and long-term care insurance to over 190 closely held companies in Michigan.  Craig has been a Lifetime Member of The Million Dollar Round Table since 1976, and has served on numerous boards, including six years on the national advisory board for United Healthcare, as well as the West Michigan advisory boards for Humana and Blue Cross Blue Shield.  He also served as a past board member for the Southeast YMCA, North Alano Club, and Select Bank. Craig also served in the United States Army Reserves and was honorably discharged with a rank of Sergeant First Class.

In 2015, Craig sold Graves & Company to the Lighthouse/Alera Group and served in a Sales and Consulting role with them until 2023.

Nancy Norton

Advisory Council Member – Emerita

Nancy joined Andy’s team in 1990 and she has worn many hats over the course of her career with The Gremel Group.  Controller, Licensed Agent, Account Executive, Office Manager and Medicare/Marketplace Specialist are official titles, yet her passion has always been helping clients obtain their objectives through the various insurance products and services they need. 

In December of 2023, Nancy officially retired and has transitioned to serving as an Advisory Council Member to the agency, drawing on her decades of experience and deep relationships with clients to help ensure a smooth transition of service. 

When she is not supporting The Gremel Group team, Nancy loves spending time with her children and grandchildren – she has even been known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes with any of her grandchildren who dare to join her!  Nancy is also always looking for her next travel experience. After calling West Michigan home since her earliest years, Nancy now resides in sunny Jacksonville, Florida. 

Steve Bush

Principal, Human Resource Strategies
Advisory Council Member

The Gremel Group partners with Steve Bush and Human Resources Strategies when our clients have unique needs related to Talent Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Leadership Coaching, Fractional Human Resources Leadership, Safety and Risk Management (OSHA compliance), Compensation and Benefits, Employee and Labor Relations, Workplace Investigations, Government/Media Affairs, and Workforce Development.

Steve has more than thirty years of human resources leadership experience with Fortune 500 corporations and privately held companies. He holds a Master Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University and a Bachelor Degree from Jacksonville University.

Steve is a member of the Society of Human Resources National Health Care Working Group and Government Advocacy Team. He is a board member of the Boulder Colorado Area Human Resources Association, Energize Colorado, and Coventure, as well as a guest lecturer at Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University.

For more information on Steve’s services: https://www.steveabuschhumanresources.com/