About Howard

About Howard Coates

I came to Arizona to attend Arizona State University and never left, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Phoenix has been my home for more than 30 years, and I love everything about it.

My career has been built around helping people solve problems.

Years ago, I worked for Mercer, one of the largest and most respected consulting firms in the employee benefits industry. In 2008, I left Mercer to pursue entrepreneurship and built my own pool service and repair company. After later selling that business due to health reasons, I purchased two Rosati’s Pizza franchises.

Like many business owners, I experienced both successes and setbacks. When COVID hit, I ultimately walked away from the restaurant business. That experience gave me tremendous respect for restaurant owners and small business owners everywhere. It also reinforced something I already knew from experience: running a business is hard.

Following my time in the restaurant industry, I returned to employee benefits consulting with HUB International. During my time there, I began to notice a clear pattern. Small and mid-sized businesses were often completely underserved by both the broker community and the major insurance companies. Many employers were paying significant amounts for benefits but receiving very little proactive guidance, support, or strategic planning in return.

After more than two years at HUB, I knew it was time to step back into entrepreneurship.

I founded On Call Benefits to serve small and mid-sized employers with the same level of expertise, resources, and strategic thinking that larger organizations receive. My goal is simple: help employers take care of their employees while making benefits easier to understand, easier to manage, and more valuable for everyone involved.

I’ve sat on both sides of the table.

I’ve been the consultant advising employers, and I’ve been the business owner worrying about payroll, cash flow, employee retention, and rising costs. I know what it’s like to pay your employees before you pay yourself. I know what it’s like to deal with a benefits issue at 7 p.m. after a long day, with no HR department and no one answering the phone.

That’s what On Call Benefits exists to change.

When you have a problem, you’ll talk to Howard, not a 1-800 number or a call center.

A Little More About Me

I’m based in Chandler, Arizona. I have three children, Morgan, Will, and Evan, and my girlfriend Nataysha, who has been by my side for more than six years and is simply the best. We also share our home with Bear, our seven-year-old Boxer, who loves going on walks and is firmly convinced she runs the household (she’s probably right).

Outside of work, I try to stay healthy, love to grill, and enjoy spending time with friends and family. More than anything else, I just love helping people.

My brother Will and his family, my sister Theresa and her family, my Uncle Frank and his family, and my mom Ann all live in Texas. My roots run so deep across both states, holding both agency and agent licenses in Arizona and Texas isn’t just a professional checkbox, it’s personal. I understand both unique markets from the ground up because they are both home to the people I care about most.

We opened the doors to On Call Benefits on August 1, 2025. In less than nine months, we’ve already grown to serve nine clients and are expanding rapidly through referrals, relationships, marketing and a core commitment to providing exceptional service.

We intentionally have the capacity for more growth, and we’d welcome the opportunity to learn more about your business, understand your goals, and explore whether we might be the perfect fit to help you protect your team.

Let’s Talk

Ready to take the headache out of your company’s benefits? Let’s grab coffee or hop on a quick call. We would love to hear from you.