Your Advisors

Prefer talking with a licensed advisor about Medicare? At Next Step Advisors we specialize in personal care and attention to each individual client’s situation. You pay nothing for the consultation; the advisor’s fee is paid by whatever insurance company you choose. Most people like to schedule a 15-minute “How can we help you?” phone call with us to get started.

At Next Step Advisors, we put the Care in Medicare by providing you an easy, no-fee, no-pressure Medicare enrollment experience with a local Arizona advisor.

Save Time

Save weeks or months of confusing and time-consuming research and worry.

Expert In Your Corner

Have an experienced advocate to turn to for advice and guidance on everything Medicare.

No Cost To You

We charge no fees to our clients and work with all major Medicare insurance companies to find the right plan for you.

Our Advisors are ready to help YOU take the next step toward getting started in Medicare.

The Next Step Advisors team is different from other insurance generalists who work with Medicare issues every now and then. We are Medicare specialists by choice: we talk, think, and probably even dream about Medicare on a daily basis! We share our latest findings and feedback with one another and we bring the power of years of experience in other fields to the table.

In addition to our up-to-date Medicare expertise, we are proud Arizonans who enjoy helping the people in our community live their best life, protected by the right health care coverage for their needs and budgets.

Jeff Edwards

Jeff Edwards, the managing partner of Next Step Advisors, is a Registered Investment Advisor and Principal with Plan Member Securities, throughout his career Jeff ranks in the Top 3% of Advisors and Managers. After growing up in the Phoenix area, Jeff joined the military when he was 18 and served as a U.S. Navy SEAL. After the military he earned his Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis on finance at Arizona State University and was hired by a large international corporation. Working his way up from an entry-level position to running a $21-million operation with over 350 employees, Jeff left the corporate world 20 years ago to go in the insurance and financial services industry. After 13 years as an Advisor and Manager for three different Insurance and financial services companies, he followed his passion to launch his own Insurance and Financial Services Brokerage called Next Step Advisors where the focus is on financial planning and Medicare Insurance.

With Jeff’s experience and education, he provides solutions for those seeking an advisor who can provide an all-encompassing financial strategy. “My philosophy is ‘Never Give Up’ and it has served me well in all aspects of my life,” Jeff says.

Jeff has been married to his wife and business partner, Lori Edwards, for over 27 years. They have three daughters. Jeff’s hobbies are fitness, adrenalin sports, metal and woodworking.

Greg J. Geryak

Greg Geryak originally a New Jersey native moved with his wife Lina to Phoenix (Ahwatukee) AZ, in 1993.  After fifteen years of a successful corporate life, Greg pursued his dream of being self-employed and in February of 2002 opened his first insurance and financial services agency. After building his agency from 0 to over 3000 clients Greg sold his firm in 2015 to pursue areas of the industry that he enjoys the most. His next venture included helping to found Next Step Advisors, LLC, with the goal to simplify the Medicare process and help even the most educated people navigate this complex system.  Through his years of experience regardless of where his clients live Greg always provides a high level of personal service that people deserve and appreciate.

Greg’s success was built at a grassroots level helping one family at a time. He helped his community by volunteering for many local organizations such as the Ahwatukee YMCA, Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis. As a community leader, Greg was quickly recognized as someone who put others’ interests ahead of his own.

His drive to help people transition to Medicare comes from his personal experience with his father.  Greg’s dad at age 68 was hospitalized for 128 days straight due to an infection he acquired while in the hospital for a routine procedure.  Through that long journey, which thankfully his dad survived, showed Greg how important making the correct Medicare decision can be. 

Greg has been married to Lina for nearly 30 years and has one daughter Summer who is attending Nursing school. In his free time, he enjoys home projects, playing his guitar, and exercising with their dogs.

Bob Spencer

Bob Spencer, a Tucson native, attended the University of Arizona and is a dedicated problem solver with nearly 40 years of experience in the insurance industry. He has operated a successful insurance agency and has been designated a Life Underwriting Fellowship Member and a member of the Life insurance Diamond Club (top 1% of insurance agents), the Toppers Club (top 5% of insurance agents and managers), and the Life Master Club (top life insurance agents across the country). He sees every client as a personal friend and strives to make sure each has the best coverage possible and is aware of all of their options. Bob knows the challenges of the business world from his years in the construction business; he helped build some of the institutions that we use today, including the University Medical Center Kitt Peak National Observatory and McKale Center Basketball Arena. Bob’s goal is to make sure that everyone has access to the great service that Next Step Advisors provides.

“I believe in doing the right thing, for the right reasons,” Bob emphasizes, “and I understand my clients’ changing needs and priorities at the various stages in their lives.”

Bob has been married for 39 years to Paula, who has also had a long career in the insurance industry as an insurance agency owner and an agent. They have two daughters and a son. Bob enjoys playing golf with his friends and is learning classical guitar, which he says keeps him mentally young.

A woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing gold, oval-shaped earrings and neutral makeup. The background is blurred, consisting of greenery.

Bernadette Linhart

Although Bernadette is originally from Colorado, she has been a Tucsonan since the age of 8. After high school she moved to Flagstaff where she got her start in the dental field. Bernadette has worked in the dental field since 1999 as a dental assistant, dental office manager and insurance coordinator. Her experience assisting patients with their dental insurance, whether its through their employer plan, individual plan or Medicare Advantage plan, has given her unique knowledge of insurance planning. Her warm and direct approach to advising her clients on their options reflects her intention of doing what’s in the best interest of her clients.

Bernadette has been married to her husband, Matt, for 20 years. Together they enjoy regular trips to their cabin in Pinetop, golfing, and now as empty nesters, fun weekend visits from their daughter, BreeAnna and son, Tre.

Austin Adams, RSSA®, CRC®

As a licensed Medicare broker, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of Medicare with confidence and ease. I specialize in providing personalized solutions tailored to each client’s unique healthcare needs. My mission is to empower my clients by ensuring they understand their options and receive the coverage that best suits their lifestyle and budget.

In addition to being a licensed Medicare broker, I am proud to hold designations as a Registered Social Security Analyst® (RSSA®) and a Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®). With a decade of experience in financial planning, these credentials enhance my ability to guide clients through critical decisions about healthcare, Social Security benefits, and retirement planning. I take a holistic approach to ensure my clients’ healthcare choices align with their broader financial goals.

I believe that understanding people’s stories and values is key to providing exceptional service. If you’re looking for a trusted partner to guide you through your Medicare journey, I am here to help every step of the way.

Smiling man wearing a black blazer and white shirt against a dark background.
A woman with short blonde hair, wearing gold triangular earrings, a blue top, and a white cardigan, smiles while looking directly at the camera. The background appears to be an outdoor setting with greenery. Meet Lori Edwards.

Lori Edwards

Lori Edwards brings a unique perspective to Next Step Advisors: she was a nurse for 35 years. Even as a child in Scottsdale, she was fascinated by nurses at doctors’ offices and decided that she wanted to be one when she grew up. She specialized in pediatric nursing but has worked in many areas of the field including the Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Urgent Care for newborns, children, and adults. She applies her medical knowledge in her work at Next Step Advisors on a regular basis, especially as she helps clients navigate Medicare’s Part D, prescription formulary guidelines, and different tiers of medications. Naturally empathetic, she sees her new career as a congruent extension of her work helping people.

“I bring the heart of a nurse and a sympathetic ear to my interactions with our clients,” Lori says. “I care for them in a special way and want them to be protected with the right insurance and Medicare plans.”

Lori has been married to Jeff Edwards, for over 27 years. They have three daughters: Brenan (26), Carson (23), and Jaden (20). Her passions are her faith and her family, along with gardening, cooking, music, and health and wellness.

Anthony Mayorga

Anthony is originally from Los Angeles, where he grew up playing 3 sports, primarily baseball, where he was a pitcher. He went to Azusa Pacific University, where he pitched on the baseball team until he suffered a career-ending shoulder injury. After failing to get the proper medical treatment to be able to get back out on the field, he found his new passion was helping people get the best help the first time they ask for it. After learning about medicare and joining an insurance carrier, he found quick success with helping seniors get insurance they need that makes sense to them. And after spending captive time there, he decided to become independent so he could serve clients that would like to have a wider range of plans and options to choose from.

Anthony is currently engaged to his beautiful fiancé, Carson Edwards. They live together with their Jack Russel Terrier puppy, Jordi. They enjoy hiking, eating great food, and playing with their puppy in their spare time.

Anthony Mayorga, a young man with short brown hair and a clean shave, smiles at the camera. He is wearing a dark-colored polo shirt adorned with a small white pattern and an embroidered dog logo on the left side. The background is slightly blurred, featuring a mix of brick and greenery.

What Makes Next Step Advisors So Different?

  • Next Step Advisors provides everything you need to know about Medicare. Sign up to watch the recorded FAQs at your leisure in our education-center section.
  • Many Medicare insurance companies promote only their plans; we are independent and not beholden to anyone but our clients and their best interests.
  • You are not a one-time customer for Next Step Advisors. Our highly experienced advisors are there for you each year to help you re-evaluate your insurance coverage and adjust your policy to suit any changes in your health or financial situation.
TALK TO US AND SEE THE DIFFERENCE

Would you like to enroll in Medicare insurance today?

With either a phone call or virtual meeting, we can answer your questions, discuss your options, and help you choose between Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. By asking you a few important questions, we can guide you toward the right plan for your health care needs at the right price for your situation. Your phone call is very important to us. Please call now to see how we can help you.

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