Optima Benefits & Payroll in Rochester, NY proudly serves businesses of all sizes throughout Upstate New York and the United States.
Our Leadership Team
Brandon Dicesare
President of Benefits
Delivering positive financial solutions has been core to Brandon's professional career. His career began by helping individuals as a financial advisor while working in the New York City area with Citi Smith Barney. With Optima since 2008, Brandon has utilized his financial background to serve large and small companies by helping them analyze their costs and benefits to ensure the companies' needs and objectives are met. Brandon has built a strong reputation in the field of employee benefits due to his strong work ethic and attention to detail.
Brandon, a resident of Rochester, NY, is a graduate of the University of Buffalo where he was the captain of the Division 1 baseball team and a 4-year starter. Brandon went on to play professional baseball in Italy before he began his career in New York City. He is a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School, a member of Oak Hill Country Club, and lives with his wife and four children in Pittsford.
Jason Dicesare
President of Payroll
The newest member of the Optima leadership team, Jason brings with him over 10 years of experience in the payroll field. His prior success at Paychex and USA Payroll has helped him to develop sound knowledge in creating payroll services solutions targeted to small business owners. Jason consistently led his sales teams with his leadership skills and knowledge of both inside and outside sales. He has experience working in many varied markets and geographic locations, having sold payroll in the Hudson Valley and New York City area, Northwest Pennsylvania, and Western New York.
Jason earned his bachelor's degree from Ithaca College. He is also a graduate of McQuaid Jesuit High School. He was a Section V champion wrestler and is still active in volunteering and coaching with local high school wrestling programs. Jason is married to his wife Emily and they have 2 sons.
Frank J. Dicesare
Founder
Frank was a lifetime Rochestarian who passed away on November 15, 2019. He strived to provide exceptional service and results for ALL his clients throughout his entire career. Frank devoted his life to building a business that he could pass down to his family and he was able to live out that dream. Although the road to success was not an easy one, Frank was a true entrepreneur with an unending drive to be successful; never giving up regardless of the obstacles.
He started out selling Life and Long Term Care Insurance to individuals. Then a long-time friend asked if he could help with his company's rising health insurance costs, and Frank entered the group benefits business. In 2008 Frank secured a large national association; this acquisition brought Optima to a new level. It was then that his son Brandon joined the company. In 2011 his oldest son, Jason joined the company, adding the payroll division. Thus, Optima Benefits and Payroll was formed.
Frank instilled that servicing the client is the most important part of the job; this tenet remains the backbone of the company today. Frank was a true family man who wanted only to provide the best life he could for his loved ones. He was married to his wife Kathy for 45 years. His legacy lives on throughout the fabric of the company he started.
Our Employees
Alyssa Ulmer
Highly adept in customer service, Alyssa has been working in the finance industry for nearly sixteen years, and she brings a high level of dedication and organization to every client she works with. Her years of experience and attention to detail help to ensure that every member of her portfolio receives the same care and quality of service expected when doing business with Optima. Alyssa continues to be recognized by her clients for providing outstanding support since joining Optima in 2014.
Graduate of Our Lady of Mercy School and Duquesne University (Communications and Journalism). Resides in Farmington with her family.
Barbara Gaston
Barbara Gaston has been an integral part of Optima's success serving as Executive Service Administrator since 2009. She is a team player that is always willing to help, not only her clients but her co-workers. Her goal is to provide swift and accurate resolutions to any issue or task she encounters.
Graduate of Katharine Gibbs Business College and North Eastern University with degrees in Business Administration, Law, and Theology. Active as an Assistant Scout Master and enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, and skiing.
Dan Alsheimer
Dan joined the Optima team in 2019. After years in the industry, he now serves as the Head of Payroll Operations, managing the payroll and tax departments, working with existing clients, and helping new clients transition to partnering with Optima. He takes pride in being approachable and will drop everything to help others put a mark in the win column.
Graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology. Lives in Chili, NY with his wife Christy and their dog, Roux. "The two things in life you are in total control over are your attitude and your effort."
Joe Fiannaca
Taking care of clients has always been the most important aspect of Joe's MO. Joe began his professional career at Paychex working in the customer service and sales areas. After 5 years he became the Operations Manager and then the Vice President of Operations for USA Payroll. Since joining Optima as an Independent Consultant in 2019, Joe has been able to help develop relationships and new business opportunities.
Graduate of University of Rochester with a degree in Organizational Behavior. Member of the Batavia High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Member of Ridgemont Country Club, resides in Rochester with his wife Kristin and 3 children.
Sheril Damelio
Over the past 25 years, Sheril has been solely focused on providing solutions to her clients. Sheril began her career in the banking industry as a Business Development Officer, later moving into the securities industry as a Financial Planner. She plays a key role in new business development, client service, and retention, receiving the Small Business Excellence Award.
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Nazareth College. Recipient of the Outstanding Young Women of America Award and the first recipient of the Nazareth College Service Award.
Tania Bonin
Making sure that all of the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed is Tania's strength. Because of her strong organizational skills and detail-oriented nature, she has been able to handle a multitude of financial transactions at Optima since 2015, including processing invoices and payments, completing audits, and reconciling insurance statements.
Bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of Brockport plus associate's degrees in Accounting and Nutrition. Volunteers at Foodlink and organizes charity events for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Victoria Steinmetz
Victoria has been in the payroll business in the Rochester and Finger Lakes area for 30 years. She is known for her personal service, timeliness in responding to her clients, and accuracy of her work. Her expertise in this field enables her to address any unique payroll situation that you may encounter.
Lifelong Rochesterian who enjoys all things outdoors, especially riding her Harley. Graduate of Marcus Whitman High School and has 6 grandchildren.