Getting Better
Together

Todd Tamplin

CEO

Todd Tamplin, RPh, is the Founder and CEO of Sona Benefits.

Tamplin received his bachelor of science in pharmacy from University of Louisiana Monroe (1992).

In 2005, Tamplin co-founded Blue Ridge Pharmacy to fulfill a need in Western NC for a local long-term care pharmacy. Since then, Tamplin has opened Sona Pharmacy + Clinic, Sona Compounding Pharmacy, and Sona Specialty Pharmacy in Western North Carolina.

As the company grew and became self-funded, the Sona team began researching the health benefits space. What they found was a lack of transparency, misalignment of interests, and difficulty finding a health care partner that fought for the client’s best interest.

With these frustrations in mind, the team founded Sona Benefits. Our goal is to build a value-based pharmacy benefit management service that is 100% aligned with our clients’ interests.

Tasha Michaels

Director of Clinical Services

Natasha (Tasha) Michaels, PharmD, BCACP is Director of Clinical Services at Sona Benefits.

Michaels received her bachelor of science in chemistry and biology and minor in mathematics from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC (2003) and her doctor of pharmacy from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (2007). Michaels completed her PGY1 community pharmacy residency at Kerr Drug in Raleigh and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (2008).

Michaels’ primary focus is to provide clinical oversight and services to all Sona Benefits clients. These services consist of formulary management, prior authorization criteria, medication therapy management services, and disease state management coaching.

Michaels is also an adjunct faculty member at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and serves as a preceptor for advanced community experiential rotations for pharmacy students from various schools of pharmacy.

She is a member of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP).

She is actively involved in NCAP and currently serves on the Immunization Committee and Editorial Board. She has served as a member of NCAP’s Community Care Practice Forum Executive Committee 2009 – 2014 including Chair in 2013, Membership Committee, Award Committee, and Strategic Plan Task Force.

Michaels received the Community Care Pharmacist of the Year award in August 2010 from NCAP for her work with expanding MTM to all Kerr Drug pharmacists and stores. She also became a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist in 2012.

Evan Bruder

Director of Sona Benefits

Evan Bruder is the Director of Sona Benefits in Asheville, NC.

He is an Asheville, NC native and received his bachelors in business administration from Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Evan’s responsibilities include managing Sona Benefit partnership agreements, overseeing operations, and continually developing local relationships. Outside of the office, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife, hiking, traveling, trying new restaurants, and playing golf.

Brad Melson

General Manager

Brad Melson, PharmD, is the General Manager of Sona Benefits in Asheville, NC.

Melson received his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy (2009).

In Melson’s role as General Manager, he oversees pharmacy plan development, operations, and reporting.

In his free time, Melson enjoys being with his family, playing golf, and watching Kentucky basketball. Melson is also a member of National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA).

Lauren Minar

Director of Compounding Pharmacy

Lauren Minar, PharmD is the Director of Compounding Pharmacy for Sona Benefits.

She was raised in Lilburn, Georgia and attended undergrad and pharmacy school at The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

Lauren is passionate about helping employees solve problems by using compounding services.

She lives in Asheville with her two dogs, Wyatt and Wilma. On the weekends, you can find her cooking, baking, gardening, fly fishing, and reupholstering furniture (her newest hobby!)

Tori Watkins

Health Coach

Tori Watkins, PharmD, serves as a health coach for Sona Benefits.

Tori grew up in Austin, TX and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2014 with degrees in Chemistry and Psychology. She then immediately started work on her pharmacy degree at the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, where she graduated in 2018.

Tori’s responsibilities include coaching employees, formulary management, assisting in prior authorization decision making, completing medication therapy management opportunities, and serving as a pharmacy expert for Sona Benefits clients.

She is a member of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP).

On the weekends you’ll find Tori hanging out with her corgi pup Bandit, hiking in the mountains with her husband, or exploring Asheville’s food and music.

Tori Hope

Account Manager

Tori Hope is a Sona Benefits account manager.

She helps clients ensure their employees are well taken care of and always have someone to answer their questions.

Outside of the office, Tori likes to hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway and relax with her dog, Moki.

Deven Jackson

Clinical Coordinator

Deven Jackson, PharmD is the Clinical Coordinator at Sona Benefits. His responsibilities include growing clinical services such as health coaching, immunizations, and medication therapy management for Sona Benefits clients.

Deven received his doctor of pharmacy from the University of Georgia in 2017. He completed his PGY1 Community-based pharmacy residency program with Sona Pharmacy + Clinic and UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2018.

His hobbies including watching all Georgia sports (Bulldogs, Braves, Falcons and Hawks), hiking, video games and attending concerts.