Retirement Industry People Moves

IRA Names New Appointments to Board of Directors

Laura Schumann

Michael Kreps

The Institutional Retirement Income Council, a non-profit think tank for the retirement income planning community, announced the appointment of Michael Kreps, Laura Schumann and Mark Shemtob to its board of directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael, Laura and Mark to our esteemed board of directors,” Michelle Richter-Gordon, IRIC’s executive director, said in a statement. “

Mark Shemtob

They bring a wide range of relevant knowledge and experience in defined contribution retirement plans and we look forward to their many contributions to the board and our members.”

Kreps is chair of Groom’s retirement services group, working with a variety of clients on retirement and health plan issues. Schumann is vice president, product development and management at NRECA, where she oversees the employee benefits product portfolio. Shemtob is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and an enrolled actuary under ERISA.

ERISA Pros Treichel, Cooper Launch Endeavor Law

Bonnie Treichel

Sean Cooper

Endeavor Law has launched in Prairie Village, KS, founded by partners Sean Cooper and Bonnie Treichel.

The firm specializes in representing companies as fractional general counsel on a variety of legal issues: agreements and disclosures, regulatory compliance, litigation support, development of custom programs and resources, retirement plan fiduciary compliance, and others. 

“We are thrilled to offer a model where we make it our business to know your business,” Cooper said in a statement.

“We are proud to offer flat-fee solutions for many legal issues, including our fractional general counsel service, that would typically be hourly at many firms,” Treichel said in a statement. “We have found our clients appreciate the predictability offered by this structure over the more traditional hourly model.”

The Standard Promotes Geist to Divisional VP

Brody Geist

The Standard Insurance Company announced the promotion of Brody Geist to divisional vice president. He will work with advisers and third-party administrators in the western United States, according to the announcement

“Brody possesses a great deal of credibility inside and outside of our organization,” said Jason Burlie, head of retirement sales for The Standard, in a statement. “His industry expertise, energy and passion for our business is accompanied by a genuine and thoughtful leadership presence. Brody exemplifies servant leadership, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him serve our advisors and administrators in his new role.”

Before joining The Standard as regional vice president in 2017, Geist held previous roles at Securian Financial as senior regional vice president, major accounts retirement sales, small business retirement sales and assistant vice president of sales.

Murphy Joins Franklin Templeton as SVP

Franklin Templeton announced the appointment of Ronan Murphy as senior vice president and consultant adviser for its U.S. institutional division.

In his new role, Murphy will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with institutional consultants in the Midwest region.

“Ronan joins an experienced team, and we’re excited to draw on the knowledge he brings from his decades of working in global consultant relations,” said Mike Foley, head of Franklin Templeton’s U.S. institutional division, in a statement. “We are fortunate to have someone of Ronan’s caliber to help us deliver the quality service and high-conviction capabilities institutional consultants and their clients expect from Franklin Templeton.”

RiversEdge Advisors Announces Addition of Four New Employees

Wilmington, Delaware-based RiversEdge Advisors announced the addition of Theresa Martin, Khristopher Torres, Andrew Matusik and Mark Rossi to its team.

• Martinserves as director of talent and culture, responsible for fostering productive company culture;
• Torresassumes the role of investment operations manager, developing and implementing investment operations best practices;
• Matusikworks as a client service associate, supporting advisers within the daily operations of the firm; and
• Rossiserves as an investment operations analyst, tasked with identifying business solutions.

“We strive to be refreshingly different, in every aspect of our business,” said Brian Carney, RiversEdge’s CEO, in a statement. “This begins with hyper vigilance about the teammates we add, ensuring they deliver on that promise. I’m confident Theresa, Khris, Andrew, and Mark will.”

Preserver Partners Announces Lovelace as CIO

Caroline Lovelace

Preserver Partners LLC, an alternative investment management firm, named Caroline Lovelace as its chief investment officer.

As CIO and co-portfolio manager, Lovelace oversees all investments for the firm’s managed portfolios, focusing on portfolio construction, manager selection and risk management. Memphis, Tennessee-based Preserver Partners is led by CEO Dana Pointer.

“I am thrilled to join Dana Pointer and the exceptional team at Preserver Partners,” said Lovelace in a statement. “Together, we will build upon the firm’s long and successful track record, serving our investors with integrity and a commitment to excellence.”

LCG Hires Philips to Lead OCIO Practice

Christopher Philips

LCG Associates Inc., a national investment consulting firm, has hired Christopher Philips, as senior vice president and the firm’s outsourced chief investment officer practice leader.

Philips will be responsible for implementing OCIO best practices as well as expanding business development. Additionally, he will conduct capital market and asset class research, investment manager due diligence, and special topical studies.

“Christopher’s wealth of experience in the OCIO marketplace and his alignment with LCG’s client-service focus are two of the reasons we are so delighted to welcome him to LCG’s leadership team,” said Edward Johnson, LCG’s president and CEO, in a statement.

Vontobel Appoints Whitman to Lead Sub-Advisory

Peter Whitman

Vontobel Asset Management has appointed Peter Whitman to join the U.S. intermediary team and lead its sub-advisory efforts.

He will be responsible for further developing Vontobel’s U.S. intermediary relationships and distribution partnerships, as well as engaging with global banks and sub-advisers. He joins Vontobel from Nuveen, where he was head of DCIO strategic accounts.

“Vontobel is committed to maintaining strong growth in the US with an expanded footprint, strategic partnerships and engagement with global banks, while helping our clients meet their long-term goals,” said José Luis Ezcurra, head of sales for the Americas, in a statement.