DWC ERISA Consultants, LLC (DWC) announced that, effective
March 4, Destel-Bergen Corporation is merging its retirement plan
administrative services practice into DWC. Destel-Bergen Corporation is a
third-party administrator based in Petaluma, California, providing a variety of
administrative and consulting services for 401(k) and other tax qualified
retirement plans.
DWC says each Destel client will continue to work with the
same consultant and will have access to a more comprehensive suite of plan
administration, consulting and management services.
“We are especially pleased that Destel’s Lauri Carlson will
be joining our team. With 20 years of experience and several professional
credentials, she will be a great addition and will facilitate a smooth
transition for her clients,” says Adam Pozek, partner at DWC.
Joost Revis, co-owner of Destel, says, “DWC is a top notch
third-party administrative firm with a long history of providing quality
service. The added resources they bring to the table will only improve the
service our clients receive.”
Six relationship managers have been added to MassMutual’s network in New England, New York, the West, Southwest and mid-Atlantic region, boosting the number to 103.
The new managers, who support retirement
plan sponsors, advisers and third-party administrators (TPAs), are needed to
support record sales, according to Una Morabito, senior vice president,
relationship management for MassMutual Retirement Services.
Gregory Baran has been appointed relationship
manager for unbundled retirement plans in New England and New York. Baran has
nine years of experience in the retirement plan marketplace, most recently as a
MassMutual retirement education specialist. Previously he held financial
services roles at John Hancock and The Hartford. He holds a bachelor’s degree from
Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Baran reports to Jim Keating, assistant vice
president, client relationship management.
Joey Biggerstaff was named
relationship manager for large retirement plans in California, Colorado,
Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Biggerstaff, who has 21 years
of experience in retirement plans, previously was a regional director for
relationship management with GuideStone Financial Resources. He holds a bachelor’s
degree in business administration from Texas A&M University, as well as the
Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC) designation, and FINRA Series 7, 63
and 26 licenses. Biggerstaff reports to Richard Cartier, assistant vice
president, client relationship management.
Jesus Herrera was appointed relationship
manager for retirement plans in Houston. With 15 years of experience working
with retirement plans, Herrera last worked for Arthur Gallagher & Company
as a client relationship consultant. He holds
an associate’s degree from Houston Community College, as well as FINRA Series 7
and 63 licenses. Herrera reports to Hal Oberg, assistant vice president, client
relationship management.
Douglas Morash was named relationship
manager for unbundled plans in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Virginia. Morash, who has 21 years of retirement industry
experience, most recently served as a communications director at MassMutual. He
holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s in
business administration from Boston College, as well as a FINRA Series 6
license. Morash reports to Keating.
Casey Sand was appointed relationship
manager for retirement plans in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and
Wyoming. Most recently, Sand, who has 12 years of experience serving retirement
plans, was a client service manager for MassMutual Retirement Services. He holds
a Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University. Sand reports to Craig
Haase, vice president, relationship management.
Emily Totty was named a
relationship manager for unbundled retirement plans in Alabama, Arkansas,
Florida, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Totty, who has eight years of
financial services experience, previously served as a retirement education
specialist for MassMutual. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University
of Central Florida and a master’s in business administration from the University
of Florida, and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Totty reports to Phil
Maness, assistant vice president, client relationship management.
Morabito cites MassMutual’s
relationship managers as playing a significant role in the firm’s retention and
plan sponsor satisfaction rates. The network of relationship managers helps to
ensure that MassMutual’s plan sponsors, advisers and third-party administrators
(TPAs) receive the support they need to help plan participants prepare
adequately for retirement. Relationship managers work with the plan sponsor’s
decision-makers, investment advisers and consultants, TPAs, attorneys and
accountants to help employers manage their plans as effectively as possible.