Retirement Industry People Moves – 2/14/25

The Standard Names Regional Vice President in Retirement Plans

Rick Nowicki

The Standard welcomed Rick Nowicki as a regional vice president in retirement plans. He will collaborate with advisers, plan sponsors and third-party administrators within an assigned territory in Michigan.

Nowicki has 20 years of experience in the retirement plan and financial services industry, with previous roles as a retirement plan wholesaler, client relationship manager, TPA and employee benefit consultant. In addition, he owned and operated a small business for 12 years.

“Rick is truly committed to always doing the right thing and I’m excited for him to join our team,” said Derek Fuller, divisional vice president of retirement plan sales at The Standard, in a statement. “His strategic skillset demonstrates our company’s commitment to building and nurturing relationships as well as doing what matters for our customers.”

Lopes Joins Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Darren Lopes

Nationwide Retirement Solutions announced that Darren Lopes has joined the company’s institutional consultant relations team as a consultant relations manager covering the Northeast region of the U.S. Lopes reports to Andee Gravitt, associate vice president of institutional consultant relations.

Lopes’ previous experience includes roles as a managing director on TIAA’s institutional sales team and as a relationship manager at Fidelity.

“Darren’s 30-plus years of experience in the retirement services industry, most of which was focused on serving consultants in the northeast, positions him perfectly for this role,” said Gravitt in a statement. “His strong track record of collaboration with both internal and external partners, including many institutional focus firms we work with, will be a great asset to our team and our clients.” 

CBIZ Promotes Bradney to Lead Public Pension Executive Search Practice

Kim Bradney

CBIZ announced the elevation of Kim Bradney to lead its public pension executive search practice, effective April 1. Bradney will succeed Dan Cummings, who is retiring as head of CBIZ’s pension practice after serving for 15 years.

Bradney brings more than 25 years of experience in executive search and recruiting. She joined CBIZ last fall after leading numerous searches for a variety of executive positions across the country, building client-focused teams and providing solutions to her companies and clients.

Citarell Joins Easterly Asset Management as Senior Vice President of Sales, Northeast

Easterly Asset Management appointed Paul Citarell as senior vice president of sales, Northeast. Reporting to Phil Juliano, Jr., Head of Sales at Easterly, Citarell will focusing on cultivating and managing client relationships across the firm’s mutual funds and private market offerings to RIAs, financial advisers, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals.

He brings more than 30 years of investment product and capital markets sales experience with a cultivated private wealth network in the Northeast region, said the company. Citarell has served in senior sales and distribution roles at John Hancock Investment Management, the U.S. subsidiary of Manulife Investment Management, Nuveen, and Fisher Investments.

Luma Financial Technologies Announces Chief Growth Officer

Jeff Schwantz

Jeff Schwantz has joined Luma Financial Technologies as the firm’s chief growth officer. Schwantz will spearhead growth initiatives, drive new business expansion, strengthen enterprise partnerships and enhance adviser engagement.

Schwantz brings 25 years of experience in platform strategy, sales leadership and adviser success, having held roles at Pershing, Morningstar, eMoney and, most recently, as chief revenue officer at Advisor360.

“His expertise in driving global expansion, aligning go-to-market strategies, and strengthening adviser adoption makes him an invaluable addition to the Luma team,” a company press release stated.

Veris Wealth Partners Promotes Chief Advisory Officer, Chief Investment Officer

Veris Wealth Partners, a financial adviser to foundations, endowments and families, announced the promotion of two partners: Jane Swan, to chief advisory officer and Roraj Pradhananga to chief investment officer.

Swan’s promotion comes one year after her designation as Head of Advisory Services, where she led the advisory team across Veris’ offices nationwide. Now as CAO, Swan is responsible for the entire service platform, the firm’s advisory committee, and adviser training.

For the past year, Pradhananga has served as co-CIO with Veris co-founder Michael Lent, who has now stepped back from CIO responsibilities while continuing to serve clients.

Global Wealth Management Names New CEO

Global Wealth Management, a retirement planning and investment advisory firm, announced that is has exceeded $1 billion in assets under management and that Ivan Minkov has been promoted to CEO from chief financial officer.

Minkov will lead GWM’s strategic initiatives, drive “operational excellence” and continue fostering a “results-driven” culture that prioritizes both client success and firm-wide innovation.

Investment Company Institute Names Chief of Staff

Erica Richardson

The Investment Company Institute announced that Chief Strategic Communications Officer Erica Richardson has been promoted to chief of staff to ICI President and CEO Eric Pan. Richardson will oversee the coordination of the organization’s advocacy and external affairs efforts across ICI departments.

Richardson, a former director of external affairs at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission under President Donald Trump and a former senior staffer in Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, will continue to serve as chief strategic communications officer, in addition to her new responsibilities.

Richardson has more than 20 years of experience in strategic public affairs across the government and private sectors, specializing in helping organizations manage political risk and reputational challenges.