Retirement Industry People Moves

Dietrich & Associates has joined the BDO Alliance

Dietrich & Associates has joined the BDO Alliance USA, a group of independently owned local and regional accounting, consulting and service firms with similar client service goals. As an independent member of the BDO Alliance USA, Dietrich & Associates can expand the service offered to clients by drawing on the resources of BDO USA. The firm serves clients through more than 60 offices and 500 independent Alliance firm locations nationwide. As an independent member firm of BDO International Limited, BDO serves multi-national clients through a global network or more than 1,400 offices in more than 150 countries.

“Our client base is increasingly exploring business opportunities on other domestic markets and foreign countries. The BDO Alliance USA allows us to better serve these clients as they expand regionally, nationally and globally while maintaining our autonomy, “ says Kurt Dietrich President of Dietrich & Associates. “In addition to the geographic benefits, our firm with have access to greater technical knowledge and specialty services of DBO USA and its international organization.”

The BDO Alliance USA enhances member firm capabilities through the availability of supplementary professional services, comprehensive management consulting services, focused industry knowledge, customized  computer systems, and internal training programs.

“We believe the professionals of Dietrich & Associates, Inc. share BDO’s commitment to exemplary client service and we want to welcome them into the BDO Alliance USA,” says Michael Horwitz, BDO USA, LLP Partner and Executive Director of Alliance Services.

NEXT: Pentegra Hires 403(b) Consultant 

Pentegra Hires 403(b) Consultant

Maegen ‘Meg’ Chaudry has joined Pentegra as a 403(b) consultant. She will be responsible for managing relationships with Pentegra’s non-ERISA 403(b) clients and advisers throughout Texas.

Chaudry began her career with Edward Jones as a financial adviser in Houston, Texas. She also worked as an area sales representative for American Funds. She worked with financial advisers and intermediaries for pensions, corporations and retirement plans to provide practice management and investment services to help protect and grow assets. Most recently, she led a sales team for Legg Mason and its affiliates, where she was responsible for creating and maintaining relationships to drive sales across 13 territories.

“We are excited to have Meg join our team,” says Chuck Coldwell, Pentegra’s vice president-national director, Consulting and BOLI Services. “Her combination of industry experience, relationship management skills and ability to cultivate adviser relationships will benefit all of our business partners.”

Chaudry is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she attended the Mays Business School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. She also holds FINRA Series 7, 66 and insurance licenses.

NEXT:Strategic Retirement Partners Expands Northern California Team

Strategic Retirement Partners Expands Northern California Team

Stig Nybo has joined the Northern California team of Strategic Retirement Partners. He brings 25 years of experience in leadership roles within the retirement business spanning all aspects of the business. Nybo has led strategy, operations, sales and marketing, and technology teams as president of Transamerica Retirement Services. He’s also served several advisory board roles, including RetirementJobs.com, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), and Betterment for Business.

“Stig is a perfect addition to our team,” shares Jeff Cullen, managing partner, Strategic Retirement Partners. “Like us, he believes that every American deserves the opportunity to retire with dignity and confidence. He is an award-winning author for Transform Tomorrow: Awakening the Super Saver in Pursuit of Retirement Readiness (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013), which received the USA Best Book Award for “Social Change” and “Business: Investing.” And he was named the 5th most influential person in the retirement plan industry by 401kWire.com.”

NEXT:T. Rowe Price Expands Global Investments Team

T. Rowe Price Expands Global Investments Team

T. Rowe Price Group welcomes Lowell Yura to its Asset Allocation division as head of Multi-Asset Solutions for North America. Yoram Lustig joins as head of Multi-Asset Solutions for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Yura is based in Baltimore and Lustig is based in London. Both report to Peter Austin, head of Multi-Asset Solutions and a member of T. Rowe Price’s Asset Allocation investment team.

Yura was most recently managing director and head of Multi-Asset Solutions for BMO Global Asset Management in Chicago. Prior to BMO, he was managing director, and head strategist, Americas and UK, for Global Investment Solutions at UBS Global Asset Management. Earlier in his career, Yura was a consulting actuary at Towers Perrin and investment consultant at Mercer. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

Lustig was most recently head of Multi-Asset Investments UK for AXA Investment Managers in London. Prior to his time at AXA, he was head of Multi-Asset Funds for Aviva Investors in London. Earlier in his career, Lustig served as head of Portfolio Construction - EMEA at Merrill Lynch. A published author, Lustig holds a law degree from Tel Aviv University and a master’s degree from London Business School. He is also a licensed lawyer.

NEXT:Barrow Hanley Hires Director of Responsible Investing

Barrow Hanley Hires Director of Responsible Investing

Value-oriented investment managers Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss (Barrow Hanley) has hired Ross M. Campbell as director of responsible investing. He will provide further depth to Barrow Hanley’s integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the firm’s fundamental, research-driven investment process. 

He also brings more than 14 years of experience to the Barrow Hanley investment team, where he will assist in managing the recently-launched U.S. Value and Emerging Markets Value ESG strategies. 

Prior to joining Barrow Hanley, Campbell was president of SRI Research Group, a consulting firm focused on assisting companies with their corporate disclosures and corporate sustainability reports. He completed the US SIF (The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment) training on Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment. He also completed certificate training from Deloitte for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards of Corporate Sustainability Reports. Before founding the SRI Research Group, he managed the Sustainability and Investor Relations efforts for AECOM (ACM) and Denbury Resources Inc. (DNR). 

He earned a master’s degree from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University and a bachelor’s degree from Franklin and Marshall College.  

NEXT: Financial Services Roundtable Expands Cybersecurity Team

Financial Services Roundtable Expands Cybersecurity Team

The Financial Services Roundtable (FSR) has brought on Adam Palmer to BITS as its vice president of cybersecurityrisk management. This division focuses on cybersecurity, fraud, and technology. In this role, Palmer will manage key aspects of the program including security, authentication, and encryption standards as well as information and technology sharing between the financial sector and government partners.

Palmer brings more than two decades of experience honing his skills in the public and private sectors. He served most recently as director of International Government Relations for cybersecurity firm FireEye and previously led cybersecurity initiatives at the United Nations and Symantec. He began his career as a U.S. Navy JAG Officer focusing on cybercrime prosecution.

Palmer holds a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, a Certificate in International Management from Pacific-Asian Management Institute, and a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii.

“Cybersecurity is a top priority for the financial industry, and Adam’s addition to the team will greatly benefit FSR members and bolster our advocacy efforts in Washington,” says Chris Feeney, president of BITS.

NEXT: Ascensus Acquires Retirement Plan Administrative Service

Ascensus Acquires Retirement Plan Administrative Service

Ascensus, a technology and solutions provider, has announced the acquisition of independently owned Retirement Plan Administrative Service (RPAS). This actuarial, consulting, and administrative services firm is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. It specializes in qualified plan design, installation, government compliance, and administration. 

RPAS will add to the Ascensus Consulting line of business.

"RPAS is recognized as a premier administration firm for qualified retirement plans," says Shannon Kelly, Ascensus' president of retirement. "This acquisition is in line with our goal of aggressively expanding our Ascensus Consulting business as well as Ascensus overall. I'm pleased to welcome RPAS' clients and associates to Ascensus Consulting and am excited to add ESOP services to our product offering."

Burl V. Bachman, president of RPAS adds, "Becoming part of Ascensus Consulting and gaining access to its resources will allow us to provide the best possible plan design and operation while remaining committed to personal service. Our clients can rest assured in the knowledge that we'll continue to always act in their best interests and maintain loyal relationships that are based on trust and integrity."

NEXT:Arnerich Massena Names Co-CIO

Arnerich Massena Names Co-CIO

Portland-based investment firm Arnerich Massena has named Bryan Shipley as co-chief investment officerand a member of the firm’s shareholder group. Shipley will serve alongside Tony Arnerich, the firm’s founder. As co-CIO, Shipley is responsible for overseeing the firm’s investment strategy and providing thought leadership, while helping to establish Arnerich Massena’s investment philosophy and future investment considerations. He directs the Investment and Product Committees and manages Arnerich Massena’s Analytics team.

Shipley joined Arnerich Massena in 2003. He has held several leadership roles including senior research analyst and head of the firm’s traditional and real asset research. He has more than 19 years of experience in the financial industry, having served prior as an associate for Wurts & Associates, where he conducted traditional and alternative investment manager research and due diligence. Shipley holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.

Dave Nute, CEO, says: “Arnerich Massena is known for its award-winning analytical team and dedication to performing rigorous, proprietary research. Mr. Shipley has had a key role in the development and maintenance of the firm’s investment philosophy and research process, and the move to co-CIO is a natural progression of his work.” He notes that with the recent transition to 100% employee ownership, “we are working to codify the principles and philosophy Tony Arnerich brought to the firm, and sharing the CIO role will make it possible to bring in the next generation of leadership.” Nute is also pleased to welcome Shipley to the shareholder group as a principal of the firm.

NEXT: Voya Hires 401(k) Leader

Voya Hires 401(k) Leader

Voya Financial welcomes Bill Harmon as president of Retirement Corporate 401(k).

Harmon will oversee all aspects of the Corporate 401(k) market including sales, relationship management, strategy and profitable growth for all segments of the market. Harmon will join CEO of Retirement Charlie Nelson’s leadership team, as well as Voya’s Operating Committee.

Most recently, Harmon served as senior vice president, Core Markets for Empower Retirement. He spent more than two decades with the firm.

“I am delighted to announce that Bill is joining the Voya team to lead our Corporate 401(k) market,” says Nelson. “Bill brings a proven track record of building strong, high-performing teams – and driving profitable growth. With his deep experience and commitment to this industry, Bill will be a great addition to our Retirement leadership team as we continue to focus on solutions that deliver value and help Americans become financially and emotionally ready to retire.”

Harmon holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

NEXT: Redhawk Partners With E-Valuator

Redhawk Partners With E-Valuator

The E-Valuator LLC announced an ongoing partnership with locally-based RIA firm Redhawk Wealth Advisors to serve as the company’s technology centerpiece in addressing the recently implemented Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rule and its future impact on financial advisers.

The collaboration will allow for the direct integration between The E-Valuator’s Analytical Toolkit and Redhawk Wealth Advisors’ Investment Management Process.

“There have been big changes to our industry as of late, particularly around the handling of client accounts in a fiduciary manner,” says Rick Keast, president of Redhawk Wealth Advisors. “The challenge for us, and the industry as a whole for that matter, is implementing a process that can be tailored to each client we serve. In our eyes, The E-Valuator software creates that process for us.”

Kevin Miller, CEO of The E-Valuator, adds: “We are excited to partner with Redhawk to deliver the technology in assisting their firm from a compliance and growth perspective. The financial services industry is continually evolving and we are pleased to work with Redhawk through the industry’s next phase of evolution.”