Retirement Industry People Moves

Arnerich Promotes Senior Consultant; AssetMark Hires Chief Information Officer; LMGC Expands Advisory Space; and more.

Arnerich Promotes Senior Consultant

Portland-based investment firm Arnerich Massena has promoted Chris Van Dyke to a senior consultant position in the firm. He will be tasked with consulting public, private and non-profit organizations in the firm’s institutional group. He serves on the company’s Investment Committee, Portfolio Management Committee, and Product Committee. Van Dyke has also joined the firm’s shareholder group as a principal of the firm.

“Chris is a tremendous asset to the firm, and this promotion is an acknowledgment of his expertise and industry acumen,” says Terri Schwartz, managing director of Institutional Services. “He’s done fantastic client work, and we’re pleased to elevate him into a senior position.”

Van Dyke brings more than 16 years of industry experience which saw him serve various firms including the Stratford Advisory Group and CTC Consulting. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. He has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations, and is a member of the Portland Society of Financial Analysts.

NEXT: AssetMark Hires Chief Information Officer

AssetMark Hires Chief Information Officer

Mukesh (Muk) Mehta has joined AssetMark, a provider of investment and consulting solutions for financial advisers, as the firm’s chief information officer. He will lead AssetMark’s technology platform.

Mehta has spent more than 20 years in the industry developing technology systems and solutions utilized by financial advisers. He served this role in the past for Cetera Financial, TD Ameritrade and Schwab Institutional, where he also served as senior vice president.

“We couldn’t be happier to have Muk join our team,” says Charles Goldman, president and CEO of AssetMark. “He is an extraordinarily talented executive with proven ability to develop comprehensive solutions that address the needs of advisers.” 

NEXT: LMGC Expands Advisory Space

LMGC Expands Advisory Space

Melanie Karlberg has joined LMGC Investments as managing director, National Accounts, to support the firm’s growth in the financial advisory channel. In this newly created position, Karlberg will focus on building and maintaining relationships with financial advisers in home offices, with a focus on developing their knowledge of LMCG’s specialized strategies and how to apply them in clients’ portfolios.

Karlberg brings to her role more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, where she has worked with home offices, advisers and their clients. She has also worked with due diligence teams. Previous roles include regional and financial planning consultant at Fidelity Investments and senior vice president for managing key client relationships with F-Squared Investments. Most recently, she was a partner at Tenaz Consulting, a marketing and consulting firm she co-founded. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bryant University and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

“Bringing Melanie to our team reinforces our commitment to working with financial advisers and their clients – leveraging LMCG’s institutional strategies,” says Kenneth L. Swan, CEO of LMCG Investments. “Melanie’s background is ideal to help expand LMCG’s adviser relationships. As a former financial adviser and accomplished sales and client services professional, she will aid advisers in understanding how to fully capture the benefits of our investment strategies and help reach their clients’ goals.” 

NEXT: Arnerich Massena Promotes DC Consultant 

Arnerich Massena Promotes DC Consultant

Portland-based investment firm Arnerich Massena has promoted Ryan Cunningham, CAIA, to a senior consultant position for the company’s institutional practice. He will consult corporate defined contribution plans, pension plans, non-profit endowments and foundations. Cunningham will focus on all aspects of investment consulting from menu structure to vendor searches through investment manager transitions and implementation assistance. He will also present thought leadership through speaking engagements, researching white papers, and writing articles.

Cunningham also serves on the company’s Investment Committee and as the Portfolio Management Committee chair.

He has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. Before coming on board to Arnerich, he served as investment consultant with RVK. He earned a master’s degree from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin with a dual concentration in finance and accounting. He holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and is a member of the Portland chapter of the CFA Society. He is an active member of the Portland Alternative Investment Association and currently serves on the Association’s Board of Directors.

Terri Schwartz, managing director of Institutional Services says, “Ryan has demonstrated a profound depth of expertise and knowledge; he understands this industry and is able to help our clients navigate its complexity. This promotion is a reflection of the great work that he’s done for clients, the skill that he brings to his work, and his demonstrated thought leadership in the firm.”

NEXT: Sikich to Acquire Evolution Retirement Services

Sikich to Acquire Evolution Retirement Services

Professional services firm Sikich will acquire Evolution Retirement Services (ERS), a provider of retirement plan design and administrative services for small and mid-size businesses. The ERS team will add to Sikich’s employee benefit services practice, which assists companies with benefit plan design, administration and compliance.

Based near Milwaukee, ERS helps companies servicing various plans including profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, money purchase pensions and cash balance plans. The company’s employees will join Sikich’s office in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

“Our team is skilled at helping companies develop and administer employee benefit plans that enable them to attract and retain talent,” says Chris Geier, CEO and managing partner of Sikich. “At the same time, we help them comply with complex regulatory requirements. The addition of Evolution Retirement Services will add depth to our employee benefit services practice and enhance the retirement planning services we offer companies across industries.”

ERS President Mark Maurice adds, “We are very excited and proud to be joining Sikich. This deal allows for regional expansion of our retirement plan administration services and ensures long-term stability for our employees and clients. Further, Sikich’s depth of expertise across its various practice areas will enable us to offer our clients new insights and services.”

NEXT: Sheridan Road Financial Hires Senior Development Officer

Sheridan Road Financial Hires Senior Development Officer

Troy Tarr has joined Sheridan Road Financial, a national institutional investment consulting firm as senior business development officer.

Tarr has more than 20 years of industry experience. Before joining Sheridan Road, he served as senior vice president, head of retirement income solutions for 3D Asset Management. He’s also worked as national sales manager, head of 401(k) sales for Aspire Financial Services. His experience also includes stints with ADP, NRP, and LPL Retirement Services

"Jim and I have known Troy forever and we are very excited to have Troy join Sheridan Road. He brings a tremendous amount of energy and excitement to us as we continue to build our business development capabilities,” said Daniel Bryant, managing partner.

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Sheridan Road Financial provides institutional investment consulting and private wealth management services.

NEXT: Nationwide Appoints Leader of 401(k) business

Nationwide Appoints Leader of 401(k) business

Kevin Devine has been named Nationwide’sleader of its adviser-sold 401(k) business. He will be tasked with leading strategic direction to drive sales growth across the firm’s private-sector book of business while driving sales momentum within retirement plans. Devine has served as divisional vice president of the firm’s Northeast region since 2011. He joined the firm in 2000.

“Our sales staff is one of the largest and most tenured in the industry and includes several wholesalers who are recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors as top service providers,” says Eric Stevenson, senior vice president of retirement plan sales for Nationwide. “Kevin’s leadership and experience will help us continue to expand our market share and increase our 401(k) plan sales across the country.”

Earlier this year, Nationwide announced that it was aligning its retirement plans distribution team under the leadership of Stevenson.

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