October 2, 2024

2024 Emerging Leaders — Michael Parsons

Reported by

PLANADVISER: How did you end up in the retirement advisory industry?

Parsons: I started my career right out of college as a procurement professional for a Fortune 500 company. Given that the area I lived in at the time wasn’t particularly diverse in career paths, I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity I did, especially so quickly after school. However, I always saw myself pursuing a career in finance, but I just was not sure where to dive in. What never wavered within was my desire to help people. Eventually I saw an opportunity to join a talented retirement plan investment analysis team in our industry, and I decided to bet on myself and my future. After a few fruitful years of investment analysis and consulting, I had the opportunity to pivot into an advisory capacity and have yet to look back.

Never miss a story — sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters to keep up on the latest retirement plan adviser news. 

PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?

Parsons: I believe leaning into digital delivery of financial wellness and education will greatly help improve participant outcomes and the industry overall. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that everyone is busy and prefers to consume content at their own leisure. My firm has partnered with a few vendors that help our advisers connect with participants anywhere, at any time, via several different mediums, and serve as a total financial wellness hub with a vast array of topics in short, consumable content. Now, I am a huge proponent of the connections and relationships earned with in-person interactions, but the reality is that time is precious. The flexibility technology allows can be powerful if harnessed appropriately.

PLANADVISER: What are you most passionate about outside of the office?

Parsons: I could give you the obligatory “food, music, sports, golf, etc.” answer, and while it wouldn’t be inaccurate, my real passion is focusing on friends, family and experiences. My wife and I do our best to spend most of our free time hosting out-of-town friends or family, participating in local activities and events, or traveling to visit people and places we seldom get to see. Human connection is one of the foundations of the retirement advisory industry, and I believe focusing on personal connections helps exercise the professional “muscles” necessary for success. Some of my most treasured memories are experiences I’ve shared with others, both personally and professionally. Also, it just so happens that focusing on these experiences with friends and family often intersects with food, music, sports, golf, etc.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Global Retirement Partners, LLC dba HB Retirement, an SEC registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

October 2, 2024

2024 Emerging Leaders — Jess Hurley

Reported by

Maria Kofman

PLANADVISER: What have you done that you are most proud of?

Hurley: Being a mentor for my team, college students and even high school students is something I am incredibly proud of. This role has allowed me to guide and support individuals at diﬀerent stages of their academic and personal development journeys. For my team, mentoring involves fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment in which each member can thrive professionally and personally. With college students, it means providing guidance on academic pursuits, career choices and life skills, helping them navigate the complexities of higher education and transition into the workforce. Similarly, mentoring high school students involves preparing them for the challenges and opportunities ahead, instilling conﬁdence and a sense of direction as they prepare for their futures. Each mentoring relationship is unique and rewarding, oﬀering the chance to make a positive impact on someone’s life and contribute to their success and well-being.

Want the latest retirement plan adviser news and insights? Sign up for PLANADVISER newsletters. 

PLANADVISER: Where do you hope to take your career in the retirement industry in coming years?

Hurley: In the coming years, I aim to advance my career in the retirement plan industry by concentrating on strategic innovation and operational excellence. My primary goals include optimizing our operations to enhance eﬃciency and reduce costs through the reﬁnement of processes, the adoption of best practices and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement within the organization. Additionally, I plan to stay ahead of evolving regulations by ensuring our operations remain fully compliant, collaborating closely with legal and compliance teams to implement necessary adjustments proactively. I also intend to enhance the client experience by implementing advanced technology solutions that streamline processes and leverage data analytics and automation to oﬀer more personalized and eﬃcient services. Furthermore, I recognize the importance of building a strong, cohesive team and plan to invest in talent development, providing training and growth opportunities to equip our team to meet future challenges. By focusing on these areas, I hope to contribute signiﬁcantly to the growth and success of our organization, positioning us as a leader in the retirement plan industry.

PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your ﬁrm can help with that progress)?

Hurley: Improving the retirement industry and participant outcomes requires a diverse approach. One essential step is enhancing ﬁnancial education and literacy, which can be achieved by integrating ﬁnancial literacy into school curriculums to build a strong foundation from a young age and by encouraging employers to oﬀer workshops and resources to help employees understand retirement planning. Another critical area is plan design, where implementing automatic enrollment in retirement plans with automatic escalation of contributions can increase participation and savings rates, while oﬀering simpliﬁed investment options such as target-date funds can help participants make more informed decisions. Leveraging technology is also crucial; using data analytics and artiﬁcial intelligence to provide personalized retirement advice can signiﬁcantly improve planning outcomes. Furthermore, adopting a holistic approach to retirement by recognizing the connection between health and ﬁnancial well-being is important. This can be accomplished by integrating health savings accounts and other health-related planning into retirement strategies and by encouraging participants to plan for long-term care needs as part of their overall retirement strategy. By addressing these areas, the retirement industry can create a more robust and equitable system that better supports participants in achieving their retirement goals.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Global Retirement Partners, DBA Oswald Financial, an SEC registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.