Tara Krueger

PLANADVISER: Tell us about your role at your firm and your current responsibilities? How do you contribute to your firm/team’s growth and progress?

Krueger: As the retirement plan services product director, I lead a team responsible for developing and implementing a competitive product offer that supports our clients in meeting their fiduciary duties, while having participants’ best interest in mind. In addition, I’m accountable to building out a support model that streamlines processes, allowing our sales/service team to focus on delivering our high-value investment and fiduciary services in a proactive manner leading to enhanced client experiences.

Old National has grown organically and through acquisition in recent years. I have contributed to our firm’s progress by building a team as passionate as myself in being part of something bigger within a growing organization. A key initiative has been to transition our retirement plan advisory business to Old National’s RIA, 1834 Investment Advisors. This has included leading a comprehensive RFP process to select preferred recordkeeping partners; draft a new advisory agreement and an investment policy statement; create talking points and marketing material; and build our product catalog, inclusive of our Fiduciary Lifecycle Program, along with the pricing and governance around it. Old National recently closed on an acquisition of Bremer Bank, and we are in the process of integrating Bremer Bank team members, products and clients set to convert later this year.

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

Krueger: Landing in the retirement industry happened by chance, as I moved from Colorado to Iowa and needed a job. I can’t say I had a passion for a particular industry; my passion was working hard and doing the right thing. My motto was, “I may not have the level of experience required, but I’m willing to start at the bottom and learn my way if you’re willing to give me a chance.” I had offers from various industries, including one with Principal Financial Group. I was most intrigued by the strategic, competitive and relationship-building nature of Principal’s sales engineering team within their retirement division. A few years ago, I was looking to challenge myself in a different way and, by chance and through a mentor, I came across Old National who was looking for a product director to help build and grow their advisory business within 1834 Investment Advisors’ registered investment advisory. I love being able to utilize skills and knowledge acquired from my experience on the recordkeeper side and apply them to the advisor side of the industry. I’m fortunate to have found a career doing something so noble, and I’ve been blessed with lifelong lessons, mentors and friends.

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

Krueger: Something I’m proud of is taking a risk by going for something I considered out of reach. I was at my prior company over 17 years and loved the company, people, benefits and work. It was comfortable. About the time I was offered a promotion to a new position, the RPS product director opening at 1834, a division of Old National Bank, came across my desk. It consisted of many things I had some experience in; still, it was a stretch role at a company I had never heard of. I considered passing on the 1834 opportunity altogether because I was comfortable and thought I would spend my career at my prior company. However, I believe people should get comfortable being uncomfortable, as it makes us stronger, more agile and resilient. Plus, how do you know what you’re fully capable of if you never try? While I was scared to leave what I had known since my career in retirement began, I took the chance, which proved to be one of the best decisions, stretching me personally and professionally. In November, I plan to add completing an Ironman as a full-time working mother of four to this list.