Retirement Industry Deals and People Moves – 1/16/2026

Vontobel Strengthens US Consultant Relations

Vontobel named Martin Coughlin to the newly created role of consultant relationship manager. Coughlin will be responsible for building and deepening the Swiss investment house’s relationships with U.S.-focused investment consultants.

Coughlin has more than 25 years of experience working with investment consultants and institutional investors. He joins Vontobel from Lord Abbett, where he was responsible for consultant relations. Prior to that, he held a similar position at Boston Partners and was a relationship manager at Standish Mellon Asset Management and a consultant at NEPC.

As of September 30, 2025, Vontobel had $300.7 billion in assets under management.

Ascensus Names New ABLE Head

Ascensus LLC appointed Rob Percival as head of ABLE solutions. Percival will lead strategy and execution for the company’s ABLE [Achieving a Better Life Experience] business, accounts that allow individuals with qualifying disabilities and their families to save.

Percival will report to Peg Creonte, president of government savings. Percival brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, including a decade at Ascensus. He rejoins Ascensus from Orion, where he served as senior vice president of strategic relationships.

He will collaborate with product, relationship management, operations and business development teams. Percival’s appointment comes at a significant time for the ABLE market, which is expected to expand following a change to the “age of onset” provision that will significantly increase eligibility.

Ascensus administers ABLE plans across 22 states and the District of Columbia.

Ascensus had more than $919 billion in assets under administration and employed more than 5,000 associates as of September 30, 2025.

Marsh McLennan Agency Hires New Retirement, Wealth Sales Leader

Marsh McLennan Agency appointed Bill Thompson to the newly created role of national retirement and wealth sales leader, according to a LinkedIn post from MMA President and National Practice Leader Craig Reid.

According to the post, Thompson will focus on organic growth, team development and sales mentorship, as well as on shaping the sales culture at MMA.

Thompson brings leadership experience from his roles at John Hancock Retirement and Fidelity Investments, where he built and led teams and partnered closely with advisers, consultants and employers, per the LinkedIn post.

In the national role, Thompson will work closely with MMA’s regional leaders and retirement and wealth teams to strengthen MMA’s market and sales strategies, coach talent and support performance and retention across the organization.

Shepherd Financial Expands Into Florida With Veteran Adviser Hire

Shepherd Financial LLC announced its expansion into Florida with the hiring of Brea Dantin, marking the firm’s first entry into Florida and a strategic move into the Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Port Charlotte markets.

Based in Sarasota, Dantin brings more than 25 years of experience in the retirement plan industry and has been recognized with multiple industry awards for her leadership and client service.

The expansion to Florida represents the next phase of growth for Shepherd Financial, aligning with increasing client demand in Florida and building on the firm’s regional expansion model, according to the announcement.

Dantin will support retirement plan consulting efforts throughout Florida while working closely with Shepherd’s Midwest-based teams.

FinServ Foundation Adds 2 Board Directors

FinServ Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the next generation of financial service professionals, announced the appointment of Erin Wood, senior vice president of advanced planning at AssetMark, and Brian Hamburger, founder and CEO of MarketCounsel, to its board of directors.

“Erin and Brian bring exceptional leadership and deep industry perspective to FinServ Foundation,” said Jamie Hopkins, the foundation’s president and chairman, in a statement. “Both have dedicated their careers to strengthening the profession, supporting advisers, and investing in long-term impact. Their involvement meaningfully accelerates our mission.”

FinServ Foundation specializes in providing coaching, mentorship and scholarships to individuals entering the financial services field. The foundation actively collaborates with more than 52 colleges and universities and mentors more than 700 FinServ Fellows.

Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage Names New Executive Director

The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage appointed Taylor Hittle as its new executive director, following the retirement of Neil Trautwein.

P4ESC is a nonpartisan advocacy alliance of employment-based organizations and trade associations representing both businesses and the employees and their families who rely on employer-sponsored coverage.

“As executive director, I look forward to serving as a voice for the interests of those working families, and to advancing commonsense policies that make Americans’ health care more affordable while improving quality, choice, and competition in the marketplace,” Hittle said in a statement.

“Drawing on her experience as the top ERISA health staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as serving at the Department of Health and Human Services and in the private sector, Taylor is uniquely equipped to safeguard the employer-sponsored system,” said Melissa Barlett, P4ESC chair and senior vice president of health policy for the ERISA Industry Committee, in a statement.