Retirement Industry Deals & People Moves – 2/6/2026

FINRA Elects Chair of National Adjudicatory Council

Kim Chapman

Kim Chapman, chief compliance officer for Berthel Fisher and Co. Inc., was elected chair of FINRA’s National Adjudicatory Council for 2026. Chapman was previously elected to a four-year team in the NAC’s midsize firm seat in January 2024 and is a member of FINRA’s Midwest Regional Committee.

Appointed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Board of Governors, the council evaluates initial disciplinary decisions issued by FINRA hearing panels and considers disciplinary matters that have been appealed to, or called for consideration by, the NAC.

“It’s a distinct honor to be elected by my peers to serve as chair of the NAC,” Chapman said in a statement. “As we collaborate with FINRA … my goal is to leverage our combined expertise and diverse perspectives to deliver fair, consistent enforcement that protects the investing public.”

Chapman has served since 2020 as CCO of Berthel Fisher’s subsidiaries, including two independent broker/dealers and an SEC-registered registered investment adviser. She has more than 20 years of experience in compliance, and her financial services background spans retail, financial technology, investment banking and product manufacturers across insurance and mutual funds.

Prosperity Life Group Names President of Retail Life, Annuity

Prosperity Life Group appointed Rona Guymon as president of retail life and annuity, a newly created role. She will report directly to CEO Michael Ferik and head all retail distribution, including national accounts and marketing efforts, according to the announcement.

Guymon last worked at Nationwide as a senior vice president of annuity distribution. She also spent 13 years at Protective Life in senior roles, including vice president of business development and national sales manager. Her experience spans marketing, operations, training and sales across mutual funds, annuities and life insurance.

“I am honored to join Prosperity Life Group at such an exciting time in the company’s growth journey,” said Guymon in a statement. “The combination of Prosperity Life Group’s strong product portfolio, commitment to financial professionals, and the strategic support of JAB Insurance creates a tremendous platform for growth.”

Defined Contribution Real Estate Council Gains Co-President

Tripp Braillard

Tripp Braillard, senior vice president and head of defined contribution distribution at Clarion Partners, will serve a two-year term as co-president of the Defined Contribution Real Estate Council, a national organization dedicated to direct real estate in defined contribution retirement plans.

Braillard and his co-president, Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.’s Brandon Millen, will lead the DCREC’s efforts to educate plan sponsors, consultants, policymakers and investment professionals on the benefits of including direct real estate as an alternative asset class within DC plans.

“Tripp’s appointment reflects both his deep expertise in the defined contribution space and his long-standing commitment to expanding access to institutional real estate for retirement investors,” Josh Pristaw, president of Clarion Partners, said in a statement. “We’re proud to see him take on this leadership role at such a critical time in the evolution of the alternative investment universe broadly and direct real estate exposure specifically.”

Braillard has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of real estate and retirement solutions. He leads distribution of Clarion’s products within the U.S. institutional defined contribution channel.

Clarion’s managing director, Michael O’Connor, served as DCREC’s co-president from 2019 through 2022.