The PLANADVISER Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year finalists and winners demonstrate leadership and a commitment to excellence in serving retirement plan sponsors and participants and contributing to the retirement plan adviser industry.
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Click on advisers’ pictures to see our Q&A about their practices and service.
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For the fourth year in a row, the awards are being issued in multiple categories. We have separated our recognition for “Community Impact and Giving Back” into a separate program and replaced that category with “403(b) Plan Service.” We are highlighting advisers who give back by telling their stories on PLANADVISER.com and we honor them at the annual awards dinner, in May.
In addition, last year, we divided the “Closing the Coverage Gap” category into two—“Closing the Coverage Gap – MEPs/PEPs*” and “Closing the Coverage Gap – Micro/Startup Plans.” In this way, we can better recognize the different strategies advisers use to help their small-business clients provide for retirement saving.
This year, advisers are being recognized for their excellence in the following areas:
- Closing the Coverage Gap — Micro/Startup Plans
- Closing the Coverage Gap — MEPs/PEPs*
- Inclusivity and Career Development
- 403(b) Plan Service
- Plan Participant Service
- Plan Sponsor Service
*Multiple Employer Plans/Pooled Employer Plans
For the “Plan Sponsor Service,” “Plan Participant Service” and “403(b) Plan Service” categories, we accept nominations from plan sponsor clients only. For the other categories, we take nominations from adviser partners across the industry, including recordkeepers, asset managers, other advisers, product providers and more. Self-nominations are prohibited.
Nominees are judged on a mixture of qualitative and quantitative measures, including tenure in the business; retirement plan business as a percentage of practice revenue; answers to essay questions; compliance records; and willingness to serve in a fiduciary role to clients’ plans. Finalists are interviewed by judges before a winner is selected.
For 2025, we received 83 nominations, and 28 finalists were selected. The list of finalists can be seen below.
The 2025 Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year finalists will be recognized, and winners announced, at PLANADVISER’s annual Industry Leader Awards celebration in May.
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The 2025 PLANADVISER Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year finalists are:
Closing the Coverage Gap — Micro/Startup Plans
Finalists and winners in this category stand out for their dedication to helping more Americans save for retirement in the workplace via micro and startup plans—especially those who work for small businesses or who are members of underrepresented communities.
- Christopher DeAndrea, Director of Retirement Plan Consulting, Webber Advisors
- Marshall Dodge, Director of Retirement Plans, The Bulfinch Group
- Phillip Senderowitz, Managing Director, Strategic Retirement Partners
- Jared Shaft, Managing Director, Accelerate Retirement
Closing the Coverage Gap — MEPs/PEPs*
Finalists and winners in this category stand out for their dedication to helping more Americans save for retirement in the workplace via multiple employer plans and pooled employer plans—especially those who work for small businesses or who are members of underrepresented communities.
- Mark Beaton, Vice President, Retirement Plan Consulting, OneDigital
- Jason Jeskey, Executive Vice President, RPW California at HUB International
- Mark Olsen, Founder, Managing Director, PlanPILOT
- Russell Warye, Area Director, HUB Retirement and Private Wealth
*Multiple Employer Plans/Pooled Employer Plans
Inclusivity and Career Development (to be announced March 19)
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Finalists and winners in this category are recognized for their focus on the importance of creating equitable and fair workplaces and their commitment and success in supporting the personal and professional growth of their firm’s staff, their fellow advisers and their industry peers.
- Francisco Abril, Vice President, Financial Wellness and Employee Engagement, HUB International
- Douglas E. Bermudez, Managing Director, Strategic Retirement Partners
- Joseph Cravotta, Manager of Institutional Services, HB Retirement
- Newfront Retirement Services, Inc. Team, San Mateo, California
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403(b) Plan Service (to be announced March 19)
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Finalists and winners in this category stand out for their innovation and dedication in the service of 403(b) retirement plan sponsor clients, with a particular focus on the efficient and effective delivery of plan-level support for the special needs of this market.
- Kelli Davis, Executive Vice President, HUB International
- Domenic DiPiero, President, Newport Capital Group
- Justin Londergan, Partner, Ardea Fiduciary Advisors
- Phillip Sherman, Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, Deschutes Investment Consulting LLC
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Plan Participant Service (to be announced March 20)
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Finalists and winners in this category stand out for their innovation and dedication in the service of retirement plan participants, with a particular focus on the efficient and effective delivery of individual-level advice and education.
- Sean Bjork, President, Bjork Asset Management
- Jim Keenehan, Senior Consultant, HUB International
- Phil Parker, Workplace Financial Advisor, Everhart Advisors
- Bryan Peebles, Managing Director, Strategic Retirement Partners
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Plan Sponsor Service (to be announced March 20)
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Finalists and winners in this category stand out for their innovation and dedication in the service of retirement plan sponsor clients, with a particular focus on the efficient and effective delivery of plan-level support.
- Beryl Ball, Principal, Financial Advisor, CAPTRUST
- Steven Gibson, Director of Retirement Plan Services, Rehmann Financial
- Shane Hanson, CEO, Freedom Fiduciaries
- Bruce Lanser, Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, TruSource Advisors at UBS
- R. Scott Nichols, Client Executive, Oswald Financial
- Jonathan Nolan, Vice President – Investment Consulting Services, Francis LLC
- Brent Sheppard, Partner, Financial Advisor, Cadence Financial Management
- Leah Sylvester, Executive Partner | President – Retirement Plans, Shepherd Financial
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Retirement Plan Adviser of the YearNominations Open: October through December To receive invitations and reminders for the Retirement Plan Adviser of the Year Awards, click here. |