NAGDCA Member Spotlight

Ronnie Nichols

What do you do in the retirement industry?
I am the National Retiree Advocate consultant for Great West Retirement Services. After 40 years of assisting participants save money, we need to assist them with ways to make that money last as long as possible.

How has your membership in NAGDCA benefited you/your entity?
I have attended every annual meeting for the last 30 years. The networking and the friends that I have made over the last 30 years both Industry and Government is invaluable. Also, the InFRE designation and education.

What is your favorite NAGDCA memory?
This is a sad but important memory, as we gathered in Savannah on September 11, 2001, the tears and the togetherness as we all made it through that day and that week brought us together as a group and as a people. The military choir on the last night added a special period to this very trying week.

If you could meet anyone in the world for a cup of coffee and an hour of conversation, who would you like to meet?
My father who died twenty years ago.

How do you like to spend time away from work?
I play a little golf since I live in Myrtle Beach where we have over 100 courses. I am President of a condo association and also an Elvis Tribute Artist.

Karen Becker

What do you do in the retirement industry?
I serve as Plan Administrator for the County of Ventura's 401(k) and 457 Plans. I'm also an elected trustee for the County's defined benefit plan.

How has your membership in NAGDCA benefited you/your entity?
The networking is an incredible resource. Not only at the conference, but these relationships continue through the year as well. And, something always comes out of the IRS sessions at the conference. Just when you think you've got everything down, Ed or Bob or Cheryl throws you a curve. The listserv is also a great resource. The bottom line is that my NAGDCA membership is one of my most valuable resources for doing my job.

What is your favorite NAGDCA memory?
Gotta' say, it's hard to beat the hurricane in Miami. Learning what to do if it got too bad (raid the mini bar and lock yourself in the bathroom with a flashlight). Walking to the Fidelity dinner Monday night with the streets basically empty (except for the news crew filming the out-of-towners who ventured out). And, just standing on the beach with the wind practically tearing your clothing off, but feeling so very alive in the midst of nature's power.

If you could meet anyone in the world for a cup of coffee and an hour of conversation, who would you like to meet?
Vin Scully. And, the conversation would be one-sided - I wouldn't need to speak at all. Just listen to that beautiful voice drawing you into the story. What an honor and privilege that would be to spend time with him.

How do you like to spend time away from work?
A lot of my away-from-work time is sports-related. Watching my sons' (ages 12 and 13) Little League games (especially since my retirement plan is based on at least one of them turning pro :) ). Going to Dodgers games. Going to USC football games. Watching games on TV when I don't have tickets or they're "away" games. And, in my house, it's almost swine season. No - not swine flu season - just swine season. My daughter (age 14) will be getting a pig soon to raise as her 4-H project for the county fair. Oh, and planning a September wedding. I think you could say my plate is full.

Doug Miller

What do you do in the retirement industry?
I work for Suffolk County New York and serve on the county’s 457 deferred compensation board as a management representative. I also manage the county’s deferred compensation website and the onsite vendor visits and marketing.

How has your membership in NAGDCA benefited you/your entity?
Our plan has two vendors and just over 7,000 participants that include retirees. I would say that my membership in NAGDCA has greatly improved my understanding of the Deferred Compensation plans, how to improve our plan and how best to serve the participants who depend on us to make the right decisions for their retirement planning. As members our board uses the NAGDCA website throughout the year to keep track of changes to laws, take advantage of the online training and connect with other members. Recently NAGDCA helped us with a problem we were having with our local community college becoming independent and how it would impact our plan. NAGDCA was instrumental in arranging a meeting with the IRS and also the New York State model plan administrators that resulted in a resolution. It would have been a very difficult process if wasn’t for the guidance and support that we received as members of NAGDCA.

What is your favorite NAGDCA memory?
Our Board attended the Annual Conference in Nashville and aside from the great location it was also the conference that our plan administrator Regina Hilbert was elected as NAGDCA President.

If you could meet anyone in the world for a cup of coffee and an hour of conversation, who would you like to meet?
Robert Ben Moshe The CEO of AIG, I think he is a real salt of the earth New York financial guy that is interested in making the business work in the global market and not just chasing returns.

How do you like to spend time away from work?
I am active in my community and in the Fire Department and enjoy restoring classic cars and antique wooden boats.

Mary Moglia-Cannon

What do you do in the retirement industry?
As a portfolio strategist with a specialty in defined contribution asset allocation products, I am an adjunct to Manning & Napier’s investment management team. Much of my time is spent with investment consultants, institutional clients and record keepers. The focus is typically on due diligence issues regarding Manning & Napier’s unique approach to investing and to achieving participant objectives.

How has your membership in NAGDCA benefited you/your entity?
I’ve benefited from increased knowledge of public sector plan specific concerns, and from participation in the investment policy task force. Moreover, the NAGDCA website has proven to be a timely and reliable resource for GAO releases, relevant industry discussions and many important DC-related considerations. While NAGDCA has been providing a valuable service since the 1980s, the association’s united effort in the current environment is critical for increased understanding and to impact change.

What is your favorite NAGDCA memory?
I enjoy the industry break out sessions at the annual NAGDCA Conference. The discussions are open, frank and collegial, and there is the sense that committee participation provides a vital service. My favorite memory is that of the candidacy speech given by Cathie Eitelberg of Segal Advisors, just prior to her election to the NAGDCA Industry Committee. She aptly reviewed her qualifications with greater emphasis on the responsibility at large than the individual achievements. In fact, it was that particular session which inspired me to volunteer.

If you could meet anyone in the world for a cup of coffee and an hour of conversation, who would you like to meet?
It’s a tie between John Adams and Nelson Mandela, agents of great change at pivotal times in history. Both served as negotiators of peace, both exhibited integrity and commitment to serve the greater good, and both were gifted with superior command of language and intellect. However, similarities end there as Adams was known for his less-than-diplomatic demeanor while the charismatic Mandela became appreciated even by those who would otherwise hate him if inherent biases were not overcome.

How do you like to spend time away from work?
Spending quality time with my husband, Rich, and our daughters, Lauren and Meghan, provides the optimal counterbalance to work. We live on the peripheries of a county park and ‘forever wild’ foundation land; and we prefer vacations that afford us plenty of time outdoors. Our family seems to re-connect easily when we connect with nature. Hiking fosters conversation, and road biking is a great stress reliever.

Wes Morrill

What do you do in the retirement industry?
Currently serving as Chair of the Monterey County (California) Deferred Compensation Plan. In addition, a member of the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Employees Credit Union - where we try to encourage members to "Save", and Chair the Monterey County Management Council Salary and Benefits Committee. In my previous professional career, I was an officer for many years in a TPA and employee benefit consulting firm in the Bay Area serving both the private and public sectors.

How has your membership in NAGDCA benefited you/your entity?
We're able to better communicate current investment trends, regulatory issues, and new ideas to our Board and to our 4,700 employees. We're presently trying to get California added to the States that permit automatic enrollment in Section 457 plans. To date and during an election year, we've not been able to garner enough support but will continue to pursue amending the garnishment laws.

What is your favorite NAGDCA memory?
Seeing the difference in the mood of the attendees in 2009 from the conference in Baltimore in 2008 as the financial sector was in chaos. I think everyone used all their "minutes" on their cell phones that week! PS> The Great West Reception this year was special! :-)

If you could meet anyone in the world for a cup of coffee and an hour of conversation, who would you like to meet?
Queen Elizabeth(cup of tea), Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and the late John Muir. Individually or together :-)

How do you like to spend time away from work?
Traveling with my bride of two years - Susie. Unsucessfully trying to keep my golf game in some shape similar to that of the past as a PGA professional. Skiing in the Sierras, and beach glass hunting at our local beaches.