Member-at-Large Election

How long have you been in your current position and how does it relate to the deferred compensation/defined contribution industry?

I have served as Executive Director of the City of Milwaukee 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (MDCP) since May, 2017, following a six-month term as the Plan’s interim Executive Director. MDCP, an active member of NAGDCA for many years, is a voluntary plan available to City of Milwaukee employees and a few Milwaukee agencies and serves as a companion retirement benefit to the City of Milwaukee’s pension plan. Serving in this capacity provides me with a direct connection to the deferred compensation industry and its complexities and best practices, and has also allowed me to learn more about defined contribution plans.

What leadership positions have you held within the deferred compensation/defined contribution community, as well as with other organizations (professional or volunteer), that have bearing on potential NAGDCA leadership responsibilities?

In additional to my current role, I served on our Deferred Compensation board and currently serve on the Retirement Committee of the Milwaukee Public Schools Retirement Plans. Additional leadership positions I have held include: Deputy Director of the City of Milwaukee Employees’ Retirement System, Treasurer of the Association of Municipal Attorneys of Milwaukee, Steering Committee Member of the Marquette University Volunteer Legal Clinic, graduate of Future Milwaukee, Course Facilitator in Medical Ethics and Palliative Care Course (Medical College of Wisconsin), Coach and Facilitator with Milwaukee Mosaic Partnership, and Advisory Committee Member for the Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Surveillance System.

What special skills or training do you possess that would benefit the association?

As an attorney by trade, I am a trained problem solver, collaborator and effective communicator and am knowledgeable in fiduciary, regulatory and governance matters. My “360 experience” career within the industry (e.g., general counsel, as a DB and DC administrator, and recently appointed trustee of a 403(b) plan) and provides a unique vantage point for understanding a variety of perspectives that our NAGDCA community shares and experiences. I am a mission-driven team player, and an independent thinker who understands the larger picture and goals of the association and can identify the roadmap and work required to achieve them.

What has been your previous experience with NAGDCA? (First year of participation, specific contributions to association such as newsletter articles, committee service, conference presentations, etc.).

My first year as a NAGDCA member was 2011. I have served on the Legislative Committee and Research and Content Advisory Committee, and on the Plan Sponsor Advisory Council for PRRL. Conference involvement: moderator of a Government Breakout Session (2019), panelist of “Data-driven Solutions: Exploring and Utilizing Data Sources to Solve for Retirement Plan Goals & Concerns” (2021), and moderator and panelist of “Designing and Implementing Financial Wellness Programs” (2022). NAGDCA Connect Conversations presentations: “Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Temporary Waivers Explained” (March, 2022) and “Using Auto Features to Close Savings and Participation Gaps” (July, 2023).

Why do you want to be Board Member? What are your goals for NAGDCA and how can your involvement contribute to execution of the strategic plan?

As a local municipal plan administrator, I would represent the unique aspects and voice of local governmental plans. Goals: broaden our impact and reach for retirement preparation and financial wellness via leveraging best practices and research data to better understand trends, gaps and opportunities; continue providing helpful resources; foster a collegial atmosphere of collaboration and inclusivity; strengthen and broaden our stakeholder connections and collaboration (e.g., NAGDCA members, legislators, industry partners, other retirement industry associations). My previous experience of working with these stakeholders, fresh perspective, willingness to learn and listen, and overall passion will all contribute to execution of these goals.

How long have you been in your current position and how does it relate to the deferred compensation/defined contribution industry?

G. Ben Hensarling was first employed with the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan in 2014, and has been the Chief of Deferred Compensation for the State of Florida since 2018. In this role he serves as the Plan Administrator with responsibility for the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan and FICA Alternative Plan. Both plans are cash value defined contribution plans with total assets that have exceeded $6 Billion. The Florida Deferred Compensation Plan has been a member of NAGDCA for over 25 years and he has personally participated since 2017.

What leadership positions have you held within the deferred compensation/defined contribution community, as well as with other organizations (professional or volunteer), that have bearing on potential NAGDCA leadership responsibilities?

Throughout life it has been important to lead, beginning with roles within Boy Scouts of America (Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader), continuing into early career within a the Big Bend Fraud Task Force (Member at Large, Secretary), through Graduate studies as a member of the FSU Congress of Graduate Students (Treasurer, Secretary) and NSU Federalist Society(Member at Large, Vice President, President), and now mid career as member of many committees and work groups.

What special skills or training do you possess that would benefit the association?

Ben has been employed within the financial services industry since 1998 holding positions related to customer service, lending, product sales, employee development, fraud/loss prevention, and investment analysis. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (University of Florida, 2004); Master of Business Administration (Florida State University, 2010); and Juris Doctor (Nova Southeastern University, 2010).

What has been your previous experience with NAGDCA? (First year of participation, specific contributions to association such as newsletter articles, committee service, conference presentations, etc.).

Ben has participated in NAGDCA since 2017 and has attended its annual conference in 2018, 2019, and 2022, and is a regular participant in the Peer to Peer sessions. In 2017 he was instrumental in writing “Successful Strategy for Effective Marketing Initiatives” . During his service to the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan, the program received Leadership Awards in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022. He is a current member of the Leadership Awards Committee, and will be a Moderator for the Economic Outlook sessions for the 2023 Conference.

Why do you want to be Board Member? What are your goals for NAGDCA and how can your involvement contribute to execution of the strategic plan?

Leadership and execution are paramount for any organization, and personal involvement with those factors helps me to remain engaged and focused on the industry as a whole. My goals are to continue the valuable offerings of NAGDCA and work to provide instrumental resources to Plans of all size in a clear and concise way, provide support channels to engage the membership, and ensure that governmental plans are well equipped to provide retirement security to Participants.