Executive leadership

Rich joined the organization in 2016. He has more than 25 years of retirement industry experience managing all aspects of the defined contribution business.

Rich spent two decades at Fidelity Investments, where he gained deep experience running a major part of the operations organization. He served in a variety of leadership roles in operations, sales, product, marketing and client services before becoming Executive Vice President in the advisor retirement business. From there, he went to Bank of America, where he served as Managing Director of the business retirement solutions group.

Before joining Empower, Rich served as President of large corporate markets and retail wealth management for Voya Financial. There, he oversaw sales and marketing, relationship management, product development, platform management, field representative service, brokerage operations and strategic planning.

Rich holds degrees in economics and mathematics from Boston University. He is board chairman and president of the Society of Professional Asset-Managers and Recordkeepers (SPARK). He also serves on the board of trustees of Colorado Succeeds, an organization comprising business leaders who are working to improve Colorado’s schools.

Steve has more than 25 years of marketing, product and business leadership experience. He joined the organization in 2014. Previously, Steve served as Head of Defined Contribution Product and Marketing for Putnam Investments, where he helped shape and execute growth strategies for the organization's defined contribution, investment-only and rollover businesses. He joined Empower and Great-West in 2014.

Steve began his investment industry career in 1990 with Fifth Third Bank. From there, he held leadership roles in marketing, product, finance and relationship management for Fidelity Investments from 1992 to 2009. Steve also co-founded Acceleration Retirement, a marketing analytics and outsourcing firm, and Stable Two Financial, a registered investment advisory company. He served as CEO of both companies.

Steve holds a bachelor's degree with distinction in business analysis from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. He is a registered representative of GWFS Equities, Inc. and maintains FINRA series 6, 63 and 26 securities registrations. Steve is currently on the boards of the American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado; and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) Colorado.

A 30-year veteran of the benefits and retirement industry, Bill joined the organization in 2012. Before coming to Empower, he led the defined contribution business within Goldman Sachs Investment Management. His previous experience includes leadership roles as Head of Defined Contribution and Outsourcing for large plans for Fidelity Investments; Head of Corporate Markets and a member of the executive committee for AXA Equitable; and Head of Business Development in the New York market and partner for Hewitt Associates. In each of these roles, Bill worked with clients and consultants to help employees retire successfully.

Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Villanova University. He is a frequent speaker at investment and retirement industry events. In addition, 401kWire has recognized Bill as one of the most influential people in the defined contribution industry.

¹ Data as of February 28, 2018.

Christine, who joined the organization in 2003, has held various roles within the finance industry. Previously, she served as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus in accounting and a master's degree in professional accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. Christine, a Colorado-certified public accountant, also serves as a Community Shares of Colorado board member.

Most recently, Dan served as Vice President and Practice Leader for Empower’s not-for-profit segment, where he was responsible for overall sales and retention in the company’s growing book of healthcare, education, faith-based and other nonprofit plan sponsors.

Dan has held increasingly responsible sales and service positions, including Sales Director and Managing Director. In the latter role, he led 70 directors and relationship managers. Before joining Empower in 2003, he was an Assistant Vice President at Merrill Lynch.

Dan holds degrees in mathematics and English from the University of Vermont. He serves on the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Healthcare and Education committees and is a Craig Hospital PUSH committee member.

¹ Based on total 457 defined contribution plan participants. PLANSPONSOR 2017 Defined Contribution Recordkeeping Survey © 2017 Strategic Insight.

During his nearly 20-year tenure with the organization, Joe has held numerous sales and leadership positions. As Vice President of Sales Strategy, he led an initiative to recast the core market’s internal sales desk, and as Regional Vice President for the western territory, he grew sales roughly 24% a year over 10 years. Joe has also served as a Pension Consultant covering 21 states and was named national salesperson of the year twice.

Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Kansas State University., He is involved with the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes and the Tim Tebow Foundation and is a board member of Great-West Capital Management, Advised Assets Group, and the Plan Administrative Committee – Welfare Benefits.

Previously, Carol served as Head of Product and Marketing for J.P. Morgan Retirement Plan Services. At J.P. Morgan, she led product management and development, which included products, services, tools and websites for advisors, plan sponsors and participants, and oversaw the firm’s marketing strategy and communications, segment management and award-winning participant experience.

Carol has also worked for T. Rowe Price, where she served in various leadership roles. In addition to providing oversight for defined contribution, defined benefit and nonqualified plan product development and marketing — including customer digital channels; investment products; and services for intermediaries, plan sponsors and participants — she contributed significantly to the firm’s overall retirement income and target date product strategies. Carol has also served at Citibank in a variety of positions focused on marketing and customer experience.

Carol holds an MBA from Loyola University Maryland and currently maintain the FINRA Series 6 securities registration. She also holds FINRA Series 7 and 24 credentials.

Bob joined the organization in 1991 and has been in the retirement services industry for more than 30 years, serving in client management, operations, technical consulting and sales support roles.

He is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law. He currently serves on the executive board of the American Benefits Council and works with other industry advocacy groups.

Valerie, who joined the organization in 2015, has more than 25 years of experience working in human resources, primarily in the medical manufacturing, healthcare and financial services industries.

Valerie holds a master's degree in management from the University of Colorado, Denver.