Carolyn Hawks Grabow
President/CEO
Carolyn Grabow, founder and president of Pension Inc., has an employee benefits career that includes more than twenty years of experience as a retirement plan specialist and a trust officer with Iowa and Wisconsin banking institutions. She has served as a course instructor for the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans. Carolyn received her bachelor's degree in Accounting and Economics from Clarke College in Dubuque, IA. Carolyn serves on the Board of Directors of New Horizons of Faith/Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat House. She resides in Davenport and is actively involved with her four children in Davenport East Little League, Quad Cities United Soccer Club and QC Comets competitive cheerleading.
Brian Trentz, QPA, QKA, CEBS
Director of Plan Administration
Brian has worked in the retirement plan industry for over fifteen years, thirteen of which have been with Pension Inc. His responsibilities include compliance oversight, plan design, and management of ongoing plan administration. Brian holds professional designations as a Qualified Pension (QPA) and 401(k) Administrator (QKA) through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). He is also a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS). He completed his undergraduate degree in Business Finance at Loras College, where he graduated number one in his class. Brian resides in Bettendorf with his wife, Julie, and their two sons.
Nicole McWilliams, QKA
Director of Business Development
Nicole joined Pension Inc. in 1999 and has over twelve years of experience in the financial services industry. As Director of Business Development, she is responsible for developing relationships with financial advisors and service providers, as well as all sales and marketing functions associated with new business development. She is also responsible for the internal oversight of all new retirement plan business to the firm, including plan design, plan installation and conversion. Nicole has earned her Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) professional designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and is currently working towards her Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation. Nicole was the 2008 recipient of the 2008 Quad City Area Leaders Under 40 award and is the current president of the Rotary Club of Bettendorf. Nicole resides in Davenport with her husband, Rob, and their son, Isaac.
Judy Conger, QKA
Retirement Plan Specialist
Judy joined Pension Inc. as a Retirement Plan Specialist in 1998 and has over ten years of experience in the qualified plan industry. Judy's responsibilities include day-to-day plan administration, compliance, recordkeeping and government filings. Judy received her B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois. She has earned her Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) professional designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). Her proudest personal accomplishment is running in a marathon at age 52 and living to tell about it! Judy resides in Le Claire with her husband, Kelly. She has three daughters, two step-daughters and seven grandchildren.
Sue Manning, QKA
Retirement Plan Specialist
Sue joined Pension Inc. as a Retirement Plan Specialist in 1993 and has over fifteen years of experience in the qualified plan industry. Sue's responsibilities include day-to-day plan administration, compliance, recordkeeping and government filings. Sue received her AA in Accounting from Scott Community College. She has earned her Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) professional designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). Sue resides in Davenport with her husband, Rich, and they have three children.
R. Jay Taets
Retirement Plan Specialist
Jay joined Pension Inc. as a Retirement Plan Specialist in 1997 and has over eleven years of experience in the qualified plan industry. Before joining Pension Inc., Jay worked as an investment advisor for an investment consulting firm specializing in employee benefit plans. Jay's responsibilities include day-to-day plan administration, compliance, recordkeeping and government filings. Jay completed his undergraduate degree at St. Ambrose University in 1993. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for nine years as a member of the Construction Battalion (SEABEES) and served as an administrative liason for the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, Detachment 2. Jay is a member of the Rotary Club of Davenport. He resides in Coal Valley, IL with his wife, Chris, and their two daughters.
Kevin R. Pattiwael, QKA
Retirement Plan Specialist/Systems Administrator
Kevin has over seven years of experience in the retirement plan industry and nine years' Information Technology experience. Kevin joined Pension Inc. in 2003. His primary focus is plan administration while overseeing the technology aspect of the Company. Kevin graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a Minor in Management Information Systems. He holds a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QPA) designation through the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries(ASPPA) and is actively pursuing his Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation. Kevin takes pride in his work and always strives to improve processes within the Company
Eric Ruff, QKA
Retirement Plan Specialist
Eric joined Pension Inc. as a Retirement Plan Specialist in November 2003 and has over seventeen years of experience in the qualified plan industry. Eric's responsibilities include day-to-day plan administration, compliance, recordkeeping and government filings. Eric has earned his Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) professional designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). Eric completed his undergraduate degree in Finance and Management from Loras College. Eric resides in Bettendorf with his wife, Stacey, and their three daughters.
Tina Dollins, APA
Retirement Plan Specialist
Tina joined Pension Inc. as an Administrative Assistant in August 2003 and was promoted to the position of Retirement Plan Specialist in 2005. Tina's responsibilities include day-to-day plan administration, compliance, recordkeeping and government filings. Tina received her AA in Business Administration/Accounting from Kaplan University in 2003. She holds the designation of Accredited Pension Administrator (APA) through the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA). Tina resides in Davenport with her husband, Brian.
Nancy Michl
Operations Manager
Nancy joined Pension Inc. in 2005 as an Administrative Assistant, and her position has evolved into Operations Manager. Her responsibilities include processing of contributions and disbursements, communicating trade data with trading partners, assisting Retirement Plan Specialists with day-to-day administrative functions, and overseeing the production of quarterly statements and other participant communications materials. Prior to joining Pension Inc., Nancy worked as a Project Manager for a local construction company. She is very involved in music ministry in her church. Nancy resides in Moline, IL and has three children and two grandchildren.
Melissa Clark
Administrative Assistant
Melissa joined Pension Inc. in January 2008 as an Administrative Assistant. Her responsibilities include processing of contributions and disbursements, communicating trade data with trading partners, and assisting Retirement Plan Specialists with day-to-day administrative functions. Melissa received her B.S. in Business/Accounting from Kaplan University in Davenport,IA in 2007. She resides in Bettendorf with her husband John and their three children.
Joan Froehlich
Office Manager
Joan joined Pension Inc. as an Administrative Assistant in November 2002 and was promoted to the position of Retirement Plan Specialist in 2003. InJanuary 2008, Joan assumed the role of Office Manager and oversees the day-to-day functions associated with maintaining a busy plan administration firm. Joan'sresponsibilities include accounts payable, maintaining adequate inventory of supplies, and managing plan document restatements. Joan received her AA in Business Administration/Accounting from Kaplan University in 2003. Joan resides in Davenport with her husband, Doug, and their daughter.
Veronica Oberlander
Human Resources/Internal Sales Associate
Veronica joined Pension Inc. as an Administrative Assistant in 2005 and has transitioned into the role of Human Resources/Internal Sales Associate. Veronica oversees accounts receivable and all human resources functions, including payroll and employee benefits. Veronica also assists in preparing retirement plan proposals, plan conversions and plan installation. Veronica received her AA in Accounting from Kaplan University in 2005. Veronica resides in Davenport with her husband, Dan, and their two children.