ASPPA Honors Members for Educational Achievement
Outstanding Educator and Top Performing Students Honored
WASHINGTON (October 29, 2012)—The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) honored Richard A. Hochman with the ASPPA Educator’s Award and three outstanding examination candidates with the Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award during the opening session of the 46th ASPPA Annual Conference at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, MD.
Since 1997, the ASPPA Educator’s Award has served to recognize outstanding educators from the ASPPA membership who have made significant contributions to retirement plan education. ASPPA’s Board of Directors and the Education & Examination (E&E) Committee’s leadership selected Mr. Hochman for his contributions to ASPPA’s educational programs and dedication to education in the field of retirement planning.
Mr. Hochman is an attorney with an extensive background in the tax and employee benefits fields, regularly speaking at a variety of pension industry forums, including ASPPA, NIPA and the Enrolled Actuaries Meeting. He has written commentary and testimony on regulatory issues in matters relating to qualified retirement plans on behalf of clients, and his testimony facilitated the creation of the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) IRS designation.
Mr. Hochman has been an active member of ASPPA since the 1980s, and speaks frequently at both ASPPA and ABC meetings. He currently serves on the ASPPA Board of Directors as Vice President, and has served as the ASPPA Annual Conference Chair and ASPPA Conferences General Co-chair. He has also served on ASPPA’s Government Affairs Committee to educate Congress, staff, IRS and DOL on a myriad of retirement plan related issues.
Mr. Hochman has dedicated himself to educating fellow ASPPA members and retirement industry professionals at many ASPPA webcasts, events and conferences. He is always willing to share his knowledge to explain and discuss complex issues. As noted by many attendees, “Rich has the knack of taking a complex pension issue and being able to relay it so both a novice administrator can understand the issue and an experienced consultant can utilize his insight within their practice.”
“Rich is a terrific educator and an advocate for the industry. His knowledge and insight have helped many individuals gain a deeper understanding of our complex industry. He is able to present to all levels…He is always willing to speak at conferences, often conducting several sessions, and he has been a great volunteer and advocate for ASPPA as well,” said former ASPPA President Chris Stroud.
Mr. Hochman has also authored many articles for The ASPPA Journal and ASPPA asaps and has published numerous tax analyses for use by attorneys, accountants and consultants.
Currently, Mr. Hochman is president of McKay Hochman Company, Inc., which he joined in 1984. McKay Hochman Co., Inc. is a division of Newkirk Products, Inc. (A DST Company). The Company has been a leader in education in the retirement industry for more than twenty-five years, training industry practitioners about compliance issues, current rules and regulations, and the significant role the industry plays in assuring a secure and quality retirement for the nation’s workers.
Mr. Hochman’s educational background and work experience demonstrate his continued commitment to education both in the workplace and in the classroom. He has been an exceptional educational resource for the retirement industry and ASPPA.
The Martin Rosenberg Academic Achievement Award honors its namesake, the late Martin Rosenberg, a fellow of ASPPA, and recognizes the top performing candidates each year based on credential education examinations. Rosenberg served as an ASPPA Education & Examination Committee member from 1979 to 1985 and was its general chairperson from 1985 until his death in 1987. The ASPPA Pension Education and Research Foundation (PERF) administers the award, which ASPPA established in 1990 to honor Rosenberg.
Christopher M. Coyle, QPA, QKA, QPFC: Coyle is honored for his performance on the fall 2011 Defined Contribution Administrative Issues – Advanced Topics (DC-3) examination. He is a relationship manager for The Standard, with over sixteen years experience in retirement plan services, administration and operations. Coyle consults with clients and partners on issues ranging from plan design to investments to fiduciary compliance. He is a registered investment adviser representative, and currently holds three ASPPA credentials: QPA, QKA and QPFC. Coyle plans to begin working on ASPPA’s CPC credential this fall. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.
Jennifer R. Lancello, CPC, QPA, QKA, ERPA: Lancello is honored for her performance on the fall 2011 Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) examination. She has more than eight years of industry experience and previously worked for several large investment providers in the industry. Lancello’s industry experience includes strategic roles in client services, relationship management, and product development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Individualized Studies from the University of Minnesota. Lancello currently holds ASPPA’s CPC, QPA and QKA credentials in addition to her certification as an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA).
Jason M. Lumpkin, QKA: Lumpkin was selected as an award recipient for his performance on the spring 2012 Defined Contribution Administrative Issues – Compliance Issues (DC-2) examination. He has nearly ten years of qualified plan experience, primarily servicing small-market and middle-market businesses. Lumpkin joined Schneider Downs in the specialty tax department in January 2000. He currently serves as the relationship manager for a group of qualified retirement plans, and his duties include plan design, conversions, technical research and ongoing administration for defined contribution plans. He earned a B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds ASPPA’s QKA credential.
David L. Harrison: Harrison, who was not able to attend the conference in person to accept the award, was selected as an award recipient for his performance on the fall 2011 Defined Contribution Administrative Issues – Compliance Issues (DC-2) examination. He currently works in the retirement group at Wells Fargo as a fiduciary & regulatory consultant. Harrison plans to take ASPPA’s CPC examination in November. He attended Wake Forest Law School and is a Certified Financial Planner.
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About ASPPA: The American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) is a national organization of more than 10,000 retirement plan and benefits professionals that serves as the educator, voice, and advocate for the employer-based retirement system. ASPPA members are administrators, actuaries, advisors, attorneys, accountants, and other financial services professionals who provide consulting and administrative services for qualified retirement plans.
Category: Member Focus
