The Retirement Learning Center is the independent thought leader in the retirement savings and income space. We provide multi-dimensional educational solutions, content development resources, and consulting expertise to the financial services marketplace to help firms establish and grow their retirement business.
John Carl
President
John Carl is Founder and President of Retirement Learning Center, the nation’s preeminent thought leader on retirement issues. He is also the Executive Director of the PLANSPONSOR Institute, the education and training arm of PLANSPONSOR, as well as founding lecturer for The Retirement Advisor University (TRAU) at UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education. John serves on the Government Affairs Committee for the National Association of Plan Advisors. As the “advisor to the advisors,” John is a highly sought after industry insider who travels the country educating groups of financial professionals on the very latest in retirement legislation, forecasts, and developments affecting the industry.
A 25-year veteran of the retirement industry, John’s extensive experience includes running Alliance Capital’s Defined Contribution initiative and directing Global Product Management for the firm. He created and managed the state of Rhode Island’s 529 savings plan, CollegeBoundFund®. John has also operated as a successful branch and regional sales manager for Prudential Securities and as an independent financial advisor.
John has been featured on CNBC, CNN, Forbes, ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and CBS MoneyWatch.com. John released his first book in 2009, Retirement Resource Guide: Essential ERISA Education & Best Practices for Financial Advisors, which has won multiple APEX Awards for publishing excellence and serves as the basis of continuing education workshops for financial advisors and CPAs. It is now in its eighth edition. John is a graduate of Lehigh University, and has completed Executive Continuing Education coursework at Columbia University. John is based in New York, and directs the firm’s consulting and content operations in Brainerd, MN.
Jennifer Kiffmeyer, J.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Jenny began her retirement services career with Universal Pensions, Inc. (UPI), in 1993 as an IRA and retirement plans technical consultant. At UPI she held the roles of Consulting Manager, Managing Editor, and—following BISYS’ acquisition of UPI—Manager of ERISA Content. Read More
W. Andrew Larson, CPC
Director of Retirement Education
With 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, Andy is a respected authority, frequent lecturer and author on industry topics. Andy’s background includes managing and consulting with major recordkeeping platforms, extensive product design for plan sponsors and advanced sales support for intermediaries who work with plans. Read More
Melissa Barr, QPA
Senior Consultant
Missy Barr began her career in the retirement services industry at Universal Pensions, Inc. (UPI) in 1992 as a full service recordkeeping professional in the balance forward arena, and quickly worked her way into supervising a full service recordkeeping team. Read More
Cathy Bourassa, QKA
Senior Consultant
Joining the Retirement Learning Center in 2010, Cathy Bourassa has more than 17 years of experience in the retirement industry. She began her career at Universal Pensions, Inc. (UPI) in 1999 as a Compliance Specialist in the compliance testing department, preparing compliance testing and Form 5500 services for employer-sponsored plans. Read More
Judy Muehlbauer
Senior Consultant
Judy began her career in the retirement plans industry with Coopers & Lybrand, LLC (C&L) in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1993 as an associate in the Human Resources Advisory Group. At C&L, she wrote and designed employee education materials for clients, as well as created tools for open enrollment for health and welfare and retirement plans. Read More
Lori Hermanson
Consultant and Plan Snapshot Specialist
Lori has over 16 years of experience in strategic retirement services roles. She started her career at Universal Pensions, Inc., (UPI) in 1998 as a client relations representative, and rapidly advanced within UPI. She moved to a Business Development position where she was responsible for supporting financial advisors and alliance partners regarding their retirement plan business, by providing plan setup and conversion assistance. Read More
Elizabeth Lopes
Plan Consultant
Elizabeth has over 13 years of combined experience in the HR/Payroll, Defined Benefits, and 401(k) industries. In 2009, she began her career in client administration at Fidelity Investments in the large market HR/Payroll department. She then transferred to defined benefits, first working in customer service and transitioning into operations soon after. Read More