ARLINGTON, VA (December 2, 2019) —Having developed an expanding array of new education products and a dynamic news and research reach alongside the retirement industry’s most compelling events, the American Retirement Association has tapped Tom Connolly to be its first-ever Chief Sales Officer.
Connolly, who joins the organization on December 1, was previously Vice President, National Accounts at Empower Retirement. With a long and successful track record of managing sales teams and key-accounts teams in the financial services industry, Connolly has also held lead sales director roles at both Great-West and Automatic Data Processing. The current sales team of Gwenn Paness-Marsh (conferences), Jake Linney (education/membership) and Erik Vanderkolk (media) will report to Connolly, effective immediately. “Here at the American Retirement Association, we are working for America’s retirement,” explained Brian Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association. “We are pleased to be able to bring these valuable education, news and networking experiences to retirement plan professionals across the nation and are thrilled to have an experienced industry professional like Tom to coordinate and better integrate the sales and distribution of these valuable resources.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with, and benefit from the team at the ARA throughout my career,” noted Connolly. “I’m thrilled to be able to be part of an organization that has not only made, but continues to make, a positive impact on our nation’s retirement security.”
About the American Retirement Association
The American Retirement Association, based in the Washington, D.C. area, is a non-profit professional organization established to empower retirement plan professionals who are dedicated to building a better retirement for Americans. The American Retirement Association is comprised of five premier retirement industry associations; the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), the ASPPA College of Pension Actuaries (ACOPA), the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), the National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA), and the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA). For more information, visit www.usaretirement.org