I guess I didn’t have any idea what I was in for when I got that call in April of 2018, but I can say, I didn’t anticipate the last 3 years looking like they did. Since that time, we have changed the name of our great organization from ACOPA to ASEA, introduced a new executive director, quarantined, worked from home, cancelled several in-person events, and to round it out, added 2½ months to my year as President. What a wild ride, but I have to say, it has been a fantastic experience and an honor to serve in this role.
Last month, we felt a small return to normalcy as we were able to hold the ASPPA Annual Conference in person (albeit with a virtual option). It was great to get to see many of you again and feel that sense of community that is such a special part of ASEA and ARA as a whole.
As part of the conference experience, we held our annual ASEA Business Meeting at the actuarial luncheon. Aside from being able to hand off the presidential tie to Virginia Wentz, who will take over duties from me soon (if you haven’t seen the tie, it’s very… actuarial), we were able to hand out a few awards and announce election results and the results of our vote on amending the ASEA Operating Principles.
This year’s Edward E. Burrows Distinguished Achievement Award winner was Mark Dunbar. This award is presented annually to a pension actuary who has gone above and beyond in forwarding ethics, education, beneficial legislation or regulations that enhance the private pension system or the professionalism of enrolled actuaries within the private pension system, and Mark has certainly lived up to this description over his career. Mark, one of the founders of Dunbar, Bender, & Zapf, grew his firm while encouraging ASPPA participation and designations. He has been active in ASPPA, ASEA and Academy activities, including serving as President of ACOPA, and is a frequent presenter at ASPPA conferences on a variety of subjects, successfully explaining complex issues in simple terms.
Additionally, for the first time in a few years, we named not just one, but two new Fellows of the Society of Enrolled Actuaries (FSEA). Our first recipient was James Turpin, and if you’ve spent any time on the Google group, already know James is deserving of this designation, but aside from his thought leadership on the message board, James has also been a fantastic educator throughout the years at for ASEA and the Academy.
Our second recipient was Lynn Young. Lynn has been such an asset to our industry and to ASEA through her time as past president of ACOPA and work on several committees, educational sessions and webinars—and as I’ve learned this year, she does so much behind the scenes to keep the wheels turning within ASEA—especially her ability to procure volunteers.
As for the Leadership Council & Officer election, Andrew Forgrave was voted in for his second term, with Mike Eaton and Martella Turner-Joseph joining the Leadership Council for the first time. Their terms will begin on Jan. 1, 2022. Norm Levinrad will continue as Vice President, and Angie Vadnais will step into the role of Executive Vice President, joining incoming President Virginia Wentz and Clint Blankenship, who moves into the role of President Elect.
We said goodbye to Past President John Markley as he rolls off of the Leadership Council, as well as to Ken Vollmer, who completed his second 3-year term on the Leadership Council. Both have given generously of their time and have made a positive impact on ASEA.
We also announced that all three proposed amendments to the ASEA Operating Principles were passed by a vote of membership. As a refresher, the amendments included updating and clarifying references, adding a retired member status, and modifying the term of office to be on a calendar year basis.
But for me, one of the best parts of this year’s ASPPA Annual conference was the number of ASEA members who reached out and asked how they could become more involved, and the emails I received from many of them after getting home. This organization is run by members. You all have incredible knowledge and talent, and there are many areas where you can have an impact. While we are lucky to have some great volunteers who continue to step up to the plate, they won’t always be here for us to rely on. We need to nurture new leaders, so please consider getting more involved if you haven’t already.
It has been a pleasure to serve you all as President this year. I said this on my way in last year, but I’m proud to be a part of such great organization, and that has only increased over this last year. The level of community and professionalism stand out to me. Until I became involved, I had no idea exactly how much ASEA does for our industry and how much it does to advance the private retirement system in this country. From our message board where we make each other better and increase professionalism, to our work with legislators and regulators ensuring that laws are written, interpreted and enforced in a way that best serves the private retirement system, to our relationships with the U.S.-based actuarial organizations ensuring standards of practice and disciplinary procedures are reasonable as they apply to our members, ASEA makes an impact in a variety of ways.
Best of luck to Virginia and the rest of leadership as they take over soon. I’m excited to see what ASEA has in store in the future.
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