Amanda Iverson joined Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC, a TPA and actuarial firm, in 2010. At that time, she was already a CPA in public practice, specializing in auditing employee benefit plans. Upon joining Pinnacle, Amanda focused her efforts on internal operations. Her firm’s managing partner was heavily involved in the national pension industry and encouraged her to become active. She began attending conferences, and joined her first conference planning committee soon thereafter.
Angie Barclay is an enrolled actuary with Pension Benefits Unlimited, Inc., an actuarial firm in Southern California. With a volunteer spirit, Angie was encouraged to get involved in the organization. After attending a few conferences, she quickly took on conference, committee and leadership roles within ACOPA and ASPPA.
Iverson and Barclay met while attending an ASPPA conference, and soon became close friends. Both joined the ASPPA Annual Conference Planning Committee in late 2017. Recently the two described some of the plans for this year’s ASPPA Annual Conference in October – and how two professional acquaintances became lifelong friends.
Iverson: My first impression of Angie was she was very well-spoken. She’s strong and doesn’t shrink among well-established folks who have been involved in the industry for decades. She is smart! I also noticed her heels were almost as high as mine!
Barclay: I first heard about Amanda before I had met her. Everyone kept telling me, “You just have to meet her.” And they were right. Amanda is one of the kindest and warmest people and she quickly welcomed me into her network. I admire her strength and her compassion as she truly gives 110% in every aspect of her life. She’s my hero!
Iverson: I’ve been involved in conference committees now for years, but this conference requires significant amounts of planning. We incorporate something for everyone. We have more than 90 educational sessions to choose from. Every year, we attempt to create a new feel to the informative general sessions. On the odd years, we promote the meetings at the hill, which is such a great experience for attendees. Additionally, we plan entertainment events like Monday night excursions and a Tuesday night concert. This year, we’ve added a fun walk/run on Sunday morning for those who want to get a little exercise prior to all the educational sessions. The planning committee spends endless volunteer hours working to make the conference amazing for the attendees. Thus, Angie and I spend a lot of time together! We’ve become great friends.
Barclay: It is unbelievable how close we have become. We have now moved from professional friends to friends in our private lives. A few years ago, Amanda and her spouse traveled to California for vacation. My significant other and I met up with them to go kayaking and the guys even hit it off!
Iverson: I was nervous about introducing my significant other – I mean, that’s a major step!
Barclay: It is; but we all got along so well. We spent hours on the water and then shared a meal. It was like we all had been friends forever. Later, Amanda realized four of us pension female friends would be in California for an ASPPA/ACOPA conference and there was a Spartan race just an hour away! I’m still not sure how everyone was talked into it, but suddenly we had a girl’s trip planned that involved mud, barbed wire, and a lot of bonding! After the initial Spartan race, we had a new connection. But it all started with the ASPPA Annual conference. It is pretty incredible.
Iverson: It is! Most recently, we all reconnected in California for Angie’s wedding shower and bachelorette! Since our initial Spartan, the group has traveled all over together. Some or all of us have been together in California, Illinois and Washington, DC, and soon our gang will be back together to celebrate Angie’s wedding! When Angie asked me to be a bridesmaid, I was incredibly honored. That is a testament to how real our friendship is! Now, I may call our tribe if I have a technical quandary, am looking to hire a new pension administrator, or for a personal matter. I’m so grateful for the friendships we’ve created. We now reach out to each other for anything!
Barclay: We do! If I were asked to give advice to the ASPPA Annual attendees, I would say: Put yourself out there. On Sunday morning, we are doing a Superhero-themed 4.01k (its less than a 5k!) walk/run. Come join us! Even dress up as a superhero; Amanda will love that! Participate in the Monday evening excursions. This year, we have a Top Golf option or a “Night at the Monuments” tour. Those excursions often involve folks who have never attended the conference before or who are by themselves, so it is a great way to meet new people. On Tuesday night, there is a Woodstock-themed concert. Allow yourself to have a little fun. Reach out to the person sitting next to you in sessions, I bet you have something in common. At the very least, you work in the same industry.
Iverson: Absolutely, Angie’s right! (Also, do dress up! Ha, I do want everyone to dress up! ) The first ASPPA Annual conference I attended, I knew no one other than the people who worked at my company. Now, I attend and look forward to seeing the friends I’ve made. I agree with what Angie says, participate! That can be hard, but it helps to make the ASPPA Annual experience even better! I may be one of the most outgoing people at the conference, but the first time I participated in the Meetings on the Hill, even I was nervous. Ultimately however, I was able to meet and connect with great pension people who lived in my state. We were able to speak to our representatives all together, so it wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I had imagined. I wish I had known earlier what a good experience that is. Also, the entertainment is a fun and great way to meet a few new people. I completely agree with Angie, if you put yourself out there, you’ll have a great experience.
Barclay: We hope you are looking forward to the ASPPA Annual conference. If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time to register. Who knows, you may meet your bridesmaid at a session sitting next to you!
More information about the ASPPA Annual is available here. You can register here.
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