ARA’s Adams to Retire, 401k Specialist’s Sullivan to Succeed Him
Some major retirement industry media news today impacting the American Retirement Association, the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) which falls under the ARA umbrella, and our own 401k Specialist.
Nevin Adams, Chief Content Officer of the American Retirement Association, has announced his “retirement” from that position, effective March 1, 2023.
As part of that announcement today, the ARA also revealed that taking over the reins of the ARA’s media business from Adams will be John Sullivan, longtime Editor-in-Chief of 401k Specialist. Sullivan, whose last day at 401k Specialist will be Oct. 31, will move to the Washington, D.C. area and begin his tenure at ARA in early 2023.
Brian Anderson, currently Managing Editor of Denver-based 401k Specialist, has been promoted to Editor-in-Chief, effective Nov. 1.
During his eight-year tenure at ARA, Adams has been one of the retirement industry’s most prolific and influential writers and a highly visible presence at events, most notably at the annual NAPA 401(k) Summit.
ARA’s announcement said that although he’s stepping back from day-to-day responsibilities, Adams will continue to contribute content to the ARA’s various publications, as well as content leadership for the NAPA 401(k) Summit.
“Here at the American Retirement Association, we are pleased to acknowledge and celebrate the attainment of retirement,” said Brian H. Graff, CEO of the American Retirement Association. “We’re thankful and appreciative for the leadership and contributions Nevin has made, not only to our organization, but the private retirement system generally over his 30-plus years of service, and look forward to his future contributions here as well.”
Graff also praised the efforts of Sullivan in building 401k Specialist from a small startup to a widely respected retirement industry media brand.
“In the space of a few short years, he has led the development of an innovative media platform for advisors, including a podcast series, and Top Advisor by Participant Outcomes (TAPO) recognition,” the ARA release said of Sullivan, the founding editor of 401k Specialist.
“Having long been an admirer of John’s work, we are pleased to have him lead the ARA media team as we develop new resources for the next generation of retirement plan professionals,” Graff said.
“It’s been an honor to be part of an organization that has made such a positive difference in retirement policy and Americans’ retirements,” Adams said. “I’ve enjoyed comparing notes and experiences with John over the years. We’ve been talking for a while now about finding an opportunity to actively collaborate, and now we have it. I’m really looking forward to this next phase of my career, as we continue to work together for Americans’ retirement security.”
Sullivan launched 401k Specialist at the Morningstar investment Conference in May 2015, and has shepherded its growth ever since.
“I’m excited for this incredible opportunity, and wish my colleagues at 401k Specialist, by far the most talented and dedicated coworkers I’ve had the pleasure of working with, all the best. It will be extremely difficult to leave but look forward to what lies ahead,” Sullivan said.
Anderson, who has known and worked with Sullivan in financial media circles off and on for the better part of the last 15 years, has been the Managing Editor at 401k Specialist since early 2019.
“While we’re obviously sad to lose John’s leadership at 401k Specialist, we also recognize this new opportunity for him is a direct result of his hard work and dedication to covering the 401k market,” Anderson said. “There could be no greater endorsement for what he’s done at 401k Specialist than being asked to step into the large shoes of Nevin Adams. We wish John nothing but the best in his move to ARA.”
Anderson also emphasized that the solid foundation Sullivan helped build at 401k Specialist has positioned the brand for continued growth moving forward.
“We’re excited to continue to build upon what John’s started here. He’s set the bar high, and after working alongside him the past four years, I assure you that 401k Specialist will continue to seek out the most pressing issues and challenges facing advisors who are working hard to improve the retirement security for millions of Americans.”
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401k Specialist is a leading digital media brand and content platform dedicated to educating and empowering financial professionals who work in the retirement planning industry—especially those focused on 401(k) plans and defined contribution (DC) retirement strategies. The company provides insights, analysis, and tools that help advisors, plan sponsors, and other stakeholders make informed decisions to improve retirement outcomes for participants.
At its core, 401k Specialist serves as a trusted resource for news, thought leadership, regulatory updates, and best practices in the rapidly evolving retirement space. Its content spans various formats, including daily articles, newsletters, webinars, interviews, research reports, whitepapers, and podcasts. The editorial team curates and produces content that addresses the complexities of fiduciary responsibility, plan design, participant engagement, investment selection, and regulatory compliance.
The platform also covers emerging trends such as behavioral finance, decumulation strategies, financial wellness, and the integration of technology in plan administration. By staying ahead of legislative and market developments, 401k Specialist ensures that financial advisors and plan sponsors are equipped with up-to-date knowledge to better serve their clients and participants.
Overall, 401k Specialist acts as a comprehensive, go-to hub for those seeking expert guidance and industry intelligence in the retirement planning ecosystem.
