Corporate Roundup: 401GO Names CGO, PSCA Launches Retirement Income Education Program
This week, 401GO appoints a chief growth officer, the Plan Sponsor Council of America releases a retirement income education program, Equitable names a new member to its board of directors, and more.
401GO Names CGO
401GO has appointed Stan Smith as chief growth officer (CGO).
Smith’s 26-year career includes leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, SaveDaily, and DriveWealth. As CGO, Smith will work to meet 401GO’s market share growth projections while helping the company extend frictionless retirement planning to its several thousand clients and partners.
“This nation is facing a true retirement crisis. 401GO has the opportunity to provide working Americans with the tools they need to shore up their financial futures. That’s a mission I am passionate about and so I view this opportunity as much more than just a job,” says Smith. “I feel like all my past professional experiences have prepared me for exactly this challenge.”
In addition to leading a sales team, Smith will help 401GO diversify its revenue streams through the development of additional products tailored to several underserved markets.
“We added Stan to our executive team knowing he has the very specific skillset needed to take 401GO to the next level, working shoulder to shoulder with our Chief Revenue Officer Ted Haase,” says CEO and co-founder Daniel Beck. “Stan is known for his ability to foster a culture of action, inspiration, and motivation, and we’ve already seen clear signs of his influence on this organization.”
Smith’s professional certifications include AIF, CHSA and C(k)P. He earned his master’s degree at the University of Leicester School of Business. Smith lives in southern California with his wife and two daughters.
PSCA Launches Retirement Income Education Program
The Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) has created an online education program that provides a thorough overview of retirement income options.
“We have been hearing from members for a while that they are interested in providing some type of retirement income solution to employees, but there is a lot of uncertainty about the types of options available, and the regulatory guidelines involved,” said Will Hansen, PSCA’s executive director. “We created this program to meet this need and provide plan sponsors with a comprehensive look at the options available and the regulatory framework guiding them.”
The Retirement Income for Plan Sponsors certificate is a two-hour online program that provides information about different types of retirement income solutions, the risks involved, and the trade-offs of each option. In addition, the course distinguishes between settlor and fiduciary responsibilities in evaluating plan design, providing a framework for the prudent selection, monitoring, and replacement of retirement income solutions. By the end of the course, plan sponsors will be well-prepared to select and manage retirement income solutions that align with participant needs and regulatory requirements.
The program will be made available free to PSCA members (nonmembers can take the course for a fee). More information about the Retirement Income Certificate is available at https://www.psca.org/ric.
Equitable Appoints Board of Directors Member
Equitable Holdings, Inc. has appointed Douglas Dachille as an independent member of its board of directors, effective immediately.
Dachille has three decades of experience in the insurance, banking and asset management industries.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to welcome Doug Dachille to Equitable Holdings,” said Joan Lamm-Tennant, chair of the Equitable Holdings board of directors. “His experience leading insurance and asset management organizations will be instrumental as we continue to enhance the company’s value and navigate the evolving industry and macro-economic environment.”
Dachille served as chief investment officer of American International Group Inc. (AIG) from 2015 until 2021, overseeing a $350 billion portfolio. He joined AIG when it acquired First Principles Capital Management, an institutional fixed income asset manager, which he co-founded and led as chief executive officer. Prior to co-founding First Principles, he was president and chief operating officer of Zurich Capital Markets. Dachille began his career at JPMorgan Chase, where he held a variety of leadership roles including global head of Proprietary Trading and co-treasurer.
“Doug brings to us relevant experience across our integrated advice, retirement and asset management businesses,” said Mark Pearson, president and chief executive officer of Equitable Holdings. “His unparalleled industry perspective will help guide us as we continue to deliver on our financial commitments, grow our businesses and create value for our shareholders.”
Dachille currently serves as an independent director of the BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. Board of Directors and previously served on the board of directors for Lyndra Therapeutics. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Union University through a joint program with Albany Medical College, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, where he was named a Pew Scholar.
Prudential Collabs with Dimensional, FIDx on Retirement Income
Prudential Financial, Inc. has plans to collaborate with Dimensional Fund Advisors and Fiduciary Exchange LLC (FIDx) to bring protected lifetime income strategies to managed accounts via the FIDx Insurance Overlay marketplace.
“Working with Dimensional and FIDx to bring protected lifetime income strategies to managed accounts is a key step in advancing Prudential’s commitment to expanding access to retirement security for more people,” said Ann Nanda, head of Future Growth Initiatives at Prudential Retirement Strategies. “This collaboration will extend relationships beyond existing offerings such as the Prudential MyRock Advisor Variable Annuity currently available to RIAs through FIDx’s broker dealer, and builds upon our retirement relationship with Dimensional, which currently includes a Dimensional index within Prudential’s FlexGuard registered index-linked annuity suite and the addition of a Dimensional index within our SurePath suite of fixed indexed annuities.”
FIDx’s Insurance Overlay marketplace connects insurance carriers, wealth management platforms and advisors. Through a single platform, advisors can access, evaluate, execute and manage insurance-based solutions, improving comprehensive financial planning.
“Retirement solutions are essential building blocks of a client portfolio,” said FIDx CEO Rich Romano. “FIDx’s mission is to simplify the way these products are delivered to the industry. Our Insurance Overlay marketplace lets advisors easily add longevity, income and protection directly to a managed account, enabling them to remain focused on helping clients achieve their retirement goals.”
Waverly Advisors Acquires Dickinson
Waverly Advisors, LLC, a federally registered investment adviser (RIA) that specializes in investment management, financial planning and wealth management solutions for a diverse group of high-net-worth individuals, corporate retirement plans and institutional clients, has acquired Dickinson Investment Advisors, an investment advisory firm in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
This partnership expands Waverly’s reach into new markets across Iowa.
Founded in 1998 by Ron Dickinson, Dickinson specializes in tax planning solutions in addition to its financial planning and investment management services.
“Ron and his team have created a thriving firm by fostering long-term, personalized relationships with their clients,” said Justin Russell, president and CEO of Waverly. “We truly appreciate the priority that Dickinson places on its client relationships, as our client-centric approach is the foundation of Waverly’s culture.”
“Partnering with Waverly provides my team with the opportunity to serve our clients with enhanced resources and infrastructure,” said Dickinson. “Waverly’s commitment to serving its clients, communities, and team members was a key factor in our decision to partner with Waverly, and we are excited to join the firm.”
The acquisition of Dickinson marks Waverly’s 21st transaction since accepting an equity investment in December 2021 from Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform. The transaction closed on January 10, 2025, and increases Waverly’s AUM to approximately $16.4 billion.
Financial and legal terms of the deal will not be disclosed.
Corebridge Financial Welcomes Board of Directors Members
Corebridge Financial, Inc. has announced that Keith Gubbay and Colin J. Parris have joined its board of directors. With these appointments, the Corebridge Financial board of directors now consists of 13 members.
“We are pleased to welcome two very strong additions to our Board,” said Alan Colberg, chair of the Board of Corebridge Financial. “Keith and Colin bring deep business experience as well as significant technical expertise and strategic insight that will be extremely valuable for Corebridge as our company continues to innovate, execute, and deliver for stakeholders.”
Gubbay’s appointment follows and results from Nippon Life Insurance Company’s acquisition of a 21.6% equity interest in Corebridge Financial. He most recently served as chairman of Resolution Life Group’s US businesses, a position he held until December 2024. Gubbay joined Resolution in 2014 to establish and help lead its US business and served as president and chief actuarial officer as well as chief executive officer of Resolution Life, US. Prior to joining Resolution, Gubbay held senior roles with Sun Life, ING Americas and Whitehall Financial Group. He is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Parris is a former senior vice president and chief technology officer at GE Digital and senior corporate officer of the GE Corporation, a position he held from May 2020 to April 2024.
Before spending a decade with GE, he spent twenty years at IBM, serving most recently as vice president, Systems Research in the IBM T.J. Watson Research Division and General Manager of the IBM Power Systems Division. He has an extensive technology background with significant experience in software and digital transformation and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Parris currently serves on the board of directors for technology firms APTIV and Diebold Nixdorf.
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