Nationwide Announces Retirement Solutions, Financial Leaders
Nationwide this week announced it has appointed Misty Kuamoo and Suzanne Ricklin as chief technology officer of Nationwide Financial and leader of Distribution for Nationwide Retirement Solutions, respectively.
In her new role, Kuamoo will be responsible for all technology solutions supporting our financial services businesses.
“Misty Kuamoo’s leadership has consistently driven results across critical initiatives – from implementing a new AI-powered tool for associates, to expanding associate services to modernizing the claim filing experience,” said Michael Carrel, Nationwide’s chief technology officer. “As Nationwide continues to accelerate technology and AI, Kuamoo will play a key role in making it easier for customers and business partners to do business with Nationwide.”
Kuamoo was most recently the chief technology officer of Corporate Technology & Workplace Solutions at Nationwide. In this role, Kuamoo led the team that delivers technology solutions for Finance, Human Resources, Investments, Legal and Marketing business units.
Kuamoo also oversaw Nationwide’s Corporate Real Estate and Digital Workplace teams, with a focus on enhancing associates’ physical and digital workplace experiences.
Previously, Kuamoo led a team in Nationwide’s cybersecurity product organization as VP, Shared Security Services.
She is a graduate of Weber State University, is a Certified Professional Coach and holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
Ricklin currently serves as Vice President of Retention & Sales for Retirement Solutions Distribution, supporting more than $208 billion in assets and nearly 3 million participants. In that role, she managed the retention and growth of government and corporate retirement clients, driving a strategic account management approach across all plan types.
“Suzanne has a strong track record of leadership across our business,” Jestice said. “Her team has consistently expanded Nationwide solutions in alignment with client goals and delivered strong, measurable results. She has earned a reputation for being a trusted leader, a mentor to associates and someone who motivates teams to achieve meaningful business outcomes through collaboration and innovative thinking.”
Ricklin brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, including serving as vice president and head of Relationship Management for Retirement Plan Services at T. Rowe Price, where she supported 500 high value clients. Prior to that, she held multiple leadership roles across relationship management, external wholesaling, corporate marketing and communications, retail sales and investor centers.
Ricklin holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from American University and a master’s degree from Loyola University’s Sellinger School of Business. She also maintains her FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 licenses.
PensionBee, SS&C Technologies Partner to Refine 401(k) Rollovers
PensionBee and SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. are expanding their partnership in an effort to streamline the 401(k)-rollover process.
Beginning January 12, 2026, all customers who use SS&C’s RolloverCentral platform can transfer old retirement accounts directly into a PensionBee IRA.
“We are thrilled to join the RolloverCentral platform as an IRA provider,” said Romi Savova, founder and CEO of PensionBee. “SS&C has been instrumental in furthering our mission to make retirement management as accessible and efficient as possible. By offering a 1% match on every dollar that enters a PensionBee IRA—whether it’s a rollover from an old job or a new contribution—we are effectively putting money back into the pockets of savers. This integration will help us better support our customers through one of the most complicated aspects of retirement planning.”
SS&C’s RolloverCentral platform automatically moves 401(k) assets into a PensionBee IRA without manual paperwork, physical checks, or phone calls typically associated with rollovers.
“RolloverCentral modernizes the rollover process to provide a seamless, more secure experience for plan participants, IRA providers, and recordkeepers alike,” said Michael Rogalski, head of SS&C Retirement Solutions. “By partnering with trusted providers like PensionBee, we’re giving individuals more choice and confidence when deciding where to consolidate their retirement savings.”
Income Lab Launches AI Scribe
Income Laboratory, Inc. is launching its AI Scribe, a new AI-powered capability that automatically transforms live client conversations into retirement plans.
According to Income Lab, the AI Scribe listens in on Zoom client meetings, captures information, and automatically builds or updates an Income Lab plan. When the meeting ends, the advisor receives a summary of the meeting, and a draft plan is ready for advisor review in the Income Lab platform.
The launch of AI Scribe comes just months after Income Lab introduced its AI Plan Builder, AI Assistant, and AI Interviewer.
Income Lab’s AI features have been developed in collaboration with advisors, clients, and leading researchers, including Derek Tharp, Ph.D., of the University of Southern Maine, Conscious Capital, and Kitces.com.
The firm states its approach focuses on “identifying where advisor workflows break down, particularly around data gathering, plan updates, and post-meeting follow-through, and applying AI to remove those pain points while keeping advisors in control of the retirement planning process.”
$120M Loveday Caruso Joins Ameriprise Financial
Financial advisory practice Loveday Caruso Wealth Management Group recently joined the independent channel of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. from LPL Financial with $120 million in assets.
The practice, based in Littleton, CO, is led by private wealth advisor Sean Loveday, and includes financial advisor Sarah Caruso and administrative assistant Lori O’Halloran.
Loveday outlined several key reasons for making the move:
- Client-Centered Technology and Experience: “We chose Ameriprise for its transparency and the comprehensive experience it delivers to our clients. The firm’s technology puts their entire financial picture at their fingertips while offering flexibility in how they connect with us. That accessibility is the cornerstone of our practice.”
- Practice Management Efficiency: “Another important factor was the ability to manage our entire practice, from investments to insurance, in a more efficient and informed way. We now have access to deeper insights and resources that allow us to manage portfolios with greater confidence and communicate that information clearly to our clients.”
- Home Office Support: “The home office has provided exceptional support every step of the way. From transition through ongoing service, our questions are answered promptly and, most importantly, accurately. Beyond that, we’ve received invaluable guidance to help grow our practice. We’re surrounded by a team of professionals who bring expertise in investments, marketing, retirement planning and more than a dozen other areas – all dedicated to strengthening our business.”
Looking ahead, the team is excited about the opportunities Ameriprise provides. “We are incredibly excited about how we will be able to grow our business and integrate client events and engagement,” said Caruso. “The feedback from clients has been phenomenal. They love the ease of accessing information and the seamless way they can communicate and do business with us here.”
Hightower Advisors Names CCO
Hightower Advisors, a national wealth management firm, has appointed Bob Lavigne as chief compliance officer (CCO) for Hightower Holdings, LLC. In this role, Lavigne will oversee the firm’s enterprise-wide compliance program, regulatory strategy, and risk governance across Hightower’s national community of advisors.
Lavigne brings nearly 30 years of senior compliance and regulatory leadership within the wealth management industry, including experience in designing scalable compliance programs, implementing technology-driven oversight tools, and partnering with advisors to support a culture of transparency and fiduciary excellence. He will report to Hightower CEO Larry Restieri.
“Bob is an accomplished leader whose experience, judgment and collaborative approach make him well suited for Hightower’s continued growth,” Restieri said. “His work helping advisors navigate an increasingly dynamic regulatory environment aligns with our intention to modernize our compliance program.”
Prior to joining Hightower, Lavigne served as vice president and chief compliance officer at Edelman Financial Engines. His background spans registered investment advisor (RIA), broker-dealer, and hybrid firm oversight, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the supervisory frameworks required for a modern advisory organization.
“I am excited to join Hightower during a period of continued momentum and growth for the firm,” Lavigne said. “The advisor-centric culture and commitment to excellence resonate deeply with me. I look forward to working with teams across the organization to strengthen our compliance program and help advisors deliver quality client outcomes.”
Hightower’s nationwide advisor community comprises practices in 33 states and the District of Columbia. As of September 30, 2025, assets under management (AUM) for Hightower and its affiliates were approximately $350.3 billion.
ShareBuilder 401k announced that from January 12 through February 4, the company is waiving all setup costs for its Solo 401(k) plans, allowing self-employed business owners to save up to $150 immediately upon opening a new account.
Any owner-only business starting their first 401(k) plan can still make contributions that qualify for 2025 taxes until their business tax deadline. As the owner is both the employer and employee in a Solo 401(k) plan, a self-employed person can make contributions of up to $70,000 (depending on your earnings) in the 401(k) for the 2025 tax year until businesses tax deadlines (April 16, 2026, for single-member LLCs and sole proprietors). Depending on entity types, employee contributions can be made too. This allows solopreneurs to open a plan during this January and February promotion and retroactively lower their 2025 taxable income.
Solo 401(k) financial benefits for 2026 are even larger. For the 2026 tax year, the total Solo 401(k) contribution limit (combining employee and employer roles) has increased to $72,000. For those aged 50–59, the limit rises to $80,000, and, thanks to recent legislation, individuals aged 60-63 have a cap of $83,250.
Ascensus Taps ABLE Solutions Head
Ascensus announced the appointment of Rob Percival as head of ABLE Solutions.
In this role, Percival will lead the strategy and execution for the company’s ABLE business, reporting to Peg Creonte, president of Government Savings. He brings more than 25 years of financial services experience to the position, including a decade spent at Ascensus.
Percival will collaborate with product, relationship management, operations, and business development teams to drive a consolidated strategy that supports client objectives. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the ABLE market, which is expected to expand following the “Age of Onset” provision from the SECURE 2.0 legislation.
Ascensus administers ABLE plans across 22 states and the District of Columbia.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rob back to the Ascensus team,” said Creonte. “His deep industry expertise and proven track record in driving results make him the ideal leader to guide our ABLE business through this period of growth and transformation. With Rob at the helm, we will continue to innovate ABLE program design and expand capabilities that make ABLE accounts more accessible and more impactful for the investors who benefit from them.”
Percival rejoins Ascensus from Orion, where he served as senior vice president of strategic relationships. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stonehill College.
Cetera Welcomes Former LPL Advisor
Cetera has hired Kim Ramchandani as a financial advisor. She now is affiliating with Cetera after nearly 20 years at LPL, where her experience included managing approximately $206 million in assets under administration.
Serving clients ranging from first-time investors to those preparing for retirement, Ramchandani believes financial advice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of account size or experience level.
“My life experiences taught me early on that no two people, or financial journeys, are ever the same,” Ramchandani said. “That belief has guided my entire career. I focus on listening first to understand what truly matters to my clients and then building financial strategies that adapt as their lives evolve.”
Ramchandani said the move to Cetera is due to several changes LPL made that impacted relationships with her OSJ and the Webster Bank investment program where she was aligned for many years.
“We experienced several transitions with the bank program and LPL, and each change introduced new challenges. During that time, I often felt our concerns weren’t being heard and that we lacked a strong advocate,” Ramchandani said. “Cetera offers a robust platform and a well-established reputation, which made the decision to move from LPL to Cetera the right choice for me.”