National & Regional TPA Distribution Team

Regional Sales Team

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  Brian Flynn Regional Plan Consultant - IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, WI

  Cell: 312.590.3089 | Direct: 312.660.0098

  Internal Plan Consultant: Brenda Brumm | 920.831.3296

  Schedule A Meeting

  Brian is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage (TRA), a national non-producing TPA firm. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships via the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers and Plan Sponsors in IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, and WI.

  Flynn has worked in the financial services industry for 20+ years with a focus in the retirement plans. He has worked for some of the largest recordkeepers and has a keen sense of the business.

  Prior to joining TRA, Flynn worked for Lincoln Financial Distributors, Ameritas and John Hancock.  He started his career in benefits consulting working on some of the nations largest DB and DC plans.

  Flynn graduated from DePaul University, with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting.  He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary and a Cash Balance Consultant.

  Outside of the Office
  Brian and his wife Katie enjoy travelling and spending time with family.

  Recent Informative On-Demand Webinars:

  • 03/19/24 – TRA Sales Minute – Discover Actionable Strategies to Grow Your Advisory Business
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  Chase Meitler – QPFC Regional Plan Consultant - CO, MT, ND, NE, SD, WY

  

  Cell: 785.434.6047 | Direct: 303.362.8501

  Internal Plan Consultant: Nate Maly | 262.420.5323

  Schedule A Meeting

  Chase is a Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage (TRA), a national non-producing TPA firm. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships via the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers and Plan Sponsors in CO, MT, ND, NE, SD, and WY.

  Meitler has worked in the financial services industry for 5 years with a focus in retirement plans. He has worked for some of the largest recordkeepers and has a keen sense of the business.

  Prior to joining TRA, Meitler worked for Transamerica and Empower Retirement.  He started his career on the Rollover Distribution team at Empower. It did not take long for him to realize his passion is connecting with business owners. He grew up in a successful family-owned business and has a great understanding of what a business owner’s day-to-day entails. Understanding the client’s business and what they are trying to achieve is vital to Meitler’s sales process.

  Meitler graduated from Fort Hays State University, with a Bachelor of Administration degree in Marketing with an emphasis in Management.  He also has an Qualified Plan Fiduciary Consultant (QPFC) designation.

  Outside of the Office
  Chase enjoys spending time with his two children, Josie & Hutch. On the weekends, you can probably find him fishing or golfing. He enjoys spending his free time doing any outdoor activity/sport.

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  Grant Livingston – GFS® Regional Plan Consultant - CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT

  

  Cell: 860.884.6756 | Direct: 617.717.1610

  Internal Plan Consultant: Jodie Mellon | 920.831.3346

  Schedule A Meeting

  Grant is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA), a national non-producing TPA firm. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships via the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers and Plan Sponsors to our New England territory of  CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT.

  Livingston has worked in the financial services industry for 30 years with a focus on retirement services for the past 18. His experience is deeply imbedded in recordkeeping, investment analytics and at the plan sponsor level.

  Prior to joining TRA, Livingston helped build the TPA platform during his 10 year tenure at MassMutual. He was part of the team at WisdomTree Investments that created and launched one of the first ETF based 401(k) platforms. As an industry wholesaler, he is credited with helping advisors sell close to $1 billion in retirement plan assets.

  Livingston graduated from Charter Oak College, with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and completed graduate studies in Research, Measurement and Quantitative Analysis at SCSU. He is a graduate of the 3-year CUNA Management School at SUNY. He has been a nationally recognized industry speaker and trainer throughout his career.

  Outside of the Office
  Grant and his wife Andrea enjoy time with their family and friends and have three sons.  He is involved in his local community with youth sports and is an active Umpire and Football Official in CT with the CIAC.

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  Jesse McLeod Regional Plan Consultant - AZ, So. CA, HI, NM, NV, UT

  Cell:  925.300.6136 | Direct: 702.613.5827

  Internal Plan Consultant: Nate Maly | 262.420.5323

  Schedule A Meeting

  Jesse McLeod is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA). He is responsible for creating successful partnerships through the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers, and Plan Sponsors to our Southwest territory of AZ, So. CA, HI, NM, NV, and UT.

  Jesse has over 12 years of Retirement Plan Sales, Design and Service experience. Prior to joining TRA, he has built his career as a top producer consistently over 10 years at Mutual Of America and 2 years with Paychex, Retirement Services. Jesse has a passion for helping people to secure a dignified retirement. He has extensive experience assisting non-profit and other organizations in setting up group retirement plans that are ideal for both the business and employees.

  Jesse has his series 6 & 63 Securities Licenses as well as Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS) and Cash Balance Coach (CBC) Designations.

  Outside the Office: 

  Jesse considers both California and Utah home. He currently resides in Salt Lake City, UT with his two children, Max and Madeline. They enjoy outdoor activities together. Among their favorites is Snow Skiing/Snowboarding, Hiking, Rock Climbing, and White Water River Rafting.

  Recent Informative On-Demand Webinars:

  • 05/28/24 – Cash Balance Plan Bootcamp: Opportunities for Advisors
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  John Caraang Regional Plan Consultant - AK, No. CA, ID, OR, WA

  Cell:  213.808.9309 | Direct: 503.946.4330 

  Internal Plan Consultant: Austin Solomon | 262.420.5140

  Schedule A Meeting

  John is a Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage (TRA), a national non-producing TPA firm. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships via the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers, and Plan Sponsors in Alaska, northern California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

  John has worked in the financial services industry for 10+ years with a focus in the retirement plans space. He has worked for some of the largest recordkeepers and has a keen sense of the business.

  Prior to joining TRA, John had worked for Cuna Mutual Group, T. Rowe Price, and various credit unions. Most recently, he held positions such as regional sales consultant at CMG where he assumed the role of an internal rep, licensed member consultant at WSECU discussing investment solutions with members, and plan consultant for T. Rowe Price assisting workplace investors with service and education on their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

  John attended South Seattle College with a focus in Accounting. He also holds the following credentials: FINRA Series 6, Series 63, SIE, and WA Life & Health Insurance License.

  Outside of the Office
  John enjoys spending time with his wife, Euphoria, two sons, Jude and Kingsley, and their most recent addition, their goldendoodle, Barkley. They love exploring the great pacific northwest landscape, trying out local restaurants, and attending community events. When he’s not spending time with family, he is at the gym or out running, training for a marathon.

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  Matt Solomon – PRP, CRPS, CBC Regional Plan Consultant - FL, GA, NC, SC

  Direct: 813.329.7701 | Cell: 317.224.4094

  Internal Plan Consultant: Jodie Mellon | 920.831.3346

  Schedule A Meeting

  Matt is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA) for the Southeast Atlantic territory. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships through the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers, and Plan Sponsors in FL, GA, NC, and SC.

  Matt has worked in the financial services industry for 20+ years with a focus on retirement services. His experience is deeply imbedded in recordkeeping, investment analytics, and plan design at the plan sponsor and advisor level. Matt graduated from Bluffton College in 1996, with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He has spent time on both the Recordkeeping side with Nationwide, Transamerica, and MassMutual, as well as the TPA side, helping advisors and plan sponsors create and design the best retirement plan possible for their clients.

  Outside of the Office:

  Matt enjoys time with his family and friends, as well as fishing and other outdoor sports. He has two children: a son, Austin, and a daughter, Kathryn. Matt and his wife, Sarah, an RN at Saxony Health, have been married for 25+ years and reside in Florida.

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  Michael Schessler Regional Plan Consultant - NJ, NY

  Cell: 773.495.1551 | Direct: 646.278.9160

  Internal Plan Consultant: Austin Solomon | 262.420.5140

  Schedule A Meeting

  Mike is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA), a national non-producing TPA firm. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships via the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers and Plan Sponsors in New Jersey and New York.

  Mike is a North Jersey native and started his career in the Retirement industry in Washington D.C. over 20 years ago with Paychex Retirement Services. He relocated to Chicago and spent 15 years working in the Retirement industry in several capacities from Management to Wholesaling to TPA Consulting before returning back to his home state of New Jersey.

  Mike has gained a deep knowledge of the industry and prides himself on building strong relationships with his Advisor and Recordkeeper partners, with the ability to act as a “connector” and help others in his network collaborate and form lucrative business relationships.

  Outside of the Office

  Mike enjoys travelling, painting, guitar, concerts, the Jersey shore, and exploring all that New York has to offer.

  Recent Informative On-Demand Webinars:

  • 10/02/24 – New Jersey RetireReady State Mandate Informational Webinar
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  Nic Irick Regional Plan Consultant - AR, KS, MO, OK, TX

  Cell: 913.645.9331 | Direct: 913.693.1899
  

  Internal Plan Consultant: Austin Solomon | 262.420.5140

  Schedule A Meeting

  With over a decade in the retirement plan industry, Nic currently is responsible for TRA sales and marketing distributed through financial advisors and product wholesalers in AR, KS, MO, OK, and TX.  He partners with investment advisors and many of the top recordkeepers in the country to deliver comprehensive and customized solutions for our mutual clients.

  Nic is also an Eagle Scout, a testament to his leadership, work ethic and character. Additionally, Nic is Sandler Sales Certified.

  Outside of the Office
  Nic keeps busy restoring historical buildings across rural Kansas. Nic is happiest while in the great outdoors with his wife Shelby, daughter Kevan, and black lab Jet. Most weekends are spent hunting and fishing.

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  Paul D. Phan – CRPS Regional Plan Consultant - DC, DE, KY, MD, OH, PA, VA, WV

  

  Cell: 571.393.9273 | Direct: 703.497.5417

  Internal Plan Consultant: Brenda Brumm | 920.831.3296

  Schedule A Meeting

  With over a decade in the retirement plan industry, Paul currently is responsible for TRA sales and marketing distributed through financial advisors and product wholesalers in DC, DE, KY, MD, OH, PA, VA and WV.   He is passionate about simplifying the complexities and technical aspects of 401(k) and defined benefit plans to help advisors and plan sponsors build, manage and evaluate successful solutions that meet their well-defined retirement goals.

  Paul has spent the past 11+ years in retirement plan sales, within both direct and wholesale channels.  Before he joined TRA, Paul built his professional background working with:

  • Mutual of America
  • National Auto Dealer Retirement Trust
  • Mutual of Omaha Retirement Plan Division

  Paul earned his Economics degree from Seton Hall University and masters in Management from Keuka College.  Paul has his Series 6, 63 and 65 Securities Licenses as well as Virginia Life, Health Insurance Licenses.  He also has his Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist^® (CRPS^®) and Cash Balance Consultant (CBC) designations.

  Outside of the office, Paul is into 80’s music and culture, classic cinema, studying philosophy (not a typo) and weightlifting. Above all else, making memories with his wife Alexis, a special ed teacher, and toddler daughter Emerson is the source of his happiness.  The Phan family resides in Ashburn, Virginia within easy proximity to his TRA partners.

  Recent Informative On-Demand Webinars:

  • 05/07/24 – SECURE 2.0 – 2024 Changes Allow for Mid-Year SIMPLE IRA Conversions
  • 08/14/24 – Cash Balance Plan Bootcamp: Opportunities for CPAs
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  Stephen Switzer Regional Plan Consultant - AL, LA, MS, TN

  

  Direct: 706.494.8730 | Cell: 251.455.2716
  

  Internal Plan Consultant: Jodie Mellon | 920.831.3346

  Schedule A Meeting

  Stephen is the Regional Plan Consultant for The Retirement Advantage, Inc. (TRA) for the Southeast territory. He is responsible for creating successful partnerships through the marketing and distribution of TRA services to Financial Advisors, Retirement Plan Wholesalers, and Plan Sponsors in AL, LA, MS, and TN.

  Stephen is an Alabama native and started his career in the TPA sector of the Retirement Industry more than a decade ago. Stephen has worked in several capacities including TPA Consulting, Plan Sales & Design, and Leadership roles, notably having served as a Client Service Manager for TRA. Stephen has extensive knowledge of the industry and plan administration and prides himself in educating, consulting, and building relationships with Plan Sponsors, Advisors, and Recordkeeper partners.

  Stephen holds the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation, and has his Series 65 Securities License.

  Outside of the Office:

  When not enjoying the beautiful coastal waters and beaches of Florida and Alabama, Stephen enjoys building furniture, leatherworking, 3d printing, and weightlifting.

  Recent Informative On-Demand Webinars:

  • 05/23/24 – SIMPLE IRA Mid-Year Conversions – SECURE 2.0 Summer School Series
  • 06/04/24 – Cash Balance Plan Bootcamp: Opportunities for Advisors
  • 06/18/24 – Start-Up Tax Credit Updates – SECURE 2.0 Summer School Series
  • 07/16/24 – Automatic Enrollment Requirement Updates – SECURE 2.0 Summer School Series
  • 08/20/24 – Long-Term Part-Time Employee Updates – SECURE 2.0 Summer School Series