Need a break? Who doesn’t, honestly? Well, we have a treat for you. Sit back, relax, and read more about our EGPS retirement plan experts who espresso themselves in this interview! ☕ This brew-tiful conversation dives deep with a few of our teammates, who spill the beans on everything from their favorite candy, to how they got into the retirement industry, to their unpopular food opinions. Grab your favorite mug and join us for a chat that’s guaranteed to mocha you smile!
RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Quinn Davis, New Business Consultant
Nancy Hernandez, Analyst III
Katelyn Adams, Retirement Plan Consultant II
Kathryn Goracke, Senior Manager, DB Plan Administration
WORK-RELATED Q&A FOR OUR RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Q: How did you get into the retirement industry?
Quinn: When I graduated college in 2016, I got my first job working for a financial advisor. The advisor specialized in selling 401(k) plans and IRAs, and I was tasked with communicating with recordkeepers/TPAs regarding the status of the plans. I eventually left that job and joined a recordkeeper, and worked on the recordkeeper side for five years before joining EGPS in 2023.
Nancy: I was working as a teller at a credit union and one of my coworkers had obtained a position in the retirement industry. They referred me to apply to the distribution team in 2018. I was hired and have been in the industry ever since!
Katelyn: I stumbled into it more than anything. I had been working in medical offices and customer service for restaurant point of sale, but I was looking for something more related to human resources and benefits. I love numbers and problem solving so this ended up being a perfect fit. I wouldn’t want to do anything else now.
Kathryn: This dates me, but I applied to a newspaper ad, and I made the cut! I knew zero things about the retirement industry at the time and was fresh out of college.
Q: What does your job entail?
Quinn: As a new business consultant, I work with clients to onboard them with EGPS. I assist our sales team with plan design calls and questions, and I oversee the process of getting plan documents created and signed, before eventually handing off the plan to a Retirement Plan Consultant when everything is completed.
Nancy: In my position as an Analyst, I ensure we have correct data to run compliance testing, contribution calculations, and trust accounting/valuations/5500s for our clients.
Katelyn: I am a daily point of contact for employers and advisors as they navigate running 401(k), 403(b), and money purchase plans. I ensure plan contributions and annual filings are done properly and timely. I am here to simplify the complexities of compliance into understandable, actionable items so that employers can focus on running their businesses.
Kathryn: I manage several plans for clients, while also overseeing a number of Retirement Plan Consultants.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job as a retirement plan expert?
Quinn: I would say helping a client figure out a design that works for them, and any time there is problem-solving that needs to be done to help clients get the most out of their plan.
Nancy: I enjoy the camaraderie and the chance to consistently learn and assist people.
Katelyn: I love that there is always something new to learn. The laws are always changing, and every plan is unique. There is always a puzzle to figure out and something new to research.
Kathryn: I enjoy the people I get to work with on a day-to-day basis – my colleagues at EGPS and our wonderful clients.
NOW FOR THE FUN: GETTING TO KNOW OUR RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Q: What is your favorite candy?
Quinn: Sweetarts or Twizzlers
Nancy: Snickers
Katelyn: Reese’s (the holiday shaped ones especially – love that extra peanut butter!)
Kathryn: Reese’s peanut butter cups. Is there any other candy?
Q: What item do you hope will be obsolete in 20 years?
Quinn: Checkbooks
Nancy: Fax machines!
Katelyn: Talking baby toys – terrifying when you step on them at night or when the battery starts dying.
Kathryn: Meal planning! Ha! Figuring out what to feed my people EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. is time consuming and exhausting. But alas, I think we will still need to eat in 20 years.
Q: If you could be best friends with a character in any show, movie, or book series, who would you choose?
Quinn: Chet in the movie “Kicking & Screaming” (Not the Will Ferrell movie, the Noah Baumbach movie)
Nancy: Michelangelo from the Nina Turtles
Katelyn: It doesn’t usually end well for the people surrounding the main characters in a lot of the shows and books I like (crime dramas and fantasy doesn’t tend to go well for everyone). I think my best chance is being friends with Eloise and Penelope from Bridgerton with a love for reading and an edge of wit and humor about life.
Kathryn: Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables! She has so much mischief and adventure in her life while still being good. I think we could be friends.
Q: Are you overly loyal to any brands? Why?
Quinn: Duracell batteries – IDK why!
Nancy: Nike! I played soccer from 5-18, so their clothes and shoes have always just been a personal preference.
Katelyn: I can’t think of one.
Kathryn: Nope
Q: What’s your most unpopular food opinion?
Quinn: Pizza is an extremely boring food. It’s essentially grilled cheese with tomato soup, all in one. It is only good if there are good toppings, and should be not eaten for dinner if you are over the age of 12.
Nancy: I like pineapples on pizza lol
Katelyn: I love a ridiculous amount of parmesan cheese on my pasta. Due to the quantity needed, I like the Kraft Parmesan which my husband likes to call sawdust.
Kathryn: Avocado and ketchup. You do have to strike the perfect ratio, and once you do, it’s magic. Fantastic combination – try it before you knock it!
Q: If they made a movie about your life, which celebrity would you want to play you?
Quinn: Timothee Chalamet would be fine.
Nancy: Jenna Ortega
Katelyn: Kat Dennings
Kathryn: Anna Kendrick. She cracks me up!
