February is all about appreciation—and at EGPS, that starts with the people behind the plans. We caught up with a few of our retirement plan experts to talk about how they found their way into the industry, what they love most about their work, and a few fun facts you won’t find in a plan document. Grab a coffee, settle in, and meet the team that brings care, clarity, and a lot of heart to every plan they touch.
RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT INTERVIEW LIST
Elizabeth Manulis, Lead Transaction Specialist
Kala Miller, Senior Document Specialist
Jason Graboski, Analyst III
Helen Gichuhi, Retirement Plan Consultant II
WORK-RELATED Q&A FOR EACH RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT
Q: How did you get into the retirement industry?
Kala: My step-mom convinced me to apply for a job 13 years ago. I got the job, and I have been in the industry ever since.
Jason: Started out in automotive finance right around the time of the great recession. Our call center got shut down as part of a restructuring. Ascensus’s headquarters was nearby. They reached out and had an open house for anyone who wanted to come in and learn about the retirement industry. I joined the client services team there and have been in retirement for 15 years now.
Helen: I was in college for my Accounting degree and through a temp agency started basic accounting jobs. And many “moons” later, here we are!
Elizabeth: By coincidence. I joined a TPA firm in 2016 as a receptionist and gradually moved into distributions and loans, which turned into a career I really enjoy.
Q: What does your job entail?
Kala: Overseeing all things plan document related, including amendments. restatements, and any other plan document related projects. I also work with the recordkeepers to keep plan provisions up-to-date, and any other projects that come my way.
Jason: Running employer contribution calculations, scrubbing census data, running all plan compliance testing, trust accounting, 5500/8955/5330 preparation and filing.
Helen: In a few words: consulting, listening and communicating, problem solving, reviewing, staying up to date with current industry regulations, collaborating with financial advisors, CPAs, vendors, etc. (as well as colleagues) to keep clients happy and fulfilled. And soooo much more!
Elizabeth: Handling the behind-the-scenes work for retirement plans—making sure transactions are accurate, compliant, and smooth for participants and employers.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job as a retirement plan expert?
Kala: I enjoy the projects I work on most. I love looking at all the things that will be involved, planning for potential road blocks, and trouble-shooting any issues that arise, then taking all that was learned from one project and using that knowledge for the next project to make it more seamless and easier for those involved.
Jason: I like digging into a problem and figuring out the solution. It’s like a puzzle. Like a calculation request where the client has several parameters they want us to follow –how to get them what they want can feel very satisfying.
Helen: I love helping my clients by relieving any burdens they may have regarding their plan’s administration and listening to their needs and getting them to where they want to be. As a former boss used to say “leaving them with a warm and fuzzy feeling about their plan.”
Elizabeth: Helping the participants and colleagues.
NOW FOR THE FUN: GETTING TO KNOW OUR RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Q: What food could disappear from the planet and you’d feel zero sadness?
Kala: Mushrooms. I want to like them, but I just can’t.
Jason: Hot take, but most of Thanksgiving dinner. It’s all hot and beige. I’m just not a turkey guy. The last time I hosted, everyone got their own Cornish game hen, which was fun.
Helen: Pickles. Sorry everyone!
Elizabeth: Roasted Salmon.
Q: What’s a hobby you tried once and knew instantly you should never try again?
Kala: This is hard, because if I try a new hobby, I suddenly make it my life’s mission to master it. Sewing is one thing that I just can’t master though, and I should really stop trying.
Jason: Running. Got new sneakers, stretched, and was all set. Took a few steps out my front door and hurt my ankle. I do take a long walk with my dog every day, which has been better. Lower impact for sure!
Helen: Skiing. Just why? 😊
Elizabeth: Skiing.
Q: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve named (a plant, a Roomba, a car…) and what is the name?
Kala: Is it actually weird to name your Roomba?! I thought we were all doing that. Ours is Roger.
Jason: Had a Ford Fiesta we called Tortilla.
Helen: Hannah the Hyundai!
Elizabeth: I originally named my dog Beetledude — and later decided Bella was a much better fit.
Q: If you could delete one corporate buzzword from existence, what’s gone?
Kala: EACA… are we saying “E-ahkah”, “Yakah”, or “E A C A”?!
Jason: Leverage. I knew a guy who used the word “Leverage” any time the word “use” would have worked.
Helen: Gossip!
Elizabeth: Circle back
Q: If you had a shortcut key for real life, what would it do?
Kala: Plan my weekly dinner menu and order my groceries.
Jason: Mow the grass!
Helen: Have all my difficult conversations for me. I would just supervise. LOL.
Elizabeth: I’d want a real-life “undo” button — just to undo mistakes or awkward moments.
