2026 Service Stars

The PLANSPONSOR Service Stars program recognizes recordkeeping staff who provide exemplary service to plan sponsor clients.

The PLANSPONSOR Service Stars program recognizes the retirement plan account representatives and relationship managers who, according to their plan sponsor clients, have demonstrated exemplary service.

Plan sponsors responding to the PLANSPONSOR Defined Contribution Survey single out their recordkeeper representatives by name and give specific examples of why they should be recognized. The PLANSPONSOR strategy and operations group reviews nominations and plan sponsor comments to select winners. Service Stars are chosen for their excellence in a range of service areas.

For the 2026 awards, 390 DC Survey respondents nominated individual client service representatives or client service teams. Seven individuals and seven teams were selected for recognition.

The 2026 PLANSPONSOR Service Stars will be recognized at the Excellence in Retirement Awards during the 2026 PLANSPONSOR National Conference in June in Nashville, Tennessee.

â–¼ SCROLL DOWN TO READ HONOREE PROFILES â–¼

Individual

Team

  •
    From Empower
    Keith Anderson (left)
    Managing Director, Relationship Management
    Harsha Culver (right)
    Sr. Client Services Manager
  •
    From Fidelity Investments
    Mike Safran (left)
    Director, Client Service Manager
    Tom Woods (right)
    Relationship Manager – Tax-Exempt Market
  •
    From Nationwide
    Lauren Kime (left)
    Technical Operations Director
    Zack Sharp (middle)
    Senior Marketing Strategist
    Jake Sours (right)
    Executive Program Director, Relationship Manager
  •
    From Principal Financial Group
    Paul DeWitt (left)
    Sr. Client Services Manager
    Nicole Windish (right)
    Sr. Client Services Manager
  •
    From Schwab Workplace Services
    Timothy Krajcik (left)
    Director, Communication
    Thomas Schafer (right)
    Client Service Manager
  •
    From The Standard
    Julie Figueroa (left)
    Sr. Relationship Manager III
    Kimberly Temple (right)
    Account Manager
  •
    From Voya Financial
    David Durfee (left)
    Regional VP, Client Relations
    Patricia Keesling (right)
    Sr. Plan Manager

PLANSPONSOR Service Stars

Derived from the PLANSPONSOR Defined Contribution Survey

Recipients Announced: March
Recipients recognized at the Excellence in Retirement Awards at the PLANSPONSOR National Conference
View other Service Stars Winners:
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