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Seyfarth Shaw LLP Announces ERISA Expert as Partner

Seyfarth Shaw LLP has announced new partner, Jeffrey Bauer, to the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation department in Chicago. Bauer joins from Dorsey & Whitney LLP, where he was a partner in its Employee Benefits group in Minneapolis.

Bauer’s practice is focused on qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), employee retirement income security act (ERISA) fiduciary law and executive compensation. He represents a broad range of employers, including private and public companies, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, on the design, operation and termination of all types of benefit plans and compensation arrangements.

As a certified public accountant, Bauer often works with employers and fiduciaries on their fiduciary obligations under ERISA and counsels company stakeholders on the applicable ESOP laws involved in the purchase and sale of employer securities. In addition, he is knowledgeable in the many compensation and benefits issues that frequently result from ERISA and tax litigation, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Bauer earned his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. He received a master’s degree in taxation and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Central Florida.

OneAmerica Adds Regional VP

Greg Poplarski will lead OneAmerica’s central division as a regional vice president, joining Mark Glavin, who continues as the west region RVP, and Todd Smiser, who is staying on as east region RVP.

Poplarski succeeds Pete Schroedle, who was promoted in December 2018 to lead sales for the small and mid-market as the company restructured under new Retirement Services President Sandy McCarthy. Schroedle retained his central region responsibilities in the position until now.

Poplarski comes to OneAmerica from Allianz Global Investors, where he served as a Midwest-based investment specialist in the retirement space. Prior to Allianz, he served in sales management roles with Prudential Retirement and Merrill Lynch.

Mercer Appoints Western Region Leaders

Mercer has appointed Don Bobo to office leader for Southern California and Trudi Sharpsteen as partner, Health & Benefits and leader of the Large and Jumbo Employer Team, west market. Bobo will report to Macaire Pace, west market CEO and Sharpsteen will report to Maura Cawley, Large and Jumbo Employer Team leader, U.S.

Prior to this role, Bobo served as office leader for the Mountain States, where he was responsible for Mercer’s business across four offices and seven states. He has more than 26 years of domestic and international experience in human resources, both as a consultant and practitioner. Bobo earned his bachelor’s degree from California Poly, San Luis Obispo and his master’s from Houston Baptist University.

Sharpsteen has more than 30 years of experience at both national benefits consulting firms and health plans. She has served the large and jumbo employer community for the majority of her career. Before joining Mercer, she served as area vice president at Blue Shield of California refining strategy for the national accounts market. Prior to that role, she was a senior consultant at Willis Towers Watson, serving on the West Division Leadership Team.  She earned her bachelor’s degree at University of California, Berkeley.

Business Leader Joins Mercer’s Northern California Health Team

Mercer has added Scott Grenn as office business leader, Health in Northern California. In this role, he will consult with clients, drive revenue growth and build Mercer’s brand and market awareness across Northern California. Grenn will report to Trisha Tyler, west market business leader, Health. He is based in Mercer’s San Francisco office.

Grenn has more than 25 years of industry experience, including extensive work in the large employer market. Prior to this role, he was a principal and senior consultant at Mercer with a primarily focus on long-term benefit strategy, design and execution. Before joining Mercer, Grenn spent nine years with BridgeStreet Consulting Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Chico.

Collective Health Announces Two Hires

Collective Health has hired Haleigh Tebben to oversee partnerships across Collective Health’s business and Marianna Holt as new director of Benefits.

Previously, Tebben was a partner at Mercer where she co-led the health and benefits practice in the broader west market. At Collective Health, Tebben will oversee the new Platform Partnerships & Strategy (PP&S) unit. Collective Health reported Tebben’s role as chief business development officer, however noted the title is subject to change.

Holt’s past experience includes director of benefits at Lululemon, as well as Uber.