Congratulations to the First Group of RMA^SM Graduates

 With much anticipation, the first RMA^SM study review and exam were combined in a full day session following the RIIA Spring Conference on March 24, 2010. RIIA and its Education Committee would like to congratulate the first group of candidates to receive their RMA^SM designation.

• Dana Anspach, Principal/Financial Advisor, Wealth Management Solutions, LLC

• George Bernard, President & CEO, Bennington Asset Management, Inc.

• John Calvo, Income Planning Specialist, Nationwide Financial

• Sharon Carson, Vice President, Bank of America

• Sean Ciemiewicz, Managing Partner, NRP - The Founders Group

• Lee Edgcomb, Senior Vice President-Investments, RBC Wealth Management

• Bob Friesen, Income Planning Specialist, Nationwide Financial

• Greg Headrick, Managing Partner, Northwest Asset Management

• Mike Kenney, Income Planning Specialist, Nationwide Financial

• William Lavender, Vice President - Retirement Income Strategies, Nationwide Financial

• David Macchia, President & CEO, Wealth2k, Inc.

• Marcia Mantell, Principal & Owner, Mantell Retirement Consulting, Inc.

• Kim McSheridan, Vice President - Income Annuities, Symetra Financial

• Frank Patzke, Founder & President, Guidant Wealth Advisors, (LPL Financial)

• Anand Rao, Vice President, Diamond Consultants

• Christine Russell, Retirement Strategist, Christine Russell Retirement Consulting

In addition, RIIA extends a special thank you to all the pilot participants who are playing a crucial role in providing us with feedback and constructive recommendations for improving the curriculum and examination as well as the testing and review processes.

Here's What the Recent RMA^SM Participants Are Saying

"What I like best about the RMA(SM) is the combination of intellectual leadership and practical application. Inclusion of both components is crucial for success in an area as rapidly changing and expanding as retirement income planning." ~ Christine Russell.

"In the process of preparing for and taking the RMA(SM) exam, I realized how much I've learned about retirement planning that I never before understood. RIIA's approach is not just more comprehensive, it places a sharp focus on the risk-management techniques that both advisors and retirees really need to understand and implement. I believe that any practitioner who is concerned about succeeding in retirement planning would benefit enormously from the practical insights conveyed by the RMA(SM) program." ~ David Macchia.

"Up until now there hasn't been any formal training available to teach advisors the important differences between planning for accumulation and planning for retirement income. The Retirement Income Industry Organization (RIIA) is changing that. They developed a specialized curriculum one studies to become an RMA(SM), or Retirement Management Analyst. The material is fabulous and offers a tremendous amount of insight into the difference between accumulating assets and 'decumulating' assets." ~ Dana Anspach.

"There is a tremendous amount of newly organized information about the process of planning for retirement income in the RMA(SM) curriculum. The concept of mastering the balance sheet is particularly useful and relevant. The 5 spoke approach is an excellent organizing structure. And, the online training tool is outstanding, bringing the art and the science of retirement income planning to life." ~ Marcia Mantell.

"One thing I have learned in the 30 plus years of investing is that if you stop learning you stop growing. The RMA(SM) program was an excellent learning experience. It brings a different and very relevant point of view. I feel it is so important that I am urging everyone at the firm to take it." ~ George Bernard.