Meet Your Instructors

We have some of the industry’s top ERISA-trained consultants and thought leaders who specialize in employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs, HSAs, college savings.

Barb Van Zomeren

Barb Van Zomeren

Senior Vice President

Barb oversees ERISA operations for the Retirement division. Her oversight includes all ERISA support services, including consulting to financial organizations, plan sponsors, and financial advisors; developing software products, plan document compliance, and drafting; and conducting training sessions offered to financial organizations, plan sponsors, and financial advisors.

Dan Kravitz

Dan Kravitz

President, Kravitz, Inc.

Dan is a specialist in retirement plan design. His teaching and technical skills have helped to ensure the smooth implementation and communication of his clients’ 401(k) and Cash Balance plans. Dan is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and has completed the American Society of Pension Actuaries exams. He has also been awarded the Certified Pension Consultant designation. He is a nationally recognized speaker on the topics of plan design and administration.

Steve Christenson

Steve Christenson

Executive Vice President

Steve is responsible for managing and developing Ascensus’ product lines and services, which includes PC-based software and online technology, education and resource development, forms and documents, telephone and on-site consulting, and resource materials.

Ben Maas

Ben Maas

Senior ERISA Analyst

Ben conducts IRA training programs nationwide and his expertise includes Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell education savings accounts, health savings accounts, and SEP plans. He leads the development, design, implementation, assessment, and maintenance of the HSA University curriculum. Ben holds the CIS, CIP, CISP, and CHSP designations.

Carrie Horn

Carrie Horn

Senior ERISA Consultant

Carrie is one of Ascensus’ primary drafters of IRA and qualified retirement plan forms and prototype documents. Carrie currently serves on the Institute of Certified Bankers’ CISP Advisory Board, is a member of the Certification Board which governs the CIS and CIP designations, and frequently trains at Ascensus’ IRA Institute and Ascend education conference. Carrie holds the QKA, QPA, TGPC, and CISP designations.

Chad Neumann

Chad Neumann

Senior ERISA Analyst

Chad conducts IRA training programs nationwide and his expertise includes Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell education savings accounts, health savings accounts, and SEP and SIMPLE IRA Plans. He leads the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of IRA Institute and IRA Institute Online. Chad is a member of the Certification Board which governs the CIS and CIP designations. Chad holds the CIS, CIP, CISP, CPTD, and CHSP designations.

Debbie Shipman

Debbie Shipman

ERISA Analyst

Debbie conducts IRA training programs nationwide and her expertise includes Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell education savings accounts, health savings accounts, and SEP plans. She leads the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of Ascensus’ IRA workshop curriculums. Debbie holds the CIS, CIP, CISP, and CHSP designations.

Jeff Aga

Jeff Aga

ERISA Consultant

Jeff assists clients with technical questions through Ascensus’ 800 Consulting service, and he also instructs webinars and various seminars nationwide. He has extensive technical and compliance expertise on employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs, ESAs, and HSAs. He holds the CPC, QKA, QPA, and the CISP designations.

Stacy Torkelson

Stacy Torkelson

ERISA Consultant

Stacy answers clients’ compliance questions through Ascensus’ 800 Consulting service. She also instructs webinars and seminars nationwide. Stacy has extensive knowledge on IRAs, HSAs, ESAs, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SEP and SIMPLE plans. She holds the CIP designation.

Tammy Schultz

Tammy Schultz

ERISA Consultant

Tammy has extensive experience with IRAs, ESAs, HSAs, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. She is actively involved with technical document reviews and updates to Ascensus forms and seminar materials. She serves as a primary instructor for many of the Ascensus IRA, ESA, HSA, and employer-sponsored retirement plan national seminars. Tammy holds the QKA, QPA, and CISP designations.