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About Nova | People | Partners | Press Releases

About the People at Nova 401(k) Associates

Karen Smith, F.S.A., E.A., M.A.A.A., J.D.

Karen Smith(formerly Nowiejski) has over 19 years of experience as a consulting actuary. Her experience includes the following:

• Assisting clients with plan design and implementation,
• Administering defined contribution plans and completing IRS required testing
• Consulting with regards to special projects such as plan design, mergers and acquisitions and plan terminations
• Calculating individual pension benefits including retirement, death and disability benefits
• Preparing actuarial valuation reports reflecting both financial accounting and IRS funding requirements
• Assisting with plan drafting and interpretation

From 1990 until October 2000, Karen worked in the Houston office of William M. Mercer, Incorporated ("Mercer"). In 1999, Mrs Smith was named a Principal of Mercer. Mercer is one of the largest human resources consulting firms in both the United States and the world. In October 2000, Karen left Mercer to form Nova Pension Valuations, LLC.

Karen has been an Associate of the Society of Actuaries since 1992 and a Fellow since 2001. In order to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Karen completed the Society's examination requirements, which included thorough testing of actuarial mathematics.

Karen became an Enrolled Actuary in 1994. Enrolled actuaries are entitled to sign certain IRS forms on behalf of their clients and represent their clients before the IRS and Tax Court on pension matters. In order to become an Enrolled Actuary, an individual must satisfy an examination requirement and an experience requirement.

Karen became a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries in 1994. The American Academy and its related organizations promulgate Actuarial Standards of Practice to which its members are bound. Admission requires attainment of Enrollment or other recognized credential and sponsorship by two current members of the Academy.

In 2000, Karen became a member of the Texas Bar Association, Houston Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Karen received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1990. She received her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center in 1998, where she was an Associate Editor for the University of Houston Law Review from 1995-1996.

Russell J. Hooker, QKA

Russell Hooker is the Executive Vice President in charge of marketing for the firm. He has over eight years experience in the retirement plan industry. His professional background includes the implementation and administration of defined contribution plans. His responsibilities include the establishment and maintenance of relationships with our many different partners in the community.

As a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), Russell holds the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation and has completed four out of five exams towards obtaining the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation. In addition, he holds the NASD Series 6 and 63 securities licenses. He also attends professional conferences and seminars with a continued commitment to stay current on new laws, regulations and rulings.

Russell is a graduate of North Dakota State University where he double-majored in Spanish and International Studies. He also attended graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Latin American Studies. Prior to attending college, he served four years of active duty in the US Army's Military Intelligence branch as a Spanish Linguist.

Russell has been an avid soccer player, fan, coach, and referee for close to 25 years. His experience as a player is varied and at many different levels. He represented the Army in Goodwill matches throughout Central America and he captained his college team at North Dakota State University. Russell continues to play, referee, and volunteer as a soccer coach for his daughter's youth team

Steven A. Vest, APA

Steve specializes in defined contribution plan administration, including:

• Plan design and implementation for 401(k) and profit sharing plans.
• Annual compliance testing, including complex controlled group and 410(b) cross-testing.
• Annual trust accounting and Form 5500 preparation
• Existing plan conversion implementation
• Compliance software systems development
• Valuation and record-keeping for balance forward plans

Steven Vest joined the firm in 2006 as a Vice President with over 15 years experience in the retirement plan industry. From 1993 until April of 2006, he served as Vice President of Malcolm Thompson & Associates, and worked as a benefits analyst at Shell Oil Company prior to that.

Steven graduated from the University of Texas with a B.B.A. in finance and minor in accounting in 1989. He is a member of the National Institute of Pension Administrators, having attained the designation of APA (Accredited Pension Administrator). He accomplished this by passing a series of six examinations covering a wide range of retirement benefit subjects.

Also, Steve's continuing education includes regular attendance at professional conferences, as well as reading and studying current regulations, rulings, and articles.

Arasely Colchado, QKA, QPA, APA

Arasely Valdez Colchado is the Practice Manager for Nova 401(k) Associates. Arasely graduated from the University of Houston with a B.B.A in Finance and a minor in Spanish in 1997. She is a member of the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA), having attained her APA (Accredited Pension Administrator) designation in 1999 and continues to expand her pension knowledge with her involvement in NIPA and ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries). Arasely has over 12 years experience in the pension industry, both in management and in Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution compliance and administration.

As our Practice Manager, she is responsible for managing Nova's daily operations. This responsibility includes developing, implementing, and monitoring processes, procedures, and controls to maximize operational efficiency. In addition, she regularly assists the Account Managers with day-to-day technical issues and client relations.

Arasely is a native Texan, born in Brownsville and raised in Houston. She is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. She is the proud parent of her one year old daughter, Andrea. These days Arasely spends a lot of mommy and daughter time with Andrea, including reading children's books, visiting museums, taking walks or simply watching Blue's Clues.

Ernie F. Galliani, EA

Ernie has over twenty-five years of employee benefit consulting experience. He has worked with Buck Consultants, The Wyatt Company and Malcolm Thompson and Associates.

Ernie specializes assisting corporations in the design and implementation of pension and 401(k) plans. His consulting covers all aspects of the qualified plan arena including: discrimination testing, plan document design, actuarial valuations and studies, employee communications, plan administration, plan terminations, plan mergers, IRS and PBGC representation, optimizing tax benefits, and qualified domestic relations orders.

Professional Designations - Ernie has passed six actuarial exams, is an enrolled actuary and a member of the College of Pension Actuaries.

Hobbies - Ernie enjoys golf, running, spirituality, hiking, art, travel, reading, and poker.

Kim Davis, QKA

Kim Davis is an Account Manager with Nova 401(k) Associates and has been with the firm since 2004. She is a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) and of the ASPPA Benefits Council of Dallas/Fort Worth. She holds the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation and has completed six out of seven exams towards obtaining the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation.

Kim is well-liked by the advisors and clients that she works with. Kim is the primary contact for her clients and works in assisting plan sponsors with daily and annual routines that arise in 401(k) Plans. Her responsibilities include:

• Plan, design and implementation for 401(k) plans
• Consulting with employers relating to law changes, employer changes and other plan components
• Existing plan review and conversion implementation
• Annual compliance testing
• Preparation of government filings such as the Form 5500
• Advise in plan distributions and loans

In April 2008, Nova expanded to the Dallas marketplace and Kim was asked to head that office up and get it off the ground. Kim graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in business. In addition she obtained certification in the Business Foundations Program from the university.

Kim grew up in Baytown, TX and currently resides in Dallas. She enjoys taking ballet classes in her spare time. Kim is an avid music fan and loves attending local cultural events.

Joe Yee, QKA, QPA

Joe is an Account Manager for Nova 401(k) Associates. He has worked in the retirement plan industry since 1998 with experience in plan administration including annual compliance testing, Form 5500 reporting, plan design and consulting, and plan conversions. Joe came to Nova 401(k) Associates from AIG VALIC where he handled a variety of defined contribution plans including 401(k) plans, Profit Sharing plans, Money Purchase plans and his specialty, 403(b) plans. Joe has extensive experience with not-for-profit organizations including hospitals, charities, governmental agencies, schools and churches. He has also administered a wide range of plan sizes from 20 to 6,000 participants and plans with assets up to $100 million.

A member of American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) since 2001, Joe earned his Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) and Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designations in 2002. Joe regularly attends retirement plan seminars, webcasts and conferences to maintain his accreditation.

Joe grew up in Houston and attended the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Electrical Engineering and minored in Business. He also studied accounting at the University of Houston. Prior to entering the retirement plan industry Joe owned a business, ENY Business Forms and Printing.

An avid softball player since the 1970's, Joe is a former class and current seniors tournament softball player. He continues to play in the City of Houston softball leagues. Joe is also a music enthusiast who enjoys listening to and collecting classic rock music. His favorite groups are the Eagles, Beatles, Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin, to name a few.

Joseph Harmier, QKA, QPA

Joseph Harmier is an Account Manager with Nova 401(k) Associates. Joseph graduated from the University of Houston in 2005 with a B.A. in Mathematics. A recent ASPPA Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designee, he continues to pursue additional designations to enhance his industry expertise.

Joseph works in assisting plan sponsors with daily and annual 401(k) administration issues. His responsibilities include:

• Coordination of participant communication with plan sponsor
• ADP/ACP non-discrimination testing
• Other annual compliance testing
• Preparation of government filings such as the Form 5500
• Assisting in common participant transactions such as loan and distribution processing

Joseph was born and raised in Houston. A former machinist's apprentice, Joseph tells us he came to the retirement plan industry after deciding that it would be nice to work in an air-conditioned office. That being said, Joseph has distinguished himself as a meticulous, detail-oriented administrator who is not afraid to 'pore over a thick tome of arcane retirement plan regulations', as he puts it, to provide outstanding customer service to his clients. Joseph is an avid reader who is usually doing one of three things: Reading this and that; wondering "What would Samuel Johnson say?"; or pondering "What would Thoreau do?"

Kathy Browning, QKA

Kathy Browning is an Account Manager for Nova 401(k) Associates with over 15 years experience in defined contribution plan operations and client relationship management. Kathy also worked in our firm's Marketing Department coordinating the implementation of new plans. Kathy is the primary contact for her clients and their financial advisors. She works in assisting plan sponsors with daily and annual 401(k) administration responsibilities, which include:

• Consulting with plan sponsors relating to plan documents, law changes, employer changes and other plan effects
• Existing plan review and conversion implementation
• Annual compliance testing
• Preparation of government filings such as Form 5500 and related Schedules
• Consulting with plan sponsors regarding participant loan and distribution transactions

Kathy was born and raised in Houston. She prides herself in establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with clients by inspiring confidence through outstanding and attentive customer service.

Kristen Eckert, QKA

Kristen Eckert is an Account Manager with over 10 years experience in defined contribution plan operation and client relationship management. She assists plan sponsors with daily and annual 401(k) administration responsibilities including:

• Consulting with clients regarding participant loan and distributions, plan document and regulatory changes, and other plan issues
• Plan review and conversion implementation
• Annual Compliance Testing
• IRS Form 5500 preparation

A member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), Kristen earned her Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation in 2007. Kristen regularly attends retirement plan seminars, webcasts and conferences to maintain her accreditation.

A native of Beaumont, Texas, Kristen came to Nova 401(k) Associates from Loren D. Stark Company where she handled a variety of defined contribution plans and earned a reputation for providing excellent customer service. An avid music lover and concert-goer, she spends her spare time enjoying the outdoors and exercising.

Caitlin Morrison, QKA, QPA

Caitlin Morrison is an Associate Account Manager for Nova 401(k) Associates. Caitlin graduated from Texas A&M University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics. She recently obtained her Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation and is working on obtaining the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) designation within the next year.

Caitlin also works as an Implementation Specialist for the Marketing Department coordinating the installation of new plans. She is the primary contact for clients and assists with daily and annual 401(k) administration responsibilities that include:

• ADP/ACP non-discrimination and other compliance testing
• Preparation of IRS Form 5500
• Assisting clients and participants in loan and distribution transactions
• Consulting with employers regarding plan document and regulatory changes

Caitlin grew up in West, TX and currently resides in Houston. She enjoys baking Czech kolaches, going to museums and cultural events, and eating lots of Mexican food.

Molly Van Norden, QKA

Molly Van Norden is an Associate Account Manager with Nova 401(k) Associates. Molly graduated from Kansas State University in 2005 with a B.S. in Mathematics and in 2008 with an M.S. in Statistics. She is working toward an ASPPA Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation and has passed all 4 tests. Once she completes 2 years of pension related experience, she will obtain the QKA designation. Molly assists plan sponsors with daily and annual 401(k) administration responsibilities including:

• Performing annual IRS-required compliance testing
• Preparation of government filings such as Form 5500 and related schedules
• Preparing Profit Sharing Allocations
• Consulting with plan sponsors regarding plan document changes, participant loan and distributions and other plan questions

Molly was born and raised in Southwest Kansas and moved to Houston in 2008. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, boating, and traveling.

Valerie M. Zinzer, FSA, EA, MAAA, MSPA

Valerie Zinzer is a consulting actuary with over 18 years of experience working with clients on administrative, fiduciary, financial, funding and strategic retirement plan matters. She has subject matter expertise in the area of mergers and acquisitions. For 16 years, Valerie worked at global consulting firms Towers Perrin and Watson Wyatt advising clients on their retirement plan issues. In addition to preparing and reviewing actuarial valuation reports, Valerie helped clients price and implement plan design changes. In the course of her experiences, Valerie has also worked with clients to prepare materials to effectively communicate retirement programs to their employees, whether it was through individual statements or company-wide communications.

Prior to joining Nova Associates, Valerie also worked for a Texas-based consulting firm specializing in the small employer plan market and defined contribution plans.

Valerie received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Honors and a concentration in Actuarial Science from The University of Texas at Austin in 1991. Valerie completed all requirements to become a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries in 1996, an Enrolled Actuary in 1997 and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in 2003. In order to maintain the continuing education requirements for those designations, Valerie attends conferences and stays current on legislative and regulatory changes in retirement plans.

Valerie recently moved back to Texas (after a 10 year absence) with her husband and son. As a family, they've enjoyed discovering the friendliness, varied landscapes and wonderful barbeque that Texas has to offer. Valerie is an avid Toastmaster and enjoys public speaking.

Lisa Rodriguez, QKA

Lisa Rodriguez is an Account Manager for Nova 401(k) Associates Dallas. She joined Nova in December 2008 with the purchase of Retirement Plan Concepts, an affiliate of Weaver & Tidwell, LLP. Prior to joining Weaver & Tidwell, LLP she was employed by another local TPA.

Lisa is currently working on obtaining her QKA (Qualified 401(k) Administrator) designation. Her responsibilities include:

• Plan administration on 401(k) Plans, Profit Sharing Plans, and Cafeteria Plans
• Annual Compliance Testing
• Calculating contributions
• Reconciling plan assets
• Generating 5500 Forms, schedules, and any other government forms needed throughout the plan year
• Consulting with employers relating to law changes, employer changes and other plan effects
• Reviewing and processing claims for Cafeteria Plans
• Assisting in distributions, loans, hardships, 1099R's, and Minimum Required Distributions

A Dallas native, Lisa received her Business degree from Eastfield College. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family.

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