About Us - Western Pension & Benefits Council

HomeAbout

Western Pension & Benefits Council History

A 70 Year History of Joining Pension Specialists

The Western Pension & Benefits Council (WP&BC) was founded in 1954 to address the educational needs of pension specialists. Through the years, WP&BC has expanded their scope and to include education opportunities for those with responsibilities in the health and welfare fields. Today, the WP&BC is recognized as one of the premier educational and professional organizations in the western United States for the dynamic field of employee benefits.

WP&BC is a tax exempt educational organization with a Governing Board consisting of all Chapter Presidents and an Executive Committee appointed from their ranks. The world of employee benefits is constantly changing. Today, more than ever, you need the tools and resources to effectively manage your responsibilities as a benefits professional.

WP&BC Orange County Chapter
The Orange County Chapter has been a part of the WP&BC for more than 32 years. Our Chapter promotes an exchange of information and ideas among employee benefits professionals. Our members include ERISA attorneys, CPAs, third party administrators, investment industry benefits specialists, financial advisors, actuaries, benefits consultants and plan sponsors' in-house benefits professionals.

Our WP&BC Orange County Chapter 2025-2026 Board Members

President:
Samantha Graboff
Windes
sgraboff@windes.com

Programs Co-Chair:
Mindy Marburger
Creative Planning
mindy.marburger@creativeplanning.com

Director at Large:
Hitz Burton
Aon Hewitt
hitz.burton@aon.com

President-Elect/Webinars:
Aksana Munoz
Benefit Services Financial Group
Aksanam@bfsg.com

Programs Co-Chair:
Michael Flatebo
Pension Profit Sharing Services
mflatebo@ppssinc.com

Director at Large:
Katrina Veldkamp
Boutwell Fay LLP
katrinaveldkamp@boutwellfay.com

Past President:
Tom Drosky
PenChecks, Inc.
tdrosky@penchecks.com

Governing Board President:
Shannon Main
Pensionmark
shannon.main@pensionmark.com

Director at Large:
Matt Russikoff
Capital Group
matt_russikoff@capgroup.com

Kathleen Bass
KLB Law Group
kbass@klblawgroup.com

Andrew Hermann
Empower Retirement
Andrew.Hermann@empower-retirement.com

Director at Large:
Paul Yossem Nationwide
yossemp@nationwide.com

Treasurer:
Mark Murphy
Marcum LLP
Mark.Murphy@marcumllp.com

Director at Large:
Hitz Burton
Aon Hewitt
hitz.burton@aon.com

Director at Large:
Aran Sahagun
FMN
asahagun@fmncc.com

Our WP&BC Orange County Chapter Past Presidents

Tom Drosky, 2022-2023

Shannon Main, 2020-2022

Hitz Burton, 2018-2020

Doug Van Galder, 2016-2018

Dylan Porter, 2014-2016

Margaret Martinazzi, 2012-2014

Kathleen Bass, 2010-2012

Stuart Hack, 2006-2010

Tim Verrall, 2006

Alison Smith Fay, 2004-2006

Rick Blain, 2002-2004

Dan Malone, 2001-2002

Roni Renfro, 1999-2001

Harley L. Bjelland, 1997-1999

Alison Smith Fay, 1996-1997

Martha A. Santos, 1995-1996

David W. Barby, 1994-1995

Michael L. McGuire, 1993-1994

H.B.’Ben’ Benjamin, 1992-1993

C. James Christenson, A.P.A., 1991-1992