Press Release

SPARK Institute Welcomes The Cerrado Group as Newest Member

Issued by SPARK Institute

Oct. 30, 2023

Simsbury, CT — The SPARK Institute is thrilled to announce a significant addition to its ranks with the inclusion of The Cerrado Group as the organization's newest member. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing the shared mission of bolstering the U.S. retirement system, improving savings, and enhancing retirement security for working Americans.

"The Governing Board and members of SPARK are excited to welcome The Cerrado Group as the newest member of SPARK and Joe Burt, founding member of the Cerrado Group, to the SPARK Advisory board," stated Tim Rouse, Executive Director of the SPARK Institute. "We believe our shared goals and the addition of The Cerrado Group's broader set of interests across the defined contribution industry will further promote the goals of the U.S. retirement system and improve savings and retirement security for working Americans."

Joe Burt, President of Pension Plan Specialists PC and a founding member of The Cerrado Group, will represent the organization on SPARK's Advisory Board. Joe expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, saying, "It is an honor and a privilege to join the SPARK Institute, an organization that is the leading voice for the retirement plan industry. I have always admired the work and vision of the SPARK Institute, and I look forward to contributing to its mission and goals. I am eager to collaborate with the visionary professionals at the SPARK Institute and to leverage my skills and knowledge to advance the cause of retirement security in America."

Ann Slotwinski, Executive Director of The Cerrado Group, expressed their appreciation for SPARK's dedication to information sharing, thought leadership, and best practices in collaboration with retirement industry leaders. "After discussions with SPARK's executive team, it became clear to us that our goals align very closely with theirs, and we are eager to contribute a TPA perspective to their efforts. This has already come to fruition with the creation of a committee that will explore the use of APIs, with a focus on gaining efficiencies for TPAs and Recordkeepers through the use of this technology. Two Cerrado Group members, Joe Burt, Pension Plan Specialists P.C., and Matt Slyter, TSC 401(k), will join that committee to provide guidance and advice from a TPA perspective."

About the SPARK Institute

The SPARK Institute represents the interests of a broad-based cross section of retirement plan service providers and investment managers, including members that are banks, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, third-party administrators, trade clearing firms, and benefits consultants. Through the combined expertise of its member companies, the Institute provides research, education, testimony, and comments on pending legislative and regulatory issues to members of Congress and relevant Government agency officials. Collectively, its members serve approximately 100 million participants in 401(k) and other defined contribution plans.

About The Cerrado Group

The Cerrado Group was founded by nine of the nation's preeminent Third-Party Administrator (TPA) consulting firms. This members-only, 501(c)(6) Trade Association was established to offer an entirely new approach to the highly specialized work of retirement plan design, reporting, compliance, administration, and industry education. The Cerrado Group members, while remaining independent regional operators, actively combine their vast resources to fully serve the retirement plan industry at large.

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