Press Release

Kaplan Named Thomas J. Finnegan III Educator of the Year

Issued by ASPPA [American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries]

Oct. 28, 2025

Bob Kaplan, Director of Technical Education at the American Retirement Association (ARA) was named the 2025 Thomas J. Finnegan III Educator of the Year Award recipient. He received the award in an Oct. 27 session of the ASPPA Annual conference, held in San Diego. 

“He has set the standard for excellence in retirement plan education,” said ARA Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer Kelsey Mayo in her remarks before bestowing the award. “He’s the kind of educator who makes you feel smarter just for having been in the room,” she continued.

“Over 40 years in the retirement plan industry, he’s been a teacher, a mentor, a constant presence across the country,” Mayo continued, adding, “Over his career, he’s trained, mentored, and guided thousands of retirement professionals. He has been a ‘go-to’ technical resource” for so many.

Kaplan became part of ARA’s Retirement Plan Academy team as Director of Technical Education in 2017. In that capacity, he serves as the ARA’s lead subject matter expert on a rapidly expanding array of educational resources for the retirement plan community. But he already had a long relationship with the ARA, having served both as a Co-Chair of ASPPA’s Government Affairs Committee and as a member of ASPPA’s Leadership Council. Among the roles he filled before coming to the ARA was that of Vice President, National Training Consultant for Voya Financial.

About the Award

Established in 1997 as the Educator’s Award, it was renamed in 2023 to honor the late Thomas J. Finnegan III and his lasting legacy. Its new name honors the memory of Thomas J. Finnegan III, the first President of the American Retirement Association, and who also served as President of ASPPA and of the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA).

The Thomas J. Finnegan III Educator of the Year Award celebrates exceptional educators within the ASPPA community who have significantly advanced retirement plan education. This award acknowledges members who have made valuable contributions through various activities such as teaching, participating in conferences, engaging with ASPPA Benefits Councils, promoting ASPPA’s educational programs, or developing educational resources. It highlights the enduring impact of dedicated educators on the field of retirement planning.

Previous Winners

Previous winners of the Thomas J. Finnegan III Educator of the Year Award include the following:

2024    Kelsey Mayo

2023    Adam C. Pozek, QPA , QKC, QKA, CPFA

2022    Lynn M. Young, EA, FSEA 2021    John Griffin, J.D., LL.M 2019    Stephen Forbes, J.D., LL.M 2018    Margaret (“Maggie”) Younis, ERPA, CPC, QPA, QKA, TGPC 2015    Kevin Donovan, CPA, MSPA 2014    Richard A. Groszkiewicz 2013    William G. Karbon, MSPA, CPC, QPA 2012    Richard A. Hochman, APM 2011    Michael L. Bain, MSPA 2010    Robert L. Long, APM 2009    Kathryn Kennedy 2008    Thomas J. Finnegan, MSPA, CPC, QPA, FCA, MAAA 2007    Ilene H. Ferenczy, J.D., CPC, APA 2006    S. Derrin Watson, APM 2005    Carol R. Sears, FSPA, CPC 2004    Lawrence Starr, CPC 2003    Gwen S. O'Connell, CPC, QPA 2002    Joan A. Gucciardi, MSPA, CPC 2001    Sal L. Tripodi, APM 2000    Cheryl L. Morgan, CPC 1999    David B. Farber, MSPA 1998    Janice M. Wegesin, CPC, QPA 1997    Charles J. Klose, FSPA, CPC

Finding out More

More information about the Thomas J. Finnegan III Educator of the Year Award  is available here.

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