Ascensus Appoints Two Directors to Relationship Management and Strategic Partners Team

DRESHER, Pa. - June 17, 2015 - PRLog -- Ascensus, the nation’s largest independent retirement plan and college savings services provider, announces the appointment of Tony Krause and Brandy Blum as directors on the company’s relationship management and strategic partners team.

In his new role as director of relationship management, Krause will use his consultative approach and extensive product knowledge—along with his 23 years of financial industry experience—to support Ascensus’ relationship with Merrill Lynch and its financial professionals. Krause joined Ascensus in May 2003 and has filled various roles within client service, strategic partners, and relationship management. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and holds his FINRA series 6 and 63 licenses.

“Tony’s background in relationship management and history with our strategic partners team allow him to both understand and anticipate the needs of our key partners and advisors,” states Ted Samsel, Ascensus’ vice president of key accounts and strategic partners.

Blum brings over 13 years of industry experience to her new role as director of strategic partners. In this position, she will oversee a team of advisor relationship managers, focusing on retirement-centric advisors that have partnered with Ascensus. Since joining the Ascensus team in 2002, Blum has worked within client service, new business, and relationship management. Her expertise in retirement plan sales, design, and service enables her to help financial professionals grow their books of business and retain existing business. Blum graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Cloud University and holds her FINRA series 6 and 63 licenses.

“Brandy has exceptional industry operational knowledge and has proven time and again that she is committed to providing excellent service to our customers,” adds Samsel. “She works extremely well with our advisors and is a sought-after resource both internally and throughout our advisor network.”

The appointments of Krause and Blum are indicative of Ascensus’ continued commitment to its network of advisors. “Ultimately, our success is measured by that of our advisors,” states Samsel. “The expansion of our relationship management team and introduction of our Elite Advisor Program are representative of our focused efforts to help them grow their practices.”

About Ascensus

Ascensus is the largest independent retirement and college savings services provider in the United States, helping over 6 million Americans save for the future. With more than 30 years of experience, the firm partners with financial institutions to offer tailored solutions that meet the needs of financial professionals, employers, and individuals. Ascensus specializes in recordkeeping, administrative, and program management services, supporting over 40,000 retirement plans and over 3 million 529 college savings accounts. It also administers more than 1.5 million IRAs and health savings accounts. For more information about Ascensus, visit www.ascensus.com.

View career opportunities at careers.ascensus.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascensus. For the latest company news, follow @AscensusInc on Twitter.