PLANADVISER - March/April 2019 - 27

LOCATION: Atlanta, Georgia
PLAN ASSETS UNDER ADVISEMENT: $915 million
MEDIAN PLAN SIZE: IN ASSETS: $10 million
PLANS UNDER ADMINISTRATION: 105
PARTICIPANTS: 19,500
NUMBER OF ADVISERS: 4
ADVISER TEAM MEMBERS: 6
As of December 31, 2018
companies that were acquired.
Although Griffin says some advisers
might be hesitant to work with startup
plans, his firm has made them a niche.
" Over the past two years, we have
seen more and more requests to help
companies establish a retirement
plan, " he says. " We think it's critical
to make sure everyone has access to a
workplace saving vehicle, and we want
to make sure it is set up correctly. "
Therefore, ARP has created a checklist
for companies that explains the
plan design features it recommends
in order to retain its services. The firm
helps achieve plan benchmarks by
adding automatic features, by examining
match structure and stretching
the match, to increase deferral rates,
and by evaluating plan fees. It serves
as both a 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary for
its clients.
" It's our goal that our clients sponsor
successful retirement plans, " Griffin
says, adding that ARP's measure of
plan success is one in which employees
can retire at age 65. ARP also believes
in hitting targets for success such as a
90% plan participation rate, an average
deferral rate of 10% and a 90% rate of
participants being on track to reach
their retirement goals.
As for future growth, ARP looks to
its " multifaceted " marketing approach,
which includes social media, search
engine optimization (SEO) and Google
Stephanie Hunt and David Griffin
retargeting ad strategies. Further, it
finds prospects through trade shows
and conferences; ARP is part of organizations
including the Georgia Government
Finance Officers Association
(GGFOA) and Georgia Association of
Public Pension Trustees (GAPPT). The
firm is also involved with The Plan
Sponsor University, which educates
sponsors in Georgia and Alabama. In
addition, it relies on referrals through
clients at law firms, investment firms
and insurance brokerages.
" We work closely with employee
benefit and property and casualty
brokerage firms that do not provide
retirement services, " Griffin says. " We
have built lasting relationships with
these firms, which has been effective
in keeping our pipeline full. "
Each of ARP's team members-
Griffin, as well as Jacqueline Deckman
and Bryan Skradis, retirement plan
advisers; Alice Davis and Stephanie
Hunt, relationship managers; and Brad
Towson, director of wealth management-has
a say in the company's
services and potential enhancements
for the future, Griffin says. They each
also work remotely.
" I decided that keeping people out
of a morning commute would enhance
their quality of life and enhance their
productivity, all the while allowing us
to be good stewards of the environment-not
to mention keep a handful
of cars off the road, " Griffin says.
-Corie Hengst
planadviser.com March-April 2019 | 27
http://www.planadviserdigital.com/planadviser/march_april_2019/TrackLink.action?pageName=27&exitLink=http%3A%2F%2Fplanadviser.com
PLANADVISER - March/April 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PLANADVISER - March/April 2019
