Expect More From Your 401K

About Encore 401K

Encore 401k, LLC is an independent registered investment advisor specializing in 401k’s & Qualified Retirement Plans and operating as a Plan Fiduciary. We “stay in our lane” and exclusively focus on building & supporting high-functioning plans.

Based in Teton Valley, Idaho and serving the Big Sky Region of Idaho, Montana & Wyoming.

37 years of real-life industry experience working with over 4000 plans. This high-volume background teaches valuable lessons & we found a way to do it differently & better. We know what works & what doesn't.

We built Encore intentionally to be totally independent & unaffiliated with any other firm. This allows us to:

• operate with full autonomy & with the ability to make decisions that always put our clients first.
• eliminate conflicts of interest & operate with complete objectivity.
• create our own business model, standards, values & culture

In addition to addressing a huge coverage gap (need) for more retirement plans, Our Why includes:

• For Plan Sponsors who currently have a plan - Across our Big Sky Region, there’s a Big Need, to raise the bar & improve plans. Especially, in the small & mid-sized market. There are too many dysfunctional, under-served plans using inappropriate products and obsolete business models.
• For Employees - There is a Retirement Crisis in America and a serious Financial Illiteracy problem. This puts a strain on people’s lives in so many ways. High-functioning 401k plans help solve these problems, create financial independence & change lives.
• I feel a responsibility to contribute and give back to this special region. Building high-functioning retirement programs has a cascading effect, impacting; employees, employers, the community and region.
• I like to create & build AND enjoy being around & contributing to genuine, hard-working, good people.

Our Team of business partners are relationships we value because they provide exceptional services, products, and thought leadership for our clients, NOT because we are required or incented to work with them.

Our proprietary services are combined with the products & services of our partners. We operate like a General Contractor who “slings a hammer.” We are ultimately accountable for ALL aspects of the Plan.

We help our clients sift through all the silliness & noise of the Retirement Plan & Financial Services Industry. Always respecting our client's time, allowing them to focus on their life & business.

We communicate in a way that is understood & real, NOT unnecessarily complicated with confusing industry jargon laced with “corporate speak.”

We aim to provide the highest level of personalized service to a select group of clients. 

If Encore 401k, LLC does NOT sound like your typical financial services firm, that's by design.  

• The Capital Group-American Funds - Regional Vice President & Retirement Plan Counselor – Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado & The Dakotas 2014-2020
• John Hancock Retirement Plan Services - Regional Vice President – Chicago, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana & Washington - 2008-2013
• ING/Voya Corporate Markets - Regional Director – Retirement Plans - Chicago & Wisconsin - 1994-2008
• Allmerica Financial/State Mutual - Regional Director, Retirement Plans & Employee Benefits – Chicago, Mid-West & North Carolina - 1983-1993

Conducted 1000s of meetings across 6 different regions of the country. Serving plan sponsors, participants, advisors and TPAs on various industry topics such as; employee engagement, industry trends & thought leadership, expecting more from your 401k and adviser practice building.

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Denison University and is a Registered Investment Advisor Representative. Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Fusion trained. Obtained licenses, including; FINRA Series 6, 63, and 26, and insurance and annuity licenses from multiple states.

Some other things:

• Youth - Born in California. Grew up outside Boston, Mass. Spent much of my youth in the mountains of Vermont. 
• Best Life Decision - Marrying Beth 39 years ago
• Biggest Accomplishment & #1 Priority - Our 2 grown kids & family
• Lacrosse - Founder & Coached a Top 5 Mid-west Youth & High School Program. Player on a Top 5 NCAA team & High School State Champion
• Best financial decision - starting my 401k at 23.
• Most valuable career lesson - the most unassuming, rural places often have the most charm with the kindest, smartest, most interesting and content people. 
• Passion - Backcountry Skiing in this very special region near home, in the mountains surrounding The Tetons.  
• Interests – coaching, building, skiing, mountain biking, hiking, lumbering, sailing, and exploring the Big Sky Region.
• First job – Ran a house painting & snow plow business to help pay for college.
• Life is better with a dog – We've always had dogs. Airedales.   
• Favorite Novel – Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
• Live in Victor, Idaho since 2007.

Who we Serve

Size of Plans:

• Defined contribution (DC) plans under $10 Million in assets, including start-up plans with zero assets.
• DC plans from $10+ million to $25 million. 
• We also serve plans over 25M for Consulting Only on a select basis.

Types of Plans:

Defined Contribution qualified retirement plans - 401(k)s, profit-sharing plans, money purchase pension plans, 403b, and cash balance plans.

Geography:

The Big Sky region of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Industries & Values:

• There is no particular industry or niche market.
• We work with non-profits
• Plan Sponsors who share a common 401k belief system
• We share a common goal to build a high-functioning plan AND are willing to invest at a meaningful level to make a significant impact on your organization & work force.
• Plan Sponsors with a Fiduciary conscious, who take compliance & fiduciary responsibilities seriously.
• People who value Relationships, based on trust & respect, and enjoy working together.

Our Team - We Work With An Array of Experts

Qualified retirement plans are a very specialized industry with many different, labor-intensive moving parts. That's why we partner with great resources.  

• Third-party administration firms – across Big Sky and the country - ERISA & qualified plan expertise from a plan operation & design perspective. 
• Local law firms – ERISA & qualified plan expertise from a litigation perspective. 
• Product Providers – We work with the Nation's Top Investment Managers, Insurance Companies & National Recordkeepers
• Board of Directors - a group of select industry experts – professionals I've worked with over my career, who I respect & provide valuable insight…many are close friends.
• Local Financial Advisors - where it makes sense, we partner with Financial Advisors who live in the local community.
• American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) – ERISA Outline Series
• Registered Investment Advisory & Compliance Services - National
• Investment Analysis and Monitoring – National
• Local website and marketing support.
• Local technology support
• Local Payroll Companies 
• Local Banks & Accounting Firms