The RPA Team

Our Team

Todd E. Timmerman, AIF®, CEBS®
Kelly M. Timmerman
Cindy M. Tacker, AIF®
Mary Jo Bernini, AIF®
Patrick W. Lillis, AIF®
Curt L. Knorr, CFA®, CAIA®
Taylor E. Timmerman, CAIA®, CIMA®
Jackie A. Butterworth, AIF®
Craig S. Girrens, AIF®
Wayne E. Greenough, AIF®, CPFA®
Evan A. Avery, CFP®
Andrew S. Michael, CFP®
Trey P. Timmerman, CFP®

Todd E. Timmerman, AIF®, CEBS®

Todd is the Founder and Managing Director of RPA Financial (RPA) and is in his 34th year of serving retirement clients and advisors. Todd founded the retirement plan consulting firm in 2015 and provides consulting services on over $23 billion of retirement plan assets representing 295,000+ plan participants.[1] 

Todd and his team at RPA are on a mission to help clients be stewards by making informed decisions for plan improvement. RPA serves both financial advisors and retirement plan sponsors with processes and strategies that seek to optimize plan success and drive desired participant outcomes. Todd is the creator of the Diagnostic Profile Process, which focuses on five areas for plan improvement with curation and implementation of best practices. Todd holds the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations. 

RPA also helps clients with Financial Wellness with a focus on equipping plan participants to improve their overall financial health. In the last few years, an RPA client won both a Pension & Investments Eddy Award and a Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) Signature Award for financial education. RPA was recognized as one of 12 advisors as a leader in helping participant outcomes.  

Todd and his wife Kelly live in Charlotte, NC, and have three adult children. 

One of your favorite quotes: “Be a pragmatic optimist that prepares like a pessimist”

Coolest place you’ve ever been: Israel

What are the values that drive you? Being a steward

[1] As of December 31, 2021, Retirement Plan Analytics (“RPA”) and RPA Financial provide services for 672 plans and over 295,000 participants, representing a total of $23,368,193,097.00 in assets. This includes consulting services to clients that have assets of $17,558,173,024. As well as serving approximately $4,013,224,061 in discretionary institutional assets under advisement, comprised of qualified retirement assets where RPA Financial and RPA act as an ERISA 3(38) or discretionary investment manager, and approximately $1,796,796,012 in non-discretionary institutional assets under advisement, primarily comprised of ERISA qualified retirement plans where RPA Financial and RPA act as a 3(21) fiduciary.

Kelly M. Timmerman

Kelly serves in many roles at RPA as Co-Founder including Chief Talent Officer. She leads new
employee recruiting, assessments, growth plans, and developing the company culture. Kelly is on the
advisory board and is also closely involved in the firm’s strategy. 
Pouring into people brings her the greatest joy. Kelly loves the employees at RPA and gets great
satisfaction from watching their success and growth. In addition to her roles at RPA, she tutors at
Charlotte Rescue Mission and is “on call” whenever her new grandson needs her. 
She is in two book clubs and enjoys both fiction and non-fiction. Kelly’s happiest moments are spending
family time at the beach. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

‘Knowing yourself is a superpower; and
“Never forget to say Thank You!”

What are you currently reading? Catherine the Great, Ordinary Grace

Your favorite pastime: Reading, biking, pickleball

Cindy M. Tacker, AIF®

With over 20 years of experience in the retirement services industry, Cindy is well versed in
recordkeeping operations, plan sponsor, and financial advisor support. Cindy joined RPA in April 2015.
She provides support to assist clients with fiduciary compliance, plan design, plan benchmarking,
vendor searches, plan transitions, vendor management, investment reviews, and ongoing plan
administration. Her expertise lies in fiduciary risk management, problem resolution and plan operational
support. She demonstrates her commitment to driving loyalty by delivering exceptional service and
fostering a trusted, personal, and valued partnership.

Cindy has obtained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation and currently holds her Series 6, 7, and 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial. She resides in the Charlotte, NC area, where she enjoys spending time with her husband Jason, their two children, and their family pets. In her spare time, she also enjoys volunteering at a local children’s
ministry.

Would you rather know what you will be doing five years in the future or take life as it comes? Life as it comes.  Living every day as if it’s your last is really hard to do, but I want to try to always be present in the moment and give those around me my best.

What would be your personal motto? Let your words and actions show that you love God first, then others, then yourself.

Three things you could not live without: My faith, my family, and of course Diet Coke

Mary Jo Bernini, AIF®

Prior to joining RPA, Mary Jo was a leader at a major retirement plan recordkeeper where she managed the firm’s multi-billion dollar clients. Mary Jo is a lead consultant at RPA and focuses on serving large clients and mentoring other RPA consultants. She has been providing ideas and solutions to retirement plan committees for over 29 years. 

She specializes in helping retirement plan committees make informed decisions and improve outcomes by integrating the long-term goals of her clients. Mary Jo has a track record of helping committees implement strategies that optimize outcomes for plan participants through the use of sound governance practices. Mary Jo holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation.  

Mary Jo and her husband Bob live in Pittsburgh, PA, and have two sons and four grandchildren.  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Focus on what you can control.”

What are the values that drive you?  Curiosity, compassion, consultive, humor

Your proudest achievement: Our sons being great husbands and fathers

Patrick W. Lillis, AIF®

Pat brings over 29 years of knowledge and experience in working with retirement plan sponsors and their participants. His core responsibilities include helping plan sponsors strive to create more successful retirement programs, participant financial wellness programs, and retirement plan consulting. These responsibilities allow Pat to focus on his passion for helping participants become better prepared for retirement!

Pat graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics. Pat holds the Series 7, 63, and 24 securities registrations with LPL Financial and the Series 65 through Retirement Plan Analytics, Life, Accident, and Health insurance licenses. He also has achieved the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation.

Pat resides in Kansas City and enjoys biking, hiking, and traveling. 

What’s the most inspiring part of your job?  Helping committees do a great job in creating an environment where their employees can achieve a dignified and independent retirement.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Be a student of your profession.”

What are the values that drive you?  Curiosity, compassion, consultive, humor

Curt L. Knorr, CFA®, CAIA®

Curt is an investment advisory representative and is registered with RPA Financial and is on the 3(38) investment committee. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) designations. Curt earned his MBA in Management from Georgia State University in and his B.A. in Mathematics/Computer Science from Taylor University. Curt’s extensive experience includes being a Senior Partner in Investment Management for a large national RIA firm. This allows him to support advisors and clients with investment due diligence and large or complex investment situations.

Curt joined this large national RIA firm in 1986 and became a Principal in 1991. He served as a client manager for six years, working with financial planning and investment management clients throughout the southeast. As Director of Investment Research, Curt directed the firm’s fund and manager research, as well as the portfolio design functions. Curt serves on both an Investment Advisory Committee and the High Net Worth Investment Committee. He also handles relationship management and consulting duties for institutional accounts and mentors and provides analytical and investment management expertise to an internal Investment Team.

Curt lives in Atlanta with his wife, Nancy. They are the parents of two grown children.

Taylor E. Timmerman, CAIA®, CIMA®

Taylor joined RPA in July 2017 after starting his career at Vanguard as a Brokerage Investment Professional. Taylor’s focus at RPA, while serving as Client Services Specialist, includes providing support to assist with plan consulting, investment analytics, and fiduciary governance.

Taylor graduated from Liberty University with a degree in marketing. Taylor holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®) designation, Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) designation, and currently holds the Series 7 and Series 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial.

Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife Madison and golden retriever Polly, golfing, and traveling. 

Coolest place you’ve ever been: Martha’s Vineyard, MA

What are you currently reading?  Shoe Dog, Pioneering Portfolio Management, When Genius Failed

Your proudest achievement:  Earning the CAIA® and CIMA® designations

Jackie A. Butterworth, AIF®

Before joining RPA in 2021, Jackie worked at a major recordkeeper for 13 years. Jackie is well-versed in fiduciary governance, recordkeeping operations, investment consulting, plan management, and participant engagement strategies. In her role as a Client Relationship Manager, she also provides support with fiduciary compliance, vendor searches, and plan transitions. Her expertise lies in client relationships, leading high-quality committee meetings, and helping clients make progress.

Jackie has obtained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation and currently holds her Series
7, and 63 securities registrations through LPL Financial.

Jackie is a Massachusetts native and currently resides in Greenville, NC, with her husband Bryan and three young boys. Bryan is on the East Carolina University football coaching staff.

Coolest place you’ve ever been: The Amalfi Coast

Would you rather know what you will be doing five years in the future or take life as it comes?  Rather know the future.

Your proudest achievement:  My three boys growing up to be kind, thoughtful people.

Craig S. Girrens, AIF®

Craig has over 10 years of experience in the financial industry. Having spent time in a banking and an advisory role, the majority of his career has been dedicated to the retirement plan space, where he previously worked at a major recordkeeper. Craig joined the RPA team in 2021. As Director of Marketing at RPA, Craig supports the Ronald Blue Trust relationship in serving the firm’s clients and is the lead contact for all things involving the firm’s Fiduciary-Plus solution.  

Craig graduated from Colorado State University with an economics degree and has obtained his Series 6 and 63 securities registrations with LPL Financial and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation.  

Outside of work, Craig enjoys adventuring with his wife—whether in the great Colorado outdoors or abroad—spending time with family, friends, and their two pets, and attempts to find more golf balls than he loses when playing.

One of your favorite quotes: “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”

Your proudest achievement:  Marrying my best friend.

What’s the most inspiring part of your job? Meeting with plan participants that want to better understand their financial picture.

Wayne E. Greenough, AIF®, CPFA®

Wayne brings over 30 years of pension industry experience to RPA. Over his career, he has worked as a financial analyst for a major Insurer, a pension analyst for a regional TPA, and a pension product wholesaler for two major financial institutions. During his last 15 years, he worked as a pension specialist for a local Financial Planning practice.  

Wayne joined RPA in December 2016 as a Senior Consultant. His focus at RPA is equipping plan sponsors and their participants to make more informed decisions. Wayne complements the RPA team with extensive experience in fiduciary compliance, plan design, vendor searches, vendor management, investment reviews, and ongoing plan administration.

Wayne attended Wake Forest University where he received a degree in history and played baseball and music while attending. He has obtained his Series 6, 65, 63, Life, Accident, and Health insurance licenses.

Wayne was born in Boston, MA, raised in Enfield, Connecticut, and now resides in the Charlotte, NC, area. He enjoys family activities, yoga, working out, and hiking. He attends Huntersville United Methodist Church.

One of your favorite quotes: “Nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”

Coolest place you’ve ever been: Bermuda

What would be your personal motto? Learn and Love

Evan A. Avery, CFP®

Evan joined RPA in 2017 as a financial advisor. Evan enjoys working with the more complex matters of personal finance and helping families and individuals strive to make their financial lives more efficient and less stressful. Whether assisting in the design of a tax-efficient investment strategy or college savings plan, Evan loves helping clients pursue their passions with minimal financial waste.

Evan graduated from Grove City College and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Evan also works with ministries, ministers, and missionaries and has a heart for serving those in ministry. Evan is a member at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, where he volunteers with the youth and young adults ministries. He is also an avid runner and outdoors enthusiast. When he’s not working on a spreadsheet or writing a financial plan, Evan can be found outside training for a marathon or backpacking on the Appalachian Trail.

Your top 3 favorite Podcasts/Books: Unbroken, Enders Game, The Gospel Comes with a House Key

What’s the most inspiring part of your job?  Being able to make a tangible impact on someone’s life!

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Travelling. On a journey to visit every National Park!

Andrew S. Michael, CFP®

Andrew started his financial career as a Financial Services Consultant with TIAA before joining RPA in April 2020. Andrew is passionate about helping employers and employees become stewards of their retirement plans by working with both retirement plan committees and individual participants. His favorite aspect of working at RPA is helping others and leading them to have an “Aha!” moment.

Andrew graduated from Liberty University with a degree in nursing. He worked as an ER nurse for three years before making a career change to finance. Andrew holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designation. 

When he is not working, Andrew likes spending time with his wife Amber, son Whittaker, and Goldendoodle Margaret. He enjoys golfing, skiing, fishing, and the Baltimore Ravens. 

Coolest place you’ve ever been: Either the Burg Eltz in Germany or the Arenal Volcano hot springs in Costa Rica.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Don’t make a happy baby happier!”

What would be your personal motto?  Every day when my mom would drop me off at school, she would tell me to “be good, be kind, and learn a lot”. I still try my best to do them even today.

Trey P. Timmerman, CFP®

Trey joined RPA in September 2018. Trey works in the firm’s Financial Wellness Department and conducts 1:1 meetings with plan participants. He also supports the consulting team at RPA with processes for committee meetings. Trey enjoys helping plan participants make sense of their financial world and make more informed financial decisions. 

Trey received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Financial Planning from Liberty University. Trey holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation and is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®). 

Trey resides in Charlotte, NC, and enjoys surfing, golfing, and spending time with friends.

One of your favorite quotes: “Early is on time, on time is late, and late is never”

What are you currently reading? Advice That Sticks

What’s the most inspiring part of your job? Meeting with plan participants that want to better understand their financial picture.