Executive bios - The Online 401k

The Online 401(k) - CEO biography

Chad W. Parks
President and CEO of The Online 401(k)™

Mr. Parks is a Certified Financial Planner^® licensee (CFP^®). He started out in the financial services industry by growing a portfolio of individual clients as a broker at Piper Jaffray, Inc. in San Francisco. Driven by a desire to better serve his clients and anticipating the phasing out of the traditional broker model, he left Piper Jaffray to obtain his CFP^® designation and start his own fee for service, independent financial planning practice, Retirement & Education Group Inc., in 1997.

In his financial planning practice, Mr. Parks came across many small business owners looking for cost–effective and quality retirement plans. Finding the small business retirement plan market neglected and underserved, Mr. Parks launched The Online 401(k) in 1999. Today, The Online 401(k) serves more than 3,000 small business customers in 50 states, providing solutions both directly and through distribution partners, such as Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., payroll companies, financial planners and CPAs.

Prior to launching The Online 401(k), Mr. Parks collaborated with Financial Engines, a pioneer in the online 401(k) advice arena, and acted as a content provider for the company’s initial product.

Mr. Parks has been quoted in many financial services as well as national publications such as The Wall Street Journal (publication and radio program), USA Today, CNN Money, Bloomberg Wealth Manager, Business Week, Entrepreneur and Plan Sponsor.

Mr. Parks is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Following his studies for a Master of Science in Finance, Mr. Parks obtained the NASD securities licenses Series 7, 63, 65 and 24, the State of California Life Insurance license and is a Certified Financial Planner^® licensee (CFP^®).

Topics of expertise:

Hidden fees in 401(k)s
Public policy as it relates to 401(k)
Overall company and 401(k)/benefits marketplace
Personal finance landscape as it relates to retirement
Single(k)
401(k) technology

Veronica Sagastume
Chief Operating Officer, The Online 401(k)

Ms. Sagastume has 20 years of extensive knowledge in infrastructure and process–intensive environments. She brings in–depth experience in building Finance, Administration (Legal, Information Technology and Human Resources) and Operations departments from the point of inception to public offerings, ERP implementations and into large business status.

Ms. Sagastume has worked at a variety of organizations, most notably at such start–ups as ONSALE, Endovasix as well as larger companies such as The Gap, Polaris (a division of GE Capital Aircraft Leasing) and Bankers Leasing (a division of Citicorp). Her expertise at building company infrastructure has allowed The Online 401(k) to grow at a sustainable, yet impressive rate.

Ms. Sagastume has spoken on a wide range of topics at conferences, small business associations and industry forums, including:

Minority women in business
Women in leadership
Team–building from a women’s perspective
Small business and entrepreneurial topics
Taxes, insurance and compliance requirements for small and large corporations

At The Online 401(k), Ms. Sagastume oversees all key operational aspects of the company. This includes a diverse range of areas, including legal, information technology, human resources, client relations, compliance as well as finance and data management. Ms. Sagastume holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Golden Gate University, San Francisco.

Topics of expertise:

Diversity in the workplace
Growing talent and teams in business
Paperless administration
“Green”–ing a company
401(k) operations
General management and human resources for small businesses
Small business development and funding
Accounting for small businesses
Women in finance

Brian Peachey
Vice President, Operations & Product Development

Mr. Peachey has nearly 20 years of experience in the 401(k) and Defined Contribution industry. His career has provided him with exposure and knowledge of virtually all aspects of the industry.

This extensive knowledge includes new business implementation, building operational efficiencies through technology and architecting additional proprietary systems, sales and marketing as well as investment services to plan sponsors, participants and high–net–worth individuals. Mr. Peachey also has extensive experience in management and leadership while fulfilling these roles.

At The Online 401(k), Mr. Peachey oversees all aspects of the data management, compliance and service delivery for all clients. He is also responsible for the development of new products while ensuring that The Online 401(k) is able to operationally sustain the impressive and continued growth that the firm has experience in recent years.

Topics of expertise: