2020 NTSA Award Winners Honored

The winners of the 2020 NTSA Elite Advisor Award, as well as the winners of the Bob D. Schiller Award and the Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award, were honored at a Jan. 27 luncheon at the 2020 NTSA Summit in Denver.

2020 Elite Advisors

The winners were chosen from among eight finalists. The winners of the 2020 Elite Advisor award are:

• Joseph Avallone, U.S. Retirement Planning Associates, Winter Springs, FL; Broker-Dealer: U.S. Retirement Partners
• Sara McGrath, AIF®, Clifford and Rano Associates, Inc., Worcester, MA; Broker-Dealer: Lincoln Investment
• David Wolfe, EFS Advisors, Coon Rapids, MN; Broker-Dealer: Advanced Advisor Group

Additional information about the Elite Advisor Award is available here.

Bob D. Schiller Award

The 2020 winner of the Bob D. Schiller Award is Richard Ford. The NTSA presented the 2020 award to him for his lifetime achievements and meritorious service. It did so posthumously, as Ford passed on March 14, 2019. Receiving the award were Richard’s brother David Ford and Richard’s PlanMember colleague Kevin Twoly. 

“Richard was a true gentleman, generous to a fault,” said Twoly. “Richard spent his life promoting the word of our industry and helping others to save for retirement. I am thrilled to accept this award,” he added. 

The NTSA Bob D. Schiller Award recognizes individuals who have given freely of themselves, their time and resources to the NTSA and to the 403(b)/457 industry – individuals who have gone above and beyond expectations. The award is named in memory of Bob Schiller, an enthusiastic supporter of the NTSA who devoted his time and energy to its success and was a mentor to many in NTSA. His passing in 2006 led NTSA to create this award.

Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award

The inaugural winners of the NTSA Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award are David Blask, Donna Caloia and Lisa Stubbs.

This new award honors and promotes NTSA members’ volunteer and service work both with NTSA in their tax-exempt retirement industry markets and also with the member’s local governmental and nonprofit communities. It also demonstrates that the excellence and social responsibility NTSA members represent enhance their unique partnerships. The Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award was instituted in honor of Richard Ford, a lifelong volunteer who also served as a dedicated volunteer with the NTSA since it was established, who passed on in March 2019. 

In alphabetical order, the 2020 winners of the Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award are:

David Blask, who has served the NTSA in a variety of ways, including as NTSA President, Summit Chair, award nominator and CRES promoter, as well as by providing advocacy to education services. In addition, he is engaged in his community, serving as a volunteer for approximately two decades with the synagogue to which he belongs, including service as comptroller; that congregation, in turn, performs significant community outreach. “David is always willing to serve and does so without hesitation. He is passionate about leaving a positive mark on the industry. David gives of his time freely to NTSA. He is always there to help, even before and after his NTSA presidency,” says 2019 NTSA President Kris Coffey.

Donna Caloia, who is this year’s NTSA 2020 Summit Chair and has been immersed in every aspect of Summit life for several years, leading, encouraging and mentoring dozens of volunteers, giving back from her broad experience. She also has led women’s support and outreach initiatives at Lincoln Investments and has long worked with disabled children through horseback riding. “When you volunteer to help others, it comes back to you in ways you just don’t expect, said Caloia, relating an instance in which a child participating in the program made significant emotional progress. 

Lisa Stubbs, who has always embraced commitment, personally and professionally. The NTSA has benefited through her many years leading and following through on summit excellence, her CRES commitment and follow-through, her advocacy and her networking. And while she was rendering that service, she also has been devoted to Junior Achievement and the Topeka City Council, ran for Mayor, and took part in a host of other community service activities. “I am humbled to be included in this inaugural group,” said Stubbs, adding, “When you volunteer, you vote every day about what kind of community you want to live in.” 

More information about the Richard Ford Volunteer Service Award is available here.