Retirement Plan Team
Background & Expertise
Kyle Trautmann came to Northwestern Mutual in 2021. The son of an actuary, Kyle grew up immersed in the retirement plan community and spent his career as both a Recordkeeper and Third-Party Administrator before coming to Pillar to lead the Pillar Financial Group's Retirement Plan Division.
Professional Approach
Kyle's diverse background allows him to view the retirement landscape through a broader lens than other advisors. Pillar's retirement team uses his unique perspective to help clients identify and correct problems that a typical investment advisor may not see. Kyle also brings this unique set of analytic skills to the sales world, where he helps both existing and new plans to identify and conquer the many hurdles they encounter as they work towards a successful and streamlined retirement plan.
Personal Fulfillment
Kyle was born and raised in Washington State, before moving down to California for college and some sunshine in 2001. In 2009 he moved back up to Washington to work in the family recordkeeping business. Kyle and his fiance Tessa have a "Brady bunch" of 3 wonderful kids who keep them busy. They have a love for all sports and continue to play and coach their kids every chance they get.
Education & Credentials
- Azusa Pacific University - Azusa, CA
- FINRA Series 6, 63
Background & Expertise
Ericka joined Northwestern Mutual in 2018. As a Retirement Plan Specialist, she helps Sponsors efficiently manage and facilitate their company retirement plan.
Professional Approach
A former teacher, Ericka is passionate about providing retirement education and quality advisory services to all participants. She enjoys creating new resources to engage participants in planning for a successful retirement.
Personal Fulfillment
Ericka grew up in Colorado and moved to Oregon in 2015. She and her husband have two daughters. In her free time, Ericka enjoys spending time with family, volunteering with school and church events, and playing cornhole.
Education & Credentials
- University of Colorado - Boulder, CO
- Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC)
- FINRA Series 6, 63, & 7
Background & Expertise
Drew joined Northwestern Mutual in 2018. As a Retirement Plan Specialist, he helps business owners and plan sponsors design plans that attract and retain talent as well as provide employees with the knowledge and tools to achieve a successful retirement. Drew's other primary team responsibility is fund research and analytics.
Professional Approach
As a former high school football coach, Drew has a passion for ensuring clients understand the options available to them so they can make informed decisions that fit their goals. He believes saving for retirement is a "contact sport", which is why employees can schedule complimentary one-on-one consultations with him when it makes sense for their schedule.
Personal Fulfillment
Drew grew up in Omaha, Neb. and moved to Seattle with his wife in 2019, where they currently live with their daughter and two dogs. Drew enjoys getting outside to enjoy all the PNW has to offer and is an avid golfer.
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor's Degree - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- MBA - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Qualified Plan Financial Consultant (QPFC)
- FINRA Series 7 & 63
Background & Expertise
Frank joined Pillar Financial in 2022 and has an extensive background in management. He previously held a role at Chartwells Higher Education as an Assistant Director of Dining Services. As a Service Coordinator, Frank is responsible for supporting the Retirement Plan Specialists by tracking and completing projects or tasks required for client maintenance.
Professional Approach
Frank assists in the day to day operations for the Retirement Plan team.
Personal Fulfillment
Frank grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and has traveled the continental United States as a traveling chef. He enjoys cooking for his friends and family, golfing, and going on hikes. He is also a die hard Atlanta sports fan.
Education & Credentials
- Johnson and Wales - Charlotte, NC
Background & Expertise
Jamie joined Pillar in October 2022 with a successful career in the banking industry. Prior to becoming a member of the Pillar team, Jamie held several roles at Wells Fargo from Branch Operations Manager to Relationship Banker. With Jamie stepping in to the role of Service Coordinator, she will be supporting the retirement team by tracking and completing projects required for client maintenance.
Professional Approach
Jamie is passionate about listening to clients and understanding their financial goals and needs. She enjoys being able to connect with her clients to develop strategies for their success.
Personal Fulfillment
Jamie grew up in the piney woods of East Texas and after traveling with the military for many years, settled in Idaho. She has a significant other, who is her biggest supporter. Jamie has two children, one in Texas, one in Idaho and two stepsons that live in Colorado. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys spending time fishing, hiking, four-wheeling and spending time with her family and friends. Being a native Texan, Jamie is a HUGE Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros fan!!!!
Education & Credentials
- FINRA Series 6, 63, 65
Background & Expertise
Marla joined the Pillar Financial Group in 2023 and has an extensive background in Retirement Plan Services support. Prior to Pillar, she worked as an Admin Assistant in Retirement Plan support for 13 years. Marla is responsible for scheduling meetings, client reporting and delivery and day to day client servicing tasks.
Professional Approach
Marla is passionate about client service excellence. She enjoys helping her clients and problem solving any issues that are presented.
Personal Fulfillment
Marla grew up in Oregon and remains there to this day. She is married and has 3 adult children. Marla enjoys walking and exercising to keep fit. She loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Background & Expertise
Rolf has extensive experience in the design and administration of Qualified and Non-Qualified Retirement Plans - both with Defined Contribution Plans (401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, ESOP, Money Purchase and 457 Plans) and Defined Benefit Plans (traditional Pension Plans and Cash Balance Plans). He brought this expertise to Pillar Financial Group in 2021 to help build their Retirement Practice. His focus is helping clients structure their Plans to effectively meet their goals and objectives. Previously, Rolf worked as a Consulting Actuary running his own private business of 30 employees and 350 clients here in the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Approach
Rolf brings his 45 years of experience to the table when meeting with clients and prospects helping them to understand the options available to them in designing and administering their Retirement Plans so that they can put in place a program that meets their goals and objectives. He also is responsible for helping find and acquire other Advisor practices who need a Succession Plan or just want to take the back-office work off their plates so they can focus on what they like to do - serving their clients. Pillar Financial Group provides a great solution for Financial Advisors and has complete flexibility in structuring deals that provide great solutions for the Advisor's Clients, for the Advisor and for Pillar Financial Group.
Personal Fulfillment
Rolf was born in Canada and moved with his family to the Seattle area when he was 10 years old and has lived in the Pacific Northwest ever since. He married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie, in 1976 and they have a family of four that has now brought the Trautmann clan to 20 with 10 grandkids added to the mix! When he’s not spending time with his kids and grandkids, Rolf and Bonnie enjoy traveling the world, but also enjoy tennis, biking and golfing.
Education & Credentials
Rolf received a BS in Math from Pacific Lutheran University in 1976 and an MS in Math from the University of Washington in 1978. During his career as a Consulting Actuary, he attained both an F.S.A. Designation (Fellow of the Society of Actuaries) as well as an E.A. Designation (Enrolled Actuary). Rolf was also a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA) as well as Instructor and test writer for the Society of Actuaries.
Background & Expertise
Kip joined Pillar in 2021 and has extensive experience in all phases of qualified retirement plans. In 1998 he joined Northwestern Mutual as a Retirement Plan Specialist. Prior to 1998, he practiced as a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (now retired).
Professional Approach
Kip works with our clients to understand their plan objectives and to help them build and maintain a qualified plan to help his clients attract and retain employees.
Personal Fulfillment
Kip is a lifelong Washington State resident. He and his wife have four children and eight grandchildren. He spends free time with the Grands and learning to snow ski at high speed.
Education & Credentials
- Gonzaga University - Spokane, WA - Mathematics
- Ball State Univeristy - Muncie, IN - Master's in Actuarial Science
- FINRA series 6, 7 and 63
Background & Expertise
In 2023, Patrick became a member of the Pillar Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual. Before joining the Pillar team, Patrick spent 15 years working in financial services with a focus on employer sponsored retirement plans.
Professional Approach
Patrick finds great joy in educating business owners and participants about their retirement plans and accounts.
He places a high value on personalized conversations with plan sponsors and participants. Patrick's ultimate goal is to inspire and motivate people to save effectively for a prosperous retirement.
Personal Fulfillment
Patrick moved from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Phoenix, Arizona in 2003 and currently resides in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife. They enjoy hiking, tennis and golf in their leisure time.
Education & Credentials
- Indiana University - Bloomington, IN