The Blue Ridge Executive Team

Bill Yoerger

Bill Yoerger serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge Associates, where he holds overall accountability for the company’s success. With a career spanning over 35 years in the retirement industry, Bill is a nationally recognized thought leader known for his strategic vision and deep industry insights.

In his role, Bill is responsible for setting the vision and strategy for the company, overseeing the Senior Leadership team, and partnering with employees and external constituents to drive growth. His leadership style fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that Blue Ridge remains at the forefront of the industry.

Before joining Blue Ridge, Bill was with Fisher Investments in their Institutional Group, and he previously served as President of OneAmerica Retirement Services, where he led the organization through significant growth fueled by both sales and acquisitions. His strategic acumen and commitment to excellence have earned him a stellar reputation among industry peers. He has been recognized by Investment Wires as one of the retirement industry’s most influential persons.

Bill is an active member of several prestigious industry associations, including the ESOP Association, the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), ASPPA, and SPARK. He also brings valuable governance experience, having served as the former Board Chair of Noble of Indiana, and as a member and Chair of the LIMRA Retirement Committee. He has contributed to the board of the SPARK Institute, further underscoring his commitment to advancing the retirement industry.

Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. His extensive experience and passion for the retirement sector continue to drive Blue Ridge’s mission of providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to clients.

Mark Agustin

Mark serves as President of Blue Ridge Associates and is responsible for overseeing corporate strategy as well as day-to-day operations and corporate functions, including business development, marketing, HR, technology infrastructure, finance/ accounting, revenue cycle management, legal and compliance, investor relations, and M&A.

Mark has history of helping small and mid-market companies across multiple industry sectors accelerate growth, expand market share, scale and improve operating performance, and increase shareholder value through various business transformation cycles and succession events. Since joining Blue Ridge, Mark has helped the company through a period of accelerated growth, further expand into new markets and services, enhance its system and service delivery model, and complete a rebrand of its business.

Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Mark served as COO of Today’s Dental Network (TDN) where he helped secure its first round of institutional capital and transform a handful of successful practices into a leading multi-specialty dental service organization in the state of Florida. Prior to TDN, Mark served as President of Aspire Financial Services, a leading provider of technology enabled financial processing services within the US retirement industry, where he successfully led the full transformation of the company’s business strategy, capital structure and operating model and ultimate strategic merger with another firm. Prior to Aspire, Mark served in various executive leadership roles for PMSI, Zavata, Carrier Enterprise/Watsco, IMR Global, HealthPlan Services, ADP Financial Information Services (now Broadridge Financial Solutions, NYSE Ticker: BR).

Mark currently serves on the Board of the Florida Prepaid College Plan.

Mark received his BS in Finance and Accounting from Widener University and currently resides in Tampa, FL with his wife Julie.

Ashley Waters, CPA, CITP, CGMA

Ashley Waters serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Ridge Associates and is responsible for strategic planning, talent management, culture and employee engagement. Ashley leads human capital strategy and operations, works to align HR strategies with Blue Ridge business goals to drive organizational success, oversees the recruitment, retention, and development of employees to cultivate a high-performing workforce, and promotes a positive workplace culture to enhance employee engagement through innovative initiatives.

Ashley has been with Blue Ridge for more than 17 years, previously serving as Chief Financial Officer, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in financial strategy and operations. Before joining Blue Ridge, Ashley held key financial roles, including Vice President of Finance and Administration for two privately held companies, where she was instrumental in managing trust accounting functions and served as a Trustee for the companies’ 401(k) plans. Her extensive background of 30 years in both finance and HR provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of these critical business functions.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Commerce with Distinction from the University of Virginia and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Virginia Society of CPAs, the North Carolina Society of CPAs, the American Institute of CPAs, the Society for Human Resource Management, The ESOP Association, and the NCEO. She also holds certifications as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) from the AICPA.

Shanna Bonanno

Shanna Bonanno is the Chief Marketing Officer for Blue Ridge where she is responsible for brand management, content marketing and sales enablement. She has worked on both the agency side, consulting side and brand side of marketing. She started her career in a boutique digital marketing firm where she created strategies for a wide range of clients, including health care companies, technology leaders and financial services firms. She was later recruited to the executive suite to build high-performing marketing departments for PE-backed and/or privately-owned multi-specialty healthcare service organizations in dental, vision and primary care. At Blue Ridge, she uses her expertise to integrate new acquisitions seamlessly and unite us as One Blue Ridge.

Shanna has a Master’s of Integrated Marketing from Florida State University. She has published award-winning research and went on to co-create the first Internet Marketing Bachelor’s degree program in the U.S., published a variety of marketing resources and a book. She has also received an EMMY award for her work.

Greg Bishop

As the Chief Information Officer at Blue Ridge, Greg Bishop is a pivotal force in driving the company’s technological vision and strategy. With a commitment to ensuring the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of systems and data, Greg plays a critical role in safeguarding the company’s information assets.

In his position, Greg is responsible for equipping Blue Ridge staff with the technology tools they need to deliver exceptional service to customers. He collaborates closely with teams across the organization to design and develop innovative systems that foster operational excellence and support the company’s growth.

Before joining Blue Ridge, Greg garnered extensive experience in the IT sector, working with renowned organizations such as AOL and Time Warner Cable (now Spectrum), CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield in the health insurance space, and Scality in high technology. This diverse background has equipped him with a unique perspective on leveraging technology to meet business needs.

Greg holds a B.S. in Physics from the University of Virginia and both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Physics from Florida State University, showcasing his strong analytical and problem-solving skills. With 28 years of experience in Information Technology, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Greg is actively engaged in industry associations and remains committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. His dedication to innovation and excellence continues to drive Blue Ridge forward in an ever-evolving landscape.

Matt Slyter

Matthew H. Slyter serves as the Group President of 401(k) & Pension at Blue Ridge, where he is dedicated to aligning the organization’s goals with exceptional client service. With a focus on fostering a supportive environment, Matthew is committed to helping team members achieve their career aspirations while ensuring that the service model remains consistent with the company’s mission to deliver outstanding service to clients and referral sources.

Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Matthew spent 29 years at TSC 401K, where he honed his expertise in retirement plan management and client relations. His extensive experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the industry and the unique challenges clients face.

Matthew earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Moorhead State University in 1994. He holds the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) certification, demonstrating his commitment to professional development and industry standards.

An active member of industry associations, Matthew is involved with the National Institute of Pension Administrators (NIPA) and the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), and he serves on several recordkeeper advisory boards. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, finding joy at his lake cabin, and is an avid golf enthusiast.

Pam Walker

Pam Walker is the Executive Vice President of the 401(k) and Pension department, bringing over 30 years of extensive experience in retirement plan administration and sales. Previously the founder, president, and owner of Coastal Pension Services, Pam has a distinguished track record of managing retirement plans of all sizes, from simple individual arrangements to complex, high-value plans.

Her deep industry knowledge equips her with unique insights into the intricacies of retirement planning, making her a sought-after expert among advisors, CPAs, attorneys, and wholesalers. Pam is a frequent lecturer at industry conferences and serves on several TPA advisory boards, where she shares her expertise and addresses challenging compliance issues. Her commitment to excellence and innovation in retirement plan solutions continues to drive success for her clients and the industry at large.

Tom Roback, Jr., CEP, QKA

With over 34 years of experience in the accounting, investment, and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) industries, Thomas Roback, Jr. serves as the President of Sales for ESOP at Blue Ridge. In this role, he leads the Business Development Team, overseeing strategy and execution to drive growth and enhance client satisfaction.

At Blue Ridge, Tom identifies and pursues new business opportunities to expand our portfolio of business, ensures effective outreach and engagement with potential and existing clients, and collaborates with clients to offer strategic insights and recommendations on ESOP, 401(k), and equity compensation matters.

Tom’s expertise in ESOP and equity compensation administration positions him as a trusted advisor within the industry. He is a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) and a Certified Equity Professional (CEP). Previously, he served as Chair on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and is currently the Vice President-Membership for the ESOP Association’s Mid-Atlantic Carolinas Chapter. He has also contributed to the Central Virginia Employee Benefits Council (CVEBC) for four years.

Before joining Blue Ridge, Tom was instrumental in advising companies on employee ownership as the head of the stock plan services practice at Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. His prior experience includes serving as a captive broker for a large employer and working as a financial advisor at Legg Mason.
Tom earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the College of William and Mary. He is a member of several industry associations, including the ESOP Association, ASPPA, Employee-Owned S Corporations of America, Exit Planning Exchange, and NCEO. Tom’s comprehensive background and leadership in the field make him a key asset to Blue Ridge and its clients.

Scott Freund, QPA, QKA

With nearly 30 years of experience in ESOP administration, Scott J. Freund is a recognized leader in the industry. As the Senior Vice President of ESOP Plan Administration Services at Blue Ridge, he oversees the ESOP Plan Administration operations team and ESOP Client Care team to ensure the delivery of best-in-class services to our ESOP clients. His commitment to excellence is evident in his focus on timely and accurate service, staff development, and client consulting.

Scott began his career in ESOP administration in 1995 and has since held management roles in the industry with a notable service provider before joining Blue Ridge. He is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for his team, ensuring they are equipped to meet and exceed client expectations while maintaining the highest quality standards in service delivery.

He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1994. Scott holds the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Plan Consultant (QKA) certifications from the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA).

An active member of The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership, Scott has served on the ESOP Association Advisory Committee on Administration for over ten years. He is also a frequent speaker at local, regional, and national conferences, sharing his extensive knowledge and insights on ESOP-related topics.

Residing in Appleton, Wisconsin, with his wife Lisa and their two daughters, Allison and Abbie, Scott enjoys golf and is a passionate Green Bay Packers fan. His personal interests reflect his commitment to family and community, making him a well-rounded leader in the ESOP administration field.

Madeline Fennell

Madeline Fennell serves as Senior Vice President of the Project Management Office (PMO) at Blue Ridge, where she brings over 30 years of experience in the Retirement Services industry. With a strong background in project management, she is responsible for providing leadership and strategic oversight on key organizational initiatives, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.

Prior to joining Blue Ridge, Madeline held various roles in recordkeeping and third-party administration sectors. Most recently, she served as a Program Manager at Morningstar Retirement Services, where she specialized in technology enhancement projects and large-scale system migrations. Her expertise spans enterprise-wide process improvements, complex technology development, and the execution of strategic initiatives aimed at optimizing business operations.

At Blue Ridge, Ms. Fennell leads efforts to establish project management standards and best practices, mitigate risks, and ensure projects progress smoothly to completion. Her deep knowledge of the retirement services landscape, combined with her extensive project management experience, makes her a key driver in the company’s continued growth and success.

Madeline earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance from The Pennsylvania State University in 1989. With more than three decades of industry experience, she remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that advance both business objectives and client satisfaction.