Contact the Irvine Office
15615 Alton Parkway, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 786-4015
Our Team
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mcastner@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015
As one of the Principals of Retirement Benefits Group, Mike leads one of the country’s premier retirement plan consulting firms in providing a comprehensive array of advisory services to both qualified and non-qualified retirement plans. Mike has earned a reputation for his knowledge and experience in plan provider search and benchmarking, fiduciary oversight and investment due diligence.
Mike has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years focuses primarily on the corporate retirement plan market. His investment career began in 1987 at Dean Witter, and five years later, he joined Kidder Peabody where he was a founder of The Castner Josephs Retirement Group. Mike was an initial member and founder of National Retirement Partners (NRP). Prior to NRP, Mike was a First Vice President of Investments with Prudential Securities where he achieved the Directors Council for exemplary performance along with inclusion in the Prudential Retirement Services Roundtable of senior consultants.
As a recognized retirement plan specialist, Mike has been a featured speaker and panelist for many retirement plan conferences and seminars throughout the country. He was recognized by PLANADVISER as one of the top 100 retirement plan advisers in 2012*, and was invited to be a member of Prudential Retirement’s Financial Advisory Council in 2013.
*Based on nominations from industry peers and quantitative factors, including number of plans and dollar value of plan assets under advisement.
In the news
- 2015 Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors list
- Fidelity's feverish fee cuts a bid to cure market share woes
Education
Mike’s designations include Professional Plan Consultant, through Financial Services Standards, LLC. Mike earned his Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Iowa with an emphasis in Finance.
CA Insurance Lic. #0A13741
Interests
Mike’s passion is playing golf. He serves on the Coto de Caza Men’s Golf Association and Junior Golf committees.
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gjosephs@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015
As one of the Principals of Retirement Benefits Group, Gary has the opportunity to work with one of the most experienced team of professionals dedicated to retirement programs for companies and individuals. Gary has established a national reputation for his excellence and expertise in the provider search and benchmarking, contract negotiations, investment due diligence, ERISA compliance and comprehensive employee education and communication.
Gary has over 24 years of experience providing retirement plan services to institutions and their employees. Gary has been asked to participate on 401(k) advisory councils for Prudential, Wells Fargo, formally Wachovia Securities, Blackrock and Ascensus. Gary has been a featured speaker for many retirement plan conferences and seminars and has been recognized by the defined contribution industry for each and every year since 2005 for the PlanSponsor Advisor of the Year nomination. Based on nominations from industry peers and quantitative factors, including number of plans and dollar value assets under advisement.
In the news
- 2015 Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors List
- Considering Value - A look at the big picture in plan benchmarking
- FINRA cautions investors to be careful with IRA Rollovers, notes that adviser fees can hurt returns
- New 401(k) advisers need to think big
Education
Gary’s designations include the PlanSponsor Institute and Professional Plan Consultant (PPC) from the Financial Service Standards, LLC. Gary earned his Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA and also holds a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
CA Insurance Lic. #0A23383
Interests
Gary is married with 5 children and resides in Laguna Niguel, CA where he is very active in the Southern California Club Soccer Community and Rancho Niguel Little League.
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amir@rbgnrp.com
949-269-7747
As a Managing Director with Retirement Benefits Group, Amir works with companies on plan design assistance, fiduciary oversight and investment due diligence. Utilizing his years of experience with retirement planning, Amir creates customized plans designed to meet his clients unique goals and needs.
In addition to the plan consulting, Amir has extensive knowledge on wealth and investment management from his training at firms such as Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
In the news
- Arbabi Named to 2016 Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Plan Advisers
- 2015 Financial Times Top 401 Retirement Plan Advisors List
Education
Amir is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.
CA Insurance Lic. #0E55882
Interest
Amir resides in Ladera Ranch with his wife Deborah and his two young children. His interests including coaching his children and spending time with his family. Amir also enjoys snowboarding and attending UCLA sporting events.
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bcaldwell@rbgnrp.com
P: 949-786-401K
F:949-786-4013
William Caldwell is a Senior Wealth Manager, MBA, CLU® that has been in the financial services industry since February, 1973 to include working with high net worth individuals and their extended families. His commitment is to work very closely with each individual client to address their investment objectives based on their specific investor profile, their time horizon, and risk tolerance. Bill’s passion is to assist his clients in the accumulation and conservation of their investment wealth through all types of investment cycles. Bill is also an investment advisor to several small 401(k) plans. Bill served as Managing Partner/LPL Branch Manager for the eight years prior to joining Retirement Benefits Group-Irvine in March 2016. For the prior 25 years, Bill owned and ran a small broker-dealer, TriEqua Capital Corporation which was closed in February 2008 when Bill joined LPL.
Education
Bill earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1971 and his Bachelor of Arts Degree (History) from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965. While attending Cal, Bill played basketball for one year and competed in track, as a sprinter, for four years. Between Cal & UCLA, Bill was an artillery officer in the United States Marine Corp (Captain) and served in Vietnam from March 1967 through February 1968. Bill is a member of the Quantico Marine Athletes Veterans’ Organization.
Interests
Bill currently resides in Rancho Mission Viejo with Judith, his wife of forty-five years. Bill and Judith have four children (two biological and two adopted) and three grandsons. Bill also enjoys coaching his 9 year old grandson’s youth basketball team, "The Golden Bears." From 1988 through 2012, Bill and Judith were Foster Parents for the County of Orange and parented over 150 infants and toddlers! Two of their foster children became permanent members of the Caldwell family as adopted children. As a member of the 1960’s Quantico Marine Athletes Veterans’ Organization, Bill enjoys attending reunions with wife and family.
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sdanna@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015
As a wealth manager in the Irvine office of the Retirement Benefits Group, Sal works with high net worth individuals as an investment manager. Additionally, Sal works with clients to provide comprehensive financial and tax planning.
Sal has worked in the financial services industry for 13 years and has been a financial planner for the past 10 years. Sal started his career with the Ayco Company, L.P., which is a Goldman Sachs company.
Education
Sal has passed the New York, New Jersey and California bar examinations. He also has passed Series 7 and Series 65 securities examinations. Sal earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of California, Davis. He also holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Seton Hall University of Law
CA Insurance Lic. #0D66361
Interest
Sal is an avid runner and enjoys watching the financial markets. He also enjoys living in Yorba Linda with his wife and three sons.
dgrajek@rbgnrp.com
P: 949-786-4015
F:949-786-4013
Denise Renee Grajek is the Director of Client Relations for the Retirement Benefits Group Irvine office. Denise has extensive experience with managerial administrative processes, customer care practices and code of ethics. Her responsibilities include client relationship management, service coordination, assistance with day-to-day executive administration of the office, monthly account plan reporting, newsletter distribution, month-end and year-end reporting practices, assistance with compliance and governance, client account performance reporting, and streamlining daily functions of the office. Denise enjoys being the first point of contact for individual clients and referrals from multiple sources.
Denise has over 30-years’ experience in accounting, consulting and financial services industries to include but not limited to startup companies, Big 4 Accounting Firm, Contract Coordinator for a non-profit school and currently with RBG. Denise brings a great deal of experience to the RBG team.
Education
Denise attended Irvine Valley & Saddleback Colleges while maintaining a GPA of 3.8. She also regularly participates in Continued Education related to her managerial roles.
Interests
Denise resides in Irvine where she raised her two daughters and enjoys spending time with her cocker spaniel. Denise is passionate about collecting cookbooks, catering events for friends/family and researching points of interest. She also enjoys being outdoors and entertaining. Denise’s additional interests are in the arts and culture, environment, assisting people in need and the welfare of children, elderly and animals.
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ahaderlein@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015
Ally Haderlein is the Operations Coordinator in Retirement Benefits Group’s Irvine office. In this role, Ally is responsible for assisting with the firm’s smaller benefits plans, overseeing the RBG Fiduciary Vault and working on the sales team to prospect new business.
Ally has been a member of the RBG team for just over four years. Prior to joining the RBG family, Ally worked for the Los Angeles Angels in the Entertainment department, where her primary focus was fostering fan appreciation and community involvement.
Education
Ally attended Cal State Fullerton, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Communication, as well as a minor in Kinesiology. She currently holds her Series 7 and 66 registrations through Triad Advisors.
Interest
In her free time, Ally likes to travel with her husband, hike with her dog and spend time with family and friends.
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ekress@rbgnrp.com
P: 949-786-401K
F:949-786-4013
Evan Kress joined Retirement Benefits Group in 2016 as a Junior Investment Analyst and Service Associate. Evan is responsible for meeting with vendors learning their unique strategies, providing investment commentary to RBG advisors, as well as monthly plan performance spreadsheets for clients.
Education
Evan is a graduate of Northern Arizona University in 2016 with a double major in Business Management and Finance, achieving a bachelor’s degree in both fields. He is a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Interests
Evan also has a passion for trying new foods and traveling across the world. Evan has toured across China, Australia, and the Bahamas, with plans to someday travel across Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
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philm@rbgnrp.com
P: 949-786-4015 x. 109
C: 949-903-1818
F: 949-786-4013
Phil Matheson is a Managing Director based in RBG's Irvine, California, office. He focuses on managing fiduciary responsibility, education and concise customer service when working with every one of his clients. He focuses on being an extension of his clients' HR departments and sets himself apart by not only planning in a proactive manner, but by holding one-on-one educational meetings with his plan participants to better understand their goals.
Phil has a decade of experience in financial services, including seven years as the Vice President of Retirement Services at Centennial Group Benefits. He was previously with Wells Fargo Advisor and Wachovia Securities.
Education
Phil graduated from the University of Arizona alumni and holds AIF, CRPS and C(k)P certifications.
Interests
Phil is an active member of the University of Arizona Alumni Association and the Sigma Chi Orange County Chapter. When not in the office, you can find Phil golfing, playing basketball or hiking mountains ranging from Mt. Rainer in Washington to Mt. Orizaba in Mexico. You could also attempt to catch him competing in a number of major national marathons such as the New York Marathon, the Washington D.C. Marathon and the Los Angeles Marathon. Phil is also a Dodgers and Lakers fan, and enjoys coaching his kids' sports teams.
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bmurphy@rbgnrp.com
P: 949-786-401K
F:949-786-4013
Bryan L. Murphy has spent over thirty five years assisting both corporate and individual clients with their Wealth Planning; Business Continuation Planning; Executive Benefits; Qualified and Non-Qualified Retirement Plans; Family Transition Planning; and Investment Asset Management.
Education
Bryan is a native to Southern California attending public schools in Whittier, California and the University of Southern California. He is an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR), Licensed Securities and Insurance Broker as well as an accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®). CA Insurance License Number 0582354 CRD#716265; and Series 7.
Interests
Bryan has served on many community and non-profit boards. Bryan enjoys time with his wonderful wife of thirty-five years, Diana, and their four sons.
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spowell@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015 ext. 103
Shanna Powell is the Director of Marketing at Retirement Benefits Group and works out of the firm’s Irvine office. She is responsible for leading the creative process for all marketing strategies and execution of plans that support RBG’s communications to clients, associates and prospective financial advisors.
Shanna has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been a valued member of the RBG team for the past five years. She continues to maintain a strong working knowledge of the retirement planning industry, financial markets, and product trends in order to champion new marketing ideas and innovation on behalf of RBG.
Education
Shanna attended Orange Coast College and went on to earn her Series 7, Series 63 (held with Triad Advisors), Series 65 (held with RIA) and her Insurance License through the California Department of Insurance.
Interests
A true humanitarian, Shanna is passionate about animal welfare; arts and culture; children, civil rights and social action; disaster and humanitarian relief; economic empowerment and the environment.
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mrosenthal@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015 x 114
Michael Rosenthal is a Wealth Advisor at Retirement Benefits Group, one of the country’s leading retirement plan consulting firms. He specializes in employee retirement plans and executive benefits and primarily works with individuals, business owners and “C suite” executives.
Michael’s experiences include financial planning solutions, including wealth preservation, asset allocation, complex estate preparation and insurance and risk planning. He is a skilled advisor in the areas of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans, employee stock options, restricted stock awards and “Section 16 officer” rules and regulations.
Michael has over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has an extensive background as a wealth manager to the high net-worth community, small businesses and large corporations. Michael began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he focused on retirement planning and corporate financial services.
In the news
- Retirement Benefits Group Appoints Wealth Advisor
- Raymond James Helps $1.1M Merrill Team Go Indie
- Advisors On the Move: Spring Thaw Inspires Change
- Advisors On the Move: Michael Rosenthal
Education
Michael majored in Business Management and Finance at Pepperdine University. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses and a CA Life Insurance license, #0D92755.
Interest
Michael is a second generation Southern Californian and currently resides in Foothill Ranch. He is passionate about mentoring the next generation in the areas of faith, family and finances and enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
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jshomaker@rbgnrp.com
+1 (949) 786-4015
Joel is the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional for Retirement Benefits Group, Irvine. He has been a trusted advisor to both company sponsored retirement plans and high net-worth individuals in the Orange County area since 1998. Along with the CFP® designation, Joel holds the designation of Professional Plan Consultant(PPC™), both of which signify a commitment to on-going education and service excellence in both Comprehensive Financial Planning and Qualified Retirement Plan Services. He is often invited to speak or participate in financial education seminars and events in Orange County.
As an advisor to Qualified Retirement Plans, Joel seeks to limit exposure to fiduciary liability for his plan sponsors and educate their employees about opportunities for a successful retirement. These goals are achieved through defendable and repeatable processes in regards to plan design assistance, investment monitoring and reporting, participant education and investment concepts discussion, and plan benchmarking and fee transparency.
Joel has developed a high level of skill in comprehensive financial planning strategies over the last 14 years. His specific areas of focus include Retirement Income Strategies, Wealth preservation, Asset Allocation including Alternative Assets, Complex Estate Planning issues, Insurance & Risk Planning, Life Change Financial Guidance, Budgeting and Cash-flow analysis. His career success can be directly attributed to his honesty and integrity as well as his ability to understand and educate his clients, help them clarify and prioritize their financial goals, and implement a plan of action that most efficiently helps them achieve those goals.
In the news
Education
Joel earned his bachelors degree in Finance from Cal State University of Fullerton where he graduated on scholarship for his published work in the Academic Journal of Finance on the Structural Inefficiencies and Correlations of International Emerging Markets to the US Stock Market. Joel has earned various designations over the years and currently holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional(CFP®) and Professional Plan Consultant (PPC™).
CA Insurance Lic. #0C67170
Interest
Joel resides in Rancho Santa Margarita with his daughter Maya. Joel believes in a high level of physical and mental fitness that culminates in numerous activities such as mountain biking, weight training, scuba diving, hiking, shooting, archery, chess, and reading books on business and personal enrichment. Community involvement entails a close relationship with the Council on Aging, and various outreach programs. Much of his free time is spent attending or assisting with his daughters karate and guitar lessons or helping coach her soccer team.
