About Us

Jim Raley iis the CEO and owner of Pension Planners, Inc. Prior to joining the company, Jim was the CEO and owner of a multi-line insurance agency with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. He was also a Fortune 50 financial services company executive holding various positions including: President of Financial Services and Life Insurance Operations, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Jim has had executive management responsibility for companies that were investment managers, venture capitalists, and pension consultants. He directed the development of several programs including: a Turnkey Defined Benefit Pension Program for small businesses, a bundled third party administrator for 401(k) plans, a deferred compensation program for medical professionals and a computerized asset allocation and asset manager selection program for defined benefit plans. He was certified as a director for the A&E Associates' unbiased financial literacy education curriculum that is offered by 401(k) plan sponsors as an employee benefit. He was recognized for his achievements by being named as a Finalist – Supporter of Entrepreneurship - Baltimore Region in 1990 by Ernst & Young. He is a member of the AICPA and the FICPA. Jim is past chair of the Diocese of Venice School Board and the Saint John Neumann High School Board. Jim is past Director and the Treasurer of the Notre Dame Club of Greater Naples. Jim served on the Ave Maria School of Law Estate Planning Conference Committee. Jim has his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his graduate degree from Loyola University of Maryland. Jim has an active CPA license in Florida.
Joanne Raley - Vice President and Office Manager has administrative and management experience in human resources and small business accounting. She was Office Manager of a multi-line insurance agency with offices in Naples, Fort Myers, and Marco Island. She previously worked for Sun Life of America in sales and marketing support. Joanne has her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN.
Stephen Margolies - Enrolled Actuary has extensive background and experience in the pension actuarial field. His experience includes tenure at the Prudential serving as an actuary with Actuarial Services in Union, NJ, Chief Actuary at the Spencer Organization in Emerson NJ and ownership of his own actuarial firm. He has given numerous seminars on ERISA to CPAs and Attorneys and achieved his designation as an Enrolled Actuary. He made significant contributions to the construction and graduation of the 1971 Group Annuity Mortality Table (1971 GAM) for use industry wide. The President's Commission on Pension Policy presented to him the Special Achievement Award for important and valuable service to the President's Commission on Pension Policy. Margolies graduated from Rider College with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree majoring in Accounting, and has achieved the designation of Fellow of the American Society of Pension Actuaries, became a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, and was a Member of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries.
Mark Grimshaw - Enrolled Actuary and Senior Pension Consultant graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science (with a Mathematical Science Option). He has actuarial experience in both the retirement and healthcare industries. He has over 11 years of retirement plan experience starting out in the large single employer/traditional defined benefit plan area and then moving into the small single employer industry with a recent focus in clients with combined Defined Benefit/Cash Balance and Defined Contribution plans. Mark took a mid-career break to join the US Army Reserves in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was honorably discharged as a Transportation Officer (CPT).
Jason Evert, ERPA, QPA - Manager of Defined Contribution Administration graduated from State University of New York at Oneunta with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics. Jason is the manager of Defined Contribution Plans, as well as assisting with new plan set-up and takeover plans. Jason was awarded the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) and the Qualified Pension Administration (QPA) through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA).
Deida Valladares, QKA - Senior Pension Administrator graduated with gamma cum laude honors from Florida Gulf Coast University with Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. During college, she was a member of Phi Eta Sigma. She is currently responsible for the annual plan administration of 401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing and Cash Balance Plans, as well as assisting with new plan set-up and takeover plans. She provides service support for clients that range in size from one participant to over 900 participants. Deida was awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Retirement Plan Fundamentals through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). She has completed the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) certification program through ASPPA.
Shallay Evans, QPA, QKA - Senior Pension Administrator graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelors in Chemistry. Shallay is responsible for the annual plan administration of 401(k), 403(b) and Defined Benefit plans, as well assisting with new plan set-up and takeover plans. Shallay was awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Retirement Plan Fundamentals through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA). She has also completed the Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) certification programs through ASPPA.
Veronica Barbosa - Distribution Specialist received an Associates of Science Degree in Accounting from Keiser University. She has prior experience in general accounting and bookkeeping. Veronica is an active member of the Board of Realtors. Veronica currently does the trust accounting and other accounting functions related to retirement plans. Veronica was awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) through American Society of Pension Professions & Actuaries (ASPPA).
Marc Guzman - Staff Accountant received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University. He has prior experience in Tax accounting. Marc currently does the trust accounting and other accounting functions related to retirement plans. Marc was awarded a Certificate of Completion in the Retirement Plan Fundamentals (RPF) course through American Society of Pension Professions & Actuaries (ASPPA) Marc is currently enrolled in Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) through the American Society of Pension Professions and Actuaries (ASPPA).
Kayla Lamnek - Administrative Assistant works on administrative work maintaining the client and prospect records, organization of year end reports, producing and assisting other staff. Kayla is a student at Florida Southwestern State College studying Human and Social Services. She has taken courses in Computer Literature and has completed a Leadership Academy Program through Florida Southwestern State College. Kayla was the Director of Aftercare for a school in Fort Myers.