History

Blue Ridge ESOP Associates was founded in 1988 to provide high quality, technically proficient, independent administration and recordkeeping services for employee benefit plans.

As we grew, we developed a specialized expertise in serving the unique needs of companies that sponsor Employee Stock Ownership Plans. We expanded our ESOP professional services to include a complete suite of ancillary services, such as distributions and 1099 processing. We were the first to offer a comprehensive on-line tool, ESOPConnection, to enable our clients to provide online access to their employees and the ability to manage their ESOP online. We also offer flexible and coordinated 401(k) administration for our ESOP clients.

​I couldn’t be more satisfied with the ‘above and beyond’ services we get from BREA. Not only do they handle all my distribution processing—right down to cutting checks to participants—;they’re also accurate, cost effective and streamline the entire administrative process for me. Our administrator is very professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and patient!

Gladys Hyman, Retirement Benefits Administrator, Harkins Builders, Inc.

About Us

Blue Ridge ESOP Associates is the largest independent ESOP and 401(k) Third Party Administration and Recordkeeping firm. Blue Ridge ESOP Associates employs the finest professionals in the business and has over 30 years of experience providing quality third party administration services. ESOPs and 401(k) plans require extensive technical training to understand the rules and regulations that govern them. All of our administrators participate in continuing professional education to stay current with changes in the Internal Revenue Code and Department of Labor and Treasury Regulations. Our senior professional staff members are actively involved in the industry and are dedicated to maintaining their professional qualifications through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries(ASPPA), the recognized professional society for employee benefits professionals. In addition to ASPPA qualifications, our administrators pursue their ESOP specialty through membership in The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership and often attend professional conferences dealing specifically with ESOPs. Several of our senior staff members are frequently asked to share their expertise with the ESOP community by speaking at these conferences and writing articles for professional journals.

In addition to our administrators, Blue Ridge ESOP Associates also employs experienced finance professionals, CPAs and an attorney to handle Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Department of Treasury issues, ESOP trust accounting, and any questions or concerns from your accountants, auditors, bankers and attorneys.

As an independent service provider, we work with a variety of professionals in the industry who provide design, implementation, financing and valuation services. We participate in the design and implementation phase to ensure that the Plan will meet the needs of the sponsoring company, and comply with complex ERISA and IRS regulations.

Executive Team

Bill Yoerger

Bill Yoerger

Mr. Yoerger serves in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ridge ESOP Associates and Coastal Pensions. . He has over 35 years of retirement industry experience, is a nationally recognized thought leader and is highly respected in the industry. Before joining Blue Ridge, he was with Fisher Investments in their Institutional Group and was previously President of OneAmerica Retirement Services, which experienced significant growth through sales and acquisitions under his leadership. He is a member of: The ESOP Association; NAPA (National Association of Plan Advisors), ASPPA, and SPARK. Mr. Yoerger received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Ohio State University. He has served and was former Board Chair of Noble of Indiana, former member and Chair of Limra Retirement Committee, and has served on the board of the SPARK Institute.

Thomas Roback, Jr., CEP, QKA

Thomas Roback, Jr., CEP, QKA

Mr. Roback has worked in the accounting, investment and ESOP industry for over 26 years, and serves in the capacity of President. He is an expert in ESOP, 401(k) and equity compensation administration. He is a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), Certified Equity Professional (CEP) and was the Chair on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). Mr. Roback is also the Vice President-Membership for the ESOP Association’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter and on the board for the Central Virginia Employee Benefits Council (CVEBC). He is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; Employee-Owned S Corporations of America; Exit Planning Exchange; and the NCEO. Mr. Roback received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the College of William and Mary.

email: troback@BlueRidgeESOP.com

Dolores P. Lawrence, CPA, QKA

Dolores P. Lawrence, CPA, QKA

Ms. Lawrence serves in the capacity of Chief Operating Officer. She has over 27 years of experience in employee benefits, with a focus on plan design, implementation, administration and consulting services for ESOPs and 401(k) plans. She also has a tax and accounting background, is a CPA and holds the QKA designation from ASPPA. She is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; and the NCEO. She is currently a member of The ESOP Association’s Administrative Advisory Committee and is a frequent speaker at The ESOP Association and NCEO conferences. Ms. Lawrence received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas.

E. Ashley Waters, CPA, CITP, CGMA

E. Ashley Waters, CPA, CITP, CGMA

Ms. Waters serves in the capacity of Chief Financial Officer. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has over 30 years of experience in accounting, tax, corporate finance and human resources. Before joining Blue Ridge over 15 years ago, she worked in public accounting and as Vice President of Finance and Administration for two privately-held companies, where she served as Trustee for the companies’ 401(k) plans and managed the companies’ trust accounting functions. She is a member of: the Virginia Societies of CPA’s; the North Carolina Society of CPA’s, the American Institute of CPA’s; 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 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AIPCA). Ms. Waters received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce with Distinction from the University of Virginia.

Pete Shuler

Pete Shuler

Mr. Shuler has over 25 years of experience assisting his clients by administering and consulting on ESOPs and other qualified retirement plans.  His current responsibilities include consulting with companies considering ESOP-related transactions; consulting on the termination and merger of ESOPs; forecasting the impact of new legislation on the compliance and operation of ESOPs; and coordinating and reviewing repurchase liability studies.  Pete frequently speaks and writes on technical topics regarding ESOPs.  Mr. Shuler holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.

Senior Managing Directors

Scott J. Freund, QPA

Scott J. Freund, QPA

Mr. Freund has over 21 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. Mr. Freund is a member of The ESOP Association’s Administration Advisory Committee and is a frequent speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. He has extensive experience with ERISA law, Department of Labor Regulations and IRS code compliance. He has worked closely with Plan Sponsors, accountants, advisors and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design and to resolve plan issues such as compliance matters and audit discrepancies. He is a Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA). He is a member of: The ESOP Association; NCEO; ASPPA; and is a former Officer of the Wisconsin Chapter of the ESOP Association. He has served as the Subject Matter Expert on ESOPs for ASPPA’s Education and Examination Committee. Mr. Freund received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Managing Directors

Keith Teeter, QKA

Keith Teeter, QKA

Mr. Teeter has over 36 years of experience in the employee benefits industry and has been focused on ESOPs for the past 26 years. He also has extensive experience with 401(k) and defined benefit plans.  He holds the QKA designation from ASPPA. He is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; and the NCEO. Mr. Teeter received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Westminster College.

Kevin T. Rusch, CPA, QPA

Kevin T. Rusch, CPA, QPA

Mr. Rusch has over 20 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. He is a CPA, as well as a QPA. Mr. Rusch is a member of The ESOP Association’s Administration Advisory Committee and is a frequent speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. He works with plan sponsors, accountants, advisors, and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design, repurchase obligation studies, compliance, and operation. He is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; and the NCEO.  He has served as the Subject Matter Expert on ESOPs for ASPPA’s Education and Examination Committee. Mr. Rusch received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Randy Shrake, QKA

Randy Shrake, QKA

Mr. Shrake has over 21 years of experience in the employee benefits industry and has been focused on ESOPs for the past 17 years.  He also has extensive experience with 401(k) and defined benefit plans. Mr. Shrake is a speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. He is on the executive committee for the Northwest Chapter of The ESOP Association. Mr. Shrake holds the QKA designation from ASPPA. He is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; and the NCEO. Mr. Shrake received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics from Oregon State University.

Renee M. Stadtmueller, CPA, QPA

Renee M. Stadtmueller, CPA, QPA

​Ms. Stadtmueller has over 18 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. She is a CPA and holds the QPA designation from ASPPA. Ms. Stadtmueller is a speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. She works closely with Plan Sponsors, accountants, advisors and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design, compliance and operation. She is a member of: The ESOP Association; ASPPA; and the NCEO.  She has served as a chairperson for ASPPA’s Education and Examination ESOP Certificate Subcommittee and as the Vice President of Programming for the Wisconsin Chapter of The ESOP Association and current Executive Subcommittee member. Ms. Stadtmueller received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Barbara M. Clough, QPA

Barbara M. Clough, QPA

Ms Clough has over 20 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. She has worked closely with ESOP Companies ranging in various sizes and advising them on complex administration issues. Her favorite technical topics are §409(p) testing and distribution policy design.  She is a Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) and is a past Chairwoman of the ESOP Association Administration Advisory Committee, Executive Committee member of the ESOP Association’s Public Policy Council and is a frequent speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. Ms. Clough holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts.  

Monika Zimmer, QPA

Monika Zimmer, QPA

Ms. Zimmer has over 30 years of experience in the retirement plan industry which includes several years of in-house administration in the benefits department for large companies. She has experience in plan administration, plan design, and consulting for both ESOP and 401(k) plans.  Ms. Zimmer currently focuses on administration, implementation and consulting services for ESOP clients and manages and develops staff in this area.  She works closely with clients’ ESOP advisors to ensure that the ESOP meets the company’s objectives and maintains compliance with various IRS and DOL regulations.  She is a member of the ESOP Association, NCEO, and ASPPA and plays an active role in the local IL chapter events.  Ms. Zimmer received her Bachelor of Science in Finance with highest honors from Elmhurst College.

Senior Consultants

A. Lori Stuart, QPA

A. Lori Stuart, QPA

Ms. Stuart has over 26 years of experience providing administration and consulting advice to ESOP clients. She has worked closely with Plan Sponsors, accountants, advisors and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design and to resolve plan issues such as compliance matters and audit discrepancies. She is a Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) and is a current Chair of the ESOP Advisory Chairs’ Council and a member of the Board of Directors with The ESOP Association. She is also on the board of trustees for the Employee Ownership Foundation. Ms. Stuart is a member of The ESOP Assocation, NCEO, Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) and is a frequent speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. 

Kristin Steinhauser, QKA

Kristin Steinhauser, QKA

Ms. Steinhauser has over 15 years of experience with technical consulting associated with the establishment, administration, and termination of ESOPs and other qualified retirement plans. She has worked closely with Plan Sponsors, accountants, advisors and legal counsel to provide guidance on plan design and to resolve plan issues such as compliance matters and audit discrepancies. She holds a QKA certification from ASPPA and is a frequent speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. She is a current member of the Advisory Committee on ESOP Administration with The ESOP Association and a chapter officer for the Ohio/Kentucky chapter. She is a member of The ESOP Association, NCEO and OEOC. Ms. Steinhauser holds Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University.

Directors

Michael R. Litvinovich, QKA

Michael R. Litvinovich, QKA

Mr. Litvinovich specializes in ESOP consulting and administration, including pre-transaction feasibility testing, plan design consulting, annual recordkeeping and compliance testing, and repurchase obligation/sustainability forecasting. He holds a QKA certification from ASPPA along with membership and is a member of The ESOP Association. He is a speaker speaker on ESOP administration topics for both The ESOP Association and the NCEO. Mr. Litvinovich holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.