Toledo, Ohio — Advisor Brent Kessling called for greater participation from Kowalski Plumbing & Heating’s retirement plan committee Wednesday, introducing a meeting format in which members would explain his recommendation before approving it.
“I don’t want a room full of people just nodding,” Kessling said. “I want to hear why they’re nodding.”
Kessling recommended retaining Meridian Trust Services and distributed a discussion guide asking members to consider the benefits of continuity, the risks of changing providers, and the disruption a transition could cause.
Members were encouraged to challenge the recommendation. To demonstrate, Kessling challenged it himself, answered the challenge, and advanced the slide.
During the investment review, owner Dan Kowalski asked why a particular fund remained on the lineup. Kessling thanked him for his engagement and added the question to next quarter’s education agenda.
The company’s office manager subsequently summarized the recommendation in her own words. Kessling praised her understanding and suggested replacing “Brent thinks” with “the committee determined.”
“I don’t want a room full of people just nodding. I want to hear why they’re nodding.”— Brent Kessling, advisor
To ensure everyone had a voice, he invited the bookkeeper to read the motion he had prepared.
The slide behind Kessling read “Your Independent Conclusion.” Beneath it appeared “Prepared by Brent Kessling.”
All three committee members raised their hands. Kessling raised his own, counted the room, and announced that the motion had passed four to zero.