Company Profile

Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. has been providing full-service employer sponsored retirement plan administration and consulting since 1989. Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. assists employers in the design, implementation, administration and communication of a wide range of retirement plans. We are committed to providing these services to our clients in a timely, accurate and cost-effective manner.

Our benefit professionals are dedicated to helping employers implement retirement plans that promote corporate goals and objectives, control costs and give employees a sense of security.

Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. takes the confusion out of plan administration duties and decision making by providing our clients with the consulting and technical expertise they need. We are committed to maintaining effective state-of-the-art computer systems and applications for administrative procedures which permits us to process our clients work more efficiently and ensures the highest standards of quality.

Our People

Creative Pension Consultants, Inc.’s greatest resource is its team of experienced professionals. Our clients are served by employees who have professional qualifications and whose backgrounds include many years of experience in the pension and retirement field. They are committed to providing our clients with friendly, courteous and responsive personalized service of superior quality.

John F. Rafferty, Jr., CPA, CPC, TGPC President

John is the founder of Creative Pension Consultants, Inc., and is a Certified Public Accountant with more than 30 years of experience.　As a pension consultant, John's primary responsibility is to consult with clients on plan design issues, design and set up new plans, and assist clients in complying with the myriad of laws affecting pension plans.

John graduated from Pace University in New York, NY with a BBA degree in Public Accountancy in 1972. John became a Certified Public Accountant in 1978. He has been awarded the designations of Certified Pension Consultant (CPC) and Tax Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC), among others, by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

John is a volunteer with Boy Scout Troop 50.

Patricia A. Arpey, ERPA, QPA, QKA Principal; Director of Plan Administration

Pat manages plan documentation and implementation, including all aspects of ERISA and Internal Revenue Code compliance. With over 25 years of experience in retirement plan administration and communications, she also manages plan documentation for Section 125 ("Cafeteria") plans. Pat joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 1990 with extensive experience in plan administration.

Pat has an AS in Applied Science from SUNY Morrisville, and has been awarded the Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designations by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration. She has also earned the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Karl Muller, ERPA, TGPC, QPA, QKA Principal; Director of Business Development & Client Manager

In addition to the administration and consulting on client benefit plans, Karl is also responsible for plan design consulting and marketing strategies. He joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2005 with over 10 years of extensive experience in plan administration.

Karl has a BA in Mathematics from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, and has been awarded the Tax Exempt & Government Plan Consultant (TGPC), Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designations by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration. He has also earned the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Karl is a member of the Colonie-Guilderland Rotary Club, a volunteer with Cub Scout Pack 50, and a member of American Mensa.

Gerald Noel, CPA, QPA, QKA Principal; Director of Human Resources & Client Manager

Jerry’s responsibilities include the day-to-day administration of client benefit plans, as well as Human Resources for the firm. Jerry joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 1997 with extensive experience in accounting and plan administration.

Jerry obtained his BS in Accounting from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Jerry is also a Certified Public Accountant. Jerry has been awarded the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration.

Jerry is a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Lori Donnelly Client Manager, Conversion Specialist

Lori's responsibilities include plan conversions, takeover plans, plan administration, systems development, and other special projects. Lori joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 1999 with extensive experience in plan administration.

Lori obtained her BS in Mathematics from the State University of New York at Potsdam.

Lisa Durivage, ERPA, QPA, QKA Client Manager

Lisa’s responsibilities include the administration and consulting on client benefit plans. She is directly involved with all aspects of participant recordkeeping, distribution and loan processing, and compliance testing. Lisa joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2004 with over 20 years experience in plan administration.

Lisa obtained her BBA in Accounting from Siena College, Loudonville, NY. Lisa has been awarded the Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designations by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration. She has also earned the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Laura Hartnett, ERPA, TGPC, QPA, QKA Client Manager

Laura's responsibilities include the administration and consulting on client benefit plans. She is directly involved with all aspects of participant recordkeeping, distribution and loan processing, and compliance testing. Laura joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2004 with about 10 years of extensive experience in plan administration.

Laura obtained her BS in Management with a concentration in Accounting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Laura has been awarded the Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA), Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), and Tax Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant (TGPC) designations by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration. She has also earned the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Laraine VanNort, ERPA, QPA Client Manager

Laraine’s responsibilities include the administration and consulting on client benefit plans. She is directly involved with all aspects of participant recordkeeping, distribution and loan processing, and compliance testing. Laraine joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 1996 with extensive experience in plan administration.

Laraine obtained her BBA in Accounting from Siena College, Loudonville, NY. She has been awarded the Qualified Plan Administrator (QPA) designation by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries for demonstrating excellence in the field of pension administration. She has also earned the Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) designation from the Internal Revenue Service.

Laraine is a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Northeaster New York.

Kim Keegan Nationwide Plans Account Manager

Kim's responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of plans using the Nationwide Best of America retirement plan products. She is directly involved with all aspects of participant recordkeeping, distributions, and loan processing. Kim joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2000 with extensive experience in operation of daily valued plans.

Kim is a graduate of Colonie Central High School, and has earned her Retirement Plan Fundamentals certificate from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Kim volunteers with the Animal Protective Foundation in Schenectady.

Amber Kornacki Assistant Administrator

Amber joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2007 and has worked in several positions in the firm that have given her exposure to many facets of the industry. Working directly with the Client Managers, she is responsible for the day-to-day administration, compliance testing, and processing of client benefit plans.

Amber is a graduate of Schenectady High School, and has earned her Retirement Plan Fundamentals certificate from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Amber is a volunteer with the Autism Society of America.

Jacqueline Melito, QKA Pension Administrator

Jackie joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2008 with extensive Human Resource and payroll experience. Working directly with the Client Managers, she is responsible for the day-to-day administration, compliance testing, and processing of client benefit plans.

Jackie obtained her BBA in Accounting from Siena College, Loudonville, NY and has been awarded the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Rebecca Rafferty Rupeka Assistant Administrator

Rebecca has been with Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. since 2001 in various roles, starting when her dad brought her in to help around the office. She is now supporting the other administrators in day-to-day administration tasks.

Rebecca is a graduate of Notre Dame – Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady.

Denise Trantham, QKA Pension Administrator

Denise joined Creative Pension Consultants, Inc. in 2007. Working directly with the Client Managers, she is responsible for the day-to-day administration, compliance testing, and processing of client benefit plans.

Denise obtained her AS in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY, and has been awarded the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Denise is a member of her school district’s Parent Advisory Board.

Designations Earned by Our Staff:

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