Ascensus Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ascensus has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, marketing, finance, human resources, and specialized savings divisions.

Committed to expanding access to financial security, Ascensus delivers technology-enabled platforms that simplify the administration of tax-advantaged savings programs for millions of individuals and institutions across the United States.

Leadership Roles at Ascensus

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - David Musto
  • Chief Financial Officer - Marc Mehlman
  • Chief Operating Officer - Jim Gearin
  • President of Newport, An Ascensus Company - Mike Dunn
  • President of FuturePlan - Kasey Price
  • President, Trust & Custody - Tim Friday
  • President, Government Savings - Peg Creonte
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Emily Pachuta
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Jeri Hawthorne
  • Chief Legal, Risk, & Compliance Officer - Phillip Gillespie
  • David Musto - President & Chief Executive Officer

    David Musto, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Ascensus, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. By overseeing the integration of financial-services infrastructure and recordkeeping capabilities, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures the platform remains the premier choice for retirement, education, and healthcare savings administration. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to drive sustainable growth and market expansion across North America. David Musto maintains a focus on scaling the technology-enabled services that support millions of savers and institutional partners. Through rigorous oversight of business performance, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures the company's position as an independent leader in the financial technology sector. Musto champions innovation in savings plan management, ensuring that the firm consistently meets the evolving needs of employers, government organizations, and financial advisors while maintaining operational excellence throughout the entire enterprise.
    David Musto

    Marc Mehlman - Chief Financial Officer

    Marc Mehlman, the Chief Financial Officer at Ascensus, oversees the financial health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. By managing fiscal planning and reporting, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains the resources necessary to invest in its technology-enabled platform. This role involves rigorous analysis of revenue streams from retirement, education, and healthcare savings programs to support long-term profitability. Marc Mehlman coordinates with the executive team to evaluate investment opportunities and manage financial risks associated with large-scale administrative services. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer provides the transparency required by institutional partners and government organizations. Mehlman drives the budgeting process to align expenditures with the strategic priorities of the firm. By maintaining a strong balance sheet, the Chief Financial Officer enables the company to continue powering savings plans across America, ensuring that financial stability remains a cornerstone of the business model.
    Marc Mehlman

    Jim Gearin - Chief Operating Officer

    Jim Gearin, the Chief Operating Officer at Ascensus, manages the daily execution of administrative services and platform operations. By optimizing the recordkeeping infrastructure, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless delivery of savings programs to diverse client bases. This role involves streamlining internal processes to enhance efficiency across the national service network. Jim Gearin monitors operational metrics to guarantee that the technology platform supports the complex requirements of financial institutions and government entities. Through the coordination of cross-functional teams, the Chief Operating Officer maintains high standards of service quality and data integrity. Gearin drives initiatives that improve scalability, allowing the firm to handle increasing volumes of retirement and education savings accounts. By focusing on operational resilience, the Chief Operating Officer supports the broader mission of providing reliable financial tools to millions of savers, ensuring that every administrative function aligns with the strategic goals of the organization.
    Jim Gearin

    Mike Dunn - President of Newport, An Ascensus Company

    Mike Dunn, the President of Newport, An Ascensus Company at Ascensus, leads the specialized retirement and executive benefit services division. By integrating the unique capabilities of Newport into the broader platform, the President of Newport, An Ascensus Company ensures that high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients receive tailored financial solutions. This role involves managing the delivery of complex recordkeeping and administrative services that distinguish the Newport brand. Mike Dunn coordinates with other business units to leverage the firm's collective industry expertise for the benefit of institutional partners. Through the expansion of specialized savings offerings, the President of Newport, An Ascensus Company drives growth in the executive benefits market. Dunn focuses on maintaining the high service standards that define the division's reputation. By overseeing the operational integration of these services, the President of Newport, An Ascensus Company contributes to the overall mission of providing comprehensive financial management tools across the United States.

    Kasey Price - President of FuturePlan

    Kasey Price, the President of FuturePlan at Ascensus, manages the third-party administration services that support retirement plan sponsors and financial advisors. By overseeing the delivery of customized plan design and compliance services, the President of FuturePlan ensures that employers receive efficient, technology-enabled support for their retirement programs. This role involves scaling the administrative capabilities of the division to meet the needs of a diverse client base. Kasey Price drives operational improvements that simplify the management of complex retirement plans for small and mid-sized businesses. Through collaboration with the broader organization, the President of FuturePlan integrates these administrative services into the company's national platform. Price focuses on maintaining high levels of client satisfaction by ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all plan administration tasks. By leading this critical division, the President of FuturePlan strengthens the firm's ability to provide accessible and reliable retirement savings solutions to millions of participants.

    Tim Friday - President, Trust & Custody

    Tim Friday, the President, Trust & Custody at Ascensus, directs the fiduciary and custodial services that underpin the company's savings programs. By managing the secure holding of assets and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, the President, Trust & Custody provides the foundation of trust required for retirement and education savings. This role involves overseeing the operational infrastructure that supports the movement and protection of funds for millions of savers. Tim Friday coordinates with legal and compliance teams to ensure that all trust activities align with federal and state requirements. Through the optimization of custodial processes, the President, Trust & Custody enhances the efficiency of the firm's financial services platform. Friday focuses on maintaining the integrity of the asset management process to support institutional partners and government organizations. By leading this essential function, the President, Trust & Custody ensures that the company remains a reliable partner in the financial lives of its clients.
    Tim Friday

    Peg Creonte - President, Government Savings

    Peg Creonte, the President, Government Savings at Ascensus, leads the division responsible for administering state-sponsored savings programs across the country. By partnering with government organizations, the President, Government Savings ensures that millions of individuals have access to tax-advantaged retirement and education savings plans. This role involves managing the complex technology and administrative requirements of large-scale public programs. Peg Creonte coordinates with state officials to design and implement solutions that meet the specific needs of their constituents. Through the expansion of these government-focused initiatives, the President, Government Savings drives significant growth in the firm's public sector portfolio. Creonte focuses on delivering high-quality service that simplifies the savings experience for participants. By overseeing the operational success of these programs, the President, Government Savings plays a vital role in the company's mission to provide accessible financial tools to a broad and diverse population of savers throughout the United States.
    Peg Creonte

    Emily Pachuta - Chief Marketing Officer

    Emily Pachuta, the Chief Marketing Officer at Ascensus, architects the brand strategy and market positioning for the company's suite of financial products. By analyzing industry trends and client needs, the Chief Marketing Officer develops targeted campaigns that communicate the value of tax-advantaged savings programs to employers and financial advisors. This leadership role involves managing corporate communications and digital engagement strategies to expand the firm's reach across the United States. Emily Pachuta aligns marketing efforts with the company's core mission of simplifying financial management for diverse populations. Through data-driven insights, the Chief Marketing Officer identifies growth opportunities within the retirement and healthcare savings markets. Pachuta collaborates with product teams to ensure that messaging accurately reflects the technical capabilities of the platform. By strengthening the market presence of the organization, the Chief Marketing Officer directly contributes to the acquisition of new institutional partners and the retention of existing clients.
    Emily Pachuta

    Jeri Hawthorne - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Jeri Hawthorne, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Ascensus, directs the talent acquisition, development, and organizational culture strategies. By fostering a high-performance environment, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the company attracts the industry expertise required to manage complex financial programs. This role involves designing programs that support employee engagement and professional growth across the national workforce. Jeri Hawthorne aligns human capital initiatives with the broader business objectives of the firm, ensuring that the team possesses the skills to maintain the technology-enabled platform. Through the implementation of inclusive policies and leadership development, the Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the organizational foundation. Hawthorne monitors workforce metrics to optimize productivity and retention in a competitive financial services landscape. By cultivating a culture of excellence, the Chief Human Resources Officer supports the company's ability to deliver superior service to millions of savers and institutional clients throughout the country.
    Jeri Hawthorne
    Phillip Gillespie, the Chief Legal, Risk, & Compliance Officer at Ascensus, manages the regulatory framework and risk mitigation strategies for the entire organization. By overseeing legal affairs and compliance protocols, the Chief Legal, Risk, & Compliance Officer ensures that all savings programs operate within the strict guidelines of financial law. This role involves identifying potential risks and implementing controls to protect the firm and its clients. Phillip Gillespie collaborates with the executive team to navigate the complex regulatory environment governing retirement, education, and healthcare savings. Through the development of robust compliance programs, the Chief Legal, Risk, & Compliance Officer maintains the trust of government organizations and institutional partners. Gillespie leads the legal strategy to support business initiatives while ensuring adherence to industry standards. By prioritizing risk management, the Chief Legal, Risk, & Compliance Officer secures the operational stability of the platform, allowing the company to focus on its mission of expanding financial security.
    Phillip Gillespie

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ascensus Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ascensus?
    Ascensus is led by David Musto (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Marc Mehlman (Chief Financial Officer) and Jim Gearin (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Ascensus’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ascensus includes leaders such as David Musto (President & Chief Executive Officer), Marc Mehlman (Chief Financial Officer), Jim Gearin (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ascensus have?
    Ascensus has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ascensus’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ascensus includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President of Newport, An Ascensus Company, President of FuturePlan.