Meet Our Team

Joan joined Cowden in 2009, bringing a wealth of experience in supporting executives and managing business operations, with extensive work as a defined contribution specialist for a retirement benefits services company. Joan currently assists Cowden’s retirement and actuarial practice for both corporate and Act 205 public sector clients.

Joan’s dedicated attention to detail has enabled her to identify that a client was eligible for the small employer cap, which reduced their PBGC variable rate premium by about 24%. She successfully assisted another client with the completion of their delinquent reporting forms to avoid additional arrears and penalties.

Additionally, on one particularly complex project, she caught administration errors and omissions before government forms were submitted, resulting in zero follow-up requests from the governmental agency, which eliminated additional time billed and frustration for the client.

Joan completed the PA-1 exam of the Pension Administrator course, and has completed several courses through Robert Morris University towards earning her CEBS designation.  She holds an associate’s degree from the Community College of Allegheny County as well as being a trained medical assistant.

Amy joined Cowden in January 2019 as the company’s newest administrative assistant. She provides administrative, marketing, and communications support to Cowden and its team members to help the organization achieve its goals and objectives.

With over 20 years of professional experience, Amy has developed a diverse skill set in marketing and communications having worked in various capacities in both corporate and agency environments. She has helped to develop successful campaigns, promotions, and events for various industries.

Amy is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising. She also spent a semester studying mass communications in Manchester, England.  

Dave Borra is vice president, operations for Cowden Associates, Inc. where he coordinates the internal operations, financial and technological infrastructure of the firm.

With more than three decades of Information Technology (IT) experience focusing on all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Dave adds considerable expertise to Cowden’s technology services provided to clients. His expertise includes over 30 years of project management, product development, financial analysis and a thorough knowledge of employee benefits administration process.

After attending school for computer technology, Dave started his career as a computer operator for a software company. He spent the next ten years evolving into a programmer, systems analyst, project coordinator and IT manager.

Dave’s profound analytical capabilities along with his management and client relationship aptitude earned him a successful 22-year career as vice president of IT for Mockenhaupt, Mockenhaupt, Cowden and Parks (MMC&P), which later became Employee Benefit Data Services (EBDS).

Cowden’s clients benefit from Dave’s solid team building skills, project and vendor management abilities and his focused attention to detail and results.

Frank has been working with retirement plans for Cowden Associates, Inc. since 1995. He is involved in all aspects of pension and post-retirement medical valuations.

Frank provides actuarial and consulting for our municipal clients and some actuarial support work for corporate and Taft-Hartley clients; which includes coding of our valuation system, performing the actuarial valuation system runs, compiling the actuarial valuation report, projecting assets and liabilities over multi-year periods and performing benefit calculations.

Frank received his degree in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and has completed the examination requirement to become an Enrolled Actuary (EA) and is a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).

Peter Carlson began his career with Cowden Associates, Inc. in June 2018, as an analyst for the Health and Benefits practice. He provides analytical and consulting services support for a wide range of clients.

As an analyst, he is responsible for assisting health and benefits clients manage their health and welfare plans. His primary responsibilities include analyzing client financial data, researching benefits compliance issues, and employee communication development.

Peter graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics. Peter currently holds a Pennsylvania Life Accident and Health license. He has passed two of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) actuarial exams and is continuing his pursuit of becoming an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA).

Kathy joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in 2002 and has been in the employee benefits environment since 1982.

As Manager, Marketing and Communications, Kathy is responsible for a variety of activities at Cowden, including proposal development and research for prospective clients. Kathy supports Cowden Associates on all levels, from internal administration, budgeting, and new business development to marketing, social media and strategic planning.

Kathy holds a Pennsylvania Life, Accident and Health license and earned the Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional accreditation from the National Association of Health Underwriters. She obtained her Certified Employee Benefits Specialists (CEBS) designation in 2019.

While his daytime passion as an actuary includes helping clients project their obligations to retirees, Bob Crnjarich’s passion to help people transcends his professional life.

Bob has spent many years involved with the charity St. Barnabas Health System. Currently on the Board of The Woodlands at St. Barnabas, Bob offers input that helps retirees live comfortably at a price they can afford.

As a member of St. Barnabas Charities Founder’s Day and Charitable Golf Outing Committees, Bob helped raise money for the St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation’s Free Care Fund. In the process, he has had the opportunity to meet several high-profile people, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Michael Reagan, oldest son of President Ronald Reagan.

Bob, who joined Cowden in 2006, has been involved in the employee benefits consulting business since 1983. Fresh out of the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in mathematics, Bob began his career with Mercer Human Resources Consulting as an actuarial analyst. During his time with Mercer, he eventually worked as a consultant and actuary responsible for many client relationships. Bob spent the next six years as co-owner of Boetger & Associates LLC.

Today, as a Senior Vice President with Cowden, Bob’s primary responsibility is to provide senior-level retirement consulting services to a wide range of clients, as well as manage those client relationships.

Bob helps clients meet the financial, regulatory and accounting demands of their defined benefit, defined contribution and retiree healthcare plans. In addition, Bob provides analytical support by developing financial models with what if scenarios, which measure risk versus opportunity. His support includes multi-level calculations and options that consider differences in cash flow, expense and cost.

Bob is an Enrolled Actuary (EA) under ERISA, a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries (FCA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).

Amy Crouse began her career with Cowden Associates, Inc. in June 2009 as an analyst for the retirement practice area. She provides actuarial and retirement consulting services to a wide range of clients.

Amy works on a variety of actuarial initiatives including data analysis, plan design/termination analysis, actuarial valuations, strategic planning and benefit calculations. She also manages client accounts and enjoys partnering with clients to understand overall objectives and help them achieve their goals.

Amy is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). Amy is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of science in actuarial science and a minor in statistics and economics.

Dan joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in August 2019 as a consultant in the health and benefits practice. In his role, Dan will be responsible for advising clients on all aspects of their health and welfare plans including development and implementation of comprehensive, compliant benefits strategies tied to the client’s overall business and health and welfare objectives. He has held various benefits consulting roles throughout his career and has extensive experience in account and client management including strategic plan design development and consultation, plan funding, contribution analysis and recommendations, vendor management, and negotiations.

Dan brings over seven years of experience in the benefits industry including new business development, financial consulting, and an underwriting background focused on public sector, education, and Taft-Hartley.

Dan earned his Master of Science in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from San Diego State University. Dan holds a California Life and Health License and a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) certification from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Aletha joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in July 2016 as an administrative assistant and receptionist. In addition to greeting clients and performing administrative tasks, she provides writing and editing support to the Cowden staff.

Aletha is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, having earned a Bachelor’s of Creative Nonfiction Writing, with a minor in history and religious studies. She received a teaching fellowship to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Writing, which she completed in April 2015.

Aletha also brings over 10 years of customer service, marketing and sales, and office organizational experience. While raising her family, she worked in a variety of fields, including telemarketing, customer service, quality control, and credit union member sales and service. Aletha enjoys the challenge of taking something good and turning it into something outstanding, a Cowden tradition.

Erin Gallagher is a senior analyst for the Health and Benefits practice at Cowden Associates, Inc. She provides support to the Health and Benefits team and in advising clients on the intricacies of their health and welfare plans with a focus on plan funding strategies, compliance issues and overall plan management initiatives.

Erin started her career at Cowden in November 2018. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, she worked for a large national firm where she focused on health and benefits administration consulting for 10 years. She brings with her ample knowledge in health and benefits concepts and strategies, compliance, and project and people management. She earned her Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma Certification and continues to advance her knowledge in the health and benefits field anyway she can.

Erin is a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. Erin currently holds a Pennsylvania Life Accident and Health license and is hoping to continue on to attain a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation in the near future.

Sean P. Gallagher is a compensation/financial analyst for the Compensation practice at Cowden Associates, Inc. Sean provides in-depth research and analytics for compensation clients.

Sean started his career at Cowden in November of 2018. Prior to that he worked for a large national firm where he operated in the Health and Benefits Administration field for 10 years. Sean brings an ample knowledge in health and benefits intricacies, compliance, and project and people management. He earned his Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma Certification and continues to advance his knowledge in all aspects of the benefits field.

Sean graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s degrees in both history and political science, and American University with a master’s degree in political science.

Bob is a senior consultant and actuary in Cowden’s retirement practice. He provides actuarial and retirement consulting services to a wide range of clients.

Bob joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in 2011, bringing over 30 years of benefits consulting experience to Cowden’s actuarial practice. He has served as a retirement consultant to many Pittsburgh-area organizations, including sponsors of ERISA-covered plans, church plans and governmental plans. Bob’s range of experience includes pension funding valuations; pension accounting valuations under FASB and GASB standards; retiree medical valuations; forecasts; union negotiation cost studies and consulting assistance; testimony for labor contract fact-finding and arbitration hearings; actuarial experience studies; plan design analysis; plan terminations; merger and acquisition due diligence related to retirement plans; individual and mass benefit certifications; QDRO analysis; plan interpretation and administration assistance; and benefit statement design and production.

Bob finds a strong connection between mathematics and music. While actuarial work can be fun, Bob’s real passion is jazz. Bob takes joy in playing the trumpet and piano with several community bands, including the Swingin’ BopCats Big Band, Hopewell Community Big Band, HZ Jazz Band and the Beaver County Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He also has sung with barbershop quartets.

Bob’s previous employment included 32 years with national consulting firms.

Bob is an Enrolled Actuary (EA), a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries (FCA) and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

Nate Hoellman began working with Cowden Associates, Inc. in May 2015 in the retirement practice area after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. He provides actuarial analysis to support retirement consulting services for a wide range of clients in his current role as analyst.

Nate works on a variety of actuarial initiatives including data analysis, actuarial valuations, government forms, benefit calculations, plan design/termination analysis, and strategic planning. He also enjoys partnering with clients to understand their overall objectives and help them achieve their goals.

Nate graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of science in actuarial mathematics and a Bachelor of science in economics. He has passed five of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) actuarial exams and is continuing his pursuit of becoming an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA). In his free time, Nate enjoys playing for the Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club.

Ed joined Cowden’s retirement/actuarial practice as an analyst in July 2019.  In his role, he provides support for a wide range of Cowden’s retirement services clients.

Six years of project management have given Ed valuable experience with developing and implementing strategies that enhance operational efficiencies as well as in collaborating with vendors to resolve variances, refine forecasts, and identify opportunities for process improvement. He has undertaken multiple $300K+ under-billed projects to improve profitability and achieve contracted schedule goals.

Ed holds a Master of Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

He has earned certificates in project management and scheduling, and is in his pursuit of becoming an actuary. Ed has passed three of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) actuarial exams.

Todd Kordecki joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in April 2016 as an analyst in the firm’s retirement practice area. He provides actuarial analysis to support retirement consulting services for a wide range of clients.

Todd works on a variety of actuarial initiatives, including data analysis, plan design/termination analysis, annual funding and accounting valuation work, and the preparation of benefit calculations and governmental filings. He also manages client accounts and enjoys partnering with clients to understand overall objectives and help them achieve their goals.

Prior to joining Cowden Associates, Inc., Todd spent nine years as an analyst for a local firm in the Defined Benefit field.

In 2007, Todd graduated Cum laude from Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Science in actuarial science.

Zachary Kuhn began his career with Cowden Associates, Inc. in June 2018, as an analyst for the Health and Benefits practice. He provides analytical and consulting services support for a wide range of clients.

As an analyst, he is responsible for assisting health and benefits clients manage their health and welfare plans. His primary responsibilities include analyzing client financial data, researching benefits compliance issues, and employee communications development.

Zachary is a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Zachary currently holds a Pennsylvania Life Accident and Health license. In addition, he has passed three of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) actuarial exams and is continuing his pursuit of becoming an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA).

Margaret Lacek joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in 2008 and has more than 25 years of pension actuarial skills and retirement benefits expertise. She was attracted to Cowden because of its distinguished talent and award-winning work environment, which meshes well with her outside activities with her family and team-teaching seventh grade religious education classes at her church with her husband.

Margaret works in the retirement practice where she is involved in the annual pension work cycle of valuation, funding calculations, financial accounting and government reporting, benefit calculations, and related consulting. She also manages plans through the process of plan termination, risk reduction through annuitization, and prepares corporate and non-profit retiree medical plan valuations, and issues GASB 45 and 75 reports for governmental retiree medical plans.

Margaret has an interesting background in special projects involving demographic projections and analyses of retirement income and subsistence expenses for religious communities. This was an enjoyable challenge as it required her to understand a specialized population and use actuarial techniques not usually applied in her routine work.

She began her career with Halliwell & Associates, Inc. in 1982 where she built her strong actuarial proficiency. She trained analysts one-on-one and by preparing internal technical seminars. Margaret continues this at Cowden Associates where she contributes to the internal redesign of report formats, researches and updates internal model inputs for retiree medical valuations, and provides technical information to the retirement practice staff.

Margaret is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA), an Enrolled Actuary (EA) under ERISA, a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries (FCA), and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).

She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, summa cum laude, and is a member of the honors society, Phi Beta Kappa.

Chris joined Cowden Associates, Inc. in April 2019 as a consultant in the Health & Benefits practice.  In his role Chris will advise clients on all aspects of their health and welfare plans, as well as assist with the underwriting and financial analysis for the various plans they offer.  His primary responsibilities will include analyzing client financial data, assisting with the creation of client plan management initiatives including strategic plan design, funding analysis, and vendor strategies.

Chris’s 15-plus years of experience includes a variety of roles and diverse experience in the insurance industry including financial consulting for brokerage firms and an underwriting background with experience in domestic and international markets.  His background will greatly contribute to expanding the depth and breadth of the Cowden Health and Benefits team.

Chris maintains a Pennsylvania Life and Accident License and is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

Jeanne Michaud’s 25-plus years of experience gives her a unique perspective on the implementation of compensation and benefit programs. As a consultant, her focus is on ensuring the competitive marketplace is accounted for and that the mechanics of a compensation program are practical and realistic.

In addition to performing the duties of a consultant, Jeanne is the secretary for the North American Actuarial and Consulting Services (NORACS), in which Cowden Associates, Inc. maintains an active membership. Jeanne is a member of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists (ISCEBS), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Pittsburgh Total Rewards Association and World at Work.

Jeanne’s education includes the American Society of Pension Actuaries Program. She is a graduate of Taylor Business Institute.

Chelsea joined Cowden in July 2019 as a consultant in the Compensation practice.

Chelsea brings extensive consulting experience to Cowden, with a focus on delivering sustainable HR solutions that address complex business problems across mid-market, regional, and large national clients. Chelsea has successfully helped clients to implement cost-effective HR solutions, define budgets, improve business processes, and enhance employee engagement.

Today, Chelsea specializes in helping clients maximize executive and corporate compensation strategies and designing competitive health and welfare programs. With her industry knowledge and commitment to client service, Chelsea has the ability to listen and work effectively with clients to execute the changes necessary to solve problems and achieve business objectives.

Chelsea is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management; she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bucknell University. She gained prior experience as a management consultant at two national consulting firms.

Brad is a vice president of Retirement and Actuarial Services in Cowden Associates’ retirement practice. Brad joined Cowden in 2010, and in 2012 became a shareholder of the firm.

Brad has been serving retirement plans of all types for 17 years. His primary focus involves Taft-Hartley Funds and certain large government entities, providing valuation, and consulting services. Brad’s focus as an actuary is not just in providing accurate results, but also in the detailed consulting that helps his clients to understand the situations surrounding their benefit programs, so that the desired result of the employee benefit program can be achieved.

Brad is recognized for his ability to develop appropriate strategies and studies of deep complexity, utilizing such techniques as stochastic projections and asset/liability forecasting. He has developed several Excel and Access based tools with the intent of providing greater service to the firm’s client base, making the work more efficient, as well as attracting new clientele. Two recent examples are the development of proprietary interactive spreadsheets:

• penCast – for single-employer pension plans projects contribution and accounting results under changing economic and demographic assumptions, as well as plan terminations situations.
• zoneCast – for multiemployer pension plans projects funding situations under various plan design, contribution, and economic assumptions.

Brad has spoken at American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), Worldwide Employee Benefits Network (WEB) conferences, and been a panelist in the Annual Public Pension Summit hosted by Allegheny County. He has spoken on several occasions, at the request of the Union client, to the large groups of membership regarding current and projected pension funding. He has also led continuing education sessions on pension plans for several accounting firms and investment advisory groups.

Brad is an Enrolled Actuary (EA), an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA), and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). Brad is a graduate of Grove City College.

Christian Slates began working with Cowden Associates, Inc. in November 2018 as an analyst for the Actuarial/Retirement practice. He provides actuarial analysis to support retirement consulting services for a wide range of clients.

Earlier in his career, Christian worked for an actuarial firm in Central Pennsylvania as an analyst for defined benefit and OPEB retirement plans.

Christian graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and a minor in computer science. He has passed four of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) actuarial exams and is continuing his pursuit of becoming an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA).

Lesa is currently the vice president of Health and Benefits for Cowden Associates, Inc. Her primary focus is advising client’s on the intricacies of their health and welfare plan funding, compliance and operational issues.

Lesa joined Cowden Associates as a senior consultant in February 2013 and brings with her 20 plus years of experience in the employee benefits consulting field. She has held various benefits consulting roles including positions with an international brokerage firm and as a client manager at a local Pittsburgh insurance brokerage agency. She has extensive experience in account and client management including strategic plan design development and consultation including, plan funding, contribution analysis and recommendations, vendor management and negotiations. Lesa is dedicated to strategically working with her clients to develop and implement solid business plans to manage their health and welfare plan offering objectives.

Lesa earned a Bachelor of Science from the Pennsylvania State University majoring in health policy and administration. In addition, she holds a Pennsylvania Life, Accident and Health License, a Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits and is currently a candidate to receive her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation. In September 2014, Lesa earned the Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional accreditation from the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is also a member of the Pittsburgh Association of Group Executives (PAGE) and Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA).

David Weaver is a consultant and actuary in Cowden’s actuarial practice. David works with clients to develop effective retiree benefits plan strategies that align with their organizational goals. His primary work includes compliance related and annual work, including nondiscrimination testing, funding and accounting valuation work and government filings.

Previously, David worked as a project manager for a multinational consulting firm, where he managed a wide range of accounting and valuation projects within the parameters of generally accepted financial and governmental accounting standards. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s in mathematics with an actuarial option and a bachelor’s in insurance.

David is an Enrolled Actuary (EA), a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries (FSA), and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).