About

John D. Laskowitz

President/Owner

As the owner of Bates & Company, John has many years of experience working in the qualified retirement plan arena including strategic, operational and financial issues. His past experience includes public accounting, management consulting and benefit plan consulting. John worked for more than 3 years in Europe while based in Wiesbaden, Germany. His experience also includes auditing large benefit plans, including 401(k)s and Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

John has consulted with various organizations at the ownership level, helping with corporate strategies to enhance growth opportunities as well as attract and retain employees through the implementation of effective retirement programs. John's experience in the design and implementation of retirement plans helps ensure the right plan is implemented to suit the needs of any specific organization. In addition, he has experience in administering non-qualified deferred compensation plans.

John has served on the board for the ASPPA Benefits Council of Central Florida and is a member of the American Society of Pension Professional and Actuaries. In addition, he is involved with various groups focused on qualified retirement plans.

John received his Masters of Business Administration from Northeastern University and his Bachelors of Science Degree in Accounting from Merrimack College. He is married and enjoys spending time with his wife, 2 children and the families Labrador retriever. He enjoys traveling, golf, boating and fishing.

Fred Johnston

Regional Sales Director

Fred, who joined Bates in April, 2015, has more than 35 years' experience working in the Retirement Services and Institutional Trust business. He worked in both the relationship management and plan administration side of the business for 15 years before making the transition into retirement plan consulting and new business development. Fred spent most of his career working for some of the largest bank trust companies in the Southeast before focusing his career in plan consulting and third party administration in 2012.

Fred is a graduate of Gannon College in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and was elected into Omicron Delta Epsilon, an International Economics Honor Society. While at Gannon, he was the captain of the university's baseball team for two years.

Fred is a member of ASPPA Benefits Council of Central Florida and the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Fred and his wife Sandy reside in Orlando and have two daughters and six grandkids. They enjoy leisure time at the beach and are frequent visitors to California wine country.

Susan Norton, ERPA, QPA, QKA

Managing Director

Susan Norton joined the Bates & Company team in March of 2005, with over 8 years of retirement planning experience.

In 2013 Susan achieved the designation of Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPPA) given by the Internal Revenue Service. This certification allows her to represent clients before the IRS. Susan is also a member of the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), where she earned her designations of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Plan Administrator (QKA).

As an Account Executive with Bates & Company, Susan provides quality customer service and client communication. Her responsibilities include preparing proposals for prospective clients, implementation of new clients and preparation of plan documents and amendments. She also provides full service annual administration, including calculation of contributions, trust and financial reconciliation, compliance testing, and preparation of Form 5500 series for both 412(e)(3) Defined Benefit plans and Defined Contribution plans.

Susan holds an Associate's Degree from Broward Community College, with studies emphasizing accounting and finance. Susan is a fifth-generation Floridian and is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan. In her spare time, Susan enjoys reading, golfing, camping, and fishing, as well as spending time with family and her pups, Bodie, Nitro & Storm, and their feline siblings Chase, Dakota & Gabby.

Darla McLaughlin

Director of Compliance and New Business

Darla joined Bates & Company in March 2011, bringing on board more than 24 years of experience in the Retirement Plan Administration and Accounting fields. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA. She successfully completed ASPPA PA1 and C1 courses and has participated in numerous Retirement and Accounting seminars.

Darla's previous experience includes custodial administration of self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts, design, implementation and full service third party administration of Qualified Retirement Plans, as well as extensive accounting and tax work. Her responsibilities with Bates & Company include oversight of onboarding processes for new business, ERISA compliance and full Qualified Plan Administration.

Darla and her husband, Brian, share their home with their beloved felines. They enjoy music, entertaining in their backyard sanctuary, gourmet dining, boating and traveling.

Phyllis Nelson

Senior Account Executive

Joining Bates and Company in February of 2016, Phyllis had over 35 years of prior experience working with all aspects of pension and 401(k) plans. Originally from Pennsylvania, she received her Associate in Science degree earned from Mount Ida College in Massachusetts. As an Account Executive with Bates & Company, she is responsible for the full service annual administration, including calculation of contributions, trust and financial reconciliation, compliance testing, and preparation of Form 5500 series for her plans.

Phyllis left the cold weather of Pennsylvania to enjoy the Florida sunshine year round. She still visits family up North, especially her daughter who is married and lives in New Jersey. Phyllis has traveled to almost every state in the U.S., and her love of American history spurs her to visit historical sites and museums on her trips.

Ronda Trepagnier, QKA

Senior Account Executive

Ronda Trepagnier joined the Bates & Company team in November 2015 with their acquisition of Pension Plan Professionals, Inc. She has over 10 years of experience in Third Party Administration and previous experience in Personal and Commercial lines insurance. She earned an Associate's Degree from Florida Community College at Jacksonville where she graduated with high honors. She is certified as a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) by the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA).

Ronda's responsibilities as a Senior Account Executive include A to Z administration for a block of clients. This includes compliance testing, contribution calculations, financial reconciliation and preparation of form 5500 series filings. The excellent customer service she provides stems from always putting the client first.

A Jacksonville native, Ronda lives with her husband, Stephen and 3 children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, reading and quilting.

Kathy Stevens, QPA, QKA

Senior Account Executive

Kathy joined Bates & Company in January 2015. She has over fifteen years of experience as a financial planner and previous experience in accounting and financial reporting. Kathy graduated from Bethany College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. She received her designations as a QPA and QKA in January 2018.

As a Senior Account Executive with Bates & Company, Kathy reviews census data, reconciles plan assets, and prepares financial statements and Form 5500's.

Kathy enjoys an active lifestyle of stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Brantley, working out at the gym, and is a Disney World annual pass holder. She likes to go to the movies and spend time with her Newfoundland dog and two cats.

Robin Mullins

Account Executive

Robin Mullins joined Bates & Company in August of 2016, with 10 years of prior experience in Human Resources and varied office work, she is a great asset to the company. As an Account Executive, Robin’s responsibilities include assisting with work for Defined Contribution plans including financial reconciliation and preliminary compliance testing.

Robin has two grown children and seven grandchildren, and enjoys spending time with them. Her son is serving in the United States Navy, and she enjoys talking to him whenever she can. As a proud member of a military family that spans generations, she is also on the Board of Directors for a non-profit veterans organization that is very active in community involvement.

Nicole Celso

Account Executive

Nicole joined Bates & Company in June of 2015. Born and raised in Florida, Nicole received a Bachelor of Science degree from UCF in 2012.

Nicole is assisting with both Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans and is currently studying for her QKA. Her past experience in customer service is another asset she brings to the company.

In addition to spending time with her family, Nicole enjoys bowling, the beach, taking cruises and playing with her dog, Harley

Alicia Morrison

Account Executive

Alicia joined Bates & Company in September of 2021. She has over 20 years of experience in Third Party Administration. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from University of Central Arkansas, Conway Arkansas. As an Account Executive with Bates & Company, she is responsible for full-service administration, including calculation of contributions, trust and financial reconciliation, compliance testing, and preparation of Form 5500.

Alicia enjoys time relaxing with her family which includes Toby, a 26-year-old African Grey who is a chatter box. She enjoys hiking, equestrian, cooking and traveling. Her father was in the Air-Force, so she did extensive amounts of traveling at a young age.

Beth McKendry

Account Executive

Joining Bates and Company in February of 2022, Beth had more than 30 years of prior experience working with all aspects of retirement plans. A Florida native, she received her Associates degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville. As an Account Executive with Bates & Company, she is responsible for the full service annual administration, including calculation of contributions, trust and financial reconciliation, compliance testing, and preparation of Form 5500 series for her plans.

Beth enjoys attending high school football games to watch her son perform with the marching band as well as traveling throughout the state for band competitions. She is also involved in her community and has volunteered with boy scouts and several neighborhood committees, currently serving as the chairperson for the swim team committee.

Carla Bailey

Account Executive

Carla joined Bates & Company in June 2022, with more than 37 years of experience in Retirement Plan Administration. Carla’s prior experience includes work as a Trust Accountant in Business Trust & Investments, Manager of Plan Administration, and Training Coordinator, among other varied roles.

As an Account Executive with Bates & Company, Carla serves as the day-to-day contact for her block of clients, working directly with the clients, financial advisors, and vendors. She is responsible for full-service annual administration which includes, preparing contribution calculations, nondiscrimination testing, financial reconciliations, and Form 5500 filings.

Carla enjoys spending time with her son and is an avid football fan – NCAA, NFL, and Soccer! She also enjoys the arts, so visiting museums, attending dance performances, stage plays, comedy shows, and concerts are favorite pastimes of hers, as well as just simply sitting down to read a good book (actual, physical books).

Asha Heisler

Junior Account Executive

Asha joined Bates & Company in August of 2019. Prior to Bates, Asha spent most of her career in healthcare administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Hodges University in Naples, FL.

Asha serves as the day-to-day contact for her block of clients and her responsibilities include reviewing census data, plan reconciliation, preparation of financial statements and Forms 5500.

As a Florida native Asha enjoys kayaking, going to the beach, the springs, boating, and spending time with friends and family including her 4 nieces and nephews.

Cait Breeze

Analyst

Cait joined Bates & Company in July of 2017, and brings with her over eight years of experience servicing qualified retirement plans. Her prior experience and pleasant demeanor enable her to provide detail oriented work and excellent customer service to clients. As an Analyst, she performs a variety of duties ranging from census collection to preliminary calculations and assisting with various company projects. In addition to possessing a Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, she has successfully completed ASPPA courses PA1, C1 and C2, contributing valuable insight to the company’s vast knowledge base.

Cait spends her leisure time relaxing with her husband, their two grown children, and the family cat. As an Orlando native, she also enjoys reading, playing trivia with friends, and enjoying the less well known offerings of the Orlando area.

Ashley Johnston

Analyst

Ashley joined Bates & Company in January of 2021 with 15 years of marketing and hospitality experience. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Ashley has lived in the Orlando area for over 20 years.

As an Analyst, she performs a variety of duties ranging from census collection to preliminary calculations and assisting with various company projects. She is currently studying for her QKA.

In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Ashley enjoys traveling, watching football, trying new local restaurants, and taking her dog Franco to the dog park.

Scott Toothman

Analyst

Scott joined Bates & Company in 2021, as an analyst. His duties include Distributions, Census Scrubbing, and Plan Reconciliations.

He graduated from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.

Scott is a U.S. Navy veteran. He and his wife Kellie enjoy spending time together with their three beautiful children at the beach and traveling around the country.

Rebecca Rupeka

Distribution Specialist

Rebecca joined Bates & Company in January of 2021. She brings with her over 10 years of experience in processing Plan distributions and loans. Her previous background in customer service increases her ability to provide excellent and timely service to our clients.

Rebecca is a graduate of Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady, New York, and has earned her Retirement Plan Fundamentals Certificate from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries.

Rebecca lives in Albany, New York with her three children and one granddaughter. She spends her leisure time reading, camping, boating on the lake and traveling to Florida as often as possible. She loves spending time with her family and two Black Labradors, Lenny, and Baxter.

Ashley Macri

Operations Specialist

Ashley joined the Bates & Company team in January 2020. She has experience in personal and business income taxation, as well as financial accounting and bank accounting. Ashley manages accounts receivable, force outs, business reporting, as well as assisting in distributions. She is truly a jack of all trades with Bates & Company!

Ashley holds a dual Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Youngstown State University. She also has a dual Masters in Business Administration and Finance from Purdue University Global. She holds certification in Retirement Plan Fundamentals, QuickBooks and teaching high school math. Ashley is currently studying for her CPA.

Ashley lives in Florida with her husband and two children. Her hobbies include crafting, woodworking, party planning, photography, volunteering and learning new skills. She enjoys the salt life of boating, paddle boarding, swimming, and beach time.

Alesia Arnold

Office Manager

Alesia joined Bates & Company in January 2020. She has over 17 years of customer service experience. Her responsibilities at Bates & Company include facilitating administration and IT services. She oversees assembly and distribution of Plan Valuation reports and Plan Documents.

Alesia was born and raised in Albany, GA, and moved to Florida in 2012 where she obtained her Associates Degree from Valencia College. She has three biological children and three stepchildren. In addition to being the team mom for football and basketball seasons, she enjoys traveling, sky diving, and has annual passes to all theme parks in central Florida.

Donna Swenson

Trust Accounting Specialist

Donna joined Bates & Company in June of 2012. She has 29 years of experience in the financial industry with 17 years in banking and 12 years with a financial planner. Her responsibilities at Bates & Company include trust accounting and assisting in other projects.

Donna has two married children and two grandchildren. Her daughter and son-in-law are in Washington, DC and she enjoys going to visit there as much as possible. Her son's family and grandchildren live here, so that's where she spends a lot of her free time.

Originally from Minnesota, Donna grew tired of the long, cold winters and moved to the sunshine state in 1988. She enjoys walking, biking, traveling and spending time with her family and many dear friends.

Danielle O'Mahony

Administrative Assistant

Danielle joined the Bates & Company team in February 2021. Born and raised in Florida, Danielle received her AA in General Studies from Valencia College in 2018 and is currently continuing her education while working part-time at Bates & Company.

As a Financial Analyst with Bates & Company, she is the co-head of the Force-out department. Her past experience includes 4 years of exceptional customer service which is another asset she brings to the company.

Danielle and her sister are the first generation of Irish descent, as their Father moved from Cork, Ireland to America in 1985. The three of them enjoy traveling back to their father’s native land once a year to visit their family in West Cork (her favorite place in the world). As an Orlando Native, Danielle spends her leisure time with her family, friends, and her beloved dog, Jasper. She also enjoys reading, swimming, traveling, art, and music.