Meet Our Professionals
Kurt Wedewer, CEBS, RPA
Executive Vice President
Retirement Planning Division
Kurt Wedewer is the Executive Vice President in the Retirement Planning Division at American Trust & Savings Bank, a family-owned full-service bank that has been a leader in commercial and retail banking and wealth management services since 1911. He is responsible for all aspects of American Trust's full-service, bundled Retirement Plan administration product. Mr. Wedewer is involved in the selling, plan design, and ongoing administration of all types of qualified plans; specializing in the areas of complex plan design, compliance and investment selection.
After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa in 1990, Mr. Wedewer was a pension underwriter with CIGNA before joining American Trust in 1997. He was awarded the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation in 1998 by the Wharton School of Business and the Retirement Plan Specialist designation in 2001. In addition to his pension related background, he owns a Series 7 securities license, is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner designation, and is enrolled in the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking.
Chuck Seymour, QKA
First Vice President
Client Services Manager
As First Vice President, Mr. Seymour manages our Client Services Department. He is responsible for the department's overall ongoing account management and administration services, as well as employee enrollment/education meetings for plan sponsors and participants. Chuck is a graduate from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and has completed several securities examinations, including the Series 7 and 63. Chuck has over 20 years of experience in the service, administration and education of qualified retirement plans. He is a designated Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) through the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries.
Dennis Herber, QKA
First Vice President
New Business Manager
As First Vice President, Mr. Herber is responsible for new business development within the Retirement Planning Department. More specifically, he aids in the creation and implementation of complex plan design solutions, which are specific to each customer. Dennis is a graduate of Northeast Iowa Community College where he earned an Associate Degree in Accounting. He has over 20 years experience in the retirement industry. He holds a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation through the American Society of Pension Professional and Actuaries, NASD Series 6 and 63 licenses.
Jeff Kunkel, ERPA, QPA, QKA
First Vice President
Compliance, Documents, and Testing Manager
As First Vice President, Mr. Kunkel manages the Compliance, Plan Document and Testing departments. His team is responsible for ensuring that all retirement plan clients maintain their tax qualified status by keeping each plan up to date and in compliance with IRS and DoL laws. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Management. He has over 19 years of experience in the retirement planning industry. Jeff is an Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent (ERPA) and is enrolled to represent retirement plan clients before the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, he has attained the designations of Qualified Pension Administrator (QPA) and Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) under the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA).
Fred Sear, Jr.
First Vice President
Technology Services Manager
As First Vice President, Mr. Sear is responsible for the department's technology needs, including overseeing day-to-day processing output. Fred graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, with a degree in mathematics. He has over 18 years of qualified retirement plan experience and more than 10 years of designing and developing tools used both internally and externally. He also serves as a message board moderator for the employee benefits website, "BenefitsLink" and is an active member of the Sungard Relius Administration User Group.
Jody Clasen
Senior Transition Consultant
As a Senior Transition Consultant, Ms. Clasen is responsible for transition of plan assets, participant data and historical information for the plan. She is a graduate of Clinton Community College, Clinton, Iowa with an Associate of Arts in Business. Jody brings 12 years of banking experience to American Trust & Savings Bank. She has also completed Consumer Credit Schooling in Ames and was a consumer loan officer for three years before coming to American Trust in 2006.
Michelle Breitbach
New Business Marketing Supervisor
Ms. Breitbach is responsible for overseeing the New Business proposal process, developing content for new sales marketing pieces, and acting as a liaison for our external sales partners. She is a 2002 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Immediately after graduating, she began working in the retirement industry. Michelle came to American Trust in 2007 with a strong background in participant communication, disbursements and tax reporting.
Jill Courtney
New Business Marketing Specialist
As a Marketing Specialist, Ms. Courtney is responsible for assisting the New Business Team. Jill joined American Trust in 2009 and has over 10 years experience in sales and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa.
Diana Miller, QKA
New Business Marketing Coordinator
Ms. Miller is responsible for coordinating sales marketing proposals for our internal and external sales force. She joined American Trust in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and International Studies from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Diana brings to American Trust a strong background in data analysis, communication, finance, and retirement planning gathered through several internships. She is a designated Qualified 401(k) Administrator and is currently pursing her MBA at Clarke University.
Debra Morris
Second Vice President
Account Manager
As Second Vice President, Ms. Morris is responsible for account management and administration of retirement plans in our Iowa City office. Debra holds Bachelor of Arts and MBA degrees from the University of Iowa, and has more than 20 years of experience in Employee Benefits. She has also completed the National Graduate Trust School.
Lori Loch
Account Manager
Ms. Loch administers retirement plan accounts and is responsible for the day-to-day functions along with quarterly plan administrator meetings. Lori graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2002, and spent three years as a Client Consultant. She then spent a year with Diversified Investment Advisors as an Account Consultant where she earned her Series 6 Securities License. Lori is currently pursuing the QKA designation and has been with American Trust since 2006.
Ryan Bryte
Trust Officer
Account Manager
As an Account Manager, Mr. Bryte administers retirement plan accounts. Ryan partners with employers on operation of their plan and works individually with their employees on the guidance for their retirement strategy. He graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and has a Master's degree in Business Administration from Clarke University in Dubuque. He has his Series 7 and Series 63 securities licenses.. Ryan has nine years experience in retirement planning.
Lindsey Duerr
Trust Officer
Account Manager
As an Account Manager, Ms. Duerr is responsible for administering retirement plan accounts. Lindsey graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Lindsey is currently pursuing the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) and has been with American Trust since 2005.
Krista Lebeck
Enrollment Specialist
As an Enrollment Specialist, Ms. Lebeck is responsible for employee enrollment and education meetings. She has her Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses and her insurance license. Krista graduated from Loras College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Marketing. She has ten years experience in the financial and retirement industry on both qualified plans, as well as investment advising with IRAs and individual brokerage accounts.
Brian McCleary
Enrollment Specialist
As an Enrollment Specialist, Mr. McCleary is responsible for employee enrollment and education meetings. He has his Series 7, 63, and 65 securities licenses and is life insurance licensed. Brian graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Marketing. He joined the industry in 2000 and started at American Trust in 2009. He has 10 years of experience in the retirement industry on both 401(k) and Pensions, as well as investment advising in IRAs and individual brokerage accounts.
Erick Kephart
Enrollment Specialist
Mr. Kephart joined American Trust in 2011 with two years experience in the retirement planning industry. Erick graduated from Loras College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. He has his Series 6 and 63 securities licenses and has experience in Pension and 401(k) accounts, specifically in processing enrollment, distributions, and providing investment information and education. As an Enrollment Specialist, Erick is responsible for employee enrollment and education meetings.
Jeni Ferring
Retirement Planning Specialist
As a Retirement Planning Specialist, Ms. Ferring is responsible for account openings, distributions, and tax reporting. She also assists with PrimeVest accounts held in the Trust department. Jeni attended Loras College and the University of Northern Iowa. She has 30 years of banking experience, including 20 years of Trust experience.
Sally Bauer
Client Communication Specialist
Ms. Bauer graduated with an Accounting degree from Southwestern Wisconsin Technical College. Sally joined American Trust in 1999, and entered into the Retirement Planning Department in 2006. She is currently pursuing her Qualified 401(k) Administrator designation.
Cindy Wiederhold
Retirement Planning Assistant
Ms. Wiederhold joined American Trust in 2009 with 14 years in the Retirement Planning Industry. Cindy has extensive experience in processing and has taken on a variety of leadership roles in that area. As a Retirement Planning Assistant, she is responsible for offering support in several areas of the department, primarily focusing on providing excellent customer service.
Sue Jacobs, QKA
Senior Document Compliance Specialist
As a Senior Document Compliance Specialist, Ms. Jacobs is responsible for consulting on plan design and drafting plan documents for new business clients. In addition, she is responsible for completing document work for existing clients and assists with technical/compliance related questions. Sue joined American Trust in 2008, with over 10 years of retirement planning experience. Sue has an Associate Degree in Business from Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois and holds a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation.
Jim Leonard
Documents Specialist
Mr. Leonard joined the American Trust team in 2007. Jim has 16 years of retirement planning experience including six years of testing experience and four years of document experience. Jim has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Molly Freiburger
Documents Specialist
Ms. Freiburger is responsible for drafting plan documents and assisting with technical and compliance related questions. She joined American Trust in 2009 with over 10 years of retirement planning experience. Prior to joining American Trust, Molly has filled various roles in the retirement planning industry including Participant Services, Client Services, Compliance, and Plan Document Design. Molly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Heidi Hunter, QKA
Compliance Testing and Reporting Supervisor
As the Lead Testing Compliance Specialist, Ms. Hunter is responsible for the tracking of workflow and completion of year end discrimination testing and annual reporting. She is also involved in audit support for all Form 5500 large plan filers. In the 10 years Heidi has been employed with American Trust, she has obtained experience in the administrative, data entry and document areas of the Retirement Planning Department. Heidi attended Northeast Iowa Community College and completed courses in Accounting. She is a designated Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA).
Karen Schwendinger, QKA
Compliance Testing and Reporting Specialist
After graduating from the University of Iowa, Ms. Schwendinger began working in the retirement planning industry where she has held various positions. She joined American Trust in 2005 as a compliance tester and relocated to the West Des Moines office in 2006. She holds a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation.
Diane Boleyn, CRSP
Compliance Specialist
Ms. Boleyn joined the American Trust Retirement Planning Department as a Compliance Specialist in 2003. In her 25 years experience in the retirement planning industry, she has been involved in all aspects of qualified plan administration. Her primary focus since joining American Trust has been in compliance and testing, while assisting in other areas of retirement planning. She has earned the designation of Certified Retirement Services Professional from the Cannon Financial Institute Retirement Plan Services Schools.
Loran Decker, QKA
Compliance Testing and Reporting Specialist
Mr. Decker Joined American Trust in 2007 with 12 years of compliance testing and 5500/audit support experience. He has a Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting and Marketing and has his Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation.
Kristy Coyle
Technology Specialist
As the Technology Specialist, Ms. Coyle is responsible for coordinating the plan sponsor and participant reports, supporting administration of the recordkeeping system, and new technology developments. She joined American Trust in 2007 with 17 years of retirement planning experience and six years of technology experience. Kristy obtained her Computer Information Systems degree from Wartburg College in 1992.
Charlene Wolter
Record Keeping Supervisor
Trust Officer
Ms. Wolter joined the Retirement Planning Department at American Trust in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Charlene came to American Trust with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources/Personnel in the hospital industry. Charlene has over 10 years of experience in Retirement Planning and currently manages the Processing Department of Retirement Planning; overseeing all daily processing, which includes transition of new business plans, contributions, loan processing, distribution processing, transfers, research, training, and more.
Jennifer Travis
Lead Data Specialist
Ms. Travis began her career with American Trust in 2005. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree with emphasis on Administrative Assistant, as well as an Account Clerk Diploma from Northeast Iowa Community College. As Lead Data Specialist, Jennifer is responsible for cash management, balancing accounts, managing workflow and is also responsible for training new employees.
Jillian Kronfeldt
Data Specialist
Ms. Kronfeldt joined the American Trust team in January of 2007. Jill has completed her Retirement Planning Fundamentals I and II courses.
Kari Tuecke
Data Specialist
Ms. Tuecke joined American Trust in 2007 with over 15 years in banking experience. Kari has an Associate Degree in Accounting from Madison Area Technical College. Kari has completed her Retirement Planning Fundamentals I and II courses.
Carol Ambrosy
Data Specialist
Ms. Ambrosy joined American Trust in 2007. Carol has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dubuque, and has completed her Retirement Planning Fundamentals I and II courses.
Denise Mohr:
Data Specialist
Ms. Mohr began her career at American Trust in June 2011 and moved to the Retirement Planning Department in January 2012. She relocated to Dubuque from Garrison, New York and has a background in bookkeeping and administration with five years experience in pension administration. Denise is currently pursuing her Retirement Planning Fundamentals I and II courses.
Beth Ostwinkle
Data Specialist
Ms. Ostwinkle has been with the American Trust since 2008 and transferred to Retirement Planning in January 2012. Beth is currently pursuing her Retirement Planning Fundamentals I and II courses.
New Business Team
Led by Dennis Herber
Client Services Team
Led by Chuck Seymour
Compliance, Documents & Testing Team
Led by Jeff Kunkel
Technology & Processing Team
Led by Fred Sear
