--- title: Water Cooler Wisdom | Michele Suriano description: "Michele Suriano, founded the firm in 2006. \nHer prior career included serving plan sponsors as a retirement plan adviser for Ceridian (2002-2006) and retail investors with T. Rowe Price, Inc. (1999-2002). From 1994 to 1999 she held several positions in the mortgage industry including Executive Branch Manager for Transamerica Financial Services, Inc. in Colorado Springs, CO and Advanta Finance, Inc. in Vienna, VA. \n \nQualifications and Designations:\nPassed the following FINRA examinations: Series 6, 7, 63, 66, and CO insurance exams for life, health and variable annuities. \n• Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant \n• Qualified Plan Financial Consultant \n• Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ \n• Global Fiduciary Strategist from Thunderbird \n• B.S. Degree in Applied Economics from Hofstra University \n• Leadership Development Institute from the Navigators \n• Adviser to two finalists for PLANSPONSOR of the Year (2013 and 2017 \n• Quoted in several industry trade publications \n \nVolunteer Work:\nYoga instructor at https://peaceoutyoga.com/ \nInvestment Committee member for Disability Law Colorado Board of Directors for DLC (2011 – 2017)\nCrew Leader for Keepers of the Rock, in partnership with the Town’s Teen Court program (2005 – 2018)\nBoard of Directors, Denver chapter of the Western Pension & Benefit Council (2007- 2013)" image: https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Blog%20Picture.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano#main-content) ![Castle Rock Logo](https://castlerockpep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20Logo%202026-1.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=Castle%20Rock%20Logo%202026-1.png) - [Home](https://castlerockpep.com/) - [About Us](https://castlerockpep.com/about) Show submenu for About Us - [Community Page](https://castlerockpep.com/community) - [Blog](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom) - [Contact Us](https://castlerockpep.com/contact-us) - [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/pooled-employer-plan-1) Show submenu for Pooled Employer Plan - [Investment Options](https://castlerockpep.com/investments) - [Pricing](https://castlerockpep.com/pricing-new) - [Plan Design Choices](https://castlerockpep.com/plandesigns) - [Who We Serve](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve) Show submenu for Who We Serve - [Colorado Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/colorado-businesses) - [Women-Owned Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/women-owned-businesses) - [Fiduciary Tool Belt](https://castlerockpep.com/-fiduciary-tool-belt) Show submenu for Fiduciary Tool Belt - [ERISA Plan Governance](https://castlerockpep.com/erisa-plan-governance) - [ERISA Fiduciary Training](https://castlerockpep.com/fiduciary-training) - [Regulators and Audits](https://castlerockpep.com/regulators-and-audits) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://castlerockpep.com/) - [About Us](https://castlerockpep.com/about) Show submenu for About Us - [Community Page](https://castlerockpep.com/community) - [Blog](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom) - [Contact Us](https://castlerockpep.com/contact-us) - [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/pooled-employer-plan-1) Show submenu for Pooled Employer Plan - [Investment Options](https://castlerockpep.com/investments) - [Pricing](https://castlerockpep.com/pricing-new) - [Plan Design Choices](https://castlerockpep.com/plandesigns) - [Who We Serve](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve) Show submenu for Who We Serve - [Colorado Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/colorado-businesses) - [Women-Owned Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/women-owned-businesses) - [Fiduciary Tool Belt](https://castlerockpep.com/-fiduciary-tool-belt) Show submenu for Fiduciary Tool Belt - [ERISA Plan Governance](https://castlerockpep.com/erisa-plan-governance) - [ERISA Fiduciary Training](https://castlerockpep.com/fiduciary-training) - [Regulators and Audits](https://castlerockpep.com/regulators-and-audits) - [Join the PEP](https://castlerockpep.com/join-castle-rock-pep) [Join the PEP](https://castlerockpep.com/join-castle-rock-pep) [![Picture of Ronia Grillos](https://castlerockpep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ronia%20Grillos.jpg?width=480&height=480&name=Ronia%20Grillos.jpg)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/community-spotlight-ronia-grillos-brings-handcrafted-leather-hats-to-castle-rock-artfest) ## [Community Spotlight: Ronia Grillos Brings Handcrafted Leather Hats to Castle Rock Artfest](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/community-spotlight-ronia-grillos-brings-handcrafted-leather-hats-to-castle-rock-artfest) Sep 11, 2026, 10:23:41 AM Community Spotlight: Ronia Grillos Brings Handcrafted Leather Hats to Castle Rock Artfest This weeke... 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[Read more](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/a-community-of-experts-our-partners-in-success) [![Logo with the years 2006 - 2026](https://cdn.marblism.com/SEpeJhDcefv.jpg)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/honoring-our-roots-20-years-of-client-partnerships) ## [Honoring Our Roots: 20 Years of Client Partnerships](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/honoring-our-roots-20-years-of-client-partnerships) Apr 14, 2026, 3:14:03 AM It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since we first opened our doors. When I look back to... 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(Part 1)](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-fiduciary-burden-are-you-wearing-the-right-hat-part-1) Mar 10, 2026, 1:51:25 PM If you own or lead a company, you're used to wearing a lot of hats. You're the visionary, the chief ... [Read more](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/the-fiduciary-burden-are-you-wearing-the-right-hat-part-1) [1](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano) [2](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano/page/2) [3](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano/page/3) [Next](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano/page/2) [Last](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano/page/3) ### Subscribe Here! 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