It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since we first opened our doors. When I look back to 2006, the world was a very different place, but the core mission of Castle Rock PEP (then Castle Rock Investment Company) was exactly what it is today: helping hard-working people secure their futures.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2026, I keep coming back to the same thought: this journey was built on trust. Before the milestones, before the growth, and before anyone knew what the next 20 years would look like, a handful of clients believed in us early. They welcomed us in, gave us a chance, and helped shape the kind of firm we would become.
Want to see the full journey of the people who made these 20 years possible? Take a few minutes to watch our 20-year appreciation video, which looks back on the relationships, milestones, and moments that helped shape Castle Rock PEP.
Watch the 20-Year Appreciation Video
This blog: the first in a four-part series: is dedicated to the "Roots." More specifically, it is dedicated to the original partners from 2006 and 2007 who trusted us when we were just getting started. These relationships are the bedrock of our 20-year journey, and this post is a heartfelt thank-you to the people who were there at the beginning.
Every story has a beginning, and ours starts with people who were willing to take a chance on a new firm with a big vision. In those earliest years, every conversation mattered, every introduction mattered, and every new relationship carried real meaning.
Trust is a heavy word in financial services. When a company chooses a retirement plan partner, they are not just picking a provider. They are choosing someone to help protect their employees' futures, guide important decisions, and bring peace of mind to the people counting on them. That kind of trust is never small, and it is never forgotten.
The year 2006 will always mean something special to us because it marks the beginning of relationships that helped define who we are. These were not just early accounts on a calendar. These were real people who put their confidence in us, encouraged our work, and gave us the opportunity to prove ourselves.
A warm and sincere thank-you to Eric and Alyson Plummer of Alternative Health and Wellness. Your early support meant more than words can fully capture. When you are a young firm, every relationship matters deeply, and yours was one of the first that helped us feel like this vision could truly grow into something lasting.
We are deeply grateful to the team at Managed Business Solutions, Inc. (MBS), including Jim Franzen, Tom Hoogendyk, Richard Mainwaring, Richard Noe, Tee Ray Nolan, Theresa Kropinak, Jimmy Chan, Charlie Moschel, Jim Warne, Jayna Curtis-Martin, and Kim Homolka.
MBS was one of those early partnerships that helped steady the path forward. Your confidence in us, your professionalism, and your willingness to work alongside us in those formative years helped create a foundation we still stand on today.
Our appreciation also goes to the wonderful team at Platte Valley Bank: Hod Kosman, Jim Kozal, Don Roth, Jim Cauble (honoring his memory), John Massey, Zac Karpf, Sandy Massey, Joe Guth, Jody Miles, Hunter Kosman, Julie Garner, Wade Gebhardt, Katy Reichart, Donna Polar, Brittney Moore, and Debra Wolf.
This partnership holds a special place in our history. We are especially honored to remember Jim Cauble and recognize his memory as part of this 20-year reflection. To everyone at Platte Valley Bank, thank you for being among the first to place your trust in us. That trust helped shape our confidence, our standards, and our commitment to serving clients the right way.
By 2007, the momentum was beginning to build, and with it came more relationships that would become part of our story for years to come. These clients did more than sign on. They helped confirm that the values we started with: service, trust, and long-term partnership: were resonating.
We are so thankful for Shippers Warehouse and the people who were part of that early partnership: Rick Jones, Gloria Owens, Ken Johnson, Graham Swank, Pam Ragon, and Diane Villafana.
Your support in those early days gave us encouragement and momentum at a time when both mattered tremendously. You helped us keep moving forward, and we remain grateful for the role you played in our beginning.
A heartfelt thank-you as well to Drexel, Barrell & Co. and to Michael Middleton, William K. Wright, Mark H. Hageman, Barbara Kelley, and Kari McDowell Schroeder.
Your partnership represented exactly the kind of relationship we hoped to build: thoughtful, trusting, and grounded in shared standards. Having your confidence so early in our story meant a great deal to us, and it still does.
When people look at a 20-year milestone, it is easy to focus on growth, timelines, and business achievements. But that is not what stands out most to me. What stands out are the names, the handshakes, the conversations, and the belief that was extended to us when we were still in our earliest chapter.
The clients from 2006 and 2007 are not just part of our history. They are part of our identity. They helped establish the culture of care, accountability, and partnership that continues to guide our work today. In a very real way, these original relationships are the bedrock of everything that followed.
You cannot build a 20-year legacy alone. While I may be the face many of you see, the "engine room" of Castle Rock PEP is powered by some of the most dedicated professionals in the industry.
I want to publicly thank Kristen Sanchez, Molly Vogt, Ashley Jangro, and Michael Angell. Their expertise and general retirement plan administration has been the backbone of our success. They are the ones who answered the difficult compliance questions, navigated the ever-changing regulatory landscape, and ensured that our clients always feel supported.
We have also been committed to fostering the next generation of financial leaders. Over the years, we've been joined by some incredible interns who have brought fresh energy and perspectives to our office. A huge shoutout to Jared Klos, Mack Bekeza, Aaron Schwartz, Dax Connor, and Roman Perez. Seeing where your careers have taken you since your time with us is one of my greatest joys.
Looking at the path we've walked since 2006, I am filled with a sense of "peace of mind": not just for our firm, but for the thousands of participants who are now closer to a secure retirement because of the work we've done together.
We've seen the industry change from basic 401(k)s to the sophisticated PEP models we champion today. We've moved from paper files to AI-integrated systems (which you'll hear more about in Blog #3 of this series!). But through all the technological shifts, the "Roots" remain the same: People first.
If you have been with us for twenty years, ten years, or ten days: thank you. Your trust is the reason we are here, and your success is the only metric that truly matters to us.
As we look toward the next 20 years, we remain committed to reducing the administrative burden on employers and empowering employees to own their financial futures. The journey to financial security is a long one, but it's always better when you walk it with a partner you trust.
What's Next?
In our next post, we'll dive into "The Evolution of Retirement," where we discuss how the retirement landscape has shifted and why the PEP model is the future for businesses looking to provide elite benefits without the traditional headaches.
Until then, if you're ready to see how our 20 years of experience can help your business thrive, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's build something lasting, together.
Simplifying retirement for all. One plan. Every business.
We'd love to celebrate this milestone with you in person.
When: Friday, April 17th, 2026, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: 115 Wilcox Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104
If you'd like to join us, please RSVP here.
This content was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and reviewed by Castle Rock Investment Company for accuracy and completeness.