About Us
Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. is a third-party pension administration and consulting company that has been in business for over fifty years. Located in Encino, California, Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. provides a comprehensive spectrum in actuarial and retirement benefits consulting services.
Partners, Mindy Gassman, E. Mark Fishman, Erin Russell, Kory Hoertz and Brian Gassman are Enrolled Actuaries, members of the Society of Pension Actuaries, American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, and teach Continuing Education classes throughout Los Angeles. Partner, Alexandra Walker, VP of Operations, is instrumental in our office administration. We also employ four additional full-time Enrolled Actuaries, allowing us to provide outstanding in-house backup to our technical staff as well as exceptional service to clients and their tax advisors.
Our Core Values
Teamwork
Supportive Environment
Respectful
Flexibility
Integrity
Professionalism
MINDY GASSMAN, MSPA, CPC, MAAA
President, Enrolled Actuary
Mindy learned at a young age that the keys to success in the pension industry are integrity, loyalty and hard work. She started at Actuaries Unlimited Inc. while earning her degree in Mathematics from UCLA and eventually went on to become a Pension Administrator, Enrolled Actuary and President of Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. Mindy prides herself on her discerning eye and her commitment to quality, and believes that it is the duty of Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. employees at every level to provide our clients with accurate, professional and timely work. Together with her husband Joel, Mindy lives in Beverly Hills and enjoys spending time with her three grown children. She is a long-time fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kings and is currently developing her golf swing.
E. Mark Fishman, MSPA, FCA, MAAA
Executive Vice President, Enrolled Actuary
Mark is a principal contributor to Actuaries Unlimited Inc.’s professional relationships and has fostered the expansion of our client base through unmatched service to our clients and industry partners. With his Bachelor’s from UCLA and Master’s from Loyola Marymount University, both in Mathematics, Mark started with Actuaries Unlimited Inc. in 1982 and has been a Partner for more than 20 years. Mark prides himself on being a creative actuary and producing the most competitive results in the business. When he is not fostering an industry-wide reputation as a go-to expert in retirement plans, Mark enjoys attending sporting events, drinking wine and listening to the Beatles. Mark has two grown sons and lives in Encino with his partner, Carrie.
Erin Russell, MSPA, CPC, QPA, QKA
Partner, Enrolled Actuary
Erin is at the forefront of continuing education at Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. and is passionate about challenging the administrators to rise to new heights in education and industry experience. A graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in Business Administration and Management, Erin has been with Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. since 2001, working her way up from Assistant, to Plan Administrator turned Actuary in 2013, to Director of Administration, and now Partner. A native to Los Angeles, Erin resides in Redondo Beach with her husband, Justin and their two children. In her free time, you can find Erin listening to live music, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Kory Hoertz
Partner, Enrolled Actuary
Kory joined AUI in 2010 with a clear plan to become an Actuary, which he accomplished in four short years. He is passionate about keeping AUI on the cutting edge of technology by staying up to date with the pension laws and leading in-house training. Kory also brings a fresh perspective to plan design to ensure AUI’s Administrators produce the most adaptive and creative proposals for our new clients. A native Californian who was born and raised in Orange County, Kory met his wife in high school and they now have three children – two girls and a boy.
Alexandra Walker
Partner, VP of Operations
Alexandra joined Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. in 2001 and currently serves as the Vice President of Operations. She previously held the positions of Director of Operations and Operations Manager. Alex’s extensive knowledge and experience in operations have been vital to the success of Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Family and Consumer/Human Sciences from California State University, Northridge. Alex is passionate about finding the right solutions for each problem that comes her way and improving processes to help the team operate smoothly and efficiently. This solution-based mindset has proven to be a valuable asset to the team, solidifying the reliable services that Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. provides. When she’s not watching her kid’s various sporting events, you can find her listening to country music and hiking with the new family pup.
Brian Gassman, CPA, QKA
Partner, Enrolled Actuary
Brian is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He began his career at an accounting firm, where he obtained his CPA license before joining the family business in 2011 at Actuaries Unlimited, Inc. He is proud to be a third-generation partner. As both an Enrolled Actuary and CPA, Brian is able to utilize his expertise to assist clients with the design and implementation of Defined Benefit, Cash Balance, Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plans, as well as the ongoing annual administration of these retirement plans. When he is away from the office, Brian enjoys working out and learning the ropes of being first-time parents with his wife to their new son, born in late 2022.
Our Management Team
Alena B. Melbye
Document Department Manager
Alena is a dedicated professional who has been with AUI for nearly 30 years. She is an inspiration to everyone she works with and a true team player, believing in the power of a can-do attitude and a sense of humor.
Alex Free, CPC, QPA, QKA
Enrolled Actuary
After an education and short nonprofit career in international studies, Alex pivoted and joined AUI in 2015. He quickly proved himself as an adept plan administrator with an intricate and multi-faceted self-taught knowledge of pension law. Alex uses his strong communication and interpersonal skills in assisting clients and colleagues alike.
Alexandro Pinedo, QPA, QKA
Enrolled Actuary
Alexandro has worked in the retirement industry since 2008 and joined AUI in 2013. A proven leader and knowledgeable in all aspects of administration, Alexandro was promoted to Pension Manager in 2018 and became an Actuary in 2020. He is dependable and always takes the time to answer any questions thrown his way, both in-office and from our clients.
Brian Flynn
Director of Business Development
A graduate from Oregon State University in Business Administration, Brian has been in the retirement plan industry since 1993 before joining AUI in July of 2021. His focus has been on building business relationships with others in the industry who share the common objective of providing clients with retirement plans that achieve their goals, as well providing plan participants with successful retirement outcomes.
Linda Thi-Ly, QKC, QKA
Director of Operations
Linda has been with AUI since 2014, working her way up from Administrative Assistant, to Plan Administrator in 2015, to Training Coordinator in 2018, to Manager of Operations in 2019, to Director of Operations in 2021. With patience and her ability to quickly pick up different processes and streamline procedures, she is not only the go-to person to successfully train new employees, but a mentor to all employees at AUI.
Sharon Liu, QPA, QKA
Plan Administration Manager
Sharon started with AUI as an intern in 2008 during her junior year at UCLA. She now leads as a Plan Administration Manager and is always eager to learn and be a resource to clients and other Administrators.
Enrolled Actuary
TK joined AUI as a Consulting Actuary Consultant in 2011. With over 25 years’ experience, he serves as a technical lead to our administrative team. Around the office, TK is known for his lighthearted nature and dedication to continued education.
Yvonne LaFrance, QKA
Enrolled Actuary
Yvonne came to AUI as a high level pension administrator with managerial experience. She not only reviews work of other administrators, but also enjoys providing training and helping her team members and clients understand complex concepts. She is a valuable resource who is always eager to resolve concerns and questions posed by administrators with skill and ease.